Teen Explosion

N O I

S N O E L E P T X Sneak Preview Asian Celebration at the Festival

Converse For You

It’s Just MySpace, A Place for Friends

f o e l b Ta

s t n e t n Co

st i l o i V a s A e Lif

Step into Th ese Shoes

38-39

12-13

he t r o f g n i t i a W Dream

Asian Celebr ation at the Festival

28-29

15-17

In y d e m o C p Stand U Austin

4-6

Feature

Opinion

It’s Just MySpace, A Place for Friends Some Things Should Just Be Silent College Not Just for the Legal Insurance Company Ditches Chi When Good Things go Bad

ASFs

Get To Know Chris Brown Top 10 Favorite R&B Artisits at LASA Top 10 Most Important Things To A Quinceañera How To Pick your Chambelan De Honor How To Make a Firecracker Most Liked New Year Cookies How Amps Work Converse for You? Twilight Characters Deftones

26-27 12-13 40-41 8-9 34 35 36-37 20-21 24-25 18-19 14 7 30-31 32-33 10-11

Stand Up Comedy In Austin By: Daniel Montes

Austin comedy system revealed

You are on-stage, in front of a crowd, you have 3 minutes to make them laugh… your career depends on it.

All in a days work for a stand-up comedian.

In the life of a stand up comedian you have to be prepared for these kinds of situations.

And it is barley any easier than that situation. To be a successful comedian, even if you are funny, it requires a lot of preparation.

“The best thing for a kid coming out of high school or college that wants to become a comedian is to take classes, that’s what I did at the Comedy Gym, “ said Chad Warren, a local stand-up comedian who is just starting to rise up in the world of comedy.

The Comedy Gym is a “gym” where anyonewho is a beginner at comedy is taught how to be funny by making scripts and taking them up onto the stage.

“What they had us do, and this is what we brought on-stage, is we basically wrote down our whole life story, shortened to 2 pages, and refined over time into something funny. And after that he had us turn it into a script.” Chad explained.

After the life story is transformed into a script, the whole group of comedians train-

4

ing in the Comedy Gym are taken to the Capitol City Comedy Club, often referred to as Cap City Comedy, and they perform a showcase. Hopefully it gets the crowd wiled up into a giant laughing mob. If it does then great! You graduated in the world of comedy and you are ready to write your own script and perform at an Open Mic. “Basically, an open mic is where you write a script and go up onstage and you have 3 minutes to play it out, deliver the punch line, and get off-stage.” Chad said “ My first time on the open mic... was humiliating” Most of the time people will think they are prepared for stand up comedy because they are funny in front of their friends or because they are good in front of crowds. But being good at stand up comedy doesn’t only require being able to stand up in front of people or being funny in front of one or two people. “ I was coming out of college as an actor, and I know you’re thinking “Oh then it must have been easy.” but it really didn’t help me out too much.” Chad Warren said to defend his point.

Most people will get the idea that they can

“My first time...was humiliating”

Stand Up Comedy In Austin By: Daniel Montes

Austin comedy system revealed be a comedian from cracking a lot of jokes in front of their friends and watching comedians on TV. “When I was growing up, I was inspired by watching Black, Puerto Rican, and Jewish Comedians on TV. I guess that’s where I got the Idea.” Chad said “...I guess I got some other inspiration from my dad, he was funny and had no fear of publicity because of the job he had.”

Most people start off with being a local comedian right after getting out of High school or college, so most of the challenge is just getting good at it. But it is difficult for some because being a comedian is kind of similar to being a musician or TV star because you have to travel around going to different places to perform.

“When I actually started though, it might have been the worst time to do it because I already had a wife and my whole life pretty much set. And when I think about fame, I want to be famous in Austin, but there’s that fear of actually touring and being too successful because I will be away from my family.”

There are different kinds of shows though, because can’t expect someone to get famous for pulling off a bunch of 3 minute punchlines. “ When you aren’t doing an open mic show there are showcases that have 3 people in it:

The Host, The Feature, and the Headline.

The host has the shortest time and his job is to introduce the feature and headline before they come on, and to warm up the crowd with a few small jokes in the beginning along with saying thing people pay you to say, like advertisements.”

But being a host is just the beginning, when you are your host it is the first time you are being recognized as you and not Performer # whatever. So when you are a host you get a lot more experience with having a longer showtime and you also get more fame easier than you could by being on the open mic. After being a host a few times some individuals will know you but most local comedy joints will know you and that’s how you get into bigger shows and get hired as a feature. “ The feature has more time than the host and he’s normally a comedian that has experience but not much fame and he’s just there to get people to know him,” Chad said.

After being the feature a few time you’re most likely not only known by the clubs but you also have a lot of fans and that’s were someone will give you a small show and hire you as the headliner. “ The headliner is the comic everyone comes to the show for he’s normally extremely famous. And if there’s any money to be made in the show he gets the most out of everyone, he also has the longest time onstage, anywhere

5

Stand Up Comedy In Austin By: Daniel Montes

Austin comedy system revealed from 45 minutes to an hour.”

When you are a headliner most people consider it as the end of your career, you’re done you went as high as youcan go and you’re making real good money.

But some people go higher, like some comedians will be regulars on night shows and stuff. Some comedians will even get their own TV show like George Lopez, the show based on (who else?)

George Lopez. He comes up with what he finds funny and writes maybe a little about why its funny and a few punch lines and then sends it off to the director or scriptwriter and they base the whole episode on it by giving each character a punch line or two and then they add to it and make it a show by adding in a storyline.

funny right? Well watch I’m gonna make you crack up over it. Well first off, why would you name a game that uses a controller that is a remote kind of thing a Wii? I mean you know that game that came out for it where almost all you do is shake the “Wii-mote” up and down as fast as you can? Well what if I was playing that game and I was going for the high score or whatever and I get all sweaty and blushed and my wife comes home and says, “Honey what were you doing?

You look red and tired!” “Oh, hi honey I was just playing with my Wii.” I mean if I said that she would just slap me and even worse imagine if a kid said that to his mom!”

Now that you finally have a good idea of how it works, and what a joke sounds Like for example Chad said that “basiwhenever you get up on-stage with your cally all you do as a comedian is find what script and have a mass of people waiting you think is funny in this world, which for a laugh, you will leave the stage havcan really be anything, and then you find ing made a whole group of people laugh a way to tell other people why it’s funny hysterically. which is the real hard part.”

When telling a joke it can really be about anything you just have to be the kind of person that can make it sound really funny.

