“We
kind of understood each other without words,”
PC Woes
(full story on page 09)
12 Huntsmen
(full story on page 19)
The Double Use of Bathrooms
(full story on page 25)
VOLUME 32 | ISSUE 2 | JAN 2025
Rocklin High School
On his first day in office, Donald Trump saved TikTok. Whether or not we think it’s a good thing depends on how addicted we are to the app, or how bad we need Congress and the Supreme Court to help us quit cold turkey.
Congress’s reasoning for banning the app is simple, if speculative. TikTok, like many social media platforms, runs off a powerful algorithm that harvests user data and feeds them content that will keep them scrolling. The dealbreaker is that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is Chinese-owned and subject to Chinese laws. The danger, then, is that the Chinese government could impel TikTok to disclose the data it has harvested or manipulate its algorithm to influence American public opinion.
This has made an app popular for short and addictive videos into a national security concern. As of our writing this, the Supreme Court seems prepared to uphold the ban, recognizing that Congress’s interest in combating the security risk trumps any First Amendment protections enjoyed by TikTok
and its users. Many TikTok users can tell from their For You Page how well the algorithm knows them. Still, they keep coming back for more, and many are voicing their displeasure at the impending ban.
And TikTok isn’t the only algorithm constantly evaluating our preferences, purchasing patterns, and social networks. From Instagram to Google, tech companies have enormous influence in our lives. The majority of Americans get at least some of their news from social media. If the US government is concerned that China could leverage one social media platform to spread misinformation and sway the thinking of millions of Americans, that says something about how much sway those brief videos, and the corporations that curate them, have over our thinking. After all, how different is targeted advertising from targeted propaganda? What about the Elon Musk-backed ad campaign that spread targeted political ads that misrepresented Harris’ platform?
But there is another shortcoming, TikTok serves as a primary source of income for
influencers or marketing teams whose jobs revolve around social media. With the TikTok ban being put in place, hundreds of thousands of individuals will have to urgently find a new source of income, or switch to other platforms.
Platforms such as Youtube and Instagram are close to the popularity of TikTok, but have a vast difference in users and average time used on the platform. Influencers tend to have most of their following on TikTok, and there is a radical difference between their followers on TikTok and Instagram, where TikTokers with millions of followers can have only a few hundred thousand followers if not less.
Whether you’ve already deleted TikTok or are still holding out hope for its survival, think about the reason for the ban. Maybe it’s a good thing that a Chinese algorithm will no longer rule over your free time. But isn’t that true for any algorithm?
By: The Editorial Board
EDITORS-IN-CHIEFS:
Radian Hong
Milana Kozlova
Cassiopeia Le
SECTION EDITORS:
Cole Broumas
Shane Byron
Olivia Cruz
Bhoomi Kumari
Saraswathi Murugan
EDITORS-IN-TRAINING:
Micah Bielling
Kaelyn Cunningham
Ashley Kim
Cole Mccoy
Bailee Sexton
STAFF REPORTERS:
Kevin Feng
Evan Gordon
Tristain Gurkin
Brady Kretzmer
Emma Lewis
Varshuu Manojkumar
Carson May
Alexia Offner
Cecilia Shafer
Kaitlyn Tri
Audrey Tzeng
Tessa Wagnon
RHS has more Russian speaking students than ever but little support for them
When she first came to the US in middle school, Ekaterina Dorozhkina spoke almost no English. That didn’t stop her first American friend from trying to teach her, though she could only communicate nonverbally. Dorozhkina’s friend would talk in English until Dorozhkina made a confused face. Her friend would try again but with simpler words. If Dorozhkina’s expression didn’t change, they’d pull out Google Translate.
“At first it was hard,” Dorozhkina, who moved to Rocklin from Russia in the eighth grade, said. “We kind of understood each other without words. Thanks to my American friend I learned a lot of new words.”
Since 2020, the number of English learner (EL) students at RHS has nearly doubled. A substantial portion of the newcomers are students from Russian speaking countries, many fleeing war or mobilization after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In the 20202021 school year, there were zero Russian or Ukrainian-speaking English learners at RHS. This school year, there are 13. This makes Russian-speakers the second largest English learner group at RHS after Spanish-speakers.
School staff were not equipped to deal with this sudden influx. While Whitney High School has a Russian-speaking aid, there are no Russian-speaking staff at Rocklin and no plans to hire any, said district English learner coordinator Sarah Soares. RHS’ EL program is “adequately staffed” as of now, she said. As it stands, Russian-speaking students are often placed in English Language Development (ELD) classes with Spanish-speaking and other English learner students with little direct language instruction.
“You do the best you can with gestures being basic, or I have other students with the language help,” said RHS ELD teacher Adrienne Tacla. She said ideally the school would have a “newcomer program” to teach EL students the basics of English for at least half the day, but there simply isn’t the staffing for that. Instead, the school has simply added an additional section of ELD to accommodate the increase.
“They're not getting a lot of that really long, consistent language development,” Mrs. Tacla said.
JRussian-speaking students are now the second largest of English learners at RHS EL students by native language
1. Spanish / 26
2. Russian / 11
3. Farsi / 4
4 Vietnamese / 4
5. Ukrainian / 2
All other / 17
unior Alina Turdubaeva came to the US in July 2023. Her brother moved first because of mobilization in Russia, and the rest of her family followed for better work opportunities. Born in Irkutsk, Russia, she had already moved over 5,000 kilometers to Moscow. But now she was moving to a new country with a radically different culture and
- The number of EL students at RHS has increaced by nearly 94% since 2020
- In 2023, 9% of RHS English learners met standards for ELA and 18% met standards for math
Chart: Russian-speaking English learners enrolled at RHS by year
“We kind of understood each other without words.”
Ekaterina Dorozhkina
language than her own.
Unlike Dorozhkina, Turdubaeva had learned some English from private courses and social media.
“I knew English a little, but it was hard to speak at first like to explain where I need to go or what I need,” she said.
During Turdubaeva’s first year at RHS, she took mostly ELD classes.
“Mrs. Tacla really helped me when I came, but for Spanish-speakers it’s easy because most of the teachers speak Spanish but not Russian,” she said.
Dorozhkina said she spent most of her time in her freshman and sophomore ELD classes sleeping. “We didn’t learn anything, they help you but we just kind of talked in class the whole time,” she said.
Tacla relies on students who are more proficient in English to help those who are not.
Students close to testing out of ELD classes are often one of the only ways teachers can communicate with Russian-speaking students. “They're usually very helpful, and I have students who are really good at teach-
“We’re tied to significant world events, and our population is affected by that.”
-Ms. Tacla
ing as well,” Mrs. Tacla said.
It can take anywhere from one to three years for newcomers to learn English to a level at which they are ready to take mainstream classes, depending on how much English they know coming in, she said. While the school does its best to get them to graduate with the credits they earned at other schools, it isn’t always possible.
“A lot of them have had high-quality school-
ing, but for some of them, if they come as a junior or senior and they don't have a lot of credits, then they may not be able to get a diploma,” Mrs. Tacla said.
Mrs. Soares said many Russian and Ukrainian-speaking students arrive with strong transcripts, so graduating them is usually not an issue. In addition, there are specific provisions in place for those who arrive later in high school to help ensure they can get their diploma, she said.
