Stagg Line 2010-11 Issue 2

the Stagg Line Home of the Delta Kings

09.24.10

VOL. 54 NO. 2 ON THE WEB staggline.com

Soccer gallery

Rising above the influence Tubbs inspires by describing his life story Lissette Rodriguez

ON THE BLOG

staggline.blogspot.com

SEYMA TAP speaks about the pain and loss felt after Rin Ros’s death. NIKKI LAWRENCE talks about her experiences while running for homecoming princess.

INSIDE THE ISSUE Stagg Star Search

NEWS IN BRIEF UC Deadline The UC application for the fall semester will be available in October.

Students may start sending UC applications beginning Nov. 1 and are due by Nov. 30. Scholarships Go to the Stockton Unified School District website to fill out the general scholarship application.It will be due Friday, Jan. 15. Go to the Career Center for more information on scholarships. College Application Workshop University of the Pacific, CSU Stanislaus, UC Merced, and Sacramento State will be having workshops on Monday, Oct. 18, in the library during fifth and sixth period. Students may sign up in the Career Center and must have a 2.5 GPA in order to attend. Football game There will be a football game tonight. Junior varsity starts at 5 p.m. and varsity starts at 7:15 p.m. The team will be going up against Bear Creek.

A poet once said that a rose grows between the cracks of concrete because the rose chooses to grow. It chooses to prove nature’s laws wrong and grows without the example of others. This poet is Tupac Shakur. Although some people don’t see a poet in a person who is commonly associated with violence and crime, Franklin High School graduate and Stanford University student Michael Tubbs thinks differently. “A lot of times hip-hop is demonized and sometimes rightfully so,” he said. “But there are ways you shift what people are listening to, to make it positive.”

Alex Olacio, freshman, was inspired by this metaphor on Tuesday, Aug. 31 when Tubbs presented to the student body in the gym. Olacio sees himself as that rose rising from the concrete when he thinks about everything that he has had to deal with. He has lived with only one parent since he was 4 years old, he has never really gotten adjusted to living in one place, and his dad has been in jail for a few months now. When his dad was around, Olacio questioned how his dad was able to provide for him and his family. “He found ways to get us clothes and food and stuff,” he said. “I don’t know how, though.” Olacio still finds hope in becoming a football player, despite his rough upbringing.

Tubbs has seen proof of shifting ideals after presenting to church audiences, high school, and Stanford University students. He has looked through social websites such as Myspace and Facebook and on people’s headlines and walls he sees the acronym “SWAG” a phrase that he has borrowed from hip-hop artist Soulja Boy which means “Show the world all your greatness.”

Junior Trenese Manning finds more inspiration through finding connections to many of Tubbs’s own struggles throughout his life, especially with struggles such as their families relying on government funded aid for food. “Eating peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner sometimes will be the only thing,” Manning said. “What he went through is pretty much what we’re going through now.” Even though Manning does find it challenging to sometimes get to school in the mornings due to lack of transportation, she still does all she can to reach a goal similar to Tubbs. Manning wants to be the first person in her family to go to college.

However, students getting to college can sometimes be more difficult in a community such as Stockton, Tubbs says. It isn’t lack of motivation, he said, but the “haters” who will arise especially when one strives to achieve. “If you’re trying to be different, people aren’t going to like you” he said. Tubbs, on the other hand, finds motivation from the “haters.” He references hip-hop artist Jay-Z and his song “So Ambitious,” and says that just like the song he finds motivation from the people who tell him he can’t do something.

Tubbs hopes to not only spread this message to those he speaks to but also through various programs and nonprofit organizations. His website, www.mdtubbs.com, has become a way of spreading his message as well.

This last summer he started a college application consultant program for students coming from low-income households and troubled communities called the Stanford Phoenix Program. Through projects such as this, Tubbs wants to ensure that his personal goal can be realized now. Growing up he always told himself that “when (he would) make it, (he would) make sure everybody else knows they can make it.”

Jeremy Dela Cruz Frequently leaving his office door open, Chan Sam busily types on his computer, assisting students who are free to walk in.

Inspirational posters cover the walls of the

NSPA Hall of Fame newspaper 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, Calif. 95207

As Tubbs makes his way around the gym to acknowledge every student, he engages his young audience by dissecting samples of popular music and analyzing their deeper meanings.

photo by Tiffany Pech

photo by Tiffany Pech Tubbs speaks to students about his past and how his experiences reflect his achievements.

Tubbs shows the students his SWAG. According to him, SWAG means showing the world all your greatness.

New faces aim for ‘student ownership’

the Stagg Line Amos Alonzo Stagg High School

photo by Mia Torres

photos by Erica Trevino Assistant Principal Youlin Aissa talks about her trip to France with students when she was a social studies teacher.

tiny room depicting phrases like “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams” and “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” To some, these clichés have been too overused to have any meaning. To Sam, however, these posters reveal his style of counseling. “Overall I have a strong student-centered philosophy.”

Developing plans to improve the school, guidance chair Sam and Assistant Principal Youlin Aissa are the new faces on campus.

Speaking of his transition into the head counselor position from the Institute of Business, Management, and Law, Sam believes that some of the challenges he faces are “bringing a different philosophy to the school” and “trying to understand the culture and traditions of Stagg.”

As head counselor, he recognizes that “our students want to do better” and so he has been hard at work to bring successful practices from his old school to Stagg.

“We’re making a big push,” said Sam. “Every week we have something going on for seniors.”

One project that Sam is involved with is attempting to meet with students to inquire about their plans for graduation and high school. While seniors develop career plans, freshmen will be focusing on completing

personal assessments and graduation plans.

“Every year will be progressive toward the end.” Sam said.

Meanwhile across campus, the newest assistant principal meets with students sent to M-1 for disciplinary issues. Wearing a multi-colored wig for crazy hair day, Aissa wants to improve the school’s atmosphere.

“My plans are to help with the continued improvement plans and bring back a sense of spirit and culture to Stagg High.”

Aissa describes Stagg as “a school that has the potential to be a model school.” She recognizes dedication, spirit, and “a lot of drive both among staff and students.”

Before coming to Stockton, Aissa worked in the nearby small towns of Waterford and Patterson. She was previously a social studies teacher before earning her administrative credential from CSU Stanislaus. Her change in profession came from her desire to impact more students. “I wanted to do things to reach a larger portion of students not just the ones in my classroom.”

A common element between Sam and Aissa is their commitment to what they call “student ownership.” Aissa says that “too many of our students don’t take ownership of our school.”

Sam reflects that during his tenure at

Guidance chair Chan Sam is currently working on improving the graduation percentage and to bring more quality service to students.

IBML, he was able to get “the students to take ownership of the school” by encouraging them to care about campus events. He recognizes that the only difference between students from each school is the amount of effort given to academics. “This is my challenge: how do I get these students to make a commitment and gain a better future?”

Opinion the Stagg Line

2 EDITORIAL

A

09.24.10

Penalties teach responsibility

nervous student runs through the hall looking for campus security monitors lurking in the shadows.

The student is almost to class when he is snagged by the front office and asked where his identification card is. The student rifles through his backpack, knowing that he doesn’t have his ID, hoping to fool the campus security monitor.

