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Problems will persist despite the recent rains
02.03.17
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207
Students cope differently with storms, drought EstefanyNunez
MatteoDanforth
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S STORMS CONTINUE to hit the West Coast, one question floods into the minds of Californians: is the drought over? The short answer is no. “The wet season is off to a good start,” said biology teacher Marcus Sherman, “but this is only the beginning.” Although there has been plenty of rain, there are other factors that determine whether California stays under emergency drought rules like snowpack, reservoir and groundwater levels. Because of these factors, according to Alex Breitler, environmental reporter for the Stockton Record, “it is very difficult to state that the drought is over.” Reservoir storage and most especially groundwater levels are critical issues for lawmakers and those that depend on water. During a drought, reservoir levels decrease, causing farmers and water providers to resort to pumping water from underground. Because users from across the state – especially those in southern California – depend on reservoir water, so much groundwater has been used that it’s become detrimental. “Groundwater can recharge, but as more is taken, the ‘tank’ gets smaller,” Sherman said. There is gradual recovery occurring. When periods of rain are followed by dry periods, water is able to seep back into the ground. National Public Radio has reported on farmers who are using this tactic to prevent sinkage caused by overdraft. With recent rain, current reservoir measurements from key sources like New Melones are also showing promise. According to data collected by the California Data Exchange Center, New Melones contains 967,925 acre feet of water, compared to 372,486 acre feet from this time last year. Data from all reservoirs across the state reflect similar improvements in water levels. Farmers, however, are always concerned with the cost of using water to irrigate their fields and the constant state of not knowing if there will be crop to harvest. English teacher Martin Bagnasco, whose family grew almonds, described farming as “a gamble. Some years are good and some years, not so much,” he said. Fellow english teacher Randall Pombo also has family members who are farmers and ranchers. Growing up on a farm in Tracy, he recalls how simple it was to pull water from the canals. “Now the demand is so high,” Pombo explains, and the state also has to worry about the rest of the population. For the average Californian, however, there
Vol. 60 No. 5
PHOTO BY ESTEFANY NUNEZ Freshman Catherine Gaines gets caught in the rain when walking from her third period to her fourth. Like some students, Gaines feels that the rain can cause issues getting between classes but sees it as a necessary evil. is one main concern: the cost. “People care when ler affirms that “Stockton isn’t in bad shape. We they pay,” Sherman said. In the past several years, have many sources of water that put the city in a Californians haven’t been paying the true cost of good spot.” Not only does Stockton draw water water. Because the drought created a water deficien- from New Hogan and New Melones reservoirs, but cy, along with conservation efforts by the state and Stocktonians now receive water straight from the citizens, water providers couldn’t charge as much Delta through the drinking water plant on Empire because customers haven’t been using that much. Tract. “State officials have eliminated required saving “It’s important to maintain conservation habpercentages,” Breitler said. “This means water pro- its,” Breitler said. Even though the drought’s effects viders can start charging more as citizens use more.” are lessening, it’s still vital that Californians continIn order to counteract the loss in revenue due to ue to cut back on water usage. These measures, esdecreased consumption, Stockton officials have ap- pecially when the wet season doesn’t bring enough proved an 18 percent water rate increase. rain to sustain demand, significantly soften the Despite the hard truth of the drought, Breit- blow of future droughts.
At the beginning of last school year, students were greeted with large banners that claimed that Stockton Unified School District has saved tons of gallons of water. The drought was an issue that weighed over students for years. Still today, whethbrought up in a class or caught on television, students’ interest in the matter remains minimal. Without the general interest in the subject, the lack of concern in the drought is inevitable. Teenagers nonetheless may be participating in conserving water without them knowing it. Sophomore Oleedia Harris has had a water filter on her faucet for as long as she can remember. This saves her family money by not wasting money or water on water bottles. “I drink tap filter water because it’s not doing something so big, it’s like small but it still helps the earth,” she said. “It’s not only healthier to drink but it tastes better.” The new year has brought a lot of storms with it. North California received 20 inches of rain resulted in the United States’ government’s Drought Monitor declaring Northern California drought free. “I know we got a couple of inches of water, but like I know some people, even with the drought, are still taking 30 minute showers,” said junior Jacob Franco. Franco was aware that California’s recent storms helped minimize the drought but wasn’t completely aware whether the drought was over. “It’s not that people don’t care, it’s just that people have this belief that this problem doesn’t affect them because they believe droughts come and go.” Senior Darius Hartley agrees that there is a general lack of interest over saving the water. “I know I’m not the only one taking taking 30 minute showers,” he said. Despite the bad habit he’s been trying to get out of, he believes that young people are not well informed about the drought. “People honestly forget. It’s not really brought up.” Contrary to popular belief, there are some students that are taking the extra mile in order to conserve water. Senior Brooklyn Slaughter attempts to be more eco-friendly in her household. Whenever showers are taken or the kitchen faucet is used, bowls are put underneath the faucet to collect any fallen water that is used to water plants or the front yard. When it rains, Slaughter’s family leaves empty bins and pots outside her home to collect water from the sky. Her family started doing this since she made the move from Lodi to Stockton. “It’s expensive to turn on the sprinklers,” she said. She believes it’s a simple way to save money that can benefit more than the bank account. “All I hear around campus is that people hate the rain but it helps the earth,” Slaughter said.
Climate change policy to shift with new administration StephanieMatsumoto
Floods, rising sea levels, and extreme heat conditions are some of the effects that have been happening due to the earth getting warmer. This is because levels of heat-trapping gases are rising because of climate change. The topic of changing climates has been long debated and the fate of how to prevent it from getting worse depends on those who don’t believe in it, including the new president and his cabinet. The fact that President Trump does not agree with human-caused climate change is also reflected by his choices for the head of the EPA and lead of the Energy Department, Scott Pruitt and Rick Perry respectively. Both men were known to be climate change denialists yet have since
changed their minds since being selected for their respective chairs. While Perry has said in his 2010 pre-campaign book, “Fed Up!” that the science behind climate change was a “contrived, phony mess,” he has since changed his opinion to that of, “climate is changing,” Perry said. “I believe some of it is natural occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity.” Pruitt has also backtracked his former opinion, acknowledging that human activity has some role in changing climates. Samuel Cornelison, a senior, says that climate change needs to be acknowledged by politicians, especially Trump, so changes can be made before it gets worse. “Some politicians don’t trust the science and sure there’s a bit of
misinformation and exaggeration on media platforms, but there’s facts too.” The impact it has had and could continue to have on California isn’t all an exaggeration or a myth, however. According to California Department of Water Resources, the snow built up on mountains during rainy winters can provide up to a third of California’s water supply. Yet, due to warmer temperatures, that water will become harder to store and use. It’s expected that, “By the end of this century, the Sierra snowpack is projected to experience a 48-65 percent loss from the historical April 1st average.” This can impact the population that is expected to exceed 50 million by just 2040.
Pre-registration
Scholly scholarships
ASVAB test date
Current freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be registering for classes Feb. 8-24 in the library during their English classes. Students should meet with the counselors to prepare for picking classes for the 20172018 school year.
The mayor’s office and SUSD have partnered with Scholly to provide students with premium access to the financial aid app. Visit https://app.myscholly. com/reinventstockton to create an account. Registration is open until June 1.
Students who registered for the ASVAB will be testing on Thursday, Feb 9. For underclassmen who did not register for this test, there will be more opportunities in the next school year.