Though she knew almost no English when she came to the US in middle school, Dorozhkina now only takes regular classes, which she finds more interesting, she said. Unlike many EL students who eat lunch in Mrs. Tacla’s classroom and stick with other speakers of their language, Dorozhkina now has more English than Russian-speaking friends.
“There are more Americans who are much more interesting to talk to,” she said. “There are of course Russians who are studying
hard but it is much more interesting for me to talk to people who care about learning.”
Talking with her friends has helped to improve her English, she said.
“I understand words, but when it comes to
speaking, I forget certain words,” she said. “But when people speak to me I understand.”
She said that subtitles and extra time would help her and other English learners better keep up in mainstream courses.
Dorozhkina said that she wishes she could “read more English books.” Although the library has recently acquired books in Russian, she said she wants to be able to read them in English. She has an A in her language arts class, but usually has to read the novels in her native language, she said.
Often, Ms. Tacla’s job is just as much about acclimating students to a new culture as it is teaching them. From Homecoming week to senior activities and sports, newcomers often have no idea how to navigate the American high school system, she said.
“There's a big cultural divide as well as a language divide,” she said.
The numbers of EL students at RHS have been slowly increasing against expectations, said Mrs. Tacla.
“It really depends on what's happening in the world,” she said. “We're tied to significant world events, and our population is affected by that. I'm hoping at some point we'll get more support for our newcomer students, but until then, we kind of just do what we do and we try to do our best.”
She said students should try to put themselves into EL students’ shoes.
“These kids are just like kids anywhere,” she said. “Some of them like school. Some of them don't like school. And then you have to think of some of them want to be where they're from. And that's hard.”
Even before the War in Ukraine, Sacramento and the areas surrounding it have prospered Slavic communities. According to SlavicSac, roughly 80,000 Russians and Ukranians live in the Sacramento area region, not including people of other Slavic origins.
Reasoning for such a large amount of Slavic immigrants goes all the way back to the late 1980s, where many Ukranian immigrants began moving away from the Soviet Union to California for the pursuit of religious freedoms.
Because of this many Slavic community churches have opened up, such as Bethany church and House of Bread. With these new churches numerous Slavic immigrants choose to move to Sacramento because of the familiarity of culture and community
By: Milana Kozlova and Radian Hong, Editor-in-Chiefs
Alongside churches it is also common to see many European markets or Russian stores in the area, that sell food and other products from Eastern Europe.
With the War in Ukraine numerous Ukrainians seeked refuge in Sacramento and now call the U.S. their home due to the community churches raising money for these individuals.
Silver Chain from Skate Shop Air Pod Max fron Apple
styling themselves this fall and winter?
In the world of fashion, where trends often come and go, some principles remain timeless. One such style strategy is the “seven-point-outfit” formula. This approach encourages people to build a visually dynamic and balanced outfit, which elevates even the most basic wardrobe choices into an intentional look.
At its center, the seven-point outfit helps with the idea that every element of an outfit can contribute to the overall look. Each item — whether a jacket, shirt, or accessory — carries a value to the outfit. The end result is an outfit that neither feels underwhelming nor overwhelming.
Crew
How it works: you start with the foundational pieces — a shirt, pants, and shoes. Typically it is then layered with a jacket or cardigan to add more depth or texture. Accessorizing is the main way to achieve all seven pieces. You can add a belt, some jewelry, and a head accessory like headphones or a headband. After combining all these items, you end with seven clothing items on your body to help achieve a more sophisticated look.
For example, a simple black bodysuit with a pair of jeans and boots — it’s simple and cute, yet there is much more that can be added to spice up the look. Layering a vest or cardigan along with jewelry and a
fun hairstyle with a simple belt can help you achieve all seven points of your outfit. Freshman Shea Beloud said, “layering can make outfits look better cause it adds kinda sophistication.” This once simple outfit is now elevated to a much more refined look with each element of the outfit working in harmony.
This fashion trend is very versatile and timeless. So whether dressing business casual or for a fun night out, this formula will never let you down. It encourages layering with purpose and helps people stray away from over-accessorizing.
Ultimately, this outfit is about helping people bring out creativity in their outfits and building an intentional balance. By understanding how each item contributes purposefully to the outfit, anyone can take a basic outfit and elevate it to a more polished ensemble.
As summer begins to fade into fall, the weather along with our outfits begins to shift. The airy flip flops and lightweight sneakers of the heat of the summer make way for shoes that help define the essence of fall in their design as well as the cozy feel they bring. Among many footwear staples, the ones that really help capture the spirit of autumn are Uggs, Adidas Sambas, and Birkenstock Boston Clogs. Together, they help bring each fall outfit its own blend of comfort, practicality, and seasonal style.
Few shoes feel as synonymous with fall as Ugg boots. They have a soft wool interior and a neutral suede exterior, ranging from sandy beige to chestnut brown, and embody the fall feeling. The simplicity of their design allows them to go along with any fall outfit you have in mind. The mini and ultra-mini Ugg boots can pair easily with jeans, sweatpants, and leggings alike. Uggs bring out a sense of warmth and relaxation that can be carried out throughout the day.
Adidas Sambas bring a fresh energy to fall fashion. This year-round classic and low-profile sneaker found its way into the nostalgia of the fall trends. The classic black and white design along with the many other colors to choose from help compliment the neutral muted tones of fall. Freshman Shea Beloud said, “Sambas [are] an easy shoe
to put together with an outfit.” They offer a subtle contrast to the chunky knits and oversized jackets with their athletic and sleek look. Sambas lend a feeling of effortless cool to the season’s wardrobe, perfect for a stroll or a simple sneaker for school.
The rise of Birkenstock Boston Clogs has cemented their place as an autumn favorite. Their slip-on design along with earthy materials like suede and leather mirrors the season perfectly. The cork sole furthers the autumn feel as well as provides maximum comfort. These shoes can easily be paired with fall essentials like wide-leg pants, flannels, and cozy tops. They are a versatile shoe that can go with any fall event.
These shoes do more than just provide comfort during the fall season — they help elevate and tie together the whole autumn outfit. Each with their own style and shape, they all bring that autumn charm everyone looks for to complete the perfect fall outfit.
By: Ashley Kim and Kaelyn Cunningham, Editors-in-Training
The computer lab recently has been dealing with issues of theft. PC parts are being destroyed and even stolen.
“We tried to tally it up at the end of last year and it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000,” said RHS computer science teacher Paul Werner. Fortunately, they have a CTE grant that funds the computer labs and Chromebook repair center. This saves them from paying too much out of pocket, but this won’t last forever.
“We have 12 PCs in the back [repaired].” Werner stated thankfully not losing many in the process. Mr. Werner missed a lot of days last year due to unplanned issues going on, and substitutes had to cover his classes. Often, students would risk trying to repair PCs and end up breaking them, while others stole parts thinking they were unused. Chromebook repair student Phoenix Cole said, “One day when there was a sub in the
class, four kids were in the back playing Mario Kart the whole period, that’s how chaotic it was.”
The PCs that were broken didn’t really affect day-to-day class function, “but it really affected the opportunities [the] clubs had after school and on weekends,” Mr. Werner said. Mr. Werner often buys replacements for the stolen or broken parts through Amazon Basics. Using this method is easy and cheap, he said.
These PCs were also used in RIOT, another of Mr. Werner’s classes. In this class, they learn about how to take apart the PCs and reassemble them. This leads to more parts breaking because some students aren’t careful. It’s very hard to see when a student is playing with the computers because they are behind a sort of bar wall area which limits the vision of people trying to protect the computers.
