May 2022 • Volume XXVII • Issue 1

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May 2022 · Volume 27, Issue 1 · La Quinta High School · 79255 Blackhawk Way, La Quinta, CA 92253 · contact the editors at lqhs.journalism@myds.us

Reintroducing the Hawkview, La Quinta High School’s student-run newspaper Miranda Muir & Layla Freiberg Editors-in-Chief

Since 2019, the Hawkview has been publishing stories primarily online through our website and social media accounts. But now, for the first time in three years, we are back in print.

This issue is a love letter to our community as everyone navigates life after the COVID-19 pandemic, and is a cumulation of stories from our staff throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

During our time away from campus and our lack of print issues, the Hawkview still aimed to create change in the Coachella Valley with our Humans of LQHS project.

The project consisted of vinyl banners placed around the

community, each telling the stories of those a part of the La Quinta High community, in an attempt to cultivate empathy during a time of isolation.

and teachers.

A total of about 50 banners were placed around the high school and local parks, and will remain until the end of the school year for the community to see.

Capturing the stories of the high HAWKVIEW STAFF school and This school year, the journalism staff is comprised of two class periods: the traditional Journalism I-IV This project b r i n g i n g class during first period and the CTE Intro to Multimedia Journalism class during second period. taught us awareness that there to the community of the di- These are stories that people is no one way to create or conversity of LQHS felt essential, wouldn’t hear otherwise— sume media, so full stories and especially at a time when the ranging from the freshmen to multimedia projects created building itself was closed, but senior students, cafeteria and by the Hawkview staff will all school was still in session—al- custodial staff to counselors be on our website. beit virtually.

Since this program’s founding in 1994, our goal has been to provide a forum that encourages authentic voices and discussion in our increasingly diverse educational community.

Our goal this year and moving forward is to diversify our newsroom and coverage of events, without shying away from difficult topics on the national or local level. The world is diverse, unique, and full of nuance and we want our publication to reflect that. We believe there is no better way to do this than tackling it headon with transparency and authenticity to you, our readers.

Despite road bumps and setbacks, we’ve all faced these past few years, the Hawkview is dedicated to these goals, and we can not wait for what the future holds.

Desert Sands Unified names Kelly May-Vollmar as new superintendent Lilli Koch Reporter

In early April, Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar was appointed Desert Sands Unified School District’s new superintendent by the Board of Education.

Her first day will be on July 1.

In the meantime, the 18-year DSUSD veteran is working with Superintendent Scott Bailey through the end of June for a seamless transition.

At present, Dr. May-Vollmar serves as the assistant superintendent of educational and technology services.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Question: How are you feeling about and how are you preparing for the responsibility of being the district superintendent?

Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar: I am thrilled. I could not be happier to be taking on this role here at Desert Sands. It wasn’t about just being a superintendent, it was about this job in this district because it’s such a special place because of the people, the staff, the families, the community and the students, who make it a truly wonderful place.

Q: For students who may not be aware of what the district superintendent is, can you please elaborate on what that role entails?

that we continue to focus on that [and] providing educational opportunities that are relevant. That is really preparing our students for what comes next, whether it’s college or career. [Coming out of COVID-19], we have a really great opportunity to ensure that we fill in those gaps, for every single student wherever

that’s going to be really important in shaping what our support for students looks like. We can try and guess what might be meaningful to you, but there’s a lot more KMV: “[Students’] interacwisdom in letting you tell us tions are primarily with your what would be meaningful to teachers, and rightly so. They you. I think it’s important that oversee you, really ensuring we’ve offer a lot of resources, that you get the curriculum, but I think that we can do a the learning, the unbetter derstanding and the job of growth that you need makto really graduate ready i n g for college and career in them life. At the district ofavailfice level, our primary able goal is to support the every school sites. As a suday in perintendent, I oversee every all of that, making sure class that everyone within and I LILLI KOCH VIA ZOOM d o n ’ t our district—whether Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar will assume her new role as DSUSD’s superintendent on July 1. they’re staff, a student, know they might be. a parent, or a community that we’ve done that yet, but member—has what they need again, I want to hear what the to help all of our students be Q: How do you hope to tackle students think and what the the mental health and aca- staff thinks before we finalize successful. demic challenges and pres- those plans.

Q: What do you see as your sures put on students, as they biggest opportunity at DSUSD continue navigating through Q: What do you feel is the the ongoing COVID-19 pan- biggest challenge facing our as the new superintendent? demic? school districts today?

KMV: One opportunity that’s really important is that KMV: One of the things that KMV: I think what goes along DSUSD has a great reputation will be really important is re- with [mental health issues] is for being an innovative dis- ally listening and giving stu- just school connectedness. trict and it’s really important dents a chance to talk and We all know that when you

Staff approves new bell schedule for next school year The new bell schedule will re-introduce two 40-minute periods of office hours a week William Franklin Reporter

The proposed bell schedule that includes two periods of office hours on both block days was approved by staff and passed for the 2022-2023 school year. It received 74% of the vote and 93% of eligible staff voted.

Next spring, staff will need to vote again to make the bell schedule permanent.

“With the way they’ve got it set up for their [Palm Desert’s] campus, it does look very successful. I think there’s going to be some tweaks necessary for it to work as well here,” Miller said.

Miller also addressed some

La Quinta campus. Due to LQHS’ larger campus size, the staff will struggle to make sure all students are attending classes during this period.

Despite the issues present, Miller still has an overwhelmingly positive opiion of office hours.

“I’m all for it. Office hours are ideal because now students don’t have to stay after school or come in early to make up work, and I don’t have to be here at lunch too often,” Miller said.

M u l t i p l e groups of LQHS can also look forboth students ward to a new app—deand staff vissigned by a Palm Desited various ert High teacher—that schools to can be used on phones view their or Chromebooks to help model of ofstudents and teachers fice hours. schedule their office Paul Miller, a HAWKVIEW STAFF CP and IB HL Next year’s bell schedule will include two 40-minute periods of office hours.

Biology teach- hours on both block days.

The app will help stuer, visited of the issues Palm Desert’s dents choose where to Palm Desert High School office hours model would go or help them find out in late January. have if it were used for the where they need to go if

they’ve been requested to visit a teacher.

“You can scroll through and look at all your teachers and see what they’re offering and choose accordingly. Then, you can either sign up or teachers can invite you, and the app helps organize it all,” Stephanie Smith, an English CP teacher, said.

It will be modified to LQHS’ needs and will be facilitated by Dan O’Grady, who teaches math.

As for students who don’t need to catch up on work, enrichment opportunities will be offered. Though, it has not yet been confirmed how students will qualify for enrichment.

“Say a student has a lot of anxiety from all the work that they’re doing, they have enrichment classes to help with anxiety and to help them cool down,” said Pablo Aguiar ‘24.

feel connected to your school and you feel like you’re in the presence of adults who support, care and are there for you, that makes that process of learning and being your best and getting through day by day with all the stresses that you encounter that much easier.

Q: Do you have any long-term goals?

KMV: Our focus for the next few years is ensuring that every single one of our students reads by third grade. It’s going to take more than five minutes to accomplish that.

We have some great plans in place; we’re taking a multiple pronged approach for that.

We’ve just started the work and the planning, but we will get there.

Q: How do you plan to be accountable and accessible to students, teachers and families?

KMV: I’m available to people and so just continuing to lead the way I always have. I have to be accessible to spend time with the people, and listen to the people.

Q: On a light-hearted note, what is a personal interest or passion that people might be interested to learn about you?

KMV: One probably wouldn’t be surprising, but I love to read. That’s one of my favorite things to do. One that might be surprising is I love to go fly fishing with my husband.

It’s therapeutic. A little camping and a little fishing will do wonders.

Q: Is there anything that you would like the students to know about you?

KMV: One of the things I would like the students to know is, I understand how stressful things can be. High school students have a lot going on. There’s sports, hobbies, clubs, friends and then, of course, school. It is the platform that you need to be able to tend to do anything that you can do in life. As much as we want to show up every day and give our very, very best to you so that you can be successful, I would encourage every student to show up every day and give their very best to ensure that they’re successful as well.

2 SCHOOL NEWS La Quinta High recognizes its 2021-2022 Teachers of the Year Avery Webb Managing Editor

Certificated staff at La Quinta High School recognized four of their colleagues as the 2021-2022 Teachers of the Year.

Here’s what they had to say about what the honor and achievement means to them.

Transcription support Thomas Brellis.

by

Lauren Garrott, math

Nina McGuane, choir

Kevin Schmidt, PSA

Dr. Maureen Wiser, science

“I feel honored and blessed to receive Teacher of the Year this year. There are lots of teachers who are working very, very hard; it was great to be acknowledged as one of those teachers.”

“I feel very humbled. I’ve never been recognized by colleagues or students before; I’ve never really needed that, but it feels very special.

I feel it’s a sign we’re doing good work and that we have a lot of good stuff on the horizon.”

“I am honored. It’s an honor to be recognized for putting in hard work and doing the best I can, so yeah, it’s definitely an honor.”

“I am absolutely thrilled.

I think it’s really fun to be acknowledged for the hard work people put in. And I’m really proud of the other Teachers of the Year as well.”

Staff walks school hallways to survey and improve campus culture Hannah Tovar Managing Editor

It’s an early April morning and a few staff members are gathered in front of the high school with clipboards, scribbling down their new ideas.

“What can we do to add to the campus?” says Christina Endres, who is the AVID coordinator.

The school had its first ever culture walk which occurred during each class period. Staff had the option to voluntarily participate during their prep period. Therefore, there were six groups that toured the school from the lens of a student, community member or parent.

The purpose was to walk around campus with open eyes and new opinions on how to improve the physical environment for both students and staff.

Suggestions that were were shouted were the addition of banners, updated class photos, murals, more trees and especially a new paint job.

Endres posed a question: “We show and tell, [but] are we showing and telling the same thing?”

“It became more apparent that we need to start and/ or increase our messaging to students about what we believe in and what we’re all about,” Endres said.

One main opinion the staff during first period agreed on was the outdated feel the school gave, referring to the posters from the 2000s displayed on the walls of the front office along with old trophies.

The clock tower, a main feature of the school that hasn’t accurately read the time in years, has an outdated map and its color has faded due to the sun.

Endres hopes to see many more LQHS programs being represented throughout the school.

Students reflect on the lifted mask mandate Isaa Villicana Reporter

In the month of March, the California indoor mask mandate was lifted, though the state maintained a “strong recommendation.”

The change allowed everyone, vaccinated or not, to choose between wearing a mask.

As soon as that happened, DSUSD’s Board of Education followed suit.

Sonny Jeffers ‘23 is vaccinated, but does not like to wear his mask.

On Friday, May 13, at approximately 6 a.m., this reporter observed that the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard had a “malfunction” because of the increase of COVID-19 data.

As of press time, there are 43

Matthew Juarez ‘23 is all for not wearing his mask.

“Honestly, I see no point in wearing it,” Juarez said. “I just don’t like it, but when I get near a big crowd, I do get a little concerned.”

In those instances, he said, he sometimes retreives his mask from his backpack to wear as he walks through big crowds and then removes it when he’s in the clear.

“We want to show off all of our amazing CTE programs, and highlight them throughout the campus, [as well as] AVID, and our full IB diploma programs and just make [them] more prominent throughout the campus,” Endres said.

Marlee Franklin ‘23, however, still wears her mask.

Steve Zinner, the librarian, joined the first group in the culture walk.

She wears it as a form of

He agrees that LQHS needs to work together to show the school community in a better light.

comfort and protection “not only from the virus, but also like a form of not being completely visible,” she said.

“It does annoy me having to wear it sometimes, but no matter how much I don’t like to wear a mask, I am unvaccinated and feel more protected,” Franklin said.

HAWKVIEW STAFF

A screenshot of DSUSD’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of Wednesday, May 18.

He lives with his grandparents and with their age, he fears what would happen if they were to contract COVID-19.

“Whenever I go into public alongside my grandmother, I [choose to] put my mask on,” Jeffers said. “I 100% should, so I don’t catch COVID and potentially risk giving it to my grandparents, but there are times where I either forget or I just don’t feel like putting it on.”

active cases of COVID-19 at La Quinta High, 35 student and 8 staff cases. In total, there are 241 total cases in the entire Desert Sands Unified School District.

With a considerable uptick in the number of COVID-19 exposures and positive cases in the Coachella Valley, especially as the semester comes to a close, it has yet to be seen whether this will negatively impact final exams.

