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Waking up at seven in the morning for a test is not the most favorable way to spend two days in February, especially when the freshmen, juniors and seniors get to sleep in until nine. The purpose of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) is to test your knowledge on basic skills in English and Math. The State established this test because they saw that many high school graduates did not possess the skills needed to get a job. They then invented the CAHSEE which contains the minimum standards that every student needs to know in order to get their high school diploma. The students’ opinions towards the CAHSEE are often characterized as “boring” or “a waste of time”.

“It’s [the CAHSEE] a minimum proficiency and many of our students are way beyond the minimum. So yes it is easy, but it does confirm that our students have the basic needs early on to be successful after they leave high school. It also helps us identify some students that may need some extra help before they leave us,” said Principal Paul Robinson.

The reason sophomores have to take it is because the State wanted students to have at least 1 year of high school. They found that giving it to freshmen produced an eight-five percent passing rate, while sophomores have a ninety-four percent passing rate. If a student does not pass the CAHSEE, they will have to retake it the next year until they pass. The CAHSEE ensures that every student in high school knows the basic skills before moving on to the next step in life. Although you are wondering how finding the circumference of a circle helps in our future, there are multiple steps in that process that involve the simple task of multiplication.

Due to the exceptional staff and teachers here at RB High, lots of students say that the test is extremely easy, almost a joke. The upper classmen share their thoughts on the exam too, saying that they easily passed it with no problems. However, some students do not pass; not because they are incapable, but because they misnumbered, are too tired, or did not take the test seriously. That is why teachers remind their students a day before to get a good night’s rest and make sure to not blow it off just because everyone says it is easy.

“I have no doubt that I passed. I didn’t really have trouble on any of the questions, and I was confident about my answers. My instructor even told everyone that the test covers everything up to freshman year, so taking it as a sophomore should be a piece of cake,” said sophomore Emi Wong.

Juniors and seniors who have already taken the CAHSEE also reflect upon their experience. Most of them passed, so they get to enjoy sleeping in.

“I personally think it’s pretty dumb... but I understand the need for it since other states and high schools probably have lower standards than ours,” said senior David Li.

For the next year and beyond, the CAHSEE might increasingly get more difficult because of the growing intelligence of the coming sophomores.

By Stacy LuuFeatures Editor

A Guide to Valentine’s day

pg. 12

Varsity boys soccerpg. 10

Photo courtesy of nctimes.comPhoto taken by Jamie Scott Lytle

Photo courtesy of Nick Pavlovics

RB High canned food drive champion Jeff Carpenter shows off the cans his students brought.

Vol. 23 No. 3February 10, 2011

Photo courtesy of Cialeo

College Board makes changes to AP Biology

When College Board was first formed in 1955, they created an advanced standardized program for students to embark on throughout high school. This program is now commonly referred to an “Advanced Placement” course, which is typically abbreviated as an “AP” class.

These courses are treated as college classes, as students are given the opportunity to receive college credit. Subjects range from a multitude of different foreign languages such as Italian and French to fine art skills such as Music Theory. Each course requires work and dedication, calling for hours of homework time.

Anyone who has taken an AP course should be well acquainted with the arduous habits of slaving away on study guide after study guide past midnight while trying to absorb the pages and pages of trivial facts presented in their seven pound textbooks. Their sleeping habits are typically completely ruined, and the inability to stay awake the day after a large project is not atypical, if not even expected.

There is no doubt that all AP courses are considered challenges. However, even then, there is a differentiation between the AP classes to distinguish which ones are considered “easier” and which ones tend to lean towards the “harder” end of the spectrum.

Courses labeled as being “easier” tend to have a broader scope of subject matter, while

the classes labeled as “hard” lean towards having hundreds of concepts to master, forcing students to spend hours and hours to memorize fact after fact.

One of the most challenging courses, AP Biology, requires students to read 1,250 pages of information. The book consists of 56 chapters crammed with facts.

“On a scale of 1-10, AP Biology would be a 9.5,” said Dyan Khor who is currently taking the course. “The class is taught by a great teacher, but the material is absolutely insane.”

Back in 1956 when the program was first launched, College Board based their curriculum outline with college freshmen’s curriculum.

However, as time passed, the addition of scientific revolutions called for changes to be made in different courses. Courses such as AP Biology where the topics covered are still constantly being researched today have had an exponential growth in information.

AP Biology teacher Lori Brickley said, “[The course is] always rushed! I try to and use humor and crazy memorization techniques to help my students learn and remember as much as possible.”

With so much to learn in so little time, College Board has been widely criticized for its demand for students to spit out facts rather than truly comprehending the material.

Several courses, AP Biology included, were labeled as being far too overwhelming. Thus, in response to the complaints, College Board announced a new curriculum for future AP Biology students. Changes for the AP United States History and AP German

and French course were also to be made; however, College Board announced last week that these changes would be delayed.

Starting from the school year of 2012 – 2013, the AP Biology course will now focus on the application of the learned material rather than just dry knowledge. College Board called for the removal of twenty chapter; the new “improved” curriculum calls for a move away from intricate details such as enzyme names and every single working system in the body. The course is now supposed to be cut into four sections that specify exactly what students need to know.

“I think it will make [AP Biology a lot] more about critical thinking skills,” said Brickley. “It [the course] will have a lot more freedom to experiment and [allow] students to figure things out on their own instead of having it force feed to them.”

Whether these changes make the course “easier” is doubted. Instead of regurgitating fact after fact, they must learn to apply it to real life situations.

No matter what College Board chooses to change from a course, it should be guaranteed that signing up for an AP class will provide an unforgettable source of constant stress and sleepless nights. These new changes will not detract from the stacks of homework assignments, and nor will it “dumb” down courses as many people believe. In fact, AP classes will always be a challenge to take. However, with the new curriculum in the workings, perhaps future students should know that the focus on real life application in the material will allow them to delve deeper into subjects they find interests in.

By Melody HuangAssistant Editor-in-Chief

By Stacy Luu

Features Editor

Photo by Jennifer ChalamA “typical” AP Biology student.

HowCAHSEE testing affects RB High students

Photo courtesy of Photo Class

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 20112 NEWS

Liz Winn

SPORTS EDITORS

The Rancho BeRnaRdo SilveR SpuR

ADVISOR

Carrie Chen

NEWS EDITORS

FEATURES EDITORS

ENTERTAIN-MENT

EDITORS

Silver Spur Editorial Policy The opinions expressed in the Silver Spur are not necessarily the opinions of the staff, administration, or the students of Rancho Bernardo High School. They are not necessarily the opinions of the Silver Spur staff as a whole. The Silver Spur is a public forum.

STAFF WRITERS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Julian PotterTaylor Franklin

Tori GamaJulie Lohmann

Nina von NyssenHannah ChiuGrace Chen

Diksha SudarshanMaria Bischoff

Kyle Leung

OPINIONS EDITOR

Carrie ChenGUEST ARTISTS

Maranda Li

Jennifer Chalam

Melody Huang

Stacy LuuHanna Lee

Edward Zhu

Selina Li

Jeffrey LamAngela Hwang

BUSINESS MANAGER

Photo class

Robert Moore

Haircut Place12070 Carmel Mountain Rd.San Diego, CA 92128858-675-7511

RB High’s library installs new vending printer

The RB High library has once again moved to improve service and efficiency. In mid-December of 2010, the library added a new feature for students: vending printing.

As many students have realized by now, the library recently replaced the “old-fashioned” way to print in the library. Where a librarian was needed to hand out printed material and to handle payment, students can now print and pay with simple clicks of a mouse.

Overall, the printing system is self explanatory and created to be as user-friendly as possible. Instructions on how to use the new printing system are posted on a poster board by the printers, taped on the printing monitor, and explained on the vending machine.

For those who have not yet used the new system, the process is quite simple. First, one needs to locate his or her printing job by selecting the corresponding student ID number on the computer monitor. Then, depending on whether the document is colored or black and white, the student needs to select the printer needed. Originally, all

print jobs are sent to the black and white printer as default. However, if the page printed is in color, students are given the choice of printing in color or in black and white.

After choosing a printer, the student simply inserts money into the machine, which is calculated on the screen, and proceeds by clicking “start printing” on the monitor. While the old system accepted an assortment of coins and bills, it should be noted that the machine does not accept pennies. However, aside from pennies, all other original forms of payment are still accepted.

The new system is expected to improve the service in many ways. According to Benn von Wistinghausen, RB High’s Library Media Teacher, the PrintVend system is expected to save two hours of staff time per day. With these extra hours, library staff will be able to assist in higher level and more academically interactive tasks.

Additionally, the new printing system is what most colleges use in their libraries; thus, using the new system will better benefit the college bound student body. Lastly, the system is environmentally and financially friendly. Whereas over hundreds of pages were previously printed, and not picked up or paid for, the new system requires

Curfew law for minors encounters mixed opinions among residents

California institutes new legislation for 2011

Any minor who lives in San Diego officially has a legal curfew. The curfew prohibits minors from being outside from 10 p.m. to six a.m. The exceptions include driving to or from an official school or city activity or being accompanied by a legal guardian.