Bottom Line
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Plans are being made to prevent the changing climate from getting worse. On Jan. 20, the same day as the inauguration of President Trump, California made a plan to fight. The plan outlines the objective as to how the state will cut the output of heat-trapping greenhouse emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. To Serina Sieng, a sophomore, laws like this are important to bring a better future not just for California, but the whole nation. “I do believe that these issues will become worse over time.“ Sieng said. “But if we continue to set laws on how much water we use and other problems, we could help stall the changing climates and this drought.“
The climate is changing, and human activity contributes to that in some manner.” ScottPruitt EPA administrator nominee
PHOTOS FROM CREATIVE COMMONS
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The idea that we would put Americans’ economy in jeopardy based on scientific theory that’s not settled yet, to me, is just nonsense.” RickPerry Energy secretary nominee
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Opinion
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
STAFF EDITORIAL
02.03.17
The Stagg Line
New leaders bring drastic changes
While there has been a massive negative response to new administration on a national scale, local level shows promise
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fter Nov. 8, Stockton was affected by two notable new elected officials were met with starkly different reactions. After that day, it was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. Under the Trump administration, many people are wary of the way things will pan out, especially for citizens of lower socioeconomic status. His policies would affect many Stocktonians, including students. Reaction to talk of the wall proposed to be built on the U.S.-Mexico border has shocked our large Mexican population. What will happen to their families, what will happen to the students themselves? The possible repeal of Obamacare has scared the millions of people that depend on it. How will these people afford to take care of themselves and their families? The banning of entry to the U.S. from Muslim majority countries separates people from their loved ones. These are acts of isolation and hatred, of gross ignorance. The wellbeing of the people seems to be ignored, and the personal aspect of politics is disregarded. We are in a time where new administration has presented unwelcome and drastic changes. However, change can also open the doors to improve-
More women should fight for their rights S itting in my AP U.S history class learning about all the rights women fought for makes me think about how much has changed since 1848. That year was when the Declaration of Sentiments was signed. It listed all the rights that women wanted and was signed by 100 women. But those 100 women fought together. Nearly 170 years later, women are still working together today, but unfortunately they are also fighting again teach other. The day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, women all across the world marched for their rights to be heard. Women all across the world marched so that our new president knows that he can’t take our rights away, and that “women’s rights are human rights.” According to Women’s March, all these women had come together to march for many reasons. They were marching to promote women’s rights, immigration reform, LGBT rights, work rights, and environmental causes. These women were marching to have a voice and to be heard just like how they were 170 years ago. The sad thing is, not all women are for this march. According to Vox throughout 500 U.S cities alone there were 3.3million women who
participated in the women’s march. Not all women wanted to march for the same reasons such as, pro-choice, LGBT rights, immigration rights, and work rights. The same reasons women have been marching for the past 100 years. I understand that some women don’t agree on the same things as others, but it doesn’t mean you should go against the march as a whole, and not support it. March for what you believe in while still supporting this great cause. Don’t sit back and call yourself a feminist and say you stand for women’s rights if you don’t go out and do something that’s engaging in helping women’s rights. For example, Taylor Swift a well known feminist says she’s all for women’s rights, but on the day of the march she tweeted about it, but didn’t actually go out and march. You can’t say you want such and such rights for women, but when a bunch of people are marching for that right you don’t go out and march with them. Yet, instead the people who judge the march the most sit back and say nothing and refuse to march. There are users on Twitter who are saying women are left in the dust and aren’t being treated fairly when it comes to abortion, gay rights, birth control, race and so on. Yet instead of going
ready made a strong impact on the city before taking office by heading projects such as the Reinvent South Stockton movement that work in partnership with many other organizations. He has also shown a concern for students. By working in partnership with Stockton Unified School District he has sponsored a scholarship app named “Scholly” for Stockton students. Any high school student in SUSD has been given a tool to make a trying time in life a bit easier. Tubbs wants to target “hot zones,” areas high in crime, and make them “job creation zones” by sending the proper resources to create improvement. What does that say for the rest of America? The current president thinks the most logical solution to terrorism is to directly bar movement between us and them. Whereas Trump responds to controSCREENCAP FROM JEFFERSON LEIVA’S VIDEO versy by dividing, Tubbs responds by unifying. ON STAGONLINE.NET We are hopeful. Tubbs has shown a genuine interest ment. in the wellbeing of not only Stockton’s economy but in The new administration in Stockton is not only welStocktonians themselves. come but celebrated. Due to the reputation of Stockton’s There is a personal aspect being considered that seems previous mayor, Anthony Silva, the stark contrast of mayor neglected on a national scale. Tubbs is a true example of Michael Tubbs is refreshing and invigorating. He has alwhat honest work meant to improve a society looks like.
No plays in drama class reflects student apathy I SaraAbdeltawab
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These women were marching to have a voice and to be heard, just like how they were 170 years ago.”
out and doing something about it they sit back complaining and calling the march “dumb,” and “uncalled for.” I know people personally who will tweet their opinions on feminism, but when it comes to actually doing something about it they are very much against it. How could you go against something that’s going to benefit your nieces, sisters, or even your future daughter? I understand that some of the things women say and write on their posters when their marching is sometimes disturbing and can be taken in the wrong way, but that doesn’t justify bashing their purpose. I’m not hurt at the fact that not all women participated in the Women’s March. I’m hurt that so many were against it.
t all started seventh grade. As I was looking for what courses to take as a middle schooler, one of the classes that immediately caught my eye was drama. My interest in drama and acting commenced then. Memorizing lines, creating my own monologues, feeling nervous while performing in front of others, acting out skits: these things are what made me love drama. Until I hit high school. Pursuing my interest, I chose drama my sophomore year. With an open mind I walked into the room and noticed it was more than just drama. It was mayhem. Students were dispersed all over the room. It was far from a drama class. I felt like only a couple of students were taking this class seriously. When drama class came along, for too many students it was just another period to waste. I must clarify it was not the teacher, but it was the individuals that were apathetic towards this class. Which disappointed me every time I would step into that class. To mention, the teacher never abandoned us, it was the opposite. Pushing and encouraging students to perform but what was received were laughs, disrespect and drama that was not needed in class. I pity the teacher that has to face this everyday. It wasn’t its fault, it was the students’. Despite the daily disrespect
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.
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 ErnestoHarwell TristenTucker AlbertoValencia AaronVang AngelVasquez MarkWalding
StephanieJimenez from students that the teacher goes through, there was still an attempt to keep this class alive. Monologues were performed, auditions took place and even a production was done but this only applied to a few. Because only a few students actually wanted to participate, plans were cancelled. That of course affected us who were excited for the production. I was lucky I was surrounded by others that shared the same passion for this art. But when junior year came along, my interest and hope for this class decreased. Auditions have taken place but it led nowhere. Meaning, the play that was planned was shortly canceled. The majority of students showed no interest. In a class of 20 and more students, nearly half of them are willing to participate in these activities. I truly believe it is quite
disrespectful for others to ruin a class for the rest that care for it. Only the dedicated and devoted students should be a part of it. Otherwise, it’s a bad ending for all. Plays being canceled, and seeing the class turn into a lost cause made me realize drama was over for me. It upsets me drama is seen as class to just waste time in. Numerous students like myself enjoy this performing art and having it taken away because others do not want to cooperate or participate is pathetic. Although drama is over for me in high school, I plan to pursue my interest outside of school. Unless the program shakes off its reputation and begins to be the program it’s supposed to be. Which I hope. Drama is more than just a class, it’s an art. It should be treated as that.
