READ MORE INSIDE
THE
BUZZ
THROUGH THE LENS
“He wants success for every one of his students.” Full Story on page 2
GRADE 13
“I didn’t want to drop out.” Full story on page 3
FRESH TO VARSITY
Tell me something I don’t already know
“It’s pretty nerve-wracking because there’s a lot of pressure on your back.” Full Story on page 4
September 28, 2017 3400 W. GONZALES ROAD, OXNARD, CA. 93036 Vol. XI No. I
By: Adrian Clark Sports Editor Sara Navarrete Reporter
Urias Does It For The Culture
Oxnard High School’s new principal has new changes to bring to the school
Oxnard High School welcomes a new principal, but not a new face, Mr. Richard Urias, back to the Hive. Prior to coming to OHS, Mr. Urias had experience serving as the Director of Charter School Support and Oversight for the Ventura Office of Education and once served as an assistant principal at both Newbury Park and Westlake High Schools, followed by his tenure as an assistant principal at OHS. In the past, Mr. Urias worked on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). According to www.acswasc.org, WASC is an ongoing six- year cycle of quality where schools demonstrate the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning. Mr. Urias said “I feel a duty to take the knowledge I have gained and use it to provide our students with the best high school experience.” “Building a positive school culture is extremely important,” said Mr. Urias. This is a key element for his mission at the school. He said that this can be accomplished by “acknowledging, inspiring, celebrating, appreciating, and
getting to know people.” Mr. Urias added that he is working with our teachers to help build a
Mr.Urias standing confidently for his new position Photo courtesy of Adrian Clark
stronger school culture. One of Mr.Urias’ main goals is to unite the staff and create valued relationships with
EDITORS’ NOTEBOOK Editors in Chief Andrea Servin and Jaylene Gutierrez
Dear Reader:
students, teachers, counselors, administrators, OHS employees, and parents. We are committed to writing stories from a variety of interesting topics that will appeal to those groups. As a unit that should work together not
more skills than just writing and editing. Summer has been The leadership part of over for five weeks, the experience is the but the school year greatest lesson learned still feels new. As the in the program. Editors-in-Chief of One of the skills your newspaper, The that aids students in Buzz, it is with great leadership is the job pride that we wish to of interviewing, which share our goals for the is a requirement for upcoming year. every story. At After meeting first, studuring the dents fear the summer, The process, but Buzz editors once the jourcommitted ney sets off, to improvethey become ments that will independent, enhance your confident, and reading experiunafraid. ence. In closing, we Readership is are excited Representation of Editors in Chief the most import- Photo courtesy of Malia Vallender about working ant measure of alongside the any newspaper. new culture of Our goal is to provide only as a team, but administration. In the something that is also as a family, it is short tenure of this readable, interesting, our commitment to school year, we have and thought-progenerate leadership by already seen the supvoking. We want our example and to create port that provides a readership to serve a good climate for our very optimistic picture our Oxnard High new recruits. Students for the future of The School community who participate in Buzz. as a whole, including The Buzz learn many
By: Alyssa Vega Reporter
students at OHS. In years prior to this, Mr.Urias has demonstrated his efforts throughout his tenure as an OHS assistant principal. OHS social science teacher Mr. Jaime Moreno said, “When Mr. Urias worked at Oxnard High School as [an] Assistant Principal he tried to get everybody to work well together.” The new OHS principal said it is important to be honest and have integrity when being a leader. With this in mind, Mr. Urias maintains a transparent mindset to be a successful leader and create an efficient environment for the success of the school. OHS Library Media Teacher Ms. Jennifer Brickey said, “Urias doesn’t just say it’s a warm and caring environment; he actually walks the walk.” Mr.Urias, along with the help of other colleagues, are working in unison to reinforce our school culture and have a successful school year. Mr. Urias said, “I’ve traveled a lot and have seen a lot of great schools, and I feel that Oxnard High School has the potential to be one of the best schools in Southern California.”
