Issue of December 11, 1997: Volume 81,
Number Two
Click on a story title to see the text of the story
News
Driving Laws
Food Drive
Homecoming dance
Homecoming floats
Homecoming parade
TIR stirs controversy
Wait Until Dark Play
Opinion
Boys bathrooms smell!
He said/ Statutory Rape
She said/Statutory Rape
TIR staff editorial
Senior dues
Features
AOL Hell
Drugs How to Cope
Choosing colleges
Diversions
Janes Addiction CD review
Morrissey in concert
Alien Resurrection review
Book Review
Sublime CD review
En Español (Los Detalles)
Boys bathrooms (En español)
Posadas (En español)
Resolutions (En español)
Sports
Fall sports wrapup
Soccer learns from Pros
Volleyball Makes Playoffs
Winter sports preview
Alien Resurrection Movie Review
by Ana Gonzalez
12/11/97Another movie dealing with aliens and spaceships may not be something new to you. But Alien Resurrection, starring Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder, is anything but just another alien movie.
If you have seen the other Alien movies, you may already be aware of the high potential they have. Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens and Alien 3 have paved the way to this new version. In this movie, Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet effectively brings action, emotion, and entertainment to the screen. The enticing screenplay is by Joss Whedon, who you may also know from being creator and executive producer of the hit television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Besides the stirring cinematography and writing, the acting was superb. Even those who have never seen previous Alien movies know that Weaver, as Ripley never fails to give a stellar performance. This movie also introduces two-time Oscar nominee Ryder into the world of action packed films. Audiences have seen her strut her stuff in films such as Beetlejuice, Heathers, and The House of the Spirits, where physical ability was not as important as in this film. However, here Ryder destroys her popular image of “a tiny weak girl”. Showing her awesome physical abilities, and talented acting surely adds to the film.
Do not feel you have to rent the other Alien movies to understand this particular film, because Alien Resurrection stands on its own. It is a must see.Back to top
America Online
by David Keeling
12/11/97
America Online. The Internet Giant. The Chicago Bulls of the Internet Service Providers. They weren’t the first to get there, but they’ve certainly learned how to be the biggest. With over ten million subscribers, they are far and away the number one internet service provider.
But lately AOL has been walking the fine line of providing quality service. People think they are getting cheated out of their money and that AOL is not worth the time they have to wait by getting busy signals all the time. Is AOL providing the best quality service available? That is the question everyone would like to know.
Steve Case,CEO of AOL, has been working on it since 1985. At first AOL was just another internet service and no one really cared about it. CompuServe was the best of all the internet services. Steve Case figured that the people wanted the internet service simple. He integrated that into AOL along with the chat service. The chat service seems to be the most popular thing on AOL. Why? Because everyone seems to think it is fun to be able to talk to someone from another state or even another country. People spend anywhere from 2-6 hours on it communicating. The rate back then was $1.95 an hour so their bills would be anywhere from $50 to $60 a month! The people were furious that they had to pay it but they still paid it.
Finally, last year AOL decided to go unlimited hours. That made the current members happy but it also brought millions of new members to the service. AOL was unprepared for the disaster and all of its lines were filled all the time so it was hard for anyone to sign on and do a simple thing like check their mail. This made infuriated everyone using the service and AOL lost a lot of people. Ever since, AOL has been working on getting their customers back and in the process of doing that they bought out CompuServe and got ahold of its 2.5 million customers. Many people were amazed at this since everyone thought that CompuServe would buy out AOL. Now AOL has taken back its spot as number one.
The critics of AOL say that it is not what it seems to be. They say that AOL sells the address of the members to advertisement companies. AOL is also adding more advertisements to their service. Right when you sign on you get anywhere from one to three advertisement windows. You have to click cancel on each one and sometimes it takes a long time for the windows to disappear. For people who don’t have unlimited access this is a real pain. AOL has also been starting to charge for services that in the beginning where a part of the package. If you want to go on and play an internet game, it’s $1.95 an hour. Many people who were on those games and found out that AOL was going to start charging for playing games were furious. AOL has gotten many nicknames over the past couple of years. AOhell, America Off-line, and America On-hold are some of the many ones out there. Critics claim that AOL has been inconsistent ever since it started. It never completes the whole picture.
“"It’s OK, but I am having problems with it,” says senior Glen Kim, an active AOL user. He has been having problems with the mailing service and he thinks the World Wide Web access AOL gives him is too slow. “"When you want to cancel you stay on the phone for an hour!”
Librarian Mark Williams also had some things to say about AOL. "Its oversold. America Online has too many customers and doesn’t have the capacity to hold all of them.” Williams used AOL for the mailing service for a while. He found a better service and left AOL.
AOL has to be doing something right. To be having the problems it has now, AOL has to have many customers. AOL has not been expanding as fast as the customers have been coming in. It is estimated right now that there are forty members for every modem that AOL has. Even though not everyone goes on-line at the same time, but there are certain hours in which the modems are gridlocked. In the Colton/San Bernardino/Grand Terrace area, it is very hard to get on AOL from generally 5 to 8 o’clock every day.
America Online has been improving its service, but only when it has been threatened by a lawsuit or many people start to leave. Many say that AOL would be a great service if they could upgrade their systems to hold all the customers they have. If AOL would to hire more people, they say, they would also improve on customer service. America Online currently has about 7,500 employees for over ten million people.
AOL has another problem. They have a very slow World Wide Web browser. They made a deal with Microsoft to get a better browser but it is still slow. They need to let people get on the internet with no problems and make it faster.
People have also been getting problems with getting kicked off the internet. This really makes people mad when they have made it to where they are going, it took them thirty minutes to get there, and they get an error in the internet that kicks them off it. Sometimes AOL won’t even be able to find the area the person wants to go to.
AOL has a couple great sides though. They have a chat area where you can meet new people or talk to another friend. They have an Instant Message service to where you can talk to a person without having to go into a chat room and try to talk to that person with 20 other people talking at the same time. They also have access to certain areas without having to go on the web. You can go to a poetry area and read poems that other people wrote. You can find out news when it happens. You can find out what the weather will be like for the day. This is what AOL excels in.
They make it easy to get to places that are on their service (except for the world wide web). If AOL were to add more modems, employees, add more computers to hold the capacity of all there customers, and make access to the world wide web faster and have less errors,then many feel that they would be the best service out there.
Happy surfing.Back to top
Book Review
by Linnette Lee
12/11/97A black man with a white mother. A Polish Jew married to a black Baptist minister.
All of this sets the scene for James McBride to tell the story of his mother, Ruth McBride Jordan in the heart warming book The Color of Water.
I have to admit nonfiction does not appeal to me, but I liked this book . . . a lot.
From the Red Hook projects in New York to the college graduations of all twelve children, McBride tells of his mother’s strength.
Jordan was actually born Ruchel Dwara Zylska. As a young child she immigrated from Poland to Suffolk, Virginia, a small town where racial tendencies ran high. As a teen Jordan ran away to New York with her black boyfriend. Later she would go on to become the wife to a black Baptist Minister and raising twelve mixed- race children.
As a young child McBride recalls asking his mom what color she was. Jordan always responded that she was light skinned. When asked what color God was Jordan always responded that “God is the color of water.”
Despite death and poverty Jordan persevered. She raised twelve children beyond the best of her ability.
The Color of Water has been on the New York Times bestseller list for the better part of the last year and a half.
