Friday, February 1 will go down in infamy for the staff of The Forge. When most of the staff was informed of the incident during third period that day, you could hear a pin drop while you saw the wide open mouths of some reporters. The first thoughts running through their minds when they heard five of our computers and a camera and a scanner and a printer were stolen was, “Is my work OK?”
While that question may sound self-centered in a time of crisis, it’s not at all without reason. It may come as a shock to some people at Santa Barbara High School, but The Forge does not have the ability to turn out a 12-page issue at the drop of the hat. It takes weeks of planning and hours of painstaking labor in front of a computer screen.
The Forge may have been robbed of roughly $12,000 of property but there is no monetary value for the hours of work lost and some of the artifacts on those computers that can never be duplicated. That is absolutely heartbreaking for the students most of all. The roughly 25 staff members, and the 25 students in the beginning Photography class, are the real victims in this case.
Nevertheless, every dark cloud has a silver lining. The issue in front of you today was the result of the incredible devotion our staff has to this paper. We spent our nights and weekends putting together the pieces of what we had left, to produce our planned issue. In the nearly century of Forges, there has never been an issue postponed. Staff members have been caught on the wrong end of landslides and have their houses ruined by floods, but the paper always comes out.
Here’s the basic truth: it’s students who put The Forge together. Our teacher advisor is there mostly to proofread some pages and lock the door when we leave. Those in charge of ASB and the TV bulletin understand that there is so much more work that goes into the product than most people realize.
We thank the Santa Barbara Daily Sound and the Independent for publicizing our story last Saturday, and Noozhawk.com for the story and offering to collect donations to help us pay for new equipment. Dr. Capritto is also commended for his pledge of $6,500 towards new equipment as well. And to Ms. Light and the yearbook staff for offering the use of their equipment even after their own break-in the same week and the loss of some of their own computers.
It’s absolutely pointless for the staff to keep dwelling on this issue. We resist making ourselves the front page story because we aren’t the news, we simply cover the news, and then move on.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Gangs of Santa Barbara: There’s clearly a problem, but is there a solution?
Zac Estrada Rosales
Associate Editor
Timing is a funny thing isn’t it? It was no more than three weeks ago that I thought, “Yeah, there’s crime in Santa Barbara, but it’s not that bad compared to just about everywhere else.” I’m eating those words as we speak.
The events of February 1 change my view on the whole gang issue. Not that I suspect gangs were behind our break-in, but that there are some issues in Santa Barbara that aren’t being addressed that pertain to high school students. For almost a year now the majority of students have had it ingrained in their minds that there is definitely an increased gang presence in town. One dead teen behind Saks Fifth Avenue in broad daylight a year ago will do that. But stabbings that happen almost on a weekly basis and the sometimes shady characters lurking around on State Street are the start of a recipe for communal panic.
I’m stopping myself short of sounding like the News-Press’ gang gadfly Travis Armstrong, who lists off the problems on a weekly basis, who lambasts the wrong local leaders and never criticizes the ones who deserve it, ignoring the irony that after police officers won a hefty pay raise the crime rate goes up, and creates more pandemonium among the News-Press’ tens of readers.
Last spring, immediately following the first stabbing on State Street, I recall being completely confused by our school’s plan to tell all of its athletes in a quickly-assembled assembly to tell everyone to avoid the downtown area that weekend and let people know that we’re proud to be Dons, meaning that if we go walking around in clusters we should all wear clothing that said SBHS on it. Yeah, like I’m really going to do that.
There are two problems in this town, as much as they don’t want to hear it. The people giving the go-ahead to projects such as the teen center aren’t exactly in tune with the interests of the hooligans making life busy for the journalists and fun for Mr. Armstrong. So while the grown-ups are out of touch, the other problem at hand is the fact that the kids don’t want to follow. The teen center is a brilliant idea in theory, but the question remains: has it really caught on? I don’t think it’s really struck a chord with the kids who really don’t have a place to go and end up wandering the streets and getting into trouble.
During the city council elections last fall, I listened to all of the candidates and spoke with many of them. One in particular, Michelle Giddens, was most interested in pursuing the issue. And at her election party on the night results came in, she said even if she didn’t end up getting a seat on council, she’d work actively to crack down on the gang problem in Santa Barbara.
