april issue 2009

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Every 15 Minutes students saw their friends taken away by the Grim Reaper in a program intended to shock teens into a See complete coverage of the Every 15 Minutes program on pages 12 and 13. Reality check Rio Americano Sacramento, Calif. Volume 47, Issue 7 • April 3, 2009 “The Student Voice” Supergirls<< Page 3 irada Girls push themselves to the limit in order to meet society’s standards of perfection. Photos and design by Willie Robinson-Smith

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Volume 47, Issue 7

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: April Issue 2009

Every 15 Minutes students saw their friends taken away by the Grim Reaper in a program intended to shock teens into a

See complete coverage of the Every 15 Minutes program on pages 12 and 13.

Reality check

Rio Americano • Sacramento, Calif. • Volume 47, Issue 7 • April 3, 2009“The Student Voice”

Supergirls<< Page 3irada Girls push themselves to the

limit in order to meet society’s standards of perfection.

Photos and design by Willie Robinson-Smith

Page 2: April Issue 2009

Tom Kossack would take a bullet for his students.

When such a hypothetical was proffered to Kossack by a student, he didn’t hesitate to reply in the affirmative.

Usually clad in a green and gold Rio golf windbreaker, coffee mug in hand, Kossack has been teaching Algebra 2 and statistics for 20 years. Now he seems more like a fatherly figure than anything else.

But, unlike a father or grandpa who can’t understand teenagers, Kossack keeps his math classes relatable and, dare it be said, enjoyable.

Kossack’s teaching style is like that of his high school Algebra 2 teacher, Mr. Anderson, who was able to “let the students joke around, while still keeping things serious enough to teach math,” Kossack said.

On the other hand, Kossack has also had a handful of teachers who haven’t been able to make math something to look forward to. Hoping to never be like them, Kossack consciously keeps upbeat and humorous while lecturing.

Kossack realizes that the average student’s attention span for math is miniscule and structures his classes in such a way that kids won’t get bored.

“I know that math is not the most exciting thing to learn,” he said. “However, my goal is to make the class tolerable and not a class that people dread.”

Unfortunately for those who have not had the opportunity to experience his class, he will be retiring after next year “if all things go as planned,” Kossack said.

Fortunately, everyone can enjoy Kossack’s presence for the rest of the year with the “Mr. K Joke of the Day” featured on the morning announcements.

Inspired by Kossack’s jokes in class, they are sure to brighten your day.

Kossack is entertaining different ideas for his retirement.

“I might continue to do something concerning education,” he said.

But whatever the activity, Kossack is definitely looking forward to having the time to relax.

News02 04.03.09

Despite the title of his band’s new album, senior Joe Epstein sees a bright future for his mu-sic. “Ciudad de Ciegos,” the new CD by local ska band Dezu, which means “City of the Blind” in Spanish features Epstein as the new trumpet player in the Stockton-based ensemble.

Dezu is an upbeat, “rock with horns” Spanish style band that was in need of a trumpet player to record on their album, which is entirely in Spanish. That’s when they found Epstein.

“It’s actually a pretty funny story, I was playing at a show when they asked me to play trumpet for them (Dezu) on their CD,” said Epstein. “From there we went right into record-ing.”

According to Epstein, the re-cording process went smoothly. Even without previous rehears-al, he was able to complete his part of the recording in two days.

“Everything was made out for me when I got in there, ” Ep-stein said. “All I had to do was play.”

Despite the spontaneous re-cording, Epstein immediately connected with other band members. After passing AP

Spanish last year as a junior, communication is not a barrier between Hispanic band mem-bers of Dezu and him.

“Spanish is a big part of my life, I’m actually thinking about majoring in Spanish next year and political science or some-thing,” said Epstein.

However, college for Epstein next year complicates things with Dezu. Ideally he would like to be able to go away to school and still be part of the band, but that is not always the reality. “I’m just going to wait and see where the band is at,” said Epstein.

Currently Dezu is focusing on promoting their new album and “just getting our name out there,” Epstein said. The band has a few upcoming shows in Modesto in April, followed by a possible appearance at Second Saturday in May.

Dezu is not only playing in local shows, but also looking to play in Berkeley, Reno, Santa Rosa, and Los Angeles, areas where they might find more of an audience.

“The real scene is in L.A, there’s definitely an audience for our music. We might have a hundred people at a show here, but (in L.A.) there might be a thousand people there.”

Epstein got his start in this uncommon Hispanic style of

ska through another hobby completely unrelated to music-soccer.

“I was playing soccer and I was getting kind of tired of sit-ting on the bench and one day I started talking to a teammate’s older brother about trumpet.”

After being introduced to this new style of music, Ep-stein abandoned soccer and joined his first ska band called “Nocheoskura” From there the pieces fell into place. Epstein was playing with Nocheoskura when he was scouted out by Dezu band members. Epstein still occasionally plays with Nocheoskura but focuses most of his time to Dezu, promoting their CD and working on a new acoustic song.

Epstein’s trumpet talent cov-ers a broad range of musical styles. He is involved in Rio’s jazz band and small ensemble along side with an occasional Thursday evening playing an “afro beat” style of music, which is a mix of jazz and Afri-can beats. Epstein can only play with Dezu on weekends because of the travel time and other re-sponsibilities, but describes his musical commitment as “totally worth my time.”

Trumpeter blows across culturesSarah Vaira

Mirada Staff

Courtesy of Joe Epstein

Joe Epstein poses with his trumpet for a photo found on the inside cover of his band’s new CD “Ciudad de Ciegos.” His ska band “Dezu” has been touring locally and plans on expanding to L.A.

Teacher strives to make math funJessie ShapiroMirada Staff

ALEX MCFALL/Photo Editor

Tom Kossack goes over an Algebra 2 problem with his sixth period class. Kossack, who only teaches statistics and Algebra 2, likes to pepper his lectures and lessons with humorous quips and jokes.

See a review of “Ciudad de Ciegos” on page 17.

You can recom-mend your fa-vorite teacher or staff member to be featured in the Mirada by emailing us at

themirada2009@gmail

Page 3: April Issue 2009

Activities: school basketball, soc-cer club team

What profession are you trying for? Sports doctor, because “I want to be able to help people.”

News 0304.03.09

Junior Alison Burns swims 2-3 hours a day, presides over a school club and studies hard in order to attend a prestigious university (she already has one picked out).

Freshman Sofia Jimenez sometimes does not get home from soccer practice until 9:30, but her parents hope for “per-fect” grades.

Senior Rachel Anderson has leadership roles in the school band program and a local or-chestra, volunteers and finds time to work at Starbucks. Like many girls at Rio and across the country, these girls are soaring: doing more and setting higher goals than past generations. But recent re-search shows that some so-called “supergirls” may be heading for a crash.

Two recently released books, “Supergirls Speak Out: Inside the Secret Crisis of Over achieving Girls” and “The Triple Bind: Saving our Teen-age Girls from Today’s Pressures,” detail this culture of impossible so-cial expectations.

“Society (has) expec-tations of perfection, mean-ing: no sex, drugs, have good grades, go to college, get a job, get married, have a religious family and have two kids,” freshman Annie Chernich said. “I work to meet the stan-dards around me everyday in the fashion and academic and manners sense, but I try to maintain my personal values.” Liz Funk, the author of “Su-pergirls,” considers herself one of the growing number of supergirls.

Before months of extensive research and writing for her book, she published articles in many popular magazines and newspapers, became an active member of young progressive organizations and will gradu-ate from Syracuse University next year at age 20.

However, she also admits that she suffered from three eating disorders and a poor self-image throughout her life.

“While we should be to-tally supportive of go-getter

young women,” Funk wrote in her book, “we need to be cognizant of the girls whose assiduousness becomes an ob-session...and over achieving eventually becomes an addic-tion. Or a mental disorder.”

Stephen Hinshaw, au-thor of “The Triple Bind,” looks at the trend from the perspec-tive of a psychologist.

“The increased rates of several disorders and the de-creased age of onset for de-pression are related to the combination of forces signaled by the Triple Bind,” Hinshaw wrote in the book. “These forc-es are also making it increas-ingly difficult for any girls in our society to thrive, even if they are not prone to suffer from a mental disorder.”

According to Hinshaw, al-

most 25 percent of teenage girls suffer from self-mutila-tion, eating disorders, vio-lence, depression or suicide.

“I have never experi-enced something as serious as depression, but sports tied with academics do run me down,” Jimenez said. Local Kaiser child and ado-lescent clinical social worker Randi Paris-Salb has seen an increase in young women affected with these health problems in recent years. “The stress level (of patients) cer-tainly has increased,” she said. She has had patients who at-tempted suicide but none who have succeeded.

Extensive research backs up her observations. The national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, from the Center for Disease Control, found that in 2007, 18.7 percent of high school girls considered suicide in the past year and 9.3 percent actually attempted suicide, compared to the numbers for boys, 10.3

and 4 . 6 p e r c e n t , respectively.

In the same sur-vey boys had higher rates of watching television and using the computer for recreational purposes and a higher rate of getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Girls had a lower rate of obesity and higher rate of fasting, dieting, vomiting, and

other methods of los-ing weight.

“A girl I know used to have problems with an eating disorder,” Anderson said. “I don’t blame school for her eating disorder, but I do think that so-cial pressures to “fit in” and “be liked” played a huge factor.”

Body image difficul-ties fit into all three of Berkeley psychology

professor Hinshaw’s binds, which include obeying old-fashion female decorum and attitudes; keeping up with boys in sports, academics and the professional world; and fit-ting into a perfect, consumer-ist social standard of behavior for young women.

He blames this crisis on modern social issues. “Today, virtually all public im-ages of women are ultra-femi-nized and overly sexualized,” Hinshaw wrote.

Hinshaw thinks that the definition of achievement for young women has become a standardized model of per-fection. In the past, girls used to follow family and cultural models that could prevent them from having to follow traditional roles for women. At school they could blend into stereotypical roles. However, today, according to Hinshaw,

‘Supergirls’ soar -- but risk a fall

Hannah Shapiro Mirada Staff

AlisonBurns

Junior

DanielleArbios

Sophomore

SofiaJimenez

Freshman

Activities: Civitas, competitive swimming, president of the Young Democrats Club

Do you see any sexism in soci-ety? “It’s hard for girls to have fun and go crazy.”

Activities: competitive soccer, skiing

Do you ever feel pressures about academics? “I sometimes worry about my grades because my parents wish them to be per-fect. I try my best and often feel stressed.”

Lily Berrin

Senior

Activities: water polo, swim team, synagogue youth group president

How has pressure affected you and your friends? “I am a very anxious person, and all my re-sponsibilities…have caused me some mental and minor physi-cal distress.

Girls speak out We need to be cognizant

of the girls whose as-siduousness becomes an

obsession, where 100 isn’t good enough, and over

achieving eventually be-comes an addiction.

Liz Funk, author of “Supergirls”

Please see > SUPERGIRL, page 5

EMILY KIM/Graphic Artist

Page 4: April Issue 2009

Let students duke out their problems with fists. No administration interven-tion needed, just an enclosed cage.

For two years at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, Texas, students solved their problems this way.

The existence of the steel cage, which was fashioned

from part of the boys locker room wall and lockers, was fi-nally reported to the authori-ties. Apparently, the principal and other school employees were aware of, and condoned, the school’s disciplinary mea-sures.

While no criminal charge was filed, South Oak Cliff’s principal was replaced.

News Briefs

Statistic Olympics Class uses games to teach math

The games are set, the par-ticipants ready, and the statistics class is at it again in the 12th an-nual Stats Olympics.

In a unique opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, students set up different activi-ties that ranged from throwing a Frisbee to riding a scooter to throwing a football.

The teams of about four stu-dents had to think of two events that were physical, but not too strenuous, and that both boys and girls could do.

“We’re seeing if someone will be equally as good at the bowl-ing as the dart toss,” senior Ma-rissa Price said.

Another group, which in-cluded senior Alison Brown, decided to compare the Scooter Push and the Broad Jump.

“We’re supposed to learn the correlation between two ac-tivities,” Brown said. “Both our activities have to do with leg strength.”

Many of the students liked the hands on approach of the Stats Olympics.

“It allows us to see statis-tics in action, through our own events,” senior Rachel Ander-

son said. “We get to experience statistics through our own ac-tions instead of just seeing it on a piece of paper.”

Being outside in the sun was another aspect of the Stats Olympics which many students liked.

“It’s definitely a lot more fun. It shows you how you can use statistics in anything,” senior Matt McMaster said. “It’s a nice change from sitting in a class listening to some guy talk all day.”

For anonymity’s sake, each student was given a number and had to participate in all of the activities. The leaders of the event collected data.

