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Vol. 60 No. 1
09.09.16
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207
In difficult times, Stockton Police Department engages with community to improve relations
R
ecent tragedies over the last few months
story by JeffersonLeiva
have revealed an unsettling feeling of distrust between the police and the people. Most notably, during the summer, Baton Rouge experienced several police-related tragedies that caused national uproar. Following these mass tragedies, sparks have flown on Twitter. Hashtags began to burn through society. #BlueLivesMatter, #BlackLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter have reverberated through social media, each highlighting the key changes that should take place in this country. Especially with the opening of the Public Safety Academy, the challenge of what it means to be a cop during a time of both need and scrutiny has never been more prominent.
Junior Shania Larkin is concerned about recent police brutality incidents. As an African American, she said, “it's hard to really adapt to a society when you’re constantly looked at as a criminal.” She recalls being stopped by police officers and being wrongly associated with a robbery during seventh grade. “You are basically labeling me as a person who is doing something bad,” Larkin said. But as of 2015, Stockton has been known for being one of six pilot cities throughout the nation that have implemented researching best practices for community policing. Stockton Police Department, according to its Public Information Officer Joe Silva, is one of the few departments that
train officers “on the historical perspective of law enforcement and why certain groups have this certain way that they believe law enforcement officers have acted over the years.” Silva notes that it’s important for police officers to learn the historical perspective that certain groups hold towards law enforcement. “If you just have one police officer that tarnishes this badge it makes it tough for all of us in law enforcement because one bad apple spoils the whole bunch and that’s what we don’t want,” Silva said. “We don’t want those types of officers in our profession.” Sophomore Blanca Arias, who aspires to be a police officer, notes that “a few (officers) can mess it up for the rest of the (force). While police officers are helping out doing what they love, they are also being affected
by the actions of those few. It’s unfair.” Yet she hopes to combat this current stigma of being a police officer by being “as positive as I can be and help try to get that stereotype out of here. So If I do become one, yeah people are going to hate, but I’m going to have to not let that hate define who I am.” In order to deal with the hateful sentiments from the community, Chief of Police Eric Jones set up a Community Advisory Board, a group of 24 citizens that consults with the police department about community issues. “Some are educators, nonprofit, neighborhood watchmen,” Silva said. “They meet monthly to talk about this very issue.” Stockton PD has also integrated a program used in some cities in Southern California known as “Coffee with the Police.” On their Facebook page, Stockton PD encourages citizens to come out monthly and have coffee with them. “It’s basically just getting police officers out there and inviting the citizens and community members to come out there and have an informal conversation about what’s going on at those neighborhoods,” Silva said. Larkin hopes that events like these increase throughout the city.
Safety Academy opens doors to 5th to 8th graders
Cadets begin to march to their classrooms as Ben Torres, an officer, gives directions. They march daily on around the football field.
JuliaRosete
The sound of sirens through the streets alarms most and intrigues many, but to what extent will people go to pursue the dream of wanting to keep people out of the way of danger? This year, the new Public Safety Academy, or PSA, opened up in the left side of the R-wing. For the first time, fifth through eighth graders will be sharing not only the campus but half of that building with high school students. Eighth grader Hailey Cheek said that being around older students was intimidating at first, but she quickly got used to the environment. “It just feels like normal,” Cheek said. According the PSA Principal Megan Russo, the students are introduced to a plethora of public safety careers, which include firefighting, policing, FBI agent, evidence technician, and many more. On top of acquainting themselves with the possibilities
that their futures hold, the cadets are being taught manners, responsibility, honesty, integrity, and how to be leaders, Russo said. The school has received lots of help from their partners, like the Stockton Police Department. “Since we are partnered with all of our local agencies, like Stockton PD, the sheriff’s department, and SUSD police, they’re coming out, and they’re meeting our kids,” Russo said. “So it’s not about them coming out to enforce anything with our kids, it’s about them coming out and meeting them.” The end goal, according to Russo, is to take over the entire R-wing in the near future. “We’ll finish renovations next summer for the rest of the R-wing, and then we’re going to possibly double in size over the next couple of years. Our maximum enrollment will be between 500 to 600.” The new school is bringing a whole new world
“I hope it’s something that they’re willing to expand,” Larkin said, “because a lot of these children are growing up fearing the police. If the police department really works in growing a relationship with these younger black kids, they can grow up to have a better perspective.” The Public Safety Academy also aims at helping Stockton’s community by providing homegrown cadets that not only have developed character skills but are connected to their community. “We are forming a partnership with our community partners in order to help get our kids on the right track and create a foundation within our PSA cadets,” said Megan Russo, principal of the Public Safety Academy. “So as they go through their years of school they’re people that are becoming a big part of our community and they have that connection to the law enforcement.” For Larkin, having the PSA located at Stagg exposes these cadets to a more diverse environment. Silva notes that they want “our police force to mirror our community makeup. We want to have Stockton Police officers that know this community inside and out.” “I like that,” Larkin said. “Now that I hear that they are adapting into our community and growing into that, I like that.”
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ of possibilities for the younger students to finally be introduced to the careers they want in the future. However, the students didn’t enroll in the PSA just to go into a certain career. For eighth grader Junior Arreaga, coming to this school was also for a more challenging curriculum. “It’s more strict here,” he said. “ We have to wear uniforms every day.” Even when they are working on their formation, they are told to walk along the walls in a straight, single-file line, Arreaga said. Both students had family in public safety ca-
reers, from being a police officer to enlisting in a branch of the military. For Arreaga, he said his parents are proud of him wanting to go to the school. “My parents are proud of me, and my dad is really happy,” he said. Cheek sees her attendance at PSA is like going on to continue her family legacy, with an aunt and uncle working for the police and her grandpa being in the military. She feels that students “who go here will have a better career.”
ENTERTAINMENT
Visit staggonline.net to watch web editor Jefferson Leiva talk with Stockton Police Department's Public Information Officer Check out our review on Rita's and House of Ice Cream on Joe Silva. The two discuss SPD's relationship with its citizens page 6. Visit staggonline.net to watch a an interview from a and ways the department is combating racial bias. student who ordered a "crazy milkshake."
Bottom Line Spirit Week Sept. 12-16
Literary magazine
SAT and ACT Registration
Monday: Marvel dress-up Tuesday: Twin/partner Wednesday: Disney character Thursday: Monsters University (wear your college gear) Friday: Brown and Gold
Do you want to have your writing featured in the school's new literary magazine? Write a 450 word reflection on what makes you happy in life and submit it to aastagglitmag@ gmail.com by Sept. 15 for a chance to be published.
