Granger high school
Tri-Color Times
An open forum for student opinion and expression
TRICOLORTIMES.COM
May 2013 LV-7
Granger ambassadors will guide freshmen
By Vanessa Quiles WITH THE addition of the ninth graders coming to Granger next year, it might be a little scary for them. To help ease this, juniors and seniors will be ambassadors. These students that have been chosen will be guiding the new students and showing them around. This way they will feel welcomed and less lost in high school. The ambassadors will be handing out binders to the freshmen and telling them the importance of getting good grades in their classes so they can graduate. Ambassadors will share their personal experiences that they have had as students here at Granger. Ambassadors will also be assigned to a group of ninth graders; there’s going to be two ambassadors per group.
“I think it’s pretty cool that they are doing this,” Rebecca Bramall (11) said. She thinks it’s a good idea that they want freshmen to feel welcomed. “They will only choose some of us, and those that get picked will come to school during the summer,” she said. They will be coming in the summer so that they can get taught what they will be doing as ambassadors. “When I was in ninth grade I showed around the seventh graders and I liked it. It was fun,” Bramall said. She has already had some good experience with this. “I think it’s a great idea. This way they will have more experience, and there will be less confusion. This might also ease the tension for them,” Colton Smith (11) said. He wishes that he could have had this to help him when he en-
tered high school. “I was lost in location and what was expected of me, so I definitely would have liked something like this,” he said, Smith said he would have had less confusion and would have been less stressed. “I am excited for this, I think it will work out well. There might be some troubles, but we will work through them as they come,” he said. He believes that it’s a stepping stone process he doesn’t see anything going wrong. If anything does go wrong, they will overcome it. Overall, Samantha Head (11) agrees that if they would have done this for her when she entered high school, it would have been very helpful. “It would have helped me way more. I would have known more
stuff,” she said. Head said that it will be beneficial. These freshmen will be in the know of where things are, what’s expected and where to go as well. “I had no idea that there was a separate building outside for math and English. I was like whoa, what?” Veronica Tann (10). She thinks that this is pretty cool. “We will enjoy a tour of the new Granger as well while we show them around,” she said. Tann would have loved this when she came to high school this year. Junior high to high school is always a big transition. “They are little freshman. They can use the help that will be given to them,” she said. “High school is totally different, but a lot more fun,” she said.
Several Granger students will serve as ambassadors to welcome new students to Granger’s massive campus.
Retiring teachers get ready for their second acts
By Brianna Bauer TO MANY seniors right now, they are just anxious to graduate and be done with high school. But for some teachers, this year is the last time they shall walk through the halls of any Granger High -old or new. Thee of our beloved teachers will be retiring this year and could be even more ready to leave than most Lancers. Mr. Tanner is one of our amazing teachers who will retire. “After seven years of teaching science here at Granger, I will be retiring and leaving Granger with the class of 2013. After I retire, my wife and I plan on serving a LDS mission together in Argentina,” Mr. Tanner said. Many students have enjoyed having his class and
the environment in the classroom. “He is an amazing teacher and has taught me so much. I am so happy I took his this year,” Sandra Bounthisane (12) said. “I have only had him this year but I think his class has been my favorite so far. He is will be greatly missed by many,” Jessica Matheson (10) said. Another one of our amaz-
Ms. Woodward, Dr. Miller, and Mr. Tanner.
ing teachers is Dr. Miller. A few students had a few things they wanted to say about the retiring teachers. “I had Dr. Miller for this year only, but she was an amazing teacher and she taught me many amazing things. She was a great teacher and she will be missed by lots of students,” Jaycha Matheson (12) said. “Teaching at Granger for 15 years has been the greatest part of my career. I am very sad to leave. The Math and English building has become such a tight community and I love it. I will miss mostly the students and to see how they find out what they could be, but I will be happy that I’m not moving into the new school,” Dr. Miller said. And our last but never least important is Ms. Woodward.
“To me, Ms. Woodward was an out-of-this-world type of teacher. She was always willing to help you if you had a problem, and she would especially help you to succeed in all of your classes. I really appreciate her, and I will miss her very much,” Kassie Wakefield (12) said. “I have been teaching here at Granger for 38 years but have taught for 46 years all together. I am happy that I will be retiring. I will mostly miss the kids and helping teach them everything that they wanted to learn.” She might be retiring, but she’s not leaving. “I will be returning next year to the new school to help teach three Latin classes, which means I get to be part of the new school for a little bit.” “But I will miss Granger. It has been my home for many years,” she said.
tricolortimes.com
Want more Granger High School news? Check articles at tricolortimes.com or add us on twitter.com/tricolortimes.
May 2013, page 2
VOL. LV Issue 7
What’s in your bag? In high school, we have learned that there are some things in our bags that are essential, and some we can do without.
By Jessica Rubio SOMETIMES backpacks are too heavy and students complain because they have too much stuff in them. People often complain about having back pain and how their backpacks are too heavy. Well, here are what some people think are the most essential things to carry in a backpack this upcoming school year so kids won’t complain as much. “My backpack gives me back pains sometimes and I try to get rid of things, but I always end up with the same amount of things in there!” Berenice Bracamontes (12) said. “I carry a lot of regular school supplies and then a lot of things that are just extras like food and just extra stuff I do not need, but it’s just there, and I never take it out,” she said. People tend to carry more things in their backpack than they really need. Girls have a problem when they carry way more than they actually
need. “I think the most essential things to carry in my backpack are a pencil, paper, hand sanitizer, folder, highlighters, phone charger, wallet, snacks and water,” said Yahaira Gutierrez (11). “To me these are important because that’s what I need to go about my day, and I can have all the little things that can satisfy my needs during the day,” she said. “I have an average weight backpack, but I would not mind it being lighter. It kind of does bother my back sometimes. It just makes me want to go home and rest.” Too many things in a backpack can cause very harsh lower back pain. It’s a good idea to go through a backpack every now and then to clean it out and get rid of things that aren’t needed. It might be hard to get rid of work if you don’t know if you’re completely done with it, but it’s better to keep it somewhere else to make your backpack less heavy. There are a lot of people out there who complain about back or
shoulder pain and think it’s normal or that they just sleep wrong, but it’s their bags or backpacks. “I try not to carry too many things in my bag, but it’s hard. I am a girl. I have a lot of useless things,” said Jennifer Ochoa (11). “I carry a lot of girl things in my backpacks and there are a lot of big heavy books, and it makes it worse.” “It would be a good idea if the school had smaller books or something other than books. They’re too heavy!” she said. “I try to clean out my backpack, but I always end up putting too much stuff in it again. It’s too hard to keep it clean and lightweight!” said Ochoa “Some of the most essential things to carry in a backpack are cash, a phone charger, ear plugs for power naps, not to ignore your professor, and an energy bar or a snack,” as stated on the blogspot. com website. That’s some of the most essential stuff to carry from an expert’s point of view.
