the

“The student voice”

irada

Inside:Seniors recall high points (and some low points) of four years of high school.

See where seniors are heading after high school, centerspread

Photo of senior Jeff Pollock by Victoria Werking.

Rio Americano • Sacramento, Calif • Volume 47, Issue 9 • May 29, 2009

Girls’s soccer wins championship <<Page 6

Seniors strut their stuff at Fashion Show<< Page 24

School’s out for summerNews02 05.29.09

Sarah Vaira/Graphic Artist

First, I am going to France with the school for two weeks. During that time, I am staying with a host fam-ily for 10 days. Once I get home I am going to work as a counselor at the zoo camp and hopefully work as an intern at the Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis again.

Well I will be staying away from Sacramento as much as possible. I’m gonna be in Southern California a lot. And I’ll also be doing a lot of community service.

I’m going to a crew camp in Connecticut to try out for the Junior National team that travels to France to compete in World Rowing Championships.

I plan to long board and shoot some long boarding videos. Hopefully I can become sponsored. I am also going to go to my cabin and hang out with friends.

This summer I plan on taking it easy and not thinking about school. I will play a lot of sports and swim. I will also go to the river during the day, hang out with friends and skimboard.

Brian Eiselman, 11

Briana Ezray, 11

Victoria Montoya, 10

Greer Uu, 11

Tristan Vincent, 11

Tina Yen, 9

I’m going to Brazil with the program cross-cultural solutions to help little children for community service.

I’m going to the Junior Olympics for water polo in Southern California. I hate water polo because it takes up my free time.

Michael McAllister, 10

Students spill on their summer plans

UC and CSU to raise undergrad feesWith the state’s economic cri-

sis, and large budget shortfall, both the University of Califor-nia and California State Univer-sity plan to raise undergraduate fees.

The UC student fees will in-crease by 9.3 percent and the CSU fees will increase by 10 percent.

The UC regents decided on this plan as essential in light of the state’s decision to take away $115.5 million from the UCs over the past two years.

At the UCs, fees will increase from $7,126 to $7,789 a year.

At the CSUs, fees will in-crease by $306 per year.

The final cost of full fees for the year will increase to a total of $4,155.

The same day that this plan was negotiated, UC Berkeley announced layoffs of an un-known number of employees. In addition, they will greatly decrease the number of new faculty members and provide an opportunity for employees to reduce their work hours with a reduced salary.

It’s likely that other UC cam-puses will be following UC Berkeley’s plans.

The CSU changes are ex-pected to offset the $662 in-crease for around 81 percent

of students, with low income families of less than $180,000 a year.

“If you raise tuition, less peo-ple will get into colleges and jobs will go down, and it will make the economy worse,” freshman Preston Danford said.

Many students agree that a raise in university fees may limit student’s post-high school opportunities.

“The more the UCs/CSUs raise their price, the less op-portunities people have to go to college and have successful ca-reers,” freshman Heather Hor-ton said.

Students believe that it would be more beneficial to increase the availability of higher education

by lowering annual university fees. It would be a win-win situ-ation for students because more would be accepted while the students would avoid spending more money on education that

is usually pricey.“It’s not good, because then

less people will have the op-portunities to go to college. If anything, it should be cheaper,” junior Tyler Campbell said.

Tate RountreeMirada Staff

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News04 05.29.09

Au revoir: students prepare for two-week French voyage

Hola: host families await arrival of Spanish teenagers

At the end of the school year, 45 French students will say “au revoir” to the United States for two weeks, and test their french-speaking abilities in France.

Accompanied by French teacher Alec Hodgins, the students will leave for France on June 19, and return on July 3, just in time for the fourth of July.

While in France, they will stay with a French family for nine days, and learn how to assimilate into a culture unlike their own. The family stay is considered a unique experience which will most likely improve the student’s French com-prehension, as well as make them more rounded individuals.

Junior Katelyn Peterson is anticipating the trip to France with excitement.

“I cannot wait to try all the authentic French food,” Peterson said. “I mean, Danielle’s is still yummy, but I don’t think it can be compared to real French crêpes.”

Peterson, who has been studying French for three years, has already gotten in contact with her French host family.

“(The girl I’m staying with is named) Amélie Jouve,” Peterson said. “I have been talking to her on e-mail and on Facebook.”

Fellow junior Brandon Liu has also been keeping in touch with his French student through Facebook.

“I am really stoked about learning how to break dance since my new French pal Monsieur Vincent Blecourt is awe-some at it,” Liu said. “Watch out, because when I get back from this voyage you will be shocked at my dance moves.”

Although the majority of the students are excited about staying with their French families, a common concern is the issue of verbal communication. Even though the students traveling to France have had at least two years of French language education, some are worried that they will have a difficult time com-municating in a foreign language for two weeks.

“I am most worried about the family stay because what if my family doesn’t like me, or if they think I am one of the most boring kids ever to come to France,” junior Meghan Cohan said.

Aside from the family stay, the students will spend the remainder of their trip with their fellow classmates in Paris. In Paris, they will see many famous French landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Centre Pompidou, a modern art muse-um. The students will also be free to explore the city together in groups, traveling by the Metro to various shops and museums, or whatever catches their interest.

Junior Lindsay Peabody is looking forward to her first trip to France.“(I can’t wait to go) shopping, and see how different their culture is from ours,”

Peabody said. “Just experiencing a bunch of new things in a foreign country should be fun.”

When the French students return from their trip in July, they will come back transformed by an unforgettable experience that is sure to not only be education-ally beneficial, but fun and exciting.

“I want one of those funny pictures with all of my friends and me under the Eiffel Tower,” junior Halie Crom said.

In an opportunity for students from Spain to learn about American culture, Rio students are welcoming foreign exchange students into their homes this summer.

Throughout the month of July, Spanish exchange students from Barling High School will experience the California lifestyle with the guidance and supervision of

host families. Students have been offered the oppor-

tunity to host thanks to former teacher, Kim Martin.

“I went to Spain three years ago where I met the owners of the Barling school, and they offered me a job to teach in Madrid,” Kim Martin said. “I didn’t take them up on the offer, but they also of-fered me the opportunity to host Barling students here in California.”

This exchange has been a traditional program at Rio, and eager students are happy to continue the tradition through-out this coming summer.

“I am interested in hosting a student because it would be nice to make a friend that lives in Spain,” junior Shannon Morse said.

Students plan to open their homes and share their lives, communities, fami-lies and friends with their new friends from Spain.

Amongst numerous anticipated activi-ties, students plan to take their students to organized events in which students can interact with all of the foreign exchange students. Host students also anticipate trips to amusement parks, water parks and other local venues and areas.

“I plan to take my student to southern California since I will be visiting colleges down there,” Morse said. “I also want her to go to beach, especially a California beach.”

Students look forward to the ability to show their foreign students how Ameri-cans live.

“I look forward how she reacts to the daily life that I lead,” Morse said. “I want to know if she has a similar lifestyle or a completely different one.”

Morse intends to teach her student about what life in American truely is.

“I want them to see how fast-paced American life is,” Morse said.

Despite the cultural differences, how-ever, students will most likely find that they can closely relate to their exchange students.

“I think the most important lesson they learn is that people around the world are more similar that different,” Martin said. “They are just like the kids here; it’s like one big family in the world.”

*If you are interested in the program, you may still be able to participate in the experience. Contact Kim Martin at martin_kim@att.net

Cultural connections

Sarah Vaira/Staff Writer

Molly IngramMirada Staff

Alexis ShenMirada Staff

Pizza girl: making two kinds of dough

ALEX McFALL/Mirada Staff

BEN EGAN/Mirada Staff

Junior Mark Daniels takes off his pair of gloves after serving lunch in the cafeteria. Daniels has missed lunch for the past year, despite the fact that he is the one serving the lunches.

Junior Jasmine Gonzalez stands outside Pizza Guys during her break. Gonzalez generally works two times a week there.

Jasmine Gonzalez, 11Job: Pizza Guys Since when have you been working at Pizza Guys?Sometime in February.

What does your job entail?I take phone orders and make, cut and box pizzas... The whole shebang.

Do drunk people really come in and ask for delivery?Yeah! And it’s kinda scary; I just go and find my manager. We do it though because they tip a whole lot.

Are you a master chef?Indeed I am.

Would it be a hip place for some kids to hang out at?Depends on if my manager is there or not.

What are your co-workers like? Most of them are cool but there always is that one creepy guy.

What has been your most mis-erable moment at this job?When I messed up an order, then got screamed at over the phone... I almost cried.

Your most memorable mo-ment?Hearing the story of how we got robbed and a co-worker got slapped and then attacked the man with a broom... it’s on You-tube.

Do you like working at Pizza Guys?Yup, it’s definitely an experi-ence, and it’s pretty fun so I’m content.

How do you pass the time when the business is slow?Cell phones are a lifesaver but usually when it’s slow they make me sweep or make boxes.

Would you rather...

Be a dog named Killer or a cat named Fluffy?Fluffy.

Run a mile or give a speech in English?Run!

What’s the best part of your job?Free pizza! -Ben Egan

How long have you been working in the cafeteria?I’d say around the middle of sophomore year, so about a year. It doesn’t even seem like a year though! Leave it to newspaper to make me realize that I’ve been missing lunch for a whole year...

How did you get the job?I was kickin’ it in the cafete-ria with some friends, and they dared me to try to get a job there, so I walked up and said “Hey, how old do I have to be to work here?” I was hired that day.

What’s more important, cleaning up the trash, or running the show?Neither. I like to think that I run the show, but we all have the same job; preparing, serv-ing and cleaning up. It’s a team effort.

Worst part of working there?I actually have to give up my break and lunch, but the pay-day is worth it, no doubt.

How has your job helped you grow as a person?Well, I give much more than I used to, and it helped me build a work ethic. As a money manager, I learned how to save. Right now, I save like two-thirds of my income.

Most embarrassing mo-ment?On my third day on the job, I made this dude’s tray, and I was taking someone else’s order too because I thought I was slick. I dropped the tray all over the pizzas. Totally embarrassing.

- Alex McFall

Student serves cafeteria lunch up with a smileMark Daniels, 11Job: Cafeteria Worker

Money Page 055.29.09The Mirada

Jobless teensIs it just me, or should busi-

nesses be looking up teenagers for work instead of the other way around? Maybe not, but it is getting pretty tough out there to find a job for teens, even if they are close to getting on their knees and begging for a job.

Worst of all, teenagers have quite the vicious circle trapping them into unemployment. Teen-agers looking for their first job don’t really have a lot of expe-rience doing anything, if there is any at all. Because they have little to no experience, business-es are unlikely to hire them or even call them for an interview because they seem unqualified.

Then how can teens get any eperience when no one will hire them!? It’s sheer madness!

Only to add to the frustration of trying to get an available job, is the high amount of available jobs with only morning hours that are needed. Why isn’t there a high demand for afternoon and nighttime jobs? Why are there so many elements against helping teens get a decent job?

Times are tough; with gas prices on the fritz, college costs coming up, and wanting some extra money just to see the next Harry Potter movie, how are these wants and needs to be paid for without some dough coming in from a part time job?

What does someone have to do to get a job around here with workable hours than don’t in-terfere with school!? Are teen-agers going to have to resort to selling handmade paper fans on the street corners?

Although it’s not only teenag-ers having a hard time finding a job and they don’t have families to support from their paychecks most of the time, having a job would be nice. It’s almost a rite of passage, being able to work for a stranger for money instead of mowing the front lawn for a handful of bucks.

