Tri-Color Times 2006-12

Granger High School

Tri-Color Times

December, 2006

Volume XLIX, Issue 03

Super Seniors Have A Ball

December Tuesday, December 19 Josten’s delivery by Lancer @ lunches Swim @ East 3:30 Holidy music concert Aud. 6:30

Wednesday, December 20 Late Start Day School begins at 8:20am

Thursday, December 21 Holiday Assembly am aud.

Wrestling vs Murray jv.5:45 v.6:30

Monday, December 25 Winter Recess till January first

January Wednesday, January 3 Women’s Basketball vs Highland S7pm, JV3:30, V5:15 Men’s Basketball @ Highland S3:30, JV5:15, V7pm

Thursday, January 4 Swim vs Cyprus 3:30 PM-5:30 PM State PTA Reflections awards 7pm in cafeteria 7:00 PM-8:30 PM

By Roxana Cordova & Kirsten Williamson

Friday, January 5

E

ach year for ten years Granger High School has been hosting the Senior Dinner. It all started twelve years ago by Kevin Nudd, who was the president of the Fraternal Order of Police at the time. For the first two years it was hosted at the Harmon Home. During the first year, they had 150 seniors attend and the second year, 250. It quickly expanded and they needed a bigger space to host it. Kevin Nudd had worked with David Stevens, who was Granger High’s principal at the time.

Stevens agreed and it has been hosted here ever since.

The West Valley Police and Fire Department pick up seniors from care centers in their police vehicles and buses. Senior residents are escorted here to Granger High School. There are about 400 seniors that attend the dinner and their averaging age is 70 years old. Most food is donated by stores while the rest of the food is provided by the police officers and firefighters. Their wives and co-workers volunteer to prepare the dinner while the police officers and firefighters serve.

Some of the organizations/clubs that volunteer decorating and setting up before the dinner include MESA, SBOs, Cheerleaders, KEY Club, French Club, Gear Up, AVID, National Honor Society.

We asked some of the students what they thought about Granger’s role in hosting the dinner. Senior Sina Tupuola (MESA) said, “I think it’s cool how Granger can entertain the elderly because some don’t have families.” Junior Mohamoud Ali (AVID) added, “I love helping senior citizens because they’re wise. I love being around senior citizens.” While Junior Sarah Johnson (KEY Club) said, “I think it’s good because it gives us a chance to volunteer and it makes me feel good to do something nice for someone else.” While Mrs. Catten, advisor of KEY Club said, “I think it’s wonderful that Granger High can host this event and students can give back to the community.”

Hopefully, this tradition will continue to grow for many years to come. We are sure that the seniors are thankful for this dinner and have a chance to get out and socialize with new friends during this seasonal holiday. Thanks to everyone that volunteered your efforts are greatly appreciated because otherwise this wouldn’t have happened.

INSIDE SELF PIERCINGS

Is that lip ring worth it? Find out more about what could happen when people self pierce.

– page 02

INDEX

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

All there is to know about Granger's school play, Much Ado About Nothing.

– page 06

ACT Registration Deadline Women’s Basketball @ Murray JV3:30, V5:15, S7pm Men’s Basketball vs Murray S3:30, JV5:15, V7pm Wrestling @ Tooele 5:45

Saturday, January 6 Wrestling @ American Fork 8:00 AM-8:00 PM

Tuesday, January 9 History Fair rm 106 Women’s Basketball @ West JV3:30, V5:15, S7pm Men’s Basketball vs West S3:30, JV5:15, V7pm Swim vs Olympus 3:30 PM-5:30 PM History Fair Parent Night 6:00 PM-8:00 PM (Room 106)

Wednesday, January 10 History Fair All Day (room 106)

Thursday, January 11 Wrestling vs Cyprus jv.5:45 v.6:30pm

Rachel's Challenge....................................... 02 Top Ten Holiday............................................. 04 Drop Outs...................................................... 07 The Aquabats' music review.......................... 08

2 NEWS

Tri-Color Times December 2006

Infectiously Popular

Ersatz Santa

By Shea Turner

By Joe Fatani & Meg McManama

“I have pierced several things on my face by myself and none of them have ever gotten infected,” said Katie Washington, a junior.

