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Full football coverage — See page 7
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he “Concert of Monsters and Death,” coordinated by Mark Swope and Joseph Updegraff, took place in the theater on Oct. 30 and 31. The concert not only showcased music performed by Swope’s show choir and Updegraff’s concert band and orchestra, but entertained and educated students in the history of Halloween using comedic skits. Frightful screams echoed throughout the concert at unexpected times, causing the audience to jolt and indulge themselves even more into the performance. Not only did the band, choir, and orchestra overcome their anxiety of performing multiple times during the day, they also put the show on after school for family, friends, and district officials to attend. “It’s nerve racking,” sophomore Marilyn Plascencia said, “but the more I got into it, the more comfortable I felt.” The first concert of the year has satisfied and left audiences wanting more. According to Swope, that’s exactly what they’ll get as the year rolls along.
‘Halloween: Concert of Death and Monsters’ brings audiences to their feet The songs sung by choir had a variety of tempos. “Little Shop of Horrors” from the self titled movie was upbeat, while others were more mellow, like Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” made famous by the “Twilight Saga.” The band featured pieces with a dark vibe perfect for Halloween such as “Apparitions,” a musical composition by Brian Balmages. The orchestra pieces were similar, giving the audience a feeling of suspense. The concert was closed with a stir of excitement as show choir performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” photo by
Baylin Moran
Torn clothes, dripping blood, and a hunger for flesh. It’s not every day a student walks to their classes around campus dressed as a zombie. Freshman Ruben Nuno said he expected the fake blood and ripped clothes to be really embarrassing, but was shocked by the crowd’s pleasant reaction to how dedicated they were with their performance. Most members of the concert had similar reactions and expectations to dressing up in costume. “I didn’t expect everyone in choir to be so into (the concert) the way they were,” freshman Alex Qualls said. Running back and forth from the makeup room to the stage, the performers should have been stressed out. Even though backstage was in a hectic rush to get things done and be ready to perform for their audience, they still managed to help one another and have fun by enjoying every step along the way. Freshman Jessica Eth said she expected choir to be a lot more strict and really formal. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed performing.
photo by
photo by
Baylin Moran
Baylin Moran
Being Updegraff’s first edu-concert, he said there was a lot to be done. “Getting the scripts and slide show together was hectic,” he said. “Rehearsal wasn’t a big deal to Mr. Swope and I because we started the second day of school.” Swope, like Updegraff, describes it as a lot of work that came with a sense of relief when it was over. But he felt everything went well and the show was a success, calling it “marvelous.” “It’s exciting, but then you get nervous because you’re performing for so many people,” freshman Taya Collins said. By the end, band, orchestra and choir all had different feelings about their performances. “It’s hard because we have so much fun putting it on, there’s sadness when it’s over,” Swope said. Updegraff feels that reflection is valuable. “This allows students to get the chance to look back at how they did and what they want to do differently in the future.” Sophomore Gabrielle Wallace feels the opposite in that by the end of the concert the songs are kind of worn out after performing them all so many times. The three months of preparation proved to be worth it. A sigh of relief could be breathed. The claps, the cheers and the whistling at the end of the show showed that the time was well spent. story by
Arriana Smith and headline graphic by Marleene Pheav
Arts program refuses to give up on theater BlancahMendoza When walking into the theater one might not notice anything wrong. Everything seems to be functioning correctly. As students sat in the theater for the sixth Annual Stagg EduConcert, they had to squeeze into their short and scarce seats. According to choir teacher Mark Swope, this is not the only problem with the theater. There are various malfunctions. The electrical systems are out of date, the public address system is worn out, curtains are ripped, circuit boards for lighting and
electricity are unusable, there is no audio equipment, and aisle steps are unsafe without lighting. In addition, the pianos in the piano lab are 20 years old. Over the course of 11 years the theater has been put on hold for renovations. “Every year they tell me they will do something but it just gets pushed on to the next year,” Swope said. Originally the theater was supposed to be renovated along with the sports fields, but it was removed from the grant according to Swope. Now the Stagg theater remains
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BottomLine Amos Alonzo Stagg High School
1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207
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as the one of the oldest theaters in Stockton Unified. Although the theater has the most complications and malfunctions, it has been used for many purposes by the district. The lack of equipment in the theater has caused the music department to use a trash can to hold a projector because they did not have the proper equipment. Swope has tried many times to get help from the district for the theater but nothing has been done. He does not plan on giving up on this issue. He has written a letter to Su-
perintendent Steve Lowder addressing the issues and hoping to get the theater in preparation for renovations. “Every student deserves to perform in an up to date theater,” music instructor Joseph Updegraff said. The ultimate goal for the renovation of the theater is to give students a decent theater. However, many years have passed, and nothing has been done. “We don’t know what a good theater is because we have become so used to our theater,” Swope said.
No shave November
Blood drive
Male teachers and students around campus are participating in a movement. Despite it not being the proper month, they will not shave their faces for the entire month of November to bring awareness of prostate cancer.
ASB is hosting this year’s first blood drive on Tue., Nov. 19. Students are to turn in their permission slips to Michelle Canfield in the Student Store, located by the cafeteria. Today is the last day to turn them in.
photos by
Dellanira Alcauter
(Above) A trash can is used to hold up the projector during shows. (Left) Music Department Chair Mark Swope has been trying to get the tears in the curtains fixed for years. Find us on Facebook Search for “The Stagg Line”
End the ‘Hunger Games’
The second night rally of the year is coming up on Thursday, Nov. 14. The fee is two cans and $2 or $4 presale and three cans and $3 or $6 at the door. All cans will be donated to St. Mary’s Dining Room.
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Opinion
11.08.13
STAFF EDITORIAL
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Can we fix it? Yes, we can
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dvances in technology have left the decaying poor microphone quality; even the audience’s low theater in the dust, whose electrical circuits can murmur drowns out the information that is being be dated back to the “dinosaur” age of floppy communicated. disks. Aware of the needed theater improvement, choir It has been a recurring problem for the performing teacher Mark Swope invited Superintendent Steve arts department when they cannot speak into the Lowder to experience the damaged theater. microphone and be heard or step onto the stage’s He was pleased with the performance, but Swope flimsy floor. was left in the dark about what he thought about the Concerts with themes like the recent “Concert of needed repairs. Death” are hard to make visually appealing. Because “The list is so long,” Swope said when discussing the lighting can only be changed using the designated the problems in the theater. colors, special effects cannot be created. A wise investment would be to repair the theater so The theater on campus has not been modified for a that we avoid incidents like students falling through long time and it shows. stage floors and tripping on unleveled steps. When special guests are presenting in the theater, a If the concern is saving money, why waste it on projector has to be imported from another classroom renting special flooring every time we have a dance because there is not one built in, and a quick-n-easy recital or buy new batteries for the poor outdated plastic screen is assembled. microphones all the time? While the presentation is taking place, one Even though repairs would be costly, they are can hardly hear what is being said because of the seriously needed.
