The Flash
Disney Homecoming Spirit Week
11-12
9
4
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Print Issue #1 November 2013
FF ASH ASH The
19-20
Visit us at www.rocklinhsflash.net to keep up with the lastest news from the Home of the Thunder
Rocklin High School Jouranlism www.facebook.com/rocklinhsflash
@rocklinhsflash
Pictured on cover: Tucker Gandy as Peter Pan and Javier Lopez as Jafar before the Homecoming pre-game show.
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13-14
IN This Issue
1. Table of Contents
12. homecoming spirit week
2. Table of Contents
13. College Road Trip
3. Schoology schucks
14. College Road Trip
4. Struck on thunder hill
15. Rocklin by the numbers
5. Who’s in your draft
16. Reviews
6. Are we exceptional?
17. English Learners
7. Step right up
18. Ask Ally Advice column
8. Aelish Guinn Q&A
19. Rocklin 13.0
9. Post It Secrets
20. Rocklin 13.0
10. Got A Secret Can You Keep It?
21. Students of the week
11. homecoming spirit week
22. Rocklin art
Staff writers: Elias Alba, Shelby Boyajan, Kaleb Branderhorst, Toby Dyas, Courtney Harper, Adiranna Havey, Faith Holloway, Leilah Lockett, Sarah Lovejoy, Rachel MacMaster, Emily McCrary, Sawyer Milam, Katie Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Jasmine Passey, Caitlin Payne, Cassie Reilly, Melanie Seyfried, Megan Sunde, Lydia Tahraoui, Aubrey Wilson, Sabrina Wilson Photojournalists: Breanna Baptista, Destinee Czub, Michayla Decker, Alyx Stone, Brooke Sutton Editor in Chief: Alina Holtsman Co-editors-in-Chief: Rhiannon Chuter Davies Liz Vasquez Blog & Coverage Editor : Julie Schwarzkopf Photo Editors: Halle Williams Emma Foster Design Editor: Aubrey Butte
The Flash is a public forum produced by students for students in an attempt to inform and entertain its audience. Journalism students have the final authority for any content found in this publication. The Flash Staff encourages letters regarding content to constitute a constructive avenue for student opinion. Letters should be directed to the newspaper’s email, rhsflash@gmail.com. Rocklin High School 5301 Victory Lane Rocklin, CA 95765 916-632-7498 rhsflash@gmail.com Adviser: Casey Nichols
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Schoology Schucks
Students find flaws with Schoology
T
echnology is everywhere, that much I know. I also know that I have limited technological abilities. However, Schoology just seems to be out my reach. I had something due in English a little while ago, but the day before it was due, I still needed to get the Turnitin.com class registration and password off of Schoology. I’ve had no problems getting the website so far, so I thought it’d take five minutes at most to get the Turnitin information. When the Schoology page popped up, I typed in my RUSD e-mail and password, which has successfully gotten me logged in before. It said I had the wrong username or password. Thinking it was my mistake, I retyped it. Wrong again. Typed it in AGAIN and it STILL was wrong. I kept trying it in, watching my fingers go to each letter, yet it still taunted me with the red box explaining that what I typed in was “unrecognizable.” I cannot explain how frustrated I was. I clearly know my e-mail since it’s comprised of MY name and I know my password. Not to sound super angsty, but Schoology really was trying to screw me over. Eventually, I just clicked the “lost my password” link and it asked what I wanted to have my password be. I put in the same password as it was before, not that it should’ve mattered since the password said it’d go back to the “old” one in 24 hours. Luckily, I was able to turn in my assignment on time, no thanks to Schoology. Fast forward to just a few days later and I went to Schoology. Typed in the EXACT SAME username and
password I used when I desperately had to get on, and what happens? It worked. On the first try. I didn’t always dislike Schoology though, in fact, I actually thought Schoology had its perks when I found out I could be an administrator. Being the captain of Mock Trial and copresident of Picnic Club, this ability would definitely come in handy. To tell the truth, when I became an admin, I was using Schoology way more often thinking that I had more abilities and
By Julie Schwarzkopf
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Comic by McKenna Teigland
could even add students to my groups! Of course that didn’t happen, but literally the only thing that changed was that I could add resources for students. Only that. What a letdown. However, I will give it some credit in the fact that students who are often missing school, much like me, can see the notes and homework. That’s about the only positive thing I found. If I hadn’t missed so much school, then I definitely wouldn’t use it as much as other students claim to use it.
