John Steven Coke named acting principal
Elysa Arroyo
3/18/05

Recently, CHS has undergone a bit of a revolution. Huge changes have been brought about by the events of February. One of the biggest changes, by far, is the acquisition of a new principal, John Steven Coke. And though the administration has changed, it is unlikely that the school will see any major changes in the immediate future. "My job is to help the school move forward," says Coke, "Not to come in the middle of the year and change everything."
Things such as the tardy policy, which is being reviewed, are the only real candidates for change. "I believe that people need to be where they need to be when they need to be there," says Coke. "It's a possibility [changing the policy], but we'll change it only if it needs to be changed; if it isn't effective. If people are getting to class on time, then the policy may not need any change."
CHS seems to be buzzing with delight at the outcome of the "walk-out" and the aftermath of its administrative "revolution." Coke has declined comment about the issue other than saying that the past is the past and the school needs to "move forward," and has taken a sort of diplomatic neutrality as far as the issue goes.
Coke says that he is "quite happy here" and that the job allows the addition of a challenge to his career. And though he does not expect to make a lot of changes, Coke says that he "is happy to be the one in the position to help the school progress."

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AAA program still in place, with a few tweaks
Elysa Arroyo
3-18-05

Colton High School has recently begun the institution of a new program, officially dubbed 'AAA.' Most students attended an assembly last month, explaining the five W's of the program and demonstrating the way it works. However, the revolution that took place at the school a short while ago and the acquisition of a new principal has, consequently, altered the program slightly.
    Under the direction of Vladmira Chavez, ASB director, and Chris Burner, Assistant Principal, the program now further incorporates the use of the second "A" (academics). As the student body found out at the assembly, maintaining perfect attendance for the duration of one month (and a 2.0 G.P.A) gets your name in a drawing for a prize (like an iPod or an X-box) and then into a drawing for an even bigger prize at the end of the year. That's the first 'A' (attendance).
    There is now a new drawing. Students who had a 3.0 G.P.A in their last report card, and maybe not-so-perfect attendance, will be placed in a different drawing. Those names will also go into the bigger drawing at the end of the year.
    Everyone now has a chance to win two prizes each month, one from the Attendance drawing and one for the Academics drawing. And that also means that each person has a chance to enter two names a month into the big drawing. The idea is that if you can do this, if you have the first and second 'A's, the third, Attitude will simply follow. " This isn't a bribe," says both Burner and Chavez, "It's more of an incentive. It's like in big businesses. At the end of the year, if sales are good, or if there are more profits than normal, the workers get bonuses. Or the workers get raises."
    "Bottom line: Our school needs to raise its test scores," says Burner, "If the students can give us their best and raise the test scores, then we should give back. That's what the 'AAA' program is about: giving back."

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Once upon a mattress debuts at whitmore auditorium; completes run this weekend
Ilka Hernando
3-18-05

An overprotective Queen, a pushover Prince, a lewd, mute King, an egotistical sexist Knight, a problematic Lady, and a ballroom filled with insanity; this is what makes Once upon a Mattress more raunchy than the name itself sounds. Everyone knows the story of "The Princess and the Pea," about the Queen that tested every princess who wanted to marry her son by placing a pea underneath hundreds of mattresses because surely if the girl was a "real" princess, she would be able to feel the pea and would then be worthy enough for her son. Once upon a Mattress claims that there was more to that fairy tale, as there always seems to be, and takes us back in time to straighten out the story with song and dance.
The story starts off with the same concept. Queen Aggravain (Heather Shaw) is testing every princess that wishes to marry her son, Prince Dauntless (Sean Fenn), having her Wizard (Bonnie Williams) create tests that are more than unfair. We are then introduced to the characters Lady Larken (Lexy Romano) and Sir Harry (Joshua Lomeli) who come up with a whole different problem of their own that makes finding a princess for the prince imperative. Enter Princess Winnifred (Tina Choiselat), who seems to become a royal pain for the Queen, but the love of the Prince.
The story unfolds and turns this one-page fairy tale into an elaborate novel with enough side plots to steer your mind from the actual story. Having the Colton High jazz band play made it even harder to hear the already low speaking and singing characters on stage.
There were a few choppy lighting problems, and mic disorders, but those were typical of a student designed production. But from the laughs and interest that captivated the audience, all of that didn't matter and couldn't matter because "the show must [indubitably] go on!" They mesmerized all with their bright colors and flowing gowns as they danced and twirled around, singing, acting, and showing the hard work that the students strove so hard to display in their moments in the spotlight.