A stuffed backpack can lead to back or shoulder pain.
The Army option
By Victor Melara FOR THOSE at Granger who want to join or are thinking about joining a military branch, you might want to go Army. As you know there are several military branches: the Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army and National and Coast guard. Each branch breeds excellence and does so to prove that they are the best and truly elite. The Army provides an option to those who have not decided on what they want to do after high school. The Army has many jobs and benefits that could fit you and take you to higher places, but it’s also not for everyone. With a kind of motivation to get through the hard times, the uniform could be yours. “I definitely feel like I’m held to a higher expectation,” Jamieson Ross (12) said. “Especially when I’m wearing my ROTC uniform.” If you didn’t know, the Granger ROTC is an Army affiliate. You might want to check it out if you decide that is what you want to do after high school. After ROTC, you might, maybe be able to skip to corporal instead of starting as a private, when you join the Army. Being an Eagle Scout could help you to accomplish the skip, too. “This is my first year, and I’m becoming better-equipped and becoming more familiar with the Army,” said Ross. The ROTC prepares you for the military, and is why he might go Army over the other military branches. They will drill, train and do all they can to help you be all you can be. “They do drug testing,” he said. The Army won’t accept you if you can’t pass. “You have to have a high school diploma to join,” he said. You must graduate. The grades really don’t matter to get in to the military; there is no special treatment if you were a great student in high school. That’s kind of why you are shaved when you enter active duty: to make you all equal to everyone and to show that no one is superior in any way. Another reason is for hygienic purposes.
Although you might want to have good or at least decent enough grades to get into whatever collage you might want, especially if you decide to go to college after serving in the Army. Devin Anderson (12) said “defending this great nation” is a really good reason why he wants to join. “I have had a lot of family in the military. My grandpa told me stories when he was in the Army Rangers,” he said. This heritage motivates him to go to the Army, even after looking at all the other branches and what they had to offer. If Anderson gets to decide, he chooses to be in the Army to become a Ranger. “I run a mile, do 50 push-up and 50 pull ups every day to keep in shape,” he said This helps him stay fit and ready. If you really want to go to the Army you should maintain a good shape and it does help to prepare for basic training, and if you want to go into the more intense stuff for the adrenalin junkies, it’s really important you train. The lifestyle for you really depends on what job you wish to pursue, but it doesn’t matter what job you have, you still have to be fit and some have to be way more fit than others. What is recommended is cardio and working on upper body strength, since that is where you will need strength the most. For basic training in the Army or boot camp, it’s a two-month long process where you are yelled at and train to become a solider. There are many advantages and benefits to being in the Army that you might like, for instance it could help pay for your college. The Army can help you excel in a field you may want to pursue when you leave and teach you a great and useful skill. The Army is for those who want to be the best. Being government property, check it out. If you are willing to work doing something you actually like and something you want to do while serving your country, you might want to join the military. It’s an option available to you.
2013-14 SBOs elected for Granger 2.0
By Brenda Nguy WITH THIS school year coming to an end and our current SBOs moving on with their lives next year, we need new ones. It is finally time for the new SBOs to represent Granger High School for the 2013-14 school year. There were many great contestants running for office. They all had to submit a thirty-second video explaining why someone should vote for them, and these were played during history classes. The results were announced at an assembly on April 26. Maninderjit Singh or MJ, as many students around school call him, won as president, Vivian Nguyen as vice president, Orlando Sanchez as activity vice president, Bianca Gomez as secretary, Michael Manu as publicist, Danielle Martinez as historian, and lastly Natalia Leonardini as artist.
Maninderjit Singh (11) was class president for his junior year and for his senior year he will be SBO president. He was a great junior class president; many students can’t wait for what he will do for following year. Vivian Nguyen (11) didn’t run for her junior year but she did run for sophomore year and won as sophomore class president. Although she is glad for winning vice president for next year, she was actually going for president, but MJ beat her to it. She wanted to get more involved in school, so what better way to get involved than joining student body office? It is also fun for her because she gets to plan stuff for Granger. “I haven’t really planned anything for next year yet, but I got some feedback from a few students saying they want us to make and keep our prom-
ises!” Nguyen said. Orlando Sanchez (11) has never run for class officer before, but this year he decided to run for student body and won as the activity vice president for next year. Most students don’t actually care much about who the student body officers are, but there were a few who had their own opinions about the SBOs. “I like them because we know them better because we’re all in the same grade.” Kayla Steinman (11) said. “I like MJ, he is a cool guy, and I loved his video. It was super funny. But I think Vivian should have won president, she is really nice” Bernardo Lopez (11) said. Well one thing is certain the new SBOs will make sure we all have a great year because of these awesome students guiding us through the year.
Granger’s new SBOs will plan activities for students from all grades: from freshmen to seniors.
May 2013, page 3
VOL. LV Issue 7
Jenna Marbles knows
By Brianna Bauer IF YOU haven’t heard about Jenna Marbles, then you are truly missing out. On YouTube, you can pretty much talk about anything from your life to why you hate cheese. For many Lancers, they look up to Jenna as a role model and what she stands for, giving a great laugh and helping with anything you need “I seriously watch her videos all the time. She updates them I believe every Wednesday and each one of them are extremely funny,” Megan Gabbard (12) said. Many of her videos don’t really have much to do with anything but she gets up to a million views in just a few hours. “She showed me how to do my makeup within five minutes, and still look amazing wherever you go. And also what to say on a first date with a guy, gave me a lot of new knowledge that I never knew,” Gabbard said. If you’re ever are into a great laugh and wanted to also get advice at the same time, it would probably be best to watch them and also give her the opinions of how you feel. “I found this new one the other day, it was about how to make yourself look attractive. I watched it, and it pretty much just showed me what not to do to make myself look good, because in the end she looked straight up like a clown,” she said. But there are also a lot of students who actually do not like her videos and maybe think what she does is just dumb and she should have better things to do with her time. “I have probably watched two
of her videos, and I think what she does it stupid. Why would you want to spend your day just making videos and making weird voices,” Sandra Bounthisane (12) said. YouTube is a very easy way to become famous to many of the teenagers of the time, but still there will always be those few that hate everything and anything that have to do with popular people. “YouTube to me should just be about watching music videos and looking up the how-to videos when you need help with something. Not for someone’s name to get out so they look cool all over the internet,” Bounthisane said. Many Lancers talk very much about making a video or doing something cool on YouTube to
get their name out there, but many of them think if they do that they will get made fun of or embarrassed at school. “I have watched her videos many times and many other ones where they give you advice or how-to’s, and I like them but I have wanted to make my own many times,” Lindsay Lazo (12) said. Being in high school makes some students think they can’t fit in or be in the certain crowd they want. Many Lancers do creative things to make themselves stand out a bit more. “I have made one or two videos but I haven’t posted them anywhere online, I am waiting for the right time to so that maybe people will actually take my advice and everything,” Lazo said.