New Step It Up Series Speaks Volumes
Maria Sanchez Reporter Oxnard High School is starting off the school Oxnard High School staff and students discuss new series called Step It Up year with a new motihearing others’ experienchave local leaders who can vational speaker series. es. Ms. Botello said, “This be role models,” said Ms. OHS ASB Coordinator is a way to get people who Botello. Ms. Elizabeth Botello struggled, survived tri To start off the and OHS Library Media umphed, and overcame to series, OHS Principal Mr. Teacher Ms. Jennifer Richard Urias was the first Brickey have put together put their stories out there for us.” Their goal speaker for the month of a group of speakers who September. “We thought will address students in that it would be an approthe OHS Performing Arts priate way for students to Center. The speakers will get to know him a little bit reach out to the student more,” said Ms. Brickey. body by discussing issues OHS freshman of import and will be Emily Delacruz said that available once a month she feels that Mr.Urias has during fourth period. the ability to get through Whether it’s being to her and other students an incoming freshman, at OHS. She hopes to get graduating senior, transtips from someone who fer student, or anything in has experienced high between, one should look for advice from others Step It Up speaker series flyer school out of this speaker on their road to success. Photo Courtesy of @ohs_jackets series. on Twitter “We get better Some may have an idea little bits at a time,” said about what they hope to is to get speakers who can Mr.Urias. “If a student can achieve and some may relate to students on camwalk away with one or need a little more guidpus, a particular academy, two things that they know ance. club, or class. They hope now that they didn’t know The new series, to make students feel “like before that stay with them, Step It Up, is a way for they have an embedded I think that’d be a good students to become inplace where you feel loved, success.” spired and motivated by appreciated and where you
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YELLOWJACKETS
Thursday, September 28, 2017 The Buzz
The Buzz Staff
Faculty Advisor Mr. David Page
Editors
Editors-In-Chief Jaylene Gutierrez Andrea Servin Managing Editor Ilse Cruz Copy Editor Malia Vallender Online Editor Maria Almaraz Quality Control Editor Kimberly Santos Layout Editors Verania Valdez Leila Luis Editorial Editor Andrew Kelley News Desk Editor April Perez Project Manager Anjanette Tadiaman Sports Editors Adrian Clark Kathy Raygoza Business Manager Celeste Ramirez Entertainment Editor Ashley Ledbetter
Reporters
Jessica Abd Madelyn Alvara Alberto Barragan Alyssa Fernandez Leonela Joaquin Arturo Medina Melanie Mejia Sara Navarrete Alynette Navarro Pablo Paredes Ilse Ramirez Teresa Roblero Yudith Rodriguez Izabella Ruff Maria Sanchez Emily Tapia Carla Thompson Alyssa Vega Sarah Von Harringa
By: Celeste Ramirez
Buisness Manager
Madelynn Alvara Reporter
Ventura College Promise on the Money College freshmen receive financial help from Ventura College
The Ventura College Promise is a program funded by donors in Ventura County. This program is a first come, first-served basis. The promise covers the cost of Ventura College tuition per unit, cost of classes, health, and student center fees for the first year, according to the Ventura College website. To apply for this program, one must first apply to be a student at Ventura College online. October 1st is application opening, in order to gain access to the application for the VC Promise, one would use the username and password the school gives one when one enroll as a student. Something one
Ventura College Photo courtsey of Josh Bibian
should know about the promise is that food is in fact not covered. Students would also have to pay for parking permit or transportation, and books. Those applying for financial aid who are seeking additional money may do so through Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA). First, the
Through the Lens
By: Andrea Servin Editor-in-Cheif
Yudith Rodriguez Reporter
applicant would fill out the promise application and complete student orientation. Even though one can apply for financial aid through FAFSA, do not get confused - FAFSA and The Promise are two separate programs. The difference is that FAFSA is paid for by
the government and FAFSA may qualify for additional money above and beyond The Promise. FAFSA may provide approximately $5,000 in funds from the federal government for those who qualify. The Promise provides one year of financial assistance and is paid for by donors. Applying for FAFSA is a multi-year option that must be reapplied for every year. Being under the V.C. Promise is a great opportunity to begin one’s college experience and see if college is really for one at no out of pocket cost for tuition. Keep in mind there is a limit where only 1,000 students can be a part of this program - apply for one before it goes.
An overview of the Video Program offered at Oxnard High School
As the 2017-2018 school year begins, Oxnard High School Yellowjackets are welcomed back to the Hive with change in the air. Mr. Fundi Legohn who, for many years, led the OHS marching band, traded his baton for a lens. He is now the video program coordinator. Mr. Legohn’s video program benefits students who need to complete computer literacy requirements or those who simply want to expand their knowledge in the art of filmmaking. For many years, OHS did not have a real video program, but Mr. Legohn has brought the video experience back to the Hive and will certainly give it the
same excellence he brought representation.With this to the music program. in place, it gives access to A new concept OHS happenings that can he has been implementbe shared with people on ed includes the ability to the outside. stream video and present it “I look forward to putting through an online broadOxnard High School on the cast called Live at The Hive, map,” said Mr. Legohn. according Streaming to Mr. video is beLegohn. It ing used as a includes learning tool different for students segments to see and like sports, understand academthe different ics, and aspects Oxnard High School’s Video Program world of the director, Mr. Legohn events. media. Photo courtsey of Yudith Rodriguez The Accordprogram’s goal is to have ing to OHS senior Fidelthree shows a week and to mar Espinoza, students are make the morning anintroduced to new technolnouncements into a visual ogy and taught to work a
camera properly. Students also get the opportunity to meet new people with the same interests as them. Whether you already know how to work a camera or not, you can always count on the teacher for support. “Mr. Legohn is a cool teacher. He wants success for every one of his students, which I really like,” said OHS senior Anthony Gonzales. Mr. Legohn said “Those of you who have a creative nature and are interested in media, running a camera, editing video[...] Those are the students that I’d like to be invovled in telling the story of OHS.”
