November issue 2022

Fall Sport captains at PRHS look to use leadership to light up the scoreboards

PG. 23

NEWS BRIEFS

TABLES OF TRADITION: CULTURE EXPO 2022

Students share aspects of their culture during Culture Expo 2022

by, Sebi Radojevic, Poli Sci Editor

Tables of tradition surrounded the quad as students learned and represented unique cultures. Countries such as Ethiopia, The Philippines, Mexico, Spain, and more were displaying posters and material to teach interested Bearcats. Customs, food, and fun filled the atmosphere of PRHS on Thursday, Oct. 27 as a result of the annual Culture Expo. Being the second year of this celebration, spirits were high for all ethnic groups. Filipino students congregated and made a table to represent the Philippines. At the station, Bearcats had the opportunity to participate in tinikling. Tinikling is when two long sticks are placed parallel and music plays. For the first two beats the sticks tap the ground and on the third beat they come together, with the music going faster progressively.

Meanwhile, Bearcats resembling Ethiopia and African American communities had tables to spread information and accomplishments from their people. Records of famous musicians such as Drake, Michael Jackson, and Bob Marley were displayed to show how influential and diverse African American artists were. Other important people of Black History were displayed with information about them and their culture.

Another presentation came from the Latinx and Mexican community. A booth representing the Mexican state Jalisco was accompanied by dancers dancing to Mariachi, which was founded in this region. Candy and outfits were used to express other exclusive parts of their culture

“My favorite part of representing my culture through Culture Expo is because there’s not a lot of African American kids on campus,” said Ne’jai Bryant. “It’s just kind of fun for them to see more and understand that there’s a lot more to black culture than a lot of people think.”

SEA STARS TO SNAILS: RETURN OF MARINE INTERTIDAL

Thirteen students embarked on a week long journey to beaches along the central coast to learn about intertidal organisms

Students peer down into a dark tide pool trying to get as low as possible without fully getting soaked with salty sea water, looking for sea stars and owl limpets but finding much more from beyond the sea. The Marine Intertidal Monitoring Project opportunity offered by the PRHS science department, led by Jon-Paul Ewing and Amanda Caffrey, restarted the 2022-23 school year Field Studies Collaborative courses.13 students, ranging from sophomore to senior, embodied their inner marine biologist and observed different intertidal life over the course of a week.

As the 3:30 school bell rang, Monday to Thursday, the total of 15 participants rushed into two vans and drove to each site: Montana de Oro, Shell Beach, San Simeon, and Cayucos hoping for the lowest tide possible for research.

“I learned so much more than I thought I would on this study. Now when I go to the beach I know what I am looking at and am able to really see the different species in those areas,” said junior Georgia Domenghini.

Domenghini was one of the many juniors selected to be a part of this class and was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about intertidal life. She originally took this course to not only learn more but help her get more field experience and preparedness for science classes in college where she plans on studying medicine.

At the first site, the students were tasked with counting the number of sea stars they saw and determining what their health status was.

Next was random data using a quadrant plot, made with 25 squares inside the larger square, and a transect in which measured where the researchers were to start and stop gathering data on various different species such as Turban Snails, Chitons, and Whelks.

At San Simeon, the students used the same system. This time, however, they moved exactly on the line in intervals of 10 cm, starting from zero still looking for the different intertidal organisms and algae’s present.

Lastly the students ended in Cayucos counting owl limpets within a circular radius as well as counting sea stars again.

Traversing clusters on Sea Mussels, the students were able to gather data to help spread awareness of these organisms, contributing to studies at both UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis. This was the first FSC course offered for the year, with at least four more options available throughout the winter, spring, and summer.

“Marine Intertidal made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than just an ordinary extracurricular,” said sophomore Amy Ayala.

Ayala was the only underclassmen in the course this year and she has been trying to experience as much field research to help narrow down where in science she would like to continue with. Being an underclassmen did not deter her from applying, however, with herself already having been on the Santa Cruz Island research team, she wanted an opportunity to study more marine biological life.

By Kayla Degnan, Indepth Director

SHARING OUR CULTURE: Bearcat students celebrated and shared their culture through performances and posters

INTERTIDAL EXPLORING: Bearcats discovered various intertidal organisms during their week at various beaches along the coast

MIGHT FIGHT?

Aseeming spike in student-on-student fights on campus defined the start of the 2022-2023 school year at PRHS, causing quick admin response and student discontent. But staff maintains that despite the quick succession of fights during the weeks of August 29 to September 16th, no annual rise in student fights is expected as the year continues.

As students came back from the pandemic, increased student violence was predicted by many education and law enforcement specialists interviewed by US News, and PRHS students were reported to expect much of the same after the spike of fights in late August and Early September.

“I thought they would just keep going,” said Gillian Ritchey, junior, “I wasn’t a fan. My friends and I would just stand there and wait for it to be over.”

To staff, however, there’s a different story; these incidents and the way they tapered out were predicted.

The weeks wherein the fights occurred were abnormally hot, with outside practice canceled August 31st and much of the following week. Heat has been linked to both behavioral issues and lowered academic performance, as described by the UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Solutions.

Assistant principal Micheal Godsey pointed this connection out when explaining the fights and the spike in incidents: “Fights aren’t spread out throughout the school year perfectly (and) I don’t think the hot weather helped. That’s just natural for people.”

Principal Anthony Overton made sure to acknowledge the fights, but didn’t find the situation “terribly unusual.”

“They tend to come in little packets, once we have one or two it tends to spur on like four or five more,” Overton said. “After two weeks though, they sort of calmed down. That could also just be because when those other fights happened, we cracked down and kids learned to play nice.”

often a smaller factor because unless there was a physical build up, most policy in and out of school is that “violence is never the answer.”

Any altercation is a suspendable offense, one to five days, with five being the maximum for one incident. If someone is seriously injured, expulsion is a possibility and the police can get involved in school fights in the event of an assault charge.

Fights are taken very seriously at PRHS, being the main reason behind our unique ‘two lunch’ system, where the entire school is split into two lunches, A and B, that are excused at different times while the other half of the school attends their fourth period. Previous to distance learning, the singular lunch with the entire school seemed to facilitate higher rates of student fighting and an increased severity in these fights, with less adult supervisors per student and more students to get involved and further escalate the violence. The school saw “a lot of fights during lunch” according to Overton and more issues in general, not just physical altercations. The recent fights almost all took place during nutrition instead of lunch, suggesting the reasoning behind the system is solid. With the fights now fully lulled, staff emphasized their biggest priority is fight prevention.

“The biggest thing about these physical altercations is, nine times out of ten, it’s a result of something else- bullying, name calling, racism,” Overton said. “It bubbles to the point where someone kind of snaps and it turns into a bad situation.”

He encouraged students to report issues especially if they’re small, allowing them to be solved while they’re still easily addressable. Students can use the anonymous tip line or tell a staff member if there’s a problem.

Similarly, Godsey understood the fascination towards watching fights, but more so encourages building a culture where everyone who comes to school can feel like it’s a safe, nonviolent place and wants to not amplify the negativity at school.

“Some schools do a great job of amplifying and promoting, really communicating their school spirit and pride,” he said. “And other schools can post all the negative things that are happening. So we have

About 1.4 million

THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT THESE PHYSICAL ALTERCATIONS IS, NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN, IT’S A RESULT OF SOMETHING ELSEBULLYING, NAME CALLING, RACISM. ANTHONY OVERTON

Examining this school year’s small spike in fights, admin response, and fights at PRHS more broadly by Kalani Gaviola, EIC

THE RACE FOR SCHOOL BOARD

A look into the events leading up to the 2022 PRJUSD school board elections

By Elise Mathers, News Director

STUDENTS DESERVE BETTER

Community rallies hoping to see change in PRJUSD school board

The “Students Deserve Better Rally” was put on by Yessenia Echevarria, co-founder of Paso People’s Action, a North County activist group with a focus on racial, civil, and educational issues. The purpose of the event was to get potential voters registered, as well as express a desire for racial and political diversity within the seven-member PRJUSD school board. Senior Israel Pérez hosted the event, a student leader known for his active involvement in campus clubs including BSU, MEChA, and ACT.

“I’ve lived this life here never ever feeling like I could walk out in the street with my partner, and that has got to change,” said Marcy Goodnow, the first openly gay teacher at PRHS and first speaker of the rally. “Our boys have two moms, they’re in this district, and I want them to be proud of their moms.” With school board elections coming up on November 8, students, teachers, community members, and candidates are raising awareness in efforts to see changes made to the Paso Robles School Board that will further allow for changes made within the school district after two years of turbulence, national attention, and tension. Goodnow was one of several speakers looking for change.

The speakers at the event shared their support for three candidates: Sondra Williams, Jim Cogan, and Adelita Hiteshew. Cogan and Hiteshew were both present at the event, and shared their aims with the community.

“I want you to know that for me, it is personal and I think that really over the last couple of years we’ve seen division and darkness take hold of our school board.,” said Cogan. “The school board’s role is to raise the level of public discourse to get us inspired for things we can talk about.”

“When I applied for the open position on the school board, I was told I was too flowery and emotional. I brought my flowers with me, and hopefully that spreads. Hopefully we can spread those flowers throughout our community, said Hiteshew.

To close out the rally, Echevarria shared her thoughts, as well as her intent for another rally to happen in the coming weeks. The audience of the rally consisted of around 60 people. Community members stood across the park, many of them holding several campaign signs to display in their yards. Echevarria hopes to see a future rally with triple the amount of people present. School board elections will take place on November 8. There will be three candidates selected for four-year terms, and one candidate for a two-year term.

“Guys, it is up to us. We have done the work, we have shown up. It has been two plus years of blood, sweat, and tears, literally. I know that the change has to continue. Please vote because our children’s lives, our community’s lives, depend on it. Thank you so much,” Echevarria said.

COMMUNITY FUN DAY

Candidates host event to share their goals with Paso Robles families

As the event started, community members were greeted with music, tacos, and a face painting booth. Present at the event were school board candidates: Laurene D. McCoy, Peter Byrne, and Frank Triggs. During the first parts of the event, the candidates went around and enjoyed the event alongside the community members. Later in the event, each of the candidates went up to the mic to share about themselves as well as their hopes and goals for the district if elected to the school board.