Get ready to play Trying out for a sport takes courage, but it’s worth it.
By Denise Cuenca “SOCCER is my sport, my passion,” Yahaira Gutierrez (11) said. “When it comes down to something you love you, won’t give up no matter how hard it gets,” she said. The Lady Lancers are very dedicated this year. “I’m stocked about tryouts. I can’t wait!” Every girl should be excited for something they love. “I am so ready for conditioning and just doing my thing,” Gutierrez said. “I love the coach. She’s the best ever! I like how I can mess around with her but, when it comes down to soccer, you have to take her seriously,” she said. “Don’t be scared to try out and push yourself, because as long as you try, you’ll reach your goal,” she said. Some practices will be hard and players might want to give up, but don’t do that -- they don’t like quitters. Everything will be worth it once you are on the team. It’s the Lancer pride.
“My advice to the girls is to go hard and to give it your 100 million and stay fabulous,’” Cinaily Talavera (9) said. “If you’re going to try out make it your very best doesn’t matter how tired you may be just do your very best,” she said. “Every girl out there should take the chance to try out. It doesn’t matter if she is good or not. What we want are girls who will try their best.” “Don’t forget to bring water, because you get really thirsty,” Talavera said. “Always make sure to have water because ‘sharing isn’t caring.’” “Bring the right equipment: you do not want to get hurt,” she said. “Don’t stress about getting the best shoes or best shin guards. In the end, you are just playing soccer.” “No pain, no gain, ladies!” was Talavera’s last advice for the girls out there who want to try out for Granger soccer. Support them as they play under the lights.
Jenna Marbles’s YouTube videos have a cult following of teenagers.
Granger still has a buddy box, but it’s empty
By Skyler Malpass GRANGER’S buddy box system is designed for letting staff know about a bullying issue or if someone’s concerned about a fellow student, but it is almost never used. “Very few if any serious notes are dropped in there,” Mr. Babcock said. “It’s usually a joke or prank to a friend.” Another reason the box is not used is because students can usually talk to an adult about a problem. “I think the box does not get used because Granger maintains an open-door policy,” Mr. Babcock said. “If students have problems, they can just come and talk about them to their councilor.” There is also the problem of students not wanting to get involved with that aspect of a friend’s life. “Students don’t want to rat out their friends,” Mr. Babcock said. “But this system is designed to be fully anonymous.” But don’t get confused, the buddy box is for letting the staff know of a down student. “If it is a safety-related topic, it should be reported post haste,” he said. “This is not a weapon hotline.” But students still think that it is funny to prank the buddy box.
The buddy box is not a daily thing here at Granger. It get’s checked by Mr. Babcock and Mrs. Long but not very often. It just gets picked up once a week and shaken, if there’s no noise, there’s no problem. “I have only gotten 2-3 serious notes in the box this year,” Mrs. Long said. “When I called them down, they were totally surprised that they were in there.” The buddy box is due for some serious upgrades. “I would love to have an electronic buddy box system,” Mr. Babcock said. “Something where you can text or call.” These things could be in store for the new Granger High. “That is the one problem that I have with this buddy box. Some things need instant attention, and you don’t get that from the buddy box,” he said. “That is why I am running for the text online.” But the buddy box works when it is needed. Even still the buddy box is not used that much at Granger High school. “I never see anyone using the box,” counseling secretary Rosie Martinez said. “And I’m in here all day, I would know.” So the box may need a little more publicity before it can really start
to help. This is a good idea for schools, but it needs a little more attention for it to work. “I think this is an excellent idea,” Patrick Parillo (12) said. “It’s just that no students know about our buddy box.” And he is right -- when asked, most students didn’t. “The buddy box is a great thing to have in a school, but the students need to know more about it,” Mr. Babcock said. “I wish that students knew about it so they could help their friends.” It is a complicated system but it works, sometimes. But there is also a lot of pressure with the current system. “There is pressure put on the student trying to help because they are being stared at when trying to use the buddy box,” He said. “An online buddy box would be the best way to stay totally anonymous.” Students and counselors agree that the new building should have an electronic buddy box. It would greatly reduce the pressure put on students, and it would get more use. The students would not have to stand in an office and fill out an orange sheet and be watched placing it into the buddy box. Granger needs a new buddy box.
Soccer players find time to train all year long.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor Andrea Lomelli Copy Editor Naomi Newton
Photo Editor Casey Owens Print Editor Alyssa Hendry
Journalists
Journalists
Anela Alagic Briana Bauer Matias Caceres Sandy Carrillo Denise Cuenca Tariah Hathale Daven Hintgen Alexandria Johnson Hunter Kaio Juan Landeros Chauntel Lee
Katie Lee Chantalle Luna Skyler Malpass Victor Melara Brenda Nguy Vanessa Quiles Josseline Rendon Jessica Rubio Kelly Sanmiguel Jazmine Saucedo Daniel Webb
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
May 2013, page 4
VOL. LV Issue 7
Twilight concerts in the park
By Vanessa Quiles THE TWILIGHT concert series will be kicking off on Thursday, July 18 with Belle and Sebastian at the Pioneer Park. All together there will be nine concerts. If you chose to attend all of them, you will just be paying $35 and a $3.50 service fee. If you just want to go see an artist of band in particular, they will be selling individual tickets for $5 in advance or you can by them at the gate for the same price. “I wouldn’t want to get my tick-
ets at the gate, because the lines get so long. I would hate to wait and not even get in,” Aylin Angel (10) said. If you do wait to get tickets on the day of the show, be prepared to wait in the line and maybe get turned down. According to City Weekly in 2011, 23,000 people attended each performance. There was less people that attented year but they are hoping that more people come this year. Shows go until September 18.