TEACHER PORTALS Ms. Itzel Alarcon English 1
“‘You are my other me if I do harm to you, I do harm to myself. If I love and respect you, I love and respect myself.’ It’s an old Mayan greeting and it has to do with the whole idea that we are all one and we are all united.”
Mr. Dustin Durran Math 1 and 3 “I’m excited to be a yellow jacket!”
Ms. Crystal Murillo Peer Resource “Understand that you’re not just a teenager, you’re not just a student, you a member of the community and that you do have the ability to impact that community and have a positive effect on our community.”
Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Quinteros
Master Sergeant Monica Hernandez
Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Instructors “Looking forward to “All students are always having a successful year welcome, not to just discuss in ROTC, helping students the ROTC program but if they out and helping them want to consider a military move on and be succareer or what it’s like to be cessful in whatever they in the military or any questions choose to do after high that they have, come on by we’re always open.” school.”
Thursday, September 28, 2017
YELLOWJACKETS
Grade 13
By: Anjenette Tadiaman Project Manager Arturo Medina
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Oxnard High School students discuss their thoughts on super seniors
Reporter
Being a senior in high school gives students authority over all underclassmen, or so they think, but being a super senior in high school is a different story. Super seniors are students who failed to reach the requirements needed to graduate on time, thus making them take more than four years to finish high school. At Oxnard High School, super seniors may be looked down upon by their peers as those who did not succeed. When defined in the English language, the word “super”, as shown in the Webster’s New World Dictionary, is defined as “greater or better than others of its kind.” However, the term super senior can come off in a way that is not flattering. “I feel like it has a bad con-
notation,” said OHS senior Adriana be what is commonly thought by Avalos. those who graduate Those who on time. have a negative “I feel like that’s connotation about kind of embarrassing these students may if the grade under also believe that you knew you were a super seniors do not year older, and now put forth full effort you’re in the same in their schoolwork. grade,” she said, but, OHS senior Jada on the whole, Avalos Johnson said, “They does not look down didn’t take it serious on super seniors beenough. I think it’s cause “I just see them really bad to be a as another student.” super senior.” Such a One OHS super perception may not senior, whose name is Anonymous Super Senior going by the name be fair, considprotected due to “Mr.Flores” Photo courtesy of Arturo Medina ering that these privacy issues, students are making an extra effort decided to remain in school and to complete their graduation reget the job done. This young man quirements, but nonetheless it may said,“I didn’t want to drop out. I’ve
gotten this far so I might as well finish.” He will be graduating in this year’s class of 2018. After high school, he plans to attend Ventura College. That, in and of itself, shows the power of staying, even in the face of peers who may see it as ‘embarrassing’. The student did not manage to earn enough credits during his sophomore year. He then was in the position of being with a peer group that was a year younger when he once again was enrolled in sophomore classes. He had advice for those who may be headed in the same direction: “Starting from freshman all the way to your senior year -- just keep up with your grades and make sure not to drop out.”
Beyond California’s Boarders
By: Malia Vallender Copy Editor Carla Thompson Reporter
Oxnard High School students discuss their summer activities
Kayla Koorndyk went parasailing in Oahu,Hawaii Photo courtesy of Kayla Koorndyk
@OHSthebuzz
The Buzz
Deciding where to spend one’s precious summer days can be daunting. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel, but some Oxnard High School students were fortunate enough to travel beyond California’s borders this past summer. OHS Junior Alex Tostado had the opportunity to travel to San Juan de Los Lagos, Mexico to visit family. “The most interesting thing I did while there, was seeing the town that I originally came from, ” said Tostado. While on his trip, Tostado went boogie boarding with his
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cousins and encountered marine life. He said he saw something close to him in the water that looked like a grey pancake. As it turns out, the mysterious creature ended up being a stingray as big as a table according to Tostado. “Then it just launched on my back!” Some students, such as OHS Junior Gabrielle Renteria, traveled further down the map. Renteria went as far as Europe, touring Paris and Italy for the first time. While in Europe, Renteria spent her time visiting tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum. She said she enjoyed seeing all the diversity and wants to go back to learn in depth
about the different culture Europe has to offer. Staying inside The United States, OHS Junior Kayla Koorndyk traveled to Oahu, Hawaii with her family. Koorndyk’s vacation was filled with various outdoor activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, and hiking. She said, “[Parasailing] was very scary because there was a shark swimming beneath us.” As they dipped in the water, Koorndyk and her family got close to the Great White shark, she added. Now that summer is over and autumn is here, it is time to hit the books. School may be in session, but these world travelers have the next nine months to plan their next summer adventure.