In the book McBride shares his family’s remarkable story. He recalls his own experiences as mixed-race child of poverty, his flirtations with drugs and violence, and of his eventual self-realization.
The Color of Water reaches and touches readers of all colors. If you’re looking for a great book or if you would like to try something new I recommend that you read The Color of Water.Back to top
¿Boys bathrooms--nightmare or reality? (En Espanol)
by Claudia Perez, Ernesto Ramirez, and Marco CidQué pasa cuando los hombres tienen que ir al baño? Los baños de los hombres se han encontrado sín tasa del baño y sín puertas, desde el principio del año escolar.
Los baños con tasas se mantienen cerrados bajo llave y son disponibles a los hombres siempre y cuando consigan a un Supervisor del plantel, que les abra la puerta del baño.
Se han visto casos donde han salido hombres del baño de las mujeres porque no encuentran al Supervisor del plantel, que les abra la puerta del baño. Otros alumnos deciden brincarse el cerco de la escuela para usar los baños de los restaurantes y terminan siendo suspendidos.
Después de varios intentos de entrevistar a la administración, se negaron a comentar sobre esta situación.
¡Los alumnos ya han soportado demasiado y han pedido que se les escuche!
“Me gustaría que hubiera tazas, puertas y papel en los baños, los unicos baños con tazas y papel estan cerrados. No hay privacidad para ninguno de los hombres”, comentó Edgar Muro, grado11.
Otro estudiante comentó sobre ésta situación. “No hay jabón, tazas, papel y mucho menos, puertas, en los baños. Al principio del año los baños estaban más rayados y sucios. Me gustaría que la administración se preocupe por sus alumnos.”, comentó Ubaldo Ramírez, grado 9.
Averiguamos un poco más sobre que hacen los Supervisores del plantel acerca de esta situación, tuvimos la oportunidad de entrevistar a uno haciédole algunas preguntas y nos comentó sobre esta situación.
Se les requiere a lo Supervisores del plantel que cuando un muchacho/alumno haga la petición de usar los baños “Completamente equipados”
“Debemos esperar a que el alumno termine con su negocio, luego hay que vigilar el baño en caso de que lo hayan rayado o ensuciado.
Si se encuentra que existe vandalismo, el alumno que terminó de usar el baño es llevado a la oficina del Subdirector y se hace un reporte escrito. Se limpia lo que se encuentre y se vuelve a cerrar el baño bajo llave.
Si hubiera una pelea en la escuela, nuestra póliza de la vigilancia del baño podrá presentar una preocupación válida. Los Supervisores del plantel podrían estar disponibles para poder responder inmediatamente a esos alumnos que tengan la necesidad de usar dichos baños y/o los Supervisores del plantel tendrán que decidir cual situación necesita atenderse primero,” nos comunica Julie Brown, Supervisora del plantel.
Hay algunos estudiantes que aprovechan que estan solos en el baño y rayan las paredes. Comprendemos que esta es una de las razones por cual a los Supervisores del plantel se les pide cerrar los baños. Esperemos que el vandalismo termine, para que de esta manera no tengamos que soportar ver los baños sucios, sin papel y rayados. Sobretodo para que nos escuchen.Back to top
Boys Bathrooms Smell!!
Opinion by Jeremy Lemay
12/11/97As you walk into the boys restrooms a toxic combination of overwhelming stenches overcomes your senses. The bathroom situation is getting worse and worse and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.
For starters none of the bathrooms have any toilets in them except the one in the Ken Hubbs Gym. Not only that, but after washing your hands without soap (because there is none), you have to shake your hands dry. Their are no paper products in the restrooms either. This is probably because some of the students light the paper towels and toilet paper on fire. This is sad because the small number of students doing this causes us all to suffer.
Until recently I noticed that they have put up light fixtures in the boys restrooms, after having it dark and hard to see in the restrooms for quite a while. This was because of all the writing on the walls, and the administration thought that a good solution would be to paint the restrooms black. It didn’t work.
After months of trying to fix the problem at hand, Colton is faced with another problem. This problem comes with having some taste. Come on, what is painting the bathrooms black going to do? I hope they plan on putting a black light in there before we fall in.
Choosing Collegesby Jason Valenzuela and Dominic Williams
12/11/97As most students know, choosing the college best suited for them is a difficult task. However, here at Colton High School, many tools are offered to help aid students in making this decision somewhat easier. The Counseling Office at Colton High has college representatives to visit with students to discuss the advantages of their schools and their are several computer programs available on campus
“If students attend the wrong colleges, they lose money and it affects their lives,” says counselor Ken Clark. “When students choose a college it’s a final decision, of four years, a difficult challenge, and the most important decision a student makes.”
When college representatives come, they usually call ahead of time and arrange to visit with students and meet in the career center. Visits by the college representative will be announced at most one week ahead of time. Sometimes they will call Colton High on short notice and students are pressed to prepare for the visit.
Each year the times and representatives that visit vary. Colton High advertises and announces these visits at different times. Students, especially juniors, are encouraged to sign up and read the bulletin for information about when college representatives visit the campus. All classes, freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior, are encouraged to participate in this program, says Clark.
Also, once each year there is a College Night. This year it was October 7. Over 400 students and parents attended. The panel that was speaking was made up of people from the University of California, the Cal State system, community colleges, and private colleges. The parents were given a paper on which they took notes. They took notes on visitations, housing policies, safety issues, and the advantages of educational paths.
Students aren’t encouraged to rely on the college representatives alone. Other programs like the University of Awareness Program (UAP) are also designed to prepare students. UAP is where college representatives spoke with freshman and sophomores. The UCR Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP), accepts any senior transcripts and seniors can attend the college during their senior high school year.
Another program is available is the Upward Bound Program. This is a program that works through Cal State. It selects certain students for their college. They also help tutor students and help students with financial aid.
The school’s computers also provide an opportunity to help with the selection of campuses. The computers help with criteria and to select schools. “College View” is a computer system that gives views, interviews, and campus tours of any college.
“Career Feature” investigates your career and colleges that have your major. The office’s computers are available and the counselors are happy to help assist students.
Even the computers and representatives aren’t supposed to be the sole medium of basing the final choice. It is suggested that students should visit campuses they are thinking of attending. Students are encouraged to visit during their spring break, because it is the best time to see a campuses while everyone is there and talk to students attending the college.Back to top
Driving Laws
Opinion by Jason Meaney
12/11/97One of the best days in a teenager’s life is that magical moment when they turn 16. No longer considered a child, that one big step toward adulthood—the driver’s license, can finally be taken. Its a joyous moment in one’s life to be celebrated. Except for those who turn 16 in 1998.
By the end of this year and in early 1998, 21 states will be approving a form of driving program called “Graduated licensing.” Originating in Canada, this program provides young drivers with a controlled progression to unrestricted driving.
This program runs in three stages: a minimum length of time on a learner’s permit with supervised driving practice, a restricted license for a specified time allowing unsupervised driving under certain conditions, and then a full license, provided the driver has had no accidents or violations.
Now, for those of us who are already licensed, this sounds like no big deal. But for those who aren’t, a program like this can feel like an eternity. Even worse, this type of program most likely will cause some anxious teens to break the law.
I for one hated the wait for my license and often drove unsupervised anyway. My parents weren’t that patient with me when they attempted to teach me how to drive a stick shift so I also did my own drivers training alone (and at 3 a.m.) If I can do these types of things even when my licensing program wasn’t that strict, imagine what other impatient teens will do. This type of program may do more harm than good.