So if you find that you have nothing to do over summer break, you might be interested in dropping by with your friends. All the concerts will be held in the same place, Pioneer Park on 300 West and 300 South. TRAX is always a good way to get there. With the nine performances in total the ones that will be the most recognized will be Kid Cudi, Empire of the sun and MGMT. Angel is super excited to see Kid Cudi. “I just can’t wait! I’m going to
pay for my ticket in advance; I don’t want to not be able to see him” she said. Not also is she excited to see him but Empire of the Sun, too. “They are just so awesome I like their style of music,” she said. If you don’t know what genre they are, they are more of alternative electro/acoustic and pop. “Even though I don’t listen to people that will come it, sounds like it should be fun, especially if one concert is just $5,” Sergio Gonzalez (10) said.
Schedule Thursday, July 18 Belle and Sebastian Thursday, July 25 The Flaming Lips Thursday, August 1 The National Wednesday, August 7 Grizzly Bear Thursday, August 8 Erykah Badu Thursday, August 15 TBA Thursday, August 29 Kid Cudi Thursday, August 29 Empire of the Sun Thursday, September 5 MGMT
May 2013 page 5
Summer savings
By Anela Alagic SUMMER is just right around the corner and no one wants to keep blowing their money on expensive dates. If you’re looking for places, or a way to take that special someone out here are some ideas. “I used to go horseback riding when I was little all the time,” Morgan Hancock (11) said. Her grandma owns horses, so it’s never been a big deal for her to find somewhere to go riding. She has wanted to bring along her boyfriend, who currently attends East High School. She hopes that he loves it just as much as she does. “It’s going to be his first time, so hopefully he isn’t afraid,” she said. It’s good to have family members who can help you out with inexpensive dates, but when planning a cheap date, you don’t always need someone’s help. “My boyfriend and I love to buy attention-grabbing things from Dollar Tree,” Amy Casillas (11) said. She has a little tradition with her boyfriend where they buy super soakers, water balloons, and snacks. Once they have all of their supplies, they go to her house and play in her front yard. It’s a laid back technique to have an entertaining time during the summer. “As long as we’re together it’s a good time!” Marvin Barela (12) said. “Chili’s two for twenty is the way to go.” That’s his approach for not spending too much money and still having enough for a movie as well. Barela and his girlfriend, Andrea Cahoon (12), enjoy going to Nicklecade, which happens to
be super cheap and thrilling for the both of them. “I’m excited to go camping at Bear Lake with Preston,” Lyndsey Xa (11) said. They plan to go on hikes in the mountains with all of their friends. That’s not all they have planned. They’ll also be going on romantic picnics at the park, but their favorite place to go would have to be the Utah’s Hogle Zoo. If you’re into more relaxing and stay at home kind of gatherings, then invite all your closest family and friends. “I plan on having my girlfriend come over for family barbecues,” Elvis Becirevic (12) said. Afterwards, they plan on getting some ice cream at Iceberg and
watching movies at his house. He also has some adventurous trips planned to the lake for some fishing. “I hope she appreciates the outdoors like I do,” Becirevic said. If camping doesn’t sound fun, perhaps a scary movie set in the woods works better. “Horror movies are my favorite,” Trisha Le (12) said. It’s a way for her to get a movie out of it and the guy to get to cuddle. Make your summer a great one by saving money along with going on different journeys. You don’t need to spend all your cash on one trip to have a good time. Remember to keep it simple but a little spontaneous with this year’s break.
Preston and Lyndsey are excited to spend the summer together.
New looks brighten summer By Brenda Nguy SCHOOL is almost over! And what comes after school? Summer break! Many students are getting rid of the school dress code for the summer and getting comfortable with shorter, thinner new clothing trends to beat the heat. Gabriel Rios (12) is looking forward to cargo shorts and tank tops for the hot weather. He wears Nike sandals with socks. “Who wants to look at your feet? That’s why I wear socks with my sandals,” he said. “Every once in a while, I’ll throw on a snapback with my outfit a Bull’s snapback of course.” His favorite brand to wear is LRG because he thinks it is nice and looks good. Gustavo Vazquez (10) really knows his style. For the summer is wearing a lot of shorts, tank tops, and cardigans with his outfits. He likes to shop at Urban Outfitters, H&M and DownEast Outfitters; so you’ll find what you need at these stores if you want to be in with the latest fashion trends, too. When it’s hot and he is wearing long jeans, he likes to fold them at the bottom It also gives your outfit a little flavor to it. “I think more bright colors are great for the summer,” he said. “And I think Ray Ban sunglasses are going to be trending more over the
summer.” For girl fashion trends for the summer, many are going to wear shorts, tank tops, and skirts; time to get rid of those long sleeve shirts, sweaters, and those heavy layers of clothes. Hi-lo skirts are what Shelly Ngo (11) plans to wear. They are a combination of a short skirt in the front that gets longer in the back. “I like how they look,” she said. Many girls around school are already rocking this look. Lyndsey Xa (11) thinks highwaisted shorts and crop tops are going to be trending this summer. “I’m planning to wear high-
waisted shorts and crop tops as well. A lot of dresses and shorts keep you cool, but cute at the same time,” she said. She likes to shop at Charlotte Rouse, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. There are many similar styles like Lyndsey’s at these stores. She wants her boyfriend to wear shorts and tank tops, also. These trends are what many Granger students will be wearing on their summer breaks. Many shorts and tanks for boys and skirts, shorts, tank tops and dresses for the girls. And the main accessory would be sunglasses, of course!
Danish Esa (12) wears a cropped cardigan with a summer dress.
VOL. LV Issue 7
Summer trips
Margaret and Siesia just want to have some fun before they leave.