Shaking his head and making a confused expression, he finally gives up the charade.

Instead of being dragged off to the book room to get a temporary ID sticker, this year students will have to pay $5 to get a new ID. While $5 may seem like a lot of money for one day without an ID, we’re betting that any student who has to pay the fine will never forget their ID again.

We think this new punishment is a great idea and is a good way to teach students responsibility.

The whole idea of having to pay for forgetting an ID just once may seem harsh, but what about when the student running through the halls grows up and gets a job?

Many jobs, nowadays, make their employees carry IDs or they are not allowed in

the building. Many businesses have cards with barcodes that allow workers access to the building. If a worker were to forget her ID then she would have no way of getting into her office, let alone complete her job for the day.

It is not that hard to remember an ID. If a student would just throw the ID with something that she will never forget to bring to school, like a backpack or cell phone, she would never forget to bring it. This would completely solve the forgotten ID problem.

If that student forgot her homework or textbook, she would be punished by a drop in grades or detention; this is basically the same thing.

For some it may seem extreme, but maybe it needs to be. According to Sandra Johnson, the textbook clerk, the number of people forgetting their IDs has been a staggering decrease since the new policy has taken effect.

Not only is the ID relatively easy to remember, it also teaches each student responsibility. Having to remember to bring their IDs everyday will make each student look more closely before leaving the house, making sure they have everything they will need

STEREOTYPES: W

ide-eyed and adorably innocent, my friend’s 5-year-old sister looks up at me from the “Glee” rerun we’re watching. She asks me a (not so) simple question.

“Are you an emo?”

My friends and I laughed, wondering where in the world she picked up the term in the first place. It’s a question I’ve fielded several time before (though not quite as frequently as of late), something I’ve always responded to with an exasperated sigh or a patented eye roll. This exasperation stems from a simple hatred: I hate being stereotyped.

It used to happen all the time, usually by those people… With their baggy pants down by their ankles and their several-sizes -too-big white T-shirts, and that awful rap music…

Oh, gosh… Sorry.

That’s embarrassing…

You know, to start off a column about the perils and inaccuracy of stereotypes and then end up stereotyping people, right after complaining about being stereotyped.

Jeez, well, that won’t

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 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 recognitions include the following: XX 16 consecutive NSPA All-American rankings XX NSPA Hall of Fame, 2005 XX NSPA First-Place Best of Show five times XX 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.

for the day.

Forgetting homework and projects will not completely disappear, but if this new punishment can teach one student responsibility, then isn’t it worth it?

So next time you go running through the

halls desperate to dodge the CSMs because they will make you pay $5 for a new ID, ask yourself why you couldn’t remember it that morning, why you couldn’t throw it in your backpack the night before.

Maybe it isn’t the CSMs fault.

Even television shows that attempt to disprove labels promote close-mindedness

happen again…

For as much as I may detest being stereotyped and labeled, instinctively I judge people based off a single glance. Using this likely inaccurate information, I make judgments of people I don’t even know, to keep my distance.

Without any truly conscious thought, we form judgments of people, and it is with these judgments that we either isolate others or allow ourselves to be isolated. While it is true that we endeavor, and not wrongfully so, to surround ourselves with like-minded individuals, it is how we filter our company that leads to problems.

By forming judgments of people on the spot, we close ourselves off to countless possibilities in friendship. This is what leads to the creation of cliques, something I didn’t believe in until recently.

For whatever reason, likely a large oversight, I felt that our school was exempt from the classically cliched image of high school portrayed by nearly every teenage movie or television show ever created.

Take MTV for example, a art by Mikeala Axton

the Stagg Line

Art by Seyma Tap

network with many shows supposedly grounded in reality, based around their selling point of young adults.

A new show began airing recently, the succinctly named “If You Really Mikeala Axton Knew Me.” The show is centered around a team of people who travel from high school to high school, attempting to breakdown stereotypes, and, (like every other MTV show) reveal the surprising stories behind everyday teenagers.

The show typically concludes with a room full of teary-eyed teenagers who vow that they will never look at their peers the same way again.

However, as I learned in a substance abuse prevention program over the summer, the effects of an emotional event like this only last for a few days at the most. True change is rare.

Even when it comes to “True Life,” a program that showcases the typically overlooked but difficult lives of today’s youth, how long do those stories really affect the way we look at the people around us?

The answer is not very long.

And yet, probably due to the obvious reasoning of money, these shows keep being put on the air, like “Teen Mom,” “The Hills,” and the new “World of Jenks.” While these reality shows claim to break down stereotypes and get to the

Chelsea Collura Editor-in-Chief

Lissette Rodriguez Don Bott

Editor-in-Chief

Adviser

The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free of charge to students and faculty.

Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. Student editors and reporters make content and style decisions with the adviser offering guidance. Editorials reflect the view of the entire editorial board and therefore are unsigned. Opinion columns reflect the view of the writer. Readers are welcomed to write letters to the editor. We will make every effort to print any letter as long as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 words may be edited. Unsigned letters will be printed only in unusual circumstances, and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be brought to the newspaper room, A-8, or emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us

raw emotion of things, they undermine themselves by perpetuating the very thing they are attempting to disprove.

“If You Really Knew Me,” in the show’s opening sequence, advertises its goal of getting down to the real essence of people, tossing aside their affixed label.

However, as the show’s cameras follow around students from different social groups, captions above their head read “punk” or “cheerleader” beside the students’ names. As if these are the words that define them.

“World of Jenks” follows a young filmmaker on his quest to capture on video disadvantaged people and their “unique stories.” The show advertises itself as raw and real, but in actuality glams up the simplest moments, to give them the illusion of drama and significance.

If an autistic kid being helped to climb up rocks on the beach is a truly touching scene, then allow it to speak for itself. There shouldn’t be a need for the insertion of dramatic music or other effects.

My point here is that even the shows devoted to breaking down stereotypes and discarding labels stereotype and label. Maybe stereotypes truly can’t be broken through TV shows, making their claim of interest completely invalid.

In trying to break stereotypes, the shows must first stereotype. They take “the jock” or “the loner” and attempt to make them label-free, but in doing so, they first have to label them such, defeating the purpose.

In the end, we shouldn’t need these shows to do the talking for us. If stereotyping is a problem big enough to need television shows to fix, then it should be taken on as a personal endeavor. If it’s a matter of people hurting other people, then it’s people that need to create a solution.

Claire Scheffer News Editor

Mikeala Axton

Annamarie Cunningham Harmony Evangelisti

Opinion Editor

Faith Harris

Missy Rae Magdalera

Damon Heine

Alisya Mora

Nicole Lawrence

Features Editor

Entertainment Editor

Taylor Hurles

Jera Machuca

Sports Editor

Gabriella Miller

Michelle Pheav

Tiffany Pech

Erica Trevino

Annamarie Rodriguez

Graphics Editor Photo Editor

Xe Xiong

Reanna Rodriguez

Web/Multimedia Editor

Seyma Tap

Kristin Acevedo

Chesiree Terry

Copy Editor

Jeremy Dela Cruz Blog Editor

Mia Torres

09.24.10

the Stagg Line

Opinion

Fanning the flames of hate

L

3

Reverend’s retaliation highlights post 9/11 intolerance

et’s get together members of our church and community on Saturday Sept. 11. We’ll gather 200 copies of the Muslim holy book, the Qur’an, and burn them.