Despite her luck, self-piercing is dangerous. Several people don’t understand that self-piercing comes with some serious consequences if done incorrectly. Is a cool piece of jewelry in the tongue worth the pain of not being able to smile? Many wouldn’t think so. Still, teenagers insist on doing their own piercing.

One of the main reasons teenagers pierce themselves is because most parents won’t allow them to get pierced, so instead kids decide to do it themselves and hide it for as long as they can. “I get charged onehundred dollars by my parents every time I come home with a new piercing,” said one Granger student. Another reason students pierce themselves is because teens like the shock value of telling someone that they pierced their own belly button or lip. Money is also an issue. Most teenagers can’t afford to pay fifty dollars plus jewelry cost to have piercing done professionally. When students learn that they can pierce themselves for ten dollars or less, it seems like a very good deal. They just don’t consider the consequences.

Generally getting a piercing done is very risky, but not doing the piercing correctly can be deadly. Seventeen year-old Daniel Hindle from the UK died recently because of poisoning through his infected lip piercing. Having a tongue stud put in is probably the most dangerous piercing on the face. Major blood vessels run through

Imagine a kid, who wakes up Christmas morning, and is excited by the holidays and the thrill of what Santa has brought. But when he goes to the tree, there are no presents there.

That’s what would happen for some families if it wasn’t for Sub for Santa.

Sub for Santa allows Granger students to prevent such disappointment from happening this year. By giving donations and buying presents, Granger’s student body has been able to give holiday presents to families year after year. “ We need more people to participate. We are very thankful for the people who do, but I know only about four classes that really get into Sub for Santa.” said L.A.T. member Shannon Hansen.

Even though that isn’t a lot of people participating, they still had a good turn out. “The first thing we did was collect money.” said Richard Yorgas-

the tongue; if any are severed, hospitalization would be necessary. Infection and disease can also be carried through the blood vessels into the brain. Diseases like HIV and Hepatitis can be transmitted through the needles if they are not sterile. This usually happens when the needles have been shared through amateur piercing practices. Swelling and disfiguration can also occur, if the piercings have not been cared for properly.

The best advice for anyone considering doing a piercing themselves is to just not do it. They are too dangerous, and there are way too many things that can go wrong. Just wait it out and get it done professionally.

on. “We needed about five-hundred dollars for make-a-wish foundation.

Then, in two days, we got seven-hundred dollars. For Sub for Santa, we got about 30-40 ornaments, in three classes. I think that this shows that Granger’s student body is really generous. I want to see the look and the families’ faces when they hear about how much we actually care about them.

I heard it’s really nice.”

But, we can still give more.

You don’t even have to bring a present, if everyone donated their snack money for a day, we could buy something wonderful. True holiday spirit comes from giving presents, not getting them. As for now, Sub for Santa is finished for 2006, but there are always more opportunities to donate for the rest of the school year.

Rachel's Challenge

By Ashley Jorgensen “If you just have faith in humanity, Rachel’s Challenge will work” said Doug Leanard. In the Columbine High School shooting on April 20th, 1999, twelve students and one teacher were killed and twenty-seven were injured. Two boys Eric and Dylan killed Rachel Scott and others. They caused twenty-two minutes of terror before taking their own lives.

No one could have predicted that day would be turned into one of the most terrifying school shootings in history. You might never think that such a good thing like Rachel’s challenge could come out of such a savage occurrence like a school shooting, but it did. Rachel’s Challenge wants us to encourage ourselves and others to be kinder and friendlier to one another. Rachel just wanted to make the world a better and friendlier place for us and our children.

