09.23.11
VOL. 55 NO. 2 ON THE WEB
staggonline.net
Soccer photo gallery
ON THE BLOG
thestaggline.tumblr.com
GOOGLE ME GABBY: Discusses racial stereotypes and their connections to music. TRIBUTE TO 9/11 Ten years after the tragedy that changed the nation, we reflect on the memory of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. INSIDE THE ISSUE Students utilize their talents to make a profit.
NEWS IN BRIEF PSATs For students who signed up for the PSAT, the date to take the test is Oct. 12. Work experience Students who are working need to be sure to register with the work experience coordinator or they may be working illegally. The office is located next to the attendance office. Homecoming Homecoming week will be Oct. 10-15. Spirit days will be held during the week. The homecoming parade and game will be on Oct. 14. The dance will be held Oct. 15. Fall break Fall break will be Sept. 26-Oct. 7. School will resume on Oct. 10. Football game Tonight’s game will be an away game against the Bear Creek Bruins. Varsity kickoff will be at 7:15 p.m. They will be going into this game with a record of 3-1.
home of the DELTA KINGS
Opened hallways allow restroom access ANNAMARIECUNNINGHAM
The signs on the hallway doors were clear: closed for lunch. But when the group representing Williams Act came through on their inspection of the campus last month, they overlooked the sign and its implications. They gave the school outstanding marks. But what they missed was a common knowledge among students – as long as the hallways were closed; there were simply not enough available restrooms. The school lost four of the previous eight campus security monitors at the start of the 2011 school year. This loss of staff led to the closing of the east and west hallways at lunch. In closing the hallways, students had limited chances of getting in and out of the restroom in a timely manner, if they could get to the restrooms at all. Ten restrooms for nearly 1,700 students. There is a fine line one must traverse in order to keep the student body happy and safe. “We were maintaining safety, without thinking about consequences,” said Bill
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There are so many things that come into play that sometimes you just have to laugh and shake your head at it.” BILL PARKS, principal
Parks, principal. By only having 10 restrooms open, there was a larger possibility of someone in dire need of a toilet not reaching one. In having only 10 restrooms open to the student body, Stagg was in violation of the K-12 Toilet Requirement, which is a part of the state Education Code. This code requires that there be one restroom for every 45 female students, and one urinal for every 30 male students. In order to comply with the code, Stagg would need
at least 19 restroom stalls open to each gender. There were multiple aspects to consider in trying to find a solution. Things like how thinly the security can be stretched or what kind of ramifications that will have on other areas of campus. In the end there was only one solution according to Parks. “We’ll just flip the switch and open the east hallway,” he said. In opening up the hallways students have been contented.
“Since the reopening of the hallways, it gave me instant access to the closest bathroom in my vicinity,” said Teppuchea Oum, junior. Few people on campus were aware of this requirement, and Parks blames that fact on budget cuts. “The plant supervisor position was cut,” said Parks. “He would be the one who would know that.” However, Parks understood the severity of violating the code, and knew he needed to find a solution. In the end, it all comes down to budget cuts and a ripple effect. When positions are cut, details can get lost. The very people who should know the rules can lose track of what they need to know because they are lost in taking care of other people’s positions. And eventually things will get lost in translation because of the lack of attention to detail. As Parks said, “There are so many things that come into play that sometimes you just have to laugh and shake your head at it.”
Students participate in Coastal Cleanup on Calaveras River to gain better understanding of their environment MIKEALAAXTON
Letting a plastic bag blow by. Throwing a gum wrapper on the ground. Dumping oil in the street drain. What do these things have in common? The Calaveras River. “Every decision you make can affect the river,” said Donnie Ratcliff, habitat restoration coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With this (or perhaps community service hours) in mind, nearly 200 volunteers came out last Saturday for the annual Coastal Cleanup event. The group was much larger than last year’s turnout, a mix of Stagg students and students from various schools, teachers, community members, and even a couple or two on a date, like seniors Janet Phanh and Stephen To. “We decided to use our time wisely and help out the environment,” To said of their date. “It felt good to help in the community,” agreed Phanh. Several Stagg students were into double digits of nonstop community service hours, having participated in the Kids in a Box event the night before. Senior Julian De Los Santos was one such volunteer. “I’m losing my voice, slept in a box, and now I’m cleaning up more boxes,” he said. Community service hours were simply an added bonus for some students, like senior Brantley Melvin and sophomore Sami Nand. “I like to help out my community whether I’m getting community service hours or not,” said Melvin who was there with Key Club. “What made me come back this year was wanting to help,” Nand said, who attended last year’s Cleanup as well. “I’m doing this out of the goodness of myself.” Beyond personal fulfillment, the Coastal Cleanup is a benefit to the entire community, as well as fish and other organisms in the Calaveras.
