ARROWRenton High School 400 South 2nd Street Renton, WA 98057

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|Vanessa Abenojar|Copy Editor/Story Developement “The Parade was a lot of fun, almost the best part of Homecoming,” senior Raven Winfrey said. Students walked from the school to the Renton Stadium, chanting, cheering, and excited. “It’s fun to see everyone in Renton supporting us,” Winfrey said.

All leading to the Homecoming game against Highline. “I was excited for the game. Upset that we didn’t win, but life goes on.” Life did go on. On to the Homecoming dance. “Homecoming is the best part of high school,” Winfrey said. “All around, Homecoming is really fun.”

Mona Orejudos photo

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blueprint

Every issue, the editor-in-chief expresses successes, insecurities, and useless nonsense about some of the mechanical processes behind the magic of ARROW. If it’s less than magical for you, let them know.

TheWord

FINE PRINT ARROW is an open forum produced by sweat-ing people who jump like ballerinas across the room. Amazingly enough, they all go to Renton High School at 400 S. 2nd St., Renton, WA, 98057. Phone number: 206-778-9540. The photos above are of the page editors and designers for ARROW. Other equally important staff members: ---- ARROW is printed six times a year by Pacific Publishing Company in Seattle, Washington. Word processing, graphics and layouts are

created on Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Creative Suite 3 programs. ARROW has a press run of 2000. The staff welcomes letters to the editor and will publish letters which meet our standards of good taste (as space permits). Letters must be signed. ARROW reserves the right to edit letters, though every attempt will be made to preserve original content. Unsigned editorials and editorial cartoons represent the majority view of ARROW edito-rial board and do not represent the views of the Renton School District or RHS. Opinions,

commentaries, satires, and perspectives are the views of the writers and artists, not the Renton School District or ARROW editorial board. ARROW is financed by advertising based on size-determined rates. These range from $20-$80.

Dear Readers,You are looking at 10’ -11’s first issue

of ARROW. We changed it this year. We decided that we needed to take

on topics that everyone can relate to. Every issue is based on what we think YOU would like to read. Every time you open this paper, it will be dominated by a major theme. Our theme this issue is “My Parents Forbid It.”

The Editors consist of Renton High School students who span different ages, grades, and races give thoughts on major topics and we take a vote.

Urban, Diverse and Strong. The Editors-in-Chief this year strive to live up to the motto of the paper and to “give the word” as best we can.

At the moment, we’re honestly scared as hell. But we have the confidence that we have created something great.

Apologies. From our staff to parents. The entire issue isn’t an outlet for enraged teens fussing at their parents, but rather a way of sharing their home life with you. What they can or can’t do; maybe you can relate. (PG. 16)

Still the same ol’....We haven’t changed EVERYTHING

about the paper. We kept the most “important” sections of the paper. For example, the “News” section has been renamned “Know More.” We will keep the tradition of covering events that are important to you like talent shows, Multicultural Show, sports and assemblies.

Feedback is appreciated. We want to know what you know, so if you have an idea for a theme suggest it. If we misquoted you tell us. If you liked an article let us know.

Articles to check out this issue:- Gary Nguyen tells what happens

when you sneak frozen t.v. dinners from the freezer in the middle of the night. (Pg. 10)

- Cindy Nguyen goes into depth on unapproved interracial dating. (Pg. 14)

You will hear from both sides in this issue; the kids AND the parents. Choose your side, choose both, enjoy it.

Your New E.I.C’s,

Olivia Fry and Devante Swann

E.I.C’s to you.

Name: Olivia FryPosition: Editor-in-CheifRandom Facts: I’m a vegetarian. I love photography and video games. Xbox ftw! Gamertag: xXPinkPaladinXx Dislikes: Animal abuse. And when guys think girls can’t play video games. Music interest: I mostly like alternative, acoustic, and rock/metal. My favorite band is Death Cab for Cutie.

Name: Devante Swann Position: Editor-in-CheifRandom Facts: Every time I can play video games, I’m playin’ em. Gamertag: xboxkilla22Dislikes: Spammers and campers Music interest: Anything that sounds good.

Name: Alyssa AntonioPosition: Know More EditorRandom Facts: I love Pandas. I either sing or draw when I’m bored. I say “I’m not cute” when people say I am. Dislikes: Boring things or situations. Stupid, annoying people. Being boredMusic interest: K-Pop, Rock, Alternative, R&B, J-Pop, J-Rock

Name: Bryan Diaz Position: Play Hard EditorRandom Facts: I play Xbox on late nights before I go to sleep. Gamertag: BNAZTY93. I like to dance everywhere I go. Dislikes: Haters, Wannabe’s, Drama, Fakers.Music interest: Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Macklemore

Name: Mark MarianoPosition: Intro EditorRandom Facts: Hate to run, love playing video games, love to eat, get hungry after an hour of eating.Dislikes: Homework and chores basically.Music interest: Everything as long as it’s good.

Name: Mindy SaeteurnPosition: Portraits EditorRandom Facts: I like eating chicken, have 26 cats, and am unexpectedly mean and sarcastic .Dislikes: Pickles, and when people leave the cap on and it’s not twisted all the wayMusic interest: R&B, K-Pop, Hip Hop, Rap

Name: Darren Briggs Position: Faces Editor Random Facts: I sleep with my socks on and I have a socks fetish. Dislikes: The smell of old people’s cars and knuckle hair.Music interest: Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, and Ray Charles

Name: James Enebrad Position: Numbers EditorRandom Facts: I test myself after I watch the history channel/history international/history apps.Dislikes: Ignorant people, wet boxers, gravy on my mashed potatoes. Music interest: Underground Hip-hop, Hip Hop, R&B, and Jazz

Name: Cindy Nguyen (Cindyness)Position: Perspectives Editor Random Facts: I don’t lie very well for a reason.Dislikes: Being totally ignored. Grr! Music interest: “Your Gaurdian Angel” by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Name: Kaylah GradyPosition: Apologies EditorRandom Facts: I want to go to Culinary Arts School because I have a passion for cooking, Dislikes: Stuck up little girls, people tapping on their desks. Music interest: I like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Eminem, and Chris Brown.

