Issue of April 18, 2003:
Volume 86, Number Ten
Click on a story title to see the text of the story
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News
Colton Counselor on 24 Hour war notice
School Budget axe not as sharp as originally thought
Summer school changes may affect studentsOpinions
As I See It (column)
Both Sides Now: Leave Michael Jackson alone? NO
Both Sides Now: Leave Michael Jackson alone? YES
Bumfights: a cause for concern?
Senior Ditch Day: Just do it
We are who we are
Features
ELD teachers show quiet successes
How to do things you never even knew you wanted to do
Movie sequals comin' at ya
The Exit Exam: high stakes, high pressure
The inside scoop on Drive In MoviesDiversions
Adaptation (Movie Review)
Busy Buzzing Yellowjackets hard at work on their jobsSports
Baseball/Softball
Track
Colton counselor on 24-hour war notice
By Sean Durdle
April 18, 2003Living day by day, meal by meal, never knowing when you might get called up to go to war...this is the situation that Sean Davis, one of Colton High's counselors, faces. Davis, who has been in the army reserves for two and a half years, is currently on a 24 hour notice. This means that they can call him up at any time and he has to be ready to ship out in 24 hours. "I'm not scared, I'm more worried about my wife stressing," says Davis.
Recently, Davis was called out to 29 Palms base to do some field exercises with his unit. They practiced with M-16's and he even had a rocket launcher. One of the exercises they had to do was put on gas masks and check them. The gas masks might play a crucial role in the current war.
When Davis was initially called up, it was not certain whether or not his unit would be deployed. At the time, they were under the assumption that they would be. Davis is not worrying about what might happen. He says he's confident nothing will happen to him. "I'm in the refueling unit, we refuel black hawks and jeeps." He also noted that MPs would be patrolling the surrounding area for his safety and that he would be carrying his M-16.
Davis has no questions about the justification for this war: "We need to address Saddam's regime. I definitely believe they have biological weapons." He believes that if we don't do something about it, that Saddam might start attacking neighboring countries in the future. One thing that Davis wishes we had was more international support. It's true that the U.S. is not getting a whole lot of support from other countries, and we pretty much on our own, with the exception of a few of our allies. If he does get called out, he is hoping that it isn't for a while. On May 17, Davis is going to have a long-awaited big wedding with his wife. One of the only things he seemed worried about was leaving his wife if he were in fact sent out. He said that his wife would stress more about the situation than he would.
But then, that's always been the life of a soldier
School budget axe not as big as originally thought
By Victor Valdez
April 18, 2003Lost programs, missing teachers, and bigger classrooms, are just some of the rumors going around on campus about the district budget cuts. Many of you have heard the rumors, but how many of you really know the facts?
One of the main things a lot of people would like to know is, "Why is this happening?" The truth of the matter is the state is running in a deficit so they have to make budget cuts to reduce the debt. Each school was asked to make a 10% cut in their budgets. The district spends around $12 million on things such as teachers pay, benefits and things like that, so with a 10% cut that, is roughly $1.2 million dollars and that money is going to have to come from somewhere.
Principal Jerry Almendarez announced that there would not be any classes cut. No teachers are going to be laid off this year because emergency money will be spent to keep the teachers they have until the end of the year. The teachers that may be laid off in the future are the ones with emergency credentials, not because of the budget cuts. According to Colton District Communications Officer Dan Evans, eighty layoff notices went out in the whole district.
According to Almendarez, Colton High had a discretionary budget of $341,760. A discretionary budget is for the miscellaneous items such as toilet paper, electricity bills, pencils, pens, items like that. Colton High decided to cut that budget to $289,728 and could be lowered in the future. He also stated that the school wants to stop funding field trips. In addition, the administrators here have taken a taken a 2% pay cut. "I want everyone to know that we are doing everything we can do to make budget cuts that don't directly affect the students," said Almendarez.
This isn't a final outline of the cuts that are going to be made. Stay tuned.
Summer school changes may affect students
By Krista Hinshaw
April 18, 2003The district recently announced that you may now can only take summer school if you have failed a class. There will be no classes available to "get ahead" in credits as in the past. Classes will be offered on a first-come first-served basis and you must submit a form with your parent's signature and a transcript with the failing classes circled to be enrolled.
These changes are due to the budget cuts. Every district throughout the state has to make decisions regarding where to make cuts. Many school districts have never given students the opportunity to get ahead.
Several students have problems with these changes such as junior Jaranice Carrillo. "They should let us get ahead, otherwise there will be no kids graduating," she claims
Students will be affected by not being able to "get ahead." College bound students are the most in jeopardy, but on the positive side this pushes students to take their classes more seriously, so that they can get a good grade the first time and not have to retake the class again. Another positive side is for the kids that really need to retake a class, they can actually get in a class easier and it won't be as full. "This summer school change is good only for those who need to catch up," says junior Melissa Ramirez. "It leaves more room for those who actually need the class and the classes are not full of students trying to get ahead." These changes may even reduce the number of students currently qualifying for college, because they will not be able to improve a "D" grade, and college admission grades must be a "C" or better. With this change many teachers are expecting a crowded campus and classrooms. No one knows whether or not this change will have a good affect or a bad affect on students, but the impact will be seen this year as it is implemented.
