Stagg Line
the
05.20.16 Vol. 59 No. 8
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207
Nguyen looks forward to being athletic director
Are we
LouisFuentez
READY?
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TRISTEN TUCKER
CelineLopez
S
chool drills may focus on the threat of fire or active shooter, but Northern Californians
may risk an even bigger calamity that will shake things up if not prepared. In their lifetime, students haven’t experienced a major earthquake here in Stockton, so many may feel the risk isn’t as great as it is. “It’s not common in Stockton,” Marcus Omlin, the district’s emergency School Safety program coordinator, said. The risk of an earthquake in the Central Valley is pretty slim, but recent reports say there is almost an 80 percent chance that a 5.0 quake will hit in the next 50 years, he said. “We usually get the aftermath of the earthquake.” On Thursday, May 12, Stagg had an earthquake drill early in the morning, completing the fifth of the six required emergency drills for the year. Omlin explains that when there is an earthquake or a drill, students “initiate stop drop and cover and remain in cover until the allcall sounds.” Teachers know procedures for taking attendance and reporting any missing or injured students. These measures are practiced in “table top” discussions among staff. Leading those discussions is Felicia Bailey-Carr, assistant principal and REMS team manager. REMS stands for Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools. “You can only focus on a few things if you want to see change,” she said, explaining that this year the district has trtied to improve on safety, focusing mainly on active shooter due to the frequency of school shootings last year in media reports. “I actually have a checklist of things I have to evaluate,” she said. One of them is doing a campus walkthrough and inspection. Although Stagg is an old campus, both Omlin and Bailey-Carr are assured that the school buildings are earthquake durable even if they don’t meet current standards. Bailey-Carr said, however, that the theater is her “area of concern.” She also notes that she’s thinking of designing new evacuation spots since the west wings line up in the parking lot under the new solar panels, the durability of which she is unsure of. “We still are at high risk because of the faults around us,” Omlin said, referring to the Tracy-Stockton fault line and major ones in the bay. If a huge quake, such as the predicted one in San Andreas, hits “we’ll definitely feel the impact of that,” he said. The district has an
Home of the Delta Kings
“all-hazard approach,” and earthquakes are just one piece of it. “As I’m watching the drills, I’m seeing the kids act like they don’t matter,” guidance counselor Patricia Klopstock said. “If you don’t practice, you’re not going to remember when it’s crunch time.” She noticed some students were not properly lined up with their teacher and instead stood under the trees along the main parking lot. She told them that they need to move out into the center of the lawn where it’s clear, because in a real earthquake the trees and cars would be a hazard. Junior Paola Rico grew up in the East Bay and said she remembered her school doing drills at least once a month, and that earthquake drills were the most frequent. “When I was there, I remember feeling a few (earthquakes),” she said. “They weren’t dramatic, but you could feel the tremble.” During drills, she notices her peers not evacuating in single-file lines, instead running around to meet friends from other classes. She admits that because of the slight chances, she herself doesn’t “take it as seriously as (she) should.” Rico thinks the school should take more measures to make students more aware of the risks. “It’s really dangerous if you don’t take it seriously,” she said. Freshman Jacob Lloyd agrees that most students take drills as a joke. It takes practice to get things right, which is why drills are enforced. However, Lloyd is sure that students would “know what to do in a real situation” and that they still understand the risks.
(Left) Junior Aaron Vang takes cover under his desk during the earthquake drill May 12. (Middle) Biology teacher Marcus Sherman takes attendance of his second period. (Right) Office clerk Eddie Fox directs students to line up during evacuation.
PHOTOS BY MATTEO DANFORTH AND CELINE LOPEZ
The athletic director is considered the counselor of many student athletes and has the responsibility of figuring out whether or not players are eligible. He also oversees the funds of all teams as well as tracking how many coaching jobs there are available and keeping on top of all those coaches. Tony Espinoza has been the athletic director since the 20052006 school year and is now passing the torch to the varsity head coach for badminton and basketball Hung Nguyen for the next school year. On top of this, Nguyen will also be taking on a physical education teacher position. “Whoever comes in for him (Espinoza) will have huge shoes to fill because he hasn’t even hit his peak yet,” Assistant Principal Felicia Bailey-Carr said. “He’s very knowledgeable and I am really surprised that he will be leaving this year.” Being the athletic director is no easy task. It’s long days at school that can go from 7 in the morning to 12 at night, a big transition from only being a varsity head coach. After every football game and every basketball tournament, the last one to depart is the athletic director. This shift in hours warrents some preparation for family members and other loved ones. Since Nguyen will now be working these hours, he says it will be a challenge to see his family during the week. But Nguyen says he is ready. “It’s not the biggest transition from being a coach,” he said. “For just being a coach, I was already away from my family but they know what’s going on.” Though Nguyen is still going to be the head coach for badminton, he has officially given up the head coaching job for girls basketball, saying it will be too hard to control the team and take care
“It’s not the biggest transition from being a coach... just being a coach, I was already away from my family but they know what’s going on.”
Hung Nguyen Athletic Director
of the other sports. He has been coaching badminton for over 20 years now and has multiple league championships and has not decided if he will give it up or not. Nguyen wants nothing more than “to just keep the boat afloat,” but he knows with an important role comes big responsibilities, especially since he now is in control of the whole athletic program. “Let’s just say it’s not a 9-5 type of job and there will be nights where you get home close to 1 o’clock in the morning,” Espinoza said.
MAYORAL
candidates
Visit staggonline.net or scan the QR code to the right to view video coverage of the Bernie Sanders rally at Stockton’s Weber Point.
Bottom Line
the
End of the year events
Senior Issue
Take a look inside the issue for this special edition.
The Powder Puff and Student v. Staff games will be held on May 25. The Buff Puff volleyball game will be held on May 26. All three games will take place in the large gym, free of charge.
Gary Malloy
Tony Mannor
Sean Murray
“Nothing else matters until the crime is fixed in this city.”
“It’s okay to seek an entry level job as long as you see the top.”
“The job of the mayor is to pull the best out of everybody.”
On June 7, Stockton will be voting to determine the top two candidates for city mayor, which will be elected in November. Anthony Silva currently holds the seat and hopes for reelection. Six contenders are fighting for the same spot. One is a councilmember, another is a supervisor, while others are business owners and have less experience in government. All candidates made their case for office May 2 at the Mayor Forum at Delta College.
Two weeks to go
Starting May 25, the remaining days of school will be minimum days. May 25 and 31 will be 1-3-5 days. May 26 and June 1 will be 2-4-6 days. May 27 will be a 1-6 day. There will be no school on May 30 due to Memorial Day.
Graduation
Jimmie Rishwain
Anthony Silva
“You’re only as strong as your council makes you.”
“Stockton needs to become a tourist destination.”
Michael Tubbs
Carlos Villapudua
“We need to prepare young people for the jobs of the future.”
“Your family’s safety will always be my top priority. No excuses.”
Graduation tickets will be distributed on the day of graduation. All seniors will be given eight tickets and seven more if all dues are cleared. A ticket is required to attend graduation.