The law was changed in 1995, 1997, and 1999; each time being switched between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. The exceptions have also been written and re-written, and few minors know about curfew is or in what cases it applys. Alexa Mauzy-Lewis is a sophomore at Mt.

On January 1, 2011, California enacted seven hundred and twenty five new laws.

These laws ranged from regulations for sex offenders to legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

AB 1844, also known as Chelsea’s Law, was first introduced early in 2010. The law “would increase penalties for sexual predators, including adding a one-strike provision for the worst crimes that would put an attacker behind bars for life without parole”. Life-time imprisonment would be given to the most serious offenders.

“I think that Chelsea’s Law is a huge step towards a safer society. It forces sexual predators to be more careful which means that we don’t have to worry as much,” said Geena Dai, sophomore.

Another law, AB 119, ends discrimination in health insurance. The law, which was introduced in 2009, prevents insurance companies from charging men and women different rates for the exact same health

coverage. Previously, women were forced to pay up to 36% higher per monthly premiums than men, which gave women a disadvantage financially.

AB 715 requires that all California buildings be more energy efficient. It entails that all bathrooms and water-closets installed

in buildings to use on average no more than one

gallon per flush. It also requires manufacturers to make and provide higher efficiency toilet models over a course of five years, selling 67 percent of them by 2011 and 100

percent of them by 2014. SB 1449 is one of California’s more

tolerant laws, although it is contested one. The law states that possession of less than one ounce of marijuana would be put under the same penalty as a traffic ticket, which is a $100 fine. Also, those caught with the substance will not be subject to a trial or criminal record. This severely reduces the consequences of the over 60,000 Californians caught possessing marijuana last year.

With the new year, the state welcomed laws that will affect Californians, whether radically or superficially.

Every Wednesday at lunch, a large group of students can be found congregating in the library projection room. As the meeting begins, some shout greetings to each other, while others laugh at those who are tardy. Between bites of lunch, people burst out into cheers, bringing waves of laughter and yells from their classmates.

The fun and spirited atmosphere is one that can almost always be found at RB High’s Key Club meetings. An international organization, Key Club is split into many different divisions, with RB High belonging to Region 2’s Division 37 South.

However, Key Club proves to be much more than a typical school club geared towards racking up community service hours. The entire club is filled with spirited students who are eager to help out the community, with the motto of, “Caring, our way of life.”

As of January 27, 2011, it was announced that Division 37 South had raised over two thousand five hundred dollars for an organization known as Pediatric Trauma Prevention. This organization, which is more commonly referred to as PTP, was first formed by the Kiwanis Cali-Nev-Ha Foundation in 1994 in order to raise awareness throughout the community towards incidents that can endanger

children. This organization helps fundraise money in order to prevent these childhood accidents and deaths.

With over one hundred members participating, RB High has fundraised almost a fifth of funds sent to PTP.

“We’ve had a variety of fundraisers, ranging from bake sales to division-wide parties to car washes,” said Ilene Chen, president of RB High’s Key Club. “We're always trying to think outside of the box and come up with creative new fundraising ideas to keep members interested.”

However, the entire concept of fundraising actually rather complicated.

Each fundraiser acts as a way to inform the community and educate the general public to the goals and purpose of Pediatric Trauma Prevention. One of the largest events of the year, Fall Rally, is held at Six Flags Magic Mountain. A large portion of the proceeds was sent directly to Pediatric Trauma Prevention.

“We haven't quite met our full potential yet, but we have a couple years to make this cause really successful at our school,” said Khor. “We have however raised over five hundred dollars as a club, which is no small feat.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to PTP, can visit ww.cnhfoundation.org for more information.

By Selina Li

Entertainment Editor

Carmel who was recently stopped for being out past curfew.

“It was around 10:30, and I’d just gotten out of a movie,” said Mauzy-Lewis. “I was waiting for my parents to come pick me up, and this security guard came up and asked me how old I was. I told him I was 15, and he said that I was out past curfew. I was confused, because I didn’t even know there was a curfew, so then he waited with me until my dad came to take me home.”

The curfew law exists mainly for our safety. It is to prevent us from being in unsafe places at night, without a responsible adult to protect us. Michael Rupic, sophomore, the curfew.

“Curfew is established only for reasons that are intended to protect teenagers and regulate their behavior,” said Rupic. “Although it is not preferred by most students, it is a law that is intended to maintain order and discipline and should not be argued against.”

The curfew law is usually not strictly enforced. Although minors found in public after curfew should be arrested and then picked up by their parents, and then fined on second violation, most police officers merely ensure that the minors are being picked up and doing nothing more. Even this seems like too much for some minors.

“Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with me going to see a movie at 10 on a weekend,” said Mauzy-Lewis. “I’m not harming anyone. I’m sitting inside a movie theater with my friends and then going straight home. If the curfew law is to keep us safe, they should worry about the things that are endangering our safety, not arresting kids for getting McDonald’s at 3 in the morning.”

However, Layah Weiss, sophomore, sees the curfew as a necessary precaution.

“The only way to make sure we’re safe is to be sure of where we are,” said Weiss. “And that means we have to be home after 10. Considering all that has happened in the past few years, I think teenagers should be aware of the danger that’s out there and be glad that the government is passing laws to protect us.”

So, it seems that for now, San Diego’s streets will be clear of most minors after 10 p.m.

By Nina von Nyssen

Staff Writer

By Grace ChenStaff Writer

Carrie Chen

Amy Ma

ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-

CHIEFMelody Huang

Jennifer Chalam

By Melody Huang

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

RB High student Kailey O’Donnell poses in front of vending machine. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chalam

Photo courtesy of Vera YevteyevFrom left to right: Dyan Khor, Zach Manlapid, and Ilene Chen pose at Key Club fundraiser.

Police officer issues curfew violation warning. Photo courtesy of Google.com

RB High’s Key Club raises over $2,500 for Pediatric Trauma Prevention

[The law] severely reduces the consequences

of [those] caught possessing marijuana

”“

payment beforehand, thereby eliminating the waste of ink and paper.

“As a result of automating our printing, I expect students and teachers will be able to receive a higher level of assistance from library staff--help with school projects and research,” Wistinghausen said. “This I hope will enable us to better accomplish our mission of helping students become information literate--effective users of ideas and information.”

Since the introduction of the new printing system, students have been expressing mixed reactions towards the new change.

“I was kind of annoyed at first,” Senior Dahhee Kim said when asked how she felt about the new library printing system. “The new system is more fun and game like, but the old one was less work for us.”

Indeed, many students are still learning about how to operate the new system, which often causes longer lines and more frustration when printing homework during break or lunch. However, some students have already adjusted well with the new system.

“I kind of like the new one,” Erica Kim, senior, said. “You don’t need to wait for the librarians to give you your paper or go through the large piles of paper.”

“

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 3NEWS

Former ASB President Corey Perman passed down his position as ASB president to his successor Lisa Kim of the beginning of the semester. Perman ran for president because he believed that he could make a difference to the school as the president of ASB.

“I gathered support through my friends and a few clubs, but I feel that my message got through via Facebook. I created an event page posting my speech and what I wanted to change as the description and my friends encouraged voting for me by changing their statuses,” Kim said about getting support when running for president.

And make a difference is exactly what Perman did in his term as ASB president and surely what Kim will hopefully do as well during her term.

Kim said she ran because, “(She) wanted to encourage change on campus and bridge the gap between ASB and the students and that she just wanted to make a difference.”

Immediately after taking office in 2010, Perman got to work on a new idea that he hoped would succeed. The competition, RB’s Got Talent, was started as a way to help the situation in Haiti after the tragedies when the earthquake hit.

“We raised about $5,000 dollars, and it was definitely the proudest thing I have done at this school,” said Perman. Now Kim has been handed the reigns as the second annual RB’s Got Talent Show kicks off. This event helps raise money that will go to the chosen charity of the school’s choice.

Kim has set her standards for her term. While in office Kim hopes “to improve the communication between ASB and the students,” She feels that communication is the key, but that is something that had to be worked on as well. “By fixing the communication problem, I feel that student involvement will

increase as well as school spirit.” Kim says that she just wants students

to “experience high school with a positive attitude and maintain peace in the bonds between kids at the school.”

When asked about her success as she readjusts to her new title, Kim said, “Corey has helped me a lot in the process of taking office. I’m really thankful that Corey is here for me, helping me adjust to my position. He has basically covered everything I need to accomplish for the year while being supportive.”

Kim has gotten things moving forward in ASB, with the help of Perman and hopes to keep things running around the school.

Kim has nothing but praise for her fellow

classmate. “I think Corey was an amazing president,

and I know a lot of people are really going to miss having him in ASB. Corey has done a prodigious amount of memorable things, and I really look up to him, and all past presidents, and I hope that I can become the same,” said Kim.

