Crimson June 2011

Crimson Volume 70 / 06.08.11 / Issue 7

The Student Newsmagazine of Paso Robles High School

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Paso Robles, CA

801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, California

Senior Issue

Kissing the year goodbye Only nine more days stand between Bearcats and summer vacation on June 8. The 2010-2011 school year saw steel skeletons of new buildings form on campus, fashionistas own the runway during Raw Craze Fashion week, the drama department sell out April “Seussical” performances, athletes break sports records, sports team finishes in top Pac-7 League—together with record disciplinary suspensions, campus fights, and the cloud of Program Improvement.

For 402 seniors, this was their last year before heading off into a new world. They triumphed through three years of CST testing, the CAHSEE in 2008, and AP tests. They survived the transition of the trimester in 2009, and they witnessed ASB leaders transform campus spirit. The 2011 class will gather together for the last time for graduation on June 17 at War Memorial Stadium.

—Alicia Canales, Managing Editor

Feature 13 >> Double blind date Center 24-25 >> Senior destinations Food 41 >> Cook off contest

Contents

June 8, 2011

Volume 70, Issue 7

Crimson

On the cover: Seniors Adam White,

Chelsea Kuhns, and Nicki Fabian express their excitement of graduating on June 17 and all they have accomplished.

Photos by Maddison Coons

17-36 The Senior Issue As the sun sets on the Class of 2011’s time at PRHS, 402 seniors prepare to embark on new journeys and memories to come.

10 Local market PRHS students, including siblings, participate in local Farmer’s Markets from selling taffy to Asian pears.

farmer’s

14 A little hard of fearing Junior Jacob Shultz, the only deaf student enrolled at PRHS this year, shares his story.

feature

41 Chopped Seniors Jake Golightly, Rebecca Libertore, and sophomore Noah Yoshida take part in a culinary cooking competition.

food

44 Do you know?

Who knows him best: Friend Spencer Silva, girlfriend Nicole Evenson, and coach Duane McRoy answer questions about senior Austin McCall.

sports

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

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News

Hope still rides: seaside to inland Amgen Bike Tour of California returns to Paso Robles

RACING WINNERS: After 138.9 miles of biking in the fifth stage of the race, three bikers from Team RadioShack pedaled into the finish line. Chris Horner, a member of Team RadioShack, won the Amgen Tour of California with an overall time of 23 hours 46 minutes and 41 seconds. Photo by Kim Boswell New construction

by Kim Boswell, Photo Essay Editor, and Amanda Hutchinson, World Editor Children clanged little yellow bells, women tried to run gracefully toward the orange rails for the best view, babies in blue strollers wailed, and photographers readied their lenses. The cheers emanating from the south side of Spring Street proclaimed the arrival of 136 men clad in yellow, orange, and blue spandex. As the procession neared, the cheer deafened, and the Amgen Tour of California returned to the heart of Paso Robles on May 19.

Five seconds, two blinks, and one blur of metal and bright colors was the reward for the days of preparation that the whole of Paso Robles underwent for the arrival of the cyclists and the media spotlight that would shine on the quiet town for approximately an hour.

High spirits were evident at PRHS on Thursday, May 19 as the schedule was a minimum day. It wasn’t finals week, or a holiday, it was only an accommodation to staff and students as the fifth stage of the Amgen Bike Tour of Calif. was scheduled to finish a race on Spring St. between 2 and 2:30 p.m.

“I encourage you all to plan your day accordingly so that you are able

to leave PRHS… and enjoy this wonderful event coming to Paso Robles,” Principal Randy Nelson told teachers in an e-mail It was announced at 1:30 p.m. that riders were ahead of schedule, but the mass crowd didn’t know much else. Countless authority figures guarded the crosswalks to direct pedestrians to either the VIP side of the road or the public area. Around 20 white VIP tents were filled with those lucky enough for a pass to shade and a good view. The rest of the community bunched around the orange gates from the 500 m sign all the way past the green finish line.

“We are honored to return as host city for the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race in 2011. Paso Robles residents came out in major support of this event in 2009 and are excited to see the race return,” Mayor Duane Picanco said according to amgentourofcalifornia.com.

A ripple effect of a cheer began well after 2:30 p.m. as Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan passed the crowd at around 45 mph. Cameras clicked and hands clapped as citizens of SLO county witnessed a piece of history. And just as fast as it came, it was over.

Packs of more riders came every minute or so, and the crowd encouraged them just as they had encouraged those in the front of the race. It wasn’t about winning or losing, it was a matter of a community coming together for an afternoon of excitement that didn’t normally grace the small town. People recognized this was something important, and they wanted to be a part of it.

“It was a really cool experience, the riders were amazing,” said junior Liz Kwiatkowski the next day.

Stage 5 winner, Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan, and his competitors traveled from the starting point between Seaside and Monterey for 138.9 miles to the normally calm streets of Paso Robles, bringing along a day of joy for local families.

The stage 5 tour was just another race to the cyclists, but the impact it created in Paso Robles was of great significance and is not soon to be forgotten.

Scholarly seniors score scholarships Seniors prepare for their futures with financial aid

by Lindsay Reed, Reporter Eager college-bound seniors waited anxiously throughout May as Senior Scholarship Night approaches and deadlines for college decisions are made. Some seniors are already at ease with the reassurance of receiving scholarships .

Senior Scholarship Awards Night Sixty four seniors have received their private invitation to the 30th annual Senior Scholarship Awards Night held at the Gil Asa Gymnasium on June 8. From December to February, over 200 college-bound students scanned the red handbook listing over 75 different scholarship opportunities offered by the community’s biggest donors including Rotary and the Paso Robles Education Alliance. That night, at 7 p.m., 100 curious students accompanied by proud parents will file into the gymnasium, awaiting the news. Some seniors will receive as many as two to five scholarships ranging from $250-5,000 a piece.

With last year bringing in over $150,000 to award to it’s departing seniors, there is hope that “this year looks like it might exceed that… we got some big ones coming in,” said Donna Webber, counseling office secretary.

Keegan Mullin— Gates Millennium Scholarship To his disbelief, senior Keegan Mullin became one of the 1,000 students a year www.crimsonnews.org

out of 25,000 applicants nationwide to receive the Gates Millennium Scholarship, representing academic achievement, community service, and leadership aspects; high SAT scores or grades weren’t at the top of the list.

When turning on his phone, stopped at a McDonalds after a week-long missions trip to Rancho de sus Ninos Orphanage near Marita, Mexico, Mullin was surprised to find a missed call and voice message from CEO of a youth arts supportive organization, Tower of Youth, William Bronston, Mullin’s mentor of two years, saying he just received “the letter” and “congratulations!”

“I was in shock. I wasn’t jumping up and down going crazy because it was just too good to be true, too good, it couldn’t possibly be,” Mullin said, who remarked that this would be the “biggest blessing ever” to his family, paying for the entirety of his education through his doctorate, taking care of Chapman University at $55,000 a year, his university of choice.

Rummage sale Eight storage units bursting at the seams with donated items, it’s the third annual rummage sale. There was one goal in mind on Apri l 30: to fund dedicated seniors for their successful future.

Paso Robles High School

Elaine Hagen, having taken over for AP English teacher Aaron Cantrell, with the help of the community, proved her third rummage sale a success.

“I wanted a way to be able to ‘pay it forward,’” Hagen said, whose son, alumn Ryan Hagen, Pepperdine graduate, was aided by the same event years ago.

With nearly 60 students and parents involved in the process, a total of 1,100 hours was spent organizing and selling the recycled items.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community and school to come together,” Hagen said, acknowledging that the generous donations from the community are what make the rummage sale successful such as last year’s total sales of $8,000.

“I look at the whole kid, not just G.P.A.,” Hagen said. “The school they’re going to doesn’t matter to me, they still need help; we want to give it to them.”

Recipients are determined by their help at the sale, other community involvement, and later, interviews with the scholarship applicants. Scholarships range from $75-900, enough to cover text books.

With 25 names in contention, Hagen and her crew are still in the process of selecting the winners and the amount they will receive. Winners will be announced at Senior Scholarship Awards Night.

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

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News

Packing for the future

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: The new Visual and Performing Arts Academy is expected to be finished by spring break 2012.

The new theater will seat 250 attendants.

Photo used with permission of Ashley Lightfoot

New construction leads to new prospects

by Olivia Musial, Food Co-Editor

Room 510 will no longer be a home for jetés, pirouettes, and chaînés next year as dance and other teachers are relocated for the construction of the new Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VAPA). Dance and leadership teacher Jennifer Bedrosian is one of over 25 teachers moving rooms during the 2011-2012 school year.

Construction on what is currently the Activity Center is expected to begin on June 20, and the VAPA part of construction is expected to be finished by spring break 2012. VAPA is being paid for in part by Measure T, which was passed in November 2006, and by a Career Technical Education (CTE) grant from the state. Similar grants are being used to build the Information Tech and Construction Tech Academies and the Agricultural Tech Academy.

“We’re essentially going to take a ‘multipurpose room’ and turn it into a performing arts theater. The square footage will not change much. However, there will be fixed, tiered theater seating and the stage proscenium will be opened up and extended forward for a larger performing area,” Ashley Lightfoot said, Director of Operations and Facilities.

With the new construction comes a new move for Bedrosian and her three dance classes. Beginning, intermediate, and advance dance will all be moved to the aerobics room while the construction takes place on the Activity Center. Both Bedrosian and dancers will have challenges next year as the aerobics room, has flooring similar to the Gil Asa Gymnasium, unlike the dance room’s cushioned floors specifically made for dancers.

“The dance room is made for dancers. The aerobics room is made for sports that wear tennis shoes not bare feet, jazz

Amgen Bike Tour

shoes, or socks,” junior Cayla Cavalletto said, who has been in Jazz ‘n’ Company for three years.

The move will also affect P.E. classes because they use the aerobics room as a place to hold class, especially in bad weather.

“We will really be intruding on the P.E. classes next fall and winter. As far as teaching is concerned, I may have to change up some of the way I work the units to allow P.E. some time in the aerobics room as well. We are going to work together to come up with a cohesive solution,” said Bedrosian, who taught P.E. for nine years before she took her current position as dance teacher.

The VAPA facility could bring new life for many of the programs at PRHS, including dance. With the prospects of having a theater designed to hold 250 attendees and have backstage access for performers, dance and drama will be able to put on bigger shows without having to move to a bigger space like the Templeton Performing Arts Center, where the annual dance show is held.

“Hopefully we will not have to spend $2,500 on a dance show at Templeton Performing Arts Center and be able to hold our show in the Activity Center. It would open up more funds for us to have better props and costumes,” said Bedrosian, who plans Jazz ‘n’ Co’s annual dance show.

With the end of this school year comes the beginning of a new era for performing arts classes as they look forward to the new Visual and Performing Arts Academy.

The Accountability Movement begins

Correlation between involvement in school and student success

by Alicia Canales, Managing Editor, and Kellie Kennan, Graphics Editor

History teacher Mark Bradford and a team of 11 teachers are proposing the Parent Teacher Accountability Movement, an effort to improve parent-teacherstudent relationships and simultaneously address the increase in discipline issues observed throughout the year. While a minority of students causes the majority of these issues, teachers are working on getting students involved in school with parental support.

The state mandates a 90 percent graduation rate to escape Program Improvement. Bradford stated hearing Paso now has an 89.7 percent graduation pass rate was “what you could call the last straw.”

“This [group] is a bunch of people who have great ideas…and we want to make this school a better place, and we’re going to do something about it,” Bradford said.

The Accountability Movement includes a mandatory orientation for parents and students before class registration. The (revised) Parent-Student Handbook will also be explained to parents. Sixty three of the 68 teachers who attended the meeting agreed to volunteer before school to connect more with parents and students. Current Accountability Movement meetings are discussing what grade levels will be required to attend in August.

“It’s not for the school to point a finger at the parents and say ‘you should do this and that,’ but rather that we’re working in cooperation with parents…We as teachers cannot do this alone, nor should we,” Bradford said. “Raising America’s youth is not our responsibility. That’s primarily the parents’ responsibility…the

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

other component is that parents want to be included…to feel welcome.”

Another reason for the movement is the “climate,” according to Bradford, who has noticed issues with “discipline, trash talk, fighting, disrespect toward one another, and disrespect toward teachers.”

Counselor Mike Moore also believes that “student apathy” plays a large role.

“If a student is apathetic…it raises questions. Why is that? Why are they apathetic?” he said. “If they’ve always been struggling, at some point there’s going to be a fatigue. You just get tired trying, because ‘It’s not getting any better for me.’”

He attributes the decline in morale also to lack of support for students, saying the only official “support group” on campus he’s aware of is a grief group run

by Hospice.

However, Moore wishes to point out the bright side.

“There are some really neat things going on in this campus that I think, and I hope, will pay some dividends down the road in a couple of years,” Moore said. “If you can get involved in a club or an activity or a sport or something, you’re more likely to keep your grades up.”

Moore said he “[has] not seen a better group of people trying to motivate a school” than Leadership teachers Geoff Land, Jennifer Bedrosian, and the Leadership group.

Assistant Principal Ed Brown agreed some issues, such as drug busts, have Paso Robles High School

gotten worse.

“Last year, we would maybe bust one or two kids a month. This year we bust two kids a week. It’s almost like clockwork,” Brown said. “We had a lot of fights this year, too…the beginning of the year—wow. The first day, we had a fight … [and] in the last three weeks, we’ve probably arrested four kids. Out in handcuffs.”

But Brown points out that about 2 percent of students cause most of the trouble, and he regularly works with about 10 percent of students. He describes the current state of the school as a “dichotomy.”

“I love those kids. They just make bad choices…the amount of kids carrying baggage around here is incredible,” Brown said. “They’re living with grandparents, they’re living with their aunt or uncle. We have kids that are homeless. Those kids, for the most part, really maintain, and it’s amazing to me…there’s a whole subculture of kids that just have it hard but come to school and take care of business. Those are the kids that I’m always the most proud of.”

When it comes to issues, he said “it always is [the case]” that not being involved in school is related to disciplinary issues, and “academically high students aren’t out there fighting very often.” Brown also commented that “Paso kids are still really good kids, so the parents are doing something right, for the most part.”

Depending on future Accountability Movement meetings, student-teacherparent relationships, school spirit, and discipline issues are hoped to be improved. www.crimsonnews.org

q&

News

with next year’s class presidents

After students took part in school wide democracy, 1,363 votes were counted on Thursday, May 5 as current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors voted for the 2011-2012 class presidents, vice presidents, and ASB officers. Crimson sat down with senior class president Elizabeth Kerr, junior class president Danica Boggs, and sophomore class president Sarah Matthews to get a preview of what they have in store for next year.

Senior class president Elizabeth Kerr Crimson: What does it mean to you to be a class president?

C: What is your favorite thing about PRHS and its students?

Kerr: I think it means to set an example and be responsible because there’are a lot of activities I need to plan and because I’m representing the senior class. I can’t let them down, I have to work really hard to make senior week and graduation fun.

C: What are your goals as class president?

K: I love the way that our school has so many programs where students can excel and strive for excellence. It’s not just one part of our school like athletics and academics, it’s little things like Leadership, Journalism and all the clubs on campus. We have so many talented students and dedicated staff, it’s a really cool feeling to know our school is so amazing.

C: What are other experiences you have had as a leader?

K: Upping the school spirit. I’ve noticed Leadership has been working really hard on that. We’re going to this school, we might as well enjoy that, because we have a really good school.

Junior class president Danica Boggs

Crimson: What does it mean to you to be a class president?

Boggs: It means a lot, I’m really proud that my peers voted me into that position and that they trust me to plan their prom and I’m really determined to do a good job.

C: How many posters did you put up, and was there a lot of competition between you and Jonathan [Kleinman]?

B: [I put up] eighty. Jonathan, Aidan [Farrel], Angela[Sandoval] and I are all friends so it became a friendly competition; and we even joked around before about how it wasn’t about who won anymore, it was about the posters.

K: I’ve been cheer captain [for basketball], sophomore class treasurer, and junior class secretary. Also, I was on a committee that planned a regional youth conference for over 400 youth; I learned a ton. We had to find housing for people and feed everyone, so planning senior week should be easier.

Teacher farewells

C: What is PRHS in need of in your opinion?

B: We are in need of even more school spirit. I think MORP helped kick that off because people went to the dance and enjoyed it, but with even more activities in addition to what Leadership has been doing will be even better.

C: What is your favorite thing about PRHS and its students?

B: I like how many students get involved in activities and how at our school we have a lot of different groups. Like there are the athletes who are really good at what they do, journalism who are really good at what they do, the dancers are good at what they do, and the band is good. We have a lot of variety.

C: What are you most excited to do as a class president?

K: As a junior class president [I] plan prom so that’s what I’m most excited about.

Angela and I are planning to form a prom committee.

Sophomore class president Sarah Matthews Crimson: When/Why did you decide to campaign this year?

Matthews: I decided at the beginning of the year when I won for freshman class president because I love being in a leadership position and helping out the school, so it seemed like the best choice for me.

C: What can you offer PRHS as a class president?

M: I can offer more ideas for fundraising by involving the whole school and not just limiting it to our class, because I think of fundraising as getting other people to contribute and not just our class.

C: What are other experiences you have had as a leader?

M: I am in the youth symphony and I have leadership roles in that as principle second violin and that is a leadership part because I run the section. Also, being freshman class president helped a lot because people already knew that I was elected and what I was doing for the school with fundraisers.

C: What are your goals as class president?

M: My goals are to unite the sophomore class as one instead of having “cliques.” I want people to come together and have pride in their school and their class.

Photos by Laura Callahan

www.crimsonnews.org

—Laura Callahan, News Co-Editor Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

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Retirement

Teacher Farewells Mickey Cook

Years coaching: 29

Subjects Taught: PE and Math Class presidents

Crimson: What will you miss most about being a coach?

Cook: I’ll miss the interaction with the athletes. I’ll miss the competition. I’ll miss the progress that is observed with the athletes that I coach and seeing them improve over time. I’ll miss being able to share all of my “Blonde Jokes”.

C: What are some of your best memories working with the athletes?

Cook: Working with athletes who began as freshmen and helping them become highly successful as seniors. Sometimes the best memories have nothing to do with athletics, but have to do with kids simply growing-up, maturing, and finding success as individuals when they graduate.

C: Do you plan on being involved with Bearcat sports in the future?

Cook: Coach Huff, Keating, and Stansbury can provide whatever direction or advice is needed to the new coach. I’ll be a spectator and just enjoy the action from the sideline.

Scott Larson

As seniors celebrate the end of high school, some teachers are awaiting the end of their high school career as well.

Four teachers and coaches are retiring this year compared to the seven last year.

Velva Hakim

Years teaching: 33 Years coaching: 33

Years teaching: 36

Subjects Taught: AP U.S. History, U.S. History

Crimson: What is your best memory from teaching at PRHS?

Crimson: What will you miss most about being a coach?

H: One year I had a student stay after every single day in class, with a friend of his, and bring me an apple after the class had left and say, “Thank you for being my teacher today.” Every day. And I had him for the whole year because we had two semesters.

Those kinds of things are just so sweet!

Subjects Taught: English 10, 12

Larson: I think it’s the team part of accomplishing something, getting better over time together. Being the head of a program, that’s always fun to look back at.

C: How do you feel the basketball program has evolved over the years?

L: We went from being very disorganized to winning games and championships.

But the best part of the experience is seeing guys I’ve coached go on to make something of themselves, whether on the court or off. I’ve had a couple [players] go to places like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, and have proved they can do well in all parts of their life.

C: Do you plan on being involved in PRHS athletics in the future?

L: I’ve decided in the past couple weeks I’ll be helping Heidi Sil with the varsity basketball girls next year.

C: What are you going to miss the most about PRHS? H: I’ll miss seeing the students’ faces light up when they discover that they’ve done something really awesome. I’ll definitely miss people coming in and telling me what they’ve read lately. I guess it’s the wonder I get to see—their wonder, their amazement at what they’ve learned.

C: Are there any words you would like to leave with the students?

H: Their desire for education comes from within themselves. Intrinsic motivation is the most important for them. You can’t be given what you’re not willing to fight for.

Don’t you find that when you want to learn something, you can’t be stopped?

Brian Kerr

Years teaching: 31 Years coaching: 31 Subjects Taught: Health

Crimson: What are you going to miss most about coaching basketball?

K: Being called “Coach”, it is a title that I revere. I’ll miss the relationship that a coach has with his players. The player and the coach have common goals: skill improvement, fun, representing our school and town well, doing your best, and teamwork.

C: How would you sum up your time coaching at PRHS? K: It has been a great privilege to work with so many awesome young people and to be a small part of Bearcat athletics since 1982.

C: Are there any words you’d like to leave with your players?

K: I’d like them to remember the life lessons that are learned through sports: Hard work pays off. Adversity can be overcome, and it can make you stronger.

—Sinead Schouten, Sports Co-Editor, Kellie Kennan, Graphic Editor, and Emily Grandoli, Business Team Photos by Torey Wise, Clarisse Dart, and Emily Grandoli

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

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Editorial

The palette paves the way Get involved and paint your story

by Alicia Canales, Managing Editor, and Monica Patel, Editor-In-Chief Summer vacation is approaching. The weather’s getting Does involvement in like and what you’re passionate about,” Geoff Land said, who warmer. Teachers are starting to pack up their classrooms. And activities provide an has been advising Leadership for two years. Land has witnessed students are reflecting on the last nine months—or we hope enjoyable high school approximately 10 new clubs form since he has been Leadership they are. adviser. experience?