“We have to think about lurking variables, like male and female. Then we take our data, plot it on a graph, analyze the

spread and do the line of regres-sion,” senior David Sundman said.

For the statistics students, there is no doubt about the ap-plication of what they are learn-ing.

“In 12 years of teaching, I’ve never been asked ‘When are we going to use this?’,” Statis-tics teacher Thomas Kossack said. “Statistics is required by more majors than calculus these days.”

The problems in the book directly relate to life outside of school.

“It’s very applicable in the real world and the problems you do apply to every aspect of the world. Whether it’s the world of business, science or math, it can be applied to all,” McMaster said.

Senior Rachel Anderson throws a tennis ball, trying to knock over water bottles in a bowling game, one of the events students in Mr. Kossack’s class designed in order to learn more about statistics.

ALEX REINNOLDT/Mirada Staff

Alex Reinnoldt Mirada Staff

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A ravenous bird of prey devours a helpless pigeon whose precious potential as a carrier was crushed by the blood-thirsty talons. The macabre scene traumatized the A-wing classrooms during fourth period and reduced many to hysterics. “It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” senior Kelsey Nogg said. “If I wasn’t so fascinated, I probably would’ve thrown up.”

Crazed hawk on campus!

Students use cage match therapy

Photos courtesy of Michael Mahoney

The carnage that littered the lawn in the wake of the pigeon’s death was haunting and people came from all corners of the campus to gawk at the hawk’s supper.

News04 04.03.09

Page 5: April Issue 2009

Technology has once again revolutionized how students can get in contact with their teach-ers, and even adult fam-ily members. Thanks to the ever-popular social networking website Facebook, teachers and parents are reaching out to kids, via the Internet.

Facebook, which was created five years ago by Harvard graduate Mark Zuckerberg, was original-ly made for Harvard students only. However, the website eventually expanded and was made available to anyone who was 13 years or older.

According to Facebook statistics, there are currently over 175 million active users worldwide, making it the most popular social website in the world.

Over 500 of these users belong to the Rio Americano network. While the majority of the Rio networkers are stu-dents, there are some teachers in the mix, too.

Teachers Gary Blenner, Curt Casazza, Gabriela De Lasse and Alexis Paulus all have Facebooks, and use them to in-teract with current and former students.

“I felt like everyone else had one, and I didn’t want to be left out,” said Blenner.

Blenner, who also has a MySpace, felt that getting a Facebook would be the best way to keep in touch with former

stu-dents.

Junior Damon Heaton is not only friends with his fellow classmates on Facebook, but also some of the adults in his life, such as Paulus.

“(I’m friends with) Mr. Pau-lus, my volleyball coaches, my cousins and other family I know,” Heaton said.

Heaton doesn’t have a prob-lem being friends with adults on Facebook, because he only adds people that he knows.

While being friends with a teacher on Facebook may be beneficial for homework rea-sons, Heaton feels there are some slight disadvantages.

“You have to watch what you say sometimes once you add adults since they don’t want to see blasphemous lan-guage,” Heaton said.

Senior Jackie Snook, another Facebook user, is also friends with former teachers such as

P a u -lus and Blenner,

as well as adults in her family.“My entire Snook family,

(even Grandma Snook), is on Facebook,” Snook said.

Facebook has even allowed Snook to interact with fam-ily members she never knew existed. Even though some students may find it odd for adults to have Facebooks, Snook doesn’t mind at all.

“It was totally weird at first and I was trying to delete them without them noticing,” Snook said. “But then I realized I am really not that sneaky and it re-ally isn’t bad at all.”

However, junior Michael Franz feels differently.

“I hate it, because (my mom) monitors my profane language,” Franz said.

Among F r a n z ’ s F a c e b o o k friends is his mother, who got a Face-

book “because she wanted to

connect with all of her friends.” Although Franz isn’t particularly happy that his

mom is his friend, he is understanding of

her want for a Facebook. Junior Sheldon Freeman, on

the other hand, isn’t upset that more adults are joining the world of Facebook.

“My mom has a Facebook, but I don’t care because I’ve got a Myspace,” Freeman said.

Whether students are in fa-vor of parents and teachers on Facebook or not, the increas-ing adult population on Face-book is inevitable. Yet, it seems to have its advantages.

“Blendogg always has an eye-catching status that will never fail in making you crack a smile, so that is always fun,” Snook said. “I have yet to discover a disadvantage- big plus.”

Facebook not just for kids

Supergirl: Pushing for perfection

I don’t mean to alarm, but ev-eryone would do very well to pan-ic immediately without thought or restraint. I understand that this may seem sudden, ludicrous, or without cause, but that is exactly why it is necessary.

Alien invaders have violated our perimeter, sneakily infiltrating one of our sacred public institu-tions: high school.

You’ve seen them, although you might not have noticed; it’s all part of their brilliant ploy: dis-guise their intergalactic warships as common earth matter and wait until we get over the initial shock of their landing, and I daresay it al-most worked.

But they’ve been found out. It’s the rocks; those unassum-

ing, unnecessary boulders that ap-peared one day under trees, next to classrooms and bordering walk-ways. Well, intergalactic warships disguised as rocks, I should say.

We must act before they do if we’re ever to survive. Soon they will launch a full scale attack, emerging from their rock-ships due to a lack of dehydrated milk duds or whatever they eat.

They will most certainly attempt to devour every last one of us, and once they discover how tasty de-licious we are, they will send for their families.

Rocks will be everywhere: on the roofs, in the parking lot, replac-ing desks until the barricade of space stone makes leaving Rio im-possible. We have to destroy them without hesitation.

Except that one by the portables and the B-wing. That one’s nice. I like to lay on it. It can stay.

But who knows what fiendish alien monsters the other rock-ships hold? They could be razor-fanged Martians, ice slugs from Pluto or even those bloodthirsty demons they say come from Venus.

Unless we take serious action, we are all doomed without any hope of survival. But since they’ve mastered space travel, we’re pretty much doomed even if we do take action. Actually, probably more so.

Oh, and did I mention they’re really ugly?

Tyler Allen

Don’t take boulders for granite

Molly Ingram Mirada Staff

power, and status.”Paris-Salb believes girls’

drive for achievement can become physically and mentally dangerous when girls push for perfection. She blames this drive on “equal parts society and their families and thinking they have to do everything perfect causing a significant amount of stress.”

This need for perfection is inherently unhealthy, Paris-Salb said, because true perfec-tion does not exist. Therefore, young women always think they can perform better and never “take satisfaction in a job

well done.”In her book, Funk discusses

how society still expects young women to observe traditional behavior while taking advan-tage of their freedom to act, and compete, on an equal basis with guys.

“Trying to be powerful gets a little confusing when you have to apologize for it . . . and making up for it is doing all the things that are considered feminine,” she wrote.

She writes that girls today strive to seem intelligence, ac-complished and all-around outstanding. However, society still expects them to be beauti-

ful, friendly and modest.“Because no one knows

what...society means when they tell girls to be good, girls assume that good means do-ing everything-and doing ev-erything right,” she wrote.

Sophomore Danille Arbios defines good people as those who “push themselves to do their best.”

Arbios, who averages 3-4 hours of homework a night and 7-8 hours of athletics a week, does not find her skill in both school and sports unusu-al in comparison to her peers.

“I think I’m more normal for kids to be able to do both

and succeed,” she said. Anderson admits that deal-

ing with school, extracurricu-lars, sports and a social life can be so challenging that “some-times it feels like everything is going to fall apart.”

However, she feels confi-dent that she works very hard in order to please herself, not society or anyone else.

“I do what I do because I want to, not because I need to prove myself,” she said. “I want to excel so that I can open doors for my future. When you open your own doors, you’re the only one who can close them.”

From < SUPERGIRLS, page 3

News 0504.03.09

Page 6: April Issue 2009

Money Page 604.03.09The Mirada

Teens on the lookout for jobsThe days of summer are just

around the corner and if spend-ing your lazy days in front of the TV, later begging your parents for money to go out that eve-ning is as unappetizing as meat loaf, then maybe getting a job is just the thing for you. However, as we all know, jobs are tight everywhere these days, so here are some tips to get you ahead of the game.

When filling out the applica-tion, it is important to answer all questions, thoroughly, truthful-ly, and most important, legibly. Neatness counts as the applica-tion is a reflection of you. Also take care of your application; be careful not to fold, tear, crumple or otherwise damage the docu-ment.

Before you send in your ap-plication or schedule your inter-view, take a close look at the job description. It is important to be what the company is looking

for, then adjust to better fit the criteria. By all means this does not mean be fake, but a smart teen job seeker would take into account exactly what type of person the company is looking for, then do their best to fit that model and tone of the job de-scription.

At the actual interview re-member to defy the typical teen-age stereotype. Most employers expect teenage applicants to be less professional than adult ap-plicants. Ditch the baggy T-shirt and short shorts for this occa-sion. Dress appropriate to job profile (a nice shirt and a modest skirt or pants are fine for more casual jobs) then simply walk into the interview confidant and on time, make eye contact and shake hands firmly. Show the employer you’re different.

During the interview tell the employer what they want to hear. In reality the interview isn’t about you. It is about what you can do to benefit the com-pany, so tell them exactly what you can contribute to the work

environment. But also keep in mind what

you want from the job. It’s okay to ask about hourly wages, rais-es, vacations days, sick days, etc. It is better to ask now then to wind up with a job with no lenience or sympathy to those times when a teenager just needs a break.

Once you have a job, don’t forget to get a work permit. The state of California requires all minors ages 12 to 17 to have a work permit. For more informa-tion, you can check the Depart-ment of Labors website www.youthrules.dol.gov for your specific standards.

So what happens if you don’t get the job? Don’t sweat it, there are lots of money making op-portunities by taking advantage

of the things you do best. Good with kids? Start a baby-

sitting service. Book smart? Be a personal tutor. Are you kind of crafty? Sell your creations. There are tons of ways to em-ploy yourself over the summer. All you have to do is identify things you can do that would be appealing to a potential cus-tomer.

When you have established yourself a little business it is best to keep serving repeat custom-ers to develop regulars. Regular customers obviously like what you do and are most likely to pass on a recommendation to someone who is in need of your service.

Working for yourself also provides many perks. Being your own boss you have ulti-

mate control over your work schedule. However, don’t take advantage of this and become flaky; your customers will no-tice.

However, if money is not your main objective this sum-mer, internships and volunteer work may be a better option.

“Colleges want students to use their free time wisely,” Lisa Sohmer said, a member of the Nation Association for College Admission Counseling Board of Directors, said.

Elizabeth Wissner-Gross, au-thor of “What High Schools Don’t Tell You: 300+ Secrets to Make Your Kid Irresistible to Colleges by Senior Year,” adds, “Ideally, the students work experience should help further students in-terests and academic passions.”

Whether working a summer job to pay for a car or working as an intern, having a summer job provides benefits, looks amazing on college applications and teaches skills that will help you in life later. When school is out, it’s time to go to work!

It is better to ask now then to wind up with a job with no lenience or sympathy to those times when a teenager just needs a break.“ ”

Sarah VairaMirada Staff

Page 7: April Issue 2009

Health Page 704.03.09The Mirada

Sun is more fun with sunscreen

It’s a Friday night and the game just ended; time to go get some food.

What will it be? Willies, Roundtable or Jack’s

Urban Eats? The greasy burg-ers at Willies and the over-sized and overtopped pizza at Roundtable are making every-one drool. Jack’s crispy garlic fries are to die for, as well.

But there are healthier ways to enjoy yourself when con-fronted with such tempting decisions.

Surprisingly, there are good alternatives, even at fast food restaurants. Next time you grab a bite to eat, watch out for the three C’s: cheesy, crispy and creamy. Those are just oth-er words for what we all know as “fat.”

And if you’re trying to eat healthy, staying away from fat-tening foods is the right thing to do.

So instead of joining your friends for those hot out of the oil french fries, try ordering some crunchy vegetables or a salad.

But watch that creamy dressing. It’s loaded with fats, too.

The chicken ceasar salad

dressing at McDonalds has 30 grams of fat. Ask them to hold the fattening dressing and try squeezing a little lemon or a few drops of vinegar on it instead. It adds a nice healthy touch.

There are ways to avoid fat and still have a delicious pizza treat. Try asking for the thin crust with no cheese.

Avoid those pepperoni slic-es, too. They’re filled with fat.

But with some red sauce and vegetables, you can have a great after-game treat with-out having to worry about too much fat.

You can still go to your fa-vorite fast food chain and eat heathy also.

If you have a sweet tooth,

you can always go to McDon-ald’s and get the fruit parfait. It is a nice heathy treat with only 130 calories and 2 grams of fat.