However, Kim was not the only one with words to be said. Perman had a few last words of encouragement to say towards Kim, “I wish you the best of luck, and I know you will do great as ASB President.”

Kim is sure to do well as ASB president as she interacts with the student body to get them pumped up for all the ASB sponsored events.

ASB President Corey Perman is succeeded by junior Lisa Kim

RB High provides new business opportunities

The Princeton Review, a college consulting company, reported recently that the most sought after major in college in the year 2010 was one related to business, and Columbia University released a poll conducted at the beginning of the year stating that there was a four-percent increase in companies interested in hiring MBA graduates.

With that in mind, there is very little surprise that students nowadays are showing a growing interest in the business industry. In order to introduce students to different opportunities in real life business scenarios, RB High is proud to say it is now working with the San Diego North Student Chamber of Commerce.

The idea to start this organization was started by senior Ankit Kumar. However, it took months to piece together. Eventually, Angeline Dy, DECA’s Vice President of Southern California, came along to help set the idea into action.

“I later came into the picture to assist [Ankit],” said Dy. “We worked together in making the idea concrete by helping to create a page business plan that detailed our yearly goals, financial goals, membership ideals and organization purpose over the summer last year.”

It took a while, but RB High is now officially a branch of the San Diego North Student Chamber of Commerce (SDNSCC).

So what exactly is it?SDNSCC is a non-profit organization

formed by people throughout the Rancho Bernardo community in hopes of providing a bridge between high school students and local businesses. The organization includes numerous schools in San Diego, including Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, Poway, Westview, Escondido, Orange Glen, San Pasqual, Torrey Pines, and, of course, RB High. It also extends throughout Carlsbad and Encinitas.

This student chamber not only provides high school students with internship

opportunities, but also invites guest speakers and holds meetings in hopes of uniting the community with the goal of making a change for the better.

“The primary focus of the

organization is to give high school students access to the professional world,” said Dy. “We provide networking events, guest speakers, tours of companies and symposiums, internships, shadowing of business professionals, meeting high school students from all over San Diego north!”

In the past month, the student chamber has already accomplished many of the tasks it set out to complete. In addition, they have private field trips planned to different organizations as well as corporate groups.

There is no doubt that this talented group of students are here to strive for excellence in the business world, but also in life long skills. Mastering the art of business includes the knowledge of how to communicate with other people, and SDNSCC is a perfect representation of something that gives students a real world experience.

The student chamber... provides high school

students with internship opportunities.”

By Melody Huang

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

By Maria BischoffStaff Writer

Perman handing his title off to Kim Photo courtesy of Maria Bischoff

“

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 20114 OPINIONS

Technology is transforming the way we travel, communicate, and are entertained. The introduction of the Amazon Kindle is now revolutionizing the way we read. An approximate 8 million Kindles have been sold in 2010. However, does this mean that we should entirely abandon the ol’-fashioned book?

The Kindle is a portable e-book reader, which is an electronic device which allows people to read books digitally. It allows people to read books by allowing users to shop for, browse, download, buy, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other types of literature on the eReader for about $10 per book. Additionally, the e-Readers come with Wi-fi and other gadgets such as tools to high-light and put post-its.

The Kindle has the ability to hold 200 books at a time, which saves a ton of space when going on vacation. Where you would normally have to lug at least five heavy books around, toting the 8.5 ounce in the comfort of your bag is also much more convenient. It also includes a long-lasting battery as well. Add on the eco-friendly fact that it would have a much smaller carbon-footprint than print books.

Despite all the hype about the e-reader, it provides little sentimental feelings that traditional books bring. Even the best and most expensive eReader would just feel like a cold piece of steel in your hands as opposed to the warm feeling a paper book brings. Likewise, paper books are also looked upon as more personal, like the feeling an old, well thumbed copy of a book brings.

Conjunctly, that journey you make to the bookstore each time to buy a book is also

concluded. Strolling through the aisles and picking up a book that looks appealing, breathing in the smell of the manuscript, flipping through the book for hours before finally buying it is part of that journey that you make with your book. When buying books with a Kindle, it is much less fun, in that you are simply purchasing what you want, and that is what makes it less personal. There is no paper, receipt, even no bag. The experience with a real book is what bonds you, what reminds you of the reason you bought it every time you pick it up.

With the eReader, the concept of book-sharing is now diminished. There is no way that you are able to lend an eReader book to a friend. Most of these books have some kind

of digital rights management, which ties the book to an owner. Making a copy of a file of the book and allowing you to open it on your Kindle is not loaning, but duplicating it. By physically handing someone a book, it shows that you are giving them some of your experiences, and it maintains a level of trust and acquaintance between them that an eReader cannot give.

In today’s world, it is all about keeping up with the new technology in the hopes of making our lives more convenient. However, some things, like books, will always retain its original qualities, not because it is no longer possible to alter, but simply because they are perfect the way they are.

The Kindle: an innovative form of new technology, or loss of a classic tradition?

Celebrities are constantly hounded by the press. Whenever stars leave their Hollywood mansions and take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard or shop at the Beverly Center Shopping Mall, the paparazzi are instantly at their heels, flashing pictures and invading their personal space.

As admitted readers of the occasional celebrity gossip magazines, it may be hard for us to recognize the hardship celebrities must endure to maintain their privacy.

“It’s interesting because celebrity gossip is admitted addicting sometimes, but it’s also depressing because it showcases how pathetic we all are for going to such lengths for worthless stories,” said Emily Zhao, junior.

However, these movie stars and reality TV stars and famous musicians have made the conscious choice to be in a business where they are constantly in the spotlight. Because they thrust their image out for the press, they agree to be poster children for events and functions and red-carpet events. In return for fame and money and fortune,

they give up their privacy, to a certain extent. They cannot expect to be completely left alone if they are constantly in the public eye, donning glamorous dresses on the covers of magazines.

However, celebrities’ children did not choose to be celebrities’ children. They did not ask to be a part of their parents’ world where privacy essentially does not exist. But the paparazzi still ambushes them in restaurants or stores when they are with their famous parents, and continually photograph them.

In a Vanity Fair interview with Julia Roberts, Roberts said, “I get pissed off, because I think that it’s inhuman to chase a woman with her children.”

How are these kids supposed to live normal lives when they are pestered by these sleazy journalists? It would be different if the celebrity parents willingly posed for pictures with their children, or sold photographs of their children, because this basically puts the child in the public domain. But most of these stars have enough common sense to know that doing so would be a mistake.

“As a person who works with kids on a daily basis, I absolutely believe that it’s

unethical and heartless to exploit children just because the parents are famous,” said Zhao.

Kids are kids. They are supposed to fall on their faces, embarrass themselves, and in the end dust themselves off and move on. If celebrities’ kids are continually harassed by the paparazzi, they do not have the freedom to have the occasional bad-hair day or casual dog-walks outside in pajama pants.

So where should paparazzi the draw the line? Most agree that they should not chase down the children of a famous movie star.

“It’s basically like stalking for money,” said junior Reina Shintani. “It’s rude.”

As for the actual celebrities, there still must be a set boundary between stalking and going to ridiculous lengths to get a sleazy story.

“Paparazzi need to draw a line between celebrities’ professional and personal life,” said Helen Fang.

Even though celebrities are placed on pedestals in today’s society, we must remember that they are human too, with personal lives and secrets to hide. The paparazzi should respect their boundaries, and definitely restrain to exploiting the celebrities’ children.

Paparazzi stalk young child stars: an unacceptable way to gain money and fame in tabloid industry

Bad Valentine’s day gifts for your sweetheart

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many who have a significant other or a Valentine in mind may be scrambling to find last-minute gifts. Some may be looking for the traditional flowers and chocolates, but others might be looking to go out on a limb and surprise their special someone.

While these gifts can be heartfelt and can produce the desired “awww” effect from its receiver, there are several gifts that people should definitely stay away from.

“Exercise clothes is definitely a pretty mean-spirited Valentine’s Day gift,” said senior Daniel Song.

Any gift even remotely related to weight, or fitness, can potentitally cause a girl, or a guy, to question his or her body image. Such a gift can lead to fights that can go something along the lines of, “You think I’m fat?!” or, “What are you trying to say by giving me this gift?!”

Another horrible gift is a hug coupon, or really any coupon for any action, because nothing says, “I forgot about Valentine’s Day, and this is the best I could do in five minutes” better than this cheap option.

But perhaps even worse than coupons for “love favors” are giftcards, which show absolutely no sentiment at all. We understand that some individuals may have trouble expressing their feelings, but if you give a twenty dollar giftcard to Jamba Juice to your girl or guy, we can guarantee that your valentine will respond with a tentative

smile and a nervous laugh. Gimmicky joke gifts are another way to

go, if you want your significant other to question your sanity or overall judgment and taste. The “How to Control a Woman Remote” is funny and hilarious – for about seven seconds. In the end, the truth will have been this: that you wasted about $13 on something you will never use again. To top it off, you may have lost your Valentine

or your date as well. According to

song, in general, people should stick by one rule of thumb: “People should stay away from giving gifts that could potentially send an ill-received message to their

significant other,” said Song. Common Valentine’s Day gift

clichés may not be the best option either. “For people who are in a more

meaningful relationship, stay away from clichés,” said junior Emily Zhao. “Simple chocolates and roses are good for ‘You’re cool’ relationships, but any deeper situation than that and they seem trite and thoughtless.”

