Teens involved in disaster drill - Fairfield

Looking into the future pp.8-9
Tomorrow is another day, something to plan
The
Armijo Signal
Armijo High School, Fairfield
May 2015 Volume XIX, Issue IX
Teens involved in disaster drill
ASB, Class election
Students vote on-line
By Alejandro Vera
Staff writer
By April 10, ten members of
the Class of 2016 turned in packets
to run for Associated Student Body
(ASB) officers. Those students (Skyler Ataide, Jasmine Singh, Tommy
Weisz, Kaylen Anderson, Lacey
Tomson, Alec Barrett, Merrisa Rios,
Hunter Nelson, Gabe Vigil and Ashley Van Belle) went through the campaigning process until April 17. The
process included interviews with Mr.
Brad Burzynski, leadership teacher,
speeches followed by a Q&A session and on-line voting that spanned
from April 13-17. There were many
inspirational speeches, and following
the speeches there was the question
and answer session. The candidates
campaigned with videos in the broadcast, posters, and much more. While
there were only five positions for ASB
office, the other candidates will be eligible for positions as officers for the
Class of 2016.
While these future seniors
were diligently putting together their
campaigns, underclassmen were
also preparing for the future. Like
their ASB counterparts, the students
put together videos, went out and introduced themselves to their classmates and gave their speeches to
the leadership class. Throughout the
week of April 20-24, students were
encouraged to go on-line and vote for
their favorite candidates.
Each candidate, whether for
ASB or class office, was expected to
turn in a form signed by at least 25
students which was part of their completed packet. They were also expected to turn in an Officer Biography
sheet explaining why they were running and what background they had.
The speech and Q&A session was
most important, earning the students
40% of their vote. This score was to
be evaluated by Mr. Burzynski and
the class adviser. The remaining 60%
of the vote was split equally between
the votes of the leadership class and
the votes of the student body as a
whole.
The winners will be announced in the upcoming June issue
of The Armijo Signal and the students
will find out their positions at the annual leadership banquet that will take
place in mid-May.
AHS volunteers help in training for community organization
By Haley Adam
Student volunteer
Fairfield’s Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) held a mock disaster drill on Saturday, March 21, and 12 students from leadership took advantage of the
opportunity to participate as volunteers for
the event.
The students arrived at the fire station and, with the help of two adult volunteers, got straight into theater makeup, preparing to appear like victims of a crisis. The
transformation included fake blood, latex,
fake cuts, fake burns and fake bruises. After makeup was done the students were instructed to sit down and listen to the instructions given by Mr. Limneos. After instructions
were given he placed the students in places
throughout the fire station depending to the
injuries that they had.
After each student was placed, the
CERT team made their way into the building. During the exercise the team had to investigate what happened and evacuate the
injured and anybody else who was in the
building. “Many of the students even helped
by applying their “dramatic” side by moaning, yelling or crying. I was very impressed,”
said Ms. Limneos who witnessed the event.
These students were doctored up with theater make-up for the drill.
(Bottom) “Victims” included Sierra Jones, Merrisa Rios, Haley Adam
and Ashley Santos.
Photo by Ms. Cyndi Limneos
Continued on page 14 -
CERT volunteers
One student recalls the horrors of the hurricane
New Orleans transplant experienced historic storm a decade ago
By Trina Reynolds
People editor
People who have lived in California long enough will experience an earthquake
of some magnitude. Natural disasters such as earthquakes can make a person
feel helpless, at the mercy of the Earth’s strength and the weather’s chaos. Justin Pennison, currently a junior at Armijo High, had a serious experience with a
natural disaster at the age of seven. Its name was Hurricane Katrina.
Pennison was just a kid living in a suburb within New Orleans, Louisiana, when
Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. To this day, he can remember his experience vividly. “It stays with you. You don’t really forget,” he said. He can remember
trying to leave the city. Cars blocked the exits. People had reached the point of
Justin lived through history abandoning their cars and fleeing on foot. Pennison
and his dad, despite the hurricane warnings, had
and survived.
Table of contents
Photo by Nathaly Merida to turn back. They returned home and watched the
waters rise over the sidewalks and streets and into News
1, 3-5
their apartment. Pennison and his dad were pushed upstairs, grabbing what Editorials, etc.
2
pictures they could and some food from the pantry.
People
6-7
Pennison can remember sitting up on the roof of the apartment, eating
Center
Spread
8-9
pop-tarts snatched from the pantry and feeling the house rock. His dad had
10
managed to bring a radio up to the roof, where they listened for updates on the Senior News
Continued on page 2 -
Hurricane Katrina remembered
Clubs
Sports
Entertainment
11
12-13
14-16
2Editorials, etc.
News 3
What does the future hold?
Bike to school,
save the environment
The future is incredibly valuable – and incredibly unreliable – for a reason. Fiction stories have explored the idea of foresight, the ability to predict
events in the future, as a supernatural power with dire consequences. In these
stories, those who can completely predict the future benefit immensely from
their power, but quickly find that their knowledge defeats the fun in living day-today life. In the real world, most predictions are actually just estimations. Even
the most experienced futurologists incorrectly predict trends more often than
they correctly do, and even the
most promising patterns may end
up creating completely different
outcomes.
If the future is so unreliable, then why do so many fields
(from mathematics to economics
to political science) try to map it
out? One obvious benefit is profit,
as being able to gauge changes
in demand is the money-making
dream of economists. Another is
reliability; the future is notoriously
unpredictable, and being able
to infer changes and prepare for
them can help any organization
to avoid obstacles and provides a
career in itself (data analysts, consultants, etc.). Finally, our obsession with the
future can be linked to the concept of hope. In times of strife, hope for happiness
in the future is what keeps humans going. However, many are not happy with a
vague promise of future joy, and strive to either shape their own future or try to
“predict” it.
The only thing the future is guaranteed to hold is change. No matter how
hard humanity tries to homogenize society and “keep everything the same”,
change always prevails to some degree. Whether that change entails a week of
intense revolution or years of gradual struggle, the world continues to change
relentlessly as time flows on.
By Tim Liu
Editor-in-Chief
Hurricane Katrina remembered Continued from front page
hurricane and waited out the storm.
Pennison says he has video of cars, trees, and even entire houses floating down
the streets, carried by the floodwaters. Houses were torn from their foundations. The
pipes coming up from the ground were all that remained.
Through the eyes of a seven-year-old, Pennison can remember being scared and
not completely understanding what was going on. “It’s not really something you can write
down. Its impact on you can’t be translated,” he said of his experience.
Pennison’s grandpa, who lived by the levees, which are designed to withstand the
floodwater to some degree, recalls them bursting. After the flood, they were decimated,
along with many neighborhoods like Pennison’s. After the disaster, Pennison was sent
to a camp by FEMA, the federal emergency management agency. Soon, after given the
choice between Mississippi and Texas, he was displaced to Houston. Finally, in 2009, he
moved to San Francisco. Eventually, Pennison made his home here, in Fairfield, California.
Editors & Reporters:
Tim Liu, Editor-in-Chief
Elyce Dixon and Jewel Esparza, News
Trina Reynolds, People
Mayank Malhotra and Andrew Zheng,
Senior News
Derek Wadsworth, Classes & Clubs
Brittany Monk, Sports
Sophia Santos and Gabriel Zanipatin,
Entertainment
Adviser:
Ms. Lynne D. Herring
Reporters:
Estefanny Saenz Hernandez
Johnny Fagundes
Enjoli Johnson
Tatanisha Johnson
Amanpreet Kaur
Nathaniel Moore
Peter Popescu
Dayanna Reyes
Gabriela Rivera
Annika R. Uyenco
Alejandro Vera
Columnists:
Sam Bundenthal
Cartoonist:
Nina Steinkraus
Photographers:
Trevon Carrie
Nathaly Merida
Contributors:
Haley Adam
Gardelia Alvarez Tovar
Ms. Sandy Anderson
Ms. Sheena Beeson
Mr. Brad Burzynski
Mr. Ben Dickens
Hallie Hill
Josef Jones
Chrys Lomahan
Mr. Al Maddalena
Melanie Pence
Mr. Eric Tretten
Pablo Vivas
Ms. Vanessa Walling-Sisi
Ms. Faralee Wright
By Trina Reynolds
People editor
Let Journalism Thrive
By Elyce Dixon
News co-editor
Around the world people can receive news of varying
topics from all around the world, thanks to the luxury of free
press. The press is a very important aspect of society because
it allows us to be informed, to discuss recent topics and to allow us to take action if need be. It’s for these reasons that the
United Nations (UN) created a World Press Freedom Day that is
celebrated on May 3 worldwide. The first celebration was in May
1994 after a declaration by the UN in December 1993.
The UN created this day for several specific reasons.
They wanted to emphasize the idea of free press and let it be
recognized throughout the world. This day was also created so
that media can be defended from attacks about the things they
publish and honor those who have sacrificed in order for press
to be prevalent.
World Press Freedom Day is a reminder of human rights
and press freedom rights that everyone has the right to practice.
On this day a different country from around the world every year
picks a specific theme to emphasize or focus on during World
Press Freedom Day that has to do with freedom of speech. For
example, last year in Paris the theme was “Media Freedom for
a Better Future” which promoted the idea that the world needs
free press in order to get better and move forward as a society.
This year’s theme is “Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Safety in the Digital Age” and the
conference will take place in the country of Latvia.
In addition to different countries hosting conferences to
celebrate World Press Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) hands out a World
Press Freedom Prize to honor those who have made a significant difference to the journalism world. They reward people, organizations, foundations, etc that have practiced the freedom
of press, especially in dangerous situations that have made a
difference and exemplifies the importance of free press around
the world. Fourteen professionals from the news branch decide
on this award that was created in 1997.
