The Roar | Volume 6 | Issue 5 | May 2011

the

the student voice of Whitney High May 2011

roar

Volume 6 Issue 5

The high school

experience I t ’s t h e l i t t l e t h i n g s

2 contents

the roar MAY 2011

It’s the little things

4 9 10 15 16 18 20 Scavenger hunt!

Find these items on the cover:

This issue talks about all of the little things that go into making the ultimate high school experience.

Concert-goer shares her top experiences from a variety of shows.

By SYDNEY RODRIGUERA

Couples share all of the small gestures that make up their relationships.

By SHAI NIELSON

The campus is a very different place at various times of the day.

By ILAF ESUF & KAVYA PATHAK

Making the varsity team comes differently for every sport.

By ROBERT PARKER

Each group of friends has its own spot.

Where do you fall on the map?

By BRITTANEY CAMPBELL & MARGARET TINKER

The differences among school dances and why some are favored more.

By JESSICA RANDHAWA

The high school bucket list: things you must do before graduation.

By MARGARET TINKER

Helmet

Ring

Leaf

Shoe Cover photo illustration by Emma Richie and Ilaf Esuf

“...It’s just part of high school. Everybody goes through it.”

the roar

MARCH 2011

STAFF EDITORIAL: Unless students provide the required number of stamps, they are forced to stay inside a classroom for 20 minutes before their lunchtime, even if it doesn’t directly benefit them. This period is known as intervention, a little thing that tends to ruin the high school experience.

Teachers hope that students will use this time wisely and ask for help if necessary, but most students just sit there, staring at the ceiling, counting the minutes until they are free to go to lunch. Only students who have the ambition and desire to succeed will use this period to their advantage. If the students truly wants to succeed, they will most likely have all of their stamps in the first place and therefore would not be in intervention.

This period is simply a waste of time, for both teachers and students alike. Additionally, time spent at the end of class stamping students is a major waste of time for teachers who are trying to teach actual concepts.

Stamps have become a hassle rather than a beneficial idea: a chore that is a waste of teachers’ precious time and a nuisance into the limited lunchtime of the students.

Rather than forcing students to stay in, intervention could be an optional period of time students can use to ask teachers for help or

work on homework. The program seems to be ineffective when forced upon students and may produce better results if it is provided as an option instead of a punishment.

As of right now, the administration seems to be keen on keeping this policy, so it is highly likely that students will have to look forward to another year of stamps, and another year of intervention. Lunchtime is one of the biggest parts of the social aspect of high school, yet the administration still wants to cut out more of the students’ time in order to mold the perfect student. A perfect student, however, includes all aspects of his/her high school experience including a social life.

Personal time with friends should not be intruded on because students aren’t perfect and may forget to get one silly stamp. Lunchtime defines high school and this intervention system cuts in on the experience.

The time students spend relaxing with friends and taking a break from the struggles inside the classroom is a time when numerous high school memories are created. We must break the routine of intervention and include it as an educational option, not a punishment. That’s when high school begins.

15-0 AGREE

what we say 3 THE ROAR 2010-2011 Editor-in-Chief Robert Parker Assistant Editors Ilaf Esuf Emma Richie Feature Editor Sydney Rodriguera Adviser Sarah Nichols, MJE

Staff Brittaney Campbell Gabbi Forrest Emma Getz Ellis Holdsworth Amy Lu Chloe McCrossen Shai Nielson Kavya Pathak Jessica Randhawa Emma Richie Jessica Sypolt Anika Terpstra Margaret Tinker

THE FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The Roar is a student publication planned and produced by the advanced journalism class at Whitney High School. The newspaper is an open forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions.

Columns represent the viewpoints of individual writers and are not representative of the opinions of the student body, faculty, staff or administration of Whitney High School or Rocklin Unified School District. The staff seeks truth, accuracy and objectivity. Staff members practice ethical student journalism by providing fair and balanced coverage as determined by community standards. Students working to publish each issue strive to achieve accuracy by checking sources, spelling and quotes as well as by obtaining information from a variety of credible sources.