Derek Smith thanks speech and debate team for candy!........................................................Advisor Vanessa Abenojar VerbaFy and Physically muted, read and watched out loud............Copy Editor & Story DeveloperTony Le Is sitting here glazing off as the words bounces out the other ear..........................................AdsJoe Vo Just got Call of Duty: Black Ops, Me so happy..............................................Photography Co-EditerMona Orejudos Start doing you, because I’ve been doing me................................................Photo StaffMax Bureau Don’t mess with ARROW ‘cause you don’t mess with the best!’.....................Photo StaffJohn Lon Ink my whole body, I don’t give a %@#$!.........................................................................................ArtFarid Ahmach needs a car to party with friends..............................................................................................ArtTristan Cawagas I deserve a cookie for working so hard............................................................................ArtGabriel Dominguez You’re gonna love mine :D....................................................................Numbers StaffEli De Los Santos wants in.............................................................................................................ARROW Stalker

Katie Reynolds Contemplates life’s philosophies............................................Copy Editor & Story DeveloperGary Nguyen is reppin.................................................................................................................................Know More StaffHamilton Carter currently playing Black Ops...................................................................................Portraits Staff Drako Glaspy fresh off work, finna go berzerk, mad as hell cause I got grease on my shirt...Portraits StaffDominique Brooks I’ll be right back, my food is calling me.......................................................Perspectives StaffBrian De La Torre ready for the holidays and my birthday, oh yup........................................Perspectives StaffJasmine Marley just wrote a new poem, don’t know if it’s my new favorite yet...............Numbers Staff Aaron Garcia I lost my number, can I borrow yours?......................................................................Apologies StaffMohamad Abdullahi animation domination sundays!...............................................................Faces Staff Malik Roper life without me isn’t life at all, believe that.................................................................Play Hard Staff Gerald Reddy three more days until the four day weekend! Super pumped!.......................Play Hard Staff

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Know moreIT TAKES ME BACK

TRIPLE A, JC: Dance Adriana C., A’briana M., Aliea T., Jasmine G., Chalisa T. “We hoped we would’ve placed but even though we didn’t it was all about having fun,” junior Aliea T. said.

JOHN CUBED: John Nguyen, Johnathan Sundara, Johnathan Davis: John, John, and John showed they got what it takes to place number one.“We did our thing and we had fun doing it,” junior Sundara said.

FROM THE COMMONS, TO THE STAGE:Junior Francis Edoria and a group of friends took the stage to show off to the school and parents what rapping skills they had. “We had a lot of potential but I think we could’ve done better. If you don’t believe in me, then i’ll believe in myself.”

Joe Vo photos

SHINE “LIKE A STAR”: Sophomore Aaliyah Cooper sang her heart out for her mom and three cousins; Leslie, Cheresa, Jamisha. “I think I did okay. I didn’t move around that much and I could have done better.”THIS WAY, I ‘SWAY’: Irene Muller & Mursal Ashkir performed a dance

routine to “Sway” by Micheal Buble. “Overall, I think that we had a fun and successful performance,” Muller said.

The semi-annual talent show rocked the IPAC on Friday, Oct. 22. With a theme of ‘Through the Decades,’ skilled performers sang, danced, rapped and recited their way through a hundred years of history.

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| Mohamed Abdullahi|Faces Staff

ARROW: What does the program offer?KANE BATRES: A chance for students to gain

perspectives of a marketing career. It offers students the chance to know about business deals.

EDWIN SUAREZ: It allows you the opportunity to be able to go to conferences that give you the ability to gain knowledge of business.

A: What types of activities do you partake in?S: Running the student store and attending

conferences.A: Where do you go and what are is it like?B: Gatherings of people with the same goal to gain

marketing skills.S: If you keep

achieving where you’re at you will progress to further stages. The last stage you go to is ICDC in Miami, Florida.

A: How have you developed in DECA?

B: It teaches me customer service skills.

A: How is it beneficial to you?

S: You’re learning business variance which you can put on your resume. It furthers your hiring potential.

A: What have you gained from and

accomplished in this program?B: I’ve learned to communicate professionally and

about proper dress attire.S: I’ve gained more customer service skills.A: What has your the overall experience been in the

organization?B: You get to network and meet a lot of new

people. You also learn how companies are run and what makes them successful.

A: How will this be an advantage in a future career or job?

B: If I decide to open up my own business I will be knowledgeable about it.

|Maxime Bureau|Photography Staff

Q: Mr. John Devlin, can you describe yourself ?A: I’m the new Marketing Teacher at RHS. This is my third year

of teaching. I’m married and I have two great boys, JJ and Toby. I live in Renton and worked in Centralia for two years. Before that, I was a training manager at a company.

Q: Why did you decide to work at RHS?A: It was mainly to be closer to home and my family. When I saw

that a position was vacant at Renton High School, I didn’t hesitate all.Q: What are your first impressions after two months of teaching?A: Truly, we have a lot of good students, but sadly not well-

represented in our community. These guys are sincere and caring.Q: What are your goals for your marketing classes this year?A: We, the students and I, want to add more products and make

them more accessible, which means a lower price on the main items. This store didn’t have a big selection, so we will try to improve that and build a relationship with our students and customers. We prefer these kids not to have to go off-campus for lunch but to stay at school where they can find good products at a price they can afford.

We also want to build a DECA community (DECA used to stand for Distributive Education Clubs of America and is now An Association of Marketing Students), which was really active at Centralia; we just finished the DECA week and put in place the DECA Blood Giving to show that we care about our community.

It’s kind of disappointing to see so few kids showing up for a cause that could have shown some school solidarity. Only 45 students signed up as far as today. At a high school of 1,300 students…

Q: How much money does the student store make each day?A: The average is around $350 to $400. This includes morning,

both lunches and special events, like football games.Q: What do the students do in the school store?A: They run the store. They order products, sell them and decide

whether they work or not. They are in charge of discounts, accounts, and of the honorship of the school store. I’m really proud of them. They are ambitious and they just need an opportunity to show it. It’s a pleasure to work with them. They do their job and they do it for fun.

Behind the Counter of the New DECANew advisor talks business -- inside and out of classroom

What DECA can do for your future: building resumes, business networks and friendships

|Vanessa Abenojar|Copy Editor/Story Developement

“They said stay out until 12, but they never told me that they wanted me home by 12.” As a teenager, Assistant Principal Wendell Ellis never had a curfew. His parents trusted him and gave him freedom. But they also instilled a work ethic in their son.

“You know when kids want Jordan’s and the expensive clothes. My parents told me that they wouldn’t pay for shoes that cost so much; they said if I wanted to have those nice things, I would have to work and pay for them with my own money.” At the age of 13, Ellis worked in the apple orchards on a ranch in Yakima where he grew up.

Ellis carried that work ethic over to his school life. He never gave the school a reason to call home.

Just like any other teen, his parents gave him rules. No sleeping over on weeknights and no skipping school. He had to let his mom and dad know where he was going.