World Press Freedom Day is a day to exemplify the
works of those in the journalism field and to appreciate our ability to absorb information and inform those around the world.
Keep connected with
The Armijo Signal!
Stay up to date on newspaper news, join in
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Questions? Call (707) 438-3308 or e-mail [email protected].
Letters to the editor?
We realize that readers may not always agree with our articles
or have something that they want to share with the school, which includes the students and the faculty. If you would like to contribute to our
Editorial Page, including letters to the editor, please deliver them to C-3.
A name must be included.
The Armijo Signal is a student publication created to provide
information and entertainment to the students at Armijo High School.
We strive to be factually accurate and encourage our readers to bring
information to our attention that could improve our newspaper.
Articles and advertising are selected at the discretion of the
Journalism Club members and adviser but do not always reflect the
views of the club or the culture of the school.
The Governing Board is committed to equal opportunity for all
individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free
from discrimination based on gender, sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, marital or parental status,
physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or the perception of one
or more of such characteristics. The Board shall promote programs,
which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district
activities.
Do you live close to Armijo? Do you like to bike? Do
you want to help the environment? If you answered yes to
each of those questions, you should definitely participate
in National Bike to Work Week, from Monday, May 11, to
Friday, May 15.
There are countless reasons to try biking to school.
First of all, riding a bike to school helps the environment.
Bikes use no fuel, don’t require toxic batteries or motor
oil, and use up a lot less energy than a car. Take this for
example: say that you drive a midsize car five days a week
for a year and your commute is about 10 miles round trip.
You have just polluted the air with 1.3 tons of CO2. Riding a bike to school results in a healthier atmosphere, and
since each one of us takes in about 21,600 breaths every
day, every single person on planet Earth should be an advocate for fresher air.
Additionally, riding a bike is enjoyable, much preferable to riding in a car. From feeling the wind in your
face to simply avoiding traffic, riding a bike can lower your
stress levels and give you some time to enjoy the outdoors
and get some exercise before your hectic day at school.
Besides, riding a bike instead of driving a car sure saves
on gas money.
There is one day that there will be even more benefits to riding your bike to school. Thursday, May 14 is Bike
to School Day!
Bike to School or Work Day is recognized nationally, and here at Armijo we’ve got a special event going on.
Mr. Christian Stoll works alongside the Solano Transportation Authority to set up an “energizer station” right here
on campus. Students and staff who come to school by
bicycle between 7 and 8 am can find that station at the
bike cage by the parking lot and receive all sorts of things
like bananas, doughnuts, and bike accessories.
May is National Bike Month and celebrating Bike to
School Day is a great way to participate. It helps the environment and has a positive effect on your emotional and
physical well-being. I encourage you to give it a try. Who
knows? With the weather warming up and summer right
around the corner, you may love it so much, you’ll bike to
school for the rest of the year.
Success calling
By Tatanisha Johnson
Staff writer
Temetruis O’Bannon is only a sophomore but he is already making a name for himself
in the business world. O’Bannon started his Amazon business in October 2014, selling
IPhone 6 cases. O’Bannon is doing this “to gain money and to start a career for my life,”
he said. “I won’t stop until I die.”
Running an online company isn’t easy
but it is beneficial. He
gets about $600 in profit a
month and uses much of
that to restock his inventory. He also gives 10%
to his church. O’Bannon
gets the iPhone cases in
bulk, between200-300
cases at a time. He
sends them to an Amazon distribution center.
When someone orders a
case, he sends Amazon
all the information, and
they send the case to the
customer.
Dealing with customers is a problem all
by itself, but O’Bannon
knows how to handle
them
professionally.
Even when he gets angry or rude customers,
Temetrius is already earning money for his future
by running a successful business.
he gives good customer
Photo by Trevon Carrie
service because that’s
how a professional business would respond. If customers don’t get their order delivered, O’Bannon makes it right
and sends a new order.
O’Bannon works alone in the Amazon business because he doesn’t want to share
the profits.” It’s a split thing and I want to be in control of my own business,” he said.
“I love my business,” O’Bannon said. “It teaches me a lot in customer service and teaches
me how to treat customers.” The advice he would give others who want to start a business is to be dedicated to it. “You need a lot of money, investment and time and you have
to be ready for rude customers,” he said.
You can order cell phone cases from O’Bannon through Amazon or find more
about his company at Telicase.com.
Building dreams
By Mr. Al Maddalena
Constructions Trades
Students in the Armijo High School Advanced Construction Trade Class are helping Habitat for Humanity build two homes in the Fairfield area. This is a communitybased educational project.
As shown in this picture – students are putting up siding on one of the two houses
on site. This project was started in the fall when the concrete foundation was poured,
and continues on to the
present time. We are hoping
completion will be in August,
2015 – work and weather
permitting.
Students
have
learned carpentry work, as
well as skills in electrical,
plumbing, and energy conservation as they work with
community volunteers, and
professional skilled tradespeople. Students also learn
the need for planning and
engineering as well as working with the City of Fairfield
Building and Construction
Inspection Department.
Habitat is always
proud to have Armijo stuMembers of the Advanced Construction Trade Class
dents take part in our conhelp prepare a house for local residents.
Photo by Mr. Al Maddalena struction projects.
4
News
Armijo offers Independent Study
courses for summer
Students who have fallen behind in credits can catch up for one class (five credits) by passing the appropriate Summer School class. Select math, science, English Language Development (ELD) and PE classes will be offered at Fairfield High School, but
students who want to catch up on units for English, World and US History, Econ, Government, Physical and Life
Sciences can come to
any of the three high
schools to use the PLATO computer system.
The registration deadline was Friday, April
24.
For students in the
Fairfield-Suisun
Unified School District
(FSUSD),
Summer
School starts Wednesday, June 10 and ends
Tuesday, June 30.
Classes run from 8:15
to 12:30. These are
only open to students
who need to make up
credits and there is not
credit advancement.
There is a strict attendance policy for FSUSD classes. A student will not receive
credit if he/she misses more than four hours during the summer school session at Fairfield High School. Four tardies of less than ten minutes are considered one hour; tardies
of ten minutes or more are considered one hour each. Also parents are responsible for
transportation to summer school.
Misbehavior can also keep students from the opportunity of earning their credits.
The first time a student violates the rules, he or she will get an office referral and a parent
contact. The second time, the student will be dropped from the Summer School program.
Also, the program is a closed campus and students may not leave until the end of the
school day.
For more information about this opportunity and the expectations, students can
talk to their counselors.
Another way to take advantage of summer learning is to take classes at Solano
College. While the classes are limited, there are opportunities for students to catch up
on missing credits or to get ahead with the goal of graduating early from high school. For
more information, go to http://www.solano.edu/.
Library focus
Books, books and more books
By Amanpreet Kaur
Staff writer
May is “Get Caught Reading” month and students can get caught reading lots
in the Armijo High School library! The winners of the California Young Reading Medal (CYRM) are set to be announced on Friday, May 1, and Young Adult nominees for
2014-2015include Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Laini Taylor, Legend by Marie Lu and
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Next year’s nominees are already out, too, and
include Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.
The CYRM is a unique literary award that was started in 1974 to encourage reading by engaging young readers in their award process. Young people will recommend
their favorite books to their teachers and librarians who will then turn their nominations to
the organization; so all recipients of the CYRM were books that are favored and loved by
the young people.
May is also national Asian American and Pacific Islander month, which will be
celebrated in the library. May is
used to commemorate Asian
Americans because it also marks
the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad which was built
by a majority of Chinese immigrants.
May also marks the month
where the first Japanese immigrated to the United States. Students can read all about it in the
library!
May has lots of things going
on at the library so make sure
to check it out and perhaps get
caught reading.
News
5
Last chance for CAHSEE
Reflections on prom
Celebrate around the world
Only certain students will be able to take advantage of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13. They include
students who were absent for the February administration
as well as juniors who attempted only once this school
year, and seniors who have not passed one or both portions of the test.
All students who are taking the test should report to
the library at 7:45 in the morning, but nobody needs to be
unprepared. The school library features CAHSEE tutorial
software and, with extended hours, students can practice
after school until 4 pm every day. For those who prefer to
work at home, CAHSEE CD’s are also available for check
out.
Another way to prepare is to use Shmoop, which is
available to help students in both math and English. Students should be registered to use the program, either at
school or at home. It is still possible to sign up through the
library.
While seniors who pass the test in May will not be
eligible to walk at graduation, they will have the opportunity to earn their diploma.
Additional information regarding the test is available on the California Department of Education’s website
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg.hs. Questions or concerns at
the local level can be handled by the counselors or Assistant Principal Mr. John Lammon at (707) 438-3408.
By Enjoli Johnson
Staff writer
A modified reprint from May 2014
by Gardelia Alvarez Tovar, Staff writer
For most girls who attend prom, the preparation
can be quite stressful, but when everything is considered,
it is worth it all, especially after the prom vibe takes over.
This year’s prom was definitely a five-star event.
Those who attended know that it is important to
take advantage of the opportunity and plan ahead. It is
an experience to get dressed up and enjoy the magic of
the evening. For some, the best part of prom would be
the music and seeing everyone else looking gorgeous. For
others, it is the time spent on the journey, either in the
Party Bus or in the limousine. The overall experience for
this year’s prom was beautiful and it is a memory that will
be cherished forever.
Ohajai Murray attended prom but only gave the
evening four out of five stars. He felt that the food could’ve
been tastier and maybe a different area would’ve been
better. Still, he agreed that the experience was worth it
because it was fun event and he got to see people leave
their comfort zone. As a senior, Murray felt that attending
prom made him realize that his high school experiences
are almost over and that realization has a bittersweet quality to it.
