Issue 1 combined by Karl Grubaugh

Guy fashion tips

Students say sex-ed info falls short B1

G10-11

More informative classes requested

Male Grizzlies give you all the help you need

New season, new coach

C1 Defending state champs have a big year ahead

The Granite Bay Gazette GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL w 1 GRIZZLY WAY w GRANITE BAY, CA w 95746 w VOLUME 17 w ISSUE 1 w FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 13 2013

COMMENTARY

No ifs, ands or butts Newly enforced dress then a bunch of other issues come up.” Generally speaking, Healy and others say male staff members and administrators are less likely to report students – especially female students – for dress code violations. BY ALEXA ZOGOPOULOS “I’ve talked to students ales.gazette@gmail.com before, and some Many Granite Bay High students met Sybil Healy, have said, ‘That’s the new assistant principal, after being handed a gold their problem if slip of paper during the first week of school. This (the teacher) is meant the student was in violation of the newly en- uncomfortable,’ forced dress code. but that’s not fair After the first few gold slips were handed out on the because you’re second day of the school year, Twitter and Instagram invading somealmost instantaneously exploded with frustration, body’s space,” Healy confusion and outrage. said. Students were posting photos of the dress code But although male violation slip – which states that exposed bandeaus, teachers are less focused on bra straps, racerback shirts and any uncovered stom- dress code issues, many staff ach were violations – and were commenting on how members said female teachers excessive they felt these are just uncomfortrules were. able with responding to “I think it’s too strict,” dress-code violations. said GBHS senior Julie We should be able to “I don’t think it’s just uncomBauer, who was found wear whatever we want fortable for male teachers, I think a violation of the dress female teachers as well,” said Ancode. “Also, it came up as long as out shorts drew Phillips, who came to GBHS really suddenly, and they don’t expose our last year and teaches biology and didn’t give us any adphysics. “Sometimes as a teachbutts and our shirts vance notice.” er, you’re generally just uncomHowever, Healy – who aren’t completely see- fortable around people that are was previously an assisscantily clad, especially in a through. tant principal at Oakmont place where it’s supposed to – Sommer Socevich, High and before that was feel safe for everyone.” on the GBHS faculty – freshman It shouldn’t be all that diffiwas shocked when she cult for students to figure out, noticed the lack of dress Healy said. code enforcement. “Everywhere you go you have a special “I didn’t know it wasn’t enforced, I was just doing uniform,” Healy said, “whether you’re at my job,” Healy said. “That was my job at Oakmont, Abercrombie selling high-waisted short so that was on my radar, and I just looked around and shorts, or at school.” thought, ‘They’re naked!’ ” From the student perspective, however, the She also knew that, as the only female assistant clothes deemed unacceptable by the adminisprincipal at GBHS, the dress code would by default tration are, sometimes, hardly more revealing become one of her issues. than those worn by staff members. “As a female assistant principal, it’s part of my job “I think it’s hypocritical … some of the teachto enforce the dress code,” Healy said. “Otherwise, the men don’t really want to focus on that, because See DRESS CODE, page A6

code evokes mixed reactions on campus kiana okhovat kokhovat.gazette@gmail.com

Love, love, love from yours truly

GBHS welcomes four new staff members Grizzly family grows once more BY SYDNEY KAHMANN

skahmann.gazette@gmail.com

After several staff members retired last spring, four new ones had their first day of school at Granite Bay High in August – Sybil Healy, Danielle Buljan, Megan Cooper and Jody Van Dusen. *** While she’s a new face among the assistant principals, Sybil Healy is not a new face to GBHS.

Healy was the only teacher hired from outside of the district to open GBHS in 1996 – she had been a teacher in Elk Grove. During her 17 years in the classroom, she taught Spanish, U.S. History, Advanced Placement European History, Peer Helping and World Studies. A college track athlete, Healy has also coached sprints, long jump and the triple jump on the high school level. Now as an assistant principal, she proudly states she is the boss of her husband, GBHS athletic director and social sciences teacher, Tim

 “Cheeky shorts,” the most recent fashion trend among high school girls, are one of the mostcited kinds of clothing for dress code violations at GBHS. The dress code requires that shorts reach fingertip length when the arms rest at the sides.

Gazette photo /CAITLYN HURLEY

Sybil Healy Part of the original GBHS staff in 1996, she returns as an assistant principal.

Healy. Aside from the bragging rights, becoming a teacher, and later an administrator, was not a hard decision for Sybil Healy. “(I’ve) wanted to be a teacher since the third grade,” Healy said. “I would line all my dolls up against the bed, give them little half sheets of paper (and) give them little assignments (that) I would grade.” See TEACHERS, page A8

Local schools victims of false controversy Photos of testing booklets resulted in state response BY MAKENZIE BRITO

mbrito.gazette@gmail.com

Almost 250 schools across the nation, including 15 in the Sacramento area, have been pegged by state and national education officials as sites of possible “highstakes testing” cheating incidents. Within these 15 schools in the region are Antelope and Woodcreek high schools, both of which

are part of the same Roseville Joint Union High School District that includes Granite Bay High. What happened? A branch of the California Department of Education that monitors social media throughout the testing periods flagged any posts, primarily pictures, related to the tests. After the state testing period last school year, there were two separate warnings administered. These posts – pictures of actual “test material” – were said to have given some students an unfair advantage on high-stakes See CHEATING, page A8

Football team says goodbye to Cooper Coach leaves lasting legacy BY CAITLYN HURLEY

khurley.gazette@gmail.com

A passionate Coach Ernie Cooper led the Grizzlies to a state championship last season. Gazette file photo / KRISTIN TAYLOR

In 1996, Coach Ernie Cooper came to Granite Bay High School’s football program and established something that hasn’t changed since: tradition. This tradition that has carried on the past 17 years hasn’t only affected the football program, but anyone and everyone who has ever been a part of it. Adam Jennings, a professional football player for the New York Giants graduated from Granite Bay High School in 2000 and had Coach Cooper during his first four years in the football program. “He created a culture at Granite

Bay,” Jennings said. “There was camaraderie among the teams. There is no program like it.” During his high school football career, Jennings would casually stop by Cooper’s house for a family dinner. “The door was always open to any player,” Jennings said. “It felt like home”. “You become attached to those guys, they become your family,” Cooper said. This past June, Cooper had to say what no man wants to say to his family: “I’m leaving.” “It was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make in my life,” See COACH, page A8

Skip Albano is the new head coach for the GBHS football team. He’s coached at the high school, community college, and semi-professional football.

Gazette photo / GRACE MOORE

inside the Gazette news

voices AP MICRO ECON 70.5 percent

AP MACRO ECON 85.9 percent

AP OTHER 100.0 percent

AP EURO HISTORY 70.1 percent

AP GOVERNMENT 81.6v percent

AP STATISTICS 70.5 percent

AP COURSES

AP US HISTORY 78.2 percent

AP PSYCHOLOGY 84.5 percent

AP CALCULUS AB 95.9 percent

AP JAPANESE 100.0 percent

AP LANGUAGE COMP 81.0 percent

AP SPANISH 84.2 percent

AP FRENCH 88.9 percent

AP LITERATURE COMP 87.7 percent

AP ART HISTORY 77.4 percent

AP PHYSICS 76.2 percent

AP CHEMISTRY 87.0 percent

AP BIOLOGY 93.4 percent

AP CALCULUS BC 100.0 percent

100 AP STUDIO ART 100.0 percent

AP PASS RATE

y mind is a jumbling, gooey, monstrous chaos of too many ideas and too much thinking and too much confusion. I can’t help it. I like my imagination more than reality because frankly I find my imaginative world better. I enjoy living in past, in the future, occasionally in the present and most definitely in my head. To quote Nick Carraway, I am ‘‘within and without.” I shamelessly admit to being guilty of all things deemed unorthodox and not following the status quo. Which is perfectly alright, since I live by my own rules, and I don’t feel the slightest obligation to conform. What would be the fun in that? My room is not a bedroom. It is a storage area and a safe haven, a cramped (although I prefer the word “cozy”) shack for my endless flood of books, papers, notebooks, journals, pencils, pens, posters, tables, bookshelves, lamps, shoeboxes, sketch pads, post-its, calendars (yes, that’s plural), schedules (yes, there’s a difference), duct tape, twinkling fairy lights, I ... admit stickers, to being pictures and self-painted guilty of walls (which all things actually turned out deemed quite nicely, unorthodox might I add). There are and not stacks and following stacks of anything and the status everything all over quo. the floor. Nothing has escaped my plastering wrath, not even the ceiling. (Which resulted in quite a few extensive, twisted, possibly painful positions). Somewhere in the middle of that turmoil I have a bed stashed away. Somewhere. And it is in this self-personalized jungle where I spend the majority of my time. It is my home away from home away from school away from Barnes and Noble. Now, I am grudgingly trying to change this habit, but only for health reasons. I suppose Vitamin D is essential after all. I scrape through all this, through the pains that come with letting me take over me, hoping that some sense and meaning will magically appear, some message will finally surface and save me from myself. It’s a tragic, consuming, love-hate, self-relationship that is complete madness, to be honest. I don’t understand myself sometimes. Life is just bursting with energy and adrenaline and excitement and opportunity and light and color. It’s absolutely overwhelming. There’s so much to do, so much to see, so much to learn, so much to love. Live to your most natural, purest form, unpolluted by conformity, status quo and fear. Be adventurous, embrace and celebrate who you are, let it all out, go shine like an everlasting rainbow. Let the invisible hand of love and passion guide your life, and everything will naturally fall into place. Trust me. *** Kiana Okhovat, a senior, is a Gazette co-editor-in-chief.

AP test pass rates

Local Miss America finalist

Read up on all the statistics on the examinations.

GBHS graduate Allison Cook is crowned Miss Oregon State and heads to national pageant

Sensationalism extravaganza A5

Media should put the limelight on real stories, not just what would sell.

News

Granite Bay Gazette

Friday w September 13, 2013

NAMES IN THE NEWS

A new link savitri asokan

Link Crew becomes a yearlong program connecting freshmen and upperclassmen

sasokan.gazette@gmail.com

National Honor Society becomes a part of GBHS

BHS is starting its first chapter of the National Honor Society. Enterprising sophomores, juniors and seniors should join if they want to participate in service projects and flaunt their NHS regalia at graduation time. *** Construction work on the Homecoming floats starts soon. Be sure to participate and help make your class’s float an original and inspirational experience. *** Twenty-eight GBHS students from art, ceramics, and photography classes were featured in the state fair. Teri Nittler won the Golden Bear award, the top award for painting in the entire state. *** There have been some changes in the administrative staff. Former student body counselor Carey Bussey is now an Intervention/GAP/EL counselor. Sybil Healy is a new assistant principal. *** The Future Business Leaders of America club attended the July national competition in Anaheim. GBHS graduates Michael Tom, Paul Zajac, and Gokul Asokan won awards. Asokan and Tom placed ninth in Banking and Financial Systems while Zajac claimed the prestigious first-place title in Sports Management. *** Seniors have a mandatory meeting coming up on September 25th in the theater. Topics to be discussed include graduation status, the college application process, career search information and critical deadlines. *** Band director Lynn Kulikowski took the plunge over the summer. She is now enjoying her marital status under the moniker “Lynn Lewis.” *** Football games are now being broadcast. You can watch them through Comcast Hometown Network (CHN), KCRA, or our very own GBHS media. *** Now that homecoming night is coming up in the next month, students may want to consider possible candidates to be nominated. If you know a well-known person with qualities worth extolling, you should go to Student Services to fill out a paper explaining why they deserve to be recognzied schoolwide so they can gain the acclaim they deserve. *** Student government’s new motto for the school year is “Everyone is an essential piece.” ***

Savitri Asokan, a sophomore, is a Gazette news editor.

CORRECTIONS Accuracy is perhaps the most important fundamental of good journalism. It's the policy of the Gazette to correct all factual errors that are brought to our attention. Email us at: gbgazette@yahoo.com Identification Statement GRANITE BAY GAZETTE PUBLISHED EIGHT TIMES PER ACADEMIC YEAR c/o Granite Bay High School 1 Grizzly Way Granite Bay, CA 95746 Subscriptions: $25 per year/ $15 per half year

Junior Myles Slattery excites the freshman crowd at Grizzly Retreat as a part of Link Crew, which is tasked to welcome new students. BY TREASA HAYES thayes.gazette@gmail.com

More than 15 years after it started at Granite Bay High School, the Link Crew program is reverting back to its roots. The original purpose of the program is still the same: “To serve the student body, especially freshmen and new students,” leadership and peer helping teacher Linda Dickson said. Link Crew, an idea first created by motivational speaker Phil Boyte, has reached and empowered thousands of schools internationally. Currently, Link Crew at Granite Bay High School teams up older students with freshmen and transfer students to provide academic support and social opportunities. “Too many freshmen aren’t welcomed into high school,” Dickson said. “The Grizzly Retreat is (much better) than just a freshman orientation.” However, in the beginning years of GBHS, there were no juniors and seniors available to serve as leaders for the incoming students – teachers therefore acted as the mentors. The school has grown to include more than 2,000 stu-

dents, and the Grizzly Retreat has become an annual event that upperclassmen anticipate to transition freshmen into high school. “(I love) just the idea of being able to make a difference in the way that they see their beginning of high school experience,” junior Link Crew leader Amanda Ramos said. “I’m so happy to help.” On August 8, at least 500 new freshmen flooded the gates of GBHS, expectant of what was to come that day – a tour of the campus with encouraging leaders, team building activities and to end the night, a quad dance. For freshmen in recent years, though, it ended there. The Grizzly Retreat was an introduction to the school by juniors and seniors for one day only, save maybe for an occasional nod their way during passing period from one of their leaders. GBHS has undergone many changes in the Link Crew program for the 2013-2014 school year, now including a year-long relationship between upperclassmen and freshmen. “This is how we did things for most of GBHS history,” student government adviser Tamara Givens said, “so it isn’t as much a change as it is going back to the way things should be.”

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

Link Crew consists of the whole freshman class, the transfer students, the Peer Helping classes and the Grizzly Retreat leaders. The main goal of the Peer Helping class is “to get this year’s freshmen (to) feel more a part of this school, especially socially,” junior peer helper Nick Dumke said. “We are doing tons of fun activities during … and after school with … link leaders to make them feel more at home on the GBHS campus.” The peer helpers are incorporating new ideas to get students plugged in, and are learning leadership, group facilitation and communication skills along with having the experience of forming relationships with the other classes. “We really try to engage with each other as much as possible,” junior Heather Gonsalves said about the class. “(It) builds both your confidence and the students you’re helping.” The initiating and planning of all the events that the Peer Helping class has done has definitely been revolving around making the incoming students feel more comfortable on campus. Rather than feeling intimidated and disconnected, new See LINK CREW, page A6

Updates in state educational policies increase RJUHSD funding GBHS will gain more money from changes BY MEREDITH DECHERT mdechert.gazette@gmail.com

The state of California is cutting back on cutbacks with the Local Control Funding Formula, a revamp of the state educational funding mechanism that will mean more money for the Roseville Joint Union High School District from the current fiscal year onward. “(The LCFF) is a major change from the Revenue Limit Funding Formula that was in place for the last basically 40 years,” said Gary Stevens, the assistant superintendent of the Roseville Joint Union High School District.

Proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown in January and pushed through the state legislature by the Governor as part of the 20132014 budget package, the mechanism, which took effect in June, replaced the reportedly over-complicated and inefficient system of over 60 “categorical programs,” specialized funds targeted to various needs used under the Revenue Limit Funding Formula. “The Governor’s proposal...collapsed the concept into one huge pool and distributes those monies out based upon the simpler LC,” Stevens said. “So it did away with a lot of the bureaucracy and regulations that came with the state categorical programs.” The pooling of funds previously broken down under categorical programs will shift much of the control of spending and budgeting of funds from the state to indi-

vidual school districts, allowing for more effective spending, tailored more precisely to the specific needs of each district. In addition, three tiers of funding under the LCFF aim to direct funds to the students and districts that need them most. A base level of funding determined by the per-student Average Daily Attendance is proportionally equivalent for all school districts, while supplemental funds are based upon each district’s percentage of disadvantaged students – English language learners, foster youth, and those qualified for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Schools with disadvantaged students constituting more than half of the student body will also receive a “concentration grant” – equal to 35 percent of the base grant – for each student above the 50 percent threshold, according to the California

Department of Finance website. The district gets $8,638 per ADA as base funding and a supplemental grant of 20 percent of the base – $1,728 per target student, Stevens said. The concentration grant does not apply to RJUHSD. The new mechanism is set to restore levels of funding to pre-recession numbers within the upcoming years and will provide an increase in overall funding to most districts across the state while not lowering the funds of any district. “Every school is getting more money this year, period,” Granite Bay High School government teacher Jarrod Westberg said. “Then on top of that, there’s going to be another chunk of money that’s going to help those low-income kids be successSee DISTRICT, page A6

Mathematics department re-integrates

Courses adjust to Common Core BY AKASH KHOSLA

akhosla.gazette@gmail.com

As the Roseville Joint Union High School District plans the switch to the Common Core curriculum at the start of the 20142015 school year, it will introduce new changes that will revolutionize the current curriculum. The most noticeable changes will hit the math department, which is currently on the traditional syllabus. Mathematics is traditionally taught in separated groups, such as Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and then Pre-Calculus and Honors Pre-Calculus. The integrated system, on the other hand, takes components of different areas of mathematics together. The integrated model was invented in order to provide retentive knowledge in mathematics, which leads to stronger scores on

tests such as the Common Core, which assess students’ cumulative knowledge. Instituting the changes will be a complex process. “The process is a massive undertaking,” district curriculum manager John Montgomery said. “The adoption of Integrated Mathematics textbooks (and curriculum) will take time and careful consideration.” “Teaching the integrated curriculum was great,” GBHS mathematics teacher Scott Becker said. “Although it makes me wonder what the total cost of the books will be in order to replace every book in the district.” Unfortunately, the costs for the transfer are not available as the books are still in the process of being chosen – and each book for each integrated class varies in cost.

“I believe our district has been saving up for the books for some time now,” said Lisa Vaughan, the head of the math department at GBHS. “There’s a little bit of fear purchasing the textbooks before even knowing what the Common Core test is going to look like.” Mathematics teachers from high schools all over the district have a conference in which they evaluate the books in several ways, primarily focusing on the content of the books and whether or not they are effective and school-appropriate. “The integrated curriculum was built around being much more of a fluid learning process,” Vaughn said. “I really liked the way the traditional curriculum went because of the continuity it had— Algebra I and Algebra II have a gap in between with Geometry despite the importance of Algebra in the traditional method, and the integrated method fixes that.” One of the main reasons the syl-

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

Changes in the curriculum mark a return to an integrated system of mathematical teaching. “It’s not necessarily going to labus switched in the first place change the curriculum,” said was because of the lack of rigor mathematics teacher David in the textbooks. The traditional Laughrea, who is in charge of curriculum has far more problems the common core curriculum and was considered more rigorous for mathematics, said. “Instead than the integrated method. of just doing what is deemed as Those who have been in the tra- all Algebra I, you might end up ditional curriculum will continue teaching slope—which can be a to be taught the same way while rate of change, involved in trigoothers will be learning the inte- nometry, but in the end, you’ll be grated material. covering the same content.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

News

w The Granite Bay Gazette

AP OTHER 100.0 percent

AP MACRO ECON 85.9 percent

AP MICRO ECON 70.5 percent

AP GOVERNMENT 81.6v percent

AP US HISTORY 78.2 percent

AP EURO HISTORY 70.1 percent

AP PSYCHOLOGY 84.5 percent

AP STATISTICS 70.5 percent

AP CALCULUS BC 100.0 percent

AP CALCULUS AB 95.9 percent

AP JAPANESE 100.0 percent

AP SPANISH 84.2 percent

AP FRENCH 88.9 percent

AP LITERATURE COMP 87.7 percent

AP LANGUAGE COMP 81.0 percent

AP PHYSICS 76.2 percent

AP CHEMISTRY 87.0 percent

AP BIOLOGY 93.4 percent

Pass rates in AP courses increase for third year

AP ART HISTORY 77.4 percent

TOTAL AP TEST SCORES FOR ALL COURSES AT GRANITE BAY

100 AP STUDIO ART 100.0 percent

TOTAL PASS RATE FOR ALL AP COURSES AT GRANITE BAY

AP PASS RATE

AP score breakdown

AP COURSES

BY NEHA KOMPELLA

nkompella.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette illustrations / THOMAS TAYLOR

Many students said the inStarting the year Granite Bay High School was terest and popularity of founded in 1996, a variety of Advanced Placean AP course is not ment classes have been offered, including Stu2011-2012 simply measured by dio Art, Art History, Biology, Chemistry, its difficulty level, Physics, Language, Literarture, French, 2010-2011 Enrollment but also by the Spanish, Japanese, Calculus AB & BC, in AP courses: 1228 Enrollment effectiveness of Statistics, Psychology, European Hisin AP courses: 1914 the AP teacher. tory, U.S. History, Government, Mac“Having a roeconomics and Microeconomics. passion, maybe Taking an AP course can be a rewardeven an obsesing and potentially helpful experience, 2012-2013 sion with the and it is perhaps because more students Enrollment material is a have begun to realize this that the num2009-2010 in AP courses:1696 must, given the ber of students at GBHS taking AP classEnrollment nature of the class: es has increased dramatically. During the in AP courses:1424 college level mate2009-10 school year, 1,228 GBHS students rial is being covered, chose to enroll in AP classes, a stark statistibut it is still being precal contrast to last year, when the number rose to sented to adolescent minds,” 1,914 students, although only 1,680 of them chose to GBHS senior John Hayes said in an take the AP test. “I think that the parents here really push their kids email interview. “How teachers engage their students, to work hard consistently,” GBHS AP Government no matter how ridiculous it may seem at first, is exteacher Jarrod Westberg said. “Our school is old tremely important, because it is their job to persuade enough now that (there are) siblings (who) have gone kids that their class offers not just a grade bump, but through (the AP program) and been successful. ... Col- valuable knowledge and meaning instead.” Teachers also said a good AP teacher should have a lege is also so expensive now, and trying to get into a good college is difficult, so I think there is a larger passion for what they are teaching. “What makes a good AP teacher is pretty much the push (to take AP classes) there as well.”

same thing that makes a good teacher in general, and that is to really love your topic,” AP U.S. History teacher Brandon Dell’Orto said. “What makes a good teacher is that they can understand that the content that they are teaching is not as important as teaching a kid how to learn, how to think more deeply, how to read more critically, how to analyze more expansively … and those are not specific to any particular discipline.” Statistically, there are always some AP tests that receive lower scores than others at GBHS and nationally. Last year, the tests with the highest pass rates were Calculus BC, Japanese and Studio Art. The lowest pass rates were in European History, Statistics and Macroeconomics. “The hardest (AP test) I’ve taken has probably been AP US, because it has really specific writing styles, and it’s a really long test,” GBHS senior Bre Bolton said. “But AP Euro is kind of a difficult one too, because it is the first one that most people take, so it can be scary.” The statistics show, and student opinion seems to indicate, that AP history tests have traditionally been harder AP tests, possibly because they encompass a vast amount of information. “Generally what I’ve heard in the past is that the AP U.S. history, the AP European history and sometimes the AP world history tend to have lower pass rates,

partly because there is so much content to memorize,” Dell’Orto said. “Whereas, in AP Calculus, for example, once you really get the concepts, you can change the numbers around and it’s still going to be a lot work, but it’s not like you’re learning something entirely different … whereas history … doesn’t always extrapolate out, it doesn’t necessarily build to a bigger thing.” Overall, however, many AP students are happy with their studies and said they have gained something from taking the course. “The classes are particularly engaging in comparison to their CP counterparts, and the higher level commitment that most of the AP students share leads to a fantastic learning environment,” Hayes said. “As infamous as the workload is made out to be, I find that I have ample time to pursue extracurriculars, given that busy work tends to decrease in frequency and quantity in higher-level classes.” GBHS had an overall AP pass rate of 84.9 percent on all exams last spring, which shows a growing trend compared to the pass rates of earlier years. “In short, take them,” Hayes said when asked what advice he would give students who are considering taking AP classes. “But better yet, take advantage of upperclassmen knowledge, and select the ones that are revered for the best instruction, as this will be the biggest factor in whether or not you are successful and enjoy the class.”

Award-winning engineering classes gain momentum Aspiring students attend special sessions BY TROY PAWLAK

tpawlak.gazette@gmail.com

Project Lead the Way, or PLTW, came to Granite Bay in the 2011-12 year and has grown in popularity ever since. “We have a significant number of Granite Bay High school graduates who go on to become professionals either in engineering … architecture design, construction management, the real estate industry or any business related to design and build and development,” the teacher of the Introduction to Engineering, Civil Architecture, and the ROP program. Steve Dolan said. The first class in the PLTW system is Introduction to Engineering, which exposes students to 3D modeling and several career fields. “ I think engineering itself is kind of interesting because its like the way things are put together and how they work, and Intro to Engineering just seemed like a good place to start” said sophomore Daniel Smith, who is considering a degree in aerospace engineering. Though students normally enroll in Introduction to

Engineering & Design because they are considering a degree in engineering, some are taking it more casually. Despite this, nearly all students enjoy the class. “I don’t know anybody who dislikes the class,” Smith said. After completing the Introduction class, students are faced with one of the biggest choices of their high school career: to take Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering or both. Principles of Engineering focuses on mechanical structures and problem-solving. The students start using VEX robotic parts, a kit that contains metallic and plastic parts used for experimenting with mechanisms, to construct and test simple machines. From there, students move on to making complex machines and exploring other mechanical experiments. “So far I’ve really liked the simple machines project we’ve been doing,” sophomore Travis Turner said. “We get to combine simple machines to increase mechanical advantage.” For those students who didn’t go down the path of Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture is available. Civil engineering is the design, testing and construction of structures like bridges, canals and buildings. “The Civil Architecture class taught in the spring is the most like college that we can provide here at

Granite Bay High School,” Dolan said. “It gives them a realistic training experience … they will be so far ahead of their peers at college.” “It had applications to jobs and career related stuff,” junior Karl Redmon said. “Since I want to be an architect, the class really prepared me a lot for doing architectural-related stuff on the computer and also in general architecture applications.” The capstone class of PLTW is the ROP class. In this class, students attempt to secure internships in local engineering businesses or take part in PTLW design competitions. The competition this year is to design, build and test an alternative fuel vehicle. “We took grand champion last year…out of all schools in Northern California, we had the best design,” Dolan said about the previous years of the ROP program. The main reason people take this course, however, is to get an internship. The class starts by preparing students for their internships. “Internships don’t start until the fourth to sixth week, so right now we are preparing to go to interviews … and doing basic things on CAD (Computer Aided Design) to prepare us for our internships,” said senior Maddie Pritchard, who hopes to get a degree in city and regional planning from Cal Poly. Dolan sees many students making connections with companies that they might return to work for someday after college.

ASB UPDATE ASB discusses its vision for the year

The Gazette talked to senior CJ Stone, elected ASB president, about their plan to make students feel accepted.

Q A &

Gazette: What is this year’s ASB culture theme? Stone: “You Are An Essential Piece,” basically meaning everybody on this campus is a part of it and we should really appreciate everyone who’s on it. Gazette: How did you decide on this theme? Stone: This is the first year we have a WASC goal that involves culture and the WASC goal basically says that students should feel safe on the campus and that they’re a part of making

Gazette: What kind of impact are you hoping to have on the school with this year’s theme?

Gazette: What mark do you want to leave on the school as ASB president?

Gazette photo / GRACE MOORE

NEWS briefs

Math teacher adds fourth child to family

decisions. The WASC poll said (about 96 percent of students said they) are safe on campus. Four percent of about 2170 students last year, which is about 89, don’t feel safe on campus. I thought that if everyone felt more a part of the school and are a part of an activities program, then they will all feel safer on campus.

Stone: I really hope students will have more pride in being a Grizzly, because I feel like we have a great school and a lot of people when they’re not on campus just don’t feel like its a great school but what they don’t realize is that this is an awesome place to go to school. I really hope that through Ripple Effect and other things they’ll feel super grateful that they go to Granite Bay High School.

Granite Bay High School won first place overall out of 11 high schools in the Architecture Construction Engineering Mentor Program of Greater Sacramento. More than 60 mentors from 35 companies in the region took part.

Gazette photo / LUKE CHIRBAS

ASB president CJ Stone hopes to inspire a sense of pride and compassion in Granite Bay High School students to make the school a better place.

Stone: I want to be seen as a person who tried to get the school to be super great where everybody loves to go here and make this a loving a place to be. –Compiled by Sydney Kahmann

Granite Bay High School algebra 1A/1B teacher Ryan Beidler welcomed a new member to his bustling family on Aug 6. The baby boy weighed 9.5 pounds and was 21¾ inches long, and was named Ezra. Beidler is handling his transition to his new family of six with ease thanks to the help of his other three children. “Anytime you step into the four-kid range, you think its crazy and chaotic, but the other kids learn to step up and they learn to share more,” Beidler said. “They learn to help more, and they learn to not think of themselves all the time, even though that’s a natural inclination.” Daughters Ava, the oldest and Ravinia plus son Malachi work together to help their parents out around the house despite all being under the age of 8. In a homemade video circulating around the faculty, two of them work together to put away clean utensils from the dishwasher. Because of this newfound camaraderie, the Beidlers see four as the perfect amount for his family. “We wanted to have a big family,” Beidler said. “They learn how to share. They learn how to get along.” Compiled by Grace Moore

Special to the Gazette/RYAN BEIDLER

 Newborn Ezra Beidler weighed 9.5 pounds and was 27 inches long at birth.

