wj brennan high school san antonio, texas 78253 volume five

n Bluetooth or Bust, Page 2 n See Who Signed, Page 3 n Love Messages , Page 4-5 n Make. Break Valentine’s , Page 6 n Our Song , Page 8
The Paw Print
W.J. BRENNAN HIGH SCHOOL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78253 VOLUME FIVE - ISSUE THREE FEBRUARY 2015
PG 2
NEWS
BLUETOOTH OR BUST
CAN YOU FEEL
THE LOVE?
Photo by Nina Valdez
HANDS-FREE ORDINANCE EFFECTS STUDENTS’
PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
CHOIR SINGS DISNEY
SONGS FOR
VALENTINE’S DAY
BY ALEX CZAJA
With the grace period over, the new
hands-free law, which took effect Jan. 1,
police officers have begun cracking down
on drivers who violate the ordinance’s
policy of not holding a cell phone unless
using a hands-free device. People can use
Bluetooth or simply place it on the lap.
Of course, if a person looks down to
dial or answer the phone, this person has
violated the new ordinance.
Since police officers on campus can
issue citations, this ordinance definitely
affects students.
“In a school zone, we can issue a
citation for fines up to $200, not including
court costs or the cost for your attorney’s
fee,” Officer Jennifer Perez said.
With most students living just outside
city limits, the law cannot directly affect
them off campus, however, Officer Perez
recommends obeying it anyway.
Photo Illustration by Alex Chavez
Caught Red-Handed. Police officers take serious
when people, like senior Nicholas Cunningham, text
while driving; officers will hand out citations .
CHANGE IS
GOOD
TIME WILL TELL
BY BEN MANTANONA
For the fifth time, Brennan Air Force
JROTC held their change of command
ceremony, naming junior Michael Robles
as the 2015-2016 corps commander Jan.
28. With many parents present, JROTC
administration also named new staff
positions for next year. Many cadets,
as well as instructors, believe these
new staff members have an enormous
amount of potential, enough to make the
young JROTC program even better.
New leadership looks more than
qualified, especially at the top.
“As drill team commander, [Robles]
put Brennan’s drill team on the map with
consistent top ratings against the top drill
teams in the State of Texas,” said Col.
Michael Baker, the Senior Aerospace.
Robles is also “in the top 3 percent of
cadets completing community service
“I still think it is a good practice to
still abide by the city ordinance and not
text and drive. Just not even picking it up
and using it in the car. Get into that habit
because it’s about to be state wide and
throughout all counties,” Perez said.
Students such as junior Dakota
Arguijo find it difficult to put down the
phone but are willing to follow to new
ordinance.
“Cell phones are a huge danger
when it comes to driving, so really, the
challenge is ignoring the temptation
of using our phones. It’s for the safety
of everyone else, including our self,”
Arguijo said.
Others, however, are not willing
to give up texting and driving and will
instead find modified ways to continue
their habits.
“The new no-hands rule is going to
affect my habits of texting and driving
because now I have to be more sneaky
about it, as bad as that sounds. I know
texting and driving can be really harmful,
but I feel like I’m pretty good about
watching the road and being able to do
something on my phone,” a student, who
declined to give a name, said.
Regardless of how students feel
about the ordinance, officers are on the
lookout and will catch students breaking
the law.
As Officer Perez says, “Just don’t
do it.”
hours with 142 during the first semester,
and an excellent student with an overall
98 GPA in all classes.”
Former staff member Luke De Leon,
the operations officer who controls the
JROTC teams, believes they have powerful means of making the corps better.
“The new staff is dependable. They
are going to take on a lot of stress, and
many more struggles that we faced in the
staff ... But, they are also very influential
to the corps. They will change ROTC,”
Cadet Major De Leon said.
Corps Commander Robles, who
holds the responsibility for almost
everything that happens in JROTC, has
the qualifications for the lead position.
According to Col. Baker, positive reports
from the summer camp commanders
confirm Robles’s attributes.
“It feels absolutely great; the pressure
is the kind of pressure I’ve never had to
deal with; this amount of people counting on me,” Robles said.
