Crimson Volume 73 | 8.29.13 | Issue 1
The Student Newsmagazine of Paso Robles High School
801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, California
It’s back Bearcats!
The time of year when everyone dresses their best and breaks out their new pens and pencils. The time of year when it’s your chance to discover a niche or find a new one! Get your head in the game because it’s learning time.
03Welcome freshmen! Crimson leaders welcome freshmen to their first year at PRHS, and share their words of advice to students. EDITORIAL >>
07Rodeo Royalty
Junior Kara Kester wins the title of Miss California High School Rodeo. FEATURE >>
08What I wish I knew Upper classmen reflect on what they wish they knew as they entered high school. CENTER >>
11Letter from Nelson
Principle Randy Nelson shares his words of wisdom to all new and returning Bearcats. NEWS >>
14Student Summers
Five students share their exciting adventures over summer, which include being an extra in a movie and joining the Naval Sea Cadet Program. NEWS >>
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Crimson
newsmagazine August 29, 2013 Volume 73, Issue 1 Photo by Maureen Pushea
Dear Class of 2017,
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I am sure all of you have heard the horror stories of high school: the swirlies in the boy’s restroom, the cafeteria food with hairs in it, or the jocks who will stick you in the garbage bin, but let me be of the utmost help and inform you that, as far as I’m aware of, those things are not a realistic perception of this campus. These next years are what you make them whether they will be the years you will look back on and miss or the years that you will push out of your memory due to the immense amount of trauma and drama they have caused you. Your high school years are historic. These halls of PRHS are where you will perhaps experience your awkward growth spurts, your acne-filled faces, your first “F”, your lowest grade, your first kiss, your first boyfriend or girlfriend, your deepest convictions, your darkest dramas, the bliss of achievement, the joy of friendships, your first “true love.” Teachers hope you will find gems in their classes. Coaches want you to discover teamwork, sportsmanship, victory. This campus will be home to the memories you will tell you grandkids and before you know it, as cliche as this sounds, you’ll be a senior filling out college applications. You are a part of something bigger, bigger than ever before. You are part of a school that values your individualism, because without it, all the opportunities that our school has to offer would be wasted by students that are in the class to skate by with a passing grade. Don’t be afraid to branch out of your group and be a part of this vast body that emulates your true self. Join the marching band and feel the adrenaline during your half time shows; join the International club and meet some of the most amazing people you would never have gotten the opportunity to meet; join the choir and hear the cacophony of applause at your first concert; join the sports teams and create everlasting friendships with your teammates, but most of all, wear your passion through crimson and white, and be proud to represent something so prodigious. I am honored to welcome all 550 of you, class of 2017. Don’t let me, or yourselves, down.
As you walk the halls of Paso Robles High School for the next four years of your adolescent lives you will probably experience every emotion known to the common man. You will be flooded with swirly jitters because that really cute boy/ girl in geometry half glanced in your general direction. You will be dreading going to fourth period because you failed to study for the test, due to the fact you were too busy on social media the night before. #Alwaysstudy. You might even find yourself a life long friend in the process to share in all these memorable shenanigans with you. All in all high school is a place of growing up. It’s a place to find your self and to find others with similar taste. I know, cliche right? But it’s very true. Even though at times high school can make you feel alone, I can almost guarantee there is another kid trotting around campus that is just as awkward/weird/cool as you. . However, for the most part there is always some community that you can adopt. So don’t be shy. High school is way too short to wait on second chances. If you want to try out for advanced dance because you think your hips don’t lie then by all means try out for dance. Come onto campus everyday not because it’s the law, but come to find your real passion. So, when you really get down to the nitty gritty you are all in this together. You have to spend some of the most confusing, rewarding, and joyful years of your lives together. So let’s please model some respect for your other equally as awkward/weird/cool peers. I am not trying to say you have to love and sit around the campfire singing kumbaya with each other. I am saying show a little consideration for the other people around you. Like I said you are all in this together so lend out a helping hand instead of spreading hate. In conclusion, high school is what you make of it. So why don’t you make the best of it? Congratulations class of 2017, all 550 of you, you have made it this far, and welcome to this four year long roller coaster we all call high school.