GRAPHIC BY MARLEENE PHEAV AND CELINE LOPEZ
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2 Editorial
the
Stagg Line
Opinion
05.20.16
District should prepare for ANYTHING What to do before/during/ E and after an earthquake? arthquakes can be seen as one of California’s most feared natural disasters. The San Andreas Fault, a system long overdue for an eruption, leaves schools along California’s coastal region waiting for its powerful quake in the next 30 years. With the undeniable fear of when it’s going to happen and how hard it’s going to hit, it is reasonable to wonder, are we prepared? This year, the district has been taking extra measures for safety. Active shooter has been a main concern, with the school implementing social programs like PLUS to help students before they become a danger, for example. The district already has an “all-hazards” approach to other emergencies: fire, intruder, and earthquakes. By completing the required six drills a year, which can be fulfilled by a student mischievously pulling the fire alarm, the school site REMs Team ensures our safety with this practice. However, while we should be prepared for what we think is most likely to happen, the fact of the matter is that any type of disaster can strike at any moment. It is the district’s responsibility to make sure we would know what to do if any of these catastrophes were to happen at school. Right now, we commend the quality and quantity of procedures in place, understanding that some schools may not even have as comprehensive of a safety
program as ours. We understand that at the district and school faculty level, these drills and procedures are effective. But, how is it at the student level? Every teacher and staff member, except one, reportedly, are all connected to each other by the share911 app, which lets them report whether they and their class are safe or in need of help during an emergency. It is troubling to hear that this communication system is not required of all faculty members if the majority are using it. Besides that, we are interested in knowing whether students can be connected to the app so that, for example, if a student is out on campus during an emergency and cannot be accounted for, they can report to the staff through the app. The safety of the students also depends on how they respond to the drill. No matter how many practice runs the district has us do, the student decides how seriously they take the situation. Students need to be aware of their surroundings and cover vital body parts during quakes. Steps are being taken, but that doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement. If the district can continue to make progress toward better safety measures then we can get closer to being prepared for anything.
Before:Practice stop, drop and hold on
Find good places to take cover At home prepare a safety kit with water, radio, first aid, and food During:Stay where you are, drop down, cover head and neck If possible get under a desk Wait for all the shaking to stop before getting up
After:Be careful of aftershocks, try getting to a safe open area, and be careful of falling debris as you move.
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANGEL GONZALEZ
SBAC testing should not be People’s differences the reason for failing grades aren’t a laughing matter
L
ast month the juniors took the SBAC test. One week for math, one week for English. Being a sophomore, I can’t imagine how stressful those two weeks were, to worry about how they’re going to do on the test and what’s to come afterward. I hope that next year juniors that will take SBAC we will be more prepared next year.. SBAC stands for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. It was very unfortunate to know that many juniors didn’t know what that meant. It’s unfortunate to me because they’re taking the test and don’t know what it means. There was lots of conflict because there were more finals to look forward to. So it was hard to focus on one final when you had another one coming up. Besides that,students described the test as “very challenging and time consuming,” and honestly, I would’ve struggled too. Juniors felt they were not well prepared for the math section of the SBAC test. We should work toward making sure students are more prepared. Not many were under the impression that the
ART BY KIMBERLY SOM
W
LasaibreHollowell SBAC held significance, and neither did I, at first. I know now that the SBAC is important because it prepares us for college, and shows students what to expect with the new Common Core curriculum. SBAC is a test that should be taken seriously because it’s important. However, it was not long before the SBAC test was over and juniors had to make up all the work and tests that they missed. I didn’t think that it was fair how some teachers just expected their students to make up the work and figure it out all on their own. Some classes had quarterfinals in the same time as the SBAC testing, which obviously created conflict. Students and teachers both had to see when they were available. As the juniors attempted to get their missing work in and tests made up while trying to keep up with recent work as well, the stress on their shoulders was extreme. Next year I’m going to be a junior and I would like to see that some things change. One thing that could be changed is that we could be aware of the test a month or two earlier so that we could be more prepared. Also, other teachers should not to pile so much work on students when they just got done with taking SBAC. It’s overwhelming for students but they shouldn’t give up in their classes after being behind because of SBAC.
hen it comes to some things are totally fine. something as simple Comedians make all types as a joke, is there a of jokes that can be offensive, such thing as going “too far”? depending on the way you Yes and no. Yes because look at it. The Justin Bieber there are certain things that Roast that aired on Comedy people, no matter their age, Central a while back was a bit should know are forbidden controversial for a few weeks, to make jokes about, and no as there were a few jokes that because, for the most part, a joke people thought were not okay. is a joke, and it’s just as simple as For example, someone said that. But really, where is the line? that because Justin’s mom was It really depends on your sense a teen mom, he was “busy of humor. in the womb dodging coat Let’s say that someone has hangers.” That joke could have, a sister or brother who has a and was, taken very offensively disability. This is the type of for obvious reasons. “Jokes” My’KaylaMoore thing that they are unable to like that I personally find not control, so what would make funny, but if you watched the someone feel like it’s funny or jokes, there were lots of people okay to make fun of them? Just who thought it was hilarious. take a moment to think about It seems like the jokes that how that person would feel if people find offensive are the they knew you were acting that ones where it applies to them way towards them; or better yet, on a more personal level. The think of how you would feel if person with the sister that has the tables were turned. a disability is a good example Or what if there’s a student of this. If someone has a sibling that goes to our school that is like that and hears a joke openly gay or transexual? It’s not making fun of people like that, uncommon to hear or see people it could make them upset. teasing them or talking behind Another thing that I feel is his or her back, but that doesn’t important to mention is the make it right. Teasing someone fact that if there’s a television and bullying them are two show that someone watches completely different things, but or a comedian that they hate it can escalate to an issue very because they think they say quickly. or show offensive things, they Even if you are “just could easily just not watch or joking,” it may not be funny to listen. It honestly is that simple. them. What you find funny and what someone Don’t watch, not offended. else finds funny are most likely two totally There is never going to be a joke that exists different ideas. It would be difficult to find two that someone isn’t going to find offensive or rude, people that have the same sense of humor, which so what’s the point in trying to please everyone is why, depending on what you say and the way when everyone’s humor isn’t the same? you say it, some things are really offensive, and None at all.
“What you find funny and what someone else finds funny are most likely two totally different ideas.”
Stagg Line Staff & Policies
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Stagg Line
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207 The Stagg Line is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association, whose awards include the following: ff All-American: 21 years ff Hall of Fame ff First Place, Best of Show: five times ff National Newspaper Pacemaker: seven times Stagg Line journalists over the years have won many awards and scholarships, including California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year and National Photo of the Year.
The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free to students and staff members. Our website staggonline.net is updated regularly with online exclusives.
The Stagg Line is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. That means, student editors and reporters make content and style decisions with the adviser offering guidance. The staff editorial, which appears at the top of this page, reflects the opinion of the entire staff and therefore is not signed. A personal column is signed and reflects the writer’s point of view. Readers are welcome to submit letters for publication regarding any story published or any school issue. We will make every effort to publish any letter that is not libelous, obscene or inflammatory. Letters longer than 250 words may be edited for length. Letters may be given to any staff member, delivered to A8 or emailed to dbott@stocktonusd.net.