Some faculty are dead set against the change. "Students are a valuable resource to our future and by cutting educational opportunities, we are jeopardizing the future for everyone," says Counselor Sharon Halter-Day.
As I see it…
By Priscilla Montgomery
April 18, 2003Part two. Sequels. Hollywood's way of letting the population know they are fresh out of good ideas so it is time to recycle the old ideas. And usually the second, third and even the eleventh are not all that good and yet they continue to make more. I ask, WHY? I know we have another article in this issue about sequels, but I feel it doesn't do justice to the fact that I feel sequels should be outlawed. Now, I feel the need to mention that series are OK. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, those are all series which are justified, especially because they are based on a book. New ideas, I like. But some sequels are bad. This is my list of sequels that should not happen.
1. The Land Before Time. This absolutely deserves number one because of the way Hollywood has killed this poor movie. The first one was good. Nice song, made me cry. And I'll even admit, my mom bought the second one. And my toddler aged cousins bought the third and fourth. But now, the twelfth movie is coming out but they need to let it die. So the dinosuars reached the Great Valley and avoided death, big deal. Hollywood just needs to let it go. May it rest in peace.
2. Any Disney movie that was made years ago with current sequel. This goes to include Cinderella, Peter Pan and Jungle Book. You can't get the original characters, nor the essence of the original plot, therefore it kills the movie. If you've ever seen Cinderella II, you see exactly what I'm talking about it.
3. Any movie that can not get the original cast. "What's with the guy in the second Never Ending Story? He doesn't even look like the guy in the first one," complains Heather Weppler. And she is right! Sure this is the same public that supports shows like Married by America, but are we really that stupid we won't notice a different person in our favorite movie? I think not.
4. Any sequel that overcheeseifies the original plot. Have you seen Back to the Future II, and III? The original was good with relativly new ideas. A guy travels to the past in a car, meets his parents when they are his age and has to play matchmaker for them. That is a crazy plot! But then, sequels come along and the concept of time traveling via a car is not so fun and suddenly no one wants to watch it anymore.
So if any movie producers are reading this PLEASE relax on the sequels. America demands new ideas.
BSN: Should we just leave Michael Jackson alone? Con
By Leticia Zamora
April 18, 2003He's world-renowned. Perhaps, even a living legend. Some would consider him the most recognizable figure in the entertainment industry. For over the past three decades, Michael Jackson has been in the media's limelight. Should they leave him alone?
Publicity, that which is good and that which is not so good, come with his territory. This celebrity is still beloved by legions of fans despite the allegations of scandal in his personal life. Personally, I think that any one who has a remote interest in Jackson has a right to know what kind of a person he is to a certain extent. I am aware that the media has completely bashed Jackson, and that they have attempted to ruin his career with lurid tales of child molestation, but it is also the public's right to know. Many consider this man to be their idol, but I don't think that his misconduct, even with his own children should be ignored. As for what the tabloids have said about Jackson, it's totally apparent that some if not all of those headlines are not legitimate. Maybe if those trashy journalists who are only out to get the juiciest story would put an end to alleged accounts that were too far fetched to begin with, proving them phony, then there would be no reason for the media to leave him alone because then they would only be giving him well deserved praise.
Jackson has been in the public's eye since his childhood. You'd think he'd be used to it by now. From his days in the Jackson 5 to the present day interview with Martin Bashir on ABC, Jackson has always been the least understood and most often misinterpreted public figure to ever grace the planet. The people that read the articles on him and the countless fans that tuned into see the special on television are just looking for some insight in to Jackson's mind. His mysterious persona is what makes him so sought after. Can you blame people for wondering about what goes on behind those Neverland Ranch gates?
Since those child molestation allegations surfaced in August of 1993, Michael has sustained his humanitarian commitments to children. Jackson has opened his wallet and his home to numerous disadvantaged or ill children throughout the world. Although Jackson donates to and funds his own foundation that provides immediate relief efforts to needy children around the world, his most precious gift is the time and attention he contributes to his millions of fans. I'm not one to condemn a man that wants nothing more than to "Heal the World."
But I don't see why the media should have to leave Jackson alone. People simply have a fascination with the famous. There is something about an artist that catches the eye and/or ear. Jackson's music has been influencing individuals since the 70s and there is no wonder why the media is drawn to him. He's incredible. He received his first Grammy award in 1980, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and according to Billboard Music, he also holds the title for Biggest Selling Album of All Time for Thriller..
There is not another artist still living that has had the volume of success that Jackson has. The media shouldn't and most likely won't leave Jackson alone because he is such a huge public figure. As long as people are going to read the articles and watch the specials on television featuring Jackson, then the media will just keep right on pushing for the biggest scoop they can conjure up.
The media is justified in investigating Jackson, and even if they weren't, what has he got to hide?
