Eye of the Tiger (Issue 5, Volume 12)

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NOVEMBER 18, 2013 | ISSUE 5, VOLUME 12

CIF toughens basketball playoff system

BY MARISSA STONE

marissa.stone@eyeofthetigernews.com

Last year, Roseville High School’s boys basketball team won 20 games. They finished 5-5 in arguably the most competitive league in the section. Then, they hosted their first playoff game in over 30 years.

Under the new playoff system for basketball established this year by the California Interscholastic Federation, RHS would not

have made the playoffs last year.

Power rankings have been eliminated, and pre-season does not play a role in deciding if teams get into playoffs or not. At one point, power rankings mandated that the top 16 teams went to the playoffs. Then last year, the Sac-Joaquin section expanded the format to allow any school with 15 wins to qualify for the playoffs.

Under the new system, each

league sends a predetermined number of teams to the playoffs, regardless of overall record. Also, power rankings have been completely eliminated.

With this new format, the Sierra Foothills League will send just three each of male and female basketball teams.

Some leagues get to send four teams depending on their previous playoff history.

Pete Saco, Sac-Joaquin com-

missioner, believes that this will make playoffs more consistent and fair.

“We feel that the old system did not show full representation because some teams have really tough pre-seasons, but do really well in league,” Saco said.

According to Saco, teams going to playoffs had a general idea of who they were playing and now it will be much more of a surprise as to what the match-ups will be.

Saco claims to have had positive feedback from many people.

Both Josh Errecart, varsity girls basketball coach, and Greg Granucci, varsity boys basketball coach, disagree with the timing of the new playoff system because they already had their pre-season schedules together.

“I think it’s strange how it’s changed so soon to the season,” Granucci said. “I think if they  PLAYOFFS | Page 13

Algebra program gives students second chance

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

Sophomore Travis Fincher didn’t pass the first half of Algebra 1 when he took it last year.

He didn’t pass this year, either.

“I was off by, like, a lot,” Fincher said of his most recent attempt to pass the course.

However, though students in his situation are generally forced to retake the course they failed, Fincher has no such plans, and won’t have to make any, provided he maintains his performance in Roseville High School’s newly introduced Second Chance Algebra program.

The program, which was spearheaded by Roseville High School (and Fincher’s) mathematics teacher, Miguel Quinonez, offers students who failed the first quarter of Algebra 1 a chance to retake that portion of the class after school during the second quarter.

“I noticed that 20-some-odd of my students failed that first [quarter], so I was thinking, perhaps if we gave them another chance, if they came in and re-did all of the homework and they were more motivated and retook the tests, perhaps that would be the ticket for them to pass it,” Quinonez said.

The structure of the program is as follows: “Second-chancers,” as the programs’ participants call themselves, receive a packet of review material each week that generally covers one to two chapters. They must complete the packet and turn it in to Quinonez – or Doug Ash or Paul Stewart, the other two Algebra 1 teachers, whose students are also eligible to participate in the program – on Monday, and then must attend an after-school review session Tuesday before their after-school test Wednesday. They then receive the following week’s packet after

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

Second Chance Algebra students prepare to ask mathematics teacher Miguel Quinonez a question during last Tuesday’s review session. The program gives students who failed the first quarter of Algebra 1 the option to retake it after school during the second quarter. completing the exam. pating in the program, including course, helping rebuild students’ nonez ran it by assistant principal Second-chancers must comseveral who did not actually fail “mathematical self-esteem” was Matt Pipitone, who approved the plete all of the work for a given the first quarter of Algebra 1 but also a crucial motivating factor initiative and asked that it be exweek in order for their new exam instead would like to get a higher for Quinonez to start the program. panded to encompass all Algebra score to count into their grade, grade than they did the first time “A lot of kids come in with 1 students, not just Quinonez’s. and they do not lose any points if around. However, the majority of a crushed self-esteem, and they Pipitone – himself a former they get a lower grade than they the focus does remain on those need to know that they can – they math teacher – was excited about originally did. students who still need to pass the need to know that they need to the potential ability of the pro“We try to connect with all class. believe that they can, because if gram to increase student success. of them, but it ultimately comes “We want to give the kids who they don’t believe it, then they “It’s going to help them imdown to if the student is ready and really have the motivation anothneed to prove it to themselves mediately, because they’re gowants to,” Quinonez said. “I think er shot at it, otherwise they’ll be one problem at a time,” Quinonez ing to hopefully refill those gaps it’s really designed for the kids forced to do it next semester, and said. “Once they believe it, then it that they’ve missed, right now, who were really close, just to get next year, and it gets really repetibecomes like a fire and just starts so they’re going to have a better over that hurdle.” tive,” Quinonez said. spreading.” chance of being successful right Quinonez estimates that about In addition to a desire to After he first got the idea to start now in their algebra class, and 60 students are currently particihelp students avoid retaking the Second Chance Algebra, Qui ALGEBRA | Page 2

New higher education options to open to Roseville students

BY AARON SOUZA

aaron.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com

Students of Roseville High School will soon have three new local universities to consider when applying for college.

The options include a University Center based at Sierra College’s Gateway Campus on Sunrise Blvd., a Sacramento State satellite campus in the Placer Ranch development and a satellite campus for the English University of Warwick.

The University Center will be the first available, with the opening scheduled for fall 2014.

The pursuit of higher education within the city of Roseville took several steps forward on Wednesday, Nov. 6, when officials from the City of Roseville, Sierra, Sac State, University of the Pacific, Brandman University and William Jessup University signed a memorandum of understanding to

cooperate to create the University Center, which will offer a variety of courses and promote higher education within the area.

The University Center will primarily focus on lowering the cost and time necessary to attain a four-year degree. The center will reach this goal by allowing students who are attending high school to take college courses during their senior year.

“One good thing is that students will be able to do their first year of college during their last year of high school,” Roseville’s city councilman Tim Herman said.

The University Center is just one of many steps taken by the city’s Higher Education Task Force in order to increase education opportunities for residents.

“We recognize that there is still much to be done,” Herman said.  UNIVERSITIES | Page 2

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

Sierra College superintendent and president Willy Duncan signs a memorandum of understanding at a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 6, as representatives from the city of Roseville and other local colleges look on. Sierra and the city, along with four other area universities, will work together to open a collaborative University Center at Sierra’s Roseville Gateway Campus as early as fall 2014.

ELD staff copes with structural changes

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

After adjusting to new district policies, Roseville High School’s English Language Development (ELD) program is now organized differently than it has ever been, which has led to occasional frustrations for ELD students and teachers.

Before the 2013-2014 school year, RHS’ ELD program was split into five primary courses based on English Learner (EL) students’ performance on the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).

Several years ago, the program also introduced a separate course for “long-term learners” – EL students who have lived in the country for at least seven years but have yet to redesignate out of the program.

Now, largely due to efforts by the Roseville Joint Union High School District to standardize ELD instruction at all district schools, RHS’ ELD program has been condensed down to three courses: ELD 1 (for students with CELDT levels 1 and 2), ELD 2 (CELDT 3 students) and ELD 3 (CELDT 4 and 5 students, including longterm learners).

According to RHS principal Brad Basham, who served as RHS’ sign-off on the program restructuring before it was taken to the district board for official approval at its Oct. 22 meeting, the district is moving forward with the changes to correct errors with the earlier structure.

“It would take students way too long to get through that progression, and students in the EL program would constantly be falling further and further behind their peers because they were not getting access to grade-level curriculum,” Basham said.

In addition to the district’s desire to propel EL students up to true grade-level curriculum, the change was also driven in part by a declining EL population at each individual school site.

For many years, RHS was the magnet ELD school for the district, meaning that when EL students attempted to enroll at other RJUHSD schools, they were almost always transferred to RHS due to its far more comprehensive EL program.

However, the district recently opened ELD programs at all of the other district schools to comply with a state law stating that students have a right to attend their home school.

This left the EL numbers at RHS insufficient to fill five (or more) classes and influenced the district’s decision to block students with different CELDT levels together.

However, according to RHS ELD teacher Suzanne Sharif, who currently teaches an ELD 1-2 class, which includes students with CELDT levels of 1, 2 and 3, combining such different learning needs in one class has made it difficult for her  ELD | Page 2

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page 2 | news

Eye of the Tiger ROSEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 1 TIGER WAY ROSEVILLE, CA 95678 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Robbie Short NEWS EDITOR Ian Souza FEATURES EDITOR Marian Abdelmalek OPINION EDITOR Meghan Julin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Isabel Fajardo SPORTS EDITOR Nick Espino Matt Tawlks COPY EDITOR Olivia Hillman PHOTO EDITOR Madison Macha Evelina Kislyanka ONLINE EDITOR Marc Chappelle ESPAñOL EDITOR Emma Carlson BUSINESS MANAGER Monica Linsangan FACULTY ADVISOR Bobby Ritter STAFF WRITERS Logan Ash Catherine Barber Kevin Chappelle Kira Clifton Bryce Crouch Simiron Dhadda Michelle Im Gabriel Lira Sarah Looper Roy Loya Netzy Ortega Michaela Paul Samantha Paul Anna Porretta Katelyn Rolen Nick Sapp Hanna Sex Haylee Sex Dean Sideris Morgan Simpson Nikaya Southworth Aaron Souza Marissa Stone Nick Trezza Sydney Valenzuela Will White Hana Zarea

november 18, 2013

ALGEBRA: Expectations remain high for second-chance students

CONTINUED FROM FRONT anytime you only have to take a class once, that’s better,” Pipitone said. “No one should have to repeat classes.”

Though Quinonez is largely in charge of managing Second Chance Algebra, he receives some help from Ash, who helps administer the Wednesday exams, Lisa Vaccaro, who assists the secondchancers in her Positive Power classes, and Freshman Pathways teacher Melissa Jones, who helps with the Tuesday review sessions after Quinonez’s room fills up.

Those three, along with district language assistant Kellie Morehouse and Quinonez’s teacher assistants, also help Quinonez grade second-chancers’ tests.

“When we grade [the exams], we’re looking for knowledge, not the right-and-wrong answers,” Quinonez said. “We’re looking for, ‘Did they understand the procedures, the foundational parts of the math, not just A B C D?’” Sophomore Michaela Epperse is grateful for the opportunity she is receiving through the program. “[The program] goes over simple rules and everything to remind people of and it gives them the opportunity to redo the first quarter of Algebra, so you don’t have to take it next year,” Epperse said. “I know I would hate to have

to take it next year.”

However, though secondchancers are given another shot at passing a class they have already failed, Quinonez emphasized that the standards of the class remain as high as they did during the first quarter.

“We want to make the hurdles high enough that it leaves the integrity of what the class is about,” Quinonez said. “They don’t get a free ride. It’s not a guaranteed pass. Even if they go through the whole thing, it’s not guaranteed.

They still have to prove it in their exams and in their knowledge.”

As this quarter represents the program’s pilot offering, Quinonez and Pipitone will wait to see how it works out for current second-chancers before making a decision on whether or not to make it a more permanent addition to RHS. Depending on its success and teacher availability and commitment, the “second chance” nature of the program may be adopted into spin-offs for other math courses, including the new Integrated Courses that will be phased in over the next three years, and possibly even Advanced Placement Calculus and Statistics.

However, as with the program’s possible continuation, all talks regarding expanding it remain pure-

BONFIRE RALLY

CONTRIBUTING CARTOONIST Christina Leone

The mission of Eye of the Tiger, a news-gathering organization run by Roseville High School students, is to inform, entertain and serve as a public forum for student expression.

We will accomplish our goals by reporting unbiased news while offering student perspectives in our columns and editorials. This includes, but is not limited to, prominent issues, changes and events that have an impact on the students and communities of Roseville High School.

We will strive to report with depth, accuracy and timeliness. It is not our goal to evoke controversy or sensationalize issues. We do not push moral values or political agendas.

Views expressed in the opinion and entertainment sections, columns and letters-to-the-editor are those of the individual author, and do not necessarily belong to Eye of the Tiger staff, this publication or Roseville High School.

All letters-to-the-editor must be signed and are subject to review by the editorial board before inclusion in the newspaper.

We reserve the right to edit submitted work as needed for space limitations and content. Nonattributed editorials reflect the opinion of the staff and must be approved by the entire editorial board.

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Write to us at info@eyeofthetigernews.com

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

A firefighter lights the fire at Nov. 7 bonfire rally. Students and staff gathered on the upper fields to watch the fire and come together before the last football game of the year the following night against the Woodcreek Timberwolves.

ly hypothetical at this point.

According to Quinonez, the results thus far have been mixed.

“I see some kids who are motivated, but the kids who haven’t changed any pattern, anything, they’re getting the exact same grade that they have, so that’s the drawback,” Quinonez said.

However, there are success stories – like Fincher’s.

After failing the first quarter of Algebra 1 for the third time last quarter, Fincher is currently on track to pass it – through Second Chance Algebra – with a high B or a low A. He also expects to pass the second quarter with a B or higher.

“Now that I’m understanding everything and I know I can pass, it makes me want to do [the math] even more so that I can pass all my tests,” Fincher said.

He’s been doing more than just passing, though – Fincher actually got 100 percent on the first test, the highest grade in the Second Chance class.

He is very grateful for his second chance.

“I’m actually very thankful for [Second Chance Algebra], because it actually gives me a second chance to learn how to do everything, because I didn’t really want to learn it the first time,” Fincher said.

UNIVERSITIES: Sac State, University of Warwick to open satellite campuses

CONTINUED FROM FRONT “This is a big, significant step.”

The center will open at Sierra College’s Gateway facility, but a new location may be chosen in the following years.

However, Willy Duncan, president and superintendent of Sierra, confirmed the school’s commitment to staying in the Roseville area.

“Sierra College is a community college,” Duncan said. “Community comes first for us.”

Following in the city’s footsteps, private developers have also revived plans to build a Sac State satellite campus in Placer County’s Placer Ranch after 10 inactive years.

“The plan had sort of fizzled

out,” RHS counselor Grace Fernandez said. “It’s just coming back up.”

The plan was set into motion

by Jeff Jones, the chief operating officer of Westpark Communities, who purchased the 2,200-acre plot of land that will house the new university.

The university will be adjacent to the city of Roseville and could provide options for local students who are applying and preparing for college.

Negotiations have also begun to establish a second campus of the University of Warwick in Placer County.

Officials from the city of Roseville are to meet with representatives from the University of

Warwick in order to propose the construction of yet another university in Placer County, in an attempt to provide opportunities for local students.

However, many young adults would rather distance themselves from home, according to senior Stephanie Shuman.

“A lot of seniors are ready to move out on their own,” Shuman said.

Despite this, it’s important to have a wide variety of options close by when it comes to college, according to RHS principal Brad Basham.

“Room and board is expensive,” Basham said. “Some of our students would benefit from being able to live at home.”

ELD: Grouping forces multiple curricula in same class CONTINUED FROM FRONT to cater to all of her students’ needs, especially because she currently has two curricula for her CELDT 1 students.

“As a teacher, I’m forced to – in that one class, that one hourand-a-half class – have four different curriculums, which, while I love the students and want to do the best for them and I try my best, as a teacher, I can’t possibly do things that are as engaging, because I just don’t frankly have the time to create four different curriculums for each class,” Sharif said.

Though Sharif has been able to utilize Students Teaching Students (STS) tutors in her class, she said it has not made up for everything.

“All the students have different STS students to work with, and it is differentiated for everyone, but it’s definitely much more of a challenge because you have three other needs,” Sharif said.

In addition to Sharif’s ELD 1-2 class, ELD 3 courses are also experiencing some strains adjusting to the new system, particularly due to the integration of long-term learners and “true ELs” – students who began learning English relatively recently – in the same classroom.

According to ELD 3 teacher Crystal Buskirk, one of the main issues is getting long-term learner

students – who tend to have behavioral issues related to a lack of willingness to accept help and/or a lack of belief that they need to be in an ELD course – to stop caring about the stigma of the course and to start putting effort into succeeding in it.