Crimson Though the school year is almost finished, Crimson suggests Other results that form are relationships. Being a part of staff votes. reflecting on everything from Aug. 28, 2010 to now. What did extracurricular activities creates a sense of belonging and you do this year? Did you enjoy school? Do you want next year support which are vital to the development of a young teen, to be even better? If you answered “nothing,” “no,” and “yes,” according to Rojas. By being a contributing member in a group Crimson would like to share something we’ve learned over time: activity, students are reinforced positively.

Agree: 23 participation is vital to surviving and enjoying school.

“Often students that aren't in any school programs or activities Wait a minute—high school can be enjoyable? Yes. High are likely to get into trouble because they have idle time and school is a blank canvas open for all students to paint—using often don't have exposure to positive activities to engage in. more than just the primary colors and academic classes.

Consequently, they do things that reinforce negativity because Immersion in the opportunities offered these four years will some negative attention is better than none,” Rojas said.

Disagree: 0 create an eclectic palette that will serve students for the rest Buck-Moyer agrees that teens have so much energy that of their life. Students mold themselves into the adults they will if they are not involved in something worthwhile, they will be become by the contributions made at high school. involved in something else.

“School can be boring if all you do is come and leave. I try Participation doesn’t end with just high school. Seniors to find a ‘spark’ for a kid—something they really like or want to do and try to match will have even more opportunities and colors to choose from whether they attend it with something we have here at school. Then school can be something you look college or enter the workforce. Colleges have many specific clubs and programs where forward to,” counselor Sandra Buck-Moyer said, who counsels approximately 475 students can participate. Working students will have the chance of partaking in union PASO students. activities.

PARTICIPATION: With 32 clubs and programs offered, everybody should be able to get involved in “I think it’s true whether you’re an adult or a student, anywhere you live, you get By getting involved something. Some students like helping people. Key Club, Leo’s Club, and Leadership out of life what you put into it. And so students who are willing to step out of their in school activities reach out to the community. Others work with their hands and are involved with ROP comfort zone and take risks will find that the rewards are amazing and it can actually such as the Indoor classes and SkillsUSA. be life changing and can set a direction in life,” Land said.

Soccer Tournament, students, like junior Counselor Xelina Rojas stresses creativity for students: if there isn’t something Regardless of which phase you are enduring, time is of the essence. Enjoy summer you can “belong” to, perhaps you can make it happen by creating something new. All and envision what awaits you in the Fall whether you’re still at PRHS or not. But most Elias Stokes, can have a a more fun and lively students need is an adviser, club president, vice president, and secretary, she said. importantly, capture this vision. high school career.

“High school is a great time to jump in and test the waters and find out what you Photo illustration by Kelly Munns

Farmer’s Market

Letters to Crimson I am a concerned student here at Paso High and have noticed first hand the drug issue that has infected our “safe school environment.” The drugs that I’ve seen passed, traded, sold, smoked, chewed and consumed include marijuana, tobacco, ecstasy, and several false imitations of cannabis that do not show up on drug tests.

The surprising amounts of contraband substances take their toll on the students. Some drugs such as marijuana blur the will to care about grades and the future, while most drastic drugs, ecstasy for example, drop the developing brain into the deep fryer. Others, like tobacco, both cigarettes and chew are

simply disgusting and cancer inducing.

More cameras would assist the security members in the task of singling out the people that spit onto our would-be clean halls along with eyeing out potential drug deals. Most of the drug deals are marijuana, which has a strong scent, so I suggest bringing a drug dog about once a month to campus.

Along with the above solutions, an “Amnesty for Honesty” program would let students inform authority of drug users and dealers without getting in trouble themselves for their affiliation with that person. Students often want to inform administration but are fearful that they would go down with the people that the

Monica Patel

Editor-in-Chief Center Co-Editor Senior Destinations

Alicia Canales Managing Editor Front Page Editor Super Seniors

Paul Cleland

Managing Editor Opinion Co-Editor Baby Photos

information is about. A system in which students could anonymously give information would benefit the cleanliness of the campus because they do not want to be labeled as a “snitch” by their peers.

There are many solutions and paths to go about making PRHS a drug-free school, but please do not be disillusioned that what we have now is working.

Sincerely, Taylor Smeltzer, 9

Maddison Coons Managing Editor Center Co-Editor Senior Destinations

Jeff Mount Advisor

www.crimsonnews.org 801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, CA 93446

Kim Kim Boswell Boswell Photo Essay Editor Kim Boswell Photo Essay Editor Photo Essay Editor

Emily Emily Cone Cone Opinion Co-Editor Emily Cone Opinion Co-Editor Opinion Co-Editor

Amanda Hutchinson Amanda Hutchinson World EditorHutchinson Amanda World Editor

Olivia Musial OliviaCo-Editor Musial Food Olivia Musial Food Co-Editor

Brielle Brielle Silletti Silletti Reporter Brielle Silletti Reporter

Madison Madison Butz Butz Reporter Madison Butz Reporter Reporter

Clarisse Clarisse Dart Dart Reporter Clarisse Dart Reporter

Nicolette Jolicoeur Nicolette Jolicoeur Culture EditorJolicoeur Nicolette Culture Editor

Josh Josh Orcutt Orcutt Reporter Josh Orcutt Reporter Reporter

Sarah Wilson Sarah Wilson A&E Co-Editor Sarah Wilson A&E Co-Editor

Laura Callahan LauraCo-Editor Callahan News Laura Callahan News Co-Editor News Co-Editor

Shanna Dowling ShannaEditor Dowling In-Depth Shanna Dowling In-Depth Editor

Kellie Kellie Kennan Kennan Graphics Editor Kellie Kennan Graphics Editor Graphics Editor

C.J. C.J. Prusi Prusi Food Co-Editor C.J. Prusi Food Co-Editor Food Co-Editor

Kathryn Wingfield Kathryn Wingfield Feature Editor Kathryn Wingfield Feature Editor

Andrew Chang AndrewCo-Editor Chang Sci-Tech Andrew Chang Sci-Tech Co-Editor Sci-Tech Co-Editor

Aryn Fields ArynCo-Editor Fields A&E Aryn Fields A&E Co-Editor

Serina Serina Lewis Lewis Business Team Serina Lewis Business Team

Lindsay Reed Lindsay Reed Photo Editor Lindsay Reed Photo Editor

Torey Wise ToreyCo-Editor Wise Sports Torey Wise Sports Co-Editor

Dakota Cleland DakotaCo-Editor Cleland Sci-Tech Dakota Cleland Sci-Tech Co-Editor

Emily Emily Grandoli Grandoli Business Team Emily Grandoli Business Team

Kelly Kelly Munns Munns Editorial Editor Kelly Munns Editorial Editor

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Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

7

Farmer's

Road less traveled

A new trend in local produce sparks interest among the health conscious

by Brielle Silletti, Reporter

The palette paves the way

Grocers are no longer the only people interested in the distances food travels. A sudden increase of people who eat locally grown food has so materialized, that the New Oxford American Dictionary crowned the term “locavore” as 2007 Word of the Year defining it as a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food, according to oxforddictionaries.com.

In Paso Robles, Farmer’s Market and restaurants such as Artisan and Thomas Hill Organics, whose menus feature local and organic produce, support the new trend of local seekers in the community.

On Highway 46 West, an old barn with rustic brown exterior and oversized interstate sign that clearly reads “Farmstand 46” is anything but conventional. Owned by sophomore Hunter Judy’s parents, Farmstand 46 is an organic deli with an outdoor pizza oven that sells produce directly from the family garden.

Eighty percent of the food sold is from local venues such as Pasolivo Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which won several medals in the annual International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition in

Los Angeles. “[Local food] is so much better; after a while you can taste the difference and there are no preservatives because it doesn’t have to travel to far places,” Judy said, who will work the register and learn to make sandwiches at the deli this summer.

Supermarkets such as Vons would rather define “local” food as anything grown in California. Michelle Rollins, produce manager of Vons of Paso Robles, believes when it comes to supermarkets, local is not always fresher.

“All produce still has to travel to our Santa Fe Springs warehouse first, before it is shipped out to every Vons supermarket in California. You’re probably accepting the fact when you come here that it won’t be from your neighbors’ tree in their backyard,” Rollins said as she unpacked that week’s shipment of potatoes onto a cart.

However, Rollins admits she has one “local” food: seedless Valencia oranges grown in Cayucos, which prove annually popular as they are “really juicy” and “sweet.” When questioned, Rollins claimed their irresistability is due to the sought after

seedless Valencia variety rather than because they are local.

“Customers do respond to [California grown]. California this, California that…some customers don’t even care, they just buy whatever is cheap,” Rollins said, shrugging her shoulders.

Food will travel an average of 1,500 miles before reaching customer’s plates, according to locavores.com.

“This globalization of the food supply has serious consequences for the environment, our health, our communities, and our tastebuds,” locavores.com states, particularly why locavores seek out food that has traveled shortestest distances.

“The strawberries are super red, the egg yolk is brighter, the tomatoes are much bigger and the customers say it is more delicious overall,” self-proclaimed locavore, junior Aisha Hernandez said, comparing store bought to her family’s food from the Hernandez Larsen Family Farm.

To discover whether the proclaimed benefits of local food ring true, or are simply overrated, visit the Paso Robles Farmer’s Market held on Tuesdays 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the city park, open to the public. Bon appétit!

Farmers following the forms Paso’s Farmer’s Market has standards

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Culture Editor

SELECTING THE SWEETEST: (above) Produce vendor selects the reddest strawberries to sell to his eager customers.

WHITTLING WONDER: (right) Craft vendor stands proud to the left of his handiwork of wood carvings and tools.

Photos by Lindsay Reed

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

The downtown Paso Robles on Saturday morning, is sprinkled with white, striped, red, green, and blue pop-up tents by 9 a.m. A hat making booth, a strawberry stand, and a taffy stand all line up around each other, following the bends in the sidewalk. To the uninformed eye, these different stands would all appear to have to follow the same rules, but this is not the case.

For the different selection of vendors, there are different guidelines they have to follow. Farmers have to be stateregulated certified producers by filling out an elaborate application online with a fee of $60 and go through the San Luis Obispo Agriculture department. Farmers also must follow health department codes set by the state to ensure the customers health.

Craft requirements are different than food products.

Products sold during Farmer’s Market must be the vendors’ own. No price regulation means that craft vendors are expected to have honest and fair pricing set by themselves.

Food producers must follow county and government rules on selling food along with packaging it. Dorothy of Paso Robles High School

Dave’s Dogs has been going to Farmer’s Market for eight years. “[Farmer’s Market] is a great place to meet your neighbors and to buy locally,” she said.

Smiling Oranges is a 30 acre farm in Exeter, Calif. The company’s representative, Vonnie Cary, says the regulations help because the food goes “straight from the farmer to the public,” Cary said. “Farmer’s Market is basically the community coming together.”

The infamous Grandma Bonnie, a 15 year veteran of the Paso at the Park and involved with PRHS boosters, creates interesting crafts such as “redneck” wine glasses, a microwave potato bag and wienie washers. Bonnie’s favorite part of farmers market is “I get to the house and visit.” “[Farmer’s Market] isn’t for the money. I get to get out and socialize,” Bonnie said.

Although the money paid to Farmer’s Market owners is only $10 a year and 10 percent of money earned, the vendors at Farmer’s Market set up the booth, sell the products, and have fun doing it. www.crimsonnews.org

Saturday sugar & sun

Farmer's

PRHS girls experience the sweeter side of Paso Robles Farmer’s Market

by Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor From weddings hosted by Martha Stewart to Monday the sweets are mixed, heated, and pulled a click away online, taffy sold by PRHS students into 30-pound batches for the week ahead. Sixty keeps a local touch. After all, Farmer’s Market is in pounds of sugar and a huge melting pot later, the town. strands are cut, weighed, and wrapped up neatly, It was one of those classic small-town things that each labeled according to its flavor. The hottest just branched out, junior Katie East explained. sellers are watermelon, peppermint, strawberry, Local Alicia Himelson got together with the and cheesecake series. neighbor down the street, family friends, a handful After being processed, the taffy sits in ovenof others, and bam a quaint booth downtown was like heaters in order to keep the right consistency. born.

But some interesting things can happen when the East, along with sophomores Julia Heaston weather decides to act up at the market. and Chelsea Witman, play the Saturday crowds “One time we showed up in the morning, and selling homemade taffy. Arriving at 8:30 a.m. it was 39 degrees,” Heaston remembers. “Me and in the morning to an empty city park, by 9 a.m.

Kate had showed up only with little jackets because the table is set, the shelves propped up, and the we thought it would get warmer later, but even at 1 crowds streaming by. Neat rows of dried fruits and p.m. it was only 37 degrees. The taffy ended up so vegetables sit in their display off to the side, while cold there was actually ice in the middle!” the main table is filled with boxes of colorful, cigarBecause of the temperamental nature of the shaped tubes. A rainbow of over 40 flavors waits, TAFFY TO DIE FOR: Junior Katie East and sophomores Julia Heaston and Chelsea Witman sell over 40 flavors at candy, the girls don’t sell during the summer the Farmer’s Market each Saturday at the downtown park. Their favorite part about what they do is interacting with months. The taffy would melt right in their inviting passersby to try a sample. customers. Photo by Lindsay Reed The lively sight attracts the girls’ favorite part of packages under the hot Paso sun. The stand can’t the market experience: the visitors themselves. be found all year long in its usual spot, the hint of rareness makes the treat a little sweeter.

“The people can always be interesting. One guy came up wanting to charm his way into free candy And while the promise of a paycheck might be the only motivation for some, the girls insist that isn’t and he tried for about 10 to 15 minutes. He complimented us and said, ‘Since I’m in the army, don’t I get what drives them. Although the weekend hours give people like East a nice “something more a discount?’, trying to talk his way to taffy. He eventually just bought some dried veggies,” East finished to carry,” she agrees with her coworkers: Washingtons aren’t the main concern. The reward has with a laugh. always been seeing all the smiling faces walking by.

Although East and Witman aren’t directly involved with making the taffy itself and Heaston has “It’s not really about the money for me; I just really enjoy working at it. I love to see all the Intelligence: nature or only done it over summer, they still have close ties to the group. Witman’s aunt and East’s and Heaston’s people and interact with them. Everyone who works at the market is wonderful, fun to be around. nurture mothers make the taffy along with a handful of other women who are friends of Himelson. Every It's an awesome job, I am lucky to be able to have the chance to work it.”

Perfect family pear

Selling uncommon fruit for the common good of the community

by Laura Callahan, News Co-Editor Booming buisiness, thriving produce, and cheerful crowds. Farmer’s Market is the place to be on a Saturday morning for central coast locals including sophomore Matt Kwiatkowski and junior Liz Kwiatkowski.

For the Kwiatkowski’s farm, it all began 15 years ago with 20 acres and a rather uncommon crop. Farmer’s Market isn’t just a summer job, it’s a life style.

Including the Kwiatkowskis there are at least five students at PRHS that participate in the local Farmer’s Market, but what sets Matt and Liz apart is their passion and dedication to providing healthy alternatives to the community. The Kwiatkowskis take part in Farmer’s Market through the North County Famers Association, selling rare Asian pears at markets in Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, Cayucos, Cambria, Morro Bay, and Los Osos as much as eight times a week.

“Asian pears are not a common fruit, they have them in grocery stores but they only sell the one type out of 26 varieties. Asian pears are a really fragile food they are really good and healthy, but the skins bruise really easily,” Liz said, whose family began selling four varieties of Asian pears when their orchard “started taking off”, surpassing the success of the wine portion of their marketing. The Kwiatkowskis grow their own grapes and then allow independent workers to harvest and produce the grapes into wine, splitting the profits 50/50.

As the siblings grow older, their responsibilities become greater according to Matt. “I help out with market by setting up the canopy and putting out the fruit. Now that I’m older I can do more so my sister and I run the whole [market] sometimes,” Matt said, who typically earns

around $8 an hour.

Inspired by graphics teacher Jeff Mount, Liz has chosen to focus on advertising their Farmer’s Market business by creating signs that draw attention to their booth.

“I figured out how to make some really cute attractive signs for famers market to advertise our pears. I help out with designing and advertising.

We have this sign with a painted pear with a smiling face and little kids will come up and hug it,” Liz said, who has been participating in markets since she was six years old.

Although Matt and Liz share the same understanding for the necessity of the business aspect of farmers market, both agree the most they have learned from their experiences has been through the personable side of enterprising.

“Not only is it a farming experience and learning how to market our crops but it’s not like a main supermarket where people buy frozen foods.

At farmers you get to meet people that are concerned about eating good food and fresh vegetables. We get to meet some really nice people, to talk, and be open. It’s a lot more personal,” Liz said.

Matt has “met people that speak French and doesn’t even know what they’re saying” but says it has been one of the best experiences he had at the market in Morro Bay. Through Farmer’s Markets, the Kwiatkowski family has planted a seed of goodness on the central coast and with much love are watching it prosper.

Photos by Lindsay Reed

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Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

9

In-Depth

A the

chip old

off

cerebrum

by Shanna Dowling, In-Depth Editor

Farmer’s Market

Beneath 100,000 follicles on the human head, past the 20,000 cone-shaped pores on the exterior of the face, and below the tough enamel of the skull—the brain’s keeper— lay endless similarities twisted into over 30,000 genes inside the human body, sculpting each individual into a rare and precious concoction of their parents’ physical features.

But beyond the shallow inheritance of traits visible to the meager eye lies a deeply rooted well of debate: the source of intelligence.

For over 14 decades, the science of intelligence has been under hot debate by differing studies—is it truly inherited through genes? Is it solely learned by the individual?

The quest for understanding human intelligence began primitive as scientific studies often do. After reading Darwin’s “Origin of Species” in 1865, British psychologist Francis Galton was convinced that matters of intelligence were the solitary result of “good genes” being passed down generation by generation. His one-sided beliefs led a movement advocating selective parenting for the improvement of intelligence in the human race as a whole, “[he] even [went] so far as to advocate human breeding restrictions to curtail the breeding of the ‘feeble-minded,’” according to Indiana.edu.

Flip forward 146 years.

Today, the understanding of the brain and its functions has exponentially grown. Scientists have done away with radical movements

such as Galton’s and put their fingers on the way the brain retains information, the way parents carry specific genes and pass them to their offspring, but the foundation of brainpower is still somewhat of an enigma.

“Intelligence results from how our neurons are connected. When you learn something new, what has actually happened in your brain is that a new pathway amongst neurons has been established. In order for this to happen, the learner needs to have a memorable experience.

Their environment needs to be stimulating in the right way,” Biology teacher Dave Boicourt said, who believes that intelligence is “35 percent nature, 65 percent nurture.”

Neurons are formed in the fetal stage at 250,000 per minute and by the time an infant is born; they will have already acquired all of the neurons they will ever have, according to an article on developmental psychology by Mesa Community College.

So, what does all of this mean? Science communicates that your genes are responsible for forming the neurons in your brain, but you and your environment are responsible for stimulating them in the correct way in order to expand your knowledge.

“All you inherit from your parents are the neurons and some basic “hard wiring.” It’s like buying a new computer. It comes with an operating system and some software, but the “user” has to create the product,” Boicourt said.

However, some view one’s environment as a detriment to intelligence rather than a means to create connections through the synapses of your brain.

“Environmental factors are more apt to degrade than to enhance our mental processes. The built-in degradation of mental processes is the result of entropy, the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This Law of Nature stipulates that all physical and physiological processes exhibit a constant degradation of order and a constant increase in randomness,” according to rationality.net, which explains the sluggish disrepair of health and mind with passing age.

With so many opinions and facts and studies swirling around in conversation, on the news, popping up on your computer screen, reality becomes ambiguous. Who is right? Who is wrong? It’s tough to say, but for sophomore JD Maciel, his academic frustrations and experiences do not fall far from the tree.

“I’ve always had trouble in math; I just blank out, and don’t know what’s going on. Math is my mom’s hardest subject, too; my mother and I are like twins. Everything I’ve [gone] through, she’s had the same experiences,” Maciel said, who believes that genetics “play a huge role” in his intelligence.

A concern of inherited DNA, or a matter of manipulating neurons through your environment to boost your brainpower? You decide.

Graphic illustrations by Monica Patel and Maddison Coons

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

In-Depth

The voice of many Unions must represent teachers

by Olivia Musial, Food Co-Editor “Our union is our voice,” Stephen Arnette said passionately as he discussed the importance and value that teacher unions, including Paso Robles Public Educators (PRPE), serve in the rocky imbalance of California’s current education system.

Every month teachers from all over the district come together to discuss the issues that face both teachers and students, and to collaborate on ideas such as tenure, teacher evaluations, and furlough days to put forth before the school board.

Teacher unions including PRPE play a vital role in expressing the beliefs of all teachers. With the governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker threatening to cut collective bargaining rights of public employee unions, it has become an obligatory duty for community members to stand up for their salaries, job education, and students.

“I can discuss administrative matters with my colleagues. Without the union, there is no voice for teachers,” said Arnette, who has taught English for 33 years.

Because of PRPE’s campaign earlier in the school year, PRHS coaches and advisers were paid this year.

“The school board voted to eliminate coaching stipends. We filed a grievance which restored their stipends. The end result could have been no sports this year,” history teacher Robert Skinner said, PRPE Treasurer.

