SE VO PTE L. MB 16 E ISS R 20 UE 14 1
FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL
goal BOYS SOCCER LOOKS TO RUN THE TABLE
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New Principal
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Band Prepares For Macy’s PAGE 4-5
Football PAGE 11
TEAM SPEED
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Letters
From the Editors’ Desk 800 College Drive Henderson, NV 89002 702-799-3500 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Jesse Lima and Rachel Leone SPORTS EDITOR: Jesse Lima WEB MASTER: Jack Wagner LAYOUT EDITORS: Billy Clouse PHOTOGRAPHERS: Zach Hayes, Dylan Wylie, Dre Vasquez GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Ian Berry STAFF WRITERS: Alexis Bobbi, Kayla King, Jack Wagner, Ariana Victoria, Riley Bidwell, Kaden Jesperson, Marissa Panchal, Kaylee Stradling, Skyler Scott CUB REPORTERS: ADVISER: Bill Tobler PRINCIPAL: Joe Caruso
The opinions expressed in the Hillside Hotwire are the author’s and do not represent the opinions of the administration, faculty, staff or students of Foothill High School. The staff reserves the right to reject any advertisement deemed inappropriate. Letters to the editor may be edited for content, clarity and brevity.
Rachel Leone
Jesse Lima
junior Journalist
Senior Journalist
It’s funny how things change. Each year, a new cycle of editors change the way we do everything. This magazine takes up a lot of our time, and it’s exciting to show people the work we put into it. We had our best year, according to the Review Journal Awards last year, but we plan on improving a lot. We have a better-rounded staff with photographers and a graphic designer, including our already-phenomenal writers and layout designers. Our goal is to make this magazine a team project by incorporating a single element that ties together most of the spreads. This issue includes dashed lines as a point of visual separation. Creating the magazines this year will be a thrilling experience, and Jesse and I are excited for the student body to take this journey with us.
A lot of work goes into making a newspaper issue. The time and effort put into the issue is probably equivalent to the amount of time I sleep at night. So about six hours daily. I may be exaggerating a little bit, but sometimes I am at school until 5:30 p.m. This issue is focused around ‘Back-toSchool’ and sports. We covered our new principal, the band preparing for the Macy’s parade, and the assembly. I wrote six sports stories, but I still found time to have a life outside of journalism. It’s a good thing I have another editor to help me out.
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September 2014 • 2 • Hillside Hotwire
News
Who is Mr. Caruso? Foothill welcomes new principal
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t 3:30 a.m, Mr. Caruso arises to get ready for his work day at the Hill. At 5:45 a.m, he arrives at school, completing the many tasks every principal must attend to. After placing coffee for the staff in the mail room, he checks all his emails and goes through all the odds and ends. At six, he attends to all the messages left for him and meets with any teachers who need to speak with him. At 6:45 he is on bus duty, making sure students arrive safely. But Caruso wasn’t always a principal. He started as a history teacher at CimarronMemorial where he then became dean of students, then assistant principal and then principal before working in the superintendent’s office.
By Marissa Panchal • Staff Writer
“I loved working in the superintendent’s office,” said Caruso. “It was very high level and fast-paced. I saw the whole picture of the Clark County School District and met some great people. I love and adore the superintendent and was honored to work there.” Caruso has always wanted to be a principal though. “I find the job very fascinating,” he said. “I don’t like to be bored either, and I like constant change. No two days are alike.” Mr. Caruso said he loves the school and has a variety of goals for Foothill to achieve. “I love the kids, teachers and faculty,” said Caruso. “ I also love going to the events.” Mr. Caruso also wants to enroll more students in AP classes
and raise AP scores. “Foothill has smart kids, and we need to raise the scores,” Caruso said. There were some initial grumblings from students and parents as Mr. Caruso and the admin team put emphasis on existing rules like dress code and eating in class, but it appears that most have learned to deal with it. “Any time there is a new principal, there is bound to be changes,” said Ray Ortiz. “You have to be willing to adapt and make whatever necessary changes he or she wants to establish in the program, and I look forward to working with Mr. Caruso and wish him the best of luck.” On a more personal note, Mr. Caruso enjoys watching sports. “I don’t have a specific
September 2014 • 3 • Hillside Hotwire
team, but I enjoy them all,” he said. He is also a big fan of the reality TV show Duck Dynasty. “Phil just cracks me up, and Si is a hoot, and it just makes me laugh. They are just simple, down-to-earth people.” Mr. Caruso is such a big fan of the show that he even has a Phil Robertson bobble head in his office, as well as a Mr. McGoo bobble head from the hit 70s cartoon. Caruso is also a big fan of hiking. “I absolutely love hiking,” he said. “During the school year, I try to hike once a month. It’s a great way to collect my thoughts and be thankful for the day.” Caruso is open to student visits. To chat or address concerns, stop by and he will be happy to meet with you.
