The People 2016

The Pepperbox

MARCH BOX BRIEFS SAT Test: March 5th School Board Meeting: March 8th Math Fair: March 10th-11th End of Term 4: March 11th CAHSEE Testing: March 15th-16th

Sports Awards Night: March 16th Safe & Sober Casino Dinner: 18th Orchestra Gala: March 19th Chicago Production: March 24th25th

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EDITORIAL STAFF Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee Editor-In-Chief Terra Clarke Editor-In-Chief Alley Perry Editor-in-Chief Hannah Finley Managing Editor Emelia BensonMeyer News Editor Nora Lovell Feature Editor Caitlyn Patterson Feature Editor Cheyenne Keith Sports Editor Jake Verhaegh Sports Editor CJ Gray Opinion Editor

Len Perry Opinion Editor Marley Tavernier-Fine Arts & Entertainment Editor Peter Shao Online Editor Alyssa Day Business Manager Grace Walker Art Editor Rex Bachemin Social Media Director Althea Newman Photo Editor Kellen O’Neill Copy Editor Kate Breyer Photographer

REPORTERS

IN THE BOX News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Stacy Atkins-Salazar. . . . . . . . . 7 Matt Cendejas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Mr. Fulks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Brinn Coleman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Jessi Preyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Mr. Kantner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Mike McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Olivia Gerving . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 José Quezeda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Mike Pigg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Adam Kirk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Jim Hogan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Bob Berkowitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Yonts/Earle-Rouse. . . . . . . . . . 21 Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Annie Armstrong. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Rand Bourne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Jack Angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27

Questions regarding editorial content of the Pepperbox should be directed towards its editors. Opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of Arcata High School.

Ellen Keil Justin Furtado Jordan Chasescott Asher Critch Jakub Mácha Kiana Vigil-Gibbs

Advisor

The Pepperbox would like to thank Western Web, based in Samoa, for printing at-cost. Western Web supports student journalism throughout Humboldt County and has made publications like the Pepperbox possible for decades. We appreciate their dedication to keeping print media alive.

Western Web

Jennifer Coriell

FROM THE ARCHIVES

BEHIND THE COVER

Above: Campus couples.

For this cover in our People Issue, we chose six of the featured students (bottom row from left to right: Jessi Preyer, Adam Kirk, Brinn Coleman; middle row from left to right: Olivia Gerving, Ellie Earle-Rouse; top row: Jack Angles) to play a fun game of twister in the senior lawn. On the left, Terra Clarke and Alley Perry help position the students for the pyramid. On the bottom, Alley Perry, Emelia BensonMeyer, and Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee play a practice game of twister to prepare for the cover photoshoot.

EDITOR’S BOX In this issue, we sought to uncover not only the talents of individuals, but also how they shared their talents with their community. Pepperbox reporters interviewed everyone from senators to unassuming students, proving that everyone has a story to tell. Our cover and this issue illustrates the interesting way that people from all walks of life interact with each other on and off camera. We hope you enjoy reading about these students and community members as much as we enjoyed writing about them.

-Editors-in-Chief Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee, Terra Clarke, & Alley Perry dfdfdfkdfjdkjfdk

Quotable.

“At this point, it’s either drink or die.”

-A random freshman mutters under their breath as coach James Washington tells the team not to drink too much water before the next part of the workout.

“You must understand the rules of grammar in order to break them.”

-English teacher Shelley Stewart to her English class.

“I started trying to get a lightsaber to work, but I couldn’t get the fusion reactor to fit in my hand.”

-Chemistry teacher Earl Peters during his sixth period chemistry class as they talked about lights and lasers.

“I kill people in my free time just to revive them because I’m that good.”

-Junior Dylan Diemer when talking about his medical expertise.

“I have mad respect for paleontologists.”

-Physics teacher Greg Hildebrand to his class as he expresses his love for science.

22 15 Number of hours untl the SAT.

Number of days until the ArMack Gala.

20 20 Number of days until the new Performing Arts Center opens.

Number of days until the Chicago Production.

38 40 Number of days until spring break.

Number of days until the Performing Arts Center might be finished.

88

Number of years since the first Academy Awards.

248

Number of days until Election Day.

Frameable.

A top-notch valentunes squad strutting their stuff after a gig.

Junior Prom King, Cannon Russell moments after being crowned.

Junior Benson Floyd places first in the 100m at the HSU invitational.

The 6th Woman showing their support for the Lady Tigers.

Arcata High’s elite rocking the American Mathematics Competition.

Nina Crossen and Bella Garrett make snow angels at Mt. Bachelor.

The Arcata High Cheerleaders show off their moves at halftime.

The Pepperbox | Page 6

News briefs Local:

Stranded surfers rescued: Saturday, February 27, two surfers found themselves in a rocky situation, stuck out on Camel Rock, in chilly Northern Humboldt. The pair was separated from their boards in the water, and ended up stranded with no way to get off the rock, or back to shore. A local civilian alerted the Coast Guard to the crisis when he saw the “distressed waving”, who arrived quickly. The surfers were rescued; and luckily were able to head home without needing to seek medical attention.

National: Tornado update: Fueled by an unseasonably warm atmosphere and an unusually strong jet stream, tornadoes have been tearing through the Eastern United States, leaving trails of devastation in their path. Starting in November and continuing to this day, there have been 235 tornadoes as compared to the 150 that we regularly experience. As of February 25, fifty-two tornadoes had been reported across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and at least seven dead. More tornadoes have occurred in a single day than is usual in an entire month.

A storm that hit the town of Waverly, Virginia on Wednesday caused chaotic scenes throughout the area, leading to mass destruction and orders to stay off the roads. States of emergencies have been declared in several areas, including the affected Virginia region. People have been injured, houses have been lost, and the damage is just

People

beginning to be cleaned up. Similar storms have severely damaged Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, and Mississippi, among other areas. Storms have also brought heavy snow and winds, some of which have been over 100 miles per hour, that have caused over 2,800 flight cancellations throughout the country, especially in the Chicago airports. Though people are cleaning up and repairing damages, storms continue to run throughout the country, causing additional devastation of buildings, homes, and lives.

Academy Awards: After decades of nominations without reward, Leonardo Dicaprio won his very first Academy Award for The Revenant on Sunday, February 28 during the 88th annual Oscars. He played the role of Hugh Glass, a 19th-century fur trapper, which won him the award for best actor. Over the past few decades, Dicaprio has been nominated for films such as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator, Blood Diamond, Titanic, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Dicaprio used his acceptance speech to raise awareness about climate change and the state of the planet. He was ecstatic upon receiving the award as the audience gave him a standing ovation, thanking everyone in his life for helping him to where he is today.

Apple vs FBI: In the wake of the San Bernadino shooting, Apple and the FBI have been arguing over the unlocking of an iPhone that belonged to one of the terrorists involved. A judge ordered Apple to hack into the phone for the

investigation of the shooting; however, Apple is resisting the charge, claiming that it would lead to a breach in privacy for its customers. By ordering access to the phone, the government is requesting Apple to create new software that doesn’t exist, which is a violation of the company’s rights, according to Apple. The status of the phone is still currently at a stalemate.

Kansas shooting: On Thursday night, February 26, in the small town of Hesston, Kansas, a gunman shot and killed three people, and injured fourteen others. Cedric Ford, who had been served a restraining order earlier that day, used an “assault style” weapon to rush into Excel Industries, a factory that produces lawn mower products. Before entering the building he had been firing at people from his vehicle. Ford continued shooting until a police officer entered the building alone, and shot and killed him. There were at least 300 other people in the Excel plant at the time, and the police officer’s actions may have saved many lives.

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Global: Guantanamo Bay: After being open for more than fourteen years, the United States is planning to close down its Cuban-based detention camp, Guantanamo Bay, informally known as Gitmo. It is a naval station based in the Caribbean, which supports U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, as well as a Department of Homeland Security base. When the war on terror broke out, the military began detaining and torturing men there, men they believed to be associated with terror groups. On Tuesday, February 23rd, President Barack Obama announced his plan to close the camp, an announcement that has been long awaited in the liberal and conservative world alike.

There has already been some concern and opposition about transferring the Guantanamo detainees to prison in the U.S. and other countries. Lawmakers have brought up the risk that could be posed by releasing the detainees, especially if they return to terror, but there are also considerations about the cost of keeping prisoners at the Cuba facility.

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The Pepperbox | Page 7

People

Stacy Atkins-Salazar: tapping without limit Emelia BensonMeyer News Editor

A

simple decision to register a five-year-old girl for ballet lessons was all it took to shape the future of No Limits Dance Academy owner and director Stacy AtkinsSalazar. I remember the first time I walked into the studio, seeing her helping her dancers learn complicated tap steps. She was so calm and poised, yet also so confident.

Her blond hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, bouncing as she danced around the studio.

“If I was doing something else, I just wouldn’t be having as much fun,” she remarked.

Throughout her life, dancing was a way for Atkins-Salazar to focus.

“Emotionally, it was helpful because high school can be so difficult -- you can have a really horrible day at school, and when you go into the dance studio, you have to shift your focus,” she recalled, “It takes your mind off all the stuff that happened earlier in the day… I always left the studio in a good mood.”

Dance has always played an important role in Atkins-Salazar’s life.

“There were two years when I was in graduate school when I didn’t dance at all and that was really weird,” she commented. Yet even after time away from dance, she always returned to it. It had been a part of her life for so long that it was practically a part of her.

Before opening the studio, Atkins-Salazar participated in a professional tap trio based in San Francisco.

“It was singing and dancing, but I couldn’t sing, so there was a backup voice on the sound recording and

that just became my voice, so the sound technician would just turn my microphone off and the other two ladies would sing,” she said, “I would sing too!” she said, laughing because she couldn’t be heard.

Atkins-Salazar first opened the McKinleyville studio in 1997 after her mother retired and offered her the position. After a successful start in McKinleyville, she opened the studio in Arcata in 2000.

“I started thinking about working and being a mom, and I thought it would be a good career to have and still be able to spend time with my kids,” she said, “It’s just a really fun career.”

Atkins-Salazar first realized her passion for teaching when she began to teach dance during her freshman year of high school.

“My favorite part of teaching is seeing students learn -- the transformation as they mature,” she commented, “I also appreciate having my own space to create in and work in,” she remarked.

“I could still be a dance teacher somewhere else, but owning my own business means that I have my own space to work in.”

Atkins-Salazar’s experience teaching has made her appreciate dance even more.

“I used to teach psychology, which was interesting and I liked it, but I think I’m really lucky because what I do is fun,” she said.

“Sometimes when I’m teaching tap, I’ll just stop and I’ll realize that I’m being paid to tap dance and that I’m being paid to make up a dance.