For example Chad mentions that something as simple as “The new game station, The Wii, doesn’t seem like it’s too

How Amps Work The sound waves vibrate a membrane which moves a magnet back and forth between a coil. The created current is then carried through the wires into the cord.

The electric current is then sent through the cord in a wavelenght-similar pattern, representing the compressions and rarefations of the sound wave.

The electricity sent through the cord is then used to move the cone of the speakers inside the amp back and forth creating the same sound waves recorded by the microphone.

Effects created by the amp is just a variation in fluctuation rates

Lee de Forest was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa

In 1873. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Yale University’s Sheffield Scientific School in 1899.

After graduation from Yale he worked briefly for several companies.

But most of his life was spent as an independent

inventor, for which he received over 180 patents. By 1906 de Forest had modified Fleming’s Valve by adding a grid to control and amplify signals, and called his device the Audion. It has been used to make amplifiers among other things.

Insurance company ditches Chi By: Daniel Montes

“I will prescribe regimens for the good of my

in a car crash in November 2008 and ever since he has been in life support, but a while ago, even patients according to my ability and my judgment though he doesn’t need life support anymore, the and never do harm to anyone. I will not give a lebills have gotten so high he has lost his house and thal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise almost everything else of value to him. And next such a plan...[and] to avoid violating the morals of thing that’s going to happen is probably that they my community.” take him out of the hospital even though concewill n I r This is one of the many statements in i t he still needs medical care because of CH the Hippocratic oath, the oath all infections and other things that his physicians must recite before body cannot fight off. attaining a degree and abide by during medical proceThe reason some people think dures. And yet in many moving Chi out is okay is cases where a person in a because the insurance comcoma dies it is not from pany that has been paying a disease, it is because for it just stopped paying of the decision to take recently and Chi has althem off life support, let ready has lost his house them have “their right and many possessions. to die”, or because their And another reason is that insurance won’t pay for the charity currently may them since it is so hard not be enough, especially to tell if they will come with the cost of his treatout of the coma. Many ment being $750,000 it is who are in a vegetative amazing that he is still being state are considered dead treated in a hospital. This, to in the eyes of some doctors them, would be a good reason and family members. I believe to pull him out of the hospital that the laws about euthanization even though they have no percepand life support are alright, but there tion of the investment that could go is no law concerning at what time the towards letting him stay. insurance company should withdraw payments at Chi has long been noted as a very important part and the decision is left to the opinions of doctors of the Deftones as far as inspiring new songs and about whether the patient will come back or not. lyrics because of his poetry skill, which can be I started this article because of the unjust case of seen in his album of lyrical poetry ‘The Bamboo Chi Cheng, the bassist for the Deftones. He was Parachute’. And the Deftones plan to release of “I “I will will prescribe prescribe regimens regimens for for the the good good of of my my patients patients according according to to my my ability ability and and my my judgment judgment and and never never ey do harm to anyone. I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan...[and] to avoid violating the morals of my community.”

8

Insurance company ditches Chi

Deftones Graphic

By: Daniel Montes

the bands new album ‘Eros’ which will also come a tour. Chi will be able to wake up and recover in time to play in this tour ,or at least part of it. if the insurance company resumes payments, and if the hospital lets him stay then Chi will be able to play music again which makes everything worth the money because of his fame.

Another reason AFTRA, Chi’s insurance company, should resume payment is because, like all of the other patients they take care of and have a reliable doctor taking care of them, Chi has always paid his monthly premium payments that completely cover the treatments he needs and is receiving. I mean how can you get around paying when that’s the situation? There is no line in the contract that restricts payment to coma patients and that is exactly what Chi is.

But the best reason AFTRA should resume payment is because he HAS been showing progress and he WILL wake up from his coma. This is obvious because of the most recent press release made by Chi’s mother, Jeanne Cheng, that states: “ It is pretty clear he goes in and out of his coma. Many days he just seems tired or maybe sad. Other days he will open his eyes...he has said “mom” to me several times... he can think of the word that matches the image, and verbalize it properly. It actually takes many steps for the

brain to do that simple thing.”. So this is proof, it gives AFTA a reason to resume payments and shows them that not only is there a rule they have to abide by but that there also is practically an investment to be made by paying for him.

Overall it is obvious that AFTRA has no legitimate reason to not pay for Chi’s treatment especially since, by law, they are supposed to. And if AFTRA does not pay eventually they could be sued for not abiding by their own contract.

9

Chino was born in Sacremento, California on June 20th, 1973. He grew up in a poor interracial neighborhood and dropped during high school and he was recruited into the band when he was 16. Shortly after he dropped out of high school. He is famous for his strong and tuned screams (defscreams) to the hypnotic and sweet melody that characterizes him. His favorite bands are Depeche Mode, Faith No More, Duran Duran, The Cure, Bad Brains, and Weezer.

Chi Ling Dai Cheng, born July 15, 1970, is the bassist for the Deftones, he is famous for how he can be groovy when he wants to be or very melodic. Without him the Deftones would not sound the same. he is a college english major and he also makes his own spoken poetry albums on the side. He is also a Zen Buddhist. He is currently in a coma though after a car crash in September, 2008.

Stephen ‘Stef ’ Carpenter was born on August, 3 1970, he is the guitarist for the Deftones. Although he listens to alot of rap he is noted as an extremley good guitarist in the hard rock and metal genres. he adds alot of rythnm to the songs but if he is not he is pulling off riff after riff sdding to the melodic sound of the band.

Abe Cunningham, born on July, 27 1973, is the drummer for the Deftones.

Famous for adding an edge to their songs, Abe emphasizes that unlike any other instrument you can do many different things to make it sound different.

He also always makes sure his beats are on time and that his drums are perfectly tuned.

Frank Delgado, born on November, 29 1970, plays the turntables for the Deftones. Although he was not originally a member of the band andonly played a part in a couple albums, he is still an honarary deftones member worth noting. He provides all the crazy noises in songs like “Hole In The Earth”.

Some Things Should Just be Silent By: Tommy La

W

hen I wait inside my parent’s car, I sometimes want to take in the calmness of the quiet environment around me after a hard day of school. As I wait for the red traffic light to turn green, I hear a loud, irritating beating sound, when the stereo vibrates from the loud music. At the side of the car, I see random people sitting in their car, trying to act cool with their custom design cars with expensive car parts, and their custom hydraulics, which allows them to bounce up and down when the wheels push their car off the ground.

