Posey named TUHS Teacher of the Year

Volume 99, No. 4
in this
issue
2
3
Dress Code,
cheating
editorials
Winter Week
photo essay
5
What did you
do before you
became a teacher?
Taft Union High School, 701 7th St., Taft, Calif. 93268
Posey named TUHS Teacher of the Year
By Sara Jewell
Features Editor
Music teacher Amanda Posey
was named the 2012 TUHS Teacher of the Year. on Feb. 21. Principal and Superintendent Dr. Mark
Richardson and Teachers Association president Claude Bradford
surprised Posey during her third
period Jazz Band class, presenting
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“Teacher of the Year is always presented to such great teachers, and to
be in that group is intense,” said Posey.
The selection process begins with
teachers nominating deserving colleagues. Then a comittee comprised
of the Teachers Association presiGHQW DQG YLFH SUHVLGHQW DQG ÀQDOO\
the principal considers the nominees
and selects the winner. Posey will
go now compete in the countywide
Teacher of the Year competition,
which will culminate in an awards
FHUHPRQ\RQ%DNHUVÀHOGRQ0D\
“Our teaching staff and the selection committee look for people that go above and beyond for
our students,” said Richardson.
Posey teaches Band, as well as
Piano, Jazz Band and Drum-Line after school. She has been for 16 years,
teaching at TUHS as well as at Maricopa and Roosevelt as a fourth grade
teacher and as a music teacher at
Midway and Lincoln. She attended
%DNHUVÀHOG&ROOHJHIRUWZR\HDUVEHfore transferring to Cal State BakersÀHOGIRUWZRPRUH\HDUVPDMRULQJLQ
Liberal Arts with a minor in music.
“Amanda puts in a ton of time
outside the school hours and gives
VWXGHQWVDQDGGLWLRQDOSODFHWRÀWLQ
and feel like they are a part of something,” said one Teacher in their
nomination form. “She exposes
the students to culture many students would never get without her.”
An example of Posey going above
and beyond would be her part in taking the Taft All-Star Band to Washington, DC last December. The band
had to raise over $50,000, but Posey
said it was well worth the effort.
The band played the Star Spangled Banner in front of the Lincoln
Memorial, where Martin Luther
Jazz Band students celebrate with their teacher, Amanda Posey, when she was named TUHS Teacher of the
Year as part of the Kern County Teacher of the Year program. She will move on to the county competition.
Photo by Bill Wolfe
King Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream”
speech. Posey recalls the most rewarding part was playing at the
World War II Memorial for veterans.
Her favorite memory of the trip was
seeing the Lincoln Memorial at night.
“Seeing the Lincoln Memorial at night was beautiful; it left
me speechless,” she recalled.
Faculty and staff alike were
pleased to learn of Posey’s selection
as Teacher of theYear.
“Amanda is a great teacher,” said
Greg Gossen, TV Prodution teacher
and Renaissance advisor. “I’m inspired by her energy and focus.”
“It couldn’t happen to a better
person,”commented
Attendence
Clerk Pam McCormick.
“ [ Amanda is a ] great choice!”
said Bridge teacher Rosemary Day.
“I’m thrilled with the regimented
program she and her husband Vic
run.
Junior David Norton admires
“her perserverence. She never gives
up on anybody. She believes everybody has a chance, and she thrives
to make them the best that they can
be.”
Principal/Superintendent Mark Richardson, left, and TUHS Teachers
Association President Claude Bradford surprised Amanda Posey in
the middle of her Jazz Band class to inform her that she had been
chosen as the district’s Teacher of the Year on Feb. 21. Photo by Bill
Wolfe
Posey has big plans to take
the band forward next year, even
though they will not be traveling
out of state. Posey said she plans to
“win everything” and wants all the
Winter Week activities keep spirits up
By Tina Perez
Editor-in-Chief
6-7
8
Standout
winter
athletes
Channing
Tatum makes
girls swoon in
The Vow
February 28, 2012
Monday, Feb. 13 marked the
beginning of Winter Week 2012.
Throughout the week, the school
celebrated Art Week, in which students showcased their skills with
chalk art and other exhibitions.
The celebration kicked off with
“Class Colors” Dress-Up Day, with
freshmen in purple, sophomores in
SLQNMXQLRUVLQJUHHQDQGVHQLRUVLQ
red. Faculty members wore orange.
The Junior Class hosted lunchtime games, with four students
representing each class, trying to
draw the best Wildcat chalk drawLQJVHQLRUVWRRNÀUVWSODFH
That evening Movie Night
was held in the Quad, with
free refreshments and snacks.
6WXGHQWV HQMR\HG D VKRZLQJ
of “Soul Surfer.”
The festivities continued on
Tuesday, with “Follow Your Dream”
Dress-Up Day; students wore costumes representing their future careers. Seniors held a Grub Game at
OXQFKLQZKLFKVWXGHQWVKDGWRÀQG
a hard candy at the bottom of a root
EHHU ÁRDW 7KH VRSKRPRUHV ZHUH
victorious. The Jazz Band provided
music, playing a medley of pop/rock
other schools to know Taft means
business. She wants to get her students motivated to be the best.
“This is their band program, and
it is a legacy of pride,” she said. Drug, alcohol
policies updated
DQGFODUL¿HG
By Kayla Spoonemore
Sports Editor
Many students here at Taft High
may not know what the drug and alcohol policies are. The policies were
recently updated and are posted in the
Student Handbook. The administration crafted the policies, which were
then approved by the school board.
Taft High does drug testing and
has a drug dog visit campus several
times a year. Drug testing is set for
These colorful portraits were just some of the week’s featured work a random date and only students
by students in Sophie Rasmussen’s Art classes. For more photos, see on contract are tested, which means
the Winter Week photo essay on page 3. Photo by Tina Perez
the student and his or her parents
have signed the contract and agreed
music in the quad at lunch.
dents. Students entertained them- to be tested. Students can also be
Wednesday was “Sports” Dress- selves with a Dance Dance Revolu- tested if a district employee thinks
8S 'D\ DQG VWXGHQWV ZRUH MHUVH\V tion station, Pie in the Face station, WKH VWXGHQW LV XQGHU WKH LQÁXHQFH
“We take drug and alcohol
and uniforms, and sophomores water balloon throwing game and
sponsored a Grub Game, which was a hectic game of Musical Chairs. abuse very seriously,” said Asa messy scavenger hunt for M&Ms.
Winter Week concluded with the sistant Principal Rona Angelo.
If the students’ drug test results
Thursday was “Crazy Day,” with Winter Sports rally in the gym on
students wearing a multitude of Friday. The basketball and soccer are positive, the student is up for
FUD]\RXWÀWVPL[LQJVRFNVVXVSHQG- teams were honored and the crowd expulsion. The administration then
ers, shirts, etc. A carnival took place HQMR\HGDGXQNLQJFRQWHVWLQZKLFK asks the board to suspend the exat lunch in the quad, with students MXQLRU6WHYHQ*HHDWWHPSWHGWRMXPS pulsion, which allows the student
participating in several activities put over a miniature quad and dunk a to stay in the Taft High district, so
on by ASB. Free popcorn and TUHS ball. At lunchtime, Jamba Juice was he or she can continue with school
souvenir cups were given to stu- available for students to purchase. continued on page 2
News & Opinion
Page 2
Gusher Editorials
Gusher editorials represent the voice of The Gusher. They
are written in collaboration by The Gusher’s editorial board
(see masthead at lower right).
Time to stop the cheating
epidemic and put “honor”
back into the Honor Code
How many times have you
plagiarized on a Milestone Essay, or cheated on a test, or copied
your friend’s math homework?
There is a complete disregard
for the Honor Code on this campus.
There is a much simpler alternative to
cheating -- actually doing your work.
One thing that students who
cheat often forget is that the grade
they receive is unmerited. Is it
fair that a student who does his
or her work gets a lower grade
than the student who cheated?
The repercussions do not only
affect the perpetrator but also their
classmates. If a student cheats on a
test, the teacher will make it harder
to cheat by making the test harder.
The old saying, “Cheaters never
prosper” may no longer hold true.
In high school it seems that cheaters are rewarded constantly, while
the ethical student feels pressure
to compete with the standards
put forth by dishonest students.
Plagiarism is especially serious in
higher-level classes like Honors, AP
and college courses. These classes are
notoriously competitive and usually
attract clever, but lazy, students. The
reason that cheating is much more
serious in these classes is that grades
mean a great deal to these ambitious,
college-bound students, and breaking the Honor Code could leave a
potential blemish on their record.
Teachesrs need to wake up to the
reality in their classrooms. Students
are relentlessly inventive when it
comes to cheating, and personal
technology has only served to aid
and abet them.
Teachers need to make several
YHUVLRQVRIPDMRUH[DPVVRWKDWVWXdents seated next to each other are
taking different exams. They should
walk around the room, “breathing
down the necks” of their students.
Only the most daring -- or foolish
-- students will cheat when their
teacher is standing next to them.
Finally, perhaps an anonymous
tip-off program would help; some
honest students would love to help
teachers catch and punish the cheaters.
We need a change at Taft High.
:H QHHG WR ÀQG D ZD\ WR SXW WKH
honor back into the Honor Code.
Dress Code inconsistencies
QHHGFODUL¿FDWLRQWREHIDLU
In our school the Dress Code has
been a growing problem among students. Most of us notice inconsistencies in the Dress Code. There are times
when some students can get away
with violations and others can’t.
Oftentimes a girl will wear a
cardigan over her tank top or spaghetti strap, thinking she is abiding by the Dress Code, but that is
considered an infringement. A tank
top must have a two-inch strap, so
if the cardigan is taken off, the tank
top can still be worn. Visible bra
straps are absolutely prohibited, so
halter tops are out of the question.
“The goal is to prepare you
for the real world,” stated Assistant Principal Rona Angelo.
We understand the importance of
teaching students to dress appropriately, but we would like to see a little
more lenience on cardigans. If a girl
is wearing a cardigan she should not
be forced to change because there is
a possibility that she will take it off.
If she is caught wearing a tank top
or spaghetti strap, ask her to change.
7KH WDQN WRS UXOH LV QRW MXVW
for girls, it is very much applicable to boys, too. Tank tops must
have a two-inch strap and cannot be too low under the arms.
