theRoar

PAGE 4

Football players set goals, welcome new players, grieve the loss of a beloved former teammate

Increased enrollment creates crowded classes, teachers adding to their schedulesPAGE 6

Teens support do-it-yourself nail art trendPAGE 12

Volume 8 | Issue 1 | september 2012

one city,

The real match-up between Whitney and Rocklin HighPAGE 8

TWoscHools

THE STUDENT VOICE OF WHITNEY HIGH

12

44 The varsity football team welcomes new quarterback Drew Romo

6 Students reflect on overcrowded classes and how class sizes affects their education

8 See how Whitney and Rocklin match up on all levels

12 Students support a new trend of do-it-yourself nail art

The Roar is a student publication planned and produced by the journalism class at Whitney High School. The news magazine is an open forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions. Columns represent the viewpoints of individual writers and are not representative of the opinions of the student body, faculty or administration of Whitney High School or Rocklin Unified School District. Staff members of The Roar practice ethical student journalism by providing fair and balanced coverage as determined by community standards. Students working to publish each issue

strive to achieve accuracy by checking sources, spelling and quotes as well as obtaining a variety of credible sources. The Roar staff gladly accepts letters to the editor, either by email or delivered to Room C-2. All letters must be signed by the writer and may be edited for length or content. Libelous or potentially harmful material will not be printed. Multiple letters about the same topic may not be printed due to space limitations. For information about advertising, including rates, sizes and discounts, contact The Roar at theroar@rocklin.k12.ca.us.

c o e

t n

s n t

ILAF ESUFSHAI NIELSONKAVYA PATHAKEMMA RICHIE

ARIELLA APPLEBYABI BROOKSJENICA DODGE HALEY ELLIS THERESA KIM

HARMONY REILLYKALEEN SINGH KAVLEEN SINGH

CARSEN VANDER LINDEN

staffeditors adviser SARAH NICHOLS, MJE

8

6

2 WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOLTHE ROAR

THE ROAR | Whitney High School | 701 Wildcat Blvd. | Rocklin, Calif. 95765 | 916-632-6500

Everyone says that the grass is always greener on the other side. Well, is it? Walking around campus, you can hear snippets of

conversation: “At Rocklin, they get to wear tank tops,” or “I hate intervention and planner stamps. I wish I went to Rocklin.” But, after getting to the bottom of all these facts versus myths on both schools’ policies and systems. Maybe the other isn’t always better. Both schools have dress codes, parking lot rules, school rules, administration, football teams, lunch lines, homework and all of the other glorious ways of life that occur in a high school. Maybe it’s not always better somewhere else. Students need to see the positives in what they have in their current situation and stop thinking about what they wish they could have. The reality is, school is school, and we all have it pretty good here. Take the Quarry Bowl, for example. Yes, we lost, but who was more spirited? When the game ended, who stayed around to cheer for their team, and who left early to go celebrate? We stayed and had pride in our school. Throughout the game, the student section was white noise with the screams and chants of students wearing maroon and gold. By the end of the night, “We are the Wildcats, and no one could be prouder, and if you don’t believe us, we’ll yell a little louder,” was ringing in the ears of the students who stayed until the very last second. And even then, the fight song sang out from the students as they looked into the teared up eyes of the proud and exhausted football team. The passion and intensity of the fans represent the spirit of the school as a whole: determined and endless. A student may wish to be a part of the winning team, but in reality, the team that wins doesn’t always have the best spirit. When you look back at your high school yearbook 20 years from now, a crowded student section flooded with maroon and gold is going to have more of an impact than a silent blue

section with a trophy next to it. Now, a more relevant example to the academic side of school society is the intervention versus plus period debate. Most everyone has agreed that stamps consume time and are an inefficient way to guide students into getting help from teachers, yet this intervention period is such an advantage to the school. Stamps are obviously a little outdated compared to what the students want. However, having 25 full minutes of undivided time with teachers is a rare occurrence at other high schools. To have every teacher on campus at your disposal within a five minute walk is such a privilege that most students don’t recognize when complaining about the intervention system. Students take things like these for granted at their school of choice. In fact, some students are so dislike the school they attend that they go as far as to completely switch schools. It’s one thing for a student to change schools for logical reasons like enrollment in a course not offered at the current school or to be part of a particular athletic program, but some make this drastic change based merely on trivial personal complaints. Complaining about a certain teacher, getting away from a group of friends, the dress code, the intervention system or the parking system at one school should not be enough to cause you to switch schools completely when there are so many amazing things you have failed to recognize that are offered at the original school. Nowadays, students take for granted the chances they are given with where they currently are. Living in Rocklin, life isn’t too awful as far as overall necessities are concerned. With high school, the same things apply. Both schools offer advantages and disadvantages. The only problem is that students want what they can’t have. To use this to our advantage, instead of hopelessly complaining about systems and policies which we feel we

