David Lane Portfolio Dec. 2021 by Lori Hart

David’s Fall Portfolio

7.04

: 5.2 rsion

Now with Microsoft DOS support!!!

Essay #1 Being an editor this semester was a much more challenging task than I originally thought it was going to be. When I signed up for the position of News Editor last year, I sort of knew what I was getting myself into, however, I had never experienced it before, so coming in, my expectations were much different for how much work I was going to do. Last year, most of my work load consisted of writing thousands of words. Having just that task to focus on is much easier, yet also less fulfilling. Being an editor, while challenging, is a much more engaging task to do. Editing my page is the highlight of my month, and I love working with indesign. Some challenges I have faced while being an editor is mostly people just misunderstanding the style book. While we have pushed for the new students to understand the rules on how to format particular phrases or grammatical devices, it is rarely followed by new writers, and sometimes forgotten even by some editors. A common mistake I find is that people do not know how to attribute quotes correctly. I think a way we could help fix this is to encourage a more collaborative editing process, instead of the usual back and forth like we have been doing.

Essay #2 The page I’ve been working on is News, and I think this most recent December issue is the crown jewel of my work. The prior issues showed my infancy in the use of indesign and photoshop. In the December issue, I needed less help working with the program. This issue also proved to be the only one which I felt like the layout I had designed was good before having Adamson check it over. Prior to December, I had several hiccups on my page. The one I am the least proud of is the September/ October issue of the paper. I did not do a good job whatsoever, and in fact, had my entire page redesigned by Adamson before I got the chance to work on it again. A design skill I am strong in is page layout. I feel that I have a knack for knowing where stories belong on the page in order to make it look professional. That being said, I think I need to learn how to fit more onto a page while keeping the design clean. This year, I almost entirely learned how to use InDesign this semester. I have come a long way from needing my page worked. However, pulling quotes and making stories look less like a wall of text is something I need to work on.

Essay #3

The most significant thing I wrote for the publication this semester would probably be the Gas Prices story. That story was one of the most difficult stories I have ever written, and to top it off, it was for a page that is notoriously boring to write for. I managed to do the story and turn it in on time, which made me feel like I have come a long way from the staff writer I was last year. As I started the story, it began as a piece on how gas prices rising has changed travel. This was still the premise after I had finished the draft, but through my interviews and my research, I was able to make the story into something more than that. It was an article about not just changing travel based on gas prices but also why the gas prices were so high. I learned that sometimes the most mundane stories can be more interesting if you do more research about slightly off topic things and tie it back to the articles. That adds a layer of thought provoking information that turns the story into a much better one.

Essay #4

I talk to writers for my page like I would want to be talked to. When it comes to certain writers who either can’t or choose not to write well, I have to take a special approach. When it’s rooted in laziness, I make an extra effort to work with those editors. With writers who can’t write well, I let them give me what they have and work it until it’s usable. A challenge I face is getting enough in the drive to make a usable article. Most people do not get their news articles in until late making it hard to plan what will be ready on time. Between popularity and respect, you need a balance. With popularity often comes respect, however respect comes progress. Making sure the page is finished is the most important job, whichever path you go, that’s what the result needs to be. The last wolf is the leader because it allows his to see everyone and make sure they are ok

the News

2 ● SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

THE CSPRESS

Judy Silva food editor

Owen Taylor staff writer

CLUB RUSHING, seniors Claire

Geare and Erika Potter show off last year’s Litmag at Club Rush. Geare joined the club as a freshman, and is now Editor in Chief. “It’s one of the only places on campus where you can actually use your creative expression to make something,” said Geare. 4Gianna Lazzaro

Lit Mag begins the year with all new staff Johnathan Geare staff writer

For nearly twenty years, the CSHS LitMag has given artistic students the practical experience they need to create confidently for professional-level publications. Kira Riley and Maja Pierce, two former members of the literary magazine, have secured spots as a writer for the ASU State Press magazine and creative director of the AZ Sustainable Apparel Association respectively,both shortly after graduating from Cactus Shadows. The club itself focuses on the process of designing a literary magazine, from reviewing student-submitted works to design-

Masks

continued from page 1 In schools, parents have become vocal about what they want for their children, causing certain districts to gain, or lose students. A statewide survey conducted by the Arizona Republic revealed 59% of parents opposed legislation from prohibiting mask mandates, and the other 37.5% supported the measure. As for requiring masks, 57% of parents believe they should, and 40.8% disagree.

ing page layouts in a way that highlights the chosen art, poems, and short stories. However, as more and more students move on from the Lit Mag, the number of members grows thinner and thinner. This was caused in part by the inability to recruit new members last year due to complications with COVID-19 protocol. Claire Geare, a senior, and now editor-in-chief, expresses her concerns with the lack of experienced members. “I joined Lit Mag my freshman year, and those people [I knew] are all gone. It’s weird being one of the only people left that I remember, in a way.” Despite the circumstances,

there seems to be a universal sense of optimism towards the new members of the club. “We lost a lot of our previous officers, but I still think we can make a good lit magazine. We got some new kids in there,” said Francesca Douglas, a third year member of the Lit Mag. The recruiting process proved to be more chaotic than expected this year- with most members being convinced to join through a 40-minute, “club rush,” during a lunch period last August. Thousands of students flooded the center of the campus, where club leaders set up tables to frantically pitch their club to any passersby who would listen. Geare was one of these leaders.

“It was actually a lot of yelling. It was me, at club rush, with a bowl of candy that I would guard, until I would force these kids to listen to my spiel. And the spiel’s pretty good. Apparently it worked, you know, you catch the right people,” describes Geare, seeking out students who seem to pay extra attention to detail in the way they present themselves. “I would see people in good outfits, or lots of jewelry, or colored hair, and I would be like, ‘You! Listen to my spiel!’” If you want to learn the practical skills needed to publish art or news yourself, the Lit Mag is still accepting new members. Wednesdays, after school, every week.

On Campus Mandates

alerting them of their exposure. For vaccinated students, quarantining is optional, while unvaccinated students are required to quarantine for ten days, and show proof of a negative test.

Pfizer vaccine in August of 2021, many are still refusing to take the vaccine. According to The New York Times, roughly eighty-five million Americans who are eligible for the vaccine are not getting it, but with President Biden’s new vaccine mandate issued in September, this could change. Biden has begun pushing individuals to get vaccinated by requiring the vaccine to all companies with over 100 employees. If not vaccinated, the alternative is weekly testing for COVID19. According to The New York Times, President Biden has legal authority to enforce these requirements.

Here on campus, Cactus Shadows has completely disregarded mask mandates for students, regardless of vaccination status. Ducey’s 163 million dollar grant program to schools that do not enforce masks, is partially the reason why masks are not enforced at the school. Of course, if a student feels more comfortable wearing a mask, they have every right to do so. Cactus Shadows is currently following steps provided by Maricopa County Department of Public Health. When a student is exposed to another student positive with COVID-19, they will receive an automated message

Who Can We Trust?

