12 the S cene O ctober 1, 2009
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1. Monday:
4. Thursday:
2. Tuesday:
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Junior Tyler Knight dresses up as a hippie for Monday’s Costume Party theme.
Senior Kayla Haley shows off her tribal attire for Tuesday’s Jungle theme.
3. Wednesday: Senior Jenny McFarlane throws up the peace sign as she is transported back in time for Wednesday’s Disco Day.
Dressed up in bright colors, senior John Sawyer gets ready to shine on Thursday’s Neon Day.
Senior Dayna Tierney shows off her school spirit for Friday’s Spirit Day at the end of Spirit Week.
To see how students dress during spirit week, visit us online at: www.tinyurl.com/mustangexpress
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Photo by: Taylor Morris JUST KEEP SWIMMING: Freshman Silvana Montesinos swims the breast-stroke during swim and dive meet on September 17. Montesinos has been swimming for 5 years now. “I’ve always enjoyed the competition,” Montesinos said. “I like that I can see myself improve.”
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Featured in this issue: Dispatch
Teachers teach extra classes to keep up pay
Spotlight
Pep assemblies reimagined to pump up spirit at SMHS.
2 Cents
WORD OF MOUTH
Reporter weighs in on ignorance of today’s youth.
Horseshoe
USTANG EXPRESS Volume 14 Issue 1 - October 1, 2009
Natasha Hossain
SMHS baseball players play for out of state in tournament
Scene
Interview with Fame’s Asher Book about the film
Spotlight..............3-4 Playing Field......5, 8 Horseshoe...........6-7 2 Cents...................9 Scene...............10-12
new faces were spotted. “We’ve had a higher turnout than last year,” Billar said. Senior Abby Poston has tried out for school plays in the past and was excited to try out for The Music Man this year. “I love being on stage and performing,” Poston said. “I love pretending to be different
characters.” Poston believes that having the musical first this year works to her advantage. “This time of year is better for me,” Poston said. “Also, it’s fun to off start the school year with a new play.” On the other hand, these changes could be holding back
a few students. Senior Kaitlin Vortherms has tried out for plays and musicals in the past With participation in perbut did not get the chance to forming arts decreasing, this year. SMHS has decided to try “My schedule was too full something new by having this semester,” Vortherms their spring musical in the said. “I didn’t have the time to fall in the hopes of sparking commit to it but I would have some interest with new peoloved to.” ple. If the new Theatre teacher changes do not and drama club work accordingsponsor, Michael ly, changes will Billar, has taken be made again notice of the “dwinnext year. dling” numbers “We will try of students taking it out and see part in performing how it goes,” Bilarts and hopes that lar said, “If it’s a by having their big complete failure, musical The Muwe’ll change it sic Man in the fall, back to the way newcomers will dewe had it becide join. fore.” “We are working The cast and on recruiting more crew of The Mufreshmen this year sic Man will have and by having the about the same musical, our bigger time to prepare play, first, we hope for the musical it will help our numas last year. They bers to increase,” will be ready to Billar said. put all their hard On one hand, the efforts onto the new changes seem stage October Photo by Julie Matsen to be working out 23, 24, 29 and CHOO CHOO: Students cast as traveling salesmen rehearse the train scene from “The Music Man.” This for them. Auditions 30. year’s fall musical opens in late October and stars Jack Forsey as Harold and Liz Wetzel as Marian. were plentiful and
Staff Reporter
Nearby assault, shooting causes school lockdown Staff Reporter
Playing Field
Dispatch..............1-2
Fall musical in the works, to release in October
Brianna Camacho
Unique students showcased for unique hobbies and talents
INDEX:
The Student Publication for Sunrise Mountain High School
This story is a follow-up to a story that is on the Mustang Express Online. Read the original article at www. tinyurl.com/mustangexpress After the September 14 lockdown, which resulted in an actual lockdown and not a drill as most reasonably assumed it was, students now have the realization that events like the hostage situation at Glo Tanning can occur anywhere.
“I don’t feel safe,” senior Mari Hernandez said. “I’ve gone to that tanning salon.” Others are not affected as much. “I still feel safe,” senior Kayla Linn said. “I think it was a senseless act. He didn’t think about what he was doing.” Students can count on one hand the number of times real lockdowns have taken place here at Sunrise Mountain. Feeling secure has never been much of an issue, considering the lack of exciting events. “Honestly, I didn’t think it was real,” senior Samantha Van Roekel said, “Harli Klien texted me and said ‘this is real.’”
In the absence of e-mails or notification from the office concerning what was happening, rumors flew throughout the school during the lockdown. “I first heard it was at Panda Express, and a girl got raped,” Van Roekel said. Other students heard much different stories. “I heard a guy was running with a gun through neighborhoods,” said Linn. “My teacher called a student’s dad who is a cop and was updated on the real situation.” Even though this was the first lockdown of the year and it was during lunch, a chaotic time, administration felt it all
went smoothly. “I think for the first one without any practice it went real well,” administrator Clay Carpenter said. But of course, there is room for improvement. “(Next time) we’re going to meet with security, e-mail stuff to teachers, and give heads up of different things to do,” Carpenter said. The experience was a reminder to teachers and students that all drills should be taken seriously. “Anytime we have a lockdown, (teachers) need to take it as if it is real,” Carpenter said.
School, district budgets affecting students, faculty Sarah Burns Staff Reporter
With national unemployment at 9.4 percent, consumer spending down drastically and foreclosure rates at enormous peaks, the economic recession and its trickle-down effects can be seen on a state, district and even school level. In Arizona, Governor Jan
Brewer and the state legislature have failed to produce a budget that appeases both the governor and Congress. The disagreement arises over a 1 percent sales tax increase that the Governor demands to see on the budget before agreeing to sign it into law. The increase is one Arizona’s primarily Republican Congress refuses to add. Conflict over the sales tax
increase has led to a chokehold between the governor and legislature, leaving Arizona without a budget. “We’ve never made it this far into the year (without a budget),” John Jones, Director of Finance for the Peoria Unified School District, said. For the district, the tough economic situation and uncertainty about funding has led to
difficulty. According to Jones, Arizona schools are funded largely through sales tax money, meaning as the economy declines and sales decline, revenue for schools also declines. “The district is projecting a 23 million dollar loss,” said Jones.
See Budget cuts on page 2
02 the D ispatch O ctober 1, 2009
New bar denied permit Julie Matsen Copy Editor
A bar that was slated to open in the Deer Valley Marketplace was denied a permit after a nearby neighborhood protested the establishment of a tavern. Damian Hartze, owner of the establishment Cabo Joe’s Sports Grill, wanted to open his bar in the shopping center on the northeast corner of 83rd Avenue and Deer Valley. “This was a case where an applicant was seeking to operate a bar/tavern use in an existing suite at the Deer Valley Marketplace,” City of Peoria Planning Manager Chris Jacques said in an email interview. A Series 12 license, which would require 40 percent of sales to be from food, was recommended. Hartze wanted a Series 6 liquor license, which does not require the sale of food. “Although the center is already zoned Commercial (C2, Intermediate Commercial), bar/tavern uses require a Conditional Use Permit,” Jacques said. “The purpose of the CUP is to evaluate any physical or operational characteristics of the use; determine any mitigation for the impacts and maximize neighborhood compatibility.” According to city records, the committee was willing to approve the Series 6 permit if Hartze would agree to 12 stipulations. Hartze disagreed with several, including limited hours of operation and the requirement that a minimum of 40 percent of gross sales would be from food. The committee also stipulated that Proposition 207 rights, which would require the city “to compensate property owners for actions which have the effect of diminishing the value of property,” were to be waived in this instance. The reasoning for the Series 6 license is so that Hartze can add pool tables and dart boards to his floor plan. A Series 12 restaurant license can be denied “based on things like TV’s or pool tables,” Hartze told the commission. According to city records, staff had received letters or emails from 49 households opposing the bar, and one neutral letter. “As you probably read, the applicant encountered significant neighborhood opposition and the CUP was ultimately denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission,” Jacques said. “Mr. Hartze did initially appeal the case to the City Council but withdrew it before it was considered.”
