Issue of April 23, 1998:
Volume 81, Number Five
Click on a story title to see the text of the story
News
'98 prom
Future freshmen Invade CHS
Home Schooling
New cheerleaders named
Perfect attendance rewards
Spirit Week
Opinion
Am I too fat?
Coca-Colton High: the scamming of a high school
He Said: Same sex couples & the prom
She Said: Same sex couples & the prom
Shot of Wiski/Column
Staff Editorial/ Bathrooms
Features
Relationships
Runaways
Runaways--there's hope!
Why do kids run away?
Student DJ spins the tunes
Diversions
Lost in space Movie review
Players club CD review
Starcraft Computer game review
Sports
Baseball
Golf
Softball
Track
Prom
by Emily LeMay
April 23, 1998Prom is TOMORROW! Get out your tuxes and fancy dresses and get ready to head towards the beach.
The event will be held at the Hyatt Newporter at eight and was organized by the Junior Class offi-cers and their advisor, Ellen Green.
Not only has the Junior Class worked on the prom itself, they were in charge of coordinating the prom fashion show held on Friday, April 3 and has recieved rave reviews. The event showcased some of the season’s hottest prom fashions courtesy of Windsor Fashions in The Ontario Mills Mall and Gary’s Tuxedos in The Inland Center Mall, San Bernardino.
On Thursday, April 16 juniors and seniors were asked to vote for Prom Court. Last Friday, the winners were announced: For Prom Queen, the court consists of April Villarreal, Carmen Ortega, Kelly Bustos, Toni Rodriguez, and Nadine Olvera . The hopeful kings consist of Ishmael Gonzales, Brian Espinoza, Jerry Granado, Derrik Servin, and Tariq Warsi.Back to top
Am I too fat?
by Milgem Rabanera
April 23, 1998
Face it girls. Every possible nice comment a guy can say about us, we misconstrue in one way or another. This realization hit me like a slap in the face while I was having a conversation with a platonic male friend, John Smith (all names in this article have been changed to protect the guilty). I was having some insecurities about some pants I bought and I asked him the question that all girls have asked (or will ask sometime in their lives if they haven’t already) some unsupecting male, “Do these stretchy black pants make my butt look big?” Horror movie music plays in the background of a guys mind while he checks the options he could take.
A smart guy would reply with: “Nah, you, um, look great in everything sweetie.” Or they can actually admit to her that those spandex type pants aren’t doing anything for her, except for giving it that widening effect. Either way, the dude’s screwed. Unfortunately, my not-so-smart platonic homie opted for the painfully true answer & recieved the biting comment, “You Jerk.” He fires back saying that I wouldn’t have reacted that way if I had asked a girl.
His point was that the comment coming from a female would be taken as advice, whereas it would be a major insult coming from a guy, which is true. Quoting my brutally truthful friend, “If you say something nice, she’ll say you’re lying, If you tell her the truth, she’ll go psycho on you!”
Not only do we girls make guys squirm about that, but we ask thinly veiled questions that incriminate them relationship-wise. Example: “You don’t think that those cheerleaders are cute, do you?” or “Am I the best kisser you’ve ever had?” Ouuu, busted.
An inteview with senior Joe Wilson, who is currently in a relationship, came up with an interesting thought to ponder: Okay; when cops bust criminals, the bad guys get the privilege of the Miranda Rights. You know, “you have the right to remain silent, . . . yadda yadda, etc, etc.” Well, Joe thought up of the brilliant idea to apply this to all boyfriends when they’re in a jam. With his law, guys can refuse to give answers that can-and will- be held against them. Nice try, but until that amended law goes into effect (if ever), all men will just have to deal with our insidious, relationship testing questions.
It’s a natural response, after reading an article like this, to think. Cool. Now I know my man’s inner thoughts. You might feel like questioning all the guys in your life, maybe even prodding him for other land mines that may be hidden in his pysche. But before you go on the attack, just take heed to this little piece of advice: keep things on the downlow. Because if you fire some riddle of a question at him, something very regretable might happen. He might ask you the same thing.Back to top
Baseball
by Sarah Gama
April 23, 1998
The Colton Baseball team has opened the Citrus Belt League,with a bang. not only have they been on a winning streak they have shown the other teams who’s best in the league. Most of this help has came from two seniors who are Robert (Nugget) Montano, and Joe Ramirez.
This team hasn’t let the rain get to them even though they still have a couple of post-poned games to make up due to the rain. Here are some of the scores from the most recent games, Colton beat Fontana with a score of 7-5, Colton beat Eisenhower with a score of 6-4, Colton beat A.B. Miller with a score of 5-0, but lost to Rialto HIGH SCHOOLwith a score of 8-4.
With a home record of five wins and one loss they still have a way to go in order to get the C.B.L title, but with the confidence of each other and the dedication the will be in first place and on their way to play-offs.
The team had to make a lot of improvements and by the way they are playing you can tell the improvements have paid off.
“This year we are playing as a team, and I feel that there aren’t teams who could out hit us,” said captain Mark Ayala.
According to senior captain Mark Ayala, the team needs to cut down on errors, and the captains need to keep everything together.
