Disaster Strikes! See Page 7 Freeborn, Born To Ride See Page 8
Auburn Riverside Student Voice OCT 23, 2012 • VOLUME 18 • ISSUE #2
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Opinion
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
Lab fee prices overhyped Lisa Gray STAFF REPORTER
Medina, the lab fee is 40 dollars; by paying your lab fee you get to make a practice saudring kit, power supply kit, am/fm radio, digital multimeter and a 3D Christmas tree. “To keep the price down, I always try to buy the supplies in bulk” Medina said. All of the projects that are done in
Sitting in my art class I hear there is a 35 dollar lab fee. My first thought is that this is ridiculous—35 dollars going to something, and I get what out of it? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not stingy with my money, but I also don’t like to just throw it down the drain. After a little more investigating, I found that lab fees are higher, but students are getting their money’s worth. “Thirty-five dollars is very reasonable,” art teacher Wendy Woldenberg said. “We tried to cut the cost as much as possible.” I’m in Jewelry One with Woldenberg and the lab fee is 35 dollars, but by paying that amount you get sterling silver, nickel silver, copper, brass, beads, and many more materials to make your jewelry. If you walked into a store and asked for everything you got in this class, the cost would be way over 35 dollars. PHOTO BY JAYMES FLEURY In Electronics with teacher Frank
class the students get to keep and go home with. In teacher Jim Wickens’ woodworking and design class, the lab fee depends on how many projects students do and what materials they use. The average for a student is 20 dollars, but for some it is pricier because of the materials that they use. “Students are getting a good value for what they spend,” Wickens said. “One of the projects the students has to make is a jewelry box. It may cost 10 dollars to make it in the class, but 30 to 40 dollars to buy it in a store.” Depending on what art class students take (Drawing 1, 2 or Advanced, Studio Art, Graphic Design, etc.) it depends on how much the lab fee is. But for Drawing 2 the lab fee is 20 dollars and you get a drawing packet (which includes pencils, blending sticks, blending stick cleaner, color pencils, eraser, and
sharpie), black and white drawing pencils, more expensive drawing paper, pastels, chalk pastels, pro color pencils, pro portfolio carrier. “If you went to a store and got the same supplies it would be hundreds of dollars,” Kathy Lobdell said. In Gina Sandland’s Viscom class, the lab fee is 15 dollars and for that price students get screen printing ink and films, DVD, DVD case, DVD cover, digital photography printing, button parts, glass etching, and vinyl for stickers. “I see students with their shirts, buttons and stickers all the time in the hallways,” Sandland said. We use the supplies we pay for everyday in our classes, so it’s fair to say that we should pay for everything that we’re using, even if that means the cost of lab fees has to go up.
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Scandalous costumes replace scary Alexa Grim STAFF REPORTER “Trick or treat!” the little kids shout as the door opens. Remember when Halloween was all about scary stories, candy and fun costumes? It was about as innocent as it could get. Then somewhere between being a kid and becoming an adult, it changed. Now someone’s friend is having a party and it’s time to go costume shopping! If it’s a guy’s costume, no problem. If it’s a girl’s costume, that’s a different story. If you want something that will cover your chest, legs and butt at the same time, there’s no luck there.
InFlight editor-in-chief Jaymes Fleury business manager Lisa Gray
Nowadays, even the most basic costumes have turned slutty. Some of the most ridiculous things have been altered to be made inappropriate. The other day, I actually saw a slutty version of a Bert and Ernie costume. Sesame Street belongs on PBS, not MTV. Places that sell costumes assume that the only people who dress up are young, innocent kids and trashy adults. There are teens out there who are trying to keep their Halloween clean, yet it seems almost impossible to do so. The only way to go around dressed appropriately is to hunt down one of the few costumes that keep it classy or make your own costume. If a family costume party is coming up, I suggest the authentic nun costume
staff reporters Mackenzie Brown Lisa Gray Alexa Grim Dylan Johnston
guest reporters Beau Bracken cover photo Mackenzie Brown Phillip Couture Jude Hanno Jonny Myrick adviser Patrick Swenson Sierra Rader Ariya Phaophongsavath Alex Vasquez
InFlight policies InFlight is compiled by the student newspaper staff at Auburn Riverside High School, 501 Oravetz Road, Auburn, WA 98092. The InFlight staff strives to maintain accurate and objective reporting for our stories. However, opinion stories are included. Any commentary which is signed by the author accounts for his or her opinion only, and not necessarily that of anyone else on staff. An unsigned editorial reflects the majority opinion of the InFlight staff. InFlight accepts student, faculty, and community member’s letters to the editor,
or things might get really awkward. Halloween went from the best sugar high of your childhood to a polyester-clad party where kids hook up. So, is it possible to keep it classy on Halloween? For a fun spin on the holiday, I suggest making your own costume with friends! Throw together some clothes right out of your closest and buy props from a thrift or halloween store. If you want to spend little to no money, skip the costume and invite all of your friends over for a scary movie marathon. It’ll be monster bash!
