Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
Dons Net Cafe earned a special distinction September 23 with a recognition by animal and peace activist Jane Goodall and the organization Roots & Shoots at the fifth annual Roots & Shoots Day of Peace at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
Roots & Shoots is an organization working in approximately 100 countries around the world to reach out to young adults and teens looking to spread peace. It was created by Goodall, known for her work with chimpanzees, and is under the supervision of her institute.
“Dons Net Cafe was invited to by Roots & Shoots to Griffith Park because of our community service learning projects,” said ROP adviser Lee-Ann Knodel.
Roots & Shoots was interested in Net Cafe’s Eco-cell cell phone recycling program. “It is important to recycle old cell phones because it minimizes the mining process of the resources needed for the cell phone which is bad for the environment and the habitat of the wild animals,” said Knodel.
The event was held to celebrate the United Nation’s International Peace Day on September 21. Approximately 500 other elementary and high school children were among the crowd of thousands.
Goodall signed the box Virtual Enterprise made to collect their cell phones and applauded those groups making attempts in their projects to reduce their “footprint” on the earth. In addition she made a speech in front of the event’s attendees about the dream of world peace and future activism for the environment and human rights.
Virtual Enterprise set up their booth along with 20 other service projects and shared the information from their work with the other participants. “The reason why all of these service learning groups like us were invited was because Jane Goodall and Roots & Shoots believe that peace starts through the youth,” said Ms. Knodel. “And peace starts by giving back to the community.”
The Eco-cell program has collected 245 cell phones so far and 200 pounds of batteries.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sports Snapshot: Boys Water Polo
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
With the loss of a few notable senior players on the team from last year, the Boys Varsity Water Polo team has had its share of challenges to maintain its title as CIF champion.
They narrowly lost at home on September 12 as Mater Dei pulled off a 6-5 win in a game where no team held more than a one point lead at any time.
More recently at Tuesday’s match against Ventura, the Dons allowed the Cougars to slide in with a 10-8 victory in overtime. While Santa Barbara held a 7-5 lead at one point, a penalty shot in Ventura’s favor brought the score closer to even. The game against Ventura is the first CIF loss since the 2005 season. “It was just a hard game,” said senior player Andrew Gonzales. “And we’re going to work on getting better.”
That’s not to say the Dons haven’t had the best of luck this season. With wins over Mira Costa and a 10th place finish overall at the South Coast Water Polo tournament last weekend the team has been giving it their all. They also beat out immediate rivals Dos Pueblos and San Marcos in the overall scoring. “We have great potential,” said senior Ben Wolfe. “We just need to work on applying that potential.”
Sports Snapshot: Cross Country
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
The Dons Cross Country team had their first League meet last week at Dos Pueblos. Senior Krista Dreschler crossed the finish line with a winning time of 18:26 in the girls varsity race. Senior Dominic Atkatz led the Dons on the varsity boys side with a time of 16:31 and a seventh place finish.
On Saturday the team participated in the Pepperdine Invitational at Pepperdine University in Malibu. The rain from earlier in the morning and the day before made a muddy course that met with disdain from falling runners.
Despite the poor conditions Dreschler placed second with a time of 19:28:47 in a varsity race with more than 100 participants. Atkatz topped the boys side for the Dons with a time of 18:07:13 and a 41st place overall in the varsity race.
The next race for the cross country team will be this afternoon at 2 p.m. at the College Park Invitational at College Park in Oxnard.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Lunch on the Lawn
ASB has started a new tradition on the Senior Lawn this year: a Friday picnic. Students and staff members (such as Mr. Sandrich, pictured) are invited to bring their lunch onto the lawn today and every other Friday. Check the Forge calendar on page 8 for other school events in the upcoming weeks.
Zero periods start at 8 on late start days
As a result of a staff-generated proposal, early bird classes will begin at 8:10 on late start days effective Wednesday. The move comes after four late start dates which left minimal security on campus when a number of students were wandering through buildings in between their zero and first periods.
Teachers with early bird classes will be given time before their 8:10 classes for planning and collaboration. The move affects only classes on Wednesdays with late start days. There are a planned 22 late start days remaining in the school year.
Teachers with early bird classes will be given time before their 8:10 classes for planning and collaboration. The move affects only classes on Wednesdays with late start days. There are a planned 22 late start days remaining in the school year.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Capritto wants to keep students in their seats
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
Dr. Mark Capritto finds a lot to like at Santa Barbara High. So much in fact that he’s fully prepared to do what it takes to make SBHS even better. But the changes he’s enacted since he took the job earlier in the summer are already making waves in some circles.
Capritto replaces Paul Turnbull as SBHS’ principal. Coming from Calabasas High School where he served as an assistant principal, Capritto saw a lot to like in the students as they sat in their new classes on the first day of school. “The students are great,” he said. “I’m impressed with the manner in which they get started and get to class.”