By Anela Alagic The end of the school year is almost here. Everyone is starting to plan summer vacations. Most of the seniors already have their senior trips all planned. “I’m eager to get away and spend some time with my mom and sister,” Siesia Tonga (12) said. The Tonga twins plan to go to New York City with their mom this upcoming June for a week. “It’ll kind of be like our senior trip,” Margaret Tonga (12) said. They plan to go to Broadway shows and explore Times Square. Ermina Mustafic (10) is currently organizing a trip to Cancun with her older sister and really close friend. “I just can’t wait to swim in the ocean,” she said. They plan to go for an entire week at the end of July. Her parents are paying for their full trip, which is included with the plane tickets, the hotel and of course, all the food! Other students are planning shorter trips. After graduation, Desire Johnson (12) and her boyfriend will be driving to California to spend some quality time together with his relatives. “It’s our turn to go there,” she said. His parents came to Utah earlier this year; that’s when she got to meet them. She is arranging this trip to Riverside California with her boyfriend to go and visit his side of the family. “I am stoked for this road trip,” Johnson said. “The beach is like an hour away from where we will be staying, but that won’t stop us from going!” Jason Nguyen (12) is going on a cruise to the Caribbean Islands. His weeklong trip in June will be
his senior trip for graduating from high school this year. “On our way we will be stopping in Florida,” Nguyen said. While they are in Florida, his family plans to go to Disney World and to water parks. “I’m actually thrilled to leave!” he said. “I don’t get seasick, so a cruise is always a beautiful sight-seeing experience for me.” Other trips are still emerging from the planning stage. “I really want to go to Hawaii this summer,” Devon Blaisdell (12) said. He has been to Hawaii before when he was about eight years old. He has a lot of family members out there who he could stay with, so he would only have to pay for the plane tickets. He hopes to stay for about three weeks. “I want this to turn out to be like a senior trip with my close friends,” Blaisdell said. He hopes everything goes as planned, because he would truly love to spend his summer days at the beach. Samantha Lopez (11) will be traveling all the way to Guadalajara, Mexico with her family. They will be going for two weeks sometime this June. “I’ve been there before but I still get excited when I talk about going,” Lopez said. “I love visiting all of my aunts, uncles and cousins.” She is enthusiastic to go to the beach and enjoy varied barbecues that her diverse relatives have to offer with all the Mexican house music, although they aren’t much of a dancing family. For this summer break, whether staying in Utah or going outside of the country, be sure to make this summer the best one yet!
May 2013, page 6
VOL. LV Issue 7
Several alumni classes share reunion
By Alexander Page THE NEW Granger stands proudly in the space of the old Granger Park, waiting to welcome new students and gain decades of new memories under its roof in the years to come. With that in mind, the old Granger building will have to say goodbye after 55 years of service to its students and Granite School District. Most of all, it will have to say goodbye to those who have helped shape it since it was built. That’s exactly what happened on May 11. Alumni who had attended Granger since the beginning were invited to come see the school one last time. David Sutton (’71) had three good years in the building. “I’ve had a lot of memories here,” he said. “I was here when the school was first built. It was exciting then.” He still remembers the original football field, which was sloped before it was remade to be level. Susan and Ross Pope (’73; ’73)
shared past memories and current feelings for Granger. He used to be part of an old club called the Usher’s Club, which would seat and manage guests at assemblies and serve as hall monitors in the hallways between classes. She participated in choir and was on the honor roll, including participating in Stonehenge. “Sure, I’ll miss it,” she said. “We’ll miss it for sure,” he said. Granger’s alumni showed their pride not only by graduating, but also by finding careers and earning advanced degrees thanks to their time at Granger High. Russ Wall (’75) used to be on the Granger wrestling team. Now he works as the Director of Public Works and served a few years as the mayor of Taylorsville. His wife graduated in 1977 and became a paralegal. Cory Olsen (’74) used to be on the football team, the wrestling team and even the track team. He
now works as a systems manager. Wall and Olsen both lamented as much as Linda Jenkins Buck (’72), who coined their feelings as one. “It’s kind of sad to think about the school being torn down,” she said. She used to be a part of the yearbook staff and concert choir, and is now an accountant for Sundance Catalog. “I wish this building could stay,” she said. Michael Sullivan (’73), who attended the reunion as a band member in for the first few songs to the occasion, expressed something more than just Granger. “I guess it is necessary,” he said, speaking about the new school being built. Sullivan used to be in a band during his years at Granger and now teaches romance languages at the University of Pennsylvania. “I just wish this place kept some sort of preservation. If anyone were to come back here, they would have no idea what this place was. I can remember when there was a Frost Top on the corner of 3500. When
I came here, I could barely recognize the roads to get here.” With his wise words and wishes, Sullivan and many of the other alumni will grieve the loss of not only the school they attended,
but also the memories they made within its walls. However much they are excited for the students today to receive the new building, they will miss their Granger High School.
Sharon and Russ enjoyed reminiscing on their high school days.
Cell phones affect creativity Overdrive books
By Kelly Sanmiguel OVER THE past couple of years technology in general has gotten very advanced, and along with it, so has cell phone technology. Although cell phones can come in handy for many different tasks, it is also something that we can’t put down. “I check my phone every 3 minutes, at least” Kylon Pierre (11) said. With a full battery and many of the new apps being launched, Granger High students have found many way to un-bore themselves when they’re bored. “[I use] Snapchat, twitter and four pictures and one word to un-bore myself,” Tiari Olive (11) said. Over time cell phones have received a bad reputation for being creativity inhibitors, tools of destruction and simply great distractions. At Granger, phones aren’t com-
pletely prohibited, but they aren’t welcomed by all teachers. Not all students follow the rule to keep their phones either in their backpacks, pockets or just out of sight. “Some teachers just don’t care,” Olive said. As long as you finish your assignments, continue listening to instructions and don’t distract others, many teachers do allow students to use their phones to listen to music or do whatever it is that they do. Surely not all Lancers comply with the regulations of being able to use their phones in class. “If phones were completely prohibited, it would probably take away many distractions,” Marissa Muhlestein (12) said. It has become a big argument that cell phones will be the death of creativity, but with all the types of apps found now, that may be
quite untrue. Boredom leads to “creative pauses”, which could lead to a new tweet, a new Facebook post, a new Instagram photo or even a new blog. In the last couple years phones have become quite necessary when it comes to communication. “I think they’re important, it’s easier to get a hold of people and harder to do without [one],” Muhlestein said. Yet now it seems there is no age limit for a child to receive a phone. “I think there is a certain age when you should be able to get a phone,” Muhlestein said. A phone has become the new rite of passage for many children. “Some have nicer phones than me,” Olive said. These devices have found a quick route to great importance, and it will be tough to ignore that importance.