I think if I hadn’t danced my whole life and if I wasn’t still dancing I just wouldn’t be having as much fun.”

As for what she is most passionate about, teaching immediately came to Atkins-Salazar’s mind.

“When the students are excited about things, that’s what I live for,” she said. “When we’re working on

Photo courtesy of Autumn Simpson

Stacy teaches her tap 6 dancers a new section of their dance. a show or presenting costumes or a new move and the kids are excited, it’s exciting for me to see other people so enthusiastic about it.” Her students feel the same way.

“I really love Stacy's energy when she's in the studio, she's always super positive while also giving a good critique of our dancing. She's very dedicated to her dancers and to her studio,” No Limits dancer Bella White said.

As the studio has evolved over the years, Atkins-Salazar’s perspective has as well.

“I’m naturally a shy person so I think dance has made more outgoing. It’s helped me to be able to perform -- to be able to teach, you have to put yourself out there,” she expressed, “It’s made me more confident and mature.”

Although the dance studio has transformed over the years, Atkins-Salazar would like it to stay in the family.

“It was really exciting to me that [my daughter] liked dance at an early age. I tried never to push it on her or anything because I wanted her to like it, and she’s been really enthusiastic about it, so ideally she

would just take it over and I would be helping her with shows,” Atkins-Salazar said, “I really do hope that I can pass it onto [my daughter], or if not her, then maybe one of my dancers who will be ready to take it over, but I would be really sad if one day this didn’t exist.

I hope it stays in the community.”

Atkins-Salazar has created a place for hundreds of children not only to learn to dance, but also to mature and become more confident in themselves. Every one of her dancers has benefited from what she has started. I remember the first time I met her--I was only seven, but still I was struck by her ability to engage her dancers and to make it fun for them.

Her poise and confidence has encouraged me to continue dancing.

“Stacy has taught me many skills that not only helped me in dance but in life. Dance has helped me become a more confident and outgoing person on and off stage,” No Limits dancer Kyra Cohen said.

“Dezi and I have danced together for ten years and we can both agree that Stacy has helped us to become the people we are today.”

The Pepperbox | Page 8

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

A helping hand from Humboldt Jordan Chasescott Reporter

&

Justin Furtado Reporter

G

rowing up in America, many of us cannot even fathom the difference in culture found in third world countries. In Buikwe, Uganda, families live in small dirt floor homes. Children go to school where they sit on benches and when they need to write, they sit on the dirt floor and use their bench as a table. The school's kitchen is outside and parts of the school lack a roof. One in ten Ugandans die from HIV, as HIV is very devastating in Uganda because of a lack of information. About 10% of infants don’t survive past their early years due to lack of healthcare, clean water, and malnutrition. Some children walk barefoot for an hour to get to school and another hour to get to a waterhole where unsanitary water is drunk from the ground. People in Buikwe don’t know what the ocean, snow, or ice is, as conditions are hot. They have never even dreamed of what most of us “couldn’t live without”; for example, our iphones. The people in the Buikwe community

spend their free time dancing, singing, and kicking trash around as if it’s a soccer ball. Money is rare in Buikwe. People survive off what they grow, and trade their fruits and vegetables with others.

Wealth in Uganda does not consist of currency; a woman in Uganda who had 17 children said, “Family is wealth in Uganda. The more children we have, the happier we are, children are our wealth.”

Ugandans are very content with the little they have. Referring to the Buikwe community, Cendejas said, “Life is simple, when the sun comes up, people wake up, when the sun goes down, they go to bed.”

Arcata alumni Matt Cendejas has created an organization to help children and their families in Africa. Cendejas was inspired by a mutual friend at the time who had traveled to Africa for a month, and had participated in community assistance. Cendejas was inspired to take his first ever plane ride out of the states to Uganda, Africa. After this trip, Cendejas was even more eager to help. When he came back into the United States he decided he wanted others to experience the things he had experienced and wanted others to help the people that he had seen struggle. Cendejas decided to create an organization that would help people who need-

Photo courtesy of Matt Cendejas

Children in Uganda attend school.

Photo courtesy of Matt Cendejas

The logo of Matt Cendejas’ non-profit organization, Inspire One. ed the most support. This founda- own plane ticket and food. All dotion was originally named Blesd nations go directly to the benefit of but is in the process of converting the Buikwe community. Our local to the name “Inspire One.” Through community has already hopped on communications with a Pastor in board to this newly established orBuikwe, Uganda, Cendejas is able ganization and has donated money to organize trips there where they for live stock. The owners of Tomo stay in the pastor's home and work donated $500 for a cow, the owner on projects. Inspire One consists of of Kalos Salon donated $300 for a nine members who build schools, cow, and a firefighter donated monhelp grow crops, and buy supplies ey for a cow. Not only do they help as well as livestock for the town. the community by building schools Inspire One usually holds weekly and collecting money for live stock, meetings, welcoming anyone will- but they also interact with the kids ing to help. They discuss ways they and the community as a whole by can help and plan what they are joining in dances and playing socgoing to assist build or clean up this cer with them. They aren’t only coming June. Every June Cendejas ecstatic about the recreation, but plans to bring Inspire One mem- the bonds they get to make with bers along to Buikwe to help on people from America who care projects to benefit the community. so much for them and have creThe project they left off on last ated an organization to help them.

June was the building of a school.

We need to realize how lucky This summer they plan to finish we are compared to many others that school. As of right now, the who are less fortunate than us. school still has dirt floors. They We are extremely privileged and plan on adding benches, putting a most people do not appreciate the roof over part of the school, and lifestyle they live. Do your part improving the conditions of an and help spread the word about outdoor fireplace they cook over this local organization by liking as the kitchen for the kids lunch- the instagram @blesd_foundation es. You may wonder whether this and liking them on facebook at organization is purely non-profit, Blesd foundation. Every like and and will be pleased to discover that follow helps continue the growth it is; each member pays for their of this amazing organization!

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The Pepperbox | Page 9

People

The fantastic Mr. Fulks Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee

I

Editor-in-Chief

walk into the friendly confines of room 209 on the third day of school (yes the third, I had to work out schedule conflicts) during the middle of third period econ, only to find everyone staring at me as I opened the door. I scanned the classroom to look for anyone I knew as I awkwardly waited to be assigned a seat. I was instead surprised to find a man sitting in the back of the room, with an orange sticker on the left side of his button down shirt. What struck me as unusual was that observers usually come in later on in the year, not the first week of school, which is dedicated to learning the boring classroom rules--no offense to teachers.

I trudged upstairs again the next day to class, once again seeing the same man in the back of the classroom. He had neatly groomed, short, black hair with slacks, a button down shirt, and a tie. He certainly wasn’t the typical observer that comes in for one class period, wearing the casual attire of jeans and a t-shirt. Puzzled, I sat down and looked over my shoulder once again at the man in the back of the room. I soon found out that he was actually a student teacher, which made much more sense. I saw my peers craning their necks and darting their eyes at him and the rest of the class, trying to get a better feel for the new atmosphere.

But what never really occurred to me was that this setting must also have been completely different for the man in the back of the room.

“The teachers have been really supportive in making my experience as authentic as possible and have been more than willing to collaborate when possible,” the man said, “My first impression of Mr. Johnson was simple: I was just so excited to see a Dodgers banner in the classroom and all of the memorabilia.”

The man gave a very accurate

Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee/PEPPERBOX

Mr. Fulks lectures his third period government class with his typical humor. description of the friendly confines of room 209. I remember back to sophomore year, a younger version of myself sitting on the far same classroom, lost in a trance of posters layered over posters. I made a note to look at every single inch of the covered wall before graduating, if that was even possible. In AP European history, we ended up having a student teacher towards the middle of the year.

“I could dig it,” Johnson’s former student teacher said while nodding his head, just as Johnson so typically did.

I get it, Mr. Johnson is quite the character, and, without a doubt, always poses interesting conversation topics. I’m not sure how many other people realized it, but his student teachers seemed to use the same phrases and slogans. It was like they were trying, a bit too hard if I might add, to be like him. But no one could ever be Mr. Johnson. What was interesting was that this student teacher seemed different. The quiet man in the back of the room rarely spoke, other than answering Mr. Johnson’s occasional question.

It wasn’t until the end of the first semester that he started teaching a few lessons, and then followed into second semester government.

So it was only then that I began to realize all the interesting qualities of the man in the back of the room.

“My first name is ‘Mr.’ and my last name is ‘Fulks,’ ” the man at the back of the room said.

So he did have a name. As he began his lectures, I greatly enjoyed his sarcastic asides and humor. He made those 55 minutes seem almost fun as I smiled at my desk.

Even the other students seemed to lighten up at the turn of the second semester, excited to be halfway done with the school year. But the more Mr. Fulks taught class, the more I realized I didn’t know about him. What were his hobbies?

What was he like in high school?

Did he even like teaching history?

“I would probably have to say that I am just a typical person my age, starting a career and still attempting to establish what they want out of life,” Fulks said modestly.

But as it turned out, Mr. Fulks is anything but ordinary. While growing up in Chico, California, his family owned a feijoa farm [for those of you that don’t know, feijoa is a green fruit resembling a guava]. Just before graduating high school, Fulks moved to Milwaukee at age 16, where he began to record soundtracks with friends.

“I spent about a year solid on the road and went back to school, while still touring during breaks, summer, and the occasional week of missed classes during my freshman/sophomore years of college,” Fulks explained.

After college, his first major was recording arts, and he got to work for a sound engineering company based out of Chico. I’m definitely jealous that he got to run the sound at concerts and then meet several artists playing at the Senator Theatre in Chico. But Mr. Fulks’ musical journey did not end there; he started playing piano when he was five years old, and recently picked up the acoustic guitar as well. And although he hasn’t played piano in a while, I am determined to get him to play a piece before the end of the school year, or even come to orchestra for a day.

After journeying across the state in his adolescent years, he moved to Humboldt County in late 2012 with his fiancé, where they both finished their undergraduate studies.

“When I had free time,” Fulks thought, “I would most likely be found surfing, camping, hiking, or just exploring outdoors.”

So Humboldt County seems to be the perfect place! I was still curious, however, as to how Mr. Fulks switched gears from the music industry into history.

“I changed my major to English then eventually winding up as a history major because I was just too fascinated with how history can be interpreted,” Fulks said, “The most appealing aspects of social studies to me is the fact that it can be opened up to argue different perspectives.”

As he settled on history, he hoped to become a student teacher for U.S. history, and was originally assigned to teach at Zane Middle School. But luckily for my third period government class, Mr. Fulks ended up coming to room 209 at Arcata High, bringing us the smiles and humor that our senioritisfilled class so desperately needed.