Many drivers are annoyed almost everyday by the constant beating sound they have to listen from their car, when they are trying to drive to their destination or waiting in front of a traffic light. People who are playing the loud music are sometimes not aware of the fact that their loud music playing is dangerous, not only to drivers that are around them, but to themselves also. A study was conducted on 28 students by Warren Brodsky at BenGurion University in Beer-Sheva; the students were given different types of music to listen to, while being monitored in a driving simulator. The results were that drivers listening to untempo music were twice as likely to go through red lights and they would get in twice as many accidents when listen-

Pictures made by: Tommy La

12

ing to fast tempo music. He advised drivers to listen to slow music or turn the volume down so they will have a less chance of being distracted from driving.

People who enjoy listening to music that is cranked up to a high volume on their stereo systems will most likely defend their reasons for playing the loud music by saying that they have the right to play their music as loud as they want.

Nothing is done about this problem because only 5 to 10 percent of people bother to complain about it. They are not aware of their legal rights to quiet and they don’t know where to go to give their complaints. Some people who play loud music in their car might state that it is not illegal and is not really hurting anyone intentionally; however people have been known to concentrate more on listening to their music than pay close attention to other drivers. Although sometimes the loud music is not as distracting to others, people who don’t appreciate the loudness of the music while driving get frustrated over time by the annoying, beating sound, which often makes them stressed and angry, so they will have bad thoughts about the person. Even though laws are not set in place to ban loud music from being played, the drivers with the loud music still have to respect other drivers because the road is for everybody to drive on, not

Pictures made by: Tommy La

only for them.

One problem that people may experience when they are on the road, listening to their loud music, is the fact that the music could prevent the driver from hearing the sirens from police cars or ambulances when they are trying to get through traffic. If the driver doesn’t know if an ambulance or police car is approaching them, the driver is not able to move to the side to allow them to pass.

This, as an outcome, could affect many lives. By not moving to the side, police cars would not be able to reach the emergency, which might cost somebody their life; similarly, when an ambulance needs to get to a hospital while there is a seriously injured person that needs attention on board, that person might die before they reach the hospital.

The second problem about playing loud music is the hazards that will affect the listener’s health because the ear drum is a very sensitive organ. A study was conducted by Duane Button (a master’s student at Memorial University), where people perform physical and mental tasks while listening to levels of noises that varies different decibels. Loud noises that are about 85 decibels (a unit of measurement that is the magnitude of a physical quantity), which is the same as busy city traffic, can result in permanent hearing loss after listening for about 8 hours. When a noise is about 110 decibels, it takes about a minute and a half to endanger the person’s hearing. A normal speaking decibel is around 60, while a baby’s crying is 110, and an airplane taking off is about 140 decibels. Car stereos can project 140 decibels and above, even though human ears adjust to the sound over time, their ears are damaged in the process. The vibrations that are formed from the stereos damages

the tiny hairs inside the person’s ear, which causes the hairs to adjust to the volume of the sound resulting in an inability to adjust back to normal because it cannot tell the difference between loud or normal sounds.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. reported that around 5 million teenagers in America who are aged between 5 and 20 have some form of hearing impairment that has been caused by noise exposure. This changes lives, particularly the listeners’ life. When the hairs in the ears are not able to adjust back to normal, the person’s level of hearing will dramatically decrease and they will be required to buy hearing aids just to listen to their favorite music.

The last problem is the fact that music is a complex stimulus that draws out a psychological response.

In one study, Slobada, O’Neill, and Ivaldi in 2001, recorded different subjects where they were listening to music while they were traveling. They found out that the response depends on what type of music is being played and what kind of characteristics they have. By listening to soft music or loud music, it decreases the reaction times of unexpecting centrally-located events in front of you, but increases the reaction time to peripherally-located events.

Many people question drivers who listen to loud and obnoxious music. Is listening to loud music necessary, or is it just a way to be noticed by people? In the end, the consequences are not worth the price of listening to loud music inside your car because it can be hazardous to your health.

13

Most Liked Chinese New Year Cookies By: Tommy L.

A survey was taken by 22 people about what type of traditional cookie, that was served at a Chinese New Year festival, is their favorite.

9/22 (40.9%) students like this cookie

1 7/22 (31.8%) students like this cookie

2 3 14

6/22 (27.2%) students like this cookie

Photos taken and Pictures made by: Tommy La

Asian Celebration at the Festival

Chinese New Year

By: Tommy L.

During Chinese New Year, in the shopping area of Chinatown in Austin, stores open their doors for customers to kick off this past year’s celebration. Performers wearing masks and costumes danced on lit firecrackers. While people in the community watch, dragon dancers stand on each other’s shoulders and smoothly maneuver to grab the money and lettuce off the ceiling that were set up all around the shopping area by assistants.

The Chinese New Year celebration is a time where elders give children lixis, which are red envelopes with money inside. During the festival, assistants lit firecrackers that made a loud cracking sound and produced a large cloud of smoke.

The firecrackers are used to chase away or scare evil spirits and ghosts because the Chinese believe that they are the reason for people’s mischief.

The celebration that the Chinese have every year, near the end of January and the beginning of February is a special time where families get to meet each other after a long time to celebrate the new year together by spending time together and enjoying each other’s company.

Chinese New Year, or known by the Chinese as the Spring Festival, is celebrated with a variety of Asian fireworks, food, music, and enter-

tainment—mainly the dragon dance. As a tradition, elders will give money to young individuals (generally younger relatives) by using thin red envelops, which are used to hold the money. The elders believe that red is a symbol of good luck and will bring the younger generations happiness in the coming year.

“I like to watch the dragon dance and go to the festival because there is a lot of food, and the things we do during Chinese New Year is stuff that a normal Chinese family would do,” said McNeil High School junior Andrew Tran. “I was expecting money from my relatives, but I didn’t receive any this year so I was sad.”

Activities were also set up throughout the Chinatown shopping area so that people could participate in them. The activities ranged from face painting, rock wall climbing for children, a moon jump for kids to play, amongst other fun events.

For older children, teenagers, and adults, there was a complex machine that flipped and spun people in a circular-shaped motion, a karaoke stage where brave individuals stood up to sing to the public, a person selling frozen treats in a mini van, and a portable trailer

Photos were taken and Pictures are made by: Tommy La

“The complex machine that spins people.”

16

that had games—such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero—set up outside.

UT student Kim Huynh, said, as she watched people sing on stage inside a big building. “My favorite part about Chinese New Year is all the delicious food and sweets that we could eat, the fire works we play with, and a show where people perform the famous dragon dance since I like to learn and experience the cultures and religions that our ancestors have celebrated for many years.”