REPORTERS SamanthaBaker AmberlyButler MariaCastillo LeslieCoronado LouisFuentez KevinGutierrez CarmenGomez LasaibreHollowell FelixMolina KimberlySom TristenTucker AlbertoValencia AngelVasquez MarkWalding
SENIOR STAFF GamelaBrice SathinaFlores RosaGarcia AngelGonzalez MatthewKimani CelineLopez My’KaylaMoore MarleenePheav JoAnnSagaral ArrianaSmith LuciTomas AraceliValencia
EDITORS PhillicityUriarte-Jones, editor-in-chief MatteoDanforth, news editor StephanieMatsumoto, opinion editor EstefanyNunez, features editor JuliaRosete, entertainment editor SaraAbdeltawab, sports editor StephanieJimenez, photo/graphics editor JeffersonLeiva, web editor DonBott, adviser Follow us on Facebook (Stagg Line) as well as Twitter and Instagram (@staggonline). Current and older issue PDFs are available at issuu.com/staggline
05.20.16
Opinion
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Stagg Line
Male body positivity deserves more attention
I
PHOTOILLUSTRATION BY CARMEN GOMEZ AND JOANN SAGARAL
From the womb to college dorm Parental motivation can make or break a student
H
igh school students are considered independent but only to an extent. At school, we make our own decisions and usually have most of the say in what we do, but there’s also an important aspect that helps us carry out those decisions. Whether it's from family, friends or teachers, students need support. If a parent repeatedly tells their child what they're doing is pointless, the child will lose the motivation to continue what they truly aspire to do. Parents especially should encourage their children to do well since they're the ones who are in touch with them the most. What exactly is an unsupportive parent? Rarely listening to a child's requests and responding negatively to almost anything that child would like to be involved in would describe an unsupportive parent. Speaking from experience, this usually results in lower
KimberlySom self esteem knowing that something you really want to do is disregarded by your own parents. At times, parents will try to force their own values onto their children. This is something that’s actually part of parenting but not when parents tell their child that they’re only allowed to do one thing and not another.
Since anything I want to do is often criticized by my parents, I usually stay away from letting them know my plans in school. It may occur at times when it’s mandatory to let my parents know what I'd like to be involved in and even if they do allow it, their complaints regarding the activity are unavoidable. Always being told to not go to practice because your parent doesn't want to drive you back home sounds irrational and seems obvious that they don't really care about what you want. When an adult asks a group of students what they’d like to be when they grow up, many will answer with what they truly want to be. Although I’ve had ideas about pursuing a career in art, my parents have said that art isn’t the right choice, that I should do something more realistic, or that I should just give up now. Although comments like
these may seem harsh, I do understand what it is that my parents are trying to convey to me. According to them, pursuing a career in art doesn’t seem like something that would lead me to success. It would be more reasonable to find a medical or math involved career. They just want me to find a profession where I’ll be able to succeed undoubtedly. Yet, that's not what I think would make me successful or happy. Not having supportive parents certainly puts students in doubt and has them secondguessing themselves constantly. Parents need to be aware that what they say and do, even if some of those things shouldn't be taken seriously, really do affect their children. A lot of stress that didn't have to be put on their child in the first place could have been taken off completely.
Face of money shouldn’t be political
T
reasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew announced history well. on Wednesday, April 20, that Andrew On the other hand, not many people know Jackson would no longer be on the $20 about Andrew Jackson or what role he played bill starting inabout ten years. Instead, he will when it came to making our country what it is be replaced with former slave and leader of the today. So changing the bill to a more recent and Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman. well known figure may be a better choice than Though women have been seen on our Jackson. This thinking, though, rewards those currency before, they have never lasted. There have who have little understanding or knowledge of been dollar coins with female figures like Helen history, and that’s not good. Keller and Susan B. Anthony, but only once has With the majority of our youth believing in a women been on a bill. Martha Washington gender and racial equality, adding an Africanwas placed on a $1 bill in the 1800s, but she was American to legal tender would be a “victory.” removed not long after. This doesn’t change the idea that it could be While the idea of changing the face of the changing our currency into an advertisement. bill may sound positive, many people fail to see There is also the ideas of changing the $5 and the bigger picture. It’s not just about who is more $10 bills as well, adding portraits of five suffrage AmberlyButler worthy of being on the bill, but the fact that leaders: Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth it’s like turning our currency into some kind of Cady Stanton, Alice Paul and Susan B. Anthony, billboard for what should be “politically correct.” according to the New York Times. Changing these They shouldn’t change the design of the bill. I’m not saying that bills opens a door for the rest to be changed as well. Tubman doesn’t deserve to be on our currency. However, changing Whether they change the bill or not, in the end it doesn’t matter it would, in a way, defeat the purpose and meaning of our currency. who is more worthy, or who ends up on the bill. What matters if While most bills are faced with an older looking white male, they that changing something that has been a staple in U.S. currency for were put there because at the time, people knew their places in decades could be changing the meaning of it.
GRAPHIC BY JULIA ROSETE
t’s easy to disassociate body shaming with males, seeing as it’s a problem that seemingly only women face. But that doesn’t mean that men aren’t subjected to oppressive body image standards too. Often when a man is body shamed it’s simply overlooked and maybe even ignored. However, this doesn’t mean that men’s body image issues just go away. For every magazine telling women to “slim down” there’s another to tell guys to add bulk. Countless movements to stop body shaming women have come about, and end up with successful results. However, when are there going to be more movements against body shaming men? Because of the lack of consciousness towards male shaming, representation for males who are body shamed is often very slight in media. Sometimes the media can even become the attacker. Popular media outlets such as TMZ demonstrate that perfectly. Their site maintained an entire category, “Livin’ Large,” that shamed celebrities such as Rob Kardashian and Tom Cruise for gaining weight. Body shaming males isn’t just exclusive to older men, it also happens to young boys and teens too. Throughout high school, males may be told by their peers that they are too skinny or too fat. No matter if it’s being said as a joke, it still hurts people’s feelings and is still considered body shaming. The point is, body shaming doesn’ t just start happening at some magical age, nor does it stop. And because of society’s ideology of what males should look like it’s perhaps inevitable that men are being made to be humiliated by looking in a mirror. Some might not see this problem as a big deal. Women have been putting up with this for ages, so why shouldn’t men also put up with it? That’s the kind of thinking that contributes to less awareness and less consideration. Initiating understanding doesn’t have to start in a big way; it can simply start at home. Looking into this subject and educating yourself so you can educate others around you is a good place to begin raising awareness. Speaking up when someone
AngelVasquez
“Speaking up when someone is being body shamed can really make a difference in that person's life.” is being body shamed can really make a difference in that person’s life. Especially in men, because of the lack of support they receive towards accepting their bodies. Eventually, the media can be involved too. More movements to stop male body shaming and raising awareness can be made. Popularising things like plus size male models can show society that being a plus size male does not automatically make a man unattractive. Discontinuing the endorsement of what the male body should look like will help to show people how much body shaming is a bad thing, and how it holds us back from being able to spread true positivity to each other. The more body acceptance is focused on being a “women’s problem,” the easier it is to push the edge, and the more men will continue to suffer unnoticed. All bodies are beautiful bodies, whether we are talking about men or women.