He was equally impressed with the versatility of teachers and their ability to teach a variety of academic levels, from freshmen College Prep classes to AP sections. Capritto said that was uncommon in a number of other schools he had seen.
But Capritto wants to see improvements in SBHS and its students. “My goal is to look at the achievement gap and close it,” he said. “We have a pretty large gap between students.” In addition, he is seeking an increase in the school’s API score, based on standardized test results.
And to close that gap and increase the index score, Capritto is proposing changes that will force students into their seats. For him, it comes down to attendance. “We have a strong need to get our students to class,” he said. “A student won’t do well if they’re not in school every day.”
“If you can’t stay in class you can’t stay in school.” That’s Capritto’s belief when it comes to making the push for students to stay in class.
To do so, he’s proposing some sweeping changes not only for SBHS, but for the entire school district. Students who consistently skip out on class will ultimately be dropped from the class. No ifs, ands, or buts. “Interestingly enough it works,” said Capritto. He said students are looking for parameters and SBHS needs to make those boundaries a lot harder to cross.
In the short term however, Capritto has already signed detention and in-house suspension to the history books. He saw them as the most ineffective ways at discipline. “It was the 2007 version of ‘The Breakfast Club’,” he said, referring to students in the cafeteria during in-house suspension and lunch detention.
Instead, Capritto is looking to get delinquent students to beautify the campus on their own time instead of the school’s. Dons with discipline issues may be sent to pick up trash outside of class time. And in addition to Saturday School, the principal is looking to get the funding and a go-ahead to start a Saturday work program.
Seniors in particular will feel the heat from the tougher truancy policies. Capritto says every student must have a clean record to participate in senior activities, including the graduation ceremony. And he’s not holding back in threatening senior privileges. “There’s enough of a pride factor in this community to graduate from Santa Barbara High, that if it happens too late it’s very disappointing,”
Capritto said. “The tradition and culture of graduating from Santa Barbara High in this community is very strong. It’s the strongest I’ve ever seen.”
Nevertheless, Capritto acknowledges SBHS’ strong points, particularly its academies and ability for students to find a niche they’re comfortable with. He considers programs offered by MAD, VADA, and APPLe to be greater than what is offered in other schools of similar structure to SBHS. “The resources students are able to take advantage of is incredible,” he said.
Dr. Capritto doesn’t want to scare off students though. In his weeks as principal he’s learning what some Dons think of administration. “Students view administration as ogres and disciplinary figures,” he said. “We have to change that. We have to flatten the playing field and say we’re here to help them.”
Tardy, truancy rules top list of policy changes
Danny Langhorne
Editor-in-Chief
As students dragged themselves back to school for the first day of classes it didn’t take them long to realize that everything about SBHS was not as they had left it in June. Among the changes was that SBHS has a new principal, Dr. Mark Capritto, to lead the faculty and ensure that students have a safe and educational learning environment.
The many administrative changes that have taken place have impacted the lives of SBHS students.
First and quite possibly the most notorious change on campus is the new policy on tardies and truancies. If students rack up five tardies in the same class they will receive four discipline hours. If they receive three cuts to the same class they will receive six discipline hours.
To clear discipline hours the administration may ask students to pick up trash at the end of lunch, after school, and on Saturdays.
Even more dangerous to students is if they receive ten tardies or five cuts they will also be in danger of failing the class and be assigned discipline hours.
One thing that left seniors in particular shouting out of their car windows was the administration’s decision to allow juniors to park in the senior lot. But due to outcry from senior class president Karl Sandrich and other members of the senior class the new policy was revoked; the senior lot parking lot is just for seniors.
“I convinced the principal that the seniors needed their own lot and it would be better for everyone,” said Karl Sandrich.
The condition on this change is that if there is any vandalism of cars belonging to juniors parked in the senior lot the senior parking lot will again be opened to juniors. Many members of the class of 2008 thought this a fair trade for not having to get to school a half-hour early just to find a parking space.
Changes in the bell schedule also bothered a lot of returning students. The fact that the two minute tardy warning bell is no longer in effect during passing period has definitely quickened the pace of students who must walk across campus to their next class and shortened the time that people have to talk to their friends in the hallway.
Another change was the shortening of the lunch period to only 35 minutes. This has not seemed to decrease the number of students driving downtown or hitting the pavement down to Milpas.
The addition of a late start at 9 a.m. almost every Wednesday was brought about due to the dropping of minimum days but the continuing need for a time in which teachers can conference. While many people just miss getting out early a couple times a month others are really faced with schedule problems. Students that are taking a zero period must attend the same as any other day at 7 a.m,. leaving an hour between their zero period and first period which starts at 9 a.m. Some of these students have coped with this space in between classes by making up home work or driving downtown for a late breakfast.