Late registration for the SAT Oct. 1 test date takes place Sept. 13-20. There will be a late fee when purchasing your test. Regular registration for the ACT Oct. 22 test date ends on Sept. 16. Late registration goes from Sept. 17-30.
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Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
STAFF EDITORIAL
Opinion
09.09.16
The Stagg Line
vText transition slow but promising P en to paper may soon become a thing of the past. In both the French and Spanish classes, physical textbooks are no longer the norm. Since the beginning of this school year, the World Language Department has made the jump from their outdated textbook to going virtual. The jump is welcome and recognized as necessary but the transition process has caused much confusion in class. Getting used to this new vText is essentially becoming accustomed to a new learning process. In class there is a portion of time you must spend learning how to use the website that would not be necessary otherwise. Complications online are much more difficult to solve as teachers are also familiarizing themselves with the program. If any student preferred the paper and bound copy of the book, there was an option to get one. Working with the old textbooks was trying, as many of the references and phrasings were outdated and could have a negative impact on learning and speaking the contemporary form of the foreign language. Many of these textbooks had become worn and were falling apart. Having the curriculum online keeps them from aging so harshly. In no way can they be defaced, or lost, or accidentally damaged. Lugging a heavy textbook around is a thing of the past, as your virtual textbook can
be accessed on not only your computer, but also your mobile device. Within this program, for each assignment there are three chances to get as many correct as possible, but on your third try your work will be submitted and sent to the teacher for grading. With this, much of the homework is assigned through the program with deadlines set at midnight. This means no more last minute homework crams, and the amount of points you receive when you complete an overdue assignment depreciates each day you fail to complete it. Doing homework in the classes before is no longer an option, “losing” homework is no longer an option. In a way, these restrictions encourage students to not only meet their deadline for fear of a lesser score, but also study so that they receive the absolute maximum amount of points possible. You can’t lie and change your answers when you no longer have access to them. While this may be burdensome to students who are used to cutting it close and waiting til the absolute last minute, the new deadline is the day of. Despite all the complications that may occur, the confusion and overall chaos that ensues due to change and transition, this is for the greater good This is for an evolution of education. This is necessary, and hopefully will eventually be implemented in all applicable classes.
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English and Spanish to my parents and they will respond to me in English. The problem is because my household needed English to survive, Spanish never became the priority. Now, when I speak Spanish, it takes me a while to translate and say the words correctly. And my parents only ever used slang around me as well, so it’s difficult. I hate to admit it but I’m ashamed to speak Spanish because of how others may react. Whether it be a “Que?”, a weird expression, and then I have to repeat myself. It’s probably one of the worst feelings in the world when you bring something home needed to be translated and you can’t even do a good enough job for your parents to understand. I don’t feel good enough for my culture. I don’t feel like a “worthy” Latina. As a child, my mother used to always stress how people who
EstefanyNunez were multilingual were very intelligent. They understand more than one language after all. I may have taken French instead of Spanish for my foreign language class. I may butcher my translations. And I may speak English more than I speak Spanish. That doesn't make me any less of a Hispanic Latina. There should be no one way of how to be a Latina. I admire and appreciate my culture. My ability to speak the language doesn't signify my intelligence or the love of my culture. As it shouldn't with someone who is learning the English language.
GRAPHIC BY MARK WALDING AND KEVIN GUTIERREZ
Stagg Line Staff & Policies 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: 5 times ff National Newspaper Pacemaker: 7 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.
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GRAPHIC BY ALBERTO VALENCIA
Seniors need time with their counselors S
Language fluency does not determine one's cultural status rowing up, like so many other bilingual kids, I had to translate for my parents quite often. I saw it as a burden. I despised it even. I interpreted for families who all spoke English as what was “normal.” I was too young and too influenced by the media to understand that normal was outdated and more of an illusion. While my cousins and other relatives were enrolled in schools with bilingual teachers, my brother and I were in schools where only English was spoken. Of course, I was placed into an English learning classes where I passed smoothly in the second grade. Gradually as I grew up and my studies demanded more, I suddenly didn’t have as much time to speak Spanish. English became the primary language I thought in and only spoke Spanish when I was around my family. Now I’m able to speak both
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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.
tudents in the beginning of the year look at their schedule and worry. Often times most of it makes sense. They have all the classes they need, they'll graduate. But what about when there is something wrong? A missing core class or maybe they're just not satisfied. Did they have to get the “mean” teacher? They groan, and promptly place a request form into their counselor's door. All students are given importance, as many students did not even have complete schedules at the beginning of the year and now do. This does not happen magically. Extensive work from the counseling department was required to iron out these kinks. Still though, this extensive work can sometimes make those with lesser issues get swept under the rug. Low priority schedule changes are pushed aside, though not forgotten. However, often times it can feel as though you are. Some of these said students have a class that they never signed up for, and they want to get out of it because it’s not in their best interest or they know it will add stress to dealing with their other classes. This sort of issue is not dealt with immediately, for good reason. This student will graduate, even if they don’t like their classes. You do not need to necessarily want a certain class to be placed in it. It is the
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REPORTERS SamanthaBaker AmberlyButler MariaCastillo LeslieCoronado LouisFuentez KevinGutierrez ErnestoHarwell TristenTucker AlbertoValencia AaronVang AngelVasquez MarkWalding
LouisFuentez
If my counselor had briefly spoken with me, telling me I would be unable to change classes, I would feel like I matter.” counselor’s job to make sure you have a complete schedule, not that you like what classes or teachers you have. However, it can be frustrating when you feel as though you will never be seen. It's upsetting when you can't even be seen by your counselor to be told you're stuck where you are. If it really takes so long for them to just reach out and say that they cannot help with the
classes then I’d rather be given a note stating that. It would give me peace of mind. I do understand and appreciate what they do as they have around 400 students to deal with, as well as them being down a head counselor. Having become frustrated with this situation, I needed to step outside myself and think from a different perspective. They are working with their circumstances and my schedule is one of their lessers concerns for the time being. Rather than focusing selfishly on what I wanted, not even what I needed, I became upset with a situation that was out of even their control. If my counselor had briefly spoken with me, telling me I wouldn’t be able to change classes, I would feel like I matter. I understand that students who are new to the school have to get their class schedules done first, but even with that we still have more time during the day. I had expected to be spoken to at least briefly. I can understand why my counselor had not contacted me because my classes are for next semester. But it would have been nice to be treated like I had some sort of priority, I wanted to be acknowledged. Ultimately I was attended to, and I am thankful that they gave some of their time to an issue that did not need to be fixed, but that I wanted to be fixed.