The first to speak was Family Life Pastor Laurene D. McCoy. McCoy has children of her own in the district, and wants to be sure that parental choice is a key factor when it comes to students’ education. Byrne followed McCoy, and Triggs was the last candidate to speak. Triggs was appointed to the school board in Dec. 2021 and is running for reelection.

“I want to focus on parent participation. I really feel like it’s so important for parents to have a say in what is being taught to their children in the school district,” said McCoy. “The only way for them to have a say is to participate. That looks like coming out to school board meetings, PTA meetings, community events, and really just letting your voice be heard.”

“Everything goes back to transparency. There is no transparency between controversial issues in the school. The administration doesn’t want you to know about it, plain and simple,” said Byrne. “I think there would be much more parental involvement if they knew what was really going on.”

“When I’m on and reelected to the school board, I do not represent the children. I represent the parents, and the parents represent the children,” said Triggs. “They’re your children, not my children. They don’t belong to the states, the school district, and they don’t belong to the teachers. Those children are the most valuable asset we have.”

As the event closed out, people continued to take part in the food and fun, and candidates shared their flyers in preparation for the upcoming Nov. 8 election.

GATHERING TOGETHER: Students and community togethers stand together during the Students Deserve Better Rally to hear from the presenting candidates and student representatives

ADDRESSING THE CROWD: Candidate Frank Triggs shares with the crowd alongside mayor candidate Michael Rivera and school board candidates Peter Byrne and Laurene D. McCoy

CANDIDATE FORUM: STUDENT QUESTIONS ADDRESSED

Six candidates answered four questions during a tutorial forum on Nov. 3

By Elise Mathers, News Director

The forum took place in the PAC where each of the six candidates sat across the stage. From District 1, Chris Arend, Peter Byrne, and Jim Cogan were present. Candidates Sondra Williams and Frank Triggs were present from District 4, as well as Adelita Hiteshew for the at-large seat. After each candidate was given the opportunity to give an introduction, ASB president Olivia Wright presented the questions, and each candidate was given a minute and a half to share. The questions, submitted by PRHS students, covered a wide range of on-campus issues from having an open campus to the current culture and climate of PRHS.

As the forum closed out, the candidates shook hands and spoke further with students and teachers who sat in.

NOW THAT STUDENTS CAN GET LUNCH AT NO COST, THE NUMBER OF FOOD OPTIONS HAS GONE DOWN. HOW CAN YOU HELP FACILITATE STUDENT DISCUSSION AROUND EXPLORING NEW FOOD OPTIONS AND CHOICES?

IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A FREE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT FOR SOCIETY?

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON MAKING PASO ROBLES HIGH SCHOOL AN OPEN CAMPUS?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT CULTURE AND CLIMATE AT PASO ROBLES HIGH SCHOOL?

“IT STARTS IN ADULT SPACES. IF WE ALLOW BOARD MEMBERS OR PEOPLE OF LEADERSHIP TO BULLY, IF WE ALLOW THEM TO SAY THINGS THAT ARE CONSIDERED HATE SPEECH ON PROTECTED CLASSES, THEN WE CANNOT EXPECT YOU UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT. SO, UNTIL THOSE SPACES ARE HELD SACRED AND PROMISED, WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO NOT BULLY EACH OTHER.”

SONDRA WILLIAMS

I THINK BEFORE ANY STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 GO IN ANY OF THESE CLUBS, THE PARENT SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF WHAT THE CLUB IS AND SIGN OFF ON IT. IT IS A PARENTAL RIGHTS ISSUE. NO SCHOOL FACILITIES OF ANY KIND SHOULD BE USED FOR INDOCTRINATION SO WE ALL GET EDUCATION, NOT INDOCTRINATION.”

PETER BYRNE

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON’T ALL COME FROM THE SAME STARTING POINT. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW EACH OF US LEARN AND HOW EACH OF US GROW, AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE.” ADELITA HITESHEW

NEW SCHOOL BOARD ON THE HORIZON

Votes for school board continue to come in and the race is tight

By Elise Mathers, News Director

The current school board approved a redistricting motion put in place for the current election, offering more representation in specific areas that may not be found through entirely at-large elections. Voters used to select candidates within the entire city. The California Voting Rights Act does not allow the use of an election process “that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election.” Elections are now by “trustee areas” meaning that voters within a certain area can vote for trustees also in that area.

Seats on the PRJUSD school board are being elected for three areas, as well as an at-large seat. In Area 1, Chris Arend is the current member and president of the board who is running for reelection against Jim Cogan and Peter Byrne. As of early Nov 9. Cogan is in the lead with 48% of the votes. The rest of the votes were closely split between Cogan’s opponents with Arend at 27% and Byrne at 24% of the votes. In Area 2, former trustee Joel Peterson ran unopposed and will be automatically sworn in in December. Sondra Williams takes the lead with 43% of votes in Area 4. Frank Triggs is the current trustee for the Area 4 seat. Triggs was appointed in Dec. 2021 and is running for reelection against Williams and Catherine Reimer. Triggs follows with 35% and Reimer holds 22% of votes. Candidates Adelita Hiteshew, Laurene D. McCoy, and Jim Irving are running for the at-large position. As of the same Nov. 9 report Hiteshew is in the lead with 38% of votes. Following Hiteshew in a tight race is McCoy who has 36% of votes. Irving holds 25% of votes.

JUUL BAN

Vaping problem lurks In the face of new surveillance around PRHS

by Adane Siegrist, People Co-Editor

In June 2022 the FDA placed a ban on Juul, the company with the most influence on domestic vape with $259 million in pure 100% nicotine e-cigarette and vape sales in the first quarter of 2022. As a result, the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District installed vape sensors manufactured by Verkada, to monitor vape users. Verkada vape detectors are a hybrid of security camera and smoke alarm. When the technology detects a suspect, it immediately sends real time SMS alerts to all staff members under administration and security.

40-50 students have been caught with the innovative technology in the first month and a half of the 2022-2023 school year, According to Michael Godsey, the Assistant Principal.

Shelby LaMendola, the Health Science at PRHS, approaches vaping as a threat to the quality of life.

“Chemicals produced by e-cigarettes are acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde which can cause both lung and heart disease,” LaMendola said. “In youth the nicotine can cause deficits in attention, learning, and memory, lower impulse control, mood disorders, and increased susceptibility to addiction (not just to nicotine).”

Vapes were named an epidemic by the US Surgeon Medical in December 2018. According to the FDA, “14.1% (2.14 million) of high school students and 3.3% (380,000) of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use (in the US in 2022).”

Such information was another reason to install the vape detectors, a decision that didn’t come for free: to a statistic used by Karen Vellie, a journalist from the Cal Coast Times, “the district has allotted $315,870 to cover the cost of installing the upgraded security systems” when they made the decision to install them on June 7th, 2022.

According to Michael Godsey, the Assistant Principal of the class of 2023, 40-50 students have been caught with the innovative technology in the first month and a half of the 2022-2023 school year.

Although Godsey preaches that vaping is a “physical threat,” because of the imposed vaping on the non-vapers around them, Godsey deliberates vaping raises an emotional uncertainty for non-vapers.

Godsey stands by the idea that walking into a bathroom on campus is “opposed (due) to the stressful experience of trying to use the restroom while guys or girls break the rules.” that works well you are shortening the quotes and alternating with your own summer he’s very well Sophomore Ava Friedling, who’s also the Vice President of FNL, a club who implements an awareness of underage drinking and drugs, views security cameras as an awareness factor instead of a problem solver to vaping on campus.

“I’m pretty sure people still vape in the bathroom, but security cameras do help at least see what’s going on,” Friedling said.

Juuls is the main perpetrator of vape sales, collecting $259 million in sales, but concern has risen that vape users on campus will pivot to other manufacturers to satisfy their addictions.

“I think that it (FDA carrying out the ban of Juul products) will cause them (student vape users on campus) to try harder to find different brands to sell,” Friedling said.

In the end, vaping remains a serious problem on campus. Although 40-50 have been caught with new technology to emphasize the FDA’s ban, addiction serves a role in the equation. Will vaping be ended at PRHS through legal force or humble assistance and compassion for the addition of teenagers we interact with everyday.

IN YOUTH, THE NICOTINE CAN CAUSE DEFICITS IN ATTENTION, LEARNING, MEMORY, LOWER IMPULSE CONTROL, MOOD DISORDERS, AND INCREASED SUCCEPTIBILITY TO ADDICTION (NOT JUST TO NICOTINE.

Underage Vaping

14.1% of High Schoolers (2.14 mil) & 3.3% of Middle Schoolers (380,000) are active vapers

IT’ S NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL FRO A STUDENT TO SAY, ‘HEY LIFE’ S NOT GOING SO GREAT FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I’ M SELF MEDICATING BECAUSE OF WHATEVER REASON.

Vape sensors

PRJUSD spends $315,000 on Verkada manufactored vape sensored securtiy cameras

The start of an Epidemic

Dec 2018

I THINK THAT IT (FDA CARRYING OUT THE BAN OF JUUL PRODUCTS) WILL CAUSE THEM (STUDENT VAPE USERS ON CAMPUS) TO TRY HARDER TO FIND DIFFERENT BRANDS TO SELL

2022

Jun 2022

The initial ban

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) places an initial ban on Juul Products

Jul-Aug

2022

The catching begins

40-50 students caught in the first one and a half weeks of the 2022-23 school year

Aug 2022

Ava Friedling Sophmore Vice President of FNL Club

Vaping Epidemic named an epidemic by US Surgeon Medical

Michael Godsey Assistant Principal

Shelby LaMendola Health Science Teacher

LA SANGRE

P’URHÉPECHA

con las raíces purépechas

by Ana López, Carmesi Co-Editor

La alegría y las risas de la gente llena el ambiente. Paso Robles tiene una gran población de gente que viene de San Juan Nuevo Parangaricutiro, Michoacán, México que están conectados con las raíces purépechas.