After the different vaccines were released, many questioned their effectiveness and safety. The first vaccine to come out was Pfizer. Making its debut in December of 2020, quicker than many anticipated. Because of this, many feared it was rushed and non-reliable because it was not approved by the FDA in the beginning. Although the FDA approved the

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Improv In Action Improv member Zander Bezotte acts out a scene by pretneding to be rocket ship beside his the captian of the improv team, Claire Geare.

aCooper Lake

Key Club provides volunteer opportunities for students

This year the club will partner with the Environmental Club to plant trees across campus Peyton Marinelli spotlight editor

CACTUS SHADOWS KEY Club, a

Joker’s Improv makes its mark with the first show of the school year Livia Lowe staff writer

On September 17, the Cactus Shadows Improv troupe had its first show at the Fine Arts Center. Improv is a form of comedic theater in which the script is made up on the spot. The actors will be given a character or prompt on the spot and will have to make up the scene based around these roles. These prompts are given by the audience which adds a level of engagement to the act. “It harbors creativity and problem solving so the kids are usually really quick witted and punny so it’s fun to hang out at rehearsals and be creative,” said Andrew Cupo, supervisor of the improv club. Improv at the school has undergone many changes since its conception. When it first started, instead of having one big team there several teams made up of four members. The previ-

ous drama teacher then picked four teams out of the whole to perform at the shows. This was not long lived, however; The next year, it was decided that there would be one team instead. Members of improv love the family that being on the team creates. It is important for the members to figure out who they work well with for the games to go as smoothly as possible. Being on the team also requires an extreme love for being on stage and making others laugh. “I like being on stage and I like making other people laugh, I always did it in class so I thought why not do it infront of 200 people,” said Adam Schwartz, a senior and an improv cocaptain. Before shows, it is important for the members to meet to discuss some of the plans for the games. “About an hour before the show we fill out a form choosing games we want to play and then the captains put us

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 ● 3

Senior Assassins ‘kill’ for cash prizes once again

Ten-day Absence Policy in Effect The “10-day policy,” that was put into place during the 2018-2019 school year by the Arizona Department of Education, is now being enforced. However, it is more complicated than it appears. Due to a lack of awareness, teachers and students alike are confused about the guidelines and what violating them means. “I think the policy is silly because it doesn’t allow for exceptions. People can get sick or have a family emergency. It doesn’t allow for the students to be accountable,’’ said Ben Sheps, a senior. According to the student handbook, a students who reaches eight absences or tardies in one or more classes during any semester will automatically be placed on academic probation. Students on probation cannot break any school rules without getting in trouble with the dean of students. It could be something relatively small, such as a short term suspension, or worse, depending on the severity of the rule. According to the handbook, “High School students may lose credit for any class in which they accumulate 13 absences or tardies during a semester.” Academic probation can be taken away after the student has completed a semester of school with less than 12 absences without any tardies, suspensions, or truancies. When a student has five absences the attendance office will warn the student and make sure they don’t lose credit. “After the warnings at the 5th and 8th absence, the 10th absence is when the attendance committee sets up a conference with the students parents to discuss the reason on why the student was away from school and if it was a legitimate reason,” said Cristy Pine, attendance administrator. While the current wording states 10 days that a student is able to miss before credit is taken away in a class, in the handbooks it says 13 days within a semester. Administration is looking into what the handbook says, but students will have to write their letter after 10 days and go before the attendance committee explaining their absences. The Deptartment of Education will report excess absences of a student after they have missed 10% of the instructional days, which is 18 days out of the school year as an unexcused absence regardless of absence reason. Also stated by Department of Education is if a student has made up 18 absences and 10 additional consecutive missed days then the student will have to be withdrawn and re-enrolled. Even if the absences are called out by a parent or legal guardian, the absences will still be counted to the total absences under the student.

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into groups for games we’re gonna do,” said Lailie Eckman, a senior. To join the improv team, it is a rigorous process. Members are being judged based on their on the spot creativity as well as being able to work well with the other members. “Definitely try it’s super fun, come to the workshops.I also highly encourage people to take my theater course because we spend a whole eight weeks learning about improv and the basics,” said Cupo. Last year because of COVID-19 restrictions, Improv had a couple shows in the lecture hall as well as livestreamed every show but this year they are going back to having all shows in the lecture hall. Improv shows happen once every other month totalling four throughout the year. Tickets are five dollars and the next show is in November, the date is to be determined.

A way the club brings its members together is through its yearly trip. Since Key Club is an international club, students who participate will be invited for a trip with the other members. “I joined my freshman year from club rush and they swung me because they said it’ll look good on your application and you get community service hours,” said Libby Hord, vice president. The main goal for the club this year is to become a tree campus. Many trees were wiped out from storms over the course of last year, leaving lots of room to grow more, here, on campus. To accomplish this, Key Club is

club for Community Service, is ready to help the community through volunteering. “So far this year there’s been enthusiasm and it’s been super fun. A lot of good energy at the different meetings with good turnout,” said Danae Sprouse, advisor of Key Club. Key Club meets every other Thursday after school and is open to every student here on campus. The club is led by advisor, Sprouse, and club President Reagan Fenicle. Key Club is community service and project oriented. Many opprutunities outside of campus to earn community service hours are Club members volunteer at provided. Kiwanis, food kitchens, and Additionally, animal rescue facilities here every meeting counts in Cave Creek. as one hour of community service. Club members volunteer at planning to collaborate with Kiwanis, food kitchens, and the Environmental Club to animal rescue facilities here help them plant the new in Cave Creek. The main les- trees in a joint club initiasons students take away tive. Key Club has many goals from the club is student leadership, and providing set and in action for this year all while helping the service. “I decided to become community and making the president to bring in other campus a better place for its members to share the joy,” students. said Reagan Fenicle, president of Key Club.

“

This year’s annual student run Senior Assassins competition began this year on September 1st, continuing the long held tradition of pitting seniors against each other for the chance to win a cash prize. “I wanted to be involved with Senior Assassins and create a safe, but fun environment for everyone playing,” said Anne Bugbee, the senior in charge of Senior Assassins. Senior Assassins is a game that is played amongst the senior students and ends with the 1st place team winning $3920, 2nd place team winning $840, and 3rd place team winning $280. include sporting events, sports

fields, fine art center, gyms, school events and sponsored events. The players are still safe when they are in their homes, on a bike/motorcycle, in a car if all windows are closed, and in a hospital or any place of emergency/medical treatment. “I am hoping that I can avenge my partner, but I don’t even know where the kid lives,” said Christian Waters, a student participating in senior assassins. Each week the teams are assigned new targets and the goal is to eliminate them. One of the challenges is that each teammate has a safety item that will protect them from being eliminated. The objective is to find the target without

their safety items on. It is required to record the “kill”, take a photo with the person “killed”, and submit it to the senior assassins Instagram. Each member of the team must meet the kill quota by the end of each month to stay in the game. “My daughter almost got killed while getting out of her car at work, but luckily that was a safe zone,” said Zebulan Schnorr, a parent of a student participating in Senior Assassins. One of the rules is that no players can be eliminated in a safe zone. Some of the safe zones are school grounds, school parking lot, places of employment and places of worship. Other areas that are safe

on an individual or team that is required to be completed within a certain amount of time. To place a bounty on someone a person must pay at least $1. If the kill is made the person who did the killing earns the money and 1 kill point. The person the bounty gets 2 kill points. There is also an opportunity to avenge a teammate. If the player is able to kill the person who eliminated their teammate within 2 weeks of the teammates death, the teammate is back in. who placed the bounty gets 2 kill points. There is also an opportunity to avenge a teammate. If the player is able to kill the person who eliminated their teammate within 2 weeks of the teammates death, the teammate is back in.