Thunder Hill Strikes Again
Rocklin students are often involved in car accidents
O
ne of the many pleasures of being an upper classmen is having the ability to drive. However, many new drivers can be unattentive. Drivers may go over lines or accidently run a red light, and when worst comes to worst, these mistakes will cause car accidents. Car crashes happen all of the time with teenagers, especially during the minors’ first year. And yes they happen even here with students on the Rocklin High School campus. Lets put this into reality, imagine yourself waking up for school and you just realized its 7:20. You are rushing through your room trying to get dressed, pack a lunch, say bye to your parents before jumping into your car to go. You are about to turn into the parking lot when you realize you forgot to look for bikes. You turn your head quick just before the light turns red, but as you turn your head back you are t-boned by a car turning the same way you were going. This same scenario happened to current senior Chantel Sheppard, and graduated alumni, Niko Duvekot. “It all happened really fast! After I
turned, I kinda saw that the car wasn’t going to stop” said Nico. He said he caught the car out of the corner of his eye and couldn’t react fast enough. It happened in a blink of an eye.
“After it happened, I was just really stunned. I was really worried I’d look around and see blood everywhere like the movies, but it wasn’t bad” Nico said. Chantel had a little different experience. Coming down thunder hill she was checking her blind spot to turn towards the parking lot not realizing the light was about to turn red. “I didn’t see the other car until it was too late” said Chantel.
“I thought the car was on fire because I saw and smelt smoke. I started to hyperventilate and then I blacked out. No one can prepare you for that type of accident.” You can’t be prepared for an accident. No one knows how to be prepared for such a huge event. In a recent RHS survey, it reported that 69.9% of students have not been in an accident, and 30.1% have been in-
Teens at
Risk
The crash rate for 16 to 19-yearolds is 2.7 times higher than drivers of all ages
ALL ages
Graphic by Adam Grimmitt
16-19 year olds
volved in an accident. Even though the percentage of students not involved in a crash is high, this still goes to show you that everyone is at risk. By Aubrey Wilson, Jasmine Passey
“I was drving through an intersection and another car slammed into the side of mine. It was freaky for me because it was the first time i’ve ever been in an accident. At first I didn’t know what to do so we pulled off onto the side of the road and I called my parents. Eventually we called 9-1-1. The worst part was that I didn’t have my car for two weeks.“ -Maddy Lent
“Maddy and I were driving to the mall when we were hit by another car. When we were going through the intersection by Black Bear Diner, another teen driver turned right on the red light straight into our car. He hit the passanger door where I was sitting, so it freaked me out. We pulled off to the side and hit the hazards.” -Ally Lent
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DRAFT?
Who’s in your Fantasy brings out competiveness in friends, family and teachers By Courtney Harper, Sawyer Milam
F
or years guys have argued with their friends, yelled at the their rival team on the big screen when they won a league, and cheered when the player they are rooting for won the game. This is all because on September 2, 1981, fantasy football was founded by a now defunct Maria’s pizza parlor. This created a whole new perspective on football and how the sport is watched. Friends argue about their fantasy football leagues The league is run by a Competing with friends is not commissioner who designates a point the only plus to fantasy football. system for the players that are drafted. Betting and winning money makes The draft can be one of the most competing in fantasy football even stressful decisions because one never more competitive. The amount of knows how a player will perform or if money depends on how many people they will get injured and/or are forced to are participating in the league and miss a few games. how much is put in at the start of the On a typical fantasy team there is a season. Bets range from $5 to $25, quarterback, two running backs, two and at the end of the season, the receivers, a tight end, a defense and winner can receive up to $70 to $100. a kicker. Each position earns points for “I get to choose my favorite the team in different amounts and ways. players, compete with my For example, a running back gets friends, and I always win,” a point for every ten yards he runs, a Devin DaCosta said. quarterback gets a point for every 25 The competition between some yards throw and a defense gets points friends can increase when a player that for interceptions, sacks and fumbles. a person wants is stolen. In the draft, Many of the leagues are run by players can be stolen when a person family members, such as dads, picking above another in the draft order or friends and colleagues. Many selects a player that the player drafting teenagers pick up fantasy football after him wants. For example, junior because of the influence of being Max O’Rourke stole Dez Bryant from in a league with their dad and they junior Blake Laurin. participate in leagues with their friends. “It sucked because he’s my favorite “My dad and I started a league player and I wanted him on my team,” together when I was younger Blake said. and now I’m in a league with my Students are not the only ones who friends,” Brady Mays said.