BSN: Should we just leave Michael Jackson alone? Pro
By Adelina Avila
April 18, 2003Michael Jackson: many of you know him as the King of Pop, the idol of many and the guy who has his own theme park in his own back yard. Just recently many TV viewers watched on what seemed like almost every channel the whole "Living with Michael Jackson" interview with British Journalist Martin Bashir who spent 8 months with living with the pop star himself. ABC and NBC fought for rights to air shows about Jackson, with NBC producing its own hour on Jackson and ABC spending an estimated $4-5 million dollars in for the right to air the Bashir documentary. It came down to the two final questions, who is telling the truth? Was all the time that was taken out to investigate one mans life really necessary? I was one of the many who sat and watched the dragged out stories; my only opinion on this is leave the poor guy alone.
Stop hating on Michael Jackson! So what if he's had more than one nose job or he lives his life a certain way or yes, even plays with kids in a weird and peculiar way. Who are we to criticize? Are we not all imperfect in some sort of way? Have any of us taken the time out to understand why Jackson does some of the things he does? We think because he was accused of molestation he is automatically a pervert, but are we not innocent until proven guilty? Or has that changed and I have not been notified? I think the reason he is the way he is with children (including his own) is because of the way he was mistreated as a child and some should take the time to see that side of his life before they are so quick to judge. People need to get their minds out of the gutter; when it was stated that Jackson sleeps with kids in his bed people assume there is more going on then there really is. "When you say bed, you're thinking sexual," Jackson asserted. "Its not sexual; we're going to sleep, I tuck them in …it's very charming. It's very sweet." Instead of focusing on what may seem bad about Michael, why doesn't America look at the good about him, like the way he has put money towards charities and how he took creating music to a whole new level?
Is it really necessary to spend countless hours disputing over Michael Jackson having more than one nose job? So what if he's lying about it; what are you going to do, arrest him? How many women in America are going to tell you their actual weight and yet are we going to sit here and fight over the obvious? So yes, maybe it is obvious he has had more than one facial lift, but maybe the reason he would lie about it is because "duh!"
I for one agree with Michael when he says that it was betraying the way Bashir was welcomed into Jackson's home and manipulated him into believing he could be a trusted friend who would show America the things that Jackson felt we should know about him. Yet instead for his own personal gain, Bashir told America what he thought we would rather hear by putting his own twist to things.
Some might say that Jackson brought the publicity to himself. Yet I bet for one second if he knew that Bashir would say all the negative things he did about him, Jackson would have never shared his life to any of the press. As being a reporter for our school newspaper I am required to write a story with facts; if I went around the school misquoting people Mr. Rainey, my adviser, would be up to his head with complaints. Jackson felt the same way. I leave you with this: why is America spending $4-5 million dollars on who got a nose job or how someone lives while schools are having cut backs on spending money? The stupidity! I for one will vouch for Jackson in saying "Just mind ya business!"
Bumfights: Entertainment or exploitation?
By Mich Rector
April 18, 2003Imagine a group of young college filmmakers sitting around contemplating a way to break into the entertainment industry. One would suggest a meaningful independent film starring Jason Biggs…too expensive! Another would suggest "Scream 4"…yeah right! Two of them argue for a pilot for a series about the typical love debacles college students share…too clichéd! Then, when all of their brainstorming is through, the idea hits one of them- to film inexpensive actors…or not even actors…bums! Yeah, bums that would break out what's left of another bum's teeth for a 40 ounce of beer. Bums with nothing to lose but some blood. Bums that are everywhere with nothing better to do. A simple person would say that this idea would be totally inconceivable and would never happen…but it did.
Lately, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the popular movie "Bumfights: A Cause For Concern" made by Ryan McPherson, 19; Zachary Bubeck, 25; Daniel J. Tanner, 21; and Michael Slyman, 21, who sell the shocking video over the internet and have sold over 300,000 copies for $20.00 each, making them instant millionaires. However, the filmmakers recently faced criminal charges when two of their star bums, Rufus Hannah, 47; and Donald Brennan, 53, issued a complaint against them in court. Hannah, who apparently served in the army, and Brennan, who is a Vietnam veteran, sued the young entrepreneurs for allegedly bribing them with alcohol to fight each other and other bums on the street. They were also seeking punitive damages for being talked into doing other harmful stunts- like running into steel doors head-first, diving into the back of a garbage truck, rolling down a steep, rocky slope, and even getting the slogan "Bumfights" tattooed on their forehead, fists and other parts of their body. Hannah and Brennan also claim to have been under the influence while performing these hazardous stunts. As it turns out, the case was eventually thrown out by the judge because the defendants proved that there was no law violated in the production of the film.
Even though the case was thrown out, a person must ask themselves if the film commits a crime against humanity? There is still on-going speculation by the viewers as to if the violent movie is cruel or entertaining. There is a portion of the film that features a so-called "Bum Hunter" that tracks sleeping bums and when he finds them, he binds their hands together and covers their mouths with duct tape as he takes their 'measurements,' as Steve Irwin does in 'The Crocodile Hunter.' This film also features several scenes of high school students brutally fighting each other with a cheering crowd around them, as well as explicit footage of crack heads abusing drugs and even revealing their genitalia…eh!