His teenage life consisted of school, sports, and movies and pizza on Saturday nights with friends.

Ellis started driving at the age of 16; it came with rules as well, but took the burden off his parents because he had sports. It also posed a new dilemma for a young man with no curfew.

“Nine times out of ten, your girlfriend will have a curfew,” Ellis said. On dates, he respected the girl’s parents just like he’d respect his own. She was always home when she had to be.

When high school came to an end, there was a traditional senior party. Instead of sleeping in the next morning like most other new graduates, Ellis and a group of friends returned to their school.

“We took those little Coleman stoves and cooked breakfast for our favorite teachers,” Ellis said.

Ellis’s high school experience sets a good example for Renton High students and shows that it is possible to follow the rules, work hard and have fun.

New administrator reflects on the ups and downs of his life as a teenager: curfews, girlfriends, Saturday nights and working hard for a new pair of Jordan’s

Bites.IMPORTANT DATES:Nov. 20, Dream Project

from 9am - 1pmNov. 22, Early Dismissal

10:15/ Periods 1,2,3/ Parent-Teacher Conference; 1:00-4:30, 5:30-7:30

Nov. 24, Early Dismissal at 10:15/ Periods 4,5,6

Nov. 25, 26 No School, Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 29, Senior Group Picture/ 9:15am/ Front of School

Dec. 18-Jan. 2, Winter Break

KEY CLUB:“Key Club is a group that

volunteers and does community service for others,” sophomore Cynthia Fang said.

“It can go on your resume,” junior Theresa Vo said. “It lets you meet new people and build

good leadership skills.”“To join Key Club go to

the meetings and do volunteer work,” junior Chansanavie Kong said, “and also you have to pay 14 dollars before you can do an event.”

The signup sheet for Key Club is in room 367. ESL teacher Robert Conway is the adviser.

GREEN TEAM:The point of Green Team

is to recycle and to help our community. It also helps and benefits the planet. “Recycling in a volunteer group helps our school to stay green,” junior Kevin Nguyen said. “Becoming a Green Team member is important because we can’t change the world by ourselves,” junior Millais Tsang said.

Maxime Bureau Photo

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TheBeat

Every month, The Beat explores the latest news going around the school. Everything from dress-code offenses to school-wide events. Breathe deep. Clarification on school news has arrived.

| Katie Reynolds| Copy EditorIgnite Mentors are students who

help underclassmen adjust to the pace of high school. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors go to different freshmen classes during advisory and provide tips on everything from study habits to smart goals.

Each mentor has up to five mentees that they follow throughout the year.

“Sometimes the freshmen are annoying but once you build a connection with them, they become family,” junior Executive Mentor Mary Binongcal said.

“I got them McDonalds for Christmas last year and they bought me a birthday cake!” Binongcal said. “It made me cry!”

“It’s really cool to see the change in the freshmen. We see a problem and we try to fix it.” Binongcal said.

Binongcal is one of thirteen Executive Mentors that assists others mentors. Executive Mentors introduce lessons that help freshmen to mentors who lead the lessons during M2M (Mentor to Mentee) time. After the mentors finish a lesson, the freshman advisory class as a whole discuses issues form the lesson.

Alongside the mentors are the advisors: Athena Nadeau, Joe Bento, Dee Draven, and William Ruehle. The four teachers provide guidance for the mentors.

Executive Mentors meet after school once a week to go over their lesson plans. They are the ones teaching the lesson, but they are also open to the opportunity to learn from freshmen students in return.

These students were selected from a number of applicants, and a few were recommended by their teachers because of their outstanding leadership qualities in the classroom.

The perks of being an Ignite mentor besides helping freshmen are receiving high school elective credit, college credit, and the opportunity to expand leadership skills throughout the school.

“Being an ignite mentor isn’t that easy. During the summer we had to meet two times from 9am to 3pm. Everyone was really tired and cranky,” junior mentor AK Sterling said. “But we were learning new skills to help mentor the freshmen.”

IGNITED.

Job Description: Accepting Applications:The application process will take between 10 and 50 minutes depending on the position you are applying for.

Qualifications:Age varies depending on job, but average age is 15 or older.

Pros / Cons:Application process takes a while; you must have the motivation to call them to check for your application. Contact Information: Building number: 459365 Renton Center Way SWRenton, WA 98055(425) 204-5200Building number: 03117801 108th Avenue SE Renton, WA 98055(425) 235-5350Tips: You may need your food handlers’ permit that’s if you want to work in the food produce area.

HELP WANTED

Fred MeyerJob Description:Cashier team member: SeasonalCart Attendant: AvailableSales Floor team member: SeasonalBackroom team member: SeasonalHave to apply online; applications may take up to half an hour to complete.Attention all jobs must be applied online at Target.com

Qualifications:Seasonal: Basically this means temporary, an employee is expected to leave the employer within a certain period of time.

Pros / Cons:If you live in the Highlands and Skyway you may need to take a few buses to get to work.

Contact Information:1215 Landing WayRenton, WA 98057(425)-207-0067Tips: When you come in to the store; come in energetic, well dressed, cover any tattoos, limit your piercings, turn off your phone, and if necessary do your hair. If you do get the job, come in to work early every shift. Don’t do things you shouldn’t be doing at work.

TargetMona Orejudos photo

SafewayJob Description:You have to apply online; applications may take up to half an hour to complete. Jobs positions vary, depends on age and experience. They do not give a clear description of what jobs are available so my suggestion is to apply for most of them. Places applications accepted:

Qualifications:Age varies depending on job, but average age is 15 or older.

Pros / Cons:The stores may go on strike because the Union is taking away their benefits (healthcare etc.). Contact Information: Renton, WA 98055 Safeway 1563 (27) 200 S. 3rd ST.(425) 255-4151

Renton, WA 98056 Safeway 0366 (27) 2725 N.E. Sunset Boulevard (425) 228-5700Tips: You have to have your food handlers permit to work.

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Play Hard

Brian RileySophomore Cross Country

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: Two bowl’s of Rice Krispies and a banana.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: I always wear a white tee in my races, its my lucky charm. If I don’t wear one, its over. I told everyone that I wasn’t going to state with out my white tee.

Q: What made you give it your all?A: The bowl of rice krispies in the morning, it gave me a boost for the race and confidence.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: When I finished I knew I was 24th place. I knew I was going to state, but other than that I was pretty excited that I made it to state as a sophomore.

Joy BarnesFreshamnCross Country

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: One bowl of oatmeal, 16oz of water, and sometimes 4 bananas.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: I have to wear matching socks, usually dark socks.