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Recognition for Theatre at Granite Bay

2012-13 shows Urinetown and You Can’t Take it With You receive seven prestigious Elly nominations BY JENNA MCCARTHY

jmccarthy.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Urinetown: The Musical earned Theatre at Granite Bay six nominations from direction to costume design

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Most theatre companies only receive a standing ovation for their performances – but that’s not the case for Theatre at Granite Bay. Under the new direction of Kyle Holmes, the Granite Bay High School Theatre department received seven Elly Award nominations for the 2012-2013 school year. The Elly Awards, named after the late Eleanor McClatchy, recognize extraordinary achievements of theater productions and performing artists in the Sacramento region. The nominations, announced August 11, were incredibly well-received by faculty and students in the drama department. “It feels great,” said Holmes, currently the director of Theatre at Granite Bay. “It means good things for the drama department.” Holmes joined the GBHS staff for the 2011-2012 school year as an english teacher. That spring, he officially announced that he’d be taking over the drama department the following year. Urinetown, the spring musical, received six nominations: Overall Production, Costume Design, Musical Direction, Lighting Design, Sound Design and Choreography. GBHS graduate Alexander Chesebro received one nomination – Leading Actor – for his role of grandfather in the fall musical, You Can’t Take It With You. The nominations were the first ever for Holmes – who began running the GBHS drama program last year – as a high school drama teacher. “I was originally hoping for a few nominations, since it was my first year running the program,” Holmes said. “To end the night with seven (felt) very rewarding as a teacher.” “I think the coolest part was that they announced the nominations the day before we started school. I was excited that I would get to come and share that with my students.” Holmes brought several changes to

the drama department when he began teaching last year, which might have contributed to the great number of Elly Award nominations the department received. “I ran a really tight rehearsal schedule (for the spring musical),” Holmes said. “We had a schedule that was put out in January, and we stuck to it every day. … We worked hard – we had a lot of kids who worked hard, and we had a really great surrounding cast.” In addition, a new musical director, David Taylor, was brought in to help with the musical numbers. Taylor was also nominated for his musical direction. Deserie Milburn, the dance instructor at GBHS, was nominated for the choreography of Urinetown. “It’s very exciting,” Milburn said. For the musical, Milburn brought in students Brittany Armstrong, a current senior and Alexa Lara, now a freshman at Sierra College. Sierra Putman, a senior, participated in Urinetown last spring as Mrs. McQueen. Putman, along with the rest of the drama students, was not expecting to receive six nominations. “I was shocked… I didn’t even think there were that many categories,” Putman said. According to Putman, much of the success of the show can be attributed to the unity of the cast and crew. “It was a collective effort,” Putman said. “Everyone helped build the set, everyone helped pick out costumes. The whole class came together and formed a dynamic that definitely helped.” The award ceremony, which occurred on September 8, did not result in any wins for Theatre at Granite Bay. But although they did not walk away with plaques, Holmes and the rest of the drama department are still very happy to know that there productions were even considered. “It was really awesome to be a part of (Urinetown) and put all that effort into it and have something come out of it,” Putman said.

The Club Rush begins at Granite Bay High Club Day extended to give students more time to visit all the various club booths BY SAVITRI ASOKAN

sasokan.gazette@gmail.com

For many students at Granite Bay High students, Club Day was always the day when they let themselves jump headfirst into the diverse array of cultures that constitute the school. “My first Club Day was overwhelming but so much fun,” senior Anna von Wendorff said. Von Wendorff is the president of Key Club, one of the most popular clubs at GBHS. “I didn’t realize how many clubs

and organizations we had on the GBHS campus until Club Day my freshman year,” Von Wendorff said. This year, however, things changed. The most significant difference has been regarding the length. Instead of the usual one day format, which has been the norm since the inception of the program, this school year marks the first time it was extended. “Club Rush is different because it’s going to be two days,” activities director Tamara Givens

said in an e-mail. She was inspired Courtney Cannon, the assistant by the approach of other schools, commissioner, said. “We have a which often have multiple days balloon arch which will be better devoted to for where to club exposure, go, so there’s and came up one entrance With two club days, I with the idea and one exit.” at a conference To devise think we will be able for activities these new to connect with more directors. creations, In addition to Cannon, potential members the differences along with in name and commissioner – Anna Von Wendorff, Key Spencer duration, the configuration Palmer, had to Club president of the clubs give up lots of was redesigned time outside of to improve school to plan accessibility and out the event. overall aesthetic appeal. “We actually had a lot of “We are doing a new formation, planning, a lot of days after school more like a flea market, because and a lot of paperwork we had to people complained that there’s fill out,” Cannon said. not enough to see,” senior While they did look to other

schools for initial inspiration, nearly all of the planning was the product of their originality. According to Cannon, most of the work was “just ... having a creative mind, and figuring out what we could do differently.” Innovation was necessary because of the motivation behind the updates, which came from student feedback. In previous years, students had noted that there was not enough time to fully immerse themselves in the experiences, which prevented them from participating in GBHS culture. In the past, Givens said, students have bemoaned the difficulty of attempting to get around to all the clubs during just the one day. “It was definitely overwhelming being a freshman and looking at

all the tables,” senior Mitchell Khan, Future Business Leaders of America co-president, said. “There are so many different things you can do, and there are so many different aspects of interest for the clubs.” However, the improvements are likely to remedy the problems. Club leaders are optimistic about the differences Club Rush will bring. “I think the Club Day extension will definitely (makes) a positive difference,” Von Wendorff said. “With two Club Days, I think that we will be able to connect with more potential members and have a conversation about what Key Club is and how they can be involved. I think that having this personal connection allows each student to feel involved and motivated.”

No cooks in the kitchen

With no teacher, the culinary program has gone on hiatus BY MARY-FRANCES HANSEN mfhansen.gazette@gmail.com

The culinary program at Granite Bay High School began when the high school opened in 1996, but with the absence of a culinary teacher for the 2013-2014 school year, it threatens to dissolve. Both Judy Brown and Claudia Bennett, the culinary teachers at GBHS, retired at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. During the summer, the administration was on a hunt to find a new culinary teacher to fill the spots. The administration found someone who they thought would be a great culinary teacher for the school. “We offered the person the job, did background checks and everything seemed very positive,”said Mike McGuire, GBHS principal. The person who was hired picked up the paperwork from the district, but held onto it for a very long time. “It made us a little nervous so we contacted the teacher,” McGuire said.

The potential replacement did not turn in the final paperwork until the end of July. The day after the paperwork was filed, the new hire quit. “Two weeks before we were going to hand schedules out, we now had no culinary teacher,” McGuire said. “It was at that time that we decided that we do not have the ability to go interview again.” McGuire and his team made the decision to hold off the culinary program for this school year. The counselors assigned all students who were signed up for a culinary class to alternates. Many students were very frustrated when they found out that culinary class was no longer a part of their schedule. “I’m disappointed that culinary is not one of my classes because I like to bake,” freshman Haley Paolucci said. “I would take culinary if they offer it next year.” Sophomore Hannah Holzer took a beginning culinary class last year

and was looking forward to take the advanced class. “I was so upset…culinary class was my favorite,” Holzer said. “It has made me a thousand times better chef and really made me love cooking.” It is uncertain as to what is going to happen to the culinary classroom. The administration needs to discuss whether or not they want to advertise in February and March for a new culinary teacher or if they want to discontinue the culinary program permanently. If the school decides to end the culinary program, then the administration has to decide what they want to do with the classroom. There are eight kitchens in the room that are completely stocked with tools and supplies, which have lasted for many years. It would cost thousands of dollars to remove the appliances to re purpose the classroom. “If we did not do culinary, at some point we would have to take stoves

and refrigerators out of that room and repurpose i t i n t o a d i ff e r e n t kind of classroom,” McGuire said. “We are not prepared to do that yet because it’s too soon.” Since no one will be using the culinary classroom for at least a year, the independent living school program asked to use the Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS classroom as a “Life The culinary room is fully equipped, though not in use by regular classes. Skills” class for special needs students. that will be healthier alternatives learning how to measure ingredients Sara Quinby and Sally Wagner, for them. properly, how to set tables and how two special education teachers, “We thought it would be great to to wash dishes. will help the students learn how to plan a healthy meal and go to the If the independent living program cook so they can prepare a meal of grocery store, buy the ingredients ends up being the only ones to use their own. and then the next day, cook it,” the culinary classroom in the future, The students usually go on outings Quinby said. it will be put to good use even once a week where they eat a lot According to Wagner, the special though there is no longer an actual of fast food. By using the culinary needs students seem very excited culinary class. room, the students will learn how to about this new opportunity to “I loved the culinary program at make a variety of nutritious meals cook. They will learn many new GBHS and I think it really needs to from scrambled eggs to spaghetti techniques for cooking, as well as come back,” Holzer said.

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GBHS graduate competes in Miss America

Allison Cook crowned Miss Oregon, goes on to be in Miss America BY EPSA SHARMA

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June 29 was probably a normal day for people in the Granite Bay community, but not for Granite Bay High School grad Allison Cook. On that Saturday night, Cook was crowned Miss Oregon, and she received many scholarships that would guide her to success in the near future. When people from Granite Bay found out Allison had won, they were beaming with excitement. “It feels amazing, I am so thankful to have the support of the town that I grew up in, and I hope to continue making them proud,” said Cook about the support she has received from the community. Surprisingly, at first pageants never interested Cook – she had no intention of ever competing. But a year and a half ago, she participated in her first “Miss City Sunshine” pageant in Oregon, where she is a student at Oregon Tech, and after that, she realized how beneficial they are. At the Miss Oregon Pageant in June, she was promoting athletic concussion awareness. As her talent, she performed a rendition of the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started” on the electric violin. During the interview portion of the program, she showed her knowledge of current affairs by answering questions about the constitutionality of the Patriot Act. “With the cost of college rising annually, it is becoming tougher to afford, and the Miss America Organization is the largest provider of scholarships for women in the U.S.,” Cook said, “and ever since I’ve started, I have earned (more than) $32,000 in scholarships.” In addition to helping pay off her education costs, Cook, mentioned the program boosted her confidence and interview skills and helped her develop a greater focus on volunteering. “The Miss America Organization has taught me how to be an independent and successful member of society,” Cook said. Cook’s goals include graduate with a bachelor’s degree in radiological science, and she wants to become an x-ray technologist. She’s taking off a year of school to fulfill her Miss Oregon duties. “It may sound silly, but being Miss Oregon truly is a job,” Cook said. “We make roughly 300

Special to the Gazette/ JOE WHITEKO

Special to the Gazette/ MISS OREGON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

wGranite Bay High School graduate Allison Cook has competed in numerous pageants, earning titles such as Miss City Sunshine, Miss Southern Gem and Miss Oregon.

to 500 appearances, and drive 20,000 to 30,000 miles all by yourself.” Before participating in Miss Oregon, Cook had to win a local pageant. After she competed and won the “Miss City Sunshine” pageant, it made her eligible to run for Miss Oregon. And all her determination and hard work paid off – it clearly showed how passionate she was about the competition when she was crowned. Cook’s whole family was extremely proud of the young woman she has grown up to be. They are amazed at her determination for pageants, and they’re overjoyed by all the beneficial awards and prizes she’s received.

“Allison has always been a great big sister to me and she’s so sweet to everyone else, she makes me proud every time I get to see and hear from her,” said her sister Melissa Cook., a sophomore at GBHS. Cook’s biggest fans were definitely her parents – they were proud to see her achieve something she had worked very hard for, they were so thankful that she got the title because of all her hard work and effort. “I am very proud of Allison and constantly amazed by everything she does,” said her mother Patti Cook. Her father, Steve, agreed: “She has been a super daughter – I am so proud of her.” Allison said her was mind was

Financial support in the College and Career Center Students can learn about opportunities BY KIANA OKHOVAT

kokhovat.gazette@gmail.com

That time of year has arrived once again, the deadlines for applications and scholarships are approaching. Scholarships are not exclusively available to seniors – they’re available to everyone. With tuition costs for universities rising, more students are seeking financial aid. Cindi Underwood, the College and Career Center coordinator, recommends Naviance for students interested in applying for financial aid and scholarships. Naviance is a website geared toward college counseling, and it is easily accessible to all Granite Bay High School students. “Under the college tab … there is a national scholarship search base ... (students) can fill out a profile … and select … different types of parameters,” Underwood said. “There are definitely scholarships out there for different grade levels … there are more scholarships … for the higher grade levels … but it’s not too early to start.” Another resource is FastWeb, a website that emails students scholarships that match their profiles. There is also the local scholarship program in February. This program is available to seniors only.

“These are scholarships … by local organizations and philanthropies,” Underwood said. The scholarships range from $500 to $2,500. There is a booklet in the College and Career Center of numerous scholarships, and there is no limit to how many applications a student can submit. Last year, about 96 students participated. Some of those applicants applied to as little as one scholarship, some to as many as 12 or 13. So what many students do is they download the application, complete it and change the name for each scholarship they apply for. They must also submit a general essay. “Chances are that it’s already an essay that you wrote in English class,” Underwood said. After completing the applications, students must return them to the College and Career Center. Underwood will then mail them to the organizations. GBHS alumni Hayley McAvoy, now a freshman at University of California at Los Angeles, won two of these local scholarships last year: the $2,500 Summer Sanders scholarship and the $1,500 Eureka Youth Soccer scholarship. “The local scholarship ones were the best because they had the smallest applicant pools and a lot of them were specific to certain See MONEY, page A6

Special to the Gazette/ MISS OREGON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

racing when she won – she could not believe she had actually been crowned. It was something for which she had worked very hard, and she was just so thankful the judges saw how much she wanted

the job. She said she’s especially proud to represent Oregon as the youngest Miss Oregon (she’s 19) since 1995. “I am blessed to have a wonderful

family and have many supporters that have watched me compete,” she said. “I am thankful that they care about my dreams and have helped me achieve them.” For more financial aid information, students can pick up the Internet Resources page from the College and Career Center. Gazette photo illustration/ SYDNEY KAHMANN and CAITLYN HURLEY

Friday, September 13, 2013

A6 News

DRESS CODE: School administration cracks down on long-standing policy Continued from page A1 ers don’t always dress as professionally as they say we should,” Bauer said. Healy is trying to encourage staff to dress in a way that she considers more school-appropriate. “I met with clerical staff and talked to them about our own dress codes … so, now it applies to us, too,” Healy said. Nonetheless, students are still firm in their belief that the administration has gone too far. And upperclassmen, who are used to the relaxed rules, are not the only ones to think the policies are out of hand. “We should be able to wear whatever we want,” said Sommer Sucevich, a freshman, “as long as our shorts don’t expose our butts and our shirts aren’t completely see-through.” Sucevich, who attended Olympus Junior High, previously had to follow a much tighter dress code. “Our shorts had to be fingertip length; we couldn’t wear lace, leggings, jeans with holes,” Sucevich said.

So, she was upset when she came to GBHS and saw that she did not have total freedom from restrictive dress-code policies. “Everyone (still) complains about it…because these are the clothes we have and it’s annoying to be told we can’t wear a lot of what we own,” Sucevich said. To many students, one of the biggest problems with the dress code is its lack of relevance to current fashion. “(Revealing clothes) are what people sell at the stores…you can’t really find anything that fits you and the dress code,” Bauer said. “If I were to truly follow the dress code every day with clothes I could find, I’d be wearing long jeans and a turtleneck.” Because parents are often the ones buying or approving the clothes worn by their children, there have been a few parents who are frustrated by the dress code and believe it challenges their parental authority. According to Healy, parents have called and complained that the administration should focus on

more pressing issues, such as drug use, than what students are wearing. “The thing is that, dress code is so visible, it’s what we see daily,” Healy said. “It’s not like hunting for alcohol on campus – it’s in plain sight.” Another topic of discussion has been, where does common guy fashion fall into the equation? On the golden slip, it states that muscle T-shirts are unacceptable. Muscle T-shirts, according to administration, are shirts with armholes that extend extremely low. But, still, this and “saggy pants” are the only even semi-popular male fashion trends that are an issue. This is frustrating to some girls. They feel the policy is way too focused on feminine style, while masculine fashion is going nearly undiscussed. “Is it unequal? Yeah,” Healy said. “But that’s just because with male fashion, usually not as much is exposed in the first place.” While students and staff have strongly opposing opinions on the dress code, Bauer and others think that some compromise could

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Bandeaus and cleavage-baring outfits are at the heart of the dress code controversy.

possibly be reached if they keep pressing the issue. “They said no bandeaus, but now they’re saying they’re sometimes OK … so I feel like our protesting is kind of helping,” Bauer said, “I feel like, with the ridiculous rules, we should keep standing against them, and maybe we will get our voice through.”

Gazette photo illustration/ CAITLYN HURLEY

MONEY: Financial aid info located on campus

LINK CREW: New program to benefit freshmen

Continued from page A5

students can feel welcomed and a part of something bigger than themselves. “(My favorite part) is being able to hang out with kids older than you,” freshman Chase Lederer said, “not just your main friend groups.” Juniors Ramos and Cherise Newbold were the leaders of a group of freshman boys at the retreat, sporting pirate costumes without humiliation. The girls’ connection with their freshmen has not been brought to an end, despite the fact that they don’t keep in close contact every day.

activities or interests,” McAvoy said. Students can also independently research for scholarships, based on their interests. They can also choose to work their way through college. If they work on campus, their wages go towards their tuition fees. Most companies also have family scholarships for family members of employees. GBHS alumni Jenny Gilbert, now a freshman at the University of Southern California, won the Sutter Junior Auxiliary scholarship, through Sutter Hospital. Gilbert volunteered at Sutter Hospital for two years, in pediatrics and post-partum. Like all other junior volunteers who were seniors in high school, Gilbert was eligible for the scholarship, which was offered every year. “Out of the few hundred volunteers, only 10 applied (of which) five people got the ($2000) scholarship,” she said. Gilbert applied in March, and found out she was one of the five winners in May. “My parents were really happy,” Gilbert said. Another opportunity for financial support, merit scholarships, depends on a student’s academic records. This scholarship is awarded regardless of the student’s financial standing. Grants are also available for students who are looking into financial support.

One grant, the Cal Grant, is available to students attending post-secondary education in California. In order to be considered for the Cal Grant, and other grants and loans, students must fill out and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application will become available Jan. 1. “Parents and students will come and say, ‘Well I don’t think I’m going to qualify financially … (but) we tell them to fill it out anyway,” GBHS guidance counselor Christina Cross said. Many schools decide to give financial aid (scholarship, loan, grant, institutional aid) based on whether or not the student filled out the FAFSA. “You have to remember that at each level, everybody has a different set of criteria … that they’re looking through in terms of what qualifies for eligibility,” Cross said. Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid, but loans do. Students and parents must be cautious in taking out loans; it’s easy to take out a large sum of money, and not think about its repercussions. “(Pay) attention to what options are offered to you,” Cross said. “If I’m getting a $500 scholarship and $5,000 in grant (money), do I really want to take out $20,000 in a loan? Are there other streams of income coming in that help you lower the amount of loan money that you have to take out?”

Continued from page A2

“Some freshmen just think you do your job at the Grizzly Retreat, and then don’t care about them anymore,” Ramos said. “But we care, and I’m glad we get to show them that.” The overall mission of both the peer helpers and the Link Crew leaders is to make new students consider themselves an “essential piece,” the student government maxim for the school year. Hopefully, many leaders said, the underclassmen feel appreciated with this new program as their upperclassmen partners take the time to allow them to feel safe and welcomed on campus. “I know what (the freshmen)

need, and I’ve been there to experience it,” Newbold said. “(It) gives them someone they can look up to.” The three main duties for Link Crew leaders are to text their freshmen about upcoming events, promote or attend those events and to provide or recommend academic support. “We’re always improving,” Dickson said. “New people are becoming responsible for different programs, so there’s going to be new ideas.” One of the best aspects of the year-long system is the chance to not only get to know new students, but follow up on their lives, New-

DISTRICT: More funding coming to GBHS in future Continued from page A2 ful.”

According to Stevens and RJUHSD Director of Accounting Joseph Landon, the district will be receiving $301 more per student. Over the course of this year, that will add up to $2.9 million more dollars than last, Landon said. GBHS principal Mike McGuire noted that the state cut the school’s funding to 85 percent of the target ADA for more than three years. This year the budget was restored five percent to a total of 90 percent of the target – still short of the ideal, he said, although it is projected to increase in coming years. Other schools, even within the RJUHSD, will receive more than the five percent back because of their higher numbers of disadvantaged students, McGuire said. However, GBHS is not eligible for much supplemental funding because of its relatively small propor-

tion of high-need students. With the money that GBHS will receive, however, McGuire has a long list of potential uses – including updating technology and some facilities, differentiating instruction, reducing the student-teacher ratio, professional development and the provisions for shifting to the Common Core standards. Stevens said that changes might include a higher health care cap for district employees or adding another assistant principal at Oakmont, but he notes that there is still uncertainty, as the state and districts have not decided upon all the details to the LCFF. He predicts it will be about two years before the formula is fully fine-tuned. “There are some reporting mechanisms and some other things that we know are required but haven’t been fully defined yet,” he said. “They won’t have that for us until about January, so they’re still working through details.”

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bold said. “You can catch up with your freshmen,” Ramos said, “and they … always know that there’s an upperclassman that cares.” Whether these leaders are eating lunch with their links or looking ahead to future events with them, this longer program will benefit both under- and upperclassmen academically and socially. “With all of the support we give (the freshmen) now with the Grizzly Retreat, awesome link leaders and tons of fun activities,” Dumke said, “they can enjoy and feel more a part of the amazing vibe that GBHS has to offer … all of its students.”

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A8 News

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TEACHERS: Administrator, teachers join staff Continued from page A1 After teaching for almost 20 years, Healy was ready for a change that would keep her in the educational world she loves, but allow her to take on more responsibility. “I just wanted to do more,” Healy said. “I wanted to make a change and make a difference.” As an administrator, Healy brings a new perspective to the GBHS campus. As an African American female, Healy said she brings a “different flavor” to the school. She hopes to use this “flavor” to make GBHS a more global high school. “To be truly able to interact with students who travel from overseas,” Healy said, “and to have a really strong connection back and forth, that’s my dream.” While she works to accomplish that dream, Healy enjoys working with the staff. “I love working with the teachers and getting to be in their classrooms,” Healy said. “They come up with some really great ideas for how students will be successful.” Danielle Buljan – English teacher To lovers of country music, Buljan is one to envy. “I have met Taylor Swift (and)

her mom, I have (Swift’s) autograph (and) I’ve been on her tour bus.” Buljan said. “I’ve also met Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.” A self-proclaimed “country girl,” Buljan is also an avid reader. “I love romance and I also love stories where someone has to overcome a problem,” Buljan said. “One of my favorite books is The Outsiders … I just love every character so much, and I love the message the book has.” Her desire to teach stemmed from her passion for reading. “I originally wanted to be a librarian and read books to kids,” Buljan said. “In high school I wanted to be a teacher because I love to read books so much and I love working with kids – I volunteer in my free time at my local church.” From her past experiences in a low-income school, Buljan has learned about teaching. “My experiences with those individual students – helping them get through life, not just school – prepared me for being a really understanding and compassionate person,” Buljan said. “I know life happens. Seeing what some of my students have to go through in their lives and the fact that they still come to school every day amazes me.”

Once a career alternative to becoming a librarian, teaching is now Buljan’s dream job. “This truly is my passion,” Buljan said. “I don’t know how someone could do this job and not love it.” Megan Cooper – choir teacher While not a huge fan of rap or heavy metal, the new choir teacher is a huge fan of alternative rock. Describing country music as “hotsummer-days-when-I’m-drivingin-the-car music,” Cooper said she listens to a lot of music that her students listen to. Still, some students might be surprised to hear she’s a fangirl for the band Keane. “I love them,” Cooper said. “They’re a British rock group and they’re just fantastic – I’ve seen them in concert like 5 times now.” While living in England and teaching music there for a year, Cooper acquired her taste for Keane, starting with her favorite song by them, “Somewhere Only We Know.” Now she is applying her broad musical tastes to the teaching world, where she hopes to transfer her passion for music to her students. “When I got into college I realized I could major in music education … combining (teaching) with music,” Cooper said. “I just kind of fell into it.”

Now a pianist, clarinetist and soprano singer, Cooper didn’t always love music. “I started piano lessons when I was 7 and I actually hated it,” Cooper said. “Then when I was nine we moved, and I got a new teacher, and I started liking it a little more.” After piano came clarinet and marching band, then singing and choir. “By then I was in college and I was a music nerd,” Cooper said. Now Cooper sings for the Sacramento Choral Society and she just decided on a theme for the GBHS choir’s October show. The theme is “Drive” and will feature “Fun, Fun, Fun” by the Beach Boys, “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, and “Going Home,” a folk song. Three to five more songs will be added by the concert date. Jody Van Dusen – English teacher “I’m an adrenaline junkie,” Van Dusen said. “I really like things that are exciting and fun.” Van Dusen, a motorcycle rider since she turned 18, has owned three motorcycles. Now a mother of a one-year-old and three-year-old, Van Dusen does not own any motorcycles and instead puts her efforts toward raising her two kids.

Teaching was not Van Dusen’s first career choice. She first worked in commercial insurance, then accounting, then sales. “I was very financially successful but I just felt very empty as a human being,” Van Dusen said. Always a book lover and a tutor, Van Dusen chose to go into teaching. “I just picked my passion,” Van Dusen said. While she’s a book lover, Van Dusen prefers teaching writing as opposed to literary analysis to her students. “I’ve found that writing is easier to teach because you can see improvement in your results a lot easier than analysis of literature,” Van Dusen said. Van Dusen likes to read biographies and classic novels, with her “all-time favorite book” being Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. “I read Shakespeare (for fun) when I was in high school,” Van Dusen said. “I’m an oddball, I think.” Along with teaching high school classes, Van Dusen teaches college courses part time. “I always feel like the college teaching really prepares me,” Van Dusen said, “for being very aware of what’s expected of (students).”

Danielle Buljan When not teaching English at GBHS, Buljan

Megan Cooper A huge fan of the British band Keane, Cooper taught music theory in England for a year.

Jody Van Dusen A part-time college professor, Van Dusen has been a motorcycle rider since age 18.

COACH: Cooper shaped the players and football program Continued from page A1 Cooper said. One of the toughest parts for Cooper was saying goodbye to his players. “The hardest part was the relationships.” Cooper said, “(They) were everything”. The relationship that Cooper had formed with senior and varsity player Tony Ellison stood out from the rest. “Everyone was pretty emotional, but I was definitely the most torn up,” Ellison said.

Ellison had played for Cooper since he was a sophomore, and he had spent his past three years anticipating his senior year. “It was always about (the) seniors,” Ellison said, when recalling last year’s football season and how he couldn’t wait to be a senior player for Cooper. “I just kept telling myself ‘next year man, next year.’” The past two years that Ellison had Cooper as a coach have not only helped Ellison as a player, but helped him grow as a person. “When I was a freshman, I had

the mentality that it was going to be all about me,” Ellison said. “But as the season went on, he humbled me.” Cooper helped Ellison realize that football is a team sport and that he couldn’t do it all on his own. “You need your team because that’s who you play for,” Ellison said. “You can’t be anybody without them”. Granite Bay graduate and Oakland Raiders linebacker Miles Burris said he believes Cooper built the tradition of pushing yourself, and also pushing each other to

build a solid team. “He makes you compete with yourself, compete with your teammates and compete with everyone on the field” Burris said. Like Ellison, Burris believes that Cooper has helped his athletes develop not just on the field, but off the field as well. “He helps you in every aspect of your life,” Burris said. “He makes players better players and makes players better people”. Cooper wanted to have a winning team with athletic players, but also wanted to shape his young men

into good citizens within the community. “I have accomplished what I came here to do” Cooper said, “I wanted my players to be the best players and the best people they could be.” Cooper has established numerous records for Granite Bay High. He’s brought home countless wins, numerous section titles, and even a 2012 State Championship. But Cooper doesn’t see these as the milestones he has passed in his career – instead, he said titles and accomplishments shouldn’t vali-

date whether the team is good or not. “I would always step back and ask, ‘Did we do a good job with our men?’ ” Cooper said. Cooper was not only a successful coach and fundamental piece of the Granite Bay High School football program, but he was a mentor for all who were involved. “Coach has been the most impactful person in my life besides my family,” Jennings said. “He changed it for me – he changed it all for me.”

CHEATING: ‘Scandal’ blown out of proportion Continued from page A1 tests, an obvious upset in the world of education. However, this “cheating scandal” proved to be nothing more than an overdramatized event that in most cases, had no real impact on the testing itself nor the schools involved. According to Woodcreek principal Jess Borjon, the only thing in jeopardy was “possibly public (negative) perception” of the school for those who aren’t aware of the facts. “We investigated the reported cases and found the breach to be minimal at best,” RJUHSD assistant superintendant John Montgomery said. “The whole incident (here) was not cheating,” Antelope principal John Becker said. “A student took a picture of the cover of her Algebra II CST and placed it on Instagram with the quote ‘Algebra II made me its bitch today.’” The student snuck a quick picture of the front cover after the bell rang, signaling the end of the STAR testing period, according to Antelope assistant principal Jennifer Leighton. “I called her in and of course had her take it down,” Leighton said, “I had to write a report that assured … that we had handled the situation appropriately and still maintained a safe testing environment.” Becker added: “This incident was more of frustration and an attempt at humor versus an attempt at cheating.” The situation at Woodcreek was nearly identical to what occurred at Antelope. “(The Department of Education) contacted us with the posting on Twitter,” Borjon said. “The picture was of the cover of the test booklet and it was taken prior

to the start of the test time.” In response, Woodcreek administration officials called the student into the office, informed parents and explained the situation. As a result of both local incidents, district officials said teachers and test proctors might be more vigilant in the future with the presence of cell phones and other technology in testing areas. “We are discussing processes so we can insure no smart phone devices are available to students during test times,” Borjon said. Other than cell phone usage, this incident has had zero impact at Antelope, according to Becker. Why were these seemingly insignificant incidents turned into something much bigger than the reality? Yes, there were more serious smart-phone scandals elsewhere, including an incident still under investigation at Lowell High School in San Francisco. But why lump the lesser instances with those of greater gravity? “It wasn’t that big a deal as the news agencies reported – probably a way to gain interest in stories on testing is my guess,” Borjon said. The state Department of Education identifies and pursues schools with a more substantial threat to test security, specifically those incidents that revealed actual test material – which clearly didn’t apply to Woodcreek or Antelope. Also, the incentive to cheat on the STAR test is minimal. “I honestly don’t think that (teenagers) are going to care enough to cheat and take a chance on the STAR test,” AP government teacher Jarrod Westberg said. “It’s high stakes to the state – they think it matters, but no kids care about it.”

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GAZETTE The Granite Bay

GRANITE BAY HIGH SCHOOL 1 GRIZZLY WAY GRANITE BAY, CA 95746

Editors-in-Chief: Caitlyn Hurley Sydney Kahmann Kiana Okhovat Alexa Zogopoulos News Editors: Savitri Asokan Grace Moore Voices Editors: Haley Byam Austin Pink Lifestyle Editors: Meredith Dechert Neha Kompella Willow Wood Green Screen Editors: Austin Alcaine Tamren Johnk Jonah Poczobutt Myles Slattery Colleen Vivaldi Sports Editors: Parker Burman Kevin Burns Zach Zolmer Social Media Editor: Kiana Okhovat Online Editors: Caitlyn Hurley Akash Khosla Illustrators: Austin Alcaine Thomas Taylor Brian Zhuang Photographers: Kennedy Bell Luke Chirbas Laurel Teague Marissa Thias Staff Writers: Makenzie Brito Mary Frances Hansen Treasa Hayes Jenna McCarthy Steven Nielsen Troy Pawlak Katherine Petterson Garbhita Shah Epsa Sharma Paul Zeiss

Adviser: Karl Grubaugh

The Gazette is published eight times per academic year by students in the advanced journalism class at Granite Bay High School. Content is determined by the staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Granite Bay High School’s faculty, administration, adviser or student body. Students are protected in their exercise of press freedom by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and California Education Code 48907. Signed editorials and columns reflect the views of the writer. Letters to the editor and guest commentaries are encouraged and must be signed, although anonymity can be granted on a case-by-case basis. The editorial board reviews letters to the editor, advertising and guest commentaries and reserves the right to edit and refuse material. Reasons can include length, clarity, libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process at Granite Bay High School or violation of copyright laws.

