December 2017
investigator
the
Vol. 27, Issue 3
Pinching Pennies
see pages 10-12
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9/20/16 11:23 PM
On the Cover December 2017
investigator
the
Vol. 27, Issue 3
Pinching Pennies
see pages 10-12
Sarah Fernandez
Many students across the Valley struggle with more than their daily math homework. Take a look inside the Title I program and see how it affects students in the District.
in this issue This Issue news 6 Key to success Key club members host annual RTC conference on campus
sports
18
Nay to normal Student competes in unique sport
arts & entertainment
24 Battle of the boba
Neighborhood boba shops attract students
feature
7 Physics
Student receives award from the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists
13 Split in sides Students create clubs based on political views
28 31
opinion
To sit or stand Flag controversy sparks patriotic debate
editorial Money matters Students discuss the effects of money on education
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My dad would confuse us all the time so we had to be dressed differently every day.”
Brynne Hilton
Editor’s Note
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junior Garrett Avecilla
Sections
pg.
Pennies add up. They may be meaningless in the big picture, but when it comes down to it, those few cents matter. Among our staff, we noticed those pennies disguised as gems, and we decided they were worth writing about. In this issue we discovered new clubs that were created around hobbies and social interests in our news and feature sections. Also in our feature and sports sections, we acknowledged the students who won scholarships for their admirable test scores, leadership and athletic abilities. In our entertainment section, we uncovered the hidden gems located throughout our Valley as well as a week filled with both performing and visual arts. As you turn the pages in our third issue, we aspire you to recognize the meaningful stories that may not be easily seen. As a staff, we are honored to have the ability to cover the unique and important stories of students who walk the halls.
Junior Asia Siv performs during lunch on Dec. 7.
news
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feature
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sports
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arts & entertainment
21
photo essay
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opinion
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editorial
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in
brief. QUOTABLE What is your favorite part about Fine Arts Week?
Students
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“I love seeing the different kinds of arts that are in the school because I don’t think we see it often enough.” sophomore Melissa Olvera
Women’s varsity soccer captures Regional Title By Shila Sherafat After beating Canyon Springs 5-0 in the quarterfinals and Liberty 2-0 in the semifinals, the varsity women’s soccer team had their eyes set on Region Champions. On Nov. 4, after beating Coronado with a score of 2-0, the varsity women’s soccer team won the Sunrise 4A Region championship, held at Bettye Wilson Park. “My favorite moment was hearing the whistle blow in our regional game when we beat Coronado,” senior Taylor Paulsen said. After receiving their championship trophy from an NIAA official, the team headed their way towards state in Reno.
“My favorite part is I get to see my friends perform and show their talents. I also get to perform in Orchestra and it’s a lot of fun.” junior Benjamin Martin
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“Hidden talents come out that we don’t see normally. Fine Arts week represents things that kids can do without us even knowing about it.” senior Mark Minkoff
Staff
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“It gives the entire student body the chance to see every different aspect of the arts at [the school] from visual arts to performing arts.” art teacher Erica Wright
“I think we played pretty well. [Regionals and State] were pretty intense for the whole team,” Paulsen said. The team had not played for a state title since 2012. In Reno, the Gators lost their semifinal
in a shootout, 1-0 vs. McQueen. They ended their season with a record of 17-3-1. “We as a whole, played our hearts out,” Paulsen said. “We definitely showed that we came to play.”
From then on, students have to prove that they are an exceptional student through the online application in which they list activities and write a short essay.
great amount. “My goal since freshman year has been to go to college without going into debt. The scholarship that the University of Reno has offered me makes it so I can go away to college for free,” Ballardini said. If you win or lose, you still technically win. Both students have UNR on their radars. Sorkhab is only thinking of attending, but nonetheless, the school will definitely not regret accepting him. Although, the University of Southern California is a promising contender as well. “It is too bad I can’t have snow and the beach in one place,” Sorkhab said.
Students earn National Merit Scholarships By Anastasia Koulich
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Varsity women’s soccer wins Regionals on Nov. 4.
courtesy Taylor Paulsen
Reaching for the clouds is no easy feat, especially when it is concerned with a competitive academic environment. “National Merit is a grant that is awarded to a few, highachieving kids across the United States,” seni0r Drake Sorkhab said. Such a prestigious award as the one previously mentioned is a remarkable deed as only a couple of students from each school around the valley are awarded. “Some people think it is pretty fancy, but it depends on where you go. Most people do not actually care if they win the money, they just like to say that they made it to the finals,” Sorkhab said. To be in the running, you need to take the PSAT during junior year and score high. Scoring high means scoring in the top 1% of your state. “Nationwide, this is 16,000 high-achieving high school seniors,” senior Megan Ballardini said. Of the 16,000 students, 15,000 move on to become finalists, and of that 15,000, 7,500 students get a $2,500 scholarship.
Merit is a grant “National that is awarded to a few,
high-achieving kids across the United States Drake Sorkhab
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NEWS
Colleges are greatly impressed by such an accomplishment. Even if a student is only a finalist, schools cut tuition by a courtesy Megan Ballardini
Senior Meghan Ballardini, senior Casey Li and senior Drake Sorhab are awarded National Merit Scholarships on Nov. 13
news 05
Cross country runs to the finish line This year, the men’s crosscountry team punched their fourth straight ticket to State, with regional individual champion senior Milton Amezcua leading the way. They won the class 4A Sunrise Regional meet on the morning of Friday, Oct. 27 at Veterans Memorial Park. The win marked the fourth straight year that they captured the Sunrise Region Championship. At State, Amezcua was the top Southern finisher in fourth place
with a time of 17 minutes and 15 seconds at the Shadow Mountain Sports Complex in Sparks on Nov. 4. Senior Martin Nelson finished 17th in the Sunrise Region meet. Seniors Jesus Narciso, Nelson, and Amezcua were the captains of this year’s team. Amezcua and Narciso have both been on the team since their freshmen year and Nelson joined his sophomore year. They have been able to experience meeets and championship meets together. “With cross country, you need to have teammates to help you
courtesy Bud Beam
succeed with your goals and the team’s goals, especially being a first year runner. I remember my first championship meet. I couldn’t have done it without support from my teammates,” Nelson said. The women’s team sent three athletes to state, and they agreed that the bonds that form in the sport are essential to the program’s success.
“Mr. Beam is like a second
father to me and he is always trying to look out for me. Milton Amezcua
Cross country men’s team with their Regional title on Oct. 27.
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By Gabriella Ghasserani
“From freshman year I was the new one and I didn’t know what I was doing so I looked to upperclassman for good leadership. From there on I saw how they brought the team together and remembering that and going through different experiences have helped me to become a better leader,” Junior Mia Smith said. Smith, Sophomore Rian An-
derson, and senior Annabella Gornet-Felix went to state and out of the 78 girls they finished in 32nd, 53rd and 57th places respectiviely. Newcomers genuinely look up to returners for support and encouragement. “The returning runners are super supportive to me being a first time runner because they know how hard it can be to be,” junior Trent Galicia said. Not only does having good teammates help, but coaching can play a big factor in how a team does. Social Studies teacher Demetrius Beam is in his third year as the cross country coach. “Mr. Beam is like a second father to me and he is always trying to look out for me,” Amezcua said. “He lets me know on easy days it is okay to go easy, yet on hard days he will push me.” Coach Beam was very proud of this past season and cannot wait until next year. “It’s been a remarkable journey,” Beam said. “We have proven ourselves over and over again, and everyone has so much talent that we are able to face whatever challenges are thrown at us and still come out on top.”
New clubs play their way onto campus By Alyssa Hulse Smash Bros Club was created by students who love to play Super Smash Bros. English teacher Sydney Venable is the advisor for this club. However, Venable was not the original advisor. “I inherited it when my student needed a place to meet,” Venable said. Last year, the club competed in a citywide competition. They went as a team and had a great turn out. Sophomore Charles Sakmar is the new president of Smash Bros Club. “I joined the club to play with my friends because it’s a really fun game that I enjoy,” Sakmar said. In the club students bring and set up their own consoles and
play any game they like with their friends. Students bring their controllers and their games and play. Math teacher Brent Okamura advises the club for students who love Ping-Pong. President junior Grayson Boyce and co-president junior Chase Johnson established the club at school to share the love of the game with other people. “It started with some boys who were interested in the sport and in playing Ping-Pong. They enjoyed the sport and they enjoyed the competition,” Okamura said. Both Boyce and Johnson hope to enter in a couple tournaments in Las Vegas and play against Coronado. “We love Ping-Pong. It’s a part of our lives,” Boyce said. Ping-pong is looking for a set place to practice and tables to
practice with. “Just grab a paddle. Everybody has to start somewhere,” junior Brian Casto said. Casto welcomes people who are unsure of joining Ping-Pong Club. Casto hopes to, in the fuSmash Bros Club members play games on Dec. 4.
Alyssa Hulse
ture, play against team members and other schools’ teams. Friends who wanted to bring ping-pong to school formed the team. Ping-Pong Club welcomes the most experienced players to the freshest novices.
06 news
T-Shirts for a strong cause Students create and sell shirts to raise money for Route 91 victims By Harley Barbre
After the Route 91 mass shooting on Oct. 1, schools all over the Valley came together to raise money to donate to the victims. Student Council made Vegas Strong t-shirts to sell and donated the proceeds. Senior Kyle Bowler, member of both student council and Gator Pride, has been working with math teacher Kelly Wagner to order and distribute them among students across the valley on Oct. 25. “After the event happened we were all looking for a way to help. We worked with Foothill to create the design of the shirts,” Bowler said. The money will be donated towards the Las Vegas victims GoFundMe account. So far, over 9,000 shirts have been ordered, sold and distributed. Student
body president, senior Madison Jensen, has been working alongside Bowler and Wagner to help with the Vegas Strong shirts. “A lot of people participated in the idea of the shirt. We had over 130 schools across the valley participate, and made over $60,000 on them,” Jensen said. “At the beginning we weren’t expecting it to be this big.” Jensen’s dad is a first responder and was able to spread the word of the shirts. Many of the responders bought t-shirts to support the victims. The event being so global, students and teachers caught the attention of Fox 5 news. “Being on the news made everything more surreal,” Jensen said. “It made me realize how big an impact the school is making.” Wagner and student council advisor Viviana Garner have put significant amounts of work and
effort into the making the shirts. “We found two companies that would work with us to create the shirts at the lowest price possible,” Garner said. The community bonded together to help the people affected
the end we have a spirit competition,” Key Club president, junior Jennele Nguyen said. Key Club is the high school level of Key Club International, a global service organization dedicated to improving communities. Members can participate in service events at the school, the community, or around the world. “Key Club is worldwide and there are so many amazing things that come from being a part of it, we get to do amazing projects and
services,” Bulletin editor, junior Benjamin Martin said. The Las Vegas Valley has 4 divisions for Key Club: 28 West, 38 North, 28 South and 28 East. All those divisions make up Region 5. Green Valley is a part of 28 East making them the Pandas.
by the shooting in any way they could. “When there is some type of tragedy, whether we’ve lost one of our own teachers or a student has passed away, we always come together really well,” Garner said.