Chris hammen said, “Granger’s students and staff won’t take Rachel’s Challenge into consideration; but if people tried it would work.” Others wonder if Rachel really did write her paper, “My Ethics, My codes of life”, Some people say you can’t change a person unless they want to be changed, but if just a few students smiled at others as they passed in the hall or opened the door for others then maybe, just maybe, it just might start a

Students at Granger High vow to follow Rachel's Challenge.

chain reaction.

When I first heard about Rachel and what happened to her I was appalled. Then I heard about her challenge. Rachel had this idea of a chain reaction, she thought if she was kinder to people then maybe other people would catch on, maybe other people would accept, the different, the new, or the handicap so nobody would be left out. I wanted to find out if others thought this would work. If this challenge really could change Granger and

the students in it.

As I talked to students and teachers about Rachel’s Challenge I got different inputs, but one student caught my eye, John said “No matter where you go, no matter who you’re with, there is always going to be bullying and hatred just for your color, or social class, or for the way you look; but if you just smile and laugh about it, then they won’t know what to do.” So take it into consideration, and see what happens.

NEWS 3

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

Youth and Our New America

By Dominick Prospero

Setar Seth, our Student Body Publicist.

In this very school there are leaders, people with another plane of thought that see the issues of this nation and where they can improve slight flaws. They see people recycling their talent, or even worse, leaving it untouched. There’s something in everybody and these leaders see this like a firmament oculus waiting to let loose a Pantheon of a masterpiece. Leaders are the people who get the best out of other people. They entice the creature out of the soul and get everyone to contribute to a complete, unified, and awake society. Not perfect or pleasant, nor decadent or dysfunctional, but humane in the ups and downs and the openness to change.

Life is about struggle, we are free to have our pain and peaks and not to neglect anything; as in Greek tragedy when nature can not be evaded. Change is nothing to be afraid of, in-fact, it is something to be proud of because that’s what our forefathers were doing when they founded this very country. The changing of the guards is nearing and I am sure we can prove better then is pessimistically foreseen by our predecessors.

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The students of Granger High have gone a long way in our years of schooling. Those of us that are seniors have fought through ten or so years of education and are on the verge of being let free into the real world. A world of decisions and writhing to discover ourselves awaits us; and meanwhile trying to stay afloat in society with a job and a legitimate residence. Most of us will continue to forward our education or career, and some will be left as starving artists. Regardless of these decisions we make, our generation will soon be at the helm. This country of ours will be our responsibility to steer into further prospering. We need to prepare for our reign so that when the time comes, our civilization won’t implode on us. The future is coming whether or not we are prepared to embrace it.

Allisa Neilson is our Student Body President and has high aims for her future. She presently works with deaf children and is considering a career as an audiologist and speech pathologist. For those who are unaware of these terms, an audiologist helps with applying and studying hearing aids and a speech pathologist centers on teaching the deaf how to use speech properly so they can communicate with others who are not deaf. Allisa is also thinking about working with the physically challenged and quoted that, “The point is for our society to learn about these people with disabilities and treat them as equals; to accept them like any other minority group.” The story of how she became intrigued by these studies and decided that she wanted to help out is quite touching. “My niece was born deaf and when I witnessed this and how innocent she was in this tragedy, I realized that the society needs to work on supporting and aiding these people.”

The story and commitment to helping disadvantaged persons is the same with Setar Seth, our Student Body Publicist. Setar is planning to go over seas and aid the victims of genocide in places like Kenya, Uganda, and Cambodia. The women and children of these countries are suffering harsh cases of neglect and starvation and Setar believes that she can contribute by putting life back into these famished areas. But even

with all these outside issues, Setar believes that we need to work out our own eccentricities before making such rash decisions on going overseas commenting, “We have a tendency to elevate the issues of other countries and disregard our own present problems.

