March/April Hillside Hotwire Foothill 2015

Battle of the Burrito Page 7 Talent Show Page 18 Kickball Game Page 21

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FOOTHILL HIGH SCHOOL

New Stuco Prez Page 4 Cheer at Nationals Page 20 Softball defending regional title Page 24

T S JU RLOTTE. CHA 7

Pages 15-1

From the editor’s desk: why food in class is dangerous

By Rachel Leone • Editor-in-Chief

W

hen people think of allergies, they usually picture a runny nose, itchy eyes and an annoying cough. I picture emergency rooms, EPI pen needles and annoying beeping noises coming from a heart monitor.

At the beginning of the year, Principal Caruso made it abundantly clear that he strongly enforced the CCSD policy that there cannot be food in the classrooms.

Admittedly, I was irritated with the enforcement of this rule when our second press party was moved to the cafeteria at the last minute. It took us twenty minutes to move from Mr. Tobler’s room to the cafeteria, which cut into our party time. But after my peanut allergy jumped from moderate to severe in February, I have a new gratefulness for the rule.

If you ask any of my childhood friends, they will tell you that I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day for lunch in elementary school. While some people are born with their allergies, many develop them over time, which is what happened to me. And sometimes, people don’t know they have an allergy to something until they react to it. Allergens can spread in the air, making it possible for someone to have an allergic reaction even if they don’t ingest anything.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds to days after exposure to an allergen. It can cause swelling in potentially every area of your body (including the brain and heart), a weak pulse, a drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and death. Symptoms for anaphylaxis not only vary between people, but also the situation and levels of severity, so someone can react to the same thing but have completely different symptoms.

They can also reoccur after a long period of time, even after the symptoms seem to have subsided. Ultimately, allergic reactions are unpredictable, which makes them deadly.

In the past two months, I’ve taken seven trips to the emergency room for anaphylaxis, which began because I ate a brownie that was cross-contaminated with peanuts. In this amount of time, I have

consistently been on steroids and high doses of antihistamines. This unexpected long-term use of medication caused me to gain forty pounds, begin to show signs of Cushing’s Syndrome, experience an unhealthy drop in blood pressure along with sinus tachycardia and has prevented me from living my life outside my house for the past two months.

No one thinks of these consequences when it comes to eating a PB&J in class.

After missing school for a month, I enthusiastically attended for two days, when someone pulled out peanut butter in class.

I had an allergic reaction that resulted with another overnight stay in the hospital, and I continued to react for two weeks afterwards.

Let me say this—the person was horrified and felt terrible about it.

Two weeks later, I attended school for one day when someone pulled out a peanut butter sandwich in class and passed it around their group of friends, and I reacted

to it. One kid told my group of friends, “We weren’t even near her. It’s not our fault.” My friends had to explain how peanut proteins can spread through the air—I don’t even have to come into contact with it.

This made me realize that teenagers don’t follow rules because they can’t relate to them—not necessarily because they’re being inconsiderate. But it’s important to remember that the no-food-in-class rule (along with many others) was created to keep everyone safe, not because the principal wants you to starve halfway through the school day.

Remember, people can have allergies to any common ingredient (dairy, wheat, nuts, citrus, etc.) and sometimes just being in the same room can trigger an allergic reaction, which is a serious medical condition. So please think before you pull out your afternoon snack because it could truly be the difference between life and death.

How allergic reactions affect the body Any part of the body can swell, including the brain and heart Flushing

Swelling in airway; trouble speaking and swallowing

Fainting, dizziness, and headaches

Swelling of the lips, tongue,cheeks, and roof of the mouth

Low blood pressure, weak/racing pulse, and possible cardiac arrest

Chest tightness and difficulty breathing, wheezing

Nausea, vomiting, sharp pain in abdomen

Rashes and hives can occur on any skin on the body

2• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

Infographic by Ian Berry

McCullough Vista Park

New park looks to become new hang out space

T

he light from the sun above shines down on Henderson as Marqes Parker looks at the newlyconstructed park at the intersection of Greenway Road and Mission Drive. Residents pass through the crossroads in their cars to examine the scene, and to welcome the McCullough Vista Park to the outer-edge suburbs of Henderson.

According to cityofhenderson. com, the 6-acre McCullough Vista Park will provide extraordinary, panoramic views of the nearby McCullough Mountains. This $6 million project was built with funds from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. It will act as an open space and public service for pedestrians, cyclists, and civilians that can be used for relaxation and recreation. This newest addition to Henderson’s recreational parks features luscious grass fields, a playground, an observation deck, a basketball

By Brandon White • Cub Reporter

court, and a viewing area of the surrounding landscape. “It’s nice to see more parks being added to Henderson,” said Parker. “It is definitely a much needed addition to this part of town.”

With a close proximity to Mission Drive and its intersection with Greenway Road, McCullough Vista Park is expected to draw a big crowd from Foothill. “I will end up making the trip down there when it opens,” said Tyler Coon.

“It’ll be great seeing everyone’s

reaction on opening day.”

With Mannion Middle School and Smalley Elementary School nearby, the park will likely be used by students of all ages. McCullough Vista Park is expected to open by May 3, according to a newsletter distributed to the nearby Palm Canyon community.

“It will be nice to play a quick pick-up game of basketball on a new court with a bunch of my friends,” said Brandon Gasparac. “I can’t wait for this park to finally open!”

@hillsidehotwire 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 Ariana Victoria-Assistant LAYOUT EDITOR: Billy Clouse PHOTOGRAPHERS: Zach Hayes, Dylan Wylie, Dre Vasquez, Thomas Mace GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Ian Berry STAFF WRITERS: Alyssa Miele, Alexis Bobby, Kayla King, Jack Wagner, Ariana Victoria, Riley Bidwell, Kaden Jesperson, Marissa Panchal, Kaylee Stradling, Skylar Scott

GRASS GALORE! A look at the massive observation deck in the center of McCullough Vista Park amid the gigantic grass playing fields. Courtesy Photo

Cub Reporters: Wyatt Berndt, Kearian Brandner, Megan Berry, Allison Bowler, Gianna Camperi, Dylan Litviak, Iyanna George, Jack Meltzer, Atalaya Strom, Jonah Terrell, Katelyn Vasquez, Brandon White ADVISER: Bill Tobler PRINCIPAL: Joe Caruso

Hours of Operation M-S: 9 a.m.-6p.m.

Sun: Closed

9711 S. Eastern Avenue #H10 Las Vegas, NV 89183

702.314.0520 eastern@nothingbundtcakes.com

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.

ON THE COVER: Charlotte Wall photo session set up by Billy Clouse. Lighting and wind removal by Kaden Jesperson. Photo by Zach Hayes.

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •3

Feature

Madelyn Introducing Madame President Elect

Konsten

“We’re here to improve the school; we’re the voice of the students, and we need that to be known. We’re here to help them.”

N

By Alyssa Miele •Staff Writer

ot only is Maddie Konsten a varsity cheerleader and an honors student, but she is now the Student Body President for the 2015-2016 school year. With three years of Student Council already under her belt, she’s ready to take on the upcoming school year, no matter what it throws at her.

With the added stress of being the highest position the Student Council has, she hopes to use her time management and planning skills to balance all of her activities.

“It all comes down to planning and organization. You have to be on top of everything.”

As President, Konsten is hoping to raise school spirit within the whole student body and Student Council alike.

“We hope to add events to the calendar that appeal to a wide range of studentsnot just the athletes or the ‘popular kids.’

There are so many kids who go to school just to go to school, and it’s important to show them that they can have fun while coming here.”

She would also like to build

4• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

better relationships with the school administration.

“We really just want to have a smooth year; this year was a challenge for us because we had to get to know the new administration. We just have to learn how to adjust and how to do that quickly.”

Above all else, Konsten wants to make every student feel welcome and at home amongst their peers.

“We’re here to improve the school; we’re the voice of the students, and we need that to be known. We’re really here to help them.”

After a loss running for Junior Class President last year, Konsten found a string of good luck when the position of Student Body Secretary opened up, and she was able to secure the position. Her involvement as a Student Body officer this year has helped prepare her for the job ahead.

“As Student Body Secretary, I spent a lot of time with Marisa Milne, and I paid attention to what she did, so I know the ropes for next year. She’s helped me out immensely.”

With her current role as a Student Body Officer, Konsten was expected to run.

No passion for leadership?

Student council members analyze the lack of enthusiasm in recent years Opinion

I

F

n recent years, the passion for being a part of Student Council has decreased considerably. This may be accredited to some big changes, rumors and lack of motivation or time.

Student Council is all about creating and developing school events that create more student involvement, so why is there a lack of student involvement in the leadership class itself?

If not anything else, the time commitment seems to be the largest reason for the lack of involvement.

“Students have other options that they pick over Student Council, like sports, clubs, or other electives,” said junior class representative and next year’s Student Body Historian Sam Dent. “It’s a lot more work than some other classes, and people often want to take the easier way out. Others do not have the time management skills needed to juggle Student Council with their schoolwork.”

