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STAGG PRIDE...OUTSIDE Winning football record brings school spirit
michealla foules Deafening screams fill the stadium. Stands are packed with lively crowds. Horns are blaring and bells are clanging. The football team has ended their season and playoffs with a record of 9-2. Many were sad playoffs had to end. Tears flowed down their faces to show it. With a loss of just one point against Pleasant Grove, the pride still remains among students on campus. Freshman Charmaigne Gresham attended the playoff game and was there to witness their last stand. “We could’ve had that game.” The Stagg football team made a powerful impact on students. “When Lester ran the long punt return.” said sophomore Andres Andrade. “That was the most exciting part of the game. He’s my idol.” “I’m proud to represent Stagg State,” Gresham said. “My school is beast.” Junior T.J. Blair is more than happy about how far they’ve made it. “It’s like a badge of honor,” said Blair, a varsity football player. “Everybody worked hard.” Blair said they were especially ready for St. Mary’s. The St.Mary’s at Stagg game, was featured as KCRA 3’s Game of the Week. The stands were as packed as ever, considering at that time, Stagg was undefeated 8-0. “They made St. Mary’s fight and gave them a challenge,” said
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Coach Norton did a great job in building character.
Stewart Jacoby teacher junior Shyann Vasquez. “The score tells it all.” Stagg lost 43-34. Sophomore Genae Lewis screamed her heart out through the whole game. She’s attended most of the home games and is a big fan and supporter of the football team. “I believe in the football players,” Lewis said. “I think they can be the best.” When Lewis hears people talk down on football team, she is proud and willing to back them up. “I get upset when people talk about Stagg, I let them know and explain how good our football players are doing.” “I don’t feel ashamed,” said senior Astyn Miles. “They had a good season.”
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11.16.12 Vol. 56 No. 3
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207
Application deadline
Reminder to seniors that the deadline for sending in UC and CSU applications is Nov. 30. There are no exceptions.
Sophomore Mary Davis, who is a student athlete, is also a big supporter. “I’m proud of them,” said Davis, “I know it’s hard for them to play a sport, and at the same time get good grades.” Davis admires how they performing well on the field and are able to play because of good grades. “They deserve it,” Vasquez said. “They practice hard and take it serious.They don’t fool around.” Teacher Stewart Jacoby, who plays in the alumni pep band, is proud of the commitment that the coaches and players have. “Coach Norton did a great job in building character.” “When a team does really well, school spirit and pride is really high.” said Ryan Berg, the head varsity basketball coach. “That’s why sports are so important and it’s what makes school more fun.” This past season Junior Curtis Bernard has been part of chain gang, where he got the chance to watch football games up close. “It’s a whole different experience,” said Bernard. “You get to see more things because you’re right there. You can hear the coaches motivation, and it feels like you’re in the game.” He thinks that the football team ended in a great season, and it’s time to represent Stagg’s basketball team. “We’re coming in as underdogs,” said Bernard. “People don’t expect us to do well. That’s why it feels good to represent Stagg and prove them wrong with a win.”
Photo by Dellanira Alcauter
Quarterback Wayne Brooks runs the ball during the Stagg vs. St. Mary’s game on his way to a 76 yard first-quarter touchdown.
Graphic by Devin Wickstrom, Reanna Rodriguez and Fe Valencia
Community service
The Run/Walk Against Hunger is the morning of Thanksgiving at Banner Island Ballpark. Students wishing to volunteer may register online.
Spirit weeks
Starting Dec. 3 there will be back-to-back spirit weeks, one involving dressing up and the other supporting the community. Listen to the all-call for more details.
Inside the Issue
For a more detailed story on the football team’s playoff journey, see page 7.
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Editorial
Opinion
11.16.12
Programs should be taken seriously
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f you haven’t already noticed, the student restrooms are filled with signs encouraging students to go to Healthy Start for advice on information such as sexual activity, sexual transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Healthy Start coordinator Judy Rauzi tries to help students who are sexually active by giving them advice, information, and telling them about the possible consequences if they have sex at an early age. “We want to make sure kids are protected and that they know what they are doing,” she said. It’s great that Stagg has all of these beneficial programs but the thing is, some students don’t know about them and that led to the flyers. “Even though a student who is 14 or older can go to a clinic without a parent’s consent and receive information on sex, all services here require a signed parental consent,” Rauzi said. With the parent consent everything that is discussed with the counselor is completely confidential. We join Healthy Start in wanting to be sure that, if students need to, these programs are being used. “We tell them what they need to know and we give them options, but it’s their decision and they make the final judgment call,” Rauzi said. Any student can set up an appointment with the clinic to receive information on sex and sexually transmitted diseases and, if the students need it, the clinic offers condoms
The point of this program is for students to learn what diseases are out there and how to be protected from them. We support this clinic and what it’s doing to help students completely and the conflict mediators here on campus also believe that these services are beneficial. Not only does Healthy Start offer information about sex, it also offers other important services such as immunizations, sports physicals, treatment for STDs, free HIV testing, and drug and alcohol abuse programs. Just like with getting information on sex, students must have their parent sign a consent form to use these other beneficial programs. Also, plays and assemblies have been used to tell and show students about what Healthy Start has to offer. One play, “Secrets,” shown here on Oct. 24 taught students about STDs and other diseases and consequences that come with having sexual intercourse at an early age. “The main goal of ‘Secrets,’” Linda Roberts, S3 Grant coordinator said. “Was to educate our students about sexual diseases and the prevention of it.” For those who have not yet seen “Secrets,” the play will be back in Spring for more students to see. All of this information is provided free to students who art by AdriannaOwens and birth control. They also offer testing for STD’s for need it, so they should be taken advantage of. We want to make sure that students know about these great programs those who ask. Now just because there is a clinic on campus that offers here on campus and that they use them. However, it would be best if they don’t have to. this information, that doesn’t mean to go and have sex.