Photo by Julie Matsen DO YOUR WORK: Teacher Michael Billar instructs his first-hour English III class about a class project. Billar’s English class is in addition to his theatre classes. Billar is one of many elective course teachers augmenting their schedules with general education classes in order to receive full-time pay and benefits.
Teachers teach classes beyond speciality Kelley Marlar Layout Editor
Students were in for quite a surprise when they glanced at their schedules on the first day of school and saw that some of their core classes were taught by elective teachers. The reason elective teachers are now teaching core classes is due to the number of sections a teacher has. For example, if an elective teacher has two classes per day, he or she may take on an extra class to avoid being paid part time instead of full time since educators need three classes per day to get full time pay. “There were only five full drama classes throughout the year,” theatre and English
teacher Michael Billar said. “So I would be teaching to about 15 or 20 kids a period as opposed to the 30 students other teachers had in class. That’s not very fair to the other teachers.” Because of the obvious change in scheduling, the elective teachers must be ready to take on a new mind set when they begin teaching the required courses. “There is a definite change in my frame of mind,” Billar said. “I know English is required. It is more academically routed and the students did not sign up for it.” There is a noticeable change in students’ behavior when the teachers compare their elective courses and their required classes.
“(Theatre students) are obviously outgoing,” Billar said. “But since I teach a first hour English class, the students are more apprehensive. Brian Greene, Psychology/ Sociology and World History teacher, teaches his elective class first hour and his core class second hour and after lunch. “There is less stress in (Psychology/Sociology),” Greene said. “There is more diversity in my day instead of teaching the same thing hour after hour.” Most students are more relaxed and comfortable in their elective courses instead of their core classes because the environment is more stress-free and students enjoy classes that they have chosen.
“For the most part, the behavior is the same on our campus,” Weight Training, World History and Economics teacher Michael Welch said. “But you find in a core class they tend to be more interested in what they need to know to pass the class.” Teachers may feel uncomfortable when teaching material that is unfamiliar to them. “I feel more comfortable teaching World History,” Greene said. “Just because I am more familiar with the content.” Some teachers, however, feel the same way about teaching both classes. “I approach them both the same way,” Welch said. “I enjoy teaching either.”
Budget cuts continue Administration Continued from Page 1 This 23 million dollar reduction has forced the district to lose upwards of 200 employees, ending last year with nearly 4,200 employed personnel and beginning this one with just over 4,000. The loss comes after an 11 percent cut to the district’s budget the year before. Tough economic times have not left Sunrise Mountain unscathed. “The biggest thing students will see (is) a reduction of classes offered (and) services rendered,” Principal Jerry Nunez said as to budget cuts’ effect on the school. The cut classes Nunez mentioned include Creative Writing, Exploring Communications, Multicultural Literature and Composition and Health. By services rendered, Nunez meant the loss of an AV clerk, a “Sweep” monitor and a grounds and maintenance employee. “Things don’t get cleaned like they used to- we’re understaffed,” Nunez said. Like other schools in the
district, Sunrise Mountain lost two teaching positions, leading to an increased average class size- a shift from around 32 students in an average class to 34, 35, or 36. Former Sunrise Mountain and current Liberty High School teacher David Pischke is disappointed about the selection of classes chosen to be cut. “I think we’re playing to mediocrity,” Pischke said. “It’s unfortunate that we’re letting down the actual leaders of America.” According to Nunez, classes were cut based on student enrollment. “Twenty in a class doesn’t make it,” Nunez said. As to which teachers were cut, the district implemented a policy notifying all teachers with fewer than two years experience at the end of last year that they may not be able to return for the 2009-2010 school year. “Teachers didn’t have classes to teach,” Nunez said, addressing the teachers who were not brought back.
makes up for lack of substitutes Madison Weissinger Photo Editor
A lack of funding for substitute teachers has prompted teachers and administrators to fill in for other teachers on their days off. “The district changed the procedure that we use for subs this year,” Assistant Principal Clay Carpenter said. “They allow each high school a certain amount of money based on the student population.” Administration hopes this will go smoothly. “Once money runs out, the teachers will have to cover (for other teachers),” Nunez said. “We are trying to cut down on the number of subs we use each semester so we have some cushion (during) second semester.”
This benefits the students because administrators are already certified teachers. Carpenter and Nunez have both been certified teachers for over 20 years. Since many school administrators are accredited teachers, it is not too much of a stretch for them to cover for other faculty members. Administrators will substitute for a teacher for periods at a time and teachers will rotate through classes to substitute. Each teacher can choose if they would rather substitute for a 45-minute period or a 90-minute class periods. Most certified substitutes are still on the sub-line, but are not called as frequently. “We have some great substitutes so it depends on who they are,” Principal Jerry Nunez said. “Most are ex-teachers.”
the S potlight 03 October 1, 2009
Parents thanked, acknowledged for support, love Brianna Camacho Staff Reporter
As irritating as parents may be, students often fail to reflect as often as they should on the amount of appreciation they deserve for molding them into the person they are today, and for supporting them throughout their lives. “They are my foundation for my morals,” senior Toriy Costin said. Junior Janelle Bencic is grateful for the protection and guidance she has been given. “I’m grateful to them for always keeping an eye on me,” Bencic said. With high school coming to an end for seniors, the future can look both stressful and exciting. The worries of the ‘real world’ will soon be here, but seniors do have something to look forward to: becoming respected young adults whom are capable of having a stronger relationship with their parents than in years prior.
“We’re closer now,” Costin said. “They used to control anything and everything in my life.” Remember those days, when in would stomp the father figure, furious that you were still awake texting, and snatch up the phone for the night? “I was kind of always mad at them,” Bencic said. “I didn’t have a reason. I was a pain in the butt.” Students owe parents an incredible amount. But maybe all parents want is a simple “thank you.” Some wish, however, that it was in their power to give them a whole lot more. “If the possibilities were endless, I’d buy them a house and a few cars and pay them off,” senior Spencer Parrack said. Some would prefer to give a gift far more valuable than anything that is tangible. “I’d let my mom see colors,” Costin said. “She’s color blind. And my dad immortality, since he’s a cop.” Parents are undoubtedly ad-
Photo courtesy of Janelle Bencic SPELUNKING: Junior Janelle Bencic and family hike along mountains and through caves during a family vacation.
mirable people. They have acquired knowledge that we are years from attaining. They have already begun to teach us valuable lessons. “Blood doesn’t make you family,” Costin said of her stepdad. “The time spent with them does.”
