issue four

SCRIPTORIAfeb 26, 2010

SCRIPTORIA feb 26, 2010

Theworldofjournalismischanging.The challenges journalists face today are daunting. Sometimes, a

journalistdoesn’tknowifheorsheisgoingtowakeupthenextday,gotowork,andthepositionheorsheoccupiedisstillavailable.Perhapsthatweek-longfurloughwasmovedtopermanentstatus.It’swidelyunderstoodthatnewspaperpublishersarestrugglingdue

to an emphasisononlinemedia anda struggling economy. Nooneknowsifrockbottomhasbeenreached.I believe these are exciting times in journalism. The opportunity

exists tomakeall thechangespositiveones. Amentoroncetoldmethatnewspaperwritersarecopswithoutthecuffs.Theprofessionstillhasunbelievablepowertoshapeacommunityandacity.Citiesstillneedavoiceforthepeople.As Scriptoria heads into its 29th year in production, I can look

backandbeproudofthemanyaccomplishmentswe,asaclass,haveexperienced.Moreimportantly,thestudentswhojourneythroughmyadvancedjournalismclassarecompletelypreparedtohandletherigorsandchallengesofuniversitylifeoncetheirfouryearshaveconcluded.Ialwaystellmystudents,“Iamnotheretorecruitallofyouintothe

worldofjournalism.Iamheretoprepareyoutochallengeyourpeersacademicallyasyouenteraglobaleconomy.”Readers,Iencourageyoutovisit hanksmedia.com. Anystorythatis

writteninScriptoriaisavailabletopostcommentsonthewebsite.AsIentermyfourthyearinthecastle,and26thyearinthecommunity,

Icontinuetolookforwardtothemanychallengesthispublicationwillmostcertainlyoffer.That’swhatmakesthisjobfun.ALEX NAVARRO

Scriptoria/hanksmedia.com adviserHanks graduate 1994

Adviser’s LetterScriptoria is the magazine of J.M. Hanks

HighSchool.Theopinionsexpressedby thisstaff do not necessarily reflect those of J.M.HanksHighSchoolortheYsletaIndependentSchoolDistrict.

Scriptoria follows the district and stateguidelinesestablishedforstudenthighschoolpublications.Advertising Information: If you would liketo advertise in Scriptoria, please call 434-5276,or email [email protected],andanadvertising representative will provide youwithadvertisingratesanddetails.Contributions: All Scriptoria articles appearon hanksmedia.com. Scriptoria highlyencourages students, faculty, staff andmembersoftheoftheJ.M.HanksHighSchoolcommunitytocontributetoitspublication.Acommentssectionproceedsallarticlesonline.Onceyourcommenthasposted,anemailwillfollow either confirming or rejecting yourpost. The adviser reserves the right to rejectanycommentdeemedinappropriate.LetterstotheEditorcanbemailedto:

J.M.HanksHighSchoolC/OHanksmedia.com/Scriptoria2001LeeTrevinoElPaso,TX79936

ON-LINEHanksmedia.com is a digital version of

theprintmagazineupdateddailywithWeb-exclusivestoriesandphotographs.

Scriptoria was recognized as the bestnewspaper in the State of Texas from 1994-2001,2004.

REDUCE RECYCLE REUSERecycling old magazines is one of the

easiest ways to help the environment. Toincreasethesupplyofrecoverablewoodfiberandtoreducedemandontheworld’slandfills,hanksmedia.com urgesourreaderstosupportrecyclingeffortsintheircommunities.

2009-2010 SCRIPTORIA STAFFEditor in Chief RachelCheekAssociate Editor JordanneDiazCopy Editor KyleKehrwaldOnline Editors MattRomeroSection Editors AprilOrtegon,Kyle Monticone,RosalieRubio, KatAlanisScriptoria Staff

Adviser AlexNavarro

Volume XXIX No. IV February 26, 2010

RudyAcosta,RobertAlvarez,DomoniqueCalderon,EddieChozet,KrizelCruz,AlexFlores,AprilHernandez,JennaMartinez,YvianaMendoza,NormaPerea,SteveRojo,DerekSims,CarlosValdez,DenisseViolante,JarrettWilliams ,ZachZiegler

TTheworldofjournalismischanging.

TTheworldofjournalismischanging.The challenges journalists face today are daunting. Sometimes, aTThe challenges journalists face today are daunting. Sometimes, ajournalistdoesn’tknowifheorsheisgoingtowakeupthenextday,goTjournalistdoesn’tknowifheorsheisgoingtowakeupthenextday,gotowork,andthepositionheorsheoccupiedisstillavailable.Ttowork,andthepositionheorsheoccupiedisstillavailable.Perhapsthatweek-longfurloughwasmovedtopermanentstatus.TPerhapsthatweek-longfurloughwasmovedtopermanentstatus.It’swidelyunderstoodthatnewspaperpublishersarestrugglingdueTIt’swidelyunderstoodthatnewspaperpublishersarestrugglingdueto an emphasisononlinemedia anda struggling economy. NooneTto an emphasisononlinemedia anda struggling economy. Nooneknowsifrockbottomhasbeenreached.Tknowsifrockbottomhasbeenreached.I believe these are exciting times in journalism. The opportunityTI believe these are exciting times in journalism. The opportunityexists tomakeall thechangespositiveones. AmentoroncetoldmeTexists tomakeall thechangespositiveones. Amentoroncetoldmethatnewspaperwritersarecopswithoutthecuffs.TheprofessionstillTthatnewspaperwritersarecopswithoutthecuffs.Theprofessionstillhasunbelievablepowertoshapeacommunityandacity.Thasunbelievablepowertoshapeacommunityandacity.Citiesstillneedavoiceforthepeople.TCitiesstillneedavoiceforthepeople.

SCRIPTORIAfeb 26, 2010 con

TenTs

campus02 AYP:NotAtYourPleasure

08 Studentsfeeltheneedforspeed

10 Dissectingtheditchfactor

EnterTainmenT24 GagagoesBarbie

FeaTure12 Adiplomaandadegreeinone

14 Attitudeandadolescence

22 Therebirthofthehippieculture

27 Animalcruelty

OPinion18 Deathasadyingwish(pro)

20 There’snomercyinmurder(con)

26 Censorshiponcampus

sporTs28 NBAsnubsworthyallstars

Technology30 Lifeinhighdefinition

38Senioritis sets in

RudyAcosta,RobertAlvarez,DomoniqueCalderon,EddieChozet,KrizelCruz,AlexFlores,AprilHernandez,JennaMartinez,YvianaMendoza,NormaPerea,SteveRojo,DerekSims,CarlosValdez,DenisseViolante,JarrettWilliams ,ZachZiegler

16 Wrestlers take it to the mat

04 TAKS has a new name


Adequate?Notreally.Itappearsthat,throughouttheyears,theimportanceofeducationhasreducedwithinstudents.Some students see their studies as anobligation instead of a privilege; thesituation is completely inadequate.It only worsens with other factorsaffectingeducationaldevelopmentsuchastheTexasAssessmentofKnowledgeandSkills(TAKS)andAdequateYearlyProgress(AYP).According to the Texas Education

Agency, due to the No Child LeftBehind(NCLB)Act,allpublicschools,districts,andstatesthatreceivefundingfromthefederalgovernmentforpubliceducation are evaluated forAYP. AllarerequiredtomeettheAYPstandardson three measures: Language Arts,Mathematics, and Graduation Rate orAttendanceRate.Ifthoserequirementsarenotmetfor

two consecutive years, that campus,district, or state is subject to otherrequirements which include but arenot limited to: additional educationalservices, offering school choice, ortakingcorrectiveactions.“AYP is the federal guideline

we have to meet every year whichmeasures a student’s test scores usingthe tenth graders math and Englishresults,” said JenniferAdams, studentactivities director and ex-officialcampus educational improvementcouncil (CEIC) member. “The schoolis gradedbasedon the scores and thefederal government has decided that

wedidnotmeet thegoals theyset forus.”Hanks has not met AYP in four

years. Thefirstyear,2005-2006schoolyear, the powers that be who presideover the school locally and at thedistrict level,receivedawarning. Theschoolanditsstudentswereplacedinthe following stages after each schoolyear: 2006-2007 - stage one; 2007-2008-stagetwo,yearone;2008-2009-stagetwo,secondyear.IfstudentsatHanksdonotmeetthe

governmentstandardsforAYPthentheschoolwillmoveontostagethree.Theschoolwillnotberecognizedbystagefourandfiveforthereasonthatwhenone does not meet the requirements,tediouscorrectiveactionsfollow.To try to increase the educational

standards,changeswereenactedsincethestartoftheschoolyear.Theschedulewasaltered, thenumberofpep-ralliesandduringschooleventswasreduced,additional tutoring programs wereadded,andstricterdisciplinemeasureswereenforced.Though changes were made, the

key factor is the student’s motivationbecauseitisobviousthatsomestudentsdon’tseetheimportanceofdoingwellontheTAKS.“I never had cared much for the

test,”saidseniorDerekHendrix.“Ifeelweshouldbegettingpreparedfortestslike the SAT or the Accuplacer. TheTAKSonlyholdsusback.”Furthermore, underclass students

Cynthia GurrolascriptoriaAYPAYPAYPAt Your Pleasurenot

AAdequate?Notreally.Itappearsthat,AAdequate?Notreally.Itappearsthat,throughouttheyears,theimportanceofAthroughouttheyears,theimportanceofeducationhasreducedwithinstudents.Aeducationhasreducedwithinstudents.Some students see their studies as anASome students see their studies as anobligation instead of a privilege; theAobligation instead of a privilege; thesituation is completely inadequate.Asituation is completely inadequate.It only worsens with other factorsAIt only worsens with other factorsaffectingeducationaldevelopmentsuchAaffectingeducationaldevelopmentsuchastheTexasAssessmentofKnowledgeAastheTexasAssessmentofKnowledgeandSkills(TAKS)andAdequateYearlyAandSkills(TAKS)andAdequateYearlyProgress(AYP).AProgress(AYP).


believedtheirscoreswouldnotmatterandonlytheexitlevelscoresasjuniorsmattered. Luckily there were someexceptions.“I thought TAKS was important

even when some told me it did notcountuntiljunioryear,”saidjuniorAJCarrion.“IknewIhadtodomybesttopassbecauseifIdidn’tpassthatyear,howcouldIexpecttopassthisyear’stest?”Some students do see the

significance. However it islargely to students who are inadvanced-placement classes or ona more challenging degree plan.Unfortunately,thosestudentswhogivelittleimportancetoTAKSaretheonesplacingtheschoolandtheirclassmatesinjeopardy.“Iseesomestudentswhoshowup

toschooltojustsitinthebacktalkingand interrupting those who actuallypay attention,” said Carrion. “Thebigdifference is that theyseemtosee

schoolasaplacetogoofaroundwhiletheothersseeitasthestarttotheirlife”While the lack of motivation has

beenanissuethroughouttheyears,thecurrentstateoftheschoolsuggeststhatallpartiesinvolvedneedtounderstandtheseverityoftheissueathand.“Studentsneed tounderstandhow

importantTAKSis,”saidAdams.“Itisa reflection of each individual and ofourwholeschool.”Allstudentshavetheirowndriving

impulses; some try to do well to goto college, for scholarships, and someonlybecausetheyareforcedto.Sufficeit to say that some students justhavenoaspirations.“I would hope that they would

have enoughpride in our school andinthemselvestodotheverybesttheycan,”saidAdams.Adjustments have already

been noted during the year. Theadministrators—on thiscampusandat central office — and faculty will

continuetoworkhardbutanypositivechangewillnotbenotedifallstudentsdonotseektodowellinschool.“Currently, we are experiencing

a situation in which every studentattending Hanks High School needsto put forth their greatest effort anddetermination within their education,specificallyinregardtoTAKSscores,”said senior Doha Hussein, studentbody president and member of theCEIC Leadership Team. “The AYPsituationisn’tsomethingwecanshrugourshouldersabout.Regardlessofthegrade level,all studentsmustmake itapointtopass.Wetrulyhavenootheralternateifwewishtosucceedwithintheeducationalstandardsset forthbythegovernment.”Needless to say meeting all

the federal requirements will bechallengingbutstudentsmuststrivetodowellnot just for individualbenefitbutalsoforthesakeoftheKingdom.