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A Section

September 13, 2013

Opt for independent media

COMMENTARY

Popular news outlets are becoming inaccurate sources

nyone who’s got a parent that insists on having the news on TV all day can probably remember hearing – in the background while they did their homework or washed the dishes, perhaps – a bombardment of details about and theories behind Michael Jackson’s death. I find it disturbing that I could probably remember the name of his suspicious doctor if I tried. I can also recall a visual of Jackson’s daughter singing at his memorial service and snippets of the speech that she gave during the hours-long coverage by one of America’s major news channels. Although the little girl’s tribute was touching and sad, I’m sure, I’m surprised I heard it at all over the angry roar of “Why is this on the news?” in my head. I get it – he was the King of Pop. But what could possibly be so important about a service to him that it warrants coverage by NBC or CNN or ABC, networks that could, if they wanted to, report instead on intensely important, groundbreaking issues? Nothing. I mean, especially if we’re not televising Ray Bradbury’s memorial service. To me, the coverage of the whole MichaelJackson-death-mystery was a prime example of sensationalism (defined by Wikipedia as “a type of editorial bias in mass media in which events…are overhyped to increase viewership”) at its worst. Or maybe whichever networks hosted the program would say at its best, since I’m sure it racked in enough ratings. You might ask, “Well, what does it matter?” After all, you can turn the TV off, right? However, it’s not so much what mainstream American news stations do report that is the problem – moreso what they don’t report. A 20-second interlude about the death of hundreds in Syria in between audio of Jodi Arias’s phone sex on one of the major U.S. news networks was so obscene that I almost had to laugh. Again: what does it matter if you can read about Syria’s civil war online or in the paper, right? The problem, however, is that average Americans probably flick on their TV for a few minutes after work or while multitasking, and if all they hear about are sex tapes and the deaths of popstars, who’s to say that they’re ever going to find out what’s going on in the world? Not only do dissections of stories like the Jody Arias case demonstrate that human eagerness to see others torn apart (when you think about it, it makes more sense why people used to watch gladiator tournaments or hangings – they didn’t have TV), but it distracts busy Americans from important information about the state of world affairs, which is complicated enough without even being exposed to the basics. The irresponsibility of these news stations – dumbing down content simply to increase ratings and therefore profit, for one thing – is especially disgusting.

meredith dechert mdechert.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette illustration/THOMAS TAYLOR

Last summer, my conservative aunt said she hated the coverage of one of the first of the large-scale shootings to plague the country for the last year. She said she feared that publication of such intensive information on the shooter’s life might cause similarly disturbed people to take the same actions in a quest for notoriety. At first I thought she was crazy, but after a moment of thought, I saw her point, and I’m afraid that subsequent incidents – sharing eerie similarities with the first – may have been confirmation. In any case, I doubt the networks consulted criminal psychologists before they broadcast the information. God knows that NBC, owned by the third-largest company in the world, General Electric, has a bit more pocket change to spend on bringing informative, comprehensive coverage of things like the Syrian civil war to Americans. But wait – back up. How many Americans (at least the young ones) even know that NBC is owned by General Electric, whose products include cars, oil, gas, nuclear energy, guns, electronics and even water? At the risk of sounding like a paranoid conspiracytheorist, how do we know that NBC isn’t feeding us subtle disinformation about the disadvantages of nuclear power, oil drilling or methods of water purification? Without making conjectures, it’s easy to think of more

than a few reasons why enormous corporations like Time Warner (CNN), Walt Disney (ABC) and General Electric (NBC) shouldn’t be in control of the mass flow of information. One my favorite history teachers pointed out that journalism has, largely, been biased and seeking to achieve private interests since its inception. Maybe what I’m calling for, then, is a new form of journalism. Or, maybe, what I’m calling for is already out there – in the form of independent news networks like the Middle-East-based Al Jazeera – which reports worldwide news in- depth, without sensationalism and with a focus on the real issues. Obviously, I can’t assure Al Jazeera is perfect or vouch for all of its facts; some criticize its tendency to use correspondents native to the countries they report from. But I can guarantee that it is vastly better than the corporate-owned American news giants. Its coverage gives the appropriate weight to the heavy issues and briefly addresses the minute. Mosaic World News offers similarly professional, informative coverage by broadcasting the reports of many different, smaller middle-eastern based news networks. Pretty much anything broadcast on LinkTV – a viewerfunded independent TV station that runs documentaries and world news programs like Al Jazeera and Mosaic – including NHK World, based in Japan, or even BBC, will inform better than a 30-minute session on Amanda Knox that takes the tone of a mystery novel. Maybe you don’t have any interest in world events, but that’s a separate issue. (To abbreviate my thoughts on that I’ll only say that if you have any interest in “changing the world for the better”, you should at least be curious whether a genocidal massacre happened today. I’m not asking anyone, including myself, to become a walking Jeopardy answerbook in the category “Current Events and Atrocities,” but to quote Elie Wiesel, “What these victims need above all is to know that … we are not forgetting them … that while their freedom depends on ours, the quality of our freedom depends on theirs.”) As such, it’s crucial that Americans are at least aware that alternatives to the mega-networks like CNN and NBC do exist. If they know this, maybe they’ll look up LinkTV. Maybe they’ll even feel like sending it a few bucks. Maybe, when the average American sits down to sip his coffee and catch some news, he will actually hear news. *** Meredith Dechert, a senior, is a Gazette features editor.

Hypocrisy in the praise of curves

Media’s attempts to be inclusive unintentionally marginalize average women

ociety has been in a constant struggle with the concept of body image, speaking loudest through media. Girls of all ages have been taught to hate their appearances because they don’t resemble the excessively photo shopped models shown in magazines or fit into extra small clothes. It is nearly impossible to go through a full day without someone mentioning weight loss or dieting. I am not ignoring the health concerns in the “obesity epidemic,” but at the same time, constantly reminding young girls that they are not stick thin and perfect is extremely destructive to physical and mental health. In an attempt to counteract negative reputations for promoting dieting and the beauty of being ultra thin, new campaigns have been popping up claiming that only “real women” have curves. Is that really true? Do only curvy women classify as beautiful? These campaigns don’t deserve the positive response that is being given by celebrities, teen magazines and even Dove soap advertisements. The word “real” is defined as actually

existing and not imaginary, so according to the pro-curve aspect, thin women are fictional. It’s incredible that a slight difference in body shape can save a woman from being imaginary! Modern science truly is incredible! Now, I’m not saying that curvy women aren’t beautiful, I’m simply saying that weight should not be an important factor in deciding women’s beauty. Likewise, I am not applauding weight loss or thinspo . The negativity spread by these impossible standards rivals that of pro-curve dialogue, yet the reaction for the public is incredibly different. Eating disorders are not solely based on the desire to be thin; they stem primarily from being ashamed of your body. It is simply ignorant to believe that promoting curves will reverse the effects of eating disorders. Instead, they will trigger new ways for people to be uncomfortable with their appearance. Despite pro-curve campaigns’ attempts to offset the misconceptions of eating disorders, they unfortunately become another critical voice, bashing human anatomy. The messages are as one-sided and body

shaming as the former. outlook. Increasing positivity COMMENTARY They are now teachis a critical factor in benefiting ing thin women to feel society’s view on body image insecure. and self esteem. Judging women based There are a multitude of off of a number on the ways to advocate appropriscale is extremely deate body image, but singling grading in any context, out one certain shape or size and the hypocrisy of this is counterproductive and movement is an issue completely ruins the message that has been overlooked trying to be said. for far too long. Awareness needs to be Instead of praising a spread in order for supporters single body type, we all to come to the realization that need to learn about and what they are promoting is kbell.gazette@gmail.com promote body accepwrong. tance, appreciation and The attempt may be sincere, harmony. I am emphasizing the word “we” but the views behind it are missing the because I am not by any means perfect and point. If anything, the message deserves a need to also practice what I preach. small “you tried” gold star. Decide what you personally classify as Degrading women for their weight beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you that should become an ancient practice looked you are anything less. Start your own femi- down upon in history classes all over the nist revolution by looking in the mirror and world. Okay that may be a bit excessive, not criticizing what you see. but the necessity of change is legitimate. Striving towards a healthier body image *** is something that needs to be done and Kennedy Bell, a senior, is a Gazette staff can only be achieved through a healthier writer and photographer.

kennedy bell

Female bodies are not inherently shameful

he question that stirred a rage equal to the wrath of, well, hundreds of impassioned teenagers is under debate at Granite Bay High School: how far is too far when it comes to dress code regulations? Answers vary from person to person, but we do not agree with the argument that our bodies – specifically, girls’ bodies – impact the studies of male students to the extent that the administration needed to take such extreme actions. Since we hit puberty, we’ve been painfully aware of the attention that our most inherent features attract, and we receive daily reminders that we should be able to “control” the reactions we

get – from victim blaming in the media to tips on “bikini bodies,” our figures have become the world’s to behold. We don’t want this message handed out to us in the form of yellow slips citing our “infractions” while we’re at school, where our intelligence and achievements are supposed to be valued over everything else, including visible bra straps. Modern fashion is not conducive to the strict standards suddenly placed upon GBHS, and however much the administration argues that the dress code has always been the same, there was a definite change, and we were doing fine without it – new rules are not beneficial in any way to the

EDITORIAL The voice of the Granite Bay Gazette student body. If an inch of midriff is a distraction to our male peers, teachers or coaches, we recommend that they practice self-control instead of blaming us for what we can’t change, because this is bigger than simply the dress code. Frustration over our hemlines isn’t what caused such a clamor, and this simplification (“It’s just

clothing. You can change when you get home”) is another subtle form of oppression preventing us from truly making a change in the view of women’s bodies. For every boy you claim we “distract,” there’s a girl missing instruction time to put on PE clothes over her own and finish the day in visible shame. For every strapless dress you deem “inappropriate,” you cement into another young woman that it is her responsibility to make herself “appropriate” for everyone else. The boys aren’t the only important ones here, because the boys aren’t the only students at our school, but we aren’t saying that this doesn’t affect them, too – they’ve been taught zero

accountability, which isn’t healthy either. Yes, there should be a line. No, students should not come to school with their butts partially uncovered. But our body parts that do not define our sexuality – everyone has a stomach and shoulders and thighs – are not up for public interpretation. To the administration: we respect your rules, and we understand where you’re coming from, but we think you missed the point: if you’re concerned about the boys we will seduce to drool at our cleavage, we suggest that you tackle the problem where it started – with them.

A10 Voices

Friday, September 13, 2013 w The Granite Bay Gazette

Love in the hallways: the P.D.A pandemic HEARD on the BAY S “Instagram, because it is the only social media network that I have.”

freshman

Arshan Mizani “Instagram, because you can make videos now and connect with friends.”

sophomore

Katelyn Malixi “Instagram, because it is simple and just pictures of random things.”

junior

Mohammad Sharif “Twitter, because I can keep in touch with my friends who are in college and people I don’t talk to every day.”

senior

Maddy Wolf Gazette photo/LUKE CHIRBAS

“Facebook lately, because people can easily come together from around the world.”

staff

COMMENTARY

treasa hayes

thayes.gazette@gmail.com

always the case at GBHS. Every day when I’m walking to class, usually quickly because it’s the minute before the bell, I am being bombarded with girls being pushed up against the wall by their boyfriends, or couples sitting on the ground, engrossed in intimate cuddling. And it’s not just the juniors or seniors involved – it’s also the underclassmen. Several freshmen coming to GBHS right out of junior high acquire a boyfriend or girlfriend quite quickly, and express their abounding love for each other through close affection. Some freshmen have had a relationship through middle school, and are carrying it on to high school, where the example of true love is communicated as merely physical attraction. I’ve seen plenty of freshmen and sophomores that are more involved physically in their relationship than many upperclassmen, at least on school grounds. I’m not trying to be judgmental in any way, but I don’t think our school is the most ideal location for romantic connection. We’re all here to learn (though on some days, that’s not my main focus either), but all of us could probably live without the excessive displays of intimacy. I’ve been telling my side of the

–Compiled by Brian Zhuang

body doesn’t see most of the time – and young love is rare. As I said before, everyone else knows the couples at school because we notice them every day. An occasional kiss or holding hands is completely fine. I’m sharing my outlook on the passionate, barely appropriate scenes I see, or should I say, don’t need to see. So perhaps I’m little too excited about voicing my concerns. But, PDA is something that the student body has been dealing with for quite a number of years, couples expressing their undying love for each other on display for the other 2,000 of us. So, hear me out on this: do what you want with your significant other – really, anything. Just keep in mind that it’s not the most ideal campus for intimate romance. I haven’t forgotten that couple I mentioned earlier since – and I’m a junior. So, my sincere thank you goes out to whoever you two are. *** Treasa Hayes, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

Academic pressure affects younger students Are middle schoolers ready for AP classes?

COMMENTARY I think it’s time for students to take a step back and contemplate what is truly important in life.

ach year, thousands of students take college-level courses. And each year, there is a perpetually increasing percentage of sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students enrolled in these courses. Our society has completely overturned the status quo. Forty years ago, when children got home from school, they would play outside, watch television and spend time with their families. Today, when children get home from school, they begin to work on their endless stream of homework from their advanced, often college-level courses. During the last 40 years, our society has created a continuously growing pressure that pushes students toward supposed “success.” Students everywhere feel this pressure and respond by taking incredibly challenging courses. It’s widely-believed, among students, that the only way to success is taking advanced classes and performing exceptionally well. This pressure is unreasonable.

jenna mcCarthy jmccarthy.gazette@gmail.com

I know this pressure, and I’ve responded to it in the typical manner. I took my first college-level courses in ninth grade. I’ve been taking college-level courses because I believe I “need” to. I “need” to take these classes so I’ll be accepted to colleges. I “need” to take these classes so I can get a four-point-something grade-point average. But, the truth is, I don’t need these classes, but our society and this pressure has convinced me that I do. Young students are responding to this pressure by taking advanced courses at an early age—some as early as sixth and seventh grade—thinking it will lead them to success. The truth is, these students aren’t

ready for these classes. They are advanced in their intellect, but not in their maturity. They’re not ready to be constantly surrounded by older, more mature students. The young students experiencing this pressure are being deprived of their childhood. Students, today, rarely have the opportunity to spend time with their families because they’re being constantly overwhelmed by their schoolwork. The extent of the pressure to succeed in school is tragic. It’s becoming the only thing that’s important to students, and dominating their lives. Our society has also created a paralyzing fear, within students, of failing. It’s widely believed that the world will come crashing down upon

Thumbs Up Thumbs up: School is back and so is Grizzly football!

Thumbs down: School is back and so is homework.

Brandon Dell’Orto

Gazette illustration/THOMAS

story – a junior girl just observing her environment. What if we looked from the teacher’s perspective? If I were a teacher and had to witness the everyday passion of student relationships, I would most likely intervene in some way or another and try to put an end to the inappropriate conduct. I don’t know about you, but students definitely don’t seem to be bothered at all by the issue. It’s become the social norm – just ignoring it on your route to class, turning your head because you know there’s nothing you can do about it. Or maybe you’re reading this and you know you’re the one to blame. Please know I’m not trying to put you down, but you can be a couple that saves your affection for each other until after 2:35 p.m. The amount of PDA that I’ve witnessed in my two years here has definitely had an impact in the way that I view love. I hardly think that love is centered solely on physical attraction and what others on campus see two people doing. I think love is what the student

Thumbs Down

What is your favorite social media network?

o I was a freshman two years ago. Innocent and on my way to Honors English in the portables, I was just walking through the student government hall. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a couple literally on top of each other on the floor. Completely absorbed in what they were doing, little me just kept on walking, excited for my next four years at Granite Bay High School. That’s a perfect welcome for your first week, right? Public displays of affection have been taken to an entirely new level at GBHS, the student body being persistently surrounded by, well, you know who you are. Every other student knows you’re a couple – the hand holding or occasional kiss, but I don’t think anyone appreciates being surrounded by those passionately making out on their way to class. Our campus is a place of safety, a place where students can feel comfortable expressing themselves or sharing their opinion on issues. But PDA, however, is not one of those expressions worth sharing. I don’t need anyone to prove to me how much they love their significant other. To me, dating means spending quality time with each other outside of the daily rhythm of school, not just being by each other’s side every moment of every weekday from 7:45 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. I am completely fine with couples spending the whole weekend together – away from school. But, it’s an entirely different concern when more than 2,000 students have to deal with it too. I’m sorry if I’m ranting – if I shared my opinion on Twitter to my 135 followers (I know, not many) I would probably get un-followed. It’s totally okay to eat lunch with different people or talk with your friends during passing period rather than your partner, but that’s not

by Zack Zolmer, sports editor.

our heads if we don’t succeed in school. So, what will happen if a student doesn’t succeed in school? Have they ruined their life? No. Students’ lives are not determined by whether or not they succeed in school. It is, indeed, possible to succeed in life without excelling in school. I wish today’s students could realize this. Don’t get me wrong- school is extremely important. Education is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I just wish that students could see that there is more to life than school. But I think it’s time for change. I think it’s time for students to take a step back and contemplate what is truly important in life. *** Jenna McCarthy, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

These students are advanced in their intellect, but not in their maturity.

Thumbs down: No more sleeping in until noon for nine more months.

Thumbs up: While the weather is still warm, so is the water!

Gazette photo/LUKE CHIRBAS

Voices A11

Friday, September 13, 2013 w The Granite Bay Gazette

UC’s set sporadic acceptance trend Should next year’s applicants be worried?

COMMENTARY

t’s hard enough applying to college. Fellow seniors probably know the feeling. The deadline for first-round applications is still months away, but the rigorous process that lies before us can feel overwhelming. There are the essays that have to convey the essence of our selves in 500 words or less, the SAT scores that have to prove our academic readiness and then, the interviews in which we have to be likeable enough to win the praise of an alum. It’s possible that the application process inspires so much anxiety in us because it often feels like we ourselves are being judged, the trial taking place in some admissions office miles away. When application decisions arrive in May, however, we shouldn’t take the verdict so personally. The other day, I found myself browsing through a school-sponsored website called Naviance Family Connection. The site allows you to search the name of a university, and then find out how many Granite Bay High School students have been accepted there and the average GPA and SAT scores of the admitted students. I was using the site to research my chances of being accepted to various colleges. But while viewing schools in the University of California system, I happened to notice a startling trend. The number of GBHS students admitted to UC schools varies year-to-year. It varies, however, in a predictable pattern. These colleges tend to admit a high number of students from GBHS one

luke chirbas lchirbas.gazette@gmail.com

year, and then roughly half that number the following year. The number then rebounds the year after that. Take UCLA, for example. The number of GBHS students admitted to the school went from 43 in 2011, down to 18 in 2012, and then, back up to 32 in 2013. In the same three-year period, the trend can be seen at UC Berkeley (29 to 18 to 30), UC Davis (79 to 43 to 68), UC Irvine (53 to 21 to 36), UC San Diego (33 to 21 to 41) and UC Santa Barbara (68 to 32 to 54). As I recently learned in my economics class, correlation does not necessarily mean causation. There are plenty of reasons that could explain the exceptionally low acceptances in 2012. Perhaps there were fewer qualified applicants, or budget cuts that reflected a push toward accepting out-ofstate students, who pay a higher tuition. Or then again, maybe, this whole thing is random. As I prepared to be on The Granite Bay Gazette staff again this year, I was reviewing old issues, and came across an article written last April by former editor-in-chief Haley Massara. In the article, GBHS principal Mike McGuire

Gazette illustration/THOMAS TAYLOR

mentions receiving a letter from UCLA in 2012. The letter informed McGuire that UCLA would not be accepting as many students from GBHS that year because of the high number that had been admitted the previous year. In other words: UCLA wasn’t admitting their students solely by academic merit or value. Because of the large number of acceptances last year, does this mean our senior class is at a disadvantage for acceptance to the UC system this year?

Should we be expecting fewer acceptances from UCLA and UC Berkeley? And why so, when our school continues to climb the ranks of Newsweek’s top high schools in the nation? Of course, there are other controllable factors to increase our odds of being accepted to a UC school: study for SAT’s, take a challenging course load, get involved in school activities. But it’s hard to avoid the feeling that part of the application decision comes down to dumb luck.

The UC system should strive to create an admission process that’s less arbitrary. GBHS administrators should also continue to advocate to the UC system about the quality of our school’s academics. Then again, maybe, I simply should have red-shirted my freshman year in academics, so I could apply next year when there’s more favorable odds. *** Luke Chirbas, a senior, is a Gazette staff writer.

A push toward computer science COMMENTARY

akash khosla

akhosla.gazette@gmail.com

hat was once considered useless for consumers by corporations and politicians decades ago ultimately became the crux of a new generation. Now, the computer is known as one of the most paramount and essential pieces of equipment for almost every scholar and jobholder in the world. Computers are among the most ubiquitous pieces of hardware that man has ever created. The importance of this appliance is truly understated in today’s social apparatus. I’m sure most people can relate to the older days of using computers, which for me was using Microsoft office and Windows 2000/ XP. Every day when I went to school, my computer class and I were learning about using software from Microsoft, Adobe or some other large corporation that made software with relevancy in the everyday job force. And we also spent painstaking hours learning to type continuously. While some kids adapted quickly to using software, many struggled in making spreadsheets, basic code-free websites and manipulating images. These were probably the most technical aspects my class and I learned in computer class over the course of the school year. And while these are job-relevant skills, none of us became proficient enough in any of them to actually retain any knowledge for use in our careers. We were taught what was necessary for school in the future. But this was done over the course of 5 plus years, in which many could become a programmer and complete a computer science education. It leaves me thinking, why did we spend so much time learning essentially nothing? All that time was wasted and in many cases it probably discouraged several potential computer science majors from emerging. There are many more valuable skills than just Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite in the computer world. The sad thing was, our math teacher was the only one who

knew about the potential of programming among kids and managed to take advantage of it through mathematical programming in Python. The educational system has not quite changed in elementary and junior high schools around computer science. High school is the first opportunity for most kids to actually learn to program, whether that’s through AP or IB, and even sometimes electives. But opportunities have flourished online since then, where resources like Code Academy and W3Schools have been made interactive and simplified, so that even a hopeless child in a third-world country with internet access and a computer can learn this skill and earn a basic certificate in programming. Before Code Academy and all these resources existed, people had to navigate the complex documentation or just play around in software development environments known as IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) in order to learn basic programming. But without a formal education, it takes far longer to understand the conceptual ideas of computer science. The problem with today’s educational system is how it rewards so easily, that it becomes damaging to a child and he or she begins to lower their expectation for difficulty of content to be learned in a class. In computer science, or technically computer usage, it’s an immense problem as it creates the technically deficient people we have in today’s computer generation by just teaching things even a caveman could figure out. It’s acceptable for the adults of this generation to not understand computer science, but almost all the emerging generations lacking understanding is something to worry about, especially for the future. If the focus of the future is just about simplifying technology rather than making it more complex and useful, then will innovation prevail? And it’s not just computer science. There is also an issue

of understanding IT and computer hardware. Will we have to expect the software to set up everything for our technicians? Will robots be taking all the jobs in the world of computer technology? The only job left would then be programming the robots to do the work. Many just don’t understand why computers are so important. The fact is that we all access one every day, whether it is our phones, cars, house appliances, alarm clocks, televisions, and printers – the list is endless. Almost every little piece of electric technology in a household is a computer of some sort, whether it’s in its most basic form of an alarm clock or the most complicated database server. The amount of job openings in this field is rather discouraging, and the fact that large corporations have to outsource all these jobs to someone sitting in India while Americans in the United States are whining about “no job opportunities,” they are actually trying to say, “we don’t want to do the dirty work, nor do we want to try to acquire another skill set”. It’s a gold mine just waiting to be uncovered, but America’s educational system hasn’t made any sort of effort to actually promote the types of programs, and only places like Silicon Valley are loaded with these opportunities to program due to the private enterprise of corporations such as Google and Intel. Society today has only focused primarily on teaching how to master the use of technology rather than teaching how to make the technology. And it’s somewhat of an inevitable paradox, similar to how the computer evolved from binary code and hexadecimals into programming into a user interface with an object-oriented language. We will always end up learning simpler concepts than the previous generation along with more complex ones – it’s clear we must focus on the complex ones in order to progress forward. *** Akash Khosla, a junior, is a Gazette staff writer.

Gazette illustration/AKASH KHOSLA

Second look

They’re Back

A12 Second Look

Friday, September 13, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Tribe gears up for 2013 Season

 Senior Owen McNiff, top, points at the rival Folsom Bulldogs as they run onto the field. Freshman Benjamin Rodriguez, middle left, puts on the ritual Granite Bay green and silver face paint. Seniors Matt Berry, Brock Saqui and Christopher Gallefos show off their Tribe spirit last Friday night. Bottom right, the Tribe makes the long walk to the stands in anticipation for kickoff. Middle right, the Tribe’s leaders show off their support to the local TV station.

Gazette photo /KEVIN BURNS

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /KEVIN BURNS

Lifestyle

Granite Bay Gazette

B Section

Friday w September 13, 2013

Commentary

meredith dechert mdechert.gazette@gmail.com

Feminism is difficult I’ll always be an ardent one, but being a feminist is depressing as hell. Maybe it’s because I’m young and because I just opened my eyes to many things in the past year or two. But it’s reassuring to know that there is a Facebook group called, “The Red Pill Support Group” (No, that’s not a type of birth control. Have you seen The Matrix?). People ridiculously claim, “Well, women have equality in first-world countries already,” and that feminism is no longer necessary – completely blind to how much yet needs to be done and changed even in the “first world”. Not to mention, of course, that some try to justify oppression and violence in other “worlds” using a ludicrous form of cultural relativism (“Well, that’s their culture.”) – or simply by saying, “It’s not my problem.” Being a feminist can also entail spending large amounts of energy thinking about rape and the culture that perpetuates it. Every time you hear slut-shaming you know that it is contributing to that culture, and when you try to explain this to people, they look at you like you’re crazy. And knowing that 83 percent of congress members in the US are male, and that they and others think they (or any others) have the power to tell a woman whether she can have an abortion or not and not having any easy way to articulate just how deeply wrong that is – it’s difficult. You see sexism everywhere: You can’t watch most sitcoms without being disgusted with the gender stereotypes; cleaning supply commercials want to make you rip your head off. Hyper-feminism and hypermasculinism grate on your nerves (well, mine), not because you dislike these people, really, but because you have to wonder how much of their behavior is genuine and how much is socialized and feels compulsory to them (I’m irritated with society, not them). And then, of course, you get pinned as a “Feminazi”, and people refuse to accept that feminism is not inherently sexist just because it focuses on the rights and attitudes toward one sex. I try to explain that would mean Civil Rights are racist, but some just don’t want to have it. And no one, including tons of feminist women, seems to want to claim the feminist title because, “It has a bad rap,” (all the more reason) and, “I prefer to call myself a ‘humanist’ or ‘egalitarian’” – when that’s kind of like saying you want to be a general practitioner when we desperately need some oncologists. I read an article that mentioned a study that somehow concluded that feminist women are unhappier than other women. I believe the article was supposed to be bashing feminists, but, while I never have aimed to be a martyr, what that says to me is that feminists are the only ones brave enough to not brush off things we know are wrong and to look at the harsh reality honestly and objectively while still feeling the pang of each individual injustice and never ceasing to give a shit. That’s pretty honorable if you ask me – and endless props to our predecessors; I don’t think I could have stood being born much earlier. Damn though, is it depressing. But I refuse to stop.

*** Meredith Dechert, a senior, is a Lifestyle co-editor.

What the freshmen don’t know... Students find faults in the sexual education curriculum Gazette photo CAITLYN HURLEY

BY HALEY BYAM

hbyam.gazette@gmail.com

The birds and the bees have stirred up a storm in the Oakland Unified School District, where youth leaders of Forward Together, a support system for Asian immigrant youth, have set their sights on a more comprehensive approach to sex education. After collecting a representative sample of over 500 surveys from students in the OUSD, Forward Together began a campaign called “Sex Ed the City: More Than Just Protection” and used its research to identify the major problems in middle school and high school sex education programs. Of these findings, the lack of instruction in areas regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth seems to resonate clearly with Granite Bay High School students, who also noticed a startling absence of relevant, applicable information for the LGBTQ community in their health classes. “(Gay sex education) was practically not there at all,” said senior Nikki Chang. “It was acknowledged that gay people exist, but things like anal sex were completely glossed over.” Information about gender identity, gender roles and sexual orientation, another aspect of the curriculum that could positively impact students’ emotional and physical health, was reportedly barely covered.

“Transgender people were mentioned a little bit,” said Chang, “but they didn’t go over terms for gender identity or anything. Other than saying, ‘Some people think they’re a man, but they’re in a woman’s body.’ Period, conversation over.” Recent confusion over the definitions of terms such as “transgender” has led to misinformed assumptions about people’s identities. With an increasing array of vocabulary to describe a person’s internal struggles, students have difficulty differentiating between the meanings of words, said senior Morgan Paris. A popular misconception is that all transgender people undergo sex-reassignment surgery, when this term is simply an umbrella for all gender identities that fall outside of the established binary. People with genders that cross over or move between these socially constructed borders may or may not choose to attempt a transition. For that reason, senior Lindsey Johnston hopes for a more diverse curriculum to avoid hurtful and ignorant comments. “If you go up to a transgender person and completely ruin their self esteem,” said Johnston, “that’s your fault because you’re uneducated. If the first words out of your mouth are ‘that’s disgusting’, you’re breeding hate. A lack of knowledge leads to fear.”