artwork, opinions and comments. However, we will not print any unsigned letters or work. Please contact us in room 402, through e-mail at inflightnews@yahoo.com or by calling 253-804-5154. Advertisement is available through InFlight. Advertising gives business the opportunity to reach more than 1800 faculty and students. Support students going to the state and national journalism conventions, help with publication costs, hardware, software, and resource purchases. We encourage students, faculty and community members to contact us through e-mail at inflightnews@yahoo.com or by calling 253804-5154 for further advertisement information.
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Opinion
Auburn Riverside High School Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER
Just trolling around PRO CON
“Don’t feed the trolls!” I think trolling can be a good thing depending on how far you take it. I think of trolling like a joke, where everyone laughs at the end, or they end up being mad— hence the term “UMAD?” I personally like to troll. Now that doesn’t mean I troll people to death, or troll on dead people’s Facebook pages. I mainly troll while playing video games; for example, on League of Legends I use a character that is good at tanking, and I end up building them to be tanky anyways. The definition of a troll is someone who goes onto forums, chat rooms, blogs, or in real life, with the intent of causing an emotional response with an off-topic message. Think of trolling as flaming, or punking someone. A troll is just a professional jerk sitting behind a computer. Trolls (not the ones under the bridge) are trolls as in trollface.jpeg or UMAD?
Most of us have trolled before, whether intentionally or unintentionally. But there does come a point in time when you have to stop trolling and be serious. For example, trolling in the middle of a job interview probably won’t get you the job. Most people don’t like trolls at all; in fact they hate them. Take for example Natasha MacBryde: she died by being hit by a passenger train. Then 25 year old Sean Duffey went on the memorial page made by her brother and proceeded to “troll,” and post offensive messages on her page. Now does this sound like trolling to you? No, it’s not trolling. It actually disgusts me that someone would consider this trolling. In my opinion, someone who is good at trolling would know how far too take it— not that I’m saying I’m good at trolling or anything.
Trolling: The once super-fun excuse to creatively prank your friends with no consequences. Now, it’s completely morphed from its original meaning and that’s why I completely disapprove of the silly fad. I remember a long time ago when trolling meant coming up with elaborate and unique ways to piss other people off. Nowadays, trolling can be defined as simply tripping someone in the hallway. Creative minds have gone blank and now, just about anything that someone could get upset about can immediately be classified as trolling. People think that when they troll someone over the internet, victims are raging be-
Mackenzie Brown STAFF REPORTER
hind their computer. No. Most of the time, those getting trolled don’t realize they’re getting trolled because nothing is really even happening. People have gotten bland with their techniques and now trolling is nothing more than an overused word and a stupid hobby for people who just can’t let go. Those who troll were the pranksters of the real world and the world online. When trolling was in its prime, it was pretty crafty. Slowly though, the meaning of the word “troll” turned into a synonym of “jerk.” If someone is mean, what are they? A troll? Well, I wouldn’t think of them as a troll in a million years, yet that’s the word that I’m always hearing. People take the word troll way too far sometimes, to the point where they’re hated by a majority of the population. If the meaning of troll still fit its original definition, I wouldn’t disapprove. However, no one seems to know how to truly troll anymore, whether it’s taking it too far, or simply under doing it. The fad came, it went, and now it should be done.
