April 2009 by Rocklin High School Student Media

l o o h c s h g

the

It was unbelievably awkward. I knew that I needed to move out of my home for months. This is a night we will all remember. Trying to grow a little faster and mature in a shorter amount of time. She’s had the opportunity to create memories with friends she’s known for over six years. This is the high school experience. Find these sentences inside this issue and experience Rocklin High.

volume 17. issue 03 • March 2009

e c n e i r e p ex

Rocklin High School-rhsflash@yahoo.com-Rocklin, CA 95765

flash

the

The Flash

“People receive little recognition for all they do.”

Dance Classes For All Ages! Dance Elite All Stars

2610 Sunset Blvd. Suite #1 Rocklin, 95677 (916) 632-9498 www.danceeliteallstars.com *Ages 2 ½ to Adult *Beginning through Pre-Professional Levels offered *Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre *Home of Northern California’s largest nationally ranked competitive dance teams *Professional instructors *State of the Art facility- the largest in Rocklin Bring in this Ad to receive a free two week trial of unlimited classes at Dance Elite! If you choose to sign up after the two weeks, you can also have free registration!

Expires 3/30/09.

*Special is reserved for new Dance Elite students only, special does not apply to current dance Elite students.

Open Classes offered for High School Students… Senior Intermediate Jazz Technique- Mondays @5p.m. Senior/Adult Hip Hop- Mondays @6p.m. Junior/Senior Hip Hop- Mondays @7p.m. Junior/Senior Beginning/Intermediate Tap- Tuesdays @8p.m. Junior/Senior Beginning/Intermediate Ballet- Mondays @8p.m. Junior/Senior Intermediate/Advanced Ballet- Tuesdays @7p.m. Senior Advanced Jazz Technique- Wednesdays @7p.m. Junior/Senior Beginning/Intermediate Jazz- Thursdays @4p.m. Senior/Adult Advanced Tap- Thursdays @5p.m. Senior/Adult Hip Hop- Thursdays @7p.m. Junior/Senior Intermediate/Advanced Tap- Thursdays @7p.m. Junior/Senior Lyrical Beginning/Intermediate- Thursdays @8p.m. Junior/Senior Intermediate Jazz- Thursdays @8p.m. Junior/Senior Advanced Ballet- Fridays @4p.m. *See our full schedule for all ages including competition classes @www.danceeliteallstars.com

Dates to Remember 4/17/09- Informational meeting for new potential competition team members 4/18/09- Intensive Clinic with instructors form L.A. and local Master Teachers- for current and potential competition team members only. 4/19/09- Auditions for 2009-2010 Competition Teams (we have teams for intermediate and advanced level dancers)

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience “The experiences that define a high school career.”

The

high school experience Really? These are the best four years of our lives? The drama, the confusion, the chaos and the experiences make what hopefully isn’t the best time of your entire life. But there is no denying that high school is one of the most epic rollercoasters you will ever experience. That’s why The Flash decided to dedicate this issue to all of those crazy incidents people have in high school. Students reflect on everything from disastrous first dates to jump starting into college in this issue that defines the high school experience.

March Contents March Contents

5: 7: 9: 11: 13: 15: 17: 19:

All you need is love “Guys are just as emotional as girls. They just don’t show it.” Photo by Megan Foster

Passion for posing “I’m modeling to get money to pay for college right now, but I hope I can continue doing it later on in my life.”

Losing Lois “I loved that car. It was the end of my most precious baby.”

Moving into reality “I was, as of that moment, officially and completely grown up.

A night to remember “Prom is one thing every girl looks forward to in her high school career! So of course it is a big deal!!”

Never gonna grow up “I’m warnin’ ya: once you’re grown up, you can never come back. Never!”

Calculus Team: assemble! “Thinking back to the days of our teacher Ms. Buffamonte in geometry, it seems so long ago.”

Jumpstart to college “If you do not do well, you will not get anything out of them. It is a choice.”

21: 23: 25: 27:

Kids caring for kids “If you’re a girl in this country, you have a 34% chance of becoming pregnant by the time you’re 20.”

Seniors not stressed out? “I hate waiting to find out where I’m going to spend the next four years.”

Looking way back “I would advise people to get involved.”

Dancing at the Runaway Dance, Ryan Turner and Kyle Roberts enjoy a typical Rocklin High School student experience.

They’re just not that into it “Graduating from high school isn’t really an accomplishment I’m proud of.”

March 2009

The Flash

“The first thing that she noticed was that the car kept swerving...”

Love is a

battlefield

First date ends as a horrific experience

was doing, but whatever it was, he did it at least seven magine walking into a restaurant and meeting your times, which obviously brought up some red flags. date across the room. After ordering your meal, you “At this point, I was seriously starting to wonder begin to notice that your date is acting rather strangely. what was going on, this is more that just acting weird, He is giggling incessantly and seem to hardly notice that something was wrong with him” she said. you are there. You soon realize that he is actually ‘high’. After dinner, she decided to go with him as he went Your date suddenly becomes a miserable, awkward to Best Buy. He said he needed a new monitor for his experience with someone who is barely even conscious. computer right that instant. These sort of awkward dates are all too common. “Any doubts in my mind were People go in expecting your gone, he was definitely on something, standard dinner and a movie, only I mean, who buys a computer monitor to find out that their experience is in the middle of a date?” anything but normal. However, by the time they arrived, Perhaps it is incompatibility. Perhaps it is just catching someone for the first Best Buy was already closing down and they were refused admittance. He on a bad day, but sometimes these date dinner shrugged it off, saying that he did not things just go south. really need a new monitor. One source, who wishes to After that very strange incident, she remain anonymous, had an insisted that he take her home and he experience very similar to the one agreed without a fuss. described. After preparing for a first would pay for the first date Upon arriving at her house, he date at Red Robin, she was picked walked her up to the door and said up at her house around seven good-night. As she was heading o’clock. inside, he stopped her and kissed her The first thing that she noticed on the spot. The problem was, her was that the car kept swerving; want their date to have a sense of humor mother was right in the dining room not enough to be dangerous, but and saw the whole thing. enough to wonder what was going “Yeah, my mom didn’t really like on. Her date just laughed it off and him doing that, she just kind of said that nothing was wrong, he seemed to care how old their date was stood there, really surprised, it was was just playing around. Survey of 30 RHS boys unbelievably awkward for me and her, They arrived at Red Robin and although I don’t think that he even the night looked like it would be noticed that she was there.” normal, but soon, her date started laughing nonstop. It On the next Monday, she asked around about her date seemed very strange, their conversation had only been and discovered that he had been smoking marijuana right about getting to know each other and there was nothing before he picked her up. even remotely funny in the room. In fact, she pointed “That explained a lot, the giggling, the swerving, the out that there was a baby screeching at the back of the weird need to get a computer monitor, he was totally restaurant, which made the laughing seem all the more out of it the whole time, which made it by far the most out of place. awkward date I have ever been on or even heard of.” Her date also kept going to the restroom to do -By Justin Brooks, Staff Writer something. Even now she is not completely sure what he

What a guy wants

90%

85%

50%

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“Guys are just as emotional as girls. They just don’t show it.” - Jerry Graber

All you need is love T

he stereotypes of girls and guys prevent many from entering the confusing world of dating. Most guys think girls are vain, spend too much time getting ready, only care about clothes and guys, are bad drivers, and are extreme gossipers. On the other hand, most girls think that all guys have one thing on their mind at all times and act like they don’t have any feelings. These stereotypes are true to some extent on both sides, but many teens beg to differ. Junior Isabel Lopez said, “Not all girls care about looking cute, what they’re going to wear, or who they’re going to impress all the time.” Of course all girls want to look cute, but when it comes down to it, personality goes a long way. Refuting the “all girls are bad drivers” claim, is junior Alicia French. “Statistics say guys get into way more accidents than girls, and I’m an amazing driver, so there you go,” aid French. Everyone gossips, even guys. French continues, “If you want a girl that doesn’t share anything and keeps it all to herself, find a deaf/mute and you’ll be content.” Boys at this age think of one thing and one thing only. How many times have we heard that?

what a girl

wants

Girls also chose

“Not all girls care about looking cute, what they’re going to wear, or who they’re going to impress all the time.”