Union meetings give teachers the opportunity to discuss controversial matters such as tenure, which can create the opportunity for ineffective teachers to have a job while some effective teachers are getting pink slipped. However, tenure is not actually established at the high school level; a permanent contract is given to teachers after an average of three years of working in the district.

“Tenure allows for academic freedom and protects due process rights. It does not protect ‘bad teachers.’ Any and every teacher is subject to dismissal according to the contract and due process rules,” Jim Lynett said, who is president of PRPE and has taught for 37 years.

Teachers feel evaluations by administration deserve scrutiny.

“Ineffective evaluations by administrators who have failed to do their jobs have resulted in the retention of ineffective teachers,” said one anonymous teacher in a survey of 54 PRHS teachers. Simply put, it is the administrators’ job to make sure that effective teachers are being kept on the job.

It is in the best interest of both students and teachers if teachers are evaluated on a wide-based criteria and effectively monitored.

PRPE understands that reforms to the current evaluation system need to take place. “[Our goals] include supporting our last negotiated agreement with the district administration that included reform of our evaluation system and streamlining our contract,” Lynett said of PRPE’s goals for the 2011-2012 school year.

To be fair, the school board, which negotiates with PRPE throughout the year, is working to find new, effective ways of evaluating teachers.

“I think we have room to improve. Teachers and administrators need to do work in this area, and we are doing that by developing a new evaluation instrument which is aligned to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession,” superintendent Kathleen Mcnamara said.

The ability for teachers to voice their concerns to the school board and superiors is essential to keep every voice heard. With the most recent meeting, on May 2, PRPE teachers spent over 90 minutes discussing the possibility of furlough days for the 2011-2012 school year. If the five furlough days were taken off, it would essentially cause a 2.5 percent cut in teachers’ salaries, an average of $1250 pay cut.

“Our hope is that furlough days will not be necessary because every furlough day is a pay cut and those cuts impact our local economy. Both Atascadero and Lucia Mar school districts have already settled their contracts for next school year (20112012) without including any furlough days,” Lynett said of the potential downfalls of furlough days.

PRPE walks a tight rope as it tries to negotiate for teachers and also cooperate with the district and a shrinking budget.

“It is not easy to balance the needs of the 325 Paso Robles teachers. There are sometimes conflicting agendas, but our executive board, negotiations team, and I always try to put the best interests of all first and foremost,” Lynett said.

Teacher unions including PRPE work to secure the rights and protections of one of the most important professions: education. In a time of recession and budget cuts, it is essential that unions work efficiently to keep the rights and liberties of their members heard. www.crimsonnews.org

nk i h t o t t Wha l a n o i t a en h t t u o b a y n i t u r c s l and loca nions u r e h c a e of t ith w e l o r ir and the ors? at r t s i n i adm

–

There is a precarious balance concerning the bargaining power of teacher unions and improper control over the education system. A tilt too far in either direction on the teetering seesaw of power between teachers and administration would undoubtedly do harm as changes would only favor one side over the other. “[A] union’s purpose is to work in the best interest of the rank and file,” principal Randy Nelson said, who then clarifies that he doesn’t have an opinion on whether they have or not.

Recently, attention has been directed to the Wisconsin unions, who display radical behavior.

One would think that union leaders should be in control but executive director of Wisconsin State Employees Union Marty Beil himself participates in the mudslinging, accusing governor Scott Walker of engaging in “the worlds oldest profession” (prostitution) and calling a former democratic state senate president “a whore.”

While it is important to not mix up our local unions, such as Paso Robles Public Educators (PRPE) with these extremists, PRPE has made some questionable decisions regarding bell schedule and evaluation goals.

One example of PRPE exercising too much authority? When Superintendent Kathleen Mcnamara met with teachers on Monday, May 23 to discuss possible changes in 2012 to the trimester system. Reportedly, a majority of teachers favor changing the current schedule, but many PRHS staff members are concerned that PRPE is not representing their interests and intending to remain on the same system. Union opinions should be consistent with that of the majority.

“Unions are said to protect teachers from vindictive administrators, but unions seem, to me, to exist to serve themselves,” one PRHS teacher said.

Unions are also responsible for the hot issue of tenure. Without it, a teacher may be influenced to teach in a prescribed way or be unfairly fired. The downside to tenure is that it makes the removal of an incompetent teacher much more difficult.

Out of 51 PRHS teachers polled, 84.3 percent of teachers believe that tenure is sometimes responsible for the firing of younger teachers who are also more effective. Tenure is sometimes responsible for keeping an ineffective teacher on the job, 72.5 percent said.

PRPE’s website states that unions do not protect bad teachers and claims that “the administration simply does not want to do the job properly.”

But some teachers disagree.

“Tenure policies continue to allow bad teachers to keep their jobs. In the real Rodeo Club and world people are replaced everyday by others who are more effective on the job. We Austin all know who tenure is designed to protect… look around our campus. Are those Russell who fight so hard for it our best teachers? You decide!” Athletic trainer Todd Olivera said.

A better alternative to tenure would be a merit-based evaluation system, but this does not come without its own difficulties. Undeniably, the elephant in the room regarding merit pay is how to decide who’s effective and who’s not.

“Perhaps the market would do as well for our best teachers. What do we mean by ‘our best teachers,’ however? We’d have to come to consensus on that, which seems unlikely,” English teacher Aaron Cantrell said. “It’s possible, though, that a worse may arise after it. That’s why I don’t favor changing the tenure system until something superior to it can be agreed upon.”

Yet, unions seem to be unwilling to compromise or even discuss possible improvements to the current system. Instead, they are quick to raise grievances whenever change is made to the evaluation system.

On March 15, a teacher raised concerns about “including specific student performance goals as evaluation goals for certificated unit members,” the union member accused administration of violating the contract, even though it explicitly states that “Evaluation based on student progress toward district standards and state adopted content standards is appropriate and mandated by the education code.”

It seems as if grievance procedures are no longer being used to discuss improvements; rather they are being used as an outlet for disgruntled unionists to complain.

In the end, unions are not corrupt organizations. They provide benefits to the teachers they protect. For one teacher, the tenure system allowed him or her to “securely purchase a house and plan a future for my family.” Perhaps most importantly, unions give and protect a teacher’s voice, and to do away with the union would be a violation of human rights.

Yet, like all bodies of power, it is necessary to place proper checks and balances. Fortunately, the situation at the local level is under good control from both sides, but when scenes such as the radical unionism displayed in Wisconsin erupt, it seems like their next step will be to bring out the guillotine.

Drawing a thin line

Unions CON should not protect narrow interests

by Andrew Chang, Sci-Tech Co-Editor

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

11

Feature

You don’t have to be a cowboy

Union issues

WILD, WILD WEST COAST: Senior Lauren Varian competes in barrel racing atop Mizzy, her horse of eight years. Varian believes that she will use skills learned from rodeo throughout her life. Photos used with permission of Lauren Varian

Rodeo Club members hope to raise awareness of the wild-riding sport

by Kathryn Wingfield, Feature Editor For Tim McGraw, spending “two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu” was an essential bucket-list item achieved while he was “living like he was dying.” For sophomore Austin Russel, it’s everyday life.

The bull rider for the District Seven High School Rodeo, which includes San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, literally grabs the bull by the horns once a month as he practices the daredevil sport he has grown to love.

Russel and his fellow PRHS members of the California High School Rodeo Association [CHSRA] have competed in up to 10 rodeos this year, racking up points by winning events and risking their lives all the while. Though this teeth-gritting, roughriding, dirt-flinging sport has developed a reputation as a cowboy tradition, Russel and the members of the PRHS Rodeo Club urge students to take a second look at the head-shaped indents on arena walls and reconsider.

“Of course when you’re working with horses, one of the most important things is learning how to land,” senior and 10-year rodeo veteran Lauren Varian said. “But I’ve been doing it for so long that I’ve learned how to work with horses and understand what and what not to do. After so many years, I’m not scared anymore.”

Though Varian, who was awarded the top CHSRA scholarship in May, has never been injured other than a bruise-inducing tumble last year, she has witnessed concussions and the snapping of a jaw.

“But those were during bull riding,” she said. “Bull riders are just crazy.”

However, bull-riding Russel highlights his best moments not as flying through the air or even hearing the relief of the ending buzzer, but as bonding with his fellow riders.

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Of course when you’re working with horses, one of the most important things is learning how to land”

— Lauren Varian, 12 “The best moments have been getting to meet new people,” he said, having crossed paths with students from different walks of life that all have one thing in common: a love for living on the edge. The students meet during lunch before each rodeo to encourage each other and get focused for the competition.

“We talk about what we can do for each other and how we can encourage each other,” said senior Addie O’Loughlin, who competes in barrel racing and pole bending. “Everyone knows so much about rodeo and they’re so helpful.”

O’Loughlin began rodeo her sophomore year after years of horseback riding and now enjoys spending time with her quarter-horse, Blaze, as well as the adrenaline rush that comes with competing.

“You just go out there and you’re totally focused, trying not to knock down any barrels or poles, trying to get that fast time,” she said, holding times of 17 seconds for barrel racing and 20 seconds for pole bending.

Varian, who placed in the District Seven top three in pole bending, agrees that the experience is a rewarding blur.

“I try not to think about it, so I’ll just be talking to people as I enter the arena,” she said. “It goes by so fast, so it’s important to practice at home and be prepared.”

Varian now faces the obstacle of riding a new horse, Dancer, instead of the injured Mizzy, her horse of eight years, for the State Finals. She and seniors Cody Coulter and Adam Lawson, sophomore Mattie Paso Robles High School

Work, and her own brother, freshman Brinan Varian, will head to Bishop, Calif. during the last of week of school to compete after having placed in the top five in their events.

“I’m definitely going to be a lot more focused this time, going through my game plan and staying concentrated,” she said.

However, Varian believes her childhood of riding with her allrodeo family has given her a strong foundation. She, along with many other riders, uses horsemanship skills to help out on her family ranch, a daily hour-long drive from PRHS. “A lot of people don’t know that it’s such a big part of my life,” she said. “A lot of people don’t even know I do it at all.”

Varian hopes to defy the “cowboy” stereotype of rodeo riders and encourage more students to get involved in rodeo– no broken jaws required.

“I’d love to see more people come watch us,” she said. “So many people go to the football games, but rodeo is such a big part of our town that it would be great to get more people involved.”

The “fun and free” Mid-State Classic rodeo, which takes place in November at the Mid-State Fairgrounds, is a perfect opportunity to witness death-defying entertainment, according to Varian and O’Loughlin.

“The arena’s great, and everyone seems to have fun and do really well,” O’Loughlin said. “It’s so awesome when you cross the finish line and you feel like you did well and then you hear your time called on the loudspeaker. It’s one of the best moments.”

As Varian prepares to ride off into the Santa Clara University sunset and is forced to leave Missy behind, she knows her love for rodeo and the memories it has brought will stay with her.

“It’s one of those things you can leave for years and come back to and it’s still the same,” she said. “It’s a huge part of my life.” www.crimsonnews.org

Feature

The amazing race: double blind date

Freshman and Senior couples search for clues along downtown Paso Robles

by Clarisse Dart News Co-Editor, and Kelly Munns Editorial Editor

Freshman Stephanie Ellsworth and her goofy date Daniel Maloney sat in the backseat on the ride to their surprise date knowing that at the same time, senior couple Chelsea Kuhns and Joe Macharia were driving themselves to the gazebo in the downtown park on Tuesday, May 24. Maloney, speaking mostly of water polo or discussing mutual friends with Ellsworth, led the conversation, charming the shy girl to smile on more than one occasion before the ride was complete.

As Maloney, Ellsworth, and Macharia waited for Kuhns to arrive, they all took in the spring scenery of the park. Once both couples were standing at the grassy area around 3:30 p.m., it became apparent that both girls had found out who their dates would be, but the boys had been clueless to the names of the mystery girls beforehand. Macharia was completely surprised to see who his date was: a blue-eyed girl with curly, golden hair.

“That’s the whole point of the blind date!” Maloney protested to Ellsworth while she shyly smiled and giggled in response.

“Did you know it was me? Because I definitely knew it was you!” Kuhns exclaimed to Macharia.

After introductions, the group then learned that in contrast, everyone except Maloney had known that the “surprise” activity would be a competitive seven-station scavenger hunt around downtown. With the freshman couple as team green, and seniors as team pink, they were off to a walking start.

Macharia and Kuhns instantly deciphered the clue leading them to the library. As they made their way to the huge building, they were timid to ask the receptionist for the next clue. But with support from his date, Macharia asked for the second hint.

Meanwhile, Ellsworth quickly figured out the first destination which led her and her date to the Good Times Café. Greeted by interested looks from diners, Maloney and Ellsworth tried to casually search for their next clue in the restaurant. With a sigh of relief, they saw a promising white envelope at the feet of the lifesized Elvis figure, which consequently told them to snap a picture of themselves next to the singing statue. Tilting their smiling faces at the lens, the camera captured the sweet moment.

Ellsworth almost always led the way from clue to clue. The white envelopes took them from Good Times to Powell’s, where the freshmen and seniors were told to sample a taste of gelato. The green tea flavor Maloney chose left the student grumbling long after the couple had left the sweet shop.

“That is the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted,” gagged a whiney Maloney to the amusement of his date. www.crimsonnews.org

Kuhns boosted her caffeine rush with the sample of Double Espresso and Macharia with the taste of mint. As they stuck the tiny neon sampling spoons into their mouth, they snapped a shot on the Canon camera.

On their way to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Ellsworth mixed up the name of the store. “Mountain Chocolate Rocky Factory… Rocky Chocolate Mountain… Mountain Rocky Chocolate,” they laughed together as they rearranged the words.

The hunt continued for both freshmen and seniors as they completed tasks such as talking to multiple clerks and hugging teddy bears. The couples tried on hats at Kahunas, each stopping to record the moments with their handy digital camera.

The most uncomfortable clue led the couples to Santa’s house, where an envelope instructed them to sit on one another’s lap and snap a picture. Both immediately refused to obey, but Ellsworth compromised by leaning on Maloney while they took the picture, and Kuhns leaned in close to Macharia for their photo.

“This is not awkward, at all,” Maloney joked sarcastically as he smiled for the camera.

As the winning freshmen couple walked back to the gazebo, with a victorious scavenger hunt under their belts, they found a picnic table of Trader Joe’s food awaiting their arrival. A few minutes later, the seniors also made their way back to the last location greeted by turkey wraps, salads, and vanilla meringue cookies.

“Feasting is not an option, it’s mandatory,” Marcharia jokes as he chows down on his taco.

The food brought various reactions to all four daters. The first sip of Maloney’s root beer caused amusement from the rest of the table as he exclaimed, “This is way too carbonated, and it hurts my nose! It is brutal; it’s dangerous!”

Another unique snack was the meringue cookies. As described by daters, the taste was similar to Styrofoam and abundant laughter follwed the taste.

Eventually, the willing boys gladly accepted the leftover food from the picnic and one by one the daters said their goodbyes.

Paso Robles High School

Pink Team

Kuhns & Ma ch

aria

Green Team Ellsworth & Maloney

Jacob Shultz

Good Times

Powell’s

Kahuna’s Santa House

Library Kahuna’s

Powell’s Library Photos by Aryn Fields, Chelsea Kuhns, Joe Macharia, Stephanie Ellsworth, and Daniel Maloney

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

13

Feature

Blind Date

A little hard of fearing

SOUNDING OFF: Junior Jacob Shultz shows the American Sign Language sign for “love.” Shultz has adapted to public school life after becoming the only deaf student to enroll this year. Photo by Emily Cone

A distant concept for most, deafness is reality for Jacob Shultz

by Kim Boswell, Photo Essay Editor, and Brielle Silletti, Reporter

The loud propellers of the emergency aircraft spun into a blur as the landing gear lowered and newborn Jacob Shultz was transported to Seattle Children’s Hospital on Oct. 13, 1993.

Earlier that day, doctors at the Cascade Mountains local hospital performed CPR on baby Shultz for over an hour, and when it failed, they put him on a ventilator and sent him to the specialized hospital. He had been delivered through an emergency c-section due to a lack of oxygen caused by inadequate breathing, known as asphyxia. Typically, a long-term effect of asphyxia is brain damage, but for Shultz it was different. His mother, Hillary Shultz was informed he had lost almost complete hearing in both ears, and thus he began his life as a deaf person.

Shultz, now completing his junior year of high school, has been the only deaf student to enroll this year, arriving at the beginning of the third trimester. In previous years, PRHS has been home to one deaf person per year on average.

From Private to Paso

Shultz grew up as normal child in the snow-filled quad of Northrop Elementary School in Leavenworth, Washington, where his interpreter of four years aided him in learning American Sign Language [ASL]. Instead of going to a public middle school after elementary school, Shultz shifted paths to

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

go to the Washington School for the Deaf for grades seven through nine. But he found the structured and isolated red brick halls of private education to build a gap between him and his family, and convinced his parents to enroll him in public school at Moses Lake High School in Moses Lake, Washington.

When Shultz arrived in the small town of Paso Robles, the districtassigned 24-year-old William Curd became Shultz’s interpreter.

Curdfeels that though they have only known each other two months, the two have grown quite close. “[I’ve] definitely gotten to know Jacob. He’s a really cool kid, and we share the same interests, such as automotive,” said Curd, who has worked in the school district for five years.

In automotive, a class full of a cacophony of drills and the purr of restored engines, Shultz is able to feel the various machines and hear the loud humming, which allows him to follow his dream of working in the motorcycle or ATV industry.

Safe and Sound

In his home life, Shultz, the middle child, and his four brothers have created their own language, which consists of using sounds in a way that he can hear the vibrations as they resonate in the ear canal. However, both parents and brothers also use ASL to communicate, while Shultz verbalizes at home and occasionally lip-reads.

From a technological standpoint, Shultz has a state of the art Starting the Engines hearing aid made for use inside the ear canal. Unfortunately, it Shultz, who has a passion for cars, has taken auto classes and is proves to be ineffective due to the headache-inducing level of presently enrolled in automotive teacher Greg Boswell’s third period which it heightens background noise.

Auto One shop class, where Boswell continues to challenge him day to Hear Him Out day.

In pursuit of an automotive life, whenever one may be having a “I like having him in here. He’s a great kid, always has a good attitude. “bad” day, and everything seems to spiral out of control, Jacob is It’s different and a challenge for me as a teacher. It’s made me more there to remind students and teachers to remain strong, just as he conscious; it took me awhile to demonstrate so he could see things, and has done through the years. now I will continue this not just for him, but for other students,” Boswell “Jacob is one of the hardest working individuals. He doesn’t said, who has altered his teaching style to be more visually oriented. slow down and he keeps trying,” Hillary said.

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Q&A

Feature

mid state fair

pageant girls Seniors Sarah Manson, Mariah Medina, Marina Plemons and junior Amanda Zimmerman have been primping and preparing since April for the July 19 Mid-State Fair Pageant, the event that will crown the 2011 Queen and Princesses. Crimson debunks the myths of pageant catfights and reveals the truth behind the bonding experience that has brought Central Coast teens together since 1969.

Scan with the free Barcode Scanner app for additional photos and an exclusive video interview!

Photos by Kathryn Wingfield

Osama controversy

Marina Plemons, 12 Platform: “Pick up your feet for National Dance Day. There’s a video posted that everyone can learn. It’s really about staying active.”

Mariah Medina, 12 Platform: “Band Together for Austism, inspired by my cousin who’s severely autistic.

It’s inspired me to help local families who suffer the effects of autism.”

Sarah Manson, 12 Platform: “No Sharks, No Oxygen. It’s to raise awareness and help put an end to shark finning.

I’ve been talking a lot to Mr. DiMaggio about it.”

Amanda Zimmerman, 11

Platform: “4H: It’s Not Just the Animals. It’s about 4H and what ways you can get involved without actually raising an animal.” www.crimsonnews.org

C: What does the winner receive?

SM: The winner gets a $500 scholarship, first runner-up gets $400, and second runner-up gets $200. And of course the tiaras!

MP: And sashes! The Queen and Princesses are at the fair all day, every day, judging pie contests and thing like that. Tommy Lloyd, last year’s winner, said she never wanted to eat pie again.

AZ: The winners do parades and make appearances throughout the year.

MM: You announce all the entertainment and sometimes get to meet them. But not Justin Bieber.

MP: Yeah, last year Justin Bieber had a bedtime, so they couldn’t meet him.

C: Who do you think will win?

MM: There are 17 great girls and I’d say we all have a really good chance, so it’s up to the judges.

C: Do you think you have a chance of winning?

Together: Yeah.

SM: We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t think there was a chance.

MP: But I feel like you get more out of it if your goal isn’t winning. If you go into it to meet people, then you’ll have fun. With some of the girls, you can just tell that they’re more serious. They don’t laugh, they don’t joke with us, and I think to have fun you can’t just view it as a strict competition.

MM: It’s very obvious when girls are taking it too seriously. You can tell they’re not having as much fun.

AZ: We’ve worked together at a few events and you can totally tell when girls are just set on winning.

MP: You get more out of it when you focus on having fun and meeting new people.

C: How has your experience being in the pageant affected you?

MP: I’ve gotten to meet a lot of new people that I can see a future friendship with. It’s really boosted my confidence as far as speaking on stage.

MM: Self confidence is huge.

It definitely makes you have it. And it’s made me go out of my comfort zone, reaching out to people I never would have talked to before, and realizing I get along with a lot of them really well.