Bencic’s father has numerous jobs, which she acknowledges and appreciates. “I admire my mom for taking all the crap I gave her, and I admire my dad for all he does,” Bencic said. “He’s a swim coach, dive coach, teaches auto and drafting, then some nights
teaches at GCC.” The examples and instruction given to students now will be much more appreciated after graduation. Whether it is admitted or not we will most likely have grown to accumulate some of the qualities of the people who raised us.
Homecoming not for everyone Exchange students Natasha Hossain Staff Reporter experience Arizona Every October when Sunrise Mountain’s annual Homecoming dance rolls around, there are some students who are not interested enough to attend. Students from all grades have the opportunity to attend the dance and take part in celebrating school spirit after the football game the day before. “It’s a good high school experience,” junior Claire Yost said. “You can meet new friends.” This high school tradition is an opportunity that many
students take advantage of to spend time with friends and meet people. “It’s more time to spend with friends,” junior Brittany Frankson said. All students are encouraged to go to Homecoming to show pride in their school and take part in a fun event planned by student council. “After the dance you’re really tired and your feet really hurt,” Yost said. “But it’s definitely worth it.” During Homecoming, only the most popular songs of the
moment are played. Therefore the students who dislike this music could be influenced against attending. “If they played a variety of music, I think more people would go,” Frankson said. Along with the music, dancing in public can be awkward for some people. With all the students dancing on the auditorium floor, students may feel uncomfortable. “I just didn’t want to go (last year),” sophomore Desiree Spencer said. “And I don’t know how to dance.”
Shelbie Staley Staff Reporter
Have you ever wondered how your school looks through the eyes of another? How about your country, or your entire way of life? Although these may not be questions that cross our minds often, it seems that we can’t help but wonder them after speaking to a foreign exchange student. Exchange students offer a fresh perspective on everything from our electives to the way we spend our time outside of school while simultaneously teaching us about their individual cultures. Take Sunrise exchange student, junior Yuya Ito, for example. “In my school, there is much more homework,” Ito said. “(We) are awake (until) 11 p.m. in Japan.” Even though Ito comes from an area near Tokyo- a city with a population of 12.79 millionhe says that most secondary schools in his area are substantially smaller than Sunrise. Sunrise exchange student Ingvild Martinussen echoed Ito’s statement. “This school is huge com-
pared to my school in Norway,” she said. According to Sunrise guidance counselor Jennifer Dyer, who is in charge of handling all of the exchange students’ credits and class schedules, they are usually pleasantly surprised by the staggering amount of electives Sunrise offers. Dyer places each exchange student in certain required classes, such as English and American history. Our guests are also placed in Student Government to witness the driving force behind many of our school functions. “I want to give them an American experience,” Dyer said. “You have Student Council, and in Norway (student council) only meets once a month,” Martinussen said. “Here you have more influence.” Transitioning from living with one’s family to living thousands of miles away with a host family and enrolling in a new school can be daunting. While Martinussen and Ito are still forming opinions, there are some things about Sunrise that are hard to ignore. “I like the students - they’re friendly,” Martinussen said. Different points stick out to different people. “I don’t know,” Ito said. “It’s very hot here.”
“I want to give them an American experience.”
04 the S potlight O ctober 1, 2009
Pep assemblies pump up Sunrise Mtn. spirit Natasha Hossain Staff Reporter
For every home football game, beginning of a new athletic season and any other special event, a pep assembly is scheduled in hope to keep school spirit alive at SMHS. These spirit assemblies play a vital role in keeping Sunrise Mountain an “excelling” school. “They are good because schools like Sunrise Mountain are committed to excellence and need to continue their march to maintain spirit and pride,” Athletic Director Nick Battaglia said. These assemblies are aimed to get students pepped up for the big game that night and it appears to be working to our advantage. “It gets a lot more people excited about upcoming games,” senior Morgan Inman said.
When the entire student body and staff is all together in the auditorium, Sunrise Mountain is able to bond as a school and get excited about school pride. “Our school needs to be more spirited and the (assemblies) help” Inman said. To make the assemblies more interesting Battaglia had something in mind. “(The) students and staff (should) learn the fight song and boom it out in a competition,” Battaglia said. Sophomore Rachel Passer also some ideas of her own. “I’d like to see a short talent show or stand up comedian,” Passer said. “Also, if they played music from the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s.” Sophomore Toni Miller had a suggestion for what she would like to see happen at the assemblies as well.
Photo by Carli Krueger SHOUT: Seniors try to yell and cheer the loudest at a pep rally to beat out all other grades in a shout off. The seniors and the juniors ened up in the shout off at the end but the seniors pulled out the victory for the day.
“Include more clubs because they only focus on sports,” Miller said. Since students and staff are clapping their hands and
screaming to show school spirit, the assemblies get very loud. “I’d say everyone cheering is my favorite parts,” Inman said. Not everyone is a fan of the
cheering and screaming “I hate when they make all the different grades shout for a competition,” Passer said. “It’s too loud.”
Procrastinator’s guide to Homecoming What do you look foward Julie Matsen to for homecoming? Copy Editor Homecoming is quickly approaching, and a lot of us don’t have anything planned yet. Since we’re also “poor high school students,” a lot of us don’t have a ton of money to drop on Homecoming at the last minute. So, here are some last-minute tips to making Homecoming special: • Reserve tables at websites like www.opentable.com to save time. Type in your specifications (how many people, type of food, etc.) and the website will provide you with tables that are available for which you can make reservations. Your results may be limited if the reservation is very short notice. • If you or one of your friends works at a nice restaurant, and they get an employee discount for a certain amount of people in their group, take advantage of this for two reasons. One, it’s less money. Two, your friend already knows the quality of the food and can advise you on what to order.
• The nearby Arrowhead Mall usually has sales on formalwear when Homecoming approaches. Dillard’s and Penney’s usually have some pretty good deals on semi-formal dresses. • If you’re really in a pinch, don’t be afraid to go to Goodwill, Savers or other thrift stores for Spirit Week costumes. It’s easy to find really cool stuff there if you know what you’re looking for. • If you can’t get to a conventional flower shop, grocery stores like Safeway, Albertson’s and Fry’s (all of which are near the school) have areas where they sell flowers.
• If you don’t have a hair or nail appointment, don’t sweat it. Get a bunch of friends together and do each other’s hair and nails. It may not look professional, but at least you’ll have fun with your friends before the dance.
Staff Reporter
Students can earn up to two credits in their four years of high school by doing community service and can have great experiences doing it just by volunteering at any accepted place. Most students do community service for school in order to get credits and focus solely on that, and then they sometimes grow to enjoy it and no longer are focused on the credits. “I went in for credits and now it doesn’t even matter to
me,” junior Nicole Hale said. Colleges enjoy seeing volunteer work on applications and it looks good on resumes. “(Community service) helps build their resumes and it’s good for colleges to see and for scholarships,” Guidance Counselor Genna Laird said. Students can find more information about community service by asking their counselor, joining clubs, and looking around campus at the flyers. “If they want to do it they find it themselves,” senior Nicole Hoover said. Community service gets
-Phillip Nikola, 11
• Finding a ride to the dance can be tricky. If you have a friend who drives and plans to go to the dance anyway, try to bum a ride off them. If you and this friend plan to go as part of a group, then it should be pretty easy. If all else fails, ask one of your parents for a ride to the dance. Limousines are more of a prom thing, anyway. • Tickets cost more at the door, but they are sold at both lunches during Spirit Week. Try to get your tickets before the day of the dance, but if you can’t, it doesn’t cost an arm or leg more to get in.