Hawkview word search

B y this, what s h e meant was if LQHS is bei n g promoted as a colHANNAH TOVAR lege L-R: Brandon Touhey, Elva Peña, Erica Estrada, Kevin Schmidt, Rahsaan and ca-Diaz, Michele Morales, Christina Endres, and Steven Zinner are among some of the staff who participated in the first-ever Culture Walk.

reer-focused school, then there should be physical evidence of it around campus.

“We just want to make it reflect the spirit that we see in the students [and] the staff dedication. We want the visuals to reflect how we know our students and staff,” said Dr. Ashley Schantz, the assistant principal who introduced the idea of a culture walk at LQHS. The first group of staff walked through the main office, media center and library, the clock tower and the career guidance center.

“We need to have a unified vision,” he said, “to make changes that are supporting everybody who has a stake in the school.”

The remaining of the groups throughout the rest of the day shared different opinions on how things can be better. All comments were taken into account to begin the process to modernize LQHS. Dr. Schantz added, “I’m hoping to achieve a school [where] when everybody walks in, they are super excited, and when they look around, they know we are the Blackhawks.”

Find the following 20 words in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction.

Words can share letters as they cross over each other. If you find them all, visit room 705 for stickers after school, while supplies last.

• BIRDCAGE • BLACKHAWK • CLUE • BOOKS • CLOCKTOWER • GARROTT • FINALS • HAWKVIEW • HUMANSOFLQHS • GRADUATION • MCGUANE • NEWSPAPER • LEON • PASSION • PROM • OFFICEHOURS • TEACHERS • WISER • SCHMIDT • BOBA

SCHOOL NEWS 3 Four years of work accomplished in three Meet the juniors graduating with the Class of 2022 Lilli Koch Reporter As the 2022 school year comes to an end, seniors are growing antsy for graduation, especially those who are on the path to graduating early: Antanina Larchey and Emma Dangleis.

La Quinta High School, like many other high schools, offers its students the opportunity to graduate in three years instead of continuing on to their fourth year.

This is not a well-known option as the initial thought going into high school is that a student will stay there for all four years. However, it is not impossible to get way ahead of peers and get

reason why they want to achieve this goal and a carefully thought-out plan on how they will achieve it.

Peña knows how hard students have to work. Falling behind is very easy when students have to complete their junior and senior year in one year.

Throughout

Larchey’s

News Editors Busy Bojórquéz Emi Taylor Assistant News Editor Alyssa Zepeda

LILLI KOCH

Emma Dangleis is one of the juniors graduating high school a year early with the Class of 2022.

Being one of only two students graduating early, this opportunity is a big deal.

Not only will Larchey be graduating early, but she will also be leaving the safety of her parents’ home earlier than most high school students at 17-years-old.

“I’m still getting used to it. I’m just getting around to the fact that in a few months, I’m going to be in my apartment all by myself,” said Larchey.

LILLI KOCH

Antanina Larchey will also be graduating high school as a junior with the Class of 2022.

out of school a year early.

Starting as soon as they’re freshmen and no later than their sophomore year of high school, students looking to cross graduation off their to-do list early must meet with the principal and their counselor with a clear

sophomore year and during the summer before junior year, she made major progress in earning the amount of credits she needed to graduate.

“It wasn’t planned,” she said. “It’s just that it all came together like that.”

Larchey’s dream college, and the college she has already been accepted to, University of Arizona, is also helping her out with scholarships to help with the rent of her new apartment. “[The scholarship] is because I had a 4.0 GPA unweighted,” she said.

Larchey has always strived to achieve the highest possible score and has always achieved her goals.

Dangleis also started her journey as soon as she could.

“I knew the minute that I started high school that I wasn’t going to be one for ‘the high school experience,’” she said. “I wanted something to work towards that would help me develop a good work ethic as well as time management skills.”

Dangleis has no regrets.

“I’ve really gotten to enjoy and soak in the last couple months of high school, as well as the ‘lasts’: last dance performance, last FCA meeting as president, as well as taking senior photos and going to prom.”

Both of La Quinta High School’s early graduates are happy with their decisions, even with the challenges that came with finding classes to gain credits. They have had amazing moments in their three years of high school and will take that with them the rest of their lives.

Honor Guard: ‘The faces’ of AFJROTC Joy Bridges Reporter

There is no doubt you have seen the honor guard on campus. Whether it’s at football games, at Hunter Lopez’s procession, the Homecoming parade, or school rallies, they are there.

What is the process? Who are these people?

Honor guard is a special division of the AFJROTC Academy. Cadets are selected based on their commander’s recommendations.

Honor guard Commander Amanda Kaye ‘23 shared, “We do all sorts of community events, we present at the pep rallies and football games, stuff like that. Off campus, we do local softball games, and lots of presentations at funeral homes.”

or guard presenting the American and California flags.

“Amanda tells us this a lot, we are kind of the face of AFJROTC. So we always have to look our best and make sure we’re doing the right thing and to not screw up or do something dumb,” said Amilia Esparza ‘25, an honor guard cadet.

Kaye joined based on her flight commander’s recommendation but stayed because the honor guard became a second family to her. Other honor guard ca-

Editors-in-Chief Layla Freiberg Miranda Muir Managing Editors Lexi Noguera Hannah Tovar Avery Webb

Students exploring this option must take extra classes at colleges or online to gain all necessary credits to graduate.

“Anyone who has that drive and that organization to pass those courses would definitely be a good candidate,” said Elva Peña, who is one of the counselors.

2021-2022 HAWKVIEW STAFF

ably the people,” said Esparza.

As Kaye said, honor guard is like a second family. It seems that all the honor guard cadets have strong bonds with their fellow cadets.

While most honor guard cadets join honor guard based on recommendation, they stay because they love it.

“I think my favorite thing is that I can do cool tricks, basically,” said Grace Perla ‘25, while spinning

“Those are the main characteristics since you have to give a lot of time to learning a lot of the movements, learning a lot of the culture and how things are done. It’s a whole new ball park,” said Brendon Samayoa ‘23.

“I’ll whip you into shape, I’ll whip these cadets into shape. They’re still new, but I will whip them into shape,” Kaye said while pointing at new honor guard cadets.

Honor guard is a division of AFJROTC that takes hard work and practice. Along with that, students develop special bonds and relationships with fellow cadets.

Kaye shared, “There’s this fun little ‘initiation’ that all honor guard cadets get. The first Kaye likes to say that week or so, you get LEXI NOGUERA the honor guard is a bruise on your seen as “the face” ofHonor guard is a special division of the AFJROTC Academy. Here, they are preparing to present shoulder because the U.S. flag at Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez’s procession in Sept. 2021.

AFJROTC. the rifles are heavy, dets share similar stories so I think that’s like a fun the rifle.

By joining hon“You see us and you’re like, where the relationships or guard, students learn little quirky thing. It’s not ‘Wow, that’s AFJROTC,’ they have made with their many things: responsi- only the little memories so we have to represent it fellow cadets are one of the main reasons they en- bility, determination, and but also the bonding I get well,” said Kaye. joy being part of the honor teamwork are all qualities to have with my cadets. It developed. They also learn means a lot to me.”

This is especially true at guard. to be disciplined and hardschool events, where peoworking. ple can observe the hon- “My favorite thing is prob-

Assistant Features Editors Eden Gorges Sophia Sohn A&E Editors Leonardo Flores Alexa Galvez Assistant A&E Editor Kat Carrera Sports Editor Jaselle Diaz Assistant Sports Editors Betsy Patlan Destiny Penalber Multimedia Editors Thomas Brellis Taylor Graham Assistant Multimedia Editors Kayleigh Carstairs Emily Vargas Engagement Editor Taylor Graham Reporters Judah Aispuro, Madd Ayala, Tiffany Bailey, Andrea Barrera, Laly Bautista, Jun Bazua, Enrique Beltran, Kaelly Beltran, Joy Bridges, Chris Carrera, Haylee Cruz, Leilani Cruz, Amaya De Lara, Janisa Esquibel, Violet Felix, Mildred Flores, William Franklin, Travis Gerald, Raisa Guerrero Cardenas, Alexus Hernandez, Blaze Hinojosa, Keeley Jibben, Lilli Koch, Daesha Lizama, Dominick Lopez, Frankie Lopez, Giovanni Lugo, Steven Machado, Carter McKee, Noah McKee, Willow Mcmaster, Calvin Miller, Christina Montes, Emily Nuñez, Gabriel Pacibe, Mariah Perez, Averie Ramos, Alex Rodriguez, Christian Romero, Eli Salazar, Rebecca Salinas, Leila Terrazas, Angelina Valdez, Bryanna Valenzuela, Isaa Villicana, Miguel Zepeda Teacher and Adviser Jennifer Cortez Contact Us Send letters to the editor, story ideas, corrections and inquiries to: Hawkview La Quinta High School 79255 Blackhawk Way La Quinta, CA 92253 or email us at lqhs.journalism@myds.us Editorial Policy Since its founding in 1994, the Hawkview has seen many transformations; however, our goal has always remained the same: to provide a designated public forum that informs, challenges, and encourages thoughtful perspectives in our increasingly diverse educational community. We strive for accuracy and fairness and to meet high standards of journalistic ethics.

The Hawkview is a student-run publication whose content is chosen and whose production is facilitated by students. The student editorial board makes final decisions on all content of the newspaper and website.

Signed letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as standalone pieces as space allows. All submissions from readers are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process.

Opinion pieces, including columns, reflect the opinions of individual writers, while unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board, not the school, the school district, or any other employees.

4 LOCAL NEWS

Desert Town Hall hosts high school students to its Youth Town Hall series Four evenings of world-class speakers, intellectual conversation and education

Nicklen and Mittermeier translate nature into photographs Huckabees on discordant times in U.S. politics Thomas Brellis Multimedia Editor

Kayleigh Carstairs Asst Multimedia Editor

One of the sessions of the Desert Youth Town Hall in February featured a father and daughter duo: Mike Huckabee—former Arkansas governor and now political commentator—and Sarah Huckabee Sanders—former press secretary of the Trump administration.

In March, two award-winning photographers, Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, inspired many aspiring student photographers that night.

At this time, Mittermeier couldn’t make it to California, so she spoke from Canada over a video call which appeared on two large screens­—one on each side of the room.

Mittermeier grew up in Mexico, and for a long time she knew she wanted to study biology. However, her dad did not support this decision. “[It] was a real act of courage to go, ‘No, I’m going to pursue what I’m passionate about,’” Mittermeier said.

Fast-forward later into her life when one day, Mittermeier witnessed shrimp fishing. Horrified, she decided to take her biology studies and use them to defend the environment.

She used her then-husband’s camera to show what the environment was enduring. She said it’s much easier to show a photo to people rather than explaining in words that some

KAYLEIGH CARSTAIRS

Cristina Mittermeier, co-founder of SeaLegacy, joined the Youth Town Hall lecture via Zoom from Canada. She is a conservation photographer.

work together, we can change the world,” Mittermeier said.

And with one photo at a time, she began to work her way closer to that goal.

Mittermeier started shooting photos with Instagram. Her pictures began to grow in popularity, which was just what she wanted: spreading awareness to the environment.

“You’re trying to translate nature,” she said.

When Nicklen was new to the industry, he had no idea how competitive it would be. He hinted to someone about a walrus story he was working on.

T h e y e n d ed up copying it, and their s t o ry got through KAYLEIGH CARSTAIRS Paul Nicklen, co-founder of SeaLegacy, strives to create a personal b e f o r e connection in his conversation photography work.

Nicklen’s.

Nicklen had run into the people might not understand. “competitive wall.”

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

“The biggest mistake [Nick“When millions of people len and I] made was being

too trustworthy,” Mittermeier added.

He said wildlife is a beautiful thing. So when he shoots photos of something terrible happening to it, it’s heartbreaking. “[You have to shoot, but] there’s tears behind the camera,” Nicklen said.

At the main lecture, Nicklen spoke about the stories behind some of his work.

“We have to create that personal connection,” he said.

And he did.

The photos he presented conveyed some kind of feeling, whether it be a sad one or a happy one.

Nicklen loves his job as a photographer, and so does Mittermeier.

Political conversation was not the only thing on the menu that night. The event participants were treated to a true American classic: chicken fingers and French fries.

The night continued as the preliminary speaker, James Dockery, was introduced by one of LQHS’ students, Enri Lala ‘22. It was a short and sweet speech by Dockery, concerning his values on success and what that means to marginalized communities.

Juxtaposing this conversation were the Huckabees, immediately providing a strong presence in the room—titans of their profession on two separate ends of their careers.

After small talks about their time spent together during the pandemic, generalizations of their careers, especially the happenstance of Huckabee Sanders’ time as the White House press secretary, the real conversations started.

Talking about the state of the nation, Huckabee got right to the crux of the conversation.