SM: I did it last year and I still hang out with a lot of the girls I met. It helped me break out of my shyness.

AZ: It’s the same with me.

I’ve always been really shy but I’m leaning to just have fun, and it’s been a great experience.

– Madison Butz, Reporter

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

15

Opinion

Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect Respect

Triumph Triumph Triumph Triump Triumph Triumph Triumph Triump Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Triumph Pageant girls

Healing on the homefront A war on integrity

Graphic illustration by Paul Cleland

Bin Laden’s death brings closure to us all

Death of terrorist brings more than justice to light

My Gameboy taught me more about Osama bin Laden than the news ever did.

It was October, 2001. My family’s luggage was being picked apart in the crowds of the San Luis Obispo Airport. Seven years old and completely confused, I sat and watched. The security lady pushed past my pajamas, quickly pulling out my crayon yellow Gameboy Color. Flipping the “on” switch, the opening credits of my Pokémon game flashed across the screen.

“All good,” the lady whispered, putting all my belongings back into place.

When my mom later told me they had been checking all electronics for hidden bombs, I didn’t believe her. I was only a little girl. Why would they think that of me?

“Things are different now,” she explained.

It was the first time I ever became aware of how much terrorism had invaded American minds. After one day, even second grade girls were potential killers.

After 9/11, twenty percent of Americans knew someone either hurt or killed in the attacks. With such a country-wide, personal connection to the actions of that day, it should come as no surprise that the death of its mastermind hit us just as strong.

On May 1, after Osama bin Laden’s death was announced, the nation seemed to burst. News cameras panned huge crowds outside of the White House lawn, where young twenty-somethings were chanting patriotic songs and waving American flags.

Yet some still felt uneasy. Was it moral to be celebrating a death in the first place? It’s true that life is the most precious gift we own, and the taking of it is always to be avoided. But bin Laden’s death gave us more than one dead terrorist – it gave a boost of morale to American security.

“I think that [bin Laden’s death] helped a lot because we have been after him for so long and now Americans can have something good to say about the intelligence community,” senior James McClenathen said, who approved of people choosing to celebrate.

Because simply, the facts remain the same. Osama bin Laden forever scarred our country. He defined the war our generation grew up fighting. His death marked more than the end of a terrorist, but the end of an era. Those celebrations were part of a healing process for not only those who had loved ones taken away on 9/11, but for all Americans.

Ten years, countless lives lost, and 600 million dollars in repairs later, the victory of a little peace of mind is truly priceless.

Nearly ten years of anger and frustration breathed a sigh of relief on May 1, 2011. The families and friends of nearly 3,000 victims felt a sense of justice when President Obama announced the successful execution of Al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, at the hands of US Navy Seals.

An overwhelming American reaction of joy stretched across the country that night, where thousands of US residents celebrated what America gave to him, which is consequently what he had given to America—death. It’s a good thing that he’s gone, and his death will probably result in a safer America, but it’s hard to celebrate over the death of another human being, despite the extreme circumstances.

“As wrong as it is, I was happy, but celebration over a death is wrong. It only heartens the enemy,” junior Zach Mondo said.

The fine line between celebrating the death of a human, and celebrating the extinction of a symbol of darkness to America was introduced that day.

No matter what you may call him, bin Laden was a human being just like the rest of us. He truly believed that he was doing God’s will. In no way does this justify his actions, or change anything he has done, but he came to end in the same way the rest of us will: death.

Death is a string that connects all of life. Whether from a spiritual or a philosophical view, rejoicing in the streets over the demise of a fellow human being accomplishes nothing. Bin Laden’s death does not change what has been done. The war is still occurring. Terrorism is not dead just because one who practices it is.

“I think people had a good reason to celebrate, seeing as he killed so many of our loved ones, and he was a mass murder and a terrorist… However, I do understand where people who saw it as wrong could be coming from,” sophomore Lauren Aikenhead said.

It is completely understandable to argue that bin Laden deserved what he got. In truth, he absolutely did. America was looking for revenge and justice for their lost loved ones, and the basic human reaction is to rejoice in the moment that justice seems to come. But the Old Testament principle of an eye-for-an-eye cannot fit this situation, because one man’s death is not equal to that of 3,000. The death of Osama bin Laden cannot bring back the lives of those lost of 9/11.

Americans, and people of the world for that matter, have every right to celebration over the disappearance of the darkness that bin Laden brought unto them, but no human has the right to triumph in the demise of another.

by Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

by Amanda Hutchinson, World Editor

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Senior Section

Senior Section

18 Senior favorites 19-23 Super seniors 24-25 Senior destinations 26-30 Baby photos 31 Senior favorites 32-33 Parent shout-outs 34-35 Teacher salutes

Then & now

Photos by Monica Patel and Emily Cone

www.crimsonnews.org

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

17

Then &

Senior Section table of contents

Favorite food: pizza Favorite game: baseball Favorite movie: “Happy Gilmore” Favorite place: San Francisco What he wanted to be: professional baseball player or actor

Favorite food: Lucky Charms Favorite game: soccer Favorite movie: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” Favorite place: on the dance stage Planned career: undecided

Favorite food: sushi Favorite game: LIFE Favorite movie: “Titanic” Favorite place: the park in Hollister What she wanted to be: teacher

Favorite food: spicy chicken and orange chicken from Panda Express Favorite game: Fugitive Favorite movie: “50 First Dates” Favorite place: Spain Planned career: soccer player

Molly Smith

Josue Gutierrez

Mike Gonzales

Morgan Farrior

NOW

As kids, we pick our favorites and decide our futures, absolutely sure that we will never change our minds, but as we grow up, those decisions tend to evolve. Crimson asked graduating seniors to compare their favorite things and career ideas as kids to those same ideas today.

Lauren Harrington

Favorite food: Lucky Charms Favorite game: stranded island Favorite movie: “The Little Mermaid” Favorite place: cardboard fort What she wanted to be: professional ballet dancer

Favorite food: spicy chicken hamburgers Favorite game: Monopoly Favorite movie: “Back to the Future” Favorite place: L.A. What he wanted to be: soccer player

Favorite food: Oreos Favorite game: tag in the dark Favorite movie: “Sleeping Beauty” Favorite place: beach What she wanted to be: lawyer

Favorite food: sweet and crispy basil chicken from Basil Favorite game: Wii games Favorite movie: “Anchorman” Favorite place: anywhere outdoors Planned career: an event planner for a major corporation

Favorite food: fried chicken Favorite game: baseball and golf Favorite movie: “Wedding Crashers” Favorite place: San Francisco Planned career: broadcasting

Favorite food: sushi Favorite game: Monopoly Favorite movie: “Wuthering Heights” Favorite place: her cabin in Yosemite Planned career: English professor

— Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor and Sarah Wilson, A&E Co-Editor Photos by Kelly Munns and Sarah Wilson Graphic illustrations by Sarah Wilson

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Valedictorian Austin Swank hits home runs on and off the field

by Maddison Coons, Managing Editor

The 5’ 7”, 150 pound physique of senior Austin Swank is up at bat at the CIF game against Palo Verdes. ‘That a boy’ between ‘swanky’ and ‘Let’s go Swank-a-dank’ was jeered from best friends Michael Gonzalez, Scott Plescia, and Jesse Horne and 15 teammates.

Swank reaches his right hand to his lips, kissing it crossing his heart before he swings.

The Bearcats lost 3-13 on May 18 in the final game of Swank’s PRHS baseball career, but he met his two high school goals: to take challenging, college prep classes and to play college baseball.

The ceremony—June 17

Four hundred and twenty six Bearcats will graduate on June 17, but only Swank, the 2011 Valedictorian, will receive his diploma after earning straight A’s all four years. Swank will graduate one of 426 seniors to have a perfect 4.00 accompanied by a transcript that reads a 4.33 total GPA. “I am really proud of [being Valedictorian] because we have a great class with so many smart people, and for me to be on top, it makes me extremely proud of myself. I always want to be

the best, that’s just my nature. Being Valedictorian proves to me what I work for paid off,” Swank said.

Counselor Joe Cardinale stated he doesn’t remember the last graduation with one Valedictorian. Three students were eligible for Valedictorian this year in the second trimester, but two received B’s at the end of it .

Drive to be excellent

Swank’s competitive edge made its way from the diamond to the classroom. He found comfort in math, Anatomy, and economics because of the technical aspect.

English and History required more analyzing and invention, but wouldn’t strike him out.

“My parents didn’t let me accept anything below my best. They pushed [me] so I could go the best college I could possibly go to,” Swank said, who took five honors classes and three AP classes.

Swank’s parents reassured him of his hard work on the field and in the classroom.

“It is so rewarding to see him further his education. We are looking forward to seeing Austin succeed in college and beyond. He will do great at whatever he chooses to do,” Swank’s parents said, who didn’t attend college themselves.

An only child, he will be the first in his direct family to be furthering his education. Swank is thankful for his parents being “really supportive of me in everything.”

Batter up

Swank played T-ball at age five until the age of six; and after taking two years off to play hockey, he returned to baseball at age eight. Swank played on club team West Coast Sun Devils since age 11. When he turned 13, he

Super Seniors

played on Sante Ynez Heat for three years.

Swank also attended an average of three camps a year during the summer, fall, and winter since 2007. He attended nine baseball camps stretching across the past three years. Swank’s official coach is Derek Stroud, but Swank’s dad, Keith Swank has also coached him for eight years. Swank has a .232 batting average and 16 RBI. “I really enjoyed coaching him, he is a hard worker so it always made my job as his coach easy,” Keith Swank said

Becoming a Kingsmen

Swank looked for a college with a secure spot on a team for him. He had an overnight stay in Thousand Oaks at California Lutheran University in September 2010 and conversed with Kingsmen baseball coaches and players.

This helped him picture himself attending CLU. Swank applied and was accepted to 10 colleges, all in California excluding Arizona State University. Cal Lutheran mailed him an acceptance letter with a gold certificate of a $17,500 per year academic scholarship.

“When I found I had a spot on their team, as well that we can afford it financially because it’s an extremely expensive school, I decided ‘ok that’s where I wanted to go,” Swank said who accepted Cal Lutheran on April 28.

Swank is now in pursuit to become a firefighter to fulfill his passion of helping people.

He will enter Cal Lutheran in the fall majoring in More Super Seniors exercise science, and receive a degree before entering an academy.

Alejandro Roman breaks down the factorials of life

by Alicia Canales, Managing Editor As first period starts, AVID teacher Jim Steaffens gathers seniors Alejandro Roman and Jenny Stallman and teacher assistant Nancy Bueno to discuss the lesson plan for his Algebra Foundations class. The five minute session ends, and Roman heads to his four-student group to demonstrate two to three problems on his small white board. Four years ago, Roman would have been in a classroom in Mexico, waiting for his teacher to arrive.

“Students [in Mexico] didn’t really care about education. Teachers would switch classes and sometimes they would socialize when they did that. So the students would leave school or do nothing and nobody cared. It really upset me,” Roman said, whose family moved to Paso on Feb. 20, 2008, legally he noted.

Roman came to PRHS without any knowledge of English; since then, he became an AVID tutor, learned English, and found out his passion for education and helping people.

Roman entered Steaffens’ Algebra 2 class the first trimester of his junior year. Right away, Steaffens “could see that [Roman] was unbelievably intelligent and respectful.” Steaffens recruited him third trimester to tutor his SAIDE Algebra 1 third trimester class, a job usually given to one of Steaffens’ AVID students.

“The group of students really responded to what he was doing. They were asking questions and doing work and doing things they didn’t do with me though I was the teacher. He was probably more successful than me at teaching. I think they felt he was taking a valid interest in their life and wanted to help them,” Steaffens said.

Roman enjoyed tutoring so much that he decided to enroll in Steaffens’ www.crimsonnews.org

AVID class his senior year and continued to tutor all three trimesters for Algebra Foundations.

“It’s an awesome experience. Education is very important to me.

Teachers and students helped me when I came here and now I help other people,” Roman said, who won the Yeager Science Scholarship. “They [students] were very respectful. I didn’t have any problems with them.

Yeah…they were very thankful to me.”

Stallman has tutored alongside Roman for the past three trimesters and can attest to his eagerness to help.

“He’s really nice, and he goes out of his way to help you if you need help…We have a couple kids in the class that can’t speak English so he’ll translate for them. He’s just a sweet person overall,” said Stallman, who helped Roman with English as he helped her with Spanish this year.

Since Roman knew minimal English when he first came, he took ELD classes until the end of his junior year when he became designated as a English speaking student. He did not meet the four year English requirement for UC/CSU colleges. Roman will be attending Cuesta College with 149 fellow Bearcats for two years and has yet to decide which California University he will transfer to.

“The biggest thing is he’s a constant role model and a reminder for freshmen, especially ELL freshmen, you can still be successful and achieve if you work hard,” Steaffens said.

While some variables are still unclear, Roman now knows that he will help others whether it’s with dentistry or another career path.

“I don’t want to stay in Paso or [go to] Mexico…I’d like to study in different countries. I just want travel around the world and help people.”

Paso Robles High School

Photos by Maddison Coons and Alicia Canales Graphic illustrations by Kellie Kennan

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

19

Super Seniors

Alicia Canales smiles through trouble

by Daniel Hipp, Health Editor The bright rainbow at the pediatric ward’s entrance was at first calming, but later seemed a poor joke in treating senior Alicia Canales’ apprehension. An anesthetic was injected into her arm through a sterile needle, something Canales didn’t care for. The needle wasn’t the least of her worries though. Canales was going to be cut into as soon as she drifted off into slumber in the bright white room riddled with poorly placed yellow elephants and gaudy blue curtains.

Canales was born with left hemifacial microsomia and mycotia of the left ear. She was born with one side of her face smaller than the other and without a left ear. On average one in 10,000 newborns are affected by hemifacial microsomia. She underwent her first surgery in first grade under Dr. Henry Kawamoto at UCLA. They took cartilage from her rib and broke her jaw to place a distraction device in her mouth, which stretched out the healing cartilage to lengthen her jaw.

“My parents had to crank the piece of metal in my mouth with a key,” Canales said, who’s had five major surgeries in 18 years.

“They said I would constantly cry whenever they had to crank it, but I don’t remember it at all. I remember a lot of things from first grade, so I guess I must have blocked it out.” Surgery was needed later on to remove the device.

On Aug. 19, 2009, she had her most recent surgery at UCSF. “I wasn’t nervous because everyone was praying for me, our church, family and friends,” Canales said, who missed five weeks of her junior year to recover. “I knew God had my back.”

Canales was received virtual surgery, where the doctor practices on a computer to prepare. The surgery lasted 11hours and 45 minutes. Dr. Janice Lee moved her jaw 12 millimeters to the left, and pushed her chin forward nine millimeters. The surgery finally evened out her face, although it’s possible she will have to undergo another surgery in the future.

“During recovery I had to take four pain medications, but it would still hurt. The first day or two, I would cry and then that

More Super Seniors

would lead to me hyperventilating because my jaw was wired shut so I couldn’t breathe clearly,” Canales said who is graduating seventh out of 402. Meanwhile, Canales studied Anatomy and Trigonometry independently, finishing her first trimester with straight A’s.

Despite missing 52 days of school due to medical reasons, Canales was involved in band for four years, playing the flute for two years and percussion for two. She also President of Youth with a Purpose, a Christian club where students fellowship, for two years. A greater part of her time though was spent in room 601.

Since sophomore year, Canales has taken an active role in Journalism, taking on In-Depth Co-Editor alongside senior Aryn Fields. Crimson had such an impact on her that she will attend the selective Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.

“Journalism taught me everything is interesting and there are facts you don’t know about that you could tell. I love educating the people through telling stories,” Canales said, now a Managing Editor. “When I was considering majors for college apps I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Journalism teacher Jeff Mount has taught Canales since her sophomore year, watching her writing ability grow gradually from year to year. He notes that one of the best stories she has written was a report on the 2009 Amgen bicycle tour.

“I still remember, she would dive right into her assignments and complete it with thoroughness and patience to get the story right.

You saw that she was indispensable,” Mount said. “She knew how to tell stories and she’d quietly copy edit the whole paper. Thanks to her we became more careful with our editing process.”

Canales aspires to one day write for a large newsmagazine on the east coast. Her super smile will face the future brightly.

Michela Cagliero sketches her future

by Maddie Butz and Brielle Silletti, Reporters A colorfully wrapped package lies unopened on the coffee table. Senior Michela Cagliero circles it, trying to figure out why her mother gave her an unexpected present. Finally the parcel is torn open by graceful fingers; despite practiced in holding a brush in Josh Gwiazda’s first period AP Studio Art class, she clumsily removes the wrapping paper in such a cautious manner. The long awaited acceptance letter to Cal Poly, for a Graphic Communications major, lies exposed on the table.

“My reaction was insane,” Cagliero laughed. “I was so excited! I took graphics with Mr. Mount last year for two trimesters, and that really got me on track for this major. It’s a way to apply my art skills in a way that I can really get a job. It’s more practical.”

Cagliero is not the typical senior. While most students pick an area of interest, like music or agriculture, this courageous girl is involved in four mind-bogglingly different activities.

“I like to be involved in a lot of different things. A lot of people like to stay in one small area, and I do art and 4H and cheer, and I ride dirt bikes. Those are really different things,” she said.

As art being her main passion ever since she was little, Cagliero dived into Advanced Drawing/Painting freshman

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

year, skipping General Art. Taking Studio Art for the past three years of her high school career, she won Best in Show at last year’s Open House and also won a VAPA the past two years.

Aside from her artistic side, she considers herself to be “pretty academic.” Cagliero has taken a total of four Advanced Placement classes: Government, Statistics, Literature, and Studio Art. She took all of the AP tests and was the only Bearcat to take the AP Studio Art test this year.

In future years, Cagliero hopes to own a website design and logo business in SLO, while continuing to live in the county.

Cagliero will utilize her unique personality to her advantage not just in her personal life, but in her potential business life as well.

“I usually just have a little different view on life than everyone else,” Cagliero said .

Paso Robles High School

Photos by Emily Cone and Aryn Fields Graphic illustrations by Kellie Kennan

www.crimsonnews.org

Super Seniors

Spencer Marsh is Signing off with a salute

by Serina Lewis, Business Manager Ten days into summer, the average high school graduate will be fully embracing their vacation sleeping until noon while senior Spencer Marsh will be boarding a 757 plane at 12:30 p.m. and heading 2,842 miles to a town called Annapolis, Maryland.

Annapolis, with a population of about 35,838 people, is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, where Marsh, a newly admitted Plebe (freshman), will spend the next four years. Studying for his Bachelor Arts in Science and hoping to be a pilot officer, Marsh has signed to serve the nation. Ever since he could remember, he has imagined being a soldier and fighting for America.

“Combination of wanting to be a pilot and wanting to serve made it all come together,” Marsh said, who applied and received the nomination to the Air Force and Navy.

Growing up

As a freshman, Marsh maintained a cruise control flight through his first two years, receiving under achieving grades, without a goal driving him. Until the summer leading into his junior year, when everything changed.

He decided he wanted to enter a military school and knew AP classes were essential.

“Once I got in [the classes] and [started] working hard, I got through it. With my goal in mind, I was given a lot more motivation,” said Marsh, who now has a 4.6 GPA with only one B in his last two years. Marsh credits his

success story to his parents and teachers, who “were a huge influence on my motivation” and a huge help in getting him to the place his is now.

Community Involvement

Marsh would like to believe his active involvement in his community has led him to where he is now. Being a natural born leader assisted him in helping kids get involved in the youth group at his church and the group is now a success.

“We got the people there and it was fun to be a part of. Every week we meet and it’s pretty consistent,” Marsh said.

When Marsh tried out for track his freshman year, he didn’t think he was too good at running so he tried pole vaulting.

“It was really fun and it’s such an adrenaline rush,” said Marsh, who set his record at 13’9” at PAC 7 CIF finals.

Also Marsh, along with fellow super senior Neil King Rice, was the Lewis Middle School assistant basketball coach this past year.

The Interview and call

Marsh’s interview for the academy in early December consisted of four interviewers: an Air Force officer, Superintendent Kathleen McNamara, and two Bakersfield business owners. Marsh stated the interviews were “pretty intense” and were mainly about extracurricular activities.

A “weird number” showed up on Marsh’s phone, but he missed the call. When he called back, the answering machine answered “United States House of

Representatives.”

“I was getting all excited and he called about 10 minutes later and asked ‘Would you like to accept the nomination for the naval academy?’,” Marsh said, who undoubtedly said yes. “I was pretty stoked. It was very unreal. They just have a really low acceptance rate and a lot of the kids who go there seem way smarter than me so it was just really neat.”

His future

As a freshman, also called a Midshipman Fourth Class, boot camp will begin this summer followed by his first year of college. The 338-acre campus that is located on the former grounds of Fort Severn at the union of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay. Marsh’s first ride as a pilot went so well that it influenced his attitude toward becoming one.

“It was pretty cool, I was surprised,” Marsh said of his 17th birthday surprise from his parents. “I thought they were going to like be flying the whole time, but you take over the reigns right after lift off and they tell you things as you go. [The aeronautical program] is like the hardest program there so I’m kind of nervous but hopefully I do well in it.”

Marsh is going to major and graduate with a Bachelors degree in science. He hopes to be at the top of his class, get into graduate school, and become a pilot officer or be involved in aeronautical engineering. No matter More Super Seniors. where his route takes him, Marsh will aim high at his goals.