Q: What made you give it your all?A: I’ve been training all season for the past couple of years. I didn’t want to let anything get in the way of making it to state.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: OH MY GOSH! I was so happy. I thought I didn’t make it because I was on my cool down mode and I thought I made it at 26th place but made it to 25th really.

Tonie CanlasJuniorSwim Team

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: Three bananas and a lot of water.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: My necklace that my dad gave me when I was little. Its special and it helps me swim faster.

Q: What made you give it your all?A: My teammates and the people bribing me with food and a way for me to make it to state.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: I felt really happy and excited and joyful and I thank the lord and all because of my teammates.

Eloisa BautistaSophomoreSwim Team

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: Gold fish and a granola bar.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: Swimming goggles because I think it’s lucky when I get a good time on them.

Q: What made you give it your all?A: I’ve always wanted to go to state since my freshmen year.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: It felt pretty good knowing that I was the first girl that made it to state in 13 years.

Tala HildSophomoreSwim Team

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: Drink a lot of water, and one banana.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: My goggles. I have to have certain brand because if I don’t, I don’t swim well.

Q: What made you give it your all?A: It was my first meet and I didn’t know if I was going to make it but I did.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: It felt good. I was nervous because I was swimming with people who were more experienced.

Bryan Diaz Photos

FALL STATE CONTENDERSTwo Cross-Country runners and four Swimmers sent to state.

Lynhda VuongJuniorSwim Team

Q: What’s your pregame ritual meal?A: Mostly bread, like a sub sandwich and a lot of water.

Q: Do you carry a lucky charm?A: My ring that my boyfriend gave me.

Q: What made you give it your all?

A: I had this goal since my freshman year, I only had one more year to qualify to state.

Q: How did it feel to make it to state?A: Really relieving and excited and proud of my teammates. I thought that was a team bonding moment.

TheSidelines

Every month, The Sidelines provides a first-hand account of a sporting event or activity with the sweaty, sticky details in tact. Relive the experience with the greatest glory, and maybe a few laughs.

678ARROW

|Malik Roper|Play Hard Staff

The Renton Indians football team had a very bumpy road this season. Even though their record was terrible, the boys gave their hearts for a sport that they all love and took seriously.

They battled through every game. Players were either hurt, sore or hit hard during practice but they still managed to be tough and hang on as a family.

“I made a lot of new friends this season,” Defensive Nose Guard Ade Asin Dumas (Bubi) said. “Team bonding is what made us get closer as a family.”

Family was the big theme during the season. They practiced together from after school until the sun went down. Players either were at practice or at home resting their fatigued muscles. From singing and dancing in the locker room to hitting and tackling on the field, the team grew stronger, better and faster. The coaches also played a big part in the development of the team.

“We push the team to be better young men and to be gentlemen,” Head Coach Donald Ponds said. “Hard work, pain on the field, the agony of losing and joy of winning will help them in life.”

The football team worked hard every day in practice. They worked on their mistakes when they watched films on Saturday mornings. Every week they worked hard to improve and to show that the Indians could still fight and be considered a strong team, despite their less than stellar record. They were strong in other ways. After every tough loss they had to play another game the following week. They walked onto the field with their heads held high.

They wanted to keep the pride, tradition and excellence that represents the “Indians” name that was across there chests.

“A lot of people (including me) messed up on their position,” freshman left tackle Micah Prescott said. “That’s why every week we worked harder and harder to improve in what we do.”

Though the team didn’t have an excellent season and didn’t meet their goal of making it to the playoffs, they are expecting a better, faster and stronger team next year with more wins.

| D’Andre Glaspy | ReporterYou might think the locker rooms

are dirty, messy and smelling like fresh flowers. Nope. You’re wrong.

I went there to see what it was like after football practice one day.

It smelled like musty armpits and pickle juice. I thought there was going to be busted old windows but there wasn’t; the place actually looked pretty decent and clean.

I’m here to tell you the truth behind the heavy doors of the locker rooms. It’s where emotions run high, Nakee McGary laughs, Robert Reeves dances, and arguments erupt.

“Hey if you gotta get ‘em up, then get ‘em up,” Linebacker Rafael Isabel said in regards to fighting your own teammates. “As long as we can be a team afterwards.

“Squash your beef in the locker room and don’t take it on the field.”

I didn’t expect Isabel to say that. And I didn’t agree.

It’s not cool fighting with your teammates about some pads, shoes or even about a girl. I say, take your frustrations onto the court or field. Not against your own teammates because they’re more like family.

Now, it’s not always so fun in the locker room; there have been disputes and a couple of fist fights (not that serious) but that’s what it takes to come together and make a good team.

“Fighting is so stupid, dawg, shooting guard,” Earl Cheatham said. “We just gon’ end up on the same court playing for the same team with the same people.

“Why waste the energy fighting against each other? That makes the team look dumb.”

If you’re on the same team there shouldn’t be any reason for fighting. You guys are a “FAMILY.” No matter what goes down, stick with your family.

Football isn’t all about winning or losing, I look at it as a bonding experience between young men who will remember each other forever because of what they did.

Now, you can have your assumptions and some may be right but here is the truth about what goes down in the locker room: Young men can act like gentlemen and little kids at the same time, but at the end, the lockerroom is a place to work through issues with your teammates before presenting a unified face to the opposition.

Lose The Battle, Win The War

Name:Grade:Position:

Jonathan PattersonSophomoreCenter

Klarissa QuintasSeniorCenter

Justin Reed BennetSeniorShooting Forward

Tasha JacksonJuniorGaurd

If you want to work on your free throws, how long should you work on them?

Out of the shots you took, you should be shooting at least 7 to 8 shots out of 10.

Be in the gym all day practicing your free throw until you feel its perfected

If you want to work on your free throws take a whole day and find your form.

Out of 30 free throws you should make at least 25.

How long should you work on your jump shots?

you should spend about an hour putting up like 500 shots.

Before/After practice for 30 minutes to an hour max, daily.

Take time weekly to work on your jump shot

You should work on your jump shots for a couple hours.

What should you do before basketball try-outs?

Zone everything out listen to some music to relax. Also mentally prepared and not to tight, stay loose, but be serious don’t joke around.

Drink lots of fluids, stretch as much as you can, and pay attention to your surroundings, just be yourself.

Stretch, drink a lot of fluids and think about what your going to do.

Stretch, get in your zone, grade checks, and take it seriously.

How long should you run for, and what type of running drills?

