December 2011

Giving to the homeless in a time of universal need>>p. 10-11

BCASE members volunteer at Santa Cruz Island>>p. 28-29

Artist of the month: Alex Delbar—singer, pianist, and actor >>p. 24

Big Time Rush visits North County Christian School>> p. 14

Volume 71 / 12.14.11 / Issue 4 The Student Newsmagazine of Paso Robles High School 801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, California

December 14, 2011Volum

e 71, Issue 3

Art of regifting

opinion

Mostly everyone has once recycled their paper, water bottles, and soda cans. But many have to recycle someone else’s ‘time and hard work’ this December. And it’s OK to do.

They'll be home for Christmas

world

Eight years and nine months after the war in Iraq began, American troops are coming home. President Barrack Obama is sending home almost all troops for Christmas, leaving less than 200 in Baghdad.

Queen of the court

sports

At 5’10’’, Heidi Wittstrom Sill looks like any ordinary high school basketball coach. But the former Division 1 Cal Poly basketball player and Bearcat star is far from average.

crimsonnews.orgCheck in for weekly blogs, sports coverage and an updated calendar of events. Click the “Your Idea” tab to submit suggestions for topics you’d like to see covered

web

Cupcake Corner

ON THE COVER: The holiday hands of generosity offer a glimpse of December cheer. Learn more about teens’ giving

habits on pages 18-19. Graphic illustration by Kim Boswell.

Phot

o by E

mily

Con

e.

02 | Crimson 12.14.11 www.crimsonnews.orgPaso Robles High School

Contents

Seeing the holiday cakes come around campus reminds students that even a simple baked good brought about by a stranger is a symbol of the random tokens of joy brought about by the holiday season of giving.

Co n s t r u c t i o n

03 Crimson 12.14.11 |www.crimsonnews.org Paso Robles High School

NewsOhles updateNEXT

While it’s usually boys getting butterflies as they approach asking their potential dates, at PRHS the tables have turned.

The Jan. 28 dance, hosted by Leadership in the gym, will be semi-formal and “Sadie Hawkins” themed, meaning that girls will have to ask boys to be their date instead of vice versa. The first Sadie Hawkins in recent years, senior Leadership student Noel Aschenbrener said they hope students have fun with the idea and enjoy “something a little different from Prom.”

Although the fresh ideas are now flowing, PRHS hasn’t actually had a winter formal in three years. ROP coordinator Denise Conte, who taught the leadership class from 2004 to 2010, said that dances at PRHS had “died out” in past years, leading to the events being cancelled.

“We thought kids might have stopped coming because the dances were held in the gym,” Conte said, “but the very last one we had in 2009 was held in the ballroom above McClintock’s. Hardly anyone showed up still.”

Some students had been led to believe that formals had been canceled due to school budget cuts and the district’s inability to afford a more costly dance. While Conte admits that off-campus formal dances can range from $1,500 to $15,000 in facility costs, she says that it was the lack of attendance that was the driving force in the cancelations.

It has only been recently that dances as a whole have come back in popularity.

“We felt like the morale of the school has made a turn for the positive,” Leadership teacher Jennifer Bedrosian said. “We want to give the students something else to be excited about and an event to attend.”

To encourage sales, Leadership decided to lower ticket prices and allow freshman and sophomores to attend.

With a new surge in popularity, PRHS hopes to bring some light and fun into the second trimester. And for 2012, formal dances are being whisked back in on the winter winds.

Winter wonderland wows again

Trimester trends

Formal dances come back to campus

What classes are students taking?

by Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

A new trimester has brought new trends in class counts. We asked five experts in the PRHS elective scene about what they are seeing as Trimester 2 ends its third week.

“Spring trimester of Ag Leadership was cut this year because of lack of enrollment.”

Counselor Sandy Buck-Moyer

FFA Teacher Mark Clement

“Ceramics always has the most enrollment requests ev-ery year. Usually the same classes are popular. But some years, freshman who register in eighth grade get on a kick and all take a certain class. Last year they all wanted weights and Life fitness which are great classes until they realized that they had to take it with regular PE.”

{{ {{

“We usually run 36-38 students in concert choir and the number we lose just depends on the trimester. For instance, this trimester, eight students went to another class, but also eight new students came into concert choir. Period six Advanced Choir has a stable enrollment of 46 students.”

{{

{{

{{

{{

Intro for grade 9: 28-30 students

Auto 1 for grades 10-12: 28-30 students


ROP Auto for grades 11-12: 28 students

Choir Teacher Mary Schmutz

by William Ford, Business Team

Au t o C l a s s

Crimson CorrectionsIn the October issue, Crimson incorrectly printed the total income of last year’s Grad Nite party, which was

$4,405.90 for ticket sales, fund raisers, and donations. In the November issue, the Crimson feature about undercover cigarette and tobacco stings incorrectly printed

what undercover youth are paid, which is $5 for each store they visit. Hired teens also receive food coupons for each day of work, and travel money for visits out of the area. Safety is a major concern, according to S.T.A.K.E. officials.

The tradition of “Sadie Hawkins” dances comes from the American comic strip by Al Capp, Li’l Abner. In print for over 40 years, the hillbilly-themed story featured a “homely” character named Sadie Hawkins. The daughter of the town mayor, she was 35 years old and unmarried, desperately looking for a husband. In order to get his daughter out of the house, the mayor declared a “Sadie Hawkins Day,” during which all of the town’s bachelors would footrace Sadie – and the first man she caught would be forced into marriage.

The idea evolved over the years. Starting in 1939, 201 colleges held full “Sadie Hawkins Days,” where the campus boys would line up and be chased by the girls. It turned into a female-empowering event far before the feminist movement even began and grew in popularity. The term is now used to describe dances where girls are expected to ask boys to be their date, as opposed to the traditional guy-ask-girl.

Sadie Hawkins “legend”E X T R A

Intro for grade 9: 28-30 students



ROP Auto for grades 11-12: 28 students

PRHS driver’s education teacher Wally Ohles cheered the girls varsity water polo team pool side, on Oct. 29, while with smiles and optimism he is recovering from a diabetes related health issue.

Parents, students and friends greeted the casually dressed small town legend and reminisced about old times, while Ohles’ comical jokes kept them chuckling.

Ohles previously had a “diabetic episode” where he had to be rushed to the Twin Cities hospital. Once released, he relocated to Atascadero’s Danish Care Center after which he was released home.

Having a minor health setback, Ohles was sent to the health care facility in Paso. Ohles explained that “doctors are doing a good job,” and he is headed home around the middle of December.

“[The health care facility] is a wonderful place, but not home,” said Ohles, elaborating further, “home has everything I love.”

Ohles has owned his home since 1985, where he treasures memories and history; old yearbooks, photographs of students and their alumni parents. The boys’ water polo team and other volunteers conducted some improvements in Ohles’ home during late August, replacing floors and cleaning up. Former security guard Noreen Bridge, assistant principal Ed Brown, Bearcat mom Priscilla Young, and district employees are just some of the figures in the community that have fundraised, gotten volunteers, and made improvements on Ohles’ home.

“It hits me in the heart, I usually weep” said Ohles thankfully, “I have that lifelong desire to teach, and help people, can’t believe it’s enough that they want to do it in return.”

Ohles has been part of the bearcat family since 1968, when he started teaching world geography. For the past 43 years, Ohles has been a substitute, a drivers education teacher, a mentor and, most importantly, someone who can always be counted on to have a cheerful smile.

“Whenever he sees a player or a student he brightens up, and he never loses his smile,” water polo player Noah Norton said. Norton also revealed it had become a pre-game ritual to get a hug from Ohles, the “number one fan.”

Despite his health struggles, Ohles has attended all six home boys’ water polo games, including one away game at Atascadero. Young, Ohles’s friend of four years, has been “chauffeuring” him to some of his favorite PRHS sport events, specifically water polo and even a block party.

“He loves to run into former students and sees people who know him wherever he goes,” said Young about Ohles’s footprint on Paso Robles.

Ohles hopes to continue to recover in his newly enhanced home, and continue to support PRHS.


PREVIOUS

NewsWinter formal

Beloved teacher on road to recoveryby Maria Petiy, Reporter

Graphic by Ryan Morrison

Jolly Wally update

Whenever he sees a player or a student he brightens up, and he never loses his smile —Noah Norton, 11

”

How many college hopefuls will receive the magic eight letter word in their mailbox from their dream school? Check out these college acceptance rates.

—Brielle Silletti, Business Team

Accepted

Stanford: 7%Harvard: 7%Yale: 8%

UChicago: 19%

Northwestern: 23%

UCLA: 33%

CSU Fresno: 56%ASU: 87%CSU Chico: 57%

Duke: 16%

Julliard: 8%

CSU San Fran.: 68%MIT: 10%

UC Berkeley: 22%

NYU: 38%

UCSB: 46%Princeton: 9%

USC: 24%UFlorida: 43%

UBoston: 58%

Brown: 9%Cal Poly: 33%

UTexas: 47%

Cornell: 18%

For more college

acceptance rates,

visit collegeboard.

com. All percentages

gathered from

college board.com

Photos by Maria Petiy and Carly McCall

Soon Monopoly players won’t be the only citizens obsessed with “Free Parking.” Parking meter plans created by the Paso Robles City Council may leave citizens to feel the same adoration.

“There is not really a parking space shortage, but rather a parking time limit problem,” Mayor Pro Tem John Hamon said.

Parking affects businesses and customers, while wallets may soon be affected as well. Meters will discourage employees from parking in spots that should be reserved for customers, and therefore increase the number of times a new spot is available by 10-15 percent with the Downtown Parking Management Plan approved on Mar. 25, 2008.

Kim Handel, manager of Apropos boutique, is aware of the shortage of parking, especially being directly across from Park Cinemas Movie Theater. Handel specifically parks a block away from the corner store to ensure customers have parking spaces closer to the store.

“I always hear people complaining about how there’s no parking at all,” said Jenay Gardner, manager of the downtown clothing store Kahunas. Gardner is not personally worried about her own employees’ parking, as there are spaces available behind the store and an employee parking lot down the street. She does claim, however, that the town doesn’t have a set way of imposing these so-called employee parking lots because no laws are enforced.

Not formerly discussed in a meeting yet,

Hamon wishes to turn Railroad St. into a one-way road with long-term meters and diagonal parking spaces for employees.

For now, there is only a plan to install pay stations that will charge different rates based on the time of day and parking duration. The systems cost about $500,000 to manage, but the town hopes to make up this amount through parking rates.

The City Council has not yet directed Ed Gallagher, Community Development Director, to go ahead with implementing this plan due to the current economic downturns the businesses and town alike are facing.

Parking problems are not new to Paso Robles as seen with studies in 2002 and 2005 that show there are approximately 2,968 spaces downtown, but not in the areas where demand is highest. Studies show the most demand was for spots located on 13th St. and 14th St., Riverside St., 10th St. and Vine St.

The council believes that they wouldn’t be able to raise enough revenue to cover costs at this time, and are focused on spending present funds on road repairs, until the town begins to see a change financially.


by Brielle Silletti, Business Team

Feed the meter. Don’t feed the birds. Parking meter plans circulate in City Council

Guilty verdict in trial after Jacob Keller’s death

Just as a child gets excited when choosing a fresh room in a new house, over 15 teachers have enjoyed the same opportunity by moving into the new or revamped classrooms throughout the campus.

Some teachers have already started moving, including science teachers such as Anthony Overton and Mark Fairbank, who were hard at work along with student volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 3, Fairbank moving back into his original room and Overton moving out of his room of two years and into a brand new one. Fairbank bounced around his newly revamped room with excitement, organizing his many teaching materials in the cupboards and adjusting shiny red stools.

“Up until now, I’ve been moving around. We were in four different classrooms in as little as eight days. Sometimes I couldn’t find things, and it was a real pain to drag stuff all over. I am just elated,” Fairbank said.

Construction and computer students have already set up shop in the remodeled 400 and 600 Wings, and a dozen teachers are sorting out who will be where in the 1000 building that overshadows the central quad.

The move-in vibe was palpable in an English Department meeting on Nov. 2, when department members discussed room, window, and other preferences, a foreign and exciting question for most teachers who have inherited old rooms for decades—or watched major construction and upheaval since the end of the last school year.

“Teachers were asked if they preferred to have an upstairs or a downstairs room. With that information, the principal and I assigned rooms,” explained English department chair Heather Stover, who worked with principal Randall Nelson to help plan.

The English 1000 Wing, centered on campus, will also house two health teachers, an athletic training room for Todd Olivera’s students, and a room for the PE classes to use when needed.

Teacher Aaron Cantrell is looking forward to being in close proximity with fellow English teachers.

“I think it’s amazing we’ll all be in the same building. Synergy is when the sum of a group of people is greater than the individuals by themselves. I think the synergy will be high,” said Cantrell.

Stover said increased collaboration will not only benefit the teachers.She cited significant growth in CST, AP, EAP, and CAHSEE scores and concerted efforts to increase the rigor of the curriculum.

“Having us all in the same building will make these conversations a little easier,” she said.

The shuffling and reorganizing of the critical individuals who guide our high school students to graduation sends a comforting feeling of new beginnings into the air. Paso High teachers’ excitement about their new teaching homes are sure to be shared by students in the coming months as the plans of new placements become a reality.

New rooms, fresh teaching environment

Giddy teachers begin moves into completed classrooms

by Clarisse Dart, Blind Date Co-Editor

An accident on Oct. 3, 2010 ruptured the Keller family’s daily lives as they patiently, and painstakingly, awaited the jury verdict to bring justice for their son Jacob Keller’s death. The two week trial against Jennifer Anne Chill, 46, of Paso Robles, reached a guilty verdict on Nov. 21, 2011 despite Chill’s plea of not guilty to the felony charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and the original hung jury. The judge assessed the jury’s issue and brought them back to terms of the evidence presented in court.