Community service creates happiness Kayla Ryan
“The parade and seeing all the creative floats.”
students credits but also gives back to society. Hale started doing community service to get credits and so she could add it to her college applications, but now she enjoys helping other teens by answering phones for teenhelp.com. “(The most rewarding part) is the people I meet because it taught me a lot about volunteering and different things in life,” Hale said. Some students have done community service continue to do it throughout their high school career even though they are only able to get two credits.
“Getting spirited for the game is pretty exciting.People actually show school spirit for that week. It’s weird, I know.” -Alex Johnson, 12
“The parade and seeing all the hard work and dedication that the students give to create an amazing and memorable event.” -Sean Kocmoud, 9
“Getting dressed up.” -MacKenzie Zurn, 11
Compiled by: Julie Matsen
Check out more stories online at www.tinyurl.com/mustangexpress
06 the H orseshoe
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Get to know your school by checking out the four following committed athletes and artists at Sunrise Mountain. These overachievers have pursued their passions with dedication and zeal, and have the results to prove it. Visit www.tinyurl.com/mustangexpress to see profiles on photographer Elise Payne, basketball player Jade Lowery and Eagle Scout Ethan Berkson.
Mika Armenta Online Editor
Brandon Kocmoud is called BK for short. He’s not though: at 6’4, Kocmoud is a daunting figure on the basketball court and track, and one of the “top runners in the state”, as his cross country coach, Torin Lattie, puts it. “Brandon has a lot of drive,” Lattie said. “He always wants to win, and is willing to do battle against anyone to the end. He is the kind of runner that you hate to compete against because he just won’t give up until he has
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ability to understand that he may have to change his way of thinking about certain things in order to get better,” Lattie said. As a sophomore, Kocmoud placed ninth in the 1600- and 3200- meter races at the 5A Division II State Track Meet. He also ran in the Boys’ 4x800 relay. The relay team was state runner-up, coming in at eight minutes and 14 seconds. He is also the number one runner on Boys’ Cross Country. Despite his successes with running, Kocmoud is happier wearing court
“Brandon has a lot of drive.”
Photo by Elise Payne
nothing left.” Kocmoud credits Lattie as the coach who has made the greatest impact on him. “He has kept me going through cross country and track,” Kocmoud said. Lattie believes that with his stellar work ethic and natural physical ability, Kocmoud is one of the toughest runners he has seen. “In the end, he [also] has the
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shoes instead of spikes. “[My greatest passion] is to play basketball,” Kocmoud said. “It’s fun [and] I am good at it. I started a long time ago and I just loved it.” Kocmoud prepares for the high school varsity season by running between 40 and 45 miles a week in cross country. When asked about his dedication, Kocmoud replied, “It is what it is.”
showcase th
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Mika Armenta Online Editor
Senior Aaron Luebke folded four intricate pieces in preparation for a photo shoot an hour later. This origami genius, one of the overachievers on campus, has numerous hobbies including paper-folding.
In addition, Luebke is very involved in other fine arts. “When I was a little kid, I drew a lot,” Luebke said. “I went to as many art classes as I could.” Luebke works with many types of art including painting, drawing, origami, and writing. “I draw, I write,” Luebke said. “One of my friend’s par-
“I’ve helped others with their art, too.” “[I usually just do it] whenever I’m bored.” Luebke said. “It helps when you have to sit still and occupies your mind.” After reading Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes in the third grade, Luebke began paper-folding in earnest. “It started when I was really little,” Luebke said of his origami. “I had a few Japanese kids teach me.”
ents wanted me to paint his wall [and] I did a mural.” Teacher’s aide Judianne Leggin knows that Aaron is a very talented artist. “[Aaron is] really good at it,” Leggin said. Luebke has been in some of the SMHS fine-arts classes as well. “I’ve helped others with their art too,” Luebke said.
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he
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Mika Armenta Online Editor
There is a new music man at Sunrise Mountain. Junior Jack Forsey, starring in the musical and by the same name, is a transfer student from North Dakota, and a piano, singing, and acting extraordinaire. Forsey plays the lead in The
the H orseshoe 07 O 1, 2009 ctober
enrolled at SMHS. “He has a beautiful voice and a great deal of presence on stage,” Billar said. At West Fargo High School, Forsey was involved in a couple of school productions, boys’ choir for West Fargo, the school newspaper, and improv. “It’s sort of like Who’s Line,” he said about improv. “I was in it for two years.”
“He has a beautiful voice.” Music Man: Professor Harold Hill. “He’s a traveling salesman who cons people into buying instruments,” Forsey said. We don’t know if he’s pulled any shady moves like his character, but Forsey seems as musically gifted as they come. “Singing and music are [my greatest passions],” Forsey said. “All of [my family] have to take piano lessons…It’s like required,” Forsey’s director, drama teacher Michael Billar, has only known him three weeks, but feels that some real talent has
There was no question that Jack would be a performer. “My family is really musical,” Forsey said. “My brother started in Drama [and] I used to listen to [musicals] with my dad. Acting is really fun and it’s a challenge to portray a character.” As for the future, Forsey is looking into architecture and continuing to explore music. “Jack should go far as long as he works hard,” Billar said. “[He has] a charming personality [and] always a smile on his face. He’s breaking the hearts of young girls everywhere.”
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Photo by Elise Payne
Mika Armenta Online Editor
Talk about a renaissance woman: senior Katie Coleman draws, paints, crafts jewelry, plays the violin and electric guitar... and has designed a pair of shoes. “Well, I do a little too much,” Coleman said. Of her numerous interests, jewelry-making and glass and
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ment in Sunrise art, Coleman competes in PMC contests. “My proudest moment was when I actually tied with my aunt and mom in the silver division,” Coleman said. “It was like a breath of fresh air.” Coleman won her first silver metal competition in March. “It was awesome,” she said. “I was like, ‘first time ever entered, I tied my mom!’”
“She is a very gifted artist.”
Photo by Elise Payne
silver work are her focuses. “Metal Heads, Feat of Clay: that’s our PMC guild,” Coleman said. PMC stands for Precious Metal Clay. “Me and my mom do a lot of jewelry-making ourselves.” Coleman has appeared in school art shows and taken as many art classes as she can. In addition to her involve-
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“She is a very gifted artist and craftsperson,” said teacher’s aide Judianne Leggin. “She makes some wonderful things.” It would certainly make sense that her desired career would involve art. “I want to become an animator and possibly work as a pirate artist.”
P laying F ield 08 O ctober 1, 2009
MacDougall shoots for success on volleyball court
ATHLETE OF THE
MONTH:
Taylor Morris Ad manager
Bump! Set! Spike! Almost everyone knows that is how a typical volleyball game goes, and a student here on campus knows it a little bit more than all of us. Meet junior Jessica MacDougall. MacDougall, who has been playing volleyball now for over five years is currently experiencing her first year on the girls varsity volleyball team. MacDougall’s position on court is currently middle-hitter. “She’s very coachable,” girls varsity coach Tony Gale said. “As well as extremely positive with the other young ladies on the team and very versatile also.” When MacDougall started playing in elementary school, she ‘fell in love’ with the sport. “I wanted something productive to do, to keep me busy, and I’m not a quitter, so I stayed with it (volleyball),” MacDougall said. MacDougall’s goal is to eventually play for UCSD (University of California, San Diego). “She meshes really well with the entire team, and is so much fun to be around,” junior Madison Durham said. Durham, who is also on the varsity team, plays outside hitter, and has been playing volleyball for 8 years. “I would tell her just to keep up what she’s doing,” Durham said. “She’s done a really good job on the team so far this year.” When it comes to playing outside of school, MacDougall has played for a number of different club teams including, Arizona Desert Sky, Arizona Grand Canyon Juniors and ZIA. Whether or not after high school she will be playing for a certain school or get a scholarship somewhere, is still up in the air. “I’m considering playing for UCSD when I graduate,” MacDougall said. “They’ve sent me several recruitment letters and have called me a few times, so I’m really excited about that possibility.”
