VOL. 10 NO. 4
February 23, 2017
3400 W. GONZALES ROAD, OXNARD, CA. 93036
The Aca-Demigods
Oxnard High School takes first in their division for Academic Decathalon By: Mark Henry Salupen Editor-in-Chief With student-athletes achieving success at the CIF level, scholars receiving full-ride scholarships to prestigious universities, Oxnard High School poses yet another achievement in extracurriculars with its recent success in the 2017 Academic Decathlon (Aca Deca). According to OHS sophomore and gold medalist Jade Chongsathapornpong, Aca Deca is an annual competition comprised of several rounds geared towards challenging one’s knowledge. The competition consists of ten test-taking events, two speeches, an interview, a written portion, and others. The finale of the competition is the Super Quiz, which Chongsathapornpong said is “the highlight of the whole competition,
By: Sarah Anaya Business Manager
where the teams are asked a variety of quiz-style questions.” Much to the team’s excitement, they won first in their division and second overall behind Cal-
championship” and are advancing to the next level, according to Lansangan. From here, they will be competing against those of similar caliber at Sacramento. She said,
OHS Academic Decathalon is a force to be reckoned with. Photo credit: Nina Lansangan
abasas. According to OHS senior Nina Lansangan, “It was the highest we’ve scored in the past decade.” As a result of their win, the group of dedicated students “scored high enough to compete in the state
“We’re coming up with a game plan to get even more plaques and build upon our weaknesses.” Despite their success, the team faced their share of obstacles along the way. Unfortunately, due
to medical complications and other obligations, their coach Mr. Robert Borneman had to step out for a portion of the season to recover. Nonetheless, the team managed to persevere. Lansangan believes their coach and advisor played a vital role in their preparation and was a catalyst for their success. She said, “Just his faith in us and our abilities was everything.” Likewise, OHS senior and medalist Daniel Siu said, “Without Mr. Borneman, I don’t think we could’ve scored nearly as high as we did. He really helped us learn all of the fundamentals that we had to learn.” To Lansangan, the event is more than just a competition or a war of wit. She said, “We’ve always had each other and no one else really understood that. To me, Aca Deca is a second family.”
On Their Way to the Courthouse
Mock Trial is a club on Oxnard High School’s campus, every year the members are faced with new challenges. The students are given a mock court case to which they are separated into prosecution and defense, to solidify their arguments for their side. This year’s case is the People vs. Aubrey, involving human trafficking and false imprisonment. The case packet revolves around a restaurant owner named Cameron Aubrey who is being accused of overworking and treating her employee, Lin Stark, like a slave. “In this packet, there are fake testimonies of witnesses [as well as] exhibits (diagrams) and guides for attorneys. Basically, this packet is a Mock Trial Bible,” said OHS senior Sama Kalaj, leading prosecution attorney. For practice, Mock Trial teams from different schools come together to scrimmage. These
Mock Trial prepares for their yearly competition
scrimmages give the students the opportunity to see their strong points and what improvements need to be made.
experience I have had throughout high school. Before I joined Mock Trial I hardly had any friends. It was nice to have a second family of
During a Mock Tiral scrimmage against Pacifica. Yasmina Alikhani re-examines the witness to find more information. Photo Credit: Sarah Anaya
Mock Trial is not only an academic experience, but also a social one. OHS senior Megan Frost said “It was honestly the best
a lot of different people that I didn’t have classes with. They were all super sweet, warm and welcoming.” The club also shows com-
petition, as students are required to speak in front of an audience and debate for their side. “I think the best part of Mock Trial is that everyone who goes through the program comes out a much more confident person,” said Mock Trial Adviser Allison Halstead. The team meets together on Wednesdays after school and Saturday mornings to prepare for the Mock Trial Competitions, held at the Ventura County Courthouse on February 27th and 28th. If the team places top 8 out of 32 teams, they will advance to the next round taking place on March 3rd. Though the team has been working extremely hard to prepare, winning is not always everything. As Kalaj said, “I really don’t want to focus on the scores and the awards. I just want everyone to focus on their individual improvement.”