America itself is a consumer society, I mean having twenty t-shirts or twenty pairs of shoes is completely unnecessary when others are lucky to have any shoes on their feet at all.” On the present political position of our country and the present election, she told me, “This country, especially Utah, is of Republican majority and we need to get over to the Democratic side a bit more or at least be open-minded.”

The first step to preparing for the future is leaving our passive ignorance behind. We have to start paying attention to what is happening to our country and what has happened in the past. There’s a reason the renowned quote about history repeating itself is of such importance. If we refuse to care about the world around us, our country will degrade into one of nihilism.

Avoiding catastrophe is simple but we want to excel in our time of rule. To do this we must have a leader to keep us striving and sane. Leaders must also strive and do all that is in their power for the good of a new America. They need to be more selfless then selfish. Someone like George W. Bush will not do. We are too concerned with productivity to fiend for popularity.

It doesn’t matter how many people thought the Jews needed to be exterminated or that the world’s a better place with Iraq invaded and laced with chaos. If it’s evil and immoral then it doesn’t matter; a leader is someone who can tell the difference and make the right decisions under pressure.

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4 HOLIDAY

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

Top Ten Holiday D.I.Y. Gifts

By Shea Turner Need ideas what to get your friends for the holidays? One of the best things you can do that is cheap and unique is to make them a gift. Here are several different things you can do.

1. Scarf- There are many ways you can do this. You can go to the store and buy a fabric, then sew it into a scarf. Another, if you don’t like sewing, is to buy some fleece fabric and tie fringes at each end.

If you have more time you can always knit or crochet a scarf.

2.

Key c h a i n Boondoggle is always fun to make, and makes a great keychain. You can also buy the bead kits to make several different kinds of key chains.

3. Card- If you like to write you can write poems for all of your friends on cards, or if you are good at drawing, draw a fun card.

4. Mugs- This one is easy, go to a store, and buy enough candy and mugs for all your friends. Then put them together in a fun way.

Gifts for Friends

By Brin Nelson

5. Tooth brush bracelets- All you need to take out the bristles. Then boil the toothbrush till it is soft enough to bend.

Don’t leave it in too long, it will melt.

Then take it out and bend it into a bracelet.

6. Blankets- You can make blankets for a couple of your friends. Buy some fleece fabric, and tie fringes all the way around.

To make fringes all you need to do is cut lines into the blanket about one inch apart and 2 inches down. Then tie each one individually into a knot.

7. Picture frames- Decorate a plain picture frame with paint or glue things onto it, and put a picture you know they will like in it.

8. Cookies- Just bake some cookies, decorate them and put them in a bag or a fun wrapping.

9. CD- Burn a CD with your friend’s favorite artists on it.

10. Collage- Make a collage of meaningful pictures, and frame it for them.

So you’re wondering what to get your friends, or you’re trying to figure out what could possibly be in that box. Well, I can’t answer directly for you, but here are some common presents Granger teens like to get for their friends.

1. Candy. Candy is one of the biggest American habits, and it’s certainly even more so during the holiday season.

2. Body Works. Some might ask what teenage girl wouldn’t love more lotion or body sprays. Well, it’s actually not that uncommon for guys to get, either.

3. Cookies. Mm…warm and soft, straight from the oven. Or at least from the store. Cookies are easy to make or buy, and create an easy backup plan for those procrastinators out there.

4. Food. Baked goods, or just any kind of food, is what makes holidays go. If you’re an aspiring cook, you might as well get your friends something to eat.

5. CD’s. No matter what kind you’re

into, music runs most teens’ lives.

A new CD to add to their collection makes a great present.

6. Jewelry. Earrings, necklaces, rings, or bracelets, jewelry can be a no-brainer for some friends.

7. Candy Canes. A traditional part of Christmas, they’re easy and simple to do. Buy them from the store, maybe tie a ribbon around them or attach them to another present, and viola! It’s perfected.