People don’t realize the affect the river had on the quality of life of the community and the river’s organism, Ratcliff said. UOP professor of biology Stacy Luthy reiterated this point in speaking to the group of volunteers. “You have a vested interest in making sure (the river) is clean,” she said. “Coastal Cleanup day should be every day,” said Jeremy Turhune, coordinator of Friends of the Lower Calaveras. “One day a year isn’t enough. This is our drinking water… we have endangered animals in (and around) the river.” In trying to preserve the river, Terhune invites interested students to join Friends of the Lower Calaveras by contacting him via email at jterhune@riverofskulls.org. There’s a lot of interesting history to the Calaveras that people aren’t aware of, Terhune said, such as the name itself. The origin of the name, which translates to River of Skulls, is based upon explorers finding a pile of Native American bones in a watershed of the river. “I’m waiting for a Stagg High School garage band named River of Skulls,” Terhune said. “That would be awesome.” Not everything pulled out of the river had been as dramatic as a pile of bones, but organizers have seen their share of unusual debris at Coastal Cleanups. The strangest thing they found in all of the California Cleanup events last year was “a dead cow in a bag,” Terhune said. This year was much tamer than those of the past, the cleanup producing items like broken lawn chairs. This may be because of different rules than years before, volunteers being informed partway through the cleanup that they were not to clean up the homeless dens. The excitement of other years perhaps makes up for this year. Two years ago, Luthy said, a volunteer thought they had found a dead body in the river, but were relieved to find that it was only a blow-up doll. photo by
(Clockwise from top) Seniors Julian De Los Santos and Michael Nuci participated in the cleanup, while on various areas of the levee they discovered some odd items such as a saw and a collection of DVDs. Senior Angelique Wilson celebrates after the day is over with teacher Thongthip Duangsawat. Students worked with adult volunteers throughout the day while picking up trash. All volunteers were invited to a barbeque at Victory Park after it was over.
Stagg Line NSPA Hall of Fame newspaper Amos Alonzo Stagg High School 1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, Calif. 95207
Annamarie Rodriguez
photos by
Mia Torres
Opinion the Stagg Line
2 EDITORIAL
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09.23.11
LEARNING WITH NEW FRIENDS
hey walk through the same halls we do. They eat in the same cafeteria we do. But we hardly notice they’re there. In some cases, we fail to acknowledge them at all. Who are they? “They” are the special education students at our school. Alison Lockheed, English teacher, got some freshmen involved with these students. A couple of her classes go to assist the special education students almost every week. We think that is fantastic. Lockheed sends her students to different special education classes. In these classes, the freshmen students interact with the special education students with physical games or computer and board games. We’ve noticed a few times that the special needs students have been disregarded by others on campus. Just as it is immoral to bully anyone else, it is immoral to do so when it comes to the special needs students. For too long, they have been treated like they attend a separate school. For too long, they have been treated like outcasts. Lockheed has found a way to change this, even if it is just a small step. We applaud Lockheed for taking the time to make a differ-
Art by Sophia Davidson
Photo by Alyssa Rojas
Sophomore Breeanna Godoy and freshman Elaine Valdovinos sit down at desks in third period and play a game of bingo together as part of an exchange program between classes.
ence. We also commend the teachers of the special needs classes for allowing Lockheed’s students to participate in their classrooms. Lastly, we thank any other teachers taking
time to help the special education classes. We hope more consider helping as well. In regards to interacting with the special needs students, some freshmen say the experi-
ence is extremely rewarding, and it is a great thing to get involved with. According to Lockheed, the freshmen have gained a lot of maturity and actually look forward to helping the classes. Lockheed is proud of what they do, and so are we. We only wish more people would take the initiative to interact with them, to include them more. If you would like to get involved, Lockheed is available for questions. Special education teachers are also available to answer questions and help those interested get involved. However, even for those swamped with assignments, and participating in many other activities, we encourage you to pass on a friendly smile when passing special education students. Perhaps befriend one of them. After all, they’re students just like you.
Taking initiative helps make a difference
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It is much easier for students to use the restroom now.” TINA KEOPASEUTH senior
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It’s more convenient, there’s less lines, and I can get to my classes faster.” DEVIN BURNETT freshman
ave you ever heard students complaining about the restroom line, the locked hallways, or even about the female restrooms being closed because the male custodian has to clean? Well, I’m sure we’ve all heard them and have even contributed ourselves. Students will always complain about problems like the bathroom being too crowded or there’s not enough stalls, but they wouldn’t actually do anything about it. If they had said or done something to bring awareness to it, then it could’ve been solved in no time. For example, Principal Bill Parks didn’t know about the law stating a specific amount of restrooms for students. When notified, he immediately began opening one of the two hallways during lunch. Parks has taken the time to supervise the hallways himself because of the staff shortage. But once in a while there might be a new face in the hallways. Principal Parks said that there were “60 parent volunteers” that were willing to help. And these parent volunteers signed themselves up. Earlier this quarter an inspection was made and nothing was found wrong. “The county actually came
the Stagg Line 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 18 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.
CHAOXIONG through (the school) and said ‘no you’re fine’,” and passed us with 100 percent, said Principal Parks. When the Williams Act came in August to check for sufficient textbooks, instructional materials, and for clean, safe, maintained facilities, they walked right by the “closed for lunch” sign hanging on the hallway doors. The restroom stalls and urinals were in good condition and nothing seemed to be wrong but even though we had a sufficient number of restrooms we were not even using them all. This issue could’ve been found earlier if the position of plant supervisor had not been cut. Other than the plant supervisor the female custodians were also cut. Because of this the female bathroom has to be closed every time so that the male custodian
can clean it. Even lawsuits would have been possible if the problem had persisted. But luckily the school was notified before anything bad could happen. Our newspaper staff looked into the issue of the restrooms and found out that there was a law concerning it. Looking it up on the California Department of Education website we found the K-12 Toilet Requirement Summary. Immediately after it was found, the information was delivered to Parks. It is problems like these that really need to be taken care of. And maybe even the smallest or most ridiculous complaint can make the biggest difference. “Student, parents, and staff voice needs to be known,” said Parks. Students shouldn’t just sit around and do nothing but instead bring awareness to the issue. And if possible maybe students can offer a solution to the problem other than just pointing out the obvious. If there is a complaint then just write a letter to us at the Stagg Line and we’ll put it in the newspaper to bring awareness to the issue. So please do share your opinions so the school can help fix it your problems.
