2016 October Issue

Crimson h t e t e e M kfast a e r B

Volume 76 l Issue 1 l 10.7.16 l 801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, CA l Paso Robles High School

Five Star Program p. 3

The Refugee Debate p. 6

new Club.

Football 5-0 p. 26

Open campus loses favor “Free the Bearcats” petition collapses due to lack of leadership by Esther Cabello, People Co-Editor

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petition to grant PRHS an open campus, initiated last school year by teacher 2.0, had more than one F per semester, and experienced attendance or behavior problems should Geoffrey Land’s second period Civics and Government class, worked the school not be granted an open campus. They, according to Land, tried to structure the campaign in a way that into a frenzy at the promise of lunchtime freedom before it came to a halt nine months ago made it an incentive to get better grades and be more involved. at the turn of the New Year. This abrupt ending, according to Land, was caused as a result of a lack of “If someone can’t pass their classes, I don’t think they should have the privilege of leaving campus initiative from both the students and our school administration, and it has raised questions among the during lunch. Personally, I think it should be no F’s or D’s,” said former ASB president Lizette students of PRHS concerning the origins and conclusions of the petition.

Juarez through a comment on the “Free the Bearcats” Facebook page.

As part of an annual assignment completed by Land’s seniors, the “Worthy Cause” project, students According to Land, although the movement had a clear goal and was backed up by a reasonable are encouraged to find something around their community that they would like to improve. This in- argument, it lacked the proper form of leadership required to prosper. class project has resulted in the addition of new water refill stations around “One of the problems was that there was no one group or one person that was campus, as well as service projects such as sending care packages to St. Jude really in charge. That might have been one of the weaknesses of the campaign,” Children’s Hospital and bringing materials to orphans in Grenada, a country in Land said. the Caribbean. One of the campaigns chosen for the 2015-2016 school year Land also found a problem with his seniors as the end of the year approached. was the issue of an open campus, and this movement grew to extend across the “There’s this short timer’s attitude, which is a really big problem for anything entire school. that’s happening. Seniors are the ones that are confident and smart enough to “Everybody in class took a copy and took it around. Students were coming propose it, but the problem is that they get senioritis,” Land remarked. in and asking for copies of the petition after they heard about it, so quickly it The students were not the only ones guilty of letting the petition fizzle became a big thing,” said Land, who has conducted the project for the past four out. According to Land, the open campus movement was not high on the years and held the responsibility of overseeing the petition. priority list.

History and Government teacher administration’s According to Land, this is the farthest that the open campus issue has ever “I think they felt like it was a really big change. These are busy people with reached in his 18 years of teaching. full plates juggling a lot of different tasks, and I’m not sure they were convinced “Students have been complaining about [the lack of an] open campus every year. At least this year that it would make their lives easier if there was an open campus,” Land said. [the students] got a really solid petition together. It was a legitimate campaign, but it faded,” Land said.

“It’s a lot more complicated than just saying yes or no, so there’s a lot of things that would have to go The campaign was widely spread, as students were notified of the progress of the movement that into place if that were something we were to talk about doing. I’m open to continuing the conversation, had been granted the nickname “Free the Bearcats” through advertisements, such as posters and I just don’t know what side we’ll fall on,” said principal Eric Martinez, who has been working in printed petitions that were hung around campus. According to Land, the petition received well over the Paso Robles Unified School District for three months.

1,000 signatures, which is roughly half of the student body. The petition was also broadcasted through According to senior class president, Isabel Gonzalez, the senior class has no desire to take a small Facebook page that accumulated 169 likes and was run by a group of seniors involved in the initiative on the matter of an open campus either. campaign.

“I’m sure we would definitely sign the petition if it came up again, but we will probably not be Land’s students proposed the idea that the privilege of an open campus be treated as a rewards taking action or doing something to start it back up. Personally, I really would like [to have an open system, adding on to the PBIS program already established on campus that encourages good campus], but I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t happen,” Gonzalez said. behavior in school. The seniors who wrote up the petition argued that students who had a GPA below

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“It was a legitimate campaign, but it faded” ­—Geof Land,

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The Petition: By the Numbers Received well over

1,000 signatures Accumulated 169 Facebook likes 2 NEWS | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

Came to a halt 9 months ago

About the Cover

Farthest open campus has reached in 18 years

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club, which premiered in 1985, is a drama film about five high school students who spend a morning detention together that portrays the highs and lows of high school life. Learn more about our PRHS Bearcat Breakfast Club on p. 14.

SLO joins Paso in tightening cannabis laws New bill brought to SLO Board of Supervisors

by Logan Kepins, Food Editor

“Pie in the sky dreams” for program 5-star student program offers tangible rewards for showing PRIDE

by Mason Seden-Hansen, News Co-Editor

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eadership and the student body are implementing a new program, the “5Star Student Program,” to help encourage student extracurricular activity by rewarding students who participate in school activities with free dance tickets, free food, water bottles, custom shirts and more. Additionally, the program is being used to gather data needed to help increase student involvement. “[Our goal is to] get every kid involved in an extracurricular or cocurricular activity,” CoActivities Director and AP Chemistry and Leadership teacher Anthony Overton said.

The program has students earn points by attending home sports games and club meetings, wearing spirit wear and participating in student polls, among other things. Points can be “cashed in” for rewards, according to ASB president Josh Dewhurst. The students who are in the top 10th percentile of points earned will be deemed “5-star” students, students in the 15 percent below that will be “4-star,” and students in each 25 percent below that will be given progressively fewer stars.

Students will receive rewards based on both their raw point values as well as their star levels.

The program also will also incorporate student attendance at clubs and note students who aren’t attending meetings to help find new ways to encourage participation. “We can pull up a kid and see what they’ve been doing…[then] talk to teachers and tell them to give them a push,” Co-Activities Director and Dance and Leadership teacher Jennifer Bedrosian said. “The biggest thing this program does is it allows us to reach out to those who we may not have not had the ability to reach out to before because we did not know they were not involved,” Dewhurst said. “Posters don’t invite people, people invite people.”

In addition to encouraging student participation, Overton said that the program is “a tool for us to [ask] why people aren’t going to club meetings,” and to use this information to help tailor club schedules to student needs. For example, if lunch availability is an issue for students, then more clubs might be moved to nutrition or after school, but without the data provided by the program it can’t be guaranteed “students will take advantage” of changes, Overton said. “We can tailor our events [and] our publicity towards” students who have not attended clubs, Dewhurst said.

Although the program, which was developed by an independent 5-Star Student Company, is new to PRHS, Overton has high expectations for it. “Our colleagues said it was very effective,” Overton said.

Overton also emphasized the importance of always having student IDs on hand as the program develops. The program relies heavily on small handheld devices that scan student ID barcodes and instantly send information to a database. These devices will account for more and more of 5-Star rewards tallying as the program continues, and they will eventually account for all official point collecting, so “student IDs are a must,” Overton said.

Photo by Madison Funke

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major emergency ordinance was passed 4-1 by the San Luis Obispo board of supervisors on September 20, banning all future commercial production of marijuana within unincorporated areas of SLO County. Grow sites are now required to provide records proving their cultivation began before August 23rd. In addition, existing grow sites now must fit certain criteria, including a 6 foot tall fence encompassing the entirety of the grow site as well as being required to register within 45 days.

“We have a responsibility to protect the people…either I provide increased protection or I ignore it. If we don’t pass something that will help us regulate it rather than enforce it, I will be pulling resources from every area of the county,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson said regarding the potential criminal activity that would arrive from illegal grow sites.

Many view marijuana as a “gate-way” drug and wouldn’t ever want it legalized. School officer Bob Velasquez stated that despite seeing cannabis’ medicinal values he thinks “we’re heading down the wrong path,” and that “marijuana should not be legalized for recreational use.” A recent study cited a 34.9 percent usage rate among high school seniors, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Although it typically comes with a negative stigma attached, marijuana has been shown to cure or lessen the symptoms of numerous ailments. Cancer patients use it to ease the pain of chemotherapy and help them regain their appetite, while epilepsy patients can use cannabis oils to stop their seizures. Anxiety is also treated through cannabinoids, which mimic the naturally occurring stress manager endocannabinoid. Paso Robles also has banned cannibis growing within the city.

Work donated for field renovation Pear Valley Vineyard owner donates dirt removal

by Mason Seden-Hansen, News Co-Editor

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ear Valley Vineyards owner Tom Maas has donated his work and equipment to remove and transport dirt at Flamson Middle School’s War Memorial Stadium and PRHS stadium. The donation Tennis Courts was estimated by the district to be worth at least $800,000, according to Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Chief Business Officer Duane Wolgamott.

Main campus Track “We appreciate [Maas’] partnership and dedication...passion and commitment, [he’s] one in a million, [I thank him] so, so much,” PRJUSD superintendent Chris Williams said.

The donation will help a project within the larger Facilities Master Plan, a plan that outlines $193 million in construction, modernization and renovation in the 11 schools in PRJUSD. The FMP will have several benefits to PRHS, such as an improved parking drop off, band and auto shop room expansions and major and minor modernization throughout the campus. The dirt removed by the donation will eventually be replaced with artificial turf at the two stadiums, and the removed dirt will be used to level fields north of the stadiums at their respective schools, in alignment with the FMP, according to Wolgamott. The removal at War Memorial will occur at the end of the PRHS football season, while the PRHS stadium removal will occur at the end of the track season.

“I’m very fast about it...you’ll be amazed what we can do in a day...my goal is two weeks,” Maas said.

Maas’ massive donation was acknowledged and officially approved by a unanimous vote at a September 13th board meeting, where he received a standing ovation. “[Maas] is a true Paso Roblan, he sees a need and he does it,” PRJUSD board member Joel Peterson said.

Maas was not alone in his donation, with several other wineries also contributing equipment to help with the project. “There’s lot of people, all the wineries are kicking in,” Maas said.

Maas has experience with this type of project, as he helped with similar renovations at San Clemente High School, and he says he finds it “actually kind of fun.”

Turf Installation Parking Lot

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | NEWS 3

“I Have a Dream…”

experience - and they’re able to bring that experience back into the classroom.”

Along with the excitement of students, Martinez is especially pleased with the professionalism of administrative staff, as they work hand in hand to run the high school in all of its various aspects, beginning early on in the summer to outline the plan for the upcoming school year.

“I think we have a good balance,” Martinez said. “We have a lot of strengths [where] others have some area to grow.”

Taking into account the good qualities students and staff already possess, Martinez hopes to further improve campus life, continuing the reputation PRHS has for being top 2350 in the nation and 449th in California, using foundations laid in previous years.

“In the next year, I really want to continue to build upon our culture piece,” Martinez said. “I know Mr. Overton, Mrs. Bedrosian, Mrs. Goodnow with Link Crew. They’ve done a lot as far as including more kids to be a part of the school, and so I’d like that to continue.”

In addition, Martinez aspires to continue educational opportunity for students, working together collaboratively with teachers to increase the level of rigor in class, the end goal to be “the most outstanding high school not only in the county but also in the state.”

Martinez endorses the “5 Star Student” program, used as a hard-number collector, obtaining data on what students are and aren’t involved in, in order to improve administrative decisions regarding student life. The program, able to barcode club attendance, should help the events that attract the most interest, and add new events students are likely to be involved in.

“It really helps us make our decisions based upon data and hard numbers, not just based upon what we think,” Martinez said. “We’re really trying to use that to increase school spirit, get more students going to certain events, and really just to get them more involved in the overall comprehensive activities the school has to offer.”

Martinez’s goal is aimed toward the motto of being a “district of excellence”, taking it a step further. “We want to ensure that when people hear Paso Robles High School, they think ‘Wow, they continue to raise the bar of expectations,’ ” Martinez said. “I want this to be a place where we’re pulling kids from other districts because they want to be here.”

Martinez’s principalship follows seven months of interim principal duties from Director of Secondary Schools Jen Gaviola.