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Thursday, Febuary 23, 2017 The Buzz
Aviation Academy
Aviation Academy offers great opportunities for those interested in engineering By: Jamie Tadiaman Editor-in-Chief During the 2015-2016 academic year, an exciting new program called the Aviation Academy was introduced to Oxnard High School. In this program, students are able to get a taste for all fields that work with aviation and engineering. Bryan Strasser, a sophomore currently in this academy, said, “In this class, we focus on the engineering aspect such as building products like drones or trebuchets. When we go out on field trips, we focus on the aviation portion and get to talk to different managers and aviation related companies.” Strasser said, “The engineering class is not like any other class...The funnest part about it is
building things and experimenting on what we can do. It’s not just all book work every single day. We go on computers, research what we got to do, and the next day we’re out building things with cardboard, PVC pipe, wood or anything like that.” Mr. Phillip Krieger, a teacher in the Aviation Academy, said that there are benefits for the students who join this program. He said, “They learn things that students typically don’t learn until college.” Lesley Arenas, a sophomore at OHS and member of the academy said. “I was in it last year and it was really fun. You actually do learn a lot and meet a lot of new people.” Arenas also said, “If you’re trying to get into any career in avia-
Work Permits Permit Work
tion or engineering it will definitely help.” Because the program was implemented in the 2015-2016 school year, this program is only open to current sophomores and freshmen, but is also open to incoming freshmen. Arenas recommends incoming freshmen who are interested in the academy to “just try it for the first three weeks” to see if they like it. If any current freshmen, sophomores, or incoming freshmen are interested in aviation, engineering, or any other related career,
Drawing by Leila Luis
then the Aviation Academy is a place for them. For any students who want join this academy, they can talk to their counselor or see Dr. David Sveiven in P-10 for more information.
Permisos de trabajo permiten trabajar
Students talk about the advantages and disadvantages of Los estudiantes comentan sobre los beneficios y desventajas having a job de tener un trabajo By: Leslie Espinosa, Quality Control Luz Martinez, Copy Editor The College and Career Center offers work permit applications, and processing service. To submit a work permit application you must complete onethird of the information page, and the other two-thirds are completed by parents/ guardians and the potential employer. The work permit will be available for pick-up three school days after the application is turned in. There is a requirement of a minimum GPA of 2.0 each academic quarter to be eligible for a work permit according to the work permit application from Oxnard High School. If the requirement is not met a waiver must be obtained from Mrs. Erdman in E115. Jobs that employ high school students are generally aware that school comes as a priority. As a result, “when the school year starts you get an availability form for the school year,” said OHS se-
nior Victoria Ramos. This guarantees that working hours will not interfere with school obligations. It is financially beneficial for high school students to have a job. “I decided to get a job to save up for college because all the colleges I applied to are private and pretty pricey,” said
OHS junior Roberto Gutierrez, “I just need cushion for personal finances and tuition”. In addition, a job can give independence by allowing to “get money earlier on so you can do more things [and] do not have to bug your parents for money,” said Ramos. On the contrary, being a working student denies social time with peers. “You don’t get that much
time to hang out with your friends,” said Ramos “They schedule me all the time and I don’t have time to go out and be a teenager.” Be prepared to tackle both with the same responsibility, but keeping school as a priority. To balance both “I will get a job over the weekend and some week days to get the job done [while maintaining my] grades,” said OHS senior Eduardo Cardenas. Students seeking a job should pace themselves. According to collegeboard.org, talking to family members about scheduling helps as well as having their support. The same source added that time management is key, and therefore school and work schedules should be planned ahead to avoid conflicts. Everyone starts somewhere, regardless of what step of getting a job you are in, just remember to relax and be yourself.