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Pepper Bough Reporters get a taste of that real world
Alyssa Isgett
3/18/05

Two Pepper Bough reporters are getting the chance to hone their journalism skills in a real-world setting. Seniors Paul Heredia and Sarah Hoffman have been accepted for an internship to write sports stories for a few locally owned newspapers, and get paid for it too.
    On February 8, Willie Ellison, an entertainment writer for minority-produced papers, paid the Pepper Bough a visit. "I'm involved in three weekly papers," he explained. "The Minority Press, The Precinct Reporter and The Tri County Bulletin. We are trying to establish internships to encourage students to go into the field of journalism." Heredia and Hoffman are two of the many students accepted. "Internship wise, in the San Bernardino area, from the high schools there was a lot of feedback," says Ellison. The internships do pay a little. For every story it averages about $25.00 and for pictures, around $10.00. Heredia and Hoffman were accepted for sports at CHS.
    "Journalism is falling off among young people," says Ellison. "I think one because there is not much money in Journalism and two, being a weekly writer, the work is more sporadic opposed to the dailies where everyday they have a deadline."
    Ellison went to San Bernardino High School. He went away for college in Alabama but came back and attended Sacramento State. He got involved on a weekly paper on an intern basis and began writing sports. "My child hood dream was to go into entertainment… that was able to happen fortunately because of the weekly paper. I worked my way up." When Ellison began his Journalism career, he had to travel a lot. "It paid well, I just didn't like the traveling. The great thing about my job was that everything I did was free. I'm talking Laker games, after parties, concerts. [Famous people] don't like the press but they like to be publicized."
    Ellison spoke to the class about why internships among high schoolers is an important part of journalism: "We are trying to build an internship to where we have high school students come out, write stories, of course on your campus first, but with people of all minority. For now it's sports and for the writing we want to highlight High School athletics. There used to be, growing up in the day, the Black community, the Latino community, and the White community. Now today the boundary lines are broken. All the papers and all reporters should make an effort to get in everyone's household. The internship is a great opportunity to get your name in a paper, to get your articles published. Student newspapers were made to get the students heard. We want that to happen outside of school."

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BSN Pro
Alyssa Isgett
3-18-05

"Establish an academic culture that is conducive to powerful teaching and learning. Increase student attendance through a school based incentive program. Increase student awareness of the relationship between Academics, Attitude, and Attendance and personal success," according to the CHS website.
    Here's how it works: if you come to school for one month, you earn a ticket. The ticket gets put into a bucket. Then three tickets are drawn out. If your name is drawn, fill out the grade check sheet. If you have a 2.0 G.P.A. (without any 'F's') in the classes you are currently enrolled in, and you have a good attitude, meaning that you respect the teachers and other students, you can go to the office and pick up a prize of your choice.
    The question on people's minds is "will it work?" The AAA program seems pretty simple right? All you have to do is come to school for a whole month, no TNT's or tardies, and maintain a 2.0. No TNT's? Big deal, spend a minute less socializing and you'll make it to class on time. Maintain a 2.0 grade point average isn't difficult either. Considering you have to have a 2.0 to participate in all school activities, it's not too much to ask of students. Throw in your choice of a prize, and it sounds like following the rules is paying off. Students are being rewarded for doing what they're supposed to. Of course it will work.
    If for any reason, you are unable to fulfill the minimum grade expectations, you will have until the next drawing to improve your grades and show a grade sheet with the 2.0 requirements.
    Now, a new chance to win prizes is being added. If you have a 3.0, your name goes into a totally separate bucket and then 2 names are drawn out from there to win.
    Lets get this straight, when you come to school and maintain your grades and a good attitude in class, you're entered to win prizes. If you can't meet these requirements you have a whole month to improve it and you can still win a prize. This is a chance for all of the people who think they don't amount to anything to be able to have an opportunity that will most probably help them achieve a certain goal that they wouldn't even have tried for in the first place. To add on to all of this, people who have a 3.0 are being rewarded for keeping that GPA, they don't even have to have perfect attendence.

