SPEAK UP G o G r e e n SPEAK OUT
Rocklin High School-rhsflash@yahoo.com-Rocklin, CA 95765
flash volume 17. issue 01.October, 2008
the
The Flash
Yearbook...it’s yourbook What you need to know about the 2009 yearbook: • The first senior ad deadline has passed, costs go up... reserve your space now • Prices for the book will go up and ASB discount will go away at Winter Break • Your Rocklin High yearbook was again one of the nation’s best in 2008 • We want you to own a book. It’s all about RHS students
All information on the RHS website under yearbook, or e-mail yearbook@Rocklin.k12.ca.us
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
o·pin·ion - [uh-pin-yuhn] - noun - a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
Unleash your voice T
he influence of an opinion is everlasting. A passionate opinion holds the power to effect, to revolutionize, to question, and it holds the power to make a change. With the upcoming election and the magnitude of the issues currently faced in American society, the power of each opinion is more crucial now than ever. The Flash staff decided it was time to take a stand, speak up, speak out, and unleash its voice. Controversial issues from gay marriage to the state of the economy are scrutinized and dissected. A comparison between Obama and McCain accompanies an explanation of why Obama should be America’s next president. The intensity of early symptoms of college stress as well as many other topics of debate are discussed in 2008’s first edition of The Flash!
Senior Jon Ogata speaks to students as a member of the SATS: Students for Advancing Teacher Salaries -photo by Rosie Perrot
Editorial Board:
Mallory Valenzuela, Editor-in-Chief Alexis Coopersmith, Co-Editor-in-Chief Amber Diller, Co-Editor-in-Chief Lauren Bloemker, Co-Web Editor Shannon Stowers, Co-Web Editor Michelle Ahronovitz, Copy Editor Megan Taaffe, Ad Director Casey Nichols, Adviser Cover Design by Sami Wittwer Photos by Hayley Hucks and Rosie Perrot
5: 7: 9: 11: 13:
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@yahoo. com.
October 2008
Economy takes a turn for the worst “The economy is the number one therat to the United States.”
Apathetic teens “We need future adults of this world to pay attention.” Ba”rock” the vote “Barack will rejuvenate our standing in the world.” Consumed by college “The stress of college applications is rapidly swallowing the class of ‘09.”
15:
The state of the environment “Perhaps what the American people need is a leader. This upcoming election will have heavy impacts on the environment.”
Staff Writers:
Justin Brooks, Amanda Calzada, Megan Cardona, Paige Chandler, Cassie Clauser, Victoria Clark, Cheryl Ford, Julie Griesmer, Ashley Linnane, Kailee Loughlin, Wesley McNair, Rebecca Nitz, Karin Oxenham, Hayley Richards, Kate Rose, Lauren Rygh, Heather Smith, Christian Soares, Ashley Sorci, Lauren Sotir, and Tanya Sukkari.
A dress code for ten-year-olds “I feel like a child when I come to school.”
17:
Child soldiers “They fight in direct combat, yield AK-47s, and carry out suicide missions.”
19: 21: 23:
Taking a stand with Prop 8 “Where does our state stand on same sex marriage?” What about water polo?!
“People just don’t understand the sport. They should come out and see what it is all about.“
Homecoming photos
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The Flash “Even if it does just ring, it’s still disrupting the class and changes the focus of the classroom.”
Cell phone consequences Two strikes and you’re out
O
nce a cell phone rings, a classroom drops silent. The teacher usually eyeballs each student while listening carefully to find the cell phone’s owner. This happens quite often throughout the school; one annoying ringtone after another. While the use of cell phones remains somewhat addicting, the consequences seem rather harsh. First offenses are given a warning by the teacher or administration member who caught them. A freebie might encourage a student to continue using their device, or permanently stop in fear of getting it taken away again. Second offenses and on, students are put in On Campus Suspension. Basically, we are taken away from our education because of a cell phone. There are two scenarios that can be compared when getting caught for a cell phone. The first, it rings without any intention of touching it, the student simply forgot to turn it off or on silent. The second, a student deliberately intends on using it to text a friend or play a game, A student texting in class distracting them from learning. “Even if it does just ring, it’s still disrupting the class, and changes the focus of the classroom,” Mrs. Colleen Crowe said. Her classroom has been interrupted by cell phones more than once in one class period. The situation is almost uncontrollable on account of the students failing to come forward. Crowe has no choice but to turn in each student if one doesn’t admit to their cell phone ringing. “I must enforce the rule as a teacher, but personally, I wouldn’t care if a cell phone went off.” Instead of OCS, cell phone users should be given detention as punishment. That way they are still able to attend their classes and won’t miss an important lecture or class work assignment.“Taking away students’ cell phones is a breakdown of communication,” said Paul Reynoso. There is another major flaw that comes along with getting your cell phone taken away. If a student gets their phone taken away, administration looks through the phone and checks to see who they were texting. If another student at RHS was found in
their phone, they also get their phone taken away. Administration has the right to look through anything and everything a student brings to school. However, there is a line that needs to be drawn and Administration just doesn’t know where to draw it. -by Lauren Rygh, Staff Writer
“Taking away students’ cell phones is a breakdown of communication.” Paul Reynoso
Cell Phone Statistics 144 students during 2007-2008 served On Campus Suspension for using their cell phones An average of six cell phones are taken away each day On average students get their first cell phone between ages 10 and 11 years old 60% of American teenagers own a cell phone Students use their cell phone about 15 times during each school day Statistics provided by www.cmch.tv and RHS Cloud Bank
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“I feel like a child when I come to school. Administration does not treat us the way we should be treated.” -Amanda Bruns
A dress code for 10-year-olds Goodbye to tank-tops. What will administration take away next?
H
igh school is thought to be a place where you can have more freedoms and grow to prepare yourself for college and living completely on your own. However, Rocklin High seems to think otherwise. Rocklin High students have had privileges taken away one by one almost every school year. Whether it is a new rule regarding cell phones or a slight change in an old rule about dress code, it seems a majority of the student body feels the same way. Why do students spend four years in high school to prepare for the real world when they are treated like elementary school children? “I feel like a child when I come to school. Administration does not treat us the way we should be treated,” said senior Amanda Bruns. It’s not so much the dress code that is the problem. It is how it’s enforced. A member of the administration talked to Mrs. Angela Parker’s senior class at the beginning of the school year and said, “tank tops aren’t a problem; it’s who’s wearing them.” “I think some tank tops are okay,” said Parker. “It seems like shorts will soon be treated the way tank tops are now. Some students just push the dress code to an extreme.” “I find this very offensive, I’m sure every girl does,” said Austin Dewitt, a senior, “Administration shouldn’t judge who can wear what. That is pure discrimination.” As administration continues to make the dress code a bigger deal, teachers are pressured to enforce the rules.
“The way some people dress can be distracting,” said Parker. “We as teachers don’t want to see our students’ cleavage.”
