June 8, 2016
CONTENTS Transgender Target (Page 1) Becoming a Racist (Page 2) Does Media Cover Everything? (Page 2) Freshman Tips (Page 3) Women Traveling Alone: Death Trap (Page 3) Senior Page (Page 4) Mrs. Lee Retirement (Page 5) Mr. Koch Retires (Page 5) Bernie Sanders Rally (Page 5) Better Students May Become Bitter Students (Page 6) Why You Should Take ROP (Page 6) Are Cell Phones Really the Problem? (Page 7) From the Start (Page 7)
OXNARD HIGH SCHOOL, 3400 W. GONZALES ROAD, OXNARD, CA. 93036
Volume 9 Issue 5
Transgender Target Oxnard High School students and community members speak on a very controversial issue currently happening. By: Leslie Espinoza
Public bathrooms don’t seem like a problem to many people, but transgender people face many dilemmas when using them. RollingStone.com stated that 70 percent of transgender individuals had negative experiences in a public bathroom. According to BelongtoGroups. org, a transgender person is someone whose gender differs from the A local Target located at the Pacific View Mall one they were “as- By: Leslie Espinoza signed at birth.” it’s cool. And personally, I don’t think For example, an individual who is born it matters whatever restroom someone a male may later identify as a female or uses either way.” vice versa. Not everyone is pleased with the Target, a major retail store, recently change made. According to TheWashchanged their bathroom policy to al- ingtonPost.com, a petition made to end low transgenders to use the bathroom the transgender policy has reached over that best identifies with their gender. In 1,000,000 signatures. The petition was their announcement, Target said, “We created by the American Family Associwelcome transgender team members ation. The AFA president Tim Wildmon and guests to use the restroom or fit- said, “[Target will] lose a lot of customting room facility that corresponds with ers” because of the new bathroom poltheir gender identity.” icy.
“We welcome transgender teammates”
People in favor of the new bathroom policy, such as Riverside County resident Angelia Amezcua, said that the system “goes to show that society is slowly changing as a whole.” OHS senior Melanie Wu is also in favor Target’s change. Wu said, “I think
Target’s announcement comes just as North Carolina’s House Bill 2 was passed by their governor Pat McCrory, which prohibits transgenders from using the public bathroom that best identifies with their gender. Many of the people who are against the new policy have a common fear. OHS junior Hannah Quiroz said, “There’s a lot of [individuals] who think that there’s going to be men who will go into the women’s restroom and rape women.” OHS junior Roberto Gutierrez had mixed feelings about the policy. Gutierrez said, “Some people just like to hear that the policy is there, but it wasn’t nec-
essary to make a big statement about it.” A Target team member, who wishes to stay anonymous said, “Target decided to go public about this because they wanted to show support to all people throughout the community.” The person also stated that transgender people were always allowed to use the bathroom of their choice, just now it is known. The team member added, “Target believes that showing support for all issues will help them look like a supportive store [where] all people want to shop. In the end, it’s to drive business.” Other franchises have also taken the initiative to announce their bathroom policies that welcome transgender people to use the bathroom that identifies with their gender. USAToday.com stated that Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and Hudson’s Bay Co. were some of the stores to make a more welcoming environment to transgender people.
Picture by Leslie Espinoza Common public bathrooom signs.
A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words!
Oxnard High School Senior Russell Partee talks about love between his two friends.