Junior John Gildea refutes this claim. “I think about food, too,” Gildea said. Also, if you haven’t realized already, boys do have feelings and they overcompensate when those feelings are hurt. Junior Jerry Graber said, “Guys are just as emotional as girls, They just don’t show it.” Those emotions often lead to needing the perfect someone. All girls dream of the “perfect boy,” and for those boys wondering what that is, some characteristics of one are: considerate, funny, but not trying to be, spontaneous, chivalrous, mentally competent, and modest. These traits are extremely rare, but it’s mainly Hollywood’s fault for putting these ideas into teenager girl’s heads. For guys, the “perfect girl” is funny, attractive, interesting, kind, and passionate. Photo by Justin Brooks -By Tanya Sukkari, Staff

84% think guys should pay for the first date 100% love a guy that can make them laugh 99% want their date to be older

for the first date dinner Survey of 30 RHS girls

March 2009

The Flash

“It’s what I’ve always had a passion for. Who doesn’t play with fire at least once in their life?” -Eric Kassis

When I grow up...

Students work as professionals in the ‘real world’

or three Rocklin High School students, taking the steps towards obtaining their childhood dreams are not as far as they once were. Senior Eric Kassis, currently enrolled in ROP Fire Science, has a strong head start for when his 18th birthday rolls around next November. Tim Kassis, Eric’s father, said, “Every time we drove by a fire station I could remember Eric saying, ‘Hire me! Most kids have dreams of becoming something. I’m glad to see Eric has kept his ‘eye on the prize, in a way, and actually going for it.” With his ROP training, six months of hands on experience through the volunteer program, and completed courses through Sierra College under his belt, Kassis résumé looks promising according to the firefighters working at the Auburn City Fire Station. “It’s what I’ve always had a passion for. Who doesn’t play with fire at least once in their life,” Kassis said. “I remember doing my sophomore year career speech on becoming a firefighter. I’ve done the research, I’m working on the training, and I know the risks.” With danger around every corner, Eric would proudly “give it all for the safety of others.” -By Rebecca Nitz, Staff Writer

Full set-Pink & White$30 Acryllic-Full set $20 Pedicure $20

Stressing about the future “It’s so hard trying to figure out what career you are going to pursue. Your

parents might want you to do one thing, but you might want to do something totally different.” -Boi-Chau Nguyen “I haven’t slept for weeks because I have been so stressed out about what I am going to do in the future. There are a lot of options out there and it’s an overwhelming experience. I just can’t decide what to do with my life!” -Carly Schirmbeck rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“...my older brother brags to his friends that I am [a model].” -Bryan Sheets

The Model

nd I got paid traveling to New York… Wait, in this economy? That’s unheard of, right? Not for model Bryan Sheets, a junior. “My friend’s dad has some experience in the modeling profession and he said it would be something I would be good at,” said Sheets. “I tried out for a Ford Agency at an open call interview and they signed me on the spot because they like me.” At each photo shoot, Sheets makes his money either by the day or by the hour. Sheets can be found modeling for Mervyns, Target, Kohls, and other small designers. “My friends think it is really cool that I am a model and my older brother brags to his friends that I am one,” said Sheets. Besides getting money benefits and bragging rights, Sheets also travels for his job for free, compliments of his agency. “Modeling for photo shots is fun. I have a good time,” said Sheets. Although he has the support of his family, photo shoots have cause Sheets to miss school in the past. Recently, with a trip to Denver, Sheets had to miss a week of school. Luckily for Sheets, his parents are okay with missing school as long as the homework is finished on time. With college around the corner, saving money is important. Sheets said, “I’m modeling right now for exactly that. Someone’s got to pay for it, right?” Although he is just a junior, Sheets said, “I definitely have other goals for my future, but for now, I’d like to continue modeling for as long as I can.” -By Rebecca Nitz, Staff Writer

Finding time to pursue passions requires family

The Baker

ho doesn’t love sweets? “Baking and pastries, I’ve always found them fun,” said senior Jacki Newkirk. I enjoy being in the kitchen cooking. It’s a true passion of mine.” After completing her internship with Kelli’s Cookies, Newkirk has been asked to join the team and become an employee. Already attending college classes, Newkirk has started her educational journey with courses at Sierra College and American River College. Donna Newkirk – Jacki’s mother – has seen her daughter pursue her dream though baking in the kitchen. “My husband and I are always in the kitchen cooking. I guess since we’ve taught her how to bake at such a young age, it’s influenced her future goals. I’m very proud of Jacki for pursuing her dream,” said Mrs. Newkirk. With hopes to cook in a Tahoe lodge or Las Vegas resort, Jacki Newkirk works hard through internships and work experience, with the support of her parents, to become a baking chef. -By Rebecca Nitz, Staff Writer

March 2009

The Flash “19% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 use the pill.”

Keeping it safe Using birth control

igh school students have sex. This isn’t a new [heck] of a lot easier. Even if I don’t use it for sex.” Their safety and convenience, as well as several positive discovery, they always have. Not surprisingly, they did even when our parents went to high school. And contrary side effects, make birth control pills a top choice among to conservative belief, Rocklin High School is not an students. There are so many variations of the same general formula that there is one that works for exception to this rule. almost every woman’s body. Nearly 75 percent of American Another reputable choice for birth teenagers will have had sex by the time “More than 10% of all U.S. are to control, which has recently expanded they reach 20—this is just about as high in popularity, is NuvaRing, which is an as most modernized European nations. mothers under age 20.” inter-vaginal, gel-like ring that releases But subsequently, around one third of the same hormones that the pill does, in those teens will become pregnant, “67% of most teenage births are to girls ages 18 and 19.” lower doses. according to PregnantTeenHelp.org. It has to be replaced every three Statistically, the United States has the weeks. highest teen pregnancy rate among all “About 3 in 10 teenage girls become “I couldn’t remember to take pills, the developed nations worldwide. pregnant at least once before age 20.” and I have a boyfriend, so I switched Nationally, we seem to have from the pill to the ring,” said a different a problem. European nations far “More than 750,000 teenagers senior. “It’s much easier to hide, and outshine ours when it comes to safe become pregnant each year, and much harder to forget.” sex and contraceptive use. about 442,000 give birth.” Another senior girl talked about Some experts say that Europe’s her experience with the birth control low rates can be contributed to “societal openness and comfort in “About 1 in 4 teen mothers under age patch—“I had to replace it every week, dealing with sexuality,” according to 18 have a second baby within 2 years but it immediately caused severe mood swings. I cried probably three times a AdvocatesForYouth.org. But America, after the birth of their first baby.” day, over nothing… sometimes just a being the very conservative nation sweet commercial on TV,” she said. “And I started eating. that it is, is no Europe in this category. But since we at Rocklin High have neither the apparently Everything. My irritability and increased appetite continued enormous pregnancy problem of the rest of America nor for four months.” She kept using the patch, though, for these four the openness of Europe, what went right? The exception here is that RHS students are educated. months. Simply because of the convenience and the easy Early on in sophomore year health class, RHS offers sex concealment. All of the above methods are considered hormonal education. This class includes contraceptive education, birth control methods, and are widely used for their high not abstinence-only instruction. In several studies, the effectiveness of contraceptive effectiveness. On the subject of concealment, it is no surprise that education at a high school level has been praised, according to Wikipedia.org. So one thing is for sure, the many parents don’t know their kids are sexually active, let students at Rocklin High School are lucky enough to have alone using a form of birth control. “I have a boyfriend. But my parents have no idea I’m that information available to them. And according to the lower numbers here than elsewhere, on birth control,” said the above senior. “If they did, there would be serious consequences.” the education has been put to good use. But even without parental consent, there are always free A number of RHS students use some method of birth control, whatever the reasoning behind it. Birth control pills, birth control methods—whatever individual choice might specifically, are widely used for more than their pregnancy be—available to young people. “Planned Parenthood provides virtually free care,” said preventing attributes. “I got on pills only because I had a really irregular, painful the above senior. “For one trip, they’ll provide you with four months of cycle and acne,” said an RHS senior. “But after I started taking the right pill, my life got a birth control and a dozen condoms, all for a donation of

