The Tech Times

A Black and White BallPhoto credit: Raven Macaraeg, Chyna Allen, Carmelle Wasch, Rachel Buchanan

West CTA’s second annual homecoming, the Black and White Ball, was a great way for students to kick off the year with a party-like atmosphere, a great DJ, and half the school in attendance.

Homecoming was hosted in West CTA’s transformed cafeteria. Gone were plastic blue chairs and wooden tables. A chandelier, lights, and magical decorations hung from the ceiling and walls. Pictures of groups of friends and couples were being taken by Bernhard & Williams photography studio in the gymnasium. Students filled the dancefloor, moving to the music of DJ J-Quez.

“My favorite part...was seeing everyone dressed so nicely having such a fun time together. It was a great dance with an awesome theme,” says Sam Saycich, home-coming queen, “I was super surprised, I never thought I would get nominated, let alone win!”

A total of 650 tickets were sold, which means a little under half of West Tech attended the dance, with guests included. Homecoming 2013 was the most successful dance WCTA has had since the school was founded. Houston Walton says homecoming was “one-of-a-kind,” while Megan Wash-ington claims it was “so much better than last year.” Homecoming court had two people per grade. Freshman homecoming vote winners were Kaleah Tawatao and Michel Huwe, and sophomore winners were Magen Staretz and Drew Cotton. Junior homecoming prince and princess were Garrick Quack-enbush and Kylee Hendrix respectively. Lastly, Senior homecoming king and queen were Rashad Lofton, and Samantha Saycich. Homecoming court winners were announced in the corresponding assembly that was Friday, October 4th. King and queen were announced during the sophomore/senior assembly, while prince and princess were announced during the freshman/junior assembly. The sophomore and freshman winners were also announced in the same fash-ion. Each winner was given a crown or tiara and a sash with their new title written on it. Continued on page 2

Volume 4 Issue 1 October 18, 2013

By Carmelle Wasch Editor-In-Chief

Spook-tacular FunBy Kacie Fromhart Reporter

Halloween-- a word with various meanings to many people: candy, costumes, fright, pumpkins, masks, and much more. There are many descriptions that people could give depending on what activities they take part in on Halloween. For some it’s trick-or-treating with family and friends, venturing into the scariest haunted houses, or watching frightening movies in a dark (or light) room. However, there are other alternative events to trick-or-treating in Las Vegas this year. Some are Ward 2’s Trunk or Treat Classic Car Show/Free Halloween Festival on the 15th of October at Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center with trick or treating, games, and cars; the Haunted Reef at the Shark Reef Aquarium on October 25th, 26th, & 27th with fierce animals, trick or treating, and scary decorations; “Town Scary,” at Town Square, where candy will be passed out by participating stores and restaurants with games and activities on October 31.

Continued on page. 5

Day of the Dead Page 3 Marriage Equality Page 4 Obamacare Page 4 Student Poetry Page 3Photo Credit: Mata Rosas

Photo Credit: Gettysburg ImagesPhoto Credit: enumclaw.com

Photo Credit: Jason Zinoman

Clash of the PrincessesBy SydneyAlexi Moral Reporter

On November 17, 2013, Disney is releasing their new movie “Frozen.” Disney is known and loved by almost everyone. Almost everyone knows what to expect from every Disney movie. “Frozen” goes out of the Disney norm by having two princesses battle against each other.

There are other Disney movies that do include siblings like Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” having six sisters. A more recent example would be Merida from “Brave,” who has little brothers who are triplets.

This is a first for Disney to have two Disney princesses who are both sisters and main characters. It is also a first to have two Disney princesses to represent both good and bad. Continued on Page 4

Features 2

New technologies have been impacting the world around us rapidly. Apple versus Android has been a controversial topic for what seems like decades now. These two businesses are definitely making big money and they also are getting more popular by the minute. There are many opinions being fired up about Apple and Android because of Apple’s new launch of iOS 7, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and Android’s launch of the An-droid 4.2. Senior Janeen M. is “Team Android” and argues, “It’s hard to be in a school where there are more Apple based products”. Sophomore Angel Juntura is “Team Apple” and admits that she was once “Team Android,”. With all the new technologies Apple has been providing, Angel was drawn into the Apple Army. Polls show that on a survey of twenty students, four students were “Team Android”, and fourteen students were “Team Apple,” and two students chose neither. All in all, our school is divided between these two teams, but in the end, we are Bobbing for Apple.