“That has been the most difficult situation for us with this class, is if students are choosing not to learn, first, how to inspire them, and secondly, how to make it so that they’re not going to infringe on another student’s ability to learn,” Buskirk said.

Buskirk’s class of 18 is split almost evenly among true ELs and long-term learners, which has caused her to adopt two almost separate curricula for the same class due to the different needs of the students.

According to Buskirk, one of the most common issues is that of the time it takes students to understand lessons, especially due to the placement of CELDT 3 students in her class (rather than in Sharif’s) due to delays in receiving results from the beginning-ofthe-school-year CELDT administration.

“Just the level, the time it takes a student to process the information differs drastically in the two groups, especially because I have CELDT level 3’s, which typically would be in an ELD 2 class, and then I have my long-term learners

in here, so the processing of how long it takes to do an activity has been a huge learning curve for me,” Buskirk said.

Sharif, who, after eight years working as a part of RHS’ ELD program is its most tenured instructor, understands how difficult Buskirk’s situation is because of the discrepancy between language levels among ELD 3 students.

“There’s a reason why I’m not teaching ELD 3, because I’ve been teaching ELD for a long time and they said, ‘We’re going to put long-term learners with new learners,’ and I’m like, ‘No, thank you, okay. I’ll have the class with four curriculums, rather than the class with one,’ because I don’t want to feel that unsuccessful every day when I have students that have such different needs that I can’t possibly meet them,” Sharif said.

To cope with the difficulties, Buskirk has been taking advantage of both different kinds of support, both in and out of the classroom. Her third-period ELD 3 class currently receives visits from AVID tutors for half a period four days a week, daily visits from RHS language assistant Kellie Morehouse and weekly visits from RHS EL coordinator Nancy Muñoz. RHS learning support specialist Jenny Bang also began coming in to provide support last

week and will soon begin visiting daily.

The administrators and aides that come into Buskirk’s class during class-time generally work with students in small groups of 4-6, allowing for more individualized instruction than the EL students would receive otherwise.

“They help me get to all the students, rather than a student sitting there and waiting for me to get to them,” Buskirk said.

Freshman Ben Garcia, a student in Buskirk’s ELD 3 class, appreciates the greater support of the small-group setting.

“I think smaller groups are better,” Garcia said. “The teacher is not stressed with all the other students, and we have tutors who help us, and it’s easier with the help of our peers, too.”

In addition to the in-class support, Buskirk works closely with Heather Gregory, the other current ELD 3 teacher, as well as ELD teachers from all other district schools, save Granite Bay High School, which does not currently participate in the same kind of language development program due to its lack of ELD 3 students, to collaborate on lesson plans and teaching strategies.

Gregory, whose class does not experience quite as significant a divide as Buskirk’s due to its higher ratio of long-term learners, finds that the most important part

is getting students to want to be successful.

“In order for a kid to work really hard for you, you have to give them a buy-in, you have to build a relationship with them and you have to be able to relate to them on their level, as a teenager,” Gregory said. “You have to remind yourself what it’s like when you’re in that desk, and if you can do that, it doesn’t matter if they’re ELD or not – they’ll work harder.”

Both Buskirk and Gregory also work with Sharif to develop lesson plans and establish a system that will allow ELD students to go from her ELD 1-2 class to one of their ELD 3 courses without major difficulty.

Though the increased support has allowed the program’s transition to its new structure to go more smoothly than it would have without it, and though there have been successes – for instance, Gregory currently has eight or nine students in her ELD 3 class that she estimates are only weeks away from redesignation (many of them only need to raise their grades to the minimum level to reclassify) – the issues with curriculum differentiation remain.

“When you care that much about the students, and you see such great needs in your class, and you know intellectually what they need and how they can be met, but when you’re not able to do that because of either your time constraints or other students in the class, it makes it really difficult and kind of heartbreaking,” Sharif said.

november 18, 2013

Roseville Connected gets parents involved

news| page 3

Title I funding threatened

BY ISABEL FAJARDO AND OLIVIA HILLMAN

isabel.fajardo@eyeofthetigernews.com olivia.hillman@eyeofthetigernews.com

PHOTOS BY MADISON MACHA

Left, a translator helps a Roseville Connected student complete an assignment during the program’s Nov. 13 class. Right, another student learns how to manipulate pictures in Microsoft Word.

BY SIMIRON DHADDA

simiron.dhadda@eyeofthetigernews.com

For most of her life, Laura Skillman didn’t know how to use a computer.

She couldn’t use Microsoft Word, send emails easily, or access her students’ grades.

But now thanks to Roseville Connected, a program run by Roseville Joint Union High School District, she has learned these skills to help her become more involved with her children in their schoolwork.

RJUHSD has introduced a new class for ESL (English as a Second Language) parents to help them technologically. The class

is open to all ESL parents in the district and it is encouraged for parents with little to no computer skills to attend the class in the spring.

The instructor for the program is Stacey Draper, aided by three translators. The class meets every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. for five weeks.

Draper directs the class on lessons and guides the students. The translators also help the students with their work and translate the directions aloud.

“The purpose of this class is to help parents communicate better with the school and for them [to be] able to go on Homelink,”

Draper said. “It will help parents become more involved with their kids.”

The class teaches very basic skills at the beginning such as learning how to use a mouse and turn on a computer. They build off those skills to create a more comprehensive understanding of a computer and its functions.

“Our class started out very, very basic,” Draper said. “Over the course of five weeks we covered how to create an email account, they learned how to get on the internet, use Google Translate, save documents to a flash drive and how to fill out forms online.”

Margarita Almendra is one of

the regular students attending the class and has found the skills she has learned useful. She started taking the class to learn how to use computers at home.

“I learned to send email to [my] friends and how to communicate [with them],” said Almendra, through a translator.

Almendra was interested in learning more about how to use computers in order to access Homelink and to check appointments.

Nancy Damian (one of the translators) was called by Juanita Saldana and asked if she was interested in the job of translating for Roseville Connected; Damian

agreed and took the job.

Damian, who works at Oakmont, enjoyed the job and the company of the parents.

“It was my first time doing this and the parents are really cool,” Damian said.

Damian assisted Draper with both translating directions and helping out the students unsure what to do next.

“I translated for them and if [the instructions are] going too, fast I repeat it and show them what to do,” Damian said.

Overall, she was glad to have had a part in the program and would like to translate in the spring classes.

Administration works to install several gates

BY ANNA PORRETTA

anna.porretta@eyeofthetigernews.com

In order to create a safer environment and keep students from leaving campus, the Roseville High School administration plans to add several fences around campus in the coming years.

The administration and the district intend to fence in the area around the admin building. They also intend to add a gate on Campo Street and a rolling gate near the 900 buildings and Transportation and Technology departments –similar to the one around the student parking lot. Construction is expected to begin in 2014.

Security around the Technology and Transportation departments is a concern for the administration.

They believed there was no need for any extra fencing or security in this area until Geometry and Construction was introduced into the curriculum.

The technology department was then forced to relocate from their previous building to make way for the program.

This created a problem because the district employees working in the technology department require access to the RHS campus so that they can assist the staff with technological issues and they also need a place to park. As of right now the technology department has access to parking on campus and to the school, but there is no gate in that area that stays locked throughout the school day.

Because of this, pincipal Brad Basham is concerned for the students’ safety.

“There is no way to regulate who goes in and out of campus in that area … Students have been taking advantage of this as well and seizing the opportunity to leave campus,” Basham said.

Implementing a rolling gate in this area would allow for district technology employees to access campus and provide them with a place to park without compromising campus security.

Though the situation with the technology department has only been an issue for a short while, security on Campo Street has raised concerns for over 12 years. RHS principals have been trying to correct this problem since 1999.

“This is a problem unique to RHS, being that we’re the only school with a street running through the campus,” Basham said.

The primary concern with Campo Street is the barricade. Christopher Grimes, director of facilities development for the Roseville Joint Union High School District, explained that constructing a gate on Campo Street is more complicated because it has to be approved by the City of Roseville.

Currently, there is discussion about closing the street off permanently.

“Discussions for this project began with the city in 2001 or earlier,” Grimes said. “We do not know when the city will approve the project at this time.”

The lack of security on Campo Street is also a problem because it leaves the campus wide open, allowing people to walk on.

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

Construction workers extend the gate near the 300 wing. Administration ordered the gate extended to prevent students from crawling under it to sneak on or off campus and also plans to install several other gates around the school for other reasons.

“Because we’re near the delayed due to economic condiSenior Samantha Cheek is extrain tracks, we often see a lot of tions and lack of funding. In adcited about the new lunch area. transient and alternative groups dition to those reasons for delay, “The cafeteria is really crowdaround campus,” Basham said.

PG&E began construction on six ed at lunch,” Cheek said. “Having “Those people and former stumiles of fencing in the Bay Area, another area to eat and hang out dents think that because of Camthus depleting the local resources would be ideal.” po Street, it’s okay to walk on to of wrought iron fencing.

The administration is confident campus and visit when it’s not …

Initially several companies that these additional fences will The safety of our students is our were interested in doing the conincrease security and make the number one priority.” struction but withdrew their ofcampus more secure.

Due to crowding during first fers.

“These specific improvements and second lunch, Basham started “We will start looking for ofto security will make it more diffia project in 2010 to gate in the fers in December,” Grimes said. cult for people to sneak on and off grassy area around RHS’ front “We hope to take a plan to the campus,” Basham said. “People steps to create a secure area withboard on January 14 and to begin will also take notice of our efforts, in the campus for students to conconstruction sometime in Februwhich I expect will discourage fugregate at lunch. This project was ary.” ture security breaches.”

Superintendent Tony Monetti retiring at end of year District has yet to begin search for his potential replacement

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

After leading the Roseville Joint Union High School District for 14 years, superintendent Tony Monetti will step down from his position at the conclusion of 2013-2014 school year.

Monetti gave the RJUHSD school board official notice of his plans at the board’s regular meeting last Tuesday, Nov. 12, when he announced his intent to fully retire from education after 39 years in the industry.

He had previously informed board members and other district

administrative personnel of his desire to step down one year ago.

“I approach [my retirement] with a deep appreciation for the trust and confidence the board has shown in letting me lead this incredible district,” Monetti said in a statement to the board at the meeting. “Thank you for giving me this rewarding opportunity to impact the education of so many students. It is our students who are at our center and they remind me each day to focus on what is important.”

Monetti began his career as superintendent after replacing

Robert Tamasini in July 2000.

The largest projects completed during his tenure in office include the installation of International Baccalaureate programs at Granite Bay High School and Oakmont High School, the implementation of a different district governance program and a renewed focus on professional development leadership in the district.

Monetti also led the district through the most recent economic recession, which RJUHSD persisted through without the major financial struggles that many districts, including nearby Sacra-

mento City Unified and Elk Grove Unified, experienced.

“I think one of the greatest strengths that [Monetti] has shown me is the ability to identify great talent and give people opportunities to grow and to excel,” said Russell Jan Pinney, RJUHSD board vice president and the only remaining member of the board that hired Monetti, at the meeting.

“I really appreciate [his] ability to build teams and mentor and surround [himself] with people that were excellent, that were willing and able to step up and to make one plus one equal more than two.”

Though his fellow board members and administrators were eager to praise Monetti upon his announcement, he insisted that he couldn’t have done it alone.

“Everyone contributes to make our district a place people want to be,” Monetti said. “This has been a team effort and it has been my honor to work with so many outstanding individuals … Knowing that so many people are committed to making sure every student gets our best effort will be the most satisfying way to close my career.”

The district has not yet begun the search for Monetti’s replacement, but the board will conduct the normal search and interview process over the coming months.

The United States Department of Education is threatening to withhold Title I funding from California schools due to recent state legislation that suspends Standardized Testing and Reporting exams in California schools this year. The decision to abandon STAR testing is designed to help smooth the transition to the newCommon Core State Standards and eliminate testing based on an soon-to-be-phased-out model of education.

Title I is a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools and districts with high numbers of ‘at-risk’ students.

These students are prone to failure based on statistics.

Last October, Governor Jerry Brown signed into effect Assembly Bill 484, which annulled previous tests and financially supports the new Smarter Balance Assessments. These online exams are designed to correlate with the recently adopted Common Core standards.

These tests gave a report on the effectiveness of teachers and success of students, but signing this bill meant that California would lose a year of this data. This loss of data prompted the federal government to suggest withholding Title I funds from California schools.

Roseville High School receives roughly $70,000 from Title I. The loss of funding would affect the English Language Development program, the Advancement via Individual Determination program, the Tiger Tutoring center and various instructional materials.

“From time to time, I request additional funding through Title I funds,” AVID teacher Anna Marie Clark said. “Funding sources will have to be rearranged to fund programs that we value.”

Even though many teachers do not know what will happen to their programs, principal Brad Basham believes that the government would not retract funds.

“I don’t anticipate Title 1 funding going away,” Basham said.

“There are too many students who need the extra support.”

Both the California Department of Education and the United States Department of Education are working to decide the outcome of the fund allocations.

“We’re still waiting on guidance,” said Judy Fischer, coordinator of consolidated programs and testing. “It’s really an issue between the CDE and the ED.” If Title I funding were to go away, there are many options for the district and RHS. The Local Control Funding Formula would also fund these programs if Title I funds are redacted.

The LCFF provides an additional grant to the amount of 20 percent of the base grant for targeted disadvantaged students.

These students are parts of groups including English Learners and those eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal.

If these targeted students exceed 55 percent of a local educational agency’s enrollment, the funding offers a concentration grant of 50 percent of the adjusted base grant. The LCFF assures a minimum amount of state aid to LEAs, while also providing funding based on an “economic recovery target” that restores districts to their 2007-2008 state funding levels if necessary, adjusted to account for inflation.

In addition, RHS receives funding from the Economic Impact Aid. This financial support helps English language assistance programs, Limited English Proficient students and State Compensatory Education for Educationally Disadvantaged Youth as allocated by the LEA.

november 18, 2013

page 4 | news

New site technician begins work

BY NETZY ORTEGA

netzy.ortega@eyeofthetigernews.com

After several weeks without a site technician, Roseville High School has added Keith Wheeler to its team in hopes of responding to maintenance requests.

Wheeler started working in the technology department on Nov. 1 after being a computer technician at a K-8 school district.

According to Wheeler, the transition to being a technician at RHS has been smooth.

“Everything has gone really smooth; the other technicians have done a good job of showing me the ropes,” Wheeler said. “I’m excited to work with everybody and see the kind of systems you guys use and technology you use and what new technology we can bring into the school.”

Wheeler is anxious to get started.

“It has been interesting; I have had to go through a lot of open work tickets and figure out what has been done and what needs to be done,” Wheeler said. “My main goal is to make things run smoothly for the teachers and stu-

dents on campus.”

RHS site technology coordinator Marie Criste is excited for the new addition to the technology department, as she experienced a lack of communication with the rest of the department from not having a site technician to mediate.

“He is competent, he has a great personality and he actually comes from an Apple iPad district, so it is going to be perfect for our roll-out,” Criste said. “We are doing some really innovative things and we are setting the bar high and the example for the rest of the district.”

According to Criste, the rest of the technology department at RHS has been helpful during the period they did not have a site technician.

“Through unfortunate circumstances could not hire [a site technician], so it just took longer,” Criste said. “I have been really lucky [to] have a great relationship with [the RHS technology department].”

RHS principal Brad Basham expects to see some positve

changes in the next few months as Wheeler learns about the programs, as well other things used at RHS. “They have been at a real disadvantage over there,” Basham said. “There’s a lot of equipment that still needs to be distributed to staff members, as well as some clear directions set in terms of what are the priorities. I have to applaud the technology department and the members that were there through all of this because they had a very difficult job.”

Basham expects things to be running smoothly by the beginning of the next year.

“Generally it takes about two months,” Basham said. “It usually has to do with first doing a little job shadowing of a technician who is familiar with the district and doing a little of team work and basically becoming a little more comfortable with the role of being a technician and then getting familiar with your site.