Seniors with Sports ScholarshipsCongratularions (Page 8)
“We tend to not like things we do not understand. Many think love is a very complicated matter, but I don’t see anybody who doesn’t enjoy receiving love. Therefore, I believe it is ourselves whom we do not understand. Love is simple, we are not.” -Partee
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Issue 5 ♦ Wednesday, June 8, 2016
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Becoming a Racist
Students give their perspective on racism and where racism comes from. By: Juan Rodriguez
The Buzz Staff Editors-In-Chief Stephanie Quero Tatyana Sharpe Managing Editor Mark Ramos Copy Editor Jamie Tadiaman Picture by Juan Rodriquez Stereotypes of racism Racism seems to be an ever-growing topic of controversy in the world. Stories make headlines every day regarding racism, whether it be prejudice in the justice system or politicians making racially biased comments. Oxnard High School teacher Mr. Jamie Crawford said, “I define [racism] as discriminating against other people due to skin color or other superficial, physical differences that come from other ethnic groups.” While most people are familiar with this word, everyone may give it a definition that is slightly different from someone else’s. Over time,“racism” has become saturated to include anything
that involves skin color, culture, ethnicity, and even the language you speak. According to pbs.org, 61-64% of white millennials believe that they are harder working and more intelligent than African Americans. “As a white person, I feel like I am the lower class now” said OHS junior Paris Whitecomb “I’ll be walking around the city and people will assume that I’m just a rich white person and I’m like ‘no, [my family] is in debt”. According to the Huffington Post, anti-Muslim hate crimes have become five times more common since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “My parents told me to never be with a Black or Arabian man because
they think those people can be crazy, and I find that dumb but some people just don’t agree. Things they’ve heard make them automatically assume the worst of people based on rumors” said OHS senior Berenice Murias. It is possible that the people created a new stereotype to associate terrorism with anyone who is Muslim and over time, it grew to incorporate anyone from the middle-east. “It’s all a learned thing.” said OHS senior Phoebe Sajor, “racism is learned. It’s taught by media and people, and whether or not you buy into those kind of beliefs depends on what kind of person you are and your own moral beliefs.”
Does Media Impact Perspectives? The media covers only what they find is important. By: Adriana Mandujano
News stations that initially started as radio broadcasts have revolutionized over the decades to fit easily accessible platforms such as televisions and websites. There are now around 5,941 radio and news stations and about 116.4 millions TV households in the united states alone according to the N.A.B (National Association of Broadcasters) As a result of this, the exposure Americans receive from news stations, broadcasts, and channels is wide. However, some people argue that media manipulation is a real thing that happens in the industry by corporate companies. For example, in early April of this year, 2,000 protesters took to Los Angeles in protest on CNN’s (Cable News Network) lack of media coverage for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Protesters dubbed CNN as the ‘Clinton News Network’ and trended the hashtag ‘#OccupyCNN’ on Twitter. Protesters attributed the lack of Bernie Sander’s media coverage in favor of Hillary Clinton’s campaign to the fact that one of Clinton’s larg-
Twitter #OccupyCNN Picture by Adriana Mandujano Social media #occupycnn est campaign donor is Time War- gigabytes that consisted of 11.5 milner, according to an article on Pivot lion documents which makes it the America. largest leak in journalism history While these protests were going according to an article on USA Toon outside the Los Angeles head- day. quarters, CNN still had not covered The leak exposed wealthy influthe protests which were happen- ential people who “may have used ing out their door and rarely men- offshore bank accounts and shell tioned it. companies to conceal their wealth Twitter user @potemkinlion or avoid taxes,” according to the Los tweeted, “While thousands protest Angeles Times. outside CNN’s hq because they Following the release of the don’t cover Bernie Sanders, CNN Panama Papers leak by the Interbroadcasts crap. #occupycnn” national Consortium of InvestigaAnother major event that was tive Journalists (ICIJ) the Icelandic rarely talked about by news station prime minister, Sigmundur Davíð was the Panama Papers Leak in Gunnlaugsson, has resigned acearly April 2016 which contained cording to an online article on The about 2.6 terabytes of data, or 260 Guardian.