Brynne Hilton
Senior Joey Hughes of Gator Pride helps to distribute Vegas Strong t-shirts in front of the theater on Nov. 2.
RTC is the key to school spirit Key Club participated in their annual Region Training Conference, known as RTC, on Oct. 28. Upwards of 2,200 Key Club students from across the county came to campus to share ideas, show school spirit and work on community service projects. “We host workshops to learn more about the community, make no sew blankets, make heat socks for the elderly and at Brynne Hilton
““Whatever we can do to
help out the community or the school, we’ll do it. It’s just so great, it’s why I love Key Club.” Jennele Nguyen
Key Club members cheer at the RTC spirit battle on Oct. 28.
The InvestiGator t GVHS
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By Brynne Hilton
Nevada is involved with the CH division which includes California, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. There are a total of 2,200 students at RTC and on average 75% of Key Club members sign up for RTC. “It is crazy seeing all members at RTC,” vice president senior Brooklyn Darmody said. “This is just a fraction of the members of Key Club, there are so many other members who could not make it.”
Each RTC has a theme and this year was Greek gods and goddesses. The school’s goddess was Demeter, the Goddess of Harvest. Members wore their club shirts along with an olive and gold tutu, flower crowns and face paint. “This is my favorite part,” Martin said. “It’s unique and we get to show our spirit and we have no shame in showing it.” At the end of RTC is the spirit battle. The goal is to win the spirit stick. During the spirit rally student perform dances, sing cheers and try to be the loudest. Eventually, schools get eliminated until there is one left standing. “We have so much spirit, it gets so hectic and loud and that’s what makes it fun,” Martin said. At the end of RTC, there is a dance in the quad. A DJ is hired and all the students dance together. Key Club is about having fun and showing school spirit, yet it is also about giving back to the community and helping those in need. “Whatever we can do to help out the community or the school, we’ll do it,” Nguyen said. “It’s just so great, it’s why I love Key Club.”
feature 07
Breaking the Laws of Physics O
ver the summer, junior Caleb Raduenz attended a science program at the National Academy of Future Leaders of Scientists and Technologists in Lowell, Massachusetts at the University of (NAFLST) Lowell from Jun. 29Jul. 2nd. The annual event is held in order to inspire kids with a passion for technology and science and to show students the successes and the failures of science and technology. NAFLST also gives students the ability to experience of a college environment. The college experience is given because all of the Science and Tech devotees that attend, stay in the dorms at the University of Lowell (UML). “I really enjoyed how we were staying on campus. At the same time, you were with your peers who have the same passion, so you could strike a conversation with anyone,” Raduenz said. Raduenz attended the event with a few other students from Foothill and Liberty. The students that attended were all science and tech activists.
“Most students were passionate about science and were happy to be there. The college atmosphere added to the experience and made the students more outgoing with each other. Because of the many lectures they were attending each day, they were able to talk about topics they are familiar with,” Raduenz said. Physics is a branch of science that deals with the properties of matter and energy. However, physics is different from chemistry and biology in that it includes light, heat and mechanics. “Physics is more of a question of ‘how’ rather than biology and chemistry, which ask ‘why,’” Raduenz said. Physics is often described as the most relevant science as it is used in everyone’s day to day life, and uses common sense to understand topics like momentum, acceleration, work, etc. “[Physics] is very relevant, and I think it covers a lot of things that are easy for students to understand. It blends itself so well with ordinary experiences that it’s easier to teach and relate to,” Physics teacher Scott Panik said. At camp Raduenz was able to
Brynne Hilton
Junior Caleb Raduenz poses with his finished egg drop project.
attend lectures with experienced speakers. Some of the speakers that were there were include former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the inventor of Segway Inc., and a few other nobel prize winners. “I really liked these speakers, they were fascinating to listen to,” Raduenz said. The event allowed Raduenz
“Igiant came home and I had a envelope in the mail. I only had the minimum GPA required for the program and we had to spend about $100 a month for the program.” Caleb Randuenz
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By Maycee Labo
to delve deeper into the physics world. Although he is taking physics this year, the program allowed for him to learn outside the science classroom, and listen to professors, whose knowledge would have been hard to reach without the help of the program. “I came home and I had a giant envelope in the mail. I only had the minimum GPA required for the program, and we had to spend about $100 a month for the program,” Raduenz said. Raduenz was given his Award of Excellence for his time spent at the National Academy of Future Scientist and Technologists. The National Academy of Future
Scientist and Technologists gives out this award to recognize students’ exceptional leadership qualities, academic qualities and dedication to the field of science and technology. Colleges often praise this award as it is said to show one’s talent in academics. “It’s usually a pretty big deal to receive an award like this, especially at a national conference,” physics and geoscience teacher Jonathan Guerin said. It is not often that an opportunity like this comes around, and many of the students and teachers at our school are proud to see on of our school’s students go on to follow their dreams and win awards in subjects they are passionate about. “I feel content because of the fact that I was able to get into the program. I also am just very happy that I got to go and gain some insight and experience from all the lectures that I went to,” Raduenz said. The award can help build Raduenz’s resume, therefore increasing his strength as a candidate applying for college and applying for scholarships. “I feel extremely proud of him. I feel pretty happy for him because he was able to go and experience an opportunity like that, one that not everybody gets to experience. He had the opportunity to go and meet with a variety of all the different scientists and speakers, so I think that’s a really cool thing for him,” Guerin said.
Raduenz discusses a problem with his project group.
December 2017
09 feature
“You have to be grateful for what is around you and
hug your friends tighter and just be appreciative of your family and the support you have. Max Johnson
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On Oct. 1, a mass shooting took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on the Las Vegas strip. This event had a powerful effect on student. Though it has only been one month after, people are doing everything to help the community and embrace the motto ‘Vegas Strong’. “[The shooting] affected Green Valley greatly. Whether it was someone you knew, like a teacher, a friend, a friend of a friend. It was a ripple effect. You really felt the impact from that person,” junior Emily McElhoes said. Helping out the community and giving back to the families who lost loved ones is important. First responders did everything possible to try and help the victims of the shooting. Off-duty officer, Charles Hartfield, lost his life while trying to save other victims. He was a National Youth Sports football coach who helped coach many of the football players whom are on teams currently. “When I first found out that an off duty police officer was killed, I was just hoping that it couldn’t be my coach and that everything is okay,” sophomore Stetler Harms said. “When I found out it actually was him, I just couldn’t believe it was real.” Hartfield was considered an inspiration to many young boys while he was coaching them. He changed their lives and helped shape them into the young men they are today. One of the biggest lessons he ever taught them was not how to catch a football and how to make a touchdown that could win them the game, but teaching kids how to treat other people and how to be respectful towards others. He had greatly impacted the hundreds of kids he coached and his loss will forever be in their memory. “This helped me grow in ways I didn’t know possible. Even out of something this terrible, I learned that something good can come out it. I went crazy thinking about
what happened. It felt like it wasn’t real, even [a month later] it doesn’t feel real,” freshmen volleyball coach Megan Lavoie said. Over 20,000 people were at the concert on Sunday night including Lavoie and counselor Max Johnson. At first, the concertgoers thought the gunshots were just fireworks that were part of the show. Then, screams were heard and more shots followed. The crowd ran in all different directions in panic trying to get out safely. People were hiding behind bleachers, inside of casinos and hotels, behind barricades and anywhere they could get that would protect them from the shots. There were even a few local hero’s who had put the safety of others before themselves and stopped to help people who were shot and struggling to walk to
get to a safe location. Many lives were lost in the attempt to help other keep their own. “My biggest fear was not knowing if I was going to make it out alive. ‘This is it, this is how it’s going to end.’ There was a fear of knowing that I was so close to being hit, knowing that I could I have been that close to death,” Johnson said. Many people are doing as much as possible to help, whether by giving blood to local blood banks or going down to hospitals to give food and water to people who need it. As a school and community, everyone is working to come together as one and do the most good for each other possible.
“I knew that [giving blood] would help out the community, and I have projects that involve community service, so I thought what is a better way to help out right now than to donate blood,” senior Joseph Rubinstein said. Assistant principal Ray Ortiz arranged a blood drive that was held on Nov. 29, on campus, by the United Blood Service. The blood drive was open to all students over the age of 17 and all community members. “We wanted to do something for the community to help replenish supplies that were used after the attack,” Ortiz said. “A lot of local blood banks stocks had been diminished and there was a lot of outpouring already going on, so the school wanted to give the opportunity for students to be involved in giving back.” This is the first time the United Blood service has been on campus in over 13 years the blood drive had over 60 students attend and they were able to meet the estimated goal of students participating. The United Blood Service ended up not bringing enough suppplies for all the students who wanted to donate. Due to running out of supplies, they plan on bringing more when they come back in February. Every one student who donated blood, gave enough to help supply blood to three people who need it. “It was something I could do to help out and Las Vegas really needed it. The supply was so low after the shooting, they really needed the blood,” senior Mitchell Durbin said “It is a great thing knowing that just me alone is able to save three people,” In addition to having the blood drive on campus, Ortiz arranged to have members of the United Blood Service come talk to students to explain the process of how the blood drive works and what happens to the blood once it gets donated. The United Blood Service requires that students under the age of 17 have parent perssion to participate and
have not gotten a tattoo in the past year. They also would highly recommend eating a good and healthy breakfast before donating. To replenish nutrients lost when drawing blood, different snacks and juices were offered to
“This has helped me grow in ways I didn’t even know possible. Even out of something terrible, I learned that something good can come out of it. Megan Lavoie
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By Victoria Rodriguez
those who participated. “I think we’re coming together pretty great. It was cool that our school started something for our community. That should be our number one priority right now, making sure that the community is coming together and helping each other out,” McElhoes said The shooting cost over 50 people their lives and injured hundreds more. Over 550 people were shot and taken to hospitals all over the city to recieve help. Traumatic events, like this one, have impact witnesses, the victims and first responders. Even people who were not personally affected by this shooting have made an effort to come down and help out the surrounding community as well. Bands such as Imagine Dragons, The Killers and Boyz to Men held a benefit concert during the weekend of Dec. 1 to help the victims and others in Las Vegas who were affected by the Route 91 shooting. “A big difference is getting back into the swing of things, as time goes everything is coming back to normal, but I will still have flashes of that night and I will for the rest of my life,” Johnson said. “You have to be grateful for what is around you and hug your friends tighter and just be appreciative of your family and the support you have.”
the
10 feature
DILEMMA between
poverty and funding
“When we first opened, we had a stereotyped reputation of being a ‘country club’ school.