— Story and photo by Emmaline Voorheis, News Co-Editor

New Principal Eric Martinez’s vision comes to light in opening months of school year

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“I want this to be a place where we’re pulling kids from other districts because they want to be here.”

—Eric Martinez

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n the two-and-a-half months he has lived and worked in Paso Robles, Principal Eric The Breakfast Club Martinez already has a good impression Member on the town, with its appeal of community wide support, proximal beaches and “a lot of good food.”

But now, as principal of PRHS, the UC Santa Barbara graduate hopes to set some good impressions through students and staff, achieving newly set goals for the welfare of the school and campus environment. Now in his fifth year in the field of administration, serving as assistant principal at both Sanger HS and Bullard HS, Martinez has already noticed some of the admirable qualities of PRHS. “My initial thoughts were it was going to be a great place to be, a lot of fun, a lot of excitement, but also a lot of resources to help us continue to improve and get better every day… both academically as well as culturally,” Martinez remarked.

Martinez has had a good impression of PRHS students and staff, and he looks forward to working with them in the current school year.

“The kids have been great,” Martinez said, “All the kids I’ve run into have been very respectful, the teachers have been outstanding - there [are] a lot of great teachers with a lot of real world

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Measure M put to vote A November town vote for the bond will result in better school facilities throughout the district

by Marie Perez, Opinion Editor

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n Aug. 2, 2016, the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, also known as PRJUSD, Board of Trustees held a meeting where a unanimous vote took place deciding that Measure M’s general obligation bond (GO) would be placed on the November ballot that • CTE Classrooms requests $95 million in funds. Should this bond be passed, the district’s • Fix leaky roofs needs would be met based on urgency and use. If passed, the GO bond • Earthquake prep will be used to construct Career Technical Education (CTE) and vocational • STEM Labs classrooms, undertaking basic health and safety improvements at schools and classrooms that were built decades ago. The majority of the bonds would go towards PRJUSD’s elementary and middle schools to replace aging portables, fix leaky roofs, repair deteriorating plumbing and electrical wiring, and to retrofit buildings for earthquake safety. School related facilities such as War Memorial Stadium are included in these plans.

“We have had extensive conversations with parents, staff, and community members about the needs of our schools”, said PRJUSD superintendent Chris Williams in a press release.

In PRHS alone, the projected cost of all the renovations for the bond will be about $3,160,000,

Measure M Proposed Renovations

4 NEWS | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

M FOR IMPROVEMENTS: Town tax support can help upgrade district facility needs. The board has identified lockers and restrooms, among other facility improvements. Photo Illustration by Sam Mabry and all the costs of the G.O. bond will be paid for by a tax rate of about $47.75 per $100,000 assessed valuation per year, or $3.98 per month.

The plans made for the bond in the Facilities Master plan, also known as the FMP were projected over a five year time period and were made to consider the immediate needs of the school district. State funding has fallen short of students’ educational needs, and the G.O. bond will ensure that locally controlled affordable funds cannot be spent elsewhere by the state.

As a prevention measure, an independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee would review the bond’s expenses and ensure that none of the funds are used inappropriately, such as paying administrators salary.

The approval of this measure will make the PRJUSD eligible for matching state funds that other already eligible school districts receive such as Walnut Creek School District, Gilroy Unified School District, and Santa Paula Unified School District.

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Co-Editors-in-Chief Sadie Mae Mace Photo Essay/ Copy Editor

A healing Homecoming theme

Valeria Cisneros Carmesi Editor/ Business Manager

2016 Homecoming campaign will make donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation as their main mission

Managing Editors Sam Mabry Graphic Designer/ Web Director

Kathryn Varian

Business Team Steven Schouten Reporter

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PR Director

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Emmaline Voorheis News Elise Scheiffele World

Emma Corippo

Photography Director Madison Funke Blind Date

Editors Mason Seden-Hansen News

Reporters

Lauren Wassam Sports

Logan Kepins Aiden Kerr Camden Tucker Alicia Myrick

Madison Warren Sports Morgan Rego People Esther Cabello People Marie Perez Opinion Jessica Jagger World Sabrina Hernandez A&E

Adviser

Sarah Jagger Health

Jeff Mount

Brenna Collins Health

Website crimsonnewsmagazine.org

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Lindsay Darbyshire Editorial

Email Crimsonnewsmagazine@ gmail.com Instagram @crimsonnewsmag U.S. Mail 801 Niblick Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446 // Rm. 604

Madison Funke Blind Date Kayla Terry Blind Date Emily Mowery Environment

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LET’ SHO S WE W CAR E

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Graphic and photo by Lindsay Darbyshire, Editorial Editor

elfies, Instagram and Twitter accounts are ideal platforms for narcissistic behaviors. The most affected by this recent trend is the millennial generation, whose seemingly inconsequential activities has created a new era of stereotypes. The Boston Globe has called millennials “A generation of idle trophy kids”, whereas Joel Stein from Time touted them as “The Me Me Me Generation”. Perhaps the harshest criticism comes from the Medium, with “Millennials are terrible people”.

Interestingly enough, these lobbed insults may not be too far off the mark. The average millennial will take approximately 25,700 selfies in their lifetime, according to the International Business Times. It’s not just Generation X stereotyping the younger generation. A survey by the U.K. based Daily Mail showed over 59 percent of millennials call their own generation “self-absorbed.” It seems everyone agrees that millennials are selfish.

Millennials also like to make a stand. Sometimes the best antidote to breaking a stereotype is, simply put: break a stereotype. The PRHS 2016 Homecoming theme is a prime example of how millennials are taking a selfless stand.

The 2016-2017 Leadership class, headed by ASB

by Sadie Mae Mace, Co-Editor-in-Chief

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President Josh Dewhurst, has shattered this stereotype with a fresh project idea for Homecoming instead of the status quo. During the week of Homecoming, October 3-7, Dewhurst plans to collect donations to give to the Make-AWish Foundation. Leadership will sell t-shirts for $10, put on different fundraising activities, and solicit the community to reach their goal of at least $7,500.

This campus will experience a constructive, ethical flavor of Homecoming that truly gives back to the community and to humanity. It’s a beautiful thing, and well done, Leadership Class.

Crimson Newsmagazine was inspired by the example of this selfless act we want to join the movement. In our November issue, we will go in-depth about how Homecoming changed the game for students and encouraged them to be selfless throughout the entirety of the school year. We’ll also take a look at standout Bearcats who symbolize the selfless nature of the younger generation. In each issue we will look to highlight the best and brightest stars in our millennial community.

And Crimson Newsmagazine is dedicated to showcasing this group, selfies and all.

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | EDITORIAL 5

The Refugee Debate Accepting Syrian Refugees: The Strategic Action

Putting America First: We need to save ourselves

by Steven Schouten, Reporter

by Marie Perez, Opinion Editor

With the outbreak of millions of Syrians being forced out of their homes due to the civil war that started in spring of 2011, a question has arisen in our country: should we give refuge to these people who are in search for a new home?

The United States and our European allies have a mixed history of dealing with resettlement crises in the past, and we need to end this shaky trend by choosing courage over fear.

Taking in Syrian refugees is the humanitarian action to take, in addition to being a smart national security maneuver. By letting Syrians into our country we are combatting ISIS’s radical ideology, changing middle eastern peoples perspective on America towards a more positive light, and giving safe refuge to men, women and children that need it. All while doing it at extremely low national security risk, because of the fact is: refugees don’t commit terrorist acts.

Some Americans today are wary to accept new, MiddleEastern people into our country because of terrorist attacks that have occurred in our nation and abroad, but it is just not true that we can link these attacks to the idea that our safety will be lowered if Syrian refugees are allowed.

Since September 11, 2001, over 784,000 refugees have been accepted into the United States and only three have been arrested for planning terrorist activities, according to the Migration Policy Institute. It is also important to add that all three were arrested before any plans could be carried out, and that two of three were arrested for planning terrorist attacks outside of the United States. Also, of the 1,682 Syrian refugees that already have been admitted, 50 percent are children, according to PolitiFact. We are not giving refuge to just anybody, we are mostly giving it to women, children and young families.

The path to acceptance into a country through the refugee process is one of the toughest in the world, contradictory to the idea that just any Syrian can come to our country. Other migration channels are much easier to exploit than the refugee process. For resettlement of refugees, those wishing to go to other countries must first go through strenuous screenings by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which takes around four to ten months to be completed. Then, the Department of Homeland Security conducts an interview where personal and biological info is passed through federal criminal and terrorism databases. It takes around one to two years before refugees seeking resettlement will ever make it to America.

Accepting these people is the humanitarian thing to do while also being wise in regards to national security. ISIS sees refugees going to America as enemies to their caliphate. ISIS claims that those who leave the Middle East for the West are infidels, so by letting Syrian refugees into our country we are combating ISIS and their beliefs. “America has a tradition of accepting refugees from regions of the world torn by poverty, war, civil war and famine... Surely when accepting desperate immigrants we must weed out suspected terrorists, but hopefully not at the expense of humanitarian decency,” said history teacher Mark Bradford.

If we reject refugees, it will make America less safe because now thousands of Middle Eastern people are homeless and have anti-American sentiment; and this is a breeding ground for future terrorist attacks against us and our allies.

In times of uncertainty, we must not turn away from the values that built our country, such as bravery, freedom from oppression and faith in a better future for all. America is an international leader, we must display moral courage in times of hardship both home and abroad. By not allowing Syrian refugees into our country, we are simply being cowards, and Americans are not cowards.

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Mark Bradford

6 OPINION | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

Since 2011, the Syrian civil war has driven 4.8 million Syrians from their homes and placed in nations around the world. The U.S. has been an active participant in aiding these refugees. Last year, President Obama made a quota of receiving 10,000 more refugees, which has recently been filled. But is it really necessary to take in more refugees at this point?

The answer? No. There is already so much social upheaval about racism and police brutality that it would be unwise for the U.S. to attempt to shoulder another nation’s people. Allowing more refugees into the U.S. would add onto this social strain and could potentially result in the American people resenting the fact that Syrian refugees are being placed in homes and getting treatment better than the poorest Americans.

In 2015, the official poverty rate was 13.5 percent or approximately 43 million Americans, according to a study by UC Davis. Of the households containing Syrian refugees, 22.8 percent receive all the benefits of welfare including cash assistance, Medicaid, supplemental security income and public housing, which is far more than the 5 percent of American households receiving those same benefits, according to a survey taken by Negative Population, Inc. Placement also takes time and money—a lot of taxpayer dollars from everyone, including our own families in Paso Robles. The additional 10,000 Syrian refugees that the President obtained with his quota is projected to cost U.S. taxpayers, and over $130 million per year, approximately $20,000 per taxpayer,and over the next 50 years, the costs for these additional refugees would add up to $6.5 billion for American taxpayers, according to Numbers USA. Our national debt is already a huge number, estimated to be around $19.3 trillion by the end of the year.

A majority of Americans don’t even support allowing more refugees into the U.S., and since 2014 the number of Americans who support taking in Syrian refugees has decreased, according to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. An anonymous senior feels “...it’s a bad idea to let them in right now because we have a lot of issues in the U.S. and we need to worry about things going on here before we worry about people outside the country.”

A major fear is that terrorist groups like ISIS could take advantage of the dispersal of refugees around the world to infiltrate and commit acts of terror on the general public. And this hits home, especially for those who have lived through 9/11. Assistant Principal Tom Harrington believes, “This country was built by immigrants, so I am proimmigration; however we have to be careful and do everything we can to prevent those that would carry out terrorist attacks.”

While it would be ill-advised for the U.S. to take on even more refugees, the Syrian civil war is a global Tom Harrington crisis and there is much human suffering becauseof it.

However, America’s role in the Syrian civil war doesn’t necessarily have to be a refuge for the displaced. John Kasich, the Republican Ohio governor, said that the U.S. does “have to play a role” with humanitarian assistance and logistics. However, he never said how many refugees he thought the U.S. should take in. “This is fundamentally a European issue,” he said.