Sexual orientation, another area where a lack of understanding can have extremely detrimental effects on people both mentally and physically, has similarly sparse coverage in classrooms. “The word homosexual is not mentioned once in the entire textbook,” said Health and Safety teacher Kathie Sinor, “but I feel like the Gay Straight Alliance has helped a lot to serve those students. It’s difficult for us to ‘teach’ about homosexuality when parents are very touchy about their kids hearing the word.” It’s no secret that homophobia remains a large presence in the United States, with over 15% of hate crimes “because of a sexual orientation bias”. While efforts are being made to change attitudes that facilitate solely heterosexuality, students struggling with their sexuality are hard-pressed to find an LGBTQ-inclusive health class. “Especially when you’re a freshman,” said senior Brynn Appelman, “and you’re going through all that, and you think, ‘Maybe I’m not attracted to the opposite gender like everyone says I’m supposed to be, or I don’t feel like this gender fits me.’ I think that kind of information is what the class is for.” In addition to information about sexuality, students also report a lack of comprehensive curricula covering contraception. See SEX ED, page B7

When the sun goes down, the scooters come out Scooter gang emerges after a dangerous encounter in the GBHS parking lot BY AUSTIN ALCAINE

aalkaine.gazette@gmail.com

ug 7, the last few days’, school is right around the corner and students are enjoying there remaining days of summer. Michael Gezi and Dante Weeks are hanging out at the Granite Bay High School parking lot. As they are figuring out their plans for the night a couple of cars they do not recognize pull into the lot. “I didn’t think anything of it, people come into the parking lot all the time,” said Gezi, a senior at Granite Bay High School. All was normal until Weeks, who is also a senior at GBHS, turned to Gezi and told him they should leave. Gezi was puzzled until he heard someone shouting his name angrily and decided it was a good idea to leave. “That’s when I saw my friend Ash Gunn drive into the parking lot,” says Gezi, “He asked me if I wanted a ride so we got into his car.” As Gezi was getting into Gunn’s car a

beer bottle was thrown at Gunn’s car so he got out confronting the assailant, when he was jumped by three 2013 GBHS graduates. Gunn luckily was not severely injured by the jumping and showed mercy on his attackers by not pressing charges. “I decided not to press charges because I could have essentially ruined all of their lives because all of them are now 18 and legal adults,” Gunn said. The charges that could have been pressed would be as follows: minors in possession (MIP), assault on a minor, battery, and destruction of property. Despite the events that have unfolded at the GBHS parking lot it remains to be a popular place for students to hang out with their friends. Even though Weeks witnessed what happened on Aug 7 he still enjoys going to the parking lot to meet up with friends. “I still feel like it is a relatively safe place to go and it is always easy to meet up with friends there,” Weeks said. The trend of going to the parking lot so often has begun the start of a new trend amongst GBHS senior guys, riding

they were after me but around the parking lot on their cheap old I don’t really care to find out at this point,” razor scooters that have been collecting Gezi said. dust in many of their Regardless of what has hapgarages. pened it appears as if GBHS “I don’t really know I still fee like it is students will continue to head how it started but one day we all just decided a relatively safe over to the parking lot as a venue for entertainment, until to bring our scooters in place to go and this trend eventually burns out our cars and ride around it is always easy and the thrill of meeting up the parking lot,” says Weeks, “but after that to meet up with there dies with it. “We still have fun when we first day that’s when our friends go there so I don’t see us stopscooter gang started and ping anytime soon,” Weeks we are always open to said. new members,” – Dante Weeks, In any case being in the parkThis group of seniors GBHS Senior ing lot past curfew is illegal has found a way to kill and there have been quite a few some time and hangout run-ins with the Placer County with good friends in a Sherriff. harmless way. “It is always kind of funny when they “We actually have almost 20 members come by because we are never doing anynow which I was not expecting at all,” thing illegal yet they always expect us to be Gezi said. Gezi was hesitant to return to the park- as if we are hoodlums,” Gezi said. As far as the students of GBHS are coning lot after his friend was jumped, after cerned they find the parking lot to be a great all the former students were after Gezi place to go and it appears they won’t be leavspecifically. ing anytime soon. “To this day I still do not know why

inside lifestyle Top Ten

Student Spotlight

How to

Random Student

College of the Month

Women’s Healthcare Women’s choices for reproductive health

Changes in the Bulletin The media program brings changes for the new year

Maidu Fires The aftermath of the fires that occurred over the summer

B2 Lifestyle

Friday, September 13, 2013

top 2013 SUMMER DESTINATIONS

Paris, France - visited by Natalie & Nick Krisa, senior

Italy - visited by Lauren Bohnam, senior

Japan - Visited by Ethan Guttman, sophomore & Pierce Schaefer, sophomore

Costa Rica - Visited by Bobbie Spiro, junior & Natalie Caraway, junior

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Alternative therapy is another solution Music, dance and art can relieve many symptoms BY WILLOW WOOD

wwood.gazette@gmail.com

Alison Sale, a Granite Bay High School Alumna, has found herself in college level psychology classes. But don’t let this fool you. She isn’t a Freudian Psychoanalyst, but instead, a Music Therapy Major. “A lot of people like the idea of music therapy because music is universal,” said Sale. “People may have their preferences but I’ve never met someone who is adamantly against music.” Music therapists combine two great things: music, and a service that can actually help people. Sales’s interest in music therapy began on the GBHS campus, but she wasn’t sure how to pursue her dream. There are less than 100 certified music therapy schools in the country and only two are in California. One is University of the Pacific and the other is Cal State Northridge. Sales found however, that these schools didn’t offer what she was looking for. “They offer a different type of music therapy, and it wasn’t the type I wanted to pursue,” Sale said. (Also), I would have had to go out of state, and when I was in high school I was not ready to go out of state.” The California universities are based off Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, which involves mostly improvisations, which Sale admits is not her strongest talent. “I am more scientific (and) evidence based,” Sale said. I’m a … piece of music in front of me kind of person.” So, she decided to go for an alternate route, going to Chapman University in southern California and double majoring in psychology and music. “I had a great time but I realized very quickly that doing a double major in music and psych was not the same as doing music therapy,” Sale said. And so, she then transferred to Colorado State, and changed her degree from a bachelor of arts to a bachelor of music in music therapy.

Gazette illustration/ THOMAS TAYLOR

“Here at CSU we are more evidence based, so we take research that psychologists have done and what is going on which a patient neurologically,” Sale said. “Then, we learn how music therapy can apply to that person.” To be a music therapist, a person has to be a good musician, because if they’re not, then their use of music cannot be used very efficiently. So, the first part of Sales’s degree involved solidifying musical concepts. “I’m a classically trained flute musician (and) I play Bach and Beethoven symphonies,” Sale said. “When I got to CSU, I had to learn guitar and piano as well as every genre of music, because if a client

likes country music, I need to be able to play country music!” In addition to music classes, students must also take psychology classes like abnormal psychology so that they will fully understand each person’s condition. They also have to take functional neural anatomy in order to fully understand how the music is affecting the client from a scientific viewpoint. Before brain scans and brain imaging became prominent, it was hard for music therapists to prove why their therapies worked. Therefore, the fields popularity is tied to the different types of technology that have become available.

In just the past 5 years, music therapy has taken off in the field of autism spectrum disorder. “Because people with autism can process music better then they can process language, we can (oftentimes) better communicate with them through our music,” Sale said. And music therapy isn’t the only type of therapy that this logic applies to. “Dance therapy is playful, less stressful, and communicative, especially when we use dance as

See THERAPY, page B7

Confidential healthcare available for teens Spain - Visited by Bradley Chee, junior

Palestine - Visited by Karim & Mohammad Sharif, juniors Gazette Photo/GRACE MOORE

 Kaiser Permanente in Roseville offers many extended health care options for teens.

California youth have choices regarding their sexual health The Philippines - Visited by Perry Vargas, senior

New York, U.S.A - Visited by Kristen Howard, senior

BY GRACE MOORE

gmoore.gazette@gmail.com

It’s an often-cited statistic among those trained in health, like Granite Bay High School health and safety teacher Kathie Sinor, that an average 50% of high school students will have sex before graduating high school. Factor in the illegality, high rates of unprotected sex and sexually transmitted disease that is rampant in this demographic, and there is a clear need

Familiar faces enter familiar grounds as previous students return to our school after transferring esharma.gazette@gmail.com

Washington D.C., U.S.A Visited by Emily Torres, junior - Compiled by Treasa Hayes

See HEALTH CARE, page B7

Students transfer back to GBHS BY EPSA SHARMA

Canada - Visited by Hailey Lederer, senior

for information to be delivered. In this state, teenagers have the rare ability to confidentially see a doctor about pregnancy testing, pregnancy care, birth control, STD testing and treatment, alcohol or other drug use as well as personal, school and family issues. As a result, in an extreme example, a teenage girl could theoretically get an abortion without her parents’ knowledge. This is because after age 12, according to the California Health and Safety Code, a teen’s reproductive health is legally his or her own business. With the recent implementation of the Affordable Care Act often referred to as Obamacare, local physi-

cians like obstetric and gynecological physician Susan Hooten are optimistic that contraceptives will be easier to attain for everyone. Additionally, new insurance plans being offered to those without insurance from Oct 1 on will provide free birth control and hospital visits in addition to other services. The Affordable Care Act also mandates that all young adults will be included in their parent’s health plans until age 26, covering a gaping pre-existing hole in important healthcare coverage that many college students had, registered obstetric and gynecological nurse Kimberly Marjama said. Even if a patient is under his or her parent’s health care plan, reproductive health care costs to young adults incurred by these prescriptions and visits are paid in a confidential manner, because maintaining legal privacy in a world of electronic health records is a priority, Marjama said. Apart from Kaiser, many local healthcare providers are quiet on the subject of teen reproductive health. Sutter has nothing on its website, while UC Davis Healthcare refers its customers to the Women’s Health Society clinic in Sacramento. However, deeper research reveals that there is much more aid to be seen. Though it may not be obvious, there are numerous locations where teens can get private health advice beyond their parents and the Internet, which can often misinform. Planned Parenthood, while often protested for its abortions, “prevent(s) many, many, many more abortions than they provide, and they deserve the public’s

Throughout the course of a school year; hundreds of students transfer out, for a variety of reasons. The vast majority of the time, their reason for moving revolves around personal issues, such as influences from family and friends. And usually, once a student transfers out, they don’t come back to the school Transferring into a different school is difficult at all grade levels, especially during high school, because at this level, everyone is settled in and gearing towards their futures. Personal issues tend to be the number one factor in why students transfer to different schools. Strangely enough, it is soon after the transfer that they start to notice the posi-

tives and negatives of their new situation I transferred to St. Francis after freshman year,” said Natalie Hahn, a junior at GBHS. “I enjoyed the school because it was much smaller and we were able to get more attention and focus from our teachers.” The first thing students do when they transfer out of a school is compare both schools. They look at it from all angles, observing the teachers, the people and the overall vibe the school gave off. “I went to St. Francis sophomore year and transferred back because of family,” said Stephani Dougan, a GBHS junior. “Honestly, I enjoyed both schools, as they were both very similar and had the same culture.” Usually when students

transfer out of GBHS, they go to schools around the Roseville, Sacramento and Rocklin area. Sometimes, on rare occasions, students transfer out for personal reasons and choose to be home schooled. I transferred sophomore year to Horizon Charter School, which is basically like being home schooled,” said Lauren Crandall, a senior at GBHS. “I transferred because I was deeply ill, and I was focusing on getting better and healthier.” For many students that transferred out of our school, it was a change in their future plans that resulted in their return to GBHS. As soon as they transferred back, they received positive reactions from many old friends. “ When I transferred back (to GBHS), all my close friends were overjoyed that I

had returned, and I was happy to be back,” Dougan said. Whenever students transfer back, the reaction from the staff and student body always tends to be optimistic. But the student coming back may be a bit intimidated, because they haven’t been here for a while. “I was very excited to come back and even though I had already gone to GBHS for a year, I felt like a freshman again because everything seemed so new. But I’m glad I transferred back because there’s more diversity here and you can be yourself,” said Hahn. The administration here at GBHS works very hard to provide a positive high school experience for their students. So when they are informed that certain students want to transfer to another school in the district; they try to do

whatever they can to show their students the great things our school has to offer. The first things I want to do when a student decides to transfer out, is an exit interview,” said Mike McGuire, the GBHS principal. I want to find out what happened, and why they want to transfer out. This is very important, because if the reasons are about bullying or education, than we have to take a stand and prevent those same issues from repeating in the future. The administration is generally eager to hear that students who have transferred out are returning back to GBHS. “We are always happy when students come back,” McGuire said. “They have finally come to their senses and realized what a remarkable public school GBHS is.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

Lifestyle

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Media and IB Film ally for bulletins

Students direct and produce content, aim to involve student body, inform and entertain

strictly IB Film and Advanced Media,” Rocca said. “We are just trying to make them Granite Bay Today.” After negative feedback on last year’s bulThe new collaboration allows more time to letin program, the Granite Bay High School produce bulletins, with each class doing only Media department is changing its organizaone per week. The program is hoping this tion in the hopes of improving overall qualwill help increase the quality of the content ity and viewer-ship. and therefore the enthusiasm of viewers. The days of Jimmy Jack, John Holloway The change also gives the media program and a full ten minutes of entertainment are more freedom to pursue the stories they fondly remembered by many seniors, but find interesting. The program now relies on that is the only thing they remember from student directors to decide the content and to the era of the bulletin. produce it. “No one remembers the other two teams. “The class is more student-run like GBIT – they only remember Jimmy Jack,” Sierra or Student Government where the students Putman said, one of four directors of the Advanced Media bulletins. “This year we don’t lead the classroom,” Zachary Weidkamp, want to overpower anyone else, so we are all GBHS Media teacher, said. “The directors and producers are in charge of giving out working collectively.” the tasks and stories…I want them to have Jack and Holloway were known for their a working relationship, like it is in the real comical stories and booming news-anchor world.” voices. However, the other media students Students outside of media can also get were drowned out in their wake. Since involved by filling out a request form with then, opinions on the bulletin have been increasingly negative – calling the programs their idea and turning it into the media class. Their ideas may air on the bulletin, and bul“robotic” and “dull”. letin leaders hope this will help include the This year Advanced Media and IB Film will work together to create weekly bulletins entire student body in the process. “We try to make sure everything that is – the first time IB Film, which was added to on the bulletin has something related back GBHS last fall – will be participating in the to the student body and the school specifibulletin. Advanced Media will air on Tuescally,” Putman said. “We are trying to make days and IB Film on Thursdays, bringing it school-oriented, but we’re definitely trying back a reliable bi-weekly bulletin. to get some comedic relief in there for sure.” “We thought it would be good to have the Weidkamp acknowledged that for most class branch out,” said Alex Rocca, producer students it is the comedy that keeps students of IB Film’s bulletin. engaged and which many felt was missing Like Putnam, Rocca wants to bridge the gap between the IB Film and Media bulletins from some of the more recent bulletins. He emphasized, however, that the goal is not to to create an unified effort. be funny, but to be informative and enter“We’re trying not to make the bulletins

BY LAUREL TEAGUE

lteague.gazette@gmail.com

taining. “We’re thinking that to encourage more people to watch the bulletin we will cut out some of the written bulletin that people hear repeated every day and add more journalistic stories, fun advertisements and special series – things that people are actually interested in,” Rocca explained. Weidkamp said the two classes meet every Monday to decide the stories for the bulletin, and function very much “as one media entity.” However, with the class division comes the threat of competition between the two. “The only competition I want is (about) who can find the best story, get their name on the story and produce the story the best,” Weidkamp said. “It’s a hard thing for students to realize that you take an idea and it might seem kind of dull, but if you dig a little bit underneath that idea you’re going to find some information that’s going to make that information more enticing.” Earlier this year the GBHS online media program received a Pacemaker Award, the highest honor in high school journalism, and is looking for another nomination for 2014. Weidkamp believes this year the students have the talent and drive to also win an award from the Student Television Network. Those involved in the program are excited to fulfill the potential of its new improvements. “This year I feel like it’s a lot better. I feel like we know we need to improve,” senior media student Jeff Howard said. “We have a lot of new people – a lot of new ideas.”

Gazette illustration//AUSTIN ALCAINE

Students with disabilities thrive in Advanced Placement classes ADD, Tourette’s sufferers make top of class BY PAUL ZEISS

pzeiss.gazette@gmail.com

Some would assume that success in Advanced Placement courses is strictly limited to a small number of individuals and near impossible for those with mental or learning disabilities. However, Granite Bay High School students with disabilities break down such paradigms and set examples for students by not letting difficult circumstances or societal perceptions stop them from achieving academic excellence. Senior Robert Petterson is a highachieving GBHS student with a disability who succeeds in rigorous AP classes.

Petterson is formally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and describes having symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome. He has taken, and is currently taking, some of what are considered the hardest AP classes offered at GBHS, such as AP United States History, AP Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Literature and Composition, AP Government, AP Macro/Microeconomics, AP Statistics and AP Chemistry. Petterson says that his disabilities sometimes get in the way of focusing during class. But it is the rigor of the curricula of the classes, not his disabilities, that Peterson believes makes them so difficult. He does not believe his disabilities are a detriment to his academic abilities. Petterson did describe, however, the stress that comes with taking such difficult classes while dealing with his own disability. He recommends students

dealing with disabilities to reach out for enhance the overall high school experisupport. ence.” “If you are having a lot of difficulty Aside from his demanding academic and stress in AP classes along with your schedule, Petterson still finds time for disability, it is healthy to ask someone another passion of his in singing for the for help,” says school choir. Petterson. “(GetAnother senior, ting help) was David Zech, has and something that I If you are having a lot of is taking a total of 11 didn’t think of a AP classes, including difficulty and stress in AP AP European Hislot, and it caused classes along with your dis- tory, AP Physics C, me a lot of extra stress.” ability, it is healthy to ask AP Language and GBHS guidComposition, AP someone for help. ance counselor Computer Science Tiffani Gieck A, AP Chemistry, AP also says that it is – Robert Petterson, senior AP student Calculus AB/BC, AP diagnosed with ADD extremely helpStatistics, AP Govful for students ernment, AP Macro/ with disabilities Microeconomics, to communicate with adults. AP Psychology and AP Literature and “It is important to have communicaComposition. tion and awareness, Geick said,” because Zech is formally diagnosed with Tothe more that people are aware will only urette’s Syndrome.

Nevertheless, his disability seems to be no disadvantage to his academic life, as Zech is ranked 2nd in his class with an academic grade point average of 4.57. “(Tourette’s Syndrome) makes it hard to write and concentrate sometimes especially on the more stressful tests” says Zech, “I’ve usually just tried to keep calm and avoid caffeine and other stimulants.” Zech’s favorite AP class is AP Computer Science, a subject he plans on majoring in during college. He currently has an internship as a web developer at Pinney Insurance Centers. After high school, Zech hopes to attend either the University of California, Berkeley or Cal Poly. Neither Petterson nor Zech plan to let their disabilities inhibit their future successes in college. “The idea that disabilities correlate with struggling in school is a large misconception,” Petterson said.

Special needs addressed Classes teach functional, necessary skills BY KATE PETTERSON

kpetterson.gazette@gmail.com

Your names Your faces The Gazette

Granite Bay High School provides a solid platform for students with special needs to meet their potential. The special needs program includes the courses Functional Academics and Individual Living Skills. Both classes teach necessary skills for special needs students to be successful in all areas of their lives. “In Functional Academics, (we teach) academics that they will use later in life,” said Sara Quinby, the head educator for the program. The class emphasizes reading signs, menus and recipes and filling out forms. It also reviews reading comprehension, math, writing, listening and following directions. “In Individual Living Skills, we focus a bit more on money math, calendar skills, communication, social skills, nutrition, hygiene and computer skills,” Quinby said.

The class goes into detail about adding and subtracting money, as well as comparing prices and watching a budget, Quinby says. “We go on outings,” senior Wynden Grealy said, referring to the weekly trips the Independent Living Skills class takes off campus. These “outings” help the students apply the skills they learn in the class. The students work on ordering and paying for items, reinforcing social skills when they speak to waiters or cashiers. “This year we are going to focus more on putting together a healthy meal, finding out the cost, budgeting for the total cost, buying the food at a grocery store and cooking it in the culinary kitchen (on campus),” Quinby said. The classes work on cooperation as well as academics. “We make sure that everyone has a job,” said Sally Wagner, the paraeducator for the students. “Every person is accountable for certain responsibilities.” See SPECIAL NEEDS, page B6

B4 Lifestyle

Friday, September 13, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Fire burns 35 of Maidu Park’s 98 acres

Several homes and Oak Restoration Park damaged Gazette photo/Luke Chirbas

The June fire leaves the ground and trees at Maidu Park blackened and seared. BY TROY PAWLAK

tpawlak.gazette@gmail.com

The charred, black underbrush and faint chemical smell at Maidu Park bear witness to the fire that overcame the formerly picturesque park. Around 2:30 pm on Friday, June 21, firefighters received a call about a fire in the Maidu Park. “When we first got there, there were two fires going next to each other,” firefighter Joe Lapenna said. Lepanna’s team was the first to arrive at the scene. It came from the direction of Johnson Ranch, while a second team came from the bike trail coming from the opposite direction. The teams could not predict the turmoil that would ensue. “We did not feel that (the fire) was going to be as big as it was or that homes were going to be in dan-

Student

Spotlight

Amanda Gordon

Junior strives to be banjo, guitar, piano player Which instruments do you play? I play piano, guitar, and a bit of banjo. I’ve been playing piano for 11 years, guitar for eight years, and banjo for four years. Which is your favorite? Guitar, by far, although banjo is very fun. I like guitar because, when I play, I am able to forget about my everyday obstacles. Why is music important to you? Music is important because it provides an output for my feelings. Are there any musicians you admire or look to for inspiration? I admire The Beatles and Taylor Swift, but I don’t want to copy other people. I want to be my own musician. -Compiled by Jenna McCarthy

ger.” Lapenna said. More than three months later, the 98-acre park – 35 of which were burned – and surrounding home owners are still recovering. The Riffice family, including children who attend schools in the area, own one of the few houses severely damaged in this catastrophe. “About 35 percent of the roof burned,” Lori Riffice said. All but their master bedroom and downstairs living room were damaged by smoke and water. The renovation is planned to take three to five months. “It took two months to actually get the contractor in there,” Riffice said, “So now that (he) is in there it’s going really good.” However, the renewal of the park itself is progressing somewhat more slowly than the Riffice’s home renovation.

“The trees (are burned). It kind of looks ugly now,” said Granite Bay High School senior Connor Ferguson. “Other than that I would not say that there was a large amount of damage.” Furgeson, whose house is across the street from the park and who rides his bike past the burned land, said he often feels that the land is not recovering very well. Especially unfortunate is the fact that Maidu Park housed the Native Oak Restoration Park, an attempt to replace some of the empty land in the park with trees that grow naturally in the area. Within the 35 acres that the fire burned, 18 acres of the “baby” oak trees were damaged. Some of the trees were burned “beyond starvation,” Castellucio said. “The intense heat pulled all the moisture from the plants (and) trees and the ground, causing them to die,” Castelluccio said.

Most of the weeds survived the fire, however, which Castellucio says will help increase the chance of re-growth of the flora in Maidu Park with the help of the winter rain. Castelluccio said that it will not be clear how many of the young oak trees will recover until the spring time. “Forests do restore themselves, but it does take time,” Castelluccio said. It is likely that many of the oak trees will survive, and a current estimate of 20 percent of the plants will grow back. No action has yet been taken to help the re-growth. However, the irrigation systems are going to be removed and seeds planted to make-up for the burnt trees. Wildlife was also affected by the fire. Animals were driven away from the area, Castellucio said, but should return when the habitat regenerates.

Ripple Effect plans to end on lighter note

Media and Student Government team up to focus on the positives BY JENNA MCCARTHY

jmccarthy.gazette@gmail.com

This year, Granite Bay High School Media and Student Government are teaming up to create a new and improved Ripple Effect, the annual, week-long attempt to improve school-wide culture. CJ Stone, GBHS ASB President, has new ideas that will be put into play during this year’s Ripple Effect, taking place Sept. 23-27 and themed, “You are an essential piece.” “In the past few years, (Ripple Effect) has always been deep and impactful, and really about how we can improve our school,” Stone said. “This year, we’re doing the same thing for part of the week, however, the last two days of the week we really want to focus more on happy things to end on more of a happy note.” In addition, Stone would like to incorporate more participation by GBHS staff members into Ripple Effect. “The first year (of Ripple Effect) they had a lot of staff interviews,” Stone said. “When you interview the staff, more staff members get involved. So, we’re really hoping we can get some more staff interviews this year, with our themes for each day.” Through Ripple Effect, Stone aims to make a true difference on the GBHS campus. “It’s kind of a very cliché thing to say,” Stone said, “but I really want to change the vibe on campus.” Stone wants the GBHS campus to be a place where students will feel safe and accepted. “A big struggle in a high-schooler’s life is always having that feeling that people aren’t accepting of who they are,” Stone said. “They always feel like they should change to what society wants them to be. I really wish that Granite Bay High School could be the exception.” Alex Rocca, head of media for Ripple Effect, is also working with Student Government to incorporate his new ideas for this year’s Ripple Effect. “We’re planning on making (Ripple Effect) really cinematic this year,” Rocca said. “We’re trying to make it…a really developed story and….(focus on) how individuals at the school can work together to create a better environment and culture.” Like Stone, Rocca and the media team will be working to make Ripple Effect more uplifting as the week progresses. “Even the image on the screen…will have a darker feel at the beginning, and every day the feeling of the videos will actually be lighter,” Rocca said. “In editing, we’ll make the videos lighter to symbolize that.” As a large part of Ripple Effect, the GBHS media team will put a great deal of effort into the daily videos. “We want to put as much as we have into it,” Roc-

Gazette illustration/AUSTIN ALCAINE

ca said. “Our production quality will seem higher.” GBHS Media recently purchased new equipment to enhance their videos, which will be used for Ripple Effect. “Thanks to the funds we had from IB, and, now that our program has been built up more…we can work to create things that feel more like movies with higher production quality and value.” GBHS junior Jacqueline Gordon is greatly looking forward to this year’s Ripple Effect. Gordon believes Ripple Effect is a valuable GBHS attribute and a vital event on campus.

“I think that Ripple Effect is important because it gets people thinking about other people above themselves,” Gordon said. As a transfer student, Gordon identified with some of the issues addressed during Ripple Effect and thoroughly benefited from the week of change. “I felt like I became more aware of the problems at our school and felt compelled to address them,” Gordon said. “There’s a lot of disunity in our school and in our lives. Ripple Effect is the one event that truly unifies our student body.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

Lifestyle

The Granite Bay Gazette

Food allergies really bite

Allergens can be dangerous and even take lives when treated without extreme caution

However, these allergies oftentimes disappear inconspicuously by the time students reach high school. Contradicting the usual change, senior Ciera Allergies hold a strong influence on diets, with new Jeter’s nut allergy has intensified as she has gotten diagnoses popping up everyday, however, with all older. the new health dangers, schools can’t keep up with Despite the multitude of students impacted, GBHS the necessary precautions. fails to provide safe options. Although food allergies are not out of the ordinary, “Bringing a lunch from home is the best way to they should not be taken lightly. ensure I get the foods I am able to eat,” Jeter said. “They have very severe consequences if ingested, The importance of being provided safe foods can’t including anaphylactic shock, which can lead to be stressed enough. death,” Jamie Olivo, a local dietitian, said. “People seem to forget that people die from these There is a widespread misconallergies,” senior Allie Johnson said. ception that food intolerances are “The solution is very simple.” the same as food allergies. Last year Johnson was celebrating One out of four people report It is important not the final night of another annual family that they have food allergies, but trip to Cabo San Lucas, she had a near to be reckless less than 10 out of 100 have been fatal reaction to a common allergen – around allergies, shellfish. clinically diagnosed, Olivo said. “I get a horrible stomach ache Going into anaphylactic shock, because you never and can’t move for almost 72 Johnson was rushed to the hotel docknow their hours [when eating foods that I tor who immediately recognized her full extent. am allergic to],” said Allie Johnsymptoms and had her diagnosed with son, a senior at GBHS. a serious shellfish allergy. Granite Bay High School Safe food possibilities that schools – Ciera Jeter, senior mother Nicole Mazzone is are encouraged to supply for those with allergies. constantly struggle with her son, students with allergies, should focus Trevor Mazzone’s, allergies and mainly on nutrition. intolerances. “It can definitely be more challenging “Had I found them earlier, I to have a balanced diet for individuals would have exposed him to very different foods so who have food allergies,” Olivo said. he wouldn’t know otherwise,” said Mazzone. Schools can also provide clear and legible labels The multitude of Trevor’s listing possible allergens present in the foods to resensitivities were discovered through trials and tests lieve the frustration that many allergic students face. such as “the elimination diet.” “If I can’t check a label, Trevor can’t have it, [and The diet consists of the patient only consuming he gets] frustrated,” Mazzone said. “[However], he basic food choices that the individual is least likely is more understanding now that he’s gone through to have an allergic reaction to. Adding possible alanaphylactic shock.” lergens one at a time, the patient is oftentimes able to Allergy awareness is not as prevalent as it should determine the cause behind an allergic reaction. be despite its everyday occurrence. “It is not advised to do this diet without direct “It is important not to be reckless around allergies supervision of a registered dietitian or medical because you never know [their full] extent,” Jeter physician as it can be complicated to meet your said. “It is important to make sure if someone is nutritional needs,” Olivo said. eating nuts around me, they are aware of my allergy Mazzone stated that lower grade levels are often and avoid allowing the food come into contact with active in helping children with nut allergies, but offer me.” no accommodations for gluten or dairy sensitivities. BY KENNEDY BELL kbell.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette illustration/AUSTIN ALCAINE

Students and faculty welcome new arrivals

Teens from across the nation come to GBHS BY MARY-FRANCES HANSEN mfhansen.gazette@gmail.

It’s tremendously difficult for teenagers to adjust to a new school where they hardly know anyone. Many students are scared of what their new school will be like, and feel out of place on their first day. “I felt insignificant and irritated when I realized I didn’t know anyone on campus,” said GBHS sophomore Avni Suri. Other students, however, are thrilled to get to know new people and are optimistic about change. “I was really excited and ready for a great year,” said Lexi Kindrick, a freshman at GBHS. “I was still very nervous but was ready to have a new obstacle in my life.” This year, many teenagers nationwide have decided to come to Granite Bay High School for various reasons. Some came because of the influence of their friends, others came for the great educational and academic opportunities, and some came for the fantastic athletics program we offer. Matt Alvi, a new senior at GBHS, came to the

school because his younger brother started school here this year, and his family wanted to move closer to the high school. Suri decided to come to Granite Bay for academic reasons. “I’ve been doing IB for the past four years and I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore, so I came here,” said Suri. Many schools and students have various assumptions about GBHS. Some of the schools think highly of GBHS, while others do not think as highly. But they all agree that their school experiences were going to be different. “I knew it was going to be nothing like my old school, that’s for sure,” said Suri, “I did expect it to be big.” GBHS junior Sam Agafonov moved to Granite Bay this year from Montana and did not know much about the school or the area he was coming into. “I knew it was a pretty good school in California, which is why I moved here,” said Agafonov. GBHS is a wonderful school with great people

The

and is very well known for its sports teams in the district. GBHS is also a very welcoming school and has many programs to help new students meet fellow classmates in each grade, such as Link Crew, Grizzly Retreat, Peer Helping and programs like Club Rush. These programs are designed to aid new students in making friends, feeling welcomed, and finding their niche on campus. Even though GBHS has great opportunities for students to meet new people, it is still difficult, because high school moves extremely fast. It is strenuous coming to a new school and not recognizing, or being recognized by anyone on the campus. “I felt different coming to GBHS because I didn’t know anyone and I was sitting by myself,” said Alvi. Other students agree, no matter how optimistic a school environment is, it takes some time to feel welcomed. “I felt really lonely and tried to find at least one person that I knew, but it was scary at times,” said Kindrick. The students and staff are encouraged to participate and help make all the new students feel

CollegeBoard SAT

un- Official SATpractice guide

Match the words in the first column with the definitions in the second column. Each chalkboard is its own separate game. Answers can be found B7.

2. Punctilious 3. Caustic 4. Idiosyncrasy 5. Impecunious

a. A behavior peculiar to an individual. b. Capable of destroying by chemical action. c. A Person who insists on strict adherence to rules. d. Having no money habitually e. Paying attention to small details

If you really knew me,

you would know...