The Pepperbox | Page 10

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Freestylin’ through Arcata High Jakub Macha Reporter

B

rinn Coleman is one of Arcata High School’s hidden talents. Coleman is a senior and you can meet him on campus every day, dancing his way through school. He is one of us, a fellow tiger, but if you get to know him better you’ll also discover his dancing ability. Coleman’s biggest hobby and passion is dance. Born and raised in Arcata, he has two brothers and one sister, and is the youngest in his family. He started dance when he was a little baby.

“Basically came out the womb dancing!” exclaimed Coleman.

He has been dancing to his own beat for 7 years strong now, and has developed his own unique style. He doesn’t do any choreography.

“Everything I do is freestyle, off the top of my head,” he explained, “Just trying to flow to the music.” When I asked what his inspiration was, Coleman says that he’s inspired to make people happy. “I used to dance just for me, but now I try to

entertain everyone watching.”

Coleman works as a choreographer, and would like to become a professional dancer, making a living doing what he loves someday. He practices about two hours every day, and also started make videos showing off his moves about one year ago. Coleman may have a claim to fame in the next few years, if

Everything I do is freestyle, off the top of my head. Just trying to flow to the music.

Kate Breyer/PEPPERBOX

Coleman’s sweet moves are a familiar sight around campus.

- Brinn Coleman he gets discovered. His brothers think it's lame, but Coleman sure hasn’t let that stop him. He’s driven and motivated

himself to become a dancer and performer. If you would like to see his performances, check out his Instagram @Brinnbc3 and support him. Coleman has tried some street competitions and even won a few. After high school he’s moving on to college, and is planning to pursue journalism. Coleman sayid if dance won't work out, he’ll become a sport journalist.

Maybe in the future you’ll go to LA and you’ll see him dancing on street, or you’ll open a newspaper and find yourself reading one of his articles.

Coleman wants other aspiring dancers to love what they do, “It doesn't even feel like I'm working anymore.”

Friday, March 4th, 2016

People

The Pepperbox | Page 11

Not horsin’ around!

Alyssa Day

Busines Manager

J

essi Preyer, like any other junior at Arcata High, enjoys hanging out with her friends and family and drawing. However, she has one passion that sets her apart- rodeo.

Jessi has been involved with horses since she was 6 years old.

Her family moved to a house that had 14 acres of land, and a horse boarding facility. Her parents said she could get a horse if she paid for half of it, so, like any young girl would, she raised the money and got her first horse.

Jessi got into rodeo from the help of a friend. Her friend took her to a gymkhana, which is a small scale rodeo that only includes speed racing and timed games. It took quite a bit of convincing, but he got her to compete for the first time.

Now, she owns four horses of her own, Badger, Viper, Jules, and Spice. Each horse, has unique abilities and competes in different competitions.

Badger is 17 years old and does team roping, barrels, poles, and breakaway. Viper is 12 and does barrels, poles and goat tie. Jules is 7 and is a breakaway horse who Jessi is currently training in barrels and poles. Spice is 17, and Jessi is in the process of finding a new home for her. She takes care of them everyday by feeding, watering, brushing, and keeping them in shape by riding them.

She competes in barrel racing, pole bend, goat tie, team rope, and her favorite, break-

Shelia Kjer/PEPPERBOX

Jessi Preyer doing break away at a rodeo competition. away rope. Team roping con- my knee and tore my ACL and May, she competes one weeksists of two people working to- hamstring. I was on crutches end every month. “but during gether to rope a steers head and for two months.” She obtained summer, you go to as many hind legs, pole bend is an event this injury from goat tying. Her as you can” she said excitedly. where a rider and horse weave family makes sure she can roWhen Jessi is not doing rotheir way through poles that deo, despite it being dangerous deo, she’s highly involved in Fuare arranged in a straight line, and very expensive. At a ro- ture Farmers of America. She is barrel racing is a timed competi- deo, it can cost for each event the Vice President of our local tion where the horse and rider that you do, which can some- Arcata FFA chapter. Along with try for the fastest time of mak- times put this cost just to com- raising horses, she raises and ing a cloverleaf pattern around pete around $300. Jessi stated, shows pigs in local competitions. strategically placed barrels, and “If it wasn’t for my family, I Just this last weekend, she Jessi’s favorite, breakaway rope, wouldn’t be doing what I love.” competed in a rodeo in Fortuna. which consists of letting a calf She competes all over Califor- She won 2nd in team roping out of a chute, roping it, then nia, including Middletown, Wil- and breakaway, and she also letting it naturally breakaway. lits, Potter Valley, Ferndale, For- won the breakaway roping jackOf course, the animals are nev- tuna, Laytonville, and more. To pot. In March she will be comer harmed, and special precau- travel with her horses, her fam- peting at the Challenge of the tions are taken to ensure this. ily actually has a living quar- Champions in Plymouth, CA. However, like with any oth- ters trailer. It has horse boardShe’s only a junior, but she er sport, she has had many ing facilities in the back, and is confident that she will conof her own injuries from ro- a living space for her and her tinue rodeo after high school. deo. “My worst injury was last family in the front. During the She plans on going to Blue year when I hyperextended school year, september through Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon.

The Pepperbox | Page 12

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The crazy life of Mr. Kantner Jake Verhaegh Sports Editor

“

I

want to be like Satan!” jokes Mr. Kantner jubilantly in his fifth period class while reading an interesting depiction of the devil. As strange as Alex Kantner may seem, once you become acquainted with the AP English 4 teacher--you will come to love him as much as he “loves” Satan.

Although this “love” is a joke, Mr. Kantner is no joke at all. He is a philosophical man, a person transfixed on literature, music, and the human condition.

While his daily routine permits him to start the morning with Buddhist meditation, the thirty-four-year-old started his life just north of San Francisco. Becoming interested in teaching at a young age--in high school thanks to privileged education-Mr. Kantner acquired his undergraduate studies at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and his graduate degree at the Theological Union in Berkeley.

With a wife and two children, a job at Arcata High School, and the time to be a helper at the Zen center, the life of Mr. Kantner is very crazy, indeed.

“I was the beneficiary of a very privileged upbringing,” Mr. Kantner said.

What compels him to teach students is his desire to “take whatever good I took from it and pass it on to others.” Another important factor that shaped Mr. Kantner’s life was his father. “My father had always mentioned that had his life taken a different course he

always wanted to be an English teacher.” His father, a musician who unfortunately recently passed away, also brought the English teacher into the world of music, allowing him to incorporate the performing arts into his creative teaching method.

His music talents include playing the guitar, bass, banjo, and fiddle. The schools Mr. Kantner attended were nothing but unusual. “There were no lectures; there were no school books.

The only way we investigated texts was in round table seminar investigations,” Mr. Kantner stated, “I was never given crutches. I was given the raw, straight material, and asked what I could make from it.”

The second arena of life that

He’s so perky and fun to talk to. We always have really great conversations.

- Anonymous student influences Mr. Kantner is Buddhism. A priest at the Zen center in town, Alex Kantner leads services two days a week, takes care of altars, instructs retrieval rituals, and meditates. Mr. Kantner’s interest in religion took seed in his undergraduate studies where he committed his work in the humanities.

After college, his interest blossomed. Having time to read, thanks to his job at a bookstore, he personally started to analyze

the Eastern classics, including the spiritual, philosophical, and literary works of India, China, and Japan in order the seek contrast with the Western classics previously studied.

“I just had a sort of resonance,” Kantner reminisced upon reading Buddhist material, “The bell rang.”

The bell rings with tiresome persistency at Arcata High School as well, as Mr. Kantner metamorphoses from teacher to parent at the school day’s end.

Balancing family, school, and spiritualistic practices is a task not suitable for the weak of mind.

“Early on there was some tension. My wife was worried I was going to become a Buddhist monk and run off to a monetary,” the father of two recalled.

Now the three lives have become increasingly coalesced, all, both consciously and subconsciously, projected through his teachings at Arcata High School.

“The self is not quite what is appears to be. The self is an unfolding process that changes and shifts,” Mr. Kantner stated as he explored the human condition, implicitly projecting his views in an academic environment.

School is “not just cold and all about the academics, there is a home for you here: it is our community. It’s not just a place where we work on academics, it’s a place where we work on ourselves: on our humanity.”

Mr. Kantner is drawn towards dark material. He wants others to recognize the glacial, hazardous affliction in the world, and wake others up to the notion of unacknowledged suffering. To

push us upon an epiphany, “one must go through the tunnel first.”

The tunnel being homework-homework that turns towards tunnel-vision or, perhaps, no vision at all due to sleep deprivation, but the end vision being enlightenment--or, more likely, the vision of more homework.

Mr. Kantner is a well-rounded, charismatic individual.

“What I found in love, music, literature, and art helped to give me experiences of going beyond our own small, limited condition,” Mr. Kantner states, “Trying to be in touch with what’s beyond our limited self is the star I orient myself towards.

That is what I am digging for.”

Mr. Kantner is charismatic and always brings passion to his teaching as well as giving passion to others. So if you see this perky teacher jauntily moving through the halls, make sure to say hi or start a conversation with the one and only, Mr. Kantner.

Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee/PEPPERBOX

Mr. Kantner is known for starting his fifth period AP English class with the ringing of his bell.

The Pepperbox | Page 13

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Senator McGuire: ‘raisin’ the bar Peter Shao

I

Online Editor

sat at my desk waiting for the time that I was supposed to call the office of the senator, thinking ‘don’t mess up’ and ‘stay professional’ over and over in my head. He picked up the phone I heard “Hey, what’s going on Peter, it’s Mike McGuire.

How ya doing man?” Taken by surprise I took a while to respond.

Mike McGuire and his mother moved to his grandmother's ranch after a bad divorce. McGuire was very young when he moved there with his mother and his grandmother. They grew prunes and then later on raisins.

Any farm work is hard work.

Growing plums [which prunes are made of], you have to maintain the trees, keep the soil fertile and keep away weeds and pests which McGuire did. When he was growing up, he helped out, and by the time he was 16, he was working on the farm.

“I was expected to contribute, rightfully so,” McGuire said.

On the ranch his grandmother was someone that he respected and learned from. His grandmother was one of the only female ranchers at the time and she owned a small ranch in northern Sonoma County. They sold prunes for decades and then, in the 70’s they switched to raisins.

McGuire describes his grandmother as a strong woman.

“She had a backbone of steel and really was the rock of our family,” McGuire said.

She took McGuire and his mother in and was a big inspiration for him.

“You have to work really hard, you have to work together, and you don't take no for an answer.”

Those morals are what

has driven him ever since.

