Granger high school
Tri-Color Times An open forum for student opinion and expression
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JANUARY 2019 LXI-V
After a long wait, mariachi club drops a beat By Carlos Salinas A MARIACHI club is just starting up at Granger. Traditional mariachi bands are generally made out of three main instruments: violin, trumpet, and guitars of various types. But that doesn’t mean that members have to be musicians to join the club; nonmusicians can also join. If someone plays an instrument that isn’t of the three, then that instrument can be played, too. This club has been in development for a while now. “I asked Mr. Moore if he could possibly make arrangements to add a mariachi club to the school. He told me that for the past few years, he’s been trying to make it happen. It never did because there was never enough student interest in the club, until now,” Esmeralda Treto (10) said. Treto had to gather enough
signatures to be able to approve the club. This wasn’t the first time this had happened; almost no one had shown up in the previous years. However, when the meeting was held on November 27, more than 40 people showed up. Treto is the new and first president of the mariachi club. She says that members of the mariachi club should be able to play an instrument, but they can do other things if they cannot play an instrument. Steven Sanchez (9) joined mariachi with a couple of his friends. He plays trumpet in concert band, as well. “It’s going alright so far. I’m excited to learn and perform the music. Most of the club is actually Hispanic, which is cool because we get to explore our culture,” Sanchez said. Sanchez also mentions that members of the club don’t only
just play their instrument, they sing, too. This could vary from singing together with the group to possibly having solos. “The club is going really well so far. I like the club members because they all have my same interest: mariachi music. The director is really great. I’m a violist in string orchestra. I’d describe the viola as a bigger and better violin,” Joshua Hernandez (9) said. He has been listening to mariachi since he was a child. “I remember when I was little, my family would take very long road trips across the country. We would always listen to mariachi music the whole way through. It’s part of my blood,” Hernandez said. Club members are very passionate about mariachi music. Samir Garcia (10) has been a percussionist since 6th grade, even playing drums at his local
church. “My favorite percussion instrument is the snare because it fits well in almost any orchestra or band. Roles haven’t been assigned in mariachi club, but I hope I am put to good use,” Garcia said. Garcia hopes to play an instrument that is useful in mariachi, but he wouldn’t mind playing a simple shaker. As long as he gets to be a good asset for the band, he’s all in. “Mariachi club helps spread the culture of mariachi music. It’s a very different genre of music than any other type of music. We don’t have someone to conduct us, so we’re forced to play together with our hearts and combine our sounds,” Danny Rivera (10) said. Mariachi club is open for everyone, even if someone doesn’t already play an instrument.
Percussionist Samir Garcia is eager for his mariachi band instrument to finally be assigned.
Haters sometimes change their minds By Stephanie Gutierrez HATRED is primal. Students take deep pride in the school that they attend. Understandably, they may feel inclined to hate an opposing or rival school. However, a quick school transfer is all it takes to turn the tables. No one really knows when they will be forced to change schools, possibly to the very school they once perceived to be an enemy. When this occurs, some students change their mentality. Others seem stuck in the past. One of the newest Lancers recently attended East High. “It was downtown and close to places. That’s what I enjoyed most about attending East High,” Oscar
Garcia-Gaucin (11) said. For Garcia-Gaucin, it wasn’t much about the school but the nearby attractions. This allowed him to enjoy his after-school hours. However, liking the school you go to can also be about the people that students decide to surround themselves with. Although Garcia-Gaucin did not have a huge group of friends, it was the few he had that made him further enjoy the school. “My friends would be the reason I enjoyed East High. I guess that’s why I began saying I hated every other school—simply because of my friends,” Garcia-Gaucin said. The way that students from other schools view Granger can
change as soon as they walk into the school. This may cause them to want to become a Lancer, too. With the great joy of seeing how every Lancer shows great pride for the school that they attend, this convinces others that Granger High is more than a school. “I personally used to hate on Granger. You adapt to the school you go to, so when I first moved to Granger, I thought I would never learn to accept it. But now, I call myself a true Lancer,” Garcia-Gaucin said. Although Garcia-Gaucin enjoys being a Lancer because of the good energy and school spirit, there are students whose love for Granger comes from the students
and sports. Pablo Pando (12) is able to enjoy Granger because of the girls basketball team. Pablo had a harsh story from his days of attending Hunter High. He used to be bullied by almost anyone he came in contact with. “When I moved to Granger, it was initially weird because I was all about Hunter. But, when I decided to become a manager for Granger’s girls basketball team, all my worries and bullying stopped. All the girls took me in as a brother, and now I absolutely love being surrounded by this great, positive energy,” Pando said. continued on page 2
Heard in the Halls
By Angela Cortez “YOU WANT a Sprite cranberry?” “I don’t remember the last time I washed my hair.” “These band kids smell like cheese.” “I’m going to go to Gamestop to buy Despacito 2.” “Oh yeah, I got promoted at my banking job, so I basically own the bank now.” “Look at this picture—you look like a monkey!” “I was choking, and I almost threw up.” “Look at his butt!” “He runs like a pig.” “I got 10 credits.” “You’re a Junior.” “Why are you drooling?” “It’s just water!” “My girlfriend left me for my twin.”
