The Antlerette
Volume 99 September 2024 Issue 1
Hollywood’s Latest Problem: Blake Lively
Belen Gutierrez, Staff
Blake Lively is a very famous actress, most known for her role in Gossip Girl and now as Lily Blossom Bloom in the new movie It Ends With Us. During the press tour for the movie, rumors speculate that Blake Lively and her co-star Justin Baldoni did not get along while filming. The two clearly have different perspectives on what type of movie they helped create. It Ends With Us is an adaptation of the book by Colleen Hoover where the protagonist becomes a victim of domestic violence.
The book itself already sparks controversy because many believe that Colleen Hoover is a terrible author. Regardless, Justin Baldoni has taken it upon himself to bring awareness to domestic violence and he talks about it frequently in his interviews. This movie is about a very serious topic and Baldoni makes sure that he’s able to help victims in any way
he can. However, Blake Lively in almost every interview always dodges questions about the domestic violence aspect of the movie. She has said that the movie is something you want to “bring your girlfriends to and wear your florals.” She seems like she is trying to make a joke out of everything. For a movie about domestic violence, it just seems very ignorant and insensitive to advertise the movie as a cute romcom.
Lively is married to Ryan Reynolds, a famous actor known for his hilarious characters he portrays like Deadpool and his hilarious personality he seems to have in real life. Lively seems to be taking inspiration from her husband in her interviews and turns everything into a joke. However, Ryan knows his audience. He is promoting movies that are meant to be funny, but with Lively trying to be funny about a movie of domestic violence, it just feels insensitive. One example of her trying to
be “funny” is an interview she did when she was asked how she would respond if someone who relates personally to It Ends With Us would ever want to talk to her and tell their story. This is a very specific question, but it's insightful because people look up to celebrities and it is very likely someone would want to share their story to someone who is meant to represent victims of domestic violence. Lively’s response, however, was definitely less than insightful, as she responded with “Are you asking for like my address or my phone number? Or like my… location share or I could just location share you and then we could uhh…” She ends that statement with just laughing. The tone she is speaking in is very sarcastic and almost condescending, like she doesn’t care about the severity of the themes she’s talking about. She did end up answering the question but it's too little, too late.
Chappell Roan: Setting Boundaries and Parasocial Relationships
Lana Holbrook, Staff
Music is deeply ingrained in all of our lives. But how does it affect the artists we think we know and love? Parasocial relationships are everywhere and have been since the rise of Hollywood. What is a parasocial relationship? A parasocial relationship is when a person imagines they know a celebrity on a personal level. Chappell Roan had a rather sudden rise to popularity, but she is no stranger to the music industry. Chappell has been making music for 10 years and is just now gaining the popularity she rightfully deserves. Chappell Roan has amassed an almost cult-like following and it has genuinely frightened her and her family.
When she and her family began to be stalked, she addressed her concerns in the form of TikTok videos. Chappell Roan spoke about how she was at the breaking point of her career when fans began harassing her. “I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous,” Chappell Roan says. The entitlement fans have in relation to the artists they enjoy is concerning at best. While fans have a right to enjoy the
music they listen to and form a real connection with it, it is also pertinent to separate the art from the artist - a phrase typically used to describe situations with problematic artists. However, a more nuanced way of seeing it is to like the music someone puts out and the performance they give, but not obsess over them and act like you know them.
Time and time again, people like to act like they know the artists they enjoy listening to because their music is relatable, but this is a viewpoint muddled with entitlement. The people behind this art are just that: people. They do not owe anyone hugs, selfies, or autographs. Just because this is normalized in our society does not mean it is okay. A fan here or there asking their idol for a hug or selfie isn’t the end of the world, but when there are tens of people every single day and you fear for your safety while out in public, that is when there is an issue. People think celebrities owe them these things because they purchase and support the art they put out. But they don’t. Sure, they wouldn’t have a successful career without you, but they also wouldn’t have it without themselves.
Chappell Roan got a lot of backlash after setting boundaries with her fans, from people calling her a diva to straight up entitled. The entitlement doesn’t lay with the artist, it lies
with all the people saying she owes them for supporting her.
Overall, parasocial relationships are not only harmful to fans, but also the artists themselves because of the entitlement and privilege exhibited in these situations. Fame is great, money is great, but at what cost?