With the current AYP status at Hanks, students and teachers are working hard to exceed the next round of TAKS testing (photos by Cynthia Gurrola/Scriptoria).

3

dowellnot just for individualbenefit


With a new year abroad, it’sinevitable that there are new changesthat stir unexpectedly in KnightKingdom. Whether it’s a new classschedule, an earlier school start, or ashorterlunchtime,itseemslikethere’sanotherchallengewaitingtobefaced.However,asaschool,thechallenge

that the changes present is easilyovercome and becomes part of thedailyroutine.What about some things that have

beencustomaryatKnightKingdom,oranyschool,ingeneral?Whathappenswhen the things that have become aroutinechangetosomethingnew?

The Texas Assessment ofKnowledge and Skills (TAKS)

hasbeenaround since2003when theTexasEducationAgency,undertheNoChild Left Behind umbrella, changedthenamefromtheTexasAssessmentofAcademicSkills.Even though the name changed,

the concept and theway the testwasdelivered— three to four subjects oftesting and students have all day tofinisheachtest—remainedintact.TostudentsTAKSwasnotany fun

intheclassroom.However,ithasbeenmore of a stressful impediment thatteachers and administration have toendure.Thefirstfewminutesofclassbecame

a practice session for the upcomingtest.Somestudentswouldtakelonger

thanotherstoworkonitandtimewaslostforthatday’slessonplan.When it became a two, three, to

evenafour-dayroutine,timeusedforthat subject or extracurricular coursewas not given its full potential. Thedeadline of lesson plans sometimespassedandsometeachersbegantofeelthe pressure to catch up, along withgrade submission, and newly addedTAKSprep.However, like the unexpected

changes that caught the students’attentionat thebeginningof theyear,sowillthesamechangeoccurinTAKStesting.As of Jan. 26, 2010, the Texas

Education Agency announced that a

WWith a new year abroad, it’sWWith a new year abroad, it’sinevitable that there are new changesWinevitable that there are new changesthat stir unexpectedly in KnightWthat stir unexpectedly in KnightKingdom. Whether it’s a new classWKingdom. Whether it’s a new classschedule, an earlier school start, or aWschedule, an earlier school start, or ashorterlunchtime,itseemslikethere’sWshorterlunchtime,itseemslikethere’sanotherchallengewaitingtobefaced.Wanotherchallengewaitingtobefaced.However,asaschool,thechallengeWHowever,asaschool,thechallengethat the changes present is easilyWthat the changes present is easilyovercome and becomes part of theWovercome and becomes part of thedailyroutine.Wdailyroutine.What about some things that haveWWhat about some things that have

TAKS has a new nameWill STAAR shine for the future?

April Ortegonnews/online editor

The STAAR test will replace the TAKS test beginning the 2011-2012 school year. Underclassmen will be the fi rst to experience the new change at Knight Kingdom. (Photos by Jenna Martinez/Scriptoria)

4

SCRIPTORIAfeb 26, 2010newstandardinstudenttestingwould go into effect as earlynextyear.TAKSwillbereplacedby the State TexasAssessmentof Academic Readiness, orSTAAR,beginningin2011-2012.The student testing will

consist of 12 end-of-courseexams in the four core subjectareas. The same principleapplies: students in highschoolwhotaketheSTAARarerequired to pass their examsandclassesinordertograduate.“Thestateboardofeducation

is in the process of revampingand rewriting curriculum tobe more rigorous, requiringstudents to know moreand in-depth and alignedwith college readiness at allgrades,” Texas EducationAgency spokeswoman DeEttaCulbertsonsaid.Culbertson also said

that STAAR testing woulddifferentiate from theTAKSbybeing significantlymore rigorous thanprevious test inorder to measure achild’sperformanceasacademicgrowth.Seemingly, the

change may be anopen opportunityfor the school’sfuture; hopefully anew itinerary forstudents’ capabilityand prestige in hisorheracademicperformance.EnglishteacherTerryBaeza

believes that even with thechange there might be somethingsthatshouldn’tbetakentoolightlyforthenewstudenttesting.“The name will always

change and there might besomenewthingsaddedinthetest,evenwithitsnewqualityitstillhas thesameconceptandshould be taken as serious,”saidBaeza.Itistoosoontotellif,inthe

end, the change will bring abetteroutlookontheschool’sexpectationandsuccessofthestudentsorif itwillbeanothertypicalconstraintthatwilleventuallyleadtoanewchange.TAKS has been recognized by districts as a critical

standard for high school,elementary,andmiddleschoolstudents especially whenAdequate Yearly Progress(AYP)checksstudentsprogressby the student’s tenth gradeyearinreading/languageArts,mathematics, and graduationorattendancerate.Any school that receives

federal funding is subject toAYPmeasures.According to

publiceducation.org, the NoChild Left Behind policy wasimplemented in 2002. It wascreated to measure a year-to-year student achievementfor reading and mathematics.Sciencewas lateradded to thesubjecttesting.Each year the school is

expected to raise the bar ingradual increments so that by2013-2014, all students wouldachieve100percentproficiencyineachsubjectarea

Each school anddistrict must meetthe yearly AYP

goals as a whole andby specific studentpopulation groupssuchas ethnicity, race,special education,and students whoare economicallydisadvantaged.

If these measuresare not met over aperiod of time there

areconsequencesthatnotonlyrisk the school’s reputationbut also the administration,faculty, and other supportstaff’semployment.Since the announcement

was made that STARR willreplace TAKS in two years,there has been no mentionon what will happen toAYPmeasures and how the twowillassociatewitheachother.Sufficeittosaythat,ifAYPisnotaround, therewillalwaysbea federalmeasure inplaceto make sure schools are

performing.“Regardless of the tranistion and the slight worries of

accountability,it’stimeforanewchange,”saidBaeza.5

I think that students will have the same outlook on STAAR as they do on TAKS.

As for teachers, it will hold each one of us more accountable.

-Rebecca Madrid

“Regardless of the tranistion and the slight worries of


6

SenioritisJarrett Williams • scriptoria

Seniors Derek Hendryx, Mark Cervantes, Veronica Perez, Michelle Regalado, Celina Garcia,and Raquel Salinas show symptoms of senioritis such as texting, sleeping, and daydreaming while in class (photos by Carlos Valdez/Scriptoria).


Asgraduationdrawsnear, and theschool year is in its final stretch, it’sonlynaturalthatseniorsmaybegintoexhibittheverycommonsymptomsofsenioritis.According to CollegeBoard.com

senioritisisdefinedasthestateofmindinwhichseniorstudentshavetheurgetofinishtheircollegeapplicationsandrelax for awhile before theyheadofftocollege.Lethargy and lack of focus begin

to kick in and even the best studentscan become guilty of slacking offin the classroom. At this point thestudent’sgradescanoftentimesbeputin jeopardy andhis orher chances ofgraduatingreduced.During this all-too-common

symptom,theentiresenior’sattentionisputonthemoresocialsideofschool.Seniors who have earned all their

credits and taken care of all portionsoftheTAKSandSATshaveobviouslybeen keeping up with their studiessincefreshmanyear.Withnothingstandingbetweenthe

seniorandthecollegeyears,heorshesimply feels as the though the leashhasbeenloosenedandthepressurehasbeentakenoffalittlebit.However, it would seem that high

schools don’t feel the same way.Teacherspointoutthatseniorsshouldmakethemostoutoftheirsenioryearand buckle down all the way up tograduation.

The average high school seniorstartstofeelthefirsteffectsofsenioritisduringthefall.Bythetimespringrollsaround he or she may have alreadyfullysuccumbedtoit.When this happens teachers and

staffhaveadifficultjobtryingtokeepstudentsincheckandfocused.Seniorsallacrossthespectrumcanbestrickenbysenioritis.The students who never gave a

second thought to their academicsor checked to make sure they wereon the correct path to graduationare beginning to feel time runningout tomake up credits and earn thatprestigiouswalkacrossthestagecomeJune.Themostvaluedandhonestopinion

ofthis“academicdisease”shouldcomefromnoneotherthentheseniorswhoaredealingwithitfirsthand.“Senioritis doesn’t really affect me

becauseIreallywanttotrymyhardesttograduateandget intoarespectablecollege,”seniorMilesMcElroysaid.“Itrytoalwayskeepontaskanddomywork.”SeniorCrysteeWoodallhadasimilar

outlookonthesenioritisepidemic.“I see many seniors who begin to

ignore their class and homework andjustfigurethattheywillsomehowpasstheclass,”Woodallsaid.“Graduationisnotaguaranteeanditrequiresworkandresponsibility.Idon’tfeelasthoughIsufferfromsenioritistoalargeextent,

although on some occasions Imightnot takeanassignment foraclasstooseriously,inwhichcaseprocrastinationmightsetin.Eventhen, I still trymyhardest to getmywork done efficiently and ontime.”It may very well even be that

some senior teachers feel there isno reason to push their studentstowardtheendeither.They might feel as though

students taking senior coursesshould start learning the fun

aspects of subjects so they mightdevelopalikingforacertainarea.Oncea student realizeswhatheor

sheenjoysdoingmightfinditeasiertonarrowitdownandestablishacareerpath to pursue. According to Time.com, one cure to senioritis may be alargedoseofreality.Internships during the year are

alsoacommoncuretobattlesenioritisas the senior would be able to learnand interact in a place that he or shebelieveswillbebeneficial toa chosencareerpath.This keeps seniors focused on

something much more different fromschoolbutstilleducatestheminsomeway.For example, an aspiring medical

studentjoininganinternshipprogramatoneofthehospitalsinthecitygainexperienceonwhat being adoctor ornursemayreallybelike.It’s not truly proven if senioritis is

found in all seniors during the sametimeoftheirlasthighschoolyearorifitonlyattackscertainpupils.Whatever the case may be, come

collegetime,seniorswillhavetoapplytheir brains yet again and get in thehabitofstudyingyetagain.Eventually,itallcomesfullcircle.

7

Some senior students are compromising their plans to graduate time

AAsgraduationdrawsnear, and theAAsgraduationdrawsnear, and theschool year is in its final stretch, it’sAschool year is in its final stretch, it’sonlynaturalthatseniorsmaybegintoAonlynaturalthatseniorsmaybegintoexhibittheverycommonsymptomsofAexhibittheverycommonsymptomsofsenioritis.Asenioritis.According to CollegeBoard.comAAccording to CollegeBoard.comsenioritisisdefinedasthestateofmindAsenioritisisdefinedasthestateofmindinwhichseniorstudentshavetheurgeAinwhichseniorstudentshavetheurgetofinishtheircollegeapplicationsandAtofinishtheircollegeapplicationsandrelax for awhile before theyheadoffArelax for awhile before theyheadofftocollege.Atocollege.

habitofstudyingyetagain.Eventually,


AccordingtoMirandaHittiofWebMDHealthNews,caraccidentsarethenumberonekillerofteens.However,teendriversatHanksHighSchool,andotherschoolsingeneral,mustnotbegettingthemessageasteenagerscontinuedownthisfatalpath.Whilecaraccidentscanbecausedbyavarietyofreasons,

includingtheincreaseintalkingandtextingwhiledriving,running stoplights or streetlights, tailgating, and drivingunder the influence, speed is usually the major cause ofaccidentsamongteenagers.According todmv.org, themajorityofcaraccidentsare

also caused by people between the ages of 16-20, an agegroup in which most drivers at Hanks High School fallwithin.“I’vereceivedthreeticketsthisschoolyearalone,”said

senior KristopherHernandez. “I seem to have really badluckwhenitcomestothat,butluckilyIhaven’tgottenhurtandintheendthatisallthatreallymatters.”While Hernandez has not received any injuries, he

exemplifies that many teenagers have a false sense ofinvincibility.Thesenseofentitlementthat‘it’sneverisgoingtohappentome’isonethatmanyteensbelieveistrue.However,thefactofthematteristhattheoddsarereally

againstteenagersanditisthatsameentitlementthatmakesmattersworse.Texashas already started trying to lower thedeathsof

America’s youthby adding restrictions towhat teenagerscandowhentheyfirstreceivetheirdriver’slicense.