At the beginning of each school year students receive an envelope with numerous school papers. One of which is the Rocklin Unified School District’s Dress Code. On that sheet, it includes tank tops as being allowed, just not spaghetti straps. However, if you look in the handy student planner, in fine print along with all the other rules it stipulates, “Seethrough or fish-net fabrics, halter tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut, tank tops, spaghetti straps, torn off sleeves, bare midriffs and shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited.” Why would administration send out papers that are misleading to the rules they enforce? The problem is clearly not the students. It is the confusion among the rules administration enforces. -by Megan Cardona, Staff Writer
In the fine print...
In addition to all rules and guidelines, RHS/ WHS Administration has final say on what is acceptable attire.
October 2008
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The Flash In the spring of 2007, 91 percent of 257 news/talk radio owned by the top five commercial station owners was conservative.
A liberal bias in the media P
Is this a myth, or is it a reality?
undits and officials alike often yell about the liberal bias that taints the journalistic process. They say conservatives are attacked while liberals are venerated. However, these claims are often used as a means of hiding and, on the whole, are usually light on evidence. People will hide behind this idea of a liberal media to avoid taking responsibility for their own blunders.
hours of partisan conservative radio every week in the Sacramento area, while there are zero hours of liberal radio in the same area. Because these are talk shows, it is not necessarily a bad thing that they have a slant one way or the other, but radio is a form of media and it is most certainly not controlled by liberals. In fact, most journalists identify themselves as having centrist views on most, if not all, subjects. Those that say For instance, Governor Palin has recently complained they do not always have centrist views tend to fall in line about “Gotcha’ Journalism” and how the media will seize with their economic and educational peers. Research upon irrelevant quotes. This is especially strange when has long since shown that highly educated professionals she uses this excuse for quotes the media took while she tend to have liberal social views while professionals with a high level of income tend to have a conservative was answering questions economic view. from voters. These both describe A major point that has to journalists and correspond be remembered is that the to surveys which say that media reports on what people “Media is liberal by nature. The news is on social issues, 57 percent want to hear about and, for the most part, people want always changing-conservative views are of journalists have a centrist view and 30 percent have a to hear about conservatives. not. Liberal ideas are fresh and exciting, liberal view. As for economic Aside from the Clinton issues, 64 percent of Administration, Republicans which is exactly what the media thrives journalists have a centrist have been in charge of the on.” -Nathan Dudley, 12 view while 19 percent have a executive branch since 1981 conservative view. and held Congress from So according to statistics, 1995 to 2006. Because they “There is a bias because media is a the liberal media is a myth. were in charge, people were source of free and open perspectives in It has been used as a shield much more interested in so that conservatives, and hearing about them than the which new ideas are put forth. It has to Democrats. be slightly liberal because conservatives sometimes even liberals, can use it to cover up their People are simply more own mistakes. Journalism interested in those that make do not like to take fresh new looks at is a business run by highly the decisions than those that what has alreay been decided upon.” educated professionals and do not. It has nothing to do -Michael Leija, 11 its primary purpose is to tell liberals within the media, it is the news while simultaneously making a profit. They simply business. Talking about Republicans sells. Another big problem with the liberal media theory is will do what they think is best to make a profit, and that the fact that conservatives control the radio. In the spring usually entails covering high ranking political officials, of 2007, 91 percent of 257 news/talk radio owned by the which at the moment means covering conservatives. So do not believe all the pundits and talk show hosts top five commercial station owners was conservative. Also, 76 percent of the news/talk radio programming in who try to shield themselves behind the veil of a liberal the top 10 U.S. markets (cities) was conservative while media. It is simply a mechanism by which people from both parties hide and avoid taking responsibilities for only 24 percent was progressive. Even within Sacramento, there is an obvious their own mistakes. conservative bias. Three radio stations broadcast 264 -by Justin Brooks, Staff Writer
What does RHS think?
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“The economy needs to be fixed, because that is the number one threat to the United States right now.”
A downward spiral. Students feel the pressures of America’s national crisis.
W
hen Washington Mutual becomes the biggest bank to fail in U.S. history with $307 billion in assets, we know the economy is in a downward spiral that can hopefully be stopped. With the government meeting to discuss the $700 billion bank bailout, the prices of everything are going up. This summer, gas prices were the hot topic to discuss, but now it seems as though everything around us is becoming more expensive. Adult movie theatre tickets at Regal Cinemas have broken the $10 barrier, which is causing strife with everyone who used to be able to catch a movie for less. This is encouraging illegal movie downloads on the internet and promoting DVDs even more. Depending on which day of the week you go to the movies, the prices fluctuate. For weekday nights, it is $9.75 and weekend nights are $10. Food prices in and out of the movie theatre have risen as well. Popcorn prices have raised a couple of dollars, and they charge for refills now. In the first few months of 2008, wheat and maize prices have increased by 130 percent. Milk prices have also increased by 26 percent in the past year, as well as egg prices by 40 percent. The price increases on these common and necessary purchases are affecting everyone’s wallet and routine. “Smoothies are my favorite food, and ever since Robeks raised its prices, I haven’t been able to fulfill my smoothie needs as much as I would like.” Said Isabel Lopez, 11, whose taste buds are not pleased with the government’s way of handling the economy. This change is affecting teens everywhere, making them anxious for the future. Worry has gone from “What am I doing this weekend?” to “Can I afford what we’re doing this weekend?” “I just started paying for gas, so that’s opening my eyes a little more to how bad the economy is because I’m using all my money on gas. I have to worry more about getting a better job out of college because living off of minimum wage is getting harder and harder,” said Dorian Rohlfes, 11. The seniors and juniors today are the ones that will be affected the most in the long run with college October 2008
fees coming up soon. Students will think twice before deciding to take a car to college, and paying for tuition is already difficult enough. Hopefully, the economy is resolved before our sophomores and freshmen have to deal with this. Also, finding a part-time job these days is becoming a hassle. It seems like businesses have enough people, and those who need a job are being hurt. Juggling school and a job is already difficult enough, but finding a good paying part-time job to pay for all the ridiculous prices should not be another burden on high school students. The economy needs to be fixed because that is the number one threat to the United States right now, so hopefully whoever becomes the next president keeps that in mind so teens and people everywhere can be less stressed out about life. -by Tanya Sukkari, Staff Writer
I’ve seen the prices go up recently for... “Panda Express” Robby Meador “Gasoline” Aaron Kakinami “Clothes” Alex Deme “Gum” John Gildea “Chipotle” Tyler Mackanin “Subway” Alicia French “Toy Chainsaws” Reid Allyn 07
The Flash
“I just think before I say it, like would I say this if my brother or someone who is mentally impaired was around would I say this?”