The Ups and Downs of a Spooktacular Holiday
Kina Her, Content Editor
Halloween, celebrated on October 31st each year, is a holiday that evokes a wide range of emotions and experiences. With its rich history, vibrant traditions, and cultural significance, Halloween brings both joy and challenges to communities around the world. Halloween's origins can be traced back over 2,000 years to the ancient festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off these roaming spirits, people would light bonfires and wear costumes. As Christianity spread, the holiday evolved. The Church designated November 1st as All Saints' Day, and the evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to Halloween. Over the centuries, Halloween transformed into a secular celebration marked by festivities such as trick-or-treating, costume parties, and haunted houses. Halloween fosters community spirit. Neighborhoods come alive as children dress up in costumes and go door to door for treats. Halloween events, including parades and festivals, encourage camaraderie among residents. The holiday provides
an opportunity for creative expression. From elaborate costumes to spooky decorations, people can showcase their artistic talents. Many enjoy engaging in pumpkin carving, crafting DIY costumes, and decorating their homes. The thrill of Halloween captivates both children and adults. Haunted houses, ghost tours, and horror movie marathons offer adrenaline-pumping entertainment. For many, it’s a chance to indulge in playful frights and scary fun. Halloween has become a significant commercial event, with industries related to costumes, decorations, and candy seeing substantial sales. This economic boost can benefit local businesses and create seasonal jobs.
One of the most pressing issues during Halloween is safety. Parents are often concerned about the risks associated with trick-or-treating, such as traffic accidents or tampered candy. Additionally, safety in costume choices, especially for children, is crucial to avoid trips and falls. The use of certain costumes and imagery can lead to controversies surrounding cultural appropriation. Insensitive depictions can perpetuate stereotypes and offend particular communities, sparking discussions about respect and understanding in celebrations.While the commercialization of Halloween brings economic benefits, it can also overshadow the holiday’s original meaning and traditions. The focus on consumerism
may lead to a disconnect from the historical and cultural significance of the holiday. For some, Halloween can evoke fear and anxiety rather than enjoyment. Horror-themed events may not be for everyone, and the focus on all things spooky can be overwhelming for those who are sensitive to frightening imagery or themes.
Halloween remains a beloved holiday filled with excitement, creativity, and community bonding. While it has its downsides, the holiday continues to evolve, adapting to the needs and values of contemporary society. By embracing the spirit of Halloween while addressing its challenges, everyone can enjoy a safe and enjoyable celebration, making lasting memories filled with spooky fun! Whether you celebrate with extravagant decorations or a simple night of trick-or-treating, Halloween offers something for everyone—a magical time of year that invites us all to embrace the joy of being a little scared.
The Willow Project
Thomas Perera, Staff
Through the Paris Agreement in April 2016, the U.S. along with 55 other countries came together in the fight against climate change, with a plan to cut carbon emissions in half and to limit global warming to under 1.5 degrees celsius (or 2.7 degree fahrenheit) by 2030. As of March 13th, 2023, the Biden Administration has approved the Willow Project to begin a large scale oil drilling project in Alaska, completely contradicting the United States current climate goals and global commitments and destroying more than 500 acres of Alaska’s Brook Range in the process.
With no regard for the environmental agreement made by former President Barack Obama, the Biden Administration went through with approving the Willow Project. According to the United Nations Production Gap Report, an annual decrease of 6% in global carbon emissions is needed to keep global warming under the 1.5 degrees celsius limit by 2030. There is no room for any nation to approve new sources of emissions, especially not one of such a massive scale like the Willow Project. Now the question arises as to why is the 1.5 degree celsius limit so important to maintain?
There are an unsettling number of reasons why this degree limit is so important, the most notable being extreme changes in the climate, with a rise of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius globally comes a rise of 4 degrees Celsius on the hottest days of the year and 6 on the coldest (this equates to a rise of 7.2 degrees and 10.8 degrees respectively). The already unbearable heat waves in the U.S. will only get worse, not to mention the extreme droughts and rain seasons that will be experienced all around the world. Flash flooding will become more common in all parts of the world with an emphasis on Southeast Asia and North America, while droughts will wreak havoc on already struggling countries in the Middle East. As well as extreme weather effects, there will be a significant loss of all life. It is projected by the Carbon Collective that almost 10% of all plant life, 6% of insects and 4% of all vertebrates will experience a drastic shift in their environment endangering their species. Not to mention the obvious risk to human life that comes with the increase in temperature, which will result in heat and vector-borne diseases like Malaria and heatstroke skyrocketing.