Before adding restrictions, teenagers just had totake a driver’s education course to get a driver’s

permit and take the driver’s test to receive a full license.Teenagersoftodayhaveamuchlongerprocess.Ontopoftheoldprocess,teenagersmustalsoholdtheir

driver’spermitforsixmonthsjusttoreceivetheirrestrictedlicense.Arestrictedlicenselimitstohowmanynon-familymemberstheycanhaveinthecaratonetimeandhowlatetheycanbeoutdriving.The teenage driver alsomust hold on to the restricted

licenseforsixmonthswhileremainingticketfreeinordertoreceiveafulllicense.Whileit’sgreatthatsomethingisbeingdonetoprevent

more deadly accidents among teenagers, it clearly isn’tenough. The responsibility comes down to the teen inpreventingthemajorityoftheaccidents.“ThetimeIusuallyspeediseitherinthemorningwhen

I’mtryingtomakeitontimeforschoolorlunch,”saidseniorMatthewDorantes.“Lunchcangetespeciallybadbecauseeveryoneistryingtobeateachothertopreventwaitinginlonglinessincewehavealimitedtimetoeatnowthisyear.Iwasoncegoing60mphdownMontwoodandtherewerestillcarsgoingfasterthanIwas.”Teen drivers have an unrealistic view of safe driving

behavior, according to researchers at San Diego StateUniversity.TheyoungdriverswhoweresurveyedbetweenJanuaryandDecember2002believedtheywerespeedingiftheyweredrivingataround90mph.Beingmoreeducatedandrealizingtheeffectofspeeding

isthebestwaytoreducethenumberofteensspeeding.Thissurvey shows that teens don’t really understand what isactuallyspeedinganduntiltheydospeedingwillcontinue8

Teenspeedingcatchesupwithstudents

feb 26, 2010feb 26, 2010

Need for Speed

Robert Alvarezscriptoria

AAccordingtoMirandaHittiofWebMDHealthNews,carAAccordingtoMirandaHittiofWebMDHealthNews,caraccidentsarethenumberonekillerofteens.However,teenAaccidentsarethenumberonekillerofteens.However,teendriversatHanksHighSchool,andotherschoolsingeneral,AdriversatHanksHighSchool,andotherschoolsingeneral,mustnotbegettingthemessageasteenagerscontinuedownAmustnotbegettingthemessageasteenagerscontinuedownthisfatalpath.Athisfatalpath.Whilecaraccidentscanbecausedbyavarietyofreasons,AWhilecaraccidentscanbecausedbyavarietyofreasons,includingtheincreaseintalkingandtextingwhiledriving,Aincludingtheincreaseintalkingandtextingwhiledriving,running stoplights or streetlights, tailgating, and drivingArunning stoplights or streetlights, tailgating, and drivingunder the influence, speed is usually the major cause ofAunder the influence, speed is usually the major cause ofaccidentsamongteenagers.Aaccidentsamongteenagers.According todmv.org, themajorityofcaraccidentsareAAccording todmv.org, themajorityofcaraccidentsarealso caused by people between the ages of 16-20, an ageAalso caused by people between the ages of 16-20, an agegroup in which most drivers at Hanks High School fallAgroup in which most drivers at Hanks High School fallwithin.Awithin.


9

A BMW driven by students (right) from a local high school is noticeably speeding during the Hanksʼ lunch hour.

Senior Miles McElroy (below) leaves the school parking lot on his way home. McElroy drives a Ford Mustang, which is considered a fast car.

(photos by Cynthia Gurrola/Scriptoria)

tobeaproblem.Thegovernmentcanpassallthelawsandregulationstheywant

onteenagedriversbutitjustcomesdowntotheteenagersultimatechoiceiftheywanttobreakthelawornot.Teenage drivers need a reality check and dertermine if a brief

moment of thrill or arriving somewhere a fewmoments faster isreallyworthaticket,accidentor,worst-casesenario,death.moment of thrill or arriving somewhere a fewmoments faster is


12

Parents andteachers are asking

the same questionsrepeatedly: Why keep

ditching class? Or whycan’t students stay out of

trouble?The answer may be due to

the stress that thedaybringsormaybeit’sbecauseofateacherheor she doesn’t like or maybe, just

maybe, it’sbecauseheorshesimplydoesn’tcare.Kids today rarely face any

repercussionsfrombadacts. Sometimes,a single parent, an aunt, an uncle, or agrandparent raise a child so there is nocenterofauthorityconsistentlypresent.Now, if there is not any one who

consistently tells kidswhat todo at homewhat certainty is there that theyaregoingtolistentoanykindofauthoritativefigureintheclassroom?School has become either one of two

thingsforsomestudents:toohardorajoke.“Our generation of kids are lazy and

everything is handed to them,” seniorRichardAriassaid.Otherstudentsbelieveotherwise.

“I think students ditch school becausetheybelievethat therearemore importantthings to do rather than school,” seniorMatthewDorantessaid.Students understand the consequences

forditching.Theyknowthatwhentheygetcaughttheywillbewrittenupfortruancy.Inreality,somestudentsdon’tcareabout

getting into trouble anymore. Perhapssome students get into trouble becausethe consequences for skipping class areminimal.School isn’t what it used to be where

students feared their parents and hatedgettingintotroubleatschool.To meet the standards of the federal

government,thegoalatHanksistohavea95percentattendanceratethroughoutthe entire year. According to therecordsattheattendanceofficeatJ.M.HanksHighSchool, the schoolhasa 93 percent attendance rate. Thefreshmen, who usually do wellin attendance, lead the schoolin absences with 4,741. Theabsence ratio is 7:1, or sevenabsences for every studentinthefreshmanclass.The senior class

Caution Students who ditch are students at risk

Rudy Acostascriptoria

Freshmen Chris Thumell and Aaron Duran (below) are caught ditching at Knights Quarters (photo by Evee

Mendoza/Scriptoria).*Students in photos are reenactments.

Students not actually ditching.

Sophomore Bianca Baeza (right) is trying to avoid security guard Alex Martinez (photo by Evee Mendoza/Scriptoria).

*Student in photos is a reenactment. Student not actually ditching.


PParents andPParents andteachers are askingPteachers are asking

the same questionsPthe same questionsrepeatedly: Why keepPrepeatedly: Why keep

ditching class? Or whyPditching class? Or whycan’t students stay out ofPcan’t students stay out of

The answer may be due toPThe answer may be due tothe stress that thedaybringsorPthe stress that thedaybringsorPmaybeit’sbecauseofateacherhePmaybeit’sbecauseofateacherhe

or she doesn’t like or maybe, justPor she doesn’t like or maybe, justPmaybe, it’sbecauseheorshesimplyPmaybe, it’sbecauseheorshesimply


students,whoareabouttograduateandembark on a journey of independenceandresponsibility,collectivelyhavebeenabsent3,805 times thisyear,equivalent toa 7:1 ratio. The junior class students have3,176absences,ora6.5:1ratio.Thesophmoreclass students have 3,295 absences, or a 6:1ratio.Asawholethisschoolhas8,116unexcusedand

unresolvedabsencesRight now, students who ditch and are caught

byofficersaresimplyreturnedtoschoolwheretheyaresubjecttodetentionandpossiblesuspensionwhichkeepsthemoutofschoolthatmuchlonger.Maybe its time to make students accountable for

theiractionsandnotjustletthemkeepgettingawaywitheverylittlewrongthingtheydo.The answer to this problem is not increased

detention; administrators must hatch a newpunishment that will actually make thestudentsafraidtomissschool. In Monrovia, Calif., students who are

truant and picked up by police can behauled into juvenile court where theymayfaceafineof$135orlonghoursofcommunityservice.Ifcaughtandticketedthejuvenile

must show up with a parent or

legalguardiantoJuvenileTrafficCourt.Studentswhofailtofollowthroughcanlosetheirdriver’slicenses.Teenagersyounger than 16 can lose the privilege of applying for alicense.“I think this will deter kids from ditching class and

prevent them from engaging in crime,” superintendentofschoolsLouiseTaylorsaidinaninterviewwiththeLosAngelesTimesAccordingtotheMonroviaUnifiedSchoolDistrict,20-

to-25 students skip school everyday. The more studentsditchschool,themoreprobableitbecomesthattheywon’tfinishhighschool.Ifthisschoolhadthispolicyinplacethenthestudents

would be more concerned about staying out of thejuvenilecourtsystemandhavingtopayafine.Keepingstudentsintheclassroomandoutofthestreetshastobetoppriority.More importantly, the TAKS scores from

students on this campus would improve andtheschoolwouldnotbeonthevergeofbeingreorganized,whichisthecurrentsituationatKnightKingdom.The challenge this campus has is not

in the students who take school andattendance seriously but the studentswho fail to recognize that, once thehammerisdroppedonthiscampus,thecommunitywillsuffer. 11


hammerisdroppedonthiscampus,


Alexandra Flores Reporter

Advancement options exist

Ifstudentsbelievethathighschoolisawasteatime,ordoesn’tpresentahard-enoughchallenge,whynotgotoaschoolwherestudentscanfinishschoolfaster?ValleVerdeEarlyCollegeHighSchooloffersadifferentprogramunlikewhatanyotherhighschoolcanoffer.The school’s first graduating class will be next year.

However, the students will not be graduating with justregularhighschooldiplomas.Alongwiththeirhighschooldiplomas they will also be graduating with a two-yearassociateofartsdegree.

“IfstudentstakingAdvancedPlacementandDualCreditclasses currently receive college credit, students at ValleVerde taking thosesimilar classes shouldalso receive fullcollegecredit,”saidLoriApodaca,acareerandtechnologyteacher atHanks. “If this allows them tograduate early,

thenthat’sabigplus.”According to theValleVerdemission statement,

the program enables students to graduate from highschoolwith distinguished achievement,while earning anassociate’s degree, through a rigorous curriculum and asystemofsupportandintervention.The students go through a set of six courses a day,

including college-level courses. They are in school foraboutsevenhours,includinga30-minutelunch.ItisafreepublichighschoolintheYsletaIndependentSchoolDistrictwhichopenedinthefallof2007.“Ithinktheearlycollegehighschoolisagreatidea,”said

Phyllis Crowell. “However, I’m not sure it reallyfunctionsasplanned.”Not all students are eligible to attend the school. The

school only accepts roughly 100 students a year. Thestudentswhoareacceptedare thosewhoshowasincereinterestinacademicsandawillingnesstoworkhard.Students must be incoming freshmen and live in

Alexandra Flores scriptoria

IIfstudentsbelievethathighschoolisawasteatime,orIIfstudentsbelievethathighschoolisawasteatime,ordoesn’tpresentahard-enoughchallenge,whynotgotoaIdoesn’tpresentahard-enoughchallenge,whynotgotoaschoolwherestudentscanfinishschoolfaster?ValleVerdeIschoolwherestudentscanfinishschoolfaster?ValleVerdeEarlyCollegeHighSchooloffersadifferentprogramunlikeIEarlyCollegeHighSchooloffersadifferentprogramunlikewhatanyotherhighschoolcanoffer.Iwhatanyotherhighschoolcanoffer.The school’s first graduating class will be next year.IThe school’s first graduating class will be next year.However, the students will not be graduating with justIHowever, the students will not be graduating with justregularhighschooldiplomas.AlongwiththeirhighschoolIregularhighschooldiplomas.Alongwiththeirhighschooldiplomas they will also be graduating with a two-yearIdiplomas they will also be graduating with a two-yearassociateofartsdegree.Iassociateofartsdegree.