EDITORS PhillicityUriarte-Jones editor-in-chief MatteoDanforth news editor StephanieMatsumoto opinion editor EstefanyNunez features editor JuliaRosete entertainment editor SaraAbdeltawab 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
02.03.17
Opinion
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Transgender politician sets new standards I n the Philippines, a country that is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, LGBT+ is a subject of ridicule for many of the citizens. It is something in that culture that is scorned and seen as unnatural, leaving those who identify as LGBT to feel insecure and keep their sexuality or gender hidden from relatives or friends for fear of being discriminated against. However, Geraldine Roman was recently elected, winning in a landslide, as the representative of the 1st District of Bataan. She is the first openly transgender politician elected to the Congress of the Philippines and has taken the seat that was previously held by her mother. It’s a proud moment in history for the citizens and the people around the world. It’s often difficult to be proud of something that’s seen as wrong and/or when role models are lacking, but with someone to look up to, someone who has gone through the same troubles as you, it becomes easier to accept yourself, and find others in similar situations that have become successful and overcome their troubles. Roman is a beacon of hope and inspiration for many who have thought that their dreams were impossible because they were LGBT+. Since the beginning of her career, Roman has been fighting for LGBT+ rights and promised to tackle the rigid gender laws in her country, for example the ban made in 2001 that still prevents people from changing their gender. With a transgender person in Congress, it’s practically a guarantee that there is someone who understands
Why don’t we have dances like other schools?
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The Stagg Line
I don’t know. Our school is just lazy. Let’s just go to that party instead.
Dance officially
D E L L E ANC
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Not enough people signed up
LeslieCoronado what the troubles of being LGBT are, and someone who will fight for their rights. Roman being elected also means that the Philippines is moving past the idea that “gay is wrong” and are choosing people based on their abilities, not their bodies or preferences. A person shouldn’t be chosen or judged by their physical appearance or preferences. I fully support Roman and am proud that despite all the troubles she went through, she persevered and followed in her parent’s footsteps. I am also proud of the voters of the Philippines for maturing as a society and picking a person based on their policies, instead of superficial things. I hope that in the future there will be more LGBT politicians in not just the Philippines but in the United States as well. We have plenty of room to grow here, since we aren’t burdened by the same restrictions that face the Philippines, as do plenty of other places. I hope that the rest of the world can look to them as an example and learn to evolve and accept.
ART BY JULIA ROSETE AND STEPHANIE MATSUMOTO
With pride comes participation
Having formals, rallies, and other school events depends on students actively going to them and showing school spirit
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Congresswoman Geraldine Roman, the first transgender woman elected to Congress in the Philippines, delivers keynote address at Asia Society’s Diversity Leadership Forum in New York on June 10, 2016.
igh school, the place stereotyped by teen for more events that will continuously be cut. movies to be a time to meet new friends Dances are something that you can look back on and make memories that will last you a years from now and remember fondly. lifetime. Most movies would have you believe that When my mom tells me stories of what it all high schools are the same, full of school rallies, was like when she attended Stagg, it sounds dances, and spirit filled sports games throughout like she went to a different school than the one the year to attend with the people you have I am currently attending. She remembers her bonded with. high school days not because of relationship or Sadly, though it shouldn’t be a big secret to friendship drama or fights between students, but students, our school lacks a lot of these ideas that because of the spirit everyone on campus had. make high school memorable. The way she describes it, students walked For the past two and a half years, voices I’ve through the halls with something more than pride. heard in the halls express discontent with how It was like brown and gold blood pumped through Stagg isn’t “fun” and how it’s “boring.” Some students’ veins. Everyone went to all the rallies and complain that we have no school spirit, that there dances, and homecoming and prom weren’t the JuliaRosete is nothing at Stagg that makes it different. only ones. To those people who question why our school At the same time, one thing that is a difference seems this way, I would ask you to ask yourselves in the times is something quite major: technology. a few questions. Weekends are spent not going out with friends but Why do you think Stagg is dull? If the rather staying in and staring mindlessly at phones, answer is that no events are ever happening, then computers, and tablets. please listen to the bulletin during fourth period Our generation considers watching a YouTube on Mondays. Two students from ASB not only video more fun than meeting friends to hang remind you of the fact that the Homework Center out at the mall or go eat in many cases. While is open on certain days after school, but they also I cannot say that I have not done this before, it tell everyone about all the home sports games doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t rather be out doing for the week and who it will be against. Students something. flock to football or basketball and practically leave It’s strange that since my mom graduated high most other sports in the dust. school, the addition of a piece of technology has When the soccer team has a home game, the practically replaced our sense of social interaction bleachers are almost bare, filled by a few parents, with people we call our best friends. We would some students, and the varsity team waiting for rather sit at home texting our friends about how halftime of the JV game to start warming up. It’s bored we are than get up and do something about a rather stark contrast to those same bleachers it. during the fall when football is in season. It makes me envious that she got the real Keeping all this in mind, what is your idea stereotypical high school experience, but rather of fun? If having a dance or rally is what you think of, then when than be envious, I want to be able to do the same thing she is doing they announce the next dance, save money for a ticket. From what now in the future. has been announced price wise, tickets are only about $5, with Let high school be something to remember fondly and look the exception of prom. The running theme with dances seems to back on with a smile. No matter what other people are doing, be them ending with only a handful of people buying tickets and have school spirit. Go to the dances that you and your friends can ultimately cancellation. experience while others act like they are too cool to go. Attend sports It all depends on a few different factors, though. The main one, games that not everyone else might not be at. though, is student involvement. There’s not much point on pushing Don’t let anything stop you from having Stagg pride inside.
roper sexual education in schools is absurd. Not enough is being done to educate people about sex. In October 2015, a sexual education law was passed that combined HIV prevention and basic sexual health education. This law requires these classes to be medically accurate and not promoting any kind of religious beliefs. It also requires the teaching of different sexual orientations and same sex couples. The law states that contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, gender identity, sexual assault, relationship abuse, and sex trafficking must be covered in instruction. Classes like these are provided at Stagg through a twoday instruction during physical education class, and through the voluntary “Be Proud Be Responsible” program. Parents still have the option to excuse their child
likely to deal with pregnancy. This just goes to show how important it is to teach teens about safe sex; whether it’s safe sex or pregnancy prevention being taught, all of these issues must be dealt with in an educational setting. One solution to avoid HIV and pregnancy that I usually hear is abstinence. Although abstinence is perhaps the only way to be completely “safe”, one thing is certain— sex is inevitable. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 70 percent of U.S. teens report having sex by the age of 19. Abstinence isn’t the only way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Quite frankly that’s an ignorant way of thinking; sex among teens isn’t uncommon. Instead of pushing abstinence on them, they should be taught safe practices.
ROMAN AT 2016 DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP FORUM BY ELLEN WALLOP (CC BY-ND)
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Why do you think Stagg is dull? If the answer is that no events are ever happening, then please listen to the bulletin during fourth period on Mondays.”
