staggline
the Feb. 5, 2015 Vol. 58 Issue 5
Device dependence has teenagers feeling celinelopez
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A.A Stagg High 1621 Brookside Stockton, CA 95207
He shies away from people, constantly averting his eyes as to not meet another’s. His voice, barely audible, wavers in volume and confidence. Jonathan Phillips speaks only when “necessary.” In a new social divide where dependence on devices is growing, many people avoid face-to-face contact, instead seeking shelter behind a screen. With three out of four teenagers owning a cell phone, according to National Public Radio, it is no surprise that this device dependence is so prevalent. In a 2010 study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, teens were spend more than seven and a half hours a day watching television, surfing the Web, social networking, and using other media. With so much time being spent interacting online, making phone calls, ordering food, and even speaking to people are now challenges to many teens who’d rather use a device. Phillips, a junior, is one of many teens who experiences trouble speaking to people in person. “I don’t like talking in general,” Phillips said. As he struggles to find the words, he explains that talking to people online or through text is easier because he doesn’t talk really loud. He describes himself as “awkward” when speaking to someone he doesn’t know that well, so he refrains from talking to people outside of his circle of friends, who describe him as talkative and louder than usual. He says besides his football and basketball teammates, and a few other close friends, he rarely acts that way. With a soft voice and timid nature, sophomore Katherine Ortiz tends to let others speak for her. When she has to ask a question in class, or order food or movie tickets, Ortiz usually asks a friend or family member to do so for her. “People scare me,” she said, explaining why she’s shy, “because they judge you.” Ortiz is another teen who prefers communicating through social media, such as Twitter or through text messages. She even ignores
phone calls, feeling more comfortable to chat through texting. Ortiz notices the differences in her behavior with people she’s comfortable with and others who intimidate her. For example, she said when she has to ask a teacher a question, she looks down, but when she meets one of her best friends, she’ll run up to them. When she’s communicating through text messages, she describes herself as “weird and funny,” definitely comfortable with the conversation. Psychology teacher Ryan Berg has noticed this type of behavior in a lot of his students. Not only are teens more comfortable with communicating through devices, they depend on them for the quick availability of conversation. “It’s a must-have culture,” he said, one that “expects instant gratification.” Berg explains that the culture now is a “major shift” from when means of communication involved letters and travel on foot or horseback just to send a message. In addition, he describes how people’s attention spans nowadays are much shorter, as “everything’s about quick, quick, quick.” “There’s an anxiety that comes in because we’re so accustomed to an instant response,” he said. Michaella Booth, senior, is one who is “paranoid” when she doesn’t receive that instant response. ”I usually get (anxiety) when I text something long, or express my feelings … and don’t get a text back,” she said. “I think, ‘What could I have said differently?’” She says she’s “shy as hell,” and is more inclined to speak through social media since “there’s not a lot of pressure.” “You kind of hide behind the devices you’re using,” Booth said. Talking with close friends is easy, she says, but presenting in class is difficult to manage the transition from colloquial conservation to a more “educated” way of speaking. But the transition to depending on technology and being social may become a little easier. Berg says that although new teaching methods encourage students to work together and discuss the subject, technology is also being used to engage students.
“
I don’t like talking in general, but I only talk if it’s necessary.” Jonathan Phillips
photo illustration by Jenifer Flores
junior
Prom committee takes lead angelgonzalez
Four years of prom being at the Scottish Rite Temple have come to an end. The new location will provide a view of the stars and the water front. Prom’s venue has received some scrutiny from the attendees in the past, but now it is going to be held on the rooftop of French 25, in part due to efforts and assistance of the newly founded prom committee. This committee has been organized by seniors exclusively in efforts to relieve some of the pressure from the Associated Student Body’s junior class. “Prom is what you make of it,” Ryan Berg, ASB adviser, said. The committee’s first goal was to change the venue. However, Berg saw potential in using the Scottish Rite Temple. “If you decorate the same place four different ways it can look like four different buildings,” he said. “In the past years prom hasn’t been the best,” committee member Allison Ho said. She remembers last year’s prom theme. “You walk in and you wouldn’t even notice that it was the Great Gatsby.” She also remembers that “it was kind of claustrophobic.” She believes that with the venue change it may be better. “Last year it was a very small confined banquet hall. By moving the prom to somewhere outdoors, like the rooftop, it will be better,” Ho said “We are involving student body in the process of creating prom,” said senior Faith Recio. She says that the most valuable asset that the committee brings to the table is that they are involving the student body. The committee hopes
that this will increase the excitement for prom. The reason the Scottish Rite Temple remained the venue for prom for several years is because of its affordability. Despite adversity with funds, Berg wanted the event to be “the best prom possible.” ASB makes its money by selling tickets to dances. Because the homecoming and sweetheart dances were canceled, not enough funds are coming in.
The prom committee discovered that holding prom at French 25 was less expensive than the Scottish Rite, so it satisfied the need to keep the price tag down. However, Recio’s push for the venue change stems from a previous engagement that was scheduled the same day as the Scottish Rite date, which would not be a problem at French 25. Recio said that there was going to be a music competition and that if it came down to it she would have just left early from the competition.“I am happy that prom now doesn’t conflict with my music trip because it would have been unfair to have to choose,” Recio said. Other conflicts of schedules included the section championships for sports like track and field. Now that prom is set for May 2, Recio and others no longer have to worry. Berg sees that this change stirred a positive reaction from the seniors. However, he urges the committee to recognize that normally prom planning is a junior class necessity since the funds go towards their senior year events. “The prom committee that we are trying to have is just to help the junior class,” Ho said. She, along with other seniors, is happy to lend a hand to the junior/senior prom. Prom is a very big event for most students. “It’s one of those rights of passage that before you leave that you go to senior prom,” Recio said. “Lots of girls wait for prom to happen photo by Jada Johnson and even guys wait for it to happen.” ASB adviser Ryan Berg talks over plans for prom “The more people to help out reduces the stress level and shows the layout for the old venue, which was and get things done faster,” Ho said. changed to the rooftop of French 25.
Undocumented gain license rights veronicavargo A shiny laminated card sits in the windowed area of most wallets in America, resembling the freedom that most teenagers are eager to have. Getting a driver license is an American rite of passage that is now being extended to a larger group. Assembly Bill 60 has allowed for undocumented citizens to drive legally on the road as they too can become licensed drivers. On Jan. 2, California joined nine other states who are already issuing driver licenses to individuals who cannot show proof of a legal presence in the United States. Applicants, however, must show proof of
“
I think there are going to be less accidents and more accountability.” Alejandra Lupercio
senior
residency in California with any of the documents listed on the Department of Motor Vehicle’s webpage for AB60. Citizens of 136 countries around the world are able to apply with their foreign passport as long as they meet the other requirements. Teenagers who immigrated to America no longer have to feel ridiculed as their classmates share the nerve racking experience of taking the behind the wheel driver’s test and exchange celebratory comments, knowing they have no horror story to share. Senior Alejandra Lupercio understands the benefits of AB60. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said. While Lupercio herself is not an undocumented citizen, she shares
that members of her family put themselves at risk everyday behind the wheel. “I have family that doesn’t have papers and they drive (without a license) and it’s dangerous,” she said. “I think there are going to be less accidents and more accountability.” Sophomore Joel Castillo, who in the past two years has received a visa, thinks that it is a significant improvement also since he feels he was basically “tossed over the border.” Since the Jan. 2 implementation date, there have been 217,000 issued tests (behind-the-wheel and written) with 25,300 issued driver licenses in California, according to the DMV weekly update on Tuesday.