Current Student Body Historian Samantha Vasquez had a different viewpoint. ”There’s a lot of talk between students about if they should be a part of the

By Alyssa Miele •Staff Writer

class, and it all comes down to people’s experiences. If someone had a bad experience in the class last year and told their friends about it, that word gets around and influences others.”

But within the class, the students who have learned to deal with the time commitment and ignore the rumors are not stepping up to the plate as eagerly as they have in the past. In the most recent Student Body Elections for the 20152016 school year, every position ran unopposed. That is, there was only one candidate for each of the six positions.

Now, granted, these are the hardest, most time-consuming positions in the entire council, but the lack of opposition is a bit concerning to the administration and Student Council advisers.

“I think the lack of participation in Student Body Elections comes from intimidation and fear; people will be embarrassed if they lose, and they don’t want that to happen,” said current Student Body President Marisa Milne, “especially when there’s an open position, the decision to run against someone is ultimately just harder and more stress-

ful than running against no one and knowing the outcome of the election will be fine.”

Despite the recent setbacks, Student Council adviser Jennifer Smith is optimistic about the upcoming year. She said, “With all that’s happened, it forces us to stop and think, ‘What is the issue?

What can we do to fix these issues?’

Whether you want to or not, the issue has to be taken care of some time, and it all starts with strengthening the link between Student Council and the rest of the school--students and teachers included.”

Smith also said she is appreciating the help the Council is receiving from the administration.

“The administration is committed to having more school spirit and student involvement, and as a result, that expectation will trickle down onto the students.”

With the support of the administration and a hopeful increase of student participation, Student Council hopes to build the momentum into a fresh new year.

PAST MEMBERS SPEAK

LAUREN HALVORSON:

SARAH PENKSA:

“To be honest, my reason for not doing Student Council again after my freshman year was because I just didn’t have the same love for it, and I had some bad experiences that made me not want to rejoin.

The time commitment was also an issue for me.”

“The main reason I didn’t rejoin (Student Council) this school year was time. I play softball and tennis, which take up most of my time after school. Sports, along with homework and studying, don’t leave enough time for me to be involved in Student Council.”

ALLIE BEAL FORMER STUCO PRESIDENT “I think the reason for the lack of opposition is the fear of failure. Also, as sad as it is, students at Foothill are apathetic about how their school is run and who is making decisions. They do not want to be a part of something they don’t agree with.”

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •5

Opinion

Not the Rio we’re used to Highlighting the ups and downs of the newest Cafe Rio

By Kaden Jesperson • Staff Writer

L

ocated on Horizon Ridge, a Cafe Rio was recently built, causing joy to people in the area. However, this joy was short-lived for many. The new restaurant is having more start-up problems than usual.

I have visited this restaurant a couple of times and have only had one good experience.

It seems as if the restaurant is always out of something.

One day it was steak, the next black beans. One night they were completely out of rice!

Out of rice? That is the soul of the burrito. Rice is almost required to be on a Mexican platter. The lettuce is always soaking wet, and once I even was lucky enough to receive

the core of the lettuce head.

Their specialty lemonade drinks are always out, making you have to drink extremely sugary drinks.

The service is also rough at times. They have many nice people who work there, but some of them cannot get the job done. Many teens work there when only adults should. The teens don’t know how to work with the customers to fulfill their orders accurately and promptly due to their lack of experience. Adults have this experience, and all of the other locations only have adults working there.

I once asked for mild sauce, and they lathered hot sauce all over my burrito as if my mouth was ready for the flames, and then,

6• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

they charged ­­ me extra! The workers also seem to forget to take out the trash; it is always full. The tables are dirty, and they never restock the mints which is half of the experience.

Despite all the problems, the food still tastes good. I do enjoy the burritos and will keep returning because of that. I am glad that they built this location close to my house, as it is a lot more convenient. I do believe that they will get over these first start-up bumps and will one day be as good as the other locations.

Opinion

Battle of the Burrito

Who is the better fast food Mexican restaurant in the valley, Faustos or Roberto’s?

M

ove over Roberto’s, there’s another authentic fast food Mexican restaurant in town, and it is delicious. Don’t be fooled when you walk in and think the same menu and same

By Atalaya Strom •Cub Reporter

food. Just try the cheese enchilada plate or California burrito. Even the hot sauce is better.

If you are looking gourmet, keep driving, but if you are craving that quick, messy, make your stomach hurt but worth it taco, stop at Fausto’s!

It’s also super close to the school! Hungry after school?

Just stop at Fausto’s for a quick bite to eat. You can even get take out and eat it at home while you’re watching

your favorite show on Netflix or doing last minute homework.

I used to be a huge fan of Roberto’s, but now, I am spoiled, and it is hard for me to eat there, knowing there is a fresher, better tasting, cheaper option.

From its deep fried chicken tacos to its great service, Fausto’s is a well-known and loved restaurant. I think that we could all agree that the rice from Fausto’s is the best,

not to mention when it’s served on a delicious bean burrito.

Despite the bad parking in an L shaped strip mall, Fausto’s is very kid and family friendly.

Get the breakfast burrito for only $3.95 before school. The food is tasty. I would highly recommend Fausto’s if you want real Mexican food for a spectacular price.

Great food. Great prices.

Great Service. Get some.

By Marissa Panchal •Staff Writer

T

he smell of fresh tortillas and beans permeates the air as the door to Roberto’s Taco Shop opens; the sound of orders being made and kitchen utensils working hard can be heard throughout the shop. That first bite is like a piece of heaven has landed in your mouth.

The battle for the best burrito and taco has been an ongoing mission for a good 30 years in Nevada. There are many establishments that have taken on the task of creating the best-tasting burrito and taco in the valley, hoping to be named the best. At the Hill, you hear a lot about the famous Fausto’s and how great their

burritos are, but Roberto’s Taco Shop, whose diverse options of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, was voted number one in 2013 in the Review Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” reader’s poll, so the shop has a lot to be proud of and has proven that they are the best in the valley.

Recently, junior Riley Bidwell went to Roberto’s to grab some dinner after a long swim meet and was surprised at how delicious the food was. “I wasn’t expecting Roberto’s to be that good because I usually do not like Mexican food,” said Bidwell. “But it was so delicious. I loved the tacos and enchiladas, and the rice was definitely on point.”

My personal favorite is just the plain and simple bean and cheese burrito. It tastes so good! I like how they fill up the burrito with a ton of

beans. It’s not just a huge tortilla filled with some beans.

I have been to a few places that have done that, and it is always disappointing, but Roberto’s definitely surpasses my expectations. I also really enjoy how they give you rice with any meal that you order, and though a lot of Mexican restaurants do this, Roberto’s gives you a lot, and it is always great for leftovers.

Roberto’s doesn’t only do

lunch and dinner though.

They also have amazing breakfast burritos filled with either bacon or sausage, eggs, cheese, and more, sure to make your day start off great.

In addition to the great food and atmosphere, Roberto’s is celebrating their 50th anniversary, and what is great is that their authenticity is still intact, even after fifty years.

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •7

Opinion

I

ar m m a Gr

imple s o s s e Mistak be arrested uld you sho

sit in my AP Language and Composition class as boisterous chatter fills the room. The class is divided in groups of three or four as we read former students’ AP test essays as examples. I begin reading the paper silently to myself as I listen to my partner read the essay aloud. Suddenly, my face contorts with an annoyed reaction. I slam down the packet with rage as I pull out my bright purple pen, violently circling the abundant, simple grammar errors I encounter too often.

It’s remarkable how so many high school students still don’t know how to use homophones correctly. As an editor and past student aide, I’ve seen SUM pretty stupid grammatical mistakes. When they ask why THEY’RE IS so many red marks on THERE paper,

f or-in-chie ne • Edit

el Leo

By Rach

the first thing I say is to check their usage of homophones. HEARS some ADVISE: if YOU’RE desire is to develop concise, coherent thoughts, check your writing for simple differences between homophones like “your” and “you’re,” “there,” “their,” and “they’re” and mostly, “it’s” and “its.” It’s really TWO bad when people can’t figure out the difference between homophones after ten years of being in school. Using correct grammar makes you seem 100 times smarter.

“Then” and “than” are used differently as well. While “then” is used to sequence events, “than” is used to compare two different things. If you can’t figure that out by the time you’re sixteen, THAN you may have an issue.

Of course, grammar crimes get worse THEN that.

Spelling is so INCREDABLY important.

When you don’t spell stuff correctly, it just makes you look STOOPID, especially when the error is something you should have known for years. Stop being lazy, grab a DICTINARY, and learn the importance of spelling.

I also can’t believe that people still put the word “like” abundantly in their vocabulary. It’s not LIKE adding “LIKE” a billion times makes you sound, LIKE any smarter. Writing in an elevated manner is really important, especially if you want to go to college and LIKE, get a job. LIKE, seriously.