“ I feel that we improved over the last two years, there’s a lot of talent on the team, and this is the year we could win C.I.F.” said captain Rick Sander.
According to Sander he feels that they are playing as a team, and as a team they could beat anyone in league due to the fact that they have a good pitching team as well as a good hitting team, they also get extra help from other coaches.
So if you want to come see this team in action come to their next game that will take place on Wednesday April 22, and April 24 at the Varsity Baseball field.Back to top
Coca-Colton: the scamming of a High School
by Ryan Lynch
April 23, 1998
Colton High School has fallen victim to the corporate machine. Coca-Cola, a soft drink company that was named after a highly-addictive narcotic, has gotten thousands of dollars worth of free promotion out of this school. Coke has promised $10,000 to whichever school does the best job hyping their product. Countless other schools have fallen in line to do the same thing as us. What Coke has received for free, via the participating schools in the nation, would probably cost a billion dollars if they hadn’t come up with the ingenious idea of this contest.
Colton High has jumped at the idea like a horse following a carrot on a string. The worst part of the whole thing is the way that the school called the whole plug a “spirit week.” It should have been called the “spirit-of-getting-scamed-by-the-man week.”
That week during third period, the blitz began. A small school-made commercial about Coke was aired. It featured students singing one of Coke’s numerous jingles, and showing off the product. Then the school held a pep-rally to further flaunt the product. They took away an entire seventh period, just to hype a product that causes dental decay and has no nutritional value. Doesn’t this hype create a sort of double standard? Our entire high school careers, we’ve have pounded into us not to drink in class. Teachers write detentions for it. And now, because of a shameless desire for money, they blanket the school with machines to sell the very product they tell us not to have. What’s next? A Beeper promotion? Motorola Pager Spirit Week? Believe me, if there’s a buck in it, we’ll see it soon.
I admire the school’s quest for more dollars to fund our education. I am glad they are trying. It would be nice, too, if we won the contest, but what are the odds of such a thing happening? I just wish they wouldn’t try to pawn off shameless promotion of a drink as “school spirit”. Call it what it is.Back to top
She said: Should same sex couples be allowed to attend prom together?
by Emily LeMay
April 23, 1998I am most definitely of the opinion that same sex couples should be allowed to attend school functions especially the prom. Why shouldn’t they be? Because all of the homophobics would freak out and complain? So what! Essentially, I feel that as long as the attendees did not pose a threat to anyone else’s safety, let me be the first to say: more power to them!
Colton High is a fine school, and in order to distinguish itself, must advance not only technologically , but in other aspects as well. This is the nineties and frankly, homosexuals seem to be here to stay.
Since we are on the subject of “same sex” couples, lets focus specifically on the prom. If fights are a big issue (though at prom they rarely are). I am highly doubtful that people will want to “scuffle” so to say when they are all gussied up ( and chances are, the tuxes the male quotient will be sporting are rentals meant to be returned the next day.) Or what about a group of friends who decide to go “stag” and purchase prom tickets as pairs or “couples”? Is this so wrong?
In a nutshell, as long as all event attendants behave and act with discretion, I see no reason why same sex couples should be barred from school functions, if they are attending one, people should be pleased enough that they chose to get involved with their school, demonstrating school spirit.Back to top
Freshman Invade Campus
by Matt Penna
April 23, 1998
Eighth graders from Terrace Hills Middle School and Colton Middle School visited the Colton High campus on March 25 and 26, respectively, to get a taste of high school life.
Eighth grade visitation day has become an annual event at Colton High. Every year the eighth graders from the middle schools come to Colton for a tour of the campus and a sample of the activities and programs Colton has to offer.
The event was organized by the National Honor Society with some help from ASB.
The point of the eighth grade visitation is to make the eighth graders feel welcome to this school,” said Guidance Councilor and NHS advisor Helena Tarbaux. “They can also get information on the clubs, sports, and activities. Plus, it helps them register for there freshman year.”
Upon arrival, the eighth graders were taken on tours of the campus and to visit booths from clubs, sports, colleges, and programs offered at Colton. Following this, they were directed to the Hubbs Gym for a special assembly which included performances by the Choir and Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Band, and the Cheerleaders. In addition, Superintendent Herbert Fischer, board members, counselors and representatives of several clubs, sports, and programs spoke to the students.
“Over all it went well,” said NHS President Ana Gonzalez, senior. “We were surprised how well behaved they eighth graders were.”Back to top
Golf
by Kara Bellinger
April 23, 1998
Golf league matches kick off this Monday, where the Colton team will face A.B. Miller. So far the golf team has gone 4-1 in this pre-season.
This years returning golf members are seniors Brian Bellinger, Cody Bowler, Daniel Dunn, and Tyler Huisken; along with junior Joel Young and sophomores Jessie Boling and Kenneth Reid. They will also be joined by several new members, including senior Erik Luna and freshmen Tim Berliner and Brandon Hillpot.
“ This is the strongest team we’ve had in four years, and we are hoping to challange for the league title”, said coach and Physics teacher Tars Petrie.