—Courtney Thompson
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—Jordan Nevosh
rimson newsmagazine Student Journalism at Paso Robles High School
Co-Editor-in-Chiefs Jordan Nevosh, Center Courtney Thompson, News Managing Editors Angela Lorenzo, News Sydney Matteson, Front Page Editors Carly Cargill, Feature Brandon Kearns, World
Ad Team Emily Ayer Natalie Martin Mariela Villa Reporters Erica Binkele Analia Cabello Amy Cantrell Jessica Cole Rachel Cole Matt Durian
Reporters Claire Farrell Pearl Herrera Brigitte Maina Danae Ontiveros Eden Peterson Maureen Pushea Madeline Raithel Lauren Reed Matt Tyra
Facebook www.facebook.com/ crimsonnewsmagazine Website www.crimsonweb.net Email prhsjournalism @pasoschools.org Instagram crimsonnewsmag
Adviser Jeff Mount
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
PRHS 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446
students. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and
(805) 769-1500 ext. 50033
School students. We are happy to talk with you
the majority opinion of the staff and does not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or layouts are completed by Paso Robles High
Room 604
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Out with the old and in with the new With 17 teachers departed, 17 fresh new teachers have arrived Gwen Baker Special Ed Teacher
Andria Biggers English Teacher
Jonathan Blackketter Special Ed Teacher
Alexandra Boster Math Teacher
Jennifer Clayton Counselor
Jessica Davis English Teacher
Nicole Delbar Spanish Teacher
Melissa Dietrich ED Teacher
Seth Draine
Social Studies Teacher
Octabio Garcia Math Teacher
Michael Lomino ED Teacher
Tricia Lomino Special Ed Teacher
John Malinowski Athletic Training Teacher
Victoria McConnel Special Ed Teacher
Jean Miller English Teacher
Jeremy Monn Ag Teacher
Rebecca Morris Spanish Teacher
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Alexandra Boster Math Teacher
I worked the last two years at Nipomo High School. Prior to that, I worked at Juvenile Hall schools in Bakersfield. Non-teaching jobs include being a whitewater rafting guide and working for the L.A. Dodgers... and others! I love math because it’s fun to explain it to people who haven’t understood it before. In math, you see the “Aha!” moments, where the lightbulb turns on in a student’s head... I love that.
Nicole Delbar Spanish Teacher
I’ve worked in the Paso Robles School District since 1989 at Virginia Peterson Elementary, the district office, Georgia Brown Elementary, and Flamson Middle School. Teaching is my passion because as a teacher you have to constantly be learning to effectively teach your students, and when they love learning, it’s fun as a teacher. Along with teaching, I love to travel, having lived in Spain for a year and a half, where I received my masters degree.
John Malinowski Athletic Training Teacher
I previously worked at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California as the part time faculty, teaching athletic training courses. I love teaching about the allied health care professions because it is such an important part of our society and it gives us opportunities to help people.
Jeremy Monn Ag Teacher
I previously taught at Don Pedro High School, where I taught Ag welding, Ag biology, Ag government/econ, and ROP lanscape and design. I have a passion for agriculture and I believe there’s a future in it, without it some of the vital things we tend to over look wouldn’t be availble.
Seth Draine
Social Studies Teacher
I have worked as a substitute teacher in SLO and AG and have watched Mulan in Spanish about 50 times. Most recently I taught a semester of U.S. history at Nipomo HS and 9-10 grade AVID at SLOHS. This year I am super stoked to teach APUSH and World History here at PRHS! I love history because its one big story of who we are!
Andria Biggers English Teacher
I came to PRHS last December, and taught Freshman and Sophomore English. Before I came to PRHS I worked in the county as a substitute teacher, which provided me with some great experiences! I am finishing up my Master of Education degree which I will recieve in November. I like getting to know the students, finding out what their interested in and watching them become involved in the school. I really enjoying watching them succeed and helping them to enjoy English in any way I can.