Jesse Horne is saying hello to military life

by Shanna Dowling, In-Depth Editor

With 52 A’s, two B’s, and an unshakable faith in God, senior Jesse Horne prepares to trade in his dirt and sweat caked football cleats and number 59 baseball jersey for the rigid solid grey uniforms of acclaimed West Point Academy in Upstate New York for his first year of training as a plebe in the Corps of Cadets.

Military life approaches

“West Point was my first choice. When I visited last summer, I had already started my application. I decided on West Point the summer of my junior year—it seemed like the most exciting thing for me; I’m the only one from our school going,” Horne said, who will join 4,400 other young cadets in his soon-to-be student body.

Horne’s mother Debbie Horne is thrilled to see her son advancing to a new adventure.

“West Point seems to be a good match for him. Jesse appreciates a physical challenge as well as an academic challenge. Jesse also wants to make a difference in this world,” she said. “Of course I worry. I worry when my son goes to the late night show and drives from downtown Paso to our house, a three-minute drive.

Ultimately, our lives belong to God, and we are in His hands. I trust God with Jesse.”

Though he prides himself on standing out from the pack and traveling down his own life paths, Horne’s not worried about washing his identity away in the homogenized uniforms and military attire.

Home school and sports

For nine years, he was home schooled by his mother in order to give him a strong academic foundation and an environment allowing his faith to flourish. His first taste of public school life was in 2007 when he became a Bearcat his freshman year, but home school never stopped him earlier on from acclimating himself to the sports-oriented lifestyle of the average teenager.

“Scott [Plescia], Michael [Gonzalez], Matt [Sepulveda] and I have known each other forever—we played tee ball together when we were six,” Horne said.

With a 12-year friendship under their belts, his friends and teammates have had plenty of opportunities to observe his personality and reflect on his character—on www.crimsonnews.org

and off the field.

“The Horne’s here to party. He’s the sweetest guy ever; he’s like a giant teddy bear. He enjoys long walks on the beach and writing romantic poetry,” Plescia joked. “We’ve grown up playing sports together and now it’s like, it’s over, it’s kind of sad; we’ve had so many memories.”

Last year’s Anaheim baseball tournament was the “moment that sums up high school” for Horne.

“My grandpa came, and [on] my first hit I got a home run, which was awesome because I had just come back from being injured and I didn’t expect that at all,” Horne said, scoring one of three home runs he received last season.

Horne had suffered a foul tip to the face at the beginning of last year’s season, receiving fractured facial bones and having to wear a special protective helmet.

Firm in faith

The diamond and the gridiron have a tight grip on Horne’s heart, but one thing ranks higher. The senior’s 18 year faith trumps all.

“I’ve been a Christian my whole life. It bottom line means everything to me. I don’t throw my faith in people’s faces, but I stand up for what I believe in,” he said.

Horne attends Covenant Presbyterian church every Sunday, Youth Group every Sunday night, and the Breakfast Club on campus each Thursday at 7 a.m., setting aside hours a week to meditate on his faith and share it with his peers.

“Jesse has always been responsive and receptive to the love of God...He continues to grow in grace and knowledge as we all do—it is a lifelong process,” his mother said.

Sliding into bases, earning top marks in his classes, and striving to “kick it old school every day,” Horne follows his passions and keeps his priorities in line on the way. While his post West Point plans remain irresolute, he knows one thing for certain: whatever path he decides to take, West Point is a “great stepping stone for [his] future.”

Paso Robles High School

Photos by Emily Cone Graphic illustrations by Kellie Kennan

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

21

Super Seniors

Neil King Rice rocks out to science

by Paul Cleland, Managing Editor

Academic Side

As 8 a.m. nears, an average height, brownhaired, student with thin black-rimmed glasses walks into his AP Chemistry class in room 302.

What he learns today, he will understand quickly and retain within his mind easily. For senior Neil King Rice, school is not extraordinarily difficult now, but earlier in the school year the senior with a 4.29 weighted GPA felt overwhelmed.

“During the first trimester I felt like I wasn’t going to survive senior year,” King Rice said, who has taken six AP classes and eight AP tests through out high school. “But after the first trimester, everything leveled out and I was able to manage my schedule much more easily.”

Through out the first trimester, King Rice frantically juggled his three AP classes, a second level calculus class at Cuesta Community College two nights a week, working 20 hours a week at Jamba Juice, and coaching seventh and eighth grade Lewis students in basketball. Even with a seemingly unmanageable schedule King Rice was able to get straight A’s and retain Principal’s Honor Roll, More Super which he has received for two and a half Seniors consecutive years.

“Neil is an incredibly intelligent,

contemplative, inquisitive person and is dedicated to his studies,” AP Chemistry Mark Fairbank said about the UCSB-bound, physics majoring senior who he has taught in two AP and one honors class.

Music and Friends

Since his freshmen year King Rice has played guitar in Maliah, a deathcore band that has played with heavily promoted bands in that genre such as “Within the Ruins,” “Arsenists Get All the Girls,” “Attila,” and “Betrayal.” His band includes senior Benjamin Zucker, alums Mike Sigler and Matt Ramos, and Michael Bova.

King Rice believes deathcore is his favorite genre to play because it showcases his technical skills—the speed and precision needed for deathcore is revealing of his talent. Yet his favorite genres of music are hip hop and hardcore.

The 14th ranked senior also believes that almost anytime he’s with a group of friends eventually there will be some rapping or music playing.

One of King Rice’s closest friend is Zucker, who he has known since the third grade. “[Neil] is very likeable, smart, and very loyal to his friends... He’s not just brains; there is a lot more to him than people think,” Zucker said.

What his peers might not know

One class King Rice believes helped him get through the rough patches this year is Psychology teacher Jeanne Neely’s Advanced Peer. “[Advanced Peer] was a break in the day, and it gave me the chance to get to know a lot of new people. I definitely think it taught me to be more outgoing,” King Rice, said who has made numerous friendships because of Advanced Peer.

Indicative of why King Rice likes his Advanced Peer class could be the positive vibes Neely institutes in the class.

“At first Neil is shy and quiet, but when he becomes comfortable around people he becomes energetic, off beat, passionate, funny, and is quite intelligent,” Neely said, who has known King Rice since his junior year. “Everybody loves Neil because he’s not afraid to show his emotions and has an open heart. Neil is adored!”

Whether he is in an academic or social environment, King Rice always manages to exude a sense of intelligence coupled with humility and sincerity. Having managed to master juggling high school, a job, and a social life, King Rice has set his sights for his next destination which he is sure to succeed at: college.

Maximo Guzman gravitates toward success

Photos by Monica Patel and Emily Cone Graphic Illustrations by Kellie Kennan

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

by Monica Patel, Editor-in-Chief It glides upon the surface of a four by eight foot smooth finish grade plywood arranged at a 30 degree angle. It ascends slowly but comes to a plodding stop 47 centimeters after it’s launched, betrayed by gravity and friction. Four wheels underneath a standard single spring mousetrap mounted to a chassis is pulled back. The mousetrap car descends and the drive is over at the regional competition.

But if one takes a look at the technician, they can see senior Maximo Guzman’s expression is dense with happiness. Before one of three judges gravitates to the mousetrap car to measure its total distance traveled, Guzman knows his refined piece that took him 300 minutes to make has served him well.

Guzman entered the Mousetrap Car-Power contest in Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement’s (MESA) preliminary and regional high school competitions this school year. With 36 contests offered to competitors and nine for each grade level, 12 Bearcats competed.

Guzman, a five-year MESA veteran, placed second in the preliminary mousetrap car contest.

After eight competitions and seven years of speaking English, Guzman realized friction is inescapable. He believes enduring crests and troughs shows personal growth.

“I constantly have this idea in the back of my head: I always want to improve, whether at the MESA competitions or at school,” Guzman said, who challenged himself by taking Honors English freshmen and sophomore year. Guzman moved to Paso Robles from Mexico City, Mexico in 2004.

“I didn’t know English so I was very frustrated back then—I didn’t know anything. With numbers I don’t have to speak, that’s why I became a good mathematician,” Paso Robles High School

Guzman said, who became fluent in English in eighth grade at Flamson Middle School.

Senior Carlos Perez accompanied Guzman in his years of integrating a life of mathematics and adjustment. Perez, also a five-year MESA veteran, befriended Guzman six years ago after he moved to Paso Robles from Tijuana, Mexico.

Both Guzman and Perez competed in MESA’s math contest their second year in a row with teammate senior Karina Sanchez this year.

Without forming any calculus study sessions that were drawn into the equation, the team wired down contestants in the preliminary and regional competitions by placing first, winning a gold trophy.

In addition to finding his niche in high school, Guzman has been in Achievement Via Individual Determination (AVID) his sophomore, junior, and senior year with Algebra 2 teacher Jim Steaffens. He first was exposed to AVID in eighth grade with teacher Irma Andrade who pushed Guzman to take Honors English in high school.

“The [Honors English] class was hard for me because I’m not good at writing essays when I’m timed. Even though Mr. Arnette helped me out a lot, the essays were the main reason I didn’t continue with honors,” Guzman said.

Although he doesn’t glide perfectly with English, the same idea still applies with every tangent of his life: improvement.

In Fall 2011, Guzman will be attending Cuesta College with hopes of advancing to University of California two years later. Although he hasn’t declared a major, he knows he wants to pursue a degree that engages math.

When Guzman learned his 47 centimeters didn’t drive him far enough at the regional MESA competition, his smile didn’t dissolve. When the mousetrap-car rolls back to where it began, Guzman is ready for another drive, this time a longer one. www.crimsonnews.org

Super Seniors

Kyleigh DePetro goes big

by Kathryn Wingfield Feature Editor

Lights flash, glitter sparkles, and the crimson-clad Homecoming crowd shakes the ground with its victorious cacophony. Amidst the October explosion, senior and varsity cheerleader Kyleigh DePetro pauses to absorb the smiles on every student’s face, the reward she and 36 other Leadership students have worked toward nonstop for two months. As rambunctious shouts arise and brotherly hugs are exchanged, DePetro realizes this will be the moment that captures her high school experience. This will be the moment when it all came together.

Achievement is nothing new to the active member of California Scholarship Fund, Leadership, Cheerleading, Pom Squad, and Academic Boosters, who is also taking AP English, AP Calculus, and her fourth year of Spanish. For DePetro, a fierce determination to go above and beyond has been engraved in her from the beginning.

DePetro began her involvement in student government in fourth grade.

However, she also credits her father for much of her personal development.

“He’s goal-oriented and doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, like me,” she said.

“Some people are born leaders and some learn it. For me, it’s both.”

It was DePetro’s father that she turned to when the two moved from Bakersfield during her eighth grade year. She recalls saying goodbye to her mother and everyone she had ever known, and being unable to picture any familiar face at her destination.

“I was so scared, it was like I was jumping into blackness,” she said. “I was completely lost at Lewis Middle School, I didn’t feel connected at all, and I was tired of being an outsider. So I decided to do something.”

Thus she became “the bookworm.” By freshman year, DePetro was living on a tight schedule consisting of a half-hour break after school, followed by six and a half hours of homework, due to her ambitious workload of Honors Chemistry, Algebra 2, and Spanish 2. This pattern continued through junior year.

“School always came first,” DePetro said. “All that work was the hardest part, but it’s where a lot of my growing took place. I don’t regret it. There’s

more waiting for me in the future.”

Her future, which is “no longer a dream,” awaits at UCLA, where DePetro will major in Physiological Science and take a total of 11 years of classes to achieve her goal of becoming a surgeon.

“It is common for students to have high goals but her follow-through is not common,” counselor Sandra Buck-Moyer said. “People should know that no one’s life is perfect. And some people, like Kyleigh, choose not to complain or make excuses, but to use what they have learned about life to make themselves go forward and help others.”

AP English teacher Aaron Cantrell agrees.

“She is one of the fiercest, most determined, most dedicated students I have met in 17 years of teaching,” he said. “She doesn’t let gravity or anything else hold her down. She’s a ninja.”

It was during Cantrell’s college essay assignment that DePetro first glimpsed the obstacles her peers had faced. Now she seeks to inspire them.

“Even if you feel like you have no hope, if you come from a family that does drugs or a family that’s poor, you don’t have to be that way,” she said.

“It’s your life, and you only get one. Go big or go home.”

DePetro’s choice to take positive action has left an effect on Leadership teacher Geoff Land, who has witnessed her determination first-hand.

“The amazing thing is that she pulls it all off with a style that leaves a person to wonder, ‘What can’t this young woman accomplish?!’” Land said.

A once disconnected “outsider,” DePetro now looks back on her high school years as a successful tribute to her life-changing choice to become something great.

“It came from me thinking, ‘Do I really want to sit through high school being a little bookworm and not doing anything?’

Senior No! If you want to change something in your life, change it,” Destinations DePetro concluded.

Reilly Newman is Zangy for Zangaroo

by Amanda Hutchinson, World Editor It’s easy enough to Ctrl + X to cut the “k” in “kangaroo”, and type in a “z” in its place. But creating a business at the age of15 doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut.

Senior Reilly Newman is the designer and creator behind Zangaroo designs, as well as an up and coming name in the world of Graphic Communications. Design isn’t just a job to Newman either, it’s a passion.

“I want to be seen differently. Someone who is personable, yet professional. A hard worker who is efficient and fun,” Newman said.

Newman first discovered his love for graphics while playing with the basic program of Paint. When his brother gave him Photoshop in his eighth grade, his pixel swapping days were over. Newman took a graphics class in his freshman year, ‘07 – ‘08, with Graphic Communications teacher Jeff Mount, and discovered his talent in computer design.

It wasn’t until a poster that he designed in Graphics class was circulated around the school that he realized his enjoyment of graphics could take him places.

“It’s like someone is paying you to watch TV, or play video games,” Newman said. “It’s entertainment for me.”

Scott Saunders, designer and creator of the local Design 7 Studios, has worked with and advised Newman on several occasions. His hopes for Newman set the bar high. www.crimsonnews.org

“One word: greatness. His spirit for being self-motivated, driven, and hard working along with his strength of character and charismatic personality are all the right ingredients for achieving success at a young age,” Saunders said, friend and mentor to Newman.

Zangaroo Designs is quickly going global. Every morning, Newman wakes up and sends e-mails to various designers in the world, and it is not rare to receive a reply.

“They’re just people, like us,” he said. He connects with designers around the world such as James White from of Signalnoise, Jeff Sheldon of Ugmonk, and some seek him out too. Around 11 a.m. on Monday, May 9, the CEO of San Diego’s up and coming Dlush – Deluxe Beverage Joint – personally called Newman to request his entry in a T-shirt contest for San Diego’s annual Sun God festival. Newman agreed to enter, and won the contest within hours of the call.

“As a designer, being mostly self-taught, it is obvious that he brings a fresh approach to his graphic design solutions, and further education in this field will only make him a greater asset to the industry,” Saunders said.

The Sun God T-shirt is just one example of Newman’s success. Since the creation of Zangaroo Designs in 2008, he has designed for PRHS dance program, drama, and water polo, plus various churches, bands, and wineries

around, but not limited to, SLO county.

“My ultimate goal for myself as a designer is to provide great design for all and ultimately, for Zangaroo, a media company that only has ‘cream of the crop’ designers, artists, employees, musicians, etc. and is based on honesty and hard work,” Newman said.

Somehow through the 28 to 42 hours that Newman spends weekly designing, many of which are spent in the calm setting of Starbucks, he also manages to keep up with school, at least enough to be accepted to the only college he applied to. Newman plans to travel 101 miles to attend Westmont College, a private Christian liberal arts school of Santa Barbara, Calif., in the fall. By creating his own major with elements of Business, Art, and Graphic Design, Newman hopes to continue Zangaroo Designs far into the future.

“I more look at it as a communal activity and observe the trends, designers, and creativity that goes on,” Newman said. “It’s always changing, or evolving if you’d like. Design is design in it of itself!”

Paso Robles High School

Photos by Emily Cone Graphic illustrations by Kellie Kennan Designs used with permission of Zangaroo

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

23

Senior destinations C

Percentages are based on mapped students only.

Cuesta CollegeMaria Chavez Jesus Abarca Kassidy Abbott Harley App Ethan Baietti Bianca Birrueta Rubi Blanco Amy Bourgault Jordan Braly Brittney Brewer Ryan Brockman Shaylene Buckley Nicole Calabria Arturo Campoverde Maria Campoverde Christian Carbajal Britney Carlos Lane Carminati

24

Salvador Chavez Taylor Ciampi Chill Aina Joy Condez Haley Conrad Louis Dam-Mikkelsen Brooke Deranek Matthew DeWitt Tyler Dollinger William Duke Salina Duong Obed Elenes Tasha Elisarraras Aya Elsayed Mohamed Elsayed Ashley Finlayson Marisela Flores

06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Katie Frey Matthew Funderburk Carlos Gallardo Roberto Gallardo Wenceslao Garcia Melissa Gomez Pepe Gonzalez Josue Guerrero Maximo Guzman Marizia Hairal Joseph Hawley Anne Hayes Pauly Herman Chelsea Hicks Will Hix Krista Huggard Christian Hutchings

2 0 1 1

385 class size 218 mapped 6% out of state of 8% University California State 12% California University 4% Cal Poly 48% Cuesta College

Adrian Jauregui Marichuy Jimenez Erin Joseph Patrick Keating Byron Tommy Knight Kylie LeClair Dianne Lopez Anatoliy Madden Jose A Maduena Javier Martinez Jose Martinez Philip Maxey Corina May Austin McCall Brett Meden Erick Medina Mariah Medina

Nancy Medina Juan Mercado Kelsey Miklovic Ryan Miller Alyssa Napoli Jacquelin Nevarez Kyler Olson Margarita Olvera Alejandra Pacheco Kevin Paup Blanca Perez Javier Perez Aundria Pickens Gregory Porter Giovanni Portillo Jesse Puckett Miriam Quiroz

CSU Northridge

University of Washington

United States Naval Academy Annapolis Spencer Marsh

Daniel Fuerte Conner Burggraf Crystal Herrera Nick Van Wiggeren Roman Rendon Lauren Harrington Andrea Vega ndez mento Herna ie Sacra Magg CSU Whitman College Jorge Gomez Caitlin Raithel e Mykayla Smith Maddison Coons Bakersfield Colleg Jose Jimenez CSU San Diego Makinzie Smith Butte Community College CSU San Francisco Veronica Shaeffer Maddy Cline Landon Sudberry University of Alabama Idaho State University Montanah Lovelace Cal Lutheran Madison Butz Paige Dana CSU San Jose Garrett Gough Michael Gonzalez Austin Swank urg University of Nevada Cal Poly Pomona Salome Jansen Van Rensbeda Matt Sepulv Las Vegas Sarah Manson Victoria Sepulveda Cal Poly SLO Rob Phillips Gesell Vergara Whitney Adams Bay Path College CSU Sonoma Tom Arena Melissa Toler o ro Carrill Caglie ica la Angel Miche on Hagen sa Evens Jenes Nicole Audra McCue Natalie Farelas r Michael O’Connor Morgan Farrio Ana Torres Joseph Gregory Arizona State University Kelsey Hunter mont College Gross DeVry University Alicia Canales Monica Jimenez Danielle Hallman BYU Provo Myrka Medina e Kehtzia Leon Colleg io Anton San Mt. Hunter Gay Rachel Maloney Jason Brown The King’s College Sarah Mason Moorpark College Embry-Ryddle Forest Erwin Katherine Michel nger Krutsi Darian Aeronautical University Darren Mount CC ty Coun e Orang Addison O’Loughlin James McClenathen Tiana Gomez Nicholas Olsen rsity Unive rdine Peppe Marina Plemons Victoria Englert Syracuse University Andria Posmoga Caty Wallace Reedley College Maddy Rainey Jordan McNealley Anthony Ramos Westpoint College SaddlebackLaure Peter Ravera Jesse Horne n Huff University of Montana Hadley Sowerby College San Francisco CitySumm Cole Thompson Sheridan Cook er Hoy Nicole Todaro Lewis Serina r Winte w Andre Santa Barbara CC n Chapman University Nicole Muehlhause Keegan Mullin Clara University Santa ns Principia College College of the Canyo Lauren Varian Tess Rountree Liverpool Andrew Koger Shasta CC College of San Mateo Institute Rees nah Savan Aryn Fields Nikita Kinsell UC Berkeley CSU Bakersfield rdt Ehrha Austin Colby Thompson UC Davis class size CSU Chico Lambert Devon Tori Engle Irvine UC Alexa Gomez Fabian Nicki mapped George Hernandez a Kuhns Chelse Manny Jimenez a Patel Monic San Angelo State University Ben McNairn UCLA Kenecia Warren out of state Hector Palafox d Paul Clelan Chelsay Paris Kyleigh De Petro University of Texas State University San Marcos Jennifer Smith Alix Gaspar California Adam White Richard Curl Koch nder Aleksa ton Fuller CSU d Jake Murray Merce UC California State Brittney Brewer Emily Galvez University Katie Farley Carlos Perez CSU Fresno a Williams Meliss in Lindsey Baldw Barbara Santa UC Cal Poly nter Frances Carpe n Curran Caitly Josue Gutierrez Duque Alan Cesar Hernandez hauer Felgen Jesse Cuesta College Arianna Meleandez r Gutierrez Hecto Joseph Macharia Chris Harron Jeremy Record Jackson Isaiah ez Sanch Karina Rice King Neil Foreign exchange students Coast Guard Ana Santiz us Martin Travis Lada Filipovic Torres Trever Harper Alyssa Cruz Santa UC Laura Schafer Emily Stelzl Joseph Whittington I Chen Lo Jesus Uribe James Bachellier Troy Schneidewind William Stiegler David Wilkinson Meta Rosemann Undecided/Workforce Gustavo Vela Nycole Dieball s Steven sa Vanes Jacob Scotti Olyvia Suttmiller Trevor Williams oldt Humb Haku Tsogbat CSU Coltin Headley Diego San of rsity Unive Amanda Searcy Benjamin Taylor Haley Winch ycki Biedrz Caglar Yilmaz Katie C.J. Prusi Bergin rly Kimbe Jacob Searcy Emily Taylor Torey Wise Bond e Desire Baris Akyuz Chad Redongo Marino SegundoJordan Tews Kayla Witt rick USC Brode Em Boonnithi Krista Joseph Rodriguez Romero Kit Toevs Tawnee Wolfe Erin Chon Georgia Binkele Military Valerie Scott s Spencer Silva Wesley True Natasha Wright Holme Colton e Colleg ra Robert Kamphaus Ventu Dilpreet Singh Ajeunee Silva Romele Mekayla Trujillo Colby Yarborough Lukes ndria Alexa herty Larry Lovejoy Doug Seaira Vocational school Bay Shekinah Skinner Vasquez Aimee Young erey Mont CSU Clay Rovenstine Dominique Fouarge Sara Cromwell Molly Smith Tom Van Katerine Zavaleta Cesar Delgado John Schoenauer e West Colleg ont mins Corey Solberg Jessica Vinson Ben Zucker ter Westm y Harve Travel Zane Donovan Thompson Choir College Kellie Kennan Celina Solis Kalvyn Voshal Steven Navarro Chris Vinson Cole Machado Brandon Ellsworth an Newm Aaron Souza Reilly Alexander Wassam Navy CSU Los Angeles Richard Sowerby Kyle Weber Trevor Hendricks Jennifer Hernandez Jennifer Stallmann Charmaine Webster Zachary Jones Sean Steingruber Jorden Welch

Marist College

431 263 10% 8% 13% 6% 49%

2009

402 class size 325 mapped 6% out of state of 5% University California State 17% California University 6% Cal Poly 37% Cuesta College

2011

comparisons

O F

2010

C L A S S

Allan Hancock College Bo Bonnheim Arts Institute of Hollywood Luis Rea Azusa Pacific

Elizabeth Rendon Ana Rodriguez Jake Rodriguez Jose Rodriguez Noel Rodriguez Marie Rojas Alejandro Roman Uriel Roman Abigail Romero Guadalupe Rumbo Jason Salas Maria Sanchez Rita Sanchez Amanda Sanders Dustin Sandoval Jose Sandoval Anaya Rebecca Sauer Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

25

Baby Photos

i n g s o f t h e s en n n i g e b ior class o 011 Tracing the f 2

Baris Akyuz “America!”