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BSN CON
Ilka Hernando
3-18-05

Simply saying, "No, it won't work!" seems kind of bland and very close minded, so let's indulge ourselves into the new assistance of our other roadside (desk-side, is what should be used) savior: the AAA program, a tool which is designed to help students do better in school by dangling meaty prizes in front of them on a string. Kind of barbaric, wouldn't you say? Yes, we all appreciate this attempt at making us do our best, but it doesn't take rocket surgery (hah) to maintain a 2.0 GPA. Not only that, you are being put into a bucket filled with all the other average flowing students that have probably copied off of their neighbor's paper their whole lives.
What about the few students that actually care about which college they go to? Those few that drive that anal canal to get perfect attendance, perfect behavior, perfect everything? They are put into a bowl of people that wouldn't care if they weren't picked or not, wouldn't even take care of the prize when they receive it… wouldn't take the time to carefully take it out of its protective plastic, or read the manual while taking in every aspect of the prize… no… they would gloat and let it float around carelessly in their backpack of unsharpened pencils and unused paper. No one cares anymore. It's such a waste of good prizes to an unappreciative group.
Students are still in control of what they accomplish or not accomplish. Yes, they should be pushed in the correct direction, and yes, it may work for some to do better. But it's that bowl of tickets, that fickle little bowl. Do you understand? Take ten students that wish to swim in that bowl and actually make it. They watch excitedly as the choosing hand gets closer to them, swirling them around with its finger, only for the hand to pick up a stray fish that didn't even ask to be picked, but gloated in being chosen. What do you get after that? Ten students giving up because of false hopes. Now multiply that outcome by how many students there are, especially the younger ones, and that's how much of an impact you will get. Why promise something to those that will never receive it? That's a lot of crushed hopes… and isn't school supposed to be the building block of life? Why start them out with what "could be but never will?" [smirk] But that's what life really is, isn't it? False hope…

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Cassie's comments
Cassie Orona
3-18-05

Juggling school and your personal life mixed with a job can be very difficult. For example, let's look a little into my life. I have school from 6:30am to 1:08pm, then most days I have to work from at least 2:30 to closing at Robinson's May and this interferes with my personal life. I know most of the high school students on this campus work and you've probably found this out. Balancing school with a job and personal lives can be tricky.
For me, I'm still trying to figure it out. I know that if I'm not doing well in school, then there goes my job, which means no personal money of my own to go out and have fun. If I work too much, then what kind of life do I have to myself? See! I'm still trying to work out the kinks.
Then, to top it all off, most students have an after school activity that they're involved in. How in the world do you that? How can you go to school, to practice, to work, then you have stuff at home that need to be addressed… how does this work? I had to quit my after school activity and that made me feel bad to do that. In life, you have choices to make and sometimes, those choices can be difficult or easy.
I suppose it depends on what kind of person you are-if you are good under a lot of stress or not. In my case, I'm not that good under a lot of stress, but I can get the job done either way. I know that if I put my mind to it, then I can get it done. The bad thing about this is, when do I have time for myself and for those who I care about and who care about me?
I guess that's one of the kinks that I'm still working on. Be patient with me please. I'll get it worked out soon! Living life is harder than it's made out to be. I'll leave you with this quote from one of my best friends in the whole world… Elysia Groves . . .

"Life is the only thing stopping me from living."

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Choices define our lives for good or ill
Jonathan Carrasco
3-18-05

Some take a little more thought, time, and effort; maybe even keep you up at night. They may require a friend's input, or might leave you to rely on your morals, or even the little voice in the back of your mind. They are your choices, and we as teens are being faced with them everyday. Some choices are no brainers, like what you should do over the weekend or what your favorite ice cream at Coldstone is. Every time you make a choice you are taking a gamble, some might not be very risky, and often those they are the ones that are safest.
            However there is one choice that a lot of teens are faced with and that choice is whether or not to drink and drive. This is one of few gambles where the end result could be either your life or someone else's.
             If you go out and drink and drive and you make it home safely, will that encourage you to do it again? If your next choice later down the road is to do it again and you still do not harm you or anyone else, will you still continue to do it, knowing that your choices shape other people's chances? Will you continue to do this until it is too late and your luck finally runs short, and it is you who is stuck with the responsibilities of your choices?
            Some might think that when you take a gamble you might lose and live to gamble another day, but this is one bet where even the wealthiest of people will suffer severely. So the next time that drinking and driving crosses your mind, hopefully you will think twice and remember the responsibility that comes along with this choice.

