Issue 7 of 2008-2009 school year

www.mcsun.org INSIDE

MT. CARMEL

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

FEATURES: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN TEACHERS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL? READ ABOUT WHAT TEACHERS DO WHEN THEY AREN’T HARD AT WORK IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. PAGE B6

SUN

ENTERTAINMENT: THE ACADEMY AWARDS ARE COMING UP. SEE MC’S PICKS FOR THE OSCARS AS WELL AS THE CRITIC’S PICKS. PAGE B4 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009 VOL. 36 NO. 7 | MT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL, SAN DIEGO, CA 92129

NEWS: THE SCIENCE OLYMPIAD TEAM PLACED SECOND AT THE REGIONAL COMPETITION LAST SATURDAY. PAGE A2

‘THE TIMES, THEY ARE A CHANGIN’ Staff votes for trimester schedule, work on finalizing details, schedule MELISSA ROADMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MC’s staff voted to implement a trimester schedule for the 2009-2010 school year on Jan. 30. According to Principal Tom McCoy, there are several reasons a new schedule was considered, including more accessibility to complete graduation requirements.

“Students entering 9th grade next year have new graduation requirements that are University of California A-G graduation requirements, which have more academic requirements than the current [ones for] PUSD,” he said.

The trimester schedule will also allow more flexibility for students to increase elective classes. “[Students] will have a lot more choices to make about which classes to take than students do now,” McCoy said.

One of the biggest changes is the

number of classes taken each day will be reduced to five.

“There will only be five classes at a time,” history teacher Kris Hizal said. “We believe that this schedule will also allow for immediate remediation if a student is struggling in a class.”

The majority of classes will be offered over a two trimester period. The equivalent of one semester this year will be one trimester under the new schedule.

So far, the only exceptions are AP classes, which will be offered all year.

McCoy hopes that this program opens up new doors for MC. He would like to offer new opportunities, especially in the senior year.

“We’re looking into a possible senior year experience where kids could have a possible internship experience or community service project that they would participate in to have the senior year more relevant,” he said.

There is also a possibility that MC and Del Norte will share students for specialty classes.

“We hope that Del Norte will be an ally and that we might be able to support each other with course offerings specific to our sites. [For example,] we have auto, they have Mandarin.

Students can ride a bus at lunch and switch schools,” Hizal said.

There are a few concerns that have come up, but the administration is working on solutions.

“One trimester class compared to one traditional semester class has less in the classroom time,” math teacher Joe McEachron said. “That means that

some of what we would normally teach will have to change. It may mean a change in how we teach certain topics, when we cover some material, or we may even have to cut some material.”

According to English teacher Bob Pacilio, one of his concerns is not keeping students linked with the same teachers at the end of the trimesters. While there are some disadvantages, it was clear to the administration and teachers that MC needed change. According to McCoy, the idea for a new program came about a few years ago, but the state’s financial crisis put it on hold.

“Last year, the budget crisis really got in our way, and we put it on the shelf,” McCoy said.

“This year, we started talking about it in August and rolled it out to some of the teachers and some smaller discussions.”

A committee was formed in October of teachers, a parent representative, counselors and administrators.

“We looked at instructional minutes, [and] bell schedules; they contacted teachers at schools on these schedules,” McCoy said.

The information compiled by the committee was then presented to the staff Jan. 30, a question and answer period took place, and the votes were cast. Trimesters won 83-16. The other options were no change and a seven period day. With the new change comes a lot more work.

“Departments started working on plans to deal with this change as soon as the decision was made,” McEachron said. “It is a big change and will

require a substantial amount of work.”

According to McCoy, the general response has been fairly positive, but there have been some concerns aired.

“There’s a lot of fear because it’s new, and it’s a change,” he said. “We know people are going to need time to get used to it.”

A parent meeting was held Feb. 10. Another one will be held March 3 for those who could not attend. McCoy encourages those who have questions to contact him. There will be frequently asked questions posted on the MC website.

“If [people] hear anything that doesn’t sound right, come in and ask a teacher [or] myself,” McCoy said. “This, combined with the issues from the budget, is going to make for a lot of rumor and a lot of uncertainty in the next couple of months.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALLISON ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHER

History teacher Kris Hizal poses putting his ballot into the collection basket. Teachers voted for a trimester schedule for the 2009-2010 school year. The vote was 83-16.

Staff, community, students react positively, express few concerns STUDENTS

KATELYN CUTTS NEWS EDITOR To help students who need A through G requirements and take electives like band or ASB, MC has changed next year’s schedule drastically. Students have been reacting differently to the schedule.

Freshman Meghan Berry feels the new schedule will help her in the long run.

“I think [the new schedule] is going to be good because we can take more classes and get off-role junior and senior year,” Berry said.

Along with Berry, freshman Brent Nelson believes the schedule will bring more opportunities.

“I think it will be better because we get more credits and can take more classes,” Nelson said.

Besides the chance to take more classes throughout the year, the trimesters are setup for fall, winter, and spring.

“The trimesters line-up with the sports seasons,” Berry said. “Next year, I won’t have to worry about soccer and first semester finals at the same time.”

Unfortunately for some juniors, the new schedule was not expected and it has interfered with their plans for next year.

“A lot of juniors planned to take six classes and it is our last year so we do not have time to adjust to the schedule,” a junior girl said.

“I was planning on taking five AP classes and orchestra next year,” she said.

According to the junior, unlike

Inside the SUN:

TEACHERS

freshmen and sophomores, juniors will be unable to adapt to the schedule and have time to really get in the swing of things.

The freshmen and sophomores will have two to three years to plan out their high school schedule and get used to it.

Many students have mixed feelings about the new schedule because of the trimester system with only five classes per a trimester and no lab days.

“Besides the trimesters, there are no more lab days in the new schedule as of now,” junior Andy Wang said.

RACHEL MARTIN OPINIONS EDITOR The votes are in and the ballots have been counted. On Jan. 30, the MC teachers voted for a new schedule for next year. A trimester schedule won with an overwhelming majority. Many teachers feel that the trimester schedule will benefit many MC students.

“I think it’s going to be a really good thing for opening up

COMMUNITY

MATT COFFELT | PHOTO EDITOR

Dr. Tom McCoy, principal, presents information about the new trimester schedule to parents at the PTSA meeting on Tuesday. “The parents were receptive to the idea of trimesters and the presentation helped them achieve a better understanding of the details,” McCoy said.

Section A:

News..........2

Sun Spread..........4

more choices for students,” science teacher Debbie Stenger said. “We can offer more courses that we weren’t able to offer before. It gives students more options.”

English teacher Gretchen Hughes-Taumoepeau also feels the change will be a positive thing for MC. “I’m open to it,” Hughes-Taumoepeau said. “I think there are pluses and minuses, but I’m actually kind of excited for a change.”

However, the teachers all acknowledge that the new schedule will take a lot of work.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of work at first, and it’s going to be a little confusing, but I think eventually it will work out its kinks,” Hughes-Taumoepeau said.

Math teacher Dave Gibbs also thinks the schedule will take a little getting used to.