“It’s always nerve racking waiting on the verdict because you always know more than the jury,” said Scott Keller, Jacob Keller’s father. “I’m happy with the verdict. It’s just hard, knowing that she had no remorse for what she had done, her attitude never changed after the accident. She never apologized or felt guilty for her actions. She believed that she was not guilty.”

Chill allegedly struck a truck driven by Keller on Serenade Drive in Paso Robles at about 8:15 p.m. while driving a Pontiac Sunfire, according

to the Tribune. Keller was ejected from the GMC truck and died at the scene. A passenger in Keller’s vehicle, Nolan Martinez, suffered severe bruising to his internal organs but survived the accident.

“She said she was driving by, but didn’t think she’d collided with the vehicle,” Officer Jon Tatro testified during a court session.

Chill’s blood-alcohol level reportedly tested at 0.19 percent, more than twice the legal driving limit. Chill will be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2012.

Justice served for Jake

by Nikianne Ochoa, Reporter

News

Blood Drive

Mayor Pro Tem John HamonPhoto by Brielle Silletti Graphic by Shanna Dowling

Photo by Clarisse Dart

NEXT

I AM ONE (top): Seniors Stephen Macharia, Brandon Penn, Jordan Balson, Amanda Zimmerman and Terri Meeks show off their shirts after opening a vein

CHARITABLE GRIP (left): Senior Morgan Murphy clenches his fists as he donates blood on Dec. 2 in Bearcat Hall


PREVIOUS

NewsParking meters

Students had a bloody good time donating blood to the United Blood Services in Bearcat Hall on Dec. 2. Among the blood-givers was sophomore Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg, whose blood had been dripping into a water bottle-sized bag for 30 minutes when he commented that his left arm “felt a little weird.”

“I have to squeeze a ball every four seconds,” he said, donating out of a simple to desire to

help his fellow humans. “Other than that, it’s really not bad at all.”On average, 50 pints of blood are collected a day, according to

Barbara Wright, a blood drive employee. The blood given at the drive will go to the five million people who require blood transfusions nationwide each year, a holiday gift that will last for a lifetime.

Wright, who reviews paperwork and checks student eligibility, has been involved in the drive for five years and loves feeling like she’s “doing something for humanity.”

“Throughout the drive there’s generally a good feeling, because everyone’s coming together to help out,” she said. “If people didn’t come in and give blood, those who need it couldn’t have it.”

Beside Wright at the check-in desk, Chris Pool, celebrating his two-year anniversary of working for the drive, reflected on the rewarding experience he has had in facilitating a “tangible contribution to humanity.”

The two employees encouraged wary students to give donating a try.

“It’s important for students to investigate for themselves, and not just go off of what another student said,” Wright said. “I want students to realize how important donating really is.”

As Jansen van Rensburg gave the squishy ball another squeeze, he urged his fellow students that “the needle only lasts about two seconds, and it’s not as bad as you think.”

Donating blood is not in vein

“Hello pen pal,” the letter begins. “My name is Ataguriga Felicia. I come form Sirigu which is in Upper East Region in Ghana. I hope by the grace of our almighty God you are fine, as I am also doing well over here.”

This is only one of 40 pen-pal letters from Peace Corps volunteer Sonia Slavinski’s students in Ghana, South Africa, to Paso Robles High School teacher Geoffrey Land. Slavinski, a 2007 PRHS graduate, teaches teens ranging from ages 14 to 18 in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Science teacher Gaylene Ewing, also involved with the Ghana letters, and Land both hope that the pen-pal communication will eventually blossom into a lasting friendship. “I write, you write, and

then a relationship is established,” Ewing said. Land, who was a Peace Corps volunteer in

Grenada from 1984-86, added that he hopes “the letters can serve as a bridge between two very distant cultures.”

“I think it will help expand students’ awareness about students in other countries and realize there’s a big, amazing world out there, waiting to be explored and appreciated,” Land said.

In addition to the anticipated 200 reply letters, Land and Ewing plan on sending National Geographic magazines, science posters, and other materials to enhance Slavinski’s teaching, and would appreciate donations to help cover the postage cost.

Correspondence across hemispheresPRHS students communicate with students in Ghanaby Analia Cabello, Reporter

by Kathryn Wingfield, Co-Editor-in-Chief

50 pints of blood a day

0

10

20

30

40

WHO: Paso High School and Sonia Slavinski’s students from Ghana

WHAT: Exchanging letters as global pen pals

WHEN: November to the FutureWHERE: Paso Robles to GhanaWHY: To form new connections and learn about the

world

Paso Robles High School

801 Niblick Rd.

Paso Robles, CA 93446

!~~~~ ~~~~~~~~


FeatureWho are they?NEXT

With sweat dripping down his skin, the California sun glimmered off senior Noe Cornejo’s forehead at Camp San Luis Obispo—home of the California National Guard. After waking up in the barracks at the Grizzly Youth Academy, having personal hygiene time, and spending a few hours in the classroom, Cornejo found himself being ‘smoked’ on a black tar parking lot. To the cadets of Grizzly Youth Academy, ‘smoked’ means extra physical pain as in pushups, running in place, bear crawls and squats for an extreme amount of time.

When Cornejo first stepped onto PRHS campus at the beginning of his sophomore year in 2009, he never could have g u e s s e d what would be yelled

at him nine months later by a sergeant during

the extreme fitness program.

“He yelled in my face, invading my p e r s o n a l

bubble by saying ‘Oh

Mr. Tough

Guy over here! Well, you were around [the cadet who got in trouble]! Just like out on the streets! You’re around a crime your buddy is doing and your a** is gonna get caught up too cause you don’t want to ‘snitch’. Well, guess what? Your buddy over there and you just caused yourselves two hours of physical pain! And if you don’t like it, the GATE IS RIGHT OVER THERE! Quit!’ Then my eyes got watery,” Cornejo reflected.

It’s been three years since that grade ten phase and Cornejo has changed his life around. But his joyous senior year consisting of ‘dream schedule’ classes like TA and ROP Careers with Children, wasn’t the life he had a year and a half ago.

According to the general public, Grizzly sergeants are hard-headed and physically-demanding of the cadets, so Cornejo knew what he was getting himself into.

After attending PRHS for only nine months, Cornejo attended Grizzly for the first time on Jul. 17, 2010. With behavioral issues surfacing and a lack of credits, Cornejo entered into Grizzly with hopes that someone would straighten him out.

“[I] would be in juvie right now if it wasn’t for Grizzly,” Cornejo said, who stayed at the Grizzly campus for five and a half months. “It made me a lot happier [about] myself. I felt like I finally accomplished something good in life that wasn’t illegal,” Cornejo said.

As for the effectiveness of Grizzly, Cornejo feels that it has served it’s purpose. “I’ve caused one problem since I came back

[to PRHS] and I regret it really bad [be]cause it was definitely not worth it and everything Grizzly had taught me I totally ignored it,” 18 year old Cornejo said.

“But after I was suspended and got home, I realized everything was stupid and definitely not worth it.

I’ve pretty much stayed out [of] trouble since then.”

One thing that has gotten Cornejo through it all is an art he is known across campus for: dancing.

“There’s something about [him] dancing that makes you click into a whole other

world, and I can see that he’s in that place when he dances and I cant help but smile,” said Senior Zoe Ruz, who says Cornejo is all smiles whenever he dances. “He’s been a longtime friend of mine, and when he starts dancing and clicks in to that place its like he’s on top and anything else he might be going through doesn’t matter at that moment. He’s free.”

“I dance to let my emotions out. When I’m mad, I krump. When I’m mellow, I dance to dubstep. When I’m happy ‘I hit my cat daddy while I dougie.’ When I’m sad I dance to slow songs [from artists like] Alicia Keyes, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Mary J. Blige. It’s my favorite thing to do,” Cornejo said, who’s been dancing ever since the movie You Got Served came out in 2004.

Cornejo has dreams bigger than just dancing all over SLO County. He wants to perform professionally for ‘big time’ artists such as Tyga or Wiz Khalifa. Yet if that doesn’t work out, he plans to most likely be a CHP officer. He then plans to transfer to being a U.S. Marshall, for the sake of protecting people.

“A lot of my family members and the people of Mexico’s lives are basically controlled by [the Mexican mafia]. The U.S. Marshalls handle a lot of that stuff,” Cornejo said, whose grandfather was abducted by the mafia, which increased his desire to pursue the career. “Plus they get a lot of action and I would just love to be a part of an organization that big and actually be someone important in life,” Cornejo said.

The toughness impacted into Cornejo by Grizzly has now set him on the path to the person he really desires to be.

“[The experience of Grizzly] made me realize that school was not a joke and to appreciate the little things in life like waking up at seven in the morning instead of five while having whistles blown in your ear [as your alarm clock],” said Cornejo, who is now on his way to graduating on time, something that had not been absolute two years ago.

Cornejo is no longer stuck between a rock and a hard place. With a broad and bright future ahead of him, he’s moved on from barracks to boundless possibilities.

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Managing Editor

Senior turns his life around in under a year

153 days

Photos by Kim Boswell

| Crimson 12.14.11

PREVIOUS

FeatureNoe Cornejo

Teachers’ hobbies revealedby Summer Volle, Blind Date Co-Editor, and Sara Bourgault, Health Co-Editor

Subject: BIOLOGYYears teaching at PRHS: 1Hobby: PHOTOGRAPHY “I have always been fascinated by photography. When visiting an art gallery, that is the first section I go to and I can’t help but get sucked right into the image. My grandfather, whom I never got to meet, was also a photographer and looking through old boxes of his work seemed to help me get to know the kind of person he was. As my love for this art and awesome techie camera gear grew, I branched out into photographing people...and the world!

Subject: PSYCHOLOGY, MODERN WORLD HISTORYYears teaching at PRHS: 13Hobby: SURFING, BIKING, RUNNING, CLIMBING, MUSIC “I’ve been surfing since I was about ten, growing up in La Jolla. I try to get out as much as possible, which isn’t enough. I surf a 6’1” fish.

I also like to bike commute home from school—I live in SLO—several days a week. I hope to ride about 3,000 miles this school year. Students are always welcome to ride along!

I’ve been getting into running again recently, and plan to run the Boston Marathon this coming April. I qualified by running the Santa Rosa Marathon in August (3:09). I still can’t keep up with the varsity cross country team, though! I like to rock climb and summit mountains, mostly during the summer. This past summer I climbed some amazing cliffs in Cuba with my family. I also climbed the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney (a roped climb) and the East Ridge of Mt. Russell (no ropes). This coming summer I plan to climb the Snake Dike route up Half Dome in Yosemite, and do some canyoneering (repelling down slot canyons) in Utah.

I also am in a band, called Impromptu, playing trumpet and percussion. We play occasionally at local coffee houses, wineries, and dive bars, where we try to stay out of the bar fights.”

Subject: GENERAL ART, DRAWING, AND PAINTING

Years teaching at PRHS: 19Hobby: PAINTING “I like to create oil paintings

right now—small ones. I have to put a time constraint on how long I spend on them other wise I’ll never finish. It turns making a picture into kind of a race requiring

a loosening of control, which allows for some fun accidents. Deciding which ones to keep is the

real art. I suppose it is also how I live my life. I love seeing what students come up

with when they do art, even if it is a simple short contour drawing.

Each one is different and amazing.”

Kelly Clark

Photos by Aiden Farrel and Shannon O’BrienPaso Robles High School

Sean PierceSubject: AP ENGLISHYears teaching at PRHS: 11Hobby: WRITING MUSICALS “The idea to convert Hamlet into a musical developed over the course of about ten months. In the fall of 2009, I was sitting down at the piano, pondering Hamlet’s “To be, or not to

be” soliloquy (my Honors English classes were reading Hamlet at the time). Within half an hour, a melody had joined the words

seemingly seamlessly. ‘That’s weird,’ I thought. It was as if the song was meant

“to be!” Not long after, I wanted to see if I could repeat the “trick”

with Hamlet’s first soliloquy (“O, that this too too solid flesh ...”). It took a little longer than the other soliloquy, but the notes eventually found the words, or vice versa, and I now had two songs based on the most famous play in the English language.

Pretty cool, but what can I do with two songs? As it

turns out, nothing. For the next nine months, I was too busy being a teacher, parent, and spouse to even ponder the notion of converting Shakespeare’s longest play into a musical. But in the middle of July, I found myself with enough time and energy to ponder the impossible.”

www.crimsonnews.org

Geoffrey Land

Profession confessions

08

Gaylene Ewing


TravelGiving to the homelessNEXT

Travel

BLUBBER BUDDIES: Elephant seals relax on Cambria’s shores. Over

3,000 seals arrive on the beach in March, the

height of seal season, and can weigh up to 2.5 tons. Photos by Amanda Hutchinson and

Megan Rodrigues

Despite their name, the elephant seal isn’t an animal that lives in Africa, has a flipper and the skills to balance a ball on their trunk. In reality elephant seals are rare mammals that weigh up to 5,000 pounds are most commonly recognized by their prominent, flopping nose.

These blubbery animals flop onto Cambria’s shore from December to March for birthing, molting, breeding and rest. First to arrive are the females.

Although elephant seal viewing points are rare, the Central Coast is host to these larger than life mammals for four months of the year. Vista Point Four, commonly known as Elephant Seal Vista Point, is dedicated completely to the peaceful observation of the seals.