zones. Some days there will be special days such as purge day, zombie day, and free for all. Purge day is when safety items are no longer in play and the player can target anyone. The only places that remain a safe zone are the school campus, school parking lot, and when a person is working at their place of employment. A zombie day is when those who are dead are given the chance to get back in the game if they can kill 2 living people. All safe items and spaces are still in effect on zombie days. Free for all is when all targets are disregarded, but safe spaces and items remain in effect. A bounty system is also in the game. Someone can place a bounty

Big Blue assembly brings spirit back to school Student Council held the first assembly since before school closure in 2020 Sarah Love

trending now editor

The student body of Cactus Shadows kicked off this academic school year with the first assembly held since before the COVID-19 outbreak in the spring of 2020. “The morning of the assembly we rehearsed for around an hour. The people who had speaking parts, for example introducing certain things like the band, or the nest leaders had to take the microphone and practice what they were going to say, and the nest leaders had to practice their chants. We really just ran through everything to make sure everything was going smoothly,” said Brooklyn Wilcox, one of the Student Body Presidents at Cactus Shadows. There is a ton of planning, rehearsing, practice, and effort that goes on behind the scenes for an assembly. Planning for an assembly starts about a week or two I was most excited to in advance, however, it takes until the night before or bring some semblance of even until the morning of the assembly to see the final project come together. These last minute adjustments normalcy to the students. It has been two and a include setting everything up, and rehearsing to make sure everything little detail is perfect and insink. half years if you think During after school meetings, the student counabout it, half the school cil works on the yard art gets painted, everybody gets had never been to a pep assigned what they were going to say and when they rally, football game, or were going to say it, and new ideas on how to make the knew our cheers.” assembly even better come about. “We have assemblies to get people hyped and excited Allison Z ilka for school while bringing a more positive and united aspect to the environment,” said Christian Waters, Student Council Advisor. another Student Body President. School can be a challenging thing, especially during a post-COVID-19 year. Assemblies help unify the student body and get them a little more excited for school. It shows that students and faculty members are united as one, which can provide a strong foundation for the academic school year. Assemblies encourage the student body to get involved with school functions. Bringing awareness to the clubs and sports that could be joined, and to the upcoming sports games, helping to show school spirit. club or sport, or going to a sports game to show support for our school. Helping the students to identify within their school and become active in the community. If the assembly is motivating it can help the students stay motivated for school. Assemblies can become a powerful event that can inspire a sense of school spirit while giving the feeling of belonging to something larger.

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GETTING EXCITED. Seniors Marcus Galeano, Jason Lee, Mason Benvenuto cheer on the cheer and pom team from the crowd. The Big Blue pep assembly was the first since COVID-19 shut down major events. “It was a lot of fun being at an assembly again,” said someone. aHailey Dent

the News

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 ● 5

U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ends “Forever War”

Vaccination rates around the world

Max Hancock Opinion Editor

Country

UE TO RECENT orders for the United States Military to withdraw from Afghanistan, the war torn country has fallen under the control of the Taliban, an islamic terrorist group, in as little as two weeks, throwing the country into panic.

The war in Afghanistan was one that was undoubtedly tedious and seemed to be everlasting, earning it the nickname: “The Forever War.” Since September of 2001, when the United States was attacked by terrorist forces rooted in the Middle East, the United States has had a presence in Afghanistan in an attempt to suppress terrorist activity. Over the past decade, presidential candidates have been campaigning the retreat of U.S. forces from the country, making it a country-wide goal to stop bloodshed of U.S. troops on soil overseas. “I think Biden’s pull out was planned terribly and led to a bunch of uneccesary deaths that could have been avoided with a good leader,” said Kai Candeleria, a senior. Current intelligence assessments calculate that Joe Biden’s withdrawal plan left more than 2,000 armored vehicles, including U.S. Humvees, and up to 40 aircraft potentially including UH-60 Black Hawks, scout attack helicopters, and ScanEagle military drones which are now in possession of the Taliban. There are no definite numbers yet but the sheer weight of Talibans new arsenal is a threat to the U.S. and its allies. “We have already seen Taliban fighters armed with U.S.-made weapons they seized from the Afghan forces,” said Michael

HAITI HAS ONCE again experienced a tragic

natural disaster leaving the nation ravaged. On August 14 at 8:01 am, a 7.2 earthquake a began in the mountains between Nippes and Sud. This isn’t the first time Haiti has had an earthquake. Since 2010, there have been three different earthquakes in the country. On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-Au-Prince, leading to the death of between 100,000 and 300,000 deaths, as well as, at least 300,000 injuries. Tragedy, once again struck on October 17, 2018 when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 hit Port-de-Paix with a death toll of 18 and 580 injuries. This brings us to this year, when in August, a 7.2 earthquake hit the country killing 2,248 so far and an estimated 12,763 injuries. “Haiti is a country that’s very prone to earthquakes. Haiti is probably one of the

72.3

India

14.5

62.7

U.S.

54.6

Brazil

37.8

Japan

McCaul, the top Republican on the U.S. House of Representatives during an interview. Between 2002 and 2017, the United States gave the Afghan military an estimated $28 billion in weaponry, including guns, rockets, night-vision goggles and even small drones for intelligence gathering. Weapons and technology that were once the United States’ greatest advantage over the Taliban has now fallen into the hands of the opposition itself. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan was taken under control by the Taliban this August, just two weeks after the United States withdrew. Millions of Afghanistan residents are worried that the country

could descend into chaos or the Taliban could carry out revenge attacks against those who worked with the Americans or the government. The airport of Kabul became a warzone in itself as thousands of Afghan rushed to departing flights in effort to flee the bleeding country. Some were so desperate that they clung onto the sides of military jets as they took off. Amidst the chaos at the airport, the Taliban committed various suicide bombings, claiming the lives of dozens of innocent Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members, some not even as old as the two decade long war.