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Movie Theaters gone wild with prices
Robert Campos and Janae Johnson
3-18-05

It seems as though every summer, movie tickets are rising higher. We wouldn't really mind but the sad fact of the matter is that our poor, poverty-stricken self is low on funds and we're forced to pay full adult prices.
    We think that this is kind of hypocritical in the sense that we're not yet 18. Why is it that we're not old enough to gain legal entry to an R rated movie, but we can pay an adult price?We're not old enough to smoke, but we can pay the full $10 admission charge. What's the deal with that?
    Maybe we're just a couple of those pessimistic people that like to complain, but we personally believe that If we can't get into an adult movie, then why should we have to pay the adult price?
    In a more positive light, if you have your student ID then you're given a discount on movie prices. Yet when you don't have one (or forget it at home) you're stuck and forced to pay full price. Most of us do look our age; we shouldn't have to prove that we still go to high school. It should not be legal to charge students full price for an "adult" movie ticket.
    We're subjected to violence and obscenity all the time in the world today, yet people still feel that they need to shelter teenagers from a simple movie (in a way this is pure genius, they've achieved what they wanted (keeping us out of those psychologically scarring movies). Just turning on your television can be worse. We don't see any theatre managers coming into our houses to stop us from watching porn and drug usage like they would in the movie theatre. This shows that they really don't care about what we're watching, it's all about the small amounts of petty change that we give up in exchange of sitting in their smelly theatre and putting our feet on their sticky floors.
In the precedent of former stories, it's best to wrap up this story with a negative ending. Minors are always going to get taken advantage of and it's best to just accept the inevitable and get over it. There's no point in rebelling against the system anymore, lets all just sit back and watch as the overcharged story unfolds before us.

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Words of Wisdom
Elysa Arroyo
3-18-05

What do you see when you look into the mirror? If you're a normal teenager, you see the imperfections. You see the one strand of hair that's out of place. You see the button that's undone, you see the only piece of you that isn't exactly perfect. You see the pieces that make you…well…you.
It's quirkiness that makes us individuals. If everyone were perfect, do you have any idea how absolutely boring that would be? You are exactly the way you are supposed to be. There will always be that one strand of hair out of place. Maybe your eye shadow isn't quite even, or maybe you put a tiny bit too much gel in your hair. It doesn't matter. In a few years, no one is going to care that you wore neon-green eye shadow, as long as you've grown out of it by then.
Why look for the flaws? It's not about being perfect. It never was. It's about being comfortable with your imperfections. No one else is perfect, so why are you trying to be? In your own way, you are beautiful (or handsome, for my guy readers). I mean it. I don't have to know your name to care about you; to hope these words reach you. Each one of you has the capacity for greatness, if only you have the courage to reach for it; to use it. And that capacity comes from imperfections.
Now that I've said exactly what I want to say, I leave you with a quote (one of my favorites):
"When you look into the mirror, don't look for everything you aren't. Look for everything you are; everything you can be, instead of everything you can't."

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Coming soon to a pharmacy near you: Male Birth Control Pills
Nina Acosta
3-18-05

Claiming a 95% success rate, scientists both here and abroad have been perfecting a new male contraceptive pill. After clinical trials, they hope to market it. But would men take a pill that formally had been the woman's responsibility?
    "I'd take it!" says senior Benjamin Vazquez, "I wouldn't have to worry about depending on her to remember her pill."
    "Good! Now some responsibility is on the male side of preventing pregnancy," says junior Randy Diaz.
    At the start of the study of the male pill, the hormone levels had to be adjusted to ensure testosterone levels stayed normal, but there were no problems or side effects. All participants retained their normal energy and libido levels (some even found that their libido level increased).
    "It's not bad as long as your "downstairs" doesn't get affected," says Senior Eli Marcial. If a new male contraceptive becomes a reality, it will widen contraceptive options for couples and in particular for men. For women over 35 years old, who smoke or are overweight, this could be crucial because they are more prone to side effects from the oral contraceptive.
    "It takes some pressure off the women," says junior Krystal Torranto. "Now it's equal opportunity to prevent pregnancy for couples who are in intimate relationships."
    Current forms of contraceptive available for women include the pill, implants, diaphragm, caps, the intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and the contraceptive patch. But should women hold all the responsibility in preventing childbirth?
    "I wouldn't take it," says senior Yesief Gebremariam. "What if it has side effects? I'm not really open to it."
    Although it's still a long way from being commercially available, the research has provided an important basis for future trials, as well as giving hope to those who want additional methods of contraceptive. For now, however, it's a case of waiting to see how the research progresses.

