Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me?
Cassie Orona
1-21-05

    `How many times has this saying been used to get our bullies to back off? Is this saying telling the truth? I don't believe so. I believe that what people say has a huge effect on people. I'm asking you as a fellow human being, please be careful about what you say to people. Not everyone takes teasing as jokes.
    Do some of you feel like you can't turn to someone for help? Are you closing yourself off from the ones you love? Can you just not handle the stress any longer? Well I'm here to tell you to not do any of these things.
    I know someone who got picked on at school, shut themselves off to loved ones, and just was too overwhelmed by the teasing at school, family life wasn't paradise anymore and schoolwork wasn't going anywhere. As a result, this person took their own life. I was really close to this person and now, mostly because of what people said to this person at school, I will never be able to speak, hang out, or do anything with this person ever again. It hurts so bad to hear about people taking their life and ending it at an extremely young age. You have your whole life to live and to think about death before you've even lived life, is a shocker! I'm asking all of you, if you have a problem, there are ways to solve it.
    Here at CHS, we have excellent counselors who can help, a wonderful Peer Assistance Program; you can also talk to a friend, spouse, relative and other resources. Trust me, keeping something bottled up inside of you is not a good thing to do. CHS counselor Sean Davis says, "Counseling is the best. I would say that you need to tell somebody about your problem that you may be dealing with. Someone just needs to know that they are cared for and loved. Anything can help, even a smile or a kind word."
    About a year ago or so, there was a young boy being picked on at school about his size. One day, this boy, while reading his book report aloud (still being picked on while he was doing this), took out a gun, pointed it around the room at everyone, said that he couldn't deal with this anymore and killed himself. Now, I am NOT telling you this for the purpose to scare anyone or make you think twice about decisions. All I am saying is what you say to people has a huge effect on them. Remember, suicide is permanent. According to the United States statistics on suicide, in the year 2001, 30,622 individuals took their own lives. Out of tthis total, 3,971 people were between 15 to 25 years of age. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, but to the youth of America, it is the third leading cause of death between the ages of 15 to 24. On a yearly basis, 765,000 people in America attempt to kill themselves. Approximately, 10.9 youth kill themselves everyday. Women are three times more likely to ATTEMPT suicide than men, but men are four times more likely to COMPLETE the suicide attempt.
    "We all live in a diverse community and it's o.k. to joke," says Davis, "but we don't know sometimes what's been happening with this person, and if we say something wrong, this person might take their own life. The tongue can uplift or cut down and we don't know if our tongue will break them or drive that person to the extreme. Be careful what you say to each other. We need to encourage others and not bring them down."

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Ya give me fever…New Dance Club hits Campus
Janae Johson
1-21-05

Ever wanted to join in a dance club at school ? Almost everyone on campus knows about BSU, they mostly just dance to hiphop. If you are interested in dancing to something different, Fever Dance Club is for you. This club likes to Salsa dance!
    The club leader is Lisa Rungo, an AVID/ English teacher here at Colton High. The president of the Club is sophomore Sophia Rocha, who was the one who came up the the idea for the club. "Since Sophia was a freshman she was asking me about starting a new dance club. I told her I would help her out," says Rungo.
    Rungo took the time to sit with me and answer some questions about the club.
What kinda of music do you dance to?

"Mostly Salsa, there are some hip hop routines due to the popularity of that kind of music at the time. Sophia has a lot of dance experience that she brings into the club."

How do you get the funding to support the club?

"We don't currently have any but do need it. We were not very organized last year. This year we hope to join in on the carnivals and maybe a carwash also. We might also be able to perform in a dance reception, in the evening to raise more money."

What does the club do?

"We get together on Fridays to practice in the Macintosh gym. We performed in the pep assembly. Last year we were not able to do many performances due to lack of attendance. As of now we have about 20 people in the club. We got more strict this year; we had auditions for the club and everything. One thing we would like to do is open a dance clinic for young kids to teach them how to dance."

Do you enter any dance competitions?

"We haven't and we probably won't this year. It is something that we might like to consider in the future. We did perform at the Talent show last year."

Are you ever going to perform for the school?

"You are more than likely to see us perform at the pep assembly in January."

    So if you like to dance, perform, and have a good time, Fever Dance Club might be just the thing for you. For more details you can go see Lisa Rungo in room 453, or go find sophomore Sophia Rocha. You can also stop by one of their practices on and Friday during the school year.