By Sarah Fernandez & Shila Sherafat “I find myself worrying about where my family and I are going to sleep tonight and if my younger siblings have had enough to eat,” Suzanne Smith* said. Smith, among other students, must face the challenges that come with balancing school and financial struggles simultaneously. “Kids that have financial issues face the challenges of the possibility of not having a roof over their heads for the night or not having enough food in their stomachs,” Smith said. “I feel isolated from others because of the fact that other students talk about what they have and com-
plain about what they want instead of being grateful for what they have when most people do not even have half of the luxuries that they have.” Over time, the amount of schools in the Clark County School District has increased, making CCSD the 6th largest school district in the country. With a climbing enrollment of 314,000, the socioeconomic status of students is largely attributed to the growing valley. As for population, the school has 3,200 kids and counting, while the average number of students in high school in Nevada is 839, according to Ballotpedia. CCSD offers Title I HOPE, a federal program grants money to the District to help kids who
qualify for the McKinney-Vento law. Under this law, if students qualify under several temporary residence conditions, they are eligible for help through Title 1. The program focuses on academic achievement for homeless students and others in need. As students spend a majority of their educational career time with their teachers, these educators first handedly see the day-today endeavors. “[Title I] is real. A lot of our students do struggle,” social studies teacher Jason Rowland said. “I would say some students’ economic status is fairly low at the school. The average income of the students has changed. “ In fact, sometimes knowledge of kids enduring financial hard-
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Scott Ginger
ships is not readily known information to some. “We were in a faculty meeting, I think it was two years ago, where a statistic came out that we had all well over 30% of our kids qualified for free or reduced lunch and I think that startled a lot of people,” English teacher Scott Ginger said. Over time, the dynamics of the Green Valley area have substantially changed. “When we first opened, we had a stereotyped reputation of being a ‘country club’ school,” Ginger said. These new changes have occurred partially due to the aforementioned population increase. “We actually used to have students drive in better cars
feature 11 than teachers did, and it’s kinda changed. We would have people park outside of the parking lot because there were so many cars. Now, half the parking lot is full,” Rowland said. “New schools opening up and the growth of the valley [is the causation], you can only build so many houses around Green Valley and then you have to build new schools.” To help cope with some of these changes, Title I funding is given to districts, not to schools. The district then apportions it out to the schools that are Title I eligible. They decide where and how much the money goes, according to principal Kent Roberts. “Now, a few years ago, when I first became a principal in CCSD and I was at another school, they kind of decided to take all of, I’m guessing here this isn’t exact, but they took about 80 to 85 percent of that money to put all towards elementary schools,” Roberts said. “This was with the idea that if we can help the low-income kids that tend to struggle academically, not all but they tend to, but if we can help them stay on grade-level in elementary school then in middle school and high school they won’t be behind.” Title I funding requires a Title I plan that lays out how a school will utilize the funds they receive. “The budget for Green Valley High School, once you slice out the personnel cost which is about 92 to 93 percent of the budget at any school across the country, what’s left is $300 to $400,000. That’s a typical budget for a typical year here,” Roberts said. “I don’t know what the Title I budgets are some of the high schools in the district but I know it’s in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Within these plans, the school’s have to allocate certain amounts of the funding to different academic developmental facets. Such include teacher training, student and family engagement, and tracking student progress. The money given to the schools for their Title I budgets is often a very large sum. “I was at a middle school once it had 1,500 kids in it, and our Title 1 budget, not our school’s budget, our Title I budget was more than Green Valley High School’s entire budget. It’s a lot
of money,” Roberts said. The rest of the money in the Title I budget gives each particular high school some flexibility to do what they need or want. “For example, let’s say Green Valley became a Title I school,
and let’s say we got $300,000. With $300,000 you could hire anywhere between four and five additional teachers so you could lower class sizes,” Roberts said. Roberts gave a hypothetical situation where he explained how the money would be distributed or utilized within a Title I school. “Typically what schools do is, a teacher in our budget costs almost $83,000. So $249,000 for
from certain standards high schools set up. They try to set goals for test scores and graduation rate that can be tracked within their student population. Besides this, other schools can also use the funding to “Part of our plan one year was to reduce disciplinary events at our school because we had a lot of fights. Part of our plan was to bring in consultants to help kids who were troubled and we implemented a peer conflict-resolution. We started that program, which actually worked to a certain degree,” Roberts said. This whole tracking process can be very taxing on a school, thus Roberts said many schools choose to not receive the funding in the first place. “Title I funding, it’s good to have those resources but it’s also very time consuming to track the utilization of those resources,” Roberts said. These hypotheticals Roberts talked about are only just that, because Green Valley is not a Title I school; it receives no Title I funding. Despite this, there is still a significant number of kids in need. “We’re out of luck. The threshold for being Title I eligible as a school is when 40 percent of your students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Ours is about 39, and it fluctuates because kids come and go, but we’re knocking on the door,” Roberts said. The Title I money the District has must be distributed between 357 schools in the county. This money is given to schools on a per student basis, thus there is a rate for every student on FRL. “There’s Title I money that the district has. Let’s say the district gets, I don’t know the number, I’d probably say $20 million a Sarah Fernandez year, it might be more than that, provided by GV Administration from the Feds that they spread around,” Roberts said. The district doesn’t send all of be set up. Due to this, the trackthat money to the schools, they ing of how the funds were used in keep some of it. If there are stuthe previous year is very signifidents in need at a Title I school, cant for those who allocate the some of that funding could help funds in the first place. The pathe students. If they answer perwork is very steep, according and say they can’t because they to Roberts. Many schools choose don’t have the money, the school to hire a new person solely to reaches out to other organizatrack progress for the funds, or tions, according to Roberts. someone within the school gets These other organizations like extra money for this task. Project 150 and Communities in Progress is usually tracked 3 teachers. Then typically what they do is that there is a requirement where 10 percent has to be spent on family engagement, so $30,000,” Roberts said. This funding is received every year, thus every year a plan has to
December 2017
12 feature cannot provide funding. In these times, Rosier and other schools go through other agencies for help as well. She also said how kids who aren’t Title I still receive help from the school if they are in need, and thus don’t have to be coded. “A lot of the services that we give these people don’t come from Title I. I usually use them as a last resort because we have other places that give us things and they don’t have to be Title 1 to receive those,” Rosier said.
“We are blessed that we
have families that help and we have teachers that help and care. That’s not at every school. Stacy Rosier
“
Schools work with many schools across the Valley to provide certain supplies or food that kids might need. “The philosophy behind Title I from the federal government’s perspective is that education is a mechanism to level the playing field for all students. It’s the silver bullet, if you will. If we can teach these kids to read and write and be successful in high school, then they can go to college and they can go get a job and that’ll end the cycle of poverty. It’s a long term view,” Roberts said. “Whereas Project 150 and Communities in Schools come in as they’re solving short term problems, like it’s 30 degrees outside and this kid doesn’t have a coat. They’re both serving the same block of students, but with different philosophies and in different ways.” Families have to self-identify to be coded Title I. As soon as they do that, the office reaches out to them, according to Title I Coordinator Stacy Rosier. “Rarely do we have to reach out to Title 1 for these things because they work directly with the families now. Years ago we took in everything and we told them ‘we need this, we need that,’” Rosier said. The switch in the system came after a plethora of worries and incidents that developed from the old system. “I think a lot might have to do with making sure that people who actually need help get help, versus having people say that they’re in a situation and having it not be that case,” Rosier said. As Roberts said earlier, sometimes the District says that they
“We have other agencies that we can go through like Project 150. I get a lot of food and stuff from them.” Project 150 is a non-charitable organization that provides assistance to several schools across the valley. They started in 2011 after news of 150 homeless kids at Rancho made shockwaves. Soon after, they started a charitable trust that was able to help over 2,500 homeless kids and kids in need from 45 schools in the valley, according to their website project150.org. Project 150 and other non-district funded organizations help the school with supplies, food and other services, when Title 1 cannot provide such a service or
the kids aren’t eligible for it. “ O t h e r schools probably rely on Title 1 more than we do here. It might be because we’re Green Valley and we have a lot of people that donate to us and we have more resources. I don’t call Title I for fees and such. I think last year I submitted one fee-waiver to them, we covered the rest,” Rosier said. “Because I see other schools, I like taking advantage of other services over Title 1 because there are other places that need it more than we do.” Like Roberts explained, Title I funding has been traditionally allocated to elementary and middle schools, which for some made sense in the student’s educational progression. “Elementary is where they really struggle with doing the work, and sleeping. High school students have more resources where they can stay with a friend, there’s a bit more of a push on them for other things,” Rosier said. For example, Operation School Bell is part of Title I Hope, where elementary and middle school kids are given clothing once a year. Rosier explained that with families who have kids of different grades, the help from Title I might be vastly different. “Like for this family, two of them are younger so they qualified for [Operation School Bell], but I haven’t even reached out to Title I for the older one because we have other places that will cover it, so I just go through them,” Rosier said. Aside from private charities and groups, the large community around the school also helps a lot with donations and gifts for students in need. “The church right here last year donated a bunch of food and we spent a couple of weeks making boxes,” Rosier said. “We are
blessed that we have families that help and we have teachers that help and care. That’s not at every school. We’ve got a good team here.” Despite minimal funding for schools such as Green Valley, Title 1 is still used alongside community donations and private organizations. “I feel like it’s a Catch-22 if I say we don’t use Title I because we do but we don’t rely on them to give our kids services,” Rosier said. “It is a hard subject to reach because there is a lot of unsaid stuff. Like we can’t say a whole lot because it’s confidential. One, [Title I] is not talked about , and two, it’s something it can’t necessarily be talked about. We let people know it’s available, but it’s a sticky situation because we can’t assume.” As for Smith, her socioeconomic status has played a constant role in her academic performance. “My grades have dropped down to F’s and I barely have time to go to any after school events or class trips due to the situations that I was unfortunately placed in,” Smith said. Due to these issues of trying to find enough funding, Roberts believes the solution lies in a shift of ideology. “[Change] requires a fundamental mindset of ‘we have to fund public education,’” Robert said. * Name has been changed to protect student privacy
feature 13
Brynne Hilton
H
igh school years may be difficult, but having a lifelong best friend can make it easier. Friends come and go, but there is no expiration date for twins. Sharing the same household, parents, birthday and genetic makeup is unlike any other experience in one’s life. Spending a fairly large amount of time with a twin can come with an abundance of memories and amusing stories. “My sister and I are very similar in a lot of ways and we are always together, but we make sure that we also spend time away from each other just so we don’t get too annoyed,” sophomore Jordan Rood said. Juniors Jacob and Garrett Avecilla share their passion for football, but off the field, these two brothers have their contrasting characteristics. Despite their differences, they are always connected in some way. “My brother is more outgoing than I am and is more involved
with school. I’m more of the quiet and chill one,” Garrett Avecilla said. Growing up as a twin has its advantages. Switching places for a day, finishing each other’s sentences and sharing clothes are all a part of the package deal. In some cases, twins do not mind looking or dressing the same and enjoy being a mirroring image of each other, but others think contrarily. “My sister and I dress a lot alike and a lot of people get us confused. I have no problem looking and dressing the same,” sophomore Sydney Rood said. For parents, raising twins may be unimaginable. Two cribs, two highchairs and twice the amount of diapers can be a fiasco. The job is doubled in difficulty and comes with twice as much worry, but this is followed with two times as much delight. When you are a parent of twins, things can get out of hand from time to time. “When my brother and I were babies, my dad would confuse us all the time so we had to be dressed differently every day so
he didn’t mix us up,” Garrett Avecilla said.