El << College and Career Center>> ofrece permisos de trabajo y el servicio para procesarlos. Primero, complete la sección del estudiante designada y después las siguientes partes deberían ser completadas por los padres/guardianes del estudiante y el empleador. El permiso para trabajar estará listo para recoger tres días después de entregar el formulario. Es requerido que los estudiantes reciban un mínimo de una “C” en cada materia, en su boleta escolar para ser elegible para un permiso de trabajo, según la forma de permisos de <<Oxnard High School>>. Si el estudiante no califica necesita aplicar para recibir una excepción. Pueden obtener el formulario de Mrs. Erdman en E115. Necesita ser completado y firmada antes de aplicar para el permiso de trabajo. Los trabajos que emplean estudiantes de la preparatoria generalmente están conscientes que la escuela es una prioridad. Como resultado,
“Cuando el año escolar empieza recibimos una forma de disponibilidad para todo el año,” dice Victoria Ramos que está en el último año de la preparatoria. Esto asegura que el trabajo no va a interferir con las obligaciones escolares. Es un beneficio económico trabajar y al mismo tiempo asistir a la preparatoria. “Yo decidí agarrar un trabajo para ahorrar dinero para el colegio porque todos los colegios a los que yo apliqué, son privados y un poco caros,” dijo Roberto Gutiérrez, que está en su último año de la preparatoria, “Necesito [extra] para mis gastos personales y la paga del colegio. Además, un trabajo puede dar independencia ya que permite a una persona “obtener dinero más pronto para que puedas hacer más cosas y no le tienes que pedir dinero a tus padres,” dijo Ramos. Al contrario de las posibilidades que te puede dar un trabajo, siendo un estudiante empleado te niega el tiempo social
que puedes tener. “No tienes tanto tiempo para estar con tus amigos,” dijo Ramos “Me dan horas para trabajar todo el tiempo y no tengo tiempo para salir y ser un adolescente.” Es una gran responsabilidad ser un estudiante empleado. Uno tiene que estar preparado para abordar la escuela y el trabajo con la misma responsabilidad, pero manteniendo la escuela como prioridad. “Al principio mis grados sufrieron por mi trabajo, pero aprendí a balancearlos,” dijo Rivera. De acuerdo con collegeboard.org, hablando con tu familia de tu horarios ayuda porque ellos te pueden ayudar a equilibrar la escuela y el trabajo. La misma página dijo que la administración de tiempo es importante, y por esto los horarios de la escuela y el trabajo deberían ser planeados en avance para evitar conflictos. Todos pasan por el mismo proceso para obtener un trabajo , pero solo recuerda relajarte y ser tu mismo.
Thursday, Febuary 23, 2017
YELLOWJACKETS
The Buzz
Bring’em Out
By: Ilse Ramirez Reporter
OHS student dancers’ point of views during competition season
OHS All Natural competition team at West Covina High School. Photo Credit: Cedric Lim
OHS Short Flags competition team. Photo Credit: Andrea Servin
Oxnard High School student dancers are heading out for competition season and the intensity is rising. Short-Flags (also known as Twirlaholics) placed first in their two-flag division in their recent competition at West Covina High school. The competition is intense, with over 50 schools participating.
The Buzz Staff Faculty Advisor Mr. David Page
Editors
Editors-In-Chief Mark Salupen Jamie Tadiaman Managing Editor Jazmine Toledo Copy Editor Luz Martinez Online Editor Lisandro Elizondo Quality Control Editor Leslie Espinosa Business Manager Sarah Anaya Layout Editors Rhiannon Enriquez Ileana Gonzalez Entertainment Editor Adriana Mandujano Sports Editor Cienna Saucedo
Reporters
Maria Almaraz Adrian Clark Ilse Cruz Jaylene Gutierrez Yasel Hurtado Leonela Joaquin Andrew Kelley Ashley Ledbetter Leila Luis Pablo Paredes April Perez Celeste Ramirez Ilse Ramirez Kathy Raygoza Kimberly Santos Andrea Servin Anjanette Tadiaman Cindy Tran Verania Valdez Malia Vallender Jesus Zapien
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Oxnard High School sophomore, Lesley Arenas, who has been on the team for two years shared how she felt while performing and said, “At first I’m really nervous and I panic, but after a while I got with the flow and just have fun now.” Oxnard High School sophomore and All Natural Lieutenant Leah Yagin also felt this way when
attending West Co. but instead said, “Oh my gosh, I’m on stage right now, don’t mess up!” These two teams are well known around campus for their captivating performances and intense energy. Emanon is also a well known, admirable competing dance team here in the city of Oxnard.
Oxnard High School senior, All Natural and Emanon Dance Crew member Cedric Lim, is very dedicated to what he does. He shared that “having a steady mindset and worrying about your team to support each other during and after the performance” keeps each team “hyped” and ready to go.
Reminder to all students taking an A.P Exam! - All students MUST turn in the “STUDENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION” to receive the official A.P Exam Order Form. Please see Mrs. Murray at the ASB window before school, nutrition, lunch, and after school. - AP Exam order form (completed) - ID Card - Payment (cash, check or credit card). Checks are to be made payable to Oxnard High School. See Ms. Hurray (ASB Bookkeeper).