Veronica Vargo
If Stagg can have a top of the line sports facility, there should at least be a theater that belongs in the 21st century. New technology, like 3D projections and auxiliary cords, are advances that should be at a theater’s disposal, but aren’t in ours. There is not even a port where Internet connections can be made. If one has ever been in the tech room atop the rows of seats in the theater, the first thing that would pop out would be the rotting wires that appear to have been abandoned for years. This is clearly a safety hazard. In the event that another person becomes injured because of the low level theater, it would be a quick lawsuit for the district. It would be much more suitable to refurbish the current theater to make it more valuable; it may even encourage students to take a career interest in performing arts or theater.
Not every cheerleader is a ditzy one Stereotypes unfairly based on fictional high school movies Trisha Newman
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ruised legs, dirty hands, sore limbs, getting kicked in the face, nudged in the stomach — all of that with an outcome of almost perfection. The exhausting, over-repeated lines “5, 6, 7, 8!” two hours a day, three days a week, all for four quarters of glamor and a
photo by
Dellanira Alcauter
Cheerleaders smile and show off their pride at home football games after countless hours of practice.
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two minute halftime; it’s all in the life of a cheerleader. In movies cheerleaders are often depicted as the girls stretching their butts up in the air or fooling around with the boys on the football team: they are known as dumb, crazy, girly or stuck up. Those are just some of the far-fetched statements that cheerleaders get and chances are, you’ve heard them. Having first-hand experience as a cheerleader, I can say none of those qualities apply to me. We’re lumped into a big category with unflattering traits. But, with the influence of media and what’s trending, I can tell why people would assume this about cheerleaders. Movies like “Bring It On” and all of the movies that follow are probably some of the most well known movies that stereotype cheerleaders and their behaviors. I’m definitely far from girly or stuck up.
I was raised with three brothers, all of whom treat me as if I’m a little brother instead of a little sister. I was a tomboy all of my childhood and at times I still can be. While most of the girls were playing with Barbies, I had Hot Wheels, action figures, and Pokemon cards. Before I came to high school I played basketball, and even after cheer season I set down the pom pons and head to the weight room with my track team. Regarding the whole thing with cheerleaders being dumb and ditzy, just like any other sport on campus we have to keep a grade-point average of 2.0 or higher. In fact, many on the squad strive to exceed that. In our case we have to maintain this throughout more than half of the school year since we cheer throughout football season and basketball season. Although our practices are
basketball, and even af“ Iterplayed cheer season I set down the pom pons and head to weight room with my track team.”
demanding and require a lot of endurance, we depend on each other and it shows how committed we’re to what we do. Fast thinking and being able to concentrate on counts is vital. We learn a two-minute routine that has 26-30 eight counts. The next week is the same thing but with new counts and new struggles to overcome. After all of the comments I’ve heard I learned to push it aside and not acknowledge it because I know my abilities and no one can limit me but myself. I’m not dumb, crazy, girly, or stuck up. I’m far from any of those traits. It takes a lot of strength, stamina, flexibility, and
conditioning to do what we do year round. The minute cheer season ends and the next year’s tryouts are right around the corner and we have to stay ready. Not to mention, all of the work we put in at home, it never stops. Sure, we go out on the field every Friday, cheer and make a bomb halftime, but what people don’t realize is the behind the scenes work: what we really do and what we go through to make it something people will remember. I can’t stop the stereotypes but what I can do is educate people with my intelligence and hands on experience with cheerleading.
your country not your ego
ith respect to our troops, there are ignorant people who join Yesica for wrong, ridiculous reasons. Ibarra Some join the military because they’ll have a chance to shoot a real gun, not one from a video game. Others join to show off their cute uniform. Stupid, right? And then there are those that see the military as a last resort. Serving your country should be to earn honor, to gain skills you might never receive as a civilian and most importantly to protect our nation’s liberty. There are thousands of men and women giving up their civilian lives to make sure the people of America are safe. Without the military, America would be vulnerable to the dangers of some foreign countries and natural disasters. They fight for our freedom and for our chance to be safe in our own country. Having a long history of ancestors who were Army officers and enlisted soldiers, wanting to serve my country isn’t a surprise. It’s what I want and will do. However, there is a different route I’m taking — the U.S. Navy. I’ve applied to Northridge, Long Beach and other state universities. Now I’m applying my strength to serve. I’m still going to college, striving to get my BA in mass communications. Additionally, I’ll be going to training once a weekend per month and two weeks for annual training during the summer at my local unit. Talking to my recruiter, I realized that careers in mass communications are rare in the Reserve unless deployed at a big, active unit.
There are many opportunities offered in the military to take advantage of. One just has to be determined on what they want and know what they’re getting themselves into. There are benefits and that good stuff, but there are risks such as dying in combat or losing a body part. That’s why the military is no joke. You are risking your life. The many times that I’ve gone to the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery for burials and watched a casket be lowered, I understand the sacrifice these fallen soldiers made — they didn’t die in vain. It bothers me when people say, “Oh, I’m joining the military because... um... I don’t know.” And then they give a ridiculous reason. The decision they are making is a commitment of a lifetime, because you’re basically the government’s property. It’s not like they’ll be able to call in sick or decide to quit. By contract, they are entitled to the requirements listed upon the official paper. So those that chose the military as a last resort better be prepared for the rigorous training and persevere with mental toughness. Without that toughness, one won’t survive the 9-14 weeks of bootcamp and the upcoming years required to serve. Intelligence, wisdom and courage is what the military wants. It’s what America needs. If you are considering joining, be aware that there are tough times, but with your fellow comrades it’s all worth it. All those emotional homecomings, written letters and humanitarian work will pay off. The honor of serving for our
photo courtesy of
Reanna Rodriguez
beloved America is sacred. My friend and I talked about the military all year, about ROTC and enlisting. Now he has sworn into the Marines. When I asked him how he felt when he swore, he said it felt great. Empowering. My loved ones have said experiencing boot camp and training changed their view on how to take on obstacles. They disliked some sergeants for the rough yelling and put downs, but the sergeants guided them to grow as an individual and be the best of the best. It made them value their freedom, their family and their country. Despite the different branches, they said the same thing, “It changed my life and I don’t regret it.” And that’s what it’s all about.
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First-person shooters migrating to real life
he sky is pitch black. I hear the thuds of tree trunks falling around me. I see blood and unknown body chunks dispersed in the distance. A foul smell hangs in the air, that of rotting flesh and burning bodies. I don’t know what lies in the next couple of steps... A grenade goes off. One, two, three. There goes another one. People are running frantically — trying to escape the wrath of war. My partner, he wasn’t so fortunate. All I can feel is the rise and fall of my chest as I am looking through my scope, searching for my target. I know he’s around here somewhere. Intense, right? When playing a first-person shooter game, the player feels this intensity. The player feels as if they’re inside the game, really shooting others and being shot at.