Chalkboard 2

Chalkboard 1 1. Pedant

welcomed and acknowledged. “I felt confident because I already knew a couple people on campus,” said Agafonov. A majority of the new students felt accepted by the returning classmen and felt it was easy to make friends because everyone is so pleasant and approachable. Most of the new students also felt confident while trying to find their classes over these past couple of weeks. “It’s not hard trying to find my classes because GBHS is a lot smaller than Whitney High School, which is where I came from,” said Alvi. However, the first day of school is always very overwhelming for new students, and it can be hard to find the right classes, because there are so many students on campus. “I wanted to know if I had classes with people I knew and that sort of stuff scared me,” said Kindrick. Now that school has been in session for a month, the new students have been able to adapt to the school much more quickly and easily. Many of the new students at GBHS no longer feel like they are ‘new.’ They are welcomed, accepted, and part of our school.

6. Ameliorate 7. Sanctimonious 8. Precocious 9. Inadvertent 10. Ubiquitous

f. To be hypocritically pious or devout. g. Existing or being everywhere at the same time. h. exceptionally early in development or occurence. i. To make better or more tolerable, j. Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning.

- Compiled by Marisa Thias

Kristina Ledwith

If you really knew me, you would know that I’m getting my pilot’s license next year.

Megan Guay

If you really knew me, you would know I love to read.

Kelli McTague

If you really knew me, you would know that I have a oneeyed cat. - Compiled by Neha Kompella

Read the Gazette Online: granitebaytoday.org

B6 Lifestyle

Friday, September 13, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Random club of the month

Random facts A list of facts you will never need to know but always find interesting

One of 2,128 GBHS students is randomly selected every issue

Entrepreneurship Club Co-Presidents: Brandon Kozlowski Gazette: What is your club about? Our club is about being able to share business opportunities, cultivate creativity and receive entrepreneurial guidance.

One person in 20 is born with an extra rib. Strawberries aren’t actually berries, but bananas, avocados, pumpkins and watermelons are.

Gazette: What inspired you to create this club? I was inspired by the recognition that numerous students at GBHS are capable of...There is so much potential that, with a little guidance and collaboration, can become a successful reality.

Rubbing banana peel on mosquito bites can help stop the itching. Every one of the top 50 tallest mountains are in Asia. 100 people choke to death on pens each year.

Gazette: When and where will your club meet? Our club will meet after school every other Wednesday in room 505.

Minnows have teeth in their throat A group of kittens is called a “kindle”. The Alaskan state flag was designed by a 13-year old “Lethologica” is the state of not being able to remember a word you want to say.

Source: http://www.allrandomfacts.com/

Ryan Byars, freshman

Gazette photo /KENNEDY BELL

What are you most excited for in high school? Definitely the sports, like lacrosse and football.

What has been your favorite class so far? Probably English with Mrs. McCann.

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world? I’ve always wanted to go to Tahiti.

If you could hang out with anyone right now, dead or alive, who would you pick? The Green Day band, because they

–Compiled by Willow Wood

As the year progresses, these students learn how to integrate with their peers by joining mainstream classes. Grealy said he feels like an important part of Granite Bay High School. He enjoys learning in other classes, such as art. “Wynden (Grealy) is pretty likable,” Wagner said. Quinby works with several other teachers on campus so that her students can experience some of the other classes. “I collaborate with the P.E. teachers, art teachers and Mrs. Givens,” Quinby said. Quinby’s students have participated in P.E. classes

instructed by teachers Dede Walker, Linda Dickson and Angie Pozzi. When students from the special needs program participate in mainstream classes, the teachers of those classes are instructed to report behavioral changes to Quinby and Wagner. Quinby and Wagner agree the best part of their position as teachers of this program is the growth they can observe from their students. “I have the students for a bulk of their academics all through high school,” Quinby said. “I like to see their growth from freshman to senior year.”

What is your biggest pet peeve? People who lie.

What is your favorite type of music? Alternative rock.

–Compiled by Tamren Johnk

SPECIAL NEEDS: Students integrate and are given responsibilities Continued from page B3

are my favorite band.

“I have the students for a bulk of their academics...I like to see their growth from freshman to senior year.” – Sara Quinby, head of Functional Academics program

Gazette: Who can join your club? Anyone is welcome. We definitely encourage those with creativity and a passion to become an entrepreneur. Gazette: How can students get involved in your club? Showing up to meetings is a great start. It is here that we will share ideas...It’s also advised to be in contact with other members of the club in order to continuing developing your entrepreneurial ideas outside of the club meetings.

–Compiled by Paul Zeiss

HOW TO...

Wake up on time for school:

1. Start by setting your alarm the night before at least 15 minutes before you actually need to wake up. For example, if you need to wake up at 6:00 am, you would set your alarm at 5:45 or earlier. 2. When the alarm rings in the morning, hit the snooze button. This way, you’re training your brain into thinking that it’s getting an extra amount of sleep, but at the same you are not falling behind. 3. When you arise from your slumber, stretch your muscles. A few push-ups and yoga stretches will loosen your body and help you feel energized 4. Last but not least, open your room’s window and let the sunlight pour in. Breathe some fresh air and tell yourself that it’s a beautiful day. -Compiled by Garbhita Shah

For More Tips See WAKE UP, page G6

Rising above the rest.

the Gazette

Friday, September 13, 2013

Lifestyle B7

The Granite Bay Gazette

SEX ED: Health classes lack comprehensive curriculum

College of the Month: University of Arizona, Tucson

Who: 30,665 students

• University of Arizona consists of three campus’s with 20 colleges and 11 schools • There are over 300 undergraduate and graduate degrees to choose from • Study abroad programs are available for students to travel the world while earning academic credits

Where: 1401 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ Tuition and Fee Cost: $10,035 in state tuition, $26,231 out-of-state tuition Acceptance Rate: 71.4%

Campus Life:

U.S. News Ranking: #120

• University of Arizona has a combined number of 51 different fraternities and sororities • About 20% of students live on campus

School Colors: Cardinal Red and Navy Blue Mascot: Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat Athletics: • 8 national team championships have been won over the years • There are over 500 student-athletes at University of Arizona who compete in 19 different sports

Gazette illustration/BRIAN ZHUANG

Fun Facts:

• Joan Ganz Cooney, the creator of Sesame Street, graduated from UA • The largest Earth-approaching asteroid on record was discovered by two UA students

Academics:

- Compiled by Marisa Thias

Continued from B5; The un-Official SAT practice guide answers: 1. C 2. E 3. B 4. A 5. D 6. I 7. F 8. H

9. J

10. G

HEALTH CARE: Women have more choices in health care options Continued from page B2 support,” Hooten said in an email interview. The organization provides a variety of contraceptive measures and confidential consultations, and has two locations near Granite Bay. The local Planned Parenthood also provides Human Papilloma Virus vaccinations and STD tests which can be the difference between life or death. Despite popular belief, virgins can give each other an STD called HPV, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The Placer County Health Office also has two locations that provide similar contraceptive services, vaccines and information. For contraceptives students can legally visit the local Walgreens, Walmart or Kaiser Pharmacies at any hour to purchase over the counter contraceptives or the morningafter pill, also known as Plan B after unprotected sex. This pill, often equated to a massive dose of birth control, is advertised as 95% effective in preventing pregnancy with 24 hours of unprotected sex. It is very available to teenagers after controversial battles within the government. “There’s no law stating you need to show your ID” when purchasing contraceptives or Plan B, Sinor said. These recent national administrative actions mean it is simpler than ever to prevent teenage pregnancy, as evi-

denced by a steadily declining fertility rate. Sinor teaches and advocates a sex-ed curriculum beyond the abstinence-only education that is provided in many other more conservative states that she hopes will prepare the slim majority of teenagers who do have sex, though she wishes that her class was not only provided to freshmen, who may not be prepared to take the class seriously. Furthermore, if a patient calls the local Kaiser in advance, the Plan B is freely and confidentially given; elsewhere, prices escalate to $40-50. Several local abortion and adoption opportunities remain open for pregnant teenagers, though the prospects are often bleak for those involved and their community. “Teens who have a baby have significantly higher rates of poverty than those who don’t,” Majama said. Statistically, “they are way below poverty rates. Teens who have babies are on public assistance for longer periods of time and earlier than average.” GBHS students exist amid rumors of unequal health education within Granite Bay High School and in light of the recent investigation into the forced sterilization of women in California prisons and Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial veto of a bill that would allow women to sell their eggs to research. These important reproductive health rights developments nationally and within California merit being reminded to high school students in the eyes of Hooten.

Continued from page B1 Some teachers allegedly favor abstinence education over teaching students about preventative measures they can take to protect themselves against STDs or an unplanned pregnancy. “My teacher was still very into abstinence,” said Chang. “It felt like I wasn’t learning anything. Like, here are some options, but you should be abstinent. It should be a part of the curriculum, but not the period to every sentence.” The world of women’s health is rapidly evolving, and new, updated methods of contraception are constantly becoming available. “I feel like it doesn’t really prepare anyone when it comes to sex,” said senior Missy Mosto. “It’s very vague. They don’t really explain, like, what to do if you actually get pregnant. Do you go to Planned Parenthood, do you tell your parents? They don’t tell you any of that.” Scare tactics are employed through the use of STD slideshows and horror stories of unsuspecting youth contracting fatal diseases, such as in the novel “It Happened to Nancy” – required reading for all Health and Safety Students. In the book, a rape survivor struggles with AIDS and a practical death sentence, both passed from her attacker. Instead of showing young women a terrifying story of someone their age quietly accepting her situation, teach-

ers should pick reading material in which the survivor contacts the police or asks for help, said Chang. Victim blaming or shaming has exploded recently in the media with recent rape trials, and education is now more important than ever to promote a safe environment for survivors. “They put a lot of emphasis on not drinking too much or not dressing a certain way or saying ‘no,’” said senior Morgan Paris, “when they should be teaching boys about prevention.” Current, relevant sexual education programs are necessary for both male and female students to develop into mature adults capable of making responsible decisions and understanding their sexuality. After collecting information from the schools in their district, Sex Ed the City laid out the framework for “sexual education justice”, which can be found on-line at forwardtogether.org, along with recommendations for how to best approach change. “I basically relearned the same things I learned in the fifth grade,” said Johnston, “and it wasn’t handled in a very mature fashion. We talk about what physically goes on with your body, but that’s only a small portion of what sex ed. really is. Health and Safety is one thing, but sex ed. is such a crucial part of life. It can devastate your life, so why do we spend so little time really looking at it?”

THERAPY: Alternative methods of therapy yield amazing results Continued from page B2 a way of non-verbal communication,” said Wei Chen, a licensed dance therapist. A dance therapist’s premise is to work on the mind to body connection, meaning that they use physical movement and dance to enhance the other areas of functioning. “I personally focus on building a therapeutic relationship, trust and non-verbal communication,” Chen said. Dance therapists can work in a wide range of areas, from general places like psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, rehab facilities and schools, to special places like prisons, correction facilities and hospitals. Another therapy that this concept applies to is art therapy. Art therapists have the same opportunities of employment that Chen mentioned. “I think (that) since 9/11 more people have become aware of it because so many children used drawings to process their experience of the tragedy,” said Margaret Creek, a licensed art therapist. While there are programs in facilities like psychiatric wards that offer art therapy, many

therapists believe that the self-consciousness of teenagers obstructs their response to these therapeutic processes, while children tend to respond easily. “Kids or adults who are receptive to using art seem to move more quickly through (the) healing process and gain greater levels of insight with art,” said Jennifer Allen, an art therapist who received her masters degree at Cal State Sacramento. Recent brain research has shown that many traumatic memories are stored in a part of the brain that cannot be accessed verbally. So, using visual images and tactile mediums like clay can often heal traumas that “talk” therapy cannot. “I have observed art therapy helping people relax, I have also observed it help people connect with each other,” Erin Partridge said. Art therapy is not just for artists. Nor is it only for people with a diagnosed “problem” or “disorder.” Art therapy is different in that it provides for alternate means of expression. It can be helpful in assisting people find words for things they are dealing with. It can even be therapeutic in and of itself – the process of making art is, in a way, its own healing.

The Gazette March to the beat of your own drum

Exotic Holiday Destinations

Friday, September 13, 2013 w The Granite Bay Gazette

B8 Lifestyle

Photos special to the Gazette/KURT CHIRBAS

Giraffes amble along the African plains, in search of food and water. Many Westerners who travel to Africa are thrilled when they see wildlife.

Last summer, students traveled around the world BY GARBHITA SHAH

gshah.gazette@gmail.com

All around the Granite Bay High School campus, students have become used to the monotony of the new school year. As everyone returns to their academic lifestyles, summer has long been forgotten. However, many students have experiences to share. Sophomore Isabella Li spent a month in China and found the experience thrilling. “I saw a completely different culture and what another country is like on the other side of the world,” said Li, who visited the cities of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Xi’an and had the opportunity to witness the cultural differences within the country itself. “Shanghai and Hong Kong are the base of China and are very bustling cities,” Li said. “(However), Beijing is more of a historical center being the mark of the Great Wall and Xi’an is a rural village (as it is) the City of the Terra Cotta Warriors.” Li was grateful to embark on this journey to her ancestral country and encouraged others at GBHS to definitely try and get insights into other cultures as well. Sophomore Nivedita Amanjee’s cultural adventure involved a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, with her family. “It was a really good experience (because) I met a lot of people and it was a really good time to bond with my family,” Amanjee said. When in Ensenada, Amanjee spent her time shopping and bargaining at Mexican marketplaces. She also enjoyed seeing the famous blowhole, La Bufadora. “It was a great experience that I would definitely recommend to oth-

ers at GBHS,” Amanjee said. “It was a really good opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and get to know other people; I also got to practice my Spanish!” Not all GBHS students, of course, had international summers. Sophomore Gauree Shah spent part of her summer participating in a three-week college camp called THINK Summer Institute at University of Nevada at Reno. “I took two college classes, psychology and cultural geography,” Shah said. “This was my second year at this camp, and I really enjoyed it because I got to make some new friends (again).” Those students who do travel to foreign destinations don’t always have the advantage of understanding the language. Sophomore Ethan Guttman, who spent two weeks in Japan, said “(communication) definitely involved a lot of hand gestures because I don’t speak Japanese.” Guttman went to Japan through an organization called People to People Student Travel, which was founded by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “I’ve always wanted to go to Japan, and this organization sends students in the community invitations every year,” Guttman said. While there, he had the opportunity to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. “It was all a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and climbing Mount Fuji was the best part by far,” Guttman said. Overall, Guttman enjoyed his time in another country. “It’s really good to get the full travel experience like making new friends and seeing another culture,” Guttman said. “Even the (long, tiring) plane ride (is worth it).”

At various vacation spots throughout the world, tourists enjoy the oppurtunity to see the sights. Giraffes, top amble through the plains of Africa. Above, the University of Capetown in South Africa catches the eye with it’s picturesque campus. Big Ben, right, dominates the London skyline.

Sports

Granite Bay Gazette

C1 Section

Friday w September 13, 2013

Football team tackles expectations

COMMENTARY

After winning state title last year, Grizzlies look to stay on top of standings BY MAKENZIE BRITO

mbrito.gazette@gmail.com

parker burman pburman.gazette@gmail.com

Fantasy football: Your portal into NFL Sunday

hen my good pal, Kevin Burns, first invited me to join his fantasy football league my freshman year, I have to admit that I was skeptical. Previously, I had no interest or knowledge in the field of football, and my only relationship with the sport was blindly rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, whose games’ I’d barely ever watched. Flash forward four years and I can name every player on the Eagles and spend my Sundays glued to my TV or computer screen, keeping up every touchdown, and storyline. As you can probably tell, I ended up really liking fantasy football; I even won the league in my first year. After just a few short weeks, I was already enveloped in the world of football, and there was no turning back. I quickly found myself finding out the names of players, plays, and formations, and I loved every second of it. Watching football games with my dad was no longer a chore and I could finally talk sports with my friends. A game where you choose a team of the best players in the league, and they earn you points based on how well they perform in real life, fantasy football truly makes you pay attention and learn about various National Football League teams and players. You may even find yourself watching college football on Saturdays, unable to last until Sunday to satisfy your craving for football. Through watching the NFL, I really discovered how addicting football could really be. The thing is, fantasy football gives you a great incentive to watch teams you normally wouldn’t. This leads to expanded knowledge about the sport and makes you care about players you normally never would. It’s an awesome way for a fan of any level to truly enjoy learning more about the National Football League. As it turns out, I ended up liking fantasy football so much that I participate in two different leagues every year, and have even included my family in one of them. There aren’t many things more satisfying than getting a close win against your parents. And if I can win my league with blind luck and no prior knowledge of football, so can you. As I discovered my freshman year, fantasy football is an extremely addicting activity that people of all ages can pick up and play with relative ease on many different websites like ESPN and Yahoo. The simple game really opened my eyes to the world of football, and after only four years, there’s no way I could imagine my life without the sport.

*** Parker Burman, a senior, is a Sports editor

After taking home the state title last season, the varsity football team is back at it again but this year with a new coach and a much different program. Last season the team accomplished a huge feat by winning the SFL league title, sections and the state title with a record of 13-3-0. It seemed as though the entire Granite Bay community was shocked when news of Coach Ernie Cooper’s retirement was released in early June. To fill his place, Skip Albano, a man who has been in and out of the program for the past 7 years, stepped up and took over the team. The news had a tremendous impact on the team at first, but they continued to work through the adversity together and now focus on what lies ahead. “It was definitely sad to see [Cooper] go. He was a great coach and helped lead us to the state championship...but Coach Albano has come in and done a great job so far,” senior and current captain Luke Bussey said. Although Cooper is missed, the players intend to prove that even without the coach that started it all, the Granite Bay football team is a force to be reckoned with. “It is really about the team and the guys wearing the jerseys this year,” captain Tony Ellison said. Alternatively, Albano is a great presence to have within the football program. “[Albano] brings a different mentality,” Coach Mike Valentine said, “he’s a really calm guy…it’s different and refreshing even.” Captain Jack Dockham agreed and said there is definitely a difference. There is more freedom on the part of the players, leaving more responsibility in their hands for this season. “The players, the coaches, and the community have been extremely supportive,” Coach Albano said, “I’m familiar with the program and it’s just The Granite Bay Grizzlies make some impressive like returning home.” plays against Folsom in their first game of the season

Trap team brings home national title Varsity trap team receives national recognition BY PARKER BURMAN

pburman.gazette@gmail.com

Since its establishment in 2010, the Granite Bay High School trap team has had a history of success, with multiple trips to the Las Vegas US Open. This year was no different, as the varsity team won its first national title this summer. While not very well known, the trap team has many members and is growing bigger and more diverse each year with the growing

popularity of trap shooting. It is an exciting and different sport that many would agree is a great way to spend one’s time. Junior Daniel Eitzman first started shooting trap his freshman year when his brother was on the team. “It’s a very relaxing sport,” Eitzman said, “I love the atmosphere, and it’s just plain fun.” Senior Dakota Burley agrees, noting how the coaches make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. “The coaches Gary Lewis, Kim Lewis and Scott Braly make it fun, enjoyable, and, most importantly, safe,” Burley said. A big component of the trap

GBHS football players impress scouts Grizzly college football prospects gather attention on national stage BY KEVIN BURNS

kburns.gazette@gmail.com

For seniors, the time has come to beg and plead to every college, hoping that whatever is written on their application is good enough to be accepted. However, for senior Luke Bussey, junior Cameron Smith and many other athletes on the Granite Bay High School football team, their play on the football field alone has schools

lining up with a scouting report in one hand and an offer sheet in the other. While most students this past summer were relaxing, hanging out with friends and going to the lake, Bussey was doing all he could to get his name recognized by colleges all around the nation. “I went to two Nike Football training camps and two Nike SPARQ combines,” he said, “I also did a seven-on-seven

inside sports

Sports Briefs

Grizz Quiz

Athlete of the Month

Gazette photos /GRACE MOORE / PARKER BURMAN

Additionally, the players have been hard at work all summer and throughout the preseason practicing, working in the weight room, and reviewing film. “The energy is really high and it’s really fast paced…you have to be on your game 100% of the time,” junior Tré Ball said. “Always our expectations are to do as well as we possibly can,” Valentine said, “but you start out with one goal and that’s the SFL title. It is always the SFL title.” Albano also has the league championship in mind but wants this 2013 season to be enjoyable as well. “I want all the players to have a great time playing this great game of football,” Coach Albano said. Preseason rankings and media hype paired with a more difficult game schedule seem to be the main causes of pressure for the team according to captain Grant Powers. “We know that all the other teams are going to be out to get us this year,” Bussey said, “we’re just going to go out there and focus on each game like we normally would.” The players and coaches alike recognize that the current team is not the same team as last year. Seniors made up a bulk of last year’s team, leaving a noticeable gap within the program. “Our team is a lot different than last year…we had more strength up front but this year I think we’ll have more strength in our defense,” Dockham said. In agreement, Captain Tony Ellison said the team will need some junior help and is hopeful they will be able to step up this year and fill the void. Despite these differences, many are sure the grizzlies will have another successful season. “I think we will all come together as a team and do well this year,” Bussey said, “[Coach Albano] has helped get us ready and unite us so I believe we have another winning season ahead of us.” “We can do great things with Albano,” Powers said. “We’re all really looking forward to seeing how far we can go.”

Folsom Focus Two of the best local high school teams face off influenced by their heated rivalry.

team, however, is camaraderie. All the students on the team are great friends, and even though they don’t shoot at the same time, the team chemistry is great. “I’ve always been around guns, hunting and shooting, and had some friends on the team,” Burley said as the reason why he joined. Senior Matthew Moeller also listed new friends as a key component to his joining of the team. “I was looking for an after school activity to do,” Moeller said, “and it sounded like a unique opportunity to learn an unusual sport and meet new people.” Teamwork alone didn’t get the grizzlies to the national

Luke Bussey The senior cornerback is turning many scouts heads as the season begins

championship; they trained hard and followed their motto: One at a time. “(We) just take it one target at a time, (and) don’t worry about the last (shot),” Moeller said, “(we) don’t worry about the target ten shots from now. (We) just focus on the one about to be shot.” “Our number one goal is safety,” Eitzman said, “and after that we build up from there.” The team stays sharp with biweekly practices and tournaments hosted by the California Youth Shooting Sports Association that many other local schools compete in. “We got to the national championship by going out as much as we can, pulling the

See PROSPECTS, page C5

trigger and practice, practice, practice,” Burley said. “Our strategy in terms of shooting is just to gradually improve over the season and take it one target at a time.” Moeller said. Once at the tournament, the team must recall all of their past training and focus on their shooting. Shooting trap on the big stage is not as stressful as one would think though. See TRAP, page C5

Special education in sports Student athletes with disabilities continue to play sports that they love BY TREASA HAYES

thayes.gazette@gmail.com

tournament with a bunch of teammates.” With all of his success last season as a cornerback for the Grizzlies, most notably his interception in the Division-I State Championship game, it seems like Bussey would have colleges eating out of the palm of his hand, but his hard work is far from over.

Dakota Burley

The senior trap shooter made a key contribution to the Las Vegas Trap Shooting National Championship

“(There are) tons of different types of people, (and they) don’t think they’ll fit into a certain mold,” special education assistant Sally Wagner said. “That’s been broken down.” The athletic program at Granite Bay High School is second to none, and several of the special needs students are involved, or soon to be involved, in these supportive teams. Travis Bauer, a senior at GBHS, is currently taking freshmen P.E. along with the other students in

Sara Quinby’s Independent Living Skills class. “They’re benefiting from P.E. class and becoming more aware,” Quinby said. “The (football) team helps each other, supports each other – (helps Travis) get ready and all that.” “We have fun on the football team,” Bauer said. Being involved in this P.E. class sparks a definite curiosity for athletic students looking to participate in GBHS sports, but may feel limited by the opinions of the student body. See ATHLETES page C5

Footgolf Haggin Oaks combines soccer with golf in a unique new sport experience.

Fall Sports Preview The Granite Bay High School sports teams look to exceed expectations.

C2 Sports

Friday, September 13 2012

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Soccer club joins Sacramento sports scene Warren Smith and the Sacramento Republic kick off inaugural season BY THOMAS TAYLOR

ttaylor.gazette@gmail.com

“Why not?” Warren Smith said, president of the newly minted United Soccer League team, Sacramento Republic. “Why not start a soccer team here?” Smith said excitedly. Smith has had a long career in the sports management business. Originally, Smith and several others started their careers with the local minor league baseball team, the River Cats. Smith then began to dream big. Soon this little known franchise was recognized around the country as the biggest minor league team in America. Dreaming again, Smith left the River Cats in order to solve the world’s energy crisis. After more

than ten years and a degree from UC Davis, Smith is back with a vengeance. “We didn’t know anything about soccer, (but we did know) that Sacramento and its surrounding area is the second most undeserved area in professional sports” Smith said, “as ranked by Sports Business Journal.” “We also saw that Sacramento has the top ten viewer ship of the whole country in the last world cup.” Smith said, “and the top five viewer ship in the last Mexico versus United States match.” Smith appears to have done his research. All of these numbers are impressive, but does anyone actually care? It would appear they do. The reveal date for this grand venture drew 14,014 eager soccer fans to

the Sacramento soccer day event. Filling the bowl at Raley fieldand then some- is a major accomplishment for the newly born Sac Republic team. “We were pleased with the turn out,” said Smith, “(but we need to) draw 6,750 people on average (to home games to) put us at the top of the list for a Major League Soccer expansion.” Filling the home field with crazed soccer fans should not be too hard according to Smith. “The old people follow the young people.” Smith said laughing, “we have lots of outreach to those folks in the 18-34 demographic.” All of this news is exciting to some life long soccer fans but is it appealing to other GBHS students? “I’m glad that soccer is expanding to our area,” Armin Anderson

FootGolf: An innovative, new experience

said, varsity soccer player, “but I really need to know that the team isn’t going to be terrible before I buy a season ticket or anything like that.” The general view is cautious optimism, with the exception of the team’s motto, Urbs Indomita. Meaning indomitable city, Anderson believes it is the coolest part of the Republics slick reveal. “Sacramento really is the indomitable city, especially with all the recent sports turmoil with the kings, it’s nice to have a local team that doesn’t seem screwed up,” Anderson said. “Anything in latin, no matter what you’re saying, is pretty sick,” senior Reed Klaeser said. Klaeser agrees with Anderson saying that it might be rough at the beginning due to low attendance rates.

“It’s always hard starting out,” confident that this team could be Klaeser said, “but I think it’s in Major League Soccer in five really cool that kids in the area years. have a professional team in the “We have a competitive team area to look up with fantastic to.” coaches in The team is Predrag,” said actually aimed Smith, “and we Sacramento and have an agreeat the whole of California, as ment with USL its surroundindicated by Pro that will ing area is the the California give us an easy state bear and inroad with the second most star on the MLS.” undeserved area The whole crest. Reflecting the concept in professional city is behind of a united its newest sports. California is professional – Warren Smith, Club important in team and the building up a spirit of, “why President fan base Warnot,” prevails ren Smith said. everywhere. With good “USL Pro has attendance allowed the last ratings and a decent amount of four MLS teams to join in due season ticket holders, Smith is time,” Smith said, “and we feel

Roberto Ballestrini tries to implement FootGolf in America BY ZACK ZOLMER

zzolmer.gazette@gmail.com

If you’re like most people, playing golf is fun until you start to do badly. It takes a rare and an incredibly talented and patient breed to play the game of golf. But at the same time, it’s far from being boring or dull. All around you are immaculate landscapes of low-running creeks and rolling hills, painted with autumnal trees and speckled rocks and flowers. Like other sports, golf has no regulated playing field. Each course is a complete original, a carefully manipulated canvas far different from all others. Its beauty is shown through nature. For those who enjoy golf’s serene and relaxing atmosphere, yet cannot escape its seemingly unavoidable headaches, there is an ingenious alternative. There is FootGolf. FootGolf is what it sounds, in that it is basically golf with your feet. It is all played on a regular golf course, permitting that the club offers and is set up for FootGolf. Instead of a 1.68 inch golf ball and a 4.25 inch-wide cup, it is played with a size 5 soccer ball and 21 inch-diameter hole that is placed in the rough adjacent to the green. Roberto Ballestrini, who had no previous experience with the sport, founded the American FootGolf League (AFGL) in 2011. According to their website, footgolf.net, the AFGL is the U.S. exclusive member of the Federation for International FootGolf,

Grizz Quiz

Composed by Makenzie Brito

organizing tournaments throughout the United States and working with golf courses to bring FootGolf to their clubs. “One day I was just watching an Argentinian FootGolf TV show,” said Ballestrini. “I understood that this is the sport that we all are going to play.” Ballestrini explained that with nearly 30,000 golf courses around the world and more than 16,000 of them in the United States, FootGolf could very well become the secondbest income opportunity in the golfing industry by generating more traffic to a course’s clubhouse, bar and restaurant. In addition, the number of annual memberships and tee times would increase dramatically. Local golf club Haggin Oaks, located on Fulton Avenue in Sacramento, recently adopted the new and innovative sport. With 18 holes roughly half the distance of a that of a typical golf hole, tee boxes, greens, bunkers and various hazards are all in play. Senior Jeff Ritter, who frequently visits Haggin Oaks’ course about once a month, says that he usually plays with his brother, but loves taking friends. Ritter added that his first FootGolf experience left an incredibly important and influential impression, which has kept him coming back. “The first time I went footgolfing one of the guys from Haggin Oaks came out and taught me how to putt and gave me the basics which I thought was really cool,” Ritter said. “I even got to watch as he kicked a hole in one.

Felipe Zegarra Boy’s Soccer

Gazette photo /LUKE B.F. CHIRBAS

FootGolf, a new sport in Granite Bay, requires less time than regular golf, but is just as fun and exciting FootGolf left a good first impression on Ritter, and he was ready to return. And with each trip out to the course Ritter has gradually gained added experience while learning valuable lessons about the game, which, in turn, has translated into increased success and lower scores. “When footgolfing, you definitely have to have a good drive. If you can kick the ball far [off the tee] you should be good,” Ritter said. “When I’m on the course I try to think about every kick I will take ahead of time, and then I make sure to strike the ball with my laces.” In addition to Ritter, senior Hailey Lederer also points to certain key factors

Katie Mersereau Cross Country

in performing your best when out on the course. “It sounds obvious, but make sure you line yourself up correctly and aim to the flagstick,” Lederer said. “Just kick it straight. Also, you have to account for certain factors like the direction of the wind and the density and roll of the soccer ball itself.” According to Ballestrini, the practice of FootGolf does not damage the surface of any component of the golf course whatsoever. The 21-inch cups are located in the rough, dozens of yards away from the greens, and footgolfers are to use a strict golf dress code that includes the use of turf

Maddy Deters Girl’s Volleyball

Lauren Bonham Girl’s Tennis

or indoor soccer shoes - no cleats of any kind are allowed on the course. And it seems that as time passes, the sport of FootGolf continues to gain increased public attention and recognition, even among the national media. On Sunday, September 22, the AFGL’s 2013 Miami FootGolf Series at Melreese Country Club in Miami, Florida will be covered by ESPN Deportes. According to Lederer, the attention that FootGolf has received is well deserved of the up-and-coming sport. “It’s not average,” said Lederer. “If you don’t play FootGolf, you’ll never know how much fun it is.”

