April 17, 2015
OXNARD HIGH SCHOOL, 3400 W. GONZALES ROAD, OXNARD, CA. 93036
Volume 8 Issue 4
Preventing Genetic Diseases
The Good, the Bad, and the Microchip
Elucidating the UK’s ‘three-parent baby’ law By Yadira Vico
Implantable microchips for humans show much controversy By Janine Tadiaman
“One in 6,500 babies in the United Kingdom are thought to develop a serious mitochondrial disorder, which can lead to health issues such as heart and liver disease, respiratory problems, blindness and muscular dystrophy,” said CNN News. The UK is in the process of passing a law that allows the conception of babies by three people. The purpose of this law is to allow women, with mitochondrial diseases, to have a baby without passing on the disease to their child. According to BBC News, there are two methods in which the transfer
and one from the donor, and inserting the father’s sperm into both of them. This creates an embryo from the intended parents and the donor. The pronuclei (haploid nucleus of a male or female gamete) from both embryos are then removed -- the parents’ pronuclei is kept while the donors’ pronuclei is destroyed. To finalize the process, a healthy embryo -- the parents’ pronuclei inserted into the donor’s egg -- is implanted into the mother’s womb. The second procedure is done by collecting an egg from both the mother and donor, and removing most of the genetic mate-
Steps towards repairing an embryo.
can be done. One procedure starts by taking two eggs, one from the original mother
rial. The mother’s genetic material is then implanted into the donor’s egg, which is fertilized by the
father’s sperm. Since the womb is implanted with the donor’s egg, the child will inherit some of the donor’s DNA, causing it to have three biological parents. “The amount of donor DNA in the mitochondria will, however, be much less than the parental DNA in the nucleus, which determines the baby’s characteristics,” said CNN News. Although this may sound like a good idea, not everyone agrees with this procedure. “There are also serious ethical objections to this procedure, which involves the destruction of human embryos as part of the process,” said Bishop John Sherrington. “ T h e Church of England argued that there should be ‘more time for consultation and research,’ while adding that the church did not want to prevent people ‘from benefiting from a major advance in genetics and assisted reproduction,’” said The New York Times.
The use of technology been developing implantable receive the device.” has increased greatly in the chips for the past 15 years, This microchip has been past decades. People rely primarily to tag livestock discussed all over the world. on phones and computers in and pets.” However, humans There were rumors about the their workplaces -- not just are now able to wear these European Union requiring for recreation. Some may devices. newborn children to be imsay that this increase is now The same source said planted with RFID chips as part of everyday routines. In that a sergeant from the Ber- of May 2014. However, snopes.com fact, the recent makings of a gen County Police Departdevice now has people clos- ment, in New Jersey, made said, “Neither the European Union nor er to technoloany individgy than before. ual member N B C country thereNews reportof has enacted ed, as of 2004 regulations the Food and [...] nor has Drug Adminisany legitimate tration (FDA) news outlet approved the reported on marketing of such a story. the Verichip, A l “an implantthough the able computchip means er chip about to be a benethe size of a fit to society, grain of rice, there has been for medical much conpurposes.” The troversy over Verichip, manthe topic. Ian ufactured in Delray Beach, This picture shows one of the few places where a micro- Kerr, a law professor at Florida, is also chip can be placed. the Universiclassified as an RFID. medical history when a scan ty of Ottawa, Canada, said, “RFID stands for Ra- revealed he had a chip in his “Verichip’s [terms and condio Frequency Identification arm. Doctors used the chip ditions] exclude itself from [and] refers to small elec- to access an online database, any liability with respect to tronic devices that consists review his health records, the database, both in terms of being hacked, its security, of a small chip and antenna,” and treat his injuries. said technovelgy.com. National Report News- but also in terms of the acNCBI, the National Cen- paper reported that RFIDs curacy of the information.” ter for Biotechnology Infor- are being issued in Hanna, In other words, Verichip will mation said, “Verichip and Wyoming. “Even select gov- not be held responsible for its parent company, Applied ernment employees and of- anything that goes wrong Digital Solutions, Inc. have ficials have been ordered to with the chip itself.