“Somebody put a penny inside one of our graphics cards,” said Mr. Werner. This broke the graphics card by shorting it out, rendering the part worth $100 or more, useless.
Currently, Mr. Werner’s room is very locked down now that he is back, and only authorized people can handle more expensive equipment. Locks were put on all repaired PCs to stop kids from touching them. Students in Mr. Werner’s class try their best to repair the broken parts. Mr. Werner puts these breakages into the cost when applying for the CTE grant. “We know that there will be breakage over time, but it was just more than normal,” he said.
By: Evan Gordon Staff Reporter
“So we decided to just start from from ground zero, and make sure we do everything correctly”
-Phoenix Cole
Anyone can start repairing chromebooks in Mr. Werner’s room. Repair student Phoenix Cole said that the easiest way to start is “just to show up to FLEX for Chromebook repairs and ask somebody who is experienced with it [to] pretty much guide you through the process.” After a student checks in their broken Chromebook, a repair student will grab it from the repair bin and get to work. To become official, a student would take quizzes on Google Classroom to make sure they are knowledgeable. Newer student can use a master document with links to tutorials for the different repairs to learn, said Cole.
Turning in a Chromebook for repair is something that we all do but repairing it is easier than we think. Anyone can start repairing chromebooks in Werner’s. The easiest way Cole said “…would to just be to show up to flex for Chromebook repairs and ask somebody who is experienced with it, and guide you through the process.” To become official though a student would take quizzes on Google classroom to make sure they are knowledgeable about the subject. After a student checks in their Chromebook a repair student will grab the broken Chromebook from the repair bin and get to work, newer students can use, as Cole said “a master document, with links to tutorials for the different repairs that you can do.”
Losing a winning streak, especially one that spanned over a decade, is a tough blow for any team. Rocklin High School’s (RHS) Mock Trial team has long been a leading team, but in 2023, for the first time in 12 years, they failed to advance to the state level.
Mock Trial is a competitive program that simulates a criminal trial. Each team consists of
around 14-18 students divided into two Groups: prosecution and defense. Every year, a case packet is released detailing a fictional criminal case, and students fill roles as attorneys and witnesses to prepare for the trial.
Up until recently, RHS Mock Trial had not faced particularly strong opponents, and according to Chelsea Jones, the Mock Trial coach, this often led to a pattern of procrastination, with many cases being prepared just a month before competition. However, as the mock trial team continued to compete, their rivals in the county became tougher, raising the stakes for the team’s performance. Coach Jones said that “iron sharpens iron.” She said she believes the team’s losses will only make them stronger as they continue to grow and learn.
Starting in 2023, the team first had to rebuild nearly from scratch, after the majority of the team who were seniors graduated. The team replaced almost all of its members or had returning students take on roles they had never done before. Senior captain Sofía Gutierrez said, “We always think that next year we won’t have enough people.” But each time, she’s pleasantly surprised by the turnout and dedication of new members.
In 2023, a significant number of students from the RHS theater program joined the team, which shifted the dynamics. Historically, mock trial and speech & debate had shared many of the same participants, with both groups relying heavily on strong speaking and argumentation skills. Coach Jones admits that without these foundational skills, there was a bit of a learning curve. However, the theater students also brought impressive acting abilities and memorization skills that proved to be very beneficial to the team in the long run.
Despite the team’s growth, they faced their second loss that year by a narrow 10 points. Ethan Dufour, one of the newcomers, felt disappointed by the outcome. However, he soon came to realize that the loss wasn’t the most important takeaway. “It was okay [that we lost] because of how close the team became,” he said.
Defense attorneys Joey Tippets and Andrew John take notes during their scrimmage against Jesuit High School
“We are a winning team at the end of the day no matter what.”
This season, the senior members and coach Jones implemented several new changes to put the team on track for success. First, the team welcomed a new attorney coach, RHS alumnus Johnathan Ogata. With his guidance, the team has been able to learn and discuss new skills that they’re eager to apply in future competitions. Additionally, the creation of a junior varsity team is also new this season. Coach Jones said she’s focused on “creating opportunities” for all students, and many of the JV members have shown great dedication and passion for the mock trial team.
Annotated case packets are scattered along the desks of the attorneys
Despite the challenges, Gutierrez remains confident. “We’re a winning team at the end of the day, no matter what,”
By: Varshuu Manojkumar, Staff Reporter
So, you want to be a lawyer?
Well, out of 17 Mock Trial students, over half would say no!
Planned Fields of Study for Mock Trial Students
Why do STEM-oriented students particpate in Mock Trial?
Ibraheem Tariq, Senior Attroney
“I enjoy being someone I’m not, like an attorney in this case. It’s fun to get out of my comfort zone.”
Victoria Gutierrez, Witness
“To keep myself rounded because I also enjoy acting and Mock Trial is a good way to practice that.”
Arjun Azad, JV Attorney
“To improve my confidence with public speaking and to learn more about how justice is carried out in the U.S.”
It’s nighttime in Florida and a 14-year-old boy sits in his room, alone. In front of him, a screen. He types a message into a chat and sends it, then quickly receives a response. The response is from an AI Daenerys Targaryen, from Game of Thrones, saying it loves him. That boy was Sewell Setzer III, who would later end his own life with the encouragement of the AI. As AI has advanced and become increasingly mainstream, it is sometimes marketed as companionship to those in need. It is also being used to exploit and hurt them. As people worldwide start to form attachments to these machines, it’s important to understand AI, why people become hooked, the consequences of attachment, and how to prevent or help those who are.
AI relationships in all forms have become increasingly prevalent in the modern world. With Character AI, for example, a user can create an AI relationship mimicking a therapist, a friend, or even a lover. According
to the BBC, there were more than 100 million downloads of romantic relationship chatbots on the Google Play store alone. Ryan O’Donnell, the video production teacher at Rocklin High School, has had experience with AI chatbots. “The teachers, the staff that I was showing to were weirded out by it tremendously. It didn’t know us personally, or knew the context of anything, it just does those platitudes or whatnot. But a lot of people were just sort of shocked by even that it had memory.
“It can be compared to a drug at this point.”
- Liam Moore
The staff members were really freaked out because they saw the potential that this is fake relationships.” This lifelike interaction can lead to serious implications. Liam Moore,
a sophomore at RHS, said, “It could end up being fairly bad for all types of people, especially if you get somebody that’s super knowledgeable about it.” This heavy reliance on and fascination with AI can cause people to become enthralled, leading to addiction.
The problem is that AI relationships have reached the point of addiction for some
individuals.
Moore said, “For people that don’t actually have a relationship, the reason they’re so addicting is that they need that humanesque connection, but if they’re not getting it normally, this is the only way. And then they keep using it, and then it becomes a human and that becomes their only source of interaction. And then it just gets worse from there.” Brody Hacen, a sophomore at RHS, agreed. “People don’t have anyone to talk to, so they’ll just talk to the AI, and the AI will tell them to do bad stuff,” he said. With one in ten Americans reporting that they feel lonely every day, it’s clear that loneliness is exacerbating the issue and making people susceptible to manipulation and harm.
These addictions can lead to dire consequences for those involved.