Pants with holes have been an
issue for years. Starting this year
WKH UHJXODWLRQV RQ GLVWUHVVHG MHDQV
have loosened. We are now allowed to wear them, so long as
WKH KROH LV EHORZ \RXU ÀQJHUWLSV
when your arms are at your side.
Leggings and yoga pants became
extremely popular this school year,
but since they cling to skin, the fourinch hemline rule is still in effect.
We have also noticed that
VRPH RXWÀWV DUH FRQVLGHUHG LQDSpropriate on some girls and perIHFWO\ ÀQH RQ RWKHUV )RU H[DPSOH
a dress that is mid-thigh on a girl
ZKR LV ÀYH IHHW WDOO ZRXOG EH FRQsidered a Dress Code violation on
a girl who is a few inches taller.
The Dress Code should be revised
slightly so that it is clearer. It should
be fair as written and as applied.
By Roxanna Barboza
News Editor
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) started this year when
P.E. teacher Tanya Mauldin mentioned the organization to some students. Senior Daisy Guitron took
the lead with the help of
Leeann Shinn.
“It’s a chance for students to speak openly
about their life among
*RGZLWKRXWDQ\MXGJment,” said Mauldin.
Since 1954, the FCA’s
focal point has been on
helping local communities by equipping and
encouraging people to make a difference for Christ. The mission of FCA
is to introduce athletes and coaches
to the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ.
Founder Don McClanen wanted
the inspiration and strength of hearing other people’s stories, person-
Studies find
early IQ not
permanent
By Raveena Bhakta
Editor-in-Chief
The idea of a permanent IQ (Intelligence Quotient) at birth has been a
popular myth for many years. Norwegian scientists Taryn Galloway
and Christian Brinch have challenged this common misconception.
The IQ test is derived from numerous
standardized tests and is used for
multiple purposes, including identifying children who need special education and to predict future success.
The researchers used IQ scores
of men born between 1950 and 1958.
“We are only able to study men,
because we use data on IQ from
the Norwegian military draft assessment, which basically all men
undergo around the age of 19,”
Galloway told USA Today. “Women are not included in the draft.”
Education
greatly
affected
the scores, which is why Galloway looked at the level of
schooling by the age of 30.
“The size of the effect was quite
large,” Galloway said. The IQ scores
ÁXFWXDWHGE\DQDYHUDJHRISRLQWV
in verbal IQ and 18 points in performance IQ. This can take someone from “average” to “gifted.”
Another important discovery is
that all teenagers have an equal capacity to change, for better or worse.
A separate study of young
adults between the ages of 12 and
16, conducted by Cathy Price, a
professor at the Wellcome Trust
Centre for Neuroimaging at
University College in London,
showed an IQ range of 77 to 135.
When the same group was tested
four years later, the scores ranged
from 87 to 143. The results showed as
much as an 18-point drop for some,
while other increased by 21 points.
There can be a number of reasons
why these changes in IQ occur. Some
teens could be late bloomers or study
RQHVXEMHFWPRUHRIWHQWKDQRWKHUV
The participants also underwent brain scans. The verbal
and performance scores corresponded with the gray matter
found in the individual’s brain.
Price
told
Science
magazine that her study should
be
encouraging
to
parents.
“People’s attitude is to decide
early on that this is a clever kid,
and this is not a clever kid--but
this suggests you can’t make that
assessment in the teenage years.”
Animal shelter a
great resource
By Emily Gale
Staff Writer
Have you ever wanted to adopt
a dog but didn’t want to make the
ORQJGULYHWR%DNHUVÀHOG"0RVWSHRple don’t know that Taft has its very
own animal shelter here in town.
Located at 1080 E. Ashe, the Taft
City Animal Shelter is open Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to
4:45 p.m., but it’s closed from 12:00
ally and professionally.
“We’re trying to bring in speak- to 1:00 p.m.
There are always dogs available
ers and go to Christian camps to
have a better understanding,” said for adoption at the shelter. The cost
WRDGRSWLVMXVWDQGWKHSULFHLQFCA president Guitron.
7KH)&$PHHWVWKHÀUVWDQGWKLUG cludes spaying or neutering for your
week of each month in Nathan Us- new pet. You are required to spay or
rey’s classroom, Room neuter your newly adopted dog be215. They discuss how fore you can take it home. The shelathletes can have a bet- ter will arrange an appointment at
ter relationship with Je- the Taft Veterinary Clinic.
Adopting a dog is life-changing
sus Christ and how he
for both you and the dog. You can
KDVLQÁXHQFHGWKHP
´, KRSH WKH\ ÀQG change the dog’s life, and the dog
the truth about biblical will become your friend and bring
principles and the re- happiness to you. Adopting a dog is
lationship of the living also much cheaper than purchasing
God ‘Who died to have a new puppy from a breeder or pet
store.
eternal life,’” said Usrey.
The shelter picks up many lost
In addition to Nathan Usrey, the
advisors are John Usrey, Ryan Hick- pets that never get claimed. If you
have lost a pet, be sure to call the
man and Claude Bradford.
“I go to these meetings to have shelter at 763-1222. Leave a descripmore friendships with other athletes tion of your pet with the shelter adand to take account of other perspec- visor so that they can call you if they
tives,” said sophomore Leslie Tacza. pick up your animal.
FCA provides athletes with power
of Christian challenge, inspiration
February 28, 2012
Majority of Americans still
view teachers positively
By Raveena Bhakta
Editor-in-Chief
Governors from Wisconsin, Ohio
and Tennessee have questioned
Despite a lot of negative cover- WHDFKHUVDODULHVDQGEHQHÀWVDQGWKH
age of teachers in the media for the state legislatures have passed laws
past year or two, educators in the to prevent teachers from bargain86 VWLOO HQMR\ VXSSRUW IURP PRUH LQJIRUWKHLUVDODULHVIULQJHEHQHÀWV
than 70 percent of Americans. A re- working conditions and pensions.
cent survey conducted by PDK (Phi
Public schools generally (as
Delta Kappa) reveals that 69 percent opposed to locally) did not imof Americans give teachers in their press parents. Only 17 percent
community a letter grade of A or B. of 1,000 respondents gave pubSixty-seven percent say they would lic schools a letter grade of A or B.
like to have their children purThe poll showed that 68 persue public school teaching careers. cent of people say they hear more
“Americans expect, even de- bad stories than good about teachmand, quality, in the food they eat, ers in the news, and nearly one
the clothes they buy and the cars of two Americans believes teachthey drive. And they expect high- ers unions hurt public education.
quality public schools,” PDK ExecuAlthough the controversial retive Director William Bushaw told sults about educational leaders
NEA Today Magazine. “This year’s and governors suggest otherwise,
PDK/Gallup poll shows that Amer- “more than half side with teachicans believe the key to good schools ers’ union leaders in disputes with
is high quality teachers. Interest- governors over collective bargainingly, they have mixed opinions ing,” reported CBS-TV in Los Angeon whether the state governors or les. CBS-TV also noted that “three
education leaders are the ones who out of four Americans would encan better ensure that our schools courage the brightest person they
provide the quality they expect.” know to become an educator.”
Drug and alcohol policy
continued from page 1
ed the course and tested negative.
Athletes are chosen randomly by
and be supervised and drug tested. the company Contraband and tested
This policy applies to every stu- on random dates. At the start of any
dent at Taft High, but athletes face sport season each athlete has to sign
more serious consequences is they a random drug test form. If they refail a drug test. If they test dirty they fuse to sign the form, they are not
go through the normal procedures allowed to participate in any sport.
ZLWK$QJHOR·VRIÀFHDQGLQDGGLWLRQ
“Steroids are included as a
they can’t play the sport for 30 days drug in our test,” said Eubank.
or the rest of the season. The athlete
If students have questions
won’t be able to return to any sports or concerns about the drug test
team until Athletic Director Marsha policy, they should contact Mrs.
(XEDQN UHFHLYHV QRWLÀFDWLRQ IURP $QJHOR LQ WKH $WWHQGDQFH RIÀFH
the drug rehab that the student was Athletes should see Ms. Eubank
admitted or that he or she complet- LQ WKH $WKOHWLF 'LUHFWRU·V RIÀFH
The Gusher
Taft Union High School
701 7th Street
Taft, CA 93268
(661) 763-2300
Adviser: Bill Wolfe
[email protected]
The GusherLVDPRQWKO\SXEOLFDWLRQRIWKHMRXUQDOLVPFODVVDW
Taft Union High School. The Gusher is a designated public forum for students, staff and faculty of TUHS. The opinions and
views expressed in The Gusher are the sole responsibility of the
VWDIIDQGGRQRWUHÁHFWWKHYLHZVRI78+6WKH78+6
'LVWULFWRUWKH%RDUGRI7UXVWHHV6WXGHQWHGLWRUVPDNHDOOÀQDO
content decisions. The Gusher is a member of the NSPA.
Editors-in-Chief
Tina Perez
Raveena Bhakta
Features Editors
Eloisa Garcia
Sara Jewell
Photo Editor
Maria Solis
Staff Writers
Trisha Adams
Roxanna Barboza
Jennifer Chamale
Emily Gale
Sports Editor
Kayla Spoonemore
Features
February 28, 2012
Page 3
Teens who talk back develop
better critical thinking skills
By Sara Jewell
Features Editor
learned in handling these kinds of
disagreements with their parents
was exactly what they took into
If you’re like most teenagers, ar- their peer world,” Allen said. In fact,
guing with your parents is a normal these teens are 40% more likely to say
thing. According to a recent report no to drugs and alcohol than kids
on National Public Radio (NPR), who don’t argue with their parents.
The point is that teens who
talking back to your parents could
DFWXDOO\ EHQHÀW \RX LQ WKH HQG are able to express their opinResearchers at the University of ion to their parents aren’t afraid
Virginia took on the task of testing to do the same with their friends.
Ironically, parents should be teachthis theory, with psychologist Joseph
P. Allen heading the group. Even ing their kids effective ways to express
though all teens and parents argue, their opinions and disagreements.
Listening is also an important
Allen says that it is the quality of the
arguments that makes a difference. aspect. If you and your parent
“We tell parents to think of can listen to each other, and posBy Raveena Bhakta
iconic pose quite often this past year. those arguments not as a nui- sibly even bargain, it will teach
Editor-in-Chief
Rihanna’s bright red hair became sance but as a critical train- you how to work towards getting
extremely popular last year. Known ing ground,” Allen told NPR. what you want while acting reaAllen says that teens should be VRQDEOH LQVWHDG RI WKURZLQJ D ÀW
for her bold hairstyles and cloth“Parents who really respect their
rewarded
when they argue calmly
ing,
Rihanna
unknowingly
started
a
Even
the brightest minds
kids’
thinking and their kids’ inand
with
good
evidence,
instead
huge
trend.