News Feature
7 Minutes to shine Band prepares half-time show, parade routine
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s the sun crawls over the mountains, Sabrina Mahe arrives at school. It’s over 30 minutes before school starts, but she has to begin setting up for the day’s band practice. The marching band is putting in more time than ever, up to 11 hours a week, to practice for their appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and to prepare for this season’s competitive show. “We’re blazing through the show and working hard to not only live up to past accomplishments, but to surpass them,” says Mahe. “We have terrific music and amazing drill and so much talent to prove in about seven minutes.” The show, titled “Gilded,” features the music of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. Songs include “Fire of Eternal Glory,” “Piano Concerto No. 2,” and “Finale” from Symphony No. 5. “It’s the idea of glitter and opulence,” says Color Guard director Lori Haines. This theme extends to the Guard’s uniforms. “The uniforms are bodysuits that just glimmer,” says Haines. “It’s fairly form-fitting, and it has a skirt that 30 of the girls will wear. It’s like a guard implement because they dance with it, and they use it for the ballad (the slower section).” The costumes are only one part of the unique show. In addition to rifles, the Guard will use sabers. Also, the show has a series of ramps that members of band and Color
By Billy Clouse • Layout Editor
Guard lay on, climb on and dance upon. “They offer multiple levels so we can have a rifle at the top, and a rifle halfway down, and one at the bottom,” says Haines. “This adds great variety to our choreography.” During Thanksgiving, band members will take part in various activities, such as visiting Central Park, watching a Broadway show, and attending a dinner cruise in front of Ellis Island.
Also, some of students will perform in Carnegie Hall. Anthony LaBounty from UNLV wrote the band an original piece, titled “Psalm 92.” The song talks about glorifying deity through music. According to Mahe, the band’s work paid off. “There’s a reason behind everything that we do, and seeing it all come together brings such a sense of accomplishment, not just for me, but for everyone,” said Mahe.
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4 September 2014 • 4 • Hillside Hotwire
News Feature 1. Zach Schauer, right, is center snare. “It’s a huge responsibility,” said Schauer. “My job is to work with the drum majors to set the tempo and maintain the tempo for the entire band.” Photo by Dylan Wylie 2. Nikko Lopez is the section leader for the euphoniums/baritones. “My favorite part is being able to contribute to the overall sound of the band!” said Lopez. Photo by Dylan Wylie 3. “The best part about being a drum major is being able to see the whole band working together so hard to make something beautiful,” said Lydia Harris. Photo by Dylan Wylie 4. “The most inspiring part of marching is knowing that we are working together for a common goal,” says saxophonist Callie Swafford. “I’m contributing to something that causes people to go ‘wow!’” Photo by Dylan Wylie 5. “My favorite part [of Color Guard] is performing,” says Ryleigh Johns. “Everything you have practiced so hard for pays off.” Photo by Thomas Mace 6. “The hardest part about Color Guard is that we have to be so picky about details,” says Marina Sturek. “We practice over and over to make sure everyone looks the same and perfect.” Photo by Dylan Wylie 7. Maddy Pendleton, a marimba player, doesn’t march during the show, but she still enjoys marching band. “My favorite part about playing is that moment when you feel the power of the music.” Photo
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by Dylan Wylie
Macy’s by the Numbers
$700,000 total cost for the trip
$2,000 cost for each student
$7,000 cost for the show during the parade
$10,000 estimated cost for shipping equipment to New York
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300
students going to New York 7
6 September 2014 • 5 • Hillside Hotwire
Feature
Falcon Freshmen Tips for high school success
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By Riley Bidwell • Staff Writer
reshman Kade Killian’s heart pumps out of his chest, and his nerves keep him on edge as he walks through the doors on the first day of the next four years of his life. Here are a few helpful tips to let freshmen know how to survive high school. “Just do your homework. You will keep up with your grades and be much happier if you just do all of the assignments,”
says junior Hannah Fleming. “Don’t date seniors!” Alexis Farias says. “The age difference between freshman and seniors is huge, and it never ends well. Seniors graduate, and your boyfriend or girlfriend isn’t going to wait four years for you to graduate.” Be involved! School is so much more fun when you have something to look forward to rather than just showing up for six hours and
going home. Try out for a sport or join a club; just do something! “Join clubs, go to the events, do sports,” says Mia Sanoja. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and do stuff!” Upperclassmen catch a deadly disease called Senioritis. This is when seniors are too lazy to do their work or arrive to their classes on time. Do not become a
lazy person too early; it will come back to haunt you later. Abide by the dress code, and do not eat in class. Especially with the new emphasis on these rules. You want to stay out of trouble. Kade Killian says, “I was nervous because I thought high school was going to be the cliché high school scene that is on TV all the time. But, it turned out to not be as bad as I thought.”