Freedom of speech
means calling someone “gay” or “retarded”?
volution. It is the all-encompassing change of mankind, our language, and our environment over light-years of time. Though the evolution of the human species itself is one of the most controversial topics of our era, there is no doubt that language of humanity has drastically transformed. However, whether it is a change for the better is questionable. Living in such a free nation, despite its many laws, it is hard to say there are any restrictions on something as free as the freedom of speech. Over the years, it seems the general public has been progressively pushing the limits of what is considered acceptable, almost to the point where anything goes. Take our day-to-day phrases, for example. Using words such as “gay” and “retarded” in the negative ways in which they are most commonly used, are now as nonchalant as buying a bouquet of flowers at the local AM PM. When, and why, did it become okay to relate something as insubstantial as a failing test score, or a false bit of gossip about your new hair color, to the physical or mental disability of some nearly 300 million affected Americans, or to the personal sexuality choice of certain individuals? This week’s online survey was answered by 169 students, and of those students, 44.6 percent of them said they use derogatory phrases daily, and only 7.1 percent said they never use them. “I just think before I say it, like would I say this if my brother or someone who is mentally impaired was around would I say this?” said an anonymous poll-taker. While some students believe these words and phrases are deeply offensive, some have no problem with using them. “I hear them all of the time so it doesn’t seem that big of a deal to me...but I forget that they are rude and offending to some people,” said a second anonymous poller. This is just an example of how ignorance has replaced mannerism in our society today. Perhaps the influence(s) come from home. Some students noted that the phrases are used at home by family members and it does, in fact, really bother them. However, the majority of the students who took the poll said that yes, the words are used at home, but they don’t really notice. This could be a strong hint as to just how much surroundings affect the surrounded. Maybe it’s time for parents to set a better example and become more aware of their actions.
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It is a simple matter of people being completely oblivious to their surroundings and the people enclosed in those surroundings. Taking that extra second to step out of your self-centered bubble to think before you say something can make all the difference. Anyone walking down the school halls on any given day at any given time, will hear any given derogatory or offensive phrase a number of times. The English language is undoubtedly taken for granted. It has gone from just a basic form of communication, to being a way for people to express their opinions, but not for the better, more for just the shere benefit of hurting someone or getting their point accross no matter what it takes. On the other hand, it’s possible that we could just be too sensitive. Why should it matter? “What’s wrong with that?” said yet another poll subject. Cameron Kiddoo says derogatory words or phrases strike a personal chord with him and his family because his twin sister is mentally challenged. Any way you look at it, it’s hard to justify one’s inadequate use of such words or phrases by the mere fact that the majority of our generation is completely uncultured and illiterate. -by Paige Chandler, Staff Writer
He said, She said:
E
Online Survey Results Do you use any derogatory terms such as “gay” or “retarded”? Yes 62.1% No 15.4% Sometimes 22.5% Do you feel pressured by your peers to use them? Yes 12.6% No 87.4% Have you ever heard a teacher use them? All of the time 14.4% Sometimes 55.7% Never 29.9% 169 responses 9/26-10/3
rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“We need the future adults of this world to pay attention.“
Apathetic teens ere we are in the year 2008. Medicine is H advancing. Our political attitudes are constantly changing. Our earth is warming. Impoverished
people are starving and dying of disease. We are in a world rich with information. Real, relevant human information; brand new everyday. Where are our youth while this is happening? They don’t know what’s going on, because their personal lives are obviously much more important than anything that might be happening around the world. Today’s youth is ignorant. This ignorance is not only frustrating, but dangerous. These young people are our future. Where are their developing minds? The roles of teenagers drastically differ throughout the world in varied cultures. Some countries give young adults higher, more responsibility-oriented roles in their society. Some countries can even afford to trust their youth with alcohol at a younger age because of the way they’ve been taught to respect it. Teenagers in France sit around and talk about politics and global issues over lunch. They’ve pulled their heads out of the sand. These young people are prepared to be world citizens much earlier. And who is advancing as a society? They are. The main concerns of our generation of American teenagers seem to be petty and materialistic. Perhaps the small-minded environment of American public high school has somehow contributed to this handicap. Foreign exchange students who come to live here are often appalled at the lifestyle of these young people… a lifestyle revolving around material and appearance rather than substance. The world does not revolve around this phony, cushioned microcosm of a high school. Actually, the real world has very little to do with it indeed. When privileged American teenagers are at last kicked into the “real world,” they will be surprised to discover that it isn’t anything like the reality show on MTV. Nor is it easy, and there aren’t adults out there to protect them. These young adults will be one of them, on an equal and level playing field; game to be professionally competed with. The youth will literally have to deal with the world—they should know something about it. It is hardly right to rely on test scores, if at all, but America’s school scores are falling behind when it comes to the world scale. What does this mean? That they aren’t as intelligent as those who score higher? No. It means that they just don’t care. They don’t care about what is October 2008
Materialism. Popularity. Ignorance is not bliss in today’s world. happening around us; resulting in loser teenagers who have lost their natural human motivation for knowledge. They aren’t in any way nearing their potential. We can’t possibly continue like this. With the United States being such a young country, we need to be more informed than these older, wiser countries. Moving onto another apparent issue: the girls here are a topic all their own. Society and media nourishes the idea that girls are cuter when they’re stupid, and they’re only “hot” if they’re perfect according to magazines and celebrities. This results in girls who are consumed with their appearances and boys who have come to expect that when it comes to choosing a girlfriend and eventually a wife. It lowers the self esteem of girls who are normal, making them feel less-than-beautiful. Girls need to quit chattering over fashion, dances, makeup and boys… and look around them. Simple as that. We need the future adults of this world to pay attention. Part of the problem, some say, is young peoples’ dependence on mindless electronic devices. With cell phones constantly beeping with new text messages, iPods continuously stuck in ears, and MySpace/Facebook dominating computer homepages, we have a problem. This “age of information,” with more information than ever before at our fingertips—within seconds!—shouldn’t we be more educated and aware? Especially with our addiction to the internet… the world is available directly through our keyboards. Our parents didn’t have these means; neither did their parents or the Greek philosophers, but one could argue that these people knew more than the youth of today. The youth’s creative potential is largely untapped because of these devices, which monopolize time. Perhaps because these resources are so abundant, we’ve taken advantage of their presence. We don’t marvel at our high speed internet, we get frustrated when it doesn’t go fast enough. This is a cry of disappointment to my generation. It is difficult to understand how numb they have become, how the majority of these teenagers wouldn’t ever notice how ridiculous they really are. I hope with all my heart that we can get it together, that the efforts of all of our faithful mentors and the brains of our age group will eventually pay off. Just try to understand. -by Ashley Sorci, Staff Writer
09
The Flash
“No withdrawal until “victory”-John McCain
Contrast the candidates Abortion:
Running Mates: McCain: Sarah Palin (Governor of Alaska)
McCain: Restricted and no on “partial birth” Obama: Supports Roe v. Wade
Obama: Joe Biden (U.S. Senator from Delaware)
Iraq War: Obama wants a planned withdrawal McCain says no withdrawal until “victory”
Drilling for oil: McCain: Restricted (avoids drilling on historic landmarks or places of natural beauty)
Obama: Limited
Health Care: McCain: Taxing healthcare providers, tax break to individuals Obama: Universal health care
Celebrity supporters: McCain: Patricia Heaton, Daddy Yankee, Dean Cain, and Heidi Montag
Obama: Jennifer Aniston, Chris Rock, Bruce Springsteen, and George Clooney -by Christian Soares, Staff Writer
Information from Rollingstone.com, Huffingtonpost.com, and The New York Times. Photos from campaigns
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“Barack will rejuvenate our standing in the world.” -Shane Seppinni
Ba“rock” the vote J
Yes we can. Obama will bring the change that America needs.
ohn McCain is just another George W. Bush. Americans will suffer if he is voted into office on November 3rd.