Moments that turn into memories
Senior night helps to realize how much Stagg shaped the person reanna
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ife is about moments. The moments that move us one step closer to our futures. The moments that mean something to us: the moments we remember. I didn’t realize I was having a moment on Thursday, Oct. 25. Not when I walked into the gym and saw the posters on the wall. Not as I changed into my uniform for the last time. Not when we ran through the tunnel as the music began to play. And not even as we warmed up, sizing up our opponents. It was just another Thursday home game in my mind. We finished warming up and the music turned off. I lined up with my family and waited for my name to be called. I watched fellow senior teammates walk before me and receive their flowers as the crowd cheered. Everyone was all smiles. When my name was called my smile matched everyone else’s. That’s when it hit me that I was having a moment. It hit me even harder as I hugged the man who had been my coach for four years; hit me hardest when I saw the tears in his eyes. In my mind, it was no longer just a Thursday. It was my senior night. I was about to play in my last volleyball game at Stagg. For three years I had watched seniors before me receive their flowers and say goodbye. I didn’t
realize that my time to say goodbye would come so quickly. I didn’t realize that playing volleyball had become a part of me, a part that defined who I was as a Stagg student. That’s when I began to realize that soon enough my time at Stagg would be over. That things that made me who I’ve become in the past four years would soon be stripped away. And I would be left with only the person I have become. And with that I would begin again: start over in the next stage of my life.
The Stagg Line newspaper is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Awards and recognitions include the following: XX 19 consecutive NSPA All-American rankings XX NSPA Hall of Fame, 2005 XX NSPA First-Place Best of Show five times XX JEA Impact Award, 2002 Stagg Line student journalists have won many awards and scholarships over the years, including California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year, and National Photo of the Year.
bered. My senior night is over. It was a moment on Thursday, Oct. 25, but now it’s a memory. I have the rest of my senior year to experience more moments. And then after that high school will be behind me and I’ll start over in college. I turned in my jersey. I said goodbye to my teammates and coaches. I walked out of the gym. I had a moment, but now it’s a memory. And I’m moving on toward making more moments that will make my life memorable.
photos by Annamarie
Rodriguez
(Top) Senior Reanna Rodriguez has a moment as she hugs her coach of four years, Russell Nabayan, while her family watches proudly. (Left) Rodriguez thanks her coach, teammates, and family for loving and supporting her throughout her four years of high school.
Annamarie Cunningham Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 933-7445 ext. 8487
Change is terrifying and lots of people avoid it. Life becomes a comfortable routine. I could easily cower away and try to keep things the same, but then I wouldn’t be accepting life’s natural course. As sad as it is to realize that my time in high school is coming to an end, it is pretty amazing to think that there are still so many more moments I have yet to experience. The moments that I’ve had in high school have made me the person I am now and those moments will always be remem-
Editor-in-Chief
Nicole Lawrence Editor-in-Chief
Don Bott Adviser
The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free of charge to students and faculty. Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. Student editors and reporters make content and style decisions with the adviser offering guidance. Editorials reflect the view of the entire editorial board and therefore are unsigned. Opinion columns reflect the view of the writer. Readers are welcomed to write letters to the editor. We will make every effort to print any letter as long as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 words may be edited. Unsigned letters will be printed only in unusual circumstances, and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be brought to the newspaper room, A-8, or emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us
Reanna Rodriguez News Editor
Jessica Mangili
Dellanira Alcauter Nuvia Cervantes
Opinion Editor
Michealla Foules
Gabriella Miller
Victorius Gemma
Features Editor
Adrianna Owens Entertainment Editor
Brian Walker Sports Editor
Marcella Hawkins Allison Ho Jada Johnson
Fe Valencia
Miranda Maurino
Graphics Editor
Alexus Plascencia
Annamarie Rodriguez Photo Editor
Alyssa Rojas
Chao Xiong
Rebecca Romero
Web Editor
Damon Heine Blog/Social Media Editor
Veronica Vargo Devin Wickstrom
11.16.12
DIVISIVE A
tagg ine Opinion DEVICES: Technology separates family How much ff ff do you text? ff the
s I peer through the feels like we’re not even toentrance to my brothers’ gether. We are all focused on room, I see that the lights what’s beneath our fingertips, so are off. Both of my brothers are we don’t even acknowledge each propped up in a corner of the other’s presence. room with the light from their And when we get home from electronics flooding their faces a long day at school or work, we white, and their expressions are seclude ourselves in our rooms the same. with our phones, iPods, gaming They are concentrated. I systems, laptops, or televisions. knock and walk in, trying to We lose our sense of how to greet my siblings. Despite my interact. obvious entrance in the room, In our technologically-adthey never once look up from vanced world, it has become so their iPhone and DSi. easy to never talk to someone in adrianna owens I back out of their room and person. head to the living room, hop We can brush someone off in ing to spend some time with my sister. She is, as real life, but then log onto the wonderful World my brothers were, totally unaware of her surWide Web, and become a different person. We roundings, and concentrated on the TV, watching aren’t shy when we only have to type. “Adventure Time.” And while the means of communication may Disappointed, I now head off to find the help give a voice to introverted people, it takes youngest of my siblings, maybe to play some Legos away their opportunity to learn and talk and or maybe build a train set with him. But alas, he is listen. in his room, scrolling through shark videos on the Not only that, but we can be “friends” with YouTube iPad app. someone, without actually having enthralling con The fact that my entire family, including my versations with them. And it’s the tweets and short parents, are always so sucked up into their electexts that seem to be the cause. tronic devices irritates me. Because of the 140 character restriction, we It creates this distance between us that no one have almost lost all means of development, or seems to notice. We can all be in the same room building upon what we have said. And it is this together, but not talking to each other. Those fond lack of analysis that is detrimental to our friendmoments that families often share are now lost, ships, society and language. not even created. We have so many words in our now advanced Now, don’t get me wrong, I am on my laptop language, but we aren’t saying anything meaningmore than I should be, and most of the time conful. nected to some form of technology. While it is sometimes fine to be short and to But when it comes to the point where it disthe point, other times it isn’t. These little blurbs rupts a family’s time together, when it takes away of text don’t take much time to read or to write. the meaning of saying something, when it makes Although it’s easy to just throw a status update or a life all about getting more followers or friends, tweet out there, there comes a time when it is not that’s when I get upset. okay. On the rare occasions that my family does go We tend to make our sentences short. We tend out to eat or sits together at the dinner table, it to not build upon what we are saying.