From a positive point of view, Graduated licensing may work. With twice as much experience behind the wheel, teens may just become more competent drivers, the argument goes.
Since they’re supervised, parents will know where their kids are and have control over situations that otherwise they might not. Point being made, the more time on the road the less possibility of an accident. Better drivers save lives and heart aches.
Overall, maybe stricter laws will work. Maybe they won’t. Either way, this law is sure to face some turbulence. The life of teens as we look at it is going to change, but unfortunately we as responsible teens have to live with it, otherwise we haven’t seen the last of these changes.
The time that it will take to get a license might seem as though it takes forever, but when this law passes there has to be some sort of adjustment. Many of the teens now are waiting for the minute that they hear they’ve got their license, but this minute is extending as the new year comes closer.Back to top
Drugs; How to copeby Rose Terracciano
12/11/97Say No To Drugs! This is a common phrase everyone knows by the age of five. It has been drilled in to young minds by parents, teachers, D.A.R.E programs at school, on backs of candy wrappers, and on billboards seen while driving down the freeway. If this is such a widely stressed phrase then why are millions of teenagers entering the harsh world of drug abuse every year?
According to Patty Richenberger, the drug counselor here at Colton High, its because kids and teenagers don’t take the phrase seriously any more. “Its kind of a warn out approach and statement,” Richenberger feels that saying “no” is the right thing to do, however the catch phrase itself is getting old.
There are many reasons teens feel they need to get involved in a drug habit. Whether its peer pressure, family problems, or just day to day stress and wanting to experiment, Richenberger stresses that, “there are alternative choices.” On campus there are peer counselors, teachers, and Richenberger herself is available on Wednesdays if anybody needs to talk.
Although there are these options, teenagers still feel the need to use drugs. Some people are fooled into thinking that drugs and alcohol make their problems disappear. “Drugs don’t make problems go away,” Richenberger adds, “it just masks the pain temporarily.” She says that the only way to get rid of the pain is to work it out for themselves.
Someone might say, “So he/she got in to drugs. Just quit.” Well, it may not be as easy as that. Once addicted to any specific drug the body begins to crave it more and more. Eventually if denied the drug, the body will throw a fit and the person may or may not become hostile. If this occurs the person could sink to very low moral levels such as stealing to support their habit.
If someone on drugs realizes what they have become and what it is doing to their body, then they might think about quitting.
So exactly how hard is it to quit? According to Richenberger, “It depends on the individual, their support system, and how much they want to get help and change.” A strong willed person is more likely to acquire help than one who is weak.
There are places people can go to for help. If their parents have health insurance such as Kaiser, they can be referred to rehabilitation services like psychotherapy, educational lectures, confrontal counseling, and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). For information about services available for low income households, call the Alcohol and Drug Referral Services at 1-800-331-3237.
Drugs can and usually do drastically change the course of a persons life. There are places that can help out. It is just up to the people addicted to decide what is to be done.
Rewind: Fall sports wrapup
by Sarah Gama
12/11/97With another year in the Citrus Belt League, Colton High School sports show that they have improved since last year.
The football team had an upsetting and disappointing season, going 0-10. Despite not winning a game, the team came close to victory several times, most notably in the final game of the season, at Homecoming versus Rialto. Victory against Rialto seemed in the Jackets' grasp, only to elude them when a last second field goal try by sophomore Brian Pope came up short, leaving the Jackets on the wrong end of a 15-14 score.
The team didn’t make it to playoffs, but showed the other teams that they were ready for the challenge from last season. Many times during the course of the year's games they started out slow, allowing teams to build up big leads, only to come back and hold the opponents down in the second half. Plus they will be having nine outstanding leaders leaving their team that their other teammates looked up to.
“We’ve had our ups and downs,” said senior captain Jeremy Vasquez. “For the most part it’s been a good learning experience, and I got a lot out of it that will help me later in life.”
The Cross Country team had an outstanding year. The Girls team finished in third and will be going to league finals. As for the Boys team, they came short of making it to playoffs, but gave it their best shot.
“I feel our season has gone good because we’ve had good training, we brought our times down by at least five minutes each,” said sophomore Amanda Gomez.
The Girls Tennis team has had an outstanding season. The team went to the second round of playoffs but got eliminated to Redlands. Their overall record was 12-6 with three of their loses to Redlands.
“I think that we’ve done pretty good, because this is the first year we’ve ever beat a team from Redlands,” said senior Tawny Urban.
The Volleyball team has had their best season since 1992, not only did they finish in third, they went to playoffs which hasn’t been done for five years. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Fountain Valley.
“I think it’s gone real good, we had a rough start but we pulled it together, and I’m glad we made it to playoffs,” said sophomore Tracy Herman.Back to top
Students collect money for food drive
by Emily Lemay
12/11/97Students all over campus united for the week of November 24 through the 29 to collect money for the annual food drive. A.S.B. collected over a five hundred dollars from various classrooms to purchase food to needy families for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
“The students were very generous,” said Activities Director, Karla Huesca. “We have a very active group of students on campus. It’s because of all their support that we were able to pull this off. They are fantastic”
The main student coordinator, Thai Nguyen, the A.S.B. On-Site Commissioner, had worked on the food drive for weeks.
“The food drive was excellent. I’m glad to see the students on campus responded so positively for a cause like this. I am very impressed,” Nguyen said.
The classes that donated the most money did not go unnoticed. A.S.B. treated them to a pizza party.
The winners were: Mr. Verhoeven’s class, Mr. Archer’s class, Ms. Russell’s class, Ms. Angle’s class, Mrs. Paulsen’s class and the administration. This year over a thousand dollars were raised, in fact approximately “three hundred more this year than any other,” states Mrs. Huesca proudly.Back to top
He said: Statutory Rape
by Daniel Escudero
12/11/97Just what is this thing called “Statutory Rape”? It’s a set of laws on the books that makes it illegal for anyone under the age of consent (currently 18) to have sex. Do the wild thing, go to prison.
Well, not exactly. It depends on who is doing what to whom. Two fifteen year -olds getting busy in a Burger King bathroom will generally not ruffle anyone’s feathers (except maybe the Burger King manager.) But if the girl is fifteen and the guy is over eighteen, watch out. He’s legally guilty of rape. And I know what you’re saying, guys: “But she consented”. There’s that phrase again. But consent cannot legally be given by a girl unless she is an adult. That’s right, guys. If you’re over eighteen and you have sex with your high school girlfriend, you’re guilty of rape.
Surprised? Don’t be. It’s the law. Usually rape charges are brought by underage girls against adult guys. Teens just aren’t waiting anymore before becoming sexually involved with their partners and should know who they are getting involved with and how old they are. (However I don’t agree with a forty year old sleeping with a fourteen year old). What I feel isn’t fair at all, is that some of these statutory rape charges are done because of a recent break- up with an ex or just done out of anger. For example, if an eighteen year old guy is dating a fifteen year old girl and one thing happens to lead to another and things just don’t end up working out, is it right for that girl to suddenly press statutory rape charges against the guy? I don’t agree with this kind of situation and I don’t think that some of these charges are fair.