“All I want for Christmas is poo.”
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
As medical marijuana advances, illegal use of drugs remains unpopular By Alexis McArthur THERE is a lot of controversy over the use of medical and recreational marijuana. For the people that need it for real medical conditions, it is believed that medical marijuana is a good form of treatment for certain conditions and illnesses. Marijuana has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy in many ancient civilizations. It has been carried on throughout history, but the purpose of it has changed dramatically in modern cases of recreation. The controversy surrounding marijuana stems from the legalization of marijuana for recreational use because a lot of people have certain religious views on pharmaceuticals and drugs. “I think it’s fine for medical use so as long as people need it,” Labrea Matteson (11) said. Matteson and her family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She says that the LDS Church doesn’t believe in the use of medical or recreational marijuana. “I think that if you need it and it helps you, then
use it. If it becomes legal to use for fun, then why not,” Matteson said. However, although she is not against the use of marijuana, she claims that she would never personally use it. Michael Winder (12) is also a member of the LDS Church, but had differing beliefs. “If you are prescribed medical marijuana by a doctor, then it’s fine. But, I don’t support people using it for fun,” Winder said. Since Winder is on the swim team, he said he wouldn’t use marijuana because it could affect his performance. “I support marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes. California was struggling economically. After they started selling and taxing marijuana, they started to do really good,” Dustin Bryant (11) said. Bryant says that his parents support the use of marijuana, as well. “I support marijuana, but I don’t think I would use it even if it were legal and I was of age,” Bryant said. Spencer Palmer (11) supports the use of medical marijuana, despite his religious views. Palmer’s dad has fibromyalgia—which
is a condition that makes a person It is a condition where the per- “Marijuana used for recreation have widespread muscle pain and son’s immune system attacks makes people unproductive, and tenderness. This condition can’t their thyroid. “I’ve considered I think that could affect a lot of be cured, but there are treatments trying CBD oil to maybe help people’s jobs,” Robinson said. Ultimately, while the controthat can help manage the pain. with my condition, but before do“My dad’s fibromyalgia used to ing so, I would like to [see] more versy of marijuana use continues to grow, one thing remains be really bad. He uses medication research,” Robinson said. She added that she supports clear—more research and disnow, which have helped him a lot, but I think that if his doctors pre- medicinal marijuana, but she does cussions need to occur about its scribed him medicinal marijuana, not support it for recreational use. harms and benefits. he would choose that over the medication he is currently using,” Palmer said. Ms. Robinson is a U.S. government teacher here at Granger, and she has opinions about medical marijuana. “I think that the government hasn’t allowed labs to do enough research and testing on medical marijuana, so it’s hard to know what you’re getting,” Robinson said. She also stated that she has an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease. If CBD oil proves to be effective, Ms. Robinson might consider using it to treat her illness.
Suicide prevention awareness
“It’s not a matter of who swung first. It’s a matter of whether or not both were involved in the conflict,” Mr. Beck said.
Fewer fights at Granger than expected By Miguel Acosta FIGHTS at Granger High School have decreased in the past few years. This might be a result of the increase of staff members, including people who are inside and outside of the campus, making sure that Lancers are behaving appropriately. However, a few fights do happen every now and then. As with every story, the dynamics of a fight can became quite complicated. There are many factors administrators need to take into consideration when dealing with student fights. The administrators want to make it clear that it is a process before they make a final decision on a fight. “When a fight comes into the office, we talk to each party separately in order to hear each side of the story,” Mr. Beck, an assistant principal, said. The school wants each person to feel heard. Mr. Beck notes that many factors play into a fight, including social media and the need to give off an image of being tough. “Social media is a key factor in a lot of fights. I feel like most people get what I call ‘Twitter muscles.’ People want to be the toughest person in order to impress others. When a rumor starts going around that ‘so and so said some-
thing about you’, their mentality is to call them out online or act tough around them without actually getting to hear their side of the story first,” Beck said. Since it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause amongst many factors of a fight, the administration has a challenging task in determining who is to blame. “What we do as an administration is see if one side of the party was walking away from the situation or if both people were involved in exchanging words. It’s not a matter of who swung first. It’s a matter of whether or not both were involved in the conflict in one way or another,” Beck said. Those who have been in a fight have personally gone through this process. Mia Utorov (12) got in a fight after miscommunication turned into an altercation with a person after class. The fight was quickly broken up by staff members standing in the hall between periods. “When the administration talked to me to hear what happened, they really did take the time to hear my side of the story,” Utorov said. Fighting is something that has changed over the years. With the tech available today, it is easier for students to communicate with one another. Social media
plays a part in the fights that happen at schools. From wanting to act tough to wanting to record a fight happening between others, social media has had a negative impact on the mentality of fighting. Some other elements that can play a role with school fights are peer pressure, gangs, and lack of respect for peers. Fights can also negatively affect the label or image surrounding a school. “How our school is perceived is something very important to me,” Mr. Beck said. When a fight is posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat, a negative impression about Granger is created. The captions surrounding these posts are usually “Only at Granger!” or “Granger back at it again!” Students prioritize personal selfimages over the reputation of the school that they attend. However, they need to recognize that ruining the name of Granger ultimately means ruining the image of the student body. Rather than physically confront someone about an issue, try to discuss it first. Miscommunication is a big problem in many of the fights. Taking this step can save someone from the possibility of going to court or having to pay a $50 fine for fighting.