EDITORS PhillicityUriarte-Jones editor-in-chief MatteoDanforth news editor StephanieMatsumoto opinion editor EstefanyNunez features editor JuliaRosete entertainment editor SaraAbdeltawag sports editor JeffersonLeiva web editor StephanieJimenez photo editor DonBott adviser Follow us on Facebook (Stagg Line) as well as Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram (@staggonline). Current and older issue PDFs are available at issuu.com/staggline
09.09.16
Opinion
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Mayor Silva's actions stain community J
ust when it seemed like against violence in the city. Silva the city of Stockton was was the mayor that Stockton stepping into the light needed in our darkest hour. again, we were kicked back into But in recent news, Silva the shadows by our beloved has not been the city’s once Mayor Anthony Silva and his gallant gladiator. The mayor antics. His recent arrest for has had several run-ins with secretly recording minors and federal investigators where his supplying them with alcohol electronics were searched. Silva’s has dominated local media and most degrading incident was in has gained Stockton negative 2015 when he was a part of a coverage from popular news confrontation in a limo while publications like The New York being intoxicated. Times and CBS News. And now, Silva is under Coverage like this violently fire not just for the arrest but pulls Stocktonians back to our also because his missing gun arduous past. was found in Four connection years ago, the with a killing city faced a of a young grim reality. teen. The Stockton double-barrel was $700 of hypocrisy million in and irony debt and was now finds forced to seek Silva’s head bankruptcy considering protection the mayor under Chapter focused the 9, becoming city’s efforts one of the on getting largest cities to unregistered, do so. stolen and But how? missing guns MatteoDanforth How could the off the streets city plummet of Stockton. so far down this pit? Despite all of this, Silva is Mostly because of lousy innocent until proven guilty. leadership and terrible timing. His supporters have been very City officials were initiating adamant to remind citizens of new projects that Stockton this, arguing that he’s simply a simply didn’t have the money victim of circumstance. That for as well as continuing to pay he is and always will be “the pension for retired workers people’s mayor.” despite being insolvent. At that Opponents, however, time, the economic risks of such would point out that these are developments and projects were all careless acts, things so easily too great. avoidable and preventable. But However, the city and its in his recent arrest for recording citizens compromised. Retirees minors, downright criminal. that had claims against the What does that say about city settled for less and citizens a city with an irresponsible agreed on a new tax to pay for leader? Is this who citizens want police officers. representing them? Someone For a moment, the city felt who is damaging the already the glow of relief. Networks dilapidated reputation of our weren’t shouting “debt” anymore city? but “recovery.” As a citizen of our great Four years ago, the city also city, I find Mayor Silva guilty of elected Anthony Silva as its new impropriety. mayor. “The people’s mayor,” he There is no law that can likes to call himself. And it did convict a leader of being seem that way. Mayor Silva led improper but there is a higher strong efforts to help Stockton order: the expectations of recover from bankruptcy, citizens. And to betray these combat homelessness, and fight standards is treacherous.
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The Stagg Line
PHOTOILLUSTRATION BY MARK WALDING
Exposed in the light Harsh and invasive publicity that celebrities face on a daily basis needs to be toned down
F
ame could affect someone’s life growing up whether their publicity is good or bad they’re still under the flashing lights, the scandalous making money off of us, but that doesn’t mean we headlines, and the big corporations. should expose/write about every little thing they A lot of celebrities have been in the news do. lately for leaked phone calls, and inappropriate Some will say, “But they knew what they were messages. At what point do we think about how getting themselves into when choosing that career they feel when they’re looked down upon for for themselves.” No one chooses to be followed things they didn’t intend on anyone else seeing? around everyday and have stories be published Just imagine having a life where you don’t have about them that may or may not be true. Did any privacy and a lot of people are watching your Amy Winehouse choose to be remembered as an every move. That isn’t a dream these celebrities alcohol addict instead of an amazing singer? Did wanted to have, it’s a nightmare. Michael Jackson choose to be accused of causing Over the summer Kim Kardashian “exposed” his own death, because of drug abuse? a phone call between Kanye West and Taylor None of these people choose to get exposed Swift talking about a song West was going to the way some of them do, but we as an audience, SaraAbdeltaweb mention her in. Swift had approved the song over who keep up to date with everything they do, the phone yet over media she denied she knew expect too much from them. The media expects West was going to mention her in it. All over Twitter the phone call more than enough from them, such as being perfect, and not doing spread like wildfire and #TaylorSwiftIsOverParty trended. Now the anything that their audience wouldn’t appreciate. We shouldn’t judge law says Kim had no right to record the phone call without Taylor’s everything these actors, actresses, rappers, and singers do. The only consent, but with both of them being big stars in the media's eye of thing we should expect from them is good music, great movies, and course everyone knew about it. the good things they do. It isn’t our business what they do in their Since then #______IsOverParty has been trending for many private life, even if it is put out there for the world to see. other stars such as Miley Cyrus, Charlie Puth, Justin Bieber and Some will say, “But they knew what they were getting themSelena Gomez. Justin Bieber went on vacation where no paparazzi selves into when choosing that career for themselves.” No one chooswere allowed, but somehow his nudes from the vacation were still es to be followed around everyday and have stories be published leaked all over social media. A week later Selena Gomez is on social about them that may or may not be true. Did Amy Winehouse media news calling out Bieber for not treating his fans right and choose to be remembered as an alcohol addict instead of an amazing soon enough she started to get hate for it and #SelenaEndedJustin singer? Did Michael Jackson choose to be accused of causing his Party trends. Not even a couple of days later, #CharliePuthIsOver is own death, because of drug abuse? trending, because the singer told someone to die over social media. None of these people choose to get exposed the way some of There is always a reason to why an artist trends negatively, but to them do, but we as an audience, who keep up to date with everywhat extent will people actually go to ruin someone’s career, which thing they do, expect too much from them. The media expects is basically their life? As much as people like myself preach and rant more than enough from them, such as being perfect, and not doing about how we should give these celebrities their own privacy, the anything that their audience wouldn’t appreciate. We shouldn’t judge stuff they do still captures my attention. I couldn’t care less on who everything these actors, actresses, rappers, and singers do. The only wore what dress best, but when I see stuff like that I do get curious thing we should expect from them is good music, great movies, and and want to read into it. Which brings me to my point about prithe good things they do. It isn’t our business what they do in their vacy. I can’t really say we have to feel bad for these people, because private life, even if it is put out there for the world to see.