Zhao believes that a gift that has to do with a memory is one of the best gifts people can give each other on this notorious day.

“People should give each other something that conveys their true inner heart and passion for that important somebody,” said Song.

Whatever gift you decide on, you should put some thought and creativity into the process, so that the final result does not serve to be detrimental to your relationship.

The ‘How to Control a Woman Remote’ is funny and hilarious – for about

seven seconds. ”

Cartoon courtesy of Amy Ma

By Carrie ChenEditor-in-Chief

By Carrie ChenEditor-in-Chief

By Grace ChenStaff Writer

Cartoon courtesy of Maranda Li

Are high school relationships worth the time and effort?

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBURARY 10, 2011 5OPINIONS

Yes”

“‘Cause when you’re fifteen and somebody tells you they love youYou’re gonna believe them...

But in your life you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football teamBut I didn’t know it at fifteen~ “Fifteen” by Taylor Swift

NoBy Stacy LuuFeatures Editor

By Melody HuangAssistant Editor-in-Chief

We’ve all been in that situation where a boy you barely know from your Chemistry class will spontaneously flood your phone with incessant texts, send you largely disturbing and corny poems through email, and never fail to stalk you everyday to your locker after class.

Some people call it the basis of a great love; however, the majority

of other people call it the start of a failed high school crush.

High school relationships have grown increasingly

notorious for being short lived as well as

distracting. It’s not that high

school relationships have no potential to work out. Rather, a

relationship is supposed to be

built off of the couple’s

existing qualities,

as well as the

overlap of

personal interests and the ability of

their personalities to coexist. The

problem with high school relationships is that people tend to change throughout

high school.As teenagers, the student body of RB High is still

considered to be in the midst of discovering who they truly are. In fact, according to Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, a high school student is not even three fourths of the way to completing their social and emotional development process.

Erikson stated that a person undergoes an eight step journey in completing his or her emotional developmental process. A person begins with mastering the simple concept of trust at the birth to eighteen months. The last and final step consists of finding integrity and true pride in the defeats and mistakes you have made in your life. It is not typically reached until a person reaches death.

On the other hand, high school students, whose ages

range from fourteen to eighteen, are still largely at the fifth step of this social-emotional journey, where they yearn to discover who they truly are and what values they want to represent. It is somewhat of an “identity crisis” stage, where they question who they are, and what values make up the foundation upon which they want to live life. This stage typically brings lots of fluctuations and changes to a person’s individual interests.

The concept of love is only implemented in a person’s mind around the sixth stage, which occurs around ages eighteen to thirty five. It is here that a person has discovered their true identity and has somewhat cemented the varying changes in their life, such as occupation, interests, and morals.

This could be one of the very factors that high school relationships tend to be short lived. It is rather hard to find a significant other when you yourself cannot manage to discover the morals on which you want to build your life.

“Being in a relationship takes more than a simple chemical attraction to some other,” said sophomore Joanna Cheng. “It takes work, effort and dedication, something that I personally don’t believe most teenagers have, or is mature enough to possess at this stage in our lives.”

The sacrifice and time placed in failed high school relationships is painstaking to watch. Not atypical is the obsessive nature of a high school relationship. Couples throw away friends, family, and school to attempt a relationship.

Or better stated yet, as Cheng says, “Let’s assume for a minute that you meet this amazing person that you have absolutely amazing chemistry … And five, six years from now, they two of you end up married. That’s cool…but who’s going to pay for the rent and the wedding? No matter what songs and poets have to say, love doesn’t pay rent too well.”

Am I discouraging you from dating in high school? No. By all means continue making out passionately with your boyfriend in the middle of passing period, but keep in mind, if you’re spending twenty four hours a day writing love notes and purchasing a seven hundred dollar pocket watch for him, the relationship just might not be worth quite that much yet.

After all, it’s human nature to search endlessly for that person in life who we want to share memories with for the rest of “forever.” But maybe we ought to search a little beyond the cute boy in our English class we met two days ago before declaring our eternal love for someone.

Roses are red, violets are blue, high school relationships might be silly, but you learn a lot too. This is about the time when boys start getting gifts for the special someone in their life at the moment, and it is also a test of faith. High school relationships are often petty and short-lived, but they provide more knowledge than we might expect.

High school relationships are merely experiments of what is to come in college and beyond. A place where most students experience changes to their body, minds, and personalities. Confused by raging hormones, feelings and emotions, students in high school would not be the best qualified to give advice about relationships. Most relationships in high school end in tears, or with feelings of resentment which after will sever all possible opportunities for friendship. We take the other’s actions too much into heart, and often blow things out of proportion.

Most of all, what students classify as “love” is often thrown around with not much as a second thought on what it truly means. Not to say that every high school relationship has that immaturity factor, but we are just still kids, and our main goal is to learn and succeed.

“Very rarely do they last, but they’re worth it because it’s a learning experience, whether it’s good or bad,” said sophomore Kendra Witt. Even though the relationship might end on a sour note or heartbreak, the person learns more about himself and gets the experience that will carry on for the rest of his life.

Students learn to juggle school, sports, outside activities and also understand how to be responsible and where to place their priorities. Not only do they have an important social experience, but their emotions also get affected. They also learn that an honest and pure relationship takes a lot of work to maintain. With a depressing break up, you can learn the valuable lesson of letting go and moving on instead of clinging onto the past. High school is basically microcosm of society where students experiment and further develop social skills before entering the real world. Relationships should surely be included too, for they make strong emotional bonds that you could not get otherwise with a friendship.

“High school is a time where we are preparing for real life, so shouldn’t relationships also count? I say yes. You get to experience what love can be like, though for the “true love” aspect of it, that probably won’t be the case since few relationships live through high school into actual marriage. But, doesn’t mean you can’t have some experience,” said sophomore Regina Wang.

As students progress throughout high school and

continually learn academically, they are often not aware that they are also valuable life lessons because of these relationships. Although most high school relationships probably will not make it through the end of high school, students gradually begin to understand that the meaning of “forever” is not always what it seems.

Though high school relationships are just the beginning, it lays down a foundation necessary for their adult lives and these relationships also push students toward maturity, no matter the outcome.

“I think that if someone finds the right person, they should go for it, because it can be fun to have a special someone if it lasts 2, 3 or even 4 years

of high school. On the other hand, if they are just doing it for the sake of having a partner, it is just high school and not everyone is truly mature, so perhaps college is the better choice,” said senior Dylan Khor.

So the next time you doubt whether to accept or reject that boy or girl because you are not sure whether it will be worth it in the end, just remember that high school is a perfect time to explore the difficult but satisfying nature of relationships which is a part of life.

Even if while it may not last, high school relationships, like anything else, is a simply a stage we all should go through.

For those who have “loved” before and gotten hurt, no worries, you’ve grown as a person, and gotten stronger from your wounds. And hey, there’s probably a Taylor Swift song out there for you too.

Do public displays of affection detract from the learning environment, or are they simply a nice way to say “hi” or “bye”?

As you walk to your locker you turn the corner, and there right in front of your locker are a modern day Romeo and Juliet. What do you do? Do you ask them to stop or go the rest of your day without using your locker? It seems that these public displays of affection (PDA) are quite common right now as the spring season approached.

Many students at RB High have been faced with that dilemma and do not know what to do about the uncomfortableness of it. Students and faculty at RB High have different opinions about this topic.

“I really don’t care because it’s their own business,” said junior Lara von Nyssen. “What people want to do with their boyfriend/girlfriend is their own business and shouldn’t affect people at our school.”

Some students at RB High don’t seem to care whether there is PDA going on at school because it shouldn’t affect the people at school who should be minding their own business.

However, many other students are disgusted with it. What students do in the halls and where they think no one will notice them can extremely disturb others; often times, couples cuddling in the middle of hallways create traffic jams for the already late student.

“It’s super annoying to see couples making out in front of my locker,” said sophomore Rose Graf. “It’s awkward to ask them to move, but it’s even more awkward to wait there until they notice you. I’m not

saying that they should stay a foot away from each other just maybe they could contain themselves enough to not disgust the people around them. Basically, get a room.”

Principal Paul Robinson talks about what the limits of PDA should be at school and what he believes is accepted in a school setting, as he cannot control students and what they do out of school.

“Holding hands, the peck before going to class are just fine,” said Robinson. “When the glasses get all fogged up, tonsillectomies, and people start yelling, ‘Get a room!’ then I think it has gone too far.”

There are many rules about what can happen at school as well as punishments that come from these violations. Or, as Robinson says, “Yes. While we try to tolerate the occasional incident, a student can be disciplined for multiple infractions. It could lead to detentions, parent conferences, and even suspension from school if the behavior doesn’t change.”

