The SpectacleMesa Vista MHS ı PO Box 50, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 VOL. 1, ISSUE 2 ı March 19,2010

INSIDE!

Sports Briefssee p. 6

News Briefsby Ashtyn MegarizReporter

FFA

Girls’ Varsity Ends Basketball Season 20-4by Alejandro GriegoReporter Ending the season 20-4, the Varsity girls’ basketball team had an overall successful season. “I think this has been the best season for the girls in probably the last 15 years,” boys’ basketball coach Tomas Vigil said.          

Although the girls’ basketball team had a solid 08-09 season, this one has been even better. The team is in district 3-AA, which includes Penasco, Questa and McCurdy.

In early March, the thought was that the girls would be going all the way to the championship round. They were headed for

their chance in The Pit, only to lose to Navajo Pine in the first round of State.

“For the season we did well. Our record shows it — just Navajo Pine was a good team — but we tried our hardest,” sophomore Julia Martinez said.

On Dec. 12 they played Mora, another heartbreaker, which ended 45 to 52. After this loss, however, the ladies went on an 18 game winning streak. When district season came around one of the biggest challenges came against Penasco, a team that has beat Mesa Vista girls in all three encounters this season.

In preparation for an FFA invitational competition on March 23 and 24 in Portales, Mesa Vista’s FFA members are staying after school at least three times a week and also practicing during class. In addition, the members worked to cel-ebrate FFA week, Feb. 21-25. This is a week dedicated to raise awareness of FFA and to show FFA spirit. One day, members passed out pencils and another day they wore gloves to show that they were either a Chapter Mem-ber or a Green Hand. They also held a potluck with all the FFA members and had a Teacher Appreciation Day where they used a recycled milk jug and filled it with school supplies and cookies. On the last day the members worked as teachers’ assistants at Ojo Caliente and El Rito elementary schools. “We are a really good group this year and we are trying to win the sweepstakes again,” FFA Sponsor Connie Lujan said.

All Mesa Vista students who attend prom on May 1 at the Big Rock Casino may attend a free after-party at the Dream Catcher Theater in Espanola where they have a chance to win free prizes, watch movies and play a va-riety of games. This is all thanks to the senior class, which won a DWI Video contest. Open to all six local high schools in Rio Arriba County, the contest was for the best anti-DWI or un-derage drinking message in a 2 min. or less video. Senior Sabrina Terrazas lead the project. “Research shows that many students engage in underage drinking and other high risk behavior after prom celebrations,” accord-ing to a County DWI press release. “The event is designed to provide an alcohol and drug free alternative activity for high school students.”

Due to legislative budget cuts, mem-bers of the MESA program were unable to

by Raphaela ViereckReporter Roads are naturally dangerous when it snows, but just how much snow is it too much? The decision lies with superintendant Randal Earwood, he says it relies mostly on road conditions when he calls for a delay or cancellation.                       “It depends on the severity of the storm… I usually make the call by 5 or 5:30,” Earwood said. “The bus drivers need to know… I checked the roads myself at 4 in the morning once.” Before he decides to call bus drivers however Earwood calls contacts in El Rito, Tres Piedras, Vallecitos and Ojo Caliente (where he lives) to check the snow levels in each community, mostly he looks into road conditions. When he makes the decision

he first calls the executive secretary Audra Chacon, who starts a phone tree to inform the teachers and bus drivers. Earwood then informs the principals at all three schools. Chacon also calls the local TV and radio station. It is not a

fool proof system, though. “We live in the mountains… they say we should be used to driving on those roads,” eighth grader Julian Lovato said. In Petaca, where Lovato lives, they get as much as a foot of snow

Super. Explains Snow Delay Criteria

photo by: Anonymous Student

Snow Down!: Slushy roads and blizzard-like conditions cause bus drivers to drive slowly during a 2-hour delay in February. Mesa Vista has had two snow days.

SENIORS WIN PARTY

cont. p. 2, see SNOW

cont. p.6, see GIRLS BASKETBALLcont. p. 2, see NEWS BRIEFS

MESA HALTED

Sleep In or Slide Out?