By Rachel Leone • Editor-in-Chief
Don’t get lazy.
Be Organized.
One of the biggest mistakes freshmen make is saying “Hey, my freshman year doesn’t really matter. I’m just gonna slack off.” This is a huge misconception. Your freshman year DOES matter. Every semester grade you receive in every class goes on your transcript, which colleges look at. If you mess up your freshman year, your GPA goes down. Let your grade be a major factor in your decision of how to spend your high school years.
Think about the Future. I don’t mean to plan out every single pathway you could possibly take. But think about the future and what career you want to do, what colleges you may want to attend, and how the choices you make in high school could affect your future. Don’t do something that could possibly interfere with your potential and prevent you from accomplishming your aspirations.
Don’t let your work fall into the “everything” folder. You have to be organized enough so if your teacher asks you for a certain assignment, you don’t have to spend 4 minutes looking for it. It’s always good to keep all your assignments the entire year in preparation for final exams. Have a system of being somewhat organized, and it’ll make your life easier in the long run.
Get Involved. Join clubs, take fun classes. These are all things every successful student will tell you. Not only do activities, sports and clubs impress the college admissions offices, it’s fun and allows you to have a social life outside of your normal school day. Being involved helps you to make friends throughout high school, and allows you to find yourself during your high school years.
Make Memories.
High school tricks everyone into thinking that four years is a long time. Attend assemblies, football games, and participate in spirit days--all the memories we have of high school. Don’t focus on academics so much that you don’t have fun to enjoy your teenage years and actually have a social life, which is important to every high school student. Let these years be the best ones, especially because they pass by so fast. September 2014 • 6 • Hillside Hotwire
News Feature
We will protect this Hill
Back-to-school assembly fills the gym with thunderous cheers
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rom watching teachers balance cakes on their foreheads to watching new principal Joe Caruso do the ice bucket challenge, Falcons gathered in the gym for the Back-to-School assembly. Freshman Kourtlyn Stadling said she was excited for her first high school assembly. “I loved the assembly,” she said. “It was such a step up from the assemblies we had in middle school. All the assemblies in middle school were just about boring things like fundraisers, but this assembly was really fun. I thought it was cool to see the teachers participate in games, and I liked the cheerleaders and dance team’s performances.”
By Ariana Victoria • Staff Writer
“It was my second Welcome Back assembly, and I really loved it,” said sophomore Estefania Rubido. “I like going to the assemblies because it’s funny to watch the teachers play the games,” said Rubido. “I look forward to the Welcome Back assembly; it’s always fun to go to because we’ve all been gone for two months, and then we get to come back, and it’s like a fun little celebration,” said junior Jordyn Meade. “I have to say though, my favorite part was definitely watching the new principal do the ice bucket challenge.” Mr. Caruso’s acceptance of the ice bucket challenge made the crowd go wild with cheers and laughter.
Before completing the challenge, Mr. Caruso challenged Valley High School’s Principal Ramona Esparza. Mrs. Esparza however, paid the $100 to the ALS foundation instead of doing the ice bucket challenge. But along with all the excitement for the Welcome Back assembly, there is also some sadness. “I was excited at first for the assembly, but then it hit me that this was going to be my last Welcome Back assembly,” said Alfredo Vasquez. “Every year I looked forward to going to the assembly and watching the teachers play those silly games and watching the dance team perform, but this is my last one. I’m definitely going to miss it.”