To find out more information on all Sunrise Mountain sports, go to the Mustang Express website at: www.tinyurl/mustangexpess
Alex McClellan Carli Krueger Editor-In-Chief
Signs that senior Alex McClellan had a knack for golf came early. At only age six, while playing in a youth league,
she managed to hit a hole-inone. “(I’ve been playing) since I was six,” McClellan said. “It’s a family tradition. People have football families or baseball families; mine’s a golf family.”
McClellan is currently the number one seed for the girls’ golf team. “I feel honored,” McClellan said about being number one. “I’m excited to broaden my horizons.”
Freshman and fellow teammate Cheyenne Adamonis said McClellan is deserving of the spot. “She’s been doing this for a long time,” Adamonis said. “I’m glad she’s number one.” McClellan has high hopes for the season. “This season, I think I’ll improve,” McClellan said. “I always get most improved. Overall, I think our team will get better as the season progresses.” Adamonis spoke highly of her teammate, noting that she is very dedicated. “[Alex] definitely brings spirit,” Adamonis said. “She’s always loosening us up and we can always count on her for a good score. She’s very consistent and accurate.” Last year, McClellan did not go to the Regional or State tournament last year due to school. “School always comes first so last year I stayed at school instead of going to Regionals and State,” McClellan said. “This year, I made sure my last hour was choir so I can enjoy golf and high school and not worry about putting my (academic) career at risk.”
SMHS moves down to 4A1 division Carli Krueger Editor-In-Cheif
Photo by: Kelsey Luft JUMP ON IT: Girls Volleyball finishes as runners-up in the Prescott tournament at North Canyon High School
Girls volleyball aims high Madison Weissinger Photo Editor
The season began strong for girls’ volleyball after the team placed in the first tournament of the year with the help of the three new senior captains, Nicole Battle, Madison Fennell and Katie Rutherford. Battle and Rutherford were both chosen by Coach Tony Gale to be captains, while Fennell was voted team captain by her team. “We work together well and we all have a lot of talent that could take us to state,” Rutherford said. “We all get along really well.” Gale agrees that for the most part the girls work together well and that the unity will help the team reach their goals.
“Making it to regions is our goal, and we have the athletic ability to get there,” Gale said. “Making state is another goal - we just need to learn how to handle the pressure.” The captains share their coaches vision for the season. On Saturday Sep. 19 at North Canyon High School a tournament was held against many different teams. “We beat everyone we thought we would beat except for Prescott,” Gale said. The team made it to the finals and lost against Prescott. They received a trophy for placing as runner- ups. Katie Rutherford was chosen to be all tournaments and she received a medal for her achievement.
With a much smaller amount of students, SMHS has dropped a division and is now a 4A1 school. This means the Mustangs will be facing new opponents in all athletics. Rather than playing previous rivals such as Centennial, SMHS will be playing Liberty, Auga Fria, Bradshaw Mountain, Copper Canyon, Dysart, Peoria and Raymond S. Kellis High School amongst other high schools. “Our region has a very good mix,” SMHS Athletic Director Nick Battaglia said. “It has three Peoria Unified School District schools within it, which will provide us opportunities to play (some of our other) sister schools.” According to the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), the association which creates these divisions, SMHS is the second largest school in its division, second only to Copper Canyon High School. Battaglia, football coach Matt Mickelson, girls’ volleyball coach Tony Gale, girls’ soccer coach Shauna Johnson and softball coach Nick Rizer agree that the change is positive and will allow SMHS to be more competitive due to comparative enrollment sizes between the schools. “I think it’s going to change SMHS for the better,” Battaglia said. “Going into 4A1 gives us a
chance to compete with schools our same size.” Mickelson says that the varsity football team is one of the teams to beat within the region. “I think we’ll do really well as far as football,” Mickelson said. “We’re not intimidated by anyone in our region and (we) feel confident going in.” Johnson says it will be beneficial to SMHS soccer, as well as SMHS athletics as a whole. There is one thing Gale says that will not change. “I think overall our tradition as being good at sports will continue,” Gale said. There are, however, mixed feelings about the fact that SMHS will no longer be competing with Centenntial and Ironwood, who are also sister schools to SMHS. “It takes us away from our rivals and it takes away that competition,” Johnson said. Rizer says it will be nice to get an opportunity to play other teams. “It’ll be unique for the girls to get to see new teams,” Rizer said. Encouragement is one thing Battaglia would like to see continued this year. “Going into this new adventure, this new region, the athletic department, teams and athletes are looking forward to the continued support of all support of all students, staff and community,” Battaglia said.
2cents 09 O ctober 1, 2009
Student speaks opinion on theft issues WORD OF MOUTH
Ignorance in youth has reporter interested Sarah Burns Staff Reporter
With the cornucopia of communicatory avenues our age is graced with, our generation is bombarded with more information than our parents’ generation, or their parents’, or any civilization in history. The Internet is an information superpower. Facebook notifications assail our cell phones, Twitter keeps us up-to-date on friends, and Skype eliminates the impossibility of long-distance face-to-face. And yet, in spite of the plenty with which we are provided, high school students here at SMHS are starved for awareness about much of anything beyond their front doors. Shocking as it may be, this crazy world of ours extends far beyond the purple gates of SMHS. Believe it or not, Scottsdale is not the farthest point East and the sunny beaches of California are pretty far from the end of the world. In fact, it all keeps going -on and on- for two-hundred million miles, just as full of life as our own small square of existence. It’s easy to forget. We are in the midst of war why? What do bailouts do, really? Why are there budget cuts? A year ago, Russia invaded Georgia - surely not in America? Who is the Vice President? These aren’t in-depth questions. They’re questions we should all know. Most of us probably don’t. These world issues and public figures so many of us are clueless about are also those that shape our worlds. Honest or otherwise, politicians decide how to spend the tax money we earn, choose who we should wage war with and determine what it is we legally can and cannot do. Assuming these outside forces have no effect on our lives is naive. Our society rightly prides itself on being a shining beacon of democracy. Yet, if our citizens are uninformed about the electors they choose to run this country, any claims of ‘power to the people’ are absurd. An uninformed democracy is a political popularity contest - not a country exercising its revolutionary right. Cliché or not, as teenagers, the burden of making the big decisions will soon fall upon our shoulders. Fulfilling that responsibility starts with figuring out what they are and becoming informed about what goes on in the world.