To find out the opinions of the viewers, I interviewed junior Francisco Morales, senior Antonio Mendoza and senior Gabriel Lozano. Their take on 'Bumfights' is "funny as hell!" When asked if he thinks that 'Bumfights' is cruel, Mendoza replied, "Sometimes, like when Rufus the Stunt Bum broke Donny's leg for no reason was kind of messed up, but nevertheless- funny!" I asked Lozano if he would recommend this movie to others and he answered, "Yes, but probably just to young adults." Morales then added, "If you liked 'Jackass' then you'll love 'Bumfights!'"
Senior Ditch Day: you deserve a break today, so get up and get away
By Wendy Quinonez
April 18, 2003Going to the beach, kicking it with your friends or just staying at home relaxing. That is basically what almost all the seniors do on Senior Ditch Day and more. Senior Ditch Day is a day where all the seniors ditch school and plan to do something else for that day. The advantages of Senior Ditch Day is that you have a day off to do whatever you want and not worry about what you have to do at school. The disadvantages are you might have a test in English or start a project in P.O.D. Most likely, though, some teachers schedule important due dates intentionally, which means they know to give out a test or extra homework and for the students who come, they get extra credit.
The decision that you have to make is whether to go or not. I personally agree with Senior Ditch Day being a good idea only because it's our last year and now it's a time to take full advantage since there will be no other time but now. I don't agree on Senior Ditch Day being everyday of the week, but once in a blue moon would be nice to take off some stress off from school and relax. The students who do their work and try their best should also be gutsy and take a day off, since they probably deserve it just as much.
For most students, Senior Ditch Day isn't always about only missing school and having fun, but it's a time to spend quality time with the friends you might not ever see again after high school. This year you have to spend as much time with your friends or even the people you talk to in class every once in while just in case you lose in touch with them. So since most people might not have time during the weekend or have already made plans, the weekday is a perfect day for yourself and those who you care about. Teachers and parents might not realize this, but when the seniors are out having fun on Senior Ditch Day, we're not only thinking about what we would've done if we went to school, but we could also be thinking about our life and what we really want to do. Maybe sitting on the sand at the beach might have made us think and changed our life drastically. Since we're also with our friends we could be reminiscing about how we grew up with each other and the hilarious events that happened that we promised each other we would never mention again. In other words, what I'm trying to say is that Senior Ditch Day isn't always about ditching , but it's also about spending quality times with your friends.
We are who we are!!
By Adriana Munoz
April 18, 2003What is wrong with being a teenager? I would like to know. I know that, through every parent, a teenager is something they just don't want to deal with. They know in their own heart being a teen is something that we experience everyday. Parents may not understand what we go through or what we think of. I do know that they are there to help us everyday. They would like to know what it is that bothers us so much. I think going through the teen years, is something we're new at it. It's like we don't really know what to do. Teens get too embarrassed to ask for help because we are unaware if adults understand us or not. I don't' really think it's such a discrimination age, because everyone went through this stage. Everyone acted immature and they sure have made mistakes in their times, I know I have. Every parent just wonders, why are they acting like that. Usually it's the mother who understands the daughter and the father who understands the son.
Teens feel discriminated because they don't feel trusted. Once parents are at the point of always being in your business, they just want to know if you are responsible enough to handle it. Most of the time we can't handle it and we end up ending it, in some different way. I bet when your your parents were teenagers, they didn't feel trusted either. Parents do it to their kids because they felt discriminated too. Now it's even harder for parents to trust their own teens because a lot of things aren't what they used to be. They don't want their own kids to be some useless person who doesn't make something of them; it's every parents dream to see their own kids make something of themselves. They also feel discriminated because teenagers want a lot of things and sometimes parent can't always give them what they want. Even though every parent feels like their children should have the whole world and everything they ever dreamed of. Teenagers shouldn't feel discriminated, because your parents do understand. You just have to let them in and they will never let you down and they will always be there for you.
ELD teachers: quiet successes
By Liliana Aguilar
April 18, 2003The English Language Development (ELD) is a long-standing program with two central goals. The first is for students to learn English, and the second to learn it for survival, and for school as well. There have been many changes over the years, but in the past two years the program has been developing new ways of teaching. There is a structured English immersion class for students that have recently arrived, and they remain in an immersion class for their first four periods. This is the first year that the program has had textbooks in which they can work out of.
Along with these new programs and improvements there is a strong emphasis on placing students in a regular English class, while still being supported by the ELD department. District curriculum and state tests are designated for language proficiency. The ultimate goal is to place these students into a mainstream English class as soon as possible, since the ELD standards are for the students to be able to listen, speak, and write.
Adelina Villa, head of the ELD department, says that there are certain difficulties in trying to teach the curriculum to students who may not be very proficient in English, since recent state laws have prohibited from speaking Spanish while teaching. "This is a political issue, in reality to acquire a new language it takes five to seven years. Here you need to learn in one or two years." Still, she says that the program has definitely changed in recent years. "It's all changed for the positive, it's not perfect yet, but we've come a long ways."