Although this event never occurred, Rev. Terry Jones from Gainesville, FL had the media criticizing his weekend plans with his community and had many leaders in America, including the president of the United States, informing him that he was makKristin Acevedo ing a mistake. Even with a title that connotes a strong picture of “a man of god,” his values, perceptions, and state of mind, to me, fall into question.

I wonder how so much hate can burn in the heart of one man, who claims to deliver God’s message to fellow Christians. Those flames of hatred were nearly welcomed to leap out of the hearts of Jones and his followers and consume those Qur’ans.

Discrimination is not only a part of America’s past, it is happening now in the land that is derived from people all around the world, the land that welcomes any race, opinion, and religion, except for the Muslims and homosexuals of course. We are “The Land of The Free.”

As God “told (Jones) to burn the Qur’an,” I can’t help but doubt that the One who loves all the little children of the world is claimed to have encouraged an act of pure resentment. Evidently we must have a bad connection if people are claiming to be receiving messages like this. Of course, there is a possibility that a man with his state of mind intertwined with a long, thick stream of abhorrence could somehow get the wrong idea. I’ve heard it every time the issue was brought up

for discussion – this man is out of his mind.

But maybe he is in his mind? However, his mind has absorbed so much, possibly too much, hatred that it grew twisted, that his view on the right, or in this case Godly, decisions was warped. Hatred. It’s a terminal mental illness that I classify as Hatred Entwined Disease, HED. And as for the followers who so easily melted into the thought of the audacity and disrespect coming from a mosque being built at Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers once stood, this illness is apparently contagious.

Yes, to some it may seem wrong to build a mosque, a Muslim church, only two blocks away from where 9/11 occurred, but why exactly is this wrong?

After a group of Muslim terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, an attack that claimed approximately 2,976 lives, a tall, dark wall was put up in the eyes of most. This wall excludes or singles out all Muslims. This wall classifies all Muslims as being the same as those terrorists, full of anger and full of hatred. This wall is kept high and strong in those eyes by their beholder’s own hatred, because to them it is safe to say that all Muslims are the same.

Building a mosque at Ground Zero isn’t a slap in the face to America, it is saying that this wall must come down for it was not Muslims who attacked the United States on 9/11; it was terrorists, who were Muslim.

It’s simple, and once a person is able to comprehend this statement, the wall begins to decrease in height and the edges are no longer surrounded by darkness; the hatred clouding a person’s perception, a symptom of HED, is fairly relieved.



TERRORIST ATTACKS since 9/11

Feb. 6, 2004 MOSCOW METRO ATTACK 40 people killed.

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Mar. 11, 2004 MADRID TRAIN BOMBINGS 190 people killed.



Jul. 21, 2005 May. 2, 2010 Dec. 12, 2004 LONDON SUBWAY & ATTEMPTED BOMBING PHILLIPINE MARKET ATTACK BUS BOMBINGS OF TIMES SQUARE 15 people killed.

56 people killed.

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



Graphic by Tiffany Pech and Mikeala Axton

Information compiled by Damon Heine Graphic by Tiffany Pech and Michelle Pheav

Recession affects Physical disabilities gives teen employment students a new perspective A Between writing esN says and deciding what ot He will have being this condition able for the rest of to go to the his life. When movies on a the siblings Friday night go out as a because your family, many parents won’t pedestrians act let you – may as if they have seem like a never seen a difficult life. person with Caring for a disabilities.

5 year old who These people has epilepsy make the Annamarie Rodriguez and suffers family feel as from spasms though they at least 20 times a day – that’s a are not “normal.” really difficult life.

This sometimes makes it Junior Jeana Correa and soph- uncomfortable for their family omore Andres Flores know how to go out in public. “People stare it feels to really have that diffiat us when we are out, my mom cult life. Their younger brother, can’t stand it,” Correa said.

Jaden, can’t walk, talk, or even This is not Jaden’s fault beeat on his own. He depends cause he will never be in control on his family to go through his of his spasms, and more than everyday routine. likely he will always be in a That routine typically includes wheelchair. feeding him through a “G” tube, “He will be dependent on our which is two inches above his parents our whole life,” Flores belly button. They change his said. diapers, give him showers, and Few teenagers have to deal make sure he is comfortable. with disabilities on a daily basis.

But Correa doesn’t seem Between writing essays and incredibly bothered by it. “I like deciding what to wear in the staying home with him, hanging morning, being in a wheelchair out by ourselves.” doesn’t seem to occur to them.

Correa and Flores have done Teenagers are so wrapped up several things to accommodate their brother in a wheelchair, such as completely remodeling their house. They widened the doorways and built ramps for both the car and their stairs.

They have adapted to these obstacles, so it gets frustrating when other teenagers complain they have such a horrible life.

“Students haven’t seen or experienced hard until they seen him,” said Correa. “He has been through a lot with his short life.”

The spasms that he has multiple times a day is one of those obstacles that he faces. If the spasms act up really bad a near by family member will swipe a magnet across his chest, which activates his battery pack sending a shock to his brain every 10 seconds to slow them down.

“

imaginable.

Others like Correa and Flores have had to live through these everyday realities since elementary school. “We had to deal with more than others had to deal with,” Correa said. “We had to grow up a little faster.”

Despite what it may seem he is not completely helpless. Jaden goes to most of the football games in his wheelchair to support his brother and sister. He expresses himself through gestures or by moving his head. And when he gets frustrated he either cries or yells out for his mother.

Jaden’s challenges symbolize the everyday struggle and the commitment of high school students like Correa and Flores.

You can’t always get what you want, but it’s not going to be the end of the world because there is always someone who has it harder than you. So it’s important to not take things for granted and keep everything in perspective.

to wear in the morning, being in a wheelchair doesn’t seem to occur to them.”

with the present that anything other than “me” doesn’t seem to exist.

I am one who is guilty of over exaggerating about how bad a situation can be. I don’t usually think about how hard others have it. I always think “oh, poor me.” But in reality others have it harder, and they roll with the punches. When my parents say “no” to me going somewhere, there must be a reason for it.

Considering what others have to go through, why can’t I understand where my parents are coming from?

In this day and age some of us act as if our parents have the obligation of giving us everything. And when we don’t get what we want, we overreact and act like we have the hardest life

Jeana Correa, Andres Flores, and their brother Jaden pose for a family picture at Correa’s house.

Correa and Flores are faced with the daily task of helping care for their brother. photo courtesy of Jennifer De Weese-Godoy

s the unemployment rate is steadily increasing, what does it mean for teens that want a job? Well, for a teen like me that simply means I’ll have to work twice as hard.

From the day I turned 16, I was determined to find employment in order to help my family with everyday expenses and to have some extra money in my pocket.

Before the summer break, I started looking, but I have not found a job yet. However, I convinced myself not to get discouraged.

Most other teens will give up after the first few rejections, but they have to understand the competitiveness of today’s working world.