Clean Halloween Mackenzie Brown STAFF REPORTER As Halloween creeps up this October, many students consider the idea of dressing up for the occasion. Creative costumes, funny accessories, and serious dress up may be the best way to celebrate Halloween, but the school enforces some rules that may put a damper on your holiday fun. While you plan out the costume you intend to wear to school, you have to consider some of the rules that apply. This year, like most others, Riverside will be allowing costumes, but only those that follow dress code. This means that you can wear anything you would wear on regular day of school, but it’ll be timely and more reasonable. Hats and masks are also not allowed. It’s a great that students have earned the privilege to dress up on Halloween, and although the rules that apply restrict your options for costume choice, you can still have fun being creative and showing some Halloween spirit. When deciding on costumes, it’s difficult to find something that fits all of your qualifications, but hey, Riverside’s setting rules on what you can wear to school, but you can wear anything you want outside of school (maybe not everything, let’s be reasonable). Throwing together a little costume appropriate for school shows that you have the spirit and really brings out your inner
kid. Coming to school in your comfy clothes is nothing compared to the feeling of reminiscing in your inner childhood. Overall (and I know it’s not Thanksgiving), we students should be thankful that we’re getting the opportunity from Riverside to dress up this Halloween. We shouldn’t ruin our fortune by coming to school and making poor choices with raunchy costumes. Dress up this holiday and encourage your peers to do the same so we can use the opportunity given to us by Riverside to have some fun as Halloween nears.
PHOTO BY MACKENZIE BROWN
Sophmore Jennifer Giovanetti dresses as Flo.
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PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WWW.GROOVYVEGETARIAN.COM
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News
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
New standards-based grading on its way Alex Vasquez GUEST REPORTER For the past three to four years, some science teachers, including Corin Malone and Mark Davis, have been using a new system of grading called standards-based grading. This grading system makes teachers follow separate learning standards, gives students more time to turn in makeup work and eliminates extra credit. “Students will be graded on the standards, not tissue boxes,” principal Dave Halford said. According to vice-principal Frank Ramirez, standards-based grading, (instead of doing work on paper and turning it in for a grade) makes students have to actually show the teachers that they have been learning. For example, if a teacher hands out an assessment (test, project, etc) they get to see exactly how far the students have come, at the exact moment in time. Halford adds that standards-based grading also consists of separate, specific standards. The teachers of different departments have come together and narrow down the learning targets. So no matter what way teachers decide to teach their class, students all learn the same standards. Even though standards-based grading may seem new, it’s really not. “Several teachers have been using this grading system for about three years,” Ramirez said. Standards-based grading also gives students the ability to see how well they are doing. Ramirez stated that in past years,
hardly any connection between the student grade and the state assessment grade has been made. This means that students were not showing what they had learned. But since the school district has started using this system, there has been more of a connection between that. “I’m excited to try this system,” teacher Meri Benedict said. “It ensures that the students are showing what they have learned.”
PHOTO BY MACKENZIE BROWN
Standards-based grading gets rid of any extra credit opportunities given by teachers, and focuses on what students need to know.
Almost, Maine almost, here Jude Hanno GUEST REPORTER Almost, Maine, this year’s fall play, starts November 8 in the ART. Actors will tell a story about love and loss. Junior actress Rizelle Rosales explained why students should attend the play. “It will appeal to the high school age because everyone can relate,” she said. “There is something in it for everyone.” Drama teacher Karla Seman, the director of the play, agrees. “Students will be drawn into the story because it will remind them of their own relationships.” The play is organized into nine different vignettes, or short plays, that explain stories of heartbreak and falling in love. Each vignette includes different characters that fall in and out of love. Rosales plays a character named Ginette who can’t find the right time to tell her male friend she loves him. The eight other vignettes also center on love, heartbreak, and loss. Many students and staff around the school are anxious to watch Almost, Maine. “I watched last year’s play [Once on This Island] and I cannot wait to see this one!” sophomore Alivia Hammond said, Principal Dave Halford is also ecstatic
to see Almost, Maine. “Even though I’m not a big theater person, I look forward to them each year.” Sophomore Brianna Herron is also fired up about the play. “I’m excited because Almost, Maine has a different tone to it and is going to be a bigger production than Anne Frank.” After Almost, Maine, be sure to catch the play scheduled for the spring, Oliver.
AR, AHS square off in annual gridiron game Beau Bracken GUEST REPORTER The annual Auburn High vs. Auburn Riverside football game will take place on October 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Auburn Memorial Stadium, and for the second year in a row, Riverside will be the home team. Last year, Riverside claimed the Fugate Trophy for the first time in their history, beating the Trojans in a close game, 30-23, squeaking out the win after trailing at halftime, 9-3. Head coach Bob Morgan believes that although this isn’t much different from any other ordinary game, “you can definitely feel a different type of atmosphere.” Football players have some strong emotions going through their minds about the game this Friday. “I feel raged, because I hate Auburn,” senior team captain Salvador Greer said. Junior star player Drew Wallen recently suffered a injury during the away game at Tahoma. He might be sidelined from the big
rivalry game, and if he is not able to play, he will not be too happy. “I don’t like to think about that possibly because it would be devastating,” Wallen said. The Auburn High Trojans haven’t always been Riverside’s only rival. According to Lindsey Thompson, a former student and new assistant at the Raven’s Nest, “Auburn vs. Auburn Riverside isn’t anything compared to Riverside vs. Sumner back in the day.” Once, Riverside’s students burned a capital ‘A’ into Sumner’s football field with chemicals. Dedicated fan senior Ben Blanchard raved about how good they think the team is. “I think Auburn High is going to have to step their game up,” he said. His twin brother senior Mitch Blanchard had a similar opinion. “Riverside is going to straight up own Auburn High, no doubt.” Friday is also Senior Night, and introductions of senior players and their parents will happen just prior to the game.