I also can’t believe how people still don’t know how to use comparison words. It’s better if you can describe things using comparative phrases like “good,” “better” and “best.” Don’t overuse comparative phrases by adding -er to words with “much” and “more.” Instead of sounding MORE STUPIDER than you actually are, make sure you check your grammar,

What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to bad grammar?

JOSH BOTTOMS

SAMANTHA RYAN

I’m a stickler about proper grammar, but when I see errors on social media, I’m typically not very perturbed. I do have a problem with people who post mistakes in things like obituaries and political/religious posts that are important.

The many errors in social media hurt my eyes. My biggest pet peeve is when people use abbreviations like “tht” and “ok.” Why can’t people make the second effort to spell out a word?

8• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

KAMRY PEYTON My biggest grammar pet peeve is when people use the wrong there, their, they’re or variations of words like it. I know everybody says it bothers them, but people still make the stupid mistakes, and it really bothers me!

or at least pay attention to the green squiggly lines in your Word document.

Also, the comparatives “less” and “fewer” are used in different circumstances. Using “less” means the subject is singular, as in “I wish people would be less stupid.” Using “fewer” means the subject is plural, as in “The world would be a better place with fewer people who make simple grammar mistakes.”

Apostrophes are only used when showing possession or using a contraction. They are not cute squiggles that are used to decorate your paper. Stop adding them to regular plural NOUN’S or active verbs that end in “s.” It really MAKE’S you look like a moron.

Conjugating a verb to its noun has been an important skill since the second grade. Throughout school, we’ve learned to write and communicate coherent ideas. However, this is impossible when you write like someone who HAVE never seen the English language before.

Run-on sentences without punctuation are still such an issue with people because punctuation seems to be a low priority when they are writing, but run-on sentences just remind me of someone who has been drinking coffee without sleep for days and is talking really really fast and can’t stop and take a breath because their brain is so overly-caffeinated that there are no spaces when they speak like Hammy in the movie Over the Hedge but people still choose to leave out punctuation because they’re too lazy to take the time and put a period or comma into a really long sentence.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people use the word “literally” in a figurative manner. It describes something that actually happened.

When you come up to me and say, “I laughed so hard, I literally died,” I’m going to look at you like I’ve seen a ghost because you’re literally dead, remember? Incorrectly using “literally” makes me want to literally smack you in the face with a dictionary opened up to the page with the literal definition.

Overall, grammar is important.

Without its constructive and helpful guidelines, the art of communication wouldn’t be able to sustain itself.

Language is beautiful, but you destroy its art when you don’t use it correctly.

So, LIKE, pick up a book and LITERALLY learn from IT’S example. I promise that YOU’RE peers, teachers, and everyone else in the entire world will be MORE HAPPY with LESS GRAMMER mistakes.

Word

How to use it

Word

How to use it

There

A location

Two

The number 2

Their

Showing possession

To

A direction

They’re

“They are”

Too

Your

Showing possession

Also; to a certain extent

You’re

“You are”

Affect

To produce an effect

Its

Showing possession

It’s

“It is”

Where

Effect

A result of an action

Whether

used as a comparison between choices

A location

Weather

The temperature or conditions outside

Were

Past tense of are

Then

Sequence of events

We’re

“We are”

Than

A comparison

English

One of the most universal languages.

Spread mainly by British colonization and America’s global influence Arose from a melting pot of dialects.

Lacks neatness, but has expressive versatility.

Packed with diverse, borrowed words and terms

Modern English Alphabet: 26 Letters

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •9

Campus News

Every cent counts Annual penny wars brings in money for a good cause and good pasta

By Maddie Videtto • Peregrine Writer

A

fter spending an hour every day for a week collecting pennies for the Leukemia Foundation, the National Honor Society raised over $1,712.

“It was so fun to see how excited the teachers were about their pennies,” said Courtney Nilson. “It was interesting how the teachers bribed their students to bring in pennies and how the teachers reported that students kept putting silver coins in each other’s rooms to sabotage their box.”

Ms. Moss’ fourth period experienced quite the loss when Mr. Tobler’s class arrived to sabotage her box by putting silver coins in it. “I donated twenty-five dollars just before they walked in,” said Nick Lopez, “so I was very disappointed, and I tried to stop it, but it didn’t work out so well.” Launching out of his chair, Lopez grabbed the bag of silver and tried to reason with them, but Ms. Moss told him to give it back and to play the game fair. Lopez handed back the bag and sat down while all of Ms. Moss’ fourth period watched them pour the silver in, feeling defeated since they had raised over three hundred dollars.

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PENNIES FOR PASTA: Courtney Nilson collects money donated during the penny wars. Paper money counted for positive points while silver coins were used to sabotage other classrooms. Photo by Bill Tobler

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10 • Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

DEFYING

Gravity

Campus News

Physics Club hosts bridge building contest

By Jack Meltzer • Cub Reporter Page Design by Billy Clouse • Layout Editor

A

bridge placed between two desks begins to creak and crumble under the pressure of the weights below. Moments later, it breaks apart. For seven consecutive weeks, Physics Club members built bridges in Mr. Spangler’s room every Wednesday, making the bridges out of wooden Popsicle sticks and glue. The bridges had to be 16”-20” inches long, and the Popsicle sticks could not be double stacked. After completion, the bridges were stress tested as weights were attached to it, creating tension and pressure. The bridge that could withstand the most weights won.

Four teams of Physics Club members built bridges as a part of the contest going head to head to see who could build the strongest bridge. A bucket hung under the bridge held up by two ropes wrapped around a dowel across the bridge.

The teams put weights in a bucket to measure how much weight the bridge could hold.

“We didn’t expect to win,” says Josie Meltzer. “We just did it for the fun of the project.”

Bridges began breaking at 60 pounds and then broke at 68 pounds and then at 95 pounds, but Meltzer’s team’s bridge held firm at over 95 pounds and still did not break. There were no more weights to test with, so they won.

Vanessa Melendez said, “I do physics club because I thought it would be a great way to hang out with my friends after school and to learn about physics while doing fun projects and activities.”

1

2

1. Alexander McClement’s bridge shows its strength as weights are added to the bucket, causing stress on the bridge. 2. The winning group assembles their bridge. Clockwise from back left: Kendal Jimenez, Josie Meltzer, Kathryn Schlichenmayer and Vanessa Melendez. Their bridge held all the weight available in the classroom and never crumbled. 3. Sebastion Szep and his fellow team members glue structural support together for their bridge.

3 March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •11

Profile

New Life. New Challenges. New Zealand.

Sophie Tanner leaves her home life behind to take on a new experience as a foreign exchange student

By Kaylee Stradling • Staff Writer

L

ooking back out the window, Sophie Tanner takes one last glance at Henderson and turns around to embark on a new journey to New Zealand.

On January 27, Tanner flew out to New Zealand as an exchange student for the second semester of school. “I’ve always wanted to be an exchange student, and this year I was looking for a fun and pretty chill experience, and I had connections to my host family, so I decided to make it happen,” said Tanner.

Tanner’s family is very supportive of her choice, but they also said they miss her very much. “Sophie has always wanted to do this, so I thought, ‘Let’s go for it,’” said Sophie’s mom, Michelle. “It’s been hard to adjust to not having her around, but she calls and Facetimes us often, so it’s been good.”

Attending school in New Zealand was something Sophie was most nervous about, but she quickly adjusted to the similar style of learning as U.S. schools. “The classes are generally the same and all have the same learning atmosphere as we do back at home,” said Tanner. “Being at school here in New Zealand is practically the same, but instead of grading with letters, they grade with merits.”

Over the weekends, many New Zealander’s spend time at the beach.

“It’s always a dream to be able to go to the beach all the time, and since my host family has a beach house, we spend every weekend down there either surfing, snorkeling, free diving, wake boarding, cliff jumping, and parasailing, which is a blast,” said Tanner. “I don’t know what else you would do down here if you didn’t go to the beach.”

Just like Americans, New Zealanders often use words like swag, yolo, and squad, but they use other words too that are swear words to us. “Saying damn or hell isn’t even considered bad here,” said Tanner. “It’s so weird. When I went to my first week of church here, they were all using those words, and I was so shocked.”

Besides the different use of language, Tanner says that the people are all very kind, have cool accents, and that the people like to joke around. “The people are really friendly, but one time I was at the beach wake boarding, and some of the people there told me that there were sharks in the water where I was, and it freaked me out so bad,” said Tanner. “There weren’t even sharks there, but the thought of it was just so fishy.”

One thing any of us Americans would

NEW ZEALAND GIRL: Sophie Tanner is spending this semester as a foreign exchange student in New Zealand. She says that the schools are about the same, but she loves being able to spend so much time at the ocean. She has spent much of her free time snorkeling, surfing, wakeboarding, parasailing and cliff jumping.

Courtesy photos

have to adjust to if going to New Zealand is driving on the opposite side of the road, and Tanner has had to get used to it. “My host family is trying to teach me how to drive stick shift, and I’m not very good at it because it is so weird to drive on the other side of the road.”