She finished by saying, “My family usually cleans the house before the Chinese New Year celebration because we usually have relatives coming over to celebrate with each other. I imagine that I will not receive a lot of money from my relatives as I used to when I was a kid.”

When a large array of dragon dances started, large crowds of people begin to move throughout the China town shopping area.

Each of the dragons were operated by three specially trained dancers. The dragons were decorated with colored fabrics and the dancers that were moving each dragon wore pants with the same fabric as the dragons to make it look like the dragons had legs. As soon as the dragon dance moved to a different area

of the festival, a loud crackling sound with sparks coming from the clouds of smoke occurred. The big crowds of people were soon enveloped in the thick layer of smoke and the smell of burnt paper filled everybody’s nostrils even after the smoke was gone. As quickly as it had occurred, it was gone; only small pieces of firecracker paper slowly floated down from the air like confetti.

One of the viewers in the crowd at that time was a teenager named LamSom. When asked about his favorite part of the Asian tradition, he stated, “Well, I really don’t have a favorite part about Chinese New Year because I sometimes stay at home, eat some Asian food, play some PingPong with my friends and finish any homework from school. And no, I wasn’t expecting any money this year because receiving money from relatives is for only kids. Plus, I don’t see my relatives a lot.”

During the midafternoon of that same day, some men were setting up two rows of firecrackers that were around 12 feet long each in the center of Chinatown square. When they lit the fuse, the fire crackers made a louder crackling sound. A person, which was part of the show, danced and jumped on top Photos were taken and Pictures are made by: Tommy La

of firecrackers. The festival soon ended and everybody had to come tomorrow for the next part of the celebration. The next day, the main building known as My Thanh, which was also a popular Asian supermarket, was decorated with brightly colored flowers and banners with writings of good luck and wishes of prosperity on them. While some people went inside to buy some traditional sweets and food that were used during the Chinese New Year celebration, others visited a pearl drink shop called Short N’ Sweet that sold smoothies, tapioca drinks, along with ice cream.

Chinese New Year is a cultural celebration that allows family and friends to get together and wish each other good luck so that they may have a happy and healthy life in the coming year. It is a traditional custom for people to wish each other happiness and good luck so that they could be safe.

Photos were taken and Pictures are made by: Tommy La

17

How to Make a Firecracker By: Tommy L.

1

Materials:

• poppers • a roll of masking tape

• • • •

scissors a container (paper) some water a toothpick

Using a pair of scissors, carefully take out the powder from the packets and place them on a piece of paper. Repeat the process until you have enough powder to make a firecracker. Use caution when taking out the powder because there is a chance that they will pop.

2

Cut out a 6-inch wide strip from the bottom of the piece of paper. Roll up the paper into a tube and tape the end of the paper to keep it together with masking tape.

3

Seal one hole of the tube by folding the paper inward and placing tape on top to keep the powder from falling out.

4 18

• a cup • matches or a lighter • a piece of paper

Place the powder into a cup, pour a small amount of water in the cup and stir it with a toothpick. Wait for the water to evaporate, before pouring the powder into the tub.

Photos taken and Pictures made by: Tommy La

5

While waiting for the water to evaporate, make a fuse for the firecracker by taking a strip of masking tape and fold it in half with the non-sticky side facing outwards. Then take both ends of the masking tape and twist it to allow the fuse to have shape.

6

After the powder dries up, pour the powder into the paper tube. Insert the fuse inside and seal the top of the tube by folding the edges inward and placing a piece of masking tape on top.

7

Light the fuse with a match or a lighter and place some distance between the firecracker and you, and enjoy.

Warning: I am not responsible for any firecracker accidents/incidents by showing instuctions on how to make a firecracker.

Advertencia: No soy responsable por cualquier petardo accidentes / incidentes, mostrando instrucciones sobre cómo hacer un petardo.

Finished Fircracker

Useful Tips and Warnings About Firecrackers If the firecracker doesn’t explode after the fuse was lit, don’t approach it for at least an hour.

Have another person present when making the firecrackers.

Don’t light the firecracker in a neighborhood.

Wear googles and a mask to protect yourself when handling the poppers.

Don’t have the firecracker near your body when it is lit.

Keep the matches and poppers away from each other.

Allow the fuse to be long so it will not explode in your hand.

Stand far away from the firecracker after lighting it.

Photos taken and Pictures made by: Tommy La

10 Important Most

Top

Things

To A

La Muñeca: The Doll

The doll represents the last things of a child now that the Quinceañera will focus on the things of a young lady.

Having the dress represents the girl opening her wings and fly.

EL Vestido: The Dress

Having the dress repGiving thanks to god for the furst fufteen years of her life.

La Misa: The mass

20

L Quinceañera*

Las Zapatillas: The High Heels The dad changes the girl’s flat shoes to high heels representing the transformation from a little girl to young lady.

Denotes a “princess” before God and the world; a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead.

La Corona: The Crown

Love

La Familia y los amigos: Family and friends.

The Quinceañera’s Bible is given as an important resource used to keep the word of God in the life of the quinceañera.

El ramo: Flower Bouqute

Trade it for the last doll and be placed on the alter as an offering

La Biblia: The Bible

Las Joyas: Jewlry

El Baile: The Waltz

All picture are by Mariela H

Signifies faith - in God, in herself, and in her world. Ring: signifies the unending circle of God’s love.

First dance with Quinceañera’s father, then chambelanes, then friends.

“Waiting for this dream.”

H

22

him and tells him that she loves him. And there’s no better feeling in the world to her than having Jose by her side.

Jose Gonzales is Hilary’s hero; she looks up to him and learns from all the good examples that he leads. Life without him wouldn’t be life worth living. Hilary is thankful for everything his daddy does for her and wants to someday help him just as he’s helping her right now.

“The most important part of a quinceañera is the father daughter dance because you need to remember all the times your dad took care of you and loved you.” Hilary dreams with having this special moment with her daddy. It will be something she will remember for the rest of her life. Dancing, looking like a princess in a fairy tale with her dad will show all the fifteen springs that he has been there for her supporting her and helping her grow up into a young woman.

Ever since her fourteenth birthday,

picture by Mariela H

ilary crosses out one more day off the calendar that hangs on the door of her bedroom.

Nothing but pictures of her family and friends hanging on the walls, she continues to smile another day. “Woohoo! Ten more months till my quince!” Wishing the days could go by faster, she continues to add more names of her new friends to the invite list that lies in her desk where she had kept her little sister away from for almost a week. She keeps her room as clean as possible, but with a little sister like Leny it sometimes becomes a challenge. Pink, blue and purple are the colors of her bedroom. Her Bookcase, her mirror, and her desk are the places where she feels more comfortable in. Next to her bed is the Peruvian flag that she got when she was in Peru; one of her most valuable treasures lies next to her bed.

