The Three Un-Magic Words - “No Late Work”
Azriel Ezra Hu, Staff
Inmanyclasses-especially“honors”or“advancedplacement”classes-teachers telltheirstudentsthattheyhavea“nolatework”policy.Thismeansthat,unless anextensionisallowedduetoextenuatingcircumstancesbytheinstructor,nolate workatallisaccepted.Homeworkthatislatereceivesazero.Amajorassignment likeaprojectthatislatereceivesazero.Thiscanseriouslydamageastudent’s grade(especiallyifgradesareweighted)aswellasthestudent’smoraleandtheir performance.
Ofcourse,thosewhoargueonthesideofnotacceptinglateworksaythatit teaches the student responsibility, punctuality, and accountability. The explanationforthisisthatifstudentsneverlearnthesequalitieswhentheyare young,whatwillhappenwhentheymissdeadlinesintherealworld?
Well,inthe“realworld”,noonegetsfiredforarrivinglatebecausetheircargota flattire.Whensomethingisdonewrong,youdoitagainuntilyougetitright.Next time,it’lltakefewerattempts-orevenjustthefirst-becauseyoulearnedhowto doitrightlasttime.Ifthefirstattemptisbad,itisnotleftatthat.
Workshouldtesttoseewhatstudentsretainfromtheirteachingsandidentify what they’re missing. School in its current state with hard, uncompromising deadlinesandone-attemptwin-or-loseassignmentscanonlybuildaterriblework ethic. The true purpose of school is to teach students and help them succeed. Teachingthemthattheirwork-nomatterhowgood-doesnotmatterifitislateis notteachingthemtosucceed.
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Infact,manystudentswillnotevenattempttocompleteworkiftheyknowit willbelate.However,acceptinglateworkevenwithapenaltyhasasignificant effectonstudents.Oneteacher(whoonlyimplementeda“nolatework”policy) modifiedoneofherclasseswithatenpercentdeductionfortardinesspolicyfor workthatwasuptoaweeklate.Shewasastoundedandcommentedonhow muchhappierherstudentsseemedandhowtheyseemedtobemasteringthe materialbetter.
Theinstructoralsohastoconsiderthatastudent’slifedoesnotrevolvearound school.Theymaybeworkingajoborbehandlingfamilialobligations.Clemency not only fosters good relationships between teachers and students but also allowsstudentstobemoreopentolearningandimprovestheirperformance. ResearchatStanfordfoundthatthenegativeeffectsofhomework(averagingout atthreehoursanightforhighschoolstudents)includeextremestress,sleep deprivation, general reduction in health, and social alienation. Furthermore, seventypercentofstudentssaythattheyare“oftenoralwaysstressedabout schoolwork”,andawhoppingeightypercentreportedthattheyhadatleastone majorhealthsymptom(includingheadaches,weightloss,andstomachpain) duetothisintensestress.Hasschoolreallygottensoheartlessthattheyprefer anessayontimeoverthehealthofastudent?
Butthisdoesn’tmeanthatteachersshouldacceptalllatework.Forexample,the outlineofanessayshouldnotbeacceptedaftertheessayitselfisturnedin.But thereareothermethods.(Asalways,teachersshouldalwayskeepthemselves personable and allow students to approach them with extension requests)
Penalties like the aforementioned ten per cent deduction for tardiness still rewardstudentsforbeingontimewhilenotabsolutelydemotivatingstudents forlatework.Thisisalsoaflexiblepolicyinthattheinstructorcantailoritto theirneeds-perhapstheyhaveatenpercentdeductionforuptothreedays, andthenafiftypercentdeductionforuptoaweek.Additionally,another
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methodistousepositivereinforcement.Perhapsstudentswhoturnedinall theirworkontimeinthegradingperiodcanreceiveextracreditandboosttheir grades. A different alternative is to reward the class (or all classes) who cumulativelyhavenolatework.Notonlydoesthisgivestudentsmotivation,it alsoprovidesthemwithafriendlysenseofcompetition.
And if you don’t believe that students can get competitive, then you have obviouslyneverseenthemplayKahoot.
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Where Did the Milk Come From: A Poem
Maiya Lopez, Copy Editor
Wheredidthemilkcomefrom
Whosawacow
Sawitsfleshy,baggy,udderswinging
Toandfro
Andwantedtosqueezeit
Andproceededto
Tastethewhiteliquidfromit
Anddecideditwasdelicious
Andnutritious
Wheredidthemilkcomefrom?