Students not enrolled in journalism who wish to serve as contributing writers, photographers or graphic artists should contact the editor at theroar@rocklin.k12.ca.us or stop by C-2.

The Roar staff gladly accepts letters to the editor, either by e-mail at the address above or delivered to C-2. All letters must be signed by the writer and may be edited for length or content. Letters submitted via e-mail will be verified. Libelous or potentially harmful content will not be printed. Multiple letters about the same topic may not be printed due to space limitations. For information about advertising, including rates, sizes and discounts, contact The Roar at (916) 632-6500 or e-mail a request to theroar@rocklin.k12.ca.us.

4

entertainment

the roar MAY 2011

ATTACK OF THE SHOWS The coolest days and nights of my life

SYDNEY RODRIGUERA staff writer

WARPED

TOUR 20 My frie 10 nd Am an Tour th is year da and I saw 13 ban includ The Pr ing ds a ett did eve y Wreckless a Nevershoutn t Warped ever, nd We rything Th o Ate gar lic fries ne must do w e Kings. We , got to hile at life sav Warpe the fro in d. nt row, Nevers gs on mercha spent o houtne ndise, ur literall ver’s C crowd y ran in hris of to chilled 13-year-old g tofer Drew a n irls foll with ou owing d the r favor from T him, an ite artis he CAB d ts c were n ot allow ame out for m . When the g uys ed to s e talk to e t a nd-gre hake h th ets, we and perform em. We were bumm s with them ance, t or ed. But here w and th dur ere e le make it ad singer, Ale technical dif ing their fic u x remeet p to his fans ander Deleon ulties by mee him an decide tin dt d like the technic ake pictures. g them. I got to to To this al diffic da ulties w ere fate y, I feel THE CAB: W HAT HAPPEN S IN VEGAS I had made a very unique po TOUR mem ster

to get the atte bers and poss ntion of band ibly get them Deleon, Alex to sign. I got Marshall and recognition fr Alex Johnson om Alex Brandon Wro from The CAB nski from Eye , as well as Alaska. It prov dedication ga ed to me that ve me a great a little bit of opportunity to people. Plus Al talk to some w exander Deleo onderful n kissed my ha had a fantastic nd. In other w night. And th ords, I ough some gi Gerard Butler rls or Jared Pada look to Taylor lecki as their Lautner, favorite hottie favorite celebr is Alex Marsh ity hunk, my all from The C I made my w AB ay to the fron . During the co t row thanks ncert, caused everyo to a drunken ne to dissipat mosher who e th myself right in rough the crow front of his ke d. I decided to yboard so I co of him for pict park uld get the be ures. When he st view came out from the first thing behind the cu he did was kn rtains, eel down and poster for us?” say “Did you I nodded my make that head nervousl the band’s fir y. He then be st song of the gan playing night. And du to me, came cl ring it, knelt do ose to my face wn next and sang to m to do so I just e. I didn’t know smiled and m outhed the w what girl actually go ords right back t film of him to him. A doing this an year. I had all d put it on Yo of my friends uTube last watch it of co lying. But un urse to prove fortunately, th I wasn’t is girl’s YouTub deleted and I e account got never found th hacked and e vi memories, an deo again. Bu d that’s good t that night liv enough for m es in my e.

“You only have one life. Meet as many inspiring people as possible.”

the roar

MAY 2011

entertainment

LADY GAGA: MONSTE R BALL TOUR

I got to Arco four hours before the concert started so I could get the best spot in the general admission area.

I knew the other Gaga fans would be dedicated an d wait out there early. So even though I got ther e four hours early , I was still 30th in line. But I still got myself to the front row successfully. The screens above th e audience read to text a message that everyone in the arena would see. I texted “Scr eam if you love M ama Monster!” and everyone sc reamed. It was a mind-blowing performance an d was everything I had hoped it would be. Gaga proved that not only does she have talent, but she has modesty, kindness and love in her heart.

Her speeches m ade me tear up.

Even though the ticket-takers don’t let you keep your ticket stub at Arco, I have m y Lady Gaga care package to be m y memorabilia.

ROCK BAND 2 LIVE

It was my first general admission concert and my friend Dylans’s first concert, period. Panic!