2 A.A Stagg High 1621 Brookside Stockton, CA 95207 Editorial Policy 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 a story published or any school issue. We will make every effort to print any letter that is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 words may be edited for length. Letters must be signed to be printed. Letters may be given to a staff member, delivered to A-10 or emailed to dbott@ stocktonusd.net Awards/Recognitions The Stagg Line is a member of National Scholastic Press Association, whose awards and recognitions include the following: ff 20 consecutive All American rankings ff Hall of Fame ff First Place Best of Show five times ff National Newspaper Pacemaker Award seven times Stagg Line journalists over the years have won many awards and scholarships, including California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year and National Photo of the Year. Editors
Jada Johnson Devin Wickstrom co editors in chief Veronica Vargo web editor Marcella Hawkins news editor Michealla Foules opinion editor Alexus Plascencia features editor Baylin Moran entertainment editor Araceli Valencia sports editor Esmeralda Mascorro photo editor Marleene Pheav graphics editor Angel Gonzalez video editor Nuvia Cervantes copy editor
Reporters Matteo Danforth Jenifer Flores Sathina Flores Louis Fuentez Fernando Gonzalez Jonathon Ivy Celine Lopez My’Kayla Moore Trisha Newman Estefany Nunez Arriana Smith Luci Tomas Phillicity Uriarte-Jones Follow us Facebook: Stagg Line Twitter: @staggonline & @stagg_sports Web: staggonline.net PDFs: issuu.com/staggline
the
opinion
stagg line
Feb. 5, 2015
Editorial
Disassociated student body
T
he key to running successful businesses is to consider feedback, ask for suggestions, and implement changes. Any entrepreneur will agree. The Associated Student Body is not just a class but a business of planning a fun and revenue-filled year. However, when the actual student body speaks up, the tables are turned to “us vs. them.” The student body then becomes uninterested in whatever ASB has to offer because of a lack of consultation. No, ASB does not have to get the approval of all students, but if tickets are expected to sell, a critical mass should be interested in whatever the activity may be. This is not intended to be a blind-sided attack. Several examples from recent years demonstrate the inefficiency of ASB.
It is easy to blame failed events on lack of money or spirit. The reasons are more complex. The real hurdle that needs to be jumped is organization. Yes, it is difficult to start again with a new adviser, but the students should be the ones pushing forward. For example, the prom committee that just established itself needed no adult to make it happen. The group keeps in good communication with the rest of the senior class to ensure that prom is what they want, not just what a handful wants. Association implies communication. Yes, one can walk around campus and see a plethora of posters on the wall and listen to the Thursday morning announcements. Yet this doesn’t compensate for the lack of direct communication with the students.
Since word of mouth is the fastest means of travel, we suggest a mini fourth period monthly visit from members of ASB so that the classrooms can ask questions if need be and to ensure that the student body is actually picking up what ASB is putting down. This also allows ASB to express their passion for events. These meeting would demand a calendar of the events. ASB could then never be accused of a last minute planning. Social media is another means of communication. However, the @staggasb Instagram has not published in more than a year, and the Twitter account has not published since November. Opinions should not only be considered when determining when to have a dance but how to arrange that event and how to
execute it. A handful of students have offered their help throughout the year with not only prom but with other smaller activities that could help raise funds for the bigger events. ASB should welcome such assistance. In the event that ASB does not want to be faced with the timely task of setting up and cleaning up, there are several service clubs on campus that have members willing to donate their time. Simply, we ask that ASB take advantage of the people power that already exists out there. The acronym is Associated Student Body, which means all of us. It’s crucial to come together and improve lines of communication, so that the student body and ASB can work together like a well-run business.
ike most other seniors, and Drug Administration I’ll be turning 18 this was aiming to ban cake year. I don’t have a lot and donut sprinkles. of set plans; I may party, I If anyone goes to Krispy may not, it depends on who’s Kreme today, it’ll still be reading this. open and there will still One thing is certain, be sprinkles on the cakes. however, that is: I’ll be filling Why? Because the presiout my voter application. dent didn’t ban them. He The world of politics had no aim to. is engaging to me; I enjoy In truth, he reading the news, as well as wanted to ban trans fat, participating in it, and the which is not required to devinwickstrom current events of the world make donuts or nearly any excite me. food for that matter. Of course, not everyone is as passion This component is merely a bad health ate as I am when it comes to this topic, but habit that is found in daily foods but can most people will want to or will feel the banned without monetary or taste costs. need to vote one day. In fact, New York City banned it in 2007; A majority of the application will be even McDonalds stopped cooking their simple. Name. Address. Phone number. fries in trans fat a decade ago. Yeah, yeah, let’s get to the ballot. But be So why is this silly example important? fore one can go into the voting booth, the If students, or people in general, don’t party affiliation section must be completdo their research and listen to one biased ed. news source, their knowledge of current The what? events is crippled and therefore they can Of course, there are the Democrats not make intelligent political decisions. and the Republicans, but what do those Another example is the University of labels stand for? California tuition increase, which was a Their platforms are much more comhot topic towards the end of last year and plex than just saying one fights for equality is still being discussed. The term “tuition while the other fights for jobs. increase” receives an automatic NO from Depending on where one gets his or most students, but what isn’t known by her news from, biased stories can poison some is the reason for this increase. that person’s mindset on a certain party or The UC system aims to increase the official. number of undergraduates by 5,000 with For example, “Fox and Friends” (a this escalation, along with other monetary daily show on the Fox News Network) ran reasons that include hiring more staff. a health story last December saying Presi Now that sounds reasonable. That’s a dent Obama wanted to ban donuts. greater chance for high school graduates to Another media site, Breitbart, just get into college. And those with a legitidays after this story, stated that the Food mate financial need can receive an increase
in monetary aid. So not everyone will be in a lot of debt. Another example is the more recent goal to make community college free. This may sound spectacular at first, but the only way to make this possible is to have higher taxes to pay of the millions of students who will qualify for this benefit. Those taxes will come out of the civilians’ pockets. Again, this is not to say this endeavor is positive or negative. Instead, this is merely to offer a different point of view. In addition, this isn’t to defend the UC tuition increase, nor is it to support the biased headlines that persuade viewers. These are just a few examples that display the complexity of some issues. These models aren’t the only controversial topics, but a decision can still be made by well-informed individuals; and the reality is that some things will be sacrificed for the majority’s choosing. The point is that in order for young
people to intelligently participate in the politics that influence their lives, they must first understand the basics of an issue — from all perspectives. This works the same with the party affiliation mentioned earlier. It’s effortless to make a decision based off of what one’s parents believe or don’t believe; but if students want to make rational decisions as an independent individual, then they must understand the politics that are impacting their lives — and take a stand toward those issues. One political party is neither bad nor good, but a student should side with the party that is most similar to their views, not because of what their parents or family or friends believe. It doesn’t take much to understand who the Democrats and who the Republicans are and what their platforms mean, but it does take some initiative from the individual to be informed of legitimate current events.