Junior Leah Pugh-Pryor also gave the event four
stars out of five and admitted that the fun really started
after arriving.
Nyleah Jones and Zariya Bolton both gave the
prom five stars. Jones agreed that the evening was definitely worth all of the planning, rewarding after all the
stress of the day. Bolton couldn’t pinpoint the best part of
the evening and said that it was the whole experience.
Those who are planning to attend the prom in 2016
will find it less stressful if they are prepared ahead of time.
Murray recommended that those who attend next year
bring a change of clothes and some mints to keep the moments fresh. Bolton suggested bringing comfortable shoes
and, for those with long hair, additional hair ties. Prom is a
night of dancing and has the potential to be simply amazing.
This year’s theme was Midnight at Gatsby’s but it
will be up to the class of 2017 to determine the theme for
next year and they have big dreams to fill.
The International Club will be hosting the 11th annual International Week from Monday,
May 4, through Friday, May 8, in the Annex Quad. It will be a week full of new and creative performances from students and teachers alike. Not only will there be performances but there will also be fun games and prizes.
Monday, May 4, there will be a piano players, a guitarist and A capella vocal performers.
We will play a world capitals game and give away global key chains.
Tuesday, May 5, is Cinco de Mayo and there will be, appropriately, Mexican Folklorico
dancing, and Bachata dancers and other traditional Mexican music. There will be a balloon game and Loteria, which is similar to bingo, and Mexican candy will be given away.
It is also the International Club’s adviser, Ms. Vanessa Walling-Sisi’s birthday so make
sure you wish her a happy birthday as she hosts the event.
On Wednesday, May 6, the Guitar Club will be performing. There will also be an AfroCaribbean drumming show. International Club will be handing out flags and necklaces.
Indian Bhangra dancers and possibly some Jewish Folk dancing will be the highlights on
Thursday, May 7. Students will be able to participate in a map game, and flag key chains
will be handed out.
Finally, on Friday, May 8, there will be Filipino Tenikling dancing. Mr. Jensen will
be playing Harmonica and more prizes will be handed out
Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy a week full of international performances!
The first time
The Smarter Balance test, also known as the
SBAC, counted for the first time with the Class of 2016.
Each student currently in 11th grade took both parts of the
test. English classes began taking the test in the library
and, after that portion of the test was completed, the students came to work again based on the math levels that
they are currently taking.
Testing began on Tuesday, April 14. A special
schedule put lunch directly after third period and lunch
was followed by fourth period. This schedule allowed the
test takers to participate in either the morning or afternoon
session and continued until Monday, April 27. After that the
schedule returned to normal while the last few students did
their make-up tests.
In high school, only juniors will be required to take
the test, which essentially replaces the CSTs that freshmen, sophomores and juniors have had to take in the past.
There is also a required science test for sophomores, a
test that was taken in their respective science classes.
JSA students on the road
On Friday, April 24, students from the Junior
Statesmen of America (JSA) traveled to a conference in
Santa Clara. While there were no debating winners, the
Armijo students swept the regional elections. The following students were honored with the attached titles:
Alex Peppard - senator
Andrew Lucas - senator
Arsh Sharma - Vice Mayor
Gabe Vigil - Mayor
Mr. Ben Dickens, the club’s adviser, accompanined
the students on their travels and was proud of their success.
Battle of Armijo (BOA)
Friday, May 15 from 4 - 8 pm
8-12 people on a team with matching uniforms
$20 - register in advance with Mr. Burzynski
Drama preview
An emotional roller coaster
By Ms. Sheena Beeson
Drama adviser
Need a little laughter in your
life? Been a while since you had a
good cry? No worries! Drama club
has you covered with their spring
production “A Dramedy Experience”. The evening of entertainment includes two one act plays.
“The Long View” plays first, with
a cast of 10 eloquent teenagers
expressing the struggles of the human experience in high school and
beyond. Then sit back and relax
Students practice their roles in anticipation
while “Hard Candy”, and its cast
of the spring production.
of 6 hilarious job-seeking characPhoto by Ms. Beeson
ters, makes you giggle about how
ridiculous we can be sometimes.
The 16 cast members from all different backgrounds have come together to present a truly unique and entertaining experience. Their director, Ms. Beeson, hopes you’ll
be able to attend so you can enjoy a night of theatre and help Armijo’s theatre program
grow into next year. Every theatre event is a fundraiser!
Performances run May 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16. Thursday’s show is at 7 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the shows begin at 8 pm. Tickets are sold at the door for $8.
Comcast Cares Volunteer Clean-up
Photos by Mr. Joe Summers and Mr. Eric Tretten
Get your music on
By Johnny Fagundes
Staff writer
Do you like music? Do you have a musical talent? Well then, the Music Fest is for you! Music Fest is
a weeklong event hosted by Leadership. Armijo students
and staff will perform their musical talents for the school.
The Music Fest is scheduled to run from Monday, May 18,
through Thursday, May 21.
The reason for this amazing event is to give the
students of Armijo a more relaxed environment to share
and listen to musical talents. It will include whatever type of music people
bring. Anyone can participate if they have signed
up with Mr. Burzynski in
AG-5 before the end April.
It should be an
exciting environment and
draw a large crowd, since
this is the first year this
event is being held.
6People
What do you plan to do after graduating from high school?
Freshman Braden Murphy:
“Get a degreein computer science or
technology at Cal Poly or UC Santa
Barbara and get a job that involves
that.”
Freshman Meleena Low:
“Become a marine biologist or theater actor after going to UC Berkeley
with theater and art as a major.”
Sophomore Duc Tran:
“Go into the military and tehn go to
UC Davis with plans on being a doctor.”
Sophomore Jennifer Nolde:
“Go to an art college like Expression
College and work at Michaels.”
Junior Darius Sampe:
“Go to a community college and
move on to UC Davis or Berkeley
with sports medicine as both a major
and a job.”
Senior Samuel Becerra Dominguez:
“Go to a community college.”
Junior Noni Perkins-Moore:
“Go to college.”
Senior Audreonna Warner:
“Take a year off and look for jobs, but
eventually go to a community college.”
Far from Home
Volunteer
By Amanpreet Kaur
Staff writer
For some students, the most valuable reason for
volunteering is making the college application shine, or
earning community service hours. It started that way for
Jasmine Cortez, but she has moved on from there to exercise her influence through volunteering work. “I’ve always
had an inate desire to help people,” she said. “I did an
internship once for John Garamendi, hoping I would get a
different look at politics.”
“In the future, I hope to do volunteer work on a larger scale... I hope I can be privileged enough to get to go
to a third world country and help out there any way I can,”
she said.
Her earlier foray into volunteering in politics had
Cortez making phone calls and encouraging people to get
out and vote. “I’ve also
volunteered at events
and the work there depends on the event and
the people in charge,”
she said.
Cortez said that
she would encourage
other people to get involved in volunteering by
“volunteering in things
they feel passionate
about. That will make
the experience much
more enjoyable and satisfying.” That’s clearly a
Jasmine knows that volunteering
more rewarding way to
comes in many forms.
start.
Photo by Trevon Carrie
By way of Chicago
Sachleen Kaur came to the United
States in the spring, spending a brief time
in Chicago on her way from Punjab, India.
She said that she really likes her
new environment for the atmosphere, opportunities and people around her. She
shared that Armijo is “cool, great, the main
thing I like is that you get to do what you
want here.” It is quite different from her
home country.
Kaur likes the staff and students
because the “teachers are very helpful and
even the students, they don’t let you feel
that you are new,” she said.
She was fortunate when it came to language. In India, she went to convent
school so she learned English from a very
Sachleen is artistic and fluent in English,
young age. Now that she is in America, the
her second language.
Photo by Trevon Carrie
language barriers aren’t too overwhelming
for her.
Although she misses her friends in India and all the clubs she was part of back
home, she’s adjusting quite well. She’s quite passionate about art and her painting will
be featured in The Solano Art Exhibition which will be on display from May 20 – 27 at the
Solano County Office of Education.
All in a name
Hunting for Hunters
By Trevon Carrie, Jozef Jones and Chrys Lomahan
Teacher feature
A new start
Ms. Michelle Bolden is enjoying her first year teaching at Armijo. “I teach the Functional Academics
11-12 graders,” she said. “I began
my career in Silicon Valley at Cisco
Systems. I worked there for a decade
in New Product Development and
earned an MBA as well. I enjoyed
working with a large team and helping them to succeed. This is very similar to how we work together here at
AHS.”
Ms. Bolden left Cisco Systems because of her sons. “I began
reading a lot about the increase of
children, especially male children,
being identified on the Autism Spectrum,” she said. “I wanted to help
work with these children and families
to become as independent as possible.”
She is enjoying her new caMs. Bolden got into teaching
reer
and
would encourage others to
as a second career.
Photo by Trevon Carrie pursue teaching if they “truly care
about the well-being of children and
how your direct support will affect them for a lifetime.” As a mother, she understands that
the job sometimes requires treating students as if they were actual offspring, “sometimes
even wiping noses, tying their shoes, giving them a safe place to vent, all while creating
a fun and exciting learning environment.”
Teachers and education have had a strong influence on Ms. Bolden’s decisions.
She attended Presentation High School in Berkeley and then went to Southern University, a Historically Black College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That’s where she met her
husband. “I was influenced by my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Juba,” Ms. Bolden said. “She
was very strict and firm. I learned the importance of respecting my elders and listening
to their direction because they know what is best since they’ve experienced more in life
than I had at that time.”
In her free time, Ms. Bolden enjoys reading fictional books and some autobiographies. “I also love to get full body massages, shopping with my girlfriends and, of course,
vacationing to any place warm,” she said.