“Hi”

Kyle Alberson

Tom Arena

Kim Bergin

Amy Bourgault

Madison Butz

Michela Cagliero

Nikki Calabria

Alicia Canales

Lane Carminati

Franki Carpenter

Alex Chaidez

Taylor Ciampi

Paul Cleland

Maddy Cline

Sheridan Cook

Maddi Coons

Cesar Delgado

Austin Ehrhardt

Brandon Ellsworth

“I’m the big sista”

Senior destionations

“Red”

“Coon”

“Kitty”

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

“My ‘b’”

“Ginormous”

“Who? Why?”

“Daddy”

“Vito”

Paso Robles High School

“No”

“No”

“No”

“What’s that?”

www.crimsonnews.org

Baby Photos

g s o f t h e se n i n n i g e b nior clas Tracing the s of 2011

Tori Engle “Outside”

Forest Erwin

Morgan Farrior

Aryn Fields

Ashley Finlayson

Baby photos

Katie Frey

Emily Galvez

Alix Gaspar

Hunter Gay

Alexa Gomez

Jenessa Hagen

Anne Hayes

Trevor Hendricks

Margerita Hernandez

Harley Holt

Jesse Horne

Kelsey Hunter

Isaiah Jackson

Adrian Jauregui

Erin Joseph

“My boys”

“Pootchet”

www.crimsonnews.org

“Bye Bye”

“Doggy”

“What’s that?”

“Nah Nah”

Paso Robles High School

“Lion King”

“Cheetos!”

“Harley Man”

“MeganAh”

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

27

Baby Photos

i n g s o f t h e s en n n i g e b ior class of 2011 Tracing the

Alex Kamphaus

Patrick Keating

Neil King Rice

Aleksander Koch

Darian Krutsinger

James McClenathen

Devon Lambert

Sara Langguth

Serina Lewis

Travis Martinus

Damien Marquez

Sara Mason

Philip Maxey

Austin McCall

Audra McCue

Jordan McNealy

Katherine Michel

Kelsey Miklovic

Nicole Muehlhausen

Keegan Mullin

“Up”

“Gorilla”

“Yah”

Baby photos

“This”

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

“Gaga”

“Tai Tai”

“Fishy’s”

“Moo-cow”

“DaDaDaDa”

Paso Robles High School

“Magnificent”

“No”

“Look!”

“Good fun day”

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Baby Photos

i n g s o f t h e s en n n i g e b e ior class of 2011 h t g n i c a r T

Jacob Murray “Batman”

Alyssa Napoli

Reilly Newman “Purdle”

Addison O’Loughlin “Daddy”

Kyler Olsen

Baby photos

Nicholas Olsen

Monica Patel

Marina Plemons

C.J. Prusi

Peter Ravera

Savannah Rees

Abigail Romero

Jason Salas

Amanda Sanders

Matt Sepulveda

Victoria Sepulveda

Jennifer Smith

Tess Rountree

Molly Smith

Hadley Sowerby

“Moo”

www.crimsonnews.org

“You nummy!”

“Duck”

“Chickie Chickie”

“Kiss Kiss!”

“My eeee!”

Paso Robles High School

“No way”

“Keno”

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Baby Photos

i n g s o f t h e s en n n i g e b ior class o 011 Tracing the f 2

Will Stieglier

Austin Swank

Emily Taylor

Kit Toevs

Melissa Toler

Mekayla Vasquez

Andrea Vega

Caty Wallace

Jorden Welch

Joseph Whittington

Andrew Winter

Torey Wise

Kayla Witt

Tawnee Wolfe

Colby Yarborgough

Aimee Young

“Uh! Oh!”

“Chicken”

Baby photos

“Hot”

“No”

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

“Mall

“Praise the Lord”

“What’s that?”

Paso Robles High School

“Out!”

“Aussie”

www.crimsonnews.org

Foreign exchange students

Culture

Year after year they travel from overseas to spend a school year as a Bearcat. Eight foreign exchange students brought a variety of taste from seven different countries.

They share their memories with Crimson and the rest of the school--memories they will take back to their homeland.

I-Chen Lo, Taiwan Lada Filipovic, Serbia

“I will miss the class system here the most; that I can take the classes I want. Back home, we do not have choices, and here I had lots of fun in drama, ceramics, culinary, and studio arts.”

“My favorite memory would be this whole year, friends that I made and awesome things we did!”

Meta Rosemann, Germany “I just had an awesome time here in California, and the whole year has been really exciting. I´ll always remember all the other exchange students who have become great friends, my amazing host mom.

And all these new places I have seen inspired me so much... And of course I really enjoyed all my easy classes at PRHS.”

Teacher salutes

Caglar Yilmaz , Turkey

“My favorite memory was going to a Laker’s game in the Staples Center. It was one of my dreams that came true. I will miss friends I made here and being able to take fun classes in the high school.”

Baris Akyuz, Turkey

“I don’t have one favorite memory here. All the beach days I’ve had with my friends, all the activities I’ve done with them… the sports seasons. I did [water] polo and track; both were really fun. It’s mostly just the friend groups I’ve made and just hanging out with them were the best part I think.”

Haku Tsogbat, Mongolia “Some things were better than I hoped, but some things weren’t. I was expecting a bigger city before I came here, so I was kind of disappointed for that at first. But now, I freaking love Paso. The better thing was definitely high school. It’s big, clean, and it’s just way better than my home school!”

— Clarisse Dart, Reporter, and Sarah Wilson, A&E Co-Editor

Em Boonnithi, Thailand “It’s been nine months already and I have so many things I still want to do. The whole year was really enjoyable for me, but my favorite time was spring break when I went to Hawaii. Even though I was the only Asian on the trip, I still I had a good time. I kind of think I might cry when I return, and I will miss all the people such as in the choir [and] dance classes.”

Photos by Clarisse Dart and Sarah Wilson

www.crimsonnews.org

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

31

Salutes

E AC H E R \

Principal Randy Nelson Mrs. Buck-moyer, counselor

Your journey here has had ample joys and sorrows. No one’s journey was exactly like your own yet there is a common theme of moving on, merging into the future. You have emerged different on the other side of this 4 years. And now another journey begins!

Graduation, the grand finale to this amazing year is close at hand. You’ve made it ! Let’s celebrate.To all the seniors that I have known for 4 years, it is like losing a family member but I’m thrilled to see you go where you need and want to go. remember to stop and visit to let us know where your life has taken you. I cannot name you all, but you are in my thoughts.

Thousands of students across our nation are on the verge of making a new transition in their lives by graduating from high school. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary denotes one definition of graduation as “to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to the next stage; usually a higher one.” Graduating from high school is but one stage of your life. One of many yet to be fulfilled, many yet to be imagined, yet to be surpassed.

As you move forward, please be humble in your accomplishments, thankful to those who have helped you make your way, and willing to help others as they pass through the stages of their lives. My very best wishes to you in your future endeavors!

Mrs. Bedrosian, Dance, Cheer, Leadership

Exchange Students

Mr. Blinkwolt, English Has anyone told you, today, what a great person you are? Well, let me be the first. You are a great person, and don’t you ever forget it! It’s been a pleasure knowing you. Please remember the joy you’ve received from life and the joy you have given to others’ lives like mine. I could name names or talk about gifts such as posters, miniature gongs, books, portraits, drawings, poems and other heartfelt writing you’ve given me for a grade or to brighten my spirits, but I’ll merely say, “Thank you all for being in my life.” I’ve grown from knowing you, and I hope truth, justice, peace and courage remain in your hearts because America needs you desperately to lead us through this century.

If you see me on the streets, don’t hesitate to say, “Hey.” I’m sure to respond with a smile. Good luck & power to you. Congratulations on your diploma!

Every year I seem to say what a great group of Seniors I have graduating from Dance and Cheer. This year is no exception. You Girls Rock! I feel so blessed to have been able to say that I have worked with students that gave me blood, sweat and tears, but never gave up. I’m in awe of how talented you all are. This year I was lucky enough to work with another group and that was leadership. In such a short time I was able to realize what an amazing and talented group of seniors I had in that class. I wish I would have had you all another year! You have all made me laugh, made me cry and most of all, you inspire me to be better than I was yesterday.

To my “office girls” I’ll miss you hanging around...now it’s off to bigger and better things! Remember, “If you can, Do!” Love you all!

Mr. Delbar, French

Mr. Cantrell, English AP To The Best Class, The Class of 2011, “Perhaps you won’t understand what I am saying to you, because I often speak very unintelligibly, but...[y]ou must know that there is nothing higher and stronger and more wholesome and good for life in the future than some good memory, especially a memory of childhood, of home.

People talk to you a great deal about your education, but some good, sacred memory, preserved from childhood, is perhaps the best education” (Dostoevsky’s TBK).

With high hopes, respect, gratitude, and love.

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

Thanks to all you seniors who took French. Now you get to go out into the world and apply it!

Travel, meet new people, find new cultures.

You will experience a paradigm shift in the way you see yourselves, your community and the American way of life. And you will also gain an invaluable appreciation for what we have here, in our country.

www.crimsonnews.org

evoir Au R a

Bye

さよう

niya

Aloh D

a svida

なら

Tạm biệt

안 ciaZai Jian

녕

o

Salutes

A L UT E S \

To My Retiring Yearbookers: How can you sum up a year like we had?

We made it and I enjoyed every minute with you all. Vanessa- It’s so hard to believe that three years have come and gone. I feel so blessed to have been given the chance to watch you grow up into the amazing young woman you’ve become. The Banana Slugs have no idea what a treasure they’re getting. Brett- What a time, eh? Did you have any idea what you were in for when you signed up? I’m glad you took the chance and became part of the staff. It was a joy to watch you grow from a quiet freshman into a funny, caring young man. Eric- Thanks for putting in the hard work when needed and I’m so glad I took a chance on “Germany.”

Throughout all the chaos, I could always look to you to be calm in the face of it all. Your push ups, and your great sense of humor, always made me smile. Alejandra- Thank you for all your help this year. Your quiet determination helped us get a really tough job done. Good luck on whatever path you choose!

AVID seniors! I cannot thank you enough for the hard work, the dedication, the laughs, the tears, the success, the failures, the procrastination, the competition, the worry, the crazy moments, the sad moments, but mostly the feeling that every day at school I had a family that was there for me these past three years. As you move on to college, I want to remind you of Randy Pausch’s last lecture and some advice to keep you going when life’s problems try to stop you.

“The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”

Good Luck out there in the real world, I will miss you all!

Mrs. Roberts, English & Yearbook Mr. Fairbank, [AP] Physics & Chemistry

Mr. Steaffans, Alegbra 2 & Avid Mr. Cooper, Ethnic Studies & Video Dear Seniors, Throughout your lives, be cautious when it comes to drugs and alcohol and remember the poem “Little Willie” by Anonymous: “Willie saw some dynamite Couldn’t understand it quite; Curiosity seldom pays: It rained Willie seven days.” Good Luck

Mr. Williams, [AP] Government

Mrs. Spohnhauer, English To my Short Story/Popular Novel classes: Thank you for being respectful, engaged, deep-thinking, self-reflecting students.it has been a privilege to be your teacher! Follow in Siddhartha’s footsteps as you pursue truth and enlightenment, purpose and meaning in your lives! I will miss you! To the International Club seniors and exchange students: Remember the weekly meetings, Pioneer Day parade, Christmas parade float, overnighters, sports day, beach days, American Heart Association walk, movie nights, EuroVision 2011. Thank you Sheridan and Paige for running the club this year and thank you to all the seniors who befriended our foreign friends. We love you Baris, Çağlar, Em, Haku, I-Chen, Lada, and Meta! To the AVID class of 2011:Congratulations on your college acceptances! You will do wonderfully well at the colleges and universities you have chosen to attend! The sky is the limit! Come back and share your great successes with our future AVID classes www.crimsonnews.org

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Over the years I have discovered that life is interactions with others. As we encourage and assist others in seeing their strengths, we help them build self confidence.

One of the most important aspects of working with others is the ability to listen. Listening requires our full attention. In all conversation we need to look directly at the person and actively listen. As we show interest they will actually begin to share their concerns, worries, fears, loves, joys and interests. As they begin to trust us they will share personal stories that will bring joy as well as great concern. As we take genuine interest in others we will make a great difference in their lives. Be the difference in others and the world around you.

Dear Senior Friends: I had the honor and pleasure of being with you during your Junior year as we explored American history. Unfortunately, colon cancer took me away from enjoying your Senior year with you. During a year of chemotherapy, I have managed to read the PRHS daily bulletin online almost every day. It has been so wonderful to see some of you during the year and to exchange letters and e-mails with other Seniors. I have missed you very, very much. Please know I’m thinking about you during these exciting times. I love you.

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

33

Shout-outs

34

06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

It has been so much fun watching you grow up. You’ve accomplished so much and made us proud in so many ways. We look forward to this exciting new chapter in your life and know that you will do great things.

Love and Congratulations, Mama and Papa

Hunter! My creative, artistic, athletic, funny, kind, handsome son… I am so proud of who you are and all that you’ve accomplished! Follow your dreams. The world is yours. You will make a difference! I love you!

Mom

Lexi, We are very proud of you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Paso Robles High School

Anne Hayes

Love, Mom, Dad and Miss Nelly

Love, Mom, Dad, Stephan, and Daisy

Trevor Hendricks

Maddison Anne you will have it all!

Your hard work, accomplishments and smart choices have paved the road for your vision of the future.

We Celebrate You! Hugs and Kisses.

Congratulations, Alix. We are so proud of you! We will always cherish the amazing memories of the first 18 years of your life. We are so excited for you to experience the next chapter.

Live it to the fullest!

Jesse Horne

Tori Engle Forest Erwin

Love, Mom Monet, and Keeton

We love you, Mom, Dad, Delaney and Kathleen Alix Gaspar

Paul Cleland

Morgan Farrior

Congratulations Maddy! Couldn’t be more proud of the person you’ve become. Good luck at SFSU!

“This above all: to thine own self be ture”-(Act I, Scene III) I am so very proud of you.

Jesse, you remind us that “God exists.” He loves us and He (up or down) comforts us. God exists.

Kelsey Hunter

Love, Dad, Mom, and Lauren

Love, Mom, Dad, Sean, and Dakota

Love, Mom, Dad, and Noah

Trevor, we are so proud of you! Go get everything in life you want and desire.

Proud parents of a sailor.

Go navy.

Congratulations, Kelsey! We are so proud of you; the best is yet to come!

Adrian Jauregui

Congratulations, we are so very proud of you. Just remember the success of one inspires the dreams of many. Be true to your head “always.”

Congratulations, Paul! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. You deserve the very best in all your endeavors. Good luck at UCLA!

Congratulations, Anne! You are a wonderful daughter. We are so proud of you!

Adrian, we are so proud of all you have accomplished! May God bless you in all you do and be with you every step of the way. We wish you all the best in everything you do!

Erin Joseph

Love you, Grandma Rogie & Grandpa Jim

Love, Mom and Dad

Fofe, we are so proud of you.

Hunter Gay

Congratulations, mija! We’re so proud of your accomplishments at PRHS. May your future be as bright as you.

Maddi Coons

Congrats Nikki! We are all so proud of you.

The sky’s the limit!

Maddy Cline

Pumpkin, we are so proud of you!

The future is yours for the taking. We know you will be successful in all that you do. Go forth and conquer!

Love, Mom and Dad

We are so proud of the beautiful young woman you have become and feel blessed to have been given you as a daughter. Congrats!

Love, Mom and Dad

KIM ONE! What does that mean anyway? You made it!

Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations Alex! We couldn’t be more proud of you.

We have been truly blessed, now your dream is coming true. The future is yours! Have faith and all your dreams will come true!

Alexa Gomez

Mom

Alex Chaidez

Dear Kyle, it’s an honor and pleasure being your mom. Congratulations! I’m so proud and I love you very much.

Austin Ehrhardt

Lane Carminati

Alicia Canales

Nikki Calabria

Teacher salutes

Shaylene Buckley

Kimberly Bergin

Kyle Alberson

Parent Shout-outs

To our daughter Erin Joseph, Wow, these past four years have gone by fast. We are so proud of your accomplishments. We know you’ll be successful in the next chapter of your life.

Love, Mom and Dad

Love, Dad and Mom

We love you, Mom and Dad

Love, Mom, Dad, Jake, & Noah

Love, Mom and Dad

www.crimsonnews.org

Shout-outs

Love you, Mom and Dad

Love, Mom and Dad

Love, Mom

www.crimsonnews.org

Paso Robles High School

Melissa Toler Andrea Vega Caty Wallace

Congratulations, you did it! Have a great time at Cal Poly. We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

We love you, baby!

Mommy and Daddy Jorden Welch

Congratulations, Jennifer! We are so very proud of all the hard work and all the accomplishments you have done. Keep it up. We are very proud of you.

Love, Mom, Dad, Nachito, and Kristal

Say “What’s Up, New York?”

You made your dream happen, and we couldn’t be more proud of you. Believe in yourself, and always reach a little farther than you think you can!

Love, Mom, Vanessa, and Christian

Congratulations, Jorden! We are all very proud of you. This is just the beginning. The future is yours!

Andrew Winter

We are so proud of the smart, responsible, and kind young man you have become. Congratulations on your successes so far. We are so proud of you.

Love, Nana, Chad, Jesse, and Gage

Keep reaching for the stars. We love you and will always be there for you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Congratulations, Andrew!

Here is to a job well donewe could not be more proud of you. Enjoy your next four years at Cal Poly!

Kayla Witt

Addison, we love you and we are so proud of you.

We know you will achieve great things. Congratulations!

Abigail, Congratulations, I knew you were going to do it. This was your accomplishment. You did it!

We are so proud of you. Happy 18th Birthday!

Love, Mom and Dad

Melissa — We are so proud of your accomplishments now and always.

KK you are amazing! Look out world here she comes and she is going to knock you on your ear!

Go get ‘em baby girl.

Tawnee Wolfe

Love, Momma, Dad, and Tia

Nicholas Olsen

Mom and Dad

Savannah Rees

“Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.” Ghandi Congratulations Philip! Job well done, you are on your way to your future. Best wishes for continued success, love, happiness, and health.

Congratulations, Jake! It’s been such a joy to watch you grow from a cute little boy to a handsome young man.

Whether in the classroom or on the court, we are so proud of all you’ve accomplished. While we will miss you, we know you’ll have fun at Texas State. Good luck and God bless.

Mom

You did it! You have worked hard and we know you will accomplish all that you want to do. We love you and are very proud.