Teens should understand politics L
J
Immigrants need welcoming
ust by taking a glance at somebody you may not guess their religion, ethnicity, or nationality. Many people perceive me as just white. They don’t realize that I’m first generation American. To understand one’s cultural background you must understand where their ancestors came from.
For those who don’t know, I am a daughter of immigrants. My parents came from Croatia, part of the former Yugoslavia, located in southeastern Europe. My family’s immigration story started well before my parents’. In fact, my great-grandfather came to the United States when the
photo courtesy of Luci Tomas
Last summer, junior Luci Tomas and her family visited Dubrovnik, Croatia. To view more scenic photos of her vacation, check out the online version of the story on staggonline.net.
art by Marleene Pheav
supermarket and a foreigner accepted rude remarks because they didn’t underthey contribute stand English. to our society. For senior Foreigners who Junfeng Chen, migrate here are the main reawilling to obtain son his family a job position migrated from lucitomas to support their China to the families. Most U.S. is for a prosperous life. foreigners look for laborious Under the same circumjobs, which most Americans stance, junior Jazmin Piedra aren’t willing to take. and her family came from We usually see AmerMexico for more opportuicans giving unusual looks nities in education. to immigrants at the DMV, According to the New supermarkets, and even at York Post, the United States school. Immigrants may is home to 41.3 million take this as impolite. legal and illegal immigrants, Think about their the highest percentage in 93 situation. If we were to live years. in another country, then we An interesting fact, would have to learn the lan- from the book Blossoms guage and get accustomed Into Gold, is that Croatians to the culture the same way were the first people to foreigners do here. I recall settle in the Pajaro Valley a time when I was at the in Watsonville, Ca starting
Read about Croatia’s first female president at staggonline.net 1906 San Francisco earthquake occurred, then soon returned to Croatia. My father escaped the Communist country and later gained citizenship from his father. My mother soon resided with my father in the United States before the civil war broke out between the Croats, Serbs, Bosnians, and Slovenes. As many of us know, immigrants often come into the United States having to face prejudice. Why is that? Why do they have to be judged for being themselves? Foreigners often receive peculiar looks just for pronouncing a word incorrectly. We shouldn’t judge immigrants based on their status, but instead how
in the 1800s. Across the states of America, there are more Croatian immigrants than you may think. In the Pittsburgh region there are about 50,000 Croatian residents who settled, according to Popular Pittsburgh. Today, many Croatians live in the Los Angeles area, Chicago, Watsonville, and New York. Also, various Croatian Fraternal Unions and Cultural centers reside in these areas, bringing the Croatian community together with the public. Foreigners shouldn’t be judged for their cultural background, appearance, and English speaking skills. We must understand that they migrate into this prosperous country for different reasons: for more opportunities, to find a job, or to escape a regime. We should accept them for who they are because we wouldn’t have an insight of what diversity is like.
opinion
Feb. 5, 2015
the
3
staggline
Freedom of speech has boundaries O
n Jan. 7 just before noon, two masked gunmen entered the office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Their goal was to kill. A total of 12 people lost their lives. They were all staff members, except two guards who were on duty during the shooting. The reason behind the shooting was when the magazine released an issue with an offensive caricature of Muhammad on the cover. It is forbidden in the Hadith, a collection of the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, to depict him in any way. The cartoonists should have used better judgement when designing the cover of this issue. Freedom of expression is a birthright some countries have. arrianasmith However, one should be sensitive when it comes to insulting faiths. It seems to be routine to just victimize the people who were killed, disregarding anything they did wrong. Even so, the mockery does not justify the men killing the magazine staff. It was horrible what happened to those people. It should have never happened at all, but the cartoonist were not
completely innocent. They didn’t need to use such gritty humor in order to make a point. When a person uses one freedom to downgrade someone else’s, in this case freedom of religion, it seems to minimize the impact that the birthright has in the first place. French teacher Deborah Berg agrees that the magazine’s comments and caricatures were over the top. She understands how people could easily get upset over something like that. Believing that the writers never imagined their comments would cause an attack when publishing this particular issue. The cartoonists should have respected the Islamic culture as they would have wanted any other culture to respect theirs. The writers were aware of what they were doing and how offensive their magazine was; they just didn’t care about the possible consequences. Most of their cartoons were offensive to not just Muslims, but to different religious and political groups as well. The Islamic community was outraged by this. Instead, they saw it as deliberate mockery and downgrading of their prophet, the person they hold to be most sacred. The writers didn’t just
By Thierry Marianne [CC BY 2.0 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/thierrymarianne/], via Flickr: Creative Commons
mock Islam, they also made the Muslims look bad as a whole. When something is different, too often we insult rather than attempt to understand. Terry Welch, history teacher, feels that this tragedy was caused by the fundamental difference between the Islamic and Christian communities and beliefs. This needs to be an awakening for every country — that we
as a whole should respect each other. Our freedom should be used to make a positive impact, not a negative one. Sometimes it takes a reign of terror and mourning to allow people to finally see the light of things. In a way, all progress is made by trial and error. Sadly, this was an error that ended lives. However, there is always a lesson to be learned. The lesson
Protesters in front of French restaurant, L’Evidence in Paris, armed with signs of political art.
we can take away from this experience is just understanding respect and knowing when things are being taken too far. Although satire allows writers to insult someone or something, the excessive and exaggerated insult and disrespect from the cartoonists and writers of Hebdo magazine crossed the line.
Is there such thing as too much free speech?
“
“
Never, unless you are hating someone — pure hatred. That’s when you’re being destructive.”
People should be able to say whatever they want, whatever the topic. They are entitled to their own opinion.”
JoAnn Sagaral
Vincente Arburua
junior
senior
We may not have flying cars, Hair does not but technology still advances make you
I
n the past, Hollywood created movies that depicted a technology-rich future that fueled the imaginations of many people across the country. They were convinced that by the beginning of the 21st century, the skies would be lit by the headlights of flying cars and outer space would be inhabited by people living in spaceships. When one looks around now, none of those highly anticipated gadgets are anywhere to be accessed by the general public This fact seems to disappoint as social media churns out reports of the public being dissatisfied with today’s world, believing that the lack of such technology is proof that the world is taking a turn for the worse. Because we still don’t have floating cities built in the skies or hoverboards, people don’t think we are advanced enough. People are so convinced that the technology we do have now is actually doing the Earth more harm than it is doing good. Dams are looked at as great ways to create energy. How-
nuviacervantes ever, many old and damaged dams cause harmful effects to the environment. According to American Rivers, dams can completely alter the environment surrounding the river, drying out riverbeds and changing the way rivers flow. Deforestation is another serious problem that people have created for themselves. The cutting down of trees is critical to have wood for building houses, stores, and offices. Lumber is just one of the vital resources people need to keep making buildings that are needed to house families and businesses. As the population keeps growing, so does the need for
more buildings. But just because people are now dependent on the wood that is constantly being hacked down it doesn’t mean that we should go ahead and strip entire ecosystems of their forests. Deforestation is incredibly harmful to the land and the animals that make those forests their home. Without these forests, entire climates can change, species can become extinct, and the forest itself can ultimately be wiped from existence. Then where will our precious resources come from? People keep talking about such man-caused disasters and including the deterioration of natural resources by humans and it leading to the “end of the world.” However, it really isn’t necessary to drag a negative future that hasn’t even happened yet into the present. If people only think about the future in negative terms, then that may as well be the only future we come to see. It dooms us to only think of the
worst that can happen. If we look to the technology that we do have today and compare it to what we had in the past, it can be fairly asserted that we have gone such a long way. An everyday tool that perfectly represents such an advancement is the Internet. In the 1950s, it was nonexistent. Because it is now literally everywhere in the world, people treat it like it’s nothing special and automatically assume that everywhere they go, the Internet will be with them. The most amazing way that the world has advanced its use of technology is in the medical field. With all the laser surgeries, body scans, and antibiotics, people are now living much longer lifespans than in the past years. To avoid our “own destruction,” we must change the way they look at the world and pick up on the good things about the technology that we do have. If we are capable of degrading such a world, then we are still capable of improving its environment.