The next priority is larger than anyone’s site; it is about wireless access and it’s about how much bandwidth we have.”

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

New RHS site technician Keith Wheeler gets some work done at his desk in the school’s technology department. Wheeler began work Nov. 1 after transferring from a K-8 district.

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

Students in Mike Purvines’ third-period CP Physics complete a section of a practice test geared toward evaluating the school’s readiness for administering future Common Core exams last Friday. The test is part of a wider district effort to prepare for the new state standards.

Science classes take Common Core test

BY KEVIN CHAPPELLE

kevin.chappelle@eyeofthetigernews.com

The Roseville Joint Union High School District will be steadily implementing the new Common Core State Standards into upcoming curriculums. Last Thursday and Friday, the District issued a Common Core performance task for all science classes to calibrate the execution of such a test.

This test involved analyzing different sources, print and video, and synthesizing the information in an essay regarding a scientific topic.

The District’s board of trustees along with several district teachers met last Wednesday to discuss the District’s goals regarding Common Core, as well as specific Common Core implantation strategies, such as last week’s science test.

The teachers who attended the meeting were Antelope High School science teacher Ross Fernandes, Roseville High School student government teacher Lindsey Parker, Adelante High School English teacher Janet Baird, and Woodcreek High School social science teacher Whitney Cottrell.

Parker enjoyed the meeting, believing it to be an important showcase for district administrators.

“You read about Common Core, but until you put it into context, it’s difficult to visualize,” Parker said.

At the meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction John Montgomery explained the foundations of Common Core through Norman L. Webb’s four-level Depth of Knowledge analysis. According to Montgomery, the existing CST standards centered on the two lower levels of Webb’s theory, while Common Core features all four levels, particularly the top two (higher-level, critical thinking).

One of the focuses of level three and level four is that questions may not have a single, correct answer. Baird believes that this shift in focus from learning concrete facts is beneficial for students. “[It] forces students to be engaged in their learning,” Baird said. “It’s okay to try, because there isn’t just one right answer.”

Fernandes described the format of the upcoming Common Core testing for juniors.

“Half of it, two hours, will be pretty much multiple-choice [and] short-answer questions,” Fernandes said, “The second half will be a level three, level four performance task.”

The test is directly from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which will write all upcoming Common Core assessments, and will mirror future annual standardized testing.

Science teacher Mike Purvines thinks that this style of testing is a good change from the existing STAR test.

“I was incredibly frustrated with the multiple-choice, content tests,” Purvines said. “Hopefully, with this, [students] can start relating this to things, and start applying these things, instead of memorizing the facts.”

Science teacher CJ Addington also appreciates the test’s challenging level.

“It’s actually encouraging kids to think and to think critically, and I like that,” Addington said.

Junior Rebecca Grondin, a student of Purvines, is not a supporter of the new test format.

“Personally, I think the essay is a waste of time,” Grondin said. “I don’t think it’s fair that we can’t have the article with us to write the essay.”

Despite its principle, Purvines is skeptical of the nature of the test.

“Even though the intent of this is good, I worry about what it’s really going to measure,” Purvines said. “I ‘ve seen two questions, one was on the zebra mussels, and the other is on nuclear waste, and I can’t say that there is a whole lot of science in either one of them.

You’re not interpreting data; you’re not making real predictions, so I’m concerned that some of the science is being left out.”

november 18, 2013

NOTICIAS Fondos de Title I en discusión en California

BY ISABEL FAJARDO Y OLIVIA HILLMAN

isabel.fajardo@eyeofthetigernews.com olivia.hillman@eyeofthetigernews.com

El Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos amenazó la retención de fondos del Title I de las escuelas de California porque la transición básico común.

Title I es un programa federal que proporciona asistencia financiera a las escuelas y distritos con un alto número de estudiantes en situación de riesgo. Estos estudiantes son propensos a fracasar en base a las estadísticas.

En octubre pasado, el gobernador Jerry Brown firmó el Assembly Bill 484, que anuló las

pruebas anteriores y apoya financieramente las nuevas evaluaciones Smarter Balance. Estos exámenes en línea están diseñados para correlacionar con los estándares de Common Core que es recientemente adoptado.

Estas pruebas dieron un informe sobre la eficacia de los profesores y el éxito de los estudiantes, pero la firma de este proyecto de ley significa que California perdería un año de estos datos. Esta pérdida de datos llevó al gobierno federal a sugerir retención de Title I fondos de las escuelas de California.

La escuela secundaria de Roseville recibe aproximadamente 70,000 dólares del Title I. La

Roseville Connected ofrece clases para padres

BY SIMIRON DHADDA

simiron.dhadda@eyeofthetigernews.com

Durante la mayor parte de su vida, Laura Skillman no sabía cómo usar una computadora.

Ella no podía utilizar Microsoft Word, enviar correos electrónicos con facilidad, o acezar a las calificaciones de su estudiante.

Pero ahora, gracias a la programa de Roseville Connected, se ha aprendido estas habilidades para ayudar a convertirse en más involucrados con sus hijos en sus tareas escolares. Este programa está administrado por el Distrito Escolar de alta Roseville Mixto de la Unión.

RJUHSD ha introducido una nueva clase de ESL (Inglés como Segundo Idioma) para los padres

Un programa nuevo para estudiantes de Álgebra 1

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

Ahora estudiantes pueden tomar una clase que se llama Second Chance Álgebra. En lugar de otra clase de Álgebra 1 durante el semestre, estudiantes van a clase después escuela del día y completen trabajo de la primero parte de Álgebra.

Profesor de matemáticas Miguel Quiñonez estableció este programa que ofrece a los estudiantes aprobar la primera cuarta de

de los estudiantes en el distrito.

Esto ayudarles con tecnológica y la clase está abierta a todos los padres de ESL en el distrito. Padres con poco o ningún habilidades de la computadora son alentados a participar en el programa esta primavera.

La instructora del curso es Stacey Draper. Ella es ayudada por tres traductores. La clase se reúne durante cinco semanas cada lunes y miércoles de 6 a 8 de la noche.

“El propósito de esta clase es ayudar a los padres a comunicarse mejor con la escuela y para que pueda continuar con educación en casa”, Draper dijo, “va a ayudar a los padres a involucrarse más con sus hijos.” Álgebra 1.

La estructura del programa es el siguiente: los participantes del programa recibe un paquete de material de revisión cada semana que por lo general cubre uno a dos capítulos. Deben completar el paquete en preparación para los exámenes que pasan en miércoles después de sus clases.

Quiñónez estima que 60 estudiantes participan en el programa, incluyendo algunos que aprobaron la primera cuarta de Álgebra 1, pero les gustarían obtener una calificación más alta. Cada estudiante recibe mucha ayuda sola.

REPORTAJES

Seider trabaja en lugar de Stockton

BY CATHERINE BARBER

catherine.barber@eyeofthetigernews.com

Jacquie Seider ha sustituido a la posición de Diana Stockton como la asistencia auxiliar administrativo de la escuela secundaria de Roseville.

“Quería desafiarme a mí mismo y aprender cosas nuevas, por lo que decidí trabajar en un ambiente educativo en el primer lugar”, Seider dijo. “Yo quería hacer un cambio proactivo. “ Seider trabajó en RHS durante siete años como educador en el departamento de educación especial antes de convertirse en asistente administrativo. Seider disfruta de su nueva posición, sino que también está tratando de

Powell y Fork hablan en una conferencia de Common Core

acostumbrarse al cambio.

“Es muy abrumador en este momento”, Seider dijo. “Está muy ocupado aquí y estoy aprendiendo mucho.” Seider cree que su nueva posición es diferente de la anterior, pero también es similar en ciertos aspectos.

“Es mucho más clerical en lugar de trabajar con estudiantes con planes de estudio”, Seider dijo. Seider disfruta de que ella es capaz de continuar la comunicación con los padres y estudiantes sobre una base diaria. “Mi parte favorita de mi trabajo es ver a los estudiantes llegan en la mañana y durante todo el día y hablar con ellos”, Seider dijo.

Español pérdida de financiación afectaría el programa de desarrollo del idioma inglés, el programa de avancado por determinación individual, el centro de tutoría Tigre y diversos materiales didácticos.

A pesar de que muchos profesores no saben qué pasará con sus programas, el director Brad Basham cree que el gobierno no iba a retractarse de fondos.

“No anticipo que la financiación vaya a desaparecer”, Basham dijo. “Hay muchos estudiantes que necesitan apoyo adicional.”

El Departamento de Educación de California y de los Estados Unidos están trabajando para decidir el resultado de los fondos.

Más oportunidades son disponsibles para los estudiantes en Roseville

BY AARON SOUZA

aaron.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com

Los estudiantes de la escuela secundaria de Roseville pronto tendrán tres nuevas universidades a considerar para la universidad.

Las opciones incluyen un Centro Universitario en Campus Portal de Sierra College en Sunrise Blvd, un campus satélite Estatal de Sacramento en el desarrollo Ranch Placer y un campus satélite de la Universidad de Warwick Inglés. El Centro Universitario será la primera disponible, con un horario de apertura para el otoño de 2014.

La búsqueda de la educación

Maestros de ELD luchan enseñar muchos niveles de estudiantes

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

El programa de desarrolla del idioma ingles (ELD) tiene algunos cambios este ano para estandarizar las escuelas en el distrito.

En el pasado, la escuela secundaria de Roseville fue la escuela principal para los estudiantes de este programa. Pero, con la legislación del estado de California, cada escuela necesita ofrecer una programa para los estudiantes.

Pink Ladies apoya la fundación de Susan G. Komen

BY SARAH LOOPER

sarah.looper@eyeofthetigernews.com

Las Pink Ladies y los muchachos del club celebraron su anual Walk for the Cure con la esperanza de recaudar más dinero para dar a la fundación de Susan G. Komen.

El evento tuvo lugar en el 9 de noviembre de 5 a 9 de la noche en el Campo de Hanson. El evento tuvo puestos que venden productos de panadería, pulseras y luminarias bolsas. El club tiene varios patrocinadores como Dairy Queen y Big Spoon. La estación de radio 107.9 hizo un CD espe-

El mes pasado, Inglés maestra Paige Powell y social ciencias maestra Jessica Fork hablaron en el Consejo de Educación de California en el histórico museo de la historia de California en el centro de Sacramento.

La conferencia, que pasó en el 26 de octubre, tuvo varios invitados que debatieron sobre los nue-

vos estándares básicos comunes.

Fork solicitó plaza para la posición por la Universidad de Sacramento Estado. Ahora, Fork y Powell están ensenando estudiantes en una clase de bloque de cursos Ingles Composición AP y la Historia de Estados Unidos AP. “Yo solicité porque creo que la señora Powell y yo estamos haciendo algunas cosas bastante impresionantes y es relacionada a Common Core”, Fork dijo. “Somos un buen modelo de enseñanza colaborativa.”

En la conferencia, Powell y Fork compartieron una presentación en Power Point y respondieron a las preguntas de su aplicación de Common Core.

Varios maestros de ciencias sociales de las escuelas de California y profesores de la Universidad participaron en la conferencia.

“Desde que estábamos preparadas y nos sentimos como si estuviéramos hablando de cosas importantes y valiosas y no estábamos muy nerviosas”, Powell dijo.

Velasquez avanza al proximo nivel para golf

Entrenadores nuevos en RHS

Además de esta, RHS anunció que Lance Fischer será el nuevo entrenador de béisbol universitario en RHS.

BY CATHERINE BARBER

catherine.barber@eyeofthetigernews.com

DEPORTES

BY MARISSA STONE

marissa.stone@eyeofthetigernews.com

Por la primera vez en su historia, la escuela secundaria de Roseville está enviando una jugadora de golf para el Campeonato Estatal Federación Interescolar de California.

Estudiante Virgie Velázquez se clasificó para el torneo hace dos semanas y competirá por el título del estado en Quail Lodge and Golf Club en Carmel este miércoles.

BY DEAN SIDERIS

dean.sideris@eyeofthetigernews.com

Maestra de historia del mundo y de los Estados Unidos será la entrenador del equipo de sofbol universitario en RHS. También, hay un nuevo entrenador del equipo de lucha. Entrenador pasado, Jeremiah Miller, está dejando su lugar como entrenador principal. Doug Ash será el entrenador nuevo y tiene mucha experiencia de escuela intermedia de Buljan.

Un cambio para los equipos de básquetbol

BY MARISSA STONE

marissa.stone@eyeofthetigernews.com

Bajo el nuevo sistema de playoffs para el Estatal Federación Interescolar de California, básquetbol de RHS no habría llegado a los playoffs el año pasado.

Power Rankings se han sido eliminados, y la pretemporada no juega un papel en la decisión de

page 5

Construcción pasó para la seguridad para los estudiantes

BY ANNA PORRETTA

anna.porretta@eyeofthetigernews.com

Para evitar que los estudiantes salen de la escuela, la administración de la escuela secundaria de Roseville ha alargado la puerta de la sala de baile para llegar a todo el camino hasta el suelo.

El espacio es entre la parte inferior de la puerta y el cemento.

Anterior a este cambio, los estudiantes se arrastrarían debajo y saldrían de la escuela. Al final de la semana de 28 de octubre la puerta se alargó.

La alteración de la escuela costó 750 dolores.

superior en la ciudad de Roseville dio varios pasos en el 6 de noviembre, cuando los funcionarios de la ciudad de Roseville, Sierra, Universidad de Sacramento Estado, Universidad del Pacífico, Universidad Brandman y Universidad William Jessup firmaron un memorando de cooperación para crear el Centro de la Universidad, que ofrecerá una variedad de cursos y promover la educación superior en el área.

El Centro Universitario se centrará principalmente en la reducción del costo y el tiempo necesario para alcanzar un nivel de cuatro años. El centro alcanzará este objetivo al permitir que los estudiantes que asisten a la escuela secundaria a tomar cursos universitarios en su último año.

Por eso, las clases de ELD en RHS han disminuido de tamaño.

Ahora, RHS ofrece clases de ELD 1, ELD 2 y ELD 3. Cada clase incluye niveles específicas de las resultas del examen de desarrolla ingles de California (CELDT).

Los estudiantes de este programa toman este examen en el primero parte del ano, pero no reciben sus resultas hasta luego en el primero semestre. Los estudiantes son puestos en clases con predicciones de sus resultas.

Maestros han encontrado problemas con la atención a todos los niveles en una clase sola.

cialmente para el evento. También, una tienda de tatuajes en Vernon Street dio 100 dolores, y el tigre café dio bizcochos y galletas para la venta de pasteles.

Aunque el club esperaba una mejor participación, no se sienten decepcionados porque el dinero recaudado irá a una causa importante.

“Nos esperábamos un poco más, como probablemente 50 o 60 personas pero fue como la misma participación que el año pasado,” club presidente Tatiana Loza dijo.

Los miembros del club anunciará más para la próxima caminata para traer más participantes de la communidad y la escuela secundaria de Roseville.

NOTICIAS

FOTO POR EVELINA KISLYANKA

Estudiantes que no aprobaron la primera cuarta de Álgebra 1 tiene la oportunidad trabajar en Second Chance Álgebra después de la escuela para obtener los créditos. Estudiantes escucha a maestro Quiñonez mientras el habla de la lección de la semana. Estudiantes pueden preguntar antes de sus exámenes cada clase.

REPORTAJES

Maestros son apreciados en RHS

BY HAYLEE SEX

haylee.sex@eyeofthetigernews.com

La semana pasada fue la semana anual de apreciación de la personal de RHS. Gobierno estudiantil y la clase de liderazgo hizo carteles para cada persona y les dieron “flores” hecho a mano y un regalo de caramelo.

Dieron un desayuno a el personal en el 13 de noviembre y un almuerzo en el 15 de noviembre.

FOTO POR MADISON MACHA

Jaquie Seider ha tomado el lugar de Diana Stockton que jubiló en el mes pasado. Antes de esta, ella trabaja en el departamento de educación especial en RHS. Ella trabaja en la oficina con la atendencia y disfruta su nuevo involucrado con los estudiantes, en específica la interacción con los estudiantes.