Dellanira Alcauter
Increasingly, this is what a lot of children and teens are spending their time doing. Going out for a bike ride or playing ball is no longer sufficient entertainment. According to CNN, “About 90 percent of U.S. kids ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so (more if you’re a boy).” In the past year, there has been numerous mass shootings. Hundreds of innocent lives lost. And the most common question
Americans ask themselves is: why does this happen? The entertainment companies send a barrage of commercials promoting violent video games and make it seem as if this is what everyone needs to be doing. The night before a video game is released, there are people camping outside of the store, eagerly waiting to get their copy of the game. Well, this doesn’t happen anymore. Now people even order them months before they’re released. And if that’s not enough, many people will trade all their old video games so they can afford to buy the new one. These games have a strong influence in the characteristics children develop. In a recent study that Dr. L. Rowell Huesmann, director of
art by
Arriana Smith
the Research Center for Group Dynamics at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor made, he discovered that there are two major ways in which violent video games affect a child. First is imitation; children have a hard time distinguishing the game from reality, so they may feel that the world is a hostile place and that being aggressive and violent is an appropriate way to act. Second, kids can become desensitized to violence. They are around it for hours a day, and since it is “only a game” they grow accustomed to it. A person being blown to bits is no longer an image that makes them shudder. “Once you’re emotionally numb to violence, it’s much easier to engage in violence,” Huesmann said. And we can see the reality of this in our society. Even in the smallest of gestures. People aren’t the kindest when it comes to waiting in line at the store, walking down a crowded sidewalk, or driving in traffic-packed lanes. It’s a paradoxical thing that there is so much advertisement for violent video games, yet we abhor the thought of mass shootings. It is time for people to realize the damage these violent video games are causing on our society. It is time to accept that we cause much of the unwanted tragedies. It is time to stop the violence.
Social media used as a weapon
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ticks and stones may break your bones. But words can kill you. Adrianna Her name was Rebecca Owens Sedwick. She was 12. And last month, she jumped off of a tower in an abandoned factory — to her death. This girl should have been enjoying her life, hanging out with her friends and making memories. She shouldn’t have been afraid to go to school. She should have felt safe in her own home. According to the New York Times, the parents of this girl moved her to a different school and deleted her Facebook profile. But the tormenting didn’t go away. Whenever Sedwick’s cell phone buzzed, she was terrified to see the notification. Two children, 12 and 14, cyberbullied Sedwick through mobile applications such as Kik and Snapchat, along with posting tormenting Facebook statuses. The concept of cyberbullying is not new. What is new, however, are the charges that the children, and the parents, are facing in this specific case. Mark O’Mara, CNN Legal Analyst, has been pushing for the parents to be charged for negligence and ultimately their obliviousness to their daughters’ Internet and cellular use. He believes that the parents are liable, just as they would be if they let their children have access to their car, or alcohol, or a gun. So why is the Internet any different? Anyone can go online, create a fake profile, and torment someone for no reason at all. What makes this even more distasteful is that children are doing it. For fun. Before cyberbullying, a parent could take the matter up with the principal or switch the child’s school. Now, the child is never safe from antagonizing messages. Always fearful to pick up their phone. Always wondering when the distress will end. When it comes to a point where a child, or any human for that matter, has to live in constant fear of someone, then it’s just not
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Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, Calif. 95207 209.933.7445 ext. 8487 The Stagg Line newspaper is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Awards and recognition include the following: ºº 20 consecutive All-American rankings ºº NSPA Hall of Fame, 2005 ºº NSPA First Place Best of Show five times ºº NSPA National Newspaper Pacemaker seven times ºº JEA Impact Award, 2002 Stagg Line student journalists have won many awards and scholarships over the years, including California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year and National Photo of the Year. Keep up with us ºº Facebook: Search “Stagg Line” ºº Twitter: Follow us @staggonline ºº Web: Check out staggonline.net ºº PDFs: Go to issuu.com/staggline
right. Disgusting, actually. What some people don’t realize is that sending a message that reads: “Kill yourself ” or “Why aren’t you dead yet?” may have the same effect as holding the gun to their head. Even someone who believes suicide is never an option, or that it is morally wrong, can see that the torture that Sedwick was put through was reprehensible. The parents of the two children who bullied Sedwick should be held responsible for her death. A parent should aim to be aware of their child’s online presence, especially since there are so many ways to hurt someone. In just an instant, a harmful message can be sent. There’s no taking it back. There’s no recycle bin in the mind. Once someone sees the message, it takes effect. Often times, typing a short message feels so easy. So fast, simple. It isn’t hard for one to mask themselves online and to taunt people. But does that mean that it should be done? Does that make it any less hurtful? Any less real? Because there is no difference between telling someone to die in real life and telling them through a quick text message. Why would anyone, much less a child, want to hurt someone so badly? Make them feel like they cannot live on this planet anymore? What’s even more frightening is the fact that parents can be completely oblivious to what their children are putting online. And this worries me. In the case of Rebecca Sedwick, there was little parental interference. No one to tell the tormentors that their petty Facebook posts and useless plotting against Sedwick would eventually lead her to her death. No one was there to tell them that they weren’t just sending messages. Weren’t just playing a game. They were making a little girl’s life unbearable. They were pushing her to end her life. The parents of these children should have stopped this before it manifested itself into such a delicate problem. Sure, they may not have grown up with this same technology, but does that mean they had to disregard their daughters’ Facebook pages? Some parents may feel that this is just the same as peeping into their journal or invading their private space. But when it comes down to it, a child’s Facebook profile can be used as a weapon. Locked and loaded. Ready for the kill.
