Crimson 2014 February Issue

Crimson Volume 74 | Issue 5 | 2.27.14 | Paso Robles High School

Man’s best friend: whether it’s a cat or dog, everyone needs an animal to cuddle up to at night.

| Table of Contents

C

Carmesí

La meta de la sección Carmesí es unificar a los padres y los estudiantes de la Escuela Secundaria de Paso Robles.

The new Spanish Section’s , Carmesí, purpose is to unify the students and parents of PRHS.

News

Feature

Food

03 Poetry Out Loud

08 Salute senior pursues

32 Canine Treats bake

junior wins county competition, going to state

dream to enter the navy after graduating

CTE

09 Apart of the team

05 Vet Science high

school vets in training

boy’s basketball junior manager conquers social stigmas

Opinion

World

07 Fundraising clubs

15 Syria a simplified

battle against the school timeline of Syrian events board for fundraiser approval

02 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Table of Contents

up some doggy cinnamon bun snacks

Blind Date

35 Double Dating Paso

Center 28 Pets Crimson features pets

and their students

and Templeton daters meet

Sports

37 Sochi your guide to the winter olympics

On the cover:

Furry feline friend, Oliver, 30 pounds, watches a bird intently

News

|

Poetry – in – motion Students perform poetry in competition

by Mila Robb-Hiteshew, Reporter and Lauren Wassam, Reporter Reciters from eight high schools in SLO County gathered at San Luis Coastal Adult School on February 6 for the county finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition. Junior Alec Wingfield won the competition, reciting “The Delta” by Bruce Bond and “Hartley Field” by Connor Wanek.

Competitors and their families gathered in the Performing Arts Center to listen as 28 students recited poems that had been practiced for two weeks before Jan. 22. Poetry Out Loud is a national competition where high school students recite poetry to judges. The national champion receives a $20,000 reward and their school receives $500 worth in poetry books.

Students competed, but only one participant could move on to county finals. Principal Randy Nelson, English teachers Steve Arnette,

Heather Stover, Dorreene Gilmore, Andria Biggers, and Carrie Baldovin decided that the reigning champion from the previous year deserved to be champion once again. Wingfield recited “The Delta’’

by Bruce Bond with all of the judges’ qualities to win once again. Runner-up, sophomore Gabby Davis recited ‘’I am the People, the Mob’’ by Carl Sandburg for the sectional branch of Poetry Out Loud.

“I feel like I did my best,” Davis said. “But I know what I could’ve done better.”

Wingfield will be moving on to the state finals in Sacramento on March 23 and 24 where he will compete against the other county winners from the state. The event will be televised on the California Channel.

Photo by Lauren Wassam

BCASE confusion

Paperwork mix-up mars fundraising event

by Matt Tyra, Sports Co-Editor While a Bearcat club worked towards helping international environmental efforts, some paperwork confusion with a fundraising form produced a delay for the group.

BCASE, Bearcat Alliance for a Sustainable Environment, was working towards participating in a project called Plant a Billion Trees project, which is dedicated towards restoring the Atlantic Forest, a rainforest in Brazil. For every dollar donated, the project will plant one tree in the forest.

“Only 12 percent of the original forest remains, but it’s home to thousands of species and also is an invaluable source of water and hydroelectric energy for the people in Brazil,” said Emma Zelus, who is the BCASE president.

The problem with the fundraising effort occurred when BCASE submitted its fundraising form to the district, which requires a month’s time to elapse before official fundraising efforts can begin. Though BCASE submitted the form, the district office doesn’t have the paper on file, meaning

BCASE would have to submit a new form.

“I believe we had turned in a fundraising form in December or late November, but I guess it never got processed, and so when we tried to start our fundraiser in January, we were unable to do so,” said Zelus, who has been in BCASE for two years and has worked on Spinning to End Finning and Waves of Change, both efforts to stop sharkfinning.

Although the incident means BCASE will be required to fill out another fundraising form, they will still be able to participate in the Plant a Billion Trees project after the month’s time has passed; they are planning on raising a total of $500. Fundraising efforts will include BCASE hosting a table in the quad at lunch, followed by the set-up of donation boxes in classrooms.

Senior Week Plans solidified for annual week

by Analia Cabello, Copy Editor The itinerary for this year’s senior celebration goes a little like this: Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20, will be filled with activities. Seniors who have bought Grad Nite tickets at a cost of $115 will depart for Disneyland at 10:30 a.m. on Wed. May 21. Senior Ditch Day will commence once seniors return at 8:30 a.m. on Thurs.

May 22; however, only seniors who’ve attended Grad Nite are excused. School will proceed as usual on Fri. May 23.

Tickets are available for purchase in class advisor and PE teacher Cara Macomber’s classroom, room 1018, during lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If a senior is planning on buying a ticket, they must bring a signed permission slip, which are available in the front office. However, it’s possible to make a $50 deposit to reserve a seat.

News | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 03

| News

Rolling for dough

Ag adjusts to the reality of their cut grant

by Angela Lorenzo, Co-Editor in Chief Governor Jerry Brown released a budget proposal on Jan. 9 in which the Agricultural Education Incentive Grant, which provided grants ranging from $6,000 to $46,000 for each program since 1983, according to Dairy Head Network, was not included.

This grant, which supports over 78,000 agriculture students in the 315 agriculture programs in California high schools, is no longer going to be given to the Agriculture programs, but instead be combined with the rest of each school district’s budget. The $18,000 that was given to the PRHS Ag program may not be given to the Ag programs by the district and may be allocated to different receivers.

“It’s going to take good communication between the Ag programs and their district administrators, so that as a state, we hopefully do not see Ag disappearing from our school systems,” said Justin Pickard, the Ag Leadership teacher.

Each of the 500 students in the Ag program will feel the repercussions of this act, there will be no money left to pay for their registrations and dues to FFA. This could dwindle the numbers of FFA students down from their 74,000 members, because not everyone is able to afford the state fee.

The upcoming State Conference originally cost $235, however the grant helped decrease the costs to $125 per person.

With a growing trend of skilled labor requests, Pickard worries that the loss of this grant will set bad precedent for education.

“What is disheartening the most about this situation is that we are going to be running a huge

gamble on whether or not we will be able to continue to open up these opportunities up for our students, and could be adding to such a huge shortfall to industry needs or college readiness,” he said.

Senior Anthony Gobea, FFA president, feels that his four years in the program has taught him how to make decisions and how to defend them.

“I have learned that in this program anything is possible. I have come to respect some of the freshman, sophomores, and juniors because of the leadership and talents they have shown,” said Gobea, referring to their state winning livestock judging team of then sophomores Nathanael Bourgault and Jake Dilger.

Pickard and his students have sent over 150 letters to Gov. Brown expressing the importance of the FFA and the impact it’s had on them, stressing the help that the Incentive Grant gave to the program.

“It’s going to take good communication between the Ag programs and their district administrators, so that as a state, we hopefully do not see Ag disappearing from our school systems,”—Justin Pickard

Anthony Gobea, 12

Shortened schedules Opinions arise from seniors’ schedule changes

by Carly Cargill, Feature Co-Editor College applications are sent, credits fulfilled, and blanks found in schedules--seniors are almost “free.” As second semester begins, seniors are leaving campus before 3:02 p.m. because of a lack of non-prerequisite second semester electives. Principal Randy Nelson is personally reviewing all requests for early dismissal.

“When we began schedule changes early this semester, it appeared we were faced with an onslaught of requests for early dismissal,” counselor Xelina Rojas said. Rojas, along with the other two counselors, are trying to find a solution to the problem of seniors leaving early in what should be their most involved year.

Senior Michelle Munoz, who takes a zero period and leaves after third period, believes that seniors deserve to leave campus early.

“I think seniors have earned the right to be let out early. We only have a few credits left to take. I need 5 credits to graduate, and it’s English, which I’m taking at Cuesta. I didn’t think that trying to get ahead for college would hurt me in the end,” said Munoz, who takes IMP 4 for one period and is a teachers assistant for her other three periods.

Counselors are trying to find a solution, one of which is to create a fifth period where students need to earn their right to leave early, to be enforced in upcoming years.

“Personally, I would prefer students continue at least up to fifth period. If they have met all their requirements, have passed the CAHSEE and perhaps based on a certain GPA they could earn a reduced schedule... [A] thought is to design a fifth period class of departure for students which assists them in the transition into young adulthood and the career choices and decisions available

to them,” said Rojas, who understands the frustration seniors have about finding a fifth period or leaving to go to work.

Senior Morgan Ciampi also believes that early release benefits seniors, despite concerns counselors are having.

“My schedule was shortened because I’m looking for a job to save for college... I think teachers should influence kids to leave early because it gives us time to get jobs or have responsibilities,” said Ciampi, who has four classes and leaves at lunch.

“There is no point to make us fill [blank periods] with a TA period in which we will do nothing; that is a waste of time,” senior Devin Corea said.

Corea goes to periods two through five, then leaves for water polo practice.

In future y e a r s , students may not have this luxury, but for now, engines will start and seniors will drive out of the parking lot earlier than the rest of the school.

“I think seniors have earned the right to be let out early. We only have a few credits left to take. ”

— Michelle Munoz, 12

04 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | News

Michelle Munoz, 12

CTE

|

Focus of the month: Vet Science

C

T

E

This year vet science decided to test how testosterone and estrogen affect the weight gains of market hogs. To do this the class purchased 16 market hogs at $85 each and split them up into four separate pens. In two of the pens the hogs were all males, or barrows, and all females, or gilts. In the other two pens: two gilts and two barrows. After the feed trial is over they are sold to J&R Meats for $100. Senior Lexi Kuehl, in the photo to the right, works with a hog from the feed trial. This is her first year enrolled in ROP Vet Science, and she plans to major in AG business in college.

VET SCIENCE

by the numbers

Total students enrolled: 32 students Enrollment by gender: 8 female + 14 male Enrollment:

24 11th graders 8 12th graders

1. No Prerequisite 2. Animals students work with: Hogs , goats, sheep, cattle, small animals 3.Teacher: Jeremy Monn taught at Don Pedro High school for three years before starting this year at PRHS. He has a degree in Animal Science and has 21 years of large productional livestock experience.

Lexi Kuehl, 12

Animal instincts Alumnus follows her veterinarian passion

by Rachel Cole, Feature Co-Editor Taking in a stray cat or dog can be risky business for any child, but for automotive teacher Gregory Boswell’s third daughter, Megan Boswell, bringing home a two foot long exotic lizard is just average weekend business.

Although the 2010 alumnus never managed to fit the vet science class into her schedule while she was in high school, she has been busy learning all she can of her chosen profession.

“I first took vet science classes in college, at Cal Poly. I chose to take those classes because I was going to school for animal science in hopes to get into a vet school and eventually become a veterinarian. Those classes definitely affected my choices in life. I worked in two separate vet’s offices and can honestly say those classes prepared me for that. Without those classes I would have been overwhelmed with the extent of things that go on inside an animal hospital and very grossed out to say the

least,” said Megan, who after one year, left Cal Poly and became a veterinary technician for about a year and a half.

That hard work has paid off and now Megan works at STAR Eco Station, an animal rescue where the typical patients of the day include reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

“The Eco Station is an exotic wildlife rescue and environmental science museum where we rescue exotic animals that have either been smuggled or were someone’s pet. We have over 300 pets at the Eco Station and are constantly getting more.

STAR stands for our parent company, which is STAR Education Inc. STAR is a non-profit organization that does after school programs for elementary schools. The Eco Station does outreach at those elementary schools and teaches children, hands on, about animals and the environment,” Megan said.

“I now have my dream job at an exotic animal rescue and can say that I would not have this job if it were not for the vet tech jobs I had prior, and would not have survived those without the classes,” said Megan, who only took one year of vet science classes.

The stray pet question might be undecided for some parents but the Boswells have always encouraged their daughter’s

aspirations.

“My family has always supported my dreams and were very excited for me to go to college and pursue those dreams,” Megan said.

“Megan’s dream of working with animals first began when she started showing market lambs as a 4H member. I believe she was about nine at the time and through the process of raising, training and showing livestock she began to show an ability in working with animals and I could see that she really enjoyed it. Her idea to work in the animal training/ veterinary field has evolved as she became older; from raising pets, then project animals through 4H and FFA to now studying to make her career in exotic animal care and training. We have always emphasized that she needed to have hands on skills and practical experience as well as academic knowledge to be successful, and we’re proud to watch her as she continues her journey to achieve her goals,” said Gregory Boswell, who has been teaching at PRHS for more than seven years. Students can take the vet science class offered one period a day if they wish to take part in a career like Megan’s.

A word about this section Crimson thanks Cuesta College and its SB70 Minigrant program for supporting this monthly project. Funds go towards Coverage in various media—print, web, video—of high school students building career skills.

CTE | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 05

| Editorial

Dress code decode The reality of an unenforced dress code at PRHS

by Pearl Herrera , Opinion Editor

Y

ou could almost make walking around campus a scavenger hunt.

A girl wearing shorts with her butt hanging out--check. A boy wearing his pants down to his knees even though he’s wearing a belt--check. A boy wearing a shirt with half naked women on it--triple check. The list goes on and on, yet ceases to be stopped.

As days begin heating up, spaghetti strap dresses and short shorts begin appearing on campus. But whether this sudden appearance of short, skimpy clothing is questioned or enforced by teaching or security staff is a constant debate among students.

We feel that many students have taken advantage of this dress code leniency. PRHS staff, in our opinion, are just as much to blame.

Yet how can we strive for a properly dressed campus when the code itself is flawed?

It is unreasonable and unrealistic for the code to demand girls to wear shorts that run down to the tips of fingertips and boys to avoid

all solid colored shirts. In reality, not all red, white, or blue shirts- how ironic- express gang pride. And, in all honesty, it is hard to find shorts that long anywhere other that in a grandma’s closet.

The dress code would also bans the wearing of popular “California” shirts and all “805” related attire. The rules state “Students will , not wear any attire, jewelry, or clothing that includes geographical and/or numerical references.”

This section is understandably trying to protect our campus from gang related signs. However, prohibiting the wearing of our state flag to “protect” students seem incredibly ironic.

“It’s nice to have freedom, but sometimes it’s like the freedoms are popping out everywhere,” freshman Kasey Moffitt said.