Completely ignoring the consequences that will come with the Willow Projects approval, the Biden Administration went through with green lighting the biggest oil drilling project in recent history and cementing America's legacy as the nation responsible for breaking the Paris Agreement.
COVID-19
Derrick Wright, Staff
COVID-19 was believed to have started in Wuhan, China, in a seafood and live animal market in January 2020. COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that causes damage to your organs like your heart, kidneys, skin, and brain. The most common symptoms are chills, fevers, and a sore throat.
To test to see if you had COVID-19 you would buy COVID-19 test at the store and take the cotton swab up your nose. Over 14.9 million people have been estimated to have died from COVID-19. COVID19 also started a pandemic, spanning from January 2020 to May 11th 2023, causing a lockdown in the United States of America in all 50 states and most countries across the world.
During the pandemic COVID-19 started to cause Asian people to experience racism and get harassed and assaulted. This happened because it was speculated that the origin is from Wuhan, China. COVID-19 started to make people wear masks and gloves when they did go outside during the lockdown. It also started students across the world to have to go to school via Zoom, an online website that allows you to show your camera to people across the world.
Declining Empathy in an Interconnected World
Bakhtawar Ahmad, Staff
In a world where humans are continuously more interconnected than ever before, most would expect for people to become more empathetic as we become more aware of pressing global issues. Yet, instead basic empathy is increasingly lacking in many. The indifference and selfishness is being displayed shamelessly when it comes to important matters that need to be talked about. The responses are frequently becoming “It doesn't affect me ” or “I’m not interested in politics” even when it's nothing relating to politics and is just about basic human rights that do affect everyone. This loss of empathy is very concerning and is also ruining any chances of betterment in our societies.
A prominant example of where people are ignorantly displaying their lack of empathy is when it comes to talking about the current genocide that is happening in Palestine. Despite widespread awareness, people are still extremely dismissive of the suffering that's endlessly happening. Some even proudly say that it's what the Palestinian people deserve. It's truly disgusting how it has become so normalized to speak
on such horrific atrocities without any remorse or empathy. The internet has made it easier to say such awful things since anyone can speak their mind when they are hiding behind a screen. But even with the endless footage and history lessons that are available on the genocide, the decision to stay ignorant or just not care prevails.
Another area in which even more people pretend to stay oblivious too is the exploitation of workers in the fast fashion industry. Although younger generations are better about addressing such issues, this particular one has become an exception. Companies like Shein and Temu make billions off of mass-produced cheap quality items, but these low-priced
items come at the cost of severe human rights abuses that mostly everyone is aware of. But because of trend cycles and financial struggles, people still flock to these companies for almost everything even though there are many alternatives that don’t exploit their workers as much as these big companies. It's not even just simply ignoring the matter, it's gone as far as making insensitive jokes of the abuse on social media, with the comments filled with people laughing and saying how they do not care about the workers and just want their package to come. The privilege is real and empathy seems almost non-existent.
It's time to reflect on our actions and how they are a result of the lack of empathy that is taking over the world. Change can be made, but first the change needs to be made within us so that in the future, things can be different - they can be better.