Mikeala Axton Editor-in-Chief
Taylor Hurles Don Bott Adviser
Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Harmony Evangelisti
Sophomore Teresa Mayorga said she “doesn’t have to worry about waiting in long lines to use the restroom any more.”
Gabriella Miller
Emily Cornelison
News Editor
Deja Croft
Nicole Lawrence Opinion Editor
The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and Kristin Acevedo distributed free of charge to students and faculty. Features Editor Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. Student editors and reporters Annamarie Cunningham Entertainment Editor make content and style decisions with the adviser Reanna Rodriguez offering guidance. Editorials reflect the view of the Sports Editor entire editorial board and therefore are unsigned. Seyma Tap Opinion columns reflect the view of the writer. Graphics Editor Readers are welcomed to write letters to the editor. Harmony Evangelisti We will make every effort to print any letter as long Photo Editor as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 words may be edited. Unsigned letters will be printed only Faith Harris Web/Multimedia Editor in unusual circumstances, and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be brought to the newspaper Damon Heine room, A-8, or emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us Blog Editor
Sophia Davidson Shelby Hightower Alyssa Macatuno Jessica Mangili Kentaley McCurdy Adrianna Owens Viena Palacio Annamarie Rodriguez Mia Torres Fe Valencia Brian Walker Chao Xiong
09.23.11
I
the Stagg Line
Opinion
3
I want my Music Television back
t all started in 1981. A television station dedicated to nothing but music videos, 24/7. It was different. It was revolutionary. It was awesome. Now it’s 2011. Thirty years after the launch of the station. It still exists, but it’s hardly recognizable to what it once was. The station once packed with the best of multiple artists spanning all varieties of music is now preoccupied with more pressing matters. Like pregnant teenagers, the awkward adventures of American teens, and of course, the powerful chronicles of life in the state of New Jersey. While music videos have not been totally erased from Music Television, it’s hard to say that they have not been put in the backseat when it comes to programming on the station. One can still see a Black Eyed Peas or Lady Gaga video appear once in a blue
moon. But it’s extremely rare to see artists who aren’t superstars. A variety of music videos was something the old MTV shined upon. It was able to show videos of the most popular stars in the music industry, and also show videos from musicians that weren’t. Musical diversity was prevalent and welcome. That’s not the case today. Somewhere in the long history of MTV, the tide shifted from music to reality as the top programming on the station. A show called “The Real World” aired in 1992 and became a smash hit. Today it’s one of the longest running shows in MTV’s history, and one of the longest running reality shows altogether. From this point on the name of the game was pumping out as many reality shows as possible while at the same time pushing the music to near extinction. As the reality shows have multiplied, new shows
like “Teen Mom” and “Jersey Shore” ming. But unlike MTV, the more have become some of the most varied programming didn’t seem popular shows on cable. to hamper the music aspect of the Unfortunately, these shows have station and shows like “That Metal little to do with music and don’t Show” promote a form a music that represent the best of television may not be as mainstream as the few programming. The new emphasis on videos that are shown on MTV. reality over music has also spread to VH1 Classic was also the home of some of MTV’s sister stations such the 30th anniversary celebration of, as MTV2, and VH1. The question how coincidentally, MTV. In fact, remains, is there any music based the 30th anniversary was treated station that does show music videos very quietly on its home station. on a regular basis? And in a new world that has reality The answer to that question is blasting almost every station on a yes and a no. VH1 Classic still protelevision, it seems as if MTV wants DAMONHEINE vides a nostalgic look back at the era to forget it’s past in order to forge its of classic rock and hair metal while also acknowlreality filled future. edging videos from other genres, including music Maybe MTV will get a clue from a station that of the 1980’s. It originally started out playing only was inspired from its originality. An originality it music videos, but in time, included other programnow lacks.