Purépecha es un grupo indigena que está localizado en Michoacán, México. Adriana Aguilar estudiante de último año es de San Juan Nuevo con raíces purépechas pero normalmente se identifica como mexicana.

“Normalmente yo no me identifico como indigena porque varias personas me dicen que no soy indigena y que solamente soy Mexicana,” dijo Aguilar

La abuela de Aguilar creció y practicó todas las tradiciones indígenas de la cultura Purépecha. Con cada nueva generación se fue perdiendo la conexión a las tradiciones purépecha.

“En Paso la población de San Juan es alta así que me siento muy conectada a mi cultura,” dijo Aguilar

Muchas de las tradiciones que practica hoy en día están relacionadas con la religión Católica.

En San Juan Nuevo hay muchachas jóvenes que son palmeras que cuidan a la Virgen Concepción. La gente de San Juan ha traído esta traducción a Paso Robles y Aguilar es una palmera este año.

Reina Rodriguez estudiante de primer año es mexicana con raíces purépechas.

“En Michoacán hay varias tradiciones culturales que son practicadas pero en San Juan hay una tradición en particular donde hay un santo que se llama El Señor de los Milagros que está celebrado cada 14 de cada mes. La gente le baile y usamos nuestra ropa tradicional con la gratitud de todos los milagros que ha hecho para nosotros,” dijo Rodriguez.

TODA MI VIDA TODA MI VIDA ME HE SENTIDO INCLUIDA EN MI CULTURA… MIS PADRES HAN SIDO PARTE DE MUCHAS ORGANIZACIONES QUE LLEVAN MUCHAS DE NUESTRAS TRADICIONES Y CULTURA. ESTOY MUY FELIZ DE SER PARTE DE LA GENERACIÓN, DONDE UNA VEZ MÁS, NO DEJAMOS QUE NUESTRA CULTURA MUERA, ROSA MARTINEZ, 11

Se puede decir que las tradiciones que la comunidad de San Juan Nuevo practica en Paso Robles son centradas sobre el Catolicismo. Rosa Martinez, estudiante de tercer año, nació en México y sus raíces son de San Juan Nuevo.

“Viviendo en Paso Robles siendo de San Juan en mi opinión es algo muy bonito porque veo que mucha gente viene del mismo lugar como mi familia. Yo creci cerca de mi cultura y las tradiciones de San Juan en Paso,” dijo Martinez.

ZINTZUN

Itzia Zintzun estudiante de último año se identifica como Mexicana Americana. Sus raíces vienen de un pueblo chico en Michoacán que se llama Tzintzuntzan (54 millas de distancia de San Juan Nuevo). El significado de Tzintzuntzan es “chuparosa.” El apellido “Zintzun” no es común en los Estados Unidos. “Zintzun” viene de Michoacán que es purépecha y también tiene el significado de “chuparosa.”

ENGLISH SUMMARY:

Paso Robles has a large population of people from San Juan Nuevo, Michoacán, México with Purépecha roots. Purépecha is a group of indigenous people located in Michoacan, Mexico. There are various students at PRHS who have a connection with San Juan Nuevo and purépecha roots. Senior Adriana Aguilar and freshman Reina Rodriguez identify themselves as Mexican with purépecha roots. Aguilar and Rodriguez practice various different cultural traditions in Paso. Senior Itzia Zintzun’s last named “Zintzun” is an indigenous purépecha last name. Zintzun’s ancestral roots come from a small town Tzintzuntzan inMichoacán, México (54 miles away from San Juan Nuevo). Tzintzuntzan and the last name “Zintzun” translates to “hummingbird.” Junior Rosa Martinez was born in Mexico who is proud to be a part of the generation who continues to keep her culture and traditions alive.

La comunidad de San Juan Nuevo en Paso Robles tiene una gran conexión

Itzia Zintzun, 12

Rosa Martinez, 11

LA CULTURA en Paso Robles: Adriana Agular mantiene su cultura y tradiciones vivas.

XV FINALLY TURNING

by

Waking up with excitement, putting on a ball gown like dress, a beautiful crown, getting their hair and makeup done, and looking like a princess, is a typical quinceñera morning for their big day.

Quince’s are a celebration that many Hispanic families have for their daughter when turning 15. Quinceñeras are, “Part birthday party, part rite of passage, it symbolizes a girl’s entrance into womanhood when turning 15, traditionally showcasing her purity and readiness for marriage,” according to Marybel Gonzalez from the New York Times. On many occasions quinceañeras can cost the price of a car, up to more than $20,000.

At PRHS the majority of students are hispanic, so therefore there are many quinces that happen at Paso.

One student who had a quince this year tells us that to her quinceñeras are a way to celebrate another year of life. “I think a lot of people do it to show womanhood, but I found it to be like being alive. I think it’s an accomplishment of being alive. For me, especially what I’ve been through. It’s just an accomplishment to be alive at the time,” Renata Perez (10) said.

At PRHS 29 out of 37 students have gone to at least one quince. One student that has gone to not just one quince but more than 10, just this year is Angel Garcia, sophomore student at PRHS.

Since Garcia has been to so many quinces he has seen all the different factors that are in a quince. “The waltz and the band,” was what Garcia said about what are some factors that make a quinceñera unique. In addition, a factor that Garcia has seen at every quinceñera is that they all have a dress. “The quince with the dress,” Garcia said about a common thing he has seen at every quinceñera.

Although in Salvador Echeverrias 15 there wasn’t a dress.

HOW MANY PRHS STUDENTS HAVE GONE A QUINCEÑERAS?

78.4% HAVEN’T GONE 21.6% HAVE

STUDENTS SURVEYED

Every year there are about 400,000 quinceñeras a year in the US and more than half the population at PRHS is hispanic

Naomi Velasco, Carmesi Editor

Renata Perez, 10

FINALMENTE CUMPLIENDO LOS

XV

Cada año hay 400,000 quinceañeras en los Estados Unidos y mas de la mitad de la población en PRHS es hispana.

Por Naomi Velasco, Editora de Carmesi

Despertando con emocion y poniendose el vestido, la corona, arreglandose el pelo, el maquillaje, y viéndose como una princesa es la mañana típica para una quinceañera.

Quinceañeras son una celebración que muchas familias hispanas tienen para sus hijas cuando cumplen los 15 años. Quinceañeras son, “Parte fiesta de cumpleaños, parte rito de iniciación, simboliza el ingreso de una niña trasladando a una mujer al cumplir 15 años, mostrando tradicionalmente su pureza y preparación para el matrimonio,” según Marybel Gonzalez de el New York Times. En muchas ocasiones quinceañeras son muy costosas algunas cuestan hasta más de $20,000.

Una estudiante que tuvo sus quince este año nos dice como ella se sentía la antes de que sus quince llegará. “No lo podía creer porque ya vino el día que esperado por tantos años ya iba a venir, estaba muy feliz,” dijo Gabriela Verduzco (10). También Verduzco explica porque es tan importante para ella tener una fiesta para sus quince, “Esta fiesta es una tradición muy importante para mi cultura y al fin miraría tanta familia que he querido ver.” 29 de 37 estudiantes han ido al menos una quinceañera.

Un estudiante que no solo ha ido a una quinceañera sino a 10 solo este año es Angel Garcia del décimo año en PRHS. Cómo garcia ha ido a tantas quinceañeras el ha visto todos los diferentes factores que hacen una quinceañera única. “El vals y la banda”, fue lo que dijo García sobre algunos factores que hacen que la fiesta de la quinceañera resalte. Además algo que Garcia ha visto que cada quinceañera tiene en común es que todas tienen un vestido, “La quinceañera con el vestido”, dijo García sobre algo común que ha visto en todas las quinceañeras.

Aunque en los quince de Salvador Echeverria no había un vestido. Echeverria es un estudiante del décimo año que tuvo una fiesta para sus quince años este año. “Me gusta mucho bailar y simplemente me gusta la fiesta, así que hice una fiesta para mis 15 años y tuve damas”, dijo Echeverria cuando le preguntamos porque tuvo una quinceañera. Además Echeveria cree en qué quinceañeras deberían ser para todos, niñas y niños, “Todos van a cumplir 15 años no solo niñas, debería ser para los dos niñas y ninos.”

Quinceañeras es una celebración tradicional hispana en cuál ha sido celebrada por la mayoridad para niñas, aunque niños también pueden tener una fiesta como Echeverria. Cumpliendo 15 años bajo una casa hispana muchas veces termina con que tengas una ruidosa y divertida fiesta que enseñara a todos como te estás madurando de un joven a ser una mujer o hombre. Finalmente cumplirás los 15 años.

LA MUSICA 17.6%

EL SALON 20.3%

EL VESTIDO 28.4%

EL WALZ 33.8%

Angel Garcia, 10

Gabriela Verduzco, 10

JUUL BAN

Vaping problem lurks In the face of new surveillance around PRHS

by Adane Siegrist, People Co-Editor

In June 2022 the FDA placed a ban on Juul, the company with the most influence on domestic vape with $259 million in pure 100% nicotine e-cigarette and vape sales in the first quarter of 2022. As a result, the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District installed vape sensors manufactured by Verkada, to monitor vape users. Verkada vape detectors are a hybrid of security camera and smoke alarm. When the technology detects a suspect, it immediately sends real time SMS alerts to all staff members under administration and security.

40-50 students have been caught with the innovative technology in the first month and a half of the 2022-2023 school year, According to Michael Godsey, the Assistant Principal.

Shelby LaMendola, the Health Science at PRHS, approaches vaping as a threat to the quality of life.

“Chemicals produced by e-cigarettes are acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde which can cause both lung and heart disease,” LaMendola said. “In youth the nicotine can cause deficits in attention, learning, and memory, lower impulse control, mood disorders, and increased susceptibility to addiction (not just to nicotine).”

Vapes were named an epidemic by the US Surgeon Medical in December 2018. According to the FDA, “14.1% (2.14 million) of high school students and 3.3% (380,000) of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use (in the US in 2022).”