have no control over, why don’t we take our complaints and put them into action. If you think a certain policy is better at Rocklin, look to change our policy here to better fit the needs of the students. Take a complaint to a counselor or arrange a meeting with someone in administration. Talk to your class officers about a policy you want to implement. Start a petition against something you think the school could do without and assemble signatures from the student body. There are many ways to go about bringing change to your school in easy and manageable ways. We can make these negatives into positives with a little support and school spirit. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you could have. It might just make the school a better place for you.

EDITORIAL

3SEPTEMBER 2012ISSUE 1

the grass isn’t always greener

illustration by KAVLEEN SINGH

SPOR

TS

LIVE. LAUGH.

The lights shine down on the stadium looking out to the maroon and gold crowd as

hundreds of students, parents and staff fill the stadium. A herd of football players hustle to the field. “Every year is different with different kids. The goal of a coach is to balance everything out,” head varsity coach Mike Gimenez said. With balance also comes responsibility and hard work. “We go to practice everyday. We work on something new every week based on the teams we’re playing. We try to change our game plan to what the other team is going to be like,” JV player Nathan Appleby said. Everyone involved in the program is looking forward to something. “(I’m looking forward to) watching this team improve. This is a really fun group with a lot of different people. I believe in the team,” Gimenez said. JV player Rueben Avina looks farther than just the next game. “I’m looking forward to our team at the end of the year when we play Antelope and win the championships,” Avina said. The team has made progress compared to past teams at Whitney. New quarterback Drew Romo from Merced High School has gotten attention as a new quarterback for the varsity team. Romo shares the position with returning players Kyle McCray and Alex Yount. “I like the feeling of playing football, it gets really intense and it gets your adrenaline up. Compared to Merced the program here is more intense,” Romo said. One of the football program’s key words is family.

“I’ve always wanted to play football. It’s a passage: my dad played, I play, and now my brother plays as well,” defensive back and running back Jordan Powell said. For the players and coaches, the Quarry Bowl loss to Rocklin on Sept. 7 is long gone as they look to each new challenge. “We are very strong. With the best offense and defense players and is one of the strongest teams since Whitney opened,” Gimenez said. The varsity team has 46.3 tackles per game compared to 40.8 tackles per game last year. “I think the team has definitely progressed and gotten better than last year. We just have to believe and once we realize what our potential is we can be a great team and win the championships,” Appleby said. As the season continues, players are interested in getting recruited by colleges. Nolan Squyres, a junior who is the varsity outside linebacker and defensive line, wouldn’t mind. “I got some letters from a couple schools, but I haven’t been doing so good this season so far. I step it up and if I have the opportunity then I would definitely be interested,” Squyres said. Sutter Choisser also hopes to get recruited for his play as the varsity running back and defensive back. “I had a couple looks from some schools. I’m interested in CSU Pueblo and Montana University,” he said. Players agree that college options aren’t anything compared to their focus on this team and this season. “This is the best team so far and we are all really close,”Powell said.

Football players share perspectives about the season and their goals

Quarterback Drew Romo practices his throws during practice. Photo by THERESA KIM

by ARIELLA APPLEBY & THERESA KIM

4 WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOLTHE ROAR

SPORTS

“I was bumped up to varsity last year from JV. The juniors and seniors were (giving us a hard time) but Christian would always be helpful and was cool to us. Whenever we had a question he would tell us straight up, he would never give you a hard time or hassle you.” NOLAN SQUYRES

“Christian was a huge motivator, setting a great example for the other players. As a junior last year and a as a senior this year I want to set that example.” CODY MOFFITT

“I will remember Christian’s big smile. He always had a smile, and that’s what keeps me going.” JORDAN POWELL