The team has beaten several of the best golf squads in the country already. Racking up victories against Rim of the World, Moreno Valley, San Gorgonio and Cajon, the team also came in second at the Barstow Tournament.Back to top
Home Schooling
by Jason Meaney
April 23, 1998It's 6:00 in the morning. Dad has left for work already and mom is making breakfast. You know you have to get up and get out of bed or else you’re not going to make it on time. Wait a minute, you don’t have to leave your house—you’ve got home study.
More of today’s students are turning to home study because students don’t leave their homes and safety at school is no longer an issue. Their are several advantages to home schooling over public schooling.
Home schooling provides a comfortable atmosphere for students to learn and is not as strenuous as attending public schools. There is no dress code; social popularity and competition is eliminated—students don’t have to worry about fitting in. If a student becomes ill, excusing absences or gathering missed assignments is no longer trouble.
Home schooling also has a very flexible schedule. Students can study their course work at night and work during the day. In some cases, students have finished a year or two early before their graduating class, and started college very early.
Although home school seems to have many benefits and advantages over public school, it does have its share of disadvantages. Since students stay home, they have almost no exposure to the social atmosphere making it hard to meet new people and communicate. They can’t play any school sports and are unable to obtain athletic scholarships since their are no sports teams.
Academic scholarships are very hard to obtain since SAT and ACT tests are not easily available. It’s difficult to apply to four year universities since the applicants can’t list an easily recognizable high school. They have no yearbook, no sports, no prom, no graduation ceremony, no grad night, and no high school diploma. Since they have to rely mainly on themselves to complete their schooling, there are no teachers to help them with a difficult subject and unless they have a lot of self motivation, they struggle.
I don’t like home schooling, and I don’t recommend it to anyone. There is too much to be lost through home schooling and not enough to be gained. I like my friends and wouldn’t give up the experiences that I’ve had with them in high school for anything. I cannot imagine my senior year without a graduation ceremony, and a grad night. When someone asks me what school did I graduate from, I’m going to be glad to say “Colton High School.”Back to top
Lost in Space Movie Review
by Jason Valenzuela
April 23, 1998Lost in Space is a definite must see for anyone who gets a kick out of science fiction and action. I greatly enjoyed it. It had its own mix of science fiction, action, and its own comedy. It’s a remake of an old television series which I have seen and believe me, the movie definitely puts the show to rest.
Lost in Space is the story of the Robinson family who, to save an over-crowded and over-polluted Earth, set off in a space ship for a new planet. A second organization on Earth, however, wants to colonize the planet first. They send the evil Doctor Smith to sabotage the mission. He succeeds, and is then betrayed by his own employers.
Instead of the family being killed and the ship destroyed, they end up nearly being plunged into the sun. Quick thinking saves their lives but calls for a hyperdrive engine hurling them into an unknown part of the galaxy. The Robinson family, their pilot and Dr. Smith are “Lost in Space.”
My favorite character had to be Dr. Smith. Once more Gary Oldman plays an excellent villain. He is the kind of bad guy you just love to hate. Twists on his character are what keeps the movie going. That, and a whole bunch of explosions and action. But no, there are other reasons to see it than those. Another thing I liked was exerts from (the youngest girl) Penny’s video diary, in which Will, the only son and youngest, usually has his comments.
I’m going to stop before I give it all away! The special effects were great and it was an overall good movie. While it didn’t turn out as the box office smash that other recent movies have been, it was a good movie to go see. Hey, as my friend Dan says “It beats seeing Titanic for the 7 billionth time...”Back to top
Next Year's Cheerleaders
by Allen Eley
April 23, 1998After an intense competition and tryouts, seven new girls have been chosen for next year’s cheerleading squad. There will be 31 girls, compared to 45 last year, on the squad--10-JVs and 21 Varsity.
There are fewer cheerleaders chosen for next year due to stricter guidelines so their aren’t any cheerleaders who can’t or don’t want to do their job. Colton also wants to have a better squad to represent their school in games and events.
Tryouts for cheer leading was after school for first cuts which was five days long and about two hours everyday after school. Second cuts was very short but it was for individuals, who had to cheer in front of a panel of judges doing there own routine and cheer which was about five minutes a person. After second cuts, 25 were dropped. The new captains have not been picked but will be chosen in summer. The people eligible for captains are returning seniors or whoever can do handle this job.
To become a cheerleader one must be able and willing to be ordered around, dance an cheer in front of large crowds, not to mention smiling a lot. Being a cheerleader doesn’t come cheap. You have to pay for uniforms , cheer camp and trips that you may take. This can run upwards of $1,000. Some of the benefits for becoming a cheerleader include making new friends and the chance to get awards for doing good. Also,colleges look at it as an important activity because it shows ability to work well with others, to communicate, to be active, to have agility, to take orders and cheer and to perform stunts in front of large crowds.
“Cheerleading can be a very fun and memorable experience,” said Junior Candace Moore. “But along with the bad comes the good. This has to be one of the most political activities I’ve participated in. Its way competitive.”Back to top
Perfect Attendance
by MollyRose Jones
April 23, 1998A committee of adminstrators and a student at Colton High School has made it possible for hundreds of students to recieve rewards based on their attendance.
Set up last year, the committee’s purpose was to discuss changes that should be made to improve the attendance policy. . Business teacher Tina Peterson is responsible for organizing the committee.