The Facts

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“If you’re a girl in this country, you have a 34% chance of becoming pregnant by the time you’re 20.” (Continued from “Keeping it safe”) whatever size you can give. And they’re always friendly about it.” Government-funded agencies like Planned Parenthood are widely relied upon throughout the sexually active RHS population. They keep many teenagers safe from unwanted pregnancies, even if they’ve made the choice to have sex without their parents’ permission. What is most important is not the availability of these resources, but the fact that they are utilized by a large percentage of students. Something about RHS education has gone terribly

Kids caring for kids T

een pregnancies are slowly becoming a societal norm. In the United States alone, practically one in eight women becomes pregnant between the ages of 15 and 19. This statistic, however, is not the worst to surface. According to the Family First Aid Foundation, 34 percent of women under the age of 20 become pregnant at least once. This amounts to approximately 820,000 young women each year becoming pregnant. Eight in ten of these pregnancies are unintended. All of these statistics may seem alarming but these trends have been on going in the U.S. over the past 30 years. We have officially become the nation with the highest number of teen pregnancies and births in the Western industrialized world. The differences between the U.S. and other countries when it comes to sexual education, is the time in children’s lives when the topic is introduced. Out of the entire developed Western world, our sexualeducation courses are taught at the oldest age. Our health courses take place between Eighth and Eleventh grade, those grades being the first time that sexual intercourse is spoken about. Although this is a touchy subject, statistically, nations that offer Sex-Ed at an earlier age have the lowest pregnancy rates. According to the US Government pregnancy and health research; per 1000 women aged 15-19, 25 percent of those women were pregnant or had been pregnant in prior years. Compared to France where only six percent of women conducted in the same poll had been pregnant. The differences are quite staggering. France’s sexual education programs are widely offered and practiced at a younger age. In addition to France, other European countries such as Denmark and Holland have astoundingly low pregnancy rates as well as abortion rates. The commonalities between these countries are their promotion of contraceptives as well as teaching abstinence. The Dutch also take these principles in hand March 2009

right. Given the statistics, teenagers at RHS should be given more credit for trying to be responsible. The adults who surround the student population, who constantly attempt to ignore the fact that many of the students are currently sexually active, don’t acknowledge how smart many of the students are actually being about their choices. This issue perpetuates across generations. And so it will go on. -By Ashley Sorci, Staff Writer

Teen pregnancies in the u.s. and create an emphasis on delaying sexual activity until an older age or even marriage. “I think birth control is a great idea, of course. It is really important to inform these young minds on the dangers of sexual intercourse and all the unintended pregnancies that occur,” said Rocklin High School’s Health and Child Development teacher, Mrs. Susan Kerby. Taking what she said into consideration, I then asked about what changes she would make to the United States sexual education system, she added, “I would have reproductive age taught at an earlier age but still not dive into detail during this time of life. I say that abstinence along with other methods should remain taught because they all provide important methods of birth-control.” The rate of pregnancies at Rocklin is private information, but we can still hope for changes to occur and bring down our nation’s pregnancy rates so operations such as abortions are not necessary.

School ID 15% off

The Flash

“I was, as of that moment, officially and completely grown up.”

Moving

into

reality

A personal account of adjusting to a new idea of home

y mom couldn’t even watch as we moved my bed parents moved in with my grandmother, and my brother into the truck. She had to take our dogs on a walk, got an apartment with friends. It was one of the hardest she said, but I knew she just didn’t want me to see her cry things my family has ever faced, but it was best for all of us. and make me question my decision. After a few of weeks of staying with different friends, my Everything I owned was all packed up and ready to go, leaving the one bedroom in our apartment utterly empty. close friend, Kailee Loughlin and her family offered me a Reality knocked the wind out of me as I drove away from my permanent home. They had an empty bedroom and said they would be happy to have me home with all of my belongings. I live with them. Their generosity was, as of that moment, officially and kindness offered me the and completely grown up. best possible opportunity, and I I knew that I needed to move moved in just a few days later. out of my home for months Adjusting to life without before I actually got the courage my parents was extremely to do it. There were, after all, strange at first. I came home to often four or five people staying someone else’s family everyday, in our one bedroom apartment, and in the beginning I felt very and the staggering decline uncomfortable and out of place in the economy had hit my in their home, despite their family harder than anyone ever amazing hospitality and warmth. expected. Both of my parents My parents, however, were lost their jobs, and I was working having a much harder time with a full time job while going to the adjustment. It has been school just to support myself. extraordinarily difficult for my I realized that our living mom especially. We always situation was one that simply had a very close relationship could not continue, and despite and being forced into a drastic how hard it would be to split change where we only saw each our family up, it really was the other a few times a week was best option. Both of my parents’ bizarre for both of us. cars had broken down, and the Kailee and her family have costs of repair were completely Posing for a picture, Alexis Coopersmith and Kailee offered me the utmost support in unaffordable. We would not be Loughlin have lived together for four months. adjusting, and I am so grateful for able to keep the apartment for much longer, and the threat of losing it was too heavy of a the home they have given me and the sense of normalcy weight on my parents’ shoulders. I could not bear to see they have brought into my life Four months later, and I now completely trust that I made the pressure we all faced everyday anymore. In the beginning of November, I approached my the right decision. Although it is still sometimes hard to be parents and told them of my plans to move out. I would on my own, I am in a much better living situation. I have be bouncing around, living with various friends whose learned a lot about myself and gained an independence parents were kind enough to offer me their homes. I that makes me a stronger person every day. I plan to live with Kailee through the summer until I suggested that my parents consider moving in with my dad’s mother, where they could live rent-free and focus on move away to college, and the thought of never living with getting things together. We would still be close enough to my parents again is still hard to get used to. However difficult the entire ordeal may have been, it see each other often as well. The next day, I packed up my things that I would be has been a priceless experience that I will never forget. -By Alexis Coopersmith, Co-Editor-in-Chief needing, and headed on out to a new stage in life. My

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“We’re so close we are practically brothers.”

The next step to living on your own

What is the longest amount of time you have spent away from your parents?