Hilary and her closest friends have spent several lunch periods just drawing out how the invitations would look like, this is a very special thing for her, she wants them to be the same color as her dress with pink and blue ribbons they also have to be able to roll into a tube. When she turns fifteen, she doesn’t just want a birthday party, she wants a quinceañera. That right there would be her dream coming true.

“My dad has been there for everything I’ve gone through… he tries to understand my point of view as a teenager, even though he disagrees with me all the time.” Hilary runs to hug her daddy every time he’s back from work; she smiles at

Hilary has being talking about her quinceañera. Jose, her dad, looks at her and smiles every time she starts talking about this topic. Jose gives Hilary a warm look; patting her back he tells her that he will do everything he can to make her dream come true. Hilary’s mom, Leny, tells Hilary that when she was young, she never got a chance to have a quinceañera, and that she wants for her to have everything she didn’t have a chance to when she was young. Every time that Hilary’s cousins would invite her to their friends quinceañeras, the first things that she screamed for was dancing and partying. She knows that there is a more valuable meaning when you are actually the girl in the dress rather than just being at the party. A quinceañera costs a lot of money, so Hilary doesn’t want her quinceañera party to be the fanciest; she just wants to have that special dance with her daddy. “The most embarrassing moment that could happen that day would be if I forgot the steps to one of the dances or slip while dancing.” Hilary tells her best friend Juanis.

Even though there is still time to plan everything out, Hilary suggests to start right away because the sooner you plan things the more room there is for change if it’s necessary. Hilary needs to find the perfect dress for this perfect occasion, she wants to pick it out herself, maybe get some suggestions but it should just really express who she is and her style. Hilary loves her friends and family and even if she didn’t end up having a big party. Having them on that special day would make this occasion more than memorable to her.

She knows that the quinceañera is not all about the stuff that she will have but about

the people that love her and that manage to stay by her side.

Because she knows that her mommy Leny and her daddy Jose love her to death either way her fifteenth birthday will be amazing. As days pass by, Hilary is becoming wiser and with a more sense of life. Until spring break, Hilary Nathaly Gonzales will continue to cross out one more day off the calendar in her bedroom door, and wait for this dream to come true.

picture by Diana V

T0

24

Tammy Tibbetts MisQuinceMag.com and MyPromStyle.com

Chambelan De How

Pick your

Honor;

1

7. Very handsome.

Your chambelan should have some background about 8. the quinceañera tradition.

9. He must not drink alcoholic beverages!

10.Have a good personality.

‘picture provided by El Pachuco Zoot Suits in Fullerton, CA. Contact at www.elpachuco.com or (714) 526-3743’

1. Must be someone you know very well.

2. He has to be taller than the Quiceañera.

3. Your Chambelan must know how to dance.

4. Responsible to the fullest.

5. Your Chambelan must not by shy. should be willing to dress in any 6. He way that you ask him to.

iTS jUST mYSPACE, a PLACE fOR fRIENDS

Y

26

esterday I got home thinking of how much homework I had to do for school, it made my head hurt a little after a long school day. Wanting to get it over with, I turned on my computer and attempted to approach the work.

Tapping my fingers on the desk, I was trying to remember what it was that was assigned for homework in our Electronic Magazine class, and I just couldn’t remember. I went to www.myspace.com and logged in, because I knew Lluvia would know what the homework was for the class. She’s always organized and she would surely help me. I sent her a message on Myspace and she replied in less than five minutes. I was so relieved that I would now be able to do the homework. When I checked back at my inbox, I was also happy to see that my cousin from Mexico, Zaira, which I haven’t seen in eight months, sent me a message.

Even though she’s really far away from me, Myspace makes me feel like she’s really close. I also noticed several messages from my old friends back from middle school; it really brought a smile to my face because those people really played an important role in my life and being able to still keep in touch with them, is really amazing, even though I don’t get to talk to them in person everyday. I don’t have access to a phone, but thanks to Myspace, I don’t need it.

Myspace can be beneficial to everyone, just like for me, it makes it easy and fast to communicate with people that are important to me.

I know that some people do not like Myspace. People who don’t have one and don’t want to get involved with online social network sites complain about it. Myspace, having around 260 million users, is really popular. But I think that if you don’t want one then you don’t have to have one. It’s your choice, so therefore they don’t have the right to complain. Schools block Myspace because they think that it’s too much of a distraction for it to be

allowed. Parents may be concerned about Myspace being a dangerous and misused place, but if they just take the time to talk to their children about online safety, and using the website used with caution and responsibility, it wouldn’t be a problem at all.

Myspace helps me save money on expensive phone bills for family and friends. Since Myspace is free, it allows me to send my friends messages without being concerned of how much money it will cost my parents or me. I’m the kind of person that talks a lot, I have a lot to say, and my parents would end up paying a lot for long distance calls. Considering that a long distance call costs $0.35 per minute, I would probably end up spending about $504 dollars on long distance calls per month. So by using Myspace to communicate, I’m saving my parents big time.

Myspace is my own virtual scrapbook; one of the reasons why Myspace is important to me is the fact that it gives me so much freedom. I feel that if I didn’t have a Myspace account, I wouldn’t be able to express who I am to other people. I’m a really creative person, I love to design my own stuff, I enjoy decorating stuff and making it look pretty. Myspace lets me decorate my page in any way I want to, using the colors and decorations that I want. I know that a lot of people that have a Myspace enjoy doing this as well. Myspace lets you show the world who you really are, what your

real interests are, and it’s a place where you can express your feelings and personality. Another thing that I really like about Myspace is how you can put your favorite music on your page, so when my friends visit my page they will be reading about me or just looking at my page and listening to the music that I like. Myspace allows friends to share photos without having to print them out. Pictures can be displayed in the profiles and I think this really strengthens the reason why Myspace is so popular among users.

Myspace brings classmates together, too. Ever since I have had a Myspace, which is not long ago, I feel that I’m more connected with my classmates and before I know it they become my friends. I remember when I didn’t have a Myspace, my friend Nina was the one that made my Myspace account, I was just seriously not interested in it, I didn’t see any purpose to having one. Nina made me the account to keep in touch and talk there instead of emailing, because emailing took a really long time. Now I think that Myspace is necessary to keep in touch with your loved ones and to express your feeling more. Friends are very important in my life, and I think its same for everybody. Getting to know your classmates more on Myspace is great because they take a special place in your life.