Great pressure is put on the new staff
members because huge things are expected
from them at all times. New cadets in the
corps look at these new staff members
as a symbol of JROTC; all are looked up
to. With different jobs, each staff mem-
BY ALEX CZAJA
Bailey2. Juniors Bailey Jones and Madison Bailey
belt out “When She Loved Me,” a song by Sarah
McLachlan, featured in “Toy Story 2,” a movie
distributed by Disney.
Singing a diverse, energetic and wellknown medley of Disney songs, choir
performed their third concert of the
year Feb. 10 in the spirit of friendship,
love and affection.
This concert was unique in that all
choirs sat on the auditorium stage while
a mixture of soloists, individual choir
and group songs were performed, all to
the theme of Disney.
“It was a nice, relaxing, non-stressful
concert,” junior Bailey Jones said. “It
was very different.”
Jones was just one of eight soloists
to perform in between breaks in the
medley, along with junior Madison Bailey
who wrote a harmony for the duo’s
performance of “When She Loved Me,”
from “Toy Story 2.”
Photo by Juan Gavia
“I didn’t want it to be like everybody
else. We wanted some extra edge to it,”
Bailey said.
Another stand out soloist, junior
Matthew Bagesse performed two solos,
“Hakuna Matata,” from the “Lion King,”
with junior Joseph Esquivel and “Love
Is An Open Door,” from “Frozen” with
senior Hope Schweers.
“Disney is a personal favorite of
mine just because it’s a lot of fun to act
it out and to show the happiness and
joy and to portray that up on the stage,”
Bagesse said.
With a mix of playful choreography
and silly songs, choir combined the fun
of Disney with the season of love for an
exciting and passionate performance.
UPCOMING CONCERTS
n Thursday, Feb. 26 – New York
Concert – 6:30 p.m.
n Thursday, April 9 – Classic Idol
Concert – 7 p.m.
n Tuesday, May 26 – Summer Blast
Concert – 7 p.m.
ber needs to put forth the
best possible effort to complete corps goals, which
include compliance of the
program, such as uniform
wear and haircuts, plus an
academic goal to motivate
cadets to achieve the highest
grade possible. The former
commander, Brennan
Knighton, believes this
staff has the capability of
bringing the corps to the
next stage of success, such
as higher placements in all Command In Action. Junior Michael Robles, conducting an
citywide competitions.
inspection, will oversee the corps next year as Cadet Commander.
“I think they have been
set up for greatness. They have a lot of
according to past staff officers, but once
potential, and it’s their corps to take.
they understand what is expected of
They will do amazing things, but only
them, they step up.
time will tell,” said Knighton, a senior.
Since change of command occurs
Some struggles will only be temporary,
every year, with this change comes the
though. Still, Vice Corps Commander
opportunity for each staff to go beyond
Zachary Peters will help Robles face any
the mark set for the current year and to
arising issues.
always make the corps even better.
Being on staff is an opportunity to
But as what Cadet Knighton said,
make things better. It takes a massive
“only time will tell.”
amount of responsibility to operate
the entire corps, and stress is part of
a position. It’s rough for them at first,
PG 3
SPORTS
HIGHWAY TO NCA
BRENNAN CHEER CLAWS WAY UP TO THE NCA’S
BY BEN MANTANONA AND LIDIA GARZA
On Top of the World. The advanced team lifts senior captain Celeah
LeBlanc in the air.
The varsity cheer team worked their way to the
National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) senior and
junior high school national championship’s two-day
competition, performing in the Dallas Kay Bailey
Hutchison Convention Center for the fifth consecutive
year.
The novice team placed fifth in the competition,
contending against 22 other schools, earning a raw score
of 93.95. The advanced team placed third against seven
other schools, having the highest scoring routine on day
one, ending with the highest raw score, although, losing
points due to illegal stunts, in which the side stunts of
the pyramid lacked or did not have a backspot.
“During our rigorous practices the team had a
lot of patience, dedication, sacrifices, motivation and
mental as well as physical preparation,” said sophomore
Gabriella Alaquinez, a team manager.
On top of the deductions, sophomore Lauryn
Acron, tore her meniscus during the routine on the first
day, making the judges stop the team. At that point,
junior Kyla Puckett stepped up to perform in Acron’s
place, giving the team only 10 minutes to prepare, get
back on the performance mat and continue the routine.
Fortunately, the judges only scored from the time the
routine was stopped to when they finished their second
attempt.
“I did everything in my power to perform at the
best of my ability before we got on the mat to perform.