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Quality Control Editor Janine Tadiaman Layout Editors Victor Galicia Mateo Juarez Entertainment Editor Kim Valerio Sports Editor Nicholas Robles Business Manager Jazmine Toledo Reporters Sarah Anaya Jaime Barron Lisandro Elizondo Rhiannon Enriquez Leslie Espinosa Carlos Gonzalez Ileana Gonzalez Kaylie Hollub Jordan Kimbrough Cedric Lim Devin Lohse Ruby Lyn Lucin Adriana Mandujano Luz Martinez Alexis Negrete Peyton Quintana Michael Reyes Mark Henry Salupen Cienna Saucedo Jonathan Viveros Jesus Zapien Faculty Advisor Mr. David Page
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Issue 5 ♦ Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Passing the Torch
Oxnard High School students give advice to lower classmen and future freshmen. By: Sarah Anaya
comfortable. “I know what lot that are way more mature From early on, some the teachers expect,” Nguyen as a freshman than I was,” students have an expectation said as she ends her fourth said OHS junior Sarah Tiraof what life will be like once quarter of high school. do. entering high school. While Entering high school Some freshmen arrive some are excited about the new change of scenery, others feel differently. This change can take a toll on some students who have been at ‘the top’ during junior high and are suddenly sent back to the bottom when they enter their freshman year. Once stepping on campus grounds, students hope for the first year to go well. Oxnard High School freshman Genesis Aguilar said, “ First semester was pretty easy, but now I just Senior Megan Canales and freshman Emily Herregon share a hug after the track banquet sharing the bond the two developed over the year. feel a lot of pressure.” By: Sarah Anaya However, Grace can be hard with most of at high school with the intent Nguyen, an OHS freshman, the school looking down on of joining a sport. “I think it “struggled a little bit during freshman. Some see underwould be boring, and I would the first semester because classmen as immature and be really out of shape,” said [she] wasn’t prepared.” OHS freshman Delilah Ceja, Now in the second half obnoxious. “There are a lot [of freshmen] that are annoy- when discussing how particof the year, she feels more ing, but there are actually a ipating in a sport improved
her first year of high school. With the two days of freshman orientation, some groups felt more comfortable. Aguilar was happy to have seen the grounds and become familiar with her new surroundings. Nguyen said that she wished to have seen the school campus during her freshman orientation. Whether students come in with a set mind of how their high school years will play out or not, it may change. Tirado said,“I thought it was going to be scary, but then as I went into it, it wasn’t so bad,” Whether high school is good or bad, it is an unforgettable experience. OHS senior Megan Canales said, “I am honestly glad I came to Oxnard, [I’m] glad of all these people I met, and [I’m] glad I did track here. Sad to say this but I’m kinda glad I’m getting out of here but I’m going to miss it.”
Women Travel Alone: Death Trap
33 year old solo traveler found dead raises controversy By: Ileana Gonzalez
trying to kiss her. Traveling helps people mentally and psychically grow because of the different experiences. “A certain culture can open your eyes and make you more aware of the world,” said Oxnard High School sophomore April Perez. According toThe Gutsy Traveler, a traveling blog, 55% of travel agents said Solo female traveler meets her death as she travels to her favorite the most common city. (Not real) Photoshopped By: Ileana Gonzalez reason women travel solo is because they verlooking the revalue their independence and mains of Istanbul’s Byzantine are sophisticated enough to travcity walls, American tourist, Sarai Sierra, 33, was found dead. el alone. However, it can be danShe was a first-time solo traveler, and her family did not have con- gerous, so extra planning and tact with her for over two weeks. precautions need to be taken. “I wouldn’t travel alone. I hate The murderer, a Turkish man, it, but sadly there is rape everyconfessed he killed her after
O
where,” says OHS junior Andrea Avila. Incidents like this one are the reason women are afraid of traveling or going anywhere alone. “I think it’s horrible that women are always seen as a target because everyone thinks they’re weak,” says OHS junior Monica Alcala. International Women’s Travel Center, a website that helps women make appropriate decisions when traveling, has published a list of ten countries for women to avoid when traveling to and why. The countries are categorized as dangerous or obnoxious for reasons such as war, gangs, murder, rape, and sexual assault. Men are also susceptible to danger anywhere they travel. Some experience the same anxiety due to the dangers out there. “This past summer I went to Mexico by myself,” says OHS junior Patricio Arevalo, “ I told
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myself ‘it is what it is’ if something happens to me.” Despite the dangers, women have overcome these obstacles. Some blogs focus on traveling alone, and they give you tips and share their experiences. For example, Liz Carlson runs the Young Adventuress blog, and she discusses her travel experiences in over 40 countries. The events going around the world do not have to be a discouragement to solo travelers. According to Vagabomb.com, a website that publishes contemporary writing for young Indian woman, some safe countries for single traveling women are Denmark, Singapore, and The Netherlands. Regardless of the dangers of solo traveling, women are growing to their full potential. Arevalo said,“In this generation more women are rising to greater expectations and are not being labeled as one minor thing.”