At the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, The Plain White Tees and The CAB. We ended up successfully moshing our way to the front row. After the Plain White Tees had just finished their last song of the night, “Hate (Really Don’t Like You),” the lead singer, Tom Higgenson jumped off the stage to high-five some fans. Unfortunatelly, Dylan and I missed out and he disappeared behind a curtain. He poked his head back out and the crowd started screaming again. In the heat of the moment, I yelled “Please!

Come back!” And to my surprise, he did! He walked back to the audience, came straight up to me, took both my hands and said “You’re just so cute!” He then proceeded to give me a hug and kiss me on the cheek. And a girl standing behind me started crying.

Needless to say, it was one of the coolest things to ever happen to me.

Photos by Sydney Rodriguera

SIX FLAGS PER

FORMANCES

I went with m y friend Justin to see The Whi after a day of te Tie Affair rollercoaster-r iding. The pe completely so rformance w lid. It sounde as d identical to After the show their recordin , the band mem gs. bers were star their spare gu ting to throw itar picks into the audience which I was ex . I caught one, cited about. Bu t clumsy me, with my butte I dropped it rfingers and an other girl snat ground. I was ched it from th so disappoint e ed because th one. Justin co at was the last uld see I was upset, so he as he could get a ke d set list for me around until to keep. They 30 guitar pick give out arou s for every sh nd ow. But there set lists. It was are only three really special.

I gave Justin th probably mos e biggest and t painful hug I’ve ever give huge kiss on n anyone. Plus the cheek. I w a as determined and get them to meet the ba to sign my se nd t list, so I foug front of a crow ht my way to d of girls to be the one of the fir and-greets. W st in line for m hen Justin an eetd I talked to th “Whoa man, em, Wallace sa can I sign your id shoes? I was ju how cool they st talking abou were during th t e show!” The signed his sh whole band oes and I neve r allowed him long-boardin to wear them g ever again. to go

“Meeting the musicians shows me how far you can go if you don’t let go of goals.”

5

6 entertainment

the roar

MARCH 2011

I will

NEVER

forget the first time I...

JESSICA SYPOLT & ANIKA TERPSTRA staff writers

“...caught my flag in color guard because it was something that I accomplished.”

- Jessica Salvato

“...rode in a helicopter because it was really fun and a cool experience.”

- Josh Meskimen

“...came to America because it was my first time skiing and my first time over seas.”

- Sophie Butler

“...got a concussion it was pretty funny after the headaches.”

- Diego Rosales

“...kissed my boyfriend because it was my first kiss.”

- Jessica Katsuyama

“...sang on a stage in front of 5,000 people because it gave me a passion to perform and gave me a dream” - Lindsay Hendrickson

“...played goalie in water polo because my team was so grateful for it and they still support me.”

- Taylor Descheemaeker

“...made the dance team because it was the most amazing thing.”

- Ciara Lavezzo

“...started driving because it was the most chaotic time with my parents.”

- Aracely Sanchez

“...started high school because it was a lot different than junior high.”

entertainment 7

the roar

MARCH 2011

“...write an essay because I am so tired of feeling like I have carpal tunnel.”

- Hayley Silva

“...have to take tests because they are so stressful.”

- Austin Wittick

“...walk on campus because I’m ready for a new chapter.”

- Maria Lambeth

firsts & lasts When was the last time you hugged someone?

30 minutes ago

68%

over 12 hours ago

32%

What’s the first social media you used? myspace facebook tumblr friendster

“...go to school this year because I’m excited for summer.”

- Hayley Matics

“...take CST testing because it’s not fun.”

- Alyssa Abaco

twitter other

over a year ago recently

forward to the last time I...

39% 1% 3% 2% 8%

When was your last heartbreak? never

I’m looking

47%

42% 33% 25%

When did you recieve your last text message?

5 minutes ago yesterday what’s a text message?

60% 35% 5%

When did you last laugh?

5 minutes ago yesterday it’s been a while

88% 10% 2%

poll based on 166 student responses “...I pole vaulted because it was amazing.”