“I like how it is a chance to see [the elephant seals] in their natural habitat, [you get to see] actually how they act. Also, people can enjoy them without them being caged up in something like a zoo,” junior Amber Eye said who visited the elephant seals in 2009.

Located approximately 33 miles from Paso Robles, and off of Highway One, a work in progress since 2004 resides. As elephant seal organizations gain funding, the most prominent of which is the Friends of the Elephant Seals, new walkways are constructed, the most recent of which was established in Dec. 2010.

“[The] Elephant seals were hunted for their blubber nearly to extinction, but the recolonization of Piedras Blancas [elephant seal rookery] in 1990 is testament to the perseverance of nature,” according to writer Laura Lavington of trazzler.com.

The elephant seals are a growing tourist attraction, and even friends to others.“It’s a way to connect with nature and see it really up close. It’s very fascinating, some people are

interested just in the spectacle of it and others are interested in the biology,” said Diane Mason, Friend of the Elephant Seals docent since 2000.

Mason finds a personal connection to Vista Point through her history of visiting the seal sanctuary.

“[My husband and I] would come here and were absolutely fascinated by [the seals] and [we] wanted to learn about them. Neither of us were marine biologists, but it was just really fascinating….at that time the president of the organization told us ‘hey maybe you guys should sign up to be docents’, so we did,” Mason said and laughed as she recalled the memory.

The number of elephant seals fluctuates through the season, and can reach up to 3,000 individual seals during molting in March. An exact number of human visitors is unknown, but docents have recorded having personally spoken with over one million people since the Friends of the Elephant Seals began in 1997.

“This is mother nature in action. This is like being in a National geographic movie. You can stand here and see Mother Nature up close like this, it’s truly spectacular,” Mason said.

Tourists can view the seals in their actual habitat, from observing the mother seals give birth to watching the 2.5 ton male seals fight.

Siblings, Stephanie and Allen Smith both agreed that the male elephant seals were larger than they could imagine.

“The male elephant seal fighting is so cool,” Allen Smith said.Whether the peculiarity of the elephant seal nose is intriguing, or the biology of the area, these

seals make sure to hold their ground as a growing tourist attraction on the Central Coast.

Jewels of the Central Coast

— Megan Rodrigues, Co-Editor-in-Chief, and Amanda Hutchinson, Managing Editor

Graphic by Ryan Morrison


PREVIOUS

EditorialElephant seals

by Shanna Dowling, Managing Editor

As trees are decorated and lights are tacked up inside homes throughout the city, many of our fellow humans are fighting the cold of winter, and the chill of human hearts—a dispirited financial picture—in attempts to have a holly jolly Christmas despite lack of concern from the general population—leaving many to resort to tragic and homeless measures.

Thirty-six year old Robert Mcguire pointed across the Albertsons parking lot on Sunday, Nov. 27 to the nearby Wendy’s. That is where he sleeps each night, in a tent, without the support of family members or friends, trying to get by on food stamps and an average of 30 donations a day—be it a blanket, food, cash, or a smile.

“I see there’s a lot of generosity here,” Orange County native Mcguire said, though he sees the malevolent side of human nature from time to time as well. “Some people yell at me to ‘Get a job!’ They don’t realize how hard it is. Look at the papers—even the most qualified people can’t get them.”

Mcguire, homeless from 1997-1999 and more recently from 2009 to the present, struggles with the loneliness of his situation and reliance on the unreliable disposition of grocery shoppers and passersby, whose indifference and lack of generosity plague his sense of hope.

“I’m half and half right now [as to whether things will improve for me]. No matter how hard I try to keep with the right mind set, something negative always happens in my life,” he said.

Thirteen hundredths of a mile away on the corner of Niblick and South River Road, Eric Barnes feels the weight of negative perceptions and turns of cheek that has swallowed up humanity even during the

Christmas season.“I don’t get any compassion,” Barnes said. “I can’t understand it,

but people don’t seem to be sensitive anymore. I’m about 40, never married, no kids—I got the [short] end of the stick and that’s the way it is.”

Barnes is a nomad, “just passing through,” who has been without a home for seven years with no hope of reconstructing his life, where even daydreaming is “a burden” because he feels he’s already past the age where a fresh start is conceivable.

Yet the vast majority drive right by people like Barnes and Mcguire every single day—on their way to work, on their daily coffee run, on a trip to the supermarket—like they’re some sort of diseased animals. When did society become so frigid and self-centered that ignoring human need has nestled its way into the daily routine?

There is a mounting misconception of the needy as ‘lazy’ and ‘vice-ridden,’ when the reality is: there are times when situations can become so unfortunate, that accepting public handouts is the only way to ensure survival.

“I would say [giving to the homeless is] more compassionate than anything. Mostly because giving a homeless person a couple of dollars isn't going to get them off of the streets, but it can help them survive another day,” junior Joey Salinas said.

Is giving money to the homeless an act of compassion or one that keeps them dependent on

handouts? Crimson Staff votes.

Compassion: 24

Dependence: 8

Photo by Kelly Munns

Kim BoswellFront Page Editor

Dakota ClelandOpinion Editor

William FordBusiness Team

Angela LorenzoReporter

Ryan MorrisonGraphic Designer

Josh OrcuttSports Co-Editor

Courtney ThompsonA&E Editor

Sara BourgaultHealth Co-Editor

Clarisse DartBlind Date Co-Editor

Ken GurneySci-Tech Co-Editor

Megan LuthFood Editor

Kelly MunnsEditorial Editor

Maria PetiyReporter

Summer VolleBlind Date Co-Editor

Analia CabelloReporter

Nicola DavazReporter

Daniel HippSci-Tech Co-Editor

Sydney MattesonArt Director

Olivia MusialIn-Depth Editor

Sinead SchoutenSports Co-Editor

Sarah WilsonFeature Co-Editor

Laura CallahanHealth Co-Editor

Aidan FarrellReporter

Jonathan KischWorld Editor

Carly McCallPhotographer

Nikianne OchoaReporter

Brielle SillettiBusiness Team

Shanna DowlingManaging Editor

PrintNews Editor

Emily ConeManaging Editor

PhotographyPhoto Essay Editor

Amanda Hutchinson

Managing EditorWeb

Center Co-Editor

Kathryn WingfieldCo-Editor-in-ChiefIn-Depth Co-Editor

Megan Rodrigues

Co-Editor-in-ChiefCenter Co-Editor

newsmagazineStudent Journalism at Paso Robles High School


EditorialFood traditionsNEXT

Crimson is an independently funded, monthly publication of the journalism class at Paso Robles High School. We publish monthly newsmagazines free to students and teachers. Subscriptions are available for US mail delivery for $18. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of Paso Robles High School, its faculty, administration, or students. Crimson is an open forum for the exchange of ideas. We welcome feedback in form of letters or e-mails. Letters must be signed but names can be withheld upon request. All stories, graphics, typesetting, and layouts are completed by Paso Robles High School students. The staff actively pursues advertisement accounts but reserves the right to refuse those deemed overly controversial or aimed at illegal behavior. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Crimson is designed using

Adobe In-Design and Photoshop and prints with Atascadero News Co.

PRHS • 801 Niblick Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446 www.crimsonnews.org [email protected]

(805) 237-3315 ext. 5601

801 Niblick Rd. Paso Robles, CA 93446

Jeff MountAdvisor

Nicolette JolicoeurManaging Editor

StaffFeature Co-EditorC

SHOWING COMPASSION: Freshman Matt Tyra draws a cartoon that depicts the importance of compassion. A simple act of even smiling at the less fortunate can make a big difference in their day.

Yes, there will always be people who set out to take advantage of any generosity that looks their way. And yes, there will always be capable men and women holding signs on street corners hoping to make a quick buck, just as deceit weasels its way into all areas of life, but it should not eclipse the necessities of those truly navigating through tough times.

UC Davis senior and PRHS alumni Evan Pellerin has found more secure methods of funneling his donations to aid the disadvantaged through legitimate organizations.

“I feel as though there is no way of being sure that these people are in fact homeless. Therefore, I choose to make donations to local nonprofit organizations designed to help these people in need,” Pellerin said, who makes yearly donations to AmVets and Goodwill.

Near the Garden Center entrance of the Paso Robles Walmart on the evening of Dec. 4, a kind-hearted woman with the spirit of giving walked out of the store not with bagfuls of items for her own use, but carrying only a brand new beige sleeping bag to place in the grateful hands of a needy man, sitting on a flower planter in the 44 degree night.

Yet still, not many people share these inclinations to give, as only 29 percent of Bearcats reportedly plan to participate in holiday philanthropy and a disheartening number of individuals avert their eyes and their pocketbooks from the misfortune crying out around them.

“I think they should get off their lazy butts and get a job,” one student said, refraining from identifying themselves.There are over 700 homeless individuals in Paso Robles this year alone, estimated by mayor Duane Picanco, and many

other low income families under intense pressure to get by in this expensive time of year, but they can’t do it alone. A little understanding from a stranger can go a long way not just during Yule-tide times, but all year round.

House or no house, clothes or no clothes, people are people and they have needs like everyone else. It is not a crime to lend a hand, or simply a smile, to our fellow citizens to brighten holiday spirits.

Cartoon by Matt TyraPhoto illustration by Kelly Munns

The “People’s Kitchen” serves an evening meal from 5-6 p.m. every Monday to Friday night located at the Paso Robles Baptist Church to those in need.

Loaves and Fishes located on 2650 Spring Street is opened 2-4 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and assists anyone in need of emergency help, such as food, clothing, shelter, and even counseling.

Paso Robles Resources

—Xavier Galsim, Sophomore

—Noah Levine, Junior

— Megan Luth, Food Editor

3

2

1 What holiday do you celebrate during December?

What special foods do you make and eat for the holidays?

How does your holiday food differ from ordinary traditions people celebrate throughout the world?

Hanukkah and Christmas.

Latkas, seafood soup, traditional Jewish foods occasionally.

12

3 Well, it’s not usually just the turkey or goose feast many people have, or whatever other baked, fried or boiled beast a lot of families tend to have for their holiday meals. We tend to lean toward authentic cuisines. It could be anything really!

12

3

Christmas.

Sweets! My brothers and mom and myself make tons of different cookies and candies, and wrap them all up for friends and family.I have plenty of it. People all over the world can only scrape up a little something to celebrate. I’m incredibly lucky. —Abbi Harrison, Junior


PREVIOUS

FoodHomelessness

12

3

Christmas eve, Christmas, and New Year’s eve.

For Christmas we have appetits and champagne, then we have my mom’s soup. It’s like a pumpkin soup and it’s really delicious. After that, we have turkey, like in America for Thanksgiving, with different kinds of vegetables. And for the dessert, my dad makes a Christmas chocolate and red fruit cake.

I think I could say that every religion or culture has their own special food. —Valentine Vanleeuw, Senior

12

3

Christmas, Asian style.

Lumpia eggrolls that don’t have vegetables, ham simmered in pineapple juice and spices, cold and crisp apple cider, french bread, and butter scalloped potatoes macaroni salad.

My tradition differs from other traditions because it is a blend of different cultures.

While it may not be shown during school, the dining room setting brings

out the old history from a family’s heritage with food. Four students

answered questions pertaining to their holiday menu.

SEASON’S EATINGS

13\ Crimson 12.14.11 |www.crimsonnews.org Paso Robles High School

FoodBig Time RushNEXT

This month it is time to mix up the chilly peppermint and rich chocolate flavors of the winter season and unwind with the most desired. The cupcake featured this month is the Red Velvet Cupcake with White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting from Anne Byrn's cookbook Cupcakes From the Cake Mix Doctor. This recipe is a personal favorite, since it is so simple to make and is such a hit among consumers.

"The red velvet has a really nice taste as does the frosting. The candy cane broken up on top of the cupcake made the flavor come alive even more, and the cake itself was really fluffy," said freshman Phillip Stevens, who had eagerly awaited the arrival of the little red cake and came back begging for more.

The mixing of the ingredients and making of the frosting

create no difficulties to the baker. If you follow every step exactly as it says, you’ll be making a holiday cupcake in no time. The peppermint frosting on the cupcake is what causes the sensation among students and the general population because the cool taste of the frosting mixed with the moist red velvet make a great flavor combination to wow the taste buds. Adding the crushed candy cane garnish to the frosting makes a great contrast of crunchy and fluffiness in the tasters’ mouths when they gobble the small cake down, which to sum it up makes one fall in love with their tasty treat.

"It was very delicious! The cake had a smooth chocolate, peppermint flavor, the candy cane and chocolate chips gave it interesting texture. I liked the balance between chocolate

and peppermint, and neither one overwhelmed the other, which was good. The creamy frosting made it even better and complimented both flavors very well. To sum it up, I loved it!" said senior Cheyenne Liddicote, a newcomer to the cupcake’s unique tastes.

The cupcakes bring the winter feel to the students around campus. When seeing the holiday cakes come around, it just reminds students that even a simple baked good brought about by a stranger, just trying to get samplers, is a reminder of the random tokens of joy brought about by the holiday season of giving. And whenever making any cupcake, you can count on a great experience, much tastiness and many smiles! Happy baking!

Cupcakes: 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Set the pans aside.2. Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, food coloring, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. 3. Bake the cupcakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the pans and place them on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before frosting.White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting: Preparation time: 10 minutes1. Place the white chocolate in a small glass bowl in the microwave oven on high power for 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the oven and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until it is smooth. Set the chocolate aside to cool.2. Place the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Add the melted white chocolate and blend on low speed until just combined, 30 seconds. Add the peppermint extract and 2 cups of the confectioners’ sugar and blend on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, 30 seconds more. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is fluffy, 1 minute more, adding up to 1/2 cup more sugar if needed to make a spreadable consistency.*Megan's Tips: This makes more than 24 so be prepared for lots of cupcakes! When I baked this batch I came up with a total of 33 cupcakes in the end, that was 9 more cupcakes than thought of, but everyone loves this recipe so enjoy the extras!