“We’re really at a place where we are deciding whether we’re going to be a nation that embraces good or embraces evil,” he said.

This became the main idea of the night.

Huckabee added on about the differences in politics in the current age, compared to other discordant times in American politics.

“There was one fundamental difference between the divisive politics of the ‘60s and what we’re seeing today,” he said, “and that is that during the ‘60s, there were dissidents who hated America and wanted to destroy the country, but none of them were getting elected to Congress.”

Conversations like these, while controversial in nature, deal with seen and unseen systems within our country.

Having presenters with differing opinions than one’s own are critical to independent thought. Leaving the speech with both Huckabees, no one said who you had to agree with, if you even did at all.

The talks after among the high school students were where the event truly shined. Fostering one’s own ideas instead of being fed them is a privilege few get, and the Desert Youth Town Hall is one of the only places where it’s offered and expected.

Together, with many supporters by their side, they enjoy working as the backbone of SeaLegacy, the environmental protection organization founded by both Nicklen and Mittermeier.

As Nicklen said, life with purpose just tastes better.

Howards advise youth to fail and to confidently keep going Eden Gorges Asst Features Editor “How is it that you stayed normal growing up in Hollywood?’’ asked the interviewer.

“Do you see what he’s wearing?” Ron Howard said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

The echoing of their voices draws Howard’s eye line to the audience in front of him.

express what you’re going through.

The Howards say two saints raised them, and that the book doesn’t even scratch the surface. Their parents were nurturing and caring, sometimes tolerant. Dad gave them unsolicited advice and would lead into it by saying, “I’m about to give you some advice.”

“Are you normal, Clint?” said the interviewer, ignoring Ron’s comment and continuing with his question.

Their mom was a natural leader, they said. She had that spark of wanting to have to rally people together. They got their methodical work ethic from their father, and he was never intimidated.

“I hope not. I mean, what even is normal?” said Clint Howard.

“Find something you love to do and pursue it,” said Ron.

The featured speakers were Academy Award-winning director, Ron Howard, and American actor, Clint Howard.

The Howards were at Desert Town Hall to promote their new book, “The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family.”

The important thing about telling a story is understanding the characters: knowing where they have been and where they want to go.

“So much of what you experience in high school apply. This is a representation of what life will look like if you keep going,” said Clint.

Eight Days a Week.”

“There was an underlying message within doing this documentary, which was don’t [expletive] this up,” said Ron. He really focused and put his soul into this project, wanting to honor those fans, knowing the documentary meant a lot to them.

Ron also recalled directing “Apollo 13,” and said that he was really hard on himself during screenings that showed the movie to a group of people without them knowing what the story was about.

When Ron read them, the reviews were excellent, but there was one bad review out of 400 cards.

“Now this was my first true story, the first time that I sort of agreed to take on the truth,” he said, “and I looked through it, hardly any notes on it, [just] broad pencil strokes: ‘POOR, would not recommend it.’”

Ron said the review was completely dismissive and flipped the card over to reveal a question.

Ron and Clint’s advice to a “His comment on the young person is to stay with ending said, “Horrible! it. After all, they might exMore Hollywood BS! EDEN GORGES They would never surperience failure, so practice Ron and Clint Howard promoted their new memoir, “The and seek out peers with theBoys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family.” vive!” he recalled. “I resame passion. alized he didn’t know it Ron stated that he never had was a true story.”

“You just gotta do it,” said the confidence to do a docuClint, adding that one must mentary, that was until he was have enough confidence to offered to direct “The Beatles:

THOMAS BRELLIS The featured presenters: Mike Huckabee—former Arkansas governor and political commentator—and Sarah Huckabee Sanders—former presidential press secretary.

Meacham provides historical context Alexa Galvez A&E Editor

Jon Meacham took the stage at Desert Town Hall as the penultimate guest speaker in the lecture series.

Meacham is a historian and former politician, whose voice is authoritative yet charming in which it reflects his strong personality as a public speaker.

One of the attendees, Thomas Brellis ‘22, went up to the podium and spoke into the microphone.

His question was bold: asking Meacham how he contextualized today’s presidency when he is the “most boring guy in the room.”

After the attendees’ shock and Meacham’s answer to the question, Meacham shook hands with Brellis to commemorate his bravery.

“I was on top of the world,” Brellis said.

“It was awesome.”

Yo u t h ambassadors of At the main lecture, the Deshe spoke of recent ert Town world events, like Hall, such the Russian invaas Belinsion of Ukraine. da Castaneda ‘23 The impact of his from Inspeech reached dio High the lecture hall and Mia of where the high Garcia school attendees ‘22 from COURTESY OF DESERT TOWN HALLwere. Seeing the Meacham is a skilled orator with a depth of knowlS h a d -Jon thought and pasedge about politics, religion, and current affairs. ow Hills sion that Meacham High, attended the event and put into his speech was the reastrived to mingle in and make ev- son why many people chose to go ery student feel comfortable. see him, both adults and young adults with futures that lie ahead.

Students had the privilege and opportunity to ask questions to Editors Note: Thomas Brellis is a Meacham about his work and his member of the Hawkview staff who view of politics, as well as his be- attended Desert Town Hall, but did liefs. not report on Meacham.

NEWS CONT’D 5

LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert Academic WorldQuest team earns third place in competition offers youth a safe space Kat Carrera & Jun Bazua Reporters

The world is made of so many different people.

Whether they look differently, believe differently, or love differently, they are all still people: still human.

Yet there are times when LGBTQ+ youth need extra supports and resources.

One safe space available for everyone is the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert in Palm Springs—a 30-minute drive from La Quinta.

health clinic with licensed clinicians that helps parents, families, couples and youth if they are struggling with depression, anxiety or any other mental illness.

The center also hosts activities.

Navarro said the center plans hikes and movie screenings where young people could come and learn the nature of the desert. Virtual events are offered as well due to the pandemic.

community.

“They are loved. They have a community behind them.

They’re not alone,” Navarro said. “It might feel many times like the world is against you, but you are not alone. You are worthy, you are beautiful as you are, as you feel, as you want to express yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Navarro added that a lot of events are starting soon. He wishes to invite everyone to be a part of the events.

“It doesn’t have to mean that you have to publicize an event or you have to volunteer,” he said. “It just means a lot when friends and family and allies just show up. Just the simple fact of physically being present in an event just means a lot to our community.”

“We open our doors, we open our hearts, we open our minds to anyone from the LGBTQ Community. It doesn’t matter if there is a young person that’s needing guidance,” Miguel Navarro said, who is the center’s community engagement manager.

“Be part of those conversations and to learn a little bit more and to not be afraid and to know that you’ll be received with an open heart,” Navarro said.

The center proPHOTO COURTESY OF MIGUEL NAVARRO vides a variety of lobby of the LGBTQ Community Center of the help for those inThe Desert in Palm Springs, Calif. need of it, such as food to people who are experiencing food insecuri- Navarro said Coachella Valty and in emergency situa- ley Unified has an agenda tions. and identity support binder that teachers have access They also have support to. The binder is meant to groups like the Spanish par- guide teachers on what to ent support group for par- do when a student comes ents of LGBTQ+ children out and to show the stuand LGBTQ+ youth hang- dent that they are safe to be outs on Zoom. One of the themselves. youth hangouts happens every Wednesday for stu- So far, only CVUSD has this dents ages 13-21. It’s facil- binder. The center is hoping itated by two College of the to expand this program to Desert students and is a safe other districts such as Desspace for anyone. The Zoom ert Sands Unified and Palm hangouts can be accessed Springs Unified. on the center’s website: lgbtqcenter.org/ Navarro shared some advice to give to young people The center has a behavioral who are part of the LGBTQ+

La Quinta High School also has its own safe space in the form of a club called GayStraight Alliance, or GSA, for short. GSA is a club that takes place during lunch where students eat and sit together in a safe environment.

“That was the goal,” Tracey Martin, the GSA adviser, said, “to provide that space for students who feel like they don’t have a space to go to.”

Martin had some advice to give as well.

“Some people are ready by the time they’re 10 and some people are ready by 48,” he said. “Everyone’s different. You just take it one day at a time depending on what you’re going through.

Everyone is so different.”

Giovanni Lugo Reporter

In March, La Quinta High’s WorldQuest team earned third place in a local competition between nearby high schools.

This year, they took the exam again while on an online Zoom meeting. Only 45 seconds per question was allowed.

The Academic WorldQuest competition has teams of usually four students from each high school who get tested on current world events and affairs, such as how COVID-19 affected the global economy and how life is in the Middle East.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICE PEDERSEN Alexa Vasquez ‘23, Divan Mejia Gonzalez ’23 and Nazli theseMuñoz ‘23 pose with LQHS’ principal, Dr. Rudy Wilson.

However, past two years, LQ’s team participated with only three students.

Last school year, they placed sixth place out of eight teams, but this year they managed to make it in the high ranks.

Assembling this year’s team was different than in past years before the pandemic. Justin Klockenteger, who teaches U.S. History, served as the team’s adviser and invited mostly students from his AP U.S. History classes.

“Each of the students I invited to join had demonstrated strong skills in reading comprehension, creative and critical thinking and the ability to operate under pressure and had done so in an entirely virtual environment,” Klockenteger said, referring to last school year’s team.

The participants in this year’s competition were in last year’s as well: Alexa Vasquez ‘23, Divan Mejia Gonzalez ’23 and Nazli Muñoz ‘23.

There were 10 questions out of each of the eight sections, and every section consisted of a different topic or world event.

“Not all students who were invited chose to participate,” Klockenteger said, “but I am happy that Alexa, Divan and Nazli accepted the challenge and saw it through.”

“I think I did pretty well, especially because usually you have four people per group, so everyone had to do a little bit more,” Gonzalez said.

Muñoz said she also enjoyed the experience, calling it fun.

“I knew they would do well. I am very proud of their individual and collective accomplishments,” Klockenteger said. “They are a great group of young adults and I look forward to working with them next year.”

La Quinta High’s Battle of the Books team: mighty underdogs Jaselle Diaz Sports Editor In March, high school students from all parts of the school district competed in the annual Battle of the Books, a voluntary reading program that encourages students to read good books from a designated list, and then have fun competing by answering questions about plot, characters, and theme.

This year’s competition took place at Indio High’s gym.

Throughout the school year, LQHS’ team of two students— Tyler Nettimi ‘25 and Valerie Fajardo ‘25— studied hard and stayed motivated, determined to accomplish their goals and face their challenges along their journey of their passion of reading books.

This team may have been one of the smallest teams there, yet they were mighty.

As their adviser, Rosemarie Chesebrough, wrote an email to staff: “We were decidedly underdogs: the smallest team, the only all freshman team, etc. but they truly knew the five books (two were over 500 pages) and did a great job of both sportsmanship and comprehension.”

The true joy, she said, was to know those two smart readers.

Chesebrough teaches English and is the long-time adviser of LQHS’ Battle of the Books.

“When I taught elementary school in a small village in Alaska,” she said. “I had a team which won and got a trip to Anchorage. So many of them never left their village ever, it was fun for them to see a city with McDonalds.”

This year, the five books they had to read were “The Astonishing Color of After,” “If I Stay,” “The 57 Bus,” “Children of Blood and Bone,” and “Code Name Verity.”

For Fajardo, a challenge she has previously faced as a reader was truly enjoying a book if she didn’t find it interesting. Since she joined Battle of the Boks, she feels the experience helped her grow as a reader and doesn’t feel “book slummed” anymore.

Nettimi also agrees that the experience helped him grow as a reader as he “got lazy, not wanting to read,” so Battle of the Books renewed his level and enjoyment of reading.

One of her favorite things about the competition, as she says, was “the buzzer,” even though that buzzer can be a pain when it comes to competing in the

competition.

There are two rounds in this competition: in the first round, they ask each high school a question table by table; but in the second round, it is all about speed and who is the fastest on pressing the buzzer. If the buzzer turns green, then that determines who gets to answer the question of the one of the five given books.

“I probably would have tried to buzz the buzzer faster,” she said.

Both students spent one to two hours at home practicing each day in addition to having one to two practices a week at school.

As Nettimi said, “practicing makes perfect.”

JASELLE DIAZ

A meaningful quote from “Children of Blood and Bone” that Tyler Nettimi related to was, “Reality told us we would fail. But again and again, we fought.

We preserved. We rose.”

While they did not win this year, they walked out of that gym with their heads held high because even though they might have not won, they did not truly lose.

“If you love to read,” Nettimi said, “then keep reading no matter what people say. If you are a competitive person who is not big on sports, this is a great way to showcase your talent.

My advice is that don´t be worried and this is a good way to break out of your shell and it’s a Good way to meet people, too.”