While McGuire was working on the ranch, he was also going to high school, and school was always something important to him.

He stated, “Public education has given me enormous opportunities and I am forever grateful.”

In high school, he started to think that maybe something wasn’t right. He recalled a specific event, “I remember sitting in my agricultural sciences class at when I was at Healdsburg High and there were three garbage cans on the ground, and those garbage cans where collecting water and the roof was leaking.”

He looked around and wanted to make a change. Right after high school he ran for school board.

I’ll put our public schools up against any private schools any day -Senator McGuire “I first ran for the school board because our high school was falling apart.” he explained, and by the time he was 19, Senator McGuire had a full time job in radio and communications, he was on the school board, and he was going to college. When he was 24 he was on city council at Healdsburg, when he was 30 he was a county supervisor, and two years ago, at age 34 Mike McGuire became Senator Mike McGuire.

McGuire made a lot of advances in his career quickly but it was not easy.

“I was not always the best student, so I started right after I graduated from high school and I struggled,” he remarked.

He was very passionate and very motivated, but he was in lower level math and english

Photo Courtesy of Beth Schilanker, Press Democrat

classes and it took him three years to transfer from community college to Sonoma state. Throughout all of that, the way he was able to get to where he is now is by working hard and not giving up McGuire has always been very appreciative of public schools.

“I attended public schools in elementary, middle, and high school. I attended Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State which is a public school and I feel grateful,” he stated.

“I think that the best investment that we can make in California and in our nation is in strong public schools,” he proclaimed, and he has made huge efforts to support them. Not that long ago, California was dead last in how much it has paid for students. With the help of McGuire, California will be paying 10,000 dollars per student per year next year for the first time in our state's history.

“I’ll put our public schools up against any private schools any day,” he pridefully stated.

McGuire has done a lot since he has been elected to the senate. and there are some things in particular that he has been working on

Senator Mike McGuire.

that he is proud of, such as recently working on making high speed internet more available to people throughout the North Coast. He secured two billion on money for permanent solutions for homeless people and mental health facilities, as well as alcoholism treatment.

Talking with Senator Mike McGuire, was very interesting. He is a very enthusiastic man with many aspirations, and I think he is proof that will power and hard work can overcome almost any trouble.

He started off in a school department that was falling apart and by working hard he has made it much better. Similarly, he started off his career not knowing what he was going to do. He received lower english and math credits in high school, but out of high school he worked hard, going to community college for three years before transferring into Sonoma State University. He started off running for school board and then became Senator of his district.

“My top goal is to always be the hardest working person in the room and I want to to deliver for Arcata and for Humboldt County,” McGuire said.

The Pepperbox | Page 14

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Olivia Gerving: bringing Arcata Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee

L

Editor-in-Chief

et’s face it, we were all freshmen at one point.

We all walked through the hallways, thinking we were so cool while we hung out with friends. But in reality, the upperclassmen took one glance at us and rolled their eyes, annoyed at how awkward our transition was from a seemingly insignificant middle school to high school: the so-thought climactic point of our educational career. Although this was a seemingly perfect freshman stereotype at the time, it isn’t so much the case in reality.

I first met Olivia Gerving through my brother when they played duets and trios together.

I stood a small room outside of the performance hall in which their rich music filled the room, making it feel much bigger than it actually was. I smiled when they looked at each other and slightly nodded as both of their bows gently grazed the strings in perfect unison. I remember being impressed at the immense passion Olivia had for violin, and could tell immediately that she was very devoted to music. But what also surprised me was how such a big yet mellifluous sound could come from such a small girl. I listened intently as the beautiful melodies and harmonies filled the air, drawing the attention of people gathering in the reception hall.

Before last year, I hadn’t really known Olivia except for through my brother and my mom, who was good friends with Olivia’s mom. I came home from school

Kaelyn Tuermer-Lee/PEPPERBOX

Freshman Olivia Gerving serenades people in the parking lot before school with her sweet fiddle tunes. one day almost exactly a year recall all the fond memories of ago to my mom asking me if I high school and provide advice could give Olivia a tour of Arcata for those about to go through the High. Olivia was an eighth grad- same experience that they had a er at the time, hoping to famil- few years ago. As Olivia followed iarize herself with the campus me around my classes that day, before entering high school, a I ended up having a lot of fun. completely different experience We talked about school, classes, than middle school. I immediate- and interests, finding a comly told my mom yes--I had done mon ground in music. And even tiger pals for several years at that though we were still at school for point, and absolutely loved giving eight hours, we had a great time, tours and introducing the next which made it seem more bearyear of Arcata High students. It able. Since my brother is four was the point at which one could school years apart from me, he

wouldn’t be in high school at the same time as me, so I looked forward to the next year in which I could spend time with Olivia.

Now jump forward to August 31st, the first day of school. I dragged myself tiredly up from the parking lot to the wrestling room--the small, claustrophobic room in which orchestra was to be held. I walked in the room and saw a sea of new faces--a new conductor and new freshmen, crowding by the entrance and not knowing what to do. I saw Olivia as I glanced around, making my way across to her. I remembered how shy and confused I was my freshman year, not knowing what to do or where to sit. What if I sat in someone else’s seat? That would not be a good way to start off the year… I tried to make the middle to high school transition go smoothly for Olivia, as some of my senior friends had done for me. I immediately told her to sit in the first violin section, because I was well aware of her extraordinary talents.

Olivia Gerving has played violin for ten years, as she also picked up the piano and cello. She takes lessons for both violin and fiddling, but what really surprised me was that her fiddling teacher lived in Boston. Seems like a pretty far travel for a lesson, huh? As it turned out, Olivia had met her fiddling teacher, Hanneke Cassel, at a camp she used to go to when she was younger. Now, she occasionally has Skype lessons, usually when she prepares for a competition. Her teacher told her about the competition, which was the same one she had participated in years ago.

Now while some of you might

Friday, March 4th, 2016

People

The Pepperbox | Page 15

High to a whole new forte recognize this young prodigy from orchestra or from Jacoby Creek, where she used to attend, many of you probably don’t know that she won a national fiddling competition. As a freshman. Nationals. Did I mention she won as a freshman?! But the national fiddling competition wasn't just a “show up and see how you do” type of gig. The first step was regionals, in which Olivia went to Portland, Oregon.

Although she was nervous since she was one of the last to perform, she need not have been, as the musical extraordinaire within her shined on the stage.

Upon the announcement of the winners, she placed first; the judges, who could recommend up to two fiddlers to move on to nationals, nominated her. So sure enough, this talented freshman made her way to Edinboro, Pennsylvania for the final round.

Although ten contestants

were entered to compete at the national level, only nine showed up. Still, that meant that those nine people were the top of the top--the best of the best. So placing first out of fiddlers across the nation is beyond impressive. Even back at home in small Humboldt County, Olivia never ceases to amaze others with her activities. She wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for orchestra, in which she is a first violinist. She goes about her day with her typical required courses for freshmen, along with geometry, biology, and german.

“I really like bio because it’s been a challenge--I like a challenge--and it’s been nice because I’m really having to push myself,” Gerving said.

This is not surprising at all-not only does Olivia push herself musically, she also possesses an academic rigorousness that all students wish they had. After

school, she either goes to Healthsport or has violin lessons before going home to work on homework. She talks me through her day, but what really shocked me was how late she went to sleep.

“If I have a lab in bio, sometimes I won’t go to bed until past midnight,” Olivia explained, “but on a normal night I go to bed around 11 or 10:30, so not too late.”

Not too late?? I remember my freshman year, as I struggled to stay up until 10 p.m. I usually went to sleep around 9, not being able to force myself to work later since I had orchestra early the

next morning. Over the years of high school, I’ve gotten used to staying up late, as I now go to bed around 11:30 on a typical night, but staying up that late as a freshman?! It seemed superhuman. But this perfectly describes Olivia, the well-rounded, all-perfect student, musician, and athlete. She may be young now, but she has already accomplished so much. Olivia Gerving is going places--wherever she wants to go--and I am extremely glad to call her my peer, an amazing friend, and one who brings Arcata High to its dynamic forte.

Photo courtesy of Rising Stars Foundation

Olivia Gerving after she won the 2015 U.S. National Junior Scottish Fiddle Competition.

Photo courtesy of Olivia Gerving

Olivia performs with Pink Martini at the Van Duzer in December.

The Pepperbox | Page 16

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The man behind the camera Kate Breyer

T

Photographer

here’s more to taking a photograph than just standing and clicking the button of your camera. When taking a photo, think about what can make that memory that you’re capturing more aesthetically pleasing and creative in the given rectangle of a photograph. Get down for unique angles, show your own perspective, and frame your photo how you want it so you don’t just confine yourself to a box, be original and give something different. Some people have the natural talent to see the world through a camera lens using artistic ideas that turn into beautiful and well thought out art pieces. Many of those people make photography part of their living whether it be through portraits, advertising, sports, magazines or newspapers. José Quezada is one of these people with the natural ability to see differently through the camera viewfinder.

There’s no doubt you’ve seen him, his name, or his photographs before. He’s the man behind the camera at almost ev-

I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

I have my camera in one hand and my guitar in the other.

- José Quezada

ery sports game trying to catch the perfect action shot with as much uniqueness as possible.

He’s a freelance photographer hired by The Times Standard Newspaper who has gotten many front page spotlights of his work on sports or news. José

Photo courtesy of José Quezada

A dynamic photo taken by José Quezada. tends to shoot two different sports games and one news per week, which average an hour each. When asked his definition of a freelance photographer he explained it as “someone willing to take the best shot they can and are able to accept the fact it may or may not get public exposure, and willing to give their art away.” The summer after his high school graduation, he got his brother to teach him how to use his camera and how to make film in a darkroom which set off his passion for photography.

Aside from that, he’s basically self taught, which just shows his complete natural ability. At first, I knew him as a photographer but he’s much more than that. Ask anyone in the community about him and there’s not a single one who doesn’t get a smile on their face and say he’s a great man who’s very outgoing.

This basketball season, as I’ve been photographing the boys’ games alongside Quezada on the base lines, José has graced

me with various appreciable advice as an aspiring photographer. On various occasions he’s told me to, “just keep taking photos and never lose your passion. Don't compare yourself to other photographers, that's the worst thing you could do. Instead, learn from other photographers [and take what you can from different techniques]. My philosophy is that it's easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. [It's better to take a photo of a person in their natural state] and if they don't want it, I'll delete it right in front of them. The key is to look for different angles and your objective is to “give something different.”

As our conversation went Kate Breyer/PEPPERBOX on, my jaw dropped as I learned José Quezada in action. more about his early adulthood.