Just remember to stay away from the three C’s: cheesy, crispy and creamy.

After all, no one wants to eat just fruits and veggies.

Fresh choices made easyKatherine Casey

Mirada Staff

Carly McCuneMirada Staff

What a beautiful allure plas-tic bottles have towards the hu-man mind and eye.

Plastic bottles are not only recyclable and reusable, but are perfect for saving money and so much more. But behind such a lovely façade lies the dangerous truth of BPA plastic bottles.

BPA stands for bisphenol-a, a chemical which is used in not just water bottles. According to the New York Times, BPA plastic is used to make baby bottles, plastic food containers and so much more.

It seems to be fairly harm-less and even draws a lax con-cern, but studies are starting to show some serious effects.

Studies reveal that BPA can

be a budding cancer risk and can change the prostate and mammary tissues in the ani-mals that were tested.

That seems to be more than enough reason to change to a BPA-free water bottle.

Where to start? Nalgene, a company that

produces sports bottles, has announced that BPA produced items will be discontinued.

Although there are many who suggest that BPA is a low level concern and is not harmful to humans through low doses, pregnant women and women with infants are told to beware of using BPA prod-ucts because of the lack of knowledge concerning its full effects.

If BPA isn’t all that bad for tainting the water we drink and the food we eat through BPA lined cans, why did Can-

ada ban BPA lined items?BPA bottles may or may not

be all too harmful for us, but who is to know until more sci-entific tests yield more results?

So, why put yourself at risk?

The simple answer is to just switch the sports bottle out for a BPA-free one.

BPA-free water bottles, such as the Swiss-made SIGG water bottles, are made out of alumi-num and can be used everyday. Although they may dent if they are dropped on the ground or hit against a hard surface, the denting doesn’t damage the bottle, just its appearance.

SIGG water bottles can be found at major retailers, such as Target, Whole Foods, REI and other camping stores.

Or, go online to mysigg.com and purchase an eco-friendly Sigg bottle today.

Alexis Shen

Spring Break is here. Finally.

But, whether you’re staying in town or if you’re off to the sunny rays of the beach, you can’t forget about keeping your skin safe.

According to the Center for Disease Control, skin cancer ranks as one of the most preva-lent types of cancer within the US. According to The Skin Can-cer Foundation, approximately one of every five Americans will contract skin cancer during their lifetime.

With a common desire to get tan, we often pass up an offer for sunscreen. But if you want to stay healthy, you must apply sunscreen before exposing your skin to the sun’s injurious ultra violet rays.

First, make sure to buy a sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB. Next, be sure to apply sunscreen as directed, as the sunscreen may lose power after an extended period of time, especially if you have been in the water.

For all of you still looking to get a tan, you must drop tan-ning beds from consideration. In essence, all that tanning beds really give you are the harms of the sun without the pleasure of a day spent outside

According to The Skin Can-cer Foundation, a youth’s first experience with indoor tanning will increase his/her melanoma risk by 75 percent.

Melanoma is a highly dan-gerous form of skin cancer that poses a high threat to youth.

So much for tanning salons, right? Who wants to pay for skin cancer?

But hopes for getting a tan aren’t over yet. Most spray or lotion tans offer safe alterna-tives to tanning.

The best way to avoid skin damage is to stay out of the sun, especially during times of intense sunlight. Just be sure to be conscious of your skin’s safety while you enjoy the sun.

ALEX McFALL/Photo Editor

Restaurant Menu Item Calories/Fat Burrito Bowl (without Calories: 525 Chipotle cheese,sour cream, or Fat: 14 grams guacamole) Burger King Chunky chicken salad Calories: 142 Fat: 4 grams McDonald’s Chicken honey Calories: 260 mustard wrap Fat: 9 grams

Subway 6” Veggie Delight Calories: 200 (without cheese) Fat: 2.5 grams Panera Bread Chunky chicken salad Calories: 340 Fat: 14 grams

SIGG water bottles, like the aluminum one shown above, are BPA free.

Information courtesy of www.healthchecksystems.com Graphic by Katherine Casey and Molly Ingram

BPA-free water bottles provide safe alternative

Page 8: April Issue 2009

Opinion Page 804.03.09The Mirada

The MiradaRIO AMERICANO

HIGH SCHOOL

4540 American River Dr.Sacramento, CA 95864(916) 971-8921 ext. 80

my.hsj.org/ca/sacramento/[email protected]

Editors-in-ChiefWillie Robinson-Smith

Hannah ShapiroMolly GlasgowJenifer Carter

News EditorsTyler Allen

Kate FinegoldMolly Ingram

Opinion Editors

Carly McCuneAlexis Shen

Features EditorsJack Sheldon

Christian Oldham

Sports EditorAlex Reinnoldt

Photo EditorAlexander McFall

PhotographersCaroline Fong

Willie Robinson-Smith

Graphic ArtistEmily Kim

Sarah Vaira

Online EditorAlex Kleemann

Staff WritersCaroline FongJessie Shapiro

Katherine CaseySarah Vaira

Savannah Sterpe-MackeyTate Rountree

Danny FordBen Egan

Alex Kleemann

Business ManagerMolly Ingram

AdviserMichael Mahoney

[email protected]

The Mirada is the independent voice of the students and a forum for diverse ideas published by Rio Americano’s newspaper class.

The Mirada welcomes story ideas, comics, letters to the editor and opinion pieces. Submit ar-ticles and letters to the box in A3 or the main office. Unsigned edi-torials represent the views of the Mirada editorial board.

Opinion articles and letters to the editor are the views of the in-dividual writer and not necessar-ily the views of the Mirada or Rio Americano High School.

We welcome advertising, but reserve the right to refuse any ad.

Love is a gift.”This is the

message the Mirada urges students to take from the Every 15 Minutes Program.

The statistics-crashes are the leading cause of death for 2-34-year-olds, that you are four times more likely to die in a an accident when 16-19 then when older-stand out like all those startling, blaring lights and noises we heard on Tuesday.

But it’s the stories that moved hundreds of teenagers, squeezed together in a gym, to pass around tissue boxes.

It’s the stories that lead to the statistics that, according to the Every 15 Minutes website, have lead to lower student

crash rates after seeing this dramatic presentation.

Dee Sova’s shocking and passionate story about losing her daughter because of a drunk driver and how this devastating tragedy transformed this tragedy into her new life, those startling obituaries read about our fellow students, seconds after we watched the Grim Reaper whisk them from class, and even the acted-out story of Tuesday’s crash.

Those are the stories that have, that must, horrify us into the reality of our choices, and their consequences.

The Mirada would like

to thank Dee Sova, the speaker of the powerful quote above, Officer Liz Dutton, and the parents and members of the “living dead” for their beautiful words. These words will certainly make a difference.

We would also like to offer our thanks to Officer Liz Dutton and the CHP, along with UC Davis Medical Center, fire department and all the other agencies involved in this outstanding program.

We would especially like to show our appreciation (yes, we do respect you) to the administration, counselors, student

volunteers and PTSA. Above all, thank you

for realizing that even in this economically difficult times, there are a few special programs that still matter and that students will and must listen to.

Most of all we want to send love and admiration to the students who participated in the event.

Your decision to subject yourself and your family to such difficult emotions lead so many of the students to turn to their friends after the assembly and hug them.

We hope that all the different aspects of this presentation will do a little more. As Officer Liz Dutton said, if it saves one life, the event will have been more than worth it.

Emily Kim/Graphic Artist

OUR VIEW

Every 15 Minutes inspires us

Page 9: April Issue 2009

Don’t pass ‘Go’ on monopolization of tickets

A few months ago, Live Nation announced its plan to merge with

Ticketmaster. The two compa-nies are the leading companies in providing tickets to fans of huge bands such as U2, Smash-ing Pumpkins and Coldplay.

The two companies plan to incorporate and become Live Nation Entertainment.

If the merger were to follow through, it would create a mo-nopoly. Don’t get me wrong, it is great Parkers brothers’ game, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll ex-cite the ticket customers.

If Live Nation Entertainment becomes a reality, it would mean that representation of artists and venues would be controlled by one organization. The Depart-ment of Justice also announced that it is investigating the pro-posed merger.

Ticketmaster isn’t untouched when it comes to the subject of antitrust matters; in the 1990s, Pearl Jam sued them.

The band also boycotted the unjust company because of its “service fee” that charges an extra and unreasonable amount of money to the ticket buyer for

Ticketmaster’s “general service, processing and shipping.”

Despite Pearl Jam’s attempts to get everyone (the fans) on their side, it killed their career and many fans abandoned them due to overwhelming ticket prices and other reasons of dif-ficulty retrieving the tickets.

Fans’ relationships with their favorite artists would be destroyed if this monopoly be-came a reality. Ticket prices would skyrocket and fans clubs would be torn apart.

Bruce Springsteen isn’t too happy about the merge, either. On a recent blog, he wrote “The one thing that would make the current ticket situation even worse for the fan than it is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Nation coming up with a single system, thereby returning us to a near monopoly situation in music ticketing.”

Several newspapers are re-porting on this satory right now. If you, like us, oppose that idea, you should make it known to

your representatives.” Like Springsteen said, this

merge has absolutely every-one in an uproar and he wants things to remain as they have been (if not better).

Some of my favorite artists are actually in favor of the mea-sure, though, which makes me somewhat angry.

Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins recently sent a letter in support of the merge where he stated, “In short, we have a broken system. This is a new

model that puts power into the hands of the artist, creating a dynamic synergy that will in-spire great works and attract healthy competition.”

Hello? Earth to Corgan? Some people think that he shaved off his talent when he traded his do for a shiny dome in ’95, but did he shave off his reasoning?

Basically, the merger wouldn’t create healthy competition to help lower ticket prices or help the connection between artists and fans that has already been damaged by Ticketmaster.

Live Nation Entertainment would dictate all ticket prices and swipe the power away from all the artists.

No company should have a monopoly over any market; it wouldn’t be fair. Although busi-ness is never fair when it comes to tactics and money, it wouldn’t be fair to the ticket buyers. Soci-ety thrives on corporate compe-tition; the merger would surely deprive us, the consumer, of this need and the freedom of choice.

Not only would those prices be dictated, but also it would create an even greater amount of suffering for the fans who just want to have an evening with their favorite artists and the mu-sic that may have fostered them throughout their youth.

Is North Korea’s satellite just a satellite, or more?

What would you do, when a hostile country plans a sat-

ellite launch that threatens local airspace?

What would you do, when the nation’s government says any act to stop the launch is a declaration of war?

And what would you do if legislation bound you to act?

Let’s wish Washington luck on this one...

Because between April 4 and 8, the Democratic Peoples Re-public of Korea (North Korea) plans to launch an “observation satellite.”

Yeah, right. South Korean and U.S. of-

ficials believe that, contrary to notifications, North Korea is preparing to launch a power-ful intercontinental missile, the Taepodong-2, capable of carry-ing warheads as far as the west coast of the U.S.

And yet United Nations Res-olution 1718 forbids all ballistic

missile programs in North Ko-rea, so, why are they doing it?

They’re sitting bored across the ocean, making veiled threats and goading other nations into action, like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.

Are world politics really that trivial, that they have been so degraded?

It is truly amazing how com-parable the world is to a school. The world powers are kids with plenty of friends and good grades, and North Korea wants a piece of the action.

Another thing to mention, “kids” like America are buff and tall, while North Korea looks downright wimpy.

So, we know force isn’t an option, so what does little North Korea do? He gets clever.

Enough with the metaphors, they’re overused anyway. So the DPRK gets tricky, and makes hostile threats to rile the nations up.

Pretty soon, if the course con-tinues, powerful nations like the U.S. and China might be pitted against one another, while that gleeful little imp North Korea looks on.

Can North Korea just run around creating havoc, while ig-noring the warnings of the most powerful world nations?

There has to be one area on which the “outside” world can draw the line. The UN decided to set the limit on the ballistic missile program of North Ko-rea. Its simple enough.

Of course, with dictatorships like the DPRK, nothing is ever truly simple.

So go ahead North Korea, launch your “satellite.” Amer-ica, if it gets its priorities right, will shoot it out of the sky. Go ahead, declare war with the most powerful nation on Earth, see what happens.

To get definitive results with a belligerent nation, the United States must be belligerent; and, from one American’s perspec-tive, the whole situation is com-pletely ludicrous.

Organizations such as the UN were created specifically to stop idiots like Kim Jong-Il from endangering the peace.

And if this so called “sat-ellite” test really is a missile launch, there has to be hell to pay.