“I do think twin telepathy is real. Me and my sister are always thinking the same thing. Sydney Rood
“
By Jenna Ricciardi
Twin telepathy is always a topic of discussion for twins, and some question if it is real or a hoax. Twin telepathy is when the twin can sense when the other is in danger, sad or hurt without seeing it themselves. Many twins claim to share the mental connection. Twins that do not believe in reading each other’s minds do admit to having their ‘moments.’ “I do think twin telepathy is real. My sister and I are always thinking the same thing, and sometimes even walk into the same room singing the same song,” Sydney Rood said. The list of pros and cons of being a twin can vary. Having a
partner in crime and someone to keep you company at all times are promised upsides in being a twin. “One pro is that you get known around the school and everyone knows you as twins, and you always have someone there,” junior Diego Uribe said. A common downside that plays a big role in being a twin is being compared. The endless comparisons are constantly being thrown around from twin to twin. Parents and friends make distinctions in appearance and personality between the pair. “A con of being a twin is sometimes people confuse us and it is annoying. Everyone thinks we are alike but we are not,” junior Estevan Uribe said. Bickering and disagreements occur in every relationship, but at the end of the day, differences are put aside. “Whenever my brother needs me I will always be there for him. Sometimes we have our differences with each other, but we always work it out,” Jacob Avecilla said.
December 2017
14 feature
Two worlds Throughout campus, there are clubs that cover a wide variety of topics in order for students to participate in activities they enjoy. Students are likely to get along with the members of a club they have joined because the fellow members are already dedicated to the same passion as them. If a student is into politics, they will connect with those who share the same political beliefs as them. High schools cannot have a club for everything, but that does not mean a student cannot start their own club. This year is the first year that the Young Socialists Club has existed. Senior Annika Johnson started this club and has six board members. Their club meetings are held Friday’s after school and nonSocialists are welcome to come. The Young Socialist Club was started because not everyone identifies as either a Democrat or Republican on the political scale. They align with leftists that disagree with capitalism. “I realized that there was a large portion of people that wanted to change what was happening in the status quo but didn’t realize how. I see so many people talk about how they hate both the DNC and GOP because they feel like they’re not doing anything The InvestiGator t GVHS
and it always makes me excited because that’s exactly how I felt and that’s exactly what drove me towards socialism,” Johnson said. There are many misconceptions with Socialists in regarding that they support Joseph Stalin, North Korea and their regime and oppressive authoritarian dystopias. “The most common misconception I see is that to defend socialism is to defend the failed instances of it. Socialism -- much like Liberalism, Libertarianism, and Conservatism -- is a governmental philosophy,” Johnson said. Socialists believe their way of thinking benefits society as a whole, instead of helping only certain groups of people. “I personally believe that capitalism is simply a broken system that fuels a lot of the cyclical oppression of impoverished minorities. Especially American capitalism where it is so strongly held as a moral foothold of the classes, that the working class should stay working and the rich should stay rich,” Young Socialist Club Treasurer Carson Kinsley said. Socialists believe that socialism is the most effective economic strategy while capitalism is susceptible to corruption. They use countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway as an example
of working and sustainable societies practicing socialist principles. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there falls Young Republicans Club. Unlike the Young Socialist Club, the Young Republicans Club was here at Green Valley for a couple of years. For some time the club had gone away, but this year is the first
“Socialism - much like
Liberalism, Libertarianism, and Conservativism - is a governmental philosophy. Annika Johnson
“
By Nora Paramo
year of its revival. “We had our first official meeting in August of this year. We had a teenage republican club at the school before, many years ago. I was the co-advisor and when the main advisor left, I had a million other things to do so it disbanded,” Young Republicans Club Advisor Steve Reeves said. Senior Conrad Rawhouser brought the Young Republicans Club back to life. This club meets on Tuesday’s after school. The meetings generally last from 30
minutes to an hour. Identifying as Republican is not needed to come after school to one of their meetings. “Normally we have our president talk about some issue that’s being debated out there in the world. He tries to bring up sources and information so that people have a better understanding of what they’re talking about,” Reeves said. There are quite a few common misconceptions with Republicans. These common misconceptions include all Republicans supporting the current President of the United States, all are against reproductive rights, against LGBTQ+ rights, all republicans think we should not have stricter gun laws, all republicans are against immigration, etc. “When people think of Republicans, they think of Donald Trump and extremists. That’s not really how it is because most of us are in the middle but just a little bit to the right,” Young Republican Club Vice President Martin Nelson said. Putting the misinterpretations of the party aside, it is true not all Republicans support Donald Trump, not all are against reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, not all are against stricter gun laws for the safety of our country, and not all republicans are against immigration.
feature 15
of political thought “Donald Trump was not my first personal choice, it was Ted Cruz,” Rawhouser said. “Republicans like free markets, keeping our money, and that’s basically fiscal conservatism. I don’t think being Republican is the best political identity, but I think it’s the best option we currently have.” On the bottom line, Republicans generally favor lower taxes and less government spending on social programs. They believe in less government intervention in business and the economy. “I was raised Republican, Republican values are what my parents taught me, and that’s why I’m Republican today,” Nelson said. Both the Young Republicans Club and Young Socialists Club have encountered problems, but have luckily overcome. The Young Socialists Club has had dedicated members since its start however, they were having trouble finding an advisor in the beginning of year. Not having an advisor meant going through part of the school year without having meetings. The Young Republicans Club has had an advisor, but they were having a shortage of members joining their club because people thought the members were all supporters of the president. No matter what a student politically identifies as, they can come to both meetings to see and hear both points of view. Most Americans think that freedom of speech is quintessential to have a functioning society. Despite others disagreeing with one another, we all have the freedom in choosing whatever we choose to believe.
republicans
believe in limiting the Government’s intervention in the work of the individual towards prosperity. www.republicanviews.org
December 2017
16 sports
Ballin’ into Winter Wrestling
Brynne Hilton
Juniors David Kalyanaprupuit and Steele Dias practice in the wrestling room on Nov. 17.
By Kiara Thomson The flag football team is ready to bring the intensity this season and take home more wins than ever. Senior Stephanie Yang is one of the captains for this year’s team and hopes that her leadership will push the girls to strive for excellence. “I was extremely honored when the girls chose me as one of their captains. I love this year’s group of girls, they are all talented. We are excited to play together,” Yang said. Head coach David Torrez is known for his dedication and pride in the program. He teaches the girls that what you put into to something is what you will get out of it. Torrez makes sure traditions like chants, singing the school’s fight song and sticking
Bowling Brynne Hilton
Junior Gary Stevens throws a bowling ball during practice on Nov. 30.
The InvestiGator t GVHS
By Kiara Thomson
Bringing home wins from every match has been a tradition for the wrestling team. Junior Desmond Bowers hopes to make this season as prosperous as the last. “We have a lot of high expectations riding on this season, but that is okay. We perform better under pressure,” Bowers said. Ferry was one of the few finalists in running for “Coach of Year” in the Clark County region, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. “I am excited for another year to see what these boys can do. We are preparing to bring home antogether as a unit are seen as a priority. “This year our strength is mostly going to be defense, but we have a great group of girls that I know will leave everything on the field. It is going to definitely be an aggressive season with this bunch,” Torrez said. One thing that separates these girls from the other teams is how close they all are. Team bonding is the best part to the whole experience some players claim. The chemistry between players is going to be something special t0 watch. “My favorite part about coaching these young ladies is seeing all the cool stuff they do outside of football. Some go off to play sports in college and almost all of our ladies go off to school to do amazing things in the communiBy Kiara Thomson Bowling is striking back with their strong returners and eager new bowlers. Junior Gary Stevens hopes to improve his skill and his self-discipline when it comes to practice. “I am excited about this season, I have been consistently practicing,” Stevens said. Head coach Brandi McElhaney is going into another season with many sucessful bowlers. “I am proud of the teams we
other state title,” Ferry said. For the past six years, the wrestling program has won a state title each year. Junior Steele Dias is ready to be another asset to this season’s team. “I am planning to do a lot of conditioning and make sure that I am in the best shape of my life,” With expectations only becoming more intense, the boys and girls of wrestling are training harder than ever. “Things like cutting weight and working out on our own will be a big push for our team this season. Of course it is difficult, but once you are committed, the results of your detemination show,” Bow-
ers said. State title is nothing new when it comes to this team’s history, but it will always continue to be the goal for the wrestlers and coaches. “Another one would be great. That’s why we are going to work hard to make sure that it happens,” Dias said. As fans of the program anticipate for this year’s upcoming season, coach Ferry promises that the each wrestler’s commitment to excellence will lead the entire team to sucess. “We will continue to work hard to make our school and families proud,” Ferry said.