Many parents believe that high school students should strive to stay away from relationships at all.

As Robinson says, “That way we can all be friends and not have to experience the drama of first love, first breakup, jealous ex-boyfriends/girlfriends, getting back together, cheating on him/her with best friends, Facebook postings, dumped her before prom, dumped him after prom, can’t live without you, and PDA.”

An easy way to remember the guidelines for PDA is to think whether you would act the same way in front of your parents. Would your parents be okay with you and a classmate locking lips and tongue dancing?

If not, then save it for a nice dark restaurant somewhere else after school.

Are high school relationships worth the time and effort?

By Edward ZhuEntertainment Editor

Cartoon courtesy of Maranda Li

*

*

*All cartoons courtesy of Amy Ma

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 20116 FEATURES

Club Spotlight: Best Buddies friendships that last a lifetime

Best Buddies is an international, non-profit organization that strives to create one-on-one friendships with the intellectual and developmentally disabled students. Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded Best Buddies in 1989, and it has blossomed since its founding. With over 1,000 chapters in every state and over 50 international chapters, Best Buddies is changing the way people view the intellectual and developmental disabled.

“I first heard of Best Buddies in 8th grade when my sister was part of it at her high school, and I thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Quinne Tolentino, freshman and part of Best Buddies. “Being able to spend time with them and see their faces light up as you greet them and say hi is definitely my favorite part.”

Trey Mihal, senior, and an officer for Best Buddies, describes his favorite part about being involved in the club:

“The best part so far is seeing the buddies faces every Friday when their buddies come to see them at lunch!” said Mihal, “For the activities outside of school, my buddy and I go to each other’s houses and play basketball and play station. We also go to the movies, boomers, bowling and whatever else he wants to do!”

The officers help conduct interviews, match the buddies, make sure the buddies and peer buddies are communicating, and plan events and fundraisers. The time commitment for Best Buddies is a year-long: lunch meetings every Friday, bi-monthly outings outside of school, and once a week communicating by phone.

Michele Folk and Carole Harland are the Co-Advisors for the Best Buddies

chapter at RB High. “The benefits of Best Buddies are the

one on one friendships with the Special Education and General Education students,” said Folk. “It gives the General Education students the opportunity to see the Critical Skills students as real people.”

Michael Sarmiento, freshman and Critical Skills buddy shares what he does with his two buddies,

“My best buddies are Quinne and Mia. ..My favorite part about having a buddy is having something in common with them,” said Michael Sarmiento, freshman and critical skills student. “My buddy Mia and I like to mix our soda; my favorite combination is orange soda and lemonade, and hers is all the sodas mixed together.

Quinne and I both love Michael Jackson. I like Best Buddies; it’s a lot of fun!”

Currently, there are about fifty-five pairs of Buddies and about six associates at the RB High chapter. Associates are general education students who are involved with the club, but do not have a buddy. There are over 100 high school chapters of Best Buddies in California alone.

“To apply to Best Buddies, a student must fill out the application and answer survey questions,” said Folk. “The questions include availability, likes/dislikes, prior commitments, and finally, the chance to schedule an interview.”

Students can sign up for Best Buddies at Club Rush at the beginning of the school year. Information about the club and the application process will be given there.

February: the start of Black History Month

Black History Month for most us is just another month to go through, to pass by idly. February marks the beginning of a nation-wide celebration that shines a light on the significant roles that African Americans have played contributing to our history. This month is also dedicated to raise awareness about the rooted racism that still is relevant in our world today.

This day was originated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He is known as the “Father of Black History”, and is given a lot of credit for Black History month. He was a son of former slaves, and he spent his childhood working in coalmines. He received minimal education but he continued to receive his Masters degree in history. He earned a PhD from Harvard. He was upset that history textbooks ignored America’s black population, so he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He then developed a history week dedicated to it. It ended up being expanded into Black History Month, which is also sometimes called African American Heritage Month. Carter G. Woodson was called the “Father of Black History”

He chose the second week of February for this because it symbolizes the birthdays of two men who influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Douglass was an escaped slave who became one of the prominent abolitionists and civil rights leader. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in America’s confederate states.

Every year, the White House makes a celebration of Black History Month

relevant by assigning a theme. In 2010, the theme was “The History of Black Economic Empowerment”. The University of Delaware’s Center for Black Culture announced this year’s motto as “Living Out Loud”. The most anticipated acitivties range from lectures from Cornel West, a performance by the Kenya Safari Acrobats and a presentation from the hip hop Common.

Black History Month activities are not only confined to one place; They happen right here too! The University of San Diego (UCSD) announced that their theme as “Breaking Down Barriers for Over 150 Years” as a shoutout to men and women who rallied for the cause of freedom. Their events are an effort to broaden diversity around the campus community and cirriculum. Some of their signature events are the 9th Annual Scholarship Brunch and the Evening with the Stars. UCSD is also emphasizing “Barrier Breakers” to the staff and students who placed down the path for African Americans on campus. They are having tons of events leading all the way into March. To find out more about them, go on their website and find the Black History Month tab.

So in the beginning of February each year, celebrities, leaders, and citizens all gather around to commemorate the notable duties of those before us and begin to understand what the meaning of true equality is, and how it must be presented in each person before it is shown to others. Hopefully one day, we can eliminate racism that is still strongly relevant in our world today.

Spreading awareness goes as far as a person who is willing to take it and accept it. But tradition eventually seeps into our blood and becomes a part of what we do and how we act. If we have the knowledge to understand the past, let us take this power and change the future to make it one of fairness, equality, and kindness.

By Stacy Luu

Features Editor

As a part of the human race, we like to think of ourselves as superior beings belonging to the advanced class of homo sapiens. We like to believe that we are completely different from all other animals on the face of the planet, and that our habitual instincts as well as adaptive abilities place us much higher on the food chain than all of the other inferiors that roam throughout nature.

Of course, the most advanced and developed emotion that a human can feel is love. Love is supposed to be the mutual willingness to sacrifice and understanding between two human beings. It is defined by Merriam Webster as a “virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection.”

However, no matter how advanced we tend to believe we are the truth of the matter

An AP Biology student’s take on the chemistry behind loveis, the basics of love is not found from a deep spiritual connection with another person predetermined by a higher being. The beginnings of love is not created from a potion as Harry Potter says it can, and nor is it the result of a arrow released by Cupid.

Sadly enough, the supreme and unique attraction we define as love is only another chemical cocktail created by the large factory machine we call our endocrine system.

Our endocrine system is a great compilation of hormonal glands. It works in conjunction with the nervous system, which signals when to release the hormones and in what quantities. Each gland releases a specific hormone which is sent to every cell in the entire human body. However, only cells with the specific hormonal receptor will respond.

Among many of the thousands of hormones secreted, oxytocin is the one that causes the primitive attraction of “love.” The hormone is released by the posterior

pituitary gland, and is responsible for the contraction of mammary glands. Oxytocin is triggered by a variety of events. One of many is eye to eye communication, while another is hugging or other forms of physical exchanges. It also allows pair bonding to occur: a form of attraction beyond a mother-child connection. Thus in 2002, Times Magazine deemed the chemical a “love hormone.”

However, it should be noted that love takes much more than a simple chemical attraction. Oxytocin triggers a chemical attraction, but it will not, and is incapable of changing you or your loved one’s personalities and interests.

A relationship takes much more than just a chemical attraction; it takes dedication and mutual respect, as well as lots of effort, responsibility and trust. So while oxytocin provides the small “spark,” there is much more to the story than a simple hormone to make you fall head over heels in love for someone.

By Melody Huang

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Online dating predators lurking on the webJennifer Chalam

News Editor

While the Internet is a useful device to use for research, communication, and information, it also poses a threat to many people.

The presence of online predators makes using the Internet a much more serious issue. Statistics show that over five million predators surf the Internet, no doubt waiting to meet their next victim.

A common place that predators are found is on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Almost every single high school student has a social networking profile nowadays, which paves way to even more online predators. While users are posting on each other’s walls, sending messages, changing relationship statuses, there could possibly be a stranger from another city preying on you asking for more than a little chat. Many users are not aware that they are being stalked by a complete stranger. A simple friend request, tagged

By Taylor Franklin

Staff Writer

Best Buddies: Patrick Judge, Eric Therrell, Danielle Rosson, Quinne Tolentino, Michael Sarmiento and Mia McDonough

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chalam

Kimberly Czechowski and Kevin Rodriguez pose as a couple. Photo courtesy of Photo class

photo or an event that you attended could put break the boundary between safe and dangerous.

Many people don’t realize the seriousness of the situation that they are putting themselves into when they begin to use online dating webistes.

Specifically, online dating predators can be even more dangerous because people who are on dating sites are even more vulnerable - they are probably looking for comfort or looking to meet someone in person.