Such information was another reason to install the vape detectors, a decision that didn’t come for free: to a statistic used by Karen Vellie, a journalist from the Cal Coast Times, “the district has allotted $315,870 to cover the cost of installing the upgraded security systems” when they made the decision to install them on June 7th, 2022.

According to Michael Godsey, the Assistant Principal of the class of 2023, 40-50 students have been caught with the innovative technology in the first month and a half of the 2022-2023 school year.

Although Godsey preaches that vaping is a “physical threat,” because of the imposed vaping on the non-vapers around them, Godsey deliberates vaping raises an emotional uncertainty for non-vapers.

Godsey stands by the idea that walking into a bathroom on campus is “opposed (due) to the stressful experience of trying to use the restroom while guys or girls break the rules.” that works well you are shortening the quotes and alternating with your own summer he’s very well Sophomore Ava Friedling, who’s also the Vice President of FNL, a club who implements an awareness of underage drinking and drugs, views security cameras as an awareness factor instead of a problem solver to vaping on campus.

“I’m pretty sure people still vape in the bathroom, but security cameras do help at least see what’s going on,” Friedling said.

Juuls is the main perpetrator of vape sales, collecting $259 million in sales, but concern has risen that vape users on campus will pivot to other manufacturers to satisfy their addictions.

“I think that it (FDA carrying out the ban of Juul products) will cause them (student vape users on campus) to try harder to find different brands to sell,” Friedling said.

In the end, vaping remains a serious problem on campus. Although 40-50 have been caught with new technology to emphasize the FDA’s ban, addiction serves a role in the equation. Will vaping be ended at PRHS through legal force or humble assistance and compassion for the addition of teenagers we interact with everyday.

IN YOUTH, THE NICOTINE CAN CAUSE DEFICITS IN ATTENTION, LEARNING, MEMORY, LOWER IMPULSE CONTROL, MOOD DISORDERS, AND INCREASED SUCCEPTIBILITY TO ADDICTION (NOT JUST TO NICOTINE.

14.1% of High Schoolers (2.14 mil) & 3.3% of Middle Schoolers (380,000) are active vapers

IT’ S NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL FRO A STUDENT TO SAY, ‘HEY LIFE’ S NOT GOING SO GREAT FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I’ M SELF MEDICATING BECAUSE OF WHATEVER REASON.

PRJUSD spends $315,000 on Verkada manufactored vape sensored securtiy cameras

Dec 2018

2022

Jun 2022

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) places an initial ban on Juul Products

Jul-Aug 2022

I THINK THAT IT (FDA CARRYING OUT THE BAN OF JUUL PRODUCTS) WILL CAUSE THEM (STUDENT VAPE USERS ON CAMPUS) TO TRY HARDER TO FIND DIFFERENT BRANDS TO SELL

40-50 students caught in the first one and a half weeks of the 2022-23 school year

Aug 2022

Ava Friedling Sophmore Vice President of FNL Club

Vaping Epidemic named an epidemic by US Surgeon Medical

Michael Godsey, Assistant Principal

Shelby LaMendola, Health Science Teacher

PRESSURE THE IS ON

Continuing the legacy or following the steps of parents is a huge stressor, that can be said after looking at a recent survey. When 73 students were asked if they feel pressure going into college 76% of them said yes. The survey also reported that they feel that their parents expect their kids to be just as good or even better than they were in college. But what about the kids who are the first to go to college in their family? What footsteps should they follow?

Students in this situation report that they have to carry the weight of their whole family. According to Marquette Edu, these students have to go above and beyond to impress their parents and become a role model. They face societal and personal challenges that other students may not feel. They are the first to ever go to college so no one in their family is there to guide them through their journey. They can’t relate to most of their peers because they don’t have the same struggles. The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds (TCCYHM) Center, says that first generation students also had to face challenges early on in life. They faced family conflicts, shame, difficulty navigating the academic system, and more social isolation. 54 of the students from the survey mentioned previously, had to / still go through these problems.

One of those 54 students, senior Rosemarie Ortriz, explained that she is not necessarily the first person to go to college. However, she is the first one in her family to plan on going to a four-year college, but she still faces the same dilemmas.

Ortiz reports that the pressure is on her, “It’s kind of those situations where your family kind of looks at you to take up opportunities that they’re giving you,” Otriz said. She says that in a lot of cases, parents want their kids to have the opportunities they couldn’t have. She says that sometimes parents don’t see that their kids are working towards those opportunities, but not everything works out for everyone. Though she also says that it may be that they think like that because they didn’t have those opportunities at the time and they didn’t feel that specific pressure. Or perhaps they have a “single track mind” where they want their kids to follow a certain path and only go down one road. Which leads students to more pressure because they are worried that they may not keep up with the goal that is set.

Like previously mentioned before, Ortiz mentions that her parents work very hard. She is very grateful for them and the new opportunities she has because of them. “But sometimes it feels like they don’t understand or even try to understand the stress”, said Otriz. She takes a lot of advanced level classes and though parents say they understand the challenges that come with that, they don’t fully know. Becuase they haven’t been in their kid’s shoes. Sometimes the actions or words from

The First Generation College Students

by Michelle Rosas, Web Director

parents can make it seem like they’re pressuring their kids more than they are supporting them.

School and family go hand in hand when it comes to the pressure first generation students feel. “Some of the classes I take aren’t really for me, they’re more for my parents”. She mentions that she catches her parents bragging about her to other parents and they start using their kids as a competition. The parents want to make themselves look better and they do that by using their kids. Otriz mentions that that gives her more pressure to always get good grades and only get better, which becomes a problem because sometimes kids get at the very top and they can’t go on because they’ve reached the limit. Otriz says that she’s taken some of the hardest classes and has gotten the best scores on things but her parents still expect more from her.

Freshman Emily Chen is a first generation college student and an only child. She mentions that she feels pressure from herself and her parents as well. Chen shares that she often catches herself prioritizing school instead of her mental health. However, she mentions that she balances this pressure with the goals she has set for herself. “I have a dream planned out and the first step is getting a good education,’’ she said. She says it’s important to finish her education because that will allow her to be successful. So even though she feels this pressure from herself, her peers, and her family, She will do what it takes to excel.

We must acknowledge and appreciate first generation students because they have a hidden “overwhelming” pressure following them around.

NOLAN’S STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE

A humble opinion on bearcat lunches

by Nolan Severson, Review Editor

As I meander from one class to another, I look around and see wrappers, uneaten buns, and squashed meats. I witness little interactions, pleasantries, which seem to me to not be so pleasant. One student shouts vulgarity, and another responds with something worse, and I can’t help but blame their diet.

Perhaps the teen angst that dwells in this school is due to food poisining from a cold burrito, perhaps a stale sandwich - whatever the case I am not happy. As a self-proclaimed aficionado of the culinary arts, I see myself as someone who could give insight on the shortcomings of our school lunches. I looked to my peers for agreement and sympathy on my somewhat controversial opinion and I was met with mixed responses; this did not help. So I went to the source, the lunch ladies, Linda was nice enough to answer my questions, however trivial they were, and what she told me put a stop to my accusations.

For she rebuttled my apparently foolish claims with logic and reason, traits that tend to elude my everyday life. She told me the behavior of the average student had improved in the recent months due to increased security around the lines, but will this solve the problem, or delay an outburst, a sudden war between peers. Await my answer in the next issue of the Crimson Newsmagazine.

Rosemarie Otriz, 12

Emily Chen, 9

LEILA ALAKEL:

Sophomore kicks as*: a martial arts champion

Two hands shake dramatically, and move like rattlesnakes. Sophomore Leila Alakel grabs the collar of her opponent’s gi, effortlessly slamming her onto the mat. She remembers her principle that she has already won if she makes her opponent more scared than herself. She faces her partner again. Her face fades to show no emotion. She strikes immediately, rolling into a series of positions and acting on every mistake or weakness in her opponent, draining the strength out of her. She turns left, grabs the arm of her competition, and bends it into the armbar. The fighting sequence leads to her victory. The ref stands emotionless and intimidating as he lifts her arm up high.

Alakel’s six years of the dedicated 10-12 hours of a week has taught her how to be more intimidating than the ref as she has the power to snap the arm of her opponent in a second.

She says the hardest thing she has learned is, “I have to be able to make myself uncomfortable if I want to win…I have to be able to deal with something even though it may seem impossible, and overcome roadblocks that limit me in my

In training, Alakel leaves her ego at the door, learning and strengthening her character to help her in competition as well as life in general. At Gracie Barra, trained by Eric Franco, she says she is able to be herself and feel accepted, finding a place that strips her of the anger and stress outside the gym. With Franco and training partners pushing her to, and far beyond her limits, Leila accredits her growth to the times she felt like she was going to break, saying that the hardest but most crucial part of Jiu Jitsu is the ability to push yourself to the breaking point, sometimes losing matches, yet keep going. Along with building the strength and skill to take anyone out at any time, she believes that Jiu Jitsu would impact others

CONCENTRATION AND POWER: LeiLa demonstrates a move on her teammate, pinning her

by Kylie Troy, World Editor

lives for the better because of the community and the confidence it brings. Jiu Jitsu has made Leila more confident in herself along with bringing the people to her that are always there to listen, never judge, and are constantly happy to see her. Once others commit themselves to training, she values knowing that it is never just a bunch of people in a gym, but more like a family.

With no barriers on how much of her personality she is allowed to show her partners immediately recognize her as a “beast” and someone to look up to. “Before I started, I was in gymnastics and I always knew that I was bigger than the rest of the girls, I was taller and didn’t quite fit in. At first when I started, I didn’t know if it would be for me, but when I started Jits the second I stepped on the mats, I knew that I belonged and that I had a place where I could be myself.”

JIU JITSU IS LIKE A GAME OF CHESS, IF YOU MAKE ONE MISTAKE YOU COULD BE CHECKMATED 10, 12, OR 15 MOVES AWAY.

RAFAEL LOVATO JR.