ART BY AMBERLY BUTLER
4
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Stagg Line
SOURCE VIDEO PRODUCTION CLASS Orosco helped the video class in a reenactment of the final scene from “Dead Poets Society.”
PhillicityUriarte-Jones
Features
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISON LOCKHEED Lockheed is sporting her patriotic vest on the 4th of July. She said she would only wear it on the day the U.S. became independent.
MariaCastillo
Thomas Orosco is known for being full of laughter, a natural born jokester. He’s social and talkative. Senior William Reynolds is fond of Orosco, even though he’s only known him for about a year and a half. Over this short time, he’s developed an appreciation for the teacher. “He has a special something, a certain zing that you don’t see in a lot of people.” Orosco has been at Stagg for over 10 years, and while he will have to adjust to no longer teaching, he’ll miss the social connections he’s developed most of all. “I’ll keep in touch, but it’s the dynamic and sense of community that can’t be replicated.” With his newfound time he will be raising his rabbits, training and then eventually entering them in shows. “There are dog shows and everyone knows about those, but no one really knows about rabbit shows. They happen, they’re cool.” Though this is where most of his focus will go, he will not only be part of this uncommon community but he will also be doing more with his band. He currently plays keyboard for a primarily rock band, though they also branch into jazz. He also was very interested in rugby but is unable to get back into it due to health issues. Perhaps his rabbits are what makes his “zing,” or his unconventional sense of humor, maybe even his musical ambition. Regardless, his distinct presence is not something easily replaced. “I know I’ll miss Stagg, and I’ll be around but I’ll be happy doing what I’m doing. It’s another step in my life, and I’m content.”
05.20.16
PHOTO BY KEVIN GUTIERREZ While Don Norton usually arrives at school around 7 in the morning to teach, he will arrive now be coming at various times in the day.
KevinGutierrez
Thirty-one years full of grading papers, greeting students, and inserting grades, Alison Lockheed had decided it’s time for her lesson planning to end. She’s been thinking about retiring for the past four years, and this year she concluded her decision. “This last year I felt it was the right thing to do,” Lockheed said. She feels melancholy about the prospect of retirement, but she says she will always remember the special moments she’s shared with her students. This year, sophomore J’ceyonna De Soto gifted Lockheed with a poster she made herself. “She made a nice poster. It was nice (because) she spent time on it.” Lockheed said that, as a teacher, if you are upfront, honest, and respectful students will automatically feel like they can trust you. This is how she creates teacher-student bonds. Former students of Lockheed keep in touch with her through social media, catching up on what happened with their lives after high school. So what’s next for Lockheed? Lockheed said, “Ever since I’ve been in Kindergarten I’ve been on schedule, now that I’m retiring I don’t want a schedule.” She is planning to spend time with family, relive some of her old hobbies like motocross, and possibly resume traveling. Lockheed has been traveling all her life. She likes to be spontaneous and “just get in the car and go.” She says she is very grateful for all of her students and she loves them as individuals. She teaches her students academics, but the students have taught her life skills. Lockheed will miss the smiles, hugs, conversations, but she says it’s nice to go out on a good note.
Stagg’s head football coach Don Norton will be coming onto campus at a different time next year. He will be retiring from 36 years of teaching. There’s nothing to worry about though, he will remain the head football coach. Teaching certainly kept Norton busy. He said, “Teaching wasn’t really meant to impact my life, but for me to impact the lives of the students.” Teaching was an outstanding experience for Norton, but he believes that it’s time for younger adults to teach in the Physical Education Department. He won’t be doing much on his spare time because, as he said, “when you’re coaching football you’re going 100 mph.”Norton has had an interest in fishing and driving boats but hasn’t had much time for that. Now he has the time to pursue those interests. “Many teachers don’t realize how big of an honor it is to teach a school with a history like Stagg has, because people don’t really know the history of this school and Amos Alonzo Stagg himself and what he has accomplished,” Norton said. One of Norton’s weight training students, junior Joseph Hinojosa said, “Coach Norton is a great coach because he wants us to be the best we can be and do the best we can. He pushes us to accomplish those things.” As far as retiring from coaching football, he said, “At least another year and we’ll see what happens from there.” He will still be here Friday nights at Stagg next year when he is coaching the sport he loves, football.
Gary Johnson expresses himself through drag SaraAbdeltawab
From the dresses to the high heels to the jewelry and finally to the makeup that tops it all off, nothing stops sophomore Gary Johnson from expressing his “drag queen” ways. Funny, outgoing, and one who doesn’t care what others think, Johnson is one who just lives freely and expresses himself in colorful ways. He likes to be flamboyant, and he holds his head up high with confidence. Being new to Stagg middle of his freshman year, Johnson wasn’t very open about what he did. To him drag was something personal at the time. It was for him only to know, until he got more comfortable. Being one of the only “drag teen,” in his group of friends, Johnson’s friends have learned to become more accepting and comfortable with him. “For a while it bothered me,” sophomore Mary Brown said. “But then I realized I shouldn’t judge him, because every human being was born with the right to live life the way the want to.” Two years of nothing but switching hairstyles and dresses. Johnson also spent two years of being tormented by the thought of not seeing his mom, because she isn’t too accepting of
his life choices. Kicked out of the house a year after his mom found out about him dressing as a female, Johnson now lives with his grandmother who has learned to be accepting of his ways. “Being in the black community, you shouldn’t put yourself out there,” Johnson said. Two years of not being accepted by his mom Johnson said he didn’t understand why him doing drag was such a problem. “Most of my family are women who are lesbian,” Johnson said. “But for them to be lesbian is okay, but for me to do dress up it’s not.” He has siblings who are aware of what he does, but to them he’s a “goddess,” and that they’re used to it because most of his family is part of the LGBT community. A year after getting kicked out of the house, he mentions that his mom started to become more accepting of his enjoying drag. He said she started to realize what she did was wrong when Johnson didn’t show up for her birthday one year. “She started to become more accepting,” Johnson said. He went on to say that his mom is actually the one who helps him with getting the different wigs he wears, but as for his
“What you see is what you know, and what you don’t see, that’s for me to tell you.”
Gary Johnson sophomore
clothes and makeup he gets on his own. Johnson likes nothing more than the high class and expensive clothing. He enjoys being creative with what he wears, sometimes he even makes his own clothing. As for the jewelry he doesn’t mind it being cheap, because most of it he wears once. “I like drag because you’re a man transforming into something else,” Johnson said. “Some people don’t get it’s just an illusion.” It was new for everyone around him, but for him it was his way of encouraging others whether they were gay or straight. Drag helps Johnson make a statement, which was you shouldn’t care about anyone else’s opinion as long as you feel good in your own skin. Sometimes he just wants to dress up and feel pretty, Johnson explained. He enjoys the drama he
could incorporate into his style of clothing and makeup while doing drag. Johnson admits here in Stockton it’s hard to do something like drag, because no one understands it as much. “I’m not here to entertain, I’m here to express myself,” Johnson said. For Johnson it all started off as just a hobby after seeing it on YouTube, but he says he wants to later in life become transexual meaning he believes he should be a woman yet he will not change his body parts. He even wants to enter drag pageant shows. Johnson goes on to explain that no matter what he was born a man and that he will always label himself as one. “What you see is what you know, and what you don’t see that’s for me to tell you,” Johnson said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALIYAAH MERCADO Johnson planned on performing in the lip-sync battle that ASB was hosting. However, due to poor weather conditions, the event was cancelled and he instead performed for his english class.