worst places in the world for an earthquake to happen. It’s a very crowded country and the buildings are built very poorly,” said Gavin Rivera, a junior. Haiti has a lot of earthquakes due to where the country is situated on the tectonic plates. The Earth is made up of tectonic plates that move around, sometimes causing Earthquakes. Haiti happens to be right next to the intersection of two plates; The North American plate and the Caribbean plate. Many fault lines are on these plates and they cut near and even right through the island of Hispaniola. The fault lines near Haiti are especially prone to earthquakes because they move in two different directions, smashing against each other. Earthquakes in Haiti can be additionally tragic due to a lack of earthquake secure infrastructure. Many buildings collapse from earthquakes because of poor building techniques and a lack of security from earthquakes. Haiti did not have a lot of time to repair

its infrastructure from the 2018 Earthquake, making this earthquake especially disastrous. “It also happened in 2010, where the exact peninsula was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake,” said Lohren Edmondson, a college student at Collin County Community College. So far, the Haitian earthquake has been one of the most distructive natural disasters of 2021. Hundreds of thousands of children have gone missing due to the debris, and over 2,000 people reportedly dead, it changed many people’s lives. the earthquake was set with a maximum intensity of nine with a magnitude of 7.2. This type of earthquake not only helps contribute to tsunamis but it also destroys communities and buildings. This happened before, in 2010, when the same peninsula that was struck in 2021 was hit with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. It killed over 800,000 people, making it hard to prepare in the event of another earthquake.

Earthquake ravages Haiti once again Jacob Golicz staff writer

Percent fully vaccinated

Mainland China

53.3

Indonesia

16.8

Germany

63.0

Turkey

50.5

Mexico

32.5

U.K.

66.5

France

72.7

Russia

27.6

Italy

67.9

Pakistan

11.7

Spain

77.0

South Korea

42.8

Canada Argentina

69.6

Source: New York Times

3Erika Potter

44.3

The News

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THE CSPRESS

Supreme Court takes on Texas laws

Claire Geare editor-in-chief

STUDENTS WAIT to be released after a student called in a bomb threat to the school in August. While it turned out to be a false alarm, many students complained that the evacuation to the football field did not work. 4Cooper Lake

Bomb threat response causes concern

Citizen Enforcement

Evacuating to the football field is necessary part of plan but tricky to execute quickly due to the size of the entry points Chris Alexander staff writer

On August 26, Cactus Shadows received a phone call about an explosive device on campus. While the school followed law enforcement-approved procedures, the time it took between when school was first put into lockdown and the announcement that told the students to move to the football field caused many students to feel the school was unprepared. “It was very scary and we didn’t know what was going on, we seemed unprepared,” said Mika Jones, a junior. After the event transpired, administration did take note and began a plan for future incidents that might occur. “We were prepared,” said Sarah Barela, principal. “We followed the

Battle for the bond continued from page 1

Providing more technology to students and teachers is another goal of the bond funds. If funds pass, the goal is to make Cactus Shadows a 1:1 technology school, which is a school that provides a mobile computing device, such as a laptop, for every student. According to PV Schools, having a 1:1 technology ratio motivates students to learn because assignments can be personalized to each student’s capability, devices expand creativity using

evacuation plan we had in place and worked with the district and police department.” Barela pointed out that the football field is a struggle to evacuate to because of the distance from the school, which may account for why students felt it took a long time. However, it is necessary for us to travel that far to be sure everyone is safe. “We’re trying to fix the evacuation plan because that’s a very small gate to fit lots of kids through. We’re actually talking about bringing in Scottsdale police, the Sheriff’s office, and Phoenix Police so if there was a major incident on campus we would have all three agencies respond,” said Barela.

No evidence

After the threats were proven to

graphics and video, and they allow students to bring devices home to learn with outside of school. Additionally, the district has to consider the state of Arizona’s standards for purchasing technology. Any devices purchased must be able to run the state’s standardized tests. “I really think that we could use technology… there’s so much available, [we’d like to have] 1:1 or at least Google carts in every classroom,” Barela said.

Last May, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that would ban abortions as soon as an ultrasound can detect a fetal heartbeat. Commonly known as a “heartbeat bill,” the law limits abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy. According to Dr. Visha Nerma in an interview for NPR, a fetal heartbeat is the grouping of cells that initiate electrical activity where a heart will develop. This is especially limiting, since this is before most women even know they are pregnant. “I think it’s terrible. I think people should be able to get an abortion if they feel that’s a good choice for them. Everyone is at a different place in life and it shouldn’t be up to the government to decide when you have a kid,” said Mia Gullaksen a foreign exchange student.

be false, the FBI released a statement saying that making a false threats is a federal offense. “Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources, and put first responders in unnecessary danger. We also don’t want to see a young person start out adulthood with a felony record over an impulsive social media post,” said David Bowdich, deputy director of the FBI. Cactus Shadows was not the only school put in this situation this year. Other schools in Arizona have been experiencing similar phenomenons. Mesa, Estrella, Canyon View, and Red Mountain high schools were all threatened with explosive devices. There is no evidence showing a link between the events, however, all of the schools had to go on modified lockdown/evacuation.

Timing

Bond spending is not yet set in stone. In order for community members to have input on what they’d like funds to be spent on, a committee led by the CFO will be formed. The process will begin when site councils at each school talk to the school population to decide what is most important to them to receive funding. Then, representatives from each council will participate in the committee to decide how to use funds.

The law is not enforced by the government, instead empowering citizens to privately sue abortion providers. This prevents abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood to sue the government, as technically there is no government involved to sue. Citizens who sue do not have to have any connection to the case. “It’s a way for the government to get around Roe, because they’ve made citizens the enforcing authority instead of the state. So now it’s not the state violating a right to privacy, it’s citizens. The court could redefine the state’s interests in protecting maternal health. It’s a case where they’re balancing state interests with individual liberty,” said Angela Thomas, a government and economics teacher. The bill was quickly challenged by abortion providers and members of the public who are in support of the right to access an abortion, coloquially known as “Pro-Choice.” Due to the national Additionally, funds are not meant to be spent all at once. The committee will decide periodically what needs to be purchased and how many bonds need to be sold to cover those expenses. Then, once the bonds are sold to investors, purchases can be made. The goal is to make funds last until at least 2028. Taxpayers within the district most recently passed a bond in 2014, and one is not currently in place. This puts the district in a unique situation, as many other

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40 years of Cactus Shadows

attention and public division this bill has caused, the Supreme Court expedited the hearing of the case. Arguments began November 1st. Proponents of the law argue that since it technically states no government involvement, neither the abortion providers or federal government are entitles to sue in the first place.

1974 NEW CAMPUS. Students walk

across the brand new high school campus after it opened on 60th Street.

schools in the area have either bonds, or bonds along with overrides, in place. Bonds and overrides are similar in that they both are funded by property taxes. However, while a bond is used for physical things and projects that will be useful longer than five years, maintenance and operations (M&O) overrides are used for people, and cover expenses directly related to the classroom, such as teacher salary, class size reduction, and training for staff.