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n a world that I seldom understand, there are winds of destiny that blow when we least expect them. Sometimes they gust with the fury of a hurricane, sometimes the barely fan one’s cheek. But the winds cannot be denied, bringing as they often do a future that is impossible to ignore. You, my darling, are the wind that I did not anticipate, the wind that has gusted more strongly than I ever imagined possible. You are my destiny.” dellanira alcauter The writer of these poetic words, Nicholas Sparks, intended for them to have a positive impact on people, to inspire one to love, and to keep hope of a happier life. However, many will say his words are too cheesy or will never come to life. But if one’s never experienced true love, how can one be sure? As someone who hasn’t experienced true love, I can’t say whether or not his statements are true, but I’d like to keep hope of true happiness being achievable. Granted, it may not be in a fairy tale setting or spontaneous, it is still achievable. In his book “The Last Song,” the main character, Ronnie, (who isn’t the most appealing person at first sight) accidentally walks through a volleyball game and one of the players, Will, bumps into her and causes Ronnie to spill her drink on herself. She doesn’t know it at the moment, but he would become her first love. Although something this coincidental might not happen to everyone in their journey through life, the point he makes is that no matter how undesirable someone might think themselves to be, how hopeless, how depressed, the possibility of love and happiness is always present. Sparks’ works are a way of weaving hope and optimism through the lives of many. He teaches that it is okay to be who you are and still be accepted by the people you love and others, that no matter how rainy the day might seem, keeping hope is the best thing you can do. Whenever asked what my favorite types of movies are or what kind of books I like to read, I give my opinion as asked, but get complaints in return. Typically: “Oh, those movies are a bunch of lies” or “happy endings don’t exist.” Maybe nowadays teenagers are too caught up in watching horror films or playing video games to think about love, but it is okay to believe in it. If things as silly as a new dance style can be the center of attention, why can’t love be considered “cool”? Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that a good love story is always needed. Now, I’m not saying that it needs be a priority in one’s life, but being optimistic is important. Love is the closest thing we have to magic in this world. And if we’ve lost hope of that love and happiness, what do we have left?
“and they lived happily ever after”
art by AdriannaOwens
Texts per billing period
At random, 150 Stagg students ranging from all grade levels were polled to see about how many text messages they send and receive in one billing period.
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graphic by Victorius
We’re saying things simply for the sake of saying something. There is no justification, no need, but we tell ourselves that what we want to say is what we need to say. And all the while, those who say nothing get increasingly more popular. It seems that our Internet popularity is based on who can post the most inane updates or most pointless pictures. It’s as if life is one big competition with everyone is fighting for followers and friends. Because of this, there’s an increasing distinction between who is “popular” and who isn’t. We get so caught up in focusing on the number
Gemma and Jessica Mangili
of likes and retweets we have that everything else seems meaningless. If you don’t get more than a certain amount of likes on a post, then you’re not considered a part of the trending, and that just isn’t right. While the Internet and all of the technology around us may have its perks, like research or talking to a friend long distance, it brings us down in another sense. The opportunity the Internet brings is endless, but sometimes, like the seeming obsession my family and I have with our gadgets, it’s easy to get lost in the devices we have and forget.
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ecently I’ve noticed many people misusing words such as “retard” and “gay.” And sure, people have always fallen into the trap of saying these words without being aware of the effect, but it’s now a matter of caring. Some people seem to just brush it off and not really take a step back and care about what they are saying and how it will make people feel. The use of these words is now so common in our society that people don’t see the harm that may come about as a result. These words often slip out of people’s mouths without them thinking about what they’re really saying beforehand. Public figures are even caught slipping up and misusing them. Ann Coulter, a political commentator, recently tweeted during the presidential debates,“I highly approve of Romney’s decision to be kind and gentle to the retard.” This tweet was referring to President Barack Obama as “the retard” and caused a great controversy.
miranda maurino John Franklin Stephens, a 30 year old Special Olympics athlete with down syndrome, wrote an open letter to her, in which he shamed her for her use of the r-word. When this tweet was made, Coulter probably wasn’t thinking about the real meaning of retard, just like most of us don’t when we use such words. It seems that people nowadays use retard or gay as a synonym for loser, because they don’t care about what they’re saying. Or maybe they
just don’t realize how offensive they are being. Of course, public figures will always be scolded more than everyday people for their slip ups, but that is no excuse for us to throw these words around without giving it any thought. We shouldn’t need to be shamed into not using such vocabulary. Just because millions of people don’t hear you calling someone gay doesn’t make it any less wrong. It really all comes down to our personal morals. When abusing the use of these words, we all need to take a moment and think twice before saying them. After all, someone doesn’t necessarily have to have a gay relative or mentally disabled friend to find it offensive. From our own morals, we touch on the common idea of respect. And that’s just it. Respect. As cliche as it might be, the Golden Rule still applies: treat others how you want to be treated. What kind of world would we live in if people went around disrespecting everyone?
Although people have their personal opinion about gays or mentally challenged people, their thoughts can be kept to themselves. Most people see such differences as a way they were born. One might be walking down the street and see a homosexual couple holding hands and look down upon it, but that’s a matter of personal judgement. Had it been a young child in an electric wheelchair, the correct way to acknowledge this would be to show respect, not to bat your eyes at the fewer students who were born with these disabilities. Common misuse of these terms does more than offend other people. It shows other people how we act in public and kind of reveals a great deal about ourselves. During times of our lives, we will be faced to enter places of business, and under those circumstances “retard” or “gay” would not be the proper terminology that would give the message that we are able to act appropriately when needed.
Thus, making my academic life much easier, all thanks to the minds of GH’s writers. Recently in English, my class was assigned to read “To Kill a Mockingbird.” When asked what the theme of the book was, the general consensus was that it’s important to walk in someone’s shoes before judging them. My trained intuitive nature went to work at that moment. I asked myself: What else is there to this book? I decided there were so many ways to interpret it. My perspective of the novel is that learning morals at a young age is important for a successful life. Both are true. Because I’ve become more accustomed to trying to see things differently by never missing an episode of GH, I’ve ultimately become more open to a variety of opinions.Guessing is a routine step in figuring out the truth on the show. Analyzing a character’s true colors is the quickest way to figuring out if they’re truly genuine. The same concept applies to everyday life. First impressions can make or break a friendship. Generally people make good ones. Nevertheless, there are those situations
when we meet someone who gives off a bad vibe.Those are the people we steer clear of. On the other hand, when we’ve known someone for quite some time, their true colors have already been painted in our minds. This is why it is so easy to realize when they’re telling the truth or lying. Nonetheless, because there are so many minds that are sculpted in different ways, one situation could be seen through millions of approaches. I grasped this idea very young. Not only did I grasp it, I’ve practically mastered it. Unfortunately, life is somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle. It takes strenuous determination to accept the fact that there’s so many ways to perceive something. Through the diverse storylines, watching “General Hospital” has taught me to never view something in one way. Although soap operas aren’t popular among this generation, I’ve gained a valuable skill from watching them. There’s no shame in enjoying watching the drama unfold. Let the glow of the television shine when on Channel 10 at 1 p.m weekdays. There’s a great possibility a lesson will be taught.