8. Cards. If you’re crafty or talented with words, there are few things as sentimental and meaningful as a card.

9. Money. For those with little time (or imagination), money is an easy way to fill in the answer to “What on earth would they want?!?”

10. Movies. Though probably not something you’d do for every friend, if someone really wants it, what better way to grant their wish?

The Tri-Color Times Staff Editor-In-Chief Selina Tran

Staff Writers Dahn Carlson RaShonda Miles Hilda Cordero Brin Nelson Joseph Fatani Malerie Phillips Robyn Green Dominick Prospero Julie Hewitt Valentine Tinoifili Ashley Jorgensen Sheamarie Turner Megan McManama James Wallis

Advisor

John Carlisle

HOLIDAY 5

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

Top Ten Holiday My Favorite Things About The Holidays

Winter, So Much More Than Snow

By Brin Nelson

By Robyn Green 1. The Snow It’s white and pretty and it never feels like Christmas until it snows!

2. Presents/ Gifts I’m not a greedy p e r s o n but come on!

Who doesn’t like new stuff?

3.

Being with Family It’s the one time of the year that you get to see everyone you care about and love 4. Out of School Sleeping in, no homework, and doing whatever you want. It’s the next best thing to summer.

5. Christmas Lights They are so pretty and no matter how old you get you still love to look at them.

6. Playing in the snow with your friends

You can go sledding, snowboarding or simply just make a snowman. No matter what it is you can have a blast.

7. Christmas decorations I love putting up the tree and all the bows and stockings and such.

It just makes you feel so festive.

8. Shopping for presents Giving gifts to others is so fun because you no you’ve m a d e someone a little bit happier.

9. Hot Chocolate So yummy!

10. Christmas music Even if you have heard Jessica Simpson’s Jingle Bell Rock 40 billion times, you still sing along.

The season of holidays, cold weather, and runny noses, commonly known as winter, is upon us. What do Granger students do to keep themselves busy during these grey weeks? A quick survey reveals the top ten things to look forward to: 1. Drinking Hot Drinks. If it’s hot cocoa, coffee, or warm cider, curling up with something warm to sip is a favorite pastime during winter.

2. Sleeping. No surprises here. Sleeping is often one of the most favorite things teenagers like to do. So why not just sleep away while waiting for these cold and dreary days to disappear?

3. Stay Inside at Home. For those out there who aren’t fond of the constant cold, what better thing to do than to stay where you can keep warm, all wrapped up in a blanket or two?

4. Shopping. Though for some this is the worst part of the holiday season, it is a complete adventure for avid shoppers. Racing to see who can get that last potential present from the rack, or having an easy excuse to always be wandering around the mall, winter is a great time to shop.

5. Snowball Fights. Some people just love the snow. And, of course, one of the best ways to appreciate such glorious white goodness…is

My Most Wanted Gifts For Christmas

By Robyn Green 1. A car So people can bum rides off me instead of me being the bum.

2. An elephant!

How cool would that be riding to school? And plus they are so cute!

3. Clothes Sounds boring to you, but I can never have enough.

4. Video camera For all the special moments in your life. (Like when your friend is on fire and falls out of a tree) 5. Someone to do all my homework Self explanatory…

6. Laptop For the person doing my homework 7. A pony

It’s never too late to get a pony…

8. Shopping spree to F.Y.E Must…Have…Music 9. Money You can use it everywhere.

10. Gas For the car…

That stuff is expensive…

Robyn Green hopes to get money for the holidays.

to throw it. Whether it’s a spontaneous thing, or a well planned-out match, snowball fights are a traditional part of winter.

6. Watch Movies. Some go out for them, some stay in. Movies are a big part of our modern-day world, and that’s not about to change in the winter.

7. Be With Family. Many people think of the holiday season as a time to spend with family. It’s a special time for most people, and family is important.

8. Sledding. Another great tradition for snow lovers, sledding has captured hearts for winter. Utah is also a fantastic place to ski or snowboard, but it seems that sledding has not been totally replaced.