Even the structure of SBHS has changed during the summer. The four portables that sat the quad for the last couple of years were removed, leaving a barren, dusty, and fenced off wasteland. Also the bone-jarring rattle and noise of construction crews have left SBHS for the moment as the many elevators located around campus appear to be completed.
Editor-in-Chief
As students dragged themselves back to school for the first day of classes it didn’t take them long to realize that everything about SBHS was not as they had left it in June. Among the changes was that SBHS has a new principal, Dr. Mark Capritto, to lead the faculty and ensure that students have a safe and educational learning environment.
The many administrative changes that have taken place have impacted the lives of SBHS students.
First and quite possibly the most notorious change on campus is the new policy on tardies and truancies. If students rack up five tardies in the same class they will receive four discipline hours. If they receive three cuts to the same class they will receive six discipline hours.
To clear discipline hours the administration may ask students to pick up trash at the end of lunch, after school, and on Saturdays.
Even more dangerous to students is if they receive ten tardies or five cuts they will also be in danger of failing the class and be assigned discipline hours.
One thing that left seniors in particular shouting out of their car windows was the administration’s decision to allow juniors to park in the senior lot. But due to outcry from senior class president Karl Sandrich and other members of the senior class the new policy was revoked; the senior lot parking lot is just for seniors.
“I convinced the principal that the seniors needed their own lot and it would be better for everyone,” said Karl Sandrich.
The condition on this change is that if there is any vandalism of cars belonging to juniors parked in the senior lot the senior parking lot will again be opened to juniors. Many members of the class of 2008 thought this a fair trade for not having to get to school a half-hour early just to find a parking space.
Changes in the bell schedule also bothered a lot of returning students. The fact that the two minute tardy warning bell is no longer in effect during passing period has definitely quickened the pace of students who must walk across campus to their next class and shortened the time that people have to talk to their friends in the hallway.
Another change was the shortening of the lunch period to only 35 minutes. This has not seemed to decrease the number of students driving downtown or hitting the pavement down to Milpas.
The addition of a late start at 9 a.m. almost every Wednesday was brought about due to the dropping of minimum days but the continuing need for a time in which teachers can conference. While many people just miss getting out early a couple times a month others are really faced with schedule problems. Students that are taking a zero period must attend the same as any other day at 7 a.m,. leaving an hour between their zero period and first period which starts at 9 a.m. Some of these students have coped with this space in between classes by making up home work or driving downtown for a late breakfast.
Even the structure of SBHS has changed during the summer. The four portables that sat the quad for the last couple of years were removed, leaving a barren, dusty, and fenced off wasteland. Also the bone-jarring rattle and noise of construction crews have left SBHS for the moment as the many elevators located around campus appear to be completed.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Varsity Girls Volleyball Co-Captain Kristen Dealy
Season prediction, how do you see it?
I hope that we win League and hopefully win CIF.
Who are your fiercest opponents?
I think Santa Margarita, Redondo, Mitty, and Mira Costa are tough opponents.
What is something important for your fans to know?
That they should come to all of our games because it’s fun.
How many years have you been playing on the varsity team?
I’ve been playing since sophomore year, so three years.
What do you want to improve on from last year?
To win CIF and not lose any games.
I hope that we win League and hopefully win CIF.
Who are your fiercest opponents?
I think Santa Margarita, Redondo, Mitty, and Mira Costa are tough opponents.
What is something important for your fans to know?
That they should come to all of our games because it’s fun.
How many years have you been playing on the varsity team?
I’ve been playing since sophomore year, so three years.
What do you want to improve on from last year?
To win CIF and not lose any games.
Varsity Girls Tennis Co-Captain Lindsay Penner
What is your season prediction?
Really strong! All of the returning players definitely improved over the summer. I see us hopefully winning CIF this year.
Who are your fiercest opponents?
Marlborough High School because we lost to them in the CIF finals last year.
What is something important for fans to know?
Girls tennis is actually an exciting sport. We are good and it is intense. It’s a vicious sport.
How many years have you been on the varsity tennis team?
This is my fourth year on varsity tennis.
What do you think you can improve on from last year?
Just myself to improve, and win CIF.
Really strong! All of the returning players definitely improved over the summer. I see us hopefully winning CIF this year.
Who are your fiercest opponents?
Marlborough High School because we lost to them in the CIF finals last year.
What is something important for fans to know?
Girls tennis is actually an exciting sport. We are good and it is intense. It’s a vicious sport.
How many years have you been on the varsity tennis team?
This is my fourth year on varsity tennis.
What do you think you can improve on from last year?
Just myself to improve, and win CIF.
Season for 2007 is “looking good” for Dons Football!