8 lifestyle

the roar MAY 2011

It happens to

everyone “It’s something everyone should try to avoid.”

Cassandra Burgess, 12 “The best you can try to do is get past it.”

Matt Bishop, 9

“YOU DON’T COMPLETELY EXPERIENCE HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT REJECTION.”

“Rejection’s just that part of high school that everyone has to go through.”

“Rejection happens, but it’s whatever.”

Robby Radakovitz, 11

Masirah Yarbrough, 10

“If they reject you, they’re probably not good enough for you anyway.”

Danielle Ross, 11

“Haters gonna hate, that’s life.”

Alexander Reymont, 12 Photos by Ellis Holdsworth

ELLIS HOLDSWORTH & CHLOE MCCROSSEN staff writers

R

ejection, failure, is just a natural occurrence that makes high school life. Whether it’s college acceptance, sports teams, school dances and asking that certain person out; every angle of high school has rejection.

Many students apply each year for the same college, it’s a no-brainer that not everyone is going to get accepted. There is an increasing rate of competition all around the country between students to be accepted into colleges, and there are always going to be elite students with flawless and enviable GPAs applying for the same college that you are. The average CSU acceptance rate is about 65%: the lowest rate being 31% at CSU Long

Beach, and the highest rate being 84% at Humboldt State University.

The average UC acceptance rate is about 51 percent: the lowest rate being 21percent at UC Berkeley, and the highest rate being 76 percent at UC Riverside. It’s always good to apply for multiple colleges because if you are aiming to attend a prominent college, the odds are that you won’t be accepted to the first one you apply to.

Athletics by nature will always be competitive, including tryouts. The girls’ soccer team and varsity football are most known for being difficult to get on, or for securing a starting position. It is never anything personal for a student to be turned down for a team, it’s just always likely that there are many athletes better at your sport

than you are so a spot on a team is never guaranteed.

There are several dances every school year, and not everyone gets to go with the people they ask. The part of rejection everyone recognizes is being rejected when asking a person to a dance, on a date, or just out in general.

It’s the one aspect people can relate to the most.

Even though rejection hurts, every student goes through it. Some experience all sides of rejections, while others only see one aspect of it, but it’s always there. Being turned down by someone you like, or in any other aspect is almost considered a rite of passage to the true high school experience.

“Rejection happens, but it’s whatever.”

feature 9

the roar MAY 2011

’S LI G UA E N V G T O A TL L E L E SHAI NIELSON

staff writer

Dating and relationships: two major events in high school.

But what about the little things? Kissing, holding hands, going to the movies are some things that most couples like to do together, but what about all the unique aspects of dating that couples cherish? No two couples are alike and each person has their favorite things that the other does or says, and typically the small things are what one enjoys Guys’ favorite Girls’ favorite the most.

little things 14% kissing 14% holding hands 52% just hanging out

“Our “[Nathan] idea of a ‘date’ likes me for who I is going out and getting am. A lot of people change hot wings and root-beer. One when they are in a relationship, minute we can be all lovey and the next we’re joking around, which but that hasn’t happened for us. I love it when we are totally random makes our relationship great and just laugh about nothing and because we’re best friends as everything.” well as boyfriend/girlfriend.”

- Jennifer - Sierra Zellmer Golditch “Sierra is “[Jennifer] never embarrassed always randomly to eat a lot around me, sneaks up behind me and or anything else that a lot of tries to spook me. She always people are uncomfortable with. I comes up with very random and love her so much for this because I original nicknames. My favorite just want her to feel comfortable one in particular is ‘Adorable with being herself around Aphid.’ It’s odd but I like it.” me.”

- Nathan - Miles Birks Greenlaw

little things 22% holding hands 19% morning/night texts 35% forehead/cheek kisses

“[Alyssa] “We and I have almost work well as a a unique language; It team. I like how [Devin] doesn’t always make sense, opens a door for me or pulls but to us it’s just another way of a chair back. We go everywhere showing our love towards each together and are always together. other.”

We’re best friends before - Russell everything else.”