Graphic by Taylor Hurles, Seyma Tap, and Fe Valencia
I
MTV is better with reality programming
t’s that moment when you’re sitting in class and things go from boring to kill-me-now. Your attention starts to drift outside the window because it’s not like anything interesting is going on inside the classroom anyway. Your mind starts to wander, and without even realizing it you’re tapping your foot as the “Jersey Shore” theme song slips from your brain to your tongue and you start to mouth the words “ Get crazy! Get wild! Lets party! Get loud!” And Snookie’s face pops into your head saying “I’m on the ‘Jersey Shore’!” It’s like Music Television has engraved theme songs into your head and there’s no getting it out. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When MTV first started it was all about the music, hence the name Music Television. But over time people changed and so did the channel. Reality shows have overtaken the channel and I’m loving it. Don’t get me wrong, music is my life and I love everything it brings to the world, but honestly I get way more excited about a new episode of “Jersey Shore” or a new season of “America Best Dance crew” then I do about the premiere of a new Rhianna video. The issue of MTV not living up to it’s name is partly true, that I can admit, but it’s not like MTV has completely forgotten about the music. Every morning MTV has a section they call AMTV. They show all music videos and even have a segment that they call Throwbacks where old school music is featured. If somebody just has a dire need to constantly watch music videos produced by MTV and if they have digital cable then they can just flip over to MTV Hits or MTV Jams
because those channels play music non stop. Some reality shows on MTV have a positive effect on people our age. They have “Made,” a show where regular high school teens are transformed into what they want to be but are the total opposite of. For example, a girlie girl into a fierce volleyball player, or a math geek into a hip hop dancer. It tells all those kids out there who believe they are confined to their little personality bubble that they can branch out and be DEJACROFT whoever they want to be. Or like the show “If You Really Knew Me,” it’s a show that challenges high school students to get to know a person first and judge later, because you never know what someone is truly going through. I can recall participating in a similar thing here at Stagg last school year. Because I watched the show I, and I assume others, recognized the importance of taking it seriously, and I got that understanding
from watching one of those reality shows that are supposedly taking away from what MTV is suppose to be. I can admit that a lot of reality shows that are played make no sense and have no type of point, but who cares! It’s entertaining and fun to watch. Everything doesn’t have to be so freaking serious all the time, NEWS FLASH it’s OK to kick back and let your mind relax, you’re not going to become brain dead from watching a few reality shows and if you don’t like it just don’t watch it. It’s as easy as that. There is so much controversy about the content of the shows that are played, and people complain about Music Television barely having any music, but when MTV was playing music people still had negative things to say. Starting in 1983 people were complaining that MTV was taking the value away from the music and putting more emphasis on the flashy stuff like dozens of back-up dancers and huge elaborate music videos. No matter what, MTV has always been criticized. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard people say “why do they call themselves Music Television anymore? They don’t even play music.” Well, if that’s the issue then The Learning Channel, better known as TLC should change their name because the show “Saying Yes to the Dress” and “What Not to Wear” doesn’t show the educational content the show was originally suppose to have. I’m not trying to knock TLC I’m just saying, yes MTV doesn’t have as much music as they used to, but things change, and just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s the end of music as we know it.
It Gets Better project encourages gay teens to live for the future
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hen does someone lose the right to attend school safely? When is it right to ignore that someone else has feelings? When is it good for someone to kill themselves? Oh, yeah. When someone is gay. I would like to say that all of the aforementioned is a joke, but, frankly, it’s not funny. And the increase in suicides among homosexual teenagers tell us it’s not entirely fictional -- some people MIKEALAAXTON accept gay = inhuman as a real philosophy. Some people apparently feel that it’s acceptable to bully homosexual teens to the point of suicide. But there are also some real people making a real difference. The It Gets Better Project is a movement begun by columnist Dan Savage and his husband aimed at delivering a simple but crucial message to homosexual teens -- it does get better. The project revolves around video contributions to further the antibullying message. Contributors have included President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, and the San Francisco Giants, alongside so many others shedding their lime light on the worthy cause. But it’s not only household names submitting videos – anyone can contribute, and tens of thousands have so far, videos that have received over 40 million views collectively. The mesh of videos, a mix of stardom and everyday people, serves to highlight the outpouring and variety of support the movement has received. But all the light cast by this movement further defines the shadows of our society. Is our generation, the so-called Millennials as progressive as we’ve thought? As open-minded as we’ve been deemed?
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Is our generation, the so-called Millennials as progressive as we’ve thought? As open-minded as we’ve been deemed? The answer to this is no... and yes.”
The answer to this is no… and yes. No, in the sense that bullying, a product of intolerance, sparked the It Gets Better Project – deadly ignorance that contradicts the generational tag of acceptance. But also a resounding yes in that such a massive movement likely couldn’t have existed in any other generation, and not just because of the advent of computers and web-cams. The upheaval of support for victims of bullying is made possible by those willing to speak up for the homosexual minority, regardless of their own orientation. We’ve been battling the stigma on homosexuality for decades, and we’ve gotten to the point where our wins are outweighing our losses. So perhaps it’s not that our generation is more tolerant, but that we’re more defiant. Our generation has proved unruly in some of the best ways possible – unafraid to stand up against ignorance and homophobia. The very name of the project – It Gets Better – is indicative of both the challenge for and the hope of the Millennials and every succinctly named generation to come. It gets better, yes, but we have to work to make it that way. And there’s always work to be done, new heights to reach. But that’s the beauty of the idea. There is no limit to what we can do, as it can always get better. As long as we make it so. Art by Mikeala Axton
Features the Stagg Line
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09.23.11
Student turns doodles into dollars SHELBYHIGHTOWER
Many of us may doodle on the margins of our paper in class. Some of us may use art as a hobby. Perhaps even a passion. But few of us think to turn that passion into a business. Sophomore Cheyenne Brinton has done just that. Instead of relying on her parents’ money, like other teenagers do, she found a way to make some herself. Ever since she was a child, Brinton showed artistic promise. “I was way better than most kids my age,” she said as she thought back to her earlier years as an artist. Brinton has been drawing since she was 5 years old and has been working to enhance her skills ever since then. But just recently she realized her drawings were taking up too much space. Seeing that people truly enjoyed her art, she came up
Students take advantage of their talents and intertwine passion with determination to save and make money
with the idea to sell some of it. This led to the later thought of taking requests. Brinton carries with her a notebook in which anyone that wants a custom piece from her can write down what they want. Since she started selling her art, word has really gotten around. She can draw in many different styles but she has a large demand for styles such as manga, anime, chibi, and anthro. Even though she has only made about $10 doing this, she has made money doing what she loves. Her business only started this past summer, and it is only growing. The notebook she carries with her currently has over a page of requests in it. As of now, the going rate for her art is $1 for a simple pencil sketch, $2 for a more detailed colored pencil or pen drawing, and $5 for a drawing on the computer.