Olympics corrupted by drugs and dishonesty A “
LOCHTE AT THE 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BY NICOLE (CC BY-SA 2.0) The way Ryan Lochte handled himself in Rio permanently tainted the way people view other Olympians.
n event celebrating the determination, strength, and accomplishments of individual athletes, the Olympics, is a time of tolerance among countries where they come together to participate in this worldwide competition. All countries are given the opportunity to show off their best athletes in friendly competitions that promote sportsmanship and athleticism, yet problems occur every time the Olympics airs that take away from and diminish the hard work of these athletes. Some participants indulge in steroid use in order to get an unfair advantage, which seems to be somewhat of a problem every year the Olympics is held, but on top of that this year American swimmer Ryan Lochte and a few of his cronies vandalized a gas station and went as far as to lie that they were robbed while held at gunpoint. The main focus of the Olympics should be the accomplishments of the athletes, considering how hard they’ve worked to be able to participate in such a huge, worldwide event. It’s a great achievement and honor for them and they should be able to compete and celebrate without the interference of cheating athletes using enhancement drugs or stupid drama distracting from the true purpose of the Olympics. When it comes to steroid use, not only is it horrible for whoever is taking the drugs, it’s also cheating, causing the wrong person, who didn’t
The main focus of the Olympics should be the accomplishments of the athletes, considering how hard they’ve worked to be able to participate in such a huge, worldwide event."
SamanthaBaker earn it, to win the medal. Certain athletes get away with this all too often, taking away from this great tradition of ours that has been going on for decades and decades. In addition to the problematic steroid problem, people were already concerned about the location in which the Olympics were going to be held this year. Lochte added insult to injury by making it seem as if some of the problems that many Americans seemed to foresee and dread had actually became true. Lochte even had the audacity to say that he “over-exaggerated” his story of being robbed and held at gunpoint. If that wasn’t enough he decided to get drunk one night with a couple of
friends and vandalize a Brazilian gas station. The actions of a few self-entitled idiots had many Americans apologizing to the people of Rio. Not only does this look bad for us Americans and other Olympians, but it isn’t fair to the citizens of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general, who were already being criticized since the beginning for not being prepared to host the event. Hopefully in the future we won’t have any American Olympians to feel embarrassed and ashamed of, and although we usually don’t have steroid problems with Americans it’s still an issue that needs to be addressed in order to be fair to all participating athletes and to preserve the one thing that brings all the countries in the world together for a brief short of time.
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Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Features
The Stagg Line
09.09.16
CHECK OUT THESE CLUBS The National Honors Society, or NHS, wants to celebrate the academic excellence of students across campus. They meet in B-7 on Wednesdays.
Circle of Friends’ allows students to interact and create bonds with those in special education. They meet in R-16 on Wednesdays.
Students who join MESA can try out different activities and projects as well as find out if they would be suitable for a career in math, engineering or science. They meet in K-3 on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Debate Club has students discuss current events and argue for or against them. They meet in A-6 on Tuesdays. Club U allows high school students to learn more about colleges and careers in order to prepare for them. They meet in C-1 on Wednesdays.
Interact Club allows students to participate in community service events and volunteer opportunities. They meet in B-7 on Mondays.
French Club’s purpose is to spread French culture and create bonds between others who are interested. They meet in C-5 on Fridays.
Spanish club members get to interact with others interested in the language and get involved in the Spanish community. They meet in A-1 on Fridays.
Key Club promotes doing community service for the people of Stockton and other nearby areas. They meet in H-7 on Thursdays. Drama Club was created in order to give students not taking drama class a chance to perform and help in plays in front of audiences. They meet in G-10 on Wednesdays.
Gay Straight Alliance, or GSA club, was made so students could spread LGBTQ+ awareness in a safe and accepting environment. They have meetings in B-3 on Thursdays. GRAPHIC BY STEPHANIE MATSUMOTO
PLUS more than a club, now a class SaraAbdeltawab
Report to A-2 ASAP, the blue slip of paper reads as the student gets up and misses the rest of class to be apart of a PLUS forum. But now, why not just join the class? PLUS, which stands for Peer Leaders Uniting Students, has been a club since middle school that brings students together to build stronger relationships between people on campus. Now, in its fourth year on Stagg’s campus, it is now more than just a club. PLUS is now a class taught by Mary Stoner, which teaches more of the fundamentals of the program. It teaches skills such as how to cope and or deal with suicidal students and bullying that goes on campus, as well as teaching about how to stop drug use. While the class teaches what PLUS is, ideas that pop up in discussions during the class are taken to action when the club meets. “The only way to get to the core of a problem is to find ways to solve it,” senior Lezly Chavez said. “And that’s what the PLUS class does.” PLUS isn’t just a program to build stronger relationships between students, but the program encourages building a more “peer to peer bond,” Stoner said. During the PLUS class there will be “forums” that aim to create a better environment for the students. Forums all relate back to the students to understand how to better their own school as well as other schools. During the class students analyze the forum in
nine different steps from identifying the issue to writing a solution to the issue. After discussing within their group, the club then collaborates with other clubs in the district to brainstorm more ideas on how to improve their schools. Some students missed out on the chance of being in the class because it could only hold up to 32 students. That’s where the club comes in, with meetings usually held every Thursday. Although it may seem as if this will stop students from missing class time, discussions could last longer than one class period. “Our forums go longer than the hour we are required,” Stoner said. “I’m working on getting another period for the PLUS, so it will be a class third and fourth (period).” Even though the class and the club don’t have as many people as the advisers would like, the program itself has made a big impact on students around not only Stagg’s campus, but other schools as well. According to Jillian Glende, who is the PLUS program chairperson, there are 26 schools in Stockton Unified that have the PLUS class. Nine of the 26 are high schools, and overall a total of 1200+ PLUS leaders, grades sixth through 12th. Data is collected in the class two to three times per year, and reported back to the District Level Planning team, who then analyze to see what they have to do to make school a more positive environment. “So far the PLUS class is successful,” Assistant Principal Richard Capello said. “I could really see students building stronger relationships.”
(To the left) Senior Laura Hernandez sits at her desk working on her Frame of Preference project. Students were to reflect on the differing point of views they had from their family. (Below) Mary Stoner going over the class’s objective for the day.
PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ
09.09.16
Features
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
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The Stagg Line
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE MATSUMOTO
Junior Marco Luna advertises Gay-Straight Alliance Club by sporting a rainbow flag around his shoulders during club rush 2016. He encouraged students to support by buying different flavored Italian sodas to represent the colors of the rainbow.
