Issue of March 20, 2003
Vol. 86, No. 9
Click on a story link to view the story
News
Students mourn Pepperbough reporter killed in crash
WAR-Colton students protest, speak out
WASC accreditation committee praises school's progressOpinions
Apathy: do we care that we don't care?
Don't balance the budget on the backs of students
My One and half cents (column)
Smoking: teen habit, lifetime crutch
Both sides Now: War is sometimes necessary
Both sides Now: No Blood for Oil!Features
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (play review)
Fanatic fans
Horoscopes
Online pirating: thievery?
Veteran teachers remember
Students reveal million dollar dreams
The "Don't" list
VolunteeringDiversions
Martial Arts
Music gone Jamaican
Smoking Bud: more dangerous than we thoughtSports
Basketball roundup
Students mourn former Pepperbough reporter killed in car crash in Riverside
by Raylene Carrillo
March 20, 2003We lost Melissa Renee McElroy, a dear friend, on February 23. McElroy was in the car with three others. The crash tragically ended with three dying and one being critically injured. The incident happened Sunday afternoon about 4 p.m. at Tyler Street and Hedrick Avenue in Riverside. A Riverside transit bus was heading south going about 35-mph. The vehicle McElroy was in was westbound on Hedrick and failed to stop at the intersection. Their vehicle ended up half way under the front of the transit bus.
McElroy lived in Grand Terrace all her life. She graced us with her presence at Colton High. She played soccer and was on the Pepper Bough staff. She is survived by her parents, Marc and Diane of Grand Terrace; a brother, Steve of Grand Terrace; and a sister, Julie Leogrande of Grand Terrace. She lays to rest in peace at the Montecito Memorial Cemetery.
WAR: Colton students speak out
by Nick Taylor
March 20, 2003
Unless you have been living in a hole you have noticed the growing anti-war attitude from students on campus. Students have put up anti-war banners displaying slogans opposing the war; we have also all seen the pro-war side of this issue on campus including the pro-war banners which read messages like "It's not about oil, it's about illegal weapons."
On Friday, February 28, students organized a sit-in to protest the impending war on Iraq; this would take place at both first and second lunches on Dortha Cooley Lane. During first lunch the protesters were few but by second lunch (which this reporter attended) there were few at first but then it consistently grew to around thirty or so people. The group was sitting in a circle, many of them branded signs, which read messages like, "No war." In the center of the circle of people one student was talking throughout the lunch; he was constantly in the center talking about different issues, I constantly heard the word budget from him. I assume in reference to the millions of dollars President Bush plans on using to fund this war. During the lunch the group was constantly chanting, "No Blood for Oil.". While all of this was going on there was a rather large group of spectators watching to see what was going to happen next. A few campus supervisors stood around watching the proceedings.
Senior Miguel Baltierra has strong feelings against the war: "I believe that an American led war with Iraq will have more negative effects then positive," he says with conviction. "With American bombs and bullets killing Iraqi men, women and children. I find it very hard to believe that out governments true intentions are to liberate those people from Sadaam. I also find it hard to believe that Arabs in the Middle East will start throwing 'Yahoo! The Americans are here.' "
The anti-war sentiment on school campus has also been linked with the posting of banners all over school campus, which displayed messages like "No Blood for Oil" and "Money for Education not War." According to Assistant Principal Lynne Sheffield, these banners were taken down because those posting them did not receive proper permission. Sheffield added that such posters are against school policies because they could cause a disturbance on campus.
Also present on Friday was a group of people who were for the war on Iraq. This group of people was very hostile in the sense that they drew up signs displaying messages like "I love war" and "Kill them all." This group of people was standing just outside of the anti-war group, shouting in their direction to annoy and anger them. From my observation this had little effect on the protesters other then a good laugh at the pro-war group. Other then basically annoying the anti-war group the pro-war group did nothing to influence anyone towards the pro-war side of the war. One of these pro-war people was senior Fernando Galarza who stated, "I am supportive of the US. And I will stand behind the US." I should say that sixty percent of the US is not for the war so being for the war would actually be non-supportive of the US.
This pro-war group has also posted banners around school campus, one such banner was placed directly under an anti-war banner that said "No Blood for Oil" the pro-war banner placed under it read "Its not about oil, its about illegal weapons." This has been the basic argument for war that I have heard from the pro-war side of things. They tend to believe that this war is about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction.
Whether you are for the war with Iraq or against it you more then likely have an opinion towards this possible war with Iraq. Depending on which side of this conflict you stand on, you should still be open to new knowledge and ideas. History teacher Martin Delgado says he will do his part with informing students when he says, "I plan to inform my students on the current news and events surrounding the conflict and let them know there are alternative opinions to simply going to war."
WASC committee reviews school
by Sandy Brown
March 20, 2003
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation committee visited Colton High recently and left calling the schools progress over the past three years remarkable. The representatives from WASC noticed improvements in a compelling vision that guides decisions, a comprehensive staff development plan, lessons that systematically focus on state standards, and means for teachers to analyze student progress on those lessons.