EditorialPolicy The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free of charge to students and faculty. Our website is updated regularly with photo galleries, video and breaking news. Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. That means that it is student editors and reporters who make content and style decisions with the adviser offering the guidance. A staff editorial, which appears on the top left of the first opinion page, reflects the opinion of the entire staff and therefore is not signed. Opinion columns reflect the view of the writer. Readers are welcome to write letters to the editor in response to any story or to make a comment about an issue at school. We will make every effort to print any letter as long as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 may be edited. Unsigned letters will be printed only in unusual circumstances and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be delivered to the Stagg Line newsroom, A-10. They may also be emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us
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11.08.13
Christianity is more than a religion
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eople often think of Christianity as just a religion. However, there is so much more to Christianity and Blancah being a Christian. Mendoza In order to be a Christian I first have to believe in the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, I must believe that Christ himself walked on the earth and was sent from God to save all of the sinners who believe in him. When a person hears the word Christian or church, they might think rules and regulations. However, that is not true for me. In my church we don’t focus on doctrine and how you dress or look. Our main purpose is to spread the love of God with others and be loving people. In my church just because you say curse words or don’t go to church every weekend doesn’t mean you are a bad person. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross and as a result anyone who believes in him will be seen like him in the eyes of God. People make mistakes, even Christians make mistakes, because we are all far from perfect. I do not live with guilt or shame because of the mistakes I have made nor do I feel like I will be condemned for them because my sins rest on the cross. Growing up in a Christian home, I have been taught that Christianity isn’t just about saying the right thing or raising your hands in church but rather what’s in your heart and whether God is in there. It is very easy to be a follower of Christ and get lost in religion and forget why you are a Christian. Some people believe being a Christian is just showing up at church on Sundays, worshipping and not really trusting in God, just doing it because it is a routine. I struggled with not knowing the true meaning of Christianity for so long. Feeling stuck, unworthy, and just plain miserable at church. These feelings stayed with me for a long time because I thought God only loves the people who don’t say bad words, follow the rules, and attend church all the time. I then learned that God’s love for me is not measured by the good deeds I do. Once again I was told that there is more to being a Christian than doctrine and rules. My pastor explained to me that God loves me no matter what because He sees me as Jesus. It was then that I started forgetting about the rules and just embracing the love. I no longer started freaking out when I sinned, but began to repent. Although God forgives and loves me no matter what, I knew that this didn’t give me a free ticket to do what I wanted. After realizing that God loves me no matter what, I felt so much better. I then discovered that to say you are a person that goes to church every week and to actually be a Christian are two different things. Although part of being a Christian is to be part of a church family, the main purpose for any Christian is to show love to all they come before. There are two principles that Christians live by. The first is, “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind, and soul.” The second, which is just as important, is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The real purpose of Christianity is found in these two principles. It is easy to be conflicted and think that Christianity is just about rules and regulations, but the real meaning is love.
graphic by
Adrianna Owens
NewspaperStaff AdriannaOwens & FeValencia Co Editors in Chief
WilliamAlexander
JadaJohnson // News Editor
JessicaCervantes
VeronicaVargo // Opinion Editor
AngelGonzalez
DevinWickstrom // Features Editor
MarcellaHawkins
AlexusPlascencia // Entertainment Editor
YesicaIbarra
JessicaMangili // Sports Editor
BlancahMendoza
DellaniraAlcauter // Photo Editor
BaylinMoran
AlyssaRojas // Graphics Editor
TrishaNewman
MicheallaFoules // Web Editor
MarleenePheav
BrianWalker // Social Media Editor
RubiRico
NuviaCervantes // Copy Editor
ArrianaSmith
DonBott // Adviser
AraceliValencia
MichaelBishop
Features
11.8.13
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Making music together
Band, choir instructors teach classes at various levels, working with veterans and newcomers NuviaCervantes Inside the T-Wing lies one office shared between two music instructors, Joseph Updegraff and Mark Swope. Updegraff teaches orchestra, concert band, jazz band, and two classes of guitar. This year marks his third year teaching at Stagg. Swope teaches beginning and show choir, musical theater, and two classes of piano. He has been teaching here for 11 years. Every class consists of a mix of skill level, from students who have never picked up an instrument or sung before to those who can display their musical talent in several different ways. This comes with the exception of jazz band and show choir, which tend to have students with more advanced skills since the classes themselves demand more experience. Both music instructors enjoy teaching more than one music class. Updegraff said, “There’s definitely a love of music and honestly a love of teaching the students.” They also like how students take more than one music class. That way, they are explor-
ing more aspects of the musical world instead of just sticking to one type of music. They both even encourage students to take more than one music class, or at least to learn more than one type of music, saying that the musical skills they have don’t change, just the way they perform and view music. Students who have never played an instrument before are just as welcomed as those who have played ever since they were toddlers. Swope said, “It’s always great to have someone new. We sometimes have students who’ve never sung, who’ve never played an instrument.” Updegraff finds it a challenge teaching guitar because it requires a different kind of teaching style. He’s used to teaching classes like orchestra, where the group has to learn to play together as an ensemble. In guitar, the learning is more individualized. Despite the challenge, he’s persistent on teaching students who are willing to learn. He also wishes to teach the students to apply what they learn in guitar to their own developing skills so they can be creative on
their own. This way students can eventually create their own tunes instead of just playing songs that already exist. After they learn to play several chords, students can learn to use them to write their own songs. Updegraff wants to leave each person with legitamate skills in music that they can use in the future. Freshman Javier Nunez is one of several students on campus who is currently taking more than one music class this year. He is enrolled in orchestra and plays the bass. He also knows how to play the cello and has been playing it for four years. Nunez’s second music class is guitar. He didn’t intentionally choose to be in guitar class, he was placed in it after the school year started. He had the option to switch out but instead chose to stay to get the feel of learning how to play another instrument. Updegraff and Swope always enjoy having new students in their classes, whether they’re in the incoming freshman class or other classes. Swope said, “We never know what kinds of students walk in our doors.”
Making do
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Here are just a few of the reasons why classes are low on textbooks
Language Advanced Courses Placement Outdated textbooks
Students don’t return their used books
More classes this year than the previous
If students pay off their debt, the money will go into the general fund
More students are in the course
The money that is paid for a language textbook isn’t necessarily used to get a replacement of that exact copy graphic by
No honors course
Adrianna Owens and Devin Wickstrom
Budget is already pre accounted for (only a certain amount of money can be spent in an area).
photos by
Dellanira Alcauter
Music instructors Mark Swope and Joseph Updegraff combined their classes to create the Monster Concert, which took place last week.