“Christian’s hard work and him never giving up motivates me to do better.” SUTTER CHOISSER

“Christian impacted the team because the team has dedicated this season to him. Because of that all the players are trying hard, working hard, and by sucking it up when it gets tough.” ASSISTANT COACH JESSE ARMAS

MEET THE QUARTERBACK Grade: juniorPosition: varsity quarterbackHeight/Weight: 6’3’/200 lbs.

born: Nov. 9, 1995sports played: football, basketball, and baseballstats: 40-yd sprint in 5.0 secondsbench max: 100 kilosawards: Offensive Player of the Year (2010-2011), MVP (2011-2012), All Academic Team

future plans: (I want to attend) Notre Dame, UCLA, or anywhere that pays for my education

LOVE.

DREW SCOTT ROMO #6

How did Christian Daniels affect you or the team?

GONEBUT NOTFORGOTTENPlayers remember their teammate, a 2012 graduate who passed away this summer

5SEPTEMBER 2012ISSUE 1

FEAT

URE

6 WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOLThe Roar

It’s the first day of school, and a student is desperately searching the campus for her math class. She checks her schedule once, then twice, then a couple more times

after that. She asks people around where the room is. She circles the E building several times before finally arriving at her proper destination. Though the bell hasn’t rung, it’s too late. She steps into the room, and finds that every last desk is taken. The room is packed. All that’s left is the table in the back. She takes a seat; after all, it’s her only choice. Crowded classrooms have been an issue on campus more than ever before. With more than 1900 students attending the school, it could be difficult to find a class with spaces left. Mr. Erich Means, biology and marine biology teacher, has an average of 37 students in his classes. “You have to worry about your classroom management,” Means said. “Having many kids takes away one-on-one time with the students.” Large classes sizes also affect students’ abilities to focus. “It is sometimes difficult to function, especially in the dark room where we develop pictures, because the room is small and the class is big,” a photography student, Kyle Layton said. In math classes, extra students have to sit at computers, trying to take notes without a desk such as in Jodi Sassenrath’s Algebra II class. “They have to face the wall and turn around to see the

teacher,” Sassenrath said. “Classrooms need more desks. In one word, (the class is) overwhelming.” Advanced publications has 47 students, making it hard to decide who gets a computer and who does not. “Kids usually have to sit on the floor or at the editors’ table. It’s good because there are a lot of people working on different projects. It’s bad because there is not enough computers for everyone to sit (at),” Georgia Minion said. Class size is not a factor for some. Psychology teacher Mr. Jason Knowles has three classes with 38 students in each. Though his room is completely full, it does not bother him. “Having 38 kids means you have more energy,” Knowles said. “I actually like it. But if I was a math teacher, I would probably scream bloody murder.” Means sees benefits to having lots of kids as well. “I get to interact with more students. Meeting more kids is always nice,” he said. Big classes have been a challenge for the past couple of years as the school reached its full intended enrollment. The counseling department has spent the last month making schedule changes to balance out class sizes. “When the school opened, we had to see how many kids were coming in. We were careful not to over-add classes. Then we added some and they finally smoothed out,” counselor Mrs. Roisin Leroy said. Some teachers have to switch classrooms throughout the day. Almost every classroom is shared. A different teacher is there every period. Others have agreed to give up their off periods in order to make class sizes smaller. This year, seven teachers have taken on an extra class in order to balance out the class sizes, earning extra pay for teaching an overload. “It’s great that I get to connect with another set of new students, but days with that extra class are exhausting. With so many students in my room at break and in my room at lunch, I rarely have a chance to breathe,” publications teacher Mrs. Sarah Nichols said. Having crowded classes may present challenges to both teachers and students, the larger school size is here to stay. New students enrolled during the week of Sept. 17. Layton said, “This school still gives students a great education and is doing a good job with the large numbers. For the circumstances, everything is handled pretty well.”

TAKE A

With a higher population than ever, students and teachers adjust to new classroom sizes

by JENICA DODGE

SEAT

1901

WHS ENROLLMENT THROUGH THE YEARS

1646students were enrolled in the 2011 school year

students were enrolled in the 2012 school year

students were enrolled on Aug. 21, 2012

1773

To show the challenge of getting a seat in some classes, Jodi Sassenrath, Mikaella Roberts and Brianna Wrathall fight over a chair. Photo illustration by JENICA DODGE

FEATURE

The new activities director shares about her first month teaching leadership and health

Qand

Awith

Yadon

Ms.Jennifer

by ABI BROOKS

Q: How do you like the job so far?