The Spectaclec/o MVMHS PO Box 50

Ojo Caliente, NM 87549(505) 583-2275

505-583-9133 fax

page 2 March 19, 2010 NEWS The Spectacle

SNOW, cont. from p.1NEWS BRIEFS, cont. from p.1

QUILT

COMPUTER CONTEST

on a regular basis, and most times even with a two hour delay, driving conditions are still nerve racking. “Every time they send us down… the snowplow is coming up,” he said. For the 2008-2009 school years, the district built in four snow days into the district calendar as an extra fifteen minutes of school every day. This year, however, there were no extra days built in. The previous superintendant Robert Archuleta, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union representatives were the ones to decide the 2009-10 calendar. This lack of extra days is not

taken into consideration when Earwood has to decide on delays or cancellations, he said. “When the union went to bargain with the superintendant, he said according to the state, we could not build them in,” union representative Connie Lujan said. “This year’s superintendant is already willing to work with us.” The two snow days will be made up with “the least impact” Earwood said, meaning spring break, culture day, or any other such breaks will not be affected. “My utmost concern is the safety of the students,” Earwood said.

compete at the Jamboree this year. In previ-ous years, students placing first, second and third were able to compete at state level. “This affects their (participants) motiva-tion because they expected to go…,” high school MESA sponsor Bernadette Galvez said.

This fourth nine weeks, the Spanish I and Spanish II classes will be making a quilt with the design of a Trojan, while listening to the book “Bless Me Ultima.” Spanish teacher Teresa Sandoval is purchasing all the materials and distributing them for each stu-dent’s individual use. “My whole inspiration of the quilt came from wanting kids to do something fun while listening to the book, so they wouldn’t fall asleep just sitting there,” Sandoval said.

Mesa Vista students could possibly get research done in the library loft on brand new ACER laptop computers. Librarian April van Buren entered Mesa Vista in the Acer “Library Makeover” contest. In Feb-ruary Acer representatives called to inform van Buren that Mesa Vista was selected as one of the top ten finalists nationwide. The winner of this competition will receive ten Acer Timeline Notebooks and two Acer All-In-One Desktops. In order for MVMHS to win, the school must get the most votes before March 31. To vote online, go to https://u s s p r i n g p ro m o . a c e r. c o m / Ca m p a-ing/SchoolLibraryMakeover/index.htm?LS=Intel

Student Discipline, Drug Policies Explained

The student handbook is 63 pages with 12 just about the school discipline policy. It’s a lot to read and even more to try to understand, so I interviewed Principal Ruben Lucero and will try to explain the policy as it relates to drugs on campus. Progressive discipline starts with the minimum consequences,like conferences, parent meetings and then suspensions. Then, if the student keeps coming to the office for the same misbehavior, Lucero goes to

the maximum punishment, like long term suspension (OSS) or expulsion. On an average day, including both ISS and OSS, Lucero suspends two to five people, which is less than last school year, he said. Bringing drugs on campus results in immediate suspension from school and law enforcement is notified. Severity depends on the amount of drugs and the situation, he said. “If suspension is more than 10 days, a hearing is held to determine the total length,” Lucero said.

There have been no school-wide drug checks this year, but Mesa Vista does have individual drug checks if staff has reasonable cause or suspicion.  The school doesn’t have to notify parents when they search students even if they are underage, but after the check, Lucero said, school officials do try to inform parents (as to why the school checked their child). As for searching students’ cars, school authorities can search them without the student present as long as there is another person there to witness the search.

by Jennifer SuazoReporter

The Spectacle StaffAdviser: April van Buren

Editor: Genna Salas

Staff: Yaxcubeli CamposAlejandro GriegoLily HawleyAubrie KuykendallPauline Luhman Morgan MascarenasAshtyn Megariz Katie SalasBen Sandoval Jennifer Suazo andRaphaela Viereck

This is the second issue of the Mesa Vista stu-dent newspaper, The Spectacle, produced by the school’s journalism class. The goal of this publication is to pro-vide accurate, informative and entertaining information in the true spirit of responsible journalism and to oper-ate as an open forum for students, staff and parents. Those who are not enrolled in the journalism class may still contribute to the publication in the form of a letter to the editor, a guest column, photog-raphy or artwork. No editorials will be printed, how-ever, which complain or attack without factual justifica-tion. All guest editorials must be signed and approved for publication. The Spectacle also reserves the right to edit copy. Readers’ responses can be mailed to The Spec-tacle c/o MVHS, or sent in an e-mail to adviser April van Buren at: avanburen@mesavista.k12.nm.us.