Auburn Riverside High School
News 5 Foreign language department begins new OLA strategy Ariya Phaophongsavath GUEST REPORTER
On October 16, Riverside, along with other buildings was vandalized. Over a hundred windows were shatered. A reward was offered to anybody with information regarding the vandals. The story made King 5 News, and on the same day went up on the InFlight News website.
Check out this story and many more on our website:
arhsinflight.com
The new “OLA” (Organic Language Acquisition) strategy is being implemented this year by the foreign language teachers to improve learning in foreign language classes. The foreign language department decided that the strategy had good teaching values. “We wanted students to feel what it would be like to be a foreign exchange student,” foreign language teacher Kaisa Swenddal-White said. The new strategy is meant to bring greater involvement and a tremendous amount of repetition to classrooms according to Assistant Principal Nola Wilson. The strategy won’t vastly change classes or their curriculum. Teachers are “still using the same scope and sequence,” Swenddal-White said. All years of foreign classes, excluding Japanese, “are implementing OLA to some degree,” Wilson said. Students seem to both enjoy and dis-
like the new strategy. “It’s hard, you don’t usually know what they’re saying, but once you do, it’s easy,” sophomore Thomas Matiatos said. Matiatos is a first year Spanish student. Improvements can even be seen by the students themselves. “I like speaking only in French, because I feel like I’ll be more fluent,” senior Heather Aguirre said. Some believe that the new strategy OLA creates disadvantages for some students. “I hate it and it’s hard for hands-on learners,” senior Cody Child, a second year Spanish, student said. “Totally auditory based.” Students are supposed to feel more involved or focused in class due to OLA, though some students feel that this is not needed. “It feels forced and it makes us more frustrated than anything,” Child explained. OLA did not come out of the blue. Swenddal-White attended a workshop at Lincoln High School where she viewed the results of OLA and wanted to bring the strategy to the greater Seattle area. Riverside hosted the training, according to Wilson.
Student teachers receive warm welcome Jonny Myrick GUEST REPORTER Brett Vlahovich and Brooke Mayer are here to do their student teaching this semester under the tutelage of various teachers, including Andrew Monsen of the Social Studies department and Kelly Jensen in the Family and Consumer Science department. Vlahovich and Mayer are currently a part of what is basically on the job training to become a teacher. “Student teaching is the final experience you get after college,” Vlahovich said, “to make sure you know what you’re doing, have a strong content knowledge, and whether you should be a teacher.” Since both Vlahovich and Mayer are new to teaching they are still learning the ropes, but they have a strong idea of what kinds of teachers they want to be. “I think lecture can be good sometimes, just to get the basic facts,” Mayer said. “But we do a lot of Brooke hands-on simulations. I feel
like the first-hand experience is what helps the students learn.” Students also had some things to say about their student teachers. “I would love to see her as a full time teacher here,” junior Alley Quigley said regarding Mayer. “She’s amazing.” Quigley also said that Mayer does well with explaining things and that she enjoys the outdoor activities that
Mayer uses. Principal Dave Halford enjoys having the student teachers here. “You’re always training someone else, training them for the future,” Halford said. Both Vlahovich and Mayer expressed great enthusiasm and joy
Brett Vlahovich Mayer
about their experiences so far. “I’m really lucky to be here,” Vlahovich said. Mayer also showed excitement. “It’s been fun getting to know everyone here,” he said. “The students have been great and very welcoming.”