Abigail Romero

Philip Maxey

Love, Mom & Dad

Katherine Michel

Serina, “Staring at the blank page before you… Let the sun illuminate the words… Reaching for something in the distance… Feel the rain on your skin... Drench yourself in words unspoken... Live your life with arms wide open... Today is where your book begins... The rest is still unwritten.” ~ Natasha Bedingfield, “Unwritten”

Love, Mom, Dad, and Danielle

Nicole Muehlhausen

Congratulations, Devon! We are so proud of you!

Colie, you are amazing and we are so proud!

We love you!

Jacob Murray

Devon Lambert

Mom

Congratulations, Baby Girl!

I am so proud of you! Love you to the moon and back!

Addison O'Loughlin

Congratulations my son! It has been a joy to watch you grow into such a bright young man.

Keep your dreams alive. Live life!

With eternal care and love!

Serina Lewis

Darian Krutsinger

Love, Mom

Jason Salas

Love, Mom and Dad

Nicholas, It’s been an exciting journey and we look forward to all the opportunities the future holds.

Jennifer Smith

You are simply amazing! Your accomplishments in school and sports have made us so proud. Thank you for some great memories! It’s time to take life to a whole new level.

May all your dreams come true!

Hadley Sowerby

Alex, I can’t believe you’re graduating already! There is no way words could possibly express how proud of you I am! So to the end of your high school career and to the beginning of your next journey I want to tell you congratulations and I love you very much!

Austin McCall

Alex Kamphaus

Parent Shout-outs

Congratulations Tawnee!

We are very proud of you and love you very much.

Crimson Ad

We love you, Mom, Eric, Vanessa, and Devin

Love you, Mom and Dad

Love, Mom and Dad

Love, Mom, Dad, Timmy, and rest of family

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

35

Crimson Newsmagazine Representing PRHS and the Paso Robles community Parent shout outs

Have a bright, safe, and memorable summer vacation!

Want more Crimson in the 2011-2012 school year?

Please subscribe in the fall.

Photos, videos, and stories at crimsonnews.org Graphic illustration by Amanda Hutchinson

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05.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

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Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

37

A&E

Glazing and amazing Senior Desiree Bond wins ceramics scholarship

by Alicia Canales, Managing Editor Playing with clay doesn’t have to stop after age six. Senior Desiree Bond has worked and mastered the dough substance for the past two years. A friend convinced Bond to join Beginning Ceramics her junior year with ceramics teacher John Mettier to fill in elective spots in her schedule, and Bond continued into the Advanced Ceramics class.

“I can’t explain why I like ceramics.

I just like working with my hands. I guess it’s something about the way you manipulate the clay and make something out of it that interests me,” Bond said.

Bond entered ceramics teacher Kiley Wilson’s Advanced Ceramics class for the third trimester of her junior Crimson year and the first trimester ad of her senior year. Bond is no longer in the class, but Wilson stated she is “one of the most versatile students” he’s had out of approximately 150 students

this year.

“I noticed she had talent, and I kept pushing her to do larger projects, detailed glazing, use handles and lids, [which] normally, high school students do not progress to… Right away her projects seemed more refined than her peers’. She was inquisitive and asked questions on how to be better, which led me to encouraging her,” Wilson said, who believes Bond’s specialty is wheel throwing.

At least once a week, Bond goes into room 508 during second or third period to work on projects. One of her favorite projects is titled “The Egyptian Vase:” a 12 inch tall, three inch wide tan vase with a pyramid and sun to achieve an ancient look. Bond submitted “The Egyptian Vase” to the Paso Art Show over spring break and won a $500 scholarship. At the Morro Bay Art Show, she received Honorable Mention during the first trimester for a vase she made her junior year.

“I think it’s cool [being recognized], but I don’t think I’m better than anyone

else. All of the Advanced students are equally good, we just have different style,” said Bond, whose style is known as The Perfectionist. “I would do something on the wheel, and if it wasn’t semi decent, I’d crush it…if [the project] doesn’t make my cut, it’s not coming off the wheel.”

Bond will attend Humboldt University Fall 2011. Inspired by her eighth grade history trip to Washington D.C., she will major in either Political Science or Sociology with a concentration in criminal justice. She plans on spending two years there then transferring to a college that better suits her major. During the summers, she’ll attend a Platoon Leader’s class and later sign on to boot camp.

Finally she’ll go to Officer Training School in Paris Island, South Carolina to become an officer. After she earns her Masters,

she wants to work for the FBI or Pentagon.

“I don’t know, I’ve always been interested in the military. My mom’s side of family is Jehovah’s Witness, so it’s not like my family is into the military,” Bond said.

“I’m very determined. Once I get on a path, you can’t stop me. That’s my perfectionism.”

Though Bond will not pursue art as a career, she admitted art has influenced her to put her best effort into everything she does.

BOND GOES BOLD: Bond throws a pot in her ceramics class.

She was given the nickname “The Perfectionist” by Kiley Wilson, and it always shows in her work.

Photos by Alicia Canales

The ‘Black Pearl’ sails once more

Pirates of the Caribbean seeks to float yet flounders

by Dakota Cleland, Sci-Tech Co-Editor

38

Throughout the years, moviegoers have been mesmerized by Captain Jack Sparrow and company’s adventures in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series.

Yet by the third installment of said series, “At World’s End,” people thought it was all over for Johnny Depp’s antics as the mischievous captain, and they were ready to see it sink. Now, with the release of the newest film of the franchise, “On Stranger Tides,” Disney is set on milking as much money as they can out of this cash cow. However, in their attempt, it seems that the film has fallen overboard in terms of quality.

This time, Sparrow is without Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and he has to resort to teaming up

06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

with a past love interest of his, Angelica (Penelope Cruz), in a race to find the Fountain of Youth, which is the coveted treasure in this film, for her father, Blackbeard, before everyone else. And their competition includes Spanish conquistadors (in the name of God) and the British navy (in the name of King George II). In addition to finding the Fountain of Youth, the one who seeks a return of their vitality must drink the fountain’s water from inside a chalice in combination with a mermaid’s tear. So instead of this movie being something unique like how the first ones were, it is degraded into a standard adventure movie’s rat race, a la “Indiana Jones” or “Pulp Fiction.”

Paso Robles High School

And this doesn’t include the action of “Indiana Jones” or the gritty intensity of “Pulp Fiction.” In fact, the sword fighting action in this movie seems like they’re swinging around their blades until they hit something.

Everything feels rehashed. Depp’s act has grown old and overdone so much that it seems like even he is getting sick and tired of being a witty squashbuckler.

And everything seems unorganized. While it was fun in the beginning for me, I felt like I wanted it to be over in the end. I wanted ‘Pirates’ to end for good. Three was enough. Four did too much. I give this movie three stars out of five. www.crimsonnews.org

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Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

39

Health

Never able to bend Senior Dominique Fouarge overcomes physical limits to pursue her mental dreams

by Aryn Fields,

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BENDING THE ODDS: Senior Dominique Fourage overcomes 11 surgeries to follow her passion in marching band and dance. Photo by Aryn Fields

A&E Co-Editor

She’s bound. Unable to move her limbs, bend her knees, or turn around, her body limits her. When peers stare in confusion and disbelief it’s nothing new—because it’s always been this way. Senior Dominique Fouarge was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita [AMC], bilateral club feet and dislocated hips. AMC is severe stiffening of all body joints. Her club feet are turned far upwards, causing Fouarge to walk on her ankles. Her dislocated hips remain untreated. Fouarge has had four surgeries on her left foot, five on her right foot, and two on the hips.

Fouarge had these 11 surgeries right when she was born—and most recently in the second grade to repair her right foot. The doctors agreed this was caused by improper movement while in the womb. When Fourarge was a fetus she didn’t move enough for her joints and feet to develop.

They said there was no way to predict this happening.

With a high school campus as large as PRHS, being able to maneuver around the stairs, planters, and halls would create quite a challenge. Fouarge’s knees cannot bend so walking up and down stairs isn’t an option for her. During her junior year, she was scheduled to take Scott Larsen’s U.S. History class. However since it’s located at the bottom of Bearcat Hall, which resulted into a schedule change. Issues like this have followed Fouarge into her daily life, avoiding bumping into people for fear of falling and walking across campus alone is a daunting task because of the students who can’t help staring.

“I hate walking across campus alone, because I can hear the whispers of ‘why does she walk like that?’ or ‘what’s wrong with her

feet? Once I even got ‘what the f*** is wrong with her toes?’” said Fourarge. “But I have learned to ignore them, and my friends care about me so I’m fine when I’m with them.”

Even though physical life for Fouarge has shown to be difficult, her mental strength to overcome and show peers that she “can do it” has been the fighting and successful factor.

“I’ve taken my conditon as my outlook on life. I’ll do anything just to prove someone wrong,” said Fouarge, who also accredits her involvement with the opportunites she is given. “Chances are really important to me because there are people who won’t give me a chance to try…I was denied from Color Guard because they thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up on the field. I always have to work harder than everyone else, but I still want my chance to try,” said Fouarge.

Although Fouarge has defied odds and has become a member of intermediate dance and the PRHS marching band, she had to work for years to develop her physical strengh. Doctors would consider her success medically impossible—as they all predicted she would never walk.

“When I was born, the doctors said I could never walk or turn my head. They weren’t sure if the surgeries would actually help,” Fourage said. “But now that I’m in the high school marching band and I’m a dancer, I’d love to see all their jaws drop to the floor.”

Fourarge has coped with her condition in such a way, she is happy to have had it. Confessing that if she wanted to wish away her condition, it would be wishing herself away because she wouldn’t be the same person without AMC. “I wouldn’t wish for my condition to disappear. I don’t believe my life would be better without it. I’m glad I was born with it because it has made me so much stronger—and it made me who I am.”

Accutane: blotchy benefits and scarring side effects

Dangerous drug becoming more common

by Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor The dangers of Accutane require a second look in the mirror, due to the pain and scary sideeffects.

Accutane (also known as Isotretinoin), first prescribed to patients with severe acne, is now provided more frequently for less severe outbreaks. This small pill, available in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg, is taken orally for 15-20 weeks for one treatment, which can up cost approximately $500 without health insurance, according to acne.org. This risky drug is guaranteed to improve skin, although the side effects can scar patients for life.

“Acne is already horrible as it is. Why would you want to risk other side effects for something that may not even work?” sophomore Mekenzie Prokop, who is still trying to win the war of acne, said.

Teenagers especially strive for meds like Accutane because appearance is everything in high school. In a survey of 20 students, three sophomores stated: “acne can really kill the high school experience; people judge you by your skin, and they will go through almost anything to make them feel secure in how their face looks.”

Out of 42 possible side effects, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the one effect that has gained a lot of attention. The Accutane Team, an organization for achieving justice for Accutane victims, has helped 40mg

40mg

40mg

40mg

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

many patients by filing lawsuits against the drug manufacturers that caused the harmful side effects. The association has gained over $33 million in damages from product liability suits concerning Accutane effects, more commonly, IBD, according to accutane.poweradvocates.com. In addition, other side effects include hair loss, vision problems, hives, and even a severe case of depression.

“It’s like gambling. You could blow a ton of money in hopes that you could maybe win even more, but the chances are higher of losing the majority of it, if not all. I personally would rather play it safe when it comes to my health,” Prokop explained.

By reducing the size of oil glands in the skin and decreasing the amount of oil produced, Accutane works to diminish acne in 95 percent of cases. Acne can be just another annoying pimple of a problem in teenagers’ life that they want to clear, but with life-altering side effects, Accutane can permanently scar patients for years.

Paso Robles High School

Graphic illustration by Kellie Kennan

www.crimsonnews.org

Culinary cooking competition Students rise to theOnchallenge of a cook-off May 23, three excelling culinary students rose to the

by Serina Lewis, Business Manager

READY TO RUMBLE: Senior Jake Golightly flashes a big smile as he prepares for the competition. He was the first cook to start the last phase of the competition which was dessert. All photos by Lindsay Reed

challenge of a culinary competition. Meeting in the kitchen of the Paso Robles Culinary Arts Academy, senior Jake Golightly, junior Rebecca Libertore, and North County Christian sophomore Noah Yoshida, looked onto the chalk board that head chef Phillip Riccomini had jotted down the ingredients for the three course meal about to be prepared and explained they would be judged on creativity, appearance, and taste or flavor.

The competition started at 9:40 a.m. and the three chefs began to create their vision for their appetizers. Stationed two feet apart from each other, they scurried around the kitchen to the far reaches to collect their items and bring them back to their areas to begin cooking.

“Rebecca’s going to win, no doubt,” seniors Darian Krutsinger and Jesse Puckett said simultaneously, looking on.

As the appetizer course ensued, Yoshida began to lead the group and ended up finishing first compared to Golightly who went overtime to finish his meal. Liberatore won the competition with 50 points; her skewered shrimp on top of her salad with grilled onions stood out among the others. Coming in second, Yoshida was complemented for his edible garnishes yet was knocked down points for his excess use of salt on his shrimp topped salad.

Placing third, Golightly was criticized for “lacking element and components and the dressing contrasting the rice” instead of complimenting each other from the judge Julie Hawkins, Paso Robles School District head baker.

The entrée, which included the ingredients listed below, was won over by Yoshida who received 50 points for his rice pilaf and pork tenderloin baked in a brown sugar sage rub topped with a homemade apple sauce. Golightly, who came in second with 46.5 points total, stood out with his rosemary sautéed pork tenderloin with a bacon, apple, and brown sugar sauce, yet was docked down

Food

for the appearance looking messy. Liberatore, who was rated with 39.5 points for her mushroom and apple stuffed pork tenderloin with bacon broccoli was criticized for her string left on her entrée.

As the contestants finished their entrees, they sped right into their dessert dish. Golightly was the first to start his dessert dish and decided to make a slide where the gummy bears, a required ingredient, “are going to be the little people sliding down the chiffon,” he said.

As they all began to work on their desserts, they split their chiffon down the middle, but it was what they added to the sliced cake made the difference. Liberatore scored 49 on her dessert dish, which was chocolate chiffon French toast stuffed with pastry cream with smashed almonds and orange syrup. Her French toast sauce included eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange juice, and brown sugar. When she tasted it, she declared with pride that it “tasted like Madonna Inn cake.”

Yoshida mixed the whipping cream and pastry cream and stuffed the chiffon with orange syrup glaze and melted gummy bears on top, which happened to look like “alien juice”. When the competitors set their final dishes onto the judging table, a sigh of relief was expressed as their fate was left into the four judges hands.

Yoshida won the dessert section of the competition with 51.5 points. As the results were read off by Blackner in an informal manner, the contestants celebrated humbly and showed genuine gratitude to the winners. A shower of claps and a few pats on the back was what Liberatore received for taking the cake and winning the competition overall. Before any celebration happened, Blackner and Riccomini had a constructive analysis to offer their students. A couple of improvements here and World piece a few touch ups there and the competition ended on a successful, happy note.

Junior Rebecca Libertore, 1st place

Sophomore Noah Yoshida, 2nd place

Senior Jake Golightly, 3rd place

Rebecca Liberatore has been cooking since she was eight, when she had “to pick up the pace” when her parents divorced and slowed her family down. Now, she has progressed from ramen noodles and mac and cheese to being an impressive chef, embracing her Italian heritage, deciding her favorite ingredient is garlic. She “aspire[s] to be like the women with restaurants that you see on TV, who are so independent. I want to be somebody to look up to.” Next year she is going to attend Johnston and Wales, a private culinary college. “I can be a senior in high school and a freshman in college, so I can wipe that out.” A weakness she sees going into the competition is her knife skills, one of the most pronounced skills as a chef. Yet she’s focusing on the upside of the competition, where she will be “trying to make something completely disgusting into something delicious.”

Noah Yoshida, a current sophomore at North County Christian School, will be the newest addition next year at PRHS. Being a passionate cook, he started with baking cookies in his kitchen at the age of 12.

He soon came to dominate his mom’s kitchen. “She just let me take her place. Usually moms are like ‘this is my kitchen!’ but it’s really awesome that my mom lets me take over her kitchen,” Yoshida said.

As a state competitor for SkillsUSA, he received a bronze medal in culinary cooking and now he has a goal set to make it to nationals and get a scholarship to a culinary school, like Culinary Institute of America (CIA) or Le Cordon Bleu. Yoshida’s most preferable place to be is, because of the pressure, “focusing on what I’m doing and getting it done.”

Jake Golightly, raised in the deep south, is a lover of food and was immersed in the world of cooking at a young age. As a child, Golightly’s favorite memory of cooking was cooking at his huge family reunion.

“When you had all of your family there, you just splurged on food, and I remember we made almost 20 different platters, from potato salad to ceviche,” Golightly said. Nowadays, his family eats about six home-cooked meals a week around their dining room table, and out of those he is slaving over about five of those meals. A chef in the making, he is aspiring to attend Johnston and Wales, a private culinary school based in Colorado. Going into the cooking competition, Golightly feels his biggest weakness is “being ignorant and not knowing what to do with the ingredients,” yet he is intrigued with what the ingredients are going to be.

Appetizer -

shrimp green onions lemons olive oil vinegar salad greens

APPETIZER DELIGHT: Contestents were given thirty minutes to create an appetizer salad that included shrimp, green onions, lemons, olive oil, vinegar, and salad greens.

www.crimsonnews.org

Entrée: -

pork tenderloin mushrooms bacon rice apples broccoli

-

Dessert:

chiffon orange almonds whipped cream pastr y cream gummy bears

A WORK OF ART: As the appetizer wrapped up, the entree portion of the TASTY TREAT: The competition wrapped up with the desert dish. Mancompetition began. All of the contestants had to include pork tenderloin, datory ingredients for this dish included chiffon cake, orange, almonds, whipped cream, pastry cream, and gummy bears. mushrooms, bacon, rice, apples, and broccoli in their entree dishes.

Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

41

World

STREET TALK

Do you think Osama bin Laden’s death was a conspiracy?

I think the way he died was a conspiracy, but I believe he’s dead.

– Matthew Roberson, 11

Growing up with royalty

by Lindsay Reed, Reporter Growing up among the castles and ancient ruins of over 400 years ago was just an everyday detail of her life to PRHS junior, Aisha Hernandez. It wasn’t until age five that Hernandez and her family of five said goodbye to their hometown, Banobarez, in the province of Salamanca, western Spain and made their way across the Atlantic to a land almost identical in most aspects, except that mystical ruins and monarchy was a thing of the past that only seemed to exist in the fairytales.

Within Spain’s 195,364 square miles lies lands that tell of ancient kings and queens, the battles of the crusades, and one of the oldest universities, 595 year old Chopped Salamanca University. Without the donation of large sums of money to Christopher Columbus by Spain’s King Fernando and Queen Isabel in 1492, the New World wouldn’t have been discovered, colonized by Great Britain and so forth, it’s a possibility that America wouldn’t be where it is today.

“There’s history everywhere,” Hernandez said, stating that out of all the aspects that make Spain unique, the history is her favorite. The ancient mysteries of the culture are kept alive among the ancient ruins and traditions that have lasted since before 537 AD by still existing today in the form of a monarchy, ruled by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

Underneath the archaic traditions lies a culture as modern America’s culture.

“The teens are the same. They dress the same, act the same, like the same shows, movies, and music,” Hernandez said, recalling that while the younger generation is almost identical to that in America, the “older society is much more cultural in manners… they don’t spit in the streets.” Hernandez remarked that if it wasn’t for the language, ancient history, and location, Spain and the U.S. would be interchangeable due to the very similar “materialistic interests of society.”

However, culturally, there is hardly a resemblance between Hernandez’s two beloved havens.

According to Hernandez, Americans generally tend to spend their time indoors, isolated from the world except for family and a few friends. In Spain, “the people are much more social and spend more time outdoors… especially at night, everyone is outside with their family, friends, and neighbors.”

As the days come to a close, socializing takes precedence over a hearty end-of-the-day meal and nightly routine as dinner at around 9:30 and the affable citizens of Spain, young and old, don’t allow their heads to hit the pillow until the night loses its youth, who usually do not go to bed until around 10:00 p.m. in Spain.

Regardless of her occasional longing for her home-country, Hernandez is making the most of her recently acquired life in America. Her family has made their mark in the soil of the US by continuing their farm in Spain with a little farm her father and mother, have established in Whitley Gardens, Paso Robles, Calif. Hernandez-Larsen Family Farm.

Here, Hernandez can be seen “making the rounds,” tending to all of her animals, including four ducks, a myriad of bunnies, kittens, two potbellied pigs, and chickens, a familiar sight to visitors.

The Hernandez family occassionaly returns to Spain, most recent trip being in 2004, to keep close ties with their heritage and visit family and old friends. But when the Hernandez family returns home to the farm, despite memories about life in Spain, they have now made America their new home.

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

No. People are glorifying his death too much.

– Luis Jimenez, 10

I think it was a conspiracy, because Obama’s planning everything.

– Salina Duong, 12

If they don’t have a picture, how do we know if he’s dead?

– Victoria Barron, 9 (left) I’m not sure. The government could have dumped someone else’s body in the ocean.

– Chesney Brouhard, 9 (right)

—Paul Cleland, Managing Editor Photos by Amanda Hutchinson

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org

World

NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR

Illustration by Amanda Hutchinson

Did you know?

Junior’s family lived down the street from the most wanted man in the world

by Megan Rodrigues, News Co-Editor

“The shot heard round the world” doesn’t necessarily mean the accidental gunshot that led to the Revolutionary War anymore. Waking up at around 1:00 a.m. local time, according to reports, to helicopters and chaos, junior Zarmeena Khan’s extended family in Abbottabad, Pakistan heard a new gunshot: it was the one that killed the most wanted man in the world, who was only a mere three compounds away from their back door.