Myspace can be beneficial and a great way of communication if it’s not misused. It gives you the freedom to express who you are and to share how you feel. It keeps you connected with your old friends, so friendship never ends. Myspace makes you feel like the people you love are really close even if they live in another country. pictures by Mariela H

Step into these Shoes By: Lluvia O.

FF

all Out Boy’s new single blasts from the speakers all around as she rushes through the racks of clothes to get to them first.

“I can’t help it. It’s like I have to them in all the colors, like sharpies.” Myra says as she checks inside each box for the pair she wants in a size 6.

Who can blame her? Other tweens and teens engage themselves in the search for the perfect pair of Converse within the rubberscented aisles now that they have become a fashion must-have in the United States.

“Not only are they comfy, but it’s also easy to match them with whatever I’m going to wear.”

Myra Camarillo, a 7th grader at St. Theresa’s Catholic School in Little Rock is a big fan of the popular “Chucks”. Her wardrobe, aside from her school uniforms, pretty much consists of skinny jeans, long screen tees and of course, Converse just like her other seventh grade classmates.

“I know that they’ve been around for like a long time but, people still wear

them with anything. It’s so weird how there are even some for babies.” Myra’s little sister Ashley adds as she wipes off a skid mark on her own solid pink pair.

Ashley makes a clear point as two college guys in dress pants and collared shirts walk by, and on their feet? Converse!

“Each time I look down at my Converse, I remember different things that I’ve done while wearing them.” Myra says as she tries on a pink sequined pair. “I wonder what memories these will remind me of someday, just like my brown Converse slip-ons and I’ve had those for like 2 years.”

She turns in front of the mirror to get a better view of the shoes and then turns back blushing and wide eyed. It then becomes easy to tell that she has remembered something.

This time it takes place at last year’s carnival.

“Oh my gosh! I remember last year, when I was getting off the Tilt-A-Whirl ride and I tripped down the last step. That was so not cool ‘cause everyone in line saw me and like started laughing.” Myra quickly covers her face with both hands as if she were reliving the moment. “Now I’m like super careful when I get off.”

With that one memory, two, three, four come flooding out along with their emotions like sadness, anger, happiness, etc. Ashley repositions herself and leans in as if to encourage her sister to continue sharing. “Nuh-uh. It’s your turn now while I look for some cool shoelaces.” Myra says as she puts on her shoes and walks off.

Ashley’s face expression then slowly changes from entertained to worry. Should she share her memories as well? After a few minutes of considering her options, she finally gives in with a deep sigh as M.I.A.’s new song “Paper Planes” takes over throughout the store.

“Well, I won’t say an embarrassing memory ‘cause I try to forget those, but I have a lot of like happy ones. Like one of the memories I ‘member the most is when I went to Mexico for the first time. They don’t remind me that much of Mexico like how it looks but the things I did when I went there. Like meeting my grandpa Refugio and grandma Margarita since they can’t come to the US and eating the food that I helped make with my grandma. So I get hungry a lot when I wear these ‘cause I begin to think about all the good Mexican food like gorditas, enchiladas and tamales. They remind me of my culture and where I’m from.”

Kevin on the other hand, is the type of person who doesn’t hesitate to say what is on his mind or what he has to say.

“I’m not the type of guy that obsesses over what kind of shoes he’s wearing, but I do care about how comfortable they are, especially when I’m playing soccer.”

Kevin Giron is an 8th grader at Mablevale Middle School and a huge fan of Mexican soccer. All of his pairs of Converse are blue, red or white in honor of his favorite team Cruz Azul and as a starting left bound mid-fielder for his school’s soccer team; he is also a big fan of the Converse High Tops.

“The high tops don’t come untied as often like the low tops and they have a lot more support for my ankles.” He says as he dribbles

around the yard with the soccer ball, trying to weave in and out around the empty soda cans.

“I have this one pair of navy blue converse that still has the Cruz Azul logo on the rubber part from when they won the Copa Panamericana in 2007. They’re my good luck shoes because everyone said they were going to lose to Boca Juniors and they didn’t.”

They have proven to be lucky indeed since they were the same shoes he wore when he first tried out for his school’s soccer team.

The coaches first told him that he would have to wait until the next year due to his poor trapping skills as compared to the other boys. However, his fate soon changed when he decided to storm off the field and kick a nearby soccer ball, full of anger. Without meaning too, the ball sailed into the goal and the coach immediately ran after him. He had been impressed with the distance and speed of his kick that he decided on the spot that it wouldn’t hurt to add one more player to the team.

“I don’t think I’ll ever throw these shoes away. Maybe like in 10 years when I’m cleaning out my room or something, I can hold these in my hands and remember the things from 2007.

In a way they’re better than pictures because they open up the memories I have deep in my head that I probably would’ve never remembered.”

Converse high top PIC

www

Preppy Jeans and Polo shirts your style? Sophisticated, clean cut lines and basic colors will complete your look.

Athlete Sweaty all over with a ball in your hands? All you’re missing is a pair of comfortable shoes to keep your game on (and from sliding across the court).

CoNve fOr y Nature Lovers 30

Cool breeze, green grass and tall trees surrounding you? Then you’re a nature lover at heart. Just need a cute pair of ladybug shoes to help care for your feet as your run around the yard.

Girly Low top Converse All Stars that are covered with silver sequins.

Perfect for any out fit and mathces jewelry. What;s not to love?

G’s Constant loud beats and spittin’rhymes with your signature walk ain’t a bad thing, if you’re wearing the right shoes. Graffiti inspired design on a shoe so comfortable for any situation.

eRse yoU? Artists

Dirty paint brushes and quick sketches in your notebook? How about some splattered design shoes to complete your artistic look.

Alice Cullen

“

You do smell nice, I never noticed before.

”

Full Name: Mary Alice Brandon Turned Human: 1920 Speacial Ability: Seeing the future Originally from: Mississippi

Charlie Swan

“

Wait… Which one is Edwin?

Edward Cullen

”“

Occupation: Police Chief Hobbies: Fishing & Watching sports on tv Portrayed by: Billy Burke

What if I’m not a superhero? What if I’m the bad guy?

”

Full Name: Edward Masen Cullen Birthday: June 20, 1901 Speacial Ability: Mind Reader Portrayed by: Robert Pattinson

Twilight Tyler Crowley

“

I was hoping you were just letting him down easy.

Jessica Stanley

“ ”

Most Known for: almost running over Bella Portrayed by: Gregory Tyree Boyce

32

Mike Newton

Tell me everything!