Emily Kim/Graphic Artist

Emily Kim/Graphic Artist

Jack SheldonMirada Staff

Alex McFallMirada Staff

Opinion 0904.03.09

Page 10: April Issue 2009

THE DEBATE

Yes: We have a duty to end cruelty

Does Bread Suffer Inhumane Treatment?No: Bread is bad for our modern society

The most pressing issue fac-ing America today.

I’d like you all to take a little time out of your day to talk about an issue that hasn’t been covered in major media outlets re-cently.

Every day, many of us unwit-tingly commit flagrant rights viola-tions.

“What the heck are you talk-ing about?” you might angrily ask. Only the most horrific treatments food could ever receive, otherwise know as bread cruelty.

Bread cruelty seems to be on the rise across the country; each week in America millions of loaves of bread grow stale from human neglect, oc-casionally even getting moldy.

This isn’t right, and it must stop now!

Though many small, ethical bak-eries exist across the United States, more and more Americans are turn-ing to the giant bread factories.

We can’t just throw away the small businesses for the big man. It’s what American is founded on, the little guy!

We as a people knead to ask ourselves if it is moral to buy from places that use artificial chemicals to doctor their bread.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with PETG (People for the Ethical Treatment of Grain) spokes-man Barley N. Oates, who said that “…these factories are disgusting. Sometimes, when bread is deemed unfit for human consumption, they grind it up and resell it as ‘premi-um’ bread crumbs. It’s horrific.”

And I agree. These despicable corporations

are ruining the good name of bread.

Just the other day I saw a mother offer her son a greasy, bacon-filled sandwich, to which he replied,

“I’d rather have a healthy tortilla wrap.”

Are these the kinds of values we want to instill in our children? I think not!

There’s nothing more precious in my life than that superb sour-dough, that beautiful brioche, the perfect pain au chocolate.

But that dream is being taken away.

We need to bring back the bread.

Make sure that you’re doing as much as you can to support local bakeries.

They need all the support that the common citizens alike can give to them. Where would they be without it?

I encourage you to take action and buy fresh bread every day. This way, instead of buying bread in ad-vance and letting it go stale, buy it in small amounts that you’re guar-anteed to finish.

And when you buy, make sure your bread isn’t treated with chem-icals.

Write your congressman and urge them to support Wisconsin Rep. Batard Surdoh’s Fresh Bread Initiative.

The last and most important action you can take is to properly educate your friends and family about bread cruelty.

Criminals use the expression dai-ly: “I’m only doin’ this ‘cause I knead the dough!” Every year,

thousands if not millions of crimes are committed by convicts with a stomach full of bread.

More than 98 percent of convicted felons eat a regular diet of bread; a higher percent than criminals eat of any other food. In fact, most criminals commit crimes within 24 hours of taking a bite of a delectable piece of toast or a celebrated sandwich.

Though bread may appear innocuous, it can negatively affect and possibly end your life. Fueling criminal thoughts, production of this doughy disaster must be stopped.

Bread has caused nothing but trouble since its popularity skyrocketed in ancient Egyptian times, yet since no detailed re-cords were kept, we can only assume it caused pain, disaster and even death just as it has in our more recent past.

For those of you uninformed about bread, it is made by using a substance com-monly known as ‘dough.’ With as little as one pound of dough, a person can suffo-cate a mouse by feeding this to it.

When this information is combined with the knowledge that the average American eats well over three times this amount per month, the impending danger of bread

suffocation becomes more than apparent; it becomes blatantly obvious.

Furthermore, the process of making bread includes putting the ‘dough’ into ov-ens heated to temperatures of over 400 de-grees Fahrenheit. Temperatures this high can kill a fully grown adult in less than a minute.

Back in the early 20th century, all bread was baked and eaten in the home. These were bad times, and if you can’t remem-ber why, here are a few reasons: the life expectancy of an American was 50 years, many women died during childbirth, and diseases such as typhoid and yellow fever ravaged the world.

Mold on bread, carrying these diseases, was as common then as it is today, caus-ing headaches, sneezing, wheezing, eye ir-ritation, and in many extreme cases, death upon ingestion.

Do you realize what was there, hiding behind these horrible events from the safe-ty of your kitchen cupboard? That’s right. Bread.

As you may know, stale bread is the most common food to choke on for both adults and children; shouldn’t we stop making this lethal creation?

Many primitive tribes throughout the world that thrive without bread show very little signs of diseases such as cancer, Al-zheimer’s, Parkinson’s and osteoporosis. Coincidence?

I think not. Although some scientists may propose

alternate theories, the facts now lie before you; bread thrives only in societies plagued with disease and therefore it needs these diseases in order to continue its running rampage.

Bread has also been proven to be addic-tive. To prove this, scientists have run tests to see what would happen to subjects when provided with no food for 5 days. Supplied with nothing but water, what do these test subjects beg for after only two days?

Pizza, maybe? Or steak? No; the answer is their beloved bread. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that few

people know or care about these countless dangers hiding underneath the innocent loaf of bread.

Thousands of deaths each year are false-ly dubbed death by suffocation or choking; bread being the true murderer. Through newly informed citizens like yourself, suf-fering caused by bread can be abolished.

Seclude the sandwich. Toss the toast. It’s time we take a stand against the ty-

rannical injustice caused by bread!Alex McFall/Photo Editor

Editors note: We’ve all heard the big debates on the big issues of the day involving experts who don’t seem that expert. In honor of the day this paper went to the printer we offer a debate using argu-ments, we offer a big debate about ... bread. We’re sure it will get a rise out of readers.

Opinion10 04.03.09

John BriegerGuest Writer EJ Fernandes

Guest Writer

Page 11: April Issue 2009

Campus Rocks, Plays, Music and More...

Submit your letters with your name and grade

to room A3 or online at

[email protected]

Dear Editor,I feel really heated about

a certain “addition” to our school campus: The huge un-necessary rocks plastered in the ground near every tree. This is just a way to blow some of our school’s “tight” budget. Instead we should have used the money more wisely, maybe for some dec-orative features other than giant rocks to enhance our school.

-Tyler Cooper, 12

Hey Mirada,Thanks for putting an ar-

ticle about the Student Body Play in The Mirada! I espe-cially loved the individual recognition in the cast list box! You guys are awesome!

-Kelly Rodgers, 10

Dear Mirada,I loved that you included

the article about legalizing marijuana. I didn’t expect a school newspaper to express the more provocative new point, but I guess that’s why The Mirada is successful. Keep up the good work!

-Morgan Soriano, 10

Editor,I really like the multiple

music reviews that are of-fered. It allows me to dis-cover a lot of new music that I otherwise would have just glanced over. You guys of-fer a lot of different options and reviews from music and movies. They are really great and completely awesome, so thanks a lot and keep up the good work.

-Miriah James, 12

Dear Editor,I can’t stand the new

facebook page! I can’t see it when I have invitations or

friend requests because it is at the top in this little space and the “Highlights” column is a waste of space! To me the facebook page is mak-ing it more difficult for me to communicate with friends, which is the whole point of facebook. I wish they would change it back.

-Eleanor Newcomb, 9

Mirada,I’ve noticed how empty

the restaurants are these days now that everyone is trying to save money and cut back on extra spending. It seems a little empty out there. It’s

a little odd, but at least there isn’t as large of a waiting line anymore! Hopefully the economy will be fixed soon because it is such a bummer.

- Ellen Hosein, 12

Dear Editor,I really love the comics

that you put in last issue. They were so funny. Hope-fully you put in some more for the following issues. I would really enjoy seeing more of those.

- Sarah Roska, 12

No encore arises for the closed curtains

Emily Kim/Graphic Artist

Five days out of every week I go to learn in what feels like a local

dungeon. Many of the class-rooms have large windows, yet they do not take advantage of the beautiful sunlight that blesses every nook and cranny in the rooms. Will the teachers ever find the right balance of il-lumination?

It feels a little odd walking into a classroom right after be-ing outside. The fixed lighting is dim, yellowed and a little remi-niscent of a poorly funded hor-ror movie.

My eyes are a little scared to even have to make such an awk-ward transition.

Understandably, the fluores-cent lighting does a better job of lighting the classrooms on rainy or overly cloudy days than the natural light.

On sunny days, I’m not too sure of the reasons why my be-loved sunbeams and I must be kept apart.

The fluorescent lighting also gives a really weird color to each

student in the classrooms. Kind of a dimmed grayish appear-ance that you never knew you would look like besides when you are ill with the flu.

The sunlight on the other hand, gives a, shall I say, youth-ful glow to not only the students, but the teachers who bask in its revered rays.

Although it can be said that keeping the curtains closed and

the sunshiny fun I’m dying for out keeps students focused and attentive.

Yes, I guess I would be forced at some point to stare back up at the whiteboard if I can’t look at the birds singing in the trees, the wind blowing in the trees or the janitor making daily rounds, but is it bad to take a three min-ute visual break?

Being deprived of the won-

drous exquisiteness of nature can only lead to other distrac-tions on the inside of the class-rooms.

The persistent line of ants found in every classroom, or the many doodles found either on the desk itself or on my home-work, can substantially distract me for a few moments before I continue with drudging on into the land of square roots or

“Othello.”My retinas can only take

so many collective minutes of grammar or Algebra II until they turn red and start to burn and then eventually get a glassy sort of façade.

Taking a break for a few min-utes to remind oneself that there is a world beyond the yellowed classrooms seems to be good for students… or at least for me.

It’s a little hard to stay fo-cused for an hour or so on both rainy and sunny days and even more so on the ever dreaded block days.

It’s even harder for seniors who are already plagued with the incurable and frightening Se-nioritis. They need a little break too, and what is better than the awesomeness of the big blue sky or the slightly overgrown, but still ever so green grass?

It is difficult to stay focused in class, and maybe closing the curtains is helping someone to keep their eyes on the board.

But for the rest of us nature loving restless creatures of the day, we need a little help from a visual break every once and again with the curtain’s arms wide open.

Carly McCuneMirada Staff

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Opinion 1104.03.09

Page 12: April Issue 2009

very 15 minutesEvent confronts student with reality that an American dies in a drug or alcohol related car crash . . .

EThe day began with a heartbeat.

Pump, pump, pump. And then the heart flatlined.

The sound over the loudspeaker startled students even before the final bell rang for first period this past Tuesday.

And so began our school’s Every 15 Minutes program.

Liz Dutton, CHP public information officer, coordinated the two-day event.

“This program is about choices and consequences,” she said at the crash assembly. “You need to start thinking about those choices.”

The event was meant to symbolize how often someone dies from a drunken driving accident.

This program required the involvement of the fire department, UC Davis hospital, coroner, morgue and police department.

The CHP gives a grant of $10,000 to each school that participates. The PTSA raised money and organized the event with the help of Vice Principal Shelley Friery.

“It’s a very powerful program,” Friery said. “(The students) treat it as if it’s something really happening.”

The counselors chose 26 students to participate. Most of them were pulled out of class every 15 minutes on Tuesday

by an individual dressed as the Grim Reaper.

“I was a little nervous,” senior Paul Montoya said about pretending to be dead. “It was pretty weird. You leave everything you knew behind.”

In each class a dark rose was placed on the “dead” student’s desk and their teacher read an obituary written by the student’s parents.

“It was kind of creepy,” junior Antonio Lorta said about his classmates’ reaction to the entrance of the Grim Reaper to take him to join the living dead. “Everyone was scared.”

Four of the students acted out the crash in front of the students. When the student body arrived at the football field on Tuesday, they were faced with two covered cars crushed into each other on the track. Police officers and cameraman stood around.

The Grim Reaper lead the 15 already “dead” students, faces painted white and eyes lined with black, to the football field behind the cars.

Suddenly an officer yanked off the sheets over the cars, shocking students with the grim picture of four of their classmates leaning, bloody and frightened, over the cars.

Senior Austin Sprague lay still,

sprayed over the window shield of the other car. The officers announced that he died at the scene and that he was not wearing his seat belt. He was zipped into a body bag, driven to the morgue, where he faced the experience of being put in a drawer

Senior Joe Portale played a driver arrested for causing the crash.

After a drug sobriety test and admitting to drinking eight shots of alcohol on the levy, Portale was arrested and taken to prison.

Senior April Jordan was Portale’s passenger. Fireman used jaws-of-life to tear open the car and carefully pulled Jordan out of the heavily smashed car. A CHP helicopter landed on the football field, blowing dust into students’ eyes as the watched Jordan being airborne off to the hospital.

“I was really exited about the whole program,” Jordan said beforehand. “But it was kind of hard keeping it a secret.”

The students learned that Jordan supposedly died in the hospital and the driver of Sprague’s car, Danny Lacayo, was paralyzed in the crash.