Luna’s voice influences LGBT funding
MatteoDanforth
Every high school movie in the last several decades has promoted the idea of groups. Labels that can help people easily identify a person. Jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, goths, music geeks, and gays. Gays. In the 20th century, hearing this term was an unpleasant usually derogatory. But as society hurried into the 21st century, this label has been tossed out. Now we hear and read the acronym LGBT on every news outlet and social media site. For one student, though, LGBT is much more than just an acronym. Senior Marco Luna’s fresh-
man year wasn’t a simple walk in the quad. On the outside, he was the hetero boyfriend that every girl seemed to like. A guy’s guy. But on the inside was someone completely different. Deep down was the gay guy that longed to come out. The obstacles Luna faced weren’t the closet but his “mask.” “I felt like I was lying to everyone and especially myself,” he said. Being the son of two Mexican, Catholic parents was tough. “They told me the usual thing,” the senior said. “That it’s a phase.” The constant lying and reassuring was the worst part Luna said. He didn’t worry
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Two years ago, I had a student that inspired me to do this. I’m doing what I believe in. I want to advocate and provide support not just for my students, but others in the district. SusanDiohep GSA advisor
about what other people might say because “nobody else could be more cruel than myself,” he said. There were always the inescapable thoughts. Suicide. Self-degradation. Doubt. “But it was all for nothing,” Luna said through a laugh. He remembers the relief he felt when he saw how accepting his friends were. Even the people he lost contact with still showed him respect that everyone person deserves as a human being. So when the school started the Gay-Straight Alliance club, “I knew I had to be there,” the senior said. The slippery slope that comes with LGBT clubs is the different types. Some clubs are gays-only clubs or strong advocate club,
creating a negative stigma that pushes students away from joining. This was the problem that advisor Susan Diohep wanted to avoid when creating the club. Diohep said she wanted to create a warm, welcoming feeling while “doing something I believe in.” She talked about how students are supposed to “find themselves” in high school and how harassment from others hinders that. Both Diohep and Luna agreed on the message of GSA: to be an alliance, a place for everyone to come together and feel safe. In April, Luna, along with Diohep and fellow member Julia Rosete, took an opportunity to aid GSAs across Stockton Unified School District.
The three represented the LGBT subgroup at SUSD’s Local Control and Accountability Plan meeting which helps determine some of the funding for the district. Here, they brought to light the struggles of LGBT students that have been left unacknowledged for majority of the new century. As a result, the district allocated $100,000 for LGBT-related programs. The new funds could be used for teacher training, a counselor, and any LGBT related support. And Luna couldn’t be happier. “I’m making a difference,” he said. “Not only will this help me and my club, but other LGBT students in the district.”
Despite struggles with disease, Uvalles remains optimistic LeslieCoronado Senior Abriala Uvalles was 14 years old when her body started swelling up, and got a fever and cough that lasted for days. “It was scary, because I was in the hospital for like three weeks because (the doctors) didn’t know what was wrong.” Uvalles was transferred to a hospital in Oakland where there were doctors who were able to give her an answer to her sickness. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus for short. Lupus is a disease that attacks the immune system, and causes inflammation, joint pain, and fatigue. Although Uvalles faces many struggles with the disease, she still manages to keep up with all her school work and work past it. The disease is genetic. She inherited it from her father and his side of the family. However, she was the youngest to be diagnosed with it. “My grandma and my aunt got it in their 20s when they were adults, but I’m the youngest one to have it,” Uvalles said. “I was confused. I was like why me? I didn’t deserve this.” Because lupus is a demanding disease, Uvalles has to take a lot of medication to keep it under control, about 11 high dose pills everyday. “I don’t want to be that kid taking these pills, I really don’t feel normal, but it’s just something I have to deal with.” Without this consistent dose of medication, lupus would become active throughout her body and Uvalles would have to return to the hospital in Oakland. She has had to miss most of her freshman year of high school because of her hospitalization and its aftereffects. “I was so depressed because it was my freshman year, I stayed in the house every time with no socialization with other students.” Public school was still not an option at the time for fear of catching illnesses from other students that could ruin her health. She was homeschooled. As soon as she got stronger, she had a tutor that taught all the regular freshman courses. “I really liked homeschooling,” Uvalles said. “I thought it was different and I got good grades from
it.” She was able to go to back to public high school in May of her freshman year. Uvalles never finished the math course in homeschool and consequently struggled with geometry. It was also difficult to do homework with the fatigue that lupus causes, but Uvalles pushed herself to do all her work and turn it in. An average day with lupus is an endless battle because of the pills that lupus requires. The doses alone take a lot energy, even more so with the disease symptoms. The process is tedious, but neccesary. There is no room for being lazy here for fear of her disease getting the better of her. “I don’t like it, it’s a struggle dealing with it every day.”
In the wake of recent flooding in Louisiana, many schools have suffered. In an effort to reach out and help as schools reopen, ASB is compiling a collection of needed supplies. The school is “adopting” Denham Springs Elementary. The supply drive goal will begin with four rooms, with a minimum of 30 items per room hoping to expand to more than four. Items from the list include staplers, pencils, crayons. All clubs are encouraged to promote and participate in this supply drive. For more information on how you can help go to F-6 or K-1.
PHOTO BY JULIA ROSETE
Because of her condition, Uvalles finds it extremely difficult to focus while doing work.
GRAPHIC BY KEVIN GUTIERREZ AND TRISTEN TUCKER
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Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Entertainment
09.09.16
The Stagg Line
'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' strays from original story and resembles fan fiction prologue AmberlyButler
ART BY AMBERLY BUTLER
Is DC movie franchise moving too fast? MatteoDanforth With the release of “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” earlier this year and now the more recent “Suicide Squad,” DC fans now have something to be excited about: the birth of The Justice League. But with upcoming movies rolling out every year, is DC moving too quickly? This is a knee-jerk reaction from a company that is slowly losing to its competition. As a child, I saw “The Justice League” and “Teen Titans” as some of the most popular shows on television. Besides that, the ultimate question was Team Superman or Team Batman? Not Team Cap or Team Iron Man. DC has always seemed to be closer to the hearts of comic readers but have been losing to Marvel in recent years, prompting a sudden boost in production. But why has Marvel gained the upperhand? In order to answer that, we have to look at the history. Both Marvel and DC have deep roots in popular culture, there’s no doubt about that. Since the height of the comic book era, these two have been at each other’s throats, trying to win over readers. When live action television and movies took over, the rivalry continued on these platforms. In the past two decades, however, DC has struggled to find its footing in the movie industry. The Batman films beginning with “Batman” in 1989, were pretty successful in the box office and received well by critics. On the other hand, Superman movies were met with spotty reviews hence why they’re have been multiple versions of the caped superhero . Because of this, Marvel was able to sneak in and start releasing their heavy hitters like “X-Men” in 2000, “Spiderman” in 2002, “Iron-Man” in 2008 . Things turned around at the advent of “The Dark Knight” trilogy. As audiences began to fall in love with Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, DC popped up on everyone’s minds again. It was only after this point that DC began to hit its stride and delivered the two latest summer blockbusters. But why now? Why so late in the game? Marvel has been building up to The Avengers since 2008, why hasn’t DC been doing the same? Both Marvel and DC are trying to build up their A-teams; The Avengers and The Justice League. Although they have already accomplished this in comic books and in animated TV shows and movies, it has not been done in live action movies. In a way, the two studios had to wait for superheros to become household names. Once this happened, they started rolling out movies to build back story that audiences were almost guaranteed to go see. For Marvel, this process was smoother. With the use of phases, they planned out their movies and release dates better as well as utilizing end credit teasers to build hype. None of DC’s movies featured teaser clips until “Suicide Squad.” Now, DC has to do a ton of backstory. And they’re already well on their way. Starting with “Man of Steel,” DC has begun to bring all of its most iconic comic book characters to the big screen. Since then, we’ve seen the new incarnations of Batman played by Ben Affleck (he did great by the way) and Superman played by Henry Cavill. When you get to the heart of the matter, DC’s late start is the result of mediocre movies and faulty timing. Comic book fans are more inclined to enjoy DC movies despite the negative reviews from tough critics. But even then, DC has to start thinking about capturing a larger audience. DC has to be sure that they tell the stories of their superheroes right. No more cutting corners. No more inaccuracies. No more misleading titles. They CANNOT rush, even if they are “behind” Marvel.