Another argument I have is when you go out to parties or even clubs these young teenage girls are often lying about their ages and are dressing provocatively, so that every time an older guy meets a girl, is he supposed to ask to see her I.D? My point is, if they want to dress older, act older.Back to top
My many magic moments at the Homecoming Dance
by Eric Luna
12/11/97
Ring, Ring, Ring!! My alarm clock goes off and the first thing on my mind is the dance, and the things that need to be done to make the night as it should be . . . perfect. First thing after all the usual morning things are done, is go and get a hair cut. We all know how busy those barber shops can get, especially on the weekends, and without a haircut, especially the way it is looking, it just isn’t going to happen. After my hair is all done, and I am looking all shnazzy, I go straight to the flower shop. I have to be there by 1:00, otherwise I’m out of luck. With my luck working for me, I get there on time and get that out of the way. So going down the list of things to do, I’ve eliminated two things now; with it being 3:30. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “This dance better be worth all the running around and worrying.”
I get home and I hustle to get all my clothes together. After all my clothes are together, I realize that I don’t have a belt! Here it is 4:00, my ride’s picking me up at 5:15, and I need to find me a belt. I call around to borrow one, and they’re either using it or they don’t have one either. So I have to go to town and buy one. I have an hour to go to town (which is packed around this time of the year, because of Christmas shoppers), buy a belt and come back and get ready. The “mission” is successful. By the time my ride comes, I am ready. Now all I need is my date and it will all be down hill from there.
So my ride is right on time, and we are off to my date’s house. When I get there, I walk up to the door, with her corsage in one frozen hand and the other in my pocket, keeping it warm, anticipating hand shakes from her family. The door opens and as it opens my eyes become bigger and bigger, looking amazed by her good looks. But I stop myself because her dad’s right there. I tell her she looks nice, as she returns a mutual compliment. I am then introduced to her dad, who is really nice and makes me feel comfortable. We take pictures in front of her whole family, which really makes me nervous (I probably have a shine on my forehead).
We finally get out of her house and we are off to dinner. We’ve heard about this new place here in Colton called “Zendejas,” and we want to check it out, so we do. We get there and the place is really nice. It isn’t too fancy and it isn’t too casual. So it goes really well with the occasion. We order and all enjoy a nice time of food and conversation. After we are all done there, it is almost time for the dance, so we head out to the dance location.
When we arrive at the scene, we are all excited and can’t wait to see all of our friends and dance. When we get inside, the first thing we do is take our pictures. After our pictures, we go and find a table, but we want a table that all our friends can sit at, so we get the biggest one there. We sit down, I go and get us some drinks and we wait for our friends to show up.
When our friends show up, we all greet each other, complement each other and sit back down. And my date and I split up. I go to with my group of friends and she goes with hers. It is kind of like junior high, all over again, you know, when the guys and girls split up on the opposite sides of the room. Except it isn’t the opposite sides of the room, it is the opposite sides of the table. Once the guys and girls says what they have to say, everyone goes back to their dates to dance.
After dancing for an hour, they introduce the Homecoming Court. After all the Princes are announced, you can hear tiny whispers of who they think is going to win. Everyone has their own opinion, but now comes the actual moment of truth. The question that’s been weighing on everyone’s mind, especially the Princes’. As Monica Langkong starts to announce the winner, you can feel the anxiousness in the room. It was weird when Monica finally announces the winner; the feeling in the room goes from anxiousness to disbelief to relief. Everyone claps, except the announced, whether they agree with it or not, and dances the rest of the night.
The dance goes on. And from there it is all fun and dancing for everyone . . . well almost everyone . . . except the party poopers. But there is so much fun that everyone forgets about the time and before you know it, the dance is over, just another page in the Colton High School history book.
Homecoming Floats
by Jeanine Medrano
12/11/97Having to overcome weather worries and last minute touches, this year’s class floats participated in a parade along Rancho Avenue Friday, November 14.
Controversy about where the float building would take place occurred when the armory could not confirm that the building could take place there, once again, as it did last year.
According to Karla Huesca, activities director, the armory canceled due to the shipping of military medical supplies. ASB then tried to ask empty warehouses if the float building could occur there, and were turned down. Left without a place, FFA was suggested, but ASB decided to ask Principal Terry Adame to approve that the floats be built at houses, as in previous years.
“Students were given a second chance,” Huesca said. “Adame gave houses a second chance based on one condition: NO VANDALISM. If the condition was not followed, float building would be canceled for all of the years to come.”
Another problem was the weather. It rained during the powder puff game; so many float builders were worried about their floats. The rain could have destroyed the objects they spent much time on.
These problems were put aside as the floats made their route to Laurel Avenue for judging. Everyone was put in their places as the parade began at 5:00 p.m.
The juniors won Sweepstakes, which is the award above all. The junior float’s theme was “Magic movie moments.” Symbolism from the movies The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella, a yellow brick road, and pumpkins were included. The juniors in the ASB section at the football game screamed with a sense of accomplishment.
Although the senior float did not win sweepstakes, it won first place at halftime at the varsity football game. The senior float was decorated with a gigantic top hat and magic cards. Seniors shouted various cheers from within the float as it paraded along the track.
VICA, with students showing their dance moves on the flatbed, placed second. Football players, cheerleaders, kings, and queens adorned the Peer Assistance float, which won them third place.
Lastly, “The first day of kindergarten” was the Class of 2000's theme. It was filled with sophomores hollering for their class, and in support of their float, which later placed fourth.
Freshmen, whose float was designed to capture a dance, included a juke box and balloons.Back to top
Homecoming parade
by Jason Durdle
12/11/97This year’s Homecoming Week had a hard time getting started due to the rain.
Thursday was the day of the carnival, which was rained out and ended up being held in the Macintosh gym. The big variety of food was still popular as ever. It also might have been better in the gym anyway because more people came to escape the rain and have a good time at the same time.
“All the food was good,” said sophomore Ben Bishop. “Except I thought the soccer burritios were the best.”
The powder puff teams ended up playing in the rain the same day. The powder puff game took place at the Ken Hubbs field. The juniors defeated the seniors. The powder puff game was good,” said sophomore Greg Bees. “I enjoyed watching it.”
The rain stopped just in time on Friday for the parade and it turned out to be a big hit. A lot of students showed up to show their Colton spirit. The floats were extravagant and had a lot of time put into them. The parade produced a lot of Colton spirit before the game.
“I was surprised how many people showed up, there was a lot of students showing school spirit.” says senior Brian Bellinger.
Other people disagreed.
“I did not like the floats,” said sophomore Johnny Doolittle. “They seemed like not enough time were put into them.”
With all the school spirit from the parade, the football team played a competitive game, but ended up losing to Rialto by only one point. The Great Raguzzi, a magician, was there to announce the queen, which was Maci Ponce.
Students say this year’s homecoming dance was better than last years. Monica Lengkong announced the homecoming king and queen, Jeremy Vasquez. and Maci Ponce. Students say the DJ was okay but could have played a better variety of music. Overall students said they had a good time.Back to top
Janes Addiction CD review
by Matt Gomez
12/11/97It starts out with a psychedelic guitar riff that would make Jimi Hendrix jealous. Then the eerily spiritual vocals of Perry Farrell come in. It is the long-awaited new CD by Jane’s Addiction.
This superpowerful group of the 80s that made all others look simply trivial has released its new CD Kettle Whistle. Although it only has four new never-before heard songs, it features two new songs with Flea, of Red Hot Chili Peppers, on bass guitar.
The CD’s first track is “Kettle Whistle,” a song that takes you on a spiritual ride of the mind of Perry Farrell. Perry Farrel has been off on other projects while Jane’s Addiction was in limbo, such as founding Lollapalooza, starting another band by the name of Porno for Pyros, and being heavily involved in various forms of activism.