DEPORTES

si los equipos se vayan a playoffs.

Cada liga envía un número predeterminado de los equipos a los playoffs, independientemente de registro general. Además de esta, las clasificaciones de potencia se han eliminado por completo.

Los tigres de voleibol terminan su temporada

BY MORGAN SIMPSON

morgan.simpson@eyeofthetigernews.com

El equipo de volibol universitario de RHS terminó su temporada y cayó a los Vikingos de Oakmont en la segunda ronda de la sección playoffs el pasado jueves.

FOTO POR PHILIP WOOD | ROSEVILLE PRESS TRIBUNE

Además de su éxito, Virgie Velasquez amenazó a retirar de la competición porque una regla prohíbe que niños menores de diez años estén en el campo.

Después discusión con la liga, sus hermanas menores pudieron ver a Velasquez en los playoffs.

page 6 | sponsored

november 18, 2013

According to Operation Lifesaver, about every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train.

Don’t be one of them.

Visit www.oli.org for more information on how to be safe around the rails.

(Public service announcement sponsored by Union Pacific)

GRAPHIC BY HANA ZAREA TEXT BY ROBBIE SHORT

Features

november 18, 2013

page 7

Positive Power motivates freshman Uriel Flores

by MARIAN abdelmalek & SARAH LOOPER

marian.abdelmalek@eyeofthetigernews.com sarah.looper@eyeofthetigernews.com

Freshman Uriel Flores used to have no motivation.

Flores signed up for Positive Power, a class designed to promote better study habits and a mind set on graduating, before he started his freshman year. He heard about the class from Margaret Hack, a secretary at Robert C. Cooley Middle School.

“I signed up for the class to get missing assignment done,” Flores said. “Before, in the past years, my grades were D’s and F’s for most of [the year]. I knew in the class we just finish up missing assignments and work on assignments that are due.”

Though Flores wanted to improve his grades, Hack also inspired him. “[She] inspired me because she said the class would really help kids,” Flores said.

In the Positive Power class, freshmen work on executive skills, development and collaborate with their senior student tutors. The sophomores concentrate on bettering their grades and getting on a path to be able to graduate.

“For the ninth-grade classes, it’s more about preventing failure and helping them get off to a good start in high school,” Positive Power teacher Lisa Vaccaro said.

Positive Power has studenttutors that that help the students with homework and assignments.

Senior Yacoub Oulad-Doud was

chosen to be Flores’s tutor for the semester.

“I didn’t really know [Uriel], so I came into the class expecting to help him with homework and assignments,” Oulad-Doud said.

“He mostly goofed off in the beginning and I didn’t think he really cared, so I just helped the other kids in the class.”

Flores was not interested in the class at the beginning of the school year, as he was not motivated by it.

“I thought [being tutored] was funny and it never really motivated me,” Flores said. “I used to think it was dumb, but it does [motivate me] now. The class was hard at first; I didn’t really want to pay attention, but [Yacoub] helped me focus on missing assignments and homework, one assignment at a time.”

Over time, Flores found that both his tutor and the class were helpful.

“I thought it was really dumb at first, but [Yacoub] would joke with me, and that made me pay attention to him,” Flores said.

“He didn’t seem like he plays around much, but he did, and it really helped me.”

Oulad-Doud serves as a tutor and motivation for Flores to continue working hard. “[Yacoub] motivates me by showing that he not only worries about his grades, but about mine as well.”

Oulad-Doud enjoys tutoring Flores, as he feels that there is more to it than helping Flores complete his assignments.

FASHION COLUMN

Senior Janice Mascarinas loves to dress to the 90’s

by MICHAELA PAUL

michaela.paul@eyeofthetigernews.com

How would you describe your style?

My style is basically anything on sale. It can be described as a very ridiculous, yet extremely unique look. I’m a huge fan of prints and patterns and I love mismatching colors. Most of my outfits consist of combining the most random pieces of clothing I own to create one whole outfit.

Where do you buy clothes?

I buy most of my clothes from thrift shops, or anywhere else that’s cheap, like Ross or TJ Maxx. Occasionally I’ll take a trip to the mall. There, I usually shop at H&M, Forever 21 and the sale rack at Urban Outfitters. A lot of my clothes are also stolen from my mom’s old wardrobe.

How much do they usually cost?

I obviously don’t spend too much money on clothes. If it costs more than $15, I don’t buy it.

What inspires your fashion?

My style is very 90’s-inspired. I often watch old sitcoms like Full House and Saved by the Bell, and I find the style back then to be really cool. Also, I’ve always wished to have grown up as a teen in that decade, so I guess dressing like I’m from the 90’s helps me live out my life dream.

What makes fashion important to you?

Fashion is important to me because it allows for self-expression. It’s fun and creative and helps me truly be myself.

Do you take risks with your fashion?

I often take risks with my fashion. I wear whatever I feel like wearing, whether it matches or not.

What do you think of fashion around campus?

PHOTOS BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

Janice Mascarinas’ outfits include a variety of pieces that she mixes together. She doesn’t like to spend much on clothing; most of her clothes cost less than $15.

I see a lot of different fashion styles around campus and I find it interesting. It gives me ideas to incorporate into my own wadrobe.

Do you have any fashion advice?

I would advise other students to wear whatever is comfortable.

If you like it, wear it. You don’t have to follow any trends. Everyone else’s opinion on your outfit is irrelevant. Don’t be afraid to be yourself.

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

Pink Ladies and Lads hold night Walk for the Cure

by SARAH LOOPER

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

Senior Yacoub Oulad-Doud (right) tutors freshman Uriel Flores with his assignments for the day in their Positive Power class. Since being tutuored in Positive Power, Flores’ grades have improved significantly this semester.

“I feel like I’m actually doing something; it’s more than helping,” Oulad-Doud said. “I like knowing that I’m changing the students for the better, and they are changing me even more.

I like being a tutor, but I can’t switch things around for next semester to be able to take the class again, but I will be working with [Uriel] until the end of the semester.”

Though Flores’s grades have improved to mostly C’s and B’s, he still finds interest in taking the class because it helps his grades.

“I do want to be a tutor at one point, but I was planning on taking [the class] again because it is good for my grades,” Flores said.

“The hardest part, really, is staying with the [program] and doing work every night.”

Flores believes that this class is beneficial and recommends it to students who are looking to better their grades.

“Kids should take the class because people are helping you and worrying about your grades and not just their own,” Flores said. “But you do have to put ef-

fort in yourself [as well].”

Since taking this class, Flores has a better outlook on school and his future.

“I’ve got a better look on school because I want to study past high school and show my parents and friends that I’ve got good intellect,” Flores said.

Hack is proud of the successes that Flores has accmplished, and looks forward to his future.

“I am so proud of him and I look forward to coming to watching him graduate,” Hack said.

“He’s going to succeed.”

Alumna Brooke Lusk releases single

by HANA ZAREA

hana.zarea@eyeofthetigernews.com

A Roseville High School alumna recently recorded and launched a pop song on iTunes.

Brooke Lusk, from the class of 2012, developed an interest in singing after winning a competition held by Good Day Sacramento in 2007. In this competition, kids in the Sacramento area auditioned to be reporters and interview the stars of Shrek the Third in Los Angeles.

By winning this contest and traveling to LA., Lusk got a taste of Hollywood life, inspiring her to pursue new skills.

“After coming home from the trip, it literally changed my life,” Lusk said. “I started to get into all of the arts, including singing, [acting and journalism].”

Lusk continued to interview multiple Hollywood stars and singers throughout high school.

Good Day Sacramento gave her the opportunity to sit down and interview celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Julie Andrews, Emma Roberts and Nicholas Cage. In the meantime, Lusk began taking voice lessons and pursuing her interest in music.

“Singing has changed who I am as a person,” Lusk said.

“I used to be so afraid to sing in front of people, [but] I’m slowly breaking out of my shell. I also see all genres of music differently than before. I’m much more open-minded with different styles of music because I hear them differently when I’m singing and understanding them.”

Over the summer, Lusk traveled to visit her boyfriend, Wesley Avery, who is a music producer in LA. During her visit, Avery encouraged her to record a few cover songs. “[He had] never heard me sing before because I’m too shy and typically don’t sing in front of people,” Lusk said. “So with his recording equipment in his house, he forced me to sing [and] record a few covers just for fun and then we [ended up] writing our own song. After it was done, we realized the song happened to be about us and our relationship and how we want to stay together instead of being in a long-distance relationship.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY BROOKE LUSK

Alumna Brooke Lusk recently released her single ‘STAY’ on iTunes that she co-wrote with her boyfriend, music producer Wesley Avery.

After Lusk and Avery cowrote the single, Lusk took the recording back to her vocal coach, Daniel Hayes, the owner and founder of Sing Inc., a vocal training company in Roseville.

“I recorded my single ‘STAY’ for a simple, fun project,” Lusk said. “[My vocal coach] said it was iTunes-worthy, so I decided to put it up [and] have a photo shoot. I got really good feedback.”

“STAY” is an electronic dance track with a strong partying beat.

Though Lusk plans to continue producing pop music, she also hopes to branch into different genres.

“I just recently started working on another song with my boyfriend and I’m going to a whole different genre,” Lusk said. “[It’s] still pop but it will be a bit more dark and exotic like Melanie Martinez’s version of Toxic.”

Lusk is hoping to perform her

single on local television.

“Good Day Sac heard about my single because Mark S. Allen, GDS’ entertainment journalist, is a good friend of mine and asked me to possibly perform it live on their morning show,” Lusk said. “[It] is still in the works of happening, so [I have my] fingers crossed.”

Though Lusk currently enjoys singing, she is not sure if music is the career path she is looking to take. She prefers to stay open to new opportunities in her future.

“I am still decided if singing is my way to go,” Lusk said.

“My future plans are to finish my general education at Sierra and head down to L.A. to go to school and start working in [UCLA] Film and Television down there and then see where I go in the entertainment business.”

“STAY” is currently available for purchase on iTunes.

sarah.looper@eyeofthetigernews.com

The Pink Ladies and Lads club recently held their annual Walk for the Cure, hoping to raise money to donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

The event took place on Nov. 9 from 5-9 p.m. on Hanson Field.

The event had booths that sold baked goods, bracelets and luminary bags. The club has multiple sponsors including Dairy Queen that donated a free ice cream coupon, Big Spoon that gave a fundraiser day, the 107.9 radio station that made a CD specifically for the event, ‘Studio’, a tattoo shop that donated $100, and the Tiger Café donated cupcakes and cookies for the bake sale booth.

First year club member senior Jennifer Pajarillo believes that the turnout was successful.

“I wasn’t expecting that many people, but I know we [hadn’t] advertised it as well, so I expected very few people to show up,” Pajarillo said. “I’m not disappointed. I think we did pretty good. I mean we have support from our family here and we have friends here too and [that’s] all that really matters.”

Family and friends of club members came out to show support for their loved ones and cancer survivors.

“I think it means a lot [to survivors] to get any kind of funding toward the research and finding the cure,” the mother of senior co-president Mariah Annis said. “It’s a good cause and we thought we would just want to come out and give our support and do the walk.”

Although the club was expecting a better turnout, they are not disappointed because the money raised will be going to an important cause.

“It’ll get the school and the community together and not many schools do a walk like this,” senior co-president Tatiana Loza said. “It helps raise [money] for a good cause too. We were expecting a little bit more, like probably 50 or 60 people but it’s like the same turnout as last year.”

The Pink Ladies and Lads club will have another night walk sometime next month.

“We are having another one in a month or so, hopefully, and we are also planning to do one in the spring,” Loza said. “We are going to do the same night walk at with the same type of theme and all that stuff. We might [bring] the prices down or get more involvement with the community and the school.”

The club members plan to advertise more for the next walk in hopes of attracting more people to the event.

“We will probably put up flyers three weeks in advance or pass them out and put flyers on cars in the parking lot or announce it in the announcements every day,” Pajarillo said. “When we have the walk we will have more activities like face-painting and breast cancer survivors come talk; it would be interesting to hear [cancer survivors’] stories.”

november 18, 2013

page 8 | features

Junior Robbie Short scores 2380 on SAT Best score RHS has ever seen, took practice tests to prepare

by MARIAN ABDELMALEK

marian.abdelmalek@eyeofthetigernews.com

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

New administrative assistant Jacquie Seider completes some work in the admin office. Seider replaced former administrative assistant Diana Stockton after she retired on Oct. 25.

Jacquie Seider selected as new adminstrative assistant

by catherine barber

catherine.barber@eyeofthetigernews.com

Jacquie Seider has replaced Diana Stockton’s position as Roseville High School’s attendance administrative assistant after Stockton retired on Oct. 25.

Seider applied for the position earlier in the year.

“I wanted to challenge myself and learn new things, which is why I chose to work in an educational setting in the first place,” Seider said. “I wanted to make a proactive change.”

Seider worked at RHS for seven years as a paraeducator in the special education department before becoming the administrative assistant.

Seider enjoys her new position, but is also trying to get used to the change.

“It is very overwhelming right now,” Seider said. “It is very busy up here and I am learning a lot.”

Seider believes that her new position is different from her old one, but it is also similar in certain ways.

“It is a lot more clerical as opposed to working with students with curriculum,” Seider said.

Seider enjoys that she is able to continue communicating with parents and students on a daily basis.

“My favorite part of the job is seeing students come in in the morning and throughout the day, and talking with them,” Seider said.

Her position as the administrative assistant requires Seider to record any student absences, as

well as any time a student leaves the school campus. She also prepares the audit and monthly reports that go to the district office.

“I love attention to detail so I want to make sure that everything I do is extremely accurate for the benefit of the students,” Seider said.

Seider said she has enjoyed a warm welcome from the office staff.

“I love the people that are here in the office that I am working with,” Seider said. “They have been very supportive and very helpful as I try to take over this position and fill some very big little shoes.”

Administrative assistant Sarah Carstens believes that Seider is adapting well.

“I think she [fits] in just fine – she was already part of our team, now it’s just official,” Carstens said. “It’s fun; I really like it because she’s one of my friends and I get to see her more often.”

Seider received advice about her new position from Stockton before she left.

“She told me to be myself, own this job and to trust my instincts,” Seider said.

Junior Zena Mahdi believes that Seider fits in in the office.

“She’s adapting really well,” Mahdi said. “She’s really kind and everybody here loves her already.”

Seider is overall enjoying her new position.

“I absolutely love it,” Seider said. “The students are absolutely amazing.”

Siblings to travel to France thanks to European Union

Alumnus Austin Souza receives grant from EUC, which will cover trip expenses

by SYDNEY VALENZULA

sydney.valenzula@eyeofthetigernews.com

Roseville High School alumnus Austin Souza recently received an opportunity from the European Union Commission to travel to France.

The 2012 graduate received money in the fall of 2011 for a three-week trip when RHS French teacher Susan Hoffman planned a trip for that summer.

However, the EU froze the funds when the trip had to be canceled due to Hoffman’s poor health.

Souza will now use the funds to travel to France this Thanksgiving break.

The money, granted by a program run by the EU called Getting to Know Europe, will pay for Souza’s entire trip.

Hoffman received the grant to give to Souza due to both their qualifications. Hoffman qualified due to her status as a teacher and her work as a mentor at Sacramento State University for the California Subject Matter Project for Foreign Language.

At the time, Souza had taken the most French courses out of the entire campus and worked closely with Quentin Chesneau, a student from France who visited RHS in the beginning of the school year, making him eligible for the funds.

The trip meets the program’s requirements, as the students

traveling to France would stay with the Chesneau family for a portion of the trip and visit important historical sites such as the D-Day beaches in Normandy.

The EU granted the money on the condition that Souza become an ambassador. As an ambassador, Souza would need to return to RHS for three years to talk about his experience, what he had learned and promote the French language and culture at High School on the Hill.