By Cami Aguero JJUST RECENTLY, all teachers were required to play a video about suicide prevention and discuss it with their classes. This is a very sensitive subject to talk about. Consequently, many people have different thoughts about the video. Some students felt that if there had been information in addition to tips, they would look at the video differently. “The video kept repeating the same concept; it didn’t really provide the information we really needed; all they really did was talk about the Safe UT app,” Miriam Maldonado (10) said. Suicide is a very deep topic, and the students wanted it to be way more detailed than how it was described in the video. “We should be taking things like this very seriously because suicide rates are going up yearly,” Zuri Alcantar (10) said. Every student has problems outside of school, and some problems are worse than others. Thus, many students come to school tired, stressed, and worried about what is going on outside of academics. What some students don’t realize is that teachers genuinely care about their students and notice their moods. They can tell when a student is feeling down. “I actually care a ton about my students and their lives. I try to build trust in them so when they are feeling down, they can open up
to me. When they do, I try to find out the basics on what’s wrong and what I can do for them,” Mr. Okeson said. “They could have put more feeling into the video. Perhaps a talk from a suicide survivor would have allowed students to see how someone felt and recovered. Other than that, the video did give good tips on how to help someone in need and what to do if one is feeling down,” Kimberly Abarca (10) said. Other students thought the video was very well done. They believe that it was incredibly thoughtful of Granger to make this video because to some it may have been a small gesture, but to other students it might have been the highlight of their day. The fact that Granger’s staff wants their students to be here another day made some Lancers feel wanted and loved. People aren’t always happy and optimistic, and that is OK because all students have days that simply are not as good as the others. So, if someone is having an off-day and just needs someone to talk to, there are some resources listed down below that could help. Do not be afraid to seek help; everyone has challenges. Confidential Free Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741741 Meet with person: 801-587-3000
Haters sometimes change their minds continued from page 1 Sometimes it’s the smallest things, such as making a new student feel welcomed into the school, that allows students to truly enjoy where they attend. For Pando, this was the case. He was able to feel like a true Lancer as soon as he walked into the gymnasium. Although there are many students who feel at home when walking into Granger High, some students are not able to move
on from their previous school. Carlos Mata (11) enjoys attending Granger, but he still misses many parts of Kearns High. “The community was great and so was the school spirit. None of this changed when I moved to Granger. I just feel like I belong at Kearns,” Mata said. Since Granger is home to many old and new students, it is important that Lancers put in the effort to welcome and respect one another.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
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Organization can help teens reduce stress
Classrooms must evolve
Opinion by Ivan Padilla THE CLASSROOM has looked nearly the same for the entirety of America’s history: desks lined up with a blackboard in the front of a room and a teacher there to lecture. But there are glaring flaws in the methods used to teach youth today. This is reflected in America’s standing amongst fellow developed countries. According to PewResearch.com, among 71 countries, the U.S. ranks 38th in math and 24th in science. This is unimpressive compared to other developed countries that are in the top percentiles. The problems are obvious. The way teachers teach kids is outdated, and class sizes are much too large. There are upwards of 40 students in a classroom. Even with a conservative number of 30 students, the ratio of time spent on individuals is low and ineffective. This lecture-based tradition permeating many subjects and classrooms takes no account of what type of learner a student is. Auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learners accept their labels without question. This rhetoric makes people believe that they have to fall into one category or another. In reality, students all learn in much the same way—a combination of all three. The main problem, however, is the fundamental way Americans think about schooling. Pedagogy is the practice of teaching skills in order for individuals to become a part of a functioning society. It is education with a specific goal. Teachers must assess students with com-
mon standards to see if students are achieving what they are supposed to. Education is more open ended. Learning, skills, and knowledge must be acquired but there is no standard. Because education is concentrated in instilling specific qualities, teachers in the classroom have less control over what and how they teach the material. Self-learning takes the teacher and society out of the picture. It more accurately represents what education should be. With the advent of the internet, anything a person could learn in a classroom can easily be learned online through proper research. This can encourage students to be more engaged as they learn exactly what they want rather than what is required. They can go at their own pace. This can also help with a student’s self-confidence. These principles must be applied to the current educational system. A good way to start is to flip the classroom. Instead of teaching the material in the classroom and giving the assignment for the students to struggle through on their own, allow the student to learn the subject on their own and then help them understand with practice while in class. Schools must do away with these standardized tests. There are different ways for a student to demonstrate understanding and knowledge than a test meant to fit every individual. Education has become distorted, and schools have done nothing to remedy that. Flipping the classroom is a great step to a successful educational system.
