The Vista View: Volume VI, Issue VI

JUNE 5, 2009

VOLUME VI, ISSUE 6

V I S TA M U R R I E TA H I G H S C H O O L | 2 8 2 5 1 C L I N T O N K E I T H R D . M U R R I E TA , C A 9 2 5 6 3 | ( 9 5 1 ) 8 9 4 - 5 7 5 0

G R A D U AT I O N

The Class to Remember

Underneath it all...

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Senior Wills

Seniors reflect on their time spent in high school, thank friends and family, and share what they’ve learned at Vista Murrieta High School as graduation approaches.

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Senior Relocation Map

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Teacher Relocation

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What next?

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A map of the nation pinpoints where senior Broncos will continue their education at a multitude of prestigious universities around the country.

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The teachers who will leave VMHS to open the newest addition to the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Murrieta Mesa, will be remembered here for their great contributions.

A special How-To features what comes next for seniors: how to preserve friendships, make new ones, and start on the road to your career a�er high school.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2009!

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NEWS

JUNE 5, 2009

School spirit stays Impacting students saves lives strong at VMHS BRYAN GARGANERA

at the VMHS gymnasium.

“The second day is great because it gives students the in-depth feeling of what The Vista Murrieta campus was home to the Every 15 Minutes is about. We really want safety awareness program “Every 15 Minutes”. The them (the students) to start making mature program gets its name because every fi�een minutes decisions,” Jennifer Seitel, speaker, said. someone dies in an alcohol-related accident. Solely The assembly began with a Cloud for 11th and 12th graders, the Productions program which is done in a two video clip day span enables students to be followed by more aware of drunk driving, the brief speech hazards of being in a vehicle, and given by ultimately teach responsibility.

Principal For the first day of the D a r r e n Every 15 Minutes Program, Daniel. The students gathered at the VMHS gymnasium football field. Speakers within became still the program believe this first as students day impacts students immensely began to because it gives them insight of open their how disastrous a crash can be. envelopes “Although the crash and read at the field was set up before their le�ers. hand, the emotions received The le�ers Bryan Garganera from it are very powerful and w e r e real.” Mark Wright, Murrieta Police Chief, said. wri�en by the students to the parents .

Prior to the presentation on the field, the “It’s definitely life changing and also knowing ‘Grim Reaper’ wandered campus to collect a student the people who participated in it, just makes it even every fi�een minutes. These twelve students were more devastating. I actually felt as if they did die,” then put onto the field where the crash scene would Alexis Villamor, 11, said. be held and Guest speakers were to refrain also partook in the from talking assembly. Emphasizing to anyone. the importance of Fellow making wise decisions, VMHS students, especially in a vehicle. the local police, Students were fixated and firefighter on the speakers as department they spoke about were among the how drastically their many involved life has changed in the simulated because of the tragic crash scene. accident that occurred.

During the Many VMHS simulation tears students were impacted were evoked as immediately as they students learned witnessed the dangers of a friends of driving and how Bryan Garganera their perspectives have death due to the fatal crash, DISASTER-VMHS students gather in the football stadium to changed a�er witnessing view a re-enactment of the consequences of drunk driving. a helicopter “Every 15 Minutes“. landing also “I can’t even transpired as it transported one of the volunteered understand how people can see drinking as a cool thing students who was injured during the mock crash. now a�er watching this,” Maribel Casillas, senior, said.

Towards the end of the simulation the Murrieta As the two day assembly came to an end, police and fire department arrived to pick up the this was the final message made by Daniel and on remaining students and the presentation ends behalf of all of the Every 15 Minute Supporters. as the hearse drives away with the dead body.

“If this keeps just one student from drinking Day two of the program was and driving, it accomplishes its whole purpose.”

Staff Writer

MANDY LOMNICKY and MANDY SPEED Staff Writers

Almost everyday Coach Kurt Ruth or a member of Bronco News Network emphasized the importance of voting on maxpreps.com for a recent contest Vista was entered into. In the end the constant reminders paid off.

“Our goal was to publicize the contest to try and get as many votes as possible,” Ruth said.

The “VMHS Spirit Video,” created by Amanda Davis, 12, received twice as many votes as the school that placed second and won vista $5,000.

“My VISION, PASSION, and PURPOSE to join our Bronco students, families, and Bronco supporters was accomplished,” Mike Verkouteren said. “This was our second time that Broncos joined as one. We won the Fox 11 news competition by ge�ing 6,735 votes, with the second place entry having around 876 votes.”

When Verkouteren discovered the contest he informed Davis of it and she created the video that was entered in. The video showed a variety of the spirited activities that took place on campus this school year.

“The contest resembled our school spirit because we’ve go�en people to ‘buy in,’” Ruth said.

“School spirit is about showing pride and ge�ing involved.”

T h e outcome of the contest showed the school spirit of the Vista Murrieta Broncos and the surrounding community.

“It took dedicated Broncos to get the number of votes that were needed in order for us to win,” Davis said.

The concept of the contest was to upload a video displaying each high school that chose to enter the competition’s school spirit. Throughout the months of March and April students, staff, and school supporters could vote daily for the school of their choice.

The use of the money has not yet been determined but a commi�ee headed by Athletic Director Ray Moore will be deciding the placement of the money.

MaxPreps is an online source for America’s high school sports.

“The contest resembled our school spirit because we’ve gotten people to ‘buy in.’”

-Kurt Ruth

located

VMHS student wins prestigious Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship SABRINA JONKHOFF Staff Writer

A�er renewing her faith in God and vowing to devote her life to her Lord, Marissa Rivas began making decisions based upon faith. She felt a pull towards Wheaton College while she was in the process of applying to colleges. Located in Illinois, Wheaton College is considered the Harvard of private Christian universities. As good a reputation as Wheaton has, Rivas had never heard of it. So, she began doing her research and quickly fell in love with the school.

Rivas knew she wanted to a�end Wheaton. God had guided her along this path, and she knew she just had to keep going along with whatever He had in store for her. Eventually, Rivas received notice that she had been accepted into Wheaton. Excited as she was, she was plagued by financial worry, as private schools are notorious pricey.

“I had to keep telling myself that the Lord will provide,” said Rivas.

Rivas and her mother came across the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship while amidst the search for as many scholarships as they could find.

The Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship just sounds prestigious-and it is. Open to minorities and Native Americans, the Gates Millennium Scholarship covers the financial burdens that come with college.

The scholarship pays for the remainder of college costs a�er a student is rewarded their financial aid package from a college. Also, the scholarship pays off any loans that may be included in the financial aid. Scholarship criterion is leadership, community service, and financial need. Immediately intrigued, Rivas decided to apply and see what would happen.

The application process was grueling to say the least. Months long, the process started with 20,000 applicants. These applicants had to write eight essays and ten “short” responses.

“I think these people know me be�er than some of my closest friends!” said Rivas.

This pool was then narrowed down to 5,000.

1,000 scholarships were ultimately awarded, and in order to make the final cut le�ers of recommendation are thoroughly examined. Rivas sent in a few le�ers of recommendation, including one from VMHS’ very own Kurt Olson, English teacher and Co-Department Chair.

“Put simply, Marissa cares deeply about the world. On more than one occasion Marissa has dropped by my classroom, before and a�er school, to converse about morality, politics and the affairs of the world. She didn’t have to; she did so because she wanted,” said Olson.

When Rivas found out that she had won the scholarship, she was beyond ecstatic; she felt truly blessed. Her great leadership was obviously noticed by the panel at Gates Millennium. She is not only the President of Vista’s Habitat for Humanity and the community service director for the National Honors Society, but also very involved in drama, CSF, Student Venture, and her church, Lamb’s Fellowship.

Her great efforts in high school have paid off, (quite literally), and Rivas is nothing less than deserving of this outstanding scholarship.

Rivas plans to major in Communications and Missions at Wheaton College and get a minor in English. She wants to spend her 20s doing missionary work abroad (particularly in India), where she can teach English and spread the Gospel. Ultimately, Rivas plans on becoming the communication director for a non-profit organization.

NEWS Prom noted for elegance

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JUNE 5, 2009

BRANDI EVANS Staff Writer

One extravagant night at the Nixon Library will be a night to remember for the many students that a�ended Prom 2009. The library was very large and beautiful, and had many different activities to participate in.

The activities included a caricature artist where students could go get their characters drawn. A swing band was outside in the gardens, in front of Nixon’s boyhood home. There was also a DJ and dance floor, horse drawn carriage rides, and a variety of delicious desserts. This is not mentioning the wonderful historical se�ing to experience and seeing Nixon’s boyhood home which was open for the first hour and a half of prom.

All of these activities were provided by the Nixon Library and included in the original contract.

“The gardens were beautiful and the DJ played Courtesy of Classics Photography legit music,” Marina Braff, 12, PROM COURT-Nigel Burton and Ashley Tousignant enjoy their evening as the 2009 Prom king and queen. said.

The junior class started planning this year’s junior/senior prom two years ago. A�er two long years of fundraising, they had to choose a prom sight and make a $2500 down payment on the location. And throughout their junior year they had to finalize the details such as the prom theme which was “Passport to Elegance”, ticket prices, food, venue, and entertainment, just to name a few.

“Prom was a team effort and we all put in a 110% in it and I think it turned out great,” Joey Garegnani, 11, said. “And I’ve only heard good things about it.”

One complaint from last year’s prom was that the coat check took forever. This year much planning went into the coat check to make sure it ran smoothly. Teachers such as Char Gempeler and Sunny Shaffer along with many sophomore students and parents helped to run the coat check. They worked together to put together bags where students could combine their things together and they would all have the numbers to that bag. This created an almost non existent line at the end of prom.

“I think Prom went well, with parent volunteers and sophomore students to help and the preparation paid off. I didn’t even really need to be there but I am glad I went because I enjoyed being there and it was very organized and not chaotic. This organization that we currently have will help us a lot with planning next year’s prom.” Char Gempeler, 2011 class advisor.

Overall the junior class put on an amazing prom for the seniors, and an incredible night to remember.

VMHS starts dual enrollment courses COURTNEY GREENHALGE Staff Writer

Starting next year VMHS will be offering two dual enrollment courses through a partnership with Mt. San Jacinto College.

“The purpose of the MSJC-Murrieta Valley Unified School District Dual Enrollment Partnership is to afford current high school students the opportunity to enroll in dual-credit courses to expand student access to affordable higher education, provide challenging academic and occupational experiences to qualified high school students during their junior and senior years, and reduce the costs of a college education for students and their families” according to a handout from Vista counselor Eric Peterson.

This program will make taking college classes while still in high school much

easier. The classes will be on campus and taught by Vista teachers but will count for high school and college credits.

These credits will be transferable to two-and-fouryear colleges and will help to satisfy high school graduation requirements at the same time. The courses are similar to AP classes but don’t require students to take an AP test, whatever grade you get in the class goes on your college and high school transcript.

“Dual Enrollment classes are not be�er than AP classes, they are just different, they replace the freshman year classes you would take in college” said Peterson.

Each course counts as ten VMHS credits for each semester, and anywhere from three to five MSJC units per semester depending on which course you are enrolled in.

According to the handout, “A dual enrollment

course will be identified on both the college and high school transcript in the standard format and will not be identified as dual enrollment or credit.”

Students in the dual enrollment program will also have access to MSJC services such as their library, tutoring, and student I.D. cards.

To enroll in a dual enrollment course students must sign up for the program, take an assessment test, and a�end orientation and a counseling appointment.

They must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. “ S u c c e s s f u l completion of occupational courses will allow students to simultaneously earn college credits, to satisfy high school graduation requirements, and to assist in the transition to the community college or job opportunities or careers” according to the handout.

Day of silence promotes acceptance CHELSEA DAVIDSON Staff Writer

The first day back from spring break was quieter than usual. On April 21, 2009 VMHS participated in the Day of Silence and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day was a way for students to express their support for equal rights for all people, their belief that laws and a�itudes should be free of prejudice, and to draw a�ention to those who had been silenced by hatred, oppression and prejudice.

“The theme of the day was ‘Stop the Hate’,” Jim Foley, U.S. History teacher and advisor of the Gay Straight Alliance, said. “It had a broad focus to encourage a variety of students to participate in being silent during the school day.”

Students that participated agreed to be silent, including no use of cell phones or any other form of communication, from when they arrived at school until school ended at 2:30 PM. “This was not the first time I had planned to get a school to participate in the Day of Silence,” Foley said. “When I taught at Murrieta Valley High School, our a�empt to participate in the Day of Silence was unsuccessful. It wasn’t until this year that both MVHS and VMHS were able to get all the kinks worked out and make this day happen.”

Not only did Foley help organize the event, he also allowed his room to be a ‘safe haven’ for the day.

His classroom became a place where the silenced could go and feel protected, and surrounded by people who felt silenced as well.

“I was happy to provide a safe place for participants to go,” Foley said. “And although I still spoke during the day, I participated in my own way as well.”

Foley spent his class day educating his students on people who had been silenced throughout history.

He presented films and talked about hatred and oppression.

Foley felt that to speak in the voice of the people who had been silenced was his way of participating in the Day of Silence. And other students felt strongly about the holiday as well.

“I participated because I know people who have been hurt for being different, including myself” Josh Ruelas,

10, said. “And I felt that it was important to try to make VMHS aware of the Day of Silence.”