Make music classes your choice
By Matias Caceres STUDENTS who are fascinated by music should take a music class. Granger offers a wide variety of music classes and they are all available. If interested, please talk to a counselor or a music teacher to register for the classes. There are many students that enjoy taking these classes, and they are glad they took them. “I came in into the class during fourth quarter. I learned fast, and I also learned how to perform on stage,” Khomsan Vongsengkeo (11) said. “The only challenging thing about the class is that some of the songs are a bit complex, but the teacher gives you time to learn it. At the end, you perform in front of people, and it really helps you overcome your stage fright. Taking the class helped me feel the music, and it took me to a whole different place.” The students recommend that you take them because they are really fun. “I like music classes, and you’re missing out if you
don’t take one,” Selene Gomez (12) said. “The cool thing is you learn something and in return you get something out of it,” she said. “You get better at playing guitar, and you have fun learning more about the guitar.” “The guitar class is challenging and can put pressure on you when other Lancers learn faster. That can make you feel like you’re behind and make it hard to focus,” Gomez said. Gomez recommends students take the class if they love music. “If you have a passion for music this can be a very exciting class and it will be worth every second.” So it seems like students enjoy this class and that’s a good thing, but what about the teacher? How does Mr. Moore feel about this? “One of my favorite things about this class is working with the music and working with the students,” Mr. Moore said. He also thinks that the students in his music classes are the best
students in the whole wide world. The thing about these classes is you should only take them if you have experience. The more experience you have the less of a challenge it will be. The biggest challenge you will have is memorizing the new songs they play. The songs are very complicated too. The only classes you don’t need experience in to join are beginning guitar and mixed choir. “I recommend you take private lessons to catch up with more experienced players,” Mr. Moore said. A lot of students have been playing guitar for a few years, so if you want to take guitar, take these classes. You should take the class because it makes you smarter you learn how to read music, play music and have lots of fun. The new school will cause him to change his lesson play with the freshman coming in. The grade in this class requires practice at home, performances and class projects.
are a success
The media center might be closed forever, but students may still use Overdrive to ‘check out’ books. By Alexander Page WITH THE end of the school year closing in fast and the library’s books locked down for transport, the dilemma of wanting to read that last book or to check out a book that caught your eye becomes a predicament for avid readers at Granger High. With the new school almost finished and demolition practically under way, there is no time for the library staff to manage checking out paper copies of books that they already packed for moving. However, Granger’s library staff has a solution: Overdrive. Overdrive is an app that can be downloaded via iPhone, iPad, iTouch or other smartphone devices. Through Overdrive, students can check out either text or audio books accessible through mobile devices. To start checking out books digitally, download the app, press ‘get books’, search for Granger High through the Library icon and start reading. With access like this, Jason Nguyen (12) is excited about using Overdrive over the summer. “I haven’t downloaded it yet, but I will for sure use it over the summer,” he said. With summer nearing fast, Ms. Asay said that Overdrive has a great advantage out of the school year. “We still want kids to read,” she said. “With Overdrive you can do that over the summer.” Your username is your student number, or you can just use a library card if you don’t want books from the district. The only issue is to register whatever device you are using with Adobe Digital Editions to allow Overdrive to function properly.
Overdrive is available at all times and offers all books purchased by Granger High and the Granite School District. You will not have to worry about returning the books you check out; Overdrive has a digital timer that automatically returns books after a three-week period. If you haven’t finished the book after that period, you can go back to check out the book again. To look at all the pluses, the only downsides are the limit of eBooks Granger possesses. As with paper copies, only so many people can only check out eBooks, and students can check out up to 3 books at a time total. Because of this, some readers may have to put some books on hold. However, the positive thing about a hold is with more demand for a book comes more copies. If enough people request a book, the district will purchase more copies for Granger High. Overdrive accounts are available for everybody who has a student number at Granger, covering essentially everyone. Any student with iPhones 3G or newer or iPads and iTouches 2nd generation or newer will be able to access Overdrive. Anyone with HTS, LG, Blackberries, Droid phones or some other smartphones will also be able to download the app. Tatyana Carillo (11) loves using Overdrive. “I use it all the time when I can’t get books,” she said. She currently uses her iPhone to get all the books she wants. “Overdrive is simple to use. I’ll be reading over the summer,” she said. With a new way to access library books, the library staff encourages everyone to start plugging into Overdrive
May 2013, page 7
Moving out
Ms. Judy has worked hard to prepare for the library’s move.
By Daven Hintgen THE LIBRARY (or media center) is a very special thing to the school. Manny kids go to the library to escape from reality. Kids everywhere want to learn and read. “The library helps kids learn how to read and helps entertain kids. The new library will have three parts to it,” Ms. Judy said. The new media center will have a lab area this area where the computers will be. If there is a class that needs to use the library computers, it will go to the lab area there and leave open the other parts of the library so kids can still check out books in case it’s needed. Again with the lab area during the CRT testing or other things similar to that would close the library down will no longer close the library due to the three new rooms being closed off and separate to each other. The second part of the new media center is the library proper. The library proper is the area where people go to check out books and pay their fines and all those other normal library things. Also in the library proper students can sit down and read books. The third part of the new media center is the conference room. The conference room is a closedoff, silent room. There will be tables in the conference room for students who have to do home-
work. This part of the library will also be open during testing times. The media center has similar rules as to before. With the new media center, they are going to be way stricter than this year. This year students will sneak in food and get caught, but the faculty won’t do anything about it. In the new media center, students will absolutely not bring any kind of food or drink whatsoever. As for bottled water with a lid, it is still unknown whether or not it’s allowed. One new problem with the new media center is the fact that the shelf space is less than this year. They will fix this problem by taking old books and putting them on a cart. Students can just walk up to the cart and take whatever book they want without paying or worrying about fines. This way they can still give books that don’t get checked out a good home. They will replace the books that got put on the cart with new books that are more recent and newly released. If you don’t want to go take the time to check out a book there’s Overdrive. Overdrive is a digital app that checks out books without the hassle of a fine. When a book’s time is up, the book just disappears from the mobile device’s list. So this is what’s to be expected of the brand new media center.