Opinion by Karla Landeros TRANSITIONING from school, clubs, home, and other activities is hard. When we were younger, we didn’t have as many responsibilities. Now, we have to keep up with the expectations of our families, teachers, and peers. But, keeping up with everyone requires time. With all of this constant stress to consider, we must plan out a schedule. Time management is easier than one might think, and it makes life less complicated. There are many good outcomes to time management. Keeping planners and asking for help can all help you gain more time to do what you want in life. Whether it is a class requirement or for personal use, most students have planners or some
sort of calendar. These help organize your duties and time together. It might be a struggle to keep calendars and planners updated since a good amount of people think that it is a waste of time to sit down and think about one’s to-do list. In reality, sitting down to organize your thoughts and agenda helps save a lot of time and stress in the future. By organizing an agenda, there is less probability that you forget your most important events of the day. Homework assignments are less likely to be turned in late and more free time is cleared up for you to enjoy. In the end, your teacher will be more impressed, and you will be less stressed. Failure to properly manage your time will result in nasty consequences, stress, and health issues. “Stress can have many negative effects on your body, mood, and behavior. Going from simple headaches to social withdrawal, stress can affect your life very seriously,” as stated on the
mayoclinic.org website. Making yourself unhappy and unsatisfied will probably be one of your biggest regrets when thinking about your younger self in a few years. Underachievement can also be an awful result of inefficient time management. Dropping your grades as a result of poor time management might not be the only reason as to why some futures are at risk. “If we don’t keep up with our studies, we are less likely to pick up necessary information, which can critically hurt our academic performances,” as stated on the magoosh.com website. Procrastination can also be a factor and product of poor time management. Procrastination can lead to the piling up of tasks. This can only add more pressure and stress to our lives. Lancers need to learn to stay organized and motivated in order to handle the pressures and stress of being a student.
We could all do more to help the homeless
Opinion by Paola Estrada MANY OF us have seen homeless people, whether on the sides of the road or possibly by participating in volunteer organizations that seek to help. Consequently, we may find ourselves wondering what causes homelessness. There is an array of potential causes. One of them is the reality that many owners and managers do not wish to hire people who have a history of crimes and drug abuse. Another potential cause is that many people fall into depression or another mental illness that put a dent in their ability to work. People are inclined to say that it is the fault of the homeless for becoming what they are. It is not that simple. Many of the home-
less people dealt with domestic violence and poverty that unfortunately developed into tragic effects. We tend to judge one another so easily without taking the initiative to look into a person’s past. This restricts us from helping and engaging with people who really need it. There are ways to help the homeless, however. Little donations can go a long way to alleviate their struggles. Cans of food, blankets, or even socks can help ease their hunger and cold. Even taking the time to talk and listen to someone going through this rough patch can help ease their pain and turmoil. For some of us, the issues of homelessness hits close to home.
“My uncle has been homeless for five years now. We’ve tried to give him shelter, but he won’t ever take it. The reason why he is homeless is because he had a mental disorder very similar to schizophrenia. He hears voices inside his head, and he always thinks the government is after him. That is the reason he won’t stay anywhere. He likes to be off the grid,” Ms. Green, a language arts teacher, said. Homelessness is a real issue, and it is not alleviated by misjudgment and stereotypes surrounding these people. Being understanding and caring for those going through this hard time can help provide a solution to this problem.
Tri-Color Times Staff Editor in Chief Jelena Dragicevic
Social Media Editor Jocelyn Roberts
Reporters Miguel Acosta Cami Aguero Liliana Arreola Landon Burton Erik Carranza Lesly Castillo Alex Cervantes Mirella Chamorro Nevaeh Chavez Angela Cortez Tyler Danh Paola Estrada Elena Flores Ariana Gomez Stephanie Gutierrez
Reporters Krystal Hernandez Karla Landeros Britney Luong Alexis McArthur Analicia Montoya Nancy Otuafi Ivan Padilla Lina Philip Emma Pratt Carlos Salinas Ivan Siete Leilani Tima Mariah Valle Destiny Wallace Macaela Williams
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 liability.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
Winter driving conditions require careful, distraction-free attention By Erik Carranza DRIVING during the winter is the hardest, especially for teenagers who are barely starting to drive on their own. Car accidents are the number one cause of death
for people within the ages of 1524. The West Valley City fire department and police station have a lot of officers and firefighters that are helpful when it comes to
helping anyone when they need it. Wayne Reilly has been part of the fire department for 12 years and knows how to deal with a lot of different situations. Reilly has seen so many accidents happen and has been called to accidents, as well. “Not being distracted while driving will make you a much better driver,” Reilly said. Distractions are one of the main causes of car accidents, whether food, friends, phones, or just messing around with the radio. People seem to think that nothing bad “Everybody forgets how to drive for the first couple of weeks [of snowy weather],” Officer Randall said. is ever go-
ing to happen to them while doing it because they have never been in an accident. “Most of the time, accidents occur as a result of the other people around you not paying attention. It may not even be your fault, but unfortunately you can get injured,” Reilly said. Therefore, one must not only focus on driving but also on the driving of others. “Driving demands 100% percent of your attention,” Reilly said. Officer Randall is a Granite School District police officer and has not only worked within the district but also outside of schools, too. “People get used to driving during the summer and fall without the snow, so once the snow hits, it’s like everybody forgets how to drive for the first couple of weeks,” Randall said. Space and speed are two really big factors that affect accidents during the winter. “By decreasing your speed and increasing your space, you will give yourself more time to react and will have a smaller chance of crashing,” Randall said.