Now back together, minus old bassist Eric Avery which was replaced by Flea, Jane’s is back sounding better than ever,and still brings that flavor that only they can bring.
Although this CD only has the four brand new tracks, the main purpose of this CD is to capture the raw energy and vibe that this group puts out live. It has been said that you can only experience Jane’s Addiction at a live show, but “Kettle Whistle” proves that their energy can be captured on a CD. To go along with these live tracks, they also have studio outtakes and different demos that had been recorded over the years.
This CD is a great collection that truly shows and captures the raw energy of this great band. While still performing with the same energy and style that they did in the 80s, this band still can compete with the new bands of today. This just goes to show how ahead of their time Jane’s Addiction really was.Back to top
Morrissey Concert Review
by Joe Aranda
12/11/97A crowd starts to chant “Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey.” It is October 12, 1997, in Los Angeles, CA. The lights shut off as Morrissey and his band walks out on stage and the Greek Theatre erupts with the cheers of the fans.
Morrissey, on tour to promote his latest album, played songs from his more recent albums: “Vauxhall and I”, “Southpaw Grammar”, and his new album that was released in stores August 12, “Maladjusted.” Morrissey also played two songs from his former band The Smiths, “Paint A Vulgar Picture” and “Shoplifters Of The World.”
As most fans know, Morrissey has not toured the U.S. in five years. The Maladjusted Tour was was one that was eagerly anticipated by Morrissey’s true fans.
But thanks to some inconsiderate fans, the concert was ended early. As Morrissey was singing his last song , “Shoplifters Of The World,” about five so-called fans rushed the stage and tackled Morrissey.
The band and Morrissey must have gotten scared that a riot might occur, so they ran off stage and never came back. Many fans were truly disappointed, especially when they knew Morrissey was supposed to play a couple of encore songs.
During the concert, Morrissey remarked that it was “nice to be back home,” since the British native thinks of L.A. as his second home. Think Morrissey would like to take back what he said about it being nice to be home?
Overall, even with the disappointment, the concert was great. Many true fans still enjoyed the concert. Just the performance Morrissey put on stage was incredible. I recommend seeing him next time he tours Los Angeles, if he does.
Unfortunately, this kind of concert unrest is not a new thing. It’s a sad state of affairs when those of us who just want to enjoy a good show get their evening ruined and a good performance cut short just because some idiots decide to be stupid. But it wasn’t Morrissey’s fault. He was superb.Back to top
Posandas
by Floreli Torres
12/11/97¿Cuántos de nosotros sabemos el verdadero significado de la Navidad? Vemos que como pasa el tiempo la Navidad es solo un día con la familia más cercana, regalos y comida. ¿Pero es esta la manera de celebrar la Navidad? Ya no miramos las posadas, el nacimiento, las piñatas y las mujeres ya no se encuentran cocinando tamales, posole, mole y panecillos.
La Navidad anteriormente se celebraba en un hogar, en donde se ponía el nacimiento. Mientras la gente en la calle cantaba canciones navideñas pidiendo posada (pedir alojamiento.) Déspues de cantar se le permitía entrar para arrullar al niño y acostarlo en la cuna. Las piñatas se preparaban con cañas, mandarinas, naranjas, dulces, etc. Toda la gente convivía ya sea cantando o bailando y habían veces que se amanecian.
Ahora solo llega el día y lo único que importa es lo que se va a recibir. Ya después de este día ya se nos olvida demostrar cariño. Al obtener lo que uno quiere lo demás ya no importa. El espíritu navideño no se encuentra y esto es algo que debería de continuar año tras año, para recibir cada año nuevo, mejor y siempre con los brazos abiertos.
“Sí, se ha perdido el espíritu navideño, porque ahora en estos dias el día de Navidad lo hacen más aburrido. Solo se ve un arbolito y regalos. Antes hacían posadas con mucha gente y sobre todo con amor.” Berenice Torres , grado10, nos comparte su opinión acerca de la Navidad.
“Sí, muchos de nosotros hemos perdido el espíritu navideño. Muchas veces en la Navidad preferimos hacer otras cosas, y más si estamos en otro país. Esto causa que las costumbres se pierdan.” Nos comenta Veronica Pérez, grado 12. Lo cual prueba lo que pasa al no seguir unidos a nuestras costumbres.Back to top
Resolutions
by Diana Sosa
12/11/97“Año nuevo, vida nueva”, ¿Cuantos de nosotros no hemos escuchado esta frase en cuanto más aproximan las fechas navideñas? Supongo que muchas veces pues durante las fechas de celebración; en donde es un tiempo de estar con la familia, pasar un rato de páz y compartir nuestras alegrías, es cuando empezamos a refleccionar todo lo que hicimos durante el año que se va. Es el tiempo en donde muchos de nosotros recapacitamos de los errores que cometimos o en lo malo y bueno que hicimos durante el año que ya esta por terminar. Es el momento en donde empezamos a planear lo que queremos cambiar o llegar a realizar en el año que viene, ya que por alguna razón no lo pudimos cumplir en el año que se va. Muchos de nosotros nos plantiamos metas o sueños que queremos cumplir, en otras palabras empezamos a formar nuestras resoluciones que queremos cumplir para el año que se aproxima.
¿Cuáles son tus sueños o metas que quieres llegar a cumplir para el año que viene? “Mi meta para el año que viene; es seguir en la escuela, hecharle muchas ganas a mis estudios y al trabajo támbien me gustaría cambiar un poco mí caracter, porque soy un poco enojón”, nos dice Jesús Márquez, grado 10. A quien su estudio y superación es lo principal que quiere llegar a relizar para el año que viene. O como Julio Cesar Portillo, grado 10, que su meta es llegar a aprender bien el inglés para salir adelante y el sueño que quiere llegar a realizar es conocer Florida y New York. También para Yadira Silva, grado 9, lo principal para ella es llegar aprender hablar mejor el inglés, “Quiero aprender bien el inglés para salir adelante y también para el año que viene mi meta es poder aprovar Geometría para así poder tomar Algebra II”, nos comentó ella.
Como hemos visto para muchos de nosotros el superarnos y salir adelante es lo principal que queremos cumplir, eso es lo bonito que todos nuestros sueños sean positivos y sea todo para nuestro beneficio. Es admirable escuchar que nosotros los jovenes pensemos más en nuestro futuro y tratemos de llegar a realizar nuestros sueños y metas a como de lugar; porque gracias al espíritu de superación que nos inspira cada día para salir adelante. Pero como para Laura Gonzalez, grado 10, que tiene una meta a cumplir para el año que viene pero esa meta o sueño es muy especial; “Quiero mejorar mis calificaciones, aprender más inglés, pero especialmente mi sueño es ir a México para visitar a mis padres”.
Muchos de nosotros ya tenemos pensado lo que queremos cumplir para el año que viene, aunque aveces pensemos que nuestros sueños son inalcansables, si los tratamos de hacer con dedicación y empeño podres realizarlos, cueste lo que cueste y no importando los obstáculos que se nos pongan en el camino. Así es que si tú tienes un sueño o meta, trata de cumplirla no importa por más dificil que sea, no hay que dejar que los obstáculos se interpongan entre lo que queremos realizar, al contrario, hay que luchar para que nadie cambie lo que queremos hacer. Y tú, ¿Ya tienes tu resolución para el año que viene?Back to top
Senior dues don't have to break you!