Soap opera inspires creativity
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he rear end of a train explodes and causes it to derail. Fumes burn the lungs of the surviving passengers. Debris is tossed ferociously across the cave lit only by flames of destruction. The cast of ABC’s “General Hospital” are essentially rag dolls during this epic episode of an everlasting soap opera. Ever since first watching the complexities of various storylines at 9 years old, GH has had me hooked. Before then, my mind was full of repetitive theme songs from Nick Jr. I soon grew tiresome of the same concepts of finding Dora’s destination when she’s the one with the map. The writers of soap operas take creativity to a whole other level. From women being trapped in cars hanging off the edge of bridges to the most dramatic daytime weddings, these writers think of everything possible to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It is these elaborate ideas that have sparked the creativity in my mind. However, soap operas are the ignored child in the genre family. I -- for the life of me -- can’t seem to come up
jada johnson with one legitimate reason why. There’s always an imaginative concept to every storyline. Whether Sam’s baby is deemed dead when really he was switched at birth or a killer is on the loose there’s never a dull moment.The job of the viewer is to figure out who did what and find out the next step in solving a mystery only we can. This is why my mind is always engrossed in every aspect of the show. The answer is never flat out given to us. Whether I’m reading a book or working on a project, a multitude of perceptions flow through my mind.
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Features
11.16.12
Art: a bridge of imagination
Passion for drawing allows for more focus in school annamarie rodriguez Eggs scattered everywhere around town. Crazy pigs running around stealing them from the desperate birds. In an effort to take back their eggs, they create a war zone in the middle of the city. That’s not the worst part, either. The pigs have a secret alliance with the army to help them against the birds. In all the chaos there are planes crashing and highways falling. This specific scene is not a TV show, not a movie, not a video game. This is a drawing, with every detail mapped out. There’s a whole story behind the piece of art that sophomore Jose Guzman captures. A nice combination of his favorite game app, “Angry Birds,” and his imagination. “I can watch something and remember it and make up something of my own,” he said. “If I can combine the two that would be perfect.” In every drawing Guzman shows intricacies of everyday life. From mini-cages around a staircase to a building being destroyed by a huge angry bird, he doesn’t miss a detail. Guzman remembers when he was 5 years old going to San Francisco for the first time. He describes riding on BART and when he got out he saw a city with several cars and huge buildings. “My first time there led to a lot of tunnels. It was huge downtown.” That’s when he first started getting ideas. “I got home and started to draw more things,” he said. “It made me want to draw
a lot of highways and bridges.” Being autistic may pose some challenges for Guzman, but when it comes to art it turns out to be an advantage. For junior Zach Martin, who is also autistic, the realization of his artistic ability didn’t come about in the same way. But they also share a love for drawing, creating everything to animals and locomotives. “I try to make it look very neat and cartoonish,” Martin said. “I like to anthropomorphize what I draw,” making buildings come to life, or giving inanimate objects human characteristics. Drawing brings out the best in Martin. He likes the time when he can just sit down and draw something with every small detail. And it makes him feel even better when his peers notice the drawings that he had worked so hard on. “It makes me feel important.”
Art by Jose Guzman Graphic by Adrianna Owens
Tahitian drumming brings focus in school
Passion and drive for football
brian walker
allison ho What makes an athlete? Devotion. Passion. Determination. Such traits thrive in linebacker Zariah Gonzales. She is a sophomore on the junior varsity football team. Her determination and dedication is what got her into her position. Each time Gonzales steps onto the football field, she feels “a real rush.” “I wanted to play this sport ever since I was little,” she said. “But my grandma wouldn’t let me because she thought I’d get hurt. When I got my opportunity last year, I took it.” When Gonzales first joined the team, she felt out of place. “During conditioning, I felt stupid because I wasn’t as fast as the guys.” But instead of stopping her, she said it caused her to work twice as hard. “If I found something hard, I wouldn’t do it,” she said. “Football has proven to me that I can do it.” Despite the fact that Gonzales is the only female on the team, her teammates do not treat her differently. “They often pick on me, but it’s more of a brotherly love,” she said. “We are really close now, and some are like my best friends.” Sophomore Donald Ping, lineman on the JV football team, said that he sees Gonzales as a sister. “The team is like a house of boys and one girl,” Ping said. “We teach her how to fight for herself and to not give up.” As the year progressed, Gonzales said that they’ve grown to love each other. She treats the team as her second family. Being the shortest one in the lineup with her long flowing hair, Gonzales makes up for it in her personality. Even though she doesn’t get much playing time, Gonzales is always encouraging to her teammates. During a game, she claps and cheers on the sidelines. Every time a player comes back, she pats them on the back and chats with them for a moment.
Photo by Jessica Mangili
Sophomore Zariah Gonzales has played football for the past two years. She hopes to continue throughout her the rest of her high school years.
Her dedication to this sport has moved coach Norton. “She works just as hard as the guys, sometimes even harder.” Gonzales also takes Norton’s weight training class where he said that she has a great attitude and work ethic. But Gonzales wasn’t the only one who thought she was tough enough to hang with the guys. At the beginning of her freshman year, she was accompanied by three other girls. “Before we joined, we promised we wouldn’t let anything get in the way; that we wouldn’t start drama.” They all dropped due to various reasons. Once they left, Gonzales became even more devoted to football because she wasn’t a quitter. Gonzales is a an athlete with a drive for success. She is passionate and strong and doesn’t let anything get in her way. “Football is tough, and at times I don’t want to do it, but you don’t give up on something you love.”