Leaving home, according to Tanner is hard, but it’s a bittersweet experience. “I miss Mexican food the most, and also my old classes and friends, but it is all worth it for a semester of my life,” said Tanner.

School Dance Special

12• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

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Anastasiya Poberezhna

From Kiev, New Russia to Las Vegas, Nevada

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By Gianna Camperi• Cub Reporter

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Я

New Russian

люблю его здесь, в Лас-Вегасе. Я не знаю, чего ожидать “, сказал Анастасия Poberezhna, один из студентов предгорных в иностранной валюте; который был здесь с самого начала этого учебного года. Исходя из Украины, она нашла нас обоих “необычное” и “разные”. Назад в Киеве школы меньше, и идти от первого до одиннадцатого классов около 1000 учащихся в каждой школе. Каждый год студенты проходят те же предметы, изучая различные части, и восемь периодов; вместо шести. Там также нет факультативы внутри самих школ. “Я ожидал, что школу, чтобы больше походить на кино Дрянные девчонки”, сказал Poberezhna. Для того чтобы стать студентом по обмену, она должна была подать заявку и принять несколько размещения и отбора испытаний. Некоторые различия она рассматривает как положительные. “Там больше места везде, и это не так тесно,” сказала она. “Я не привык к этому.” Назад в Украине, она жила в большом городе, в квартире. “Там нет гор домой; так что я никогда не был в поход раньше. Я люблю его, “сказала она. Она также сказала, что она любит погоду здесь. “Это как летом круглый год. Я могу где Футболка в то время как зима здесь.

“Emmalynn Pace является хозяином сестра Poberezhna-х годов. “Мы много семейных каникул, чтобы показать ей вокруг,” сказал Pace; кто сказал, что они стали очень близки в течение последних нескольких месяцев. “Я собираюсь быть действительно грустно, когда она уходит,” сказал Pace. “Мы не хотели бы говорить об этом в моем доме.”

I

English

love it here in Vegas. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Anastasiya Poberezhna, one of Foothill’s foreign exchange students, who has been here since the beginning of this school year.

Coming from the Ukraine, she found the U.S. both “unusual” and “different.”

Back in Kiev, the schools are smaller and go from first to eleventh grades with about 1000 students in each school.

Each year, students take the same subjects, learning different parts, and have eight periods instead of six. There are also no electives within the schools themselves. “I expected school to be more like the movie Mean Girls,” said Poberezhna. In order to become an exchange student, she had to submit an application, and take multiple placement and eligibility tests.

Some of the differences she views as positives. “There’s more space everywhere, and it’s not as crowded,” she said. “I’m not used to it.” Back in Ukraine, she lived in a big city in an apartment. “There are no mountains back home, so I had never been hiking before. I love it,” she said. She also said she loves the weather here. “It’s like summer all year. I can wear a t-shirt while it’s winter.”

Emmalynn Pace is Poberezhna’s host sister. “We take a lot of family vacations to show her around,” said Pace, who said they have become really close within the last few months. “I’m gonna be really sad when she leaves,” said Pace.

“We don’t like to talk about it in my house.”

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •13

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14• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

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Henderson

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Multifaceted

[Senior Charlotte Wall discusses her life and motivations]

M

y earliest memory of childhood is lying beside my mother on the trampoline in our backyard, watching the elm leaves overhead sway in the breeze,” said Charlotte Wall. “This experience sways in my mind incessantly, like the leaves themselves did that balmy spring afternoon, reminding me of the world’s beauty, and to savor and not take for granted what this earth has gifted me.”

For Wall, spending time outside has always been a priority.

“My mom raised me to value nature and

By Billy Clouse • Layout Editor

the outdoors,” said Wall. “I feel kind of trapped when I’m inside. When I’m outside, I feel like the world is my oyster.”

Because her mother, Deborah Wall, is a freelance travel writer, Charlotte grew up going on road trips on the weekends. On one of these trips, Charlotte and her mom met a man named Ian, a professor of biology from Washington.

“We were hiking in the middle of nowhere, and we weren’t even expecting to see another person,” said Wall. “We happened to run into him, and he was so interesting;

instead of paying rent for a month, he packed up everything in his car and decided to just drive and see where the road would take him. We hiked with him for an hour, and his views on life were like what my mom always raised me to emulate. You never have to settle for less; you can always move on and find something better if that’s what you’re seeking and just live to be happy.”

When she’s not going on trips, Wall spends time in her backyard.

“I’ll just sit outside and read or lay on my trampoline and listen to music,” she said.

January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •15

Profile

“It’s nice to get recognition, but I don’t really do things for the title.”

“My backyard is a really comfortable environment. It has Christmas lights strung up, a cactus garden, and we do bonfires often. People are always coming over.”

Of all the places she’s been, Wall said that Death Valley is one of her favorites.

“I feel like Death Valley is a definite motif in my life; we visited it all the time,” she said.

“It’s like when you listen to an old song, and it reminds you of old times. I remember these wonderful times I had with my mom.”

Despite her love for travel, Wall spends a significant amount of time in school. Besides extracurricular activities, she has dedicated time to her schoolwork. As a senior, she’s taking her ninth Advanced Placement class.

“I’m one of those weird people who really likes reading and writing and studying,” she said. “I like to do my best in everything I do, so I’m totally okay with taking the steps necessary to get where I want to go.”

For the class of 2015, Wall is a valedictorian candidate.

Wall leads many school organizations, one of which is Mu Alpha Theta, a math tutoring From top to bottom: 1. Wall often spends time in elementary school art classes. “It’s amazing how warm teaching someone how to make a snowflake feels,” she said. Courtesy photo 2. The cross country team after regionals. “At this moment, we truly were both a team and a family,” said Wall. Courtesy photo 3. Charlotte with some friends at a bonfire.

4. Wall celebrating her 18th birthday at Lake Mead. “This was the day I officially came of age, and what a day it was!” she said. Courtesy photo 5. Charlotte in front of the Galaxy Wall.

Photo by Zach Hayes

16• Hillside hotwire •January/February 2015

program, where she is president.

“I love being able to help people out; it’s my favorite thing in the entire world,” said Wall.

“I know that sounds corny, but I love the idea that I can do something to make someone else’s life easier.”

Another group she leads is the National Art Honor Society, a group that aims to improve the community with art.

“Some days, we teach elementary school classes,” Wall said. “We make tiles with them, and because they’re kindergärtners, you give them some paint, and they just go nuts. It’s a lovely reminder to cherish the little things in life.”

As a third year member of National Honor Society, Wall is president. This group participates in community service projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

“I feel like every event we do is helping the community,” she said. “It’s like IHOP; come hungry, leave happy. I come hungry for volunteer service and I leave happy.”

Although she has continued to participate in the extracurricular activities that she joined in previous years, she was unable to continue one of them. Last season, Wall participated in cross country, but she did not try out this past season because she was helping her dad, who has leukemia.

“Cross country was a life-changing experience for me,” said Wall. “I never thought of myself as a team player, but all of a sudden, cross country became my team sport, and I loved my team, and I cared about them.”

Before she found her aptitude for academics, Wall discovered that she was a

Profile

talented writer. because it was assigned “Even before pre-school, to me as an extra credit I stapled together pieces of assignment from Mr. Ringler paper and made my own the night before it was due,” books,” she said. “I wrote a she said. “He didn’t really book called ‘Charlotte and like it that much, and I took Amy Find a Dead Iguana.’ it home and made some There are three pages in it, corrections. I submitted it, and it was a two-year-old’s mostly to get the extra credit, drawing of Amy and me, and and a month later, I ended there’s a dead iguana, or I up winning the grand think it is. There are other prize. I books about talking flowers got a and chickens, just random View related content things. It was what I did for plaque, on hillhot.com fun.” a medal, and As she grew older, writing became more a belt buckle or something than a hobby. random, and it was an honor that “In third grade, I finally wrote my first the governor liked my writing.” novel,” said Wall. “I went to Barnes and Noble Currently, Wall is writing another and bought one of those empty journals and novel; this one is more detailed than the one filled it up with this story about a fairy or from third grade. Although she didn’t want something. And it had this sequel about this to say much about it, she did say that she’s Egyptian–I don’t know, it’s what I did when I “been working on it for about a year, and it’s was little. I wrote books.” kind of in pieces. If it ever gets published, a lot As her writing developed, Wall began to of [students] will recognize the characters. earn awards.

That’s all I’m going to say.”

“I’ve won some art contests, poetry Although she spends a great deal of time contests, I’ve done poetry-recitation contests writing, she also makes art.

–nothing super great,” she said. “It’s nice to “People think that I’m creative because of get recognition, but I don’t really do things my art,” said Wall. “Last year, I was really for the title. I just do my very best, and if that dedicated to it because of my [AP Art] awards me some trophy, I’ll take it with honor, class. Every Friday after school, I’d stay but that’s not what I’m aiming toward.” in the courtyard for three hours painting to One of Wall’s poems, “Our Little Home,” finish my projects. I paint mostly non-realistic, was published in a national anthology. graphic design-y art.”