“Save gas and they’re fast.” These are the words that senior Rashid Barney uses to explain the exploding desire for fixies. Fixies, slimmer than most bikes, are both fast and convenient. This new trend has changed the way people get around town, especially with the constantly rising gas prices. These new innovative bikes are a great alternative for anyone on the go. The year was 2006 when his bike wheel ended up broken. He called a bike shop and found that fixing it would cost $50. Appalled with the expense, he tried to fix it himself and succeeded. Since then he has never gone to a bike shop to get his bike fixed. Barney has used his craftsmanship as an effective
At the Crossroads Trading Company, much of the attire already has a story to tell, thus making it “secondhand” to customers. These students found out that thrift shops do not eliminate “name brands” and style. In fact, all clothing in stock was once thought to be fashionable to someone else, and, by chance, it might just appeal to anyone — at a much lower price.
photo by
Kristin Acevedo
ings. It is basically a more advanced version of Microsoft Paint that includes gradients and other tools. Brinton came across this program one day on Youtube. She was watching videos and tutorials of other people drawing. In the description of one video
there was a link to the Sai website. She really enjoys using her skill as a way to make money. “It’s not exactly a job, but more of a hobby,” Brinton said. She is currently working on three requested art pieces, and word is getting around about her art business.
Musician drums up cash BRIANWALKER
photo by
Kentaley McCurdy
Senior Rashid Barney not only fixes the problems his customers bring to him, but in many cases he teaches the customers how to fix it themselves.
Skillful senior employs self by fixing fixies KENTALEYMCCURDY
Cheyenne Brinton has several boxes of her shetches and art works, but instead of simply getting rid of them she chose to sell them.
BRINTON A big part of Brinton’s success is through advertisement. She advertises her art on various social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter. She has an entire album on her Facebook profile dedicated to the art she is selling. Brinton uses a program on the computer called Sai Paint to produce the more expensive draw-
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way to build and fix things, and now make money. Initially, Barney began with fixing regular bikes, and adjusted to fixing fixies. Barney learned that the difficulties in fixing regular bikes were not the same as working with fixies. “Fixies are their own thing; they are different from regular bikes.” Last year he started to fix fixies, and he became very good at it. This new realization enabled Barney to make quick cash. “The last time I worked on someones bike I made about $30.” Since his customers know how expensive getting their bike fixed at a shop is, Barney is their first call. “I get about four people a week.” By charging $30 for each bike, he earns about
$120 a week. Fixing fixies makes it possible for Barney to be his own boss. He controls how much work he gets, and how many hours he works. By using his own personal skills he’s made himself a true entrepreneur. This new found entrepreneurship has helped him try to save cash for greater things, like his new car. He had saved his money to build up his vintage 1981 Chevy pickup and pay for the gas. Almost every weekend he is outside working on his new car. However, although his car consumes some of his time, he still finds time to fix and build bikes. He has established that making money is capable for anyone with some sort of skill. Repairing fixies isn’t as simple as people may think. “You have to take time and be very careful.” His
love of craftsmanship motivates him to finish a bike with as much care as possible. “I trust him, he does a good job,and gets it done right,” senior Bryan Morales said. Barney uses his skill not only to just fix the bike, but also to show his customers how they can fix it themselves. “If its something simple he’ll just tell me what to do, if not you can just ask and he’ll fix it for you,” Morales said. Throughout Stockton you can catch people riding fixies. From young to old, groups of people have followed the new trend. For Barney, fixies are “comfortable and easy to ride.” Fixies are a very popular bike and probably will continue to be, thus most likely making Barney’s job a lasting one.
the Gift of
photo by
Mikeala Axton
A year ago, senior Aaron Ontiveros found something to be passionate about and now he gets paid to do what he loves as a drummer for the band Obscure.
Knee deep in a recession, just how are teens making money these days? Well, for senior Aaron Ontiveros making money is just a bonus to what he loves to do. Ontiveros is the lead drummer for the screamo band Obscure. Although he has not played the drums for very long, he has caught on fairly quickly. “I have been playing for about a year,” Ontiveros said. “A friend of mine had a set and he taught me how to play.” Originally drumming was just for fun, but he “loved the idea of just being able to beat on something.” Although he is in a screamo band, he is not very fond of the music. “Honestly I’m not much of a screamo person,” Ontiveros said. “I’m just in it to play the drums; it gets me in the mood and mellows me out.” There are a few screamo bands he enjoys listening to, though, such as A Day to Remember or Aurora Sunset. His band consists of guitar players Lennin Gaxiola, and Adam Arceo, bass player Criss Mafa Reyes, vocalist Joseph Richardson and drum technician and merchandise guy Anthony Lozano. “We argue a lot, talk behind each other’s back and book shows without telling each other,” Arceo said.