In a large dance room sits a boy and a drum. He plays loudly, stick in both hands with a solemn look on his face, focused on never breaking rhythm. Grown men dance to the beat, feet moving in perfect synchronization with the pound of the drum. Little boys mimic them, off beat with big smiles on their faces. The drum goes faster and faster and in three powerful pounds it stops. Everyone in the room stops, breaking concentration and relaxing after an intense dance session. The boy lets out a big groan, gets some water and takes a break until they start up again. This is the routine of junior Kealii Cavero Hu four times a week at the California Hula Center. Kealii has been drumming for Tahitian dancers for six months now. He plays the bass drum along with his fellow Tahitian drummers. Being Hawaiian, the dancing is native to his culture. “It’s like a link back to my past.” Cavero Hu said. “It’s cool to
see how my ancestors lived.” He was introduced to it by his uncle. “I was having problems at school and I just started going with him to the practices,” he said. “It sounded really cool so I asked if I could join.” His uncle is the instructor at the Hula center and responsible for the whole operation and taught him everything he knows. What started as a disciplinary action has become enjoyable for Cavero Hu. Since he has been drumming he has been doing better in school. “They are really strict on grades,” he said. “If they hear you have low grades you can’t drum or dance until you get them up.” Cavero Hu uses this motivation to maintain satisfactory grades to continue his drumming. “I want to keep it in the family and become an instructor,” Cavero Hu said. “I love it and it’s something I would like to keep in the family and teach to my kids so they can teach it to their kids and keep it alive in my family.” Photo by Brian Walker
Junior Kealii Cavero Hu started drumming six months ago. He hopes to continue and pass it down to his children.
11.16.12
Features
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Football and school a focus despite instability
ball and start getting prepared for wrestling.” Junior Bradley Uland reminisces This is where he met his close friend about his past. From helping out Anthony Nichols. He and Uland are around the house and watching his both on the varsity football team. “In younger siblings, Uland reasonably some ways we are like brothers,” Nichconsidered himself responsible, but ols said. “I’m not going to say I know not enough. His dad was in the Navy, who he likes, but we fight like brothwhich meant he moved often. He has ers.” He and Uland became closer. lived in places like Washington, San Uland is a slot wide receiver and Francisco, and now Stockton. Nichols is a linebacker and a kicker. “Everywhere I went I would meet Uland said, “It’s more like I can count new friends, and then in about a year, on him on and off the field.” While I would move again,” he said. “My last Nichols said, “I get to understand him move was from Washington. While we more as a person.” stayed there, I got to play football for When Uland was still living with his family he used to have to take care of his younger siblings. This meant that he didn’t really have time for a social life. Nichols recalls a time when he and Uland were at the mall just hanging out with another group of guys. When they saw a girl walk by, he didn’t think Uland would talk to her, but he did. That proved that “he can be in my group,” Nichols said. “We had some good times.” Now 16, Uland doesn’t have any resentment toward his family. In fact, he still keeps in touch with them. He visits his younger siblings every couple of weeks, but says it gets hard to do so with football practice. When he does visit them they may go to a ballgame or just simply get together and catch up. Uland hasn’t let his past stop Photo by Gabriella Miller him from living now. “I have learned to grow up and take on Juniors Bradley Uland and Anthony Nichols have lived with each other for more responsibilities.” the past few months and have developed a close brotherly relationship.
marcella hawkins
three years. Then we had to move because of family problems.” His parents could barely take care of him, his three sisters, and his brother and that led him to be put into a foster/ group home when he was 15. “I think I could have fixed it by being more responsible.” Despite believing that he could’ve changed anything he likes where he lives now. “I actually have a family that’s there for me. I have someone else to go to.” Instead of being negative he sees a new beginning for himself. “I can take care of me instead of being a parent. I can start focusing on school and foot-
Dedicated to competitive cheer
Teachers have abandoned the neon vests and replaced them with unique passes representing their class.
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It’s a symbol for the foreign language... at first I thought no one would use it, but it didn’t work.” - Raquel Chavez, Spanish teacher
It’s kind of our mascot Omar... it’s French for lobster Le Homard.” - Deborah Berg, French teacher
alexus plascencia
As her alarm goes off at 6 in the morning, junior Taylor Garcia’s eyes bolt open. She gets ready for school and several hours later she attends the Homework Center after school. She leaves and goes to cheer practice, and after that, competitive cheer practice. After a long day, she stumbles through her front door, overwhelmed from this daily routine, only to come home to a stack of homework from her many Advanced Placement and honors courses. When she finally gets to cuddle up with her blankets and fall asleep, it feels as if she hasn’t been asleep for more than a couple minutes. Her alarm buzzes, and it’s a new day. It’s the same day. “My day’s crazy, but I’ve been doing it for so long that I come up with a schedule to balance out my day,” Garcia said. Throughout her years at Stagg, she’s been on varsity cheer and has been committed to competitive cheer for eight years. When some people think of cheer, they think of it being nothing but girls parading around annoying people by screaming and yelling. But if they were to take a step into the cheerleaders’ shoes, they Photo by Annamarie Rodriguez would see something more. They would feel like Junior Taylor Garcia (right) works on a partner stunt with Garcia does. Cheer has always stood out to her because it dif- a member of her level five competitive cheer team. She has fers from any other sport. She enjoys performing in cheered for the past eight years. front of people and going to the competitions to at Cheer Odyssey’s open gym, and being scouted at his show everyone cheerleading takes just as much effort. games, he was sponsored to participate in competitive cheer. “People are always stereotyping it though, so they never Some might think it’s odd for a guy to be on a cheerleadtake it serious,” Garcia said. ing team, and some might think it’s even odder when he She isn’t the only student who finds something deeper. has the most spirit. Having so much energy, and being truly Sophomore Damajgion Burnett has been involved in dedicated, he’s been encouraged to come back to Stagg, after competitive cheer for about a month now. After long hours he’s graduated, to coach the cheer squad which is something he’s taking into consideration. Since Burnett hasn’t been doing it as long as Garcia, he doesn’t feel as overwhelmed. Nor does he feel the need to have to juggle his schedule around, but there’s still a hassle when it comes to attending two practices in one day. “I’m tired by the time Odyssey practice starts, but I still push myself to do it,” Burnett said. From 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., he has school cheer, then competitive cheer from 7:30 to 9:00, leaving him with only two hours to complete some homework and eat in between. “They’re really good at cheering and performing,” sophomore and JV cheerleader Sofia Rodriguez said. “I don’t think I’d be able to do what they do. Photo by Annamarie Cunningham They take on so many responsibilities.”
Sophomore Damajgion Burnett puts up a stunt during practice, He was sponsored to be on a competitive team.