“It’s a darker poem. I think it was from After graduation, Wall plans to attend a tough time in my life or a tough time in college to pursue a degree in creative writing. someone else’s life that I was really feeling. She has not yet decided on which college she It’s a piece that has a lot of passion and plans to attend. emotion behind it.”

“I think I’m better at writing (than art),” Last year, one of Wall’s essays was chosen said Wall. “I’ll always make art, but writing is by the governor as the best in the state. my niche; it’s the thing I’m most passionate “That’s one of my biggest achievements about.”

SCAN ME!

January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •17

1 2

Starstruck T Falcons show their talent at annual show

Story By Marissa Panchal Staff Writer Layout By Rachel Leone Editor-in-chief

he lights in the auditorium lowered and a spot light hit the stage as emcees Alyssa McCoy and Mia Sonoja entered through the red curtain, starting off the night with a few jokes and introducing the upcoming acts.

Junior Angela Torcaso entered and sang “Back to December” by Taylor Swift. “It was really nerve wracking being the first act,” said Torcaso, “but also very exciting. I feel like the first act sets the tone of the show, and I was honored to do it.”

On March 26, the annual Talent Show was held at the Hill, with a total of fourteen different acts showing off their unique talents to fellow students. The talents ranged from dancing and

eating cereal to vocal performances. “I had a lot of fun,” said Torcaso. “I love singing, and I also met some talented people in the show and made new friends.”

Preparation and practice were probably one of the most important aspects of performing, according to the performers, and each had different ways of getting ready for the big show.

“Our group practiced a ton individually and collectively,” said senior Genevieve Weaver, singer from Matt’s Superstars. “We only had one person to each specific harmony. The hardest part was combining all of them and feeling comfortable with it.”

Torcaso said she had a similar experience when

6 18• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

4 5

3 preparing for the show. “I made some hot tea and warmed up my voice,” said Torcaso. “I also practiced what kind of movements I was going to make in the mirror because I didn’t want to just be standing on stage awkwardly.” While there were some performers who practiced incessantly, some did not due to their extreme familiarity with the song. “I didn’t have to prepare too much,” said junior Michael Richter, “because it was a song that I have been singing for a while.”

Another part of performing is deciding which song to perform or which arrangement to use that will help make the performance the best.

“We love the challeng“We chose “Run to You” because firstly, we love ing and juicy chords of Pentatonix,” said Weaver. “And secondly, we love how the song and the poetic challenging and juicy the chords of the song are, and message behind it.” the poetic message of the song is great too.”

There are also times when the performer wants to -Genevieve Weaver get a message across to the audience, and that is their reasoning behind choosing a certain song. “I chose ‘Back to December’ because it really holds a special place in my heart,” said Torcaso. “I absolutely love the lyrics because I think the song is about ruining relationships and wishing you could go back and fix them. I’ve had my fair share of wrecked friendships, and I really wanted a song that I could relate to. Also, I really love Taylor Swift, and I really love her music, so the song just came naturally, and I was really happy with it.”

Performing in front of a large audience can be frightening, but stage freight and nerves can be overcome and talent show performer Michaela Ferguson did just that. After Michaela’s friends and Ms. Smith encouraged her, Michaela went right back out on the stage and sang. “My friends were there to support me,” said Ferguson, “and I couldn’t have gone back out on stage for another try if not for everyone there. The audience was so great. I felt like I wasn’t being judged too harshly. Ms. Smith was especially supportive. She asked if I wanted to go back on and that I could if I wanted to. She told me she was proud of me either way. I thought about it, and then Dre [Vasquez] came back stage and talked to me, and I decided that I would. Both of them mean a lot to me, so their opinions were very important in the decision. After the Talent Show, I may have finally begun to get past my stage freight.” Ferguson sang “Little Do You Know” by Alex and Sierra. “I chose ‘Little Do You Know’ because the song just felt right. It was both appealing and relatable. I’d practiced many songs before deciding, and I even had some of my friend’s vote which I should go with. The song may have been better as a duet, but I knew I’d feel better if I only had to account for myself.”

Overall, the show was a positive experience for both the performers and the audience.

“The Talent Show was amazing,” said Weaver. “So many talented performers! I love performing, especially with my friends, and especially after working to nail a piece of music.”

1. Michael Richter ends the show by presenting “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer. This was Richter’s third year performing in the talent show.

2. Stephanie Miles accomplishes her goal of performing in the talent show. “It was a great show to be a part of,” said Miles. “I made a lot of new stage friends.” Photo by Dylan Wylie 3. Chamber Choir singers sing “Run to You” a cappella. “We are really close knit friends, and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life,” said Matthew James.

4. Angela Torasco performs Taylor Swift’s “Back to December.” Photo by Dylan Wylie 5. Pumping up the crowd, Jontee Thomas performs his own original rap titled “Spitting Bars.” “I decided to end my senior year by performing in the talent show,” said Thomas.

“Music is a passion; I do it from the heart.”

Photo by Dylan Wylie

6. Alex Chumas and Robert Cowan slurp down some Count Chocula cereal to show off their amazing breakfast skills. “Robby and I dance every day as well as eat cereal every day, so we just thought we’d put the two together and have some fun with it,” said Chumas. Photo by Dylan Wylie.

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •19

Sports

Foothill cheer goes to nationals

By Maggie Macres•Peregrine Writer

Girls perform flawless routine in Anaheim

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alking in two lines, hand and hand, Foothill High School’s competition cheer team headed back to the warm up area an hour before they hit the mat. “Once I walked onto the warm up floor and saw all the other teams throwing their flyers as high as they could, I got into my competition mode,” said Jennifer Embrogno. The team was backstage at the national cheerleading competition at the Anaheim Convention Center in California where 22 teams competed for the national title in the small intermediate division. Once the girl’s nine-minute warm up time began, they threw all of their tumbling passes and jumps. The coaches cheered on their team as they preformed their stunt sequence. “Our entire stunts hit first try without mistakes, so that was a great feeling,” said Embrogno.

As the speakers began to play their competition music, the girls huddled up tightly to listen to their coaches, also to Foothill’s dance coach, Lana Carey, talk about staying focused and executing their routine. The girls, confident after all of the support and motivation given to them, waited for the team preceding them to finish. The butterflies and nerves rushed through their stomachs as they waited to

hear Foothill’s name called.

“And now, please welcome, all the way from Henderson, Nevada, Foothill High School,” the announcer called out. The bright red curtains opened slowly, and the lights shone on the nine, royal blue mats. They ran out, cheering and jumping, trying to pump up the crowd.

“My heart was racing more than ever as I got set in my first formation,” said Embrogno. Head captain Kailey Boresma shouted, “Falcons,” which signaled the girls to take their first position. Waiting patiently, nerves on edge, the music started to play, and their first cue went off. Stunt after stunt, flip after flip, the girls completed the routine and left the mat knowing they had done their best. After the awards, the girls left the convention center with their heads held high, but disappointed they didn’t make it to day two.

“I have so much enthusiasm for next year to try to do better and make it to day two,” said Grace Luby. Not letting the judge’s decision hamper them, they enjoyed their next day at Disneyland.

1

3 1. “The day we got to California for nationals, we went to Downtown Disney to do team bonding,” said Paulina Quinonez. She said it was a great way to start off their trip. 2. Grace Luby and the rest of the team loaded onto the shuttle buses. “Being with all my girls at The Happiest Place on Earth made this trip a memory I will never forget,” said Luby. 3. “The last part of our routine was our pyramid, which was so nerve racking because all of our stunts and tumbling hit through the entire routine, so all we had left to hit was this. I was pumped to do our dance because the pyramid hit perfectly,” said Heather Hamilton.

Swedish exchange student fulfills dream “Competing with this team has been so much fun, especially since our school back in Sweden doesn’t have any sport teams” --Elin Hernelind

N

ot having any national competitions in Sweden for cheerleading made this experience for Elin Hernelind, pictured right, very special. “Competing with this team has been so much fun, especially since our school in Sweden doesn’t have sport teams,” said Hernelind, “I never get nervous, but I was like, I’m going to do my best and just have a great time.”

Waking up in a place far from home, Hernelind always asks herself “Where am I?” and “What am I doing here?”

Going to Disneyland was also an awesome experience for her, since they don’t have anything like that back in Sweden. “The girls made me feel so welcome,” she said.

This has all been such a once in a lifetime experience for her, one, she said, she will never forget.

20• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

2

Sports

Staff vs. students kickball game

Students do the teaching for a change with 36-10 rout

By Riley Bidwell •Staff Writer

1 Alyssa Miele scoops up the ball and prepares to throw the runner out at second. Photo by Thomas Mace

T

he sun beats down on the soccer field, and the staff and students, dressed in athletic clothing, take their positions on the field. Student body president Marisa Milne stands in the middle of the field, with a bright orange kickball in her hands. She steps forward, rolling the kickball toward home plate where a student kicks the ball so it soars into the sunlight, the first kick of the staff verses students kickball game.