Plans for next year consist of placing more students into mainstream English classes supported by ELD. Villa would also like to thank and recognize all the teachers who participate in the program: Vladimira Chavez, Rachel Garcia, Sue Wyland, Wray Finks, Randy Burkholtz, Kristine Asher, and Corrina Paramo. " The main focus as educators is that we need to remember that we shouldn't punish these kids for not speaking English," Villa explains. "We need to understand they're in a total new environment, and new language. Most people have their own political and social opinions about them, but the bottom line is that that they are entitiled to the same education as every other student."
How to do things you never even knew you wanted to do
By Kerry Ortloff
By April 18, 2003CAUTION: This article is for entertainment purposes only, and while some of the information presented may in fact be factual, any one who attempts any of the following at home is either really brave or else really stupid.
A DISCLAIMER: In the event that someone attempts any of the scenarios listed, I cannot be held responsible.There are some things in life that just aren't taught in school. That doesn't mean these things are not important, it's just that you had to figure them out for yourself…until now. I'm here to unlock the door and show all the secrets, be prepared to be amazed.
How to meet Bigfoot
1. You'll need to travel a while, up to northern California, these places are most frequented by bigfoot: Humboldt Forest, Bluff Creek, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Orleans, Somes Bar, and Willow Creek.
2. According to the weekly world news, Bigfoot eats fruit, nuts, rodents, deer, and fish. I suggest bringing along some fruit to lure him with.
3. Seeing as Bigfoot can travel as fast as 35 mph, bring your running shoes.
4. The best time for spotting a Bigfoot is during the summer months early in the days, and near bodies of water.
5. When you finally see a Bigfoot proceed with caution, as they have been known to be up 14 feet tall.
6. Make sure you bring along a camera to take pictures with, and plaster of Paris to capture his footprints.
How to make contact with aliens
1. Be prepared by wearing foil hats to protect your brain from the alien's thought rays
2. Area 51 or Roswell, New Mexico are good places to start your search for the truth.
3. Make sure it's a good clear night, preferably in the summer, because that's when most sightings happen. (I wonder why most supernatural things happen in the summer, maybe because people don't have better things to do)
4. Bring strawberry ice cream, I heard on a talk show a long time ago that aliens enjoy it, and I still believe it to be the truth, so make sure you have some of that.
5. Bring a keyboard: aliens tend to communicate using different musical tones and pitches. I don't know why, ask Stephen Spielberg.
6. Take some good pictures, that no "experts" will be able to doubt and end this debate once and for all!And remember, classify your close encounter...
Close encounter of the first kind- a sighting of a UFO.
Close encounter of the second kind- physical evidence of alien landing
Close encounter of the third kind- actual contact with aliensHow to use subliminal messages to get a date to prom
1. Get yourself access to the school intercom system.
2. Pick a really popular song that even the principal would enjoy
3. Make a tape of the song, and then using your tape player, record a message backwards saying, " insert your name here, is the coolest person ever and you want to ask them on a date."
4. Play your subliminal message tape across the intercom
5. Accept the invitation from whoever is the coolest person to ask you
6. Now you are as cool as Zack Morris, from Saved by the Bell, and you are the master, no matter how bad you screw up it will be forgotten by the next episode.
How to use a spell to make anyone love you
1. Pick a Friday night.
2. Choose a white votive candle, light it, and place it in a glass cup.
3. Imagine that the flame is "the flame of love" in your desire's heart.
4. Stare into the flame and will it to rise higher.
5. Think positively of your lover, and say the following:
May this flame of passion burn within your heart
From me, you will not part.
6. Let the candle burn itself out.
7. Repeat the spell, until you acquire what you desire.
8. Have a good time making everyone you know fall in love with you
9. Delight in your complete control over people's emotionsThere you go, some basic, common sense stuff every kid should know. Have fun, and be nice to old people.
Coming soon: movie sequels
By Denise Alcantar
April 18, 2003With summer and winter comes great movies; movie sequels that is. Here is a preview of some major movie sequels to watch out for this year and next year. Some are actually the third and fourth installments in a series, all the better to go and see it.
The Matrix Reloaded- release date May 15, 2003. In the second chapter freedom fighters Neo, Trinity and Morpheus continue to lead revolt against the machine army, unleashing their arsenal at extraordinary skills and weaponry against forces of repression and exploitation.
Terminator 3: Rise of the machines-release date July 2, 2003. The T-X(Kristanna Loken) cyborg killing machine sent back through time to complete the job unfinished by T-1000. Connors' only hope for survival is the terminator (Schwarzeneggar).
Jurassic Park 4. Since Jurassic Park 3 made over 180 million, Spielberg is going to make sure that it's made, and he claims the story they have in mind is the "best story since the very first movie."
Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2-release date November 21, 2003 Leads are Mexican actor Diego Luna and newcomer Romola Gatai, set in 1958 Cuba, the story concerns an American girl who moves with her family to the Revolution -era capital and falls hard for a local dancer.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King-release date December 17, 2003
The third and final part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy tells of the opposing strategies of Gandalf and Sauron, until the final catastrophe and the end of the Great Darkness. We return first to the fortunes of battle in the west.
2 Fast 2 Furious-release date June 6, 2003 Paul Walker returns as former cop Brian o' Connor who teams up with his ex-con pal Roman Pearce (Tyrese) to transport a shipment of "dirty money" for shady Miami-based import-export dealer Carter Verone, while actually working with under cover agent Monica Demente to bring verone down.