Souza will travel with Hoffman and several other RHS staff members this Thanksgiving break. Souza will also have to help the other travelers with their French and keep a journal of events while in France. “[I’m excited about] probably just being able to walk around Paris and see the sights,” Souza said. “It’s such a cultured city, and I’m luky to get an opportunity to experience it.”

Souza’s brother, current RHS senior Ian Souza, will also accompany his sibling on the trip.

“It’s very exciting,” Hoffman said. “The hope is that [Austin and Ian] will be able to help Americans realize the impact of European culture on our society.”

The EU is also paying for Ian Souza’s trip with the money left over from his brother’s grant, as this year’s trip will cost less than the trip planned for the summer of 2012.

“I am excited to see all of the gardens in France,” Ian Souza said. “I’m [also] excited to try the food.”

Junior Robbie Short received the highest SAT score Roseville High School has ever seen.

Short achieved a score of 2380 out of 2400 on the SAT. He received a perfect score of 800 on both the math and critical reading sections, 780 out of 800 on the writing section and 10 out of 12 on his essay.

“I was shocked,” Short said.

Though Short nearly received a perfect score, he considered canceling the scores after taking the test.

“I thought I did poorly enough to the point that I thought that it would reflect really negatively on my application when it comes time to apply to college,” Short said. “Also, I just didn’t really want to see it.”

Short also did not feel confident on all parts of the SAT. “I think what I was doing was I was mentally focusing on the ones that I thought I had missed and not concentrating on what I was doing then,” Short said. “So I was worried [that] I was getting everything wrong, so I wasn’t in a very good mental state.”

Jason Bradley, Short’s counselor, convinced Short not to cancel his scores.

“Basically I said ‘no, you’re not going to cancel your scores,” Bradley said.

After receiving his scores, Short went and delivered the news to Bradley.

“I was in disbelief, I was like ‘no way, you are kidding me, that’s the highest score I’ve ever heard,’” Bradley said. “I was just totally stoked for him.”

Denise Weis, Short’s Ad-

PHOTO BY MADISON MACHA

Above, Short takes notes in his AP Art History class. Short received a perfect score of 800 on the math and critical reading sections of the SAT, 780 out of 800 on the writing section and a 10 out of 12 on his essay. centrate on taking practice tests. body can test that well but I can vanced Placement Language and “Definitely take practice tests, totally see Robbie being able to.

Composition teacher, congratubecause I think that was the main He’s one of those quiet scholars lated Short on his score after thing going into the test,” Short that you really don’t know how asking him about it. said. “I had the confidence of much he knows because he’s so “I like that he is humble about knowing what it was going to quiet, but then when he speaks his intelligence,” Weis said. “He look like; like, I knew the essay it’s like amazing.” never acts like he is smarter than was going to be first.”

Short prepared for the SAT by his peers, which is nice. He’s not Short believes that the best taking four to five practice tests arrogant.” thing about scoring so high on from the College Board Blue Though Short’s teachers perthe SAT is his possibilities for the Book, Second Edition. ceive him as quiet in class, they future.

“I took most of [the practice believe that he is also a leader.

“I’m just really excited that tests] over the summer, just going “He’s like a quiet leader,” I never have to take that test to the library and taking them,” Short’s AP Art History teacher again,” Short said.

Short said. “But unfortunately Patricia Leong siad. “He doesn’t Weis sees a bright future for I got really busy leading up to come at you aggressively, but Short.

SAT so the last one I took was he definitely influences you in a “I hope Robbie finds happilike five weeks before I took the kind way.” ness and fulfillment in whatever exam, so I kinda was missing a Leong was also amazed by he does,” Weis said. “He has bit of practice there, but it obviShort’s SAT score. unlimited potential and, with his ously turned out well.”

“I think it’s amazing [that he innate intelligence, a lot of doors Short suggest that students scored 2380 on the SAT],” Leong are going to open for him.” studying for the SAT should consaid. “It’s phenomenal that any-

Opinion

november 18, 2013

page 9

Applications for CSUs are unfair for a heavily involved high schooler

Trading cans for grades might be questionable

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

Today, by the time you’re reading this, I will have tripped over the pile of cans in my secondperiod calculus class for what must be the eighteenth time since the canned food drive started.

I know the cans are there, but the combination of my general clumsiness and the accumulation’s omnipresence – despite their best efforts, student government’s runners simply can’t keep up with the daily additions – means that my sneakers meet thin metal, chicken soup and Campbell’s labels several times every period. It’s honestly a wonder that I haven’t been reduced to wiping preserved pears off of Mrs. Walton’s floor yet.

However, my imperishablegoods nightmare is not, as one might assume, the result of two particularly altruistic classes of masochistic AP math kids (nor the remarkable benevolence of Walton’s first-period Algebra 2 class).

We are not filling Admin 9’s box with cans for the good of those who hunger and are not fed, but instead for the good of something far more important: our grades.

You see, Walton elected to give the opportunity to barter cans for extra credit points in a one-to-one trade that has a relatively high limit of 50 points per student (50 homework points mind you, but 50 points nonetheless). And because we’re AP Calc students and half the class failed the last test, we responded to her announcement with more cheers and enthusiasm than were ever seen at any rally or football game, Woodcreek rivalry or not.

And thus arises a certain rather gray moral predicament: how annoyed can I really be at the mass of cans – which I have taken to personifying as Canmaggedon – given that its continual existence means full stomachs for people whose are usually empty?

It turns out, pretty annoyed.

But that’s beside the point.

At this time, I am sure that the more cynical of my readers are beginning to look for some arms to be up in out of sheer indignation at the prospect of Walton’s essentially monetizing charity.

Some of you will no doubt ask yourselves whether charity is still charity if you receive something for giving it, because isn’t that the whole point? To feel better about yourself for doing something selfless enough to bring a tear to even Mother Teresa’s eye?

For those of you who missed the sarcasm, the answer is no.

Though charitable giving tends toward a humanitarian bent, it in no way requires one, and if the overall benefit to those individuals experiencing unfortunate circumstances is increased through incentivization, so be it. When it comes to eating or not eating, any starving person will tell you to forget about idealism in the name of pragmatism. They just want to eat.

However, the point of this article is not to respond to some rehashed variant of an AP Lang or SAT prompt. (A prompt I, incidentally, already responded to six or so weeks ago in Weis’ version of the class.) Strictly formal argumentative essays aren’t really the fodder of Eye of the Tiger’s opinion section – if it were, you’d see a lot more “articles” expounding on the need for tighter workplace dating rules or on why a good leader needs to be flexible, not firm. But I kid the College Board.

No, my true point – buried in a mass of words slowly eclipsing Admin 9’s mass of cans – goes much deeper than some simple ethical dilemma about the meaning of altruism.

So that I can finally make it, let’s return to those cynics I referenced a few paragraphs ago. It doesn’t seem too far of a leap to crystallize their issue with Walton’s arrangement as basically one of traditionalists criticizing contemporaries for not doing things the “right” way – for not going the full nine yards – for not (insert tawdry colloquialism here).

These are people who overlook the overall good of an action because of the lack of proper motives behind it. A can given is not a can donated unless the giver gave out of benevolence rather than selfishness – only then can someone truly claim to have “donated” to the canned food drive.

Anyone attempting to do anything less than that is a heretic and should be shamed, if not stoned.

But here’s the thing: By that logic, don’t we all deserve to have a couple of rocks thrown at us?

You see, the students who have lugged 50 cans up the steps and around the corner to Walton’s devilishly placed classroom are, unsurprisingly, students looking for an A. More than that, actually – these are students looking for an “AP A,” one that will grant them that 5.0 grade bump that will make their parents proud and the Ivy League swoon. They’re students who have a vested interest in their grades – admittedly sometimes to an extreme that makes me question whether AP still stands for “Advanced Placement” or if it now means “A’s Please.”

These are students who get angry when put in a class with a grading system that actually approaches resembling a bell curve – students who will even resort to blaming the teacher for being “unfair” when it turns out that they have come up just shy of that

90 percent they so need. These are students who will do anything short of murder to get the first letter of the alphabet on their transcript – even at the risk of not doing things the “right way.”

Just as there are those who will argue that giving cans to a canned food drive is not charity if the act is not a purely benevolent one, there are those who will argue that an A is not an A unless it is properly earned.

Their numbers are much fewer and their average age significantly higher, but they do exist.

Their argument usually rests on the idea that, in today’s world of extra credit, retakes, Princeton Reviews and grade inflation, the grades high school and college students receive don’t represent quite the same mastery of skills as they used to. Today, getting a B is a scandal, something that needs to be hidden and corrected, whereas before it meant above average. In today’s world, if you aren’t an A student, you aren’t anything. Or so it goes.

Putting aside the slight exaggeration of that camp’s main ideas, its residents do have a point: How can Walton really claim that receiving an A in her class this quarter represents a comprehensive understanding of derivatives and integrals if 50 of the points that helped amount to that A came not from an understanding of the math, but instead from a willingness to fill a Safeway cart with canned peas and soup? How can any student who receives an A because of those points claim the same thing?

I don’t mean to criticize Mrs. Walton – she’s great – or her class, or even really her decision to let us get extra credit by bringing in cans – it really is but one in a long string of events that contribute to the inflationary epidemic our elder cynics complain of. Nor do I claim to have any solution for the problem. With the way college admissions are going lately, it seems that everyone who doesn’t want to end up at Sierra has to fight tooth-and-nail for every point, grade and gold star they can get.

All I mean to do is ask you to reconsider the next time you consider calling someone out for doing something the “wrong way,” as it seems we haven’t been doing a lot of things the right way for quite a while.

Oh, and if you should see me stumbling up the steps to Walton’s room tomorrow with a box full of cans stacked precariously high, treading the delicate balance between making it up the stairs and smashing my face into the concrete, please refrain from laughing or mocking me with my own words – I never said I was immune to the problem. I may have done pretty well on the SAT, but I can’t afford a B. After all, what would Stanford think of that?

BY HANA ZAREA

hana.zarea@eyeofthetigernews.com

It’s that time of year again – college application season. Ever since the beginning of October, high school seniors across the globe have been stressing and scrambling to complete applications to their choice colleges.

When a college application comes to mind, most people will picture a collection of standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, GPAs, personal statements and a brief overview of extracurricular activities during high school. In today’s age of computerized everything, this is not the case at all.

In order to apply to any California State University (CSU), applicants must go online to a website called CSU Mentor. At first glance, the website seems user-friendly, allowing students to apply to multiple campuses under one account name, superscoring standardized test scores and eliminating the necessity of writing a personal statement or essay. The website seems to be catering to students, allowing them to apply to colleges quickly and easily, without any extra fluff.

Ultimately, though, this extra “fluff” could either make or break a student’s applica-

tion. There is a reason that most schools make students write essays and personal statements, ask for letters of recommendation from teachers and require a description of extracurriculars, work and volunteer experience.

Most schools want to see what kind of person a student is outside of the classroom. Through their computerized application processes that only look at numbers, CSUs are ignoring the fact that students are human beings.

The typical CSU application process goes as follows: a fillin-the-blank enrollment/personal information section, a “plug in your grades for every class you took in high school” section and a standardized test score section. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo strays from the other schools by asking for extracurricular information, but to only an extent.

Instead of writing down the names of extracurricular activities participated in or positions held, Cal Poly only asks applicants four questions. The first two questions regard work experience.

Firstly, “what was the average number of hours worked per week over the most recent 12 months”, and secondly, “was more than 25 percent of [the] work related to [the applicant’s] major of choice?” There is already a major problem with these questions.

In today’s economy, getting a job during high school is a difficult task. I recall applying to more than 30 restaurants and retail stores before actually getting my first job offer. Let’s say that a student wanted to major in architecture. What kind of high school student is able to land a

paid job designing buildings?

Many students will be forced to resort to the “No” button.

The third question asks applicants about the “average number of hours per week involved in community service, athletics, arts, clubs and other extracurricular activities during the last 12 months.”

This question is extremely difficult to answer considering that applicants must choose from a drop down menu consisting of “1-5”, “6-10”, “11-15”, “16-20”, and “21+.” Here, a student who volunteered for dozens of organizations and participated in tons of extracurricular activities is constrained to a single range of numbers. Why not ask for specifics?

The fourth question asks if applicants hold or have held “any leadership positions in those activities.” Here, being the captain of a sports team, the senior class president or the secretary of a club would stand on equal levels.

I don’t understand why CSU schools don’t want to know specifics about leadership. I am sure that thousands of students have actually taken advantage of the application’s vagueness to lie about themselves.

The “ease” and “simplicity” of CSU Mentor have been the pride and joy of college speakers all over California, but colleges fail to acknowledge the system’s flaws. Sure, lazy students benefit from the computerized application process, but why would a university want to encourage laziness?

Students are more than just numbers on a scale or a simple “yes” or “no” answer. We are people, and we deserve a better consideration.

Recent Roseville shooting should be an eye-opener and reality check for many

BY MICHAELA PAUL

michaela.paul@eyeofthetigernews.com

Walking home, I didn’t think anything of the 11 cop cars (I counted) zooming noisily by my street. My exact thoughts were, “It can’t be that bad – nothing bad happens in Roseville.” Thirty minutes later, I was proven horribly wrong.

Helicopters were whooping outside of my window. I heard walkie-talkie chatter and my parents had been calling me obsessively with updates. Every time my dad called, I felt like I was going to become Liam Neilson’s daughter. I was scared, to be honest. I had my guard dog, who in reality is just a tad bigger than an extremely obese cat, and a large kitchen knife by my side.

My little brother, who typically takes the bus to Cirby Elementary, was not allowed to leave its cafeteria for his own safety.

And my parents were either at work or stuck in traffic between the blockades the cops had set up.

I was very alone and stuck in a situation I never imagined would happen, in Roseville of all places.

After getting off the phone with my mom – for the third time – my dog began to bark. A furious “hey, owner-person, there is a murderer at our door” kind of bark.

I took my kitchen knife and my fat cat-dog and tiptoed my way toward the front door. Out on my porch ... were my grandparents.

I almost shanked my grandma.

Later I could laugh at the situation, how worked up I got over something so small yet so big for a lazy little town like Roseville. But it made me think. In other not-so-lazy-not-so-little towns these things happen often.

For others my age, it isn’t always a loved one on their porch.

My grandparents, and I for that matter, come from San Jose. And although I have adapted quite nicely to my new home, so nicely that matters of shootings and escaped parolees down my street terrify me, my San Jose counterparts barely bat an eye anymore at the atrocities of human nature.

Upon arriving, my grandparents turned on all the lights, put rocking chairs in the backyard, left the screen door wide open and let the neighborhood know they

were in town. I had a heart attack (the cops on my home phone explicitly said to lock everything) but I felt as though I was a part of a study on the varying thickness of our skins and the reach of our understanding. And it occurred to me that this is something I needed.

Realization. An epiphany of sorts.

My family was looking to rent out the very house the parolee was holed up in. The family escaped, but will they ever truly feel safe again? One radio station I was listening to on my way home from work that night brought a new light to the situation as well.

What of their belongings? He was shot and possibly bleeding all over their house, their carpet, their bed, their personal belongings. What if they used chemicals to get him out? The house may no longer have been habitable. When tragedies occur they affect a broader range of people and events than we realize.

The shooting our town recently experienced was an opportunity for the people of Roseville to better understand what is happening in the less savory parts of our world. It was a personal experience that we can now use to relate and hopefully make a difference in the next tragedies we hear on the news, the next Nevada shooting, the next blockade, the next school lockdown.

november 18, 2013

opinion | page 10

Christmas cheer spread too soon

BY NICK TREZZA

nick.trezza@eyeofthetigernews.com

As soon as Halloween ended, it seemed as if Christmas was just days away. Stores, restaurants and many other places have already gotten into the holiday spirit by decorating their businesses with Christmas décor.

Starbucks Coffee dished out their annual red Christmas-themed cups the day after Halloween.

Starbucks has also started to sell their signature holiday-themed drinks, such as the peppermint hot chocolate and gingerbread lattes.