College of the Redwoods then José grew up in Los Angeles and transferred to Humboldt State at 17 years old, started to attend University as a home economics St. Mary’s college but it didn’t major. Jose didn’t end up finishing at HSU due to receiving an education grant for Head Start Preschool, where he became the director at in 1977. He supervised vocational counselors and managed economic development contracts and in 2008, Photo courtesy of José Quezada Jose began submitting his phoAnother lovely shot by tos to Times Standard at a childQuezada. care provider workforce trainfeel right for him at the time. ing. In 2010, him and his wife “College education is extremely started up North Coast Music important, but it's not the only Together and José chuckled thing in the world. Don't take as he realized: “I’ve done a full this in the wrong way, but real circle to work with babies, from life experiences are also so imHead Start to Music Together, portant and useful,” Quezada I love it. I'm the luckiest guy in described. José then left school the world. I have my camera in and hitchhiked across the counone hand and my guitar in the try for two years and built a other, while my dogs are hapcabin. At 19 years old, he came pily running around with their to Humboldt County to attend tongues out and tails wagging.”

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The Pepperbox | Page 17

People

The triathlete’s humble [Humboldt] beginnings Kellen O’Neill

T

Copy Editor

he man, the myth, the legend: Mike Pigg. Some may know him as a local real estate agent, some may know him as the dad of Chloe and Triston Pigg, but before he was either of these things, Mike Pigg was an athlete. Specifically, one of the most grueling sports in existence: the triathlon.

Born in Oakland, Mike Pigg was brought to Humboldt County by his adopted parents at a young age. Here he developed a love for the great outdoors and physical activity. He also was very competitive. Mike Pigg started to swim as a sport and at Arcata High he participated in cross country, basketball, and track. Although he quickly adds, “I wasn’t very good at basketball.” Throughout high school sports, Mike Pigg learned to have fun and compete at the same time. He was especially grateful for the amazing cross country and track coach he had, Chuck (healer?) who showed him how to race hard and play hard.

“When we went to Crescent City(for a race)... he would put four surfboards under the bus. So after our race at Crescent City we went to the beach there and surfed,” Pigg said.

Although he never achieved any outstanding success in high school sports, Mike Pigg was an HDN champion in cross country and he continued to run after graduation where he then attended College of the Redwoods.

While at CR, Mike Pigg was confused about his career path and what he wanted to do with his life.

“I wanted to be an engineer but it looked like a lot of indoor work,” Pigg said. While he was watching tv one day about two

years into his education at CR, Mike Pigg happened to see the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii and was at once determined to try one of these races before he began to focus on the rest of his education and career path.

“I really wanted to do this race (Hawaiian ironman) so I talked to my parents and was like, give me six months to do this race.”’

So he began to train harder than ever before. Pigg did not have a very good idea how to train for a triathlon so he decided to work hard and learn all he could.

“I had a great xc background, I had a great swimming background… learning from local bike riders… reading triathlete magazine and trying to do what the pros were doing.”

On a good day, Pigg would swim 5000 yards in the pool, go for a 60 mile bike ride, and run 8 miles.

“My motto was swim, bike, and run. Eat and sleep.”

In 1985 Mike Pigg finally showed up to his very first Hawaiian Ironman world championship and came in seventh place. From that point on he had established himself as a world class triathlete.

For 17 years Mike competed all over the globe with some of the best triathletes the world had to offer. Although training through all this time was mentally challenging, Mike did his best to make his training fun. He would explore Humboldt county up and down on his bike always looking for a new adventure and when he traveled for races he would always explore the areas he went to.

“There was something special about every country you went to… it was just so cool, to take you(rself) into a new culture and being on your bike exploring the world.” Along with traveling Mike Pigg also loved to race.

“[My favorite part about being a triathlete was] traveling and racing; I loved racing” Mike Pigg improved his place in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii from 7th his first year, to 4th, then to 2nd place in 1988. The same year he got 2nd place in the ironman, Mike won 15 out of the 20 races that he entered.

Although he would never place better in an Ironman World Championship than second he continued his career with major success.

The only time he left Humboldt county during this period was in 1988 or 89 to train with other professional triathletes and cyclists.

“Going out to Boulder (Colorado) inspired me again because there was all these new roads, and mountains to climb,” Pigg said.

By putting in hard work and having fun along the way Mike Pigg managed to build a legacy as one of the best triathletes in the sport.

When Mike Pigg was around 37 years old he decided it was finally time to retire from his career as a triathlete.

“I was 17 year into my career… being on the road wasn’t as exciting and my body wasn’t

able to recover like it used to.”

He did not however, completely give up his running shorts for slacks.

Mike Pigg continued to workout and run select races just for fun.

“After I retired I ran across the grand canyon just to do it.”

Even today, as he is a real estate agent for his main profession, he still enjoys an active and explorative lifestyle.

“I choose things I like doing or things that are unique.”

Mike Pigg also does some athletic clinics for professional triathletes and has had some experience coaching. Through these things and others he transmits his message to have fun and compete at the same time. Although he misses “being like superman.”

Mike does not seem to have a single regret about his 17 year career.

“It was a dream come true,” Pigg said.

From exploring Humboldt on his bicycle, to making sure to run up hills when he is showing real estate, Mike Pigg has made a major impact on this county though his athletic and community minded prowess and his legacy only continues to grow.

Photo courtesy of Cleveland Triathlon

Mike Pigg competes in the Cleveland triathlon.

The Pepperbox | Page 18

People

Adam Kirk: #D1Bound Cheyenne Keith Sports Editor

P

icture this: you are on a pitching mound and there is huge roaring crowd praying that you can pull the team to a victory.

It’s late in the game and your arm is getting tired- the score is tied while two people are locked on bases. If you can throw this last strike, the game is over.

Sounds pretty difficult doesn’t it? In the mind of junior Adam Kirk however, that situation is conquered every day, as the prodigy trains through an arduous offseason in hopes of having an exceptional year in baseball.

“I am seventeen years old, I stand at 6’5 and I weigh 215 pounds,” Kirk said of his physical traits.

Although these are impressive to the eyes of a scout, what brings the attention from recruiters around the country is his innate ability to play the pitcher position.

“I can get it [a fastball] up to ninety one miles an hour,” Kirk declared confidently.

Kirk is new to Arcata this year. He previously attended St. Bernard’s Academy. The sudden change in schools was due to the lack of feeling like he belonged there.

“It wasn’t the place for me, the students and faculty care about each other here,” Kirk said.

The fact that baseball is played at a higher level here is certainly a plus though. Arcata baseball has a strong tradition of playing america’s favorite past time to the highest level . “It was definitely a fortunate situation, it’s more of a baseball oriented school here

than St. Bernard’s, where football has kind of taken over,” Kirk said. Unfortunately, due to the rules in the county pertaining to transfer students, Adam will have to miss six weeks of the season. However, this doesn’t change the excitement his teammates have for the new add-on.

“I think he will be a good addition to the team,” teammate Geronimo Zuniga said.

Hopes are high for what people will see out of Kirk, but what really happens behind the scenes? Kirk has only played baseball and although some see that as hindering his athletic talents, Kirk approaches the subject in a unique manner.

“I am a strong believer in giving all you got to the thing you may be best at,” Kirk said, “It’s what I love and I don’t need anything else.”

He practices four hours a day, six days a week and usually doesn’t arrive home until 10:30 at night.

Having a social life seems to be quite difficult for Kirk at times, but when he does hang out with his friends, the time spent is all that much more meaningful.

“As an athlete, my brother told me it has be workout first, socialize later,” Kirk said confidently.

He attributes a lot of his effort and success to his brother and father, who help him train every day. His brother plays baseball at San Diego State University and has been a huge contributor to helping Kirk get better, whether it be through advice or a strenuous training regime. However, the man Kirk is most grateful for and speaks very highly of, is his father, “My dad will work an 8:15 a.m. shift to 4:30 p.m. and then he’ll pick me up to work

Friday, March 4th, 2016

Kate Breyer/PEPPERBOX

out until 9:00 p.m.,” Kirk said.

With a strong work ethic, Adam is without a doubt one of the most committed athletes Arcata has. This commitment shows by the pedigree of some of the top prospect camps he’s attended.

“I’ve been all over, anywhere from Cal State, UCI, Area 2 baseball camps, a camp called show ball with fifty Division 1 schools and I have played for the Toronto Blue Jay scout team during the summer,” Kirk said humbly.

Kirk recently made an official commitment to the Division 1 program at the University of Nevada -Reno; but for now, this junior will focus on living in the moment and he attributes some of that mind set to meditation.

“I think about letting go of baseball and school and see-

Kirk zoning in on the target. ing myself as someone who is just a kid looking for peace within himself,” Kirk said.

Although baseball is who Adam Kirk seems to be, there’s something he explained to me: your work ethic doesn’t define you, you define your work ethic. In the mind of Kirk, everything he is doing at any given moment is priority, whether it be hanging out with friends or working a late night in the gym. It’s that level of dedication and approach to situations that make Adam Kirk who he is. Whatever this hardworking athlete does, we, as fans and friends can certainly look forward to the great accomplishments coming to Arcata High.

“I love it here so far and I hope to inspire my teammates and peers to be the best they can be.”

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The Pepperbox | Page 19

People

Puppies with a purpose Caitlyn Patterson Feature Editor

I

f there was a chance for you to change someone’s life for the better, would you? What if all you had to do in order to make a tremendous difference in this person’s life was to get a free puppy and play with it for a year? Puppies and saving lives; that’s what a peek into the life of Jim Hogan sounds like when he’s not cleaning up our messes here on campus.

If you’ve ever wondered what a true Humboldtian looks like, here you have it. Born and raised in the redwoods, Jim graduated from Arcata High with the class of 1985. He was an all-around athlete, playing basketball, football, and baseball.

“I wasn’t the best student, but sports definitely kept me going.

If I hadn’t had them, who knows what would have happened,” said Jim as we began our informal interview. After graduating from Arcata High, Hogan played football at College of the Redwoods, adding on to the validity of being a true Humboldtian.

Jim has been married to his wife Carrie for almost 20 years and has two teenage daughters, 15 and 18, who both attend McKinleyville High. It was 2008 when Jim’s wife first had the idea of getting their family into raising guide dogs. “She wanted to get our daughters into it. It looks good on your college resume when you’re doing stuff like that,” he said.

According to Jim, not only is the program completely nonprofit, but the process of raising service dogs is quite simple. The first step is to through a series of

meetings to determine whether or not a family is suitable to be raising these dogs. Then one of the program directors visits the family’s house to make sure it is a suitable home for the animals. The next step is a training in San Rafael where the family can pick up the puppy that they were assigned. After raising the puppy for 14-16 months, it is taken back to San Rafael to get the specific training it needs to perform tasks for a blind individual.