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take part in this football competition. Many of the staff here at Rocklin High are in their own leagues. Mr. John Kirk, Mr. Michael Trejo, Mr. Craig Waechtler, Mr. Ryan Spears, Mr. Dan Pereira, Mr. Michael Wagner, Mr. Dale Eckenburg, Mr. Geoff Clarion, Mr. Matt Bumgardner, Mr. Jeff Underwood, Mr. Michael Pappas, Mr. Ryan O’Donnell, Mr. Paul Werner all compete together in their own fantasy league. “It’s a great way for over-age, balding, beer-bellied men to discuss football like they were way back when,” Wagner said. Like students, the teachers have been in a league together for many years and hold records for their wins, losses, and never fail to talk trash to one another for how badly their team played the night before or for how addicted one is to their league.
“Mr. Bumgardner lives and breaths fantasy football, he most likely ignores his wife, he doesn’t eat, he doesn’t sleep, he just watches football,” Mr. Clarion said. All joking aside, these leagues connects friends, young and old, and gives guys, and even girls, that extra competitive attitude. Fantasy football brings about a competitive nature and creates a bond between friends, family, and colleagues.
Roclklin teachers keep their draft board in the L building hallway
Are We
Exceptional?
The US continues to play the world police in national affairs
R
ecently, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation posted an article in the New York Times voicing his opinions on America’s plan of action in Syria. The article is attracting considerable attention, especially due to the fact that in it Putin disagrees with President Obama’s views regarding the exceptionalism of America and its policies. Many people are criticizing the Russian leader, saying he insulted the American people. To some, his opinion appears to call us average or common. Most Americans, however, would like to consider themselves special in some way. Some would even consider themselves above or more important
than citizens of other nations. Personally, I completely agree with President Putin. His message is one of equality and global unity. We are not the most important, most powerful, or best nation in the world. Even if we were the world’s leading nation, a leader who considers themselves superior to their followers is unfit to lead. We are a part of a global community, and as a part of that community we must obey the standards as well as contribute our fair part. The United States has long held the reputation of the world police. We stick our nose in conflicts we have no part in, and have no good reason to
become a part of. In Syria for example, it is apparently in our “national interest” for Bashar al-Assad to be overthrown in favor of a group of rebels and their friends al-Queda. We have no right to get ourselves involved in this war, and supporting either side is simply wrong. The rebels did ask for our help, but they are being assisted already by al-Queda, so that should be enough for anyone with common sense to deny their request for help. Our allies are all opposed to action, and help would likely come only from the terrorists behind 9/11. We should not blatantly ignore the decision of the U.N. as if we were better than the other nations. If we don’t listen to our allies then what’s the point of having them at all? Exceptionalism is not something that should be encouraged like this on such an immense and impactful scale. We can’t remove ourselves from the global community when we disagree with them and expect them to support us when we need them to. So are we exceptional? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean we can allow ourselves to consider ourselves as such. By Elias Alba
@Rocklinyearbook art by: McKenna Teigland
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Step Right Up Last year’s seniors may be gone, but their legacy lives on in the theater
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by
n the 6th of June, we waved goodbye to all of the outgoing seniors. We all thought that we wouldn’t see them again, and that they were off to take the world by storm. However, some of the seniors decided that their legacy wouldn’t end with just a brick in the hallway. Liam Sterbinsky, Bailey Walatka, Madi and Alex Crossland, Garrett Bank, Kay Elliott and Melissa Richards took their legacy one step further and wrote their own play, “Depravata,” now playing in the Katie Taylor Memorial Theater. I interviewed writer Bailey Walatka on the inspiration behind the new production and actress Laura Kelly, portraying the “poor kid,” with her take on the play. KM: What everyone’s wondering: What is Depravata actually about? Bailey: In a literal sense, it’s a group of old circus performers who are waiting for a new group to replace them. In a more theoretical sense, it’s about the corruption of society and how sins can consume a person. Laura: Basically, there’s a group of kids who go to the circus, and a few know that something is fishy. KM: How do you think the theater program will do without all of last year’s seniors? BW: I don’t think it will be the same without us, but it’s like that every year. The seniors move on, and the new seniors take over. There are some very talented people in the theater program and I trust them to do a good job. LK: They were so good, but it happens every year. They all leave eventually.