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One Nation Under God
Commentary by Jamie Demers
1-21-05

Editor's note: The Pepperbough normally doesn't print Letters to the Editor on the front page, but we felt that this issue was important enough to showcase in this manner.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD. This is a phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance that concerns some people. The protests concerning this phrase have resulted in a ruling that says that students don't have to stand but must sit quietly in their seats.
    My name is Jamie Demers and I'm currently a sophomore at Colton High. There is something that concerns me and I am going to try and make it better. What I am determined to do is make a difference.
    In my second period class, Algebra, the daily announcements come on over the loudspeaker. The first thing is the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. Nobody but my teacher, Mrs. Cook, says it. I would understand if one or two people didn't say it, or even stand up, because of the words "under God." Some people, as you know, strongly believe that religion is not for school purposes. Yes, it is a federal law that students do not have to stand for the pledge, but must remain quiet. I know in my heart at least with the students in my second period class, they don't even think about standing up. The point is clearly that most high school students are staying seated not due to religious reasons concerning the pledge. It's simply that they're indifferent to standing for just as short a time as twenty seconds. Twenty seconds is saying it slowly and with long breaths taken between each phrase.
    If we were to take a survey as to why students sit, what would be the main reason? Indifference? Laziness? Or something else? If it is for religious reasons, I can accept that. If they are truly indifferent or just plain lazy I feel that it is unacceptable, not to say the Pledge of Allegiance that is so strongly cared for by most U.S. citizens!

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Cassie's Comments
Cassie Orona
1-21-05

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, today is my birthday and now I have entered adulthood. (Hi! This is Nina, Cassie's friend. I would just like to give her a big birthday shout out in her own column and everyone else who has a birthday on this day. Love you Cassie and Happy 18!) Imagine the things I can do now… I can legally buy cigarettes, stay out late without a curfew, go gambling (no, not at Vegas… DAYUM!) at Casino Morongo, go clubbing all night, (For legal purposes) I can go to the Hooka Bar, and I can legally vote! With all these things that 18 year olds can now do, I find that being 18 is kind of scary. Pretty soon I won't have my parents take care of me financially.
     I'll have to learn how to support myself. This means getting a job, keeping it, and pretty soon, moving out to live on my own. Plus, finishing up my senior year of high school, and starting college. You have to admit that this does seem kind of frightening. I mean, think about it. Mom and dad not taking care of your financial well being, if you make a wrong decision (which we all do), you have to find a way to make it right on your own, you have to support yourself with a job so you can still have food, shelter, clothes and all those things that we love, and for those of you going to college, you have that to deal with too!
    On the flip side, you do have WAY more freedom, privacy, respect, and you get to live life the way you want to and not the way that other people want you to live it. My biggest fear in entering this huge step in life is that I don't want to make a huge mistake and ruin things for my children in the future. I have my goals set and if I keep on doing well in school and preparing for the next step ahead of me, I should be doing all right. I don't want to make a decision that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Life at 18 is supposed to be fun.
    You're an adult and people at 18 should start acting like adults. I get to go and hang out with my friends whenever I want, but if I chose to live in my parent's house, then I do have to tell them where I'm going and all that stuff. Being 18 is more than just having fun and getting to do whatever you want. This is a huge step and you have more responsibilities on you than you may have realized early on…

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Faces in the Crowd
Shayne Robinson
1-21-05

"I don't really have a New Year's resolution, because I can never think of any thing important enough for me to promise myself that I'll do it."--Senior James "Buoy" Walker.

"I'm really not thinking of this as a New Year's resolution, more like a semester resolution. I just want to get on my school work." --Senior Chris Stallings

"I don't really like to lie to myself. I know that I'll start doing what ever it was I said I'd stop doing about a week in to the New Year." Junior Brook Digby

"Shayne, get away from me, I don't want to be in the gay paper. I'm not gonna give you a quote!" --Senior Kelsey Keylin.

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Character Education: What’s he point?
Robert Campos
1-21-05

Character education. We all know what it is and how often we take it (once a month). We learn about things ranging from cheating/honesty, to respect to responsibility. But is there really a point to this? I don’t really think so. What I mean to say is that our parents are supposed to teach us all of that stuff before we start school. Why should we have to take time out of our day?

I can see why some students enjoy taking time out of their day for this, some people say that it’s pointless but it makes their other classes shorter so they’re willing to do it. I, however, feel differently. Even if it does make my classes shorter, it’s still no substitute for the fact that I’m doing something that I think is totally pointless. I learned how to be the person that I am a long time ago. I don’t think that I should have to take time out of my day to do something that I learned already.