Brianna Camacho
Staff Reporter
Whenever I hear someone say that we youths are the future, I think “well then we are headed for disaster.” Don’t get me wrong, there are great people hre at the school; bright people who will undoubtedly make a difference in the world for the better. At the same time, however, there will be people who make a difference for the worse. Experiences like English
teacher Kristy Roschke’s only confirm this to me. Her cell phone along with 20 dollars was stolen from her bag a few years ago, directly out of the classroom. “I felt violated,” Roschke said, “I was so angry, I yelled at my class. I felt like that was my thanks.” To have someone actually have the audacity to search through someone else’s bag and steal takes an incredible amount of insensitivity and lack of compassion. It’s sad that anyone would even consider stealing from a teacher, when the focus of their life is to
give us better opportunities in the future. The scariest thought is that this student who stole from Roschke was only in high school. Imagine the regression the student could make throughout his or her entire life span. What will be the next step? Stealing a television from a house? The answers to those questions will give in time, unless a change of heart occurs. Senior Christina Pap had dance shoes stolen from her freshman year. They were expensive and were not paid for with her money. She felt horrible because her mother ended
up having to buy her another pair. Stealing is a thoughtless act. People fail to take into consideration the effects it will have on the one they steal from; how it will make them feel, the inconveniences created, the stress, the panic. Those factors are all ignored, or sadly maybe even laughed at. Why would anyone have the desire to steal in the first place? When I asked Roschke what her thoughts were as to why people steal she said, “If I knew the answer to that question the world would be free of all the hooligans.”
If you like sports, you may like... Kayla Ryan Staff Reporter
Students compete in many school sports, whether it be multiple sports one. Some of the students who participate in only one sport don’t know if they would like to compete in other sports or not because they are not sure if there are similarities that would attract their interest. Some students, like senior Jordan Michael, do activities outside of school that keep them in shape for their sport, but it isn’t as intense.
“Football is more intense than running outside of school, more physical,” Michael said. Students who jog or work out outside of school and don’t compete in a SMHS sport would still be able to compete because they are keeping themselves in shape in similar ways players do off the field or court. Senior Grady Oulton plays baseball and basketball for SMHS and has played football outside of school. He stated that there are some similarities between the sports he plays at school and has played outside of school. “(Sports in school and activities outside of school) all in-
volve a ball. They keep me busy and keep me out of trouble,” Oulton said. If you aren’t already involved in a sport at SMHS but have been interested in joining one, there are several different reasons you should join. I encourage students to participate in as many sports as they can because it allows them to meet people and opens up many scholarship possibilities. “You meet so many new people, I don’t know it’s just fun. It’s scary at first but fun,” Michael said. If you have your eye on a specific college you can apply for sport scholarships in all of
the sports you do, it gives you many possibilities. Oulton competes in the sports in school to get scholarships, but also competes outside of school because he has a love for the sports. Junior Janelle Bencic competes in soccer and swims at SMHS and will be joining track in the spring. Bencic jogs, goes to a gym and occasionally swims outside of school to stay in shape for the sports she doe does. Bencic tells students that all sports take some time and effort, especially because you are a part of a team and they depend on all members.
Mustang mascot misunderstood over time Sarah Burns Staff Reporter
In a pivotal moment in public sporting history there existed an innovator who, in what must have been impeccable wisdom, caught the notion that sports teams everywhere ought have a token representation, preferably one of the animal variety. And so the mascot was born. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a mascot is “an animal or object adopted by a group as a symbolic figure.”
Sadly, what was once worshipped as a god in the age of cavemen is now taken for granted, forgotten, or worse yet, misunderstood by Sunrise Mountain High School inhabitants everywhere. In a school realm where mustangs should gallantly gallop through the hearts of teenagers, the heroic horse is instead met with unawareness. The mustang is an animal rich in symbolism, much more than merely an icon for “cars that always break down,” according to Language Arts teacher Scott Hollabaugh. Mustangs originated as descendents of the horses brought
to America during Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century. The mighty stallions were those that escaped the harnesses and menial life of brute colonial work in favor of a free-range existence, mostly in the west. It is this chosen independence that has wrought the majority of traditional mustang symbolism. “I think our mascot symbolizes strength,” varsity football player and junior Tony Troftgruben said. “It represents freedom, individuality (and) spirit.” These characteristics are some Sunrise Mountain stu-
dents could be proud to own as the mustan. Sadly, the significance of this very vibrant symbolism is often misunderstood in Mustang Country culture, resulting in the loss of a possible rallying point for sports and spirit. Why is it we ignore our symbolically powerful past? Why allow our free-range stallion be converted into a tamed, horseshoe-exhibiting equine? Hollabaugh blames the lack of icons that can be attributed to mustangs. “It’s hard to [gallop] with those shoes,” said Molly the Mustang mascot.
The Mustang Express Staff Editor-in-Chief Carli Krueger
Layout Editor Advertising Manager Kelley Marlar
@Carlikrueger
@KelleyMarlar
Online Editor
Media Editor
Mika Armenta
Copy Editor
Morgan Brewster
Taylor Morris @Missteemorris
Adviser
Kristy Roschke
Photo Editor
Julie Matsen
Madison Weissinger
@JulietAlphaMike
@madisonweissin
Staff Reporters Natasha Hossain Brianna Camacho Kelsey Luft Sarah Burns Kayla Ryan
Editorial Policy
The Sunrise Mountain High School Mustang Express is a student newspaper whose purpose is to inform the community of events that are relevant to SMHS and its surroundings, to interpret and analyze current events and to provide entertainment. The staff aims to be fair and impartial, accurate and responsible, and to adhere to the SPJ Code of Ethics.Letters to the Editor are printed at the discretion of the editorial staff and SMHS administrators. Opinions voiced in the letters do not necessarily represent those held by the staff or Sunrise Mountain High School. The staff reserves the right to edit all letters for grammar and content. Anonymous letters will not be published.
10 the S cene O ctober 1, 2009
Twitter gains popularity among student population Kelley Marlar Layout Editor
With social networking web sites like MySpace and Facebook growing, it is only natural for others to expand as well. “(Twitter) is kind of addicting,” senior John Sawyer said. “I didn’t think I’d like it at first, but now I’m addicted to it.”
Twitter is a web site that allows its users to receive mobile updates via text messages from their friends, family and even celebrities. “It’s just the fact that you know what your friends are doing,” senior Jordynn Jimenez said. “You don’t have to log onto anything and check statuses.” Jimenez signed up for Twitter when a friend told her about it. “Ever since then I just began tweeting,” Jimenez said. “Then I talked to a bunch of people and they decided to get one and follow me.”
When a user decides to “follow” another user, the updates that the followed person creates will be sent to the follower. Junior Lexi Collins chose to follow celebrities Ashton Kutcher, John Mayer and 104.7 radio DJ’s John Jay and Rich. “[Some celebrities] tweet so much it’s annoying,” Collins said. “But John Jay and Rich are funny. I like following them.” Junior Stephen Pagan chooses to follow bands he likes to listen to. “I follow Last Step Down, Underoath and Devil Wears Prada,” Pagan said. Jimenez follows celebrities such as comedians Daniel Tosh, Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman. “I follow most of the celebrities,” Jimenez said. “Because whenever I get an update from Sarah Silverman, it’s really funny.”