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A student made them for me.” - James Marrone, government and economics teacher
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I never received one (vest pass), so we use a beaker holder.” - Marcus Sherman, science teacher Graphic by Rebecca Romero
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gabriella miller
The British are coming, the British are coming! Now this isn’t colonial times and I’m no Paul Revere, but one thing is clear; the British are most definitely here. The most notable invaders at the moment are boy band One Direction. Members Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan (the Irish one), Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson (who should all change their names to perfect because that’s what they are) have made history in their short
two years as a band. Their debut album “Up All Night,” which is what they caused their fans to be, was the first to enter the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 by a British group. It’s highly unlikely that there’s anyone who hasn’t heard the lead single off that album, “What Makes You Beautiful.” If you haven’t then I’m not sure what rock you’ve been living under as it was literally everywhere. Although the lyrics leave something to be desired (so because I don’t know I’m beautiful that’s why I’m beautiful?) it is undeni-
able that with that one song they were destined to be a hit. They’ve managed to gain all their success and fame while being a boy band that really isn’t a boy band. That may sound weird so let me explain. There’s no awkward dance numbers, no matching outfits, and get this: these five boys can actually sing! In fact, the only characteristic of a boy band that One Direction fulfills is that they’re all boys in a band. From their humble beginnings on the “The X Factor UK” the boys, as they are affection-
Art by Adrianna Owens and Jessica Cervantes
Indie album makes for good listen annamarie cunningham
Ever find something perfect? Recently, I stumbled across “I clung to you hoping we’d both drown,” an album by singer/songwriter/producer/musician Mitch Welling, the man behind the indie band flatsound. I have to say, this album comes close to being the perfect album. And I don’t say that often. I will be the first to admit, it may not have that “perfect” effect on everyone. But it definitely can, if you let yourself be open to new things. The first three minutes of “I clung to you” are little more than layers of synthesizer and deliberately placed static. But it doesn’t sound bad, it’s familiar. Only with the second track “old lumina” (Welling, being as cool as he is, doesn’t capitalize proper nouns) do we hear Welling’s voice. It’s hazy, and reminiscent of Elliott Smith’s basement tapes. Something I really appreciate about this album (besides everything) is its ability to stray from the mainstream. Today, it seems that all you need to make music is a few guitar chords and great hair. While Welling can play guitar, and has great hair, there is more to his music than just telling some already-flawless girl that she’s beautiful. There is a poetry to “I clung to you” that is curiously missing from most popular music. “I didn’t dodge all your bullets/I just denied that they hit me,” is only one of the lyrics that displays the profound simplicity of flatsound. The lyrics just quoted are from the song that introduced me to flatsound, “my heart goes bum bum bum.” The poetry of the lyrics, even the poetry of the music itself, is what drew me in. And while I love every song on the album, this one is still my favorite. There is a laid-back quality to each song on the album that is something you can only find on an independent album. Even in the more upbeat songs, you can hear the lack of perfection. And that is in no way a bad thing. At the end of “i lost control” you can hear Welling asking an unknown person if they think people can hear them downstairs. There are nuances throughout the album that make it obvious “i clung to you” was recorded in a bedroom. And that isn’t a bad thing. The little bit of lo-fi static behind each layer of sound makes you almost feel like you’re listening to a vinyl. That’s hard to replicate on a CD. Between the songs are interludes, Welling’s friends telling stories of spiders and love and the sadness of existence. The terrors and tribulations of living. Stories that refuse to be drowned out by the music. And they are beautiful. What I’m getting at is just give flatsound a chance. Maybe lo-fi recordings aren’t your style, but you might find refuge in some of the lyrics. Not every lyric is sad, as you might assume from the title of the album; there are more optimistic lyrics. Like this one “so when my leaves grow dark and old/they’ll be kept alive by the stories told” from “we’ll live” the third track. Look up flatsound on Tumblr or Facebook to hear samples, and maybe even ask him a question or two. He’ll respond. He usually does. And in the style of Welling’s common conclusion: Best regards, hail kittens, etc. Hear “I clung to you” and Welling’s other albums at flatsound.bandcamp.com
ff Good: This album is
spectacular. Mitch is able to capture a terribly vast emotion and encapsulate it into 59 minutes of amazing. ff Bad: The album needs to be longer. I need more. ff Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
ately called by their fans (me), have gone on to perform on “Saturday Night Live” and the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics. Despite the love and success, not everyone likes them. These people should stay anonymous or else fear the wrath of Directioners everywhere. Any negative comment brought up about the boys will be quickly shot down no matter the nature or validity of the comment; the fans are crazy like that. With the recent release of their second album “Take Me Home” fans will be on the hunt for anyone talking down on the boys. One Direction have outdone themselves with their new album, not falling to the sophomore slump. With added guitar riffs and a more mature sound they manage to break out of the image of a stereotypical boy band. Working with British artists like Ed Sheeran and Tom Fletcher, lead singer of the band McFly, they co wrote five of the songs. They worked with Sheeran on their first album and it’s obvious what songs he wrote this time around. His involvement with the boys have caused him to have a large fanbase of teenage girls that he deserves. British artists have crossed the sea and been welcomed with open arms into America. One Direction seems to have found a permanent place in the world.
Also from the UK...
ED SHEERAN The singer-songwriter released his album “+”a few months ago, though he has released several EPs over the past years. His involvement with One Direction has gained him fame around the world. RITA ORA After being discovered by Jay-Z she took a year to work on her album titled “Ora.” It has only been released in Europe but her single “R.I.P.” is popular in the States. LITTLE MIX After winning the British version of “The X Factor” in 2011 the girl group has gained fame in the UK, but has yet to make their way over to America.
THE WANTED Another popular boy band, their single “Glad You Came” became popular early this year and they have released multiple singles. Graphic by Annamarie Cunningham and Gabriella Miller
Nov. 30 Pathfinders, Sorry about Tomorrow, What this means, Safety Hazard, + more Dec. 03 We are the Union, The Sheds, Hear the Sirens (TBA) **BOTH $0-10** Dec. 10 Dying Fetus, Cattle Decapitation, Cerebral Bore, Cursed, Forever Obscured, Accidentally Murdered ** $15 ** Plea for Peace (Stockton, CA) Nov. 21 Twiztid, Potluck, Lil Wyte (HED), Pe and Brutha Smith ** $26 ** Dec. 08 Motionless in White, Chelsea Grin, Stick to your Guns, Crown the Empire, Upon this Dawning ** $20 ** Ace of Spades (Sacramento, CA) Dec. 01 Rick Ross, Nov. 19 The Maine Machine Gun Kelly, & Mayday Parade Maybach Music Group, ** $20-22 ** Meek Mill & Wale Regency ** $27 ** Ballroom (San Power Balance Pavilion Francisco, CA) (Sacramento, CA) Graphic by Annamarie Cunningham and Alexus Plascencia
Sports
11.16.12
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Football falls short in first playoff game veronica vargo The varsity football team achieved an outstanding record this season. The final three games all had meaning: going up against a tough contender for a close game, an easy but confident team for a record breaking win, and a seventh seed team for a playoff disappointment. The Kings showed the utmost dedication as an elite team that came oh so close. St. Mary’s As Stagg enters the field the crowd roars and the varsity players warm up in excitement. It is quite an entrance, jogging on the field with zero seconds left on the JV scoreboard. Besides the obvious excitement that fills the air, while the players continue to warm-up, spectators analyze Stagg. St. Mary’s student Alyssa Black says, “We’ll have to work a little harder; you guys have speed this year.” In previous years St. Mary’s dominated the games with their lightness of foot.