McCain has made it one of his main points to categorize Obama as an “elitist.” McCain needs to stop pointing his finger at the wrong person and instead point it at himself and his wife, Cindy. Cindy McCain is the chairman of HenPolitics has been a source of backstabbers, liars, sley & Company, which is one of the largest Anheusercheaters, tricksters, and victimizers, and President Bush Busch beer distributors in the United States. has lost the trust of millions of Americans. The positive In contrast, Obama embodies the true American suceffects of this democratic republic have gone astray for cess story. His mother faced economic hardship and at the past eight years since the Bush beginnings and the one point she had to support her family on food stamps. Florida recount in 2000. “And there is distrust in WashBut Barack was able to pay his way through college with ington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust scholarships and he later graduated from Columbia Unithat exists in this town. And I’m sorry it’s the case, and versity and Harvard Law School. He was the first African I’ll work hard to try to elevate it,” said President Bush on American president of the Harvard Law Review, a presNational Public Radio in 2007. tigious journal of legal scholDid he just say, “elevate arship. His autobiography, it?” It is hard to stay optimis“Dreams from my Father,” tic about public officials if the paid off his college loans. President of the United States Speckert said, “I respect cannot even present the his work in Illinois as a public words written by his speechofficial where he formed his writers correctly. domestic bearings. His pubBut “something’s stirring lic work, for example with city in the wind” in American poliinfrastructure, is vital to his tics. Democratic presidential domestic experience.” candidate Barack Obama Senior Shane Seppinsaid that this past January in ni agrees. After watching New Hampshire and this moObama’s interview with Oprah mentum has been reflected in Senior Michael Lines poses with “The Obama Mobile” Winfrey before Obama had the generation of young voters called announced his presidential candidacy in 2007, Seppinni “Generation O.” Galvanized by a need for change in politics, the presi- came to the conclusion that, “Obama needs to be presidential election has captivated millions with the theme of dent.” “I’m sick of the way our policies are right now,” said “out with the old, and in with the new.” And, literally, ReSeppinni. “Barack will rejuvenate our standing in the publican presidential candidate John McCain is old and Obama is new. Many Rocklin High students have deco- world. McCain is out of touch. I disagree with what he rated their cars. Senior Michael Lines drives “The Obama has said in regards to the war [in Iraq]. I think that we will Mobile” and senior Becka Nitz drives with the“No-bama” be in more wars and conflicts if he is president.” McCain is not a maverick. He has voted with President slogan on her car. First-time voter and senior Grant Speckert said, “I be- Bush more than 90% of the time. How does this define came a supporter of Barack when Shane [Seppinni], Hares him as an independent thinker? In contrast, Obama is forward-thinking, positive, and Rahmeinzi and I went to Barack’s rally in San Francisco in optimistic. He will close the chasm between race, gender, October 2007. He persuaded me with his general political theories. I could tell that he was genuine and sincere and creed. His opponent will make the rich richer and the poor poorer, but Obama strives for fairness and equity. about his beliefs.” To Republicans, senior Rachel Robins says to look at This sincerity is a trait that McCain lacks. When quesyour candidate closely. “Look at your candidate and your tioned by Politico.com about the number of homes he vice president,” said Robins. “See if their policies match owns he said, “I think — I’ll have my staff get to you.” Obama owns one home and Mccain owns eight, and with the changes America needs.” -by Mallory Valenzuela, Editor-in-Chief
October 2008
11
The Flash
“Taking advantage of the advanced, honors and AP classes is exactly what colleges want to see.”
The “ideal” student
Colleges want more than your 4.0 GPA
G
etting a 4.0 doesn’t seem to cut it these days in terms of getting into college. During high school, college seems to be an image of the next step in education and the competition to get in gets harder and more difficult each year. I think students have their heart set on a certain college whether it is because of first generation alumni or pure location.
Most think that by taking average classes and getting a 4.0 that it is enough to get them a one way ticket to a high ranking, prestigious school. Others think that in order to get into a good school, you have to be this “perfect student”. However, the process is far more difficult than that. I think the journey to prepare for college usually begins in middle school, as we develop study skills and habits. Upon beginning high school, if you’re a UC bound student, it seems that you must enroll in chal-
lenging classes that separate you from the majority of your class. Taking advantage of the advanced, honors and AP classes is exactly what colleges want to see. The common misconception is that a 4.0 transcript looks better than a “C” in an AP class. But that’s where I’m wrong. Colleges would rather see you make an effort to challenge yourself. Colleges seek to admit the ideal student to their school that would benefit their campus in some way. This ideal student’s standards are generally a high GPA, high SAT or ACT scores, having and demonstrating excellent leadership skills, performing service that benefits the community, and having the potential to impact theiri campus How many students at RHS can say that they fall under this “ideal” stereotype? Probably not that many. Plan ahead for your college resume. -by Ashley Linnane, Staff Writer
Breaking down the digits
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Applications recieved
Students Admitted
Percent Admitted
GPA
SATS
UC Berkeley
48,418
10,388
21.5%
4.18
2034
UCLA
55,397
12,579
22.7%
4.34
2000
UCSD
47,364
19,022
40.2%
4.06
1940
UCSB
47,025
23,140
49.2%
4.03
1872
UC Davis
40,568
21,256
52.4%
3.94
1851
UC Irvine
39,247
19,214
49.0%
3.94
1834
UC Santa Cruz
25,748
19,138
74.3%
3.69
1760
UC Riverside
21,224
16,316
76.9%
3.59
1654
UC Merced
9,980
7,658
76.7%
3.51
1620
rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion “As senior year begins, the stress of college applications is rapidly swallowing the class of ’09.”
Consumed by college Addicted to applications. College application anxiety has the class of ‘09 worked into a frenzy.