Corey Consunji Boy‘s Water Polo

Win Sections

Make it to State

Go to State and get straight A’s

Win Sections for Girls Tennis

Find a college

What is your favorite meal of the day?

Lunch

Dinner

Lunch

Breakfast

Do you prefer Nike or Adidas?

Nike

Social Psychology

Student Government

Government/ Economics

AP Government

Math

San Diego with my friends

3-Day trip to New York

Committing to Concordia University

Going on a European Cruise

Going to Nicaragua with my family

What is your goal for this school year?

What is your favorite class at GBHS?

What is your best summer memory?

Friday, September 13, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Folsom focus: A rivalry like no other The Grizzlies and Bulldogs square off yet again

Hard work pays off for sophomore BY EPSA SHARMA

esharma.gazette@gmail.com

Whether she’s dominating the pool, or excelling in school Granite Bay sophomore Macayla Thomas is always setting the bar high. After two years of continuous effort all her hard work payed off when she found out she made varsity girls’ Macayla Thomas water polo as Playing for the vara sopho- sity girls’ water polo team this season as more. Macayla a sophomore. has always had a keen interest for swim, but her passion for water polo grew the summer before freshman year. “I started playing water polo because it went along with swimming and it seemed like fun to try and I ended up falling in love with it” Thomas said. According to Granite Bay girls’ varsity coach Andrew Reego, “Thomas is a very coachable player who does her best to get better every single day. She has lots of potential, and this year she will play an important role for the team and will help achieve our goal of winning GBHS girls’ water polo’s first section championship.” Macayla’s main goal this season is to put all of her effort into helping her team make it to section finals and be able to push through and win. The girls on the varsity water polo team are determined and vying for that glorious title. “The thought of winning sections really motivates us to work our hardest everyday and put a hundred percent effort in all we do,” Thomas said. Aside from winning sections, Thomas mentioned their goals prior would be defeating their rivals this year; Del Oro and Rocklin. And addition to the team’s aspiration each individual’s goal is to make it big living their dream and playing their sport professionally. Thomas, being only a sophomore hasn’t really pinpointed on a certain college, but as the season progresses she knows she’ll have a few in mind. “It would be a great opportunity if I am able to play in college,” Thomas said. “Not only because it’s great physically, but it will also help me become an overall better person.” Thomas’ passion and determination for the game makes her stand out when she’s playing. She’ll do anything in her power to lead her team to victory. “When I’m not playing water polo I feel incomplete,” said Thomas. “The sport is a part of me and the team is my family, and the pool has become my second home.”

Sports C3

BY JONAH POCZOBUTT

jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

Last Friday, two of the best football teams in Northern California played in their first ever regular season matchup at GBHS. Even though these two teams are in different leagues and divisions (Granite Bay High School plays in division One, Folsom in the Open Division) the recent success of the two programs has led to much debate as to which program is actually better. This untested rivalry escalated last year after GBHS’ state championship and Folsom’s loss in the Northern California championship game against De La Salle. GBHS students filled their twitter feeds with #beatfolsom tweets and “Beat Folsom” posters decorated the school in the days leading up to the game. The game could very easily be the biggest test for both teams this season, and attracted a crowd in excess of spectators. Granite Bay, who is 43rd in the national power rankings for high school football, according to maxpreps.com, was the underdog in the highly anticipated matchup KCRA 3 covered the game, and it aired live on Comcast, showing that

the importance of this game is not lost on the community. But, some fans on both sides have been critical of the matchup, as a bad loss would likely cause irreparable damage to the national ranking of either school. Apart from the stats, the Folsom vs GBHS game represented something greater for the GBHS student body. The game was an opportunity for students to show off their own unique talents on the big stage of a football game being covered by three TV stations. One of the tribe leaders, Nick Krisa, believes that this game is an important showcase for him and his fellow tribe leaders. “Being at this game is a pretty unreal experience for me as a tribe leader.” Krisa said “We are happy to be out here leading the team.” Along with many other students, Krisa and his fellow tribe leaders have put lots of effort into preparing for this game. “We have been working with the administration and have given up four lunches and countless hours over the summer to prep for this game,” Krisa said. Another group of students who this game obviously means a lot to is the football team members. Senior Marc Ellis caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter to tie the score at seven. “I try to treat this game like any other. That (play) was amazing though,” Ellis said. Football players have undoubt-

edly spent the most time prepping for the Folsom matchup and have the most invested in the outcome of the game. Cheerleader Alexandra Hughes also commented on how special of an experience the Folsom game was for the cheerleaders this year. “The energy here is amazing,” Hughes said. “It is a lot like the state championship game.” Every portion of the student body in attendance at the game, whether it be the tribe, band, dance team, cheerleaders or media and journalism staffers, added to enhancing and documenting the atmosphere of this special matchup. Even Folsom students admitted that this game, played at Granite Bay was more special than the rest. “We don’t have as many people at our games… This game is more competitive than usual for us… Everyone seems really into the game,” Folsom junior Jenny Hoyle said. All of these individual efforts by the GBHS student body, community and administration were best described by KCRA 3 anchor Del Rogers, who covered the game for his TV station. “The fan section is like a feeding frenzy,” Rogers said. “The whole stands (are) packed with Grizzly fans, and that’s not even just students either. That’s parents and members of the community. I think it personifies what high school football is all about.” Though the Grizzlies fought to the end with thousands on hand, the Folsom Bulldogs came away with the victory, with a final score of 30-14.

Gazette photo /KEVIN BURNS

Grizzlies Zachary Pickett and Ryan Arneson stand in the endzone in front of the tribe, awaiting the game’s kickoff.

Junior track athlete raises the bar Tyler Brendel successful in more than one event BY PAUL ZEISS

pzeiss.gazette@gmail.com

Whether its sprints, jumps, throws or distance, track and field athletes often discover their success in only a few events. Granite Bay junior Tyler Brendel has found success in all of them. At Arcadia Invitational, America’s top high school track and field competition, Brendel placed eighth as a sophomore in what was his first ever decathlon with a score of 5,842 points. A score his coach Randy Sturgeon says would have placed him well in the top 5 in previous years. Brendel also competed at the CIF state track and field championship in the 4x 100 meter relay along with teammates Tony Ellison, Lucas Baiocchi and graduate Colin Brown where they were one place away from qualifying for the finals. As he returns from a remarkable season, Brendel has his sights set on two goals: to be the best in the nation by his senior year in high school, and to one day win an NCAA national title in the

decathlon. Sturgeon believes those goals are certainly achievable. “I don’t see any limits,” Sturgeon said. “[Brendel] is a gifted, natural athlete that is willing to do whatever is asked.” Prior to the decathlon, Brendel was a standout, starting flyback for the JV football team. This year, however, his passion for the decathlon led him away football and he instead joined the cross country team. His intent by running cross country is to gain endurance for running longer distances like the dreaded final event of the decathlon, the 1500m. Brendel, who specializes in sprinting, admits being a little unenthusiastic about running such long distances in cross country, but he acknowledges the benefits that he will receive from the training. Sturgeon believes that not only will Brendel acquire more endurance when running cross country, but he can become an important contributor to the team. “He’ll surprise some people in cross country,” Sturgeon said. After high school, Brendel aspires to compete for the University of Oregon

I don’t see any limits. He is a gifted, natural athlete that is willing to do whatever is asked. – Randy Sturgeon, track and field coach

track and field team; a program that has claimed innumerable NCAA team titles as well as a well-known identity for producing Olympic athletes. One such graduate, decathlete Ashton Eaton, set the world record in the decathlon at the U.S. Olympic trials and later went on to win gold in London. Last month, Eaton won another gold medal at the 2013 IAAF World Track and Field championships in Moscow. Tyler Brendel has a very bright future ahead of him in the decathlon. A future beyond limits.

Gazette photo /LAUREL TEAGUE

Out on the track, Tyler Brendel runs and competes for the Granite Bay High track team.

Friday, September 13, 2013

C4 Sports

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Soccer aims to kick-start its year

‘We would like to win league again, and battle our way through playoffs’ BY STEVEN NIELSEN

snielsen.gazette@gmail.com

Fall sports seasons commence Teams look to build on last year’s success Boys’ Water Polo “I know as a team we want to win sections and get to semifinals,” varsity player Liam Bell said. “We will do this by working hard in practice.”

Girls’ Water Polo After improving from 3-7 to 16-7 from 2011 to 2012, this year’s girls’ water polo team will look to continue that upward trend.

Cross Country “We definitely want to go to sections in our divisions,” said Paul Zeiss, head captain of the cross country team. “But ultimately wee all want to go to state.”

Girls’ Golf “Our goal is to compete for the league title and make the playoffs,” coach Jason Sitterud said.

Granite Bay High’s varsity soccer team has been said to leave their competitors crying after games, with records like 13-0 in 2010. Currently, they are ranked number two in the nation. Coach Steve Fischer has clearly been doing something right, as every year in recent past has been a record breaker. “We would like to win league again, battle our way through section playoffs and finally get the section title ery day we don’t have (regular) practice,” again,” Fischer said. soccer athlete Zach Boyle said. In addition, Granite Bay’s soccer Said fellow teammate Ash Gunn, “I am program has been sending students like Tanner and Tommy Thompson off running, (lifting) weights, spiking, all that kind of stuff.” to play for some of the most prestiMany of these players have been fightgious schools for soccer. ing hard to just to get on the elite team. The team has high expectations for Once there they’ve had to work their hardthis year, even est for their desired playing though only eight time, and to achieve their varsity players are personal goals. returning. As a team, however, Last year havI am running, they’re working their hardest ing won league, (lifting) weights, to make it back to sections, they will be workto live up to the ing hard to do the spiking. All that attempting achievements of the teams of same this season. stuff. years past. However, most of these players don’t look at com– Ash Gunn, ing to practice as varsity soccer player being enough. Outside of school they are practicing, working out, and in some cases, competing on completely different teams, having to go to two separate practices in the same week. “I train alone out here a lot,” varsity player Corvan Anderson said. “I’m also playing on Wednesday nights in an adult league.” Many of these players have been fighting hard to just to get on the elite team. Once there they’ve had to work their hardest for their desired playing time, and to achieve their personal goals. “We practice here at Granite Bay ev-

For student athletes, there’s no time off if you want to stay competitive BY BRIAN ZHUANG

“As a younger team, we have a lot of new girls, so we’re hoping to step up and still be tough contenders in league,” senior Lauren Bonham said. “Our main team plans right now are to focus on winning league and D1 sections again, and hopefully make it back to state again.”

Girls’ Volleyball Said junior Sarah Arfsten, “As a team, we want to train to have a great season and to go undefeated.”

Compiled by Steven Nielsen

Junior Peter Spafford stretches out in a recent game for the GB varsity squad.

Summertime is a time for training bzhuang.gazette@gmail.com

Girls’ Tennis

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

As the 2012-2013 school year came to a close, many students got ready to hibernate for a few months or spend quality time with their friends and family, some prepare for a sweaty and sports-filled summer. Many athletes around Granite Bay spend most of the summer days training and playing their sports to get better. And as a result, much of this training consumes a big chunk of their time. GBHS junior Emily Torris spent only about thirteen days at home over the summer. Torris plays lacrosse year round and during the summer she plays tournaments around the country. She plays about four times a week during the summer, missing out on opportunities to be with her friends. Torris sometimes regrets playing so often because she sacrifices a lot. She even missed out on her father’s birthday bash in Tahoe for lacrosse. “I regret playing so much now,” Torris said. “If I end up being able to play in college, I think it will be worth it.” Though she has to forgo many things for lacrosse, she gets the op-

portunity to travel throughout the coaches threaten to not play them nation for tournaments and such. during the season if they don’t play Her summer lacrosse trip conwith them through the summer for sisted of stops in many major cities, club. including Florida, Chicago, Wash“I didn’t really have a choice ington D.C., and Maryland among to whether I wanted to train that others. much,” Mchale said. “I kind of had Torris says she’s still to because I wanted upset that she had to to play a lot for the miss family and friend school team during occasions or reschedthe season.” I played at least ule vacations. Like others, Mchale “I missed out on also had to sacrifice five days a week, tons of things with my time with his friends most of the time to work on his skills friends, and my family had to reschedule a in the gym. six or seven beach trip,” Torris said. “I know all that days. Another GBHS work is going to pay junior, Colin McHale, off in the season,” – Colin McHale, was also a victim of the Mchale said. “That is time-destroying sports really the only reason varsity point guard dedication, this time to why I was spending basketball. my time in the gym, “I played at least five rather than at the days a week, most of beach.” the time six or seven days,” Mchale McHale went frequently to San said. Francisco and Los Angeles as well Because of sports, his family had as Boise and Las Vegas for tournato plan their vacations around his ments against teams around the basketball schedule, rather than the nation. usual “family plans first.” Many athletes actually say they Many athletes, however, are forced enjoy the non-stop playing because to play by their coaches. Some it removes the possibility of them

Your names. Your faces. Your sports.

The Gazette.

getting rusty on their skills. Some also say that it is something they can do to keep them busy over the summer if their families do not travel or take vacations. Granite Bay athlete Jad Shami plays soccer and says that it helps him elude boredom and keeps him in shape. “Being an athlete forces me to eat better and stay in shape,” said Shami, “which I love because in turn, it helps me have a healthier lifestyle.” Regardless of being a healthy activity, Shami says that it also helps him improve his skills. Shami has been playing soccer for many years, and wanted to further improve so he could be ready for the upcoming season. Although many other athletes traveled around the nation to compete, Shami stayed here in the area. His tournaments took place locally which was convenient for his family. “My family didn’t really have to spend too much money on traveling to tournaments because most of my tournaments were in the area,” Shami said. Though he practiced five days a week, he still managed to make time for friends and occasional vacations. “In the end,” Shami said, “this will all be worth it.”

Friday, September 13, 2013

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Sports C5

PROSPECTS: Top players seek scholarship offers

Cornerback Luke Bussey guards his man all the way down the field, showing off the coverage skills that are attracting the attention of many scouts.

Continued from page C1

“It was great getting a pick (in the chamship game. pionship) and hopefully that helped put me “It was nerve racking to play (in the on the radar a little bit,” Bussey said, “but championship game),” Smith said, “but scouts will be watching hard these first we had to play through it and we had to three games for final prospects.” accomplish our ultimate goal.” Determined and poised for an offer from Smith not only accomplished one of a top school, he is doing all he can to go to his goals for high school, but he is also the college that best fits him. on the road to accomplish a goal for col“Luke’s a great player, but he is also a lege – play on a Division-I team in the very smart guy,” defensive backs coach National Collegiate Athletic Association Mike Valentine said. for football. On September “I mean, he has never 1, colleges from all around gotten a B, so there’s the country were able to a reason why many talk to Smith and ask him top colleges want how he would like to play I push myself him.” for their college. to be the best Utilizing his “In the past couple weeks intelligence both in and the I’ve had some big schools the classroom and on contact me,” Smith said. pressure the field, Bussey has “UCLA, San Diego State pushes me already gotten offers and Washington State have from many of the top offered.” beyond schools in the world, In addition to the schools my goals. including prestigious that have already offered Ivy League schools – Junior Cameron Smith him to play at their school, such as Harvard 17 other colleges have University, University shown interest in recruiting of Pennsylvania and Smith. Of the 17 colleges, Yale University. 16 played in a BCS bowl Bussey has a lot of pressure on his game last year, six are rated in the top shoulders to perform – especially because ten of college football rankings for the he was rated as one of the top cornerbacks 2013-2014 and three have played in the in California, but Coach Valentine is BCS National Championship game the confident that he can go as far as his hard last two year, including two-time reignwork takes him. Bussey and his fellow ing national champion Alabama. Most of cornerbacks are one of the anchors of the all, five of his six favorite colleges have Grizzlies’ defense. Pressure to perform, shown interest for him. though, resides also on the shoulders of “It’s pretty cool seeing all of the big inside linebacker Cameron Smith, one of schools coming for Cam,” senior wide the most highly-touted recruits to ever receiver Marc Ellis said, “but it’s not attend GBHS. surprising because he is pretty much the “There’s always pressure, especially in number one guy in his position for his this community,” Smith said, “but I push class.” myself to be the best and the pressure Smith can’t choose between UCLA, pushes me beyond my goals.” Nebraska, Florida, LSU, USC and MiSmith, who is a four-star recruit on ami, his top six choices; however he and ESPN’s Recruiting Nation, is rated as the Bussey know they can definitely choose 95th best football player in the nation for the path they take to the best team. the class of 2015 and the 3rd best inside “You can go as far as you set your linebacker in America. He played on mind to,” Bussey said. “If you train varsity last year as a sophomore and even harder than everyone else you can be the played a key role in the state championbest.”

Gazette photo /PARKER BURMAN

ATHLETES: Students continue to play sports despite disabilities Continued from page C1 “Students with special needs absolutely benefit socially, whether it’s assisting the football players with equipment, as an equipment manager, or actually working out with the team,” special education department teacher Melanie Reibin said. “The students I have had in the past fit right in with the team, and many times their peers had no idea they were ever in special education.” Jacob Volinksy, a sophomore special needs student at GBHS, has been looked at by P.E. teacher Angie Pozzi for his extraordinary running ability, and Volinsky is now considering joining the track and field team – his decision is immensely supported by his teachers. “(It) makes people more aware; (there’s) more acceptance,” Quinby said, “general… students become leaders and helpers and benefit more than these students themselves.” Currently, Bauer and Volinsky are some of the students in the ILS class, but there are many other students besides these two. “They know the routines and what (they) have to do,” Quinby added. The ability of these students to play sports has absolutely nothing to do with what classes they are taking, because the most intelligent students may not be capable of being agile. “Your IQ and what classes you are in do not define how well you can play a sport,” Reibin said.

SPORTS BRIEFS Girls’ Tennis w The girls’ tennis team, the reining section champions, began their season 2-1, winning a strong match against Pioneer from Woodland 7-2. The team this year, which is not as experienced as previous years, is attempting to rebuild since their loss of members from last year. w The team is going to be playing Roseville at home on the 24th of September for their fist league match this year.

Cross Country w The Cross Country team started off strong this year at an invitational meet at Del Oro, with the Varsity Boys taking

w Their next meet is the Hornet Jamboree on the 14th of September at Sac State, followed by their first Sierra Foothills League meet at Willow Hills on the 18th.

Boys' Soccer w The six year reigning Sierra Foothill League Champions boy’s soccer team began their season, beating Rio Americano and River Valley both 2-1. w Their next games are against Rancho Cotate, Sonoma Valley, and Terra Linda, all schools in Santa Rosa. -Compiled by Troy Pawlak

TRAP: Unique sports team targets success in its fourth season Continued from page C1

“We feel very strong,” Eitzman said, “we have a lot of great players When the team is out shooting on the team.” “This year we are planning to they remember all of the advice from their coaches and just have a good time playing the sport they love. “Once you’re out there it’s not The year I went a competition anymore,” Eitzman said, “It’s just a lot of fun.” to the US Open “The year I went to the US in Vegas I wasn’t Open in Vegas I wasn’t actually actually nervous nervous at all,” Moeller added, “the experience seemed more like at all. The expean adventure than a high stakes trap rience seemed tournament.” Burley, who only missed three more like an adtargets at the US Open, reiterated venture than a that he just took it one target at a high stakes trap time as he became a key contributor on the Granite Bay trap team’s tournament. national title run. With this cool attitude the varsity – Matthew Moeller, senior team had a very successful year trap shooter with many victories. Of course, the team looks to follow up its impressive win with another next year.

keep up the same regimen of practice makes perfect,” Moeller said, “We try to train our new members well and there’s always room for improvement” Although they know it won’t be easy, the trap team is sticking to the training schedule that allowed them to achieve such success in the 2013 season. All are optimistic about their chances next season and look forward to a good year. They believe that they have a good formula for winning, will stick to their motto and not overcomplicate their what has gotten them such success. At their rate of improvement, the trap team will continue to prove themselves as one of the best teams in the nation for many years to come. “We are going to have another successful and fun year,” Burley said. “We are going to take it one at a time and keep pulling triggers.”

Both on and off the field, in P.E. class or in practice, Bauer’s involvement in Grizzly varsity football has shaped him to be a better self – athletically, mentally, and socially. “Everybody knows Travis,” Quinby said, “Pozzi’s P.E. class helped a lot.” Not only does Bauer enjoy his individual advantages, but his interest in athletics ignites a possible passion in previously mentioned sophomore Volinksy. Other students in this class involved in GBHS sports “get (special needs peers) interested,” Quinby said, “and athletic students want to participate.” As the year progresses, Volinsky will continue to be looked at and evaluated by P.E. teachers and coaches to determine the best placement for his personality and physical capacity. His position will hopefully create an environment that is affirmative and kind, with the other members of the track and field team helping him at every practice. “I think a student with special needs promotes a positive atmosphere,” Reibin said. “It makes the other team members realize they need to be supportive and encouraging.” As a sophomore, Volinsky holds great potential to succeed as an upperclassman and will expectantly continue his love for the sport. “Students with special needs tend to adapt very positively to being on a sports team,”

Reibin said, “and continue playing for many years.” The connection of special needs students to GBHS sports is not considered a social norm on this campus, however. Other peers may associate them with having no physical ability at all, or maybe not wanting to be involved. That couldn’t be further from the truth. “It is not rare for special needs students to play sports,” Reibin said, “one of my students last year was (the) most valued player on the football team.” Although it may be a surprise to several at GBHS, it shouldn’t be. These students have motivation and drive to be occupied with school activities and sports teams, and will soon be improving in physical and social aspects. Bauer has most definitely made new friends on his team, and is constantly improving in his performance. Special needs students on this campus have incredible opportunities to excel in sports, and their involvement is no different from general education students. GBHS needs to be a place where the student body can be connected through clubs, social circles, and sports teams. As Bauer said, “I love (our) school campus.” As you notice these students’ participation in these activities, Quinby said, “You realize they’re just people.”

C6 Sports

Friday September 13 2012

Controversy: Who controls the Tribe?

w The Granite Bay Gazette

Self-appointed Tribe Leaders having conversations with Granite Bay High School administration about group

“There will be no judgment or cliques involved,” Rodriguez said. “We honestly just want everyone to come out, have a As the final seconds ticked away at The good time and feel comfortable supportHome Depot Center in Carson, California ing their team.” and the Granite Bay High School football Jackson Rodriguez will be one of the team had all but won the state championmain Tribe leaders this year, trying to ship title, hundreds of fans including the improve school spirit both on and off the “Tribe” members cheered on their team field. in an emotional conclusion to the season. Tribe members have always been recEvidently, the 400-mile trek to Southern ognizable by their Tribe shirts, face paint, California had been worth it. and other wacky spirit wear. This year, GBHS’s fan following, known locally as though, because os student innovation, the “Tribe,” has expanded there has been some controand evolved its presence in versy over the Tribe wear recent years. and how it will be presented This is a Starting in 2009, in to students. welcoming group, Like in past years, the response to poor fan turnout and lack of spirit, and the leaders school will be selling a the Tribe was started by a T-shirt with a schoolare solely there Tribe small group of senior boys designed logo that sells for who wanted to diminish to encourage, not $10. GBHS’s stereotype of havAnother student, Myles dictate ing uninterested fans. Slattery, a senior, began Four years later, the Tribe designing his own tribe shirt remains as one of the bigearlier this year and will be –Nick Krisa, “Tribe gest group involvements selling his for $15. Leader” on campus, and has created “Look the tribe is about quite the cult following the whole school getting from students and even together and having fun,” supporting parents. Athletic Director Tim Healy said, “Its not With new student body and Tribe leadabout one group of kids going off and doGazette photo /MAJOR BURNS ers, the question remains as to how the ing there own thing.” Tribe Leaders Myles Slattery and Jackson Rodriguez jump into the air and fire up the Tribe before an important home Tribe will turnout and progress this year. “The schools not going to hinder football game, Granite Bay’s home opener, against the Folsom Bulldogs “We’re really trying to encourage unanyone’s freedom of expression, but it’s derclassmen to come out and support the supposed to be a natural group of the stuthe main response from students seems to is a welcoming group and the leaders are the Folsom game, this year kicks off a Tribe this year,” senior Jackson Rodriguez dent body, coming together and enjoying be primarily interested in encouragement solely there to encourage, not to dictate.” new mindset for the tribe focused on said, “We’ll be having numerous events themselves,” Healy said. “We don’t make and increasing the intensity of our fan And despite common belief, the Tribe is encouraging attendance and promoting like tailgates and rallies to try and promoney off these shirts, they’re our way base. not limited to only football games. Grizzly spirit. mote attendance to all of the games.” of trying to encourage the students to get “This year we have strong leadership, Tribe members are encouraged to attend “The Tribe is a welcoming group foDespite unwavering support from seinvolved.” committed fans and a great administrasoccer games, basketball games and other cused on school spirit and unity,” Jackson niors in recent years, there has lately been Myles Slattery declined to comment on tion,” senior Nick Krisa said. “All the sporting events, supporting and cheering Rodriguez said, “With the right outreach; a concern about underclassmen and their the matter. students are trying to work with the adon our athletes. I think this could be one of the best years diminished role in the Tribe’s efforts. Despite discrepancy on the Tribe wear, ministration and create cooperation. This Starting with the senior tailgate before for the Tribe yet.” BY AUSTIN PINK

apink.gazette@gmail.com

Senior leads Tribe into 2013-14 football season Rodriguez takes to megaphone to boost school spirit, inspire athletes BY TROY PAWLAK tpawlak.gazette@gmail.com

In today’s society, sports make up a large part of our culture, with athletes making some of the highest salaries in the world. However, fans are often overlooked and thought of as a low priority, yet they are the ones who support and drive the athletes to greatness much of the time. Despite this lack of acknowledgement, some fans go above and beyond, standing out like a radiant star in the already vibrant stands. The Granite Bay High School Tribe,

a collage of unique and dedicated fans, stands out as a whole, but the leaders are instantly recognizable at any sports event, leading the unruly horde of fanatic Tribe members. “[The chants] wouldn’t be as organized – they still would have some organization to them, but not as much,” junior Karl Redmon said about a leaderless Tribe. When asked if the Tribe needs the leader, sophomore Dylan Nicklin agreed, replying emphatically and advocating for them It is obvious that this supportive mass we call the Tribe becomes far more effective with a shepherd to direct their fury and one of those men is Jackson

Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who got into the tribe his sophomore year, loves the thrill of inciting the roar of the Grizzly crowd. “I love leading the cheers and leading everyone on,” Rodriguez said, while working a megaphone off-handedly. “I think [Rodriguez] is a fantastic leader, he gets the crowd jacked and people respect him for who he is, and he is not afraid to go out there and do what he thinks is right for the tribe,” senior Owen McNiff said. “I know everyone in the Tribe looks out for each other and all enjoy each other’s company,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez was hesitant to join the Tribe at first, but finally let his inner Grizz out during his junior year, leading chants

and shocking opposing crowds into silent submission. Rodriguez explained that the real fun is in showing the underclassmen that it’s OK to be wild and join in the social events. The Tribe this year has been trying to be more spirited and to encompass all classes, especially the freshman. “[Rodriguez] is doing a great job with it,” senior Tribe member Alex Cooney said. During the football game against Folsom, Rodriguez was easily recognizable with his loud megaphone and louder personality. The work of these dedicated leaders of the Tribe became evident when the stands were flooded with a wave of white during

Jackson Rodriguez GBHS student rallies the Tribe and brings school spirit to the football field.

the Folsom game. As the canon blasted signaling a GBHS touchdown and the Tribe roared their approval to the heavens, Jackson Rodriguez was in his element, directing everything with calm reserve. Despite falling behind 23-7 at halftime, Rodriguez persisted in the leading of the Tribe, relentlessly cheering on the team with chants and songs. This kind of dedication deserves a medal, but to this remarkable man, the love and adoration of the crowd is sustenance enough.

Granite Bay Cheer chosen as spokeswomen Community votes for squad to deliver Ch. 10 weather BY MARISA THIAS

three teams, Granite Bay would execute the best routine. “This showed a lot of school spirit The rivalry between powerhouse and it was important for people to schools in the greater Sacramento area participate and vote in this because goes far beyond academics, sports and it really demonstrated how supportschool pride. The Granite Bay cheer ive our student body really is,” said team was part of an online poll against Courtney Nash, captain of Granite Bay Del Oro and Elk Grove to decide cheer said. which team would give the best per“Cheer advertised a lot and really formance during the News 10 seven made sure that we got our families and day forecast. peers to get on a computer and vote,” Granite Bay cheer was chosen by said Nash. their community to do the human Cheer captain Riley Carroll said that seven day forecast on August 21st. this was very important to the cheer Weather anchor Tracy Humphrey came team because, “it was a great opportuout to a practice and had the cheernity for Granite Bay Cheer to get some leaders announce the temperature and publicity and recognition for all the weather conditions for the upcoming hard work we put into our team.” seven days. “It actually brings our school closer “News 10 wanted to think of diftogether and connects us to our comferent localities and places to take munity,” said Carroll. our human seven day forecast,” said A lot of the cheerleaders agree with Humphrey. “Our goal was to find a Carroll and want to work on getting great community where we can get the community more involved with people involved and we thought, ‘Why our school. not the Granite Bay Grizzlies?’” “A huge part of high school is stuff The community voted for Granite like high school football and high Bay because they felt that out of the school cheer and we want the commthias.gazette@gmail.com

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

The GBHS Cheer team puts on a fantastic performance at the halftime show of the Granite Bay football game, one of the reasons they were picked to report the news

munity to support our cheer team and support our school. We feel that this will help get the word out.” “The cheer team had a huge role in this and without their enthusiasm and desire to get people involved, it wouldn’t have been possible,” said cheer coach Janelle Brown. The cheer team was very active in getting people to vote by posting all over social media and spreading the word about this poll. “We were very proud of the girls for reaching out to their friends and family and encouraging them to vote and support our cheer team,” said Brown. The cheer team spent all summer getting ready for the upcoming school year and they were proud to be recognized for their hard work. “Granite Bay cheer puts in a lot of time and effort and it was important for us to show off what we have been working on all summer,” said Brown. The cheerleaders had a great attitude and a lot of energy Humphrey said. “They did a wonderful job and their enthusiasm made for a great forecast and helped make my job a lot easier.”

C7 Sports

Friday, September 13 2013 w The Granite Bay Gazette

C8 Sports

Friday September, 13 2012 w The Granite Bay Gazette

AT A GLANCE

Stats at a Glance Football Upcoming Games: wToday – 8:30 p.m., vs. Freedom w9/20 @ Vacaville w9/27 @ Pittsburg w10/4 @ Lincoln Stockton w10/11 vs. Roseville

Boys’ Soccer Upcoming Games: w 9/14 vs. Jesuit w9/17 vs. Bella Vista w9/19 vs. Grant w9/24 vs. Capital Christian w9/26 vs. Roseville

Boys’ Water polo

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

Top, Granite Bay’s defensive line gets ready for play against Folsom High School on Friday Sept. 6. Senior Luke Bussey, middle left, observes Folsom’s offensive formation. Bottom left, junior Peter Spafford eludes a defender and continues toward goal on Sept. 4 against River Valley. Bottom, seniors Grant Tunnissen and Xavier Hunter wait for the play to be called in. Middle right, varsity water polo warms up their goalie, junior Max Munsel.