A: “I love it. I didn’t think I would be doing this, but I think it’s amazing.”

Q: What’s your favorite part about it?

A: “My favorite part is the students and their dedication to the school. I also love their school pride.”

Q: What do you plan to keep the same, and what will you change?

A: “We are keeping all of the events the same, but with a twist. We’re going to add things to make them better.”

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7SEpTEmbER 2012ISSUE 1

Q: What fun events are coming up?

A: “We’re going to be having tailgating before the athletic events, and music showcasing events, which is something new that we are going to be trying this year.”

Q: Aside from being activities director, you also teach health. Do you like teaching both?

A: “Yes. It has a balance. It’s also a learning curve. The health staff has

been very helpful because of all of my time spent in leadership.”

Q: I hear that you went to high school at Rocklin High School, is there anything you like more about Whitney than Rocklin? What’s different?

A: “The school pride is bigger here. And I like that it is a student-run program instead of activities director run, like Rocklin’s. I love how everyone knows the fight song here, and mostly (the difference is) the spirit.”

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FEAT

URE

two

one

Rocklin and Whitney differ greatly in academics, sports and other areas

city,

schools

Joey Tappero cheers for Rocklin at the Quarry Bowl on Sept. 7. Photo by KAVYA PATHAK

Chris Schwarz cheers for Whitney at the Quarry Bowl on Sept. 7. Photo by KAVYA PATHAK

Lydia Summers cheers for Rocklin at the Quarry Bowl on Sept. 7. Photo by KAVYA PATHAK

Henry Foote leads the student section in cheering at the Quarry Bowl on Sept. 7. Photo by KAVYA PATHAK

8 WHiTnEY HigH SCHooLTHE RoAR

FEATURECheers reverberate through the night air, as thousands of fans pack the stadium until it can hold

no more. Bright lights illuminate two massive crowds, one a mass of blue and silver, another swathed in maroon and gold. It’s the Quarry Bowl, one of the few nights in the year that the rivalry that splits this town, the competition between this school and Rocklin High comes to light in its most public way. Yet, despite the competition during this event, rivalries tend to lessen off the football field. PJ Floyd, whose brother William chose to go to Rocklin to be with his friends, has experienced this firsthand. “We smack talk each other sometimes, but we don’t really take (the rivalry) very seriously,” Floyd said. “When (my brother) played for Rocklin’s freshman team against Whitney in the Quarry Bowl, I rooted for him, but I supported Whitney’s JV and varsity teams.” But looking past the occasional competition between the schools, it becomes clear that true differences exist between the two.

_ The differences between the schools begin at their very foundations. Whitney, with an enrollment of 1,901 students that barely outstrips Rocklin’s 1,864 students, is the larger school, with 194,000 square feet of building area compared to Rocklin’s 188,000. Differences in building size can be attributed to the almost 14 year gap between the construction of both facilities. “(Rocklin High School) was constructed 20 years ago when the community was much smaller,” Sue Wesselius, senior director of facilities and operations at the Rocklin Unified School District, said. “(Whitney High) was opened a little over seven years ago, so the gyms and libraries are slightly larger at Whitney than at Rocklin.” Further differences become apparent when usage of campus facilities are compared. Though both schools encompass approximately 50 acres of land, spaces on campus are divided up differently between the two schools, a disparity that becomes clear when the student parking lots are compared. Unlike Whitney, where seniors are given the opportunity to purchase parking spots for the whole school year, Rocklin’s seniors are reserved an entire lot. “Seniors get to park in the parking spaces closest to the school, (and) there are no specific areas for (individual) students. It’s more like a

first come, first serve type of thing,” class of 2012 graduate Stephanie Nguyen, said. Despite differences between the two campuses, efforts have been made to ensure both schools provide similar learning environments and facilities. “While Whitney’s pool is slightly larger, Rocklin has two pools, (and) both sites now have synthetic turf stadiums with rubber tracks. Whitney and Rocklin have distinctive exterior finishes and have a very different appearance, but overall both sites provide the same opportunities for students to achieve,” Wesselius said.

