Granger high school
Tri-Color Times An open forum for student opinion and expression
TRICOLORTIMES.COM
JANUARY 2012 LIV-4
MESA fashion show raises money for Somalia
By Cecilia Cardozo THE IDEA of a fashion show began as a simple suggestion for the MESA Club. They took the initiative to convert it into a reality. The event was proof of the dedication that that club members brought fourth; it was set up in a time frame of a mere two weeks. “The MESA fashion show was a success. As an organization, we put on a great show,” Stephanie Yu (12) said. The fashion show was set up as a forum for the country of Somalia. They came to the decision of helping Somalia because it appeared to have the worst case of famine and in the most need of help. “Somalia was chosen because Sabrina Abdala and I really wanted to help and make a change all around the globe,” Mijail Gaytan (12) said. From the beginning they were sure that they needed to carry out the event in as little time as possible. With the determination of their officers and the commitment of their members they were quickly able to get a head start. “The officers kept it professional and did their best,” Gaytan said.
The event took off from the start. MESA were able to round up the outfits and models from the members themselves. It took them a week to be able to start their rehearsals. The whole event took a total of
the way they would walk in the auditorium. “The hardest thing was finding models and teaching them how to model in a week,” Gaytan said. From the success of the event one would never be able to tell
Granger’s MESA created a successful fashion show representing different cultures.
four hours to put together. The members were required to stay after school and practice for the big day. They practiced the order in which they would appear and
that they had troubles starting out. Procrastination was their biggest flaw they believed; they should have started their practice earlier. “We didn’t have enough time. It
Ugly sweaters unite staff Granger High Staff Wear Ugly Sweaters
By Adis Jasarevic FOUR YEARS ago a new tradition had was started by Ms. Oliver for the faculty of Granger High School, Ugly Sweater Day. “It’s a fad, there are stores on the web to order ugly sweaters,” Ms. Long said. For the last four years Granger faculty have been going through old boxes, buying them at the D.I. and even making their own ugly sweaters to wear on Ugly Sweater Day. These “Ugly Sweater Days” have not only been a tradition at Granger High School but people have been doing them all over. “They even make parties at home,” Ms. Long said. Ugly sweaters over the years have become a huge Christmas tradition and every year more and more people are purchasing pointless sweaters for the amusement of Christmas Spirit. So far only faculty have been involved in this Granger tradition, but some are hoping that, even as soon as next year, they introduce Ugly Sweater Day to the entire school, and have students get involved in a four year Granger tradition. Every year the Counseling Center tries to do something new with the tradition to keep people wearing ugly Christmas sweaters. This year there were prizes for the best ugly sweaters, and if students get involved in it next year, these
was all last minute,” Andy Tran (12) said. They were able to work through their troubles. The night of the big day everyone was told to meet an hour before the performance. They were able to raise a
same prizes can be waiting for them. “There are not as many as we would like,” Ms. Sherwood said. If students get involved next year, there would be plenty of ugly sweaters to spice up the halls with Christmas spirit. “A lot of history with ugly Christmas sweaters,” Ms. Sherwood said. Every sweater that is purchased at the D.I. has a fun story that goes along with it. Whether it be a crazy Christmas party, or a sad Christmas breakup, these sweaters are perfect examples of memories of good or bad times people have had together with the family or friends. Christmas is about being with the family and sharing the love that
everyone has for each other. If anyone has any questions concerning Ugly Sweater Day, feel free to ask Ms. Oliver in the counseling center. Just make sure she is free and don’t bother her while she is working. Granger students, the counseling center wants you to get involved next year, the more ugly sweaters the better the tradition will be, and eventually it will become something everyone in the new Granger High School will be doing. Go out and find an ugly sweater that has close memories to you, and share them with your friends at school. It’s time to get involved in Ugly Sweater Day students and let’s make it fun for everyone.