The holidays have arrived and it’s time to experience a mix of classic seasonal aromas by Megan Luth, Food Editor

The Festive Edition

Photo by Kim Boswell

Photo by Emily Cone

Red Velvet Cupcakes • 24 paper liners for cupcake pans (2 1/2 –inch size)• 1 package (18.25 ounces) plain German chocolate

cake mix• 1package(3.4ounces)vanillainstantpuddingmix• 1cupsourcream• 1/2cupwater• 1/2cupvegetableoil• 1bottle(1ounce)redfoodcoloring• 3largeeggs• 1cupminiaturesemisweetchocolatechips(optional)

White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting • 6 ounceswhite chocolate (*Megan’s tip: I usewhite

chocolatechipsanditworksjustthesame)• 4ounces(halfan8-ouncepackage)reduced-fatcream

cheese,atroomtemperature• 4tablespoons(1/2stick)butter,atroomtemperature• 1teaspoonpeppermintextract

Makes22to24cupcakes

Preparationtime:10minutesBakingtime:18to20minutes


First name, e-mail, parent’s e-mail. Click. That’s all it took for freshman Amy Boggan of North County Christian School in Atascadero to win the Nickelodeon Rocks Your School sweepstakes.

Three months later, Boggan would be surrounded by Nickelodeon fame, a supply of green slime, and a cacophony of uncontainable screams.

A sweepstakes clean sweepBoggan entered the sweepstakes in August

after hearing about it on nickelodeon.com. She was selected out of approximately 150,000 applicants as a winner. In addition to Nickelodeon coming to her school, she received a new DELL laptop, and the school received $5,000 and a year’s supply of Bounty paper towels.

On Nov. 16, boy band Big Time Rush captivated teen hearts with six songs, and iCarly cast members Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress visited Boggan’s school for a meet and greet with picture opportunities, a dance party where they got up close and personal with their fans, and other fun activities, such as “slimeball.”

“It’s the most exciting thing of my life,” said Boggan, who talked with band members Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, and Logan Henderson—her favorite part of the day.

iMeet iCarlyAnxious students hustled in line to meet,

snap pictures with, and receive autographs from McCurdy and Kress. One by one, students stepped onto the platform set up in the courtyard to revere their couple of minutes with the stars, all the while smiling like they couldn’t believe this was happening to them.

“My favorite part is getting to see our fans up close and personal. It’s always great to go out

and visit big groups of kids at one time and see how much they like the show. It’s so flattering; it’s so humbling,” said McCurdy, who plays Sam Puckett on iCarly. “It’s exciting; it makes me giddy! I’m excited to meet them, I’m excited to learn their names, I’m excited to find out what grade they’re in.”

Kress, who plays Freddie Benson, recalled that one of his favorite parts of school was getting to meet different people and having guest speakers.

“Being on the other side of that and being the people that [students] are there to see [has] been really cool. It’s been kind of a switch. But it’s been really fun just getting to hang out with a large group of kids all at one time,” Kress said.

Both Kress and McCurdy interacted with students in activities such as slime basketball, which McCurdy’s team won.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the school and for the city of Atascadero. I think it’s good for the whole community,” said Principal Louis Mann.

Big Time fansStudents enjoyed a lunchtime jam session with

Nick DJ J-Boogie where they dougied and shuffled around the quad with Kress and McCurdy. They piled into the school’s gymnasium, where they giggled and jittered restlessly in anticipation of their own personal concert from Big Time Rush. After students exclaimed “Nick rocks our school” to the Nickelodeon camera crew, the band leapt on stage performing their hit song “Big Time Rush.” The concert included performances of their singles “Boyfriend” and “Worldwide,” which was sung to Boggan, who blushed after receiving a kiss on the cheek from Schmidt.

A slimey situationAfterwards, students received a special treat

when they learned that their principal would be Nickelodeon’s next slime victim. Mann walked onto the stage, dressed in a suit and a confident smile. “Slimer” Boggan stepped up onto the stage to be the honorary student to dump a bucket of slime, which is apple sauce in disguise, on her principal. Mann delicately stepped into a blue kiddy pool over which a bucket hung precariously, attached to a rope, which Boggan held. Then the whole school joined in a chorus of “ten, nine, eight, seven…” Mann tightly shut his eyes as the countdown reached “ONE!” and Boggan unleashed a waterfall of lime green slime. The downpour missed Mann, who was standing a couple of inches too far forward.

But when life gives you a slimey opportunity, you need extra buckets. Take two: this time the slime hit its target. The splattering slime coated Mann, inciting a euphoric “Oooooh!” to ripple through the pleased crowd.

After various tries, Boggan repeatedly backed away from the slime. But she was oblivious to her fate of the extra two buckets of goop that the band members hid behind her. To her surprise, she did get slimed. In retaliation, Boggan leaned in for a slimey hug with Schmidt, who laughed as he accepted the gooey embrace.

After the messy ordeal concluded, workers scrambled to start cleaning, as students slowly said their good byes to the memorable day and headed back to class.

“Well,” Mann said, “it was definitely an experience.”

Making a‘Big Time’ impact on a small town schoolNickelodeon rocks North County Christian Schoolby Sarah Wilson, Feature Co-Editor, Olivia Musial, In-Depth Editor, and Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor

AS SEEN ON TV: iCarly star Jennette McCurdy dances with NCC principal Louis Mann (top). Sweepstakes winner freshman Amy Boggan gets slimed by members of Big Time Rush (above). Photos by Olivia Musial and Sarah Wilson.

In-DepthPREVIOUS

Food traditions


In-DepthGift giving galoreNEXT

It was a normal night for seniors Ashlee Juarez and Zoe Ruz as they drove down 46 East after performing in the dance show on Mar. 6, 2011, until their lives were thrown off course.

Juarez and Ruz were heading out to Ruz’s house on Geneseo and, due to the incorrect placement of construction cones, Juarez’s car spun out into the middle of the highway and ended up in a ditch. But while their lives may have flashed before their eyes, they walked away from the incident with a future still waiting down the road—unlike the 6,000 teenagers who die each year due to automobile accidents.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens, and distracted driving is a stealthy culprit, doubling a driver’s chances of collision. Whether distractions come from a friend in the car, Facebook mobile notifications, or even the brief switching of a radio station, these innocent actions can lead to unsafe teen driving and ultimately untimely death. While Ruz and Juarez crashed due to an unexpected construction zone rather than distraction, 44 percent of teens nonetheless report that they feel safer when driving alone, according to keepthedrive.com. The role of passenger distractions in the rate of teen driving fatalities brings to question the effectiveness of passenger laws in California and nationwide.

At PRHS, 32 students out of 39 surveyed reported to have broken the law and driven with a friend under a provisional license. Getting caught while driving on the edge of illegality can result in eight to 16 hours of community service sentence or a $35 fine for the first offense, and 16 or more hours of community service and a fine of more than $50 for a second offense.

California Coastal Division Highway Patrol officer Kenny Sonniksen fully supports the provisional license laws, stating that “driving is a privilege not to be taken lightly.”

“I believe provisional licenses benefit new drivers as well as the motoring public,” the father of two teen daughters said. “The restrictions placed on a provisional license allow them time to gain driving experience without dealing with the distractions that passengers pose.”

Senior Brady Dauth was caught driving with a friend under a provisional licenseand, as a result, he had to go to court, write an essay for the judge, and attend a driving class. Getting caught changed his outlook on teen driving and driving laws.

“Now I can legally drive people, but I try my best not to break the laws, when before I didn’t care at

all,” Dauth said.But getting pulled over and paying a fine does not measure up to the biggest consequence of all:

death. As “two out of three teens die as passengers in a vehicle driven by another teen,” according to California DMV’s website, driving with a car full of friends can be a deadly diversion.

However, a crowd of rowdy passengers is not the only thing taking teens’ eyes off the road. California law dictates against minors’ use of cell phones while driving, a legislative movement that took effect Jul. 1, 2008 in an effort to reduce these devices’ effects. Nonetheless, collisions caused by drivers on cell phones rose from 636,000 in 2003 to 1.6 million in 2008, according to CBS news.

“Texting is probably the most distracting since you have to take your eyes off the road to text,” an anonymous student said in a survey.

A proposed solution to the issue of cells phones for those over 18 (those 18 and younger are prohibited from use) is a hands free device. But though the device allows drivers to drive with both hands at ten and two, it still serves as a distraction.

“The use of a hands-free device does not lower distraction levels,” dmv.ca.gov reported. “The percentage of vehicle crashes and near-crashes attributed to dialing is nearly identical to the number associated with talking or listening.”

Officials advise to pull over to take a call, or to let it go to voicemail. This small sacrifice could mean the world; there is no redial on a teenager’s life.

“All [distractions are] very dangerous while trying to control a vehicle which weighs several thousand pounds,” Sonniksen said. “A moment of speeding for thrill or drunk or distracted driving may result in that driver killing him or herself, a friend, a loved one, or a complete stranger with devastating results.”

Ruz and Juarez walked away from that fateful March night with a first-hand perspective on the significance of driving safety, and an opportunity to put it into action.

“I am just thankful that nothing happened to us, or anyone else,” Juarez concluded. “I feel like I have been given a second chance.”

Hands on the trusted wheel, phone in your pocket, friends quieted and seat belts buckled: this is the only way to drive safely. What may appear to be a pointless law, such as a provisional license, gives teenagers the chance to live—and text—another day.

Texting, tweeting, and trying to live

Teen driving habits may lead to a tragic outcome

by Kathryn Wingfield and Megan Rodrigues,

Co-Editors-in-Chief

I'm just thankful that nothing happened to us, or anyone else. I feel like I have been given a

second chance.““

—Ashlee Juarez, 12

Photo and graphic illustration by Kathryn Wing field and Kim Boswell


Most Personal

“My grandfather once gave me a hat that he wore as a missionary in

Ethiopia. It had all the little tribal feathers and leathers. He collected

all that stuff for over a decade.” —Michael Horne, 9

Most Ridiculous

“The most ridiculous was

when I got a bike that fell

apart after I jumped it… the

same day I got it.”

—Hernan Arreola, 11

Most Thoughtful

“My great grandma gave me her

engagement ring and the earrings

she wore on her wedding day

because somehow she knew it was

going to be her last Christmas and

unfortunately it was.”

—Amanda Franklin, 11

Best Gift

“I got to go see my aunt that has leukemia and spend time with her and her family.” —Philip Stevens, 9

PREVIOUSTeen Driving

In-Depth Gift giving galore

“Trip to Europe.” – Imer Hernandez, 12

“Money.”

“Toilet seat decorated as a wreath.”

– Brandon Penn, 12

“Pregnant Barbie.”

“Sponge Bob underwear.”

“A rat.”

“Donating a goat to Africa.”

“Walnuts.”

“Personalized iPod touch.”

“Homemade blankets.”

“A son.”“Mixed CD’s.”

“Waffle Maker.” – Jake Perez, 11

“Diamond necklace from my dad.”

“Barbie dream house.”

“Hand made presents from my little sisters.”

- Kylie Pugh, 11

“My family all together.”

“My friend made me a huge card with all of our inside jokes and memories on it. Now I will

never forget.”

“Short stories my cousin wrote.”

“An empty box that my older brother gave me.”

“iPod.”

“Korean cookbook”

“Puppy.”

“Metal detector.”

“Xbox.”“A sweater.”

What are some of the most memorable gifts you’ve ever received?by Maria Petiy, Reporter

Photos by Carly McCall and Emily Cone

Eight years and nine months after the war in Iraq began, American troops are coming home. President Barrack Obama is sending home almost all troops for Christmas, leaving less than 200 in Baghdad “to train Iraqi forces and guard the U.S. Embassy,” according to themarknews.com.

The war, which started on Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003, resulted in 919,967 casualties—over130 times more people than in all world-wide terrorist attacks from 1993-2004, according to unknownnews.net.

Junior Rebecca Tobey’s brother Steve left to join the military in 2007, and has been in training for Special Forces for two years after a year-long service as a medic in Afghanistan. Since he is currently in training, he will not be deployed, but is nonetheless experiencing the joy of family reunion for the holidays, having been stationed near his wife in North Carolina.

Steve’s decision to join the military grew out of a lifelong dream, much like the other enlistments nationwide. Though the experience has put the Tobeys’ relationship to the test, Rebecca firmly believes that it is “the best thing that ever could have happened to him,” transforming him from a rebellious teen into a “strong man of God.”

The family has the chance to reunite with Steve only two to three times a year, but the memories of everyone coming together for Christmas have left a lasting impact on Rebecca, one of thousands of little sisters that await their brother’s return for the holidays.

“I normally hate getting woken up at all, but there’s nothing like those times when I’m getting shot with a marshmallow gun or dragged out of bed by my ankles in the morning,” Rebecca said. “At that point, I don’t care, because he’s my brother, and he’s home.”

These memories come as a much needed relief from the struggles of separation. The Tobeys connect through a phone call or Skype session every two or three months, but the time between communications forms a gap that is “harder than you’d think” to bridge, according to Rebecca.

“He left when I was just his little sister, just a little girl that could barely hold a conversation,” she said. “Now it’s hard for him to realize that I’m grown up, I’m driving, I actually have a life. It’s hard to explain everything that’s going on, and it’s hard for me to not sugar coat everything I’m going through, but I have to be honest.”