[Coach Cynthia] Ferrel always says to each of us to
leave the mat with ‘no regrets,’ and I made sure I left
that mat with ‘no regrets,’” said junior Kyla Puckett,
one of the performing cheerleaders.
Despite the injury, the cheerleaders returned with
a tremendous amount spirit and pride in what they
accomplished, although not placing in the top three slots.
“We performed like champs on day two. We
worked, and it showed. We stuck all our stunts and
executed every motion. Our cheer was amazing and our
dance was the best we’ve ever done,” said senior Celeah
Le’Blanc, the captain. “At the end of the day, we hit a
perfect performance.”
Round up. The advanced team is waiting for the music to start before
they begin their routine.
SEE WHO SIGNED
STAR SENIOR ATHLETES COMMIT TO COLLEGES
BY ALEX CHAVEZ
Makai Green – Trinity University
“I am very excited! I feel extremely blessed to have
the opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious
schools in the country and play football.”
Photo by Taylour Foster
Photo by Taylour Foster
Photo by Taylour Foster
Mitchell Watanabe – Sam Houston State
“Very excited and very blessed for this opportunity.
Feels good because it finally paid off.”
Jaelan Collier – Hardin-Simmons University
“I feel relieved because the recruitment process was
long, difficult, fun and tiring. I also feel accomplished
because I am the first in my family that is going to go
to college right after high school.”
Other signees include: Da’Shawn Key to University of the Incarnate Word, Nicholas Moore to Doane College, Troy Irby to Texas A&M Kingsville, Ben Degree to Blinn
Junior College, Celeah LeBlanc to Blinn Junior College and Mario Carette to Mary-Hardin Baylor.
THE PAW PRINT STAFF
AND SUPPORT
EDITORS
Editor-In-Chief – Alex Czaja
Assistant Editor - Jennifer Kirk
Photo Editor - Alex Chavez
Principal – Gerardo Marquez
Academic Dean – Margaret Greff
Adviser – Fernando Serna
STAFF WRITERS: Austin Erb, Orlando Fernandez, Lidia Garza, Juan Gavia, Allen Graham, Nadya Herrera, Benjamin Mantanona, Joseph Sandoval,
Monique Terry, Erin Urbina and Joshua Smallwood.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sara Nava, Nina Valdez and Gerardo Gonzalez.
The Paw Print is a student-produced open forum, published multiple times a year by the newspaper class at William J. Brennan High School, under the direction of
Adviser Fernando Serna, with support from Academic Dean Margaret Greff. The views expressed in the stories published reflect only the opinions of the writer, and not
the entire publication staff, student body, faculty, staff or administration.
Student writers and editors adhere to Northside Independent School District and Brennan High School policies as outlined in the student handbook. NISD does not
discriminate on the basis of color, race, origin, age, sex, or handicap.
Businesses and organizations interested in advertising with The Paw Print should contact the newspaper adviser for rates by calling 398-1250 or emailing
[email protected]. The Paw Print reserves the right to refuse any potential advertisers.
Letters to the editor or letters to the staff are encouraged under the following guidelines: letters must be signed and delivered to room C110. All rights reserved.
No part(s) of this newspaper publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any fashion without the consent of the publisher.
SEASONAL SCOOP
PG 4
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Dear Mr. Valentine,
I’ve been talking to this girl for a few weeks now,
and she seemed interested in me. I felt the same. But
… all of a sudden … she just stopped talking to me.
I’ll make conversation, and she’ll give me yes-or-no
answers. Where … did I go wrong? How do I know if
she’s still interested?
From Josh Kruithof.
Dear Josh,
You done messed up man! You’ve been talking
to her for a few weeks? WEEKS!? Come on man, it’s
flirting 101 – if you don’t propose within the first three
days, ladies lose interest! Luckily, all isn’t lost yet. There’s
a full-proof solution that works 100 percent of the
time. It’s called the “Be mean to her, and she will come
running back” solution! Every time you see her, insult
her! Every time she talks to you, act like she doesn’t exist! Girls go for this kinda stuff! I guarantee she will be
crawling back to you in no time!
Yours truly,
Victor.