Along with Foley and other students who felt it was important to support the silenced, members of P.L.U.S. and all members of GSA took part in the event as well.

“I was genuinely excited about the Day of Silence,” Foley said. “I saw the day as a positive contribution to the dialogue on campus about hate, prejudice, and tolerance.”

The goal was to make this first a�empt at participating in the Day of Silence a positive experience, so it could become an annual event at VMHS. “Some people don’t realize that there are students on campus who have been silenced,” Ruelas said. “I wanted this day to be an eye opener for other students to realize that being silenced hurts.”

Most of the participation came from members of GSA. The Day of Silence gave GSA members a way to speak out, and also allowed the general student body to join in and be educated about the Day of Silence and GSA itself.

“Having GSA on campus provides a safe place for students to talk about orientation, gender identity and their community,” Foley said. “The club allows them to find people they can relate to; people they may feel more comfortable talking to than their own family members.”

Foley has been involved in civil rights and justice issues since he was in college.

So when he was asked to be the advisor of GSA, he didn’t hesitate to take on the role.

“The students in GSA are really enthusiastic about the club,” Foley said. “And the club has a whole range of students who are interested in the club or want to understand it be�er.”

Currently, GSA joins together every Thursday at break in room WW24. They are working on becoming more connected with groups on campus, such as P.L.U.S., and expanding on the positive progress they’ve made so far this year.

“I definitely think we should have the Day of Silence again next year,” Ruelas said.

“We need to have it so we can get more people involved and make a bigger impact at VMHS.”

“I participated because I know people who have been hurt for being different, including myself” -Josh Ruelas, 10

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VIEWPOINT

JUNE 5, 2009

Head to Head:

Is the revolution of technology violating your privacy?

If you don’t agree with [technology’s] constant advancement, then don’t buy it.

ALEXA SILVA Staff Writer

There’s a difference between being connected and being stalked by an invisible third party.

KRYSTLE BARTHOLOMEW

Editor-in-Chief

Imagine a future in which all the knowledge in the world is at your Think back on your life. Remember and absorb all your experiences.

Now, in retrospect, think in terms of technology and how it affected your life. fingertips, instantaneously. A miniature, extremely high-powered computer Your first cell phone, watching cartoons as a child, your first typed book report, hangs around your neck, powerful enough to scan the facial features of a fellow all these memories can be unanimously pulled up by almost everyone. But even human and determine their name, their criminal offenses, and any information so, let’s shi� to the present and imagine if all the power went out in your house. about them that is published on the internet, including blogs, MySpace, and Facebook profiles. The computer contains GPS, so you’ll never get lost. It has Forever. What would you do?

The technology of today is everywhere, enabling us to do all sorts of instant photo-taking ability; it can use your hands as the frame. You never have simple tasks and live easier, more enriched lives. Forget about calling your friends to open a physical book or drive to a Chamber of Commerce again. Everything to go out, it’s time to walk. And if they live more than a mile, will you even bother you need is in that li�le computer. Desktops become antiques in the light of this development. anymore?

It might be a thrilling thought – at first. But if you give We, as a people, are given so much more the idea time to sink in, you become aware of a vague with technology around. We can go places in unease in your stomach. What’s wrong with this picture? hours instead of days, we can talk to people clear Let’s take a closer look. across the globe at the touch of a bu�on, and we Had George Orwell imagined such a computer as he can access virtually any sort of information at wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the resulting book hearts desire at the click of a mouse. With these might have been even more chilling than what we’re benefits, we are allowed to evolve into a be�er, familiar with today. Limited in his time, he only captured more intelligent race. The time and energy we the fear of a camera presence, eyes watching every move save allows us to have more fulfilling lives. We you made – terrifying, but hardly feasible. There aren’t can sit back and bask in the sun if we so desire, enough human eyes to watch so many monitors, but a instead of hunting and gathering as our ancestors computer can be programmed to note when your GPS did. Most would rather watch TV and text than sit dot deviates from its usual pa�ern into questionable in the sun, but that’s the point; the innovations of areas, or when you access material of a sensitive nature decades past have give us an amazing gi�, time. on the internet. They don’t have to watch you; if they Time to be, see, do almost anything we want. And want, the computer can do it for them. The “they” here technology is only ge�ing be�er with this new is ambiguous. Government, aliens, future employers, accumulated time, and these innovations will prospective spouses…people can find out what you’re only make things simpler and be�er. New and doing. even more opportunities can be opened to us, just The device is real. Named “The Sixth Sense” and like the wheel enabled us to travel, improvements currently in development by a student at MIT, the computer in the space program can allow us to conquer that hasn’t yet become a complete reality. It will take a few final frontier completely. years, perhaps, before The Sixth Sense reaches consumers.

Sure, some may say that technology is It will be even longer before it becomes affordable for the ge�ing too advanced now. If we look into the common man. It may, in fact, take decades for governments future of technology, we may see a world where to begin requiring it, centuries before it is made mandatory everything is done for us, replacing even more by employers and potential significant others. By then, everyday tasks with some new gadget. Some dustinkirk.com the technology will have evolved; if George Orwell could science fiction escalation would be the human anticipate only cameras but this became the reality, what race being replaced by the machines they built ADVENT OF TECHNOLOGY- Pranav Mistry demonstrates the multitude of uses of The Sixth Sense. will be our future reality? themselves. Insert creepy Terminator analogy here Technology is spectacular; there’s no sarcasm in my and I think most will get this point. However, that being the extreme, one could go more subtle and see a world where human argument there. I’m guilty as everyone when it comes to the use of the resources interaction becomes as obsolete as the floppy disks of the past. Why waste our available to me. I love my Compaq laptop, which plays movies, searches the time greeting someone when we have, already, through some new innovation, internet, and automatically corrects my typewri�en mistakes with a speed found out everything we need to know about them? This eliminates the human that mere human beings are not capable of. Without phones – and cell phones – I probably wouldn’t be in contact with my friends or my boyfriend on the from humanity.

So, yes, there should be a limit to how far we let our newest tech gear go weekends. This high school would, more than likely, not exist. Nobody can live for us, but, in all honesty, everyone knows technology will never go away. Now in the desert without some crude invention of mankind.

It’s useful. At times, it’s even beautiful. I can willingly say, however, that our lives have been so accommodated to the massive proliferation of these that I’m one of those people who doesn’t like the idea of the future. It makes me all-purpose objects, we can never truly be without them.

However, as mentioned earlier, we can and to some degree should limit nervous to consider the further evolution of technology, especially to the extremes technology. But if all new production and innovations in our devices were to be that we’re beginning to approach. The leap we’ve made in the past twenty years capped at a certain level, could it ever really reach the potential that technology – in the past forty years – is astonishing, but, like part of the population, the next was made to have? Absolutely not. So do we draw the line, and if we do, where step has me worried. Books like Fahrenheit 451 and Nineteen Eighty-Four have made me wary of any ability to track any human being at any given time, of being will we draw it?

Each of us has a choice. You can get the newest cell phone or you don’t. able to access easily information about them that can reveal pieces, even only Where technology goes is all up to us, the people. As consumers, we pick and traces, of their personal life. Privacy is a right, not crystallized in the Constitution choose what to make popular, what’s useful and just a waste of money. The but solidified in the Supreme Court Case Roe v. Wade, at least in the United States. industry is made up of all of us. If a company is making a new gadget, they’re The instant we excuse a violation of privacy for “the greater good” should be a making it to be bought by you. They wouldn’t make a product if they didn’t time to become concerned.

We want to be connected. As humans, that’s a natural feeling. Contact with think it would sell, and the consumer still decides when to buy what they want; others is one of the things that human beings crave. There’s a difference between nothing is forced on us by the marketer.

If one were to realize this, the thought of being le� behind in world no being connected and being stalked by an invisible third party. Technological longer fit for them, becomes a thing of the past. The control is in all of our hands, advances should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. These things were not only as creators of these devices, but the consumers who have made them never necessary; we lived well enough without them for quite a while as cave as popular as they are. So if limiting technology, or contemplating, if it is truly men and the like. I wouldn’t suggest returning to that miserable existence. The a benefit, is the question, it can easily be answered by the asker of the question people controlling the advances are the ones that need to be watched, preferably themselves. Technology makes your life easier, yes, and if you don’t agree with by someone who is suitably nervous about the steps being taken. Progress can be its constant advancement and improvement, then don’t buy it. If people stopped made, but not at the expense of privacy. Someone needs to demonstrate caution, believing in the possibilities that technology creates, then the industry for it will evaluate how people can use this for evil as well as for good. Minimizing the risks halt and ultimately fail. But, as we all know, technology is here, keeping us happy, enables us to move forward, instead of condemning us to regression toward a less advanced age, or to a future which guarantees that privacy no longer exists. and it’s universal that it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

JUNE 5, 2009

5

VIEWPOINT

I Am The Messenger

Paprocki’s Final Perspective

KRYSTLE BARTHOLOMEW Editor-in-Chief

For four years, the class of 2009 has a�ended Vista Murrieta High School with unwavering resolve, drive, and a li�le bit of begrudging admiration. As seniors, we’re the kings of the castle, the big kids on campus, the students in charge - and we’re leaving it all behind.

It’s hard to believe, but in li�le more than a few ticks of the clock, we’ll be graduated adults, thrust into the real world of careers, taxes and a complete lack of a state-sponsored education system. As difficult a pill as that may be to swallow, there’s no escaping the fact that we will soon leave behind our sheltered lives and begin carving out paths as adults in today’s world. Most of us are heading off to college, while others are starting careers, joining the military, or just taking a year off. Regardless of the path that lies before us, there’s no denying that our high school education is over.

Personally, I look forward to my future with a sense of eager anticipation. I am one of the lucky few who has their future planend out, at least to some extent. I will be a�ending California Baptist University in the fall, with honors and multiple scholarships.

A�er my four years on campus, I’m planning on joining some form of federal civil service organization, such as PeaceCorps or Americorps, then returning to California to pursue a career as a journalist. However, there are many students who don’t have a plan for the future. This isn’t neccessarily a bad thing; many students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives right a�er high school go on to lead very successful, productive lives. There is exciting potential in every student who graduates from Vista; this potential is found in the uncertainty of life. You never know what VMHS alumni might invent the cure for cancer or solve world hunger. No ma�er what happens,

Today is the last time I’ll publish a column in the Vista View.

My days as Editorin-Chief expire with graduation day; it’s the end of everything, or at least, that’s what it is beginning to feel like. There is a future somewhere ahead of me, but besides the basic facts (of which there is only one - UC Berkeley) I don’t have any specifics, and I’ll be leaving behind anything specific that I ever relied on.

There’s an empty world beyond graduation, and, like Harold and his Purple Crayon, it’s another blank space for us to draw on. Pick your color and start making lines or dots or something, because from here on out, it’s all you. Some of us have been looking forward to this moment our entire lives, only to realize that what we’ll miss the most is what we’re leaving behind, and that moving forward isn’t as easy as we thought it would be.

I’ll miss the horrible noise of this job; it has been one of my most worthwhile experiences. I was not blessed with a natural ability to delegate tasks.

While I can deal with people, I would rather do a lot of things by myself; that’s a costly habit to get comfortable with. The year would have been easier were I a calmer type of person. I’m not. I’m an A Type personality if there ever was one. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from serving as an Editor-in-Chief, it’s that reliance on other people is not only a good idea; it’s necessary.

Mostly I’ll remember the rush, the exhilaration, the panic that o�en accompanied an approaching deadline. Staff writers are in and out, in the process of interviewing and typing up stories; editors are ge�ing their own stories done, looking over the dra�s that have been turned in, assigning deadlines, framing skeletal pages that will become the next edition. Come layout week, though, the room is a mad rush of noise, color, and movement. Voices rip from throats and tear across the room; words fumble, catch themselves, struggle to fit; spurts of laughter echo and are stifled as the next obstacle presents itself; it seems that the day will never end, and if it does, we’ll be out of time for perfection. There is a so� sigh of relief as final dra�s are sent to the printer.

The ink rubs off on our hands as we separate them into stacks for distribution, and the le�over binding string lay like casualties across the floor as we go out to spread the news. It is a process like no other.

We spend so much time envisioning the future that we don’t enjoy the present until it is too late. These last few days, I find myself wishing for more time to finish everything off the way I want to remember it, more time to enjoy this. I will miss this column, but more than that, I’ll miss the people.

I’ll miss the best friend who dragged me, reluctant, unwilling, onto this staff in the first place; I’ll miss the other Editor-in-Chief, the one who was much more of a people-person than me; I’ll miss the friend/ enemy who knows exactly how to test my strengths and stretch my weaknesses, sometimes in the most horrible of ways. This is a bizarre reality, when I’ve come to the conclusion that what I’ve been so desperate to leave behind – the noise, the rush, the ties, the people – is what I’ll miss the most. We’ve spent all this time preparing for the future, and now that it’s here, finally, what do we do with the skeleton of the last four years?

Keep a small watch on the future. Your heart and all the rest of you, keep as close to you as you know how; immerse yourself in everything you think that you hate so much about the place where you are tied down. One day, should you look back and wonder if you lived as much as you could, the answer will be yes.