By Rachel DelaCruz Reporter

Bobbling for Apple or Asking for Android?

Continued from front pageAlthough the usual Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle were played, music also included Drake, Rihanna, and Icona Pop. The music, for the most part, was lively and fun for students, who had little complaint about what was played as they danced the night away. After homecoming, students were seen laser tagging, grabbing a cup of frozen yogurt, or just going home to have a sleepover with friends. Homecoming was a night to remember for the first four-year graduating class and students here at West CTA.

Photo Credit: Gizmag

Also happening this Halloween, is Opportunity Village’s HallVOeen, a dec-orated Magical Forest with games, events, and entertainment from the 18th-20th and 25th-27th. Addi-tionally, on October 26th, the third annu-al Pumpkin Smash- Archery Fun Shoot will be held at the Clark County Shoot-ing Park, where kids and adults of all ages can participate in a shooting contest or just shoot for fun at the oozing jack-o-lantern targets.

And you can’t forget about the famous Fright Dome, at the Circus Circus, which includes six new haunted houses, four new scare zones, 25 rides and attractions, live shows, and a total of 250,000 “scare feet”. Whatever you may consider doing this October 31st, don’t forget to check out the extra Halloween activities that are taking place throughout the valley. Stay safe Wranglers and have a haunted Halloween.

Editorial Statement:The WCTA Newspaper is a student-run newspaper. Students research, collect informa-tion, and write the stories that are published. All opinions and views published in the newspaper are based on the writer’s own personal opinions. These opinions are not of the staff, student body, school, or community.If you have any complaints please email Carmelle Wasch, Editor-In-Chief, at carmllew828@westcta.ccsd.net or Lindsey Chamberlin, advisor, at lchamberlin@westcta.ccsd.net.If you would like to submit a comment, suggestion, question, or inquire about placing an advertisement in the paper you can email carmellew828@westcta.ccsd.net, or lchamberlin@westcta.ccsd.net. Your input is greatly appreciated and valued.

Continued from front page

In the back lab of the environmental science room, bold, black letters above a closed door ominously spell “The Fortress of Solitude”; but behind the door, laughter erupts as the jubilant officers of Future Farmers of America (FFA) at last put the final touches on their first team contract. FFA has a brand new chapter this school year, right here at West CTA in room E110, led by adviser Mr. Gromny and president Josh Tilton. A club for improving agricultural education, FFA lets environmental science students learn more about their program outside of class, and practice skills such as leadership, teamwork, and dedica-tion.

With agricultural education at the local, state, and national levels, FFA has hosted several events every year for members to meet each other and share their passion for the program since being founded in 1928. Hoping to teach future agriculture-work-ers in the different sides and challenges of agriculture, club chapters often focus on preparing work for these conferences and events. Already at West CTA we’ve had elections for our FFA officers, who have been meeting often to go over the club basics and plan the gatherings of all of the mem-bers. Currently in-progress are plans for a nature retreat for the club officers and the members, an FFA photo board, and future competitions. “I am excited about the soils

competition in October and the national soils competition in April 2014, which takes place in Okla-homa,” writes Mr. Gromny, the club adviser. Also, “There is an FFA conven-tion taking place in Las Vegas this December.” These events allow students to meet FFA mem-bers from other schools, and form good network connections, while continuing to learn about

agriculture. “Many teachers from the other schools told me that my students would excel in those [science-related] competitions. Therefore, I thought about it and decided to get it started.” The FFA officers have been meeting during their environmental science class, and running meetings with a salvo of things to do as they learn how to conduct the club. Also among them are vice president Jade Utterback, secretary Tory Cattaneo, treasurer Maddie Cartmill, historian Juliann Best, and yet more. Mr. Gromny, of course, got the officers all set up. “I met with some teachers and coordinators from around the state and they advised me on how to start a chapter,” he says. “Once I received all the forms from the state, I got the ball rolling. Now that everything is running smoothly, I just give all the information to our FFA President, Josh Tilton, and he takes care of the rest.” Well, “the rest” will surely be quite the eventful school year for our new FFA