“Don’t drive under the influence of anything,” Officer Dutton said. “One poor choice can cost you your life.”

Jens’ many interests kept him always on the go. Friends and family will gather at Cresta Park on Saturday afternoon for a barbeque luncheon.

Students gather on Senior Lawn to observe the headstones of their fellow classmates. After being claimed by the Grim Reaper, the selected students came here to place their grave markers as a reminder to their fellow peers of how many people die within a single school day. This visual representation of the statistics was designed to deter students from driving impaired.

Above: Makeup artist Debbie Baker adds the final touches to senior April Jordan’s wounds as she prepares for her role in the car crash scene. Jordan played the role of a paraplegic in the scenario. Above Left: Baker’s son pours fake blood down senior Austin Sprague’s forehead to create the fatal wound that instilled much sorrow in his fellow classmates. Sprague had to remain in a deathlike trance on the roof of the Ford Crown Victoria for over an hour during the demonstration. Right: Baker, sophomore Kelly McCuen, and senior Lexi Opper apply Living Dead makeup to senior Samantha Adair. After receiving her makeup, Adair then proceed to place her grave on Senior Lawn.

Preparing for the Reaper

Todd loved the outdoors and he dreamed of a life in law enforcement or baseball. Friends are invited to a celebration of his life at the LDS Church in Carmichael Friday at noon.

Tony was know to always think of oth-ers before himself. Tony’s ashes were scattered in the San Francisco Bay by the Neptune Society. Family and friends will gather to remember Tony at the Lorta home on Saturday evening.

Blake was known to always march to his own beat. He amused his family with his outgoing and fun nature and his passion for life. Friends and family will gather at the family home on Sun-day at 1 pm to remember Blake.

ObituariesJens Michael DrillerJuly 19, 1992-March 31, 2009

Todd Charles HawleyAugust 26, 1994-March 31, 2009

Antonio Salvador Thomas LortaApril 23, 1991-March 31, 2009

Blake Frederick ThomasNovember 14, 1992-March 31, 2009

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Page 13: April Issue 2009

very 15 minutesThe day began with a heartbeat.

Pump, pump, pump. And then the heart flatlined.

The sound over the loudspeaker startled students even before the final bell rang for first period this past Tuesday.

And so began our school’s Every 15 Minutes program.

Liz Dutton, CHP public information officer, coordinated the two-day event.

“This program is about choices and consequences,” she said at the crash assembly. “You need to start thinking about those choices.”

The event was meant to symbolize how often someone dies from a drunken driving accident.

This program required the involvement of the fire department, UC Davis hospital, coroner, morgue and police department.

The CHP gives a grant of $10,000 to each school that participates. The PTSA raised money and organized the event with the help of Vice Principal Shelley Friery.

“It’s a very powerful program,” Friery said. “(The students) treat it as if it’s something really happening.”

The counselors chose 26 students to participate. Most of them were pulled out of class every 15 minutes on Tuesday

by an individual dressed as the Grim Reaper.

“I was a little nervous,” senior Paul Montoya said about pretending to be dead. “It was pretty weird. You leave everything you knew behind.”

In each class a dark rose was placed on the “dead” student’s desk and their teacher read an obituary written by the student’s parents.

“It was kind of creepy,” junior Antonio Lorta said about his classmates’ reaction to the entrance of the Grim Reaper to take him to join the living dead. “Everyone was scared.”

Four of the students acted out the crash in front of the students. When the student body arrived at the football field on Tuesday, they were faced with two covered cars crushed into each other on the track. Police officers and cameraman stood around.

The Grim Reaper lead the 15 already “dead” students, faces painted white and eyes lined with black, to the football field behind the cars.

Suddenly an officer yanked off the sheets over the cars, shocking students with the grim picture of four of their classmates leaning, bloody and frightened, over the cars.

Senior Austin Sprague lay still,

sprayed over the window shield of the other car. The officers announced that he died at the scene and that he was not wearing his seat belt. He was zipped into a body bag, driven to the morgue, where he faced the experience of being put in a drawer

Senior Joe Portale played a driver arrested for causing the crash.

After a drug sobriety test and admitting to drinking eight shots of alcohol on the levy, Portale was arrested and taken to prison.

Senior April Jordan was Portale’s passenger. Fireman used jaws-of-life to tear open the car and carefully pulled Jordan out of the heavily smashed car. A CHP helicopter landed on the football field, blowing dust into students’ eyes as the watched Jordan being airborne off to the hospital.

“I was really exited about the whole program,” Jordan said beforehand. “But it was kind of hard keeping it a secret.”

The students learned that Jordan supposedly died in the hospital and the driver of Sprague’s car, Danny Lacayo, was paralyzed in the crash.

“Don’t drive under the influence of anything,” Officer Dutton said. “One poor choice can cost you your life.”

Top: Senior Joe Portale is arrested after kill-ing fellow seniors Austin Sprague and April Jordan and paralyzing senior Danny Lacayo during the car crash sequence of the Every 15 Minutes program. Following his arrest, Portale was carted off to jail where he was subjected to another breathalyzer test, a Terry Pat down, and time in a sobriety room. Bottom Right: Junior Alexis Mendoza and senior Lauren Taylor wear their emotions on their sleeves during the assembly where the Living Dead and their parents read letters to each other about the students’ lost lives. Above: Principal Rob Hollingsworth dressed as the Grim Reaper calls senior Taylor Klinger to join the ranks of the Living Dead. After students were selected, they returned to the Small Gym where they received dead-ening makeup and then proceeded to place their gravestone in the graveyard on Senior Lawn.

Page 14: April Issue 2009

Features Page 1403.04.09The Mirada

Hypothetical situation: You’re sitting in your room on a quite comfortable and spacious bed. It is raining heavily outside and the lightening and thunder is making you shake in your boots.

Being too wet to go out, you think to yourself, “I think I’ll read a book.” You then realize that you are eight chapters behind in your reading for “Pride and Prejudice.”

As you fight back sleep and all urges to burn that horrible book while you read, you think to yourself, “You know what this book needs…zombies!” Well, thanks to a zombie-dreamer named Seth Grahame-Smith who has surely faced the sheer boredom we all have while reading grueling literature, there is a new, better version of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” This version is called “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”

Here’s a sample passage: “Before Mr. Darcy could

respond, a chorus of screams filled the assembly hall, immediately joined by the shattering of window panes.

Unmentionables scrambled in, their movements clumsy yet swift; their burial clothing in a range of untidiness. Guests who had the misfortune of standing near the windows were seized and feasted on at once. Elizabeth watched Mrs. Long struggle to free herself as two female dreadfuls bit into her head, cracking her skull like a walnut, and sending a shower of dark blood spouting as high as the chandeliers.”

Perhaps knowing that old literature doesn’t connect with young readers, Grahame-Smith has created a whole new way of thinking about books.

Maybe reading the kind of books that get assigned in English doesn’t have to be such a chore, but something

that everybody can enjoy. The opportunities for actually decent books are endless.

Let’s say you have to read “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles.

It’s pretty standard fare about prep school boys either coming of age or dying. But if you had to read “Separate Pieces” by John Knowles, well I wouldn’t even need the Cliffs Notes. Think about it this way: “After dying from a broken leg, Zombie Finny rises from his grave. Hungry and angry, he goes on a wild rampage looking for Gene, eating small children and goat’s blood along the way. Gene is standing by the enormous oak tree. He spots his half-dead friend.

He starts to climb rapidly up the tree, but Zombie Finny is too fast and catches up to his friend. Gene gets pushed off the tree falling 50 feet to

the ground. Zombie Finny screeches in delight over his accomplishment.

Suddenly, an overly delicious scent catches the brain-eating monster’s nose. It is the smell of bone marrow radiating from Gene’s freshly broken leg. Zombie Finny jumps off the branch and starts eating Gene’s flesh.” With such a phenomenon emerging, so-called classics will no longer turn the readers brains to mush. Only the characters will get that treatment.

The books that will come from this will be better than mediocre, they will be, dare I say it, so-so.

By giving books a couple of zombies and a new title, you can turn the book “Member of the Wedding” into “Dismember of the Wedding.” Or better yet, that terrible book “The Joy Luck Club” can have the title “Brain-Eating Zombies Take Over

Chinatown and Start a Club.”“A Farewell To Arms”

wouldn’t even need a new title. But who could stop reading once Lt. Henry gets his arms gnawed off.

And the improvements could come before high school.

When children are put down for its nap, they would no longer ask for books like “The Lorax,” or “The Cat in the Hat,” but they will ask for the new and improved Dr.. Seuss “The Blood-Sucking Zombie with a Monocle” with such life lessons such as wait to eat your brains after your vegetables and also feast on flesh at dawn.

Perhaps adding monsters to classics will just be a fad. But during the craze, many a chupacabra will make their way into our hearts. You say “Farewell to Arms”? I say “Hello to chupacabras...and zombies”.

With zombies in our books and not just sitting next to us in first period English, we will never be bored again.

Zombies take a bite out ofliterature . . . and brains!

Danny FordMirada Staff

EMILY KIM/Graphic Artist

Zombies are incorporated into classic literature to give books a modern twist

Page 15: April Issue 2009

Zombies take a bite out ofliterature . . . and brains!

‘Moulin Rouge’ musicalimpresses sell-out crowds

‘Moulin Rouge’ cast members rehearse at the famed cabaret. The performers are junior Brendan Cabe, senior Eric Barger (front), freshman Jenna Scoggins, seniors Kate Spare, Tyler Allen, Katie Kilbourn, Willie Robinson-Smith and Kaity Dunlap.

CLAUDETTE LINZEY

Dance hall girl Kaity Dunlap dances the tango with Tyler Allen, who plays the Argen-tinian. Jenna Scoggins and Katie Kilbourn sing a duet on ‘Lady Marmalad e.’

Features 1504.03.09

Page 16: April Issue 2009

Ever since the creation of art, whether it be music or paintings, genres

have been standardized. But some ponder the importance of a genre. By definition, genre is a way to categorize something artistic by citing similarities in form, style, and subject. Yet many people see it as an adjective that is careless, thoughtless, and a poor representation of what the sound or picture truly is.

As a person who avidly collects music, I find that genres are juvenile ways of categorizing similar styles of music. People all over the internet like to throw genres around without having a valid reason for doing so. For example, one extremely popular ‘genre’ is known as “indie.” Indie stands for independent, and those who fall under this genre are artists who are signed to labels that are run by a group of friends and usually have a small following of listeners compared to that of a major label. People like to think that indie is a genre, however it is truly only the status of an artist and the label they are signed with. Indie has evolved into more of a genre from a status. It has become more popular due to the fact that people associate indie with skinny guys with black hair covering one eye with a guitar and a shaky voice.

This whole subculture of teens who think that being indie is cool has become so oversaturated that it is in fact not cool. To draw an example, these teens are like worms in dry dirt; when the soil gets too wet, they are seen on the pavement, looking for somewhere new to live.

This whole genre game has become a cesspool of internet addicts and people who don’t know how to explain or interpret music.

The whole idea of a genre is to place a song with other songs by because of their similarities, but times have changed, and everything is marked and labeled as indie. When music is like categorization is like this, genres might as well be thrown out the window.

The solution to replacing genres is quite simple. Get rid of them completely. The only way art should be measured is

by how similar the artist is to another and a short description of their sound. Not through one word or two words that are hyphenated but a short description of the sound of the musician or band. This is especially important to artists that are known to release CDs, tapes, and vinyl’s in extremely limited quantities. Since the dominant genres in the limited edition releases are mostly noise and psychedelic, label owners have to avoid genres at all costs. If they didn’t, every artist would either be avant garde or noise. In order to get around this, these small labels include short descriptions that not only describe the sound, but appeal to the reader. One specific label, Night People, always catches my eye with their heavy and picturesque descriptions. This specific example is taken from a description for a release by a musician known as Nautilus.

“Nautilus is NYC based musician and artist Heidi Diehl’s (Time-Life, WWVV, etc.) solo musical outlet. Airy landscapes of droning, vibrating, glacial subtlety, and atmospheric instrumentals blend with decaying walls of sounds, none harsh or overpowering, all flowing in and out of each other in harmony. Voiced over the land, a symmetry and wide vision of an endless horizon, drifting, falling and climbing, finding the way and loosing it again.”

The reader, already interested by the description, sees other things that catch his or her eye. This may be appealing artwork, a multitude of songs on the release, or just something intriguing about the music at hand.

From the get go, these tape label owners already have a better system of describing the music that is enticing and allows the reader to feel comfortable. It also provides a better business model for the owners write in such a way that the reader feels compelled to buy the tape just to hear how it compares to the description.