According to English teacher Denise Harshman, another member, honoring perfect attendance was something which was extremely pushed for, especially by the one student representative. Last year, when discussing the attendance policy, we decided that everything was negative and we needed to do something for the people doing a good job,” said Harshman.
“The rewards are extra motivation to show up at school,” says Junior Sonya Smalley, who has received previous attendance rewards.
The periods for perfect attendance are divided into “Incentives” each about one month long. There was also a free barbecue held in the quad, Friday, March 27 for those students who had perfect attendance for the entire first semester. Fifty students qualified for this.
Harshman says that the reason the rewards system is not just for people who have perfect attendance for the whole school year is because the committee realized that there are times when people do get sick or have to miss school for other reasons. However, this should not ruin it for them. A student who misses school will have a chance to receive the next reward for perfect attendance in a month or less. First semester was divided into four incentives this year and second semester includes three. The first is for the period of February 2 through March 6 and was met by 155 students.
The goodies given out so far have included frozen yogurt, pies, cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, to name a few. Now, ideas for prizes for the upcoming incentives are being decided on.
“We’re looking into movie passes and some other things besides food,” says Harshman.
For those students trying for perfect attendance, remember, “One tardy or one time in T.I.R. knocks you off the list,” Harshman warns. The only excuses are for students on a school related trip or participating in an activity on campus, such as testing. Harshman says that, although the committee gave students a break by dividing up the attendance periods, they remembered that “perfect attendance really does mean perfect.”Back to top
Player's Club/CD review
by Liz Yarnell
April 23, 1998Ice Cube is back to drop his latest bomb on the entertainment and music industry, with the movie and soundtrack to “The Players Club”.
The CD has tracks from artists such as, Ice Cube, Changing Faces, Brownstone, Mack 10, Master P, Scar Face, Krupt,Public Annoncement, and many more.
Although the CD consists mostly of rap, it still keeps up the diversity of music. With songs like, Changing Faces new song, “Same Tempo”. It’s sort of slow ,but has a strong beat.
And of corse theres the hyped up song “We be Clubbin” by Ice Cube. Also Master P assited in making a remix version of this song with Ice Cube. Radio stations were hit hard with both versions of the song “We be Clubbin”.
Most of the music is fast paced, up beat rap. Sort of reflecting the pace of the movie. From the sounds of this CD you should anticipate the movie to be just as good.
The movie is about two cousins who get jobs stripping at a joint called The Players Club. They thought it was going to be easy. Little did they know that it wasn’t what they thought it would be They go through so much, to get so little in return .The guys who run the club are even worse. They live the thug life and put everyone around them in harms way
If you're in the mood for a slow R&B CD, you won’t enjoy this one.This CD is only for the hard core 90’s music lover. Yet on the other hand , if your looking for a CD with strong rhythms, sharp beats, flowing lyrics, and well known artists, you’ve found your match.Make sure you pick up your copy of The Players ClubBack to top
Just friends
by Matt Gomez/Erik Luna
April 23, 1998
Beware: High School relationships could go bad! All over campus, people are involved in some kind of relationship. Some are good, some are bad. Some sad, some happy. These relationships will test your sanity and change the way you look at your life. Don’t get me wrong, some relationships do work, but even then people still have their differences (what couple doesn’t ?).
Being in a relationship calls for a big thing called “commitment.” Commitment: To place officially in confinement or custody. Confinement? Sounds like your in prison or something. I guess that’s why you should think long and hard about what your doing, before you take that step.
“If you can commit to one, then you know what you’re doing. All I can say is that there’s got to be trust, if there’s no trust, there’s no relationship,” said one senior.
Now although we all see those happy couples all over themselves before class, or getting that last hug in before they seperate for one whole hour, there is a downside to these relationships. I just have to feel for those guys or girls who are swinging like a monkey on a vine — those guys/girls that are whipped on that special someone. They’ll give them just enough attention to keep them coming, but not enough to have anything solid for them to hold on to. Heck, the they might as well give them a collar. These are the types of people that say they’re either afraid of commitment or just claim to be a straight up “Player”. Well let me say something to these kind of people. You’re no “players” and all you do is make yourself look bad. So when someone tells you they’re a “player”, tell them they’re a joke.
These may be the downsides to the high school dating scene, but there are upsides. A special someone to hold on to during a cold day, or that kiss that she gives you to tell you she’ll always be there. These are the upsides and these are the things that make guys do the stupidest things, go after them.
Relationships can be good , but they can be bad. But if you play your cards well and make sure you know what you’re getting into, everything’s going to be all good.Back to top
Runaways: old problem still with us
by Ana Nayelli Gonzalez
April 23, 1998Seven hundred and fifty-two of them in the Inland Empire found themselves in the same position last year. This year the number has not changed much. Whether it is because of problems at home, emotional or sexual abuse, or too many problems, teenage runaways all end up in the same place—on the streets.
Although the average age of a teenage runaway is 15, runaways can be as young as 11 or as old as 17.
“It’s tough out there,” said one high school student that has run away.
Parks, bus stations, and abandoned building structures are among the common hangouts for runaways. Even though they may have somewhere to go during the day, the night life is different.