When the WASC committee came to Colton High in 2000 they noticed a lot of areas that needed improvement. Discipline problems, disagreements among staff and a dirty campus, are areas that were in need of improvement, and have been approved according to the committee that came to observe the campus February 23rd through the 25th. However while noticing the improvements they also noticed a few areas, which still need a little improvement. One is acquiring more district leadership, and staffing in analyzing student test data. The other weak area noticed by the WASC committee is developing a challenging and meaningful curriculum for all students. Though there were these two areas that were recognized for needing improvement, both the WASC committee and Principal Jerry Almendarez were still pleased with the outcome.
The Western Association of schools and colleges is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States. While here at Colton High the WASC committee had a tour of administrators, a management team meeting, and a leadership team meeting. They also attended after school department meetings, and a meeting with the district office personnel.
Apathy: Will we ever care that we don't care?
by Gabriel Jorrin
March 20, 2003Crimes, riots, accidents, wars, budget cuts, and global disasters are just some of the many things that happen on a daily basis in the world today. With this going on around the world, how many high school students can honestly say they know what is happening under their very noses? It's not that students are unaware of everything, after all, news is splashed all over the Internet and television flowing into their favorite chat rooms or television shows. That is to say, do high school students even care what happens in the world that affects their everyday lives? Do they really take into consideration the sacrifices that are made around them to make the world a better place? Most of the time it seems inevitable that they don't care.
The war on terrorism for example, has been the minds of many Americans since September 11. Since then, the U.S. government has been on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. For most high schoolers, this man has been the source of many new jokes and songs. Internet sites and artists alike have used his name as the source of many parodies that high school students see on a daily basis. Does this bring them closer to understand how dangerous this man really is? It is likely students joke and laugh to avoid the very real threat such things pose. He has become a mere tool to use in entertainment that the public could look jokingly upon, which makes students more apathetic to world affairs. As a result, many high school students become less interested in the seriousness of the war on terror, they focus on having a good laugh at dangerous political figures.
It is so ironic how high school students complain about their daily problems. They must not know of the global disasters that devastate economies or of the people who starve to death more often than differences in opinion occur. Yet, they do. If only they would see how people in third world countries hardly have any food to worry about not to mention homes. The irony is that these starving and homeless people hesitate to complain despite their stricken lives. Will high school students still be apathetic if this happens to them? For the most part they won't, but it doesn't give them the right to think their little problems are more important than the world's. Maybe they will one day realize this, but until then, apathy will always be the usual trend throughout high school.
Cutting back the budget on schools should be the last resort
By Sandy Brown
March 20, 2003Are you a hard working student who is planning to get ahead by going to summer school? Or are you a student who enjoys spending their time after school by playing sports or being involved in other curricular activities? There is a $34.8 billion budget deficit, which according to Governor Gray Davis will decrease greatly by starting off with deep budget cuts in education, health care, and other programs over the next 18 months. So by him cutting back on education, they are thinking about having no summer school for students who would like to get themselves ahead, class sizes will increase as there is a cut back in the amount of teachers, and also sports and extra curricular activities will become more limited. Custodians will be reduced, as well as health assistants, library media assistants, office assistants, and office managers.
These are just some of the budget reductions that students will notice happening if Davis decides to make all these changes happen. Summer school has always been provided, definitely to the students who are behind, but also to students trying to get a better start, or get themselves ahead. Now, those students who had planned on taking certain classes over summer, will not have the opportunity to do so, which might effect what classes they plan on taking next year. Colleges are getting harder and harder to get into. The students who realize this and who care, are probably trying to get in as many classes and as much education as they can. With the elimination of summer school and not having these opportunities to get in extra classes, they can be set back and not have all the classes required to get into the college that they wish to attend. Instead of totally eliminating summer school they should just limit some of the classes; that way, if one class a student wants to take is not given, they can just take a different one and take the other during the actual school year. If they eliminate teachers, making class sizes increase, then there will be less of a chance for students to have one on one teaching with their teachers, and also less time for all important questions to be answered. Teachers work will be harder and students will learn less, so it would turn out to be not only harder on students but also teachers.
Then there is sports. If sports were cut or even reduced that will make it harder for the team, or sport, to continue on, and if they do not make it then that would mean that eligible students could not even have the opportunity to receive scholarships and that is what helps a lot of athletes when it comes to college costs.
There are so many other funds that can be cut back on rather than what effects students and their education. Personally I think schools should be the last thing for Davis to even begin thinking about cutting. Yeah, I know that schools take up a lot of money, but education is the most important part of life and growing up. If students do not learn they can never become anything successful and be able to pay their taxes, that they will have to pay someday, which could be considered as giving back to the government for their educational costs. I understand that cuts will have to be made, but I just think that Davis should focus on educational costs last, and when he does come to cutting educational costs, focusing on the least important things such as custodians, aids, and other jobs like that would be the best place to start.