OHS Seniors Going to Universities
UC Davis
UC Santa Cruz
UCLA
Stuart Fox Gaby Hernandez Jaqueline Jimenez Mateo Juarez Stephanie Maldonado Maribel Ortega Stephanie Quero Julissa Rivas Pedro Rodriguez Chris Samadzadeh Liana Soto
Daniel Pena Nicholas Robles
Alfonso Esquivel Janae Gipson Phoebe Sajor Mckenzie Whalen
UC Merced Ahquib Choudhury Manbel Cisneros Natalie Mejia Cristian Ortiz
University of California, Los Angeles
UC Riverside
UC Irvine
Adam Fernandez Arisve Ordaz
Victor Galicia Kiana Hernandez Ryan Kha
Javier Calderon
UC Berkeley William Albers George Chavarin Gayle Fisher
University of California, Berkley
University of California, Santa Cruz
UC San Diego Dianne Foronda Jordan Sabater
UCSB Efrain Alfaro Rocio Ambriz Gerardo Amezcua Ingrid Carmona Daniella Gonzalez Fatima Gonzalez Noxolo Nube Genesis Ramirez Omar Ramirez Austin Tarazon Jason Toledo Julian Sanchez Page 4
University of California, Irvine
CSUCI
Cal Poly Pomona
Andrea Barrientos Melissa Carillo Deborah Castro Samantha Good Ashley Salas Angelita Sandoval Jonathan Soto Janine Tadiaman Glenda Guzman Maria Morales Berenice Munas Iris Zaragoza Tajazee Hargrove Joshua Gomez Candice Lopez
Melanie Espirito
CSU Fullerton Hui Ling Lu Joel Sanchez Soleil Zamora Diego Zuniga Melgret Valdez
Cal Lutheran Mark Ramos Leylany Rodriguez Sarah McGraw Amy Halit Vitaly Kostylov
Humbolt State Delilah Cervantes Devon Escoto Daniel Honea
San Franscico State University Breezy Campbell Michael Satumba
SanDiego State
Vanguard Univ.
Madelynn Hoffman Michael Purdy Alexis Schmitz Aj Rocha
William Colindres
Arizona State University Alyssa Gutierrez Joshua Meza
Dixie State University Andre Bellamy Blake Kilgore Carissa Martinez
University of Michigan Carisma Ayala
Grand Canyon University Devonte Stepter Juan Rodriguez
Troy University Tatyana Sharpe
Cal Poly Slo Alejandro Castano Kassandra Vega
CSUN Cristina Flores Elizabeth Garcia Breanna Alvarez Jacob Martinez
Chico State Linda Navarro Edith Gallardo
Texas Tech University Sienna Ruiz
Dakota State University Joseph Roldan
University of Notre Dame
San Diego State University
Robert Mummery
*Not all seniors listed. Sorry :^(
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Issue 5 ♦ Wednesday, June 8, 2016
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Mrs. Lee Discusses Her Retirement Plans
Koch is Drama Free
Oxnard High School saying goodbye to Mrs. Lee. By: Peyton Quintana
A
Drama Club gets a new director. By: Jamie Tadiaman
Drama Club poses for a group photo. By: OHS Yearbook
After seven years of leading Oxnard High School’s drama department, Mr. Keith Koch will now be retiring from his position as Drama advisor. Mr. Koch decided that he would be leaving Drama at the beginning of the school year. He said, “Being the drama director takes a great deal of commitment and I wanted to slow it down a bit. It’s just hours and hours after school and it’s a huge time commitment.” Since his time as Drama director, Mr. Koch has made multiple changes in improving Oxnard’s drama department. “I started making sure that all the plays that we did involved student actors and student crew, as opposed to bringing in outside community theater actors.” “The previous drama director used very few of the students,” said Mr. Koch, “they made for good shows, but I wanted to make sure that all of our shows were student run.” After retiring from being drama director, Mr. Koch is planning to take more parts as an actor in community theater. He said, “Drama is a big passion of mine and acting is especially my passion, so now I can get involved in it more.” Mr. Koch has been involved in several productions outside of school. “I did a show January,” he said, “at the Elite Theater in Oxnard. With the time commitment to drama I’ve had to turn down auditions and turn down parts because I just don’t have the time.” Next year, Mr. Matthew Hill will take on the position of Drama director and OHS juniors Brogan Gallagher and Brianna Luna will be leading as co-presidents. Luna said, “He was always striving to ensure that the cast was thriving and not just performing, but having fun while doing so.” Gallagher and Luna are already in the process of making plans for next year and are looking forward to putting on productions that will leave viewers feeling inspired and impressed. Luna said, “Though I will miss him being our advisor, I feel that Brogan and I are mentally prepared to take on the positions of co-presidents. Mr. Koch said, “Hopefully, I’ve brought some fun into the program and the kids along the way have had fun.”