“We’re like brothers,” Ontiveros said. The band has played shows all across the valley. “We’re somehow really popular,” Ontiveros said. “People will actually come and ask us to play shows for them.” They have played at a coffee house in Turlock, the Ace of Spades in Sacramento, a church in Ceres and at Dan’s House, a venue here in Stockton. Performing so much on the road has not really affected his school life. “I still play basketball and get okay grades.” Being in the band has also made him more confident. “At first I was playing shows, but now having done it for a while I’m like whatever. It’s fun getting paid for doing something you like to do.” Although the band does make money they aren’t receiving the 5-star band pay. “We play a show and get paid maybe $45 bucks,” Arceo said. That $45 is then split among the band members. Doing the math that is about less than $10 each. The subpar paycheck does not matter to Ontiveros. “I didn’t join to be famous; I joined for the fun of it. I couldn’t really see how we could be popular.” Of course, the reason they are popular starts with the music.
“
We’re somehow really popular. People will actually come and ask us to play shows for them; it’s fun getting paid for doing something you like to do.” AARON ONTIVEROS senior
“I like to go home and write my own stuff, I show what I make to Lennin and we critique it,”Arceo said. “I try to add things I like to hear; a deathcore/ hardcore feel and I contribute lightning fast solo.” “It’s just noise to me,”he said. Ontiveros would like to play a different genre of music one day but until then he is going to continue to stick with the band. “We’re already out there. Why would I leave?”
Hard times inspire handiness ANNAMARIE RODRIGUEZ
Reminded of the economic crash and rising unemployment, in part because of the teachers being laid off and other financial setbacks, students see the effect everywhere. Or even something more personal than that, like their provider being laid off and struggling to support them. Whatever the connection, many are burdened by this downfall. But just because the economy is bad, does that mean students have to give up? Senior Candace Ross has taken these difficult circumstances and secured work as a handyman or in her case a “handy woman.” She paints fences, walkways, and sometimes plants flowers. In these hard times it isn’t easy finding a job so she makes her own. “Doing this helps me keep up with school work and it’s peaceful,” she said. The abyss of the economy has never been an excuse for Ross to give up on finding jobs. So when people blame not having a job due to the lack of job opportunities, Ross disagrees. “There is a lot of ways to find jobs legally.” Ross finds this type of work through a family friend who owns a lot of property. She has been doing this type of work since she was 10 years old. H o w e v e r, she has just recently started ROSS to charge for her services. She receives a pay of $50 a day and around $100-$200 a week depending on the job. Painting has been the main job she does to make money. But, sometimes she does not have work, which takes a toll on her income, especially since her mother is currently unemployed. As a way to cope with the financial problems Ross puts most of her pay that she receives towards her senior expenses. As with any job the employee’s responsibility is to make the customer satisfied. “You always want to do your best,” Ross said. She also mentions that working helps mold a person into a successful employee with a good work ethic. “It gives you self discipline, patience and determination,” she said. For Ross, painting is not a difficult task. “For me it’s easy because I have grown up around people that have done this so it comes natural,” she said. Ross also explains that in order to paint something like a porch it takes patience. “You have to make sure you get every spot,” she said. And that sometimes requires allowing the porch to dry in order to make sure that every spot is painted. The skills she learns now she will apply to her future.“You need these qualities of self discipline and patience to get far in life,” Ross said. While Ross continues to acquire skills for success, she does not allow the economic distress destroy her drive.“Just because there is a struggle doesn’t mean you have to be part of the struggle.”
Thrift
photos by
Annamarie Rodriguez
“Compared to how I dress and normally wear, there was a lot of different stuff, but I still really liked it.”
“There’s a lot of brands that you wouldn’t normally see in a ‘regular’ store, but there was also still stuff that appealed to me.”
“I didn’t know I could find so many name brands for low prices, and the stuff that wasn’t (name brand)was still cute.” hh Blue jeans by Express, $8 hh White long sleeve with lace, $8
Melissa Ramos senior
hh Graphic tee by Susie bubble, $7 hh “Expect the best and accept the worst,” $6
Darin Quilenderino junior
hh Black button up by Converse One Star, $7 hh White, “The Valiant Die Once” shirt by Rogan, $5
Jessica Cervantes sophomore
Sports the Stagg Line
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09.23.11
WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN... GIRLS TENNIS
The girls tennis team recently shut out Franklin, 9-0, a highlight to the start of their season. The team started practicing two weeks earlier than last year, allowing the players to get their swing back. Leadership, paired with mental toughness, is a key part to their success. The ability to bounce back and not let a negative scoreboard affect one’s game is a challenge that this year’s team has embraced.
photo by
photo by
Annamarie Rodriguez
GIRLS GOLF
Gabriella Miller
CROSS COUNTRY
In preparation for a match, it is important to read the green, which is the part of the course a golfer putts on. A green can be fast or slow depending on the slope, or how well kept up the course is. The golfer should check for divots, which are places missing grass, that might slow down their ball. Once the player reads the green, she then must properly line up her ball and take practice swings to gauge the speed and force needed to hit the ball.