News Bloodthirsty Ravens 6
Phillip Couture GUEST REPORTER The annual fall blood drive is occurring November 14-16 from 7 a.m to 4 p.m. outside of the auxiliary gym in the marked buses. For years, the school’s sports medicine program has partnered with the Cascade Regional Blood Services (CRBS) to host local blood drives every spring a n d fall. Over the past few years, Riverside has averaged “250 donors a session, compared to Auburn High’s 600,” according to Chris Tucker, head of the sports medicine program. Sports medicine has a wide variety of roles in helping out CRBS during the blood drives. For example, they are responsible for registration, escorting, and getting students out of class. However, the CRBS has not been Riverside’s only blood drive organization. “The school’s worked with other groups in the past, dating all the way back to 1998, which was when the school first started running blood drives,” Principal Dave Halford said.
Sports medicine is always looking for ways to draw in a larger crowd. “Our best chance at increasing the numbers of donors would be through advertisements, posters, and more donor stations to speed the process.It’s important to donate because one person has the ability to save three people’s lives,” Tucker said. Sports medicine is run by president senior Victoria Tran, and vice president senior Jax Robinson. There are many benefits towards donating blood besides the fact that blood is going to people in need. “We offer free snacks and drinks for anyone who donates, and as well we can pull you out of class,” Tran said. The only requirements necessary to donating is students have to be 16, they cannot have travelled into a third world country for the past six months, and parental permission is needed for students under 18.
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
Hasted is new L.A. teacher Sierra Rader GUEST REPORTER Julie Hasted, the new English teacher, was hired on September 24. Hasted teaches ninth and tenth grade language arts. She has been teaching for seventeen years and just transferred here after living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hasted has been settling right in despite coming in late. “With seventeen years of teaching, I’ve had worse,” Hasted laughed. She has been working hard to catch
PHOTO BY JAYMES FLEURY
Language arts teacher Julie Hasted
Things to Do for Halloween Run For Your Life! Participants run a five kilometer obstacle course through mud, hills, and wires while avoiding the clutches of zombie hordes. Run to Burnt Ridge MX Park, 50 minutes south of Olympia.
up to others on those weeks missed. Language Arts teachers think she has something new to offer. “She brings a lot of experience and passion,” department head Geri Rohlff said. “She’s a team player.” Principal Dave Halford agrees. “She brings a new set of eyes to our school.” Students have already seen Hasted’s fun side. “She is funny, sarcastic, and does a lot of activities,” freshman Amanda Bunger said. So far she says she is enjoying her experience here. “I love Riverside,” Hasted said. “It’s very friendly and happy.” Her favorite subject in high school was math because it was clear, but she also enjoyed psychology. Hasted also played volleyball her freshman and sophomore year, cross country her junior and senior year, and ran track all four years. Hasted went to college at Clarmont McKenna for one year and then went to study for one year of psychology. After going to Clarmont, Hasted attended Santa Fe College and received her bachelor’s and English teaching certificate. She also enjoys running, writing poetry, playing with her two dogs, reading and watching science fiction movies.
Haunted Woods Maris Farms hosts the annual walk through the woods where fiends use their chainsaws and other instuments to horrify you. Marris Farms also hosts a pumpkin patch, pumpkin sling, and corn maze.
Fright Fest! For a limited time only, Wild Waves and The Enchanted Village put on a terrifying spectacle. The park is themed like an enormous haunted house. Park opens at dusk.
Auburn Riverside High School
Students saving lives:
Feature
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Sports Medicine students apply knowledge to realistic disaster scenarios
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STORY BY JAYMES FLEURY / PHOTOS BY MACKENZIE BROWN
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hristopher Tucker’s Sports Medicine class has just begun its (and probably the school’s) most interesting set of tests. Students in Tucker’s second year Sports Medicine class create scenarios where the first years test their new lifesaving skills. Scenarios can be anything from a rave of drugged out partiers to a an elevator crash. The volunteers are decked out in fake blood, impaled by prop knives, gushing wounds, and head trauma.This whole ordeal happens over a surprising few minutes, then everyone is looking ready for the
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The victims are in character. The scene is set. The lights go out—and they’re live. The area explodes into screams of bloody murder and cries for help. The first year students rush into the mock “cave” and attempt to rescue the helpless victims. In the cave it is dark, loud, and hectic. Tucker’s students perform CPR, treat wounds, pick up backboards (photo 6), and use other countless skills. While the first years are scrambling and saving lives, the second years observe quietly to grade the other students on the use of their skills. A few stick around as doctors, however. Their job is to assist in any way they can, but only if they are asked to (photo 5). With any luck, only a few victims will meet a bitter end as seen in photo 7.
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It’s the one thing that shows who really has the skills.