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Illustration by Emma Corrippo

The battle of the dress code Educators and students face off on this controversial issue

Photo illustration by Emma Corippo

by Kayla Terry, Blind Date Editor

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he dress code enforcement at Paso Robles High School has swept common infractions. Some students desire new and more liberal rules to across the campus this year like never before. Administration has reflect the acceptance of the younger generation.

Dress code sweeps are not enjoyable for either administrators or students. enforced the existing rules and require violators to either conform to the policy, or wear supplied physical education clothes until the end of One student, who chose to remain anonymous, described how it felt to be the subject of a dress code violation sweep. Administration then proceeded the school day.

The 2016-2017 school year kicked off with a sweep of eight classrooms, to have her place her hands down, so they could judge the length of her resulting in a total of five students required to redress. This compliance trend shorts “they whispered about [her] right in front of [her]” putting her on display for her 5th period class, said an anonymous continued as just 21 days into the school year, eight junior. students totalled were in violation of the dress code.

It is interesting to note that not all skirt lengths are It is clear from these actions that the dress code held to the same standards. Cheerleading uniforms will be strictly enforced throughout the year. This are exempt from traditional dress code school year’s administrators are “making a staff-wide effort policy. Instead, Cheerleader skirts are required to better monitor adherence to the dress code,” as “two to three inches below the bottom of the Assistant Principal Dan Sharon said. He reported buttocks ”leaving most girls within school policy that administration enforcement has already resulted according to Cheerleading Coach Tori Loney. in a 98 percent student compliance rate.

The dress code sweeps are non-discriminatory; “Every day, the vast majority of PRHS students 47 percent of violations are male, leaving 53 percent demonstrate Bearcat PRIDE by adhering to the female violations. This shows that sexusal distraction dress code; this provides excellent role-modeling in the areas of ‘Respect’ and ‘Integrity’. It demonstrates —Dan Sharon, Assistant Principal is not the only purpose of a dress code, but rather the “most common infraction is inappropriate Bearcats take pride in the way they represent content on shirts, hats, and socks...nearly all were themselves, their school, and community, and the respect they have for PRHS as a learning institution. More importantly, the low male” Sharon said.

Happily, Principal Eric Martinez acknowledged dress code sweeps percentage of Seniors in violation indicates Bearcats develop mature habits to ensure achievement and success beyond high school and recognize the might require a more tactful approach . He said “...going into classrooms and pulling kids out [may not] be the best way...”. He explained that changes value of “dressing for success” Sharon said.

Some students feel the PRHS dress code is too harsh and uncompromising to the dress code enforcement are a feat.

In order to come to a compromise, both administrators and students must for the modern fashion trends. Sophomore Megan Turner does not see why page 24 in the PRHS student handbook does not allow “off the shoulder first agree on what acceptable dress code standards are and work together tops” because “shoulders aren’t sexual”. The ever growing popularity of to enforce respectfully. bare midriffs, open back shirts, ribbed open shoulder, and short skirts are

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Every day, the vast majority of PRHS students demonstrate Bearcat PRIDE by adhering to the dress code...

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10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | OPINION 7 10.06.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | OPINION 7

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Jagger

Italy battles earthquake

Hundreds are killed and thousands are left homeless after earthquake

by Jessica Jagger, World Co-Editor

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s buildings crumbled throughout Amatrice, one stood seemingly untouched. A 13th century bell tower was able to withstand the violent shaking of an earthquake with no apparent damages to the structure. However, one detail stood out among others The hands on the clock were permanently fixed on the three and seven, marking the hour and minute when thousands of buildings were destroyed and hundreds of lives were lost: 3:36 a.m.

Italy was struck by a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 on Wednesday, Aug. 24. About 290 people have died from collapsed structures and hundreds were injured. Over 4,000 rescuers have been sent out to find and help victims, and several missing citizens have been discovered each day since the earthquake.

Only about 100 earthquakes of this severity occur annually worldwide, according to a study from Michigan Technological University. These types of earthquakes tend to leave poorly constructed buildings almost entirely demolished and cause moderate damage to well-built structures. Many structures in Italy are historical, so they are composed of unreinforced brick and concrete and therefore do not meet the architectural requirements to withstand a strong earthquake. With such fragile architecture, entire towns, such as Amatrice, shifted from scenic tourist spots to rubble over the course of a day. Thousands of locals have been left homeless after their homes were destroyed.

Former foreign exchange student, Annachiara Capriotti, was s p e e c h l e s s when she heard the news. She described the event as “really hurtful and chaotic”, and feels sadness everyday for everyone affected.

Capriotti’s family lives about 50 kilometers, which is just over 31.1 miles from the affected area, but no one in her hometown of San Benedetto del Tronto was injured. However, mild shaking occurred in her city. Capriotti was awakened in the middle of the night by the earthquake.

“I was so scared and about to cry. I ran to my parents’ bedroom and my dad told us to go to the safest part of our house. I was literally shaking,” Capriotti said.

Pasquale Carvisiglia, PRHS’s second Italian foreign exchange student of the 2015-2016 school year, was also in Italy at the time of the quake. However, his family of five and their small town

8 WORLD | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

of Carino in southern Italy were unaffected: “I’m okay, my city and [the surrounding] area are safe and sound,” Carvisiglia reported.

He does not personally know any victims of the earthquake, but he feels a strong loss for those who lost their lives.

“It feels like [my] friends were killed, even though I didn’t know them,” Carvisiglia described.

Luca Sturaro recently left his home in Torino, Italy, as one of this year’s foreign exchange students. He has never experienced an earthquake himself, knowing only that of others’ accounts of these incidents. When he was informed of the tremors by a friend back home, his first thoughts went to the citizens of Arquila and Amatrice, whom he knew were most severely affected.

“This was one of the two strongest earthquakes that I remember,” recalled Sturaro, thinking back to the 2009 tremor Italy faced.

This recent quake is only .3 less in magnitude than the San Simeon earthquake that struck Paso Robles in 2003. However, the damages in Italy are far greater.

Italy has suffered eight earthquakes since 2003, all of which have been moderate to severe. The nation faced one severe earthquake in 2009 and two severe ones in 2012. Twenty-seven people were killed and 400 were injured in 2012, whereas 2009 had the greatest death toll of any earthquake in Italy for several decades, with a total fatality count of 309, alongside an injury count of around 1,500. The recent earthquake is the second most severe earthquake of the past 13 years, with under 400 injured and around 290 dead.

Attempts have been made to rebuild the demolished cities, but the damage has proven far too substantial to be fixed in the near future. Around 2,500 citizens are living in temporary shelters until they can find a new home. Due to past issues in Italy with failure to rebuild after earthquakes, citizens have begun to fear that their cities may never be rebuilt. However, $50 million dollars was promised to the city in hopes of rebuilding. If new structures are built, changes in building policy will be enforced to prevent vast amounts of collapsed buildings in the future.

Amatrice, Italy

along the North South Fault

Reconnecting with family across the globe The Al Azzam sisters embrace unique roots in summer trip to Jordan

by Steven Schouten, Reporter

G

etting on a plane, traveling 7,640 miles away from home, and visiting family members that have not been seen in over seven years brings on almost every emotion one can feel: happy, nervous, excited, and more. These are all the emotions that were felt by senior Nadeene Al Azzam and sophomore Neveene Al Azzam when they both took a trip to their family’s home country of Jordan over summer break to visit their 20 family members that live there.

In the middle of July, the Al Azzams had the opportunity to go back to Jordan for the first time in seven years. The Al Azzams have very strong roots going back to Jordan, as their father lived there with all of his extended family before immigrating to America when he was 25 years old. Although they have both visited their Jordanian family members before, this trip was their first time visiting as young adults and they viewed it as a chance to reintroduce themselves and reconnect with family that have not seen them since they were 11 and 9 years old. “[I viewed this as] a chance to reconnect to my roots, my culture, and embrace my ethnicity” said Nadeene.

The Al Azzams flew to their father’s home village of Qum, where they were greeted by uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents.

This was a very special moment for the two sisters, and Neveene stated that getting to the airport and “reuniting with my family after not seeing them for so long was just amazing”. The first part of their visit mostly consisted of staying in the village of Qum, and just spending quality time with family. Some of the village was still familiar to the Al Azzam’s since they had last visited, but Neveene stated that besides “recognizing most of the streets, houses and

cities”, she had not “really remembered much”. But after spending the first part of the trip in Qum, the rest of the trip was spent visiting Irbid, Ar Ramtha, Amman (the capital), Aqaba, Dead Sea City, and Petra City with their family members.

After being submerged into Jordanian culture for almost an entire month between July and June, Nadeene came to a realization of just how different life is in Paso Robles, California compared to Qum, Jordan. Nadeene described cultural dynamics in Jordan as “conservative and family values tying in with religious values”. Religion plays a very important role in the everyday lives of the Al Azzam’s family in Jordan, and Nadeene believes that many Americans do not have a full understanding of what is really means to be of Islamic faith. Nadeene stated that religious radicals in the Middle East have “corrupted the religion” and many Americans have fell into the trap of linking the Islamic faith to terrorism. When asked about the American generalization between Islam and terrorism, Nadeene replied “That is not who we are; there is a small minority who tries to justify their actions through religion”. She continued on to say that those who use terrorism across the globe “are not Muslim, and mainly use the religion as a recruiting tool to get people to join them”.

Visiting Jordan provided many things to the Al Azzam sisters, such as reconnecting with family, experiencing Jordanian culture, and noticing the vast differences between American and Jordanian life styles and traditions. Although the differences between the two countries are obvious, the Al Azzam sisters believe that both are amazing places they can always call home.

Photo by Steven Schouten

31hrs total spent on plane

1 month

spent in Jordan

4&6

years old when they first visited

first time visiting in

7 years

7,640

miles traveled

20

family members visited

The Bearcat Club Breakfast Club 10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | WORLD 9

C armesi

crimson in espa Ñ ol

Advancement Via Individual Determination AVID program prepares students for a collegiate future

by Valeria Cisneros, Co-Editor-in-Chief

T

he AVID program, which was formed at PRHS in 1992, has helped develop students into applicants that four year universities want. With currently seven teachers teaching Avid, students are taught skills that develop their organizational, writing, and collaborative abilities.

The program looks for students whose parents did not graduate from college to help them become the first in their generation to attend one.

“The reason why I want to be in AVID and continue to be is because I really love helping kids get to college.

That’s what AVID is about.” said PreCalculus teacher Ted Wagner, who also teaches the senior AVID class.

The program begins to teach their students during their freshman year and continue with the class until their senior year of high school. Students are allowed to enter the program during any one of their high school years.

“I was in AVID one year. AVID taught me how to be more organized when it came to due dates and class assignment for classes, being able to manage time better, test taking strategies, working in groups, being prepared, on time, leadership, etc.” said PRHS alumni Stephanie Martinez, who now attends Cuesta College and plans to major in Business Administration and Management.

One of the AVID methods teachers use is called WICOR, Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. Quick writes are used to strengthen their writing skills as well as auto-biographical essays as a way to prepare them for college applications. Inquiry is enforced by allowing the students to ask good questions during class and as well as with each other. Collaborating with

one another is done through tutorial groups where students get together with similar subject matters and ask each other questions about the subject. They work together to find the answer, or a student can tutor the group and aid them in understanding the solution. The teachers teach the AVID students to be organized as well as help them in their other classes. They are especially taught organizational skills in their freshman and sophomore years of AVID so that by their junior and senior years those skills become a habit. Reading strategies are taught so that the students can break down and analyze text.

These AVID strategies are there to prepare students for college study habits and also to help them with their current classes in high school.

Junior Jenny Garcia has been in the program since eighth grade.

Through the years she’s learned the WICOR strategies and has excelled in her classes.

“The most important thing that Avid has taught me is to be organized. I feel that organization is an important skill to have for college. At that point you’re basically an adult and a teacher or parent won’t be there holding your hand and telling you what to do.” said the AVID student.