Future Farmers of America ClubBy Hannah Stein Reporter

Photo Credit: Jessica Calefati

Photo Credit: Juliann Best

“Many teachers from the other schools told me that my students would excel in those [science-related] com-petitions. Therefore, I thought about it and de-cided to get it started.”

Entertainment 3

Yea you’re cool, you got the swag I can seeBut the real swag is the guy in the front not getting a CYou sit in the back with you’re friends all coolWhile the guy in front is gonna go to a better schoolMaybe that doesn’t bother you, cuz you’re just gonna partyBut how about in ten years when you need a job smartyThe “nerd” from high school is gonna be the bossAnd you’ll be working for him, that’s you’re lossSo focus up now cuz these are important yearsGetting As is the way to really impress your peersNow is the time, be the bestCuz it’s really like 8 years before you’ll get a rest

Sincerely,Zack Surmacz

The Real Swag

“Yeah you’re cool, you got the swag I can see But the real swag is the guy in the front not getting a C.” - The excerpt from The Real Swag by Zach Surmacz. In this featured poem, Zachary Surmacz, writes a short, comedic poem to motivate students to work hard in school by adding an amusing twist to create humor in a new, creative way. He believes that a students’ education is crucial for competitive search for jobs in the future. While interviewing Zach, he shares that it only took a day of hard thinking to create this poem. When asked why he wrote this piece he responded, “Because I love to have my voice heard in a funny and relaxed way.” Zach has written three other poems since he was eleven, all of them he stated were to various long lost lovers. Zach knew writing short poems was one of his great abilities when a teacher approached him and said that he had potential in creating poems. He has been writing them ever since.

Comedy in New Places

Dia De Los Muertos, The Day Of The Dead. On November 1, the living welcome back the spirits of the dead with sugar skulls and col-orful altars, constructed in remembrance of those who have passed. People all over Northern America and Mexico will be celebrating, including West Career and Technical Academy. As a Spanish project, students will be creating altars remembering teachers who have “died”. They will include details about their lives including what their favorites were and how they died. Along with the interview, a eulogy will be written entirely in Spanish, and include the teacher’s picture. They will be decorated and displayed in the cafeteria before being taken to the Spring’s Preserve for the Dia De Los Muertos celebration. Our Spanish classes aren’t the only ones who plan to do something for Day Of The Dead. The art club will also be creating original designs for skull masks. These masks will also be used in the Spring’s Preserve Dia De Los Muertos celebration.

By Nicole McGill Reporter

Dia De Los MuertosBy Victoria Hardy Reporter

The power goes out, the phones shut off: seven guests are stranded in a guesthouse during a raging snowstorm with an unknown mur-derer. The world’s longest running play, Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery set in Monkswell Manor, Mousetrap, first hit the West CTA stage on October 16, and played through October 18. The ever-popular Whodunit, which has captured audiences from every corner of the world with its focus on “deception, deceit, and disguise,” has made its way to the West CTA stage. In an interview, the Assistant Director of the production, Samantha Crumpler, revealed the reasoning behind choosing Christie’s masterpiece for rendition. Crumpler noted the script’s intelligence and allowances for the actors to be introduced to “another side of acting besides just what they say.” While Christie’s play first premiered over sixty years ago, Cotton, the school’s theatre instructor, has chosen not to make any adaptations to the sophisticated script, as it would not only “compromise the integrity of Agatha Christie’s work, but also insult the intelligence of the people who watch the play.” Crumpler noted that while the play is not new, the West CTA students are “mature and intelligent enough to comprehend and appreciate the work and the art of theatre.” Since school began, the committed students had been preparing for the production’s opening, spending three days a week and countless hours after school, running lines, building sets, and designing costumes. A new class, Theater Design Technology, was created to learn and help to create sets, costumes, lighting, and props for WCTA productions. Dedication to the play’s success has been reflected in the student’s performances; Crumpler stated that the “amount of work and detail the students have put in is outstand-ing and will surely pay off.” The Mousetrap was a brilliant production and was highly recommended by students, parents, and staff who attended. Be sure to attend WCTA’s next theater production coming in February; we are sure that it will be just as phenomenal!