How will they experience their first pay raise? Or their first demotion from being caught in the break room texting their friends? Or their first time slip-ping on the freshly mopped li-noleum only to be pleaded with so that a lawsuit doesn’t occur?

How can teenagers fulfill these rites of passage with the economy stopping them in their paths at each and every turn?

Carly McCune

Last year, the girls varsity soccer team lost to Benicia High School in overtime.

This season, Jennifer Smiley, Rio’s new coach, was not going to let that happen again.

Neither Smiley nor the six se-niors on the team wanted a repeat. Smiley was last year’s assistant coach; the seniors include Jayne Auble, Stephanie Carpenter, Kim Hutchings, Alli Kelly, Laura Nas-seri and Kelly Rosenthal.

They wanted to win this year. The temperature forecast for the day was just below 100 degrees and the game began in the midday heat at noon. It was hot, but even

hotter on the field since it was a turf field.

“My feet were burning on the field,” sophomore Maddy Peter-son said. “The black rubber ab-sorbs all of the heat.”

Despite the weather, the girls fought through and played an intense game, going on to win the CIF Division III Champion-ships.

Benicia scored the first goal of the game, and the first half ended with Benicia ahead, 1-0.

Even though Rio had the game under control, their domi-nance was not reflected in the score.

“We had better possession,” Hutchings said. “It was annoy-ing.”

Early in the second half, Kel-ly scored with a header to tie the game, 1-1. That was her 22 goal of the season.

“It felt really good to score and we were about to quite,” Kelly said. “It’s like it brought life back into the game.”

Unfortunately, Benicia later scored again and took the lead,

2-1. But Rio was not to be de-

terred. Kim Hutchings scored by kicking the ball across the goal and into the upper right corner of the goal box, tying the game, 2-2.

“I had that feeling when the ball leaves your foot and you know it’s going to be a perfect kick,” Hutchings said. “I love that feeling.”

The last 10 minutes of the game had a frenzy of shots at the goals by both teams.

Benicia did score another goal but it was recalled because the player was off-sides. There-fore, the score was still tied up, 2-2.

Fortunately for Rio, Nasseri shot the winning goal in the last minutes of the game.

“I honestly thought we would tie and have to go into over time,” Nasseri said. “I just closed my eyes and hoped to score.”

The goal was fortunate for Rio because the announcer had just told the spectators that there

would be two 15-minute periods of soccer if the game ended in a tie.

“Winning the section champi-onship my senior year and scoring was really cool,” Nasseri said.

While it was incredibly hot in the stands for the spectators watching the game, it was an even “hotter” game for the girls varsity team.

“Everybody did really well. There are usually a few girls that carry the team, but every single per-son helped,” Hutchings said. “Jen’s first year as varsity coach was great. She connected with everyone and continued coach Danny, the old varsity soccer coach’s success. The game was a good way to end my high school soccer career.”

The girls finished off the league season first in the Capital Athletic League with a record of 14 wins and one tie. And, the teams’ win-ning season ended at section cham-pionships with a division III section title. The excitement as the girls won against Benicia was apparent as they rushed on the field together. It was the perfect end to a nearly perfect season.

Sports Page 65.29.09The Mirada

Soccer team wins section title beating Benicia, 3-2

Caroline FongMirada Staff

Senior Alli Kelly heads the ball past the opposing goalie, scoring the first of the team’s three goals in the section champi-onship game against Benicia.

CAROLINE FONG/Mirada Staff

As the whistle blew signaling the end of the game, the varsity girls team rushed to the middle of the field in celebration of being the Division III section champions. The win was especially exciting considering that they lost to the same team last year in the section finals. “Jocelyn and I were sitting on the bench talking about how we just knew we would score and that it wouldn’t be a repeat of last year. And when we did score, we were all just stunned and so happy,” sophomore Olivia Simpson said.

CAROLINE FONG/Mirada Staff

Section Champs

Section Champs

Sports 075.29.09

PREPS Plus

SAMANTHA ADAIR, 12

wakeboarding

Over the years, participating in sports, I have seen many confrontations between coaches,

players and referees, but this year was the first time that I saw the entire group of volunteer scorekeepers get fired by the referee, all because they wouldn’t move into the seating order that the ref was dictating. Calmer voices intervened, but the situation caused me to think about just where we are heading with sports being so dependent on referees. As sports and their finances evolve (or dissolve), are they leaving the referees behind?

More and more controversy occurs with the referees. Whether this can be attributed to the referees’ inexperience or the players’ increasing motivation to disrespect is uncertain.

Referees coming up through the ranks of frosh and JV games are extremely inexperienced. Many are ex-players with a player’s mentality, trying to continue in the sport they love. Yet, they do not grasp that they are responsible for the whole game. Sadly, their lack of experience changes the flow of the game, creating a lack of control. Games break down into technical fouls, constant whistle-blowing, and warnings to players and coaches.

Many of the high school referees have a desire to move on to college games with quality players and higher pay, yet they must start out and make mistakes at the youngest high school levels.

Getting quality refs for games is becoming even more difficult. Typically, referees face a long commute across town to make the games with minimal payback. Referees are facing a decision whether it is worth the effort or not, causing some of the good refs and some senior experienced refs to drop out.

On the other hand, maybe referees cannot control the games because the players are more disrespectful and flagrant in their disapproval of the referees’ calls. Coaches’ naivete also plays a part in this, as their comments from the bench and criticisms of the referees encourage disrespect.

Whether it’s due to the players or the referees, the situation is feeding onto itself and getting worse, doomed to magnify. This is another reason why frosh and JV teams will get cut back; they are often the training ground for inexperienced referees and coaches. Unfortunately, draconian solutions will arise over the next five years as frosh and JV sports budgets are sacrificed weeding out the need for referees- and coaches-in-training. Contra Costa and East Bay school districts have already announced cutbacks that include even varsity programs.

All of this bodes ill for Rio’s sports as it puts one more nail in the coffin of freshmen and JV programs.

Successful season for tennis stars

The boys tennis team has proved successful throughout the season, fin-ishing with an undefeated record. The team went to the semifinals in the CIF Section Championship Tournament. Most of the players attributed their suc-cess to the teams general skill.

“We were just better the other teams,” sophomore Charles La Salle said.

Two of the players particularly stand out. Sophomore Aaron Goldwyn was named Capital Athletic League All-League and Most Valuable Player. He won first place in the CAL singles tour-nament, followed closely behind by sophomore Wyatt Brown, who came in second.

The games took place at Gold River Racket Club on May 14, going against players from all over the state.

Brown has been playing tennis for about five years and says he enjoys the sport because of its competitiveness and fast pace; he also likes that it re-quires the players to be “physically fit.” Goldwyn has been playing for around 4 years, and enjoys the “individuality” of the sport.

For Goldwyn, it all started when he joined Rio Del Oro Racket Club. After watching tennis on TV, he became inter-ested and decided to try it out. Brown’s story was a bit different.

“I was introduced to tennis five years ago at a summer camp. I really liked it

and now I play year-round, all around northern California,” he said.

Though their introductions to the sport differ, it is easy to see they both have the skill and passion of champi-ons.

Goldwyn and Brown were the top two of their team, which allowed them to qualify for the championships, which

took place at Gold River Racket club in early May.

While still being aggressive competi-tors, the two athletes had fun playing in the games.

“I really enjoyed the tournament and I was happy our team did well and that Wyatt and I got to play in the finals and go on to sectionals,” Goldwyn said.

How long have you been wakeboarding?I learned to wakeboard when I was six.

Where do you typically go to wakeboard?I go to the port of Sacramento (a.k.a. the delta) and every other summer, Lake Shasta!

What is your favorite part of the sport?It is so much fun just being out in the boat around the water, and wearing cute straw cowboy hats while looking at other wake-boarding guys [is fun].

Why did you decide to start wakeboarding?Well a board was shoved on my feet and they threw me in the water and said hold on, and well I eventually got up.

What is your favorite moment?When I got my first 180 on the water.

What do people say to you when they find out you’re a wake-boarder?That sounds hard. Will you teach me?

Referees, a neces-sary evil... becom-ing more evil?

- Molly Ingram

How long have you been a track runner?Well Gordy (my coach) pulled me in freshman year.

What’s your favorite part of the sport?The adrenaline rush I get when I’m about to pass someone on the last 100 meters of my race.

Why did you decide to start track?I had no choice; I can run for days. And you don’t get away from Gordy when you can run.

What’s your favorite moment?There’s too many! Just hanging out with Gordy, Callie, Lauren, Gavin, Alisse and the track team everyday.

Scariest moment?When Ansel almost beat my mile time of 4:48; he got 4:50.

What do people say to you when they find out you’re a runner? You’re a freak, how can you run for fun?

What other sports do you play and which is your favorite?I wrestle, run track and play soccer. Soccer definitely comes first, then track, then wrestling.

TREVORLANTHIER, 10

track

- Molly Ingram

Alex Reinnoldt

Alex KleemannMirada Staff

Sophomore Wyatt Brown uses his backhand swing to return the tennis ball in a season match. He came in second place in the CAL singles tournament.

Tesoro Staff

The track team’s performance this season can only be described as a success, according to coach Gordon Hubble.

“It was very successful. A lot of kids stayed and ran to the very end and improved as the year went on,” he said.

The hard practices and tough meets were all in preparation for the end of the season to qualify for sections. The teams success was revealed as 17 varsity athletes qualified and competed in sub-sections on May 20 and 22, and as seven of these athletes were named CAL All-League.

In sub-sections, some of the most competitive runners in-cluded freshman Basil Okoroike, who placed sixth in the triple jump; senior Alisse Baumgarten, who placed eleventh in the 1600 meter (1-mile) run; junior Lauren Mugnaini, who placed thirteenth in the 3200 meter (2-mile); and freshman Victoria Bergeron, who placed thirteenth in the prelimi-naries of the 400 meter dash.

“I thought we did well in sec-tions. Times improved and ev-eryone competed well,” coach Hubble said.

Not only did the runners do well individually, but also as a team. Final standings placed the freshmen and sophomore boys as first in the Capital Athletic League. Varsity girls took third place, and varsity boys took fifth place in the league.

“The goal every year is to win leagues. I thought we could do

just about what we did. Us win-ning the frosh/soph boys division was very exciting and very much a surprise. It shows that we’re going to have a great future and everything should be very good,” coach Hubble said.

For outstanding performance in league, seven of the athletes were named All-League First and Sec-ond team. The varsity girls 4x400 meter relay team was named All-League first team, and included freshman Victoria Bergeron, .

“I really enjoyed our mile relay team! Everyone on the team got close too; I liked that ‘family’ as-pect of it,” senior Alisse Baumgar-ten said. “I thought it was fantas-tic.”

Another highlight of the season was when Okoroike set a fresh-

man school record in the triple jump during sub-sections and the 100 meter dash in league champs.

As the senior runners gradu-ate, coach Hubble hopes that they continue to run even after high school.

“Most experience their prime around 25 years, so that’s what it’s all about. Hopefully they learn enough in track at Rio so that they can go on and do their best when they do reach their prime,” he said.

The recent success for the team as a whole added to the fun and winning season.

“It was a good end to a hard year, and since it was everyone’s last meet, I think we enjoyed our-selves and just had fun running,” senior Kate Wilkins said.