The Grass is not Always Greener on the Other Side
Some Mexicans share their views on the current insecurity of their country By Stephanie Chavez and Tammera Magana “You cannot go out have higher probabilities of or at night. Also, the conwherever you want freely being kidnapped, robbed, stant presence of anxiety or act normally all the time. or injured.” from not knowing whethYou have to appear more Born in Rosales, Chi- er your family and friends as if you were lost most of huahua, eighty-two year- are safe and well is another the time. Nor can you act old resident of Oxnard, factor.” extravagant or anything California, Jose Pando, “I consider the level like that. You always have said residents in Mexico of insecurity that exists in to appear humble...so you are constantly feeling in- my country today as high. I don’t attract the hunter’s secure. “Some even fear feel safe to some extent beattention,” said twenty-two going to work or going out cause I have an honest way year-old Jose Luis Orozco, with their family.” of living. However, I know who resides in TangancicCitlali Rosales, a sev- I am not exempt from the uaro, Michoacan, Mexico. enteen year-old senior consequences that the inseOrozco said that the at her local high school, curity in my country brings constantly growing insecu- Preparatoria por Coop- upon its citizens. Likewise, rity in his country affects eración Tangancicuaro, in I believe that we do not his daily life approximately Tangancicuaro, Michoac- count with any protection “sixty percent of the time. an, said that insecurity in from the government. That You might work hard to her area affects everyone. is what I am afraid of -- if have something in life, but “Fear and distrust are con- I ever become a victim then if [the criminal groups] stantly around -- as a result of organized crime, those see that you are being suc- there are secondary factors, who should protect me will cessful or that you are do- such as the prohibition of fail,” said attorney Ana Luing well economically, you going out in the afternoons cia Ayala, who resides in
Zamora, Michoacan. Orozco said the reason why insecurity in Mexico became such an immense problem was because of “the corruption of the principal leaders of the government. They were corrupted by racketeering and their ambition kept them from protecting people, so they corrupted themselves and allowed cartels to work.” However, Ayala said the most important factors that made Mexico’s insecurity such an aggravating problem were the lack of education -- “which makes people more vulnerable to crime -- poverty, unemployment, impunity, and the vicious government we have, which shamelessly fills its pockets with the
people’s money, impoverishing the country.” Professional Mexican soccer goalkeeper Rodrigo Gutierrez of Club America said, “In twenty years I see Mexico with [many] social differences. The wealthy people [are] becoming wealthier and the poor [are] becoming even poorer.” Some people foresee a civil war in which the Mexican people will fight for their human rights, others think it is already happening, and some doubt a war is in Mexico’s future. “If the current system to fight against corruption is not changed and if impunity keeps going on, I think we will have an even more dramatic scenario, [and] maybe even armed upris-
ings from the people who are tired of living in misery and being stepped on,” said Ayala. Orozco said in Michoacan “the war began last year. The government is supposed to be there to defend its citizens but they are doing the opposite... Therefore, there will be a moment in which the citizens will have to defend themselves.” An Oxnard High School poll revealed that 29 percent of students thought insecurity in Mexico would decrease with time and 71 percent said it would not. Also, when asked if they thought Mexico might be heading to a civil war, 52 percent said yes and 48 percent said no.