ROBERT PAPROCKI Staff Writer

though, the class of 2009 is sure to make the world a be�er place. There is no doubt in my mind about that.

As we live out our final days as high school students, I find it more and more difficult to resist the temptation to look back on the past four years with a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality.

Granted, there have been times where I’ve wanted to pull my hair out, scream my face off, or curl up in a ball and cry like a li�le girl (sometimes all three at once).

I probably could have done without the hours of homework, band practice, cramming for AP exams, and listening to Coach Ruth during the morning sports report. And I know that there were a few ideas my friends and I have had over the years that we never quite got around to finishing (I’m still waiting on Mr. Daniel to get back to me on my pitch for a chocolate-covered waterslide in the middle of the quad). But in spite of this, I can’t help but remember what my experience at Vista has been and how it’s shaped me. I’ll never forget how each teacher, aide, counselor and student has shaped and molded me into the student and person I’ve become today. It’s because of this that I say thank you to this school, this town, and these people which have influenced me more than I could ever imagine.

I can say without a shred of doubt in my mind that I am infinitely grateful for every single aspect of my high school career, because I know that if one trace detail of my past was missing, I would not be the person I am today.

A very wise man once told me, “Today is the day we make a difference in the lives of those around us.” And so, with these parting words, I encourage the graduating body of Vista Murrieta High School to go out into the world and make a difference in the lives of those they encounter. I wish the best of luck to every student who walks the halls of VMHS, and I extend my thanks to every member of the staff who works so diligently to aid and be�er the lives of the young minds here on campus. Thank you, and congratulations class of 2009.

Mainstream music lacks longevity MICHAEL DAVALOS Staff Writer

The mainstream music scene is becoming more visceral. Hits are constantly pumped out and seem to wax and wane, but have very li�le longevity.

No one remembers old rap/hip hop except for the pioneers. But what people dance to today , they forget about tomorrow, and move on.

It’s interesting how music that was made in the 70’s and 80’s is still alive and well today, music that was soulfully cra�ed with simple recording equipment and less production cost than most albums today. Why is it that older music is still listened to today, yet the songs that are constantly churned out through the radio and television are simply forgo�en and die in obscurity? It seems as if songs, styles and artists seem to come and go like a constant fad. Even MTV which has been around for decades providing the newest music, genres and artists betrayed its own name, for provocative and raunchy television that is completely irrelevant to music. Tila Tequila is neither a musician nor talented.

Not only that, but the access to underground artists are found strictly through word of mouth or

via the internet, but most sites aimed towards “teens” like myspace, facebook, twi�er, etc. merely supply people with the same generic music that can be found on the television and radio. Sadly it’s all marketing.

Major record labels basically buy out radio stations, ad space on websites, television promos all to showcase major artists just to make money.

Unheard musicians are at a disadvantage from the start, unless they can produce some sort of generic autotuned rap song.

Since the download era of music starting with Napster in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s major labels, distributors and the RIAA a�empted to stop the illegal downloading of music for the sole purpose of gaining more money and failed. Maybe, since music was free and readily available there was a wave of indifference and apathy amongst artists whose work they passionately made was now being downloaded for the he�y price of nothing.

No one can clearly justify the reason why mainstream music has now turned into easy selling pop hooks and some sort of gimmick or scene, or why the internet culture of music is a�empting to make up for these downplays and not making much of a difference.

“Hits are constantly pumped out and seem to wax and wane, but have very little longevity. No one remembers old rap/hip hop except for the pioneers. But what people dance to today, they forget about tomorrow, and move on.”

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JUNE 5, 2009

Nick Ross raises the bar: state finals today MANDY SPEED Staff Writer

Nick Ross, 12, is one of the leading high jumpers in the nation and excels at all three jumps. Today he competes at state finals in Sacramento, and could win California State championships in all three jumps. He started high jumping in middle school but began hurdling his freshman year, then soon returned his focus to the high jump.

“Nick has always been fun to coach because he picks up things well and fixes his mistakes easily,” Coach Robert Cape said.

He won CIF in high jump and long jump. His personal record for the triple jump is 50’1 and his personal record for the long jump is 23’8.

“My favorite experience in high jump was when I cleared 7’3 [against] Chaparral and all my friends came and jumped on me,” Ross said.

Ross will be a�ending the University of Arizona with a full ride scholarship to compete in track and field.

“It is a relief that I don’t have to pay thousands of dollars and I get an education for free,” Ross said. “It was not a difficult decision to go to University of Arizona because they have a really good coach that will help me reach

my goals.”

College will be a whole new atmosphere and that is what Ross is looking forward to. The transition from high school to college may be difficult, but Ross is confident he can do that and more.

He has been hoping to compete in the 2012 Olympics since his sophomore year. It will take place in London, and the Olympics will be held his senior year of college. He will train at the university in hopes of making the team.

“My aspiration for high jump is to be the world record holder,” Ross said.

At VMHS, Ross is so far above most competiBroncopix.com tion that he o�en does not UP AND OVER- Nick Ross clears a routine height earlier this season, but routine for the senior have to push himself to win is unfathomable for most athletes in the U.S. Nick will be competing today at State Prelims. major meets. However, he is always working to get be�er. he was a star player on the Bronco bas- activities together.

From a coaching stand point, though, ketball team at point guard and enjoys “We go fishing or hiking in the Cape says he does not make many sig- hanging out with his friends. His best mountains,” Lloyd said. nificant changes.

As a well-rounded individual, friends are seniors DJ Lloyd and Louis “There is not a whole lot to Echevarria.

Ross does well in many aspects of his coach him on so we just fine tune ev“Nick is a caring and loving life. erything and make sure he doesn’t get friend who is always there,” Echevar“Nick is hard working, mature, injured,” Cape said. ria said. responsible, and confident,” Cape said, Ross is not all about jumping; He and his friends do a lot of “He is also the perfect gentleman.”

Tennis ends successful season with loss to Valencia TYLER OWEN Staff Writer

The Vista Murrieta boy’s tennis team finished up their 2009 season with a 19 - 4 record and a fourth straight Southwestern League championship. They made it all the way to the semifinals of the CIF Division III Southern Section playoffs.

“I am very proud of the boys this year,” said Coach Brad Stein. “The set goals and they worked hard as a team and achieved them.”

The Broncos finished 9 - 1 in the Southwestern League and captured their fourth consecutive league cham-

pionship. They clinched the title, with a tied 9-9 score, which the Broncos won with 88-84 in games. The Broncos rallied behind the efforts of seniors Ken Dang and Ma�hew Schreiber.

“Winning league this year was huge,” said Dang. “It is always good to be a part of all four league championships.”

Vista Murrieta then went into the CIF Southern Section playoffs looking to make a strong run at winning a CIF title. The Broncos first took on La Palma Kennedy and came away with a decisive 13 - 5 victory. Vista Murrieta then took their game to Rancho Cucamonga, and came away with a con-

vincing 15 - 3 victory.

The Broncos then went into their quarterfinals match up against Long Beach Wilson, and came away with a 13 - 5 win, with Dang, Schreiber and junior Kevin Smyth all sweeping in singles action. In doubles action, number one team Trace Garrison and Wesley Wong also swept.

“To make it to the semifinals of CIF is a huge experience that the team shared,” said Stein. “It an indictment of their work ethic and belief in themselves and each other.”

The Broncos CIF run ended in Orange County, as Vista Murrieta lost 13 - 5 against Placentia Valencia, a�er

the Tigers’ number one doubles team swept the entire Broncos’ doubles teams.

“This season was very exciting,” said Dang. “There were a lot of ups and downs, but it created a lot of great experiences.”

The Vista Murrieta boys tennis team made it to the CIF semifinals for the first time in school history, and they captured another Southwestern League title, their fourth in a row. Although the Broncos are losing some key players to graduation, the boy’s tennis program looks to bounce back and get back into the swing of things next season.

Four more SWL titles won, So�ball to play for CIF championship ANDREW OLSON Sports Editor

Softball:

The first-seeded girls will play second-seed Etiwanda today for the CIF title, which would be the second team title in VMHS history for all sports. This year they dominated opponents, going 14 - 1 in league and 27 - 4 overall. The Edwards twins, Tatum and Taylor, have combined for over 20 home runs on a team that has 47 on the season, an astonishing number for so�ball. On Tuesday they beat Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos 5 - 0 to extend their current winning streak to 14 games. The championship game starts at 6:30 at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.

Boys Golf:

Kevin Dougherty, 12, led a team that went 15 - 3 overall and 7 - 3 in the SWL, which was good for second place. With only 5 seniors in the 11 man lineup, they took second in CIF Southern Section and defeated Murrieta Valley for the first time in school history.

Track:

All four levels won undefeated league championships.

For the boys it was their fourth consecutive SWL title, and for the girls, their second in a row. Nick Ross (jumps), DJ Lloyd (long jump), and Noe Ramirez (3200) will be competing in the state meet, and Nick Ross has a legitimate shot to win three state championships in the long, triple, and high jumps if he is healthy. The girls 4 by 100 team will also be competing. Prelims are today, and State Finals are on Saturday, both in Sacramento.

Baseball:

VMHS Baseball, despite having a young team (the regular starting lineup included 2 Freshmen, 4 sophomores, and 3 seniors), went 17 -12 overall and finished in third place in the SWL. Entering the playoffs as a wild-card, they won two games in which they were heavy underdogs and then lost to Marina High School of Manha�an Beach in the second round. The future looks bright, as the Broncos lose few players to graduation.

Swimming:

Both boys and girls Swim went 4 - 1 in the Southwestern league, but took third place because of the results of league finals, which count as fi�y percent toward the league title. However, it is a step in the right direction, being the best finish they have ever had. There were 124 members that finished the season, the largest team in swim history. The team enjoyed standout performances from athletes such as Shannon Haas, who was Athlete-of-the-Year for Water Polo as well as swim and has a scholarship to Arizona State.

Boys Tennis:

The boys won their fourth consecutive SWL championship with a 9 - 1 record.

Overall, they went 19 - 4 and advanced to the semifinals of the CIF Division III Southern Section playoffs, farther than they have ever made it before. Ken Dang, 12, and Kevin Smythe, 11, won the Southwestern League doubles Championship. No team besides boys track has come close to winning four consecutive league titles in the short history of VMHS.

JUNE 5, 2009

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Freshmen promise bright future for track against Chaparral, Murrieta Valley, and Great Oak. She then went on to win the 1600 and 3200 in the Southwestern League Championships, where she won easily with times of 5:15 and 11:15.

Corey Whitaker threw shot put in 7th and 8th grade, so the football player decided to give a try at the throws in high school as well. Whitaker made his presence early by throwing 44 feet in the shot put, the freshman record, in the Saddle-Up Invitational. Proving

gained him a fourth place, once again a freshman record. Whitakers’ Staff Writer shot and discus marks place him as the number seven freshman in The 2009 Vista Murrieta track the state this year in both events. and field team had over 400 athletes, Trevon Webb seemed to jump and with such high prestige (boy’s team out of nowhere. With a somewhat who won its fourth straight undefeated of a quite start to his season, Webb Southwestern League championship really broke out in the Inland Empire and the girl’s team who won its Championships meet, winning the second championship), it seems to be Freshman/Sophomore long jump with a surprise that some of the top athletes a mark of 21 feet and 8 inches, and triple are freshman. Bernard Quinn (sprints jump with a mark and relays), Trevon of 43 feet, which is Webb (jumps), Erika his personal best Reddish (distances) and this year and the Corey Whitaker (throws) freshman record, were key aspects to the beating marks set team’s success in meets. by now senior Nick Erika Reddish Ross and alumni came off her cross country Ryan Swafford. season very motivated The mark also and determined.

She puts him as the wanted to make the same best freshman kind of statement in track triple jumper in that she had in the fall. the state. Webb’s “I like distance personal best this running because to be season in the long successful you have me to jump came in the be mentally strong along dual meet against with physically,” said Great Oak, with Reddish. “It’s a combination a jump of 22 feet of speed and mind; one and 9 inches, won’t get you all the way.”

BroncoPix.com which is also a In her first HAND OFF- Bernard Quinn, 9, recieves the baton from fellow teammate freshman record major meet, at the Meet Trevon Webb, 9, during a relay race at the Chaparal High School dual meet and puts him as of Champions Distance the number two Carnival, she ran in both in the state. the 1600 and 3200 invite. She placed early on that he was fluent in the shot, freshman Whitaker worked throughout the year Webb then went into the 2nd in the 1600, running a 5:05.1, to continue to get be�er at the discus.

Southwestern League Championships, which is personal best this season, “My most memorable looking for a chance to make it to CIF, a along with the freshman school record, moment from this year has got big accomplishment for any freshman. making her the number two performer to be when I broke the freshman He placed third in the long jump, behind in school history. That time puts her discus record at the Temecula seniors Nick Ross and D.J. Lloyd, with as the fi�h-best freshman girl in that Valley dual meet,” said Whitaker. a mark of 2 feet and 5 inches. He then event this year. To add her great day, Whitaker placed 10th in the came back to place a huge second, Reddish went out and ran a 7th place discus at the Southwestern League once again behind Ross, with wind10:49.9 in the 3200, which gave her the Finals, with his personal best of aided jump of 43 feet and seven inches. school record, in only her second time 127 feet and 2 inches, which set the “By my senior year I want running the two mile all year. That time previous freshman record by over to jump 24 feet in the long jump, puts her as the number two freshman in ten feet.