Student journalists on The Spectacle staff will publish only legally protected speech following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. The adviser of The Spectacle will not determine the content of the paper. The adviser will offer advice and instruction to help the staff cover all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner according to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. Gossip columns, horoscopes, song dedications, senior wills and senior superlatives will be avoided due to the narrow audience they serve and the probability they possess of containing libelous material and content. Staff members will strive to correct any errors before publication. However, if the editorial board de-termines a significant error was printed, a formal cor-rection will appear in the following issue.

The Spectacle OPINION March 19, 2010 page 3

The school district has a dress code policy that bans “gang-related colors” such as red and purple. This policy also rules out belts, bandanas, shoes and shoelaces that look like they may be gang-related, according to the Sept. 2009 report of the Rio Grande Sun. While the district has good intentions, these restrictions added to the dress code for the 09-10 school year haven’t been effective and, instead, the district should make more serious efforts to curb gang problems. “It was something some people in the administration had noticed where they were having problems with certain colors,” Board President Fernando Gurule said in the Sept. 2009 report of the Rio Grande Sun. Some parents have voiced complaints about the Mesa Vista School District dictat-ing what colors students can or cannot wear. Beverly Trujillo, a parent of an eighth grade student at Mesa Vista, said in the Sept. 2009 Rio Grande Sun article that principal Ruben Lucero threatened to suspend her daughter for wearing a purple smiley face shirt: “If school administrators can’t iden-tify gang activity without colors, they need training,” Trujillo said in the Sept. issue of the Sun. “My daughter is not in a gang. Besides, girls look good in purple.” We (The Spectacle newspaper staff ) believe that something as innocent as a purple smiley face shirt shouldn’t be against the dress code. It makes sense that if the shirt had gang symbols on it, it would be a problem at school. We’re sure administrators are able to identify a gang member or gang activity when they see it. Yet, in our opinion, a gang member wouldn’t wear a smiley face shirt or a number of other almost “silly” styles currently banned

under the added rules. The school policy is so strict and it’s also un-necessary. It harms “good” kids who are more likely to follow school rules any-way, but doesn’t really affect gang members. In fact, gang members just pick some-thing new to identify them-selves, like the color white or a certain brand of hat or shoe, while the more in-nocent students are still re-stricted from wearing those cute flower power shirts or the supporting their favorite college team, the LOBOS. This policy also ap-plies to staff. We understand that the teachers should model good behavior and follow school rules as well, but the silliness of such a restrictive rule is only more exaggerated when applied to staff. For example, Eng-lish teacher Deborah Be-gel wore purple quite often last year, but it’s

highly unlikely (as in, not at all likely) she’s a member of any gang other than the school English department. We believe the district needs to spend time on more important issues rather than focusing

mainly on the dress code. It wastes too much time and energy enforcing it. Instead of sending kids home for wearing Iron Maiden shirts, the school could be focusing on other important things, such

as working toward making AYP by having the kids who are wearing gang insignia do Acellus or do book reports in ISS. Also, gang awareness education, like visits from the Es-panola Gang Task Force, would be a good way to educate all Mesa Vista students about gangs. Guidance counselor Denise Lopez said the school did plan an assembly about gang violence, but for whatever reason, we never ended up having this assembly. Overall, instead of this policy, if the school really wants to improve a safer learn-ing environment, we’d like to see Mesa Vista offer activities to get people out of gangs, be stricter about punishing students who tag and expel students for gang activity at school.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Restrictive Dress Code Does Little to Change Gangs

editorial cartoon by Christopher Pachecho

We want your opinion! Write a Letter to the Editor: We hope to publish at least ONE more issue of the 2009-2010 school newspaper. If you would like to submit a

letter to the editor about this editorial or anything else related to Mesa Vista, please consider mailing your response to The Spectacle c/o MVHS, or send-

ing an e-mail to the adviser at: avanburen@mesavista.k12.nm.us. No editorials will be printed, however, which complain or attack

without factual justification. All guest editorials must be signed and ap-proved for publication. The Spectacle also reserves the right to edit copy.

They were having problems with certain colors.