s the end of the school year approaches, Oxnard High School has to say goodbye to English 3 Advanced Placement teacher, Ms. Judith Lee. Lee has been with OHS since the school first opened in 1995 where she took over the California Scholarship Federation program in following years. Nevertheless, she has, “enjoyed watching students take on leadership roles as they make their way toward universities through their hard work,” said Ms. Lee. Lee also conducts yearly college trips for OHS students. “I have had the honor of taking students to visit universities either in Northern California or Southern California,” said Lee.
This April, OHS’s CSF sponsored the Southern Regional CSF/ CJSF Conference and in which they hosted approximately 250 people for a breakfast and lunch.
scribes her personality as, “extremely energetic, dynamic, very understanding while also being funny.” English 4 teacher Eric Montijo describes
After retirement Lee plans to, “travel, play with [her] grandchildren and see what it is like to not have a schedule.” Lee said, “I have heard that the beginning of school is hard for retired teachers, so I am going to hike Machu Picchu so I don’t feel sad.” Throughout all her many achievements here at OHS Lee said, “I am quite proud of OHS and what we all accomplish each year working together.” No teacher has officially been given the Oxnard High School English 3 AP teacher, Judith Lee. title of next year’s English By: Peyton Quintana 3AP teacher. “I am very proud to say Lee’s teaching method as However, Monthat Mr. Mostowa is a “player’s type of coach, tijo has said, “We have a taking over CSF and the where the students don’t very good teacher who college trips.” said Lee. want to let her down, and is going to be trained for OHS senior I feel like the students English 3AP, but no one Robert Mummery delearn a lot from her.” for certain yet.”
Bernie Sanders Visits Ventura “It was kind of exciting because I’ve never really been into politics, but now that I’m able to vote I wanted to educate myself on the candidate I was voting for.” -Ashley McElvy, 12
“I’m just very into his politics. He’s my ideal candidate and I’m planning to vote for him in the primaries.” -German Cahuantzi, 12
“We’ve never had a democratic candidate come so close to Oxnard, so I think it was a big deal to have the opportunity to see him so close.” -Maribel Ortega,12
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Investigative
Konnichiwa! Better Students May Become Bitter Students must balance extracurriculars. Annyeonghaseyo! Students By: Luz Martinez The Japanese and Korean cultures have become popular with Americans.
By: Claudia Melgar
“Tsum Tsum”, one of Japan’s latest creations, are cute and come in your favorite Disney characters.
Photo by Claudia Melgar
According to AsiaSociety.org, “college
enrollments in Japanese [classes] have increased by 27.5% between 2002 to 2006”. The Los Angeles Times said that “Korean language enrollment rose 45% from 2009 to 2013”. Without question, many Americans are fascinated with Japan and Korea. Oxnard High School senior Nathan Milton is interested in Japanese culture. He said, “[The Japanese] have a very strong family bond, much stronger than Americans have. They respect their elders a lot more than we seem to. They also believe that their children must work very hard in order to be successful in life.” Similarly, Karina Bautista, a sophomore at Vista Real Charter High School who studies Korean language and culture, said, “[Koreans] value family a lot. They respect each other a lot. [In their culture,] how you speak to another person depends on gender.”