Whitaker was merely inches 50 feet in the triple, and get a the state, and overall 19th in the state. from qualifying for CIF as his shot scholarship to college,” said Webb.

Reddish continued her season, put throw of 44 feet and 7 inches Bernard Quinn came out and picking up keys wins in dual meet

TYLER OWEN

made an immediate impact for the Vista Murrieta boy’s track and field team. A�er Nick Mixon and Kavon Seaton graduated last year, the sprints were hurting coming into this season.

To fill in those shoes, them freshman quickly tore up the track and proved to be the best sprinter on the team, and in the Southwestern league. Quinn was placed as the anchor of the 4x100 relay team early in the year, and seemed to eat away at the record books. His 11.00 in the 100, 21.78 in the 200, and 49.79 in the 400, are all freshman records, and the 200 time is also the school record. Quinn finds himself with the second fastest time in the 100 as a freshman, and the fastest freshman in the 400 this year. To add more to that, his 200 time not only is the best of any freshman in the State, but also puts him 20th overall in the state.

“I want to eventually break every sprinting school record,” said Quinn.

Quinn’s best meet of the year had to come at Southwestern League Finals. He anchored the 4x100 team that took second, ran his personal best of 11.00 in the 100 and took second, won his first League title in the 200 with a 21.86, but his best performance of the night came in the last event of the evening, the 4x400 relay. Receiving the baton as the anchor, with his team in third place behind Great Oak and Murrieta Valley, Quinn took off. He ate up a substantial ground, and won the race, with an outstanding split of 46.9.

“That race has got to be my most memorable moment from this year,” said Quinn. “I wasn’t thinking about being tired, I just don’t like to lose though.”

These four freshmen made a major impact on the Bronco’s track and field team this spring. Each one set the freshman record for each event they competed in, and all placed in the top five at the Southwestern League Finals. The future looks bright for each of these Bronco athletes, as this is only the start of their careers on the Vista Murrieta track and field program.

Track wins fourth consecutive league title DAVID LOVE Sports Editor

The track team wrapped up another great season with not only a fourth consecutive league title, but also many successful individual performances.

On Saturday May 29th, athletes athletes Noe Ramirez, 12, (3200 meter) DJ Lloyd, 12, (long jump), Nick Ross, 12, (high jump, triple jump, and long jump), and the girl’s 4x100 relay team (Dynese Adams, 11, Asha Greene, 12, Kierra Auguster, 12, and Jazmine Weatherspoon, 12), all qualified for state championships, which take place June 5th and 6th.

With all these athletes still competing, there is much more for the Bronco’s to accomplish before the year is over.

To help these athletes maintain focus during the grueling season, Candaele constantly reminds the athletes of the “goals, milestones,

performance awards, PR’s, school records, and most important the team accomplishments” in order to motivate the athletes to perform well at every meet le�.

Carlo Viray, 11, whose season ended at league finals, feels this season was very successful individually and as a program.

“This year was very successful individually and as a whole because we as a team were able to hold onto our league championship title despite all the other schools trying to take us out,” Viray said. “I also beat my personal records and made it to league finals so I feel I did pre�y well.”

Viray is part of a group that, next year hopes to carry out the legacy of success le� by the many departing seniors.

“I am definitely excited for next year’s team even though we are losing many great athletes,” Viray said. “We had a very good freshman class this year and a lot more people will be stepping up to fill in the big holes that are going to be lost.”

this season as a very successful one, with both programs excelling. While it may have seemed tough to top the success of last season’s team, Caendale believes this group of athletes has. “ W e are very similar to last year, h o we ve r, o u r top end individuals have stepped up their performances even more,” BroncoPix.com Candaele said.

SIDE BY SIDE- Runners Bryce Rausa, 11, and Drew Dalton, 11, T h e run along side at Murrieta Valley High School during a meet Broncos have had another league championships, and those good season both individually and programs will help feed a group that on the whole with athletes currently will contend for a fi�h consecutive training hard to compete in state league championship next season. championships, and the program Coach Coley Caendale views bringing home league titles on all levels.

On the junior varsity and freshman levels, both teams won

My family has to come first – Mom and Dad, I know how hard you’ve tried to make things perfect for me, but I think you taught me something even more worthwhile – self-reliance, and the power of my own strength. I’ve had so many teachers who have made an impact and there aren’t enough words allo�ed to thank all of you individually – Madame Vaez, the “evil” Olson (in whose class my A- was one of my favorite accomplishments), Mr. Daarstad, Mr. Haefer, Mrs. Filar (though I was dragged onto this staff, I just as reluctantly leave it now), and Mrs. Hoppe (whom I will miss when I have many droll, boring old men as professors in college). I couldn’t have had as interesting of an education if you all hadn’t been at Vista.

To my friends, well, this section might be a li�le obvious. First, my best friend, Brianna Benne�, be�er known to me as Squirrel for the last four years, I don’t know what I’ll do without you at college. We haven’t had a single fight and I couldn’t have survived high school without you, so seriously, I love you dude. David Leonard, my silly moose, I’ll miss you so much when I’m away at college, but I know you’re going to do fantastic in your senior year. You have so much going for you, and no ma�er what, I will always believe in you. I love you.

Robert Paprocki, the House to my Wilson, the greasy cheeseburger to my cholesterol levels – even though I’ve loathed you and sometimes hated you, we’ll still be friends in my mind. I’m going to miss you all so much, and even though the future will bring new people, no one will measure up to you.

These last four years, in retrospect, have flown.

Maybe freshman and sophomore year dragged, but soon enough you blink and it’s all over, and you’re facing the unknown. Good luck to you all in the real world.

-Krystle Bartholomew Four years of high school has blown by extremely fast. It’s hard to believe that graduation has already come; so many memories that cannot be said. But, I wish to send off to all my fellow Broncos that high school, despite being four years, is not long at all. Make the right choices and always do things with C.L.A.S.S. in or outside of school.

-Bubba Simental I was si�ing one day, and I was thinking about random stuff because I’m usually caffine-induced, but that’s just normal. People? Who needs people when you have a nice warm burrito wrapped in foil to keep you company on those lonely nights?

So yeah, Danielle London, Brianna Benne�, Jake White, Clint Baker, Kristie Forran, Kelly Waters, and Mr. Foley- you all need to jump out of an airplane into rainbow paint with me this weekend. Save me a spot ‘cause I ain’t be foolin’ anyone with my walrus essays or my crazy radish drawings. If you need something, hit me up- but don’t call past nine.

But if you need a favor, ya just go�a bribe me with some caffeine crazyness. Live life, love many. Purple feather for Danielle. I love Shane, Kristie! <3 -Duky Willess

High School has been an amazing journey. Never once my freshman year did I ever think I would end up here, in a new city and in a new high school with a completely different group of friends. But I am so grateful for my challenges and obstacles that I have overcome they made me the be�er person that I am today.

I am SO grateful for my friends just to name a few, Christine, Corinne, Jon, Alyssa, Travis, Mandy, Brooke, and Katie. You guys are my constant support and I love you all. I don’t know where I would be without you. The only thing that I regret is not being able to spend all four years of school with you. But despite that I am thankful for the time we did get to spend together, and I will cherish our fond memories for years and years to come.

To my parents, thank you so much for always being there for me and supporting me when I am succeeding, failing, or struggling through life. You are always willing to go out of your way to help me and I really appreciate it! To my siblings, you guys are amazing and I am going to miss you guys a ton next year when I go off to BYU-I in the fall.

And to all the underclassmen, don’t take this school for granted. We have an amazing staff and faculty as well as wonderful students. Our school spirit is superior; don’t ever forget it because you will not be able to experience it anywhere else.

Thank you to everyone else who has helped me through my high school carrier because of you I am where I am today.

-Brandi Evans

‘09

P.S. That was so below the belt, it’s ankle status! The game!

Wow, senior year is almost over and I have to admit, I’m truly, authentically scared; scared because change brings fear. I don’t know how I will function not being in Newspaper everyday with my greatest friends: Krystle Bartholomew, Michael Davalos, Alexa Silva, Laura Cha, and Elizabeth Stoddard. I’ll miss the looks that Mrs. Filar would give us when we would make inappropriate comments, which happened o�en and the hours upon hours of layout for the paper and awesome fro yo parties! The end of the year dinner was a blast and the last minute edits would always get the be�er of us.

But change also brings the promise of something new, whether that something is good or bad, it’s something that you’ll have to deal with; welcome to the “real world.” Senior year has come and gone and these last few words probably mean nothing to you, the reader, but to me, they mean the world. Congrats class of 2009, it’s been an awesome four years.

-Brianna Bennet

Looking back at high school, I find it hard to believe that just four short years ago I was a freshman eager to embark on a new journey here at VMHS. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I am excited once again for the new adventure I will begin, but will miss all the wonderful people who have truly made high

school the best four years of my life.

To all my AMAZING friends: I seriously could not ask for a more encouraging, supportive, and freaking hilarious group of people to spend my time with! Alyssa, don’t be dumb. And keep working on that pterodactyl impersonation. BEE, I’m so glad you moved here. We’ve had some pre�y good times! I’ll never forget you and all the fun we have had.

Corinnie Bambinini, you’re a real drag! Haha, ahh funsauce. Brookie, my social animal friend, I just wish you were in my seminary class this year. But I’m glad we were in stats together.

Won Ton Jon (husband), gadzookes I am going to miss you! Travis, Maria, Mandi, and Nina, my child development buddies: from trampoline jumping to subway trips, to even wrestling a bird, you guys are so much fun. M-Slice, one day I’ll actually step inside the mill. C-Dawg, watch out for Telotheram the turkey, I hear he’s back in town. And finally, to you Morgan: I am so thankful for the friendship you’ve shown me, even across the country. No distance could ever break our friendship.

To my Newspaper staff, I’ve had many memorable moments. Krystle, thank you for pu�ing up with my puns. I’m sure they just about killed you. Olson, Robert, and Tyler, I am related to Martin Luther! And that’s fact. Mandy Speed, good luck next year as secretary.

Mandy, thanks for the CDs! Maddy, it’s been great ge�ing to know you be�er this year. We need to go to Wendy’s sometime soon again. And Mrs. Filar! Thank you for supporting me for so long. I am so glad my twin introduced me to you three years ago.

To my family: thank you for giving me the tools I need to succeed. James, have fun in your last year of middle school. Julia (Sta), you are such an incredible person. And don’t you even forget this. Ever. You are my best friend. Mom and dad, I’ve enjoyed all our talks and you have taught me things I will not soon forget.

-Christine Pulley

The Class to Remember...

So as high school comes and goes I would just like to take some time to thank a few people who have helped me throughout these four years. First I would like to thank the English department for all of their dedication and help, they have sincerely cared for all of their students and would easily go out of their way to help any one of us. Individually I would like to thank Mrs. Hoppe and Mrs. Filar A.K.A. the best teacher I never had. I would also like to thank all of my friends that have been there for me, like Mike Davalos and Mitchell Cox just to name a few. Thanks for all the good times, I hope we keep in contact.

–Liam McCarthy First off, I know that my leaving Vista Murrieta High School is a true tragedy, and all who had the pleasure of being graced by my presence (even if only a shoulder-brushing in the hall) will be profoundly troubled by the loss.

But do not grieve fellow companions; the legacy I will leave behind will keep my spirit alive for years to come. I was a quiet force, but a strong one none the less. Now, there are a few tips the tribe of incoming Vista Murrieta Seniors must remember if it wants to continue to be prosperous, true esoteric learnings that have been inherited by graduated mystics.

First off, don’t be late to class. I know this is rather revealing…but there are many fellow students that have taken up such ways and prospered tremendously. There is a current trend in universal High School culture that devalues the efforts to making it to class on time. Though there are fleeting rewards, such as an extra five minutes of sleeping, there is too much at risk. One must deal with their teachers, administrators, and parents. Late passes, parental notes, make-up work…it’s simply not worth the hassle. So I challenge you future Seniors of Vista Murrieta High School, to make it class, try to learn something, and find some kind of activity to keep yourself busy while treading through your last year of high school before your big debut in the real world.

So do not mourn students, this should be a celebration! You have learned plenty, and will be able to carry on my legacy, and make one of your own.

-Lauren Smalley

Oh, where to begin? There are just too many people to mention, and I’m sure I won’t mention everyone. Still, it’s nice to acknowledge the people who have made a difference. At the risk of making this sound overly clichéd, I’d like to start by thanking all of my teachers I’ve had at Vista. Mrs. Filar, my wonderful journalism advisor and mentor, Mrs. Hoppe (still wacky as ever), Olson and Olson, Mr. Haefer, Coach Robinson, Mr. Kopp (what’s the intgral of a^m?), Mr. Hanson, Mr. Ewell and Madame Vaez and made my classes an incredible experience the last few years. I also want to thank the staff here at the Vista View for giving me an opportunity to grow as a journalist, as well as my family for pu�ing up with me these last few years.