9. Going Downtown. One special treat for living in Utah is that we have temple square in downtown Salt Lake City. For those who love to see Christmas lights, temple square is a magical place. You can go with a date, with family, or with friends, it doesn’t cost a thing, and it’s always an excellent idea.

10. Making Gifts. For those that don’t have time, money, or desire to shop for presents, making gifts is something that can make the hours and days go by. Scarves, jewelry, cards, cookies, or something else are some of the things you might find people trying to get done before the holidays creep up.

6 REVIEWS

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

Much Ado About Nothing Behind the Scenes

Cast Bios Andrew Christensen- Andrew played Dogberry, a sometimes drunk, constable.

He commented that he loved to shout, and yell at people when in character. He is 18 and has been in drama for 4 years. Andrew is in Granger's Jazz Band and is a snowboarder.

Lacy Freeman- Lacy played Hero, daughter of the king, she is a quiet, and beautiful character. She is 16 and has been involved in theatre for 4 years.

Lacy loves the set for Much ado about nothing. She also loves the many different kinds of characters in this play. Lacy is also involved with Competition Cheerleader.

Miya Jensen- Miya plays Donna Johanna, the villain of the story, mischief and a streak of evil are clearly seen in her character. Miya is 17 years old and has been involved in theatre since she was 10 years old. Miya was a narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat, and Angel in Anything Goes, and Rooster in Annie. Miya helps contribute a lot to LAT and Madrigals.

Josh Jester- Josh plays Claudio the brave and passionate, solider, whom falls in love with Hero. He is 16 and has been involved with theatre for 3 years.

Josh’s other roles include Charlie from Brigadoon. Josh Enjoys doing theatre, and he also plays soccer.

Will Kalmar- Will had the role of Don Pedro, the prince.

He is 18 and is a senior at Granger. He has been involved with theatre for 5 years.

Will played Roger in Granger’s production for The Lord of the Flies. Will says he is really impressed with the set for Much Ado About Nothing. He also says that the toughest thing for him was to get down his lines. Will is also part of Grangers swim team Meg McManama- Meg McManama plays the role of Beatrice, the witty and funny cousin of Hero.

She is almost 16 and this is her second year being involved in Drama. Her past roles include Marta in the Sound of Music, and Katrina Van Tassel in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. She was very excited to be in Much Ado About Nothing, because she loves Shakespeare. Megan is on the Newspaper staff, Student Government, and she also plays soccer.

Tyler Moore. Tyler plays Leonato, the king of Messina.

He is 17 and has been involved in theatre for 7 years. His past roles at Granger are Piggy in The Lord of the Flies, a sailor in Anything Goes, and Benjamin and the butler in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat. He loved being in a comedy. Tyler is also in Madrigals and Concert Choir.

Stewart Singleton- Stewart plays Benedick, the funny, clever bachelor. Stewart is 16 years old and has been involved in theatre for 5 years. Stewart likes being in plays because they give him something to do with his free time. Stewart is also involved in GTV.

By Meg McManama “I wouldn’t doubt Mr. Fuller trying to cancel the play.

We are no where near ready to perform,” said sophomore Paul Facer, one week before the opening night of Granger’s Much Ado About Nothing. Most all of the actors were not confident about performing, until the week of the first performance.

But from an audience member’s point of view, Raminder Singh, a sophomore, said, “I came for extra credit, and I saw it Friday. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. The serious parts held the play together, and it was really funny.” Sophomore Russell Owens commented about the play, “Good! It was very good.

The humor made me laugh!” The actors got serious a few weeks before the performance, and pulled it together. They created specific characters and brought comedy into it.

One of the most difficult things for the actors was staying after school until 9:00 P.M. every day in the two weeks before the first performance. Still those days seemed to be the most fun days.

There was one incident backstage when Stewart Singleton was chasing Paul, Stewart then smashed his foot on the edge of a mirror. Everyone could hear Stewart curse Paul, “I’m going to kill you!” throughout the auditorium.