Maria Vallejo
Staff Reporter
With the intense two-a-day practices our Football Dons were put through this summer, the expectations for this 2007 season are immense. In the summer league the varsity team was extremely successful acquiring a 36-1 record. Coaches, players and of course us die hard football fans are impatiently waiting for our team to show all other schools what we Dons are made of.
When asked what the high light of the summer practices was, varsity player Memo Gutierrez said, “the times we worked out at the beach, definitely.” The beach sessions seemed to have been quite challenging as his fellow teammate junior Oscar Murillo agreed. Murillo added that his guess at the record this season would be 9-1. This sets the bar really high, but it’s nothing that this determined and driven group of Dons can’t accomplish. Chris Manson (senior) said that he is confident and feels that the team has a good chance at play offs, He looks forward to wearing his golden tornado jersey.
Senior Greg Dominguez, one of the captains of the varsity team, looks forward to both the game against our cross-town rivals, San Marcos, and the match against St. Bonnie. He comments that the ‘07 season “is looking good” for us in football.”
Coaches: Will Gonzales-VARSITY, Manuel Robledo-SOPHOMORE, Art Gonzales-FRESHMEN.
Staff Reporter
With the intense two-a-day practices our Football Dons were put through this summer, the expectations for this 2007 season are immense. In the summer league the varsity team was extremely successful acquiring a 36-1 record. Coaches, players and of course us die hard football fans are impatiently waiting for our team to show all other schools what we Dons are made of.
When asked what the high light of the summer practices was, varsity player Memo Gutierrez said, “the times we worked out at the beach, definitely.” The beach sessions seemed to have been quite challenging as his fellow teammate junior Oscar Murillo agreed. Murillo added that his guess at the record this season would be 9-1. This sets the bar really high, but it’s nothing that this determined and driven group of Dons can’t accomplish. Chris Manson (senior) said that he is confident and feels that the team has a good chance at play offs, He looks forward to wearing his golden tornado jersey.
Senior Greg Dominguez, one of the captains of the varsity team, looks forward to both the game against our cross-town rivals, San Marcos, and the match against St. Bonnie. He comments that the ‘07 season “is looking good” for us in football.”
Coaches: Will Gonzales-VARSITY, Manuel Robledo-SOPHOMORE, Art Gonzales-FRESHMEN.
ASB Officers 2007-2008
Jackie Zupsic
ASB President
"I am in charge of running the ASB fourth period class everyday. It’s kind of like being a teacher, I make lesson plans, ASB to-do lists, and write on overhead transparencies."
"I want this year this year to be fun. I want prom to be really awesome and to do that, we have to raise a ton of money. So seniors if you want a good prom help us raise some money! My ultimate goal of this year is to get people involved. I want all games to be packed; I guess I just want people to get into it. Our school has strong traditions, and we are responsible for keeping them alive. (cough...painting the cow that still says 2007!)"
"To bring the school together, ASB is starting picnics that will either be once a week or month. With a shorter lunch period why not spend one day hanging out on the senior lawn enjoying our Santa Barbara weather and your friends. Bring a guitar or an umbrella and a bagged lunch and we will see ya there"
Karl Sandrich
Senior President
"I want SBHS students to feel like we are all together in this community. I also want students to have real pride in being a Don."
"I really want to make senior year to be great, and for us to really enjoy our last year at SBHS. We will have to wait and see."
"I hope to get students involved by making (them) aware of events and making people fell like the school needs them."
"As senior president, my job is to raise money for seniors and to help students whenever they need it."
Brett Silverman
Senior Vice President
"I plan for this to be our best year at SBHS, and I know it’s going to be a fun one!"
"I was a student legislator from 2005 to 2007."
"A lot of great fundraisers to pay for the best prom SBHS has ever seen."
"We are trying to make freshmen feel more wanted on campus by limiting our use of negative language towards them, such as the comment ‘I eat freshmen’."
"I work a lot for the senior class, but I choose to spread myself out and get involved with everything that ASB is working on."
"I’ve run for ASB for different class officers in the past, so I have always had an interest in ASB."
"The passage and enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts has taught me a lot about the diversity necessary to run a smooth administration."
"I would like to shout out to the student body: ‘Quintessence is a premium sheet’."
Liz Elizalde
Senior Secretary/Treasurer
"As a Senior my vision of this school year is to make it as fun and different as possible. As an officer I hope to accomplish organizing all the fundraisers needed to have money for the best Prom/ Senior events ever."
"This my first year in student government and I am very excited about it."
"We plan to have events on the Senior lawn. We may be handing out free things at basketball games, and of course school dances."
"My specific job as a Secretary Treasurer is to organize a fundraiser for the senior class, as well as events. Basically making sure our budget is good."