12

at Valle Verde Early College High School

Valle Verde Early College High School classes are offered in portables at the EPCC-Valle Verde campus (photo by April Hernandez/Scriptoria).


Valle Verde is a great way to advance and prepare for a more successful future.

-Lori Apodaca

theYISDarea. Thehigh schoolwill focus on students forwhomasmoothtransitionintopost-secondaryeducationischallenging.Valle Verde Early College High School is designed to

increase the number oflow-income students,minority students, andfirst-generation college-boundstudentswhowillpursueadvancedstudies.Thestudentsdonothavetobeintheacademically/intellectually giftedprogram while inelementry or secondayschool.A few of the

requirementsforstudentsis to have a grade pointaverage of 80 percentduring the studentseight-grade year in coreclasses and a minimumrequirement on theseventh-gradeTAKS.Thestudents also must clearoff on attendance andpossessagooddisciplinerecord.“In my opinion,

I believe it is a verychallenging obstacle topass,” said social studiesteacher John Longo. “Ifstudentsbelieveadvancedplacementcoursesaredifficult,IcanonlyimaginewhatthestudentsofVVECHSfeelandwhatkindofpressuretheygounder.”Because the school is mainly focused on academics,

it doesnothave athletic teamsorfine artsprograms.Theschool does offer things such as the math club, NationalHonorSociety,andanenvironmentalclub.

“When we attend a school like this, there are manysacrificesmade,”saidjuniorPriscillaAcuña.“Wedon’thaveFriday-nightgamesoraplaytolookforwardto.There’snomarchingbandorchoiroranyfuturemarines.”

Valle Verde EarlyCollegeSchooldoesmakemany commitments tothe students who arewilling to attend andwiling to put their fulleffort. According to itscollective commitments,the faculty at the schoolwill provide positiveand immediate feedbackto students and utilizespecific instructionalstrategies, interventions,and tools as adopted byVVECHS.Thefacultywillalsouse

alternative assessmentswhere appropriate togauge student progressand success as well asempower students toexplore their interestandincorporate into theirknowledgebase.

“I think being beinga student at Valle Verdewasagreatopportunity.Ithinkitissomewhatasadsituation for those who

donottakeadvantageof it,”said juniorLizbethLucero,astudentwhorecentlytransferredtoHanks.“Ofcourse,thereareafewthingsthatcandistractusfromourmaingoalbutitpreparesusforthefuture.”

13

At Valle Verde Early College High School, students can earn a high school diploma and an associateʼs degree in four years (photo by April Hernandez/Scriptoria).

“Valle Verde is a great way to advance and “Valle Verde is a great way to advance and prepare for a more successful future.“prepare for a more successful future.

-Lori Apodaca“ -Lori Apodaca””prepare for a more successful future.”prepare for a more successful future. -Lori Apodaca” -Lori Apodaca

areafewthingsthatcandistractusfromourmaingoalbut


14

You just

dults, dolecents and ttitude

From verbal arguments to outrageous fights, it’s nowonderadultsandadolescentsarebeginningtounderstandeach other less and less. Adults and teenagers live indifferent universes with only one thing in common: theydon’tgeteachother.Teensareyoungadultsand,althoughtheystillliveunder

theirparent’sroofandareexpectedtofollowtherules,teenshave to begin to make their own choices and decisions.Teensalsohavetobegintodiscoverwhotheyareandwhotheywanttobe,theyneedtofigureouthowtodealwiththepresentandthefuture.

“I believe that teenagers are just confused andstilltryingtofigureoutwhotheyare,”saidSpanish

teacher Ajinoam Morton. “Usually attitude comes fromthem trying to be someone they are not or someone theythinktheyneedtobesotheycanbeaccepted.”Inhighschool,teenswantindependenceandnotgetting

itcancauseateentorebelagainsttherules.Heorshemayactoutinwaysthatrangefromdrinkingtosexualactivitytofighting.Themostcommonisverbalattitudeanddisrespect.“Mostteenagershaveanattitudebecauseparentsdon’t

understandtheirchildrenandwhatgoesonintheirlives,”saidjuniorSamStewart.“Parentsjumptoconclusionsandthinkthewrongthingwhentheirchildrenmaynotevenbedoinganythingwrong.Parentsshouldtrusttheirkidsandbeabletohaveanopenrelationshipwiththem.”Althoughsometeensbelievethattrustisamajornecessity

togainingindependencefromtheirparents,lashingoutattheirmomanddadwhennotreceivingenoughtrustmightbetakingitjustalittletoofarandbecounterproductive.AccordingtoBBC“ScienceandNature,”teenagerswant

to look grown up and impress their friends. If parentsdisapprove it makes the teen’s behavior worse. Teensdefy adult restrictions as a way of asserting his or herindependence.

Katherine Alanisco-opinion editor

A A A

You justYou justYou just

FFrom verbal arguments to outrageous fights, it’s no

FFrom verbal arguments to outrageous fights, it’s no

wonderadultsandadolescentsarebeginningtounderstandFwonderadultsandadolescentsarebeginningtounderstandeach other less and less. Adults and teenagers live inFeach other less and less. Adults and teenagers live indifferent universes with only one thing in common: theyFdifferent universes with only one thing in common: theydon’tgeteachother.Fdon’tgeteachother.Teensareyoungadultsand,althoughtheystillliveunderFTeensareyoungadultsand,althoughtheystillliveundertheirparent’sroofandareexpectedtofollowtherules,teensFtheirparent’sroofandareexpectedtofollowtherules,teenshave to begin to make their own choices and decisions.Fhave to begin to make their own choices and decisions.TeensalsohavetobegintodiscoverwhotheyareandwhoFTeensalsohavetobegintodiscoverwhotheyareandwhotheywanttobe,theyneedtofigureouthowtodealwiththeFtheywanttobe,theyneedtofigureouthowtodealwiththepresentandthefuture.Fpresentandthefuture.“I believe that teenagers are just confused andF“I believe that teenagers are just confused and


“Someteenagerstreatadultsverybadanditalldependson theirvaluesandwhat theirparents taught them,”saidsophomoreMariaRuiz.AnarticleintheLasCrucesSuntoldthestoryofawoman

named Teresa Fuller whose 15-year-old son was arrestedforbeatingheraftershe toldhimtodohischores. Fullerobviouslydidnot teachher child to physically attackherwhensheaskshimtocleanhisroomandtakeoutthetrash.“Attitude many times comes from individual

circumstances, many teenagers use it as a defensemechanism,dependingonwhatisgoingonintheirlives,”saidSpanishteacherMinervaOrnelas.Youngadultshavetodealwithallkindsofpressure.For

example,ateen’sdailyroutinecanincludetryingtojugglestudies,hisorherfutureandwhateverisgoingonathome.Thebalancingactthat,attimes,isextremelytoughleadstoadesiretobreakfree.There’sacertainpointinateen’slifewhereheorshejustwantstodowhateverheorshewantswithoutrulesandpeopletellingheorshewhattodo.“Teenagersdon’tknowhowtheyaresupposedtoactand

thinkthattheyknoweverything;theattitudecomesfromnoonecaringaboutthem,”saidbiologyteacherCyndiRains.Ateen’s relationshipwithhisorherparentsappears to

beamajorpartindecidingthekindofpersonheorshewillturnouttobe.Kidswithproblemsathomeoftenrebelmoreasawaytogetawayfromhome.Sometimesteensjustacthow they think they should act fromwhat they see from

theirparents.“Many times the treatment toward adults is something

that has been accepted at home and around their peers,”saidOrnelas.“Theyseeitasnormal.Itisuptotheadultto set standards and accept only proper behavior and setconsequences.”According to an exposition by Meg Bostrom for the

“FrameworksInstitute,”adultsstrugglewiththeteenyearsin part because they believe the importance of parentalinvolvement yet they know teens are beyond the pointwhereparentscanshieldthemfromtherealitiesoflifeandtoughchoices.Adultsshouldrealizethatgivingtheirchildjustaninch

moreindependencecan,attimes,lessenthedisrespecttheyreceivewhen the independence is taken away. Althoughattitude toward adults is a way of showing the need forindependenceteensneedtobeawarewhentheyaretakingittofar.Attitudehasalimit.

15

don’t get it

Don’t disrespect

me!!

independenceteensneedtobeawarewhentheyaretaking


16

The Knight Country wrestling team has continued with its past tradition of success and carried it into the 2009-2010 season.

Wrestling is a sport that, like any other, takes dedication to become successful.

“What makes it different is that it’s an individual sport that requires sacrifi ces that no other sport has,” senior Ryan Martinez said. “When you win or lose, all the credit is on yourself.”

The Hanks team had two boys and

two girls that advanced to the state tournament in Austin on Feb. 26-27, 2010.

Senior Alec Silva and junior Darlene Fernandez were in the fi nals for their weight class and each brought home a silver medal.

Senior Alec Silva wrestles against an Eastwood High School opponent in the 112-lb. weight class at the Bowie Invitational (photos by Jordanne Diaz/Scriptoria and Carlos Valdez/Scriptoria).

Jordanne Diaz associate editor

TAKE IT TO THE MAT

TThe Knight Country wrestling TThe Knight Country wrestling team has continued with its past Tteam has continued with its past tradition of success and carried it Ttradition of success and carried it into the 2009-2010 season.Tinto the 2009-2010 season.

Wrestling is a sport that, like TWrestling is a sport that, like any other, takes dedication to Tany other, takes dedication to become successful.Tbecome successful.


17

“My goal is to win state,” Fernandez said. Seniors Ryan Martinez and Jordanne Diaz were in the

consolation fi nals. Diaz took third place and Martinez took fourth.

Senior Nathan Montez took fi fth place and was an alternate for the state tournament at the 119 lb weight class. Montez will be competing at the state tournament due to a wrestler suffering from an injury at the regional tournament. Because the wrestler is unable to participate, Montez will take his place in Austin.

The Knights had a total of 10 regional qualifi ers this season.

Advancing to the regional tournament were seniors Alec Silva, 112 lbs, and Corey Gentry, 135 lbs, who claimed the district titles at their weight class, and district runner-ups; freshman Juan Gambert, 103 lbs, junior Josh Diaz, 140 lbs, and seniors Nathan Montez, 119 lbs, Ryan Martinez, 130 lbs, Hugo Hernandez, 152 lbs, and Jonathon Limon, 160 lbs.

Fernandez, 119 lbs, and Diaz, 110 lbs, were district champions for the girls team and also advanced to the regional tournament at Del Valle High School, which took place Feb. 12-13, 2010.

“The guys have done fantastic,” head coach Anthony Carter said. “They placed in almost every tournament this year.”

With returning varsity wrestlers on the team, including nine seniors, lack of experience wasn’t an obstacle for the Knights to overcome.

“Many of the older, talented guys inspired the younger wrestlers to be better,” senior Hugo Hernandez said. “They became a lot more skilled and are on their way to becoming future champions.”

This season, the team had to adjust to some new situations, including new practice times and the change of practice under a new, but familiar, coach.