Students beat the teachers and staff 36 to 10. “It was so hot,” said sophomore Hannah Harrison. “I had so much fun though! I knew we would destroy the teachers!”

Some teachers thought that it was unfair that the students had only two girls on their team.

Mr. Ortiz agreed that the game was slightly unfair since the amount of boys and girls on each team was uneven, and he is still distraught from the devastating loss. “I can’t even face my family,” said Ortiz. “I am seeking therapy because I have been taking the loss pretty hard.”

Mr. Ortiz said that, even though he is taking the loss pretty hard, and he thinks that it was kind of unfair, he hopes to feel emotionally healed for the staff versus students kickball game next time!

2. Logan Lake fields the ball after Mrs. Yakubik kicks, attempting to throw her out at first. Photo

by Thomas Mace 3. A bright spot for the staff was Mr. Harris, as he boots a ball to deep center field. Photo

by Bill Tobler

2

3

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January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •21

Sports

Baseball team swings hot b jerseys during Grizzly-B Team hopes rough start could lead

By Jesse Lima •Editor-in-Chief

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Kaelii Maruyama << Infielder

hile almost the whole population of Foothill High School was focused on what they were going to do during spring break, the varsity baseball team was focused on their upcoming opponents in the Grizzly-Bengal Spring Break tournament, a tournament where the Falcons could pick up their game, which was exactly what the team needed after starting

Trentin Price << Pitcher

22• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

t bats and sports sweet y-Bengal Tournament their season with three wins and twelve losses.

“Picking up our game is exactly what we did in this tournament,” said senior Spencer Throgmorton. “With the last two games in this tournament, I would say that we started to show some very good signs for success.”

The team did start the tournament off with two straight losses, one to Bonanza and one to Liberty, who they had previously lost to during the season, but they rebounded with a complete game shutout thrown by senior Austin Wilson in their third game, run-ruling the Legacy Longhorns, 10-0.

“Well, this was our first win in a while, and I went out there and threw to the best of my ability,” said Wilson.

“I only gave up four hits, and soon enough, our offense had already scored ten runs, and we mercy ruled them. Our offense blew up in this game, and for the remainder of the tournament. Line drive after line drive and run after run. We worked together to manufacture runs, and now this tournament just made us hungry for the rest of the competition around the valley.”

In the fourth game, the team’s high-powered offense did not let up, with a 6-2 victory over the Spring Valley Grizzlies. Freshman Andrew Hauck was one out away from a complete game before he was relieved by junior Shay Landers to finish off the game, and Throgmorton had two hits in three at-bats to complete his last two games of the tournament with a .833

batting average, which is equivalent to five hits in six at-bats. “I felt good during the last two games, and I could really see the ball,” Throgmorton said.

“It’s always great when you can help your team out by getting on base and knocking a few runners in.”

The team has also been sporting some new jerseys to add to their season, and some players think that the jerseys could help them finish out the season strong. “The new jerseys are definitely really sweet, and we all love them,” said junior Trentin Price. “The jerseys make us look super stylish on the field, and it doesn’t hurt that we can win in them as well.”

“We’re finally starting to get our confidence back after winning the last two games in this tournament, and it feels good to get those two wins under our belt,” said Price. “Our team has had our struggles, but all of us have been playing together for a while, and I know we’re going to finish the season strong.”

>>

d to strong finish to end the season

Joe Perales Infielder

Austin Wilson Catcher >>

January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •23

Sports

Softball living up to their defending region champs title

By Kayla King • Staff Writer

Sarah Maddox

O

ver the past month the varsity softball team has traveled to tournaments in Mesquite, Bullhead City and Torrance, California.

Starting off the Mesquite tournament, the girls played Arbor View, and took a devastating loss with a close score of 10-7.

“It was a tough loss,” said junior Alexa Campbell. “We started off great and then we sort of lost steam at the end.”

The girls were determined to bounce back from the loss and hopefully face Arbor View again in the championship game.

The girls dominated the next two games, putting them in the championship game along with Arbor View.

The girls came out with a bang and got ahead in the first inning. Throughout the game, the score went back and forth, but the girls were eventually victorious and got the win.

“I was so proud of my team,” said junior Daryan Meade. “The fact that we were

able to avenge our first loss says a lot about our drive to win.”

The next weekend was Bullhead City. This tournament is known for its stiff competition and variety of teams. All the girls knew that, to win their games, they needed to be on their a-game every single pitch.

“The competition was really good for us,” said Campbell. “By facing off against the best of the best, it improved our intensity and will forced us to work better as a team.”

Their record at the end of this tournament was 2-4. Meade said that every game finished with a close score and that their intensity was up each and every second.

For their final tournament of the season, the team traveled to Torrance. Along with Bullhead City, the competition there was very fierce. During their first game against Eddison, the score went back and forth.

The game went into three extra innings, but sadly the girls lost 9-11.

Pitch Perfect: pitchers explain how throwing affects them

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By Alexis Bobby • Staff Writer

itching is possibly the most important part of softball. The pitchers on the Hill’s varsity team, Kayla King, Sadie Christian and Sarah Penksa, are considered by many as the heart of the softball team. Christian and King also play first base; Christian said she loves playing both positions, while King says she likes pitching way more, and Penksa says she only pitches.

The girls all made varsity because they proved how good they were at tryouts, and they credit some of that to playing outside of the school team on a club team, which gives them more practice.

King said she likes the high school team better because she’s closer with the girls, and the games are more exciting.

She also said she likes how, every game, the teams work for the state title, which doesn’t happen in travel teams. Penksa

From left: Sadie Christian, Kayla King and Sarah Penksa. Photos by Dylan Wylie, Sean Howard and Jackson Tobler

said, between the two teams, she doesn’t have a preference, and likes both teams equally. Christian, however, said she likes playing on her travel team better.

“I like travel better because you get a chance to talk to college coaches and face competition from many different states,” said Christian.

Softball teams win most of their games based upon how well their pitchers pitch, and all three girls know which pitch they like to throw the best; Christian and King like fastball outside, and Penksa likes the screwball, which are also the girl’s fastest

24• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

pitches.

Pitching is King’s, Penksa’s and Christian’s favorite part of the game, but they explained that it also comes with downsides, “Walking a batter with two outs is probably my least favorite part of the game,” said Christian. Penksa said the downside was the wear and tear on her body.

“Softball is hard on your body, and there are times when you don’t get to play every game, but other than that, the game is great.”

“We played very well,” said Campbell.

“But the other team had a few clutch hits that we didn’t answer back to.”

That same night, the girls won their next game 7-2. This put them into the Bronze Bracket. Even though it wasn’t the top bracket, the girls knew they still needed to do their best to win, due to the advanced level of each team.

The next day, the girls won their first game by mercy rule. Their next game was against their biggest rivals, Coronado.

“It is always fun playing Coronado,” said sophomore Caitlyn Stevenson. “The games are always competitive and aren’t boring for even a second.”

Once again, they were won against the Cougars. They all said that it felt really good to win.

“Even though it wasn’t a league game, and in a sense it didn’t really matter,” said Campbell, “we still played with as much intensity as possible to make sure to put the Cougars in their place.”

Unfortunately, in the championship game the next morning against Eddison, once again the girls came up just short.

“We are so ready for the season,” said Meade. “We are determined to finally be able to hang that state banner in the gym once the season is over.”

King said the hardest part of the game was that it can get a little stressful because all eyes are focused on you, and you’re the center of attention.

But they feel the upsides of the game outweigh the negatives.

“You are basically in charge of the game,” said King. “You determine where and how hard the ball will get hit depending on which pitch you throw.”

“When I strike batters out with my rise ball, it is the greatest part of the game,” said Christian. “It makes me so excited.”

“I think making the batter look stupid when I throw a changeup is the best part,” Penksa said. Along with playing softball, Penksa also plays varsity tennis for the Hill, while King and Christian said they have no other hobbies because pitching in softball is their true passion.

The girls all love pitching, and all agreed that they wouldn’t want to play at any other position.

Life behind the desk and behind the plate: Hannah Stevens

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By Kayla King • Staff Writer

t is uncommon in high school to be a varsity athlete and valedictorian. Senior Hannah Stevens is one of the few exceptions. Stevens is a four-year varsity athlete with an amazing GPA. She has managed to keep her grades up while being a star on the diamond as well as the tennis court as well as being the 2014-2015 student body treasurer.

“I am also involved with student council, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Delta Psi,” said Stevens.

Stevens said that her favorite part about Student Council is being able to reach out to the students and recognize them for all of their hard work in their athletics and other extracurricular activities.

When asked how she manages being an athlete and a super scholar, Stevens explained that it is definitely a lot harder than it looks.

“Lots of all nighters,” said Stevens.

