Valentine’s Day!!,Valentine’s Day!!,see pages 3, 6, 8

This shot: This shot: Valentines’ Day tradition -- Candy hearts!Valentines’ Day tradition -- Candy hearts!

Volume XIII, Issue 5Volume XIII, Issue 5February 14, 2013February 14, 2013

Prep for Prom!!Prep for Prom!!see pages 4-5

The VCHS Talon, the student newspaper of Vacaville Christian High School, is a public forum for student expression and is published regularly by the Newspaper Production Class and Journalism Class. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily refl ect the posi-tion of the administration, student body or advertisers. The Talon staff welcomes and encourages submitted letters, stories, cartoons, and/or any other student feedback. See guidelines listed below.

Please deliver all submissions to the Talon box in Room 102 by posted deadline.The following policies apply:1. Unsolicited articles and suggestions for story ideas are welcomed, but no guarantee is made as to whether they will be printed in the Talon.2. Letters to the Editor are to be signed when submitted to the Staff. Namesmay be withheld from publication only with the approval of the Editorial Board and Adviser. The Board will select the letters to be published.3. The paper reserves the right to edit submissions for length, repetition, and suitability of content.

Vacaville Christian High School821 Marshall Road • Vacaville, CA 95687

(707) 446-1776 journalism@go-vcs.com

Volume 13 Issue 5 February 14, 2013

Editorial Board:Emre Basaran, Editor-in-Chief

Ali Howard & Raquel Tucker, Content EditorsNick Russell, Copy Editor

Andrew Grabowski, Graphics Editor & Senior Reporter

Adviser: Mrs. Jeri McFadden

Principal: Mrs. Janet Fogh

Visit us at www.vchstalon.com

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love

one another.

1 John 4:11

Opinion 2 Modesty PDA: a satire

Features: Valentine’s Day 3, 6 WHY Valentine’s Day? 3 Last Minute Date Plans 3 Gift Favorites: POLL 3 Gender Stereotypes 3 What to do without a Date 6 Desserts - Recipes 6 Teachers’ Funny Date Stories 6

Featured Content: PromPrep 4, 5 Places for Dresses 4 Places for Tuxes 4 Places for Flowers 4 Places for Limos 5 Places for Dinner 5 After-Prom Parties 5 Sports 7 The Superbowl 7 Performance-Enhancing? 7

Student Entertainment 8

Staff Editorials:Staff Editorials:inside this issue ...2 our opinionsFebruary 14, 2013

The Eds’ Pick: ModestyFirst off, what is modesty? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defi nes it as “propriety in dress,

speech, or conduct;” which boils down to what is proper, or suitable. But what is suitable? What line can be drawn that defi nes modest from provocative attire? This is far from a black and white topic, but God provided each human with a conscience. I am sure that, if you feel particular clothing could arouse lustful thoughts, you are being immodest. If you plan on test-ing this feeling, I highly doubt you’ll be struck by some intense feeling of overwhelming and debilitating emotion; but I am certain you will know.

As a Christian school, modesty is a rather large issue. The school administration wants to create a healthy learning environment for students and where guys and girls can control their minds from lusting after others.

Concerning modesty, temptations are greatly increased when modesty is ignored. Although we tend to think of ourselves capable of controlling ourselves against immorality, God says in Matthew 5:28, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a women with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” We must commit ourselves to cast off our lustful intents and ask God for strength to resist our human desires.

Modesty is a way one shows what type of person they are. Also, modest dress can change from person to person. A shirt may be modest on one person but not on the other; it depends on one’s body type.

Modesty is the attitude you have toward the effect you have on others. It is immodest to draw innapropriate attention to yourself at the cost of someone else stumbling in their thoughts.