“Sometimes a teacher will give you advice, but it doesn’t feel like they have people around campus who actually enforce it.”

Specific excerpts of the dress code pertaining to female students seems to have been completely abandoned by students and staff. The dress code states, “Straps must be at least one inch wide.” However, looking around at students, we can instantly see at least 10 girls violating this rule, and we can see at least two staff members ignoring this violation.

“I think the most common dress code violation is girls’ shorts, but they always seem to get away with it,” said freshman Kylie Managan.

Female students aren’t the only ones who are remain unfazed by the 908 word dress code.

“It’s nice to have freedom, but sometimes it’s like the freedoms are popping out everywhere .”

—Kasey Moffitt, 9

The majority of boys get away with dress code violations as well. Where the dress code states that “pants/skirts are not to be worn below the waist line (‘saggin’) and must be sufficient to conceal undergarments” becomes a joke when you can walk through the halls and see boys boxers every color of the rainbow.

In the end, it is nice to be able to wear tank tops and shorts in 100 degree weather, but it would be nicer if the staff would insure that we couldn’t see every inch of the person wearing a crop top and microscopic shorts, and it would be even nicer if you, boys and girls, wore clothes that don’t need to be dress coded in the first place.

Crimson Newsmagazine Co-Editor-in-Chiefs

Amy Cantrell, Fun & Games

Eden Peterson, Food

Jordan Nevosh, Editorial

Carly Cargill, Feature

Maureen Pushea, Photo Director

Angela Lorenzo, Center

Jessica Cole, A&E

Lauren Reed, Fun & Games

Sydney Matteson, Front Page

Rachel Cole, Feature

Matt Tyra, Sports

Courtney Thompson, In-Depth

Matt Durian, Health

Mariela Villa, World

Claire Farrell, Business Manager

Copy Editors Analia Cabello

Editors Emily Ayer, Environment

Pearl Herrera, Opinion

Reporters

Brandon Kearns, Sci-Tech

Madeline Raithel, Reporter

Natalie Martin, Blind Date

Maddie Moore, Columnist

Michelle McPherson, Food

Mila Robb-Hiteshew, Reporter

Rebecca Mitchell, Career

Nick Larazinni, Graphic Designer

Danae Ontiveros, Sports

06 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Editorial

Facebook www.facebook.com/ crimsonnewsmagazine

Adviser Jeff Mount

Website www.crimsonweb.net

PRHS 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Email prhsjournalism @pasoschools.org

(805) 769-1500 ext. 50033

Instagram @crimsonnewsmag

Room 604

Crimson, an open forum for the exchange of student ideas, is an independently funded newsmagazine of the journalism class at Paso Robles High School.

Crimson reflects the majority opinion of the staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or students. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and layouts are completed by Paso Robles High School students. We are happy to talk with you further about our content, subscriptions in U.S. Mail, and advertising on our pages.

Opinion

Not feeling the fun in fundraising District policies often at odds with club members’ financial ideas

by Rachel Cole, Feature Co-Editor

Processing….. Processing…..Processing….. Failed to get approved at all.

The environmentally focused club, Bearcats Community complete. This is infuriating on the computer screen, but what if you and club members have planned a catchy fundraiser for Alliance Sustainable Earth, BCASE, has struggled to get any your club and need your request approved? fundraisers off the ground this year, and they are fighting to get Clubs and fundraising go together like peanut butter and jelly, the Plant a Billion Trees project finally started. but student fundraising creativity and school board rules can “The staff at PRHS have been extremely willing to cooperate in be at odds. Several club leaders this year are understandably promoting ecological sustainability at our school, but the district perturbed. office is a totally different story. We Certainly, fundraising at have been trying to PRHS is a busy scene.

“There are easily over a get our Plant a Billion Trees project going hundred plus fund raising events requested each since the beginning of school, but the year. None get turned district was basically down unless the group unhelpful in the or advisor is not willing process,” said senior to follow the guidelines,” Principal Randall Nelson Ryan Springer, the BCASE club said., who’s signature is president for the first required on all approvals.

The rules require that half of this year. every funding application Emails about the issue with Assistant be submitted at least 30 Superintendent days prior to the fundraiser itself, because it needs to E l i z a b e t h Wilson were not be approved by five people answered. before being allowed to “We submitted proceed. These five people include the club advisor, fundraiser forms and the ASB Director or Athletic after waiting for a Director, depending on reply that never came, group requesting event; the principal’s office, the Assistant we found out they lost our papers,” Springer said.

Superintendent of Business, Elizabeth Wilson, and Nelson asserts that the papers were not lost. the club needs school board approval.

BCASE started off the year with 35 members, but gradually shrunk down to about 20 because of the Students say they feel that fundraising rules are in place to force them to struggle with and even forced inactivity, Springer said. abandon their efforts to make any money with their McGranahan agrees that administration has clubs. been supportive within the rules.

“Each approval has different needs, but all of “I think the administration is very open and willing to help aid is in any way needed. them need to be approved by the district. So the For example, last year we had a freshman 30 days are a cushion in case a certain fundraiser fundraiser and Mr. Nelson was more than needs more approval time,” said faculty sponsor willing to open a spare portable room for us Jennifer Bedrosian, who is the dance, leadership, and cheer teacher. items for our rummage “We submitted fundraiser forms and after tosale,store ” said McGranahan, whose “We’ve applied for four. However, only three have been allowed. It waiting for a reply that never came, we found sophomore class meetings hold only took about a week to process roughly 30 students. the application,” said sophomore out they lost our papers.”

Another irritating aspect of this Vincent McGranahan, who process in particular is the club’s —Ryan Springer, BCASE selfless goals. was the freshman class president last “Fundraising in BCASE is year, and is now the sophomore class different than fundraising for any other club. We aren’t worried president.

“For a costume competition in October, we were going to at all about getting money specifically for us and our club, none give cash prizes. We weren’t able to do things like that,” he said. of the money we make goes to fund BCASE. We donate it to Some other rules include the California state law that states ecological causes or like I said, to shrink our carbon footprint,” that it is illegal for a school to be involved in games of chance Springer said. such as a drawing or raffle.

Student club leaders have also complained about the fact that Also, fundraiser prizes cannot include cash prizes, wine, spirit students are not notified that their request has been approved According to Bedrosian, the fundraisers that do get approved beverages, firearms, or other weapons.

“Some physical events have safety issues that must be could make anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred resolved. Obviously safety for the students is the biggest reason dollars. But is the money worth the trouble that it can take to that they want to know what is being fundraised,” Bedrosian said. get there?

The cushion of time may be to allow for slight modifications to the proposed fundraiser, however, some fundraisers do not

PRPS Fundraising Facts & Policies

Senioritis reflectoritus Apathy is natural; but follow through

by Angela Lorenzo, Co-Editor-in-Cheif I feel like I have a certain right in the rite of passage of senior year.

But I also know that I need to persevere and have the grit to finish the responsibilities I face as I near the end of high school, and look towards college.

Not that I’m a senior and I’m better than anyone, but we’ve all been through something that the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have not yet.

It’s college applications and stressors that go with them. It’s also the struggles of our beloved institution.

Aside from the obvious 12 and a half years of schooling through which we’ve stayed awake, we have also finished the long, never-ending process of college applications, survived the indecisive schedule changes, budget cuts, and construction.

But after all these accomplishments, more and more seniors are beginning to feel the burn of laziness and procrastination.

This is senioritis.

It’s staying up till 2 a.m. petting your dog instead of reading, taking a nap while everyone else is in their fourth period Econ class, and planning your senior ditch day when your teacher is trying to explain how muscles contract.

I don’t think school is stupid or a waste of my time. I don’t blow off my Stats homework and English reading because I think it’s not going to haunt me. I simply don’t do it.

Sometimes I don’t write my articles, and sometimes I forget to upload pictures I took. Senioritis isn’t a disease or a sickness of epidemic. It’s simply a condition, a reality, a state full of the funk that each student falls into at some point.

Senior Blaine Deverick agrees that senior year has been harder than those before.

“I have definitely gotten lazier lately. I feel like I was dedicated to school for about the first half, but after Christmas break I have not really felt motivated to do anything. It’s become a real problem for me,” Deverick said.

I know how he feels. It’s natural to see June 13 on the horizon and get a little unmotivated.

But it’s also heroic to fight laziness and maintain our own motivation, even if we seniors feel we are entitled to check out.

“I have college next... I can’t give up now when my schooling doesn’t stop for another four years,” senior Tori Barrin said.

Barrin embodies the courage we seniors need to have amid our understandable malaise.

I’ve committed to the green and gold of the Mustangs, but my vision of my future is only spotless if I can keep my fingers off my phone and my mind on the books. Being a senior isn’t about maintaining the minimum GPA you need, but about maintaining the same grades you had for four years, planning the future, and always looking ahead.

Opinion | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 07

|

| Feature

carrying on the family tradition Senior Nykie Carr excels in Navy sea cadets

by Matt Durian, Health Editor

PROUD: Senior Nykie Carr shows her uniform and displays several stances she has to follow. Carr explains that she is not allowed to wear makeup or wear her cap indoors, and she says that any violation is serious.

Photos by Carly Cargill

08 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Feature

C

rawling through the brush keeping her head low, senior Nykie Carr trusts her ghillie suit to keep her concealed among the tall grass. She is moving inch by inch, practicing her newly learned skills of stealthy movement; if she makes one wrong move and disturbs any vegetation in any unnatural movement, all her hard work to hide herself will be for naught.

As a Sea Cadet, Carr attends two drills a month. These drills, occurring on the weekend, involve Carr arriving prior to 8 a.m. They open with raising of flags, which is known as morning colors, followed by physical training (PT) and conclude with different lessons.

While at Camp Pendelton for recruit training from December 27 to January 5, Carr excelled and was selected out of 240 Sea Cadets to be given the recognition of Battalion Honor Cadet at graduation.

She most recently learned how to make ghillie suits and use them effectively.

Shipmates are required to learn the vital skill

of being able to move undetected and remain unseen. They learned to blend natural vegetation into their suits to break up the human form, making it harder to detect.

They also mastered the skill of moving to different shooting spots without giving up their position. Different types of walks and crawls are used such as the low, medium, high, hands and knees crawl, and the crouched walk. Basic rules are always followed to maintain complete amounts of stealth: move slowly in counts of inches, always act as if you’re being watched, and do not cause overhead movement.

“I joined the Navy for travel, education, and because my father and grandparents were in the Navy. It’s kind of like a family tradition and none of my siblings carried it on,” said Carr, who decided against other branches of the military because the Navy gave her the exact future she wanted.

Originally Carr thought that she wanted to be a dentist through the Navy, but her plans have changed. Her top three choices are to be a rescue swimmer, cryptological technician, or aviation structural mechanic.

“I don’t have the physical attributes to be a rescue swimmer. A crypto will decrypt an encrypted message and I didn’t chose that because it is top secret, and I didn’t want to have to not tell my parents and family where

I am going and who I'm talking to, especially since I just turned 18. So my next option was an aviation structural mechanic. Women don’t normally do that; it’s mainly a male dominated job,” Carr said.

Carr puts about 7 hours of training into each weekend, and is expected to earn her spot in the Navy. She still has to pass all physical tests with standards set by her age and gender, which include a mile run in under 12 minutes, a minimum of 12 push ups, one pull up, and 44 crunches in each exercise. It’s possible to get a perfect score in each exercise by doing more than the minimum and earn the presidential standard.

She will have to take her Physical Readiness Test (PRT) at Camp San Luis.

“I am confident I’m going to pass the PRT. At recruit training we had to take another PRT and I passed the mile and push ups and was Presidential Standard for crunches. So I’m going to pass it,” Carr said.

Carr plans on continuing preparing and training with her fellow shipmates until she is done with high school and then fully joining the Navy.

C

Lea la versión en español en la página 11

Overcoming Obstacles Feature

|

Senior Ty Fansler conquers social stigma

s

by Courtney Thompson, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Photos by Maureen Pushea and Rachel Cole

A

TAKING TIME TO BE A TEAM: (above) Junior Ty Fansler manages the varsity boys basketball team and stands by in the huddle.

MARKING MONEY: (below) Ty works on money counting by placing his dollar bills in the right places.

bevy of 2000 students flood the gates at 3:02, looking forward to a snack, midday nap, Facebook time, and freedom.

These visions don’t flood junior Ty Fansler’s mind; he has other aspirations. And they involve a basketball and a hoop.

However, Fansler isn’t your average basketball player. He was born with Down Syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome that hinders both mental and physical development.

Fansler isn’t stopped by the social or physical stigmas surrounding this condition.

Starting three years ago, Fansler suited up and began to practice with the varsity basketball team after Special Ed teacher Chris Emmons approached coach Matt

during the games.

“The Bearcats’ biggest fan is Ty. He is always anxious and excited to be out on the court with the athletes at the games. He so admires and respects the team and coaches and sometimes his enthusiasm for ‘his’ team can get a bit carried away. We are so thankful for each and every teammate. They have provided excellent role models for our son,” said Patty Fansler, Ty’s mother.

Emmons agreed.

“In this case, helping with the team, I'm not sure he is getting out of his comfort zone as I think he loves it and has few inhibitions. (Which is not to say that there aren't other situations where Ty inspires me when he goes out of his comfort zone). Perhaps others, working with a severely handicapped student, have to get out of their comfort zones. People that do this inspire me,” Emmons said.

And Fansler brings it all to the table every practice and game.

“-He is part of the team, no doubt about him. Sometimes I will look around at the boys during the huddle and see him standing right in the center of it, clapping and cheering the team on. He is an inspiration,” Drake said.

Basketball isn’t Fansler’s only sport, though.

In addition to managing the basketball team, Fansler participates in the Special Olympics Area Meet held each year at Cuesta College. He usually participates in two track and field events. He also participates in the weekly Special Olympics sports, currently playing on the basketball team called the “Hot Shots.”

“In his parents’ eyes, where he differs intellectually or physically, those limitations seem minimal to his wonderful ability to not judge others. He accepts others as lovable fellow travelers on this planet. Everyone can provide a contribution in life. Their value shouldn't be based on their IQ or 3 point shot. Ty is humorous, kind, non-judgmental and has great concern for others’ welfare,” Patty Fansler said.

And Fansler’s point of view? Well, it’s as simple as it can be.