At a court you can run suicides, lines, Down & Back’s, 20 & 20’s. Off the court you can run a mile per day, and sprints.

Run 10 laps for 15 minutes (stairs) and 3 laps around the basketball court.

Running drills, and run a few miles at a track

You should run for at least 45 minutes, do suicides, and at least 10 stairs for 3 times a week.

What type of diet should you be on until try-outs?

No Kool-Aid, stick to purified water, cut down on fast foods, eat your veggies & drink your milk just like mom says.

Drink water, milk, eat veggies, and stay away from fast food.

You don’t have to be on a diet just eat right and not so much during the days of try-outs.

All water, no fast food, stay healthy, salads, and meat.

Tips To Making The Varsity Team

Darren Briggs Graphic

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INtro789

INtro

MY PARENTS FORBID ITA NINE-PAGE EXPLORATION OF WHAT WE CANNOT DO

if your late expect to be grounded again / Rooms all dirty bags on the flo’ / clothes everywhere I can’t open the doe / Don’t put the glass and metal pans together / Use your brain, be clever / BOY stop slurpin

on your noodle / you aint no dirty dog, you aint no poodle / No dogs No cats / life without pets is bad hair day in Renton computer lab… “NO HATS” / Brand new paint walls are clean / if you touch the wall ima

have to get mean / Life in this house is like ice cream without sprinkles / Parents rules are jingle bells without the jingles / you think you can steal candy and no one will tell / but next thing you know your fresh meat

in jail / Stole a busted down civic and didn’t get far / within fifteen minutes you were in back of a squad car / Drugs are a no no, wrong path to choose / if you pick drugs you’ll have your family to lose.

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MY PARENTS FORBID ITA NINE-PAGE EXPLORATION OF WHAT WE CANNOT DO

IN DEFENSE OF PARENTAL RESTRICTIONS: FIFTEEN BARS BY DARREN BRIGGS, MALIK ROPER, AND D’ANDRE GLASPY: Pops left his keys, it’s time to take a ride / but I don’t know how to

drive, I scraped up the whole side / I support you, no need for a job / too many stacks, you might get robbed / Mom keeps tellin’ me to get to bed fast / and I’m always wonderin’ why I’m late to class / No computer

after 8 aint a good look / there’s too much drama on that Facebook / Your texting your girl and you say she’s mine / but she belongs to my drawer when the clock strikes nine / Clock hits 10 you better be in /

if your late expect to be grounded again / Rooms all dirty bags on the flo’ / clothes everywhere I can’t open the doe / Don’t put the glass and metal pans together / Use your brain, be clever / BOY stop slurpin

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portraits

Junior Yva Ladera’s parents forbade her from having a relationship with a boy

OUR PARENTS FORBID US FROM DATING

|Maxime Bureau|Photography Staff

Just imagine what your high school life would be like without dirty stories, dates, rumors and murmurs, cute guys and pretty girls; without relationships.

Junior Yva Ladera, before a talk with her parents, was forbidden to date.

Her mother told her that if she dated she will be sent to Philippines.

At the homecoming dance, she took pictures with friends. Yva posted one with a guy friend as a Facebook profile picture. She

didn’t know that her parents were checking her Facebook page and thought it was her boyfriend.

She explained to them that it was just a friend and the conversation suddenly turned to a talk about dating.

And Ladera “Gained her parents’ trust,” but with a compromise. She would be able to date but Dad and Mom have to meet him before, and they are free to tell her what they think of him. Moreover, she promised that she she wouldn’t spend all her time her her boyfriend.

“I promised I would still have time for school, family and friends,” Ladera said.

They agreed and promised her not to forbid her from dating anymore.

“It’s nice to see how a calm and reflected discussion could make things going forward” Ladera explained later. She’s now free to date, but not with just anybody.

Sophomore Stephanie Nguyen’s parents allow her to hang out with guys in public environments, but no dating|Joe Vo|Photography Editor

Sophomore Stephanie Nguyen’s parents get suspicious when they hear anything about a guy.

“Guys are distractions,” Nguyen often heard from her mother. She is often reminded that she cannot date when her friends talk about boys, dates to dances, and crushes. She believes that the limits her parents put on her are “a little bit unreasonable.”

“Their purposes are positive, but I think I should learn by myself,” Nguyen said.

She believes that by being in different relationships, it will help her come to learn about what a real relationship should be like.

“I want her to focus on school,” Stephanie’s mother said. “School is where it’s at. Education is what is required in order to be successful.”

“My grades are already fine, even if I had a boyfriend I believe I would still be fine in school,” Nguyen said.

When she was a teenager, Nguyen’s mother had a typical dating experience during her high school years. “Technically”

she says, she was not in a relationship, but she was dating. She believes that in order for her daughter to be in a relationship she must be 16-years-old and learn sexual education.

“I’ve already been to health class and learned about ‘sexual education’. I think I know the outcomes of sex, plus I’m already scared of the risks.” Nguyen said.

But what about just hanging out with those “guy friends?”

“My daughter can hang out with guys as long as she is in a public environment and that there is an open door policy,” Nguyen’s mother said.

Nguyen understands what her mother is trying to say, but still believes that she should be able to handle relationships on her own.

“I believe that my mother is trying to warn me because she has remarried before,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen surely is heeding her mother’s warnings and knows the consequences of being in any kind of relationship. But Nguyen will prove to them that she can handle any relationship by herself.

So why does Nguyen really want to be in a relationship?

“The reason why I want to be in a relationship is to have someone that is more than a best friend, someone who I can be in sync with and make me feel better about myself.”

Olivia Fry photo

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At one time, Jennifer Vu’s parents forbade her from dating until she finished school. That didn’t stop Vu and she has now, for the first time, introduced the boyfriend.|James Enebrad|NUM83R5 Editor What are the reasons behind the restrictions parents place on their children? Senior Jennifer Vu knows how it feels to be restricted. “ When I was growing up I always had to hide

my relationships. Until this year, I didn’t care and I let my boyfriend meet my mom, but not dad.” Vu said. “They can’t do much because I am older now.” Afraid that her parents would get mad, Vu always had to hide her relationships from her parents.