A few people deserve individual recognition for everything they’ve done. These people deserve my thanks. First, to Kyle Lancaster, my friend and brother of thirteen years- you always keep me on my toes. Next, to Merry, Pepper, Mr. Johnson and the rest of AP Physics - keep killing those commies. I’d like to mention my wonderful girlfriend, Kelsey, who only a�ended Vista for a short time but has opened new doors in my life. I love you. Finally, to Krystle Bartholomew, my editor, friend, and occasional bane of my existence, who has definitely made an indescribable impact on my life. I’ll miss you all very much.

Good luck to everyone.

-Robert Paprocki THE WILL OF AMANDA HULL It finally hit me that I’m graduating. It seems strange to me now that I won’t be coming back next year, that my peripheral vision won’t be filled with Navy blue. While I am actually quite excited for the uncertainty that awaits me, I will miss the comfort of a familiar campus. I will miss walking up and down the performing arts hallway, being crowded in the girl’s dressing room, and even the smell of backstage. I will miss the certainty of seeing my friends in those black and silver folding chairs, on those black stools, on those plastic Navy chairs. Recently my friend expressed her gratitude that all of her friends were not “the cool kids”. A�er a brief moment of being mildly offended that one of my best friends called me “uncool”, I really appreciated what she meant. I am so thankful that my friends in high school have not been the stereotypically “cool kids”, my friends have never been focused on partying, drinking, trying to be some image of a teenager that they think they’re “supposed” to be. So I would like to tell my friends that I am truly grateful and happy that they are in my life. Thank you so much for never focusing on superficialities- thank you for your support and know that no ma�er where we go in life, I will never be ungrateful for the times we have shared. This message goes for everyone who has been close to me and helped me throughout my years at Vista. Thank you.

To the people I love and will miss deeply: When the road gets bumpy, and it will; be strong, be great and be yourself. Keep your cool, your smile and your confidence in tact and everything will be okay.

To Mrs. Ellen Filar: Thank you for being my guide and angel. Thank you for always rooting for me on the sidelines.

Thank you for always being there when I needed someone to talk to. I love you and I will miss you. Please remember me.

-Maddie Kozich

I am came onto the Vista Murrieta track and field team my freshman year back in 2006, not really knowing what to expect. In 8th grade, I had been the best runner in my class in Northwest Missouri. I ran a 5:15 mile, 2:13 in the 800 meters, and a 59 second 400 meter time. I had a wake up call though when I got in Murrieta. I went from being one of the best, to a junior varsity athlete. I had to run and train nearly every day to get be�er and compete with the other guys on the team. I didn’t even qualify for the Southwestern League Finals that year.

I worked hard though through cross country and track, pushing myself every day. In two years though, I went from junior varsity athlete, to Southwestern league championship in the 800 and a qualifier for CIF Finals.

The credit I can take though isn’t very much, as the major reason for my success came from two people. They were actually two of my coaches, and married too. Coach Coley Candaele and Coach Karen Candaele taught me so much about, not only running, but life and myself as well. Both were California state champions in track back in high school, and now pass on their training, knowledge, and wisdom to the track team. I have been lucky enough to not only be coached by each, but go�en to know both on a personal level. That has caused me to not only admire and idolize them, but respect and honor them as well. Both of them believed in me, even when I did not believe in myself. They always have known what to say when I’m worried, nervous, or tired in a race. Every lap of each distance race, Mrs. Caendale is there shooting words of strategy and encouragement. When Mr. Caendale yells at me during a race though, for some reason, I always seem to pick it up and go, no ma�er how tired or out of it I am. They have tested me physically and mentally, but I thank them both. They have turned me into a champion and the school record holder in the 800. They have taught me that I can do anything if I set my mind and body to it. Their lessons I plan on carrying to college and beyond.

- Tyler Owen

I am now the young man I have dreamed of. Today’s mirror is me, modestly, reflecting the reflected, a “catcher in the rye.” These years, in this house, have been indubitably formative and crucial to my development as a human and as a heart, and I am thankful for them beyond belief, even indebted.

I will miss this and you. To my teachers and coaches, advisors and counselors, part-time and full-time friends: my tree was planted and here it grew; but now is time to build my canoe.

I could have had my years in any way, but I had them here and I wouldn’t change that if I could. Here I had contentment, which at times led to resentment, and because of the yaws of life I have a crisp concept of balance and adaptability, and of serenity.

For so long I have been quietly seated behind a desk; but today I stand and walk: the time to answer questions has begun. Now it is time to row, to pull paddles through water, to listen to the river. I will hold within me all the fresh and ro�en fruits of my experiences here, among you in my childhood, in yours, in your continuing days, in your hours of work. Now it is my time to push off, to not let the wet clouds of sand mix sip tears in life’s calm young water. Now, Vista Murrieta, it is time to leave your son for another.

-Richard Aldersley These past few years of high school have been pre�y interesting. I have met friends that I will hopefully still know in the future. I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout the years.

-Michael Davalos

Senior Relocation Map Class of 2009 Edition University of Pennsylvania= 1 Gonzaga University= 1

● Sacramento State= 1

● UC Davis = 14

UC Berkeley= 4

●Cal State Stanislaus = 1 San Francisco State University = 3 ● University of San Francisco = 1

●

● ● ● UC Merced = 1

●UC Santa Cruz = 2 Saint Mary’s College= 1

●Cal State Fresno = 7

●Cal Poly San Luis Obispo = 4

UC Santa Barbara = 3 ●

Point Park University= 1

Penn State= 1 Lincoln Univ.= 1

St. John’s University= 1

University of Maine= 1 Wheaton College= 1 The King’s College= 1 University of Southern Maine= 1 ● ● University of Oregon = 2 ● Canistus College= 1 Corban College= 1 ● ● Vassar College= 1 Willamette University= 1 ● Harvard College= 1 ● ● ● ● Boston College= 1 Hallmark Institue of ● Hope College Michigan= 1 High Point University = 1 Photography= 1 Reed College= 3 ●● ●● Valley Forge Military College = 1 US Naval Academy = 1 ● ● ● ● ●Brigham Young University = 3 West Virginia University = 1 ● ● Lindenwood University = 1 ● University of Utah = 1 Howard Univ.= 2 ● University of North Carolina = 1 ● University of Nevada, Las Ve● ● Hampton Univ.= 1 gas = 1 Gardner-Webb University = 1 ●Arizona State University = 8 ● University ● of New Mexico = 2 ● ● Norfolk State = 1 ● ● South Carolina State = 1 Paine College= 1 ● Northern Arizona University = 5 ●

● University of Texas, Austin = 1 University of Arizona = 6 University of New Mexico= 1

Xavier University of Louisiana= 1

Spelman College = 2 Morehouse College= 1

Loyola Marymount= 1

University of Nevada at Las Vegas= 1 USC = 2 ● Cal State Northridge = 1 ● ● Cal State Fullerton = 6 ● ● ● Fashion Institute of Design & ● UCLA = 3 ● ●● ● Cal Poly Pomona = 4 Merchandising LA = 1 ● ● Cal State San Bernardino = 3 ● UC Irvine = 5 ● ● UC Riverside = 18 University of Redlands = 1 ● ●●Cal Baptist = 1 ● ● Riverside Community College =7 Cal State Los Angeles Vanguard University = 1 ●Mt. San Jacinto College = 63 Cal State San Marcos = 5 ● ● ● UC San Diego =7 ●●

A note about the map -

Bass Institute of Technology= 1

San Diego State University = 6 University of San Diego= 1 Point Loma Nazarene U. = 2 ●University of LaVerne = 1

This map reflects the turned in application le�ers of some seniors as of Thu The data presented is incomplete, as a number of seniors had yet to turn in tance le�ers.

12

LIFE

June 5, 2009

Final Farewell to Teachers leaving VMHS There are many teachers and staff members that are leaving VMHS next year and going to the new high school, Murrieta Mesa. These are just a few. Although they will be moving on from our school, they will not be forgo�en, for their demonstration of C.L.A.S.S every day will be remembered by all. So while we say goodbye to these wonderful teachers, we would like to thank them for all their help in making Vista Murrieta High School the great school it is today.

Antwan Dela-Paul- US History

Erin Moran- CP Biology

Shannon Mason- ASL

What is your favorite memory at Vista?

My favorite memory has got to be the dance ba�le against the female teachers that I won the first year that I was here. It was insane!

What is your favorite memory at Vista?

Wow…this is a tough question because there are so many wonderful memories, but two of my most memorable are going to the Friday night football games with my own children and seeing their faces light up as they watched the band and football team and seeing students I had as freshman mature into wonderful, young adults.

What will you miss most about Vista?

I will miss the strong feeling of community and family. Since I will be spending half of my time at Mesa and half of my time at Vista, I hope to maintain some of that sense of community here and bring some of it with me to the new school.

Leticia Krogh- Spanish

Ma� Mosiello- RSP

Martina Beach- Assistant Principal

What will you miss most about Vista?

My friends and the great school spirit.

What will you miss most about Vista?

Everything! Great kids, great staff, and the school spirit.

What will you miss most about Vista?

I will miss the culture that the kids display here and the staff.

Courtesy of Mandy Speed and Mandy Lomnicky

Enrollment 1,200 Capacity 2,400 School Motto “Pursue your passion . . . leave a legacy.”

Mission Statement “We at Murrieta Mesa have a relentless belief in and unwavering commitment to students. It’s not a job, it’s our passion!”

Description of Campus The 256,988 square foot school sits on 62 acres with a commanding view of the valley and the Santa Rosa Plateau. The total cost of the $126 million school includes $92.8 million for construction, $26 million for the land acquisition and $7.4 million for grading. Funding for the school was provided through the State School Facility Program, local bond measures, and other sources, including developer fees.

Construction on Murrieta Mesa is on-track for the school to open in August. The campus will have 82 classrooms, a library, administration offices, the Rams Den, a 750-seat performing arts theater and state-of-the-art athletic facilities including a stadium, pool complex, varsity and junior varsity baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball court, and handball courts.

Instructional Goals/Program The entire school community will collaborate to ensure the success of each individual student and prepare them for post secondary educational options. To help ensure success, each student will be assigned to an Assistant Principal and Counselor. The district support center staff, teachers, school support staff, administrators and parents will all be actively involved in providing focus, resources, research data and instructional training for the continuous improvement of the instructional program at MMHS.

LIFE

JUNE 5, 2009

13

Club highlights year with trip to Mammoth ALEXA SILVA Staff Writer

As the school year comes to a close, it’s a common occurrence to go back and reminisce about all the fun and excitement that’s been had during the course of the term. One of the more recent events that definitely invigorated a group of Broncos was be the snowboard club’s latest spring break trip to Mammoth, the famous winter resort.

This event, which is the highlight of the snowboard club season, is in its second year, and with its popularity among the students, it is a tradition that will most likely be carried on. Chad Atwood, Vista’s own snowboarding pro, is the club’s adviser, and this year for the Mammoth trip he took a slightly different approach than the previous year.

“My prerogative this year was to make the students be�er riders and to make sure everyone learns something new,” Atwood said. This definitely shows that even when Atwood is not in a classroom, he still loves to teach.

Some of the students were beginners, so they learned the fundamentals, like carving more fluidly. For the more experienced riders, the focus was on jumps, rails, boxes, and some half-pipe techniques.

For all this hard work, Atwood didn’t leave his boarders hanging. At the end of the trip awards were given out for things such as “biggest air” and “most daring”, quirky li�le reminders of the

Courtesy of Michael Flaherty VIEW FROM THE TOP- Jaco Van Niekerk, 11, and Derrick Duran, 11, catch some major air while hitting the slopes at Mammoth this past spring break. trip’s event. He made sure that everyone got at least something. “It was killer,

always a good time,” Atwood affirms in a closing statement.

However, the best reward at the end of a long day of boarding was coming back to the slope-side, 2,700 square foot cabin that the club collectively rented. Five days of riding, sleeping in a lo�y cabin, and awards for it all, sounds like a slice of heaven.

Jaco Van Niekerk, 11, snowboard club president, definitely emanates this feeling, “I had a lot of fun. I recommend for other people to participate,” Niekerk says.

Yet, all this fun wouldn’t have been possible if the club had not been there together.

“The best part was the experience with new people, it wouldn’t have been the same if I had gone by myself...it felt like a big family,” Mike Flaherty, 10, two-year club member, said.

This is absolutely true when the group dynamics are closely looked at. Not only were students, boys and girls, all together, collectively learning and enjoying the fresh powder, but the chaperons, too, were enjoying themselves.

Sco� Kneeland, who was introduced to snowboarding by Atwood himself, a�ended as a chaperon, and he readily asserts that the excursion was, “one of the best youth trips I’ve ever been on.”

So with all this in mind, it’s definitely assured that the Mammoth trip was a dream for the riders of the snowboard club. Surely those who wish to join the club next year should ask about the next trip, because they seem to be ge�ing be�er and be�er with time.

Dela-Paul aims to inspire Top 50 juniors honored at gradand influence students uation NATASHA GAINER Staff Writer

VMHS is home to many different kinds of teachers with different backgrounds.

Each one of them comes together to give a li�le bit of themselves to the student body in hopes that students will go out in the world and bloom into the successful men and women of tomorrow.

A n t wa n Dela-Paul, a social science teacher and JV head basketball coach, is one of those many teachers.