Because the program is extracurricular class, the students who are there from the beginning most become close friends.

“I’ve been with the same classmates since freshman year and we have gotten to know each other well. It’s always a fun period, full of laughter. Each person in my Avid class is amazing and I enjoy being with them!” said Garcia.

10 CARMESI | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.06.16

Avance vía Determinación Individual Programa AVID prepara a los estudiantes para un futuro universitario por Valeria Cisneros, Co-Editor-in-Chief

L

a programa AVID, que se formó en PRHS en 1992, ha ayudado a desarrollar los estudiantes en los solicitantes quieren universidades de cuatro años. Con siete profesores de Avid, los estudiantes pueden aprender habilidades que desarrollan su organización, escritura y capacidad de colaborar. La programa fue formado por los estudiantes cuyos padres no asistieron una escuela universitaria; la meta es que los estudiantes sean los primeros en su generación para asistir la universidad.

“La razón por qué quiero ser un maestro de AVID y continuar enseñando es porque me encanta ayudar a los niños a llegar a la universidad,” dijo el profesor de precalculo,Ted Wagner, quien también enseña la clase de AVID para los seniors.

La programa empieza a enseñar a sus alumnos durante su primer año y siguen con la clase hasta su último año de secundaria. Los alumnos pueden entrar en el programa durante cualquier año en PRHS. “Estuve en AVID un año. AVID me enseñó a ser más organizado con los vencimientos y asignación de clase para las clases, ser capaces de gestionar mejor el tiempo, probar estrategias, trabajando en grupos, estar preparados a tiempo, liderazgo, etc. “dijo alumno de PRHS Stephanie Martínez, a quien ahora asiste al Colegio Cuesta y planea especializarse en administración y dirección.

Uno del uso AVID métodos docentes se llama WICOR, escritura, investigación, colaboración, organización y lectura. Escribe rápido se utiliza para reforzar su sus habilidades de escritura así como ensayos auto-biográficos como una manera de preparar para las aplicaciones de la Universidad.

Consulta es forzada al permitir que los estudiantes a hacer buenas preguntas durante la clase y así como con los demás. Colaborar uno con el otro se realiza a través de grupos de tutoría donde los estudiantes con temas similares por ejemplo matemáticas y mutuamente preguntas sobre el tema. Trabajan juntos

para encontrar la respuesta o un estudiante puede tutor del grupo y les ayuda en la comprensión de la solución. Los profesores enseñan los estudiantes AVID organización para ayudarles en sus otras clases. Sobre todo se les enseña habilidades de organización en su primer y segundo año de AVID para que por sus años junior y senior esas habilidades se convierten en un hábito. Se enseñan estrategias de lectura para que los alumnos pueden descomponer y analizar el texto.

Estas estrategias AVID están allí para preparar a los estudiantes los hábitos de estudio de la Universidad y también para ayudarlos con sus actuales clases en la escuela secundaria.

Junior Jenny Garcia desde en el programa de octavo grado. A través de los años ella ha aprendido las estrategias WICOR y ha destacado en sus clases.

“La cosa más importante que AVID me ha enseñado es a ser organizado. Creo que la organización es una habilidad importante que para la Universidad. En ese momento básicamente eres un adulto y un maestro o padre no estar allí con su mano y lo decirle que hacer”, dijo el estudiante AVID. Porque el programa es clase extraescolar, los estudiantes que están allí de los amigos cercanos de principio se convierten en más.

“He estado con los mismos compañeros de clase desde el primer año y hemos conseguido conocernos bien. Siempre es una diversión período, lleno de risa.

Cada persona en mi clase de Avid es increíble y me gusta estar con ellos!”, dijo García. photos por Valeria Cisneros

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | ADS 11

MEET THE NEW BEARCAT TEACHERS

: N O S WIL ART

REID: MATH

LONEY: INING RA T T H G I WE

: N O T S N H O J Y R T S I M E H C MARTINEZ : SPANISH

E: N I T N E M GRA ED L A I C E P S CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE NEW TEACHERS ON OUR SITE:

12 PEOPLE | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

CRIMSONNEWSMAGAZINE.ORG

2016-2017 FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS From the four corners of the world Meet the new faces on campus

by Kathryn Varian, Facebook Director

Javier Roy

Grade: 12 Hometown: Madrid, Spain Favorite part of PRHS: The people Fun fact: “I have been in Mexico, the US two times, and lots of places in Europe” Host family: The Mayfields

Tobias Mäder Grade: 12 Hometown: Winterthur, Switzerland

Favorite part of PRHS: Leadership Fun fact: “I play football and I’m always happy.”

Host family: the Dewhurst Family

Maeda Manato

Grade: 12 Hometown: Yokohama, Japan

Favorite part of PRHS: International club

Fun fact: “I like to play tennis”

Host Family: The Hoffmanwoods

Luca Sturaro Grade: 12 Hometown: Torino, Italy Favorite part of PRHS: The attitude: “The students and teachers are very friendly!”

Fun fact: This is Sturaro’s first time out of Europe.

Host family: The Mayfields

All the way from Alcorcon

Photo by Madison Funke

Foreign exchange student Sara Diaz experiences her first year in the U.S.

by Sarah Jagger, Health Co-Editor

A

s the school year begins, four new foreign exchange students attend PRHS for the first time, joining the students in sports, clubs, and classes. This year, the students journeyed from Spain, Italy, Japan, and Sweden. Sara Diaz, the only female foreign exchange student this year, has come from Alcorcon, Spain, a city southwest of Madrid, where she lived with her twin sister, Alba, her mom, and her dad. She arrived in Paso on August 12, 2016, after Diaz made the 5,827 mile journey over three different flights. Her first flight took her to Atlanta from Madrid. From Atlanta, Diaz took a flight to Los Angeles, then from LA to San Luis Obispo. The entire journey took 24 hours.

When she arrived, Diaz’s host family, the Adams, met her at the SLO airport. They have not been able to take Diaz many places yet, but her hosts have brought her to some events, such as volunteer work for firefighters.

“She is a social, kind, loving, affectionate girl. [She is] very acquisitive and wants to learn everything she can,” said Junior Blakelee Adams, one of Diaz’s host sisters.

While being hosted here in the US, Diaz has the opportunity to accomplish some of many goals she has set.

“What made me come [to the US] was the aim to know more English and more about the American culture,” said Diaz. “[I have come here] in order to see the world from a totally different point of view and become more mature and responsible.”

As one might expect, living in Spain and living in America are two incredibly different experiences. In Spain, Diaz experienced a different culture, school, classmates, and friends. For example, she stayed in the same class with the same 20 to 30 classmates during the school day while the teachers moved from class to class. Diaz prefers that system over the PRHS system of changing classes because it allowed her to get closer to her classmates.

Other differences include the behavior and personality of citizens; according to Diaz, Americans citizens are more kind and giving.

“The way [the people] act is completely different. The food is really different. Almost everything. It’s a really different culture,” Diaz said.

Joining Diaz in her endeavor of being immersed in a new culture and country are foreign exchange students Manato Maeda from Japan, Javi Roy from Spain, Luca Sturaro from Italy, and Tobias Mäder from Sweden. She attends both International and Adventure club with the other students on Mondays and Tuesdays and is taking three advanced classes: Honors Pre Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry. Robotics, english, and US History fill the rest of her schedule. Her favorite classes are robotics and AP Physics because she loves anything to do with engineering.

Senior Matt Olsen, Diaz’s partner in AP Physics, mentioned the cross country team to her in class during the second week of school.

“He told me about it and I really wanted to join,” Diaz recalled.

She joined the Cross Country team on September 1 and runs with the team every day for one to two hours after school.

Diaz may be enjoying her time in Paso Robles, but she still misses home and the many familiar people and places there.

“I miss my relatives, the food, and my friends. A lot of things, in fact,” Diaz said.

Although she misses home, Diaz looks forward to her life in Paso Robles and has set goals for her stay. Experiencing a new culture, gaining more maturity, and improving her english are all included in those aspirations. She’s come to see the US for the first time and is happy for the opportunity to have the unique experience of studying abroad.

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | PEOPLE 13

CHEERING HER WAY Into Paso ROBLES A LOOK INTO CHEER COACH LONEY’S LIFE

Stadium lights glow behind her as she flies up into the air and lands into the four pairs of arms of her teammates. This was an everyday scenario from the life of Tori Loney, a new P.E. teacher and varsity cheer coach at PRHS, and now she gets to teach younger girls how to reach the same level of success she has in her sports career. Tori’s husband, Dan Loney, the newly minted Offensive Line Coach and former Templeton HS head football coach, has joined her in her transfer to Paso Robles’ school district. Loney has coached at schools throughout California in towns, such as Atascadero, Templeton, Salinas and Porterville over a span of 15 years.

Loney commenced her career in performing by beginning to dance when she was three years old and starting gymnastics at age nine. She cheered her way through the four years she attended Atascadero High, and after graduating Cal Poly in 2001, Loney taught P.E. Atascadero HS is where Loney made her first cheer premier as a freshman. When Loney began cheerleading, it was hard to balance all her activities between school, cheer, and dance. After 11 years, Loney decided to clear up some time in her busy schedule.

“I decided to quit dance and focus on a new avenue, and I’m glad I did,” Loney said.

What Loney enjoyed most about cheering was being on a team larger than herself at a school both her parents had attended. As a cheerleader, she got to change the momentum of the game through the excitement of the crowd. She started as a base, worked her way up to becoming a flyer her junior year, and by her senior year, Loney was the cocaptain of her cheer team. In 1997, Loney graduated AHS and made the Universal Cheerleaders Association, or the UCA, All-Star team that competed in London for a week.

After graduating high school, Loney continued her career in cheering when she was accepted into Cal Poly and made the university’s team, supporting both men and women’s basketball teams as well as the football team.

Loney maintained her spot cheering on the sidelines for another four years.

However, Loney soon learned that college cheer was very different than high school. Poly’s team was Co-Ed,there were many changes in the rules and stunting became more intense. In college, a flyer is lifted or thrown by one individual, while in high school, stunting is done with a four person group spotting the flyer.

Coach Loney developed an interest in Kinesiology, the study of body movements, while attending college after dislocating her shoulder while The jock, the princess, the brains, the criminal and the performing basket case. We have all heard the same stereotypes from a basket toss the The Breakfast Club. However, as you continue to watch as a Cal Poly this iconic movie, you soon realize that their titles are not their c h e e r l e a d e r.

At Poly, classes identity. Like Brian said in the last two minutes of the movie, like exercise, people see you how they want to see you. To PRHS, labels p hy s i o l o g y, a n d are addressed to the principal, the ASB president, the foreign biomechanics drew exchange student, the new teachers and the cheerleaders. a connection from These are just ways society categorizes us, but the reality is science to sports and opened Loney’s eyes to that everyone has a unique story to tell. Read the untold stories how cheering was much of students and staff to break the stereotypes. more than just an activity or sport.

by Morgan Rego, People Editor

The Bearcat Club Breakfast Club

14 PEOPLE | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

GET TO KNOW COACH LONEY STARTED DANCE AT THREE & GYMNASTICS AT NINE

by Madison Funke, Photography Driector

“It was no longer just in a book or in a video, but we were performing tests and studies about how the body’s performance could be enhanced,” Loney said.

After completing multiple internships, Loney realized that a career in Kinesiology was not what her future held for her. However, she loved working with students, so she went back to Poly to get her teaching credential.

Post Cal Poly graduation, Loney returned to the Mustang Field for a year, but as a coach instead of a cheerer. This change is what initially sparked her love for coaching. Whether it was middle school or high school, assistant coach or head coach, Loney said she is most happy when coaching young students eager to yell, flip, and stunt to get crowds fired up at games.

After participating in various levels of cheer, Loney noted a definite difference between high school and college cheer, this time through the eyes of a coach.