Walking down the hallways of our school is probably the most dangerous thing I could imagine, all the uncontrollable fl oozy-ish youth touching each other! What horror! What is this base madness that has infested the most protected sanctuary? The minds fl oating and smudg-ing the lines between thought and action reaching out and actually touching someone of the opposite gender. I can barely bring myself to talk of this without puking! The greatest evil in the world is holding hands. It lends the mind to the body of the opposite gender letting it wander into the harsh land of lust and desire. The weakness of humanity needs to be confi ned by strict rules. All guys must keep a six-inch gap between themselves and a person of the op-posite sex at all times. The hallway should be split in two; girls must walk on one side, guys on the other, keeping their heads down to avoid the ever present evil of eye contact. Complete separation is the only way to keep the fl ying sexual spark of touching from spreading and causing a unyielding wildfi re, one that never will burn out but consume even the most innocent child. PDA is a gateway drug more dangerous than marijuana or nicotine; it doesn’t kill the body but destroys the soul. It delivers the offenders right into the whirl wind of lust and desire ending in only one thing: pregnancy. You will get pregnant and you will die! If I could have it my way I would have all the women wear burkas and have all the guys have their hands cut off; there would be no hands to hold and nothing to hold them or touch anything for that matter. It is a simple and quick solution, not painless but defi nitely worth it in the long run. They don’t call hugs the devil’s clutch for nothing. The dangers are too great for any person to face. It is best to just sit at home and stare at the wall rather then put oneself in the face of the danger of hugging. Hell is fl owing over into our school and it is being brought in by hand-holding and hugging. Protect Yourself !

PDA is of the Devil!

by Nick Russell

Disclaimer: The following story is a satire (satire: trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly). PDA is not wrong, but should be done in moderation.

our features: Valentine’s Day 3February 14, 2013

Valentine’s Day is Today?

In America we take our holidays very seriously and Valentine’s Day is no exception. Traditionally Valentine’s Day is a day of feast for Saint Valentine, a martyred saint who would secretly marry people, but nowadays it is a day for people to show their affection through candy, cards, fl owers or presents.

This year’s seniors sold “Valentine-grams” which was a variety of singles or bouquets of chocolate roses and lollipops along with a Sweet-Gram.

“The hardest thing is the fact that the reps are sell-ing during lunch time and the parents are selling in the morning and after school so not everything is organized the same way because everyone does it differently” Kaitlyn Breedwell said.

“It’s been a fun experience” added AJ Hearn. Another Valentine’s tradition is making dinner

reservations for you and your special someone which for a high school student isn’t always the easiest task with school work and sport practices consuming much of your time. If you happen to forget that Valentine’s Day is an annual occurrence and you don’t want to disappoint-ment your signifi cant other then please refer the story above to make some plans ASAP. Just remember that Valentine’s Day is one day and you should let your family and friends know that you care about them all the time not just once a year.

V-Day: What’s the big deal?

By Raquel Tucker

What are we doing tonight,

hun?

uhhhh......

You wake up and go to school like any other day. Once at school you see your signifi cant other walking towards you and feel your heart drop like a bomb; you forgot about Valentine’s Day! What to do, what to do? You don’t want them to think that you forgot about them or don’t love them so you panic. You tell your signifi cant other that you have the BEST Valentine’s Day planned. They smile and walk to class as you sigh in relief but then realize what you just promised to them. What are you going to be able to do at the last minute?

Being in high school, one may not have many options because of expense, but there are some creative ways one can spend the day with your signifi cant other.

If you don’t have a lot of time and money,

celebrate with ordering take-out and watch a movie at home. One could also pack up a basket with food and go on a picnic; it’s a fun idea and not that expensive.

Also, who says you have to celebrate ON Valen-tine’s Day? Celebrate on the weekend if you weren’t able to do anything or one can celebrate one the weekend; this way you have more time for activities and to plan!

For those of you that have some more time and money on hand, call into restaurants (B.J.’s, Red Robin, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, etc.) a good amount of restaurants aren’t taking reservations but just asking for you to call ahead of time.

Everyone can get busy so don’t get upset if your signifi cant other doesn’t remember to get you the biggest teddy bear or box of chocolate or bouquet of roses. Val-entine’s Day is just another day that you use to show the one person you love how much you care about them but you should be able to show that person you love them 365 days of the year.