Opinion by Tariq Warsi
12/11/97Hey there seniors, or future seniors, how are ya doing today? Do you see money leaving as fast, if not faster than it was coming in? There is a reason for that, and believe it or not, it's going to get worse. It is because of senior expenses.
Allow me to digress for a minute. You remember senior panorama picture day? What I can’t understand is why a class of 410 last year got to sit in the bleachers, and a class of 485 this year got to cramp together in front of the auditorium. Not to mention that the picture proctors didn’t want us to stand in the sun, I guess they didn’t know that the sun doesn’t keep a constant position, and the longer it took the more scrunched we were. Anyway, on picture day you should have gotten one of those dandy little papers labeled “Colton High School Expenses.” The paper gave rough estimates of the cost of our senior year.
A letterman's jacket costs $300, a yearbook is $45 if it is bought right now. Add in $15 for an ASB card, $14 for a panorama picture or $4 extra to get it laminated, $40 for senior dues, $50 for an announcement in the yearbook, and another $200 for senior pictures. Then there's $40 if you split the cost of prom tickets, $200 for prom attire, $15 for flowers, $50 for dinner (I guess they expect us to drive to Mexico to go to El Torrito), and at least $50 for prom pictures. Throw in $85 for a class ring (naked), $30 for graduation clothing, $50 per person at grad nite, and $15 for the senior banquet. Now add that together and you get a whoppin’ total of $1,199. I very well do doubt that any one of us could reach into our pockets and whip out a wad of cash that size. These expenses don’t even include college application costs or any of the many aptitude tests (SAT,ACT) that are required by most private colleges and UC’s.
My job today is to provide a more efficient way of spending your money. Lets take a look at this list once again. If you really want to own a letterman jacket then the price varies, just don’t go overboard on the amount of things being sewn on. It doesn’t look that good if you can’t see the school color because of the forty patches on one sleeve, and it costs more money.
If you plan on getting a yearbook, then get it soon, before the price goes up any further. Above all get an ASB card, honestly, because it will pay off in the long run. Also I hope that you bought the $14 Panorama Picture, instead of spending $18 for one that is laminated.
Our senior dues are kind of written in stone. If you really see yourself having to be in the yearbook that much, then you might consider buying a quarter page announcement in the book. I really don’t see the necessity in having a whole page devoted to you or me. Before you buy any type of photos, even though you probably already bought senior pix, think about how many you are really going to need. It's not like you have to give one to everybody (the crossing guard probably won’t need one.) Unless you are doing the relationship thing then I don’t see why the couple couldn’t split the cost of tickets to prom.
Since the topic of prom came up, let's tear it apart, shall we? For the guys, a tux isn’t something you have to worry about, an average tux with a tie/bowtie, shoes, vest, shirt, and small accessories costs about $100-145, so start saving now. For the ladies, a dress doesn’t have to cost $250 to look good; shop around, I’m sure that you’ll be able to find something that looks nice and that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Flowers are something that also can be thrifty, just look for ads in the Pepper Bough and other newspapers. Dinner can be good if you go to somewhere that you are familiar with, and make sure that you are familiar with the price. For prom pictures, do the same for senior pix. I’m sure that prom doesn’t have to eat its way into your college fund, it can be fun and inexpensive.
If you are planning on getting a class ring make sure that you only have things engraved that apply to you. I really don’t think football should be engraved if you participated in the spirit yell in the audience.
Senior year can tend to be somewhat of a hassle, but it also can be organized and under control. Just be sure not to splurge on the first occasion that comes up. As for prom, it will be expensive, but take my advice and start to save. If all else fails you brave people could dare I say it—get a job. Senior year is one big expense, so all of you other classpersons, remember this story, and for all of you seniors, “Welcome to Colton High, this is your senior year, HAVE FUN!"Back to top
She said: Statutory Rape
by Anne JonesIf a minor takes the time to get involved with someone much older, say a 17 year old dating a 30 year old, then those people should have the sense to stay abstinent.
With all the diseases going around, especially AIDS, no one has the time to research their partners' complete and utter past. To save lives and pride, everyone, even those dating their same age, need to take great precaution. Yet dating, and even having sex with a partner much older, or someone just over eighteen when you yourself are under that age, can result in an unbearable consequence: prison.
I also understand that if a breakup of an underaged girl or guy and their overaged partner occurs, it shouldn't lead to pressed charges providing they did have sex while they were together. Yet on the other hand, if the prosecuting party weren't mature enough to understand the consequences of a sexual relationship, than they weren't mature enough to have that sexual relationship, especially with someone over eighteen.
My friend Daniel here is also arguing that underaged girls go to parties and clubs, apparently dressed provocatively. Does this mean they are definitely asking for sex? I don’t think so. Besides, we are talking about statutory rape. If a girl goes to a party dressed “provocatively”, does the guy assume she is ready to jump in the sack? If he does, it doesn’t justify as statutory rape, it justifies as rape, period.
I would also like to add that women are not the only people in the world who dress sexy, or lie about their age, for attention. Men do it too. Guys also try to make themselves seem more desirable to see who they can impress.
Everyone needs to be careful. Students need to salvage some respect and possibly wait those extra years until they’re ready, and until it's safe.
Furthermore, anyone who has casual sex with someone they meet at a club is definitely looking for consequences. It isn’t safe, nor is it respectful for either party. Statutory rape laws were put on the books for a reason. Pay attention to them, guys. You might just save yourself some jail time and the embarrassment of having to forever call yourself a rapist.Back to top
Soccer team learns from the Pros
by Anthony Coronado
12/11/97The Soccer P.E. class here at Colton High School traveled up to the Big Bear to watch and learn from the U.S. National Soccer team on October 29. The U.S. National team was scheduled to visit San Bernardino for a two week long intensive practice session.
In preparation for their November 2 match against Mexico, in Mexico City, they were to practice in San Bernardino from October 20 to October 29. The team was to stay in Big Bear, train there, then travel down to Cal State San Bernardino for a two hour practice session. This routine was to be followed for four to five days.
However, when the team came down the first day, many of the players experienced nausea on the long bus ride. The bus ride down was approximately 90 minutes long. The session wasn’t worth the bus ride, according to the coaching staff. They felt they were wasting three hours every day just driving.
The Colton High class traveled on a similar one and a half hour bus ride, where some also experienced nausea. However, they felt the trip was well worth it. The day for the class was filled with great soccer. The trip included a talk with the head coach, Steve Sampson, and a two hour session where the class could watch and learn from just yards away. The day was topped when the students were permitted to talk with and get autographs from the team members.
The class was impressed with the skill and intensity of the U.S. team, as well as the politeness of most of the players. The team had no problem with the students being there. On some occasions they seemed pleased the class was there.
“This trip is good for this team,” said coach Steve Sampson of the U.S. team’s trip to Big Bear. “It is what they need most right now. Everyone acts as individuals. We need some unity on this team and we hope this trip will help. It’s kind of hard working with these players that are the best in the nation, a lot of which have big egos. This team is not a team yet.”
Coach Joe Archer, teacher of the P.E. class, was very pleased he could take the class to see the National team. “It’s a once in a lifetime thing, most of these kids will never get that close to those guys again,” said Archer of the trip. “The kids in return were very grateful.”
“It was one of the greatest experiences in my soccer career,” said senior Cesar “EWOK” Rodriguez.