Ms. Oliver, Ms. Sherwood and Ms. Long looking large and in charge in their Christmas Sweaters.
few hundred dollars for Somalia’s cause. The event went smoothly, except for an unexpected event toward the end where a young man stepped onto the stage.
The misunderstanding was taken care of and the show carried on. “He was a run away from California and the confusion was cleared up, he was arrested,” Gaytan said. The fashion show was put together for the benefit of Somalia and in support of their cause, but the students involved were able to benefit from the cause just as well. “Apart from helping out, it allowed us to spread our culture and help the community better understand the diversities,” Yu said. “It helped me exercise my leadership abilities,” Kim Tabligan (11) said. As for plans for the future, the MESA club is interested in more community service activities. They hope to be able to put on another successful forum as successful as the fashion show. They have quite a few ideas in mind. “We hope to be able to do a forum to introduce the subject of sexual abuse and violence among our fellow Lancers,” said Yu. If they bring forth the same commitment as before there is no doubt they’ll do just that, and more.
New you in a new year
By Leslie Plascencia A NEW YEAR is here, and it is time for some resolutions. There is a lot to look forward to with a fresh new start, and a chance to make some good life choices. When a New Year has began, there are so many possibilities, from making new friends, to attempting to get better grades. While some celebrate the New Year on January 1st, the Chinese celebrate anywhere from late January, to early February. When they do, they have big festivals, and family reunions. A tradition that most people take part on, are the Sae Bae Don, or the red envelope, are envelopes that are given to family members with money in them. They often contain an even number of money, such as 2, 4, and 6. They never give money in amounts of 4, because the word ‘four’ In Chinese is very similar to the word ‘death.’ “I am looking forward for the red pocket. That is when you get money from family.” Yuan Ruan (12) said. “The things I am looking forward to this New Year, is to have good grades and pass all my classes.” Belen Hernandez (10) said. Hernandez isn’t all just about school, she also wants to have fun this year, like meeting new people and hang out. Most people forget about, or give up on their resolution, but it is very important to do your best on sticking to it. It is a great
goal to have, and once this year is complete, you can proudly say you achieved at least one thing this year! A very popular resolution is working out, and losing weight. Because it is a popular goal, a lot of people end up quitting, so it becomes a very unsuccessful resolution. A quick tip would be for you to not make the goal to lose weight, but maybe eat healthier. This one is a lot simpler than always dreading that workout, and trying to cut out all of your favorite foods. Making a resolution can be hard, but you need to make sure that it suits you, and it is what you want. Don’t make a goal you know you can’t achieve, because then you are setting yourself up for failure. Make a goal, and try to split it up within the 12 months. This can be an easy and effective way of accomplishing what you want. On a last note, keep the words of Jay Leno in mind, “Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average…which means, you have met your New Year’s resolution.”
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January 2012, page 2
VOL. LIV Issue 4
Passion 4 fashion Fashion at Trolley Square
By Cindy Govea A STUDENT at Granger High school had the chance to go pursue her dreams. She was invited to go behind the scenes of a fashion show at Trolley Square. “I feel very lucky because I get the chance to go to a fashion show and participate in it; it was a great opportunity to work with the models behind the runway, made friends,” Nura Abdalla (12) said. Six up-and-coming local Utah designers, Jordan Halverson, Sophie St. Claire, Rachael Domingo, Kish Carter, Pretty Macabre and Krista Nielson. They showcased all their amazing designs, more than 500 people showed up. Models from Urban talent agency and Hollister modeled the clothing. The fashion soiree show is a competition against the fashion designers. A free runway