What you get him:

•Trying to be his personal stylist His response: “ I’d really like to stick with the same style I am comfortable with.” What should you buy instead? Surprise him with shoes or shirts that he loves and could use more of ... and maybe drop subtle hints of new style.

•Skin care products His response: “I’m not a girl, I don’t like beauty products or smelly stuff.” What should you buy instead? His favorite cologne.

•Toys or bears that sing, talk or dance. His response: “I am not a 12 year old girl.”What should you buy instead? Nothing that takes away the man card; maybe tickets to their favorite sports team.

•Matching sweaters or T-shirts His response: “I need to run away. Now.” What should you buy instead? a nice Nike sweatshirt of his favorite sports team.

What you get her:

•A Gym Membership Her response: “Oh, so now I’m fat?”What should you buy instead? Nothing that has to do with working out. Just remind her how beautiful she is.

•An item that you intend to use such as a ticket to YOUR favorite sports team or movies she won’t like. Her response: “How considerate of you!”...*glares*What should you buy instead? A movie that you both can enjoy like a comedy or (I know it would be diffi cult) but maybe even a chick fl ick.

•Anything bought from “As Seen On TV” such as a shake weight, snuggie, or pajama jeans. Her response: “Did you really buy me something from an info-mercial? Like off of the TV? Really?” What should you buy instead? Clothes, a scarf, accessories from her favorite stores (yes, you’ll have to secretly fi nd out where that may be).

He Said, She Said: There are many gifts that men buy for women, and women buy for men, that they just do not want. Break the steroe type by avoiding these gifts:

By Mia DeTomasi

By Alii Howard

More Valentine’s Day content on page 6!

4 February 14, 2013 5February 14, 2013our featured content

Attention high school students, prom is coming soon, and do you have a date? If you do or do not, why not give that wonderful person a nice bouquet of fl owers? There are many popular fl orists from Vacaville to Fairfi eld perfect for prom. Pearson’s Florist and Stems are the most popular fl orists, especially for their primrose and red rose bouquets; which are perfect prom gifts. However, they are tons of fl ower varieties to choose from that are great for prom dates. You can also go with fl ower corsages, which are fl owers bound to a nice bracelet for your wrist. Pale Pink roses, tropical fl owers, and many others are available to you at both fl orists mentioned.

Rose or Promrose?

by Scott Gardner

Voyage to Prom

The time has come once again to start looking for that perfect dress for prom.Ther are many different places to get your dress at a decent price. There is JC Penny, Kholes, and a little shop in the Fairfi eld mall next to JC Penny called Kids City.

There a a lot of different dresses for all sorts of occasions at a decent price. If you want to get a dress that is a little fancier, Walnut Creek is a good place to go. There are a lot of different places to go in Walnut Creek. There are a lot of big brand name stores and specialty boutiques.

Flares Bridal and Formal on 79 Broadway Ln., Walnut Creek would be a good place to go. Flares has many great reviews and is not very expensive. If you are looking for a dress and even accessories that are unique, Sandy’s Unique Boutique he place to go. Located on 3569 Mt Diablo Blvd.,Lafayette. It’s not in Walnut Creek but in Lafayette and its not to far from Walnut Creek.

If you are looking for something more glamorous than Glamorous Boutique would be a choice to consider. It is located also in Lafayette on 1048 Brown Ave.,Lafayette. Glamor-ous hand picks all it cloths that are on the racks. The people who work there will give you their honest opinion with what looks good on you and what doesn’t.

by Kayla Burnett

Dress Ideas

Unless you intend to attend an event of the most formal nature as a slob, you are more than likely to end up renting a suit. But this only leaves you with a question… Where do I rent this suit from? You’ve come to the right place. Two highly-rated tuxedo salons are Tuxedo Den and Hernandez Family Boutique. Both are located conveniently within Vacaville. The tuxedo rentals tart from around 59.99 dollars. These packages are fairly basic in what they offer; primarily including of a sports coat (tuxedo top), pants, shirt, and bow tie (certain salons offer vests with their base package). The more pricey packages start around 129.99. These packages include dress shoes, color matching in ties and vests, and upgraded tuxedos.