Homelessness and running away go hand in hand. Because runaways often have no contact with their families, money problems are abundant. According to the US Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics, hunger, thirst, and the need for clothing are dealt with by robbery, prostitution, vandalism, or resorting to begging.
In addition to this, runaways are more prone to physical and sexual assault, suicide attempts, and depression. Their health is also put at risk with malnutrition, infectious and sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and unplanned pregnancies. Also, a study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health found that 71 percent of the runaways surveyed were drug and alcohol abusers.
Ironically, although most runaways run away from their source of security — their family— and from their problems, many runaways encounter more problems while on the run. Joining gangs is popular among runaways in order to provide them with a false sense of security.
However, security can be found elsewhere.
“Some come and ask for help,” said Thomas Gayer, outreach coordinator for Safe House, a United Ways member agency. “We don’t want them on the streets, so we give them counseling.”
Safe House is an example of the many places teenage runaways can seek help. Counseling groups from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Planned Parenthood, Rape Crisis Center, and peer counselors are part of the “after-care” program. This program is geared to prevent those runaways from hitting the streets once more. Along with these groups, laws can also help runways.
The “Right to Shelter Law” is California’s way of protecting its runaways from further harm. Because many runaways run from home because of some sort of abuse, this law allows shelters like Safe House to reserve the right to not call parents or guardians when a child enters their community. Before this law, runaways sustained from seeking aid from shelters because they feared the shelters would contact their families. Although there is some controversy concerning this law, it is getting some runaways off the streets for the meantime—which is not an easy task.
“Our hands are tied on what we can do, also for parents,” said Detective Julie Dean-Reed of the Colton Sheriffs Department. “It’s difficult to keep them off the streets.”
When teens runaway, a parent can go to their local police station and file a report. Contrary to popular belief, there is no longer a 24-hour waiting period. This report contains basic information about the kid that will help finding the runaway. Once this data is completed, it is put into a national database so anyone can have access to the information. Not only does it help police officers identify runaways, but it also helps parents keep the faith that their child will be found.
“It’s hard to be a parent these days,” says a flyer about a parent support group. That is why support groups like “Because I Love You” in Santa Monica and Safe House have programs that help parents deal with such problems.
“There may be some benefits to running away—like independence. However, the negative effects and risks and the problems caused from running away far outweigh the positives,” says a message posted on the Internet.
Perhaps prostitution, begging, homelessness, and AIDS are not good reasons for running away.Back to top
Runaways--there's hope!
by Rose Terracciano
April 23, 1998
There are so many teen runaways in the United states today—so many that society doesn’t know what to do with them all. However, there is hope for those who wish to be found, and who are willing to seek help.
Whether it is abuse, drugs, or neglect, teens are made to feel unwanted at home, and so they feel the need to run away. Now what’s done is done, and we are forced to deal with the harsh reality of approximately a million or so teens out in the streets, possibly homeless and on drugs.
The worse feeling in the world to almost any parent is when their child doesn’t come home one night, or finding a letter written by their lost teen telling them,”Now you don’t have to worry about me any more.” What is a parent to do in situations such as these?
According to Lauren Franklin of the Runaway Switchboard ( a branch of the Social Services), unless the runaway calls them there is nothing they can do to help. “We don’t conduct searches or anything, however if a lost teen or child who wants to get help and go home calls, we provide them with a free Greyhound bus ticked to their destination.” Franklin says that this is a first step to recovery. “They have to want to get help.” The Runaway Switchboard also gives referrals to rehabilitation services for teens, as well as the parents, so they may seek counseling. Franklin goes on to say that they have spoken to parents about their runaway, based on specific circumstances. “There are so many different circumstances its hard to generalize (what they talk about), but we do speak with them.”
Another orginazation specificaly designed to assist runaways is the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This organization (accesible through the internet at http://www.sd01.kid.us/schools/borah/teachers/profit/misskids.htm), has handled 900,000 calls through its national hot line 1-800-THE LOST.
NCMEC has disseminated millions of missing children’s photographs with one in seven of the children recovered as a direct result. There are places and people who are willing to help.
As sad as it may seem, there are adolecents out there who wish to remain lost. Where can these runaways go to for help? Is there anywhere these youths can turn to for help? Well, you may have heard of safe houses for abused and battered women, or for the homeless, but you may not have heard about specially-designed safe houses for runaway, thrown away, and homeless youths.
A local place called The Operation Safe House is somewhere runaways can go to if they are scared to go home due to physical, sexual, or drug abuse, or if they are thrown out, or are already living on the streets. This safe house, which is located in Riverside on Hayes Street, is the only one in Riverside County, and has been a private, nonprofit organization since its opening in 1990. In the facilities of this safe house there are 17 beds. Each year it provides over 600 adolecents with shelter services, counseling, and most importantly, hope for reunification with their families. This organization can be reached by calling their 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at (909) 351-4418.
With recovered runaways comes joy, pain, sorrow, gratitude, and a million other emotions. This is why there are services designed to help families deal with this type of trauma. By calling the Runaway Switchboard, Operation Safe House, or the NCMEC, along with other organizations (which can be found in the phone book), help can be recommended to those who need it. A list of helpful toll free numbers appears at the end of this report.