By Jade Munson Reporter

Mousetrap is Stealing the SpotlightPhoto credit: visitlondon.com

Photo Credit: Mata Rosas

Trick or Trollup?

Are Halloween Costumes “too sexy” and “too gruesome”? Recent research shows that children’s Halloween costumes have gotten too out of hand. Too much make up or cleavage is striking mothers as they watch their little girls walk out the door for the night. Even schools are starting to ask that children portray a positive outlook on Halloween. But isn’t that what Halloweens all about, The Day of the Dead? Yes there are restriction on what you can’t bring (toy weapons),

but not allowing a child to dress up as a fictional horror charac-ter because it’s “too scary” is a little too extreme. These young pre-teen girls shouldn’t be wearing clothing that made to look like it belongs in an adult movie. Fellow classmates have taken a survey and given their personal opinion on modern day Halloween costumes, and so far, a lot of them have felt that the costumes don’t affect them, but you will get judged for what you wear, especially if your skirt is too high and you have on that cherry red lipstick.It goes for the guys, yes you need to look scary, but it comes to a certain limit. People are judgmental and its only human nature to be judgmental and have a strong opinion about what people decide to wear. Therefore if you’re wearing provocative clothes, people will talk, you scare the crap out of your little sister and give her nightmares, she’s going to hate you for the rest of her life. Be careful what you wear this year and have a safe and haunted Halloween.

By Megan McArthur Reporter

Nevada has taken the first steps towards marriage equal-ity with the LGBT community this summer by an approving assembly vote, that finished 27-14. Since the Nevada assembly has voted for the amend-ment repeal, it will be up again in 2015 for Nevada legislature, and then again on the 2016 ballot for Nevada residents. Marriage equality has been a controversial subject for a few years now, both locally and nationally. Also over the sum-mer, Congress voted to pass an amendment that would allow gay marriage, and mandate equality in marriages, even when it came to benefits. If Nevada repeals the amendment that bans same-sex marriage be-fore another state does, it will be the first state to repeal its own

October 1st starts the open enrollment for Obamacare, a new law the requires everyone to purchase health insurance or be fined , excluding the limited exceptions that will not be obli-gated to obtain health insurance. How much you will be fined depends on the size of your family and your family’s income. The open enrollment ends March 31st, 2014, and its goal is to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance by the millions. According to a poll on www.foxnews.com, 64% of people think Obamacare is sending the country into the wrong direction, and in a different statistic, 51% don’t agree that shutting down the government is an appropriate way to welcome Obamacare.Contrary to President Obama’s promise that Obamacare will “lower your premiums by $2,500 per family per year,” a recent study reported by the professionals for Medicare’s ac-tuary states it is actually estimated to boost health spending by $7,450 for the typical family of four from 2014 to 2022. That means health care spending will bump up by roughly $621 billion for all Americans.Despite the immense amount of publicity this new law has gotten, only about six out of ten students at West CTA have heard about Obamacare, and of those students, only three of their families will be affected by the new law. To find out more about Obamacare and if it affects you, visit obamacare-facts.com.