— School Board President Fernando Gurule

“ ”

page 4 March 19, 2010 FEATURES The Spectacle

The Facts Behind St. Patrick’s Day           New discoveries may seem weird at first, but after a while such discoveries can become a tradition like in the year of 1961 in Chicago, Illinois, when they dyed the Chicago River green on St. Patrick’s Day. This tradition started because of one plumber’s coveralls. As weird as it may sound, the plumber had white coveralls that had been stained a very bright green color. A man named Stephen Bailey asked how the coveralls got that  way and the plumber said it was a dye they used to trace sewage leaking into the Chicago River. This sparked an idea that took hold and is still in practice today. “It (Saint Patrick’s Day) is a day you have to wear green or else you get pinched,” eighth grader SteviAnn Gallegos said. Saint Patrick’s Day is a day celebrated all around the world by many people whether or not they are Irish. Most celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green, throwing classroom parties (or dances), and pinching others who forgot to wear green that day. These are fun traditions, but only a few people know that

Saint Patrick wasn’t even Irish. “The only thing I know about St. Patrick is that his favorite color is green and he is Irish,” senior Sabrina Terrazas joked. Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland in 387 AD to parents Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in the British colonies. During a raiding party, Irish warriors captured 14-year-old Patrick and took him to Ireland where he became a slave for tending and herding sheep. While he was in captivity, he learned the language and practices of the people who held him captive. Patrick turned to God for help in order to escape. When he was 20 years old, God told him in a dream that it was time to return to his home in Britain by going to the coast of Ireland. Patrick did this and found a passage with some sailors heading in that direction. A few years went by before Patrick had another dream from God. This time, it was the Irish people calling out to him. So he began his studies for priesthood under the guidance of Saint Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre. When a bishop ordained Patrick, he was

sent to the Gospel of Ireland, where he began to spread the Christian faith. Patrick preached and converted the people of Ireland for 40 years. He is said to have worked many miracles throughout his 40 years of converting. Patrick died on March 17, 461 in Saul where he had built his first church.   As time passed, people began to change the meaning and tradition of St Patrick’s Day by going to parties and forgetting about the real reasons behind the celebrations. Some say it is supposed to be a day to remember a Saint who dedicated his life to converting others to

Christianity. Others, however, choose to view March 17 as a day to celebrate the coming of spring after a long

winter.

by Pauline LuhmanReporter

Students at schools in places like Allendale Township, Michigan and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania can actually take

classes where they learn to surf, mountain bike or even skateboard. Now Mesa Vista students can join their ranks with the addition of a new club — The Billiards Club.             “The Billiards Club is a during school,

and hopefully soon, after-school activity for students and teachers to get out of the cold and play pool, listen to music or even do homework,” said President of the Billiards Club junior Jonathan Gallegos. Gallegos and sophomore Justin Varela (vice president) founded the Billiards Club with the help of the club’s two sponsors, Special Education teacher Gerard Garcia and school Principal Ruben Lucero.

For now, any students who want to play pool can go to Lucero’s old office in the High School Building during the lunch period, Varela said. Garcia is there to supervise and give helpful pointers.            At some point Gallegos said he hopes to open the club for after school practice as well.             “We are looking to raise some money so we can buy a new pool table,” Garcia said.

In addition to fundraising Gallegos’ plans for the club include putting a competition team together.             “You can just go in and play, but if you want to be in the club or on the competition team you have to sign up,” Gallegos said.             The club currently has about 30 to 40 members, Gallegos said.             For those who would like to join, a sign-up sheet is located in the front office on the bulletin, but students can also go see sponsor (Gerard) Garcia. “We hope to get more students involved to keep the club going at Mesa Vista,” (Gerard) Garcia said.

New Club at Mesa Vista Offers Fun, Competition

photo by Raphaela Viereck

Lined up: Junior Andrew Clavery and club vice president Justin Varela join in a game of pool during lunch on Friday, March 5. Interested students can sign-up in the front office.