Raising a guide dog is a serious commitment and takes up the majority of family time.

“You can never leave [the dogs] alone because our job is to socialize them by taking them to the supermarket, to the mall, to church; just take, take, take, take,” Hogan said, “But it’s still worth it.”

There is a guide dog group in Ferndale that meets once a month that Hogan and his family participate in. There they talk about issues that come up with different dogs and how the other families go about fixing those problems.

“We go on trips to places like the Bay Area, we’ve been on the Madaket together, and other various locations throughout Humboldt,” he said.

One of the dogs that was assigned to the Hogan family still stays with them today.

“When you train a guide dog and it doesn’t pass the formal training, the people that raised it gets first dibs on keeping it,” Hogan explained as he began the story of his own dog, Camden.

The family had taken the dog camping a week or so before they had to return him to San Rafael.

It had been particularly hot that day, so his paws were blistered.

After dropping him off in San

Rafael, they received a call that Camden had bad knees and that he wouldn’t make it past training.

“I tried telling them that his paws were blistered, but I guess the word didn’t get to the trainers and it slipped under the radar,” said Jim, “but they asked us if we’d like to keep him and now we have a very healthy yellow lab and we got him for free.”

There is also a process by which the dogs get assigned to their permanent owners. The campus in San Rafael has apartment buildings where blind people can stay while they go through this process. From there they are matched to a dog that shares a similar temperament.

The first dog that was assigned to the Hogan family was named Tacoma. After they raised her, they were able to follow up with the blind woman she was given to. They were ecstatic to hear how well it had worked out.

“She’d never seen the light of day, then she gets this dog and starts doing normal things like going out and getting her hair and nails done. It was a great

feeling,” Hogan said. The owner of their second dog, Austin, also kept in touch. She lives in Ontario, Canada and went on to get her doctorate after receiving the dog.

When I think of myself raising a guide dog, I see it becoming very hard to have to let go when the time comes, but the Hogan family manages to hold it together.

“You just have to go in knowing that it’s not your dog. It’s a little harder for my kids, but it’s great because we all get that warm, gratified feeling because we know we’re doing something good.”

As we sat at the table in the center of the custodian’s office, his eyes lit up as he spoke about the way it felt knowing he had made a difference in the lives of these individuals. I began to see that training these dogs had done much more for his family than just to look good on college resumes.

“I think the most satisfying part of it all is watching your daughter hand the leash over to the disabled person at the graduation.” Hogan said. “That is a real tear jerker, let me tell you.”

Photo courtesy of Annie Armstrong

Photo courtesy of Jim Hogan

Hogan “acting natural” around campus.

Hogan’s dog, Camdon.

The Pepperbox | Page 20

People

Tuning in with Berkowitz Terra Clarke Editor-in-Chief

A

rcata High School was an immensely different place in the 1970s.

The parking lot was still filled with teenagers driving their mom’s car too fast through the parking lot. Students still talked and listened to music in their cars up to the very last possible moment, risking their chances of being late to class. The big difference, however, was the music playing in those cars was not off someone’s Spotify playlist or Pandora station--it was coming from Arcata High’s very own student run radio station.

Flash forward to 2016, a small balding man, known as Bob Berkowitz, with glasses as big as his face dances around room 104. He familiarly walks around the room, but the room he once knew was a little different than this one. He describes how the left and right sides of the room were separated by a wall with a large window on it. He describes the broadcast studio in the right corner all the way down to the couch and the size of the rug on the floor. He goes on to describe the importance of each item in the room. The rug wasn’t just a rug, it was to be used in case of a fire to roll an injured or unconscious student up in and get them out of the classroom as quick as possible. Everything in the room had a purpose no matter how strange that purpose was. Along with every inanimate object having a job so did every student.

Everyone was in charge of each other, “If you succeed everyone succeeds,” said Berkowitz, “you fail everyone fails.”

There was a great importance

placed on teamwork, but it was also a competitive environment.

For a student to be able to go on the air, they would first have to pass the FCC (Federal Communications Commissions). Students would take a trip down to San Francisco to take the test. Arcata High students had a 95 percent passing rate, HSU students who took the test only had a seven percent passing rate. At this point Mr. Berkowitz started teaching a night class for college students, then faculty became interested in taking the test as well. AHS students mentored HSU students and faculty. “In that instance the student was the teacher” said Berkowitz, “and the teacher was the student.”

I taught them how to be responsible.

Responsible for themselves, and responsible for eachother.

est records and would often be one of the first radio stations to hear new music. Mike Libolt, a staff member who graduated in 1974 recalls getting ads from the rock n roll station on cassettes, putting them under his leather jacket and riding his motorcycle back to school. Libolt, among other students, used his experience at KAHS to help his career.

Libolt was working at a real radio station before he graduated high school. “Many of us had a job before we could drive.” said Libolt.

When Libolt spoke of his time working at KAHS he didn’t speak of it as professionally as Berkowitz. When Berkowitz said, “we would cover AHS football just like Monday night football!” Libolt chuckled and reminded Berkowitz that they were just students, “almost, except when we would miss the ball.”

For Libolt, working for KAHS was more than just something that helped him with his professional career. When Libolt spoke

Friday, March 4th, 2016

of his time at KAHS his face lit up as he spoke of lifelong friendships he made. Libolt explained how KAHS defined his high school experience and in turn his life. He described a beautiful girl who was in the grade below him who struggled at math and was worried she wouldn’t pass the FCC. Libolt, being a gentleman, helped her study for the test and when the day came for them to take the test, the beautiful girl passed, Libolt did not. “She asked me to Sadie Hawkins and eventually became my wife.” Said Libolt.

KAHS brought many things to the students of Arcata High school; music, sports coverage, professional experience, careers, and even lifelong partners. But Berkowitz left the staff members of KAHS with the ability to work with the people around them to create something amazing. “I taught them how to be responsible,” said Berkowitz, “responsible for themselves, and responsible for each other.”

- Bob Berkowitz The station was truly for the students. The show ran before school, during lunch, and after school until eleven PM. The radio played the music the students wanted to hear and talked about things the students wanted to listen to. “It wasn’t your job to interject opinion” said Berkowitz, “it wasn’t your station, it was AHS’s Photo courtesy of Jennifer Coriell station.”

Bob Berkowitz and Mike Libolt with members of the Pepperbox.

The station would get the new-

Friday, March 4th, 2016

People

The Pepperbox | Page 21

Tracing the track to her future CJ Gray

E

Opinion Editor

llie Earle-Rouse. Earle, not Earl, and definitely not Early. Earle-Rouse.

You might see her around campus: the tall blonde with long legs, probably wearing Nikes. She describes her spirit animal as a maned wolf, so if you know what that looks like, you’ll definitely be able to figure out who Ellie is. She’ll most likely smile at you, unless she’s focussed on cramming to finish her homework that she procrastinated on. You might know her as a track star. And why wouldn’t you, considering she broke the high jump record at Arcata High when she was only a freshman.

But there are many other sides to Ellie that are far less known.

When I sat down to talk to Earle-Rouse, I didn’t want to just talk about track, so I asked her about her interest in art.

“I love drawing, art, and photography,” Earle-Rouse said.

Ellie first took photography class as a sophomore. She has joined AAI just in her senior year, as well as the soccer team. The new additions in her life have allowed her to have a broader choices for forms of expression.

“Art helps me clear my head and relax. Track lets me express myself in a different way,” Earle-Rouse said.

Her love of art has led to her to be involved with the art form of drawing tattoos. She has a book

of tattoos that she has designed.

“100%, I will be getting a few [tattoos]. Tasteful and designed by me,” During the interview process, Earle-Rouse would barely sit still. She kept shuffling her feet and spinning in her chair.

It wasn’t that she was nervous, but because what athlete of that caliber wants to be sitting down?

Ellie truly believes that track is right for her.

“It is something I am truly good at. I love everything about track. It is what I was built for,” Earle-Rouse said.

She hopes to run track for HSU next year since she has worked out with the team before. Ellie’s story is just starting, and it looks like there will

be many great things to come from such an athletically and artistically talented individual.

ing his own music. He has been making experimental electronic music for about two and a half years now; however, his love for music has always been with him. Ironically, he finds a lot of electronic music not very pleasing. He listens to his music from a constructive point of view but doesn’t walk around listening to it.

“I’m kind of sick of it by the time I’m done making a song,” Yonts said.

His goal is to create music that has a much smoother sound.

“I find a lot of inspiration just from listening to the world and from listening to other artists I admire. My own thoughts inspire me when I let my mind wander,” Yonts said.

His creative mind is key when it comes to the making of his electronic music. He uses a field recorder to take sounds from the world around him (nature sounds, people chattering) and adds them

to his songs to create an earthy effect. After doing this, he can then go in and edit or alter any of the sounds to flow with the song better. According to Yonts, the best songs come together in a couple of hours, usually followed by other sessions of cleaning the song up.

“If I start a new idea and try to come back to it the next day, I’ll be in a completely different mind set, so I try to get the basic idea out in one sitting.”

Mood plays a significant role in his music. The way he is feeling at the moment will effect his music style greatly and influence the ways of his musical flow.

Yonts also admits that collaboration will affect his style of music and often times contributes to a unique sound. Arcata High junior Owen Morehead, a fellow artist, frequently works with Yonts to produce new tracks. They each

bring their own element to the table creating a new blend of musical sounds. Yonts’ style is a bit mellow, and Moreheads’ flow tend to be on the more edgy side.

“Our two different styles harmonize pretty well so it’s fun to hear a change in both of our music,” Morehead said.

Despite his exceptional talent, he does not plan to make his music into a career.

“I more just enjoy doing it for my own pleasure,” Yonts said.

But you never know where your passions can lead you. For instance, he has already had the opportunity to perform at the Roll at the Mattole music festival in Petrolia, California. By summer he would like to finish a small album to be put on the app Soundcloud or Bandcamp. So make sure to tune in and give his music a follow! You certainly won’t be disappointed.

Beats by Boden Ellen Keil

B

Reporter

oden Yonts sits at his aesthetically pleasing desk, a display of computers, speakers, LED lights, and a flashing sound board captivating his attention. As he adjusts the pulsating bar that appears on his computer screen, the music fluctuates.

We sit on his comfy bean bag, watching the spiral overlap of the green and red lasers as they dance across the vast tapestry hung on the wall. The light show only enhances the mellow mood created by the blaring music that fills the room.

As we observe the artist at work, his incredible talent becomes more and more evident. Not wanting to disrupt him, I decide to hold off on the interview questions until he is done with what he is working on.