Online dating can be one of the most dangerous experiences on the Internet. People won’t be able to get a true sense of a person’s personality through instant messaging and emails, so it easy to overlook some of the signs indicating that someone is a dangerous predator.

It has been shown that predators are usually the most charming, the most pity seeking, and the most evasive. However, the absence of personal contact can make it easy for people to fill in the blanks with their own imaginations. Often times an online dating match can seem charming and captivating, but he is actually

a dangerous online predator.Researchers suggest that one tip to use

while meeting people online is to assume

that everyone is a predator at first. People should be wary of giving out their personal information or agreeing to meet someone alone without knowing him well enough.

Teens especially need to be cautious when meeting people online. Teens can be, more than adults, inclined to impetuous action and may unintentionally step into dangerous situations.

Many don’t realize it, but common websites that teens use like Facebook and Myspace can be places where the most predators lurk. On Facebook, it all starts with a simple friend request, and pretty soon a predator has access to an innocent person’s photos, information, and contacts.

Teens don’t realize how close or how vulnerable they are to online predators. One of RB High’s own teens recalls her own experience with online dating.

“I met him on an alternative Myspace called Gaia,” she said. “He would send me pictures of himself…He kept making promises that he would visit and he knew that I lived in San Diego.”

Having such close contact with a stranger presents a lot of danger, especially when one becomes emotionally attached to him.

“[Dating him] made me feel like I had no control over my life. It was emotionally draining.”

This type of situation can be especially harmful; once one develops an emotional attachment to the other person, it can be even harder to break off connection. Even if the person someone is dating is a predator, it can be easy to become emotionally attached to a romantic and imaginative view of the predator’s personality.

Finally, her friends forced her to break off all connection with the stranger, said the teen. This decision might have saved her from more serious consequences resulting from contact with an alleged online predator.

The situation, fortunately, did not spiral into dangerous depths. However, there are many other cases which can lead to unsafe encounters, or even fatalities. These online dating predators do anything and everything to get to you and your information, so watch out for shady websites. As long as they are over the internet, words mean everything

This does not mean that one should abstain completely from using online dating websites. If one does the proper research and locates safe and honorable websites, then it is safe to proceed, albeit with caution, into the shaky waters of online dating.

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 7FEATURES

RB High’s Bronco Ambassadors:

By Selina Li

Entertainment Editor

Tyler AdairSports: Soccer, VolleyballExtracurricular: Hiking club, soccer & volleyball

“Honestly it is the best thing in the world ... It’s such a blast! I love Bronco Ambassadors!”

Maxwell LaiSports: Baseball, FootballExtracurricular: Link Crew

“Bronco Ambassadors is a great program to show our Bronco spirit and pride and improve our abilities in speaking to large audiences.”

Matt HanamotoSports: VolleyballExtracurricular: ASB, Link Crew, Basketball & Volleyball coach

“Bronco Ambassadors is a great program that allows us to interact with younger kids and gives elementary school students models for making good decisions.”

Danissa DunnSports: Basketball, Track & FieldExtracurricular: FCA, Madrigals, Women’s Ensemble & church leadership

“I just love having the opportunity to moti-vate and be a good example to elementary school kids.”

Caitlin CheslerSports: DanceExtracurricular: Tour de Force, Competition dance team & ASB

“I think it is a great program that puts across a very positive message and brings out the little kid in all of us.”

Devin SaundersSports: Varsity Football, Varsity Track & FieldExtracurricular: Bronco ambassador

“It is a good way to reach out to the young kids in our community.”

Mike MonisSports: Varsity Football, Varsity BasketballExtracurricular: Bronco ambassador

“I feel like we set a good example for the kids and show then what it takes to take the right path and get into college.”

Chelsea MilneSports: Varsity high jumper Extracurricular: President of Fight Against Hunger, Glee, Peer Counselor, FACE student & Cheerleader

“Working with children and teaching them, for example about the importance of col-lege and education is a great message. Plus we have a lot of fun!”

Reed MckennaSports: Varsity SoccerExtracurricular: Bronco ambassador

“I feel that the Bronco Ambassadors program is a great opportunity for us to give back to the community by teaching good character and showing them a path to success.”

Maddie McIntyreSports: Softball, Basketball, Field HockeyExcurricular: Best Buddies, Link Crew

“I love being in Bronco Ambassadors. It’s a great organization that gives little kids role models to look up to.”

The Broncos are coming! The Broncos are coming! Bronco Ambassadors that is! For the past five years, the Bronco Ambassadors of RB High have been educating local elementary school students about the importance of the six Character Counts Pillars: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

They commit time and effort into giving back to the community.This all too important aspect of community service has helped aspiring high school students sharpen their leadership and communication skills, as well as inspiring the children of tomorrow.

First established to promoting a healthy, optimistic, and academically successful

lifestyle, the Bronco Ambassador program is made up of ten distinguished RB High seniors who have participated in the RB High sports programs throughout their high school careers. The program is sponsored by the San Diego North Character Counts organization and is maintained by the RB High Programs Office.

According to Student Service Specialist Carole Morton, Bronco Ambassador candidates are chosen in the spring semester of each school year.

The RB High staff plays part in the recommendation process, including counselors, teachers, sport coaches and Principal Paul Robinson.

If chosen, the Bronco Ambassador, who is expected to serve the community in the school year following the spring semester, signs an honor code and officially joins the Bronco Ambassador program.

Due to the responsibility and character the position demands, Bronco Ambassadors are also held up to an elevated set of expectations. Some of the criteria required to remain in good standing with the program include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, signing up to 250 autographs in a single appearance, planning public appearances and participating in at least five public events. More importantly, as to lead by example, participants must uphold a drug, alcohol and arrests free lifestyle, submit personal websites for monitoring, and adhere to the six Pillars of Character.

One of the main ways Bronco Ambassadors serve their community is by giving presentations at local elementary and middle schools.

These presentations usually range from as long as an hour to as brief as 15 minutes. During the presentation, groups of Bronco

Ambassadors speak about a specific issue or any of the Character Counts Pillars.

Following the presentation is usually a trading card signing. Here, kids are handed photo cards of Bronco Ambassadors and are given the opportunity to have one-on-one interactions, while the respective ambassadors signs his or her card.

“They [Bronco Ambassadors] are very good role models for younger students, and they get to share how they can be successful when they get to high school,” said Morton. “After the Broncos give their Character Counts presentation, they sign trading cards for the students. It’s very exciting for the younger kids to try to collect all the cards.”

With the overwhelming and often negative media influencing kids today, the Bronco Ambassadors Program is a refreshing and positive way to make a difference in the

local community. “This year one of the most requested

topics from elementary school principals is bullying,” said Carole Morton. “They also talk about college readiness, and the younger students are excited to find out where our Bronco Ambassadors are going to school.”

Some of the elementary schools the Bronco Ambassadors worked with in the past include Painted Rock Elementary, Westwood Elementary, Chaparral Elementary, Monterey Ridge Elementary, Highland Ranch Elementary, Canyon View Elementary, Stone Ranch Elementary.

The program extends into middle schools as well, such as Meadowbrook and Oak Valley middle school. Needless to say, the Bronco Ambassadors program will be a highly valued community organization for years to come.

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.~Albert Einstein

Role models who educate young students the importance of the six pilars of character

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A C-

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 20118 ENTERTAINMENT

film tv show

Have trouble keeping secrets? You are not alone; Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily have secrets that will haunt them forever. “Pretty Little Liars” is a television show that is based off of Sara Shepard’s well known novels. Although the show is not intended to follow the exact ending as the book, it does take on most of the endearing qualities and issues that the girls constantly have to face. The ongoing suspense in every episode leads viewers to want to watch more, and because the show is not following the ending in the book, fellow lovers of Shepard’s novels are just as captivated by the show.

Aria, Spencer, Hanna, Emily and Alison were good friends who kept secrets as their solitude of silence. Alison, the leader of the group, slowly peels them open and finds out all their secrets. One night, she disappears during a sleepover. The girls parted ways, for Alison was the only real connection they had to each other. They are drawn together again when the police find Alison’s body, but the girls receive anonymous texts from a girl signed –A, threatening to reveal their secrets, even ones that they thought only Alison knew. Secrets as dangerous as to

break their reputation forever. Also another prominent hobby that Alison taught the girls was to lie about their secrets and to never utter a word. As they step closer to solving the mystery of who A is, they encounter people from their pasts and countless attempts to place their lives in danger.

Besides the repetitive mystery of who is A, there are also parts that leave us wondering whether Alison really even died at all. The girls have to deal with the issues of high school, parents, love, and the struggle to be honest to everyone – and themselves. Each ending provides one more piece to the complicated jigsaw puzzle. As the show rolls out, we also see more characteristics of Alison, who controlled their lives, but is still shrouded in the unknown. The development of the girls is also there, seeing them change from their old robotic ways.