Social Media
Michael Coronado, Staff
Social media in 2024 has created many positive opportunities for people across the globe, but we can’t keep ignoring the negative effects it's causing to the mental health of its users. Social media has normalized so many things for teenagers, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, etc. During the ages of 10-19 teenagers’ and children’s brains are going through a crucial part in development because it is here most begin to form their identities and their self-worth. Our minds are extremely vulnerable as we ’ re growing up and being able to see what social media defines as “normal” and “pretty” can force a person to do anything just to make sure they fit in with everyone else. Teens are doing whatever it takes to have the same body type as their favorite influencer because they think that’s what has to be done to feel good about yourself. Social media has even proven to be the cause of teenagers developing depression and to the experience of many, it’s been the source of many inflicting self-harm or even in some cases, suicide. Online platforms like this that encourage or overexpress these types of behaviors should be banned or
restricted from teenagers, as the brain is still an incredibly fragile part of our body and the exposure to media like this comes with too many risks
Social media has its ups and downs between what’s real and what’s not, but a lot of the time people will only post and show the internet what they want to be seen for. A lot of teenagers develop issues because they want to fit into society's norms. Even kids that are being exposed to social media at ages 11 and younger are trying to fit into what older kids are wearing or use, but because of this they are spending money on unnecessary clothing, makeup, skincare, etc. It’s because the internet told them if they didn’t, then they wouldn’t fit in. We also can’t ignore the fact that cyberbullying still exists but seems to be fading behind some of the most important problems of social media, as it’s the easiest way to hurt someone without having to confront them face to face. So many teens online get harassed or blackmailed because there's nothing they can do against an unknown person hiding behind a screen.
Social media has been the main source of calamity for teenagers around the world. Its effect seems to have massively affected the way people in society act or behave because of
social media. From issues ranging from self doubt, depression, cyber-bullying, social anxiety, body dysmorphia, suicide, etc. It makes us think if those TikToks, Instagram posts, Snaps, or even X posts are really worth the entertainment and amusement if it means people in our generation are also suffering from it. Our lives shouldn’t be defined by what we post or see on social media, but should be how we express ourselves in real life, not some virtual screen.
Shaping Us for the Future
Jorden Dykes, Staff
What does it mean to be mature? Well, I believe that this means you ’ re able to handle difficult situations, understand that others may go through similar experiences, and learn from them. If you are going through something, you have a choice. You can either let that chapter of your life lead you into the same behaviors as those who wronged you, or you can learn from that experience and choose to try your hardest not to inflict the same pain or frustration you felt onto others. Yes, your feelings are valid and horrible things happen to all kinds of people, but being kind is a choice and it’s an important one.
Another part of emotional maturity is keeping an open mind as well as admitting when you ’ re wrong. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you come from, or what your role is in life; that does not give you a pass to be disrespectful to anyone or see yourself as better than any other person. Why have enemies when you can have friends? We all have flaws but we all have strengths too. Try your hardest to be the best version of yourself.
It’s extremely important to have an understanding that not everything turns out how you want it to, and there's a reason for that. Every experience through life is a lesson that you should learn from. You’re the only one that is able to decide what you get from it. The things that happen to us, good and bad, shape us for our future. Know who you are and who you want to be, and make mistakes and learn from them. We have time, so use it wisely. Every day is another opportunity to be a better person than you were yesterday.
Top Five Thrift Stores in Sacramento Region
Kaylyn Haley, Staff
Thrifting has become a popular way to buy clothing for cheap prices throughout the United States for both younger and older generations of citizens. The thrill of finding a nice top or an expensive pair of jeans, usually for less than $10, attracts people to stores nationwide, especially since prices for new clothing have risen dramatically in recent years. Many teens and adults have made the switch to thrifting due to the sustainability of thrift stores and the positive impact they have on the environment, along with the great fun it is looking for a treasure to call their own. Second hand clothing stores like Goodwill or Eco Thrift are especially popular due to their constant inventory changes and trending clothes, but there are also some hidden beauties you may find around California that older and newer generations will cherish for their futu
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (2275 Watt Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825): Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a chain charity organization that provides financial assistance to those in dire need and acts as a megaphone to those with a small voice. They operate as a thrift store that sells clothing for prices typically below $10, always offering deals with their color-coded tags. The clothes that are donated to the store are either used in the shop or sold to help people through programs affiliated with the store and are never gone to waste.
2.
1. FreeStyle Clothing Exchange (1906 L street, Sacramento, CA 95811): Looking for a store that you can sell that No Boundaries top you got in 2010? Then look no further than Freestyle Clothing Exchange. FreeStyle Clothing Exchange is a woman-owned thrift store located in Sacramento that buys and sells Y2K streetwear that are in new or barely used condition. They keep up with trending styles in fashion, but also have a wide variety of vintage clothing and accessories that cater to teens and young adults to buy. Their goal is to be entirely inclusive to all sizes, and are dedicated to having clothing for all body types.