“I love to play basketball and cheer on my friends.”

“I don’t see Ty by his condition. I see him as just Ty, one of my players.”

—Matt Drake

Drake with a request.

“He came up to me, explained the circumstances, and asked if I could give him a chance. I gladly accepted his offer, and the next week, we gained the most enthusiastic player and manager on our team,” said Drake. “That is what he brings to our team: enthusiasm and a love for the team and the game.”

At a game, one can see Ty bringing water to the teammates on the sidelines, but that sideline isn’t a boundary for him. He participates with the basketball program over six hours a week shooting baskets and practicing with the team, and after those hours are over, Fansler puts on his manager hat and washes and fills the water bottles and washes and folds the towels provided to the athletes

Feature | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 09

She’s got

| Feature

what it takes H

Sophomore Maria Anguiano shows a fierce commitment to boxing

by Eden Peterson, Food Co-Editor

10 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Feature

M. anguiano

er heart pounds and flutters as she nervously “[Before a fight] my heart pounds like crazy! However, I stands in the ring. Bouncing on the tips of her toes, know I'm as prepared as I could be, and basically I pray for she knows that she’s as prepared as she can be, the best,” Anguiano said. and she is ready to box.

Among those who support Anguiano is her best friend When most people think of a boxer, they usually think of sophomore Paula Olivera. someone with powerful fists, who’s muscularly fit and male.

“When I found out Maria boxed, I was pretty shocked Sophomore Maria Anguiano fits all these stereotypes since she's super nice and I know she's not the type of girl except for the last. Possessing fierce determination and who would fight. So I didn't really expect it. I'm actually very commitment, gender certainly doesn’t hold Anguiano back proud of Maria because she's a really great boxer! It took a from boxing success. lot of dedication to become the great boxer she is now,” said To make sure she’s prepared for all her matches, Anguiano Olivera, Anguiano’s best friend since sixth grade. devotes two and a half hours a day practicing at the gym, on Although Anguiano has improved since she first started like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from six p.m. to eight most players of any sport, Anguiano’s skill was noticeable early thirty p.m. on as she came out victorious The frequent practices and “I don’t think any other sport asks so much of in only her second fight. rigorous training regimens “I lost the first time I boxed boxing requires has taught you. You have to run, jump rope, do cardio, lots of because I was 13 and my Anguiano the importance of pushups and sit-ups, shadow box, arch your back opponent was 15, there commitment. definitely a height and right when you’ve been taught otherwise your whole was “I don't think any other sport experience difference but asks so much of you.You have to life, lose weight, gain weight, endure getting punched, since it's so hard to find girl run, jump rope, do cardio, lots acknowledge the importance of protecting yourself boxers we went with it. I loved of pushups and sit-ups, shadow my second one because I box, arch your back right when and keeping your hands up because any blow can knew what I was doing, and I you've been taught otherwise be deathly. In the end you learn to be committed and knew regardless of my winning your whole life, lose weight, realize it’s worth all the sweat and tears.” or losing, just by trying I was gain weight, endure getting at,” Anguiano said. punched, and acknowledge —Maria Anguiano, 10 Olivera, was in attendance at the importance of protecting this bout to provide support. yourself and keeping your hands up because any blow can be “I went to her [second] fight because it was the one fight that deadly. In the end you learn to be committed and realize it's she truly needed some support since the girl who she was worth all the sweat and tears,” said Anguiano, who has been going to fight was older and so much bigger than she was. boxing since she was 11.

It was really scary watching my best friend get hit so many For a while, Anguiano, her sister, and her cousin were the times, I mean, no one wants to watch her best friend get hit only female boxers at SLO County Boxing Gym in Templeton right? But I was truly impressed because after an intense fight, out of approximately 15 students. With so few female boxers Maria won!” Olivera said. in this area, Anguiano often fights opponents from places like While Anguiano first started out boxing just because San Francisco and Gilroy. her father wanted her to learn self-defense, this sport has Her physical and mental devotion, along with the guidance developed into to something much more for her. Anguiano of her two coaches Max Gonzalez and Juan Sandovez, and dominates in the ring with the continued support of her support of her boxing gym and friends, leave her feeling friends, coaches, and boxing gym. prepared before each nerve-racking fight.

Photo by Maureen Pushea

C

Carmesí

La meta de la sección Carmesí es unificar a los padres y los estudiantes de la Escuela Secundaria de Paso Robles.

Continuando la tradición

familiar A

Senior Nykie Carr sobresale en Sea Cadets de la Armada escrito por Matt Durian, Health Editor

traducido por Analia Cabello, Copy Editor

ORGULLOSA: En su uniforme, Carr demostra varios posturas que necesita seguir. No puede llevar maquillaje o llevar su gorro adentro; dice que cada violación es serio.

Fotos tomados por Carly Cargill

|

rrastrándose a través de la matorral, con la cabeza baja, senior Nykie Carr confía en su traje de camuflaje para mantenerla oculta entre la hierba alta. Ella se está moviendo centímetro a centímetro, practicando sus recién aprendidas habilidades de movimiento sigiloso, y si ella hace un movimiento en falso y perturba la vegetación en cualquier movimiento artificial, todo su trabajo duro para esconderse será inútil.

Como Sea Cadet, Carr necesita asistir a dos instrucciones cada mez. Estos ejercicios, que ocurren en el fin de semana, exigen que Carr llega antes del 8 en la mañana. Se abren con el levantamiento de las banderas, que se conoce como los colores de la mañana, seguido por el entrenamiento físico y concluyen con clases diferentes.

Mientras que en el Camp Pendelton para la formación de los cadetes, del 27 de diciembre al 5 de enero, Carr sobresalió y fue seleccionada entre 253 Sea Cadets para recibir el reconocimiento de Batallón de Honor Cadete en la graduación.

Recientemente ha aprendido a construir los trajes de ghillie y utilizarlos en una manera efectiva. Se requiere que los otros Sea Cadets aprenden esta habilidad esencial de ser capaz de moverse sin ser detectados. Ellos aprendieron a combinar la vegetación natural en sus trajes para romper la forma humana, para que es más difícil de detectar.

También dominaron la habilidad de moverse a diferentes lugares de tiro, sin renunciar a su posición. Los diferentes tipos de paseos y los rastreos se utilizan son bajo, medio, alto, las manos y rodillos, y el paseo en cuclillas. Reglas básicas siempre son seguidas para mantener sigilo: mueva lentamente en el recuento de pulgadas, actúa siempre como si usted está siendo observado, y no causan movimiento de arriba.

“Uní a la Armada para los viajes, la educación, y porque mi padre y abuelos estaban en la Armada. Es como una tradición familiar y ninguno de mis hermanos lo llevó adelante,” dijo Carr, quien decidió en contra de otras ramas de las fuerzas armadas porque la Armada le dio el futuro exacto que quería.

“Ejército y la Marina normalmente combaten. Salen y disparar los cañones y juegan con los juguetes grandes y no quería hacer eso,” dijo Carr.

Originalmente Carr pensaba sobre estudiar para ser dentista a través de la Armada, pero sus planes han cambiado. Sus tres opciones principales son ser un nadador de rescate, técnico criptológico, o aviación mecánico estructural.

“No tengo los atributos físicos para ser un nadador de rescate. Un criptólogo descifrará un mensaje cifrado y no lo elegí porque es alto secreto, y no quiero tener que no decirle a mis padres y familia dónde voy y con quién hablo, sobre todo porque yo acaba de cumplir 18.

Así que mi siguiente opción era un mecánico

estructural de la aviación. Normalmente, las mujeres no hacen eso; es principalmente un trabajo dominado por los hombres,” dijo Carr.

Carr esta muy feliz con su decisión de trabajo.

Carr pone cerca de siete horas de formación cada fin de semana, pero no está garantizado un lugar en la Armada. Todavía tiene que pasar todas las pruebas físicas con las normas establecidas por su edad y sexo, que incluyen corriendo la milla en menos de 12 minutos, un mínimo de 12 flexiones, uno tire hacia arriba, y 44 abdominales. Es posible obtener una puntuación perfecta en cada ejercicio por hacer más que el mínimo y ganar el nivel presidencial. Ella tendrá que tomar su examen de Preparación Física (PF) el 8 de febrero en el Campamento de San Luis.

“Estoy seguro de que voy a pasar el PF. En el entrenamiento del recluta que tuvimos que tomar otro PF y pase las millas y los pectorales y gane estándar Presidencial para abdominales. Así que voy a pasar,” dijo Carr.

Carr planea continuar su preparación y el entrenamiento con sus compañeros hasta que se termina con la escuela secundaria y luego va a unirse totalmente con la Armada.

Carmesí | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 11

| Indepth

Cheaters never prosper, right?

The information we desire is at the tip of our fingers, within our grasp. The answers are in pockets; they’re written in smudged ink on sweaty palms; they’re a desk away. Just a few keystrokes, just a quick glance at an open hand, just a peek at your neighbor—what could it hurt? An easy grade boost.

What’s the big deal? Why not succumb to temptation?

Well, there are consequences. The school or teacher may catch you. Emotionally, you’re losing the respect of your peers. You’re compromising your integrity.

How many truly engage in the act? How does it affect those around you? And what is the true definition after all? Turn the page: the answers are at your fingertips.

12 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Indepth

182 Bearcats students surveyed

|

Indepth

The awkward art of turning down a cheater (no, not the boyfriend kind)

by Analía Cabello, Copy Editor

The methods, levels, and means

by Jessica Cole, A&E Editor

What is cheating? What is it really? That’s what we wonder to ourselves as we plug numbers into our calculator. They never said not to do it, we rationalize as we reword answers on homework. I just need a little help, we tell ourselves as we glance at the very smart person across the table’s paper.

Everyone has their own definition of cheating. Which one is real?

Cheating as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is considered to be, “is to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game or examination.” So therefore, everything that we do, to earn ourselves a dishonest advantage in an examination. That must be cheating. But then we are also told that copying homework is cheating. Because we are all so unique we all have different interpretations, and yet there are some things, that we all know are forms of cheating. It should be easy to stop certain forms of cheating, because it seems that everyone knows that they are wrong.

Yet, fighting cheating seems almost impossible, methods to cheat on everything from homework to the SATs are passed from student to student, and with the internet at our fingertips, cheating strategies are so easy to look up.

WikiHow has detailed step by step instructions on methods to cheat, with pictures to help those that are visual learners.

YouTube, provides tricks and tips to cheat. But the methods are endless.

There is the classic copying the person next to you’s answers, the slight variations on that, which include checking your answers, and just copying the ones that you aren’t sure about. You can also try and communicate across the classroom with a partner.

Then there is the realm of concealing notes on your hands, or in papers that are on your desk. This can also be used in the form of putting a paper on the top of your binder, copying the answers onto the inside of your water bottle wrapper and hiding your notes in places that no one should be looking.

Then of course, in this technology cluttered age, we have so many resources at our fingertips. We can just as easily text a friend, or if you are a person with a smartphone, just Google

it. But you might just want to use Sparknotes, if you are writing an essay on literature. That’s virtually undetectable, and then, of course if you are in math, there is the relatively new invention of calibrating formulas, answers, or even examples into your calculator.

People all think differently about the morality of using these different methods. Cheating on tests, by copying people’s answers for example, is widely accepted as cheating, with 61 out of 105 students saying that they consider it a form of cheating. “Looking at other’s tests is the worst [form of cheating].” said one anonymous student. But that doesn’t stop it from happening. 94 out of 105 people openly admit that they have cheated on at least one test in their student career. The stress that they put on good grades and not learning outweighs their knowledge of right and wrong.

And using notes on an essay, well, that’s pretty obviously cheating as well, at least 60 out of 105 students thought so. “Copying essays. For real? That is the highest level of cheating in AP. Plagiarism. Those are all forms of cheating,” another anonymous student said.

The real divider seems to be homework copying 53 out of 105 students listed this as a form of cheating, and one student put all of those feeling into words when they said “ If you let someone copy your homework it isn’t cheating as long as you change around the words.” Almost no one feels guilty about copying homework, or letting others copy, most because they didn’t know, or simply do not believe that this is a form of cheating.

And even if it is cheating, if you don’t get caught, at least one student believes that you deserve the A. “If you can beat the system then you are smart enough to be successful, if you get caught, then you deserve to fail.”

People define cheating differently. They define right and wrong differently, and they prioritize learning and morals differently, but cheating is wrong. Cheating on tests is wrong and cheating on homework is wrong, but that won’t stop kids from doing it.

It’s not too hard to identify test days in my classes: the classroom is dead silent, the desks spread about a foot apart. But there’s a frantic vibe possessing the students that stands as a stark contrast to the room’s calm appearance.

They rustle through papers, ask last-minute questions, reaffirm their knowledge of the material.

Well, most of them do. A seat partner in one of my classes last year proved to be an exception. She’d slept through most of the unit, and on the test day, she had the nerve to tell me, “Don’t cover your paper. I’m really going to need your answers.”

You can bet I covered my paper extra-well during that test (and still managed to feel guilty for turning the person down).

More than thirty-five percent of the eighty-three percent of 13 to 17 year olds with cell phones admitted to using their cell phones to cheat, according to a 2009 survey run by Common Sense Media. Fifty-two percent admitted to using the internet to cheat, while thirty-eight percent have passed off copied and pasted work as their own.

Frequently overlooked is the provider of the answers.

Throughout my elementary and middle school career, I sat by a number of interesting peers; many assumed that because I paid attention, that I must be smart; then, that because I was quiet, that I was nice, and that because I was presumably smart and nice, that I’d let them cheat off of me.

Unfortunately, their assumptions were more or less correct.

Of course, for a while I didn’t see it as cheating; I saw it as helping. My seat partner would look at me with pleading, puppy-dog eyes, and I’d cave, covertly uncovering my paper and sliding it a few centimeters in their direction. I knew that, according to school rules, allowing people to see answers was fundamentally as unethical as actually cheating; however, my 12 year old morals assumed that people cheated because they couldn’t grasp the steps to the quadratic equation or the word’s definition had slipped their mind. Now, six years later, I’ve come to realize that the most people will rarely cheat because they don’t understand; they cheat because they’re lazy.

As years passed and I grew a semblance of a backbone, I graduated from slightly uncovering my paper with an internal sigh to pretending like I didn’t hear the request for answers.