“Pretty Little Liars” is a show that is freshly alive, and continues to be episode after episode. The plot line revolves around a conceptual idea, with added real life scenarios. As the season draws to a close, watchers are anticipating that A will be revealed, but at the same time not wanting the show to draw to a close. There is no secret about this – ”Pretty Little Liars” is definitely a must-watch for everyone.

The story begins when Behman (Nicholas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman), who once served as soldiers, abandon the Crusades after seeing innocent women and children slaughtered. However, upon returning home, they find that the Black Plague has ravaged the land.

Behman and Felson then arrive upon a lone village where the citizens discover them as deserters. They are then taken to Cardinal D’Ambroise who has been infected by the plague.

He asks Behman and Felson to escort an accused witch who is believed to be responsible for the plague in a remote monastery where an elite group of monks will determine if the girl is a real witch. If the girl is found guilty, then the monks can perform a sacred ritual to destroy her powers and stop the Black Plague.

The knights consents, but if she will be given fair trial. They are accompanied by a priest Debelzaq, a young man Kay, a knight Eckhardt, and Hagamar, who leads the way to the monastery.

The accused girl Anna first appears innocent, and even tries to bond with

Behman. However, as the group progresses in their travels, Eckhardt and Hagamar are killed by means that appear to involve witchcraft.

The remaining men arrive at the monastery, only to find that the monks have been killed by the plague; but they also discover the Key of Solomon, a book filled with holy rituals to destroy evil.

Upon confronting Anna, Anna reveals herself to be a demon using Anna’s body as a vessel. The demon plans to destroy the book so that evil can reign upon the world.

While the group fights evil forces, Debelzaq performs a ritual to banish the demon. However, he is killed along with Felson. Behman is left to fight the demon while Kay finishes the ritual.

TIn his last request, Behman asks Kay to look after Anna, who has been freed from the demon. After making graves for their fallen comrades, Kay and Anna depart with the book.

This movie hold some suspense, as it manages to tie in different historical and religious elements. However, the plot had dulled out into a cliché line of events with a predictable climax and ending. Overall, the movie is fairly disappointing and doesn’t make for a good action thriller.re

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By Victoria GamaStaff Writer

By Stacy LuuFeatures Editor

Pretty Little Liars

“It’s immortality, my darlings.”

-Allison

“ Pretty LIttle Lairs “(2010)

Photo courtesy of movie-collection.com

Seasons of the Witch

“We believe what we want to believe.”

- The Girl

“Season of the Witch” (2010)

Jesse Eisenberg: In “The Social Network,” Jesse Eisenberg plays Mark Zuckerburg, who created the popular social network “Facebook” and all of the problems Zuckerburg faced along with way.

James Franco: In “127 Hours,” James Franco plays real life mountain climber Aron Ralston, who gets trapped by a boulder for five days in a canyon in Utah and must resort to unpleasent solutions to escape.

Colin Firth: In “The King’s Speech,” Colin Firth plays King George VI, the ruler of the 1900s of the United Kingdom, who attempts to overcome his stammer by meeting with an unorthodox speech therapist.

Javier Bardem: In “Biutiful,”Javier Bardem plays Uxbal, a devoted single dad, who reconciles with a past love and secures a future for his children as his own death draws near.

Jeff Bridges: In “True Grit,” Jeff Bridges, an American Western, plays Rooster Cogburn, who is hired to hunt down the murderer of Mattie Ross’ father, who died when Ross was fourteen-years-old.

And the Oscars goes out to...Best Actor Nominees:

Michelle Williams: In “Blue Valentine”, a romantic drama, Michelle Williams plays Cindy, who struggles in a teetering romantic relationship with her long term boyfriend Dean.

Jennifer Lawrence: In “Winter’s Bone”, Jennifer Lawrence plays Ree Dolly, a 17-year-old girl in Ozarks, who relentless searches for the truth of her father no matter the consequences.

Nicole Kidman: In “Rabbit Hole”, Nicole plays Becca Corbett, a woman who is struggling to cope with the untimely loss of their son and the disfunctional family that her son left behind.

Annette Benning: In “The Kids are All Right,” Annette Benning plays Nic, a lesbian mother who searchs for her children’s biological father and must brave many new family conflicts.

Best Actress Nominees:

Best Director Nominees:

Tom Hooper: Tom Hooper directed “The King’s Speech,” a historical film about King George VI, who befriends Lionel Logue, King George’s advisor, and attempts to rule the United Kingdom at the brink of war.

David Fincher: David Fincher directed “The Social Network,” a drama based on a real life story that documents the birth, the launch and the growing popularity of the famous social network, “Facebook.”

Joel and Ethan Coen: Joel and Ethan directed “True Grit,” a American Western that tells the story of a young woman and her dedication of in hunting down the murderer of her father and bring him to justice.

David O. Russel: Dareen Aronofsky directed “The Fighter,” a biographical sports film about a former unsuccessful and disgraced boxer who works his way to success dispite all odds.

By Grace Chen and Hannah ChiuStaff Writers

Tune in Feb. 27 for the final results of the 83rd Academy Awards

Natalie Portman: In “Black Swan,” Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a deranged ballerina who begins to see disturbing visions after snagging the coveted role of the swan in “Swan Lake.”

Darren Aronofsky: Dareen Aronofsky directed the newly released “Black Swan,” a psychological thriller about how an innocent girl who must explore the dark side of herself.

Javier Bardem in “Biutiful” Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech”Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”Jeff Bridges in “True Grit” James Franco in “127 Hours”

Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter’s Bone”Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”Annette Benning in “The Kids are All Right”Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

Joel and Ethan CoenDavid FincherTom HooperDavid RusselDarren Aronofsky

Photos courtesy of oscars.go.com

Photo courtesy of topbuzznews.com

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 9ENTERTAINMENT

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Overall, the tour cast was fantastic! The music, the set, the acting, and blocking were spot on. Delivering a flood of emotion while conveying this very powerful story is no easy task and the cast members did a spectacular job.

The plot of the musical revolves around the Goodman family and their attempts to cope with life. Diana’s struggle with mental illness is handled very well, showing how not only the person with the illness is affected, but how their family is impacted as well. The varying treatments Diana undergoes range from the usual psychopharmacology, through a cocktail of psychiatric pills, to the controversial Electroconvulsive Therapy, or “shock therapy”.

Next to Normal tackles some tough themes, but conveys it in such a way that the audience member is hooked at every song and piece of dialogue, waiting to see what each new twist to the story will bring.

The next stop on the Next to Normal national tour is San Francisco, and will be there until February 20th.

The final scene of Next to Normal features all of the cast members in the final song “Light”, and emphasizes that despite life’s hardships, there is still hope.

literature musical

Skinned is a 2008 novel written by Robin Wasserman that tells the story about Lia Kahn, whose life is changed forever as she becomes a machine feared and hated by most humans.The story begins when Lia Kahn, a popular girl living a seemingly perfect life. But she is nearly killed in a car crash, with her body damaged beyond repair and her brain somehow kept intact. Her parents take her to BioMax, a company that copies human brains and “downloads” them into robotic bodies commonly known as “Skinners.”

As her parents have decided, Lia’s brain is copied and “downloaded” into a new body, and she becomes a Skinner. Lia must now live as a machine. She feels no pain or fatigue; she doesn’t age, and with a near-indestructible body and being able to be downloaded into a new body when her current one wears down, she cannot die.

Soon, Lia begins to comprehend more how humans hate and fear Skinners, as she starts to lose her friends, her social life, and her boyfriend. Before long, she is alienated and abandoned by everyone, including the people who had once cared for her.

Next to Normal, a riveting and emotional musical has recently finished its weeklong tour at the Balboa Theatre in Downtown, San Diego. The cast of Next to Normal features a very talented group of actors and actresses, include 2009 Tony Award winning Alice Ripley.

The musical, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, shows the struggles of a dysfunctional family trying to get through “just another day” while encountering grief, suicide, drug abuse, and modern psychiatric dilemmas.

The cast of Next to Normal is relatively small for a Broadway Musical- a cast of 6. The Goodman family is made up of Diana, the psychotic mother, played by Alice Ripley; the misunderstood daughter, Natalie, played by Emma Hunton; the adoring yet struggling husband Dan, played by Asa Somers; and the son that no one understands, Gabe, played by Curt Hanson.

The other characters are Henry, Natalie’s stoner boyfriend who is played by Preston K. Sadlier, and Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, Diana’s psychiatrist who is played by Jeremy Kushnier.

By Taylor FranklinStaff Writer

By Tori GamaStaff Writer

“I thought you’d look more...human.”

- Walker

Skinned

Photo courtesy of buddytv.com

Next to Normal

“The price of love is loss.”

- Diana

“Next to Normal” musical

Photo courtesy of mymoviecinema.com

Left all alone, she learns about the anti-Skinner extremist group known as the Faithers. Being the few only people who hold religious beliefs and believe in a God in their futuristic society, the Faithers argue that only God can create life, and that the Skinners are impostors that are only programmed to think that they are the people that they “replaced.” They make themselves known by doing open protests, gaining followers, and plotting against the Skinners.