Upcoming Games: w9/19 vs. Davis w9/20 @ Woodcreek w9/24 @ Rio Americano w9/25 vs. Del Oro w10/2 @ Rocklin

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

Gazette photo /LUKE CHIRBAS

Gazette photo /LAUREL TEAGUE

Gazette photo /GRACE MOORE

green screen. The Gazetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arts and entertainment guide September 2013

Guy Fashion Tips Page 12&13

wHow to make wGBHS grad opens wAway game your mornings a successful bakery entertainment Page 10 Page 17 less awful Page 6

Page 2

Page 4&5

Music Reviews

Page 6 Page 7

New movie outlook

Page 8&9

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

September

15 29

PSAT

Food allergies

Page 14 Ask.fm

Page 15

Where to get your senior portraits

Page 17

Friday night

Page 18&19 Movie reviews

Page 20

Decades best dressed

Fall Sports Begin

Guy fashion trends

Page 13

SATURDAY

October

Page 10&11

GBHS grad opens a gluten free bakery

FRIDAY

12Friday the 13th

Ripple effect week

Food reviews

Page 12

THURSDAY

Make your mornings easier

SUNDAY

In this Issue

September 2013

calendar.

Gazette illustrations/AUSTIN ALCAINE/TAMREN JOHNK

Over-exposed and under-rated Documentaries deemed worthless before watching It is often said that truth can be stranger than fiction, but have you ever considered that it might also be more entertaining?

Documentaries have a bad reputation for being boring and dry. This reputation, in my opinion, is both out of date and undeserved. This underappreciated sector of the film industry tells innumerable stories all across the globe and different periods of time, yet it flies under the radar in terms of news coverage and popularity in modern America. Why? The bad reputation of documentaries stems from how most people are initially exposed to them: in a classroom setting. How many boring, historical or scientific documentaries (excluding Bill Nye the Science Guy) does a kid have to sit through before they deem all other documentaries guilty by association? In this way, bad exposure to poorly made or uninteresting documentaries can ruin a person’s outlook on the whole genre. What most people who dislike documentaries fail to realize is that these informational classroom videos are just a small segment of a much greater and more interesting group of movies. A film about skateboarding culture in 1990’s California does not typically come to mind for most people when they hear the word “documentary.” Documentaries also have an incredibly low bar to entry for prospective producers, meaning that documentarians can get their message across without having it changed by big studios looking to maximize profits at the box office. This results in nearly comprehensive and unbiased storytelling, as a result of multiple films made by different producers, that is notably absent from all other areas of filmmaking. In some ways, documentaries are gaining

Commentary

jonah poczobutt jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

popularity with large audiences, such as the Planet Earth nature documentary series or ESPN’s 30 for 30 series of sports documentaries. I think this represents a growing change in the predispositions people have against documentaries. People are starting to realize that there are true stories worth listening to and learning about and are therefore beginning to become more comfortable with the idea of watching a documentary. In today’s movie climate, where Hollywood seems to be churning out nothing but remakes and adaptations, movie viewers should seriously consider watching an informational, yet highly entertaining documentary instead of the newest installment of an action franchise or a movie “based on a true story.” There are nearly countless documentaries available for instant streaming on Netflix, so you can explore for yourself all the wonderful options that are out there, and you will definitely learn something interesting along the way.

current.

september 2013

Page 3

iPhone App of the Month

BY MARY FRANCES HANSEN

ns (III)

Brownstone Productio

Top 10 Netflix Pix for Granite Bay: BY COLLEEN VIVALDI

cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com

1. Breaking Bad - 2008 to present 2. The Vampire Diaries - 2009 to present 3. Marvel: The Avengers - 2012 4. Teen Wolf - 2011 to present 5. Lost - 2004 to 2010 6. The Office - 2005 to 2013 7. The Hunger Games - 2012 8. The Breakfast Club - 1985 9. Pretty Little Liars - 2010 to present 10. Prison Break - 2005 to 2009

Trend of the Month: Yoga Pants

mfhansen.gazette@gmail.com

he Candy Crush Saga is a frustrating yet addictive free puzzle game by King.com Limited. Many students at Granite Bay High School play Candy Crush Saga and try to solve their way through 410 challenging levels. The idea of Candy Crush Saga is to mix and match the six different colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, in a row of three or more of the same color to earn points and boosters to complete the challenges. Based on how many points you earn, you can receive from 1-3 stars. Some of the puzzles are more challenging than others and can take a few hours or days to solve. Many of the levels require you to solve the puzzle in 30-60 seconds while others require you to solve them in 20-50 moves. While playing the game, you only get five

lives to complete the level. If you do not beat the level, you have to wait 30 minutes for each life you have used. You can also buy extra lives for 99 cents if you do not want to wait 30 minutes. By connecting to Facebook, friends can send you lives or extra moves when you are stuck on a hard level. Friends will also be able to see your high score on the levels you have already solved. When you complete an episode, you need three friends on Facebook to help you unlock the next set of puzzles. Candy Crush Saga is the #1 top grossing game around the world. According to CNN News, Candy Crush Saga has more than 32 million fans all around the world.

The ‘Angsty Teen’ Mixtape Songs that will satisfy your burning urge to crush things

BY KATE PETTERSON

kpetterson.gazette@gmail.com

he end of the summer has arrived, resulting in a colder change in the weather. Students are starting to wear shirts with longer sleeves and light sweaters boldly announce the first month of fall. Flip flops, while still very much the prominent footwear around campus, are dwindling in number. And in the end, short shorts, however popular, are slowly sinking away as they are traded out for trendy yoga pants. It’s impossible to walk across the school campus without seeing a girl wearing a pair of these popular pants. While they provide plenty of warmth, most yoga pants are still thin enough for some students to wear in the hot afternoon sun. The heat at this time of year happens later in the day, meaning that a good pair of pants that survives the morning chill without being too hot in the afternoon is a well sought after item. Also, plenty of girls will agree that flexibility in stretchy yoga pants is ideal. Having to hitch up your jeans or shorts every time you sit can be a pain. “I wear yoga pants because they’re comfortable,” sophomore Shelby Khatami says. Looking around campus

will reveal that because of the simple design, yoga pants are often attached to a variety of styles. “(When it’s cold enough) I wear yoga pants with BUMS (big ugly man sweaters),” Khatami says. “(Fall and winter are) about being warm and frumpy and not getting socially judged for it.” Khatami pointed out that yoga pants are very convenient. When she is running short on time in the morning, she can easily grab a pair. Yoga pants can be seen in several styles themselves. One of the styles goes to about halfway down your calf, while another style fans out at the bottom and reaches your ankles. For a more bold design, there are a variety of colorful belts around the waist. Even when you’re off the school campus it isn’t hard to find these pants. The availability of yoga pants is hard to ignore, seeing as they appear in almost every female clothing store, including Target and Macy’s. Getting a pair is easy enough, and it doesn’t take a genius to create a cute, stylish outfit with these pants. As September comes and goes, yoga pants are sure to continue their appearance. Gazette photo /LUKE CHRIRBAS

BY ALEXA ZOGOPOULOS

azogopoulos.gazette@gmail.com

1. Holiday in Cambodia - Dead Kennedys A 1980s punk classic that probably will get your parents to ask, “What are those kids into these days?!” 2. Rise Above - Black Flag Although you may not understand some of the words, you’ll definitely pick up on the message: jump around and smash things. 3. Work, Rest, Play, Die - Subhumans Subhumans songs are known for making you reconsider your career path and instead contemplate a life as a band groupie. 4. Suburban Home - The Descendents Hating suburbia is the main mind set of angsty teenagers, and this song will fuel that suburban hatred.

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September 2013

music.

Big Sean Hall of Fame BY BRIAN ZHUANG

bzhuang.gazette@gmail.com

ig Sean’s sophomore solo album, Hall of Fame, is a must get if you are looking for a record that incorporates a mix of calm, tranquil tunes and clubby trap music. However, I personally don’t think the album is quite up to par with the title it holds. Don’t get me wrong, this album is still phenomenal, but it shouldn’t be labeled as a “hall of fame” album. The album starts with “Nothing is Stopping You” which has an empowering and encouraging message and tone. Big Sean does an exceptional job with his lyrical content in this song, in which he puts meaningful words in his verses rather than the typical nonsense of today’s hip-hop. He doesn’t feature anyone on this track,

as well as in his first five songs. However, throughout the rest of the album, Sean has superstars accompanying him. For example, he features a range of hip-hop legends like Nas, to new and upcoming artists, James Fauntleroy and Earlly Mac. Not only is Big Sean featuring the new artists, he is putting their names out to the public for many people to discover. The variety of artists he presents creates a fresh feel styles that are heard throughout the album. Towards the middle of the album, Big Sean drops “Sierra Leone,” a brilliant placement by Sean. It is a perfect break between the other songs because it has a groovy and paradiselike sound to it, bringing out a refreshing album. Although the song does mainly talk about diamonds (a major aspect in the rap game),

Big Sean raps about it in a more subtle way, rapping about how he had “made it” in the world. Unique from the rest of the album, “Ashley” (feat. Miguel) contains a calm and lyrical instrumental joined with Miguel’s soothing voice. This song captures both R&B and rap fans with Miguel’s chorus and Big Sean’s verses. Also, this will album appeals to an array of Big Sean fans because he displays all of his styles, from trap to lyrical to samples from other songs to harmonious songs. Despite all the amazing characteristics of this album, there is one downfall that made me favor it less. In the deluxe version, the extra songs that are included have already been released. All in all, Hall of Fame is an exemplary piece of art that exhibits Big Sean’s artistry.

Ariana Grande Yours Truly

Universal Republic Records

Yours Truly by Ariana Grande came out on September 3.

B+

Skip to: Almost is Never

BY EPSA SHARMA

esharma.gazette@gmail.com

riana Grande has been in the public’s eye since her debut in Nickelodeon’s hit show “Victorious.” However, now she’s gaining more attention because of her transition into the music industry. Grande is taking an ambitious career shift and she has to prove she’s a renowned artist Grande’s main goal is to be noticed as a fresh new artist with powerful and catchy sound. She released her first single “The Way” feat. Mac Miller on March 26th 2013 and it received an unexpected positive reaction. The song starts out with Mac Miller bringing in the R&B aspect, followed by an upbeat piano melody which corresponds to the impressive lyrics carried through with her

soft but evocative voice. The next single released on the album “Baby I” has the same optimistic feel but the beginning has more of an old fashioned jazz melody., The high momentum of this song allowed Grande to show off her incredible vocal range. The following track “Almost is Never Enough” feat. Nathan Sykes is an emotional stripped down and bare with only a soft piano melody in the background. She kills it with her husky tone and soothing tone allows her to maintain pitch and harmonize with Sykes. To gain some publicity, Grande included multiple duets in her album with popular artists, including Big Sean, MIKA, Mac Miller, and Nathan Sykes from The Wanted. The sound of this album is a throwback to 90s R&B and the songs on the album hit all

Getting Out of Dreams, Inc.

Hall of Fame by Big Sean was released August 27.

A-

Skip to: Sierra Leone

the key points that give it a retro vibe. It has a variety of fast pace lyrical adventures like “Piano” which includes a catchy clapping beat, giving off a summer vibe. Similar to “Piano,” her other upbeat song, “Popular Song” is filled with enjoyable lyrics and soothing drum beats that gives it a beach vibe. In my opinion, I think Grande did a great job incorporating her own style into her music and making it slightly different than all the mainstream music we hear on the radio. She had a successful transition from childhood star to an artist making mature material in the music industry. Her album “Yours Truly” is filled with songs that get stuck in your head because they’re so appealing and memorable.

Juicy J Stay Trippy

BY MARY FRANCES HANSEN mfhansen.gazette@gmail.com

uicy J has a way about his music that just makes teens want to continue listening to it, which is how I feel about his new album Stay Trippy. Stay Trippy is Juicy J’s first solo studio album since he left Three 6 Mafia. He decided to go his own way and signed with Wiz Khalifa. “Bandz a Make Her Dance”(feat. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne) is the most popular song on the album. This song was released in 2012 and is one of the most played songs on iTunes top 100. The first song on the album “Stop It” is definitely a fan favorite along with the fifteenth song on the album, “Scholarship” (feat. A$AP Rocky). Both of these songs are well-liked and are becoming more popular each day. Almost all of the sixteen songs are

extremely catchy and entertaining. Each song sounds different from the next and has strong beats. It is enjoyable to listen to songs when they do not all sound identical to each other, giving a vast amount of diversity. Juicy J collaborated with many artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Young Jeezy and Trey Songz on the album, making it appealing to a variety of audiences. Personally, I am a big fan of Justin Timberlake, so the song “The Woods” (feat. Justin Timberlake) is one of my favorites on the album. This song is easy to sing along to and is on the slower side, making it sentimental. “One of Those Nights” (feat. The Weekend) is a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album. It rocks out and makes students want to get up and dance. Another upbeat song, “Money A Do It” would be perfect to listen to if you were at the

gym working out. It is a very motivational song and creates an energetic atmosphere. “Talkin’ Bout” (feat. Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa is relaxing and calming which reminds me of something you would hear if you were on the beach. The background music is very peaceful. The song “So Much Money” is the only song I find tedious on the album. It’s very repetitive and obnoxious with the choice of irritating background music. Even though I was disappointed in the last song “If It Aint” on this album, I would definitely recommend this album to anyone who is a fan of hip-hop and rap. If you aren’t a big fan of this kind of music, it is worth listening to because it could change your perspective about Juicy J and this genre of music. I will unquestionably have this album on repeat for the next couple of days.

Columbia Records

Stay Trippy by Juicy J was released on August 27.

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Skip to: The Woods

September 2013

Your names. Your faces. The Gazette.

you.

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Page 6

September 2013

get up.

HERE COMES THE SUN

GBHS students share their methods for making mornings easier BY JONAH POCZOBUTT

jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

Any high school student can tell you that being awake in the morning and being awake enough to function during class are two very different things. Even though every Granite Bay High School student faces morning drowsiness, most students are ill equipped to deal with this problem and struggle to get themselves going for the day. However, some GBHS students have developed their own methods to beat morning exhaustion and habitually practice them to better prepare themselves for the day ahead. The benefits of being more awake in the morning are numerous according to senior Nic Ontiveros. “Being awake in the morning makes it a lot easier to pay attention in class and it makes the class period go by faster. It is especially important if you have a difficult class before lunch,” Ontiveros said.

caution contents are hot

Gazette illustration/THOMAS TAYLOR

Ontiveros has his own simple method of waking himself up in the morning. “I like to drink a glass of orange juice because the strong taste wakes me up. It also has some sugar which helps to give me energy even though orange juice is still pretty good for you.” Ontiveros said Many other GBHS students have a morning beverage of choice to help them kickstart their day. For senior Brittany Armstrong, that drink is coffee. “I started drinking coffee as a freshman because I was staying up late because of homework and my dance class,” Armstrong said. Coffee is the go-to morning drink for countless people because of its high caffeine content. However, coffee comes with its fair share of drawbacks. Getting coffee from Starbucks or Pete’s every morning is time consuming and can become very expensive if it becomes a habit. The alternative, brewing coffee yourself in the morning, may also be impractical for many people because of time constraints. Coffee can be a great option for an early morning pickme-up if you have money to spend, or if another family member is already making coffee, otherwise you may have to try another option. Most people use an alarm to wake themselves up in the morning with its loud unpleasant sound. Senior Aidan Naughton takes sound one step farther in his morning routine, playing some of his favorite music to brighten up his morning. “I turn on some loud music in the morning. The song depends on my mood but it helps me wake up because it’s like the music is all around you when its coming out of speakers,” Naughton said. Naughton added that listening to music in the mornings improves his mood and sets a positive tone for his day. One major drawback of playing loud music in the mornings is that other family members in your house might not take to kindly to waking up to your loud music every morning. Naughton also recommends playing music in the car on the way to school to wake up for first period. “Playing music that I like in the morning puts me in a better mood for the rest of the day.” Naughton said Junior Madhav Shah practices another popular method for waking himself up in the morning. “I set three alarms for every fifteen minutes and I don’t wake up for the first two,” Shah said.

Shah Gazette illustration/Brian Zhuang believes that this triple alarm technique spreads the misery of getting out of bed over a longer amount of time, which reduces his morning misery. In addition to this popular technique, Shah has a much more unconventional method for making sure that he is awake for first period. “Sometimes I will wake up at three or four in the morning to do my homework,” Shah Said This essentially means that on days where Shah uses this method, he has already been awake for as many as four-and-a half hours by the time that first period begins, ensuring that he is wide awake by the start of school. This method has obvious drawbacks, such as waking up at three in the morning, which makes for an incredibly long day. However, it does mean that little to no homework has to be done the day before, ensuring that getting to sleep early is possible. For some students who are unwilling to change their morning routine very much, sticking to the classic long shower might just be the best option. “A morning shower is usually enough to wake me up,” Shah said.

September 2013

stand up.

Is Falling Apart

Page 7

Gazette illustration By Thomas Taylor

New movies lack creativity and originality One other possible reason for this lack of innovation is the financial aspect of movies. Some viewers believe movie studios value profits over developing ovies used to be simple. Even with very limnew, unique films. ited special effects, films like Gone With the Thus, they would rather play it safe by producing Wind, and Casa Blanca captivated audiences sequels, prequels, trilogies and spin-offs based on across America. previous successful films instead of investing in a new Now, in the 21st century, with the vast amount of idea that has an unpromising future in sales. technology at directors’ fingertips, a Occasionally, ground-breaking films whole, new door of film creativity has during the last few years such as Inception been opened. Movie studios can now Avatar were released, but only with the produce thrilling special effects better It doesn’t matter and help of big studios with money and influthan ever before. to me if a movie ence to market them. Over the past few decades, however, But, it is the smaller studios that tend the movie industry has taken a turn – is based off of to introduce more unique and fresh films some say for the better, others for the an old idea – because they are not as carefully controlled worst. According to a poll by Box Ofby public investors. as long as it is fice Mojo, a list of movies ranging back Nevertheless, smaller studios lack the to the 1980s shows that since 1984, the entertaining, I’m financial power to promote and sell their percentage of original screenplays has on an international scale, making willing to watch it. movies dropped from 72 percent to 26 percent. it difficult for the average viewer to access There is a theory among many viewers them. that original screenplays are becoming – Molly Graves Granite Bay English teacher, Bernadette more scarce because the pool of ideas is Cranmer says that creativity in movies lies simply drying out. in smaller studios. Over the summer, sophomore Kyle “We’re not always accessing [smaller, Giannini recognized this lack of innovation in the independent movies] in the big box theaters,” says movie industry by the many sequels and remakes Cranmer, “we access them on Netflix, and cable TV released in theaters. and other venues.” “A lot of movies are starting to become old and Even with the old and repetitive character of recent repetitive” Giannini said. releases in big box theaters, movie buffs continue to BY PAUL ZEISS

pzeiss.gazette@gmail.com

watch these mediocre films. Granite Bay senior Rylee McKeon is one of the many disgruntled movie viewers. “Especially over the summer, movies were supposed to be awesome, and a lot of them just bonked,” McKeon said. Spencer Palmer, a senior, said he believes the movie industry should revitalize the ideas in movies. “Recently, there have been a lot of sequels, so it would be nice to see some fresh, new ideas come up,” Palmer said. Other viewers believe a movie should be judged solely on its entertainment value, regardless of whether it is original or not. Junior Molly Graves said she thinks this is the case. “It doesn’t matter to me if a movie is based off of an old idea – as long as it is entertaining, I’m willing to watch it,” Graves said. Like them or not, unoriginal movies are still reeling in huge profits from the American audience. In fact, the top seven ranked movies in the 2013 Box Office Mojo results are all sequels. These lucrative profits from unoriginal movies show the American people don’t mind watching these films. In fact, they are willing to spend their own money on them. Hollywood is on its own trajectory. Hopefully, in time, that trajectory will lead to creative movies with compelling stories for everyone to enjoy.

See more content at granitebaytoday.org

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September 2013

rolling.

Holy Guacamole Jalisco’s Grill BY AUSTIN PINK

apink2.gazette@gmail.com

While Granite Bay has expanded its variety of local eateries and cuisines in recent years, there still seems to be a struggle to find restaurants offering fresh affordable Mexican food. After eating Chipotle enough times to feed a small African nation, the food now just seems bland regardless of how I combine ingredients. (I have even ordered the tofu sofritas. That’s how desperate I am) Safe to say, I needed a new place to revive my love for fresh Mexican dishes. A few weeks ago, I was proceeding with a daily trip to CVS to get a 99-cent Peace tea and maybe some Funyons. Business as always. Walking out to my car, I noticed a young man taking out the trash in front of a glorious sign, that read, “Jalisco Fresh Mexican grill.” His feet seemed to barely touch the ground, as if he was gliding over the Sea of Galilee. The God of tacos

had sent me a prophet. Unlike the new Mexican “fusion” eateries of late, this was a Mexican chain that had the feel of an authentic taqueria, serving all the dishes with traditional Mexican favor and style. When it was my turn in line, I was blank as to what I wanted. I simply blurted out “Burrito Mar Y Tierra”. After ordering in a hypnotic state, I realized that I ordered a burrito with shrimp and al pastor, a classic Mexican BBQ pork. And unlike Chipotle, this burrito came WITH guacamole, without having to sign off the deed to your house. Watching them wrap my burrito was like watching Da Vinci paint the Mona Lisa, true masters at work. My meal for a king soon was done, and I can say that I was completely satisfied beyond my expectations. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful. The meats were savory, and they did not skimp on the portions what so ever.

Dos Coyotes BY KEVIN BURNS

kburns.gazette@gmail.com

I didn’t understand, I mean I wasn’t even hungry, yet I had eaten the entire burrito and all of the chips that came with the meal. As I pulled up to Dos Coyotes, I didn’t completely know what to expect. I mean I love burritos, especially from Chipotle, but I wasn’t sure I could change my burrito-eating ways. Though while driving away after I had finished my Mexican delicacy all I could think about was how I had just eaten one damn good burrito. Walking into Dos Coyotes, I noticed there was no line, yet the restaurant was packed. After I ordered the season special, a Yolo Mango Burrito with chips and a drink, I discovered the reason behind the vacancy at the waiting counter. They made my entire meal in a couple minutes, just enough time for me to fill up my cup with soda and pick out a couple of salsas to go with my chips. Despite the short time for my burrito, I wasn’t bored while I waited for it to cook. With state-of-the-art soda machine technology and a wide array of salsas to complement my chips, I was entertained simply by enhancing my meal, and I wasn’t sure whether I would wait longer just to pick my soda. With over 50 different types of sodas compacted into a small machine, I felt as though I was discovering soda for the first time again. Do you want every flavor of Fanta? Done. How about a soda that is not even on the market? Definitely. It’s sleek. It’s easy. It’s handicap accessible.

The Gazette staff spills the beans on Mexican food Not only was the shrimp tasty, the meal didn’t leave me feeling sluggish or otherwise unhealthy. What’s really the icing on the taco are the prices. You can get a delicious and filling meal for easily under ten dollars. This restaurant is a far cry from the Americanized fast-food Mexican that was essentially the only choice in the area not long ago. If you’re ever in the mood for some fresh authentic Mexican, but you’re tired of the same old places, I recommend rolling over to Jalisco Fresh Grill and trying fresh flavors from the old classics. Jalisco Grill is located on East Roseville pkwy. next to CVS Gazette photo BY Austin Pink

El Sombrero Taqueria With all these amazing features and lightning-fast cooking speed, there could be no way that the burrito is good, or so I thought. The beautiful burrito, lined with chips and filled with rice, beans, chicken, steak, guacamole and the most important ingredient, mangoes, was just as good as Justin, the worker who took my order, told me it would be. As I took my first bite, the aromatic smell that teased my tongue before turned into a delicious reality. With an overwhelming tang from the mango and a bit of spice from the chili-infused salsa, the burrito was all I thought it would be and much more. Just a few bites into the Hispanic creation and I was questioning my love for Chipotle. I finished the burrito with much haste and was satisfied with my meal. Unfortunately for me, though, the quality of the chips was not even close to that of the burrito, a disappointment to say the least. Where the burrito was soft and tasty, the chips were stale and almost tasteless with not enough salt. Overall, my experience at Dos Coyotes was one that will stay in my memory for a while – or at least until my next trip. As one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Granite Bay and Roseville area, Dos Coyotes does not disappoint. Dos Coyotes is located on Douglas Boulevard

Gazette photo/MAJOR BURNS

BY THOMAS TAYLOR

ttaylor.gazette@gmail.com

Chipotle’s lesser-known local cousin, El Sombrero Taqueria, is a much more authentic experience—however the price is exceedingly more than the restaurants more popular neighbor. When you first walk into the lowslung building, the smell of Mexican spices blasts your nostrils. A large board hangs imposingly with over 30 different breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The sheer amount of plates on offer is a little staggering. At other Mexican restaurants the menus are more streamlined—not the case at El Sombrero. Offering basic Mexican fair like Enchiladas and added amenities like refried beans with every meal adds added value to each of El Sombrero’s dishes. I ordered an enchilada with beans and rice included from the friendly waitress. As I listened to the cooks chat amiably in Spanish, I felt comfortable and welcome. When my food came out I was slightly under whelmed. The carnitas Enchilada was a little small and the refried beans looked like mud scraped from the underside of a boot. Fortunately for El Sombrero, the food was delicious. Everything was very tasty. The rice melted in my mouth and the refried beans, despite their bowel churning appearance, were actually quite appetizing. The enchilada itself was less enjoyable. It was smothered in some sort of mild red sauce, which made the tortilla

ensconcing the meat quiet wet, instead of just moist. The carnitas inside were spicy and tender underneath the wet tortilla. The meat is really what saves this meal; it truly is a fantastic accomplishment. Overall, the meal was full of different flavor and juices were spilling everywhere, as opposed to the almost sterile experience of devouring a gigantic chipotle burrito. Unlike other Mexican options in the area do not maintain the same standard of décor in their restaurants as well. The walls of El Sombrero are covered in Spanish and Californian road signs and posters that inspire a lot of scenic vistas. The restaurant really gives off a local cantina feel, which is truly unique in this area. The final, major advantage to El Sombrero is the price. For my small enchilada, rice, beans and a jarritos plus unlimited chips ran me just 10 dollars plus tip. A massive amount of food to be sure, though the lack of guacamole for my chips was slightly disappointing. Overall, El Sombrero does not deserve to be overlooked by hungry Granite Bay students as a very authentic and aromatic experience—for cheap! El Sombrero Taqueria is located Sierra College Boulevard Gazette photo BY THOMAS TAYLOR

September 2013

This Month’s Picks

Chipotle BY JONAH POCZOBUTT

jpoczobutt.gazette@gmail.com

Page 9

Burritos.

my journey to the bottom of the tin foil wrapping, I was reminded of another unique characteristic of Chipotle. My friend and I recognized an acquaintance of ours that had just happened to stop by for a burrito of his own. This is no rogue occurrence at Chipotle, given its popularity. I have ran into neighbors, old friends, teachers and even my mom all in the friendly confines of Chipotle Mexican Grill. The only drawbacks in my opinion to the Chipotle experience are the potentially long lines (depending on the time of day) and the loud atmosphere of the restaurant itself. That being said, getting food from Chipotle is still faster than sitting down and waiting for a to-go meal at a more upscale Mexican place, and teenagers love loud, bad music any ways. Why else would Taylor Swift be so popular? So, if you think you are ready to test out the Chipotle experience for yourself, or you just want to let me know how you feel about that Taylor Swift joke, drop by Chipotle just about any Friday afternoon; I know I will be there.

If you were to ask the average Granite Bay High School student where the best place in town to get Mexican food is, they would most likely tell you Chipotle, and for good reason. I would be lying if I said I do not visit this establishment multiple times in any given week, and I am definitely not alone in my frequency of visiting this restaurant. The best thing about Chipotle is not the short wait time, the low prices or even to an extent the quality of the food. The best thing about Chipotle is that it provides all of these key attributes to its customers on a regular basis. My last visit to Chipotle was indistinguishable from any other, I ordered a veggie burrito with brown rice, black beans, two scoops of pico de gallo, one scoop of hot sauce, cheese, lettuce and guacamole. This level of personalization is simply unachievable at any other Mexican restaurant, and because of this wonderful feature, almost every Chipotle customer has their own special combination of delicious Mexican flavors that they prefer over all others. I sat down with a friend to eat my burrito in the noisy Chipotle dining area, easily this restaurant’s worst feature and tore the foil off the top of my neatly packaged burrito. The wonderfully spicy flavor of the two salsas and the smooth, rich mixture of guac and rice dueled for space on my tongue to the delight of my taste buds, resulting Gazette photo BY THOMAS TAYLOR in that always pleasing combination of Mexican flavor. Chipotle is located on Douglas After a few bites accompanied by sips Boulevard in the SAfeway parking lot of cool water to keep my hydration on

The Gazette Ranking Panel samples dishes from each of the five restaurants this month and ranks them accordingly.

#5 El Sombrero TaqueriaEl Sombrero served good food however for the price and portions given there are better Mexican options in the area.

#4 Costa Vida- Costa Vida delivered large portions of food for a good price, however the service was sluggish.

#3 Jalisco Grill- Jalisco’s offered

relatively cheap prices for decent food although it is at an uncommon location for a sit down restaraunt.

#2 Dos Coyotes- Dos Coyotes

offers delicious food for a good price and the service was speedy as well.

#1 Chipotle- Chipotle has always

been a classic for GBHS students and continues to reign champion of Americanized Mexican cuisine.

Costa Vida BY MYLES SLATTERY

mslattery.gazette@gmail.com

I enjoy a good burrito, and to be honest I don’t know who doesn’t. As soon as I stepped inside the burrito parlor, my assumption of burrito love was proven by the line populated with people who enjoyed a big ol’ warm cylindrical blob of bursting flavor inside them just as much as I do. Overall, I have heard good things about Costa Vida. From its claimed cleanliness to its reasonable price of around $7.00, I had high expectations for my visit. Located on Roseville Parkway in the same parking lot as popular sushi restaurant, Blue Nami Costa Vida is easily spotted to a Granite Bay commoner. After waiting in line for a substantial amount of time, I finally arrived at the counter to place my order. I ordered the Saturday Special, a sweet pork burrito with rice, refried beans and a free drink with the Granite Bay High School student ID card. The beach themed environment gives a laid back feel accented with surf movies playing throughout every hour

it is open. Also, I don’t know if everybody else loves these things as much as I do, but the ice is made up of those little snowball clusters that are an absolute joy to chew. Finally I sat down to enjoy the moment I was waiting for, to stuff my face with burrito. After the first bite I quickly realized that the long line was well worth the wait. As I continued to devour the burrito I noticed that the tortilla shell gave loose to the warm, gooey, meaty insides. Although messy, this burrito tasted absolutely incredible. Costa Vida has long been compared to its local competitor, Chipotle. Although I myself go to Chipotle almost every week, I have to say that Costa Vida beats Chipotle in taste. If you are looking for a quick alternative for authentic Mexican, Costa Vida is the place to go. With a more traditional taste, Costa Vida satisfies my hankering for traditional tang while still pleasing those who look for a more Americanized Mexican flavor.