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Quarter Zips
Greg Santos, Design Editor
Asweapproachtheendofwinterandinchtowardthebeginningofspring,the wardrobechangewillstarttochangeslightly.However,onewardrobechange won’tbenecessary,andthat’sthewearingofquarterzips.QuarterZipscanbe wornineverysingleseason,andareversatileinsituationslikehiking,tennis, golf,waterresistance,andevenjustrelaxingathome.Herearesomereasons whyquarterzipsareoneofthebestwardrobepiecesforanyonetohaveintheir collection.
QuarterZips,unlikehoodiesandcrewnecks,haveaquickdrytechnologyto them. If you ’ ve ever had an article of clothing drenched in sweat and are nowherenearadryermachine,youunderstandtheunforgettablesituationthat entangles.Thistechnologymakescrewneckssuitableforactivewearlikehiking, tennis,orthegym,duetohowthefabriccandrymoistureveryquicklybeforeit botherstheonewearingit.
QuarterZipsarebreathableandverylightweight.Thisisthekeyofthequarter zipthatmakesitsoversatileforanyseason.Sinceitisalongsleevepieceof clothing,itcanbeworninfallandwinterwithalayer,alongwithsomepants. Andsincethey’reofalighterweight,theycanbepairedwithshortsinthespring or summer with no layers under. They can look casual or sophisticated, dependingonthepiecesyousurrounditwith!
QuarterZipshaveanothertechnology,calleda4-waystretch.Fabriccomesin thefour-way,two-way,andone-waystretch.Thisbasicallyentailshowafabric canstretchandrecoverfromthatmovement.Whenconsideringafabric’slength and
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width,ifthefabriccansuccessfullyrecoverfrombothofthosearealstretches,it containsafour-waystretch.Sincepeoplewanttheirclothestoberesilientand longlasting,fourwaystretchisrecommended,andquarterzipshavejustthat.
Quarterzipsarealsoanti-odor.Artificialandmanmadefabricslikepolyester carryodorveryeasily,andareknowntotrapunwantedodorfrombacteriaon yourbody.Fabricslikebamboofromaquarterzipdotheopposite,astheyhave naturalantibacterialpropertiesthatcontrolodorverywell.Thismakesquarter zipsavailabletowearinsweatysituations,likesportsorthegym.
QuarterZipsareaclearchoiceifyouwantaversatileandhighperformance pieceofclothinginyourwardrobe.Thisall-seasonpieceofclothingcanbeworn inmanydifferentsportsliketennisorgolf,outdooractivitieslikehikingor fishing,andcanalsobecasualduringasummerhangoutwithyourbuddies.If you only limited your closet with hoodies and T-shirts, it’s time to make a changeandcopaquarterzippulloverinyourcollection.
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Why Crewnecks are Better than ¾ zips
Ryan O’Sullivan, Content Editor
There’ssomethingspecialaboutputtingonacrewneck.Beitifyouaregoingout foraserenewalkbythepond,orifyouhavetoattendaformalbusinessmeeting andyouneedsomethingtowearunder.Thecrewneckisalwaysdependableand evenbetterthanthat,italwayslooksgood!Onemightbeinacertainmoodto putacrewneckon,butonceyouputiton,yougetarushofpositiveemotion through your body as you inspect your outfit in the mirror. Truly there is nothing like the comfort, versatility, and overall appearance of a crewneck sweater.
MycounterpartGregwilltrytotellyouthata¾zipupjacketisamoreeffective articleofclothingwhenitcomestocomfort,versatility,andoverallappearance. Iamheretotellyouthatheiswrong,andthathisclaimiscompletelybaseless. Versatility,noarticleofclothingbesidesmaybethebluejeancanbearguedtobe asversatileasthecrewnecks.Crewnecksarethereforyouwhetheryouwantto dressupordressdown.IcanrelyonthecrewneckbecauseIknowthatitssoft lookwilllookgoodwithsweatpantsorjeans.Anypairofpantsbasicallycanbe complimentedbythesubtletextureofthecrewneck.¾zipsontheotherhanddo notpossessthisfeature.
Ifyoumakethechoicetoweara¾zip,youareprobablygoingtobeconfined intothespaceofjeansorworkpants.Wearinga¾zipisbasicallytellingyourself thatyouarerefusingtodressdownfortheday.Additionally,crewnecksare moreversatilebecauseyouseeeveryonewearingthem.Forexample,Iwouldn’t besurprisedifIsawalandscaperoranentrepreneurwearingacrewneck,butI feelthatthiscannotbesaidforthe¾zip.