Classrooms work around lack of textbooks DevinWickstrom
When students go to return books they checked out, some were stolen. Textbooks are a necessity for almost any class- Some were lost. room. Some were damaged beyond repair. Textbooks are the platform for learning. Some weren’t turned in. However, students are discovering that some cours- “Though students may pay off their debt, the es lack this basic tool. money goes into the school’s general fund,” Deb Some students recognize this outcome, and orah Berg, French teacher, said. “So the money those who are in the Spanish 1-2 and all French may not be used to buy a new book for that same levels know especially. course.” Since several classes must share one set, no one She said a lot of times the money may be spent can take the books home to complete assignments. on books for core classes, instead of the original. The extent of homework is a worksheet, which can’t Another cause that pertains to the language offer the support of a textbook. courses is the books that are being used are from Advanced classes are suffering as well. The Ad- 2001 and 2002. vanced Placement Language and Since there weren’t new sets of lanComposition class must also share guage books bought, the amount one set of class-issue textbooks. of books depleted because they are “I was excited at first when I being stolen or lost. found out we didn’t have to carry “It’s interesting because we’re another heavy textbook to and (teachers) trying to figure out ways from school,” Vincente Arburua, to use textbooks that we don’t junior, said. “But now the class have,” Berg said. could be set back a little.” The absence of an honors Eng He said his class was lucky lish class at the junior level leaves enough to have a teacher who students with two options: AP or gives good notes, so their underregular. eborah erg standing of that class will turn out Though the next step after fine. honors is AP, some students may Zariah Gonzales, junior, shares her English class be intimidated by the general reputation of it and with Arburua. this may lead to the sophomore English class split She took the honors English class her sophomore ting as junior year starts. year but since there isn’t one junior year, she wasn’t This year more students enrolled in the AP sure whether or not to take AP or regular when it course, but since the school only had enough books came time to pick classes for the following year. for one class while there are two, the books had to Unlike the Internet, she said textbooks are a reli- be taken back from the students and kept as a class able source. “I like English,” she said, “but the lack set. of books aren’t preparing us for next year.” As much as it makes sense to buy new textbooks,” Others also feel the effects. “It kind of limits us Assistant Principal Melissa Beattie said, “the budget because we can’t learn from (books) or read the ma- is already pre accounted for.” terial,” junior Sofia Rodriguez said. Basically this means that money was already set Though there are several classes that must share for a certain subject or class. textbooks, there isn’t one person or administration For example, the school legally can’t buy a Spanto blame. ish textbook with money from that was set for the There are multiple reasons for a lack of books. math department. The first occurs at the end of the previous year.
interesting “It’s because we’re
trying to figure out ways to use textbooks that we don’t have.” D B
Features
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11.8.13
How to not be ‘catfished’
5
catfish n. -
someone who pretends to be someone they’re not by using social media to create false identities Encounterment You have to be careful on which website you meet the other person. Think about the other social websites they go on, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. They are more likely to be a catfisher if you were to meet them on, let’s say, Tumblr, rather than Facebook.
Visual You’ve got to at least see a selfie of them. Or even better, try Skyping, Facetiming, or any sort of webcamming app with them. Cameras are usually everywhere, so if they are avoiding taking pictures or webcamming, something’s up. Talking on the phone works, but it’s not as effective. But remember: they could post fake selfies.
Research This may seem like a loss of trust between the two of you, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Look up their first and last
name through a search engine. Don’t feel like you’re spying if you search for their name. You’re just being vigilant and protecting yourself. If they haven’t given you their last name yet, and your friendship lies at a very high level of trust, doesn’t that seem kind of fishy? (No pun intended). Also, they might be hiding behind a false identity, so you’d better check.
Confirmation Are they friends or have mutual follows with people they know in real life? Take advantage of the variety of websites they use. If you’re told one thing and then your friend contradicts themselves, don’t wait. Ask about it.
Confrontation If you ever plan on meeting this person in real life, you have got to be careful. Make sure to meet in a public place during the daytime, where people can see you and your friend. You’ll never know who this person truly is until you guys are face-to-face, and they might be dangerous.
Sometimes, it’s not about that other person trying to catfish, but they could be trying to protect their identity from other catfishers. So if you make friends online, don’t be too unconcealed or too reserved; just be cautious, no matter if they’re nearby or far away!
graphic by
Marleene Pheav
Armed forces proves attractive option for some AlexusPlascencia As kids, some dream of becoming doctors, teachers, or even police officers. But then there are those kids who take up an interest of giving back, traveling the world, and expanding their knowledge of the world and serving their country. “If I actually went to college, I probably wouldn’t do anything with my life and give up,” senior Maxine Contreras said. For a while Contreras actually wanted to be a vet, but the cost of college forced her to change her mind to becoming a sonar technician, who usually spend their time in submarines or carriers, detecting animals and anything near. Although she has her mind set she continues applying to colleges. Joining the armed forces brings many benefits, including education, medical insurance, and housing. A person can earn a college tuition that is paid by the government, free medical care for a household, and if lived on base housing is fully paid for by the military, according to the Houston Chronicle. Having her mind set on being involved in air traffic control, senior Pila Cha looks forward to gaining these benefits. “I chose to be involved because of the benefits, and because I really want to travel,” she said. The only thing that Cha sees as difficult is leaving her family behind. “I won’t see family for a long time, so I think that’ll be the hardest part for me.” But for senior Julian Hernandez, he doesn’t let that stop him from being in the Air Force. “It is what it is, and you can’t let it affect you,” Hernandez said. Influenced by a history teacher at his former school, Weber Tech, Hernandez began to become interested in pursuing a career
a way it ““In will be hard
for family, not for me. It is what it is, and you can’t let it affect you.” JulianHernandez
in the Air Force. So far Hernandez has done a lot of swimming and running to help him prepare. Also taking up swimming and running, senior Eddie Velasquez trains on his own to prepare himself for the Navy. He searches to get his adrenaline rushing. “Nothing else interests me,” Velasquez said. “I don’t want to go into an office to work. I like doing things that make my adrenaline rush.” Although all four seniors have already done so much to pursue their dream, another student has already taken a further step, a step that shows their determination. But due to personal reasons, he asked to be anonymous. Determined to be in the Marine Corps, he has already been sworn in. That is, he swears that he is committed to be a part of the armed forces. “It feels good to be sworn in,” he said. “It’s that feeling that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.” Ever since he was young he wanted to experience sensations and see things he’s never seen before. He fell in love with history and understanding the logic. “I’ve prepared my mind to deal with pain and concentrate with what I’m doing and not complain; I’ve built my mental strength.” According to this senior, many of his peers, and teachers, have misconceptions of him being involved. They assume the branches of military are just about killing, he says, but they fail to see there’s other sorts of work; whether it’s cooking, transporting supplies, or being a band member. “I want to write a book since I’ll be gone a long period of time,” he said. “I’ll be seeing stuff, I’ll be making history.”
photo by
Dellanira Alcauter
Internet safety is a neccessity, says district RubiRico Senior Marrione Roe is searching for information about Hurricane Katrina for her AP Government research project. She finds that most of the websites she could be using for her project are blocked off by the district. “When I go to the Homework Center and try to search something for a research project on the Internet, it won’t let me use all the websites I need and not everyone has Internet at home,” Roe said. Students like Roe get frustrated when they find that a website they need is blocked off by the district. “It’s frustrating because we use it for academic reasons and it still doesn’t always work,” she said. It may give students without web access at home a harder time — but there are many good reasons why those websites are blocked, district officials say. Websites that may have “anything that is obscene or harmful to students will be blocked,” said SUSD Chief Technology Officer Robert Torres. “Some types of a websites that will be blocked are e-mails, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication,” he said. “As well as pornographic material and hacking.” Some students do agree with the blocked sites. Junior Aylin Murillo is one of the them. “I think it’s a good thing that they block the websites,” Murillo said. “It’s for our safety and it keeps us on task.” Students tend to think the blocked websites are specifically chosen by one person. The blocked internet sites are not picked by an individual, they go through a system that determines whether they are blocked or not. The Child Internet Protection App is the system used to filter the sites. CIPA are the regulations to be followed by the district because of the Erate program in which the Stockton Unified School District takes part in. Erate helps us fund our Internet, which enables students to have web access at school. “It’s really helpful to have Internet access at school since not all of us have it at home,” Murillo said. In order to get the Federal Communications Commission to provide the school internet connection, the district must follow CIPA regulations. “The FCC is the government agency that allows us to participate in Erate and Erate is the program that subsidizes our internet connection,” Torres said. Even though the Internet has restrictions, teachers have access to an a e-mail where they can send a filter review request for a website that could be useful for students. After the request is sent in, “it will be reviewed in case there is anything inappropriate on the website,” Torres said. If nothing inappropriate is found on the site, it will be unblocked and open for student usage. “It’s cool that if we find a blocked website we need we can tell a teacher about it and they can get it unblocked for us,” Murillo said. “It’s always better to have the websites pre-blocked and then unblocked if needed rather than having them open the whole time.”