Setzer, the kid who ended his life due to AI, had become addicted to AI and started to distance himself from friends and family. As the AI consumed his life, his grades dropped, he became moody and distant and stopped being himself before he ended his life. AI addiction can also lead people to become susceptible to manipulation, such as the AI character that encouraged Setzer’s suicidal thoughts. Moore said, “It’s terribly dangerous. It makes you not see the world as it is, and you start getting in too deep into this, and you start not becoming as human, because you’re not speaking to humans.”
With 13.2 million adults having seriously thought about suicide and 1.6 million having attempted suicide according to the CDC, having an attachment to an AI is particularly
dangerous. Especially AI that won’t provide help for suicidal thoughts but instead actively encourages them, undermining the user’s physical and mental health.
What can we do to prevent people from getting hurt by the manipulation and addiction to AI? “Essentially just more human connection, more groups that can set it up. Like set you up with friends that you can interact with, instead of these robots that you’re having trouble with. Human connections are the foundation of life,” Moore said. O’Donnell shared that regulation and restrictions on a governmental scale could be helpful. “It has to be a combination of government policy with those major policies that are out there. I don’t like it, the fact we’re giving these monopolies even more power, but I think that they need to be working hand in hand with the government to try to be able to put these things in place,” said O’Donnell. Through a combination of personal awareness and more stringent regulations, the worst consequences of AI relationships could be mitigated and eventually eliminated.
By: Jason Cardanini, Staff Reporter
How to protect yourself/ Know the signs of AI
- Don’t share personal information
-Understand what you’re talking to
-Do background checking to understand if it is AI
-Pay attention to inappropiate content
-Think critically, not emotionally
-Avoid Character AI and other AI’s that don’t provide help
-QR codes for info about AI
Sources by “22 Top AI Statistics & Trends in 2024” by Forbes Advisor and “ Lonliness Is Plauging Americans in 2024:Poll” by us news and world report
Many students at Rocklin High School (RHS) share a passion for music, but not all want to join band or choir. But thanks to Shawn Spiess and his course Recording Arts and Commercial Music (RACM), students are able to express themselves through their own style of music. Mr. Spiess said in RACM they’re “trying to look at various aspects of the entire music industry. From getting hands-on experience through digital recording, to the business side of it.” Various aspects of the class include live vocal recording, instrumental recording, and digital work done through Logic Pro. Logic Pro is a software that allows you to record sounds, organize patterns of music, make your own melodies, and so much more. These software are called digital audio workstations (DAW), and they are used by almost every artist nowadays.
In RACM, you get hands-on experience with using this technology in a studio setting. The class is filled with stations, all spread out through four connected rooms. These stations come with a Mac Mini, which is the computer used to power Logic Pro, a keyboard, and a microphone.
RACM student Christian Sperling said,
“It’s fun, it’s exciting, [you can] put some beats together, you got some people to help you with that, and make some lyrics together. It’s pretty fun.”
“It’s fun, it’s exciting, [you can] put some beats together, you got some people to help you with that, and make some lyrics together. It’s pretty fun.”
- Christian Sperling
RACM also teaches students how to properly use the equipment, set it up, and shut it down. One of the first things taught in the class is how to identify different types of cords and what they’re used for.
“I didn’t know anything about cords when I joined the class,” said Sperling. “Like
all the wiring and everything that goes into it. It’s more complex than people think.” Another skill that is taught early on is how to start up the equipment in the correct order. It may seem basic, but when dealing with very expensive tools, this is an absolute must-learn process. This class teaches every fundamental of pursuing a music career.
RACM student Evan Britton said, “If I started to make music in my future, then this just really lays down the foundation of everything, and it’ll kick start all my knowledge.”
Mr. Spiess said he plans to enlighten his students on the business side of music as well. This course embodies all necessary aspects required to make a career out of music, or even just as a hobby.
Taking a music class might sound intimidating at first, but even with little music experience, the class can still be enjoyable. Mr. Spiess is confident that students “don’t need to be a musician to be doing editing,” he said. “You have to train your ear to hear nuances. But the more you’re working with the softwares, with the DAWs, with the hardware, with the technology, the better
You don’t have to be a musician to be in the class,”
- Mr. Spiess
you’re going to get at it.”
RACM is filled with students who come with years of music experience to absolutely none at all.
“It’s just really interesting to learn the behind the scenes on how music works, and doing it yourself. It’s even better viewing your finalized project.”
- Evan Britton
No matter the experience, everyone in this class will walk out with a numerous amount of new skills learned that could help them with their future. Sperling said, “People are influenced by music, and I feel like people should go out there and try it themselves.”
By: Brady Kretzmer, Staff Reporter
Each Station Has Equipment Such as:
1
Mac Mini - The computer used to power Logic Pro
2
Rode Microphone - A microphone used for recording vocals and instruments
3
Keyboard - Used for making sounds, melodies, patterns and more
Scan this QR code for free top shots all taken by students in Rocklin Media. If you love photography and are interested in being a future photojournalism student, you can contact jrubinstein@rocklinusd.org
The curtains opened on the Rocklin High School fall play, the “Twelve Huntsmen,” on Nov. 13. Magical apples came to life and told Brothers Grimm fairy tales with a creative spin. The audience saw a finished product of about two hours long. What many will never get to see are the months of work that went into this play.
All plays start with the audition process. At RHS, the audition process changes based on the situation. Senior Ben Sackinsky is a student director in the RHS theater program, meaning it was his job to help cast the “Twelve Huntsmen.”
“We had 60 kids audition, so we had to pull from those kids and call [them] back for roles,” Sackinsky said. At callbacks, students auditioning then had to read sections of scenes and were judged on their acting skills.
After this, the cast list was released. The cast then moved into the next stages of blocking, staging, and set design, in which cast members figure out where to position themselves and how to move around the stage during their scenes.
“...the whole show will just crumble,” -Ben Sackinsky
All of this happened very early on in the year so that the actors would have enough time to prepare themselves for the final shows. Since August, the cast rehearsed for two hours after school each day, Monday through Thursday. During tech week, in which technical elements such as sound and lighting are intro-
duced to rehearsals, the actors rehearsed for three and a half hours after school each day.
Putting together a two-hour-long production is no easy work. There are several components that are very important in order to put on a successful play. RHS sophomore Gavin Blank, who played the roles of a storyteller, Eddie the giant, and a servant in the play, said that cues were instrumental. In the theater world, cues signal another actor when it is time for their line or entrance. Blank said, “If you don’t have your cues down, it will kind of kill the show, because it’ll just be so much more of a slower pace.”
Of course, people can still occasionally miss their cues, in which case Blank said experienced actors usually try to help out or cover the mistake by using ad libs. These are improvisational lines made up on the spot. Blank
recalled a time when someone missed a cue during the musical last year. “Somebody didn’t come on. We were waiting for almost a minute, and we just had to fill that space with ad libs. But nobody noticed,” he said.
Another important factor that contributes to a successful play is cast dynamics. RHS senior Ashton Chiang helped to run sounds and lights for the “Twelve Huntsmen” and was also cast as Prince Karl and a storyteller. Chiang said important things to having a successful play were “being able to get along with the people you’re working with, [being] very open minded, [and being] open to changes.”
Sackinsky agreed with the importance of having “a cast that is connected and willing to work. Because if you don’t have that, then the whole show will just crumble.” In order to ensure the cast has close relationships, Sackinsky said they have “cast bonding days where we will do pump-ups, which means that we have hype sessions.” He compared these days
to a team huddle for a sports team.