Sex education should be necessary in schools P
AngelVasquez from taking the class. Sexual education classes should be a required class in the curriculum for everyone to take. The National Survey of Family Growth studies the impact of sexual education being taught to youth ages 15-19, and discovered that teens who received comprehensive sexual education were 50 percent less
Sexual education isn’t just about having sex. Proper sexual education should cover subjects like consent, an individual’s sexuality, and complete coverage of sexually transmitted diseases. If the only thing being taught is how to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancy, students and teachers are having incomplete conversations. What needs to be done is the normalization of sex and sexuality, teaching consent regarding sexual and nonsexual encounters, and education on many other subjects that don’t necessarily revolve around sexual intercourse. Stagg should offer more than a two day instruction in a physical education class, and the “Be Proud Be Responsible” program should be mandatory. Not enough is being done to educate teens about sex and being safe. It’s time to start teaching teens how to be safe rather than pretending sex doesn’t happen.
ART BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ
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Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Features
02.03.17
The Stagg Line
Snowboarders enjoy slopes in Squaw Valley StephanieJimenez
Some people enjoy summer, others enjoy winter. Summer: time to go outside, to wear tank tops and shorts, to go swimming and enjoy the sun. On the contrary, during the winter one wants to be stay in and avoid the cold. Activities may be different but that doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy the winter. And those who want to enjoy winter should go to G-4 on Wednesdays to be part of the Snowboarding Club. It all began eight years ago. After all of its year on campus, it still haven’t been discovered by many students. Advisor Ron Tankersley admits it was really difficult to organize trips this year. The first trip that was scheduled was unfortunately cancelled. “Parents were worried students were going too far,” Tankersley said.
A lot of paperwork had to be done in order for students to go to Squaw Valley, a trip planned for Sunday, Jan. 29. As Squaw Valley is only two hours away from Stockton, members were required to pay only $30 to cover the expenses for equipment, direct instruction, training and lessons. “I only ask students for the minimum. The money asked covers their breakfast and gas money,” Tankersley said. Despite the small amount of money, a sport like snowboarding is considered expensive and exclusive. “Snowboarding is just like golf. It’s expensive and only a few do it.” But that doesn’t stop the club from participating. Tankersley sees this club as a great way to allow students experience what Stockton doesn’t have. “A lot of students don’t have access to the snow. It changes lives, it’s like another world,” he said. Tankersley admits it brings tears to his eyes that he’s providing this to students. “I’ve snowboarded my entire life, so sharing this with students brings me happiness!” First year member and president senior Joel Castillo is thank-
ful to be part of this club. “It’s just for the memories,” Castillo said. For it being his last year of high school he wanted to be exposed to a new environment which this club provides. “I’m very thankful that Tankersley and Shaw take the time to come with us.” Castillo says snowboarding is one of the most difficult sports he has tried. “Although I fell down a few times, I realized it was so sick. I couldn’t wait to get the hang of it.” Sophomore Giovanna Lovato-Batto also joined this year and agrees with Castillo. “I had Mr. Shaw’s class and he introduced it to me and my best friend.” Having prior experience with skiing Lovato-Batto realized it wasn’t going to be as difficult for her. “I guess it just comes naturally to me,” she said. Adventure and thrill is what comes to mind when she thinks of Snowboarding Club. Her favorite part was sitting on the lifts and seeing the view surrounding her. “I feel like not a lot of students know about this club. A lot more people should do it because it’s a fun experience overall.”
Senior Juan Thunander, another member that went to Squaw Valley, said having a background of skateboarding benefited him in this sport. “Balancing myself is something I can do, thanks to skateboarding,” he said. With all the difficulties one has to face when snowboarding, Thunander had to deal with the speed he was taking and trying to stop. “You have to 90 degrees yourself a certain way and lean backwards. The more you lean back, the more you decrease your speed,” he said. Another thing was being able to walk. Students having to strap up the board onto themselves can be a bit awkward, as Thunander explains. “Every time you move your feet the board goes with you. However you fall the board follows you.” Instead of falling he flipped several times. “Man I didn’t know the snow was that hard. After our trip I felt like I was hit by a car literally.” Despite the body ache, he believes it was all worth it. “Money well spent, time well spent. It doesn’t get better than that. I would recommend this club to anybody.”
PHOTOS BY MARK WALDING AND PHOTO COURTESY OF GIOVANNA LOVATO-BATTO (Top left and bottom right) Senior Joel Castillo, dressed in black, and senior Juan Thunander, dressed in white, ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain. At the end of the lift, they attempted to get used to the snowboards but were caught off balance. (Bottom left) Sophomore Giovanna Lovato-Batto and freshman Amanda Pesetti pose together in the ski gear they rented through the club.
Khan learns to wrestle with injuries Sophomore builds endurance after dealing with back issues all her life
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of five years. For the next two months after the operation, Khan went JuliaRosete At just 8 years old, Jasmine Khan remembers experiencing minor back pain. When she told her moth- to physical therapy to work on being able to move her back again. er about it, she passed it off as most likely being due to a growth spurt. She said the first month was the hardest, unable to bend her back Little did Khan or her family know that these small pains at the time would at all and having to get help from her family to put her clothes on and be caused by something much bigger. even get out of the car when she arrived at school. For the next four years, Khan said she received remarks from her class “I have two bars in my back, and I can’t move the same way that mates, commenting on how her back looked strange, abnormal even. I usually did,” she said. “I’d never really thought about it,” the sophomore said. For a while, Khan questioned how the rest of her life “I just remember thinking ‘it’s just my back,’ but apparently would be changed from this surgery. She thought that once it really wasn’t normal.” her surgery was over, she would have no more pain, and During those next four years, however, the pain became no one would ever make comments about her back much more intense and less bearable every day. Seventh again. grade was the year when it had reached its absolute “I thought it was just gonna be like ‘okay worst. back to normal,’ but it was very weird,” she The pain became so awful to the point that said. “The first time I walked, I was all wobKhan said her aunt took her to the hospital, bly. It was crazy.” where doctors told her some rather hard to Now, after four years, Khan is no longer in pain and surpassing anyone’s swallow news. idea of what she was capable of. She would have to undergo surgery She is part of the drum line as one of the bass drum players and wreson her back because she had scoliosis, a tles. “In joining drum line, I was kind of skeptical because I was kind of condition that causes a sideways curvanervous,” Khan said. “What if I hurt my back again? ture of the spine. But once I put the bass on, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it Her case in particular was very sewould be.” vere, with her spine almost completely When it comes to wrestling, her mother was strongly against curving to form an “S” shape which creher being on the team, not wanting her to even take a chance at ated two noticeable lumps on the upper hurting her back again. “When she told me that, I just felt kind of right and lower left area of her back. useless because I felt like I couldn’t do anything.” Doctors didn’t know whether she had Khan, however, has not let this set her back from continuing been born with it or if she developed it when to do what she loves. Since her surgery, she has made strides every she was younger. day in improving her back muscle. Regardless, she said the doctors had to “I lost a lot of muscle in my back because I had to quit working act quickly. out,” Khan said. “I didn’t want to take a screw out and pull The idea of surgery wasn’t easy to something and start everything over.” hear at the time. “The nurse took me While the initial problem her mother worried about to the back where all these computers was her back, when wrestling at a tournament on are and shows me the x-ray of my back, Jan 21, she broke her arm, putting her out for the Jasmine Khan (left) in the and I just started crying,” Khan said. rest of the season. middle of a match with an “I had no idea it was so bad, and Despite being injured, all Khan can Enochs wrestler. This photo looking at it was just so scary.” do is sit on the sides, cheering her teamwas taken seconds before The surgery she had two titanimates on and thinking about what falling and breaking her arm. um rods bolted into her back, with next season holds for her. PHOTO BY ANGEL the recovery process taking a total VASQUEZ
The pain became so awful that Khan said her aunt took her to the hospital, where doctors told her some hard news to swallow.”