Cross country is a sport that heavily impacts one’s lifestyle. It requires advanced planning as to what foods one will eat and how much stretching one will do before races. A runner might stretch vigorously a few days in advance to make sure their muscles are loose. They must also be careful to avoid sugar, fast food and soda, instead eating foods like starches for stored energy during a race. photo by
Mia Torres
graphic by Reanna Rodriguez and information compiled by Emily
Mia Torres Cornelison
Striving for success on the field and in the classroom ALYSSAMACATUNO
Five seconds left. The ball is in the air. Andre Lindsey, junior, who is the wide receiver, catches the ball. Touchdown! Victory for the team on its first game of the season. The players’ hard work has paid off and everyone in the bleachers has witnessed it. They’ve brought victory to the school and to their peers, with a record of 3-1. But what about for themselves? Victory is not just winning a game, but it’s also to bring success to yourself. No ribbon or trophy can compare to the real prize: self-realization. “At the end of the season we give them t-shirts and we give the seniors mementos and appreciation gifts,” said Don Norton, football coach. “But the real reward is selfrealization.” Self-realization. It’s not something you can hang on the wall or place in a trophy case. For an athlete, it’s how you feel about yourself after all the hard work you’ve done and thinking about what you have to do to continue on. In order for a student to participate in sports, a player needs to do more reading and writing rather than just tackling and throwing.
“(Winning) makes me feel good about myself,” said Cody Wilkinson, sophomore, who is the tight end. “But you gotta make time for homework because school is just as important as sports.” Athletes have to work hard in the classroom to be able to play
games. “(We) talk about grades everyday at practice,” Norton said. “If a player’s grades don’t improve in a week or two, we take them out.” Lindsey said that school comes first, and then sports. Football is a vigorous sport that
requires a lot of working out, practice, and dedication to the sport. However, it’s also important that players show dedication in their education. “We need school, (we) need it to get to the next level.” Lindsey said.
photo by
Annamarie Rodriguez
The varsity football team stands in a line during the National Anthem at the first home game of the season. Stagg went on to beat Chavez 20-14.
photo by
Annamarie Rodriguez
Andre Lindsey, junior, extends his arms to make a jumping catch over a Modesto player. Stagg won the game 14-0.
09.23.11
the Stagg Line
Sports
7
Soccer team looks beyond language barrier to bond with new teammates GABRIELLAMILLER
“Linea, pasar, defensa, apurarse.” Most players move effortlessly with each command. Spanish is the language spoken at home and on the field for a majority of the varsity soccer team -except for one new player who has had to transition to a new school, team, and language. Junior Josh Kardos, who plays right fullback, found that being a member of the soccer team, while bringing challenges, made his transition from Oakland to Stockton much easier. “I knew more people after I joined,” he said. “They were really nice and the coach was cool.” Even though it was a relatively easy move, it brought about a challenge that Kardos, whose nickname is “Rooney,” hasn’t faced before. Most of the soccer team speaks Spanish, a language he has never fluently spoken before and he only speaks a few words of it now. “This is the first time I’ve been on a team where I’m the only one that doesn’t speak Spanish,” Kardos said. This is a disadvantage that has led him to try to pick up on a few phrases to better himself. Terms that he has had to learn are linea, pasar, and defensa which mean line, pass, and defense. These are terms that are repeated often during matches, making them important for Kardos to learn.
photo by
Gabriella Miller
Cesar Mendoza, senior, breaks through two Riverbank players in their 1-0 win on Sept. 8.
“
This is the first time I’ve been on a team where I’m the only one that doesn’t speak Spanish.” JOSH KARDOS, junior
According to coach Jim Marrone, each year there are a few players who don’t speak Spanish, “but the guys do a good job of including them.” One who tries to include everyone is sophomore Bryan Barajas, who plays fullback. “I’m in the back with Josh so if I need him to do something I’ll talk to him in English.” Barajas has also had to make a big transition. He moved to Stockton this year from Athens, Georgia, earning the nickname “Georgia.” “I didn’t know anything around here,” he said. “It wasn’t until tryouts that I started meeting with the team.” He also had an easier time transitioning onto the soccer team, a sport which he has played since he was 7-years-old. Barajas understands the idea of hard work. “Practice and conditioning isn’t a punishment,” he said. “It’s cheating yourself, not the team if you don’t condition.” Barajas said that most players “speak in Spanish first then translate to English” so that everyone understands where each other is at and where to move to. To Barajas, this brings the team together and makes them his family. “We give our guys a lot of opportunity of spending time outside of practice,” Marrone said. The team usually uses the time to hang out or go out to eat. Junior Edgar Perez-Chiche says that team bonding makes the team better during games. They once went to John’s Incredible Pizza. “We get more comfortable talking and yelling at each other,” he said. “We know when to take each other seriously.” The addition on new players has benefited the team. “We have a great young nucleus,” Marrone said. “A great group of young guys that will be good for the future.”
Football (Varsity) • 9/23 at Bear Creek
• 9/24 at Bret Harte Invite
• 10/7 at McNair
• 9/29 against West
• 10/14 against Tokay (Homecoming)
across
JESSICAMANGILI
The volleyball team is down by one point with less than two minutes left in the game and spirits are low . Senior Michelle Lopez is clapping her hands and cheering her team on from the bench, trying to inspire them. Just at that moment sophomore Eryn Lightsey throws herself across the floor trying to save a spike from the other team. Although Lightsey wasn’t able to save the ball, her effort to help her team was encouraged by cheers from Lopez. Lopez moved here from Arizona at the end of second quarter last year. Along with having to leave most of her family behind, she had to adjust to a whole new environment, including cooler weather, a different school, and making new friends. Although Lopez has played volleyball since sixth grade and it has been a tradition in her family, she did not actually play for Stagg until June of this year. Currently her position on the team is back row. Understanding formations, having to know all the reads, and trying to know where she is on the court in comparison to the other players are all things she has to now take under consideration during a game. The volleyball team offered a way for her to make new friends while doing a hobby she loves. She made the team for her consistency of play and dedication,” head coach Russell Nabayan said. Her teammates have high respect for her, even nominating her to represent the volleyball organization as homecoming queen, which she politely declined.