No matter how competitive, I have always been taught to be persistent. Instead of just scrolling down on my laptop and clicking the “apply online now” button, I have learned that there are better ways to get a job.

Although I am trying my best to find employment, I do understand why it’s not paying off as much as I had hoped.

If an employer had an application from a middle aged man supporting a family and a teenager that just wants some extra money, they’re most likely going to call the man for an interview.

Whether it’s just a part time job to have some extra spending money or a job that helps support a family, jobs are scarce. It takes a while to find a job, but it’s especially difficult when we’re going through an economic recession.

I’m not at all claiming to be an expert, and I am not trying to pretend I know what’s best for you, because I don’t. Everybody’s situation is different.

If you really want a job, the best thing to do is talk to the work experience coordinator, find places that are hiring, and be confident when attending interviews.

Although I’m already competing with too many people in the workforce, I feel obligated to share with you who’s hiring. I already have interviews, so what could it hurt?

Some places that are accepting applications and interviews in-

Faith Harris clude John’s Incredible Pizza Co., McDonald’s, Burger King, Togo’s, Starbucks, and Long John Silver’s.

Now, I’m not just giving you these names so you can apply online and never look at the site again.

Check your email daily and constantly look at the website to see if there are any other open positions you can apply for. Not only this, but definitely walk in after about a week.

By walking in to a place you’ve applied for work, you can gather much needed information, such as openings and recruitment events.

What I did was ask for shift managers, supervisors and department managers.

Just walking in to speak with them is impressive, but having actual questions about the job at hand makes them even more interested to learn your value as an employee.

Now, when I say to have questions, I don’t mean asking things about what’s in their food or how fattening their desserts are.

Ask about their employee benefits, their health standards, and their schedule flexibility. Asking about these things displays responsibility and genuine interest, both of which are extremely important. Jobs definitely aren’t the easiest things to find, nor are they simple to keep.

However, with a little hard work and a lot of determination, it is very possible to find employment. Anyone looking for a job should consider the following: be observant, be willing to work, and, most importantly, be persistent in going after what you want.

Features the Stagg Line

4

09.24.10

Star STAGG

SEARCH

T

alent comes in many forms whether it is natural or learned. When one discovers such gifts, they may choose to exceed others’ expectations and as a result emerge among the rest of society as stars.

The Stagg Line found five of these gifted teens who rose above the average and exhibited great dedication in pursuing their passions.

Dancers:

hip-hop dancers ‘aim’ to create new club Nicole Lawrence

Sophomore Victor Chhun practices his “freeze” dance move after school in the R-Wing with his dancing crew. photo by Kristin Acevedo

It starts out with an interest and then it progresses to a passion. That is how some great talents start. Nobody really knows what they are good at until they put forth the effort to try new things.

Christian Nigrana, sophomore, has been watching his uncle dance since he was in elementary school.

Nigrana decided to imitate his uncle’s moves and then later tried to make them his own.

Inspired by this art of motion, Nigrana decided to share this newly found passion with his fellow classmates at John Tyler, Victor Chhun, and James Tran, both now sophomores as well. The group then decided they would become their own dance crew. Chhun and Tran watched videos on YouTube and other websites in order to educate themselves more about dancing and practicing their own moves.

Later, as they came to high school, they invited their new friend Victorious Gemma to join their dance crew.

Nigrana said he sometimes gives his friends advice on new moves but, “we all have our specialties in dancing.” Their dance moves come from different styles like b-boying, break dancing, and clown walking.

“I feel like myself (when I dance),” Chhun said. “When I mess up, (Nigrana, Tran, and Gemma) just laugh.”

Chhun says they have a very tight bond. He loves dancing with his close friends because he knows that they won’t judge him. Nigra-

black belt works to qualify for nationals Chesiree Terry Senior Jasmine Villanueva enjoys applying eyeliner and mascara every morning, and she is known for her delightful scents of perfume. However, she is not afraid to embrace the other side of her personality, which includes the vigorous sport of taekwondo.

Her coach, Julio Ramirez, represented El Salvador for taekwondo on the national team in 1996. In 2002 he decided to be a teacher. Little did he know that a few years later, he would become Villanueva’s inspiration.

Ramirez is happy to be her inspiration, “I want her to make nationals but it depends on her, not me,” he said.

Not only does she want to make nationals, but she wants to pursue her talent as a career.

Each drop of sweat dripping from her face is a testament to her hard work to achieve this goal.

She aims to receive a scholarship, but she knows better than anybody how difficult it is. “It is very

Mikeala Axton When Jennifer Hernandez was a little girl, she would watch music videos on television and imagine herself in them.

“When I was younger, I used to think I could rip off the screen and jump in the video,” she said.

Now, as a junior, she no longer has to imagine.

Hernandez works as a model, and, not having modeled for even a full year yet, has quite an impressive résumé already.

Her first step, she says, was a photo shoot at the waterfront downtown. From there, her uncle Larry took her portfolio and presented it to “Street Low” magazine.

This led her to the Palladium in San Jose, where she modeled in a car show, representing “Street Low.” It was at this car show that she got to perform as a dancer in concert with hip-hop artist Davina.

photos courtesy of Jennifer Hernandez

“Artists in Motion” na uses dancing to feel happy, to “relieve stress,” and to forget about whatever troubles he had that day.

Gemma also uses dancing to help him emotionally.

“I feel free,” Gemma said.

“All my stress is gone and I don’t have to think about all the rough times.”

Gemma, who had just joined the group last year, feels at home with the others. “I feel like they are accepting me as their own,” Gemma said.

One day, the boys ended up with English teacher Martin Bagnasco, and he encouraged them to become a club, which is now called AIM, or Art in Motion.

English teacher Harold Brown agreed to be their supervisor which excited the boys, and soon, they were ready to take immediate action and make sure that their club started out on a good note.

“We were in shock,” Victor said, when he described how the club started.

“It’s great now that we have a place we can dance,” Nigrana said, referring to being able to practice in the theater as compared to practicing in the R-wing or at each other’s houses. They think that this will help them expand the club and hopefully get more people to join.

Right now, there are currently seven participants. Chhun thinks that this new club will help Stagg’s reputation.

“I think we are the only school in Stockton that doesn’t have a dance team,” Chhun said. “Hopefully we will make a difference.”

Martial artist: hard to get a scholarship,” Villanueva said. “They only pick about one from each state.”

Even if Villanueva doesn’t make nationals, she has gained much more from the experience than she expected.

She has gained discipline, strength, and most importantly, closeness with her brother.

Despite all their hard work, they have time for a bit of lighthearted practice.

“There have been times when things got rough between us,” she said, laughing. “We try to beat each other up; we try to kill each other.”

Although she can joke about it, she understands the difficulty of the task she wants to take on.

While blood and sweat would make some girls flinch, Villanueva allows her busted lips, injuries, and the stress of making weight

Boat racer:

Xe Xiong

“Step up” is a phrase commonly used in movie titles, songs, and even sports, but what does it mean? For junior Rachel Martinez, stepping up means becoming more mature and being able to command her team.