20% Less than a week 66% A week to a month 13% Over a month

2% You don’t live with your parents

Survey of 112 RHS students

California Emancipation Laws -Emancipation is a legal way for children to become adults before they’re 18. Once a child is emancipated, his or her parents don’t have custody or control of him or her anymore. There are 3 ways to get emancipated: -Get married. You need permission from your parents and the court. -Join the armed forces. You need permission from your parents, and the armed forces must accept you. -Get a declaration of emancipation from a judge. -To get a declaration of emancipation, you have to prove ALL of these things: -You are at least 14 years old. -You don’t want to live with your parents. Your parents don’t mind if you move out. -You can make and handle your own money. Info from www.courtinfo.ca

Best roommates S

eniors Curtis Wise and Kyle Lybrand have been best friends since for six years. They have been brothers for nine months. Wise moved in with Lybrand and his family in June of 2008 when his mother moved to Washington over the summer. His father lives in Sacramento, but Wise did not want to have to commute to school every day. “It’s my senior year so I really didn’t want to move to Washington,” said Wise. “Besides, it’s not very weird because I live with my best friend. We’re so close we are practically brothers.” Wise and Lybrand share a bedroom, and they even share a bunk bed. Over the months, their relationship has gotten closer, and Wise has begun to transition into the Lybrand family. “I consider his parents my godparents. I call them Mom and Dad, I guess I just kind of have four parents,” said Wise. “They think they have known each other their entire lives. They act like brothers, they fight like brothers, and they even fight over stuff like clothes. The relationship they have is pretty amazing.” said Amber Diller, Wise’s girlfriend. Both Wise and Lybrand plan to attend San Diego State University in the fall, where they will also be dorm roommates. -By Alexis Coopersmith, Co-Editor-in-Chief

March 2009

Two best friends become roommates in their senior year

Next to their bunk bed, best friends Curtis Wise and Kyle Lybrand pose for a picture.

The Flash “This is a night that everyone gets to share with each other, and one we will all remember” -Katie Dyas

night to remember

is junior prom really supposed to be the greatest night of your life?

Dreams come true when the princess walks gracefully into the beautiful palace, looking for her fairy tale ending. Junior Prom is a formal, elegant dance that is perceived as a memory every one must encounter. The night is thought of to be magical, and experience you will never forget. But is it all that it is made out to be? At RHS, the ASB executive council begins planning for Junior Prom early in the year to make it a special and unforgettable event for their fellow students. Hailey Heikkinen, a junior, knows first-hand the experiences of prom, because she attended last year as a sophomore. Another student, Katie Dyas, a junior, has been planning for the event with a large group of her friends and is really excited for the experience because she has never been to the prom. “I thought the dance was really fun, but I did not know that many people. The dinner before the dance was awesome, and I liked how it was in a different place other than the high school gym. It was just like an average dance though,” Heikkinen said. The dance was located in a Sacramento ballroom, with elegant decorations in the two-story building. A majority of RHS students believe that Junior Prom is the major turning point in high school. Prom is like the part of high school that’s always played out in those movies and I’ve always thought of it as sort of a right of passage to senior year. I’m planning on it to be fantastical!” said Dyas. However, Heikkinen has a different perspective. “I think it depends on who you celebrate it with and how you celebrate it. Senior Ball seems like more of the turning point though,” said Heikkinen. The event takes place on March 21, 2009. The tickets are silver carriages with royal blue in the background and silver cursive lettering. Tickets are $70, and the theme is “Greatest Story Ever Told,” named after the song by Oliver James. The background will be simple, but elegant and eluding to a fairy tale. “I’m already looking online for a dress and am really excited about that aspect. Over the four day weekend, I went to San Francisco with a friend to look for a dress. Later, I’ll go get my nails done and go all out with the hair and makeup,” said Dyas. “The closer it gets the more exciting it becomes. We are already looking into

party busses and limos and where to take pictures beforehand.” But the actual feeling of the night, the suspense, is what makes it all worth while. “Just when I think about it, what everyone said about prom, how different it is from any dance, that’s what makes it so exciting. Even the fact that we can get a limo, the dresses are long, and practically everyone is going is enough to make me psyched. This is a night that everyone gets to share with each other, and one we will all remember,” said Dyas. -By Lauren Sotir, Staff Writer

vs.

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience “Since I was a little girl I would always imagine my prom.” -Jenn Cardoza

“Sure [prom] is exciting, but not something that people think about when they hear ‘high school.’” Chad Wszolek, 11 “Junior prom is definitely one of the most memorable times of high school. It is something you look forward to and something you can also look back on. It’s a special event.” Leslie Braly, 12 “Prom has always been a big deal. Since I was a little girl I would always imagine my prom. Prom is a big part of high school and if you don't go, that's a full night of memories never made.” Jenn Cardoza, 9 “It's sooooo expensive, but I am still going because I wouldn't miss it for the world!” Dominique Dates, 11

We asked, you answered Are you excited for Junior Prom?

26.3%

OMG EXTREMELY

24.6%

It’s pretty exciting

24.6%

Haven’t thought about it

24.6%

It’s not a big deal, I don’t want to go

Do you consider Junior Prom an integral part of your high school experience?

60.9% 39.1%

Yes No

If you have been to Junior Prom, was it as fun as you expected?

29.0% 51.6% March 2009

Yes No 13

The Flash

“It gets really competitive sometimes, but we all know that it’s just a game.” -Brad Loebs

Never gonna

grow up

RHS students share their pastimes on how to stay a kid “Go on! Go back and grow up! But I’m warnin’ ya: once you’re grown up, you can never come back. Never!” eter Pan, the boy who never grew up, speaks these biting words in the classic Disney film by the same name. As high school students, we immerse ourselves with constantly trying to grow a little faster and mature in a shorter amount of time, anxious to become adults who decide our own rules. But how much merit do Peter’s words really have? Is growing up a one way street? Several students at Rocklin High School are finding out. Even though we’re all preparing to face the new frontiers ahead of us, whether its college, getting your driver’s license, or getting your first job, it’s never too late to stay a kid and hold on.

-By Michelle Ahronovitz, Copy Editor

Senior Brad Loebs and RHS graduate Alex Giddings

Ultimate Frisbee Group of seniors partake in their own frisbee league “Babaganoush! Babaganoush!”

o any passerby, hearing cries like this would seem rather strange; however, to a certain group of seniors at RHS, this is simply a code name for a strategy they’ve developed for their games of Ultimate Frisbee, which became a regular activity during this past summer. Ultimate Frisbee is a game where two teams vie to throw the Frisbee into the other team’s goal. When an individual has the Frisbee, they must stay in place and throw it to another teammate. “It gets really competitive sometimes, but we all know that it’s just a game. Usually I tag team with Alex Giddings and that’s when our team becomes unstoppable! The other teams try to emulate our strategies, but they just can’t beat us,” said senior Bradford Loebs. Most of the time, these students which includes Loebs, and seniors Kevin Rose, Erica Smith, Sima Bouzid, Kate Rose, Jaime Delano, Nathan Dudley, and Nicole Posnick. What started as a fun summer time pick up game, has now turned into a regular event. Each and every student is prepared to put on their game faces and play to the end. Most games are played at either Johnson Springview Park or the park by Whitney High School and they play for at least two hours. Ultimate Frisbee gets heated, but it brings back the sentiment of organized games and allows the players to reminisce about running around the park during the summer when they were kids. -By Michelle Ahronovitz, Copy Editor rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“It takes some dedication and you have to willing to fail a lot of times...” -Jaime Delano