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EMBARRASSING MOMENTS....THEY CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!

Have you ever had something truly embarrassing happen to you? You probably have. And chances are, the person next to you has as well. Most people have been embarrassed (and if someone says they haven't, they are probably lying) at one point or another. Some people keep their experiences to themselves, and some share. And then there are the brave ones, like the ones who submitted these stories, that tell the world. Everyone deserves to laugh, and if you read these stories, you probably will. Just be glad that these things did not happen to you!

The Punch Line

She walked into the party in the cutest outfit I'd ever seen. The second I saw her, I was jealous, because she made her way across the room saying hi to just about everyone. Everyone knew her. Also right away, I realized that she was one of those people who knew that she was pretty, and had no problems letting everyone in the room know it. Just as she was getting to the group that consisted of the most popular people in the room, in the school, really (which happened to be right next to the food table), her heel broke and sent her flying into and tumbling over the table, knocking the punch and the condiments onto her. She surfaced wearing about a ¼ of the food that was on the table. It was the funniest thing I think I'd ever seen. The whole room was roaring with laughter and all I can say is that I'm glad I'm not her. I really am.
                                                 -Sarah 10th grade

A Standing Ovation

    I was a Drama nerd at my old school. During my 11th grade year, I landed the lead. I was so excited, and devoted a great deal of my time to learning my lines. My parents were so sick of the play, they made me go rehearse at my Grandma's. Lol. So anyways, Opening night comes and it goes perfectly. And then, during the first number of the second act, in a particularly complicated set of dance steps, My heel catches on the hem of my beautiful dress, ripping it and revealing quite a bit, and sending me tumbling off stage into the front row. Needless to say, the audience got more than they paid for.
-Anonymous

And We Raced…

Once, I convinced my parents to let me go to Catherine's Landing in Laughlin with my boyfriend and his family for a weekend. I slept in a tent on the beach with his older sister and during the day, we'd hang out and play on the waverunners and stuff. On Saturday, it happened to be my boyfriend's and my turn to ride them and we decided to go 'exploring'. We were probably a mile away from camp when I fell off my runner and into the water. My boyfriend kept going, not noticing that I wasn't behind him. I wasn't wearing a life jacket, so I had to swim my way back to the runner. By the time he got back to me, I was on my runner again and there was a family in a boat stopped right next to me. I was waving at them to tell them I was fine when I noticed my bathing suit in the water. And the people in the boat just so happened to be my boyfriend's two Uncles and his grandparents.

--Jen, 12th Grade

A Magical Experience

On Thursday, which was the day of opening night for "Once Upon a Mattress", I wore my costume (a Wizard gown) to school because of the tradition of wearing your costume in the play to school the day of opening night. So I had managed to avoid slipping or falling so far that day in the costume (it's rented) until my fifth period class. So I go to sit down on a rolling chair in class, and the costume made me slide off of it, and the chair went flying back and hit a cabinet behind me, and I fell on my butt in the costume. Everyone in class looked at me and started laughing. I started laughing too because it was funny. So for the rest of the period when I would move around the class in the chair, people would say "Don't fall." Thankfully, I didn't mess up the costume!

Bonnie, 11th Grade

Beach Blanket Bingo

My girlfriends and I decided to skip school one day and go to the beach. My friend Chris (not actual name) had gotten her license a little over six months before, so her probation period was over and we let her drive. We got there and set up our stuff and then went to play in the water. When we got back, there was a couple making out in the spot next to us. So we decide to be cute and yell "Get a room!" When the couple looked up, I realized it was my parents. Can you say "BUSTED?"
             -Anonymous

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

I was at my aunt and uncle's house Christmas 2001 and I was playing hide-and-seek with my little cousins, Brian and Cole, and we were in teams. I was on the other team with my cousin Melinda. So we are hiding all over the house, and Brian and Cole keep finiding us. So then we go hide in the bathroom behind the shower curtain, which is kind of see-through. So we're hiding in there, and we see Brian and Cole come in, but they didn't see us. So we figured that we were safe. But then my cousin Christopher came in to the bathroom before we could go out, and actually started to do "his business" right in front of us! It was so horrible! We tried to not laugh but he heard us and got so mad! What really sucks is that Christopher is Melinda's step-brother. And now every Christmas when we go to their house, they tell me not to go hiding in any bathrooms!"
                                                                          -Anonymous