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ComfortisoneofthemostimportantthingsIthinkaboutwhenIdecideto dress.Ifapersonislookingforacomfortablearticleofclothing,looknofurther thanthecrewneck.Youcandresswithbasicallyanyoutfit,whilefeelingsnug whereveryougo.The¾zipisanunpredictablefit.Sometimesitfitstootightto yourchestortootightaroundyourneck.Iamnotheretosaythat¾zipsarean uncomfortablepieceofclothing,buttheydefinitelycanbe.
Lastly,theoverallappearanceofacrewneck.Ibelievecrewneckstobeoneofthe sevenwondersoftheworldduetotheirwearability.Crewneckscanfitwithany typeofaestheticthewearerisgoingfor.Theyaretrulyathingofbeauty.The¾ zipdoesnotachievethissamefeel.Tome,whenIweara¾zip,IfeelasthoughI amabouttobesentonmywaytocoachayouthbasketballgame,nothingless, nothingmore.
IhopethereadertakesintoaccountwhyIamunderthebeliefthatcrewnecks aresuperiorto¾zips.Truly,theevidenceandrationalecan’tbetestifiedagainst ifyoureallylookatit.
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Fav Ice Cream Flavors
Sophia Trapp, Staff
TheaverageAmericaneats13poundsoficecreamayear.Icecreamhasmany helpfulnutrientsandcanbeagreatsourceofenergy.Withthatthereareso manyflavorsandtoppings.Thereareover1000flavors.Thismakeschoosing onedifficult.Buttherearealwaysnewflavorstotry.Andyou'reboundtolike someofthem.Andtherearesomanypeopleeatingtheirfavoriteflavorsona dailybasis.IceCreamflavorsaresocontroversial.Everyonehastheiropinions.
Frommypersonalexperience,mintchocolatechipisthebestflavoroficecream. Ithaschocolate,butnottoomuch,andithasthemint,whichisdelish.Whatever icecreamflavoryoulikebestiscompletelyopinionbutalsocontroversial.The mostpopularflavorsIhearaboutaremintchip,cookiedough,cookies,toffee, birthdaycake,pistachio,androckyroad.Andofcoursetherearetheclassic flavorslikevanilla,chocolate,andstrawberry.Thereareendlessamountsof flavors.
PersonallyI’mnotafanofsomeofthemliketoffeeandpistachio.I'mjustafan ofsweetericecreamsandoneswithalittlebitofchocolate.ButI'mnotafanof justplainchocolateicecream.Sometimesyoucanfindsomeunderratedhidden gemsofflavorsatcertainstores.
Anexampleofanunderratedflavorismatcha.Thisiswhyitissocontroversial; ithonestlycomesdowntoifyouliketheflavor.Somepeoplehatematcha,while somepeopleloveit.It'salsogreattofindthechocolatebarflavoredicecream. Like,theoneswithTwixorSnickersorReese'spieces.Youcanfindthematmost stores,butsometimestheyaren'ttherebecausetheyaren'taclassicflavorofice cream.
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Therearealsoalotoflimitededitionflavors.Dependingontheseasonand holiday, they might have a holiday flavor, like pumpkin spice for fall or Christmascookiesforchristmasandsoon.Theyalsohavethelimitededition GirlScoutflavorsduringspring.Soyoucangetyourfavoritecookieinabowlof frozengoodness.Overalltherearesomanyflavorstochoosefrom,andyoumay notlikeallofthem,buttherearesomanyotherchoicesifyoudon'tlikeone. There'salwaysmoretochoosefrom.
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Doubt
Ailidh Ruthven, Staff
Searingawaymyskin
Baringmybones
Revealinganemptyribcage
Therearenoorganshere
Noheart
Justapuppet,adoll
Nolifetomyeyes
Notruthtomyvoice
Justahollowvessel
Withamouthtospeak
Butnowordstosay
There’sapeninmyhand
Butnowordsonthepage
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How to Deal with the Sudden Loss of a Pet Cadence Rinelli, Staff
Petsaresomeofthemostspecialanimalsinmostpeople’slives.They’reafurry friendthatcanhelpwithemotionalsupportorallowthemtoexercisemore. Mostpeopleconsidertheirpetsasapartoftheirfamilies.Assomeonewhowas–andstillis–anti-social,petswereawayformetobesocialandmakefriends withouthavingtounderstandthecomplexityofhumanemotions.Whichmeans Ialsounderstandhowawfulitcanfeelwhenthey’resuddenlytakenfromthe world. Recently my dog, Rufio, passed away due to an aggressive form of lymphoma,atypeofcancerinthelymphnodes.Hedeterioratedinfrontofme inonlythreeweeksbeforehewasputdown.I’mstillnotoverit;however,Ihave a few tips for those who’re also struggling with a sudden loss to make the grievingprocessalittleeasier.