”

Known for: being a chatterbox Portrayed by: Anna Kendrick Cool Fact: She was Bella’s 1st friend in Forks

“

So, did you stab Edward Cullen with a pencil or what?

”

Full Name: Edward Masen Most known for: liking Bella and disliking Edward Portrayed by: Michael Welch

“

“

Jacob Black

Bella Swan I do a good job of blocking painful, unnecessary things from my memory.

”

Full Name: Isabella Marie Swan Birthday: September 13, 1987 Most known for: being clumsy Portrayed by: Kristen Stewart

“

So, should I tell him you said to butt the hell out?

Renée Dwyer

”“

Cool Fact: He’s a Quileute Native American Age: 15 Portrayed by: Tayor Lautner

You didn’t tell me you had such good friends in Forks.

”

Spouse: Phil Dwyer Relation to Bella: Mother Portrayed by: Sarah Clarke

Characters Angela Weber

“

I told you it wasn’t true.

Erik Yorkie

“ ”

Known for: being shy and kind Portrayed by: Christian Serratos

The “bad guys” James: Cam Gigandet Known for: being a Tracker

”

Wow, what must that be like?

Cool Fact: He was the 1st person to meet Bella Portrayed by: Justin Chon

Victoria: Rachelle Lefevre Known for: her wild red hair Laurent: Edi Gathegi

33

When Good Things Go Bad

R

omance, Humor, Action, Vampires and Werewolves, all combined into a series of four books by Stephenie Meyer, $45.65. A movie ticket to see the Twilight movie, $ 7.20. Peoples’ faces when they hear my rant on how bad the movie was compared to the book, Priceless.

Don’t get me wrong though, I LOVE the Twilight series! ♥ Stephenie Meyer did such an amazing job with her writing that it was easy for me to picture what was happening. The mini movie rolling in my mind as I read leaves me speechless each time. I guess this is why I was so disappointed with the movie when it came out. The imagery from the book created in my mind set the bar too high for the movie.

Whose fault is this? The fault could be mine for having an awesome imaginigation, Stephenie Meyer’s for her excellent writing, or the movie directors for not successfully turning the book into the movie.

So we’re not directors or the actors, but we can influence how much money the movie makes.

Instead of adding new scenes, more effort should have been put in fixing the others. It would have been better to incorporate fan opinions into the movie through various online polls. This way, the director knows what we want to see or are expecting. I have no idea what or who was influencing the director but some of the scenes were just.... weird. I know that new scenes had to be added and changed to make the story more due to the limited amount of time. However, I feel that they could have done a better job with the settings or hinting which scene was going to come up next. For example the boat scene where James attacks Waylon Forge, whom is never mentioned in the book making it even more unexpected. As well as the Field Trip scene which is where apparently Bella was thinking about how Edward saved her from Tyler’s van.

I just sat there each time like, “Hey, what-what’s going on?” trying to think back to the book for salvation.

What good is a movie that flows and doesn’t have “dull moments” if I would rather “watch” the movie that my mind makes then go to the movies.

Now I can only hope that they redeem themselves with the New Moon movie.m dionsequisi

Twilight Dinner Scene with Bella and Edward

At first I thought that I didn’t appreciate the movie as others did because I had seen it in Spanish first, so I proceeded to watch it in English, two times. Still, I could not accept the movie as “successful” or say it was good. I noticed weeks afterwards that those who did give the movie good reviews either a) had never read the book, b) were so in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), c) don’t have an awesome imagination or d) they just didn’t care.

34

Get to know Birthday: May 5, 1989 Birthplace: Tappahannock, Virginia Favorite colors: Red and Brown Favorite Movie: In The Mix

s i r h C n w o Br

When first discovered: discovered by local production team who visited his father’s gas station while searching for new talent First album: Sold over three million copies worldwide.

“Haters keep on hating, cause somebody’s gotta do it”.

Nicknames: CB Chris Breezy

if not a singer: if he was not a singer he would have been a basketball player pictures by Diana V

Diana V

Played main role in “This Christmas”

10

Top

favorite R&B Artists of LASA

Name: DeAndre Ramone Way Top songs: Crank that

Bird walk,

Kiss me through the phone Interesting Fact: Got discovered after posting his songs on SoundClick and YouTube

is r Ch wn o r B

2

a j l u o S y o b

1

Name: Christopher Maurice Brown Top Songs: Run it

Kiss Kiss ft T-pain

Forever Interesting Fact: discovered by local production team who visited his father’s gas station while searching for new talent

Name:Clifford Joseph Harris Jr Top Songs: Whatever you like

Live your life

Dead and gone Interesting Fact: He has six children and actively participates in the upbringing of them all.

4

Name: Terius Youngdell Nash Top Songs: I love you girl

Rockin that thang Interesting Fact: Other that singing he has created many paintings and sculptures that have been shown in various galeries around Atlanta

e T he a m r D

36

3

T.I.

Us

5r

he

Name: Keri Lynn Hilson Top Songs: Energy

Knock You Down

Turn me on Interesting Fact: Wrote tracks for Britney Spears, Usher, and others

P

7

s e li

Name: Usher Raymond IV Top Songs: Here i Stand

Love in this club

Moving Mountains Interesting Fact: Joined a singign group because his mother thought he could sing professionally

6

i r e K n o s Hil Name: Algernod Lanier Washington Top Songs: Bust it baby Pt 2

Put it on ya

Shawty Interesting Fact: He refused to rap at first

Name: Faheem Rasheed Najm Top Songs: Good life

Buy you a drink

Bartender Interesting Fact: Was involved in a golf-cart accident

e y n a K t s We

9

Name: Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr Top Songs: Lollipop

Gimme that

Sweetest girl Interesting Fact: Dropped out of school at the age of 14

T -P

8 ain

Name: Kanye West Top Songs: Love Lockdown

Heartless

Gold Digger Interesting Fact: Runs his own recprd label

10

Lil Wa yn

e

Life As A Violist

I

t was early in the school year at Barrington Elementary and everybody, including Juan Benitez, was very excited about the upcoming year. It was their first year when they were able to play an instrument.

“There was supposed to be band and orchestra. The band teacher never showed up, so everyone had to take orchestra. The school made me take it.”

The viola began a whole new life for him without him knowing how to play the instrument. Juan never thought about being in orchestra; he wanted to be in band. It was his first time being part of an orchestra and he had no experience playing an instrument besides the recorder. He wanted to play something different, something the other kids didn’t even bother to

38

Juan with orchestra teacher

look at. That was when he noticed the viola.