3. The Cave (2265 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825): The Cave is a thrift store located in Arden, Sacramento, dedicated mostly to records and collectable toys. However, this does not mean this is the only thing they sell. They also sell an arrangement of incense and video games, along with new and used clothing around $5-15 each. It is the perfect spot to buy for those who love music and want to buy band clothing that many teenagers wear.
4. The Bus Stop Vintage (2315 J street Sacramento, CA 95816): The Bus Stop Vintage is located in Sacramento where they sell sustainable clothing along with accessories and fine arts. The store is operated by the owners Audrey and Anika, who opened the store to share their passion for vintage items and keeping the environment sustainable and clean. Most of the clothing looks to be the attire one would wear to work; however, there is a sprinkle of items that newer generations can wear to school. Everything in the shop is beautifully modest while also keeping up with our latest fashion trends in the community.
5. Sacramento Antique Faire (21st & X St; temp location: Sleep Train Arena Sacramento, CA 95818): On the second Sunday of every month, they close off a few streets in the Sacramento area from 6:30am-3pm to set up a marketplace where you can walk around the streets and shop for items. Most things sold at the Sacramento Antique Faire are a mixture of delicate jewelry, cultural pieces, vintage clothing, and glassware. If you feel like something is missing in that one spot in your house, this would be the perfect place to attend and browse for something to fill that empty area. Many teenagers stop by in search for vintage clothing articles they have a chance to show off at school or look for jewelry they can add to their fashionable outfits, and the fair provides all resources for fluctuating prices.
Is Marvel Losing Its Way?
Marvin Canaya, Staff
Marvel Studios, the company that creates countless movies and TV series based on the Marvel comic superheroes, has been extremely popular since 2008 when they introduced their first movies, or what is now known as Marvel “Phase 1 ” . Recently, some people have noticed Marvel’s sudden drop of quality in their projects, most of which is in their most recent projects “Phase 4 and 5. ” However, during the most recent ComicCon in San Diego from July 25 to July 28, they announced their newest projects, one of which they had brought back one of their most famous actors, that they had initially cut off, Robert Downey Jr., but what some people may ask is “Why?” “Why bring back this actor?” In hopes of redeeming their recent failures? Even in their most recent movie Deadpool and Wolverine, many people believed it was a sign that “Marvel wasn’t dead,” but, in reality, can one movie save an entire franchise? Is the future of Marvel really secure?
Regarding the quality of movies, Marvel has been lacking in several things, such as the quality of the story and CGI. Marvel’s lack of bringing in “story-worthy” characters into their movies has been severely bringing them down and
worsening their quality of storytelling, not making their films worth watching, making us want more out of them from the dissatisfaction. In movies like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quatumania, The Marvels, and Black Widow, the storytelling was so poorly done that they have received some of the lowest reviews out of most Marvel movies. From their most famous characters, such as the Hulk, the CGI quality of the main characters and their TV show characters has been changing for the worse.
Most recently, there have been too many instances where viewers were very dissatisfied with Marvel’s movies to the extent that they have lost hope for the future of Marvel. In the most recent ComicCon of 2024, you can still see some CGI defects in their new upcoming projects, raising the question of whether they really listen to their fans' opinions.
However, there seems to be hope for the story of both Marvel movies and TV shows, but one trend I do see is that they have had an extreme amount of somewhat “A-list” actors joining the cast, some with a very recent spike in popularity. Some actors include Harrison Ford, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirdy, Patti Lupone, and Aubrey Plaza. Does this mean Marvel has no faith in themselves to make a good movie or TV show with a good storyline without using these socalled “A-list” actors? What will become of this once-loved franchise if such a profound company cannot put its own faith in its quality?
Art is Life
Bailynn Heu, Staff
Art has taken many different forms in many ways, from different people and different times. Art is an expression of imaginative skill that typically gets shown in a visual form. You can see art everywhere you go in this world. Art is sectioned into seven categories: music, theatre, painting, sculpture, cinema, architecture, and literature. For each of these categories, there are different forms for it.
Art in general helps show emotion and life and it can express how we feel. Art gives history because it's been with us throughout so many years and it still is with us today. Some of the commonly famous people that made history with paintings are Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Johannes Vermeer.