I realized that their grade cannot be my responsibility. I also developed somewhat of a pet peeve: I strongly dislike when people use my answers on their test.

I mean, wouldn’t you feel the same?

You invest hours of time studying, completing homework assignments, even sitting through class and straining to stay awake. Then, come test day, a peer sitting in close proximity wishes to “share” answers. Perhaps they haven’t talked to you all semester; it seems you only exist when convenient for them. Or suppose you’ve formed a tentative, card-house partnership—a refusal could send paper squares fluttering to the floor. A third scenario? Well, maybe they’re a best friend.

Which begs the question: how is the appropriate way to turn someone down? How do you nicely, politely tell someone no? If you thought this article would enlighten you, then my apologies, because in 13 years of schooling, I still haven’t found a straight-forward strategy. I struggle with this (probably because deep down, I care too much about what people think). The cheater not only angers me for wanting my answers; they also have the nerve to place me in this awkward social situation! How dare they!

Then again, it’s easy to point fingers, it’s easy for me to sit here at my laptop and rant about how annoying it is, but I can’t forget: I’ve been there. Sometimes the homework problem I’m attempting makes so little sense, it may as well be written in a foreign language, and it’s easier to just copy it down instead of asking for an explanation. There are times when I’m working in a group where it’s easier to just accept what your partner is suggesting instead of trying to wrap my brain around the concept.

And it’s not always the student’s fault. This is something I hesitate to say, because obviously, especially as we get older and more self-sufficient, our decisions and integrity (ie, cheating or not cheating) depend entirely on us. However, I think, to a small extent, the teacher sets the tone for what they’ll allow and how reasonable the assignments are. Way back in the days of trimesters, one of my math teachers watched as student after student passed an answer sheet throughout the room during our final. It was, in a word, appalling. True, it’s our responsibility to not cheat. But it’s also a teacher’s responsibility to monitor and control actions in his or her own classroom.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that people cheat.

We copy each other’s homework. We whisper answers to challenging test questions. We slip our smartphones out of our pockets and google answers. Odds are, at one point or another, each and every one of you has or will. It’s unavoidable; we are all tarnished, and no one is perfect.

Indepth | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 13

| Sci-Tech

Krista Natividad 10

Matt Neumann 12 On average, how many hours a day would you say you spend on your phone?

On average, how many hours a day would you say you spend on your phone?

“Probably an hour or less.”

Day without a phone Cell phones contain almost anything modern teens could need: contact with friends, games, internet, and music. But can they go without these luxuries for just one day? Some students felt that they would face the task and attempted the feat.

by Mayer Pohlod, Reporter

What are the main things you use your phone for?

“2-4 probably”

What was the hardest part about going without your phone for a day?

“Not being able to do anything when I would get bored”

14 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Indepth

What are the main things you use your phone for?

“Mostly for just checking facebook, twitter, and playing games”

“Texting, calling, Facebook, and Snapchat.”

What was the hardest part about going without your phone for a day?

What was the hardest part about going without your phone for a day?

“Trying to find something else to do instead of using it”

“Not being able to text people when I wanted to.”

Do you think you’d be able to go for any more than one day? If so, how much longer?

Do you think you’d be able to go for any more than one day? If so, how much longer?

“I think I would be able to go a second day, maybe a third, but I’d prefer not to”

“I probably couldn’t go more than a day.”

Hunter Weis

On average, how many hours a day would you say you spend on your phone?

“Maybe 2-3 hours altogether.”

Miranda Pasky, 9 What are the main things you use your phone for?

“Texting, games, Facebook, Vine, and Snapchat” Do you think you’d be able to go for any more than one day? If so, how much longer?

“I think if I set myself to it I could do a week, but it would be a terrible week”

On average, how many hours a day would you say you spend on your phone?

“I would say about 3-4, at most 5” What was the hardest part about going without your phone for a day?

“Not being able to get in touch with my friends and not being able to look things up”

What are the main things you use your phone for?

“Looking things up, games, Instagram, and Facebook” Do you think you’d be able to go for any more than one day? If so, how much longer?

“At most 3 days”

World

Saving Syrian Citizens Nearby countries help Syrians in time of lead

by Courtney Thompson, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Syria

World

March 2011 Syrian People Protest August 2011 Sanctions Created on Syria Uprisings and protests in several cities and towns across Syria took place against The European Union and the United government corruption, demanding democratic reforms and release of political States imposed sanctions on Syria in prisoners. The protests were sparked after the arrest and torture of teenagers the following months, including a ban on the who drew anti-political graffiti on the walls inspired by the Arab Spring. import of Syrian oil and petroleum products.

Government Tries Appeasment In response to the growing unrest, the Syrian Government introduced several schemes to appease people, including lifting a 48-year-old state of emergency and abolishing Higher State Security Court that prosecutes people thought as challenging the government. Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad also issued a decree "regulating the right to peaceful protest, as one of the basic human rights guaranteed by the Syrian Constitution."

April 2011

October 2011 Syrian National Council Acts Opposition organized itself to form the Syrian National Council, end President Bashar al-Assad's regime, and establish a democracy.

Meanwhile, Russia and China rejected UN’s resolution threatening to impose sanctions on Syria if it doesn't halt its crackdown against civilians although nine out of 15 council member countries (including the U.S vote) for it.

Febuary 2012 7500 People Have Died in Syria Military Becomes Aggressive U.N. declared that more than 7500 people have died since the security Syrian army tanks marched into the crackdown began. China and Russia continue to vote against any resolutown of Jisr-al-Shugur, a town in North tions to end crackdown in Syria against President Bashar-al-Assad’s opponents.

Syria bordering Turkey. Violent U.S. closed its embassy in Syria and recalled its diplomats. attacks and air raids by the SyrMay 2012 Government Expel Syrian Diplomats ian military lead thousands of In opposition to the bloody aftermath of attacks in the town of Houla, governments around the world people to fleed to Turkey. This expelled Syrian diplomats. The countries included France, the UK, Germany, Spain, Canada, Bulgaria, attack was claimed by the Netherlands and Australia.

Syrian government to be a response to the killing of August 2012 Syrian Prime Minister Resigns 120 military men by ‘armed Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab resigned to 'join the revolution', the most senior official until now to defect forces.’ the President; his family fleed to Jordan and a new Prime Minister in appointed.

June 2011

Febuary 2013 70,000 Have Died The U.N. Security Council estimated the death toll to be over 70,000 civilians in the last two years of the Syrian civil war.

April 2013 U.S. Finds Evidence of Chemical Weapons U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced that U.S. has evidence that chemical weapon Sarin was used in small amounts in Syria.

1.5 Million Fled Syria U.N. refugee agency reported that more than 1.5 million Syrians have fled Syria during the last two years.

May 2013

“Red Line” Crossed President Obama announced that Syria has crossed the 'red line' with using chemical weapons.

June 2013

Bangladesh Teenagers fifteen and up can be sent to jail for cheating on an exam

Australia It is illegal to wear hot pink pants, yes hot pink pants, after noon on Sunday

France A pig can not be named Napoleon because this can be classified as disrespect for French leaders

Denmark You must check under your car to see if there is any children sleeping or hiding under your car before you start it

Greece You cannot wear stilettos on key archaeological and historical sites because it can damage ancient greek memorabilia

China Women are allowed to kill their husbands if they have an affair but they must kill them with their bare hands

Swaziland Women are prohibited to wear any clothing resembling to menswear and if caught soldiers will strip them of their clothing and they will be humiliated

World | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 15

|

| World

Schools of the world

Foreign exchange students compare school systems

by Pearl Herrera, Opinion Editor

American students, specifically in the halls of our school, can often be heard complaining about how long and challenging their school day is, while for many foreign exchange students PRHS is a break from the demanding schooling in their home country.

Belgium

Spain

“The way teachers teach in Paso is pretty cool and interesting.”

—Charlotte Legrand, 12

Even though Belgium is comprised of three distinct, separate education systems a dutch, a french, and a german speaking community the nation has a fairly uniform education system. Education for children in Belgium begins at age six, when children are enrolled in a six year primary school where they learn a second language. At age 12, students begin secondary education, a six, year system consisting of three cycles, which is divided into four branches: humanities, technical, artistic and vocational all of which prepare students for universities, according to InterNations. As a student in Belgium, Senior Charlotte Legrand’s school day in Spain begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. “My favorite thing about Belgium [schools] is that we can leave the campus for lunch and eat where we want, we have more freedom and we can go to the bar after school,” Legrand said. “The way the teachers teach in Paso is pretty cool and interesting. For example, my math teacher is making math videos, which he’s posting on a website for us to learn from,” said Legrand, who says that because of math teacher Mr. Steaffan’s online videos, she understands math “for the first time in [her] life.”

Japan

“I think you learn more in Spain, the way we study is different and you learn about everything. Here you take the classes you want.”

—Isabel Ramos, 12

While American three year olds are fingerpainting, Spain is earning the second-highest enrolment rate in school for three-year-olds, at ninety-nine percent, vs the forty percent of three to five+ year olds in America enrolled in kindergarten, preschool, and nursery school, according to Kids count data center. Spain also has an expected duration of education of 17.5 years for all students, which is the tenth longest school system in the world, according to NationMaster.com. As Foreign exchange students, senior Isabel Ramos and Senior Urkia Sanchez know Spain’s academic excellence doesn’t end there. “I think you learn more in Spain, the way we study is different and you learn about everything. Here you take the classes you want,” Ramos said. ”You also can’t choose your classes. You are assigned all kind of classes, you have math, physics, chemistry, English, science...and the schedule changes every day because we have about 12 subjects,” Ramos said. In Spain, there is one classroom per grade, which on average has about 22 students, where the teachers travel from room to room. “We don’t have multiple choice tests in Spain,” said Sanchez, who feels it is much easier to succeed in Paso schools.

“Teachers come to our classrooms, so we have the same class in every subject [the] whole year.”

—Futaba Imia, 12

Like America, school in Japan begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. but while 7.9 percent of American students dropped out of high school in 2013, Japan remained one of the world’s best-educated populations, with one hundred percent enrollment in primary school, and 96 percent enrollment in high school with a dropout rate of only 2 percent, according to statistic brain. Foreign exchange student Senior Futaba Imia has firsthand experience in schools in Tokyo, Japan.

“My school is over after 3pm but if you are in any sports team, dance or acting club, you have practices before school starts and after school everyday. It’s like zero period in here! On every Tuesday, all students have club activities after school until 5 or 5:30pm because we must join a club in my school!” Imia said. “In Japan, teachers come to our classroom so we have the same class in every subject [the] whole year, and the bond of friendship between us grows really strong. On the other hand, in America, we have different classmates each class! So we can befriend many people!” said Imia, who also feels more pressure to succeed in school in Japan.

16 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | World

Photos by Mariela Villa, Lauren Wassam

Ads

C

Good luck Spring sports!

Ads | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 17

|

| Ads

18 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Ads

Pets

23

Table of Contents

24-25

Sage Massey

Junior saddles up horse to compete in barrel races

Importance of Pets

Students share their experiences living with and without pets

26

Illegal Pets

Crimson explores banned pets in California

Puppy Mills

The horror of a friendly furry industry

Pets | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 19

|

| Center

Center

A cowgirl’s best friend

by Cheyenne Pruitt and Alexis Nocerino, Reporters

Ever contemplated life, the people in it, or even the relationships made between a certain two? Well that’s what life is all about: meeting new people and making new friends. And when it’s a horse, or in this case horses, such stakes are even richer.

Junior Sage Massey, who has ridden horses since she was two, has grown up around been horses her whole life and is constantly entertaining as well as submitting her talent to spectators at rodeos when she can. She knows firsthand how significant of a role relationships between a pet and its owner can play in a person’ s life.

Almost everyday Massey exercises all her horses, and trains and tries to teach the new ones. She trains each horse for different events depending on which ones will fit each horse best.

Massey agrees that it’s hard to train horses at her age “because [she’s] still learning and trying to practice to get [herself] prepared.”

Massey likes to train horses because of the thrill of “getting to see them improve and eventually become a nice barrel horse or rope horse that you can compete on.”

However, there’s more to horses than just training. Perhaps a more intellectual and passionate side--a more physical and emotional connection.

“It’s not something that’s easy to describe or explain! It’s just a special bond,” said Massey, who describes the type of special connection she shares with her six quarter horses: Oli, Cali, Bugs, Pebbles, Casper, and Martin.

Even when she wasn’t nearly as capable of riding on her own, she describes her shared experiences with her mom riding horses.

“My mom would hold me and I would sit in the saddle and I kind of would just fall asleep,” said Massey, whose favorite event is breakaway roping.

This cowgirl competes at rodeos and at competitions. She participates in all types of events such as: cutting, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, team roping, breakaway roping, steer stopping and ribbon roping.Her family helps her exercise horses and even

20 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Pets

work the chutes for her.

“Roping events require a lot of practice on my part, so I have to make sure I keep everything balanced. I would not be able to do [it] without my family helping me through,” Massey said.

Massey and everyone in her family competes in rodeos; they all ride and it’s something that she just grew up around.

Massey made it to the Junior High School National Finals in Gallup, New Mexico in her sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years. Her eighth grade year, she won state and placed 10th in the nation in barrel racing. These accomplishments take a lot of time and hard work according to Massey.

Massey says that she tries to make riding a priority. She rides every day after school and spends the majority of her weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at her 17,000 acre ranch in Parkfield.

All of Massey’s family lives in Parkfield, after all it’s population of 18. John and Barbara Varian, some of Massey’s immediate family, own and actually run the Parkfield Inn and the Cafe as well.

The cafe first opened in 1989 and the inn opened in 1991. Her grandparents bought the 17,000 acre ranch, in Parkfield, in 1961. The Varian family have been a huge part of such a small town for about 53 years now, and their involvement in the community still continues on.

Each year the Massey and Varian family, including Sage, hosts the annual, highly anticipated, Parkfield Rodeo. This year is the 23rd year that the Parkfield Rodeo has been going on, and her family has always been in charge of hosting it. “My aunt Katy is in charge of the Parkfield Rodeo…I’m not really that involved in getting ready for it.”

With being an “All Around Cowgirl,” Massey has been around horses all of her life. She has always had those special connections resulting in an unbreakable bond between a girl and her horses--whether it’s in the training arenas or the rodeo arenas.