News 4Marriage Equality Obamacare

By Carmelle Wasch Editor-In-Chief By Danielle Bolender Reporter

The New MileyBy Marissa Brown Reporter

After a shocking VMA performance and a nude music video everyone seems to have something to say about the “The New Miley”. Unless you live under a rock it is almost impossible to escape hearing or reading about Miley Cyrus’s wild antics, from cool and refreshing Hannah Montana, to a risque twerking addict, its safe to say “The New Miley” is here to stay.

From her latest “Wrecking Ball” music video, pregnancy rumors running rampant, and her VMA performance still being talked about months later, Cyrus has done an amazing job of always giving people something to talk about.

With all the chaos that surrounds Miley a group of students were asked about their thoughts about her. Most responded saying they were extremely shocked and turned off by her actions Angelica Consengco saying, “If shes as talented as she claims to be, she doesn’t need the wild gimmicks and doesn’t need to give a horrible performance to be talked about, let your music be the reason you’re being talked about.”

A poll was given to students at our school, and we asked if they think her controversial behavior will hurt her in the future. Some teens think her wild antics work for her, but others think it will hurt her when it comes to people taking her more seriously, Clarice Ho adding, “[Yes, I think] the fact she is too

crazy will lose peoples respect and she will have a hard time trying to recover [her image] when she is older.” Despite what people have to say, its all working in her favor with a chart topping new album and so much over exposure, whether you love her or hate her, you can’t help

but talk about her.

Photo Credit: Blaine A. Dunning

Photo Credit: Zack Ford

constitutional ban. All fourteen of the “ no” votes came from republican assembly members; however, some of the “yes” votes were also republican. Marc Solomon, who is

a representative for Freedom to Marry, which is a nation-al group, supports marriage equality and issued a statement saying, “Lawmakers in Nevada took a huge step today toward un-doing a discriminatory amendment that never

should have been written into the state constitution and advancing the freedom to marry. We look forward to the day that Nevada couples join those in the 12 other marriage states in being able to make a lifelong commitment to the person they love”In support of the LGBT community, West CTA has formed their first “LGBT club”. Members attend meetings for group support on their own feelings or just to support the cause in general. People all over Nevada are supporting marriage equality with groups like these and protests to the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Photo creditk: Kevin Mazur

“We look forward to the day that Nevada couples join those in the 12 other marriage states in being able to make a lifelong commit-ment to the person they love” - Marc Solomon

In this new movie, Elsa, the older of the two sisters, feels she’s an outcast because she is frightened by her own power to create ice and snow. Losing control of her power, Elsa has put the kingdom of Arendelle into an eternal winter, getting rid of their summer. It is up to Anna, Elsa’s younger sister, to travel to face her sister and bring summer back to her kingdom.

Since this story was inspired by the fairy tale “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Ander-sen, it shows that Elsa is not the standard Disney villain.

If you decide to go out and watch this movie, remember you’re never too old for a Dis-ney movie!

Continued from Front Page

“Despite what peo-ple have to say, its all working in her favor...”

Staff:Carmelle Wasch

Haddar Ben-Shimon

Tess Harms

Matthew AgrestaDanielle BolenderMarissa BrownJacob CoxRachel DelaCruzKacie FromhartVictoria Hardy