After Zarmeena’s aunt, cousins and grandfather woke on May 1, American citizens rejoiced in front of the White House chanting “USA” after President Barack Obama announced that the leader of al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, was killed by U.S. Navy Seals Team 6 in Abbottabad on his orders. The chaos that disrupted their peaceful slumber was Obama’s mission in action.

“Being from the city of Abbottabad and having all of this happen so soon, it was quite a shocker. I have visited and stayed in the city during our trips to Pakistan. I couldn’t even begin to imagine myself there,” Daniah Khan, PRHS alumni and Zarmeena Khan’s older sister said.

Zarmeena’s father, Mohammad Khan, calls Abbottabad his home town, where he lived until he went to college in 1969. After learning about bin Laden living in her father’s home town, Zarmeena received information from her family in Abbottabad, that the terrorist was their neighbor.

“It was kind of scary and shocking... It was like finding out the monster under your bed was actually real,” Zarmeena said.

Khan’s family had noticed peculiarities of the neighbors nearby: only one man, who was assumed to be the son of www.crimsonnews.org

the owner, would leave to perform errands like getting groceries.

The neighbors also didn’t fit in religiously. “[My family and the community found] it strange that no one from the household ever attended even one service at the mosque. They were told that his religious service differed from everyone else’s,” Zarmeena said. The local Khan family attends the Mosque of Nasreen in San Luis Obispo.

Zarmeena is unsure about the legacy of the bin Laden discovery and its impact upon her family.

“I hope... that the death of Osama will mean the eventual dismemberment of the al Qaeda terrorist organization. As for Abbottabad, I hope nothing bad happens to it. I have visited the city before, and contrary to what the media shows, it is actually quite a beautiful place. I especially hope that it does not become a playground for further U.S. and al Qaeda confrontation,” she said.

While accomplishment and criticism have been the outcome from some people in America’s feelings from this event, Daniah embraces the feeling of respect.

“I can’t rejoice over the death of a person, but I do believe the world is a better place without him for everyone,” she said.

Thus, the monster under the bed was found after a ten year war and five years of bin Laden hiding in, according to the L.A. Times, a “peaceful city.” Ironically, the monster under the bed, and “the mastermind behind the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil,” according to Obama, was hiding in an otherwise nonviolent area in Pakistan.

Paso Robles High School

FARAWAY FAMILY: Zarmeena Khan, youngest of the first generation Americans in her family of four siblings, last visited Abbottabad, Pakistan during the summer of 2005. Photo by Amanda Hutchinson STUCK IN THE MIDDLE: Located in NE Pakistan between Peshawar and Islamabad, Abbottabad is the home of 66,000 Pakistanis.

Abbottabad Peshawar Islamabad

PAKISTAN

Graphic illustration by Megan Rodrigues

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

43

Sports

Welcome to the fifth quarter

Do you know Austin?

Senior Austin McCall, record breaking swimmer and water polo player, poses the challenge to see who knows him best. The competitors: best friend Spencer Silva, girlfriend Nicole Evenson, and swimming and water polo coach Duane McRoy, who has been coaching Austin for all four years of his high school career.

County all-star game gives seniors a last hurrah

by Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor After years of dedication, the Pac 7 won, and diplomas less than two weeks around the corner, star seniors will get their swan song in one of the sports they love best.

Organized by the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the first annual Central Coast All-Star Football Classic will be held on Saturday, June 4 at Pioneer Valley High School. The best of San Luis Obispo County will be facing off against their counterparts from the northern Santa Barbara area. As a senior only event, PRHS is sending 11 of its standout graduates: quarterback Jacob Searcy, center Cole Thompson, running back Jesse Felgenhauer, tackle Jose Jimenez, inside linebacker Matt Sepulveda, cornerback Roman Rendon, defensive line Bo Bonnheim, guard Travis Martinus, wide receiver Aleksender Koch, safety Scott Plescia, and tight end Isaiah Jackson.

“I heard a rumor that there was going to be an all-star game. Then [head coach Rich] Schimke asked me, Bo, and Cole to be in a commercial with Ford [car dealership],” Searcy said, who was one of four team captains during the past season. The promotion for the game was produced since Ford had donated money towards the event.

The game is a way for players to finish out their four-year high school football experience, but it also serves as a fundraiser. Out of the 500 tickets available, each school will be given a share to sell.

Raffle tickets are also being sold for a voucher worth $25,000 that Osama bin Laden’s will go towards a random donated car, chosen from a “Wheel of death Fortune style” spinner. All proceeds from tickets sold by PRHS athletes go right to the school’s athletic program.

Yet, despite the great opportunity of the all-star game, players realized some unsettling news: June 4 is also prom.

Some seniors tried petitioning student leaders for a change of dates, but prom was unable to be moved. This leaves players having to pick between two events or arrive very fashionably late to their last high school dance.

Yet prom organizer and junior class president Zach Mondo assures that they tried everything they could to avoid this problem.

“We picked the date back in November, before we knew when the allstar game would be. By the time we knew there would be an overlap it was too late,” explained Mondo. Yet the prom committee has continued to try to accommodate the football seniors. All all-stars are now being given free tickets.

Despite the conflict, the athletes are being given great opportunities to enjoy being seniors. Whether it be with crimson jerseys or black tuxes, the boys are sure to wrap up their year with something to remember.

Austin McCall Funniest person on the swim team?

Spencer Silva Favorite TV show?

That 70s Show

Me!

Spencer

Reilly Newman

That 70s Show

That 70s Show

No TV, he should be practicing!

Neither

Night

He’s 24/7

Freestyle

Freestyle

Freestyle

Spaghetti

Probably In-N-Out

Spaghetti & meatballs

Denny’s!

Where you would find him on a Friday night?

With Nicole, playing Xbox, or with Spencer

Xbox live!

Hopefully with me!

Now that he has a girlfriend... Hopefully being chaperoned

“Turn My Swag On” Soulja Boy

I don’t know...

Something that doesn’t make sense to an old guy like me

Squirrelly

Squirrelly

Fluffy

Me, duh

Spencer, Jake, and Colby

Probably Spencer

Being somewhat good looking...

Honesty

Dedication

Morning or night person?

Night Best swimming stroke?

Freestyle Favorite food?

Pump up song? “‘Til I Collapse” - Eminem

Nickname?

Squirrelly Best friend?

Spencer Silva, Colby Thomson, or Jake Rodriguez Most desirable trait in a person?

A good laugh

CAPTAIN CHAOS: Cole Thompson gives teammate Scott Plescia a lift on campus. Thompson and Plescia were two of the’10-’11 season’s four team captains, along with Jacob Searcy and Bo Bonnheim (not pictured).

Total:

Photo by Sinéad Schouten

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

The Friend: The Girlfriend: The Coach: Spencer Silva Nicole Evenson Duane McRoy

6 out of 10

8 out of 10

2 out of 10 — Emily Grandoli, Reporter

Photos by Emily Grandoli and Emily Cone

Paso Robles High School

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RECORD BREAKERS

Athletes through the Ages

Devin Corea, 9

It was a successful year in Bearcat athletics with multiple school records broken. The athletes of track & field and water polo put their mark on PRHS history during the 2010-2011 seasons, setting the bar a little higher.

Girls 4x400m Relay Sammie Anderson Domenique Terry Tess Rountree Sinéad Schouten

Carly McCall, 10

3:59.74 Maddy Cline

GIRLS HIGH JUMP Tess Rountree

5” 7.5’ BOYS 800m Zander Souza

1:56.04 Boys water Polo Austin McCall: Most goals in a career & in a single season

Spencer Silva:

Most assists in a season

Varsity Cross Country, JV Girls Soccer, and Varsity Girls Track

“Cross Country is my favorite because the team is a big family and I like running a course.”

Varsity soccer and softball

“I really feel good as a sophomore on varsity but it can be intimidating with the older girls. I feel our season [softball] was really good, it was good to be strong at the beginning but it died towards the end but we still had a good season.”

It is Corea’s commitment and determination that sets her on a higher level of athletic competition. Corea Cross Country: varsity 1 year has developed an endurance and perseverance that has paid off big time in her sports. “She has been conPR: 3 mile course—19:55 sistently improving. I can see her as the school record Soccer : JV 1 year holder in the mile and two mile,” cross country and Scored a goal each against distance coach Ivan Huff said. The current record Arroyo Grande and St. Joe of 5:02 is held by Corea’s close friend senior Maddy Cline.

Track: varsity 1 year PRs: 800 meter- 2:28 — Olivia Musial, Food Co-Editor 1600 meter- 5:21 3200 meter- 11:40

Soccer: varsity 2 years Position: goalie League record: 5-7 Shut outs: 6 Place: 4th

Girls 1600m

5:02.94

Sports

Elias Stokes, 11

Softball: first year varsity Position: third base Batting average: .349 Runs: 7 RBI: 17 League: 7-5

Varsity football and baseball 5’11”, 170 pounds

Baseball:varsity 3 years League: 2nd place Position: Center fielder Batting average: .307 Runs: 15 RBI: 10 Football :varsity 2 years League: 1st place Position: wide receiver Points per Game: 12.9 Total TDs: 28

Matt Sepulveda, 12 Varsity football and track and field 6’2”, 210 pounds

McCall has been on varsity soccer from the get go freshman year, now a sophomore she is the starting goalie however on softball, varsity is new territory.

McCall just finished her first season starting on the varsity softball team as their third baseman, helping lead the team to the second in league title. McCall feels the teams best moment this year was sweeping PRHS rivals the Atascadero Greyhounds 9-6 and 1-0.

Diving: Colby Thompson

—Torey Wise, Sports Co-Editor

“Even though I broke my hand Tanner Berry’s calves are just keeping me up; they are the only thing keeping me going right now- his calves. I know when I get back to [football] I will be able to see those every day, all geared up. It’s very inspirational.”

Stokes has had a strong season in football and baseball, but recently could not play the home baseball CIF playoff game on May 20 against Palo Verdes.

On May 13 in the first inning Stokes slid in to third base head first, stealing a base against visiting team Arroyo Grande. His luck didn’t stretch much further.

Stokes would learn he broke his left, fourth metacarpal, also known as the ring finger. Stokes injury kept him from playing this year in CIF, but he looks forward to the 2012 season.

—Maddison Coons, Managing Editor “It was awesome winning league with such tough competition and even though we might not have had the greatest talent we worked together extremely well.”

Matt Sepulveda’s athletic year started off with a bang this year as PRHS varsity football became league Track & Field :varsity 2 years champs, with 10-3-0. Sepulveda, number 44, also League: 2nd place made All League for football along football players Discus: 170’ 7” from 7 schools. Sepulveda also made All League and Shot put: 49’ 1” All CIF for track and field. He went to the CIF prelims at Estancia High School. From there he advanced to Football :varsity 2 years CIF Finals and Masters at Cerritos Junior College League: 1st place where he placed 10th out of approximately 500 and Position: inside linebacker third in Div-III. Sepulveda plans to throw for CSU Tackles: 106 San Jose.

—Paul Cleland, Managing Editor

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Paso Robles High School

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

45

Sports

Diving, Technically Speaking CIF competitor Colby Thompson shows that more than natural talent goes into diving. Full-body attention to detail can be what makes or breaks a performance.

HANDY MAN BEND AND SNAP

With a push from the board from the bend of his knees, Thompson creates the height in the dive and also gets his directional momentum.

Athletes through the ages

By entering with his hands flat and straight above his head, Thompson can keep from losing points on a dive from a splash. With arms apart, water comes between his limbs, creating a splash. But with his hands together, Thompson makes a small hole for his body to disappear into.

WASHBOARD WORKOUT

Thompson uses his core for a stong controlled kickout.

A kickout is “is when you come out of a tuck or a pike and make your body completely straight” according to Thompson. The exercises for this include sit-ups, ab-specialized workouts, and hurdles.

REACHING OUT

On his hurdle—the walkup of the dive, where the diver picks up his knee to a 90 degree angle—Thompson swings his arms back and forth.

This gives him an upward and forward momentum, pushing him higher.

He strengthens his arms by doing exercises like 100 push-ups per day.

His arms also create his balance, and also his twist in the air.

OTHER FACTORS

Being in tune with your rhythm becomes extemely important in the approach. According to Thompson, “Timing is crucial throughout your whole dive. If you start too early, you could end up hitting the board. If you kickout early or late you could flop or smack.”

Thompson’s stellar season With a breakout season and a fifth place CIF victory, Colby Thompson had great successes as the only boys varsity diver. Thompson-

With a breakout season and a fifth place CIF victory, Colby Thompson had great successes as the only boys varsity diver. Thompson got into CIF competition with a score of 394.70 in Sinsheimer Pool at 1 P.M. on May 4, 2011. He had the highest score at the meet, beating Jake Milbrant of Arroyo Grande by 68.95. He was given “Athlete of the Week” by the Paso Robles Press for his outstanding performance in his capture of his CIF birth. His best average dive this year has been in the Inward 1/2 Somersault Tuck, averaging 40.70, with his best being 49.50. At CIF, Thompson set a personal best with a score of 403.40, placing him in 5th overall. ­— Josh Orcutt, Reporter Photo used with permission by Mrs. Thompson Photo illustration by Sinéad Schouten

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06.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

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Sports

Bearcathletes Reaching the bar: Aleksander Koch

by Torey Wise, Sports Co-Editor

Senior Aleksander Koch stands in front of the red high jump mat. He takes seven medium strides, focusing on the corner above the bar at least six feet off the ground. Envisioning his dream of being a track athlete in a PAC 10 college, he drives his right leg across his body as he launches himself off the ground. His arms shoot up in front of his face helping him gain air; he arches his back and throws his head as far back as he can, trying to curve his body perfectly over the bar. He tucks his chin in quickly and flips his legs up and over the bar, clearing the jump with a comfy cush into the mat.

But Koch isn’t in front of a red high jump mat. He is visualizing his strategies while lying in bed at night, a bruised talus sidelining him from seven meets of his final chance to prove himself ready for college track. In previous seasons, Koch was the number one PRHS high jumper. Last year at the track league finals Koch earned 36 points for the team total of 103, winning the high jump and 300 hurdles. He placed second in long jump and 110’s.

But there’s more. Koch is not now visualizing. With two meets under his belt, Koch did land in the red mat second at PAC-7 high jump finals and got a showing at May 14 CIF prelims.

Injury did not cap his determination, and his achievement in track and football land him with a cush into Crimson’s male pick for Bearcathlete of the Year.

Koch was a multiple sport athlete all four years of high school, varsity football for three years.

During his football season, he was PAC 7 First Team and played at the June 4 All-star Football Classic along with 10 other senior teammates.

His football stats are impressive: as kicker and receiver for the PAC-7 Champion football team, he had five receiving TD’s, two passing TD’s, 600

receiving yards, and 38 receptions .

Plus, at 6’4’’and 190 pounds, Koch played varsity forward in basketball, averaging 5.5 baskets per game and 4.1 rebounds.

But track is his niche, he said. “I am best at track for sure. It’s an individual sport mostly. I have been able to challenge myself more and go out there and compete for myself.”

Koch’s junior year he almost broke the 300 record of 39.44 with a time of 39.7, and made his best high jump at 6’4. Head track coach Mickey Cook projected that he would be able to jump 6’8 this season if he had been healthy.

The Bearcat Relays, the first track meet of the year, was Koch’s 2011 initial downfall. In the long jump, he remembered, “I took off and landed in the sand. I went back to put on my sweats and my foot sort of hurt. Then two minutes later I couldn’t walk on it, and I was like ‘Oh shoot.’”

The Doctor’s first diagnosis was a ligament strain which meant Koch would be out for a week. Three weeks later when the pain didn’t sub side, an MRI scan showed the sprain was a bruised bone turning his week of recovery into three to four months.

“I was mad when I found out; I really wanted to compete this season. I actually think I was depressed for a while there, and it was really tough,” Koch said.

Though Koch could not compete, he stayed active doing resistance training in the pool, performing dynamic stretching, and mentally visualizing the techniques for going over hurdles and the high jump. Two months into his recovery Koch decided to compete at finals for track “though his foot wasn’t fully healed”. He stood at Atascadero High School for the league finals Thursday, April 5. Still feeling some pain in his foot Koch went on with his decision to compete in high jump.

“My pain went away right before I jumped but I was nervous that it would hurt really bad,” said Koch, who jumped 6’1’’ for high jump and placed second, advancing to Southern Section CIF preliminaries.

Koch reached his goal of competing during his senior year, but he still had one more goal: to compete for track in college.

Cook wrote to schools about Koch’s three sport abilities and his potential in focusing on track solely. Koch is a four year varsity tracklete, but all the months add up to about 10. Cook believes that university coaches will be especially pleased with what Koch has accomplished, especially with his relative inexperience, through this “positive upside.”

“The [university coaches] are thinking ‘what is going to happen when this kid devotes all his time to track?’”

Koch’s GPA of 4.3 and 11th ranking in his senior class assisted Koch into getting accepted into UCLA. Coincidently one of the UCLA coaches that wrote back was interested in him.

“The UCLA coach was interested and asked me to visit and I loved it,” Koch said. He visited the school on April 2, and felt the people and coaches were very friendly and the athletic programs very beneficial. “The privileges the athletes get were also a plus. They really give the athletes a lot of help with school and classes so that is great.”

Koch committed to UCLA a week after he visited, and doesn’t plan on looking back – at least, only when he is over the bar.

Photo essay

The race to the top: Maddy Cline

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Culture Editor

Senior Maddy Cline crossed the Atascadero finish line at the Pac 7 League finals on May 5, 2011 with a new personal, school and league finals record with a time of 5:02.94.

“Beating the school record set by Hannah Huff in the mile was awesome,” Maddy’s mom, Annie Cline said. “She was close to it as a freshman but it took until her last Pac 7 finals to finally achieve that. I know that Coach Huff was glad that Maddy finally got that record, even if she beat out his daughter.”

Cline started running in sixth grade on the Flamson Middle School track team. Her ability to run three to 10 miles in a day isn’t some supernatural ability, but the result of a determined mind set. “I try and split my races up into smaller sections, where it’s easier to understand and feel my limits,” said Cline. “Most of the time it’s just me repeating with two laps to go, ‘two-twotwo-two-two’, and with 1 lap to go ‘one-oneone-one-one.’”

The star senior feels that running really gives her something to live for. “The rush of excitement and positive vibes from the sport make me want to never ever stop. [But] it’s the feeling after the www.crimsonnews.org

run. Your body feels cleansed and rejuvenated.

It’s totally worth it.” Cline said, who is one of the seven members of the girls cross country team in the Fall.

Her drive to win is what distinguishes Cline from most athletes. “My attitude during a race in one word would have to be competitive. I hate losing and in bigger races, I don’t care about time, or how many laps, I care about blowing by the girl in front of me,” Cline said.

Maddy’s mother agrees. “Madison is a competitor and she likes to do well, but she is never a sore loser. The leadership she has demonstrated on the playing field and on the track makes me proud,” Annie Cline stated. “I loved to watch her help her team mates gain PR’s in track. She helped make her team better as a result.”

Along with making her cross country team better, she led the girls bearcat soccer team with 14 goals and 13 assists. Cline, who has played soccer for two thirds of her life, enjoyed her last year of it the most.

“I think my biggest accomplishment [in soccer] would have to be establishing all the relationships I have from both when I was younger, Paso Robles High School

and especially in high school,” Cline said.

“Those girls are awesome and make my day, everyday.”

Cline and other senior teammates such as Colby Yarborough have been friends for seven years.

“I definitely trust her out on the field. She’s a key player. Because of our friendship, we’re able to play better together and we have a lot of fun as well,” Yarborough said.

Cline’s senior year consisted not just of a new record. She earned a 3.81 GPA, taking three AP classes. Cline also received a cross country scholarship to San Francisco State, where she will be majoring in kinesiology, living in dorms with a cross country teammate and playing intramural soccer.

“I just want to add that PRHS better watch out for my sisters,” Cline said of her two sister Delaney, 15, and Kathleen, 11, as a final statement to Paso Robles High School.

Photos by Torey Wise and Josh Orcutt

Crimson Senior Issue 06.08.11

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Senior Celebration The class of 2011 enjoyed games, music and fun on Friday, May 13

wolves of the west coast: (right) Templeton native band PK’s bassist Mikel Van Kranenburg rocked out with seniors Tyler Dukes and Forest Erwin while performing for all 405 students.

boisterous bruises: (right) Seniors Keegan Mullin and C.J. Prusi battled in Sumo wrestler suits in the third of four activities planned during Senior Day, an event offered to seniors while the rest of the school finished their CST exams.

Sleeping Beauties: (above) Seniors Caitlyn Curran and Spencer Silva— along with fellow upper classmen—were hypnotized into a deep sleep in the Gil Asa Gym after a buffet breakfast. Hypnotized girls actually worked the stage pretending they were Pussycat Dolls; boys impersonated James Bond.

Pure glory: (right) Senior Eric Unwin sped to the end of the inflatable race track, reaching the blue bean bag first and beating his friend, senior Trevor Hendricks.

ready to strike: (below) Senior Benjamin Zucker prepared to dominate the dodgeball court against his fellow seniors.

Photos by Kim Boswell and Emily Cone

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05.08.11 Crimson Senior Issue

Paso Robles High School

www.crimsonnews.org