by Aubrie KuykendallReporter

drawing by Pauline Luhman

The Spectacle FEATURES March 19, 2010 page 5

New teacher, Alfred Sanchez, teaches middle and high school science, including physical science, Earth science, chemistry and life sciences. “Science is an important subject to learn because it has good structures, such as the scientific method – it’s a good method to solve problems,” Sanchez said. “Also, current events make science even more interesting and make kids want to learn how to know when earthquakes are coming up, and even in space with the new technologies like the Hubble Space Telescope, which brings new images and is discovering

new stars.” Sanchez attended UNM and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sci-ence to become a teacher. Mesa Vista students might be surprised to hear that before college, Sanchez worked at a restaurant. First he had is own tortilla business in San Luis Valley and then became a tortilla dis-tributer for Mission. He was also a produce manager at a grocery store. After college, however, Sanchez went into teaching. He chose to become a teacher, he said, because he loves working with students. “I think that it is because when you are around students it brings life... When you see students succeed and you are part of that success, you feel a sense of accomplishment,” Sanchez said. Before coming to Mesa Vista, Sanchez coached at Espanola Val-ley High School and taught at Espanola Elementary from 2007-2009. This year is not his first year as a full-time Middle and High School teacher, either. He taught Middle School in 2001 and since then has either been in the classroom teaching or coaching. When he was a high school student himself, Sanchez attended Alamosa High in Alamosa, Colorado. There, he joined football, wres-tling and track. In fact, he was a wrestling state champion in high school. Now that he’s “all grown up,” his hobbies are hunting, camping and weight lifting. “I like the outdoors because it gives you a sense of peace... and the scenery and the nature,” Sanchez said. The most important thing about being a teacher, Sanchez said, is watching the people he taught in high school succeed. “He goes over a lot of information before testing, senior Mariah Galvez said. We’ve had three tests over the past two weeks but we take review sheets before the tests.” Sanchez focuses on key concepts in class, and eighth grader Se-lina Siqueros said she likes his teaching methods because he is well edu-cated and knows the material well. “I’d like people to realize that if you do things right, things will turn out right,” Sanchez said.

Teacher Alfred Sanchez Brings Science, Structure

photo by Lily Hawley

Excuse Me, Mister: Junior Anissa Baca raises her hand during Phys-ics class with new teacher Alfred Sanchez. Before teaching at Mesa Vista, Sanchez worked in Espanola and also ran his own tortilla business.

by Yaxcubeli Campos & Ashtyn MegarizReporters

drawing by Pauline Luhman

Have you purchased your 2009-2010 yearbook yet?

If you wait until August, it will cost $45

Don’t wait until the last minute!

Buy now for $35

Grades 7-12

All sports, prom, and graduation!

please make checks out to “Mesa Vista Yearbook”

Buy online:http://mesavista.yearbooksales.com

or in the school library

Natural Helpers & Health Coalition Town Hall Meeting

Northern New Mexico College El Rito Campus

Grant Gymnasium Thursday, March 25

9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.Featuring:

Rio Arriba Co. Detention InmatesGang PreventionNew Mexico State PoliceU.S. Army Corps of EngineersRio Arriba Co. Drug CourtsOffice of the Medical InvestigatorCandidates for Rio Arriba County Sheriffand your local youth

Come Join Your

Local Communities

“Choose Your

Own path”

page 6 March 19, 2010 SPORTS The Spectacle

Boys’ Ball Finishes 16-14, Ski Trips, Track Begins

photo by ?????????

The Mesa Vista boys made it to the quarterfinals in the state tournaments this year. They played Tularosa at the Santa Ana Star Center on Wed. March 10, losing 62 to 84. “I am proud of the team. We made it to State. We defied all the criticism we’ve had this year,” basketball player, senior Greg Trujillo said.  The boys are currently the district 3-AA champions for the third year in a row. They have five wins and two losses in the district. Overall, the boys won 16 games out of 30.  

To kick off the season the Mesa Vista Ski Club went to Sipapu Ski Resort for a field trip on Feb. 3 with club sponsors, teachers Victor Jaramillo and Connie Lujan. The students were able to go on this trip as part of the Sipapu Ski Resort Ski Program, which is an incentive program for

students who maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher for the entire first semester. “I think students who keep good grades and have good class behavior should be rewarded. They have earned it,” Jaramillo said. After being rescheduled twice due to conflicting dates with basketball games, the Feb. 3 trip had weak attendance. Of 80 eligible students, only 30 attended. Jaramillo, who originally wanted to schedule a second trip, said they will instead go on a trip to the Rio Grande Zoo on April 19 with MESA, FFA and Student Council members. The goals of this trip, he said, are to get parental involvement, recruitment for the programs and to continue offering incentives for good grades.

                Despite an unfinished track, the 2009-2010 track team has recently started practicing on Feb. 16. The track, which is

currently under construction to make repairs and improvements, is causing problems for the runners.                 “We can’t do as much, it’s harder to run when the track is full of rocks,” sophomore Samantha Terrazas said.