The Gray Lines of Committing Crime
Oxnard High School students talk about crime By Tatyana Sharpe destitution. “I know some people will go into an Albertsons and shoplift a bag of diapers because they can’t afford it, or food because they can’t afford it,” said OHS Criminal Justice teacher Mr. Jaime Moreno. Although, “every story is different Police sirens alarming the activity of and there’s always crime. different factors in (Jimmy Anderson is anonwhat’s going on,” ymous) said OHS junior Anthony MarCrime is an action that tinez, crimes are not acceptconstitutes an offense. Unfor- able to some people. tunately, crime is apparent. “There’s no reason to “I’m aware that there’s a lot of commit a crime, there’s somecrimes...There’s always hun- body always out there to help,” dreds of people that do them, said Mr. Moreno. and there’s always at least half However, there are exthat don’t get caught,” said ceptions to other offences. “If Oxnard High School junior somebody is going to harm Jimmy Anderson. you, you have the right to Anderson said one of the defend yourself in whatever causes of a committed crime is means necessary...to prevent
Graf on Staff
that,” said OHS teacher Mr. Mark Martinez. A suggestion on how crimes can be prevented is “to limit alcohol and drugs or even take away all of it. [Taking them away] could be a big help to cause a safer community,” said OHS junior Ozzie Gomez. “Ideally is it preventable? Yes...Do I think it’s possible? No,” said Mr. Martinez. The surroundings can play a role in a criminal act. According to professor of psychiatry, Herbert L. Needleman, M.D. said, “when environmental lead finds its way into the developing brain, it disturbs neural mechanisms responsible for regulation of impulse. That can lead to antisocial and criminal behavior.” Mr. Moreno said, “I don’t think there will be an increase or decrease in crime I just think there is more exposure to crime with the social media.” “It could be today’s media...Today’s music can be
pretty much developed in that type of lifestyle,” said Anderson. The output of the behavior can differ. “I have a group of cousins, four brothers... The older two are in and out of jail…[They] didn’t have anything to do, they were just on the streets...The youngest two played sports, and they were into baseball, and football and that kept them out of trouble,” said Mr. Moreno. To commit a crime is optional. “Each person makes his choice to commit or not commit a crime,” said Mr. Martinez. “I think that’s pretty much human nature, finding some type of rush even if it’s something as simple as stealing a pencil...It’s an adrenaline rush,” said Anderson. As a form of advice, Mr. Moreno said, “The biggest thing with youth -- you have to find something for them to do to stay out of trouble.”
Student teacher Chelsea Graf describes her role at Oxnard High School and her plans for the future By Mark Ramos New to Oxnard High cause I like these students the go ‘Don’t you get it? School as a part of California most, and that’s where I want This is amazing!’ We Lutheran University’s Creden- to be.” had some really hard tial Program is student teacher Graf received her Bache- kids in that class but Ms. Chelsea Graf. Currently lor’s Degree in History at Cal even those students working alongside Mr. Conte, Lutheran University and man- ended up loving her Graf is excited to be given the aged a restaurant for a year and loving history and opportunity to apply herself in and a half before moving to I want to do that for a real teaching environment. Uganda to teach elementary other people.” Through the Credential school to orphaned street chilAside from workProgram, Graf hopes to be- dren for seven months. ing alongside Mr. come a full-time social studShe became aware of Conte in the classies teacher for middle school what she wanted to do in life room, Graf also enor high school students in our as early as first grade, after joys spending her time Photo by Mark Ramos general vicinity. “I love histo- being influenced by her teach- playing piano and Student teacher Chelsea Graf. ry. My goal with it is not to get er. “When I was six years building relationships. purpose behind whatever it is students to understand facts, old I had a first grade teacher “I think relationships are the that they’re learning.” but to understand the concepts named Miss Conaughey. It best way to get anywhere in “I hope that every stuof the time periods that link was her first year teaching and life...outside of school I actu- dent finds a purpose for their history into why we are the she made learning really fun... ally spend a lot of time with life, whether it’s academic or way that we are now. I set re- it was really interactive and I freshman through junior girls outside of academics. I hope ally high standards for myself looked at her and I said ‘I want that are really struggling with that they really find someand I want to work in these to be her one day.’ Then I had school...working with them thing that drives them and districts. I don’t want to work a high school history teacher one-on-one, encouraging them motivates them to graduate in wealthier districts, I want to and she was absolutely fabu- to graduate. That’s really fun. high school and do something work in Oxnard, Santa Paula, lous...She would talk to you as We get coffee, do homework with their lives,” said Graf. Fillmore, or Port Hueneme be- if history was really alive and together and I help them find
Intelligence Turns Technological
Technology becomes more of the norm in education By Esteban Leon & Denis O’Leary National Center for Educational Statistics, in 2009, ninety-seven percent of public schools had access to a computer in the classroom. Oxnard High School Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology and World Civilization Teacher, Mr. Matthew Creech said, “If we can be successful and integrate this technology in a Technology could be used for educational way that benefits our purposes. students, benefits our teachers, and benefits Technology has been introour society, then [the benefits] duced in education to change could be countless for a great how people are taught. With the change for not only our education advancement of technology, there but for our society.” have been new ways of how one OHS freshman Verania Valprocesses information inside of dez, who agreed that the technolthe classroom. ogy will benefit our educational During a survey done by the
system said, “There should be more educational apps that will help students with their homework and classwork...I think we should use it more because not many people use it for educational purposes anymore, but use it for things like Twitter.” Teachers expect their students to have already obtained knowledge with technology. However, some students are having trouble obtaining proficient skills they need to use these devices correctly. Technology in the classrooms is making it harder for students to succeed. “Our teachers expect us to look up work online, and if we don’t know [the material], they say ‘there is no excuse’ because we have it on the internet,” said OHS sophomore Veronica Ventura. OHS Math teacher, Mr. An-
Page 2
The Buzz Staff Editors-In-Chief Stephanie Chavez Juan Quero Managing Editor Yadira Vico Copy Editor Tammera Magaña Layout Editors Patty Casimiro Chase Perez Photojournalism Editor Mayra Sanchez Website Editor Denis O’Leary Sports Editor Esteban Leon Business Manager Daniela Peña Reporters Berenise Alfaro Luis Arevalo Aime Cano Brandon Cardilino Melissa Cuevas Janette Delgadillo Lynette Estrada Victor Galicia Edith Gallardo Stephany Garcia Vitaliy Kostylov Yesenia Monje Stephanie Quero Mark Ramos Imani Roberts Nicholas Robles Tatyana Sharpe Andrew Smith Jamie Tadiaman Janine Tadiaman Jason Toledo Jazmine Toledo Teresa Valerio Faculty Advisor Mr. David Page
drew Mostowa said “there are many programs that are not properly taught...Every piece of technology has a learning curve. It takes time for us to learn how to properly use these things... We are constantly jumping from program to program. There is not much time available for us to actually learn from the task at hand because we are trying to figure out how to work the program.” Instructors persist that every program needs to be taught to each teacher in order to increase efficiency of the lesson plans and the understanding of the students. Mr. Mostowa said, “Using multiple programs would probably take away from education rather than add to it, since we will be struggling to learn the program rather than what the assignment was designed to teach.”
However, technology in the educational system has provided students to be able to obtain the same material no matter what their accessibility to technology is. Oxnard School District Board member Mr. Denis O’Leary, who helped promote the use of iPads to OSD students, said, “I want the poor to have the same opportunities as the rich. Technology has been available to affluent families and schools for more than a generation. It has shown us one thing: the education of one’s parents and the income of the family influences success and failure in a child’s education. I want to do what I can to equal the playing field. Technology is only one factor that can influence success.”