I personally believe that even if you’re going to complain about something you should at least try to discuss the stuff about it that’s good. So let’s see…Character Education is likeable because it shortens all of our classes, except for second period. This is neat for those of us that have a class that we love, but for those of us that have a class we absolutely despise during second, it could pose a bit of a problem.

And yes, it’s nice that our school is trying to mold us into respectable, responsible people, but I don’t think that they should have to. We’re old enough to be able to identify responsible behavior on our own; yes, I’m fully aware of the fact that some students choose to ignore what’s appropriate, but that’s to be expected.

I’m just going to end this with my closing thoughts; we shouldn’t have to take Character Education because of the fact that it’s something that we should’ve learned a long time ago. Most people learn what’s appropriate at an early age. They realize what should be kept behind closed doors and what is acceptable for use out on the streets. I just think that its kind of pointless, just because we’re forced to participate in this doesn’t mean that anyone will pay attention to it for more than the twenty minutes they’re required to.

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I resolve not to resolve
Robert Campos
1-21-05
issue 5

    I personally think that New Years resolutions are a waste of time. It seems that every year people tend to make a statement that they are going to try and better themselves for the coming year. This usually works, however it only lasts for about a week after the original statement's made.
    New Years resolutions range anywhere from the attempt to be more accepting, to the unconquerable attempt to talk less crap. Why is it that people tend to forget about these attempts to be more of an actual human being? It's as if people realize that they will be less of a public nuisance when they're actually bettering themselves, and no body wants that, right? I mean really, who in their right mind would want to be a better person than they already are? I know I wouldn't (thank you lord, for sarcasm).
    People need to realize that doing this (making New Years resolutions) is an utterly complete waste of time. What's the point of it? Nobody ever goes through with it, so why do it?
    I've yet to see anyone who's actually gone through with their resolutions the whole year through. In a way it makes me kind of sad. Why can't people ever make a commitment in their lives? It does not exactly rocket science (which seems easier in a way), I just wonder, what's the deal with people not being able to uphold a resolution? It's as if it's some sort of conspiracy. People cannot keep their New Years resolutions.
    I have to say; I'm wondering how many people have already broken their vows to become better human beings. Can people even begin to be honest about it? I'm not saying I'm better than others because I don't make New Years' resolutions, I'm just saying that unlike others, I've seen how futile this annual tradition is. There's absolutely no point to it. I'm just going to hope that I've enlightened all of my "faithful" readers, and entertained/annoyed others with my excessive nagging. So until my next rant, Happy Belated New Year!

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Marijuana BSN Pro
Nina Acosta
1-21-05

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis Sativa, was legal in the United States until the 1930's. Marijuana is good for medicinal purposes because it stimulates appetite, reduces nausea, reduces some types of pain, and reduces pressure on the eyes. Many people with HIV/AIDS have low appetite due to medicinal side effects and fatigue. Low appetite for people with HIV/AIDS can lead to AIDS wasting (when you lose more than 10% of body weight, and suffer more than 30 days of diarrhea, and have weakness from fever. You are losing mostly fat and muscle mass.)
    Some people with HIV get nauseated when they begin taking their antiviral medications. This can make it difficult for them to take ALL their scheduled doses. Marijuana controls the nausea. Marijuana also relieves the pain of the contract Peripheral neuropathy (PN), which is a disease of the peripheral nerves. (These are all the nerves except for the brain and the spinal cord.) 30% of HIV patients develop PN, which is a disabling weakness.
    Marijuana is not only used for patients with HIV/AIDS. People with glaucoma (an eye disease that can cause blindness) can use marijuana because it reduces pain and pressure on the eyes. Patients with cancer may also choose to use marijuana because it reduces nausea and vomiting in patients taking chemotherapy treatment. It also eases muscle spasms for patients with nerve problems like multiple sclerosis.
    There is an alternative to actually using marijuana. Doctors can actually prescribe Marinol®, but the problem is this does not work for everyone.
    So why not make these patents more comfortable with the rest of their time with their families and friends? Marijuana can lessen their misery. Just think…any one of your friends or family members can develop any one of these diseases. Wouldn't you want them to be calm, happy, and content as possible? I'm not saying to use marijuana for every medicinal purpose but these patients with these severs health problems undergo terrible experiences. They need to be treated with the best possible treatment. But even the best possible treatments can have horrific side effects. So why not help them out and let them smoke or eat marijuana?