Martinez is a coxswain, the person in charge of a rowing boat, for a competitive rowing team called the Deep-Water Rowing Association through the University of the Pacific. She sits at the front with headset gear, giving directions to her rowers, and steers the boat; Martinez is the coach on the boat.

For every boat, there is a different number of seats, but Martinez’s boat has eight rowers.

“We have to work together … you need everyone; you can’t do it alone.”

“I have to know everything” she said. “I have to tell (the rowers) it’s wrong” whenever they row in the wrong motion, even if the males on her boat are many years older than her.

Since she became a coxswain, Martinez coxes for a boat of males because, she said, “they are stronger and go faster.”

When Martinez first started rowing during seventh grade, she

said the coach had them “hop right in and if (they needed) help, (they had) to ask the coach.”

Her first experience at a coxing was when the team was short on coxswains. She said, “I was hella scared because I didn’t know what to do.”

In her first year as a coxswain, no one had faith in her and thought she’d fail, but because she coxes males in the varsity team, she quickly progressed. During her eighth grade year, Martinez went to nationals with her team and they placed 12th.

“Before, when there was a varsity team,” Martinez said, “they’d always yell at me.” But despite their harsh criticism, Martinez said, “I like getting yelled at

Rachel Martinez

motivate her. Spending spare time teaching the white belts and waking up with sore muscles has become all too common for her; these are the very things that push her to work to her full potential.

She is extremely glad that her mom brought the passion of taekwondo into her life. “My mom wanted us to learn selfdefense,” Villanueva said.

“I think it’s a great way to self defend!”

While she is having fun doing what she does, she realizes the importance of being alert and focused.

Of course, Villanueva claims to have learned from the best.

Ramirez feels proud to pass on his skills. “I have been doing this for 21 years and it is important to teach them and show them what I know,” he said.

Villanueva said she has learned a lot. She learned to count to 10

Jasmine Villanueva

Model:

(clockwise from top) Jennifer Hernandez, junior, poses for her photo shoots to build a portfolio and also at a car show with a fellow model.

“

I want (Jasmine) to make nationals but it depends on her, not me.”

Julio ramirez TAEKWONDO TEACHER

Senior Jasmine Villanueva spars with her younger brother Jonathan during practice. In order to win points, they must aim for the circles on their gear. By the age of 13, students may begin aiming for the head to score higher.

and can say the salute in Korean which is one of the key steps of having a better understanding of the culture of taekwondo.

Through the years, she has been building up this talent, constantly pushing herself to get better.

With her coach by her side for support and her brother on the other side challenging her to be all she can be, Villanueva has found her passion and her talent that she will cling to for the rest of her life.

Musician:

modeling jobs open doors for future career artist uses instruments as emotional outlet

“It just kind of happened,” she said.

Hernandez soon gained a manager for her modeling.

Her friend, a performance artist, is managed by her husband, who offered to manage Hernandez as well.

Her manager, Ernie, got her into rapper E-40’s “Out of Control” music video, where she worked as a background dancer. Through this video, Hernandez got to meet and talk to other rappers like Mistah F.A.B. and Hood Starz. While taking pictures and chatting with them, they gave her advice for her modeling, telling her to stay focused and passionate.

While the E-40 video was a definite milestone in her blossoming career, it was not her first experience with music videos. Pre-

viously, she was in a music video with underground Bay Area artist Extreme, for his song “Tattoo My Name,” filmed, appropriately, at a tattoo shop.

But even with all these experiences under her belt, Hernandez still struggles with insecurities. She’ll sometimes worry about her body image. “I’ll feel insecure sometimes so I’ll go to the gym a lot,” she said.

Luckily, she has the support of her family behind her, with her uncle Larry who got her into car shows, an encouraging father, and a mother and sisters who help her with choosing outfits for events.

However, not everyone in her family is supportive.

“My older sister gets jealous,” she said. “(But) I ignore it, she doesn’t faze me.”

Jennifer Hernandez

Prioritizing is another challenge on Hernandez’s plate, having to balance work and school.

“I focus on school first, and if I have time I’ll do some modeling,” she said.

But, while she is modeling, Hernandez always keeps in mind what she feels a model should be – “Somebody to look up to, a strong person... and classy” – because, she says, there are too many “hoochie” models out there. These standards are a large part of why she draws so much inspiration from Latina singer Shakira.

“I look up to Shakira the most because she’s not a hoochie,” she said. But, in addition to “staying classy,” Hernandez’s best advice to herself and others is simple: be yourself.

“You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be yourself,” she said.

“When you’re yourself, you’re the most beautiful person ever.”

leader steers team towards successful season

… That’s how I got hella better.”

Criticism is also what helped her attain her current title of head coxswain.

She said, “After a lot of practice, everyone wants to be in my boat.”

And at the end of her first year, things “finally clicked … ‘oh, this is what you’re supposed to do.’”

“She’s really experienced and good at what she’s doing,” said Eric Weir, the director of rowing at the University of Pacific and also the coach for her team.

Although Martinez coxes most of the time in this nine-month program, she’s also a “great rower,” Weir said. Martinez still goes out to row once or twice a year.

Martinez said being a coxswain has helped her become a better rower. “When I go out as a rower ... I know what not to do and I could correct myself if I’m doing something wrong.”

Weir said she has a good chance of getting scholarships for rowing at universities. Rowing is “such a different-looking sport,” Weir said.

“It’s a team building sport” and students can also get scholarships.

The new recruits don’t need to have experience, they “just need commitment and (to) come every day.”

5

09.24.10

photo by Erica Trevino Junior Rachel Martinez uses her headset gear to communicate with her rowers during practice and competitions. The first two rowers are people with good rhythm, the middle four have to be strong, and the last two are technical. Although she is not a rower, coxswains are considered the backbone of the boat and are essential in guiding them through the waters.

Annamarie Cunningham It’s funny how something that happened completely by chance could change a person’s life. “My mom got [both] my sister’s electric guitars, and I just wanted one too,” Lisette de Leon, senior, said. It may be hard to believe that something as trivial as wanting a guitar because her sisters had them changed her life, but, believe it or not, that’s the case for de Leon.

De Leon started with voice lessons, switched to violin, moved to piano, and eventually came to rest on playing the guitar. She has played on and off since fifth grade but really immersed herself in playing it around freshman year.

She took all the emotions connected to her high school experiences, her freshman year especially, and channeled them into her songs. Music, she said, “was a way to vent all my emotions.”

Although de Leon has been playing guitar since fifth grade, she has only composed four songs.

“A lot of others are in progress,” she said.

Since she started playing guitar, piano has been on the back burner. Like many other people, she just plays piano for fun; piano is not really incorporated into any of her songs so far. De Leon learns pop songs by ear and plays them

on the piano, which is a talent itself.

Even though music has guided de Leon through the troubles of high school, she doesn’t particularly want to pursue it as a career.

She has been offered shows at coffee places, but she was “too shy” to play. “I’d like to keep playing, and I’m always up to learn more, but it’s more of a hobby,” she said.

She does intend to pursue some form of arts after high school.

“Maybe baking or photography,” she said.