“All I know is the facts,” Gibbs said. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen. But I think everyone knows that it’s going to be difficult..”

The new trimester schedule will also greatly affect the science courses, especially the advanced placement classes.

“I think the biggest adjustment for us is that we’re losing lab days, which means that we used to have periods that were 100 or 115

Opinions..........6

minutes for lab experiments and now our longest period is going to be 70 minutes,” Stenger said. “For AP Chemistry, for example, we’ll have to find new experiments because some of the labs that we’re doing now are actually designed for two-hour periods. And so I’ll have to find some new resources.”

Many other teachers will also have to do extra work to make new lessons plans. However, most teachers are looking optimistically at the change.

“I think it’s also positive for teachers,” Hughes-Taumoepeau said. “I think it forces them to teach other classes, not just stuff they’ve been teaching for the last ten years that they’re comfortable with.”

However, many teachers admit that there will be an adjustment period.

“I think overall it’s going to be good for most everybody, but it’s hard to foresee problems,” Stenger said. “I’m sure that problems are going to come up. We’ll just have to cross those bridges when we get to them, and, hopefully, we’ll be able to find creative solutions to all of those challenges that we face.

But I think in the end it’s going to be a positive thing. It’ll open more doors, more options, and I think that’s something that’s good for Mt. Carmel.”

Section B: Sports..........1

Budget crisis worsens in state; all will be affected by cuts KYLIE BARANOWSKI CENTERSPREAD EDITOR The current climate of economic recession has forced a new level of sacrifice throughout America. As budgets are being slashed, the American people are being asked to give up things they hold dear. On the state level, the education budget has taken a hit.

Principal Tom McCoy has rallied his staff and warned them to prepare for the worst.

“We’re making all our plans but we haven’t been able to lay them out yet because we still don’t know what the dollar amount is from the state of California,” McCoy said. “The longer the state of California waits the worst case scenarios we have to plan for. We know that the budget cut is going to be large regardless but it could be larger… really, really large. In both scenarios, different things happen.”

Due to the drastic nature of this crisis, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released his 2009-2010 budget proposal ten days early, in December. This budget outlined plans for both midyear cuts and major cuts for the next school year.

In order to balance the budget, the state of California needs to make $22.5 million more in cuts on top of the $10 million already cut for the 2008-2009 school year.

What does this mean for California’s schools? These already underfunded institutions will receive more cuts in funding on top of all of the cuts they have already received. Here at MC, McCoy anticipates that the effects of the new budget will be far-reaching.

“There won’t be any segment of the school that is not affected,” he said. “For students it’s probably going to come down to how class size impacts instruction and any budget change might impact a program they may want to take.”

Summer school is one likely candidate that may be scaled down or even lost due to lack of funds. However, McCoy urges the MC community to keep in mind that nothing is set in stone yet.

“Having no summer school is a definite possibility,” McCoy said.

“If we do have it, it’s most likely just going to be for students who need remediation. If you’ve failed a class in a core department— English, math, science, social science—there will be a class for you to take. If you are trying to get ahead in summer school, then it’s likely that there will not be a class for you to take.”

The MC staff is sure to also be severely impacted by the cuts.

“Next month, a lot of teachers, assistant principals, and counselors will receive lay off notices.

Teachers who are on temp, those are teachers who are on probation or permanent contracts. Teachers who are temporary will not receive layoff notices but are likely to not be rehired at the end of June.”

Sundevils will be forced to make deeper sacrifices as long as the economy continues on its downward trend.

Entertainment..........4

Features...........6

News

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Mt. Carmel SUN

February 13, 2009

Clubs developed to make difference, plan events VINCENT PHAM STAFF WRITER As 2009 is proclaimed as the year of “change” by our nation’s president, change is also taking place around campus, with the addition of many new clubs. One noteworthy new club would be the Gay Straight Alliance. Senior Sarah Tran took it upon herself to reactivate the club, which was previously disbanded.

“I took the initiative myself because I saw the cruel attitudes around campus towards students of a different sexual orientation,” Tran said. “I created GSA to make a more comfortable environment for those people.”

Their objective is to make a more accepting place at school where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual students can go for support without judgment.

The club is open to all students regardless of orientation and meetings are held at lunch on Mondays in room K1.

Another club is the Invisible Children Club, led by junior David Suh. “Basically our club objective is to get the stories of the kids involved in

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the war in Uganda out,” Suh said. “We want to raise awareness so people can help them and raise money for them.

All the kids there have a different background and a different story to share.”

During their meetings at lunch on Fridays in room E5, students get to watch an Invisible Children movie and discuss ideas in order to fundraise for the cause.

The new club Students without Borders aims to establish a scholarship in a third world country and meets on Thursdays at lunch in room H14.

They plan to target a school in Mexico and give a scholarship to a welldeserving student graduating there.

“I think the idea behind our club is an amazing idea,” senior Chiara Maruggi said. “To be able to use your knowledge to teach others at your school and to give the money you earn to others is a pay-it-forward kind of thing. Because once you help that person, they will probably go on to help others.”

With these clubs being only a few of the handful of new clubs around campus, there is bound to be a club for everyone to get involved.

PARESH DAVE WEB EDITOR

DANIEL THAN | PHOTOGRAPHER

Cecily Weir (12), the president of the Oceanography Club, facilitates a meeting during lunch on Wednesday in science teacher Harold Dorr’s room. Like many clubs, the Oceanography Club is planning upcoming events including a trip to Catalina.

About a dozen clubs are building holes for a mini-golf course so that the Inter-Club Commission can host a golf tournament in the quad March 18-19.

Boomers, Full Swing Golf and Home Depot donated items for the course.

Prizes will be awarded to clubs that make the best holes and players who shoot well. Individually, here’s a run down of what some clubs are up to.

AGAPE The club will host a Bike-a-Thon in April to raise funds for ACIRFA, an organization that provides Africans with bicycles.

BAND The Jazz Ensemble performs on the evening of Feb. 24 in the PAC. BADMINTON A membership fee had to be instituted recently to pay for the replacement of damaged racquets, but the club still hosts a weekly tournament Thursdays at lunch in the gym.

FUTURE DOCTORS Last week, an immunologist vis-

ited the club to provide an overview of what it took to become a doctor. A nurse will visit in the near future.

FUTURE LAWYERS Currently, they are discussing movies that relate to law. Later plans include guest speakers and a court house visit.

JUNIOR CLASS To raise money for Prom, juniors are selling Dudley’s bread this month.

PHILOSOPHY Thursdays at lunch in U-8, students civilly argues over topics ranging from “Is it better to be feared or loved?” and “Do the pants define the person or does the person define the pants?”

PLUS It will hold an All-Girls Forum on Feb. 26 to discuss the negative influences of the media in girls’ lives.

ROCK CLIMBING They recently climbed and camped just outside of Barstow. Future plans include a few gym trips in the coming weeks, a Mission Gorge climb in March and an eventual Big Bear trip.

UTOPIAN LEAGUE` The club hosts a beach clean-up on Monday.