Drumright - Starlyn Snitko “Something “[Starlyn’s] Russ says that’s funny cause she’s unique to our relationship is constantly wanting sushi, ‘I love you to infinity.’ To us, [it] she mentions it all the time. It’s represents our commitment to each other and a reminder to follow through something if she didn’t do anymore, I’d miss. She calls me almost every with the things we believe in. So the night just to say good night which I phrase is sort of our way of saying like, instead of most people who that our love for one another really just text good night.” is infinite.”

- Devin Valdez - Alyssa Golditch

Photo by Shai Nielson

“How he looks me in the eye when he Quote talks to me and shows how much he cares.”

10 feature

the roar

MARCH 2011

12:42 p.m.

9:12 a.m.

in

poin ILAF ESUF & KAVYA PATHAK staff writers

7:30 a.m.

“I usually spend lunch hanging out with friends and talking.”

feature 11

the roar

MARCH 2011

five

ns t

2:46 p.m.

The school’s barren walkways fill up as the day goes by, resounding with the chatter and laughter of 1650 students. Just hours later, these same hallways are empty, still echoing with the sounds of the people who have left. From 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the campus goes between the calm of the morning to the bedlam of lunch, as student go about their day to day lives.

These photos, taken throughout the day, capture snippets of the true life at this school.

5:33 p.m.

“After school I usually go straight home when it’s not tennis season.”

ME 12 feature

the roar MAY 2011

friend

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

EMMA RICHIE staff writer

High school is full of ups and downs. This emotional roller coaster can become unbearable without the perfect best friend. Through the good times and the bad times, a good best friend can get you through anything.

hen I’m my life w

with

f e time o I have th nd. frie my best e Caldwell Ma - Mary ether. time tog r r u o f o t e d mos to and h lk ta We spen to y rite. ally eas my favo She’s re is ty li a n rso weird pe aase H e - Maxie urgery, w s e e n k e my ays. All w er I had Right aft nterey for five d nd movies.

Mo ea went to m servic She o o r r e d a blast. or did was zing and we had in and just ma e pa It was a ff of all th er. o d in m tt took my much be o s l e fe e made m bieg nZ e r - Lau

We have w Our song hat you call a br omance is “You’r . e My Be Queen. st Frien d” by - Walke r Carpe nter My best friend’s ha We’ve b een thro ppiness is my o ugh so m wn. and I do uch n’t gotten o know how I wo together uld ut lowest p of bed everyday have oint in m during th y li e have sha red coun fe without her. W tless tea e less mem rs, and e ories. nd- Mary Mae Ca ldwell He takes the stres s off of h making me laug h. He tur igh school by boring in ns so to - Tyler H something hilar mething ious and olland fun.

“I’m always there for her whenever she needs me.”

feature 13

the roar MAY 2011

ve are s we ha age that e k jo e insid ngu rets and a whole other la The sec g ke havin almost li erstands. nd no one u arpenter rC t prom.

- Walke gether a sk for. to s e v li of our ever a the time d anyone could d a h e W ien e best fr She’s th e Caldwell He’s Ma ughing. la p to - Mary s r I neve e me und him ws how to mak o r a m I’ When ays kno ng bad. and alw y z a r I’m feeli c o n s e h w , even crack up and ds oll est frien b y m - Tyler H h greet ings wit e little th other when we th s y a It’s alw we’re le each we tack freak out when ther w o h e lik e each o we k a w o m h e r, w e each oth gether, and how I love every moto d e s reathe. stres e can’t b w l ti n u laugh h them. ment wit bieg nZ - Laure

We soun d li it always ke an old marrie d e tears in nds up with bre couple fighting athless la our eyes b . ughs an ut - Laure d n Zbieg We were both pre tt school s ince we y much new kid s at the b o We’ve b een atta th moved from o c ut he first Fres hmen fo d at the hip eve of town. r since th otball pr - Walke actice. e r Carpe nter He alwa ys When w does stupid and e went c reckless am th of the to p of this ping, he went to ings. tree into jump ou went to the t jum broke his p the branch b lake but when h roke and e arms. It h was pro worst m bably th e fell and oment s e fu ince we’v - Tyler H e been fr nniest but olland iends.