Unicycling

Senior Jaime Delano enjoys “child-like endeavor”

C Take 1

hildren start out learning to ride a tricycle and eventually upgrade to a bicycle. But how many take that next step and learn to ride a unicycle? Senior Jaime Delano committed to learning how. “I originally wanted to learn in the second grade, but I just didn’t have the patience for it, so I quit. Then over the summer, I decided to try again and borrowed my neighbor’s unicycle.” It’s always easier to motivate yourself when you have a buddy, so when Delano realized that Nathan Dudley, another RHS Senior was teaching himself to ride, they started learning together and helping each other. The difference between biking and unicycling according to Delano is that “on a unicycle, you have to balance like three different ways, whereas on a bike you can just ride and go. Most of the time when I get frustrated it’s because I’m having trouble balancing.” It’s true, you can’t walk out onto the street of your neighborhood and see countless children riding on unicycles, but it’s definitely a child-like endeavor which seems to teach a valuable lesson. “Most people ask me why I unicycle and if it’s hard, which it is. It takes some dedication and you have to willing to fail a lot of times before you can successfully ride around for a little.” -By Michelle Ahronovtiz, Copy Editor

March 2009

Senior Jamie Delano

The Flash

“All ten valedictorians are girls.”

Three math geeks, Three friends, N three valedictorians “I had always wanted to be a Valedictorian. Now that I am one, I’m a little surprised!” -Jaime Delano

ot only have Jaime Delano, Cassie Trickett and I taken math classes together for six years, but we are also three of the ten valedictorians for the Class of 2009. All ten valedictorians are girls. -By Mallory Valenzuela, Editor-in-Chief

Can someone say,

Girl Power?!

Class of 2009 Valedictorians: Sima Bouzid Laura Cantu Jaime Delano Valerie Dudley Corie Heisler Sam Lawrence Rachel Leung Rosie Perrot Cassie Trickett Mallory Valenzuela

Sarah Dawson Photography

-Customize your photo shoot with your choice of outfits and location. -Check out the SENIORS gallery at www.Sarah DawsonPhotography.com! -Online ordering and viewing along with an online slideshow set to music! 16

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the experience

“Thinking back to the days of our teacher Ms. Buffamonte in geometry, it seems so long ago.” -Cassie Trickett

Calculus Team...ASSEMBLE! Group takes math classes together since 7th grade “We stole the hail from Anchorman,” said Trickett. “In Anchorman, they say, ‘News Team Assemble’, but we say ‘CALCULUS TEAM ASSEMBLE!’ Our study parties are 50% math and 50% everything else.” Fellow BC student David Ho has been in charge of the study group meetings throughout the school year. “I ourth period may be a time for Wuthering Heights seminars in Ms. Pilar Padilla’s AP English class, study send out a group text message with the hail, followed by a place and time to meet,” said Ho. “To future calculus of the Judicial Branch in Ms. students, I’d say that you need Colleen Crowe’s AP Government to keep focus if you want to be class, and observations of successful. But the Calculus perfect competition in Mr. Mark Team isn’t really focused all the Hardy’s AP Microeconomics time…” class. To make calculus a more However, a total of16 seniors enjoyable experience, sit in a 4 by 4 square formation conversations in BC class in Ms. Tara McCullough’s AP range from horrible driving Calculus BC class, which some experiences, to student Jeremy consider to be the most difficult Crooks getting sent out of math course offered at Rocklin class to finish his Starbucks, to High School. “That’s what she/he said” jokes. From 10:45 AM to 12:05 PM, After Ms. McCullough teaches calculus may be the main topic a basic example and moves of discussion, but there is a on to a more complicated one, sentimental bond connecting everyone expects student Karl the students together. Of the 16 Cannon to say his popular seniors, 11 of them have been Calculus BC students David Ho, Chad Davies, Cassie motto, “There’s always a catch.” taking advanced math classes “It’s not calculus if there isn’t a catch or some sort of together since the 7th grade at Granite Oaks Middle twist,” said Cannon. School. Calculus may be a difficult subject to grasp, but Ho BC student Cassie Trickett feels that she’s had the believes that students are not required to fit the genius opportunity to create memories with friends whom she stereotype. has known for six years now. “The misconception is that you have to be intelligent “It’s rare to be with a group of ten for that long, to take calculus,” said Ho. “I don’t even think I’m smart.” especially when people branch out in high school,” said Although he may not consider himself intelligent, Trickett. “Thinking back to the days of our teacher Ms. Ho agrees with Trickett that you can tell the difference Buffamonte in geometry, it seems so long ago.” between a calculus class and a statistics class. According to Trickett, many of the BC students have “If you can multiply or divide by 100, then cool,” said taken Calculus BC because the last two years of math Trickett. “I bet [stats] is a lot easier.” have been the most enjoyable. As college soon becomes a reality, Trickett says that Trickett said, “I looked forward to taking a class with the Calculus Team will stay with her forever. the group we’ve had established since middle school. “We’ve had the opportunity to get to know each other,” Now we’re reunited.” said Trickett. “It’s definitely an aspect of my high school This group, the Calculus Team, is based on the movie “Anchorman” and meets at least once a week to work on career I’ll never forget.” -By Mallory Valenzuela, Co-Editor-in-Chief homework and write-ups.

If F(x) = Pn(x), identify the degree n and c value of the Taylor Polynomial. Use Taylor’s Theorem to write F(x) as P(x) plus the error. Replace x=z in the fifth derivative of f(x). Remember that c<z<x.

March 2009

“They do take away a lot of my time, but I have more fun than most people think by taking them.” -Chase Fong

Jumpstart to College A reward, a nightmare, an adventure. n other words, an in-depth, accelerated, college level course taught in a high school setting, an AP class. Certainly, every student agrees AP classes are accompanied by a plethora of work, not everyone finds value in advanced placement classes. Really, it’s all how you look at it. Rocklin High has 383 students enrolled in at least one AP class. Each course is administered by the College Board and is designed to present a challenge to highly motivated students. AP courses are given additional weight in the G.P.A., and if AP students pass the test given at the end of the year, they may receive college credit (if they score at least a three out of five). The sum of both of these potential benefits is great, in the context of college applications. “AP classes are really hard, but worth the transcripts in the end,” said AP World History student Becca Bills. Justin Pugh, junior, sees AP classes as “the golden ticket to college.” This is especially true when trying to apply to a competitive university. Prospective AP students agree. “I want to take as many AP classes as I can,” said freshman Neil Brinckerhoff. “I heard eight AP classes can knock off one year at a college.” He is right, and at the same time, he may be equally wrong. It really depends on the situation. Perhaps this is the biggest incentive for students to enroll in these college level classes. Depending on the university, credits vary. Some colleges may only accept fours or fives on tests if a student wishes to be exempt from lower-division classes. On the other hand, some colleges will waive a student from any lower-division courses despite the score on the AP test. For some students, this is a relief. Others, however, fail to ease their own high standards. “I’ve already taken and passed seven AP Classes,” said Senior Chase Fong. “They do take away a lot of my time, but I have more fun than most people think by taking them. It is really not that hard for me. It is actually quite fun because I am taking them with Grant Speckert and Sima Bouzid.” He is also peer-teaching with Speckert and Bouzid for AP World History. “I have taken six AP classes. Make sure you take an AP class that you take interesting. AP Classes dive into deeper levels on their given subject, and if you don’t like the subject, you will not do well and not get anything out of them. It is a choice,” said Speckert. AP classes are beneficial to students in their high school career. There are students who disagree.