VOL. LV Issue 7
New classes for a new school
The completion of construction brings more than a new school -- it restores Granger’s swim program and starts up several other brand-new classes. By Andrea Lomeli TEACHERS and students are very excited for the new building and for the classes that will be offered next year as well. These classes haven’t been taught at Granger High for a while but they are once again been brought back now that the new facility has more advanced technology and equipment for our new classes. “I’m excited for the new classes because they’re going to be in the new building, I think it’s also going to allow students the opportunity to be running in a class room and collaborating with other students,” Mr. Olson said. There is going to be a lot more technology in the classrooms along with the opportunity to be working in groups with other students. “For me as a counselor it’s all about having the student exploring, I much rather have them take classes that will challenge them. I don’t want them to get bored in their classes, so having them take
these classes will be beyond there horizon point,” he said. We all have heard about the new swimming pool that we will be having next year. This makes the swimming coach Ms. Turner very happy to be able to have a pool again. “I am very excited about the new pool we’re going to have next year, it’s going to be a lot of fun!” Ms. Turner said. It’s always nice being able to swim at your own school’s swimming pool instead of having to go to Hunter High to practice. “If you don’t know how to swim, it’s ok, that’s why there’s swimming 101,” she said. Swim is more of a class for the ones who are beginning to swim with swimming or for the swimmers who want to improve their skill. “There are also competition classes where we go over the basics as well and in this class you get to compete with other schools as well” Ms. Turner said. So if you’re interested in swim-
ming or you would like to improve your swimming skills this would be a fun class for you to try out. Metal welding class is another class that’s going to be available next year. “Welding is about different procedures how to fuse and how to put together” Mr. Perez He is the one who will be teaching the class. “There is also fabrication, creating using different metal, process more creativity” he said. The class teaches you to develop different skills, learn more math, engineering and being able to fabricate your own project. “It’ll be a brand new shop fo course, i love welding” he said. Mr. Perez likes fabricating new projects, he has made a cup cake holder one he is always making new projects. “You’ll have fun and learn aspects of metal and make your own things” he siad. There is much to look foward to next year at Granger High
Lancer book review: Of Poseidon By Katie Lee OF POSEIDON is a really great book told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view. The story starts out with Galen, the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish just like the powers of Poseidon, but no one must know. The second main character Emma is on vacation at the beach in California with her best friend Chloe and that’s when she runs into Galen, both characters sense an odd connection between them. But to Galen it will take more than one encounter, including a deadly one with a shark, to be
convinced of Emma’s Syrenaian gifts.
After the beach incident, Galen must go to Emma’s school and find some way to convince her that she holds the key to his kingdom. Along the way, Galen and Emma find out something’s wrong with Emma because she’s a little bit different then the other Syrena. Emma wonders if she were adopted because Galen says both of her parents couldn’t possibly be Syrena. They show no resemblance to one at all. She struggles with this. How could her mother lie to her like that? If you want to know more go read this amazing book filled with humor, romance and drama.
The custom car club starts up friendships
By Jessica Rubio THERE are many Lancers with the love for Cars now they all can show what they got in the Granger Custom Cars Club.
“I’m a car guy from way back and when I was in school we had one,” Mr.Ballew said. This club is a way for kids that like cars to learn more about them.
The Custom Cars Club is a great way to build cars and friendships.
“It’s a good way students can express themselves,” he said. “I am looking forward to hopefully instilling a fevered pitch or excitement for cars. This can be a great way for someone who loves cars to pursue what they like,” Mr. Ballew said. “Cars are here and they will not go away anytime soon. They will just change. So if cars are here to stay let us just make the best of them.” “I want everyone to know that there are fun parts to cars,” Mr Ballew said. “There are many purposes of this club, and it’s not just a club -- it’s a one-of-a-kind experience where there will be a lot of hands-on work and just a lot of fun.” “It’s unique and different; it’s what we make it. We do not buy our stuff, we make it,” Isaac Rios (12) said.
“There are a lot of fun opportunities, and I’m most of all looking forward to going to the car show at Skyline,” Rios said. “My favorite thing is I can work on my own car. It’s not just a club, we love what we do, and everyone is just different and unique. We are all friends,” he said. “I joined the club simply because I love cars.” Rios isn’t the only student who loves this club. “It’s a pretty cool club. We work on cool cars. I learned about cars, and Mr. Ballew is a good teacher,” said Chayton Peterson (11) said. “My favorite thing is that I can work on my car and make it faster; the other members are cool, and we hang out and do activities together,” Peterson said. “I wanted to join it because I want
more time to work on my car. I am mostly looking forward to finishing my car so I can drive it around.” They both joined the club for their love of cars, and other students who really like cars should join, too. Students can learn a lot more than they would in a regular class, and they can work on their cars. There will be a lot of fun extracurricular activities, and there can be car shows where Lancers can show off their cars. If you like cars, this is your type of club. For details about joining it, you can talk to Mr.Ballews in room 305. It’s a great opportunity, and there are not many clubs like this. This club can help students make new friends and just have fun. If it sounds good, check it out.
May 2013, page 8
VOL. LV Issue 7
Gabriela Hernandez knows how to travel
Take GTI classes
Gaby has traveled to over ten states within our country, and some other places outside of the United States. By Tariah Hathale EVER SINCE she was about ten years old, she’s been travelling throughout the U.S. “Idaho was the first state that I went to,” Gabriela Hernandez (12) said. Around that time she was extremely excited to see a new state. When she went out of state to Idaho she was with her mom and dad. She was born here in Salt Lake, so going out of state was a big experience for her. She took her first plane ride to Texas. “I was nervous because I’d never been on a plane before,” Hernandez said. This was her first time on a plane she did feel paranoid that the plane was going to crash before they landed. Luckily, it didn’t with her mom and sister being there with their flight experiences to comfort her all the way. She did have a few difficulties with her first flying in a plane experience. “For a while, my eyes popped because of the altitude,” she said. One thing Hernandez always brings when traveling is a coloring book or something to draw or color with. Her favorite thing about being on a plane is watching movies. Also, along with it being quiet, she gets to sleep on the way. “Sometimes I like to eat these crackers they give out, they’re really good,” she said. The most fun state that Hernandez went to was Florida. “I liked it because I got to see a bunch of celebrities’ houses like Dwayne Johnson’s and Jennifer Lopez’s old house,” she said. The reason for going to Miami was to visit her aunt. The place that had the biggest