A father and son fall in love, the father goes back in time to save a lost friend, and comes back to find he had never even had a son. What if I told you that the father is Harry Potter, and this is part of the plot of the new Harry Potter book, written by Jack Thorne? I don’t know about you, but I would’ve never imagined such a controversial plot for a book on Harry Potter. The new book, or as some may see it, “fan-fiction,” was released on July 30. It’s called “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and is a two part novel that takes place in the wizarding world of Harry Potter 17 years after the last book, “The Deathly Hallows.” It’s about the children of the characters in the original series, the death of Cedric Diggory, and all the chaos in between. It starts with Harry’s son Albus Potter, and his first year as a student at Hogwarts. He becomes a Slytherin and be friends Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius Malfoy. Despite this being a different book, the author fails to provide their own personal character development, taking on the basic mentality of their more famous parent. Harry’s faced with a life of guilt, because of the death of Cedric Diggory, a fellow student at Hogwarts that lost his life to Voldemort in the fourth book, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Later, Albus and Scorpius find a Time Turner and, eager to lessen Harry’s pain of feeling responsible for his friend’s death, go back to save him. The wildly different plot is confusing and difficult to follow. It takes away from what the original Harry Potter series stands for, and overall shouldn’t be directly associated with it. There’s no way to save Cedric, without having a world run by evil. While they are in this evil world, Voldemort’s daughter finds out about the alternate universe, where the world is normal
and she’s non-existent. She finds a faulty Time Turner and, much like her father, becomes the ultimate antagonist. While the boys are lost, they find a way to write a message on Harry’s baby blanket, telling the place and time to find and save them. Older Harry finds the message and used the Time Turner to find them, and a love potion is spilled on the blanket. He brings them to present time, and gives
his son the potion filled blanket. Confused? So are the Harry Potter fans. Though there are some who think this book is great, many aren’t so happy. The book is inappropriate for the majority of the fanbase because of some of the romantic relations in the story. Senior Briana Ledesma, an avid Harry Potter fan, says, “The fan base has a wide range of age, but most of the fans started
"Like Sirius Black said, 'What's life without a little risk?'" JanelluzJavier Senior
reading these books when they were pretty young… I know I wouldn’t let my younger siblings or cousins read this book.” When people read a prologue on a book that they read growing up, they don’t want that story to be changed or corrupted. The audience doesn’t want to relate those young memories to romantic relations between father and son, or character changes.
"They changed the characters. You can't do that to a novel as big as Harry Potter." BrianaLedesma Senior
PHOTOILLUSTRATION BY TRISTEN TUCKER AND MARK WALDING
Rita’s, House of Ice Cream prove to be sweet spots for students to socialize StephanieJimenez Think of summer. Going to the pool or the beach, hanging out with friends and forgetting about all the worries is the absolute best. But let’s not forget about the heat we all have to face. We live in California, which is what kills us when it’s above 100 degrees outside. That’s when Rita’s and The House of Ice Cream came along and solved our first world problem. Opening when we all needed it most, Rita’s Italian Ice came to Stockton at the end of May and since then our tastebuds have been salvato (Italian for “saved”) from the blazing days. It all began in 1984 on the East Coast. Bob Tumolo, a firefighter and founder of Rita’s, named his place after his wife. Launching its first ice, flavored cherry lemon, Italian ice evolved rapidly around the country. Rita’s located in 2829 W March Ln carries a variety of constantly changing flavors of Italian ice, as well as frozen custard, gelati, blendini, etc. Not only do they have tropical flavors, but chocolate lovers are not left behind. For the fruity fans, the vanilla pineapple gelato is highly suggested. More of a chocolate lover? An all custard blendini with
chocolate custard and peanut butter cups as your topping is a delightful choice. Both of these and the rest of beverages cost less than $6. This place makes the customers feel welcomed. Employees are genuinely content to serve
you. Not to forget Rita’s decor is lively and in a way reminiscent of a circus. In other words, Rita’s is a place to spend time with friends and even with your family. After speaking to Garrett Piper, Rita’s manager, he mentioned that in September a Rita’s
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ PHOTO BY JEFFERSON LEIVA
Sweet and tasty, these two places will get your taste buds going. Rita's bringing in all the fresh young teens, while House of Ice Cream is encouraging a cheat day in your diet, both have been tingling with flavor. Rita's, located at 2829 W March Lane, is open from 11 AM to 10 PM every day. (BELOW) House of Ice Cream, at 947 N El Dorado St, is open from 12 to 8 PM every day.
will be opening at the Stockton Arena. And there are plans of a possible Rita’s food truck in Manteca. Also having opened in late May, The House of Ice Cream located in 947 N El Dorado St. arrived to Stockton. Just like Rita’s, The House of Ice cream’s menu varies, but it lacks the tropical flavors. If you are into humongous treats, such as the monster milkshake, this is definitely the place for you. I can assure you The House of Ice Cream will surprise you. One of the many favorites is the waffle cone, a scoop of strawberry cheesecake and a scoop of vanilla. For less than $10 your tastebuds will be demolished. The decoration in this place is modern. It is pleasing to eat in this establishment. From the chairs, tables and signs in The House of Ice Cream will automatically comfort you. Crates with cushions on top are dispersed for the customer's comfortability. The phrase is “F*ck your diet” is printed on the wall. The House of Ice Cream is more of hangout area than a family gathering. Since it is more modernized, it appeals more to young adults. Before the warmth vanishes and the shivers arrive, make sure to visit either of these ice shops.