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1982

DOORS OPENED TO FIRST CAMPUS, located at 60th Street (the current Black Mountain Elementary School campus), with grades 7-9.

FLASH BACK. Spanish teacher Johna Jacobsen’s yearbook photo in 1998.

Environmental Club works on greening school campus Katelyn Pinkham Style Editor

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB IS focused on improving environ-

mental conditions across campus. The club was founded by science teacher, Danae Sprouse in 2019 when a student came to her with the idea. She was instantly on board, due to her similar interests in nature and science, and decided to start the club. Since then, the club has grown in popularity and influence. “I facilitate ideas and projects, but really it’s the students that make things happen and come up with new proposals,” said Sprouse. According to the Scientific American Magazine, the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the United States, “starting an environmental club at school is a great way to get students energized about taking care of the Earth and helping their community, while learning about some of the most important issues facing the world in the 21st century.” Environmental Club focuses on anything environmental that affects the campus, students, and as well as anything global. Currently, their main focus is planting trees on campus for an Arbor Day celebration. Arbor Day Foundation is a 501 nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. According to their website, the Arbor Day Foundation has more than one million members and has planted more than 350 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. “We’re a very friendly and collaborative group of

THE CSPRESS

OR OVER 15 years, CCUSD has been providing

Teachers get grants from the Falcon Foundation delivered to their rooms Cait Bunkers sports editor

FALCON FOUNDATION, ALONG with district staff, delivered grants to teachers on November 1. “I asked for alchohol-based markers... the ones the kids never get a chance to use, so giving the kids the experience to work with them, learn how to blend with them, and try new artistic skills using them,” said Dara Parsons, an art teacher. The event, called Grant the District, was a culmination of the work of both the club and Cave Creek Unified Education Foundation to support teacher projects to improve their classrooms. Students traveled to every school, beginning at Cactus Shadows, to deliver the grants. Four Cactus Shadows teachers, including Andre Womack, Dara Parsons,

Andrew Cupo, and Lori Hart received grants. “I thought it was super cool to see all the different teacher projects... I’m really passionate about special education so I thought it was really cool that they donate the sensory room,” said Shea Nollette, a senior. In order to receive grants, teachers must apply through CCUEF by identifying a project or need in their classroom, then filling out the application online at ccuef.org. The project must fall in one of the pillars emphasized by the Foundation, including technology, music and the arts, international learning, and health and wellness. Additionally, the requested award cannot be for more than $2,500, or $5,000 if another funding source will match the award.

Teachers are able to apply in spring of each year, then applications are reviewed before grants are awarded in the fall. Money for the grants comes from fundraisers held by CCUEF and Falcon Foundation. Rock the District, a concert in which students in grades 6-12 audition for and perform in, raises most of the money for grants. Smaller fundraisers, such as the recent movie night at Big Earl’s Greasy Eats, also raise money for grants. “We want to raise $25,000,” said Faith Ridler, a senior. Grant the District occurs annually and benefits teacher projects around the district.

FIRST GRADUATING CLASS.

kids, trying to help the school be more eco-friendly,” said Libby Hord, a senior and co-president of environmental club. Their main goal as a club is to become something known as a “tree campus” by the Arbor Day Foundation. Annually, certain criteria must be met for the school to officially be labeled a tree campus. They have to plant a certain amount of trees before their application is accepted. The project they are currently working on is planting nine trees around campus, replacing those lost by recent storms in the past year. Moon Valley Tree and Plant Nursery donated one tree to the club, and the other eight were paid for by Kiwanis with help from the Key club. Environmental Club will be celebrating Arbor Day and speaking on details of how the project was implemented at First Friday. After this, the club will be wrapping up their tree campus application process and working on their next project, the Thirst Project. The Thirst Project is a walk that is meant to help with the understanding of water as a resource in the environment. They have also worked to pick up trash off of campus and prevent littering, and were also possibly thinking of getting a garden going. “I joined because I wanted to help keep the campus free from littering and help plant more trees,” said Daniel Piacquadio, a senior. Environmental club meets every other Thursday in Sprouse’s room, #801, and is still accepting new members. Anyone interested in the environment and helping the campus is encouraged to join.

1995

CSHS OPENED in its current location on Dove Valley Road.

KEEPING THE BEAT. The Cactus

Shadows marching band in 1999, during the homecoming parade on Cave Creek road.

2012 BLAST FROM THE PAST. Drama teacher Andrew Cup performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a student in 2006.

$40 MILLION BOND PASSED, and a new football field and athletic training facility was built.

SPIRIT LIVES. 2006 junior J.T. Arentsen, stands with current STUCO adviser Cameron Bender at an assembly.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 ● 5

With Merkel out, Germany alters course Hudson Ellis Staff Writer

remove his mask on campus due to the lack of mask requirement at school. 4 Cooper Lake

ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, a judge

rejected Doug Ducey’s proposal to ban schools from mandating masks, which was set to go into effect on September 29. Despite this action by the court, few school districts have instituted mask mandates as a result. Today, most schools in Arizona do not require masks to be worn, however, they now have the option to implement a mandate if they feel one is needed. With the cold season coming up, many different viruses are going around in schools such as the flu and the regular cold in which people could see a major outbreak. With students possibly having to skip school because of

it, schools might have to enforce stricter regulations to contain the spread of COVID-19. “I feel like Ducey’s proposal makes sense, but it’s within the schools rights to do whatever they want because depending on the location in the state, I feel like different COVID restrictions apply,” said Connor Lund, a senior. According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 29 public school districts had defied the laws and enacted their own mask requirements. Many people believed that mandating masks was against the constitution and the people’s rights. In a recent board meeting for the Cave Creek Unified District, angry parents expressed their

beliefs on mask mandates. “Schools shouldn’t mandate masks because kids should be able to wear what they want and those things suffocate you. A school shouldn’t tell you what

“

Schools shouldn’t mandate masks because kids should be able to wear what they want and those things suffocate you.” Jayden Bahoura

you can and can’t do,” said Jayden Bahoura, a senior. Each school’s decision ultimately comes up to the governing board and whatever new rules or mandates created that are put in place by them have to be followed. If not, students may be forced to go back online or find a different school that has different restrictions. “They were talking about putting it back on the agenda and it’s not even an agenda item again with our governing board,” said Sarah Barela, principal. As of now, there is no plan to put in place any mask mandates even though the district still has the option to enforce one.

a senior

Advances in North Korea’s missile program surface Hudson Ellis staff writer

Around this time last year, North Korea released a “Hwasong” series ballistic missile into the pacific ocean. The Hwasong-15 missile is realistically able to hit anywhere in the entire continental United States with a range of around 8,077 miles and an altitude of 2,796 miles. This new ICBM, the Hwasong-16, is even larger; A two-stage missile with multiple warheads. Additionally, in January of this year, North Korea began implementing a new missile that can be launched from a submarine into their arsenal of weapons. This missile was proclaimed “the world’s most powerful weapon.”