Adriana and Andrea enjoy working together
as Sales Associates at Old Navy.
ID photos
At Work
Two sisters, one employer
Some sisters share almost everything. Adriana and
Andrea Cruz are like that. They share a lot of the same
friends and they share a car. Unlike most siblings, however, they also share the same employer.
“I love working with my sister, to be honest,”
said Andrea. “It just makes work go by faster having her
around.” With one car and the same employer, it would
make sense if the girls had the same schedule, but they
don’t always work the same shifts.
It’s a hassle having different schedules because
we waste a lot of gas going back and forth,” Andrea said.
Because she is involved in soccer, her work schedule is
usually just on weekends. Adriana tends to work about 20
hours a week.
Both girls are pleased with their managers. “I have
six managers,” said Adriana, “and I enjoy working with all
of them.”
The girls both have the title of “sales associate” at
Old Navy. For both of them, this is their first job experience. They don’t have a specific uniform and they are expected to be ready for anything when they are at work. For
Continued on page 16 -
Working together
People 7
Hunter a more
common name
than expected.
By Trevon Carrie
When Hunter Miller’s parents chose his name, they thought
it was unique, so it was a bit surprising when he heard that Hunter
Nelson, an Armijo student who shared his first name, was running for
leadership. When people meet Miller, however, they are still impressed
with his name, saying that it is “cool.” Miller did admit that if he were
able to choose his own name it would be something relatively common, like Robert.
While Miller was eager to share his information, it was harder
to track down the other two Hunters. The first, Nelson, did manage to
become a contributing member of the leadership class and ran for Associated Student Body office. He has also been part of the baseball
team at Armijo and has supported the community by taking part in
Armijo’s annual Blood Drive.
The final Hunter, Hunter Wilson, is a somewhat typical sophomore. In February, he took and passed the California High School Exit
Exam (CAHSEE). He has always gone to schools in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and he is looking forward to finishing the
2014-2015 school year and enjoying his summer vacation.
Mystery person
Last chance for a movie ticket
By Johnny Fagundes
Staff writer
This month’s Mystery Person has been attending Armijo since he was a freshman. Now, as a junior, he is preparing for his final year.
He is already involved in two sports: water polo and swim. He held an important
role on the water polo team last fall, and his position was his proudest accomplishment.
On a personal level, this Mystery Person said that he feels that Canada is an awesome place that he would want to travel to someday.
This person’s favorite color is black, loves hip-hop, and enjoys playing Call of
Duty. He is the only person in his family to attend Armijo and
when he graduates in 2016 he wants to serve with the Air
Force in pararescue. He doesn’t plan on going to college anytime soon, but if he earned.$1 million, which he recognized is
a lot of money, he knows exactly what he wants to do with it.
He said that he would buy a underground bunker to stay safe.
Beyond CAS hours
Sibling spotlight
3 years, 2 twins, 1 sister
When Nelson Quezada graduates in June, his two
younger brothers – Eric and Ismael – will just be preparing
to enter tenth grade. This school year is probably the last
time the three brothers will ever share a campus, although
they did all attend Laurel Creek Elementary together several years ago. Their younger sister, Cassandra, will be
starting elementary school about the same time that the
twins will be going on to college.
The brothers are all in band together and Nelson and Eric both have Ms. Shabazz for math, although
at completely different levels. For Ismael, the worst thing
about sharing the campus is waiting for them to get to the
car after school.
Nelson and Ismael are both sure that they are college bound and both enjoy band. Nelson plans to pursue a
career in the medical field or perhaps music while Ismael
is currently interested in pursuing work in the computer
field. Ismael also hopes to join cross country and / or track
next year. For Eric, the younger twin, his future currently
involves a goal of catering.
If the brothers were given a chance to say something about the others, Nelson believes they would say that
he was “very dramatic. I like to make them laugh,” he said.
Eric, on the other hand, thinks his brothers would say that
he is “livin’ like Larry” because he’s liberal. Ismael thinks
that they would say he’s very optimistic “because I’m happy and positive.”
They may be family and have a lot in common,
but the Quezada brothers each have a streak of creative
uniqueness that makes them stand out from each other.
Nobody figured Alyssa as
April’s Mystery Person.
ID photo
Last month’s Mystery Person was freshman Alyssa Markarian who remained a mystery throughout April.
If you know this month’s Mystery Person, go to G-10. The first person to
correctly this individual will receive a free movie ticket at Edwards Theater.
Only one prize per month will be awarded. Journalism students or club members and Armijo teachers and staff do not qualify. Armijo’s Mystery Person
will be presented between September and May. Prizes will be available to
the first person that correctly identifies the individual from the description
given. Submission cannot be taken during class time but will be accepted
between classes, before and after school.
Nelson, Eric and Ismael know that they will never have to share
the campus again after Nelson graduates.
ID photos and photo by Nathaly Merida
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9
Go to the college of your dreams
Plan to go to community college until further plans
Go out into the world and find a job
Start making plans about supporting yourself and/or moving out
Save money for a vehicle
if you don’t already have one
Take some time to relax before starting your life as an adult
Travel Abroad
Enlist in the military
Most importantly..Plan for your future
Expenses for senior year
Do
you
recognize
$120 per IB test
$91 per AP test
$100 for Prom ticket
(plus dress/tuxedo, transportation, corsage/boutonnière)
$80 for yearbook
$100 Senior Trip
$95 Grad Nite
$11.25 per SAT score report sent to college
$110 per college application
$100 down payment for college
$35 for a cap and gown
$8.95 for tassel
$80-400 for class ring
these alumni who
Freshman 15
Fifteen college movies
22 Jump Street
Admission
Accepted
Monsters University
An Education
Smart People
The House Bunny
Good Will Hunting
The Social Network
Higher Learning
School Daze
Sydney White
The Freshman
Revenge of the Nerds
Berkeley in the Sixties
just can’t
stay away?
By Annika R. Uyenco
Staff writer
As the school year comes to an end, high school
seniors everywhere are preparing to leave home and
dive into the college life. Most, if not all, will have a
hard transition being on their own and develop a case
of homesickness. As soon-to-be college freshmen look
back on their past 18 years or so, they realize how much
everything is about to change: from washing laundry, to
doing grocery shopping, and preparing food.
Having to juggle a full academic schedule, not to
mention doing the roles of both your parents by yourself, is stressful and overwhelming. But there are ways
to make the college experience and the entrance to the
adult world a bit easier!
Before packing the bags and boxes and leaving
home, teens should make sure to know how to do the
laundry. It is also incredibly important to know a few simple and nutritious recipes. This will not only be healthier
but it will save a lot of money (no need to go out and buy
to-go food).
Because there are no more curfews given out by
the parents, many college students go crazy and stay out
all night. This can have a heavy toll on grades. Time management is very important when in
college. College students are not only expected to find balance
between their studies and their social life, but with their duties to
themselves, such as buying groceries and washing clothes.
With parents, teens should create a money management
plan as well. They can discuss ways to budget money at a reasonable amount each week so there is enough for emergency trips or
day-out trips.
Last but not least, individuals leaving the nest should keep
in touch with their family. So many high school seniors are so
caught up in the hype of college and soon they begin to realize
how much they miss home. Those who are lucky enough to go to
college in or near their hometown but choose to live on campus or nearby should visit
their family once in a while. For those farther away, it helps to make it home for special
holidays. Families are always there to welcome people home.
Life after High School – What are your choices?
Join the
Leaving the comforts of home
Peace Corps
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10
Senior News
Senior spotlight
Final steps
Isaiah Stewart is almost all
grown up, but he hasn’t lost his
childhood dream. “I plan to be a
firefighter, like my Dad,” he said.
After spending the last four years
at Armijo, Stewart intends to prepare himself for his career by attending Cal State East Bay and
studying kinesiology.
For Stewart, leaving Armijo
will be leaving his high school basketball experiences behind and
that is what he expects to miss
the most. “I’ll miss the basketball
games against Rod and Fairfield
the most,” he said. “Those are always fun to play in.” While he participated in track for two years, he
played on the basketball team and
that’s where he made the most
memories. He also sees basketball, along with working out at the
gym and talking to girls, one of his
Isaiah is looking forward to graduation,
favorite hobbies.
but he is going to miss his basketball experiences.
Photo by Trevon Carrie As he prepares to leave,
Stewart has taken a look around
and seen how things have changed from his perspective. “I’d like to see the underclassmen get taller. It feels like I’m walking among midgets half the time,” he said.
Stewart is a middle child whose role model is Malcolm X. After spending his high
school career at Armijo, he had this advice to offer students who are just starting out:
“Focus on yourself… don’t do drugs!”
College focus
New York, New York
By Andrew Zheng
Senior News co-editor
Fixed in the tableau of bustling city life, New York University (NYU) is a private college based in New York City. The main campus is located in the very center of Lower Manhattan, where students are able to enjoy the reverberations and culture of the grand hub.
An additional twenty or so organized institutes are spread out all over the metropolis and
around the world, ranging from settings such as Brooklyn to Shanghai. The university logo,
the upheld torch, is derived from the Statue of Liberty. NYU’s mascot is the bobcat and its
school color is violet. Undergraduate admissions are selective, totaling to an acceptance
rate of 32.4% for the fall semester of 2015. The U.S. News and World Report ranks New
York University at a high standing of #32 in the nation. College-bound high school students
and the scholars of NYU alike are truly captivated by the exciting milieu, strong academics,
and undergraduate life.