"I got involved in ASB this year because Mr. Schultz introduced me to the class and it seemed like an awesome thing to do Senior year."
"Seniors! It’s our year! And it’s gonna be awesome!"
Geena Boscacci
Junior President
"This year I really want to make our dances better. I don’t want people saying “oh Homecoming was lame.” I also want to get more kids involved in school activities, such as sporting events. It’s a great way to show support for our fellow classmates."
"This is my first year in ASB."
"I want to help seniors fundraise so they can have their Prom at a nicer place. Prom is something you remember your whole life, so it’s important we do a good job planning."
"This year we came up with ‘Picnic Fridays.’ Everyone is going to hang out on the Senior lawn and listen to music at lunch. It’s a great way to meet different people."
"I help organize school events, such as Pep rallies and Picnic Fridays. I also help plan and set up dances."
"Last year, when an opportunity to run for a class officer came up, I thought it would a great way to get more involved with the school."
"If anyone has any ideas on dance themes or things they want to change around the school, just let me or any ASB person know. We want to know your opinions on how we can make the school a better environment for everyone."
Hannah Grokenberger
Sophomore President
"Overall, we liked the way that the events were run last year and will stick to the same ideas. But we have a really creative and involved ASB so I think we will come up some new ideas for fundraising, ideas like morP."
"Last year I was 9th grade class vice-president so I have some experience in student government."
"We have a great senior class this year and our senior class president Jackie already a bunch of senior classmen working together to come up with fundraising ideas and I know that they are looking at a new location for prom."
"We are trying out “bring your own bag lunch to school day” on the senior lawn on Fridays. Through events like these we think we can bring the upper and lower classmen together."
"I am in charge of a 10th grade fundraiser and on top of that I am in charge of the blood drive at the end of the year. I helped run the blood drive last year so I have some experience with that event."
"I love being a part of what goes on around school. My brothers also have all been involved in ASB and hearing them rave about it made it sound cool."
"We have a new group of ASB students. I think Jackie is doing an amazing job starting off the year by getting everybody busy and making this year fun."
Cindeezy Tran
Sophomore Vice President
"My vision for this year is to have more exiting and fun year, by creating lots of activities. I want to accomplish building a closer and friendly environment and have fun."
"This is my first year in ASB, but I would help sometimes during Homecoming last year making sure students had a Prom and a Graduation they can remember. Banners, advertising through friends to pass it on and maybe bulletins."
"I assist with everything needed to be done. I also assist as (President) Hanna’s ‘backup’ with anything."
"Last year I helped because my sister Listly is in ASB. It also seemed really fun so I joined ! I love it!"
"That everyone should get involved with all of our activities and events like sports games, dances, spirit week, anything to support the “Dons”! Have fun and enjoy your years at Santa Barbara High!’"
ASB President
"I am in charge of running the ASB fourth period class everyday. It’s kind of like being a teacher, I make lesson plans, ASB to-do lists, and write on overhead transparencies."
"I want this year this year to be fun. I want prom to be really awesome and to do that, we have to raise a ton of money. So seniors if you want a good prom help us raise some money! My ultimate goal of this year is to get people involved. I want all games to be packed; I guess I just want people to get into it. Our school has strong traditions, and we are responsible for keeping them alive. (cough...painting the cow that still says 2007!)"
"To bring the school together, ASB is starting picnics that will either be once a week or month. With a shorter lunch period why not spend one day hanging out on the senior lawn enjoying our Santa Barbara weather and your friends. Bring a guitar or an umbrella and a bagged lunch and we will see ya there"
Karl Sandrich
Senior President
"I want SBHS students to feel like we are all together in this community. I also want students to have real pride in being a Don."
"I really want to make senior year to be great, and for us to really enjoy our last year at SBHS. We will have to wait and see."
"I hope to get students involved by making (them) aware of events and making people fell like the school needs them."
"As senior president, my job is to raise money for seniors and to help students whenever they need it."
Brett Silverman
Senior Vice President
"I plan for this to be our best year at SBHS, and I know it’s going to be a fun one!"
"I was a student legislator from 2005 to 2007."
"A lot of great fundraisers to pay for the best prom SBHS has ever seen."
"We are trying to make freshmen feel more wanted on campus by limiting our use of negative language towards them, such as the comment ‘I eat freshmen’."
"I work a lot for the senior class, but I choose to spread myself out and get involved with everything that ASB is working on."
"I’ve run for ASB for different class officers in the past, so I have always had an interest in ASB."
"The passage and enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts has taught me a lot about the diversity necessary to run a smooth administration."
"I would like to shout out to the student body: ‘Quintessence is a premium sheet’."
Liz Elizalde
Senior Secretary/Treasurer
"As a Senior my vision of this school year is to make it as fun and different as possible. As an officer I hope to accomplish organizing all the fundraisers needed to have money for the best Prom/ Senior events ever."