Rebecca admitted that having such a spotty connection definitely puts distance between their relationship, especially when times are rough at home and Steve feels helpless, such as the time a woman who had been sending gifts to him passed away unexpectedly and Rebecca had to tell him the news. And the holidays, times revered for bringing families together, often bring to reality the distance from a cozy Thanksgiving table to a

dingy military base in Afghanistan. This realization sparked Rebecca’s desire to serve those who

serve the country, beginning her involvement with Soldier’s Angels, a charity that delivers local donations to troops abroad. Common contributions include backpacks full of supplies for soldiers who had to be airlifted away from their belongings due to injury, and custom-made blankets, a source of comfort that kept Steve encouraged during his Afghanistan deployment. Rebecca recently visited local elementary schools and collected a total of 550 homemade Christmas cards to be sent abroad, simple gifts that brighten up a soldier’s winter months.

“Every donation actually gets to them,” Rebecca assured anyone eager to get involved. “Sometimes they have an overflow and sometimes they have nothing, but when they do get donations they all share their gifts with each other and it makes all the difference.”

Sophomore Emma Marsh, whose brother Spencer is in the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, also feels the pain of having to be away from a loved one.

“It was hard to get used to not seeing him every day, and I still miss him a lot. [My family and I] just try to continue to pray and encourage him to get through,” said Marsh, whose brother will be considered a Naval Officer after four years of school. He left in June 2011 and will be home from Dec. 19 to Jan. 6.

“I’m very proud of my brother because it’s very difficult to get in there and he got through the hardest part of it and is still doing really well,” Marsh said. “This path is not for everyone, but for those who do decide to go down this path, [they] have an extreme amount of courage and honor because they are the next g e n e r a t i o n of soldiers f i g h t i n g for our country.”


WorldGiving backNEXT

American troops are being sent home for the holidaysby Kathryn Wingfield, Co-Editor-in-Chief, and Sarah Wilson, Feature Co-Editor

Winter temperatures are the highest they have been in the last fifty years. As a result,

mountains once covered in a blanket of white snow are now barren and rocky. Nevertheless, skiing enthusiasts in Austria take to the slopes regardless,

traveling down a very rocky surface. —Global Post

Austria

RussiaTatiana Limanova, a famous Russian news journalist, was taken off of the air when she raised her middle finger in an inappropriate

gesture after reporting a story on U.S. president Barrack Obama. Limanova claims the gesture was intended for the studio

crew and was not geared toward Obama.—Reuters

U.K.Unidentified woman is caught on camera stealing

flowers from Robert Rose’s, an 11 year old, grave at Rippleside Cemetery in Barking, Essex. The camera was set up in a nearby tree after ornaments had mysteriously disappeared form

the grave overnight. The missing flowers and lady are yet to be found.

—The Telegraph

Canada25,000 teddy bears descended onto the ice rink at a Calgary Hitmen hockey game. Fans of the hitmen were encouraged to bring a medium sized teddy bear to the game, as an act of charity. When player Calder Brooks scored, all the fans began to shower the rink with teddy bears. Since 2003, the Calgary

Hitmen have collected 186,613 teddy bears for charity, showing the softer side of hockey.

—The Telegraph

Graphics by Ryan Morrison

Photo used with permission by Ola Matsson

Photo by Olivia Musial

Photo used with permission by R/DV/RS

Photo used with permission by Sam Scarzon

Rebecca Tobey, 11Photo by Carly Mcall

—Jonathan Kisch, World Editor

18 12.14.11 Crimson | 19 Crimson 12.14.11www.crimsonnews.orgPaso Robles High School |

While Santa is a busy guy during the holiday season, it’s apparent he isn’t the only one spending time serving others this year. Paso Robles, and its high school students, are involved in many community services, charities, and other organizations.

Thirty seven million Americans used resources such as food banks and food stamps to relieve hunger last year, according to a report by Feeding America in an article by USA Today. One in five American children in the report went to a soup kitchen or other sources of help for food. The Coats for Kids Foundation, a national organization, alone has distributed more than 38,000 coats to needy children and families. Because of the dip in the economy, local families have been affected by this rise in money-tight households. Twenty-four out of 29 students at PRHS are willing to help out this holiday season.

Senior Megan Moerman awaits her volunteer work at the Toy Bank, watching at least 10 to 15 children at a time while parents go inside and pick out donated toys from the community for their kids.

“I get so excited for all the little kids knowing that they’ll have some presents to open on Christmas morning,” said Moerman, who volunteered at the Toy Bank last year with other members of the Bearkitten staff, and is eager to participate again this season.

“I felt so happy knowing that every single kid we watched over was going to have some presents to open on Christmas day, thanks to everyone in the community who helped out. It was very rewarding!”

Ninety-three percent of PRHS students surveyed believe that giving back to the community during the holidays is important, more than half saying “very” important. Eighty-two percent of these students answered that they have done or are planning to do community service during the holiday season.

Junior LaZouich Ford has been involved in many community outreaching activities, specifically through Leadership including Toys for Tots, Red Wagon, canned food drives, and the senior service sale, which raises money for a local charity.

“Giving back to the community is heartwarming and a reward in itself,” explained Ford, who has been in Leadership since his freshman year.

This reaction is similar for many of Paso Robles’ young volunteers. “It’s important for those of us who are able to get the things we desire and who are blessed to not

take things for granted and bless others in return,” expressed senior Josh Skinner, who gives back to his community by volunteering at his church to provide families with food for Thanksgiving.

Students see giving back as a major part of the holiday season. Ford sees the seasonal community service as something to look forward to, a favorite being the Albertson’s Christmas party.

Embracing the inner Santa Claus is something that may never go out of style, whether it’s through baby sitting children at the Toy Bank, or sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Students at Paso high school are taking their generosity seriously this year, and hopefully Santa will take notice.

by Clarisse Dart, Blind Date Co- Editor

Embracing the inner Santa High school students are helping out this

holiday season

Clink, clink, clink went the sound of cans falling into the bin of love; those located in several participating classrooms this December as PRHS collects non-perishable foods for the needy during the holidays.

Nov. 28 kicked off the canned food drive headed up by the Leadership class. Cans were collected to help out less fortunate families in the community who could be homeless or who need help until their next paycheck at the end of the month.

“We want to keep offering programs to our students where they can give back to the community. This is one way we can do that,” said Jennifer Bedrosian, one of the two leadership teachers.

Of 85 percent of Americans who donate to good causes, 34 percent are more likely to donate during the months of November and December, according to causes.com.

The canned food drive was planned to get a start on what Leadership wants to see out of students: giving back. This canned food drive is just a start. It is a way for more fortunate students to help the community and donate to

those in need. The Red Wheel Barrow, which also started on Nov. 28, is another school organized charity that takes place during the giving season. Five school organizations fill these wheel barrows with toys, food, and clothing for a specific family in the community.

“I think the canned food drive is a great way for our school to interact with our community and to demonstrate generosity during the holiday season,” said Danica Boggs, junior class president and member of the canned food drive committee. “Also, giving to others can help us appreciate and be thankful for the blessings in our own lives,” she said.

The canned food drive committee hoped to bring in as many canned food items as possible and they collected bins with donations from classrooms on Dec. 9 and then distributed the cans evenly to two organizations in Paso. Half of the cans went to Loaves and Fishes and the other half went to The Food Bank.

In a season specifically noted for charity, Leadership is planning to step up to provide more opportunity for Bearcats to get involved in the giving.

The act that smiles backLeadership students head up a mission to help the

communityby Sara Bourgault, Health Co-Editor

Annually during December, the Advanced Peer class organizes Red Wheelbarrow. This year with the help of Advanced Peer student, senior Sara Bilderback, Crimson follows a Wheelbarrow: from unhelpfully empty to charitably full.

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER: The theme of McMahon’s charity this year is “Board Games.” McMahon collected over 200 board games. Photo by Angela Lorenzo

Wheels, smiles and love 1 2 3 4 5

—Megan Rodrigues, Co-Editor-in-ChiefGraphics by Ryan Morrison and Sydney Matteson

JUMPING FOR JOY: Megan Moerman plays with a child in second period Bearkittens. Moerman’s love for children goes hand in hand with her willingness to volunteer at the Toy Bank on Dec. 17. Photo by Emily Cone

Elves typically hammer nails and tighten screws in Santa’s factories, but for the past three years, a local “elf,” Jessica McMahon, has been contributing to the giving spirit of Christmas by collecting presents for the less fortunate.

Three years ago, McMahon realized that not all kids unwrap a Zu Zu pet, or a Dora the Explorer Links Doll on Christmas morning. By creating her charity the elementary school student decided that she could help local children fall asleep easily on Dec. 24 knowing that they will awake to a full stocking on the mantle or a wrapped gift under a bright, glimmering tree. Even as a child, McMahon decided to collect and donate toys to less fortunate children instead of writing her own extensive Christmas list. For the first two years, McMahon and her mother collected stuffed stockings, but this year the focus went to collecting board games.

“I give away some of my toys and other people’s toys because they don’t play with them,” McMahon said. “Every kid should have a present on Christmas morning.” McMahon loves giving away toys to new kids within the Paso Robles community. This spirited six year old plans to continue collecting and donating gifts for future Christmases and involving herself in the community in other ways that help others.

“We do it out of the kindness of our hearts,” Jessica’s mother, Andrea McMahon, who delivers the toys to different locations said. Well over 200 donated board games were collected for children this year. Two years ago, around 53 stockings were stuffed and

handed out, each filled with necessities along with small games and toys. Last year, many more stockings were donated through the McMahon’s.

“I am so proud she’s learning that it is better to give than receive,” Andrea McMahon said, “it makes me really proud as a mom.” Jessica McMahon has and continues to encourage her community to be more giving by showing them that nobody is ever too

small to make a change.

by Angela Lorenzo, Reporter

The gift of sharingSix year old collects toys for the less fortunate

COUNTING CANS: Danica Boggs is a member of the Canned Food Drive committee under the lead of senior Blythe Escalera. Photo by Aidan Farrel

Advanced Peer begins their wheelbarrow search by emailing all of the school sites in Paso. They ask that each school site select one family to receive the wheelbarrow. The six elementary schools and two middle schools each select a family.

Each school contacts the family to ensure they want to receive the wheelbarrow. Once the family agrees, clothing sizes and specific needs are collected.

Next, Peer asks PRHS teachers if they would like to sponsor a wagon. Clubs, individuals, teachers, departments, or even another family could sponsor a wagon. The wheelbarrows are delivered to each group participating and they have nine days to fill the wagon, through Dec. 9.

Once Peer collects the wagons, they spend the weekend shopping, wrapping, and organizing the wheelbarrows.

The last Monday before winter break, Dec. 12, the wheelbarrow delivering process begins. The red wheelbarrows are usually left with the family, depending on the family’s wishes.


PREVIOUS

OpinionGiving back

It sounds simple: The words “curing cancer” have been on the lips and agenda of the world for years. Thus the HPV vaccine that can prevent most cases of cervical cancer is a miracle—

the idea of saving lives tugs on the heart of every human being. However, many would argue that if a person makes a choice then they have a natural responsibility to deal with the consequences. So should the U.S. then make this miraculous vaccine mandatory for all teenage girls? Does a government have the responsibility to pay for the choices of its people? Perhaps the solution does not have to be either an inflexible requirement of the vaccine nor a stubborn negation of its value. Indeed, it is clear in this situation that compromise is best: the vaccine should not be mandatory, but should be made available to whomever wishes to receive it.

You see, the country is ripped in two. On one side, we fight to save the lives of countless women, no matter the choices they’ve made. Rick Perry, presidential candidate and governor of Texas, said that this “is a pro-life issue” for him when he advocated the mandatory vaccine. On the other hand, the country’s tax payers foot the bill for the choices of its young ladies. A poll taken by the University of Michigan’s Children’s Hospital reported that “concerns that the vaccine may promote promiscuity are on the minds of parents who are against HPV vaccine in general.” This vaccine has no small cost either; it’s nearly $300 per person. Perhaps there is a larger question here, however: the age-old question of government involvement. How much is too much? On one side, we have a government entirely willing to allow its people the freedom to run unchecked—and then goes behind and cleans up the mess. On the other, the government becomes a dictator morality by asserting a certain standard that its people must adhere to (and if not, they get cancer). Neither seems entirely beneficial.

How much is too much?There are two extremes bookending the discussion of

government involvement in its society’s morality. The first is an anarchic society made presentable by its government programs. This society would be allowed all its pleasures. Then, when

addictions, apathy, disobedience and disrespect, abuse, and psychic imbalance grew too great in a person a government policy would be the safety net to catch them just before they hit bottom. The second extreme casts government as the presiding moral authority given the power to determine the moral code all its citizens must abide by. In this society the goal would be to have everyone the same—same standards, same principles, same ideas about life and morality and humanity. In short the government would attempt to make exact replicas of its own righteous ideals.

The arguments for and against a mandatory HPV vaccine each present themselves as the solution to one of

these dastardly extremes. On one hand the vaccine is mandatory; instead of consequences for teenage actions there is the safety net of government policy. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council argues that “this vaccine will be marketed to a segment of the population that should be getting a message about abstinence.” On the other hand, the vaccine is disregarded as immoral; women die because of the moral dictatorship of the government. The organization Advocates for Youth makes the emotional claim that a mandatory vaccine is “not just the smart thing to do—it’s the right thing to do.” They assert that the only way to view this dilemma is as the “prevention of a killer disease.”