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Marijuana BSN con
Ilka Hernando
1-21-05

Medicine is defined as: "The science of diagnosing, treating, or preventing disease and injury to the body of mind. An agent, such as a drug, used to treat disease or injury. Something that serves as a remedy or corrective." From what I understand of that, medicine is used as a step towards recovery of an ailment. How is smoking a drug that will cloud your judgment and be itself a poison and danger to the well being of your body and mind any form of medicine? And they want to legalize marijuana for "medicinal purposes?" For what? To make progress of your recovery worse? To kill the last remaining brain cells that you need? To poison your blood and slow down the process of your body's need to extract the virus that is affecting your health? Our bodies are constantly cleaning themselves, why do you want to put more of a burden on your continuously working body? We already abuse ourselves with junk and fast food, why add to that?
Besides, what message would legalizing a drug be sending the kids who spend the most part of their day watching television and seeing all the commercials about having an "anti-drug?" All about how you could be hurting all the people you love, and how you could be the anti drug to your friends and tell them they need to stop… what more if it was your mom? Or your grandpa? Remember "bad?" Smoking is bad. To be able to put that same drug into your household legally… stop changing your minds.
"It's because mommy's sick, so she needs to take a hit. I'll be out for maybe two hours, so be good and don't burn the house down, okay? I won't be able to function correctly to put it out, it might just fascinate me." That's right, use it as an excuse to "treat disease."
To go as far as to legalize something that kids are struggling with the pressures of doing, or just having easy access too, is just… wrong. Besides, if it is already being used as a "medicine" for certain things and it isn't frowned upon, then why not just keep it at that?People are already doing it without much of a problem, why spread it out to the kids that will be our world's future (immature and ignorant as they are) and give them an excuse to even try it, to have even more access and right by saying they were doing it for "medicinal purposes?" Let's not encourage the problem and legalize it.

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Yellowjacket poets show their creativity!
Jan. 21, 2005

You Take My Soul Away

My baby's growing up he's leaving me behind
He has to leave home someday, keep your memories in mind,
I'll treat you with my best love, don't leave me behind.
I'm only a mother that wants to keep her baby,
He's flown away to war, I'll pray night and day, for
Your mother the Virgin Mary to keep you in her prayers,
I got a letter saying and that made me understand
That you were gone forever, you'll never return home
With me my baby, you're flown away to the heavens,
Why had that happen, oh I don't know? You
Were just my little boy but now you're my
Guardian angel, don't be scared my baby, your
Mothers up there too, keep in mind that you have two,
Me and the Virgin Mary, I won't worry no more
Of how you are, and I know your soul, your
Heart is with your Mother, keep a space for me up
There, because when I get to see you again,
It will take my soul away, to hold you in my arms,
Remember your mother is coming back to you someday,
Don't forget about me keep me in your mind, I love you,
I miss you my son, I will always keep you in my heart.

By Flor Paulette Sanchez, grade 11

Love is a Dream

Scars on my body are past memories.
The scabs have already arrived, because I see it coming.
Every one around us,
Screaming the black out from corroded lungs.
Dry mouths lack the attention of the water from the floor.

I was aware but came unprepared for your unrivaled beauty.
The things that people say make me,
Make me think that our love was just an intimate suicide.
I thought about all the couples tickets I bought for the
Shows and realized it never existed, I bought only one

Trevor Hileman, grade 11

Hidden Love

Every time I see you,
I just wanna hug you and kiss you and
Kiss you. Be with you, and never
Leave you. Love you forever and
Always be together.

But we are not together,
And maybe we will never be,
But if we would,
I would love you for eternity.

When we talk,
It's like you don't even listen,
Sometimes you walk by me
And it's as if you were dissin'

There's so much love that I have to offer,
And I will always love you like no other
All I need is a chance, to show you a glance
Of a love so true,
Dedicated to…
You.
By Cintya Pacheco, grade 10

Hello Michael

I'm waiting for the day, when you will come up to
Me and say you're sorry

We were both wrong, and I'm not going to cry
About it, but I just want it to end

You burned me but only to the first degree
You hurt me pretty bad and that's what makes me mad

I'm not going to run away this time
Come and take your best shot at me

I'm so disappointed in you
The worst part is that you're not here to share the pain

By Alexandra Beltran, Grade 11

Echoes

Triggering
Fueling
My ever-lingering
Quest for answers
They stay
But to leave too quickly
Echoes
Of the past
Linger in my soul
The thirst for who I am
Continues to grow;
And who I am
Is what I want to know

Anonymous

Our Love

Our love is so deep, and I will
Kiss you till my knees give in,
Then I become weak.
Your soft hand touching my cheek,
and the way you look into my eyes,
oh how sweet.
We're here in a room with lots of
People. When you touch and kiss me
Nothing else matters and everyone
Disappears, the only people that are left
Standing here are you and me.