event, at Trolley Square’s the Hive Gallery. It began with a style war with polka dots. Style war is a competition against local fashion designers to prove their inner polka dot theme design. This year’s guest judge is Amy Royer owner of Yellowbird Fabrics. The designers were under pressure because they were all rushed to getting their models ready. Nevertheless she herself was running around getting stuff done for the show. “The fashion world is crazy and I’m ready to go in it because I’m sure I can handle it.” Abdalla said. It all started a 3 p.m. As Abdalla was riding in her car going to trolley square she got there astonished by the lights, cameras and all the glitz and glam. “Wow it felt like a dream”
Abdalla said. Expect the unexpected because she grew up with brothers all her life and having a lot of male figures under one roof she had never expected to turnout liking fashion with all of the boy stuff around her. “I honestly believe that if a person has a passion for something they should stick to it, chase it, until they get it. I’m still chasing my dreams”. I also want to do something in psychology because I want to know a lot of things about the human mind & why humans react to certain things, it just fascinates me” Abdalla said. The fashion show inspired Abdalla in many ways. One way was she got to see the different jobs in the Fashion Industry and how it really was in real life being on set backstage doing the actually Fashion work. Now she’s thinking of going in to either fashion marketing & merchandising or fashion styling. “If you believe in yourself and learn to trust yourself you can do possibly anything. Hold on to your dreams & accomplish them because dreams often do come true. The universe is the limit, begin doing what you love and want to do now we’re not living in eternity.” She loves when people express themselves mentally and physically. She feels like everyone here at Granger is very Unique but also have a lot in common with each other, she explained The world doesn’t have anything to do with how it perceives you what matters is what you feel and see go and enjoy life doing what you’re happy doing,”Abdalla said.
Book Review: The Morpheus Road by D.J. MacHale
By Abby Cartmell D.J. MACHALE has done it again! After the very successful book series, Pendragon, the writer/producer/director started a trilogy called The Morpheus Road. The first book, called The Light, was released April 20, 2010. The second book, The Black, was released April 19, 2011 and the final book, The Blood, will be released on March 27, 2012. If you
only need one reason to read this series then here it is; MacHale delivers a story with fantastic characters, creepy conditions and wonderful humor. It takes skills to write like that. The School Library Journal called The Morpheus Road “A fast-paced fantasy thriller.” Marshall Seaver is a graphic novel artist. Well, he tries to be. All he can draw is the dark and mysterious Gravedigger. No matter what he starts to draw, it turns into Gravedigger. It’s starting to annoy Marshall, his art teacher is already annoyed with this lack of imagination and the kids are starting to poke fun at him. After all, Marshall is just a shy geek who plays video games, builds model
spaceships and lost his mother. But things are starting to happen to Marshall. Have you ever made up a character that almost seems to come alive? That’s exactly what happens to Marshall when he draws Gravedigger. But Gravedigger really does come to life and Marshall’s friend, Cooper, suddenly goes missing! Marshall must find his friend and, with the help of Cooper’s snarky older sister Sydney, find out how to put Gravedigger back onto the drawing page. However, Gravedigger is just the beginning… I know you’re all wondering; what could be worse than facing your own creation? In addition to the book, Brilliance Audio released the audiobook with Nick Podehl reading the story. Listeners have praised Podehl for his speaking skills and for the uniqueness of Gravedigger’s voice. You can also go to The Morpheus Road Facebook or Twitter page or visit D.J. MacHale’s website. The Morpheus Road is a series that will have readers biting their nails as they go on this horror adventure with Marshall, Cooper and Sydney. And those who have read the Pendragon series will once again fall for MacHale’s storytelling. Keep reading, Lancers!