Last year the team made it to district championships and earned first place. The track repairs will, hopefully, not affect the athletes training that much and they will be able to go just as far or further this year, Terrazas said.

TRACK RUNS ON

by Katie SalasReporter

SKI CLUB

photo by Alejandria Gallegos

Jump!: Captain, senior Estevan Trujillo makes a free-throw dur-ing the game against Tularosa. The boys’ varsity team finished the season 16-14 after a loss to Tularosa in the Quarter finals.

GIRLS BASKETBALL, cont. from p.1

“The most competition we had this year was from Penasco,” junior Carmelita Trujillo said.

The girls brought improved teamwork this season, in part because most of them were returning players from the 09 season. A few girls did leave, however, including 2009 graduates Stephanie Gallegos and Laura Lopez, as well as Brittney Vasquez who transferred to Espanola.

  “I think we play good as a team,” freshman Larissa Pena said.

This statement about the girls’ 09-10 season is something most everyone in the community can agree on. Afterall, this is the first time the girls have made it to state in about 18 years and will likely be remembered for some time to come.  

Date Place DayMarch 20, 2010 Jemez Invite SaturdayMarch 27, 2010 West Las Vegas SaturdayApril 1, 2010 Clayton Relays ThursdayApril 8, 2010 N.M.H.U. (Las Vegas) ThursdayApril 17, 2010 Fox/Vixen Relays (Fort Sumner) SaturdayApril 23, 2010 N.R.G. Tournament (Dulce) FridayApril 26, 2010 Cimarron Ram Relays MondayApril 30, 2010 Districts (Dulce) FridayMay 7, 2010 State Friday/ Saturday

2010 TRACK SCHEDULE

Head Coach: Ben Sandoval Assistant Coaches: Marcy Romero and Miguel GarciaManager: Morgan Mascarenas

The Spectacle SPORTS March 19, 2010 page 7

Boys’ Ball Finishes 16-14, Ski Trips, Track Begins Baseball Team’s Goal: To Recover from ‘09 The 2010 baseball season is in full swing. With a new coach and a new attitude, the players are ready to get to work and redeem their 2009 season of 0 wins and 8 losses. “ W e are going to be a very young team, but we have a good amount of e x p e r i e n c e . If we put in the work, the games will be successful,” coach Clifford Richardson said. During the baseball season last year the team did not win a single game. This was due to inexperience, sophomore Phillip Rodriquez said; he also said the players were not determined last year.  It was still a decent team but the players definitely needed to get their act together and their heads in the game, Rodriquez said. “They had a lot of heart, but they did not have a very good season, so this year we are more determined than ever to win,” freshman Matthew Richardson said. Coach Richardson said he is excited to take over leadership of the team. He has been a baseball coach for eight years with the middle school and summer recreation.  He wants to help the players reach their full potential and have a better understanding and appreciation for the game. Preparation will translate into success in baseball as well as life, (Clifford) Richardson said. He also wants the team to be enthusiastic about this season, because it is a fresh start. “I plan to start by getting the kids excited. It’s a game; we will treat it like one, and have fun. I believe if we are

having fun, learn the fundamentals, and keep everything in perspective then we will have a successful season.” (Clifford) Richardson said. Unofficial practice started on

Feb. 1 in the gym, but only six or seven players showed up. Currently they are practicing on the field inside the track every Monday-Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 until the baseball field gets graded. (Clifford) Richardson said he likes to have the players run multiple stations to maximize practice and keep them from getting bored.       “He is experienced and cares a lot about the team; he’s a good coach, simple as that,” junior Jerome Campos said.

Although rebounding from such a dismal season is going to be a lot of work, players are pumped to get back on the field. This year’s competition is looking tough but Mesa Vista is ready for it Campos said. “I am looking forward to the new season because we are planning on working harder and winning more games,”

s o p h o m o r e E v a n Jaramillo said. U n l i k e other teams we have a lot more pitchers and they are all equally as impre s s i v e , Jaramillo said. Other schools

also do not see the team as a threat so the players can sneak up on them and dominate, Richardson added. With a few advantages Jaramillo is expecting a good season and hopes to start winning some games. Their first game is on 3-19-10 against Monte Del Sol at Ft. Marcy in Santa Fe; and the middle school will play St. Michael’s at home on 3-16-10. “I hope that more people come out to support us, it is going to be one heck of a season,” Campos said.

by Genna SalasEditor

We are going to be a very young team, but we have a good amount of experience. If we put in the work, the games will be successful.