Some Twitter users choose not to follow celebrities and bands. “I don’t follow anyone but my friends,” Sawyer said. Some feel that there are drawback to creating and having a Twitter. “It’s extremely annoying,” Jimenez said. “I had to stop following a lot of people because their tweets would fill my inbox up.” Optional mobile updates are sent directly to a cell phone, which means that an inbox could be quickly filled depending on how many users one follows. Users can also view Twitter on the internet, if they choose not to have mobile updates. “My battery dies quickly because of Twitter,” Collins said. “I get so many tweets that it doesn’t stay charged.” Also, Twitter is accessible to anyone who has signed up
for the service and can even be viewed by people who do not have a Twitter. “Some stuff everyone can read,” Sawyer said. “Some tweets you don’t want certain people to read.” Businesses follow users according to what their interests are. “I don’t like when businesses follow you,” Pagan said. “Or people that randomly add you.”
Follow these students and more on Twitter:
Jordynn Jimenez: @JordynnJimenez
Lexi Collins: @lexibrynn
Stephen Pagan: @DirgeLSD
John Sawyer:
@j0hnnyb0yw0nder
Society’s reliance on modern technology increases Kelsey Luft Staff Reporter
People nowadays are living in a technology dominated generation where one cannot leave the house without a cell phone, iPod and any other piece of technology that helps make life easier. Every day people are using their high-tech cell phones that include internet access along with other handy applications that cell phones come with, including English teacher and student council adviser Scott Hollabaugh. “I have a Blackberry now,” Hollabaugh said. “I can receive emails instantly instead of being restricted by a computer.” Even though technology has made things easier for most people, Hollabaugh said that this generation should have more responsibility. “I think it’s great that your generation has access to all the technology,” Hollabaugh said. “But it also means you have to be more responsible with the internet and email and text
messages. As soon as it’s sent, it’s sent.” Junior Kathryn Stefanko has expressed that many people, teenagers specifically, are too reliant on technology and that she has tried to break the habit. “They rely on it [technology] too much for things they can wait for,” Stefanko said. “I rely on technology less than the average teenager, but probably still too much.” Junior Conor May said that he relies on technology “like a lost dog.” May added that it’s hard for lots of people to go without technology. “Without technology people are like a fish out of water,” May said. When Stefanko has something else to draw her attention, she does not acknowledge the technology around her. “Right now I actually haven’t used the TV or computer recently because I got a new book to read,” Stefanko said. Over the years there have been more releases of all-inone devices like the upcoming
Photo by Briana Otero TEXTING AWAY: Junior Morgan DeLorenzzo speaks with senior Joice Willis while texting during thier lunch break. Many students take the oppurtunity to text at lunch rather than text during class and risk getting caught.
release of the iPod Nano that can record up to 16 hours of video, has an FM radio and can organize playlists like iTunes does. (For more information about the iPod Nano, visit the Mustang Express online at www.tinyurl.com/bdyp99.) “I don’t like those, it’s convenient but too convenient,” Stefanko said. “It’s just another way to spoil people.” However, most people do not think it is a bad thing to have an all in one device. “I think it’s cool,” Holla-
baugh said. “I don’t think there is any point to having a bad attitude towards technology. It makes things easier.” Junior Brandi Porter agrees with Hollabaugh about how an all-in-one device can make life easier. “I think it’s better than having separate devices for every little thing,” Porter said. After hearing about the new release of the iPod Nano, May was very excited. “There is a God,” May said. Many people believe that
the inventors of all-in-one devices will at sometime invent a device that would make everything else seem pointless. “It seems like they’re replacing computers,” Hollabaugh said. “We’re moving to this one thing that does everything for you.” Even though some people would rush out to get the brand new toy, Porter said that it is not worth spending your money. “There is no point in going to buy something you already have,” Porter said.
Seniors offer words of wisdom directed at high school freshmen Kaitlyn Murphey Contributing Reporter
Walking onto the SMHS campus as an incoming freshman can be daunting. For many, they would rather have their tonsils removed while awake. Four years later, seniors are walking on top of the world, and many paused a moment to share their words of wisdom. Everyone has been involved with drama at least once in their school years. According to senior Chelsea Stacey, it is very
important to surround yourself with people who you can count on through thick and thin. “People are cruel and life can suck… but it always ends up okay,” Stacey said. “Your best friends are the most important people through high school.” If you think you have changed a lot since the first day of eighth grade, you would not believe how different you are next year, even more so in four years. Hairstyles, clothing styles, and your favorite musi-
cian will change. “You won’t be the same person when you leave high school,” senior Makaila Trulock said. A common theme among seniors to a successful high school career is to become involved. No matter what you pick, it will help you be connected, make new friends and make your own contribution to campus life. “Get involved early and don’t be scared to go all out on spirit days,” senior Kayla Haley said.
“Because it is so much more fun.” Many seniors took the academic route for their advice. It will soon become obvious to all freshman that it is hard to bring a GPA back up after a year of screwing around. Completing all homework assignments and making an effort in your classes will have a great influence on your grades. “It’s not that the classes are hard or anything, but there’s so much more homework than
elementary school,” senior Monique Lewis said. “You can’t just ignore it anymore, so get to work! Just doing your homework helps your grades so much.” All seniors will agree that looking back, they cannot believe how fast high school went. “Make the best out of these four years and have the most fun you possibly can,” senior Tyler Brown said. “Because it goes by in the blink of an eye.”
05 P laying F ield O ctober 1, 2009
ATHLETE OF THE
MONTH: Kelsey Luft Staff Reporter
This season on the swim team, junior Thomas Wahlers will be swimming through an injury that happened at the beginning of last summer. Wahlers’ right knee was dislocated due to putting too much weight on it. “I
Thomas Wahlers didn’t know what to do at first,” Wahlers said. “I ended up going to physical therapy.” Even with the injury, his coach, Dr. Jim Kenyon, expects the best out of Wahlers. “Wahlers should be region champ in all his events,” Kenyon said. “He
Photo by: Kelsey Luft
should place in the top three in regions as well, which is much harder to do. We have four swimmers that have the potential to place at state and he’s the fastest of the four.” Junior Shannan Hodo, who has known Wahlers since freshman year, thinks his injury will not affect him in the slightest. “I don’t think his knee will affect his times,” Hodo said. “He’s tough enough to swim through the pain. He’ll do just as well as he’s done every year, if not better.” This year, Wahlers will be participating in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, medley relay, 4x50 freestyle and the 4x100 freestyle. Because of his injury, Wahlers had to switch events so he will not be swimming the breast stroke.
“I couldn’t do breaststroke for a while,” Wahlers said. “But I pretty much do whatever the team needs me to do.” Wahlers started swimming at a young age. “I was five or six years old when I first started swimming,” Wahlers said. “My doctor suggested I should start swimming because I had signs of asthma. Swim helps prevent asthma because it helps your lungs build up.” Since then, Wahlers has developed long-term goals. “Hopefully I can get a scholarship for college,” Wahlers said. “Maybe even get to the Olympic trials.” Even with his goals, his focus is on the school swim team right now. “What it comes down to is that I want to help my team out so we can become better,” Wahlers said. “I hope we do pretty well this year. The swim team is a good environment.”