Sports08 5.29.09

Varsity Girls SoftballFeb. 23 at Cordova -Mar. 3 at Ponderosa -Mar. 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 -Apr. 2 at Del Campo L 2-11Apr. 16 at Mira Loma -Apr. 21 at Casa Roble L 0-11Apr. 23 at Bella Vista L 2-4Apr. 28 Loretto W 3-2Apr. 30 at El Camino -May 5 Del Campo L 0-7

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 W 2-0Apr. 6-9 Granite Bay Tourney -Apr. 15 Bella Vista L 10-11Apr. 17 Bella Vista L 1-2 at Raley FieldApr. 20 El Camino L 6-10Apr. 22 at El Camino W 13-7Apr. 24 Casa Roble L 1-3Apr. 27 at Casa Roble L 0-5Apr. 29 at Mira Loma L 2-4May 1 Mira Loma 4:30May 4 at Del Campo L 7-8May 6 Del Campo L 5-8 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 at Buchanan H.S.Jun. 6 State Finals 2:00 at 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 -Mar. 24 at El Camino L 0-3Mar. 26 at Christian Brothers L 2-3Mar. 31 at Union Mine L 0-3Apr. 2 El Dorado W 3-1Apr. 14 at Oak Ridge L 0-3Apr. 16 at Ponderosa L 0-3Apr. 22 at El Dorado W 3-2Apr. 23 El Camino -Apr. 28 Christian Brothers 7:00Apr. 30 Union Mine L 0-3May 5 at El Dorado 7:00May 7 Oak Ridge 7:00

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 W 8-1Apr. 13 Casa Roble W 4-1Apr. 15 Bella Vista W 2-1Apr. 20 at Loretto W 3-2Apr. 22 at El Camino W 3-1Apr. 27 at Del Campo T 2-2 May 7 Vanden W 4-0May 12 Rodriguez W 2-0May 16 Benicia W 3-2

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

Track athletes run circles around league competition

Alex ReinnoldtMirada Staff

Senior Alisse Baumgarten sprints out from the starting line as the gun sounds the beginning of the 1600 meter (1 mile) race in the sub-sec-tion finals. She also ran in the 800 meter race.

ALEX REINNOLDT/Mirada Staff

CAL All-League Selections

First TeamVictoria Bergeron

- 400m4x400m relay team

(Victoria Bergeron, Alisse Baumgarten, Lauren Mugnaini, Kate Wilkins)

Jaron Jones - long jump

Basil Okoroike - triple jump

Kevin Barlow - shot put

Second TeamKate Wilkins - 400mLauren Mugnaini -

1600m and 3200mJaron Jones - 100m

Junior Lauren Mugnaini ran in the 3200 meter (2-mile) race during sub-sections at Bella Vista on May 22. She took 13th place with a time of 12:05.

Courtesy of ALISSE BAUMGARTEN

Opinion Page 0905.29.09The Mirada

The MiradaRIO AMERICANO

HIGH SCHOOL4540 American River Dr.Sacramento, CA 95864(916) 971-8921 ext. 80

my.hsj.org/ca/sacramento/riothemirada2009@gmail.com

Editors-in-ChiefMolly Ingram

Alex ReinnoldtAlexis Shen

News EditorsMoily Ingram

Katherine CaseyAlexis ShenSarah Vaira

Opinion EditorsAlexander McFall

Jessica Shapiro

Features EditorsChristian Oldham

Tate Rountree

Sports EditorAlex Reinnoldt

Photo EditorAlexander McFall

French EditorAlexander McFall

PhotographersCaroline Fong

Willie Robinson-Smith

Graphic ArtistEmily Kim

Online EditorAlex Kleemann

Staff WritersTyler Allen

Jenifer CarterKate Finegold

Molly GlasgowCarly McCune

Danny FordBen Egan

Hannah Shapiro

Business ManagerMolly Ingram

AdviserMichael Mahoney

mmahoney@sanjuan.edu

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.

Senioritis not just for seniorsAvi Mehari/Guest Artist

Seniors know the feeling. The clock moves way too slowly as some teacher drones on in a voice that makes even the most alert students drop their heads. The classroom air is thick with the heat of an oncoming summer, and that feeling of la-ziness is not going away. AP tests are over, homework is dwindling away, and it’s time to rest.

Yes boys and girls, it’s that time again, time for “senioritis” to make its yearly ap-pearance! But seniors are not the only stu-dents affected. The question is, “what’s to be done”?

What can be done with the growing number of younger students taking more AP classes, more electives and more ex-tracurricular activities? Is it “senioritis” spreading like wildfire throughout all Rio students?

Shouldn’t those who have braved four or more hours of nightly homework, countless in-class essays and presentations be entitled to a little relaxation? Apparently, that an-swer is no.

When a senior’s performance drops to-wards the end of the year, it’s “senioritis,” a perfectly understandable condition, an ex-cuse. But as soon as a sophomore or junior finds his or her focus slipping away, they are “letting themselves go.” They are met with disappointment.

But these students aren’t getting lazy! They have worked just as hard, if not hard-er, than most seniors, as they try to impress both colleges and parents in a mad dash for higher education.

And when that trend of hard work de-clines at year’s end, it isn’t “senioritis” It’s exhaustion, exhaustion that leads to a dis-maying trend.

Many students put themselves under ri-diculous amounts of undue pressure. This only compounds the problem, and puts un-reasonably large amounts of stress upon the students. Stressed students simply aren’t nearly as productive as they could be. Nor are they as happy.

How many times have Rio students looked up from their homework, and watched as the sun faded away. On how many days have they watched their time for hanging out, playing games or just being themselves slipping away?

What’s more, these students are often their own worst enemies. Hardworking students often have expectations as great as their workloads. With the increase in col-lege competition, this trend has continued to grow, and is spreading to younger ages.

In California especially, where colleges are met with record numbers of applicants and slashed budgets, students are attempt-ing harder classes such as AP Physics, AP Chemistry and AP Biology in their sopho-more and even freshman years.

Many are also learning foreign languag-es and mathematics at a breakneck pace. Apparently, the new generation of students can’t, according to all common sense, be

lazy.Grades would drop. Parents would be

angry.And colleges could turn their interest

elsewhere.What can the Raiders do to fight it?Well, the simple truth is that everyone

has to have time to relax, regardless of out-side circumstances or expectations. Without adequate time to relax and unwind, stu-dents will undoubtedly produce poorer es-says, incomplete homework and lackluster projects.

Everyone must understand that high school is a time for education, but not just from a book.

High school is a graduation from ado-lescence to maturity, a time when indepen-dence is greater, work is harder and rewards are sweeter. This is all in preparation for a more independent life in college.

Is this another Catch-22; damned if you do, damned if you don’t? Should anyone be relaxing while underclassmen continue to work themselves to death until the last bell?

Has the high school system become a network of suffering students who are forced to make sacrifices? Must they either sacrifice their chances at college acceptance to relax, or forfeit their childhoods in a mad rush for education?

What path students choose is their pre-rogative, but when both choices are in some way wrong, is there a right way to be edu-cated?

OUR VIEW

Opinion10 05.29.09

The ol’ reality 2x4 (defense against Disney)

I do not mean to cause mass hysteria, but I believe everyone should know that we, as the American youth, are being lied to every waking moment of our pubescent and hormonal lives.

A lie so catastrophic, so ex-treme, so devastating to our frame of mind, we’ve been hop-ing for a “utopian high school society,” when in all reality, we’ve been living in one.

The perpetrator to the crime that I am speaking of is (duh-duh-duh), the Disney Channel.

The Disney Channel, yes the Disney Channel, has been lying to us ever since we lent them our ears and our eyes so long ago, to watch such school-based shows as “That’s So Raven,” “Even Ste-vens,” and “Lizzy McGuire.” We were so enthralled with these shows that we hoped, or at least I did, that high school would be as the Disney Channel portrayed it.

Everyone would have a psy-chic friend who in mid-sentence would make the craziest faces while having a premonition about your math test; everyone would have a friend that played music on top of the cafeteria with his band so he could show

off his sexy tam-bourine moves whilst a fat kid wearing a hamster cage on his head f r o l i c k e d around and licked his bass guitar; and everyone would have a blond-haired friend who would always look after your best in-terests if you were ever in a bind. Yes, we all hoped for this life and these friends while we sought higher educa-tion.

Yet, as time does to everything, it erased all of these hopes.

Our level-headed, blonde friend Lizzie went off to do absolutely nothing but get older, uglier and poorer. Our crazy friend Louis, with the cacka-doodie schemes, went off to fight cars that were really aliens. And most importantly, our psychic friend, Raven, went off to fall off the face of eternity forever since, well, nobody real-ly knows where she is, or what she’s doing.

And nobody really cares.We matured, we grew facial

and back hair (well, some of us), and we erased these hopes from our brains.

But the Disney Corporation would not stand to be forgot-

ten. They came out with a new circulation of tele-

vision shows and movies while

looking for a new age group to brain-wash, the tweens; the older kids in elementary school who are close to middle school and still day-dreaming of what high school is like. So, as they did with us, Disney is shoving such garbage as “High School Musical,” “Witches of Waverly Place,” and Hannah Montana” down the tweens’ throats.

Every tween is probably hop-ing that everyone in high school is perfectly tanned with bleach-blonde high-lights in their hair and can sing really, really well.

They are hoping that they will

befriend a down-to-earth girl who

is secretly a fa-mous singer

who rides around in li-mos all day; and they are

hoping every-one is a witch

of wizard.Now knowing

that high school is noth-ing like what the Disney Channel portrays it to be, we need to ruin these Tweens’ spirits by knock-ing them around with the ol’ “Reality 2x4.” I mean, really, we take a 2x4, write “Reality 2x4” on it in black or orange

sharpie (the only col-ors anybody takes

seriously now-a-days), and slap these little fifth

or sixth graders around for a while. We

need to stand up and tell the world that high school is not as it is seen on television, or the big screen. It is in fact mildly…bor-ing!

So, we slap the kids around and tell them the truth!

If you had to listen to kids singing all day about anything ranging from “the apple they received in their lunch” to “the dilemma of Bald Eagle or not,” you would probably go certifi-ably insane!

If you saw kids running around pretending they were witches, you would probably

rethink your drug addiction. And especially if you had a friend who was a famous singer, I would at least be asking why she was such a “cheap-skate,” and not giving me money just because!

The Disney Channel lied to us about what a perfect high school experience would be like, and now they are attacking the next generation. This needs to be stopped because, maybe some of us, when we were freshmen, saw that high school wasn’t like “Even Stevens,” so we went home everyday and had a 20 minute cry session.

You all know what I’m talk-ing about.

You turn on James Blunt, tell yourself that you are beautiful, and start to put on your moth-er’s nylons.

We all have different ways of coping with the lies (apparently mine might be a little extreme).

In order to save the youth, we need to crush their dreams.

Like a cheeto in the hand of a grabby fat kid, we must do some crushing.

And to do that, we need to break the trance that Walt Dis-ney, in his icy eternal slumber, has put on them.

The solution: “Reality 2x4.” The monster named Disney

Channel must be stopped. And to stop a monster like

the Disney Channel, we need to fight fire with fire, or in this case, the Disney Corporation Build-ing with Molotov Cocktails...or is that a little extreme?