But
can
everyone
pull
off
have had idiotic moments. We
put
are
much more likely to have
of
yelling,
whining
or
insulting.
mahogany
locks
like
Rihanna
can?
can all look back at decisions
kids
who
end up being indepenIn
Allen’s
study,
a
group
of
13´6RPH
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MXVW
FDQ·W
SXOO
LW
we’ve made and think, “Wow, that
dent
thinkers
and who are able
year-olds
were
recorded
talking
off.
It
doesn’t
look
good
on
them,”
was dumb!” The past few years
to
resist
peer
groups,”
said child
about
a
disagreement
they’d
had
commented
Junior
Tuuamalemalo.
KDYH EHHQ ÀOOHG ZLWK HUUDWLF EHpsychologist
Richard
Weissbourd.
with
their
parents.
Both
the
teen
Meaningless
tattoos
have
alhavior that is widely popular.
So next time, instead of throwPlanking has gained popular- ways been popular among teenag- and parents got to view the tape.
LQJ
D ÀW RYHU VRPHWKLQJ \RX ZDQW
Surprisingly,
the
parents
ers.
“Because
they
look
cool,”
is
a
ity rapidly. For those who don’t
try
to
take a breath and listen to
were
the
ones
who
wanted
to
common
response
teens
give
for
already know, planking is lywhat
your
parents have to say. It
talk
about
the
videos,
he
said.
their
reckless
behavior.
Perhaps
ing down in an unusual locamight
be
worth
it in the long run.
“We
found
that
what
a
teen
WKH\GRQ·WUHDOL]HWKDWJHWWLQJDMRE
tion. The origin is unknown, but
LV
GLIÀFXOW
ZLWK
LQNHG
VNLQ
RU
ZKDW
comedian Tom Greene claims to
have invented it. It is commonly that tattoo will look like in 50 years.
“I think they [tattoos] look
known as the “lying down game.”
good,
but I don’t think students
Planking started other games
By Jennifer Chamale
realize
how permanent they are,”
such as trolling, nosing, owling, teaStaff Writer
Nineteen percent of teens smoke
said
science
teacher
Eric
Newton.
potting, batmanning and many more.
by
12th
grade, says Johnston. PreviAnother
irreversible
fad
is
postNosing consists of almost touchThe
National
Cancer
Institute
ous
research
suggests that teens will
ing
risqué
pictures
on
the
Internet.
ing people with your nose without
(NCI)
has
created
a
new
program
continue
smoking
to adulthood.
Some
people
don’t
realize
that
picthem knowing. Owling is another
to
help
teens
quit
smoking,
because
Because
teens
do
not respond to
tures
posted
online
are
there
even
variation of planking, in which a
“there’s
no
other
product,
legal
or
programs
aimed
at
adults,
the NCI
after
you
take
them
down.
It
only
person squats like an owl. Though
illegal,
that
kills
as
many
people,”
wants
to
emphasize
that
teens
are in
takes
a
few
seconds
to
save
a
picthese are fairly common, they are
said
Lloyd
Johnston,
a
researcher
at
charge.
They
rely
on
materials
that
ture.
It
has
also
become
fairly
comnot nearly as viral as planking.
the
University
of
Michigan.
IRFXV
RQ
WHHQVSHFLÀF
WULJJHUV
DQG
mon
for
employers
and
universiDenver Broncos quarterback Tim
There
is
a
website
(teen.smoketechnology
teens
use.
ties
to
check
sites
like
Facebook
for
Tebow is more popular for his stance
Unlike adults, who respond to
than for his game on the football an applicant’s background. Texting free.gov), a text support, and a
smartphone
application
that
help
messages
about how smoking afrevealing
pictures
isn’t
any
betÀHOG7HERZSUD\VGXULQJJDPHVE\
guide
teenagers
through
the
process
fects
their
health,
teens respond better.
After
you
send
it,
you
have
no
kneeling on one knee with his hand
of
quitting.
ter
to
messages
about
staining their
control
over
what
that
picture
is
on his chin and his head down. PeoIts
main
goal
is
to
help
teens
quit
teeth,
smelling
bad,
wasting
money
used
for
and
whose
eyes
will
see
it.
ple have been mimicking his nowbefore they become addicted.
and harming the environment.
Ridiculous trends increase
in popularity among teens
High-tech stop-smoking program debuts
Winter Week activities brighten up dreary Feb. days
Senior Clarissa Rivas, the ASB Rally Commissioner, pumps up the senior class during the Winter Sports Rally. Photo by Jennifer Chamale
Mayan doomsday
prediction not to
be taken seriously
By Emily Gale, Staff Writer
& Tina Perez, Editor-in-Chief
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, zombies, deadly diseases
DQG VRODU ÁDUHV DUH MXVW VRPH RI
the things people say Earth will experience on Dec. 21, 2012. Where
exactly did this “doomsday” date
come from? There are hundreds,
even thousands, of theories surrounding the apocalypse of Earth.
The most talked about world destruction theory is the Mayan “prediction” of the end of the world.
The Mesoamerican calendar used
E\VHYHUDOFXOWXUHVDQGQRWMXVWE\
the Maya, supposedly predicts the
end of the world to be Dec. 21, 2012.
The only evidence for this socalled prediction is that the calendar ends on that day. People say
that because the Mesoamericans
were able to make a calendar that
extended far beyond their existence,
the world must end on the day the
calendar ends. What most people
seem to forget is that every calendar has its end, and this does not
mean the world will end with it.
The media plays a huge role in
people’s beliefs about the earth’s
end. Preacher Harold Camping announced that he believed the world
ZRXOG HQG RQ 2FW ÀYH
PRQWKVDIWHUMXGJPHQWGD\LQ0D\
and hundreds of thousands of people believed him because he used
the news and Internet to spread
his message. Camping was wrong,
of course, because we are all still
here. Almost every year someone
says they know what day the world
will end, but it never happens.
No one will ever know the exact
date or year of the end of the world.
People may say that in 100 years the
world is going to blow up, but they
DUH MXVW FDXVLQJ XQQHFHVVDU\ IHDU
Do not believe everything you
hear. If the world really is going to end soon, there is nothing anyone can do to stop it. But
it’s not going to. So keep doing
your homework and practicing
your sport or musical instrument.
Sophomore Makenzie Thornsberry bobs for gummy bears during a
lunchtime Grub Game. Photo by Jennifer Chamale
Freshman Madison Rubadeau
practices being a photographer
on Career Day. Photo by Tina Perez
Junior Steven Gee exhibits his dunking
skills at the Winter Sports Rally. Photo by
Jennifer Chamale
Sophomore Desiree Ponce seems
to have a good attitude about taking a pie in the face at the carnival.
Photo by Maria Solis
Art teacher Sophie Rasmussen poses next to her
chalk drawing of Uncle
Sam. Photo by Tina Perez
Senior art student Ashley Malizia works on her
chalk drawing of a wildcat during a Grub Game.
Photo by Trisha Adams
Features
Page 4
February 28, 2012
Bullying epidemic disrupts students’ personal, school lives
All stories by Eloisa Garcia
Features Editor
“Mom, I don’t want to go to
school. Please don’t make me.”
That’s what many kids who
are bullied tell their parents each
morning. Bullying is increasingly common in the U.S., though
California seems to have the
worst bullying problem, according to how-to-stop-bullying.com.
There are many types of bullying, including physical, cyber, verbal, social alienation and indirect
bullying. Each one is a hurtful thing
to have to deal with. Cyberbullying is when a child, preteen or teen
is tormented, threatened, harassed,
humiliated, embarrassed
or otherwise targeted by
another child or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technology
or mobile phones. Social
alienation occurs when a
bully excludes a person
from their own group.
At Taft High bullying
is a problem, but not as
much as in other schools.
“We try to make students feel as safe as possible, and if they are being
EXOOLHGZHPXVWEHQRWLÀHG
so we can put a stop to it,”
said assistant principal Rona Angelo.
What kind of experiences have
our students had with bullying?
and what I wear, but they
don’t know that I can’t
afford more and that this
is the way I grew up,”
said another student.
“I’ve
been
bullied since I was a little girl because of the
shape of my hands,”
said a sophomore girl.
Those
questioned
agreed that the reason
bullies behave as they do
is because it makes them
feel good and they think
it makes them look cool
“I’ve
been
bullied
since
in front of their friends.
I was little for the way I
Some kids who had a rough
laugh,” said a freshman boy. childhood bully other kids to feel
´3HRSOHMXGJHPHIRUKRZ,ORRN in control. Sometimes those who
How to deal
with bullies
* Try ignoring the person who
keeps bothering you and taunting
\RX7KH\MXVWZDQW\RXWRODVKRXW
physically.
* Don’t get physical if the bully
tries to hurt you. Get away and look
for someone who can help you.
* Practice developing your conÀGHQFH HYHQ LI \RX KDYH WR IDNH
LW DW ÀUVW 7KHQ \RX FDQ VKRZ WKH
bully that he or she can’t bring you
down.
* Practice ways to respond to the
bully verbally or through your behavior without getting aggressive.
* You can’t control other people’s
actions, but you can stay true to
yourself. Take control of your life.
* It may help to talk to a sister or
brother, parent, guidance counselor,
teacher or anyone else who can give
you the support you need.
* Talk to the people who are true
IULHQGV &RQÀGH KRZ WKH JRVVLS
has hurt your feelings. Set the record straight by telling your friends
quietly what’s true. You might not
UHDOL]H KRZ PXFK \RXU FRQÀGHQFH
will be boosted when they say they
know that what has been said about
you isn’t true.
* Surround yourself with people
who accept you for who you are and
who make you feel safe.
Snitching versus speaking up
Bullying due to sexual orientation
can lead to tragic consequences
Gay, fag and queer are words harassment. The district must post
that some people throw around its non-discrimination policy in a
but they can be incredibly hurt- conspicuous location on its website.
ful and psychologically damagAccording to California Eduing to victims of this verbal abuse. cator magazine, other school disOne of the many tragic vic- tricts across the state will be given
tims of verbal abuse was a 13- a “framework of options” they
year-old from Tehachapi named may take to combat bullying based
Seth Walsh. He committed suicide on sexual orientation, but the bill
by hanging himself from a plum
“does not dictate to educators
tree in his family’s background. what they should do with bullies.”