38,000 SQUARE FEET OF NEW CLASSROOM SPACE opened, as well as a new administration building. Grass areas and landscaping were added, and the campus was fenced.

2014

MASK OFF. Senior, Zack Eastburn is free to

staff writer

SECOND PHASE OF BUILDING the campus completed.

SIX CLASSROOMS at the former Black Mountain Elementary School were occupied by CSHS, and called East Campus.

THE NEWS

Jordan Kern

1999

2006

Most districts do not enforce mask mandates in Arizona

staff writer

4Cait Bunkers

FIRST SCHOOL NEWSPAPER published, called the Viewpoint.

4Gianna Lazzaro

Johnathan Geare

world language programs and learning opportunities, starting with Spanish in 2003, and later expanding to Chinese and French by 2016. According to Superintendent Cort Monroe, $2.3 million is invested into the program each year, to ensure that from K-12, students have the opportunity to study a language of their choosing. “I’ve been learning Chinese since kindergarten. It has expanded my knowledge of the world and society more than any other program,” said Xander Simmons, a sophomore who has been in a foreign language class for 10 years. The honors language classes expand upon previous material to give students a more in depth study of the language. “[The students] give presentations based on what they want to talk about in Chinese culture,” said Sophia Barnedo, a senior and president of the Chinese Honors society. The Honors Society offers the added benefit of providing an opportunity for to get certiWhether enrolled students fied. Members achieve in an honors the title by spending a certain number of language class or hours on their presennot, any student tations and activities involving the club. can attend “In order to get language clubs to [hours] you can either study the culture come in for tutoring, help out after school, surrounding the or you can give presendifferent foreign tations,” said Barnedo. languages taught Despite the $2.3 million invested annuon campus. ally into the program, as the district budget grows tighter, the honors language programs have had to cut corners in order to be able to offer the opportunities they do. Historically, Chinese 5/6 honors students would attend separate meetings for the honors society, but this past year the circumstances have changed. Barnedo describes how the Chinese club and Honors Society has been personally affected by the budget constraints, “The Honors Society used to be held in [a separate room], but we had to combine them because there is no [Chinese] language department anymore, it’s just Guo Laoshi.” Classes have had to be combined, too. Guo Laoshi, the honors Chinese teacher on campus, has the new challenge this year of juggling three different honors classes, all at different steps in the long-sequence curriculum, during the same class period. “In one [class period], we have AP/IB, Chinese 5, and IB Junior. We only have one Chinese teacher this year, [so] we have to combine those levels together.” When asked how she manages that kind of class, she said: “I give each group different stuff do to. So when this group is given this task, the other groups are recieving instruction... It is difficult.” Despite rising budget concerns, Chinese classes are still open for enrollment, and the Chinese club can be joined by all students, no matter which foreign language class they take.

1983

1986

CLUB MEMBERS Daniel Piquadilo and Libby Hord, seniors, encourage students to join during Club Rush. Club Rush is held each fall, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the different clubs on campus.

Honors language programs under budget stress

Parsons, a check on behalf of the Falcon Foundation

COMMITTEE ORGANIZED to form a high school. Students in Cave Creek at the time drove all the way to Paradise Valley High School.

Roe v. Wade

Challengers of the law argue it is in violation of the Court’s 1973 decision in the landmark case Roe v. Wade, which prohibits states from restricting abortions until at least the second trimester. If Texas wins this case, Roe v. Wade may be effectively overturned. A reversal of Roe creates an opportunity for 22 states, including Arizona, to implement preRoe abortion laws following government action. This may almost entirely ban abortion in these states. These are called “trigger laws,” which are laws that are currently unenforceable, but may become enforced following a change in circumstance. “I think it’s more important to give the kids a chance to make it and be loved by their parents than to give women the freedom to abort a fetus. That being said, I also think the government should invest more money into making it easy for mothers to get money to take care of their kids because a lot of independent women don’t have a good housing situation to take care of a kid,” said Kevin Lopez, a senior. Important aspects of this case call into question the court’s respect to the precedent set in 1973, as well as the balance of an individual’s right to privacy with the state’s interest in protecting life. With a more conservative court, the decision is likely to turn out differently than it did in 1973. If this decision is overturned, Arizonans will swiftly feel the effects.

THE NEWS

GETTING PAID. Superintendent Cort Monroe gives art teacher, Dara

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 ● 3

THE NEWS

These recent nuclear developments allow for increased maneuverability and control from the people launching the missiles, giving them the ability to hit targets more accurately. “I think it definitely depends on what this administration does. If they want to be more active in foreign affairs I think the threat they pose to our country is more limited,” said Xander Simmons, a sophomore. Due to the secrecy and tight security of North Korea, the United States does not have all the details on North Korea’s nuclear program. Intel about these missiles are largely left to speculation. These developments are part

of a much larger arms race between North Korea and the United States. South Korea has responded to the northern threat by increasing its own arsenal, with a new submarinelaunched missile, more aircraft carriers, and an American stealth F-35 jet plane. “I think considering the gap between the ideological differences between [South Korea] and North Korea, I think there is a good chance North Korea can do some harm to South Korea and to the sphere of influence they have over the area,” Simmons said. “At the current moment I am not fearful of them. In general, of course, they have nuclear

missiles that we want to get rid of. They are not very fond of us because we have different political ideals,” said Kent Roberts, a sophomore. However, relations between the United States and North Korea are tense. North Korea has been reluctant to commence any diplomatic meetings due to the United States’ perceived “hostile policies” toward the nation. The Biden administration has said there is “no urgency” in the denuclearization of North Korea. “Not being able to get along with nuclear bombs is not the best option,” said Roberts. “The range of those nuclear missiles is definitely a concern.”

Germany recently had an election in which the Social Democrat Party won the majority. This was their greatest victory in recent years. Angela Merkel, the incumbent Chancellor, chose not to run for re-election. Merkel had been Chancellor since 2005. “The chancellor is going to step down soon and there will be a new one in December,” said Lucas Clendennen, a junior. The margin of victory for the Social Democrats was very small with the party winning 206 seats in the Bundestag and 25% of the vote, marking their best turnout since 2005. The Christian Democrats won 196 seats and 24% of the vote, marking their lowest number of seats won to date. This election had the highest turn out of any German election so far. Out of 61 million registered voters, 46 million voted in this most recent election. The President of Germany is largely a ceremonial role and does not hold much political power. The real “head of state” is the Chancellor, which leads the main political party in the Bundestag. The most prominent political parties are Christian Democrats, Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, Free Democrats (FDP), Die Linke, and the Alternative for Germany (AFD). “[Germany] has a government building with a glass roof that people can walk over to symbolize that its government is supposed to be transparent and that the people are over it,” said Melissa Marquette, a sophomore. Local and regional governments hold a substantial amount of power alongside their federal government. Every four years, representatives are elected by German citizens into the Bundestag, which is the national assembly of Germany. Voters cast two votes, one for a specific candidate they choose, and the other for a “party list” which goes to a specific political party. “The people in Germany are very diverse. There’s not one group of people in Germany. There’s people from all over the world, much more so than the United States,” said Emma Gilbert, a sophomore who lived in Germany for several years. Since the fall of the Nazis at the end of World War II, Germany has strived to be the pinnacle of freedom and democracy in Europe. Since the end of the war, Germany has become the most powerful economy in the European Union as well as in greater Europe. “They’re basically completely in control of the EU,” said Louie Vertin, a pilot from Minnesota. With a new political party in control of the nation, many hope for the continued growth of the German economy, as well as for Germany to continue to be a haven for freedom and democracy.