— coach Clifford Richardson

“

”

I hope that more people come out to support us, it is going to be one heck of a season.

— juniorJerome Campos

“ ”

WHEN WHO WHEREMarch 19; 4 pm Monte del Sol Fort MarcyMarch 22; 3 pm Pecos HS Pecos HSMarch 24; 3 pm Mora HS Ranchitos ParkMarch 27;11 am St. Michael’s

HS (JV)Mesa Vista HS

March 27; 1 pm St. Michael’s HS (JV)

Mesa Vista HS

March 29; 4 pm Cuba HS Mesa Vista HSMarch 31; 4 pm Santa Fe Prep Mesa Vista HSApril 5; 3:30 pm

Espanola Valley High (JV)

Espanola Valley HS

April 5;5:30 pm Espanola Valley High (JV)

Espanola Valley HS

April 10; 11 am St. Michael’s High (JV)

St. Michael’s HS

April 10; 1 pm St.Michael’s High (JV)

St. Michael’s HS

April 13; 4 pm Questa HS Questa HSApril 15; 4 pm Penasco HS Penasco HSApril 20; 4 pm McCurdy HS Mesa Vista HSApril 22; 4 pm Questa HS Mesa Vista HSApril 27; 4 pm McCurdy HS McCurdy HSApril 29; 4 pm Penasco HS Mesa Vista HS

March 16 1 game 3:30 MV @ St. Mikes

March 17 2 games

3:30 &5:30

West Las Vegas @ MV

April 1 2 games

3:30 & 5:30 Taos @ MV

April 3 2 games

11 am & 1pm

St. Mikes @ MV

April 6 2 games 3 & 5:30 MV @ Espanola

April 8 2 games

3:30 &5:30 MV @ Taos

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

The Spectacle BACK PAGE March 19, 2010 page 8

What is your favorite movie based on a book?

“Inkheart be-cause it’s a mythi-cal fairytale come to life.” — 7th grader Gloria

Luhman

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid be-cause it is funny.”— 8th grader Patrick

Holterman

“Harry Potter and the Sorcer-er’s Stone because it uses magic.”— 9th grader Jeremy

Broyles

photos by Lily Hawley

com

pil

ed

by

Lily

Haw

ley

Book vs. Movie

by Lily HawleyReporter As a reader, I cannot help but be prejudiced, and of the opinion that the book “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan was 100 times better than the movie. The movie, however, still managed to blow my mind. “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” opened in theaters Feb. 12. Opening weekend, the movie made $31,236,769. The New York Times best-selling series has sold more than 1.2 million copies since it was published July 28, 2005. It is about the Greek god Posiden’s son, Percy Jackson, and his adventure to save his mortal mother from Hades and also to return Zeus’s missing master bolt before the start of summer solstice. It was visually astounding and, though the script writers did not stay true to the book, they took the movie down a whole other road that was equally engaging, full of adventure and humor. Percy Jackson has some amazing adventures in both the book and the film. Although some differences may make it hard to make the rest of the series into movies.

For example, some of the most entertaining characters had been cut from the story. Dionysus in his Tiger printed Hawaiian shirt, Cerberus and his red bouncy ball, Aries in his biker getup, and Kronos brainwashing gods and demigods alike through their dreams were despondently absent. The characters that did make it into the film were so vivid they seemed to walk out of the pages of the book. Logan Lerman, who though older than the 12-year-old Percy in the books, was perfectly cast for the part of Percy. No movie can truly capture the feeling that a book can but in the new Percy Jackson movie the creators certainly gave Rick Riordan’s, the book’s author, words a life of their own. The visuals when Percy used his hydrokinetic powers where beautiful and it seemed as if the water was alive. There is nothing worse than having your favorite book botched, but the director Chris Columbus seems to have a special touch for making fantasy books come to life. “Percy Jackson:The Lightning Thief” the movie made a name for itself all on its own. The script was well written, the characters nicely casted, and the graphics

reached above expectation. The book was still better but then again how can anyone compare to the power of the imagination and all of the places it can take you?

Through the Eyes of a Reader

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from 20th Century Fox