New clubs endure multiple Science Olympiad takes second place at regional competition steps to become official MATTHEW GELLER STAFF WRITER “Someone wanted to make a club based on the study of vampires,” senior Brandon Yi, inter-club commissioner of ASB, said. It was at the height of the Twilight craze, and they planned to study “books by the original Dracula.”

The potential club never got past the first tentative steps of registration. There has, however, been a plethora of other new clubs that have been formed during the school year. The process of becoming a club is fairly straightforward, but still difficult. First they must meet with the inter-club commissioner to begin the registration process. They must find an advisor and potential members. Then their application must be looked over by the

student review board, and finally voted on in the Senate, where a majority is needed to pass.

Controversial clubs may have difficulty at this step.

“If you don’t get this stuff in, it’s a surefire way to get disbanded,” Yi said. “In terms of adult supervision, there usually isn’t,” Yi said.

Despite trying to make the process as smooth as possible, making a club still isn’t easy. Junior David Suh, president of the Invisible Children Club, said finding an advisor was especially hard.

“We were lucky enough to find Ms. Mullen,” Suh said. Despite this, many clubs were able to successfully organize this year.

“Clubs are an integral part of school…

Beyond just classes, clubs help define students, and who they are,” Yi said.

DENNIS SUN STAFF WRITER Months of hard work brought the Science Olympiad team a second place finish, the best they have done in recent history.

The team studied data, preformed labs, built machines, and prepared for the various events that were to take place last Saturday.

Coach Robert Ferguson explains what Science Olympiad is all about.

“Science Olympiad is a competition of 23 events, with teams of 15 people that have to cover all 23 events,” Ferguson said. “There are lab events, there are building events, and there are tests just of knowledge. It’s an interscholastic competition. It involves middle schools, up to high school level.”

Senior Andy Brock has participated in Science Olympiad since seventh grade. He enjoys it for various reasons.

“I really like the atmosphere and the whole [concept of] you get something for learning, [and] getting medals is pretty awesome,” Brock said. “I also like hanging with my friends.”

Brock participated in Electric Vehicle, Dynamic Planet, and Experimental Design.

“As far as building events go, Electric Vehicle was definitely my favorite,” Brock said. “You have to build a vehicle that goes a certain distance in a certain time, and you have to get that distance perfectly and get that vehicle to go straight, too.”

Junior Frank Ni has been participating in Science Olympiad since seventh grade as well.

He enjoys the actual competition more than anything else.

“I think the competition [is fun] because you get goody bags and food and then you get to compete and it’s all exciting,” Ni said.

Ni thinks that the events, despite being fun, can also be quite intense.

“Some events are more difficult than others,” Ni said. “I personally think that some of the

MATT COFFELT | PHOTO EDITOR

George Lundie (9) and Avinash Nanjundiah (9) work on an electric vehicle during the regional competition at Rancho Bernardo High School. The team competed on Feb. 7 in multiple areas. They took second place, which is the best they have done in recent years.

events are out of high school level [curriculum], but some are perfect for high school students. I’m doing Physics Lab, which is basically the same thing as what we’re doing in AP Physics.”

Along with participating in Physics Lab, Ni also participated in Chem Lab. Coach Robert Ferguson believes Science Olympiad is good for any student.

“Certainly, it’s a hands-on science in many levels,” Ferguson said. “But, in high school, you’re getting the experience of working in a laboratory situation, whether working with physics or applying things that you learned in school. And it’s a lot of fun, it’s a team-building kind of thing, and people really get into it in that regard.”

News

Mt. Carmel SUN

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February 13, 2009

‘Seventeen’ Magazine features Scroop’s custom made tote bags in current issue NICOLE BUSTAMANTE STAFF WRITER It was sophomore Kimberley Scroop’s 16th birthday, and as her present, she got 17 rolls of various colored duct tape, vinyl, and plain tote bags.

Every kid’s dream, right?

Not exactly, although for this particular 16-year-old, it was just what she needed.

Scroop is what one might call a young entrepreneur. She hand makes and sells tote bags to people across the country.

“I’ve gotten orders from New York, Maine, North Carolina, and a humane society in Maryland that is just starting up,” Scroop said.

Scroop had a habit of cutting out pictures from magazines that caught her eye and one day it just clicked.

“I was really bored and I had always cut out pieces of magazines,” Scroop said. “One day I laid them out on my table and looked over and saw my destroyed backpack, then I used clear tape to put all the pieces together, but now I use vinyl so its better.”

Luckily for Scroop her aunt had connections.

“My aunt, who works for Allure magazine and was the former deputy editor of ‘Seventeen’ magazine, noticed my bags so she asked me to make her one to take to work and everyone loved it,” she said.

After that, her aunt sent out the unique bag to “Seventeen” magazine, and within a few months she got an email asking her to be in the magazine.

“It was a really great feeling to real-

ize that a major company had noticed my work,” Scroop said.

Currently, Scroop’s business is flourishing.

With about five orders a day, Scroop is a busy girl.

“Each bag takes about three hours to make, so balancing school, boxing, homework, is hard,” Scroop said.

Scroop manages to crank out seven bags a week with a routine of one day creating three fronts with vinyl and the next day doing three backs with vinyl.

She recently received her business license and has trademarked and copyrighted her bags.

Scroop makes bags for raffles or charities, such as the humane society, for free.

She currently sells her bags for $40 although charges $6 extra for cross country shipping.

“I used to sell them for $20 but once I put together a spread sheet of everything including supplies I realized I was only making $2 per bag, so I raised the price,” Scroop said.

Though don’t be too intimidated by that price. Every bag is custom made exactly the way you want it down to colors, pictures, and even your name.

The only thing Scroop does not put on the bags are celebrities’ faces because each celebrity has actually trademarked their face.

If you’d like to own one of these unique bags, you can contact her in a number of ways: via email at 858bags@ gmail.com, through MySpace at myspace.com/858bags, and soon a website: 858bags.com.

However, if you don’t have a spare $40 hanging around, you can always go to mcsun.org for your chance to win a free bag.

MACKENZIE LANCE SPORTS EDITOR

It was getting dark. Far off cheers from a wrestling match resounded through the buildings.

One door had a blue, make-shift sign taped to it, which read Z5.

There was a cop standing outside.

Though the door was locked, a little light escaped from the tightly shut blinds.

Inside sat a ring of grim-looking parents, faces hardened. A few teenagers sat on the floor, looking at the ground.

“I’ve really cut back, though,” one junior said, defending herself.

Everyone was silent. Someone’s phone vibrated.

The counselor reminded her that they advocate just quitting, not “cutting back.” His voice was hardened with tough love.

After finishing with her, the counselor moved on, focusing his caring, yet hawk-like eyes on another student, who was sitting on the couch.

“You look high right now,” the counselor said.

Some soft chuckles echoed through the room. The student denied it.

“Are you ill?” Edna Mailey, head of MC’s Student Services and the facilitator of Stop Smoking Class, said.

The boy denied that too. The tension was almost tangible.

This is Parent Support Group, for the parents of students trying to stop smoking marijuana.