With over 18 years of coaching under his belt, Carter reclaimed his job as head coach for both the boy’s and girl’s teams after he stepped down last year.

“Since Coach took over it was harder,” Silva said. “It

was more old school and we practiced a lot of technique.”The workouts were two-and-a-half hours long and

consisted of a concoction of exercises that put the wrestlers into physical, as well as mental, shape. Tumbling, jogging,

weight lifting, learning moves, live wrestling, and even mat games helped prepare the boys

and girls for tournaments.“Wrestling is physically and mentally

draining. It’s you versus another person for six minutes of nonstop action,” Carter said. “It’s basically a fi ght with rules.”

Workouts also benefi ted the girl’s team this season. This is the second year that the girls have had combined practices with the boy’s team. In the past the girls practiced in the mornings while the boys took over in the afternoon.

It’s a change that has helped improve the female wrestler’s technique and has tightened the bond between the team and all its wrestlers.

“Practice was way better working out with the guys,” Fernandez said. “It makes me want to be better and allows me to push myself so much more. It has also made us a lot closer.”

The girl’s team went from a four-person team from last year to having almost a full lineup. This is the fi rst year the Lady Knights had so many girls come out for the team and stay the whole season.

“I think the girls really progressed, confi dence wise, over the season, which

is so important in any sport,” assistant girl’s coach Betsy Tinajero said. “The new girls have learned

how to use skills from practice in their matches rather quickly.”

Throughout the season, the team has come together and has helped push one another to be better wrestlers.

“My team is like my family,” junior Delilah Perez said. “We all look out for each other and don’t let anyone give

up.”The Knights have excelled this

season and are now preparing for crunch time as they approach state

tournament. As they reach the end of their season, the practices will get tougher and only the elite will excel.

“I just want to know that I gave it my all and have no regrets in the end,” Martinez said.

“Many of the older, talented guys inspired the younger wrestlers to be better,” senior Hugo Hernandez said. “They became a lot more skilled and are on their way to becoming future champions.”

This season, the team had to adjust to some new situations, including new practice times and the

With over 18 years of coaching under his belt, Carter reclaimed his job as head coach for both the boy’s and girl’s teams after he stepped

“Since Coach took over it was harder,” Silva said. “It

has helped push one another to be better wrestlers.“My team is like my family,” junior Delilah Perez said.

“We all look out for each other and don’t let anyone give up.”

season and are now preparing for crunch time as they approach state

tournament. As they reach the end of their season, the practices will get tougher and only the elite will excel.

“I just want to know that I gave it my all and have no regrets in the end,” Martinez said.

freshman Juan Gambert, 103 lbs, junior Josh Diaz, 140 lbs, and seniors Nathan Montez, 119 lbs, Ryan Martinez, 130 lbs, Hugo Hernandez, 152 lbs, and Jonathon Limon,

Fernandez, 119 lbs, and Diaz, 110 lbs, were district champions for the girls team and also advanced to the regional tournament at Del Valle High

Anthony Carter said. “They placed in almost every

“Practice was way better working out with the guys,” Fernandez said. “It makes me want to be better and allows me to push myself so much more. It has also made us a lot closer.”

The girl’s team went from a four-person team from last year to having almost a full lineup. This is the fi rst year the Lady Knights had so many girls come out for the team and stay the whole season.

confi dence wise, over the season, which is so important in any sport,” assistant girl’s

coach Betsy Tinajero said. “The new girls have learned

Senior Nathan Montez took fi fth place and was an alternate for the state tournament at the 119 lb weight class. Montez will be competing at the state tournament due to a wrestler suffering from an injury at the regional tournament. Because the wrestler is unable to participate, Montez will take his

The Knights had a total of 10 regional qualifi ers this

Advancing to the regional

into physical, as well as mental, shape. Tumbling, jogging, weight lifting, learning moves, live wrestling,

and even mat games helped prepare the boys and girls for tournaments.

“Wrestling is physically and mentally draining. It’s you versus another person for six minutes of nonstop action,” Carter said. “It’s basically a fi ght with rules.”

Workouts also benefi ted the girl’s team this season. This is the second year that the girls have had combined practices with the boy’s team. In the past the girls practiced in the mornings while the boys took over in the afternoon.


18

SCRIPTORIATo deny a patient euthanasia is unjust, selfish, and

inconsiderate in everyway. Some people do notwant tospendhisorher lastdays sufferingandwish todiewithdignity.If someone

wishes to die, noother human beinghas the right tosay that his or herdecision is immoralandfoolish.Whatcountsisthe

factheor shemadethe decision thatlife was intolerable,usually because ofa terminal diseasewhich includesintolerablepain.Nobody else can

make that decision.Nobody else knowsjusthowintensethepain, physical or

psychological,is.In a case when

someoneiscomatoseor in a vegetativestate, and can’texpresshisorherlastwishes, thena livingwillshouldbeaboveall else. Yet, to forcesomeonetostayaliveagainsthisorherwillistorture.If, based on the

verdictofthevictim’sfamily, then the lifeofalovedoneshouldend. Therehas beennumerous cases whereadoctorhasbeen told to remove the feeding tube fromapatientorhavethepatienttakenofflifesupport.For example, Terri Schiavo’s husband petitioned to

removeher feeding tubebecauseshewas inapermanentvegetativestateandherbodycouldnolongerfunction.Ifapersondiesduetoachoicemadebyalovedone,

thenpeopleshouldbeabletomakethatchoice.However, there always has to be that third partywho

believesheorshecanhaveasayinsomeoneelse’smattersof life and death. Thevast majority of idiotsblinded by morals,ideas,andevenreligionbecomethe“right–to–live”police.The number one

reason that justifiestheir oppositionto euthanasia, andassisted suicide, is thata person can’t do itbecause it isultimatelynothisorherdecision.God owns everyone’slife and it is up toHim to decidewhen apersondies.Surely the idea of

separation of churchand state should

protect people offaith from thosewho don’t believein God by trying toforce religion downunwilling terminally-illthroats.Oddly, people

of faith have noobjectiontopainfulordesperate measuresto prolong lifeunnaturally.Surely this is just

as much interferencewith God’s time.A variation on this

themeisthatillnessandsufferingisGod’spunishmentand,theoretically,onehasnorighttotrytoescapeanyofGod’svengeance,adangerouspropositiontosome.Oddly, even fundamentalist Christians have surgery

with anesthesia and go to the dentist when they have atoothache. Apparently it isokaytoescapesomeofGod’s

Death as a

Dying WishRosalie Rubio

co-opinion editor

EdiTORIAl-pro

TTo deny a patient euthanasia is unjust, selfish, andTTo deny a patient euthanasia is unjust, selfish, andinconsiderate in everyway. Some people do notwant toTinconsiderate in everyway. Some people do notwant tospendhisorher lastdays sufferingandwish todiewithTspendhisorher lastdays sufferingandwish todiewithdignity.Tdignity.If someoneTIf someonewishes to die, noTwishes to die, noother human beingTother human beinghas the right toThas the right tosay that his or herTsay that his or herdecision is immoralTdecision is immoralandfoolish.Tandfoolish.


19

Your Thoughts

SCRIPTORIA

I think itʼs okay because in the case that someoneʼs a

vegetable, and their family says its okay they shouldnʼt

have to suffer.Samantha Sida, 9

suffering. IfGodistakenoutoftheequationwhatargumentwouldtheyhave?Advocates against

euthanasia, such as formerAlaska’s governor SarahPalin, and the group NotDead Yet, greatly oppose theidea of physician-assistedsuicide.Oneoftheonlyotherarguments these religiously-selfish protectors of thedisabled, elderly, and ill havethat isnot tied inanyway toreligionisthatthelegalizationof euthanasia will lead toeuthanasia imposed on thosepeoplebydoctorswhosayitishisorhertimetodie.Palin opposes President

Barack Obama’s Health CareReformBillbecause there isaclausetiedintoeuthanasia.“Iworrythehealthcarebill

will be paid for on the backsof the elderly and disabledwho could be pushed intoeuthanasia and assistedsuicide via rationing ofmedical treatment and whowill suffer the most whentheyrationcare?Thesick,theelderly, and the disabled, ofcourse,”Palinsaid.The decision of euthanasia

shouldbegivenbythepatient.If itwere tobe legalized, thatdoesn’t necessarilymean thatitwould lead to the senselesskillingofotherpatientsinthesame situation who do notwish to die. Bymaking thatinference will only lead toirrationalconclusions.“There are two reasons

why euthanasia should notbe legalized. One, allowingthepracticewouldunderminesociety’srespectforhumanlifeand death. Second, legalizingeuthanasia would damagemedicine by transformingdoctors from healers intokillers,” said MargaretSomerville in her editorial“TheCaseAgainstEuthanasiaand Physician-AssistedSuicide.”Inmakingthesestatements,

Somerville is being very

narrow minded as she failsto see the big picture. Whensomeone chooses to die byexercisinghisorherrighttobeeuthanized,itshouldn’tmakeitanydifferent.If a person dies of

natural causes, is he or shedemoralizing the principleof death? Also, doctors whowill willingly disconnect lifesupportifafamilyorapatientwishestodososeemtoalwaysfind themselves between arockandahardplace. Theyhavenoreasontobepenalizediftheycomplywiththewishesmade to end a life. Tomany,doctorsaresupposedtobelifesavers. However, sometimesnomatterhowmanyfruitlessattempts aremade, a lifewillnot and cannot always besaved.When the patient’s body,

in a sense, is broken beyondrepair, there isn’t much adoctor could do. A doctoris not only a life saver butalso provides a service tothe community. If someonewishes to die, the doctorshouldbeabletoprovidethatserviceifheorsheseesfit.Although death is seen as

the worst case scenario, forthosewhosufferfromdiseaseorpain,itissometimesthebestchoice. Euthanasia certainlyis not for everyone but thosewhowishtoendhisorherlifeanddiewithdignityshouldbeallowedthatopportunity.As long as those who

choose euthanasia, whetherit’s the patient or loved onesmaking the decision, takeresponsibility for his or heractions there is really nosensiblereasontonotlegalizeit.Sure enough, if all those

who oppose euthanasia sotenaciously were to ever seethemselvesortheirlovedonessuffer and could do nothingaboutit,heorshewouldthinktwiceaboutdenyingsomeoneelsetheopportunityfirst.

Its not necessarily okay but no one should have to suffer and if they want to die they

should be able to because we donʼt know how much theyʼre

suffering.Alfonso Cedillo, 9

Even though its not natural to kill someone, it also isnʼt natural to suffer without a

cause. We have doctors to cure us and save us from suffering but sometimes they canʼt help

so itʼs better if they let someone die if they want to.

Angel U. Ortega, 10

twiceaboutdenyingsomeoneelsetheopportunityfirst.