KM: How do you think this year’s theater kids are going to perform? BW: I haven’t seen the cast list, but I trust Toepke to make the right choices. LK: I think that there’s a lot of talent in the new freshmen, and they’ll bring their talents to the table. KM: How would you describe the characters? BW: They’re creepy, smooth talking, seductive, entertaining; the kind of people your parents warned you about but once you meet them, you can’t help but get to know. LK: They’re mysterious, but there are definitely a few that are pure comic relief. KM: Was any one person responsible for the idea, or did you collaborate from the beginning? BW: I don’t really remember if it was one specific person’s idea, but it came from a lot of people with interesting ideas. It was a very collaborative process. KM: What is one thing that you want to see come out of this play? BW: I want it to be a successful show because it was very important to all of us to see it in all of its glory.
Depravata opens on the 30th of October and is playing through Saturday, November 9th. 7
Q&A
Water polo star leads team to league title, playoff run
with Aelish Guinn
Are you playing polo in college?? I definitely am going to and have been on 3 recruitment trips so far, but I have not decided yet. I’ve narrowed it down to Princeton, UC Davis, Santa Clara, and UOP. You were recently featured as a KCRA athlete of the week. Describe this experience. It was definitely an honor to be selected. I did not know that I was picked until the night before, when Mr. Stewart told me. And it was pretty crazy having a news crew come and film my teammates and I in the weight room and in the pool. But I’m really glad I was able to talk about my team and water polo in general!
You beat Del Oro in a crucial match to clinch league. What’s next for varsity WP? We have another big game against Nevada union. They lost to both DO and GB, but we definitely cannot underestimate them. If we win that, then we just have Roseville left and we would be SFL league champions. The last time Rocklin Girls water polo won that title was 2005, and we have already locked up our spot in sections! You’ve been involved in an olympic development program? How does it work? ODP program is a series of tryouts and selections. It starts in the central CA zone (there are 3 CA zones and then 3-4 outside of CA) and then goes to a regional tournament for all of CA where the top 60 of each age group are selected to go to a National training and selection camp in Southern CA in May. Here the top players are selected for further camps
and traveling national teams. How has it helped you become the player you are today? ODP has allowed me to be coached by excellent coaches from all around the country and has allowed me to play against and with the best players that are my age in the country. How many years have you been on varsity? This is my fourth year playing for varsity. Your mom is more involved with the water polo program this year. How does this affect you? My mom is in charge of dryland training for all girls and helps out with the jv team. I get to be around her more and talk about polo. What sport would you play if you didn’t play WP? Outside of polo and swimming, I would play basketball. What is most important to you in your life outside your sport(s)? My family and school. What is more important to you academics or athletics? Definitely academics. What are your team goals for this season? We want to pick up our communication skills, so we can run plays more effectively. Our biggest goals are to win league and go to sections. What position do you play? I play everything, offense and defense, but my speciality is playing hole-set. By Ally Lent
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Post-it Secrets
9
Got a
SECRET students skip through stories to read post secrets
Students at RHS are obsessed with reading our juicy post secrets. Many will skip through the whole magazine just to read them and throw out the issue when finished. 83.3% of students like the post secrets, and 68% consider the post secrets to be the best part of the Flash. These secrets can be dark, silly or strange but all have one thing in common. They all bring about feelings of excitement, desire and lust in each and every one of us. Why?
“They are quick and easy to read.” -Beth Knight ”People just like knowing stuff. Its interesting and they can be funny,” - Angela Hong “You feel normal when you read them because you realize you aren’t the only one with problems.” -Sarah Knight The post secrets provide a quick and easy read that allows us to catch a snapshot of individual student’s lives. They help us unite as a school and allow us to relate to one another anonymously. Students like the post secrets because they are not just the world’s stories, they are our stories. By Emily McCrary and Rachel MacMaster
CAN YOU KEEP IT?