The Roseville Galleria Mall has also transformed itself. It has already been submerged into a Christmas-themed chaos with potential buyers all over the place, rushing to buy their Christmas

presents before it’s too late. The annual “Pictures with Santa” area has been set up and will be opening soon, along with Christmas music blared throughout the stores.

Already you turn on the radio and can change it to a Christmasthemed station to listen to a Christmas jingle any time you want.

Even the City of Roseville will have its annual Christmas tree set up before Thanksgiving even comes along.

What about Thanksgiving?

What about the entire month of November? It is as if all people care about now is Christmas, and Thanksgiving just seems to get pushed to the side.

All people seem to care about now that Halloween is over is getting straight into the Christmas holiday spirit and almost completely ignoring the day of Thanksgiving completely.

All I’m saying is that it is far too early for any of this and to be starting the Christmas celebration.

We need to slow down and enjoy the rest of the fall season before it is over. Once this happens it will then be appropriate to start celebrating Christmas and to partake in the events that go along with it.

Stores opening at disrespectful times for Black Friday

BY SAMANTHA PAUL

samantha.paul@eyeofthetigernews.com

It is now November, the month that many consider the “Thursday” of the year.

The fact that December is just around the corner tends to prematurely fill many people with Christmas cheer before Thanksgiving break has even started.

Many people are too concerned about holiday shopping to pay any attention to the main November holiday, Thanksgiving.

The dismissal of this familycentered holiday can be attributed partially to the frantic urge to go shopping mere hours after dinner is removed from the table.

The concept of having to fight through crowds of tired, deal-thirsty people in order to obtain this year’s best “dealbuster” becomes appealing.

The infamous Black Friday shopping continues to infringe upon the Thanksgiving holiday more and more every year.

The idea of Black Friday originated in Philadelphia, where it was used to describe the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the day following Thanksgiving.

Slowly but surely, the name has been morphed to represent the “start of the holiday shopping season.”

Eventually, it came to be known for the fact that Black Friday is the day that businesses come financially into the “black,” as opposed to “red,” because of the significant boost in profit to their businesses.

Since 2005, Black Friday has been described by news stations around the country as the “busiest shopping day of the year”.

Throughout the years, the time

that stores allow the public to begin digging for deals has crept closer and closer to the holiday that is celebrated only hours before it.

This year, the Galleria opens at midnight. Target opens at eight on Thanksgiving. Walmart opens at six.

I think that it is blatantly disrespectful for stores to open on Thanksgiving night.

Is it truly that difficult to wait a couple of hours so that it is actually considered to be Friday?

Retail establishments take advantage of the rush of shoppers that are willing to shop so early, and I find it unnecessary.

I realize that this will probably only continue to get worse, with stores opening earlier and earlier, simply because it would be unwise for businesses to reduce their own profitability by decreasing the number of hours that hordes of shoppers can peruse their products.

However, the idea of eating a family Thanksgiving dinner and then getting ready to go shopping at six that same night is rather unsettling.

Anyways, for high school students at least, unless you are purchasing big-ticket items like iPads or flat screens, Black Friday is kind of a waste of time.

Typically, the “door busters” offered by clothing stores are not really even that much better than deals offered for the rest of the holiday season, or throughout the year itself.

Why fight through the crowds of angry, sleepless people when you could go to the mall in a couple of days and take advantage of virtually the same sales?

While Black Friday can be a fun experience in some cases, I find it completely unnecessary for stores to open their doors any earlier than midnight on Friday, leaving employees and shoppers alike time to enjoy the holiday.

Frankly, the stores opening on Thanksgiving are simply displaying their selfish greed for sales and their disrespect for their employees and potential shoppers trying to spend a peaceful Thanksgiving dinner with their family and friends.

“Senioritis” major cause of concern and dismay during final school year

BY NIKAYA SOUTHWORTH

nikaya.southworth@eyeofthetigernews.com

Winter has awoken and stretched out its cold, sleepy limbs. As it yawns, it breathes out a dangerous and deadly pathogen that permeates the air of high schools all over the country. The season brings an affliction that turns bright, promising teenagers everywhere into disgruntled zombies who trudge listlessly

through the school hallways. That is, if they even show up at all.

Senioritis is a serious condition that must be regarded as such. It’s a real thing, folks. We are losing the brightest members of our class to this crippling affliction.

Students who once pushed themselves to get schoolwork done and earn good grades are growing apathetic and indifferent. Seniors everywhere are suddenly finding themselves completely drained of the motivation and willpower to go on with the school year.

You start off by skipping school one day to sleep in, or shrugging off an annoying and irrelevant homework assignment.

As the disease establishes a grip on you, you begin to care less and less about missed days or homework assignments. You started

the year off by promising yourself that you’d be on top of things, but find yourself now falling into the black abyss that is senioritis.

You’ll know you have senioritis when you find yourself unable to muster up the effort to put real clothes on in the morning, or if your first reaction to that cheery 7 a.m. sunshine peeking through the curtain is to scream “NO” and close the blinds. Staring at a blank wall for hours or watching grass grow will seem more attractive than completing assignments or studying.

You may find yourself uttering the phrase, “I don’t care anymore,” several times a day until it becomes a mindless mantra. You’ll watch your academic life crumble around you and laugh as you brush the debris from your shoulders.

What can we do to stop this deadly outbreak of senioritis?

Nothing. There is no known cure for senioritis, we simply have to wait it out. So really, it’s not our fault that nothing is getting done. It’s this crippling condition.

If teachers weren’t immune to the ailment, they’d surely take pity on their poor students and stop assigning work. But teachers just don’t understand. How can you expect a lifeless zombie to continue doing arbitrary tasks like homework or studying?

We are too focused on trying to survive this plague to pay any attention to something as irrelevant as school. Sadly, we still have to earn our credits and show up to school enough to qualify for graduation despite our obvious disability.

Distasteful lunchtime music creates an unappetizing atmosphere for all

BY CATHERINE BARBER

catherine.barber@eyeofthetigernews.com

While it is great that Roseville High school plays music at lunch in the cafeteria, the songs that are played could be better.

I often find myself sitting in

the cafeteria talking with friends while techno and dubstep music is playing in the background.

Although that kind of music is great for some occasions, I do not feel like school lunch is the time for it to be playing.

Techno and dubstep music is loud and all over the place. It is hard to talk when dubstep or techno is playing in the background because it is distracting and pulsating. Along with this, it is somewhat stressful to stuff down your food to the fast-paced music.

Old songs also can be heard in the cafeteria too often. Although it is occasionally refreshing to hear an old song, most of

the songs that are played are old enough to be old, but new enough to be heard without becoming irritating. For example, LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It.” Okay, we all know this was a hit over a year ago. I think I might have heard this song one too many times, because when I heard it playing in the cafeteria I was sick of it all over again. In addition, the techno part is somewhat hectic and obnoxiously annoying.

And what about Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”? I have to admit I used to like that song, but after hearing it about 100 times, it got old. That’s why when I heard it playing in the caf-

eteria I got a little annoyed.

“Just Give Me a Reason,” by FUN and Pink is another song that has played in the cafeteria.

I think that song was excessively overplayed when it reached its peak in popularity that now it’s just hard to enjoy hearing.

In addition, there are random songs that play in the cafeteria that I have never even heard before. A lot of these songs have a techno and dubstep style that is harsh on the ears.

In the future, the music played in the cafeteria should be more current. The music should also be calmer and more laid-back than techno or dubstep.

Continued road paving on nearby streets produces traffic and trouble

BY NICK SAPP

nick.sapp@eyeofthetigernews.com

The time has come once again; the City of Roseville is back causing traffic on the streets

to and from Roseville High School. The streets that were halfpaved are now being fully paved, and this is causing many traffic problems.

The traffic problem stems from being forced to take alternate routes. Streets closures create a maze for students to go through to get to the parking lot.

One day, I drove in at my normal time but the streets were so full of traffic that it caused me to be late. When I pulled into the senior parking lot, all the spaces were filled. I decided to park on the street down the alley but that was closed too, forcing me to park

all the way at the park. After parking, I had to walk what seemed to be four miles into school and – on top of that – I was 10 minutes late to class.

Along with this, the other day Alta Vista was closed, making it impossible to use the crooked bridge. So the alternate route was to go through the long winding roads of Diamond Oaks.

These closed streets cause many different problems. The city could have at least told us that they had a company coming back to finish paving the roads and should have given students the paving schedule.

In addition, there are faint lines painted on the roads where the real lines should be, until they can finish the roads completely.

These lines are there to tell us where they were before and where you should be driving. However, the lines do not help at all because you cannot see them.

It is good to have the graveled streets paved fully. Now no one has to worry about their car being torn up by rocks hitting it anymore. However, maybe next time the city could inform the school and the general public to cause less chaos going to school at RHS.

november 18, 2013

Entertainment

page 11

Dust Off the Reel

About Time cherishes little things, timeless moments Vertigo

BY ROBBIE SHORT

robbie.short@eyeofthetigernews.com

Some movies are so unexpectedly good that watching them reminds the viewer what makes people create and watch movies in the first place. Richard Curtis’s About Time is one of those movies.

The films trailers let on no more than that it centers on the life of a time-traveler named Tim (played by Domhnall Gleeson) and is very probably just the kind of banal romantic comedy that males my age hate. However, I’m now quite glad to say that it’s not that at all.

About Time opens with an introduction to the Lakes, a family of eccentric individuals living in Cornwall, England, that includes the aforementioned Tim, his “eternally barefoot” and eternally weird sister Kit Kat (Lydia Wilson), their energetic retired professor of a father (Bill Nighy), their stout and sarcastic mother (Lindsay Duncan) and their amnesia-ridden and unaware Uncle Desmond (Richard Cordery).

At the onset of the film, the family is preparing to host their annual – and annually dreaded, at least by Tim – New Year’s Eve bash. By the end of the night, Tim, by far the most socially awkward of the bunch, finds himself dejected at his failure to find someone to kiss as the clock struck midnight – par for the course by this point in his now21-year-old life, but disappointing for the younger male Lake nonetheless.

Fortunately for Tim, though, the next morning, his father calls him into his study to tell him something he says will change his son’s life forever: that the men of their family have the ability to travel (backward) through

time. The only apparent requirements are a dark room, clenched fists and the ability to think of a moment Tim has already lived through – killing Hitler or watching the signing of the Declaration of Independence are off the table in this science fiction story.

Though initially skeptical, Tim is awestruck when he discovers that he can indeed travel through time, and realizes that he can use his new-found abilities to succeed in an area where he has so often and so consistently failed: love.

And so Tim’s story begins.

Of course there are the awkward moments, the “re-tries,” the sad realization that “all the time travel in the world can’t make someone love you.” The plot of About Time unfolds at the same rate as Tim’s relationships – this is a movie about a man’s life, starring and driven by the characters in it.

Perhaps the most compelling of those characters is Tim’s main love interest, the Kate Mossobsessed American Mary (Rachel McAdams). McAdams is incredibly and undeniably charming from her very first scene, and her loveliness complements Gleeson’s well-humored awkwardness wonderfully.

The duo has a chemistry that makes even the cynical movieviewer believe that Tim and Mary could exist, somewhere, somehow, and, beyond that, makes them wish they did.

As the couple goes through the major stages of a serious relationship – first kiss, first night together, meeting each other’s parents, marriage, kids – Tim occasionally uses his time-traveling abilities to improve certain aspects of it: a slightly less goofy comment here, a more confident

surprises with shocking twists

PHOTO BY MURRAY CLOSE/MCT

Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson star in About Time, a movie that emphasizes the beauty of everyday moments.

The chemistry that the couple has emphasizes the simplicity and beauty of the film. expression of his feelings there. de force, begins to retract into ding is of particular note – funny Though some may quesherself after suffering emotional in that understated, selfless kind tion the morality of “fixing” a abuse at the hands of her exof way. relationship like that, and some boyfriend.

However, Nighy is no may even dislike the movie for Tim initially tries to help her one-trick pony – toward the end it, those people are in the clear by taking her back to the night of the film, a particularly sad minority: one literally cannot they met to prevent the relationincident involving him affects help but root for the couple. ship from ever happening, but the family quite deeply, and his They are absolutely lovable has to undo the change after final scene with Gleeson is at in every sort of way, and the cinrealizing that traveling back to once a testament to the duo’s ematographers did an incredibly before the birth of his child creacting prowess and a ridiculously job of matching their story, the ates a butterfly effect that causes sad, incredibly tender moment camera angles and the music to the birth of an entirely different between a father and son. Bring make their relationship seem the baby, one of the more nit-picky tissues or a dry shirt-sleeve – perfect relationship, particularly rules of this film’s time travel. there will be some tears. the wedding reception scene. By But make no mistake: About The movie does conclude the end of the movie, everyone Time remains a very funny on a happy note, though, with watching wants to be Tim or movie. Though Kit Kat has to an uncomplicated image of an Mary. deal with the end of her relationinteraction between Tim and his However, happy as their lives ship in the traditional, heartthree children in the morning may be, the film does not come break-y way, Wilson handles it as he feeds them breakfast, gets without its more raw moments. with the typical British humor them dressed, walks their eldest Time travel has its limitations, that defines the film. It’s dry, to school, stands and waves as and Tim is sometimes caught witty and hilarious – Nighy and she enters the building. between choosing to help his Duncan in particular stand out It’s a cute scene that really new family or his old one, creatas proud torchbearers of that sums up About Time as a whole ing some pain, particularly for sarcastic tradition, with Nighy’s – simple, unadorned, raw and Wilson’s character, who, though performance eclipsing all but the plainly beautiful: an everyday at the beginning a unique tour leads’. His toast at Tim’s wedmasterpiece.

Food Truck Mania features local businesses

BY NETZY ORTEGA

netzy.ortega@eyeofthetigernews.com

Food Truck Mania is an event organized by Sacramento Mobile Food, or SactoMoFo, that happens every second Thursday of the month.

The event is held on Vernon Street in downtown Roseville from 5-8 p.m. Eleven food trucks participated and filled up the street as music played from the DJ in the midst of the trucks at the event in November. Some of the food trucks there were Krush Burger, Squeeze Inn, Baconmania and Volks Waffle.

The event was brightly lit, with clean tables placed after every few trucks so that people of groups up to 10 could sit together. I enjoyed how neat they were in placing everything and making sure everyone would have somewhere to sit. The music playing included some popular songs, as well as some older classics, which made it very easy for every member of my family to have a good time while we enjoyed our food.

I went to Drewski’s Hot Rod

Kitchen and ordered the tricycle grilled cheese sandwich which was cheddar, Swiss and Havarti cheese on sliced French bread.

The sandwich was $6, but was worth every single penny. The fact that it came from a food truck only made me happier, as I knew they were preparing right in front of me and that the food would nice and warm.

The bread was toasted enough to make it crunchy, but not anywhere near burnt. The cheeses were the perfect combination and contrast to the toasted, buttery bread. It was anything but a regular grilled cheese and filled me up with only half, but I kept eating. The sandwich was the best thing that I had had in months and the best grilled cheese I had had in years. I can honestly say I wish it never ended.

I also got the Drewski’s famous tots for $3. They were nice and crunchy with just the right amount of garlic and fresh rosemary on top. They were anything but the soggy chunks of potato I normally get from the

school cafeteria. It was absolutely the most perfect combination of ingredients. If heaven could be made into little tiny nuggets of goodness, this is what it would taste like.

Apart from the amazing food, there was also a good variety of desserts. My sister went to Happy Cow ice cream and got a regularsized waffle cone for four dollars.

I admit to stealing a bit of it and can say I feel absolutely no guilt. No regrets whatsoever. It was the creamiest ice cream I had ever had and I wish I had gotten a cone for myself. The menu was very big for such a small truck and had everything from apple pie sundae to a large selection of toppings with vanilla ice cream in a cone.

Overall, it was the best dinner I had with my family in a long time because of the variety in food, the different kinds of music playing and the quick service my entire family got at each truck. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good time, awesome food or just a chance to support small businesses.

PHOTO BY NETZY ORTEGA

Above are the grilled cheese sandwich ($6) and famous tots ($3) from Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen. Food Truck Mania, held the second Thursday of each month, allows the community to preview different local restaurants.