The importance of pets What the involvement of a pet growing up does for a person

by Maddy Raithel, Reporter

AROUND THE BARREL: Junior Sage Massey rides Oli in the King City Classic. Oli is an American Quarter Horse.

Photo used with permission by Sage Massey

There is truly nothing like the feeling of coming home after a long day and being greeted by the same smiling face of your pet. “Man’s best friend” isn’t just a saying–it’s a way of life.

Whether it’s a dog, a cat, or even a pet snake, there’s a special bond between pet and owner that is near indescribable. For the 66.9% of Americans that own a cat or dog (according to avma.org), pets are a source of friendship, protection, and sense of belonging.

Anyone with this connection can recall a time when their pet was there for them, to clear their misty eyes, to be their running partner, to be the one that catches the frisbee, and maybe even a wingman/woman.

Pets relieve stress for several reasons. It’s undisputed among psychologists that physical touch is a stress reliever: “Hugging floods our bodies with oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure and heart rates,” according to psychcentral.org.

Which is why when your pushy animals, especially dogs, beg you for a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear, you feel calmer.

It’s also proven that having a sense of responsibility can help treat depression. And those with pets know how much responsibility they can be.

Senior Sierra Henry says this is the reason why she thinks she’s so attached to her 13 year old italian greyhound chihuahua mix, CheeChee.

“She was the first dog that was actually mine. I had full responsibility for her life and I wanted to make sure she had a good one while with my other animals they were just kind of there,” Henry said.

Henry is just one of those millions in the world that have had pets her whole life.

“I’ve had all kinds, from dogs and cats to horses and chickens. Pretty much everything from house pets to farm animals.”

But, out of all her animals, CheeChee is the one that makes her eyes light up with joy and inspire her to even have an album on her phone dedicated to her furry friend.

“I’ve grown up with her, dogs somehow become such a fundamental part of your life that you wonder what it would be like without them. I don’t consider my dog as a pet, but rather a best friend. If something has bad happened in my life, she was there. It’s strange to think that a dog has an intuitive sense into your emotions, but I really believe once you make a connection with your canine

Sierra Henry, 12

Photo used with permission by Sierra Henry

companion, they know.”

Many can attest to the dedication they have for their pets and would do anything for them, but for junior Jake Wooten, this phenomenon is a foreign concept. The last time Wooten pet an animal was when he was three at a petting zoo. Wooten doesn’t even remember the feeling of his hand connecting to the coarse fur of a goat. Shortly after his visit he broke out in hives and his breathing became strained; after a trip to the hospital his family knew that he had an allergy. But it wasn’t until two years ago that Wooten had 60 needles put into his arm, 30 on either arm, to see exactly what he was allergic to.

Each of those needles left him with “golf-ball-sized” hives on his arms; he was allergic to every animal, even their saliva.

Even if you don’t like cats, it’s still saddening to hear that Wooten has in fact, never even felt a cat,.

“It’s kinda depressing when I start thinking about it,” said Wooten, whose allergies have also affected his personal life.

“I’ve never been to a friends house. I can only stay inside for about 20 minutes then I start having a reaction. They think it’ll be fine if they just put their animal outside, but they don’t realize the house is covered in their dander.”

Although he has never had any of the experiences a person with a pet as had he still is affected by his loss.

“All I ever hear is how annoying they are so I don’t feel like I’m missing out but when I hear about them cuddling with their pets I get pretty jealous.”

Pets can be an influential piece in our puzzled lives that can guide us, comfort us, love us, and even sometimes annoy us.

Pets | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 21

|

| Pets

Our furry, illegal friends A list of pets illegal to own for California dwellers

by Nick Lazzarini, Reporter

Importation, Transportation and Possession of Wild Animals – Manual 671 is the name of the California Natural Resources Agency Department of Fish and Game document that list all of the animals illegal in the Golden State. Eight classes of animals are listed, but only certain families or orders under the classes are labeled entirely prohibited.

1. Mammals There are 11 “orders” of these furry critters that are entirely illegal to own in California and two others that are partially illegal as a species. The main reason that most of these are illegal to own is their propensity to become pests. In an article intended to answer the question “Why can’t I have a hedgehog, sugar glider, ferret, or other restricted non-native species as a pet in California?” The California Department of Fish and Game responded by saying, “California’s laws restrict importation and possession of hedgehogs and many other animals in order to protect our public health and safety, agriculture, wildlife, and natural resources. There are at least 17 species of hedgehogs known and it is well documented that they can become pests where they have been introduced into the wild in new areas. There are also many unknown questions related to natural predators and potential diseases when any non-native animal like the hedgehog is introduced into the wild where they aren’t native. These types of risks are far too great to take given the diversity of wildlife that California has already.”

2. Birds Our little winged friends are second on the list with several despicable species to own. These avian creatures are already inhabitants of California, or are found in California when they aren’t migrating. First off is the Cuculidae family of the cuckoo. The cuckoo specific to the California area is the Yellow-billed Cuckoo which is listed as a California Endangered Species and a U.S. Forest Service Region 5 Sensitive Species. This makes them unsuitable to keep in captivity. Second is the Family Corvidae, which patanes to crows, jays, and magpies. All of these birds are migratory in nature, and are protected by a document called the Migratory Bird Treaty. Other birds included are in the Falconiformes order (which includes falcons, eagles, hawks, vultures) and Strigiformes order (which is owls).

3. Lampreys If you are unacquainted with these water dwellers, be very glad. The slimy creatures grow to be 30 inches long, are often parasitic in nature, and feed by latching onto prey and sucking out their fluids. However, they are important to a river’s ecosystem, so many unfortunate California citizens must tragically forgo this creature as a pet.

4. Reptiles Many specific snakes to turtles are allowed in this category, though there are extremely large exceptions to these. The Crocodilia family, as you might of guessed have to do with crocodiles, but it includes the family Alligatoridae (alligators and caimans) and family Gavialidae (gharial and false gharials) as well as family Crocodylidae (the true crocodiles). There are also three different families/ subfamilies of snakes that are illegal to own with a slew of exceptions. The Elapidae are a family of venomous snakes found in tropical regions. Viperidae, adders and vipers, are also venomous, but they live all around the world. The Crotalidae family, pit vipers, are a subfamily of Viperidae and are distinguished by the presence of a heat-sensing pit organ located between the eye and the nostril on either side of the head. Pit vipers are the only snake family with exceptions, however. These are the sidewinder and various rattlesnakes (western diamondback, red diamondback, mojave, speckled). Snapping Turtles, part of the Chelydridae family, are also prohibited.

5. Crayfish The laws on this group are rather intricate, due to them being illegal at different levels. Cambaridae is a large family of freshwater crayfish, with over 400 species. However, not all of the illegal species fall under this category, as there are two exceptions to this group. The Astacopsis and Astacus geneii are outside of the Cambaridae family and illegal, and the Procambarus clarkii (red swamp Louisiana crayfish) and Orconectes virilis (virile northern crayfish) geneii are not illegal and under the family. Both the red swamp and northern crawfish are legal because they are invasive species that overpopulate the other crayfish from areas, lowering slower reproducing crayfishes’ chances. This also serves as the reason why other crayfish are protected.

22 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Pets

Bleak beginnings for man’s best friend A look into the industry that provides pet shops with over ninety percent of their pets

by Eden Peterson, Food Co-Editor Walking into the pet store with walls of tanks filled with exotic fish, gerbils running relentlessly on squeaky metal wheels, noisy parrots and cockatiels squawking among themselves, one also notices the displays of puppies rolling around helplessly in piles of newspaper shreddings.

While many people have purchased a dog from a pet store, they may be unaware where their puppies might have spent their first few weeks.

The chance of puppy in a pet store coming from a puppy mill is over ninety percent, according to the Animal Rescue Corps. While there are no legal definitions for “puppy mill,” this term is used to refer to a large-scale breeding facility that practices techniques and qualities of care most people would feel is inhumane.

“I know puppy mills are like a breeding ground for dogs. From what I’ve heard they’re rather harsh considering how they treat their animals. Like any corporate breeding facility, they place profit over the concern of their animals,” said sophomore Sebastian Ouellette, dog lover.

Buildings used for corporate dog breeding are typically dark, damp warehouses. The animals are kept in metal wire cages, causing the animals to develop bloody, swollen paws.

Many dogs never leave these wire cages their entire lives, according to the ASPCA. Timmy Bullion, a Virginia man who worked in puppy mills for years spoke out against the terrors he experienced while working in these facilities during winter. “The [puppies] would drink all they could [in the morning] for the first four or five minutes, then the water would freeze and they couldn’t get any until the next day,” said Bullion in an interview with the Humane Society of the United States.

“I think puppy mills are bad. It’s animal abuse. I hear it’s usually filthy and they keep way too many dogs and they are locked up in cages,” said freshman Maddi Harris, who owns two dogs.

Animals in mills receive little to no standard care. Their hair will often become matted and tangled and their nails long and untrimmed, which causes serious pain and discomfort. The lack of veterinary care can also lead to infections and unchecked hereditary genetic diseases caused by inbreeding.

Dogs bred in commercial breeding facilities are often bred non-stop, which can cause serious health conditions and death. Puppies are also taken away as young as four weeks.

Despite such conditions, large-scale breeding facilities aren’t always illegal and can be licensed through the USDA; however, 5000 animals were rescued from licensed puppy mills by the Humane Society of the United States in just two years. The enforcement of regulations by the understaffed division (there are only 70 USDA workers employed to regulate the over 2000 licensed puppy mills) in charge of regulating these facilities hardly prevents the abuse and neglect the animals in puppy mills face.

Cages used in animal mills are allowed by the USDA to be stacked one atop another, allowing the dogs’ waste to seep into the cage below, and they only have to be six inches wider than the dog itself. Breeders are allowed to own over 1000 dogs and keep these animals in their cage for years at time.

An estimated four million puppies are produced in puppy mills each year. Besides being the major supplier of pet shop canines, they are also the main suppliers for on-line, flea market, and newspaper ad puppies. The mass population of animals coming from mills contributes strongly to overcrowding in animal shelters. In fact, this problem is so severe, five million to seven million animals enter shelters every year and three million to four million are euthanized according to the ASPCA. Disclaimer: While conditions mentioned in this article may not occur in all puppy mills, these are conditions reported to be typical among these large scale breeding operations. Also, while puppy mills do supply the majority of pet shop pets, I have no proof that any of our local pet shops receive their animals from puppy mills. When I spoke with the Pet Dept., a local pet store on 6th street, a saleswoman said their puppies come from local breeders. If you want to be sure you are not supporting this industry, the solution is simple: next time you want to bring home a furry new friend, adopt an animal from the local animal shelters.

Environment

Q&A: exceptional drought, exceptional challenges How California’s drought is impacting students

by Eden Peterson, Food Editor

With ninety-four percent of California classified under some level of drought, many regions in California have been majorly impacted, San Luis Obispo definitely being one of them. In 2013, San Luis Obispo received only 4.65 inches of rain, the least amount of rain ever recorded for SLO, which on average receives about 22.4 inches of rain annually. Paso Robles followed suit with only 1.9 inches of rain recorded for 2013, a small fraction of the average annual rainfall of 14.33 inches. These types of numbers are not atypical across the rest of the state, and 2013 had the lowest ever recorded rainfall for California in the 114 years the rainfall record has been kept. With the farmer’s almanac predicting wet spills in the end of February and scattered showers throughout March, hopefully 2014 will be a wetter year.

Until this drought is broken however, many students are left to deal with the challenges caused by this drought. Among them are sophomore Dakota Rodriguez and senior Austin Kirby.

Dakota Rodriguez, 10 Interview: How has this drought pe rs onally affected you? ”Personally, I have a cowherd of 74 cows and calves, due to the drought there’s no food on the ground for the cows to eat, so now we are having to spend a lot more money on feed.”

Do you feel the wineries are partly or majorly to blame for the extreme lack of water?

“I believe they do have a big part to play with the water shortage, but I don’t think they are mainly to blame. I mean it’s mainly just the drought. Plus I understand the role wineries play in terms of being a tourist attraction and supporting Paso’s economy” Has this drought affected you or your family financially? ”We had to put in a solar pump to pump Photo Illustration by Emily Ayer

water in to the cattle troughs and that cost us quite a bit of money. We also had to sell off half of our lower quality cattle because of the drought. It just became to expensive feeding them with no more plants growing on the ground. It was really a bummer because some of my favorite cows were in the lot we had to sell off.”

What are you most worried about in terms of the effects of the drought? ”I’m worried about the cattle market as well as livestock as a whole. If we don’t get rain soon, ranchers will have to sell all of their cattle, thus a shortage in beef and other products will increase the prices. I have already talked to 10 ranchers who were forced to sell all of their cattle due to the drought.

Then livestock as a whole because feed prices are astronomical and it’s beginning to be a more of a loss instead of a profit.”

We’ve had some rain recently, do you think the drought is coming to an end, if so do you think 2014 will get more rain? ”Farmer’s Almanac said it’s going to be a really wet February and a really wet March and it’s hardly ever wrong. I think we are going

to be okay this year, but we are not going to have the ideal year in terms of rainfall that will completely pull us out of this drought.”

Austin Kirby, 12 Interview: How has this drought personally affected you?

“I have lived in the country for fourteen years and I am in danger of having my well dry up; this limits our water use greatly” Do you feel the wineries are partly or majorly to blame for the extreme lack of water?

“Being in a drought, the extremely large amount of water used by the wineries is draining our aquifers and are a major factor in our water shortage.”

Has this drought affected you or your family financially?

“My family personally hasn’t been affected financially , but over 200 homes have had to have wells replace at $30,000 per new well.”

What are you most worried

about if this drought continues through 2014?

“I’m concerned that the lack of water will lead to our lake’s and aquifers completely drying up which will hurt our local economy greatly considering water is required by local winery and ranch operations. These operations are a major part of our local economy.”

Quick Facts According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 28 percent of California is in extreme drought.

San Luis Reservoir only contains thirty percent of its two million acre-foot capacity.

The South west has been experiencing persistent patterns of high pressure Environment | 2.27.14 | 23

|

| Health PE: Did you pass your PFT? Most of California’s 2 million students do. The state stats of kids who pass their Physical Fitness Tests is more than 50% in every one of the six areas of the test—but not all of the areas had high pass rates. The test is based on muscle areas and general areas of fitness. Students need to pass five out of the six tests to pass the overall PFT. Below are state pass rates among California’s students grades 9-12.