It’s not just those with political aspirations who want to help. At a community meeting I attended way back in June of last year, I saw countless parents, neighbors, and even children get up in front of government, business, and school leaders, and pour their hearts out over how they’ve seen people they knew as children stabbed on the street. Everyone wanted to know what they could do to prevent that from happening more than it already is now. No one had anything new.
There is one answer and it’s pretty simple: don’t join a gang. But that response is more convincing to some than it is to others.
Associate Editor
Timing is a funny thing isn’t it? It was no more than three weeks ago that I thought, “Yeah, there’s crime in Santa Barbara, but it’s not that bad compared to just about everywhere else.” I’m eating those words as we speak.
The events of February 1 change my view on the whole gang issue. Not that I suspect gangs were behind our break-in, but that there are some issues in Santa Barbara that aren’t being addressed that pertain to high school students. For almost a year now the majority of students have had it ingrained in their minds that there is definitely an increased gang presence in town. One dead teen behind Saks Fifth Avenue in broad daylight a year ago will do that. But stabbings that happen almost on a weekly basis and the sometimes shady characters lurking around on State Street are the start of a recipe for communal panic.
I’m stopping myself short of sounding like the News-Press’ gang gadfly Travis Armstrong, who lists off the problems on a weekly basis, who lambasts the wrong local leaders and never criticizes the ones who deserve it, ignoring the irony that after police officers won a hefty pay raise the crime rate goes up, and creates more pandemonium among the News-Press’ tens of readers.
Last spring, immediately following the first stabbing on State Street, I recall being completely confused by our school’s plan to tell all of its athletes in a quickly-assembled assembly to tell everyone to avoid the downtown area that weekend and let people know that we’re proud to be Dons, meaning that if we go walking around in clusters we should all wear clothing that said SBHS on it. Yeah, like I’m really going to do that.
There are two problems in this town, as much as they don’t want to hear it. The people giving the go-ahead to projects such as the teen center aren’t exactly in tune with the interests of the hooligans making life busy for the journalists and fun for Mr. Armstrong. So while the grown-ups are out of touch, the other problem at hand is the fact that the kids don’t want to follow. The teen center is a brilliant idea in theory, but the question remains: has it really caught on? I don’t think it’s really struck a chord with the kids who really don’t have a place to go and end up wandering the streets and getting into trouble.
During the city council elections last fall, I listened to all of the candidates and spoke with many of them. One in particular, Michelle Giddens, was most interested in pursuing the issue. And at her election party on the night results came in, she said even if she didn’t end up getting a seat on council, she’d work actively to crack down on the gang problem in Santa Barbara.
It’s not just those with political aspirations who want to help. At a community meeting I attended way back in June of last year, I saw countless parents, neighbors, and even children get up in front of government, business, and school leaders, and pour their hearts out over how they’ve seen people they knew as children stabbed on the street. Everyone wanted to know what they could do to prevent that from happening more than it already is now. No one had anything new.
There is one answer and it’s pretty simple: don’t join a gang. But that response is more convincing to some than it is to others.
Newly elected freshmen step into office
The newest officers to ASB were elected late last month. Pepe Gil and Clifford Anderson took the freshman president and secretary/treasurer seats, respectively. In a runoff race, Katy Villanueva won the office of freshman vice president.
“It feels good to know that the freshman class went out and voted,” said Gil. “I look forward to the rest of the year.”
Vice President Katy Villanueva said her campaign, “was hard work, but it felt like an accomplishment.” She has been in the ASB class since the beginning of the year and said she is looking forward to helping more with school events.
Clifford Anderson meanwhile, was taken aback by the election results. “It was a surprising win for me,” he said. Anderson is new in ASB this semester but is also looking to help and get more involved with SBHS.
More ASB elections will be held later in the year for positions such as ASB officers, and senior, junior, and sophomore class officers.
“It feels good to know that the freshman class went out and voted,” said Gil. “I look forward to the rest of the year.”
Vice President Katy Villanueva said her campaign, “was hard work, but it felt like an accomplishment.” She has been in the ASB class since the beginning of the year and said she is looking forward to helping more with school events.