Painting has the most forms of art and it includes abstract, realism, expressionism, pop art, photorealism, surrealism, etc. Without these many forms of art, there would be only one way in expressing how we feel or being creative. It was a good idea to create categories of art to show the many forms it comes from. Painting has been in history the longest. The oldest form of it is cave art and it goes back 40,000 to 14,000 years ago. Art means a lot to us and it had a way of life that brought history to us.
Artificial Intelligence in the Workforce
Dylan Perkins, Staff
How will artificial intelligence affect the workforce in America? This question has itched the minds of many working class Americans in the present day. With the brand new possibilities artificial intelligence brings also comes brand new fears and hopes for the future as well. Many people oppose the new technology to assist businesses in fear of it stealing human jobs. Others welcome the new technology with open arms in hopes of it creating more jobs than it replaces.
The number one fear when it comes to artificial intelligence in the workplace is it stealing jobs from humans who need the money. The mass replacement of jobs could cause a large-scale economic disruption, scarring America and its economy. It could also be argued that artificial intelligence is more subject to error than a human is while doing a task. With how new artificial intelligence is, it is unknown what kinds of catastrophic events these errors could bring. Overall, only time could tell us whether or not these fears will come into fruition.
Despite the fears artificial intelligence brings, it could actually bring about more positive changes than negative. The fastpaced rate at which artificial intelligence can respond to questions would allow businesses to work more efficiently and leave the customer with more satisfaction. Just like humans, artificial intelligence is subject to error. Perchance, this could create more jobs, such as improving or bug fixing within artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it’s quite possible that artificial intelligence could bring more hope for the future than catastrophe. How will artificial intelligence affect the workforce? The possibilities that artificial intelligence brings to the workforce are endless. Society must come together to determine if the means justify the ends. The future seems uncertain, but when it’s over, humanity will come out stronger and more knowledgeable. In conclusion, artificial intelligence in the workforce has its pros and cons, but in the end humanity will make th h
The LA Riots
Tyson Wise, Staff
The LA riots in 1992 sparked controversy and spread rapidly over the months. These riots started in Los Angeles, California in 1992 after the beating of an African-American man named Rodney King. The LAPD used excessive force when arresting him and beat him up brutally. These beatings were caught on camera and later the four cops were charged with excessive force and were found not guilty.
Three hours after the verdict came out the city erupted in chaos. People set fires, looted all kinds of stores including liquor stores, grocery stores, retail stores, and fast food restaurants. The main factor that started the riots was the beating of Rodney King. People were disgusted that these four cops got away with their crime and thought Rodney King deserved justice.
Another contributing factor for the riots was the shooting of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins. She was shot by a convenience store owner after being accused of stealing orange juice, when in reality she was holding the money she was gonna use to pay
for the orange juice. This incident raised tensions in the LA area and caused an uproar in the African-American community. The riots got so bad that the national guard had to get involved to aid the LAPD in stopping the riots.
The people of LA thought the LAPD was corrupt and needed fixing to help minorities in the LA area. During the five days the riots went on, more than 50 deaths were confirmed, 10 of those being by the LAPD. The riots also left more than 2,000 people injured and around 6,000 people were arrested. These riots also damaged small businesses and buildings resulting in over $1 billion in property damage and more than 3,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The riots also affected daily life for people in the area. Some people couldn't get to work because it was too dangerous and there was a curfew for three days.
These riots would set a snowball effect for more rallies and riots for individual rights in the future. The LA riots aren't necessarily the best example of peaceful protest, but sometimes in order to get what you need you have to take drastic measures just for your voice to be heard. A future example would be the 2020 BLM riots that occurred across the country. These riots also spread controversy because they were very dangerous and affected small businesses just as the LA riots did. This was the only way for the African Americans to be heard as a group to express their desire for equal treatment in the U.S. It takes more than one person for change to be made.
Rico Family History
Ethen Rico Villa, Staff
Rico Villa is the last name that I was given from birth as well as my siblings when they were born. Rico Villa is the last name for my parents as well. But where did we get Rico Villa, where did we come from? What is the story of my family? What is the story of the Esenia Family, the story of their childhood and how they were raised? How they grew up in life to now, how they break apart slowly in their future? But this is a happy story, a story of siblings growing up together and staying together no matter what happened nor the cost.