T
hree thousand nine hundred ninety six. My selection index. My GPA multiplied by eight and added to my SAT scores. The number that determines my future, the number that indicates my aptitude, and the number that will either provide my acceptance or bear my rejection. A critical figure that defines fall of senior year, one that holds more power in a senior’s life than it ever should. As senior year begins, the stress of college applications is rapidly swallowing the class of ’09. With November 30’s deadline lurking in the future, the senior class began to suffer from college anxiety particularly earlier than in the past. As early as August CollegeBoard seemed to become every senior’s best friend as they scrambled in search for the perfect school. Along with the majority of the senior class, I have succumbed to the college addiction and can’t seem to escape its grasp. The enormity of the decisions that I have been looking forward to making for so long has evolved into a stress loitering in the back of my mind. With thousands of schools to choose from, the task of narrowing an application list to approximately seven schools is overwhelming. Factors such as location, size, type, and acceptance rate have created a swirl of anxiety that is all too easy to get lost in. The difficulty and monotony of completing college applications is ridiculous. The personal statements and the surplus of application essays all present questions that I don’t even begin to know how to answer. Every time I get to the essay portion of the application, I stop. I now have a plethora of dull essays to write that is weighing upon my mind. Achieving the highest SAT and ACT test scores possible is a whole separate stress I don’t even feel should be a major part of the college application process. Unwillingly, I subject myself to the tests and submit my scores for judgment. The power a simple number can hold is outrageous. A number cannot demonstrate my responsibility and ability as a person. It cannot explain who I am or showcase any true talents, yet it is a major October 2008
acceptance factor for universities. On top of searching for the right schools and beginning the application process, seniors have to begin the scholarship hunt. When paying the application fees is a struggle, I can’t even begin to imagine affording tuition. Student loans and grants are a complete necessity for most teens, and with that a whole new stack of applications are waiting to be filled out. The extent of the pressure placed upon seniors in the first semester is utterly overwhelming. The high school credits and courses necessary for acceptance creep exponentially higher with every year, suffocating the class of ’09 with a premature descent into college anxiety. Students are swept away by Ivy League ideals and are submitting themselves to impossible high school schedules, attempting as many AP and advanced courses as possible while maintaining a job and remaining active on campus. I notice myself wishing away my senior year, my last “best year of my life” because of the strain of college acceptance. Seeking a higher education and pursuing a career should be a passion. It should be an excitement and a thrill. However, the demands placed upon seniors with a desire to achieve are overbearing, and the class of ’09 is slipping further and further into an anxiety crisis with each minute ticking closer to the application deadline. -by Alexis Coopersmith, Co-Editor-in-Chief
You know it’s November when... -CollegeBoard.com is more popular than Myspace -Seniors check their emails on the hour, every hour -The College and Career Center is ALWAYS busy -Seniors walk around campus teary eyed and bleary eyed -SAT’s, ACT’s, selection index, and GPA are the new hot topics of discussion
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The Flash
“People love SocialVibe because it’s so easy to use.”
Young humanitarians
Adults are not the only ones who care about the environment
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efore now, teenagers rarely were seen caring about the environment, much less doing something about it. It was mostly seen as something among adults, a political issue more than anything. Democrats versus Republicans, developing versus conserving. But now websites everywhere are involving more and more of our students in helping the world. From donating water and rice to saving our oceans, websites have become aimed at helping people here and in other countries. And get this, it’s free! Social Vibe has become more and more popular on Myspace. Layout sites for Myspace (like superxsonic layouts) are sending out mass bulletins to promote the site that helps you donate to your favorite charity, from t-shirt companies to foundations for the saving of our oceans (my personal favorite). So this can pretty much relate to anyone, from someone who loves Ed Hardy to someone who loves our planet. This is a great idea because it gets the younger generation involved while informing them about the slightly ‘more important’ organizations. The site is completely free and all you have to do is sign up to start earning points. You can do practically anything as simple as adding pictures to your personal site to get points toward your organization. Inviting friends to sign up also gets you points, as well as getting more sponsors for the charity of their choice. People love SocialVibe because it’s so easy to use. It makes me feel better about helping their favorite cause, like saving the ocean. Teenagers would love to help the environment, but let’s face it, more than half of us are too lazy to really have an impact. With this site, ev-
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ery point counts and you can help the environment from your own home. A little more forward of a site is one we all know very well, freerice.com. Teachers all around the school are getting us to sign on to the site in our free time at the computer labs. And to think: it’s actually fun? Seriously, we all spend our free time going on MySpace or Facebook while we could be doing simple vocabulary to help those who don’t even have the access to a computer. Just like freerice.com, helpthirst.com is a site with a memory game. With each number you remember, you donate a cup of water to the World Vision organization, which gives the water to the third world countries. I just don’t understand why we all have to spend our time wasting our brains away instead of doing something productive like helping others. Our generation has noticeably become more aware of the environment; I just hope it’s enough. -by Lauren Bloemker, Co-Web Editor
Opinion
“Perhaps what the American people need is a leader. This upcoming election will have heavy impacts on the environment.”
The state of the environment The environment is changing. The next president must pay attention.
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he controversial Gaia Hypothesis states that life manipulates earth purposely in order to make it more suitable for life. I think that this is certainly true in the case of human beings. Humans have burned, slashed, constructed and hunted. Since the beginning of humankind we have tried to dominate our surroundings, and perhaps this is part of human nature. Can human nature change? It should be clear by now that we need to change. Whether or not the state of the environment is the fault of the human race or a pattern the earth has long followed, something needs to be done. The human race has proved that they can change the environment, so why not save it instead? At the rate we are going at now, the standard of living for future generations is sharply declining. This is not to say that problems like pollution, global warming, and acid rain are not affecting people today. Extreme weather (as in the case of the recent hurricanes), climate change, rising water levels, glacier shrinkage, and extreme economic impact to name a few are the harmful by products of an unhealthy Earth that we are experiencing now. The culture is changing. Green has become the word and there are now T-shirts supporting the pro-green lifestyle. But are the people behind the shirts really changing? And what does a pro-green lifestyle actually entail? Perhaps what the American people need is a leader. The election will have heavy impacts on the policy of the United States government toward the environment. Both candidates accept the reality of global warming, but which one will actually follow up with a plan? Obama vs. McCain on Environment: McCain and Obama both supposedly support preserving American wilderness. But McCain is the one with a running mate, Sarah Palin, who wants to exploit natural resources at the expense of the environment in Alaska. McCain says he will follow his hero Theodore Roosevelt when it comes to the environment. But what does that entail? Roosevelt created some national parks and groups like the Sierra Club. But our environmental issues are much more dire and complex than they were 100 years ago. Obama actually has a more specific plan, one much October 2008
clearer. Obama will restrict pollution by fining large corporations that go over the limit in their emission of greenhouse gasses. Agriculture will become more sustainable and less harmful through incentives, which means rewards instead of punishment for farmers. He will also help support the smaller and less harmful organic farmers. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Boxer-Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act which would reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. But how will environmental changes be made if McCain’s entire Republican Party and his vice president are against them? Whether the environment is important because of it’s beauty, usefulness or because of it’s right to live, Obama is the one who will lead us into the Environmental Era. -by Kate Rose, Staff Writer
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The Flash “Improving our safety is more important than when we prefer to multitask in the car.”