Lopez loves to be outgoing and has a great sense of humor. “I’m a ball of sunshine and I love making people happy,” Lopez said with a large smile. She said that although she is the fun girl, at times it can get her in trouble during practices. Even though she isn’t a starting player, she brings a different type of role to the team. From the sidelines, she stands as supporter and friend to her fellow teammates. “(She) has some skill, but she understands her role. She knows someday she will play. She is always supporting her team,” Nabayan said. Lightsey recently transferred from Edison, where she now is member of the varsity team. “I lived in (Stagg’s) district and Edison just wasn’t the place for me,” Lightsey said. Like Lopez, she found that the team at Stagg offered new friendships. This multi-talented sophomore plays both setter and outside hitter. “Being one of three sophomores on the team, she will do well in the future,” Nabayan said. Lightsey is a very outspoken person and competitive, a trait that can be be both positive or negative depending on the situation. She’s willing to do anything including putting her body in harm’s way to save a ball. Lopez has developed a close bond with her teammates. “We’re pretty close. We’re like sisters,” Lopez said.
• 10/15 at Bronco Invite
• 10/28 at West
• 10/20 against McNair
• 11/04 against Edison Volleyball • 9/26 at Tokay
• 9/28 against West
• 9/28 against West • 10/3 against St. Mary’s
• 9/30 at St. Mary’s • 10/05 against Edison
• 10/10 against McNair • 10/12 against Tokay
• 10/07 at McNair
• 10/17 at West
• 10/19 against St. Mary’s
• 10/19 at St. Mary’s • 10/24 against Edison
• 10/12 at Tokay • 10/14 at West
• 10/20 at Edison • 10/26 against McNair
• 10/26 at McNair
Tennis (Girls) • 9/29 against West • 10/4 at Edison • 10/11 at St. Mary’s
• 10/19 against Tokay
Eryn Lightsey, sophomore, prepares herself for the next rally. Meanwhile, her teammates on the bench cheer the team on.
Soccer • 9/23 at Tokay
• 10/18 at West
Mangili
• 10/23 at Lodi Lake Invite
• 9/22 at Tracy
• 10/14 against McNair
photo by Jessica
• 10/01 at Pacific Tiger Invite
• 10/21 at St. Mary’s
• 10/5 at Edison
Two new players bring different characteristics to volleyball team
Cross Country
• 10/20 against Edison
Golf (Girls) • 9/27 at McNair • 9/29 against Tokay • 10/11 at Edison • 10/12 against West • 10/13 against McNair
Graphic by Mia Torres
News the Stagg Line
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09.23.11
Graphic by Seyma Tap
Pep band brings together alumni and students ADRIANNAOWENS
Annamarie Rodriguez Sophomore Ryan McLaughlin and senior Daniel Castillo had their first performance with the pep band at the Sept. 2 home game against the Modesto Panthers. photo by
In previous years, sporting events would consist of nothing more than just a row of cheerleaders and a mascot to get the crowd into the game. This year, however, there is a new addition to the lively event. The Stagg Alumni Pep Band. The new music teacher, Joseph Updegraff, has helped put the band together. Though it all started with the alumni, he agreed it was a great idea. “There was a core group of about 10 alumni,” he said. “And once it got coordinated with me, people started joining.” Despite the name, it doesn’t consist solely of alumni but includes current students as well. “The alumni is able to help us out when we get confused because they have more experience,” said Ryan McLaughlin, sophomore, who plays alto saxophone. It also gives them a chance to play with a better ensemble, social studies teacher and French horn player in the band, Stewart Jacoby said. The alumni can help to improve the skills of some of the students. “The cool thing about it is that there are current students playing with former students,” Jacoby said. “I remember when there was just three of us,” Ray Lozano, alumnus and trumpet player said in a short speech before their first
Information Compiled by Viena Palacio
API RALLY
“
We might be small but we’re going to get the job done.” RAY LOZANO alumnus
performance on Sept. 2. With passion in his voice he said, “We might be small but we’re going to get the job done.” Updegraff is pleased with how many people actually are involved, but said that it hasn’t been a “flock-of-people-joining” sort of thing. Traditionally there would be a marching band that would have a field show, but this band’s job is to “sit in the stands and play (their) tunes,” Updegraff said. One of their goals is to be an asset to the game. They contribute to what is happening on the field by playing music to go along with the action. “The key is to be a part of the game, not a distraction,” Updegraff said. The pep band is a way for alumni to be involved with their former high school. “They kind of are leaving their mark again,” McLaughlin said.
photo by
Annamarie Rodriguez
photo by
Annamarie Rodriguez
photo by Harmony Evangelisti During the rally last Friday, students enjoyed watching Principal Bill Parks get cream pies thrown in his face by staff members. Selected students were also able to throw water ballons at assistant principals.