"This my first year in student government and I am very excited about it."
"We plan to have events on the Senior lawn. We may be handing out free things at basketball games, and of course school dances."
"My specific job as a Secretary Treasurer is to organize a fundraiser for the senior class, as well as events. Basically making sure our budget is good."
"I got involved in ASB this year because Mr. Schultz introduced me to the class and it seemed like an awesome thing to do Senior year."
"Seniors! It’s our year! And it’s gonna be awesome!"
Geena Boscacci
Junior President
"This year I really want to make our dances better. I don’t want people saying “oh Homecoming was lame.” I also want to get more kids involved in school activities, such as sporting events. It’s a great way to show support for our fellow classmates."
"This is my first year in ASB."
"I want to help seniors fundraise so they can have their Prom at a nicer place. Prom is something you remember your whole life, so it’s important we do a good job planning."
"This year we came up with ‘Picnic Fridays.’ Everyone is going to hang out on the Senior lawn and listen to music at lunch. It’s a great way to meet different people."
"I help organize school events, such as Pep rallies and Picnic Fridays. I also help plan and set up dances."
"Last year, when an opportunity to run for a class officer came up, I thought it would a great way to get more involved with the school."
"If anyone has any ideas on dance themes or things they want to change around the school, just let me or any ASB person know. We want to know your opinions on how we can make the school a better environment for everyone."
Hannah Grokenberger
Sophomore President
"Overall, we liked the way that the events were run last year and will stick to the same ideas. But we have a really creative and involved ASB so I think we will come up some new ideas for fundraising, ideas like morP."
"Last year I was 9th grade class vice-president so I have some experience in student government."
"We have a great senior class this year and our senior class president Jackie already a bunch of senior classmen working together to come up with fundraising ideas and I know that they are looking at a new location for prom."
"We are trying out “bring your own bag lunch to school day” on the senior lawn on Fridays. Through events like these we think we can bring the upper and lower classmen together."
"I am in charge of a 10th grade fundraiser and on top of that I am in charge of the blood drive at the end of the year. I helped run the blood drive last year so I have some experience with that event."
"I love being a part of what goes on around school. My brothers also have all been involved in ASB and hearing them rave about it made it sound cool."
"We have a new group of ASB students. I think Jackie is doing an amazing job starting off the year by getting everybody busy and making this year fun."
Cindeezy Tran
Sophomore Vice President
"My vision for this year is to have more exiting and fun year, by creating lots of activities. I want to accomplish building a closer and friendly environment and have fun."
"This is my first year in ASB, but I would help sometimes during Homecoming last year making sure students had a Prom and a Graduation they can remember. Banners, advertising through friends to pass it on and maybe bulletins."
"I assist with everything needed to be done. I also assist as (President) Hanna’s ‘backup’ with anything."
"Last year I helped because my sister Listly is in ASB. It also seemed really fun so I joined ! I love it!"
"That everyone should get involved with all of our activities and events like sports games, dances, spirit week, anything to support the “Dons”! Have fun and enjoy your years at Santa Barbara High!’"
Senior remembers Tuesday morning six years ago that changed the world
Danny Langhorne
Editor-in-Chief
Six years ago on September 11, 2001 I was in sixth grade and I woke up about 6 a.m. just the same as any other school day. I had to be at school by 7:30 for early morning chorus practice.
But as I walked into the kitchen to get breakfast I saw my Mom turn on the news and it was the apocalypse on “Good Morning America”. She said, “Oh my god” as I read the headline on the screen, “Hijacked plane flown into World Trade Center.”
I had no idea what the Trade Center was, that it was actually two buildings, or even that it was in New York. I had no real sense of the gravity of what just happened. No idea that when the plane hit the building hundreds of people died or how it would come to affect the lives of every American.
And then it happened again! Another plane hit the other building of the World Trade Center. Despite the morning’s carnage I was driven to school were everyone in the music room was talking about the attack. Just fifth and sixth graders; none of us had a clue what was really going on but almost everyone had seen something about it on the news or heard something on the radio on the way to school.
Some kids even said that a plane had hit the Pentagon. For those who somehow hadn’t heard anything about what had just happened in New York, only surprise and confusion came to their minds.
As soon as regular classes started at 8:30 the same chattering that had occurred in the music room was also going on in the homerooms. Not long into the day every class was instructed to gather into the auditorium where usually school plays, music recitals, and talent shows took place. This was so that the principal could address all the students of Montecito Union. The principal confirmed the attacks as “plane crashes” into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. Words like “You are all safe here in Santa Barbara. You’re safe here at school” were used in order to console the student body. I knew people were dying but it all just seemed like something out of a movie.