Dear Anonymous,
I get the sense you are worried about your
boyfriend running away with his friends, starting a
kazoo band and leaving you for his love of disco jazz
music. You weren’t worried about that before? Well,
you should be! “I’m going to hang out with the guys”
is standard guy code for “I’m going to go fulfill my
dreams of kazoo-playing, and there’s nothing you can
do to stop me!” Sorry young lady, but the truth of the
matter is … your man is long gone. My advice: break
it off now. Don’t tell him why; just explain you know
what he’s doing. He will catch your drift and … never
talk to you again.
Yours truly,
Victor.
Dear Victor Valentine,
What do you get guys for Valentine’s Day? Obviously flowers and stuffed bears aren’t going to do it.
What exactly do guys want on this holiday?
From Brooke Hanson.
Dear Victor,
Dear Brooke,
Recently my boyfriend has been blowing me off to
Rat poison! Guys love rat poison! What says I
go hang out with his friends. I was okay with it at first, but
love you more than “Hey I just want to make sure you
now it’s happening more often, and we hardly have anytime don’t have football sized rodents in your house” You
together. How can I tell him I want to spend more time
might not believe this, but back in the 1900s, rat poison
with him without sounding needy or controlling?
was the go-to-gift for high-class young men. Trust me
From an anonymous student.
Brooke, getting your man a big bucket of rat poison will
really show him how much you care!
To J
are
Yours truly,
Rice d
Victor
You
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Continued on page 8.
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From
Alex
PSST, THIS IS FOR
SINGLE PEOPLE ONLY
HOW YOU CAN ENJOY VALENTINE’S DAY ALONE
BY ALEX CHAVEZ
fly
or being the
r my wings.
With Valentine’s Day just around the
corner, couples are gearing up for what is sure
to be another great opportunity to show their sigour Dino
nificant other how they really feel. Eating chocolate
hearts, buying huge bears and paying for expensive
dinners – just a few of the fun-filled activities everyone
will enjoy on Valentine’s Day … everyone except for
you … yes, you!
Every couple around you will surely have a great
Saturday, and what will you be doing?
That’s what I thought. But hey, maybe you are just
a free spirit who refuses to bend to this materialistic
holiday made famous by huge corporate candy
companies … or you’re just lonely.
It’s probably that one.
Don’t worry, though. Being lonely isn’t something
to be ashamed of. In fact, now you have the opportunity to take part in even better fun-filled activities this
Photo Illustration by Alex Chavez
Lonely Hearts Club. Sophomore Victoria Schulze spends Valentine’s
Day alone ... eating chocolate.
.
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Valentine’s Day! Activities that may or may not include:
Watching all the episodes of (Insert show of your
choice) all by yourself!
So you hear couples planning a movie night for
their Valentine’s celebration? Joke’s on them! Ten bucks
a person, expensive snacks and crying babies are all
you get when going to the theatre. But you are smarter
than that! You’re going to sit back at home and bingewatch all the episodes of that TV show you’ve been
putting off watching. The best part? You’ll be all alone!
Doesn’t solitude sound great?
Wait until after Valentine’s Day to buy the clearance candy!
Pay full price for some generic chocolate? Nope!
Not you! You are better than that. You’re the type of
person who will be a dollar-saver and wait for after
Valentine’s Day to raid the stores for clearance candy!
Some may call it cheap and sad, but it’s actually moneysmart (frugal is the word) and totally not sad.
Tweet (or Facebook) about how happy you are to
be alone!
What do you do when no one else cares about you
but your narcissistic self ? Tweet about it of course!
Let all of your friends (or lack of) know how glad
you are to be alone and how “you don’t need a man
(or woman) to make you happy!” Let all the other
couples know you’re laughing at how they bend to
the corporate holiday known as Valentine’s Day!
And what better way to show them than a barrage
of re-tweets about “American Horror Story,” sad
song lyrics or Grumpy Cat!
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PG 6
FEATURE
MAKE IT, BREAK IT
THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Photo Illustration by Lidia Garza
PREVENT DATING MISTAKES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN
BY LIDIA GARZA
On Valentine’s Day almost everyone,
especially those who have significant
others, expresses affection in lieu of
the holiday. But just how easily can this
lovey-dovey holiday celebration take an
unexpectedly sour turn with an unintentional mishap?