It was later discovered that he
“ The intention is to help make
did it because he was being bul- safer schools and stop bullying
OLHG DW VFKRRO +H ZDV MXVW D MX- when we see it,” C.Scott Miller, conior high school student who chair of the California Teachers Aswas harassed so much without sociation’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
anyone doing anything about it. and Transgender Caucus, told CaliHis mother had tried for many fornia Educator. “We’re looking at
\HDUV WR JHW VFKRRO GLVWULFW RIÀ- a whole new movement at what
cials in Tehachapi to do something we are doing at school. Bullying
about the abuse her son was going goes on every single day,” he said.
through, but no one seemed to listen
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano,
or do anything until it was too late. a former teacher issued a press reSeth died on September 28, 2010, lease after the passage of Seth’s Law.
By Roxanna Barboza
after nine days on life support.
“I want to thank my colleagues
News Editor
In response, the California legisla- in the Senate for taking this importure decided to do something about tant step forward to ensuring that
$9,'VHQLRUVWRRNDÀHOGWULSWR the situation of rampant bullying in schools have the necessary tools
WKH %DNHUVÀHOG 0XVHXP RI $UW RQ schools. They wanted to pass a law to prevent any young person from
Feb. 4 to see the Estampas de la named after Seth that would ensure being bullied, harrased, or wore
Revolucion Mexicana exhibit, which that every school in California would because of their sexual orientation,
featured 85 linoleum block prints.
not permit any type of bullying. gender identity and expression,”
AVID coordinator Bill Wolfe
The bill, known as AB 9 or he wrote. “As a former teacher, I
mentioned the exhibit to the se- Seth’s law, was passed by the state know how important it is for our
niors, many of whom thought it was Assembly 52-26 in June and by students to feel safe at school. We
a good opportunity to learn more the state Senate in a 24 to 14 vote have a moral duty to our youth to
about Mexican artists.
in September. Gov. Jerry Brown prevent bullying, and Seth’s Law
“I related to some of the strug- signed the bill into law on Oct.9. will help schools protect students,
gles that the people had to endure
The Tehachapi school district and revenrespiond and respond to
GXULQJWKH0H[LFDQ5HYROXWLRQMXVW promised to train teachers and staff bullying before a tragedy occurs. “
by the artwork and how it was de- in how to deal with anti-gay bullying
picted,” explained senior Stephanie
Arellano.
The exhibit included important
episodes from the Mexican Revolution by 16 artists. These 16 artists
ZHUHIURP7DOOHUGH*UDÀFD3RSXODU
(People’s Graphic Workshop), which
was founded in 1937 and handled
established and rising artists who
were devoted to social change.
“I found it a good way to learn
more of my heritage and roots,” said
senior Daisy Guitron. “The impala
[at the exhibit] was really cool and
creative!”
AVID seniors enjoyed a Mexican graphic art exhibit during a
Many of the TGP artists played
WRXURIWKH%DNHUV¿HOG0XVHXPRI$UWPhoto by Tina Perez
a role in the Mexican Revolution.
7KHLU REMHFW ZDVQ·W IDPH WKHLU IR- DQG /D 0DQR *UDÀFD LQ 3DW]FXDUR
“It helped me learn more about
cal point was on educating people Michoacán, Mexico.
our history and made me want to
about the struggles and achieveThe students who went to the know more because our history is
ments of their people in the Mexican %DNHUVÀHOG 0XVHXP RI $UW WR H[- part of us,” said Arellano.
Revolution.
plore the Estampas de la Revolucion
“I hope that the students inAnother exhibit highlighted Mexicana exhibit learned a lot about creased their cultural awareness of
print-based works made by artists their culture and how it was contrib- the Hispanic culture and history,”
from La Mano Press in Los Angeles uted to their lives.
VDLG'HEUD3RSHMR\
AVID seniors enjoy
cultural experience
at Museum of Art
bully don’t realize the pain they are
causing in the other person’s life.
“Thirty percent of U.S. students
in grades six through ten are involved in moderate or frequent
bullying as bullies, as victims or as
both,” according to the results of the
ÀUVWQDWLRQDOVXUYH\RQWKLVVXEMHFW
Some types of bullying cause
so much pain to others that victims consider suicide. TUHS psychologist Mark Shoffner says
that he has had to counsel students who have been bullied.
“Much of the bullying here is done
by texting and Facebook,” he said.
Shofffner tries to handle the situation by looking at both sides and
trying to reason with both students.
The victim of bullying is often
afraid to speak up because he or she
might be called a snitch. A snitch is
an informer or someone who tells
on others and who tries to make the
older person aware of what is going
on. The person being bullied thinks
that by reporting the bully to the
people who want to help him or her,
he or she will be viewed as a snitch.
But sometimes your life is in danger and you need to put a stop to it.
Some victims believe that if
they seek help from others, the
bully will want to attack them even
more. That might occur, but if you
get help in time you won’t have to
deal with anything that the bully
plans to do to you. The people you
sought help from will be aware of
what you are going through and
will devise a plan to keep you safe.
When other people witness the
bullying act, they often won’t call for
help because they also don’t want to
be called snitches. In many cases,
when it comes to snitching on someone, we tend to think about it twice
even though we know what they do
is wrong. When you are being bullied you can’t stay quiet. You need
to face the situation. Telling someone isn’t wrong; staying quiet is.
Facing the music: Are you the bully?
+DYH \RX HYHU MXGJHG VRPHRQH
for how they look, act, dress or even
for the way they speak? If you have
done this, do you consider yourself
a bully? You might not realize the
harm you are causing the people
around you. For many people, bullying isn’t what they intend to do,
but it happens unintentionally.
Many people, especially teens, take
out their anger on other people.
According to kidhealth.org,
´6RPH EXOOLHV OHDUQ IURP ÀUVWKDQG
experience. Perhaps name calling,
putdowns or physical appearance
comments are the norms in their fam-
ilies. Whatever the reason, though,
it’s no excuse for being a bully.”
In some homes kids are bullied by
their own parents and even their siblings. The most common reasons for
bullying are weight and appearance.
There is no excuse for bullying. It
might make you feel better, but later
on you will regret it or even be the
victim of bullying yourself. If you are
a bully, it’s never too late to change
and be a new and improved person. There are many people who are
willing to take time out of their day
to help you become a better person.
Password sharing can be risky
By Sara Jewell
Features Editor
were twice as likely as boys to share.
“I have known plenty of couples
who have shared passwords, not a
There have always been ways single one has regretted it.” Sam Bidthat couples have shown their af- dle, a writer for the Tech-news website
fection for each other. Nowadays Gizmodo, told The New York Times.
though, teens are developing a
There can also be a positive reanew trend, sharing passwords. soning behind sharing passwords
Junior Erika Saldana and her ZLWK IULHQGV RU VLJQLÀFDQW RWKHUV
boyfriend, sophomore Brian Ortega Sometimes they swap passwords
used to share passwords. She said not to snoop, but to force themthat it was scary, though, because selves to stop Facebooking and
there is always the risk of cheating.
VWXG\ IRU ÀQDOV $ VWXGHQW ZLOO
“Some might do it to keep give their password to a friend,
an eye on their partner, or may- who will then log into their Facebe they are insecure of their book and change the password, not
relationship,”
said
Saldana. telling their friend the new passYou have to be careful about shar- ZRUG XQWLO ÀQDOV KDYH FRQFOXGHG
ing a password with anyone. Most
Sharing a password can lead to
damage is usually done before a pass- unforeseeable consequences. Many
word can be changed, and a relation- people will use the materials they
ship can even be ended due to this. ÀQG RQ WKH RWKHU·V SDJH DV EODFNIn a 2011 survey, the Pew Inter- mail, and not hesitate to spread the
QHWDQG$PHULFDQ/LIH3URMHFWIRXQG information. Don’t let anyone presthat 30 percent of teenagers who sure you into giving your password
were regularly online had shared a away. You have a right to your pripassword with a friend, boyfriend or vacy, and any relationship without
girlfriend. They also found that girls trust is not a healthy relationship.
Features
February 28, 2012
Page 5
Teacher Survey: What did you do before you became a teacher?
Survey and Photos
By Trisha Adams
Staff Writer
We asked teachers what
they did before they
were teachers and what
they learned from those
experiences.
“SMG is a company in BakersÀHOGWKDW¶ORDGVLQ·DQG¶VWULNHV·WKH
stage.”
Knowledge Gained
* Liked setting up lighting and
sound equipment for bands and
other performances at Rabobank
Arena.
* Helped as a dresser in musicals
at the Civic Auditorium
1. Boys camp counselor and program director
Knowledge Gained
* Working hard
* Staying organized
* Leading people
&RPPXQLW\ VHUYLFH RIÀFHU DW
Amanda Locke
UCLA
-Escort ladies around campus
1. Accounting clerk for small oil
late at night
company
Knowledge Gained
Knowledge Gained
* Smoothness
* Filing, processing invoices, data
* Helped land current trophy entry
wife
* Being organized
3. Taught in a Prison
5HÁHFWLRQ
Knowledge Gained
'LGQ·WZDQWDMREZLWKRXWLQWHU* How to work with people
action with people
4. Taught at Vista West continua6LWWLQJLQDQRIÀFHZDVQRIXQ
WLRQKLJKVFKRROLQ%DNHUVÀHOG
2. Retailing
Knowledge Gained
Knowledge Gained
* Working with adolescents
$ELOLW\WRKDQGOHGLIÀFXOWVLWXDtions and people calmly and reasonably
1. Golf court boy (3 years)
2. Boy Scout camp mountain bike
program director (two summers)
Knowledge Gained
/HDUQHGWRHQMR\ZRUNLQJZLWK
kids
3. Subway sandwich artist (3
months)
Knowledge Gained
* Knowledge of how many unhappy people there are
4. Flower shop delivery driver (1
year)
Knowledge Gained
* Navigational skills around San
Diego
* Good-looking women and sick
SHRSOHJHWÁRZHUV
5. Landscaper (6 years)
Knowledge Gained
* Mechanical knowledge and
skills around the house
6. Public transit planning intern
(1 year)
Knowledge Gained
* Ties unwanted in an everyday
MRE
7. Hardware store employee (6
months)
5HÁHFWLRQ
* Poorly treated
* Too many unhappy people in
the world
Ryan Hickman
1. Voice of Calvary Ministries in
Jackson, MS-building homes for underprivileged families
Knowledge Gained
* Coordinated the volunteer to
get groups from all over the country
and Canada down to Jackson to help
in the building of the homes
* Learned the principle of sacriÀFHDQGVHUYLFH
* To put others before oneself
* There is much more to life than
the accumulation of earthly possessions, namely building relationships.