“I Feel Like I Won the Lottery”
OHS senior Elizabeth Ortiz shares her experience as a Questbridge Finalist By Yadira Vico “When I saw ‘Congratulations’...it seemed so unreal. My heart dropped,” said Oxnard High School senior Elizabeth Ortiz. Ortiz was granted a full-ride scholarship, through Questbridge, to the University of Chicago, the 4th best college in the nation, according to U.S. News. Questbridge is partnered with 35 universities that are willing to offer full-ride scholarships to “talented, low-income students [who] can navigate educational and life opportunities,” according to the Questbridge website. The scholarship not only covers tuition, room and board, food, and books, but also, orientation, personal expenses, and airfare. “Since I got into the University of Chicago, and it’s far away from California, they actually give me air travel so I can come visit my family at least twice a year. It covers a lot of things. I feel like I won the lottery,” said Ortiz. However, the University of Chicago was not always Ortiz’s first choice. “I have always been the student that tries so hard because I understand where my parents come from. We don’t have enough money. I’m the oldest so it’s kind of a lot of pressure. When I started high school, my goal was Berkeley because I had visited it Photo by Bremda Ruiz through Upward Bound and I just loved it. I got all A’s, Ortiz mantaining her academics outside of school. and I was so involved into going to that school. That was
Out with the Old, In with the New
like my dream school. I wanted to get into Berkeley so bad,” said Ortiz. “My personality showed through my writing a lot, and I kind of just expressed myself through it. So, I think that’s what really helped me,” said Ortiz, sharing her opinion on what she thinks made her application stand out. Ortiz said, “My family makes a little bit of money. They work in the strawberry fields and we don’t get any support from the government at all. However, when I was researching the statistics for other students who had won the scholarship...The students were amazing and not only that, their financial income was way lower and my family was making like double what they had. What I think really set me apart financially was the fact that there’s five of us.” “My parents came here because they wanted a better life for me. I haven’t accomplished much but I’m barely graduating high school. It’s just a little step towards reaching my goals,” said Ortiz. Ortiz acknowledges that the support of her friends helped her through the application process. “[My friends] were really supportive. They would tell me ‘hey you have a really good chance’ and I have to admit that would help me a lot. That would encourage me to not give up,” said Ortiz.
Losing Contact With Friends
OHS students predict the future of their friendships Oxnard High School students discuss losing contact with friends By Mayra Sanchez By Edith Gallardo and Jazmine Toledo High school students spend almost that even if one stays in touch with their “I’d rather end my friendship than as an individual. “It helps you change every single day with friends, interacting friends through phone calls, they “can ta- my reputation,” said Oxnard High School as a person and you get more skill out with them during lunch and perhaps even per off or stop altogether.” sophomore Jackie Aldrete concerning of it. Such as meeting new people and it clowning around in class. It is likely that On an optimistic note, OHS sopho- her recent friendship which eventually changes yourself mentally,” said Reyes. they may have even wondered what their more Soleil Jones said, after high school, deteriorated. Part of growing up means Knowing friends for an extended life would be like without them, but did she is likely to stay in touch with friends. moving on and sometimes this entitles period of time may or may not affect not spend too much time on the thought. “I’m not really moving anywhere far, so losing contact with friends or even comone’s perspective of them. Senior AlisAfter all, friends can often seem like a secI’ll probably keep in touch with a couple pletely ending friendships. sa Carmona said, “The longer you know ond family--why would anyone ever part of people.” Some students would rather end someone the more you get to see their away? Some people believe that their friend- friendships than continue being involved true colors. You’ll get to decide if you According to USA Today, teenagers ships will last a lifetime, but what they fail with friends that no longer benefit them. like those true colors or not.” “spend all four years of high school buildto realize is that something unexpected may “This person started getting into drugs ing a core group, ignoring the fact that it happen and their friendships will not last. and partying and those were things I will inevitably collapse.” Nonetheless, Speaking from experience, OHS senior Ve- didn’t want to be associated with...