What’s a better world in your eyes?
The world’s future has changed over decades. Movies predicted the 2000s to be high tech, and have robots and flying cars. Now, people believe that the world is doomed, either by a natrual disaster or by war. People were asked what they would invent to make the world a better place.
“... a machine to teleport people to their families.” - Hugo Virrueta, sophomore
“I would invent a machine that diminishes all trash because it gets (in) our beaches and hurts animals.” - Olivia Burkhart, senior
“... a time machine to change history. I’d change (events) like the holocaust.” - Chan Sam, head counselor
“I would create a machine that would end world hunger.” - Gabrielle Wallace, junior
graphic by Jenifer Flores and Trisha Newman
S
beautiful
he sits down at the screen. What does she see? Flowing hair atop a model’s head, the standard of beauty. She sits down at a mirror. What does she see? Scars, bruises, a shadow of herself, no hair. When I heard the snips of my hair meeting the blade, I braced myself for the change that was about to come, still confident in my decision. I was going to donate my hair. I had always feared the change in my appearance, but recently, I felt the need for that change. No matter how it looked, I realized my hair would grow back. But the hair of a cancer patient going through chemotherapy wouldn’t. Not for a long time, at least. It’s because of this that I donated 10 inches of my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, an organization that creates and distributes free, real-hair wigs to both girls and women battling cancer and hair loss from chemotherapy. My intentions were purely selfless; I wasn’t looking to do something to improve my image or pretend I’m some saint. I figured if I was going to cut my hair anyway, I might as well contribute to a great cause. After donating my hair, I got to thinking. Organizations like Locks of Love and Pantene Beautiful Lengths have the same message: Donate your hair to make a women with cancer feel beautiful! But, wrong is that? How vain is that? Do you see the problem here? Women already face problems meeting standards of beauty, so when we tell cancer patients suffering hair loss that they need a wig to be pretty again, or expect them to drape their heads with scarves, we’re
creating more problems with society’s expectations of beauty. Hair doesn’t determine celinelopez beauty. Not its length, color, texture, or presence. I fully support cancer organizations. They aren’t the problem. It’s the mindset, the message that we’re sending that the piece of the beauty puzzle cancer patients are missing is hair. In a world filled with pink ribbons during October, it is almost as if people want us to think that cancer is beautiful. Cancer is not beautiful. It’s a horrible, ugly disease. Yet we and the media have gotten used to associating cancer with beauty, and that is wrong. Nothing about cancer is beautiful, and we can’t be in denial about it no longer. We can’t continue to deceive cancer patients with these lies and false encouragements. Cancer doesn’t make them beautiful. Wearing a wig doesn’t make them beautiful. They’re beautiful because they are strong. They have hope. They are fighters. Exterior characteristics can’t define beauty. A destructive disease can’t, either. It’s time we destroy that image. Because if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then maybe we need to look at the world differently. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, maybe it’s time we opened our eyes.
4
the
features
stagg line
Feb. 5, 2015
Freedom of expression extends to artists and Muslims esmeraldamascorro After last month’s attack in Paris on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, many people have been blaming Islam. They are also categorizing Islam as a religion of terror. This is hitting home for students who are associated with Islam and students who have a desire to pursue a career in art. The attack is raising questions about religious tolerance and respect for the First Amendment. Questions like, “Is it appropriate for Muslims to pursue the murder of an individual who drew an offensive cartoon?” and “Is it okay to draw pictures of something that is offensive to one’s religion?” “It is a religion of peace, as long as you practice it correctly,” senior Zeshawn Khan said. He was born in a home that practices Islam, which he said cultivated him to be giving, and let others in. He was taught to be compassionate and to believe that you must always help those in need. “And spend for the cause of Allah, cast not yourselves into
“
People threaten people all the time, but threatening someone for their art is wrong.”
Monica Kunz
senior
ruin with your own hands, and do good; surely Allah loves those who do good,” he said, quoting the Quran 2:196. This scripture is often recited in Khan’s home, giving him the inspiration to believe that Muslims aren’t all bad. “There (are) a lot of bad ones but good ones too.” The attack also took a huge toll on freedom of speech and
just exactly what it means, not only in France but around the world. Artists who feel like their freedom of expression is being violated are speaking up. “People threaten people all the time, but threatening someone for their art is wrong; people draw out of expression,” senior Monica Kunz said. She plans to attend college and major in art in hopes of becoming an animator someday. She, like many others, is appalled by the attack because it amplifies a statement that elevates religion over freedom of expression. It is critical for students on both sides of the issue, yet they seem to both agree on one idea. “It was really offensive to the Muslim culture,” Kunz said. “But they should not have been killed.” Khan agrees that “you can not get mad enough over satirical jokes to kill someone.” Other students, like senior Ali Khan, feels like America is his home, his country, and where he belongs, and he would never commit an act of terror over an offensive statement directed to his religion.
Fear of losing family connection marcellahawkins Nyob zoo. Hola. Hello. Senior So Her is terrified of losing his ability to communicate with his parents. His parents know some English, but only certain words and phrases. Her said, “If I lost the ability to speak Hmong it would depressing.” There are about 6,500 spoken languages in the world today. Of the 311 spoken in the United States, 149 are immigrant languages. With one out of every five people in this country speaking a second language, this issue of cross-generational communication is common. People who migrated to the U.S. brought their languages with them, but some are worried that they may be losing it. Her is one of those people who feel like they are losing their roots. While growing up, he was taught to speak Hmong and that was his first language. When he was enrolled to start kindergarten he had to start learning English. As he continued through school he learned more and more English. “I could still hold a conversation with my parents in Hmong, but sometimes I would struggle to find the right word,” he said. Luckily, his sister is a Hmong language tutor so she can help him relearn his first language. “Hmong ABC’s are very long so it gets hard to remember all of them, but I’m working through it.”