By combining appealing words and pictures, the concept of genre is surpassed and brought to a new level where the reader can experience what the music feels like instead of knowing it may sound like a million other bands in the same genre.

Genre classification is outdated and no longer suits the needs of unknown artists that live to create a different sound. In order to appeal to today’s customers, businesses must learn to adapt and survive in this dog eat dog market.

This ‘synchedoche’ plays with your mind

It’s definitely a must-see. “Synecdoche, New York”

is the latest movie to blow my mind. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Caden Cotard whose life quickly falls apart.

His American Dream lifestyle unravels as his wife Adele and daughter Olive move to Germany as his hypochondriac condition worsens.

Adele’s career as an artist explodes, and she creates miniscule portraits of Olive, which soon turn into Caden’s only contact with his daughter.

Caden’s sicknesses age him rapidly and each ailment causes a new illness.

To ease his worries, Caden shifts from directing a successful remake of “Death of a Salesman” to writing an extremely personal and detailed play documenting his life.

He loses himself in writing as well as track of time and his freshly tattooed and famous daughter.

His play soon becomes a

mirror of his present life, as he hires an actor Sammy to play himself directing, as he directs him.

Each day they rehearse the events of the previous day and continue to burrow further into frivolity.

All rehearsals take place in a gigantic warehouse inside of Schenectady, New York, to resemble Schenectady exactly.

Caden loses sense of reality and by the time he has a Schenectady warehouse inside of his Schenectady warehouse, inside of Schenectady, no one is sure what is real and what the play is.

Though the play is what is real, and what is real goes into the play. Eventually, Caden’s play, though it started as a representation of his life, has become his life and he can finally find happiness once again.

Molly GlasgowEditor-In-Chief

DVD REVIEW

Music genres have become empty labels

Sean Penn’s performance in ‘Milk’ brings story to life

The award-winning “Milk” details the life and career of gay politician and activist Harvey Milk, played by Sean Penn (winner of best actor at the Oscars).

After finally coming out of the closet, 40-year-old Harvey Milk moves to San Francisco with his boyfriend Scott Smith (James Franco) where they spend the last of their money to open a camera store.

The shop becomes a hub and refuge for the San Francisco gay community.

While there, Milk witnesses injustices against the gay community.

Fed up with being treated as a second class citizen because of his sexual orientation, Milk decides to take action and campaigns to become city supervisor in order to secure gay rights.

Despite losing his first campaign, Milk brings unity and voice to the gay community, which only becomes stronger as he once again runs for city supervisor. This time, he wins,

becoming the first openly gay politician elected to a United States public office.

At the same time of Milk’s election, Dan White (Josh Brolin) wins the conservative district.

The rest of the movie is spent portraying the struggle between White and Milk over a

statewide initiative that would ban gays from public school jobs. And, while Milk defends the right of gay citizens in California, he must deal with his breakup with Scott and try to salvage his remaining relationships.

While the plot is rather slow and lacks much action, Sean Penn’s compelling performance brings the story to life and is the highlight of the movie.

Jenifer CarterEditor-In-Chief

DVD REVIEW

Harvey Milk addresses the public after being elected into public office. Milk was the first openly gay politician elected into a United States public office.

Caden Cotard looks through magnifying goggles to admire his ex-wife’s art. The tiny masterpieces serve as placeholders for Caden’s absent daughter Olive.

Christian Oldham

Features16 04.03.09

Page 17: April Issue 2009

The Number Twelve Looks Like You has had the tendency to be thrown in the category with the other loud gar-bage bands with whom they tour.

With the band’s new album “Worse Than Alone,” they’ve once again proven that they stand out from the rest.

“Worse Than Alone” has a significantly higher amount of singing com-pared to their old al-bums.

Also, despite losing a guitarist, they have upped the value of the musicianship by inject-ing the music with jazzy and progressive riffs throughout every single song.

The clean vocals on past albums were vastly

far and few between songs. In the new album, things are very different.

“The Garden’s All Nighters” starts with a quiet and inviting in-tro but then drastically changes into a build up that follows with spastic screaming and blistering progressive guitars that charge into the listener’s cranium.

What makes the song special is that, halfway through the song, there’s a time change accompa-

nied by samba drums, jazz guitar and soft vo-cals.

A jazz solo follows for a few minutes before the song drops back into hearty guitar chords and to add to the homesick serenade delivered by the band’s dual vocalists. The Number Twelve Looks Like You is a great band that can be com-pared to the likeness of The Fall of Troy, Rush and even Santana.

Although the first track “Glory Kingdom” has a very intimidating feel, give the album at least two full listens, it’ll be thoroughly enjoyable.

Songs to check out be-fore buying “Worse Than Alone”: “The Garden’s All Nighters” “Marvin’s Jungle” and “The League of Extraordinary Oddi-ties.”

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day brought more than green clothing and stereo-typical Irish dinners into Americans’ lives.Although the Irish pop-rock band The Script released their self-titled album in the United Kingdom last year, it only became available in the United States as of last month, coincidentally on St. Patrick’s day. This is the first album from the Irish trio, and it has al-ready reached the top of the charts in the U.K.

The Script’s first single,”Before the Worst”, starts off with a slightly classical piano intro that quickly segue into what-ever can be considered rap-ping by a melodious-voiced Irishman. The Script ex-periments by incorporat-ing rap into their songs, in order to add a rhythmic el-

ement to their lyrics. “We Cry” is definitely

the show-stopping tune of the album. Even though “We Cry” is a rather slow song, O’Donoghue almost seems to be channeling Adam Levine of Maroon 5.

Much like Jason Mraz during his curbside proph-et days, O’Donoghue man-ages to roll the lyrics off of his tongue effortlessly, as if they were verses of a favor-ite poem.

“The Man Who Can’t be Moved”, although fa-

miliar-sounding, is unlike anything that is currently being overplayed on the radio. It’s the perfect song to listen to on a sunny day, driving with the windows rolled down. In a similar manner, “The End Where I Begin” starts out slow like the rest of the songs on the album. However, the unex-pected spike in the tempo during the middle of the song picks up the pace, be-fore easing back into soft rock.

One song that is sure to please those who prefer an upbeat song is “Rusty Halo”. “Rusty Halo”, the only fast song on the al-bum, provides relief from the slower songs, with a drum-enthused melody and simple, catchy lyrics.

“The Script” requires a thoughtful ear to listen to the lyrics, and discover what emotions lie behind the melody. So go ahead. Bring a little culture into your life.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ new album “It’s Blitz” leaves listen-ers feeling indifferent and a little bored.

With the exception of a few songs, the entire CD is lulling and droning.

Although new albums should portray a sense of growth and change in a group, the only dif-ference between “It’s Blitz” and their previous albums are a few more noticeable synths.

For unyielding fans, this al-bum is a delightful addition to more mundane Yeah Yeah Yeah’s discography. But for anyone else, this is “download a couple songs from iTunes but never listen to the whole thing” kind of CD.

Not a complete disappoint-ment, “Dull Life,” and “Heads Will Roll,” are both catchy and snappy tunes. But two pretty good tracks do not warrant buy-ing a full-priced CD.

-Molly Glasgow

SIDE B

Molly IngramMirada Staff

“We Cry” for more! 12 is better than 13

Mini music reviews for your listening pleasure

Jack SheldonMirada Staff

SIDE A

The Decemberists are back with “The Hazards of Love,” a rock opera that front man Colin Melloy originally intended to be a musical. In 17 seamlessly recorded tracks, the album tells the story of a young maiden named Margaret who is captured by a shape-shifting demon, and meets the forest queen before being rescued by her love, William.

Weird. While conceptually the

album is a bit wacky, musically the album is quite enjoyable. The same folksy Decemberists sound is still present, but fused with bluesy electric guitar riffs that appear as a motif throughout the album, providing continuity throughout the album.

“The Hazards of Love,” to say the least, is an interesting endeavor, but hopefully the Decemberists are done with concept albums.

-Jenifer Carter

Lizzi Bougatsos, from Gang Gang Dance, and Sadie Laska, from Growing, have come together to create “The Proper Sex.”

The album is one made of shrieks, drum beats, and sludge electronics with some vocal samples thrown in here and there. The two ladies from New York’s are the freshest avant garde outfit known as I.U.D. Lizzi and Sadie’s only use drums which are run through an armada of electronics and delay pedals that create a dismal abyss of drum beats and sound collages.

The album, being only six songs, is a good 35 minutes. Each song sounds significantly different, but comes back to the same emotional build. Overall this album is definitely not for everyone for it doesn’t bear much resemblance to either Gang Gang Dance or Growing.

-Christian Oldham

The second album, “Consolers of the Lonely,” of Jack White’s The Raconteurs has a sound that is unmistakably composed by the famous White Stripes lead man.

The chemistry of White and Benson produces a sound that defines an upbeat rock genre. The top song, “Consolers of the Lonely,” first on the track, is a pumped one, with abrupt changes from quick to slow tempos and fiery guitar riffs.

“Messenger of sympathy and love, servant of parted friends, consoler of the lonely, bond of the scattered family, enlarger of the common life,” was inscribed on a post office building in Washington, D.C. and inspired the album’s name.

Jack White’s composing technique may remind you a lot of the “Icky Thump,” but the difference and originality brought by his partner Benson makes for a good buy.

-Ben Egan

Fast paced beats and the warm notes of saxophone and trumpet catalyze to become “Ciudad de Ciegos,” the latest album from Spanish band Dezu.

The smooth sounds and easy musical transitions create a nonstop musical experience worth more than just a listen.

Most interesting are the album’s mutli-layered songs. When played so fast they sound complex, but are often broken down into their simplest parts, as often one band member will play a solo to a quieted beat.

Though only five tracks, “Ciudad de Ciegos” is far from any conventional American music, and makes Dezu a refreshing and well produced album that is definitely a break from the norm, and worth more than just a listen.

-Alex Mcfall

Features 1704.03.09

Page 18: April Issue 2009

Get ready for junior promProm. Junior prom. A once in

a lifetime experience that’s fast approaching.

Even in the midst of an economic crisis, students still won’t compromise the full glamour of prom.

“I’m not doing anything to make prom cheaper,” said junior Aaron Goodrich. “You might as well make it as perfect as possible.”

But, if you desire to save money on prom, there are good ways to do so.

“Don’t get professional pics

if you want to save big bucks,” junior Eric Lambing suggests.

There are lots of opportunities to save money on dinner.

“I’m having dinner at my house and everyone’s bringing food,” junior Seychelle Steiner said.

“Have a nice dinner at home,” Lambing said.

If your friends are set on dining at a restaurant, try Zinfandel Grill, Mikuni’s, P.F. Changs or one of the many great restaurants downtown, like 33rd Street Bistro.

If you would like to save some money while dining out, there are inventive ways to cut the cost of a fancy meal.

“Split the cost between yourself and your date or do a group thing,” junior Felicia Parra said.

Popular places to buy a dress are Macy’s, Jessica McClintock and boutiques downtown and in San Francisco.

Junior Caitlin Archibald has already found the perfect dress. It’s a tight, knee-length Bebe dress that cost $160.

However, if you are hoping to find a unique outfit that no one else will be sporting at the dance, try “buying your clothes from thrift store,” Goodrich said.

If the dance ends too soon—after all of the time, energy and

money you spent to make it absolutely perfect—remember that there are always fun things to do with friends afterwards.

“After the dance going to have desert or hanging out at someone’s house is fun,” Steiner said.

Or, to really mix things up, “save dinner for after the dance,” Parra said. And, of course, there is always dessert to be had.

Whatever way you decide to spend junior prom, make sure it is the once in a lifetime experience that you have always dreamt of.

Kate FinegoldMirada Staff

Date: April 18, 8-11 PMTheme: ClueTicket Prices: Couples- March 31 - April 3$40 with ASB card, $45 without April 13 - 17$45/$50 Singles-March 31 - April 3$20/$25April 13 - 17$25/$30

INFO

Features18 04.03.09

Page 19: April Issue 2009

Morgan Newman, 10

What kind of style would you like your guy to have?I’m not too picky, whatever works.

Who is your dream guy?I’m a sucker for the funny ones.

Most embarrassing moment in front of a guy?One time I was walking by this cute guy in P.E. and I was looking at him while walking. In the process I wasn’t paying attention and I tripped over the person in front of me.

-Savannah Sterpe-Mackey

Zach Simas, 9

What would be a dream date?Building a puzzle with 1000 pieces

Biggest turn on and off?A turn on would be pretty eyes and big white smile. Off would be a manly voice.

What’s your favorite pick up line?Do you have a map? Because I just got lost in your eyes

What’s your best quality?I have too many to pick one.