While the celebratory love fest that
characterizes Saint Valentine’s Day may
paint a lovely image in many minds, that
idea could crumble with thoughtless
actions or misspoken words. Watch out
and take note of some do’s and don’ts
of dating for a smooth and charming
Valentine’s Day.
Pet Peeves
Minuscule mistakes or thoughtless
actions, while perhaps not grave, can still
create for a pesky and annoying bother.
A common issue amongst students – the
payment of the date – who specifically
should pay? Several students expressed
if they are the ones who were invited on
the date, they didn’t expect to pay for it.
“Everyone knows that boys pay on
the first date,” junior Geena Handford
said. “I would hate it if a boy told me
what to order just to make the meal
cheaper, or recommend a salad.”
On the topic of asking people out,
make sure to invite them personally on
Impeding Blooming Love. Intrusive
sophomore Nathan Revilla comes
in (unwelcomed) between
sophomore Tristan Ramos and
freshman Mehghen Hurst.
the date, and not through a friend or
via text. While fear of rejection can be
nerve-wrecking, the invite will appear
much more sincere if done in person.
“I think they should ask you out in
person,” sophomore Veronica Espinoza
said. “It’s more personal, and that’s an
important question that you should ask
face to face.”
Social media has also transformed the
way young people share personal information, including relationship statuses.
Hitting refresh can flood people’s pages
with countless relationship updates, and it
can be quite annoying for some students.
“If you’re in a relationship and
you’re in love, you can post about it, but
don’t obsessively post about it,” junior
Victoria Beiguare said.
Steer Clear
Showing lack of interest or being
uninvolved can be the root of a problem
in a relationship. Demonstrating not
being fully present can be considered
disrespectful too.
“In a relationship, I hate it when
[my date isn’t] interested in what I say
or do,” sophomore Julia Garza said. “If
I tell someone I’m going to meet the
president, I’d hope he’d be happy for me,
and vice versa.”
Photo Illustration by Lidia Garza
Unwanted Flora. Sophomore Olivia Allen is offended by sophomore Garrett Barnett’s leafy bouquet, which
he picked in a field beside the school.
Bringing up past relationships, or
making the comparison of previous
significant others with the current date
is a definite no-no. Hearing “ex” stories
gets tiresome and can very often annoy,
plus it makes for an uncomfortable
atmosphere. Comparing, even if said
compliment seems flattering, puts people
in a competition neither agreed to enter.
“Never talk about or make comparisons
between your present girlfriend/boyfriend
to your ex,” sophomore Danielle Benavente
said. “It’s very uncomfortable to hear
and can be considered disrespectful, as
if you’re more focused on that passed
relationship than the person you’re
presently with.”
Also, holding up a façade does not
just deceive a person’s partner, but it
takes away from one’s own self-respect.
Honesty within a relationship truly
matters the most and should be happen
in any situation.
“If you ever decide to bring your
girlfriend around your friends, don’t treat
her any differently than when it’s just
you both,” sophomore Alek Greer said.
“Don’t let them feel left out or socially
awkward. Give them the same attention
you always do.”
Regardless of the romantic partnership, there stands a reminder that people
aren’t in need of their “other half,” but
are complete on their own. Individuality
and confidence do not derive from other
people but from oneself.
“I think no one should ever be
controlling or have no trust in that
person,” Garza said. “Trust is a sort of
foundation. You should always be your
own independent person.”
UNSOLICITED
ADVICE
COUNSEL OR INTRUDE, OFTEN NEITHER WANTED
BY LIDIA GARZA
Romantic relationships
aren’t always between two
people; parents or friends can
often interfere, either making
for helpful, annoying or at
worst destructive results.
Butting in from friends and
family is common and often
expected when in a relationship, but where do couples
draw the line?
The reason most frequently given
for unasked advice is that of having a
person’s best interest in mind.
While perhaps difficult at first to
understand, senior Julianna Montoya
expresses her change of mind on the
topic. “Back then I didn’t see it from their
perspective as concerned parents; now that
I look back, they had a right to be concerned,” Montoya said. “I value my mom’s
advice and perspective because there have
been multiple times in the past where she
has proven herself right even when I’ve
tried to defy her; she’s been correct.”
Understanding and accepting parents
rules, while momentarily seeming unfair,
can avoid resentments, says sophomore
Ayla McCallister, who was made to break
up with a past boyfriend because of her
parents’ disapproval.