69.3%
students like post secrets best
70%
students read the post secrets
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Kayla Zellars class of 2010 was part of the dance team when Rocklin first had its original Disney Homecoming. The 2010 dance team purchased mickey ears which was extremely expensive. So this time around her younger sister, Kendall Zellars class of 2014 had her mom make mickey ears with supplies paid for by the team, a much cheaper solution. Seniors had blue ears and the rest of the team had white. Kyra Mitchell, Emily Masnica and Natalie Migdal are pictured while they enjoy the halftime firework show with their fellow dance teammates.
Disney Homecoming
Photo credits: Christy Effendie and Ellie Doyen
W h e n Y o u W i s h Up
o n A T h u n d e r b o lt Thai Nguyen takes 2nd place for the sophomore class. “I kind of expected to win first being the big disney fan that I am,” said Thai Nguyen.
“Andre Sandridge was giggin’ it at the rally,” said Chantel Sheppard
Gabby Riecken steps out of a convertible and is greeted by her prince and school president Zach Quittmeyer.
of in
d
Zach Robinson, senior, takes first for homecoming spirit day dressed as thunderman. Lindsey Erl, sophomore, takes second as a thundermobile. And Maddy Lent, senior, takes third as a spirited ginger. “It has been my high school dream to place on spirit day. When Kendall told me I got third I was really excited. I plan on being first a different time this year,” said Maddy Lent. Seniors take the lead in overall spirit points by the end of the week.
Spirit Week Lizzie Jones and Gabby Riecken dress up as Rapunzel and Cinderella for Disney day. “People told me I actually looked like Miley Cyrus. I didn’t know whether to take it as a compliment or not. I had a headache at the end of the day from the buns on my head,” said Heidi Edwards.
Seniors win their 8th rally and continue their undefeated reign.
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Where will you go to college ? T
he main question that harbors the student mind is: Where will I go to college? That simple question has students scouring the internet desperately trying to decide what they want to do when they grow up. Road trips can be a helpful way to get an idea of what college is right for you. The thing is, gas is expensive, so you can always start right here. By: Liz Vasquez
Welcome to University of Nevada: Reno
Welcome to UC Berkeley
Welcome to UC Davis
Welcome to UC Santa Cruz
Welcome to San Diego State University
Welcome to University of Southern California
Location: Reno, Nevada Type: Public- mid-sized city Admission: Applicants:7,768 Acceptance rate:82% Tuition:in estimate: $6,602 Description:”There is anything from club sports to greek life, all it takes is an open mind and a will for one to find adventure. Reno is filled with aspiring professors, and many activities that students can join.”- Jessica, a current student, from http://www. cappex.com/colleges
Location: Davis Type:Public- suburban Admission: Applicants:45,806 Acceptance rate:46% Tuition:in estimate: $13,200 Description:“UC Davis is unique from most other schools in that the whole town is basically geared towards the college. It’s super easy to change your major, all you have to do is get two signatures.”- Alumni Mason Ganz Location: San Diego Type:Public- large city Admission: Applicants:45,027 Acceptance rate:33% Tuition:in estimate: $6,578 Description:”It offers the perfect mix of stellar academics and a booming social life. [It’s] a very well-rounded school that [offers a lot] to a variety of students. If you are searching for a strictly academic experience in a university with a prestigious reputation, you should look elsewhere”Brennan Wason, from http://www.collegeprowler. com
Location:Berkeley Type:Public- mid-sized city Admission: Applicants:52,986 Acceptance rate:22% Tuition:in estimate: $13,200 Description:“You also have a campus-wide love of diversity and tolerance.Berkeley is the major involvement of both alumni and students on campus. You bleed blue and gold. It’s Berkeley. No more, noless. The campus speaks for itself.”- Alumni Amanda Wong
Location: Santa Cruz Type:Public- Small city Admission: Applicants:28,236 Acceptance rate:68% Tuition:in estimate: $13,200 Description:”You have the gorgeous campus, and run-ins with furry critters. [You also have] extremely competent professors and interesting class offerings“- anonymous student from UCSC Location: Los Angeles Type: rivate: non-profit Admission: Applicants: 46,104 Acceptance rate:20% Tuition: in estimate: $44,463 Description:”You have great opportunities to meet people, make contacts, and find internships. USC’s school spirit, family attitude, and it’s location are all very unique factors. The Trojan family is for life, not just four years. In college you want possibilities and opportunities, USC has countless”- Alumni Liam Sterbinsky- pictured in the table of contents
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Oct. 1 survey Which do you prefer? Response
Response
Percent
Count
Sunny days
33.8%
113
Rainy days
66.2%
221
answered question
334
skipped question
11
Oct. 1 survey How many RHS t-shirts do you own?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
0
6.3%
21
1-5
45.5%
153
5-10
24.7%
83
10-20
11.0%
37
20+
12.5%
42
answered question
336
skipped question
9
Response
Response
Percent
Count
New Survey Do you have internet access at home?