De Leon looks up to the whimsical but dark sounds of piano player Regina Spektor, the emotive lullabies of Dashboard Confessional, and the earthy vocals and guitar of Zee Avi. All three of these artists have a slightly cynical edge to their music, just like de Leon. “A lot of my friends think my songs are depressing,” she said. But even with her gloomy sound, de Leon has the folk, mellow feel of Bob Dylan or Joanna Newsom.

Even though they are slightly depressing, de Leon’s songs are catchy. Her family has always supported her music. “I hear them singing (my songs) in the bathroom and its like, ‘Hey! –you’re singing it wrong!’” Thankfully, hearing her songs constantly hasn’t gone to de Leon’s head. She remains just a guitar player. Just a girl who loves music.

Lisette de Leon

photo by annamarie Cunningham Though senior Lisette de Leon has been asked to play gigs for The Empire Theater on Miracle Mile, she prefers to play for self enjoyment.

photo by Erica Trevino

Sports the Stagg Line

6

09.24.10

Cheerleaders find a home in new stadium

Football players feel the tension while taking the win

Claire Scheffer

Gabriella Miller

The music begins. Junior Malibu Manivong prepares for her stunt.

The cheerleaders are practicing the final pose.

Manivong goes up but begins to falter when her leg is grabbed. She starts to fall to the floor but is narrowly caught by another teammate.

She grabs her foot, flashing a painful expression.

The coach runs up, worried that Manivong has been hurt. She says she is fine and they practice once more. This time, though, a girl is late to her spot. The coach begins to yell, “The game is Friday!”

This was two days before the first football game in the new stadium and every cheerleader was feeling the pressure. “I was nervous to perform,” Manivong said. “I didn’t want to mess up the first game in front of half the school and the parents.”

She was not alone. Senior Meilani Quilenderino said she had been nervous the entire day of the game, but once the game began, she was so excited that she “couldn’t stop moving and shouting.”

The performers then took the field for their first halftime show. The song began with “the tradition continues” and hand movements added two days before the game.

Quilenderino said they had been changing moves the day of the game. The stunts began and each was nailed.

When the song ended, the cheerleaders began to shout for Stagg to win and jokingly mocked the Franklin cheerleaders. They exited the field with proud expressions.

But for some, including Quilenderino, the stadium was more than a new place to cheer or to hold Friday night football games. “It has really brought everyone together,” she said.

“I dreamed a lot to see our boys home. There was a sparkle in their eyes. It was a great way to start off the new year.” She also said that the boys like it when they cheer and complain when they don’t cheer enough.

She also said that the team specifically picked songs for their halftime dance that had to do with traditions changing and coming home. They also added a cheer apart from their dance in order to get “the crowd more involved.”

But not everyone was excited for the game. “I had mixed emotions,” senior Peter Sriboonrevang said. “I wondered if we were going to lose, or how our performance was going to turn out.”

He also said that he was nervous about the more advanced stunts being performed during the halftime.

In the end, he said it was really all about the crowd. “We do a big part to motivate the crowd and pump up the overall spirit.”

Manivong agreed, and said that it was amazing to see all the people in the stands, but they all needed that extra spirit.

“Our boys needed it, too.”

With 18 seconds left the Delta Kings are hanging on to their 19-17 lead over the Franklin Yellow Jackets and holding back any feelings of excitement and anticipation. Franklin is lined up to make a field goal that would push them over the edge for the win. Senior Phillip Laufiso had a choice to make. “I came out of the game and asked if I could block it,” he said. “If you really want something you go and do it.”

He didn’t realize that he would become a key member in the play until fans in the crowd erupted with loud cheers, chants, and yells; the Delta Kings had won their first game. “I was excited that I was part of the reason,” Laufiso said. “I felt I helped out with the win.”

The X’s and O’s that are normally drawn with leisure now have names. They are represented by key players Laufiso, Francisco Ortigoza, and Andre Lindsey along with the other varsity players on the field. Every play after the 10 minute mark of fourth quarter was a major part of the reason they left proud with a win.

It all began with a fumble by the Yellow Jackets, recovered by Stagg at 10:16 left in the game. This turned into a touchdown, leaving Franklin with a narrow lead of 17-13.

Defense held the line and the ball was returned to the explosive offense. As the players continue to move up the field Ortigoza threw a pass to Lindsey. He caught the ball in the end zone for the touchdown that provided the lead.

The crowd was roaring with excitement, their hearts raced, anxiously awaiting the win. The players felt tension before and after they walked off the field and into the locker room.

Senior Louis Thomasson felt pressure from the crowd. “After we won I felt relief,” he said. “If we would’ve lost, we would’ve lost fans.”

Since Thomasson is one of the captains on varsity he anticipated pressure all around.

To him losing the game would be a disappointment not just because it was the first home game, but because to the team it was just another game where their goal was to win.

Thomasson and other players only wanted to focus on their performance rather than pay attention to all of the excitement in the crowd and letting down the alumni.

Varsity head coach Don Norton agrees. “It was more pressure, more buildup,” he said. “We would’ve been disappointed if we would’ve lost.”

While Thomasson felt many of his emotions during the game, sophomore Jesus Hernandez dealt with his emotions after. “After the game I looked at the crowd and I loved it,” he said. “The fact that there was a lot of people; I didn’t expect that many.”

photos by Taylor Hurles Malibu Manivong and Delta King Mascot (above left), Diana Cuevas and Sabrina Serrano(above right), Philip Laufiso (bottom), and other Varsity cheerleaders and football players, felt the pressure and excitement taking the win at the first game in the new stadium.

The crowd exploded like the after game fireworks blasting off into the sky. Chants of “Stagg State,” led by the football players echoed through the stadium. “I felt that we made the crowd proud,” Thomasson said.

Running through pressure

to run as a sport rather than as a work out.

Beyond the side-cramps, burn- “Not to brag,” Castillo said, ing calves, and constant thirst for “but I guess you can say it’s somewater, junior cross country runner thing I’m good at.”

Danny Castillo has to deal with se- Running has largely helped Casvere asthma. tillo with his asthma and has been Respiratory problems and run- a prominent health improver. Casning usually don’t mix. When he tillo has since been an active runner was young, Castillo said running for five years. was a stress releaser from his aca- Castillo has had breathing probdemics. lems since he was 1. His asthma has However, his interest grew dur- complicated his performance in ing the fifth grade. His teacher in- some sports he’s able to participate sisted that he should run the 5K in in. the Asparagus Festival to strength- “I’ve actually had series of severe en him for the many other sports asthma attacks especially during he participated in. school.” Without being athletic However, the race inspired him in any other way, Castillo’s lungs would “burst up.” “(Cross country) is so physically demanding, you want to make it a way of life,” new coach John Hittle said. “It does require that drive and you have to stay on it all the time.”

Of 35 runners on the team, Castillo is the only three-year veteran, taking his role as captain.

“I have the most experience on the team, and, no offense, even on the coach.”

Castillo says nobody on the team really knew about his asthma the first year he joined cross-country.

It was until during one of photo by Chelsea Collura his races that he was having Junior Daniel Castillo placed fourth at the Stockton All bad breathing Area meet in a three mile run at American Legion Park. problems.