Being a well-rounded pos. Although, it is most comstudent is all about time manage- OHS physical educators, mon to find that “walk in coaches ment. Seventy-nine percent of such as coach Mack, value educa- are more likely only to think of America’s high school students tion over the sport. “Coaches that the game and nothing else,” said regularly participate in extracur- are involved with the school get coach Mack. ricular activities, according to that they are students first then Other students believe Public Agenda.org, a nonprofit, athletes,” said Mr. Mack. that extracurriculars can get in nonpartisan organization. This Mentors are more likely the way of their academic lives. discovery brings us to “Some people are too question if students can tired. All you want is to accomplish extracurrictake a nap, so you do not ular activities without infinish most homework,” terfering with academics. said junior track and field Oxnard High sprinter Emelyn Mission. School football coach The aftermath of Jon Mack said, “There extracurricular activities is a correlation between goes beyond school “It being involved in sports also affects me socially, and getting good grades.” I missed practice for my Individuals sister’s wedding, and I become better students got points taken off,” said when involved in sports. Mission. “During spring The qualities acquired in break, I also got points competition transfer to taken off because I wanted OHS football player, Miguel Arreola, and cheerleader, Angelina academics. “The sport to enjoy my break and did Murillo, prepare for their upcoming exams. makes them organized, not go to practice.” By: Luz Martinez hardworking and they A student’s success learn to give effort,” said in academics and in their OHS girls cross country and track to become the student’s greatest sport depends on their priorities. coach Miguel Campos. influence to exceed academicalHernandez said, “You have to That discipline reflects in ly. “Coach Mack pushes me and make time for everything after their academics.“Girls that had makes college a priority,” said school, it is possible.” bad grades coming in improved OHS varsity football player Anover time,” continued Mr. Camthony Hernandez.
ROP to the Career You Seek!
OHS offers over 90 Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) from the Career Education Center (CEC). By: Cedric Lim
for a certain vocation.” said Oxnard High School counselor William Garner. “When they finish they get a certificate and they are able to gain employment in a certain area.”
For example, she said, “If you’re speaking to an older brother and you’re a guy, you would refer to him as hyung. If you’re a girl, you would refer to him as oppa.” Many Americans may be familiar with modern Japan, from anime and manga (comics) to Tokyo’s skyscrapers and busy subway stations, from robots and cars to kawaii (cute) animated characters and iPhone cases that look like food. Bautista said that “[she] knows a lot of K-Pop (Korean Pop) bands. Their music is a lot cleaner than ours. A lot of their music carries a lot of moral messages that you should remember about life.” As a result, there is no doubt that the Japanese and Korean cultures are quite unique and that Americans will continue to remain fascinated by them.
Students at OHS must manage their Autoshop students actively learning about motor vehicles. By: Cedric Lim schedule to take ROP during Regional Occupational their high school years. The Program (ROP) classes give students an opportunity to learn and program provides benefits for experience their career of interest. students interested in post high school experience for college ROP classes include a variety of fields such as Engineering, Health resumes. All ROP classes take up Science, Business, Arts, and other two class period and are located specialized fields. off the OHS campus. “[The class CEC offers various proes] are in the evening or 5th and grams, which include Game 6th period where they take a bus Design, International Business, to the Camarillo Airport,” said Emergency Medical Responder, Mr. Garner. Automotive Technology, and more. OHS junior Christina “The classes are designed Aguilera was not aware of the to specifically train students
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recent release of ROP classes, but after being informed, she was willing to take an ROP course for her senior year. “It’s going to help me with a job because I wanted to be a nurse,” said Aguilera, “so if I take [ROP] it will be easier and probably faster.” Through ROP, getting that “dream job” is most likely to happen through the education and experience that the program offers to students. Junior Brianna Luna was aware of the many courses that ROP offered and knew the benefits of what ROP gave to students. She highly recommended the program to students who know what to do for their future career. “It will not only gear you towards the major you’re considering,” said Luna. “But it will also count as credit towards [college].” Being involved with ROP is a plus in students’ personal statement and resume since the program gives the course experience in the career that they were involved within the ROP system.