Rebecca Morris Spanish Teacher
I was born in Japan and lived there for three years--my dad was in the air force. I actually had Japanese citizenship (along with American) for the first twelve years of my life! I was raised in New Mexico and Wisconsin. I got my Bachelor’s degree from Beloit College. While still in college I worked with migrant farm workers through the Wisconsin Job Service, and I also translated in a couple of trials in the Rock County, WI court system. After college I married and moved to Spain, where I lived for 18 years. All our children were born in Spain. In Spain I taught elementary classes and high school classes in English as a Foreign Language and Spanish language. I also taught private classes from grade school through college. I got my Masters in Spanish through New York University on their Madrid campus. I began teaching Spanish in the US at Santa Monica College in 1995. I would come over with some of my kids to give them experience living in the States. My family and I moved to the Central Coast in 1997. I taught Spanish at Atascadero High school for 12 years. My position was eliminated in 2009, and I then worked for the district as an English Language Learner Facilitator and later teacher. I also began teaching Spanish at Cuesta College in 2009. I love what I teach, and like most teachers, one of my favorite moments is the “aha” moment. It is so powerful to watch a student finally grasp something she has struggled with or finally see the connections between the various things we study. But to be truly honest, my favorite thing about teaching is the people--the students and what they bring to the table, the support staff, and the faculty. We are all on this journey together.
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Crimson www.crimsonweb.net
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Rodeo Royalty Junior takes the throne as Miss California High School Rodeo Queen by Carly Cargill, Feature Editor and Natalie Martin, Reporter
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s most young girls do, junior Kara Kester wanted to be a princess—not just any princess—but one who could wear pink crowns and sparkles with cowgirl boots and a little mud to top the outfit off. Fulfilling her dream at the age of 16, Kester sports a crown more historic than the average Barbie tiara: the crown of Miss California High School Rodeo Queen. “When I was three years old I got my first autograph and met a queen who asked me a question that I often ask young girls now: ‘Are you going to be a rodeo queen someday?’ My obvious answer was yes, but I could never in my dreams back then, even realize what was in store for my future,” said Kester, who won her title at the California High School Rodeo State Finals in Bishop, California on Friday, June 14, 2013 after a competitive six days with eight other queens in the running. “State finals was a whirlwind of unforgettable memories, times of stress, stiff competition, and hairspray—lots of hairspray... I cannot wait for state next year as I reign but I will always hold a special spot in my heart for my sophomore year at finals—it was nothing short of amazing,” Kester said. But payoff doesn’t come without hard work. Before moving on to State, Kester had to win the crown within her district (San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Ventura counties), and faced eight different events at state. “The categories for the queen competition included: a written test, appearance, personality, horsemanship, personal interview, impromptu question, modeling, and speech. Nationals [has] the exact same [events], just on a larger scale,” said Kester, who’s favorite event is a hard tie between the interview and horsemanship. After her victory at state, it was time to move on to the National High School Rodeo Queen Contest, which took place in Rock Springs, Wyoming. “During coronation [at state] I had the worst case of butterflies ever! Standing in front of the stands with hundreds of people watching all I could think was don't trip! But then I heard my name rattle through the sound system; I got the biggest smile... The shock factor only came seconds after I exited the arena, w h e n someone asked me if I was excited
for nationals. That kind of sent me over the edge,” said Kester, who had around 50 different local and national sponsors to send her to Nationals, not counting all of her friends and family rooting her on from SLO County. As much as her new found queen life consumes her, Kester still has take off her crown momentarily and rodeo. She proves herself to be an all around in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and team roping within the high school rodeo organization. “I think that she is a great advocate for the sport," said junior Calvin Jennings, a friend and supporter of 11 years. But Queen Kester’s duties consist of much more than parading around looking like a million bucks in her deep red, beige, and brown cowhide chaps that fringe on the outer leather with her white sash that reveals her identity. “As Miss CHSRA, my main duty is to be an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and the California High School Rodeo Association. I am also expected to travel to many rodeos throughout the year with my horse, run flags, and make appearances,” Kester said. Her first appearance as queen took place at the awards banquet, where she handed out awards to state champions. "She is a very outgoing person and has a strong personality that gives her the ability to take charge and lead a group of people effectively," junior Nathaniel Bourgault said. "Kara works hard at everything she does and I think she will definitely do an outstanding job as the queen and will represent California very well!" With her brown hair curled and her beige felt hat pinned to her head, Kester will do her time as Miss California High School Rodeo Queen— fabulous and sparkly—but with little smudges of sun faded, arena mud on the side.