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1. Austin Wilson and Lily Nettles juggle a balloon during an assembly game. Photo By Dylan Wylie
2. Varsity Cheerleaders perform their routine during the assembly. Photo By Thomas Mace
3. Adrian Zavala and Dillan DeSilva rock the Gym as they dance in front of the whole gym during the assembly. Photo By Thomas Mace
4. Lydia Harris shakes her head, trying to win the head bobbing game. Photo By Thomas Mace
1 September 2014 • 7 • Hillside Hotwire
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Sports Feature
history in the making Boys make preseason tournament championship game
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Every Four Years Located in Sao Paulo, Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Champions
Advanced to the Quarterfinals Pre-World Cup Predictions 8 6 4 1 Germany
U.S
Argentina
Other
19 Varsity Soccer Players surveyed
By Jesse Lima • Editor-in-Chief
he boys’ varsity soccer team started the season out with four straight wins in the Liberty Kickoff Classic tournament over Labor Day weekend. Coming up short and losing 1-2 to Southeast Career Technical Academy in the Championship game, the Falcon’s offense outscored their opponents 15-4 throughout the weekend. Every team comes into the season looking to contend for a state championship. The thing that separates them is that not every team comes into the season with a big target on their backs. With three of last year’s top four scorers returning, the team with a firepower offense has what it takes to make a deep run into the playoffs. “Honestly, going into the meetings with all the other coaches. I have to downtalk our team so that way we aren’t the favorites and have all the teams eyeing us,” Coach Andrew Risheg says. “A lot of faculty members ask me about the season coming up, and I tell everyone who asks me throughout the day that this season could go one of two ways.
Either this could be the best year Foothill soccer has ever had, or this could be a very long season. I strongly believe that this is the strongest team that Foothill has ever fielded out there, and hopefully, the school isn’t disappointed with how we perform.” Heading into league play, the team has controlled their opponents. On September 3, just two days after they lost in the championship game of the Labor Day weekend tournament, they posted a 12-1 victory against Silverado, which was exactly how Coach Risheg wanted to start off the season on their home turf. After that game, the team had outscored their opponents 27 to 5. Out of those 27 goals, seniors Robert Cowan and Jackson Dietrich combined for 21 of them. Cowan had 25 goals last year and looks to surpass that mark already tallying 12 goals through 6 games. “We are a group of great players who all share a common goal,” Cowan said. “On the field, we are equals. Having smart teammates on the field helps Jackson and I up top at the forward position, and that is how we get so many oppor-
Stat Leaders
Through 9 Games... Player Name
Goals
Assists
Points
Robert Cowan
20
4
44
Jackson Dietrich
13
10
36
Mason Reid
2
14
18
Jesse Lima
3
3
9
Aaryn Coroneos
1
4
6
*Goals are worth 2 Points *Assists are worth 1 Point September 2014 • 8 • Hillside Hotwire
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Sports Feature
1 tunities in the final third. Hopefully, I will exceed my last year’s totals and help my team go all the way this year.” Dietrich scored nine of those 27 goals through the first six games and also had four assists. “Every time I step on the field, I feel at home,” said Dietrich. “I leave all my frustration out on the field. I try to exploit my love for the game in my play with my teammates on the field. I truly love this sport.” There’s a new look to the Falcon’s
division this year with Green Valley and Rancho coming in and Liberty and Del Sol dropping out. “Green Valley is always a rivalry game to any sport at Foothill,” Coach Risheg stated. “Being able to play them twice a year now will build up the hype for the season even more. Bringing Rancho in will also be interesting because, with those magnet schools, you never know what you’re going to get.” With a strong Coronado squad and the defending state champion Eldorado
team still in the Falcon’s division, they have some obstacles along the way to a shot at winning their division. No Foothill soccer team has even won their division, and if you’re looking at the big picture, no Foothill sports team has ever won a state championship. There is a lot riding on this team consisting of 12 seniors, and their future could diminish after this season. That means everything will have to be left on the field this season and have a long run to the state championship.