Directors, Brian Fuller

Kenrod James and Kortney Timmler having fun behind the scenes of Much Ado About Nothing.

and Jacob Squire had a hard job.

They watched scenes over and over, helping actors perfect it. While doing this, they were also ordering costumes, making programs, tickets, and much more. The directors were constantly commanding the actors to leave their swords in their sheaths, and “Stop dueling with them!” One day when they didn’t stop, the student director joined them. We can’t forget Mr. Fuller’s hard work and all the things he did to make the play happen.

The stage crew not only built and painted the set, they also set up microphones and electrical equipment. Mr. Nelson and some students were up until 9:00 P.M.

at school working on lights, and scene transitions with the actors.

The play wouldn’t have gone on with out them.

Granger’s, Much Ado About Nothing was a huge success! The actors became different people when they were on stage.

Also, the parents of the actors often brought food to revive them during long practices. The directors helped the actors immensely.

The Stage crew worked for long hours to make the set. The audience can’t see who is behind the scenes or the work that went into our production, but without them the show wouldn’t have gone on at all.

All The World's A Stage

By Joe Fatani As Granger’s production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing was about to start, I recalled comments made by some of the actors about feeling unprepared and very nervous.

By the time the first scene ended, I soon forgot that they were students and became enthralled with the story.

Much Ado About Nothing is a story about Count Claudio, a young Lord from Florence (played by Josh Jester) and his courtship of Hero (played by Lacy Freeman), the daughter of the governor of Messina, Sicily. The existence of their love seems doomed because of the villainous scheming of Prince Don Pedro’s (William Kalmar) sister, Donna Johanna (Miya Jensen). However there was still hope, thanks to the hilarious and comical exploits of Constable Dogberry (Andrew Christensen), and his deputy Verges (Cory Christopher). There is also a

Andrew Christensen as Dogberry in Much Ado Bout Nothing.

sub-plot about the friends of Hero and Claudio, Benedick (Stewart Singleton) and Beatrice (Meg McManama). These two seem to hate each other, but later through lighted hearted scheming, they fall in love.

The whole performance transported me to another time and place, I thought only the story. The set, with its multiple entrances, made me believe that the story didn’t occur on a high school stage, but in another world.

The actors of the performances also added to this effect. The only

times I was distracted from this world, was when some of the actors pause to remember lines. But they didn’t crack under this pressure, which I was proud to observe.

I must say my favorite scenes were those that included Andrew Christensen, who played the role of Dogberry the Constable. His silly antics and posture captured the audience’s imagination and allowed me to see a character on stage, not an actor playing a role. At times his demeanor reminded me of Johnny Depp’s in Pirates of the Caribbean.

The directors did a great job of presenting this classic play as did the actors/actresses. From the engaging love story, to the comedy relief of the law men, the Granger production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing was a great play and hopefully you were able to see it.

NEWS 7

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

Moving On Or Dropping Out?

By Joe Fatani We have all had our troubling times with high school, from grades and attendance to relationships with friends and teachers.

Some of us have it harder than others. “I would estimate only about 75% of students survive through high school and graduate.” said Mr. Anthony. “I’m not surprised either.

Granger students have a harder life than those at most other schools in Granite district. Most kids have to work so their family can have money, or have problems even getting to school, which is really unfortunate. Then again, some kids just don’t care about their future, so they just don’t go to school, which is also very unfortunate.”

Because of this, many kids just drop-out of school. For these reasons, you would think that our drop out rate would be pretty high.

But that isn’t necessarily true. According to Mr. Anthony, drop-out rate is very easy to lower in fact.

“It’s very easy to mask the drop-out rate because, what we usually do is just transfer the kid to night school or an alternate school like Central High. As for what the student does after we transfer him or her, we don’t really follow up on that. Therefore, it is pretty easy to

lower a drop-out rate.” said Mr. Anthony.