The week before a competition is when she is nervous, and then the second she ties her Gi on competition day, she has a fight mode, lost in her mind she believes that “you get so focused you don’t even know whether you won or lost.” The wave of adrenaline subsides as her hand is raised. This part is where she has an instant appreciation of the people that show their praise with no strings attached. The last thing she does leads to her infinite strength and improving skill as she says: “Every time I fail I keep replaying the moment in my head until I think that I can get it right, then I try again.”

Female role models like Molly Holm and Mackenzie Dern, along with her training partner Melanie F. spark admiration and inspiration that influence the continued hard work. Brazilian jiu jitsu is a unique sport that keeps you from quitting in the hard times, and as a result, some get intimidated by Leila, including a senior last year who Leila reported saw her train once and convinced others that they should be scared of her skills. “She’s a total badass. She scares me,” classmate Abby Hanes said.

JIU-JITSU MASTER MEDALS13

WHAT IS JIU-JITSU?

The word means ‘gentle art’, but it is a Japanese sys tem of unarmed combat.

Leila’s definition: “Jiu-Jitsu is a material art that focus es on community. Especially at Gracie Barra, they promote a familial community where everyone who joins gets to be a part of something bigger.”

LINE UP WITH LOPEZ

The U.S. has around 12% LatinX teachers and PRHS has even fewer LatinX teachers on campus

Christopher Lopez is a Physical Education (PE) teacher and the PRHS Mens Varsity basketball head coach. He has been teaching for five years. Lopez is a proud first generation college student. He attended Reedley College for a couple years then transferred to Fresno State, got his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, and stayed for another year and a half to obtain his teaching credential.

Lopez grew up in a small town in Tulare County Ca, named Dinuba. His mom is Mexican-American and his dad is Mexican.

“My dad is from Jalisco. He grew up in a small town, really small town. He has ten siblings, seven brothers, three sisters. He moved over to the United States when he was 18 and he met my mom in Fresno, California. And from there, that’s kind of where our whole family moved. And we’ve been in the valley ever since,” Lopez said.

Lopez did not realize that he was creating a safe environment for his students by being one of the only Latino teachers on campus.

“When I first moved to Paso when I started teaching over here, I didn’t really think about it all that much. I know that there’s a pretty decently sized Hispanic population here. I never really thought about me being Latino or Mexican on what that means to the kids that I’m working with up until I

by Ana López, Carmesi Co-Editor

started talking to some friends that I have over here. They kind of made me think about how when I’m teaching Hispanic kids they see someone like them. So I never thought about it that way up until a couple of years ago, and I’m very proud. I think it represents, you know, the Latino population. I always try to be a good example…” Lopez said.

Many students have said that they feel more comfortable in their learning environment when they have a teacher that looks like them.

Freshman Jessica López Isidro has only had two Latine teachers so far in her high school career with one of them being Mr. Lopez.

“I feel more comfortable in the class because I am able to connect to him [Mr. Lopez] culturally,” Isidro said Isidro is a bilingual student so the intermixing of Spanish and English is very common to her as she speaks to her friends and family.

“Sometimes he speaks in Spanish so I’ll feel comfortable in the class environment. In sixth grade, my PE teacher got me in trouble for speaking in Spanish because she said she wasn’t able to understand the language. I also had Mr. Lopez in seventh grade and he’s never gotten me in trouble for speaking Spanish in his class. Hearing him speak Spanish has made me feel welcomed into his class,” Isidro said.

looking into lopeZ

Christopher Lopez

Jessica Lopez Isidro, 9

coaching: Lopez’s first year coaching freshmen at the san joaquin memoriaL in fresno, ca

teaMMates: intrmuraL League at fresno state with former coLLege teammates

pictUre Day: sophomore picture day at reedLey junior coLLege

gaMe Day: reedLey junior coLLege Vs fresno city coLLege

Head down, eyes locked on a screen, stalking the PR Crimson Crew Instagram Page, awaiting the next post, you casually pass by the girl behind it all. From dances to spirit weeks and everything in between, events at PRHS depend on the PR Crimson Crew (@prcrimsoncrew) Instagram page she manages. But most Bearcats don’t know this reliable page with nearly 2,433 followers is student run by junior Natalie Boyd, who is Director of Web Media for Leadership class.

Boyd’s hard work and time dedicated to informing Bearcats shines through her published posts as they gain recognition- yet she goes unrecognized.

Boyd’s busy role has a variety of jobs as web and media director through her elective leadership, all utilizing different hands-on techniques to spread PRHS-related information.

Could we get a smidgeon of description of her style, commitment, hours on task? That would establish the new worth & significance, I think -

Boyd’s estimated three hours are used filming and editing videos, collecting information and videos from other people, taking pictures and posting at the proper time.

Boyd also approves messages and photo content of the account.

“Anything having to do with tech usually goes through me,” Boyd said.

Step 1: Time Step 2: Detail Time Step 3: Creativity

THE FACE BEHIND THE PAGE

Her posts might have appeared on your screen, but have you taken the time to meet the face behind the page?

by Cassidy Heer, People Co-Editor

followers the PR Crimson Crew page is busy updating students on what is coming up. Boyd’s tireless efforts to inform students on what activities await is a part of how she stays so involved in school. With other activities like dance and aviation, Boyd balences her individual interests and school life while being the backbone of the school’s media through this populated account.

“It’s one of our main ways of spreading important information,” Boyd said. “Besides emails and slideshows in tutorials, social media is really the only way to get information out to people. A lot of people have instagram and it’s a good way to get more of a buzz about things.”

With over a thousand posts, the PR Crimson Crew page announces weekly updates for PRHS events. Boyd’s steady posts average between 100 to 200 likes while her videos gain between 2000 to 3000 views.

Though Boyd has gratefully taken on this responsibility, it wasn’t something she initially wanted.

“I originally went for a different job but I didn’t end up getting it so my teacher approached me with the web media role that hadn’t been filled, ‘’ Boyd said.

Leadership teacher Jennifer Bedrosian was the one who proposed the idea and encouraged her to consider the role.

“I really encouraged her to lean towards this position because for one she goes to the events and you have to be able to see it to know how to sell it,” Bedrosian said.

the student who is running the account because they have to be on top of information and follow through with posts on top of responding to messages like deleting posts that weren’t supposed to go up,” Bedrosian said. “I have confidence that she understands the ethics behind the social media platform.”

Despite it not being her original plan, Boyd is happy about her current role. “I took it and I’m so happy I did because it’s just so fun and it’s really my wheelhouse because I love doing anything techie,” Boyd said.“Social media has a lot of information and so I think people rely on PR Crimson Crew for important information about school events.”

Boyd admits that running the school’s most prevalent account has helped her stay involved in school activities.

“It feels good to go to things that I post about and fun to see what our school offers,” Boyd said.

Boyd admits that regardless of her other passions she would take another opportunity like this.

“If I have the chance to run social media and web in college or after highschool I would totally take up the opportunity,” Boyd said. “I love the creativity I get to express with it and would grab at the chance to run social meia for something I am

Photosby IsaelRendon

earlyDon’tposttoo ortoolate. The more information, the better Makeitappealingtotheeye.

by Savannah Rickard, Photographer

by Miguel Muniz, EIC

Amani Arellano

Nolan Severson

Matthew Carroll

Senior and multi-president discusses her view on being optimistic.

Senior and waterpolo captain explains how humor helps fuel his motivation

Head football coach and english teacher expresses the value of respect.

BOUND TO BURNOUT

PRHS Students and Teachers explain their thoughts on burnout and it can be overcomed

by Margot Klo, Op/Ed Editor

The pressure of being in the most intense and rigorous classes available can become a strain on a student’s mental health/wellbeing, especially throughout a student’s high school years. According to 61% of teens surveyed by the Pew Research Center rigorous courses can be a big stresser on students’ mental health.

Burnout is more than just a word to describe stress; it is the accumulation of stress over a long period of time that eventually becomes too much for students to handle.

“Burnout would be when people get so much on their plate that they lose enthusiasm and energy to keep them going,” Amani Arellano, a senior at PRHS said.

“They can juggle for a while, but at some point it just comes crashing down. And they either get sick, or they get super stressed and unhappy. Or they start yelling at their teachers and their friends,” Geoffrey Land, a senior AP teacher, said.

Both Land and Arellano are correct in their descriptions of the symptoms of burnout: according to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of burnout include exhaustion, irritability, insomnia, and vulnerability to illness.

When students start to lose their motivation and have one to many tasks to accomplish in a day they start to experience the symptoms of burnout.

Burnout is seen most in the students that are a part of everything including but not limited to, sports, Advanced Placement courses, and being a leader in a club according to Land.

According to the American Psychological Association, burnout is a syndrome that can be caused by becoming overworked and stressed and AP students at PRHS appear to be just that: overworked and stressed.

In a 2009 study done on stress by the American Psychological Association 45 percent of teens ages 13-17 were stressed by school related pressures. Further, proving Land’s point that burnout is seen in student’s that are a part of everything.

From freshman to senior year stress levels change as students start to add additional activities to their schedule. “The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve been involved in. So it’s definitely gotten more stressful over time. But I would say that I still haven’t burned out, which is nice because yeah, I’m only gonna get busier with college and stuff, so things are piling up as I get older, but I’m still enjoying it all,” Arellano said, though otherwise she claims that her burnout comes from homework.

Students not being able to say no to people or events starts to lead them on a path of having too many obligations to fit into their week especially when it comes to students looking to attend and impress colleges. For some of these high achieving students doing well is just a part of a much larger checklist, one that will help prepare them for the years to come.

The academic pressure of having a lot of homework especially when given on the weekends can lead to student’s feeling burnt out according to freshman and AP teacher Haley Talbert “The thing that bothers me is if teachers are giving students homework over the weekend, intentionally like, that’s a time to rest when they’re not in school. They don’t finish it during class. That’s one thing but don’t assign a new assignment on Friday at 3:29,”

Talbert said.

In a study done by NYU, grades, homework, and the preparation for college were big stressors for high school students.Homework is definitely a source of burnout among students at PRHS especially when they have other activities outside of school.