Cars, Crashes, Cell Phones Cell phones affect our driving
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alking, dialing, and texting on cell phones is not as safe as it seems. In California, new laws have been created to ensure better safety for all drivers. Since text messaging has become more popular and more frequent, there have been more vehicle accidents in California. On July 1st, 2008, the government of Likelihood of Car Accidents California issued -It is 4 times more likely the new law that cell to get into a car accident if phones could only be someone is talking on a cell used by a driver with a phone than if they are not. hands-free device for -Cell phone-related car citizens 18 and older, accidents cause over 200 while drivers under 18 deaths and half a million may not have a cell injuries each year in California, phone or hands-free according to a Harvard device while driving. University study. Therefore, hands-“Cell phone distraction free is an essential step causes 2,600 deaths and toward everyone’s safety. 330,000 injuries in the United On September States every year,” according 12, 2008, a Metrolink to the Human Factors quarterly train was travelling 42 journal (2005). mph, and after several ignored signals to stop, the train slammed head-on into a commuter train, killing 25 people and injuring 138. It occurred near Chatsworth, California, at the west end of the San Fernando Valley, where the Metrolink train departed from downtown Los Angeles and was heading to Ventura County. Reportedly, the train’s engineer, 46-year-old Robert Sanchez was texting some of his friends within minutes before the crash (even though electronic devices were not allowed on duty). This incident should make people realize how important this new law is for California. Even if the train driver missed the stop signals for another reason than texting, it shows that vehicle accidents are almost always caused by distractions, including cell phones. “I don’t think (the law) is effective because I have seen a lot of people drive using cell phones, without using an earpiece. Because of that, it doesn’t seem like people care about the law,” said Liane Ma. The cell phone law may be ineffective or unfair to
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some Californians, especially for drivers 18 and under, but improving our safety is more important than when we prefer to multitask in the car. Not only is dialing on a phone very distracting to the driver (which is still allowed with the law for people 18 and older), but even talking on the phone for a few minutes can put their mind on something else other than the road. “I think it is a good law because it will decrease the amount of crashes in a year. It will make people focus more on the road instead of talking on their cell phone,” said Clarissa Prewitt. Even though the hands-free device might not be totally effective, it’s a start to reduce car accidents in California. In New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, where similar laws are already in effect, the estimate is that 300 traffic deaths a year will be prevented in conditions where roads are wet. Every year, there will still be thousands of car accidents in our state, but at least we will know that more will be prevented because of the cell phone laws put in place. -by Lauren Sotir, Staff Writer
Tips for Teens The Be Sensible guidelines recommend that drivers under the age of 18 not use a wireless phone while behind the wheel, except in case of emergency. New drivers should also be informed of the following tips on managing distractions while behind the wheel: Ask passengers to help by changing the CD or radio station, placing a cell phone call, or reading directions to you. If you don’t have a passenger, wait until you come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign before changing the CD or radio station. If you need to make or take a call, wait until your trip is complete and your car is safely stopped. Never use your phone to take pictures, send and read messages, record video, or watch TV while driving. It’s best not to eat and drive at the same time. If you’re traveling with someone, take turns driving while the passenger eats. Avoid stressful or emotional conversations while driving. Don’t be a “rubbernecker.” Let your passengers do the sightseeing while you drive. Make safety your most important call. In the case of an emergency, a cell phone can be a very useful tool. Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call. http://www.wireless.att.com
rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“They fight in direct combat, yield AK-47s and M16s, lay mines and explosives, and carry out suicide missions.”
Hidden warfare. Children and teens are recruited to fight for Third World countries.
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here are you today? Here at Rocklin High, where students are too busy, fuss about what everyone thinks about them, realize their good friend is drinking too much, have parents going through a divorce, and buy fewer Starbucks a week due to the declining economy.
they escape death, their childhoods are destroyed and their lives are scarred forever. Commanders often give children drugs, and they become addicted. They lead children to believe that they are getting revenge for their parents by killing enemy soldiers (when in reality the enemy soldier is a child just like Here at Rocklin High, where it is easy to miss what is them who has also been led to believe that they are gethappening to our peers around the world. Where it is ting revenge for their parents). Instead of growing up in a hard to imagine that an estimated 300,000 girls and boys family, such children grow up in an army where their gun are serving as soldiers in at least 17 different countries. is their comfort and violence the only way they know to The majority of them are 14 to 18 years old. They survive. Child soldiers may escape should be in high school, too. or be demobilized. OrganiHowever, armies forcibly zations such as the United recruit children, and parents Nations and Amnesty Intereven sell their children for the “To some extent. I know about child soldiers from 30 national rescue child soldiers, money. Many teens also join hour famine, church, and invisible children. rehabilitate them, and try to voluntarily because they believe -Mollie Herlocker locate and reunite them with the army will provide them family. with the food and protection “No, I have never heard about child soldiers before.” After coming out of the they so desperately need. -Cailyn Prewitt army, ex-child soldiers sufChildren enlist because of fer from addiction to violence poverty, lack of education, and “I visited Rwanda last school year. Near there is the and drugs. They must cope lack of work. The effects of war, Congo and wars are fought over diamonds paid by with guilt, separation from or such as poverty, displacement, companies and there everyone is recruited just as in 1994 having no family, and being and parents’ deaths also cause when Rwandan teens or pre-teens were participating in an outcast in society. Even if them to join armed forces as a the genocide as part of the army. There is lot’s of warfare a person’s family is found and means to survive. They may be there with children.” -Michael Leija he or she is ready to reintepressured to join for social or grate back into society, some religious reasons, as well, or for revenge for family members who have been killed in the communities and families do not accept their children back because of the atrocities they have committed. conflict. Where are you today? Here at Rocklin High, where Not only do child soldiers witness terrible acts of violence, but they are forced to commit them as well. Children students receive a high school education, wear clothes, make ideal soldiers because they are easily manipulated walk in shoes, eat food, drink clean water, and have peoand taught to obey orders. Small, automatic weapons are ple who know their name and want them to do something cheap and easy for children to use. Child soldiers have a with their life. Our problems are no less big because of theirs. Their variety of roles. They fight in direct combat, yield AK-47s and M-16s, problems are just really big. Does RHS know? Does the lay mines and explosives, and carry out suicide missions. the U.S. care? Is the world doing anything about this? If They are used as scouts, spies, lookouts, porters, de- we stopped focusing on ourselves, their lives would be coys, cooks, domestic laborers, and sex slaves. They are better. And so would ours. forced to kill neighbors, family members, or other child soldiers who disobey or fail to carry out orders. Even if -by Karin Oxenham, Staff Writer
Do You Know About Child Soldiers?
October 2008
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The Flash
“I don’t think faith is something that needs to be publicized and it’s more of a personal experience that is different for each and every person. “
Keeping the faith
Staying traditional in a world full of change
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radition! Tradition! I have lost count of the times people sing Fiddler on the Roof to me when it comes out that I’m Jewish, but there’s a reason why the story is so classic and central to Jewish tradition. Some of it must ring true. Now, granted, I don’t live in a small Russian village and I don’t use Yente as a matchmaker, but like those famous first lines that open Fiddler, tradition is central to my Jewish identity.