OneofthethingsthatIfirstfoundmyselfstrugglingwithwastheinitialshock.I couldn’treactorfeelanythingforroughlyfourdays.Theshockperiodcanvary frompersontoperson,andsomemightnotevenexperienceitatall.Duringthis timeIfoundithardtoeatanddifficulttointeractwithpeople.WhatIdidwasI madealistofsmallthingsthatIcoulddototakecareofmyself,liketakinga smallshowerandonlywashingmyhair,orgettingsomeonetodrivetoastoreto buysomeofmyfavoritesnacksanddrinks.Littlethingsthatwouldn’tbetoo muchenergyforme,butwouldallowmetotakecareofmyselfandfindalittle comfort.TakingmomentstolistentomusicwhenIwasalonealsohelpedfillin thevoidofsilence.IfIdidn’tfeellikephysicallytalkingtopeople,I’dtextthem forabitabouthowIwasfeeling.Nothingtoodifficult,butitalsoallowedfor peopletoknowhowI’mdoingorifIneededhelp.
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ThenextthingIhadtodowasgothroughtheguiltIfeltafterwards.Ifacedalot ofguiltrevolvingaroundifIcould’vehelpedmydogmoreorifIhadnoticed soonermaybetherewouldbemoreIcoulddoforhim.It’sdifficulttohandle alone,soIsuggesttalkingtotrustedfriendsorfamilymembers.Forme,thiswas mymom,whounderstoodhowIwasfeelingandcomfortedmewhenIneededit. ThatsenseofrelatabilityhelpedmefeellessalonebecauseItalkedaboutit. Somethingalsothathelpedmewassittingdownatsomepointduringtheday andspendingtimerelaxing.Justremindingmyselfthattherewasn’tanywayfor metostopthisfromhappening,andthatRufiowasn’tsufferinganymoreandhe wasn’tinanymorepain.Thishelpedonlyalittle,butitmademefeelalittleless miserableaboutit,too.
Thenextstagewasthewaveofdepressionafterward.Ifounditmuchmore difficulttotakecareofmyselfaswellasfindingmyselfnotwantingtotalkwith people anymore. I suggest taking time away to recuperate. I don’t suggest isolation,buttakingadayortwotojustbealoneisalwaysgood.Itcanhelp someone clear their thoughts and process the situation. Maybe spend time playingvideogamesorwatchingmovies.Thistimeperiodisthemostdifficult, becauseduringthisperiodthere’sbarelyenoughenergyormentalwilltodo basictaskslikehygieneandeating.Unfortunately,forcingthebodytogetupand dostuffistheonlywaytogetitdone,whichtakesalotofencouragementfrom themindtodoso.Iftherearealsootherpetswithinthehousehold,I’dalso spendtimewiththemaswell.It’srelaxingtohangoutwiththem,anditcan serveassomeemotionalsupportforthem.Animalsmaynoticetheabsenceof theirfriend,sotheymayalsobestrugglingtoadjusttothischange.
Emotions in this stage are wild and unpredictable, which is understandable consideringthesituation.Ifoundmyselfbitteratpeoplewhohaddogsandhow happytheywerewiththem.IwasjealousofthefacttheyhadsomethingIlost, andithurttoseethemlivelifesohappilywhileIhadtosufferwithlosingmy dog.TheonlyadviceIamabletogiveforthisistoletsomeofitout.
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WheneverIwasangryorsad,Iwouldeithercryorventaboutittoafriend.It doesn’tsolvetheanger,butitfeelsbettertoletitoutthenkeepitin.Andtrust me,therearepeoplewhoarewillingtolisten.
I’mnotanexpertbyanymeanswhenitcomestothisstuff.I’mstilltornupby Rufio’sdeath,andsometimesIforgethe’sstillgone.Thesilenceinmyhousehas beenhauntingmeforweeksnow.ThosesixyearsofmylifethatIsharedwith himaresomeofthebest,andhewasoneofthebestdogsIcould’veeverasked for.Ifeelawfulthathediedyoungandinpain,butIatleastknowhediedwith thepeoplehelovedaroundhim.Itwon’tbesmoothsailing,notforalongtime, butIcansayitgetsalittlemorebearableeachday.