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Yearbook staff adjusts, overcomes loss of editor
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Martin Bagnasco, yearbook advisor, felt that she not only showed leadership but had an unbelievable devotion to getting the book done. He made her the co-design editor and had her trained by Ayala. “People had to step in after Celeste left,” Bagnasco said. “Jimmy was already there and Serena stepped in beautifully.” Though Kunz found it to be a good feeling to become editor, there was an added pressure that she had to carry along with it. “It was exciting, but at the same time I needed to remember what I had to do,” Kunz said. “I realized that people are going to be coming to me because I’m an editor now even though I still had to learn myself.” The experience allowed her to learn more about herself and how she works productively. Despite the challenges that occurred through the year, Kunz believes they especially came together in the end and were able to work, communicate and be cooperative with one another. “There’s always going to be bumps in the road,” Kunz said. “You just have to get over those bumps and that’s what we did by working as hard as we could.”
StephanieMatsumoto
What students see is a book, filled with memories and moments throughout this school year. Yet, behind the pages, photos and stories were moments of hardship and challenges in creating it all. Besides the normal problems that occur, planning and designing came out smoothly for the first half of the school year. Halfway through however, the yearbook class had one of its design editors, Celeste Masuda, a senior, left in order for her to finish a-g requirements. From having two design editors before, the transition to only having one was difficult in the beginning of the third quarter. The templates and designs were switched around due to disagreements with how the other design editor felt about how they looked. Jose Mejia, a senior, said the loss of one of their strongest designers was stressful on the staff at first, but he said the staff members were able to recover after their other design editor, Policarpo (“Jimmy”) Ayala, a senior, stepped in. “It was kind of hard but Jimmy took it and went with it,” Mejia said. “He did a great job.” Though they were good in design, Alyssa Martinez, a junior, said that one of the strongest points they had in yearbook was in writing. Martinez said that the addition to “highlights,” where students had their personal experiences told, gave a new way to telling student stories. Editors leading the writing portion of the book also played a part in making everything work. Aside from the change in editors, the other challenge that the staff faced was meeting deadlines. The last deadline was difficult, in Martinez’s opinion, due to so many pages not being done. For the three weeks leading up to the deadline, the staff worked during the day and after school in order to assure there would be no blank spaces in the book. In the end Martinez is proud that the staff, especially the newer members, were able to finish hours before the deadline. “New freshmen and sophomores were challenged because of deadlines and they all really stepped up to the plate.” One sophomore who hit a homerun was Serena Kunz. Kunz became the second dePHOTO BY CELINE LOPEZ sign editor after the former had Seniors Ebony Gonzales and Jose Mejia review the final pages of the yearbook on April 8. Yearbooks are left. available now in B-2. There is a limited number left, at a cost of $70 each.
Reeling in a new club Sophomore starts Fishing Club after passion MatteoDanforth
GRAPHIC BY JULIA ROSETE
If you fish in the Delta next to the Stockton Country Club, you’ve probably seen him before. He kind of knows everyone. He has boxes of assorted lures out next to his bike with his dark Oakleys on. If he’s not fishing, he’s picking up fishing lines from the ground and trees that people have left behind. After years of going to that same spot, sophomore Arron Potts Collier has made fishing less of a hobby and more of a lifestyle.The first time Potts Collier went fishing was so long ago that he can only remember being “very little.” The sophomore’s father took him across the street from his grandmother’s house to do a little fishing in the Delta. But this would be different than how most people see fishing. “We just walked over. No rods. No reels. Just a string and a hook.” With nothing but the bare essentials, Potts Collier and his father fished for a full six hours until the sun melted into the Delta water. Since that day, Potts Collier has been obsessed with fishing. “After that day, I just fell into it,” he said. “As I got older and I started getting money, I tried to find a hobby and for me it was fishing.” In the beginning, he struggled when it came to fishing. After his father left his life, he had no one to teach him how to tie a
“I taught myself almost everything I know.”
Arron Potts Collier sophomore
hook to a line, untangle line from branches underwater, or even perform a proper cast. “I taught myself almost everything I know,” he said. “My aunt would come sometimes and some of my other relatives but it was mostly just me.”
Over the years and many weekends spent reading up on different species of fish, swimming patterns, lures and techniques, Potts Collier’s passion turned into something bigger. “My friend knew I liked to fish so he had me talk to Billy and we
PHOTO BY MATTEO DANFORTH When Arron is not casting into the water or switching his lures, he can be found picking up fishing line that other people have left behind. “I don’t want the animals to be scared of people,” Potts Collier said.
just hit it off,” he said. During his freshman year, Potts Collier formed a bond with outreach consultant Billy Horace through fishing. Horace eventually suggested that Potts Collier form a club. “Making a club was a big decision,” Potts Collier said. “I thought about it over summer and about the responsibility of running a club, the requirements, where we are going to go, and a lot of other things.” After coming back to school for his sophomore year, Potts Collier knew he wanted to start this club and got everything in order and made it official. Although the club never went on any official trips, the members of the club went fishing several times on the levee. In order that everyone had gear, Horace even donated some poles and reels to the club. “I fully support what Aaron is doing,” Horace said. “He wants everyone to enjoy (fishing) just like he does.” For Potts Collier, the club is more than just going out and fishing. “I want people who have never picked up a rod before to feel comfortable,” he said. “People don’t realize that fishing can be fun but it takes a lot of focus.” Potts Collier talks about how a lot of people use the time they spend fishing to think but he’s the opposite from that. “When I’m out on the water, I separate myself from reality.”