Tuxedo Den Location: 2060 Harbison Dr, VacavillePhone Number: (707) 446-9344Hernandez Family Boutique1110 Marshall Rd Ste F, Vacaville 95687Phone Number: (707) 445-0475

Tuxedos

by Emre Basaran

If you are looking for a limo to rent for prom, head on down to KMA in Fairfi eld. This costumer service business will have you going back for more. From the color of the car to the type of drink you desire, they’ve got it. Every time you rent a limo, you will receive a brand-new car each time; new rentals are produced each year. These great prices range from the size of the limo to the type, from a Sedan to a large party bus.

Another close by rental business is Five Star Limo in Vacaville. They are always on time and have only the latest manufacturer’s models which mean all limos have iPhone, iPod and iTouch, audio and video hookups, plus CD, AM/FM. Five Star Limo is always professional, manicured and courteous in demeanor, and the drivers are there to compli-ment your event. They have a large selection of vehicles to choose from, including Party Bus’, Hummers, Coaches, Excursions, Lincoln Town Cars, and of course a huge selection of Limousines and only $53 an hour! These are just two of the great places nearby to rent a limo for prom at a great price.

Limo Rentals

by Heather Johnson

You may ask what there is to do after the dance, around 11 o’clock, and you know nothing good happens after 2 A.M. After leaving the Elks Tower, there are a couple of places to walk to in your formal dress wear. One of the many surrounding recreational areas is the Capital Park trout pond, which connected to the Capital building, a great photo spot.

If you’re wondering about refueling after the exhausting night you can drop by Jim Denny’s, which was promoted on Man vs. Food for its hamburgers.

If you’re looking for something fun to do before the dance you can go to the Esquire IMAX theater, only a block down from the dance. Whatever you do, just remember to be safe and smart.

The After Party

by Andrew Grabowski

Step 1

Step 2

Step 4 Step 5

Step 6

This year prom is at the Elks Tower which is in downtown Sacramento and there are a lot of restaurants. There are many different restaurants that specialize in different types of cuisine, for all different kinds of tastes.

If you like sushi, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar on 1530 J Street on Sac-ramento. It can range anywhere from $3.00 for appetizers up to $16.00 for a entrée.

If you like Thai, Bangkok @12 900 12th St Sacramento is the place for you. It can range anywhere from $4.00 for appetizers up to $15.00 for entrées. If you are more into American food, Mulvaney’s B&L on 1215 19th St Sacramento. This restaurant was a lot more expensive, it can range from $8.00 for an appetizer up to $32.00 for an entrée. If you are in the mood for Mexican food on prom night, Tres Hermanas is the place for you. It is located at 2416 K St. Sacramento. The price range is around $10.00 to $15.00 for entrées. There are all sorts of places for all different tastes that are close to the prom location.

Dinner Places

by Kayla Burnett

Step 3

6 February 14, 2013 our features

All alone on Valentine’s Day? No worries. There are many different activities to do alone on Valentine’s Day, also known as Singles Awareness Day. Find things that will take your mind off not having a date, do not watch romantic movies.

Instead, rent or go to an action movie, preferably one in which at least one of the prospective love interests gets killed off near the beginning, James Bond fi lms are great for this.

Find a nearby bed-and-breakfast, spend the night someplace where someone else makes the bed and cooks the breakfast or work out your aggressions with some co-kickboxing with a good-looking trainer.

Decline all invitations to dinner with your friends! There’s nothing more tragic than a group of single sulkers sitting around a table, bemoaning men/women.

Things you want to spend on your date, now you can spend on yourself ! You see, Valentine’s Day alone doesn’t have to have such a tragic ending; you could end up liking it better without a date.

Forever Alone...