“In this group we can be brutally honest...” one of the mothers of an MC alumnus said. “It can get a bit offensive and intense, but on the other side of that is understanding...

Some of us come to the meetings initially with so much shame, guilt and embarrassment... [but] they understand.”

Mailey stressed that the support groups were absolutely necessary.

“It’s sad when it’s too late and they have to go away to rehab,” Mailey said. “...You have to change habits and you really have to change your mindset.”

Despite the assumed dark tone of the whole subject, there was still a strange aspect of humor and comfort.

At the in-school cessation class which started this semester and met for the first time last Friday, students went around the circle, introducing themselves and telling what they had smoked and for how long.

One student said he wasn’t going to lie—that he had smoked “bud” that morning.

“You don’t look high,” Mailey said. “I can tell.”

The student just grinned, and chuckles echoed throughout the classroom.

One mother was specific about how much the support group had changed her life.

“The support classes have been a life saver, a marriage saver, and a sanity saver,” she said. “My son would have been dead without the support of this group.”

UPCOMING SUNDEVIL EVENTS FEBRUARY 13 AND 26 GRAD NIGHT TICKETS SOLD ON CAMPUS COST IS $70 CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE FOR $70 THROUGH FEB. 28 FEBRUARY 13 CHOIR OF MT. CARMEL VALENTINE’S CONCERT 7 P.M. AT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TICKETS ARE $7 JOSTEN’S CAP AND GOWN ORDERS ON CAMPUS FEBRUARY 14 WINTER FORMAL: RACING HEARTBEATS 8-11 P.M. AT HALL OF CHAMPIONS FEBRUARY 24 JAZZ ENSEMBLE IN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

MATT COFFELT | PHOTO EDITOR

Kimberly Scroop (10) holds both her custom made tote bags and the March issue of “Seventeen” magazine, in which, she and her bags are featured. She sells her hand-made bags for $40.

Support group expresses tough love to help students stop smoking marijuana LAURA SLUSSER STAFF WRITER

Winter Formal brings racing heartbeats to the Hall of Champions

COACH JOHNSON GETS AWARD

MATT COFFELT | PHOTO EDITOR

Coach Gail Miller and Coach Jose Campo surround Coach Glen Johnson as he raises the award he received from the wrestling team to honor all he’s done at MC.

After weeks of catchy rap parodies on the Sundevil Broadcast, long ticket lines at the finance office, and a dancing montage including a killer robot from Dr. Tom McCoy, Winter Formal will soon be upon us.

Tomorrow, over 400 Sundevils will head to the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park for a Winter Formal promising “Racing Heartbeats.”

The theme of the dance arose from a desire to condense romance and athletics into one phrase.

“We threw around a lot of ideas, and we really wanted to capitalize on the Valentine’s Day theme with hearts and love,” sophomore vice president Nicole Balagtas said. “We wanted to combine the sports aspect of the Hall of Champions and the hearts. We eventually put them together and came up with racing hearts.”

The “racing hearts” theme has led to an automotive racing motif, complete with finishing flags and bright racing stripes.

“The racing theme allows us to do really cool décor, like the checkerboard pattern we’ve done on the entrance to the school,” Balagtas said.

Although the theme is new, the location has been recycled from last year.

“We used the Hall of Champions last year, and it was really a great experience for us,” Balagtas said. “The Hall of Champions really helped us out last year because they already knew our DJ, and it made decorations really easy to put up.”

The location is simple to work with, and it gives MC some bragging rights.

“We had that advantage over the other schools, who have their winter formals in their gyms,” sophomore Alicia Bartick said. “We are the only school in our area that goes off-campus, and it makes our dance really special.”

Besides decorations and an easy DJ, the location helps the ASB by attracting more students.

“More people come if the dance is off campus,” Bartick said. “It’s more exciting for the students if they can get away from the school.”

The downtown location adds a metropolitan feel for the dance.

An issue with this has been booking restaurants downtown.

Many adult couples made reservations moths in advance for Valentines Day, so MC students are blocked out of many desirable locales.

Even though some Sundevils have issues with pre-dance plans, the dance guarantees to get your heartbeats racing.

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Sun Spread

Mt. Carmel SUN

Mt. Carmel SUN

February 13, 2009

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San Diego Music Scene MC bANDS rock san diego sd venues offer locals musical mecca Where do you spend your nights when music is your House of Blues life? There’s only one place: in the crowd at any of the House of Blues attracts, by far, the most mainstream local venues San Diego has to offer. and popular bands. This venue is located downtown in an unexpected location, under the House of Blues restaurant.

Hot Monkey Love Café Café by day and musical Mecca by night, this is by House of Blues, while providing great sound, can far one of the most unique musical experiences in San sometimes be too commercial for the taste of many locals.

Diego. The name truly says it all.

One of the weirder features of HOB is that the stage Prices for shows at this El Cajon cafe are reasonable, especially considering that the money supports local seems to be higher up than at other venues. Another negative is that shows are all too often 21 and up. music.

However, if mainstream music is what you crave, They may not attract quite the same level of crowds as Soma, but that is a small concession for the personal HOB may be the perfect place to satisfy your craving. feel Hot Monkey Love Café offers.

Epicentre The rawness and informality adds a lot to the personal Epicentre, located in Mira Mesa, is a haven for up nature of this musical experience. and coming local bands to get some publicity.

Soma Shows here are often cheap and represent a unique Ever wonder where local bands that hit the big time sampling across the spectrum of musical styles found like Buck-O-Nine, Unwritten Law, and Blink-182 got in San Diego.

Bands often interact with the crowd more often their start? All these careers were launched at Soma, a venue that attracts not only locals, but also bigger at this small venue. Epicentre just seems to have a spontaneous vibe that can only be found at the most bands than some of the more eccentric places.

One of its biggest virtues is the quality of sound. obscure local musical hangouts.

Being a part of the huge crowd that gathers around the Epicentre guarantees a crazy, unpredictable concert main stage at Soma is the best way to get a smaller experience. concert experience with bigger bands and local bands alike.

>> Kylie Baranowski

Barker of Poway, CA, are known for their juvenile, punk personalities that come through in their music.

Although the group of Poway High alumni went on hiatus in 2005, Blink announced their reunion last Sunday, Feb. 8, onstage at the 51st annual Grammy awards. Said Hoppus, “Blink 182 is back!”

Buck-o-Nine

Taking inspiration from Operation Ivy, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and the Specials, the third-wave ska band Buck-o-Nine emerged from San Diego County in 1991.

They played a series of major dates in the mid-1990s, after gaining heavy support and airtime on San Diego’s 91X, and being pulled from a largely underground local ska scene.

Their walking bass lines, offbeat rhythms, and busy horn sections are still revisited by young local bands in Buck-o-Nine’s old haunts of SOMA and the Epicentre.

Said in one of their most famous singles about America’s Finest City, “My soul is sound when I’m in my hometown” (“My Blink 182 Tom Delonge, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Town”).

dEADBEAT BABIES

Name: Deadbeat Babies Genre: Ska/ Punk Next Show: Feb. 20 @ King’s Music Junior Matt Terrones and the Deadbeat Babies already have a couple of albums out. All of its members go to MC, and they enjoy just playing for fun.