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Gay Straight Alliance club invites students to break the silence
Robert Campos
3-18-05

    Colton High's GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) is planning an event and everyone's invited. This April the GSA will once again be participating in the Day of Silence, a student-led day in which students take a day-long vow of silence to mimic the silence faced by students of different orientation and their hetero allies.
    "During school, we're planning the same stuff we did last year. We're going to have a silent sit in at lunch. It's open to anyone who supports the cause, which is to make the school safer for all students, regardless of orientation." Says GSA President Brandi Bayus, senior.
    However, this year's Day of Silence is going to be a little different than the one from last year. To top off the event, GSA is currently planning a BREAK THE SILENCE concert; this event will be taking place after school. Bands from all over campus are looking for a spot on the line-up. "At meetings everyone involved with GSA pitched local school bands that we thought would bring good publicity, and not only that but we were also looking for bands that support what we're trying to do as a club," states Bayus.
Currently signed up as headliners for the show are The Giggaloops and Tracy Willow. Other bands include SARS and the Kickmes, Bleeding Romantics, Go Stop Devils, and To The Lake.
    Planning for the event is a non-stop ride that first started sometime in early January. Every chance they get, GSA officers are looking for some way to spread the word of the show in hopes of getting a bigger crowd. "Some of the bands happen to have members that are a part of what we're doing. It's definitely helped tremendously."
    Price for the show is set to be a minimum of $3 and $2 if students wear red to show their support for GSA and the Day of Silence. With the low set prices Bayus is expecting a large turnout for the concert. "I'm expecting a lot of people to come out and show support for GSA and the bands performing. An awesome show seems like the perfect way to break the silence don't you think?"

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IRAQ GETS A TASTE OF DEMOCRACY IN HISTORIC NATIONAL ELECTIONS
NINA ACOSTA
3-18-05
IRAQI'S JANUARY ELECTIONS marked a significant step on the road to a more secure, prosperous, and democratic Iraq. The Iraqi people sought to hold elections that were free, credible, and legitimate to begin the development of a constitution that embraces the freedoms and principles of democratic systems of government. The Iraqi people have elected 275 members to the Transitional National Assembly. This assembly serves as Iraq's national legislature, drafts Iraqis new constitution, which will be presented for approval to the Iraqi people in a national referendum in October 2005, and named a presidency council, consisting of a President and two Vice Presidents. Despite the threats of violence, Iraqis sought to exercise their right to vote.
    "I think the Iraqi election will bring democracy to the middle east," says junior Randy Diaz, "hopefully it will inspire reformers throughout the middle east, therefore, America will be more secure."
    One goal of Iraq's Transitional Administrative Law is a Transitional National Assembly composed of at least 25% women. The election voter registration list compiled 14.3 million named of Iraqi citizens who waited to vote. It took six weeks to add names, correct information, and validate names on the provisional voted registration list.
    "I think they needed to do, it was done fairly and the wait was worth while," says Thomas Wurz.
    More than 500 voted registration centers were established to help Iraqis verify their registration. On the actual Election Day, Iraqis voted at approximately 5,200 voting centers across Iraq.
    "The sooner they voted and elect officials, the sooner we can leave," says junior Caesar Garcia.
    111 political entities submitted candidate lists for the national elections, and a total of 256 entities composed of 18,900 candidates registered to compete in the national election, 18 provincial lection, and Kurdistan regional government election.
    The 256 entities included 27 individuals, 22 coalitions of parties, and 196 independent parties, demonstrating widespread enthusiasm for the political process.
    The election was planned and executed by Iraqis for Iraqis. The United States and the international community have supported Iraq's aspirations for freedom.
    "I think it's nice for them to step-up and try to get out of being a second world country. Everybody should be more like America, the land of the free and the home of the brave," says senior Brandi Bayus.