Marilyn Brown
1. Legal Secretary and Paralegal
IRU D PDMRU ODZ ÀUP LQ 6DQ )UDQcisco
Knowledge Gained
* Exposure to the “real world” of
corporate law changed my thoughts
DERXWWKHMRE
2. Teaching
Knowledge Gained
* Taught to understand other
people’s points of view
* Organization and communication skills needed for success in any
MRE
* Learned the importance of a
good work ethic
Kelly Morris
1. Texaco (clerical work) for sumPHUMRE
2. Color Guard instructor at Taft
Union High School
Knowledge Gained
* Working with high schoolers
3. The Bead and Yarn Studio
Knowledge Gained
* Teaching elderly women how
WRNQLWDQGPDNHMHZHOU\
* To be crafty
* Not enough patience to work in
retail
4. SMG
taught them not only as an athlete
but as a human is the best part.”
Lisa Polk
Chelle Koerner
Wes Morris
Mike Cowan
out old clothing, furniture, etc., to be
resold).
Knowledge Gained
* “It is not the work, it’s the
people you work with and around.
Working with good people makes
\RXUMREZRUWKLWµ
Eric Newton
1. Worked at Coca-Cola
2. Toys-R-Us
3. Taught summer school
4. Worked for a company in Reno,
NV cleaning foreclosed homes (take
1. Bartender
2. Food and cocktail waitress
1. Drove a school bus in Putnam
3. Go-fer receptionist/clerical
City School District in Oklahoma
and customer service/special orders
City, OK
for department store
5HÁHFWLRQ
Lisa Borrecco
5HÁHFWLRQ
“The main thing I remember
“Working in bars all the way
learning is that giant buses can slide
1. Waitress
through college taught me to be
on icy streets... sideways even!” said
2. File clerk at a hospital
careful and be aware of my sur3. Worked in a clothing mall (part Koerner. “I also learned that you URXQGLQJV $OO RI WKHVH MREV WDXJKW
RIWKHMREZDVWRPRSWKHÁRRUVDQG FDQ·W MXGJH D FKLOG EDVHG RQO\ RQ me to pay attention to details and
clean the toilets every Sunday morn- their appearance or behavior. Some- work hard with a smile on my face
times seeing what they overcame in
ing).
the whole time. You can get away
their homes gave me enormous rewith smart aleck sarcastic remarks
spect for how well they handled life
when smiling.”
at school.”
After College
1. Fundraiser
2. Grant writer
'HYHORSPHQW RIÀFHU IRU QRQ
SURÀWRUJDQL]DWLRQV
James Carnal
1. Newspaper reporter for 19
years
Knowledge Gained
* How to write fast and meet
deadlines
* Prefer to be a teacher and
coach
Stacy Lackey
1. Worked for a dentist for nine
years as the billing coordinator
Knowledge Gained
* How to communicate effectively with the public
* Learned how fortunate I am to
work at TUHS.
Brad Van Roekel
1. Haberdashery (men’s clothing)
2. Worked on a 510-acre family
farm
5HÁHFWLRQ
“Working at a campground
taught me a lot about customer service and trying to please people all
the time.”
3. Worked at a concrete factory
4. Furniture store
5. Janitor at an apartment complex
6. J.C. Penney
5HÁHFWLRQ
´$OOP\MREVZHUHDERXWNHHSLQJ
customers happy. The same applies
to teaching. I’m always trying to keep
my customers (students and parents) happy, and my bosses (board
of edu., superintendent/principal,
dept. chair) proud of me.”
Kathy McLaughlin
1. Administrative assistant for
the Naval Investigative Service, U.S.
Department of Defense
:RUNHGDWDQRIÀFHLQ$OH[DQdria, Virginia, assisting for six agents
and their boss
5HÁHFWLRQ
“I had a lot of responsibilities in
my position. I had a Top Secret clearance and sometimes got to hand deliver sensitive papers to the PentaJRQ,ZRXOGKRSRQDQRIÀFHVKXWWOH
bus with my little briefcase and ride
RYHUWRWKH3HQWDJRQ)URPWKDWMRE
I learned a great deal about being a
responsible team worker.”
Nathan Cahoon
1. Worked as a commercial
Shrimper in Alaska during summers
Commentary
“If you have ever heard of the
Deadliest catch, this is the wimpiest
catch! We drag a big net along the
bottom of the ocean and bring up
shrimp and toss out the by-catch.
:HDOVRXVHWULJRQRPHWU\WRÀQGWKH
vertical depth of the trawl (net).”
2. Worked as a computer consultant in New York for the airline
MHW %OXH ZKLOH LW ZDVVWLOO DVWDUWXS
company.
5HÁHFWLRQ
“I learned that it is a good to
work hard and play hard, but more
importantly to do it in order.”
Claude Bradford
1. LA Times as a paperboy delivering the daily news seven days
a week at 5:30 a.m. on a bicycle (6
years)
2. Baker for several bakeries in
%DNHUVÀHOG
3. Industrial Engineer
4. Financial Analyst
5. Cost Manager
6. Director of Financial Forecasting
7. VP and Treasurer
8. Senior VP and CFO
3UHVLGHQWRIDPDMRUVWHHOFRPpany
Jacquelyn White
1. Worked at Dari Delight (3
months)
5HÁHFWLRQ
´,OHDUQHGMXVWKRZPDQ\WLPHVD
trash bag can be used before a clean
one is needed.”
2. Bad Bubba’s BBQ as a waitress
and cleaning at the end of the night
3. Volunteer for Hall Ambulance
and became an EMT
5HÁHFWLRQ
“I used those skills to become the
EMT at Camp Condor during the
summer after graduation.”
4. Home health care aide during
the summer
5. Switched to nursing and
worked at Kern Medical Center in
Arley Hill
the pharmacy
6. Worked at CSUB as a TA for
the Philosophy classes
Jackie Peavyhouse
5HÁHFWLRQ
1. Fieldwork including mov´, FKDQJHG P\ PDMRU WR /LEHUDO
LQJ VSULQNOHU SLSHV LQ FRWWRQ ÀHOGV
hoeing cotton, working on a potato Studies after I spent too many hours
bulker, and picking apples in Te- in hospitals and realized it was not
for me.”
hachapi
2. Public-relations department at
a title company
5HÁHFWLRQ
Coming in the next
1. Handyman (3 years)
“I
started
as
a
clerk
analyzing
Knowledge Gained
issue of The Gusher
data and compiling reports. I be* Home improvement
Spring Fling coverage
9ROXQWHHUÀUHPDQLQ/RQH3LQH came the secretary of the PR department,
and
eventually
interviewed
Dangers of too little sleep
(7 years)
and
was
hired
to
be
a
marketing
Brandon Baggs, trap shooter
3. Coach
representative.”
Expensive jeans & high heels
5HÁHFWLRQ
5HÁHFWLRQ
Athletes’ favorite pro players
“Working with young athletes
´,
OHDUQHG
IURP
ÀHOGZRUN
WKDW
,
*RW\H.LPEUDSUR¿OH
has always been a desire of mine,
wanted
an
education
so
I
could
have
Internet piracy bills explained
and having an adult come up to
a
career
that
would
make
my
parMock Rock photo essay
you and say thank you for what you
ents’ hard work pay off. “
Sports
Page 6
February 28, 2012
Johnson juggles school,
sports, music and faith
By Trisha Adams
Staff Writer
Though Johnson likes the aggressiveness of contact sports, his
personality is quite the opposite. In
Senior Tyler Johnson is more than his spare time he likes to hang out
MXVWDQDYHUDJHMRFN7KHWKUHHVSRUW with his friends, go to church, play
athlete is a devout Christian and a the guitar and spend quality time
with his family.
man of many talents.
Johnson has two brothers, Cody,
The 17-year-old can play a va14,
and Blake, 11, and a beagle
riety of instruments, including the
named
Dodger. His favorite color
drums, bass, piano, clarinet, saxois
green
because it reminds him of
phone, violin and his signature infrogs,
which
are his favorite animals.
strument, the guitar.
Johnson
favors
Christian music over
7KHÀUVWLQVWUXPHQW-RKQVRQODLG
WKHPDMRULW\RIJHQUHV-RKQVRQ·VIDhis hands on was the drums at the
WHQGHUDJHRIRQHDQGDKDOI+LVÀUVW vorite Christian singer is Tyler Ward
performance on the drums was at and he also likes the Christian band
his former church when he was two Tenth Avenue North.
“I try to listen to as much Chrisyears old.
tian
music as possible,” said John“I can play a lot of instruments as
son.
well as sing,” said Johnson. “I can’t
By Kayla Spoonemore
He is also involved in Fellowship
read music, but I usually play what
Sports Editor
of
Christian
Athletes, a club on camI hear. I basically taught myself how
pus
which
allows
students who play
to play each one.”
VSRUWV
DQG
DUH
UHOLJLRXVO\
DIÀOLDWHG
Buena Vista High School teacher
While music is a way for people
to
meet
to
talk
and
pray.
Jarudd Prosser has been hired to to escape life, Johnson sees music in
Origicoach the varsity football team next a different
nally
from
year. Prosser’s hiring follows the light.