“My other band [Blaupunkt] gives away all its music for free,” Terrones said.

“We don’t really like mixing fun with business. Music should be about fun, not making money.”

Junior Blake Caminos shares the same view.

“Music is life and it will always be that way for Matt, Tyler, and I,” Caminos said. “This band is about the music, not just about money and getting our name out there.”

uNKNOWN MOTIVE Name: Unknown Motive Genre: Ska/ Punk Next Show: Feb. 28 @ Soma

PHOTOS BY: MATT COFFELT, ANA ALVAREZ, AND DANIEL THAN | PHOTO EDITOR AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

Local bands achieve national fame San Diego has become a stop on bigname tours year round, and a destination for major festivals like Street Scene and Coachella, mainly due to its proximity to the music hub of the west coast.

But it has also emerged as the birthplace of a sizable array of musicians with the talent and willpower to make it big.

Before the debut of alternative rock in the late 80s, there were few famous musicians with ties to the city. George Harrison spent his last here, Chris Hillman (The Byrds) went to San Dieguito Academy, and Jim Morrison (The Doors) grew up in Clairemont from age eight.

Still, there is little doubt that the San Diego music scene had its heyday in the 1990s, when bands like Nirvana and Pear Jam (the singer of which went to San Dieguito as well) dominated the industry.

But there has been a steady output of internationally recognized groups since then.

>> Erica Byerley

Probably the most famous band at MC, Unknown Motive has been together since middle school.

“They started a year before me, but I’ve been playing with them for five years,” senior Lars Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen plays bass for the band, senior Wade Morris is the lead singer and guitarist, and senior Isaiah Nery plays drums.

Although they don’t have a record deal at the moment, it’s not because the music industry isn’t interested in them.

“We’ve been offered a contract before but we declined,” Rasmussen said.

MARTYRS OF CAIN Name: Martyrs of Cain Genre: Experimental Rock Next Show: Late March @ the Epicentre

Louis XIV

been able to produce countless lasting Louis XIV, the cheeky quartet of the treasures, especially in their 2004 album southwest indie scene, was founded amidst Summer in Abaddon, from right here in San Marxist meetings, have been banned from Diego. [an] Alabama [high school], and have become known for “music to flunk rehab to” Stone Temple Pilots (NME).

STP was one of the most popular yet Anyone who has seen Louis XIV live will brutally criticized rock bands of the ‘90s. say they have a strong and undeniably dark And much of their lives—even after presence about them. It’s hard to imagine becoming one of the most famous hard rock the group being so firmly rooted to sunny groups of the decade—have been spent in southern California. And yet, they grew up and around the San Diego region. here, they rose to fame here, and they still Founding members Scott Weiland and call San Diego home.

Robert DeLeo met and bonded through their experience dating the same woman, whose SD apartment they moved into after she left Pinback In 1998, Armistead Burwell Smith IV and town.

They played the clubs of SD County, Rob Crow came together from previous projects Three Mile Pilot and Heavy where they were originally known as Mighty Vegetable to realize the summery indie rock Joe Young, to bypass LA’s corporate scene. band Pinback.

Weiland spent 1996 in a Pasedena They struck fame with a radio gem “Penelope,” a smooth score about their pet rehab center to get over his various drug goldfish. The old-time hit has since become additions. what “Float On” is to Modest Mouse.

Nevertheless, Smith, Crow, and their >> Melanie Dickinson compadres on drums and keyboard have

“We started playing together over Christmas break in 2008,” junior Scott Hanson said. “Tucker [Morrisson] and I had been in a band previously and started our own project when he left the band for musical differences.”

Hanson does vocals and plays guitar, junior Matt Terrones is on bass, and senior Tucker Morrisson (from San Pasqual) plays drums.

They already released their first single, “Catch 22” on Myspace, but are just focused on having fun. “[Getting a record deal] isn’t the main focus for us. It never should be, because you should play music for the love of playing music, and not to become famous.”

tHE cOLORS Name: The Colors Genre: Alternative/ Electro-pop Next Show: Feb. 14 @ Metaphor Café Although they have only been playing together for a few months, “The Colors” already have a pretty decent fanbase.

“Myspace is a big part of it,” sophomore Alex Perez said.

“People here are really supportive.”

All members of the band go here, and they played at Senior Breakfast last October. Musically, they have changed a great deal since then.

“That’s not even what we sound like anymore,” Perez said.

“We have a show coming up on valentines day at the Metaphor Café in Escondido, it would be great to see a large turnout from the MC students that night” senior Kyle Covey said.

Opinions

A6

February 13, 2008

Mt. Carmel SUN

Relationships 101: Dating

Glued to a screen

‘When girls ask guys out’ VANDANA BHAIRI STAFF WRITER

Paresh Dave

If under pressure, how prepared are we?

Smoke starts creeping from underneath a nearby door frame.

Only one person notices, but he quickly alerts the people around him. Everyone scrambles from place to place, a cat goes flying, door knobs are checked for warmth and someone has a heart attack.

This scene played out in the episode of “The Office” that aired immediately following the Super Bowl. The power-hungry rules-stickler Dwight Schrute had purposefully set a controlled fire in the office to test the emergency response of his co-workers.

Recently, I left my car parked unattended in a neighborhood while out with a friend. During this time, some of my other friends, who had knowledge of how to enter my locked car, thought it would be appropriate to switch one of the car’s rear tires with the spare tire.

Knowing that I would have no idea how to change the tire back, they stuck around to instruct me. To be exact, one of them said “this was a training exercise.” You see, had this been a real emergency, and I had to change my tires on the fly—would I have known what to do? Absolutely not. Sure, there’s AAA. But, there could always be unforeseen circumstances.

The stress of that situation would not have helped out, but in this controlled situation, I had a crutch to fall back on. A master at changing tires hovered over me, analyzing and guiding my every move.

Now, were one of my tires to suddenly rupture, I feel confident that I could replace it with the spare. I know to always loosen the lug nuts in a diagonal pattern and exactly where to place the jack.

In “The Office” episode, Schrute had the same intentions as my friends: to teach and to test. Their methods in executing their goals are something all of us might be able to learn from. I’m not advocating setting part of the school ablaze in future fire drills, but a little smoke and mirrors might do some good.

Maybe even bring out some fire engines and see what happens when they can’t squeeze through the fire lanes in the back of the school because teachers have parked along the road. There’s a reason teachers have been issued tickets for that violation.

Even more specific to each of us, isn’t it imperative for us to know how to use a fire extinguisher in a hurry? I’m sure they work pretty simply, but I have definitely never held one.

Everyone knows how to flick the switch of a flashlight, but why don’t we get tested on the Heimlich maneuver or CPR every year?

Through us for a loop, see how we respond. All I remember is that in “The Office,” they got the “Annie!