My 1 and ½ cents
By Lisa Namnath
March 20, 2003So far this column has written have been about rather, hmm, eccentric topics. Now I'm bored with the off-the-wall stuff, so next up is a topic that I think the concerns the entire school.
Students are becoming less enthusiastic about school. Not that they ever were enthusiastic, but they are becoming less so. This has led many to label this generation. I don't know what they have labeled us, but I'm sure it's not a good thing, the word incompetent comes to mind. This could or could not stem from lack of parental/authoritative concern, but it seems that this is a common factor that connects us all. We live in a time of increasing individualism and isolation, while this is a good thing (don't ask me how, like I would know…) this is more than a trend and is stressing the limits of humanity.
STUDENTS: Do you know what you're going to do with the rest of your life? How you are going to avoid this inevitable apocalypse that looms over you, as you are growing older and gaining responsibility by the minute? I can only hope that after 13 years of having structure forced down your throat, you can figure out how to spend your time after you graduate. How do you know that your chosen career is what you will enjoy for the rest of your life?
Now eventually I will get to my point so just keep reading. A way to help students with these decisions is to give them experience so that they can make informed decisions. The way to give them experience?
J-O-B S-H-A-D-O-W-I-N-G.
This school had a program at one time, and with impending budget cuts I wouldn't dare suggest something that required more money from the district. So, I'm not. This program doesn't require the district to do much more than approve the few hours the students would be spending learning what it really is to work at their dream job.
This is a call to our community, each and every one of you knows that the best teacher is experience. The easiest way to gain experience is under the supervision of someone who knows what they're doing. Those of you who are in the position to help the next generation of workers, should. It will benefit you in the longrun. It will benefit us all in the longrun and honestly it is high time someone realize we need the help.
Smoking: Teen habit, lifetime crutch
By Heather Weppler
March 20, 2003
Smoking isn't just a high school phase. As high school kids, as well as people in general, we find ways to express ourselves. People choose to smoke for many different reasons. Some do it to be cool, others do it to relive stress, but I don't think that people realize that smoking isn't just going to go away eventually. Smoking shouldn't be your "escape" from life; we should just deal with whatever problems we have without being dependant upon something so unfulfilling as smoking. Yeah lets just kill ourselves because that will ease the pain...that doesn't really work for me. We should treat our bodies with respect and not as if they were just there to abuse in whatever way we feel necessary.
Stress is not a reasonable excuse to smoke. Why should it make you feel better to damage your health? I hate sounding like a mom or something, but its not going to help solve your problems. Isn't there some other less harmful way of releasing stress? I know that there are many different ways people deal with stress, I just don't see why smoking has to be one of them. I guess its your choice but I don't think that its, in the least bit, necessary. This world is full of so many good things that you could put your time and effort in. If you did something like painting, or playing a sport at least you would have something positive to show for it instead of possible heart failure, or cancer.
About it being the cool thing. Who cares!! Okay lets just hurt ourselves because everyone else is. Those people aren't going to be there when you leave high school. So what's the use of harming yourself so others will accept you?
Smoking in high school, and in life in general, is pretty dumb. Smoking in high school starts out as a phase but the becomes a habit. People should make their better choices about the things that they do today, because it will affect their tomorrow.
War is it really worth the cost? Pro
by Ashley Ellison
March 20, 2003"We are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done." - President George Bush's address to a joint session of congress concerning the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
Terrorists deliberately attacked civilians of the U.S., killing over 3,000 innocent people. If our country does not retaliate against terrorism, that will give other countries the idea that they can walk all over our nation. Punishing those responsible will send a message to the still grieving families that there are consequences for those who attack America. The only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it and destroy it where it grows. Terror unanswered can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments.
The terrorist attacks were acts of war. America should lead the world to victory over terrorism. We have to find those responsible and bring them to justice. The State Department warns that governments will be isolated if they tolerate or assist terrorist groups. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warns that those who harbor terrorists will face "the full wrath of the United States." We're in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. We will be winning this war by directing every resource at our command, every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war to the destruction and to the defeat of the global terror network. Let's be clear that it's not a racist war, nor a religious one.No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. It's about protecting America and punishing our enemies.
The U.S. respects the people of Afghanistan, after all, we are currently its largest source of humanitarian aid, but we condemned the Taliban regime. It was not only repressing its own people, it was threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us because we stand in their way. Al Qaeda is to terror what the Mafia is to crime. But their goal is not making money, their goal is remaking the world and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics, a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam. The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children.
We have seen the state of our union in the endurance of rescuers working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers in all languages. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. All of this effort should not go to waste, and it will if we do not go to war.