Vehicles need a lot more attention this time of the year. Tires wear out a lot faster during the summer because of how hot the road is, so when the roads get icy it is easier for cars to swerve since they lack the necessary grip to stay grounded. Also, because it is going to be snowing, windshield wipers can make driving so much easier and safer. People need to take precautions and think ahead when driving in the snow. With that said, it is important to carry blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a portable charger or two, in case you get stranded and need to call for help. Ms. Turner, the Granger High School driver education teacher witnesses all kinds of accidents when driving around with her students. “If people would just slow down and leave more room between them and the car in front of them, there would be a lot fewer accidents,” Turner said. Lancers should know that no distraction or rush is worth a life. Be careful on the roads this winter season.
Workload on teenagers may be too much By Emma Pratt TEENAGERS are expected to do a lot of things. They need to get up early for school, stay up late for homework, have good grades, have a plan for college, work during high school, join clubs, participate in sports, and more. While doing all of that, they are told to have time to eat healthy, get roughly nine hours of sleep, maintain family and friend relationships, etc. Teens are pressured not only by their peers, but by parents, teachers, media, etc. “I think there can be too much pressure on students. Pressure comes from lots of different places: students, parents, and teachers,” Mr. Mundt, an administrative intern, said. Pressure can also come from inanimate things. For example, tests are a major source of stress and pressure. This workload placed on teenagers is not healthy for them. “Due to varying pressures around school, work, families, relationships, social media, and the seemingly endless series of transitions involved in simply being an adolescent, teens today are indeed under more stress than ever before,” as stated on the psychologytoday.com website. Students are pressured on a lot of things. The stress causes anxiety in some students. “I do get students that are stressed. In fact, I had a student come in and have an anxiety attack because they were worried about the ACTs,” Ms. Oliver, a counselor, said.
These pressures cause students to stress and worry. Life for a teenager can be very complicated. “Imagine having six bosses, all with large amounts of power over your daily life and future. Each boss has different expectations, ways of working, levels of competency and degrees of emotional intelligence. And if you don’t satisfy each one, your career is on the line,” John Nicholls wrote in an article for the Washington Post. Teenagers usually have about six to eight teachers or “bosses,” not including parents. Like Nicholls said, each boss will have different ways of doing things. Teens then have to deal with how to satisfy each one. It is hard for students to achieve different expectations placed on them by multiple bosses. “A lot of the time, I feel pressure from family, parents, and people at school. I get anxiety from how much people expect of me,” Maya Rousseva (10) said. Sometimes parents and teachers have expectations that are too high. This causes teens to think that they have to perform perfectly and can’t fail at anything. “In traditional schooling, many aspects of a student’s life are decided for them – from what subjects they study to what they wear at school and what schedules to follow. This lack of control can lead to stress. Adults have the autonomy to do as they please, but if teenagers try, it is
Ms. Oliver tells students to balance between friends, school, jobs, and media.
called rebellion,” Nicholls wrote. Teens’ workload is huge. They are expected to do so much in such a short amount of time. Within four years of high school, teens are expected to decide what to do with their lives, what college they are going to attend, where they will live, how they will afford things, etc. Sadly, teenagers are supposed to deal with this amount of pressure. They are told to decide their lives in only four years. However, pressure can be a good thing, too. Pressure helps push students to do their best. If there is no pressure on a student to do better, they most likely won’t. With the right amount of pressure, a student can do better and achieve more. “I already have an idea of what I want to do. I think I want to be a teacher,” Sarah Chesnut (9) said. Chesnut feels pressure to achieve more and do her best. However, it has helped her. Even though she is a freshman, Chesnut already has an idea of what she wants to do. Sometimes she does get overwhelmed, too, but it is usually towards the end of the term. She is able to balance her workload and do what she wants; by doing so, she avoids overstressing. The workload expected of teens may be too much. Some students may feel less overwhelmed because they are able to ignore unnecessary pressures. Others may feel overwhelmed because they aren’t able to ignore those extra, unnecessary pressures. However, this difference should not mean that student workload problems are overlooked. “We must not assume that some students are destined for glory while others are destined to fail,” Rachel Van Cleave wrote in an article for the New York Times. Instead, parents and teachers should recognize this problem and lend a helping hand to everyone, so that all students can succeed at what they want to do.
G-cards have recently changed, but old cards may still be redeemed.