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Sacramento Kings Success in 2023
Evan Gentil, Staff
TheSacramentoKingsareaprofessionalbasketballteam.Theyarelocatedand play in Sacramento, California. Their home arena is the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento. Every year they compete in the NBA’s Western Conference, but this year ' s success has been a surprise to many. They are succeedingformanydifferentreasons.TheKingshave21winsand18losses49 gamesintotheNBAseason.Thisisafeatthattheyhavenotaccomplishedsince theyear2004.ThishasbeenahugesurprisetoallNBAfansallovertheworld. Thereareseveraldifferentcomponentstothissuddensuccesssincenotmaking theplayoffsduringthe2006NBAseason.
ThehiringofformerGoldenStateWarriorsassistantcoachMikeBrownandthe offseasonacquisitionsofMalikMonkandKevinHuerterhaveeachplayeda huge role in the teams overall offensive numbers. With Center Domantas Sabonisaveragingadoubledoublepergame,theKingshavewhatsomewould callthesecondorthirdbestcenterintheNBA.PointGuardDe’AaronFoxis playinglikeanallstaraveraging24pointspergame.RookieKeeganMurrayis doingwhateverheisaskedoffthebench.VeteranHarrisonBarnesisplaying great defense and nice offense. Second year player Davion Mitchell has establishedhimselfasatoptierdefenderinthisleague.
Withallofthesedifferentcomponents,thisteamisdestinedforsuccessandonly timewilltell.Untilthen,wekingsfansmustcontinuetorootandcheerforour favoriteteam.Inconclusion,itisgreattoseethisteamfinallysucceedandsell outtheirarenaforthefirsttimeinalongtime.Withplayoffsinsuchashort reach,weshallwaitandseehowtheseasongoes.Untilthen,GOKINGS!
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Anyway,aftersomextremetubing,wealldecidedtogoiceskatingandthat wentwell.TheCalifornianssuckedforsure,butwearestillbetterthan90%of Californiasothat'sawininmybook.WeheadbacktowardsCharlie’shouse, whichisabout45minutesoutsideofDenver.Day1inColoradowasasuccess. WealsohadsomeofthebesthomemadetacoscourtesyofCharlie'smom.
December20thnottoomuchtosay.WesawalotofDenverthatdayandwentto anaquarium,withsomecoolanimalsandjustastandardaquarium.Itdidn't reallymattercausewewereallspendingtimetogetherwhichisallthatmatters. After the aquarium we went to one of the nicest malls in America, in my opinion,calledParkMeadowsMall.IwishwehadthisoneCalifornia.Ohyea andonourwaythereweplayedsomethrowbackssuchasJacobSartorius.He hassomanyheadbangersofsongs!Wearriveatthemallandweimmediately ranintoagirldesperateforsomenicotinewhoasksHenry,Charlie,andmeifwe havesomeshecan“hit”.Wesounddisappointedwhenansweringno,soshe wouldhopefullypassbyus.Update:sheneverfoundsomeonewithnicotine. That'sday2wrappedup.Let'sgetintoourlastdayinColorado.
December21stwestartthedayoffwithplayingfootballoutsideandthrowing theballaround.Afterwe'redone,Henry,Purok,andIallgetatextmessage sayingourflighthasbeencanceledfortoday.Thisisprettyfunnybecauseof howwewereallsayingwedidn’twanttogoback.Well,wegotourwishandwe rescheduledourflightsforthenextday.Weallwenttoarockclimbinggymand climbedsomecoolrocks,asyoucanimagine.TopGolfwasournextdestination, andthisiswheremyCaliforniantookovermeandIworeshorts…inColorado… atnight.ThisnightwasthenightalovelystormwassupposedtohitColorado, andIwasinshortsandasweatshirt,outside.YeaprettycoldandIwas100% sufferingthroughthishourofgolfingwithmypals.Thisdayendsoffwithall6 ofusgoingtoCarson’shouseforalatenighthottubseshwiththeboys.
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How I survived Colorado
Connor Athey, Staff
Saturday,December17th,2022isthenightbeforearollercoasterofaboys’trip isabouttobegin.TenPMcomesaroundandbothofmyfriends,Purokand Henry,arriveatmyhouse.We’reallecstaticforthenextday,whichistheday weleaveforthebeautifulDenver,Colorado.TwoAMSunday,December18th camearoundandIwokeuptoasnoringPurokandaballedupHenry.Iwoke thembothupandweallgotreadytoleaveforSacramentoInternationalAirport. Ourflightleftat5:25AM,andsoourjourneybeganinDenver.