Are AP Classes even worth the stress?

“I don’t think AP classes are really even worth it. As long as you stay efficient with your classes, then you’re good,” said sophomore Nan Hee Pak. David Sur doesn’t see the value in AP classes either. Ironically, the junior is currently enrolled in AP Calculus AB and AP U.S. History. Now the question becomes: Can students that don’t take AP classes do as well as students that do? According to Mrs. Cindy Cutts, “Highly selective schools will take their top candidates. So not taking AP courses can put a student at a disadvantage when applying to a highly selective college. For colleges that admit all eligible applicants, not taking AP will probably not keep students out of those colleges, but it will make the adjustment to college level work more difficult.”

AP Answers With Mr. James Mr. Jeff James started the AP English program and has taught it every year since. Understanding you teach both regular English 4 and AP English, what is the biggest difference between the two classes? Pacing and scope would probably be the most obvious differences between the two courses. AP students read eight major works as part of the core of the course in addition to five summer reading works. While both courses emphasize intensive writing, the AP course requires timed writes and formal papers to be submitted every few weeks. Are there any overlapping concepts in the curriculums? Both classes aim to equip students with the skills they will need to tackle college coursework, including close reading and analysis skills, writing strategies, and authentic research experiences. Both classes also emphasize speaking, listening, collaboration and questioning through Socratic Seminar. How do you balance your time while teaching both courses? Sometimes it is quite challenging! The most difficult part is providing useful feedback to every student in a timely way.

-By Amanda Calzada, Staff Writer

18%

of students take an AP class

Yearbook... it’s “Myspace” in print

What you need to know about the 2009 yearbook: • Prices are set at $70, you can order online at Jostens.com • RHS yearbook is in the Hall of Fame- you know anyone else who can say that? • 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

“She had driven over the double yellow line and a little black sports car was coming towards us.” -Connor Morgan

Driving Drama

Crazy driving stories from Rocklin High School’s students and staff

ife in high school is characterized by the shenanigans students get themselves into and what could be a better means of getting into trouble than with our cars. These quotes are just a few of the adventures that Rocklin High School students have had with their trusty, metal steeds. -By Kate Rose, Staff Writer

“We were coming back after senior sunrise and Laura Cantu was following me to school. I was driving up the railroad track on Midas and there’s this huge truck in front of me. Right before the train tracks, it just takes off the side of the road. It was distracting, so without realizing, I drive right between the arms coming down. I swear the sirens didn’t go off. I just gunned it and got to the other side and pulled over. Laura Cantu got “I flew off stuck between them, and the train the hog once. I passed right behind her car,” was driving on a country said senior Kevin Rose. road. I was going around the corner about 15 mph, and I accelerated and the wheels spun. I slid about 20 ft and broke four ribs and a collar bone. It cost $100,000 in medical bills and only $600 to fix the bike. Needless to say there’s no more bike. It’s not worth it,” said Mr. Alan Katz.

“ I crashed. I was driving and it was the first time it rained. I might have yelled something at a kid and lost control of the car and hit the median. My wheel broke. Some cops came and I had to call my dad to help me change the wheel. I’m still driving the same car,” said junior Jerry Graber.

“When I was first learning how to use a clutch my dad taught me how to start the car when the starter wasn’t working. He made me try it in reverse… on a hill. It was really funny actually,” said senior Nathan Dudley.

“Sara Bruton and I were driving up Whitney and I was cleaning her backpack. I found a sandwich and it was leaking all over her car. She looked down at it, and then was like, “Oh no!” She had driven over the double yellow line and a little black sports car was coming towards us. She overcorrected and we hit the guardrail. We were both wearing our seatbelts but our heads hit the windshield so there were two spider web cracks on it,” said junior Connor Morgan.

“It was my 3rd driving lesson and my instructor took me on the freeway. He was this really old guy around 77. I kept driving and driving and after a while we were really far out. I look over and he’s sleeping. I had to drive over the rumble strip to wake him up. When he woke up he slammed on the brake…on the freeway,” said senior Haley Franck.

“I loved that car. It was the end of my most precious baby.” -Erica Smith

Losing Lois

rica Smith, a senior, was already regretting getting out of bed that morning. “I went to work and had a really terrible day. The only redeeming part of my whole day was going out to dinner,” said Smith. She was driving to dinner in her first car, a Buick Station Wagon. Smith had dubbed her car “Lois” and it was currently sporting a recent baby blue paint job. “I loved that car,” said Smith. “I was going about 45 mph and the light was completely and utterly green and this crazy lady turns left in front of me. It spun my car 270 degrees. It completely bent the roof and buckled, even my brand new Kayak rack. Lois was no more. It was the end of my most precious baby,” said Smith. The woman who ran the red light, was driving a black SUV and it only received damage on its right side, near the front tire. But Smith’s car was impounded. Both drivers were taken to the hospital in an ambulance and there Smith

Student suffers through serious car accident

discovered that her knee had been damaged. While she was at the hospital, Smith called her coworkers to try to get her shift at BounceU covered, but to no avail. “Nobody picked up. So, my boss, the devil, made me work the day after the accident,” said Smith. -By Kate Rose, Staff Writer

t e e n

driving stats

Young drivers are involved in fatal traffic crashes at more than twice the rate as the rest of the population. (National Safety Council) It is estimated that 16-year-olds are three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers. (Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association) Deaths. Each Year over 5,000 teens ages 16 to 20 die due to fatal injuries caused car accidents. About 400,000 drivers age 16 to 20 will be seriously injured.(www.car-accidents.com) Inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause of teenage crashes. (Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association)

The Flash

“I’m not stressing about where I’m going to spend the next four years.” -Brittany Huggins

NOT

seniors

out?

stressed

senior students spend last year with too many thoughts

enior year at Rocklin High doesn’t just mean graduation. Kelly Myers said. Although freaking out The faculty makes sure that every senior has a fully loaded schedule, with multiple other activities that are seems to be the trend, earlydecision is always a choice when applying for college. unique to being an upperclassman. “Senior activities have two purposes: first, to reward Therefore, some seniors are lucky enough to know where seniors for all the hard work they’ve done all year long and they will be going next year. “I knew I wanted to go to Cal Poly for like two years, and second, to keep seniors so busy that they don’t have time to be sad about leaving,” Activities Director John Thompson when I found out that I was accepted I was so relieved that I was able to achieve my goal. And I am so happy that I said. Senior activities include senior ball, senior field trip, got accepted and already know where I’m going,” Mark senior sunset, senior picnic, senior brunch, and senior Ziebell said. The reality of college is that awards. I am able to focus so the majority of seniors don’t “I think that senior activities much more of my time find out where they’re going are something that seniors look on scholarships and just until early March. “The most forward to all year long. We enjoying my senior year... difficult part is sitting around spend so much time worrying and waiting in limbo to find about what’s going to happen out what your opportunities to our futures, but really we should just be enjoying our last year together. Senior are. Students who are really driven go crazy not knowing activities give us the chance to spend that time together,” what’s going to happen,” Mrs. Cindy Cutts said. “I was accepted to Stanford before winter break, and Janie Loberg said. Obviously senior year means it’s time to think about it was the biggest relief to be able to take a break for two something else: college, college, college. The majority weeks and just relax! I am able to focus so much more of of applications are due November 31, and that leaves the my time on scholarships and just enjoying my senior year rest of the year for seniors to sit and wonder what’s going since I’m not stressing about where I’m going to spend the next four years,” Brittany Huggins said. to happen in their future. Although most seniors are full of anxiety, some are “I hate waiting to find out where I’m going to choosing a more laid-back route. Amanda Bruns applied spend the next four years. to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but she still isn’t sure if it’s the Especially because one right choice. “Even if I get in, I’m not sure if I’ll go there. Sierra would of my best friends knows where she is going, and be cheaper and I need to save money. But I’m not stressing she already applied for about it. Whatever happens, happens,” Bruns said. The level of stress may vary amongst the senior class, housing. I feel like I’m behind in all this, but then but whether it’s worrying about which college to go to or I realize that I’m not. I being full of anticipation and excitement for senior activities, guess everyone is kind seniors have an overload of things to think about. -By Amber Diller, Co-Editor-In-Chief of freaking out right now,”

“

”

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“I just kind of thought, this is the only chance I get. If not now, when?” -Chase Fong

stressed about college-by the numbers

40%

of seniors are ‘FREAKING’ out because they don’t know where they’re going.