War is it really worth the cost? Con
by Nick Taylor
March 20, 2003"One power with a president who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, is now wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust. If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America." - Nelson Mandela quoted by CNN
We as citizens of the US are being manipulated to believe that this "Great War" to come is about one thing: that Iraq is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction and that those weapons are being brought together to destroy the US. But the war with Iraq is just a way to bring stability to our economic interests in the oil market. The US government is using this war as a way to occupy the oil fields of Iraq. When the US says they want to protect human rights they actually want nothing more then to overthrow the national government. By overthrowing the government of Iraq the US would take control of the Iraqi oil fields. When and if this occurs the US plans to use their presence in the Persian Gulf as a way to gain global dominance. This dominance would be gained by the US placing a lock on the world's energy lifeline (gulf oil) and potentially denying access to competitors. Considering one out of every three barrels of oil comes from either Iraq or Saudi Arabia (and we already control Saudi Arabia) gaining power in Iraq would give us a huge advantage over our competitors (i.e. China) who has been getting more and more oil from the Gulf, which may cause them to develop closer military ties with Arab countries.
The US has been planning such a takeover since the 1970's when there were huge oil shortages, which upset some pretty influential people (Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Gulf and Texaco). Since these shortages the US has been planning a way to take control of Gulf Oil. In the 1970's, right around the time these shortages were occurring, the US began the build up its military in the Gulf by building bases, selling weaponry and forging military partnerships. They were planning for their takeover of the Persian Gulf, which they plan to accomplish now.
Don't decide whether you are for or against the war because of what the news says. The media pushes it into your head that the main reason the US wants to enter into war with Iraq is because Iraq is hiding weapons of mass destruction including biological, chemical and nuclear. Iraq may have such weapons and I wouldn't be surprised if in fact they did. But in my opinion what is so wrong with Iraq having such weapons? Why is it all right for the US to have such weapons but not Iraq? Is it because we feel threatened by any country that does not openly obey us?
The war is nothing more than the US trying to gain control of the world by being the controller of the Gulf Oil; the true runners of this country, the big businessman and the rich lobbyists, are trying to protect their walles.
Support the US troops in Iraq; support them by bringing them home. Do not support a war, which if fought, hundreds, if not thousands of innocent people will die. The war against Iraq is nothing but a way for the powerful to gain more power and for the rich to become wealthier. Countries like Russia, China, Turkey, France and Germany all want nothing to do with this war. They realize it is nothing but a way for the US government to feed their power hungry face. Say no to Bush's war!
No Blood For Oil! Fight the Power!
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" hits the stage to rave reviews
by Gabriel Jorrin
Issue9
March 20, 2003From director Stacey Jay of Colton High School comes "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" the Broadway Musical. The play premiered at Colton Middle School on March 13 without delay, which was a surprise to many as they were told that it would be postponed for the next day. This musical brings the comic strip "Peanuts," by Charles M. Shultz to life with a diverse cast of characters that were captured in every aspect by the talents of Colton High's finest actors. These actors could not have done a better job at following the personalities of the characters that Shultz molded over the past fifty years.
The actors and actresses included Sebastian Irigoyen as the lovable Charlie Brown, Lori Rodriguez as Lucy Van Pelt, Mickie Capetillo as the overly civilized and adventurous Snoopy, Brianna Dahlseid as Charlie Brown's younger sibling Sally Brown, Heather Shaw as Linus Van Pelt, and Joshua Lomeli as Schroeder. Its very interesting to see the Peanuts gang come to life, as we've all known them as the two-dimensional characters we grew to love over the years. The play brings about a good two hours of laughs and entertainment.
As you would expect, the play centers around the comic strips we see on a daily basis as well as the cartoon series released over fifteen years ago. However, with a well rounded choice of music this play brings a new twist to what we could have expected from a Charlie Brown special. The music flows well with each scene from Schroeder's piano practice of his beloved Beethoven with Lucy to Snoopy's WW I adventure as a fighter pilot which is sure to keep you entertained throughout the whole play. It is amazing how the director captured Shultz's vision and made it a musical worth watching. She manages to bring the humor and curiosity of the play that the audience can easily relate to and enjoy. What sets this apart from the cartoon series is the way it incorporates all the humor into a musical. This is especially seen in Snoopy's big musical number, as we see Snoopy celebrating and overwhelmed with joy the coming of his supper. The laughs keep coming as Lucy is giving her wisdom to Linus as Charlie brown looks on in annoyance. If you haven't already seen the play, you're missing out on a night of good entertainment. If you love the Peanuts comic strip, you'll certainly enjoy this musical.
Fanatics for life: Yellowjackets obsess on celebs, movies, heroes
By LaToya Brookins
March 20, 2003What makes some students go gaga over a fictional character like Spiderman? Or a movie star like Josh Hartnett? What drives their obsession to collect anything and everything associated with their heroes?
Tom Marcelino has been a huge Spider Man fan since he was in the first grade. He not only watches the show every weekend but also has all of the episodes on tape. He has been to Spider Man conventions and collects memorabilia ranging from comic books and posters, to movies, figurines, and cups. From the second grade all the way up until the fifth grade he had made his fascination with Spider Man publicly known by dressing up as him for Halloween.