11.8.13
Entertainment
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Everlasting Movie Quotes
“My mama always said,‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” — “Forrest Gump”
Jaden Smith begins to break out of his father’s footsteps AraceliValencia Let’s say your father is a famous actor. He’s been nominated for 78 awards, two of which are Oscars, and has won 41 awards. Many love his movies. You were even in one of his movies as a young child. He has played as a superhero, zombie apocalypse survivor, an NYPD detective that searches for aliens, and more. Most actors begin from the bottom and have to go through a great deal of change to find themselves and become famous. But it’s different for Jaden Smith. He was born famous.
“I see dead people.” “The Sixth Sense” —
“I’m the king of the world!” — “Titanic”
“I’ll be back.” “The Terminator” —
“May the force be with you.” — “Star Wars”
“You go Glen Coco!”
Overall:
“Mean Girls”—
Graphic by Marcella Hawkins
and
Alyssa Rojas
Rule No. 1: Don’t mess with original JessicaCervantes Hollywood adores repetition. Sometimes remakes are meant to modernize a story so the audience can stay interested. Other times it’s to make some easy money. Whatever the case may be, Hollywood loves them. Today, remakes are mostly specified in the horror genre. With the technology we have today, this horror can be enhanced, bringing more shock to all. The main reason why remakes have the most recognition is based on the title. One hears something familiar, they are bound to see it. Even though remakes have the most recognition compared to original movies, many people would choose original films over the remakes. Original films have a true sense of imagination, creativity, and a great deal of curiosity. Remakes, on the other hand, just introduce new actors and fancy graphics, hitting a mark that ruins the flow of creativity. For example, the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is not a gory film (a strange thing, too, given the “massacre” part). Yet the audience is in fear
After Earth
because it feels realistic, almost like a documentary. The fact that the movie is based on a real murderer, Ed Gein, creates a terrifying effect. The remake of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” did not hit this mark. Even though the graphics rose the name of “massacre,” the movie had little effort to create a true horror film. There are times when remakes are made well, surpassing the original. “Carrie” is a good example. Even though the actress was seen as a “try hard” by some critics, the remake creates a modern atmosphere that keeps the audience in their seats. It is the same for the original. The surprising atmosphere can be felt with chills in the audiences’ bones with each passing minute. Directors like to remake foreign films, introducing an American audience to something different the mind can perceive. “Let Me In” is the story of a lonely and outcasted boy who discovers that a young girl has moved in next door. As the movie progresses, he figures out that this stranger is a creature of the night with a thirst
for blood. The original “Let The Right One In” is a Swedish film with the same essence as the remake. The suspense that builds up as each dead body is discovered can be balanced out with friendship the two children have in both the original and the remake. A remake that most people are familiar with is “One Missed Call.” Made from the Japanese film “Chakushin ari,” this thriller is known for the strange ringtone and the mysterious candy that escapes the victim’s mouth, which continues to give the audience a fright to remember. Although both remake and original have completely different plots, both are able to capture the true thriller film. Remakes can either be the worst thing created that dissapoints the audience with little effort and creativity, or they can surpass an original by simple yet careful analysis. Whatever the case may be, movies are a form of entertainment all can enjoy. Either laugh at a terrible movie, or take your mind to an adventure with a great film. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Terrible acting was distracting from what could have been a good movie.
He is the son of Will Smith. Will Smith started his dream pursuing music. He made one performance before all the fame got to his head. He began spending too much money on nonessential items. As a result, he went bankrupt. Then, he got an opportunity to be in the “The French Prince of Bel-Air” series that lasted six years. After that, he starred in his first movie, “Six Degrees of Separation,” where he got noticed. Then he played in the movie “Bad Boys.” That’s when his career was set. Now that Jaden is 15, will he have to live up to the expectations that his fans and father have for him? So far Jaden Smith has won six awards, leaving him 35 more compared to his father. His first movie was “Pursuit of Happyness” where he played as the child Christopher who stayed with his father Chris Gardner (Will Smith) through their poor life. His solo movies are remakes of the 1951 science fiction classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and the 1984 “Karate Kid.” After this he was featured in Justin Bieber’s song “Never Say Never.” His recent movie is “After Earth.” Many would say that movie was terrible and not worth the time. Yes, the acting is terrible, but the storyline is great. A horrible crash landing leaves teenager Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) and his father Cypher (Will Smith) stranded on Earth 1,000 years after the human race has died out. During the crash, Cypher is injured. As his injuries worsen, he becomes more and more in need of medical attention. This leaves Kitai to go on a journey where new evolved animals rule the land. He finds the tail to retrieve the emergency beacon so he can call home to save his father. On this mission, Kitai overcomes obstacles and shows his father that he is trustworthy and he is no longer a little kid. His ability to act doesn’t only show his father, it also shows the audience that he is becoming more mature as an actor. He’s no longer the child that follows his father or the little karate kid. He isn’t stuck in his father’s career path anymore. He’s found himself. He’s growing up. Like father, like son, right?
Original vs. Remake
Carrie
1976
2013
With each passing minute, Carrie’s power lures us in into a story of her life. Even though the remake is taken in a modern perspective, both movies keep the audience in their seats.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The original does not have gore, but it’s frightning because it feels real. The remake, on the other hand, feels like another boring film with crazy graphics and blood.
1974
2003
Sports
2nd place no longer
Kings beat Rams for first time in 14 years JessicaMangili
A sea of brown and gold packed Sanguinetti Stadium at St. Mary’s High School last Friday night. The roaring crowd was filled with bundled up parents, students, faculty, and alumni — everyone there to witness the game of the year. The football team took the field with determination as former players lined the side for support. Anticipation hung in the air. Would this be the year? Pregame Stagg’s overall record before kickoff was 7-1 with a TCAL record of 3-0. They were ranked 241 in the state and on a seven game winning streak. St. Mary’s carried an overall record of 6-2 and a TCAL record of 3-0. They were ranked 68 in the state and on a three game winning streak. Stagg had not beaten St. Mary’s since 1999 when the team went undefeated. And St. Mary’s has gone undefeated in TCAL since their loss to West in 2006.
photos by
Michealla Foules and Dellanira Alcauter
(Top) Senior Jamarius Harris receives a hand off from Wayne Brooks and takes off down the field. (Bottom) Assistant coaches Larry Johnson and Sean Kilduff embrace on the field after Stagg beat St. Mary’s.