“Especially when I go from teaching kids Sign Language straight to a rehearsal and home to do homework until two in the morning,” Arellano said. “Homework is definitely a source for my burnout.”

An article published in 2014 by the Stanford Medicine of Children’s Health indicates that having an excessive amount of homework can lead to health problems including stress, headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss, and stomach problems. There’s been a recent movement among teachers championing the idea that weekend homework is excessive.

“I think that’s not fair,” Talbert said, “It’s a time for them to rest with their families and friends and come back hopefully refreshed.”

Even without having AP classes, freshmen become burnt out when they start to have an overabundance of missing assignments. “So with freshmen, particularly I feel like the burnout happens when they get really behind on their assignments and they find themselves in a hole where they have so many missing assignments, they feel like they’re never going to get out of that hole,” Talbert said.

Additionally, burnout is also seen in students that are struggling financially and have to take care of their younger siblings.

“Burnout is students who have low income homes, who are college bound and (have) responsibilities for their younger siblings or the extra job or helping pay the rent for their family,” Land said. Though this may not be seen as frequently at PRHS according to Land it is still an important group of people facing the effects of burnout.

Pushing back against burnout is possible, however; according to Arellano, students can combat burnout by being a part of activities that they have a great passion for and truly want to be a part of.

“The fact that everything I’m involved in I genuinely love and have a passion for (keeps me going),” Arellano said.

Both Land and Talbert agree that the new Wellness Center at PRHS is a great resource for students struggling with the symptoms of burnout.

“I have several students that go there regularly, and I know that it really helps. So the students that know and take initiative to go there could definitely be helped,” Land said.

Teachers can help students with burnout through allowing flexibility with deadlines especially for students that are involved in extracurricular activities Emmons claims. “It really helps when teachers are flexible when they know that you have extracurriculars and they’re flexible on deadlines,” Emmons said.

Teachers can also help students with burnout through creating a learning environment that allows students to feel comfortable, safe, and not feel stressed.

“I think that teachers definitely have a role in creating more humane classroom environments, in being more human themselves in allowing students to bring their whole selves to the class and not just their science self or their English self, like their whole self and to recognize that whole self and to realize that in order to learn that particular subject, you also have to be safe and comfortable and, and not feel stressed out,” Land said.

Main Signs of Burnout

Excessive Stress: feeling pressured/ overwelmed

Insomnia: having problems falling/ staying asleep

Fatigue: extreme tiredness due to over exertion

A DECADE OF DECLINE

Mental health in the United States and how PRHS fairs against the narrative

by Elise Mathers, News Director

Adolescence is a crucial time in life for the development of skills necessary for strengthened mental well-being. Increases in risk factor exposure are causing an already increasing amount of mental health concerns to continue to climb, especially in youth.

Mental health concerns in the United States have been increasing consistently throughout the years, and have been accelerated greatly in the last few years alone. Annually, the CDC conducts a Youth Risk Behavior Survey that aims to monitor health risk behaviors in high school students between six different categories. Between 2009 and 2019, there was a 10% increase of students who expressed persistent feelings of sadness and/or hopelessness. Data published by the CDC in late Mar. 2022 expresses that in 2021, 44% of students reported the persistent sadness and hopelessness, having increased 8% from the 2019 study.

The mental health of PRHS students is showing decline as well. In a PRHS survey students were asked to rank their stress during the current school year on a scale from 1-5. Of those, 40% ranked their stress levels at a 5 and an additional 33% ranked their stress levels at a 4.

Students experiencing extreme stress shared a wide range of mechanisms they used

Student Suggestions on what PRHS can do to help

Have more days for mental health, though I think the Wellness Center is a great step in the right direction.”

Not just saying mental health matters taking measures to help

Mental Health Days

“I think its needs to be easier to access the counselors and possibly publicize the wellness center.” more

“Slow down as the pandemic did with everything then jumped right back into regular school with higher expectations than before.”

to handle their stress. The most popular of those were sleeping and exercise. The CDC recommends coping mechanisms related to both mental and physical health as a means to combat stress. For teens, the CDC describes the best ways to handle stress and anxiety as: talking and staying connected to others, self care, and taking breaks from news sources and all things internet.

THE WELLNESS CENTER: WILL BE WELL IN OUR FUTURE

by Kayley Mills, Reporter

The Wellness Center is here to provide overburdened students with new ways to execute better self care and the usage of therapeutic remedies like zen gardens that offer inundated students a vast array of ways to practice healthy coping mechanisms. The new PRHS Wellness Center is here for all Bearcats to use as a place to release inconvenient and troublesome feelings when experiencing burnout, burdens from home, academics, and peer related stressors.

The Center provides a breath of fresh air for overwhelmed students, a calming atmosphere for all on campus to feel welcome and supported by staff and Peer mentors. Peer mentors are students who can meet with other Bearcats to provide a listening ear. Sometimes it is difficult for students to talk to a counselor about personal issues, a peer mentor provides students with the opportunity to talk to another student that is also a mandated reporter.

A study surveying teens in real time throughout their day, from Australia’s Murdoch and Griffin Universities found that when something bad occurs many students cope better when they are with their peers rather than adults. If hesitant to address personal issues with a peer or counselor, students are greeted with an inviting space with many comforting aspects. From soft Lighting, comfortable couches and bean bag chairs, sensory activities like pop-its and other tactile fidgeting toys, even a miniature zen garden. The Center offers overwhelmed students a very vast selection of coping mechanisms, there is something for every Bearcat in the Wellness Center.

“I believe that it will be useful for students to get a break from reality, and will provide a calming space for anyone in need of one,” Carolyn King, Senior A lunch Club president, said she wants nothing more than, ”to help the students at school, and to provide hem with a non-stressful environment”.

Kaila Jones, Senior and club president of the B lunch had the same thoughts as King, and agreed with her explanation of the wellness center. Students should be able to find an area on campus to de-stress from their everyday lives, and the Wellness center gives them the opportunity to do so.

The Wellness Center offers a place they can walk into and immediately feel relaxed. They are free to do their own thing to de-stress in many different ways.

The Wellness center advisor and counselor, Nancy Philips claims it was a conscientious decision made by the five PRHS counselors, and counselor trainees such as former Bearcat Cassidy Moses.

Moses finds herself reflecting on the time when she herself attended PRHS. “When I was a student here, no one talked about mental health. It wasn’t something that anyone focused on, which made people uncomfortable to share. We’ve now created a space more welcoming, much more accepting,” Moses said.

WELLNESS CENTER FAST FACTS

Philips has been a part of wellness centers in other districts such as the William S. Hart High School district, and has realized the importance of having a place for support.

Philips stated the importance is for us as a culture: “We want to have people come together and be understanding that everyone goes through mental health struggles and issues of their own,” Phillips says, to the importance of it as a culture.

When students are finding themselves anxious or overwhelmed, which are the two most common reasons for students to come into the Wellness Center, according to Philips.

They are welcome to enter the wellness center to take a 15 minute break, to talk to a peer mentor or a licensed counselor such as Nancy Philips herself, even a grade counselor. It offers a space that is meant to take preventative actions for students feeling anxiety or stress, as well as other negative emotions. When being effectively used by students, Bearcats are given incentive tools and social support to help them adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. And lifestyles When stress or anxiety gets out of hand students find their performance lacks in more than one aspect of their lives. The American Psychological Association reports that 40% of students say they are irritable due to stress, and 30% say they feel sad or depressed because of the amount of stress they have in their lives.

Adults and young participants often grapple with the stigma of attending the Wellness Center. If they go, is there something wrong with them?

To fight this stigma, Philips states they will be “including more activities that reach more students”, and that they are “trying to have a wide variety of activities for students to go and do. All Bearcats should know if you walk through that door, nothing is wrong with you or your mental health”, she says. The counselors and advisors of the Wellness Center hope that students can find something that works for them like yoga, as it is something that they can take with them forever and have as a skill or a lesson they have learned. Breath work, yoga, meditation, and therapy dogs appear often in the Wellness Center.

The wide variety of activities should motivate students to go into the wellness center where they can de-stress through these interactive activities. These activities can provide Bearcats with better coping skills for any problem they face during, and after highschool.

The main message the wellness center is trying to send to Bearcats on campus, as well as the hopes for the future

EMPATHETIC ENVIRONMENTALISTS

From the coastlines of California to the streets of Paso Robles, teen activists are helping the environment one garbage bag at a time. Many of our activist clubs on campus are participating in different ways to improve our environment such as cleaning streets, beautifying beaches, and even as simply as picking up trash during lunch on their way to fourth period.

One such club is BSU (Black Student Union) led by Senior President Akasha Asberry. She says how she likes to help her environment because of a tradition and a willingness to help the community.

“It’s been a tradition.since Kellen Macharia (class of 2022) did it…” said Asberry at a street cleanup, “I want to keep the tradition going and I love helping the environment.”

Activism is apparent in these environmental clubs and what club other than ACT would know that better? Seniors

Israel Perez and Tiffany

Robles are co chairs

to ACT (Activists Coalition of Tomorrow) and they are paving the way for environmental change in our community. These environmentalists are planning on helping by conducting street cleanups of their own,, using chalk that is eco-friendly, and occasionally holding a “...protest for proper recycling management and waste handling” (Israel Perez)

“ACT not only helps diversify the school but we work on making the high school and the world a little cleaner everyday” Perez said

Traveling down to the coast, Beach Clean-up club President Senior Kelsey Hammond is leading the way for young environmentalists by cleaning our

shores and beaches. “We wanted to help out the earth and with climate change… we were in marine bio when we did it and we [thought] we should try to help and make a difference. ” Kelsey said.

Another club that helps to clean the environment is Interact Club, advised by English teacher Aaron Cantrell and led by Junior President Laila Shea Interact club helps the environment through the use of street cleanups such as the Paso Robles Riverwalk cleanup put on by Earth Shrine. Interact Club has done beach cleanups in the past years and have also collabed with different clubs and organizations such as AVID and previously mentioned Earth Shrine to clean up several parts of Paso Robles including Sherwood park and numerous beaches in the past.