Gazette photo By MYLES SLATTERY

Costa Vida is located next to Blue Nami

Pages 10 and 11

September 2013

stylish.

GBHS guys stay in style with a personal flair

“I like a classier style of clothing. I like to express a presentable, classic style while still having fun.” Pink said

BY CAITLYN HURLEY

churley.gazette@gmail.com

URBAN

ACING ASHION ORWARD

“I just like to dress a little different from what everyone else wears. I just wear what I think looks good … I don’t care what other people think is in style,” Coplen said.

ATHLETIC “You don’t have to sacrifice any comfort and you still get the style you want. Comfort and style mixed together, that’s it,” Esposito said.

PREPPY

CASUAL “I like wearing weird clothes. I’m just a crazy guy that wears crazy clothes.” Ellis said

Marc Ellis walks out of his house every morning wearing whatever his heart desires. Matching his clothes is never a concern for Ellis, and neither are the opinions of other people. Whether Ellis is sporting his puffin shirt or his San Jose Sharks tie, he is always wearing what he wants, and not what others expect him to wear. He is characterized by his comfy style.

Wyatt Coplen can be spotted around campus with his hair while sporting cross earrings. The Macklemore-esque persona the he wears is often referred to as hipster, but Coplen chooses his clothes to represent his funky and outgoing personality.

Comfort and style are Vinny Esposito main priorities. Esposito brings his athletic style to school to show that he can still look good and be comfy throughout the day. He believes that dressing comfortably and casually allows him to learn at a high level, while letting his athleticism show as well.

Gazette photos/kate hurley

Austin Pink brings East Coast style to our West Coast school. Pink opts out of graphic tees and skater shoes, and chooses a classier style of polo shirts and Sperry’s. He wears clothes that are made well and are made to look good together.

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September 2013

bake.

Push allergies away with

Pushkin’s Bakery Granite Bay High graduate excels in the food industry

BY TAMREN JOHNK

tjohnk.gazette@gmail.com

very year, Granite Bay High School produces exceptional young men and women that graduate and pursue varies and unique career paths. One of these GBHS graduates is Olga Turner. Olga is the co-owner of Pushkin’s Bakery alongside with her husband, Danny Turner. Unlike most bakeries, however, Pushkin’s is gluten and dairy-free, creating a myriad of cookies, cupcakes, ice cream cones, muffins and sweet breads, all geared toward these alternative diet needs Olga’s husband motivated her to open up a gluten and dairy-free bakery because Danny himself requires a gluten and dairy-free diet. They also saw that there was a huge void in the market that no one was filling, so they seized the opportunity and opened Pushkin’s. “I have always loved cookies and when my husband and I got married I felt bad having cookies in the house that he couldn’t enjoy,” Olga said. “I decided to take a break from getting my Masters in Economics at Sacramento State University to start Pushkin’s Bakery.” Thanks to Olga, dealing with the everyday life of being gluten-free continues to become easier and easier for Danny. They own a bakery that caters specifically to the diet he has to follow, and there are other establishments out there doing the same thing. “Both my and my wife’s roles here at the bakery are extremely diverse,” Danny said. “While she’s the genius with the recipes, I often, alongside Olga, handle everything from the front end of the business, daily kitchen routines, customer service, marketing and creating and maintaining new business outlets.” Both Olga and Danny feel that a mindset of setting and reaching goals can quickly become a very stagnant way of thinking, so they try to keep an open and very progressive attitude toward their business. “With the ever changing demands and requests in our

consumer’s spending habits, it’s important we continue to tweak and fine tune our product line and company image while always keeping our core values in place,” Danny said. “So, I guess I just did set a goal; to never have an end goal in mind.” Pushkin’s, being a relatively new bakery in the Sacramento area, opened February 14 of this year and has already been featured on local news channels, News 10 and KCRA 3. Right after opening, there were also a few magazines and newspapers, such as the Sacramento Bee, that wanted to write an article about the bakery. “We’ve been really lucky with the press we have received, (and) we haven’t paid a dime for any of it,” Olga said. “Tapping into social media and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) marketing has truly helped us be where we are today.” Pushkin’s also receives streams of customers throughout the day, largely through word-of-mouth and referrals. “We have people come in that have celiac, gluten intolerance, all types of allergies and even people that just enjoy all natural baked goods,” Olga said. Abby Segale, a junior at GBHS, is gluten intolerant and enjoys going to Pushkin’s Bakery because it is difficult to find good gluten-free food that isn’t bland or has strange textures. “The environment is really inviting, all the people and employees there are really nice, it’s a small little bakery but it’s cool,” Segale said. Segale thinks that there should be more bakeries and restaurants that focus on allergies and intolerances. “It’s really hard to find things that you can eat and things that are certified gluten-free,” Segale said. “So it’s good to know that there are bakeries that you can trust and that are also good.” Segale also believes that anyone with an appetite is welcome at Pushkin’s, you don’t just have to be gluten or dairy-free.

“I would recommend the bakery to anybody,” Segale said. “My mom isn’t gluten-free but she eats the same stuff my sister and I do. It’s just good food, you can’t even tell the difference.” Olga loves baking and creating these items that satisfies the needs and taste buds of her clientele. She believes that the best part of her job is when she gets to be creative with Danny and problem solve with the tasks in front of them. “Our business is always changing and its fun to find solutions to daily problems that come up,” Olga said. When Olga graduated from GBHS in 2004, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business from Sacramento State. She reflects positively back on GBHS and believes her most memorable class at GBHS was with Jarrod Westberg in Advanced Placement Government and Economics, where she learned things she applies to her business today. “Granite Bay High School is truly a unique school because they really encourage you to be you, I learned that with hard work really anything is possible,” Olga said. Olga is also really excited to see where the company will go in the next couple of years and believes that it would be more convenient if more restaurants catered to those with dietary restrictions. “We are about to start distribution with Whole Foods,” Olga said. “They just approved us to install our own display case in their bakery department and the display case will be 100% gluten free and dairy free with our pastries.” Because of the Turner’s hard work and commitment, Pushkin’s Bakery will continue to grow and offer options to customers with gluten and dairy intolerances. “I never thought what we are doing would affect people as much as it does,” Olga said. “I feel so fortunate to be in this industry and offer quality products to people that really don’t have any other options. I love what I do.”

Gazette photos /Grace Moore

Pushkin’s Bakery, located at 1820 29th Street in Sacramento, provides a wide assortment of various gluten and dairy free treats such as cupcakes and lemon bars (shown far left). Middle and above, the owners, Danny and Olga Turner, continue to keep and open mindset and are excited to see where their future takes them in the food industry.

September 2013

safety.

Not so

Page 13

About Allergies

Local restaurants accommodate needs of those who have food sensitivities

Gazette photos /laurel teague

On the left are common foods that people are proned to have allergies to, such as dairy, eggs and peanuts. Above, establishments like Noodles and Company and Baagan are more food allergy friendly in the community. menu and therefore know my options at Noodles and Company.” gshah.gazette@gmail.com Located at the edge of Fountains Shopping Center in n July 29, 13-year-old Carmichael resident Roseville, Noodles and Company is very flexible and Natalie Giorgi was enjoying a typical Friday will customize orders based on their customers’ needs. evening with her family at Camp Sacramento. “All of our dishes are made to order, and we can But according to media reports, after biting into a Rice always take out (an ingredient) and substitute it for Krispy Treat that included nuts, she suffered a serious another, making it easier for those with allergies to allergic reaction. Within hours, Giorgi was dead. order,” restaurant manager Meagan Goudy said. Granite Bay High School senior Robert Noodles and Company even has a Petterson suffers from serious food button on its register that indicates allergies, and he said Giorgi’s death a customer’s allergy condition Dining out at sends an important message to the so restaurant workers can avoid safe restaurants entire community. causing allergic reactions when “This incident is an example of how we processing an order. is important for are not as far as we would like to be in Located on Pleasant Grove people with food our understanding of how serious (food Bloulevard, Bagaan is another foodallergy conditions are),” said Petterson, allergies (...) we allergy secure restaurant that offers who is allergic to pecans, cashews and a peanut-free and almost completely definitely have peanuts and who must be very vigilant vegan and gluten-free menu, serving when he eats out. to worry, so a variety of allergen-safe dishes. GBHS nurse Linda Warfield said Arthi Bobbala, a sophomore, restaurants like awareness and avoidance are the two has a mild gluten allergy, and she these are helpful. keys for allergic students. regularly eats at Bagaan. “It is very important that students “Bagaan suits my allergy needs know what they are allergic to and avoid – Senior Robert with its several gluten-free options,” that food or ingredient,” Warfield said. Bobbala said. Petterson For individuals with food allergies, it Restaurant manager Joel Marsh can be difficult to select restaurants that said the bistro is very conscious are food-allergy friendly. about the health of its customers. “If you have an allergy, it is important for you to “We try to provide these options since we are very research a restaurant ahead of time and avoid places aware about allergies,” Marsh said. that serve the problem food,” Warfield said. When it comes to allergy-friendly restaurants, According to sophomore Macayla Thomas, another Noodles and Company and Bagaan definitely offer student who has learned to cope with allergies in reliable options. everyday life, the restaurant Noodles and Company is a “(Dining out) at safe restaurants is important for reliable place for people with food allergies. people with food allergies,” Petterson said. “We “I am allergic to nuts, dairy and eggs,” Thomas said. definitely have to worry, so restaurants like these are “I have read the nutrition and allergy guide on their helpful.” BY GARBHITA SHAH

Gazette photos /colleen vivaldi

Page 14

anonymous.

September 2013

Ask.fm: Double-Edged Sword Website allows students to ask anonymous questions online

BY COLLEEN VIVALDI

cvivaldi.gazette@gmail.com

sk.fm, a question and answer social media website, has been a popular hit among teens at Granite Bay High School and around the local

area. The site is set up to allow students to create a profile and ask different students anonymous questions. Popular amongst most young people, Ask. fm has created mixed feelings over the past months. On one end of the spectrum, some have felt as though the power that teens are given anonymously creates an environment of negativity and causes a form of bullying. Natalie Hahn, junior at GBHS, believes that the immaturity brought on by Ask.fm creates a negative environment. “(Kids) don’t own up to what they’ve asked because it is either rude or inappropriate,” said Hahn. Without an identity, users have the ability to ask anyone any level of question whether appropriate or not. Although some joke with other students or want to get honest feedback, some people feel as though the questions are too invasive and can come off as borderline bullying. Julia Bruecker, a home schooled sophomore who is closely related with GBHS students, said, “I wanted to know what people would honestly say to

me if they could have the anonymity and all they had (to say) were very negative, hurtful comments,” indicating feelings of cyber-bullying masked by anonymity. Hahn and Bruecker alike, view the virtual world of Ask.fm as pessimistic and not worth seeing the scrutiny of those who get asked inappropriate questions. “I think the people who get bullied on Ask.fm take it with them everywhere they go,” Hahn said. “They may not talk about it, but it goes with them to bed, to school, and they wonder (if) these people (who asked them) are at school.” Innocently trying out the haven of questions with no faces, Bruecker did not think much of the concept other than having harmless conversations with friendly faces. “I didn’t like the idea of it being anonymous because it’s a way to be unsure of who your friends actually are,” said Bruecker, left with the feeling of confusion towards people she thought she knew. On the contrary, other students at GBHS welcome the idea of Ask.fm with open arms. Senior Kelly Fox enjoys the use of this website because of the lightheartedness that comes from asking and receiving answers for just pure enjoyment. “I was curious as to see what people would ask me and interested to know about me,” said Fox. “It’s just for fun I don’t believe it’s used for bullying, so

personally I (don’t) think it (damages) anyone’s self esteem, besides a few exceptions.” Positive curiosity seems to be the common theme amongst those who believe Ask.fm doesn’t have a negative affect. “I use Ask.fm just for fun to see what random questions people ask and to get to know people you didn’t know,” junior Nick Wohlman said. “It has affected me positively because I haven’t had anything (rude) happen to me.” In these cases, students haven’t dealt with the pessimistic experiences others have, therefore shifting the viewpoint of the unidentified question asking. Fox, also unaltered from her Ask.fm participation, said, “It hasn’t really affected me at all, my attitude towards people hasn’t changed,” in contrast to other teens’ opinions. At the moment, Ask.fm seems to portray as a double-edged sword at the moment for adolescents in and around the Granite Bay area, creating a gamut of outlooks on receiving and asking questions with an unknown identity. “I use Ask.fm just for fun to see what random questions people ask and to get to know people (I) didn’t know, (however) there are those rare circumstances that people get questions telling them to kill themselves, but at that point, they should just take their Ask.fm down,” Wohlman said.

September 2013

capture.

Page 15

Moments in Time with Senior Portraits Seniors capture milestone with photography Enchanted Images /JAMES HAYS

BY MARISA THIAS

mthias.gazette@gmail.com

any seniors at Granite Bay High School have given a lot of thought about their last year of high school and their futures to come. Along with all this planning, these students get to decide whether or not they want to take part in some typical senior traditions, such as senior portraits. GBHS Senior Summer Brewer, gladly takes part in this tradition. “Senior portraits are very special to me because they help me create lasting memories and really represent who I am right now,” Brewer said. This tradition is important to many other people as well, including Sabrina Sabbaghian. “Senior portraits are definitely something worth doing and worthwhile,” Sabbaghian said. “Especially for family and friends before you are sent off to start your new life with a new crowd, they’ll always have a pretty picture to remember you by.” The decision to get senior portraits done might be easy for a lot of teens, however choosing the right photographer might be more challenging. Senior Sierra Alejandrez has yet to choose a photographer for her senior portraits and hopes to find someone reasonably priced with good artistic abilities. “I haven’t picked my photographer for my senior portraits yet because there are so many good ones to choose from,” Sierra Alejandrez said. Alejandrez also added that after looking at the prices of many photographers, she is leaning more towards Bill Smith because of their lower price range. The price of senior portraits can be very

expensive, however some students feel it is worth it to pay more to get the pictures they want. Senior Kennedy Mac Millan, chose Enchanted Images, a widely popular company among many, for her portraits. “Enchanted Images is one of the more expensive places to get pictures done, but senior portraits are things that you always look back on when you’re older so I thought it was important to spend a little bit more money on them,” Mac Millan said. Getting photographed can be uncomfortable for some students, but many photographers try to make it as natural as possible and really portray the student’s personality through the photos. “I shot with Kate Graves photography and she made it really comfortable for me,” Brewer said. “Shooting with her was very fun because she really knows how to make it feel relaxed and natural.” Brewer was happy with how Graves ran the shoot and said it was very easygoing and suggests it to others looking for a photographer. Not only does Graves have a smooth set up, Enchanted Images, by opinion, does too. “The photographer at Enchanted Images was really easy to work with. It was individualized to me and instead of using the same pose for everyone; he made it reflect me and my personality,” Mac Millan said. “It was specific to what I’m like and what type of style I have.” Senior portraits can be a very essential piece to senior year puzzle for many students. The photos last forever and are a long lasting memory of senior year. “I was really happy with my portraits and she made them look really good,” Brewer said. “They turned out better than I could

Jessica Feely Seniors /JESSICA FEELY

Kate Graves Photography /Kate graves

Kennedy Mac Millan, upper above, shows her inner-self with two dramatic poses. Sabrina Saabaghian, middle above, smiles for her portrait that will last a lifetime. Summer Brewer senior in lower above, is photographed by former GBHS student, Kate Graves.

current.

Page 16

September 2013

g a r eP

k i M

Artist of the Month

BY TROY PAWLAK

Gazette photo /SUMMER HAENNY

BY LAUREL TEAGUE

hbyam.gazette@gmail.com

The first annual Monster Energy Aftershock will be held Sept 14th and 15th at Discovery Park. They are featuring 40 rock bands including Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeath, and A Day to Remember Maroon 5, a pop rock band from Los Angeles will be playing Oct 1 at Sleep Train Amphitheatre Tech N9ne, a rapper from Kansas City, MO will be playing Sept 25 at Ace of Spades

Iration, a reggae-rock group launched from Isla Vista, CA will be playing Sept 19 at Ace of Spades, and Sept 20 at The Fillmore

What impact do you feel art has had on your life? It’s had a lot of impact actually; I want to go to some kind of art college. It’s a good way to express myself. I’m just more willing to be myself when I do art. Do you see yourself doing art in the future? Definitely; I don’t really have a specific median that I prefer, so I’ll do them all. What are you working on right now? Right now we are doing our faces in a portrait for graphite; I’m not working on something by myself right now. Have you chosen what you’re going to do for a background? Not at all, I just really like doing wacky and odd things. When did you first start getting into art? I think I was four or five when I just started drawing, and ever since then it’s been like that. It’s just always been a passion of mine.

Recipe of the Month: Iced Pumpkin Cookies

BY GARBHITA SHAH

hbyam.gazette@gmail.com

Ingredients Instructions 2 ½ cups all purpose flour . 1 teaspoon baking powder 1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking soda cinnamon, nutmeg ground cloves, and salt in one container. 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2. In another medium-sized container, stir together the ½ a cup of softened butter with ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg the white sugar. ½ teaspoon ground cloves 3. Add the pumpkin, egg and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract to the butter and stir until ½ teaspoon salt a fine, creamy mixture. ½ cup butter, softened 4. Mix in the dry ingredients and flatten them out onto the cookie sheet. 1 tablespoon melted butter 5. Bake for 12-20 minutes; wait for the cookies to cool, and then ice the tops. 3 tablespoons milk 6. To prepare the icing, combine the confectioners’ sugar, milk, the melted butter, and 2 cups confectioners’ sugar the other teaspoon of vanilla extract. 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 1 cup canned pumpkin puree 1 ½ cups white sugar

September 2013

Page 17

entertain me.

Friday Night Lights Granite Bay High School students participate in various activities on Friday nights a movie with my friends or going to a social gathering,” Marcoccia said. mslattery.gazette@gmail.com On the contrary, often students think that the very Friday night during the football season, away football games are not worth the drive because of homework or other sports. the Granite Bay Grizzly football team When the road to these away football embarks on a journey games can be a lengthy drive, students for two and a half hours. seldom decide to venture all the way to During these two and a half schools such as Pittsburgh and Nevada hours, hundreds of GBHS I normally go to union students come together to all away games, “If I have to drive more than 20 form the Tribe, a powerful minutes to get to the football game I’m student section that embodies however, when probably not going,” Senior Danielle the meaning of the grizzly I can’t make a Scribner said. school spirit. game my friends Although many students choose not However, when the football to make an appearance at every game, team is on the road many and I normally there are a select few students that do, students choose not to attend attend every possible football game don’t have these Friday night games for great dedication to the GBHS various other activities. anything fun to do. indicating Grizzlies. We sat down with senior Senior Joey Puhala in particular, tribe member, Alex Cooney to -Junior Nick prides himself on being one of the few find out the popular activities that is in attendance at games on the students partake in during Marcoccia road. these Friday away games. “I don’t miss games,” Joey Puhala said. “I normally go to all the “I make every football game whether it is home away games, however when I can’t make a game my friends and I normally don’t have anything fun or away because when I way my options, I always find that making the trek to the games outweigh to do,” Cooney said. any other option.” Activities that are deemed popular, including These dedicated students are the glue that holds going to the lake or watching a movie, are “The Tribe” together, producing optimal spirit alternate ideas to going to the football games. and support for GBHS athletic players. “When I don’t go to the game, I usually go to a The general consensus of students at GBHS movie with my friends,” Cooney said. seems to produce an overwhelming sway towards Seemingly, students often feel a sense of regret whenever they decide not to attend these football the games with the tribe as the best option for optimal excitement on a Friday night. games. According to Marcoccia, cheering for the Tribe Junior Nick Marcoccia and avid tribe attendee, and GBHS is the prime spot to be versus going to tends to lean toward basking under these Friday other functions. night lights. “To be honest I have never had a bad time at However, when unable to attend, Marcoccia a Tribe event, but I can’t say the same thing for regretfully goes to other outings. when I choose not to go the game,” Marcoccia “I usually don’t find anything better to do during said. away games, but I normally end up watching BY MYLES SLATTERY

Gazette photo /KEVIN BURNS

Gazette photo /Laurel Teague

Options for Friday night entertainment for GBHS students include attending football game with the Tribe, stopping in for a movie at the theater, or watching the sunset at the lake.

Gazette photo /KEVIN BURNS

Gazette photo /Laurel Teague

one race films

Rated: R By: Laurel Teague lteague.gazette@gmail.com

riddick: C-

fter nearly a decade, the once admired, ultra macho antihero proves again he just can’t be killed. Riddick, the third installment of Vin Diesel and director David Twohy’s honorable attempt at a sci-fi enterprise can be summed up in a mere four words: desert, aliens, people, kill. The 2000 release of Pitch Black set the series off to a good start, with a decent enough storyline based around 12 survivors of a spaceship crash on a hostile alien planet. Chronicles of Riddick, released in 2004 promptly halted the franchise’s popularity, leaving most people confused and only the special effects to be admired. Yet again, Richard B. Riddick, played by Vin Diesel, finds himself on an alien planet surviving against absolutely everything that could turn foul. The plot slowly winds in circles around Riddick’s attempt to get off the planet, and contains heavy recollections of that one level you’ve spent hours on without getting anywhere. The first 30 minutes remain dialogue free, broken occasionally by Diesel’s gravelly monologue. Riddick manages to battle off several space tiger-hyena-pitbulls and giant two-legged scorpion-salamanders with just dried bones, then sets up Bear Grylls style campsite. They come across an abandoned shack in the desert and trigger a beacon alerting an interplanetary bounty hunter system. In comes crude humored Santana (Jordi Mollà) and his ragtag team of brawny dim wits including World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar Dave Bauista. Shorty after, Boss John’s (Matt Nable) and his sleek team of superfitted bounty hunters arrive. Included in the ranks is the badass babe Dahl, played by Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff. Apparently there is a need for sexual harassment towards her and strong underlying tones of rape. The story continues with gruff unintelligent dialect broken up with an occasional one-liner evoking a half-hearted chuckle. All in all It is a rather unintelligent film and it is fortunate Twohy limited his budget when making the film, as it is clearly no blockbuster.

pantelion films

nstructions not Included taught me a valuable lesson; I should find out what the movie is actually about before I go see it. What I saw was not in any way, shape or form what I was expecting. I walked into the theatre in hopes of a few cheap laughs from the movie after reading the one sentence Fandango description “an irresponsible playboy must grow up quickly when an ex-lover gives him their daughter to raise.” However, the movie is about 75% in Spanish subtitles so if you are not keen on reading for an hour and fifty minutes this probably is not the movie for you. The movie begins with partier/stuntman Valentino Bravo having his newly discovered daughter, Maggie, being dropped off at his doorstep. Immediately ensues the cliché montage of Valentino trying to discover how to be a parent. Fast-forward a few years and the dude has bought Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. He essentially lives in a giant toy store enough to make any seven year old get so excited they need to be put back on a diaper. Granted, I do give credit to Derbez and Peralta for their acting, because they did sell the characters and their love for each other was apparent. But it was not the acting that made this movie fall short for me, it was the unbearably cliché script that made me feel like I have seen this movie a hundred times before. The infamous ex-lover comes back in the picture. Mom decides, after a week with Maggie, she wants her to live with her and her partner. So Maggie is forced to meet the mom’s new lover who know happens to be another woman. Yeah Valentino must have been that bad. However the ending of the movie was a complete surprise and saved it from me completely hating it and rather making me kind of respect where the director decided to take the film. In my opinion the movie had little mass appeal and was intended to be viewed by mothers. I say this because the audience that viewed Instructions not Included with me consisted of only a few moms going to see it with their toddlers. Rated: PG 13 By: Austin Alcaine aalcaine.gazette@gmail.com

instructions not included: C

September 2013

film.

focus features

lthough not my typical genre of movie, I thoroughly enjoyed Closed Circuit. Taking place in London, the movie begins with surveillance of the Borough Market, a small market/café area bustling with people when suddenly, an explosion occurs, resulting in 120 victims. The night before the suspect is put on trial, his lawyer is believed to have committed suicide, forcing a new defense attorney to step in. This attorney consists of cunning Martin Rose (Eric Bana) and intelligent special advocate Claudia Simmons-Howe (Rebecca Hall). This high profile national security case proves to be a tough one to crack, but Rose and SimmonsHowe begin to work through it with ease, making discoveries that put their lives and all those involved in grave danger. They both begin to realize that this attack was in fact not a solo act of a troubled man, but a part of something much bigger than expected. The more they are able to unravel the case, the deadlier the circumstances become. Knowingly putting themselves in extreme danger, they continue to work through the case and defend their client. To add to the story line and further complicate the situation, Rose and Simmons-Howe are exlovers, a secret conflict of interest that must be concealed in order to keep their jobs and stay on the case. This sub plot becomes vastly important and adds a new element to the story line-romance. The plot was very interesting and kept me thoroughly engaged. I even found myself thinking about it well after the movie ended - an obvious sign of a quality movie. The characters supported the intense and dramatic atmosphere of the storyline. I appreciated their bold nature and found them to be a compatible duo, fully fit for this movie. Numerous twists throughout the plot kept me guessing the entire time and slowly gave way to a conspiracy and final outcome. Serving as a somewhat realistic portrayal of terrorism in the real world and the skewed justice of court systems, I found it very thought provoking and intriguing. Although a painfully beaten down cliché, Closed Circuit kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, this political thriller was nicely crafted and well worth the $10 ticket fee and a trip to the movie theater. Rated: R By: Makenzie Brito mbrito.gazette@gmail.com

closed circuit: A

Page 18

Sony pictures

Rated: PG By: Kate Petterson kpetterson.gazette@gmail.com

one direction this is us: B

alking into the theater, I really didn’t have any idea as to what this movie was going to be about. With my limited knowledge of the band itself and no real interest in boy bands, all I expected was a fan service movie, full of songs that only the biggest fans would know and a pointless plot. There is no real storyline or plot. 1D consists of five boys: Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson. The documentary tells the story of how the boy band formed on the United Kingdom’s X Factor and on their subsequent tour. Because of the friendship they had obtained from the show, the boys decided to stick together, even though they ended up losing the X Factor competition. As shown in the film, theses five boys are troublemakers who just want to have a good time. They spend a lot of excess time fooling around and joking with each other, on the stage and off. This makes the movie upbeat and comedic, oftentimes drawing out a smile and a laugh. The movie is truly dedicated to their fans and supporters, as I expected. The members of the band express their gratitude several times during the film. While the fan service is appreciated, it took up too much time in some cases, as they kept revisiting the topic. Most of the other topics were addressed and then the movie would move on, but they came back to thanking their fans several times, which was confusing to me. While it certainly isn’t for everyone, I feel that the movie does a good job, even for those who aren’t huge fans of the band. I would recommend any fan of the band, either just for the music, or just for the sight of shirtless boys, to watch the movie. Overall, I found the film enjoyable and fun, and fairly informative. I wasn’t a huge fan of the band before watching this film, but by the end, I had a whole new idea of who they are and what they are like.

Entertainment one

irector Brian De Palma’s new dramatic thriller, Passion, ironically lacked one quality – passion. Despite highly talented actors, Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace, Passion was two and a half hours of poorly scripted lines and forced emotions. Rachel McAdams, as Christine, plays an executive who, in attempts to rise in a company, emotionally torments one of her colleagues, Isabelle. After a mysterious murder, characters are forced to prove their innocence in a manner that leaves the audience questioning whether it is a dream or reality. Passion was crowded with dramatic clichés, such as the loving stare through the rainy restaurant window or the highly impacting “Guess again!” when mistaking a love interest for their boss. Over an hour into the movie, it was still unclear who the characters were and what the plot was meant to be. The only apparent storyline was the overwhelming amount of love triangles. The pace of the movie was finally amplified in the horribly computer generated death of a main character. In a split screen of the unprompted murder, a tense ballet was performed, distracting the viewer from the only climax in the entire film. In the overly dragged out conclusion, the director must have decided that confusing the audience was a necessary factor. The typical ‘abrupt awakening from a nightmare confused with reality’ was used more than three times. There was very little mystery in the murder mystery film, turning it into two long hours of irritation at the characters’ stupidity. The ending was so relieving, not just because the mystery was solved, but because it was finally over. If you plan on seeing Passion, I only have one recommendation – don’t. There are many ways to spend ten dollars that are filled with more excitement than there is in this film. If you still wish to watch an uncomfortable, over the top dramatic mystery, you will find more pleasure in a lifetime movie or a foreign soap opera. With a title like Passion, it was unexpected to have such little emotion involved. Rated: R By: Kennedy Bell kbell.gazette@gmail.com

passion: C-

Page 19

film.

entertainment

etaway could be the most perfect film title ever. It’s short, sweet and to the point: getaway from this movie. It seemed like a home run concept. With so many testosterone-fueled men, a movie about a sweet car and action-packed sequences seemed as if it would be invincible with its intended target demographic. But boy was I wrong. The filmmakers forgot a little detail when putting this movie together: a decent plot. The so-called “plot” revolves around the kidnapping of a man’s wife. The only way that Brent Magra (Ethan Hawke) can be reunited with his wife is to follow directions given by an anonymous voice. Throughout the course of a single night, the voice forces Brent to commit many crimes, including stealing a Shelby GT 500 and kidnapping a kid (Selena Gomez). The story is clearly not meant to point out injustices in society or give viewers a new perspective on the world. It is simply just there to entertain. Yet the film even fails in that regard. One reason for the bomb is the absence of wellwritten characters. Given that the film attracted major celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Ethan Hawke, you would think that their roles would have more depth and be less one-dimensional. Instead of creating an interesting and engaging script, they decided to create one that was boring and flat. Most dialogue lines consisted of a short “no” and occasionally, a slightly longer, “I don’t care.” These engaging and intellectual conversations had me thinking long after the credits rolled. But I still have not gotten to the worst part of the film yet: the editing. Every scene seems be a car chase with Ethan Hawke trying to elude the cops, and Selena Gomez screaming, “I hate you.” However, the way the film is edited it takes thousands of cuts for one scene. In other words, you never no what is happening because every second it skips to a differently filmed angle. As horrific as the film was, there was one part that stood out. That one part was around the ninetieth minute, when the film stopped and the credits started rolling The best way to describe the film Getaway is a quick high. That is of course, a three minute high. Rated: PG-13 By: Luke Chirbas lchirbas.gazette@gmail.com

getaway: D-

September 2013

Page 20

September 2013

tribe or die.

The Tribe

Matt Dietz quenches his thirst after a heavy night of cheering with the GBHS Tribe.

Jackson Rodriguez and Alex Cooney cheer on the football team for KCRA 3.

Gazette photos /LUKE CHIRBAS

Jackson Rodriguez and Myles Slattery lead the Tribe during the football game against the Folsom Bulldogs.

Passion

C-

Riddick

C-

1 Direction B This Us See Dark pages 18-19

In Theat ers

Instructions Not Included

Closed Circuit

D-

for reviews

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