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Chris Tucker, sports med teacher
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morgue. Photos 1-3 are just a few examples of scenario preperation. The props are in containers—well, tackle boxes of death— and are applied by the second years and Tucker himself. Each volunteer is then placed in position, as seen in photo 4, where the rescuers will hopefully find them. The victims are also told about what situations would “kill” them. But more on that later. The victims are primarily from Tucker’s preventative medicine and anatomy classes. Students recieve extra credit and must miss their sixth period class.
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Feature
Lisa Gray STAFF REPORTER Everyone has a story, and senior Sierra Freeborn is no exception. Freeborn was born with scoliosis and a degenerative disk disease. During the summer of 5th grade, Freeborn bent over and her right shoulder blade was higher than her left. “My parents were concerned and I went to a doctor who took an x-ray and said that I had scoliosis,” Freeborn said, “but come back in a year and we’ll see what it looks like.” Her parents didn’t agree with the doctor and wanted another opinion. Freeborn and her parents went to another doctor and he said to get a back brace right away. Freeborn had to wear a back brace sixth through eighth grade. At that time her curve was at 25 degrees. Freeborn has not had any surgeries yet, but her doctor says she will probably need one in the future. “I don’t think anyone said anything about my back brace to my face, but of course my best friends didn’t care,” Freeborn said. “Some people looked at me strangely and would ask questions that I had no problem answering.” Freeborn wore her back brace under her clothes, but people could still tell it was there. Freeborn was only allowed to
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
take her back brace off for an hour a day. Freeborn had her entire family supporting her. Her mom took her to every appointment in Seattle. Freeborn has a six pound dog, travels a lot, and loves camping and being outside as much as possible. She has indoor skydived, and likes to play basketball and volleyball. Freeborn has two horses. Coco is 18 years old with a liver chestnut color with a white star. Freeborn has had him for seven years. Her other horse is Fancy. Fancy is 21 years old with a chesnut color and a white strip and two hind socks. Freeborn rides both Fancy and Coco but she only does shows with Fancy. Freeborn also has a four-year-old Shih Tzu poodle named Princeton. “He’s a Shitpoo,” Freeborn giggles. “He is at my side 24/7. I really want to put him in my backpack and take him to school.” Freeborn’s dad Matthew owns a manufacturing company called Omnifab; her mom, Connie, works as a bookkeeper at Omnifab. Freeborn has three younger siblings: her sister Mikayla in 9th grade, her sister Autumn in 6th grade, and her brother Logan in 4th grade. After high school Freeborn wants to go to Bellevue College, then tranfer to California and become a radiologist. Freeborn never let her scoliosis stop her and she has a long life full of wonderful adventures ahead of her.
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2 5 4 1. Fancy, Sierra Freeborn and Coco 2. Freeborn poses in front of her barn 3. Freeborn and her Shih Tzu poodle Princeton 4. Freeborn feeds Coco some hay. 5. Coco and Freeborn 6. Fancy and Freeborn PHOTOS COURTESY TAMMY MURRAY
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Arts & Entertainment 9 Get slapped: Pitch Perfect hits high notes Auburn Riverside High School
Mackenzie Brown STAFF REPORTER To anyone out there who’s tired of bad movies made substantially worse by cheesy dance numbers and poor pop renditions of your favorite classic songs...there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Two weeks ago, Pitch Perfect hit theaters, and it has completely restored my faith in musicals. Other than a few special effects problems, I thought the character development, humorous storyline, and even some of the songs really contributed to making one seriously fantastic movie. Going in to seeing Pitch Perfect, I had some serious doubts about it, since the reputation for musical movies has been slowly ruined over the generation. It started off a little rocky, but quickly progressed to the point where almost everyone in the audience was in love. When a girl named Beca (Anna Kendrick) joins the on-campus, all-girl acapella group, the Bellas, she struggles to help her group beat their rivals, the Treblemakers, while pleasing her father and keeping her friendship with a Treblemakers member from turning into a forbidden relationship.. Now, don’t link musicals to serious screenplay and all around drama, because Pitch Perfect really packs a punch when it comes to comedy. Most of the humor can
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be credited to Rebel Wilson (What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Bridesmaids), who plays Fat Amy, a spunky and hilarious addition to the Bellas, although Beca and Lilly, (Hana Mae Lee), had some pretty funny parts throughout the movie. Despite Pitch Perfect having a similar plot to many other musical comedies, I can assure you, it was much different. This movie took what some shows put into four seasons, and ended up with the same results. The only difference is, this movie still surprises you. You watch twenty episodes of a show and by the finale you practically know what will happen. By the end of this movie, you’re expecting almost anything. I suppose there is no such thing as a flawless movie, so if I had to pick something that rubbed me the wrong way with this movie, it would be the special effects. Now mind you, comedies don’t usually use a lot of special effects. All I’m talking about here is some noticeable green screens and very fake looking projectile vomiting. But hey, now, bad special effects should never stop you from going to see a movie. Unless it’s
PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WWW.URBANBRIDGEZ.COM
a super action sci-fi film and you’re going just to see the cool effects, then I would go ahead and skip out.