WearriveinDenverandgotogetourluggagefromthedropoff.Weeagerlywait toseeourluggagecomeoutofthedispensary.Wecontinuewaiting,andwaiting, andwaiting.Bynowwearestartingtogetworriedandgotocustomerservice, untilaladyaskswhatflightwegotoffandtellsusthatourluggageshouldbeina differentclaim.Weallwalkoverthereandfinallysnagupourluggage,andthe anxiousnessdropsbackdowntozero.It'sfinallytimetostartourtripandmeet upwithourfriendCharliewhopicksusupattheairport.
December19thweallwokeupatCharlie’sparentshouse,andwestartedtoplan foroursnowdayintheKeystoneMountains.Purok,HenryandIaretheonly Californiansthere.Carson,Charlie,andJacksonareourtourguidesofthestate andalsoourfriends(Iguess).InKeystonewewenttubingdownthishill,which weweretotallysafedoing(shakingheadlefttoright).Carson,ourdaredevilof thegroup,wentdownthehillon3tubesandmanagedtomakeitalmostallthe waydownuntilhefellflatonhisface!Thereisonemorethingwedidwhile tubingcalledxtremejack***whichwasonetubeandsixguys.Youcanimagine howthatwent.
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December22ndnowwearegettingintohoweverythingstartstogowrong. HenryandIwokeuptoatextsayingtheflightwascanceled…again.Allright,it wascoolthefirsttimeandnowitlookstobelikewearegettingtrappedin Coloradobecauseofthestorm.HenryandIspendasolidhourtryingtofigure outwhatwe'regonnado.Purokontheotherhandgetstoleavetoday(luckyorso wethought).Todaywespenttimemessingaroundinthefreshsnow,untilwe eventuallydroppedPurokoffattheairportandsaidgoodbyeandgoodluck. Well,Purokwasgonnaneedit.I'llelaborateinabit.HenryandIbothgotontwo separateflightsandwereleavingthenextdayonthe23rd.Thedayendswithus goingtothegymforabitandwatchingmovies.
December 23rd is two days past what we were supposed to be here for. Christmasisrightaroundthecornerandmoraleislow.Wedon'twanttomiss Christmaswithourfamilies.Wespentthedaypackingourstuffandgetting readytoleavefortheairport.Noflightshavebeencanceledandwearestarting tohaveaChristmasmiracle.Igetdroppedofffirstataround4:00,andHenry getsdroppedoffataround8:30.Thisisnottheendofthechaos;it'sonlyjust beginning.
Let’sgetbacktoPurok.Soheleftonthe22ndandwassupposedtomakeitback that night in Sacramento. Well, let's just say the Christmas Miracle wasn't strongenough.HegotstrandedinSpokane,Washingtonandhadtospendthe nightinthatairporton22nd.HefinallygetsonaflighttoSacramentoandwhen hearrives,theylosehisluggageinDenver(likeIsaidhewasgonnaneedthat luck).SoPurokishomeandsafewithhisfamilyonthe23rd,soweareat33% successrateofthistripsofar.
Now for my experience with air travel during the holidays…it was fantastic (not).Iarriveattheairportonlytofindoutmyflighthasbeendelayedsomuch thatmylayoverwouldhavebeenmissedinthenextairport.Afterabout30 minutesoftryingtoswitchflights,IgetonaflighttoUtah
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andthentoSacramentofromthere.Soundsgoodright;justwaititgetsbetter. Mid-flighttoUtahmyflighttoSaciscanceled.Themissionisnotyetover,and soIgetoffthatflightandtheonlyflightIcangetistoSanJoseInternational.
TwohoursfromSacramento,mindyou,andit'sabout2AMthe24thbythetime Igetback.Ioweittomysisterfordriving2hoursthereand2hoursback.I'm finallyhomeluggageandeverything,ourrategoingupnow66%success.Nowto thelastmemberofourgrouptomakeithome.
Henryarrivesattheairportandhehasadirectflighthome,sonottoomuchto worryaboutright.Well,let'ssee,Henrywillbesittingintheairportforabout2 hoursmorethanheshouldhave.Henryfinallyboardsat12:15PMESTand makesithometoSacramentoatabout1:30AMPST.Thisisalsothe24thof DecemberwhenHenryandIgetback.Wehaveallsurvivedtheholidaycrisisin Denver.