By Jessica E. Hernandez, grade 10

To give or To get

Our life is all about giving, but what shall we get back, I
Didn't find no other reason because no matter what happens
You shouldn't expect something in return, I couldn't bear to see
You because it would remind me of how much I missed you, it's
Time to go on and not look back, I gave you all my love but in
Return I got the sadness of a lonesome heart, all I could say
Is that I'll try to forget but I won't promise you nothing,
Remember you cant keep promises that cant be kept, by time to
Time I had moved on, I found a friend who truly fulfilled me
With his happiness and love, we're become the best of friends
And I know he won't turn out like you, he will keep his promises
True, he wont let me despair into sadness because a true
Friendship lasts forever, and a relationship comes and goes,
You're like the nightmare that I couldn't wake up from until 9
Got a kiss that had broken the chains of your love.

by Flor Paulette Sanchez, grade 11

Every Deep Thought

You are the key to my heart
The lock to my door
The pencil of my art
And the sound of my snore

You are the steps in my walk
The corner of my eyes
The tone in my talk
And the wonder of my whys

You are the arch of my smile
The sound in my ears
My creative style,
And the joy of my cheers

You are everything I can be,
Everything that I was taught
You're everything inside of me
You're my every deep thought

by Janai Walker

In My Dreams

I close my eyes
And the second I fall asleep
I'm dreaming of you again
Your face fills my mind
And your voice fills my ears
Even though you aren't really there.
In my dreams,
Everything is perfect.
I can tell you I love you
I am not afraid to give you my heart
I am not afraid to give you
My mind, My soul, My whole world.
In my dreams, I am not afraid
To give you everything.
In my dreams,
We're in love.
In my dreams,
I am in your arms
And we are happy
I wake in the morning with a smile
And I go about my day
But the second I see you
I wish I was dreaming
Because we're so much more than friends
In my dreams

By Elysa Arroyo, grade 11

Untitled

Feeling a love
So beautiful
So true
Just lost in a world of love
That exists just for me and you

By Rudy Ayala, grade 11

Life in a Battle Field

I love him so much
I held him so tight
He was the light in my day
The stars in my night
But heartbreak to heartbreak
It all came to an end
I came to you
I called you my friend

You knew all my feelings
From you I couldn't hide
But if you were my friend
Why would you have lied?
I was there for you
When you were down
You had been hurting
Since he came to town

I knew how you felt
Deep down inside
We all knew you loved him
You couldn't hide
You told him your feelings
From my advise
He rejected your love
He wasn't so nice

But then came along
My stars in the night
He came to you
You held him so tight

You knew I loved
You knew it all too well
Why'd you betray me?
Our friendship just fell
Was this just a way
Of recovering your pride
Knowing that someone else loved you
Living a lie

I know you too well
There must be a reason
To take away
My life's only season
If you'd please just explain
Why you'd hurt me so
But please don't make me
Let him go

Our friendship can't end
Because of this
You're bringing back memories
That I have missed
I wish it would've waited
For me to heal
I can't live my life
In a battlefield

By Cassie Orona, Grade 12

Love Lost

Go away, don't look at me.
Lift your head, fly free
My spite, take a shot
Blow you up, a bloody spot.
I had a chance, I gave it up
I look at you, one innocent pup
No, you kicked me around, confused my head
I'm on the curb, I might as well be dead.
It hurt so bad, whining and weak
Heaven help you, I wanna make your heart leak.
You didn't know, wouldn't have cared
Took that leap, the one that made me scared.
Ruined everything, messed up my mind
They were my feelings, not some toy thing you wind.
How could you, off all anythings?
Not notice, not grant, the thing of all things?
I felt it for you, it was a big cost
Some things in life, not worth all that I lost.
Why was it you, not some other guy
You were my freedom, the apple of my eye.
I hate you for that, I hate you for all
I'll hate you forever, a crying porcelain doll.
I'm fragile within, come help me inside
I want you beside me, hop in for the ride.
Your ignorance might be bliss, and I'll tell you this
One day you will find, that I'm something to miss.
But that's just me hoping, I'm nothing to you
Just some girl that stays and goes like the flu.
I can't stand that fact, that you'll go away home free
While I'm still here, fellings that will never be.
Bitter and Vengeful, is me, it's my end
All because of you, no longer even as a friend.