She sat on cried wit the curb in fron t of my h h me wh ous en my h out but o o u ur se sold. e and I moved Her well friendship only bein be though w g is essential to came stronger. e my own . Even stronger don’t talk every day we than any are still one.

- Mary Mae Ca ldwell We run a ro door-bell und neighborho ods -d Youtube itching or simply like Navy Seals videos to , making ge awesom together e it’s hilar ther. Whenever iou we’re - Walke r Carpe s and so fun. nter He has h elped m e throug and gott h the ha en me th rd ti ro times ju st by ma ugh some of my mes king me lowest wouldn’t laug be - Tyler H the same with h. High school out him. olland

walk people to g in z a m h when such a high wit to have ld e meh s d It’s nice mean so ds. r hea u d o n a d n g a gradin t frien strong be so de r any better bes n a c le p peo ask fo couldn’t times. I n Zbieg - Laure fficial. ebook o c a F n e v It’s e brother.

He’s my arpenter C -Walker ion nest opin e so o h is h giving ercom me and d me ov e to lp g e in h n s Liste ol. ns ha igh scho y decisio about m dy throughout h ea much alr and oll H l, my - Tyler h schoo on’t it w s s e a to str all. I d nd dram d me through it hout ie fr y o b From ool wit e helpe nds hav survive high sch ie fr t s e b ld w I wou know ho them. n Zbieg - Laure

“I’m there for her whenever she needs me.”

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT

14 technology

the roar

MARCH 2011

EMMA GETZ staff writer

T

he option to take an AP class has always been a well thought out decision among many students, but some high schoolers neglect to remember the consequences that may come with the course. AP classes can be used to gain college credit, experience, or just the pride included with completing any of the extreme tests. But, is the stress really worth the prestige?

As the end of the school year approaches, the stress of AP tests grow among the student body.

However each individual has their own way of studying that suits them.

“I started reading over my textbook about a month before the test, and just taking mental notes. And then a week before, Mr. Bryant started having after school study sessions which I went to everyday,” AP World student, Kayyla Wenger, said.

AP classes are usually for people who are willing to put in the time and effort, but when people mistake them as easy college credit, the going gets tough. A lot of students go into AP classes with the idea that it is just an easy, college version of the regular class but they are sadly mistaken. With these rigorous classes, the curriculum is likely to include more of your energy, hard work, and dedication to the ongoing struggle that is an AP course.

“It’s a lot more work than people in regular classes give it credit for. All AP classes are really time consuming, and I don’t think everyone realizes that,” Anna Madesn said.

With any AP course comes a huge test at the end of the year that determines whether or not you can get credit for a college. According to Mrs. Roisin Leroy, there a total of 541 AP exams. You must get at least a 3 on the test (which includes multiple choice and several hand-written essays) to pass. This may not seem like a big number, but the highest a student can get is a 5. Which, if achieved, automatically boosts your grade to an A+ for both semesters of the class.

This may seem like a ticket to a high GPA, but the work to get there is extremely intense.

“The best advice I could give is if you’re going to load up on AP classes, don’t expect it to be easy.” Madsen said.

“The multiple choice section wasn’t that bad, but it’s the essays that got me. They expect you to be able to write and remember everything that ever happened in the history of the world,” said Wenger.

So, the AP courses can be a huge GPA boost for a lot of people. But if you’re not willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears that come with the stress of the class, then forget it.

Is the pressure the worth prestige?

“If you’re going to load up on AP classes, don’t expect it to be easy.”

sports 15

the roar MAY 2011

MAKE THE 15 VARSITY TEAM

little thing #

Making varsity for any sport is an accomplishment, but it doesn’t come the same for everyone ROBERT PARKER editor-in-chief

O

ne of the biggest parts of a high school student’s life is playing sports, and ultimately playing on the varsity squad. Getting on varsity comes from hard work and dedication to the team. For some, it takes years to attain the coveted spot. But for others, it could be their very first year.

Some sports, like football and basketball, have freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams, segregating the freshman and sophomore classes from the junior and senior varsity squad. But in sports like wrestling, anybody can play JV or varsity.