I asked kids to see what they felt about Granger as a school and how difficult it is. Most of them said that there are circumstances that do make it hard and that sometimes we don’t get enough motivation to go all the way through to graduation.

Also, they think that the staff of Granger does a lot to make it more comfortable for us.

This isn’t just Granger High; every school’s student body goes through hardships, we’re just known more for them.

Why is that? Why are we known for having a harder life than other schools? People would think that

Could this student be leaving Granger for good?

this would make our school weaker, but I think this, in turn, makes our school even stronger. We know about hardships, so we also know how to overcome them. That is why I think Granger is

one of the best schools in the district.

Everyone has hard times, but don’t give up. High school is a great experience if you choose to make it that way.

8 NEWS

The Tri-Color Times December 2006

The Aquabats

By Shea Turner The Aquabats’ Concert was nothing special. The first two bands were not talented. The place was too crowded, and most of the kids didn’t know what to do with themselves. Though the Aquabats played some good songs, their set seemed endless.

The first two bands that played in the show were horrible.

Their music sounded rushed, and after awhile got very annoying.

The worst of the two, Supernova, sounded like a bad version of The Dead Kennedy’s, mixed with some really bad ska. “I wanted to shoot the lead singer.” said Chance Larsen, a senior “They just wouldn’t shut up.”

The venue was extremely crowded. “No one could move, and all the kids were pushing each other so they could have some room to breathe. You couldn’t just stand and watch the show without someone pushing you to the floor. Everyone was shoving

each other to get to the front.” said Chambray Mower, a junior “ It was ridiculous. They wouldn’t let us make a skank pit,” said Whitley, a junior.

Though they played some great songs, the Aquabats set seemed never ending. They talked way too much, and some of the songs dragged out for five or six minutes at a time. “I wanted to dance, but they wouldn’t stop talking.” said Lyssa Clark, a junior. After what seemed like the twentieth song people were really getting annoyed, and started yelling at the band to start actually playing “real” songs. “I left half way through their set.” Said Jayla Johansson senior.

The concert was definitely not worth fifteen dollars.

The bands didn’t deliver a good show. The place was packed, and extremely hot. It was just not a good experience.

Announcements Softball

Open Gym will be held on Monday nights in the Red and Blue gyms from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. beginning January 8th.

Please see Ms. Clark in room 3 with any questions.

Internships & Job Shadows

Students, if you are interested, please come to the Career Center and get more information from Mrs. Lloyd. Internships are a full semester so we need to get started quickly

Locker Partner Problems

By Dahn Carlson & Kristin Eckersley Have you ever wondered why students are assigned lockers with people they don’t even know? Or why half the lockers in the school are never opened? Jackie Salm, a junior, said, “I don’t like sharing my locker with a stranger.

My stuff got stolen last year, and I don’t want it to happen again. How do I know I can trust them?” This is true because students are usually partnered up with random people, which causes problems in the long run with things getting stolen and partners getting upset.

Monica Valenzuela, a junior, said, “I do use my locker. I don’t know who my partner is but I need a place to put all my stuff.”

While we are forced to pair with people we don’t know, the cheerleaders, Excaliburs, and class officers get their own lockers. Excaliburs and cheerleaders have those huge bags they have to stuff in there lockers, but what about the other athletes in the school? Shouldn’t they get their own lockers as well?

The administration and school tells us not to give out the locker combinations to others. But what if our locker partner does?

Will our things get stolen, or are they going to be safe? Heather Sundblom, a junior, couldn’t open her locker because the combo was wrong. And now she is sharing a

locker with an officer. If she can share a locker with an officer, then shouldn’t the rest of the officers’ share like the rest of Granger Students?

Most of you know that at the end of the year when you are signing up for next year’s classes, you can request for a locker partner, so let's hope that you will be paired up with that person instead of someone you don't trust.