Let us start with the oldest and make our way down the list to the youngest sibling in their family, Dilsa Esenia Villa, my mother born October 16,1986. Then there was Cynthia Janeth Gutierrez, the second oldest and my tia born April 23, 1991. Then we have Edgardo Ornelas, my tio and the first boy in the family born May 22, 1993. Finally we have Saul Ornelas, my other tio and the youngest in their family born October 17, 1996. For the siblings growing up was difficult due to how different but similar they are at the same time. Then we have my grandparents, their mother and father. Esperanza Gutierrez born February 7, 1968 and Gregorio Ornelas born February 22,
1969. They mostly left my mother to help her siblings grow up and take care of them, due to how both grandparents were always busy and always somewhere. But whenever the siblings needed them they would be there for them; they were tough on them but they only wanted the best for them.
October 16, 1986 was the day my mother was born. She was the only and the first child to the Esenia family at the time and she was the only child for five years until my tia was born. She spoke Spanish and understood English growing up for the first five years of her life. And she loved to color and watch animals, but she especially loved watching Disney movies like The Little Mermaid and Lilo and Stitch. But it was difficult to raise her for the first few years due to how my grandmother was only 18 when she had her, and also due to the fact that at one point the original father left and disappeared for my mother’s birth as well as her mother’s life. She was a single mother at the age of 18 and had a child to raise that was a couple weeks old. It was hard for both of them for a good couple of years, but then my grandpa came into the picture and he raised my mother as if she were his own daughter. They found a place where the family would live on for decades, a home that would raise the siblings and their children in the future. Then they lived together happily and loving each other and their new family.
Then their daughter grew up and started to learn, and she learned a lot of things fast. She learned how to walk and she knew how to speak. The only thing that was hard for my mother was hearing how everybody would say such mean things behind my grandparents’ backs, hearing them say all these things in front of their faces and my grandparents didn’t even know what they were saying to them. My mother would be heartbroken everytime that someone would say something like “wetback” and “border hopper”, but yet she couldn’t say anything or do anything but sit there and watch this happen. And my grandparents didn’t understand English nor could they speak it without it sounding broken whenever they tried to speak English. My mother would cry in her room knowing when her parents would try to get help, they would only get called names without them knowing right in front of them. My mother told herself that she would learn how to speak English so this would ever happen again.
While she was learning English and growing up, a second child came along. April 23, 1991 was the day that my Tia Cynthia, Cynthia Janeth Gutierrez, was born. For Cynthia, life was easier for her due to how she grew up with her family, babying her a lot more and getting treated more favorably than my mother. Then also she was mostly raised by my mother because their mother and father were always busy and
always doing something. My mother tried the best to make sure everything was okay, but Cynthia would always act to be the center of attention. My Tia Cynthia was raised very spoiled, but she did have some hobbies like playing games and also coloring pictures as well as painting, but it was a little harder growing up with two kids and having to share things because my mother was the only child then a new kid came along. Then it was very calm throughout that period of their lives. April 23, 1991, the day that the first boy was born, as well as the time things started to get more troublesome for the family. My Tio Edgardo growing up loved to draw and in general just have a good time. By the time he was around my age, he loved going out with his friends and to just live his life, but at one point he started to hang out with the wrong crowd. When he was in high school, he would be hanging out with bad people that did some bad things. My mother and the two other siblings told him to stop, but he didn’t listen. He wanted to keep hanging out with them and keep doing the things they were doing. Eventually he got himself into trouble that got him tangled up with the San Jose police department. I visit home to see him, but I wish I could go more often. And after he was put away, everyone had to deal with it their own way.