“When I have a softball game that doesn’t finish until 6 PM and loads of homework from all of my AP classes, the only way to manage is to kiss sleep good-bye, grab a coffee, and turn up the pump-up playlist.”

She said the hardest part was when all of her “activities” overlapped with her schedule, and she had to choose which one she wasn’t going to do, which was usually homework.

“Winning a game, or match, is instant gratification,” said Stevens. “Being valedictorian hasn’t really paid off until senior year when I started applying for colleges and scholarships.”

Her love of softball preceded her valedictorian goals.

“I remember watching a Dodger game with my dad when I was four years old,” said Stevens. “At the time, my favorite

player was Nomar Garciaparra. So when my dad asked me if I wanted to play, I said ‘Yes’ because I wanted to be like him one day. I even wore his number, “5”, for 10 years.”

Even though sports are what Stevens enjoys in her free-time and they take up her life, she said that if she had to choose between softball and school, she would choose school hands down. Since there are few opportunities to play professional softball, unlike baseball, she knows she will never be able to play for a living.

Stevens is a natural born leader in everything that she does. Her position in softball is catcher. Whoever plays this position usually has to take a leadership role if the team wants to be as successful as possible.

“As a catcher, I am the only who can see the entire field at once,” said Stevens. ”So, my teammates rely on me to make the right calls.”

When it comes to school she took charge of her education because she came into high school knowing that no teacher was going to hold her hand and just give her the grades she wanted.

“I made sure that everything I had control over was done to my best ability,” said Stevens.

Stevens said she gets her drive to be the best at everything from the quote, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

Moderation is for cowards.”- Shane Patton.

In elementary school, she was too young to see the big picture, so she had her parents to motivate her to do her very best. She said from all of the years of practice it now just comes naturally.

Since senior year is almost over, Stevens does have her options lined up for college. She applied to Notre Dame, Stanford, Berkeley, and the University of Washington. As of right now, she plans on studying physics or astrophysics.

Stevens plans to add another softball award to her many.

“I made first-team all conference my freshmen and junior years,” said Stevens.

“And I also made second-team all state.”

Stevens said she cannot wait to finally be able to stand on that podium and shout to her fellow class mates and say, “We did it!”

January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •25

Take your mark The team heads toward regionals

By Riley Bidwell • Staff Writer

T

he whistle blew, and the swimmers, wearing their team caps, lined up behind the starting blocks.

They all step on the blocks as the spectators fall silent. A voice announced, “Take your mark...” and the buzzer went off as the swimmers launched off the block into the water.

The boys swam well in their meet against Basic High School, March 14, winning 182 to 123.

Junior Riley Bidwell has been on the team every year of his high school career. “I’m very excited for this season!” said Bidwell. “We are going to win a lot of meets because we have some awesome relays and a ton of talented

swimmers.” If the Basic match is any indication, the team could be in for a good run.

Sophomore Bobby Slaugh has positive expectations for the swim team this year. “We are doing pretty well so far!” said Slaugh. “We have some really strong relays and a few record breakers on the team, so I feel good about this season.”

The boys also competed against Las Vegas High School and Rancho on March 21 and won 223 to 68.

Kaden Jesperson broke the Foothill 100-yard butterfly record. “It’s a record I have been looking at for a while,” said Jesperson. “Before the race, I just thought to myself, ‘YOLO’, and then went for it!”

The boys also had a meet against Green Valley on 2 March 24 and lost 120 to 1.Breaking the surface of the water, Riley Bidwell is 151. off to the races. Photo by Mr. Jesperson 2. Josh Bottoms pulls his hands back as he races in his breast stroke race. Photo by Zach Hayes

1

Swim team welcomes two new coaches

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By Wyatt Berndt • Cub Reporter

oach Chemberlye Simoneau leans forward and clicks her stopwatch. She quickly glances down and writes the time of swimmer Riley Bidwell on a clipboard, conferring with Coach Stacie Berndt to check her time as well to make sure they have the accurate time.

The swim and dive teams have gotten a fresh set of coaches this year. Coach Simoneau, Coach Jerry Woods, and Coach Berndt, who plan to bring the swim team to

regionals and state. “Our goal is for everyone to make regionals and feel like they got something out of this season,” said Coach Berndt. “We plan to implement more work on stroke and start technique and endurance that hasn’t been as worked on in previous seasons, along with new drills, different work outs, and dry-lands [out of the pool workouts].”

Both Simoneau and Berndt started swimming while in high school, and both worked as lifeguards for the City of Henderson.

Woods was a manager for the pool that Berndt and Simoneau both worked at and swam for UNLV. Coach Berndt has coached a swim team before and swam on a club team while in high

26• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

SPLASH!

Talented newcomers close in on vets

By Kaden Jesperson • Staff Writer

H

ands glide across the surface of the water increasingly picking up speed. Captain Andrea Heerdt stabs her hands into the wall. She glances up at the timers in her lane, “What’s my time?” she asks. “1:07,” they reply. A smile comes over her face as she realizes that she just received a new best time in the 100 yard freestyle.

Third-year swimmer Heerdt, is the new captain. “It feels good to get the recognition after three years of hard work,” said Heerdt.

“I’m trying to help the team get as many swimmers to regionals as possible. We have a good chance.”

The girls beat rival Basic at their first meet, 159133. Madison Buchanan qualified for regionals in her 100 yard butterfly by over 10 seconds. “Butterfly is my favorite,” said Buchanan. “I plan on going to regionals

3

3. Coming into the wall, Andrea Heerdt swims her 100 fly. Photo by Kaden Jesperson 4. Flying off the block, Hannah Fleming dives into the pool. Photo by Kaden

and making finals this year.”

New coach, Chemberyle Simoneau said that, because she is a new coach, she did not have any expectations. “I didn’t have anything to compare it to,” said Simoneau, “but no one has drowned yet, so things are good!”

The team then proceeded to beat Rancho 183-80. First-year swimmer Maia Nelson set a personal best in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 1:33.47, a faster time than some returning swimmers. “I started swim to stay in shape,” said Nelson, “but the people are great, and the sport is so enjoyable! I am definitely swimming for the next two years.”

Winning two meets so far, the team is heading toward the top, according to Buchanan. “This season has things in store for us,” said Buchanan, “and I can’t wait for it!” There have been personal best times, and relay wins, so regionals is the next step for the team.

Jesperson

4 Coaches Chemberlye Simoneau and Stacie Berndt (right) compare notes before a recent meet. Photo by Zach Hayes

school. Simoneau has taught countless swim lessons for the city as a lifeguard and has a background in coaching.

“It being my first season of coaching swim, I didn’t have anything to compare it to,” said Coach Simoneau, “but I believe we have had a relatively good season. So far this season, the team has won two of three meets.” According to Berndt and Simoneau, they will be working the swimmers harder for the next few weeks to get them ready for regionals. So far, however, they have seen a lot of improvement from first year swimmers and also returning swimmers. In the mean time, more workouts and more races are to come for the coaching trio.

March/April 2015 •Hillside hotwire •27

Golfers find mid-season groove

Sports

Chu moves up in the ranks as a possible state contender

By Iyanna George Cub Reporter

T

Mason Reid

he boy’s golf team had a rough start to their season after playing a tournament and picking up some losses.

With a fast turnaround, the team was able to take second place in two straight divisional meets just behind Coronado.

“The season just started, and we just had our first tournament, which didn’t go so well, but

prepared for regionals and then maybe even a shot at state.”

“So far we are on a pace for regionals,” said Coach Paul Desantis. “We started off slow, but now we are on a steady pace.

One of our weaknesses is keeping the ball in front of us, meaning our consistency off the tee. We need to have six guys play well also, because if one person plays poorly, it messes it up for all of us, and we could work on our short game. One of our strengths is that we are a tough team physically and our mental game is strong too. During our loss against Gorman, we lost by a couple of penalty shots. It was close, but we lost by six. Teams always learn more with a loss than they do with a win though. It shows more about their character and how they play. The loss at Black Mountain was one of my most disappointing moments as a golf coach.

We didn’t compete. Our heads weren’t there, and they came up with excuses and reasons. Because of the match, I had the boys out on the track running at 5 a.m., since we have a policy on how we finish off our games on the last three holes. I want them to finish off well, and they didn’t finish off well, so they had to run.

Eventually, they learned from that and from their mistakes and got second place in the next match.”

Senior Andrew Chu has finished with the best card in almost every match for the Falcons and has even carded some of the best rounds during the divisional meets, including a 68 at Legacy Golf Club during a divisional meet on March 24.

“We do need to improve before regionals,” Chu said. “I need to practice more, that’s my main problem.

Andrew Chu putts before a Everything else is going practice round at Tuscany. Photo by Dre Vasquez just fine.”

we are a young team,” said senior Grant George, captain of the team. “I want to become more consistent. I hit well, but it’s my consistency that’s a problem. As the captain of the team, I try to give people confidence. It’s like I’m an assistant coach, honestly. Our team strengths would be mental toughness on the course and our drive to get better. Our weakness is making poor decisions on the course, but I do think we’ll make it to regionals.”