Annie!” part down, but no one was ordered to “Call 911!” following the heart attack. Sure, Michael got in trouble for Schrute’s actions, but they all learned a lesson in the end.

We have resources and procedures in place in the case of an emergency, but if only some of us understand how to operate and follow them, are we really prepared?

I know I am set for at least one situation. Put a nail under my tire. I dare you. When my tire rips, it will annoy me, but not perplex me. I know how to put my tire iron, spare tire and car jack to work.

CHRISTIAN JUN | ARTIST

She just sat in front of the computer, staring at her blank screen until she decided what she was going to do.

She had written the sentence out a million times but deleted it a million and one.

Her hands shaking, she slowly typed, “Hey, will you go out with me?” and pressed the Enter button before she could change her mind again.

Now, all she could do was wait for a response.

With Winter Formal tomorrow, the need to find a date has never been so urgent.

While many girls leave the asking up to the guys, some took it upon themselves.

Although some people may not like it when the girl asks out the guy, I find no problem with it.

Just think about it. A girl asks a guy out. He says yes and they go to the dance, in one scenario.

How will it be any different than if he asked her?

The guy is still the guy and the girl is still the girl.

The way they dance would still be the same, what they wear would be the same – there’s no difference whatsoever. End of story.

As long as the two have feelings for each other, it shouldn’t matter. Their re-

lationship wouldn’t be any different or unequal to a relationship in which the guy asked the girl out.

In addition, when a girl asks the guy, it shows a kind of outgoing and confident side of the girl.

Although it is great to be confident and outgoing, you should first be completely comfortable with what you are doing. Asking out a guy shouldn’t be forced.

Some might say that it is “always the guy’s job to ask the girl,” or that “it has always been done that way.”

Personally, I think that girls asking guys out is the new tradition.

It shows just how far we have come as a society.

Decades ago, it was only the men who would “make a move,” but now look at us!

Girls can ask guys without getting weird stares walking down the hallway.

However, ladies, if you try this and it doesn’t work out the way you would like, just remember that it is always better to know that you tried than to have never tried at all. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

I have asked out a guy, and even though it may not have worked out between him and me, it has worked out for a lot of girls that I know.

So girls just take in a deep breath and go for it.

You never know what could happen.

Tier 2 regulations ignored, poorly enforced; stricter rules vital to enhancing grades

Organization key for success through school; tabbed binders, planners, Cornell notes prove beneficial

MELISSA ROADMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ALISON ASHWORTH BUSINESS MANAGER

Drive down Sundevil Way on any given morning, and you are sure to find almost all of the parking spots on “Sophomore Hill” empty.

Last year after the first six weeks of the semester, this was not the case.

Students who were on tier 2 filled these spots, but not anymore.

The tier 2 system has been relaxed dramatically from last year.

According to the MC handbook, a student will be placed on tier 2 if they receive a D or F, have four or more hours of truancy, have earned less than a 2.0 or a “U” in citizenship marks, and those who have been suspended from school.

The MC handbook also says that students on tier 2 will lose their privileges to park in the parking lot, obtain off campus lunch passes, attend dances and school events, and a variety of other incentives.

In the previous years, the tier 2 system was enforced strictly, and grades were the determining factor for daily tasks like parking in the parking lot or attending fun school events, such as dances.

This worked well as students who were on tier 2 as a result of poor achievement felt the pain with a two minute walk from their car to school or not being able to go with their friends to a school function.

According to the bulletin on Monday, Feb. 2, in order to get your lunch pass renewed, you must have over a 2.0. The implementation does not match the rules set in the MC Handbook.

A 2.0 is not the same thing as having one D or F, having poor citizenship or work habits, or chronic tardiness.

Earlier in the year, the seniors on tier 2 were asked to stay after senior breakfast to clean up, but few did.

Those students who are not behaving correctly in the school environment or who are not taking their education seriously should be punished by losing privileges such as parking in the parking lot.

Not only are the rules being relaxed, but there are easy ways to get off of tier 2. It used to be that your grades needed to improve over six weeks, but now you can be taken off by blue cards, an allotted amount of tutorial time, and/or Saturday School.

Many students work hard to maintain their grades, get to school on time and have high citizenship marks in order to stay off tier 2.

If there is loose enforcement or an easy way to get off tier 2, what is the incentive to not come to school late?

A stricter enforcement and harder ways of getting off of tier 2 will make the “behavioral punishment system” more fair, not to mention, free up a few spots in the packed parking lot.

easier to find. They are made to help you, so use them.

Planners are available at the student store She quickly twirls the dial of her lock, at the beginning of the year for $5. They are yanks on it, and pulls open her locker door. An used to help remember homework and other avalanche of textbooks and binders flow out. important events. Each day has a separate box They fall onto the ground and sweep up into to help you stay on task. the commotion of the passing period.

MC students who use planners, binders For some MC students, a locker is a place filled with tabs, and who clean their lockers to keep books, lunches, and assignments to properly have no problem staying organized. avoid the agonizing back cramps and shoulder Those who just throw things into their stiffness that the 600 page textbooks inflict backpack become careless and sloppy with upon us. their schoolwork.

However, other To make sure that students use it as a they take helpful notes, place to shove and MC students who use planners, some MC students use push trash, old papers, the Cornell format. binders filled with tabs, and who and unwanted items.

Fold a third of Messy and chaotic clean their lockers properly have no the paper back on the lockers tend to turn problem staying organized.” left side. This is where into a giant black hole. you will write questions You keep stuffing and or key words and ideas pushing until things that are important. disappear. Papers are This format of lost, and assignments become wrinkled and note taking will help you study. Read the side torn. with the questions, and answer them.

Being well organized helps improve your Checking Learningpoint daily will also grades. It also lowers your stress level by not help you stay on task with all of your classes. losing or ruining important assignments.

Teachers update their class site as often as To help stay organized, separate your they feel necessary, so constantly check for new classes’ assignments using binders. You can updates. have one binder per class, or combine two subIt is the beginning of the semester, and jects together. the new year, so make your resolution to stay Tabs help separate papers and make things organized and neat until the end of the year.

“

STAFF EDITORIAL Sun Center, Student Services underappreciated; both provide counseling, guidance for students The lines were very long.

And yet, questions were answered and problems were taken care of quickly.

The Sun Center works very hard to please the students, especially at the beginning of the new semester.

Counselors work to get students out of classes they don’t want, fill open periods and make sure every student is at least somewhat happy with their new schedule. This is not an easy job.

The people who work in the Sun Center are constantly opening their doors to students who seek opportunities for extracurricular activities and college.

The counselors are delighted to help students plan out their next years at MC and also give any help

they can to seniors applying for college.

The work the Sun Center does for our school is underappreciated and needs to be awknowledged.

Every day, many students go into the Sun Center to ask questions.

Some students take for granted how easy it is to get answers to their questions.

The Sun Center helps to make every MC student’s life a little bit easier. In the Sun Center, counselors are there to answer questions, college and scholarship guidebooks are available to browse, and career ambassadors are scheduled to visit.

However, the Sun Center is not the only place students can go for help.