Editor-In-Chief

Assistant Editor

Layout Editor

ReporterReporterReporterReporterReporterReporterReporter

George KarvounidisMegan McArthurNicole McGillJade MunsonHannah Stein

Kyle Warner

Lindsey Chamberlin

ReporterReporterReporterReporterReporter

Design/Tech Support

Advisor

Mission Statement:The purpose of the WCTA Newspaper is to keep students, faculty, and staff at WCTA updated on current events that are happening around the school, community, country, and world. The goal is to promote academic and extracurricular activities, stduent achievements, and the experience of going to WCTA. A key part of the Tech Times news is upholding and exemplifying the West CTA core vlues. It is important that the Tech Times sets an example for the entire student body of WCTA and the community of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our school has always had vending machines filled with the basic bags of chips, granola bars, and crackers. Now, there are candy bars available in these machines. There is much controversy as to whether it is acceptable for schools to offer candy bars as part of a lunch option. “It’s important to offer healthy food to students because it is important to be healthy,” said a school counselor. So obviously, it’s important to our school leadership that student’s lead a healthy lifestyle. Since much debate has been made about the foods schools offer, it will soon become a law for schools to provide students with only healthy foods and drinks, replacing much desired sodas and candy bars for water and granola bars.As some of you who purchase a school lunch have already seen, the pizza has whole-wheat crust now and instead of brownies there is yogurt. “Student’s don’t have time to make their own lunch some-times so many prefer to buy it at school. I think it’s important to have a healthy lunch because many options at school will not give you the best daily nutrients that students need,” said junior Diana Voropaeva. So whether you buy a school a lunch or not, remember to always eat healthy.

Based on our World Series Poll, it looks like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox are the two favorite teams to go to the World Series. It turned out the Pirates were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Di-vision Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams still in contention for the World Series. The Dodgers are looking to finish off their miracle season with an unexpected championship.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the St Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. The Cardinals have been to the National League Championship Series for three straight years. The American League Championship Series will feature the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers. The Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers are evenly matched teams and the American League Champi-onship Series looks to be a neck and neck series.

Since the American League won the All-Star game this year, the AL will have “Home Field Advantage” for the World Series. Home Field Advantage is a huge factor for certain teams.

The first game of the 2013 World Series will be played on October 23, 2013. This will be the 104th World Series. The Yankees own a record 27 World Series titles. Reaching the World Series would be a huge accomplishment in itself.

Winning the World Series is something every team dreams about at the beginning of the season. Only one team though, can make that dream become a reality.

Voting Poll: To go vote for a team that you might think will go to the World Series go to tinyurl.com/baseballplayoffs?

Sports And Fitness 5Which Team Will Go The Distance?By Matthew Agresta Reporter

Photo Credit: foxsports

Fantasy Football: A Cultural Obsession?What started out as just a simple hobby has become a cultural obsession. According to ESPN’S Matthew Berry, 13% of all Americans play fantasy football. Also, according to a survey, 55% of all students at West Tech play Fantasy Football. A quick glimpse of this statistic would puzzle many observers. However, after further analysis, it becomes clear why so many people are enamored with this “silly little game.”

Fantasy Football combines the best parts of friendship, competitiveness, and the feeling of victory all into one. To play fantasy football, you don’t have to know anything about football. What makes fantasy football so great is the camaraderie it builds over a 16 week peri-od. Whether its the constant trash talking on the league message board, the many trades that are agreed upon during the season, or the ability to call your friend on a Tuesday morning to just laugh into the phone endlessly is why people love fantasy foot-ball. At the end of the year, a trophy will usually be handed out to the champion and a punishment handed out to the last place team. Although winning is great, the best part of fantasy football is being able to hang out with your friends and create life lasting memories.

By Eli Epstein Reporter

LeBron James Third Straight Title? (Opinion)By Eli Epstein Reporter

Without a doubt, LeBron James is the best basketball player on the planet. Stand-ing at six foot eight, and weighing 250 pounds, LeBron James is a physical freak. James’ athletic ability combined with his physical stature is what makes him such an intimidating force on the basketball court. After having won two straight NBA Championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player awards and two olympic gold medals, there isn’t much left for King James to accomplish. James has silenced his harshest critics in recent years with his electrifying performance in the most crucial parts of the season. James is no longer competing against the rest of the NBA, he is now com-peting for his legacy among the best to ever play basketball. Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan’s six NBA championships, five NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and his indomitable will to win is why Jordan is head and shoulders above the compe-tition. A third straight title for Lebron James would make even the biggest Jordan fans question if Mi-chael has met his match. James has been considered a basketball prodigy ever since he ap-peared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 17. A third straight title for LeBron James’ would not only put a stamp on his dominance of the league but cement his place among the best to ever pick up a basketball.