to be open to those that think differently than I do. Yet by traditional views, I am quite the “radical” thinker. But to me, I keep the same traditions that even the most orthodox Jews do, but I keep them in a way that’s meaningful to me. When I was 13, I started to get involved in youth groups and after my first convention the end of my freshman year that was it. I was hooked. Especially because I live in a city like Rocklin, where the student population is predominantly Christian, While many choose it is nice to have that to wear their faith on outside activity where their sleeve, I would I can actively discuss rather keep my beliefs issues that affect me and ideals to myself as a teenager in an in a way that is more entirely Jewish setting. meaningful to me. My “youth group” is That isn’t to say that I actually called United want to hide my beliefs Synagogue Youth (USY). from the world, it’s The board’s first weekend together making leadership goals for the year. It spans across the United just that I don’t think States and Canada, with faith is something that various states and provinces bunched together to form needs to be publicized and it’s more of a personal experience that is different for each and every person. different regions. My region is called New Frontier and it My strong tie to Judaism has been a huge part is made up of Northern California and Reno. This past of my life ever since I was born. My parents were May, I was elected as a VP on our regional board, which determined to raise me in a strong, Jewish household means I along with six other elected teens run the region. In youth group, we have programs that allow us to and from pre-school until the 3rd grade, when I really define who we are as young Jewish teens and what moved to California, I went to Jewish day schools and learned all the major prayers and how to read Hebrew. we really believe. These discussions have really forced Initially, it was very hard for me to adjust to public school after me to think about where I stand based on my beliefs. I nearly 10 years in an essentially pure Jewish environment, especially enjoy hearing beliefs that differ from mine but now, I actually like being one of few Jews on campus. because it usually addresses a point I never considered. I try not to speak out too often about my religious beliefs My friends are extremely curious about what Judaism is. because I always feel like I’m somehow preaching or It is because of my parents’ determination to raise me with their same traditions that I have the strong ties to broadcasting it out to people, which is not my intention at all. Judaism. However, my dad is constantly reading up on But I cannot deny that Judaism is a big part of who I am and different views of Judaism which has given me different will continue to have some impact in how I grow as a person. perspectives on major ideas of Judaism and taught me -by Michelle Ahronovitz, Copy Editor
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“One overlooked decision is Proposition 8: where does our state stand on same sex marriage?”
Taking a stand with proposition 8 Marriage. It’s only between a man and a woman W
ithin the last couple months, you haven’t been able to walk five feet without hearing someone advocating for Obama or ridiculing McCain. All of the talk about the upcoming election has been primarily focused on the next president, but what about some of the other important decisions Californians are being faced with?
of the California Family Code. “Registered domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law, whether they derive from statutes, administrative regulations, court rules, government policies, common law, or any other provisions or sources of law, as are granted One overlooked decision is Proposition 8: where does to and imposed upon spouses.” The code continues to repeat the fact that domestic our state stand on same-sex marriage? Citizens are bepartners have the same rights as married couples. The ing forced to take a stand on the issue and vote yes or no on their ballot. I choose yes: keep marriage between one difference is that turning down Proposition 8 would simply differentiate a traditional marriage from a man and one woman. same-gender partnership. This is not the first time our country has If put into action, teachers within faced making a moral decision to create a schools would be forced to teach their societal norm. One example is laws banning kindergarteners that they are the same marriage within a family. thing. I think we can all agree that they Initial reactions would be “of course this is are different, right? That is what we must banned, that’s just disgusting.” Well clearly, decide. this response is based off of a societal norm. Now since this is an editorial, my opinEven if thought of in a more educated manion has obviously been the only opinion ner, “it has been proven that incest creates shared. Does this mean I don’t respect deficiencies within the offspring,” it still relates others opinions? Absolutely not; I comto gay marriage. It raises the child in a fampletely respect others for forming an ily environment that lacks aspects necessary opinion and hope that they would do the in rearing the child. And I don’t even need same with me. to state this, but medically, a child can’t be My opinion is based off of my conborn within a same gender couple, so what Yes on Proposition 8: science with faith as a core value, and what I does this show to those that are taking a rethink is right. Just like others may base their decisions off alistic medical view? Furthermore, many people say that Proposition 8 would of initial reactions or experiences, I base my decisions off discriminate against homosexual couples, but isn’t ban- of my beliefs as a traditional Christian. Openly discussed within most Christian churches, the ning incest discriminating against people who love their brother? This is where opinion comes in, and this is where plan that God has created for us has clearly stated that our society must find a norm to let law develop off of, just the family unit must be based off of love within a committed relationship between one man and one woman. like the norm of incest has developed. If the law passes, so be it. Societal norm will agree that As stated by all who advocated Proposition 8 and also on their website, it states that the intention is not to dis- there is no difference between homosexual and heterocriminate against homosexual couples, but to restore the sexual couples. Will I be disappointed? No, because I shared my opinactual definition of marriage. For gay couples today, without Proposition 8, they are ion with society and advocated for what I thought was given the same rights and recognition as a heterosexual right. The position of traditional Christian churches will not couple when they are registered as domestic partners. change, nor will my view. Laws regarding their rights are stated within Section 297 -by Cheryl Ford, Staff Writer
October 2008
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The Flash
“You are what you eat.”
“Stop” bucks How good is too much of a “good” thing?
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uick. Convenient. Everywhere. No wonder Starbucks is the most popular coffee shop, especially in the morning. A spectrum of beverages and other foods appeals to the formal businessman, the busy mom, and of course, the typical kid heading to school. All situations share one common characteristic: they are all seeking something to energize their morning. Too often, Starbucks is relied on as the only breakfast environment. “I usually don’t have time to eat breakfast because school starts too early. Starbucks is an easy solution for food because it’s on the way to school,” said sophomore Sara Bennahmias who usually orders a vanilla bean frappuccino. She’s right. It is easy, but almost too easy. With a Starbucks just across the way from RHS, the scene is repetitive and even more convenient. Wake up tired, stop at Starbucks on the way out, place an order, and voila! Enjoy an energizing drink to avoid enduring an exhausting day. Simple, but not smart. Clearly, people are willing to exchange their health for convenience. Starbucks is selected for its delicious products, not for its nutritional value. The drinks alone pack anywhere from 300 to 600 calories- just for the grande size. Or take a baked good. Just one Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin carries 470 calories, 28 grams of sugar, and a mere 6 grams of protein. Accompanied with a White Chocolate Mocha (grande), the consumer indulges in an 890 calorie dense “breakfast.” That’s almost half of the daily recommended caloric intake of 2,000 calories. There are no forms of vitamin supplements either, so the calories are nearly empty. Devoid of significant nutritional value, a Starbucks breakfast is almost equivalent to no breakfast. According to researchers at the University of Minnesota in March 2008, those who do not consume breakfast are more likely to become obese than those who do. Simply, breakfast catalyzes the metabolism. Other research demonstrated related data. Lack of breakfast corresponds to the lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular variables. Count
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on breakfast to enhance math scores and cognitive functions. There’s more: breakfast boosts the mood, too. Decreased anxiety and depression are proven benefits of eating breakfast. Imagine the potential of a vitamin rich breakfast. Alternatively, people can turn to healthier options like cereal and fruit in the morning. In fact, apples are known to be superior to coffee when energy is needed. Still, Starbucks can be enjoyed from time to time. Consumers can exercise a little restraint when ordering. Instead of ordering the frappuccino every day, relish it once or twice a month. Not many, but few menu items are less nutritionally dramatic. Twelve ounces of Brewed Coffee has five calories while a serving of Café au Lait has a simple sixty. In general, visits to Starbucks should be a treat, rather than a habitual stop. As the old saying goes, “You are what you eat.” -by Amanda Calzada, Staff Writer
Drinking his daily Starbucks, student Jon Ogata relies on this caffeine to make it through the school day.
rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“People just don’t understand the sport. They should come out and see what it is all about.“ -Brittany Wickham
What about water polo?! Where all the rowdy rooters? Water polo has little student body support at Rocklin High School.