By Heather Johnson

We all have that embarrassing moment where we thought it was horrible at the beginning, but then realize the comedic potential for them later. The stories are told here and the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It was in the season of Valentine’s, when Senora Stitt, attended Vacaville High School. She had a boyfriend, who we’ll call Bob, he went to Will. C. Wood. The schools were on break and Senora Stitt caught the attention of a Mormon, football player that we’ll call Jack. Jack sent Senora Stitt an anonymous Valentine, not knowing about her boyfriend. Senora Stitt, expecting the valentine to be from her boyfriend, she thanked Bob. Yet, he became confused by this mysterious gift and soon discovered the origins of the package. Bob, who was of normal stature threatened to fi ght the football player Jack. After Bob cooled down and leveled his head, he apologized to Senora Stitt. To make up for the late gift Bob gave Senora Stitt a huge teddy bear and a card. All was back to normal in the city of Vacaville.

Senora Stitt was not the only one to have a comedic moment during this lovely time of year. Mr. Powell recounts his experience in his old town; Washington D.C.. Mr. and Mrs. Powell were on their way to having a wonderful and romantic time, when he came across a homeless man. Mr. Powell decided to strike up a conversation and as a result, he was invited to the dinner with the Powells. Mr. Powell shows that Valen-tine’s day doesn’t have to be all about your relationship but instead it is a time to build new ones. Yet, Mrs. Powell still reminds her spouse of the unexpected guests at their romantic dinner.

Ingenuity is also a great aspect of the clever gift giving routine involved in Valen-tine’s day.

Mrs. Manuel remembers her favorite gift from her husband when she was in her 20’s. He had sent her a balloon unlike any other balloon. This balloon contained a regu-lar sized teddy bear dressed in a tuxedo. The moral is to never sacrifi ce style because of your means of transportation.

These sometimes awkward and ingenious events demonstrate the greatness of spontaneity and usefulness of these a stories for around the fi replace, to tell your kids and grandchildren for years to come.

Embarrassed

By Andrew Grabowski

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and that means it’s a good time to start making Valentine’s Day desserts. There are many to choose from, such as cakes, cupcakes, fruits, and many others. But it all depends on the person’s taste for dessert. A popular favorite dessert is the fresh chocolate rose, which a chocolate shaped rose head, perfect as a “Be my Valentine” gift. Another favorite is the chocolate covered strawberry. These are perfect for valentine gifts, cards, and especially valentine parties. Other great valentine’s desserts are the Chocolate Ganache, a very creamy chocolate cupcake, or the Chocolate Lava Cake, a volcano shaped cake chocolate, coconut, and a mixture of other sweets as well.

If you are not into chocolate, and then there is the Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie and the Lovers Fettuccine a la Mode. All of these are favorites and most popular valentine’s desserts. But if you have no interest in these, then make your own awesome valentine.

Dessert

By Scott Gardner

our sports 7February 14, 2013

Performance-enhancing drugs/supplement are very common in the athletic world. Some of these are anabolic steroids, androstenedione, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, diuretics, creatine and stimulants. Some athletes take anabolic steroids, which increases your muscle mass and strength. The main hormone in these steroids is testosterone. Some athletes will sometimes take straight testosterone . This hormone has approved medical uses but improving athletic performance is not one of them. A particularly dangerous steroid also know as “designer steroids” are synthetic steroids. These drugs have been created to be undetectable by drug tests. Synthetic steroids have no medical uses and have been specially made for athletes.

Many athletes that take anabolic steroids take much higher doses than those tak-ing steroids for medical reasons. Researchers only know what they have observed about steroids by watching athletes that take steroids. Researchers do know that there are many risks that come along with taking steroids, such as increased baldness, severe acne and future health problems in teens.