“I’m not happy with it, but I can’t
do much about it. I respect my parents’
decision though,” McCallister said.
Sophomore Olivia Allen doesn’t
share the same perspective on parental
control or concern over independent
romantic relationships.
“My family is more uptight about
it. ‘Don’t do this! Don’t do that,’” Allen
said. “My parents were opposed to me
dating someone, but I didn’t care and
didn’t break up with her until I moved.”
Allen experienced a different
instance where strong parental influence
resulted in a negative.
“My mom thought it would be cute
for someone and I to date, although, I
was a bit skeptical, because even after if
we broke up, our parents would still be
family friends.”
Her fears turned out true.
“Now he’s my ride [to school]. In
general, it’s all been very annoying. I told
him it would afterwards be an issue if we
broke up,” said Allen.
Many people are opposed to friends
butting in unless it’s for genuine advice
and concern. Nothing justifies friends’
meddling, though, especially when
insufficient reason is given.
“If your friend solely says ‘Don’t
date him because I don’t like him,’ that
isn’t satisfactory or appropriate. You
have to have a good reason. I approve of
following the friend code, but if it’s just
something like they simply dislike them,
they shouldn’t interfere,” McCallister said.
Friends can interfere with a relationship in more ways than just through
advice, Allen explains.
“It’s happened where my friends
have also been attracted to the person
I’m talking to. They’ll also try to talk to
that person, or as soon as we would call it
off, they would take a shot with them, it
violates the amazing girl code,” Allen said.
Caution is recommended when
butting into others’ relationships or else
there could be friendship consequences.
“None of my friends have ever
interfered with any of my … relationships and if they did, they wouldn’t be
my friends,” Montoya said.
Valuing and holding in consideration
others’ hopefully supportive and genuine
advice is important and healthy when
balanced with one’s own choice and
decision-making.
CAN’T BUY LOVE
OPINION
Photo Illustration by Alex Chavez
VALENTINE’S DAY BECOMING MORE
MATERIALISTIC
SAY I LOVE YOU
TOO MUCH?
BY ALEX CHAVEZ AND AUSTIN ERB
Size Matters. Junior Alondra Velazquez’s Valentine’s Day gift turns
heads during the passing period.
and find the perfect gift for them, I think is a really nice
gesture,” Medina said.
Opponents of the materialistic argument also
support simplicity when giving gifts, believing those
have the most impact, matter the most.
“It should be something more … on a personal
note. It could be simply a card with a really nice note
inside,” senior Nick Cunningham said. “Those types
of gifts that are really special can really leave a mark on
those people.”
Motives behind Valentine’s Day spending are the
main reasons separating the two views. So while most
students loathe the idea of the cliché Teddy bear and
chocolates, thoughtful gifts like handwritten cards
provide the perfect way to avoid being materialistic.
Photo Illustration by Alex Chavez
IS IT REAL OR JUST A TREND?
BY NADYA HERRERA
Most often in relationships, “I love you” is said
more than often and comes out as easily and as
obliviously as breathing.
In friendships, in partnered relationships and even
in family relationships, those special three words are
said often, maybe to remind people or make them feel
better about themselves, but do people say it too often?
Is it a common thought?
Maybe teenagers “think we need to be in love at this
age,” junior Kayla Menchaca said, about a teen’s rite of
passage, about teens and their feelings.
As if being in love is going to make the rest of
their live falls into place, teenagers often mistake a little
crush, likability, for love. Those words aren’t feelings
that come out of the blue; these words do develop over
time. However, saying those three words can become
meaningless and cliché if the intent behind them no
longer exists And no, being in love will not make a
dream job a reality, or not make a dream lifestyle
suddenly appear.
“We’re in a rush to grow up and have adult feelings
and adult relationships,” junior Kaitlyn Elizondo said.
Young teens, though, do think about becoming
adults and about maturing.
“I love you,” should hold a special meaning and
not be something said to just anyone. Words hold
power, especially these three. They are valuable, and if
they are said when they aren’t meant, it tends to hurt
HEARTS IN THE
CLASSROOM
SHOULD VALENTINE’S DAY
BE CELEBRATED IN SCHOOLS?
BY ALEX CZAJA
Originally a Pagan festival to celebrate fertility,
Valentine’s Day has morphed into a gift-giving holiday,
full of expensive jewelry, chocolate, balloons and giant
Teddy bears.