Flag Football
Brynne Hilton
Senior Isabel Madrid catches a football during practice on Nov. 14.
ty. These girls work so hard and really dedicate themselves to all they do and that is really rewarding to be apart of their lives,” Torrez said. Now that flag football is recognized as sport that competes for a state title, the competition plans
to even more extreme than it was once before. Rivalries are planning to become more intense and our ladies are not going down without a fight. Catch the team this season playing harder than ever before. The 2017 season is one to look out for.
have had prior, but I am excited to see what this new team is capable of. There are a lot of strong bowlers,” McElhaney said. Bowling is known as being an individual sport. Although that may be true, these bowlers develop bonds just as any team sport would. Junior Kalyja PachecoWaialae explains that being a part of the bowling has taught him more about teamwork than any other sport. “Last year was my first year on the team, since I was new I
looked up to the experts on the team. They helped me improve my skill and always practiced with me. It is the main reason on why I am a better bowler today,” Waialae said. This season’s bowlers are determined to win and be known as one of the top teams in the valley. “I am confident in this year’s team, so we will have to wait and see,” McElhaney said. Catch the bowling team this 2017 season aiming to roll into regionals.
sports 17
Men’s Basketball Junior Kendall Nether goes for a layup during practice on Nov. 15.
By Kiara Thomson Brynne Hilton
By Kiara Thomson Coming back from a challenging season with a record of 10-16, this year men’s basketball program is planning to work harder than ever. Senior Michael Jackson is determined to not only improve his leadership for the boys, but he hopes to spread the persistent attitude throughout the whole season. “Individually, I want to im-
prove my shot accuracy and I want to be quicker when it comes to defense. I hope that I lead by example this season,” Jackson said. Head coach Lorenzo Jarvis not only teaches the boys how to be skillful basketball players, but also that they are only high school athletes once in their lifetime. Respect and hard work are taught in the program and will continue to be under the leadership of Jarvis.
Women’s Basketball By Kiara Thomson This upcoming season, Women’s basketball is ready to bounce back. Senior Temerity Bauer is one of the team leaders on the court and hopes to bring the team closer this year. With last year’s record standing at 15-14, this season’s players plan to bring home more victories. “We have a lot of young players joining the program, and [the school’s] basketball program is pretty hardcore, so hopefully the older girls will step up and help out the underclassmen this season. If they do that, that will not only help with playing closer on the court, but we will be closer off the court as well,” Bauer said. Head coach Eric Johnston is preparing to bring a playing style that features a fast pace and aggresive defense back to the wom-
en’s program. Johnston will be going into his seventh season as head coach. “Every season is different. Every year we get a new set of girls and we base a lot of our playing style on the team and their skill. This year we are confident that we will be quicker. One thing I will say is that every year, the girls are eager to play,” Johnston said. Junior Shelby Clark is a player opponents should keep an eye out for on the court. While Clark plans to individually improve her skill, she also hopes to be a role model for her teammates proving that hard work is the only way to success. “I know I need to work on free throws and ball handling mostly. The team’s advantage this season is just going to be able to run the court and focus on defense,”
“We had some really close games last year, we have to learn how to work as a team. I am excited about this group we have this year. Our playing style this year is called ‘control chaos.’ We are going to speed everything up, but still being in control,” Jarvis said. Junior Kendall Nether is determined to help make the team more of a family and hopes that it will result in them winning more games this season. “Last season we suffered with playing selfishly and this season we want to communicate more with each other on the court. We have plenty of talent, we just need to find ways to work together rather than leaving it upto certain players to make big plays,” Nether said. Teams usually become closer through forming chemistry off the court. Whether it is team dinners or going to tournaments in California, these boys form bonds that are unbreakable. This season’s team hopes to make more bonding experiences for everyone to enjoy. “We love eating together at cookouts before game days, those are always fun. When we go to
California, a lot of memories are created on the bus rides and having to room with your teammates in hotel rooms,” Nether said. Rivalry is no stranger to this team. Wth teams such as Coronado, Foothill and Silverado, the boys are looking for revenge from all. “We know in order to make it further this season we will have to face our rivals. I love those games, they are always so intense. I am confident in my team. We have a lot to offer and we just need to stay focused,” Jackson said. Coach Jarvis has had multiple seasons under his belt when it comes to his experience of coaching the men’s basketball program. “It is all about the journey. I love watching these boys grow as athletes and as people. They grow as men and that makes me the proudest of all. It is the main reason why I coach,” Jarvis said. This season, the men’s basketball team are ready to bring home more victories and success to the program. With new goals and plans made, the team is willing to put in all their effort into making it to playoffs.
Hailey Gross
Senior Samara Miller shoots the ball into the basket during practice on Nov. 15.
Clark said. The team is determined to make this season the one to stand out among the rest. With hopes to defeat rivals such as Foothill and Liberty, each girl is ready to play their hearts out. “All I have to say is, watch out. We want to take home as many wins as we can,” Bauer said. Remember to hype up our
women’s basketball program this season and watch them dominate each team they face. The determination this year’s team has made many spectators excited to see what the girls have to offer to the table. A region championship is the goal and could become a reality this 2017-18 season. “We are hungry this year. Be ready,” Clark said.
December 2017
courtesy of Angela Fiato
“I want to continue my love
for competition with my horses even after college.
“
Angela Fiato
Competing almost every week in town, Fiato puts her heart and soul into her horses. Some events she participates in are trail competitions which shows the bond between the horse and their rider. Another event Fiato takes place in is western dressage which is ballet but for horses. This tests the ability of the handlers to see how much control they have over their horse. “Trail competitions show how much trust your horse has in you.
“I think it’s pretty cool that she has a passion for something like this. Sammie Vogel
is like the warm-up for him.” Not only can she see her own passion but classmates have seen the drive and passion Fiato gives into her competitions. “I think it’s pretty cool that she has a passion for something like this. It’s not a common thing to see,” junior Sammie Vogel said. “I go support her at her competitions every weekend and you can just see the drive she has.” Fiato isn’t just in love with the competitions. She’s in love with the horses such as Chip. She spends hours of just one-on-one time with him grooming and taking care of him. “Horses are more scared of us than we are of them. We have to make them believe we care for them and wouldn’t hurt them,” Fiato said. College is always a must after high school for many. Not many people are aware, but there are various scholarships handed out for just competing in events with horses. These scholarships can range from just a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the type of scholarship it is. “North American Western Dressage offers three scholarships and I really hope I get one of them. That’s my goal,” Fiato said. “I want to continue my love for competition with my horses even after college.”
Dressage offers three scholarships and I really hope I get one of them. That’s my goal,” Fiato said. “I want to continue my love for competition with my horses even after college.” On average, about 30 particpants get the half scholarship which is a large amount of a few thousands dollars. However, Fiato is determined to get the full ride. “I would be happy with a half or even a partial but I’m aiming for the full,” Fiato said. Competitions here in Vegas usually have hundreds of visitors each week. The crowd can bring on the pressure and kick the nerves into high gear for anyone competing. “Sometimes the crowd can get to be a little much,” Fiato said. “I just focus on the event and try not to get distracted.” Competing isn’t just the hard part. Grooming and taking care of your horse is also apart of this process. Grooming consists of washing, cleaning, and brushing the maine of the horse. This helps create a bond between the rider and the horse. Taking care of the horses isn’t as easy as it seems. There’s a lot rust because we’re around their hooves and they get scared easily,” Fiato said. “You have to be gentle.” The horse isn’t the only thing that needs to be taken care of. The barn and stables have to be kept nice and clean. This usually means that the stables where the horses stay overnight has to be swept, hosed down and cleaned. This ensures that there is not any bacteria that can get the horse or the rider sick. “The stables actually play a big part in all of this,” Fiato said. “This is where the horses stay and it is where they spend most of their time when they’re not on the track.”
“One day, my mom asked if I wanted to start competing and I just went with it. Angela Fiato
“
H
obbies, and out-ofschool activities, are the basis of many high school kids’ lives. For some, it is sports or spending their day volunteering. For others, it is academics. Ever since she was a child, this is the case for junior Angela Fiato and her love of horses. Equestrianism, also known as horse riding, refers to the skills a handler has with their horse such as driving, steeplechasing or vaulting their horses. “A handler has to know their horse and gain their trust in order to compete and join certain events. It’s all about trust,” Fiato said. Starting when she was just a little girl, Fiato always had an interest in horses. Her parents own a ranch and a few horses that they ride and take care of together as a family. “My mom always had horses no matter what so I naturally fell in love,” Fiato said. “One day when I was seven, my mom asked me if I wanted to start competing and I just went with it.” Many animals are seen as lifelong companions while others can only see them served on a dish. Fiato understands what an animal needs and sees them for what they are worth. “The thing is many people who aren’t a fan of animals see horses as just a carnival ride or hot dog meat,” Fiato said. “In reality, they are loving animals that need the care and affection just like every other animal.”