02.03.17
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Features
5
The Stagg Line
Lights, camera... no action in drama AmberlyButler
PHOTO BY SARA ABDELTAWAB Ray McLaughlin (left) helps run the snackbar with other friends and family. They each have worked at about three games a week, for both boys and girls basketball since the season has started.
Booster Club has roots in family SaraAbdeltawab
Hot cheetos with cheese, sour or regular skittles, what kind of drink? These are the phrases Booster Club volunteers, Ray McLaughlin and Raymond Jones hear at different sporting events they work at throughout the season. Through the fall season selling snacks for football. Through the winter selling snacks for basketball and ending the spring selling snacks for baseball and softball. These group of friends never seem to get tired of doing what they do best. Freshman Amanda Pesetti, who was asked to help run the snack bar by her aunt and uncle, has helped from time to time throughout the year. It’s nothing new to her. She says she didn’t really mind helping because it’s helped her become less of a shy person. “Before I didn’t really talk much to people,” Pesetti said. “But now it’s easier for me to associate with others without getting nervous.” Pesetti says she doesn’t real-
ly mind helping out around the snackbar when help is needed, but it could get tiring at times. McLaughlin, who became a part of the Booster Club through knowing the president of the club , says it isn’t much of a family run business but more of just a group of friends supporting school athletics. “None of the money we raise goes to us,” McLaughlin said. “All the money we raise here goes to the sports.” McLaughlin goes onto say he got into helping with running the snack bar because his children Sarah and Ryan Mclaughlin used to play sports here. Jones says the booster club also does other events such as the crab feed to raise money for school sports as well as bingo nights. On the side Jones and McLaughlin say they sell fireworks too. “All the money we raise pays for all the sports not just the sports we work the snackbar for,” Jones said. Throughout the year Jones and McLaughlin have worked 60
plus events so far just on sports alone. The money also pays for tournament cost for wrestling, tables, mats, a new softball pitching machine and scoreboards as well. “The only thing we won’t pay for are uniforms,” McLaughlin said. “But everything else from stereos for cheer to chairs for the athletic department, we pay for.” One of the biggest things the booster club help with are scholarships. “We’re the only booster club who gives away scholarship money for athletes,” McLaughlin said. He goes onto say that at the end of the year coaches will pick athletes deserving of a scholarship,. The Booster Club gives them $500 each. Since the club started, they have given away $170,000 in scholarship money to athletes. “We do it for the kids,” Jones said. “We may get tired sometimes but it’s all for the kids.”
“This is just the beginning” said former student Parker Spurlin, in an interview last year. He was describing his new acting class, just after performing at U.C. Davis. At the time, it was drama teacher Marc Glassberg’s second year teaching at Stagg, and the drama and acting program was seemingly overflowing with potential. Now, halfway through the school year, has the program fulfilled that potential? Last year, Glassberg took his acting class to U.C. Davis where the students took to the stage and were able to see what it was really like to act in a professional setting. This year, students report the class has been slowing down, and has been turning its hands-on experience into a more curriculum-oriented setting. Junior Celeste Castro talked about how the past years have compared. She has been a student in his class since her freshman year, which just so happened to be Glassberg’s first year as well. She talked about how she joined the class because it was able to “expand (her) horizons.” To her, “Glassberg became an inspiration, and taught (her) to open up… but this year things are more of a review, we don’t do nearly as much, if any plays.” She also said that “instead of plays, we’ve worked more on diction and watching other people perform.” Senior Raymond Taylor, who has also been in the acting class for several years, has noticed the gradual changes throughout the years as well. He agreed with Castro, saying “this class has definitely changed… we watch a lot of movies, and plays, but don’t really perform as much.”
On the other hand, he did say that they “focus more on different types of acting, techniques and scenarios.” The class as a whole has worked on two plays so far, “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Clue.” Both of them never went live, though students spent about two months working on each. The class as a whole met and decided that both plays were not going to be ready by their performance dates. Taylor mentioned that “this was the moment things really started to slow down.” The Acting and Drama Club seems to be where a majority of the returning actors have gone in place of the class, because it isn’t curriculum based and students are able to produce the plays themselves. They plan to go on “tour” around different elementary schools in the Stockton Unified School District and perform. In previous years, their productions consist of plays like “The Breakfast Club” and “A Cinderalla Story.” The play will be a compilation of different classics, like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Frankenstein,” called “Crumpled Classics”. However, after a somewhat sluggish first semester, students insist that performances are still planned for this year. Castro believes that “This year we’ve had kind of a downfall, because of all the plays being cancelled, but we are definitely working our way back up,” now that they have been back to working on another performance. She believes that they can put the class back into the more “hands on” class it used to be now that they have been working on another play that might take place this spring.
PHOTO BY AMBERLY BUTLER Junior Celeste Castro (left) and senior Raymond Taylor (right) act out an excerpt from Drama Club’s upcoming play “Crumpled Classics” in their sixth period Acting class.
Student workers balance school, jobs LeslieCoronado
It may be a common image to see a high schooler behind the counter of a fast food restaurant, but the truth is that it’s difficult to manage so many things in a single day, week, or even month. Six hours of school, an hour or two for homework, and for many another two hours for practice, how could any one person fit another four hours of working into their day? That feeling of being overwhelmed is common to high school students. It can be hard to balance out, even more so when the students themselves have one or more jobs. Joel Castillo, a senior, works two jobs, one at the Stockton Golf and Country Club as a salad boy and another one at Domo, the Japanese sushi grill and bar, as a waiter. He works Tuesday through Thursday, from 5 to 9:30-10:30 at the country club. At the sushi grill and bar, he works Fridays, Saturdays, and the occasional Sunday from 4:30 to 10:00. It seems like a lot of work to handle and he
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often feels the stress of it. “Sometimes I just want to forget about everything and stuff, but growing up not having anything financially makes you want to be able to support yourself,” Castillo said. However, since both of his jobs are more on the lenient side he often has time to work on homework and other school related assignments. “I’ve been doing this since my sophomore year and if anything I feel like my grades have been getting better,” Castillo said. Elizabeth Santana also works two jobs, one at Rita’s, an Italian ice cream parlor, and a real estate company owned by her parents. She works every day, four hours, for the office. Then at Rita’s, she only works only once or twice a week, at 7 to 11 p.m., because it’s the winter season and business is slow. “Since I have four classes now and I’m a senior, I’m on track and am not usually overwhelmed,” Santana said. “I did have to balance at first, because I did wa-
Every job I have had so far involves interacting with people which will help me move ahead in my future.” BrianaLedesma Senior
ter polo, but I quit soccer this year because I wanted to work more.” Students with jobs enjoy having the opportunity to work for themselves and support themselves with the money they earn. The money is spent on helping pay bills for family, buying things for themselves, or saving for college. However, for those who are busier in life, a job is not recommended. “If you can’t manage, then why overwhelm yourself?” Santana said. It does add more to a person’s day and requires time for the job itself and time for school work. There may be some days where you would have to put one over the other so that requires sacrifice. It can also be draining to one’s day and can cost a lot of energy. So before racing to get a job, it would be important to consider the classes one takes and their schedule. However, having a job can help people in many respects and has rewarding effects, such as: money, experience for later in life, improving grades, and
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I like working, especially with customers and I like knowing that I’m saving up money for college.” HugoVirrueta Senior
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Sometimes I just want to forget about everything... but growing up not having anything financially makes you want to be able to support yourself.” JoelCastillo Senior
helping a student manage their time more wisely. It does have its downsides, such as feeling overwhelmed by all the work needed to get done, and getting stressed out, but is easily fixed with good time management. “It’s all about managing your time,” Castillo said. “You just have to put your priorities straight.”