If itʼs in their will, or their family members approve, a patient should be able to be

euthanized if a doctor sees fi t.Ashley Muñoz, 11

SCRIPTORIA feb 26, 2010Pro-euthanasians call themselves “mercy killers” but

they are essentially mass murderers against the ill andelderly and treat their death as though the victim is nobetter than a death row inmate. Those for euthanasiadisregardthefactthatall life is sacred andshould end on it’sownnaturalcourse.According to

DeathwithDignity.com, “the greatesthuman freedomis to live, and die,according to one’sown desires andbeliefs,”atheorythatcouldallowpeopletoignore the laws thatlaythefoundationofsocietiesasawhole.Euthanasia

is defined as “adeliberate actthat causes deathundertaken by one

person with theprimary intentionof ending the lifeof another person’ssuffering.”However,the steps taken to“relieve”thevictim’ssuffering causespain and ultimatelyresults in adeathfitforadogoradeath-rowinmate.Doctors remove

the feeding tube fromthose on life supportwhich causes them tostarve to death over

the course of time. In other instances, patients arekilled by the injection of a copious amount of a

strongsedativethatthepersondiesinthesamemannerasaflea-infesteddog.Thoseforeuthanasia ignoretheBible’scommandment

“Thoushaltnotkill.”Eveniftheindividualdoesnotbelievein religion, this is abasicprinciplethatistheleastsympathetictoignore.According to

“Euthanasia: TheRight Choice forSome,” by SloanZimmerman, shewrites that, “If weallow these religiousbeliefs to governour laws, then weare going againsteverything thatso many of ourancestors fought for— religious freedomforall.”Zimmerman fails

toseethatmurder is

less about religiousfreedom and moreabout basic moralssome are more thanwillingtoignore.With assisted

suicide currentlybeing limited tothe terminally ill, itis only a matter oftime before thosefor euthanasia willtry to twist thearm of ethics evenfurther and paradearound saying thegovernment chooses

whowill live anddie based solely onwhat eachpersoncancontributetosociety.20

PPPro-euthanasians call themselves “mercy killers” butPPro-euthanasians call themselves “mercy killers” butthey are essentially mass murderers against the ill andPthey are essentially mass murderers against the ill andelderly and treat their death as though the victim is noPelderly and treat their death as though the victim is nobetter than a death row inmate. Those for euthanasiaPbetter than a death row inmate. Those for euthanasiadisregardthefactthatPdisregardthefactthatall life is sacred andPall life is sacred andshould end on it’sPshould end on it’sownnaturalcourse.Pownnaturalcourse.According toPAccording toDeathwithDignity.PDeathwithDignity.com, “the greatestPcom, “the greatesthuman freedomPhuman freedomis to live, and die,Pis to live, and die,

Kyle Kehrwaldcopy editor

There’sNoMercyinMurder

EdiTORIAl-con


21

SCRIPTORIA

Your Thoughts

SCRIPTORIA

“I disagree with euthanasia because it’s like someone is trying to play ‘God.‘“-Crystal Burton, 12

“You live until your own last breath which God takes away. You shouldnʼt take your own

last breath.”-Tanya Nance, 11

“I donʼt think it would be right, we are supposed to live out our lives. Plus the doctor has to live with the murder they committed.”-Brittany Prater, 10

“It is bad because it really is only murder, and then there will be so many people who have to

live with that.“-Ivan Rodriguez, 9

The advocacy groupDeath with Dignityis leaders in the pro-euthanasia movement.Theybelievethatthebestoption for the sick andelderly is death. Deathwith Dignity showsclose mindedness withitsclaims.Instead of

encouraging people todo the best with theirlives and to make adifference in theworld,members of the groupplant the idea thatsuicide is perfectlyacceptable and the bestoption for those whoare unsure about howto live theremainderoftheir lives. The groupultimatelyactsasa cultbelieving that death forthe greater good is thebestoptiontotake.The quality of life

must be examinedand factored intothe treatment of apatient. However,people should beallowed to let naturetake its course and notdie at the hands of adoctor.Since euthanasians

are pro-assisted suicidethey also are pro-murder. People foreuthanasiaareperfectlyhappyallowingadoctorto take on the role ofexecutioner, essentiallyapplauding the switchfrom sterile doctor’smasktoanexecutioner’sblackhood.Bart Tommelein,

leader of the FlemishLiberal Group inBelgium, is trying tomake it acceptable topractice pro-choice

ideals throughoutBelgium. He is leadingthe movement to tryto convince others thatchanging doctors fromhealers dedicated totheir patients to killersdisregarding theirmoralsandpassinghardworkontothehandsofdeath.With the so-called

“mercy killing,”human life is no longerrespected; death is nolonger a private actwith only one person’spassing. Euthanasiaby law requires “twopeople to make itpossibleandacomplicitsociety to make itacceptable.” Thosefor euthanasia distortreality and perceptionsto make people feelsympathy for the sickbut ignore the fact thathe or she had to diebecause of murderousactions.“The prohibition on

intentionalkillingisthecornerstone of law andhuman relationships,emphasizing basicequality,” said MarkSims, the author of“AgainstEuthanasia.”Ultimately those

advocating the benefitsfor euthanasia areopening awhole canofworms to past, present,andfutureproblems.Mercy killing could

soon apply to someonesimply not contributinghisorheralltosociety.Itcould eventually leadto government controland advocating doublestandards and thedetrimental quest for aperfectsociety.detrimental quest for a


22

“The 60s never left, the era just changed form.”

Left photo by Jenna Martinez/Scriptoria. Right photos courtesy AP Images/Used with permission.


Thinking of the 60’s erabringspicturestomind:hippiesand peace, psychedelics andthe antiwar movement, love,change,anddrugs.50 years later, people

in modern society, despitethousands of technologicaladvances, have managed torevive and keep alive manyideas and practices that werecultivated by the minds of theflowerchildren.Even now, the “it” thing is

goinggreen.Across thenation,people are conserving energy,producing less waste, and

supporting healthier, morenaturallifestyles.“Something will have gone

outofusasapeopleifweeverlet the remaining wildernessbe destroyed; if we drive thefew remainingmembers of thewild species into zoos or toextinction,”saidWallaceStegnerin a letter to the WildlandResearchCenter. “Ifwepollutethe last clear air and dirty thelastcleanstreamsandpushourpavedroadsthroughthelastofthe silence, so that never againwillAmericans be free in theirowncountryfromthenoise,theexhaust, the stinks of humanandautomotivewaste.”Stegner’s ideas have carried

throughthedecades,provokingthe thought of those living intoday’sworld.“We have to be more

conscienceofnotonlywhatweconsume but what we waste,”said Dr. Thomas Kostigen,

author of the NewYork Timesbestseller,“TheGreenBook.”Millions all over the world

have put their support to theidea of preserving the worldand its resources, reflecting anidea that used to be associatedwithtree-hugginghippies.Another influential aspect

reminiscent of eras past is themusic.There is no doubt that

Beatlemania has survived thetest of time and thrived. Eversince theband’sappearanceonmusic charts, thefloppy-hairedkidsfromLiverpoolhavetaken,andcontinuetotake,theworldbystorm.Released in 2009, “The

Beatles Remastered Collection”sold 626,000 copies the firstweek according to figuresreleased by tracking firmNielsenSoundscan.Thisputthebandatthetopofthechartsfourdecadesafteritsinitialfame.“Not only were The Beatles

the greatest rock band in the

world but they were alsoan influential phenomenomthat inspired millions,” saidseniorVictoriaHyder. “Manyartists are still influenced bytheir music and the love anddedicationtheyput into it.TheBeatles will forever exist notonly in themusicworldbut inthe hearts and lives of thosewhotrulyappreciatethegiftofmusic.”TheBeatleshavenotbeenthe

only ones who revolutionizedthe world’s perception of loveandmusic.ConsiderWoodstock,easily one of the most historicmusicalevents.The massive hippie music

festival which took placeAug.15-18, 1969 was advertisedas, “Three Days of Peace andMusic” and brought togetherbelieversinthemusic.“I think a great way to

describeWoodstock is “the bigbang,” because the important

thingaboutitwasn’thowmanypeoplewerethereorthatitwasa lot of truly wonderful musicthat got played,” said DavidCrosby,musicianandRockandRollHallofFameinductee.Even today, the idea of a

three-day devotion to unityand love is cherished andcelebrated. InAugust 2009, the40th anniversary ofWoodstockwascelebratedalloverAmerica.Artie Kornfield, original

producer of the festival, heldWest Fest, a large festival-typemusiceventinSanFranciscoinOctober.In 2009, director Ang Lee

released “Taking Woodstock,”with comedian and actorDemetri Martin (ElliotTiber), one of the individualsresponsible for the existence ofWoodstock.Therehasevenbeenarevival

of the drug use and patternssimilartothoselivinginthisera.Usage of lysergic acid

diethylamide (LSD) and

psychobilin mushrooms,two psychedelic drugs oftenassociated with the hippiemovement, has found new lifeontoday’sdrugscene.“The 60s are coming back

littlebylittleandyoucanseeitthroughtheuseofdrugs,”saidjuniorJoseMoreno.“Afterthesungoesdown,youcanalwayssee a group of kids walkingdown the street with dilatedpupils. The 60s never left; theerajustchangedforms.”Everyday life has seen large

tracesofthehippiecultureand60’s mindset that defined agenerationofhumanbeings.Today, in this moment, the

viewsoftheseindividualscometogetherinlife,inart,inmusic,andinfashiontocelebratelove,peace, and the psychedeliceuphoria that epitomized thisculture.

23

Rachel Cheekeditor in chief

Old E

ra f

or A

New

Tim

e

euphoria that epitomized this

TThinking of the 60’s eraTThinking of the 60’s erabringspicturestomind:hippiesTbringspicturestomind:hippiesand peace, psychedelics andTand peace, psychedelics andthe antiwar movement, love,Tthe antiwar movement, love,change,anddrugs.Tchange,anddrugs.50 years later, peopleT50 years later, peoplein modern society, despiteTin modern society, despitethousands of technologicalTthousands of technologicaladvances, have managed toTadvances, have managed torevive and keep alive manyTrevive and keep alive manyideas and practices that wereTideas and practices that werecultivated by the minds of theTcultivated by the minds of theflowerchildren.Tflowerchildren.Even now, the “it” thing isTEven now, the “it” thing is


24

Barbies®arecommoninagirl’schildhood.Theyareastandardintoychestsgrowingup.Tobehonest,allherso-called“fashion”outfitstendtoputsomelittlegirlstosleep.

Notanymore.

Goo

F O RGOO GAGA

Denisse Violantescriptoria

Barbies dressed after the most famous looks of Lady Gaga (AP images/used with permission).

BBarbiesBBarbiesastandardintoychestsgrowingup.Tobehonest,allBastandardintoychestsgrowingup.Tobehonest,allherso-called“fashion”outfitstendtoputsomelittleBherso-called“fashion”outfitstendtoputsomelittlegirlstosleep.Bgirlstosleep.