aven uling InFlight & Journalism votes on culture
iPhone 5
63%
Even with the new screen and HD camera, the majority agree that the new charger and adapter that you need to buy yourself is one of the biggest downfalls.
Slenderman
65%
It was these little additions to the movie that made Pitch Perfect a must-see comedy. I seriously recommend seeing it.
Cherry de Pon
89%
Frozen yogurt with your own choice of toppings, various smoothies and bubble tea. What’s not to like?!
Stratos
93%
Mr. Real-Life-Superman, Felix Baumgartner, was the first person to base jump from our stratosphere, proving to us that anything impossible is possible.
Dropbox
86%
Dropbox is a website that allows someone to upload and download anything they want from their account from any computer. Question: what’s a flash drive again?
Paranormal Activity 4 Even with Slendy’s creepy stalking and frightening popularity rise, the only thing that’s got us shaking is his overkill of references.
80%
Anyone can agree that after three of the same movie, with different people, Paranormal Activity 4’s expectations are very low.
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Arts & Entertainment
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
Looper whacks expectations Jaymes Fleury EDITOR IN CHIEF Give a wannabe thug a futuristic blunderbuss (a gun with small range but big wallop), give the real thugs a time machine, and throw in a plot-curve-ball. What do you get? Looper. Joe (Joseph Gordon-levitt) is one of many “loopers” trying to get by in a new drug-addled world, making big paydays with silver slabs attached to his victims sent from the future. Even though this is technically a time travel story, the main point isn’t to confuse the viewer into frustration with time paradoxes and becoming one’s own grandpa. In fact, put emphasis on “technically.” Instead, the film focuses on the story of Joe and how his actions and decisions affect his future self. Director and Writer Rian Johnson takes us on a trip through the exponential destruction of a future life. Joe, like most loopers, encounters a situation called “closing your loop.” The future mobsters send a looper’s older self into the past to be killed. The looper is given a golden payday and thirty years left to live. If a looper fails to close the loop,
present. This chase doesn’t give the audience any break to question the logic of time traveling mobsters, but it does pose the question: would you close your loop? A tip relevant to anyone studying character development: watch this film. Character development is never defined as easily as when a character talks to his future self. During the scenes at the Diner with the Joes’ “discussion,” the scars of experience on old Joe are compared with the suave and arrogant, inexperienced face of young Joe. As far as the plot twist goes, let’s just say there are some “gifted” ones amongst the crumbling society of 2044 onward. This twist is barely even hinted towards in any preview, and I feel that I have spoiled enough as it is. But it separates this time travel noir film from the rest, and that is all we could ask for. PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WWW.ENTERTAINMENT.TIME.COM Looper is a thrilling story of love well, he’s got some explaining to do. Both on the business end of young Joe’s blunder- and loss, with sci-fi action holstered on its targets need to be whacked, hopefully stop- buss, the action begins. Old Joe is on the side ready to draw. This movie is recomping any substantial change in the future. run and so is the young Joe. Not just from mended to all movie fans; it has something When old Joe (Bruce Willis) appears each other, but from the mobsters in the for everyone.
Students showcase talents in impressive, unique show Mackenzie Brown STAFF REPORTER Recently, many students throughout the school brought their talents to showcase at Riverside’s fall talent show. The acts were not only amazing, but many students brought some unique talents to the stage. With so many students at our school, it was great to see all the different performances, especially from those students you could never imagine getting up on a stage to perform. All kinds of talents were shown by students: junior Andrew Sachs got up and jammed out on the guitar while junior Julius Olivario turned the stage into a dance floor. Voices echoed through the ART while eighteen different students sang. Some preformed amazing covers of their favorite songs while others brought not only their singing talent into view, but their writing talents as well. But I wasn’t the only one impressed with the amount of talent here at Riverside. “You can’t ever tell students’ talents just by looking at them in the hallway,” sophomore Tori Pleake said, “but after the talent show,
I’ve gotten a better idea of what potential talent we have here at our school.” The show was very impressive, and seeing some of the many hidden talents at Riverside is something all students should experience at one time or another through their high school years. Check out the spring talent show as the school year comes to a close to see some of the great acts the students here have to perform and to support and encourage the different talents. Some of the unexpected acts just might surprise you.