Unfortunately, what some parents don’t realize is that they possibly could have prevented their child from running away in the first place. Here are some runaway prevention tips put online by the North America Missing Children Association:
1.) Pay attention to your children. Don’t just pretend to listen to them. Kids know the differance.
2.) Give them respect. Acknowledge and respect your children’s struggle to grow to maturity.
3.) Understand. Try to sympathize with what your kids are going through.
4.) Don’t lecture. All children hate to be lectured, especially teenagers.
5.) Don’t label. The throwing around of useless lablels will only confuse the real issues you wish to address.
6.) Discuss feelings. Talk about what you as a parent, feel and what you need. allow your children to talk about their feelings as well.
7.) Create responsibility. Give your children choices, not orders. Help them to understand the consequences of their actions.
8.) Give positive praise. Describe your child’s positive and negative behavior, and how it affects others.
9.) Stop hassling. Asking to many questions often shuts out information.
10.) Don’t always give the answers. You wanr your children to be able to find their own answers and soulutions to problems.
11.) Use team work. Work together with your childto lay out the problems and find mutually agreeable soulutions.
12.) The key issue? You must always tell your children that you will always love them, no matter what!
Of course simply fallowing these few guidelines won’t guarantee a happy home, however they may be useful. There is no real way to guarantee a child won’t runaway, nor is there one for finding them once they have.
On the brighter side, there is always a little thing called hope lingering about.
And as the saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”Back to top
He said: Should same sex couples be allowed to attend prom together?
by Ryan Lynch
April 23, 1998
Gay couples can not be allowed to attend the Senior Prom. That is definitely one situation that I believe we can do without.
We don’t need to see a couple of guys out on the dance floor showing us how well they can do the lambada. The prom is a place to go where people can relax and enjoy themselves. We don’t need a serious distraction such as this. Everyone is going to feel awkward. If two guys show up together the dance well turn into a gawking frenzy. I can hear it now. “Hey, Joey. Look at those two queens over there.” It’s not a freak show, it’s the biggest social event of every student’s high school career.
After the guys are done gawking, then they’ll get angry. “Hey, let’s go stomp that queer,” they’ll say. Most of them won’t be serious about it, but some might. We can’t let the prom become a street fight. There are bound to be a few people in attendance who are drunk and/or stoned. If they can’t keep hold on their emotions and actions, then there is no telling what could happen. When you have no control over yourself, then you aren’t going to care if you get blood on your tux, let alone, someone else’s.
We’ve got to act in the best interests of the school. We can not allow the attendance of gay couples at the prom. We must keep the prom safe, and as dignified as possible.Back to top
A shot of Wiski/Column
by Wiski-Linnette Lee
April 23, 1998I am so sick of hearing the word Prom. For the last month all I’ve heard anybody talk about is dresses, limos and after prom plans. Enough is enough already.
It’s not that I have anything against school dances, that’s not it. It’s just that Prom is so Beverly Hills 90210. For days and days girls worry, guys try to plan the perfect night and retailers make lots and lots of money. The students are easily played the fool. Am I the only one who doesn’t give a rats behind about the sacred “Prom”?. There are so many other things in this world to worry about than whether or not some girl has the same dress as you. There are starving children, then there is Prom. What is more important?
We all know that going to Prom is EXPENSIVE. Just think, if every senior in America would donate the money that they spent on Prom, then the world would be able to begin to fight world hunger and AIDS. Okay, so that analogy isn’t completely true. But still the fact remains that students spend a lot, I repeat A LOT, on Prom.
Has anyone stopped to think that about the fact that some disadvantaged students at Colton High may not even get the opportunity to go to Prom? Or do some of us not care about others? Mmm.
I guess that some good things arise out of Prom. The “good things” we get from Prom are hangovers, STDS and oh, maybe if we are lucky, a bundle of joy nine months later. Yippee, sounds like fun.
The attraction of Prom must lie in the fact that getting all dressed up and looking like adults gets teenagers all hot and bothered. For one magical costly night juniors and seniors have the chance to think and behave like adults.
If given the chance I would like to go back to Kindergarten. There were not many problems there. Then again boys did have cooties.
So the question on everyone’s mind is, who cares? Well if it means anything to anybody,Icare.
Word to the wise: if you plan on going to Prom promise me one thing Have Fun, Be Careful and Don’t Drink and Drive, oops I almost forgot the expensive limo driver will be driving. Well then don’t let him drink and drive.Aren’t I going to make the greatest parent someday?Back to top
Softball
by Brian Espinoza
April 23 1998
The Varsity Softball team beat Fontana 1-0 in their Citrus Belt League opener at Fontana. This victory sets the Lady Jackets out on the right foot towards making playoffs.
Freshmen right hander Desiree Serrano pitched the entire seven innings to record the shutout. Serrano was also able to help herself out by scoring the only run of the ball game. She scored from second on a base hit through the middle.
The Lady Jackets also beat Redlands at home with good pitching and hitting . Junior right hander Diana Sutton pitched the whole game and only gave up three hits to shut down the Redlands attack. also helping herself out by going 2 for 2 at the plate. Also hitting well that game was junior Angelica Arredondo who 2 for 3.