New York City is articulately vast and dynamic. New York University fits right into the
urban environment. Washington Square Park, amidst its iconic gateway arch etched with
prominent figures of American history, is largely surrounded by NYU buildings and plays
an integral role in the university’s campus life. The Bobst Library is the largest library at
NYU and one of the greatest academic libraries in the United States. The 12-story building
circulates one million books annually and is visited by 6,800 users each day. Residence
halls possess a retro vibe; they are converted apartment complexes or old hotels. Approximately 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students live in the dorms. The campus is also
extremely sustainable, especially important in a metropolitan setting. The benefits of using
renewable energy equalized to removing 12,000 cars off the road or planting 72,000 trees.
Many people think of the fine arts and acting when NYU is mentioned, but the university offers much more. Indeed, there is the Tisch School of the Arts where people can
follow their passions in music, performance, and film. It holds dozens of notable alumni:
Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Anne Hathaway, James Franco, and more. However, there is
also the College of Arts and Sciences, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Polytechnic
School of Engineering, School of Medicine, Silver School of Social Work, and several more
seminaries. NYU hosts over 60 choices in majors and minors. All of its graduate programs
are exceptional, having the NYU School of Law seizing sixth in the nation.
Students can get involved in over 450 clubs and organizations. In addition to the
sports teams, fraternities, sororities, and study clubs, there are many groups on campus
that focus on entertainment, arts, and culture. NYU’s athletic teams participate in NCAA
Division III, alongside the exception of men’s volleyball and fencing partaking in Division I.
There has not been a football team since 1952. There is a daily school newspaper named
the “Washington Square News” and a comedy magazine titled “The Plague”. NYU operates
a radio station too, devising of a diverse college radio format, transmitting to the entire New
York metropolitan area. Throughout the year the university traditionally holds Apple Fest, the
Violet Ball, Strawberry Fest, and the semi-annual midnight breakfast where Student Affairs
administrators serve free breakfast to students before finals. The Student Senators Council
is the governing student body at NYU. The SSC has been involved in controversial debates
on campus, including a campus-wide ban on the sale of Coca-Cola products in 2005. A bus
system transports students to and from the far ends of NYU’s outstanding campus.
Classes & Clubs 11
Make the most of it!
Monday - Friday, 5/4-5/22: IB Testing
Monday - Friday, 5/4-5/8: International Week
Thursday, 5/7: Highest Honors District Office
6 pm - 8 pm
Friday, 5/8: Student vs. Staff Softball
Friday, 5/8: Senior Cap and Gown Distribution @ Lunch
Friday & Saturday, 5/8-5/9, Thursday - Saturday, 5/14-16:
Drama Spring Show @ 8 pm
Monday, 5/11: Senior Sunset
Football Stadium 6 pm - 8 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday, 5/12-5/13: CAHSEE Testing
Friday, 5/15: Battle of Armijo 4 - 8 pm
Saturday, 5/17: Assist-a-Grad awards
Monday - Thursday, 5/18 - 5/21: Armijo Music Fest
Wednesday, 5/20: Senior Awards Night @ Armijo 6 - 8 pm
Thursday, 5/21: Senior Trip
Tuesday - Wednesday, 6/2-3: Finals
Wednesday & Thursday, 6/3 & 6/4: Graduation Practice
Thursday, 6/4: Graduation
Friday - Saturday, 6/5 - 6/6: Grad Nite 9 pm - 5 am
Assist-a-Grad grants money
The Assist-A-Grad (AAG) scholarship interviews were
held over four nights in April from 6 to 9:20 pm. Over one
hundred students from Armijo competed with students from
around the county for $121,950. A workshop was offered to
prepare students for a successful interview and approximately 80 students were in attendance. “I was impressed with the
number of students that showed up and the insightful questions they asked. I assisted on Monday night and caught a
glimpse of our Armijo students dressed professionally,” said
Ms. Anderson, College and Career Adviser. So what is next? A letter will be mailed the first week
in May inviting students who are receiving scholarships to
participate in the AAG Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May
17 at 3 pm at the Fairfield Community Center (next to the Solano County Library). The AAG Foundation wants an element
of surprise, so students will not be told which scholarships
they are receiving until the awards ceremony. “It is a great
event and I hope all of you who have been awarded scholarships will be there with your families,” said Ms. Anderson. “I
am proud of all of you who took the time out of your already
busy schedules to complete the application packet and interviewed.”
While the AAG competition is over, there are still other scholarships available. Students in all grade levels can
go to scholarship.com or fastweb.com and complete a profile. In addition, students are encouraged to visit the College
and Career center for local and national scholarships. “If you
have been awarded a scholarship, please let me know so
you can be recognized at our Seniors Awards Ceremony on
Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 pm in the gymnasium,” said Ms.
Anderson.
Spring
ACT Dates
Spring
SAT Dates
Saturday, June 13
(Registration deadline = May 8;
scores available
June 23 - August 7)
Saturday, June 6
(Registration deadline = May 8;
scores available June 25)
For more information, go to
http://www.actstudent.org/
Fees:
Without writing = $38;
With writing = $54.50
Score Reports to 5th and 6th Colleges = $12 each
Change fee = $28
Telephone Registration = $24.50
Late registration = additional $24
Standby fee = $47
For more information,
go to www.collegeboard.com
These tests are offered
at Armijo
Fees:
Reasoning Test = $52.50
Subject Tests:
Basic Registration = $26 + $16
per test
Change fee = $28
Waitlist fee = $48
Club 180
Strong to the end
By Trina Reynolds
Club 180 reporter
The busy 2014-15 school year is coming to a
close. Seniors will head to college, lowerclassmen will become upperclassmen, and new freshmen will be coming
for orientation in August. This transition phase has not left
Club 180 untouched. Club 180 is already preparing for the
upcoming school year. One event that is coming up is officer nominations. New officers are about to take the reins,
but there is no doubt that Club 180 will continue to change
Armijo’s campus by spreading God’s Word and being an
encouraging influence in students’ lives.
During the remainder of this school year, Club 180
is going to focus on making meetings more discussionbased. The current series is called “Fear vs Courage.” Joe
Stevens from the Father’s House and Minerva Pasion from
Armijo High have already shared great messages. During the upcoming weeks, people who attend will be able
to learn about meaningful topics and say what they think
about them. Additionally, members will be able to share
their opinions about the aspects of Club 180 that were
successful this year as well as aspects that need some
improvement.
This has been one of the most successful years
for Club 180. The first meeting at the beginning of the year
ushered in over seventy people to the Health Room. The
“Your Story” series featured some personal stories with
valuable lessons. Through Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, Club 180 was able to send Christmas presents to kids in Africa. The series “Upgrade” inspired students to pursue becoming the person God wants
them to be. Club 180 partnered with Helping Hands and
collected lightly-used jeans for teenagers. Several exciting
guest speakers, including missionaries from China, Chris
Gray from Crossroads, Pastor Bittle from the Father’s
House, and Justin Nunes from Parkway, delivered motivational sermons. An outreach event at the Indian Outpost
was also an exciting venture that Club 180 undertook, with
great success. It is obvious that Club 180 made a big impact on not only Armijo, but the city of Fairfield, and is going to continue thriving in the 2015-16 school year.
Students visit UTI campus
By Ms. Faralee Wright
Economics teacher
On Thursday, April
9, 2015, 14 students travelled to Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Sacramento to find out more
about careers as technicians diagnosing and repairing auto and diesel
engines as well as collision
repair and painting.
Repair painting and
special artistic auto painting are generally where
women find their niche but
we did observe two women
who were working the engine side of the training.
Although the UTI students
were in the middle of their
final exams for their current class, our girls who
attended were able to see
other women enrolled as
students and were able to Students find options to consider after graduation when they visit
spend a few minutes talkthe UTI campus on a field trip.
Photos by Najm Phillips
ing with one of the women
students.
Several auto and motorcycle companies train technicians through UTI family of
campuses across the US and then hire many of the certified graduates. Students who
can produce certificates showing they have the skills are more employable.
The tour guide, Brian Strange told the group about the strong need for certified
diesel engine technicians. Every product consumers buy in every store is transported
there by truck. Oil and water drilling equipment, as well as ship engines, agriculture, and
heating and cooling systems in large buildings are powered by diesel engines. The rides
at Disneyland are powered by diesel engines. There are jobs all around the world for
good auto and diesel technicians. One of the students was Christian Marmolejo, a 2014
Armijo graduate.
These Armijo seniors were excellent representatives of our high school. They
were attentive and respectful of students taking exams both on the computers as well as
on the equipment itself. They asked excellent questions and received good information.
In the near future one of these experts may be the one revives your vehicle or restores
or improves the appearance of you vehicle.
The five young ladies who attended were Vanessa Beas, Maria Alvarado, Karly
Logan, Noemi Manzo, and Amany Saeed. The nine young men who attended were Jaipaul Basanti, David Brown, Oscar Fraire, Alexander Guzman, Leonardo Larios, Najm
Phillips, Alexis Roman, Luis Solano, and Joseph Thompson.
Welcoming spring!
Youth Commission Update
By Derek Wadsworth
Classes & Clubs editor
The Fairfield Youth Commission (FYC) is getting
ready to launch its 2015 Youth Needs Assessment Survey.
Commissioners are reviewing past surveys, and deciding which questions to include. The goal will be to have
the survey fit onto one page. Each of the 15 Commissioners will be responsible for distributing 200 surveys, and
then collecting the surveys after they are completed. The
Youth Needs Assessment Committee will be organizing
and scheduling Survey Days at the Westfield Mall, so that
questionnaires can be distributed. After the surveys are
turned back in, the information will be inputted, summarized, and analyzed.
This coming month there are many activities
planned at the PAL Center. Monday through Friday, from
4-5 pm, there is boxing, Kajukenbo, and kickboxing. On
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 pm, there is Girls on the
Run. On Fridays, starting at 5:30 pm is pick-up basketball,
and the Community Service Club meets afterwards at 6:30
pm. If you want help with homework, there is the Homework Zone Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5:30 pm.