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3 September 2014 • 9 • Hillside Hotwire
1. Jackson Dietrich strikes the ball as it falls straight to his foot 2. Jackson Dietrich takes a corner against Durango 3. The Falcon’s team shakes the referee’s hands after a hard fought victory 4. Ezequiel Garcia crosses the ball in as he saves it from going out of bounds All Photos By Zachary Hayes
Sports
Kicking for Deep Playoff Run Girl’s Soccer makes Mesquite Cup championship game
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By Jesse Lima • Editor-In-Chief
pening up their season with a 12-0 victory over Moapa Valley in the Mesquite Cup was a great way to start off the girl’s varsity soccer season. In the semi-finals of the Mesquite Cup, the lady Falcons had to settle things in penalty kicks, where they outlasted Legacy to get to the championship game where they lost to Notre Dame Academy from New York, 2-4. They may not have won the whole tournament, but scoring 12 goals in one game and also winning a game in penalty kicks is always a team morale booster. Coach Cynthia Guzman added a new training regimen into her girl’s practice schedule, which was Crossfit. The lady Falcons go to Crossfit training twice a week, but with games twice and sometimes three times a week, the schedule sometimes brings it down to once a week.
“Playing on the field with my team is one of the best feelings, especially after we win,” said senior Captain Jamie Cook. “We can thank our hard work at practice and at Crossfit for the rewarding feeling of winning. It’s true when they say hard work pays off in the end.” The other senior captain, Marisa Milne, who is also the student body president, juggles playing soccer and her school leadership position all at the same time. “I am so excited to be able to play my last season as a captain for this Foothill soccer team,” she said. “We have such an amazing group of girls this year, and I hope we will be able to make it to the playoffs again.” With Green Valley pushing into the Falcon’s division and Coronado still in it, the team has many obstacles to go through, but the early wins are a sign of hope for a memorable season.
Katie Ballou receives the ball and starts to dribble up the field Photo By Zachary Hayes
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September 2014 • 10 • Hillside Hotwire
Sports
Sports • Hillside Hotwire • September 2014
Finding their way
James Hagen nearly scores six, with the ball barely in reach near the end zone during the game against St. George.
Team looks to rebound during league play By Jesse Lima • Editor-In-Chief
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arsity football had a humongous task ahead in their season opener against defending Utah State Champions August 29. They came out with a loss but had a lot of tactics to take
away from the game. The next week they traveled to Centennial to take on the Bulldogs and took them into overtime. Though they came up short of a win, Centennial had advanced all the way to the region semi-finals last year and are currently ranked to go even further this year, so taking them into overtime was sweet. After two tough losses, the road could only get easier. On September 12, the Valley Vikings came to Foothill, and Foothill dominated throughout the game. With a final score of 56-6, the Falcons were back on track to run the table this year. “We started off rough, but we learned from our mistakes, and this team can do some special things,” starting quarterback Devon Mueller said. “Being the starting quarterback on this team is an awesome experience. I’m having the time of my life doing what I love.” Against Valley, Mueller completed nine of ten passes and threw three touch-
September 2014 • 11 • Hillside Hotwire
down passes. The team put up 40 points in just the first half alone. So far, Mueller has thrown five touchdowns and only one interception through three games, and senior Aedan Bartolowitz has caught three of those touchdown passes and has intercepted two passes. With the divisional games creeping up fast, the team will have almost three more weeks to prepare for their division season opener on October 2 when Eldorado comes to The Hill. Quarterback Devon Mueller
Sports
Running and not looking back Girls Cross Country
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By Alexis Bobby • Staff Writer
his season’s girls cross country team has been busy being a family and working toward big goals. Aine Jones, who has been on the team for two years now, says she just wants to make her coaches proud. “I was so unbelievably stressed out before the meet this weekend,” said Jones. “I felt like crying. Making my coaches proud of me is a huge deal, so I want to do well in every race. Obviously, I didn’t this weekend, and I ended up crying. I care so much about cross country team.” Even with losing a meet over that weekend, Jones says her
team keeps her grounded, and she adores their family-likeness. “The team is extremely close, and we all just really clicked and became a cute little family,” said Jones. “I love my girls because they have literally become my second family, especially the two captains, Morgan Dennett and Airyanna Medina; I go to them for everything.” Jones is confident with her team this year and thinks they can move up to region and possibly even go to state. “We have a bunch of super dedicated and strong girls this year, and it’s intimidating, but I’m confident in them and sure we’ll go very far this season.”