25

Thanks to the imagination of29-year-old Veik from Beijing, he hasgivenol’Barbsomepaparazzi-catchingattention.Veik,thecreatoroftheBarbieGaga,

statesthathedoesnotconsiderhimselfadolldesignerbutadollplayer.The obsessed Gaga fan recreated

someofthemostinfamousoutfitsandhairstylesthepopsingerhasmodeled.The accuracy with which he

recreated thedolls ispainstaking.Thebarbies are styled after some of themost memorable Lady Gaga outfitsand what is most outstanding is thefact that these are not the ordinarygradeschooldo-it-yourselfprojects.Veik has all the details from

the awesome hairstyles to Gaga’sAlexander McQueen’s lobster clawshoes.Veik’s recreation of the dolls has

caused quite a sensation especiallysince it was all done with at-home,ordinary materials. Known bloggerPerez Hilton caught wind of Veik’sworkandbloggedaboutit.TheavidDIY-erpostedphotosofthe

dollslongbefore.Thedesignerclearlystatedthathewantstoinspireothersbypostinghisphotosandnotforbraggingrights.“Insteadof saying that Ihavebeen

designingdolls,I’vebeenplayingwithdollssinceIwasmaybe10yearsold,”Veiksaid.“Ithinkofmyselfasmoreofaplayer thanadesigner. Ihave takensome ofmy experiences playingwithdolls, likedoingtheirmakeuporhair,andnowtakephotosofthemandsharemyexperiencesonlinethroughFlickr.”LadyGagahasnotbeenhisfirstor

onlycelebrityhehas recreated indollsize.Veiksaidthatduringthe1990shewoulddresshisdollslikesupermodelsontherunwaysuchasKateMoss,LindaEvangelista,andNaomiCampbell.Hehasastrongbeliefthatarealdoll

loverconsidershisorherdollstobeastarandtonotbetreatedasjusttoys.Veik,inaninterviewwithStyle.com,

was influenced bymany facets of the

fashionindustry.“Everything about fashionwasmy

inspiration,”hesaid.Asfarasaspecificpersonoricon,

Lady Gaga takes the stage for himnow.“SinceI’vemetmoreandmoreLady

Gagafans,andnotonlydollcollectors,throughmyFlickr, Idon’twant to letthem down,” Veik said. “I will keeponworkingtomakebetterLadyGagadolls.”NooneelsedresseslikeLadyGaga,

which makes her a fashion icon. Sheinspiresmanyofherfans.“What inspires me the most

about Lady Gaga is her drive anddeterminationtomakeherfanshappyandletthemknowthatit’salrighttobewhoeveryouwanttobe,”seniorAlbert Palacios said. “Lady Gagaoutrageousfashionstatementsandoutspokenlyricsarewhatthrivesmyinfaatuationwithher.”ItwasironictoheartheGaga

dolldesignermentionheneverheard of her until summer2009whensomeoneleftacommentononeofhisdollpicturessayingthedollwasdresseduplikeLadyGaga.Soon after he began paying

closeattentiontohermusic,clothes,glasses,makeup,andeverydetailthatmakeshim“lovehermoreandmore.”LadyGaga is a huge inspiration to

himwith her amazingwigs,makeup,and outfits. Meanwhile, fans arewaitingfornewsofthedollstohittheMattelheadquarters.“I just make dolls for fun. I

honestly didn’t expect that myphotos would ever be so popularonline,”Veiksaid.“Ihavethoughtofmakingmoneywithmydolls,but I don’t really know how toapproach it.Maybeonline-onlymarkets.Whoknows,maybeinthe future. I just like to sharemytoys.”

GAGA

the future. I just like to share


26

From the FCC in television andradiotoFortinetatHankshighschool,

it’ssomebody’sjobtodecidewhatisandwhatisnotsuitabletobeseenorheard.Censorship has been around for a long time but what

shouldbecensoredisconstantlychanging.Ontheradiowordsarenotonlyblockedbecausedeejays

deemittooprofanebutalsoforbeingevenslightlyoffensivetosomeone.Thewords“gun”and“suicide”aretwowordsthathavebeenblockedformcertainradiostations.Theword“gun,”alongwiththewords“Russianroulette,”

iseditedoutofLadyGaga’ssong“PokerFace.”Thesoundofagunshot isevencutoutof theendofRihanna’s song“RussianRoulette.”Theword“suicidal”isblockedduringthe song“BeautifulGirl”bySeanKingston,whichmeanshalfofthesongissilentbecausethemainchorusincludestheword“suicidal.”ManyradiostationsaroundthecountrycensoredBritney

Spears’song“IfUSeekAmy.”Itneversaidanythingprofanebutwhenthesong’stitlewassungitdescribedsomethingthatwasconsideredinappropriatetoalisteningaudience.The problem is if a person listening to the song knew

whatthesongactuallymeant,heorsheprobablywasn’talittlekid.In order for radio stations to make it suitable for the

listening audience, deejays removed the “k” sound from“seek.”However,itbarelymadeadifference.“Theradioshouldn’tbecensoredforthosestupidwords.

It’slameanditruinsthesong,”saidjuniorMariahAlvarado.“Kidsareexposedtowayworseanyway.”It’s a curiosity why radio stations believe the words

“gun” and “suicide” should be censored. First of all,speakersgotoschoolsallthetimetalkingaboutgunsandgunsafety.Suicideisalsosomethingthatpeoplehearaboutmostofthetime.Justbecauseteenagershearthosewordssaidontheradio

doesn’tmean anyone is going to go playwith someone’sgunordecide tocommitsuicidebasedonwhatheorsheheardonasong.Eventhoughthewordsnobodyevencaresaboutarenot

allowedonair,somesongsarestillallowedtosayderogatorywords toward females. If words use to demeanwomen are still part of songs played over sound

waves,thenit’sinconsistenttocensortheword“suicidal”.Ysleta IndependentSchoolDistrictusesFortinet,aweb

filteringcompany,tomakesurethatinappropriatewebsitesareblocked.Someofthereasonsforblockingwebsitesarethenormal

reasons plus news,media, society and lifestyles, businessandeconomy,gayor lesbianandbisexual interest,health,medicine,vehicles, sports,andofall thingseducation.Ontopofthat,miscellaneousisareasontoblockwebsites,justincasethereweren’talreadyenoughreasons.Manywebsites are blocked for irrational reasons. For

example, Iamawesome.com is awebsite that is one blankwhite page with the words, “It’s true,” at the top. It’sblocked.The website will redirect to a page which reads, “You

havetriedtoaccessawebpagewhichisinviolationofyourInternet usagepolicy.” Furthermore, itwill also state thewebsiteandthecategory.The reason Iamawesome.com is blocked is because,

according to Fortinet, it is unrated. Nobodywould everneedtogotothatsitewhileatschool. However, ifasiteliketheaforementionedonecanbeblocked,thenevidentlyanysitecanbeblockedforinauspiciousreasons.“Ithinkitinterruptsandinterfereswiththeeducational

process,”saidhistoryteacherJamesCausey.“Studentscansee them at home anyway. Some sites should be blockedbutwehaveblocked every site. Teachers shouldhave apasswordsothatwewillbeabletoshowstudentssites.”Moreover, several students on campus have become

quiteadeptatknowinghowtohackaroundaweb-filteringsystem.Therefore,onecouldarguethatitreallyonlyfilterstheteacherswhoattempttoaccesswebsitesforeducationalreasonsonlytofinditisbeingblocked.I am definitely not the first person to disagree with

whatshouldbecensoredornot.Thesubjecthasappearedmultipletimesinpopculture.Anargumentthathascomeupalotisthatcensorshipviolatesthefirstammendment.Itgoesagainstfreedomofspeechandfreedomofpress.Oneexampleisanepisodeof“FamilyGuy”andtheFCC

gettingoutofcontrolandcensoringalmosteverythingontelevisionandevenreallife.Eventhoughthatisobviouslyanexaggeration, it isstillshowingthat theshowdoesnotapproveofwhattheFCCdoes.Radio stations should not be able to air everything.

Singersdoknowthatiftheywriteasongthatthatbordersonthecontroversial,thenit’spossiblethesongwilleitherbecensoredornotplayed. Furthermore,websitesshouldbeavailableatschoolforeducationalpurposes.Rememberwhat the old adage is: if youdon’twant to

hearthatontelevisionortheradiothenchangethechannel.

Zach Zieglerscriptoria

[Censored]

FFrom the FCC in television andFFrom the FCC in television andradiotoFortinetatHankshighschool,FradiotoFortinetatHankshighschool,it’ssomebody’sjobtodecidewhatisandwhatisnotsuitableFit’ssomebody’sjobtodecidewhatisandwhatisnotsuitable

Censorship has been around for a long time but whatFCensorship has been around for a long time but whatshouldbecensoredisconstantlychanging.Fshouldbecensoredisconstantlychanging.OntheradiowordsarenotonlyblockedbecausedeejaysFOntheradiowordsarenotonlyblockedbecausedeejays

deemittooprofanebutalsoforbeingevenslightlyoffensiveFdeemittooprofanebutalsoforbeingevenslightlyoffensiveFtosomeone.Thewords“gun”and“suicide”aretwowordsFtosomeone.Thewords“gun”and“suicide”aretwowordsthathavebeenblockedformcertainradiostations.Fthathavebeenblockedformcertainradiostations.

opinion


Animal Cuelty

in the WorldSteve Rojoscriptoria

I


27

Indifferentplacesoftheworldthereareanimalssuffering.Somedomesticanimalsarehurtingbecauseofthewayitsowners treat them. Other wild animals are being hunteduntilextinction.ManytigersinAsiaarebeingkilledbecauseitsskinsare

soldataveryhighprice.Arctic,orHarp, sealshavebeenhuntedinmanyplaceslikeCanada,Greenland,andRussiaforvariousanimalproductsincludingfur,oil,andmeatforover4,000years.Organizations around the world are trying to stop

thesecrimesagainstthesecreatures.Theyarethehopefortheseanimals.Oneofthemostfamousorganizations,TheWorldWildlifeFund(WWF),isanorganizationthattriestominimizethemurderingofwildanimalsthatcannotdefendthemselves.According to theWWFsomeof theanimals thatare in

danger of becoming extinct are the moose, the Canadianlynx,andtheAtlanticwhitefish.TheAtlanticwhitefishonlybreedinNovaScotia.The moose is one of the many animals that has been

illegally hunted for years. This precious and beautifulanimalnotonlyhasbeenhuntedbuthasalsobeenhitbycarswhenittriestocrossthehighway.“Animalcruelty isaverynastything,”saidsophomore

MaryJoBetancourt.“Animalsdon’tdeservetobeabused.Theyarealsolivingcreaturesofthisworld.”The small, shy,baiji isoneoffive speciesof freshwater

river dolphin. In 2006, theYangtzeRiver dolphin becamefunctionallyextinct.Itwasthefirsthuman-causedextinctionof a dolphin species. This freshwater dolphin, accordingtomarinebiologistSylviaClare,wasaChinesesymbolofpeace,love,andprosperity.An astonishing 12 percent of the world’s population

lives along the Yangtze and the river churnswith diesel-

engineboatsofallsizes.Thenoiseofmotorsandmachinerythrumsandroarsbeneaththesurface.Alongtheshoresandontheriverfishermendropnetsbearinghookscompetingtocatchmoreofthedwindlingsupplyoffish.Factoriesandindustriesdumpwasteandtoxinsintothewater.“It is a tragedy…a loss not only forChina, but for the

entire world,” said August Pfluger, a researcher on theYangtzeRiverDolphin, at the timeof the knowingof theextinction.The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Animals (ASPCA) is one of the organizations whosemembersspecializeinthistypeofproblem.The fund the ASPCA holds is to help shelter animals

thathavebeenputinuntiltheycanfindabetterhomeandthoseanimalsthathavebeeninjuredoraresickwithmange,rabies,orotherdiseaseswhichrequiresmedicaltreatments.Dan Aykroyd from the movie “Ghostbusters” and

Canadian singer SarahMcLachlan are some of the manycelebrities who help the organization with funds andprojectstopromotebettertreatmentofanimals.“I believe that we will never truly be civilized,” said

worldhistory teacherPhyllisCrowell. “Weneed to learnhowtoshowcompassiontoalllivingcreatures.”Humans have the power to help these creatures get

out of the dangers they have been put through. Theseorganizationsaretryingtohelpanimalssurviveinthiscruelworld. People can be the voice for these animals. Thesespeciesdon’twanttobekilled.Someoftheseanimalsneedtobelovedandneedahome.“Peopleshouldrespect theseanimals,” saidsophomore

JessiGarcia.“Theyalsoliveinthisworldlikeallofus,andtheirlivesareveryimportant.”