All PAL Activities are free, with a membership card. For
more information, call 707-249-1379.
By Melanie Pence
ROTC Reporter
First off, I hope everyone had a safe and fun break. We started Spring Break with
our Military Ball, held at Jelly Belly on Saturday, March 28. As part of the festivities during
our Military Ball, we crowned this year’s Royal Court. Chosen as king and queen were
Jose Ruiz and Selena Mendoza. Prince and Princess were Branden Manybanseng and
Jasmine Mason. Duke and Duchess were Rashad Atkinson and Erika Deguinion. And
finally, selected as Count and Countess were Allen Fajardo and Elaine Ledoux. Congratulations to you all!
Besides Spring Break, there wasn’t much planned for the Corps in April. Even with
this time off, though, our cadets continued to work hard to collect their needed hours of
community service.
May is lining up to be a much busier month for the Corps. With the school year
coming to an end our cadets are preparing for ROTC Day, a fun day for the Corps with
food, games, and competition between all of our flights. Our annual Awards Night is on
Wednesday, May 6. During the Awards Night, we bestow highly deserved awards to many
cadets for their activities and accomplishments throughout the year. Among the awards
are the Patriot’s Award, one given to a lower class cadet and one to an upper class cadet, for putting the needs of the Corps and Flag above their own. One of the highlights of
Awards Night is the announcement of the new senior cadet staff for the next year. The next
day-Thursday, May 7-our Color Guard will be presenting the Colors at the Highest Honors
awards ceremony for graduating seniors of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.
To cap all of the volunteering opportunities for the month, just before Memorial Day
our senior staff, drill team commanders, and color guard team will go to Paradise Valley
to visit and honor our retired military veterans, and put on a presentation for them. So the
month of May will be quite busy for us!
12
Sports
Athlete focus
Coach feature
More than a coach
Involved and focused
Hallie will finish her years at Armijo, as well as her high
school sports career, as an accomplished athlete.
Photo by Trevon Carrie
By Dayanna Reyes
Staff writer
By Estefanny Saenz
Staff writer
Hallie Barnes joined the
swim team because her water
polo coach told her that she had
to do it to keep playing. In swimming, her favorite stroke is butterfly since no one else really
wants to do it. Barnes, a senior,
has been swimming since her
freshman year and, along with
swimming, she has also participated in basketball, water polo,
and wrestling.
Outside of school, Barnes
is a sheriff cadet which means
that she’s like a mini sheriff who
goes on ride along. When she
graduates she would like to go
to Arizona University to major
in criminal justice and continue
swimming. Barnes said that her
most memorable meet in high
school was in her 10th grade
when she got third place for
Meagan Payne, or just Meagan, as many of us call
her, has been working at Armijo since August. She started as
the Varsity Girls’ water polo coach. She then applied for the
spring swim season and became the Varsity Coach for both
the Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ swim team.
Although, she is currently an Armijo Indian, she graduated from Fairfield High back in 2005, where she was part
of both the swim and water polo teams for the school. She
has been swimming since 2001, her freshman year of high
school. She said that the 50-free was her favorite event because she was a sprinter.
After graduating from Fairfield, she went on to Sierra
College, where she played water polo, graduating in 2007.
After graduating Sierra College, she swam masters at Davis.
Besides swim and water polo, there is more that
Coach Meagan has to offer including working at the school
district, volunteering at nonprofits, and continuing her schooling. Her volunteering takes place at a nonprofit foundation in
Sacramento, where she is a doula. A doula assists women
during labor and after childbirth. She works with low income
families providing emotional support during and after birth.
At the moment she is continuing her schooling to become a
midwife.
When asked, “What do you think of this year’s swim
team?” she said, “We are a small but ambitious team, determined to succeed and accomplish our very own victories.”
According to Coach Meagan, progress is the most
important thing when it comes to swimming, the small team
has progressed within the season. They’re all very positive
and enthusiastic team. We would love to have a much bigger team. Overall, our team is dedicated and full of capable
swimmers who can and will accomplish their highest aspirations in their swim careers and in life. She recommended
anyone willing to put the effort and determination to join the
swim team and, even sooner, become part of water polo in
the fall.
swimming the butterfly stroke.
Barnes encourages others to get involved in sports because people can learn a
lot and the team becomes family. Speaking of family, Barnes has two younger sisters
and her father graduated from Armijo. Her role model is her mom since they have been
through much and she’s her best friend.
Athlete focus
A perfect choice
By Dayanna Reyes
Staff writer
Rodrigo Angulo has been on
the swim team since his freshman
year, but it wasn’t his first choice. He
wasn’t able to join the baseball team
that year so his friends advised him
to join the swim team. Angulo’s favorite strokes are free, since it is easy,
and butterfly, since it pushes his limits.
In the fall, Angulo participates
in the water polo team and throughout the year he is involved in a youth
group at Holy Spirit Church. He likes
to exercise, work academically, play
video games, and have fun. When
he graduates he wants to go to UC
Berkeley, major in astrophysics and
continue swimming.
Angulo suggests that those
After years on the water polo and swim teams,
who are interested in sports keep Rodrigo still participates in a lot of activities on land.
Photo by Trevon Carrie
their minds open and do their best.
He has three brothers and a sister
who have attended Armijo and he said that his role models are his family and friends
since he can see her experiences and choose which ones to do.
If he could change something about Armijo it would be having the school look
better and having better equipment.
Let’s play!
Teachers vs. Players Badminton
Wednesday, May 6
Students vs. Staff Softball
Friday, May 8
Off-campus athlete
Ready to play
As the youngest of five children, Brandi Martin has
a lot of people she can look up to. Her brothers Maurice
and Perry are 35 and 38 years old and her sisters Brittney
and Cherise are 20 and 31. Her role models are her mom
and dad because “they taught me to never give up on myself and to love who I am, no matter what.” It wasn’t any of
those potential role models or role models who led her to
volleyball. Instead, it was her older cousin. “I play outside
hitter and middle hitter,” Martin said. “I play for Club Solano
and my team’s name is Fusion.”
Martin has been playing volleyball for four years
and has learned a lot of leadership traits as a result. She
has also participated in dance at the Bliss Dance Company for five years and has been involved in competitive
cheerleading for most of her life, although she was only an
Armijo cheerleader for one year. “My senior year I plan to
participate in more such as tennis, wrestling and badminton,” said Martin.
It is clear that Martin has met challenges in sports
and she would like to see others do the same. “Never be
afraid to make mistakes,” she said. “It happens. Just keep
striving to do better and achieve your goals. Sometimes
you may fall but you just
have to get up and never lose faith in yourself.”
After
graduation,
Martin plans to join the
Air Force before enrolling at the Art Institute
of San Francisco with
a major in culinary arts.
In the end, she wants to
own a café. She is following the same advice
she would want others
Brandi continues to find new ways to: “Live life to the fullest
to exercise her talents.
Photo by Trevon Carrie extent.”
Sports 13
Athlete focus
Athlete focus
On the run
Super-fast superstar
By Amanpreet Kaur
Staff writer
Saravaughn King is
a sophomore but she
is an integral part of
the track and field
team for a good reason: she’s fast! King
has been running
since the age of eight
and she went to the
Junior Olympics when
she was nine, ten,
eleven, thirteen and
fourteen. Her experience and dedication
has brought some fast
times to the Armijo
track and field team.
King has the fastSaravaughn has high hopes for her Olympic future,
est 400m time in the
and at Armijo she is breaking records.
Photo by Nathaly Merida school’s recorded history and the second
fastest 200m time. She is currently ranked #2 in the 200m in the SacJoaquin sections and #4 in the 400m. For King, this level of success is not
enough. “I feel like I can do better,” she said.
King said that she enjoys track and field because of the “family
dynamic.” She said that she “appreciates the work ethic [running] gives
you” and she “always liked running regardless.”
Her biggest inspirations are her three older brothers because
“they are pretty successful in what they do,” she said. She hopes to be
successful just like them in her goal of becoming an Olympian. King has
her eyes se on some pretty impressive schools known for their track and
field programs, including University of California Los Angeles (UCLA),
Stanford and the University of Oregon.
Girls’ Softball
By Amanpreet Kaur
Staff writer
While he is still just a sophomore, Luis Grijalva is currently the
fastest distance runner on the Armijo
Track & Field team. Baby-faced and
committed, he wants to use his talent
in running to not only compete at a
very high level in school but also to
get an athletic scholarship for college
Luis has the talent needed
with the University of Colorado Boulto be successful on the track.
der as his first choice.
Photo by Nathaly Merida
Grijalva already has impressive marks so his chances of attaining this goal are very likely. Currently he is ranked #1 in the 800m, 1600m,
and 3200m. The things that he likes most about running are “competition
and breaking records,” he said. He’s very motivated about running and,
with the support and help from Coach David Monk, his future in running
seems quite bright.
It’s all about S-P-I-R-I-T!
The middle of May could be the beginning of fun for students who
have a bunch of school spirit, are very loud, and love cheering. Try-outs
for the 2015-2016 cheerleading squads will take place on Friday, May 15,
following conditioning and training from Tuesday, May 12 through Thursday, May 14, from 3:30 – 6 pm.
Coach Maria Macias will be hosting the cheer clinics at the beginning of
the week for try-outs which will take place after school in the gym on Friday. In order to try-out students must have a physical, the try-out packet
that will be available from the attendance office starting Friday, May 1 and
the latest progress report. Potential cheerleaders must have at least a 2.0
grade point average (GPA) to try-out.
For more information or questions, students can talk to Coach Macias in
room B-10.