[they sometimes one meets certain people that ronica Ruiz said, “The group of friends that were] trying to fit in rather than wanting they end up staying friends with for a long I was with for, like, seven years-- we kind to have friends that actually cared about time. Oxnard High School senior Adrian of had a silent goodbye because they just them,” said Aldrete. Damian said, he was friends with fellow faded away.” Others, however, unintentionally OHS students York Hernandez, Guillermo Furthermore, senior Veronica Villegas end their friendships. Ending friendSandoval, and Vincent Rodriguez since elsaid since coming to OHS as a freshman, ships, in some cases, is out of their conementary school. she “likes to pick her friends very careful- trol. “He just recently graduated from “It was mainly because we got into ly.” Villegas also said, “I like to associate Oxnard High School [and I just found sports and it transitioned into high schoolmyself with people who motivate me…it’s it easy to lose contact with him,” said -we just kept our friendship going,” said not easy to be my friend.” sophomore Darian Reyes. Damian. However, he said keeping a big One can make friends in all types of Students also acknowledge that the circle of friends is easier said than done, ways, and their method of striking up a transition from junior high to high school “As you go on through high school, the cirfriendship with someone can be entirely affected their friendship. Junior Joel cle shrinks.” different from another person’s. Villegas Sanchez said, “People tend to find their According to Psychology Today, resaid, “When you’re young, you don’t re- actual being in high school and they assearch on friendship stability shows that ally look for anything specific in a friend. sociate themselves with different groups “older children are better at maintaining You just want someone to hang out with, and you just lose contact with them.” Photo by Yadira Vico friendships than younger children, probabut now in high school, you look for more Some students believe losing conDeleting contacts of old friends who no bly because they are better able to resolve in a person than just your first impression tact with friends throughout their high longer keep in touch. conflicts.” Although, teenadvice.com states of them.” school experience is part of growing up
The Golden State
Oxnard High School students share their appreciation for California By Tammera Magaña and Stephanie Quero “I think people want to move to California because “I think people think that everywhere you go there quility somewhere else,” said Ortega. we have really good weather. It’s always sunny [and] we are movie stars and that everyone is a surfer...They have Nonetheless, “California is a place to live because have the beach, so people could live on the coast. We that stereotype, but there are so many different places in it’s peaceful,” said Gonzales. “You look at California, have so many cool cities in California [like] San FrancisCalifornia,” said Garcia. and it speaks for itself -- it’s beautiful.” co and Los Angeles. There is a lot to do,” said Cristina Junior Maribel Ortega said, “California is also home Garcia, a senior at Oxnard High School. to the UC schools in which many people from all over California, also known as “The Golden State,” is the world compete for. We have prestigious schools like home to approximately 39 million residents, making it UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford...Californians tend the most populated state in the United States. “People to forget that others would love just to get accepted to from out of state want to move here because it’s sunny in [these] universities and live here.” California, [there are] beaches, sand, and snow. CaliforHowever, the cost of living in California is highnia is a place to live because it’s peaceful and it’s kind of er than the nationwide average, according to cityrating. suburb,” said senior Antonio Gonzales. com, and it cannot always be afforded. “The houses are “I was born in California and there is no other state expensive [and] the cost of living is expensive, so I know I would want to live in, because I think we have perfect a lot of people move [away] because of that,” said Garweather, and there are many things to do like going hikcia. ing, going to the beach or shopping in Los Angeles,” said Some people have a different perspective on an idesenior Ashley Fabillaran. al state. For example, Rafael Zamarron-Brito “would’ve Although California is over populated, “I don’t think wanted to be born in Washington because [he] likes the people realize how diverse California is,” said Garcia. state. It’s woodsy. It’s America.” “People should appreciate that things are better here “Other people may want to move out-of-state bethan in some other states. People are different here...they cause they have family in other places, and sometimes are more accepting towards others than in other states,” they move because they think all of California is a ‘big Photo by Juan Quero said freshman Noah Allure. city life’ even though it’s not…they might look for tran- A surfer on a sunny day at Pismo Beach.
What’s With All the Racket?