Danny FordMirada Staff

Sarah Vaira/Graphic Artist

Dear Teachers,I know we have had a long,

strained relationship these past four years, but lately you’re re-ally bugging me. It’s not about silly bathrooms passes or cell phone rules, it’s about the blatant trampling of our memory col-lecting. We have precious few

days left to obsessively collect yearbook signings (more signa-tures = more popular. DUH.) and yet every teacher has a hissy fit when they see yearbooks out. Get real. No one is paying attention, all thoughts are on summer, and seniors are leaving forever. Give us some time to amass coveted signings, especially from the

underclassmen we may never see again. Pleases and thank yous.

Austin Sprague, 12

Dear Mirada,The paper is looking great,

but something you should think about adding is a special preview section in Features. I like hear-ing about how great the school

sports and events were, but maybe if they were previewed, then more people would attend. Just a thought.Other than that, keep doing a great job!

Sincerely,Damon Heaton. 11

LeTTerS TO The eDITOr: Teachers and yearbooks

Submit your letters with your name and grade

to room A3 or online at

themirada2008@gmail.comMAIL MAIL

Recipe for a senior

Instructions: 1 Get a basic freshman mould. (doesn’t have to be a brand-name freshman)2.Add proessed book-knowl-edge.

-Must add 220 credits or it will turn out flat.3. Can add things like band, sports, ACA DECA to give it a little spice.4. Cook it under high presure

for the irst 3 hours then just let it sit for 1 whole day.5.Probably should take out some money if any is left over.6. Shake college applications as you see fit.

7. Give it a cap, gown and diploma8. Enjoy (must enjoy it while fresh or it will turn into a freshman again.)

-Emily Kim

Sugar and spice makes high school finished.

EMILY KIM/Graphic artist

the

irada Senior section

High school reflectionWhat was your favorite part of high school?

After AP tests because there’s nothing to do.

Going to Australia with the band.

Winning high school sec-tions in swimming and water polo my junior year.

What was your least favorite part of high school?

Being in Mr. Judge’s office.

0 Period swimming in P.E. freshman year.

College apps.

Maureen Purcell

Samantha Adair

Rachel Gyorffy

Clint Hollister

Omar Gardizi

Jason Blanks and Katie Kilbourn

What was your most embarrassing moment?In freshman year in P.E. dance unit, I didn’t find a dance partner so I asked Coach Smith to help. He lifted me up in the air and held me up, saying, “there’s a little boy who needs a dance partner.”

Thomas Jackson

One day I was so excited to go home that the moment I saw my dad’s truck I jumped in asking, “Woah! When did you put this in your truck?” I then turned my head to find out I jumped into the wrong truck.

Alisa Wiegel

I was walking down the hallway and my friend Katie Dronberger tripped me. I fell and my back-pack fell over my head and was too hezavy for me to get it off. So there I was, on my knees in the hallway with my backpack over my head, flailing about as a group of guys walked by laughing.

Kelly Rosenthal

Jason Blanks and Katie Kilbourn

When people found out I used to date Katie.-Jason

When people found out I used to date Jason. -Katie

Senior12 05.29.09

Senior 1305.29.09

Senior Awards for 200-0-2009 were pre-sented at the awards ceremony in the gym on Wednesday night. The following stu-dents were honored.

Presidential Academic AwardJessica AdamsMegan AlcalayTyler AllenKai AmbroseRachel Anderson Emily AshtonJayne AubleMustafa BahramandLisa BairdEric BargerMegan BarlowCashel BarnettAnna BartolomeSamantha BartonAlisse BaumgartenLily Berrin Andrew BlackNatalie BlackmanHannah BlankJason BlanksPierce BurtonJenifer CarterAlex CauvyHarvey ChuiJustin DavidoffKaitlin DunlapJoseph EpsteinVanessa EwaldSean FineganKatherine Finegold Omar GardiziKristen GarrettIsaac GhansahJonathan GilbertAnildeep GillJessica GrahamRachele GyorffyDana HachigianTravis HaugenWilliam HawleySamantha HenryStephen HerreraEllen HoseinKimberly HutchingsAndrew JacksonThomas JacksonTyler Jackson Camille JacobsonRyan KaupeSonia KhademiKatherine KilbournEmily KimStacy KimVanessa KnollRaymond LamTaylor LambertMin Bum LeeClaudette LinzeyElizabeth LuskySydney LyLamis MaadaraniSamia ManaghebiFleur MarforiYonatan McCarter-RibakoffCarly McCuneLaura NasseriFareeha NawazClaire NevesKelsey NoggAmobi OkugoRuth OliverLexi OpperJeffrey PollockJoseph PortaleMarissa PriceMaureen PurcellArielle RedigerJessica ReveszAdrianna RobinsonWilliam Robinson-SmithJacqueline RoseKelly RosenthalMichael RozvodovskiyClaudia RuizArmon SaiedJulia SakamotoBenjamin SalmanJoel SamuelsLauren SariaGenevieve SeimearsHannah ShapiroMichelle Silverstein

Madeline SmithErnest SongKate SpareAlexi SpotoAustin SpraguePauline StewartMichael StormJessica StradleyBrooke TaylorNicholas TerzakisKatherine Tobi-HitzemannMeredith UyeyamaEric WarburgZachary WarrenJordan WellsKatherine WilkinsEmily WilliamsJennifer Woo

Bank of America Awards

Computer Studies Elizabeth CohmanschiDrama Kate Spare English Andrew Jackson, Emily Kim, Fleur Marfori, Michelle Silverstein Foreign Language Sonia Khademi, Allison MoreheadMathematics Megan Barlow, Lily Berrin, Fa reeha Nawaz, Pauline StewartMusic Rachel Anderson, Michael StormScience Harvey Chui, Ruth Oliver, Jacque-line Rose, Sarah Roska Social Science Eric WarburgTechnology Timothy Petrenko

Departmental Awards

AVIDKimberly Hutchings

EnglishRachel Anderson, Lily Berrin, Emily Kim, Hannah Shapiro, Michelle Silver-stein, Austin Sprague

Newspaper Jennifer Carter, Molly Glasgow, Carly McCune,Hannah Shapiro, William Robinson-Smith

YearbookSonia Khademi, Kelsey Nogg, Jes-sica Revesz, Brooke Taylor

Levee Literary MagazineVanessa Ewald

NCTE Writing Award Rachel Anderson, Andrew Jackson, Michelle Silverstein

Fine ArtsCeramicsDustin Brown, Emily Kim, Oceana Mosley

MusicKai Ambrose, Rachel Anderson, Eric Barger, Cashel Barnett, Jason Blanks, Joseph Epstein, Omar Gardizi, Isaac Ghansah, Joseph Maio, Jacqueline Rose, Alexi Spoto, Michael Storm, Nicholas Terzakis Patrick S. Gilmore AwardMichael Storm Louis Armstrong AwardCashel Barnett John Philip Sousa AwardRachel Anderson James Brown AwardEric Barger Director’s AwardRachel Anderson, Michael Storm Craig Faniani ScholarshipMichael Storm

Drama/Reader’s TheatreEric Barger, Cashel Barnett, Kaitlin Dunlap, Daniel Ford, Dana Hachi-gian, Katherine Kilbourn, William Robinson-Smith, Kate Spare

Apollo AwardsDaniel Ford, Dana Hachigian, Kate

SpareGold: William Robinson-Smith, Silver: Gregory Smith

Foreign Language FrenchJessica Graham, Lauren Saria, Vian SomoSpanishLily Berrin, Natalie Blackman, Allison Morehead, Joseph Portale, Kate Spare MathematicsRachel Anderson, Lily Berrin, Anna Maisano, Pauline Stewart

Mathematics League High School Math ContestJacqueline Rose

Physical EducationBoys PE: Matthew Basler, Justen BaughamGirls PE: Megan Alcalay, Fleur Marfori

Athletic AwardsWayne Roberts Female Athlete: Kimberly Hutch-ings Jack Scott Male Athlete: Mardell Thompson-Johnson

Pep Arts:Emily Ashton, Riley Cable, Jessica English, Taylor Foreman, Dana Hachigian, April Jordan, Elizabeth Lusky, Kate Spare, Nicole Steele, Lauren Thakar, Jordan Wells, Serena Yniguez

ScienceBiology: Emily KimChemistry: Fareeha NawazPhysics: Harvey ChuiScience: Armon Saied, Michelle Silverstein Schools to CareerGraphics: Ariana Dillman, Elizabeth Cohmanschi, Jordan Vaughn Radio & TV: Timothy Petrenko Social ScienceAmerican GovernmentHayden Cummings, Dino DeFazio, Travis Haugen, Stephen Herrera, Kurt Mitchell, Colleen O’Keefe, Alexi Spoto, Katherine Tobi-Hitze-mann, Eric Warburg, Jennifer Woo, Scott YotterAP US GovernmentClaire Neves, Jacqueline Rose, Han-nah Shapiro, Michelle Silverstein

EconomicsAndrew Black, Kimberly Hutchings, Andrew Jackson, Claire Neves, Vian Somo AP EconomicsLily Berrin, Harvey Chui, Anildeep GillPsychologyJayne Auble, Rachele Gyorffy, Laura Nasseri, Alexi Spoto AP PsychologyJessica Adams, Andrew Jackson, Emily Kim, Stacy Kim, Ruth Oliver, Michelle SilversteinPolitical ScienceMeryl Balalis, Jordan Goodchap, Megan Thoke

Special Education Meghan Thoke California Scholarship Federation (CSF)Life Membership Highest HonorJessica AdamsRachel AndersonJayne AubleLisa BairdAlisse BaumgartenLily BerrinHannah BlankHarvey ChuiJustin DavidoffIsaac GhansahJonathan GilbertAnildeep GillAndrew JacksonEmily Kim

Stacy KimTaylor LambertClaudette LinzeySamia ManaghebiFleur MarforiFareeha NawazClaire NevesRuth OliverAdrianna RobinsonJacqueline RoseArmon SaiedLauren SariaHannah ShapiroMichelle SilversteinKate SpareJessica StradleyEmily Williams

Life MembershipMegan AlcalayKai AmbroseMegan BarlowKaitlin DunlapOmar GardiziRachele GyorffyThomas JacksonVanessa KnollClaudia RuizJoel SamuelsMadeline SmithVian SomoAlexi SpotoMichael StormNicholas TerzakisJennifer Woo

Academic LetterJessica AdamsMegan AlcalayKai AmbroseRachel AndersonJayne AubleLisa BairdMegan BarlowAlisse BaumgartenLily BerrinHannah BlankHarvey ChuiJustin DavidoffKaitlin DunlapOmar GardiziIsaac GhansahJonathan GilbertAnildeep GillRachele GyorffyAndrew JacksonThomas JacksonEmily KimStacy KimTaylor LambertClaudette LinzeySamia ManaghebiFleur MarforiFareeha NawazClaire NevesRuth OliverAdrianna RobinsonJacqueline RoseClaudia RuizArmon SaiedJoel SamuelsLauren SariaHannah ShapiroMichelle SilversteinMadeline SmithVian SomoKate SpareAlexi SpotoMichael StormJessica StradleyNicholas TerzakisEmily WilliamsJennifer Woo

Academic Competition

Academic DecathlonMegan Alcalay, Vanessa Ewald, Claudette Linzey, David Ly, Michelle Silverstein, Kate Wilkins

Science Olympiad Outstanding StudentsJacqueline Rose, Armon Saied

Science BowlHarvey Chui, Isaac Ghansah, David Ly, Armon Saied Political Studies Academy Outstanding StudentsCompletion of CIVITAS RequirementsChristopher Dalton, Justin Davidoff, Kaitlin Dunlap, Katherine