“In college, students have very busy schedules, and finding all of your students at one practice, appearance, or game is very difficult. In high school, especially at Paso, we have a class [and] practices after school; finding time is a lot easier,” Loney said.

Each week, Loney devotes 11 hours to practices, at least six hours to football games, and three hours to designing and developing choreography for the cheer team.

From preparing the girls for the addition of stunt competition cheerleading to adding new halftime routines, Loney works hard to make sure her cheerleaders can reach their full potential as performers, for which she is greatly appreciated .

“Loney is very organized and determined to get cheer more involved. We will be going to competitions in the fall and spring, and she taught us band dances and stunts. She wants us to succeed and we all appreciate her for that,” said junior Maddie Moerman, a cheerleader on varsity this year.

Loney’s journey to PRHS, although based somewhat off her love for coaching, was also motivated by her desire to teach in the same district as her husband. Before coming to Paso, Loney worked at Flamson Middle School teaching physical education while simultaneously coaching the cheer team at Templeton. After Loney’s husband applied and got the job, she decided to pursue a similar path. When a Varsity cheer coach position opened up, Loney seized the opportunity.

The Loneys are now another high-school-sweetheart-teacher-couple added on campus. The husband and wife duo have stuck together since 1994, during Loney’s sophomore year in high school. She recalled looking through the “Pigskin Preview,” a newspaper article listing all the football players, and picking out Dan amongst the other boys, pointing out to her family how cute he was.

“I later found out he was in my chemistry class. It was the most nerve-wracking feeling to know that he was sitting behind me everyday,” Loney said.

The two finally met through a mutual friend, and have been together ever since. The high school sweethearts have been married for 13 years after having dated for nine throughout high school and college.

The former Greyhounds are now wearing crimson and white, and love the Paso territory.

“I really enjoy the high level of school spirit and enthusiasm in our district. I think it’s rare in high schools today,” said Loney.

Coach Loney has wise words for student Bearcats: “I know high school can be difficult, the struggle is real.

However, these memories that you make during high school will live with you for the rest of your life. Get involved. If anything, engage with others in a positive way by joining an organization on campus. Whether it be athletics, leadership, band, drama or other clubs, find a niche where you fit. Those individuals that you come into contact with in those groups will be your lifelong friends. They will help you grow into the person that you are going to be. Enjoy high school it doesn’t last forever. And know that those of us working hard at Paso Robles high school want to see you succeed. Strive for your own excellence.”

Certainly she lives by her words.

HOURSE

0 2 WEEK

CTIC A R P CAL POLY OF A

JOINED CHEER AS A FRESHMAN

4

A D E T T O A W U D N A GR

1997

3 kids

HER FAVORITE FOOD IS

CHINESE FOOD

Photos by Madison Funke

YEARS OF KINESIOLOGY AT

MET MR. LONEY IN HER SOPHOMORE CHEMISTRY CLASS

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | PEOPLE 15

Q&A

The Bearcat Club Breakfast Club

Senior Class President Isabel Gonzales and ASB President Josh Dewhurst share their thoughts for the upcoming year

by Esther Cabello, People Co-Editor

What does being the senior class/asb president entail?

and Morgan Rego, People Co-Editor

How do you plan on involving the rest of the student body in your plans?

Josh: I can summarize the job of ASB President in 4 words: present, organized, supportive, and innovative. As ASB President, I reside over the leadership class, so I must make sure it is run efficiently.

This requires planning, deadlines, and most importantly organization; with all the events happening in a year’s time, being organized is a must! I strive to continually bring new ideas to the table and bring PRHS from good to great as the year progresses!

Josh: Posters don’t invite people, people invite people. I know we have some amazing Bearcats out there! I personally need to get over my own fear and learn to go out and talk to people. A personal invitation or a simple conversation can go a lot farther than an image on a screen. All in all, I believe that what we have planned will allow for our Bearcats to rally behind us. It’s just going to take a little courage to go out and inform the campus!

Isabel: Within the realms of everything that I do, I have to be organized, I have to be patient, and I have to have the right motivation. But the most important factor, I believe, is actually knowing and understanding my class, maintaining a good relationship, and using how much I care and believe what we can accomplish as a whole as a derivative to make this year as amazing as it already is.

Isabel: I know that for the most part, my responsibilities are towards the senior class, but part of my plan is to simply inspire. I really want to get out there and talk to the lower classmen and get them involved.

What advice would you give to the new freshmen of PRHS?

Josh: Don’t wait! I’m sitting here as a senior in high school, and I have no idea where the time went. Laziness has become a new thing recently, but do not fall victim. In the long run, you will be happier knowing you tried your hardest and got a result you’re proud of than to look back and know you didn’t give it 100%. Furthermore, find what you love, and chase it. We have so much to offer at PRHS. I recently read a book who which gave me this advice, “dare to be disliked, you might even like it.” So going along those lines, find something that makes you happy, even if your friends don’t find it cool. At the end of the day, you might even like it. And if all else fails, find me, and I will help you with whatever you need.

What inspired you to run for senior class/asb president?

Josh: I once attended a conference at which the speaker told us it was silly for us to think that we can change the world. However, that shouldn’t stop us from wanting to change someone’s world.

It is along those lines why I decided to run for ASB President. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with leadership/student government since freshman year and even hold an executive position on a nationally recognized state leadership organization, and I have personally seen the effects that student government has had on campuses across CA and even across the nation. I believe that through small acts of kindness and a silly little event, we have the possibility to positively effect someone’s path. This was my inspiration in running for this position.

Isabel: My inspiration to run [for president] expanded from passion. The past three years I have been a part of the technical crew in the Drama department here at PRHS. This place that I was lucky enough to land in was like a family, and I wanted to expand that opportunity to the entire class. I fell in love with how passionate everyone around me was, and I wanted to show that maybe I can do something bigger than myself.

What are some goals you are hoping to accomplish this school year?

Isabel: Get involved. Please, I beg you to not forget to love yourself and breathe.

Photos by Madison Funke

What is your favorite part about our school?

Josh: That’s a hard question to answer. For me, personally, my favorite part of PRHS is our amazing and inspirational group of faculty, staff, and students. From Margie dancing and spreading positivity, to our new Principal Mr. Martinez and the tireless work he’s done in preparing for this year, and finally to the amazing group of students and teachers on campus, I can be assured that everyday I step foot onto campus I’ll be surrounded by unique stories, personalities, and passions. It truly is an amazing place to be.

Isabel: My favorite part about our school is the spirit. In the few weeks that we have been in Josh: Sadly, I do not want to disclose all of the goals I have for this year, as some are top secret! But school this year, I wanted to attend as many clubs as possible, and every single club that I have gone to summarize my vision for this year, I’m looking at unity, innovation, and the concept of being a part of to wants to make a change! Whether it’s Drama Club, JOOI Club, GSA+ or just attending all the FFA something much bigger than yourself. meetings, they’re there because they care about the things that they do! It isn’t just the students but the teachers too. Teachers and adults get so passionate about how passionate we are!

Isabel: I can simply say all my goals revolve around having a spectacular year. Everything I do will be to make this year as enjoyable as possible.

16 PEOPLE | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

The trick to my treat

Juniors have an a-MAZE-ing time in the pumpkin patch

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS DATE? SHE SAID: “It was very fun and relaxed.”

HE SAID: “It was an enjoyable experience, I was totally surprised. It was really fun and playful.”

by Madison Funke, Blind Date Editor

S

ix o’clock Saturday, September 24, junior Joe Cantrell arrives to the River K Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze waiting for his date. Joe has no idea with whom he will be strategizing his way through the corn leaves and dusty hay, hoping for a way out of the maze--or perhaps leading into one. But he has told us he’s a willing blind dater, and so he waits at River K on an Indian Summer evening.

Soon, a black Kia pulls besides the other cars. It’s junior Shelby Daniels, who pops out, sees Joe, and exclaims, “I knew it was going to be you!”

Joe smiles.

The “blind-daters” hug, and start toward the pumpkin shaped arches to enter the pumpkin patch. They follow a path made from vines that lead the way to the entrance of the maze, a rich hay bale rectangle that will kick off their date. Tall stalks of corn surpass their heads by a few feet creating a green hallway to follow into the network of corners and turns.

Shelby points out a flower that was growing low among the alley of stalks. “That flower is poisonous. If you soak it in water and drink it, it can kill you,” she announces.

Joe looks surprised by that fact and asks where she learned it. This and more conversations flow along as they wander through the corn. As the sunset goes down, the couple slowly get more and more lost. Time passes. They are enjoying themselves. Coming to a fork, both Joe and Shelby scratch their heads. Looking left and right Shelby asks Joe to choose a letter, and based on the letter it would correspond to a direction. Twenty four minutes later, they found the exit. They are not hurrying to end this experience. Twice the couple decides to walk the four acre maze, twice.

Then the pair sit down to a cheap picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit and pudding. Joe and Shelby talk as they finish their snacks. They chat and laugh about teachers, family, adventure stories, personal interests. Their cheerful words, fill the warm evening air.

Once the sun falls behind the rolling hills, it is time to trick-or-treat. In the end, Joe capers around dressed up as a fairy princess with a pink feather boa, a multi colored crown with three heart shaped gems on his head, and too small purple fairy wings on his back. He is very attractive. Shelby instead wears glasses with the classic large pink nose, terribly shaped eyebrows and a small black mustache. Below the scraggly ‘stache two small, yellow, fake teeth were in place of her straight pearly whites. Each were given little candy bags full of candy corn, Kit Kats’, Tootsie Pops to fulfil the early Halloween cravings.

The follow up:

COMMON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN YOU TWO? SHE SAID : “We have the same math class, and we talked about English stuff and then our families.”

HE SAID: “We are both outgoing and driven. She has goals and knows what she wants to do, people who have goals, have an attractive quality.”

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON? SHE SAID: “Well, we didn’t really talk too much about ourselves but I learned that Joe is really accepting.

Also I learned from Joe that Mr. Steaffens got a 100 percent on the math portion of the SAT.” HE SAID: “I didn’t know she travelled that much. She’s really spontaneous; she plays this game in the car with her friends. One person asks for a letter, the letter corresponds to a direction to go. She a cool combination of serious and fun, and she’s pretty.”

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE CORN MAZE? SHE SAID: “A nine out of ten” HE SAID: “It’s a really good maze. I don’t think we actually found the middle. But it has soul. It has grown to be able to support an entire family.”

NOW THE BIG QUESTION: WOULD YOU GO ON A DATE AGAIN? AS FRIENDS OR AS MORE THAN FRIENDS?

SHE SAID: “Both. He’s a good guy, so either way.”

HE SAID: “Either way, friend or date, she’s a cool

person and I want to be around her more.”

Photos by Madison Funke, Photo Director

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | BLIND DATE 17

CLUB

INTRODUCTIONS

From healing sport injuries to having an eye for pretty flower arrangements there are plenty of clubs at PRHS to choose from. We’ve sampled six of the clubs avalible to all students, for a more complete list, check out PRHS’ website clubs and organiztion page and crimsonnewsmagizine.com

Intermediate Drama: the star of the show

James and the Giant peach is set to take the stage with an all intermediate cast

by Kathryn Varian, PR Director New to PRHS this year, the drama department has introduced an itermediate class to help more students bridge the gap between advanced and beginning drama. They will be putting on a production of their own: James and the Giant Peach.

Intermediate drama has been implemented in order to better prepare drama students for the fast pace of advanced drama class.

Before, beginning and intermediate students alike, were in the same president: Madison Anderson class and worked at a much slower pace than the new class, accordmeets: Tuesdays at ing to sophomore Trevor Murray, one of the 38 students that will be lunch in rm.1132 in the intermediate show. number of Their play, James and the Giant Peach, will be performed once a week during fourth period. Over the span of four weeks, memebers: 68 1500 kindergarten through eighth grade students will have the impact: opportunity to come to PRHS and watch the show, according to This club/class is an escape from everything going on in my life and it Marcy Goodow, Director of Theatre Arts. gives me the happiest feeling to be around something I love. This club has “I want students in our community to see live theater. impacted others lives by having experience with working with companies.”