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It feels good to be less reliant on my parents. Gaining work experience has taught me to be more responsible and mature.” AlanahJohnson Senior
PHOTOS BY ALBERTO VALENCIA AND ERNESTO HARWELL
6
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Entertainment
‘CRITICS CALLED IT...’
Teens prefer entertainment not held up to the standards of what highly-acclaimed critics watch
SaraAbdeltawab
The laughs, the tears, the screams, the bad reviews and the good ones. But, regardless of what a review says, does any one person really know how a movie is unless they see it themselves? Movies cost a lot to produce and take months to film, but wouldn’t you think with all the time being put into a movie it would at least come out to be good? Or at least live up to its five out of five review. This isn’t to bash on any movie, because there are some movies that do live up to the reviews movie critics give them, but then there are those that don’t. Tyler Perry, who happens to be a talented director and actor of comedies, recently came out with the latest movie following in his Madea series, “Boo: A Madea’s Halloween.” Now, I had set a high bar for this movie because a lot of Tyler Perry’s Madea movies always leave me laughing, but this one kind of just left me disappointed. Yet, just because I set a high expectation for the movie doesn’t mean critics did the same. Tyler Perry movies are movies you would expect teens to watch because those movies are humorous and catch their attention easily. As for a movie like “Spotlight,” Academy Award winner for Best Picture 2015, I highly doubt you would find a 13 year old that is extremely interested in watching a movie about journalism and exposing the truth through the written word. But those are the type of movies that movie critics pay attention to, the type they tell you to watch and give the best ratings to. Yet, they’re suggesting younger kids watch a movie that isn’t very much appropriate for them. They pay attention to the movies that have a bigger message behind it and are meaningful.
The Stagg Line
02.03.17
‘Split’ reaction for new horror flick with rather revealing trailer MariaCastillo
GRAPHIC BY ALBERTO VALENCIA AND AMBERLY BUTLER “Zootopia” is an animated kids movie according to Metacritic, and it received a rating of 78 out of 100. This is an example of a movie critics enjoyed and thought others would enjoy too. Most reviews written by professional critics are for movies that they think other people will enjoy, but a lot of the movies aren’t always what people expect. Let’s take “12 Years of Slave” as an example, a film based on the true events about the life of a slave in the 1800s.
It was an amazing movie, but unless you have the “adult” mindset, you won’t enjoy it. There aren’t many action movies or comedies that make the list for best picture because those movies don’t fit the criteria for movie critic’s taste in movies. “La La Land” is a movie I would have never found myself watching, but it has gained many reviews and awards for different categories, so I decided to see what all the hype was about. When I tell you this movie was filled with so much light and
appealing imagery, take my word for it because it deserved all the good reviews. But some teenagers wouldn’t think that, due to the fact that it doesn’t live up to the gory action and violence most of them enjoy. Not every movie Rolling Stone gives five stars means teens are going to give five stars to also, but unless you ignore the reviews and see it for yourself you’ll never really know how good or bad a movie really is.
Every movie trailer risks revealing too much of the plot, and “Split,” directed by M. Night Shyamalan, isn’t any different. This movie turns out to be great, but I do feel as if the trailer gives most of the intriguing moments of the movie away. I was disappointed by this because I already knew what was going to happen in certain parts which took away the surprise. Kevin Wendell Crumb, played by James McAvoy, suffers from dissociative identity disorder, a disorder that causes a person to have multiple, distinct personalities. As a child, Kevin was left by his father and later violently abused by his mother. In order to avoid the pain he felt, he created 23 distinct personalities. Kevin not only has a psychological change in each switch but a physical one as well. One personality can have obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, and the other could need insulin shots. The film only introduces the viewers to four of the personalities, which are Dennis, Patricia, Hedwig, and Barry. Dennis and Patricia, the two dominant personalities call themselves The Horde. Other movies take a while to get to the point, but “Split” immediately jumps into the thrill. The thriller begins with three teenage girls at a birthday party who are then abducted by The Horde. The Horde has the idea that these three girls can help bring out the 24th personality, The Beast. The girls all try to escape, but Casey, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, the protagonist, is the only one who can stay calm and thinks clearly about what they can do in the situation. Throughout the suspense, the audience is shown glimpses of Casey’s childhood. We learn that Casey had been taught to hunt by her father, making us think that this is why she can have a militaristic mind. The acting of McAvoy leaves a strong impression on the viewers. He does a great job of portraying each personality. It feels as if each personality is a different character played by a different actor. The score works well because it does its job in creating suspense, keeping you at the edge of your seat. At certain parts of the movie, the music will gradually speed up in intensity for a thrilling feeling for viewers. For example when Casey looks through the keyhole from the room she is locked in, she sees a woman, only to find out it is Kevin wearing women’s clothing due to it being another personality. During this scene the music creates that feeling when she looks through that keyhole, making you wonder what she is about to see. Some personalities are less intense than others, thus providing a comedic release for the audience. The visuals are kept subtle with darker lighting to set the suspenseful mood. The only time you will see bright colors is when the childlike personality, Hedwig, steps into “the light.” The thrill and excitement keeps drawing you in. Each jump scare makes your heart skip a beat, and your body is glued to the seat and hands gripping the armrests. Although some of the main moments were ruined by the trailer, I still recommend that people go out to watch “Split.”
Underground rap artists gain fame, stray from stereotypes LouisFuentez Students listen to a lot of genres of music, but rap especially. Though it is easy to clump all rap together, it is important to note that there are many sub genres that appeal to very different groups of people. Most students like their “rap icons” such as Drake and Kanye West and like the pop-style rap songs. But that is not all that rap is. My favorite is the “underground” category. Underground rappers are able to write what they’d like because they do not have to please anyone but themselves. It’s unique and
ART BY ALBERTO VALENCIA AND AMBERLY BUTLER
interesting because of this. Underground rap doesn’t get the recognition it deserves . Senior Andy Angulo listens “to a lot of people out of Chicago and they aren’t as big, but they slap though.” Angulo has been listening to rappers such as Lil Durk and Chief Keef, both from Chicago, since they were just underground rappers. But he felt as soon as they went popular they lost their touch from their roots. If it takes someone straying from their roots slightly to sign a deal, wouldn’t most people make that choice? These rappers gained attention by being unique and doing something not many others would, and then suddenly those fans are left with nothing but a shell of what used to be and disappointment. These guys set up their own category in rap with their “drill rap” yet no longer even rap how they are known for. It’s disappointing, but it’s understandable. Drill rap can be described as dark, grim, and violent rapping and it was mostly popular in Chicago. And signings from big drill rappers made this even more popular in the country. In the eyes of Angulo, he believes that Lil Durk and Chief Keef still puts out very good product. “The radio stations and the public try to make them out to be superstars that they don’t need to be,” he said. These young rappers were making good money before signing, but of course instead of thousands they decided to sign and make millions. Don’t get me wrong, while that’s great in business terms, it can make fans feel as if their favorite artist has sold out. It makes it seem as though the money is more important to them than the music itself and that draws away from its significance. Now some may say that signing was great. It made their favorite rapper get noticed and gain more popularity. The majority of fans that have been listening since “day one” know that the attention of the media is difficult to not only catch, but to retain as well. Without signing, it is likely that these underground artists would not have the means to stay in the spotlight as long as they will now. Those that are still able to take part in the drill rap genre should be appreciated, but getting attached can lead to disappointment in the long run. They may not be permanent, but they should be enjoyed while they are still here.