School LunchesBy Haddar Ben-Shimon Assistant Editor

Photo Credit: Haddar Ben-Shimon

Photo Credit: Jacobi Evas

Photo Credit: James P. Conway

News and Features 6

World powers have agreed upon a peaceful solution to the chemical weapons debacle in Syria. Following international squabbling and internal debates in the US that led many to believe a strike on Syria was imminent, Russia, Syria, and the US settled on a process in which Syria’s chemical weapons would be removed.Remarks Secretary of State John Kerry, “Diplomacy can be so powerful that it can peacefully defuse the worst weapons of war.” On August 21st, 2013, chemical weapons were used on civilians in Damascus, Syria, as part of the ongoing civil war in that country. In this attack, believed by the US government and many in the West to be the work of the government forces despite their adamant denial, approximately 1,400 people were killed and many more injured. Though not the first use of chemical weapons in the over two-year-long civil war that has engulfed the nation and killed over 100,000, it is the largest and the first to capture the world’s attention. The Arab Spring protests of 2011 led to a complex civil war between the authoritarian regime of Bashar Al-Assad and anti-Assad rebels. No end is in sight as the West, Turkey, and some Arab states back the rebels while Russia backs the regime, setting the stage for the chemical weapons crisis. Assad’s forces possess a sizeable stockpile of chemical weapons, including the deadly nerve agents VX and sarin, as well as mustard gas. The threat of cruise missile strikes on Syrian government forces by the US in retaliation for the chemical weapons use, considered a breach of international standards, prompted Syria and ally Russia to offer the removal of these stockpiles, stabilizing the situation.This decision was strengthened by a late September UN Security Council Resolution calling for the elimination of the weapons. Though Western military intervention is still possi-ble, it’s likelihood is now reduced. The coming months will see the difficult process of the international community examining and removing chemical weapons from Syria.

Chemical Weaponry in SyriaBy Chaz Fernandez

Fake-blood face paint, glittery hair coloring, obnoxiously bright headbands, and homemade red and yellow tutus abound in the madness, a “giant mass of dancing bodies,” according to one attendee. The source of the madness? West CTA Key Club members attending the Regional Training Conference (RTC) on October 12th at Centennial High School. RTC is an annual event held for each Key Club division, where members from every local school can get to know each other, attend workshops, and compete to see which school has the most spirit. In that, West CTA was definitely a contender. “The spirit battles against other schools were my favorite because it was a lot of fun, and we won most of them, except for the one against Clark,” says Nelsha A., a Key Club member. Those attending the event became so involved that they got the mystical “RTC Syndrome”, where, as Nelsha explains it, “The day after RTC, you keep cheering.” Rumor has it that one Wrangler kept cheering even in her sleep, videotaped by her parents. RTC is just a bundle of energy. “I thought it would be tense and competitive, but it had a generally positive environment, especially with our sister school, SWCTA (Southwest Career and Technical Academy). When SWCTA won for our division, 28 West, we cheered with them.” Although not every Key Club member was able to attend, everyone became a part of preparing. Students helped those attending practice cheers, made signs and tutus, and offered support. The RTC prep party on the Friday before the big event was open to all members, held picnic-style in the park as the ultimate RTC prep meeting. The officers of West CTA’s Key Club, in particular President Ashley R. and Vice President Samantha T., put a lot of work into organizing West CTA’s part in the local division’s RTC, even if the actual event seemed chaotic. “It was about a thousand students screaming their lungs out. Most people lose their voices after cheering at RTC.” This made many club advisers and other escorts come prepared... with earplugs.No matter how crazy it is, though, RTC remains a favorite start-of-the-year event for Key Club members. Once everyone recovers their voices, no doubt, they’ll be getting pumped up for next time.

Regional Training ConferenceBy Hannah Stein Reporter

Photo credit: Nelsha Athaud

Photo Credit: Mark G

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Ads and Features 7

Want to win a pair of tickets to see the Blue Man Group? Tickets be-ing raffled at lunch coming soon!