Should the government be taking care of its people or setting higher standards? Each side of the issue makes a powerfully emotional argument for their point of view. Each appeals to the

human heart, asking for the support of the country in order to combat some tragic epidemic sweeping the country. From the “pro-life” declarations of Rick Perry to the think-about-your-daughters approach of the abstinence-only set, the HPV vaccine appears to be nothing more than a platform for different groups to promote their ideals for the American country.

So what do we do?In this examination of arguments both for and against a

mandatory HPV vaccine, we have seen both sides effectively use pathos to make their point. But a new question must be asked: how well can an argument based on emotion support the logic of the point of view? When defending the mandatory vaccine, Advocates for Youth suggests that the vaccine is a medical breakthrough that gives women the “opportunity to avoid cervical cancer.” Pro-abstinence groups base their appeal against the mandatory vaccine on the conviction that it “sends the wrong message,” according to Tony Perkins. Both sides of the question of cost center their claims on how it would feel if you were the one to get a preventable cancer or the one to pay for it.

The whole question of a mandatory HPV vaccine seems to come down to one choice: Will the U.S. take up arms and fire emotional declarations like bullets? Or will we step back and let logical and reason win the day? It was Bacon in his “Novum Organum” who asserted that men “distort and color their [conclusions] in obedience to their former fancies.” He accurately pointed out humanity’s tendency to focus so much on their own “speculations” that they lose sight of the true picture. In fact, he even said that “whatever [a person’s] mind dwells upon with peculiar satisfaction is to be held in suspicion.” The advocates of the pros and cons of the vaccine seem to rest too much on their own sentimental ideals and less on the best solution. This is not a question of curing teenage promiscuity or saving millions of lives. Thus, since the stakes are not as high as they once seemed, perhaps a compromise could be reached: The vaccine should not be mandatory, but should be made available to whomever wishes to receive it. This would then achieve a balance in government involvement, would not grow government debt, and would not be caused by emotional pleas.

Guest Writer

For the full, unabridged version of Jessica Vaughn’s

essay, go read it here:

The controversial HPV vaccine

Inciting emotional reactionsThe question of a mandatory HPV vaccine

by Jessica Vaughn

As part of her application process to the University of Oxford located in England, senior Jessica Vaughn wrote a free-response essay about whether the

human papillomavirus vaccine should be mandatory for women in the United States. A true scholar, Vaughn achieved an SAT score of 2230, has a 4.0 GPA, and is part of the top ten percent of the senior class. She is the first ever applicant in

recent memory to come from Paso Robles High School.

The whole question of a mandatory HPV vaccine comes down to one choice: Will

the U.S. take up arms and fire emotional declarations like bullets? Or will we step back

and let logical and reason win the day?

““

Jessica Vaughn, Senior

Photo by Carly McCall


OpinionBrain bustingNEXT

Mostly everyone has once recycled their paper, water bottles, and soda cans. But many

have to recycle someone else’s ‘time and hard work’ this December. And it’s okay to do.The pressure and time spent on selecting a

gift for someone could be long and arduous. But the time spent on giving a terrible sweater or a useless and unappreciated knick-knack to someone else is virtually effortless. So what’s the problem with it?

This regifting act, often enacted during the celebrated season, has had negative connotations throughout the years. But this is just a very wise way to recycle.

If you receive a present from a person, and it just isn’t something you would use, but it is perfect for a different person, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with passing it on to someone else instead of throwing it out or putting it in the back of a closet.

This seems to be the general idea for a fair amount of students: 58 percent of 100 surveyed students said that it is okay to regift. Some of them have been regifted and didn’t mind.

“I have [been regifted]. But I didn’t really care. I know times are rough, and all. However, next time I’d rather just get something home made. It always means more and doesn’t cost a thing but time! At least then I know they’re thinking of me,” senior Alexandra Ball said.

by Nicolette Jolicoeur, Managing Editor

Daniel: I’ve been going strong for forty hours, and I still can’t get my fill of perhaps the greatest addition to the Zelda legacy!

Sinéad: It’s been half a decade since the last console Zelda title has come out, and Skyward Sword is a fantastic way to celebrate the franchise’s 25 anniversary. Thrown into a medieval-esque fantasy world, a village boy named Link is called to save the day. While most Zelda titles are based in the fictional land of Hyrule, Skyward Sword serves as a prequel to the legendary Ocarina of Time and gives us back story for the kingdom.

D: The Wii motion plus also allows us not to just sit idly like the classic Zelda format.

S: You can now literally “swing” your sword around as you battle enemies and comb dungeons. Everything from the angle of your hand to the speed of your swing plays a part in defeating your opponents.

D: Yet one of the strongest elements of Skyward Sword is the story line. Eastern games have traditionally been able to develop story lines better than Western games due to their ability to come out with very open and sentimental dialogues. The rendering of Link and

Zelda, the love interest, is rather heartfelt making it a large element, entrapping the gamer into a distant world.S: I haven’t played many Wii games, so the new controls took some getting used to. It took about ten minutes for me to learn how to jump in a straight line.D: I couldn’t hold back my frantic laughter when I saw your epic fail at making the very first jump in the game. It was pretty impressive looking as you made Link keep swan diving into the clouds – the graphics in Skyward are a mix between Twilight Princess and Wind Waker. While Waker had its cartoony cel-shading and Twilight tried a more realistic approach, Skyward looks almost like it’s been painted on to the screen. The graphics made the characters look more Asian than its Anglo-Saxon looking predecessors; it’s rare to find an eastern game where the characters do not look white.S: Skyward Sword is everything a Zelda fan could wish for. Gamers of all types can once again get lost in a never ending story.

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

by Daniel Hipp, Business Team and Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

Critical Hit

Game Profile: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward SwordMade by: Nintendo

For ages: 10+

Compatible with only the Wii

Critical Hit rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5

Age rating: E, 10+

Product Details:

“Link must answer the call of destiny and set out on an ad-venture that will take him from the vast skies to the mysterious land below.”

One might think that receiving a regifted present would be offensive. Of 100 students surveyed, 62 percent says that they themselves have not regifted. But from a realist’s point of view, some people may not be able to give any gifts but regifted ones.

“If I received a present that I knew was regifted, I probably wouldn’t take it personally. At this time of year somebody might not have the money to buy a new gift, and I would just be thankful that I got any gift at all,” freshman Riley Benado said.

Some even hope for joy in the recipient. “I would be okay with it, as long as it was a good gift. It’s not really a big deal, just people passing on what they don’t want to people who want it more,” sophomore Sierra Mosely said.

These are relevant and true thoughts. Gifts are elevated in this materialistic age onto what seems to be a pedestal. The season should be about giving back, not receiving brand-spanking-new gifts. With the crazy, fast-paced lifestyle most people have now, one shouldn’t feel ashamed of a little regifting.

— Riley Benado, Freshman

Photos by Megan Rodrigues and Josh Orcutt

If I received a present that I knew was regifted, I probably wouldn’t take it personally. At this time

of year somebody might not have the money to buy a new gift, and I would just be thankful

that I got any gift at all.

Where class meets sass meets gaming


PREVIOUS

A&E

by Courtney Thompson, A&E Editor

While the 2008 PRHS Men’s Ensemble sang the lyrics “buck wheat cake was in her eye,” from “Oh Susanna,” Eggo waffles

soared over Choir teacher Mary Schmutz’s head and into the awaiting hands of the audience. In that audience sat Junior Alex Delbar, who was in seventh grade at the time.

That one sticky situation of flying flapjacks was the start to Delbar’s interest in the arts.

According to Delbar, his greatest and most satisfying accomplishment is when he landed the main male role of the Cat in the Hat in Seussical: the Musical. After the play, many children

came to see if they could try on the hat or get a picture with him. Many of them also said they wanted to audition for a musical in the future.

Delbar pieced last spring’s musical together for many, narrating, jumping off the stage, cajoling, and warping his face into

hilarious contortions. Whether he was playing the Cat in the Hat or the cool cat piano player in the musical, the enthusiasm Delbar portrayed on stage last spring always provoked the audience into a boisterous uproar of laughter and the constant smile on his face infected the audience.

His voice echoed through the crowd’s ears as he sang “Anything’s Possible” as well as many other musical numbers. With each energetic bounce in a dance move or step, his red and white striped hat bobbed and furthered the greatness of his overall performance.

“It was really satisfying to have touched the lives of children and have had an influence on them,” Delbar said.

Though Delbar says this is his greatest achievement, Carl Delbar, his brother, disagrees.Carl Delbar’s favorite performance was Lend Me a Tenor, where Alex Delbar played Mr.

Saunders. “His gestures were outlandish, his speech harried and his demeanor just generally and

brilliantly hilarious. And yet, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of that performance was that he had almost no experience with acting,” Carl Delbar said.

Since his beginning role in freshman year in the play Deathtrap, he has been in Lend Me a Tenor, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Seussical: the Musical. Delbar also participates in Las Voces Celestiales, Men’s Ensemble, and Jazz Band.

According to Carl Delbar, all three Delbar sons have been influenced by music at an early age. When Delbar was just six years old, he had the fundamentals of the piano learned.

“Piano lessons gave him a foundation of understanding, and ever since he started high school, he has used that knowledge to great success in choir [and band],” Carl Delbar said.

As of present day accomplishments, he has played the piano for ten years, the clarinet for three years, and the saxophone for three years. He, more recently, started to play the guitar and the ukulele.

Delbar has participated in the school choir, Las Voces Celestiales and Men’s Ensemble. He has also tried out and been accepted into Regional Honor Choir twice and All State Choir once previously, but is still waiting on the acceptance notice for the present year.

“Musically, he has grown so much since he was a freshman and tends to have an adult mature outlook on things, which is very cool,” said Schmutz, Delbar’s choir teacher for three years.

Brother Carl Delbar agrees.“That raw talent is something that has always impressed me, and I know it will continue to

bring him great success throughout his life,” Carl Delbar said.

A waffle started it allAlex Delbar serves up sides of choir, drama, and band

Photo by Emily ConeGraphic Illustration by Ryan Morrison

Brain busting


A&ESTORYNEXTCheck it out

Check Please comes to PRHS by Jonathan Kisch, World Editor

The number one most performed play in U.S. high schools for seven seasons finds itself in the auditorium at Flamson Middle School from Dec. 9-11. Patrons are guaranteed to laugh at the hilarious blind date scenarios created by playwright Jonathan Rand. They range from a woman, portrayed by sophomore Hailey Pietz, who spends an entire date laughing hysterically, to a man, portrayed by senior Brandon Harris, who serenades his date with obnoxious electric guitar playing.

“I chose the play because it is hysterical! Every one needs to laugh. I always consider my audience when choosing a play, and I feel as though dating, awkward and bad dates, can easily connect to teenagers,” drama teacher Marcy Goodnow said. Check Please! is her third production since taking over PRHS Drama in 2010.

The comedy is centered on two characters simply named Guy and Girl, portrayed by sophomore Logan Ferry and senior Shelby Reneau, who find love with one another amidst ludicrous encounters with completely abnormal people. The two start dating, but eventually break up; subsequently, they begin their second adventure into the darkness of the blind dating world.

The blind dinner dates continue to maintain their hilarity. Some encounters even bring a glimmer of hope to Guy and Girl, but all hope is lost when both see that yet again all their dates come with a side of crazy. Guy and Girl find love with

one another again, and Guy proposes to Girl at the end of the play.

An estimated average of 143 hours were spent in lighting, performance,

and stage setting, both in rehearsal and outside of rehearsal according to

Ferry, Pietz, and sophomore Nykie Carr. Actors and actresses spend

additional time perfecting their characters in order to ensure they will come across believable

and funny. “I practice on my own in front of the

mirror, and try to take a step back and watch my gestures and facial expression to perfect my performance. It is

the way the cast portrays each character that makes this play so hilarious,” said Pietz, who has three different parts in the play.

In act two, Pietz acts alongside male lead Ferry as a girl named Julia who laughs throughout the entire dinner scene with Guy. Guy cringes as he tries to get words in, only to be interrupted by the obnoxious cacophony of Julia’s outbursts.

“My favorite scene is the Julia scene because of the way Hailey has multiple infectious laughs that make it so difficult for me to not join her,” Ferry said.

Laugh-inducing situations are maintained throughout all three acts of the play. Check Please!, to say the least, was definitely worth checking out.

Phot

o by C

ourtn

ey T

hom

pson

.

Gabby Corona, 12“I think [the audience] will [like the play] because more kids can relate to

it because it's about dating.”

Shelby Reneau, 12“I think [the audience] will [like the play]

because there is a variety of characters, it's very sarcastic and a lot of people can

relate to it.”

Sam Malloy, 12“If people like comedies, I think they will like [the play.] Guy and Girl are supposed to be more civil,

but all of the blind date people are just wacko.”

Seth Wilkinson, 11“I think [the audience] will definitely [like the

play] because it's hilarious, and if they don't it will be super awkward.”

Cast confessions

Photos by Angela Lorenzo.Graphic illustration by Sydney Matteson

For three movies and 376 minutes, the Twilight saga has been building up to “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” and all of its avid fans have been waiting. However, I have some things to admit here. I wasn't in

anticipation for this movie, because for the longest time, I had the predisposition to hate the Twilight series because of the annoying fangirls and the overly romantic and cheesy nature of the series. But I had this judgment because I had never even seen the movies. So, in the interest of fairness, I have done two things. Firstly, I saw the first three movies of the series so I could know what has been going on. And secondly, as opposed to having a bad feeling of this movie right from the start, I decided to view this movie with an open mind. Though while this installment didn’t totally suck the life out of me, I was left, like a vampire lusting for blood, with my thirst unquenched.