Whatever role they play, many people in theater have formed strong bonds through the program. Chiang said, “I love the people. I love the environment. All of my friends are in theater, and I love working with them.” Both Blank and Sackinsky also emphasized how welcoming and supportive the community of theater is, with Sackinsky saying the theater has a “family feeling.”
“If you ever need a place to go, the theater is your place,” Blank said.
By: Audrey Tzeng, Staff Reporter
RHS senior Cassiopeia Le is one person who works behind the scenes to help the play come together. She designs the show programs and posters for the play. Le first got into doing this last year through theater student director Ben Sackinsky. “I had class with him last year, and I think I mentioned that I do graphic design,” she said. She offered to help Sackinsky work on a poster for the play “Shadow of A Doubt,” which she had a lot of fun creating.
Since then, Le has been designing the posters and show programs when she has time. It may sound simple, but because of planning, each poster or show program usually takes six to eight hours to create. Additionally, she has to be sure to communicate with Sackinsky to make sure her product is conveying the message he wants it to. “Honestly, if I knew what it was gonna look like beforehand, it would probably only have taken me an hour to make…” Le said.
Le’s work on the posters and programs shows how many people do not realize the amount of work that goes on in the background. “I think a lot of the time we only see the finished product. No one really ever sees behind the scenes,” Le said.
An ordinary day at Victory High School begins and ends the same way. Principal Scott Hutton stands beside the gates of the school, greeting large groups of students as they flow in. A casual fist-bump or high five or a simple good morning is the first interaction victory students have with their staff/teachers/administrators.
Some days it’s Mr. Hutton himself and other days it’s another staff member. But regardless of who it is, Mr. Hutton said he believes it is important for students to feel seen and supported by staff from the moment they step on campus to the moment they leave it.
Victory High School, part of the Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD), is not your typical high school. As a continuation school, it serves students with unique academic needs. With smaller class sizes, and a focus on individualized attention, Victory provides a more intimate environment where students can thrive.
What sets Victory apart is its distinct approach to mental health. While many schools offer basic counseling services, Victory has made mental health a cornerstone of its educational model. Mental health activities, guest speakers and regular assemblies fill the calendar, and the staff’s commitment is palpable. “Every single teacher cares,” says Kylie Johnson, Victory High School Senior. “Every single teacher wants to build a connection with every student, whether that be in the classroom or outside the classroom”.
portunities for students to engage in group discussions, connect with counselors, or participate in ASB-run events. “It’s not just about academics here. I never had the best mental health experience in other schools, but as soon as I came here, I felt a relief…I felt that connection and that bond, and it really impacts how I look at school,” Johnson shares.
(socio-economically disadvantaged, foster youth, and English learners) rates of 70% or higher. RUSD’s rate for the 23-24 school year is about 24%.
Every two weeks, the school organizes a mental health activity or an assembly focused on well-being. There are many op-
This commitment to holistic support is something Victory has honed over time. While Rocklin High and other traditional schools in the district have made strides in offering mental health services, there is still a lot to be done. In fact, as part of a larger initiative to improve mental health services across the district, RUSD has begun working on a roadmap to expand these services by the 2024-25 school year. The district applied for the Community Schools Implementation Grant, but unfortunately, Rocklin Unified was not selected. Funding was only awarded to districts with student populations
“ ”
Kylie Johnson
However, there’s hope. In applying for the grant, many low, or no-cost ideas were introduced. The recent mental health space on campus is a great example of recent efforts to increase mental health services. But Victory, in its own regard, may offer some insights into how Rocklin High School, and other schools in the district can improve. Victory’s mental health program isn’t just a collection of services: it’s embedded in its culture. The school illustrates it’s not always about providing more resources—although that certainly helps—it’s about making mental health part of the everyday school experience.
While the focus at Victory is undoubtedly on academic achievement, the mental health and emotional well-being of students are
just as important. It’s a holistic approach that Rocklin High, despite its advantages, could learn from. Reflecting on the school’s culture, Kylie Johnson says, “We are a community. We are a family. We just want to get our education and move on and be set up for success. And victory really does that for us”.
Victory offers itself as an inspiring blueprint as schools in the District seek to improve mental health services. A culture that focuses on making students feel valued everyday, not just in times of crisis, is an approach that can create a more connected and compassionate community for all students.
By: Saraswathi Murugan, Senior Editor
Broadway, NYU, and musical theater come to mind when Emersyn Hunt, a sophomore at Rocklin High School (RHS), thinks of her future. Her ambitious goals are ones that she has been dreaming of her whole life.
“Growing up, my grandpa would always be playing the guitar and singing to me when I woke up, and that, I think, sparked my first love for music and singing,” she said. “From then on, every time a show would come on and people would start singing and dancing, I would just look at the TV and think, that’s what I want to do.”
Hunt made attempts to branch out by trying sports, but those attempts led her to the reali zation that musical theater will always be her favorite thing.
“Nothing matched the love I have for per forming,” she said. “I’ve always known that this is what I want to do.”
From the time her passion for musical theater started up until now, she has been working
hard to accomplish her goals. “Years ago, I got into this musical theater community theater, where I did my first show, and I just remember having so much
Ambitous students of Rocklin High School who are shaping their futures through hard work and passion “ ”
Fast forward to the present, and Hunt is still performing in shows and is currently working towards her goal of attending college to study musical theater. “I have vocal teachers and dance teachers that have connections with people that work in New York with well known colleges like NYU for musical theater,” she said.
Hunt is also a part of the Rock lin Community Theater where she takes a variety of classes and performs in shows, her most recent one being “Mean Girls” in which she starred as Regina
Above all, Hunt said her life goal is to be happy and to make other people happy. “I feel like the only way to achieve that is by doing something that I really love to do, not just something that I partly like,” she said. “I think it’s really important to give something a shot, even if it fails. Taking risks in your life ing to make you happier than playing it
I find this study to be really profound, math
Mateo Lopez, a senior at Rocklin High School, dreams of working on the big whiteboards, doing academic research, and making history in the field of mathematics.
“I was always interested in science, math, and understanding how the world works on a
Paper planes, the airport, and becoming an astronaut are what interested Arathana Nagarajah, a junior at RHS, at a young age. “Since I was little, I’ve had an interest in avionics,” Nagarajah said. “I was never a car geek, I was a plane geek.” She was obsessed with building paper and model planes. This early passion of hers has since turned into her life goal of becoming an aerospace engineer and attending an Ivy League college.
To accomplish her goals she has dedicated her high school years to clubs, APs, becoming a tutor, tournaments, and getting her pilot’s license. She is currently enrolled in six AP classes which involve “a lot of science stuff like, physics, APES, and computer science.”
She also started a robotics club with a few of her friends. “I put in a lot of time every week building the robot, then we go to tournaments once a month. Recently, we qualified for a state level competition.” Along with her robotics club, she is a part of the debate team.
research program for mathematics. Stanford is my dream,” he said. “Having good math teachers has helped me solidify my goal and envision what it would be like to study and profess math.”
Lopez’s ambitions require a great deal of hard work and that is exactly what he is doing. He says, “I read books on math fields to enrich my own understanding for that pursuit.” Taking a variety of challenging AP classes has also been an important step in progressing towards his goal.
“I’ve become pretty involved in a math competition club,” Lopez said. “I’ve taken a significant role in creating a curriculum and getting us to do competitions.”