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tudents flock out to see football, basketball, baseball, and soccer but what about water polo?! The only time students come out to watch water polo is in the Sierra Shoot Out when they can get out of P.E. “I had a choice between running a mile or I could go and cheer for the water polo game, so I chose water polo,” said Carly Schrimbeck That must have been a tough decision. Even at the Sierra Shoot Out with all those students in the stands the crowd was silent, besides a few overly-excited parents. The students spend their time talking, or even sleeping instead of giving a little support to their team. At the water polo game at Whitney an impressive student cheering section supported their water polo players. They even had full on chants going on. Kayla Phillips defends against Whitney. (photo Unlike in Rocklin’s by Brian Hulsebus) games where it’s rare to see any students, much less a whole cheering crowd of them. Whitney is our rival school, but their cheering section but our non-existent fans to shame. An excited crowd can affect the outcome of the game. When athletes are down the crowd is suppose to hold them up and give them that extra motivation that leads them to victory, but at Rocklin that concept falls apart when it comes to water polo games. Rocklin water polo athletes put an extreme amount of time into water polo. They practice at least two hours a day in the afternoon. The varsity girls have morning practice on Wednesday from 6 to7 with a regular two hour practice time after school. They also have dry land on Fridays at 4:30, with a full two hour practice afterwards. Usually, their weekends are nonexistent. In the month of September they only had one weekend that didn’t have a water polo tournament. The water polo players do all this, and then they go out and play their hardest only to see an empty stadium. October 2008
“[Water polo players] practice at least two hours a day in the afternoon. The varsity girls have morning practice on Wednesday from 6 to 7...” Brittany Wickham, a varsity water polo player said, “water polo is an intense sport and the more support we get the better we play. People just dont understand the sport. They should come out and see what it is all about.” Also, water polo players have to pay for their suits, caps, and any clothing they want from the sport. Unlike some sports, such as basketball, that have enough support to do fundraisers that allows the players to get all their gear for free. Unfortunately, this year water polo’s season has gone by unnoticed and unappreciated. The season is all but over and water polo players didn’t get the support they had earned and would have greatly appreciated. Next year, the chance to come out and support your Rocklin water polo team will be wide open again. Make a point to come to at least one water polo game, and see what it is all about. Rocklin water polo players will be waiting. -by Heather Smith, Staff Writer
Bill Howe, hole set, fires on goal. Howe backs up Matt Arensman on the varsity in the toughest, most physical positon. (photo by Brian Hulsebus)
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The Flash
“My life has been funnier and sadder and richer and poorer than any of the magazines know. “ - sTORI TELLING
sTORI TELLING
Tori Spelling finally tells her side of the story in her new memoir
EXCERPT When you’re a kid, you don’t worry what anyone thinks. You go around saying whatever pops into your head or picking your teeth, and it never occurs to you that someone might think you’re gross, awkward, or ridiculous. That was me — picking my nose, snorting when I laughed, wearing white after Labor Day — I just was who I was. That all changed one day at the tender age of twelve when I was getting ready for a family photo. We were having a formal family portrait taken with our dogs (doesn’t everyone do that?), and I was getting frustrated with my bangs. I couldn’t get them to do whatever a twelve-yearold in 1985 wanted bangs to do. So I went into my parents’ bathroom, all dressed up, with my hair done as best I could manage, and asked my mother, “Am I pretty?” She looked at me and said, “You will be when we get your nose done.” I was stunned. My nose, as noses tend to be, was right in the middle of my face, and I had just been told that it was ugly. So long, innocence. -sTORI TELLING ori Spelling’s roller coaster relationship with her mother is one of the many issues she reveals in her best seller sTori Telling. Spelling grows up with money but never fits in to the “rich girl” lifestyle. While her parents supplied her with lavish birthday parties, ostentatious Halloween costumes and white Christmas’, Tori simply wanted to pick up dog poo with her father. She craved a “normal” childhood that most of us would have been glad to trade in for hers. Some of you may know her from her more recent tele-
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vision shows such as So NoTorious, Tori & Dean: Inn Love or Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, but she is better known for her role on Beverly Hills, 90210. This role was actually the double-edged sword of her career. While it made her one of the most famous actresses of her time, it also made it more challenging for her to get other jobs in the industry and she found herself pleading with casting directors to overlook Donna Martin’s existence. But life after 90210 finally brought great things for Spelling. She starred in the stage production Maybe Baby, It’s You, had a starring role in The House of Yes and The WB’s The Help, and landed numerous cameos. Many think her acting career was handed to her because of her legendary father Aaron Spelling, but Tori actually had to work twice as hard to have an acting career because of it. I have a newfound respect for Spelling for telling her story with such sincerity. The challenges she faces in her life are unexpected and not the problems you would think someone like Tori would have. You know that the memoir is brilliantly written when you feel sorry for Spelling for only inheriting $800,000 from her father. You feel bad when her mother gives her a “fairy-tale” wedding to the wrong man, and you understand when she cheats with the right one. You realize how normal a person Spelling really is, and how wrong the tabloids have always been. -by Megan Taaffe, Ad Director
sTORI TELLING has had 19 weeks on the NY Times Best-Seller list. A follow up book to sTORI TELLING called Mommywood will be released in April 2009.
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rhsflash@yahoo.com
Opinion
“You get the full aspect of spirit week doing all of these, and it’s hard to miss out on all of the fun!” -Dominique Dates
45%
dress up days • floats • game • halftime • Kim Benemelis • Grant Speckert • DANCE • dance team • cheer• ASB • pre-game • lunchtime games • football dress up days • floats • game • halftime • Kim Benemelis • Grant Speckert of students said “all of • DANCE • dance team • cheer• ASB • them” was their favorite pre-game • lunchtime games • football dress Homecoming up days • floats activity • game • halftime • Kim Benemelis • Grant Speckert 135 students surveyed 10/10-13
Kathy Atkinson and Sarah Tormey at dance.
Kelsey Smith, Kayla Cabezuela and varsity cheer during first half of the Homecoming game.
JUNIORS WIN! Stephanie Chan, Rachel Croopnick, Caity Alsobrook, Hailey Mendoza.
Amy Bennett on Monday’s Pajama Day.
Ryan Sicotte getting second in lunchtime games Thursday.
October 2008
Juniors honor the thunderstick
RHS photojournalism photos by Amanda Palm, Sam Wittwer, Chelsea Landa, Kara Stone
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The Flash
Oct. 3 2008
ASB Congratulates the more than 800 students who earned a 3.0 GPA or above in Spring, 2008 Thanks to the Pita Pit for donating award coupons, 2168 Sunset Blvd Rocklin, CA 95765 (916) 786-7482 * brought to you by campus recognition committee, photos and text by Z. Douglas
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rhsflash@yahoo.com