When asked why the fictional character holds such appeal for him he explained, "He is a wise cracking superhero." With a look of admiration on his face he adds, "When it comes to taking care of business he gets the job done. He is a criminal. A vigilante. A public menace." However, he does think that Peter Parker is cooler than his alter ego Spider Man because he deals with a lot more.
Marcelino has seen the 2002 box-office hit Spider Man starring Tobey Miguire and Kirsten Dunst a mind boggling 123 times. "They couldn't have picked them any better," he says of the actors. It would be his dream to someday portray Peter Parker /Spider Man on the big screen. His interest in the Spider Man series is well known to all of his friends. " I recite the lines everyday," he confesses. Since he has the show on tape he has been able to see each episode at least sixty times. He has even sent fan mail to the show. At the moment he is a fan, but as the years progress will he remain one? His response, "I have been so far. I don't see anything stopping me."
Ashton Reynosa has been head over heels for Josh Hartnett since she was only twelve years old. Of the first time she saw him she recalls, "In the seventh grade I was watching The Faculty. There is a part where he is looking at something and he grins and it was love." Years later her infatuation with the handsome actor has deepened considerably. In her opinion he is not merely really hot but talented as well. When deciding which of his on screen characters she likes the most it is a tie between the sweet hometown boy who would do anything for the girl he loves and the tortured soul who feels neglected by his father.
"It is exciting to look forward to stuff. I'm ecstatic when another Josh Hartnett movie comes out. I have to see it," she says. Not only does she pay to see his movies on the big screen but she also buys them on DVD. At the moment she has four of his videos and when she gets enough money she plans on buying the rest to complete her collection. When she is not watching his movies she is flipping through a scrapbook she made that contains a wide variety of pictures, facts, and information on him.
The craziest thing she has ever done out of love for him was to lick her television screen when he was on it. However, her friends seem to support her obsession with the Pearl Harbor star. "It's a little scary but I'm all for it," exclaims Cydney Chavez. " As long as the TV. was clean when she licked it, it's okay with me," adds Jessica Garcia. Many young girls have harbored dreams of marrying this sensational leading man. Does she actually have a chance with him? Her response," He lives in Minnesota. I plan to go to college in Minnesota, so maybe." With a touch of hopefulness in her voice she adds, "We will be married and have three kids." She later went on to say," When I turn 16 he will only be 8 years older than me." Maybe she will be the future Mrs. Josh Hartnett. Only time can tell
Horoscopes
by Ashley Ellison
March 20, 2003
Aries (March 21 - April 19): Put some time aside for yourself today. Other people constantly look to you as a source of encouragement and inspiration, but sometimes you really need to unwind and regroup. Don't feel guilty about doing it!
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): If you have been a bit lazy lately, it's time to pull yourself out of your comfort zone and get on with things.
Gemini (May 21 - June 21): Today your individuality will really shine, so for the best day possible, try showing off the qualities that make you different and unique.
Cancer (June 22 - July 22): Today you'll have dual needs. On one hand, you'll want to take part in social activities. And at the same time, you'll need some time alone. Fortunately, you can and should do both! Today plan time with others, and also try to find someplace quiet where you can spend an hour alone.
Leo (July 23 - August 22): To feel your best today, spend more time socializing with others. Attending a party would fit the bill perfectly! But, that's not the only solution. You can also go to any crowded public place where you can mingle with lots of people.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Today your leadership skills are stronger than usual. So much so, that you should put yourself into situations where you can take a greater leadership role. You'll find you're especially effective when you get out in front and lead others by example.
Libra (September 23 - October 23): Make up your mind! Today spending too long making decisions won't benefit you. In fact, it could cause you some unnecessary grief. That's because today you'll tend to overanalyze your options. The simple solution to this problem is to make decisions more quickly, especially on unimportant matters.
Scorpio (October 24 - November 21): Can you avoid money? Today you may want to try! That's because today your judgment regarding the use of money is at below normal levels. Try putting off any major purchases or investments. You'll also want to avoid advising others how to spend their money.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): You're one of the most outgoing signs in the zodiac, and today looks good for being in the right place at the right time to meet a real cutie.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Today's moon is in your sign. Capricorn moons are known for being very organized and businesslike, but at times can lean toward the pessimistic side. Always look on the bright side of life.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Today romance is a much greater possibility! So what can you do to improve your chances? You needn't say a word. That's because today your nonverbal signals are the key to improving your chances of making a love connection. When meeting people today, let your eyes and smile express your true intentions.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Today, simplicity is your key to having the most successful and satisfying day. That means you'll want to avoid situations that seem overly complex. Instead, choose to do things in the simplest manner possible.
Is online pirating killing the music business?
by Nick Taylor
March 9, 2003
Now that music, movie and software pirating are normal thing for the average American with the use if the internet, the question is still looming in the back of most users heads, is this the right thing to be doing? I know at least everyone here at Colton High has at least five mp3's on their computer and some may even have video games, movies and other software. We all know a person who offered to burn you the new CD they just got. Or the person who can get you the newest Star Wars movie still playing in the theaters.