North
DaFRQWURYHUV\ RYHU WKH ÀULQJ RI IRU“Mukota,
Johnmer coach Steve Sprague. Superin- sic is a part
son made
tendent/Principal Mark Richardson of me. It is
his way to
and Athletic Director Marsha Eu- something I
the
small
bank decided it was time to move the want to do
town
of
Taft
football program in a new direction. for the rest
three
years
Before coming to the Taft Union of my life.
ago when
High School District, Prosser Music for
his father
coached at Frazier Mountain High me puts life
left the Air
School, where his teams were 17-14 in a whole
Force and
in three years. Prosser has been assis- new
perbecame a
tant coach for the Taft High JV foot- s p e c t i v e ! ”
pastor.
ball and baseball teams for two years e x c l a i m e d
Johnwhile teaching P.E. at Buena Vista. Johnson.
son
tries
Prosser did not take applying for
He is
to
live
by
the head coaching vacancy lightly. not the only
the
Golden
“Through talking to my wife, m u s i c a l l y
I arrived at the conclusion that t a l e n t e d Senior Tyler Johnson is an equally talented Rule, even
I still had the ambition to be- person
in athlete and musician. He plays three sports though it
come a head coach again, so I his family. and is self-taught on several instruments. is “kind of
hard.”
decided to apply,” said Prosser. His father, Photo by Trisha Adams
“I
am
There may be a change of as- R i c h a r d
always
trysistant coaches for next season, but J o h n s o n ,
Prosser is prepared for the pres- can also play the guitar, drums and ing to become a better person,” said
Johnson.
sure of getting his team ready for piano, as well as sing.
Johnson sets an example for his
any opponent they have to face.
“My dad never forced me to
peers
and teammates, both on and
“There is a direct correla- SOD\ +H MXVW ZDQWV PH WR GR P\
off
campus.
tion between the quality of hard best,” said Johnson.
“He is one of the best kids we
work put in and the results they
Johnson also occupies his time
have
on campus and is a leader by
will get. The more you put in, the by playing three sports, which inexample,”
said Hughes.
more you get out,” Prosser said. clude football, basketball and baseThough
he attempts to like evProsser doesn’t plan on making ball.
eryone,
he
has
his pet peeves.
PDMRU FKDQJHV 7KH RIIHQVLYH DQG
+H HQMR\V DOO WKUHH VSRUWV EXW
“I
dislike
conceited
people, those
defensive schemes will be different football is his top priority.
who
always
try
too
hard
to impress
than in past years, but he will keep
“I like competition, especially
RWKHUV
DQG
MXVW
WDON
WR
KHDU
WKHPmany of the same assistant coaches. football, because it has more contact
selves.
You’ve
got
to
love
everyHe plans on having the placement of and is aggressive,” said Johnson.
coaches worked out by early March.
7KLVLV-RKQVRQ·VÀUVW\HDUSOD\- body. Just because I have pet peeves
Prosser explained, “I have high ing basketball, but he has played doesnt mean I dont like people,”
expectations for next year. I feel we football for four years and baseball said Johnson.
Despite having a great time here
have a lot of talent and I’m excited for 12.
in
Taft,
Johnson plans to move on
to see the progress they can make
“I wish he would have played
DQG
DWWHQG
%DNHUVÀHOG &ROOHJH
through hard work in the weight last year. He would have helped a
WKHQWUDQVIHUWRHLWKHU$]XVD3DFLÀF
room and during the summer.”
lot,” said varsity basketball coach
University or California Lutheran
JV head coach Mike Goodwin, Jeff Hughes.
under whom Prosser served last
Johnson chose to play basketball University to pursue his dream
\HDULVFRQÀGHQWDERXWWKHQHZYDU- this year not only because he wanted of becoming a high school history
sity coach.
to stay in shape, but also because his teacher.
“Tyler says he wants to be a his“I’m excited for him to get the best friend, Caleb Lopez, persuaded
tory
teacher, but he also wants to
MREDQGORRNLQJIRUZDUGWRZRUNLQJ him.
be
involved
with ministry as well,”
with him in the future.”
“I think that Tyler learned the
states
Lopez.
“I believe that that is
game of basketball very fast for the
a
great
path
for
him because he will
limited time he has actually played
EHDEOHWRKDYHDJUHDWLQÁXHQFHRQ
the game,” said Lopez. “He helped
out the team with his intelligence many people in the future.”
Her main interest outside of and hustle all the time.”
athletics is technology, her favorite
class is computer graphics and she
KRSHVWRPDMRULQVRPHVRUWRIFRPputer science in college. She also enMR\V UHDGLQJ VLQJLQJ DQG GDQFLQJ
“She is so positive and motivated,” said Ponce. “If you get
WR NQRZ KHU RII WKH ÀHOG \RX UHBy Kayla Spoonemore
ally see how nice and cool she is.”
Sports Editor
ing to the season, and they defeatBurrows’ dedication and presence
ed Wasco, 58-40. Then they turned
make her not only a talented athlete
The boys’ basketball season has around and lost a heartbreaker to
but also an all-around good person.
“Katie pours her heart out on come to an end, and the JV basket- Shafter 47-46.
As the season ends, players look
WKH ÀHOG 6KH VZHDWV FULHV DQG ball team ended with a 6-4 record in
bleeds blue and gold,” said Guitron. league and 12-13-1 overall. The boys at the big picture. Sophomore Jacob
Burrows will never forget this worked hard to get through most of Lopez said “My favorite part was
soccer season; the friendships she the challenges the opposing teams sharing the great game of basketball
made and the lessons she learned created. However, they lost some with my best friends.”
Although the team had a winhave left a deep impression on her. battles, too.
Junior Jeremy Harmer said, “I ning record, there wasn’t much team
“My happiest memory comes
from this school year,” said Bur- have no doubts that we could have bonding off the court. The team’s
rows. “The second the whistle blew ZRQ OHDJXH :H MXVW KDG WKRVH motivation was each other; they
on our last game at the Corcoran games when we weren’t playing as kept together as a team and never
VWRSSHGÀJKWLQJ
tournament, everyone went crazy. a team.”
“The thing that keeps me moThe boys never had a solid run
We were all so happy. It was rewardLQJWRZLQÀUVWSODFHDWWKDWWRXUQD- of wins or losses; it was an up and tivated is when we play as a team
ment after all the work we put in.” down road the entire season. The because there is nothing better than
boys were hoping for a strong end- that,” said Harmer.
Prosser takes
control of
boys’ varsity
Lopez has winning persona
football
RQDQGRIIWKHVRFFHU¿HOG
By Emily Gale
Staff Writer
“I play soccer and I participated in cross-country this year
to be conditioned for soccer,”
said senior Amairani Lopez.
At the start of this year, Lopez was
not sure if she would be playing soccer. She wanted to stay focused on
her classes, but in the end she gave
in and decided to play soccer again.
´0\IULHQGVPRWLYDWHGPHWRMRLQ
and I’m so glad I did,” said Lopez.
Lopez, like most athletes, loves
her sport and her teammates.
She’s close friends with many
of the girls on the team. Having
fun is one of the most important
WKLQJV WR /RSH] QRW MXVW ZLQQLQJ
“My favorite part in soccer is definitely having fun with my friends.
, DOVR HQMR\ WKH SDUW ZKHUH ZH
dominate the games,” said Lopez.
/RSH] ZDV LQMXUHG UHFHQWO\ EXW
she hasn’t let that stop her from
playing. She has her foot iced before
HDFK JDPH XQWLO KHU LQMXU\ KHDOV
“I had my right foot swollen
due to a kick, but it’s getting betWHU,MXVWKDYHWRFRQFHQWUDWHIRUWKH
games and suck it up,” said Lopez.
Every athlete has something they
do to prepare themselves for a game,
and Lopez is no exception. Before
every game, Lopez takes the time
to prepare herself to perform well.
“I pray. I believe God is the
RQH LQ FRQWURO VR , MXVW OHDYH DOO
my frustration to him and that
way I can go out there ready
to give my best,” said Lopez.
Besides soccer and cross-counWU\ /RSH] HQMR\V VSHQGLQJ KHU
time doing other things as well.
“I like to read a lot! I haven’t
read that much recently since
I’m playing soccer, but I do enMR\ D JRRG ERRNµ VDLG /RSH] ´,
also love spending time with my
friends and watching movies.”
Playing sports and maintaining a high GPA can be tough,
but Lopez handles it well.
“Right now, I’m ranked number four in my class. I sometimes get stressed trying to balance sports and schoolwork, but
I do the best I can,” said Lopez.
Lopez is taking English 1600
and Sociology through Taft College, and she is also enrolled
in Calculus here at Taft High.
´, HQMR\ HYHU\ FODVV , KDYH DQG
I love all of my teachers. Taft High
LVMXVWDZHVRPHµH[FODLPHG/RSH]
“She is one of the sweetest
girls I have ever met,” said English teacher Caroline Schoneweis.
Lopez is a very determined student who does not give up easily,
even when the going gets tough.
“I remember when we played
softball together our sophomore
year,” said classmate and senior
6WDFHH 5HHG ´,W ZDV KHU ÀUVW \HDU
playing and she worked really hard
and improved a lot as a player.”
Lopez has high hopes for the
future. After graduation, she’s
planning on attending college.
“My goal for the future is to become a pediatrician. I plan to attend
CSUB or Taft College for two years
and then transfer to a UC,” said Lopez.
Amairani Lopez is a wellrounded student. She’s on the
varsity girls’ soccer team, she’s
UDQNHG LQ WKH WRS ÀYH RI KHU FODVV
and she’s one of the friendliest
students you could hope to meet.
Sophomore Katie Burrows stars
on girls’ varsity soccer team
By Tina Perez
Editor-in-Chief
Burrows has played soccer since
VKH ZDV ÀYH \HDU ROG &XUUHQWO\
VKH SOD\V WKH SRVLWLRQV RI PLGÀHOG
The soccer season has come to a goalie and forward. Her versatilclose and sophomore Katie Burrows, ity and dedication give her an edge
who has been making big waves on over other players since she particithe girl’s varsity
pates in club
soccer team,
soccer
and
couldn’t
be
plays
yearhappier with
round.
the
accom“Katie is
plishments
everything in
of her team.
an
athlete,”
“I love playsaid
varsity
ing. It makes
girls’
coach
me feel like I’m
April
Asha part of somemore.
“She
thing bigger
is dedicated
than myself.
and versatile
My team is like
and keeps her
my
family,”
team members
said Burrows.
grounded.”
The singleAlthough
sport athlete
B u r r o w s
is completely
knows
she
focused
on
has more to
playing soccer
learn, she adand staying Katie Burrows embodies the Wildcat mires her capgrounded. Her spirit. Photo by Tina Perez
tains, seniors
experiences
Daisy
GuiRQ WKH ÀHOG
tron and Leihave
taught
her
patience, lani Ponce, and aspires to be like
dedication
and
cooperation. WKHP ERWK RQ DQG RII WKH ÀHOG
“I feel that when your team
“They make it look so
works well together there is noth- easy!” said Burrows. “They are
ing that can get past you,” she said. both really nice and talented.”