Entertainment Don’t Be Mean, Go Green G-Tech students discuss their activities. By: Kaylie Hollub and Mark Henry Salupen
to learn and keep with them beyond high school. This academy offers many events, activities, and classes that supplement the idea of a greener environment and world. She described one of the activities that she, as well as her peers from G-tech, attended. Ramirez said, “Sophomore year, the class goes to the Ojai Foundation. It’s a ropes course that has us experience the environment, test our risks, and is a way to get over your fears.” Aside from the thrill of overcoming once-in-a-lifetime experiences, this academy gives students a chance to experience many challenges in their growth as green-thumb advocates. G-Tech Academy hosts their annual Green Ambassador presentation. Spring Another example of these events 2016. includes the G-tech presentation By: Mark Salupen known as the “Green Ambassador,” “G-tech is an academy that promotes green which is hosted annually by the G-tech sophomores all around the school, it spreads awareness in keepto inform the students at OHS about preserving the ing the Earth cleaner and safer,” said Oxnard High environment. School sophomore and Green Technology Academy Ramirez said that through this presentation (G-tech) member Alyssa Ramirez. they are giving awareness in every topic they have G-tech provides a foundation in forming and making sure students know what they’re trying an environmentally friendly mindset for students
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to spread. Furthermore, OHS Sophomore Alyssa Fonseca said, “[Green Ambassador] is about how you can help our world in making little changes and how it can lead to bigger things.” During this event, sophomores challenge their skills in public-speaking, learning to not only research a certain topic, but also “being able to go in front of people and present it,” said Fonseca. “G-tech has taught me how to present, “ said junior Alyssa Quezada, who did this presentation as a sophomore, “Before my Green Ambassador presentation my sophomore year, I had no idea how to present. I feel much more comfortable presenting now.” Regarding those who are thinking of joining, Fonseca, along with other G-tech members, welcome new students to help make a change within the community and ecosystem. Fonseca said, “I would definitely recommend G-tech, our teachers are very considerate of our other classes and everyone is just very friendly. They are classmates and teammates.” Ramirez said, “G-tech has taught me teamwork and new ways to help the environment.”
Summer Films to Look Out For
Here Come Dat Boi!
Editorial:Are cell phones really the problem? Cell phones on school campus has been a controversial topic. By: Michael Reyes As time goes by and technology gets more advanced, students have been finding ways to keep their phones working at full potential on campus. A Pew Research Center study released in April 2016, revealed that 92% of teens report going online daily. These actions are forcing schools to make security stronger to stop phone’s being used in the wrong way. This is an ongoing issue that will create more problems for schools and students. On the other hand, cell phones are used by people as a device to chat with others. According to a
story in the Boston Globe, “Some maintain that smartphones in schools are needed, while others insist that phones distract students, compromising their learning and focus.” Cell phone usage, such as contacting a friend, parent, teacher, or even emergency personnel is easily accessible. Therefore, it is crucial that schools continue to allow these connections and not impede any form of cell phone communication. However, these devices could be a nuisance in class. Oxnard High School math teacher Philip Krieger said, “Phones are
disruptive because the kids don’t pay full attention to the class lessons.” It is important to have regulations for these devices to create a productive learning environment. These rules should be set by teachers, pending approval by the school district. Cell phones could also be used for cheating. A student can receive answers via text message. It is up to the teacher’s discretion to remove the student’s cell phone if necessary during an exam. Schools can take away a phone if one violates the cell phone policy. Besides testing, a
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student can be disruptive if they are seen using a cell phone for gaming or social media. Thus, if a student is doing poorly in class, it cannot be the result of a cell phone, unless the student is using the device excessively. The teacher should make this observation to determine if the cell phone is the problem. The student may have other issues in their life that should be addressed by a counselor. They may be having family, peer, relationship, or learning problems. Phones may not always be at fault, it can merely be an outlet for escape.
What also has to be realized is that a cell phone is not just a phone, it is a computer. A device that has more power than the computer used to land on the moon. It is a multipurpose tool that is capable of aiding students’ studies. The camera can be used to relay information to other students that may be working on the same assignment. It is a video camera, voice recorder, calculator, note taker, and most of all has access to the world wide web. We should embrace it and encourage others to develop more useful tools for the future.