Boys’ Baseball
Boys’ Tennis
Coaches Rick Newman (Varsity)
& Clara Moore (JV)
Coaches William “Mo” Terrell /
Coach Michael Saunders
Tuesday, May 5 at Rodriguez @ 3:45
Matt Powell
Friday, May 1 at Vacaville @ 4 pm
MEL Doubles Championships @Vintage HS
(NVTA Courts)
Monday, May 4 against Rodriguez
at Laurel Creek @ 4 pm
Boys’ Golf
Wednesday, May 6 at Rodriguez @ 4 pm
Monday, May 4 - Section Divisionals Time and place TBA
Girls’ Soccer Coaches
Coach Justin Anderson
Monday, May 11 - Masters Tournament at
Spanos Park in Stockton; time TBA
Brad Burzynski (Varsity)
& Yoram Rosenmann (JV)
Monday, May 18 - Nor Cal Golf; time and
location TBA
Tuesday and Thursday, May 5 and 7
Section Playoffs - Time and place TBA
State Tournament Date, time and place TBA
Badminton
Coach Lawrence Trigg
Tues, May 5 against Rodriguez @ 3:30 pm
Wed, May 6 - Staff vs. Players at AHS @
3:pm
Thurs and Fri, May 7 and 8 MEL League Tournament at Vacaville @ 4 pm
Fri and Sat, May 15 and 16
Section Play-Offs at Bear Creek HS @ 9 am
Wednesday and Saturday, May 13 and 26
Section Playoffs - Time and place TBA
Swimming
Coach Meagan Payne
Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2
MEL Swimming Trials and Finals @ Vintage
Thursday through Saturday, May 7 - 9
Section Diving - place TBA
Thursday through Saturday, May 14 - 16
Swimming Section Trials and Finals
at Tokay High School
Track & Field
Coach David Monk; Assistant Coach Julia Monk
Friday, May 1 at Sheldon High School, (Time TBD)
Saturday, May 2 - Track Meet of Champions at American River College @ 9 am
Thursday, May 7 at Wood @ 3:30 pm
Saturday, May 9 - Sac Town Invitational Frosh/Soph Invitational
at Whitney High School in Rocklin @ 9 am
Tuesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 14 - MEL Trials & Finals
Wednesday, May 20 and Friday, May 22 - Division I Trials & Finals @ Elk Grove High School
Thursday and Friday, May 28 and 29 - Masters Trials and Finals at Elk Grove High School
14
Entertainment
Restaurant review
Thai to die for
Fashion review
Summer styles
By Mayank Malhotra
Senior News co-editor
By Gabriela Rivera
Staff writer
Probably, one of the most delightful meals of my
life was enjoyed at Buddha Thai Bistro, located on 2060
B Harbison Dr. it is a small restaurant that serves out bigflavored food.
I walked into the restaurant, where I was immediately and energetically greeted by the waiter. Even though
the restaurant was very busy, we were given a table on the
spot. Our order was taken in the next five minutes, and we
received our meals within 10 minutes of ordering.
Overall the service was impeccable and the food
was even more delectable. We were given appropriate
portions for the price, and I was happy when I asked for
the check.
Overall it was one of the best meals I have ever
eaten. If you are a person that wants delicious meal, I
would recommend visiting the Buddha Thai Bistro.
Spring is going to be behind us very soon. Now that summer is coming we need to
change fashions! I can tell you about the latest summer fashions so you can enjoy your
summer in style. Men styles are further down the article.
First off, let's talk about summer colors. The fashionable colors are neon and white. Any
bright neon color will make you shine in the summer. Have fun with your colors and see if
you can make your summer bright. Another color is white. The innocent and classy white
look is going to be a popular style for the hot summer. Lighter colors are not as warm as
darker colors so, if you want to cool off, then wear white. Black with white or, if you want
to be a little softer in style, blue and white are also summer color combinations.
Now let's talk about styles. The "in" styles this season are cut out dresses, crop tops and
fringe. Fringe can also apply to shoes and purses. Cross body purses are fashionable
purse styles. Flats and sandals are stylish and fringe-able. Windowpane styles clothing
is also in. These are similar to checkers but only one color is used for squares and the
other color is used for the stripes. Gingham is another style this summer. It looks like a
cross between plaid and checkers. This style looks great with any clothing type and can
be the perfect print for your style.
Now for the men out there, I am not leaving you out. The styles for your summer fashion are stripes and denim. For stripes, horizontal stripes can make you look wider and
vertical stripes can make you look taller so judge your stripes before you buy them. For
denim, good quality denim or raw denim is best. Cheap denim will show and won't last as
long as the higher grade versions will. These styles also works for any type of clothing so
go ahead and enjoy it in hats and socks as well.
The manly man colors this season are blue and green. These can look great but be careful about mixing in other colors with blue and green. Slate gray and white are fine but
neutral colors like brown and black are a no-go. Red is another "in" color that is bold and
vibrant.
With these summer trends you will be sure to enjoy your summer in style.
nina’s noTes by Nina Steinkraus
CD review
Un-rapped?
By Nathaniel Moore
Staff writer
Kalin and Myles is a hip-hop/pop duo consisting of
two rappers from the San Francisco Bay area, Kalin White
and Myles Parrish. I would, however, use the term “rappers” lightly, for their extended play (EP) album Dedication
does not truly meet the criteria of rap and neither does it
have much artistic merit.
Overall, Dedication sounds rather cheap and utilizes a sound that appeals to the lowest common denominator. The songs in the EP just feel generic. It tries nothing new and the songs merely replicate an already cliché
sound in a poor attempt to be catchy. I find it ironic as these
attempts only serve to make the sound irritable as opposed
to something memorable. If one were fond of this kind of
party rap/pop sound, then sure, I guess Dedication would
be
somewhat
appealing
to
listen to, but I
felt as though
I’ve heard this
EP a hundred
times already.
I delved into it
without any prior knowledge of
the group, and
I could already
tell why I hadn’t
heard of them
before.
Track
one is a song
Continued on page 15 -
Kalin & Myles
Entertainment
Book Review
Video game review
The California Young Reader Medal Award nominees for the 2014-2015 year, in the Young Adult category,
are Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, The Fault
in Our Stars by John Green and Legend by Marie Lu. For
those unfamiliar with the first one, the Armijo Signal is providing this review.
In The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, readers follow the story of Karou, a girl raised by demons - or chimaera. It’s hard to explain the plot of the book because
of how pointless it seems at first, especially with a whole
world that remains a mystery to both Karou and the reader
for the longest time. There’s a sense of secrecy and confusion that could keep some people reading, but may also
encourage others to give up. It does help that the way the
book was written was actually pleasant, and held my interest despite the fact that, at first, the goal of the book was
unclear. However as the story comes together, the interest
builds.
When things are revealed about halfway through
the book and Karou is, like the reader, given a lot of information that has yet to make sense, the dark cloud of
mystery is unleashed on the story, creating a storm of convolution and heaviness that wasn’t there before. That was
welcomed, but the presence of an angel, ironically, brought
melancholy and melodrama that didn’t fit the story, and instead reminded me that it was indeed, a young adult novel.
In the end Karou’s journey to explore the world she
didn’t know she was a part of was the perfect introduction,
and the “to be continued…” at the end wasn’t frustrating,
but enticing.
By Peter Popescu
Staff writer
One nominee
KALIN & MYLES -
Continued from page 14
Do you believe in Souls?
Do you ever feel like a video game is just not the right difficulty? That sometimes
it's too hard but it's embarrassing to lower the difficulty, or that it's too easy but you don't
notice and you're not getting the full experience? This is why the Souls games from
FromSoftware are ingenious. They don't have a slider for difficulty. They let you choose
how you want to play the game. For example, a certain class will have a harder time than
another but you can change yourself to fit it if the game is too hard. That way, it doesn't
make you feel embarrassed but intelligent, thinking that you find an exploit in the game.
These are purpose-built exploits that the developers put in the game to make you think
you're crafty and smart for playing the game that way. This is why I think the Souls games
are excellent.
It all started with King's Field in 1994. Strange that it doesn't have Souls in the title
but hold on. King's Field is a precursor to Souls; it has the same rough mechanics and the
same story elements.
FromSoft is a troll company that likes to generate tons of controversy with its lore
because the game doesn't tell you anything. It's supposed to be a departure from COD
where it doesn't hold your hand through the game. It lets you do what you want, it gives
you freedom. You have so much replay-ability (that's not a real word) in these titles because there are so many options and different ways to do things. Even though people
might complain about the difficulty, it's completely adjustable from your actions.
After King's Field they made Shadow Tower which only introduced the endurance bar, so I generally like to look that over as a huge jump. Now we come to the first
Souls title, Demon's
Souls. FromSoft had
a very low budget due
to their financial position since Shadow
Tower wasn't as well
received as King's
Field. So Demon's
Souls has a lot of errors that they left in
today as a monument
to their heritage because after Demon's
Souls they exploded
in popularity and made a hard core fan base for hard masochistic gamers.
They repeated the formula to make the arguably greater success of Dark Souls.
Some say they got everything right with this game except the multiplayer because it just
plain didn't work at all. Like, at all. No, I seriously mean NOT AT ALL!!! Now that's out of
the way it's Dark Souls 2, or as most hardcore fans call The Casual Game. Casual started
out as an internet meme from a build called the Giant Dad build which was OP.
Now, the reason people didn't like Dark Souls 2 was because they said they made
the game too easy but that's kind of trivial due to adjustable difficulty. The main reason
though was Soul Memory. It tracks how many people you've killed and the higher it is, the
stronger the people you're matched with. Now the problem is people stayed lower levels
to challenge themselves to make better builds but with everybody just keep on getting
higher and higher everybody didn't see the point so they just kept getting stronger and
stronger until the person with the highest level wins. I personally disliked it too.