The movie starts out with the news of the much hyped Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) wedding occurring soon. The wedding happens and it's all delightful and joyous for everyone present, everyone except werewolf Jacob Black, who is played by the human sculpture, Taylor Lautner. At first, he is happy for the

newlyweds, but when he finds out that they plan to consummate on their honeymoon in Brazil, he gets angry and tries to attack Edward. Black's wolf pack holds him back, and he leaves flustered. I actually enjoyed this wedding scene, as there was the perfect combination of drama, action, comic relief, and romance present.

A couple of weeks later, during their honeymoon, Edward and Bella find out that she is already pregnant and the fetus is developing at a rate much faster than normal, due to it having half-vampire genetics. They rush back home and the Cullens

debate over whether they should abort the baby or not. If they do abort the baby, Bella will live. If not, then Bella's chance of dying is very high, if not inevitable. Holding her ground, Bella decides to tough it out and try to give birth to the half-human, half-vampire baby. For the rest of this movie, the plot revolves around this pregnancy, and people's attempts at helping and taking Bella and the baby's lives. Like how Edward does in sunlight, Kristen Stewart shines acting wise, playing her character as whiny as possible. And Lautner, while also looking like a sculpture, also acts like one too perfection.

The film score fits, with nothing garishly out of place. This movie falls under the same trap as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1”. There was too much talking and drama happening, where I wanted to see more action happening. There were parts of the movie where it was so melodramatic, that I howled in laughter instead of having concern. And there was the inconsistency where Edward can break beds and jump great distances with ease, but he fails at resuscitating Bella with CPR. Seriously, what’s up with that? But at least the movie did its job of enhancing the plot. And at least this movie isn't the worst of the series. That title belongs to “New Moon”. Hopefully, “Breaking Dawn” will follow the same trend as “Deathly Hallows” did, where the second part is better than the first. This movie gets 3 stars out of 5.


PREVIOUS

A&E“Check Please” Twilight gets re-vamped

Crimson takes a bite out of Breaking Dawn

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday18 19 20 21 22 23 24

A Christmas Carol at PCPA

Farm Supply Holiday Benefit

50 Years of Art in Arroyo Grande

25 26 27 28 29 30 31Paso Robles Farmer’s Market

Atascadero Farmer’s Market

San Luis Farmer’s Market

Cambria Farmer’s Market

Woman’s Basketball: Cal Poly vs. Santa Barbara

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Nipomo Farmer’s Market

Men’s Basketball: Cal Poly vs. Santa Barbara

Songwriters Showcase

Boy’s PRHS Basketball: Paso Robles vs. Pioneer Valley

Wrestling: Cal Poly vs. American

Men’s Basketball: Cal Poly vs. Cal State Fullerton

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Wrestling: Cal Poly vs. Boise State

Girl’s PRHS Water Polo: Paso Robles vs. Arroyo Grande

Woman’s Basketball: Cal Poly vs. UC Riverside

Boy’s PRHS Soccer: Paso Robles vs. Arroyo Grande

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Wrestling: Cal Poly vs. Standford

Songwriters Showcase

Girl’s PRHS Basketball: Paso Robles vs. St. Joseph

ACT Talent Show Girl’s PRHS Soccer: Paso Robles vs. Righetti

by Dakota Cleland, Opinion Editor

December/January Calendar For more information about the calendar events, visit www.crimsonnews.org

7020


A&ESanta Cruz Island NEXT

Trading in cowboy boots and vineyards for broomsticks and spotlights, Paso Robles born Emily Ferranti, a three-year PRHS attendee, is living out her Broadway dream in the Big Apple after landing the role of Nessarose in the Second National Broadway Tour of Wicked: The Musical, which she took over on Sept. 27.

It took four months of auditioning, nine months as a member of the ensemble, and several months as an understudy for Ferranti to finally climb her way to a principle role, a role she has transformed, as she is the first ever blonde Nessa to wheel across the stage, according to aunt, god mother, and Psychology and Peer teacher Jeanne Neely.

The musical, which the Des Moines Register calls, “more fun than a barrel of flying monkeys,” is an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked and, more notably, a high-flying remix of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 series The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and it isn’t the first time Ferranti’s paid its yellow brick road a visit.

Ferranti donned a pair of ruby slippers on her first trip to Munchkinland as Dorothy in Paso Robles Pioneer Players’ 2002 production of The Wizard of Oz, and re-entered the ‘Wonderful World’ as an ensemble member in February 2010 in the First National Broadway Tour after graduating from the Boston Conservatory in 2009.

Almost since infancy, it was clear to her family that she was nothing short of a natural performer.

“She was born performing. She would dress up to take a nap. She’d put her hair up, put on puffy pink skirts and lacy stockings—that was Emily,” Neely said, who couldn’t be prouder of her performing niece. “It’s the sort of thing you just want to broadcast to the world. I wanted to put her picture on the side of my car,” she said.

During her time at PRHS, Ferranti worked closely with former drama teacher John Lambie and quickly established herself as a magician of emotions and words.

“Emily was a star, and a great deal of fun to have in a cast or in class. Her success started here in Paso. She’s been successful every step of the way,” Lambie said.

With a mother in the military (who saw the show five times when it came to DC last year), Ferranti was used to “living out of a bag,” which took her to Folsom HS for her senior year, and which is a skill she now brings along as she tours the East Coast with the 33 member cast, moving from city to city and state to state to bring the magical tale to life night after night.

Surrounded by pointed hats and skin-prickling cackles, the Wicked witches have not turned Ferranti bad; “she’s just a family girl from Paso Robles at heart,” Neely said.

She’s ‘not in Paso anymore’PRHS alum shines in the Emerald Cityby Shanna Dowling, Managing Editor

GLAMOROUS GLINDA: Emily Ferranti as an understudy for Glinda the Good Witch. Photo used with permission by Jeanne Neely

Graphic illustrations by Sydney Matteson

BY THENUMBERS

Wicked

BY TH

E NUMBERS


PREVIOUS

EnvironmentWicked alum

The white-washed boat deck rocked back-and-forth, back-and-forth as we slept in the galley or stood along the railing, watching the sun set behind the silhouette of Santa Cruz

Island and four days of joy, laughter, and knowledge behind us from a rare study session.

Four days prior, as we stood at 4 p.m. in the PRHS parking lot as faces familiar and unfamiliar loaded up red and blue ice chests, puffy maroon sleeping bags for the unpredictable weather, and a guitar or two on Nov. 10, we all had different expectations. Some had voyaged the two hour channel to the Island before,

and some were embarking on their first excursion. But we all knew that we were going to rebuild the rocky shores, rolling hills, and the future, not to have a vacation. We embarked on a journey, with 14 other students, of 15 miles of hiking, two boat rides, one giant pile of bark, and a few bruises, but the battle scars of our week cannot begin to sum up the experience and magnitude of the Santa Cruz Island experience.

Waking early Friday morning at El Capitan Beach to rain on our tents and a hearty greeting from earth science teacher Mark DiMaggio, the team leader, we dutifully piled in the vans, and were at the dock by 8 a.m. One by one we loaded duffel bags and ice coolers into the boat, and handed our boarding passes to the blue polo shirted crew, saying “Prisoner’s,” the name of our port on the island.

“If you’ll step out onto the bow of the ship, you’ll see we’re approaching a school of dolphin,” said the captain over the P.A. one hour later, and everyone rushed out into the bitter wind, eager to see the water below and the hundreds of white-sided dolphins swimming alongside the boat, seeming to commemorate our arrival.

We climbed the rusting ladder of the dock and 96 square miles of rolling hills, gruesome hiking trails, and remote beaches towered before us. But storm clouds had followed our caravan.

Our first night, as we lay snuggled in our sleeping bags and bunk-style rooms, rain pounded the fogged windows while the roadway to the other side of the island washed away. We had planned on continuing past research on Purple Needle Grass, a native species who’s population had dwindled due to an invasive plant known as Fennel, but the trucks could not get past the newly-formed potholes and slippery cliffs. But our spirits refused to dwindle as the roads had: DiMaggio decided to continue research in an area accessible with our restless legs.

We awoke with a new task at hand on Saturday morning. The road leading to the field station was lined with towering invasive Eucalyptus trees, shedding their annual bark. For approximately five hours, we raked, plucked, and drug one to six foot long strips of bark into a massive pile to prevent the possible danger of a wildfire in the valley. We then enjoyed the rest of the day with another scenic hike to learn the history of the island and a night of entertainment provided by all those in attendance.

The Santa Cruz Island experienceStudents volunteer at a one-of-a-kind place

by Emily Cone, Managing Editor, and Kim Boswell, Front Page Editor

First Person

THE CREW (far left): From top left: Angel Berg, Mackenzie Erb, Cassandra Humphrey, Kim Boswell, Amanda Zimmerman, Emily Cone, Amanda Burgh, Holly Mondo, Devon Lambert. Bottom left: Yvonne Liu, Marcus DiMaggio, Megan Luth, Cheyenne Liddicote, Mark DiMaggio, Hanna Stevens, Ryan Springer, Sawyer Sackett, Noah DeRosier, Ginny Walton, Gaylene Ewing, and Jordanne Purnell.


EnvironmentDiMaggio’s homeNEXT

Sunday morning, splitting into three groups, we ventured into the warm sunlight toward our work. Our team, which hiked the farthest amount of eight miles, followed dutifully behind our leaders biology teacher Gaylene Ewing and Devon Lambert, PRHS graduating class of 2011, in a “hai-ho” fashion.

“I just pushed forward until I was unaware that I was evening walking anymore,” said senior Mackenzie Erb, who was on the island for the first time. “I didn’t even remember most of it.”

After resting for a half-hour snack lunch, we reached the top of a mountain and the Pacific Ocean unfurled before us, an endless expanse of blue and grey. Turning around, we saw the outline of a foggy mainland California with mountains and specks of light: civilization. We realized that we were truly someplace special, being the only high school even allowed to visit, we were going to make a difference for the island and for ourselves, one plant at a time.

We reached the landmark for the beginning of our real work, a small pipe near the side of the trail and ventured off course in search of one single piece of PVC pipe. A few scratches and bruises later, we came out of the brush and chaparral and found our destination and set out for work. We attached a 30 meter measuring tape to the pipe and analyzed every species of plants along the line—every 30 centimeters writing down the scientific name of various plants we did not know existed the day prior.

“Erigonum arborenscens! Herschfieldia encana! Nasella pulchra,” we would yell up the mountainside to senior Amanda Burgh, recording data. No, we were not casting spells, we were learning to distinguish plants from one another.

But this data collection had a far more holistic purpose than to understand what a genus and species is, or why Island Buckwheat only exists on the island. We were there to continue a project that DiMaggio became involved with in 1994. Analyzing where plants are occurring on the island and in what amount allows us to understand the effects of invasive species, such as wild pigs that were recently removed, and human impact on the island. Twenty years ago, there was a controlled burn on the western side of the island with the hope of restoring the habitat of Purple Needle Grass.

When we reached the field station at the end of the day, our group had only gone to two transects, for a total of seven. A low number for some, but those seven sheets of data will be extremely helpful in the research paper DiMaggio will be finishing over winter break. The data that will be presented to the Nature Conservancy, who owns half of the island, has shown that the removal of pigs has been “negligible” to the recovery of Purple Needle Grass, according to DiMaggio. But the findings will assist in the search for ways to replace the natural habitat that once existed on the island, and in the long run, replace habitats across the globe.

But as we watched Santa Cruz Island fade behind us the next day, we refused to allow the choppy waves to deter us from a returning journey, wondering at the new trails to be followed.

96 squa

re m

iles76%Owned by

the Nature Conservancy

24%Owned by National

Park Service

Plant species in ten different plant communities

PRHS first began volunteering to build pens for the Santa

Cruz Island Fox captive breeding program in

The island by the numbers

Photos by Kim Boswell and Emily Cone

600THE ASCENT (left): BCASE members follow DiMaggio to Cascada watering hole on Santa Cruz Island. This was the first of their various hikes during their three day excursion on the island.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME (far right):

DiMaggio smiles while explaining to BCASE

members his hatred of the invasive species,

“Feniculum vulgare.” DiMaggio has been

coming to the island with students for 20

years.

WORSE THAN IT’S BITE (right): Piles of Eucalyptus tree bark lined the

half-mile road leading to the field station.

Students spent all day making these piles and loading them

into a dump truck. The dump truck then

transported the tons of bark to a different

location, where it will eventually be burned.

Graphic illustrations by Sydney Matteson and Kim Boswell


PREVIOUS

EnvironmentSanta Cruz Island

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who lived in a straw house that was easily destroyed. Today, GEO teacher Mark DiMaggio lives comfortably in a sturdy straw bale home in Cambria that no big bad wolf can blow down.

Cookie cutter suburban homes line the small road, but one does not look like the others. Angled towards the south, its stucco exterior walls are lumpy and uneven, and solar panels glimmer on the roof. But the home’s funky curb appeal proves that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and in this case it is 130 bales of straw.

DiMaggio and his wife, Sally, began planning the building of their home in 1996, wanting full control of how the resources such as plumbing and heating in their home would work.

Construction began in Aug. 1999 with help from a few close friends of DiMaggio’s. After 19 months of hard work, the family of five moved into the home completing finishing touches such as tile work and wood work. He and his friends completed 90 percent of the construction, according to DiMaggio, who took a year off of teaching science to navigate the building process.

“I saved about $160,000 by building it myself instead of hiring someone to build [the house],” DiMaggio said. However, DiMaggio’s main concern and desire to build his own home wasn’t so much about saving money as it was about saving the environment.