Every year, the holiday gets more costly; last year
$130.97 was the average amount spent per person
according to CNN. This trend makes the emphasis
on gifts much larger, proving the holiday is more
materialistic than ever.
“I see these kids walking into school with these
huge gifts, and it shows the materialistic side; it doesn’t
show the affection,” senior Asante Covington said.
“People think getting gifts is a sign of affection, when
to me, affection is the gift.”
Valentine’s Day is an annoyance for students who
see the outrageous amount of love-themed presents
particular students flaunt and drag around with them
throughout the day.
“I think [gift giving] is really vain because
Valentine’s Day should be about being with the person
you like and not about walking around showing everybody what you got,” freshman Cassie Woodworth said.
Others, like junior Anisa Medina, believe gift giving
is not shallow, but in fact a way to show people you care,
especially for the one receiving the presents.
“If you really care about someone and want to
show them you love them, taking the time to go out
PG 7
The Struggle. Junior Vonna Williams contemplates whether or not to
say “I love you”.
people emotionally. In some cases, how often it’s said is
exceptional because some people (well, everyone) need
to know they are loved.
“I personally feel we don’t say it enough,” sophomore
Garrett Barnett said. “I feel like people should say it
more.”
Without a doubt, this would make the world a much
better place.
So even though it’s nice to say those special words,
it’s even better to say them when it truly means something to a specific person.
“Saying ‘I love you’ means you completely accept
the person,” senior Elizabeth Garza said. “It means that
you don’t judge them for their strengths, weaknesses,
their decisions, and you understand that they may not
always do the right thing, but in the end, they mean a lot
to you, so it doesn’t bother you.”
Students have restrictions about celebrating certain
holidays in school, mainly because they break district
rules, usually a safety issue. Halloween, for example,
cannot be celebrated since most costumes break the
dress code policy. St. Patrick’s Day is not celebrated to
its fullest extent (no leprechaun outfits allowed) because
not everyone likes green.
On Valentine’s Day, students will often bring in
stuffed animals, some of which can be quite large, as
well as candies, flowers and balloons. Most staff and
administration members overlook most of these items,
while some believe they shouldn’t be allowed in classrooms, as some of these items can distract from the
school workday. (Yes, the 5-foot bear with the 1-foot
heart can get in the way of a PowerPoint presentation,
or it distract the person giving his speech during class.)
Out of all the holidays to ban in schools, Valentine’s
Day should be at the very bottom of the list. Valentine’s
Day is the one time any and all people at school can
show their appreciation for their peers, teachers, custodians and administrators with an act of pure kindness.
“I think that it would be okay if Valentine’s Day
was celebrated in school because the point of the holiday is to show your love and appreciation to others, and
I think it’s important to let people know that you love
and appreciate them,” junior Patricia Centeno said.
If this day of giving was banned outright (students,
after all, do bring gifts), it might only create more problems than it would solve.
“I think that people would do it anyways, so not
much would change,” junior Alahna Guthrie said.
If a total ban were to ever be put on the celebration
of Valentine’s Day, teachers and administrators would
then have to put their energy into stopping the people
who choose to continue their acts of kindness, despite
the rules.
“No, I don’t believe it would make a difference; you
can’t really block a person’s emotions toward another,
and you’re still going to celebrate it with those that you
love,” Centeno said.
It would be a waste of time and effort to ever ban
a holiday that exists only to show kindness to family,
peers and strangers alike. Nothing would be solved or
gained by taking the love out of Valentine’s Day.
Photo Illustration by Erin Urbina
Goodies Snatched. Assistant Principal Oswaldo Garcia takes senior
Andrew Bernal’s Valentine’s Day gift.
PG 8
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ASK VICTOR
GUESS THAT MOVIE
VALENTINE CONT. ARE YOU A ROMANCE GURU?
Dear Victor,
So if there’s something specific I want for Valentine’s
Day, how do I let my boyfriend know? Like, how can I tell
him without openly sounding vain and bratty?
From Vonna Williams.