How embarrassing
I can’t believe this happened to me
By Viri Aguilera EMBARRASSING moments happen all the time. You just can’t help the fact that everyone has those moments. When you think no one is looking, think again. When you least expect things they happen to you. You always feel like good things are never on your side. But actually all the embarrassing moments are really entertaining. You can’t help it but to laugh when someone falls or does something embarrassing. When you’re walking down the hall and not paying attention to where your going is usually not a good thing. McKenzie Baker (12) is one those people who never pays attention to where she is going. She was walking out of 4th period when she didn’t notice that the floor was slippery. She was texting and the next thing she knew she was on the floor. “OMG, how embarrassing I hope no one saw me fall.” But unfortunately everyone had seen. When she was on the floor she got up right away and walked off. “My face turned bright red, this is so embarrassing,” said Baker. Not everyone gets embarrassed easily. For some people it takes a lot to embarrass them. Jared Garcia (12) is the type of person who doesn’t really get embarrassed easily. One day he was playing basketball with his friends. They were just having fun playing around. One of his friends passed the ball to him, so his hands were busy to
do anything else when his other friend came up behind him and pants him. “I had been pants before, but this time it was super embarrassing because I was butt naked,” said Garcia. “Luckily I had the basketball in my hands to try to cover myself, but it wasn’t enough. This was one of the most embarrassing things that have happened to me. Thankfully only my friends were there and no one else, but still no one should have that happen to them.” When you are little, you tend to do a lot of embarrassing things. You might not remember everything you do, but your parents have plenty of embarrassing stories about you. You know when you see people come out of the bathroom and they have toilet paper stuck to their pants or their shirt is tucked into their underwear; you would
usually think OMG how embarrassing. Nura Abdalla (12) had one of these bathroom incidents. When she was eight years old she had to go use the bathroom and when she came out, yup you guessed it; her dress was tucked into her underwear. She came out of the bathroom like nothing. Her uncle saw her and starts laughing but didn’t tell her anything, so she keeps walking. She walked around for a long time before she noticed. Why she did notice it was because she didn’t feel her dress behind her so she touched her back and felt that her dress was tucked into her underwear. “OMG, I can’t believe no one told me I was walking around with my dress tucked into my underwear,” said Abdalla. This was totally one of those OMG moments that you don’t want to happen to you.
Elmer Pauni (12) caught with a finger up his nose
January 2012, page 3
VOL. LIV Issue 4
Hygiene products and why you should use them
By Karen Garcia WHILE some kids come to school dressed as if they are in a pageant show, others come as if they just came out of the ground. For some their hygiene is important, while others don’t care as much. Most students get really angry when they have to sit by that ‘stinky boy’ or the ‘ragged girl’ in one of their classes for the whole quarter or until the teacher makes a new seating chart. Juan Ramirez (12) said that the
school should put posters around the school that say ‘Stay clean and brush your teeth!’ So other students get an idea. “Principals and teachers should tell the students who don’t take showers or brush their teeth that they need to do that, although it’s embarrassing for them it’s something that they need to work on,” Ramirez said. Flossing and brushing isn’t all about just having white teeth and looking great, it’s also im-
Hygenic products to help you through the day
portant for your health. If you don’t remove the plaque, germs that build up on your teeth, they prevent your gums from holding your teeth in place and that is why flossing is also very important. Your teeth are meant to last for your lifetime, and if you don’t take care of them you can end up having some gum diseases. “Sometimes I can’t even get my work done when I have to be holding in my breath so I don’t have to smell that stench,” Juan said. Juan says that it isn’t too much to ask for if they just come decent to school. Some kids blame their sensitive skin or that they are allergic to deodorant so that is why they don’t wear any, but truth is that there are some deodorants made especially for sensitive skin. For people who are allergic, the best deodorants to wear are the ones that say they are fragrance free because fragrances are what cause the allergic reaction most of the time. Liliani Kapetaua (10) thinks that most of her classes are filled with kids who never brush their teeth or take showers. “Sometimes kids come up to me in class to ask me a question and their
SWAT training for Lancers By Adis Jasarevic GRANGER High School students taking Law enforcement had the privilege of seeing what it’s like to be an officer and taking down a suspect. Officer B. a current instructor, long time police officer and SWAT team member, came to Granger on December 15, 2011 to show a class of students how to take down suspects and the uses of both the baton and the TASER. Going over all the pressure points, and how to use pain as a form of restraint Officer B. did not hesitate to take students down and hand-cuff them. Once Officer B. finished his instructions, it was the students turn to try to handcuff each other and take eachother down. Officer B. comes every year to teach Law Enforcement students police methods. Taking the class, students get a first-hand look how to restrain suspects.