Inside the 20 inch thick exterior walls of the home are 130 straw bales. They were placed inside the wooden frame of the home and then cement and plaster was smeared over chicken wire on the interior facing wall, and stucco on the exterior facing wall. Because the straw bales were slightly askew, the exterior surface was given a wavy appearance, and although one may be wary of a fire hazard, straw bale homes are actually more fire proof then others, according to DiMaggio.

“Consider another skin surrounding you. One that, like your own skin, breathes. It works well with moisture without letting it seep inwards. Its

surface holds the moisture until it can then release it outwards. It could keep you warm when the air is cold outside and yet also keep you cool, when the air is warm,” according to www.ecohouseagent.com. Seventy-five percent of annual heating and cooling costs can be saved through straw bale homes.

Other eco-friendly aspects of the home are solar panels, and rain water collection bins. These help DiMaggio to maintain a low carbon footprint, the amount of CO2 every individual emits into the air. Compared to the average American’s carbon footprint of 20-25 tons per year, DiMaggio’s is estimated to be a fourth of that.

“It’s a specialty kind of house. A lot of people would go ‘Nah, that’s too weird.’ But then others would be really excited about the recycling aspect of it. It has our family’s touch, it’s not like any other regular houses that all look exactly the same,” DiMaggio said.

D i M a g g i o ’ s home is one of the 40 straw bale

homes in San Luis Obispo county. “[The county] is pretty educated about alternative

ways of construction, they aren’t so stuck in their ways that they won’t let you do something unique and different, SLO county is pretty cutting edge,” said DiMaggio, who has lived in the area for 25 years.

Simple ways students can participate in being green are by recycling and conserving energy according to DiMaggio, who bikes from Cambria to Paso twice a week.

“Try and be conscious of how you’re using electricity. If you’re done using [something] whether it’s a light, computer, hair dryer, or if your iPod is charged but is still plugged in, then unplug those things and turn them off so that they are using as little energy as necessary,” said DiMaggio.

Although one may imagine a house constructed of straw to resemble that of the home of the little piggies in the old childhood story books, with a resolute foundation built on principle, this is one strong straw house.

GEO teacher, walking his talk, constructs an eco-friendly house in Cambriaby Laura Callahan, Health Co-Editor

DiMaggio’s home-made home

HOUSE FACTS: The home runs on 90 percent of solar energy

and saves him approximately$150 per month, according to

DiMaggio. Photo voltaic panels convert solar radiation into

direct current electricity throughout the day where it is

then stored on an energy grid so that energy will always be

accessible to the family. The family also recycles rain water

that drips off the roof and into big basins. It is then heated

by the solar panels for everyday utilities such as showers,

running the dishwasher, or doing laundry.

GREEN MACHINE: DiMaggio’s straw bale house has 20 inch thick walls, containing 130 bales. It took roughly a year and a half to con-struct his house, which is located in Cambria. DiMaggio urges his students to research and eventually build their own eco-friendly homes. Photos used with permission by Mark DiMaggio.


AdsAdsNEXT

Happy holidays

fromCrimson

n e w s m a g a z i n e


PREVIOUS

AdsAds


Fun & GamesHeidi SillNEXTFindthe

differences Senior Ben Oliver shows off his senior swagger as he heads to class. Find the differences between each picture-- there are 11!

Photo by Ryan Morrison

BREAKCELEBRATECOLDEGGNOGELVESFOODFRUITCAKEGIVINGHOLIDAYICICLEJOYMIRACLEMISTLETOEPOINSETTIAPRESENTSRESOLUTIONSRIBBONSANTAWINTERWREATH

H A V O I A S I X L Y I A C M W L B

X U B P G E S F B E V A I F D W P L

A U X P C L P H O P Q S B E E G G M

L F C A V K T N D R H O X B P S L O

K U G V G A L X D E N N A C J Y X A

F Q M L G Z M D C S A O M Q M O H E

G N C I N W O N Q E G U B O M F W F

G N D T R M E M K N L R S B I B O K

G V K E E A B A I T T E S N I O P F

V S A N T A C V L S V S B X D R Z Z

L T E K N T I L I L T O E R W O W O

H W R S I G F E E H O L I D A Y C X

T O B U W Q B C G L V U E G H T S L

T N R K K X S I I G C T M T Y O E F

N F I T X O L B Y M N I S F O C K E

E C B V V I A F D D L O C H J E Q D

J O O H J F P D G V P N G I C W W Y

I Y B G Z D G T P I R S Z Y J N S E

BREAKCELEBRATECOLDEGGNOGELVESFOODFRUITCAKEGIVINGHOLIDAYICICLEJOYMIRACLEMISTLETOEPOINSETTIAPRESENTSRESOLUTIONSRIBBONSANTAWINTERWREATH

H A V O I A S I X L Y I A C M W L B

X U B P G E S F B E V A I F D W P L

A U X P C L P H O P Q S B E E G G M

L F C A V K T N D R H O X B P S L O

K U G V G A L X D E N N A C J Y X A

F Q M L G Z M D C S A O M Q M O H E

G N C I N W O N Q E G U B O M F W F

G N D T R M E M K N L R S B I B O K

G V K E E A B A I T T E S N I O P F

V S A N T A C V L S V S B X D R Z Z

L T E K N T I L I L T O E R W O W O

H W R S I G F E E H O L I D A Y C X

T O B U W Q B C G L V U E G H T S L

T N R K K X S I I G C T M T Y O E F

N F I T X O L B Y M N I S F O C K E

E C B V V I A F D D L O C H J E Q D

J O O H J F P D G V P N G I C W W Y

I Y B G Z D G T P I R S Z Y J N S E

— Amanda Hutchinson , Managing Editor and Ryan Morrison, Graphic DesignerGraphics by Ryan Morrison

Holiday word search


PREVIOUS

SportsCrossword

by Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor and Kelly Munns, Editorial Editor

‘‘‘‘The best teams have chemistry. They

communicate with each other and they

sacrifice personal glory for the

common goal. We’re one of those teams.

‘‘‘‘I grew up playing soccer with most of the girls on the team, so we all get along really well. We are a really close team and always have fun but can also be serious when necessary.

‘‘‘‘All of the polo girls are like sisters. We are practically half naked every day of the week

with each other for three hours in a pool,

so I guess you could call that special team

chemistry.

‘‘‘‘I think we get along great on and off the court. Most of us hangout at school and before games we have team dinners and we enjoy playing Just Dance.

Junior Jaclyn Caraveo, Girls Varsity Basketball

Senior Albert Echevarria, Boys Varsity Soccer

Sophomore Alyssa Harris, Girls Varsity Soccer

At 5’10’’, Heidi Wittstrom Sill looks like any ordinary high school basketball coach. But the former Division 1 Cal Poly basketball player and Bearcat star is far from average. Sill, a 2000 graduate, has earned recognition for her talent on both the crimson and emerald courts.

Completing an eight year climb from a high school varsity freshman to a regular starter for the Mustangs, Sill has taken up the torch for the Bearcat girls varsity program.

“She is a very good coach,” two year varsity player junior Jaclyn Caraveo said. “She loves the game and just makes basketball more fun and exciting.” Sill’s passion for the game reflects directly on her players.

This key change in coaching could mean anything, but with 13 upperclassmen on the roster, Sill has a lot of talent to work with as she tries to secure a league championship and potentially the coveted CIF title.

Sill, supervising her team’s warm-up drills, explained, “Coaching is hard, but I do it for the girls. I love them, and coaching is the closest thing to playing the game.” Her immediate goals include a PAC-7 title to add to the Gil Asa Gym banners.

Sill’s familiar with the recently renamed Scott Larson Court, playing Bearcat point guard under then-Coach Rich Schimke during her PRHS years. Rising to become a co-MVP in the Los Padres League, she performed regularly with an estimated 14 PPG, 4APG, and 7 rebounds.

“She had solid fundamentals and matured even more each year,” Schimke said, describing how Sill helped lead her senior year team to a 20-6 record and a league championship. “She was the extension of my arms on the

court; she was a humble leader.”Sill continued to play basketball after graduating, joining

the Cuesta College Cougars in the ‘01-‘02 season, where she helped lead the team to a postseason appearance. She led

the Cougars in scoring (14.3 PPG) and assists (3.6 APG) as a freshman, her numbers good enough to earn her first team all-Western State Conference.

As a sophomore she joined the Cal Poly squad under coach Faith Mimnaugh in the ‘02-‘03 season. The Ag Business major had a successful career with

56 starts over 3 seasons, before graduating to a life as a rancher with her husband and two young children.

With a fervent personality, Sill rose to prominence as a

player, but the enthusiasm didn’t stop there as she carried her passion into coaching.

“She coaches us not to just be better players, but to be better people. We do what we need to do with a ‘sprinkle of andale,’ as [Sill] would say,” varsity veteran junior Molly Donovan said.

Sill started as the PRHS girls JV coach, where for six years she prepared future varsity girls. She is now replacing PE teacher Mike Gray, who retired last season from the varsity head coach position. With Division 1 experience, Sill has brought a new dynamic to Bearcat coaching. According to her players, her work ethic, personality, and love of the game have created a new environment on the court.

“Coach [Sill] has changed our intensity and how much of a team we need to become and how hard we need to work,” junior Amani White said, a three year varsity player. “She’s a very hard working coach and takes this game very seriously. She’s full of passion and she wants us to be the best we can be.”

Girls basketball has new coach for new seasonby William Ford, News Co-Editor, and Sinéad Schouten, Sports Co-Editor

QUEENthe court’s got a

Junior Erika Smeltzer, Girls Varsity Water Polo

What would you say your team’s chemistry is like?

She was the extension of my arms on the court; she was a

humble leader.““

Rich Schimke, past coach

Varsity boys soccer wins

Cats and Hounds Tourney

more oncrimsonnews.org

Photo used with permission by Sergio Viramontes

SportsPhoto EssayNEXTTechnically Speaking: Wrestling

by Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor

Dual sport athlete dominates on the matby Josh Orcutt, Sports Co-Editor

With football season over, you would think junior Kevan Garcia, two year starting varsity safety, would take a breather. Instead, Garcia competes as a PAC7 wrestler and is one of the best in the state at his weight division, receiving Honorable Mention from thecaliforniawrestler.com in the 145 category. Garcia started the season off strong, going 5-0 and winning a tournament, tallying 4 pins. As a freshman, Garcia made wrestling history: he is the only freshman in the 110 year history of PRHS to make it to the CIF Southern Section Masters meet. Garcia is not only a standout on the mat, but he is a standout safety and pinch-hit running back. This year, Garcia got a chance he didn’t get sophomore year: run the ball. Garcia was clutch in games, averaging 5.41 yards per carry, and finishing the season with one rushing touchdown-for 80 yards-and 184 rushing yards. As safety, Garcia had two interceptions.

Like in every other sport, a strong core keeps you on balance. Garcia trains his by doing intense training that starts at “5:30 a.m. four days a week, with several other wrestlers. [We] do several exercises, but [mainly] three sets of 20 hanging leg lifts.”

WASH BOARD ABS:

The thighs are the driving force of the lower body, and have to be intensely strong as he uses them to drive opponents to the mat, and keep them there.

DRIVING FORCE:

The ankles are the base of the body and are often put in odd angles while wrestling. As a running back for the varsity football team, Garcia is at an edge because his ankles are stronger as a result of cutting moves used while running the football.

CUT ON A DIME:

Balance is again a key factor in a wrestler. If you are off balance, you are more likely to end up on the mat.

BALANCE:

It could be said that the legs are the most important part of a wrestler. He uses his legs to create the driving force of his slams and the spring of his escape holds. Garcia strengthens his legs by doing “a pyramid to 40, then back down to explosive squats. [Then I] do five sets of 15 cleans.”

THE MOTORS OF THE BODY:

Junior wrestler Kevan Garcia goes under the microscope


Strength in the shoulders is designed to make it easier to pin someone to the mat or hold them there. The stronger you are, the easier it is to keep your opponent down. However, Garcia needs to keep his shoulders off the mat to prevent his opponent from scoring points against him. Garcia trains his shoulders by doing “four sets of ten bench presses with half of [his] max, then four sets of ten upright rows. [He follows this with] four sets of ten handstand pushups.”

PIN ‘EM:

Garcia uses his arms to grapple with the opponent, keep them at bay, and to try and keep himself off the ground. Also, Garcia uses them to keep an opponent on the mat, as he tries to get a pin.

GRAPPLE:

Photos by Josh Orcutt and Nikianne Ochoa


PREVIOUS

Photo EssayTECHNICALLY SPEAKING

BearcatsDecember:

WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS (bottom left): PRHS 16, 17, and 18 year old students were eligible to give blood on Dec. second. A blood drive attendee braces himself for the needle.

MAKING A RUN FOR IT (bottom right): Freshman Blair Orlando tries to escape junior Megan Clark’s attempt at a grasp at Orlando’s flag, at the PRHS Powderpuff Game on Nov. 10.

SENIORS FOR SALE (top right): Seniors Noel Aschenbrener and Minjoo Lee smile in front of the crowd watching the 2011 Senior Sale. Gutsy seniors like these

two sold themselves for the week of Dec 12.

HOLDING ON (top left): Junior Monica Garcia tries to pull past senior Marisa Martinez, who grabs her shirt while trying to reach for Garcia’s flag

GOING ONCE (upper left): Seniors Matt Roberson, Daniel Hernandez, and Josh Skinner urged the crowd to “Buy Me Bro!” The trio was sold on Thursday Dec. 8 at lunch time in the gym. All proceeds of the Senior Sale went to Wood’s Humane Society and the Soup Kitchen.

Photos by Emily Cone, Kim Boswell, Ryan Morrison, and Josh Orcutt.

December 2011

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