CA Pass Rates Trunk Extension Strength

91%

Abdominal Strength and Endurance

86% Flexibility

84% Upper Body Strength

75%

Aerobic Capacity

68%

Body Mass Index

58%

24 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Health

Workout wonders?

P.E.’s healthy influence debated and praised

By Jessica Cole, A&E Co-Editor Physical Education. It sounds easy. It should be easy. And, for some, it is. But for others, it isn’t. It could function as the only workout a student ever gets, or it could end up pushing you to your limits, perhaps both.

But does it work? Does that one little class period really make anyone fitter or a better athlete?

Research that focused on physical fitness and its short term and long term effects says that it does. And some students think of it in that way. Certainly state requirements--two years of physical education--agree.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the benefits of doing at least an hour of fitness a day, which is what P.E. is supposed to fulfill, include “Controlling your weight, strengthening your bones and muscles, improving your mental health and mood, and improving your ability to do daily activities” in addition to helping prevent a large list of diseases.

Physical Education classes ask for physical exercise in a passive, unmoving academic day. It provides an alternative to dieting and programs for people who want to lose weight. The two and a half hours of PE per week is the average amount of time needed to lose one to two pounds a week and keep them off, according to the National Heat, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The Institute also says that of course your weight and general fitness are affected by other factors like sleep, eating habits, and

stress, people who tend to exercise at least two and a half hours a week and lose weight slowly have an easier time keeping it off.

That all sounds nice, in theory. But do P.E. classes actually fulfill an hour a day and at least two and a half hours a week of moderate to vigorous exercise?

To start off freshman year, every class is put through a period of a couple weeks called “boot camp,” in which all you do is a series of running stretching and strengthening of muscles.

Similarly, in Dewey Stroud’s class, the immediate reaction to Christmas Break and the large quantities of food that was eaten was a three week intense fitness

“You see kids walking out of here sweating and worn out, and then you see kids who are just fine.” He added that you couldn’t control the level of effort kids put in, but if they tried he was willing to give them the opportunity to get fit.

And some students seem to feel that they are getting a good workout.

“I think P.E. does in some way help. I’m super lazy so if I didn’t have P.E. I would just be sitting on my butt all day. I’m in better shape with P.E.,” said sophomore Samantha Garrett, who has been a regular participant in the Stroud workout program.

Statistically speaking, more than fifty percent of kids in California pass all the different areas of the PFTs (Physical Fitness Tests), but that doesn’t mean that all of the pass rates are high.

But not everyone feels that P.E. is helpful, whether Samantha Garrett, 10 or not most people pass the end of the year test. “P.E. isn’t program. This included at least two full days necessarily bad, but the things we do within of serious work outs in the form of stretching the program don’t really get you fit in any and strengthening every muscle group in way, shape, or form,” sophomore Jaylee the body: running and hopping up stairs, Hubbard said. running and walking in intervals around the P.E. doesn’t come easily. It can push you track, lifting weights in the weight room, and to your limits, It can make you so sore you occasionally playing games like basketball. walk like Frankenstein and sweat so much But Stroud isn’t convinced that this plan through your shirt that it becomes clear. But will help everybody. in the end. If you are sore and sweaty, you “It all depends on the kid,” he said. “If they are lucky, because you just did a bunch or try and they work hard then they get fitter.” exercise that has been proven to keep you He used his workout session on Mondays happy and healthy. as an example.

“I think P.E. does in some way help.

I’m super lazy, so if I didn’t have P.E. I would just be sitting on my butt all day. I’m in better shape with P.E.”

Photos by Maureen Pushea

Thinspiration

Health

Thigh gap: a girl’s worst friend

by Claire Farrell, Business Manager

Moore Motivation How much is too much?

Stand completely straight with your knees touching,and if your thighs do not touch, that is something many young adults will starve themselves to achieve: it is known as a thigh gap.

Take super model Cara Delevingne, for example; you can follow her thigh gap process on many major social media sites.

The extreme and unhealthy dieting is dangerous to the body’s physical state and highly affects the mental state of young adults who’ve been influenced by the world around them.

“Social media does play a big role in persuading girls and boys to gain the ‘thigh gap’ but they do it indirectly, which to me is the most successful way of negatively persuading,” said senior K a l e i g h Lacoutre.

Y o u n g adults tend to feel that it is “me vs.the world” and they are not good enough, so by seeing large amounts of negative social media with the glorified idols of a “perfect man or woman” ,it puts ideas into heads that it is natural and healthy to look just like them.

The width of your hips play another major role as to why thigh gaps are impossible.

“Females with widely set hip bones have thigh gaps because their wide hips keep their legs apart,” said Sarah Valenzuela in

“The reality behind the thigh gap” on www.sweetestmag.com.

Other factors include genetics and ethnicity.

Like anorexia and bulimia, obsessing over a thigh gap is all about control, so like many other things, having a thigh gap is out of your control. But by extreme exercise and dieting, it can be a way of giving young adults power over themselves in ways they lack in other aspects of their life.

There’s also the more simple idea of acceptance. For those who feel ugly or underappreciated by the world around them, they may think that gaining a thigh gap or a size two in jeans will make them feel better about themselves,which in turn will make others like them,” said Lacouture.

Once they start to believe that how you look will make others accept them,it becomes a never absent shadow in their lives,because of who they think they are or that they believe that they must be better looking and skinnier. But in reality it is only causing more self unsatisfaction.

There are many ways to look good and be healthy. Looking good and being healthy are and will always be hand in hand.

Let yourself be the the judge of what you look like and why you weigh, not the ever-changing world.

“Social media does play a big role in persuading girls and boys to gain the ‘thigh gap’ but they do it indirectly, which to me is the most successful way of negatively persuading,” — Kaleigh Lacoutre, 12

As fitness awareness becomes more common, more lifting routines and protein shakes for muscle growth and repair are becoming equally as prevalent. We all know the advice: take protein 15 minutes after working out to help muscles repair, but how much protein is beneficial to us and when does it become excess fat that we’re trying so hard to get rid of?

Protein is so important in keeping our bodies’ healthy and functioning. In fact, proteins do much more than just repair and build muscles. There are about 50,000 different types of proteins and each have a specific role. Most of the protein we eat is used to repair and rebuild damaged muscle fibers. The recommended amount for men and women is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. The problem with this is athletes and bodybuilders do more damage than the average person. Sounds pretty obvious, of course, but muscle growth occurs when the amount of protein synthesis exceeds the breakdown of protein.

There is this misconception that just taking protein will help build muscle; but unfortunately, many don’t realize you have to hit the gym for the protein to actually allow an increase in muscle capacity. Protein allows your body to be more efficient in repairing the microscopic muscle tears after exercise by providing it the building blocks for growth and repair. Remember that less is more when taking protein. Sports dietitian Christine Rosenbloom states, “Only 10 to 20 grams of protein is needed to provide amino acids.”

Too much can lead to weight gain because of the excessive amount of calories in protein shakes. This is when eating in moderation comes into play. Eliminating extra calories allows you to be able to take protein after workouts while not gaining weight.

Just like with everything, there is both good and bad.

Although I’ve made taking protein a bad thing, it’s definitely beneficial when taken correctly. It improves muscle mass after exercise and can help with weight gain. Going to the gym and lifting weights can almost become counterproductive if you’re not supplementing muscles with amino acids to build up stronger.

There are a lot of people who take protein, even me, but it’s all about how and when you take it and what you are trying to achieve. Just remember, less is more and eat in moderation.

Health | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 25

|

Health

Do you even lift bro?

Avid Bearcat gym attendees share their favorite place that they like to pump iron

by Jordan Nevosh, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Sweat dripping from your creased brow, the number of calories being burned are rising just as fast as your heart rate, and your legs...well, let’s just say your lactic acid is increasing rapidly and you are close to giving up. You are working out.

Whether it’s jogging on the treadmill or pumping iron on the machines, when you take something as seriously as your health, how do you decide where to train? Here is a low down of the local fitness locations.

Gym Facts

PLanet Fitness

Open 24 hours

LUNK ALARM: Planet has a Lunk™ Alarm, where if you make loud noises such as grunting or yelling you can be asked to leave.

MOTTO: “Judgement Free Zone® philosophy, which means members can relax, get in shape, and have fun without being subjected to the hard-core, look-atme attitude that exists in too many gyms” –Planet Fitness website

MEMBERSHIP: If you are a “Black Card” (which is $20 per month) holder you gain access to tanning beds and you can bring a non-member along every time you go to Planet. If you are a “White Card” holder which is the basic membership, you have access to all equipment and locker rooms.

KENNEDY CLUB FITNESS

LOCATIONS: 600 locations in 47 states, and an additional 1,000-plus clubs in development. With 2.3 million members.

$

“I like going to Kennedy because there is so much inspiration here. I like being in an environment where everyone is trying to better themselves and set new standards. It helps motivate me to reach my goals and constantly building news ones.”

–Parker Olinde, 11

“I do trade out hours to maintain my membership at Kennedy.

Basically I work three hours a week and just go around and clean and make it look nice. It is really worth it!”

–Jacob Salinas, 11

26 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14

| Health

“I basically go to Planet for the price. It’s great if you are trying to do cardio or arm workouts.”

–Jonathan Katches, 12

COST PER MONTH: $10 a month or $15 depending on the months you sign up for.

“The price is unbeatable. Yeah sure they may not have all the weights and machines, but you definitely get an amazing deal with the membership price” –Hayden Conrad, 11

Gym Facts “I would rather go here because of the variety. I feel like I could look up any work out and be able to do it here. I could do ropes, exercises on the squat rack, anything I could possibly come up with. There is something for everyone here” –Jamika Martin, 12

“I have had my membership for about a year now and I enjoy going to Planet. Sure it may not have the heaviest weights, but then you just do more reps with the weights you do have” –Parker Gray, 11

OUTDOOR FACILITIES: Kennedy has an outdoor Olympic size 50-meter pool with outdoor whirlpool spa and sun deck.

Hours Monday-Friday: 5am-10pm Saturday: 7am-7pm Sunday: 8am-6pm

INDOOR FACILITIES: As you walk in you can immediately see a rock climbing wall, next is the NBA regulation indoor basketball court, then two racquetball, handball and topped off with volleyball courts. Also they have men’s and women’s executive locker rooms equipped with private steam room, showers, vanity areas, blow dryers and toiletry items.

CLASSES: Over 300 exercise classes each week!

STUDIOS: Four dedicated group exercise and training studios for over 70 group exercise classes.

Separate Cycling, Mind/Body and Kennedy ‘Cross’ studios included.

LOCATIONS: Kennedy has four locations on the central coast.

Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, and of course Paso Robles!

FOOD: Home of Kennedy Kafe, serving healthy breakfast, lunch, snack, and nutrition supplement items.

TRAINING: Separate strength-training areas including Nautilus One, Matrix, Human Sport, free weight and more.

$

COST PER MONTH:

$49 a month

That awkward moment when you fall asleep watching That Awkward Moment

A&E

by Madeline Raithel, Reporter

Review While it was advertised as a fast-paced, upbeat, bro-ed out version of Sex and the City, That Awkward Moment proved to be a 94-minute snooze-fest of forced genital jokes oddly paired with a super indie soundtrack.

Usually I am a huge proponent of the bro movies. It’s just something about the potty humor that makes me forget all my worries and fall into a boyinduced trance. That Awkward Moment hardly did any of that for me.

The movie documents the lives of three twenty something friends in New York who have all come to the point in their lives when they need to make some serious decisions

about their love lives. Zac Efron plays Jason, a real Lothario. He’s addicted to noncommitment and forces his friends into a no-relationship pact after his friend, Mickey, played by Michael B. Jordan, gets cheated on by his wife. The pact fails miserably as Mickey continues to see his wife and their other friend, Daniel (Miles Teller) starts seeing his friend Chelsea (Mackenzie Davis), and Jason, so loyal to his promise, risks losing his “game changer” Ellie, played by Imogen Poots.

The entire time I was fully aware of the movie’s shortcomings and how much I wish I would have spent the money for the ticket on something more useful, such as nachos. I was promised an exciting rom-com, but the humor and delivery of funny lines were like a carnival ride: when you’re on a roller coaster and you start going up a hill, you think “this is going to drop right after and go into a bunch of loops and it’s gunna be sick” but instead it completely flat-lines and none of what you thought would happen does. Or, in other words, disappointing. The only laugh-outloud moments came from Miles Teller, which isn’t surprising considering he’s shone through as the guiding comedic light in several of his more

recent movies such as 21 & Over.

The movie is a big loss for Efron, who has obviously been trying to star in more award-worthy movies, but this fell far short of awards and earned terrible ratings across the board from Rolling Stone (1.5/4) to the The Guardian (1 / 5). In addition to the long list of reasons why Efron will not be winning any awards anytime soon, as I said, Teller outshines all other cast members and while it was supposed to be mostly about Efron, it quickly became the Miles Teller show.

The only reason That Awkward Moment deserves a 3/10 is the savvy casting of a bunch of hot, talented people. The script follows a bunch of above average people doing extremely average things (minus sneaking into private parks and having one movie couple moment in front of a bunch of strangers, Jerry Maguire style). As much as I like watching attractive people do arbitrary things, I wouldn’t pay to see Zac Efron get a cup of coffee.

That Awkward Moment is supposed to be about the importance of commitment to a relationship, but it just reinforced another lesson I have previously learned: do not trust attractive men.

3 out of 10 stars

A&E: A Look Ahead Band and Choir Performance

March 12

Dance Show March 14, 15

Hairspray April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 A&E | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 27

|

| A&E

Fangirling over Fangirl Rowell’s sophomore young adult novel wows

by Analía Cabello, Copy Editor

Review People tend to focus on the spectacular. We’re wowed by grand, gaudy masterpieces. Our eyes are caught on sparkling monstrosities. But sometimes the true masterpieces are ordinary and plain by nature, only made wonderful by its creator.

A perfect example of this phenomenon is Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.