09.09.16
Sports
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
7
The Stagg Line
Joining for the sport or the exercise? Wrestlers now run for cross country to stay conditioned for the winter
StephanieMastumoto
Last year, cross country had only five to seven players who showed up to practice and actually felt dedicated to the sport. However, the team starts a fresh season with not only a new coach but more than triple the players they had last year. Wrestling coach Jonathan Avina is replacing the former cross country coach, Richard Johnson. Avina has been coaching since he was 18, first cross country, then wrestling for the next three years. Now, he does both. Avina was the main reason for the large growth of players coming out for the cross country season Many who run around the school, track, and levee are wrestlers or soon-to-be wrestlers. Though it isn’t mandatory, Avina encouraged students who want to do wrestling to come out and prepare for the season by running for the team. “I do want wrestlers to do cross country,” Avina said. “I did the same thing and fell in love with it.”
Since this year’s fall sports season has started, wrestlers show up every day and run mile after mile, many there to improve their stamina and strength for when wrestling starts. Duane Gouveia, a freshman, only joined in order to condition for the upcoming season. While Gouveia wouldn’t do cross country on other terms, he can see the benefits of running, such as improved endurance, that will come in handy for when he has to wrestle against an opponent during a match. “I don’t like it, but I know when wrestling season hits it will help out,” Gouveia said. Brandon Juache, another freshman, joined for much the same reasons as Gouveia. He believed that participating in cross country would improve his stamina and speed in preparation for when he has to face against opponents. “When they’re weaker I could take them after they’re tired out,” said Juache.
PHOTO BY SARA ABDELTAWAB Lizzete Ramos, one of the wrestlers who is conditioning for the winter sport by running for the cross country team, leads the team of wrestlers and cross country runners during hill workouts.
“
When I feel like giving up in a match, I’ll think about how I didn’t stop running in the heat so I shouldn’t give up here.” LizzeteRamos Junior
While some wrestlers may not enjoy the sport, others have found a new home on the team. Lizette Ramos, a junior, originally joined cross country for the same reason as Gouveia. She was told by her coaches to come out in order to strengthen her legs for the winter sport. Though she finds it difficult at the moment due to being not used to running long distances, Ramos finds cross country fun and feels as if it will pay off once wrestling season comes around. Through running she is able to improve her endurance as well as push herself to her limits, which is an important asset to wrestling. “Our brain tells us to stop running and that’s when we start walking,” Ramos said. “My brain tells me that too but my body tells me, ‘No’ so I keep moving.” Running for the team doesn’t only help Ramos physically, but mentally as well. In order to continuing running, Ramos thinks about wrestling and methods to beat her opponent. She says that her way of thinking will also work vice-versa once she wrestles. “When I feel like giving up in a match, I’ll think about how I didn’t stop running in the heat so I shouldn’t give up here.” With so many students on the cross country team this year and wrestlers getting more time for conditioning, it seems to be a win-win for both sports. Ernesto Valencia, a senior at Pacific Law Academy, was on the cross country team since his sophomore year. Being coached individually then the few others on his team last year,, this year Valencia enjoys the team workouts. This was the first year he had been on the team with so many runners. While the mix of the two sports brought new workouts for the runners to do, Valencia is glad to have all the wrestlers and hopes the best for them this season. “Only time will tell what will make of them.”
Olympians inspire high school athletes “I like how they work as a team, being able to work as a team has always been important to me.” - Vernesha Shaw Senior
“Throughout the struggles I want to be able to reach where (Caster Semeny) got to.” - Ulices Contreras Junior
“Tony Azevedo inspires me because he is a model for excellence in academics and sports.” - Samuel Cornelison Senior “Bethanie Mattek Sands inspires me because she played in mixed doubles and got gold medal. She played against men and women without fear.“ - Cynthia Leos Senior
“Kyrie Irving inspired me to try to become the greatest basketball player I can be.” - Richard Aguirre Junior GRAPHIC BY ALBERTO VALENCIA
Chavarin hopes to serve up another banner for tennis MariaCastillo
Now as a senior, Jessica Chavarin looks back at her sophomore year with a smile. She was ranked No. 5 in tennis. When she saw the seniors win league and therefore took the banner, her aspirations grew. Realizing the banner was attainable, she knew she wanted to become better at tennis. It wasn’t until Chavarin’s freshman year that she her basketball coach, Shannon Markley, encouraged and persuaded her to play tennis. She had never seen herself being a tennis player, but when she went and tried out for the sport, she fell in love with it. Chavarin found herself growing fond of the tennis court. Flash forward to this sum-
mer Chavarin injured her ankle while playing summer basketball. She was aiming to dunk the ball but was pushed, and landed on her ankle. This has impacted Chavarin during tennis season, but her desire for success helps her overcome her injured ankle. Preparing for game day is an important time for Chavarin. She goes with a mindset of trying her best rather than winning. Not only does she prepare herself, but she motivates her team to do their best. When she steps foot on the court, and the sweat drips down her face, you can see the fire in her eyes of her sheer determination. Facing her opponent, she watches their technique to find their weaknesses and strategical-
ly serves to them. This is where the game becomes more psychological, and a stabl mentality becomes just as important as technical skill and motivation. All in all, losses don’t faze Chavarin. She absolutely will not allow a loss to discourage her or her teammates. “I won’t let a loss get to the team. I’ll just motivate them to learn and try again next time.” Her team has helped her get to where she is now, because of the team dyanmic, there is support she would not have otherwise, and vice versa. “She’s always so positive and she knows how to motivate the team,” coach Mary French said. Head coach Shannon Markley and Coach French chose Chavarin because they saw her hard work.
Every year Chavarin has improved herself, whether it be tachnique or mentality. French said that Chavarin was born with a mental ability to fight on. “Most of the time it’s come down to her matches.” Chavarin has been in situations where she’s sweaty and dirty in an intense match, but the adrenaline keeps it from fazing her, nothing else matter when she is in a game. “I think having her have the experience of already being on a championship team will help her going into this year knowing what she has to do to help the team get to championships,” coach Markley said. It took four years of dedication to the squad to get to where she is now and she is planning to end her senior year with a bang.
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ Senior Jessica Chavarin performs a backhand during tennis practice while 2016 graduate Guadalupe Barbosa serves it to her.