JASELLE DIAZ

The dynamic duo—Tyler Nettimi ‘25 and Valerie Fajardo ‘25—with their adviser, Rosemarie Chesebrough.

6 FEATURES

Celebrating Celeste Strege: the beloved backbone of the high school Raisa Guerrero Cardenas

Reporter

It’s 9 a.m. and Celeste Strege has four teachers who are out that day.

Her job is to find substitutes for each class that have no supervision for the students. To make matters worse, she had to work quickly due to the fact that first period began 30 minutes ago.

Strege is an administrative specialist, specifically the principal’s secretary.

She makes an impact every day at the high school and is very involved with her staff members and their work routines.

Heading into work, Strege’s daily morning routine is to monitor the paraeducators and staff members on campus. She does this by checking who is attending work, absent, or at a conference.

Every morning, she prints out an absent report, which has all the information on who’s missing from work that day.

Knowing that she has to find substitute teachers for every class that has no

supervision, she contacts substitutes who are available.

The only problem she has is if no one calls her to take the available positions, then she will have to inform teachers to fill in their colleagues’ classes during their prep period.

“Mainly I don’t have any struggles, it’s just that I need to be very organized to meet all the different deadlines for payroll or board items,” Strege said.

She has to multitask every day so that everything runs smoothly without errors or mistakes. She also keeps records in her calendar book on who is absent and she always prints out two papers for when she, the principal, or any staff member who needs to review the absolute report.

“Every day there are new problems that occur. Each day is different from the next and situations are different. Most days are better than the last and some days are just stress-

ful,” Strege said.

Strege said.

“Sorry, I have a question,” said a paraeducator.

She has been married for 38 years and is a mother of two boys. Both of her sons graduated from La Quinta High and then Cal Poly Pomona. One is a professional structural

“Yes?” said Strege.

That morning, a paraeducator walked into Strege’s office to make sure that a substitute would be paid after covering her classes for a week due to a meeting. This is one of many of Strege’s reRAISA GUERRERO CARDENAS sponsibilities Celeste Strege’s nameplate placed on her organized desk. throughout engineer and the other is the day. a writer.

“Thank you,” said the paraeducator.

She loves to exercise and play with her dogs and atEven staff members have tends to new plants that to knock on Strege’s door are blooming in her garduring school hours just den. Strege is also learnto inform her of their ab- ing how to cook more sence or schedule for the vegan recipes. week so she is able to document it in her absolute “I look forward to retiring reports. someday and relocating out-of-state, so it would “Whenever I have a prob- be exciting because I have lem that comes up from lived in the desert my the office, I have to get whole life,” Strege said. focused and solve the problem piece by piece,” She has assisted three

When I Was 17: Nathaniel White Carter McKee

Reporter

When I Was 17 is a feature that spotlights staff and faculty members when they were high school students.

A soccer player is approaching the ball.

Unsure what to do, 17-year-old goalie Nathaniel White picks up the ball while the player crashes into him.

window of his classroom and walked back to the front door of the class leaving all of the students confused, including the teacher.

ite at the high school. His involvement with the students, the funny stories, academic support, and positive attitude have created a positive following throughout the students.

“He’s a great teacher.

He’s really calm and he likes talking to his students. We have sports conversations sometimes too,” said Arthuro Cuevas ‘22, who is enrolled in Mr. White’s statistics class.

White holds out a CARTER MCKEE hand to help his opNathaniel White started teaching math at LQHS in 2017.

“I tend to slack in his ponent up. As they lock White was a telecommuniclass; but instead of getting hands, White lays a sucker cations major at Ohio Uniupset at me, he remains papunch to his opponent right in the face. Consequently, he versity. After about 10 years tient. I view Mr. White as a receives a red card and exits of working with the nightly leader and I’d do anything news in TV and audio pro- for him,” he said. the soccer field. duction, he discovered that At LQHS, White teaches Sta- his job really didn’t interest As his name began to be tistical Reasoning in Sports. him as much due to the lack talked about throughout the He recently regaled his stu- of growth opportunities and school, his popularity reenjoyment. flected on his class size. He dents with this story. is responsible for two full seThis is a very “Mr. White” White didn’t always want to nior Statistical Reasoning in story­—his way of connecting teach. His parents were both Sports classes since the first with his students using his teachers but he didn’t want class had overflowed. own high school experienc- to be like them.

“I love Mr. White,” said Lafes. His students laughed in “It took me a while for that fete Lewis ‘22, who has been shock when he shared that teen angst: ‘I don’t want to in White’s class for two years. story. be like my “He comes in every day with At that point in his life, parents’ attitude to wear energy and reWhite was a young ambioff,” he said. spect for his stutious student who graduatdents and treats ed from John Glenn High in everyone the New Concord, Ohio in 2002. Once White saw the bensame.

He’s funAs a student, White was also ny yet serious. quite active in soccer and ran efits of teaching such as He also throws track. regular hours, in jokes to make no working his lessons more White describes his high on weekends, entertaining. I school experience as “one of and summers really admire the best times of my life.” off, he decidhim,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATHANIEL WHITE Academically, White felt as if ed to follow Flashback: 17-year-old Nathaniel White in his parent’s White has clearschool was extremely easy; however, his lack of focus al- footsteps and take the next ly established himself into step for this new career. many hearts and continues tered his performance. to raise the bar of teaching at He then decided to earn La Quinta High School.

“I felt like I could’ve got all As if I wanted to, but my im- his teaching credential and maturity got in the way,” he started his teaching career “Enjoy being 17,” he said. in 2017 in Bullhead City, Ar- “High school seems a lot said. izona. Only a few years later, when you’re in it but once Although academics White sought a new teach- you’re out you miss how litshould’ve been the main fo- ing opportunity at La Quin- tle responsibilities you had. cus, White enjoyed messing ta High as a math teacher in Enjoy it while you’re young and don’t grow up too fast.” around with his friends and 2019. pranking his teachers. He recalls a day he went out the White has been a fan favor-

LQHS principals since she got hired in 2009 and is now assisting the current principal, Dr. Rudy Wilson.

“Celeste is one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. She is really good with people and works hard,” said Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Wilson also mentioned that when emergencies arise, she takes care of a situation, especially when a teacher is out of class.

As a person who helps students and the community, she has made a huge impact on the school, keeping it running as the enigmatic figure among students.

She advises students to make the best of their education and to enjoy their lives.

“Have some good hobbies and do your best in your exciting life that is about to come,” she said.

BEST of the BEST Irazema Treviño, LQ’s paraeducator for English Learner students, recognized for her work Busy Bojórquéz

Reporter

Irazema Treviño—LQHS’ bilingual paraeducator— was recognized with the 2022 B.E.S.T. award by the Riverside County Office of Education.

B.E.S.T Award stands for Bilingual Educators Succeeding Together and the leaders of the California Association for Bilingual Education organization presented the award to Treviño.

“It is such an honor that someone recognizes the hard work that is needed for our EL students and the support they need,” she said.

Before the high school, Treviño got her start at a preschool. She always knew that she wanted to be a teacher with a specialization in English or history.

Those two courses are what she studied in college.

“The award ceremony went well and I was honored and excited to see a lot of well-deserving people who work so hard in helping out our bilingual community,” she said.

Since 2014, as a bilingual paraeducator at LQHS, she assists all kids who are Spanish PHOTO COURTESY OF IRAZEMA TREVIÑO speaking from allIrazema Treviño at the 26th Annual BEST Awards. grade levels. She helps them with strategies on how to succeed in En- Treviño even wanted to glish written courses, such work in the field of speech as history, science, English, therapy, as that’s where she and on occasion, will help fell in love with what she does in education. with math as well.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTHA GONZALEZ

Irazema Treviño was recognized as a bilingual educator as the 26th Annual BEST Awards as a DSUSD nominee.

FEATURES 7 Kitchen staff and the ‘hustle’ in the cafeteria Christina Montes Reporter

After a year-and-a-half, students and staff have returned to campus. Yet when the halls were empty during remote learning, the kitchen was always open.

Due to COVID-19, the kitchen staff worked their hardest during the 20202021 school year.

Rosa Montes, a kitchen staff member, said, “I feel super good to be back and we are currently serving up to 1,000 kids per day.”

She has worked at La Quinta High’s kitchen for around 15 years, so she’s used to the hustle around the cafeteria.

The staff members did not stop serving food during the summer either.

If the staff chose to work over the summer, they had to go to work outside to

prepare and distribute food to parents picking up food for their kids. But every day was not easy.

Virginia Andrade, the head of the kitchen staff, said, “It was a lot of work involved when we served the kids out on the curbside. It was very hot.”

students. The United States Department of Agriculture extended its guidelines for school meal service for the entire 2021-2022 school year.

so that they can prep the food to serve to students.

“The hardest thing is making sure we have all the items ready to be served to the students and making sure we are ready and prepared to serve them on the time we are supposed to,” she said.

Emily Sanchez-Diaz ‘22 has been getting lunch since her ninth grade year.

The kitchen staff has overcome many obstacles, one THOMAS BRELLIS“I am the only of which is A La Quinta High kitchen staff member prepares the cafeteria for lunch. serving 1,200 one of my friends kids on time. who gets the hot lunch,” Some things don’t always said Sanchez-Diaz, “so I “Before COVID-19, we used go their way, as everything usually want to be in and to serve between 850 to in the kitchen has to be out fast. The lines this year 900,” Andrade said. “Now done on time every day. If got so big. I’ve never had to we are serving roughly one thing is not done by a wait this long for the school 1,000 to 1,200 students ev- certain time, it can throw food.” ery day.” everything off for the rest of the day.

This may be the cause of the Just like the previous school lines getting out of hand, year, school meals continue This starts with the vendors according to students. to be served at no cost to all delivering the food on time

Sanchez-Diaz said, “There are times when I go into the cafeteria and there are kids throwing food, cussing out the kitchen staff, and the staff running around trying to get the food in and out.”

The kitchen staff members feel unappreciated at times due to students’ behavior.

Sometimes, the cafeteria staff catches students throwing away full trays of untouched food.

“Little do they know how much work we did to give them that tray full of food,” she said.

The kitchen staff will always remain open. And the kitchen staff members will continue to serve their students hard no matter how hard it gets.

Editors Note: Our reporter is related to one of the staff members in this story.

Q&A with Daniel Chico, LQHS’ latest triathlete Meet this school year’s Blackhawk Andrea Barrera Reporter LQHS’ very own, Daniel Chico ‘25, recently completed his first-ever triathalon in an hour and thirty minutes. He spent approximately half a year training: swimming, cycling and running. It made for a memorable experience in his first year of high school. That, and completing the event alongside his mom—who was his biggest supporter.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Q: Where would you train?

DC: I would bike around PGA West. I would do 25 miles or around 30 miles sometimes, and for swimming, I would go to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center [for swim]. And I would run just anywhere.

Q: Why did you do this?

DC: I just really enjoy endurance sports. I really like how it makes me feel. It keeps me going.

Question: I heard you just recently completed a triathlon. Can you tell me about your experience?

Daniel Chico: It was a really awesome experience. At first, it was a little nerve-wracking, especially being in an open water lake. It was pretty cold, but I wear a wetsuit so it keeps me kind of warm. When we first started, many people, I could tell, were, like me, also nervous. It was a halfmile swim at the start, so that was a little tiring, and then from there, I did a 15mile bike ride and a threemile run.

Q: How long did you train?

When did you start training?

DC: Well, I got into it about six months ago, I wasn’t strictly training for the triathlon at first and then I found out how much I enjoyed it. That’s when I really started to train.

Q: How did you train for the triathlon?

DC: I first started off by doing lots of biking. One of my biggest accomplishments was doing the Tour de Palm Springs. It was a 50-mile bike ride around Palm Springs. It was really cool. I did it with my mom. She’s the one who got me into all of this. Then I moved on to swimming.

That was a big challenge because I needed to learn how to do my breathing.

during this triathlon, which one was your favorite and why?

Legend: Becky Zamora Leilani Cruz Reporter

DC: Running is my favorite. I like pushing myself to go faster and faster as the mileage goes up.

On a typical day, Rebecca Zamora, known as Becky, is working at the attendance office as usual. Working with both students and parents as the day goes on.

Q: Were there any obstacles or challenges during the training that you came across? How did you overcome those challenges?

Zamora greets the students as they walk up to the attendance office window to get their tardy passes.

DC: I think swimming was a big one. I did not know how to breathe and I was pretty slow. My form was absolutely terrible, but I had my mom who’s really good at swimming, so she was able to coach me through everything, the breathing exercises and just how to improve my form.