Some are only able to see live theater if they are lucky enough to be able to afford it. All students should be able to see it, this class allows that experience,” Goodnow said.

Auditions have already started for the February play, president:Casey Leigh Galley according to Murray. meets: Tuesdays at lunch in “We want to make sure things are pretty solid,” said Murray, who is auditioning for the role of Grasshopper. rm.505 In addition to intermediate drama’s production, there numbers of memebers: 25 will also be the usual fall and spring plays put on by the mpact: PRHS Theater Company. This fall will be a historical “Gay Straight Alliance+ has made an incredibly play called The Orphan Train, which covers the lives of positive impact on my life. I feel that I have become a nine orphans that left New York City and are in search more knowledgeable and accepting person through the work we have done in of somewhere to call home. The spring musical will be The Little Mermaid, according to senior Macyee Ham, president of the drama club and five year drama verteron. president: Ethan Athey “I’m looking forward to all of them [the promeets: Fridays at lunch in rm.409 ductions] for different reasons,” said Ham, “The fall number of memebers: 60+ play is super dramatic and historical and instead of playing a character, I’m playing a real person.” impact: Despite this though, according to Ham, she is most “I’m a little bit busier. I get to go out and do more fun things excited about The Little Mermaid, “It’s my favorite and games. We try to get other people out into the wilderness disney princess.” and really try to help conserve endangered animals to complete

floral club

equality club

wilderness club

18 A&E | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.06.16

California, we do a lot of that.”

young life adventure

president: Matthew Olsen meets: Tuesdays at lunch in rm.1132 numbers of memebers: 25+ imapct:

“Interact will always be imprinted on me. It gave me a chance to explore and find out who I am as an individual and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of what we can do for others. It takes people out of their comfort zones and builds an awareness on what is going on in other parts of the world.”

robotics club president: Ethan Tran meets: Thursdays after schooll in rm. 604 numbers of memebers: 20 impact:

“Robotics club taught me a lot of skills. Mostly time management and problem solving,there is a lot of arduous tasks throughout robotics and you have to figure out ways to overcome these. It’s expanded people’s horizons and work experience and getting you prepared for the real world.”

interact club president: Kaitlin Covarrubias meets: Monday at lunch in rm.201 number of memebers: 25+ impact: “Interact will always be imprinted on me. It gave me a chance to explore and find out who I am as an individual and it opened my eyes to the possibilities of what we can do for others. It takes people out of their comfort zones and builds an awareness on what is going on in other parts of the world.”

athletic training

president: Madison Harris meets: Thursday at lunch in rm.1019 number of memebers: 20 impact:

“In my life this has given me something to do after school and given me the ability to get hands on experience career wise. In others lives, I feel like that student athletic trainers impact the athletes to help them recover from their injuries.”

Photos by Emily Mowery, Maddison Warren, Camden Tucker

EpiPen price hike prods Bearcats

Mylan raises costs by 400 percent

by Sabrina Hernandez, A&E Editor naphylaxis affects one in every 13 students under 18 years market.

And when you get down to it, Epinephrine is relatively cost friendly. of age, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). That amounts to about two kids in every classroom Even in developing worlds, Epinephrine is only about one dollar.

The injector’s components are believed, though no one has shown across the U.S. The company who has a monopoly on their life saving drug has complete confirmation, to cost no more than a few dollars.

In response to public outcry against the raise, Mylan has jacked its price by 400 percent, charging about $600 for two EpiPens.

Mylan, an American-global generic and specialty pharmaceutical announced that they will be launching their own “generic” version company, is the manufacturer of the EpiPen, and has been raising of the EpiPen into the market to compete alongside their own name their prices since 2008 in subtle hops, and has ultimately curbed brand product. At only $300 a pop, this generic version will have no the availability for the first line of treatment for anyone experiencing discrepancy from the original; it just costs half as much.

“Generic drugs have a long, proven track record of delivering severe allergic reactions.

EpiPens are an auto injector used to administer Epinephrine, significant savings to both patients and the overall healthcare system.” more commonly known as adrenaline, into someone experiencing said Mylan’s CEO, Heather Bresch, in a statement released by Mylan anaphylaxis, which is only primarily life threatening because of the on Aug. 29. Alongside the generic version, Mylan is now offering effect it has on our airways. It narrows them, cutting off the victim’s price cutting coupons.

“There are programs out there that offer assistance, and so even oxygen supply. Adrenaline triggers the body’s natural fight or flight reflex, producing a slew of reactions. But for victims, the most thoroughly the price has jumped substantially, luckily we still have those organizations.” said McNeal. “But I think it’s unfortunate, I think important of those reactions is the opening of the throat’s airways.

EpiPens have been the preferred and most effective method of that when it comes to a life saving medication like that, anyone who providing anaphylactics the Epinephrine they need since its invention needs it should be able to have access to it.”

McNeal has both common feelings and common suggestions in the 1970s. But now, with the price reaching an all time $600 high, surrounding the raise. And while she anyone with a risk of severe allergic does offer a solution, she still warns reactions whose financial situation against the complications of the prevents them from acquiring one EpiPen’s alternative. are at a severe, and potentially life “There are ways to get Epinephrine threatening, disadvantage. at a substantially lower price, but you “I think that it isn’t right for Mylan have to take the time to get out the to raise the price of an EpiPen to syringe, draw the exact medication, $600+ . That’s even more money my and then inject it. And that’s critical family has to spend on in order to time being taken away from the needs keep me safe. The hospital bills are of the patient, because sometimes already so much; I don’t want them to it’s a matter of seconds before it have to worry about the cost of my [anaptyxis] becomes life threatening.” medications as well,” said sophomore Macey Wilshusen, who has known of her allergy since she was said McNeal.

The self administered vial and syringe combination, which sells five, as she expressed her disapproval against the price hike.

Her freshman year, Wilshusen’s allergy to peanuts triggered for about $15, comes with about half the shelf life and twice the room a severe reaction, all due to accidental peanut butter residue on a for error. Kids require 0.15 milligram injection and adults require a lemonade a friend shared with her. When her face started to feel 0.3 milligram injection. With the amount of human error that could go numb and breathing started to feel like a hurdle of a challenge, Nurse into drawing that exact amount and then having to properly inject, the Kelly McNeal administered her EpiPen in counter action. In the entire act and effect could be rendered ineffective. Because of that, the process could cost someone their life or valuable time they need end, it resulted in being the only treatment she needed.

But she, like others, have concern for people who need EpiPens as to receive professional medical treatment.

West Virginia Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey, launched an a time buyer and first measure.

“Mylan raising the price could also mean that for those families antitrust violations investigation against Mylan, accusing the company that can’t afford it, they won’t be able to keep their children or others of monopolizing the industry. In addition to the antitrust accusation, safe. That means when worse comes to worse, someone could die Mylan has the case before Congress. Testimonies before the House because they just couldn’t afford the right medication.” Wilshusen Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the defense of the price hike begun Sept. 20. Mylan maintains that “price and said.

This price seemed to come at seemingly no plausible economic access exist in balance” and that the increase is justified the and expected “balance”. reason.

Mylan has relatively no competition in the market for Epinephrine auto-injectors. When it was bought from Merck KGaA nine years ago, it was relatively still unmatched, with only a few pharmaceuticals still putting their own version of the EpiPen through the proper FDA tests.

The auto-injectors it did share the market with, such as Twinject and generic alternatives produced by Teva, were discontinued or sent back to the drawing board. Adrenaclick holds only a sliver of the Illustration by Emma Corippo

A

“

“I think that it isn’t right for Mylan to raise the price of an EpiPen to $600+. That’s even more money my family has to spend on in order to keep me safe.”

—Macey Wilshusen, 10

”

Tips and tricks to stay healthy during the school year

by Brenna Collins, Health Co-Editor

Join clubs and find hobbies: Get involved in school! PRHS has so many opportunities and clubs to join that can give you something to look forward to at school and relieve some stress of the busy school day.

Rest and Relaxation: Try to get a good night of sleep every night, which is admittedly hard for teens; only 15 percent of teens reported sleeping 8 1/2 hours on school nights, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Do not forget to take a break every once in a while to de-stress and do something unrelated to school like being with friends, playing with pets, or watching a movie!

Set goals: It is much easier to achieve what you want when you make a plan and then go get them. Having a clear idea of what your end goal is keeps you motivated to achieve it.

Manage your time wisely: Procrastination is inevitable, but do not make it into an undefeatable habit. Keep track of what school work you need done, and do not overload your schedule.

Spend time with friends: Having a good support system to be there for you is crucial. Being surrounded by friends can help relieve stress and negative tensions, according to a study by the American Psychological Association.

Exercise: Get involved in sports: this is a good way to stay physically healthy while showing school spirit and meeting new people. Take breaks from long nights studying by exercising; walking, running, and yoga are the preferred stress relieving activities according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

4% 4% Setting Goals Managing Time 7% Hobbies

38% Sleeping

11% Other 14% Excercise 22% Friends

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | HEALTH 19

Thank you fire fighters! from Crimson 20 ADS | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

Your online behavior

PRHS Students’ time online less than national average

by Sam Harrison, Sci-Tech Editor

F

irst, the bad news: Teens and children spend an average of 10 hours a day looking at some form of screen, according to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Teens who regularly played for three hours or more a day were more likely to be hyperactive, have behavior issues and show less interest in academics than those who played less than an hour a day or not at all,” a study from the Washington Post states. “Students who regularly visit Facebook or chat sites are more likely to fall behind in math, science and reading.”

But then, the good news: “Online gaming is suggested to boost teenagers’ school grades,” a study from RMIT University said. There may be plenty of studies from a plethora of sources, but the proof is in the pudding. Survey results show that the majority of students visit social media one to percent of PRHS students 10 hours a week, and spend no time whatsoever don’t interact with video playing video games.

63

Battlefield 1: In a Nutshell The freshest game in the franchise, arriving in October

games on a weekly bases.

“Playing video games has helped me through things like my parents’ divorce, and I think it’s helped things like tactical awareness and my reaction time.” said sophomore Cameron Armstrong.

Cameron said he plays video games about 10 hours a week, only on weekends.

Sophomore Cameron Henson said he plays roughly 15 hours a week in some of his favorite games such as Counter Strike, osu!, and Overwatch.

Sophomore Eli Lewis said he plays about 10-15 hours a week, and received a 4.0 GPA both semesters last year. “I’d say my reflexes may have been slightly heightened. I’m a straight A student and usually do not struggle much in classes”.

However, Lewis also says that playing video games may not be the best use of his time, and could be better focused on his schoolwork or spending time with his family.

Media Survey

43

percent play video games for 21-40 hours a week.

22

percent play video games for one to 10 hours a week.

PRHS students surveyed play video games for over 40 hours a week.

11

percent play video games for 11-20

hours a week.

*150 PRHS Students Surveyed

CONQUEST (Sinai Desert) : Two Turkish team mates drive through an enemy capture point.

Photo by Cameron Henson

by Sam Harrison, Sci-Tech Editor s the sandstorm clears over the dunes of the blistering Sinai Desert, your platoon marches toward the enemy capture point. When you hear the ominous clanking of a heavy tank rolling towards your soldiers, you duck into cover. A friendly bomber flies overhead, and destroys the tank, sending debris soaring over head. The squad charges the enemy trenches, bayonets pointed ahead. You and your squadron successfully eliminate all opposing threats, and capture the point, creating a new vantage point for your entire team. This is something you will most likely experience in the newest game from Dice, Battlefield 1. A first person shooter set in World War 1, being the 14 game in the Battlefield franchise. With a returning landscape destruction system, commonly referred to as, “levolution,” players now have the ability to use heavier weapons to completely destroy areas of terrain, and level buildings.

Other gameplay features such as bayonet charges, gas masks, and flares have also been added, which gives players more interesting combat options rather than just using your guns.