Music and other forms of pirating are very common for one reason. Music pirating has been around for as long as there was a way to listen to music. When the cassette tape was introduced during the time of records people would record their favorite Led Zeppelin record on a tape and pass it around, this was during the "home taping is killing music" age. The reason being that, who wouldn't want to get something for free like music? A CD averages anywhere from fifteen to twenty dollars. Why would you want to pay that much, spend all of your money or the money that might have taken you three working hours to earn on a CD? Or the DVD that costs twenty-five dollars to buy? The fact is people would rather get something for free then having to go out and spend their hard earned money.
Music pirating is very popular and with everyone getting their music for free there are bound to be some down sides. Smaller bands that are new to the business and feel that their newest CD is going to be a big hit, are harshly awakened when their CD is released and it becomes a big hit, but not in the way they want it to be. Their CD is on the Internet, on the mp3 servers where it is downloaded for free. The bands newest CD isn't making any money and the band members get dropped by their record company and are forced to work at the mall. It is this reason that many artists are speaking out against the illegal pirating of their music over the Internet. Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica was one of the first to actually go through with putting an end to their music being downloaded for free, when he sued online music pirating giant Napster for $10 million in 2000. Since this Napster has lost a massive amount of business and is now forced to charge customers a monthly rate in order to download music. Ulrich and other members of Metallica along with other music celebrities like Dr. Dre have actively pursued the free downloading of their music and are now seeking out pirating giants like Kazaa and Morpheus.
Senior Valarie Reimer says in regards to music pirating over the Internet, "Sure I have come mp3's and I do feel bad about having some of them, I feel bad about the bands I have on my computer that aren't very big and might not be around very long because they aren't making any money due to online downloading." She continues on the subject saying, "But I don't feel bad about the big bands and artists who make more in a year then most of world makes in a lifetime, the Metallica's who make millions and millions of dollars but still find it necessary to sue their fans so they can have even more money and deny the people who can't afford to buy their CD's the chance to hear their music."
Whether for or against music and other forms of online pirating the fact is music swapping and other music sharing in the way of mp3's over the Internet is illegal and is related to shop lifting for the moderate cases but for the more serious offences fines of up to 500, 000 can be placed and jail time of up to 10 years.
The law by the federal government protects copyright owners from the unauthorized reproduction, adaptation, performance, display or distribution of copyright protected works. Penalties for such acts can range from fines for lost profits to jail time.
So next time you want to burn the cool CD from Weezer or whoever you listen to off the internet that you are stealing from them and hurting them as a band.
Two teachers, sixty years, thousands of students, lots of changes
by Adriana Hernandez
March 20, 2003
How would you feel being a new teacher on campus, knowing there are teachers who have been teaching here before you where even born? Well, that's the case with a few teachers here on campus. Scott Klemm and Ed Monroe have been here so long, Monroe was our principal Jerrry Almanderez's baseball coach when he attended Colton High School. Monroe has been a Spanish teacher for 32 years and Klemm has been working for the Colton district for 34 years. Klemm worked 22 years at Colton Middle School as a history teacher and 12 years as a history teacher here at Colton High, he even wrote a book about the history of our school 100 years of crimson and gold pride CHS 1895-1996 which can still be purchased in the business office. Well, I interviewed these old skool teachers and this is what they had to say about their experiences at CHS.
Pepperbough: First of all what changes have you seen through out the years?
Monroe: A lot more kids!!
Klemm: The emphasis on testing, and how all teachers now have to teach the same thing at the same time.
Pepperbough: When you see a new teacher 22 years old just out of college how does that remind you of yourself?
Monroe: It doesn't, young teachers now seem a lot more grounded unlike me when I first started out.
Klemm: It's hard to believe I was ever at that point, it seems like just yesterday that was me.
Pepperbough: What's your most memorable moment?
Monroe: I have several, but the best is seeing a former student come back to teach here; it's really something special.
Klemm: there's many but when you have a student doing poorly and you get to him/her and you get to make a change and they improve is what is most memorable which I've seen a couple of.
Pepperbough: Do you regret anything you've done in your career?
Monroe: Yeah! There are a few, but I mostly regret getting out of coaching baseball.
Klemm: Yes, little regrets but nothing major, at least not anything that would get me arrested.
Pepperbough: Do you still enjoy your job as much as when you first started out?
Monroe: yes, I enjoy it more now because now I know more and I'm a lot more confident now. Now there's a visible payoff, unlike before, there weren't any AP tests and I didn't know if what I was doing was really helping out kids and now it's a lot more fulfilling to know they do good on the AP tests and to know what I did really helped them out.
Klemm: I enjoyed the freedom at the beginning when you could be more creative when you taught. For example after 9/11 a lot of kids were interested in learning about the middle east, so I wanted to teach a section about it, but I couldn't because it wasn't in the standards so I had to get special permission to do it unlike before I wouldn't of had to ask for permission.
Students reveal million dollar dreams
by Sara Robbin
March 20, 2003
Your mom calls you at school on your cell with the unbelievable news: you're an instant millionaire. Pop quiz: what do you do?