He works hard outside of the school year as well. This summer, he attended the Summer Science Program where he learned about astrophysics, which requires a lot of math. In addition, due to his extensive knowledge and passion for mathematics, he has become a paid test writer for Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society. “I reached out to the national math organization to see if I could become a competition writer for them, and they agreed,” he said.
level that you can quantify,” Lopez said. Though he has always had a love for mathematics, it was only more recently that he solidified his goals for his future. “I want to go to a school that has a good
“I find this study to be really profound,” he said. “Math is very meaningful.” He has found that not many people realize how interesting and valuable math can be, another reason he wants to study mathematics. “I want to do work in the future to kind of help bolster more public understanding of mathematics because it is an important factor in understanding the world,” he said.
“
I am very passionate about it and it has never been something I’ve had to force ”
Outside of school, she has been working towards getting her pilot’s license. “I want to learn how to fly so I can better understand the basics behind aerospace engineering,” she said. She also has become a tutor for special needs students through an organization called We Embrace. “That’s something that I started doing a couple years ago and I’ve really connected with the stu dents,” she said. “I do this twice a week and I really love it.”
When Nagarajah’s workload becomes too much, she said she sometimes finds herself wondering why she is taking so many classes. But she said she can easily push through the stress because she is doing what she is truly passionate about. “Everything I do
makes me happy and is helping me get where I want in life, so I enjoy it,” she said. “My goals are important to me because pursuing aerospace engineering as a career would make me really happy. I am very passionate about it and it has never been something I’ve had to force.”
By: Olivia Cruz Senior Editor
Teachers at Rocklin High School (RHS) have learned this question can mean more than one thing. Many students take extended bathroom breaks to get out of class without getting caught.
RHS freshman Youseff Ishak said, “I’m just bored in class and I feel like I need to take a break and just walk around.” Because of the block schedule, RHS has long 80-minute class periods. Assistant principal Mike Pappas said, “Kids need to be engaged. They need to be doing things.” He congratulated the teachers at Rocklin for doing their best to provide engaging activities and lessons to help with the ongoing problem of boredom in the classroom. “You could have the most engaging lesson possible, there’s still gonna be kids who are gonna ask to use the restroom,” he said.
“If you were to miss, I’d say, 10% or more, you will definitely see a decline in academic success because really being present and
Students all know that the bathrooms are a prime spot for skipping class without getting caught
engaged is so important in the learning process,” he said. According to the California Department of Education, about 10% of RHS students were chronically absent in the 2023-2024 school year, meaning 10% of students missed more than 10% of the school
Chronic absenteeism at RHS reached a high during the pandemic, and rates remain slightly above pre-pandemic levels according to the most recent data from the California Department of Education. “I think in fifth grade, when COVID was big, I was just
“I use the bathroom as a skip to not do the work.”
- Youssef Ishak
year. On the other hand, Ishak said, “I feel like [skipping] has a small effect on [my grade], not that much, because I always do my work when I go home, and that’s usually when I want to do my work, like homework and assignments.”
bored in class, but then my friends told me they just skipped class in the bathroom,” Ishak said. “So I tried it, and it helped me.” During the pandemic, there were easy ways to get out of class, such as lying about WiFi problems. But now, students are struggling with staying focused in class and don’t have
the option to simply log out of their Zoom call.
Teachers see a very different side of the skipping problem and how to deal with it. RHS Spanish teacher Mary Navarrete said she takes note when students take a long time in the bathroom. “I might make a comment when the student comes back, trying to not embarrass them because it’s a bathroom could be a personal issue, but just to let them know, like, ‘Hey, I’m aware that you did take longer,’” she said. She also said she is fine with letting students go to the bathroom as long as “they’re not missing when I am introducing a new lecture essential skill, you know, something that’s highly important that I don’t want to have to repeat or possibly forget to tell them.” But some students still worry if their teacher is noticing their
By: Kaitlyn Tri, Staff Reporter
Graphs taken from a study by Robert Balfanz and Vaughan Byrnes, The Importance of Being in School: A Report on Absenteeism in the Nation’s Public Schools. Johns Hopkins University, 2012
When you skip school or a class, how often do your parents or guardians know you skipped?
How likely is it that you personally will fall behind in your classes if you skip this much?
For many high school students, the decision to transfer schools is a personal one driven by a mix of academics, social connections, and sports. Two students from Whitney High School (WHS), Luciana Daly, a sophomore, and Kaleigh Morasci, a freshman, made the move to Rocklin High School (RHS), each for different reasons.
There are two middle schools, Springview Middle School and Granite Oaks Middle School, that feed into RHS and WHS. Most kids go to the school they are zoned for by where they live, but many transfer.
For Daly, there were two main reasons she wanted to transfer.
“I wanted to transfer to Rockland for their good volleyball program, and because a lot of my friends go here,” she said.
As someone who loves her sport, the opportunity to be part of a more competitive volleyball program was a big motivator. But the decision wasn’t just about volleyball. Daly had a very difficult decision because one of her best friends, Claire Curtis, a sophomore at WHS, was not allowed to transfer. Curtis’ parents didn’t want to take her to the further
away school, said Daly.
The process of transferring wasn’t as simple as just packing up and moving to a new school. Daly had to take multiple steps to even be able to put in transfer papers to RHS. “I had to put in a transfer request for the Whitney school, and I had to go to the Whitney office and have Mr. Collins accept my request, and then I was able to go to Rocklin and turn in my trans-
“He was bummed that I wouldn’t be going to Whitney. But a lot of people are transferring” -Luciana Daly
fer,” she said. Despite the paperwork, Daly was determined to make the move, knowing that RHS would provide a better high school experience for her.
Morasci’s transfer process was less complicated than Daly’s, taking only a paper submission and “a month to come back.”
Similarly, Morasci’s decision to transfer to RHS was influenced by her friends and the level of play of the volleyball program. Morasci realized she wanted to transfer in “eighth grade because [she] realized all [her] friends are going there and that the volleyball program was better at Rocklin,” she said.
Like Daly, Morasci took both friends and sports into her decision to transfer. Morasci’s friends going to RHS “were happy,” Morasci said. She had more friends going to RHS than to WHS. This contributed to her transfer to RHS, where she could continue to get closer to friends while growing in volleyball with amazing teammates and new coaches.
The stories of Daly and Morasci reflect a larger trend in the Rocklin area — students seeking not just academic success but the right environment for their extracurricular interests and social lives.
By: Tessa Wagnon, Staff Reporter
Being a teacher and a coach requires lots of time and sacrifice. Although it is another responsibility, many love seeing the faces they are familiar with in the classroom and continue building relationships with their student athletes, getting to know their personalities in a different way. You guide the students in the classroom and athletes on the field, feeding knowledge in their minds, and developing skillful players to the best of their ability. Multiple teachers on Rocklin High School’s (RHS) campus take on the challenge of coaching the sport they love.
Mr. Kirk, a well respected JV coach and math teacher, has been teaching and coaching at RHS for 29 years. When talking about his favorite part of his job, he answered, “seeing kids grow, the team come together, and obviously, getting victories.” Many coaches believe that seeing the students progressing, and beginning to build crucial relationships with others, is one of the most important parts. This makes them feel like they are doing their job correctly and it allows players to enjoy their season. For the majority of Mr. Kirk’s coaching career with the Rocklin JV football team, they have been successful under his arms.