Before he started his career as a teacher, Dela-Paul had dreams of going to the NFL. He has always wanted to play football and enjoys it very much.

He just recently stopped playing about four years ago.

He started his teaching career not because he wanted to be a teacher, but because he wanted to be a varsity head coach for basketball.

“Now that I have been

teaching, that feeling has gone away. I love my job, and even though I have been teaching for only five years, it seems like I have been doing it forever!”

Delapaul said.

Over the years, Delapaul has had the opportunity to a�end many different colleges.

“I a�ended University

In retrospect, DelaPaul mentioned that not one of his teachers was inspirational or influencing to his life, so he wants to make a difference in the lives of students at Vista.

“I can say that my mom was my greatest influence. We are very similar in personality!

I have also been influenced by different sports athletes, and Bruce Lee, I love his movies,” said DelaPaul remembering a scene from a movie with a by standing student.

Antwan Dela-Paul is one of the most well known teachers on this campus. His dedication and love that he puts in his job and towards his students is very encouraging, and pushes everyone that gets the opportunity to meet him, to their best and want to succeed in life. It is teachers like Dela-Paul that will keep the legacy of C.L.A.S.S. going even a�er high school.

Dela-Paul is leaving VMHS next year to teach history at Murrieta Mesa.

“I love my job, and even though I have been teaching for only five years it seems like I have been doing it forever.”

-Antwan Dela-Paul of Phoenix where I received my Bachelors in Business, Cal State San Bernardino, for my Bachelors in Social Science, and University of Redlands where I received my Masters of Business Administration,” Dela-Paul said.

COURTNEY GREENHALGE Staff Writer

Junior Honor Guard is a program at VMHS and many other high schools that gives the top fi�y juniors of each class the chance to a�end the end of the year senior activities during their junior year.

“I like Junior Honor Guard because of the recognition and respect from other students that I receive.

The benefits for being in it aren’t half bad either,” said Jonathan Quiroz, 11.

Along with this recognition, juniors get to a�end activities such as grad night at Disneyland, class awards, and scholarship night.

“Going to grad night with the seniors is what I’m looking forward to the most,” said Quiroz.

Tickets for events such as grad night are available to the Honor Guard juniors for the same price as senior tickets.

“I wanted to be in it for the added benefits, but I had

no idea I was going to be in it, I just maintained my grades to my liking,” said Quiroz.

To be a part of Junior Honor Guard, you must be in around the top fi�y juniors in your class, the lowest grade point average in the program this year is around a 3.99.

“It’s just to honor the top fi�y students in the junior class,” said counselor David Carrillo.

The program is run by counselors Demetrius Caldwell and David Carrillo and was started two or three years ago. “[Junior Honor Guard programs] are all usually called the same thing but some are a li�le different. It’s been a tradition for a very long time,” said Carrillo.

The program is based on overall grade point average and the last three students all have the same GPA this year, so fi�y-one students are currently in junior honor guard.

The 51 honored juniors will be walking with the graduating class of 2009 at this friday’s ceremony.

14

LIFE

JUNE 5, 2009

Student earns prestigious award Republican club withstands adversity

when I saw my older sister get involved in ASB in high school, I decided to get involved too.”

When Darrock first came to VMHS, he didn’t As graduation approaches and the know a lot of people. And by ge�ing involved in so excitements of college await the graduating class, many different activities and clubs on campus, he one of the stresses on seniors’ minds is how to has go�en to know a lot more people, and he was pay for this thrilling endeavor. Troy Darrock, also able to make a difference on the VMHS campus.

“It’s a great feeling to have a say in what 12, has been one of the privileged few to earn a way to make paying for college a bit easier. goes on at VMHS,” Darrock said. “By being a leader I’m able to “It’s called the represent the C.L.A.S.S. Ignatian Leaders Scholarship,” on campus and make Darrock said. “Only twenty VMHS a be�er place.” boys and twenty girls Gonzaga University planning to a�end Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington University receive the awards the ILS to students scholarship and I was lucky who are in the top of enough to be one of them.” their high school class in However, before academic performance Darrock could receive and have demonstrated the $10,000 scholarship, their leadership skills the 450 finalists came to for at least two years. the college campus for a The ILS goes towards weekend to participate in the recipient’s college team building activities education, and is and tasks to demonstrate only the start of the their leadership ability. numerous scholarships “The way you get the college offers. the scholarship is by being “I found the a leader in high school, and information about the showing the college your scholarship on Gonzaga leadership skills,” Darrock University’s school said. “Becoming a finalist website,” Darrock said. showed me that all my hard “There are so many work in high school paid scholarships out there off, and earning the actual though, and the only way scholarship was like the icing to get them is to apply.” on the cake for everything D a r r o c k ’ s I achieved in high school.”

Photo from vmhs.net Not only is Darrock in SUCCESS- Troy Darrock, 12, is one of 40 students parting advice about ASB, but he is also the senior attending Gonzaga to win the $10,000 scholarship- scholarships to the soon to be seniors of 2010 had class president, a member of many undeniable truths.

NHS and CSF, and has been the “It may be painful,” Darrock captain of the water polo team for the past two years.

“But searching and applying for “I was never really that involved when said.

I was in middle school,” Darrock said. “But scholarships is definitely worth the effort.”

CHELSEA DAVIDSON Staff Writer

Fashion show a great success NIKKI SALVADOR Staff Writer

The fourth annual student spring fashion show, entitled “Enchanted Fashion”, was held recently on May 19th, and proved to be a huge success.

For those in the audience, this meant a showcase of unique pieces and ensembles created by the talented students of Kay Mueller’s clothing design and fashion classes.

These students were able to personally strut down the runway and model their very own original creations.

Two advanced designers, Cynthia Chavero and Diego Robles, were able to exhibit entire original collections which were modeled by friends and other designers.

For the audience, the show was fun and very entertaining. However, for all those participating in the show, it meant the end of a grueling year of hard work.

“My designers have been preparing for this show all year,” Mueller said. “Everything they’ve learned throughout the year has helped them to design and create their pieces for this show.”

All of their hard work did not go unnoticed

“I’m extremely proud of my designers and design teams,” Mueller said. “Their hard work really showed in their garments and themes.”

Mueller was not the only one to realize the effort that was put into the show. The audience was also able to appreciate the hard work that was displayed.

“I liked how the stage was set up. I thought it was really cool,” Janelle Lim, 9, said.

The stage was set up in an “enchanted” manner with a garden feeling surrounding it. It definitely fit the title of “Enchanted Fashion” and went well with the themes of all of the designs.

“All the pieces looked like they were made by professionals. I was impressed,” Zharina Estanque, 11, said.

A�er having many successful shows in previous years, having one which shows improvement is always difficult.

This year’s Enchanted Fashion show however, proved to be an exception.

“This year’s show was incredible, by far, the best one we’ve had,” Mueller said.

With a soldout show to support that, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

The May 19th “Enchanted Fashion” show provided a wonderful opportunity for all students to appreciate the hard work of all of Mueller’s very talented students.

“All the pieces looked like they were made by professionals.

I was imperessed.”

-Zharina Estanque, 11

Photo from vmhs.net

ATTENTIVE- Students attending Republican club hope to learn more and have discussions about their party

SABRINA JONKHOFF Staff Writer

When he set out to establish a conservative, Republican club, junior Domenic Gelsomino did not anticipate the adversity he would face.

It was difficult to gain club approval because questions about whether or not the club would be fair quickly arose. A�er many appeals to administrators, Gelsomino’s club was approved.

Gelsomino’s passion for Republicanism is apparent. He is staunchly conservative and is not afraid to express his beliefs to his fellow classmates.

One of his greatest inspirations for pursuing the establishment of the club has been former VMHS student Joshua Jones. Jones, whom Gelsomino refers to as his “conservative political mentor”, has really helped Gelsomino find the basis for the club and purpose behind it.

“I hope to expand the knowledge of high school Republicans of the history and beliefs of their party. I, by the end of next year, would like to have inspired leaders of our nation’s future, as well as to show and present what the beliefs of our party are in an era where those leaders of our party in Washington seem to have forgo�en what the basic beliefs of our party are,” said Gelsomino.

Club advisor Ma�hew Tweed, a history and students and law teacher, witnessed Gelsomino’s passion when he had him as a student last year.

“I definitely wanted to help Dom out,” said Tweed. “The club will be a good outlet for those conservatives who feel they don’t have a voice. It’s also a structured environment for holding mature discussions.”

That is one li�le-known fact about the club: the members want to encourage those on the other end of the political spectrum to come out and debate, exchange ideas, and perhaps build bridges to accomplish more in the future. So, despite the obvious appeal to conservatives, those on the liberal side of things are more than welcome to join the club and a�end meetings. Meetings will provide a good medium for opposing viewpoints.

It will be beneficial for the students involved in the club (whether Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, or anywhere in between), to garner all the facts on different issues. Issues will need to be discussed openly and in an unbiased manner.

Meetings consist of group discussion as well as collaboration to come up with ways to help solve current problems afflicting our country. Gelsomino hopes to inspire students to lobby their state and country leaders and to actually make a difference.

The club is led by President Domenic Gelsomino and Vice President Austin Kopack, 10, and is under the advisement of Ma�hew Tweed. Meetings are held on Tuesdays break in Tweed’s room, WW10.

LIFE

JUNE 5, 2009

15

Going green impacts environment for good ALEXANDRA CARIGNAN Staff Writer

Want to know how to save the world? According to the members of the Worldwatch Institute, their belief and association stems from the need to save the beautiful and natural surroundings of Earth. Apparently, going green is an inexpensive and progressive way to save our planet, and it is becoming a trend.

Going green can make a huge impact in not only financial problems, but global warming and environmental pollution. Financially, saving energy can make a difference in the money you spend to pay for bills, especially in the economical problems that are occurring today.

It is stated in w w w . worldwatch.org, that, “Se�ing your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer can save heating and cooling costs.”

Also, “Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much

as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.” Saving water can decrease the amount of money that many pay for their bills.

A great way to lessen the use of plastic, which is harder to recycle, is to either reuse a bo�led water as much as possible, or use a water filter to purify tap water instead.

“In 2003, 40 million bo�les a day traveled their way into the trash. These billions of bo�les take up landfill space, leak toxic additives into the ground water and take a whopping, 1,000 years to biodegrade, if ever,” stated Sugar Incorporation on their website www. fitsugar.com.

Within these toxic leaks, there are life-threatening poisons that can kill our ocean’s animals. It can even destroy plant life, which is the medicine to our survival due to the fact that plants produce the oxygen we inhale.

In addition, oil is another debate that has many Americans angry. “The controversy about saving gas in America is big, for we’re in a society that loves its cars, but consider taking mass transit on a bicycle,” stated ceres. ca.gov.

Carpooling or power walking is

Recycling, reducing, and saving habitat life can be a lot easier when there’s fun and excitement involved

also an efficient way of reducing the use of gasoline. This will not only decrease oil-use, but the chances of obesity will decrease by far.

Recycling,

reducing, and saving habitat life can be a lot easier as well when there’s fun and excitement involved.

A great example could be “A GreenThemed Scavenger Hunt, which results in recyclable prizes. The game could take place

at a set filled with trash, and whoever discovers objects that can be reusable the fastest, will receive Coffee Paper, made from coffee beans, not trees,” said Baylie Spivey, 10.

Ge�ing creative wit the going green concept is another, fun activity.

“Make kites with your kids by using the paper bags you use at the grocery stores. Decorate them and have fun. Kites that you but at a store are a lot more expensive, and paper bags are free,” said Laura Ingraham, from radio station 94.1, one morning with Jeff and Jer. Not so Fun Facts (www. geocities.com) 1. The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years.

2. About 110 million Americans live in areas with levels of air pollutants the federal law considers to be harmful.

3. America throws away enough glass bo�les and jars to fill the 1,350-foot twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center every two weeks!

4. The typical American home uses about 300 gallons of water a day.

5. If all the cars in the U.S. roads had properly inflated tires, it would save nearly 2 billion gallons of gasoline a year!

16

WEEKEND

JUNE 5, 2009

Wolverine a�racts new fans BRIANA DE LA TORRE

on mutants. But with the guilt of killing innocent people, Logan, now Wolverine, leaves the program, and even leaving his brother, Sabretooth. The story X-Men Origins: Wolverine, directed by Gavin then forwards to years later, where Wolverine has Hood, narrates the dramatic past of comic book se�led into a quiet life with his girlfriend, Kayla superhero Wolverine Silverfox (Lynn Collins). But when (Hugh Jackman), and Kayla is taken away by Sabretooth, his becoming into the who had failed to leave the evil legendary mutant that side like his brother, Wolverine has enamored many seeks the revenge he wants. Even X-Men fans since when he is forced to work with an the character’s first old enemy, who, Wolverine later appearance in 1974. discovers, still remains an enemy.