breath smells horrible. I don’t know what to do other than listen to them and put up with it,” Kapetaua said. She also says that in most of her classes, there are the girls who don’t brush their hair and some kids who don’t use deodorant when they should be using it, and she hates having to put up with these smells during class. She also says that in most of her classes, girls ‘won’t brush their hair and some boys don’t use deodorant when they should be using it and she hates having to put up with that smell. “No one has to be mean to them and judge them in the way that they are dressed, or how they look. All students have to do is come clean. There is no need to be fancy looking as long as they are clean,” Kapetaua said. No one really has to come dressed to school all fancy and wear loads of makeup. The essentials are just enough which are brushing your teeth, bathing, and some deodorant. “Sometimes there is a difference between neglect and choice,” Mr. Gatti said. He has never had to report a student for not being clean but
he says that sometimes students here choose to dress a certain way or they decide not to brush their hair. Gatti said that he would only feel the need to talk to a student if he felt that the student was being neglected or looks as if the student isn’t getting his basic living needs met. Mr. Babcock said sometimes students don’t have a hygiene issue, sometimes it is more of a living condition or it might even be a financial issue. “It’s really hard telling a student when they have a problem and they are distracting others in their class,” Backcock said. He says that some of the time, students he has to deal with who have a “hygiene issue” sometimes have their water shut off or can’t afford to buy some things that they need such as deodorant. Babcock says that most students who have this issue are aware of it but just need direction or help by someone else. So next time you have to sit by that ‘stinky boy’ or that ‘ragged girl,’ just give it some thought. Maybe they have some issues, but don’t make fun of them, or make them feel uncomfortable.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor Aida Uzierbegovic Online Editor Brittany Edwards Copy Editor Alejandro Garza
Photo Editor Brooke Rigby Managing Editor Taylor Bailey Logo Artist Jose Olmedo
Journalists
Journalists
Fabiola Abarca Viridiana Aguilera Celeste Anguiano Salvador Armenta Shanice Boyd Bernice Bracemontes Matt Brown Maria Camarillo Cecilia Cardozo Abigail Cartmell Gloria Castaneda Jessie Cisneros Rosy Donoso Zlatko Dzanic Karen Garcia Alejandro Garza Clarissa Godinez Maria Gonzales
Cindy Govea Kevin Guzman Selina Haro Curtis Hughes Adis Jasarevic Shayla Johnson Aleecia Martinez Monica Ortega Takia Owens Leslie Plascencia Nancy Resendiz Judith Rupay Yasmin Salgado Rita Soto Mercedey Thomas Brenda Valdez Erick Vargas Maria Zuniga
The Tri-Color Times serves as a student forum for student opinion and student expression. The views expressed herein reflect neither the opinions of Adviser John Carlisle and Granger High School, nor those of Granite School District. The Tri-Color Times invites and publishes letters to its editorial board; all letters will be edited for taste, length and legality. Granger High 3690 South 3600 West West Valley, UT 84119 385 646-5320
January 2012, page 4
VOL. LIV Issue 4
Granger’s wrestling team By Maria Gonzales GRANGER High School has an amazing, hardworking wrestling team. Most people don’t know how much work and time is put into wrestling. Teammates of Granger’s wrestling team talk to us about their hard work and achievements. Jacob Christiansen (12) Christiansen has been playing for 3 years and enjoys wrestling because it’s fun and he gets along with his team mates although it’s hard work. Christiansen said that it’s the hardest sport he’s ever been in. Christiansen loves wrestling but doesn’t think he would continue with wrestling after high school “because it gets harder each time” Christiansen said. Christiansen’s family comes to support every match but mainly his father. Christiansen would recommend this sport to his future kids. “It makes you into a man” Jacob Christiansen said. When Christiansen just began wrestling he felt a bit awkward wearing tights but now he is used to wearing them but wouldn’t wear them in public places other than his match. Christiansen used to play football in his sophomore year but his football coach convinced to into joining the wrestling team. Hyrum Avalos (12) Has been
wrestling for 2 years. Avalos wanted to join the wrestling team because keeps him in shape and build’s his body, wrestling makes Hyrum feel good when he’s running because it gets him pumped up and energized. Avalos does
not feel weird wearing tights and didn’t feel awkward when he just started. “I get nervous when I’m getting ready for my match” Avalos said. It also get’s him very intimated because the other guys are a lot bigger than he is.