“My dad is very strict and protective so I am worried he won’t like my boyfriend.” Vu said. Her dad seems to be more uncomfortable with Vu dating than her mom. “They do not have a reason to not trust me, they are just worried that I’ll get pregnant or turn out to be like my sister and not focus on my school.” Vu argued. Vu’ssister’sbehaviorhasinfluencedhermomsdecisions on how to control her relationships. “Mysisterhasinfluencedmymom’sdecisionson my relationships because my sister made dumb choices in general and my parents didn’t trust her because she lied a lot.” Vu said. On the other hand Vu’s mom isn’t giving up on enforcing the rules with her daughter, especially when she has her whole life ahead of her and many years of school. “I don’t like her being in a relationship because she is still too young and she’s still in school.” Vu’s mom said. It is a constant battle between Vu and her mom. Since her relationship is the cause her mom isn’t letting up yet. “I will stop being strict after my daughter is done with college.” Vu’s mom said. Vu says that her parents have no reason to

not to trust her with her relationship but her mom has other things to say. “I don’t trust my daughter because she doesn’t listen too much!” Vu’s mom eagerly said. There are two sides and both can’t see the other’s viewpoint. There’s no compromise in sight. Perhaps time will relax Vu’s mom’s mindset on her daughter’s relationship status. But other cultural aspects may be coming into play. “I don’t know if I like him, I just wished he spoke Vietnamese.” Vu’s mom said. Vu’smomdoesn’tspeakEnglishfluentlyandit could help if Vu’s boyfriend was Viet like her family. Communication is important and since Vu’s boyfriend doesn’t speak Vietnamese, he can’t really speak freely with Vu’s mom. “I really dont get why my parents are strict because at the end of the day they want me to be happy and he makes me happy. Even though I have a boyfriend I still make good choices.” Vu said.

THE BOYFRIEND Darren Briggs is a senior and he is also the boyfriend to Jennifer Vu. “I dont mind that Jennifer’s parents are strict because most of the time we are around my place and her parents don’t really talk to me when I’m around her place, especially her dad.” Briggs said. A relationship where it’s hard to get along with the parents does not bother Briggs in any way, even though he has a theory on why Vu’s parents are strict with them. “I think Jennifer’s parents are strict due to Jennifer’s older sister’s

complications with her parents.” Briggs said. Brigg’s parents differ in many ways from Vu’s parents. Hes African American and Native and Vu is Vietnamese. “My mom is chill about everything. My mom lets Jennifer come over whenever she wants to or stay the night, Jennifer’s mom only lets me go to the living room, even though she doesn’t know I’ve been around the house.” Briggs said. They are two entirely different families but they do have some common ground. They both, in the end, accept the relationship between Briggs and Vu but with varying degrees of strictness.

Olivia Fry photo

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Faces111213

We All Used To Screen Our Parents Phone Calls, But Don’t Anymore

“It might be an emergency.” - junior John Sundara

“I don’t want to hear her nagging.” - senior John Nguyen

“They need me, its always important.” - freshman Andrew Saechao

“Because they might have something to say and they might want me home.” -senior Justin Caoagdan

“They want me to do chores or just to go home.” - junior Kristian Tanggol

“Because mom worries about me and I don’t want her to worry.” - junior Hudson Du

“I always get in trouble.” -sophomore Nathan Saechao

“My dad scares the crap out of me.” -junior Madelyn Azcueta

“It might be important” - freshman Naniel Keooyangkhoth

“Because I might get a ride home.” - junior Devon Kennedy

“They might have something for me.” - junior Michael badgett

“They need me to do something for them.” - sophomore Eli De Los Santos

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TheMeaning

38%

.1. FACT: 72% of students

rarely or never get caught by their parents.MEANING: A majority of students

usuallygetawaywithit.Now,thismayscareparentsandteachers,butkeepinmindthatsomerulescanbealittlebitridiculous (seepg.15).Some rulesareprettysmallandharmlesscomparedtoamore serious infraction that actuallyputsteensindanger.Acertainamountof rule-breaking and going-behind-parent’s-backsisnaturalandexpectedfromteenagers.2. FACT: 37% of students

usually question themselves when doing something their parents forbade.MEANING: We really do have a

conscious. We question ourselvesbefore we disobey our parentsbecause,asmuchaswehatetoadmitit,wewantourparentstobeproudofus. Nobodywants to disappoint theirparents.Thoughtsoftheconsequencesofwhateverillicitactivityweareaboutto takepart inmay flash throughourmindsaswell.However,somestudentsweightheoptionsandgoaheadwithbreakingtherules.3. FACT: 50% of students say

they don’t have a curfew.MEANING:Halfofstudentsdon’thave

asettimetheyhavetobehome.Thiscouldbeforavarietyofreasons.Maybetheir parents are very trusting.Maybestudents work later at night so theirparents knowwhere they are. Maybethe parents are the ones working atnight.Theotherhalfofstudentsaren’taslucky;theyhaveacurfew.4. FACT: 37% of students

don’t talk about their love life with their parents.MEANING:Usuallystudentskeeptheir

lovelivesonthedownlow.Somemaythink their parents would disapproveoftheirboyfriend/girlfriend.Whenyouthinkyoufoundsomeonespecial,youdon’t want your parents screwing itup. Plus, talking about that stuff withparentsisembarrassing.5. FACT: 31% of students

have done 1-3 things this past year that parents forbade.MEANING:Agoodchunkofstudents

keeptheirrule-breakingtoaminimum.Eveniftheybreakthreerulesayear,thatisstillonlyoneruleeveryfourmonths.Nottoobad,really.Parentsshouldlookatthispositively.

The Meaning provides details about the numbers provided.

73%18.3% 7.3%1.4%

of students rarely or never get caught when disobeying parents

of students get caught half the time

of students almost get caught everytime

of students get caught every single time

38%25% 24%13%

of students question themselves before they do something bad

of students rarely question themselves

of students always question themselves

of students never question themselves

33% 19%10%

of students whose parents are noisy but also supportive

of students who said other

of students parents are skeptical or even judgmental

31%24.5% 24.5%13%

of students have probably never gone against their parents

of students have probably went against their parents over 10 times

of students have probably went against their parents 4-6 times

7% of students have probably gone against parents 7-9 times

of students parents don’t talk about their relationships

of students probably have went against their parents 1-3 times

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perspectives

Cindy Nguyen photo

|Cindy Nguyen|Perspectives Editor

Don’t judge him just because he’s a little messy or adventurous or, god forbid, Philippino. Give me a real reason why you don’t want us together.

Tell me he’s thrown the puppy across the room or that you caught him with another girl in bed. Tell me he took your necklace and sold it to a pawn store or smashed a TV because he lost a bet.

He may have a few issues, a few faults but maybe you should look in the mirror and tell me what you see.

He could be a Vietnamese boy with the same issues and you wouldn’t have minded at all. What is up with that? Is it just because you’ve been around Vietnamese people so long that that’s the only type of person you can see me with?