X2-release date May 2,2003 Magneto escapes from his plastic prison and proposes a partnership with the x-men to combat their common formidable enemy-Stryker.
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry met Lloyd Not exactly a sequel but a prequel to the 1994 blockbuster "Dumb and Dumber." High School years, when they band together with a group of special Ed students to try and crack "the big show" also known as mainstream High School.
The Exit Exam: high stakes, high risks
By April Valenti
April 18, 2003C.H.S.E.E., initials that have become more than familiar to all California students, is a new added graduation requirement that hits home to all hopeful high school graduates of 2004 and on. California has now joined 18 other states having a graduation linked test. Two sections, each 80 multiple-choice questions, test a student's competency in English as well as in math. In addition to that students are required to write two essays. These tasks are to be completed within an allotted three-day period to pass.
Similar to the recent war movement, there are strong feelings on all sides concerning a required test to earn a high school diploma. Towards the close of February a crowd of students, parents and teachers banned together to protest this test at the Los Angeles Unified school district building.
According to the LA Times newspaper article called "State Exit Exam Gets Poor Grades", about half of California's high school juniors have failed the exit exam at least once; more than 100,000 have failed it two times. On the contrary, Mitzi Abbot, teacher of the C.H.S.E.E. English class, tells that the statistics of our school are quite different. "77 % of the class of 2004 have already passed the English-Language Arts exam," she noted, and 60% have passed the Math section compared to our state wide statistic of only 48% passing both sections. "The CHSEE is a standards based test." Abbott explained. "Since all English classes are standards based as well, students are receiving curriculum and instruction to prepare them for the C.H.S.E.E. in English-Language Arts."
Junior Victor Mayo expresses his concerns about the requirement's effect on his peers. "I took it my freshman year and again this year. I was a little nervous, but it is simple stuff you should know. I don't think [the state should require it, though.] Some people have a hard enough time graduating. [Now] they just want to give up, drop out." This apprehension is a somewhat common one. In fact Arizona State University pulled together information to figure that out of 16 states that have a similar graduation requirement there is a 62% rise in drop out rates. However, according to the LA Times, "there is no evidence that California's Exit exam has caused students to drop out."
Principal Jerry Amanderez says that since the test became mandatory Colton High School has aligned course work and department created curriculum along with state content standards. CHS has also instituted Quarter and End-of-semester exams. Freshman Colin Albitz questions whether the teachers are really teaching the required information. "They probably are, but they haven't straight up said 'this is going to be on the exit exam.' I'm not nervous about having to take it though, because my brother and all my friends who have taken it said it was really easy to pass."
The president of the state school board, Reed Hastings, backs up the test. He told the LA Times "The key is: Do students have the skills they need in the economy of the future? A student who can't pass the exit exam is defiantly at risk for not having those skills. The problem is not the exit exam. The problem is getting attention focused on the students and, in some cases, getting those students motivated to do the learning that's necessary."
Magela Barrera, a mother of a Colton High school sophomore, also supports the test. "…if a child has been applying himself/herself, this test should only be a summary of what he/she has been studying during the school year."
The class of 2003 is the only class currently still in high school that is not required to pass this test in order to receive a diploma. Senior Amy Rieter thinks the test is stupid and is glad she doesn't have to take it. "I don't know if the exit exam will prove a student more adequate to transition into 'the real world.' In a way yes and in a way no, yes because they are guaranteed to know the stuff they studied, and no because later in life that one test won't affect what they remember."
Sharon Taylor, CHS School Improvement Coordinator, wants to encourage students who haven't passed just yet to speak to a counselor, an administrator, or herself, in room 255, to find out what areas they were weak in. From there they can ask for help in those specific areas from their math or English teachers.
For those of you who feel like Junior Roberta Bennett, who thinks the test is a bad idea because you could pass all the other requirements but if you can't pass this test "you're just out of luck," don't lose hope to fast. California education officials say they haven't made up their minds about whether to leave the class of 2004 on the hook. A statewide study, due in May, is looking at whether students have had adequate opportunity to learn the math and language arts concepts they need to pass the exam. Officials also want to see scores from this spring's round of testing
The inside scoop on drive-ins
By April Valenti
April 18, 2003California has always been a state with a record amount of drive-in movie theaters. Although since the 1960's the amount has decreased 88 percent from the than 220 operating "auto-theaters", we still remain in the top five drive-in states. Within the state we still have around thirty left, and locally we have two, both in Riverside, the Rubidoux Drive-In and the Van Buren Drive-In.
The drive-in theaters are considerably less expensive to visit then the typical "in house" theaters, therefore making them possibly more convenient for students. At both theaters the price for a double feature is $5.00 per person over the age of 11. If you bring a younger movie viewer they will get in for free. Snack bar prices are also extremely reasonable. Sodas at the Van Buran location run $1.50 for a small, $2.00 for a medium, and $2.75 for a large. Popcorn runs from $1.00 to $3.00 depending on desired size. If you're in the mood for nachos bring along $2.75. In addition to the normal movie snack items, Van Buran also offers combo meals ranging from carne asada tacos to bean and cheese burritos.