And that brings us to my other tio or the youngest child in their family. Saul Ornelas was born October 17, 1996. He grew up the most spoiled and the most praised. He was the youngest and as they would call him “THE BABY.” He and Edgardo got along very well just like my mother and her sister. But when my Edgardo was put away, that is when Saul started to do things that he would regret doing later in life. For example, he started to drink and smoke because he didn’t know what to do after everything happened. He couldn't sleep and was sad so he had to find a way to stop feeling sad. But he didn’t know that it would end up with something that would make it worse for his future kids and family. They sadly started to grow apart and eventually some would even stop talking to each other; for example, Cynthia would completely stop talking to the family and just left. Also both tios are doing their own thing now. Sual is now in rehab and trying to help others by helping himself by stopping his smoking and drinking addiction. And my Tio Edgardo is now reading the Bible for others in the box that he is held in. Then you have my mother. My mother has done a lot to try to keep everything together and for that I say “thank you. ” She has really tried her best and I love that she really cares about the family she has, even though her family isn’t perfect she still loves them. Even though she is struggling herself, she still puts her family first before anything else in her life. In the end of
this story she does love them and she cares a lot about them. And this is just a big rundown to her story, her family story. Mom, if you read this, I just want to say that this is for you.. I love you very much and I hope you know that your first born is very proud of his mother for everything that she has done for her family, thank you, Moma. This is sadly all the information that I have on this topic. There could be more about this family story that I might not even know about or something I missed. One more thing: June 18 2008 the day that I was born. My mother was on the hospital bed thinking about what she will name me, she said “I wanna name him Ethen.” Then the doctor asked if there was anything else and she said “Ethen Rico Villa”. I love you, Mom.
One Second
Caiden Brown, Staff
The photographer snapped a picture. In this image he captured a moment in time. What did he capture? He captured a plane in the sky, a man running with a dog, a woman dropping her coffee at the sound of a crash, two metal trash cans, and the beautiful scenery of a city in the evening. One second, in one day, yet so much is happening.
Does the World Devour
Azriel Ezra Hu, Copy Editor
You wake up after the sun rises. The light makes you furrow your brow as you force yourself awake. Before you eat breakfast and leave, you wash up and shower. A single slip on the wet tile kills you, the shower curtain clutched in your now lax grip.
You drive to work. Your bag sits in the passenger seat, holding your lunch; your keys go into the ignition. The roads have the usual traffic. You bob your head along with the radio. At an intersection, another driver rams into your car. That does not kill you, but the impact of your car careening into a shop does. Your heart stops beating before the paramedics are halfway there.
You finish work on time. You pack up as a reminder pops up on your phone: get groceries. You drive to the supermarket and buy everything you need except eggs, which you remember when you are loading everything into your car. The store is right there; it’s no trouble to get back, except someone has robbed the bank down the street. The culprit is sprinting down the sidewalk, chased by the bank security guards, holding a gun. It goes off, the bullet finding its way into your abdomen. The eggs are forever forgotten as you bleed out on the concrete.
At home, all the groceries get put into their place. Milk goes into the fridge, along with fruits and vegetables; snacks rest on the pantry shelves with boxes of cereal; and the remembered eggs sit on the counter. After putting the laundry in to wash and turning on the TV for background noise, you get to cooking dinner. You get distracted by the news and think the smell of smoke is the food burning, but your downstairs neighbor has accidentally started a fire. In the panic,a bottle of oil gets knocked over and shatters on the floor; the fire eats it hungrily and grows. Consumed, your charred remains are nearly indistinguishable from the scorched building when first responders find you.
You eat dinner and switch the laundry over into the dryer. The TV gets turned off. You open a book to read, waiting for the dryer to finish its load. When it does you take the clothes out, decide folding them is too much effort, and throw them all onto the couch. Book abandoned, you brush your teeth and tuck yourself into bed, closing your eyes.
You go to a new day. You will not survive it.
Why Track is the Best Sport
Mikela Laurenzi, Content Editor
For centuries, people have ran track and it scientifically has been proven to make you feel better. All around the world it is a much loved sport that boosts your confidence. It keeps you in shape, while also helping you build stamina. Long distance running can be therapeutic to some because it just takes everything off your mind and makes you focus on something else. Sprinting is a different challenge. It makes you extremely focused and takes a lot of time to get even 1 second faster than you were last.
Track takes immense training every single day to get your body on a routine. You need to eat proper foods, dedicate so much time on the track, and remove yourself from tough situations so that it doesn't distract you. Sprinting builds muscle because not only are you working your legs to the max, but also because you need to lift weights and work out your abs in order to stay ready for your next meet. Everything you do prepares you for the moment the gun goes off and you are running. You have to have a really good mentality to be able to keep up with the sport.
You need to be kind to yourself and have positive thoughts even though you are having anxiety about performing. You are also taught to control your breathing and anxiety, which takes a lot of skills when it comes down to the moment. At the end of the day you get a great support group and you are healthy and well.