Though Rowell’s Fangirl, her second book for young adults, was published only about six months ago, it’s already been recognized as a New York Times Notable Book, a Junior Library Guild selection, and an Amazon Editors’ Top 20 Teen and Young Adult Books of the Year, according to rainbowrowell. com. Fangirl centers on introverted protagonist Cather. Cather, who prefers to go by Cath, is awkward. She isn’t too fond of people. She’s obsessed with a series focused on a character named Simon Snow (which I highly suspect is based off of Harry Potter), and she’s afraid that, when both she and her twin sister Wren go off to college, her single father will be lonely. Furthermore, Wren, who’s served as Cath’s safety net, has requested to live in separate dorms.

Cath is, essentially, lost.

This is usually where I’d introduce the less-than-spectacular aspects of the book. I’d tear into the stiff dialogue or the unbelievable characters or the stupid, melodramatic plot twists. But Rowell’s dialogue is real and raw; the plot

28 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | A&E

twists hold no soap-opera qualities; they make sense. Rowell has devoted time to perfecting the last minute, quirky details, from the way Cath’s and Wren’s names fit together (their mom named her surprise twins “Cather” and “Wren”) to the random little things Cath loves about Levi (quite nearly the perfect boy, seriously. I’d even venture to say he exceeds Augustus Waters).

The beauty in Fangirl lies in Rowell’s gift of telling an ordinary story in a captivating and heart-warming manner.

The plot holds every potential to fall flat--in fact, as I wrote the summary

for this review, I struggled to find a way to make it sound unique. Cath goes to college. She’s uncomfortable because she’s out of her element and because her roommate is mean. She fights with her sister and misses her father. She meets a boy who likes to use her for her writing; and then she meets one who just likes her. It’s a fairly run-of-the-mill plot.

But Rowell, she simply breathes life into her characters.

When I was younger, my mother told me that reading is like watching a movie in your head. I still interpret this to mean

that there must be a great number of people who can literally picture scenes unfolding as their eyes drink in the words they read. Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I am not one of them. Whenever I try, I get hung up on details: how exactly is the room arranged and what is the character wearing and who else is in the room with them, and it’s entirely too exhausting.

However, I can clearly picture Cath curled up in her bed, tapping away at her Simon Snow fanfiction story, the ridiculously long hair she’s never had the courage to cut hanging over her right shoulder. When she rushed to a bar to respond to a 911 text from her sister, I can imagine the pure rage and indignation and exasperation written upon her features once she discovered the message was meant for someone else and definitely not as urgent as originally believed. And when Cath proclaimed to her roommate Reagan that “underneath this veneer of slightly crazy, and socially inept, [she’s] a complete disaster,” I practically heard the pitch of her voice--the way it must have squeaked up at the end as one’s voice does when making an exaggerated claim--and guessed that she tossed her hands up in the air to accentuate just how much of a disaster she is.

In addition to the beautiful writing, I also absolutely appreciate Cath’s attitude toward college. It’s been my experience thus far that many seniors are extremely gung-ho about leaving home, and, well, I’m just...not. I’m scared of leaving home; I’m afraid I’ll miss my family overmuch; I’m terrified that I’ll annoy my roommate or she will annoy me (I’m not really the most social person). As stupid as it may sound, Cath gave me hope. Because, though she began college miserably, she was thriving by the end of her first year.

If you liked this, you might also like: Paper Towns

by John Green In John Green’s masterful tale, Quentin Jacobsen has been in love with the same girl for his whole life. But when she reaches out to him, in need of help, is going with her the smartest decision?

Beautiful Disaster

by Jamie McGuire This hilarious story stars Abby Abernathy, a bad girl trying to turn good. But when she goes away to college and meets the boy that could ruin all of her perfectly laid plans in a second, she can’t manage to stay away. Before she knows it she is trapped in a bet. If she wins, he has to remain abstinent for a month, if she loses than she has to live in his apartment for a month. Get ready for a battle of the best.

Fashion

Look: Girly Romper- $4.99 Look: Grunge Bandana-$1.99 Shirt- $3.99

Look: Grunge Shorts- $4.99

Look: Girly Jacket- $3.99

Look: Bohemian Shirt- $3.99

THRIFT STORE SCORES Second-hand stores flourish with trendy pieces

by Madeline Rathiel, Reporter

Shopping at thrift stores saves money; they often carry new and unused brand-name or designer clothing for less than half the price.

After all, why spend $40 on a dress at a retail stores when you can score an entire outfit at Goodwill for $20?

Look: Bohemian Pants- $6.99

Look: Bohemian Shoes- $5.99 Look: Bohemian Bag- $3.99

Look: Girly Shoes- $4.99

Then and now

Two brave Bearcats shamefully reveal how they used to dress

by Madeline Rathiel, Reporter

Everyone experiences it once or twice in their lives; the feeling of stalking your own Facebook, hoping to come across some good memories of back in the day. Doesn’t 2009 feel like it was just yesterday? Ah, the good ‘ol days…..

But amid the pics of your bff’s twelfth birthday party there is a hidden cringeworthyness to the pictures. Oh yes, that curtain skirt. And can we talk about that heelys/turtleneck combo? Let’s face it, you used to rock those silly bandz and ACTUALLY think they were cool.

The embarrassment is just too real; so you log off and hope to God no one else decides to stalk your Facebook until you muster the courage to go through and delete the worst ones. Any sane person would gladly shove those images into their subconscious, but not Crimson, and not these four Bearcats who were crazy enough to share those fashion fails!

Then

Now

“Basically, I just wore a lot of black, band tee shirts, unnecessarily colorful bracelets, and anything else a little scary. My style now is definitely completely different than it was my freshman year, and I’m probably hardly recognizable. It’s just awful. I don’t know I mean I guess I’m kind of proud of myself for being so dang fearless but jeeze it’s bad” –Kassidy Rice-Smith, 11

Then “Ugly.............

Stupid.................

Should never be worn outside......................”

– Maycee Ham,9 Fashion | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 29

|

| Food

Healthy Helpings Nutritional lunch ideas for bearcat students b y J o r d a n N e v o s h, C o- E d i t or- i n- C h e i f

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday: Thursday:

Friday:

Snacks: Two hand fulls of pita

Snacks: Wheat thins, apple

Snacks: Ritz crackers and cheese

LEFTOVERS: Snacks: Two

Snacks: Strawberries, nom

chips lightly salted, Grapes, a Tangerine or two, and a protein bar Main Meal: Try a chicken wrap with roasted vegetables on a corn tortilla!

Drinks: Water! Remember to use those eco friendly reusable water bottles!

slices, assorted nuts lightly salted

slices, pineapple slices, yogurt

hand fulls of pita chips lightly salted, Grapes, a Tangerine or two, and a protein bar Main Meal: Try a chicken wrap with roasted vegetables on a corn tortilla!

Drinks: Water! Remember to use those eco friendly reusable water bottles!

bread, baby carrots, dry whole wheat cheerios Main Meal: Salad time. Caesar, House, Thai, Chinese, whatever you want!

Simple Recipes Chicken Wrap Edition:

Main Meal: All wheat bread with banana slices and hazelnut butter. Make sure to stay away from the nutella brand!

Drinks: Water!

Main Meal: Pasta Salad: Noodles, balsamic vinegar, low-fat mozzarella, pepper and waahla Drinks: Green tea. Make sure it is low sugar! The purer the better.

Ingredients: 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 tsp. oil 1 cup Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese 4 flour tortillas (8 inch)

How to make: 1 tomato, chopped 3 Tbsp. Italian Dressing 2 tsp. chili powder 4 flour tortillas (8 inch)

Prep Time: 35 min Total Time: 45 min

30 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Food

Drinks: Lemon Water

HEAT grill to medium heat.

BRUSH chicken with oil. Grill 6 to 8 min. on each side or until done (165ºF); cool slightly.

CUT chicken into strips; place in medium bowl. Add cheese, tomatoes, dressing and chili powder; mix lightly. Spoon down centers of tortillas. Fold in opposite sides of tortillas, then roll up burrito-style.

PLACE, seam sides down, on grill grate. Grill 4 to 5 min. on each side or until evenly browned.

“I personally pack a lunch because I am out of my house from 4:00 am to 6:00 pm. Between then I have two 2-hr practices and school so I get super hungry!” —Megan Ford, 11

Food

Dulce Galleria Crimson staffers review a new cafe

by Mariela Villa, World Editor

As you see people walking out of Dulce Galleria, they wear content smiles. When we visited Dulce Galleria we were quite pleased as well. It may be a little pricey, but it’s well worth it. This quaint little cafe offers many combinations of crepes, different varieties of gelato, and a fro-yo station.

It also doubles as a store so there’s unique, rustic decor to look at while you wait for your food. Below you will see some of the items that we picked and enjoyed.

The Dulce Monkey Mud

Caramel & Coffee Gelato

Verdure Crepe

$8.00

$4.00

$12.00

This crepe was delicous and appealing. The bananas were perfect and not overly ripe and it had a layer of warm, melted Nutella.

They were creamy and delicious and they had so many flavors to choose from.

It was very dense, sweet, and satisfying.

The crepe was delicious and the vegetables were perfect, but the salad had a dressing that didn’t really go well with the dish.

Food | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 31

|

| Food

Doggy delights Do it yourself cinnamon bun treats your pooch will love

Prep Time: 10 mins

Bake Time: 15 mins

by Michelle McPherson, Food Co-Editor and Eden Peterson, Food Co-Editor

With a few simple ingredients you can make delicious cinnamon buns perfect for your canine friend. These cinnamon doggy treats look and smell so delicious, you may just want to try one yourself.

Ingredients: 2 cups (500 mL) whole wheat flour 1 tsp. (5 mL) baking powder 1/4 tsp. (2 mL) salt 1/2 cup (125 mL) water or milk 1/4 cup (60 mL) canola oil 1 large egg 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) honey 1 tsp. (5 mL) cinnamon 1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped walnuts Cream cheese drizzle (optional): 1/4 cup (60 mL) light cream cheese 1-2 Tbsp. (15-30 mL) milk or water Instructions: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F 2. In a large bowl and mix together flour,

baking powder and salt.

3. In a separate, smaller bowl, combine

water/milk, oil and the egg.

4. Combine both dry and liquid ingredients.

5. On a floured table, pat down the dough

into a small square that is about 8in.

Drizzle honey, and if desired, add pinches

of cinnamon and nuts.

6. Take the square sized dough and roll it up

tortilla style, pinch the ends to seal it up.

7. Take a knife (or dental floss if you want to

be safe) and cut ½ inch strips and lay flat

side down on a greased baking pan.

8. Bake for 15 minutes or until they look

golden. Wait 15 minutes

before spreading cream cheese on the treats.

9. Watch your pouch devore their new

favorite treats! Makes 2 dozen treats. If

you have extra, refrigerate.

32 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Food

Photo by Eden Peterson

2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 33

34 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14

On the hunt for love

Four daters, two schools, one scavenger hunt

by Natalie Martin, Blind Date editor

Love is in the air this time of year: February is a splendid month to play a little matchmaker. Four daters from two different schools were chosen to test the waters and hunt for some romance.

Junior Joely Camacho, a vegan from Templeton, was matched with senior Gage Lux, a Paso football player. Senior Lucero Hernandez, a social bug from Paso, was matched with senior Jordan Schaefer, a Templeton volleyball player.

The car departed from PRHS at 10:07 a.m. with four anxious daters. Despite the stuffiness and minimal foot room, the quartet was able to make the car ride to Avila Beach entertaining. They covered an array of topics, including Templeton High School’s “Kick back” room, high school sports, and their fondness of teachers. “We gon’ get food?” senior Gage Lux asked as he questioned the contents of the date.

When they arrived at Front Street in Avila, each dater was sent a copy of the official photo scavenger hunt list. The couples stood under the awning in the doorway of Del Sol just minutes before racing to complete the list. The hunt, which was to be completed by phone, included completing tasks such as taking photos wearing hats, with the Front St. street sign, gum on the wall, of a hipster, and a selfie. There was also a short list of extrapoint bring-back items that included a straw, cup, postcard, toothpick, and spoon.“We couldn’t find a hipster, so we took a picture of Jordan,”Lux and Camacho laughed. Although Hernandez and Schaefer made it back just shortly after Lux and Camacho, they managed to snag a crucial extra-point item: the postcard. Hernandez and Schaefer won!

After a walk on the pier and a trip down below to the water level area, the couples were ready for a bite to eat. As appetizing as The Custom House sounded, Lux had a better idea--Firestone Grill. There was no time for sightseeing after that! They were in the car and on their way within minutes. The drive there was accompanied by chatter about MORP, Prom, and Templeton had their winter formal that night.

They arrived at Firestone after a short walk from the car, parking meter paid for one hour and 29 minutes, and had no room to wait before ordering. Each dater knew what they wanted and didn’t stutter a bit at the register. The receipt read two ABC burgers, one pulled pork sandwich, and a large basket of fries. They sat at the table and enjoyed their food and enthusiastic conversation. The group was really cohesive: they each had plenty to say and tons in common.

Hernandez bit off a little more than she could chew with her pulled pork, but luckily Lux was there for help.“Aye if you need help with that sandwich, I got you,” he said slyly.

We arrived in Paso safely at 2:17 p.m. when the daters said their goodbyes and took a few last photos. They all had nothing but good things to say and left on a very positive note.

Love at first sight: Camacho and Lux exchanged names and a smile when they met for the first time.

Rate the date: Lux | Rate: 8 | Favorite part: Making Jordan try the ABC burger at Firestone grill Camacho | Rate: 8.5 | Favorite part: Walking around the beach and the pier Schaefer | Rate: 9 | Favorite part: Hanging out with everyone at Firestone grill Hernandez | Rate: 9 | Favorite part: The scavenger hunt

Opposites attract: Hernandez and Schaefer joked about their height difference before snapping a quick pic.

Blind Date | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 35

| Fun & Games

So you think you know social media?

Test your knowledge with this quiz

by Carly Cargill, Feature Co-Editor

1

A) Nash Grier B) Rudy Mancuso C) Christian DelGrosso D) Ronnie Banks

What is the name of the song most associated with Tumblr quotes?

2

4 5

A) “Pocketful of Sunshine” B) “A Thousand Years (Making My Way Downtown)” C) “Don’t Drop That Thun Thun” D) “Cup Song”

Which Facebook page has the most likes?

3

A) Hamburgers B) Official Barack Obama Fan Page C) High School Musical D) Taylor Swift

On which social media site was Justin Bieber discovered?