45%

of seniors are not worried because they know where they are going for sure.

of seniors currently are not worried about what happens in the near future.

From a poll of 90 seniors

10% of seniors have other thoughts on college at this time.

Q&A

with Chase Fong

Q: How many colleges did you apply to, and why? A: I applied to 13 colleges. I would love to attend all of them. I just kind of thought, this is the only chance I get. If not now, when? Q: Where are the majority of schools you applied to located? A: All of them are in California or the East Coast. Q: Do you feel so stressed that you haven’t taken the time to enjoy your senior year? A: Yes. I feel like I’m the only person that doesn’t have senioritis. I am completely stressing out and I’m so anxious to find out where I’m going. Q: Which school is your top choice? A: John Hopkins’ University. It’s in Baltimore, Maryland and it’s the top ranked medical school in the region. Q: Now that you’re waiting to hear from colleges, what have you been focusing on? A: I have been focusing a lot on scholarships. Applying to the schools was about $70 each time, and my mother cringed every time she had to pull the credit card back out. I know that I need to focus on getting money to pay for which college I go to. Money is definitely a big deal. March 2009

The Flash

“Do I think that Rocklin by itself prepares you? Hardly.” -Kyle Dyck

18 years and counting

Seniors reflect back as underclassmen look forward

hen you turn 18 years old, the world seems to open up Uganda had a deep effect on the RHS student. Yet this doesn’t mean that they don’t have regrets. and welcome you into the folds of adult responsibility “I wish I had gone to more dances, you know? Let loose and freedom.Until you walk onto the Rocklin high school a bit more often,” says Tynan. campus, that is. “I think that I’m going to miss the opportunity to play It can be awkward when you can vote, buy cigarettes, enlist in the military, but are forced to eat lunch next to sports,” says Dyck. “I’m just going to get older, and my time is going to become more and more strained.” students who have just barely left middle school. These seniors have their own perspectives; wasting their Justin Tynan, one of the student-adults stalking our time in a high school campus, feels the pain. where most students “Sometimes I are still minors, waiting can’t stand some for their chance to underclassmen. They move on to bigger and don’t take anything better opportunities. seriously. Do they think But what about it’s going to be just as those younger peers? easy outside of high They aren’t going to school? I just want to stay “underclassmen” get out.” forever; many of them High school, will even be in the particularly Rocklin same predicament as with its mastery system, gives you nearly endless Senior Kyle Dyck reflects back on his high school experience while freshmen Savanah Dyck and Tynan. Hansen & Ashley Macy look forward. Freshman Savanah chances to make up any Hansen explains: “High mistakes made, gives you more than enough time to understand the concepts, school is a place that you have always wanted to go, but once you get there you only want to leave.” gives you all the baby steps you need. Although they aren’t upperclassmen, they certainly Maybe this is needed. High school is, after all, a growing have strong opinions about their surroundings. They aren’t experience. But when does this become triviality? When does this as eager to leave yet, but when the time comes, these eighteen-year-old-seniors-to-be will certainly be ready stunt the growth of the students? What about the “real world”? That mystical, faraway for their final exit. In the mean time, they don’t think their place so often talked about by teachers and other adults: surroundings are too suffocating or terribly hard…yet. “I think [high school] is interesting, but easy and kinda are we truly ready to meet the challenges of adulthood by boring. I don’t find it very challenging so far,” said fellow the time we leave this place? “I would say that I’m ready,” says Tynan. “But that’s just freshman Ashley Macy. “I mean, I like challenging myself; when I do, I can learn from my mistakes and grow.” me, my personal drive to become a successful doctor.” These students all share a common thread: youth. They “Do I think that Rocklin by itself prepares you? Hardly,” says fellow senior Kyle Dyck. Planning on studying may be technically 18 when they are in their last year of international relations at William Jessup, Kyle is ready for high school, but in the mean time they have time and space to mature, to grow into themselves, to finally become the the challenges ahead of him. “I believe that every single student needs a different adults needed to change this world for the better. They’re going to be ready, whether or not RHS prepares perspective in order to grow. These people need to get out of this silly little town and see a part of the world, a scene them. But the question is…Will you be ready for them? -By Wes McNair, Staff Writer that challenges their preconceptions and beliefs.” He is one to talk of different perspectives. His trip to

rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“If I could go back in high school I would have set the bar higher my freshmen year.” -Jared Pickrell

Looking way back Q&A with Jared Pickrell and losing in ONE’s annual dodgeball tournament, cheering at basketball games, Dale Eckenburg telling me to get to the net in tennis, losing in ‘March Madness’ in AP Calculus in the first round two years in a row, and Mark Hardy’s AP Econ games.

Q: If you could go back and change one thing about your time in high school, what would it be?

A: If I could go back in high school I would have set the Rocklin High School Alumni from Graduating Class of 2008, Jared Pickrell

bar higher my freshman year, I would have set the goals and expectations I set for myself the end of my sophmore year and never sold myself short.

Q: What goals did you set for yourself going into high Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a student who school as a freshman? A: My goals as a freshman were simple: have fun and do my best, hopefully get A’s and get into a good college and have fun hanging out with friends and playing sports.

Q: Did you accomplish your goals? A: It was my sophmore year that I was really limiting myself by these goals so I just pushed myself harder, I wanted to strive for excellence as a student, a Christian and a leader. I wanted to live a life of integrity and whether that interefered with my social agenda or not I was going to stick with it and try to be a light to Rocklin High School’s campus. I wasn’t going to sell myself short academically but do everything possible to achieve my full potential in all my classes.

Q: By the time of your senior year, what were some of your most memorable high school experiences? A: Some of my most memorable experiences are winning

is still in high school, what would it be? A: I would advise people in high school to push themself to their limits and never settle for ordinary when you can attain greatness. Along with this I would advise people to get involved; some of my fondest memories of high school are a direct result from how highly involved I was.

Q: Has college helped you put life into perspective? A: “College has really helped me to see how drastically important high school was in my life. It was the choices I made in high school that molded me into the person I am today and are making me into the man I continue to strive and to become whether it be relationally, academically or spiritually. It was the decision to excel then that is paying dividents now.” -By Victoria Clark, Staff Writer

The one thing I regret about high school is... “Not going to more baseball playoff games.” Kyle Montano “Procrastinating on everything.” Stephanie Fitzhugh “My choice to not play basketball.” Andrew Sihapanya March 2009

The Flash

“After the chains of the judgment in high school were broken, they were able to define themselves.”