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Korn quitarist "Head" quits; devotes life to Christ
Sarah Kozeak
3-18-05

Korn guitarist Brian Welch, also known as "Head," has recently been attending Valley Bible Fellowship in East Valley, Bakersfield. Misty Williams of the Bakersfield Californian is reporting that hundreds of KORN fans as well as thousands of regular church members and curious visitors gathered at the Valley Bible Fellowship in east Bakersfield, Sunday morning , Feb. 27 to hear their rock star idol, guitarist Brian "Head" Welch of platinum-selling metal band KORN. "Money and fame offered no satisfaction, Welch said. For years, Welch said he battled a methamphetamine addiction, struggling to let go." Then a friend dragged him to Valley Bible a couple months ago.
"Happiness comes from one place, and that's the lord" Welch said. Around 10,000 people packed into the auditorium over the course of the day to hear Welch, who spoke during three different services. Welch said he wanted to set a better example for his 6-year-old daughter.
"Me and my daughter have the best relationship I have ever dreamed about in my whole life," he said. Now, the former KORN guitarist is looking forward to a solo career, writing positive songs with positive lyrics, although he said he wouldn't mind dropping out of the spotlight.

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SEAN DAVIS: A MAN OF MANY WORDS
by Cassie Orona
3-18-05

IT'S YOUR FIRST DAY at Colton High School. You are summoned to the counseling office for an introduction. You have no clue that the man you are about to see is funny, trustworthy, enthusiastic and helpful when it comes to your education. Sean Davis greets you with a smile. Your life at Colton has begun.
"There are so many reasons why I love being a counselor," says Davis, "but I would say that the best part is getting a chance to develop relationships with people and seeing them mature in life."
    He came to be a counselor by seeing that kids need motivation and Davis thought that his abilities would be in better use at a high school. "I am still in the process of becoming a better counselor, but on the way there, I believe that being able to listen, being flexible, having a big heart, an open personality, knowing your job and being able to develop relationships, will help you achieve this goal of a successful counselor."
    Davis wanted to be a high school counselor for many reasons. "I wanted to be a counselor because it's a great opportunity to work at multiple levels and this way I can be able to open up doors for students and help them succeed in their lives," says Davis. "I love my job!"
    "I believe that the hardest part of being a counselor is that sometimes problems weigh on your heart, and you find yourself still thinking about them even when you leave the school," says Davis. "You want to help but you can only do so much." On the flip side, Davis has a lot of fun helping out his students and even those that come to him for advice or a problem. "I love it when students feel comfortable to come back and see the people who have helped them out. Its great!"

Some fun facts about Sean Davis:

Favorite song:   "Mercy, Mercy Me" by Marvin Gaye
Favorite food:   Chinese food, particularly orange chicken or tangerine chicken.
Favorite movie: Devil In A Blue Dress or The Hurricane
Favorite actor & actress:   Denzel Washington & Susan Sarandon
Whom he idolizes:   "I idolize my dad for so many reasons. He wasn't my biological father, but here is this boy (that's not his) and he took him in and made him his own. He took a boy and shaped him to become a man."
Favorite Quote:   Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thine ways, acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."
Political Stance:   "I'm basically neither a republican nor a democrat. I listen to what the candidates say and who they really are and base my vote on this. I believe that I would be more independent than anything else."
Favorite Time of Year:   Summer
Horoscope Sign:   Pisces
Favorite Musical Artist: Marvin Gaye

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Shayne's World
Shayne Robinson
3-18-05

Shayne's world, Shayne's world, party time, excellent! This is Shayne's world and that gives me the right to say what I want, why? Why not? Can you guys believe how fast every thing is happening? And this year has been as crazy as Aquaman at a sushi bar. Between friendly protests, and teachers all getting sick, I don't know what to think. Well to be honest I do (know what to think). This is the part where you have to hear me ramble on for the reminder of the story. First, teachers: Come on here, you guys are supposed to be setting a positive example for the easily influenced students such as I. You're adults for goodness gracious, come on, leave the dumb immature things to the easily influenced students such as me. As far as the protest, what's done is done, and hello, Mr. Coke. There are lots of new changes going on, like the infamous "Do Now Activity" -what's going to happen to that- not that it matters much any way, I never did it. The first ten minutes of class are spent trying to get paper and a pen. Does any one remember in the beginning of the year, when some said that juniors and seniors, or seniors or some one was going to get off campus lunch? The only time I got off campus for lunch there was a riot.
As the British say, " bugger off."