The price advantage does prove to be a definite benefit, but there are also down sides to this experience. First of all the movie screen can be considerably far from the place you are parked making it somewhat hard to see the already dark picture. Advanced technology has gotten rid of the old fashioned window hanging speaker, (you now tune into the movie on your car stereo) but the radio reception is not as clear as the surround sound you would find in a movie theater. If you do plan on visiting the snack bar on your trip plan on arriving early, due to the unfortunate wait that could last over an hour to get to the cash register. A way to avoid missing the movie is to just bring a packed dinner and cooler full of drinks. Remember you are secluded in your own car so bring what you want to bring without any hesitation from the theater workers.
Arriving early will prove beneficial in the snack bar scene as well as the being able to see the previews. Waiting in a long line of vehicles may prove to be aggravating. Be sure to come with a smile, because it is very likely that people will cut in line, possibly just because of their lack of knowledge of the system. Both theaters show two movies on each of their three screens. When purchasing your tickets you are required to "line up" in order of screen one, two and three. People unaware of this, chose to get in the shortest line and then cut off the rest at the last minute to squeeze in to the correct line to see the movie they want. So go ahead, and jump into your "Grease Lightning" of choice and attend the drive-in near you.The Rubidoux drive-in is locacted at 3770 Opal Street Mission Boulevard; phone: 909-683-4455. The Van Buren drive-in is located at 3035 Van Buren Boulevard; phone: 909-688-2360.
Adaptation: quirky film deserves another look
By Mitch Rector
April 18, 2003To begin… How to start? Coffee would help me think. No, I should write something now and then reward myself with coffee. Coffee and a muffin. Okay, the story starts with…hmm…maybe banana nut- that's a good muffin!
Adaptation is a movie that has two stories going on at once. One of them being about a lonely, self-loathing, shy screenwriter named Charlie Kaufman, played wonderfully by Nicolas Cage, who is hired to adapt the book, 'The Orchid Thief,' into a screenplay. The other story takes place three years earlier and is about a passion-seeking author, Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), who is in the middle of writing a novel about a flower-obsessed swamp poacher named John Laroche (Chris Cooper), who was arrested for stealing orchids from a state-owned swamp. The story starts in an awkward way with the beginning of time being told up to the point to where a human baby is born and then it jumps to a scene of Kaufman sitting in a restaurant with the woman who wants to give him the job of adapting 'The Orchid Thief.' From there, the story follows Charlie as he struggles to get through the screenplay and, at the same time, give advice to his twin brother, Donald Kaufman (played also by Cage), who is trying to write a screenplay of his own. The whole point of the screenplay is to try and explain the beauty of flowers but Kaufman has a hard time writing a movie purely about flowers and a man's love of flowers without creating a snooze-a-thon so he suddenly gets the idea to add himself into the screenplay as a character who is trying to adapt a screenplay about the book 'The Orchid Thief.' The movie jumps back and forth from Kaufman's world to Susan's, who is spending time with Laroche to get material for her book and in the process her and Laroche develop an intimate relationship. Somewhere between Kaufman getting inspiration for his screenplay and Susan and Laroche falling in love, Adaptation takes off into a brilliantly bizarre film about change and coming to know the importance of the human existence in relation to the growth of ghost orchids.
This was a movie that passed through the movie theaters unnoticed, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a great film because some of the most artistic and magnificent movies out there have done the same. For example, Memento and Road to Perdition. Also, this movie received 4 Academy Award nominations for best actor (Nicolas Cage), best supporting actress (Meryl Streep), best adapted screenplay (Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman), and it won best supporting actor (Chris Cooper). I strongly suggest that you see this movie because it is totally original and it leaves you with a good feeling at the end so don't miss out!
Busy buzzing Yellowjackets, hard at work
By Priscilla Montgomery
April 18, 2003There goes the average teenager to a minimum wage job. After hours of hard work, they head home, only to be nagged by their parents about grades and talked to by friends about the party they couldn't go to because they were working. The only comfort comes from the few hours of sleep they can get before they wake up only to do it all over again. So why do they do it? "To get the bling-bling!" claims senior Amy Rieter.
Rieter is currently employed at Pinnacle Peak restaurant in Colton. She works behind the scenes as a food preparer, and got the job because of family traditions. Both of her older sisters had worked there and naturally young Amy was next in line for the job. The money earned goes to pay for the things she wants such as clothes and paying for insurance. Since she works at night, Rieter has found that time for friends has shortened, but working has not affected her school work.
Senior Jerry Ayala also in the food service business. In the afternoons he can be found at Stater Brothers in North Fontana. At $6.75 an hour, Ayala spends his money to eat at Claim Jumpers. He also enjoys paying people to do things. "I tell my little sister to guess at something and I'll give her $25 dollars," he says. Despite the fact he now has money in his pocket, Ayala no longer has time for anything but work. Yet he still enjoys what he does.
"Where a kid can be a kid" is the motto for senior Christina Montoya, who works at Chuck E. Cheese's in San Bernardino. Montoya spends her afternoon trading in tickets for toys and serving the pizza. She started working to save money for college but enjoys spurlging on things for herself every now and then. Although she likes her job, she says that she "can't go out as much to hang out with her friends."