SOURCE: IMDB
The trailer itself was very revealing of the main plot points already. However, the film still made your heart race and left you on the edge of your seat.
02.03.17
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
Sports
7
The Stagg Line
Basketball shoots for league title
Varsity boys have a chance at championship for the first time in eight years
KevinGutierrez
Boys basketball team has had a eight year dry spell and now with a great start to the league, many believe this may be the team to bring a little rain to this drought. The varsity has won four league games so far, and they are highly confident that there are more to come. What makes this team so great and different from last year? The players say that they have better team chemistry then last year. No one on the team wants to make all the points and have the spotlight for themselves. They all want to score, but if they’re not open they will pass it. Several of the players and the coaches believe that senior leaders of last year’s team also impacted the juniors and sophomores immensely. “Senior leaders last year set the stage for the team, with discipline, hard work, and determination,” said the head coach Ryan Berg. Their offense works together smoothly. They pass the pall in such a good flow as if they aren’t even trying. They have several players that can drive it into the paint and quite a handful that can pull it up from afar shoot it. Their main three-point shooter is Jahbar Beard, he is able to hit a three from almost any side of the court. “They just feed me the ball and I do what I do,”Beard said.. An incredible offense usually need an outstanding defense to aid them. They are all strong defensive players, but their main defensive players are Anthony Norman and Kaleb Carter. Carter is ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 in California for blocks. He is committed to the paint and tries his best to block anyone who drives in. “When someone drives into the paint, I just put my arms up and go for the ball,” said Carter. The team is full of hard working, disciplined players. During their practices they work as hard as possible and they don’t take mistakes lightly. For one of their drills if they miss a lay-up they must go do torture walks around half court until the drill is over. A torture walk is when the player bends over and his hands can’t leave the floor and his knees can’t bend. This works on increasing their will to go and being able to listen to instructions, quite well. Their discipline has improved a lot since last year, and Samuel Cornelison, a senior starting guard, believes payday does help with their discipline. They do payday every Monday and it is based
PHOTO BY SARA ABDELTAWAB Junior Kaleb Carter scouts out other teammates to pass the ball to in order to score a point against Franklin High School. They won against Franklin which left them 4-2 in league. Senior Cutrell Haywood (left) looks out for one of his teammates to pass to during the Stagg versus Franklin game, in which they won 81-74. on their grades and attendance. One F is four liners, a D is two liners, a tardy is one liner, an unexcused absence is one liner and a torture walk, and a referral is one torture walk. A liner is when the player needs to run to the free throw line, then back, then to half court, then back, then to the other free throw line, then back, and finally to the other side of the court, and back. “Payday makes us work harder in the classroom and pay more attention and keeps us out of trouble,” said Cornelison. This discipline and hard work from the classroom is carried onto the court during practices and games. With all this hard work and time, this team
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“It’s the little things that killed us, like stupid turnovers and missed shots.” JahbarBeard Junior
has bumped into a few obstacles. They have dealt with an injury to one of their players Lorenz Cayanong. Lorenz injured his neck and got a concussion during a game, after falling on his head after going up for a rebound. He is doing fine now, but this motivated his teammates to work harder and win for him. Another obstacle is this two game losing streak against Edison and Chavez. “It’s the little things that killed us, like stupid turnovers and missed shots,” Beard said. After these two losses they are determined to play on and even harder than before and fight for that league championship title. “We need to work hard during practice, play our best,” said Carter, “and never give up.”
Ramos, Salmasan devoted Height is no obstacle for to challenging sport freshman Julian Barrios StephanieMatsumoto
Having to grab, flip, and pin another person to the ground multiple times in one match, let alone master the techniques, can be difficult. Not many students stay for three or fours years in wrestling and quit early on. Yet, for the veterans that remain, they end up learning and finding a reason to stay. Christian-John Salmasan is one of wrestlers that has stayed in the sport to his senior year. Salmasan is 15-10 matches so far this season. He started the sport his sophomore year and has seen big improvements in how he wrestles and controlling his weight. “My physical game changed a lot,” Salmasan said. “I’m much more active of a person.” Though he has improved, he is unconfident that he’ll make it as far as state. For his last year, he wants to do his best to help younger wrestlers improve for next year by drilling and preparing them before matches. “I can show them something that I wish other people would’ve showed me in the beginning.” Other veteran wrestlers also feel like they should leave a mark on the team. Lizzete Ramos, a junior, has won 16 -10 matches in tournaments this season and sets an example for newer wrestlers to take practices seriously by keeping a serious face when wrestling. She also teaches them that losing is okay as long as they learn and that they should try to stay
calm rather than getting mad or upset. Ramos has done wrestling since her freshman year and plans to do it all four years no matter what comes her way. However, wrestling does have its tougher times, on the mat or off. Last year, an outbreak of staph infection on the team took out a few players for most of the season. While the outbreak didn’t change how Ramos felt about wrestling, she thought that others would see it differently. Because of what other students know, Ramos feels like many outside of wrestling are wary of the sport and may have a bias against it. “The people outside of wrestling probably felt disgusted,” Ramos said. “It made them feel that wrestling is nothing but a disgusting sport that gives people skin infection.” Yet, Ramos wants more students to realize there was more to the infections than dirty mats and that if wrestlers don’t keep their bodies clean, it can impact the whole team. By being more aware of sanitary precautions, she hopes to convince others not to fear the sport due to the incident and see past it. Wrestling may not be for everyone due to some of the risks such as bruises or broken bones. Yet, for students like Ramos, they find it to be well worth any hazard. “Wrestling is definitely more than a sport to me,” Ramos said. “It’s part of my life now and I can’t go a day without wrestling.”
PHOTOS BY ANGEL VASQUEZ Junior Lizzete Ramos (left) and Christian-John Salmasan (right) wrestle at Enochs High School in Modesto. There were not the typical brackets as they were wrestling in what is known as round-robin, in which you wrestle everyone in your weight class.
SamanthaBaker
As goalie of the JV team, Julian Barrios, a freshman, has been able to reach impressive heights. And that’s saying something, considering he is 5'1’". He began playing soccer when he was younger and has always been encouraged by his supportive family to continue playing the sport, yet Barrios’ mother has had an even greater influence on him since she also played soccer during her high school years. She inspires him to always do his absolute best whenever he plays a game. “Every time before I go to a game my mom always tells me ‘good luck and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too small or anything,’” Barrios said. His coach and teammates give him constant support as well, offering him advice and spurring him on to perform to his fullest potential. “(My coach) always tells me how to play, encourages me to jump higher, and teaches me how to move around the goal.” Coach Arias has seen great improvement in Barrios, noting the hard work he puts into the drills they perform during practice and how well he is able to watch the ball during games. The goalie drills are typically fast-paced and include lots of jumping and putting up a knee; they are also designed to address Barrios’ weaknesses. Barrios takes the drills and applies them to every game, where he usually averages 10 saves and one to two misses for each; his coach notes that Barrios tends to save the more difficult balls and miss the easier ones. Despite his few shortcomings, coach Arias believes that Barrios has great potential as a future varsity goalie due to how hard he works at practice. Arias can see how much Barrios has improved over the season than he had first originally expected him to do. “This is his first time being goalie and the thing I really do like about him is that he’s not scared,” said Arias. “He’s not scared of going out, he’s not scared of the ball, he actually has a good eye.” The varsity players also offer their support to Barrios. Their team’s goalies demonstrating to Barrios certain tricks and moves to improve how efficiently he moves around the goal and how he performs during games. There are advantages and disadvantages that come along with his height when it comes to him having to the goal.