An interesting factor that has been implemented to the multiplayer is the addition of elite classes, which can be found in various locations around the intricate maps. Elite classes are special weapons or items that give the user a specific advantage such as a heavy machine gun, a flamethrower, a suit of armor, or the Tankgewehr, a powerful anti-tank rifle that can easily destroy armored vehicles from far ranges.

The Battlefield community’s feedback has been mostly positive, and is highly recommended by sophomore Cameron Henson, who says after playing the game in open beta, “It’s refreshing to have an immersive experience in a game that is finally not set in the future, which is something too common in today’s market.” The game is set to release in October 21 on all platforms, where pre-purchase players will receive their copy of the game on October 18.

If you are playing on PC, the minimum graphics card requirement is an AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB card, a minimum of 8GB of RAM, and the recommended CPU as an AMD FX-6350 at 3.9 GHz.

A

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | SCI TECH 21

Feeding the firefighters Volunteers serve over 1,000 firefighters

By Aiden Kerr, Reporter, and Emma Corippo, illustrator

BREAKFAST SERVED OVER 600 DINNERS SERVED OVER 1,000 POUNDS OF COFFEE USED 12.5 GALLONS

The dining hall

Photo by Guyla Adams

Once word of the Chimney Fire spread, many of San Luis Obispo’s citizens jumped to aid the fire firefighters in the county.

Guyla Adams partook in barbeque for the firefighters with other volunteers.

“I gathered about 12 friends and family, we went to work cooking and preparing food and serving dinner to the firefighters,” Adams said.

Steven Sullivan, a caterer at Shave and Flav, was hired by the Rotary Club to feed the firefighters, and Adams said she fell into the volunteer job. “He looked a little overwhelmed and I asked him what he needed help with,”Adams said.

Sullivan was asked by Dave Lundy, chairman of the Rotary Club, to cater the firefighters. He prepared over 600 breakfasts and 1,000 dinners. “ They needed a mobile kitchen...which I have in my food trailer,” Lundy said.

Adams also agreed to bring a small group down to the Paso Fairgrounds for food preparation. Included were friends Lynn Thibault, Kim Springer, and daughter Blakelee Adams.

“This was really eye-opening,” Adams said. “It is always nice to give back to the community and I wanted to help out the firefighters in their time of need.”

As firefighters returned from battling the fire, Sullivan, the staff, and the Adams family welcomed back the worn-out workers with a smile and a plate. At the end of the day, hundreds of firefighters were prepared a hot meal.

Guyla Adams said she most enjoyed “how happy the tired firefighters were to be fed….friends and family coming together in such a big way warmed [her] heart.”

Sullivan shared similar thoughts.

“Serving the firefighters was an amazing experience; one that I will hold near and dear to my heart for the rest of my days.”

22 ENVIRONMENT | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

In the evacuation center at the fair ground, the firemen were fed large, healthy meals in the dining hall. Over 600 breakfeast and 1,000 dinners were prepared here.

Photo by Aiden Kerr

The sleeping quarters

In the evacuation center at the fairgrounds, firemen slept in tents when they weren’t fighting the fire. Firemen fighting the Chimney Fire often got little to no sleep.

Photo by Emily Mowery

After the smoke clears: the enduring Chimney Fire Three week Lake Nacimiento Fire endangers 49 homes in its path

by Aiden Kerr, Reporter, and Emma Corippo, Illustrator

A

2016 M A J O R FIRES MAP

large fire broke out near Lake Nacimiento on August 13, at 4:03 p.m., forcing over 100 residents in the San Simeon region to evacuate their homes. The fire absorbed 46,344 acres of dry grasslands, destroying 70 buildings with eight more damaged. Forty-nine residences left were forced to evacuate, and evacuees funneled to one of three dedicated emergency response shelters run by Red Cross, the most prominent being Flamson Middle School.

Two shelters briefly opened in the town of Lockwood, a small town in Southern Monterey County. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but remains under investigation. The Chimney Fire was reportedly 100 percent contained as of 7:30 a.m. on September 6, according to Cal Fire.

The incident is the largest Paso Robles fire event in decades.

Thousands of firefighters from all over California rushed to the scene and battled the fire daily. “We can work up to 21 days straight,” said the North Region Public Information Officer Scott McLean. “I’ve been getting about four and a half hours of sleep for the last two weeks. We do what we have to.” Since September, Cal Fire has dealt with 4,270 wildfires spread across 21 units in the state. McLean, who was the chief information liasson in this incident, has overseen 12 out of 21.

CANYON FIRE Santa Barbara

The fire spanned 24 days and gathered over 4,000 individuals, including fire fighters, medics, chefs, clean-up and helping hands to be found at the three make-shift response shelters for families taken from the fire’s path of danger.

Sept. 17 - 27 12,500 acres burned

Sophomore Zach Gomez vacated his home during the fire. He described the event as a shock. “There were lots of ash all around the house, and it was hard to see across the hallway because of all the smoke;” said Gomez. “...The first things I grabbed were my football gear and skateboards.” Gomez stayed at his uncle’s house while the fire was being managed.

MINERAL FIRE Fresno County August 9 - 18 7,050 acres burned

“

In 2008, I worked for 65 days straight. In my day job, I can easily work seven days a week for seven weeks. ­— Scott McLean,

ERSKINE FIRE Kern County June 23 - July 12 48,019 acres burned

CHIMNEY FIRE

REY FIRE

SLO County

Santa Barbara

Aug. 13 - Sept. 6 46,344 acres burned

Aug. 8 - Sept.18 32,606 acres burned

Northern Region Public Incident Official

”

“

BLUE CUT FIRE San Bernardino

I had to take a different bus route to

Aug. 16 - 23 36,274 acres burned

get to school. It was strange having to BORDER FIRE San Diego June 19 - 30 7,609 acres burned

get ready for school in someone else’s house. ­— Zach Gomez, Sophomore

” 10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | ENVIRONMENT 23

Fixing up the Bearcats Staff and students of PRHS Athletic Training experience changes to their class by Lindsay Darbyshire, Editorial Editor

A

lthough the students and staff of the Athletic Training class don’t perform in the glamour of a cheering audience, PRHS athletes can attest that these medical providers deserve just as much recognition for their hard work. Instead of springing over hurdles or launching footballs into flight, the Athletic Training team members put their skills to work in the form of sports medicine such as wrapping sprains, identifying concussions, and measuring blood pressure. With the fresh leaders Maria Curtis as the new Athletic Trainer, and Shelby LaMendola as the, new Athletic Training class teacher, this class intends to be an integral contributor to the success of the sports program.

In the class of 16 students, work is done in two locations; Classroom 1019 where students learn technical skills such as taking physical reports of a patient, and at a healthcare site, where they practice hand-on sports medicine training. The latter location’s activities often include nursing minor injuries or demonstrating physical therapy exercises.

Students will travel to the Athletic Training room located on campus, now supervised by Curtis, the new Head Athletic Trainer. For the healthcare students mixed in the class, time will often be spent visiting local hospitals off campus instead.

Junior Madison Harris, president of the Student Athletic Training Organization, describes the Athletic Training class as a benefit to both students and athletes.

“In Athletic Training, the whole idea of it is injury prevention for student athletes… It’s like physical therapy at the high school,” said Harris, who plans to use the knowledge she gained from the class to receive a bachelor’s degree for Kinesiology or Biomedical Engineering.

Coming into the 2016-17 school year on August 22, the students and staff of the Athletic Training class experienced numerous changes to their teachers and schedule. Due to a sudden change in the prior Athletic Trainer’s resignation date, Curtis jumped into her current job position on September 2, a Friday, having just moved from Port Hueneme in the Ventura County the morning before.

According to Curtis, PRHS is a rewarding environment to work in. “The first thing that you notice is the stronghold of the community.” she said. “Everywhere you go, it says, ‘Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.’ You can just tell how strong the community is based off that.”

LaMendola, the new Athletic Training Practicum class teacher, also admits to experiencing a culture shock from transferring to PRHS. Having spent the last eight years working as an Athletic Trainer for Templeton High School, La Mendola is adjusting to the 171 percent increase in student body, with PRHS holding 1,242 more enrolled students than Templeton. However, LaMendola

agrees with Curtis’ analysis of the community feel.

“People seem to all know each other, even though there’s so many students. It still feels kind of like a small town school,” says LaMendola.

LaMendola now teaches second through seventh period five days a week, spending the beginning portion of each period in Classroom 1019 teaching necessary health care skills, before the students visit their sites, which range from the Athletic Training room or to local off- campus hospitals.

However, before students can practice on- site observation, they must first complete two to three courses in general sports medicine. In order to enroll in the Athletic Training Practicum class, which is “designed to give students real life experiences observing and helping the Head Athletic Trainer,” students must first complete and pass the courses Intro to Healthcare (in class bookwork to develop medical knowledge) and Biology of Science Academy 1, and/ or concurrent enrollment in Anatomy and Physiology or CTE Sports Medicine, according the PRHS 2016-17 course book.

“The goal with our [Health Science and Medical Technology] pathway is that you work through general education, and then you are able to go out to a workplace and observe. [The] Sports Medicine class is what leads you to be able to go to work in the Athletic Training room,” says LaMendola.

As for working as an Athletic Trainer, Curtis explains her job as a dynamic process that includes analyzing each unique situation.

“There is a puzzle. You have to go through the evaluation process,” she said, alluding to medical and psychological assistance strategies students are taught to utilize.

Now that Curtis is working with LaMendola, they plan to make advancements in the class to benefit the school athletic program.

According to Curtis, one of the main goals includes getting students more involved in the program with a sense of accountability.

“What we are doing is creating an atmosphere where students are getting properly treated… But we also want to educate the importance of an Athletic Trainer and the medical staff,” says Curtis.

“We want to be more. We want to set the standard.”

“

We want to be more. We want to set the standard. ­—Maria Curtis, Athletic Trainer

”

24 SPORTS | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

HEALING TOUCH (above) : Athletic training student Julian Brast fixes up a fellow bearcat. Athletic Training is taught between the work of Maria Curtis and Shelby LaMendola. Photo by Lauren Wassam

Running to success PRHS Cross Country team sets goals for the upcoming season

by Sarah Jagger, Health Co-Editor

I

n the past two years, the Cross Country teams have wowed crowds with outstanding performances from several athletes, both individually and as a team.

This upcoming season, the team is expected to continue wowing crowds with a new coach, new runners, and new rankings. Jessica Meyer, who came from coaching Cross Country at San Luis Obispo High School for two years, has joined the three returning coaches Ivan Huff, Jon-Paul Ewing, and Jory Hallanan to coach the team of 65 runners, as well as teach Science Academy.

Sixteen freshman runners joined as well. With a new coach and athletes, the teams are expected to make it far in the competition. In their CIF division, the girls team has been unranked since their second meet and the boys are ranked seventh in division three; however, during the second and third weeks of the school year, the boys ranked sixth and the girls were ranked seventh.

The team has run two races this season at Arroyo Grande and Morro Bay. In both races, the teams were lead by seniors Trad Berti, Luis Armendariz, Annie Meeder, and sophomores Pablo Cortes, Kendall Caruana, and Torri Pugh.

In Arroyo Grande, the girls team placed sixth out of 11 teams and the boys placed third out of ten teams. Teams raced around the course when the starting gun fired, looping around the course, running up hills and across a large, round, grassy soccer field about 200 meters in diameter. The Morro Bay race, which is 0.2 miles longer, proved more difficult for the team, with each time an average of four minutes more than the AG race. The runners trekked through thick sand, which spread over one mile across the course. At the end of the 2.7 mile race, the racers sprinted around the dirt track to the finish. Both Berti and Meeder finished first in their races. Berti finished with a time of 15:00 minutes and Meeder with a time of 18:00 minutes.