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Granger says goodbye to a great teacher: Marcus Durfee retires By Yasmin Salgado GRANGER has many great teachers, and one of them being Marcus Durfee who has been teaching here since 1994. Sadly we have to say goodbye. It’s very sad to know that he will be leaving, and not staying for second semester. “I’m very sad to know I have to leave Granger. I wish I could stay for a year longer. I’m going to miss my students and my teacher friends. I met a lot of good people here at Granger.” Durfee said. “I taught in a couple junior highs before coming to Granger. When I started at Granger my first year, I loved it, so I told the administration that I wanted to stay for the next 20 years.” The reason why this great teacher is leaving here is because he was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Hemochromatosis. This disease attacks all the organs in the body such as the liver, kidney, and heart. He decided to retire with his family. They had a meeting with him, and told him they were really concerned about his health. He needs enough rest and he has a very strict diet. “My disease is hereditary, and my grandpa started having problems when he was older but
back then they probably didn’t know about this disease, so they couldn’t really do anything about it.” “Principal Haslam has been really supportive about my sickness and he has been really good about me missing school for my doctor appointments, he said ” “Gatti helped me with the day I collapsed the first week of school and got taken to the emergency room, he said” A lot of other administrators were there to help me as well. Haslam has been very concerned about me every time he sees me he says, go home and rest.” It’s very complicated for Mr. Durfee to talk about his situation but he had to tell his students about it since he was missing a lot of school days. “I’m not letting this disease take over more of me. I’m going to beat this disease! I don’t care what it’s called!” He didn’t want them thinking something else that wasn’t true. To this very day, he is still helping out his students pass his class because he doesn’t want to leave any failing student behind. Granger will miss this great teacher! He’s been teaching for many years and has taught many students many things.
Divorce affects many students
By Judith Rupay RESULTS and reactions are never the same. Most marriages have different background stories to be told. Most of the students at Granger High School don’t like to share their stories for many reasons, but they know that the only way of hiding it, is by having a happy face when things go wrong. 50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri. Everyone reacts differently and it all depends on the family and what they’re going through. “My parents got divorced when I was 12 years old, and I really didn’t care much because I’m not emotionally attached to my dad,” Sergio Estrada (12) said. In other situations if the kids are attached to both parents it can be hard no matter what age you are. “I was bummed out when I found out, I felt bad. I was in 5th grade when they filed the divorce papers, but they didn’t tell us about it after 2 years,” Hyrum Avalos (12) said. “I didn’t know my parents got separated until the day my dad kicked my mom out, I was about 6 years old,” Jeny Maya (12) said. In many situations parents leave or kids have to move out, everyone suffers with at least one con-
sequence. “I had leave San Diego and move to Utah,” Estrada said. In other results, it’s not just the parents that struggle with economic issues but also their kids where they want both parents to support them and not making a difference by just having one of your parents by your side. “My life changed a lot, I had to learn by myself because my parents never push me to get a better education, and I had to push myself,” Avalos said. We all hope one day our parents can find another good partner or have the hope that they will get back together. We never know what can happen, things changes time by time. Many parents only know the situation they want to be in, but we always hear that the things they do in their life will also affect their kids too. “I never hope that my parents will get back together,” Maya said. “My parents are friends and they still talk to each other still,” Estrada said. Teenagers have a different relationship with their parents after a separation; they are either still attached or not so much. “I talk to my dad but it’s been two years since I’ve seen him,” Avalos said. “I’m a daddy’s little girl,” Maya said. http://www.divorcerate.org