M More so than the basic differences between the two campuses, academics help truly contrast the two schools. According to the 2011 School Profiles of both campuses, Rocklin leads Whitney in API (Academic Performance Index) scores, with a score of 881 compared to Whitney’s 867, making Rocklin the highest ranked school in Placer County, with Whitney following in second place. Rocklin has 20 AP courses to Whitney’s 16, offering AP classes like Physics CE and CM, Music Theory, Computer Science, and Studio Art 2D Design, all of which are not offered at Whitney. AP exam scores also differ between the schools, with 80% of students receiving a three or better at Rocklin as compared to 59% at Whitney. When looking beyond the numbers, fundamental differences arise between the makeups of the two schools. “Rocklin is a more project-oriented school, whereas Whitney is more (standardized) test oriented, in response to the CSTs,” Mr. Jon Bryant, who taught geography at Rocklin and currently teaches AP World History here, said. “Rocklin also has more traditions, like the Twenties Bash, which was a party for the different U.S. History classes.” The schools, particularly when Whitney was first established, also differed in their commitment to Professional Learning Community (PLC) standards that ensure that all students, regardless of their different teachers, learn the same material and are graded in a similar manner. “Whitney is more tightly aligned (with PLC standards) that Rocklin was when I was teaching there,” Mrs. Amanda Bannister, who taught Language Arts I and II for five years at Rocklin before coming to Whitney, said, “but both schools still strive to have common units and standards.” Daily schedules also differ between campuses, and, though ideas have been shared in the past on how school days

by the NUMBERShow the two schools measure up

students attend WHS

1,901

students go to RHS

1,864

353more AP exams were administered at RHS than at WHS

40%of WHS graduates were accepted to a four-year college or university

45%of RHS graduates were accepted to a four-year college or university

Distinguished Community Service Award

131 RHS seniors completed 150 hours of community service to win this award compared to 88 WHS seniors

mascot MATCH-UP

“Joel Parker Whitney used to watch the wildcats run out here so it was decided to make the Wildcat our mascot.”

“The first RHS student body, when they were in the eighth grade, voted for their mascot to be the Thunder.”

Mr. Alek Ustaszewski explains the origins of the schools’ mascots

by KAVYA PATHAK

Source: RHS and WHS school profiles 2011-2012

*

*Each represents approximately 100 students

From the ground, up

Academics

9SEpTEmbER 2012ISSUE 1

should be planned, each school has a very different take on how to best help students. Intervention, the 25 minute time period in which students can clear essential skills and finish extra work, was the model for Rocklin’s 30 minute plus period, though Rocklin has developed plus period into something far removed from Whitney’s system. “Each day, students attend plus period for one (designated) class out of their eight classes, and if they are passing (that particular) class, they can leave, but if not, they must stay,” Bryant said. “Plus period has received good reviews, but Whitney has a loyalty to the intervention system.”

As students finish their senior year at either school, the processes for honoring top graduates also highlights the differences between the schools. Whitney’s Distinguished Scholar Diploma, awarded to a select few graduates who show leadership and academic excellence, is less specific than Rocklin’s advanced diplomas, which award excellence in different areas. “Rocklin awards advanced diplomas for individuals who have excelled in (academics, student leadership, and campus involvement) and who have met certain requirements. Students can also select an emphasis in a particular

department or can choose an area of study to be recognized for,” Emily Leonhardt, a Rocklin senior, said. The two schools also emphasize different qualities in their graduates. “At Rocklin, all of the students thought they would go to college, when, in reality, that probably wouldn’t happen to everyone. At Whitney, our students leave as more well rounded individuals, since we have more hands-on tech classes, which gear some students toward trades,” Mr. Alek Ustaszewski, who helped open both schools, said.

Further differences are apparent when the ASB programs of the schools are compared. Unlike Whitney’s rallies, in which activities are mainly student led, Rocklin’s rallies include greater staff involvement. “While our ASB director is more behind the scenes, Mr. Thompson, (Rocklin’s ASB director) was the central figure of their rallies. He would hold up a thunderbolt called a thunder stick to lead the cheering, and when he held it vertically students would cheer, and when he pointed it horizontally, they would stop. ” Bannister said. School spirit also highlights differences between the campuses. “The student body (at Rocklin) is not as spirited as a whole compared

to Whitney, since not as many people dress up or go to games and support our teams,” Rocklin student Suzie Bigley said.