-9ER\V¶EDVNHWEDOO¿QLVKHV
season with positive outlook
February 28, 2012
Sports
Page 7
Gee excels on basketball
court and in classroom
By Roxanna Barboza
News Editor
Coach Cowan took the girls’ golf team to the Northern Trust Open PGA
tournament at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles on Feb. 19. The
girls created shirts to show their support for golfer Rickie Fowler. Photo by Robert Andrade, courtesy of Northern Trust Open Twitter site
Golfers attend PGA tourney
in L.A., meet Rickie Fowler
By Eloisa Garcia
Features Editor
by working as a team and not backing down from competition,” said
Gee.
Thanks to all the hard work the
He’s not only a good basketball
varsity boys’ basketball team did player, but also a great student. His
in league play, they made it to the favorite classes are English with Lisa
SOD\RIIV EXW ORVW WKHLU ÀUVW JDPH WR Borrecco and Spanish with Sandra
Corcoran, 66-61. They had some ups Torres.
DQGGRZQVWKLVVHDVRQEXWDPDMRU
“He’s an excellent student beFRQWULEXWRU WR WKHLU VXFFHVV ZDV MX- cause he stays focused in class, works
nior Steven Gee.
extremely hard and completes all
Gee was the second leading of his assignments,” said Borrecco.
scorer on the team and played in ev- ´*HHLVDMR\WRKDYHLQFODVVµ
ery position that coach Jeff Hughes
Gee’s other favorite sport is baseassigned him. He usually played ball. His favorite basketball team is
shooting guard.
the Los Angeles Clippers, including
“Gee is a dependable man who WKHLUVWDUSOD\HU%ODNH*ULIÀQ
works hard on the court, which
“Gee is not only a good athlete
makes him one of our best defenders but pretty funny and easy to get
on the team,” said Coach Hughes.
along with,” said senior Jaime GonLast year, Gee was named Co- zales.
Rookie of the Year. He knows what
Hughes explains that the team
to do when they’re in trouble, with needs to see more from Gee next
the help of senior Caleb Lopez.
year because he motivates his team“We played better than last year mates by leading as an example.
Carr has “upbeat attitude”
toward sports
and studies
By Sara Jewell
Features Editor
it takes time and dedication to get
somewhere in the golf world.”
Fowler was very appreciative
The Lady Cat golfers recently
had the opportunity to attend one of the shirts the girls made showof the biggest golf matches in the ing their support for him, and he
country. Coach Mike Cowan took gave them his autograph. They had
the team to Riviera Country Club in the opportunity to speak to Fowl3DFLÀF 3DOLVDGHV /RV $QJHOHV RQ er for a few minutes while he was
)HEUXDU\WRZDWFKWKHÀQDOURXQG playing and when he was about
of the Northern Trust Open, one of to hit the tee on hole the 18th hole.
“He inspired me to work hardthe most famous stops on the PGA
(Professional Golf Association) tour. er to achieve what I want in golf,”
The trip involved meeting and said sophomore Jesekah Rogers.
The Open was a wonderful exwatching some of the best golfers in the world, including the perience for the girls, who all took
team’s favorite, Rickie Fowler, one something away from the experience.
of the youngest golfers on the tour. Most of them were inspired and felt
According to the PGA Tour the need to put more effort into their
ZHEVLWH´)RZOHU·VEHVWÀQLVKRQWKH JROÀQJSHUIRUPDQFH$OOWKHJLUOVIHOW
PGA tour in 2012 is 13th at the Farm- like they learned to appreciate golf
ers Insurance Open. He ranks 71st in more because practice makes perfect.
“The trip was very inspirationMoney Leaders on the PGA tour.”
Golfers Danny Lee, Y.E. Yang, George al to all the girls. It showed them
McNeill and many others compet- what is possible if time and effort is
ed in the match. Bill Hass was the put into golf,” said Coach Cowan.
“I feel more inspired to try
eventual winner of the tournament.
Freshman Reagan Sorensen harder in golf practice and to make
commented,
“While
watching Valley if possible,” said freshman Jo- Desirae Navarro looks for an open teammate to set up a score in a
Rickie Fowler play I learned that sey Burke.
recent game. Photo courtesy of The Derrick
Imagine standing on the free
throw line, hearing the crowd beKLQG\RXFKHHULQJ7KHÀUVWWKLQJRQ
your mind is making that basketball
through the hoop, but in the back
of your mind, the AP US History
(APUSH) exam you have the next
morning is also there.
This is the life of Ashley Carr,
who is not only one of the JV girls’
basketball team’s point guards, but
is also taking challenging classes like
APUSH and Honors English while
trying to maintain her spiritual life.
It takes strength to be able to take
on this many things.
“Ashley is extremely deterPLQHGµ VDLG &DUU·V IULHQG MXQLRU
Autumn Fee. “She wants to try and
do everything she can.”
If you have Ashley in one of
your classes, know who she is. Her
friends describe her as funny, outgoing and brave.
“She has a crazy, upbeat attitude,
and that makes her stand out,” said
MXQLRU.D\OD0H\HU
You may also know Carr from
sports. She runs cross-country in
the fall, plays basketball in the winter and will run track in the spring.
Dedication and hard work are all
that are on Carr’s mind when it
comes to sports, and it shows.
“Ashley works very hard and always completely applies herself to
what she does,” said Carr’s basketBy Kayla Spoonemore
ball coach, Suzanne White.
closer, so they hate to see the season
Sports Editor
If you ever need someone to cheer
end with such a bad record. The you up or make you laugh, don’t be
JLUOVSUDFWLFHGÀYHGD\VDZHHNIRU afraid to say hi to Ashley. She almost
Although the varsity girls’ bas- two and a half hours each day.
always has a smile on her face and
ketball team didn’t have many wins
“I think we could’ve gone out a ZLOOPRVWOLNHO\EHPDNLQJDMRNHWR
this season, it was still a wild ride. little harder than we did, especially crack herself up.
They played hard through the sea- DJDLQVW7HKDFKDSLµVDLGMXQLRU7DUD
“She’s a leader,” said White. “She
son and ended up with three girls Kelly. “But the girls never gave up doesn’t care what people think; she
LQMXUHG DQG RQ WKH EHQFK OHDYLQJ and that’s what I love most about MXVWGRHVZKDWPDNHVKHUKDSS\µ
them with only eight players. The them.”
They worked hard but didn’t
)UHVKPDQ(UZLQ*DPDPDGHDPDMRUFRQWULEXWLRQDVPLG¿HOGHURQWKH WHDPÀQLVKHGLQOHDJXHDQG
overall.
have much luck. The main things
JV soccer team this season. Photo by Jennifer Chamale
Next month in Sports
Sophomore Morgan Welborn the team had were trust and a desire
says, “We work together as a team to play.
but we’re young and inexperiSpring sports coverage,
“We became a family throughout
enced.”
RXU MRXUQH\ :H VWXFN WRJHWKHU DQG
LQFOXGLQJ SURÀOHV RI RXWThroughout the season friend- picked ourselves back up when we
standing athletes and more
ships were built and teammates got were done,” said Kelly.
“Young and inexperienced”
varsity girls’ basketball team
¿QLVKHVZLOGULGHRIDVHDVRQ
Frosh captain Erwin Gama
stands out on JV soccer team
By Jennifer Chamale
Staff Writer
“Gama contributed a lot as a
PLGÀHOGHUE\DVVLVWLQJJRDOVEXWKH
Although the JV boys’ soccer also contributed to the team by beteam had an unsuccessful season, ing a good captain,” said freshman
a highlight of the season was the Jonathan Enciso.
“As our captain, he knew what
standout performance of freshman
he was talking about,” noted HarErwin Gama.
He was captain of the team as a rison.
Gama was happy about being
freshman.
“I was happy about being named named team captain as a freshman.
captain as a freshman. It’s kind of a He loved playing with his team
even though they didn’t do well this
big deal,” said Gama.
His source of inspiration was season.
What Gama learned from playwatching his favorite professional
ing on JV is that “players in JV play
soccer team, Barcelona, play.
His team members appreciated for fun.”
“He was chill and he didn’t mess
his leadership and commitment.
“He was one of the best on the around like most of us. He was pretteam,” said freshman Harrison So- W\VHULRXVDERXWKLVMREDVFDSWDLQµ
VDLGMXQLRU&KULVWLDQ9DOOHMR
rensen.
Next year Gama plans to play
“I’ve been playing since sixth
grade and I take the sport seriously,” soccer again. He has set his eye on
making the varsity team as a sophosaid Gama.
*DPDSOD\HGDVDPLGÀHOGHU+LV more. With his leadership abilities
biggest strength was passing the and determination, he has the potential to achieve his goals.
ball.
action photos!
Leyva motivates girls’ JV soccer team
By Jennifer Chamale
Staff Writer
The girls’ JV soccer team had a
GLVDSSRLQWLQJVHDVRQÀQLVKLQJZLWK
a record of 2-4-2 in league and 8-10-4
overall. Although the season didn’t
WXUQ RXW DV H[SHFWHG MXQLRU$PD\rany Leyva kept a good attitude and
helped lead the team.
“She was very optimistic and motivated the girls throughout the seaVRQµVDLGMXQLRU6WHSKDQLH7ZHHG\
Coach Wesley Morris believes
Leyva was an important part of the
team’s defense.
“She is smart about how she
plays. Other girls have run power
but Amayrany has brain power,”
said Morris.
Junior Amayrany Leyva inspires
Outsmarting her opponents was teammates with her good attitude.
her greatest strength.
Photo by Jennifer Chamale
“I was good at watching opponent movements and strategically
thinking about how to get the ball
moving in the other direction,” said
Leyva.
Leyva had fun playing with her
WHDPPDWHVDQGHQMR\HGKHUWLPHRQ
the team.
“We had a good time. Whenever
we tried, we worked good together
as a team,” said Leyva. “And we actually played soccer. Not kickball,
but actual soccer!”
Although they didn’t go far they
had a good time.
“I’m going to miss playing with
my team. It’s been a week since
our last practice and I already miss
them,” said Leyva.
“It was nice to have Amayrany
on the team,” said Morris. “She was
GHÀQLWHO\DJRRGDGGLWLRQµ
Entertainment
Page 8
February 28, 2012
Bestselling author Cassandra Clare enchants
readers with spellbinding new fantasy series
By Tina Perez
Editor-in-Chief
Cassandra Clare, author of the
best-selling series The Mortal Instruments, has managed to create yet another wonderful trilogy.