PHOTO BY AMBERLY BUTLER Although he may not be the ideal height for such a position, PLA freshman Julian Barrios tries his best every game to prevent the other team from making a goal. Barrios is able to move quicker than most others on the team due to his height and size, but he also has trouble at times reaching the corners of the soccer goal. His teammates do believe he has developed into a very well-rounded soccer player, regardless, and has become a very valuable player to the JV team. Yet, there are times in which his opponents underestimate him because of how small he is, but he is able to turn their misdoubt of him into an advantage for himself and prove them wrong. These comments about him only fuels his determination and strengthens his resolve to win the game. Barrios may be small in stature, but the perseverance and finesse he carries into each and every one of his games is great. It tends to make up for any difficulties that he may encounter on or off the field.
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News
Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
02.03.17
The Stagg Line
Has the new schedule been effective?
Changes prove useful for some classes, cumbersome for others JeffersonLeiva
Visit staggonline. net to check out our updated video on the new schedule. Watch interviews with students and teachers from multiple classes.
In a 2016 video interview of then junior Karlaija Hardiamon, she expressed her concerns to the teachers’ decision of returning to a traditional 1-6 schedule. As a drama student, Hardiamon’s concerns surrounded not having enough time to practice and put on a production. Block days allowed her “to do the activities that we need to do.” A semester later, Hardiamon is still trying to adapt to the current schedule. “This year we didn’t have enough time to put up a play or make a production,” Hardiamon said. “We cannot do a show because we don’t have enough time to practice.” This has been Stagg’s third new schedule in the past four years. Upperclassmen can recall having a schedule that had a mix of block days. Those days offered three classes per day, allowing science teachers to conduct labs and allowing longer, more in depth instructional time. Stagg’s minimum days are
used for collaboration meetings among other things. Many students, including Hardiamon have expressed their support for the minimum days. “I love it, they are great,” said an ecstatic Hardiamon. “I get to go home and sleep.” Advanced Placement student Janelluz Javier is also fond of the minimum days but feels as if the negatives outweigh the positives. “In AP Gov, we have a lot of work,” Javier said. “There’s a lot of homework we would have to take home and not much classwork we could do in class.” AP History teacher Tara Hayes recognizes that her students have an extensive workload to take care of at home. “It seems like we have less time in class so we are constantly running out of time,” Hayes said. This year’s schedule has adapted the three 1-6 days from last year’s schedule and applied that to the entire school week. Periods now last 58 minutes, a mere minute longer than last year’s 1-6 days.
That is not taking account for the block days. On an average week with no minimum days, last year there were 1722 minutes of class time. This year that number has been increased to 1740 minutes. According to music teacher Joseph Updegraff, the biggest hurdle for teachers is the restructuring of their lesson plan. “It’s a restructuring of how you teach,” Updegraff said. “Not in the content of what you teach, but a restructuring of time management.” But Updegraff has noticed a benefit for students. Since there is an extra day of instruction, there is in turn more time to work on concert pieces. With the new schedule, science teachers have found themselves struggling with conducting labs. Students now have to use two days for labs if not more. And some may face the same stark penalties of last year for being absent during a lab. While teachers have the added 18 minutes per week, class
time itself remains a constraint for some. Such so that ASB has also been taking work home according to Senior Class President Allison Goodwin. For their upcoming multicultural rally, Goodwin has found herself making flags at home. “Your quality of work is not going to be as good because it’s such a small amount of time,” Goodwin said. “I really feel that they should have talked to the kids that are more involved first before making an overall change.” MESA student Kevin Phan has had to work on his projects after school as well. He explains that a simple adjustment on their robotic arm could have been done in block days, but now due to the nature of the traditional schedule, it can span to over two school days. Many have welcomed the minimum days, while some can clearly see the benefits of having a traditional schedule. Yet it’s clear that adapting to a new standard of time management has been a mixed bag for some.
PSA cadets learn basics of music, prep for future PhillictyUriarte-Jones
At the end of last year, students of the Public Service Academy were given the opportunity to take a music class on campus. This class is only taken by those who expressed interest in it by signing up beforehand take part in it. Joseph Updegraff teaches this music class during fifth period. For students such as sixth grader Jennavaza Walden, this class refreshes skills they had learned in the past and shows potential for more. She had learned to play the violin but hopes this new class will lead her in the direction of learning to play the flute, just as her mother did. However, the hands-on experience may come a bit later for these students as there are not instruments available to them from either the elementary department or Stagg. As of now, the superintendent has stepped in and PSA is working on a solution to ensure that the needs of these students will be met. “Right now we’re working on basic music skills and singing,” Updegraff said. For the lower level kids, “singing is exactly what they need to be doing,” but Updegraff is disappointed that the higher level students are not given the opportunity to progress. Despite her previous experience, this class has offered a very different curriculum. At her previous few schools, she was not taught notes at all, but now she is able to get into the dynamics of what
she is playing. “They would just hand us the lines of music, but he’s actually teaching us what type of notes we are playing,” Walden said. She hopes this class will present an opportunity to use the violin her grandparents bought her for her birthday. Though some students have been involved in the music department of their previous schools, students like eighth grader Sir David Boatwright came to PSA as a way to encourage good behavior, and now takes this class as a way to expand his horizons. “I like that I’m being taught to play different instruments, and the environment is different than other schools.” While learning how to properly identify his do-re-mi’s, use tonal analysis and occasionally sing, the class has been a fun new experience for Boatwright. A key difference for him is the integration of all the grades at PSA. “We’re learning, just like other classes, but this time we’re all learning together regardless of grade.” Seventh grader Careena Smith enjoys the curriculum in the class but recognizes the struggles of being a younger class. “We talk a lot,” Smith said. She finds this is mostly due to the excitement of not only being with friends she may not see normally at school because of the grade difference, but also because this is a class where one of the things they do most is sing. For excited students, singing leads to laughter, and laughter leads to talking.
New mayor has big plans
Visit staggonline.net to view the full interview between Mayor Michael Tubbs and web editor Jefferson Leiva.
Newly elected Mayor Michael Tubbs sat down with the Stagg Line last Friday to talk about his first 100 days in office along with future projects and goals. Topics highlighted include: • Encouraging Stockton youth to pursue higher education • Promoting mobile scholarship application, Scholly • Providing transitional housing to aid the city’s homeless • Allocating resources to target areas with higher crime rates • Working with City Council to enforce Measure M • Collaborating with investors to fund good works in city • Expanding literacy and other educational programs • Transforming Stockton into a city of acceptance
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE JIMENEZ Fifth grader Michael Wilson (middle), along with the rest of his classmates, is learning the basics of rhythm and how to stay in tempo by working in different meters.
Visit staggonline.net to watch our interview with music teacher Joseph Updegraff as he talks about the growth that the new program has experienced.
OnlineSnapshot Check out our website for galleries, stories and videos spotlighting print stories, multiple athletes, interesting students, new movies to check out and political issues.
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