One thought that kept going through my head was that if there was an attack in LA that Santa Barbara would still be safe. But as a sixth grader I didn’t know how the systems that keep our country running smoothly would collapse if the attacks had expanded beyond the eastern seaboard.
All of us were then told to go back to class and try to concentrate on our work. But in my class our teacher asked us if we wanted to watch the news and with a resounding yes we all huddled around the TV. For over an hour we watched repeat after repeat of the towers falling, people running through the streets from clouds of smoke and dust, and the plane crashing into the different buildings. “America Under Attack?” dominated the headlines of the news for the rest of the day.
It only took a matter of hours for the blame of the attacks to be cast on Muslim fanatics led by some guy with a beard called Osama Bin Laden.
Having no idea about Islam or what “terrorists,” as they began to call them on the news, were about I started to hate them for attacking America.
For weeks it was if the whole of America was bleeding red, white, and blue. Here in Santa Barbara people gathered in droves to make a human US flag at City College in salute to brave men and women of the New York police and fire departments. People wore “God Bless America” T-shirts and hung flags on the side windows of their cars. With a little over 3,000 left dead and missing as the smoke cleared, America demanded response from the United Nations. The response came in October of 2001 as Bush proclaimed the War on Terror with support of most of the world’s countries behind him. That was the height of this administration’s support from the American people and that little sixth grader.
A moment of silence is a nice sign of respect towards those who lost their lives on 9/11. But I think never forgetting about the events of that day and where you were is also important.
Editor-in-Chief
Six years ago on September 11, 2001 I was in sixth grade and I woke up about 6 a.m. just the same as any other school day. I had to be at school by 7:30 for early morning chorus practice.
But as I walked into the kitchen to get breakfast I saw my Mom turn on the news and it was the apocalypse on “Good Morning America”. She said, “Oh my god” as I read the headline on the screen, “Hijacked plane flown into World Trade Center.”
I had no idea what the Trade Center was, that it was actually two buildings, or even that it was in New York. I had no real sense of the gravity of what just happened. No idea that when the plane hit the building hundreds of people died or how it would come to affect the lives of every American.
And then it happened again! Another plane hit the other building of the World Trade Center. Despite the morning’s carnage I was driven to school were everyone in the music room was talking about the attack. Just fifth and sixth graders; none of us had a clue what was really going on but almost everyone had seen something about it on the news or heard something on the radio on the way to school.
Some kids even said that a plane had hit the Pentagon. For those who somehow hadn’t heard anything about what had just happened in New York, only surprise and confusion came to their minds.
As soon as regular classes started at 8:30 the same chattering that had occurred in the music room was also going on in the homerooms. Not long into the day every class was instructed to gather into the auditorium where usually school plays, music recitals, and talent shows took place. This was so that the principal could address all the students of Montecito Union. The principal confirmed the attacks as “plane crashes” into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania. Words like “You are all safe here in Santa Barbara. You’re safe here at school” were used in order to console the student body. I knew people were dying but it all just seemed like something out of a movie.
One thought that kept going through my head was that if there was an attack in LA that Santa Barbara would still be safe. But as a sixth grader I didn’t know how the systems that keep our country running smoothly would collapse if the attacks had expanded beyond the eastern seaboard.
All of us were then told to go back to class and try to concentrate on our work. But in my class our teacher asked us if we wanted to watch the news and with a resounding yes we all huddled around the TV. For over an hour we watched repeat after repeat of the towers falling, people running through the streets from clouds of smoke and dust, and the plane crashing into the different buildings. “America Under Attack?” dominated the headlines of the news for the rest of the day.
It only took a matter of hours for the blame of the attacks to be cast on Muslim fanatics led by some guy with a beard called Osama Bin Laden.
Having no idea about Islam or what “terrorists,” as they began to call them on the news, were about I started to hate them for attacking America.
For weeks it was if the whole of America was bleeding red, white, and blue. Here in Santa Barbara people gathered in droves to make a human US flag at City College in salute to brave men and women of the New York police and fire departments. People wore “God Bless America” T-shirts and hung flags on the side windows of their cars. With a little over 3,000 left dead and missing as the smoke cleared, America demanded response from the United Nations. The response came in October of 2001 as Bush proclaimed the War on Terror with support of most of the world’s countries behind him. That was the height of this administration’s support from the American people and that little sixth grader.
A moment of silence is a nice sign of respect towards those who lost their lives on 9/11. But I think never forgetting about the events of that day and where you were is also important.
Bill to stop teens texting while driving won’t curb distraction
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
New California legislation is attempting to put an end to teens texting. At least while they’re driving.
I can think of more dangerous places for people our age to be text messaging, such as in our math class when our teacher will unceremoniously rip our phones from our hands and place it in the top drawer of his or her desk.