Human growth hormone has the effect of an anabolic. Human growth hormone is also known as gonadotropin. This is used to enhance one’s muscle mass and perfor-mance, although it doesn’t improve strength or endurance. Human growth hormone is available by prescription only and is injected. Some risks of taking human growth

hormone can include joint pain, muscle weakness, and diabetes.Another type of performance-enhancing supplement is creatine. Many athletes

use this instead of or in addition to performance-enhancing drugs. Creatine is produced by the body to help muscles release energy. Research shows that some athletes have had a small benefi t by creatine. They have had short-term bursts of energy. There has been no evidence that creatine improves one’s performance or endurance. Supplements like creatine are not considered drugs by the FDA. Supplements have been contaminated and can show up positive on a performance-enhancing drug test. The risks of taking creatine can include stomach cramps, muscle cramps and weight gain. Long term cre-atine use can result in water retention. In turn this can also cause dehydration.

Whey protein has been considered many different things. Dr. Teri McCambridge, who practices pediatric sports medicine in Towson, Maryland, and is the chairwoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, consid-ers whey protein a dietary substance that can also build muscle and the ability to lift heavy weights. The American Academy of Pediatrics advices children under 18 to stay away from performance-enhancing supplements such as whey protein and creatine, in addition to performance-enhancing drugs.

Athlete’s Buddies and Banes: Steroids

From start to fi nish the Super bowl was star-studded and defi nitely an attention grabber. Alicia Keys opened the ultimate football game of the year with a soulful rendi-tion of the national anthem.

The 49ers couldn’t have been sloppier in the fi rst quarter, their defense let the deadly combo of Quarterback Joe Flacco and Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin score an early touchdown. The second quarter was no better when Flacco hooked up with Tight end Dennis Pitta and Jacoby Jones for touchdowns. In the fi rst half the 49ers only

Ravens Soar as SuperBowl Championsby Kayla Burnett

scored six points with two fi eld goals by David Akers. At halftime Beyoncé rose from the under the stage and sang Love on Top and

Crazy in Love, then Destiny’s Child popped out of the stage and performed Bootyli-cious, Independent Women, and

Single Ladies. Beyoncé topped off her fl aming and powerful performance with a powerful version of her hit single Halo.

The second half was even crazier than the fi rst half. Right off the gun Jacoby Jones blasted through the 49ers special team defense for the longest kickoff return for

a touchdown in NFL playoff history totaling 109 yards. Later in the third quarter the power went out in the Superdome for 35 minutes.

Later in this weird and wacky Super bowl featur-ing commercials of a nerd making out and PSY dancing with Pistachios, the 49ers came roaring back. Kaepernick ran for a touchdown and teamed up with Crabtree for another in the third quarter.

But the comeback wasn’t enough, Ray Lewis and the stubborn Ravens held fi rm through the last few minutes ending with a 34-31 victory.

by Nick Russel

8 the back pageFebruary 14, 2013

1. daync

2. rcdas

3. velo

4. cthoaleoc

5. enmbie

6. fsroewl

7. dupic

8. ewest

9. rrdssoe

10. eatd

1. Candy 2. Cards 3. Love 4. Chocolate 5. Be mine 6. Flowers 7. Cupid 8. Sweets 9. Red roses 10. dateAnswer key:

Word Scramble

Student EntertainmentA S E R D E A N F A R E F D E I HA A I K I S S T L O F S G P F E FA R E A E A W S F D W E B D O D DA V K N S G N L O N S I F N R R OA D A I F N O I N E R A D R E N PA F S L D W G D E T I I S A V A SA R A W E H D A R E D F F T T E NA O F R S N N L J M T D C W R E XA S S L K L T G C A L A P F A A GA E H E W A S I J H N F T D L E FO S L R Y E A R N H O L D E O L SE D A D R T E A E E G C E T N G JA F N G I M O F D A R E O A E S BO A I L O V E O L R D A I L T T EC T M R R A T A H T L N E D A E AD E L G O S Y S G N T E G A J T IL D S W E E T H E A R T A E E K E

What would you want for Valentine’s Day this year?One hundred VCHS students were asked what they want for Valentine’s Day this year. Here are their answers:

kiss

valentine

forever alone

sweetheart

roses

candy

love

heart

chocolate

red

date

wordsearch and scramble by Taylor Figueira

poll taken & infographic by Mai DeTomasi