It’s an apple–or is it? Supplies: • 6 onions • craft sticks • 1-14 oz pack of wrapped caramels • 2 tablespoons milk • Nuts or sprinkles if desired.
Instructions: 1. Push the craft stick into the top of each onion. 2. Butter a baking sheet. 3. Put caramels and milk in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Cool for a small amount of time. 4. Quickly roll each onion in the caramel until coated. Put them on a sheet to set. Top with nuts or sprinkles if desired. 5. Give them to friends and let them think you’ve given them caramel apples.
Sports
Auburn Riverside High School
11
NFL referees back after controversy, with cash Jaymes Fleury EDITOR IN CHIEF Hallelujah! We can all sleep soundly knowing that the NFL referees have returned. The first few weeks of the season were thrown into complete flux with their absence. The games were dizzied by ridiculous calls, nonplussed announcers, and very irritated players. Many argue that the outcome of multiple games was entirely thrown off by inaccurate calls. But never fear, the old refs are here. The referees were absent due to a strike over wages and pension. Yes, the referees who had an average salary of $149,000 (mind you the football season is normally 16 games) are now going to receive $173,000 in the 2013 season. Did your jaw drop? Good, I’m not alone. Who wouldn’t want to make 5,406 dollars and 25 cents an hour? But don’t worry, because now the integrity of the National Football League has been saved. Nothing screams integrity more than complaints about an “unfair” pay and then responding to those those claims with indeed, more money. Now let us not raise our hopes too close
PHOTO COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE, WWW.FLICKR.COM
The replacement referees eventually awarded the last second catch to Seahawk Golden Tate, a controversial call that prompted an agreement that saw the return of the regular NFL referees.
to the sun, for we are surely to burn. Referees will always make iffy calls and, let’s face it, bonehead mistakes. But that’s football! Many give the credit of the refs return to an infamous Monday night game. Rewind to the Green Bay and Seattle matchup, at the last few minutes of the game a call is made and the game is flipped on it’s head. Whether the simultaneous cath call was fair or not, it did shine some kind of light onto the follies of the replacement referees. Go back and watch that play, not the players but the refs. Two referees call the ball as an interception, while the back judge triumphantly throws his arms in the air for a touchdown. Naturally, all the blame goes to refs. So the NFL caved, gave into the unions, and rehired the referees, and “saved the integrity of the game.” A referee in the NFL is required to have ten years of officiating experience and at least five of those in college football. It’s ironic, isn’t it, that everyone thinks that shelling out money shows integrity? But then again, maybe the refs will live up to all the hype—and their paychecks.
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Sports
InFlight Oct 23, 2012
Volleyball at the top Polo splashes toward State Alexa Grim STAFF REPORTER
Dylan Johnston STAFF REPORTER The varsity volleyball team has been completely smashing their competition this season thanks to key players senior Brenna Bruil, junior Lexi White, and sophomores Precious Atafua and Carson Heilborn. As of October 17, their record was 6-0, having not lost to a single competitor. Due to the distribution date of this InFlight issue, we do not know the results of the game last Thursday against Tahoma. The team’s next home game will be tonight against Kentwood at 7:15 p.m. They also play next Saturday for the league tournament. With their records, the team’s goal is to make it to the state tournament. PHOTOS BY DYLAN JOHNSTON
ABOVE: Senior Drea Burton readys a serve during practice. AT LEFT: The team practices their skills daily in the gym.
On their way to State, AR water polo is on the rise. With their current stats at 16 wins to 4 losses as of press time, they are shaping up to be one of the best Riverside sports teams. Swimming into fifth in the district, they are taking other teams by storm. Though they seem to lack the recognition, these guys really do work. Coach Mike Van Eaton is really proud of the team. “The highlight of coaching would have to be watching the younger guys improve and seeing my juniors step it up,” he said. The guys all really get along with their coach and seem to have a great bond. During Van Eaton’s interview some of the guys were hanging out in his room joking and laughing with each other. Van Eaton has only one team goal in mind. “We really want to win State,” he said. “We’re already on our way.”
So if students are looking to watch a game where the team has a really good chance of winning, Van Eaton would have you cheer on the boys at the Auburn Pool next game. You can always ask senior Captain Thomas Henline when the next game is.