Many people have big dreams about winning the lottery or receiving a check for one million dollars, but the question is; what would you do with all the money?
Even though a million dollars doesn't cover much any more, you could think about all the possible ways you can spend it. Each person has their own idea of how much or how little they would want to use. For Junior Aurora Mendoza it would be to buy an Escalade, fix it up, buy a house in Highland (away from Colton), and go shopping. She also said, "If I couldn't do that, I'd get breast implants."
Some people have different views on life with a little extra money in their pocket.
Senior Dick Partida exclaimed, " I would get Mr. Simpson's job back!" On the other hand you could, "Pay a bunch of hot guys and have one for each day of the week," commented Senior Leslie Cerritos. Then she continued with, " Then I'd throw a party with all those hot guys."
Juniors Erika Esquivel and Leslie De Lara have a lot in common with Senior Carlos Muro (above). Erika and Leslie said, "We want to buy a strip club and have Jake, Ruben, and Nick strip," and Carlos stated, " I would go to the nudie bar and blow all my cash on the strippers."
Depending on the person and their personality reflects the way that a person would spend the extra dough. Many outgoing people would go for the parties and vacations all around the world, just as long as you have fun with whatever you choose to do.
I've got my own little list
By Narmin Shahin
March 20, 2003
I and some of my friends just went and saw "How to lose a guy in 10 days." We liked the movie so much I decided, "why don't I make a list of my own?"
10 things girls don't want guys to do:
Don't introduce us to your friends as just one of your "friends"
If I am bagging on my parents don't join in
Don't say your going call if you don't
Don't like the Olsen twins and expect me not to get mad
Don't look at another girl and pretend I don't see you
If I am trying to tell you something important, listen to me
Boy bands are my things don't like them!
Don't ask me if I am on my time of the month just because I am mad
Don't talk about your ex- girlfriend I don't care about her!
Finally don't treat me different in front of your friends because you're trying to be bad10 things guys don't want girls to do:
Don't give us hints and expect us to figure it out
Don't give us mixed signals
Don't flirt with other guys to make us jealous
You insist on paying for yourself and then get mad you didn't pay for them
Don't try to kiss me and cuddle when I am watching the movie
Don't cry and not tell us what's wrong
It's not my fault your dad doesn't like me
I swear I've never even "looked" at another guy before
Don't play all those head games (my head hurts enough)
I know Justin Timberlake is cute; I am not going to be him. Stop bugging me about it!
Wanted… a good person to volunteer at Loma Linda
by Nicole Miller
March 20, 2003We all know that people these days need to be good people, including our self's. It seems that people only do certain good things because they get something out of it. Without good people out there trying to make a difference it only makes it harder to find a nice person out there. Why cant we just do things out of the kindness of your heart, and not because it's a punishment or your going to get money out of it.
Want to know how you can be a good person? By volunteering for non-profit organizations. Such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for humanity, and your local hospitals. You can help the American Red Cross with some filling or even donate blood and save a life. I interviewed the head of the department of volunteering at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Opal Taylor. "We have about 400 volunteers a month, about 100 are teens", replied Taylor. If you just go talk or visit one of the patients it could mean the world to just one person. This is a good way to help out your community also.
There are many benefits to doing community service, for one it looks really good on you college applications. Loma Linda has volunteer orientation every mouth Expect for April, and December. "When the teens see and talk to all of the people that were in car crashes, and drug over doses and other accidents, it is good for the kids to see the real world. It gives them a different perspective on the things they do", says Taylor. So if you want to make a difference in someone else's life, more importantly your life, then volunteer at an organization in your community. By volunteering your making one more good person in the world. It will make a difference.
Martial Arts: Self defense or bullying?
by Julia Arenas
March 20, 2003Lately, now, there seem to be a lot of violent movies, ones with martial arts in them, for instance, the new one with DMX and Jet Li, Cradle 2 The Grave. And of course not to mention several others: Shangaihai Knights, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and both Rush Hour one and Rush Hour Two. Martial arts has always looked cool to the unknowing people of the audience; impressive moves from the fast spinning kicks and lightning fast hand movements to the high pitched karate screams. But I mean, folks, come on, real life isn't like that. What you don't see behind the "wow" of it all is the hard work and sometimes-futile attempts become one of the best. Martial Arts is not all glory, especially when you become advanced (a higher belt). As a sensei, or as we say in English, a martial arts teacher, he/she has the right to fail you if you are misusing your belt; he/she also has the right to fail you just because.
There are some really good sensei's in the martial arts industry, my own is one of the best, but of course there are always a few that mess it up for the rest of us. Algebra teacher, James Carter, also a sensei of five years, believes that phony sensei's give martial arts a bad reputation. 17 years of martial arts, Carter is a man of much knowledge. And according Carter, "Karate is a good way to balance a life; it offers discipline along with control that helps make you a better person."