G-Cards now back in stock By Landon Burton G-CARDS are tickets of admiration awarded by teachers to students who are thoughtful, empowered, and connected in the classroom, lunch room, hallway, and anywhere else in the school. They can be turned in for rewards, including: lunch with the principal, lunch fast pass, candy bar, $1 dollar off at the G-store, OCR/ticket free pass, and fiveminute early lunch release. However, the G-cards have recently changed to include different rewards. The look and design are also different. The older G-cards had eight prizes; the new G-cards now have six prizes. These are: lunch with the principal, candy bars, OCR/ ticket free pass, lunch fast pass, $1 off at the G-store, and fiveminute early lunch release. Not to worry, though, Lancers may still redeem the old cards. Some Lancers may be wondering why the sudden change. The administration decided to only keep and fund the prizes that Lancers have been most interested in. There was no need to keep supporting rewards that no one was claiming. Furthermore, the administration felt the need to allocate more investments and
funds towards the awards that Lancers do like. For instance, lunch with the principal now has more variety, and there is a greater selection of candy bars. Now that these new G-cards have started to circulate, the administration encourages teachers to hand them out more. “Teachers should be handing out more G-cards because we have been giving more of them to hand out,’’ Anderson said. When students earn G-cards, it fills them with a sense of accomplishment. It also drives them to keep working hard. “When I get a G-card, it makes me want to continue working hard, not only for the prize, but for the recognition I get for working hard. It feels great to be recognized by a teacher,” Alexis Aguilar (11) said. However, it is not just students that receive recognition. When G-cards are turned in, the teacher that handed it out also gets participation points. The administration then analyzes this data to see if this system helps boost student morale and if teachers are encouraging their students enough. This is why it is pivotal to write down the teacher’s name on the G-card, too.
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Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 7
Treat depression ASAP
Christopher Lopez lifts while Züng Thāng spots him for safety.
Improvements are happening in weight-training class By Leilani Tima THERE have been multiple things going on in Coach Morgan’s weight-training class, and one of them is the improvement happening with the fitness and performance of his students. Weight-training has helped the majority of his students relax and reduce their stress levels. “This class has been helpful for me because it’s stress relieving” Paul Eicher (11) said. Eicher explained how weighttraining has helped him so much when it comes to his emotional and mental health. In addition, the class is sincerely entertaining. “Yeah, it’s honestly fun, especially if you have friends there,” Ryan Stone (12) said. This class has helped many students become more positive and happy. When students first took the weight-training class, there was an array of reactions. Some were nervous; some were scared; some felt that it was going to be a very challenging class. “I was feeling a little scared because I’m not used to lifting heavy weights,” Emyni Tupou (10) said. Although Tupou felt that way at first, she has re-
ally improved in the class. Tupou explained how her weights have been increasing every class; she feels like she has improved a lot. Tupou isn’t alone. A lot of other students feel as if they’ve progressed in Coach Morgan’s class. “I can see changes in myself because of Coach Morgan,” Gerareo Garcia (12) said. Many students feel that they upgraded their strength because of Coach Morgan. “I feel like he’s pretty good at explaining stuff. He’ll show us how to do the workout. If we have questions, he’s open to answering them,” Stone said. Lancers in weightlifting are not the only ones who have noticed these big improvements. Coach Morgan sees them, as well. “Without a doubt, my students have improved from first quarter to second quarter,” Coach Morgan said. Morgan has always taught Lancers everything there is to know about weightlifting, and his students appreciate him as a weightlifting and fitness teacher. “It’s an enjoyable class, and Coach Morgan does a terrific job at explaining technique,” Garcia said.
Students in his class have learned everything they need to know about weightlifting. “I feel like we’ve learned a lot of information in his class,” Stone said. Although most Lancers agree that this is a beneficial class, there are others who feel that Morgan overteaches the workouts. “I mean he’s good at what he teaches, but he does sometimes over-teach a concept,” Eicher said. Additionally, there are some students who feel that the female and male workouts are not equal. “I feel like it is kind of annoying because he always has girls tone, claiming that ‘they don’t muscle…they tone,’ ” Stone said. However, many Lancers feel that Morgan is a fantastic and is an influential physical-education teacher. Students who have taken his class definitely recommend that their peers try it out, too. “I want to keep increasing my intensity level,” Garcia said. Because of Morgan’s teachings and techniques, Lancers have learned a lot and have built plenty of strength and motivation to keep improving their health.
Kailey works hard to get desired results By Nevaeh Chavez BEING on the drill team can be a challenge in and of itself. Drill takes determination, commitment, and hard work. As shown in many performances, the Excaliburs seem to have every dance step right on point. For Kailey Provost (9), being on the dance team is more challenging than what meets the eye. Provost is a very well committed dancer and dedicates every second of her time to improving herself. “It’s hard; you have to be committed,” Provost said. When Provost first started dancing on the drill team, she was not very confident with being on count and being sharp enough. Provost is an optimistic and friendly person. She seems to have a good attitude about everything she is faced with. “Dancing is a way for me to express everything I have been through. It allows me to feel good about myself,” Provost said. As she continues to progress into the year, she wants to make a promise to herself that she will continue to work hard. This mentality allows her to perform well.