“The best wrestler at each weight is varsity. It doesn’t matter what grade they are... Everybody in each weight class wrestles each other, and whoever wins all the matches is varsity,” wrestling coach Dan Parker said.

This is evident in the case of Andrew Gomez, a freshman who earned his varsity letter his first year on the team.

“It’s a privilege (to be on varsity). I’m trying to get a scholarship one day and I try my hardest at practice everyday,” Gomez said.

Gomez is trying to be a four-year varsity wrestler like his teammate Julio Ceron and alum Jordan Achanzar, both of whom were section champions at some point in their wrestling career.

However, unlike other sports, if a varsity wrestler isn’t performing his or her best, they can be replaced by a JV player almost instantly.

“You can’t become complacent; just because you’re a junior or senior doesn’t mean you’re automatically varsity. A freshman can beat a senior for the varsity spot. So you always have to work hard to

1

get and keep your varsity spot. We have challenges once a week. The JV wrestler will challenge the varsity wrestler and if they beat them, they’re varsity,” Parker said.

But in sports like football and volleyball, both of which senior Garrett Longacre played all four years, varsity players can only be replaced by another varsity player in the game.

“Being on varsity, you feel more experienced now. As a freshman or on JV, you still don’t quite know what you’re doing, but on varsity, it’s like ‘I think I know what I’m doing now.’ You feel confident.

It was hard freshman and sophomore years learning how to play the sport you’re playing, and at varsity, it just comes down to perfecting it, and that’s the more difficult part,” Longacre said.

2

Photos by Robert Parker 1. Longacre practices setting before the game against Placer on March 10.

2. Gomez picks his opponent up during his varsity match against Mira Loma on Jan. 12.

“I haven’t had a summer in the last four years. In the end, it was totally worth it.”

16 lifestyle

the roar

MARCH 2011

Youarewhere you

eat...

“I sit in the cafeteria. I definitely think where people sit at lunch really shows the different groups we have on campus. The only thing that bugs me is excessive PDA. It drives me insane. School is not a place to be all over each other, just go home.”

BRITTANY CAMPBELL & MARGARET TINKER staff writers

Cassie Nutter

cafeteria

“I sit right in front of the snack bar, it’s where my friends hang out but we move every year. People around us can get annoying because they play stupid games and they throw stuff. I don’t think where you sit determines your social status. People can sit wherever they want and people won’t care at all.”

Daniella Banham

ramp tables

“I sit at the tables even though all the stupid freshmen annoy me.”

Kody Szuh Photos by Margaret Tinker

“I don’t think where you sit determines your social status.”

lifestyle17

the roar

MARCH 2011

“I usually sit in the library to read or study.

Sometimes I’ll go out but I have a lot of difficult classes so I would rather stay in the library and study. I don’t really think there’s popular or non-popular destinations.

There’s popular kids in the library.”

Andrew Sherriff

class

library

grass

“We sit in Mr. Zawacki’s room because it’s nice and quiet. We don’t get bugged and there’s no drama. At the tables everyone’s screaming and it’s chaotic downstairs. I definitely think there is a popular table. The one in the cafeteria next to the parking lot.

It’s always been the popular table.”

Mercedes Royce

“I normally sit by the trees because that’s where my friends sit. Some people around us can get really annoying because they do idiotic things that can be annoying to others.

I think that most groups have two leaders and the rest are just followers and then there are sub groups where no one’s really a leader.

That’s like my group.”

Zach Zwickl

“Sometimes I sit in the ROTC room, myself having gone through ROTC I don’t really think about our school having social status.”

Marissa Gedde “It’s always been the popular table.”

rotc

18 feature

the roar MAY 2011

Do you love

every one of them?

Photo by Amanda Peterson JESSICA RANDHAWA staff writer

L

ights off, strobe lights flashing and people dancing all around. At each school dance throughout the year there is always something new waiting for guests to see.

“I love going to the school dances and having an amazing time with friends. There are always new things like decorations and the way the dance is set up when you go to one of them,” Heidi Miller said.

With seven dances this year, everyone had their favorite. Some like Sadies while others like Homecoming.