Deadline for students with the last names A-M is Friday, Febuary 24, 2017. Deadline for students with the last names N-Z is Friday, March 3, 2017. Pre-Admission Sessions When: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 8:00 am (A-M) Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 3:05 pm (N-Z) Where: PAC Brought to you by OHS Administration
Our New Gem
Mrs. Baylor is a new on-campus resource for any questions students may have college related throughout the year By: Verania Valdez Reporter Oxnard High School has struck gold as they welcome this year’s newest College and Career Technician, Mrs. Constina Baylor. During her time here, Mrs. Baylor helped seniors apply for college and also worked with the Questbridge scholars. The College and Career Center is open at 7:45am, nutrition, lunch, and until 3:45pm for any questions. Her goal is to “create resources for students so the College and Career Center becomes a ‘one stop center’ to get any information they need college and career related.” Mrs. Baylor believes she has been “given the gift to share her knowledge and experience with [her] students to make their lives better.” Throughout her
short time here at OHS she has built unforgettable memories with students like the Questbridge scholar, Hector Betanzos.
Betanzos does not have to worry about paying for any college or travel expenses for the next four years. Mrs. Catherine
Mrs. Baylor, college & career technician, enjoying her time at the hive. Photo Credit: Verania Valdez
Betanzos said, “she helped [him] contact colleges regarding the admission process and set [him] on the right path.” With this scholarship,
Breshears, OHS Computer Lab Coordinator, says she “has not met a staff member that is so kind, patient, willing to reach out to students, and has
also made the College and Career Center a place to feel free to go to.” Both Mrs. Breshears and Mrs. Baylor are working with teachers to help promote the Naviance program to their students so it can be utilized as an organizational resource. Nina Lansangan, a senior at OHS, said that “Mrs. Baylor is always there when [she] needs help or advice, and has made the college application process so much easier as a result.” Mrs. Baylor encourages all students, especially juniors, to stop by, ask any question they might have, and begin to look at the writing prompts UC’s require. Also, she insists to take advantage of the helpful resources on campus, like the library, and “to start your applications early, never wait until the last minute!”
Kings of the Court
By Celeste Ramirez Reporter
OHS Boys Basketball works hard this season As Oxnard made possible if it High School Boys was not for their Basketball is ranked coaches. “Our coachnumber 1 in CIF es make the practices Division 2A, they hard so that the game continue to work won’t be as challenghard all throughout ing,” said OHS junior their season. Luis Cervantes. The As a team, team members view they won multitheir coaches as a sigple tournaments nificant part of their including the Burathletic career. bank, Kiwanis, and Working Clash of the Coast together is a huge tournaments which and crucial factor in wouldn’t have been the boys basketball
OHS Boys Basketball making some shots. Photo Credit: Celeste Ramirez
By Ilse Cruz Reporter “The most important key to being a successful track and field athlete is training”, according to trackandfield.lifetips.com. The boy’s track and field team are preparing for their upcoming season. Before the season ends, many athletes strive to achieve their goals of improving. The numerous track and field events take a different set of skills to be successful for each. “There are long distance runs that take endurance, short sprints that take speed, and throwing events that take technique and strength,” according to ducksters.com. Oxnard High School junior
team as they treat each other like family. They are truly closer than just a team. “It’s not a one person thing, we all work together and we would not succeed without teamwork,” said OHS senior Mason Johnson. “The biggest role in us coming this far would be the fact that we are all extremely close
as we have all been through alot together and trust each other,” said OHS senior Josh Bibian. Skill means nothing if not for the teamwork involved in building a strong team. If these boys continue down this successful path they’ll soon be able to qualify for the state finals as they have made it to the semifinals.
Back on Track (and Field) Boys track and field athletes set high goals
Mark Argueta, a discus thrower on the team, has been training to meet his goal, to throw over 130 feet. The Pacific View League (PVL) varsity boys’ standard for the discus is 105 feet. In order to qualify for League Prelims in the discus event, athletes must meet the 105 feet standard, as stated by pvltrackfield.com. To accomplish some of their goals, some may choose to emulate OHS junior Tommy Hafner, who plans to accomplish his goal of being one of the participants in the 4x4 A relay team. He will reach his goal by practicing harder and working to avoid injury.
Some athletes, such as OHS junior Daniel Salas have participated in track and field for multiple years. If Salas failed to achieve his goal to qualify for under five minutes in the 1600 and 2:10 in the Boys Track and Field training for upcoming meet on Saturday, 25th, 2017 800, Salas admitted Photo Credit: Pablo Paredes that he “would feel goals. “Often, it is only when their pretty down”, but he would use that hard work turns into success that as motivation for the next season. a love for that sport develops; the More often than not, athhard work comes first”, according letes who work hard see their hard to articles.chicagotribune.com. work pay off when they reach their
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