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Entertainment
Beyonce, Drake albums leave many with questions
05.20.16
A quick bite at night
Midnight at Burnies draws new crowd of people looking for unique take on classic burgers, shakes
SaraAbdeltawab Known as the queen of everything, Beyonce Knowles-Carter released an album that shocked everyone, even possibly her husband. Emotion, anger, sadness and a hint at a possible divorce, Beyonce’s new album “Lemonade” left everyone wondering whether she and Jay-Z will be separating. The desperation of waiting for Beyonce to drop an album finally came when she released “Lemonade” on April 25. She had trailers, snippets, and even pictures that hinted at the album all over her social media, but even then no one saw it coming. Titling it “When life gives you lemons make Lemonade,” after two days of release the album hit No. 1. Like any other the album comes with 12 songs, but these 12 songs left people, even myself thinking, “Has Jay-Z cheated on Beyonce?” With one of the first songs on the album being called “Pray You Catch Me,” Beyonce starts off the first verse of the song with, “You can taste the dishonesty, it’s all over your breath as you pass,..” Now who could she be talking about? With just that one line I think Jay-Z did do something to her that made her feel like she was being lied to. Something else that has had people talking is the change of heart behind Beyonce music. A couple of years back she released a song called “Single ladies,” and she was ready for Jay-Z to put a ring on it, but on this new album she releases a song called “Sorry,” in which she says “Today I regret the night I put that ring on.” Sounds like her love for Jay faded away in the last eight years. Beyonce put this album out for a reason, to show people “I know what it’s like to be lied to and cheated on.” But what a twist this adds, because sources like ENews are saying the whole thing is a scam for Beyonce to reach more publicity. Some say even Jay-Z was in on the whole publicity stunt. On camera Beyonce and Jay-Z both look happy and drama free, but with the way this album was written it seems they had more problems, well at least that’s what they want us to think. In just one week you would think nothing else could top “Lemonade,” but boy were we wrong. On Thursday, April 28, Aubrey Drake Graham released his newest album “Views.” Earlier in the week Drake had released his hit single, “One Dance,” but not many people saw the whole album coming out right after, even though they were aware of it months in advance. Some were more excited than others, but “Views,” by far, one of his best heartfelt albums since “Take Care.” This new album is more than just the typical music about girls, drugs, and money, it goes beyond that. Most of the songs have a stronger meaning than others and his vocals are hitting notes that we haven’t experienced before. Drake kicks off the album with “Keep the Family Close,” with the lyrics saying “All of my ‘let’s just be friends’ are friends I don’t have anymore / guess that’s what they say you need family for.” This one song made his fans realize that even with all the money and fame in the world you should always keep your family close. Way to start off the album with a good message. Drake also incorporated some indie type of beats to the album with his song, “One Dance,” which will get you in the mood to dance any time of day. The song has modern day beats mixed in with some Bollywood beats, makes you wonder “what took so long to release?” Both being really big stars in the music industry, Beyonce and Drake really opened up a lot more with their newest albums, and exposed us to beats and lyrics that we would’ve never guessed they had.
Beyonce’s
“LEMONADE”
“ worse? Looking “What’s jealous and crazy or
I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”-Beyonce,Lemonade
vs
being walked all over lately?” -Beyonce,Lemonade
“
We built sandcastles that washed away... I made you cry when I walked away. And although I promised I couldn’t stay, every promise don’t work out that way.”
-Beyonce, Sandcastles
“ You don’t worry ’bout “fittin in when you I can GPS you if you need addresing.”-Drake,Views
custom made.” -Drake,Views
Tables turn, bridges burn; you live and you learn.” -Drake,Views
Drake’s “Views From the 6” GRAPHIC BY MY’KAYLA MOORE
PHOTO BY FELIX MOLINA
Freshman Nicholas Rosete and sophomores David Zermeno and Ricardo Cazarez joke around, enjoy their burgers, fries, and shakes after playing a round of UNO. Located at 3221 W Hammer Lane, Midnight at Burnies is open from Thursday to Sunday, opening at 7p.m. and closing at 1 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday and at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
FelixMolina Looking at the small empty restaurant, having characteristics of a bakery with shelves behind glass, you would never expect it to be an up-and-coming place to be with friends late at night on the weekend. By day it’s called Marilou’s Kitchen, a donut shop and Filipino restaurant, but starting on Thursday night at 7 p.m., it shifts to Midnight at Burnies Drive-Up, an eclectic burger and shake restaurant that stays open till the early morning hours. For the next three nights, it continues to maintain this identity. Located at 3221 W. Hammer Lane, next to Subway and across the street of InShape, it’s a restaurant you wouldn’t expect to sell burgers. The exterior windows have pictures of vegetarian Filipino food, but once you walk in, you see the glass case of donuts. A noticeable characteristic of the menu is that every week they have a new special. For example, when I went the special was the Chris Sale Fries, which are fries tossed
with chicken, shredded cheese and jalapenos. The downside of the menu is that it is limited. It only had eight options that included burgers, fries, milkshakes and hot dogs. I was expecting more. It’s supposed to be a burger place that’s open late at night, so it’s should have a larger variety of options
other burgers. It made your tastebuds jump around and just tasted like a meal you haven’t eaten in all time. The milkshakes are delicious. The have a great taste and goes down smooth. I would suggest ordering the fruity pebble milkshake. It has a cool rainbow color and creative look to it. While you’re waiting for your food you can play card games, board games and other classic games. The games I saw were Jenga, Monopoly, Connect Four, UNO, and several others. It was unique other than being on our phones waiting for food. We were playing games, laughing, having fun, and trying to beat each other. It was a way to bond without having to stare at a screen. The atmosphere was relaxing calm and made you feel safe. Everyone around us was playing games, laughing, and smiling, just having a good time. Midnight at Burnies is shaking up the late night scene for teens and young adults in Stockton.
“It was a way to bond without having to stare at a screen... Midnight at Burnies is shaking up the late night scene for teens and young adults in Stockton. that would have your mind thinking how it would taste. However, even with narrow options, the food was really good. I would recommend the Cowboy Burger, which is a burger with barbeque sauce, grilled jalapenos, mushroom, bacon and cheddar cheese. It had a unique taste that made it different
‘Sleepless’ puts you to sleep PhillicityUriarte-Jones
In “Sleepless,” by Cyn Balog, Eron DeMarche is a sandman, someone whose sole responsibility is to grant sleep to their charges. Sandmen get their jobs after they die, and must serve for 100 years to be granted a normal human life again. He, of course, has a love interest that is one of his charges. She, of course, has a boyfriend who just died. As if that wasn’t coincidence enough, as soon as Julia is set to be about the age Eron is, or rather was, when he died 100 years ago, when he’s to be returned to the earth. He’s not supposed to be in contact with her, forbidden actually, but no one seems to care about that. Then again, he seems to like breaking the rules majorly a few times rather than committing minor misdemeanors. All for Julia. His love for Julia is extremely strange. He’s supposed to “love” her after overseeing her life since she was born. He’s the only one who seems to know about her scars, probably because he’s seen her from her day of birth to this point. If that isn’t strange enough, he can’t help but stalk her when given the chance. She, a supposed grieving ex-girl-
friend, does not seem to be grieving at all. A little lost, but nothing near what the death
of even a friend would be like. Perhaps this is a purposeful character flaw. She claims she can’t cry because of the loss. She says it’s not something her boyfriend, Griffin, would do. She’s supposed to be detached and a little lost, but that doesn’t match with her actions throughout the book. Their relationship lacked substance and it seems to be only now that she ever even thought critically about it. In actuality, all of the characters lacked sufficient development. Eron’s previous life is glazed Though this book had an interesting and over and is unique plot, its execution cost it a positive rat- supposed to suffice. He had ing. It seemed as though it were written to be a “beloved” a movie and lacked what a book should have.
that he had never even spoken to in his life. Maybe that’s just his type, since he also served as her sandman. His death was accidental, and that’s all the reader will ever learn about him personally. When given his chance to live on earth he is confused by all the lingo and new devices available. This would theoretically make sense considering he hasn’t been a part of society for 100 years, but then again his job is to watch over three women living in a modern society. The author was grasping for something akin to personality or complexity when Eron was surprised by a woman wearing tight jeans. The book seemed to be written to be a movie, and not a book at all. There were scenes you could see on the big screen and know they would be have more of an impact that way instead of the “okay, and?” that goes through your head reading it in “Sleepless.” This was not a book that had you so immersed that you couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t a book that kept you up wondering about the characters. If anything, it left me wondering why the people who had to read it before it was published didn’t say anything about its obvious flaws.