Q: How did you find the discipline and mentalPHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL CHICOity to do this Daniel Chico ‘25 gives a thumbs up after crossing the finish training?

“Have a nice day,” she says to students as they walk to class.

“Overall, it’s been a good school to me,” she said, “and I enjoy working with the students here.”

Zamora has been working at La Quinta High School since it first opened in 1994, making her a Blackhawk Legend. Staff members are recognized as Blackhawk Legends once they reach 20 years at the high school.

From writing tardy passes and calling students up to the office to go home to filling out paperwork and inputting tardies into the computer, she’s always busy.

your work habits with every new protocol [that is introduced].”

Kendra Gonzalez ‘25 greets and waves at Zamora in the attendance office nearly every day.

“I see Becky when I walk to class in the morning,” she said. “I don’t really know her that well, but she is a nice person to me [and to] students that she works with as well.”

She also enjoys listening to the jokes that Zamora shares with her colleagues in the morning.

“I really like her sense of humor,” she said. “It’s funny.”

Though, she, too, has observed that Zamora balances her humor with her work ethic, noting the paperwork accumulating at her desk.

At the beginning of the school year, Gonzalez

line to his first-ever triathlon.

Q: Did you learn anything from this experience?

What was the most meaningful thing about this?

DC: The community around the triathlon. The community is really cool.

Everybody’s just pushing each other to keep going and it’s really cool to see how other people push themselves and their limits. I really enjoyed it.

Q: Who was there by your side during this experience?

DC: It was my mom, she first got into doing track triathlons. At first, I thought, “That’s not for me.” Then I ended up trying it and I really enjoyed it. She did everything with me.

Q: Out of the three sports

DC: Some days, I wouldn’t feel too motivated to get to training, but I had my mom pushing me and giving me the discipline to continue.

It takes a lot of discipline to get yourself to do your training.

Q: Did the training affect your schoolwork?

DC: Not really, most of it was after school or during the weekends.

Q: Would you do it again? If so, would you start training immediately or give yourself a break?

DC: I want to get back into it already. I’m ready to start my next one in October. I am deciding whether to do a full triathlon or sprint again.

“There are a lot more tardies and absences now than when I first started working here,” she said, “but the pandemic has a lot to do with that.”

Over the years, Zamora said many things have LEILANI CRUZ changed. When sheBlackhawk Legend, Becky Zamora, is the data first started workingtechnician for the attendance office. at LQHS, there were less students and staff, overheard Zamora sharing which made her job a little advice to another student easier. She observed that that she says she still rethe school operated a little members. more smoothly.

The advice was something Throughout the 20 years, along the lines of preparing however, change has been for the future while they’re in high school, as the four a constant. years go by quickly.

“There are so many different protocols now and every principal that has worked here all have different protocols,” she said.

“So you have to change

“When I heard her say that,” Gonzalez said, “it really made me get to thinking.”

8 PROM Can’t bring back the past? Of course we can Scenes from a Roaring Twenties prom for the Class of 2022

Thomas Brellis Multimedia Editor

The timeless 1920s era of “The Great Gatsby,” flappers and sequins were the focal point for La Quinta High’s prom— the first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there was a senior formal in 2021, this year’s prom was a true return to form for many high schools around the Coachella Valley.

Walking into the Renaissance Esmeralda, the decor of the hotel ballroom was seamless with this year’s theme: fitting for a period of social and political change.

Throughout the night more and more high school students circulated the ballroom and were met with an eclectic selection of things to do, a never-ending French fry buffet, a set of two ginormous projectors loaded with vintage video games, a photo booth, and of course, in the center of it all, a slightly too small dance floor filled to the brim with balloons, neon lights and a weird sense of catharsis.

Of course, it wouldn’t be prom without its royalty. Parker Farnham and Alexis Provenzano were crowned as this school year’s prom prince and princess, while Daniel Ramirez and Karla Diaz were selected to reign as king and queen.

It was a night to remember: to celebrate life and being among friends.

PROM

9

10 FEATURES

How do brands and social media endorse fast fashion?

Laly Bautista Reporter

Not a lot of people understand the impact of their purchases and the consequences that come with it.

Social media has become a big influence on the industry and continues to promote unsustainable brands.

Fast fashion has become popular through the years due to its affordability. Most people tend to gravitate towards the cheaper route for most things, especially clothing, causing people to shop at less expensive and less ethical brands.

that ends up burned or in landfills.

“Influencers have a lot to do with marketing,” said Aryanna Ferguson ‘23. “They support sites like Fashion Nova and Shein to their followers, whose main demographic are teenagers and young adults with little spending money.”

“I would define fast fashion as the result of overconsumption of fash-Janessa Cardenas ‘23 says fast fashion is a continuous cycle. ion that is cheap and convenient as a result of new trends in toThe fast fashion indusday’s fashion.” said Hailey try is the second largest Manning ‘24. polluting industry in the world. As the industry Shein, Romwe and AliExgrows, so does environpress are just some of the mental damage. fast fashion companies that teenagers gravitate “Cloth composed of both towards because of social synthetic fibers and media and trends. non-synthetic fibers is very difficult and expenFast fashion corporasive to recycle. Most of it tions offer items that are still ends up in landfills. frequently only made The best solution is to cut from nylon and polyesdown on our consumpter, which will not survive tion,” said Lauren Cruz, long-term wear. who teaches biology at the high school.

Janessa Cardenas ‘23 says fast fashion is a continuBig corporations use synous cycle. thetic fibers which are biodegradable and can “When the micro-trend take up to 200 years to comes to an end, they decompose. get rid of the old clothing and buy the new trendiest In foreign countries that clothing. It cycles,” she mass produce fast fashsaid. ion, noxious wastewater is dumped into rivers that “People tend to shop fast contain substances such fashion because it is subas lead, mercury and arstantially more affordable senic. Not only are these than ethical brands,” said heavy metals horrible Lauren Rabago ‘23, who is for the environment and a member of the Fashion marine life, but also the Club. health of people that live by riverbanks.

Pieces eventually become “out of style” and useless “Big fast fashion corpoto the owner, which rerations do not care about sults in wasted clothing

ethics or morals. Corporations primarily care about money,” Ferguson said. “Fast fashion has been connected to horrible working conditions for decades. Most of these clothes are produced in foreign countries [and] in sweatshops made by people working for a barely livable salary.”

LALY BAUTISTA

Fast fashion corporations have a reputation for underpaying their workers.

Meanwhile, they accumulate tons of revenue from consumers all around the globe.

“We could all start with

tion is to buy from clothing brands that are transparent.

not only better for your wardrobe, but also for the environment.

“This doesn’t mean designer,” Cruz said. “It means buying from brands that tell you where they get their materials and what they pay their workers. There are only a few brands that currently do this, but more would if consumers demanded it.”

Apparel shops such as Known Supply, LACAUSA, and Equihua are all examples of businesses that disclose their ethics and background.

There are quite a few small, local businesses in the Coachella Valley, such as Skeleton USA. Established in 2017, the founder of Skeleton USA, Elijah Morales, provides a contemporary clothing brand with high morals and standards in its most genuine form. Unlike most fast fashion brands, Skeleton USA comes up with its own designs and manufactures its clothing independently. In fact, the brand rejects fast fashion and promotes and embraces authenticity at its core.

Secondhand stores, such as your neighborhood Goodwill or Angel View, can be a great outlet to avoid contributing towards fast fashion. With modern technology, thrift stores can now be founded online through apps such as Depop, Poshmark and Mercari. Students can even upload items themselves with the click of a few buttons, which can be a much more convenient and efficient way of selling personal items such as up-cycled clothing, handme-downs and more. “ To

“It is frustrating when I see companies steal ideas from independently owned clothing brands because these companies are not original or creative. Their sole purpose is to take ideas and concepts from the fashion industry, whether that be independently-owned companies or big fashion corporations, and make those items into cheap products that they can mass produce. It’s a sick game,” Morales said.

Bigger corporations tend to copy smaller brands to collect profit. Not only that, but it appeals to consumerism and the consistent demand for new clothes for cheap prices.

LALY BAUTISTA Aryanna Ferguson ‘23 believes fast fashion companies care more about money than ethics.

simply buying less. And when it comes to buying clothing, buy from sustainable brands or buy in a sustainable way, such as buying secondhand. Buying secondhand is giving a second chance at life to a piece that otherwise might have ended up in a landfill. Older secondhand pieces tend to be of higher quality as well,” Ferguson said.

If one does buy from a store, the recommenda-

minimize your contribution is hosting a clothing swap between you and your friends,” Rabago said. “Whatever you do after is optional, but we take what is left of the clothes to the local goodwill. Up-cycling is a good way to repurpose your old clothing as well.”

There are a ton of alternatives to fast fashion, such as shopping at smaller and more sustainable brands.

Local businesses produce clothes in ways that are

“Everyone loves cheap, but they don’t see the full picture,” Morales said.

Fast fashion might be difficult to get rid of, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t avoid it.

“Try buying from independently-owned clothing companies. Buy better quality items even if they cost more because typically speaking they will last you longer. Lastly, buy fewer items from fast fashion companies, so they won’t have an incentive to produce more,” Morales said.

Students returning to campus face mental health struggles Miranda Muir Editor-in-Chief

Since the return to in-person learning, students are facing another major test of their mental health. Now that they have had time to transition back to campus, students are critiquing the strengths and weaknesses of the school’s mental health supports.

Alyssa Lara ‘22 believes that the school’s increased awareness of mental health issues should be met with increased accessibility for support resources.

“I think [counselors] should honestly talk to children. A one-on-one, five to 10-minute talk with students really gives more inference to how they are doing,” Lara said.

Anyone with a social-emo-

tional concern for a student can fill out a referral that will be routed to the student’s counselor. The student will then be able to meet with their counselor and fill out a diagnostic test that measures the severity of depression and mental health issues, to pinpoint any concerns.

Following a three-tier system, students are placed on the path best suited to their specific needs, ranging from anxiety support groups, in-house substance abuse 12-step programs and referrals to off-campus mental health support.

Issues that counselors deem urgent, such as moderate to severe self-harm or harm to others, will allow the student to skip initial group intervention and move to

immediate tier-three counseling.

Vy Ninh ‘22 is one of the

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many students at La Quinta High who has worked with the school’s mental health therapist, as she dealt primarily with the grief of losing her great-grandfather.

“When I talked to her, all of my worries just went away.

Being around her makes me feel at home and at ease, and ever since then I’ve been doing so much better,” Ninh said.

After being referred to the mental health therapist, Elena Labastida, in her junior year by her teacher, Ninh said she improved quickly and was asked to take part in the school’s Peer Helping Program, a behavioral health class.

The 12-week course is considered an MHA internship that trains students on a variety of “teen issues” like stress management, childhood trauma, teen dating, LGBTQ+ issues and more.

Ninh she says she has gotten better at adjusting to change with her therapy sessions and recommends that students who want help reach out to the mental health therapist.

In regards to accessibility, Ninh feels that the resourc-

es on campus are easy for students to find, but believes that it is a common misconception that they are hard to get access to.

She admits that she did not believe the school helped when it came to mental health until she realized she had not put in the effort to get help.

“If you really want help, you have to put effort into it. You have to work for it,” Ninh said.

For extra supports, scan the QR code on the left to request school assistance and/or the QR code on the right for the Blackhawk Calming Center. Hotline numbers are available on the back of your lanyard ID card.

FEATURES 11 Caught in the act: sleeping in class Willow Mcmaster Reporter There’s an anonymous Instagram account catching students as they sleep in class at La Quinta High.

A student using a poster board as a blanket, resting their head on a trash can.

A student leaned against a couple of lockers while in a headstand position.

A student laying on a bathroom sink.

MIRANDA MUIR

Obviously, some of the poses were made for laughs, while there are some students who are genuinely tired.

Some pictures are of a student asleep while they rest their head on their hand behind a Chromebook, while another student has their head buried in their arms.

There is an internet sensation sweeping the nation’s schools called “naptime accounts.” If you’ve ever wondered what other people look like when they are sleeping, you are in for some serious luck.

Pictures are popping up all over social media of students sleeping in various positions during the

course of the school day.

After a careful study of closed eyelids, partially opened mouths and heads resting on desks, one thing is for sure: this is entertainment, folks.

As funny as it is, there seems to also be an underlying message being conveyed here: Kids are tired.

From waking up early to staying up late, completing assignments, not to mention sports, work and home duties, it’s a long day for a demographic of individuals who scientifically require more sleep than any other age group.

A Google Form was sent out to students in all grade levels to inquire about their thoughts on the LQHS Naptime Instagram account.

A majority of voters claimed the account is humorous.