Kenneth Dean Sapalicio Nuguid asked me out at 12AM on Jan. 1. I remember I was wearing my gold and black New Years tiara and screaming, “Happy New Years!” at the top of my lungs and pulling strings off of Party Poppers with Senior Jenny Do, one of my best friend’s at the time.

A month later, Do and I told our fairly strict Vietnamese parents about both our boyfriends. Crazy thing? They were okay with it.

Well, sort of.Then boom, all of a sudden, once they

got to know a little bit about him, there was so much judgment in the air you could almost choke on it.

“He’s not Vietnamese,” my mom said.“He will get rid of you once he gets

everything he wants from you. Date someone Vietnamese, he will respect you and give you all the money that they work for. You’ll be happier, they will make you happier and you‘ll stay together forever.”

Because, of course, everyone knows that Vietnamese people are the most respectable. They never get divorced.

Oh please, just stop it already.I cannot fathom why my parents think

that commitment, love and support are not enough to carry a relationship on.

perspectivesMY PARENTS FORBIDINTER-RACIAL DATING

Cindy Nguyen is Vietnamese.Her boyfriend is Filipino.Her parents think it’s ridiculous.She thinks it’s reasonable.

Am I too young, too immature to realize how important money is to making a relationship work? Am I missing something

here?Sometimes I just want to hurl random

objects at her face. It seems impossible for her to look past his face and history and see him as he is now. It drives me absolutely loony that my mom can’t appreciate his accomplishments or the way he makes me laugh and smile.

Is she really that oblivious that she can’t see how we work out our problems together and how much better he makes me?

We are the not the same. I do not want the same things as my mom.

You have never stopped to ask what I ever wanted or needed.

I do not want to become filthy rich with a humungous house of my own because I‘ve

married some sweet, sensitive, can’tfightbacktosavetheirownbutt millionaire.

I don’t want to be treated like a Princess with a perfect

relationship.I don’t want some really sappy Korean/

Japanese English dubbed drama relationship where I will be waited upon every moment of every day, given every single thing I have ever wanted at a moment’s notice. I don’t want a crazy romantic relationship where we end up riding off into the sunset together.

It’s totally unrealistic and makes me gag just to even consider the idea.

I need to feel secure and loved. I need to have support in what I do and a different opinion on things.

Maybe I sort of like the idea of living in an overpriced, claustrophobic, carpet stained apartment with just us and a guinea pig or two.

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TheHeat

Every month, The Heat showcases the hot opinion of a fired-up reporter willing to hold your feet to the flames. Or set you on the burner. Enough fire to inspire action in you, our reader.

| Gary Nguyen| Perspectives Writer

I’m hungry and all I want is a midnight snack. I want a TV tray dinner, but not just any. I want a Banquet. Specifically, the Swedish meatball kind: bland, sure, but also wonderful and ever-so-tasty. I walk upstairs. My three dogs bark crazily; I hope they don’t startle my mom in her room.

I stop and listen, not a sound.I don’t want my mom to wake

up because I’ll be in huge trouble for sneaking around. She’ll stand between me and one of those red boxes of $1 dollar goodness. She might even tell me I won’t be able to eat tomorrow.

I risk it. I open the fridge. There are no more Swedish meatball TV tray dinners. I usually

keep them in the fridge because if I freeze them then meatballs get soggy on the inside and hard on the outside. The meatballs are the best part. But, I guess I’ll have to settle for the frozen macaroni and cheese. That is, if my little sister didn’t hog it all.

I open the freezer.Suddenly, a frozen package of pork chops falls down in slow

motion right onto my big toe. My mom had left it there leaning on the edge of the freezer door.

“GOTCHA!” my mom yells.I turn around. “You’re not supposed to eat after 8pm or else the food will turn

into protein in your sleep!”It’s true. She thinks that food turns to protein, as if protein is

bad. I thought protein was good. Sometimes I think it’s just another one of her random rules. Like no skinny jeans.

I turn and look at my mom, bent over, crazy “Grudge” hair all over her face. She shakes her head and threatens not to feed me tomorrow.

I learned my lesson that night; next time I sneak a quick snack, it’s a midnight snack WRAP.

| Tristan Cawagas| Art Staff

“I only want what’s best for you,” is what buzzes around my mind like a little fly, going in one ear and out the other.

One day I played Halo Reach until 2am. I just got it a week ago and I was already drugged with addiction. Then, I heard footsteps creeping up to my door. Unexpectedly, my dad came in with a serious look on his face. He said nothing and closed the door. I knew I had abused my privileges, but he should have been clearer. I pressed the power button and finally slept at 2:30am. The following day my dad came home from fishing, hours after I woke up. After a while, my dad called me over.

“Yeah, dad?” I asked, anxiously waiting for his answer.“How long were you playing last night?” my dad asked.“I don’t remember…” I lied; I had a good estimate of how

long I played that night. It was the only thing I could say to avoid trouble.

“See? You were probably too tired to remember, we need to talk,” my dad said with disappointment in his voice.

We make one mistake and they completely doubt us for the rest of our lives. Before, I could play as long as I wanted without any restrictions. Then, they forbid me from playing until I was done with my homework. I always ignored them and played without doing any of my work. I still haven’t goten my grades up. It was a vicious cycle that seemed to get worse every second. I believe I’m not doing anything wrong. When I tell them I’m doing my best in school, I mean it.

Sometimes I believe them. Other times, I think they’re just oppressing me, containing me in a little box, no space or freedom. But knowing my mom and dad, it’s for the best. Now, I’m on my best behavior in school and at home. I’m more focused and organized and I’m not trying to sneak on my games anymore like before. I know their just being parents. I respect them.

RESTRICTIONS ARE GOOD| Domonique Brooks-kilcup| Perspectives Writer

Recently I was suspended. It was awful being at home for five days. Even though I’ve broken rules and felt the consequences, I still think restrictions are good. I had a lot time to think at home, so here are four reasons why rules are good for teens, from a rule-breaker:

1. Restrictions keep us honest to ourselves and others. Teenagers don’t know how to act like adults yet. It’s important for parents to lead us in the direction of responsible adulthood. If you respect yourself enough to be honest, people will respect you. We may think we know everything, but it’s just our pride that gets in the way.

2. We don’t know what’s best for ourselves. We might think we know, but we usually don’t. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes you’ve got to fall on your butt, get back up and try it again. You may think you have everything in order, but you don’t know how to become responsible unless someone teaches you. I, uh, know this person named Dominique Brooks. He’s a senior at Renton High School who thinks he’s got everything in order and knows what’s best, but things usually don’t go his way for some reason. Hmmm I wonder why.