Finegold, Jonathan Gilbert, Molly Glasgow, William Hawley, Brandi Lites, Samia Managhebi, Bianca Mang, Matthew McMaster, Fareeha Nawaz, Carson Niello, Marissa Price, Michael Reiner, Shilo Rochelle, Claudia Ruiz, Armon Saied, Jared Stone, Anastasia Zolnikov

Student Government Achievement AwardMarie Espinal, William Hawley, Claudette Linzey

Student Government Service AwardNatalie Blackman, Marie Espinal, Taylor Foreman, William Hawley, Claudette Linzey, Lexi Opper, Lucero Serrano, Lauren Thakar, Jordan Wells, Isabella Widemann

National Honor Society Jessica AdamsMegan AlcalayKai AmbroseRachel AndersonJayne AubleMustafa BahramandLisa BairdMegan BarlowCashel BarnettAlisse BaumgartenLily BerrinNatalie BlackmanJason BlanksHarvey ChuiJustin DavidoffKaitlin DunlapJoseph EpsteinOmar GardiziKristen GarrettIsaac GhansahJonathan GilbertAnildeep GillLindsay GoodsteinJessica GrahamRachele GyorffyWilliam HawleySamantha HenryStephen HerreraEllen HoseinKimberly HutchingsThomas JacksonCamille JacobsonSonia KhademiDong KimEmily KimStacy KimVanessa KnollTaylor LambertClaudette LinzeyElizabeth LuskyLamis MaadaraniSamia ManaghebiFleur MarforiLaura NasseriFareeha NawazClaire NevesKelsey NoggAmobi OkugoRuth OliverLexi OpperJoseph PortaleMarissa PriceArielle RedigerJessica ReveszArianna RobinsonWilliam Robinson-SmithClaudia RuizArmon SaiedJoel SamuelsLauren SariaMichelle SilversteinMadeline SmithVian SomoErnest SongKate SpareRachel SpinelliAlexi SpotoAustin SpraguePauline StewartMichael StormJessica StradleyNicholas TerzakisMeredith UyeyamaZachary WarrenJordan WellsKatherine WilkinsEmily WilliamsJennifer Woo SCHOLASTIC AWARDS

National Merit Scholarship

Commended StudentsTyler Allen, Rachel Anderson, Mariana Calderon, Justin Davidoff, Jonathan Gilbert, Rachele Gyorffy, Thomas Jackson, Kelsey Nogg, Jeffrey Pollock, Kelly Rosenthal, Joel Samuels, Lauren Saria, Hannah Shapiro, Austin Sprague, Pauline Stewart, Michael Storm, Nicholas Terzakis

National Merit Scholarship FinalistsIsaac Ghansah, Andrew Jackson, Emily Kim, Jacqueline Rose, Armon Saied, Michelle Silverstein

AP ScholarsJessica Adams, Megan Alcalay, Kai Ambrose, Jason Blanks, Harvey Chui, Justin Davidoff, Joseph Epstein, Isaac Ghansah, Rachele Gyorffy, Samia Managhebi, Ruth Oliver, Jacqueline Rose, Benjamin Salman, Eric Warburg,

AP Scholars with HonorArmon Saied, Joel Samuels, Mi-chelle Silverstein, Austin Sprague, Pauline Stewart, Michael Storm, Nicholas Terzakis,

Distinguished Scholar Awards Jessica AdamsMegan AlcalayTyler AllenKai AmbroseRachel AndersonMegan BarlowAllise BaumgartenLily BerrinHannah BlankHarvey ChuiJustin DavidoffKaitlin DunlapJoseph EpsteinOmar GardiziIsaah GhansahJonathan GilbertRachele GyorffyAndrew JacksonSonia KhademiaEmily KimStacy KimClaudette LinzeySamia ManaghebiFleur MarforiFareeha NawazClaire NevesRuth OliverMaureen PurcellAdrianna RobinsonJacqueline RoseArmon SaiedJoel SamuelsLauren SariaHannah ShapiroMichelle SilversteinKate SpareAlexi SpotoAustin SpraguePauline StewartMichael StormJessica StradleyNicholas TerzakisKatherine Tobi-HitzemannEric WarburgKatherine WilkinsEmily Williams

Scholarships Tyler Allen, Pepperdine U Dean’s Scholarship Christian Leadership AwardKai Ambrose, Harvard Arts and Science ScholarshipRachel Anderson, USC Dean’s ScholarshipKristen Aspling, Biola U Academic ScholarshipMeryl Balalis, Willamette U Merit ScholarshipAnna Bartolome, Chico State U Merit Scholarship EngineeringMustafa Bahramand, UC Davis Academic ScholarshipAlysse Baumgarten, Occidental Col-lege Dean’s Scholarship, Forester’s ScholarshipLily Berrin, Occidental College Presidential ScholarshipHannah Blank, St. Louis College of Pharmacy Merit ScholarshipJason Blanks, University of Puget Sound ScholarshipPierce Burton, San Jose State

Football ScholarshipKatie Case, La Sierra U Academic ScholarshipHarvey Chui, UC Berkeley Scholar-shipKatie Edwards, U of Hawaii Athletic ScholarshipIsaac Ghansah, National Achieve-ment ScholarshipRachele Gyorffy, Maggie Carlisle ScholarshipWill Hawley, St. Mary’s College Merit ScholarshipEllen Hosein, Mercy San Juan Hos-pital Volunteer ScholarshipKim Hutchings, New Mexico High-lands U Honors ScholarshipAndrew Jackson, UC Berkeley Undergraduate ScholarshipTyler Jackson, U of Oregon Dean’s ScholarshipAugustine Jimenez, CSEA Barbara Rao Memorial ScholarshipAllie Kelly, UC Davis Athletic ScholarshipClaudette Linzey, Santa Clara U Scholarship, Elks Lodge ScholarshipFleur Marfori, Outstanding Filipino Youth AwardJenny Mo, Dept of Human Assis-tance ScholarshipBlair Moody, USC Full Athletic ScholarshipLaura Nasseri, Creighton U Soccer ScholarshipFareeha Nawaz, Violet Richardson Scholarship, Elks Lodge Scholar-ship, UOP Regents’ ScholarshipAmobi Okugo, UCLA Soccer Ath-letic Scholarship (full ride)Jeff Pollack, Claremont-McKenna Army ROTC ScholarshipMarissa Price, U of Puget Sound’s Trustee ScholarshipBlair Reed, U of San Francisco Athletic ScholarshipCarson Reed, U.S. Military Acad-emy, West Point, ScholarshipWilliam Robinson-Smith, North-western U ScholarshipJacqueline Rose, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering ScholarshipClaudia Ruiz, 11-99 Foundation Scholarship (CHP), Jiffy Lube ScholarshipLauren Saria, Arizona State U Dean’s ScholarshipHannah Shapiro, Kenyon College ScholarshipMadeline Smith, Montana State U Academic Scholarship, Arden Arcade Rotary ScholarshipRachel Spinelli, Valparaiso Univer-sity Athletic Scholarship (full ride)Pauline Stewart, U.S. Air Force Academy ScholarshipMichael Storm, Craig Faniani ScholarshipChad Tannenbaum, Sac State Ath-letic Scholarship (football full ride)Emily Williams, California State PTA Scholarship

Senior Class OfficersMarie Espinal, PresidentLauren Thakar, Vice PresidentLucero Serano, Publicity

Student Body OfficersWill Hawley, PresidentNatalie Blackman, SecretaryLexi Opper and Jordan Wells, Com-missioner/Social AffairsTaylor Foreman, Vice PresidentClaudette Linzey, Treasurer

Congratulations, Class of 2009

Senior Awards

Senior14 05.29.09

The grass is greener at Rio – Jessica ReveszGreen and gold goes Rio Americano – Mardell JohnsonIt should have been a musical… – Maureen Purcell Show of hands…who actually studied? – Marissa PriceI’ll do better next time – Lisa BairdLol lol lol lol lol lol – John MichaelsUp down strange charm top bottom –Armon SaiedDo I have to go today? -Allie MoreheadWhat are we doing this weekend? – Stephanie HubbertI knew something was due today – Matt McMasterI certainly wasted the taxpayers’ money – Aaron KimWow, did that really just happen? – Amber Crego-AwwadChildhood was fun while it lasted! – Grey SmithSeemed like a good idea then – Carson ReedAfter all this…we’re freshmen…again… - Emily

KimLook now before time flies away – Harvey ChuiOh, how I will miss Willie’s – Andi PlaatWatch out for all those seagulls – Carly McCuneOMG, BEES. JUSTIN IS A JERK – Spencer CarrollIf colleges were tough this year…. – David LyThe work just isn’t worth it – Jeff PollockJen Carter is a stupid head – Eric WarburgReader’s Theater? I hardly knew her! - Danny FordFinally, we can all take off! - Augie JiminezI will never come back here! - Anna Bartolomelol lol lol lol lol lol - John MichaelsAnd I’m all out of gum - Jenifer CarterApplecore! Baltimore! Who’s your friend? Liam! - Kayliegh LowranceWho want’s to drive? Nose goes! - Kelsey NoggThe easy rode is my best - Mac Diggs Big Gulps, huh? Well, see you later - Tyler AllenOoh, that’s hot. I went by... - Willie Robinson-Smith...pediatrics. They thought it was funny - Austin

SpraugeI love Claudia. She is perfect. - Justin DavidoffMet some of the best people - Kaity DunlapI am always down for anything! - Joe EpsteinYou’re welcome, Rio, you’ll miss me - Claudia RuizWas pretty boring until junior year - Isaac GhansahPeople like to call me “O” - Omar GardiziGatewood really did ruin my transcript - Joey SamuelsI’d rather be snowboarding right now -Kai AmbroseFirst day of school, got senioritis - Chris DaltonThere are some crazy squirrels here - Vanessa EwaldWait... why am I here again? - Ruthie OliverRemember when I cared about homwork? - Maddie SmithRemember when the seagulls attacked Ruthie? - Emily WilliamsIt’s over then you stop caring - Fareeha NawazHearsay...an out of court statement... -Kate Finegold

Six word memoirsIn which seniors are asked to sum up the past four years in six words.

Hey Class of ‘09! Can you believe graduation’s finally here? As the Mirada has covered our class for the past four years, we have realized that we really do rock. Whether finding success on our own field of dreams, in a band program that brings local and national recognition, on a stage for sold-out musical extravaganzas and especially in classrooms that propel our school onto high spots on multiple standards of academic achievemnt, Rio students have truly proven their capabilities. We feel certain that the class of ‘09 will exceed, because we’ve already passed all expectations. Just look at all the diverse and distinguished colleges where we will spread all our Raider prowess next year. Thanks for the memories, the Mirada seniors

Vaccines have an overall posi-tive connotation for being good for a person’s health and something to protect oneself against many ail-ments.

They tend to be recommended by doctors and generally promote good sense of well being.

Within the last year or so, many commercials have popped up on television screens concerning a vaccine for HPV (Human Papil-loma virus), called Gardisil. The vaccine comes in a series of three separate shots that are taken over a series of months.

It is very popular and many girls have received an injection already.

“Yes, I would say many girls come in for an HPV vaccination,” said Christine Kintz, a nurse at the UC Davis Medical Center.

She says the vaccines purpose is to help [girls] guard themselves against certain types of the Human Papilloma virus.

She also highly recommends that girls go to their doctors and ask for the vaccine.