Dear Vonna,
This is actually a common problem around Valentine’s
Day. “How do I get what I want”? Simple. He can read
your mind! Now I know it sounds like a bad Science Fiction
movie, but it’s true! Guys have a secret power that allows
them to read the minds of women! (Ever see Mel Gibson’s
“What Women Want” movie?) Why do you think so many
women give their men the silent treatment? So, there you
have it. Don’t say anything, and your man will just read your
mind; he’ll take care of it! If he doesn’t, it means he’s lazy
and didn’t take the time to read your mind. In this case, you
should hate him forever, or at least for the rest of the year.
Yours truly,
Victor.
Dear Victor Valentine,
How do I create the perfect Valentine’s date? Where do
we go eat? What kind of movies does she like? What kind
of flowers do I get her? What should I wear? HELP!
From an anonymous student.
Dear Dakota Arguijo, (Yeah, I went there with your real
name.)
You sir … have asked the Godfather of all questions.
The perfect Valentine’s date. Over my four days experience
of being a love guru, I have discovered all the ingredients
to design the perfect date. Quick, pull out a pen and paper
to write it all down! Do you have it? Well, put it back down
because this is a written document, and it’s all already written
down for you goof!
Step 1: Wear something stylish and snazzy, like a pair of
cargo shorts and flip flops with socks!
Step 2: Show her you are environmentally friendly by
not wasting pretty flowers but by giving her some weeds
from your neighbor’s yard!
Step 3: Girls love movies about men cheating on their
wives/girlfriends! Hence, the Lifetime channel. Not sure
why, but they eat that stuff up more than fresh chocolate.
Step 4: And finally, the dinner. Girls love tuna. Not like
mashed up sandwich tuna, but freshly killed raw tuna! You
make this for your girl, and she will be putty in your hands!
Of course, you have to cast the line … and go catch the fish.
Good luck Dakota!
Yours truly,
Victor.
Ask Away. Victor answers some of your most critical Valentine’s
questions.
BY ALEX CHAVEZ
Think you know cheesy love movies? Test your skills by matching all of the following love quotes with their
respected films!
“Do you think our love can take us away together?”
You feel excited and at the same time, terrified. The
“I think our love can do anything we want it to.”
truth is ... you don’t know what you feel except you
know what kind of man you want to be. It’s as if you’ve
“Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what
reached the unreachable and you weren’t ready for it.”
I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most
of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never
“I love how she makes me feel, like anything’s posfeeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m sible, or like life is worth it.”
with you.”
“People who truly loved once are far more likely to
love again. Sam, do you think there’s someone out there
you could love as much as your wife?”
“If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy
shrine, the gentle sin is this. My lips, two blushing
pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a
tender kiss.”
WORD BANK
500 Days of Summer
Sleepless in Seattle
The Notebook
“One dance, one look, one kiss, that’s all we get,
Albert. Just *one shot* to make the difference between
happily-ever-after, and oh-he’s-just-some-guy-I-went-tosome-thing-with-once.”
“When you look in her eyes and she’s looking
back in yours ... everything ... feels ... not quite normal.
Because you feel stronger and weaker at the same time.
OUR SONG
A WAY TO REMEMBER
SOMEONE SPECIAL
BY JOSEPH SANDOVAL
Valentine’s Day: a loved, hated, or ignored holiday.
Those who love it are usually in a relationship, and
some couples have something, such as a poem, particular place, a gift or a movie, which reminds them of their
significant other. Some couples, most young people
with significant others, have a favorite song they call
“their song.”
There are different reasons why a song is special
to a couple; for some, it’s an important part of the
relationship, marking milestones, such as their first date,
their first movie, their first dinner, their first concert.
Senior couple Rene Gomez and Frances Rivera consider their song to be “Roll Up,” by Wiz Khalifa.
“It makes me happy, and it reminds me of the good
times we’ve had,” Rivera said.
Another senior Collin Swayze, in a long-distance
relationship, also has a song that reminds him of his
girlfriend who attends another high school.
“Our song is ‘First Day of My Life,’ by Bright Eyes,
and this is our song because the lyrics remind me of
her. There’s a lyric that goes like ‘I think I was blind
before I met you,’ and I think it describes the effect
she had on me. She’s showed me a lot, and I feel she’s
changed me,” Swayze said.
Emotion, growth and a sense of belonging, all of
this adds to how couples’ songs stay with them and
become a part of their relationship.
Spider-Man
Dirty Dancing
Hitch
Romeo and Juliet
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