We do a bunch of obstacles that seem fine to us but to the horses, they’re scary,” Fiato said. “Dressage is where you are judged on how well you can maintain a speed, shapes and movements.” Time management is crucial. Fiato spends up to five hours practicing every day and training for her upcoming competitions. She makes sure everything is almost perfect so there are no flaws in her performance. “I spend hours to perfect our performance,” Fiato said. “I’ll usually start off by grooming Chip, my horse. I spend time with him and make sure he’s comfortable. Then we’ll usually start with jumps and racing around which
“
By Meka’la Parker
When Fiato isn’t out training, she’s in the choir room singing or at home with family spending time together.
sports 19 “I enjoy singing just as much as riding,” Fiato said. “It’s fun singing with my friends or going to choir concerts and performing.” Family time is everything to Angela. It is a time where they can enjoy each other’s company. Oddly enough, they spend time together over their horses. “My family is in love with our horses and a great way to bond and get closer is over our horses,” Fiato said. Trust is something every rider and their horse must have. It is what keeps the bond together. A known fact is that horses are actually more scared of humans than the other way around. “I think it’s because of how some people treat them that they naturally fear us,” Fiato said. “ But we can easily change that by treating them the best we can.” Horses are generally used as a kids ride at birthday party or as a puller for a carriage in New York City. Many years ago, horses were bred for the sole purpose of transportation. Angela sees them as more than that. “I see them not just as a pet but as a companion as well. They’re just like dogs or cats. People treat those animals so well so horses should be treated the same,” Fiato said. Many people start young in their life-long sports. For Fiato, she started very young. Her mother owned horses her whole life which is where Angela finds the love for riding. Fiato’s mother use to participate in competitions. “I think because I saw my mom compete and do events which is why I just fell in love with. I grew up with it and I just found the drive to keep competing,” Fiato said. Fiato has placed first and second in many competitions. For many competitors this is a big deal since it shows how well a person performs. “Placing first or even second feels amazing especially if it’s in a hard event or there’s lost of competition,” Fiato said. “It makes you feel like all the hard work and hours spent practicing finally paid off.” Whether it is day or night, rain or shine, you can catch Fiato in school singing her heart out along with the choir or out on the ranch riding her horses getting ready for a big competition like there’s no tomorrow.
December 2017
a & e 21
Works of Fine Arts Week is a time to appreciate and enjoy all of the arts at the school a little more. The programs covered in Fine Arts include dance, theater, choir, band, orchestra, guitar, art and photography. The practices leading up to Fine Arts Week can get long, stressful and intense in order to achieve perfect practice. Once the time to perform in front of the entire school comes around, students are ready to play their best. “Practices are a little more intense than usual, we put all our effort into every practice,” junior Brina Peralta said. Fine Arts Week allows the school to give a little more attention and acknowledgement to the Fine Arts programs. “My favorite part about Fine
Arts Week is showing the school what we’re going to compete with, [and] what we’re taking to Nationals,” Peralta said. Being a part of these art programs takes loads of commit-
“Each year keeps getting
better, and it being my last year being in band, we did well. Samara Miller
“
By Sydney Lum
ment, time and especially effort. Although these programs take a lot of work and dedication throughout the whole school year, Fine Arts Week is one of the most taxing and exhausting. There are times for these Fine Arts groups to perform and display their art work and other
times where competition becomes more the top priority. “We do well every year. I’m in a different band each year, so the amount of performances has changed for me,” Hernandez said. Although Fine Arts Week exhibited a lot of the performing arts, there were also the visual arts, which consisted of photography and art. “The chalk art that is created in the courtyard is a way for drawing and painting students toparticipate and to help get the rest of the student body visually involved in Fine Arts Week,” artteacher Erica Wright said. There are also other ways Fine Arts Week was represented by the visual arts, such as decorations visual art students put up around the school during Fine Arts Week. These included chalk art in the
quad and photography pictures hung all throughout the school. To sum things up, the week was filled with music and art showcases the large variety of talented students in performing and visual arts. At the end of the week, all the arts were shown in an assembly in order to recognize their hard work they exhibited throughout the year. “Each year keeps getting better and it being my last year in band, we did well,” senior Samara Miller said. Now that Fine Arts Week has come to an end, all of the practices leading up to the performances have finally paid off. “Practice was stressful leading up to this week and there was a lot of it,” Miller said. “We had a performance last night, Dec. 7, which we had to prepare for also.”
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December 2017
22 photo essay
green valley Fine Arts
Senior Christopher Andrade sings a musical number on Dec. 8.
Dance team perfroms a lyrical number to the song To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra on Dec 8.
week
Juniors Matthew Tang and Emily Milan perform with guitar class on Dec. 8.
Advanced Studies performs their one acts during the assembly on Dec. 8.
Junior Sarah Steward holds pose during a dance routine on Dec. 8.
The InvestiGator t GVHS
Brynne Hilton & Hailey Gross
a & e 23
5
shows to
binge watch
By Abigail Culpepper
TV shows have become a large part of many teenagers’ lives. Kids rely on them for advice, entertainment, and an escape from reality. Binge watching shows has become a daily routine in many of their lives.
This show isn’t so laughable, instead it shows legitimate events that happen in high schools across the world. “13 Reasons Why” is about Hannah, a teenage girl who commits suicide because of bullying from her classmates, relationships falling apart, and no one be-
ing there for her. The show follows the story of Clay Jensen listening to the thirteen tapes left by Hannah. Each tape tells about something that some person did that ultimately led to her deciding to end her life. “13 reasons why was such an intense show that it was honestly kind of hard to watch,” junior Sa-
die Arnold said. “The show is so detailed and depicts actual events that could be happening in teenagers’ lives all around me.” A second season has been announced to premiere in 2018. If audiences are looking for a more realistic series that will more than likely have them in tears, “13 Reasons Why” is definitely for them.
“The Office” is one of Netflix’s funniest binge-worthy shows. It has more than six seasons so it is truly the perfect show to binge. The show follows an office staff in the surprisingly crazy world
of the paper distribution business. It follows hilarious characters Dwight, Jim and Michael to showcase the staffs’ relatable and slightly crazy aspects of their everyday lives and struggles. “I finished The Office in two weeks over summer and it is by
far one of my favorite shows.” sophomore Kyle Webb said. “There is always funny new stuff happening and the characters are so funny that you can’t stop watching.” “The Office” will provide nonstop laughs for the weary Netflix binger.
“Big Mouth” recently premiered as a Netflix original. The show follows five teens: Elliot, Nick, Jessi, Missy and Jay as they navigate the amazing, yet terrifying world of puberty. This
edgy comedy offers 24/7 humor as well as highly relatable events. “The show has a weird sense of nostalgia because it’s not about kids in 80’s or the 90’s, it’s about kids today. It’s actually relatable unlike a lot of today’s shows about youth,”sophomore Patricio
Gutierrez said. Season two has been confirmed to air in 2018. If viewers are looking for a funny and nostalgic show that will have them laughing at all the same things they are going through, Big Mouth is definitely the one to choose.
When one of the town’s most popular and rich twins mysteriously dies, the small town of Riverdale turns upside down. Anybody who watches Netflix has most likely seen Riverdale.
The simple Netflix original show added in the beginning of this year now has a second season on the CW. It is super binge-worthy show because of its constant drama and action. “I really liked Riverdale because of all the romance,” sophomore Olivia Lee said. “Each
episode ended with a cliffhanger which made it the perfect show to binge because you have to watch the next episode.” So far, season two has been a worthy addition to the murder drama. It is a great pick for anyone who loves a mystery and being constantly on edge.
Teenagers usually enjoy shows that they can relate to, however even parents can relate to this popular Netflix original. The first season of “Stranger Things” premiered in October
of 2016, and viewers patiently awaited season two on Oct. 28 of this year. “Stranger Things” follows three best friends relying on the help of a strange and confused girl with mysterious powers to help find their best friend, Will, who seems to have vanished into thin air. “There’s never a boring epi-
sode, and there’s always interesting stuff happening,” sophomore Francelia Pinto said. “You have to keep watching, because the episodes are just so good.” With only nine, one-hour long episodes, season two of “Strangers Things” is the perfect creepy, terrifying, and drama-filled show to spend an entire day watching.
December 2017
24 a & e
a Boba Brawl
By Hailey Gross
Jozos takes time to fill fancy, recyclable glassware up with their hand-crafted Boba tea that has been filling the bellies of Vegas residents for the past year. Known for their popular creative drinks and fun treats, Jozo’s menu is unconventional. The menu is ridden with flavors like rose milk and lavender tea. Each drink is eye-catching, with vibrant colors and strong scents offering something for all ages.
Jozo
With free WiFi, Jozo is the perfect place to study, read and do any other work. As soon as you step through the door, you are greeted by a joyful barista, giving off homey vibes. The Thai tea is addictive, and is easily the best thing on the menu. Their menu is filled with bold flavors from espressos to milk teas. This trendy and hip boba house is located on South Stephanie St. along side King Putt mini golf.
Hailey Gross Maycee Labo
Teason
Unlike other Boba shops, Teason has a smaller variety of teas to that ensure that there is quality in every drink. All of the drinks are made by dedicated baristas, and are served to the customer’s likings. In addition to this, all teas and coffees are brewed fresh. With each sip you are guaranteed a rich, sweet flavor. Teason is refreshing and satisfying. Iced teas, milk teas, coffee and slushes are just a few of the
revitalizing drinks they have to offer. They also serve a handful of toppings like lychee jelly, taro pudding and of course Boba. The Strawnana is a perfect balance of strawberry and banana, with just the right amount of sweetness. The tearoom is only a twominute walk from campus, and it is in the Henderson area. With only one size of drink available for purchase, Teason prices are very reasonable.
No.1 Boba Tea
The InvestiGator t GVHS
Hailey Gross
Located in the mall ring circle, No. 1 Boba is a classy American twist on the famous tea. They offer an assortment of drinks from flavored tea to tea slushies. Some of the most popular drinks are the Thai tea, watermelon and matcha slushie with tapioca balls added, and blended peanut butter and banana tea. The green tea matcha slush has a mild yet subtle flavor. However, like most other matcha drinks, this one is
not gritty or powdery. Without a doubt the green tea matcha slush will keep customers coming back. Unlike other smoothie and drink joints, No.1 Boba uses fresh fruit for the best quality drinks. Not only are teas available for purchase, you can also grab a bite to eat which is very convenient. This original Boba shop currently only has four locations, but is expecting to open more in the near future.
a & e 25
The Most Spirited Time of the Year By Skylar Jones
Hanukkah
Winter Solstice Nicholas Horrilleno
Some students who do not hold religious beliefs celebrate other events, such as the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. “I didn’t grow up very religious,” sophomore Marley Trower said, “And the Solstice isn’t a religious holiday.” Even though the reason for celebration is entirely different, the specific activities tend to have similarities to other holidays. “We wake up, open stockings, and hang a wreath. So, it’s a lot like Christmas in the aspects of it,” Trower said.