difference from Salt Lake was Miami. “There were a lot of gang bangers there,” she said. There was not a difference with the way people dressed, but the accent was different than here in Utah. “It’s something you have to hear to understand exactly,” she said. Traveling to Texas, Florida and California, Hernandez sees a difference between the beach water there. “Texas water was warm, but California and Florida felt really fresh to me,” she said. She had also traveled to Texas on the trip back from Nicaragua. “I stayed there for a bit, the weather was nice and warm,” she said. Hernandez and her family went to the Montana side of Yellowstone Park. “It was really pretty going through the forests and geysers,” she said. She loved the scenery there but has only been there once. “The first time I went to Colorado was to visit my aunt,” she said. Her second time was because of a youth convention she attended that was happening. The weather in Colorado felt warmly pleasant to Hernandez. “There were a lot of big rocks, little rivers and a lot of farms,” she said. “I’ve been to Illinois before because I missed my flight to Miami,” she said. Since she wasn’t in a hurry to leave the state, she stayed at a hotel with her family. She has also been to Arizona and Nevada to visit in-laws and drop off her friend’s cousin at one point in time. “It’s pretty hot there, but I can’t get enough of the heat,” she said. Hernandez has been to many foreign locations like Nicaragua,
Peru and Honduras. “I go to Nicaragua because my mom’s side of the family is there,” she said. Every time she goes to Nicaragua, she always goes to the store to get rag dolls -- she’s gone ever since the very first time she was there. “I love the weather there, it’s so hot you just want to go swimming like every day!” she said. Stores aren’t the only things Hernandez loves; she also has cravings for the food there. Her favorite dish is called “Baho”, and it’s a mix of meat boiled with veggies in banana peels. “It’s so yummy and delicious,” she said. Going out on trips with family is not the only thing she plans to do. “I plan to go to Europe with my boyfriend, mostly to France and Italy,” Hernandez said. In life, she wants him to experience another country with her along with eating the interesting foods all around the world. “She wants to go everywhere, I would like to take her to Spain,” Ernesto Mota (12) said. The beautiful views of the area is what attracts him to want to go there. It would mean a lot to ride the boats in Florence, Italy with his love. “I want to look at the statues in Italy with Gaby,” he said. With Hernandez and Mota being together for quite a while they do plan on getting married. “He wants to go to Cancun and get married,” Hernandez said. Later on after they graduate from Granger, they both plan travel the world together. The weather on the beautiful beach sounds perfect to Mota. “I’ve never been to Mexico, but I do want my family to come along, too,” Hernandez said.
Kids line up to get on the bus that will take them to the GTI.
By Kelly Sanmiguel EVERY year when registration for the upcoming year comes, there is another option to help fill up a class schedule beyond core classes (aside from the elective classes offered at Granger). Classes like cosmetology, sports medicine, biotechnology, pro start and dental assisting are a few of the many classes taught at the Granite Technical Institute (GTI). These classes are designed to help high school kids become more prepared to get a job in their preferred job field, “I chose to take GTI because I want to go into the cosmetology career field,” Jackie Tamayo (11) said. “I want to be a paramedic, so I might as well start somewhere,” Johnny Escuedro (11) said. Certain classes have prerequisites, yet there are classes offered for all high school kids. Although many people are very much influenced by the GTI program, there are many who “jump ship” before they can be influenced, whether it is because their class doesn’t seem to be a great fit, or they didn’t get the class period they wanted. “I thought I would lose too much time from socializing at school,” Debbie Penate (11) said. There are a couple possible reasons why kids decide to drop these classes. Another plus to GTI classes are
the chances Lancers get to interact with students from other schools in the Granite School District. “You meet different people, with different skills yet some are annoying,” Escuedro said. For some GTI students, this is a main highlight. “My favorite part is how all these different schools go to one place, which help you meet new people,” Eduardo Hueramo (11) said. But for others, the actual class or the chance to breathe different air are big pluses to this program. “I’m taking an interesting class, so I look forward to GTI,” Escuedro said. There are a lot of possible classes one can take, “it’s great -- there are so many classes to choose from, and I think there’s something for everyone to help them in pursuing their careers,” Hueramo said. Along with all the classes that are available, many things are available to be learned. “I learned that in the computer business, it doesn’t have to be boring. It is all about being creative and asking the question, ‘What if?’” Hueramo said. There are three ways to sign up for GTI, by going to the career center, registering when it’s time for registration cards or going straight to the GTI building/website for admissions.
All Lancer dancers perform on stage
By Tariah Hathale AROUND the end of the year is when the dance concert happens. All of the dance classes and Dance Company present their dances to entertain families and friends. This last dance concert was titled “It’s about Time”. All the performances involved the process of time. Each one had its own style of showing it. “I liked the dance I was in, I felt my dance made more sense to me,” Kayla Steinman (11) said. She was nervous for this performance just like everybody else feels when going to face the audience. She felt a bit bad during it because, in her thoughts, she felt as if they all caught each other along with messing up. There is also excitement that roams through the air with the dancers. “I thought it shows how great we can be as a team,” Brenda Gonzalez (11) said. She felt prepared, knowing what to do with no worries about it. This per-
formance was her first in dance, and it made her like it even more by appreciating the work put in it. “I found out that it’s not as easy as it looks,” she said. “The first time is when I was more nervous, but the last time was just me having fun with it,” Samantha Lopez (11) said. She thought this concert was a good way to end the school year. It was a nice feeling for her to see all the dancers from the classes and Dance Company present their work in front of everyone. She was tired at first when the dance she completed was over, but also felt good to get it finished. “For the most part I did feel prepared, but I think I could have been more prepared because I did feel a little lost in some parts of the dance,” she said. The dance might not be your type of style, but this senior still enjoyed it. “I was really nervous because I have stage fright like really bad,” Nancy Reveles (12)
said. Performing wasn’t that bad for her but she felt really relieved at the end. As one of the few procrastinators, she wasn’t that prepared and didn’t really care about learning the dance. “I messed up on one of our performances I’m pretty sure everyone saw,” she said. This was also her first time dancing in front of an audience on stage. By doing this, it makes her want to get into the dance industry. “I thought the concert was pretty good just a bit sluggish because there were a lot of slow songs,” Monyka Chheng (10) said. She was so relieved at the end. “I’m done,” she said. It may sound like she hates dance, but she definitely doesn’t at all. Chheng felt prepared because she knew the steps along with knowing where to go and having her props there. “It’s just that in the dance I performed, people had to go through my legs, and I couldn’t spread wide enough
when making the fence,” she said. This concert was most of the girls’ first performance with dance. Chheng has been involved with cultural dances before, but stopped after a period of time. “This performance influenced me to go farther in dance,” she said. “I think Dance Company did
really well and the classes looked professional,” Reveles said. “Some of us had a problem with looking like we were having a good time, but honestly I think we all did,” Lopez said. Overall, these dancers definitely enjoyed not only being in this concert but also watching what everyone else achieved together.
Learning a dance together made the girls closer as friends, too.