PHOTO BY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT/MCT

Hyrum Graff (played by Harrison Ford) instructs the kids in battle school.

Ender’s Game movie attracts viewers with special effects

BY SIMIRON DHADDA

simiron.dhadda@eyeofthetigernews.com

Ender’s Game brings a new contender for space-based movies. However, it may not be satisfactory for those who have read the book series.

Earth has almost been wiped out by alien invaders. After a brief respite, earth is on the offense trying to retaliate by any means necessary.

Ender’s Game takes place after the almost extinction of human kind by the Formic, an alien race from a distant planet. Barely fending off the hostile invaders, humankind begins to start fighting back by creating a team for combat.

Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the future savior of earth.

Ender Wiggins, played by Asa Butterfield, is soon drawn into this militia after he is pulled out of school to join and train in battle school.

Butterfield plays and captures the almost adult-like maturity that the book seems to portray.

His acting is spot-on, but his character could have been fleshed out more if additional side plots

were adapted from the books.

Harrison Ford portrays Colonel Hyrum Graff as he is meant to be displayed. Graff is meant to push Ender as hard as he can, as Graff sees him as the next great hope to save the planet.

The other minor characters fit their roles well, but it would have been better if they were provided more screen-time to develop these characters.

The graphics in the movie are no less than you would expect from a Hollywood blockbuster.

The special effects were superb, the Zero G (Zero Gravity) within the movie is pretty realistic, without any major detractors.

A couple of concepts are briefly introduced and rushed over in the beginning, which, if explained, could have done more to portray the constant pressure that Ender is under.

As apparent with other bookto-movie adaptations, important characterization and scenes were skipped over due to time constraints on the movie, as it almost hits two hours.

This movie is worth seeing for a normal movie-goer, but fans of the books might leave disappointed with plot cut from the book.

BY KEVIN CHAPPELLE kevin.chappelle@eyeofthetigernews.com

Watching classic movies widens your cinematic literacy and allows you to enjoy stories and visuals that you might otherwise overlook. “Dust Off the Reel,” recommends classics that Kevin Chappelle or Anna Porretta enjoy, and that you will too.

Fifties’ San Francisco is the setting of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Based on the limited hearsay I had heard about the movie, I was expecting a film noir, detective story. But what I experienced was very different.

John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart) is a former police detective who, after a tragic incident, developed vertigo that accompanies a severe fear of heights. Scottie’s friend, Gavin Elster, hires him as a private eye to monitor Gavin’s wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak), who is displaying unusual behavior. What starts as a simple surveillance job turns into a convoluted story of conspiracy and obsession.

Scottie discovers that Madeleine believes that she is possessed by the spirit of her deceased ancestor, Carlotta Valdes, whose life ended in tragic suicide, and Madeleine begins to emulate her life. As Scottie gets closer and closer to Madeleine, they start to develop a dysfunctional relationship.

The movie is more like a bizarre, psychological thriller-romance. It’s actually very difficult for me to describe how exactly what the movie was, but it definitely creeped me out. It wasn’t creepy in the sense of ghosts and monsters, but in the uncomfortably eccentric behavior of the protagonists.

The music was also a big contributor to the movie’s overall uneasy tone. It probably had one of the best scores I’ve heard in a while.

In my opinion, Hitchcock was very successful in conveying Scottie’s acrophobia through his famous “dolly zooms” that even made me queasy in some scenes.

Vertigo featured several beautiful shots of San Francisco, through panning landscapes and admittedly static car scenes.

The movie ended up surprising me several times throughout the story, with startling developments about the characters and equally startling deaths.

Just as I thought I had a good idea about where the plot was headed, it took a sharp turn in another direction. Scenes in the movie during which I was nearly overcome by sappy romance ended up with anxiety-building twists.

Initially, I found Scottie to be a really likable character. He wasn’t like some of the other aloof, misogynistic protagonists of some other works of that time, whom I tend to dislike. Even as the movie crept on, and his character and judgment becomes more clouded, I was still rooting for him.

Vertigo is a movie that was an exceedingly thrilling ride for me, reminiscent of an extended Twilight Zone episode. In the end, it offers no closure but plenty to think about.

november 18, 2013

page 12 | entertainment

Souza Sounds

Top 5 Fall Alternative pop bands experiment with different sounds Snacks Hellogoodbye succeeds in minimalistic style Fall Out Boy’s new EP falls short Pumpkin Cheesecake Donut ($2.85)

Everything is Debatable seeks new direction

BY AARON AND IAN SOUZA aaron.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com ian.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com

Krispy Kreme – The pumpkin cheesecake donut had a nice crunchy exterior with a light sweet glaze. The creamy cheesecake filling was a nice contrast so the texture on the outside. It was the perfect way to get the sweetness of a donut and the crunch you would get with a cheesecake crust.

Pumpkin PIE BLIZzARD ($3.95)

Dairy Queen – While the blizzard tasted like generic vanilla ice cream, there were some spices to change it up as well.

In addition, there were pieces of graham cracker mixed in, which made for a pleasant surprise. The cinnamon on top also gave it a nice touch.

PUMPKIN SMASH ($5.39)

California-based Indie-poprock-synth-punk group Hellogoodbye has taken a break from touring to release their third studio album, Everything is Debatable.

Everything is Debatable is anything but a repeat of Hellogoodbye’s last two albums.

The album is much smoother and less upbeat than their early work, and may even earn the band an entirely new reputation.

The album is worth listening to if not only for Forrest Kline’s vocals, which are as impressive as ever.

Unfortunately, it’s debatable whether or not this album deserves to be called “perfect.”

The band went far overboard with the use of dings, chimes and bells – it sounds like they were getting a bit too creative with their special effects and many of the songs ended up sounding completely similar.

The album opens with “And Everything Becomes a Blur.” It’s a smooth introduction into the album and, more importantly, shows off the band’s interesting harmony.

Kline’s vocals draw all the attention in the song and for good reason. However, the song is held back by its weak lyrics.

The album’s single, “(Everything Is) Debatable” is most likely to become one of the band’s biggest hits.

The song flows nicely from beginning to end and has a nice rhythm that pulls you in. Sadly,

Arcade Fire’s fourth album is a creative masterpiece

BY MARC CHAPPELLE

marc.chappelle@eyeofthetigernews.com

Jamba Juice – A pumpkin smoothie may seem gross to many people, but this is honestly the best fall smoothie, handsdown. Though the pumpkin may be overwhelming at times with the spices, it all blends well together overall.

CARAMEL APPLE CUPCAKE ($2.85)

the song begins to repeat itself and seems to drag on for just a little too long.

The fourth track, “Swear You’re in Love” is perhaps the worst song on the album. It seems like a nice, mellow love song at first, but it gets harder and harder to listen to.

The lyrics are the worst in the entire album, and to make matters worse, it’s repetitive. For instance, the word “love” was used a total of 20 times.

“I Don’t Worry (As Much as I Should)” is one of the best songs on the album by far. The song has lots of highs and lows and builds up slowly from beginning to end.

The lyrics and vocals fit perfectly with the low key to make it a deep, emotional song.

The album closes with its final track, “A Near Death Experience.” This is the most diverse song on the album and it’s nice to hear the band use a wide cast of instruments.

This song shows that Kline isn’t afraid to take risks with his voice, and it pays off. This is one of our favorite songs on the album.

Hellogoodbye is famous for their single “Here (In Your Arms),” and if you’re not sure if you’ve heard it, you have heard it. Probably a thousand times.

Don’t even try to lie.

The single was recorded in 2006, and in comparison to their new album, Hellogoodbye almost sounds like an entirely different band.

“Here (In Your Arms)” has a very excitable and catchy tune to

Montreal-based indie rock band, Arcade Fire, has returned with its fourth album, Reflektor.

The band – headed by husband and wife, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with William Butler, Jeremy Gara, Tim Kingsbury and Richard Reed Parry – looks to depart from its somewhat gloomy past albums in the pursuit of a lighter, more upbeat, psychedelic sound.

However, don’t be fooled – below Reflektor’s danceable sounds still lies dark meaning.

Claiming to be inspired by Chassagne’s home country, Haiti, Reflektor reflects a new world of musical sound that never fails to fill me with intrigue.

The double album opens with “Reflektor,” which reflects the whole style and sound of the album: cohesive, yet varied enough to excite. Disco sounds blend with lyrics about love in the “reflective age.”

“Here Comes the Night Time” is the song that arguably contains the most Haitian influences in sound, but more importantly, it packs a powerful punch in lyrics.

Butler tells me, ‘If you’re looking for hell, just try looking inside,’ and ‘If there’s no music up in heaven then what’s it for?’

I know they mean a lot, although I can’t necessarily tell you what.

Nearly all of Reflektor’s songs leave their lyrics up for interpretation, which is great.

One of my personal favorites was “You Already Know,” because, well, you already know.

The bass guitar matches the intentionally repetitive lyrics in the song.

The second half of the album

has a decidedly darker and lower-key feel, headed by “Here Comes the Night Time II.” Butler sings, ‘I hurt myself again/ Along with all my friends/ Feels like it never ends/ Here comes the night again.’ Definitely not terribly happy.

The album isn’t meant to be, of course.

Melodies and sounds switch constantly, and it amazes me how Arcade Fire can make this album sound so cohesive, yet the songs differ from each other significantly enough as to not become boring.

“Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)” resembles a song from the same era as The Beetles.

But, as the song builds, a tense sounds builds as well, coming to an abrupt end. The song is named aptly.

A very surreal sounding song called “Supersymmetry” closes the double album, and its style and melody are very appropriate to the lyrics, where Butler and Chassagne repeat the word ‘supersymmetry’ over and over.

In addition, the song extends a superfluous amount of 11 minutes. The song is so pleasant – and almost serves as an apology for the strangely beautiful chaos that is Reflektor.

Arcade Fire has crafted an album that is a statement. Its lyrics concern a variety of heavy ideas like love, sadness, morality – all that type of stuff.

Its music delivers the band’s lyrics very successfully, as all of the songs actually made me feel something. It felt effortless, not overbearing, as I could listen through this album more than a few times.

Feeling and atmosphere is where this albums really succeeds, and aren’t feelings what music is all about?

RHYTHM

««««« LYRICS

««««« OVERALL

«««««

Icing on the Cupcake – The caramel apple cupcake was the perfect fall version of an ordinary cupcake. The thickly frosted cupcake did not taste exactly like a caramel apple but was still good.

The actual cupcake had strong spices that overpowered the apple in the cake.

pumpkin spice bundlet ($3.99)

Nothing Bundt Cakes – This bundt cake was prepared just like how all other cakes from their company are made. The cream cheese frosting on top was a perfect addition to the moist bundt cake. The spices and pumpkin worked very well together; not one overpowering the other.

List and photos by Isabel Fajardo and Netzy Ortega

it, especially in comparison to the album that they just released.

A new theme in the album is silence. Most of the songs are very minimalistic and have quiet instrumentals to make way for Kline’s amazing vocals. Nearly every track has a long, suspenseful introduction.

Hellogoodbye has admitted that some of their biggest influences are The Beach Boys, Prince and, of course, the Beatles.

Unfortunately, their influences didn’t shine through as much as they did in their previous albums and some fans may be disappointed by their new direction.

However, it’s a nice album overall and has a few songs that are worth putting on to your playlist.

While it’s not a masterpiece, Everythingis Debatable is very warm and inviting and a nice album to lie down and relax to.

RHYTHM

««««« LYRICS

««««« OVERALL

«««««

Different sound for FOB does not work

BY AARON AND IAN SOUZA aaron.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com ian.souza@eyeofthetigernews.com

of six of those drumstick taps are immediately followed by power chords. In addition to even that, (admittedly our ears could be deceiving us) each and every song sounds like it is in the same key.

Usually musicians avoid having two songs in a row of the same key because it can make the song sound like one and bore the audience.

Fall Out Boy does this eight times in a row. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, though, and assume that the album is themed and they did this on purpose.

However, purposeful or not, it is a bad sound. It is a sound that, when repeated, does not work.

At all.

While the songs are still fastpaced, as Fall Out Boy songs usually are, they are not any fun.

The main appeal of their music is gone.

Thankfully, it is only an EP and not a full album. It could have been experimental for them – they still have time to realize they work best as a pop band.

For right now, though, this release is best described as an EP(iece of garbage).

RHYTHM

Fall Out Boy’s bassist Pete Wentz once said, “We are hardcore kids that couldn’t quite cut it as hardcore kids.” This was back in 2006.

Maybe since then they forgot the “couldn’t cut it” part, because their recently released extended play, PAX AM Days, is a tremendous step backward.

In this EP, they make an attempt at a more hardcore, punk sound. In doing so, they completely over-run lead singer Patrick Stump’s vocals with mediocre drum beats, unimpressive power chords and, to put it bluntly, lame guitar riffs.

While Fall Out Boy has never been a completely innovative, awe-inspiring band, at one point they were releasing songs that were easy to get pumped-up to and enjoy singing along with friends.

That was their main appeal as a pop band. Though their past albums have also had punk influences, this one goes over the top. The attempt at a punk sound has completely trashed that.

The songs all have the same sound. In fact, six out of the eight tracks start in the same way. Four taps of the drumsticks. And, to push this even further, four out

««««« LYRICS

««««« OVERALL

«««««

Sports

november 18, 2013

page 13

Roseville golfer Virgie Velazquez advances to states

BY MARISSA STONE

marissa.stone@eyeofthetigernews.com

For the first time in Roseville High School’s history, one of our very own, Virgie Velazquez, has qualified for the CIF Girls State Championship which will take place on Nov. 20.

The NCGA (Northern California Golf Association) /CIF Nor Cal High School Championship was on Nov. 4 and out of 92 girls in the tournament only nine of them qualified.

Despite controversy heading into the match and Velasquez threatening to withdraw from the tournament, she was able to qualify for the state championship by a birdie on hole 15 that put her back into good position. Then she putted in eight over par at hole 18 to put her at a score of 81.

Velazquez was tied with another girl, Christina Glebova of Valley Christian, and had to go to a 2-hole sudden death playoff round where she claimed the ninth position.

“It wasn’t my best game but I got what needed to be done and I’m just getting ready for the state championship,” Velazquez said.

The issues that came about heading into the match was the policy that her sisters, NataliaYanez (3 years old) and Alejandra Yanez (5 years old), were not allowed on the golf course because the reserve has a rule that nobody under the age of 10 can attend.

Velazquez contacted SacJoaquin commissioner Pete Saco and CIF executive director Ron Nocetti and demanded that her sisters would be there at the tournament otherwise she would not par take in it.

“There was nothing against Virgie or her family it was simply the rules.” Saco said.

Saco contacted Spring Creek Golf Course and Country Club and NCGA and they told him that it was in the best interest of the kids that they do not attend.

Saco was able to figure it out and make sure the kids were supervised and able to be there to watch their sister.

“The whole situation got way out of hand and I’m glad they were able to attend to support Virgie.” Saco said. “I even gave her mom and sisters a ride around in the golf cart at playoffs.”

After Velazquez putted her last hole to qualify, she ran with excitement to give her two sisters a huge hug.

This Wednesday she will be competing in the State Championship at Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel along with three other golfers from the previous tournament. She plans on having both sisters attend this tournament as well.

“She’s a great golfer and she did really well in playoffs and I wish her the best of luck at the state championship.” Saco said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIP WOOD | ROSEVILLE PRESS TRIBUNE

Senior Virgie Velazquez poses with her sisters at Morgan Creek Golf Club in Roseville. After the CIF initially told her that her sisters would be unable to watch her compete in the Nor Cal High School Championship, Velazquez went on to win the final available spot in the state championship, set to take place this Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Lady Tigers lose to Vikings in three sets

BY MORGAN SIMPSON

morgan.simpson@eyeofthetigernews.com

The Roseville High School varsity girls volleyball team recently ended its season, as the team fell to the Oakmont Vikings in the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin section playoffs last Thursday. The Lady Tigers lost in three straight sets, 25-27, 21-25, 23-25.