It also helps with her physical and mental health. Some students might think that joining a team is a new way of meeting friends; Provost has a different opinion about this. Although she gets along with everyone on the team, she explained her point of view. “I get along with the girls on my team, but I am not here to make friends. I am here to become a better dancer,” she said. Others on the team can see how hard Provost has been working to get to where she is now. Stormy Stevens (11) hopes to see her continue to grow as a person and as a dancer. “Kailey has improved so much. In terms of her confidence, there is like a day and night difference,” Stevens said. As many Lancers already know, to be on a competitive team, a certain grade point average is required by student athletes. Some people may find this very overwhelming and hard to manage. Provost has done a great job of keeping up with her grades and even improving them since the beginning of the year. Provost has handled the pressures of be-
ing a student athlete with grace and passion. One of the reasons Provost has come so far is because of the support of her dance teacher, Adeena Lago. “Kailey has improved so much as a dancer. Where she was initially and where she is now is crazy. She is amazing,” Lago said. Provost has a natural talent for dance. She is very focused. When she wants to do something, she puts her mind to it and gets it done. “Kailey will stand there in class and just say ‘I want to learn how to do an aerial,’ and the very next day, she has it down. It’s crazy,” Lago said. The support that Provost has is amazing. No wonder her confidence has increased significantly. William West (9) is such a supportive friend of Provost’s. They have been friends for two years. “Kailey is amazing. She’s always encouraging others and is so generous,” West said. Provost can be an inspiration to many girls beginning to dance here at Granger. She is a reminder that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve anything they desire.
By Analicia Montoya DEPRESSION is a mental disorder characterized by persistent sad moods or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Health is much more than a diagnosis; it is also one’s overall psychological well-being. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Many Granger High students have experienced depression in some part of their life or are currently going through it. Not that many people seek help because they feel ashamed. The number one priority is getting help when it’s needed. Seeking help is never the first option for anybody with this disorder, but the sooner people do, the faster they can start feeling better. Taking care of one’s mental health can mean seeking professional support and treatment. It also means taking steps to improve emotional health alone. Making these changes will pay off in all aspects of life. Depression has different triggers. Sometimes it is developed without any obvious cause. Other times, it can be from genetics. Tragic, stressful life events like death, divorce, and financial issues can trigger depression, as well. Poor physical health and exercise can also play a part. Darius Cunningham (12) had to deal with depression in the past, but he didn’t have the support he needed to manage it well. “At first, I thought it was really stupid to turn to something like marijuana, but once I did it, it calmed my nerves, and I felt relaxed. The problem is I got too hooked on it, so I quit using and
started doing more active things to keep myself busy. That’s how I overcame a lot [of depression],” Cunningham said. Using drugs and drinking alcohol affect the brain’s delicate chemistry and mood. Addiction will do more damage than good when it comes to mental health. There are more positive ways to improve mental health. First: people need to learn to value themselves. They should treat themselves with the kindness and respect they deserve. Second: they should recognize the importance of quieting their mind. Overthinking and overanalyzing aspects of their lives can cause unnecessary stress. Third: They should break up the monotony of their life. Getting caught up in a routine can damage the mind. A change in scenery, even if it means going outside, can be really helpful. Scott Laguna (11) knows firsthand how a change in routine helps after experiencing stressinduced depression. “My best friend died in a car accident at the age of 13. We met when we were young; she was my first friend. I stopped eating, and I couldn’t sleep for the longest time. The way I coped with this tragic event was by giving myself time and changing things up a bit,” Laguna said. Changing up routines helps people feel excited, knowing they have something different to look forward to. Fourth: get more sleep. Sleep deprivation tends to lead into mental illness. It might not be easy taking these steps to improve mental health, but remember to take it one step at a time, have patience, and trust the process.
January 2019, page 8
Tri-Color Times VOL. LXI Issue 5
Trends include throwbacks for GHS Lancers
Book Review: Speak By Liliana Arreola “WE ARE nobody.” In high school, it is common to feel different, insecure, and lost. School can be confusing and overwhelming with the amount of homework given, extracurricular activities, and trying to find a group to fit in. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, does a terrific job at relating these difficulties to high school students. However, another important subject that the book touches on is just how much we do not know what others are going through. Asides from realizing this problem, students need to understand the necessity of being more open and altruistic to others. There are times we know we can help someone, but we don’t go out of our way to help them, but it is worth taking the chance to improve someone else’s day. We would certainly appreciate this effort if someone did it for us, too. A lot of us may feel like Melinda Sordino (the main character). She is a freshman in high school that no one likes, and she feels like she does not belong anywhere in school. She becomes friends with a girl, but the girl ends up telling her she cannot be friends with her because she is “different.” The year goes along, and something terrible happens to Melina. At first, she did not want to tell anyone what happened, but eventually she disclosed her event. One may wonder why she kept the secret in, but we should try to put ourselves in that situation. Many of us have had events occur in our lives that we were too timid to share. We have a hard time disclosing information because we are scared of judgement and misunderstanding.