If you are shopping for clothes, then visit senior Amy Jaurigue in Inland Center Mall at Anchor Blue. She first found out about the job opening through her brother, who worked for the company. She went in, filled out the application and was soon hired. She was looking for a job to become independent and now uses her money to pay for her cell phone bill, insurance and as any other senior, saving for college. She too enjoys her job because of her cool co-workers.
While at the Inland Center Mall, stop by Sears to pick up your everyday tools from senior Allison Rangel. In the tool department, Rangel knows as much about tools as Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor. At $7.25 an hour, she spends her money on things like clothes and her car. But mostly she just uses it to have fun. Although she enjoys the money, she says that she would "rather be one of those people that holds those giant arrows that advertise apartment rentals then stay in retail for the rest of my life." Wish her luck with either job she chooses!
Finally, after a busy day at the mall, you made need a hair cut, so you will have to stop by Regis Hair Salon. There you'll find senior Brenda Quintero as a hairstylist. She started by taking a 1600-hour cosmotology course, and after taking a test, got her license and then applied there. Although she enjoys the job, it is only for her until she gets out of college, and then as a backup. She earns her money by service and retail commission or hourly wage, whichever is greater. Another job benefit is being able to meet new people and do new things, even though it takes away from school extracurricular activities.
Working students: always busy, but as they earn the money, the rewards come in for these students. Be like them and get a job, but know that there will be a small sacrifice.
Yellowjackets be workin'!How many of us work? How much do we make? How many hours?
By gender:
Working girls: 84
Working boys: 64
By class standing:
Seniors: 64
Juniors: 57
Sophies: 17
Freshmen: 2
By salary:
Earning minimum wage up to $7.95/hr.: 125
Earning above $8.00/hr.: 7
By hours worked a week:
Under 15: 11
15-20: 46
21-25: 29
26-30: 42
30 or more: 9
(Source: Work experience office, based on work permits turned in as of April 8, 2003)Back to Table of Contents
Baseball struggles to gain victories; softball continues their winning ways
by Shauna Pardo
April 18, 2003Welcome to yet another season of baseball. Yes, that wonderful spring sport that comes around every year to those excited players. Unfortunately this year hasn't been that much of a success. So far their league record is 0-3.
The team went down to defeat by scores of 16-4 to Cajon, 7-5 to Pacific and 4-0 to San Bernadino. "We need to improve," junior Saul Rios commented about his team. The overall record for the varsity baseball team is 3-12, that's including the Bishop Gorman Tournament played in Las Vegas, the Crescenta Valley tournament, and all scrimmages.
"Nobody thinks we will do good this year but we should do better," said senior Robert Pope as he went on to say, "The tournament during Spring Break in Las Vegas we saw our mistakes and now we know what to do about them."
"We're a young team and we're learning,, by the game on Monday it showed that were getting better," said coach Peter Ornelas. "We are a very young team with only three Seniors, seven juniors, and five sophomores. If we can win eight out of ten of the next games, I would be completely satisfied. We need work on our offense but we are strong on our defense."
Their next game is Tuesday April 22 against Arroyo Valley here at the Colton field at 3:15.
Now into our softball gear, with the varsity softball girls the league record is 3-1. Those games were played against Pacific, (a 6-0 victory); Cajon (a 6-4 defeat, which by the way was lost in the bottom of the 9th). Two straight victories came against San Bernadino 4-1, and finally Arroyo Valley by a score of 7-0.
"We started off slow, but now we are playing well as a team," said junior Bionka King. "We are a young team and the next two years looks good. And coach Joe is cool because he says, 'Stay champions cause champions you are.' "
"I feel that we should be the top three contestants because, for now, I can say we have the pitching," Coach Joe Montez commented. "The game against Yucaipa should determine where we stand."
"We have a strong team and we can take it all!" said sophomore Kelly Acosta.
Their next game is Wednesday April 23 against San G at the San G High School field at 3:15.
Track Team looking for first victory after 0-3 league start
By Paul Heredia (with additional reporting by Lauren Young)
April 18, 2003This year has been a struggle for the track team so far, which is looking for its first league win, after an 0-3 start. They started off with a loss against Pacific which was the league opener. This loss proved to be very devastating, with Colton's high hopes for the season shot down. It was followed by another defeat against Cajon, which was another hard loss in the books. Another loss came against Arroyo Valley, which Colton thought they could have won. Although the team has not been doing that good, different events have been pulling out first and second place victories in many of the meets, which proves that Colton is looking for a win very soon. Sophomore Mario Alvarez says that the team is doing much better. They are training harder and he has a lot of faith in the team. Some of this year's standout players are sophomore Gilbert Hernandez, and freshmen Lisa Montgomery who should prove to be real assests in the coming years. Some of the starting players this year are Tatianna Hwellet and Memorie Williams.
Many players have said that once that first win comes they should feel more relaxed and stronger to win more meets. The next meet is at SBHS on Thursday April 24, and the next home game is on Thursday May 1, against San G.