Alisya Mora

“I came in after the first race, pushing real hard to finish, and as soon as I was done, I collapsed on the floor.”

His previous coach became angry as well as worried.

“He didn’t know what was happening and I didn’t know what was happening, until someone threw my inhaler at me.”

As a freshman, Castillo was really new to the high school system, and wasn’t aware he needed a physical to participate. His drastic fall was enough to disqualify him for that race and the two after.

However, despite this, he was allowed to continue running his match.

In the beginning of the season, the team’s former coach wanted five really good runners immediately on varsity, allowing flexibility on when students got their physicals.

The coach was primarily focused on building the team and Castillo “was the remaining piece.”

Shortly after, Castillo made an appointment for his physical.

The physical examiners were in shock at Castillo’s eligibility to participate in the match.

“They said to me, ‘I don’t know how you ran, I don’t why you ran, but you needed to get your physical anyways.’”

His parents weren’t aware his asthma was that bad, Castillo said.

“

Castillo watches how he goes about his running goals, he has no limits.

Castillo’s increase in breathing problems has also led to an increase of spending for medication.

He now takes three specific medications all having to do with his lungs.

Castillo’s parents also take him to a nutritionist and personal trainer to manage his health.

“It’s basically just spending a lot of money to keep me alive,” he said.

This year Castillo was almost barred from joining crosscountry because he is underweight. He particularly blames wrestling for his weight loss.

“I had to drop, drop, drop, and I’ve grown into that unfortunately.”

There were times, Castillo said, when he would come home from practice and neglected to eat COACH because of his determination to keep stability of his weight.

As of now, Hittle said, he’s learned to manage his health and tries to maintain a runner’s diet of gaining protein the healthiest way.

I came in after the first race, pushing real hard to finish, and as soon was done, I collapsed on the floor.”

John Hittle

During his eighth grade and freshman year his asthma had worsened with running because he never had to push himself that much before.

However, “if I keep working out my lungs,” he said, “I will be able to control it better.”

This year Hittle feels as long as

However, unlike his teammates, Castillo has also been advised by both his physician and personal trainer to consume four thousand calories a day.

Castillo works himself every practice, running approximately five miles, including the different distances, sprints, and hills the team encounters.

“My parents had a problem with my athleticism,” Castillo said, “(however) they are very supporting and they’re as much as committed with what I do.”

Fall sports season is here.

Below is a list of both home and away games in October.

10/7 Oak Ridge 10/15 Tokay 10/21 St. Mary’s 10/28 West 10/8 McNair 10/15 Tokay 10/21 St. Mary’s 10/28 West 10/5 West 10/7 St. Mary’s 10/12 Edison 10/5 Edison 10/7 McNair 10/12 St. Mary’s 10/14 Tokay 10/19 West 10/21 Edison

10/4 St. Mary’s 10/6 Edison 10/11 McNair 10/13 Tokay 10/18 West 10/20 St Mary’s 10/25 Edison 10/27 McNair 10/1 St. Mary’s 10/6 Edison 10/8 McNair 10/13 Tokay 10/15 West 10/20 St. Mary’s 10/22 Edison 10/27 McNair 10/14 Tokay 10/30 TCAL

Bold - Home games

Graphic by Mia Torres

09.24.10

the Stagg Line

Sports

Ink helps players think positive

7

Tattoos inspire three athletes to persevere through loss Chelsea Collura

photos by Chelsea Collura Juniors Samantha Mendez and Albert Rubio, as well as senior Frankie May, are inspired by their inked skin to continue playing sports. Despite the obstacles they face whether they be death or a family member absent from the stands, they still continue to chase their dreams.

New coach helps establish team goals Jeremy Dela Cruz

photo by harmony evangelisti Varsity coach Gabe Padayhag instructs players to move their feet towards the ball, when attempting to pass.

would be missing.

His grandfather had always been his inspiration because he “always used to see (him) there in the stands.”

But still, even though he has passed on, the letters that Rubio receives from his uncle still push him to do well in school and play football even better.

No matter where his uncle or grandfather may be, he knows that “thinking of them pushes (him) harder.”

Just like Mendez and May, Rubio isn’t going to see his uncle or grandfather in the stands every time he looks up when the football team scores a touchdown or wins the game.

However, the missing pieces of his family remain “tatted” on his chest and “close to his heart.”

He has finally realized the importance of the phrase.

One way or another his family is always going to be there whenever he needs them. No matter where they are to Rubio, that’s family and they are “forever.”

Each tattoo has a separate meaning and a different story left to be told.

For these three athletes their tattoos keep them on the field and continue to push them to chase their dreams.

The black ink is permanently imprinted on their skin and all their worries fade away because no matter what, their loved ones are “always going to be by (their) side.”

“I’m never going to let them go,” Rubio said.

Looking ahead...

The pre-season was rocky with a few injured players. However, the team pulled through and overall their record is 4-4-2. Senior Gilberto Camacho, varsity player, is looking forward to the season and says the team is “ready to give it all.” Stay tuned for more soccer coverage Issue 3.

more photo r s Fo

...

Whether during practice or games, every athlete knows the feeling of gritted teeth, sweaty uniforms, and aching muscles, universal elements in the sports world. New volleyball coach Gabe Padayhag, however, adds two unconventional elements: pencil and paper.

Padayhag asks his varsity team to write expectations of themselves and of their team, creating lists to be read before practices.

He says that reading their goals allows the team to understand that “every athlete is asked to be mentally prepared.”

Each individual writes three things she does for herself and three things she does for the team in the hope that doing so will commit the expectations to memory.

Team captain Amanda White likes this new aspect of practices, but says that she initially had doubts about the strategy. “Sports aren’t about feelings,” White said.

“We’re not used to coaches wanting to know that stuff.” She recognizes, though, that if Padayhag never asked them to write expectations they never would

have created goals, which allow players to “have something in (their) minds that (they) want to reach.”

The writing team-building activity, which White describes as “strictly Padayhag,” is about one of the only different features of having a new coach for the varsity team. In actuality, Padayhag’s transition into his position has been smooth since he has been coaching Stagg volleyball off and on for five years.

Speaking of his predecessor Martin Bagnasco, Padayhag said, “The good thing is he and I have similar coaching styles.”

Bagnasco also has an agreeable view of Padayhag.

“He’s fully qualified and I think he’s doing a very good job.”

Padayhag’s major concern about guiding the team is something that coaches everywhere struggle with: the height of players. “The girls we get are good people.”

He joked about wishing for a six foot tall setter: “I just wish that genetically they were taller.”

Padayhag, however, has strategized ahead of time for games where their opponents have height advantages. “We can implement a much faster game against taller teams.”

Having coached boys volleyball for the San Diego Volleyball Club, Padayhag is also an athletic alumnus of the Stagg soccer team, a sport he played for four years.

Unlike many with solid sports backgrounds, he is “not necessarily interested in wins or losses.” Padayhag contends that an often overlooked aspect of volleyball is playing with effort.

“If we lose, but we’re able to say ‘I’ve left everything on the court, then we’re great.”

White enjoys the positivity Padayhag brings to the team. She doesn’t mind his occasional sternness since she knows it’s all for a good purpose.