7 Sports FLYING TO THE FINISH LINE 05.20.16
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Reyes hangs up the swimsuit after her final race StephanieJimenez
From leotards and swinging onto poles to swimsuits and developing stamina, senior Aja Reyes has evolved from a gymnast to a swimmer. Her interest in gymnastics commenced at an early age, but Reyes admits she never loved it as much as swimming. “Gymnastics was just something I did when I was smaller. I wasn’t really into it,” she said. But after attending to her cousin’s swim meet that’s when her interest in gymnastics completely disappeared. She began to swim in the fourth grade and has continued ever since. “Many of my relatives swim so it’s kind of like a family thing.” At first she was indecisive when it came to continuing to swim, but her cousin finally convinced her to sign up for a club. “My cousin and I started to swim for club until my freshman year.” Swimming for club Reyes improved herself continuously and shortly became one of the top 10 swimmers in her age group and league. “I was exposed to educated coaches when I swam for club; because of that I was pushed so much.” Although her passion for swim was barely beginning, when she hit high school she decided to take a break and focus on her studies. “Swimming for a club made me exposed to different people,” she said. “I had connections with many swimmers and I was highly influenced by others.” As a young swimmer Reyes has learned how to master numerous strokes, but she is mainly known for her butterfly stroke. “My coaches have taught me to kick well and to push my chest forwards which has led me to build up my rhythm in the water.” Reyes has received female swimmer of the year in the district consecutively in 2014 and 2015. By always being pushed by herself and coaches she explains that it has benefited her in school. “If I can push myself in my three-hour practices I can do it in school. That’s what swim has taught me.” Having an immense interest in swimming led her to try out water polo. “Playing water polo is just another sport where I can swim and be aggressive at the same time,” she said.
Being a swimmer most of her life has created her to enjoy water polo more compared to swim. “Swim is something I grew up with and I’m all by myself. It’s where I can show what I’m capable of.” Reyes describes herself as an aggressive and fierce player when it comes to water polo. Water polo being a close contact sport is what she enjoys the most. At a Tracy scrimmage she explains that during the game Reyes was defending and pulled a girl’s suit.
It is important to her to maintain her speed and strokes she’ve mastered. Swim is what defines Reyes. She admits that after swim and waterpolo she’s hasn’t tried any other sports. “I can’t do other sports, only swim and water polo. I’m known as a swimmer and that’s how I want to be recognized. It’s me.”
“If I can push myself in my three-hour practices, I can do it in school. That’s what swim has taught me.”
Aja Reyes senior
PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATION BY ALBERTO VALENCIA Senior Aja Reyes performs a butterfly stroke in her 100m fly race against Chavez. At the end of the meet Reyes took first place.
First time success
Soccer girls improve over season
Sophomore Ricardo Cazarez finishes the tennis season 12-0 AngelGonzalez
SathinaFlores
Sweat ran down their faces as they sprinted across the field. The biggest obstacle for them was not having control of the ball. Of the 24 players on the girls junior varsity soccer team, 20 had never played. However, throughout the season they improved. James Marrone, soccer coach, said the girls “learned how to be on a team, play soccer, learned responsibility and work with people on a team.” Aurora Garcia, freshman and captain of the JV team, has been playing soccer for five years now and said it was difficult to work with them but that she also needed to “understand how they felt.” As captain of the team she encouraged them to be out on the field even when it got hard. When she laid eyes on the team for the first time she was surprised that a lot of the girls had no experience. They needed “basic control over the ball,” she said, and “where to go with the ball.” But out of all of them playing their very first game, Cervantes stood out. “My first game was actually exciting,” she said. “My coach threw me on the field and I didn’t know what to do.” She made a split second decision that sealed her fate. “I jumped at this girl and my coach thought it was funny.” Cervantes was known as the girl who tosses herself at the opposing team. She moved as fluidly as she can trying to make it look as real as possible she lunged towards the ball passing it to her teammates throughout the game. Freshman Marissa Pimentel, on the other hand, was nervous because she hadn’t played in a while. The first couple of soccer games she said she wouldn’t stay at her position. If she was defense
That led her to rip her opponent’s swimsuit underwater. “Teams know how rough I am in games.” Now that Reyes has became a senior she has decided she will not pursue swim or water polo in college. “I want to get settled first and maybe try out but I doubt it,” she said. She has made a decision and has committed to San Jose State University. Although it may be the end to her swimming career, she is planning to attend to practices with her old coaches.
PHOTO BY SATHINA FLORES
Alyssa Cervantes, who’s a first year soccer player, is filled with enthuaisam, and always keeps the team going , hoping for the best.
she’d end up playing midfielder. But she saw improvement from the first game to the last. Everyone “put so much effort even though we lost 1-0.” Cervantes said “all the teams were better than us.” The team was filled with a lot of newbies, girls who never played before but “it was a learning experience,” she said. “We all learned togethfreshmen er.” “In the beginning (she) didn’t know how to pass a ball” but with a lot of practice, workout, running and feet coordination with the ball she said “the ball work was really helpful.” It also helped the team with positions such as defense and offense. After her first game she was no longer nervous. She became more excited to get out on the field. “I got so used to the girls on the field the game made sense for me.” The last game Cervantes described as “energetic yet sad.” She got out on the field prepared to play defense. “The ball was coming at me and I tried to stop it but it didn’t stop. It flew right past me and went the other way,” Cervantes said. They may have not won the game that day but she and the rest of her teammates tried, and that is a victory in itself.
“It was a learning experience. We all learned together.”
Alyssa Cervantes
New things are sometimes hard to get used to. The feeling, the movements, the people involved, can all be hard to settle into. Most of the time people need a year or two to get comfortable and settle into it. Others are able to jump right in and know exactly how to move, act and feel. When he first joined the team, sophomore Ricardo Cazarez had never touched a tennis racket, but now his doubles team has an amazing winning record of 12-0 in league. He committed to practicing with all his heart. He felt really prepared his first game but couldn’t shake the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach. “He told me just to relax and practice my shots,” Cazarez said, remembering his partner’s advice in his first game. “I was really nervous but Louis (his partner) already knew how to play.” They fell into place working off of each other and pushing each other to do better. “Especially when I am in the back and I am not doing so well he tells me ‘relax and count my shots and have fun.’”