SCRIPTORIA feb 26, 2010SCRIPTORIA feb 26, 2010feb 26, 2010

When thelights in DallasStadium go dim,the cameras beginto record, and the

fans cheer, the NBAAll-Stars will lightupthestagetocelebratetheNBA’svery-bestplayers.Somearen’tluckyenoughtodoso.While the All-Stars who were voted

in on sheer popularity are sittingcomfortablyinsomefancyfive-starhotel,theunnoticeddiamondsintheroughwillmost likely be working on their gameinstead of moping around wonderingwhytheyarenotAll-Stars.Ithappensyearafteryearwhenthere

areanumerousamountsofquestionableplayerswhomadetheAll-Starrosterandan evengreater amount ofplayerswhoactuallyshouldhavemadeitbutdidn’t.Allen Iverson retired at one point

this year until his original team, thePhiladelphia76ers,didhima favorandtoldhimtheywouldsignhimandallowhimtostart. ThiswholeseasonIversonhasputupsubparnumbersyetheisstillable to beat out players like NewYork

Knick’sDavidLeeduetofan’svotingona player’s name recognition rather thishis play on the court.He didmake theAll-Star game, but onlydue to aplayerinjury,nobodyinitiallypickedhim.Lee is having an outstanding season

consideringthetrendofplayhehadbeenfollowingthepastseasons.AlthoughtheKnicksareoneoftheNBA’sworseteams,Leemanagestokeepthemingamesandhasbeentheonlyrealbrightspotforthefranchise.Lee has been putting up consistent

numbers in scoring (19.4 ppg),rebounding (11.4 rpg), and assists (3.4apg).Seriously America, this guy is

averaging a double-double and mostlyeveryone overlooks that, even toughnumbersdon’tlie,votersdo.Another player worth noting is

the Los Angeles Clipper’s very ownChrisKaman, a 7’0 ft centerwith someserious game. This season Kaman hasbeen averaging 20.2 ppg alongwith 9.0rpg, one rebound shy fromaveraging adouble-double.Thesenumbersareavastimprovement from his career averageof 11.0 ppg and 8.3 rpg; he has nearlydoubledhisoutput.AlthoughKamanhasmadeitasaninjuryreplacement,hewas

not initially voted in or selected by thecoachesasareserve.ThatisessentiallyaslapinthefaceforKamanconsideringhehashelpedastrugglingClippersremainrespectable.One of the bigger head scratchers is

the absence ofGolden State’s dominantguard Monta Ellis. The numbers hehas put up this season make for goodevidenceastowhyheshouldbewearinganAll-Staruniform.Heisaveraging26.2ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 5.4 apg, the numbersarehardtoignore.One would think that Ellis would

replaceKobeBryant afterhepulledoutoftheAll-Stargamebecauseofanankleinjury, due to Ellis’s scoring ability andsimilarposition,butonewouldbewrong.Instead,theyhavebroughtinJasonKiddwho isaveragingamediocre9.3ppg, itjust does not make sense to replace anoutstanding scorer in Bryant with analmostnon-existentscorerinKidd.ItseemsAll-Starweekendhasturned

into Red Carpet weekend, seeing howonly themost popular players play thegame.America needs to get back to thepurposeof these typesofgames, lettingthe players who work hard during theseasonberecognized,letushopethingschangeforthebetter.

Derek Simsscriptoria

seasonberecognized,letushopethings

WWhen theWWhen thelights in DallasWlights in DallasStadium go dim,WStadium go dim,the cameras beginWthe cameras beginto record, and theWto record, and theWfans cheer, the NBAAll-Stars will lightWfans cheer, the NBAAll-Stars will light

upthestagetocelebratetheNBA’svery-WupthestagetocelebratetheNBA’svery-

Somearen’tluckyenoughtodoso.W

Somearen’tluckyenoughtodoso.


29

Points Per Game: 26.20

Assists Per Game: 5.40

Rebounds Per Game: 4.20

Player Notes:

20 games with 30+ Points

46 Points Against Dallas Mavericks




Player Notes:

29 Games With 20+ Points

29 Points Against Houston

SCRIPTORIAfeb 26, 2010feb 26, 2010




Player Notes:

20 games with 30+ Points

46 Points Against Dallas Mavericks




Player Notes:

29 Games With 20+ Points

29 Points Against Houston


Static fills the bulky screen. Youthinkyou’rewatchingamoviebutarenotreallysure.Afterall,thepictureis

sograinythatit’shardtodistinguishatie-dyeblobfromacharacterin“That70’sShow.”Yet,thisishowweallwatchedtelevision,viewedmovies,

andplayedvideogameslessthantenyearsago.Now we live in an age where digital television is a

necessity;wherehighdefinitionisn’ttheexceptionbuttheexpectation and where 46” LCD 1080p HDTV hasbecomearegularpartofeveryman’slexicon.

As televisionscreensget largerandmorecompaniesboard the “high definition train,” our obsession withstunningrealismonlygrowsinintensity.“HDisreallyoneoftheonlywaystogoformodern

television. Demand for HD programming is onlyincreasing and standarddefinition is slowlyfinding its

waytothedoor,”saidJeremyDarroch,executiveofdigital-cableproviderSky.Thecompany found itselfwith increases in revenueby

10percentandDarrochcreditsSky’ssuccesstothegrowingnumbersofhigh-definitionchannels.Eachyear,afewmorestationsfilterthemselvesintothe

HD fray, leaving hundreds of popular channels open forclean,high-resolutionviewing.Sky,aswellasmanyothercableproviders,nowonlydeliversHD-compatiblereceiversto keep pace with the consumer’s insatiable demand forhighdefinition.30

Life in High DEfinition

Matt Romeroonline editor

With the entire entertainment industry shifting its gears toward HD, all that’s left to do is sit back

and enjoy the view

SStatic fills the bulky screen. YouSStatic fills the bulky screen. Youthinkyou’rewatchingamoviebutareSthinkyou’rewatchingamoviebutarenotreallysure.Afterall,thepictureisSnotreallysure.Afterall,thepictureissograinythatit’shardtodistinguishatie-dyeblobfromaSsograinythatit’shardtodistinguishatie-dyeblobfromacharacterin“That70’sShow.”Scharacterin“That70’sShow.”Yet,thisishowweallwatchedtelevision,viewedmovies,SYet,thisishowweallwatchedtelevision,viewedmovies,

andplayedvideogameslessthantenyearsago.Sandplayedvideogameslessthantenyearsago.SNow we live in an age where digital television is aSNow we live in an age where digital television is anecessity;wherehighdefinitionisn’ttheexceptionbuttheSnecessity;wherehighdefinitionisn’ttheexceptionbutthe

expectation and where 46” LCD 1080p HDTV hasSexpectation and where 46” LCD 1080p HDTV hasbecomearegularpartofeveryman’slexicon.S

becomearegularpartofeveryman’slexicon.

SCRIPTORIAfeb 26, 2010Ofcourse,HDpresentationshavebeenaroundforyears

ontelevisionforeventslikefootballgamesorsomenationalbroadcasts.Nowthatmass-marketmediaiscatchingholdof the trend, some local stations have invested in high-definitioncameras.Ever thought that chicken cacciatore would look even

better in 1080p or that Kanye’s bling wasn’t quite shinyenoughonthetube?Well,channelslike Food Network or MTV areavailable in hi-def glory as longas you have the box and cables tohandletheupgrade.With each HDTV that flies off

the shelves at the local electronicsstore, the nation moves closer tothe electric nirvana of an entirelyhigh definition world...in TV landanyway.It doesn’t stop at the home

theatereither.Cinemas,mp3s,evenYouTubevideosareofferingahigh-definitionexperienceofitsmedia.Forexample,TinseltownElPaso

is one of three theaters nationwideoffering XD viewings of certainmovies ina theaterwith improvedaudioquality,massivescreen,andstate-of-the-artpicturequalityallwhilereclininginoneoftheheavily-stuffedpleatherseats.Even in your standard-issue cinema, changes are

beginning to takeshape.Moviesprojected throughdigitaldevices rather than film offer increased resolution and

subsequently better picture quality along with theatersoutfitting their cinemas with better surround soundequipment.If that isn’t enough for you, filmmakers are beginning

to incorporate “RealD” 3D into more films which allowviewerstoindulgeinamoreimmersiveshow.Moviegoers come to expect this from filmmakers; CG

scenesmustbeflawlessandspecialeffectshavetolookexactlyperfectorelseamovieisdoomedtobeabust.Thesmash-hitfilm“Avatar”madeits claim to fame through stunningly realisticdepictions of the fictional planet “Pandora”andofthenative“Na’vi”people.DirectorJamesCameronspentmorethana

decadedevelopingathree-dimensionalcameracapable of depicting his film in 3D withoutfeelinggimmicky.Nowadays,filmmakers,muchlikeCameron

orMichael Bay, have a tendency to focus ongraphicsfirstandletthestoryfollow.“Somuchofliterarysci-fiisaboutcreating

worlds that are rich and detailed and makesense at a social level,” said Cameron inresponse to the success of “Avatar.” “We’llcreateaworldforpeopleandthenlaterpresent

anarrativeinthatworld.”Regardlessofthenumberof3Dmoviesreleasedtotheaters

orthenumberofLCDTVsfloodingU.S.households,morehoursareloggedinfrontofacomputermonitorthaneverbefore.Therefore,itwouldonlymakesensethatHDhasfound

“Standard defi nition

is... fi nding its way to the door”

When realism is just too realEver watch a movie or play a video game where

the developers put months of effort into making a photorealistic character, yet the end product is a model that seems slightly disturbing?

Well, you’re defi nitely not alone; in fact, researchers have labeled this effect as the “uncanny valley”, and its a problem that has plagued sci-fi fi lms and video games alike. The theory behind the valley is that as a model gets closer and closer to realism, it is viewed positively, even garnering a bit of empathy.

However, when the model reaches a certain point of realism, it becomes unsettling to the viewer, hitting the valley between positive and negative.

Yet recently, researchers are fi nding a new trend; given powerful enough equipment and attention to detail, it’s possible to climb back up the valley toward total realism.

A few years ago, movies like “Beowulf” and “The Polar Express” had an effect on viewers within the valley that propagated negative reactions, be it “dead-eye” or lack of emotional response.

But lately, fi lms like “Avatar” feature some CG models have fooled several viewers’ minds into believing that

the models are real. As fi lming equipment and graphic software only becomes more powerful it seems that the line between real and fake is starting to disappear.


Yes No

Does this make you sad in any

way?

Go to the electronics store. Immediately.

Yes

No

Are you fi ne with the picture quality of your TV?

Stay where you are; stan-dard def is perfectly fi ne

Do you have a cable box capable of showing HD pro-

grams?

Yes

Are you paying for HDTV?

Do you ever use it?

Cancel HD subscrip-tion

No

Yes

Yes

Get a new TVNoDo you want to see every single blade of grass on a

football fi eld?

No

No

What are you waiting for? Get the stuff you

need for HDTV

Who wouldn’t?

No

Welcome to the world of HD, where things look

prettier and explosions are slightly more awesome

Is your TV more than four years old?

Yes

itswayintothecircuitsofyourpersonalcomputerandthemassivecloudoftheInternet.Whetherit’swatchingDVDsinBlu-Rayonthescreenof

a laptoporselecting theHDversionof the“Numa-Numa

guy”onYouTube,computersaregettingapixilatedfacelift.Powerfulvideocardsandmassiveamountsofmemoryarebecomingstandardissueinevenbudgetcomputers,meaningthat today’s average computer is capable of processing

music, video, and computer games inclaritythateventhebestcomputersofyesteryearcouldn’thandle.A few years ago all the attention

was on howmuch society has growntorelyonelectronics,beitnewfangledWindows ’98 desktops or a sleek,innovative40-lb.CRTTVs. In today’sdigital age, dial-up e-mail surfers arereplaced with multimedia broadbandpirates and the concept of viewingtelevision in standard-def is likeremembering the time you trippedin front of a crowd: funny at first butstrangelyhumblinginhindsight.We are a wired world, ladies and

gentlemen, so sit back and relax. Thehigh-definition revolution is here andthe digital world is available at your1080pfingertips.Andthingswillonlygetbetter.

Theaters around the nation (above) are being fi tted with more advanced features such as wrap-around screens, leather seats, and 3D-HD movies (AP Image/used with permission).


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