The team took away a victory against Palo Verde on March 26, with a final score of Foothill 206, Palo Verde 207. Luckily, a lower score in golf secures a win. Most of the team gave the same reasons for their weaknesses and strengths as a whole and the reason to why they lost those two matches.

“We have a lot to improve on, and we definitely have some time to fix things, “ said Mason Reid. “I think with the amount of time that we have, we will be very well

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28• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

Volleyball takes 5th place at Scripps Ranch Invitational

Sports

Volleyball has successful out-of-state tournament

By Jesse Lima •Editor-in-Chief

J

ust having come off of a week vacation for spring break, the boy’s varsity volleyball team set out for another vacation just a week later, except that this vacation had a little business to be taken care of as well.

The team headed to San Diego, for the Scripps Ranch Invitational and did not come home empty handed. The team competed over the course of two days to milk out four wins in six games.

“We had a great tournament this weekend and ended up finishing fifth overall out of twelve teams in the gold bracket and 24 teams in the entire tournament,” senior Bryce Jordan said.

“We really took a big step forward in this tournament, and I don’t see us slowing down on our way to a division title.”

Many of the team members felt that a tournament that is not in the state of Nevada brings a little bit more of excitement to the games.

“When we go out of town to play, everyone is more easy going and lighthearted about how we play,” Eric Szukiewicz said.

“It helps us perform at a higher capacity, and that is what we did

this weekend against some very tough California schools. I would definitely say that this tournament was a success.”

The team is just two years removed from a state championship finalist season, and last year finished their season in the region semi-finals with a loss to Las Vegas. This season the team has already got redemption against Las Vegas, beating them three sets to two on March 11, and the team hopes to go further than they did last season.

“I feel like we are going to peak at the right time, and we will make a run in the playoffs,” senior captain Colin Curi said.

Zach Sangster Bryce Jordan

Big Victories

3/11: @ Las Vegas W 3-2 3/26: @ Basic W 3-0

4/13: vs. Coronado W 3-1

Shilo Chow

Sports

Training toward the title

A different atmosphere surrounds the team this season

W

By Jesse Lima •Editor-in-Chief

ith track and field not holding many meets in a season, some runners, jumpers and throwers need every opportunity they get to improve their times or throws.

Sometimes runners do not get to run the event they want to run as often as they would like but still have to settle with what the coaches say. Many runners have the chance to qualify for regionals in several events and have to choose just one or two events because of how the one-day regional is set up. Qualifying for regionals means that a certain time or distance was met during your event.

From regionals, runners can move on to the state championships and that is how a state champion is crowned.

From the runners, senior Rakayla Tyler is the only one returning to this season that went to the state championships this year.

“Last year and this year are two completely different years,” senior Rakayla Tyler said. “Last year, I knew my place. I was confident. I had a guide in front of me who I was trying so hard to compete with, and now I am

the leader of the pack, and that has been a challenge for me. There are no guarantees for state. I’ve seen one of the best runners in state choke in the region finals, so I would never say that I am 100 percent confident that I will make it back to the state championship.

What I will say though is that I am willing to work harder than I have ever worked before for that spot back in the state championships.”

This season, junior Rachel Neff has emerged as a top sprinter for the girl’s squad and has brought some of the attention off of Rakayla Tyler and on to herself.

“This season is a lot different than last season with all the new people and now new memories,” Neff said. “I hope to see myself make it to the region finals this year, and I would really love it if I could make it to the state championships as a junior. That would be an amazing experience. Before every race, I get really nervous because of the fact that I want to make it far, and not only that, I want to make my coaches, teammates, and myself proud. I always hope to do

my personal best.”

As for the boy’s side of things, they have some talent throughout the sprinters and distance crews and also in the hurdling events, which is included in the sprinter’s group. Sophomore Jeron Bodin, who plays almost every sport imaginable, has been running and jumping into the region championships with ease.

“My goal this year is to

advance to the regional finals. It’s a lofty goal, but I feel like if I peak at the right time, it is possible,” Bodin said.

“This season I have stayed really quiet Steven before my races,

Lyell

RUNNING TOWARD THE REGIONAL FINALS (GIRLS) Jenna Loria

100 meters-Ariana Beasley 200 meters- Rakayla Tyler 400 meters- Rakayla Tyler 800 meters- Jenna Loria 1600 meters- Jenna Loria 3200 meters- Erica Williams 110 hurdles- Laura Simonson 300 hurdles- Laura Simonson

30• Hillside hotwire •March/April 2015

Rakayla Tyler

and I like to focus as much as possible, envisioning the perfect race. My routine is to say a quick prayer before the race and then just remind myself to have fun.”

Currently, the Atkerson family is ahead of the field for the girl’s and boy’s teams, with C.J Atkerson yielding the best throws for the guys and Hannah Atkerson with the best throws for the girls. Right behind the Atkerson family for the boy’s team is senior Steven Lyell.

“When I was a freshman, the thought of joining track and field never even crossed my mind until my offensive line coach for football insisted that I throw for the track and field team, since it would make me stronger and better for football,” Lyell said. “I love competing at every meet and invitational and being able to show people that size does not matter in this sport. It’s technique and dedication. I love seeing the face of the big guys when I outthrow them. It’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.

Last year’s team had some really great throwers, and I miss them, but this year’s team seems to be better as a whole.

Everyone is competing at a high level in their event, and many are qualifying for regionals, and I cannot wait to see our team compete at regionals.”

THROWING AND JUMPING TOWARD THE REGIONAL FINALS Event Shot put Discus Long jump High jump Triple jump Pole vault

Boys Steven Lyell C.J. Atkerson Kevin Woodland Kevin Woodland Kevin Woodland N/A

This season, both teams have had their ups and downs. The boys team won their first meet in almost two years on March 18 against Eldorado, and the girls started their season with wins over Basic and Eldorado as well. Now both teams will have just a few more days to prepare to send their runners, jumpers and throwers to the regional championships.

Girls Emily Russell Hannah Atkerson Taeondra Johnson Haleigh Olive Aleah Denson Charleigh Allen

Jonas Burell

RUNNING TOWARD THE REGIONAL FINALS (BOYS) 100 meters-Kevin Woodland 200 meters- Logan Lake 400 meters- Jesse Lima 800 meters-Chris Ayala 1600 meters- Andrew Babakitis 3200 meters- Jeffrey Hathaway 110 hurdles- Jeron Bodin Jeron Bodin 300 hurdles- Jeron Bodin January/February 2015 •Hillside hotwire •31

Sports Commentary

By Jesse Lima •Editor-in-Chief

March maDness mayhem

M

arch is the time for madness, and this year it did not fail to deliver as we watched Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils win their fifth national tile in the program’s history. Ranging from the middle of March all the way through the first week of April, some consider this time of the year a second Christmas, or at least I do. College basketball seems to be a sport that is growing in the broadcast industry, and the magic behind the madness is being witnessed by more fans each year. For many, the Madness is more than just a time during the year, but something even more than that.

“March Madness is a tradition in my family, and sometimes I even try to incorporate some of the madness into my classroom when I get the chance,” U.S. History teacher John Ringler said. “This year, I had Gonzaga winning

KENTUCKY KENTUCKY CINNCINATI KENTUCKY WEST VIRGINA WEST VIRGINA MARYLAND

the national championship in my bracket, and I was disappointed with them losing, but not as disappointed as I would have been in years past. There were many memories this year during the madness, but watching the Georgia State coach fall out of his chair was my favorite, and it was such a great story.

Hopefully, next year will be even crazier. A college basketball fan can only hope.”

Many kids like to participate in small group leagues so they can compete against their friends’ brackets. These leagues do not award money. It is all for the bragging rights.

Many will enter, but few will win.

“March Madness is always fun for me since I love filling out brackets and being competitive against other people,” senior Noelle Morris said. “This year my favorite team, the Duke Blue Devils, won the national championship, and not only did that make me happy, but I also won a Foothill bracket group, so now I have the bragging rights amongst all my friends.”

Some have the sports knowledge to pick an amazing bracket, but most of the other time it’s just plain luck. Now a perfect bracket is nearly impossible to accomplish. In fact, the odds to pick every single winner in the tournament and fill out a perfect bracket is 1 in 5.7 billion. Some think they have the

KENTUCKY

knowledge to do it, but really picking the perfect bracket is not all about the stats and matchups you can study all day. It sometimes just comes down to luck and the way the basketball bounces. You can have a team going all the way to the national championship, but with a flick of the wrist, the ball can bounce one direction instead of the other, and that can be the difference between a perfect bracket and a completely marked up bracket that looks more like a failed English assignment.

“I just love the sport of basketball,” senior Tony Mehanna said. “I love the way the madness starts and gets everybody excited for the tournament. To be able to have moments where the championship game is consisting of four starting freshmen on the championship team that take over and win the game is just unbelievable. Basketball is just a beautiful game.”

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