“Picking a favorite part of being Miss CHSRA is always difficult because there are so many great aspects of the title, but if I had to choose, it would be the opportunity to meet people from all over the nation that share a common interest: rodeo. It is truly one of the biggest passions in my life and to be able to see countless individuals involved in ensuring a future for it has been an inspiration in itself.” -Kara Kester, 11
ALL DECKED OUT: (above) Junior Kara Kester shows her California High School Rodeo Queen attire. With her crown, sash, and chaps, Kester serves her state and organization by traveling to rodeos and making appearances across California. SMILES MAKE THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND: (left) Kester laughs at a joke and pats her horse as she walks out of the arena after goat tying at a district high school rodeo. She has a fan page on Facebook, which has a little under 700 likes from friends, family, and fans all over the United States. Photos used with permission by Kara Kester
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I wish I wouldn’t have put so much hype and anticipation on it all. School is school, there is nothing you can change or alter about that. And moving up in grade simply meant new school, new teachers, and new environment.
Julia Manson, 12
Kohl Coffee, 11
Don’t stress over all the little things and just enjoy the time you have with your friends because you’ll never get these years back!
Have fun with freshmen year because you’re going to have to focus more on grades sophomore year. So make the most of it!
Omar Guillen, 12 My advice to incoming freshman is challenge yourself! Get involved in as many activities as you can so you can just really enjoy the High School experience! Also, don’t take anything too seriously, just have fun, work hard in your classes, and try to push yourself to achieve all of your goals!
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Amy Sudberry, 12
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I strongly advise incoming freshman to walk faster.
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M’Lynn Martin, 12
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Kaleigh Lacouture, 12
High school isn’t anything like what you see on tv! Especially nothing like High School Musical.
Cathy Silliman, 12
Be careful what you say to Crimson, it might get published.
Ryan Ramos, 12
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Nelson
in a nutshell //////////////// He has a beagle named Annie who is his favorite partner. He coached six years of baseball and eight years of football Before he was an educator he worked for the wholesale retail industry for 20 years. At one time he was studying to be an Architect so it’s a big desire of his to build things. He works on the side with his twin brother, who is a construction worker. He has a cat is named Pablo nicknamed p.kitty. He coached years of JV football.
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n behalf of our teachers and staff, I am excited to welcome you back to school! I hope you are looking forward to a fantastic school year just as we are. Last year, Paso Robles High School was recognized for numerous achievements. Our FFA livestock judging team were state champions! Our Crimson Newsmagazine earned 6th place nationally! Thirty-three PRHS students won state medals at Skills USA and twelve students competed nationally! PRHS boy’s cross-county competed at the State Championships! PRHS Wrestling competed at the National Championships! PRHS athletics represented our PAC-7 League and received the Sportsmanship Award from CIF! PRHS Statistics Team earned 1st place honors in state competition! 229 Advanced Placement students displayed their academic abilities by taking 423 AP exams in May! Awesome accomplishments by awesome students at an awesome school! This past May 31, 430 seniors assembled on the field at War Memorial Stadium to receive their high school diploma. They were the 117th graduating class from Paso Robles High School! Today, those individuals are busy working to realize their next great accomplishment, whether that is at a college or university, in the military, or in the work-force. As evidenced by the earning of a diploma, these graduating students worked diligently to prepare themselves for a successful future! For the 428 seniors returning to school this year, expect the year to fly by! We are proud and excited for each of these students. They have also accomplished great things their first three years at Paso Robles High School and we expect them to continue to excel this year. They have worked very hard to reach this point where they are completing their final year of high school! Graduation evening at War Memorial Stadium will be here in the blink of an eye. Our sophomore and junior students had a great 2012-2013 and we expect this year to be an exceptional one as well! This year, we have 550 freshmen students joining our Bearcat family. It is always interesting to see how these new students acclimate themselves to high school. For many of them, it is an easy transition. They get involved early with athletics, band, drama, choir, Skills USA, FFA, AVID, Journalism, Yearbook, or another club / organization and seem to fit right an become a integral part of our Bearcat family. Other students have difficulty with this. My hope is that every student at Paso Robles High School recognizes this special moment in their lives. The four years you spend in high school will be as memorable as you work to make it. I encourage you to make the most of your high school experience. Get involved with something. Become a part of our school. We want you to treasure your time as a student at Paso Robles High School not only for the time you are here but for years to come. —Randy Nelson, Welcome back!