Colton came up just short against powerhouse A.B. Miller with a disappointing 5-2 loss. Despite the loss the Lady Jackets got great performances out of Serrano who went 2 for 3 and Sutton and senior Lynda Sanchez went 1 for 3.
The Lady Jackets went head to head with the Fontana Steelers at home in a crucial league game that was a battle all the way to the end. Going back and fourth for the first couple of innings the Steelers went up by three and then but Colton came back to tie the game but Fontana came up big by scoring two more runs to secure the game.Sutton kept her team in the game by recording seven strike outs and giving up only one walk. Junior Deanna Mercado tripled and scored a run and Serrano doubled to provide offense for Lady Jackets.Back to top
Coca-Cola Spirit Week hits campus
by Sarah Gama
April 23, 1998
The first annual Spirit Week took place this week. It was brought to you by Coca- Cola.
Monday March 23, was the first day of spirit week. There was lunchtime music provided by Power 106, and a pep assembly during seventh period to kick off spirit week.
“I thought it was fun and i think that everybody else enjoyed it too. This year A.S.B. had a lot fun activities for the school.” said senior Maci Ponce.
On Tuesday March 24, there was a lunchtime carnival in which different clubs and sports got involved with spirit week.
On Wednesday March 25, there was an event called “Twin Day,” the contestants had to sign up in front of the A.S.B room in order to participate, but unfortunately we weren’t able to see all of the twins due to the rain for this day.
“I thought that Spirit Week was very good for the school. I think that Colton High students have forgotten how to have a little fun on campus. I think that all of the activities help the students remember how to have fun on campus.” said senior Bracken Neely.
On Thursday March 26, an auction took place here at school, there were about 15 contestants (boys and girls), and some of them went for a good price, but to top it off senior Ismael Gonzalez went for the price of $37.00. All the winners and contestants got to go on a date and a ride in a limo.
“ It was real exciting, with Karioke and all, specially getting sold fro five bucks.” said senior Valerie Wilkins.
To finish off the week a talent show took place at Whitmer Auditorium at six’o clock. Your M.C.’s for the night were Mark Varias and Sandra Hernandez. This event was for students to show their peers and others their special talents that they have. Some of the participants were Jeremy Vasquez, Lisa Knowlton, Devin Vasquez, Jessica Aguilar, Cece Flores, Ismael Gonzalez, Darryl Harris, and Misty Vargas.
By participating in this event our school won some new Coca-Cola machines that are now here on campus.Back to top
Bathrooms
Staff Editorial
April 23, 1998
The most aggravating thing in the world . . . having to use the bathroom, and they’re all locked.
This has been the biggest complaint at Colton High lately. First students have to battle with their teachers to let them go to the bathroom. Once they’ve won that battle, they have to conquer the task of finding a security guard to open the bathrooms. It’s an added bonus if there is toilet paper.
For the past couple of weeks all but one bathroom has been locked. The reason for this is said to be because of all the alleged drugs and graffiti. Which is true: tell us you haven’t walked by a bathroom sometime or another and smelled that all-too-familiar scent like someone burning rope.
We at the Pepper Bough went to interview the assigned security guard watching the one bathroom (in the 200 wing) that is opened, but there was no one to be found. Once we found a campus superviser, Jim Williams, he said “I’m just doing what I’m told.” Their job is to only open two bathrooms, one guys and one girls, and “keep an eye on them to cut down on the vandalism,” Williams explained.
So now the school is reduced to the use of one bathroom, which is closely watched. Which is by the way uncomfortable having to wait in the mile long line trailing out the doorway and down the hall.
The problem with this solution is that the innocent are being punished for the violations of the few, which seems to be the knee-jerk reaction when problems arise. Sound familiar? This is just what happened when our pep assemblies were taken away, all because of some immature fight, which was between a couple of people and in the end punished the whole school.
On the other hand, as the Pepper Bough reported last issue, Colton High is tired of being automatically associated with drugs and violence. Why are the good things always ignored?
Suppose someone is caught stealing from a local market, should we close down the store? What? No, you say? That is a stupid idea. But isn’t that exactly what we are doing with the bathrooms?
So what’s the solution? Video cameras to spy on us while we urinate? Forget it. The lack of privacy and the cost factors would prohibit that.
What we seem to have here is a no win situation. We need to have bathrooms open, but we’re only hurting ourselves when we abuse this privilege. We think that it’s sad that a few students at Colton High are ruining it for the rest of us. So we at the Pepper Bough would like to ask the student body a question. Would you please stop the smoking out and tagging up? Some of us would maybe like to use the bathrooms for what they are intended.
Sure, maybe what the school is doing to us is wrong, but hey, look at their cause. Maybe those drug dogs we reported about last issue are needed more than we realized.Back to top
Starcraft/computer game review
by David Keeling
April 23, 1998Picture a futuristic world to which humans have been exiled. A place where two other species fight to be known as the ultimate race. This is the world of Starcraft, the long awaited game by Blizzard where you as the player get to play as each of the three species known as Terrans, Protoss, and Zerg.
The battle field is in a place millions of light-years away where criminal humans were sent to by an accidental computer glitch and may never return to Earth. Where the Protoss rule the area but took the Terrans in and are secretly protecting them as they do with a numerous amount of species to try to perfect them. The Zerg are the Invaders trying to assimilate everything into their species to be the perfect race. They have traveled countless distances and have been able to evolve their own genes to become biological structures and different types of fighting units.