Originally Kane did not make the team in Arizona, which is why he traveled to California where he did make the team. He will be traveling to North Carolina as well. Athletic director Nick Battaglia was very proud of the four boys that made it this far in the tournament. “I think that this is one of the biggest honors that these stu-
dent athletes can have; playing a game that they love and representing their school and state,” Battaglia said. “These young players not only are great athletes, but students who carry excellent G.P.A’s.” After the tournament in North Carolina, this story will be updated at the Mustang Express online at www.tinyurl. com/mustangexpress
Four baseball players play in national tournament
Morgan Brewster Multi-media Editor
After years of training, weeks of tryout games and hours spent in the batting cages, four baseball players from Sunrise Mountain will have the chance to compete against some of the best high school players from across the country for the chance to be part of the national baseball team. Juniors Aaron Bummer, Tyler Crawford, Steven Kane and freshman Seth Martinez have all qualified to compete in the Mountain West tournament, which will take place in North Carolina, Sept. 18-20. Bummer has been preparing for this tournament since he was young. He is confident that the tournament will give him enough exposure to continue his baseball career after high school. “I started playing t-ball when I was four years old,” said Bummer. “My strength in baseball is pitching, and my goal for
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North Carolina is to get seen (by scouts).” Head varsity baseball coach Eric Gardner knows how important this tournament will be to their future careers in baseball. “In high school baseball, this means tons of exposure,” said Gardner. “Multiple college and pro coaches will be watching. Now they’ll have the chance to be seen around the nation. The final North Carolina tournament they will play in a four game tourney against 12 teams. If they make the national team they will be able to travel around the world to play against other national teams.” Crawford has also realized how crucial this tournament will be to his future career in baseball. “Over the summer I worked out every day,” said Crawford. “Coach Raymond helped me practice pitching and I did a lot of running. My goal for North Carolina is to do the best that I can against great players.” Martinez is the youngest
player from Sunrise going to the September tournament in North Carolina. “There was a point in the tournament where there was a guy on second and third and, neither of them made it home,” said Martinez. “I have been preparing all summer for this season, I have been running, throwing, and been working on my abs.”
Photo courtesy of Kelly Bummer HITTING ALL THE BASES: (left to right) Freshman Seth Martinez, and juniors Tyler Crawford, Aaron Bummer, and Steven Kane participated in a baseball tournament in North Carolina for USA Baseball.
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3 1.) GO! FIGHT!WIN! Freshman
football players John Drego (7) and Josh Toennis (74) run for a touchdown.The team played against Verrado High School and won 14-0. 2.)HIKE: Freshman Keelan Navaro scored a running touchdown. 3.) GOING DOWN: Freshman David Erickson (87) tackles another Verrado player. The team’s season has been For more photos log onto the Mustang Express online at: www.tinyurl.com/mustangexpress
Photos courtesy of: Duane Matsen
the S cene
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Asher Book stars in remake of 1980 film Fame set all day, every day,” Book said. “We might have one day Editor-In-Chief off during the week, but for the Kelley Marlar most part it was pretty much Layout Editor working the whole time.” Book said that the cafeteStarring as one of the main ria scene is one character in of his favorites, an updated along with a speversion of the cial scene where 1980 film, Book gets to Fame, is acsing. tor, singer “My scene and guitarist that I really am Asher Book. proud of is the “Our film scene (when I is kind of a resing ‘Try’),” Book make,” Book said. “I serenade said. “We tell my girlfriend in people it’s the movie. It’s a more of a repiano piece that invention.” I play and it’s a The new great scene.” Fame is not Book said he an exact reis hoping to get make of the a great reaction 1980 film but from audiences. it is based on “I’m really it. proud of this “Basically movie,” Book we take the said. “Not only concept of of the fact that GET UP AND DANCE: Asher Book and Anna Maria Perez De Tagle sing and kids going to I was in it but I dance for their high school peers in the lunch room. “For like, four days, we a performing arts school got to just dance on tables and play loud music and just have fun,” Book said just feel like it has such a great and use that,” about this scene. message and it’s Book said. “There are aspects of the origi- Marco,” Book said. “We both really good for our generation nal that we still kept. But for grew up singing, we both went right now.” Although Book’s most recent the most part, it’s a whole new to the same school, our humor is very much alike and the way work is done on the big screen, movie.” his other interest is his band, V we act with people.” The movie has new characFactory. Book described the filming ters, a new storyline, new songs “I’m able to commit 100 perand new dance. Two songs schedule as “crazy”, since the cast shot for four months in Los cent to both of them,” Book said. from the original will be feaAngeles and two weeks in New “They (V Factory) work around tured and actress Debbie Allen, a lot of my acting schedule, so York. who played Lydia in the origiI’m really able to do both.” “I’d be in the studio or on nal Fame will be returning with
Carli Krueger
a new role. Book plays the role of Marco, a singer and actor at New York City High School for the performing arts. “I’m a lot like my character
TRIPLE THREAT: Asher Book poses for a headshot. Not only does Book sing and act, he also acts and plays guitar. Book also sings in a band.
SING YOUR HEART OUT: Book as Marco performs with his co-star Anna Maria Perez De Tagle, who plays Joy. Fame began playing in theatres on September 25. All photos courtesy of: www.generationfame.com
Upcoming entertainment ranges from Black Eyed Peas to Kelly Clarkson Billy Squier Wednesday, September 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $45 - $70 Celebrity Theatre
Bob Saget Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 – 45 Celebrity Theatre
Rodney Carrington Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $29 – 47 Dodge Theatre
Lady Antebellum* Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Arizona State Fairgrounds
Jamie Foxx Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $56 - 90 Dodge Theatre
Stephen Lynch Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $102 – 369 Orpheum Theatre
Bob Dylan* Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets $5 – 20 Arizona State Fairgrounds
David Cook Tuesday, November 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 20
Sonic Youth Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 - $27 Marquee Theatre
Shawn Colvin Saturday, October 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $38 – 40 El Pedregal at the Boulders
AC/DC Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $97 US Airways
Frank Caliendo Saturday, October 10 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 – 52 Dodge Theatre
Beauty of a Bonzer with Kool and the Gang and the Commodores Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $30 – 60 US Airways Center
Brad Paisley and Dirks Bently Thursday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Little Feat Saturday, October 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $39 – 42 Martini Ranch
Pitbull Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $53 - 270 Dodge Theatre Brooks and Dunn Sunday, October 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $52 – 324 Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater Shinedown Monday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $64 - 71 Marquee Theatre
Children of Bodom with Australian Death Machine and Skeletonwitch Monday, October 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 - 30 Marquee Theatre Chris Daughtry Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 Marquee Theatre
Stone Temple Pilots* Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 20 Arizona State Fairgrounds U2 with Black Eyed Peas Tuesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30 – 250 University of Phoenix Stadium
Monsters of Folk Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $85 – 330 Orpheum Theatre Black Crowes* Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Arizona State Fairgrounds Skillet Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $85 – 388 Celebrity Theatre
ABBA: The Music* Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Grease Tuesday- Sunday, October 20 – 25 at Arizona State Fairgrounds various times John Michael Montgomery and Tickets: $41 – 76 the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party* Dodge Theatre Saturday, October 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Jimmy Thackery Arizona State Fairgrounds Wednesday, October 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $45 Gordon Lightfoot Rhythm Room Sunday, October 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $40 – 55 Orpheum Theatre
Steely Dan Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $141- 510 Dodge Theatre Tower of Power Wednesday, October 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $91 – 388 Celebrity Theatre Raven Symone* Wednesday, October 28 @ 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Arizona State Fairgrounds Rodney Atkis and Julianne Hough* Sunday, November 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 – 15 Arizona State Fairgrounds Little Big Town and Billy Currington* Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 - 15 Arizona State Fairgrounds Kelly Clarkson* Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $5 - 20 Arizona State Fairgrounds *Note— for all Arizona State Fair concerts you must have fair admission to get in along with the ticket costs.
Compiled by: Kelsey Luft