Their doubles team likes to keep the game fast which pressures the other team to keep up. He remembers in his first game that although their opponent had good placement, they were quicker which led them to winning. This strategy requires Cazarez to play smooth and fast at the same time. A single high, slow, or weak shot can ruin the point. Since every shot counts, he has to practice every shot. Being powerful isn’t everything. Being able to tire out the opponent is also a factor. “We just work on our shots and focus,” he said. Cazarez credits the bond between him and his partner as what has gotten them their undefeated record as varsity No. 3 doubles. Cazarez is always anticipating the next shot and thinking how to counter. Although the varsity boys tennis team didn’t make it far in sections, Cazarez believes he and his partner will make the best of next year and keep up their game. Being so young and so good gives him the advantage of improvement in the coming years so he can really sharpen his skill. Sophomore Ricardo Cazarez practices his forehand shot, trying to keep it as close to the net as possible. He keeps his eye on the ball and follows through. PHOTO BY ANGEL GONZALEZ
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THE SOUND OF VICTORY Choir out-sings and outshines Lincoln in the first Music Olympics PhillicityUriarte-Jones Stagg held its first ever Choir Olympics, and took home its first trophy for it as well. The challengers were from the esteemed music program at Lincoln High School. To expect something to go perfectly the first time around would be unrealistic, but those who were competing in this competition were pleasantly surprised that it flowed so well. Many of the participants said the separate events were planned thoroughly, and the physical organization was down hours in advance to ensure all would be well when the time came for the competition. Junior Solomo Crossley was happy it went so well. “I was surprised it went so smoothly, being the first year and all.” The only thing he recognized as an issue with the event was the tight schedule they were placed on. This did not hamper his performance, however, as he received a perfect score of 240 and medal in the dictation category. The skills evaluated in this competition were mostly of music analysis: reading, writing, identifying and performing notes. Those who have spent time in the Music Department are likely familiar with the ways tonal analysis, for example, is integrated into the lesson plan. The way two teachers teach cannot be identical, so the Lincoln students were put to the test. “They did really well. I didn’t expect them to do that well since it was their first year doing the sort of thing (musical analysis to that extent) we’ve been doing before I was even here,” Crossley said. “It makes the win all that more satisfying.”
Senior Makayla Hannah noticed a certain degree of competition between her classmates that bordered on excessive. “Some people were taking it too seriously and forgot to have fun,” Hannah said. “As musicians, we compete enough. This was an event we were meant to have fun and learn from.” Despite this perceived hiccup, she noticed and was pleased with how well the class worked together during the sight reading. Their harmony was something she feels extremely prideful of, and hopes her peers are too. “We received a piece of music we’d never seen before, had to do the rhythmic dictation and tonal dictation, put it together and then sing it for the judges,” She said. The judges were from University of the Pacific and have not only a musical education but the passion that is required to go into a field such as this. “It actually went extremely well, better than when we do it in class.” “I was surprised, in a good way, but very surprised. We did very well.” Hannah enjoyed the whole event immensely and is disappointed that she cannot participate in it next year. However, she wishes to return as a judge and hopes that her alma mater will have what it takes to “take home the gold” once again. Sophomore Shellane Lamzon thought the general outcome of the event was extremely positive and has left her peers anticipating next year’s competition. “I still can’t believe how well it went. I’m glad I was able to be a part of it.” When you speak to anyone from show choir abouit the event, there is a certain amount of pride in their words, a smile in their voice, and a determination to exceed expectations for next year.
PHOTOS BY ANGEL GONZALEZ AND STEPHANIE JIMENEZ
(Top left) Senior Makayla Hannah sings a solo piece for fun after singing with her choir. (Top right) Gabrielle Wallace presents her choir’s piece to the judges before they sing. (Bottom left) Choir teacher Mark Swope gives a Lincoln student an award.
College fair attracts juniors, sophomores, freshmen LeslieCoronado On April 15, the district held a College and Career Fair at the Stockton Civic Auditorium, open to all of its high schools. The various high schools had an allotted time slot of 80 minutes each to explore the 64 booths worth of colleges, police academies, trade schools, companies involved in academics, and the United States Armed Forces. Rebecca Nim, a senior, enjoyed the wide variety of schools that were present and found the time she spent at each booth worthwhile. “It gave everyone an opportunity to experience different careers they can take.” Other students found that the fair was well planned out and looked forward to more. In addition to the cumulative high schools, specialty schools such as the Health Care Academy, Weber Technical Institute, and Walton Special Center also attended. Some of the booths located at the fair displayed captivating and engaging material like the pull-up bar at the United States Navy booth, where students were able to test their upper body strength and endurance by doing a certain amount of pull-ups or holding themselves up for 40 sec-
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MATSUMOTO
The College and Career fair provided students with an abundance of information on colleges like San Joaquin Delta College and CSU East Bay. The military branches also had their respective booths including the Marines, the Navy, and the Army.
onds. Other booths were selling items and offering information on certain program. One booth was selling autobiographies signed by the astronaut and Franklin graduate, Jose Hernandez. There was another booth that advertised tutoring classes and other aid for regular and advanced placement classes as well as college entrance exams. Although some students enjoyed the fair, others were left
wanting for more. Some students felt that the fair needed more colleges from out of state, more prestigious universities, like UC Berkeley, or simply more colleges in general. Other students were let down that they couldn’t find colleges with a good program in the major they want to pursue “I didn’t see any (colleges) that had a good psychology program”, said Sophia Peck, freshman. Others felt that the event
had poor planning. “The timing of the event wasn’t very convenient, and the space they had could’ve been used in a better way because most of the time people were crowding the stands (booths),” said Gerardo Delgado, a sophomore. Despite mixed feelings, students used the opportunity to take a closer look at local colleges and trade schools, while being exposed to careers that they might find interesting.
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Safety academy brings big changes, mixed feelings SamanthaBaker As the R-wing continues to be renovated and refurbished for the Stockton Public Safety Academy, current students and staff still have concerns. Students and teachers will be seriously affected by this drastic change, as some classes that have been previously held in the R-wing will have to be relocated around the campus, while some will still be held in the R-wing such as the piano lab, and Stagg students will have to share a portion of their campus with fifth through eighth graders beginning next year. Students such as Zachary Liel, a junior, say that the closeness between the two campuses will lead to interactions in which the elementary students will be influenced by some of the “improper (or) bad students,” yet he adds that the location of the new school has the potential to “help integrate younger students into high school.” The location of the new school definitely raises concerns in terms of the impact both groups of students will have on each other, and while there are some who consider the location of the R-wing to be an opportunity to expose and prepare elementary students for high school, some seem to think that the R-wing is not the most optimal of places to establish a school that harbors elementary students. Problems such as peer-pressuring could occur as a result of the age gap between students, and overcrowding may take place as well. Other concerns regarding
the new position of the Stockton Public Safety Academy are schedule changes that would have to be made in order to avoid conflicting times and the eventual expansion of the school to include grades five through twelve. The two schools will have separate lunch times so as to avoid clashes, and the younger students’ passing periods will be held in the R-wing. For the teachers that currently inhabit the R-wing, many seem to be happy at the prospect of finally moving out of the wing, and moving into a new classroom that is located on the rest of Stagg’s campus. “...In some of my classes I have 40 students, and so it’s hard to even walk through without bumping into (the students),” said math teacher Ren Foshee, “The room I’m going into is definitely larger than this room.” Certain selected students from the new academy will have the opportunity to enroll in some of Stagg’s classes such as Yearbook and the music classes offered on campus, and they may even be allowed to participate in clubs around the school. These students will typically be in either seventh or eighth grade. Some students believe that this will not be a good decision, seeing as the academy students may be “immature and play around,” said Jasmine Kham. With such radical changes being done to the school and schedule, both Stagg students and Stockton Public Safety Academy students will have much to adjust to starting next school year.
PHOTO BY JULIA ROSETE
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At the Safety Academy’s Open House, held behind the R-Wing on April 30, incoming students were able to meet professionals in the field. They were also able to see equipment they could use in different fields, from police officers to the bomb squad.