“Since I first played the viola I knew it was the instrument for me,” Juan said.

But it wasn’t the only instrument he tried. For Juan, at first the instruments were hard to play because of the way he had to hold them. The position and place under his chin felt uncomfortable.

When trying to get use to the instrument, he would lose his focus on playing.

“My hand was not used to be moving from left to right. The viola and violin had “weird” positions,” Juan said.

“All the instruments seemed hard to play. ” Juan didn’t think he could play as good as his teacher when he first saw him play.

“He had been playing for more than 15 years. He had learned many techniques,” Juan said.

But Juan still had to develop those techniques. In order to develop he had to practice. But the noise made by the viola was disturbing and annoying to the people surrounding him, especially his five siblings. After hearing

Orchestra concert May 19, 2009

him start to play they would tell him to go outside or to the other room. He would finally go to another room after being demanded over and over.

“Every day that I practice they always tell me to shut up. They get disturbed when they hear the high pitched notes,” Juan said. “None of them had ever experienced the life of a violist.”

Dealing with the yelling, he would still practice because he needed plenty for his performance at his first concert. In orchestra for his first time playing vibrato it was hard even though he had had one year of experience already.

“When it was the time for the concert, I was very nervous,” Juan said.

“I had practiced this solo for a long time. The conductor decided that I should take this solo because I played very well.”

Being the first one in his family to take a chance with playing in orchestra, part of him felt like he involved with something, whereas at home there was no one to share his experience with.

“Being in orchestra felt like I was being part of something,” Juan said. “No one in my family thought I would succeed pictures by Diana V

in the viola because none of them had ever been in orchestra.”

Knowing that the viola is not a much played or popular instrument he will still try to keep it going and someday make those who doubt about him think twice. Not letting people change his personality or confidence of what he truly likes and believes. After first entering orchestra and dealing with the constant yelling, he hopes to make a difference as a violist.

Practicing at home

College Not Just For The Legal

S

By Diana Vences

tarting last June the State of South Carolina band illegal immigrants from attending colleges and universities and receiving state money. The students shouldn’t be punished for being illegal and want to attend college. Governor Mark Sanford signed the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act and became a law on June 4, 2008. This law required all employers to verify the legal status of new employees and prohibit employment of any worker who is not legally in this country. After July 1, 2009, all businesses in South Carolina are imputed a South Carolina employment license which permits an employer to hire employees. This license is remained in effect as long as they follow the law. Neighboring countries like North Carolina and Alabama are starting to prohibit undocumented students from attending college.

There might be some illegal students that people think they are taking the place of the ones that are legally here and are citizens but I think they all deserve the same right.

The people that agree with this law are say-

40

ing that taxpayers’ money should not fund a school that is educating lawbreakers.

All of the undocumented students receiving or not receiving college tuition are not allowed to go back. Undocumented immigrants who paid out-of-state tuition prior to the new law and cannot qualify for federal assistance.

The student shouldn’t be punished for their parents actions, they deserve to have and education even if it is not one of the best decisions. Pricey Harrison, a North Carolina state representative who introduced a bill that would prevent state institutions from asking about students’ immigration status says that we should help them even if it is the unpopular thing to do. The state is cutting budget for higher education and has persuaded other legislators to introduce bills that would prohibit state tuition for exchange students and exclude those without documents from attending a public college or university.

In 1986, an estimated 86,000 students dropped out of Texas public schools costing the state $17.12 billion. By 1998, the number of dropouts increased to almost 1.2 million with the costs estimated at $319 billion.

Allowing instate tuition could make higher education for those that are illegal in the country more affordable and easy to access. Not allowing student to go to college could cost more and can contribute to and uneducated workforce.

Significant amounts of students, who have arrived in this country with their parents, have lived in the country for more than five years. A large percentage have either graduated from a public high school or

obtained their GEDs. The affected population nationally is about 60,000 people per year, according to Jeff Passel of the Urban Institute.

The Texas House Research Organization reported that allowing in-state tuition would cause general revenue funds to decrease by $17.4 million in 2004 with the potential to reach $22.2 million by 2006.Some legislators are concerned that allowing in-state tuition during tight economic times will take away opportunities from U.S. citizens and legal immigrants that can’t afford paying it.

In 2001, California and Texas were the first states to enact legislation allowing instate tuition for undocumented immigrants.

New York and Utah followed suit in 2002.

In 2003 and 2004, Washington, Oklahoma, Illinois and Kansas made into law a similar legislation. Legislators in 18 states; Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, & Wisconsin, have debated bills over this issue. The states that have enacted state legislation generally require that student be in the state for three years, graduate from a state high school, receive a letter of acceptance to a public

college or university and sign stating they will file for legal immigration status.

The Arizona and Virginia legislatures introduced bills to provide in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and to restrict illegal foreign nationals from attending a public university or college. Virginia’s Governor Warner vetoed House Bill 2239 this past April, which would have prohibited any post-secondary education benefit including in-state tuition for any undocumented immigrant. A similar legislation is also pending in the Alaska legislature.

The US government needs to realize that significant amounts of students that finish high school successfully are illegal. Having this law in place, an enormous amount of illegal students are not able to continue with their college education and cannot reach their lifetime of learning.

s e i h p a r g o i s B e i h p a r Biog T 0 M M Y is my name, weird and random.

I was born in America but my parents are from Vietnam. Green is my favorite color, I like to hang out with Mexicans because they are the coolest.

My name is Daniel. Most of the time I am listening to music and I listen to all kinds. My favorite kinds of music are rock, hard rock, electronic stuff, and some of the harder metal-ish stuff if it is melodic and doesn’t sound like tv static on full volume. I grew up on South Padre Island, which I blame for also my liking of reggae, and when I was about 8 or 9 I moved to Mcallen and then when i turned 11 I moved here to Austin TX.

42

M A R i E l A is my name, I love it. From Zacatecas, making me a straight up Mexican by heart. I love family, friends, Mypace, gum, the color pink, and music.

School is very important in my life. I enjoy life to the fullest, no regrets.

Hola peoplez! My name is Lluvia! I am so lovin’ music, jelly beans, converse, the cool crisp taste of Dr.Pepper, latino comedians, Michoacan and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. =] Soccer: watching is fun, but playin’ is the passion. If you ain’t laughing then you ain’t living is my motto and for those of you that don’t know... I love robots!!!

D i A N A is my name, simple but at the same complex. Favorite color is blue!

Chivas be the best Mexican soccer team ever, don’t hate. Art and soccer are my passions, I have Mexican pride.

43