Life after high school T

we’re just getting started

he high school experience: if we haven’t had it, then what have we lived for, right? I mean, the dances, the football games, the rallies, the perfect relationship…you all know what I’m talking about. Society cracks up this experience to be the ultimate, most necessary experience of our adolescence, but do we fall into the trap of thinking that if we don’t have this exact experience we are a lesser human being? Delving into the minds of high school alumni will hopefully help us to understand why. “Yeah, I didn’t realize how bad high school was until I was gone! I don’t know what else to say. I think that during high school, I was trying to decide who I was going to be and it is hard to figure that out when you are basing most of

How many dances do you plan on attending per year for the rest of high school? 30.8% All 54.9% A few 14.3% None How many rallies do you plan on attending per year for the rest of high school? 75.8% All 15.4% A few 8.8% None If you’re are a senior, do you plan on attending Senior Ball? 47.2% Yes 52.8% No If you are a junior, do you plan on attending Junior Prom? 48.9% Yes 51.1% No If you answered “no” or “none” to any of the questions, do you feel like you are, have, or will be ‘missing out’ on high school experiences? 14.6% Yes 85.4% No 26

that on your friends who are doing the same thing! I didn’t find out who I really was until I was out of high school,” said Brooke Wright-Bowen, 2006 RHS alumnus. It is true. Why is it that we torture ourselves into thinking that we need to decide who we are in high school and find our place? There is still time to grow. If we were to decide who we are now, then we are almost forcing ourselves into basing our character on the pre-defined niches. “So I’m sure you can tell that I was a major dork in high school...but I always felt awkward wherever I was. I never felt ‘cool enough’ to hang out with the popular kids, but I didn’t have a lot in common with the other groups. When I was in high school, I had a really hard time understanding that there was life after high school,” said Christina BennettWilliams, a 1999 high school alumnus. This leads into the fact that we need a more life-long perspective, rather than thinking that high school is our whole life. If we strike out in high school with that really cute girl or guy, then does that mean that we will never get married? Does that mean that we are so disgusting that we will never be considered attractive? (I know, a bit of an exaggeration, but high school girls tend to do this). And thus the saving statement: the reality that there is life after high school. Everyone hears the stories of going to their high school reunion and seeing “the band geek” or the “gothic guy” come as a successful, attractive adult, completely comfortable with themselves and completely different from how they were perceived in high school. So what does this tell you? After the chains of the judgment in high school were broken, they were able to define themselves. “I went through high school with good friends but with a constant eye on the future and leaving my hometown. Life really started for me in college,” said Hilary Hardy, 1997 high school alumni. Don’t get me wrong, high school is a great thing. All I am trying to say is that it isn’t the end. There are many things that we can learn from and grow from that can shape our character. “Is there more to life than high school? While the answer is an obvious yes, I don’t think people should underestimate the value of time well spent in high school. Attitudes and demeanors that are shaped in high school can be either a blessing or a curse in college and later in life. I loved high school and reflect on it with gratitude and happiness,” said Steve Baddley, a RHS alumnus. -By Cheryl Ford, Staff Writer rhsflash@yahoo.com

the experience

“Since I was six, I’ve always had more college apparel than any peers.” -Nathan Dudley

They’re ‘just not that into it’ Three students indifferent about RHS “High school is M just a transition period.” B onday through Friday, Kaitlin Dailey climbs out of her mom’s grey Toyota Sequoia into the RHS parking lot. At first glance, she seems like a typical Rocklin student, but then you notice two incongruous stickers on her mom’s car: one from Rocklin and one from Del Oro. It’s difficult not to notice that this is not typical. Kaitlin Dailey is a freshman at Rocklin High, but her twin sister attends Del Oro. When asked what she thinks about the stickers on her mom’s car, Dailey said, “I think it’s funny and kind of saying that I really don’t care about the whole high school rivalry thing.” Although Dailey couldn’t care less about high school rivalry, she is actively involved in RHS through symphonic band, pit orchestra, steel drum band, and honor bands. Since RHS doesn’t have a marching band, Dailey plans to go to Del Oro next year because of the band program. “Marching is really important to me and my family. Whatever you’re the best at is what’s most important.” Although Dailey will be attending Del Oro next year, she said, “I will not wear a ‘Stick Rocklin T-shirt.’”

efore you get to know senior Nathan Dudley, you might say he has Rocklin spirit. After all, he is deeply involved in Rocklin High. You’ll see him peer teaching, acting in plays and playing tennis for the RHS men’s team. But you’ll never see him wearing a RHS T-shirt. “Since I was six, I’ve always had more college apparel than any peers.

“I don’t really care about the

whole high school rivalry thing.”

fter four years of attending Rocklin High, senior Kenza Elhonsali has never been to one RHS dance. “I choose not to go to dances because of the mixing of boys and girls and the freak dancing. It’s a dirty aspect I don’t want to be a part of.” For many high school students, not being able to attend a dance can be heartbreaking. But Elhonsali does not feel like she is missing out on anything. “There are other ways to have fun. [My friends and I] go to movies and go shopping. For homecoming, I got dressed up and went out to dinner with friends. When they went to the dance, I went home.”

You’re not gonna wear high school stuff in college.” The reason for this outlook stems from Dudley’s attitude about high school. Everyone knows of students aren’t excited about school, but Dudley does not lack enthusiasm for school. He has been looking forward to attending BYU for years. “I feel as though high school is just a transition period. I do a lot with high school, hang out with friends, and do extra curricular activities, but high school spirit is just not my thing. Graduating from high school isn’t really an accomplishment I’m proud of. It’s just a stepping stone toward future education.”

The reason Elhonsali does not go to dances is not because her parents forbid it or because she does not want to have fun. It’s because she wants to do what is best for herself. However, this is not to say that Elhonsali never attends dances. “A couple years ago the mosque I go to had an all girls dance,” she said. Her friends all want her to attend Senior Ball with them. Since it is a formal dance, this is a possibility, but Elhonsali still has to decide if this is the right choice.

“It’s a dirty aspect I don’t want to be a part of.”

March 2009

Honor Guard 2010 Stephanie Chan- Spanish Club President, NHS Vice President, CSF Vice President, Key Club, Mock Trial, Link, Commissioner of Finance “You must be the change you wish to see in this world.” David Cummings- CSF, Ping-Pong Club, Christian Club

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it

again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near...Philippians 4:4-9” Christiana Schimke- Water Polo, Swim, Key Club, CSF, NHS, Habitat for Humanity Vice President, ASB “If you imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.”

Shawn Kim- Tennis Team, Speech

and Debate Captain, CSF Junior Representative, Mock Trial, Academic Decathalon, Key Club, Math League

flash 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 Ashley Linnane, Ad Director Casey Nichols, Adviser Cover Design by Sami Wittwer

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, Kelsey Smith, Christian Soares, Ashley Sorci, Lauren Sotir, and Tanya Sukkari.

“Impossible is nothing.” Shannon Stowers- Link, Key Club, NHS, CSF, ASB, Spanish Club, Habitat for Humanity “They can because they think they can.”

Nick Schafer- Varsity Boys’ Golf, CSF, NHS, Math League, President and Founder of Habitat for Humanity, Director of 2008 Thunder Galleria

“JUST DO IT!”

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.

Rocklin High School 5301 Victory Lane Rocklin, CA 95765 916-632-7498 http://rhs.rocklin.k12.ca.us/

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