“Homecoming is by far my favorite dance because there is always a new theme for the dance and the spirit week makes you even more pumped up for it,” Michelle Latini said.

People have their opinions as to

Attending a school dance is part of the high school experience

why Homecoming and Sadies are bigger dances and others have such low attendance by comparison.

“I think that Sadies and Homecoming are bigger dances because they have themes and people get to dress up in cute dresses for Homecoming and get to match in cute outfits for Sadies. Sadies is also a bigger dance because the girls get to ask the guys to the dance, which is different from the guys always asking the girls,” Miller said.

The Valentine's dance is one of the two dances that is not embraced by students as much as the others.

“I think people don’t go to the Valentine’s dance because they think that they have to have a date for it; otherwise it is weird to go alone,” Miller said.

The winter dance is another dance that does not get as much love as

Photo by Kyla Sebens

Photo by Lauren Roudebush

Sadies and Homecoming.

“I think the only reason that people don’t go to the winter dance is because they know that it is not that big of a dance, even though it is still a fun dance,” Latini said. It has a casual theme that varies annually and usually takes place in early December.

However, some people do not go to the dances at all.

“I don’t go to the dances because I don’t like to clear any of my detentions,” Jackson Luboda said.

With prom and senior ball reserved for juniors and seniors respectively, Sadies was the last regular dance.

The Last Chance dance set for May 20 was canceled due to a scheduling conflict with the dance show, so underclassmen ready to dance will just have to gear up for August when the popular blacklight returns for the Welcome Back dance.

Photo by Ashley Nolivo

“The dances at our school are so much fun and I love them.”

Photo by Amanda Peterson

lifestyle 19

the roar MAY 2011

take a vacation! places to

GABBI FORREST & AMY LU staff writers

escape S

• baseball game • Warped Tour in Marysville/ Mountain View • a concert at Club Retro or the Boardwalk • Sacramento Zoo • San Francisco • Six Flags Discovery Kingdom/ Magic Mountain • Disneyland • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

chool is coming to a close and summer is a couple days away. Everyone’s awaiting the moment when that last bell rings on June 2 and kids bust out of their classrooms, possibly throwing papers and singing in an oddly familiar “High School Musical”esque celebration straight from middle school.

Summer means one thing for teens: freedom. No waking up at unreasonable times, no more dress codes, no more put that phone away or I’ll take it and no more homework, tests or worrying about Essential Skills.

“I’m stressed because the year is ending and classes went by so fast.” Nicole Malvase said.

Some kids are venturing to Cabo, Santa Cruz or even

China, while others are just planning to catch up on the hours of sleep lost over the school year.

“I plan on going to Warped Tour with my friend Russ this summer,” Max Lofton said.

A lot of teens are planning to take road trips with their friends since many of them have or are getting their license. You can head to Marysville’s Sleep Train Amphitheatre for the yearly Vans Warped Tour, or drive down to San Francisco to catch a Giants game. Or for those without the desire for long road trips, spending the day at Folsom Lake or Sunsplash can be just as fun.

But whether you’re snoozing and surfing on the Internet or exploring the world, summer’s about enjoying your free time and making the most of it.

“The year ending takes a lot of stress off your shoulders.”

20 lifestyle

the roar MAY 2011

Bucket List

HIGH SCHOOL EDITION

MARGARET TINKER

staff writer

1. Go to prom 3. Stay 2. Get detention up all n ight o d o t 4.

Get a job w o h n 5. Lear 6. Fall in love the laundry 8. Skip a day o7. Get your license f schoo l 9. Go to a concert 10. Join a club 11. Go to a foot ball game 12. Participate in Homecoming week ance d a o t e meon o s 14. Ace a test in k s A .

13 your hardest c lass Visit colleges cook 17. Go o15.

16. Learn to n a road t rip with fr iends yed a l 18. go to a crazy party p r e v e n e ort you’ v p s a r o f t u 20. Ma yo ke a v1a9. Tr 21. Get accepted into college rsity te am ate u d a r G .

2 23. Do something important 2

24. MAKE MISTAKES AND LEARN “Do everything that you can because high school goes by way too fast.”