Student Services now has its

base in room U-1 under the watchful eye of Edna Mailey.

These ladies who work for Student Services create opportunities many students aren’t even aware of.

They organized a collection of books and movies for sick children at Rady Children’s Hospital.

They collect gently used prom dresses so girls who don’t have a fortune to spend on a gown can still look beautiful on prom night.

They also have snacks for hungry students to have during break.

Overall, the Sun Center and Student Services rooms are good places for students to go if they have any questions or need guidance.

These places are the essence of MC, and our school would not run as smoothly without them.

AMANDA STINTSMAN | PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore counselor Kim Bronson assists Akari Uehara (10) in organizing her schedule. The Sun Center helps all students with fixing schedules, writing letters of recommendation, and improving grades.

Student Services also provides students with snacks and guidamce.

Opinions

Mt. Carmel SUN

A7

February 13, 2009

Should the prisoners from Guantanamo Bay be brought to the U.S.?

CORDELL HUNTER STAFF WRITER

YES

during their time at the detention facility.

Since the U.S. has some of the top doctors and medical professionals in the world, it seems only fair to the detainees to let them come to the U.S. and get the best treatment they can.

It is also important that the Guantanamo Bay inmates be released into the U.S. because of the terrorist problems in their own home countries.

The detainees have been humiliated; some have been tortured and most probably feel some degree of resentment towards the U.S. This makes them prime recruitment targets for groups like the Taliban and Al Quaeda, who prey on people’s emotions to persuade them to join.

Suddenly, those who were once regarded as supposed terrorists will become actual terrorists with a hatred against the U.S. for causing their troubles.

While suspected terrorists are bad, true terrorists are several times worse.

The only way to avoid this is to face up to the fact that this country has ruined the detainees lives and let them seek asylum here.

When Barack Obama became president, one of his first acts was to close the shady government prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Since 2000, prisoners classified as “enemy combatants” have been shipped to the prison and held without trial.

Now that the prison is closing, most of the untried prisoners will be released.

Those deemed too dangerous to be released will be taken back to the U.S. to stand trial for their crimes.

Many of the prisoners that are going to be set free have either done nothing wrong or committed very small crimes.

There is no question, then, that those detainees should be released into the U.S. If their own countries won’t take them back, our government has a responsibility to the people they kidnapped and imprisoned without just cause.

The lives of the prisoners have been destroyed and according to truthout.org, many are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other conditions acquired

MATTHEW GELLER STAFF WRITER

CHRISTIAN JUN | ARTIST

Sundevil Perspective

Sophomore

Freshman

MATT COFFELT | PHOTO EDITOR

Junior

NO

For many years, the name Guantanamo Bay has been synonymous with the injustices of the presidency.

Now, as Guantanamo Bay is in the process of closing down its prison section, America is faced with the question of where to put these highly dangerous criminals and terrorists.

The answer, according to some, is more obvious than anyone would have thought. These highly dangerous prisoners should be brought onto U.S. soil.

Ethics demand that these prisoners be moved from Guantanamo Bay. However, common sense dictates that they should not be brought to the U.S. Many of these prisoners were captured halfway around the world. Why should we give them a free plane ride to the U.S.?

These people are dangerous.

That’s why they were brought to Guantanamo. Many of those freed from Guantanamo have since joined terrorist organizations.

Arguably, these prisoners will be brought to high security prisons.

That’s fine; just have these prisons on another continent, preferably with at least an ocean and two major

Teacher

Profe Cashion

Senior

mountain ranges in between. If they are just as safe in any prison in the U.S., then they’ll be just as safe out of it. It’s just common sense.

Guantanamo Bay was notorious because of its reputation for torture and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. If this is stopped, there is absolutely no reason to bring the prisoners to the U.S. What people should be asking is not why we shouldn’t bring the prisoners to the U.S., but why we should. There is no benefit in bringing highly dangerous individuals to the U.S., high security prisons or not.

Moving them can only result in complications.

This whole mess began over the violation of the rights of prisoners in Guantanamo. Even if they were brought to the U.S., the only result would be further quibbling over legalities, and the potential release of dangerous terrorists.

Having the prisoners moved to the U.S. has nothing at all to do with the original issue. People who support the move of Guantanamo Bay prisoners to the U.S. cannot take the moral high ground this time. They need to state clearly what benefit there is in bringing highly dangerous prisoners onto U.S. soil.

Teacher

Shuchi Chaturvedi

Alyssa Garcia

Brad Catcott

Michael Hicks

Kristine Adams

“No, because we don’t want them to endanger the U.S. or inhabit our already full jails.”

“Yes, because even though they haven’t been proven guilty, they should still serve time for what they probably did.”

“No, because we shouldn’t put those kinds of people on American soil.”

“No, because they might kill our children or lead them down the wrong path.”

“I don’t care where you put them. The real question should be, ‘have they got their due process rights?’

40 below across the country. 80 here. You can’t hate winters in California.

February has finally arrived.

Wake me up for graduation.

-Kylie Baranowski

-Erica Byerley

Thumbs Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. I can’t wait to spend the night with my two favorite guys, Ben and Jerry.

Today is Friday the 13th. All tests postponed due to high probability of failure.

-Kelly Fan

- Sara Shantz

MT. CARMEL SUN Mt. Carmel High School 9550 Carmel Mtn. Rd. San Diego CA 92129 (858)484-1180 ext. 3211 rmercurio@powayusd.com http://www.mcsun.org Our mission is to provide the MC community with an informative, accurate and respectful student-run publication. The SUN seeks to stimulate the discussion of issues in order to promote a more aware student body. Whether informing, voicing opinion, or entertaining, the SUN strives for standards of balance and good taste.

Melissa Roadman Editor-in-Chief Rick Mercurio Advisor Catherine Jaravata Assistant Advisor Craig Racicot Photo Advisor

The Mt. Carmel SUN is the official newspaper of Mt. Carmel High School, published by its Journalism 2 students. The views expressed in the SUN do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Mt. Carmel High School administration or PUSD Board of Education. Unsigned editorials reflect the beliefs of the SUN editorial board. The SUN is a student open forum, and all final content decisions are made by its student editors. Letters to the Editor are welcome and should be signed. For advertising rates and information please call, email, or write the SUN at the address above.

Editors Katelyn Cutts News Kylie Baranowski Center Rachel Martin Opinions Mackenzie Lance Sports Kevin Lage Entertainment Kaveri Gyanendra Features Paresh Dave Web Cathy McDermott Copy Matt Coffelt Photo Staff Writers Vandana Bhairi Nicole Bustamante Erica Byerley Sarah Carrigan Melanie Dickinson Kelly Fan Matthew Geller Lauren Hall Cordell Hunter Abby Mansour Karen Michel Aditi Pai Vincent Pham Shayon Said Sara Shantz Laura Slusser Dennis Sun Jordan Ugalde Sean Williams Staff Photographers Ana Alvarez Mary Carmen Gonzalez Allison Rogers Amanda Stintman Daniel Than Kyle Covey Artists Christian Jun Alyssa Surmillon Business Manager Alison Ashworth Megan Ashworth

Opinions

A8

February 13, 2009

Mt. Carmel SUN

Teenage Communication

Phones, Internet help Students rely on technology to improve sibling communication relationships; causes dry conversations MELISSA ROADMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF We’re a continent away from each other, yet with the click of the mouse, it is like she is sitting right next to me.