Clifford Anderson meanwhile, was taken aback by the election results. “It was a surprising win for me,” he said. Anderson is new in ASB this semester but is also looking to help and get more involved with SBHS.
More ASB elections will be held later in the year for positions such as ASB officers, and senior, junior, and sophomore class officers.
C-Span bus makes Santa Barbara stop
Danny Langhorne
Editor-in-Chief
As students strolled out of their second periods last Thursday a behemoth waited for them at the flag round about in front of the school.
After stopping at city hall in San Luis Obispo and UCSB the C-Span Election 2008 Bus rolled onto the grounds of SBHS at 10 a.m. on January 31.
AP Government teacher Mr. Gamble pushed for the bus to specifically come to SBHS. “Anything that can get students more engaged in the political process is a great thing. These type of events help show young people that politics is important and approachable,” said Gamble.
Students were invited in groups of 10 to 12 for 10-minute periods to learn more about C-Span.
The goal of the crew of the bus including Matthew S. McGuire, National Accounts Executive for C-Span, was to educate students about what the channel is all about just days before California held its primary with twenty-two other states.
“The great thing about our Network is that we show everything from start to finish. Commercials take a lot of time out of showing the event so that’s why we don’t show any,” said McGuire.
Students were given a sit down tour of the 45 foot-long mobile TV-studio. After a brief summary of the history of C-Span the crew went on to discuss how they can produce a show on board with the video and sound equipment of a professional TV studio. The mobility of the bus allows them to broadcast to their headquarters in Washington D.C. spontaneously with presidential candidates or other politicians either outside the bus or inside the bus’ interview area.
The C-Span representatives were able to show this with a video of an interview with former president Bill Clinton that was taken in 1995 in the White House’s driveway.
The C-Span Bus has been traveling across the country, stopping at town halls and schools to address people’s misconceptions. “We’re not going to tell you who to vote for,” said McGuire.
The bus was invited to Santa Barbara by Cox Cable.
Editor-in-Chief
As students strolled out of their second periods last Thursday a behemoth waited for them at the flag round about in front of the school.
After stopping at city hall in San Luis Obispo and UCSB the C-Span Election 2008 Bus rolled onto the grounds of SBHS at 10 a.m. on January 31.
AP Government teacher Mr. Gamble pushed for the bus to specifically come to SBHS. “Anything that can get students more engaged in the political process is a great thing. These type of events help show young people that politics is important and approachable,” said Gamble.
Students were invited in groups of 10 to 12 for 10-minute periods to learn more about C-Span.
The goal of the crew of the bus including Matthew S. McGuire, National Accounts Executive for C-Span, was to educate students about what the channel is all about just days before California held its primary with twenty-two other states.
“The great thing about our Network is that we show everything from start to finish. Commercials take a lot of time out of showing the event so that’s why we don’t show any,” said McGuire.
Students were given a sit down tour of the 45 foot-long mobile TV-studio. After a brief summary of the history of C-Span the crew went on to discuss how they can produce a show on board with the video and sound equipment of a professional TV studio. The mobility of the bus allows them to broadcast to their headquarters in Washington D.C. spontaneously with presidential candidates or other politicians either outside the bus or inside the bus’ interview area.
The C-Span representatives were able to show this with a video of an interview with former president Bill Clinton that was taken in 1995 in the White House’s driveway.
The C-Span Bus has been traveling across the country, stopping at town halls and schools to address people’s misconceptions. “We’re not going to tell you who to vote for,” said McGuire.
The bus was invited to Santa Barbara by Cox Cable.
Law and Order: Mock Trial team prepares for face off against area schools
Zac Estrada Rosales
News Editor
Often lurking in the school’s field house long after the athletic teams have ended practice, Santa Barbara High’s Mock Trial team is working to perfect their arguments in preparation for scrimmages against other schools. These, in turn, are practice for the upcoming county competitions starting February 23.
Team advisor Mike Moyer said he’s impressed with this year’s team, which is largely headed by the six attorneys. “Everyone on the team has wowed us with their dedication and work ethic,” he said. “We’ve had scrimmages the last three Saturdays against non-county teams and it’s been fun to watch the team grow. We’ve been practicing since September and everyone is very excited to compete this year.” This year is Moyer’s first year advising the team. “I was a pre-law student at UCSB so I’ve always been intrigued by the law.”