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YELLOWJACKETS
Thrusday, September 28, 2017 The Buzz
By: Maria Almaraz Online Editor
Back and Better Than Ever
Oxnard High School’s girls tennis team is ready to start the season with the racket in the right hand
As the Oxnard High School girls’ tennis team enters the 2017 season, it is motivated to work harder and to make it the best season possible. This year Ms. Itzel Alarcón joined the OHS tennis family as the head varsity coach. When OHS coach and English teacher Ms. Itzel Alarcon was asked by Coach Garcia to coach tennis she accepted because she really wanted to get involved in school. She wanted to make sure that she made an impact as much as she can on the students. Coach Alarcon said, “I think more than in the classroom the best way to [make an impact] is through coaching.” OHS senior and captain of the girls tennis team Celina Siu said, “I feel more motivated
FOOTBALL Ryan Caldera(12th) “I like playing football beacuse it makes me happy. Playing in the games and the adrenaline pumping, is the best feeling ever.”
Girls tennis team listening to instructions from their new head coach. Photo courtsey of Maria Almaraz
because [Coach Alarcon] pushes us more to work hard and to get stronger.” Coach Alarcon gave them a new sense of excitement for this season. Since the new coach took over the tennis team players feel like they could have a successful
season. OHS senior Mailyn Rea said, “We are more organized this year and everyone is playing better than they did freshman year. I feel like we have a chance at winning matches this year.” Although most of their season is still up ahead, the players are
still anticipating what is to come. “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how we do in each match because I feel like with this new coach we have a bigger chance of winning,” said OHS senior Mayte Ruiz. After winning their first match this season against Channel Island High School, with a score of 17-1, OHS sophomore Elizabeth Nguyen said, “I felt so proud of the team and I know this year we will put up a good fight, whether we win or lose.” The girls’ tennis team is back with higher expectations for itself. With a new coach, the team is ready to fight for the top place this season.
Sports Captains
VOLLEYBALL
WATER POLO
Daniella Sanchez(11th) “Being a captain challenges me to perform my best and reach my full potential. I will always fight for the best outcome.”
Keanu Pagano(12th) “One major responsibilty I carry as a captain is helping people with their basic water polo skills to help better their game.”
TENNIS Celina Siu(12th) “The toughest part of being a captain is trying to cater with everyones’ needs. I want to meet everyone’s expectations and provide a welcoming enviroment to the players.”
Fresh to Varsity
CROSS COUNTRY Bryan Sanchez (12th) “The major responsiblity is ecouraging people to do their best. Especially with new people because they’re sometimes doubtful of what they can do.”
By: Ilse Cruz Managing Editor Alyssa Fernandez Freshmen athletes discuss their experience playing at the varsity level Reporter It takes dedication and lantang who is on the varsity girls’ I have a lot of homework.” hard work for athletes to make it to volleyball team said, “A lot of the Even with the struggles that varsity their junior or senior year, time it’s pretty nerve-wracking come with the sport, some athletes, but some freshmen athletes already because there’s a lot of pressure on such as OHS freshman Natalie showed their coaches that they your backs and you don’t want to Mummrey would not trade cross have those skills. mess up.” country for another sport. Mum “Consistency and hard Another challenge is when mrey said, “It’s so fun”, everyone is work are crucial. If a freshman sporting events end late and fresh- so nice and I feel so accomplished works hard and shows they have man athletes who have yet to learn after I run and the girls around me what it takes to compete, they can how to manage their time wisely push me to do my best.” make the varsity team,”said Oxnard still have to do their homework Overall, the goal of some High School cross country coach afterwards. OHS freshmen Iskra teams is just to try their best and Cross country freshman Natalie MumCarissa Acre. Volic is currently on the varsity improve the most they can before mery displaying her medal at a track A challenge that varsity tennis team and said she faces this the season ends. Coach Arce said meet Photo courtsey of Celeste Ramirez athletes face is having more presproblem. Volic said, “It is very “My number one goal for the team beginning of the season to the end. sure on them to do their best on a hard, last week we had a game and is for everyone to try their hardest Making it to CIF is also a tangible varsity level with upperclassmen. I didn’t get home till 8:00 p.m. I’m and to not give up when they feel goal for us.” OHS freshman Naia Quiin all honors and one AP class and tired. Also to improve from the