Yes
98.5%
329
No
2.7%
9
answered question
334
skipped question
11
Oct. 1 survey Did Instagram video ruin Vine?
yes no
Response
Response
Percent
Count
35.4%
112
64.6%
204
answered question
316
skipped question
29
Response
Response
Percent
Count
1 of 1
Oct. 1 survey What is your favorite season?
Summer
18.5%
62
Winter
36.9%
124
Spring
12.5%
42
Fall
32.1%
108
answered question
336
skipped question
9
1 of 1
15
1 of 1
ROCKLIN BY THE NUMBERS
Reviews The Fifth Estate, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange and Daniel Brühl as Daniel Berg was noted as a box office flop opening weekend. Critics jumped onto it and let loose why it failed; casting, script, overall story plot, subject of the government? To each their own I thought, but one thing was for sure: I wasn’t let down.The Fifth Estate completely captures the intensity of journalism in it’s raw form; how to balance the timing of being courageous enough to tell the truth, and when to be careful on how the information is released. Julian Assange is courageous enough to tell the truth, but did he go too far, going from hero to traitor? Or was he a traitor from the start? Or is Daniel Berg the real hero, only committing treason to Julian? In my opinion, the film deserved an award, not only for the casts performance, but for the plot and the way By Liz Vasuez It’s a routine mission for Lt. Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), but for Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) it’s her first. While retrofitting the Hubble Space Telescope with new scanners, debris from a satellite causes a massive and catastrophic chain reaction. Nearly every satellite, station, and device in orbit around the earth is destroyed and swept up into a cloud of shrapnel traveling at 20,000 mph in the recent sci-fi thriller: Gravity. The film stars Sandra Bullock in one of her best roles I’ve seen, with help from George Clooney and Ed Harris. With seven people total in the cast, and only two shown(alive at least), Bullock is the only character for the majority of the movie. Through constant stress and danger, the movie elevates your stress level from the very beginning and doesn’t let it drop until the credits role. Its huge views from space were beautifully done, and the 3D contributed a lot to the experience. Overall, the film was a great experience, definitely worth seeing in 3D if possible. By Elias Alba
“At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld” wrote Rick Riordan on his website. Cliffhanger much?! After waiting ONE YEAR for the next book, House of Hades was finally released on October 8th. Each of the seven heroes has a few chapters in their point of view, giving you an inside look on how they are handling everything.Each character is given hard tasks that builds them in a way that is essential for their final battle which will happen in the final book. Don’t worry though! Percy and Annabeth go through some crazy stuff and Jason has some trials and tribulations. Along with the seven main heroes, Riordan gives the reader more information about the background characters including Nico, Reyna, and Coach Hedge. Riordan’s readers find out some deep information about Nico during a challenge he must go through. What will happen to him that will shake his world and ours? Annabeth and Percy’s points of views made the whole book worth reading. While Percy and Annabeth are going through hell (had to add the pun), the rest of the gang, including Coach Hedge and Nico, are trying to make it to Greece from Rome at the same time as Percy and Annabeth so they can close the Doors of Death. Jason and Leo start to dwell on the prophecy at one point, making them come to a conclusion that one of them may die. Will there theory come true or will the prophecy take twists and turns, making it turn out to be the opposite of what they think? The ending leaves readers wide eyed and with a dropped jaw. Thankfully, unlike the last book, it does not leave in a dramatic cliffhanger that makes you want to cry since you have to wait a year for the next book. By Taylor Schoultz
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S L A ep ae r a n i k n gA g ta o i n
panish speakers merica is known as a gateway for opportunities. People from all over the world immigrate bringing their families, their belongings and their native languages, but not many come with the most valuable tool for American communication: english. In the past couple of years, the diversity at Rocklin High School has gradually increased. Some of the students are able to speak english, but they struggle with fluency. To help the students improve, there is an English Learners class on campus. The students are not the only english learners on campus; there are teachers as well. RHS spanish teacher, Mrs. Mary Jimenez, was an english learner. She started learning english from her babysitter when she was four years old. Since she could not speak well, communication with her babysitter was difficult. She had to point to items she wanted, she could not tell her baby sitter important things such as going to the bathroom and she could not convey her feelings. She continued to improve her english, and started to learn how to read and write, which helped her speaking skills. Although her fluency improved, school still proved to be challenging. “When we had reading assignments in middle school, most kids only had to look up the words on the vocab list, but I had to look up 10-20 extra words because I did not know the meaning. Or, I would look up words on our list, but it would give me the definition with a word I didn’t know, so I would have to look up the definition to the definition,” Jimenez said. Then, she would have to translate the definition to spanish and try to put it together in her head, which became extremely overwhelming. Since Jimenez knew that English is spoken almost all the time in school, she wanted to give the students an opportunity to advance their spanish. Thus, a native speaking class was added to the course list at RHS, and Jimenez wanted it badly.