Seniors Karl Sandrich and Brett Silverman and sophomore Ken Myers lead the prosecution side, while seniors Aubrey Toole, Jackie Rotman, and Cole Patterson side with the defense.
“I got into Mock Trial because it increases public speaking capabilities,” said Myers. “It allows me to think on my feet, and it is a great challenge.” Myers, much like the other attorneys, spends between five and six hours per week preparing for his role. Attorneys and witnesses are required to memorize their scripts, but must also know the case well enough to improvise during cross examination from the opposing team.
In a Mock Trial team, there is one fictional case given to all of the teams in the state. This year’s case, People v. Palmer, has the defense protecting their client, Alex Palmer, from being convicted of the murder of Hollywood producer and friend Jes Markson.
To help with the creation of questions and answers for the eight witnesses, Clark Stirling, Robert Curtis, Michael Berger, and Ken Rotman guide the attorneys and their witnesses.
While the team has been scrimmaging against schools such as Buena and Simi Valley High Schools in recent weeks, the next hurdle comes in two weeks at the first county competition at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Eleven teams from the county will be vying for a spot to represent the area in the State Finals in Riverside later this year. The team encourages the school to come out and support this team.
Moyer’s biggest draw to the team is the students themselves. “What hooked me more than anything was spending time with the students on the team,” he said. “They are truly an amazing group.”
News Editor
Often lurking in the school’s field house long after the athletic teams have ended practice, Santa Barbara High’s Mock Trial team is working to perfect their arguments in preparation for scrimmages against other schools. These, in turn, are practice for the upcoming county competitions starting February 23.
Team advisor Mike Moyer said he’s impressed with this year’s team, which is largely headed by the six attorneys. “Everyone on the team has wowed us with their dedication and work ethic,” he said. “We’ve had scrimmages the last three Saturdays against non-county teams and it’s been fun to watch the team grow. We’ve been practicing since September and everyone is very excited to compete this year.” This year is Moyer’s first year advising the team. “I was a pre-law student at UCSB so I’ve always been intrigued by the law.”
Seniors Karl Sandrich and Brett Silverman and sophomore Ken Myers lead the prosecution side, while seniors Aubrey Toole, Jackie Rotman, and Cole Patterson side with the defense.
“I got into Mock Trial because it increases public speaking capabilities,” said Myers. “It allows me to think on my feet, and it is a great challenge.” Myers, much like the other attorneys, spends between five and six hours per week preparing for his role. Attorneys and witnesses are required to memorize their scripts, but must also know the case well enough to improvise during cross examination from the opposing team.
In a Mock Trial team, there is one fictional case given to all of the teams in the state. This year’s case, People v. Palmer, has the defense protecting their client, Alex Palmer, from being convicted of the murder of Hollywood producer and friend Jes Markson.
To help with the creation of questions and answers for the eight witnesses, Clark Stirling, Robert Curtis, Michael Berger, and Ken Rotman guide the attorneys and their witnesses.
While the team has been scrimmaging against schools such as Buena and Simi Valley High Schools in recent weeks, the next hurdle comes in two weeks at the first county competition at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Eleven teams from the county will be vying for a spot to represent the area in the State Finals in Riverside later this year. The team encourages the school to come out and support this team.
Moyer’s biggest draw to the team is the students themselves. “What hooked me more than anything was spending time with the students on the team,” he said. “They are truly an amazing group.”
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Breaking News: Forge newsroom vandalized
On the morning of February 1, room 72 at Santa Barbara High School, where The Forge produces its editions, was robbed of five computers, one scanner, one printer, and a personal Nikon D40 camera. CSI investigators were on campus Friday morning also to look into another robbery on campus. Earlier in the week three computers were stolen out of the yearbook's office, located in room 71, adjacent to The Forge.
The Forge's planned issue will be published as scheduled on February 8 along with the King of Hearts center spread. Look for more details on this website.
The Forge's planned issue will be published as scheduled on February 8 along with the King of Hearts center spread. Look for more details on this website.
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