Fall sports recap
As the season comes to a close, here is a look at what each team has achieved.
Football Overall 8-1
TCAL 5-0
*doesn’t include this Friday’s game against West
Season Highlight:
First quarter - Stagg entered the game with high intensity, but St. Mary’s proved that they wouldn’t back down. Statement - Stagg made a statement on its opening drive. Senior quarterback Wayne Brooks handed it off to senior halfback Daniel Ruffin who threw a long touchdown to senior Andru Jones, giving Stagg a 6-0 lead with 9:11 left. Scoring in the first three minutes sets the tone for the rest of the game. Fight - Patiently driving down the field, St. Mary’s proved it could fight back. The Rams responded with a TD run by sophomore Bryan Pascual tying the game at 6-6 with 3:46 left on the clock. Their PAT was no good. Big play - After a Brooks 18-yard run to the Rams’ one yard line, Ruffin hurdled over the line to make the big score near the end of the quarter. Stagg went for a two-point conversion, but came up short as Brooks was tackled with the ball just before the end zone. Stagg continued to put points on the board, but the tackle of Brooks reminded the crowd of the skill level and intensity of the team. This was not going to be easy. Score at the end of the quarter, 12-6. Second quarter - Stagg continued to put points on the board while St. Mary’s played the slow and steady tortoise. Defensive block - A Delta King tackle prevented a game changing touchdown. With less than nine minutes left in the quarter, DaVon Thompson tackled a driving St. Mary’s player causing a fumble and blocking his clear path to the endzone. Long run - The second longest run of the game put life back into St. Mary’s. Rams’ senior Jaelin Ratliff scored a 55 yard TD, making the score 26-18. It took the patient and calm Rams almost the entire quarter to get more points on the board. Third quarter - Fumble and incomplete pass put ripples in the Kings’ so far smooth sailing. Turning point - A shocking fumble opened the door for the Rams. Lester Williams, after a long rush downfield tripped, fell and fumbled the ball. The Rams recovered on the 25 yard line. The fumble set fire to the Rams who later in the quarter caused two incomplete passes. Jones doubles up - A second TD for Jones created a comfortable lead. Jones scored with eight minutes left, making the score 40-18. Without this touchdown the Rams’ fourth quarter rally would have resulted in overtime and might have caused a different outcome for the game. Foreshadowing - An incomplete pass set the tone for next quarter. Ruffin dropped a pass from Brooks with 1:12 left in the quarter that resulted in a change of possession. This mistake foreshadowed Ruffin’s later fumble in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter - Rams’ comeback effort put a scare into Kings, but the Kings pulled through. Comeback - A TD in the first minute gave Rams hope. St. Mary’s running back Marcell Spady put the Rams back on scoreboard and caused Kings fans to bite their nails in anticipation. After the TD, the Rams had a little extra pep in their step. From zero to hero - The second time around proved to be the charm. Ruffin fumbled a potential game-sealing TD toward the end of the quarter. But then with 15 seconds left on the clock, Ruffin picked off a potential tying touchdown and ran it downfield ensuring the Kings’ 40-32 win. Post game The crowd, already on its feet, jumped over the railing of the stands and rushed the field to celebrate with the team and coaches. As coaches and player embraced each other, some tears of joy running down their face, the group erupted into shouting, “Stagg State! You know!” The team and the crowd left the field with their heads held high and yelling “Champions!” This was the year.
Overall: 2-8
TCAL: 2-8
*this does not include invitationals and future meets *this is boys and girls combined
Season Highlight:
The boys team placed third in the TCAL meet and beat St. Mary’s.
Boys soccer Overall 2-12
TCAL 1-9
Season Highlight:
For the first time in 14 years, they The boys beat West 3-2 on their beat St. Mary’s and broke their seven senior night - their first league win year TCAL winning streak. and second win of the season.
Tennis
Overall 7-6
TCAL 5-5
Season Highlight
Overall 4-8
Girls golf TCAL 4-6
*this does not include the TCAL tournament
Season Highlight
Jasmine Williams placed first and Doubles senior Lynzie Vang and junior Claudette Caceres placed 2nd Blancah Mendoza place sixth in the TCAL Tournament on Oct. 14. in TCAL after beating St. Mary’s.
Water polo
Overall 2-8
TCAL 2-8
*this is co-ed, girls, and boys combined
Season Highlight
The girls team beat Franklin twice during the season. The first time was 13-3. The second time was 14-2.
STATS FOR VARSITY FOOTBALL
21
AngelGonzales
2013
SACKS
TAKEAWAYS INTERCEPTIONS+FUMBLE RECOVERY
62
22
TOUCHDOWNS
AVERAGE POINTS PER GAME
261
47
RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME
* Stats are current to today
Devotion:
Cross country
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11.8.13
So imagine you’re on the volleyball team and this man comes off the bleachers after each set and talks to your team. But he is not your coach. Everyone seems comfortable around him so you get used to him coming and know he is going to be there. He cheers on your team and even bought the warm up shirts. “We call him Uncle Vic,” senior Tosha Monroe said. “I love him,” sophomore Brianna Alford said. “He is like our mascot.” He is at every league game and is always cheering, even if the team is down. But who is Uncle Vic? He is the uncle of varsity volleyball player Destiny Delgado, junior. She plays as libero, which is the player in the back that needs all the power to get the ball all the way back over the net. “He is very into my volleyball life,” Delgado said. She has been on the volleyball team since freshman year and her uncle, Victor Mercado, has been cheering her on ever since. From freshman year to now, Mercado said he has stayed pretty much the same in the cheering aspect. “He pumps up the audience,” she said. Mercado said cheering is contagious. He has a son that is in baseball and truly believes in parent participation in sports. This became important Tuesday when Delgado’s toe got a cramp and he was stretching out her foot just before the game.
graphic by
Fe Valencia
Uncle supports volleyball team
“They work hard. They don’t want to come into an empty gym.” Mercado was speaking about the volleyball team and how they don’t want to see the bleachers empty and no one cheering them on. Sarina Am, sophomore, said, “He cheers with us, like if a girl spikes it we say, ‘All ace!’ and he joins in.” Delgado said that Mercado wants her to get a scholarship for volleyball. Some athletes get shy or don’t focus as well when being cheered on by a family member but Delgado said, “I like it, it motivates us.” Because of Mercado, Delgado has made friends on the team and now says, “I feel loved.” Going a step further, some girls on the team believe that Mercado should be a coach for them. When asked if he would accept if he were offered the job, he said, “I would be honored to be their coach.” He believes that if the girls had a coach earlier that would be better. None the less, Mercado tries to get the girls to put forth their best effort. “He says, ‘Win this game and I’ll buy you pizza,’” Monroe said. “When we get down he cheers us up,” said Monroe. Eryn Lightsey, senior, said that sometimes when the team is losing she gets mad and Mercado will go and talk to her, attempting to calm her down. “Everyone likes (Mercado),” Delgado said. Now how would you athletes feel if Uncle Vic was cheering you on? Monroe said, “He supports us. He motivates us.”