-Savannah Sterpe-Mackey

Name: Mark Ryan GonzalesGrade: 12Sweet Ride: Super Tall Bike

Why did you decide to build a super tall bike?Because nobody else in town has one and they’re fun to ride.

How long did it take you to build it?About two hours.

What’s it made of?Two old Schwinn road bike frames.

Did anyone help you build it?Two of my friends in auto shop helped me.

What do you plan on doing with it?Ride it around like any other bike.

Bachelor and BacheloretteSweet ride of the issue

ALEX McFALL/Mirada Staff

Video of the month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRdpfruYY4Q

Watch the trailer for the hilariously bad and confusing movie “The End of Money.” Straight from the Nigerian movie capital, Nollywood, “The End of Money” is sure to be an instant hit.

Senior Mark Ryan Gonzales stands next to the super tall bike he built in autoshop with his friends.

Wet Hair - Cult Electric AnnihilationWet Hair has quickly become one of my most favorite bands after hearing this track. It’s catchy and will get stuck in your head for days on end, what’s not to like about that?

CHLL PLL - She OwnsCHLL PLL, although brand new and without a full length CD, have already caught my at-tention with their harmonic and melodic track “She Owns,” one that mixes together perfectly skilled drumming, brought by Zach Hill of the well-known band Hella, and strangely timed synthesizers.

Gang Gang Dance - Retina RiddimThis 24 minute soundtrack to an experimental movie is by far an amazing song that is not

only a collage piece, but a piece that changes genres in the blind of an eye. This track is highly entertaining and never gets boring.

Mark McGuire - Night Owls20-year-old guitar prodigy Mark McGuire is able to create a perfectly minimalist improved song that spans 20 minutes and keeps the lis-teners attention for every second of it.

White Rainbow - A Milli (ZIPPED, TRIPPED, SCREWED DOWN AND SPEAD UP RE-MIXXX)Highly influential psychedelic artist White Rainbow makes takes a jab at remixing a new Lil’ Wayne song. While purposefully comedic, it’s still highly recommended for any chopped and screwed mixtape.

Editor’s Playlist

Christian Oldham

Features 1904.03.09

Page 20: April Issue 2009

What they hey?! by Emily Kim

This is your third F. I can’t keep bailing you out and giving

bonuses.

Mr. Geithner,

I’m too big to fail.

Christian Oldham by Sydney Ly

Want to be published in The Mirada?

Submit reviews, student playlists, or opinion pieces to room A3.

Let your voice be heard!

Features20 04.03.09

Page 21: April Issue 2009

He just couldn’t stay away for long; Coach Brian Davis is back heading up a school basketball program, except this time, he’s coaching the other side, the girls side.

In 2008, Davis retired as the boys basketball head coach in order to spend more time with his kids. How-ever, he missed the relationship with the athletes and decided to apply for the girls head coaching position, which was reopened this spring.

“I’m kind of addicted to coaching. You retire and you think that you’re done, but after not coaching for a year, I missed the connection with the kids,” Davis said.

Athletic Director Karen Hanks re-vealed that he was hired from the four interviewed applicants because of his knowledge in coaching and his past record.

“He was chosen for his vast expe-rience. He’s had a ton of success,” Hanks said. “Also, he’s great with

kids, shown through years of coaching and class everyday.”

Davis has only been a head coach for boys, but he does not plan on changing his coaching style based on gender. He will approach the game and the players the same.

“Some people treat girls differently, but I think that’s where they’re wrong,” he said. “I’m still going to lay out ex-pectations and set goals. Girls can be pushed just as hard as the boys.”

As any coach would want, Davis hopes the girls will make it to the playoffs. But, more than winning, he wants them to learn teamwork and lessons that will translate into life after high school.

“I hope that the girls learn valuable life skills through the game of basket-ball, skills like self-responsibility and accountability. I want them not to be envious and to work as a team mem-ber, putting the team before their indi-vidual goals.”

Also, with the new head coach, may come a whole new staff. Davis plans on bringing in coaches that will help carry out his vision for the teams.

“I’ll hire all new coaches probably. I’m looking for coaches willing to learn and build a system to win a champion-ship. The girls haven’t won a champi-onship since 1993; that’s a long time,” he said.

The athletes are also looking for-ward to the upcoming season and hoping that it will hold success.

“I think we’re going to be a lot bet-ter than we were last year,” junior Hil-ary Stewart said. “I’m excited because I think it’s going to be a good season. Davis is a good coach.”

While the new position will present some difficulties, Davis is looking for-ward to coaching once again.

“I’m totally excited. I know there’s going to be a lot of challenges, but that’s what it’s about,” he said.

Davis wants to create a program that will bring the community togeth-er through sports; he wants to create a positive and supporting environment and a team that people will cheer for.

“If you want to build something that’s good, you have to set goals and have a vision. And people have to buy into that vision.”

Swimmers race in Junior NationalsIn a pool of over 1600 students,

only three can truly call themselves some of the best swimmers in the na-tion.

Senior Katie Edwards and juniors Riley Matranga and Michael Franz travelled to Orlando, Florida to com-pete in the prestigious week-long Junior Nationals, along with Arden Hills coaches Brian Nabeta and Kirk Johansen.

Sponsored by the National Club Swimming Association, or NCSA, Junior Nationals is an approved USA Swimming meet which attracts some of the best swimmers in America. Only qualified members of USA Swimming are allowed to compete, and must be 18 years of age or younger. The swim-mers must have also achieved qualify-ing times in their events.

Edwards, Matranga and Franz were the only Rio students who managed to get fast enough times to qualify.

However, the three didn’t reach na-tional-level status without sacrificing a large portion of their lives to hard work and swimming.

“[We] swim Monday through Fri-day,” Matranga said. “On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, [we] have two practices; one before and one af-ter school.”

Aside from swimming every day of the school week, Matranga and the others swim for two and one half hours every Saturday morning.

About a month before Jr. Nationals, the three focused on race preparation swimming and healthy eating.

“Preparing for nationals is rough,” said Edwards. “We put in crazy hours and yards before leaving, and we also have to watch what we eat.”

On March 17, the week-long com-petition began. Edwards, Matranga and Franz each swam in a variety of different races throughout the week, from the 50 Breaststroke to the 400 In-dividual Medley. In each event, they swam against hundreds of swimmers all looking to win.

Edwards swam exceptionally well in all of her six races, but for her one stood out from all the others.

“I am most proud of my 50 Breast,” Edwards said. “I never get to swim the 50 anymore because it’s not a race for my age group except at this meet.”

In the 50 Breaststroke, Edwards ranked seventh, with a time of 33.20 seconds.

Being such an accomplished swim-mer, Edwards received a scholarship to the University of Hawaii this fall, where she will continue to be a suc-cess in swimming.

Although Matranga and Franz competed in some of the same events,

Molly IngramStaff Writer

Sports Page 2103.0409The Mirada

Courtesy of Sydney Johansen

Davis returns to basketball as girls coach

While Davis loves teaching, he missed the rela-tionship with his athletes and decided to apply for the girls basketball head coaching position.

Alex McFall/Mirada Staff

Please see > NATIONALS page 23

Alex ReinnoldtStaff Writer

Juniors Riley Matranga and Michael Franz, the only boys at the school to qualify for Junior Nation-als, spent time to-gether in between races in Orlando, Florida. The two placed among the best swimmers in the nation, with Matranga plac-ing 26th in the 1500 Freestyle, and Franz placing 15th in the 1650 Freestyle.

Page 22: April Issue 2009

SPRING RESULTS

PREPS PlusBRIAN LEE, 11

tennis

I play sports year round for the school. Every week I run 25 to 30 miles for cross-country in the fall, and the same for track in the spring. During the winter I play basketball. My friend Alison Burns swims year-round clocking in around 30 hours of swimming each week at a hard pace.

Yet, neither of us is able to count those hours towards the physical education requirements, despite the fact that, in many cases, it is a much more vigorous exercise than what students might get during the weekly five hours of physical education (PE) classes. My question: why do sports not count towards PE credits, even partially?

In my pursuit to find a reason for this, I talked to school counselor Heather Jensen, who said that the main reason had to do with the minutes. There have to be so many minutes in a structured program during the school day. This means that the amount of time doing outside sports would have to equal that of the regular PE program’s minutes.

Okay, that seems reasonable enough, and others would probably agree to those conditions. But here at Rio, we do not have that option. Private schools, such as Loretto, St. Francis, and Christian Brothers, allow the athletes to count their practices towards PE credits. So if it works for them, why can’t it work for us too?

In the past, several alternatives to physical education were available. One such alternative was independent study PE. For example, it used to be that if you checked in with Coach Brian Davis and could prove that you were getting exercise through sports, then you could have the PE hours signed off and you could clear one semester of second year PE. (The first year of PE has always been required due to the fitness gram and the health and safety components of the class.)

Another alternative was available several years ago to cheerleaders and football players. Zero period weights for the football players, and Pep Arts PE for the cheerleaders satisfied the PE requirements. However, with budget cuts, extra zero period classes like these were the first to go.

PE is not as valuable in preparation for college as core classes, like English, math, and science. Yet, the time constraints from team sports combined with core classes make the lack of flexibility with PE even more frustrating. PE credits do not count towards the college GPA, and if the physical health benefit is what they’re concerned about, well getting in shape is a large part of being on a sports team. Sports should count, if not to replace the PE credits, then at least to partially waive them.

Soccer stars score scholarships

Three seniors have contributed to making the girls varsity soccer team number one in the league, and each has signed a letter of intent to play soccer in college.

Deciding to stay close to home, se-nior Alli Kelly knew from the start of her junior year that she would attend UC Davis in the future, playing soccer for the Aggies beginning her freshman year. UC Davis was the first university to contact Kelly, and she decided to ac-cept their offer.

“I kind of wish that I had a little more time and had looked at other schools,” Kelly said. “I’m happy about my deci-sion though, and once I get there I’ll be really excited.”

Kelly, being an exceptional athlete, received $9500 in scholarship funds for soccer. She also has received $8000 for grants, due to her academic excellence.

However, unlike small, private uni-versities, Kelly was attracted to the larger campus of UC Davis.

“I like how the school is basically the entire city,” said Kelly.

Kelly, who has played with the same team for eight years, is looking forward to playing with her new teammates. However, despite her excitement, she

understands the amount of pressure she’s under.

“It’s like a job,” Kelly said. “You’re playing for the money, so there’s pres-sure to do well.”

Fellow teammate, senior Kimberly Hutchings, will also be attending col-lege on a 50-50 joint sport and academic scholarship.

Unlike Kelly, Hutchings is embrac-ing the rural setting of her future school, New Mexico Highlands University.

“I kind of like that it’s not the typical school that someone would want to go to,” Hutchings said. “It’s the school that no one has heard of.”

Hutchings plans to start a new life at the small-town school, and meet new

people. She originally learned of New Mexico Highlands University from a soccer coach at Brigham Young Uni-versity, who recommended her to the coach there.

“He offered me a spot on the team and a scholarship in one simple phone call,” Hutchings said.

Just as Hutching future change with just one phone call, senior Laura Nas-seri’s changed with just one game.

“They came up to me at a tourna-ment, and they offered me a full-ride when they first saw me,” Nasseri said.

Nasseri verbally committed to Creighton University in Dec. and signed a letter of intent in Feb. She turned down an offer from Brown University, choosing Creighton for the scholarship, the paved campus, and the love of soccer.

“I was offered to play at Brown, but they didn’t give [me] money to play there. Creighton offered me a full-ride. I knew a lot of people that went there and enjoyed it,” she said. “Soccer is the biggest sport there.”

Nasseri loves playing soccer and making lasting friendships with her teammates.

“Having the experience of being a leader in the sport I love to play is a to-tal stress reliever. All of the friendships I’ve made over the years have been so fun,” she said.

After dedicating much of their time and effort to soccer, all of the girls’ hard work and talent is finally paying off as they plan to go off to college with ath-letic scholarships.

“I’m finally being recognized for something I love. The school takes it a lot more seriously,” Nasseri said.

How long have you been playing tennis?I have been playing for six years. I started playing because I wasn’t very good at any other sports and I wanted to get ac-tive.Do you plan to play in college?If it fits with my schedule and it doesn’t interfere with my school work.What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in a game?It was during my tennis clinic where I was serving and I hit my partner in the back.Which one do you like better: doubles or singles?Doubles because you get to communicate with your partner and it’s more fun.What do you want to improve on this year?I want to get better at doubles play and I think that is about it.

Athletics should count for P.E.