Mr Kirk also likes to play other sports
like golf. This is fitting because coaching football and also having to teach can be very stressful, meanwhile golf is a relaxing sport.
All teachers have to coordinate and have a good balanced schedule, prioritizing time management, and being a coach maximizes this. Mr. Eckenburg, the athletic director and tennis coach, says it’s the “mental part
of things” having to grade, leaving early for matches and setting up practices. “Using your time wisely” , he says, is a very crucial part because teaching takes up most of all teachers’ time.
After school teachers have to go straight to practice so they don’t get home till late at night. This results in many teachers having a deprived amount of time, or having to skip school on certain days to attend those crucial games or matches. When asked what his favorite part of coaching was, he said watching the players “develop” from freshman year to senior year, and seeing how they change as people. He adds, “[Being able to] watch the growth of our athletes becoming young men and women, it’s just really fun.”
Mr. Eckenburg is all in when it comes to sports. Such as officiating basketball for the last 35 years, coaching his little kids basketball and baseball teams. The atmosphere is quite different in the classroom compared to sports, Mr. Eckenburg enjoys joking around with the classmates but many of the students aren’t phased by this. Compared to his athletes there’s a lot more back and forth banter. This is showing a lot of athletes are there to have fun and enjoy being coached under Mr. Eckenburg. He said, “you get out there to the practice field or have to leave early for a match and it just gets you off track a little bit. and having to come back and do your grading.”
Mr. Eckenburg describes this job as not easy, tiring, and the heavy workload. But he would never regret the experiences from both teaching and coaching.
Fall sports coaches are reaching towards the end point of their seasons, and crunch time is on the rise. Many could consider themselves feeling burnt out, but Mr. Taghavi, a math teacher and Varsity football coach at RHS, says this time of year before Thanksgiving break is the hardest because you have no breaks and on top of the teaching aspect there is football in the way, and playoffs are coming up.
Mr. Taghavis favorite part of the coaching role is the competition. Seeing all of his players put in the hours of work during practice and seeing how prepared all of his players are. He considers it “fun” to compete and challenge yourself and see the product in the end. When asking Mr. Taghavi, which time of the year is the most challenging, he has a straight up and confident answer, “this exact time of the year because, as a teacher it’s the hardest time because you get no breaks.” this exact time of the year is the very start of the year when both math class and football is in session for Mr. Taghavi. After thanksgiving break things start to cool down because he
By: Tristan Gurkin, Staff Reporter
There’s heroes and there’s legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” - The Sandlot. In October of 2005, officer Matt Redding was hit by a drunk driver while on duty. Redding grew up in the Placer County area, graduated from Del Oro, and then joined the Rocklin Police Department. He served 4 years, was very involved in the swat team, and even received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) award given to the officer with the most drunk driver arrests. Redding sadly died at the young age of 29, and his death left a huge hole in the community.
Today much of the community honors and remembers the life of Redding and all he did for it during his time on the force. Rocklin, Del Oro, and Whitney High School each year pay their respects by hosting annual sporting events paying homage to Redding. Del Oro and Rocklin play the Battle of the Shield game which takes place every year when these two teams face off. Then the following day, Rocklin and Whitney’s baseball programs come together for the communal event of the Halloween costume game.
Police Chief Rustin Banks is also a Del Oro alumni and long-time Placer County resident. For the Battle of the Shield, Banks has the honor to talk to both teams and share the “Importance of the game that they’re playing in, and just remind them of why we do that.” Banks spoke about Redding’s life and how he was involved in the community, but most of all he talked about Reddings character and the type of person he was.
Banks said that Redding exemplified a balance of performance and character and expressed to the team how they should strive for that. He said if the players strive to do that, we can honor Redding’s “legacy of the life that he lived while he was on this planet, the person that he was, the servant that he was, and how much he meant to this community.”
Senior and varsity baseball player Troy Ueltzen played during the annual Halloween costume game. Many local figures and businesses came together to put on this event. Ueltzen said, “I think we’re out here to have fun and to just have a fundraiser for [Redding] and do stuff for him and honor him.” The fundraiser is for the Matt Redding Foundation, which helps graduating seniors with scholarships so they can have an excelling future in college.
The baseball team was able to meet with Banks and hear what he had to share about Redding. “Obviously you have the ability to do good stuff if you play baseball and if you’re really good that helps,” said Ueltzen, “but it’s just who you are as a person that can just help you a lot in the long run.”
The team was able to walk away with the win, defeating Whitney with a dominant performance. “I think as a team, we had collected the bats, played solid defense, did the things that we could control, and think all around it’s a great game for the program,” said Ueltzen. Though the baseball season has not started yet, based on this performance, the team has a solid lineup and looks forward to using the momentum from last year to
carry over into their upcoming season.
The Battle of the Shield took place at Del Oro this year and ended with a Thunder victory 35-14. The team had a great first half, putting up 28 points. Junior and varsity football player Josiah Andrews said, “You know, you see the score, 35-14 we came up with a victory. I think we kind of let off in the second half. But, you know, we got to get back to work and work harder.”
The game is another way to honor Redding, since he was a Del Oro alumni and a Rocklin Police Officer. Before the game started, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office flew in the game ball by helicopter, dropping off an officer onto the field with the ball. The winner of the game was presented with the shield by Banks.
“I think we honored him,” said Andrews. “Well, both teams, we both competed, and you know, it was for Matt Redding. It’s just a game for him. And we all competed, worked hard, and had fun out there.”
By:
“
Remembering the legacy of not just an awesome and truly remarkable police officer but an amazing human being
-Rustin Banks
To further their academic and athletic careers, Rocklin High School (RHS) seniors Mackenzie Murphy, a varsity libero, recently committed to Oral Roberts University, and Garrison Blank, a varsity left tackle, committed to UCLA. These students are an example of the top 6% of high school athletes, and many people do not know what it takes to fulfill their dreams. Aside from her family, teammates, and coaches, Murphy said, “I get my motivation mostly from myself and my parents, and I put a lot of effort into trying to be my best.”
mom. “Just seeing her trying to provide for me and do best for my family as a single mom was huge when I was growing up,” he said. Blank put his motivation into athletics and academics because he wanted to have a better future for his family and himself. Additionally, Blank’s teammates and coaches hold a special place in his heart. “My teammates and coaches have pushed me really hard. My best friend, Henry, has pushed me the hardest, and my coaches as well, and they’ve gotten me to where I am today.”
One of Blank’s coaches, coach Ehsan Taghavi, believes that Blank put in a lot more work than he was credited for. “Everyone sees the six foot seven frame, everyone sees the 315 pounds, everyone sees the movement. What they don’t see is the work he’s put in since he got on our campus four years ago,” Taghavi said. “It takes a lot of work to get there, and I’ve seen the growth, and Garrison wants to live up to his potential, and that’s what I love about
Perseverance is the key to success. Taghavi recalls that Blank did not have the best sophomore year. Despite the setbacks during sophomore year, Blank was able to push through and continue to work hard. “I can go down
the street and pick out a couple of six to seven kids who are 300 pounds. They’re not going to UCLA because they’re not willing to do what Garrison has been willing to do to earn that spot at UCLA.”