Let’srecapwhathashappened.AwesometriptoDenvertoseeourboysfrom Colorado.WemadememoriesthatwilllastalifetimeandIwouldn'ttakeitback foranything.Afterallofourfun,wegethitwithataskofleavingDenverbefore Christmas.Purokisthefirsttoleaveandgethome.Iamthesecondtogethome whiletravelinghalfofthewestcoastwhileI’matitandmakeitbacksecond. HenryisthelasttogethomewithadirectflighttoSacramentoandmakesit backthird.Whatdidwelearnfromthisexperience?Well,flyingiscursed,flying duringtheholidaysisgoingtomakeyourlifealivinghell,andlastbutnotleast, wewoulddoitalloveragainifitmeanttoseeourboysfromanotherstate.I hope you enjoyed reading this and hope you can learn from our mistakes. Goodbye.
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The Silence That Comes After
Spruce Rants-Bigam, Staff
MylifecanfirmlybesortedintoaBeforeandAfter.TheBeforewasthetime withmyfamily,filledwithlightandjoy-andtheAfterbeganthedayIwassent tothefrontlines.Iwasonlyseventeenatthetime,butthewarhadclaimed many,andournumbersweredwindling.MybrotherandIweredraftedinthe sameweekend-onlyhewentsouthwiththerestofthementowardstherefuge totendtothewoundsofthosewhohadfallen.Wehadnotwantedtojointhe war,myfamilyhadalwaysbelievedindiplomacyandpacifism,butunderthe eyesofourquicklyfailinggovernment,virtuesandmoralsdidnotmatter.
Whenyouthinkofwar,likelythelastthingyou’dthinkofissilence.Butfor someonewhosurvives,evenforashorttime,it’sallyoucanthinkof.Duringthe fighting,theairwasfilledwithscreams,crying, begging.Andthosesoundswill hauntyoufortherestofyourlife.Buttheworstthingaboutwarwasthesilence thatcameafterwards.Aftertheleadrainstopped,afterthelastsoldierfelltoher knees,just,after.WhentheAftercamesodidthesilence-silencelouderthan anyother.Toanyonewhohappeneduponthesceneofmyselfstaringatthe remnantsofmycomrade’scampsite,theywould’veheardnothingbutthesoft cracklingoftheembersslowlydyingafterconsumingourbelongingsandthe deafeningdrip,drip,drip ofmybloodasitrandownmyfaceandhitthemangled canteenbeneathme.
Buttome,allIcouldhearwasthescreamsoffallingcomradesandfriends,the yells of the enemy as they approached, and the deafening boom as another mortarlandedjustfarenoughfrommethatIcouldseeasmypeoplewentflying.
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Peoplewhoknewthiswarwaslostbeforeitbegan,peoplewhoneverwantedto behere,peoplewhojustwantedtoseetheirfamiliesagainwhoneverwould, theywouldneverseeeachotheragaintherewasnomorelaughterorsmilesor joy
I can still feel the clammy flesh of the dead covering me, the putrid stench invadingmynose.Myearsringing,theblastechoinginmyhead.TheTinkerines musthavepiledusupsotheycouldmovetheirtroopsmoreeasilythroughthe carnage.
I couldn’t believe how I managed to survive the onslaught and stacking. Tinkerineswereknownfortheirbrutality;theydidnotbelieveinprisonersof war,orevensurvivors.Icouldseewheremanyofmypeoplehadtheirthroats slashed-bloodcoatingthemandthosebeneaththem.Idesperatelyclawedat thebodiesaroundme,scramblingforpurchase,tryingtopullmyselfawayfrom them.ItwasthenthatIbecameawareofthepainwrackingmybodyandmy bloodsoakedclothes.Ihadbeencaughtinamortarblastwhentryingtodrag one of my groupmates to safety, and my shoulder paid the price. My left shoulder(mydominantarmohgodwhatwouldIdowhen-if-Igothome)was practically cooked, flesh hanging off my shoulder blade, and what was left attached was burnt and blackened, covered in blisters and blood. I finally realizedthestenchthatsurroundedmewasn'tjustfromthepileofmydead sisters,butitwasme.AsItookintheimageofmymangledshoulder,Ifeltbile riseupinmythroat.LeaningmyheadoverasfarasIcould,Ifeltmystomach heave once more and promptly emptied the meager rations we’d gotten for breakfastonthebodiesaroundme.