By Ilka Hernando, grade 11

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Laura Medina
Robert Campos and Arline Cruz
1-21-05

Meet Laura Medina, a junior here at Colton High School. Laura is involved with activities in school as well as outside school. She is involved with GSA and sings for a band called Sars and the Kickme's. Rather than enlighten you ourselves, here's Laura Medina…

Are you in any on-campus clubs? If so, do you hold an officer's position?
Yes, I'm the Historian for GSA
Favorite Quote- "When life gives you lemons, you throw them at people."
What are your goals after high school? I want to travel, preferably overseas.
What's your most prized possession? A box of "memories" it's got souvenirs, mementos, and pictures dating all the way back from 8th grade.
What's your favorite movie/band? Movie-wise it's the Evil Dead Trilogy (I love Bruce Campbell) or Alice in Wonderland. My bands are definitely The Distillers and the old Misfits.
What do you do in your spare time? Write songs for my band and kill time online.
Who do get along with best and worst in your band? I get along best with my drummer, and I have the most problems with our guitarist.
What's your favorite song to play? A cover of True Romance by Tiger Army
What do you think would be the perfect show for you band to play?
It would be with the Distillers and everyone would be having an awesome time just rocking out.
Are you a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll? A little bit of both, baby!!
If you died tomorrow, what do you think people would say about you? Sweet girl…baaaad attitude.
What's the biggest piece of advice you regret having ignored? First impressions really do play a role in the scheme of things.
Artificial or real? - a bit of both
Gwen Stefani or No Doubt? - No Doubt, definitely
The Cure or Depeche Mode? - Depeche Mode

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More than a Man, A history Book
Cassie Orona and Nina Acosta
1-21-05

You're getting ready for your first lecture in U.S. History class. You are unaware that the teacher you have is a history fanatic, a man whose life revolves around teaching, our future generations, and his wonderful family. He is also a POD (Principals of Democracy) and Economics teacher, and there is no way you can ever be bored in this class. With his compelling stories, his informative lectures, and cute trivia, Robert Gerard is one of the most enthusiastic teachers here at CHS.
    The way Gerard became a teacher is unlike any other that I've known.
    "I was running for the school board and a teacher came up to me and asked me if I would sit in a class and see what it's like to be a teacher . So I did and became fascinated with this and so I went back to college and got my degree." Gerard went and got his B.A. at Cal State Long Beach, then received his MA at Cal State San Bernardino. "Colton High is top notch and the best that we have out there," says Gerard. "Although I have to admit that the local media does not give Colton as much credit that we deserve in all areas including sports and academics when it comes down to scholarships and such."
    His favorite thing about teaching is that he "battles with his lovely but strange TA's, Cassie Orona and Nina Acosta." Even though he teaches three different classes, his preference is on teaching is U.S. History. "I've always been fascinated with history ever since I was a child. It came alive to me. But of course, my favorite time in history is the Old American West."
    Gerard has been teaching at CHS for 18 years and still going on. He says that in all his years of teaching, it's very difficult to reach a student if they are unwilling to learn. "Sometimes a one-on-one talk will help but not always." In Gerard's point of view, the "rare combination of discipline and humor" are why his classes are so interesting. On the flip side to this, what irritates him the most is, "the obsession with STAR Testing. It 'zaps' the fun out of teaching," says Gerard.

Here are some fun facts about Robert Gerard:

Favorite Food: BBQ Ribs
Favorite Color: Blue
Horoscope Sign: Capricorn
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Favorite song: Imagine by John Lennon
Favorite ice cream: anything that's from Haagen- Dazs
Hobbies: my children
Favorite sport: Football, by far
Political Stance: Republican
Favorite President: Theodore Roosevelt, because he presented a combination of American prosperity with fairness to the poor and disenfranchised.
Favorite time of year: Christmas time
Whom he admires: Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington
Personal Quote: "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend with my life for your right to say it."

    Whether he's teaching U.S. History to 30 kids or helping his own children, Robert Gerard shows great passion in whatever he does.