When asking what it takes to get recognition from athletic departments, Taghavi said, “I think a lot of kids are realistic. Am I physically ready for the next level? Whether you’re a top tier guy or a bottom tier guy, you’re gonna work your tail off. You’ve got to put the work in, whether there are college coaches there to watch you or not. You have to put in the work when no one is watching you. That means, if it’s the dead period, are you going on your own to work out? Are you going to seek extra training on your own, or to get extra help on your own? A lot of the times kids are just waiting. Hey, I see a college coach walking by to watch practice. Now I’m going to give effort, and that’s not the way it works. You’ve got to put in the time on the clock whether someone’s watching you or not, and then academically, you’ve got to be eligible. The better your grades are, the more likely you are to be a qualifier, and the more colleges will be able to accept you. There’s an opportunity cost to being an athlete, regardless of what sport you’re playing.”
By: Emma Lewis, Staff Reporter
chieving the dream of competing at the collegiate level is an incredible milestone for any high school athlete. For Mackenzie Murphy and Garrison Blank, seniors at Rocklin High School (RHS), that dream is now a reality. Murphy has committed to Oral Roberts University for volleyball, while Blank will play football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Murphy emphasizes the importance of perseverance on the road to success. “My advice would be to always work hard and do your best at everything, and you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to,” she said, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that shaped her high school career. For Blank, it’s not just the wins but the relationships that have defined his time at RHS. Having graduated early to begin his collegiate journey at UCLA this semester, Blank reflected on what he’ll miss the most. “I definitely would say to cherish memories with your boys and your teammates,” Blank said. “I’m only going to be in high school for three and a half years, so I’m not going to be able to finish out the rest of my senior year.” He also emphasized the fleeting nature of high school. “[Time] goes fast. Everyone told me it’s going to go fast when I was a freshman, and I blew them off and was like, yeah, right. Then it kind of does go fast, so just cherish it,” he said.
Over the past four years, both athletes have
created countless memories that stand out to them. For Murphy, it was a team trip to Hawaii. “My favorite memory with my team is probably when we all went down to Hawaii for a tournament. We had a lot of fun going to the beaches and just exploring down there,” Murphy said.
Blank’s most treasured moments revolve around championship victories and rivalry games. “Last year, winning a section championship was by far the coolest memory,” he said. “Just going to Sac City and winning with the boys was hella fun. That was a really big deal.”
Games against Granite Bay High School hold a special place for Blank, not only because of the rivalry, but also for the personal connection. “Each year, there are games that stand out to you. For me, I love playing against Granite Bay. I know the coach there, so any chance to beat those guys is always fun. You get bragging rights,” he said.
The electrifying atmosphere of home games is something Blank also cherishes deeply. “The quarry bowls are always fun. Each game, especially home games when the Storm is extra rowdy, like the quarry bowl, or senior night or things like that … when the band is doing their thing. Those are all just amazing experiences I live for.”
As Murphy and Blank prepare to transition to the next chapter of their athletic careers, their
reflections highlight the importance that hard work will always pay off, and to savor the journey.
By: Emma Lewis, Staff Reporter
If you’re on any social media platform, especially Instagram or TikTok, you can barely scroll without the algorithm showing a GRWM (get ready with me) video. At first glance, those don’t seem too bad. Maybe you’re even jealous of the girls who have their entire shower stocked with Bath and Body Works soaps and Tree Hut scrubs (sometimes I catch myself feeling jealous too). However, when you look at how many unnecessary products these influencers have, it’s shocking.
We’re
constantly bombarded with ads and messages telling us that buying more stuff will make us happy, but it doesn’t really work in the long run. We just keep wanting more.
RHS junior Olivia Griffin said, “We’re constantly bombarded with ads and messages telling us that buying more stuff will make us happy, but it doesn’t really work in the long run. We just keep wanting more.”
According to NPR, “The U.S. government has presented consumerism as a way out of crisis or decline.”
Buying things has always been an emotional cushion for many, but now it’s getting out of hand. It’s almost something to do when you’re bored, like being on your phone.
Griffin said, “It’s easy to get caught up in the feeling of buying things, especially when it feels like everyone else is doing it.”
Online shopping is still somewhat new and has been gaining popularity. According to Statista, more than three-fourths of American consumers have shopped online. This
has led to an increase in purchases and rising consumer debt as credit cards are used more frequently.
Overconsumption can lead to decision fatigue, contributing to stress. This can either lead to mental health issues or, in many cases, make the shopper buy more.
Easy ways to lower the rates of overconsumption could be buying second-hand items, like thrift shopping. It’s one of my favorite hobbies — I recommend going with your friends! You can also donate your old items to help others avoid buying everything brand-new.
Julian said, “If we could just swap or share things with each other, we’d be less focused on buying new things all the time.”
By: Bailee Sexton, Editor-in-Training
As RHS junior Gracie Julian said, “It feels like every influencer has a whole new collection of things just to make their lives look more perfect, but really, it’s just more stuff to maintain.”
These types of videos are trendy, and consuming these products is disguised as self-improvement. These videos are instrumental in helping well-known companies remain financially stable. For example, Stanley videos are still trending, specifically those about people purchasing ‘add-ons’ and filling them with snacks. Half the reason you don’t see Stanley commercials often is that consumers do the marketing for the company, whether they know it or not. Because the products are disguised as useful, products and influencers are doing the company’s job; this can cause higher rates of consumerism.
“Brandy Melville” is a prime example of impeccably branded consumer culture because of the company’s ability to create an exclusive image with a solid positive appeal to teenage girls. The company’s clothes are unisex, fitting the paradigm of the brand well. They get rid of any clothes that are not in vogue. Financially speaking, this strategy creates a culture of rivalry and prestige since teenage girls make a point of owning clothes from Brandy Melville. The brand targets teenagers and employs social networking sites together with the portrayal of real-life yet appealing role models to tempt teenagers with a fashionable and popular lifestyle through the consumption of the brand’s commodities.
Brand names are crucial because they are basic ingredients of a brand image, making a lasting emotional impact in people. This way a strong brand name not only differentiates the business from its competitors but also defines the aim and the principle the business was created for. Whether it is a name as powerful as Nike, suggesting power and action, or Amazon, suggesting vastness and variety, a good name will spark curiosity and make the brand easier to relate to in the eyes of the consumers and therefore easier to trust.
Therefore, short and specific names can easily stick in people’s minds, thus making brands familiar. This is why brands that nail their names often have an added advantage — they become popular brands that can circle around generations.
In essence, Bath & Body Works encourages consumerism by invoking the consumer’s five senses with the products it sells, with emphasis on young consumers. Periodic trendy seasonal collections — such as holiday scents or a ‘blast from the past’ scent — will make teens crave the scent lest they miss the limited opportunity of sampling it. With their attractive and bright packaging, stands, and different scents, shopping becomes enjoyable, and clients stick to the brand. Moreover, promotion techniques such as buy three, get one free are in tune with the teenage perception of gaining optimum value during e-commerce on trendy products. This marketing strategy not only draws teens into frequent purchases but also fosters a sense of personal identity and belonging tied to their favorite products, making Bath & Body Works an integral part of their self-expression.
Most popular brands amongst teenagers in the US (2024)
“Nothing matched the love I have for performing.”
(Check out the full story about Emersyn Hunt on page 23)
1/20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1/31: Heavenly Dance 2/17-2/21: President’s Week 3/8: Junior Prom 3/12-15: Addams Family Musical 3/21: Sadie’s Dance