I’m not immune from the bug. I will admit that I’ve sent a few dozen messages while in between lights or stuck behind a slow moving pack of cars led by a driver who is seemingly unaware of traffic signs.
However, there is a new state bill under the title of SB 33 that sets out to make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be using their cell phone or PDA while driving, and that includes use of these devices with hands-free technology. And initially it makes sense. We’ve been told by our parents and other concerned adults that driving should be our priority when we’re driving. That’s why we’re not supposed to have our friends as passengers in our cars until we’ve been driving for more than a year, right?
But the more I think about this issue, the more I don’t believe it will be effective at keeping teens safer, as well as other drivers for that matter. After all, it’s known that a large number of us are driving our friends around practically the day after we get our licenses. And a number of us are rushing home at odd hours of the night, not only hoping our parents won’t catch us sneaking in but also that the cops won’t pull us over for speeding only to find out we weren’t supposed to be driving at that time of night in the first place. All of these laws are enforced in such a way that it’s only a problem if you get caught.
The ban on cell phones was intended to curb certain drivers who put the act of driving low on their priority list when they’re actually behind the wheel, lower on the list than putting on makeup or turning around to talk to their friends in the back seat, to name just a few of alternate activities. But will it really stop the most criminal offenders from driving into the car in front of them as they try to fix their message using the clumsy keypad on their iPhone? Probably not.
And more troubling is that these are the often same people who drink and spill their coffee while driving. Certainly, drivers our age are more likely to crash as a result of similar actions, but it’s not like you’re going to get pulled over for a liquid spillage.
Potentially problematic for the cops and other drivers is the fact that there’s new technology, namely from Microsoft, that allows your phone to connect to your car and have your text messages read out loud by your car. Amusingly, Microsoft claims the system will also interpret the classic text phrases such as “lol” “omg” and “wtf.” How they’re interpreted wasn’t mentioned.
But how much of this is really important to teenagers? You have to stop and think if any new law will make you safer behind the wheel. Will you become a safer driver by using more technology? Or will you bother to ignore your phone while driving? But the bigger question: will this proposed new law stop you from being a distracted driver? I’m thinking that’s a no on all counts.
News Editor
New California legislation is attempting to put an end to teens texting. At least while they’re driving.
I can think of more dangerous places for people our age to be text messaging, such as in our math class when our teacher will unceremoniously rip our phones from our hands and place it in the top drawer of his or her desk.
I’m not immune from the bug. I will admit that I’ve sent a few dozen messages while in between lights or stuck behind a slow moving pack of cars led by a driver who is seemingly unaware of traffic signs.
However, there is a new state bill under the title of SB 33 that sets out to make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be using their cell phone or PDA while driving, and that includes use of these devices with hands-free technology. And initially it makes sense. We’ve been told by our parents and other concerned adults that driving should be our priority when we’re driving. That’s why we’re not supposed to have our friends as passengers in our cars until we’ve been driving for more than a year, right?
But the more I think about this issue, the more I don’t believe it will be effective at keeping teens safer, as well as other drivers for that matter. After all, it’s known that a large number of us are driving our friends around practically the day after we get our licenses. And a number of us are rushing home at odd hours of the night, not only hoping our parents won’t catch us sneaking in but also that the cops won’t pull us over for speeding only to find out we weren’t supposed to be driving at that time of night in the first place. All of these laws are enforced in such a way that it’s only a problem if you get caught.
The ban on cell phones was intended to curb certain drivers who put the act of driving low on their priority list when they’re actually behind the wheel, lower on the list than putting on makeup or turning around to talk to their friends in the back seat, to name just a few of alternate activities. But will it really stop the most criminal offenders from driving into the car in front of them as they try to fix their message using the clumsy keypad on their iPhone? Probably not.
And more troubling is that these are the often same people who drink and spill their coffee while driving. Certainly, drivers our age are more likely to crash as a result of similar actions, but it’s not like you’re going to get pulled over for a liquid spillage.
Potentially problematic for the cops and other drivers is the fact that there’s new technology, namely from Microsoft, that allows your phone to connect to your car and have your text messages read out loud by your car. Amusingly, Microsoft claims the system will also interpret the classic text phrases such as “lol” “omg” and “wtf.” How they’re interpreted wasn’t mentioned.
But how much of this is really important to teenagers? You have to stop and think if any new law will make you safer behind the wheel. Will you become a safer driver by using more technology? Or will you bother to ignore your phone while driving? But the bigger question: will this proposed new law stop you from being a distracted driver? I’m thinking that’s a no on all counts.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
New Forge on Friday
The first issue of the new year will be out on Friday. Find a newsstand on campus, located in the main hall, English building, 30's wing, as well as some issues in the library, counseling office, and other various locations.
All stories will be posted online including pictures.
All stories will be posted online including pictures.
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