Junior Daniel Diep is also afraid of losing his Vietnamese language. School is also the reason his ability to speak the language decreased. “Some words I can’t really say and some I just have completely forgot,” Diep said. If he forgets his language then he risks losing communication with his parents as well. “I try to speak English with them, but it gets foggy,” he said. Another student, junior Martha Valencia, recently visited Mexico to visit family for Christmas. While she was there, she realized that her grasp of the Spanish language wasn’t as strong as it used to be. “When I spoke I noticed I couldn’t say certain things and others were jumbled,” she said. In seventh grade, the junior lived in Mexico and actually had to adjust to reading and writing in Spanish. Valencia said, “At first the kids used to make fun of me because I couldn’t read or write Spanish as easily, but after I explained to them my situation they understood.” The junior would also help out with the English lessons given in class. She would even help fix the teacher’s mistakes if one was made. Valencia tries to keep up with her Spanish by talking with her mom, who lives in Mexico, on the phone. Spanish is Valencia’s first language and she said that it is really important to her culture. “My language connects me with other people and we’re allowed to connect on that level because of our language.”
photo by Marcella Hawkins
With the help of his sister, senior So Her refreshes his memory on Hmong, his native language. Although it gets difficult, he knows it’s important to his heritage.
Categorizing a group by the actions of a few is common. It has been seen over and over again throughout history. After World War II, many considered all Germans to be part of the Nazi regime. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, many Americans considered all Japanese to be anti-American. Today the same scenario is painted: all Muslims are terrorists because of the acts of a few extremists. The complexity is found in the question, “Can one individual determine an entire race or group?” Every mind is made to generate original thoughts and cultivate personal opinions. An opinion lead to the drawings of the prophet Muhammad, and an opinion lead to the killing of the cartoonists. Now, an opinion has lead people all around the world and students on campus, to choose what they believe in. The choice is in the hands of the individuals to choose what is more important: religion, freedom of expression, or life itself.
art by Celine Lopez
Senior puts trauma of Katrina in past estefanynunez
No power, sweltering summer days, falling trees and pole lines, collapsing houses, rushing water full of debris. Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc for several cities along the Gulf Coast. Deemed as one of the most destructive and deadliest hurricanes to ever occur, Katrina caused an approximated 1,836 fatalities and $108 billion of damage in August of 2005. A week prior to this natural disaster, Alabama residents were warned with hurricane drills informing them to prepare for the Category 3 hurricane heading their way. Senior Genesis Williams was only 8 years old when Alabama was hit by Katrina, a catastrophe that ended up being one of the worst moments of her life. Now, 10 years later, Williams uses this traumatic experience as motivation to cherish the little things in life. “We (had) been through many hurricanes before,” Williams said, but in a situation like Katrina, “all we (could) really do is hope and pray.” Williams had woken up to most of the damage already being done. Bewildered as to why it was so hot, she remembered that they were in the middle of a storm. Having to stay inside, she waited hours in her powerless house patiently with her family, doing what she was told. She stayed away from windows, obeyed her parents and tried to keep hopeful thoughts in mind. “I don’t remember all the details as much as I would have when I was 9,” she said. “You don’t forget something like that, though.” Worried and afraid, even at a young age she was not only concerned for her own life, but for the lives of her family members. So that’s how she spent her day, isolated in a house with her parents, two younger sisters, and the apprehension caused from waiting for the hurricane to pass over. It lasted the whole day, beginning in the early morning and ending by the late evening. Despite her house’s screen door was broken, and areas around her home were flooded, the Williams made it out okay. “I remember a lot of people coming out, checking if everyone was alright and seeing if anyone needed help,” Williams said. “People were just making sure (that) everyone was okay.” Seeing as she could have lost her life, she allows herself to reflect back on Katrina, “but we have to keep living our lives.” Since she was exceptionally young, her memories of Katrina are things that normally one would not expect to remember. She remembers sensory details such as the water, the people who helped
photo by Matteo Danforth
Hurricane Katrina shaped senior Genesis Williams to “live in the moment” and appreciatie how precious life is to her.
them afterwards, or the damage done to her neighbors’ houses. Individuals who have been through such a traumatic experience all deal with trauma differently. She remained strong through the aftermath and refused to let the questions ‘what if?’ haunt her, a good method that has benefited her in shaping to be the person she is today. “You can’t really hold on for things so long, you just have to heal those wounds up and keep going,” she said. Katrina definitely left a large impact on her life but Williams has used it to her advantage rather than bringing her down. She lives in the moment, seeks positivity out of everything and lives life with a ‘can do’ attitude. Regardless of having experienced this hurricane in Alabama, she still considers it home. Though she has lived in California for seven years now, she’s naturally inclined to Alabama. She has even applied for some colleges there. “You can’t run away from mother nature,” she said. Williams will be graduating high school in a few more months to continue her life, more details slipping from her memory as she grows up, but 2005 will always be memorable for Williams. “I’m just really blessed my whole family made it.”
features
Feb. 5, 2015
An early life start
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Students participate in early start to begin general education courses phillicityuriarte-jones From a young age students are told they will “be something” in life, whether it be the President of the United States or a neurosurgeon. Aspirations are remarkable and hope remains prominent. As more is expected from them, slowly some students begin to lose hope, start settling and stop caring. Their grades are now satisfactory, sedentary behaviors become prevalent and motivation drops. “I am going to be valedictorian” becomes “I am going to graduate high school.” Despite this motivation epidemic, a handful of students maintain their drive. Some, in fact, have begun taking advantage of the College Early Start Program that Delta offers. The requirements are limited to completing a few forms and applications, taking a placement test and eventually gaining counselor and parental permission. However, a student may only complete a maximum of 11 units per semester in which they are still enrolled in high school to ease their workload. Once this is completed, students select their desired classes, register, then pay $46 per unit as long as students are categorized as California residents. And in some cases, students can qualify for a fee waiver that will cover a percentage of each units’ price. Senior Vincente Arburua is one of the few high school students who also attend community college. “I am serious about my education, I always have been.” While he has always thought about college, being a senior brings forth the sense of reality that comes with adulthood. Arburua is completing his college general education now and plans to transfer those credits to a four-year university. Last semester he took Child Development and this semester he is taking Music Appreciation. On top of taking rigorous courses at Stagg, he also participates in other extracurricular activities, such as tennis and cross country, which he has to balance with his college classes. “I have to choose the class on days I have practice, and on days I have games I go to the game.” Despite his time management challenges, Arburua enjoys the time he spends at Delta. While on the college campus he notices that the students there are more serious about their education and while they are older than him, he feels comfortable. Some students had considered the option but later decided against it. Senior Clarissa Navas, for example, had thought of the possibility. However, she eventually decided she wouldn’t have time for it being that she is so invested in her high school activities such as track and field and various clubs. If she had chosen to attend Delta within the College Early Start Program she would have taken English. Navas had planned to take these classes during the school year, not over the summer as her peers suggested.
photo by Alexus Plascencia
Senior Vincente Arburua had to make multiple trips back to Delta’s admissions building to be registered for general education courses. Arburua is currently placed into a music appreciation course for the semester.
Some students need that extra push but ultimately achieve their goals. Victor Flores, also a senior, is currently taking classes at Delta and plans to remain a student there for two years after high school, then transfer his credits to the University of the Pacific. Currently, he is taking English and Public Communications. Flores admits he was not the one who initially considered the idea. His school counselor, Samantha Wirzberger, suggested he start now rather than after he graduates. Though he needed that extra push, he does not lack the enthusiasm others may have. Flores finds it difficult to cope with attending two schools and dealing with two different sets of teachers. “It’s hard but I have to do it if I want to be something in life.”