The News

2 ● NOVEMBER 5, 2021

THE CSPRESS

Supreme Court takes on Texas laws

Claire Geare editor-in-chief

Bomb threat response causes concern

Citizen Enforcement

Evacuating to the football field is necessary part of plan but tricky to execute quickly due to the size of the entry points Chris Alexander staff writer

Battle for the bond continued from page 1

No evidence

After the threats were proven to

Timing

4 ● NOVEMBER 5, 2021

THE CSPRESS

40 years of Cactus Shadows

1974 NEW CAMPUS. Students walk

across the brand new high school campus after it opened on 60th Street.

THE CSPRESS

1982

DOORS OPENED TO FIRST CAMPUS, located at 60th Street (the current Black Mountain Elementary School campus), with grades 7-9.

FLASH BACK. Spanish teacher Johna Jacobsen’s yearbook photo in 1998.

Katelyn Pinkham Style Editor

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB IS focused on improving environ-

THE CSPRESS

Cait Bunkers sports editor

1995

CSHS OPENED in its current location on Dove Valley Road.

KEEPING THE BEAT. The Cactus

Shadows marching band in 1999, during the homecoming parade on Cave Creek road.

2012 BLAST FROM THE PAST. Drama teacher Andrew Cup performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a student in 2006.

$40 MILLION BOND PASSED, and a new football field and athletic training facility was built.

SPIRIT LIVES. 2006 junior J.T. Arentsen, stands with current STUCO adviser Cameron Bender at an assembly.

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 ● 5

With Merkel out, Germany alters course Hudson Ellis Staff Writer

remove his mask on campus due to the lack of mask requirement at school. 4 Cooper Lake

Jordan Kern

beliefs on mask mandates. “Schools shouldn’t mandate masks because kids should be able to wear what they want and those things suffocate you. A school shouldn’t tell you what

“

Schools shouldn’t mandate masks because kids should be able to wear what they want and those things suffocate you.” Jayden Bahoura

a senior

Advances in North Korea’s missile program surface Hudson Ellis staff writer

38,000 SQUARE FEET OF NEW CLASSROOM SPACE opened, as well as a new administration building. Grass areas and landscaping were added, and the campus was fenced.

2014

MASK OFF. Senior, Zack Eastburn is free to

staff writer

SECOND PHASE OF BUILDING the campus completed.

SIX CLASSROOMS at the former Black Mountain Elementary School were occupied by CSHS, and called East Campus.

THE NEWS

ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, a judge rejected Doug Ducey’s proposal to ban schools from mandating masks, which was set to go into effect on September 29. Despite this action by the court, few school districts have instituted mask mandates as a result. Today, most schools in Arizona do not require masks to be worn, however, they now have the option to implement a mandate if they feel one is needed. With the cold season coming up, many different viruses are going around in schools such as the flu and the regular cold in which people could see a major outbreak. With students possibly having to skip school because of

1999

2006

Most districts do not enforce mask mandates in Arizona

Teachers get grants from the Falcon Foundation delivered to their rooms

FIRST GRADUATING CLASS.

Environmental Club works on greening school campus

Johnathan Geare

4Cait Bunkers

FIRST SCHOOL NEWSPAPER published, called the Viewpoint.

4Gianna Lazzaro

staff writer

OR OVER 15 years, CCUSD has been providing world language programs and learning opportunities, starting with Spanish in 2003, and later expanding to Chinese and French by 2016. According to Superintendent Cort Monroe, $2.3 million is invested into the program each year, to ensure that from K-12, students have the opportunity to study a language of their choosing. “I’ve been learning Chinese since kindergarten. It has expanded my knowledge of the world and society more than any other program,” said Xander Simmons, a sophomore who has been in a foreign language class for 10 years. The honors language classes expand upon previous material to give students a more in depth study of the language. “[The students] give presentations based on what they want to talk about in Chinese culture,” said Sophia Barnedo, a senior and president of the Chinese Honors society. The Honors Society offers the added benefit of providing an opportunity for to get certiWhether enrolled students fied. Members achieve in an honors the title by spending a certain number of language class or hours on their presennot, any student tations and activities involving the club. can attend “In order to get language clubs to [hours] you can either study the culture come in for tutoring, help out after school, surrounding the or you can give presendifferent foreign tations,” said Barnedo. languages taught Despite the $2.3 million invested annuon campus. ally into the program, as the district budget grows tighter, the honors language programs have had to cut corners in order to be able to offer the opportunities they do. Historically, Chinese 5/6 honors students would attend separate meetings for the honors society, but this past year the circumstances have changed. Barnedo describes how the Chinese club and Honors Society has been personally affected by the budget constraints, “The Honors Society used to be held in [a separate room], but we had to combine them because there is no [Chinese] language department anymore, it’s just Guo Laoshi.” Classes have had to be combined, too. Guo Laoshi, the honors Chinese teacher on campus, has the new challenge this year of juggling three different honors classes, all at different steps in the long-sequence curriculum, during the same class period. “In one [class period], we have AP/IB, Chinese 5, and IB Junior. We only have one Chinese teacher this year, [so] we have to combine those levels together.” When asked how she manages that kind of class, she said: “I give each group different stuff do to. So when this group is given this task, the other groups are recieving instruction... It is difficult.” Despite rising budget concerns, Chinese classes are still open for enrollment, and the Chinese club can be joined by all students, no matter which foreign language class they take.

1983

1986

Honors language programs under budget stress

Parsons, a check on behalf of the Falcon Foundation

COMMITTEE ORGANIZED to form a high school. Students in Cave Creek at the time drove all the way to Paradise Valley High School.

Roe v. Wade

THE NEWS

GETTING PAID. Superintendent Cort Monroe gives art teacher, Dara

NOVEMBER 5, 2021 ● 3

THE NEWS

he News

THE CSPRESS

mes two new administrators

ics, Cyndi Black, also long background, from One school with 2,800 ool students to teachveral classes, including grade, eighth grade, and ish. During that time as a , Black learned a lot about udents think. ents just want to be heard, nt to feel that they are safe e a place here in school,” ck. e both office officials, daily routine is quite difrom Pantillione’s duties as n. to get out to classes to s and interact with kids chers. I do the adminis-

“

My number one priority is to make the students feel like they are in a place where they feel supported and where they feel safe by building relationships with a student, a teacher and the office.” Angela Pantilione

THE CSPRESS

DECEMBER 10, 2021 ● 3

Early admissions for colleges tempt ambitious

trative stuff that has to be done to make sure that you guys have all your courses and that you are behaving properly,” said Black. While both the new members of administration spend hours a week at school, they both also enjoy hobbies away from their place of work. Pantillione is an avid bird watcher who also loves to go hiking. Black, who also enjoys hiking, enjoys going to the gym in order to relieve stress from work. The new administration cares deeply about the students at Cactus Shadows and plan to make the future as bright as possible.