I, myself being a martial artist, also agree with Carter on the statement in which he says that karate is a good way to balance a life. But I disagree with what he says that it offers control that helps make you a better person. No amount of discipline and control that is displayed, sometimes it does not really matter; it could still make them a bad person, not to mention a very bad sensei.
Freshman Daniel Boling believes that if a person is a good martial artist they will have control and should be trained enough to show restraint. And according to him "Most try to hide the fact that they are in martial arts; enough trouble starts on its own." Most believe that martial artists always start the fight, which is sometimes not true. Boling goes on to say "It doesn't matter if you have knowledge of martial arts, you should always show control." Which is entirely true; a martial artist is taught that one your opponent hits the ground and you keep fighting, you then become the bully. So in any case, martial artist or not, in a fight you should always show control.
Can music really be "going Jamaican"?
by Claudia Gonzales
March 20, 2003
Can we say that music is going Jamaican? Recently there have been new singers that have come out. Sean Paul (pictured, below) is one of the latest new singers that have come out in this past year, and we can refer to him as the "Jamaican Singer." Some say that other people follow his dance moves. Now it seems that most people dance to the new rhythm. Could this new rhythm be coming in as the new style, or will it be temporary? "I think it isn't really the words all the time, it's kind of all about the beat and the rhythm," stated senior Valerie Perez. Although not that many students may think the same about music turning Jamaican. "Some artists are collaborating with Reggae artists, but I don't think that music is directly heading in that direction. I think good music is always influenced by personal preference or curiosity," said senior Tiffany Aguilar. Not just only one person speaks for all of us, we may think differently to what others have to say about music. It might just be a phase that everyone is going to go through, but mainly we might still see the dance moves around here and there. It's also all about knowing what you like when it comes to music.
Smoking bud: Not as harmless as you might think.
by Marisa Cortez
March 20, 2003Is marijuana really as harmless as you think? Many people feel that there's nothing to worry about, when in actuality some of the numerous side effects are quite harmful. Regular mild marijuana use can seriously damage the chromosomes, the immune system, the hormones, the reproductive system, the sex organs, the sex drive, the lungs, and the brain.
It causes severe damage to your white blood cells, which affect the immune defenses of the body. When the immune cells are damaged you are more likely to get sick. The damage to these cells caused by other drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and heroin is insignificant in comparison to marijuana. These are the blood cells of the immune system that are mainly damaged by AIDS.
It is known that marijuana contains some of the same, and sometimes even more, of the cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day. Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of the lungs and airways. The government's own drug site (NIDA) says, "People who smoke marijuana often develop the same kinds of breathing problems that cigarette smokers have: coughing and wheezing. They tend to have more chest colds than nonusers. They are also at greater risk of getting lung infections like pneumonia"
As for what it does to your brain, some studies have shown that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. It affects the parts of the brain that control memory, attention, and learning. Also a decline in IQ score was found in subjects who smoked more the 5 joints per week. These side affects worsen with increasing years of use. Without the use of a working short-term memory you will not be capable of performing tasks that call for more than one or two steps.
Another common misconception is that marijuana doesn't impair your driving ability when in reality marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills required to drive safely such as alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and the ability to react quickly. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. It also may play a role in car accidents. In one study conducted in Memphis, TN, researchers found that of 150 reckless drivers who were tested for drugs at the arrest scene, 33 percent tested positive for marijuana, and 12 percent tested positive for both marijuana and cocaine. Data has also shown that while smoking marijuana, people show the same lack of coordination on standard "drunk driver" tests as do people who have had too much to drink.
One argument is that people have been smoking marijuana for years and also for medicinal purposes so just how harmful can in possibly be? What they don't know is that prior to 1970, most of the pot only had about 1% THC or less, and the best stuff had 3%. Because of the enormous demand for marijuana since the 1960's, a strong effort was spent to develop new varieties. Today, practically all of the street pot has about 12%, and some has as much as 25%. Thus the marijuana available today is about ten times as potent as in the 1960's. In addition, the more frequent you use it, the larger amount of it you will need to get the same desired effects as you used to get from smaller amounts. These are some things you should take into consideration before you decide to use marijuana. Is anything really worth you taking even the smallest chance of losing your health?
Hoopsters close season
By Adriane Munoz
March 20, 2003I can't believe that basketball season is over. The last game was held on Friday, Feb 21 at 7:30, at Lancaster. During my time with team captain Daniel Evan, this was a sad end to the season. The last game was tough and hard. I can image all the pressure they had against them, especially since they were trying really hard to win. When it came to the final buzzer, it didn't look very nice to see. That strong rage feeling against the other team, I would feel disappointed if it was my last game of the year. The score was 70-55 we lost by 15 points. " I was sad, because it was my last game ever and because I'm a senior," we all know how much they really worked for this. I know this isn't the first time in the past few years that this school hasn't made it to the playoff games. Although, on the other hand girls varsity basketball did not make it to playoffs, but we all should know that they tried their best. For the next season they have many goals to accomplish, but for now they are thinking of practicing off-season and keeping themselves on the same path.