We sit back and enjoy the show.

Yonts has a passion for creat-

Photo courtesy of Ellie Earle-Rouse

Earle-Rouse’s majestic lion.

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Scan the QR Code to learn more!

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McKinleyville 1644 Central Ave. 707-839-3068

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Friday, March 4th, 2016

People

The Pepperbox | Page 23

Words hurt, ya know...

Hannah Finley Managing Editor

B

reaking news: not all cannabis growers own vicious guard dogs! Let’s be real, just about everyone has seen the Google Earth images that are sprinkled with oversized greenhouses and neat rows of thriving foliage. For most, the presence of cannabis in Humboldt has become an accepted reality.

Despite this common knowledge, the misconceptions held by teachers, students, and community members alike are impressive in quantity and popularity. But with recreational marijuana on the verge of legalization throughout the U.S., it is time to put these overly simplified perspectives to rest.

To begin, I would like to address the presence of growers that carry out illegal activity, pollute our local environment, steal water, exhibit violence, or otherwise shed a negative light on the growing community. While these types of growers are present in our community, it is too narrow- minded to generalize all growers into this archetype. In fact, unethical agriculture is a phenomenon not limited to the marijuana industry. In any industry, there will be individuals that exploit resources and people, as well as fail to reach set expectations; however, these disrespectful practices should not be allowed to dictate the societal view of an entire field of work.

On more than one occasion, I have been witness to the harsh judgments passed by students and teachers towards the growing community. Being that this is Humboldt County, I can’t help but wonder how many people may be taking silent offense to

these comments. In an attempt to understand and share the feelings of those people that have actually been immersed into the growing industry, I decided to interview anonymous students who come from homes where the main source of income is the growth and distribution of medical marijuana.

PBX: Is what your parents do illegal?

Anonymous: No . Both of my parents have their 215 prescriptions.

PBX: Is it the business you want to enter as an adult?

Anonymous: Well, with the pending legalization of marijuana, I assume that the growing industry will rapidly change. Not only will the market probably be diminished for smallscale farmers, but I have set different goals for myself. I want to be a writer.

PBX: Have you been subject ed to discrimination because of your parents’ means of income?

Anonymous: On more than one occasion, I would say that I have been unconsciously discriminated against.

I know that the rude comments about the growing industry that I encounter on campus aren’t typically directed at me, or generally any other person in particular, but the comments are still often times offensive or just unnecessary. I don’t particularly care to hear the stereotypes held by a person who has most likely never even seen a pot plant before. I understand that there are negative practices in this industry, but you can’t generalize an entire means of income into such a narrow perspective and expect nobody to disagree with your over generalization, even if it is unspoken disagreement.

PBX: Have other parents asked you uncomfortable questions about your home life?

Anonymous: Inevitably, I have been questioned by other parents about what my parents do and that unfortunately creates an uncomfortable situation often times. Obviously a question like, “what do your parents do for a living?” is just small talk, but I never quite know how to respond. Despite the fact that my parents carry out le-

gal practices, I still feel uncomfortable saying that they grow. I guess I just have a default assumption that the parent may disapprove of my family or feel reluctant to let their kid spend time with me due to the ‘influence’ that I might have. In all honestly, I usually lie or avoid the question. Occasionally though, I have encountered the type of parent that will pry to the point where it seems as if they already know the answer but want to hear it from me anyway. Now that always results in a level of awkwardness.

PBX: Are you ashamed of their means of income? If so, what has made you feel this way?

Anonymous: I am not at all ashamed of their means of income. I think it’s great that they have pursued a life that has allowed them to have time to be as involved as possible in my childhood.

Before my parents made the decision to grow, my dad worked a full time job.

He was devastated that he was having to miss out on my youth in order to provide for the family. The lifestyle changes that they have made have given them new opportunities that would have been denied otherwise.

PBX: Do you feel as though you’ve been deprived of any opportunities given to most children?

Anonymous: Definitely not. If anything, I feel lucky to have had the childhood that I did. My parents were incredibly involved in everything that I chose to pursue, and they supported me (and still do) in everything.

When they committed to the decision to grow, I was disappointed that we would be living in such a rural area; however, in retrospect, I am endlessly grateful that I had the opportunity to grow up surrounded by the beauty of Humboldt. I also feel that the time I spent alone as a kid has greatly contributed to who I am today and established a sense of independence.

PBX: What is your opinion on medical marijuana?

Anonymous: I believe that the medical potential for cannabis is not something that can be dismissed.

PBX: Have you felt like you’ve had an average childhood?

Anonymous: Well, ‘aver-

age’ seems a bit mundane...

PBX: How often are you exposed to marijuana at home?

Anonymous: I mean, I’m around a garden at certain times of the year on my property, but neither of my parents really smoke around me. In fact, my mom doesn’t even smoke, she takes (CBD) tinctures.

PBX: When did you discover that your parents grew medical marijuana for a living?

Anonymous: It was never really a secret. When I asked my dad what the plants were for and why we grew them, he gave me a simplified answer. He’s always felt that if I was old enough to ask the question, I was old enough to receive the answer.

PBX: Do your parents smoke the medical marijuana that they grow?

Around you?

Anonymous: My dad smokes and takes tinctures and my mom just takes tinctures. They try to separate it from me as much as possible, but it’s also never really been made into a big deal. At this point, I know that they grow, I know that they both have prescriptions for medical marijuana, and I know that it’s a substance that they don’t want me to take part in. It’s presence just doesn’t particularly phase or interest me.

PBX: Do your parents own guns?

Are they registered weapons?

Anonymous: No. In the rare event that my dad goes hunting, he uses a bow.

PBX: Have you ever been subjected to gang violence?

Anonymous: Beyond the ridiculous posers on Instagram who post their ghetto rap lyrics, despite the fact that they’re ‘straight outta Humboldt,’ I wasn’t even aware of any gang presence in Humboldt County. So that’s a strong no.

PBX: Does your house mimic the overwhelming intensity of a hot boxed party on the daily?

Anonymous: Believe it or not, my mom does have her living standards.

No smoking is allowed in the house.

Pepperbox: Do you own any mean guard dogs?

Anonymous Student: Nope. I own one cat. I used to have one dog; it was a jack russell terrier named Petie.

The Pepperbox | Page 24

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

The story behind Annie’s strength Nora Lovell Feature Editor

& Grace Walker Art Editor

A

nnie Armstrong isn’t letting the world get her down. And she’s been through a lot. So much that her coming out on the other side with her amazing positivity is nothing short of incredible. Walking into the cool redwood forest was the perfect place for us to talk about her life.

She’s struggled with her education in a way most kids haven’t and still keeps her high aspirations and goals. It took her a lot to get where she is today. “I used to be a serious slacker. Most people have had about 13 years of school counting kindergarten, but from then to 18 I’ve had about 5 years of school total” she said. For the past few years she’s been working harder than she has ever had to, to get to the level she is supposed to be academically to graduate. “I went to P Coast for a year and I sat back there and sped through a boat load of books. Like almost 20 books, I just went through all of the books of the shelf.” She laughed at that.

Missing so many years from her education has really made her realize how important it is to have access to education. “People don’t appreciate school enough. I feel like i have a better perspective on how important it is to go to school and how privileged we are to have school. There is definitely something about not going to school that makes you appreciate school more than you would have if it was just something you had done since day one.” Going through what she has, has given Armstrong a real understanding of how important it

is to take advantage of everything that you can. The classes she can’t finish or get to in high school she hopes to make up in college. She can’t slack if she wants to achieve her dream job, a paramedic.

I feel like I could actually make a difference. I’m not gonna change the world but I can save someone’s life.

sign is her Plan B if becoming a paramedic doesn’t work out. Maybe we’ll see her on Project Runway in a few years. It’s too soon to tell.

Armstrong is also a strong supporter of gay rights. “I’m just really big on accepting people and people trying to understand other people’s lives. And sometimes you’re not gonna understand it. I don’t understand exactly what it means to be straight but it doesn’t mean that I have to be afraid of it” she stated passionately. Armstrong is

an advocate of removing labels.

“I’ve realized that people have always assumed I was straight and that’s bothered me. [People] automatically assume that everyone who is not overtly gay and wearing rainbow outfits is straight. I don’t think we should be categorized by our preferences” she said.

Whatever direction Armstrong decides to go in with her future she’s going to give it her all. “If I can do it I have to do it. In every sense of it. You can’t knock it til you try it.”

- Annie Armstrong Armstrong decided to become a paramedic after her sister fell off a cliff last year. “I feel like i’m always on the wrong side of the 911 call” she said. She’d rather be able to help save someone’s life than nervously wait for someone to come help. “I feel like I could actually make a difference. I’m not gonna change the world but I can save someone’s life.” Until then she’s found a passion in making clothes.

It’s something she’s still perfecting but she’s getting much better. “I make crop tops with no pattern but they’re only good for flat chested people. I haven’t quite gotten the darts.” When asked to describe her style she laughed and said, “Slutty.

I probably shouldn’t say that. Kind of summery, but like shorts and tank tops and I like things with weird straps. So like crisscrossing straps or with giant elastic things on the back of it. Bright colors and lots of weird designs.” Fashion de-

Grace Walker/PEPPERBOX

Armstrong poses for the camera.

Friday, March 4th, 2016

People

The Pepperbox | Page 25

The Rand Bourne legacy Alley Perry Editor-in-Chief

R

and Bourne sits across from me, his hands raised apprehensively, and a nervous grin on his face. “This may sound kind of weird,” He prefaces. Understatement of the century.

As he explains to me the process of tanning a rat hide, for scientific purposes of course, I listen in silent curiosity. If I’m being honest this is the most interesting conversation I’ve had in days, quite possibly weeks.

“I took anatomy last year, so I thought, ‘Oh, I should freshen up on my anatomy skills.’ So I dissected it, and named all the organs.” He says this in a matter of fact way, and I nod, as if this is one’s natural thought process when noticing a rat in your house. After poisoning the bacteria on the hide, and then leaving it out to dry, the process is complete. Simple, really.

I remind him half jokingly that killing small animals is an identifying characteristic of a psychopath, and he brushes this off immediately.

“It’s just like if you set up a rat trap or a mouse trap in your house, I didn’t want to just

Alley Perry/PEPPERBOX

Rand Bourne in the midst of his iconic laugh.

throw them away and waste it.”

I nod understandingly. This makes sense, it’s logical. At the core of Rand’s very being is logic, and this is something important to remember when talking to him.

He does things out of curiosity and never abandons logic while doing so. He even applies reason to his jokes, for which he has a scale.