The story Jackman as Wolverine line begins with the clearly shows the extent of his indroduction of the efforts of transformation into a main characters, role. It seems as though Jackman is Logan (Wolverine) Wolverine himself. For this film, it and half-brother was vital for Jackman to put forth Victor Creed (later a more aggressive and frightening becoming Sabretooth, Wolverine than in previous Xwho is played by Liev Men films, because of the recount Schreiber), as children of Wolverine’s back story. His in the 1800s. The film dynamic and powerful acting portrays the friendship skills deliver the audience a wellbetween the two drawn human image of everyone’s young boys, and the favorite comic book character. story quickly follows Although the acting in all the roles the two ba�ling in where satisfying, many fans who a sequence of world are dedicated to X-Men comic wars. But abnormality books rather than just the movies, movies.yahoo.com may receive a different view. Many begins when both Logan and Victor survive an bombardment of bullets of the new characters who had made their first and, to everyone’s suspicions, miraculously heals. appearance in the film were not shown very o�en, That is when they are both imprisoned in a military and lack of intensity in some of the action scenes jail and also when they first meet William Stryker were also distasteful. But with a few nail-biting, (Danny Huston), an enemy of the X-Men force. exhilarating, and violent fight scenes and a wellStryker develops a plan with Logan and Victor rounded plot under the film’s belt, makes X-Men to work with him on his mysterious enterprise called Origins: Wolverine a movie worth seeing, without the Weapon X, a government program that experiments pressure of being a familiar X-Men fan.

Staff Writer

Ice Age (July 1, 2009) The sub-zero heroes are back, and this time their journey ventures them toward the underworld w h e r e underground dinosaurs exist!

Yipee! As usual, Scrat is still on the loose trying to catch the unusually elusive nut, but this time there’s a twist… movies.yahoo.com Scrat might find true love in this installment! Manny and Ellie await their new baby mammoth, and Sid finds some dinosaur eggs which he adopts, but sadly turns out giving him a lot of trouble. Now the gang has to save Sid from the underground world, and at the same time meet a new one-eyed weasel named buck (possible innuendo?).

Starring: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, and Simon Pegg Rated: NA

Harry Po�er (July 15, 2009) Witchs, wizards, dragons, and magic are on the big screen once again in its sixth story of Harry Po�er.

Since the release of Voldemort, the wizarding and muggle world has been driven into chaos as he begins to put pressure on both aesthetic worlds. In order movies.yahoo.com to prepare for the dark lords return, Harry goes on a journey with Dumbledore in to the past to search for items called horcruxes, which seem to be the only set of items that are capable of stopping he-who-must-not-be-named. As the final installment comes faster to the big screen, the crescendo of J.K. Rowlings master piece begins in this sixth installment!

Rated: PG for scary images, violence, and language Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Ruper Grint -Compiled by Ma� Castro

Mall additions are enthusiastically welcomed TRAVIS TAN Staff Writer

The Promenade Mall in Temecula has been a place for many years that the students of Vista Murrieta have had to enjoy, from our days before high school to now. Being a li�le more than ten years old and not having changed much, the mall lost a lot of its popularity and was no longer an exciting place to go as recently as last year. Most people regarded it as “boring” or just the same as it has been forever, but the revamped look and feel has definitely brought it back to life.

Almost two years ago the plans for an extension of the Promenade were approved and building began. Today the mall is a significantly different sight to see and visit than before.

T h e mall from the inside out has been totally redone.

A more modern look compliments everything from the entrance to the tile on the floor and even the kiosks. The overall feeling of the mall is a newer, fresher one that was definitely needed to bring back many locals who felt that the mall was just unexciting.

The actual mall was also extended and an outdoor section was added, which also brings in a whole different feeling. The new street lined shops are comprised of many well known stores

and restaurants. P.F. Chang’s, Roadhouse Grill, and Whimsical Frozen Yogurt and Gelato are just a few of the many new food choices to enjoy. Some of the new stores that were also added are The Po�ery Barn, Coldwater Creek, Sephora, and even a Coach store have all made their way to the Promenade. The Promenade is definitely stepping itself up, maybe not to the level of Fashion Valley in San Diego, but there are soon becoming more variety and choices for people to shop at instead of just the same old stuff.

P.F. Chang’s and the other new restaurants bring more variety and delicious choices to dine at instead of the food court or Red Robin which has been the only restaurant at the mall forever. The shopping has not been too much extended yet, but with many spots still available in the new section more new and interesting promenadeintemecula.com s t o r e s will hopefully arrive soon here.

The Promenade is definitely not the same place it used to be when it was the major middle school hangout place. It has came out of its “teenage” stage and has certainly grown and changed into a much more respectable and be�er mall as this addition has changed it for the be�er, and hopefully bring more new and exciting stores to shop at in the future.

JUNE 5, 2006

17

WEEKEND

Multiple track epic disappoints Public Enemies MICHAEL DAVALOS Staff Writer

Enigmatic producer Guillermo Sco� Herren has had plenty of experience at a young age, learning to play various instruments. He released his first LP Sleep Method Suite under the moniker Delarosa and Asora in 1997. Since then he has released music under the names: Delarosa and Asora, Prefuse 73, Piano Overlord, Ahmad Szabo, Savath and Savalas, and Diamond Watch Wrists. His seventh album as Prefuse 73 Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian was released on Warped Records in April.

Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian is a twenty nine track epic that spans almost fi�y minutes. It is comprised of glitch, ambient, hip-hop, and electronic compositions. There is even some jazz influence in the album. Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian definitely tries to showcase Herren’s diversified musical pale�e. The opener “Periodic Measurements Of Infrequent Smiles” begins with a choir crooning, then quickly cuts into glitched out noise and melds itself into the next track. The album feels like a mix in its own right, like his most infamous 2003 release One Word Extinguisher.

Unfortunately, the album doesn’t seem to contain the same amount of fluidity as One Word Extinguisher. While the beats and melodies

are right on key, the next song seems to explode out of nowhere and seems somewhat unwelcoming. Rather than beat matching into the next song Herren uses distortion as a segue for a few of the songs, which gets irritating. The album is full of many bright ideas and interesting hooks and beats, but when a track starts ge�ing enjoyable it’s already done.

C o m p l a i n t s aside from the transitioning to the incredibly short tracks, the album is ridiculously good. It has an unfinished quality to it that makes it always interesting to listen to, it’s the equivalent of genius napkin scribbles transitioned into flickr.com audio. Some points of the album are pure euphoria; the track “Regato,” is reminiscent of Herren’s folk side project Savath & Savalas. It contains heavy hip hop percussion, and smooth Latin acoustic guitars.

The album’s tone starts shi�ing more towards funk with strange vocal samples like in “Four Reels Collide” with someone incoherently mumbling, over off rhythm percussion. Herren goes back to his glitch roots with “Violent Bathroom Exchange” with heavy layered distortion chugging away then fading into “Nature’s Upli�ing Revenge” a song with a chorus that becomes heavily distorted and fuzzy. Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian shows a wide array of samples, genres, and styles that Herren has been utilizing in other projects. There is a great a�ention to layering and detail, but some of the songs are incredibly short and sporadic.

Oberst revives energy in Outer South ELIZABETH STODDARD Staff Writer

In his first official work with The Mystic Valley Band, Conor Oberst appears to distance himself even more from the angst-ridden persona he created in Bright Eyes. In last year’s self-titled Conor Oberst, he created a sometimes cryptic, sometimes poignant depiction of life and wisdom learned. Conor Oberst also featured The Mystic Valley Band, but it was not until this second album that the band was labeled. Outer South is laden with energetic tunes and sharp jangling pieces that are reminiscent of boys singing around a campfire. Indeed, Oberst gives several tracks to the band, something he has never done before. Seven out of the sixteen songs on the album are sung by band members Taylor Hollingsworth, Nik Freitas, Macey Taylor and Jason Boesel. Their contributions to the album are not always the greatest, but they manage to hold their own against Oberst’s songwriting abilities. Boesel’s Eagle on a Pole is a flowing work rife with imagery of disorientation and vulnerability. Freitas’s Big Black Nothing is a harsh tune with a punk-rock vibe.

Still, Oberst’s pieces are the paramount works of the album. The themes are generally the same as those of his previous works; he discusses love, pain, politics, and drug use with the same candidness as always. However, he seems to have grown up quite

a bit since his early days of clutching an acoustic guitar and wailing into a microphone. Bright Eyes’ most recent album, Cassadaga had a stronger, more rollicking feel. In Outer South, Oberst seems to be declaring his revival of energy, if not happiness.

“Roosevelt Room” and “To All the Lights in the Windows” are two of the strongest works.

In “Roosevelt Room”, Oberst denounces government abuses and neglect. His liberal views are obvious in his references to New Orleans post-Katrina and other obvious misdeeds. “To All the Lights in the Windows” combines religious fables and a lover’s fervency to create stunning images and convey Oberst’s trademark wisdom. His allusions to both Moses and biblical tales of war add a sense of credibility to Oberst’s repertoire. “White Shoes” is the most Bright Eyes-esque track, and the most touching. The song is a melancholy lover’s plea, a declaration of submission. It adds a level of potent grace to the flickr.com otherwise freewheeling album.

Fans of Bright Eyes may find themselves disappointed by Outer South. There is certainly much less of Oberst’s trademark anguish or melancholy. The poignant “White Shoes” is the closest the album comes to a Bright Eyes track. However, there is a power and resiliency to Outer South that is infectious. And, however different it may be, the album is definitely tinged with elements of Oberst’s previous work. Oberst seems to have found a certain level of contentment, but there will, perhaps, always be the shadow of his previous self.

(July 1, 2009) Girls…get ready for the greatest image on the big screen: Christian Bale and Johnny Depp in the same movie…on the same screen.

Whether this movie is just going to be eyecandy or not, many girls will be flocking towards the theaters when the two “hunks” appear movies.yahoo.com in cinema. As for the movie, just imagine Catch Me If You Can but in much darker tone, and with lots of gunfights.

Starring: Johnny Depp and Christian Bale Rated: R for gangster violence and some language

(500) Days of Summer (July 17, 2009) The romantic inspirational movie that shook up the Sundance Film Festival is finally hi�ing theaters.

The film is based on a woman who doesn’t believe in true love, and a head over heels hopeless romantic man.

During the span of five hundred days during the summer, the man goes from giddy carpe depressed man who

movies.yahoo.com diem love, to a can’t find true love.

Starrring: Joseph Gordon-Levi� and Zooey Deschanel Rated: PG-13 for sexual material and language

Aliens in the A�ic (July 31, 2009) From the creators of Madagascar and Wallace and Gromit: the Curse of the Were Rabbits is bringing to the big screen their newest endeavor Aliens in the A�ic. The new family entertainment motion picture is an adventure packed comedy about aliens shorter than the average mans knee declaring war movies.yahoo.com upon the world… from the catacombs of a family’s vacation home.

Sadly for earth the parents of the relaxing family remains clueless about the daunting domination, leaving the children the only ones to defend the world against that of green pudgy aliens wielding spatulas and miscellaneous house items.

Starring: Ashley Tisdale and Robert Hoffman Rating: TBA

18

WEEKEND

JUNE 5, 2009

Impulse satisfies Voorn compiles a startling mix teen readers MICHAEL DAVALOS

ALEXA SILVA Staff Writer

In the recent years, especially these last few, well wri�en literary works in the young adult genre have been hard to come by,; just look at Twilight.

However, Ellen Hopkins is one author that continues to deliver worthy novel a�er worthy novel. Impulse, one of Hopkins’ younger novels, should be duly noted.

This work centers on three teens who have all been admi�ed to Aspen Springs, a psychiatric facility for troubled teens. Each of these three have all a�empted suicide in various ways, one with drugs and the others with more violent means, and these failed a�empts have landed them in a place they’ll never forget.

The main characters, Vanessa, Tony, and Conner, all separately arrive at the facility, but through group counseling, are exposed to each other, and they quickly find that they all click rather easily.

As the trio spends their time in Aspen Springs trying to con their way to a “healthy” diagnosis they deal with the inner turmoil which led them to why they’re there, as well as dealing with a developing l o v e triangle.

Sure, this does sounds like every other teen novel which talks of “troubled teens,”but the true essence flic kr.c of the book, which motivates teens to om appreciate what they have in life and that there are things worth living for, is what makes the book enjoyable.

A�er one passes the message of the novel, the format must also be praised. The story is told from not one but three points of view. Now, usually when novelists a�empt this, they mix a jumble of thoughts and ideals only make the story line confusing, but when Hopkins’ a�empts this it blends quite well. She keeps each characters input short and sweet, infusing just enough emotion to get the point across, then gracefully, usually a�er a revelation has been met, transitions to the next view she wishes to portray.

Seeing the story from three different aspects allows the reader to understand the story more abstractly than with just one point of view and that aspect, which is done beautifully by Hopkins’, adds to the overall success of the novel.

Though, like in everything in life, there are some flaws. One major flaw would be the overall depressive tone the novel takes on, with a major dose at the end, can sometimes take away from the novel’s appeal. Se�ing your readers into a constant coma of depression is probably not the best way to encourage further reading. Another complaint would be, as it is in all of Hopkins’ novels, the poetic composition of the book. Yes, it makes the book seem very deep and meaningful, but it also has the reader turning pages every three seconds, which can be an annoyance considering the novel boasts 672 pages. If only she could cut the white space. Though, all of Hopkin’s novels may have this flaw, it never seems to take away the pure emotion, which Hopkin’s incorporates into all of her literary works. She is true novelist.

Ultimately, with those flaws in mind, Impulse is an absolute must-read for anyone in search of a stimulating, well wri�en, and captivating novel that will take a hold of your heart. This book has the ability to make any reader appreciate life and the possibilities it holds for everyone, even those who have made drastic mistakes.