For senior Lindsey Anderson, it was her final game as a Lady Tiger. She feels as though Oakmont earned the win.

“We had played them earlier

in season and won,” Anderson said. “Oakmont definitely came out stronger this time.”

Junior Abbey Jensen feels as though the team could have played better.

“It was pretty disappointing to lose against them,” Jensen said.

“We didn’t pass as well as we needed to.”

RHS knew coming into the game that it was going to be close. Roseville was the fourth seed and Oakmont was the fifth.

Senior Jayme Lee was very disappointed about the loss, because they were expecting a win.

“It was definitely disappointing that we lost because I think we could have won,” Lee said. “I think that we all played our hearts out and that’s all that matters.”

Sophomore setter Ryan Blackwood also feels as though Oakmont played well.

“Oakmont came out stronger and really showed that they wanted it,” Blackwood said. “[There were] crucial points we needed to get [but] we always didn’t get them.”

Despite the disappointment of the last game, all the girls felt like they played really well through

the season. They were all very proud and happy about how far they got. They were undefeated in pre-season, fourth in the section, got third in the Sierra Foothill League and ended with a 25-11 record.

“I’m very proud of our season with being undefeated in preseason, and we did really well in league,” Lee said.

Despite the loss, Anderson was satisfied with the season.

“It was a great season, and I’m sad that it’s over,” Anderson said.

“I’m really proud of my team and happy that we made playoffs.”

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

Senior co-captain Jayme Lee hits over two Oakmont blockers. Last Thursday, the Lady Tigers lost three matches to the Vikings in the second round of Division II playoffs.

Alumnus Lance Fischer replaces Hank DeMello as head varsity baseball coach

BY BRYCE CROUCH

bryce.crouch@eyeofthetigernews.com

PHOTO BY EVELINA KISLYANKA

RHS alumnus and new head varsity baseball coach Lance Fischer speaks to his players at a team meeting held at lunch on Monday, Nov. 4. Fischer will begin coaching the Tigers this season and has had previous coaching experience coaching the Woodcreek Timberwolves and Granite Bay Grizzlies.

In late October, Roseville High School announced that alumnus Lance Fischer will become the school’s new varsity baseball coach.

This announcement came after the school’s administration created somewhat of a controversy among players and parents after dismissing long-term varsity coach Hank DeMello, who led the team for 11 years.

Fischer graduated from RHS in 1993. He then attended Sierra College, during which time he played baseball as a Wolverine for two years.

After that, he continued to

play at Sonoma State University.

When he returned from college, he began coaching high school baseball.

He has had stints coaching at Granite Bay and Woodcreek.

While coaching the Woodcreek Timberwolves, he won a section title.

Senior baseball player Kyle Downie is excited to work with Fischer and thinks that this year’s team has a real chance to do well under his leadership.

“I’m excited for this upcoming season,” Downie said. “I can’t wait to see what the team will do this year.”

Fischer will be bringing his staff with him, as his father and

old teammate Jeff Nereson will both be coaching alongside him as he begins his tenure at Roseville.

Fischer hopes that having the support of staff that he is used to will help him transition to coaching the new team and making the Tigers’ season a more successful one.

Nereson will be the team’s pitching coach. This will be his first year coaching at Roseville, and next term he will be a fulltime teacher at RHS. Fischer will also teach Physical Education at RHS next term, the same time he will begin coaching the Tigers during the regular season.

Nicole Wallace starts work as PLAYOFFS: Preseason will no new head varsity softball coach longer count for overall record

BY DEAN SIDERIS AND WILL WHITE

dean.sideris@eyeofthetigernews.com will.white@eyeofthetigernews.com

Nicole Wallace is now the new varsity softball coach for Roseville High School’s Lady Tigers.

This is also Wallace’s first year as a teacher for College Prep World Studies and College Prep United States History at RHS. Wallace comes into the position with six years of softballcoaching experience.

She coached three years for a travel ball team, one year at Willamette College and two years at local competitor Woodcreek High

School.

This is her first year as a coach for RHS. Wallace, as an RHS alumna, is also a former Tiger.

“I’m very excited to be back here,” Wallace said.

Wallace has many plans for her first season coaching at her alma mater.

“I’m going to really focus on the mental aspect of the game, so the team knows what to do but they also know why they’re doing it,” Wallace said.

Seniors Taylor Brewster and Danielle Crockett are excited for the upcoming season with their

new coach.

“I’m happy, I’ve heard good things about her,” Crockett said.

Brewster is happy with the number of senior players on the team, which she hopes will bring a lot of helpful experience to the field and make coaching easier for Wallace.

“It’s good that she’s young because she can relate to the players,” Brewster said. “I am really excited for the season; the whole team’s hungry.”

The team’s first game will be on Feb. 28, but neither the opponent nor venue have been announced yet.

CONTINUED FROM FRONT were going to change it they should’ve done it for the following season.”

The system was finalized and ready to take place in October.

Saco said that they could have held off on it for a year and put it into place next year, but although it was a late process it was normal for basketball season. He said this way they can tweak and fix anything they need to for next year.

Pre-season does not affect the new system, so the CIF used that to their advantage to start the new system this year.

“Playing in the SFL is tough as

it is, so it was nice to have league count as well as pre-season,” Errecart said.

Assistant principal Jason Wilson is not taking sides on any particular system and thinks there are benefits to both.

“I love seeing our teams go to playoffs but I also agree with the fact that it will make it more fair,” Wilson said.

Saco thinks with the new playoff system, there will be more value on league play, and current Roseville basketball player Will White agrees.

“I don’t agree with the system really but with it being done we’ll

just have to work harder in league and it will definitely make league a lot more important than preseason,” White said.

Should there be a tie for third in the SFL, the first tiebreaker is to examine head-to-head record.

The second tiebreaker is how well each team did against the best teams in the league.

The third tiebreaker will come from determining how the teams compare to common opponents outside of league.

If none of those settle the competition, the outcome will come from a final tiebreaker of a coin toss.

Sports

page 14

november 18, 2013

Roseville High Top 10 Fall Athletes

1

2

Number one on our top 10 athlete list is Virgie Velazquez.

She has had many accomplishments this year and there is no doubt that she deserves to be ranked this high.

This year she has made history at Roseville High School by being the first golfer to have ever qualified for state. Another of her achievements has been playing with the pros at Pebble Beach that she said was a great experience.

The University of California, Davis, ranked 20 overall out of all Division-I schools, offered her a 90 percent scholarship, including room and board, for golf.

Velazquez is verbally comitted.

Velazquez is a leader on the team and she helps her team-

Coming in at number two of our top 10 athletes is varsity cross country runner Neilson Powless, who has accomplished quite a bit this last season. His efforts on and off the course have made him what he is today.

Talking to other teammates on the team, it is clear that they all look up to him dearly, looking for advice and motivation for them to get better.

Virgie Velazquez

BY MARISSA STONE

BY WILL WHITE

marissa.stone@eyeofthetigernews.com

3

will.white@eyeofthetigernews.com

mates when they need it. She assisted Madison Hambelton in the springtime, and Hambelton said it helped her a lot. Hambleton also said that Velazquez encourages the team to do better and that they learn a lot from her.

“She’s kind of a celebrity out there to us so people are really intimidated,” Hambelton said. “But she’s very helpful and just by watching her play you can learn so much.”

Corey Fukuman, Velazquez’s coach since sophomore year, said

that Velazquez has matured over the years and she has a lot more experience now. When she makes a mistake, she stays calm and knows how to fix it and she is a very sound player.

“She brings experience and she’s a leader by example,” Fukuman said. “She’s better than I am which makes it hard to coach so I just help guide her in the right direction.”

Velazquez is now getting ready to participate in the NorCal State Championships this Wednesday.

with these guys.”

This season, he threw for a 70yard touchdown to wide receiver Jonathan Lopez and broke out for a 60-yard touchdown run all in one game.

Downie is a highlight machine; when on the field, he is very shifty, always making multiple defenders miss.

He led the team to a win against

Rio Linda with over 300 total yards. In the biggest game of the year, Downie threw for 170 yards and rushed for 160 yards, carrying his team with four touchdowns, beating Woodcreek 38-35.

He gained over 300 yards twice this year and broke the 200-yard mark five times. Downie has had a great season and is clearly a solid number three on this list.

Kyle Downie

BY BRYCE CROUCH

bryce.crouch@eyeofthetigernews.com

Coming in at number three on our top 10 fall sport athlete list is varsity quarterback Kyle Downie.

Downie has contributed greatly to the team as he is a great a leader on and off the field. He has been the team’s starting quarterback the past two years. He is accredited for a total of 17 touchdowns and has accumulated over 2,000 total yards between passing and rushing this season.

“It has been fun and very memorable, but it’s crazy to know that it was my last year ever playing,” Downie said. “I loved playing

6

BY MORGAN SIMPSON

morgan.simpson@eyeofthetigernews.com

gabe.lira@eyeofthetigernews.com

Coming in at number four on our top 10 fall sport athlete list is a varsity receiver Jonathan Lopez.

Lopez led his football team with 752 yards receiving and tied the school record for the most catches with 50. Lopez also was second in the SFL league for receiving yards.

“I am pleased with our performance as a team, the best team I have ever been a part of,” Lopez said.

Lopez not only helped the Tigers offensively but he also helped on defense by being a safety/defensive back, and also a return man on special teams. Lopez not only has hands for catching, but he also has speed, quickness, and incredible juke moves.

Everything you could ask for in a great receiver.

“I didn’t know I had that many catches, I wasn’t concerned about it I just wanted to try to help my team in any way to win

Nick Sapp

nick.trezza@eyeofthetigernews.com

out and run really well in almost every race,” senior teammate Austin Torgerson said. “He is a motivator and always wants his

teammates to do their best. He is also very competitive which adds a sharp edge to everything and helps push other kids.”

logan.ash@eyeofthetigernews.com

Our number eight on the top 10 athlete list is senior Leslie Pease.

Pease is one of the outstanding volleyball players on the team this year. She plays a variety of different positions, but she mainly plays setter.

“She [Pease] is a very good setter and a good teammate,” senior Lindsay Anderson said.

According to head volleyball coach Ron Grove, Pease is very talented, a valuable part of the team and can perform well in a variety of positions.

“She [Pease] is very consistent in her play and can play any position on the court,” Grove said.

Pease is committed to San Diego State University on a preferred walk-on for volleyball.

Coming in at number nine on the top 10 fall athletes list is varsity football player Matthew Razzano. Razzano started at running back and was on defense all four years at roseville high.

Varsity football coach Larry Cunha appreciates the effort Razzano puts in.

“Matt is an outstanding high school athlete and student,” Cunha said. “He worked hard, put in the effort – just outstanding.”

Razzano had 47 touchdowns in his high school career, with nine of them during his senior year.

One of the touchdowns was a 65yard pick-six that made a KCRA3 top play of the week.

Varsity quarterback Kyle

BY LOGAN ASH

BY GABE LIRA

BY NICK TREZZA

9

8

Leslie Pease

4

Jonathan Lopez

7

Arturo Sotomayor

Number six on our fall top 10 athlete list is varsity cross country runner Arturo Sotomayor.

Sotomayor has been running on the Roseville High School varsity team since his freshman year.

He runs the way he practices – never giving up and never giving himself a break. Sotomayor is a motivating factor on his team, inspiring his teammates by the hard work he puts in every day. He is also supportive toward his teammate.

Not only is he a hard worker, but his hard work pays off. He finished ninth overall in the Sierra Foothill League finals and earned the all-league title as a junior.

“Arturo has the ability to shut out any outside issues and still go

NEILSON POWLESS

“Neilson is an outstanding runner; his leadership on this team is

Coming in seventh place on our Roseville High School top 10 chart for fall athletes is junior Nick Sapp. Sapp is a captain on RHS’ varsity water polo team and is arguably one of the best water polo players in the league.

“It’s an honor being selected as one of our school’s top fall athletes; there are a lot of great athletes at our school, and to be named one of the top ones is great,” Sapp said.

Outside of high school water polo, Nick Sapp also participates in a club called Sacramento Water Polo where he is constantly improving his game year-round with quality players around the

the game.” “I thank my offensive line for blocking for my QB and my QB for getting me the ball.”

Lopez said.

Notable games are when Lopez had 10 catches and 132 yards against the tough Granite Bay team, or against Woodcreek when Lopez had 7 catches with 131 yards receiving along with 2 touchdowns.

He isn’t just an amazing football player but he is also a great track runner. Lopez runs the 400, 200, is on the 4 by 1 team, and also the 4 by 4 team. As a junior, Lopez was 2 seconds away from beating the 400 school record.

As you can see, there is no question Lopez should be in the top 10 fall athlete sports list, and is well deserving to be in the number 4 spot on the list.

area.

Nick Sapp plays practically every position on the high school team. Sapp scored 84 goals throughout the 30 games he played for RHS this year.

According to Sapp, he tries his best to be a leader on the team, but he does not want players to be dependent on him. Sapp wants all of the players to be their own people but he helps them out when they need it.

“If they are new to water polo or are not used to the varsity level, I try to teach them what I have learned through the years to help make them better players,” Sapp said.

Sapp’s teammates respect him a lot in and out of the pool.

“He’s a clutch player on our team,” junior Kevin Gard said.

“Nick is also the most aware person our team.”

Junior teammate Bailey Clark appreciates Sapp’s leadership.

Matt Razzano

tremendous and he always cheers on his teammates to be better runners,” fellow senior teammate Dan Reilly said.

His accomplishments this year consist of numerous top five finishes in his age group, including the very competitive Mount SAC Invitational. In addition, he has qualified for sections and is looking to qualify for state as well.

Coach Vaccaro was very confident that Powless is capable of making it to state.

“I think Neilson is more than ready to make it to state,” head coach Lisa Vaccaro said. “He’s just got to be on his game and keep improving.”

5

Abby Jensen

BY KIRA CLIFTON

kira.clifton@eyeofthetigernews.com

Abby Jensen has played on the varsity volleyball team for Roseville High School for the last two years, as a sophomore and as a junior. She has a hitting percentage of .444 based off of Max Preps career stats.

“Abby is our top hitter and blocker,” coach Ron Grove said.

“She has the potential to dominate at the net and can score points.”

Jensen plays club volleyball for Five Starz Volleyball Club as well as RHS volleyball. She has been playing for five years and hopes to continue to play in college, although she is not sure where yet.

Jensen has a 4.0 GPA and prioritizes her time by getting her homework done early and studying throughout the weeks.

“She’s a stud and leads our team in hitting,” senior teammate Lindsay Anderson said. “We wouldn’t be the same team without her.”

“Sapp is just an all-around great guy and an amazing leader on our team,” Clark said. “He definitely makes us better as a team.”

According to RHS senior teammate Elijah Keaton, Sapp is constantly keeping the team competing strong in games that without him would not be close at all.

“He’s a really hard worker,” Keaton said.

10

Max Fereira

BY DEAN SIDERIS

dean.sideris@eyeofthetigernews.com

BY JORDAN LOYA

jordan.loya@eyeofthetigernews.com

Downie is thrilled to have had Razzano on his team for the past four football seasons.

“He is a great player and always gave the team a good vibe,” Downie said.

Razzano also threw his first

high school touchdown in his final game against the Woodcreek Timberwolves.

“That was one of my favorite moments this year,” Razzano said. “I’m happy with my final season. It was a memorable one.”

Coming in at number 10 in our top 10 fall athletes list is junior Max Fereira.

Fereira played both soccer and football this season at the varsity levels. In football, he started at kicker, being most known for his long-range field goal success.

Ferreira’s longest field goal was 45 yards, breaking the school record. Fereira also played his first season as a varsity soccer player for Roseville High School.

“I played soccer for a club my freshman and sophomore years, but I decided to play my junior year for Roseville,” Fereira said.

Fereira was a key player on the team as he started as center midfielder.

Fereira was rewarded first team all-league for his accomplishments on the field.