A) Twitter B) Facebook C) YouTube D) Vine

What’s the maximum amount of time a Snapchat video can be?

What is the order of the colors of the stripes on the Instagram icon?

7

A) red, yellow, green, blue B) blue, yellow, red, green C) red, green, yellow, blue D) green, blue, yellow, red

A) 10 seconds B) 12 seconds C) 14 seconds D) 15 seconds

6

When was Twitter founded?

A) 2004 B) 2005 C) 2006 D) 2007

Answer Key: 1. A 2. B 3. D 4. C 5. A 6. D 7. A

Who has the most followers on Vine?

Valentine’s Day Story Matchup

Students share their worst stories

by Michelle McPherson, Reporter

9

Freshman

“Last Valentine’s Day, I went to Starbucks with my date and he ordered me a hot chocolate. But when he went to go get it for me, he tripped and spilled it all over me.”

-Anonymous

“I was driving my date to her favorite restaurant, and the car broke down. I realized that my phone was on the charger at home still, so I had to ask my date for hers to call my parents to pick us up…..worst night ever.” -Anonymous

11

Junior

10

Sophomore

“My boyfriend and I were dating for a little over a year and I take Valentine’s Day very seriously. I was kind of hinting that I wanted one of those huge teddy bears! But that night he took me out for our date, and he ordered me a cheesecake as my gift.....I’m lactose intolerant.” -Anonymous

“Around Valentine’s Day, I was hit by a car and broke my wrist and two ribs.”

36 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Fun & Games

-Isaiah Baker

10

Sophomore

Sports

Sochi surprises

From Shaun White’s loss to Paso resident Trevor Jacob, we are your guide to the 2014 Olympic Games

by Lauren Reed, Fun & Games Editor, Mayer Pohlod, Reporter, and Matt Tyra, Sports Co-Editor

Trevor Jacob:

Kotsenburg Shocker: Men’s Snowboarding Sage Kotsenburg of the US took the first gold medal at the Winter Olympics, the first time an American had done so since 1952. It was also the first ever gold medal won for the actual event of slopestyle, being it’s first inclusion in the Olympics. "I had never done that trick before. A couple people had done it, but I had never even thought about trying it. I just winged it, and I ended up landing it, so it was pretty cool. There’s no other place to do it,” Kotsenburg said.

New Event Goes Down to Wire: Women’s Ski Jumping

Women’s ski jumping, new to the Olympics this year, is where each competitor gets two runs on the hill in the first and final rounds, and are scored based on distance and style. The athlete with the highest combined score from all four jumps is the winner. Carina Vogt of Germany scored a 247.4, good for gold. Just behind was Daniela Iraschko-Stolz of Austria with a score of 246.2 for silver, and Colline Mattel of France rounded out the medalists, achieving a bronze with a score of 245.2.

50 Stripes and 53 Stars: Americans Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper made it a clean sweep in the ski slopestyle event, grabbing all three medals.

All Falls Down: Snowboarder Shaun White fails to medal in the half pipe event after falling on his first run. White previously dropped out of the slopestyle event due to safety concerns.

Shaun White’s Olympic Mess: Men’s Snowboarding After controversially pulling out of the snowboarding slopestyle event in hopes of saving his body for the snowboarding half pipe event, two-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White failed to make it onto the podium. White got fourth overall with a score of 90.25, as a result of a bad landing in his half pipe trick. White received much flak from the snowboarding community for his decision, with some even claiming he cares more about his own personal gain than about the sport. Whether true or not, White’s performance left much to be desired. Switzerland’s Louri Podladtchikov earned gold with a score of 94.75 on his second run, while impressing the judges with a trick he invented, a 1440-degree whirling jump he aptly nicknamed the YOLO. Japan’s Ayumu Hirano took silver with a 93.5 - the 15 year-old is the youngest ever Winter Games medalist on snow. He was then joined by teammate Taku Hiraoka, 18 years old, who got bronze with a 92.25 run.

Paso Pride: Snowboarder and Paso resident Trevor Jacob after a run. Jacob plans on spending the rest of his life on the Central Coast.

American Sweep-Style:

Sisterly Accomplishment:

Men’s Ski Slopestyle

US skiers Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper teamed up to grab gold, silver and bronze, respectively, in men’s ski slopestyle, making for the first All-American sweep at a winter games event since 2002 in Salt Lake City.

Christensen posted a 95.80, dominating the competition; Kenworthy and Goepper reached 93.60 and 92.40, providing for a great moment for all three skiers and their country.

Photos on this page used under Fair Use principles

Men’s Snowboarding Trevor Jacob, a snowboarder currently residing in our very own Paso Robles, competed in the snowboard cross event, placing ninth in the finals out of 39 other competitors. He was the first to qualify for the Olympics altogether for the snowboard cross, with his teammates Nick Baumgartner, Alex Deibold and Nate Holland following, with Deibold placing with a bronze medal. Jacob is the youngest member of the team at just 20 years old, differenced by a margin of 6 years from Deibold, also making him one of the youngest American competitors this year. Although not originally hailing from Paso, Jacob moved here after trying to find a place to set up more skate ramps and other training equipment. He was enamored with the area: “The Central Coast is just my style,” he said.

“The people are great, much more laid back and very friendly. The weather is beautiful, and the whole place is just so spectacular. I fell in love with it and plan to live there for the rest of my life.” Whatever happens with his career, we’ll look forward to seeing him in future events.

Sisterly Love: The Dufour-Lapointe a special moment after Chloe (right) came away with gold and Justine (left) took bronze in the Ladies’ Moguls event.

Justine and Chloe DufourLadies’ Moguls Lapointe, two sisters from Canada, took away the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the Ladies’ Moguls event.

Hannah Kearney of the United States came back with a bronze medal. Justine, the gold medal winner, achieved the feat with a score of 22.44, while her sister Chloe managed a 21.66. A third sister, Maxime, competed along with them though on the day before her 25th birthday, she finished 12th overall. The two medalists experienced a touching moment while standing hand in hand on the winner’s podium.

Sports | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 37

|

| Sports

Doubly Skilled

Do you know Robert Comstock III ?

by Maureen Pushea, Photography & Sports Co-Editor

Senior Robert Comstock III, varsity track runner, sets the challenge to see who knows most about him. Weighing in are friend and teammate senior Christiaan Jansen Van Rensburg, friend and track team manager Jayce Homewood, and track coach Anthony Overton, who has been Comstock’s coach all four years of high school.

Keeping grades and sports up to par

by Rachel Cole, Feature Co-Editor Dribbling the ball down the court, smashing the bat into the ball, tossing the ball through the air to score a goal.

These are the actions of an athlete who knows what they are doing and has put in the hours of practice, but what about when something else is required?

Students are asked to keep their grades up to continue their sports.

“Student-athletes must maintain a 2.0 non-weighted GPA and have no more than one ‘F’ grade. Eligibility is determined each grading period (quarter and semester grades). Academic Probation is available one time per school year. To be eligible for Academic Probation a student must have a 1.5 GPA or greater and cannot have more than 1 ‘F” grade,” said athletic director Thomas Harrington, who returned this year from being the principal at Templeton High School.

However, even these standards may be too low to some coaches.

“I have a team goal each year as my first goal and that is to have a team GPA of 3.5 or better. I also have a policy that an athlete can not play in a game if they have a D or F even though they still have an overall 2.0 or better,” water polo coach Duane McRoy said .

“I think a person if they are going to represent the school in any activity there should be some requirements and if a student can not keep a 2.0 GPA I do not believe they should be allowed to participate in outside school activities. I wish it was across the board in any activity not just sports,” baseball coach Derek Stroud said.

“This year was by far the most challenging coursework that I have taken. With five AP classes and GEO there is never a moment of rest. Morning practice begins at 5 a.m. and ends at 7 a.m. then. This makes it hard to get enough sleep and with the afternoon practice from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. homework time is slim. That is just a regular day, but when we have swim meets or polo games I have to miss the second half of school entirely and so I have to make up what I have missed with the little time I have. I go early to my AP CHEM class where I end up spending a half hour doing HW for that class which gets done much faster with the help of Mr.Overton. The only time that I have to do large assignments is on weekends, but if a project is landed on a week where we have a 3-day swim meet, I have to arrange with the teacher before hand to turn in assignments later, which they are usually very understanding about. Most importantly I spend my time in class very efficiently, and learn most of the subject the first time it is presented,” senior Simon Schoennauer said, who has been swimming for six years.

672 student-athletes 23 sports.

Each season we have approximately 8-10 studentathletes that are declared ineligible to participate in sports.

38 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Sports

Robert Comstock III

The Teammate: Christiaan Jansen Van Rensburg

The Friend: Jayce Homewood

Immortals

The Hunger Games

Star Wars

Jayce Homewood

Himself

Coach Overton

BBQ Memphis Burger

Donuts

Spaghetti

The Coach: Anthony Overton

Favorite movie?

Independence Day Funniest person on the team?

Matthew Mihelic Favorite food?

BBQ Memphis Burger Any Weird obsession?

San Jose Sharks

Hockey & Greek Mythology

Feet

When people are late

Bad drivers

Lazy people

Donuts

Donuts

Chocolate cake

When his mom calls

The Sharks not winning

Falling

Navy Jet Pilot

Hockey Player

Track athlete

Hang with friends

Read

Run Track

“Sucks to suck”

“Jeeze”

“Robert Comstock III”

3 out of 10

1 out of 10

4 stuck together miniwheats

Biggest pet peeve?

When people are late Favorite dessert?

Chocolate cake Biggest fear?

Failure Dream career?

Navy Pilot Favorite thing to do in free time?

iFunny Something you say a lot?

Sarcastic comments

Total :

1 out of 10 Photos by Maureen Pushea

3Things to know

Boys Volleyball

1. The Varsity coach Chris Byham holds the schools record for most kills in a match for boys volleyball.

2. So many boys tried out this year that there is enough for

Breaking down spring sports on a need-to-know basis

3.

by Maureen Pushea and Matt Tyra, Sports Co-editors, and Mayer Pohlod, Reporter Softball

Baseball

Track

Diving

Golf

Swimming

Tennis

Volleyball

yogurt after practice.

2. “We do lots of team bonding. It’s one of the things we team looks forward to most in the season. We are constantly hanging out throughout the season, having bonfires, sleep overs, you name it!” said senior varsity catcher M’Lynn Martin.

3. Softball is a team sport, If one player is missing, the entire vibe is off. The team is really close on and off the field.

The game of softball forces you to trust yourself and your teammates, so they all have an odd, intuitive love and respect for each other.

Diving 1. “We have the “love tub” which is a tub filled with warm water that we all sit in between dives,” said junior Grant Britton, who has been on varsity since freshman year.

2. In a dive meet, each participant does six dives and gets a score from three judges on a scale of one to ten. The judges score is then multiplied by the dive difficulty and added to the other dives for a total score.

3. The hardest dive is a back 2.5 where divers take off from the board backwards and do two and a half back flips going in the pool hands first. The dive difficulty for a back 2.5 is 3.0.

Track 1. In track you build a lot of great relationships,wherever you go, whether it’s distance sprints or throwing, you’re pretty much a family. Track is great if you want to find new people and make new friends.

2. “I would say the hardest race is the 800; that’s the race I’m in. I think it’s the hardest because you’re at that stage where you have to sprint but you have to pace yourself at the same time so physically it’s difficult and mentally you have to know what you’re doing, so that’s probably the hardest race in track,” said Senior Kyle Ravera, long distance runner 3. Their coach, Ivan Huff, is very experienced himself.

He’s made it to Olympic trials a couple of years. He went to Cal Poly, ran there and did great, and now runs with the team on some of our runs.

Photos by Maureen Pushea

JV and Varsity teams.

“I think its going to be a fun season. I’m excited to see what we can bring to the table and hopefully we can give other teams a competitive game,” said Junior Varsity volleyball player Nathaneal Bourgault.

Baseball

Softball 1. The night before every home game, they all go get frozen

Sports |

1.

This year they have a relatively young team, a lot of juniors and sophomores included, so that also bodes well for next year.

2. “I’d expect us to finish somewhere between first and third, as all the other teams such as San Luis lost a lot of players last year,” said Junior Jonathan Baldwin.

3. The team has some small superstitions; they always make sure to never step on the lines when going out to the field, and they have a handshake that we do quite a bit as well

Boy’s Golf 1. ”It takes a lot of practice to become good; it doesn’t just come to you,” said sophomore Greg Potruch, who is in his second year at the varsity level.

2. ”Golf is actually one of the hardest sports to get good at.”

3. ”It’s really more of a mental game than a physical one.”

Swimming 1. “The amount of time we have to put into it is absurd. Our morning practices run from 5-7 a.m., and then another two hours after school,” said senior and four year varsity swimmer Taylor Page, who swims the 100 Freestlye.

2. They are one of only two sports at the school that are in division two for CIF, the other being baseball.

3. The team swims a total of 35,000 yards a week to start off the season, which then builds up to 55,000 during “hell week”. From there, they keep the intensity while lowering the amount of yardage decreases for each group to specialize for their events.

Tennis 1. “Anyone who is even a tad interested should come out and play because it’s really fun,” senior Evan Serpa said.

2. The van rides are said to be really fun on the way there, and on the way back the team usually goes out to get something to eat after matches win or lose.

3. They are actually contending for CIF this year. Last year the team made CIF and this year trying even harder by practicing a lot.

Sports | 2.27.14 | crimsonweb.net | 39

| Sports

Softball vs. Baseball

Two stars help portray key differences you should know this spring

by Maureen Pushea, Photography & Sports Co-Editor

Senior 3 year Varsity

BY THE NUMBERS Last seasons record: 9-3 Softball player Delaney Cline Returning Standouts: Sophomore Chloe Kerns Senior M’Lynn Martin

Sophomore 2 year

BY THE NUMBERS Varsity Baseball player Last seasons record: 2-16 Matt Keller Returning Standouts: Senior Kai Bedell Junior Bailey Gaither

3.8 inches

2.7 inches

7

9

Innings

Innings

190-225 ft. from home to fence

Approx. 400 ft. from home to fence

Flat pitching mound

60 feet No lead off before pitch 40 | crimsonweb.net | 2.27.14 | Sports

Raised pitching mound

90 feet Lead off before pitch Photos by Maureen Pushea