Boys Cross Country
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By Jesse Lima• Editor-in-Chief
he boys’ cross country team has a little extra spark behind the sport with their new nickname. “Team Speed” is what team members Kolton Anderson, Andrew Babakitis, Christopher Ayala, Mikael Gamett, and Mitchell Anderson like to call themselves to make them stand out during competitions. After two races so far, junior Captain Andrew Babakitis seems to be the team’s fastest runner out on the course. “We look to surprise some people this year,” Babakitis said. “Hopefully, this ‘Team
Speed’ can beat one of the stronger teams out there and make it to state.” Babakitis has run two races so far, and his best time for the 3.1 mile run was 18 minutes and 17 seconds, which was the fastest time for a Foothill runner this year. The five runners part of “Team Speed” work out, exercise and train together so they succeed better on the course as a team, promoting the overall goal of unity and combined effort. With a whole season left ahead of them, they will have plenty of time to shock some schools and live up to their name.
The girl’s cross country team preparing for their race. Photo by Zach Hayes
September 2014 • 12 • Hillside Hotwire
Sports
Tennis team talks teamwork
A second sport for some, players work as if it’s their only By Jesse Lima• Editor-in-Chief
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hile the 2014 season of the varsity boys tennis team has come to a rough start, losing both their first and second games, they are keeping their heads up and growing together. “As of right now, we’re struggling as a team,” said Coach Mark Richards. “We’ve lost our first two games, but we can only get better. It is also real hard to face teams like Coronado, who have players playing year round, when most of our team is playing tennis as a second sport.” “Tennis is a great off-season
sport for me,” said Jaron Bodin. “It keeps me busy and gives me something to do and preps me for my busy basketball season, and even though it is a second sport for me and a lot of other teammates, we’re never sitting around at our practices.” Austin Wilson, this year’s team captain, is enjoyed by all the players and coaches as he exhibits great leadership. Coach Richards said, “Wilson is a phenomenal leader. He keeps the team afloat when things don’t go the way we were hoping.” His teammates concur.
“Wilson is a great leader and is very approachable. He cares about all of us, which makes us more of a team,” said Max Tollstrup. “It is awesome to be team captain. I’ve never had the opportunity till now,” said Wilson. “My job is to get everyone up and get everyone ready to play, and I love it because I get to work with everyone and try whatever I can.” “Though we have come to a rough start,” said sophomore Jake Woodworth, “the team is well rounded, and everyone is self-driven to do their best.”
Kirk Peralta returns the ball during a match. Photo By: Dylan Wylie
Swinging for state Serving their way through league play By Jesse Lima• Editor-in-Chief
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he girls’ tennis team has reached the halfway point and has three wins and two losses, and that puts them in third place in the Southeast League. The first league game was Sept. 3 against Basic, and the team came away with a huge win, with a final score of 10-8, followed by a big win Sept. 15 against Eldorado with a final score of 11-7. “With two big victories against Basic and Eldorado under our belt, we plan on taking third in the division and in regional play,” senior Lilly Nettles said. “We just do our best out there. All we really have to do is have
a couple of focused practices, get our shots in, and we’re golden.” The state championships are always on a team’s mind before the season, but the tennis team can also send individuals to state. Senior Lilly Nettles has that on her mind as well for this season, as it is her senior year. “Personally, I plan on being seeded high in the state tournament, possibly even ranked third,” Nettles said. “From there, anything can happen. Hopefully, I can succeed from there and take the whole thing.” Heading into the playoffs, the girl’s tennis team can always
fine tune their individual games. Playoffs can also make players stress and become more nervous than usual, but this team looks to overcome these odds
Cut this out and give it to the manager!