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“I talked a lot about the class, and I had taught it at another school, so I was really excited to find out that it was starting...even if someone else wanted to do it, I would have probably challenged them for it. I was just really excited to know that it would be a first time opportunity for them,” Jimenez said. Jimenez was thrilled to find out that she got the class. The students were just as excited for the opportunity. Genesis Navarro, a student in the native speaking class, started learning English when she was four or five. As she became more familiar with the language, speaking was not as difficult, but the writing was harder because of all the grammatical rules in the English language. Although the students are native speakers, there are still things that they can learn.
“Her class helps us a lot. It doesn’t just cover the simple stuff that we already know, it gives us challenges. Most of us forgot some of the grammar to Spanish, so it covers the things we need more help in,” Genesis said. Jimenez is an amazing teacher according to her students. Her teaching style keeps the teens intrigued, and since she is a native speaker, her accent is much easier to understand. Jimenez uses her own experiences of learning a language to help her Spanish 1 and 2 classes. She found that kids could make the connection to spanish with gestures, dramatization and even acting. When telling stories, she changes the inflection in her voice and uses emotion to help students understand. The challenge is finding ways to help each student make that connection, so she is always trying something new. For most people, learning any language can be extremely difficult, but with hard work, determination, and the courage to step out of your comfort zone, anything is possible.
By Adrianna Havey
Ally ASK Advice Column
Dear Ally, Is dating someone from another school a good idea?
If you both like each other, go for it. However,
Dear Ally,
you both have different schedules
How can i be confident to ask a guy out?
and priorities, and being at different schools
It all starts with making a sandwich, my friend.
will add to separation. If you decide to make it work
, you need to be 100% committed and so
does your significant other.
Dear Ally,
Dear Ally,
How can I balance homework, extra-
If you keep applying for jobs and you can’t
curriculars and everything else that comes
seem to get one, what can you do?
with being a senior?
As a high school student, you probably have
As a senior, you might not have eight
very little if any experience working;there are plenty of things that help.
classes.
Don’t limit yourself
to only working for certain places.
go home and get a head start on homework.
The more
Make sure you communicate with teachers and
open you are, the more likely an opportunity will come your way.
On the day(s) you get out early,
coaches so they know you have a full plate.
Happy hunting!
Dear Ally, I think my best friend is suffering from
Dear Ally, I hate this school any advise? Maybe you should come to school more often so you can learn to spell
ADVICE :)
annorexia, but i don’t know how to bring it up to her.
There is no way to really put it gently. Asking her will probably be offensive, but if you think its serious bring it up with her.
Make
sure you are in a private place, and let
her know it’s in her best interest to tell you.
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Rocklin 13.0 Top 10 apps of 2013 that every student should own.
Rocklin highs newly acquired wireless internet access to students is morphing the way we learn. Nearly 80% of Rocklin High students own a smartphone and 75% are already utilizing the new school wifi. Teachers would be happy to know that our phones are not just used for texting. They are also used to enhance our education. By Alina Holtsman
1
Self Control
2 Schoology
SelfControl is a free and open-source application for Macs that lets you block your own access to distracting websites like facebook and twitter. Just set a period of time to block for, add sites to your blacklist, and click “Start.” Until that timer expires, you will be unable to access those sites. Even if you restart your computer or delete the application. Procrastination becomes impossible with this app.