Poverty in Pakistan inspires dreams of wealth alexusplascencia He remembers first grade weeping, feeling inadequate because he couldn’t understand his teacher. She was speaking English and he was transitioning from living in Pakistan for the first five years of his life. Senior Ali Khan is originally from Attock, a city located in the northern border of the Punjab province of Pakistan. In 2003, he and his immediate family came to America, leaving the rest behind. The open spaces, cows, lack of electricity in some areas, and hardships of living in a Third World country. But in the past two school years Khan has gone back to
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I just want to make something of myself, and life, by becoming rich and successful.”
Ali Khan senior
Pakistan to visit. Opposed to vacationing in the summer because of the heat, Khan’s family prefers to travel during more reasonable weather. Because of this, it has even resulted in Khan being dropped out of the school system from being gone so long and lowering his GPA from a 4.5 to a 3.1 in the past school year. But still, he always enjoys going back to the place he once called home. Seeing life on the western part of the hemisphere has shown him that Pakistan has a lot of flaws, some of which can’t be fixed. “I’m just grateful to have gotten away from there.” Khan describes the area as seen in the movies with run down villages and brick buildings. Although Khan sees Pakistan for what it is, a not so fortunate country, he still has plans of beginning a future back home. In his hometown, none of Khan’s family works full time. They buy, own, and sell properties. Since his grandfather began the business of building, owning, and then selling properties, “there’s no such thing as work.” His family is provided with what their grandfather started for them, which is (how much) property and money to live off of while keeping the lifestyle going. From the amount of properties his family owns, the money from it converted equals up to one million American dollars.
photo courtesy of Ali Khan
While visiting family back home during the holidays, senior Ali Khan and his father went out to the major tourist attractions, including the Dubai Mall.
“In Paki, value never drops,” he said. “It always goes up.” At first his family had the expectations of a “typical Middle Eastern family” for his career. They wanted Khan to become a doctor or even an engineer. But Khan decided to follow in his father’s, uncle’s, and grandfather’s footsteps in selling property. “I’m going to go to UOP so I can major in business, then I’ll go back to Paki to continue the business with my uncle.”
He plans to go back and forth from Pakistan and America to check on properties he owns out where his family live. He loves where he came from and visiting family to get away on a vacation, but Pakistan isn’t a place to live for him due to the dangers from the lack of safety regulations and corruption of their government. “I just want to make something of myself, and life, by becoming rich and successful.” graphic by Sathina Flores
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Online transgender show review marleenepheav
“Transparent,” which debuted on Feb. 6, 2014, is about a transgender woman coming out to her family, along with the struggles their dysfunctional family goes through. The word “transparent,” a clever play on words, refers to the main character Maura Pfefferman’s journey, letting the world see who she really is. If you break it down to “trans” and “parent,” trans is short for transgender, and Maura is a transgender parent. Recently, the series won a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards. The show represents the LGBTQ community, enlightening the audience on the hardships transgender people go through. Creator and director Jill Soloway was inspired by the transitioning of her own father three years prior to the show’s release. For the show, she was “favoring the hiring of transgender candidates over nontransgender ones.” The atmosphere of the set was comfortable; all the bathrooms were gender-neutral. She also hired “two full-time transgender consultants to steer her away from any pitfalls.” When the show won the Golden Globe Award, Soloway dedicated her speech to Leelah Alcorn, a transgender girl who committed suicide due to unacceptance by her family and friends. This shows how much Soloway cares for the representation of the trans community in the media, which is truly amazing. Jeffrey Tambor, a cisgender male — meaning
source by wallwidehd.com
Comedy-drama televison series “transparent” represents transgender people and the LGBTQ community.
he identifies with the gender he was biologically born with — plays Maura Pfefferman. Tambor is known for his flexibility and captivity of the diverse roles he plays, but I would have much prefered an actual transgender woman acting as Maura, because
A slice of fun New pizza place attracts eaters
mattdanforth The first thoughts that most high schoolers have in their head once they hear the glorious ringing of the bell for lunch or the end of school goes a little something like, “Finally! Class is over!” *Stomach growls* “Man, I’m hungry. Where can I go off campus to get something to eat that’s inexpensive?” Well, the new and improved Depot Pizza may offer some relief to the empty stomachs of students and walk-in customers alike. The restaurant was previously known as Saigon Sandwich which offered Vietnamese style sandwiches and lunch plates, and was a popular spot for getting a bite to eat. However, after some surprising news, the old owner sold his beloved restaurant and went back to work. Now the restaurant is under the ownership of Le Nguyen who previously owned a bayside pizza place, hence why she has added pizza to the Lunch deals: menu. To the relief of • They do not sell by the slice students, alumni, and local patrons alike, the • $4.99 Medium pizza spirit of Saigon Sand- • $7.99 Large pizza wich lives on as the owner has kept the SOURCE: MENU AT DEPOT PIZZA Vietnamese items on the menu. So obviously, to the majority of student that are unemployed, the first question is always, “How much is it going to cost me?” Well, the restaurant offers the same prices regardless if you want plain cheese, pepperoni, or a combination pizza. For a group of friends coming in for lunch or right after school, a large costs $7.99 while a medium will cost $4.99. But is the food well worth the price? The restaurant is known for having quality Vietnamese food, so the main focus was the quality of the pizza. After ordering the pizza, the customer can expect to wait around 10 minutes before the pizza is brought to their table, fresh out of the oven. The service lacks here because no plates are provided to the customers beforehand and must be asked for. The pizza is clearly fresh from the heat as the crust exerts and the melted cheese elongates as each slice is pulled apart from the whole. The pizza doesn’t go overboard with the sauce which is quite delectable but the cheese tastes like that of store bought string cheese. Over all, the pizza is very filling and is worth the price of $8. Although the service could be better, the owner and employees at Depot Pizza are very down to earth and very friendly people.
PRICES
Depot Pizza is a good venue for
the price. Quality may vary but is ultimately satisfying. The pizza place is cheap and easy for family fun.
The pizza is well worth the price and easy to get to for students to enjoy. It’s a great add to the options for off campus eaters.
a trans woman should represent a trans woman. Direct representation is important because it accurately portrays transgender people in the media, which hardly even includes them in the first place. However, with shows such as Transparent and the Net-
flix series Orange is the New Black, which features a trans woman, Sophia (Laverne Cox), transgender people are finally starting to get their fair share in the media spotlight. It also accurately shows the discrimination trans people go through. In one scene, Maura is attending someone’s funeral and dresses feminine. A lady attempts to console her and acknowledge her transition, saying, “I just wanna say (that) I totally get it. There’s actually a little boy in my class who suffers (from) the same condition.” This script was formulated to expose the ignorance that trans people experience daily. I was appalled to hear that woman call Maura’s transition a “condition” and that she is “suffering” from it. Transgender people are fully aware of their gender identity; they are not confused nor do they have a “condition.” People are so used to the normative of cisgender that if someone chooses to identify as the opposite or a nonbinary gender — outside of the male or female spectrum — they treat that as abnormal. One should not conform to the standards of society, but identify as what is comfortable for them. It is difficult to face the unaccepting ways of others, but if others cannot accept them for what they want to do with their own body, their mindset is stuck on that negative norm. With its well-rounded representation and comedy, the show was renewed for a second season, which will be released later this year. More shows like “Transparent” should be publicized so people are more accepting of the LGBTQ community, for it does an incredible job in doing so.