Senior Miriah James feels that the Gardisil vaccine is something all girls should get.

“HPV is more common than people think and it’s not easily detected, so if you can, why not do something to prevent yourself from getting it?” James said.

The vaccine seems to be re-sponding well for girls despite the temporary side effects.

“There are no serious side ef-fects but localized inflammation and muscle soreness at the injec-tion site are side effects to be ex-pected,” Kintz said.

Gardisil can protect, but not treat HPV and it would be a good idea for girls to look into getting vaccinated early.

Only so much can be done be-fore it’s too late to treat something that could have been prevented.

“After all, these little series of shots could save your life one day,” James said.

Girls should protect themselves ahead of time instead of looking back and thinking about what could have been done differently.

Vaccinations should be sought with discretion and should be talk-ed over with a doctor and/or par-ents before getting a shot.

Health Page 155/29/09The Mirada

HPV vaccine protects teenage girls

Carly McCuneMirada Staff

Hydration key in summer heat

With hot summer months just ahead, hydration is an important factor to staying healthy. Although staying hy-drated is significant anytime of the year, it especially crucial during the long days spent outside in the sun.

It is easier than most people think to get dehydrated. Our bodies are 70% water and ac-cording to Health Resources at Craig Hospital, just a 2% loss of water can cause dehydra-tion.

Our bodies use water with every activity, strenuous or not. Because humans are constant-ly in motion, a 2% loss of wa-ter is easy to come by whether you are going for a jog or just typing on the computer.

However, in the summer, dehydration is more common because heat activates our nat-ural coolant system-sweat.

How do you know you are dehydrated? Know and pay

attention to the symptoms.Dehydration begins with

thirst and dry mouth and then progresses to fatigue, weak-ness, dizziness, and dark col-ored urine. The more severe forms of dehydration can cause an increase in heart rate, respiration, body temperature along with extreme fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, and tingling sensations.

So what do you do when

you are dehydrated? First, stop your activity and rest in an area out of direct sunlight. More activity and sun expo-sure results in more fluid loss.

Next, drink fluids. For the next two to four hours it is recommended by WebMd to drink two quarts of cooled liq-uids. Water of course is a good choice, but make sure to also drink electrolyte enhanced drinks like Gatorade.

Then for the next 24 hours continue to drink lots of flu-ids and get plenty of rest. Al-though you may be feeling better after just a few hours, it may take as long as a day and half to replace all the fluids that you’ve lost.

Like the saying goes more or less “The best offense is a good defense.” In hydration terms, its best to stop fluid loss before it starts.

The most common way to prevent dehydration is of course drinking water. But the amount of water intake cannot be standardized, like the gen-eral rule of thumb eight to ten glasses a day.

Various factors must be tak-en into consideration to deter-mine an individual’s amount of water intake. These factors include the weigh of the per-son, daily exercise, sun expo-sure, climate, and altitude.

If you are interested in wa-ter intake, About.com has a hydration calculator to deter-mine the correct daily amount of water for you.

Easy exercises energize

Are you tired of being stressed out from school and maybe even a job?

Despite most thoughts considering the relationship between exercise and fatigue, according to a study on Web-Md, exercise can actually in-crease energy levels.

“We live in a society where people are always looking for the next sports drink, energy bar, or cup of coffee that will give them the extra edge to get through the day.”

Researcher Tim Puetz says, “But it may be that lacing up your tennis shoes and getting out and doing some physical activity every morning can provide that spark of energy people are looking for.”

Not only does exercise boost energy, but also works as a great stress reliever.

Doing anything that gets you moving like lifting weights, dancing, or running on a treadmill proving to be positive alternatives for re-

lieving stress.Compared to the common

teenage methods of stress re-lief like throwing of phones and punching walls.

People who exercise on a regular basis, find them-selves more relaxed as well as healthier.

Exercise not only energizes the body, but also the mind. People who exercise do better in school!

Its easier to exercise than most people think.

You can even exercise while watching T.V. and you don’t even have to leave your favorite show. It is simple to get energized.

These easy exercises from HealthMad will help you feel refreshed and relieved for all the stress going on in your busy schedule.

Try these easy steps the next time you are just siting around. Plus, its easy and doesn’t take much time at all!

And you don’t even need to go to the gym!

Easy Steps to Energy:

1. Start with your right foot (shoes off) make circular mo-tions round and round about 25 to begin.

2. Then progress to your left foot doing the same mo-tion.

3. Next start with your legs, straighten them out and then bend, straighten, then bend do about 25 each leg.

4. Work with your wrists next making circular motion doing the same to both wrists about 25 times.

5. Work with your arm and shoulders doing first the right side then the left about 25 times.

6. Finally work with your head and neck make circular motions going to the right then to the left about 25 times each way.

7. When you have com-pleted set a few minutes and takes deep breaths pulling in deeply breathing out slowly for about five minutes.

Sarah VairaMirada Staff

Katherine CaseyMirada Staff

Empty water bottles lay after thirsty individuals con-sume, the essence of hydration.

Sarah Vaira/Mirada Staff

Baked Apples & Ice CreamIngredients:* 1 apple, cored * 2 tbsp. raisins * 1/2 cup light vanilla ice cream * pinch of cinnamon

Directions:1. Take a cored apple and cut it in half.2. Sprinkle raisins over the apple. 3. Place on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahr-enheit (176 degrees Celsius). 4. Remove the sheet from the oven and put a pinch of cinnamon over each apple half. 5. Place the ice cream over the apple halves.

-Katherine Casey

Healthysweettreat

Features Page 1605.29.09The Mirada

1. Change your Facebook status

Since Myspace seems to be a virtual ghost town, Facebook has quickly grown in popularity. Keep everyone of your friends list updated by keeping up with your Facebook status. I’m sure they’ll be excited to know you’re dying of heat stroke.

2. Get YouTube famousAs the digital age is grow-

ing, we document ourselves more and more to the point where everything and anything can be found on the internet.

Remember that video at that party? Well guess what, it’s on YouTube and your parents saw it.

3. Create a language and con-fuse your parents (Parent

permission)Don’t you hate it when you’re on the phone, talking to your best friend Shelly about that party where that video was shot and your mom is always listening in and trying to get the latest scoop? Not anymore Mom; when you make a secret language, your parents and other peeping toms will be left in the dark.

4. Get a cool dogYour mom always seemed

really stressed out after a long day at work and the fact that you won’t speak to her in English anymore is tearing her apart and turning those that full head of beautiful brown, a dull listless gray. Luckily it’s been found that dogs help lower stress levels. So mom can be self-conscious around her hu-man friends and find a lovely canine companionship with your new golden retriever.

5. Take a roadtrip (Parent permission)

It seems as though the dog plan worked too well and now you feel quite neglected. Seems like it’s a perfect time for you to rebel and go on that road trip you’ve always dreamed about.

6. Make a collage from maga-zines and books

Stranded without any gas in your car, money in your pocket or is nothing on TV? Well grab your mom’s nearest and dear-est Oprah magazine and start clipping away at the seemingly normal but secretly bizarre ads for Yaz and Loreal hair care products. Put these all together to create strange and somewhat frightening works of art.

7. StareOnce you’ve run out of

Oprah magazines and Jerry Springer, the sad realization that you are stranded in the middle of nowhere will hit you like a ton of bricks and lead you to

contemplate why you decided to alienate your mother with your made language and why you thought it was a good idea to get that golden retriever which would eventually replace you. Seems like a good time to just stare off into the universe and lose yourself as you slowly ponder your existence.

8. Dig a hole to bury a boxSo as dehydration and

hunger sets in, your situation seems bleak. Seems the only the only reasonable thing left to do is pack up all your remaining belongings and bury them, in hopes that when Mom comes searching you, that darn golden retriever will sniff out your meaningless belongings.

Wacky ways to spend those summer days

American Idols Live! Tour 2009 July 10 ARCO Arena $38-67 The Jonas Brothers World Tour August 4 ARCO Arena $27-87 Green Day August 24 ARCO Arena Warped Tour 2009 August 21; 12 p.m. Sleep Train Ampitheatre- Sacramento, CABands include: 3OH!3, Chiodos, Underoath, The White Tie Affair, Saosin, The Maine, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and more $33-38 No Doubt July 24 Sleep Train Amphitheatre - Sacramento, CA The Killers September 22 ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA

Death Cab For Cutie July 11 Greek Theatre - Berkeley, CA

Wilco, Okkervil RiverJune 27Greek Theatre - Berkeley, CA Beyonce’s I Am...TourJuly 9

ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA

Ganglians, Meth TeethJuly 14TBA - Davis/Sacramento, CA

Millions Brazilians, Carnal Torpor, Fake Lake, My Whole Hand Was WetMay 29FunCastle - Sacramento, CA

Barn Owl, Art Lessing & the Flower Vato, The FreebasersAugust 8The Hub - Sacramento, CA

Hearts+Horses, Lineland, Animal HospitalJune 7Luigi’s Fun Garden - Sacramento, CA

Paper Rad, Extreme AnimalsJuly 4-5FunCastle - Sacramento, CA

Religious Girls, Our Brother the Native, J. Irvin DallyJune 17FunCastle - Sacramento, CA

Double DaggerJune 3021 Grand - Oakland, CA

YanniJune 19ARCO Arena - Sacramento, CA

Wallpaper.July 25A to Z Greens, Sacramento, CA

Concerts worth attending this summer

Top: The Jonas Brothers perform at a concert in Sacramento last January. The talented trio will return to Sacramento this summer. Bottom: Art collective Paper Rad will perform music as Extreme Animals on July 4 at FunCastle and have an art show the day after on July 5 at an undecided gallery.

CHRISTIAN OLDHAM/Mirada Staff

MOLLY INGRAM/Mirada Staff

Christian Oldham & Jen CarterMirada Staff

Features 1705.29.09

Angels & DivasIf there is any movie

out right now that has the uncanny ability to capture an audience’s attention and hold it for over two hours, it is “Angels and Demons.”

The movie, starring Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer as Vittoria Vetra, brings a faster pace to the silver screen than its predecessor, The Da Vinci Code.

Hanks reprises his role as Robert Langdon with as much gusto and surprising amount of fun-facts as he brought to the screen before. He brings a good constistancy with him.

Although there are moments of history speeches, which seem necessary as a lesson for viewers who skipped reading the book, there is also a lot of action.

The story is based around Tom Hanks’ character, Robert Langdon, and his quest to save four Preferiti, which are the favored papal successors, at one hour intervals right after the other.

While also trying to save the lives of four elderly men, he also has to save the Vatican from exploding due to a robbery of a case containing

a small amount of antimatter that will destroy the city.

If all that wasn’t exciting enough, he has a female lackey, Vittoria Vetra, with him to keep him company throughout his excursion.

Her part in the story consists of Vetra accompanying Langdon to find her dead father’s lost journals and documents.

Vetra provides enough to be considered an integral part of the movie, integral being used loosely, but at some points she feels a bit out of place, as though she didn’t even need to be put in at all.

Although the movie

captures what it could out of a long book and into a two hour movie, some bits of the plot just didn’t seem to make it into the movie correctly.

In the novel, none of the Preferiti were able to survive the abductions, but this fact, among other little things, were not able to detract from the bigger picture, which was quite intense.

Considering how ridiculous the plot is, seeing as how Langdon gets every single clue presented to him, no matter how hidden or obscure, and how it would be quite difficult to connect the dots in time to even try to save the Preferiti in the one hour intervals, it is still very enjoyable.