David Lane News Editor

Submissions for early action college admissions are coming to a close as the deadlines for applications passed, this November. Some students who have one college in mind have used this opportunity to get a letter of acceptance early on. While this is helpful for students who have their mind set on a particular school, many colleges also require what is known as, “early commitment.” Roughly 450 colleges around the nation have some form of early decision or early action plans.

What is Early Commitment?

Dean of Students

FALCON DANCERS REHEARSE a dance inspired by the concept of time. Junior Tyler Wood and sophomore Maddox Hodges lift senior, Cayleigh Hufford.

4 Gianna Lazzaro

Falcon Dance Company joins with creative writing class Owen Taylor staff writer

ACH YEAR, THE Falcon Dance

CHECKING OUT THE SCENE. Cynthia Black, new Assistant Principal of Academics, spends her lunchtime getting to know students. 4Chris Alexander

re Topping the Nation

ling out. Arizona’s own official basket4 in a historical winning streak, despite off losing three games in a row. only brought to an end by the Golden beat them 118-96 last Friday. dinals won a game 33-22 against the 4. This marks their tenth win this sealosses. The team currently holds the the NFC West.

Omicron Variant

The new variant of COVID-19, the Omicron variant, has been identified in the United States. First reported in South Africa, the variant’s emergence has caused panic among many nations, with many reinstating lockdowns and travel bans. The Omicron variant has been identified in at least 12 U.S. states. Preliminary research shows Omicron is more transmissible than the dominant Delta variant.

Company, also known as company dance, performs a series of dances in December. The concert is themed each year, and this year’s theme was the elements. This year’s show, Elemental, took place on December 2 and 3 and the Fine Arts Center. Each dance in the show was inspired by different types of elements, such as water, fire, and ice. “The dance we choreographed was about time,” said Lori Hart, teacher, who choreographs a boy/girl dance each year with local choreographer Elizabeth Lincoln. “We really wanted to show the concept of time marching on, and there really is no way to slow it down or speed it up.” Elissa Ericson, dance department director, chooses a different theme each year. Past themes include artists like Pink Floyd, the Beatles and Queen, as well as concepts like Art and Literature and prisons. Each theme informs the choreography, and the choreographers have the freedom to

interpret it in any way they see fit. “I didn’t take the literal definition of ice,” said Ericson. “The idea behind this dance is women with ice in their hearts. So talking about that concept and how it relates to the choreography, and trying to get that out of the dancers, so they emote and embody that concept of the dance.” All of the dancers have been working since school began on these dances, not only during class time, but after school and during lunch as well. “My favorite dance in the show is the Force act, it’s the most fun dance to perform, and it just has a lot of energy,” said Lainey Lugo, a senior dancer. Students must audition to get into the dance company, and many have been dancing every year of high school. “I have been dancing my whole life, however It means a lot to be in company dance,” said Campbell Honing, senior. “I was in advanced dance my freshman year but moved up to company sophomore year.” Company dancers must put in a lot of additional time to meet the rigorous demands of performing at a higher

Mental health Continued from page 1

Suggested School Initiatives

Programs that teach students the skills to understand and manage their emotions have been tied to a noteworthy reduction in aggression, which is evident in school shooters. These programs also have seen declines in suspensions and suicidal thoughts, and

level. Instead of just working with their regular dance teacher, these students work with a variety of choreographers, who create a dance just for them. This year’s outside choreographers include two alumni: Brandi Atkins and Martin Naugle, as well as Elizabeth Lincoln, Ricky Maalouf and Ramon Soto. These choreographers expect students to behave professionally and understand modern dance. “To be in company I had to focus on Modern dancing more because it is a modern dance class,” said Honig. “I have never danced in a modern dance class so I had to focus on that a lot my freshman year to be a sophomore on company dance.” A new addition to this year’s show was poetry created by students in Lori Hart’s Creative Writing Class. Before each dance, several haikus were read. The haikus were inspired by the same element as the dance. “This was Elissa’s idea, and it really was powerful,” said Lori Hart, teacher and choreographer. “Of course, I’m biased, but I thought it worked really well.”

improvements in emotion regulation and academic outcomes. The demand for greater mental health services comes while public school systems are facing many monetary challenges, as witnessed by mass school teacher strikes throughout the country. During the economic downturn of the Great Recession, cash-strapped school districts made cuts to what are considered “nonessential” personnel. For example, the

Early commitment is when colleges will allow you to submit your application early, however, if you get accepted to the school, you are required to attend that school. This process also prohibits you from reaching out to other schools once you have submitted your early commitment application. “For students who know where they want to go, early decisions are a good idea because the earlier you apply, the better chance you have of getting in a lot of the time. And for some schools, they have a certain amount of scholarship money that goes to earlier applicants first,” said Carrie Kalfayan, a guidance counselor in charge of the early college program. Students will also have more time than regular applicants to prepare for their college life. They will have more time to look for housing or preparing for their four year journey. “I only applied to U of A because that’s for sure where I know I want to go. I got in and I think it was a good decision because now I know how much money I get from scholarships and financial aid,” said Trent Stevenson, a senior.

College Endorsement

Colleges encourage early applications to reduce stress on the student waiting for their results. By cutting the time spent waiting for a decision, students who are worried about their application status will get an answer in a shorter frame of time.

Low Income Applicants

Early decision plans have come under scrutiny due to the program gaining a reputation as unfair to students from families with low incomes. Since they do not have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers. This may give an unfair advantage to applicants from families who have more resources. “I think in some ways underprivileged people gain stability in knowing that they will go to school at all. However, I think that it could lock unsure students who can’t afford anywhere else into a school that lacks the programs they want,” said Reese Kaiser, a senior. Colleges in the United States have opened regular admissions and have begun accepting regular applicants as well.

Philadelphia school district attempted to cut in half its workforce of 110 school social workers. “One effective program is to create partnerships between behavioral health and schools,” said Udisky, who experienced this when working in Tolleson School District. There, the school partnered with Touchstone Behavioral Health. “They provided services, everything that they provide in their offices, they were able to connect students with

those services,” said Udisky. These interventions can be costly and, although the economic outlook has improved in Arizona, school funding continues to face challenges. When school revenues are cut, the hiring of related services personnel is considered nonessential.$12.99 a month, or $7.92 a month if paid a year in advance. The premium membership allows users to have unlimited meditations each and every day.