3. Restrictions show us the meaning of freedom. If all we know is freedom, we wouldn’t realize how lucky we are too have it. Having restrictions gives freedom more meaning. You never really know how good you had it until you get in big trouble and your parents make your life miserable. It makes you more grateful for the freedom you do get once you aren’t grounded anymore.

4. Rules give you a reason to engage in meaningful, democratic, spirited discussion with our parents. You never realized how smart your parents are until you are caught in an elaborate sting operation they set up to catch you breaking curfew. They are smarter than you think. When you respect your parents ideas they have more incentive to listen to yours. They might allow you to do things that they usually forbid. Watch what you do because people are watching. If your parents feel disrespected, they’ll be more strict. You might feel like they’re mean, but they are doing their best to turn you into a responsible adult. One day, you may even thank them. Maybe.

Joe Vo photo

Joe Vo photo

MY FATHER FORBIDS PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AFTER 11PM

MY MOTHER FORBIDS ME FROM EATING AFTER 8PM

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apologies

| Alyssa Antonio|Know More Editor

Dear Mom and Dad,I’m sorry, but I’m going to get a job. I

understand: You want me to focus on my studies. If I do get a job at Sanrio or as a sales clerk for a clothing store, it’s because I want to show you I can work to earn money and keep my grades up.

But I have to get a job. My reason is to raise money so I can buy the expensive things I want in stores or online. I don’t think you want to spend that much. Make no mistake, I appreciate the things you do for me every day. I understand that you’re always busy with work, things around the house, checking what’s going on in the Philippines, or even resting after a tiring day and putting up with my arguments with Kuya Aldrich.

I just don’t want you to go through the trouble.

I know you say getting a job will distract me from my studies, which will prevent me from getting into college. I say getting a job right now will give me work experience. Usually, having a job provides work experience that can be as valuable as more formal types of education.

Maybe I want to be independent and earn my own money. I don’t want you to keep giving me money for things I want to get or do when you could be using that money for bills or groceries. I just hope I don’t prove you right.

If that happens, here’s my apology, ahead of time.

| Mindy Saeteurn | Portraits Editor

Dear Mom, You would never hear me say sorry to

you. This is the one time you will. The only thing I’ve ever done to piss you

off is ignoring your calls. I can tell that you are pissed every third time you call again because I can hear the angry tone in the voicemails that you leave for me.

You would usually start off really nice. “Mindy, where are you? Call mommy back.”

I ignore it usually. Then the second voicemail comes. “Are you home yet? Call me back!”

When you call me the third time it usually comes right in within 10 minutes after the second call. “Mindy! Where are you?! Come home now!”

I understand that you care and all but you should know by now that I’m safe because I have come home safely every single time with no bruises, scrapes, or anything. I am old enough to handle myself and make sure that I get home safe.

I’m not one of those girls who do dumb things like get pregnant on accident and get drunk. You always use those as an excuse.

I’m sorry for all the times that I have never answered, and for future times that I probably won’t answer too. I love you mom, but please stop calling so much.

| Olivia Fry| Editor-in-Chief

Dear Mom and Dad, I’m sorry for what the Future may bring,

but I love you Dad, I’m going to get 3 tattoos, Zack’s

paw print with his birthday, the “vegetarian” one and my “Action for Animals” tattoo. I know you’d rather me cut off my arm than get a tattoo, but I’m going to get them.

I’m sorry that I will be moving back to California. You moved us up here to get away from all the crap like smoky air and helicopters flying all over. It may seem weird, but I just really miss our family

For some odd reason I’m drawn to California. I feel like that’s where I belong because every time I do go, I’m extremely happy. I feel like that’s where I belong, Dad.

Mom, specifically for you, I’m sorry I will eventually move out and be going to college. it’ll be a good thing, but I know that I won’t be able to visit very much , and I’ll miss you a lot.

I’m sorry I might not be home when you open up your amazing photography studio; I hope I am, because to me your work is absolutely amazing.

Finally, I’m sorry that if I get involved in the ASPCA and I get hurt by some guy with 1,000 animals. At least within that, I’d be doing something that I love. You both mean the world to me.

| Jasmine Marley|Staff

Here’s how to apologize to a parent the right way, sincerely.

1. Be quick - The first thing to do is apologize quickly. If you immediately show you did something wrong then maybe your parents will see the responsibility in you. For example, “Hey Mom / Dad, I thought right now would be a good time to come say I’m sorry for…”

2. Refer to your relationship - This will keep the relationship between you guys close. For example, “I talk to you all the time about everything. I don’t want that to change.”

3. Give a brief explanation, and put the glory days behind you. For example, “… and I know what I did was wrong because... and there’s no reason for acting that way. I won’t do it again.”

4. Move forward - Remember what you did, but don’t let the memory hold you back. For example, “I know I was irresponsible, but I can change.”

5. Prepare for an awkward conclusion - Don’t just stand there. Your last words should make your parents smile. Be meaningful. This might be awkward, but do it anyway. For example, “… and I know you know that I can do and be better. I know my actions weren’t right but I want you to know I don’t plan to do this again. It hurt you. I’m sorry once again. I love you!”

One question: Why can’t I get a job now?

I’m sorr-wait that’s the future, huh? Still, sorry.

I’m sorry, but stop calling me so much!

Express your regret in five easy steps

When I was seven I got an old fashion witch broom, and lit it on fire. I was holding it upside down in the dining room. You would think a kid would start screaming, but little o’ me was just watching orange, red, and yellow become one. When I smelled the flames I instantly snapped out of my pyromaniac zone.

In about three minutes, my kitchen was filled with smoke. I started to panic. I ran back and forth in our living room thinking

how to put the fire out, but I was only making it worse by spreading the flames and making the cloud of smoke bigger, as thick as dirt on an old RV.

I ran down the three little steps in our house, all the way to my mom’s room. When I got to her room, she got up and took the broom from me. She dunked it in the toilet to put the fire out.

“What the hell was you thinking, lighting the broom on fire!? You could have burned

down the whole effin’ apartment!” Only “effin’” wasn’t how she said it. After she yelled at me, the firefighters came. Then I got spanked. Then I got my TV taken away and all my toys disappeared right before my eyes.

I was grounded for two whole weeks.

DEAR MOMMY,

Joe Vo photo

I still play with fire. In the summer I always light the barbeque, just for the fire. I always ask my mom if I can start it. I get so pumped when it lights. I just sit there and watch the flames and the heat.

Mom I’m sorry for what I did.