Islamic Holidays Although Islam does not have any holidays practiced during the month of December, Muslim students still have traditions as well. “My step dad is Muslim and my mother is Christian, so before we eat, we say a prayer in Arabic and then a Christian one as well,” sophomore A’Raya Glasco said. Despite all of the differences, all holidays boil down to a strong love for both family and delicious food. “At Christmas, we’ll have a lot of food and some occasional arguments, but it’s all out of love,” Glasco said.
Another holiday celebrated during the month of December is Hanukkah, the holiday which celebrates the Jewish victory over Greece over a period of eight days. “It’s what Christians would do in church on Christmas, but we do it at home on Hanukkah,” junior Scott Gruber said. Hanukkah is typically celebrated with eight traditional candles in a menorah and decorations, such as wreaths, dreidles, and The Star of David, in one’s home. The color blue is used to decorate, as it is the symbol of divinity. “We have decorations that go up. Every night we light the candles. You are supposed to put them in a window so people can see the menorah, so we do that.” Students tend to appreciate having multiple cultures in their life because it shows them more than one side of the spectrum. “It’s been able to show both sides of the culture and different aspects of religion,” Gruber said. However, not celebrating the most followed religion in the United States can mean not having the time to celebrate completely with your family, especially if the holiday one celebrates uses a lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar, in the case of Judaism. “The Hebrew calendar lines up differently. Last year, Christmas was right in the middle and then Hanukkah can be really early. Like this year, [Hanukkah] will at the beginning of December,” Gruber said.
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26 opinion
A burn on cold treats By Erinn Veach As winter arrives, chilling 50° weather rolls over the city, and not shockingly, people are still stuck in the ways of summer. Having such a mild desert winter, it is not that much of a surprise that the hot climate’s treats of ice cream cones and boba milk teas aren’t making their way out the door along with the season. But really, a season other than summer deserves to be acknowledged for once. Since the beginning of time, humans have worshipped the
warmth summer brings. To early humans it meant easily accessible food and not dying of hypothermia. In all realness, that has not changed much. A Starbucks supplying an iced beverage can be found on every corner and most people bust down their door at the knowledge of a sunny day. Based on that primal human fear of death by frostbite alone though, rolled ice cream shouldn’t really still be a thing in December. Winter and its toasty delights need to be given a seat at the table of respectable seasonal foods. To determine why it has been excluded for so long though, we must first look at why chilled beverages continue to dominate the cold months. A survey administered by Dunkin’ Donuts concluded that 85% of coffee drinkers prefer an iced coffee in the winter, and 55% said that a
chilled beverage makes them feel like a cooler person. On the east coast, businesses have taken a stand against the insanity of chilled treats in the winter. Dairy Queens in the northeast states, such as Illinois and Ohio, close during the winter months. No one needs a Blizzard during a blizzard, even if it is peppermint. Ice is not even that fancy anyway. The coolest variety of ice should not come in a plastic cup, shaved and flavored with sugary syrups. Afterall, winter has plenty of ice, falling from the sky and freezing over car windows. Stop ruining the season’s natural frost with tea frescas and citrus popsicles. With the loss of warm winter foods in recent years, tradition has followed suit. Once, in a distant time long ago, families sat around the fire drinking hot co-
two sections. After separating it, a clear gel is used to keep the feather’s authentic shape. This look is definitely an easy way out of having to spend time filling in your brows, yet it looks equally masculine. There will always be the people who decide to use different shades and colors, which makes the trend more personal and allows more room for judgement. Requiring little to no effort, the uniform or “uni” brow is the fad of choice, especially between athletes in the NBA such as Anthony Davis. The more complex and diverse a look is, the more attention it attracts. The “bolt” brow is penciled on by outlining the eyebrow and then filling it in between the lines. To add effect, outlining with liquid eyeliner is recommended. Since the shape of a lightning bolt does not bend the applicant has to place the “zig-zag” of the bolt halfway through the brow, but it has to continue with the natural
arch. This is quite the statement considering it is basically stamping the forecast on your face. When will the tornado and hurricane brow touch down? Braided eyebrows are created by attaching fake braided hair over the eyebrow and gluing it on the brow. Really, it is not worth cutting off your own hair to have braided extensions that everyone knows are not real. It is bad enough that people have hair extensions that are completely and visibly fake. All of these trends are used to express and inspire. Most who follow the eyebrow trend are looking for something to change up their daily routine. When talking about makeup or trends in fashion and beauty, anything and everything permanent is a definite no. Maybe take these crazy brows as inspiration to start your own trends.
coa and apple cider on a brisk night. Now, though, they sit with Frappuccinos, freezing their hearts over and corrupting the holiday spirit of warmth. Replace that frozen yogurt with a warm cinnamon roll, or that Pink Drink with actual hot tea. The ice cream tub can wait patiently for July to arrive; it will not get jealous of a warm pastry or pie. Give some respect to the winter originals. Let some hot chocolate melt your cold, stuck-in-itsways heart and enjoy the season.
Raising your eyebrow game By Madison Cox High school gives way to an array of different questionable trends. They take the focus of the market and crash land as people realize their regrets. Let’s not forget the era of human collars and fidget spinners. One budding trend to fill in on is the new eyebrow craze. The “squiggle” brow is a series of detailed lumps and bumps on the brow using eyeliner, eye brow gel, and powder. All that work that goes into keeping them shaped and straight is thrown out the window just to draw unnatural brow lines and color outside the lines. There is little to no point in upkeep when you are outlining and filling in your eyebrows anyways. This requires the same amount of work as it would to nearly complete a coloring page. The “feather” brow results from parting the brow horizontally and brushing it apart into
The InvestiGator t GVHS
Erinn Veach
Life, Liberty, and
opinion 27
Reproductive Freedom Women, they have progressed. In 2012, the pen company Bic released a line of pens, Bic For Her, fashioned to perfectly mold to a woman’s hand. It even comes in their respective colors: purple and pink. But with women having no guaranteed access to birth control, thank goodness they have a pen to write about gender health inequality. In the patriarchal system that the U.S. presently inhabits, gender inequality in health insurance is overlooked in a large and conservative way. It does not help that women’s voices have been missing from the discussion by leaders in Washington. The Senate majority leader appointed thirteen male colleagues to write the new G.O.P. health bill and zero women. The erroneous biological stereotype that women’s medical needs are based solely off of emotional causes and not physical ones largely account for the bias present in medical decision-making. Breast cancer, pre and post menopause, the right to birth control, access to Planned Parenthood, chronic conditions, cardiovascular care and many more healthcare related issues are unattractive to the eye of the insurer. The fact that women are more likely than men to seek out care for health-related issues, such as doctor visits, regular checkups, prescription drugs and generally live longer than men (probably because the art of hygienics is more prevalent in women’s lives), creates unwelcome appa-
ritions of dollar signs in the eyes of insurance companies when it comes to covering women. Insurers justify charging higher prices for women because they assert that women’s healthcare issues are often much more complex than men’s. . . which is true. Women have a higher incidence to chronic illnesses that require ongoing medical treatment, with 38% of women versus 30% of men. Over 70% of antidepressant medication is prescribed to women. Some 62% of women of reproductive age currently use a contraceptive method if not for safe sex then for PCOS, ovarian cysts, menstrual migraines and other conditions. Mammograms, the procedure that catches the number one leading cause of cancer deaths for women aged 40-
“Gender inequality in
health insurance is overlooked in a large and conservative way.
“
By Anastasia Koulich
50, is a very expensive procedure for companies, according to resident health insurance experts at Insurance Quotes. This price bias can be seen in the fact that Viagra is covered by medical insurance, including federal funding, while women’s contraceptives are in dispute heading towards employers not providing free birth control coverage. This means that women have to pay $15-$50 a month, adding up to $600 annually. What makes the situation worse is a study in 2014 esti-
mated that 20 million women were in need of publicly funded contraceptive services and supplies because they either had an income below 250% of the federal poverty level or were younger than 20 according to Guttmacher Institute. It seems as though women have to apologize for the fact that they have physiological differences beyond their control that need prudent and consistent care. The curtail to women’s access of contraception is the most controversial and significant issue facing women’s health care because 99% of women aged 15-44 who have had sexual intercourse use contraception according to Planned Parenthood. In other words, it is universal. Not every woman has cardiovascular issues but nearly every woman has used or is using birth control. The reason this detriment all started is, of course, because of Trump- the guy who claims he loves and respects women more than any other man. He issued a mandate stating that employers, public or private, can deny employees coverage of contraception if they cry religious or moral obligation. It is helpful to bring up that 98% of sexually experienced Catholic women have used birth control at some point in their lives. The harm is aimed at all women- religious or nonreligious. Companies and businesses are not the only ones that can drop birth control coverage from their health plans- this rule applies to colleges and universities as well. Cough cough, Notre Dame University, cough cough.
Anastasia Koulich
Since Republicans are so vocal and adamant on their stance against abortion, one would think they would grant access to the very thing that prevents pregnancies in women who do not want to get pregnant. Washington needs to learn how to keep theology off of biology and write 100 times on a chalkboard, “Keep the boardroom out of women’s bedrooms.”