Denise Moreno ‘24 has a different perspective of the account.

Moreno believes that the creation of these types of social media accounts started out as a joke, but thinks the Instagram account has deeper meaning and intent.

“It shows us how much the school system pushes us. Many kids are held to big expectations,” she said. “The once gifted kids are falling behind and getting weighed down by everything. It’s not just the gifted kids either.”

She noted that many students she knows are going home with either a headache or are half awake by the end of the day, with the expectation that they still have to complete homework while trying to find balance in their lives.

“It really goes to show how much the school system takes from us, especially after everything that happened last year,” she wrote. “They believe everything is going to go back to normal like nothing happened.”

An attempt was made to contact the anonymous owner of the Instagram account, but they did not return the Hawkview’s interview request.

While the account has not been updated since March 19, 2022, the thought of the account’s purpose still lingers.

Was this account made for pure enjoyment? Or was the account portraying a message to the school on the lack of sleep students are getting?

What does passion look like at LQHS? Leila Terrazas Reporter

For students and teachers at La Quinta High, passion means many things ranging from sports, grades, and hobbies.

School and family are passions for Itzel Vazquez ‘25. She hopes to achieve her goal of settling into adulthood after tons of school work.

others’ style, the world around her, and her feelings and emotions.

“I enjoy painting, it gives me a peace of mind.

Drawing is everything I learn, everything I see everyday,” she said.

Rosemarie Chesebrough is an English teacher and she is very inspired by her husband. He has gone through seven surgeries in two years and hasn’t given up yet.

“I’m hoping to get “This is into my seccolond huslege, band. I get a was in caLEILA TERRAZASmy 40s, reer, A student holds a sign reading “passion” in bold lettering.

I didn’t and expect get my life ready for [or] want to fall in love adulthood,” she said. again. He was just really funny and nice. I didn’t Vazquez is first-generexpect to meet the love ation, meaning she was of my life,” she said. born in the U.S. while her parents were both Carolee Barbee ‘23 disborn in Mexico. Her parcovered a passion for ents inspire her to be a helping in a children’s better student. ministry at her church.

“As a first-generation [daughter], I want to be the first girl to go to college,” she said.

“It’s been so fun helping out with the kids and seeing them have a great time,” she said.

Ruby Rivas ‘25 is inspired by drawing, painting and cooking new recipes.

Barbee’s parents have also been a source of inspiration.

“It all started when I tried food. Trying new recipes is an interesting hobby,” Rivas said.

“They are strong in their faith and patient. They are the people that I could only hope to be like in the future,” she said.

Rivas is inspired by

Title IX: 50 years of equality in high school and collegiate sports Leilani Cruz Amaya De Lara Reporters This June, Title IX will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Title IX is a law that passed in the United States in 1972 that stated women would be allowed to participate in all sports and activities being offered on campuses in high school and college.

ways those comments,” Vazquez said.

Other people have told her: “I can do it better. I don’t want to do it like a girl. I can hit better than a girl. I can run faster than the girls.”

Brianna Luna also teaches P.E., where, she, too, graduated from LQHS in 2011

teammates,” Luna said.

Stephanie Henderson, a physical education teacher and coach at LQHS, graduated from San Diego State.

“We weren’t able to have a boys’ swim team or a boys’ water polo team because football took up the majority of athletes due to Title IX,” she said.

“In some ways, yes. An example is one of the biggest things that I know especially when it comes to WNBA and NBA when it comes to salaries and stuff like that. I know, unfortunately, there is not as much popularity with women’s sports and that’s why you know, the revenue, they don’t get paid as much as the men do. I

“[Stanislaus] was nice because it was a smaller LEO FLORES school. The sports were still Anahi Vazquez is a first-year P.E. as competitive as a Division teacher.

I, we just didn’t have a football team,” she said. “Once and then graduated from you drop down to Division the University of Iowa in ll, not every Division II has 2014 and Azusa Pacific Unia football team and that has versity in 2021 for her masto do with Title IX.” ter’s degree.

Vazquez said that she has experienced negative comments from doing what she does.

“Yes, obviously there’s al-

Many student-athletes’ mindsets are different.

Some may take the negative comments and use them as motivation while others may take it personally and quit.

“I was raised to always be very resilient, I like to overcome challenges, and I actually think of it as more of an opportunity than an obstacle. My parents said to never give up and to stick with everything, so it’s the mentality that I’ve always had,” Luna said.

Anahi Vazquez is a firstyear physical education teacher at La Quinta High School, where she also graduated from in 2015.

She then attended college at Cal State Stanislaus. She ran track and cross country in both high school and college.

Being a female athlete may be challenging for some women because of negativity they may face from people.

Scholarships. They should give more scholarships to women. That’s for sure,” Vazquez said.

“It does get very competitive, as do all sports, especially softball. When I played in Iowa, when we went to away games, some of their sports fans were heckling us. That just kind of comes with the sport, but thankfully I have never really experienced any sort of negativity or derogatory [remarks] toward me or my

DESTINY PENALBER

Brianna Luna is the varsity softball coach and a P.E. teacher.

Although Title IX has already made such a big impact on women and their sports, some may say there are things that still need to improve.

“I think we’ve already been making a lot of improvements. We have our first NFL female referee, our first NFL football coach too, and basketball coach.

I think we’re heading in the right direction with it,” Henderson said.

JUN BAZUA

Stephanie Henderson is a P.E. teacher and coach at LQHS.

just want to promote women’s sports a little more,” Luna said.

“Football is a sport that brings a lot of revenue for schools. I think they need to find a way to provide that for women’s sports because I feel like scholarships [are given to] football players [who] get full rides and all these things.

I feel like they need to find a balance for it where more girls get full rides and get all the help that they need.

That’s the one thing that I think they should change.

“In a competitive nature, I’d just try to do better but I just try to just block [negativity] out as much as possible and allow myself to think more positively, and my teammates definitely helped. We all helped each other out,” Luna said.

“If anything, it motivated me more to show guys that are like, ‘OK, yeah, you might be on the soccer team but I‘m still faster than you.’ Just because you’re a guy doesn’t mean you’re going to beat me at something. So it would honestly motivate me more instead of unmotivating me. It made me want to be faster and stronger than most of the guys,” Vazquez said.

12 PROFILES The power of one: The difference LQ’s psychologist has made Mariah Perez Reporter

Heriberto “Eddie” Herrera, LQHS’ school psychologist, was recognized by the National Association of School Psychologists last semester.

Through the national organization, he received the Power of One, Creating Caring Connections award—which is “designed to reinforce the power that school psychologists have to create meaningful and transformative connections with students, families and staff.”

Herrera currently serves as the co-lead psychologist for the school district, where he consults with other psychologists.

“It was quite a surprise,” he said. “I’m very honored to be nominated. I appreciate all the kind words.”

Among those kind words were nominations from his colleagues throughout the school district.

From Rajah to Blackhawk: LQHS’ new college and career counselor *Ring ring* is what Diana Cruz hears at 5 a.m. as she gets up to do what she loves the most, going to work. Cruz chose this field because she wanted to help students find their passion and guide them into their post secondary education.

When it was her turn to move forward in her education, nobody helped h e r move on.

in Northern California.

The hardest thing about his job is having to be very organized on everything. He not only has to organize his own counseling caseload, but assessment caseloads and consultation caseloads. He also holds meetings for all of those caseloads, too.

“Eddie is a great psychologist who does not hesitate to share his expertise with his colleagues. He is resourceful and dedicated as a school psychologist,” wrote Cristina Jennings, a school psychologist also with Born in Mexico, Desert Sands he was raised in Unified School the Coachella ValDistrict. “I know ley and educated Eddie always at Desert Sands takes the time to Unified. In fact, answer my queshe even graduatLEO FLORES ed from La Quinta tions regarding Heriberto “Eddie” Herrera, LQHS’ school psychologist, was recognized for difficult cases Icreating transformative connections.

High School. Herrera may have. He is earned his bachelor’s very knowledgeable and sure if he wants to count degree in Spanish after always up to date with the last school year because of graduating from Humboldt latest in the area of school the pandemic. However, he State University. psychology and NASP.” has worked as a school psychologist for seven years— He went back to Humboldt Herrera has been serving having previously worked University to complete

Meet Diana Cruz Dominick Lopez Reporter

as La Quinta High’s school psychologist for three years, though he is not

self. Cruz had to adapt to being a true student. When she needed help, she asked questions and most importantly, she became a more disciplined student.

Before making her way into the staff at La Quinta High, Cruz worked at her alma mater, Indio High School.

She graduated in 1984, but Indio High has come a long w a y since then.

“ I didn’t have a lot of guida n c e ,” s h e said.

“It was really nice to see the changes,” she said.

At La Quinta High, Cruz’s d u t y is to evaluate stuDOMINICK LOPEZ dents’ Diana Cruz sits at her desk in the College and Career Center. interests C h a l and help lenges come with this game called “life” and Cruz faced them form realistic goals. lots of obstacles while trying to begin her new chap- “Their energy rubs off on me and gives me energy,” ter. she said.

A challenge she overcame was learning that things are Young, fun, and happy are not just handed to her, but words Cruz uses to describe that solutions were some- her favorite thing about La thing she had to find her- Quinta High: its students.

some post baccalaureate studies in psychology. He then completed his master’s degree with an advanced education specialization in school psychology.

As a father with two kids, one of his hobbies is football and watching his kids grow.

His favorite part of his job is getting to interact with everyone. The reason why he became a school psychologist is so that he can work with youth and provide a meaningful impact to their lives.

He specifically enjoys working with his students and seeing how they can better support everyone.

“It’s really powerful to help foster resiliency within our students,” he said.

Faudoa finds purpose helping youth Miranda Muir & Layla Freiberg Editors-in-Chief

Arlene Faudoa is one of LQHS’ newest additions this school year. She is serving as the student assistance program counselor.

Question: What is your official job title?

Arlene Faudoa: I am what is called the SAP [student assistance program] counselor, and I’m here to support the counselors. If any teachers or staff want to refer any of the students, we’re there for their support.

Q: What is it that you do here?

AF: So what I do here is I provide services to the students and facilitate intervention groups, like anger, anxiety, possibly group grief groups as well.

Q: So have you taught or been in counseling at any other schools before?

AF: I previously worked at Safe House of the Desert. So I did work with a lot of different school sites in the Coachella Valley, and we provided mental health s e r vices to ages 1 6

was always my passion and my long-term goal. It was my dream when I was in middle school. I actually had a counselor help me through a crisis during that period of time. So I always kind of looked up to that counselor specifically.

Q: What is your philosophy on counseling?

AF: My philosophy of counseling would probably be making a difference in a child’s life and being an advocate, supporting them to be successful. And providing any type of resources for them and for their family.

Q: Why did you decide that you wanted to be a counselor?

AF: I was a former foster youth. I was raised in the foster care system, and my grandmother took legal guardianship. So I can personally relate to the mental health challenges that youth can go through, especially through trauma that you have been exposed to. I definitely have been there, and I can empathize and understand most of these youth.

AF: I graduated from Raleigh High School in 2004. I attended Imperial Valley College, and I got my associate’s in administration of justice. I initially thought I wanted to work in law enforcement and become a probation officer, [but I learned] it’s okay to change careers. After that, I attended Ashford University, and I got my bachelor of arts in applied behavioral science. And now my master’s in educational counseling with PPS is through National University.

Q: Have you ever done anything unusual or interesting that you’d like to share?

AF: Skydiving was one of the craziest activities I’ve ever done on my bucket list. Being in foster care, I didn’t really get to do a lot of things growing up. So when I got older, I wrote a list of things I wanted to do, and skydiving was one of them.

Q: Do you want to share anything about your family?

AF: Sometimes, whenever we go through trauma, we have to learn safe boundaries. And

LAYLA FREIBERG

Visit LQHS’ virtual College and Career Center!

throughAs a former foster youth, Arlene Faudoa’s resiliency will, no doubt, encourage students to 25. Weseek out supports she offers through her role as the SAP counselor. provided a lot of different groups This is why I feel like this is that was the same for me.

The only person that I really like positive coping skills, my purpose in life. have some type of consistenLGBT+ ally support group, Q: What do you enjoy most cy and connection with was peer mentoring. And it was about your job? my grandmother. But unforso much fun because I got tunately, she passed away to know the students, I got AF: What I enjoy most about last year. Everything that I to know the staff and the my job is working with kids. do now is to show her that schools. So I didn’t necessarI enjoy hearing everyone’s she did an amazing and great ily teach or counsel, but I did work in that field of mental journey of what they’ve been job of raising me and that I through, and making a plan was not part of the [negative] health. to help and support them so foster youth statistics. I have been very fortunate to conQ: Why did you decide to they can thrive. tinue pursuing my education work at LQHS? Q: What college or high and making a difference.