“I’ve got a one through three joke scale system.” He tells me that a one is a mildly suggestive joke, a two is outrageously inappropriate, and a three - a three is a test of friendship- it’s nearly unspeakable. “Either people just laugh so hard they can’t control themselves, or they look at me with a look of disgust, and just walk away.”

I ask him - beg actually, to tell me a three but he refuses. He’s not convinced I can handle it, and if I’m being honest, after hearing a level two, I’m not sure I could either.

When he’s not telling side splitting dirty jokes, or perfecting his anatomy skills, Bourne keeps busy with other projects.

“I do all sorts of stuff. Like right now I’m trying to build a wickiup.

It’s like a little Native American dwelling. Basically you take tree boughs and you build it into like a dome - like half of a sphere.”

He tells me that he plans to convert it into a sauna when he’s finished, and then inevitably he’ll move onto another project.

“Last weekend I planted a bamboo grove, I started the wickiup, and I helped my brother with the crickets.” After further inquiry I learned that the crickets were part of a school project on improving the world for future generations. The crickets would provide an alternative protein source. Yes, for eating.

I confided that I’d eaten a chocolate covered cricket once, and we proceeded to swap cricket recipes.

Facebook friends of Bourne might know that he has a home-

Photos courtesy of Rand Bourne

Rand (left) poses in front of his homemade forge. Rand (right) makes lye out of wood ash. made forge, another one of his weekend projects. With the help of Javon Patterson, Bourne melted down aluminum cans into a toy gun, and has plans for future forging projects.

“I went to the shooting range and collected all the brass casings, and I recycled them and I’m going to make shin guards or a helmet or something.”

Patterson and Bourne also are in the process of constructing a robot in Makers Club. Robot model 007 can perform simple movements and has the theoretical ability to makes drinks. Shaken, not stirred.

As an avid hiker and outdoors man, a personal inspiration for Bourne is the Survivorman.

“I’ve done one of those wilderness survival things. The first time I went out with a friend and we went off in the desert, and built a fire, and we were like ‘Oh ya we’re gonna camp out here and survive off the land’. We just kind of sat there really miserable, cold, and hungry, until about 3 in the morning, and then we were like ‘you know what? I’m calling it in. I’m done’” He shares with me the se-

cret to making it through the weekend; fishing poles.

There’s a lot to be said for first impressions. I know they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but the notion of a non judgemental society is quite frankly naive, especially in high school. Typically, placing people into immediate boxes isn’t that difficult, but Rand doesn’t allow one thing to define him. His interests and hobbies are fluid and always changing, he bounces from one project to another, always looking for a new and interesting challenge.

Anyone who knows Rand, or his brother for that matter, is familiar with their tendency to run down the hallways to class with the passion of an olympic sprinter. This is an Arcata High phenomenon that occurs so frequently that most students have ceased to stare incredulously and instead simply move aside for the Bourne brothers.

“Do you play many video games?

If you have the choice between walking or running in a game, you always choose running. You just migrate to the most efficient way to get around. It’s just faster.”

The Pepperbox | Page 26

People

Friday, March 4th, 2016

A new angle on Jack who heard his karaoke during Homecoming week; those select Marley Tavernier-Fine individuals who were able to hear his dulcet tones in person.

A & E Editor Halfway through his freshman year, he is already involved and ajestic.

Glorious. motivated, and has amassed Like an angel. All an impressive repertoire of words used to de- musical accomplishments. scribe Jack Angles’ For some people, talent is singing voice. But this young, gained through years of hard elusive star has another side; work and struggle, but for otha gymnastically inclined, lead- ers it comes naturally. Almost role starring, musical, mar- like a gift from Apollo himself, tial artist, good student, world Jack was placed with musicians traveler, chameleon enthusiast, [singers and vocalists] for parHoney Vanilla Lavender ice ents. The young virtuoso grew cream-lover, Arcata High School up in and around music, with freshman side. The phenome- experience on the violin, french non that is Jack can be described horn, and especially piano. in a multitude of ways, but typi“He really likes music, he’s cal certainly isn’t one of them. the kind of person who just Jack Angles is a familiar name goes around singing,” fellow on campus. Being the son of a French horn player Kiki Josang beloved teacher like Ms. Angles, said, “He’s very influenced by a fair amount of fame followed music.” But singing is his real him into high school. Life as a passion. Knowing what you are campus celebrity can be diffi- meant to do is something that cult, but this year, Jack has al- most people don’t figure out ready created his own Arcata until they’re older, or maybe legacy. Perhaps you were able to never find out at all, but Jack be a part of the privileged crowd found what he was looking for:

M

say practicing their low notes.

Alongside his parents, Jack’s I’ve been addicted musical journey has been to music since I was shaped by wondrous mentors very little. My parand inspiring figures; his 3rd grade teacher and principal ents are musical.

Mr. Sousa, his music teacher So I guess I’m mufrom the past Mr. Hachimoji, sically influenced, and the bass from Pentatonix.

What youthful prodigy could but I think music have achieved such fame is just something I without the right people to was meant to do. guide him along the way.

“Mr. Sousa, he believed in me,” - Jack Angles Jack said, “He knew I had a gift.

He definitely felt something in Jack has a self-proclaimed op- me. Mr. Hachimoji felt the same, eratic voice, not something many he knew I was something great.”

Singing has opened doors 14-year-olds can claim, but likes opera, jazz, soft rock, pop; he for Jack that exceed what makes it a point not to discrimi- many people his age would be nate against any genre of music. eligible for, especially in act“I don’t really judge mu- ing opportunities. Far from sic…maybe some stuff I judge just being a ho-hum singer, internally,” he remarked, “I he’s also a starring-role actor.

By now, most people on cammean maybe death metal, I don't really see that as ac- pus are probably aware that tual…music, but maybe there Arcata High students will be are people who like that.” putting on the musical Chicago.

You know someone is dedicat- Chances are you know someed when you ask them their typ- one in it. But there’s just as good ical after-school hobby and they a chance that you’ve seen the

Terra Clarke/PEPPERBOX

Jack showing off his gymnastics moves.

Friday, March 4th, 2016 lead actor walking in the halls from class to class. Jack will be playing Billy Flynn in the upcoming performance, a feat not many freshman can lay claim to.

“Yeah, my singing voice probably got me the lead role,” Jack said, “I am grateful for that; not many freshmen would be able to get a lead role like that.”

His expertise has caught the attention of both teachers and students around him.

“He’s a really good singer, and he can do a back handspring really well,” sophomore Marlee Anderson [playing Liz in Chicago] said, “He’s funny, I always notice him doing weird dance moves out of the corner of my eye, or making funny facial expressions.”

Right alongside his voice is another ability that helps in the theater; Jack’s vocal cords are definitely not the only muscles he exercises.

With six years of karate and three years of Tae Kwon Do under his belt, as well as gymnastics, any tricks that Jack uses in Chicago may be just as effective in the real world. Watching him doing a backflip or back handspring from a standing position fills one with a certain awe, something akin to watch-

People ing a perfect sunset or seeing a chameleon nab an insect with it’s tongue in slow motion.

“I definitely think I’m fit for defending myself from a bully, or a mugging.” Jack proudly declared. I’m sure that with his skills, he could back flip, back handspring, or round off any attacker: “With gymnastics and Tae Kwon Do, I’m kinda like Jackie Chan.” The Arcata High Boy’s Tennis team will hopefully be hitting the jackpot with an impressive new member this year.

Sitting down and talking with Jack, I was impressed with his unflappable attitude towards his busy lifestyle, especially his opinions about handling the pressure next year. The paparazzi will probably be all over him soon, considering that he did register for America’s Got Talent, and possibly received a call-back. Considering his considerable skills at this point, his celebrity is unquestionably due to receive more attention, and just think, we’ll be able to say we knew him then. Jack can bring something new to the table, even on the national scale, “I have a unique voice,” he remarked to me humbly “Not like typical pop, I guess it’s

something unique, which would be good. I want people to have something new.”

But let's bring things back down to earth for a bit. If you had to guess, would you assume that Jack is a severe anti-vegetable activist? That he wages a personal war on brussel sprouts, spinach, and cruciferous vegetables in general, considered by him the “typical little kid nonos?” Or that his deliberating and clever mind would choose the most diabolical superpower of all, the terrifying ability to hijack any other superpower?

Ms. Angles shared a story with me about Jack’s super tenden-

But he’ll always be my little Spiderman!

- Ms. Angles cies when he was younger: “So, he would wear this Spiderman suit with the muscles to see Spiderman,” she said, “We went to the movies to see Spiderman 3 where Spiderman had the black suit. He [Jack] was wearing his blue and red suit,

The Pepperbox | Page 27 and he ran to the bathroom, changed to the black suit, and came back to the movie. He loved Spiderman so much.” I asked her if that was the case still, “He’s going to hate me for it, but maybe inside,” Ms. Angles remarked, “But he’ll always be my little Spiderman!” On a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos, a volcanic excursion posed an unforeseen challenge. Jack was forced to contemplate a life surviving in the wild, but luckily did not have to follow through with those particular plans. Surviving on nothing but jack fruit would not have been fun. Favorite animal is always a personality giveaway. and Jack’s favorite creature is as individual as him.

“Chameleons are so cool!” Jack exclaimed “I had one, and they are beautiful, and unique, and weird!” He’s also a favor of rays, perhaps their graceful underwater movements remind him of the sound of his own graceful voice. And of course, how could he not choose The Scoop’s Honey Vanilla Lavender ice cream as his favorite? It certainly is a show stopper, how could one not be impressed. And the same can be said of Jack, from the audible realm to the physical onehe truly is a “Jack-of-all-trades.”

Terra Clarke/PEPPERBOX

Jack’s signature back flip.

Crossword Given clues from the articles in the People issue, fill in the crossword with the names of students Given clues from t he art icles in t he People issue fill in t he crossword wit h t he names of st udent s and community members featured in this issue. For the answers, visit thepepperbox.com and communit y members feat ured in t his issue.

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Across 3. Grew up on his grandmother's prune plantation 4. Buddhist priest at the Zen center 8. Won a national fiddling competition 12. Former psychology teacher 16. Played piano since he was five years old 17. Started North Coast Music with his wife in 2010 18. This person has been given an opportunity to perform at the Roll on the Mattole music festival

Down 1. Got second place in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii 2. Barrel racer 5. This person has a passion for making her own clothes 6. Started KAHS 7. This person’s spirit animal is a maned wolf 9. Creator of the Inspire One foundation 10. Freestyle dancer 11. This person will be the lead role in Arcata High’s performance of Chicago 13. Baseball player who is commited to University of Nevada, Reno 14. This person is currently working on building a robot 15. This person raises guide dogs