8
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
News
The Stagg Line
09.09.16
Online interaction new to language classes
AngelVasquez
vText, textbooks that can be accessed online, have been introduced in all foreign language classes around campus. Students and teachers are discovering it is important to become familiar with this new technology. The new VText comes with an abundance of features such as the ability to do quizzes and tests online, the ability to message the teachers and peers, access to educational games, and much more. This year, there is a shortage of textbooks. Because of this, many students are not going to have a resource to do their classwork and homework. Although there is not an abundant amount of textbooks for all classes, there is enough Chromebooks for everyone to use. This is going to allow hassle free entry into the online program. Freshman Elijah Daniels sees the benefits with the program, but the initial start up to it tends to take a while and can be a bit difficult to grasp. “When we first started using the program, I felt as though it was hard to learn how to use it,” he said. “But now, I find it much easier.” As students and teachers begin to get hands on learning with the program, students say that it starts to become trouble-free and uncomplicated. The long startup is tiring and mundane. The taxing process can take up to 10 minutes of precious class time. Although the process is tedious and plodding at the moment, it should start to improve as students and teachers gain more of a familiarity with the program.
“
When we first started...I felt as though it was hard to learn how to use it.” ElijahDaniels Freshman
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARK WALDING Although the school is pushing for this transition to the vText, there are textbooks available for students to check out. Students and teachers must talk in order to deal with a situation where the student may not have access to the vText.
Year starts with crowded counseling office, classes PhillicityUriate-Jones As with every year, the first few days the counseling office is full of students eager to switch out of one class and into another. Yet this year, it was worse than normal. The same hustle and bustle followed after the first day of school, but without Head Counselor Chan Sam many students were left with schedules that either did not fit their needs or did not have classes assigned for certain periods. As he left for SECA during the summer, his position was left unfulfilled and therefore the work that would normally be his was not completed. The section of the alphabet Sam was responsible for was allotted to AVID counselor Kevin Oki. “It’s been much more hectic this year, because of this,” counselor Samantha Wirzberger said. As well as the standard amount of work each counselor has, this hiccup has lengthened their hours. Because of this, not every student will be catered to if they simply do not like a class. Students are seen and worked with based on the severity of their needs. “Not only are we down a whole counselor, but we also lack the person that is meant to unify us,” Wirzberger said Spending long hours working with issues in the master schedule while also considering students’ needs has taken a toll on the counselors, but with their hard work they were able to manage. Hours spent creating classes and relocating students takes away from dealing with the issues they would normally be spending time on at this time of the year. If you take a whole counselor away from that equation, let alone the head counselor, stress levels are extremely heightened. Now, a head counselor has been selected and will resume the
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ Counselor Kevin Oki, speaks to seniors Brenda Pelayo and Stephon Favella about this year's schedule. duties Sam had left behind. The A-B portion of the alphabet will now go to Maria Lepe. Lepe served as a counselor at Franklin, and has been in the district for even longer. She will be briefed on the students she will acquire as each one has different needs, and some will need her attention more than others. This counselor is welcome, but A-B students aren’t going to know that this changed happened unless they have to see MariaLepe their counselor for some reason or another, arrive at Oki’s door Head Counselor and then be redirected to Lepe’s office. Junior Richard Aguirre knew that Sam had left because he had schedule issues that needed to be fixed by Oki, but had no idea that Oki was only a temporary fix. Lepe is excited to be a part of the school not only because it’s a new beginning for her, but because she has roots in Stagg. “My son graduated from here in 1998. I have a soft spot for this school.”
WeeklyGallery Check out our website for galleries spotlighting the beginning of the year, senior sunrise, club rush and back to school night.
Spanish teacher Raquel Prado, looks forward to using this new technology with all her classes. “I’m excited to start teaching with the VText. There’s a lot of updated information that comes along with this program and I’m happy to be able to start introducing it.” Some seniors who have been taking a language class since freshman year find the transition to be beneficial. “Carrying books around is tiring, especially since we don’t have any lockers,” senior Jessica Eth said. ”The new online books help reduce paper waste, and also helps students avoid book fees for losing their textbooks.” Using VText requires access to the internet - and that is not a luxury that every student has access to outside of school. This can be seen as problematic, and may cause an interference with a student’s academics. But, the school provides reliable options such as the Homework Center and the use of Chromebooks to students. VText suddenly becomes much less troublesome and inconvenient for those without internet access. French teacher Deborah Berg believes as the 21st century is progressing, new technology is constantly being introduced to classes around the world. She believes that in order to be able to grasp this new upcoming technology and the concepts, students need to start practicing now. The new vText are a part of a new curriculum that is going to provide plenty of benefits to all students around campus. It is the wave of the future.
New classes highlight humans, creativity KevinGutierrez Four new classes have been introduced to the campus this school year: Literary Magazine, Humanities, PLUS, and Sports Psychology. Each of these classes offers a new and unique subject to the student body. Sport Psychology is self-explanatory. It focuses on how psychology differs in regard to sports and athletes. This class is more project-based than regular psychology class. Ryan Berg, the teacher, already assigned that every quarter students are required to see and write about how coaches interact with the players during a game. Students will learn how they can improve their athletic ability and excel in sports of their choosing by learning how social interactions with teammates and coaches can make a difference. They will be looking at sports in a deeper level instead of just seeing them as being an entertaining pastime. Senior Zack Reveille said, “this class will allow me to take a deeper look into sports and see sports differently.” Literary Magazine is quite different from a what someone may perceive as a traditional magazine. It is focused on literature and is made to show students’ talents in writing and art. Martin Bagnasco, teacher of this class, got the idea from a convention last year when he came
across some literary magazines. Bagnasco believed it would be a great addition to this school. He then spoke to Assistant Principal Richard Capello and requested for it to be a class. Capello granted his request and now a literary magazine will come out once a year. So far, they have established the title to the magazine, but the theme won’t follow the title like in a yearbook. The magazine will not be divided into sections but rather will be a mixture of writings and art. Senior Alyssa Martinez said, “Since it’s the first year there are no rules yet and we have so many decisions to make on what to do.” Although the Humanities class seems like it is about the human body or the way humans act, it is actually about the creative arts in every human. Students will look at art from the past and evaluate it. They will then try to find out what the artist wanted the piece to represent or what the message it was trying to convey. Susan Diohep, teacher of this class, believes this class will really help students expand their view on art and the history of art. Students already have made PowerPoints about what kind of art they are interested in. “Art is always going to be in your life no matter what,” Junior Jennifer Rodriguez said, “You can’t avoid art.”
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