Volleyball Overall 4-13
TCAL 1-9
Season Highlight
The girls team won their only TCAL game against McNair with a comeback in five sets. graphic by Jessica
Mangili
photo by
Araceli Valencia
Victor Mercado gives the team encouragement and tells them they can do better on the next set after they lose their first set to West. The team went on to lose in 3 sets.
News
11.08.13
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Career Center opens to achieve a mission MicheallaFoules
As a follow-up of the college fair that was held at the end of October, S3 Grant Coordinator and Career Counselor Kevin Oki visited junior and senior classes to welcome them to the newly opened Career Center. With the help of the guidance counselors, Oki’s goal is to provide students with information and skills to help them prepare for college and getting them ready for a career of their choice. Currently, counselors are focused on helping seniors with the process of applying for universities, college entrance tests like the SAT’s, grants, and scholarships. Juniors are being prepared to use an online program called
The Career Center has a variety of college pamphlets available on the shelves in the library. Senior Teresa Zacarias takes a peak at some of her options. photo by
Dellanira Alcauter
How to check your grades on StudentVue the 1. Type StudentVue link
into the address bar: http://sis.stockton. k12.ca.us/Login_ Student_PXP.aspx
your student 2. Type ID number into the “username” box. Your password is your birth year, month, and day (ex:19990526).
logged in, you 3.Once will be taken to the
there, you 4. From will be able to
home screen.
access different aspects of the website. To check grades, you would click the “Grade Book” link.
** Your ID number is located towards the bottom of your Stagg ID (indicated in red box to the left).** graphic by
Hey seniors!
Alyssa Rojas
Bridges where students build their personal portfolios that would help them determine their career interests and to be used as a resource for college and career research. In the future, Oki said that different workshops will be held during lunch, like showing students how to apply for jobs and presenting videos on how to prepare for job interviews. College representatives are also being planned to host these workshops and to give presentations to students. “I’m hoping it (the Career Center) will help me meet my deadlines, and give good advice and tips on college,” senior Rajada Ealey said, “especially with fee waiver applications.”
In preparation to opening the Career Center, Oki’s “first step was to find a designated place” — the library— and to replace the old computer tables, then to make sure computers were available and able to function. The Career Center will be open Tuesdays to Friday, during lunch, and after school from 1 to 3 p.m. Students who meet the a-g requirements will also be pulled out of their classes to meet with counselors until the end of the month. Otherwise, head counselor Chan Sam stresses that students who don’t meet the requirements but are applying to private or vocational colleges need to meet with their counselors immediately.
Open at lunch and after school from 1-3.
Program allows ‘vue’ of most grades BrianWalker
Grades — the reflection of all progress and work forward grades,” said Math Department Chair Ana student has made over a period of time. Students drew Walter. “It doesn’t work because we grade on are living in a technological era where access to see a weighted scale.” Math teachers have been able to their grades is available at all times. Before this year, get around this problem by using a different prostudents had to ask or turn in a grade check to find gram to calculate scores and just putting in final out what their grade was. grades when they are due. Now there is StudentVue. The trouble with the system is that students StudentVue is a program directly linked to teach- aren’t able to view their math grades on the proers’ grade books that can give students and parents gram until they are turned in and progress reports access to see students’ schedules, attendance, and are in the mail. most importantly, grades. “It’s really important to know However, not all grades are about your grades,” Christine Roavailable. Some teachers, for one driguez, sophomore, said. “You reason or another, do not post think you’re doing everything right grades on Synergy which makes then you actually see that you’re students unable to see them on way behind.” StudentVue. The Math Department is working “I check my grades regularly with the district and the developers to see what assignments I’m of the Synergy program to come up missing,” senior Derek Diep with a way to accommodate their said. “Without it I don’t know if system of grading but results are I’m doing bad or good.” long overdue as this is the third year The program has become a the school has used the proTaraHayes that valuable resource to students. gram. social studies teacher Since the grades are available “There was no chain of contact,” online, students can check their Walter said. grades anytime and parents no longer have to wait He and other math teachers only received one on a progress report. day of training at a workshop and it wasn’t until Also, they no longer have to wait for an assign- later that they found issues with putting in grades. ment to be handed back to them as their scores will According to Jason Dingle of Edupoint, the be posted as soon as teachers input them. company that manufactured the Synergy and The system works by linking the teachers’ grade StudentVue program, it is possible for teachers to input program Synergy with StudentVue to put all weight their grades. of a student’s class grades in one place. The fresh- “We have several types of weighting available to ness of the grade is a reflection of the teacher and teachers,” Dingle said in an email. their tendency to input grades. The system, he added, is designed to account for Some teachers are very supportive of the pro- “assignment weighting, category weighting, and gram. term weighting.” “Knowing their grades makes students respond There is a way to view one’s grades without the better and want to do better,” said Tara Hayes, so- interference of technology. The old fashioned way, cial studies teacher. asking the teacher. However, some students may By telling her students their grades she uses it for feel intimidated with this approach. motivation. “I’m afraid to ask my teachers,” Diep said. “I feel “Students will think they are getting a better like I’m annoying them.” grade than they are so it gives them a message that StudentVue has presented an option for the they better get moving.” more timid students to find out their grades at the The Math Department is having trouble with click of a button. the system. “If it wasn’t for StudentVue I wouldn’t be able to “The program was designed to put in straight keep up with my classes at all,” Diep said.
“Knowing their grade
makes the students respond better and want to do better.”
Here’s an easy way to fill out one application and have it be sent by counselors to many places for possible scholarship opportunities.
Step 1 Go to http://www.stockton.k12.ca.us/ Step 2Then hover over the tab labeled “Parents & Students.” After you hover over the tab, click on the option “Scholarship application.” Step 3 It will then take you to a PDF in which you will fill it out with the information required. Step 4 Once you’ve finished filling out the application you will need to take your mouse and hover it over the bottom right of the form and a little bar will pop up. Step 5 Click the last option on the bar that came up to print out your application. Step 6 Then turn in the completed packet to your counselor to be sent out. graphic by
Baylin Moran