Trembling,Iliftedmyrighthand,tryingtopushoffatleastoneofthebodies.I gaspedinpain,tearsflowingdownmycheeks,mixingwithblood,turningmy faceintoasaltypinkmess.Iletmyarmfalllimpagain,
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takingamomenttoscream.Thiswasn’tfair.I’dneverwantedtobehere,Inever supported this war. And now, here I am, lying in a pile of my dead sisters, possiblydisabled,notknowingifIwouldevermakeithomeagain.
GodshowIwantedtogohome.Iwantedtoseemymother,helpherpaintanew setoffinedishwarefortheshop.Iwantedtoseemyfather,withhisheartyvoice andhugsthatsmelledofincenseandmyrrhnomatterhowlonghespentinthe hospitalsurroundedbyfoulsmellingantiseptics.Iwantedtoseemysiblings, heartheirstories,bandagetheirscrapedknees.AndohladiesabovedidIwishto seemyloveagain.BeautifulCedara,wreathedingoldenhuesofthemorning sunlight.Withhervoiceofhoney,eagerlywhisperinghowshecouldn’twaitfor ustobewivesoncewereachedourWorldlyAgeandthewarwasover-tobe joined under the eyes of our Goddesses, off to live with the Dear Europa’s blessings.
Itwasultimatelythethoughtofseeingmyloveagainthatmademetrymoving oncemore,inspiteofthepainemanatingfrommyshoulder.Ibeganshovingat thebodiesaroundme,tryingtoleveragemyselfoutofthepositionIhadbeen throwninto.EverytimeImanagedtopushoneoffme,itfeltlikethreemoregirls rolledovertocrushmyalreadydamagedshoulder.Swallowingascreameach time,Ipushedforwards,desperatetoseemyloveagain.
EventuallyIfreedmyself,immediatelyfallingtothebloodsoakeddirt.I’mnot surehowlongIlaidtherefor,beforeIfinallyforcedmyselftostandandgazeat theoncelushfields,nowsoddenwithriversofblood.DespondentlyIstumbled backtowardsmysquadron’sformercamp,fallingtomykneesasIreachedwhat wasleftofit.Ourtentshadbeensmotheredinashanddirt,fallentodisastrous heaps.Firehadravagedthearea,everythingwascoveredinsootandnearly unrecognizable.Forcingmyselftomyfeetoncemore,Ishuffledtowardswhere mycothadoncesat-onlytostopwhenmypreviouslypolishedboots,now coveredingrimeandblood,knockedsomethingmetaloutfromunder
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apileofdirt.Myeyesfelltoit,andtheyimmediatelybegantoswellwithtears.It wasmybrother'sgifttomebeforeweboardedourconvoys.Ithadbeenour father’sonce,beautifullyengravedwithourclanscrest,twocrowswithwings extendedtowardsachalice,withathickleatherbandtoattachittoarucksack. Hehadgiftedittomybrother,aswasthecustomonceaboyreachedmanhood. MymotherhadgivenmeatokenontheeveofmyGrowthDayaswell,asmall metaldisk,threadedwithtwineandstampedwithourfamily’smotto-With laughter,hope.Withjoy,success.Withgrief,progress.Ihadswappeditforthe canteen with my brother, hoping that against all odds the presence of each other’stokensmightgrantussomeofBlessedEuropa’ssafetyandprotection.
Nowthough,thecanteenhadbeensplitintotwojaggedhunks,rightbetween thecrows'extendedwings.Thechalicewasunrecognizable,andmyfather’s signatureonthebottomcouldn'tbeseen.I’mnotsurehowlongIstoodthere, with ringing ears and tear filled eyes, but eventually I registered someone behindme.Icouldheartheringingofbellsasthewindsweptovertheirfigure, andnumblyrealizedthatitwasamemberoftheTinkerines.NooneoftheSpars Clanwouldeverwearsuchtackygarbinaplaceofwaranddeath.Howdarethey treatthislandlikeanotherplaceforoneoftheirfoolishdances
Isupposeitdoesn'tmatterthough.NowthatI’vebeendiscovered,there'snoway I'llbeabletoleaveherealive.I'llneverseemyfamilyagain,neverhearhowmy brotherfareddownsouth,nevermarrythewomanIloved.DimlyIregistered theclickofahammerbeingpulledback,andrelaxedmyshoulders.Ifocusedon thedrippingofmyblood,sweat,andtearsfrommyfaceandimaginedthefaces of my loved ones, hopefully safe back home. There was a boom from right behindme,andthen everything
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went Silent.
Diana Cruz, Copy Editor