All these clubs that are helping the environment are having an impact on underclassmen as well.

Freshman

Janely Rendon shares her admiration that environmentalist clubs such as Beach Cleanup club and BSU are doing a great favor for our environment and our community.

”I think it’s worth it for clubs to help the environment since a lot of sea creatures…and kids can get injured since there can be shattered glass or other materials that can harm them like cigars,” Rendon said.

Though Rendon can’t join these clubs right away due to other responsibilities, she supports these environmentally friendly clubs and will show her support through buying from sustainable stores and using reusable dishes.

THOUGHTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Akasha

Kelsey

BSU - Black Student Union

BCC - Beach Cleanup Club

ACT - Activists Coalition of Tomorrow

Laila

Many clubs on campus are helping the environment in many different ways; on the street and on the beach

by Isael Rendon

President of BSU

Asberry (12)

President of BCC

Hammond

President Interact Club

Shea (11)

Cochair of ACT Israel Pérez (12)

Cochair of ACT Tiffany Robles (12)

“I like doing my part in the community.”

- Akasha Asberry

“I hope that students would try to reduce the negative impact that they have on the environment.”

- Kelsey Hammond

“...both our students and school could do better to reduce our carbon footprint.”

- Tiffany Robles

“We believe that fostering the ideal of service in our personal, community, and school life will lead to a better and more connected world.”

- Laila Shea

“We have such a large waste amount and the fact it can be reduced is ridiculous.”

- Israel Perez

MARS GUNDERSON, 12

“I think that the environmentalist clubs are doing a great thing on campus. They help students feel like they are making a difference.”

- MARS GUNDERSON

SHOULD WE FICTIONALIZE SERIAL KILLERS?

by Lyrika Cross

True crime has become a big staple of our generation. Whether it be listening to podcasts about Ted Bundy, or watching TikTok/ youtube videos about other minor killers, most know what true crime is or have immersed themselves in that world. There have been many conversations on whether true crime is ethical or if we should be casting people to play serial killers in movies or shows.

For example, in the newest show Dahmer Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Evan Peters, a more conventionally attractive man, was cast to play Jeffrey Dahmer. Casting someone that people find attractive is a rather hit-or-miss situation. Yes, it gets the show more views which is what the creators are aiming for, but it can also give someone an excuse to eventually project their attractions for the real person.

VS.SHOW DOC

and ruined real families,” said junior Connor Railsback

Not only does it make it easier for people to believe they can romanticize or make edits of serial killers. Edits are arguably a rather big hunk of what social media is made of. People will take clips or pictures of someone they find to be attractive or admire and compile a short video with audio of their choice behind it. With edits, people can reach more people on the internet and cause more people to romanticize serial killers and in turn, think it’s okay to do so. With making it easier to romanticize serial killers by casting actors to play them, a role like this can really take a toll on the mental well-being of the actor/actors involved.

Being able to maintain good mental health when playing such a sadistic person and having to tap into their mind to be able to play

movie and even made-up parts. At the end of “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile”, Ted Bundy confessed all his murders to Liz Kendal (Lily Collins) during a telephone visitation. This is fabricated to make the movie’s ending more dramatic. In reality, he only told her about the time he planned to kill her after he had been convicted in Florida. Bundy had yet to admit to anyone about his killings until the nights leading up to his execution. Movies about serial killers tend to be more dramatic than factual and shouldn’t be the only place people

“Fabricating stories on serial killers feel wrong. I feel like if we aren’t getting the facts right why make a movie at all? ” said sophomore Leia Breland when asked what her opinion on making movies about serial killers was. While the film might be enjoyable to some, it can be super detrimental to actors, family members of the victims, and people who think everything in the movie/tv show is factual.

NEGRANTI VS. COLDSTONE

by Kalista Peterson & Sienna Ramos

Two Seniors, famous for matchmaking at PRHS, have matched up the most popular ice cream in downtown. With a proximity of 700 feet from each other, Negranti & Cold Stone Creameries have a fierce competition. After visiting and reviewing the best selling flavors from each, the taste buddies have rated them on a scale of 1-10 based on the factors of quality, atmosphere, and best value.

Overall: 27/30

Negranti came on top with its welcoming atmosphere, cheaper prices, and friendly workers. They offer a variety of unique handmade flavors- even some with sheep’s milk, a healthier and lactose free option. Cold Stone was a close second; although their iconic creamy ice cream was superior in taste and texture, the shop doesn’t have much seating

and the design is outdated. A small scoop is also a dollar and 25 cents more than the Negranti one. They both offer mix ins- something that attracts many to Coldstone, but you can get that as well at Negranti for a better price and more aesthetically pleasing environment.

Overall, they are both great places to enjoy a chilly treat with your friends, however, the small business management of Negranti has allowed it to surpass the large franchise of Cold Stone. They sell products from ice cream sandwiches to cookie dough, candles to hats and hoodies.Upon walking into Negranti Creamery, it gives you the hometown feel of Paso Robles that Coldstone is lacking. The tastebuddies encourage you to support this local business and let us know who wins the battle of the best ice cream in town!

Overall: 23/30

The new fad of casting actors as serial killers might not be as virtuous as we think

I PRETEND LIKE IT’S A HARD CHOICE BETWEEN THE TWO BECAUSE MY GIRLFRIEND WORKS AT COLDSTONE BUT I THINK NEGRANTI IS BETTER. CBOW, 11

Juniors, Connor Bowman and Sebi Radojevic pose for a flick at Negranti Creamery on November 5th, 2022.

UNDERSTANDING MOORE ABOUT COLLLIN

Collin Moore holds the spot for top 5 of all time, in the swimming program at FPU, got a full ride athletic and academic scolarship to NJIT. He has been a teacher at PRHS from 2019 - current, he has coached water polo and swimming for five of those years, and schedules and coordinates all of the aquatics program. Moore is an alumni and attended PRHS from 2009-2013, participating in swimming and water polo all 4 four years. During swimming Moore went on to CIF to finish in the top 15 in the Division II Southern Section. During high school Moore was captain of the water polo and swim team. He also received the male Scholar athlete of the year award, and recognition on the wall of the Gil Asia Gim on campus..

After high school Moore attended college at Cuesta Community College, during his time at cuesta he Grey shirted, When he gray shirted he was able to get his times faster and he was able to retake tests to get his scores up. Then the following year Moore traveled from California to New Jersey to further his education at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a Division I school, on a full ride academic and athletic scholarship. There he competed in the Swimming and Diving program. His major at the time was civil engineering at NJIT, before he transferred to Fresno Pacific University (FPU). At FPU he changed his major from Civil Engineering to pursue Kinesiology and Physical Education. While Moore was at FPU he was once again on an academic and athletic scholarship. He continued to swim and, placed in the top 5 all time in the program.

his heart, both are just as exhilarating and exhausting as the other.

“I get excited from both of them. And I also get tired of them. As we get later into the season, as athletes have fatigue and coaches are a similar thing where you know, you have to reset and recharge and kind of switch gears every now and then. So you know at any given moment, it’s different right now for polo just because CIF is right around the corner so I’m excited for that a little bit more energy now. But you know, a month from now, it’s probably going to be swim. And then when we’re in the middle of swim season will probably change and at the end of the swim season we’ll probably go back to Water polo. So it’s just in and out and depends on the success of the kids and then also kind of the future of each program,” Moore said.

MY FAVORITE AWARD IS THE MOST IMPROVED AWARD IN WATER POLO. IT’S THE BIGGEST PLAQUE THAT WE GIVE AND I THINK IT’S VERY REPRESENTATIVE OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO WORK ON BEING BETTER.

COLLIN MOORE

After he graduated from FPU, Moore returned to Paso to coach the boys water polo team and the boy’s swim team.

Moore’s favorite part of the season for polo and for the school year so far would be the opening game against Bullard High School. “I’d say the start of the school year when we went and played Bullard to start the season off was a pretty big high for the school year. We went in and we were down several goals at half and then

Moore’s favorite part of overseeing the aquatics program is being able to see every player grow and develop to be a better player and develop as a better person.

“The coolest part is getting to know all the athletes. I’m fortunate enough that I get to know every girl in the girls team and be able to cheer them on when they’re playing or swimming. And I get to know every guy on the guy’s team, when they’re playing, whether it’s JV or varsity. So I think it’s important to be able to know everyone’s name and then go a step further and start to know what they’re working on to improve,” Moore said.

During Covid 2021, Moore was amazed to see the players come out and participate no matter the long and late hours and have a good time during the hodged podged season of water polo. Although it was a short and delayed season, for the polo team, he enjoyed that season the most.

“The hardest part is finding time and making sure that everyone has the time they want and that doesn’t always happen. I’m fortunate that other coaches that I work with, and the aquatic side of our sports at the high school are all very communicative. They also make sure to put in requests for what times they want or what concerns they might have. So we all work together pretty well which alleviates a lot of the issues and the struggles, but it’s still hard” Moore said.

One of Moore’s idols is swim coach Eddie Reese. He is a swim coach in Texas and “has a great demeanor about him for when he’s coaching that is very humble. Something I aspire to be and then he’s also very passionate about his athletes and seeing their successes and he’s also a robot he knows other times off the top of his head from any point in the season.”

With Moore’s heavy involvement in the aquatic program he still enjoys a life outside of school.. Moore enjoys spending time with family and playing board games such as Magic the Gathering, and team games including; ultimate frisbee, spikeball and corn hole. When he is not playing games with his friends he enjoys working out in the gym, and exercising in general.

Moore enjoys being active doing the things he loves whether that’s board games or leading his team to a victory. He is greatly appreciated and admired by many at Paso High.

Talking with aquatics coach, Collin Moore, about his past career and his future here at Paso Robles

by Jakob Baier, Sports Photographer

Fast facts about Moore

Moore was a student here at PRHS for his entire High School career

Moore got the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award his senior year

At FPU Moore was one of the top 5 swimmers of all time for the school

For Moore’s first year being the head coach he led his team to an undefeated 8-0 league win

Collin Moore Coach, PE Teacher

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Checking in with Bearcat alumni playing college sports

by Braydon Hoier, Sports Director

Brook Milder

SOFTBALL: SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

Stepping up to the plate, preparing for her third year on the Seattle University softball team, Bearcat alumni Brooke Milder has continued to crush it in her softball career.