The coaches and team members have high hopes for this season, with a goal of both teams making state finals this year. In previous seasons, the team has been successful, making state finals both as a team and individually. Last year, the entire varsity boys team made it to state finals, while then senior Ashley Davis and Meeder ran as individuals. The teams have proved as worthy contenders this year as well, practicing every week over summer and running 7516.77 miles all together.

“I hope that every athlete improves. PR’s [personal records] are huge in the sport of Cross Country,” Meyer said. “I hope that every athlete does they best that they can do.”

The athletes running Cross Country have high hopes as well.

“I’m looking forward to figuring out what running means to me and enjoying my last season with my wonderful teammates,” Meeder said, who is running her last season of high school Cross Country this year.

With State Finals on November 26, the team trains vigorously, running between 21 and 50 miles each week. Until then, eight races remain to qualify for state.

“This season is going to be breathtaking!” sophomore Pugh said, who has returned for her second season on Cross Country, “With all the competition it’s going to be filled with fun”.

RUNNING (above) : Seniors Trad Berti and Luis Armendariz competing in a race. Photo from PRHS Track and Field and Cross Country

SUPPORT (above) : The Varsity girls pat each other on the back after a good block. Now 13-9 overall, the girls look to stay on top in PAC-8 with a 5-2 record. Photo by Lauren Wassam

Can you dig it?

Girls Varsity volleyball team starts the 2016 season

by Elise Scheiffele, World Co-Editor

B

earcats girls’ varsity volleyball has kicked off the new season with an overall record of 12-4. Placed 6th in PAC -8 CIF, the team anticipates a successful season and a ranking at top two in league, even with a transition into a different style of play by new head coach Doug Harbottle.

Harbottle has been coaching volleyball, both men and women’s since 1977, but this is his first year coaching at PRHS. He got the job as head coach late into the summer, and has since then come up with objectives for the team and strategies for the season.

“I found out they [Varsity team] were in need of a coach, and I wanted to make sure they ended up with someone experienced. Part of the reason I applied was because I knew the girls needed a coach who was willing to put in the work for them,” Harbottle said.

The job opening was result of the passing of respected and beloved varsity coach, DJ Bigelow. Bigelow was the head Varsity coach for several years and passed away last October from cancer. Although saying goodbye to coach Bigelow was mournful, the team’s success this season dedicates a remembrance to his life.

“It’s definitely different having someone else besides DJ coaching us, even though Doug has coached the majority of us in club. It’s strange, without DJ,” said senior Kalyn Armstrong, middle blocker and middle hitter.

Harbottle intends on the relationships between himself and the team and the teammates themselves to stay strong.

“I care about them; they’re a very smart, driven, and overall a great group of girls,”Harbottle said.

Harbottle agreed alongside his captains that the team all knows one and other well and are very supportive of each other. He said the relationships between the upperclassmen and the lowerclassmen is growing to ensure the team isn’t a “one-hit-wonder” with just one good season.

“We want to have several years worth of good seasons and

good volleyball players, after this season,” said Harbottle.

Preparing the Freshman and JV teams for later years is a goal agreed on by both the Varsity girls and their coach.

The nine seniors are readily shaping up the three juniors and two sophomores on varsity in order to “stay a great team,” senior captain Tegan Curren said.

“This year is really looking to be just as good as last season.

We had an awesome team and bond last year. I can’t wait to see how we progress this season,” said senior captain Kiara Gable, who has played on varsity since her freshman year.

Girls on the team including seniors Gabby Morrison, Coleen Wiest and Gable have been playing together for years; through middle school, NCVC (North County Volleyball Club), and Mid Coast Volleyball Club. Harbottle has coached a majority of the team through Mid Coast.

Harbottle plans on the girls working hard academically and physically throughout the season and the remainder of the school year.

“I say I want the team to get their objectives in order, which allows them to reflect on themselves and really see what needs to be done to reach their goals,” Harbottle said.

The Bearcats are ready to put in the hard work needed to reach the goals of making top two in league and qualifying for CIF, Armstrong and Curren said.

Throughout the season, the Varsity girls intend on being the best Bearcats they can be, whether it be on the court, in the classroom, or outside of either. And as they know each other well, the intensity of their ambitions parallels the strength in their relationships.

“We all know each other a little too well,” Armstrong laughed, “but I think it’s good we have strong relationships with one another. We really help each other out, and we’re always there for each other.”

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | SPORTS 25

GETTING BACK ON THE GRIDIRON A look into Bearcats’ 2016 football season

by Lauren Wassam, Sports Co-Editor

C

oming back from the 2015 season with a 5-6 record overall (2-2 in PAC 5), Varsity Football has returned to the gridiron in remarkable fashion, kicking off the 2016 season with a 5-0 show of power. Last season’s third place finish in PAC-5 feels a distant memory behind leadership of the team and it’s new offensive victories.

A 54 man roster, six returning offensive starters, five returning defensive starters, three new coaches and a new quarterback have dispatched the Lemoore Tigers 35-10, the Frontier Titans 5133, the McClymonds Warriors 48-44, the Cajon Cowboys 31-28, and the Clovis North Broncos 24-7.

The Bearcats now stand at a national rank of 562 and California rank of 57, according to MaxPreps.

They started the season at a national rank of 3,623 and state rank of 267.

Amid a winning record, some players feel this is the toughest competition this team has seen.

However, the team has an array of tricks up their sleeves.

Three year varsity starter and running back senior Christian Erickson is one of them. The 5’11, 220 pound running back rushed and crushed 271 yards on 33 carries for five touchdowns in the McClymonds game.

For the past three years, Erickson has been the powerhouse of the team with a varsity career total of 43 touchdowns on 528 carries for an accumulated 3785 rushing yards.

In his first five games, Erickson has ran 651 yards on 106 carries for 11 rushing touchdowns and 13 total TDs this season.

Erickson will not be the only dominance on the field this season, as new quarterback and captain senior Steven Schouten has already proven he is worthy of the game. Schouten’s control of the offense and best game came during the Clovis North game where he went 13 for 15 for 184 yards with no interceptions or sacks. Schouten brings mobility at the QB position that Paso Robles hasn’t seen in a few years.

26 SPORTS | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16

With Schouten in control of the ball, the previously power-run team now has a run pass option (RPO). This means the Bearcats follow a path of least resistance, giving Schouten the option to handoff, run, or pass the ball, depending on what the defense is doing—or getting beat at.

“It’s brand new [for us]. We were a power run team and ran the ball down people’s throat and this year we’re really spread out and run a lot of Run-Pass-Options (RPO). So every play we have an option to run the ball or throw it,” captain and middle linebacker senior Mark Armstrong said.

The new offensive language that comes along with RPO’s has tremendously aided the Bearcats.

So far this season, the team has scored an accumulation of 189 points for an average 37.8 points a game, compared to last year where the team’s average score per game was 29.2.

Special Teams Kicker senior Jonathan “JJ” Jaimes and Punter junior Cade England have had major impacts on the team wins. Jaimes has been able to make 15 of his 16 PAT’s (points after touchdown) and has gone three for three on field goal attempts with one being 44 yards.

England is leading the PAC-5 league in kickoffs with his nine touchbacks .

Bearcat defense has also played its role, including a goal line stand where the team stopped the Clovis North offense on the two yard line with 10 seconds left in the first half of the game.

“Recently we have made adjustments so that we are ready to go from the first snap and we have worked hard to make sure everyone is doing their job,” Armstrong said.

Another strength the team demonstrates is unity. “Everyone has bought into the program, we’re a lot closer, and there’s no egos on the field,” outside linebacker and senior Richard Goldammer said.

STRONGER AS A TEAM (above) : Varsity football stands tall after the National Anthem during their first game of the season on Friday, Aug. 26. The Bearcats went on to win 35-10 against the Lemoore Tigers and as of Sept. 23 are 5-0. Photo Lauren Wassam

Photo and graphics by Lauren Wassam

Work, work, work

Bearcat athletes spend over 440 hours in summer preparation for the fall season

by Sadie Mae Mace, Co-Editor-in-Chief

O

ver 180 fall Bearcat athletes did not spend their summer binge-watching Netflix and swimming at the Ravine; instead, over 440 hours were clocked into practice in the summer heat in order to prepare for a potentially record-breaking fall season.

“The coaches always say that our season’s success is determined by the work we put up in the summer. It is vital to the team that we put in a large amount of miles to support a team’s success... This summer milage is the base for the rest of our season,” said senior Luis Armendariz, who has ran with the cross country team since his freshman year.

A typical summer morning practice for cross country starts at 8 a.m. and includes a mile warmup followed with an eight to 10 mile run. The average runner will cover 300 miles over the course of the summer; Armendariz completed 560 miles over the course of 133 hours. Seventy-five of those hours were spent training during practice, with the other 58 hours spent running on his own time for personal success.

Summer practice is also a time for team bonding, alongside individual training.

“The first day of [football] practice there was just a feeling in the air that instantly told me that this team was gonna be great. They are honestly family to me and I’d do anything for them and will always be there for them. We have formed a strong brotherhood that’s unbreakable through thick and thin,” said senior safety and blocker Nolan Binkele, who practices four hours per day at football summer practice, with school practice being about three hours after school and a 6:00 a.m. weight training session before school.

“Summer practice gets us in shape, and we can get our technique down so we are ready to play against other [tennis] teams… Our coach keeps us motivated and we all encourage and support

each other,” said sophomore Siena Berry, who spends about two and a half hours a day at practice since joining the tennis team her freshman year.

Even while Bearcat athletes are trading in the dog days of summer for hard workouts, the drawbacks of too much summer practice still occur. A total of four weeks is required for student athletes to rest and prepare for the next season, according to UC Irvine Health.

Senior Madison Mitchell has suffered the negative effects of overtraining. Her hip flexor became pulled during hurdles in track, and a torn rotator cuff from a varsity volleyball practice.

“Even though summer is my free time, I dedicate to getting better everyday... Summer practice gives me a chance to just focus on the sports I do,” said Mitchell, who is on varsity soccer, volleyball, and track teams.

Once the summer preparation has ended, student athletes start to balance schoolwork with sports practices.

“It gets difficult at times balancing school work with sports but our [football] team is like a family and we all help each other out with our work…

I spend a lot of time in my classrooms during nutrition and lunch to try to get my work done ahead of time and set aside an hour or 2 after practice to get work done,” said Binkele, who has played on varsity football since sophomore year and varsity baseball as a relief pitcher since his freshman year.

Summer practice is a time for vast improvements for the upcoming season; and with over 440 hours spent training this year, Bearcats are sure to shatter many records.

“

The coaches always say that our season’s success is determined by the work we put up in the summer. ­—Luis Armendariz,12

”

180 6 FALL ATHLETES

AM FOOTBALL WEIGHT TRAINING BEFORE SCHOOL

MINIMUM OF 440

HOURS SPENT TRAINING

10.07.16 | Crimson Newsmagazine | SPORTS 27

Because that’s what Bearcats do...

FOR THE WIN (top left) : The varsity football team huddles around after winning their first game of the season against the Lemoore Tigers (35-10). Bearcats are now 5-0 as of September 30.

OVER THE NET (top right) : The varsity volleyball team won 3-2 against Templeton, ranking 5-1 in League as of September 30.

SHOWING PRIDE (middle left) : Students sign the Equal Rights board for the GSA+ club during Club Expo.

CRIMSON SPIRIT (middle center) : Bearcats show their school spirit by wearing Crimson Crew shirts in the quad.

FLOWER POWER (middle right) : Junior Kaylee Monroe fixes an arrangement for Floral Club.

FOOD SAVIOR (bottom left) : Bearcats bid Margie goodbye as she moves to Pifer Elementary School.

ANTICIPATION FOR DRAMA (bottom right) : Junior Cassidy LeClair is all smiles at the drama announcement of the year’s shows.

Photos by Lauren Wassam, Madison Warren, Kathryn Varian, Elise Scheiffele, Kayla Terry and Emma Corippo

28 PHOTO ESSAY | Crimson Newsmagazine | 10.07.16