- Caroline Fong

How long have you been playing soccer?Since first grade. Wait, actually my dad started an indoor thing when I was in kindergarten.What is your favorite position?I like to play defense the most. It gives me a total adrenaline rush to go one vs. one, get the ball, clear it down the field and set up a perfect goal. I also like taking the free kicks.What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in a game?There was a player on the other team that started yelling at our coach to stop talking. Later in the game, we followed another one of the players and the same girl started walking really fast yelling, ‘Hold me back! Hold me back! I swear!’ You don’t need to be held back if you know what you’re doing. Silly person.What are your looking forward to in the rest of the sea-son?I am looking forward to having our star defender Kira Merrick back on the team after having a leg injury.

Alex Reinnoldt& Molly Ingram

Mirada Staff

Senior Kim Hutchings steals the soccer ball from a Del Campo opponent.

courtesy of Tesoro Staff

LAUREN ELLEDGE, 9

soccer

- Caroline Fong

Senior girls sign to play on college soccer teams

Alex Reinnoldt

Sports22 04.03.09

Page 23: April Issue 2009

Varsity Girls SoftballFeb. 23 at Cordova 4:15Mar. 3 at Ponderosa 3:30Mar. 6 Vanden L 0-2Mar. 10 at Cosumnes Oaks L 1-2Mar. 14 at Mira Loma W 11-0Mar. 14 North Valleys W 6-5 at Mira LomaMar. 17 Mira Loma L 1-4Mar. 19 Casa Roble L 0-27Mar. 24 Bella Vista L 4-16Mar. 26 at Loretto W 6-1Mar. 31 at El Camino 4:15Apr. 2 at Del Campo 4:15Apr. 16 at Mira Loma 4:15Apr. 21 at Casa Roble 4:15Apr. 23 at Bella Vista 4:15Apr. 28 Loretto 4:15Apr. 30 at El Camino 4:15May 5 Del Campo 4:15

Varsity Boys GolfFeb. 18 Union Mine 3:30 at Cameron ParkFeb. 24 Del Oro 3:00 at Turkey CreekMar. 9 Union Mine W 240-259Mar. 11 Rosemont W 195-235 at CordovaMar. 12 Casa Roble W 225-227Mar. 17 Mira Loma W 210-221 at Haggin OaksMar. 19 Bella Vista W 206-207 at Haggin OaksMar. 24 Del Campo 3:00Mar. 26 El Camino L 227-225Mar. 31 Casa Roble 3:00 at MatherApr. 2 Mira Loma 3:00Apr. 14 Bella Vista 3:00Apr. 16 Del Campo 3:00 at MatherApr. 20 CAL Tournament 12:30Apr. 21 El Camino 3:00 at Ancil HoffmanApr. 27 CAL Tournament 12:30*Home matches are at Ancil Hoffman.

SPRING RESULTSDate Opponent TimeDate Opponent Time

Varsity Boys BaseballFeb. 27 at Folsom L 2-6Mar. 3 Del Oro L 0-1Mar. 6 at Woodcreek W 7-2Mar. 10 Argonaut W 11-1Mar. 11 at River City W 9-3Mar. 14 Petaluma L 3-6Mar. 16 McClatchy W 10-7Mar. 17 Jesuit L 2-10 at Renfree FieldMar. 23 at Bella Vista W 2-0Mar. 25 at El Camino L 5-8Mar. 27 at Casa Roble W 2-1Mar. 30 Mira Loma W 11-2Apr. 1 Del Campo 3:45Apr. 6-9 Granite Bay Tourney 1:00Apr. 15 Bella Vista 4:30Apr. 17 Bella Vista 6:30 at Raley FieldApr. 20 El Camino 4:30Apr. 22 at El Camino 4:30Apr. 24 Casa Roble 4:30Apr. 27 at Casa Roble 4:30Apr. 29 at Mira Loma 4:30May 1 Mira Loma 4:30May 4 at Del Campo 4:30May 6 Del Campo 7:00 at ARC

Track and FieldFeb. 28 Clark Massey Invite 9:00 am at CordovaMar. 7 CAL Invite 9:00 amMar. 11 Center Meet #1 3:30Mar. 21 Lefebvre Relays 9:00 am at PlacerMar. 28 Bronco Invitational 9:00 amApr. 1 Center Meet #2 3:30Apr. 17 Del Oro Invite 1:00 at Del OroApr. 21 Center Meet #3 3:30Apr. 24 Distance Carnival 5:30May 2 Meet of Champions 11:00 at Hughes StadiumMay 9 Nevada Union Invite TBA at Nevada UnionMay 14 CAL Finals 3:30May 20 Sub-Section Prelims 3:30May 22 Sub-Section Finals 3:30May 28 Section Prelims 3:00 at Hughes StadiumMay 29 Section Finals 3:00 at Hughes StadiumJun. 5 State Trials 2:00 Buchanan H.S.Jun. 6 State Finals 2:00 Buchanan H.S.*Home meets at Bella Vista.

Varsity Swim and DiveMar. 5 at Del Campo 3:45Mar. 6 at Jesuit 3:45Mar. 12 at El Camino 3:45Mar. 19 Bella Vista 3:45Mar. 26 Loretto 3:45Apr. 2 Casa Roble 3:45Apr. 16 Mira Loma 3:45Apr. 24 at Davis 3:45Apr. 28 at Jesuit 3:45Apr. 29 CAL Dive Champs* All DayMay 1/2 CAL Swim Champs* All DayMay 7-9 Section Dive Champs All Day at OakmontMay 14-16 Section Swim Champs All Day at Tokay*CAL Championships at Rusch Park.

Varsity Boys VolleyballMar. 17 Ponderosa L 0-3Mar. 19 Vista Del Lago 7:00Mar. 24 at El Camino L 0-3Mar. 26 at Christian Brothers L 2-3Mar. 31 at Union Mine 7:00Apr. 2 El Dorado 7:00Apr. 14 at Oak Ridge 7:00Apr. 16 at Ponderosa 6:30Apr. 21 at Vista Del Lago 6:00Apr. 23 El Camino 7:00Apr. 28 Christian Brothers 7:00Apr. 30 Union Mine 7:00May 5 at El Dorado 7:00May 7 Oak Ridge 7:00

The boys varsity tennis team is serving up a grand slam for the first half of their spring season.

“We’re undefeated, haven’t lost a match yet,” junior Ted Burchett said.

Though they have to work on a few areas of the game, the team is doing awesome.

“Looks like we’re doing pretty well; we could work on doubles, but we definitely have a chance at sec-tionals this year,” Burchett said.

- Alex Kleemann

The varsity softball team has begun their season with a home run.

“We started the pre-season pretty strongly, but we’re still early in the season so we’ll see how it goes,” sophomore Carmen Nareau said.

The teams success can be at-tributed to the good relationships between players.

“We’re all really good friends and, luckily, we all get the chance to play together again next year since there are no seniors,” Nareau said

The team does a good job of eas-ing the stress of competition.

- Alex Kleemann

Currently the varsity baseball team is off to a decent start with an overall 7-5 record.

Although they started off the season with a loss to Folsom, the team came back with a 7-2 win over Woodcreek.

Every year each sports team looks forward to facing off against the long time rivals, Jesuit. Howev-er, the team lost with a score of 10-2. They came back with a win the week after against Bella Vista, 2-0.

- Tate Rountree

Overall, the track team has been doing well this season. In the Bronco Invitational on Mar. 28, all three divisions placed ninth out of 26 competing schools.

The frosh/soph boys team took fourth place in the meet, with several outstanding athletes. Fresh-man Basil Okoroike took first in the 100 meter and the triple jump, and second in the 200 meter. Sophomore Kevin Barlow took first place in the shot put, and second in discus.

The varsity boys team got tenth place. Senior Jaron Jones took third place in the 100 meter race and first in the long jump. For the varsity girls team, junior Lauren Mugnaini placed third in the two-mile, and sixth in the mile.

- Alex Reinnoldt

The boys varsity golf team has teed off the spring season with a hole in one. With 5 wins and only l loss, the team has had a very suc-cessful first half of the season.

“I think we’ve done pretty well, I just hope we can keep up,” Coach Richard Drawbert said.

The allergy season has been taking its toll, Drawbert is worried the amount of boys unable to make games because of sickness will affect the team’s success.

“We have some kids sick, so hopefully their absence won’t affect the game,” Drawbert said about the Casa Roble game on Mar. 31.

However, with the teams ap-parent talent, it is doubtful that something can bring down their victorious season.

- Alex Kleemann

SPORTS BRIEFS

Junior Ted Burchett returns a volley in an intense game of tennis at Arden Hills.

Boys Baseball

Girls Softball

Elena Townsend/Tesoro Staff

Boys tennis team so far undefeated

Track and Field

Varsity Girls SoccerFeb. 26 at Elk Grove T 0-0Mar. 4 Franklin L 1-2Mar. 9 at Mira Loma W 7-0Mar. 11 at Casa Roble W 2-1Mar. 16 at Bella Vista W 5-2Mar. 18 Loretto W 2-1Mar. 23 El Camino W 3-0Mar. 25 Del Campo W 2-1Apr. 1 Mira Loma 4:00Apr. 13 Casa Roble 4:00Apr. 15 Bella Vista 4:00Apr. 20 at Loretto 4:00Apr. 22 at El Camino 4:00Apr. 27 at Del Campo 4:00 May 4 League Playoffs TBA

Varsity Boys TennisFeb. 26 Granite Bay W 5-4 at Gold River Racquet ClubMar. 3 Yuba City 3:30 at Gold River Racquet ClubMar. 6/7 Fresno Tournament All DayMar. 16 at Del Oro 3:30Mar. 19 Mira Loma 3:30 at Arden HillsMar. 24 Bella Vista 3:30 RollingwoodMar. 26 at Del Campo 3:30Mar. 30 Oak Ridge 3:30 at Gold River Racquet ClubMar. 31 El Camino 3:30 at Arden HillsApr. 2 at Casa Roble 3:30Apr. 14 at Mira Loma 3:30Apr. 16 Bella Vista 3:30 at Arden Hills or Gold RiverApr. 21 Del Campo 3:30 at Arden HillsApr. 23 at El Camino 3:30Apr. 28 Casa Roble 3:30 at Arden Hills

Boys Golf

NATIONALS: Swimmers return as champs

such as the 400 Individual Medley, they had different views on which was their favorite.

Matranga, who has been to three Junior Na-tionals, was especially pleased with his perfor-mance in the 100 and 200 Breastroke, where he improved his times considerably.

“I went 59.6 in my 100 breastroke and 2:07.1 in my 200 breastroke,” Matranga said.

As for Franz, he was happy with his time in the 400 Individual Medley.

“That was the most grueling, difficult race of the meet,” Franz said.

Yet, he managed to rank twenty-second out of plenty of talented swimmers.

Despite the pressure to succeed, Edwards, Matranga and Franz all had their own ways of coping with stress during the meet.

“At first it seems very overwhelming when you’re there because it’s the top kids in the na-tion,” Matranga said. “But we just need to step back and look at it as, ‘Hey, I qualified to be here so I must be somewhat good.”

When the three weren’t swimming any rac-es, they spent their time at the hotel, “napping, watching movies and doing homework.”

They also took part in team bonding by going out to dinner with their coaches and teammates every night. Franz enjoyed making friends with swimmers from other teams as well. On the last day before returning home, Matranga recalls a special trip with his team.

“We went to an amusement park and got launched up 390 feet in the air,” Matranga said. “It was sick.”

After a week of intense races across the coun-try in humid Florida weather, Edwards, Matran-ga and Franz boarded a plane and came back to California as nationally accomplished swim-mers. Or really, winners.

“Just have fun with it,” Edwards said.

Continued from page 21

Junior Michael Franz and senior Katie Edwards sit in the bleachers at Junior Nationals in between races.

Courtesy of Sydney Johansen

Boys Tennis

Sports 2304.03.09

Page 24: April Issue 2009

24 03.04.09

Top: Two elemetry school students use glasses with refractive lenses to view light rays. Middle Left: Senior Marcus Buckner, is hypnotized by the Benham’s Disk. By noting the swirl of colors he sees, Buckner learns about color percep-tion due to vision cells called cones. Middle Right: Senior Tyler Jackson ap-pears to be floating during the Anti-Gravity Mirror experiment. By using mirrors, students are able to create the illusion of floating due to the body’s symmetry. Bottom Left: By blowing giant bubbles, Junior Cesar Perez learns about surface tension. Bottom Right: Junior Halie Crom teaches elementary school students about the physics of levitation in the Balancing Ball experiment. Gravity is defied with a leaf blower and a lightweight ball.

Students bring science to life at Exploratorio

BEN EGAN/Mirada Staff