Going into the game 8-0 and St. Mary’s 6-2, it looks like the Delta Kings’ chances are good. But Stagg doesn’t strive for good, they strive for excellence. And so the clock begins. Whether it is the mere intensity of the game or the nerves coursing through every attendee’s body, the emotions show on the field when a fumble gives St. Mary’s a second touchdown in the first three minutes. Coach Don Norton paces along the sidelines, yelling “Go!” to his star player Lester Williams. He has set up and executed most of the Kings touchdowns, but it is quarterback Wayne Brooks, junior, that makes the crowd go wild as he speeds past the members of the “green team” for a 76-yard touchdown. So with the team’s offensive firepower, including two touchdown passes in the 30 second span in the second half, why don’t the Kings go on to win? An interception at the two yard line by a Rams player with 3:20
Senior Ricky Hodges rushes the St. Mary’s quarterback. He would go on to have 17 tackles on the night.
Photos by Annamarie Rodriguez
Junior quarterback Wayne Brooks scrambles for a touchdown in last Friday’s game against Pleasant Grove. left leaves the Kings stunned. “I got hit when I threw the ball,” Brooks says. ”I thought to myself, ‘I really just threw an interception.’” The would-be touchdown would have closed the gap, making it easier for a King comeback. The clock is ticking, and from the reaction of the coaches and teammates, it is ticking slowly. Crowds leave the game after the green jersey catches the ball. “It was ours for the taking but it just wasn’t our time,” a Stagg supporter says. “It would have been amazing had this been our 300th win, against St. Mary’s.” 43-34 is the final score. Stagg fights hard to the end. West High The following week is an expected win against West High. On the field, quarterback Brooks, running back Williams,
wide receiver Andre Lindsay, dominate the game. Seeing Williams cross the endzone only 51 seconds into the first quarter provides that smile the team needs. And from the field, the small crowd hears, “Stagg, we got this!” It seems the Delta Kings do. West High gets shut down at every attempt they make at a touchdown, and they cannot stop Stagg’s offensive attack. Needless to say, the home team defeating West 59-0 was a great way to celebrate Stagg’s 300th win. So many records broken this season is more than enough to make the players happy; however, it is time to train for a level jump. Playoffs are next. Pleasant Grove Rain wakes everyone up to a refreshing Friday, and the team
looks ahead to the make-it or break-it day for the season. After school, the team holds its normal 3:30 meeting to discuss lineups and other details; two hours later, in the varsity locker room, they watch a film. It has one message: Play each play like it’s your last play. Jogging onto the field is not like before. The stands are not packed and the crowd isn’t cheering. They warm up to the sound of music and the voices in their head saying, “you can do this.” From the beginning Pleasant Grove puts up a fight, putting the first numbers on the scoreboard. But that doesn’t bring Stagg down. The Kings have no problem keeping up their end of the game. Despite four interceptions by Brooks, the outcome still looks bright for the Kings, who hold a 21-7 lead.
But the Eagles don’t back down. Two Eagle touchdowns close the gap to 21-19. It goes down literally to the final minutes of the game. The Delta Kings hold Pleasant Grove at the one yard line. They end up going for a field goal that would win the game. The kick is good. Like before the stands clear and everybody on the home side is silent. Stagg fights to the final seconds, ending on their own 25 yard line. The noise from the visitor’s side of the field is louder than it has been the whole game. The varsity players walked to the end of the field where they awaited coach Norton. Silence. Tears. Norton speaks. “You took them down to the last play, and played as if it were your last play.”
Concussions bring decisions Predictions Who’s going to be the best?
Who’s going to be the worst?
Sacramento Kings - They’re the underdogs
Miami Heat - Have LeBron James (nuff said)
Los Angeles Lakers - Wants them to be beaten
Chicago Bulls - Player Derrick Rose is his role model
Miami Heat - Have all stars on the team
Oklahoma City Thunder - The Miami Heat are just better.
LA Lakers LA Lakers - Have Kobe - Have a lot Bryant of good players and good teamwork
Sacramento Kings - Doesn’t have a good offense
LA Lakers - Have Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash
Charlotte Bobcats - Had the worst season in history last year
Favorite team?
Veasna Samol senior
Rathea Sreiy junior
Jazmin Carrillo senior
Anthony Wimmer junior
Oklahoma City Thunder - Have all stars on the team
Graphic by Alyssa Rojas and Chao Xiong
gabriella miller
After taking a hard hit he only remembers lying on his back in the middle of the field. He had no recollection of the day, the time, or even the fact that he was out on the football field. “I remember looking up and saying it was a Wednesday in November even though it was a Friday in October,” sophomore Jordan Farmer said. “I woke up the next day and couldn’t remember anything after that.” It was his second concussion and his last game of football ever. His level three concussion is the worst someone can get as it resulted in loss of consciousness. A wakeup call that came at the end of his freshman year would keep him from playing this school year. “I broke down in front of the team,” he said. “I’ve only been to one game this year because it’s too hard.” Concussions have been a major issue for athletes, especially in football, as they lead to memory loss and difficulty focusing on minor tasks. For Farmer, even the most basic exercise caused pounding headaches. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, concussions represent 8.9 percent of all high school sports injuries. Farmer and junior Cody Wilkinson have both become a part of this frightening statistic. To lower the numbers the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment has revised rules for the players’ helmets, making it a
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requirement that they have warning labels. They state that “no helmet can prevent all head or any neck injuries.” Wilkinson has sustained three concussions since the sixth grade with two of them happening during football. His first occurred at a basketball game and his second and third were football related. “After my second (the doctors) said no more contact sports,” he said. He ignored them. “After my third he said no more football.” Despite these warnings he continued to play and finally stopped when he got yet another. “My doctor explained the side effects, loss of memory, and that death is a possibility,” he said. “I knew it was serious so I didn’t really question it, but I was mad.” His father, Dwayne Wilkinson, agreed with the doctor when he said that his son shouldn’t play football after getting his third concussion sophomore year. He isn’t fearful of him playing basketball, though. “The only thing that’s gonna stop Cody from playing basketball is Cody.” These injuries aren’t keeping either player from participating in other sports they love. Wilkinson has been at basketball conditioning and tryouts over the past month and Farmer plans on playing baseball in the spring. Even though they understand the risk, both want to continue being active with their school and teams. “I don’t think you can go through life being fearful of things,” Wilkinson said. “You gotta do what you dream of.”