With the Oscars coming up, here are a few movies that could be an award winner.
SELMA An extraordinary film that is able to capture a historical event throughout the good, the bad, and the ugly. This allows an explanation of how it took more than just one person to get a movement going.
AMERICAN SNIPER An intense movie that’s able to scope out a tragic tale and explain the hard jobs that those in war go through. Not only does it explain war, it goes to show how fame and glory might not be all that it seems.
BOYHOOD A phenomenal motion picture captures the process of 12 years of growth on a single person. This allows people to see just how much we change while developing into a young adult.
graphic by Baylin Moran
sports stagg Not your usual athletes Feb. 5, 2015
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School sports revolve around the conventional, like basketball, football, soccer and golf. However, there are other sports that aren’t affiliated with the campus. Those sports are less common, the ones many have heard of but never thought a student would play. These three individuals are athletes just like others with one big difference: They don’t represent brown and gold.
Aim, shoot, bullseye
Family traditions inspire students to join archery sathinaflores
photo by esmeraldamascorro
Senior Christian Morgan has been into archery and shooting at Jerry’s Archery, the only professional shop in Stockton, since the sixth grade.
To see the interviews about archery,
Visit staggonline.net
Christy’s passion for hockey leads to trip to Canada louisfuentez The chilly air, the ice on his face, and the redness on his cheeks. He skates down the ice rink with his mind set on two things: score and help out teammates. Freshman Gregory Christy has been on many hockey teams in the valley such as the Stockton Colts, the Tri Valley Blue Devils, and the Capitol Thunder. These are all travel teams, which means they play all over California and even travel to some teams in nearby states. As a kid, Christy used to go to games with his dad and watch the local hockey team, the Stockton Thunder, and watch all of his favorite athletes play the game that he would end up loving. He was inspired by a player who went to the NHL from the Thunder. He saw that with hard work and initiative he too could get in the big league. “I would love to be drafted in the World Hockey League, which is pretty much the step to the NHL, but I would have to wait till I am 17 and out of high school.” Though this league is for the players in the world that have been considered the best, Christy hopes that one day he can make it. Christy was able to overcome the struggle of constantly traveling because of these teams and how they go to many places in California. “There was a tournament in San Jose to qualify to go to an even bigger tournament in Canada,” said Christy. The Tri Valley Blue Devils
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ended up winning and Christy had the chance to finally play an international tournament in January. “When we arrived, it didn’t feel any different that we were going to play, but it was just super cold,” said Christy. He was really excited to be part of a team that could possibly win the tournament but was also scared because these teams were really hard to beat. As he took to the ice, he looked at all of his surroundings and was really surprised to see that many people were going to be there and watch his team play. Let alone the fact that this team was from a small city, they had to work as hard as they could to get to where they were. “Other teams were looking really good but we knew we had the talent to defeat them,” he said. The first match that they played was a tie. “I remember I made a big hit for payback,” Christy said. “Once I hit him pretty hard, he fell back and my teammates banged their stick against the wall and I heard the crowd clap.” The second team they played was the host team and they were defeated by them. However, they never put their head down. Christy and his team knew that the second game was going to be better than their first. “It was late in the last period and we were on the offensive side and my teammate passed me the puck and I just took the shot and I made it. I was pumped,” he freshman said.
Other teams were looking really good but we knew we had the talent to defeat them.”
Gregory Christy
His eyes never left his target. As he reached for his arrow he took note of his surroundings and all that could interfere with his skill. He pulled the string back, took a deep breath, and let the tension build in the arrow before he released, and then relaxed. The arrow’s flight path was already forming in his head. Between the branches, over the rocks, and straight toward the target. The string snapped forward and the arrow took off. Senior Randi Brigance has been doing archery for five years and it all began with his dad. He said one day his dad pulled him outside and said, “Try this,” and ever since then he has been shooting arrows. He said archery is taken too serious by people when it’s just meant to have fun. He not only shoots in his free time for fun but also joins archery tournaments where he decides to join the older age group. “The guys are just old and they just make it fun for me.” Brigance mentions that one of his tournaments was located in the mountains. Out of 100 competitors he took fifth place. At a point he describes one of his tournaments as “Jurassic Park — the mist right above tree line.” “You just have to focus,” Brigance said. “You can’t think about everything.” Senior Christian Morgan is another archer. However, he has been shooting since the sixth grade. He said, “I grew up around it, so it’s kind of
like a given.” Morgan said there isn’t really anyone who inspired him because his family always did it, so shooting arrows just became a daily thing to do. Reminiscing back to the first time he held a bow in his arms he said, “I was little, so the bow was the same height as me and it was weird.” Morgan said his arm got hit a lot with the string because he had an improper grip on the bow. He described it as one of his most painful experiences of shooting. He also said he had an awkward stance at first. He said, “I didn’t have the right form.” Not having the correct stance in archery led Morgan to not be able to shoot accurately. “It was really uncomfortable,” he said. It took him at least six months to master the right form. However, Morgan said that in the end it’s all how the person feels. “There’s no one way.” As he improved his dad took him out into the woods and Morgan said, “The first thing I’ve ever killed was a squirrel. It was small and far away.” And he was proud of that. Morgan said focusing is the way to shoot well. Even Brigance said, “Clear your mind and you shoot well. You just stop worrying and relax.” Morgan said that the first time he tried archery he told himself this: “If I did good today it was going to decide if I did it in the future.”