Athletics further expose the differences between the schools, with Whitney’s teams mainly competing in Division II sports, while Rocklin’s teams are in Division I. Both schools are known for different sports as well. Whitney’s football and softball teams have been most successful, winning playoffs the greatest number of times compared to all other school sports teams, and winning the greatest number of league titles. Rocklin, however, focuses on different sports. “Our baseball, girls’ volleyball, and boys’ basketball teams have been most successful,” Rocklin’s athletics director Mr. Davis Stewart said, “with the varsity baseball team playing at section finals for the six out of the last seven years, and the girls volleyball team winning four league titles in a row. The boys’ basketball team has also had great success, winning the Northern California championships and playing for state championships in 2009.”

story continued on WHITNEYUPDATE.COM

Graduation and future plans

Rallies and spirit

10 Whitney High SchoolThe Roar

Sports

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by ILAF ESUF

“Look up tutorials because a lot of things

that look hard are actually pretty easy!

I look at pictures on Pinterest and Instagram to get

inspired. They have some really cool stuff.”

When doodling in notebooks just isn’t enough, some students take the practice a step further by creating intricate designs on their fingernails. Nail art is a new trend that has become the hottest accessory. From

coverage in fashion magazines and fashion designers’ runways to fashion blogs, nail art has managed to make an appearance everywhere.

“I originally started to get into nail art to stop biting my nails. I was a major nail biter for all of my life and I found that if they were always painted then I wouldn’t bite them as much. Now I do it just because I love it! It’s become one of my favorite hobbies.”

“I use the back of a sewing pin instead of

using a dotting tool and use a sewing

needle instead of a toothpick so I can reuse it. Just look

around your house and be creative and use what you have.”

Nail polish from Walgreens

Essie: Mint Candy Apple Sinful Colors: Pink ForeverSally Hansen: Black Out and Kiss striper brushes in black and silver

Sinful Colors: Snow Me White Maybelline Color Show: Green With

Envy & Tenacious TealKiss Nail Art Paint in black

Nailed It!Students take artsy doodling to the next level

Niki Dietrich

Humna Afzel

Priya Chadda

12 WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOLTHE ROAR

ENTERTAINMENTby SHAI NIELSONATeam

5

4

3

2

1

AWOLNATION

The Format

Lit

Youngblood Hawke

Ed SheeranFinding Ed Sheeran this past summer may just have been the most amazing thing to happen to me since I first discovered squeezable jelly dispensers. I had heard a lot about his music through social networking sites and once I first heard “The A Team,” I was hooked. My favorite songs are “Gold Rush” and “Autumn Leaves.” Not many of his songs

are what you would call dance songs, but each one has its own unique vibe and beat. The focus of most songs are love, but for some reason his are like no other. His lyrics aren’t the typical “I love you” or “I miss you;” they speak a different language almost, and I’m sure they’ll speak right to your music loving soul.

Oh the beauty of iTunes free songs of the week, they found me this new little secret. The build up in the beginning of the song “We Come Running” is like a beautiful journey through a lush, green forest until you finally reach the chorus which is like finally making it into a fascinating meadow of bright colored

flowers and a mystical waterfall. Pretty amazing, right? Their other songs are just as amazing and stray far away from the everyday pop sound that so many artists get sucked into. Let’s hope they don’t do the same because you know you’ll be waiting with baited breath for their first album.

Rediscovering the band Lit was an excellent start to my summer vacation. I’d heard a few of their other songs from previous albums years ago, but this album changed my perception of them. Previously being a rock band has contributed quite a bit to their new indie/rock sound on this album. Songs

like “Here’s To Us” and “The Wall” are very special to the band’s hard times and also have become nostalgic to me for my senior year. Other great songs on the album are “Partner In Crime” and “Nothing’s Free,” though I love them all when I’m driving and want to pretend I’m at a rock concert in my car.