The results the U.S. got against Mexico on November 2 were what they desperately needed. They went into the game missing two starting players to injury and another for accumulating three yellow cards. The U.S. was going into Mexico City where they had not beaten Mexico in the last 17 games they played there. The U.S. and Mexico played to a scoreless tie, despite the U.S. losing their left fullback Jeff Agoos in the 32nd minute to an ejection (red card). The U.S. played the rest of the game a man down.
“We got the golden point we needed in World Cup Qualifying,” said Sampson after the game.
The team was very proud of their accomplishment after the game. “The training we did at Big Bear really paid off,” said forward Joe-Max Moore, who played all 90 minutes. “We were as fit as Mexico, maybe more so.”
The U.S. later went on to defeat Canada 3-0 in Canada on November 9. The U.S. were the only team in qualifying to beat Canada in Canada. The U.S. postgame celebration was grand, for they qualified for the “Big Dance in France ‘98,” i.e., the World Cup.Back to top
Sublime CD review
by Matt Penna
12/11/97Sublime’s star continues to shine bright long after the tragedy that caused the breakup of one of music’s most promising bands.
The ska/reggae/punk rock trio consisting of Bradley Nowell(singer/guitar), Eric Wilson(bass), and Bud Gaugh(drums) came out of the Long Beach punk scene in 1986, then four years later self-released a tape Jah Won’t Pay the Bills. This gave the band local support when they released their first CD, 40oz. to Freedom which they ended up selling 30,000 copies of out of the trunk of their car. Later in 1994 the band released Robbin the Hood, then with two CD’s and the major air play of “Date Rape” on KROQ the band started to make it. Playing the “Warped” Tour in ’95 until being kicked off for bad behavior, they started to make a name for themselves; things were going good. The band then finished their third album which would prove to be their greatest and the last of who-knows-what could have been. The 28 year old singer/guitarist/song writer Nowell was found dead from a heroin overdose in May 1996, two months prier to the release of self-titled Sublime which consequently sold over two million.
And now comes their new CD Second-hand Smoke which is a collection of unreleased material, remixes, and out takes recorded from many sessions throughout the years. The CD includes a cover of the Bob Marley song “Trenchtown Rock,” and some unreleased material (“Romeo,” “Slow Ride,” and “What’s Really Goin’ Wrong” are three of the 11 new songs). There are some awesome remixes of “Doin’ Time,” “April 29, 1992,” also a remix of “Garden Grove” called “Garbage Grove.” It also contains a few songs from past albums (“Badfish”) and the duet with Gwen Stefani “Saw Red.”
This album has everything that people have come to expect, a music blend of reggae, ska, punk, and rock which make an awesome mix. Anyone who likes music should give this CD a listen. It has the fresh sounds and beats that were a driving force behind the sound that people first heard, bought and are still buying, millions of CD’s later; and millions of people can’t be wrong. This album and Sublime’s other three albums(Sublime, Robin the Hood, 40oz to Freedom) give you more then your money’s worth and anyone who hasn’t heard of Sublime, you’re missing out on a great band with some of the best music that’s out there. Second-hand Smoke is a deserving tribe to Sublime which died with Bradley Nowell . . . but the music is preserved.Back to top
TIR: A mind is a terrible thing to wasteStaff Editorial/12/11/97
It’s early morning. You rush to school, trying to make it on time. You’re running a little late because your mom forgot to give you your lunch money and the train crossing held you up. You enter the campus a little past 7:30, and try to sneak into your class. You’re nabbed by your friendly campus supervisor who informs you that you’ve just gotten a free ticket to TIR. Welcome to the Jungle.
Entering TIR you get the impression that this room is a bastion of school spirit. Ironically team pictures adorn the hall leading towards the main part of TIR. Smiling cheerleaders and intense football players greet you as you are ushered inside. You travel down the hall asking yourself, is TIR really such a bad place? Then you turn the corner and see the true TIR. The room reeks of sweat and cheap perfume. You’re in for an hour of standing, doing nothing.
The above description described the old situation in TIR. Possibly due to pressure from a parents’ advocate group, changes have been made. (See TIR story, Pg. 6-7) We at the Pepper Bough congratulate the school for making the much needed changes in TIR. There had to be a better solution than forcing students to stand on square blocks.
But is the new TIR the answer to the chronic tardiness problem on campus? Will a “kinder, gentler” TIR really be a deterrent? How much will students want to rush to class knowing that videos and desks await them? Is TIR becoming nothing more than the campus annex of the Rancho 6?
We’re not arguing that a change was necessary. What we do wonder is, what’s next? Popcorn with your videos? Several comments around campus have alluded to the fact that TIR is now just the opposite from the “Black dungeon” days of yore. Now it seems to be a warm and fuzzy Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
What’s the answer? If you make TIR a strict, severe punishment, parents complain that it’s torture. And if you make it into Sesame Street, you’ve gone too far the opposite way. Many students have viewed TIR as a ticket out of class (and work). How many times have you heard one of your friends exclaim, “Hey, I got a Math test today, I’m going to TIR instead.” That way they can easily postpone the dreaded test for another day. If students were apt to hang out in TIR instead of going to class before, they’ll be breaking down the doors to get in now.
Under the old TIR system, valuable class and study time was lost while a student was in TIR. Instead of learning how to communicate effectively, often times students in TIR learned who was in which gang or what girl was expecting a baby in a few months. This was not a productive way to utilize school time.
Our hats go off to the school for making changes in TIR. It is to the administration’s credit that they are willing to chuck an idea when it turns out to be a bad one and try something new. The new policies encourage education and offer opportunities for self improvement to late students. The hiring of a new attendance clerk to handle late students will free Al Schwartz, the TIR teacher, to work with students.
The problem of TIR seems to have disappeared for now. It’s not the black dungeon the parents’ groups called it. The smiling athletes and cheerleaders still look down on you as you enter. Looking at them, you get the impression that the room is filled with spirit. This can now hold true.Back to top
TIR Stirs controversy
by Donna Chavez and Rose Terracciano
12/11/97What’s a poor school to do? It seems like everytime Colton comes up with a new idea, someone comes along to shoot it down.
By now everyone’s heard of the new T.I.R. The old T.I.R. seems to have gone by the wayside, a victim of parent outrage and bad press.
Previosly, before the concept of T.I.R was even thought of, after school detention and Saturday school was used as a punishment for tardiness, long before the black-square model was adopted and became the Tardy Intervention Room.
T.I.R. originally was an anti-truancy experiment imitated from San Gorgonio High, two years ago to improve the attendance record of Colton High. As opposed to disrupting class due to tardiness, students were sent to room 503 instead. After the late bell rang, the teachers were instructed to conduct a “Lock-out.” They would lock the doors so that late students couldn’t be admitted in to class. This allowed the campus supervisors to “Sweep” the campus rounding up all the remaining students to escort them to T.I.R.
Once inside, the late students were forced to sign in, stand on a given number, and stare at a black wall for nearly an hour. However the wall wasn’t always black, (there use to be a mural on it, but that changed as soon as students began to deface it). If a student needed to use the restroom or felt sick and needed to go to the nurses office, he/she was denied the option to be excused unless it was an emergency.
T.I.R. didn’t turn out as well as expected. There are those who believe that the original policy wasn’t discouraging tardiness and in the eyes of parents was in violation of the states anti-corpral punishment law.