December 2017
Stand strong for American pride By Casey Li It is undoubtable that the United States is going through a rough patch right now: nothing has settled in politics and turmoil among ethnicities and income classes and political beliefs are imminent throughout the nation. Even with all of this in mind, we must take distinctive action to solve these issues. While people have the right to sit during the pledge of allegiance guarded by the first amendment of the Constitution, sitting during the pledge is a derisive action meant to antagonize a nation that is earnestly trying to fix its own flaws. First off, sitting during the pledge sends a negative message against our country rather than a positive message to fix our issues. While we may be upset
demonstrates a dislike of our country that has already been working hard to provide for its many citizens. It does not foster any sort of action, but only acts as a silent and vague complaint. It is a demonstration of anger, but not a path for a solution. While some people sit at the pledge to protest the current presidency, ironically these derisive tactics are very similar to the Trump campaign in many aspects; it only demonstrates a dissatisfaction for the way the country was ran, but never offers a solution. This only causes a feedback loop of increasing anger and polarization, which is the last thing our country needs. To help our country we must first love our country, and sitting at the pledge
with certain ways that our government deals with certain issues, we cannot deny that our government has given us many things that we are fortunate to have. Not all people have access to clean water, free education, urban planning, functioning hospitals, or freedom of religion, and we should appreciate the fact that we live in a country that will give us these rights. While we focus on the issues of our nation, we never think about what it has done for us as citizens. However, it is still important to recognize that we need to fix our issues. Sitting during the pledge does neither of these functions; it only
o n l y does the opposite. Additionally, the ideals described in the pledge of allegiance are important to unify all Americans. Because we are “one nation, under God” with “liberty and justice for all,” the pledge of allegiance is a promise for equality to all people in America. To stand during the pledge is to say that you stand with the millions of other Latino Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ members, men, and women who also stand every morning to
pledge allegiance as one “indivisible” nation. Sitting during the pledge opposes the fundamental idea that all people in this nation deserve liberty and justice, as stated in the pledge of allegiance itself. It makes no sense to protest the lack of equality by sitting during a pledge that supports equality. We pledge to the democratic republic in which we all can partake in, because as voters of America we pledge to try to form a government that supports the fundamental ideals of Ameri-
it.
c a n equality. Standing during the pledge does not mean you support the current state of affairs, it only means that you plan to work for a better future as a citizen of America, even if you do have misgivings about
Advocating for a specific cause, volunteering for your community, or calling a local representative are all more effective than sitting during the pledge. We stand for the pledge, not because we love our current government, but because we love our nation and want to see it grow stronger. Sitting during the pledge is your choice, but it is also your choice to pursue a more tangible, concrete and real solution that will actually change America for the better. Nicholas Horrilleno
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opinion 29
The American dream is not targeted towards everyone When the American Dream comes to mind, one might think of people being able to start at the bottom of the social hierarchy and end up on the top thanks to hard work, dedication, and persistence. The idea of the American Dream is for everyone to have an equal chance at leading a successful life. Rather than continuing to instill the hope of pursuing the American Dream in millions of Americans, oppression and hatred is being thrown in their faces instead. From the NFL to our own classrooms, today we have all seen some form of protest when it comes to the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem. While some see this as disrespectful to our country, keep in mind, the protest is not geared towards America itself, it is directed at the injustices taking place within the nation.
Nicholas Horrilleno
Colin Kaepernick kneeled on August 26, 2016, before a preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers when he was still playing for the San Francisco 49ers. After the game, Kaepernick addressed his stance on kneeling and said, “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed.”
“The protest is not geared towards America itself, it is directed at the injustices taking place within the nation.
“
By Kaeli Britt
While sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance gives a voice to the voiceless, but is also a form of peaceful protest. After having to see tragedies like Trayvon Martin and Philando Castile or being affected by things like ending of the DACA (Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals) program, people first took to the streets and protested. Protesters received backlash for walking the streets and standing up for their beliefs, so they started sitting. The majority of people sitting during the Pledge or Anthem are minorities. Despite the consistent negative repercussions these groups receive, they continue to sit and kneel to send the message that they will not tolerate being belittled any longer. Sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance follows the same thought process as Rosa Parks sitting in the front of the bus back in 1955. Despite the 62 year difference between then and now, the reasoning behind the protests seen in the media have, unfortunately, not changed. Oppressed groups continue to look for justice and equality. In addition to sitting during the Pledge, people are also doing the same for the National Anthem, and The Star-Spangled Banner. When the anthem was originally written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, there were four total stanzas. There is not just the one that is recognized today. In the third stanza, Key wrote, “Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.” In other words, this means that the blood of slaves was solely meant to wash away the “uncleanliness” and pollution brought to the U.S. by the British invaders during the War of 1812. After Kaepernick publicly kneeled, the controversy over the National Anthem resurfaced and more people became aware of the original lyrics. There is a quote that reads, “I pledge allegiance, not thoughtless obedience.” This is what being American is about. It is to have nationalistic pride in a country that offers everyone the same, equal opportunities, and not favoring a specific person over another. For everyone to have an equal chance is what makes up America.
October 2017
30 opinion
Violence breaks out in CCSD By Hannah Serquina The Clark County School District is facing major concerns with the spike in violence and aggression towards staff and law enforcement. So far this school year, the Clark County School District Police have had to respond to three stabbings. They used pepper spray to break up fights, as well as breaking up a massive brawl between Basic and Canyon Springs High School during a football game. The weakness of the CCSD system due to budget cuts has been the catalyst to these violent acts but the situation can easily be solved through effective communication. CCSD has gone through a large budget cut of $50$60 million dollars. This is problematic because scholars quantify that these budget cuts are making it even more difficult to attain a better quality of life because students resort to violence. Budget cuts cause violence because when schools are not being funded, there is a decrease in teachers, which means larger class sizes. Researchers at the National Center for Education Statistics found that disci-
pline problems are often related to school enrollment size. Large schools tended to yield more discipline problems than smaller schools. For instance, Tomiyasu Elementary school reduced their budget this school year and were forced to let go of a teacher. This leading to a merge of a fourth and fifth grade class. Students and parents did not take this situation lightly. Parents felt that their child would not receive individualized attention. Disciplinary actions are also more difficult to enforce on a
at risk of dropping out. This is unacceptable because dropouts are three and a half times as more likely to be arrested than high school graduates and more than eight times likely to be incarcerated. It is these groups of kids that are at risk of dropping out that are more prone to dive into violence. Having nothing to do and nowhere to channel one’s emotions after a stressful day at school causes emotional distress on students. What CCSD does not understand is these programs provide a distraction for stu-
Schools with the highest violence reports
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102 101 Sunrise Mountain 95 92 Del Sol Arbor View 84 Canyon Springs Legacy
www.lasvegassun.com
larger class size because it is more difficult to control 40 kids in one classroom as opposed to 20 or less. Burk High School is victim of the weak CCSD system. Due to budget cuts, Burk High School was forced to cut their day program, an alternative for students
dents who have a difficult home environment. When CCSD does not provide sufficient funding to schools then students suddenly have nowhere to turn to, so they turn to violence. A solution to the lack of control in budgets would be controlling the environment for students.
If we can not obtain proper funding from our district then schools should take the opportunity to enhance their environment by creating a better understanding and relationship of and with their students. School should be a place to get away from problems within the household and an opportunity to discover outlets to channel emotions. Students should not come to school with nobody to talk to or express their problems to. With this in mind, there needs to be an understanding that students are going through their own dilemmas behind closed doors and on top of that they have to deal with the tasks that come along with school. Students will not feel the need to act violently if they feel that they are understood. The majority of teenagers just want someone to talk to or have someone listen to them. Parents, teachers, staff, and guardians should use effective communication skills when dealing with teenagers. Schools should provide stability within their schools by getting to know their students and providing an outlet for students. Students will no longer have to turn to violence when given another way to express their emotions.
Red tape derails hope By The InvestiGator Staff It seems like a hidden fact within the District and even the school that poverty exists. It is like the racist uncle no one wants to associate with. But, the truth of the matter is that, yes poverty is very real for some students and yes, funding is not up to par with the needs of kids in the District. The system is broken. From several interviews we gathered, the general consensus seems to be that there isn’t enough money. Not to be too overly biased, but our administration has done a great job trying to fix these issues within the school and attempting to fill in the gap which the District has created. If we eventually end up hitting the Title 1 qualifiable percentage, the sad truth is that the situation will stay as it is; we will still need to go to outside agencies. The Title 1 money that the District could potentially apportion out to us is very minimal. We are lucky enough to have a great commu-
nity around us to help. But what about other schools? What about the schools in the District who don’t have many outside sources of income or who don’t get as much community help? Is it fair for students of low-poverty to fair better in some schools over others? The point of Title 1 is to help kids academically despite their financial situation. This goal is seemingly not accomplished across our geographical area. It is no secret some schools fare better academically than others. The disparity in our District is apparent. Everyone knows about it, but again, no one wants to talk about it. The truth is this: the District needs to figure out a way to fill in this gap between different schools, especially for kids who are lower-income and qualify for Title 1. The District is too big to apportion enough money to each school so that it is put to good use. The District should split up. We are the 6th biggest district
in the nation, with a very high student per classroom population and very low per pupil expenditure rate. Creating several districts for the massive area of land that CCSD is in charge of seems like the most feasible solution. As Principal Roberts mentioned, we would need to change the entire state’s ideology of what funding public education means. This seems like a much less feasible act than doing what should have been done a long time ago: dividing the District into smaller pieces. Kids are suffering not only because of their financial situations, but because of gross negligence by people who are supposed to have their best interests in mind. Education should be accessible for all, no matter what school or financial situation, they should have the resources to succeed. No one can argue this, it is just how it should be. Something needs to change and it needs to happen soon because lives are being affected,
speak Student
Do you think a student’s economic status affects their achievements? “In different situations, [students] can’t get money to fund education. If you work for what you want, you”ll get it.
Sophia Mitchell, freshman
“I don’t think you need money to get into good schools or succeed in life in general. Although money would help a lot.”
Lexi Rojas, junior
“No because if you’re a good athlete and you have good grades you can get a scholarship to a college.”
Christopher Lyons, sophomore
“It takes money to make money. There are certain outliers for every situation, if you work hard and have enough dedication then there are no limits to what you can do.”
editorial 31
Editors-in-Chief: Sarah Fernandez Shila Sherafat Editors: News: Anastasia Koulich Features: Kaeli Britt & Kiara Thomson Sports: Meka’la Parker A&E: Maycee Labo Opinions: Sydney Lum Managing Editor: Erinn Veach Photo Editor: Brynne Hilton Reporters: Harley Barbre Bethany Casall Madison Cox Abigail Culpepper Gabriella Ghasserani Hailey Gross Alyssa Hulse Skylar Jones Casey Li Nora-Jo Paramo Jenna Ricciardi Victoria Rodriguez Hannah Serquina Business Manager: Madison Cox Staff Managers: Abigail Culpepper Gabriella Ghasserani Victoria Rodriguez Advisor: Eric Johnston The InvestiGator is a student-run and operated news magazine. All opinions and views expressed within are those of the author and not of the student body or staff of Green Valley High School. Letter to the editors or staff may be delivered to room 825 to Mr. Johnston or emailed to him at emjohnston@interact. ccsd.net.
Tre Birkett, senior
December 2017
32 gallery
ON POINTE Senior Lindsey Smith and juniors Sarah Stewart, Tyjai Pierce, and Angelina Lapitin (left to right) perform in the gym during the annual Fine Arts Assembly on Dec. 8.
HAILEY GROSS | PHOTO