Graduating from PRHS in 2019, Milder went on to play second base at Seattle University, while majoring in biology. Making the transition from high school to college, Milder admitted she faced some struggles. “It was honestly a pretty tough transition going from high school/ travel softball to college softball. In college we practice more often, much longer, and more intensely so learning how to juggle college athletics with college academics was a difficult but rewarding experience for me,” Milder said. “Because we compete at the highest level in Division 1, pushing yourself to meet the higher expectations and higher level of play requires a lot more hard work and

Corban Payne

dedication than most people are used to with high school athletics.”

As a junior Milder has racked up a few accolades. In March 2021, Milder was awarded Hitter of the Week for the Western Athletic Conference conference. All three years in college, Milder has been named WAC All Academic for excellence in college classes. Milder’s schedule for spring 2023 will soon be available at at the WAC website.

Tatiana Smeltzer

WATER POLO: CSU NORTHRIDGE

Bearcat alumni from the class of 2020, Tatiana Smeltzer, is now a senior at Cal State University of Northridge, competing for their women’s water polo team. Smeltzer in her senior year is studying marketing and business honors, and is on track to graduate in spring of 2023.

“My eligibility and education are a little mixed up because of Covid,” Smeltzer said, “I graduated in 2020 and luckily had a lot of AP classes that transferred to CSUN which meant that I was a sophomore standing as a freshman in college”.

In her 2022 season, Smeltzer was named to the Big West All-Academic team, as well as earning the ACWPC All-Academic honors. Smeltzer played 26 games in 2022 with 8 goals and 10 steals, dominating the pool. Helping her along the way to reach her goals, her “parents and

SHOT & DISCUS: CAL POLY SLO

Graduating in 2019 alongside Brooke Milder, cat alumni

Corban Payne has had a successful journey competing in shot put and discus.

Out of highschool, Payne attended Custa Community College in San Luis Obispo. While there, he was ranked number one in the region for shot put with a mark of 51 feet and number three for discus. After his first year at Cuesta, Payne transferred to Cal Poly SLO to pursue his track field career at the Division 1 level. In 2022 at Poly, Payne had a strong spring season, breaking many personal records. Some of his accolades consist of placing seventh in the shot put and 14th in the discus at the Big West Conference Championship. He also tossed for a career best of 56 feet, 3,25 in in the shot put, placing first at the Cal Poly open.

family have been extremely supportive through my entire journey here”, Smeltzer stated, “my highschool Coach Grant East had a major impact as to how I got recruited from coaching me to also introducing me to my current CSUN water polo coach Matt Warshaw.” With her senior year in full swing, Smeltzer is looking forward to her first game of the season on January 21, 2023 against La Verne.

Atiana Stratman

SOCCER: NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE

Graduating in 2019, now a college junior, Atiana Stratman is currently competing for Northwest Missouri State University Women’s soccer team.

In high school Stratman was captain for PRHS soccer as a senior, as CCAA Mountain All-League Second Team. She won 2019 MVP on varsity

soccer, secured the Lion’s Club Award, and took home a Senior Excellence Athletic Award. Her freshman year in college, Stratman appeared in nine matches and played 107 minutes, earning MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Her season was canceled in 2020 due to Covid, but she played in nine matches again in 2021 for 122 minutes of play. She received the 2021 MIAA Academic Honor Roll again. Her next game is November 11, 2022 in the NCAA tournament vs. Minnesota State.

C APTAINS ORNER C

by Serenity Wulfing, EIC

BOYS WATERPOLO GIRLS WATERPOLO GIRLS TENNIS

I HAVE LEARNED THAT IN THIS SPORT TEAMWORK IS KEY AND THAT NO MATTER WHAT NOTHING CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT TEAMWORK AND GOOD COMMUNICATION.

MICHAEL BROWN, 12 NO ONE CAN BE A HERO, OUR TEAM DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN ONE PERSON WORKS ALONE, IT TAKES EVERYONE TO WIN GAMES.

LEAGUE STATS: LEAGUE STATS:

FOOTBALL

NOLAN SEVERSON, 12

I HAVE LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPASSION. IN ORDER TO TRULY LEAD A TEAM TO VICTORY A CAPTAIN MUST HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN TO BE HARD ON A TEAM AND WHEN TO BE COMPASSIONATE AND CHILL. YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS NOT A SPORT. THIS TEAM IS NOT JUST SOMETHING FOR YOU TO LEAD BUT IT’S A FAMILY. LEARN TO LOVE IT NOT HATE IT LEANNA REED, 12

BEING ABLE TO KEEP OTHERS IN MIND AND HOW YOUR ACTIONS WILL AFFECT THEM IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST IN SPORT BUT IN LIFE. KEEPING A POSITIVE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT IS SOMETHING I DID MY BEST TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT POSITIVE THAT’S SOMETHING I LEARNED AND I CARRIED OUT WHEN I BECAME CAPTAIN. ROSE MARIE ORTIZ, 12

LEAGUE STATS:

WHAT I’M MOST PROUD OF OUR TEAM IS OUR ABILITY TO EMBRACE BEING THE UNDERDOGS. WE ARE ALWAYS READY TO STEP UP AND GO HARD UNTIL THE GAMES ARE OVER. ALSO, PUT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE INTO YOUR CRAFT. SET YOUR GOALS HIGH AND EXCEED THEM, AND NEVER BECOME COMPLACENT.

LEO KEMP, 12

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

ALWAYS BE POSITIVE AND LIFT EACH OTHER UP WHEN SOMEONE IS DOWN. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE STAYS POSITIVE AND HAVE ENERGY THAN HAVE SKILL. ENERGY WINS GAMES. ALWAYS TRY AND BE A LEADER EVEN IF YOU AREN’T THE LOUDEST MOST OUTGOING PERSON YOU CAN STILL BE A LEADER. AND ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR TEAMMATES.

LEAGUE STATS:

KYLIE STROUD, 12

LEAGUE STATS:

4th

GIRLS GOLF CHEER

I AM SO PROUD OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE TEAM. EACH WEEK WE WENT OUT TO NEW COURSES AND EVEN IF WE WEREN’T HAVING A GOOD DAY, THE WHOLE TEAM PUSHED THROUGH AND GOT THROUGH IT WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THIS TEAM IS COMPOSED OF THE MOST DEDICATED AND OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE

KACI WAGNER, 12

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

LEAGUE STATS: 2nd in County

THIS YEAR WE HAVE SEEN MANY OF OUR YOUNGER ATHLETES WORK INCREDIBLY HARD TO IMPROVE AND GROW INTO THEIR TALENT. AS A TEAM LEADER IT IS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE APART OF A TEAM, AND CONTINUE TO WORK JUST AS HARD OR EVEN HARDER THAN THOSE AROUND YOU. IN ORDER TO IMPROVE NOT ONLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT AS A TEAM IT IS NECESSARY TO WORK HARD AND PERSEVERE THROUGH ANY SETBACKS.

MIRANDA MARTINEZ, 12

A GOOD LEADER CAN MANAGE AND LEAD THOSE UNDER HIM HUMBLY AND SINCERELY. ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAMMATES BECAUSE AS THE CAPTAIN YOUR WORDS CAN CARRY MORE WEIGHT AND I BELIEVE IT’S IN THE TEAM’S BEST INTEREST FOR YOU TO USE THOSE WORDS TO GIVE ADVICE ESPECIALLY TO THE UNDERCLASSMEN WHO DON’T KNOW THE DIFFICULTIES OF CROSS COUNTRY

JOSEPH

MARTINEZ,

12

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

AS A PLAYER, I LEARNED THAT EVEN IF I DON’T HAVE A GOOD RACE, I’M GOING TO BE THEIR FOR THE GIRLS WHO DID AND TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THEY DID. I LOVE TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR STRATEGIES IN THE RACE AND HELP THEM BE COMFORTED.

SYDNEY MOORE, 12

LEAGUE STATS:

2nd

Fall Sport captains at PRHS look to use leadership to light up the scoreboards

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING:

GOLF SWING

The Varsity

Golfer’s Guide

by Serenity Wulfing, EIC

In one fluid motion, Katie Wagoner draws her arms straight back, and her right elbow points towards the ground. She inhales, keeps her eyes on the ball, and strikes the ball with the club holding a nicely balanced stance. The ball sails through the air as she keeps her vision glued to the ball.

Wagoner is a Senior and has played varsity golf for three years. She was first introduced to golf after eighth grade and began playing the summer before her freshman year.

Outside of practice with school, Wagoner practiced at least once every weekend for two to four hours to stay in touch and improve her skills. Her coaches have played a significant role in her golfing career.

“Both of my coaches have always inspired me to always do better and they make sure that I know how to improve if I’m struggling,” Wagoner said.

Even though she does not have a celebrity she looks up to golf-wise, she would say that she has always looked up to her teammates that were older than her, and as a senior this year, she has looked up to her fellow players when they help her get through rough times.

“I love golf because it is easy to see the growth that I’ve made, each season and each year. I also love being able to see my hard work pay off when I get a perfect shot or I get a personal record” Wagoner said.

Wagoner’s future is clear when it comes to playing golf. She sees herself continuing this hobby for fun because of the thrill it brings her. After high school, she plans to receive a degree in Biomedical Engineering, and she has a lot of colleges that she would love to attend.

KATIE WAGONER KATIE WAGONER BEST 18-HOLE GAME

BEST 18-HOLE GAME 92

STANCE

The center of her upper spine, knees, and balls of her feet are lined up on top of each other. Her back knee is slightly turned inward pointing at the target.

GRIP

GRIP STANCE

FOCUS

FOCUS

Eyes stayed glued on the ball as she strikes the ball. She completely forgets about previous holes and shots and eliminates any thoughts of holes and potential scores to come.

The palm of her right hand rests on top of the thumb of her left hand.