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Colton High's 'Screamo' Band headed for success
By Janae Johnson
1-21-05

So, what is a Tracy Willow? I know that a lot of people on this campus have heard this name floating around, but I am sure most don't know exactly what it is. Well it is precisely this, a band of five Colton High Students who love to play shows and have fun. They have been a band for a little over a year now and have a pretty good following. Tracy Willow consists of Mitch Zamarano-Guitar/ vocals, Derek Rhindt -Guitar, Danny Sanchez- Guitar/ vocals, Eric Ventura (perm)- Bass, and Kevin Estrada- Drums. Mitch and Danny switch off playing guitar and singing lead vocals, which is something that makes this band very unique. Their intricate guitar parts flow beautifully with the immense drums and pounding bass.
Their performance onstage is exciting and exhilarating. Now, how bout we to get to know Tracy Willow a little?

What's with the name? -
"It's actually pretty dorky. Tracy Willow is the name of a tree. We found in it a book about, yes, trees, sometime in November." " I hate that name!" (Erik)

When did you guys get started? -
October 26, 2003 exactly

Did you plan on becoming a band or did it just happen? -
"One day at lunch we decided to go play with each other at Kevin's house. It got serious and look where we are at now! We were under the impression that we were just going over to jam for fun."

How many shows have you played? (roughly) -
"Well we have lost count since the first show, but we play at Lyrics and the Rock Ranch quite a bit. We even played At the Whiskey in Hollywood once!"

Do you enjoy playing them, why?
-"Heck Yes we like playing shows! We like to see who will come out and support our band, and our music. We also like to see our crowds having fun." "And so I can show off my
LL Cool J body!"(Danny)

What kind of music would you guys consider yourself to be? -
"I don't know, we scream and everybody does that. But I guess we are put into the post/hardcore category, but we really don't like to label ourselves as one thing, we like to experiment with everything.

Do you have any major musical influences? (bands, singers, songwriters)?
- Of course! The Mars Volta, Deftones, 36 Crazyfists, A Static Lullaby, Glassjaw, Horse The band, Refused, Underoath, Poison the Well, The Bled, Queens of the Stone Age, Pixies, Oingo Boingo, and Sublime.

Why did you decide to start switching the guitar player and the singer? -
"To keep fresh and mix things up a bit."- (Danny) "Mostly because I wanted to play guitar really bad and I knew that Danny would love to sing his own songs." (Mitch)

Do you guys see yourselves doing this for a living someday? -
"Sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't." "I couldn't imagine anything more fun."(Mitch) "NO!!"(Kevin)

Do you have anything to say to all the people who are reading this article? -
"We would really appreciate it if people would come and check us out. You might be surprised!"

To find out more about this band just visit their website. www.TracyWillow.com, where they update frequently with show dates and other information. This site is also a forum so you can leave messages and comments about them. If you want to check them out, they also have CD demos on sale for three dollars.

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White Noise: The dead are trying to contact you
Ilka Hernando
1-21-05

Static, video tapes, disturbing images… The Ring, anyone? Take away the creepy long haired girl and replace her with various dead people that seem to be contacting the living through the thoroughly explained (sarcasm) Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) that takes over Jonathan Rivers (Michael Keaton) in an obsession of communicating with them and you have the just released suspense flick White Noise. Actually it's more like Just Noise.
Starting off with a series of static from a radio (which proved remotely frightening when entering your car AFTER the movie), the slow pacing led more into a drag than a build up. After Rivers' wife dies a believable death (sarcasm alert), Rivers is left to grieve and try to go on with his life. But that would just make this a sappy movie with no direction.
Months later, after moving into a new condo with glass everything, and trying to keep on working, Rivers comes across Raymond Price (Ian McNeice), a big bumbling man telling him his wife has been trying to communicate him in the after life. Running on curiosity and hope, he goes to the man's house to further investigate. The movie then delves into a lot of frustration and obsession on video and voice recordings.
The new coming director, Geoffrey Sax, who had only previously done work for television, should, as they say, "never quit his day job." With the off angle shots, and zoom-ins, its safe to say that "it's already been done." So to continue the many clichés, Keaton (the greatest vigilante) might see his popularity go "down the drain."
Rated PG-13 running time: 109 minutes

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Soccer Kicks up a new Season
Alyssa Isgett and Elysa Arroyo
1-21-05