At some parts, it really feels like a “What are the chances?!” kind of moment when Langdon uncovers some secret or mystery that could only be found considering his level of knowledge on the subject.

If viewers feel like they are missing a part of the experience, the book is a very good alternative to the movie, considering the missing chunks of action and plot, but the movie still does cover what it can in it’s allotted time period.

For anyone who felt an affinity towards The Da Vinci Code, then Angels and Demons is right up your alley.

Taking Back Sunday “New Again” - June 2nd TBS returns after the departure of back up vocalist and guitarist, Fred Mascherino. The band’s forthcoming album is set to make “breakthroughs in their sound,” says bassist Matt Rubano. He goes on to say, “On this record, we challenged ourselves to write the best songs we possibly could while trying new things in an effort to push the envelope in terms of what

it means to sound like Taking Back Sunday.”

Placebo “Battle for the Sun” - June 9th London alternative band that’s been making albums and EPs recently gained international success and releasing an album this june The full track list was announced on the band’s website in March 2009. It is the first album featuring the new drummer Steve Forrest.

Sonic Youth “The Eternal” - June 9th The noise rock band that was nearly killed by shoegaze in the early 80s, Sonic Youth, are to drop an album on June 9th. Hype for the new album is on high due to the band independently releasing The Eternal, due to conflict with their last label, and because the new album features collaboration done with former Led Zeppelin member,

John Paul Jones.Third Eye Blind “Ursa Major”

- June 23rd Alt band Third Eye Blind plan to return with an album this June after not having a fresh release since the 2003. Lead singer, Stephan Jenkins, claimed that the main reason for the album’s construction’s taking so long is due to problems with the lyrics. Hopefully, their comeback after being on hiatus for seven years, will do better than other alternative bands that have also recently returned from the 90s.

Blink 182 TBA – Summer 2009 After a four year hiatus, the skate punk/pop trio, Blink-182 are impatient to head back into the studio to record their comeback album. After their “break-up” Tom Delonge headed off to create Angels and Airwaves and Mark Hoppus took Travis Barker and made +44. At the last Grammys award show, Blink-182 disclosed information regarding their reformation.

Upcoming summer albums

(Conceptual album cover)

Jack SheldonMirada Staff

Carly McCuneMirada Staff

MOVIE REVIEW

Through the ‘Stars’ for you

Trekkies and newbie fans agree: “Star Trek” is an excellent adaptation of the original television series from the 60s.

Set before the original series, in which James T. Kirk has long been the captain of the USS Enterprise, the movie details Kirk’s rise through the ranks and the establishment of the crew featured in the television show.

Played by Chris Pine, James Kirk is humorous and clever, often adding comedic relief to scenes. However, Pine plays the role of a gutsy, commanding officer well and is able pull off riveting action scenes.

While the story focuses on

Kirk’s rise on the Enterprise, First Officer Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, is central to the story as his planet, Vulcan, is threatened by the Romulans.

Quinto’s performance as Spock is brilliant. Vulcans, known for their logic and level-headedness, rarely express emotion; however, underneath Spock’s stoic appearance, Quinto is able to convey Spock’s true emotions.

Fans of the television series will be happy to learn that Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, makes an appearance in the movie.

“Star Trek” features great actors and a riveting story, and can make a Trekkie out of anyone.

MOVIE REVIEW

Jenifer CarterMirada Staff

Length: 127 minutesDirector: J.J. AbramsActors: Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nemoy, Chris Pine

INFO

Lucky Dragons is probably one of my most favorite bands to see live.

Imagine every member in the audience being a part of the band and doing whatever they feel like with the tools they are given.

Well that’s the way you could describe a Lucky Dragons show, which beautifully translates into their full-length albums.

Luke Fishbeck and Sarah Rara are the two creative forces behind this whimsical group and show off their best efforts yet in their newest album, “Dream Island Laughing Language.”

The album has an effortless feel that combines both loops with harmonies and found sounds to create something that blurs the line between music and performance art.

Each song seems to carry a similar feel while seeming completely different. Different instruments and found sounds help create new musical

landscapes that almost seem to form short, childlike stories.

While many songs may not feel completely finished, Fishbeck’s descriptions of songs seems fit for the album and group as a whole.

He says that songs are “something that is completed once it is distributed and can come back in a changed form through a listening reaction.”

Lucky Dragons does a wondrous job in doing this and makes something completely unique and magical by taking the ordinary and applying it to their style of art to make it extraordinary.

A lot of music listeners often crave the familiarity of a continuing music style in a band, but they also look for something new that they haven’t heard before. So why not have both?

Death Cab For Cutie’s “Talking Bird” EP is made up of five songs that were discarded from the Narrow Stairs album.

The EP starts off with a catchy and upbeat song, “Little Bribes.” The sound feels a lot different compared to the melancholy undertones of the previous albums.

If you’re still craving the familiar side of Death Cab’s usual songs, “A Diamond and a Tether” has the slow and progressive feel of, “Cath...” while bumping it up a notch for the chorus to give it a little punch.

Most of the song’s lyrics have the lonely kind of aura with many references to being lost and forlorn. Although it might seem to have some sad and slow qualities to it, it is actually a nice

change to the deep bass-filled rave music that is usually on the radio.

All of the five songs complete each other without feeling as though one song is out of place. The drums, vocals and guitar generally work together very well and one doesn’t seem to be competing for more attention than the other.

Although the album may not be filled with songs that would get a new listener automatically hooked onto their alternative style, it is a great follow up for hardcore fans that are looking for more songs to whet their palates.

Daniel Lopatin strikes back in the Oneohtrix Point Never’s epic full length album “Zones Without People.”

Whenever I put this album on, I feel as though I’m back in the 80s wondering just what the future will be like.

I mostly imagine lots and lots of chrome and some sort of transportation system similar to the Jetsons. Over his last few releases, Lopatin has honed his craft in pure synthesizing and has created a vast range of sounds on this first full length.

Songs like “Format & Journey North” and the title song are beasts that would make any fan of Tangerine Dream and other synth related bands to praise Lopatin as the second coming of synth messiahs.

Not a song fails to amaze making “Zones Without People” by far the most on point and focused Oneohtrix Point Never release to date.

-Christian Oldham

SIDE B

Check out this ‘Talking Bird’ Let’s get ‘Lucky’

Mini music reviews for your listening pleasure

Christian OldhamMirada Staff

SIDE A

Mark McGuire hits a home run with his newest and quickly sold out release, “A Pocket Full of Rain.” McGuire has already established the fact that for a 20 year-old, he has already perfected the art and technique of minimalism.

Aside from working on his solo project, McGuire is also part of the band Emeralds, a group that combines both droning synthesizer and guitar to create a noisy yet full sound.

This newest two cassette release really is quite amazing. The first tape features two quality tracks, “Forecast,” and, “The Marfa Lights,” which both highlight McGuire’s fine and precise touch. The second tape features five more songs but seems to pale in comparison to the first tape yet still give off that perfect rainy day vibe. In the end, this release is a solid 50 minutes of minimalism at its finest.

-Christian Oldham

The new Dolphins into the Future LP “…On Sea-Faring Isolation,” is probably one of the most whimsical and fantastic albums I’ve heard this year.

Deep synthesized repetition creates and pure calm zone that engulfs listeners whole and puts them into a deep meditative trance.

The first track, “On the High Seas,” is a deep, deep track that features the same arpeggio repeating over and over again with some electronic experimentation in the background.

It slowly melds into the second track, “Lone Voyager,” which seems to take a more tribal feel. At the end of each song are the comforting sounds of the beach which slowly meld into the next dream-like track. Dolphins into the Future are quite the new new-age group that makes sure things stay interesting.

-Christian Oldham

Chris Forgues and Sakiko Mori combine powers to become cycle droners Daily Life. Forgues, whose last project, Kites, was known for creating glitch noise music without common electronics such as synthesizers.

Their first release, “Best of Relax-in Vol. 1” is available for free download at www.othernewthing.com.

Forgues and Mori use some tricks from Kites but mostly make a completely new sound that seems to build off of a simple repetitive sample.

Forgues likes to have nonsensical lyrics that seem to create a twisted and incomplete story.

The keyboards remind me of Wet Hair, probably because they both use Casio SK-1s in their setups, but other than that, Daily Life seems heading in the right direction.

-Christian Oldham

Iowa City’s Wet Hair has quickly become an essential part of the underground tape movement.

Their first full-length album “Dream,” released on the Los Angeles label Not Not Fun is by far one of their best releases yet. As any listener can hear, “Dream” is by far their most concise and well-rounded group of songs by far. Although the album is only 4 songs, it’s able to pull in the listener with the use of heavy repetition.

I often found myself thinking there were multiple songs as Shawn Reed and Ryan Garbes used the instrumental redundancy to create a sort of place where listeners could zone out and soak in the songs through osmosis.

After this release, I can only hope that the band goes farther and farther, increasing their repertoire for fans like me to enjoy.

-Christian Oldham

Features18 05.29.09

Sam Meringue has taken a break from his cleverly named project “Wingdings” and has decided to change his alias for this small release. At first listen I felt like I was driving aside a beautiful blue beach in my red convertible Delorean with a bodacious blonde. When asked how to describe this cassette, Meringue responded, “It’s like the music you hear when you’re put on hold when calling your cousin on Mars at Easter time.” Meringue couldn’t be more right; Matrix Metals is a total Miami Vice throwback as though you’re driving around ready to bust some coke dealers.

-Christian Oldham

SIDE TAPE

Carly McCuneMirada Staff

Welcome to the‘Matrix’

Features 1905.29.09

Stephanie Carpenter, 12

If you were stranded on an island, what would be the 4 things you would bring?My sister Sammy, toothbrush, water and grub.

What color eyes do you like for your guy?Green

Do have an embarrassing story?One time, I went to school in my pjs when it wasn’t pajama day

What’s the funniest pick-up line you’ve ever heard?If you were a booger, I’d pick you first

-Savannah Sterpe-Mackey

Dylan Block, 9

What’s the cutest thing a girl has done for you?Make me brownies/cake for my birthday

What is the best date you would take your girl on?Drive in at Applebee’s, then monster golfing

What is your biggest turn-off?When girls have man hands

What are your favorite pick-up line?Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.

-Savannah Sterpe-Mackey

Junior Kevin Jenco stands next to his Ford F-Series Pickup. The car was bought originally by his great grandfather and has passed through the generations of his family.

Name: Kevin JencoGrade: 11Sweet Ride: Ford F-Series Pickup What kind of car is this? 1948 3 Quarter Ton Pickup That’s 61 years old; do you like having this car? I love it. It’s the love of my life. More than food.

How did you get this car? It’s a family thing. My great grandpa gave it to my mom, who gave it to my aunt, who gave it to me. Is it harder to drive such an old car? No. But there’s hardly any headlights and I have to use the hand signals when I turn because it doesn’t have those lights either. But it can still go

up to 70 mph. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever carried in the back? 30 pounds of concrete. Do you plan to keep this car for a long time? Yes, it’s in really good condition; I take really good care of it.

-Jessie Shapiro

Bachelor and BacheloretteSweet rides of the issue

Alex McFall/Mirada Staff

In 1989, Belgium had a large surge in a new genre known as ‘New Beat’. “Yo-Yo” by the band Plaza, shows off the sheer creepiness of the people in the ‘New Beat’ movement and their cool coreo-

graphed dance moves.