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Wes Craven Werewolf film lacks teeth
Ilka Hernando
3-18-05

Wes Craven: Master of all that is evil. He made your dreams a place that can no longer be a safe haven. He made you Scream, three times. Brought you two terrors to battle it out. Combined horror and sick humor onto the screen, filling our minds with shock that laughing can only satiate to digress.
Casper's friend Christina Ricci, and fervently unknown Jesse Eisenberg leads us into the bubbly giggly madness that is Cursed to keep you laughing until you realize how ultimately screwed the characters, as well as the story of this film, really is.
With random appearances of well known bright actors popping into the scenes, the movie keeps hold of your eyes, but unfortunately not your mind. With the story starting off in a crescendo that keeps you on your feet, your journey ends abruptly at the edge of a cliff and keeps on falling. The humor that enters this movie is worthy of noting for those that can laugh about it, while others may roll their eyes at the very thought.
If anything, this movie gives you a jolt in the legendary sensuality that IS horror, and takes you out of the theater chuckling at good ol' Wes and his crazy ideas. From dying beauties, to closets opening, to morbid dogs, it spells out a movie that seemed promising, but didn't quite turn into the exciting feel you felt from the previews (as few of the scenes used didn't even make it into the actual movie).
Do yourself a favor and wait until it comes on on video and someone else borrows it.

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When words fail music speaks
Alyssa Isgett
3-18-05

Lexy Romano, senior, as "Lady Larkin," plays opposite the romantic lead in the school musical, Once Upon a Mattress..   She is actively involved in ASB, choir, the school musicals and plays, and has a job on the side. "When I am not at school or doing a play, I am working at Souplantation." Romano has been in musicals and plays outside of school. However, her favorite musical and favorite roles are from plays that she has done at CHS. "My favorite musical that I have been in is Little Shop of Horrors. My favorite role was during my junior year. I was Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ."
    Aside from being involved in musicals, plays, choir and ASB, Romano is also involved in AP classes and has future plans for her life. "I plan on going to California State University. I want to move to the OC and attend college. After that I want to move to New York."
    Romano is a senior this year but has been involved in School Theater, along with Community Theater, since she was young. She has done community plays at Lifehouse and JU, two local theatres. Romano's favorite quote comes from the ever-famous Marilyn Monroe, "I just want to be wonderful!" "I consider it an accomplishment that I survived 3 ½ years of High School," Romano says. Romano sends a shout out to her fellow classmates, "Hooray for the class of 2005!"

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Baseball beginning to click on all cylinders:
Elysa Arroyo
3-18-05

Baseball is back and better than ever with a record of 3-1 and a tournament championship (The San Gorgonio Tournament) under their belts, and the players are feeling great. James Urrea, #9, senior, in particular was sporting his championship t-shirt with a smile. "We have a better team than last year," says Urrea, "Our team chemistry is great! We're a really tight team. That's what's going to get us through this year."
    Anthony Carrillo is tearing up the pitchers mound with 13 strike outs against Etiwanda, a school that Urrea says is "up there in rank." With three amazing rookies, Michael Land, Frank Rangel and Bryan Carrillo, The season is looking " Very up," according to Urrea.
    " We're a good contender for CBL and we will be in the playoffs," says Urrea. The team is revving up for a double header tomorrow at Rim of the World High School. Show up and support the baseball team! " We want people there," says Urrea, "It makes us want to do better when we feel our school is supporting us." So make sure you get there, CHS, and wear your colors proudly!

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Winter Sports Wrap up
Arline Cruz
3-18-05

Boys and girls soccer ended their season on a rough note. They lost some key players early in the season and then gained a brand new head coach. Both soccer teams went through some adjustments, which proved to be a little much for both teams.
Boys Soccer was looking to really impact the Citrus Belt League, coming off of a strong SAL championship the previous year. However, with senior captain Paul Heredia going down in the first league game with a torn ACL, Colton needed an experienced person to take over. With a strong finish against the top teams in the CBL, Colton proved that they could compete, tying CBL champion Rialto 1-1 in their final meeting.They then gave second place A.B. Miller everything they had in a 4-2 season closer. Colton suffered injuries all season and was unable to play with their full squad all year. Finishing off a rough season with a record of 3-4-7 in league ending up in sixth place, Colton is looking to come back stronger next year.
Girl's soccer seemed to have a strong team this year, but with many of the girls not returning from last year's playoff team, they could not find their way to victory. Adjusting to a new coach took had a major effect on the team and the team looked to the few seniors to lead. The team finished off the last part the season 3-3, and went out giving the league everything they had. They went into Fontana and came out with a 3-2 win, and then they went into well-respected Yucaipa and showed them what they were made of in a 1-0 victory. And though they did lose the next three games, they stayed strong and finished their season on a very good note with a 2-1 win over A.B. Miller. The girls finished with a 4-2-8 record in league, also finishing in sixth place.

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