Electric pop/indie popFirst EP, 2010Latest album, Megalithic Symphony

Alternative rockFirst album, 1997

Latest album, View from the Bottom

Electric rockFirst EP, self-titled (2012)

No full album yet

Folk/acousticFirst EP, 2005Latest album, +

A good friend first introduced me to The Format after the band Fun., who both share the same lead singer. After a summer of Fun. overload with everyone jumping on the bandwagon and singing “We Are Young” and “Some Nights,” The Format is a nice revelation with a similar sound. The Format is no longer existent

since lead singer Nate Ruess is now with Fun., but they have plenty of albums and songs to jam anywhere to. The best album is Dog Problems with the best songs being “Oceans” and “Let’s Make This Moment a Crime.” Fun. may be the new wanna-be hipster favorite, but The Format is still a perfect secret.

If you’re a radio 94.7 avid listener then you probably have at least unconsciously rocked out to a few of AWOLNATION’s songs, to which I congratulate you; you have heard an amazing band. Their summer hits were “Sail” and “Kill Your Heroes” which are two of my favorites, as well as “People”

and “All I Need.” The rock feel of their songs reminds me of the music I have listened to my whole life with my dad, and the electric edge appeals to the modern side of my musical mind. Each song on their album has a different sound and can satisfy any mood while out on a run and hanging with friends.

about the bandIndie rock/popFirst EP, 2002Latest album, Dog Problems

The

about the band

about the band

about the band

about the artist

Photo Illustration by SHAI NIELSON

One fan talks about her top artists that will remind you of the days of good music and record players

13SEPTEMBER 2012ISSUE 1

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TECHNOLOGY

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Communications department receives software upgrades for the new school year

Over the summer, the communications department moved from CS 4 to CS 6, offering

students a more updated and career-ready experience in desktop publishing and digital manipulation. The challenge is that this significant upgrade meant experienced students were suddenly back at the beginner level. “Switching from Final Cut to Premier is definitely a big transition,” broadcasting anchor Eric Yount said. “All the same buttons are there but in different spots that we’re not used to yet. So in the beginning at least it will take a little longer to edit.” While new students in each program will learn only on Premier, advanced students have had to relearn the new program and then teach the freshmen. “We have to teach everyone (so) it’ll probably take a couple of days, hence the delayed announcements,” broadcasting student Lexi Dibachi said. Broadcasting students see benefits to the upgrade. “It’s a lot easier, user friendly, useful with more effects (and) good for production class. It’s a software that moves forward whereas Final Cut (did) not progress,” Dibachi said. Students have even found the upside in the change to Premier.

“One thing that I love is that we no longer have to convert our video,” Yount said. “Premier uses the same format of video that our cameras shoot in. It cuts down on our editing time by quite a bit. We can come back from getting video and start editing immediately. We no longer have to wait a long time for our video to convert.” Not only did the broadcasting software change, but the entire communications department upgraded Creative Suite so that all Adobe programs moved from 4 to 6, which has greatly affected the publications class. “What I disliked about last year’s software, the older version of InDesign, was that it always froze and everything would be really delayed. The great thing about the upgrades is that it’s new technology and it’s efficient. But if you have an older software on another computer, you can’t transfer it easily,” editor-in-chief Megan Malm said. Since making the yearbook is a year-long process, Malm values class time. However, the changes in the new software slows down the production, putting a potential time crunch on deadlines. “I dislike the new system mainly because I’m not used to it yet. There are little changes that catch me off guard

and annoy me sometimes, but I’m sure in time I’ll get used to it. I’m definitely up for the challenge!” Malm said. According to Mr. Steve Mate, the Chief Technology Officer at the Rocklin Unified School District, a school can install an unlimited amount of upgrades as long as they have the funds to do so. “Each school decides to upgrade the software so they pay for it. If they see a necessity for a software upgrade they can get one, it doesn’t really matter when they do it. They can upgrade it every year if they have matching funds,” Mate said. To pay for the upgrades in the broadcasting and communications department this year, the school received a portion of the Carl Perkins grant, a grant dedicated to furthering technological advancements. Although students seem to have reservations about the upgraded software, the possibilities are endless. Technology teacher Mrs. Kirsten Parker said, “There are more possibilities for collaboration (with CS6) and there is more to do with each program.”

by ILAF ESUF & SHAI NIELSON

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15SEpTEmbEr 2012ISSUE 1

photos by ILAF ESUF

HAvING TO rELEArN EvErYTHING IS GOOd bECAUSE IT’S A GOOd rEFrESHEr, bUT IT’S ALSO A TImE wASTEr.— Megan Malm

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