Now for their newest game, Bloodborne. FromSoft learned from all of their mistakes and just made the best game ever and my personal favorite game. There's only
one complaint from me though, there should've been more play styles. In the previous
games there were soloist unlimited ones. Now there's like four and that gets tiring quickly.
So what I recommend is, sell a sibling or parent and buy Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
called “Trampoline.” I should’ve known this would be a
song about twerking. Even worse, the song doesn’t even
do it tastefully. It’s just a generic twerking song; no attempts were made to deviate from any norms regarding
this subject. Trampoline made me want to bounce as far
away as possible from this agitating tune.
Track two is called “I Don’t Really Care.” It’s an upbeat song but sadly it succumbs to the same maladies that
plague the previous track: it’s the same as every other pop
song that spreads a message of disregarding the opinions
of others. The highs and lows of the song feel rehashed. I
couldn’t care less about this song.
Track three is the title song. The only way I could
describe it is that it sounds as if they tried ripping off of
Justin Bieber and mixing it with contemporary club music.
It’s that bad.
Track four, the final song, is “You’re the Only One I
Need.” As I expected, it was garbage. The lyrics depicted
“love-at-first-sight” in such a facile and trivial way. The
beat to this song seemed as if it tried to mimic a Latin
sound, but such an imitation only makes the song even
more irritating.
Worst of all: where’s the
AESTHETIC? An important factor
in the quality of a piece of music
When Math Attacks...
is the aesthetic it sports. I looked
at the cover and beheld a smug
duo looking towards the viewer,
MATH AND READING
the space in between them being
Tutoring by professional teachers!
pierced by a mysterious sun glare.
By then I was already skeptical. Is
BASIC MATH THROUGH CALCULUS
Basic Math
this rock? Is this some sort of hipPre-Algebra
NO ENROLLMENT FEES
hop album? What IS it, TECHNO?!
Geometry
One cannot really judge a book by
PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS
Reading
its cover, but upon reading this reProblem Solving
LOW RATES!
view one could tell that I ended up
...It isn’t pretty.
judging quite heavily.
NO CONTRACTS!
This EP is just cheesy, generic, and
Get Help Today!
NO TESTING FEES!
Special Offer
low-brow. I cannot stress how geCall:
Present this add and get
neric it is. I give it 1/5 stars simply
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because the album bears that prim10% off
Logical Learning Math Masters
Your first four weeks
itive groove of party-oriented pop
1000 W. Texas St., Fairfield
Serving Solano county
Good for first time students only
music, but none of the substance.
Since 1987
MATH MASTERS
CERT VOLUNTEERS -
Continued from front page
In this exercise, the case was an earthquake that had happened and people were in the
building and needed to be saved. After a student’s injuries had been identified, he or she
was taken out of the building and brought to the medical area.
The medical team helped and developed by putting bandages on the students as
if they were injured. After everybody was evacuated from the building the students came
back into the building to have a brief discussion of what went good and what to improve
for the next.
Merrisa Rios, one of the volunteers, said “I had a great time and it was a great
learning experience!”
15
16
Entertainment
DVD rewind
Movie review
A modified reprint from October 2009
By Pablo Vivas, staff writer
By Sam Bundenthal
Staff writer
The movie Fame which came out in 2009 is a reinvention of the original Fame movie and television show from
the 80's.It centers around the life of teenagers going to a
prestigious arts school in which every single one wants to be
the top performer and shine over the rest. This concept may
be compared to a High School Musical, Pitch Perfect, or Step
Movie but in itself Fame brought a whole new aspect to the
completive form of the arts. I got to interview one of the lead stars of Fame,
cast member
Asher Monroe Book. You
might not recognize
him
but he made
his debut in
this
movie.
Asher
was
19 when the
movie came
out and hailed
from Arlington, Virginia.
He
played
Marco and was also in a band named V-Factory.
One of the first questions I ask him was, "Are you
anything like the character Marco?" He responded that they
share similar personalities and attended the same middle
school.
Then came a question as to what inspired him to become an actor. He said that it was when his neighbor told him
about an audition for Beauty and The Beast. He decided to
go for it because his sister was performer and he wanted to
have the same fun times she was having.
Another question was asked about whether or not the
script was realistic and how cut-throat the search for fame is.
He said that the movie actually does show the storyline of the
ups and downs of the business, how you have to work hard
and not be discouraged when you don't get that specific part.
Regarding the music of the movie, Book explains that
it contains everything from pop to reggae and would appeal
to many audiences.
Lastly, I asked him if he ever got starstruck while
meeting cast members. He told me then that living in Los
Angeles you see stars a lot of time but that it is a real honor to
work with them and he was mostly excited to work with them.
Book was a great guy to talk to and just by the way
he talks you can tell he's one of those legit celebrities that
worked hard to get where he is today. He reflects the whole
message of Fame because you will have to have talent, hard
work, and a lot of dedication.
They say the clothes make
the man, and these are some killer
duds.
Colin Firth is both ludicrously
British and modern-day Hollywood in
Kingsman: The Secret Service, the
wildly enjoyable new film from Matthew Vaughn. His Harry Hart muses
on the importance of a bespoke suit
one moment and dispatches a band of
villains with precise alacrity and nifty
gadgets the next. This movie stands
in reverence of the English upper
classes and the seeming ease with
which they gracefully solve problems,
yet is so wonderfully absurd that, if
one were ever to speak so coarsely,
one would say they were “taking the
piss”. Kingsman quite neatly has its
scone and eats it, too.
Harry Hart is the Obi-Wan
Kenobi to Eggsy (Taron Egerton), a
good-natured but wayward kid living
in a brutalist apartment block with his
mom and abusive stepdad. But his
biological father, who died years ago,
had a secret identity. He was a Kingsman, and now that Eggsy has come of age (and run
afoul of the law), that mysterious group has recruited him for training, too.
Kingsman is a highly advanced, well-funded independent secret service unaligned
with any government. If the bit of exposition in the film is to be believed, it was founded by
high-end tailors looking to maintain world security so as to ensure a market for their sharp
and fancy wares. It’s preposterous, but you buy it since the info drops during a tour of the
very elegant, somewhat steampunky private underground system that can whisk agents
from London to their manor outside of town.
It’s there where Eggsy will train, and compete for the one open slot on the roster. There’s need of a new member because an operation to rescue a tweedy professor
(played to great effect by Mark Hamill) has gone awry. A gorgeous female henchman with
razor-blade prosthetics for legs sliced an agent in half in a lusciously decorated mountaintop chalet, you see.
The spirit of 007 is all over this movie, but Vaughn’s script (written with frequent
collaborator Jane Goldman) has a licence to poke fun. There are fantastic references, like
how to mix a martini and Lotte Lenya’s spiked shoe.
The action scenes delight with shock humour. It’s violent, but not gory, readymade for word balloons reading “OOOF” or “KRAKOOM”.This movie is so alive that few
will roll their eyes at the message – one that says a true gentleman’s virtue comes from
within, and not their accent. But if the spirit of Kingsman takes hold of our culture, all I’ll
be carrying is a pocketwatch.
Steps to Fame
The spirit of 007
DVD review
Beyond life and liberty
A modified reprint from May 2011
By Hallie Hill, Staff Writer
In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner, a man who becomes homeless, played by
Will Smith, and his young son Christopher, played by Smith’s youngest son Jaden, create the story
in this tear jerking movie. This movie is rated (PG13) and it made nearly $90 million. This movie is
based on a true story. Smith’s performance earned him nominations for Best Actor in the Academy
Awards and the Golden Globes.
In the movie Gardner invested his money in a bone density scanner which breaks up his
family financially and his wife leaves him. This left him with his son and no place to stay. He was
evicted from his home because the IRS required him to pay back taxes and he couldn’t afford to
pay his rent. As a result, he and his son are required to roam the streets of New York, trying to
sell the bone density scanner which nobody wants. While he struggles to earn money, he also
struggles to find a safe place where he and his son can sleep. At one point during his struggle,
they are forced to stay in a bathroom at a BART station.
This experience motivated him to do something serious to improve his life and the life of
his son. One day he meets a manager from a big corporation, impressing him by solving a Rubik’s
cube. This new relationship earns Gardner a chance to train to become an intern stockbroker.
There were 19 other competitors trying to get this job. Despite his homeless situation, Gardner
develops a number of ways to make phone sales calls more efficiently. He also reaches out to
potential high value customers, defying protocol. Regardless of his challenges, he never reveals
his low circumstances to his co-workers. This movie enforces the idea that dreams really do come
true, is the dreamer is willing to never give up.
You can find this movie in local Wal-Mart, Target and other local stores or it can be ordered
on-line.
Working together Continued from page 6
Andrea, the best part of the job is “being able to meet and
associate with new people.” Adriana, on the other hand,
said she likes “the family-friendly environment.” The worst
part of the job? Andrea says that it is “handling rude customers,” but for Adriana, it is “remembering all the information on the cash register.”
With their different approaches, they also have different goals. “I work to gain experience for future jobs,”
said Andrea. Eventually, she wants to become a dental
hygienist. Adriana works to make money “and gain experience for the future,” a future in which she sees herself as
a nurse “like my older sister.”
Adriana has a lot of reasons to be proud on the
job. “I do a lot of things really well,” she said. “Being able
to process the clothes and put them back in their place,
keeping fitting rooms clean and keeping customers happy,
helping them find an item” were some of her work skills.
Her sister had similar strengths. “I keep the fitting room
well organized. I am a good employee because I am great
at everything I do,” Andrea said.
“Be a great worker and the more hours you will
get,” said Andrea. To be a good employee, Adriana suggest that workers have motivation and determination.