September 2014 • 13 • Hillside Hotwire
Lily Nettles volleys the ball during a match against Green Valley. Photo By Dylan Wylie
Sports
Volleyball spiking through teams By Jesse Lima• Editor-in-Chief
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he girls’ varsity volleyball team has started off their season with three wins, one each against Desert Oasis, Centennial and Liberty, putting the team 3-0 in regulation play so far. “The team is very competitive and are prepared to take their game to the next level,” said Coach Krysta Ortiz. “They have definitely improved a lot from last year.” Sophomores Kiley McCall and Aysia Maybre shared their season experience with their new-found teammates. “I was on the freshman team last year, and then this year I jumped all the way up to varsity,” said McCall. “It is a lot more exciting because
the competition is a lot better, and the games are a lot more intense.” McCall said that the people you play with and against have a lot more volleyball experience than the girls on her previous team. McCall started playing volleyball only last year. On the other hand, Aysia has been playing since seventh grade. McCall said that they all drove up to their tournament in Utah together, and that it really helped the team mesh together. “My favorite part is the girls. We are really close and have so much fun together,” said Maybre. Ortiz expressed that accountability and respect is
what brings the team closer together. She said that there is support among all members of the program and strong leadership from the senior class. “One thing that sets us apart from all of the other teams is that we all get along so well, and everyone is such a good player,” said McCall. McCall is a setter, and Maybre is a right side. Although both of girls are not starters at the moment, they shared that they will be ready any time that they need to come in and help their team. Coach Ortiz said that their biggest competitor is Coronado, who they face October 9. “We can’t wait to take it to the Cougars,” said Maybre.
Christina Beaver and teammate jump to block the ball. Photo by Thomas Mace
On the green
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By Jesse Lima• Editor-in-Chief
ith swings in full force, the girls’ golf team has put an dent in league play by placing themselves right into that third position in their division. After their first league match Sept. 3, the team finished third behind Coronado and Green Valley but had a big lead over the fourth place finisher, who was Basic. With a first-year head coach, Richard Salemme, the team has a new outlook and different name to play under. “Our team is looking solid, just as usual,” senior Jourden Brown said. “We have some new talent on the team, and I think our young talent is super good. Hopefully we have a good year and beat who we are supposed to beat and maybe even surprise some teams.”
September 2014 • 14 • Hillside Hotwire
With a whole season left the team still has a lot of time to improve and push their way into a number two seed and possibly even first.
Jourden Brown strikes the ball during a match. Photo by Thomas Mace
Sports
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Go Falcons! September 2014 • 15 • Hillside Hotwire
Feature
Food Fight Classrooms become food-free zones By Kaden Jesperson • Staff Writer
W
alking to the front of his class to throw away his half-full Greek yogurt, senior Jack Wagner has just broken the school district’s no-food-in-class
policy. “This no food in the class policy is not my favorite, but I totally understand why we are putting it in to place,” said Wagner, who has eaten a Greek yogurt in class for the past two years. New Principal, Mr. Joe Caruso, has renewed enforcement on policies that had been in place for many years. “I didn’t make the rule,” said Caruso. “They come straight from the [school] board.” Caruso said that he isn’t trying to starve the students, but just trying to stop the distractions. “Many teachers have told me that food is a distraction, and that they constantly had to tell kids to stop eating. Water isn’t a distraction, but when kids bring in energy drinks, frappuccinos, lattes, milk and other items, it starts to distract.” Mrs. Peterson formerly had a rule in her class that kids could eat a snack in her class, but there was no trash to be left behind. “It bugged me when kids left their trash, and I had to pick it up,” said Peterson. “ However, I haven’t really noticed a difference in distraction this year.” Some kids are more distracted because they’re hungry. “I’m more distracted in class now,” said sophomore Eric Johnson. “I’m thinking about food, not math.” In years past, Mr. Satory had become known for throwing his ‘Assembly Day’ parties. “No more parties this year,” said Satory. “No food, no drink... it’s the policy, and I do agree with Mr. Caruso,” said Satory. Mr. Caruso also said that this will help bring up
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grades, as students will be more focused on the lesson instead of on snacking or trying to get other students to share their food from across the room. A self-proclaimed eating-in-class fanatic, sophomore Emily Mull said, “I love to eat in class, but I can wait till lunch!” With lunch being at 9:55 or 10:45 in the morning, most people can wait. “Those are about the times that I get up to eat breakfast over the weekend or in summer anyway,” said Wagner. To cope with not eating in class, some students are changing their eating habits. “I try to eat more at breakfast and then eat a lot after school,” said Wagner, who now eats his Chobani Greek Yogurt before school at breakfast. Others have learned to use those six-minute passing periods to full advantage. “I like to snack in-between classes,” said senior Mia Sanoja. “I can just eat my snack-food and be able to put it away before my next class.” With cleaner classrooms and fewer distractions, students should benefit in the long run, if they can hear their teachers over the roar of all the rumbling stomachs. Jack Wagner looks at the necterine that he can’t eat in class anymore. Photo by: Kaden Jesperson