My sister is currently studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain, but with the technology of Skype, we can see each other and talk as if we are in a room together.

Skype allows you to use video messaging, so you can see and hear the person talking.

For people who have siblings who have moved away from home, this and other technology is essential in keeping close ties.

With two sisters who live across the country, one in Texas and the other in Rhode Island (who is currently in Spain), technology--cell phones, emailing, and texting-- is what has kept us together.

Text messaging provides a quick way to send a message or have a brief checkin.

Lives are busy and in different time zones, text messaging provides an easy

way to communicate and drop a quick message.

Texting is also convenient for those who have siblings who are older that you may need a ride from.

A simple “I’m ready to be picked up” message can save minutes on the phone and be done as fast as your fingers can hit 19 keys.

Other social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace help siblings stay connected by being able to view pictures of their siblings.

Most everyone has a cell phone, which is the best way to stay connected with siblings who live far away.

It’s comforting to hear you sibling’s voice and chat about the latest happenings.

Phone conversations can last for hours and are more personal than any other form of communication other than a face-to-face conversation.

While it can be difficult to have a sibling, someone who you have grown up with your whole life, be so far away, the technology of today helps siblings stay connected and a prominent part of each other’s lives.

SARA SHANTZ STAFF WRITER Buzzz…she looked down at her vibrating phone to see that her crush had texted her. She had no idea what to do, what to say, how to act…so, naturally, she called her three best friends for backup.

The four girls all sat around in a circle racking their brains for the perfect response.

These days, it seems like most teenagers have a Myspace, Facebook, AIM, and a cell phone with texting.

All of these methods of communication allow you to have an entire relationship with someone without even talking face-to-face.

While that may be convenient and allow you to multi task, it can make talking to people in person, especially with someone you like, awkward. When you communicate with someone using Myspace, Face- book, AIM, or through text, you have time to plan out the perfect thing to say to that special someone. You can also avoid having awkward silences.

If you are really stuck, you even have time to call your friends and ask for their advice. In person, y o u

don’t have these same luxuries.

Even if you talk to someone constantly through technology, it’s just not the same as talking to them in person.

With time to think of a response and get help from your friends, you’re not getting to know the real them.

Only by talking to them face-to-face and spending time with them can you really expect to get to know someone.

The more you rely on technology to communicate, the more forced your conversations become in person.

Communicating mostly through technology also makes it impossible to have a deep conversation with the object of your affection.

Technology should be a part of teenage relationships. A good morning text message is always cute, but when your entire relationship comes through text, you have a problem.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARY CARMEN GONZALEZ | PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophomore brothers Max Latifi (10) and Brandon Latifi (10) communicate using the Internet. Many students use advanced technology to improve their relationships rather than face-to-face discussions.

Talking only through technology takes away real-life aspect of conversations

Stimulating conversation improves relationships with parents; will result in more freedom, privileges

DENNIS SUN STAFF WRITER

CORDELL HUNTER STAFF WRITER

hearing their words, takes away the emotion and personality the speaker could have expressed in a real-life conversation.

Being able to communicate with friends at a Also, sometimes the way words are read distance is often a good thing. through messaging can conYou can find out what assignvey a different meaning than ments are for homework, what the author intends. For or what website you should OF STUDENTS SAID THEY USUALLY example, when speaking in look at to watch funny videos COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR FRIENDS IN ALL CAPS, the author may when procrastinating.

PERSON seem to be shouting or angry, Telecommunication alwhich may not necessarily be lows friends to meet from their intention. great distances.

These kinds of probHowever, it also takes OF STUDENTS SAID THEY USUALLY lems don’t show up in everyaway the real-life necessity COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR day conversations between and humanity of a conversaFRIENDS ON THE PHONE friends, which could be one tion. reason why it’s better to speak in person rather than over the When dealing with real Internet or text messaging. people, acronyms and shortIt’s understandable that ening of words as people do OF STUDENTS SAID THEY USUALLY some people are too busy or when texting normally aren’t COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR unable to find time to talk in used. Most of those phrases FRIENDS TROUGH TEXT MESSAGES person.

However, it’s still very can’t even be pronounced important to speak with real with English phonics (like people relatively often.

WTH). Also, communicating Unless, of course, you’re only through the Internet or OF STUDENTS SAID THEY USUALLY fi ne with being socially awkSMS takes away a person’s COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR ward when talking to real experience in interacting with FRIENDS THROUGH THE INTERNET people because you lack the real people. experience to do so in a nonSpeaking online, not see*268 STUDENTS POLLED awkward fashion. ing a person’s face and not

36%

9%

43%

12%

help; they might just know something you don’t.

Unspoken communication is another way to gain the trust of your parents.

There is one word that has the ability to strike fear into the If you think your parents suck and don’t do anything for you, hearts of teenagers everywhere: parents. it might be because you either don’t listen or you just don’t care.

Most teenagers view them as a major source of pain, frustraIf your parents are trying to tell you something, avoid the imtion, and, perhaps most of all, pulse to turn up your iPod and punishments. nod absentmindedly. Instead, But parents also have the listen to what they have WAYS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR actually abilities to give things and grant to say. You might just find that PARENTAL UNITS privileges. It’s a known fact that your parents are a lot less mean many parents can be like dynaonce you start paying attention --ACTUALLY TALK TO THEM WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM SCHOOL. mite. to them.

Treat them badly, and they Obedience is another big --DON’T AVOID THE DINNER TABLE. USE THE TIME TO HAVE DISCUS- thing for parents. Once you have will probably blow up in your SIONS WITH YOUR PARENTS. face, but if you are nice, (somestarted listening to your parents, what) obedient, and have their the next step toward nicer par--PUT YOUR CELL PHONE AWAY. ents is doing (most) of what they trust, they will be more likely to tell you to do. listen to you.

--THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. This is even harder to do That is why teenagers --IF THEY PUNISH YOU, LISTEN TO THEIR REASONING. CHANCES ARE, than listening, but it will pay off should talk to their parents.

THEY WILL BE MORE OPEN TO LISTENING TO YOUR SIDE. in the end. If you do what they They don’t know how trustask, they’ll be more inclined to worthy or nice you are (they --DON’T PURPOSELY AVOID ‘FAMILY TIME.’ do what you ask, as well as grant might not even know you exist), you more privileges and freeunless you come out of your dom.

Communication is a necescave and have a conversation sary skill in life.

It is no less important when trying to get along with with them. your parents.

You’ll never gain their trust if you don’t listen to what Instead of coming home and barging up to your room to sulk and do your homework, consider doing it at the dining table where they have to say or do what they tell you to.

Talk with your parents. You might just find that your life bethey can see you. comes easier.

If you have a question about something, ask your parents for