Oxnard High School tennis players talk about their season By Victor Galicia and Mark Ramos
Photo by Victor Galicia Christopher Blair(right) and Christopher Samadzadh (left) are members of the OHS Tennis Team. Following the Oxnard High School Girls’ Tennis Team’s season, the OHS Boys’ Tennis Team will begin their season this spring. With a lineup full of experience, they aim to accomplish their goals and reach their personal marks. For some members of the boys tennis team, the sheer enjoyment of the game attracted them to join the program. “I joined tennis because I really enjoy playing it…and it looks like a lot of fun to me,” said junior Christopher Samadzadeh. Others like sophomore Daniel Siu were drawn to tennis because of the option to play with a team or com-
pete in matches individually. “I like the fact that you can For the upcoming season, the team set marks they choose to play singles or doubles…so you can depend will work together to achieve. “We want to win every on your team or have the spotlight to yourself,” said Siu. match, the league, every tournament; we want to go far,” To other members, the adeptness and technique of said Blair. tennis attracted them to join the team. “I like the finesse In addition to the collective goals they have set, involved in playing tennis,” said junior Christopher Blair. members of the team also established personal goals they The team hosts a variety of experience levels. Some, will work on. “My goals are to win CIF and league, maysuch as Siu, were new to the game when they first joined be get a scholarship from it,” said Willey. the program. “I did not know how to play tennis at first, Siu also identified his personal ambitions for the upso it was difficult to learn...because I had to play with coming season. “Since I am a starting member this year, the varsity players,” said Siu. However, playing with the I want to contribute to the team with points, and I want team helped Siu significantly improve his technique and my team to qualify for CIF,” said Siu. hone his skills. “I am a lot better this year,” said Siu. Full of ambition and with a winning mentality, the Others, such as team member Dalton Willey, have OHS boys tennis team looks to represent OHS and strive already experienced playing tennis outside of the high for success. “We want to represent OHS and be the best school program. “I’ve been playing since I was twelve, we can,” said Samadzadeh. and I wanted to keep playing for the school,” said Willey. “I really enjoy tennis,” he said. Initially, the team had started their season training without a coach due to the previous instructor leaving because of unknown circumstances. However, OHS teacher Mr. Henry Lobo soon took up the role as head instructor. “His knowledge and training is helping the team develop and do better at our matches,” said Samadzadeh. With the introduction of a new coach, the group is prepared to move forward in the right direction, “The team is looking forward with him as our coach,” said Samadzadeh. “He seems to know what he’s doing, and I think we’ll win more this year,” said Siu on the introduction of Mr. Lobo as the new head coach. Also, practicing tennis together as a team has led to the development of new friendships. Many of the members became friends and bonded as a team, as a result. “We’re all pretty cool with each other and support one another,” said Willey. Siu met new friends through playing the game. “Before, I did not know many people outside of tennis, and now I have met a good thirty people just from tennis Photo by Victor Galicia alone,” said Siu. OHS Boys’ Tennis in action against Rio Mesa.
A Home Run Towards College
Jacob Cervantes recieves a scholarship to Lesley Univesity By Patricia Casimiro and Nicholas Robles Oxnard High School senior and fourup because you can’t go to college withyear high school baseball player, Jacob out good grades and also just work hard. Cervantes, accepted an academic scholarManage your time well between sports ship to Lesley University in Boston, Masand school,” said Cervantes. He has and sachusetts. Through his work and dedicais currently taken AP classes and encourtion to baseball, he will be moving on to ages others to do the same because he unplay at the next level. derstands that it is important to maintain Cervantes began playing baseball at good grades especially if you are continua young age. His father was his coach as ing to go to college after high school. a young player. He always pushed and encouraged him to be a better player. “I was smaller when I was younger so he was always pushing me so I wouldn’t be left behind. [My dad] always made sure I worked hard,” said Cervantes. As the catcher, it is his job to be a leader on the field. “As a catcher, I am a part of every play and also like a captain on the field. There’s a leadership role I enjoy,” said Cervantes. Physical Education teacher and head baseball coach, Coach Alfred Tarazon said,“Leadership...he’s the catcher, so he runs the show out there on the defensive side. He leads by example.” Cervantes has played on varsity for 3 years and has managed to lead the team through his actions on the baseball field. Coach Tarazon believes that Cervantes will continue to perform well in college. “He’s a good student, so he’ll be successful on that note...that’s where it starts, being a student athlete so he’ll do well in college. Baseball wise...I think he Photo by Nicholas Robles will do well as well,” said Coach Tarazon. Jacob Cervantes batting during practice. “Make sure you keep your grades
Page 4