3
Khan Academy
If you are a visual or auditory learner this app is for you. Focusing on a broad range of subjects from Math to test prep, this app includes 3,425 videos that have the simple objective of helping you learn. Not only are they viewable through the app – you can also download them to your device for separate watching. This can be helpful if you do not want to use as much data or if your wifi connection is slow. Download the tutorial, and watch it anywhere. If you are trying to spice up your study sessions at Origins, try Khan Academy.
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Many people attest that this app works better than the website itself, and it can be very helpful to reach assignments. Although the switch has been a rough one, there is no changing the fact that our school is run through this site now.
4
RHS App
Created by alumnus Tanner DiBella, this app holds all the info you could hope to access about RHS. It even holds the ability to have a mobile id card, which is very handy when the only thing you carry is a phone and no wallet. Want to be in the yearbook? Submit your Rocklin photos through this app.
5
Google Translate
6
Not one student can avoid taking a foreign language and sometimes going through a french to english dictionary can take a long time. Do not rely on this app, but use it when you need to. It will help you get answers fast when you are struggling with time.
7 SAT Question of the Day SAT scores are vital to getting into college and this is an easy and fast way to get your practice in. Have you seen how big those SAT study books are? Try and avoid cram studying for one of the longest tests of your life.
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Merriam Webster Dictionary America’s most useful and respected dictionary is now available on your phone. Teachers on campus give vocab assignments often to help broaden students vocabulary. Mr. Grace has accepted the change to technology for learning. Because of this he will now allow you to use your smartphone as a dictionary in class, this app is top choice.
Quizlet Physical copies of flashcards are old school, this app will help you memorize anything. Languages, definitions, concepts, this is the place to be. Make your own or choose from millions created by others.
8
Sparknotes
9
Duolingo
Get a better understanding of what you’re reading with the SparkNotes app. Fifty study guides come pre-installed in this app’s library, plus endless character descriptions and plot summaries. If you have a timed write on a book, study here. As long as you have downloaded a book or play’s content to your iPhone app, it is available for off-line use as well.
The statistics department at USC conducted a study that estimated that a person with no knowledge of Spanish would need between 26 and 49 hours (or 34 hours on average) to cover the material for the first college semester of Spanish. Since a one semester university course usually takes more than 34 hours of work, this study suggests that Duolingo is more effective than university. Clearly this app is worth your while if you are serious about learning a language or challenging a language class like French 3 honors.
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Students of the Week Sohree Victor: Foreign Language- Supportive Mohammed Eid: Social Studies- Positive Max O’ Rourke: Language Arts- Helpful Katya Peraza: Social Studies- Supportive Kyle Dyson: Math- Prepared Sandra Arreola: Social Studies- Hardworking Ibeh Ramirez: Social Studies- Helpful Anthony Sgambati: Foreign Language- Prepared Jaymi Boynton: Language Arts- Positve Dominic Dilucchi: Math Thoughtful Matt Wong: Foreign Language- Prepared Jade Cahill: Language Arts- Role Model Llyod Corpuz: Math- Supportive Nathan Danielson: Foreign Language- Kind Mattie Holliday: Math- Positive Julie Schwarzkopf: Foreign Language- Sincere Brynlie Sorenson: Math- Determined Amorina Garcia: Foreign Language- Helpful Ty Medd: Math- Positive Jennifer Freid: Math- Prepared Jaybeth Walsh- VAPA Seyheon Park: Orchestra- Outstanding
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Marlise Dizon: VAPA- Hardworking
Creat ve
Art sts “It took me four weeks to finish.” ” Alexa Coleman
“I was inspired by Mrs. Hayes.” Madison Kelly
“I just wanted to make it as unique as I could.” Shiloh Kluding
“I took a picture of the apples then I recreated it. ” Holly Smith
photos by Rachel Polivka
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Upcoming Dates Depravata Novemeber 2nd, 6th, 7th, & 9th Veterans day November 11th Hoedown casual dance- Novermber 15th Thanksgiving break- November 25th-29th Forward dance show- December 5th, 6th, 7th
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Rocklin Christmas tree lighting- December 7th Winter choral concert-December 10th, 11th Winter Instrumental concert - December 12th Thunder GalleriaDecember 16th