Father and son bond through bowling trishanewman
Bowling alleys are typically seen as Saturday becomes a teammate, he is more than a teacher. It is night destinations for family fun, but for senior Jor- rare to see father-son teammates and even more rare dan Farmer it is about getting better in his sport on to see a lack of clashing between the duo. Monday nights. Though there is a competitive spice Yet, there is minimal competition between to his passion for bowling it is still a family friendly Farmer and his father as they take turns bowling. affair that he looks forward to. Little jokes are mutered here and there but great “It’s like a second home, I get along with every- smiles and laughs emerge from them. “This is our body here,” said Farmer. “It’s positive vibes because time to hangout together,” said Farmer. everybody is here to have a good time.” “We hangout at home, just without the bowl Though he averages a 205 now, Farmer first be- ing balls,” Joe Farmer, Farmer’s father, said. “This gan at the age of 14. “Watching him bowl for the is just an added feature,” Kay Farmer, his mother, first time was like watching a baby walk for his first said. time,” said Andrew Carterez, one of Farmer’s bowl- Bowling is a hobby for Farmer. “It can make ing friends. my days better or worse depending on how I bowl. In just his first year of bowling, his traveling It does have an effect on me,” said Farmer. team took first place and he was awarded most im- He has gotten scholarships here and there proved bowler. worth $100 and does plan to continue bowling He stands with a steady posture and a serious even after high school. energy radiates him as he holds the 15 pound ball. With all of the noise and chaotic commotion around him, he remains focused and undisturbed. Even after he bowls two perfect strikes his face remains serious with no celebration at the end like most would do. “I guess I’m more zoned in,” said Farmer. “I’m the same way when it comes to baseball.” The highest Farmer has scored in bowling is a 299, which is only one pin away from a perfect 300, meaning straight strikes every frame. The 299 Trophy he received was no award but merely a reminder of what could have been. The final pin is the hardest one for him to knock down, meaning every other pin falls down except one. “No one wants to bowl near perfect,” said Farmer. Bowling is a flexible sport that gives an individual the opportunity to compete yet still photo by jadajohnson have fun with family and friends Along with his family, senior Jordan Farmer bowls every at the same time. A father coaching his son is very Monday night at West Lane bowl. common to see but when a father
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3.11 problems and a bus pass is one Strict regulations make it difficult for some to get to school jadajohnson One-fifth of a mile, approximately the distance of three football fields, is all it took to disqualify senior Maria Kun from getting a bus pass provided by the district. Every day she asks friends for rides to and from school. Unsure of when they will tell her they don’t have the gas or the time, Kun relies on hope that she will have a ride for the day. The extension of the distance boundary to receive free transportation has left some students trudging behind buses to get to school. Annett Ferreyra, a specialist from the district transportation office, confirmed that the distance has always been 3.1. “The radius is decided by where the students live,” she said. However, when Sandra Johnson, textbook assistant and head of bus pass distribution, first started handing bus passes out several years ago, the distance limit was about 2.5 miles. The distance last year was 3.1 miles, and this year it is 3.11. Back in 2005, students were able to walk to neighborhood bus stops to catch a free ride to school. Now, after the $1.5 million cost switch from Stockton Unified School District buses to Regional Transit District city lines, students are being asked to walk hundreds of feet to pay fare for a bus they simply can’t afford. Johnson sympathizes with those who come in but don’t qualify. She used to walk from her house to school everyday. “It’s about a mile and a half away,”
she said, “so it didn’t take that long.” She estimates it took 15 minutes. However, she said, “All I can do is what the district tells me to do.” She admits that she wouldn’t want to walk three miles each way. Kun, who lives 3.09 miles away, cannot be accommodated for a pass because she is within the
limit. “I was basically told I needed to live at my neighbor’s house to get a bus pass,” she said. Principal Andre Phillips said he used to get extra passes sent over three years ago to use at his discretion. “There are kids that really need it and are struggling,” he said. The pile has dwindled down to
a mere rubber band that marks what used to be. Waking up at 4 a.m. was the norm for freshman Stephanie Jimenez. She grabbed $1.50, the fare one way, and walked to the bus stop by 6. This handful of change wasn’t easy on her parents’ pockets. “A bus pass would provide stability,” she said. “I wouldn’t be as worried about rides.” She recalls a time where she’d woken up too late for both the bus and her back up plan. “My dad works at 4 and my aunt had left already,” so she had no one. She remembers her mother frantically calling everyone she knew, trying to get her daughter to school. Jimenez arrived at school at 8, missing the majority of her first period class. Jimenez was advised by her cousin to see Johnson before her father began providing a reliable ride and find out her standing with getting a bus pass. Johnson receives 200 bus passes every month. This quantity does not cover the 245 that qualify. However, only 112 students have been recorded as taking advantage of the offer. This leaves 133 passes at the end of the month. However, transportation services requires for the student to have the previous bus pass provided by Johnson upon arrival on top of the distance requirement. All of these guidelines overwhelm Jimenez. She brushes them aside. “At least make an exception,” she said. “Know (our) struggles and situations.” Taking cases like Kun’s and Jimenez’s into consideration, Johnson believes bringing back the old transportation system would be best.
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the beginning of the school year. Along with that, the deadline for all club money to be turned in is May 1, shortening the even shorter period of sale opportunity. According to the California Education Code section 48932, there is to be no competition among clubs during fundraisers. This includes two clubs selling the same product at the same time, and having more than the ASB regulated number of one club selling at once. “What is the purpose behind no competition?” Ron Tankersley, snowboarding club adviser, said. “Not being able to sell food on campus is understandable but outside should be unlimited.” While the competition regulation affects the amount of money to be made by the clubs, the lack of available spots on the calendar of events only applies to on campus food sales. Clubs can still do fundraisers that don’t involve food and also fundraisers that are not on campus. This allows for clubs to still make money despite the recent news that little to no money can be made for the rest of the year. “Having to do off campus selling is a lot more work,” Selena Magallanes, a senior, said. “It’s frustrating not being able to make as much money.” The MESA Club is trying to fundraise for their
annual trip to Great America, a reward for all their hard work over the year. While they have money from past years, they still struggle with trying to raise the amount they need. The lack of space forces them to resort to off campus selling which entitles “less support and a lower income estimation,” according to off campus event coordinator Selena Magallanes. Part of the reason why the email’s content was a shock to advisers is because of what they describe to be a lack of communication between ASB and the clubs. Aside from the future event calendar and informed students, there is no way for clubs to tell who is selling what. According to California Education Codes, the clubs must sign up for fundraisers on a first come, first serve basis, so any clubs that signed up before the winter break landed spots. “I hate it, it’s unfair,” French Club secretary Katherine Phan said. “I don’t understand why more than one club can sell.” Phan, along with several other members from other clubs, weren’t informed about the lack of space for the rest of the year until after the second semester had started. ASB Advisor Ryan Berg said he is in the process of making a calendar with all the planned fundraisers that will be shared with all club advisors to avoid conflict in the future.
photo by Jada Johnson
Sandra Johnson, the textbook clerk, goes through the many emails she has received from district transportation of students that don’t qualify for a free bus pass while the binder contains those who do.
photo by Jerry Garcia
Senior Tony Torris sits in front of the many boxes of Sun Chips that were used to fundraise for the music department. Now that food sales are all booked up, clubs find it difficult to determine what to sell next.
The first day of second semester Band and Orchestra Club adviser Joseph Updegraff logged into his computer to find an alarming email. While it wouldn’t affect him personally, he and Choir Club adviser Mark Swope had to tell their students that the trip to Six Flags may not be free for them. The email, which was sent to all club advisors, said that there is no longer any available space to sign up for on campus food fundraisers for the rest of the year. The fundraising they had hoped to do would have covered the cost of the trip. “In the end, no fundraising means students having to pay for themselves,” Updegraff said. “We missed out. We would’ve and could’ve done more sooner.” While the music classes face the struggle of having to figure out how they are going to raise the money, other clubs also struggle with trying to get money for activities. The Snowboarding Club has to pay for their trips while the French Club has to pay for their annual field trip to San Francisco. Several of the clubs on campus are affected because the Associated Student Body has to follow certain strict guidelines that were put into place at
Service week. A time for raising funds while having fun. Not many know why the school hosts this week of events when the entirety of service week lies in its name. Service. Prior to the actual week of walking, dancing, eating, and quizzing, the main four clubs begin a campaign to raise cans for the Stockton Emergency Food Bank. The presidents of Key Club, Red Cross Club, Interact Club, and the National Honors Society work hand in hand to get their members to accumulate as many cans as possible to sponsor people to compete in the events. Teachers are encouraged to participate in the quiz off and stare off while the dance off and eat off have proven to be the most popular, this year, with students standing on cafeteria tables to see the competitors.
graphic by Veronica Vargo and Matt Danforth
Fundraising opportunities limited