I’ve only been to one game this year because it’s too hard. Jordan Farmer sophomore
Photos by Annamarie Rodriguez and Gabriella Miller
(top) Junior Cody Wilkinson is not letting his past head injuries stop him from playing basketball. (bottom) Sophomore Jordan Farmer reminisces on his past concussions .
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School offers STD testing nuvia cervantes Healthy Start isn’t just a place to go to for sports physicals, counseling, or stomach aches. It is a licensed medical facility available to everyone on the school campus. They offer other forms of help that may not be well known among students, like testing for sexually transmitted diseases, sexual education, and family planning services. Judy Rauzi is head of the Healthy Start program. Her goal is to have more students come into the facility and use the STD testing and family planning services that are being offered to their advantage. At Healthy Start, students can get tested for different types of STDs and get help with family planning services, which are completely confidential. “I think it’s great,” senior Zach Artozqui said. “We need the guidance and knowledge that she (Judy Rauzi) is providing us. Some people take (the services offered) for granted when (they) shouldn’t be.” All services offered at Healthy Start require parental consent before any measures can be put into action. Healthy Start offers parental consent forms which only require a signature. These services are open to everyone on campus. Healthy Start also serves as a place to get information about sexual education, the different types of tests used to identify STDs, and different kinds of protection. They also offer a wide array of brochures that can answer questions regarding many subjects. A female senior said, “People should be aware of these services,
especially if they have nowhere else to go to get help or information.” According to the Center for Disease Control, almost three out of four teenagers have already had sexual intercourse by the time they reach 20. Four out of five of those teenagers used different forms of contraceptives. Many of those teenagers turn to their schools for help on getting protection and tested for STDs. Healthy Start recently took a step to further inform students on campus about the availability of their services by putting up flyers in the girls’ bathrooms. Rauzi said, “I want more girls who are sexually active to come forward and ask questions, get tested, and get protection.” She isn’t encouraging students to have sex but to be responsible and choose to get protection and get tested where it is available to them. Despite the fact that these services are offered at Healthy Start, students don’t seem to be so aware of them. Sophomore Anastasia Chhat was one of the many students who did not know that students could receive these types of services until she saw the flyers posted up on the girls’ bathroom wall. “I think it’s a good thing for the school to offer things like that so students could get support right at school,” she said. These services are not only being offered to female students but to male students as well. “Kids need to know what’s out there, they need to know that they can come to the Health Center to see what’s available and get the information they need,” Rauzi said.
photo by
Reanna Rodriguez
Healthy Start puts flyers up in girls bathrooms to reach out and educate students with the services they offer.
EXPRESSING r u VOICES o “ “
Students who voted on campus were asked about their experiences, but since few were old enough to vote we decided to ask others how they felt about the presidential election and the results.
I’ve been very passionate about politics for a long time so it’s always felt like I’ve voted. The only difference on Tuesday at the polls was that this time my opinion actually counted.
Obama (has) done good enough. But he’s got to do better and actually do something to fix the deficit. I support him because unlike Romney he actually appeals to the masses.
Emily Cornelison
Teppuchea Oum
senior
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I voted by mail and it was easy as I expected. I felt a deep sensation of satisfaction because I knew I made a difference.
senior
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Honestly, I wanted Romney to win because Obama hasn’t done anything for the country. So why not give Romney a chance? But since Obama won we’ll see what happens.
Luis Madrigal senior
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It was like taking a test because you want to get the right answers. You can’t just bubble in anything because it reflects what’s going to happen to the country.
Amanda Gonzalez
senior
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I support Obama because I think he’s going to do more for the middle class than Romney... I’m happy that Obama won because now I can afford college.
Jessica Ibarra
Charnay Brown
junior
senior graphic by
Fe Valencia and Reanna Rodriguez
Grading program released for public viewing ParentVue allows students and parents to access grades online damon heine Better connections between parents and teachers on their students progress have been a longtime goal for many at the administrative level. And now they are one step closer to achieving that goal. The database ParentVue provided by the company Synergy is being provided by the Stock-
ton Unified School District. The system was made public just last week. “Parents can access the site with a login name and password provided by the counselor,” Principal Andre Phillips said. One can get to the site from any computer with Internet access so parents can look at their child’s schedule, attendance, and grades.
What’s new is that parents can access the system as well as teachers. Many are familiar to the traditional progress report or report card. But ParentVue allows a parent to track a grade before it is finalized, increasing parent involvement in a student’s progress. However, students can also check their own grades with the same login information allow-
The screenshot above is what’s featured on the home screen of the ParentVue database.
ing easy access for students to see their own progress. Many administrators and teachers are on board with the system, hoping that parentteacher cooperation will increase significantly. Emails can be sent directly to a teacher through the site as well. “Before, it was harder for a parent to check grades beyond a progress report,” counselor Samantha Wirzberger said. “I think it will be really beneficial.” Students have had little knowledge of Synergy in the past, but as ParentVue goes public the system’s reputation is expected to grow. “I think that it will help students by keeping them on track with their grades,” senior Jonathan Moreno said. “It will get more parents involved as well when they can look at the scores
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Before, it was harder for a parent to check grades beyond a progress report. Samantha Wirzberger counselor
on a regular basis.” However, as with any newly expanded system, there have been drawbacks in the past. Social studies teacher Stewart Jacoby recalls such a situation. “I would put a student’s assignment into the system and the next day the grade would be gone,” he said. These glitches have not dampened his attitude on the system, though. “It does provide a record for
the progress of past classes,” he said. “It’s a win/lose type of deal.” Supporters of ParentVue also say that it should not be a replacement for checking with your child about overall classroom progress, and encourage parents to call a teacher if they feel their student is struggling. The ParentVue system is still in its developing stages, but it has hopes of changing student teacher interaction for the future.