PRHS Principal
Photo by Matt Durian
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Rules&Regulations
Vice Principal Dan Sharon reminds students of policies attendance:
closed campus:
Students with less than 90% attendance will be placed on activities suspension.
Students may not leave campus without checking in to the attendance office and obtaining an off-campus pass. Parking lots are considered off campus during school hours.
lunch detention: Students tardy to 1st period (30 minutes late) will be assigned 15-minute lunch detention the same day. Failure to attend will result in after school detention; failure to attend after school detention results in suspension.
drug free campus: Confirmed cases of tobacco, drug, or alcohol use will result in suspension, placement on a district contract, law enforcement citation, behavior support plan, and an expulsion hearing.
hall passes: Students may not leave class unless emergency necessitates and must have a visible Hall Pass when outside the classroom during instructional periods. Students without a Hall Pass will be issued after school detention.
Vice Principal Dan Sharon, a former Modern World History teacher wanted to remind PRHS students of the procedures they are expected to follow.
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bullying and violence free campus: While staff is trained and committed to identify and report cases of bullying and take action to stop or prevent violent or bullying behavior, students play a key role in promoting and maintaining a healthy school climate.
Scan this QR code for the full list of school policies. Photos by Angela Lorenzo and Courtney Thompson
From around the world By Brandon Kearns and Maureen Pushea, Reporters
Isabel Ramos
Michal Mokry
Spain
Slovakia
is you’re favorite american actor Q:“Who or actress?” A:“That’s easy, Robert Downey Jr.”
Takeru Konno Japan
Urkia Sanchez Spain
Q:“What is your future career goal?” “Communications in the aim of A:becoming a journalist.” Momoka Okoda Japan
Charlotte Legrand Belgium
Q:“How would you describe American food?” not so different from Belgian food but bigger and there is sugar in most things.” A: “It’s So Min Lee South Korea
Futaba Imai
Photo permissions by Isabel Ramos, Michal Mokry, Takeru Konno, Urkia Sanchez, Momoka Okoda, Charlotte Legrand, So Min Lee, and Futaba Imai
Japan
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Students’ spectacular summers PRHS students recall the adventures they had during their summer vacations. Whether it be featured as an extra in a Blockbuster movie or march with the Naval Cadets, these students have lived their summer to its fullest. by Emily Ayer, Reporter
Sophomore Zyan Carlson had a promising summer. Promising for her since she loves the theatre and got to be an extra in a movie shot right here in Paso. “It was a blast, and I met a lot of managers and producers,” Carlson said. She was amazed by the fact that a movie starring Haylie Duff would be shot in a place like Paso and said, “It’s a very warming and hometown movie.” Carlson got to be in the real thing, and was delighted to be a part of it.
Sophomore Riley Austin took an adventure to Oregon this summer with her parents and, acting out in the daredevil way, went swimming in freezing cold water, kayaking, white water rafting. “Sitting on top of a raft holding on for what felt like dear life”, as Austin said, “was one of the craziest and most idiotic things I had ever done.” As Austin was holding tight to the raft and hoping not to fall into the 46 degree water, McKenzie River was gushing by underneath her. Thankfully, she got home unscathed and had a summer memory.
Junior Quinn Parker spent his entire summer devoted to one thing: basketball. It was his own personal ideal summer. Parker spent each and every day for about three hours a day sweating, dribbling, passing, shooting and dunking alongside his team members. These exercises were physically beneficial but, for Parker who relishes basketball, a recreational activity. “It’s something that makes me feel good no matter what’s going on off the court”, said Parker, “basketball is everything to me.