“I think he’s strict because he doesn’t just want us to be good volleyball players.” White said. “He wants us to be good people.”

As a coach, Padayhag understands that he “can’t make anyone do anything.”

During days where morale is low, the only thing he can do for each player is remind them that “it’s not about them, it’s about the team and their contributions to the team.”

Like many of the veteran players, White feels some disappointment about having a new coach for varsity. At first, White was “a little nervous about the change.”

“Ever since freshmen year I’ve had this dream of being on varsity and having Bagnasco as a coach,” She said.

“It’s not good or bad now, but I’ve just had to alter my dream a little, it’s just straight up different.”

Fortunately, White still has “a really good relationship” with Padayhag.

“He wants to teach us to be great volleyball players but to also succeed in life.”

With the written expectations in mind, she knows that “the skills (they) learn in volleyball apply to life as well.”

He won’t be there sitting in the stands when she goes up to bat this year during the softball season and he won’t be there to tell her how great of a game she plays but “he’s got (her) back.”

Her inked skin will forever retain the famous phrase from “The Lion King”, hakuna matata, because either way, for junior Samantha Mendez, playing softball again will mean “no worries.”

Since the day that her brother passed away Mendez promised herself that she would never play another game and the only way that she would was if somehow or someway he would come back.

After many unanswered prayers she realized he would never walk back through the door.

“That day I got home from softball practice, I washed my cleats, I washed my socks, I washed my shirt, and my pants,” Mendez said.

“I stuck it all in my softball bag and put it high in my closet.”

That was definitely the last time that anyone would see her on the field for the remainder of the season.

However, that mirror that reflects the tattoo on the back of her neck is her daily reminder that, though her brother is gone, her dreams remain in front of her waiting to be realized.

Mendez soon had a change of heart.

“I knew that it would hurt my mom to see that her daughter was staying away from her dreams,” Mendez said.

It was the first time in 10 months that she faced reality and picked up the softball that she had hid from herself for so long.

“He would have wanted me to continue.”

Like Mendez, senior Frankie May relies on his dreams to push him further in football.

Even though his grandmother isn’t so keen on him playing, she is there for him in the stands when she can be and tattooed on his skin – “truly blessed” – when she can’t.

Since infancy, May’s grandmother has been his support and inspiration to do well in school.

“She took care of me most of my life. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be at this school today,” he said.

His grandmother has strived to put a roof over his head and food in his stomach.

With that, May believes that “she’s the best grandmother that anyone can have.” Because of her he offers something new to the team and gives his opponents a reason to believe that “if you didn’t make me, you can’t break me,” exactly what the tattoos on his arms display.

With the death of his grandfather and his uncle getting “locked” up, junior Albert Rubio unlike May struggled to find the significance of the phrase “family is forever.”

“I didn’t want to do any school work. I didn’t even want to go to school,” Rubio said.

Football no longer seemed to appeal to him because someone

SL

staggline.com

Senior Gilberto Camacho (above) and senior Ivan Contreras (left) charge players from Chavez while on defense. photos by Kristin Acevedo

News the Stagg Line

8

09.24.10

INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT A NEW CULTURE? Spanish Club Chinese Club French Club Hmong Club

Meet Wednesdays during lunch in A-1 Meet Thursdays after school in B-3 Meet Fridays during lunch in B-2 Meet Fridays during lunch in H-5

INTERESTED IN HAVING NOTHING BUT FUN? Dance Club Anime Club Bike Club Science Club MESA

Meet every day after school in L-3 Meet Mondays and Wednesdays during lunch in R-7 Meet Thursdays after school in front of F-7 Meet Tuesdays during lunch in G-6 Meet Mondays and Tuesdays after school in K-3

INTERESTED IN BUILDING A RESUME FOR COLLEGE? French Honors Society California Scholarship Federation National Honors Society AVID

Meet every other Friday after school in B-2 Meet every other Tuesday during lunch in F-6 Meet every other Monday during lunch in C-1 Meet Fridays during lunch in B-9

INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE? Red Cross Circle of Friends Link Crew Key Club

Meet Wednesdays during lunch in K-1 Meet Wednesday during lunch in R-17 Meet Mondays after school in R-21 Meet Tuesdays during lunch in B-4 Information compiled by Reanna Rodriguez Graphic by Michelle Pheav

Temporary IDs eliminated, saving school money

THE RED SCARE

Homecoming traditions overshadow varsity defeat at the hands of the Lodi Flames

Damon Heine Students are now required to wear a colored lanyard representing their individual small learning community which has given way to a new rule that if a student does not wear their new lanyard they receive a detention in the alternative suspension center.

The disciplinary actions depend on how many times the students must be told to wear their lanyard. First time is a warning, second time is detention, third time is a period in ASC, next is a whole day in ASC, and if the problem persists, a parent administrator conference is scheduled.

Another new school rule this year is the elimination of the paper temporary identification card that became so common last year. Now students must pay $5 for a new ID or have the charge added to their book bill, which is required to be paid in order to graduate.

Not all students are agreeing with the new policy. “I liked it better when they had paper ID’s,” Rigoberto Certa, sophomore, said. “It made it easier if someone forgot their ID.” With the new rule implemented, there has been a significant drop in students requiring IDs. “The names of students wanting temporary IDs would take up to three sheets of paper,” said Sandra Johnson, book clerk, who was In charge of printing them last year.

Now the highest number of students would be six a day, she said.

Another reason why the paper IDs were stopped was that it provided, according to administrators, an excuse to skip class. Students would leave in order to get IDs but would continue to miss class.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL It also cost the school a great deal of money on paper and ink.

One roll of sticker paper can cost up to $20.

As for the distinct lanyards that all are wearing, administrators are supporting it as a way of bringing people together. “We are trying to build a sense of community behind SLCs,” Assistant Principal Carol Sanderson said. But it’s also as much of a safety concern as it is a system of unity.

“When we see students wearing their appropriate lanyards, we know they’re our kids,” Sanderson said. And while the need for IDs is declining with the cost being heightened, the need for lanyards is growing significantly.

Lanyards are distributed in the ASC detention center. And an estimated up to 10 students a day come to room M-1 in need of a new one. As with IDs, the money students owe (lanyards cost $1) is put on their book bill.

There is also a debate on whether students have to wear their SLC lanyards or choose to wear their own. “We never said they couldn’t wear their own,” she said. “Some students even wear both.”

Not all students see the new policy as a bad thing. “It tells you the difference between people who go here and who doesn’t,” Monte Franklin, sophomore, said. Like it or not, the lanyards rule is here to stay.

“

We are trying to build a sense of community behind SLCs ... When we see students wearing their appropriate lanyards, we know they’re our kids.”

Assistant principals Carol Sanderson and Josh Thom rode a tandem bike towards the end of the parade.

Senior cheerleaders Meilani Quilenderino and Peter Sriboonrevang celebrate their homecoming royalty victory during halftime.

Carol Sanderson

Varsity wide receiver Andre Lindsey, sophomore, is tackled by four Lodi Flames on his way to making a touchdown. Stagg lost against the Lodi Flames 52 to 31. photos by Harmony Evangelisti and Lissette Rodriguez