Staff Writer

Netherlands born DJ and producer Joris Voorn had a keen interest in music at an early age born into a musical family. He began mixing in 1997, and producing his own music and remixes in 2000. His mix compilation Balance 14 for Melbourne based label EQ has been causing quite a stir.

Drawing comparisons to Richie Hawtin’s infamously layered DE9: Closer To The Edit mix which has several songs layered on each other, Joris Voorn raises the bar with a two disc mix comprised of over 100 songs in the time span of about two and a half hours. It’s a prolific achievement on its own, but the beauty of it all is how it sounds so layered and breathtaking. Mix albums are typically created using traditional turntables and a mixer, although Joris Voorn used computer so�ware to create the mix, most notably Berlin based so�ware Ableton. Voorn diced up tracks and meshed and layered them all together. There are points in the mix where as many as six songs are playing simultaneously.

As unorganized and untamed as all of that sounds, what is produced is a very warm and tonal mix. It first begins with very minimal ambience then slowly fades into a more house oriented affair, maintaining a very tranquil nature. It’s definitely not suitable for dancing, but there are some very intuitive beats and high points.

The mix is pure headphone bliss. The first disc is

flickr.com a more ambient affair, while the second disc picks the pace up slightly quicker. Both discs however contain the same formula, by drastically changing the tempo, layering, beats, etc. One minute it gets somewhat danceable then shi�s to a more comforting tone.

Disc two begins with Asian instrumentation and is very subtle. At the six minute mark the album picks up into solid groove with a heavy beat and bass riff. The tone is carried for an immense twenty three minutes then the storm calms down.

Voorn’s a�ention to complex layering and mixing, especially considering the current backlash of “originality” against the use of .mp3 format and mixing with computer programs is excellent.

It’s generally considered blasphemy to anything other than vinyl and CD mixing, but Joris Voorn proves that it’s as serious of an art form as spinning and mixing.

As unorganized and untamed as all of that sounds, what is produced is a very warm and tonal mix.

STAFF Dominique Misher Tyler Owen Robert Paprocki Nikki Salvador Alexa Silva Lauren Smalley Amanda Speed Elizabeth Stoddard Travis Tan

Editors-in-Chief Christine Pulley Krystle Bartholomew Weekend Editor Brianna Benne� Sports Editors

Staff Writers

Andrew Olson David Love

Advisor Richard Aldersley Ma�hew Castro Laura Cha Alyssa Curry Michael Davalos Chelsea Davidson Briana DeLaTorre Brandi Evans Sabrina Jonkhoff Madelyn Kozich Amanda Lomnicky David Love

Ellen Filar

The views expressed in the Vista View are not necessarily those of the entire staff, adviser, or the administration of Vista Murrieta High School.

Feedback on any aspect of the Vista View is welcome via le�ers to the editor. We will make a reasonable effort to publish all thoughtful le�ers we receive. Please send your feedPlease back to thevistaview@gmail.com. note that we reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Advisor Ellen Filar can be reached at: (951) 894-5750 x6601.

JUNE 5, 2009

WEEKEND

19

Relapse returns to Eminem’s earlier years with power ELIZABETH STODDARD Staff Writer

It’s been almost five years since Eminem last released an album.

2004’s Encore was a more toned-down record, certainly not as shocking or scandalous as his previous Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers LPs. Though his 2003 Eminem Show was beginning to show the rapper growing in maturity and mellowing, Encore completed this transformation.

Produced by Dr. Dre, Relapse, which was released May 15th, seems to signal a return to Eminem’s earlier days, with a faster style and more anger than before.

Indeed, Eminem declared that his alter-ego, Slim Shady, would be returning for the album. Eminem has previously created three personalities, two of which are rap personas.

Slim Shady is the most violent, brutal one. The album’s most disturbing song, “3 A.M.,” describes a murderous rampage in which Slim Shady kills several people in a drug-fueled night of violence.

The song was the first technical single off the album, and its music video is highly disturbing and graphic. In contrast to “3 A.M.,” the album features many more upbeat songs, but also deals with Eminem’s personal life and relapse a�er the death of friend and fellow rapper DeShaun “Proof” Holton.

Relapse seems to signal a return to Eminem’s earlier days, with a faster style and more anger than before.

The other singles released off the album are significantly more buoyant than the dark “3 A.M.” “We Made You,” a harshly ironic piece, pokes fun at various celebrities, from Jessica Simpson to Kevin Federline.

“Old Time’s Sake” is a more selfappreciating piece.

Featuring Dr. Dre, the single declares the rappers’ skill and status. Finally, in “Beautiful”, Eminem displays a more vulnerable side, plaintively discussing his depression and emotional reactions to the events of the past five years. Although “Crack a Bo�le” was released well before these tracks, it is not considered a single. Featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, the track explores the rappers’ power and culpability with humor and conceit.

A�er his friend’s death, Eminem lapsed into a dark period.

In 2005, he entered rehab for a supposed addiction to sleeping pills. He references this addiction throughout the album. In “Déjà Vu,” he admits to self-disgust and dismisses his own excuses for his drug-use. In “Hello,” he describes his own rummaging for drugs and the drugs’ effects on him. The album is filled with references to drug abuse, especially of prescription drugs.

Eminem also returns to his earlier theme of disgust for his mother. He has infamously rapped about his mother’s supposed drug abuse and neglect in earlier songs such as “Cleanin out My Closet”. In Relapse, he raps again about his flickr.com mother’s influence and drug addiction. On “My Mom”, he declares his belief that his mother’s addiction influenced and preceded his own.

Relapse is considered to be part of a three-part release with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. 50 Cent’s album, Before I Self Destruct, will be released later this year, before Dr. Dre’s Detox. Both Eminem and 50 Cent will also be releasing follow-ups to their respective albums. Eminem’s is reported to be titled Relapse 2. Li�le information is currently available about the follow-up album.

Twi�er quickly becomes a popular national phenomenon BRIANA DE LA TORRE Staff Writer

Overnight, Twi�er has made itself into an Internet phenomenon, becoming the new popular social network for children, adults, and celebrities.

The main question that has everyone talking: “What are you doing?” This simple proposal of curiosity is what’s keeping Twi�er members updated on their friends, or “followers,” lives by both Internet and phone access. An allowance of 140 characters for text is given to every member to share (“tweet”) everything they do, at any moment.

Twi�er is very similar to blogging and instant messaging, but more current and cool. To newcomers, this craze can seem somewhat useless. So, who cares what you’re doing? Well, surprisingly, there’s an entire online network that does. The best part about it- the caring is optional! Twi�er relationships are purely dependent on the member, making it safe and private. For example, if A follows B, B doesn’t have to follow A. If B follows A, A doesn’t have to follow B. If A follows B, then B can follow A. It’s an incredibly s i m p l e process, only taking seconds to become a member. All one needs is an email, a username, and a password.

Its Internet fame has even caught the a�ention of famous celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Miley Cyrus,

Twitter has made itself into an internet phenomenon, becoming the new popular social network for children, adults, and celebrities.

and President Barack Obama. Even charities and non-profit organizations, like the American Cancer Society, Greenpeace, and PETA, are using Twi�er as an advantage to create awareness and try to raise money for their cause. With a large online audience and the ability to quickly communicate with people in conversations rather than advertising, the reason becomes obvious why organizations wouldn’t want to extend their voice across the world to gain support.

Not only has Twi�er made its mark in Hollywood, but with other modern technology uses, also.

On MySpace and Facebook, one can display their tweets and updates on their homepage, inviting more people to join the new sensation. Apple has already created a few new advances for their products directly for Twi�er. The iPhone and iPod touch has an availability to purchase an application called Twi�errific, which lets users post and read tweets on Twi�er. An extension from FireFox called Twi�erFox also notifications twitter.com allows to be sent to Twi�er members while on other websites. A short code given to phone users can also be used to directly text-message updates to the online Twi�er community.

Since its start in March of 2006, Twi�er has slowly progressed into what is now one of the most popular social sites since MySpace and Facebook’s first appearance. Twi�er can be seen as useless or useful, depending upon the person.

Either way, it still creates a new, unique way of modern communication.

Exit high school and enter the real world MADELYN KOZICH Staff Writer

It is now June, seniors are leaving, and freshmen are coming. The cycle starts all over again and it’s in with the new and out with the old.

During high school, everyone, developed a “four wall” safe house; a home. For some, the years passed excruciatingly slow and high school felt like a prison. For others, high school has felt like their own resort where freedom is key; the place where they are someone and are known for what they can do in a pool, on the field, or in the classroom.

When the seniors are finally unleashed and let go from their “home”, they are all on their own. In the real world, they have to start all over again from the bo�om of the food chain. So, with that; it’s going to be kind of hard to get over high school or just hard to forget about because that’s what molded many of us into the graduating seniors we are today.

Here are some handy tips to help you o u t and maybe point you in the right direction:

1.

Do

something constructive with your free time. When one gets out of high school, it’s inevitably possible that one could go insane. There are no more guidelines; no more adults babying you to manage your time wisely, so use the summer for your advantage.

Perhaps you could: maybe relax this summer giving yourself a li�le breather or break from school life; work constantly and roll in the dough; or even start college.

Get a head start on your life.

2.

Get some community service done. We all know there are the required 40 hours of community service for high school. Do some power walks for a college or cause.

B u i l d

with t w o to

help

something your own hands and volunteer less the fortunate.

White Lime remains polular scene among students BRANDI EVANS Staff Writer

Everything you do for your community will look dazzling on your resume.

Any job you apply for, there will be 1000 others just like you. The goal is to help the prospective employers differentiate between you and the others. You have to be unique, helpful and loyal.

Give them something they can’t turn away from, and you can start by helping your community here and there. It might just give you that extra credit you need.

3.

Throw a ‘To Do List’ together. Develop a check off list to help guide you through your tasks. Whether you like it or not, your going to have multiple “To Do’s” to accomplish to help and get you started for your ‘Adulthood’.

I hope some of these options give you some kind of light to the path you are heading to. When you get out of high school, take charge and live each day to the fullest. Earn life and savor it.

The fun environment of White Lime with delicious frozen yogurt, exciting music, and entertaining digital pictures is a great spot to hang out with friends, or just grab a bite to eat.

White Lime is a self serve frozen yogurt shop. Customers are allowed to sample each flavor in li�le cups before making their final decisions as to what flavors they want. At the end the customer weighs the cup and pays the price for the yogurt.

One thing that makes White Lime different from many other yogurt stores is the fun digital pictures hanging on the wall.

“All of our customers can have their picture up on the wall, all they have to do is ask us to take their picture,” Arianna Walker, a White Lime employee, said.

There are pictures of families, groups of friends, and many VMHS students. These pictures are fun to look at because it is quite common to see someone that you know or recognize. There are a variety of yogurt flavors, and most people have a hard time just picking one flavor.

“All of the flavors are great but my favorite would have to be piña colada,” Walker said.

The flavors are always changing at any particular White Lime location, every week you can find a new flavor. Some of these flavors include the non fat, Plain Tart, Cheese Cake, Mango Tango, Pistachio, Kahlua, Chocolate, and N.Y. Cheesecake. The low fat yogurt includes Peanut Bu�er and Cookies ‘n Cream. No sugar added yogurts are Peach, Blueberry, Strawberry Banana, Custard Vanilla, and Hawaiian Delight are labeled “no sugar added”. Non dairy includes Boysenberry, Mango Tango, and Kiwi Strawberry.

“It is easier to count my un-favorites then my favorites!”

Brooke Simpson, 12, said.

People come to White Lime for many different reasons, not just to enjoy the flavorful frozen yogurt.

“It’s a great place to meet the ladies, and I’m trying to watch my figure,” Bradley Allen, a Murrieta resident, said.

White Lime not only tastes good but has nutritional value. In a 4 oz. serving there are anywhere from 70-110 calories depending on which yogurt you choose.

“I pick White Lime over other yogurt stores because there are a variety of flavors creating a massive explosion of flavor in every bite,” Allen said.

There are many locations in this area. They are located on Murrieta Hot Springs in Murrieta, Margarita in Temecula, and off of Rancho California in Temecula.

“I love coming to White Lime especially because it is so close,” Simpson said.

Prom transportation made fun, safe, and creative NATASHA GAINER Staff Writer

Courtesy of Paige Clark

SWEET RIDE- A Stretch Lincoln Navigator is parked outside Paige Clark’s house before prom. The option of a limo was just one of the many choices students had as far as prom transprtation.

This year for prom there were many different modes of transportation. From Limos, to party buses, to driving themselves, juniors and seniors alike all hopped into their rides and headed off to a fun filled night.

Ostyn McCarty, 12, said that she put her money together with two other familiesand and purchased a thirty-five seat party bus.

“I really couldn’t wait to get on the bus and get on the road because it had surround sound speakers, two plasma screen TV’s, and room to sit, stand, and party,” McCarty said.

Candi Russell’s, 12, parents purchased a stretch Chrystler 300 that sat about 10 people.

“The hardest part about this whole thing was turning people down who wanted to ride with us because we ran out of room. But I still had fun and I’m sure everyone else did too,” Russell said.