AF: I decided to work here school did you graduate because being a counselor from?

A&E 13 “Dawn FM” continues The Weeknd’s album trilogy Christian Romero Reporter

is a radio host for “103.5 Dawn FM.”

The Weeknd has been growing in popularity since 2012 and with the recent release of his newest album, “Dawn FM,” the growth hasn’t stopped.

The album takes inspiration from a radio station. Every so often, between songs,

“Dawn FM” is the second installment in a three-album trilogy, along with “After Hours.” The new album is a breath of fresh air switching tones from “After Hours,” an album with a darker, more serious tone.

The album’s opening track is “Dawn FM.” The song begins with the Weeknd singing which then leads to a narration led by actor Jim Carrey, whose character

The new album gained a variety of mixed reactions.

“I wasn’t really a fan of this album compared to his other music. You can obviously tell he’s trying something new, like with the beats. They’re kind of weird,” Diego Castro ‘24 said.

“Dawn FM” debuted number two on the Billboard 200 and had 148,000 album sales in the first week, with little advertising for the album.

“Dawn FM” was more of a surprise album than a fully marketed one.

He released one song on Aug. 6, 2021, and dropped subtle hints on his Instagram, but the marketing was nowhere to be seen compared to projects such as “After Hours.”

ing yourself from regrets and pain, trying to imply that you have to come to peace with yourself before dying.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home”: An ode to three generations of Peter Parker Emily Nuñez Reporter With the love of all the Spider-Men and begging from fans for having all three in a movie, it finally happened.

With the release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” viewers got to see how different Peter Parkers and Spider-Men are in every multiverse.

Clash Royale is a free-toplay real-time strategy video game developed and published by Supercell.

Players in games aim to destroy the most opposing towers .

Eli Salazar ‘25 said the game is addicting to him.

“It’s super fast paced and everyone is comparing themselves against which arena they’re in,” he said.

In his opinion, strategy games seem important for

Maguire’s suit was more of a light red and navy blue fab-

After seeing reactions online, most fans agreed that it took a bit for the album to grow on them; but once it did, they kept going back and discovering more and more. the radio host will come in and start talking to provide a transition with a returning eerie theme of leaving the dark and walking into the light.

“I’ve been a fan of The Weeknd. When I first listened to the whole album I wasn’t very impressed, but when I listened to it more [it grew] on me,” Juliana Ross said.

The album, as a whole, has a retro pop feel to make it sound lively and upbeat but the lyrics bring a much darker tone. With tracks like “Gasoline,” he opens singing in a droning, monotone style with an accent layered over with the song switching to a more recognizable tone.

The album, as a whole, is stepping into a new direction and whether or not the Weeknd will keep going in that direction is something we will see in his next album. Trying something new for something as big as an album can be risky — but “Dawn FM” was received fairly well.

The postlude of the album, “Phantom Regret by Jim,” closes the album on an eerie note. A track with a deeper meaning of cleans-

Maybe, we will see more like it in the future.

our brains because “it can help us in the future with our different jobs,” Salazar said.

gies in extraordinary situations.

MADD AYALA

This movie really showed how different their powers came upon each of them.

In the lab scene, all three Spider-Men are making a plan to take down the antagonists, and they begin to explain their web fluids to one another. While Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) say they need to refill their web fluid, Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) looks at them in shock. He then explains how it comes out of his body naturally and the two other Spider-Men look at him with disgust.

All three of them have personalized suits, but be-

What makes Clash Royale addicting?

Travis Gerald Reporter

fore that, they initially had DIY suits. Once they went through the hardships of learning how to balance their normal lives and their superhero lives, they got their official Spider-Man suit. Each suit has very designs to align and match with each character personally.

This game is so addictive that it’s making some students secretly play in class.

This game may have both positive and negative effects.

Since this is a strategy game, it can be a way that students can learn strate-

“Strategy helps us with a lot of provision and may be useful for our future jobs that inc l u d e strategy,” Salazar said.

TRAVIS GERALDIn

Frank Ceja’s Esports club, this game is recommended for tournaments that allow students to play against each other.

It’s a smart game, and it’s a tough game. There’s the sense that the right strategy can topple any player, and there’s satisfaction even in being outsmarted by a talented opponent.

Clash Royale solves the content problem by allowing players to play as much as they want.

After a few wins, all four of the chest slots fill up, with little progress made. The chests ensure that players remain addicted.

ric with a “V” shape on his abdomen. Garfield’s suit had red lining that went straight down the abdomen. The colors are different with the color red being light and it being a lighter shade of blue as well. Holland’s recent Spider-Man suit is more robotic with the help of Tony Stark. At the end of the movie, Holland’s suit changes as to the Stark system not recognizing him due to Dr. Strange’s spell, making people forget who Peter Parker was. He made his own, once again, similar to the original Spider-Man suit from the comics.

They had learned a lot of different things as Spider-Man but one thing they collectively learned was that “with great power comes great responsibility.”

Right before each of their loved ones dies, they give them that last piece of advice.

On that note, with all three Spider-Men coming together in one universe, it leaves behind so many predictions and debates about the advancements and characteristics that each Spider-Man holds.

A look at LQHS’ newest play: ‘Clue’ Blaze Hinojosa Reporter

Thunder rumbles and screams ring through the theater. The stage lights come on and the audience sees a maid, a butler and a cook.

viangh ‘24) is the third guest to enter, followed by Mr. Green (Joaquin Cardenas ‘23), who gets frightened by the sound of dogs

We soon find out from the butler that all six guests are being blackmailed, and have been paying a generous sum to this anonymous blackmailer to keep their secrets hidden.

set to life.

Amanda Kaye ‘23 was one of the many tech crew members that worked the

The main stage was set as a large mansion. The left side of the stage had a white kitchen with colorful pots and pans hanging on the wall. The room on the right had a blue pool hall.

The butler, Wadsworth, Levi Linn ‘23, breaks the fourth wall, before the doorbell rings and guests start to come in.

The six guests discover that they are locked in the mansion, where they will undergo a series of strange events This was the intro to the throughout the last school play of the year, night, including find“Clue,” based off the classic ing out dark secrets MIRANDA MUIR murder mystery game.

Wadsworth, Levi Linn ‘23, and the maid jump in surprise as about themselves. the play opens with a shriek.

Colonel Mustard (Ethan Avalos ‘24) is the first to enter wearing a big, bright yellow mustard tie.

The colonel is followed by Mrs. White (Brianna Lester ‘24), whom we can assume has sour history with the maid.

Mrs. Peacock (Melanie Ko-

barking. Professor Plum (Mariana De La Peña ‘23) and Ms. Scarlett (Keeley Jibben ‘23) arrive at Boddy Manor, owned by Boddy (Dominick Lopez ‘22).

“We’ve had enough of this!

Why are we here, and where is our host?” they shout.

Miss Scarlet is played by Keeley Jibben ‘23.

“I feel like this was one of the best ones. We got a lot of positive reviews,” De La Peña said. “This was the most full I’ve seen the audience in a while.”

Whether it was depicting loud thunder and lightning flashes or showcasing a bright dining room, the technical crew brought the

“I love doing this and Daniel Gray [the tech director] makes it really fun,” she said.

The two rooms would be transitioned, with the kitchen being turned into a garden room, and the pool hall into a library.

MIRANDA MUIRlater

show.

“I was the lighting designer and light board operator so I ran the lights and designed them for the show and all the scenes,” she said.

Kaye has worked many shows, and loves being a part of this program.

“It was one of the coolest sets I’ve ever gotten to build. It took nine days in total to build the whole set and I didn’t expect it to be that awesome,” Kaye said.

For the full story, visit lqhawkview.com

14 OPINION Don’t fall for the cash grab: your future is not a game of chance Miranda Muir Editor-in-Chief Every year, the morning of March first marks the beginning of a 30-day college decision month for prospective students. They sit on the edge of their seats awaiting their acceptance, or perhaps more likely, their rejection from some of the biggest universities in the country.

When the majority of college plans are upended by the decision process, many students are left dejected and disinterested in pursuing options considered unorthodox due to a lack of education on back-up options.

But what if the emphasis were placed not on the university a student was accepted into, but rather the path best suited for them?

The first step: stop falling for the college admissions statistics and recruiters aiming to secure your spot as a cash grab.

In fact, Eric Hoover from the New York Times put it as, “a rejection isn’t really about you; it’s about a maddening mishmash of competing objectives.”

School officials, counselors and the adults in a student’s life have the responsibility to explore and educate KAT CARRERAt h e m selves on every option for high school seniors. This way, no student is pressured to commit to a future without proper options.

So, when the college admissions process is more closely related to a game of Russian Roulette, the answer to helping students succeed starts at home.

The Washington Post explained that colleges across the United States have

Mexican American history: overlooked and underrepresented Lexi Noguera Managing Editor

My history teacher clicks to the next slide. We’re two weeks into the World World II unit, and I notice the next topic: the Zoot Suit Riots.

and causing a wave of historical events from the Zoot Suit Riots to the Mendez v.

Westminster case.

When Mexican American history isn’t taught enough, it’s forgotten.

Activists like Rodolfo Gonzales are overshadowed

He glances at my black Nike Cortez shoes as he knows I’ve been anticipating learning more about Mexican American history. Until I realized, the bare minimum is not enough.

While it’s important to understand the general history, it feels more meaningful to learn about the people in my community because they lived through it.

During the Mexican Revolution and the early 1900s, a migration of Mexican immigrants to the United States took place, creating a foundation of historical and cultural roots in the majority of the Southwest,

As we hope to extend our history, people feel more connected to their roots and feel empowered to acknowledge the struggles Mexican Americans face. When struggles are ignored, they continue to happen, unless it’s taught from community to community.

My grandpa even once told me, “People remember our food and our music, but not our history and our struggles.”

I felt oblivious about my own history, especially in Southern California where the majority of the population is Mexican American.

It’s so easy to just Google the history, but what do the people around me gain from that?

The more that we listen, the more our history is acknowledged and remembered. It feels like it’s only up to classrooms to educate the ignorant.

LEXI NOGUERA A part of the Coachella Valley’s longest mural: a depiction of the Los Angeles Times’ coverage of the Zoot Suit Riot.

by public figures like Cesar Chavez in history textbooks. And it’s usually one page and lightly taught in the classroom.

Though the area in the Coachella Valley that I live in is predominantly white, my school, and neighboring cities, have a high number of students who identify as Hispanic or Latino.

Some Mexican Americans in my area can tell a historic story while others listen.

If we learn to expand our history curriculum to include more Mexican American history, students can learn more about their history and understand their culture. Everyone benefits from being encouraged to create political change.

As many young Mexican Americans get older, they learn about their heritage and history outside of classrooms, but it’s even more important to mention our history in class because we know our history is included in education and acknowledging our contribution to the history of the United States.

Hot days in the desert Eden Gorges Reporter

At the beginning of the school year, La Quinta’s hottest t e m perature was 115 degrees Fahrenheit on Sept. 3, 2021. Most students had not been to school in a whole year and most likely didn’t spend a lot of time outside due to the fear of contracting COVID-19.

Experts recommend using caution in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Health Line’s “Hot and Cold: Extreme Temperature Safety” article states, “In the range of 90˚ and 105˚F, you can experience heat cramps and exhaustion.”

LQHS students are bound to see a student pass out or become faint due to heat exhaustion, whether it’s

outdoor campuses, which means the only chance for students to cool down is in a classroom. For students who have P.E. during fourth or fifth period, they have no break from the heat— totaling nearly two hours in the heat.

As the weather begins to return to triple degrees, schools should create more indoor spacing and seating outside of the classrooms for students to safely spend their recreational time. Whether this includes opening the gym to KAT CARRERA students at lunch or investing in proper indoor seating during the weekly mile runs (instead of sitting on the on Tuesdays in P.E. class or concrete) and proper shade, merely sitting outside for trees or water mists, more lunch due to a lack of indoor serious measures should be eating spaces. taken for our students’ safety and wellbeing.

In the Coachella Valley, all of the K-12 schools have

faced a loss of about one million enrollments in the last three years due to the pandemic.

One of the most detrimental stakes being “the financial health of regional colleges and universities.”

While one’s first reaction may be in favor of the struggling institutions in the country, a student’s future is just that, their future. Not that of a prospective college or university.

Had the thousands of rejected students had the opportunity to pursue a future that best suited them, should it be trade school or even a gap year, how many would have been spared the rejection altogether?

The answer to this question may not be so simple, as increased access to other forms of higher education may not be the only thing stopping one from leaving the college admissions season behind completely.