Girls Varsity Soccer starts off the year in a new league. With a new league and a new coach, the girls on Varsity work hard to show off their skills. Rosa Quiroz is the coach for this season. The captains are Korrina Zamudio, junior, Amy Hayden, junior, Nicole Albiso, junior, and Karen Portillo, senior. Their record at press time for the CBL is 2 ties and 4 losses.
    On January 6, Colton played Redlands High School at Redlands. It was a tie game, with junior Krista Reid, scoring the only Colton goal. The score was 1-1.
    "I think we are doing better than we used to at the beginning of the season, we are getting used to a new coach," says junior Casey Cardoza.
    On January 11, Colton played Eisenhower at Colton. The game was a tie. The end score was 1-1 with freshman Raquel Mendoza, scoring the only goal.
    "We could be doing a lot better. We could be scoring and going to practice," says Zamudio. Sophomore Marisa Zamorez adds, "We also need to take more shots on goal."
    On the 13th, Colton played Rialto at Rialto. The team lost, scoring only one point. The score was 2-1. The only person who scored was Zamudio.
    Zamudio says, "It took a while to adapt to a new coach. We're playing well and we have a lot of potential." Cardoza adds, "I think we'll end the season off in a good way, we will at least win five games."
The boy's varsity soccer season is off to a pretty rough start. They are struggling through a 1 win, 2 tie, 3 loss season to date, but working hard and staying hopeful. Their goalie, junior Michael Rivera, gives an optimistic loook at the rest of the season "I'm really hoping we can pull it together and win league."
    He describes the team as hard working and dedicated and says "We strive to be the best," and that they have "faith" in their captain, Chris Chase, to lead them to victory.

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Wrestling: Not just men in tights
Nina Acosta
1-21-05

                           ANDREW
               Look, you guys keep up your talking
               and Vernon's gonna come right in
               here...I got a meet this Saturday
               and I'm not gonna miss it on account
               of you boneheads...
                            BENDER
                    (to Andrew)
               Oh and wouldn't that be a bite...
     (Bender lets out a moan of fake agony.)
            Missing a whole wrestling meet!
                            ANDREW
               Well you wouldn't know anything
               about it! You never competed
               in your whole life!
                            BENDER
                    (with mock hurt)
               Oh, I know...I feel all empty inside
               because of it. I have such a deep
               admiration for guys that roll around
               on the floor with other guys!
                            ANDREW
               Ahhh...you'd never miss it. You
               don't have any goals.
                            BENDER
               Oh, but I do!
                            ANDREW
               Yeah?
                            BENDER
               I wanna be just-like-you! I
               figure all I need's a lobotomy and
               some tights!
     Brian becomes interested.
                            BRIAN
               You wear tights?
                            ANDREW
                    (to Brian)
               No I don't wear tights, I wear the
               required uniform...
                            BRIAN
               Tights...
                            ANDREW
                    (defensive)
               Shut up!
    You might remember this scene from 80's teen movie The Breakfast Club where rebel John Bender (Judd Nelson) is taunting Athlete Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) about being a wrestler. But it takes more than a pair of tights to be a wrestler. It takes ambition, patience, and a whole lot of sweat. These guys (and girls) have practices that are easier said than done.
    "Conditioning was excellent," says senior Captain Adriana Silva, "it teaches you to last longer on the mat."
    Coach Mark Sandoval has seen a dramatic change in his wrestlers. "From beginning to now, they're totally different," says Sandoval, "they're working harder and they're going to be really strong."
    First year wrestler-ette Ashley Abril thinks the wrestlers could and will dominate the CBL. "I think our wrestlers are going to do really amazing this year," says Abril, " they have a lot of ambition and determination."
    Junior Captain Greg Ferrer believes that being in the CBL is an advantage to the present Yellow Jacket wrestlers and the future wrestlers. "Harder competition is more competition, so we work even harder," says Ferrer.
    Coach Sandoval is definitely sure that his wrestlers are ready to take on the CBL with bone crushing force. "We have muscular varsity members and I think they are excited to take on the CBL," says Sandoval. The undefeated S.A.L (6-0) wrestlers are looking forward to playing most teams in the CBL. "I look forward to A.B Miller," says senior captain John Caldera, "and I want to qualify for masters and go to State."
    Wrestlers have a home meet this Wednesday against Rialto, and an away meet February 2 against A.B. Miller.
    "We're going to do awesome in the C.B.L," says junior Cynthia Camarena, "we're missing a few varsity players, but that doesn't mean we aren't the best."

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