Senior Nykie Carr has been attending a Naval Sea Cadet program this summer, twice a month for 6-7 hours a day. Carr had come to the decision that after graduating high school, she would like to go into the Navy. Carr pushed herself to follow through with it despite the, as Carr said, “acting like you are in the Navy and marching and learning a million different things.” She recommends the program to people who are serious about joining the Navy and said it is, “such a beneficial thing.”
Senior Hannah Fitzpatrick got the chance of a lifetime this summer and was able to work with Melaina Larson, the 6th best ballroom dancer in the world. During her training, Fitzpatrick able to improve her technique, clean choreographing she had been working on all to improve a handful of exercises to improve her flexibility. Fitzpatrick’s desire to become a better dancer is centered around her love of theatre. “I need to become a better dancer if I want a shot at making it on Broadway.” Even though these lessons consisted of 1-3 hours a day, 2 times a week for a month, “it was a wonderful experience,” said Fitzpatrick.
Send Photo used with permission of Zyan Carlson, Riley Austin, Quinn Parker, Nykie Carr, and Hannah Fitzpatrick
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Teachers’ tremendous trips PRHS teachers recall the adventures they had during their summer vacations. Whether it be grading hundreds of essays or getting married,these teachers experienced engaging summers. by Courtney Thompson, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Ap English teacher Aaron Catrell spent his summer grading essay, but not for the students at PRHS. Cantrell traveled to Kuntucky Jun. 9 and stayed until Jun. 14 at an AP conference grading the essays students all over the nation took in May. “Grading AP essays is like a bar scene. 70 percent the essays are cheesey pick up lines like “and 30 percent of the essays are Ryan Gosling,” said Cantrell, who reads, on average 150 essays a day reaching a new goal of 1,500 essays throughout the five days.
Chemistry teacher Brittny Nation got married on July 6, 2013 at The Gardens at Peacock Farms in Arroyo Grande to her husband Tim Doll. They have been together for about five years. She and her husband spent a week in the Dominican Republic for her honeymoon on the island of Punta Cana. “I am NOT changing my name to Mrs. Doll by any means,” said Nation, only to futher add that one of her attendees, Anthony Overton, chemistry teacher “got down on the dance floor.... just sayin.”
Send Photo used with permission of Brittny Nation
News Briefs
Storage shortage
By Angela Lorenzo, Managing Editor When Aug. 20 rolled around, seniors learned that there was not enough locker space for them. Over 200 students were not assigned lockers this year due to a shortage. This shortage is a result of the removal of half the 400 building lockers due to challenge to police the bathroom a year ago; freshmen and sophomores were giving priority over locker assignments because seniors tend to have limited books, according to principal Randy Nelson. Students who have been assigned a locker that they do not need are strongly encouraged to sign up at the front office with Carmen Garcia to give their locker to a student who needs one; those students in need of a locker can also sign up to be assigned a locker at the front desk. The office staff still discourages sharing lockers with friends because the student that was assigned the locker is responsible for what is stored or stolen from the locker. Photo by Eden Peterson
PI no more by Courtney Thompson, Co-Editor-in-Chief Paso Robles High School has finally overcome Program Improvement stigma. With resounding applause from teachers, Principal Randy Nelson announced in late August PRHS has been released from six years of Program Improvement status. In 2009, PRHS was relegated to PI after failing to meet Title I standards--mainly in test scores of subgroups of special ed, underprivileged, Latino, and ELL students. The state required administration to pursue test score boosting strategies, including a schoolwide campaign to use DII (Direct Interactive Instruction) and the implementation of Read 180, which helps bring students up to grade-level reading standards. Support classes were also created and staffed for struggling math and language arts students. “While my staff and I are encouraged that PRHS is no longer considered Program Improvement, we all continue to be committed to continually our work to help all students reach their highest academic potential.,” Nelson said. Over 6200 schools were in Program Improvement as of June 2013.
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