The Infernal Devices is a prequel
series to The Mortal Instruments.
7KH ÀUVW LQVWDOOPHQW The Clockwork Angel, is set in Victorian England, and the heroine,
Tessa Gray is the ideal
main character. She
is intelligent, courageous and persistent, but she is also
relatable in the sense
that she is extremely
loyal to her friends.
The story begins
with Tessa being kidnapped by two gruesome sisters upon her
arrival in London. She
LV GHVSHUDWH WR ÀQG
her brother but her
captors refuse to tell
her his whereabouts.
While in captivity,
Tessa discovers that
there is another entire
world of creatures that
humans don’t know
about when she is rescued one night by a
Shadowhunter. Shadowhunters are humans with incredible
abilities who protect
humans from Demons
from another realm.
Tess is taken to
the Institute, a place
where Shadowhunters train and deal with
matters
concerning
threatening creatures.
There she quickly
adapts to their framework and befriends
the Shadowhunters.
Charlotte and Henry
Branwell are in charge of the Institute and three teenage wards.
Tessa is especially attracted to
two young Shadowhunters, Will
Herondale and Jem Carstairs. Will, a
hot-tempered, arrogant young man
with a bad reputation for risky behavior, is completely devoted to his
best friend, Jem, a kind and talented
young Shadowhunter with a dark
secret that is slowly killing him. Both
boys are very protective of Tessa.
The plot thickens when it is revealed that an evil man, who is
known as the Magister, is after
Tessa in order to use her power.
6RRQ VKH ÀQGV KHUVHOI LQ D ZHE
of lies and unspeakable danger.
Clare has woven together action,
romance, fantasy and mystery into
RQHSHUIHFWVWRU\OLQH7KLVÀUVWLQVWDOOment of The Infernal Devices series is
impossible to put down and has left
me anxious to read the next book.
The second book, The Clockwork Prince, picks up a few weeks
after Clockwork Angel leaves off.
The race is on to capture the Mag-
ister and save the Institute. Tessa, Will and Jem must work together in order to discover more
about the Magister and his plans.
During this time Tessa and
Jem have grown closer, while Will
struggles with his feelings toward
Tessa. Clare creates a perfect heartwrenching love triangle, without
predictability and cheesiness. What
makes this love triangle so strong is
that Tessa cares for both
boys and is aware of
how her decision
could
irreparably
damage Will and
Jem’s brotherhood.
The question of
Tessa’s origins remains unanswered.
As she learns more
about the Shadowhunters’ world, she
questions her entire
life. Is she really Tessa
Gray? Will struggles
with his mistakes
from the past and his
curse, which forces
him to turn to a dangerous substance to
escape his problems.
Meanwhile, Jem realizes that Tessa is the
girl with whom he
wants to spend the
rest of his life, however long he has left.
This novel takes a
deeper look into the
relationships of the
Shadowhunters inside the Institute and
broadens the World of
the Infernal Devices.
Secrets are revealed
that change the dynamic of the Institute
family and could
potentially affect the
rest of the world.
Clare has created
a perfect sequel with
The Clockwork Prince; her writing
style and talent for creating intriguing characters is awe-inspiring. This
book is perhaps the best that Clare
has written, including her previous series, The Mortal Instruments.
I am curious to see how the trilogy
will conclude and how Clare will
wrap up such a complex storyline.
The Vow proves
that true love
conquers all
By Sara Jewell
Features Editor
The week of Valentine’s Day
there was one movie on everyone’s
mind. The Vow ended up number
one on its opening weekend with
$41 million in ticket sales by melting the hearts of girls everywhere.
Starring Channing Tatum (Dear
John, She’s the Man) and Rachel
McAdams (The Notebook, Mean
Girls) The Vow touches on the tryLQJVXEMHFWRI\RXUVLJQLÀFDQWRWKHU
loud, crazy explosions of sound. forgetting who you are altogether.
By Tina Perez
The movie starts with Tatum
The addition of horns, drums, piEditor-in-Chief
ano and various other instruments and McAdams’ characters leavGuitar duo Rodrigo Sanchez can be overwhelming at times, ing a movie theatre. Heading
(lead guitar) and Gabriela Quintero and the guitars are occasionally home, the couple gets into a draDFRXVWLFJXLWDUÀUVWPHWLQ0H[LFR drowned out. The album as a whole matic car crash that causes McAdCity in 2000, while playing in a rock LVHQMR\DEOHWROLVWHQWRLWEULQJVWR ams’ character, Paige, to lose any
metal group, and after splintering mind Latin-American celebrations. memory of Tatum’s character, Leo.
The only thing Paige rememfrom their group they decided to fuse
Although I usually love when
their passions for the guitar to create artists step out and do something bers is being engaged to her ex,
a unique sound. The couple trav- unexpected, this album was both a Jeremy, and that she was a law
eled to Europe, where they found hit and a miss with me. The songs student living with her parents.
Leo immediately begins tryDIROORZLQJDQGKDYHVLQFHHQMR\HG DUHJRRGDQGGHÀQLWHO\ZRUWKDOLVa successful career. They recently ten, even if instrumental music is not ing to win over Paige, helpreleased their eighth studio album, your “thing,” but I felt that the best ing her remember their love.
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Area 52, a collaboration with a Cu- songs were the ones that were the
ban eight-piece “big band” orches- least changed. For example “11:11,” steps Leo must take to woo Paige, by
tra known as C.U.B.A. and English the title song of their 2009 album was taking her to all the places they went
pianist and producer, Alex Wilson. inspired by the rock band Pink Floyd, to on dates before their marriage.
Leo and Paige both learn
The album does not feature new and was the best song on the album
songs, rather it contains a re-working because it contained Rodrigo and that nothing is the way they
of some of their best known songs. Gabriela’s signature guitar sound. had expected, and that love has
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If you are interested in “out of strange and mysterious powers.
The Vow is based on a true story,
DUH MRLQHG E\ ORXG &XEDQ PXVLF WR the box” music or are a hipster into
create an album that is completely ,QGLH PXVLF WKLV &' VKRXOG GHÀ- which helps the audience underdifferent from anything they have nitely be at the top of your list. I stand the scary reality of accidents.
The Vow is a great movie that
ever done. The songs that fans know didn’t love this album, but I see that
and love are transformed into what they have versatility and am excited I would recommend to anybody
can only be described as upbeat, to hear what the group tries next. who believes in the power of love.
Mexican guitar duo revamps
songs with instrumental group
The Hobbit brings Tolkien’s
beloved first book to life
By Emily Gale
Staff Writer
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upcoming movie version of J.R.R.
Tolkien’s fantasy classic The Hobbit when the trailer was released
on YouTube in early December. The
video has received over 14 million
views so far, and it has fans buzzing
about this epic tale set 60 years before The Fellowship of the Ring. The
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An Unexpected Journey and There
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in theaters in Dec. 2012, and part two
will not be released until Dec. 2013.
Though it only lasts two minutes,
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the movie. It introduces the young
Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman, and the 13 dwarves that will acFRPSDQ\KLPRQKLVMRXUQH\7KRULQ
Oakshield, who is played by Richard Armitage, leads the company on
their quest to defeat the evil dragon
Smaug and take back the lost Dwarf
Kingdom of Erebor. The trailer also
sees the return of Lord of the Rings
cast members Ian Holm as the older
Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadri-
el and Ian McKellen as Gandalf.
Peter Jackson brought J.R.R.
Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings trilogy to
life with the release of The Fellowship of the Ring, followed by The Two
Towers and The Return of the King,
and now he’s bringing The Hobbit
from the page to the screen. As with
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screenwriter. From the great artistic
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Jackson was originally working
with director Guillermo Del Toro, but
Del Toro quit after countless producWLRQGHOD\V'HVSLWHRYHUÀOPLQJ
GHOD\VGXHWRZHDWKHUÁLJKWFDQFHOlations and money issues, Jackson
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time for the release next December.
By the looks of the trailer, The
Hobbit will be a great addition
to the Middle Earth adventures.
The cast is promising, and we already know what director Peter
Jackson is capable of. This movie
will most likely be a hit in theaters
and go on to win many Academy
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Radcliffe steps out of Potter’s
shadow in The Woman in Black
By Emily Gale
Staff Writer
6KULHNLQJ ELUGV FUHDNLQJ ÁRRUboards, suicidal children, a rising tide, creepy fog, a haunted
swamp and a vengeful ghost can
all be found in the movie “The
Woman in Black,” based on Susan
Hill’s 1983 novel. “The Woman in
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your seat and screaming in terror.
Daniel Radcliffe (best known as
Harry Potter) plays the widowed
Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer who
must leave his son to go on a business trip in order to settle the affairs of the late Alice Drablow. Mr.
Kipps takes a train to the coastal
town of Crythin Gifford, where he
soon learns that things are far from
normal. Children stare at him with
wide eyes and fearful expressions,
and every time he is near, parents
lock their children away in their
homes. The other villagers tell him
to leave right away, and the local inn will not even allow him to
book a room. Despite the hostility,
Mr. Kipps stays and makes a trip
to visit the Eel Marsh House to collect Mrs. Drablow’s paperwork.
The house is cut off from the rest
of the town by a long road that is
covered by a rising tide every few
hours, leaving Mr. Kipps stranded
at the house for long periods of
time. Just as in every horror story,
the house is extremely old and
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and dust. The audience gets an eerie feeling from the house and its
grounds almost immediately, but
Mr. Kipps is oblivious to the vibe
from the house and warnings from
the townsfolk, so he continues to
visit the house anyway. Even after his own encounter with the
dreaded woman in black, he still
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Whenever the woman in black
is seen, terrible things happen to
children in the town. Usually they
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EXUQLQJ WKHPVHOYHV DOLYH MXPSing out of high windows or drinking poison. Unfortunately for Mr.
Kipps, he is always around when
a child dies, and the townsfolk
begin to associate him with the
trouble and blame him for it. Mr.
Kipps takes matters into his own
hands when a local woman predicts that the woman in black will
go after his own son next, so he
decides to try to make peace with
the ghost in order to save his boy.
Radcliffe does an admirable
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has proven in this movie and in
two stage productions that he can
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you like being scared out of your
wits, this movie will do the trick.