It can not be denied that a strong foundational knowledge of all of one’s options is essential. Just as it is important to let students choose their future for themselves.

Getting a good education, and by extension, a high-paying job with deep connections within a given industry can be achieved in many different ways, so help your students instead of hindering them to choose the path that brings them success as well as joy.

New local bubble tea shop: Happy Tea Cafe

Rebecca Salinas Reporter

Bubble tea is a popular beverage nowadays enjoyed by people around the world— and lately—around the high school community.

In La Quinta, a new bubble tea shop called “Happy Tea Cafe’’ has arrived on Hwy 111. There have been many mixed opinions on it. It has been compared to a nearby shop, “The Bunny.”

ly bitter. I don’t know, that day specifically the servers were bad. Yeah, it was bad I wouldn’t go back.”

Since Happy Tea Cafe employs many high school students, others are intrigued if their friends work there. This was the case for Zoe Vasquez ‘22.

“I liked the tea I got, the Oolong milk tea,” she said.

“The servers were really nice, too, and it w a s cute i n there.

I rea l l y liked REBECCA SALINAS it.”

“I liked what I got. Oh my god, so they h a v e these [taiyaki] croiss a n t s ,”The storefront of Happy Tea Cafe in La Quinta, Calif. on Hwy 111. s a i d Giovanna Espinoza ‘22. I went out and tried Happy “Hear me out, the crois- Tea Cafe as well. The shop had a cute atmosphere. sants are really good.”

There were some signs with Espinoza bought three, quotes and a lot of plants. I adding that customers can liked the drink I got, which get a discount if they order —like Vasquez—was the that amount. She definite- oolong milk tea with tiraly recommends them. She misu. I thought the customer service was good. complimented her order with boba.

“ T h e customer service was good, t h e y w e r e v e r y nice,” she said.

As I received my drink, the employee told me that if they need any adjustments, they can fix it. For firsttime goers or if you are trying something new, I thought that was really reassuring and impressive.

O n e of her REBECCA SALINAS friends Butterfly lychee lemonade and oolong milk tea from orderedHappy Tea Cafe in La Quinta, Calif.

I went to the the rose restroom, and saw that tea and compared the taste they had free feminine hyto “straight perfume,” she said. But the business gave giene products available. her a new drink, free of I have never seen them in any other public restroom, charge. it was very convenient.

“That was very nice of them,” Espinoza said.

“Honestly I strictly get the taro because that’s my favorite, and I prefer Happy Tea’s taro milk tea over The Bunny.”

Diego Castro ‘24 ordered the signature milk tea, but didn’t like it.

“It just tasted like [expletive],” he said. “it was real-

Overall, Happy Tea Cafe seems like a great new place in the valley. It is an amazing place to enjoy your day with friends and family.

This cafe is a place to have a great time with nice food and drinks.

Happy Tea Cafe earns five out of five stars!

OPINION 15

The dangers and despairs of teen eating disorders What’s up Layla Freiberg Editor-in-Chief

In high school, appearance is everything.

Adolescents worry so much about what other people think of them, almost to a fault.

It’s a touchy subject, but there’s a reason why at least 2.7% of adolescents from the ages of 13-18 struggle with an eating disorder or over a million teenagers in the U.S. There is often an idea in those who struggle with eating disorders that they are not “sick enough,” but this concept is a redundant one. It is dangerous and should not be brushed off as a “normal thing” for teens.

When food intake is restricted, our bodies go into starvation mode, which has serious repercussions.

It causes a loss of energy, hair, and in extreme cases, organs eventually shut

down.

We think if we restrict our food intake, even just temporarily, it will improve our self image or make us happier. Instead, restricting, purging or binging becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism. Finding comfort in food, or lack thereof, as a way to feel comfortable or in control, are all just some of the symptoms of eating disorders.

Social media only exacerbates these disorders and their normality. It leads to comparison, which is the thief of joy. Images of pale, sickly girls from Tumblr or models and celebrities with “perfect bodies” promotes anorexic behavior—and while anorexia nervosa is most prevalent and the deadliest mental illness for females, it’s not the only eating disorder—and it affects people of all sizes, genders, ages and ethnic backgrounds.

It’s important to remember that genetics play a huge role in what we look like.

Even if you followed the same meal plan, workout plan, and got the same cosmetic surgeries as Kylie Jenner, you would not look exactly like her. This is because your genetics are completely different from hers. We fail to remember that they have personal trainers, personal chefs, and most importantly, surgeons and Facetune, that help them look like that. It’s unrealistic spending so much of your time and energy trying to look like someone else.

Eating disorders often cause you to isolate, feel inadequate, and constantly strive for something unachievable. Always remember that it is not impossible to get out of this pit: the irrational voice in your head created it, but you have the strength within yourself to get out, to speak back to that voice in your head

that makes you feel inferior.

You are not alone. You are much stronger than you think, and you are more than your body. *** HELP IS AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED IT. Always feel free to reach out to professionals, such as the National Eating Disorder Hotline by calling or texting: 800-931-2237.

If you are in a crisis and need help immediately text “NEDA” to 741741 The crisis text line is run by trained professionals and it is available 24/7 for anyone with mental health needs, eating disorders or are in a crisis.

Students at LQHS can use any of the hotlines on the back of their ID if they are in need of mental health/ crisis support.

Let people live: the dangers of “cancel culture” Kat Carrera Assistant A&E Editor

I struggle with understanding the reasoning behind the hate some people hold against others. In this day and age, hate is thrown about as though it is a part of the air we breathe. It’s become a part of everyday life, and has gotten to a point where no matter what you do or who you are, somehow hate will come to you.

Whether one is deserving of hate or not, this is a problem that needs to be fixed. It’s hurting people, more specifically, hurting humanity’s chances of growing and changing into something better.

I’ve witnessed so much controversy on the internet. “Cancel culture” has become a very prominent thing in this day and age.

The main purpose of “cancel culture” is to hold peo-

ple accountable for their actions. However, some people get “canceled” when they don’t do anything wrong. It’s gotten so bad that it is difficult to do anything without at least one person trying to find something wrong with your actions.

It’s less about being held accountable and more like being punished.

“There are plenty of debates over what it is and what it means, including whether it’s a way to hold people accountable, or a tactic to punish others unjustly, or a mix of both,” says “Americans and ‘Cancel’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment” from the Pew Research Center.

“Canceling” people doesn’t really help anyone. How I see it, holding someone accountable is showing them that what they did was wrong,

they receive hateful comments and threats.

How is this supposed to help better the world if we never show those how to better themselves?

The world hasn’t changed much in the past few years.

With social media becoming more relevant and hatred towards others becoming more common, it’s hard to believe the world will ever change.

The way I see it, we can fix this problem and betKAT CARRERA ter the world if we stop the constant unnecessary hate. and teaching them to be We show the world that habetter. tred helps no one, and is only hurting those who are Accountability is not pun- affected by it. ishing the person and ruining their life. Many times, If we can help people lose when people become “can- some of the hate that is celed” they don’t necessar- thrown about, I think it ily learn how to improve. would be progress towards They are never told how to a better future. better themselves. Instead,

with?

Lexi Noguera Managing Editor

What’s up with Chris Rock actually getting rocked at the Oscars?

What’s up with Robert Pattinson’s “Twilight” sequel?

Did we forget that vampires really do turn into bats?

What’s up with these gas prices being higher than my GPA? What’s up with the Met Gala outfits this year? I guess the theme wasn’t MET? HAHA. Get it??? “Met.” What’s up with Doja Cat bringing back Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza?? How long did she have to beg for that?

What’s up with COVID-19 never going away???? Ugh, I guess this is the new norm.

What’s up with Rihanna having a baby before putting out a new album??? I mean, congrats, but we’re dying out here.

What’s up with people always spoiling movies?

Guess what?? Barry Keoghan plays the Joker in “The Batman.”

What’s up with Elon Musk planning to buy Twitter for forty-four BILLION dollars??? I got it for FREE on the App Store!

What’s up with Kim K. wearing Marilyn Monroe’s dress at the Met Gala?? At least she didn’t sing “Happy Birthday!”

What’s up with the Roe v.

Wade case??? It’s no one’s business, but hers.

What’s up with the new Dr. Strange movie being scary??? I thought Marvel movies were kid-friendly.

What’s up with Harry Styles writing upbeat songs with traumatic lyrics for his fans to dance to?????

What’s up with the school year going by so fast? I swear, August was yesterday.

Additional commentary by Miranda Muir and Emily Nuñez.

How the pandemic divided families and ended friendships Bryanna Valenzuela Reporter

I can’t tell you how many family gatherings I have been to over the past two years since the pandemic started that have been ruined because of discussions about the current world situation.

Some family members may think masks are good and others may not care for them. Numerous family members have the vaccine and others don’t.

The point is that these heated discussions have divided my family, and I know I’m not the only one.

A WebMD poll from Sept.

2021 showed that vaccinated people were more likely to stop associating with family members or friends

who are unvaccinated.

A survey of 1,000 Americans from Today.com, also from Sept. 2021, showed that 1 in 7 people ended their friendships over their vaccine status.

It’s not just my family members that are divided.

Some of my friendships have been physically tense because of my personal choices.

It shouldn’t matter whether people decide to be vaccinated or not. It is their personal decision that shouldn’t be influenced by others.

This has also affected fellow students at La Quinta High.

“My sister went to church with her friends and they

were all staring at her weirdly because she was wearing her mask. Then they told her to take the mask off,” said an anonymous source.

This student doesn’t agree with the fact that people are ending their friendships over their vaccine status or opinions on masks.

“I don’t agree with that.

I’m friends with some people that aren’t vaccinated and I still hang out with them,” they said.

In California, a group of Democratic lawmakers have proposed a controversial bill—SB 866—that would allow kids 12 and older to be able to get vaccinated without parental consent. As of May 12, the bill passed the Senate and

will now head to the Assembly for policy committee hearings.

“That’s crazy. You can’t even do anything until you turn 18, so that should not be allowed. They are only kids,” Aaliyah Penalber ‘23 said. “If parents are responsible for their kids until they turn 18, the parents should make these decisions.”

Ava Ralston ‘25, however, believes students should have autonomy over their decisions.

“It is the kid’s body, so it is their choice,” Ralston said.

It becomes a problem when close friends or family members try too strongly to encourage or discourage getting vaccinated. Nobody should try to heavily influ-

ence someone’s personal opinions or decisions.

It has been hard trying to stay on the good sides of a divided family. I have to stay neutral in order to not cause any more tension between family members.

Isn’t it time that we put our opinions aside and focus on the fact that we are all living through a weird time and could use each other’s support? It’s time that we come together to be united, not divided.

Signed letters to the editor are welcomed and will be published as standalone pieces as space allows. All submissions from readers are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel, privacy, and disruption of the school process.

Opinion pieces, including columns, reflect the opinions of individual writers, while unsigned editorials reflect the majority opinion of the editorial board, not the school, the school district, or any other employees.

16 HUMANS OF LQHS The postcard project Hawkview Staff As an extension of the Hawkview’s Humans of La Quinta High multimedia project, small postcards that mimic the style and goal of our vinyl banners can be found at the local parks in the city.

Each postcard is unique, and tells the story of someone on the La Quinta High campus, ranging from students, to teachers and custodial staff.

These interactive pieces feature an open space on the back where you are encouraged to respond to the corresponding quote on the front of the postcard.

Do you relate to the quote?

Do you have advice for the person interviewed? It can all be written on the postcard and mailed back to the Hawkview with the prewritten return address.

For La Quinta High students, postcards can be found in your English class or room 705.

If you are on campus and wish to return your filled out postcard, you can return them to room 705.

The postcard project offers a chance for the community to interact with the humans of our high school, and read the stories of those who were not featured on a vinyl banner around the community.

Through the end of the school year, nearly 50 of the original vinyl banners will be located in several different parks across the city. The exhibitions display work of the 2020-2021 Hawkview student-journalists.

These are stories that people wouldn’t hear otherwise—ranging from the freshmen to senior students, cafeteria and custodial staff to counselors and teachers.

The public exhibition was funded by Desert Sands Unified School District’s Goldfish Bowl with support from the City of La Quinta. The vinyl banners are currently on display at La Quinta High School, La Quinta Park, Adams Park, Pioneer Park, Fritz Burns Park, and Seasons Park. Additional banners will soon to be displayed this week at La Quinta Park.

If you spot a banner in the wild, don’t hesitate to let us know what you think. If you’re on social media, take a photo and tag the journalism account @hawkviewlq or #humansoflqhs on Twitter or Instagram!

Scan here to view the full story on lqhawkview.com