In school, Melinda grades herself on different things, including social life, lunch, clothes, and academics. Her “rubric” is based on her social interaction, attitude, and events that happened at school. Thus, in some sense, she gets a sense of how “good” or “terrible” her day has been. Many people do this, either through a journal or simply within their own thoughts. Unfortunately, because we are most aware with our own difficulties and lives, we are also our greatest critics. A cycle of negative thoughts and self-criticism, especially in such a vulnerable time as the teenage years, can occur. Mistakes and injustices are guaranteed aspects of life. Perhaps then it is important to change our mindset on how we view our life. Rather than dwell on our imperfections, we need to realize that, “Nothing is perfect. Flaws are interesting.” Use adversities as lessons, and start appreciating the person it has helped make. Speak certainly stresses the importance of respecting ourselves and others. In a school as diverse as Granger, this lesson is something we can certainly carry when it comes to interacting with fellow Lancers. For many people, school is a home outside of home. For others, it is an escape from the difficulties going on with family and personal relationships. It is for this reason that it is pivotal that we create a place of understanding, respect, and toleration for one another. Do not be a bully; be kind and willing to branch out. It will help make Granger a welcoming, respectful, and understanding place for all.
By Mariah Valle and just pop culture in general,” thrifting was considered unsaniTRENDS come and go, but one Diana Ruiz (11) said. tary, but now it is considered that is seemingly persisting is Additionally, Lancers can ex- cool. There seems to have been dressing like the past. In 2018, pect to see many colors, textures, a perspective shift. People are Lancers traveled back to now starting to value the the ‘80s and wore mom cheap vintage clothing jeans and dressed like available in thrift stores. tourists with fanny packs. They prefer it over brandIn 2019, Lancers can exname stores that design pect to travel further back faux vintage pieces for in time—all the way to a higher price. Furtherthe ‘70s. One of the bigmore, what one finds in gest fashion magazines, a thrift store is one-ofVogue Paris, displayed a-kind, so the chances this “hippie”, colorful of running into someone trend in its 2019 fashion wearing the exact same show. In the show, loud outfit is slim. colors and mismatched Lancers are also bepatterns could be seen. ginning to notice the “Some are calling it esfashion trends in and outcapism; others say it’s all side of school. “Comfy a numbers game, but the clothing and showing, groovy prints and hippiequirky cartoon socks ish chill of the late ‘60s with sneakers are becomand ‘70s were all over ing very trendy,” Melissa the Spring 2019 runways Huizar (12) said. She per(Etro, Paco Rabanne, sonally incorporates this and even Dior), a trend into her style, too. we saw immediately rePeople can get their Lancers are dressed up in previous decades’ attire. flected on the streets,” as fashion inspiration from stated on the vogue.com website. as are flowy dresses. “Layering is an array of sources, including: However, despite the ‘70s front and center for next winter, peers, shows, and movies. The hit coming back in style, the other with plays on texture and volume Netflix TV show Stranger Things decades remain persistent. “A in a masterful game of accumula- shows off ‘80s vibes because it lot of the ‘80s and ‘90s looks are tion,” as stated on the vogue.com is set in 1983. The cast members coming back. If you look at Ur- website in an article about 2019 wear mom jeans, an array of colban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, fall and winter trends. ors, and showing socks. Perhaps and Forever 21, you can see a lot Another trend on the rise is with the difficulties of the modern of scrunchies and mom jeans. The thrifting, which is going to the era, people are becoming nostalold-school style is becoming real- thrift store to buy cheap fashion- gic for the past and hence running ly popular with the skate culture, able clothes. In previous years, back to it.
Catch Dragon Ball Z Super Broly on 1/16 By Tyler Danh IF YOU are into the anime scene, you must have heard of the news of the return of one of the largest anime of all time: Dragon Ball Z. They are releasing a brand-new movie called Dragon Ball Super Broly starting December 14 in Japan. In the United States, however, they are releasing the movie on January 16, 2019. If you are a fan of the anime, you must have heard of him or have seen him as a kid. The legendary Gogeta has returned. The greatest anime is coming in limited theaters only and is surely something not to miss. This anime impacted a lot of us as children and made us want to do the main protagonist’s moves, including the spirit bomb or Kamehameha. In the new movie that is being released, we will finally get to see an alternative tale of Dragon Ball Z. In it, Goku, Vegeta, and Broly are all born at the same time. In the anime series, you get to
see Goku’s mom, Gine, who is a low-class warrior, for the first time. Furthermore, Goku and Vegeta find home on Earth while Broly is sent to another place.
Vegeta will also achieve “Super Saiyan God” status, and Gogeta will come on the screen as a “Base” and “Super Saiyan God” form. A lot is expected from this
movie. Dragon Ball Z was first aired in Japan on April 26, 1989. That was the starting point of one of the largest anime of all time. The original story of Dragon Ball Z is about Goku being sent to Earth. Growing up, he thought a monster had killed his grandpa. He transformed into a Great Ape, but he ends up killing Grandpa Gohan by accidentally crushing him. His friends end up cutting his tail off. Dragon Ball Z was not originally intended to revolve around Goku. Instead, it was going to be about his son Gohan. In one saga of the series, the plot actually does rotate around Gohan. The new movie’s alternative tale will include Goku being old enough to remember who his parents were, and it will most likely also have memories of Planet Vegeta. Anime fans are stoked, and this movie is something Lancers should not miss!