Since then parents and students alike have been complaining that T.I.R. is indeed a form of corporal punishment. Parents have heard rumors of students fainting while in room 503 from the heat being raised to extremely high temperatures. Allen Schwartz, the T.I.R. teacher and athletic director of the school denies turning up the heat to make students suffer. “I would never do that,” he replied.
The old T.T.R. has now been jettisoned, in favor of what some are referring to as a “kinder and gentler” T.I.R. Due to recent questions brought on by parents Pam Ortega and Gil Navarro, and publicized in the Riverside Daily Press newspaper, the once referred to “Black Dungeon” has been changed, ostensibly to better suit the needs of students and to put the minds of concerned parents to rest.
To begin with, desks have been moved in to eliminate the “stand-up” situation. This will allow them to work on their class assignments. This will give them a chance to improve their grades.
“They (the students) should be working on some kind of work for class,” says Assistant principal Bill Amrine. There will also be educational videos playing constantly in the room. A new attendance clerk will record the attendance of the students, freeing Schwartz to work with them. With Schwartz’s help, they may learn new study skills and be able to broaden their academic capabilities. With all of these new changes there are certain to be various opinions circulating among the student body.
I don’t think it really makes a difference,” says Senior Sarah Cousins. “It’s not like it was a torture chamber.” She isn’t the only one who feels this way. Junior Clayton Campbell agrees with her. “T.I.R. was better the way it was. Now kids will just use it as a place to cut class.” He goes on to say that he believes the new idea is a “crock.”
Then there are those who completely agree with the new changes. “Its better than just standing there all period,” replies Junior Melissa Garcia. “Before your legs would get tired and it sucked.”
For those people who were satisfied with the old T.I.R will have to deal with the new changes which are more than likely here to stay.
School officials hope that this new policy will be more effective and less controversial. Schwartz however feels that the punishment should fit the crime. “The idea is to make the students uncomfortable,” he notes. Schwartz thinks that students generally feel that T.I.R. is a place to cut class. “Without punishment it won’t be effective.”
Schwartz agrees that there is no clear-cut explanation of whether making students stand in one spot and stare at “The Black Wall” would constitute the idea of physical punishment. On the other hand, Assistant principal Amrine says that taking out T.I.R. all together might not be such a bad idea. “I would prefer to see the students admitted in to class,” Amrine says.
He may not be alone in his ideas either. Some parents agree that missing an entire class due to tardiness is hardly worth it. Junior Mario Minwary agrees with those parents saying,”I think its (T.I.R.) pretty good (the way it is now) because the people inside will be forced to study.” Amrine goes on to say, “I’m not so sure we should trade off 55 minutes of class time for 20 seconds of tardiness.”
With these new changes the 55 minutes will be better spent on studying and school work rather than standing up for the period.
Before Amrine became an Assistant Principal here at Colton High, he was an Advanced Placement English and History teacher. “In my previous 15 years of teaching high school we did not have T.I.R.” Amrine says that it wasn’t necessary. “Tardiness wasn’t a major problem in the classroom. A minor irritation, but not a major problem.”
Although many critics of T.I.R. feel this way, T.I.R. will continue along with its new changes. It’s not up to the critics to make the decision on whether or not the room should be eliminated. This decision belongs to the administrators. However, with the help of complaints and letters the parents and students can get the changes they desire.
Some people may be led to believe that with these new changes T.I.R. fails to have consequences. According to the attendance policy, the consequences lie with the habitual tardies. For example, if a student is sent to T.I.R. four times within a quarter they will receive a referral and a call home.
While these punishments may not seem as severe, administrators hope they will be enough to reduce the truancy level and the complaints from parents and students.Back to top
Volleyball Makes Playoffs
by Kara Bellinger
12/11/97The Varsity Volleyball team is going to playoffs for the first time since 1992. But even if Varsity hadn’t made it to playoffs, they still would have been happy with the way they became a team.
“I think we have accomplished a lot as a team, became a family,” said Catalina Guillen, junior.
Varsity defeated Eisenhower three out of four (15-11, 15-9 ,15-2), assuring them a spot in the playoffs behind Redlands in first, with their record 10-0, and Rialto in second (7-4) in this years’ season.
Varsity ended their season 5-5 after the rocky start early in the season; and tried fighting for a clean slate, but were knocked out of the playoffs opener, Tuesday, November 11 against the reigning champs Fountian Valley, 15-5, 15-2, and15-3.
“The fact that we played last years CIF champs, we still played well,” said Coach Al Schwartz. “I’m very proud of these girls and the season.”
Schwartz will not be returning next year due to the return of Angela Reynolds, back from maternity leave.
“I did what I had to do and had fun,” said Schwartz.
Yet Varsity weren’t the only ones that did well; both Junior Varsity and the Freshmen teams went out and met their goals: to do well and play as a team.
Junior Varsity finished 6-4, beating Rialto 15-6, 15-6 Thursday, November 6 at Rialto to finish off the great season.
Junior Varsity coach Vicki Macias is not sure about returning next year.
The freshmen team, coached by math teacher Carol Angle, had it pulled together from the very start, finishing 6-4.
“ I think overall we worked very well, we have a lot of natural talent.” said Angle.
Angle has a plan to be returning next year if needed.
“ I’m sure I will be coaching next year,” said Angle.
Overall all three levels did very well and plans to go even farther are being talked about now.Back to top
Wait Until Dark Play review
by Anne Jones
12/.11/97Colton High School’s suspenseful production of “Wait Until Dark” was a “smash”.
With alumni actors like juniors Jenny Pierce and Hilary Schmitt, sophomores Jody Norman, Frederico Zamora and newcomers Oscar Garcia, also a sophomore, and senior Mike Penna, the play made a definite impact on it’s stunned audience.
The main plot was that of a blind woman who was being cleverly conned out of a mysterious doll stuffed with Heroin. Jenny pierce, who played Suzy Hendrix the blind woman, and Mike Penna, who played Harry Roat Jr. and Sr., suspended themselves beautifully on the uncomfortably dark stage to finish up a horrifyingly Erie two act play.
Joey Mercado, the director, as well as the audience was impressed by all the memorized lines, and the wonderfully realistic set put together with help from Joe Seol, Yvonne Solario, Katrina Clifford, Victor Guitron, Juan Carlos Aguilar and Tony Leo.
“I wanted it(the play) to come across suspenseful, and that people would see the hard work put into it”, says Mercado, ending the second play put on at Colton High School in her direction.
Without a doubt-it was.Back to top
Winter sports preview
by Brian Espinoza
12/11/97The Winter sports are just under way and they are already heating things up. Both boys and girls soccer should be competing for league titles. Wrestling hopes to continue having another dominating team as individual stars. Boys and girls basketball have been improving year after year and playoffs should be in the reach of both teams.
Last season the boys Varsity soccer team came within one point of a Citrus Belt League championship but fell short just behind Redlands. With nine out of 11 returning starters form last years' team nothing less than a league championship is expected.
Senior Dominick Heredia, an All Citrus Belt League returnee, led and the Jackets in goals last year and began this season by scoring their first goal of the season against Jurupa Valley. The team is also returning seniors Sal Munoz and Cody Bowler and juniors Anthony Coronado and Xavier Serrano, who received honors in the Citrus Belt League. The Jackets loss sweeper Gregg Eithier, who was last year's league MVP, to graduation, but despite the loss the team looks to be as strong and more experienced than year's last squad.
The girls Varsity Soccer team should be competing with Redlands again for the league Citrus Belt League title.