Starcraft is a strategy type game but don’t worry if you are not good at chess or don’t think you would be because you get to control all of the action that goes on. You control your species and you can send them into battle, upgrade their weapontry and armor, build transports and spacecrafts, build tanks and mechanical robots, and many other things.
You can also play multiplayer games on Starcraft. Blizzard also made a forum online to play Starcraft called “Battle.net.” Here you may team up with players from around the world or play against them. You may just do friendly matches or you can participate in a ladder format competition where everyone is ranked and you play to become the #1 player by playing people of higher rank. If you don’t like playing online or don’t even have an online server then you may play other friends in your area over a modem. I highly recommend Starcraft!!Back to top
Deep House
by David Keeling
April 23, 1998The dream of every high school student: Making money doing the thing you like to do. High school senior Mike Contreras, aka “DJ Stylus,” gets to do tjust hat. Making his own mixes, selling music, and DJ-ing at parties, he has fun while making his own hours.
Mike has basically two jobs: working at Custom Beats just across the street from Colton High and DJ-ing at parties, night clubs, and special events. Custom Beats will be DJ-ing the prom and Mike is helping out with setting up and music. He has been working with Custom Beats ever since it started. He has been making music for three years and has his system set.
He started building his system as a freshman. Now, as a senior, he has two Technique 1200s, a New Mark mixer, a 1200 watt Peavey amp, and a 4 cabinet of speakers. Whatever he doesnt have he can get from his work.
Contreras produces his own mixes. He likes to spin Old School, Hip Hop, and Hard House. He has made his own mix tapes and is currently working on a CD. For all the people who think they want to be a DJ when they grow up, Contreras has a bit of advice: “Stay with it for as long as you can and never give up.”
But being a working DJ is not all just fun and games. There are many responsibilities that he has while DJ-ing at parties. He has to put on a good show, make sure everyone is having a good time and watch out for his equipment, play for the hours he gets paid for, and make sure he leaves knowing he did a good job.
Mike has been having a successful career doing what he likes to do. He plays night clubs and all kinds of parties. “I love to spin cuase that’s the thing I know how to do best,” he says, oblivious to the world around him, no doubt hearing thumping beats from his next creation dancing in his head.
Track
Brian Espinoza
April 23. 1998
The boys and girls track teams are still winless in the Citrus Belt League but standout senior Adrian Hamilton and junior Maryanna Vasquez are both having tremendous seasons. All of the high jumpers and triple jumpers have been performing well and winning their events.
As a team, there is not enough team members to compete in all of the events and score enough points to win the overall dual meets. However that has not stopped the Jackets from proving they can compete with best. Hamilton has been placing in the top spots in the 800 meters which is the half mile. This year he expects to be an All Citrus Belt League performer in the 800. Vasquez has continued her dominance in distance running after coming off a great cross country season.
Despite losing both of their league meets to A.B. Miller the high jumpers swept them in what was an easy victory. Seniors John Porto and Earl Neal and juniors Cory Butner and Mike Rossi have all cleared six feet. Against Redlands Vasquez took first place in the 800 meters with a time of 2: 37. Butner also placed first in the high jump by clearing five feet and nine inches and the triple jump by jumping a combined 36 feet six inches.
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Why do kids run Away?
by Donna Chavez
April 23, 1998
Divorce, depression, and drug abuse are just a few reasons why young people runaway. The United States deals with about a half million to a million runaways each year. While most return in about two days it’s uncommon for them to be gone for more than a week or two.
Teenagers have many natural problems to deal with like “raging hormones” without the addition of peer pressure, bullying at school and at home, or hanging out with the wrong crowd.
When teens get into a situation where they can’t communicate with their parents, whether it’s with house hold rules or the way they like to express themselves, they see running away as an option.
Adult usually picture runaways as spoiled brats who think they have it hard when in fact they’re more confused then anything. There can just be so many things going wrong with their life at any given moment that they feel they have no other choice. Their parents are usually unaware of the problem, maybe thinking they’re child is just acting like a rebellious teenager.
Does this mean that it’s the parents fault? Of course not, sometimes they’re just too busy dealing with their work or maybe other children. This can help the troubled teen think he/she is not cared for or worse like they aren’t wanted.
In any event there are warning signals that parents, even friends, should look for to possibly prevent the disturbed teen from running away. The youth might show unexpected mood changes or maybe out of the blue temper flare-ups. If a friend or family member seems to be suffering from depression or withdrawl from social events there may be cause to worry. In addition, if there is an increase in defiance at school and at home you might want to look into it.
Rosa Muniz, a worker at the Parents of Runaway Children Inc., says, “they feel trapped and need someone to understand.”
Troubled teens see running away as one of their options, as was stated before. Another option would be talking to one’s parents. It may be difficult, but it’s good to know where they stand. And of course, runaways are always welcome at runaway shelters where there’s never a person who won’t listen.
Teenagers who are experiancing difficult times aren’t alone. There is help available in many places. It would probably be easier in the long run opening up at home then going out onto the street where runaways are very likely to experiance drugs, prostitution, or death.