Video of the month

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2v1vW8C6yQ

Principal rob hollingsworth shows off his prized 1965 Sunbeam Tiger which he bought from an alumni.

Name: Rob HollingsworthGrade: PrincipalSweet Ride: 1965 Sunbeam Tiger

What kind of car do you have? A 1965 Sunbeam Tiger What is your favorite feature? It’s V8 engine, which it has in common with a Shelby Cobra. How did you get the car?

I’d been looking for one for a couple of years, and I saw one in a driveway. I talked to the owner, who was actually an old student of mine. He was reluctant to sell, but I approached him later. I asked if he wanted to sell, and he said “sure”. Why did you get this particular car? I remember looking at them in the dealerships when I was a sophomore in high school.

Also, for the past three years, I’ve been going to historic sports car races. What’s the most memorable thing that has happened to you while driving your car? Running out of gas the first time I took my wife for a drive. That, and she got her clothes dirty from the seatbelt. Since then, she hasn’t been back in it.

-Alex McFall

Alex McFall/Mirada Staff

Year in ReviewStudents back Obama; reject Prop 4 and Prop 8 in Civitas mock election

(Oct. 24) Sen. Barack Obama got the vote of Rio students two weeks before the national election.

Reflecting recent national polls, students participating in the Ci-vitas election favored Obama 322 votes to 155 votes over his Repub-lican opponent, John McCain…

Students also voted for state proposition. Senior Alison Brown voted no on Prop. 8 “because gays should in fact be married and not just have civil unions.”

Senior Nathan Reynolds also voted no on Prop. 8.“People should be able to love people,”

Reynolds said.—By Molly Glascow and Kate Finegold

Rayburn sentenced to serve three years

(Nov. 21) Former history teacher Gregory Rayburn was sentenced to three years in country jail for 11 counts of annoying or molesting various minors and one count of sexual battery.

The victim stressed hat she har-bored no hostility.

“I want you to know, Mr. Ray-burn,” she said, “That I have for-given you. I see that you are sick and need help.” She concluded by saying that she is praying for him.

—By Tyler Allen

‘Foul’ finish in boys game against Bella Vista

(Mar. 6) What started out as an athletic feat for high school basketball has now turned into a nationwide sensation. Zach Na-thanson, one of the team’s most distinguished shooters, made 17 of the 18 penalty shots, causing the crowd to scream with enthu-siasm.

—By Molly Ingram

Kate Wilkins, 12, shows her support for candi-date Barack Obama.

Zach Nathanson, 11

Gregory Rayburn

Kicker boots school record 49-yard field goal(Oct. 24) Beneath a light drizzle blanketing a cold Friday night at Inderkum

High School’s stadium, senior Adric Jope kicked his way into the school record books with a 49 yard field goal from the left hash.

“Right before the kick they called a timeout to try to ‘ice’ me,” Jope said. “Ironically it gave me more time to warm up and get loose.”—By Austin Sprague

Jenna Scoggins, 9, and Katie Kilbourn, 12, sing ‘Lady Marmalade.’

Moulin Rouge impresses sell-out crowds(March) Play director and drama teacher Jesse Miller decided to direct

“Moulin Rouge” this year because she felt it would provide her with “more of a challenge.”

“I was considering a few comedies, but decided ‘Moulin Rouge’ suited my returning veteran actors,” Miller said.

—By Molly Ingram

‘08-’09 Review20 05.29.09

Energy audit may spark change

(Oct. 24) You know you have some work to do if you get an 8 percent on a test. Rio is fac-ing major work after a recent audit by the district and SMUD found the school to 92 percent inefficient in its energy use.

—By Alex McFall

Math teacher wants his summers back

(Oct. 24) Math teacher Wil-liam Dunkum III is dreaming of longer, sunnier summers. If the organization he supports suc-ceeds, the students could look forward to two more weeks of summer. A petition for legal action to lengthen summer has been circulating through schools and district offices, bound for the desks of legisla-tors.

—By Alex McFall

Radio & TV broadcasts on YouTube

(Oct. 24) Radio and TV is a new class that has evolved from previous years of TV broadcast-ing at school. The program ties together what teacher Thomas Sullivan has been working on for the past 10 years.

—By Meryl Balalis

New standards are shap-ing up PE

(Oct. 24) America is the most obese country in the world and childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. As a result of these rising obesity rates, stu-

dents must meet new standards for physical education.

—By Alex Kleemann and Alex Reinnoldt

“Oysterboy” production to cause a splash

(Nov. 21) Spotlights, stools and stands. When paired together only one thing comes to mind: the annual Reader’s Theater production.

—By Molly Ingram

Smith Retires as football coach

(Dec 18) After 23 years with the Rio football program, Mike Smith has resigned as head coach of the varsity team. In a speech delivered at the end-of-season football banquet, Smith stated that he would be leaving the position for good.

—By Alex McFall

UC to change admission policy

(Mar. 6) The University of California Board of Regents has approved sweeping new eligibility rules for students planning to apply to the nine campuses…The board stated that from now on SAT sub-ject tests will not be required for applicants. Also, only the state’s top 9 percent of high school graduates will be guar-anteed entry.

—By Molly Ingram

State crisis hits SJUSDDistrict faces $12.3M in cuts

(Mar. 6) Expect changes.This time it isn’t President

Obama asking us to change, but the state legislature demanding it. The new state budget cuts $11.6 billion from education to help eliminate $42 billion defi-cit. This isn’t the inspirational, eloquent kind of change Obama speaks of.

There can be no happy ending for our state, which is already well below the national average on per-pupil spending, while National Education As-sociation lists it as 29th based on different factors. The San Juan Unified School District is expected to make $12.3 million in cuts this year and $6 million next year.

—By Kate Finegold

Making noise for student musician

(Mar. 6) Erik Vanderheydt definitely stands out. The 5’9” senior usually wears T-shirts with logos of Nightwish, Dimmu Borgir and Ensiferum. But that’s not what gets him noticed.

He sings and has been rec-ognized for his talented piano and drums playing. Vander-heydt plays in two bands, Scar-let Sun and Red Wire Army.

—By Jack Sheldon

Cannabis may be new cash crop for California

(Mar. 6) In order to solve the state’s budget crisis, legisla-tors are considering legalizing, and heavily taxing marijuana. Students have mixed views on the proposal. If Assembly Bill 390 passes, marijuana would be legalized in California. It could be sold and taxed to adults 21 and over.

—By Tate Rountree

Loretto ladies look for new home

(Mar. 6) For those who have not been informed, Loretto High School, an all-girls private Catholic college preparatory school, will be closing at the end of this school year. There-fore, on Feb. 24, certain Loretto students who opted to consider a public education for next year toured our campus.

—By Molly Ingram

Seminar promotes aware-ness for girls

(Mar. 6) The success of Fareeha Nawaz’s senior Civitas

project, which was a breast, ovarian and cervical cancer awareness conference, has spurred talk among students. Nawaz put together this confer-ence to raise awareness, encour-age early detection and provide information about women’s cancer on a more personal level.

—By Sarah Vaira & Alex Kleemann

Students rely on Cal grant funds despite decrease

(Mar. 6) Many people forget that once the economy went down, so did many of the better things that the economy was supporting. One of those pro-grams was Cal Grants, which many students depend on. However, the money might be running out.

—By Carly McCune

Linemen recruited for col-lege football

(Mar. 6) Seniors Chad Tan-nenbaum and Pierce Burton have both been recruited to play college football. Each received a scholarship for sign-ing with the football program, Tannenbaum with Sac State and Burton with San Jose State.

—By Ben Egan

Academic Decathlon fin-ishes strong at regionals

(Mar. 6) At this year’s Aca-demic Decathlon, the Rio team placed fifth, the highest it has placed in twenty years. Teams compete in ten rigorous tests of knowledge based on a central theme - this year’s was Latin America. Teams were tested on music, art, literature, history, math, economics, evolutionary

biology, gave two speeches, participated in an interview and competed in the super

quiz, a game show style event.

—By Jenifer Carter

Every 15 Minutes (April 3) The day began

with a heartbeat. Pump, pump, pump. And then the heart flat-lined. The sound over the loud-speaker startled students even before the final bell rang for first period.

—By Hannah Shapiro

Hollingsworth retiring after 36 years as San Juan educator

(May 8) With the school year drawing to a close, someone un-expected is also preparing for graduation. Granted, he’s been here a little longer than the av-erage senior. Principal Rob Hol-lingsworth has announced his retirement with the simple rea-soning “’cause I’m old.”

—By Tyler Allen

Swim/dive teams win league titles

(May 8) After a three month season of practicing six days a week, swimmers won in all four divisions at Capital Ath-letic League Championships. Ten varsity swimmers received placement to the CAL All League Team, in recognition of their victories in certain swim events.

—By Alexis Shen

’08-’09 Review, Cont’dCoach Smith teaches junior Maayan Shenhar archery. Smith retired as football coach, but will remain to teach new PE standards.photo by Alex Reinnoldt

Principal Rob Hollingsworth, as the Grim Reaper, leads students onto the track for the Every 15 Minutes program in April.

‘08-’09 Review 2105.29.09

Senior22 05.29.09

Wrapping it up-senior style

And with the class of 2009, Party On! From the time the spot light illuminated the stage last Thursday night until the curtain came down on the entire 110 member cast as they danced in the finale, the 26th annual fashion show- the school’s biggest fundraiser-was a great success.

Seniors modeled clothes from boutiques that included Madame Butterfly, Serendipity and Sugar Shack. Other stores included Quicksilver, Urban Outfitters and David’s Bridal.

The show was comprised of eight scenes and although the show itself only last an hour, the senior models spent an intense two weeks learning dance steps from choreographer and Rio grad Lisa Schwann.

But the senior models didn’t mind

the long hours of practice. Weeks before graduation, and with nothing important left to do, the seniors enjoyed spending time together and bonding with classmates they hadn’t really known before.

“The most memorable part [of the fashion show] was bonding with people I don’t usually have a chance to talk to,” senior Andi Plaat said. “Watching everyone work it during rehearsals was a lot of fun, too.”

Even Senior Ball being the night before one of many rehearsals didn’t break the fashionistas’ focus. Seniors danced the “Night on the Nile” away at the Grand only to troop back in to Rio’s cafeteria as early as twelve the next Sunday.

-Kate FinegoldTop Left: The models in scene six, “Swing with Me Baby,” strike a final pose as Austin Spauge lipsynches to “Dancin’ Fool.” The scene kicked off with Kaity Dunlap lipsynching to “Swing with Me Baby” by Jessica Simpson. Top Middle: Kate Spare says a heartfelt farewell to her par-ents in scene seven, “hard to Say Goodbye.” Top right Above: Tyler Allen and Lilly Berrin get the party started with their witty banter before the main show began. Top right Be-low: (from left) Reid Baker, Jayne Auble, Danny Ford and Stacy Zol-nikov have some down-home, coun-try fun in scene two, “Boot Kickin’ Barnyard Bash.” right Top: elbert Shin jokes around with date, Taylor Oswalt, during Senior Ball. Shin was awarded the position of Senior Ball King later that night. Right Bottom: Seniors raise their hands in the air as they dance to the beat of “Sand-storm.” Not only were the outfits at the dance hot, but many seniors reported that the dance was one of the hottest ever, temperature wise, that they had attended all year. Far right: Colin Bodine jives with his date, Hannah Zanatto.

Photos by Alex McFall