Meanwhile, there is the group of Skinners who call themselves “Mechs” led by a man named Jude. They are proud of what they are and look down on humans, whom they call “Orgs.” Jude makes several attempts to convincing Lia to join his group. However, Lia turns him down, convinced that she can still live her life among the humans.

As Lia’s old life abandons her and new problems arise, she must choose between the life she used to have and the new life that lies ahead of her. And along the way, she must realize who she is and what her place is in the world.

Skinned looks deep into the questions of who or what creates life; through Lia’s identity crisis begs the question of what makes a person and what makes a machine,

ASBStudentStore

• Chocolate pudding

• Crunchy cheese cheetos

• Hot munchies mix

• Pirate’s booty white cheddar popcorn

• Peach cups

• Frosted strawberry poptart

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Have you checked out the new items in the Student Store? Stop by and try the newest snacks! ALL profits from the Student Store go back to the students in the form of dances, sports, assemblies, clubs, etc.

• Strawberry Nutrigrain

Move vs. Kinect: A battle between competitorsBy Grace ChenStaff Writer

In the past few years, it was all about the Wii with its wireless controller. In 2010, Microsoft and Sony launched the Kinect and Move, respectively, and the body motion-controlling battle began.

First introduced in November, the Kinect for Xbox 360 is a controller-free gaming device. Through a webcam-like device, the Kinect is able to track all of a user’s movements without a controller. The user can also control the system by using voice commands due to a microphone array attached to the consol. Because the console consists of only a camera, a lot of room is needed in order to fully appreciate the game.

“I prefer the Kinect because you don’t need to use controllers,” freshman Stephan Ahn said. “Plus, it is very accurate and doesn’t lag.”

The PlayStation Move, which was launched last September, combines a video

camera with a motion-sensing controller, making it a cross between the Kinect and the Nintendo Wii. The Move uses the PlayStation Eye camera to follow the Move Motion controller’s, also known as the ‘wand’, location, and the sensors in the controller detect and follow its movement. The controller has 1-1 tracking in 3-D, which means that besides moving the controller up and down, left and right, it can also be moved forward and backward. However, like the Kinect, room is needed for the camera tracking device to function fully.

“There are more games and varieties for the PlayStation Move than the Xbox Kinect,” freshman Nathan Ng said.

Whilst the two gaming devices have similar properties, their prices differ dramatically.

The Kinect itself costs $150, but if you don’t have an Xbox 360, it costs $299 for the whole bundle plus a copy of the game, Kinect Adventures. Unlike the Move, the Kinect doesn’t need any additional controllers.

By Hanna Lee

Features Editor

During February, romantic movies are a must-see. Movies with handsome men chasing ordinary girls is like a dream come true for many girls. Of course, after the movie, you can’t help but feel a bit depressed.

Nonetheless, one favorite romantic movie is “The Notebook,” the classic “chick flick.” It is a story a about forbidden young love and defiant teenagers finding their soul mates. Of course, the two lovers die together as well, holding hands. It makes you want to weep at their undying love and wish that will one day be reality for you.

Another favorite movie based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks is “A Walk to Remember.” An attractive delinquent boy falls in love with the school’s smartest girl, Jamie Sullivan. The boy, Landon Carter, was on a path of destruction as he drank and got in trouble at school. Jamie was the opposite. She spent her time helping elementary students and was in the school play.

When Landon is forced to take part in the

school play and asks Jamie for help, they fall in love. They have a great few months together before she breaks it to him that she has Leukemia. They then get married because it was number one on her to-do list; they spend the summer together.

Four years later, we see Landon in a suit going to Jamie’s father’s house. He is going to study to become a doctor, and Jamie’s father tells him that to see Landon turn his life around like that was Jamie’s miracle.

If you are not into sad romantic movies, other movies such as “She’s the Man” is a great alternative. A soccer- loving girl, Viola Hastings, disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian and goes to his school. There, she meets Duke Orsino, and she falls in love with him. Because of all the confused identities, everything in the plot becomes chaotic, but in the end, Viola obviously gets Duke. This movie is based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” It is hilarious and romantic at the same time.

Then there is the classic “Titanic.” Jack and Rose meet on the boat RMS Titanic and fall in love. There is a love triangle between Jack, Rose and Cal. Rose is engaged to Cal when she meets Jack. Jake and Rose find

themselves inseparable, and Rose ditches Cal who then tries to kill Jack. In accordance with the actual Titanic, the ship in the movie sinks. Jack and Rose hold onto a wall panel where they say their last goodbye and Jack dies of hypothermia.

Finally, A good bittersweet movie is “John Tucker Must Die.” Taking place in a high school where cliques are so exclusive that a basketball star named John Tucker is able to get away with dating three girls, Heather, Beth and Carrie.

Kate, the new girl notices this, and after the three girls realize what Tucker has done, they set out to ruin his social life. They used Kate to gain Tucker’s confidence until he falls in love with her.

Kate humiliates him. In the end, Tucker learns to not lie and tells his two girlfriends about each other. It is the perfect movie for someone who wants to get revenge on their ex.

Since we do not have school on Valentine’s Day, spend it watching movies. Make sure you have a box of tissues at your side while you’re watching “The Ntoebook,” “A Walk to Remember” and “Titanic” becuase people end up dying.

Skinned

Top Five Movies to watch on Valentine’s Day

On the cheaper side, The PlayStation Move costs $99. It includes the PlayStation Eye, the console which controls the user’s movements which costs $40, the controller, which costs $50, plus a free copy of a Sports Champions game. The Move is the least expensive entry bundle, but is $399 if you purchase the whole bundle with the PS3 console included.

Both consoles took inspiration from the Wii. The Move follows the Wii’s numb chucks and goes with the traditional style games while the Kinnect has a motion sensing style that provide full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition and voice recognition capabilities.

Overall, these two gaming devices have many similar and unique properties. Ultimately, the Move and its wide selection of games is more ideal for “hard-core gamers,” while the Kinect is more ideal for families and fitness geeks with a lot of living room space. Either way, these two devices are quickly revolutionizing the way we play games.

A screenshot from A Walk to Remember. Photo courtesy of Google.com

Sony Move

Xbox 360 Kinect

Photos courtesy of Google.com

VS

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 201110 SPORTS

Green Bay Packers win the 45th annual Superbowl in a nailbiter

The most anticipated event of the NFL season took place this past Sunday: the NFL’s Super Bowl XLV. Out of the 32 teams in the NFL, only two make it to the event, and this year the two teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green bay Packers.

This year’s venue for the Super Bowl was Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but unfortunately for fans temporary seating sections had yet to be completed on game day. An estimated 200-400 ticked fans were denied access to the stadium before the game. Fans were told that stuff was blocking their seats. If seats were not found for them then the NFL promised to reimburse the tickets for three times their face value. However, some fans were not pleased asking who was going to pay for their travel expenses.

Although the Super Bowl is a football event, it is also know for attracting the best commercials of the year. Companies paid $3.01 million for each commercial aired. The commercials are a maximum length of 30 seconds, and the cost does not include the costs and fees for actors, equipment, ad agencies, directors, crew, and other personnel. Some fans of the Super Bowl only watch it for the commercials instead of the football.

Events for the evening began at 6 p.m. eastern time with a performance by Glee star Lea Michele, an inaugurational reading of the Declaration of Independence in honor of the men and women who serve this country, and the singing of the national anthem by Christina Aguilera.

Aguilera missed the stanza “O’er ramparts we watched” and tried to make up for it by merging the line with another. Realizing her error, Aguilera went on to turn every word into a paragraph in which she succeeded in achieving.

Half time proved better than ever when The Black Eyed Peas opened up with “I Gotta Feeling.” After mixing into “Boom Boom Pow”, they brought out a special guest performer. Slash who played the guitar with Fergie singing alongside him. After Slash left, the Black Eyed Peas sang “Pump It” and “Let’s Get It Started.” Then another guest performer arrived. Usher and WILL-I-AM sang “Oh My God.” Afterwards The Black Eyed Peas sang “Where Is the Love.”

During the song the stage spelt love but had a light malfunction with the -v, luckily there was no light malfunction in their wardrobe seeing as in every member of the group was wearing an outfit that consisted of blinking neon lights. The Black Eyed Peas delivered an awe- inspiring performance that consisted of dancers, guest performances, and pyrotechnics.

It’s almost time for March Madness, perhaps the biggest National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament of the year. It is a tournament where 68 teams square off and play for the most coveted trophy in NCAA basketball.

March Madness changes its rules from year to year, ranging from amount of teams to bracket sizing. This year, the tournament includes 68 of the top teams in America. They are placed into brackets and divisions, and then seeded. The competing teams are selected via the 31 conference champions; the other 37 teams are selected by a special committee chosen by the NCAA.

Currently, the top ten teams, in order from highest rank to lowest are: Ohio State, Kansas, Texas, Pittsburgh, Duke, Connecticut, San Diego State, Birmingham Young, Notre Dame, and Kentucky. This year the teams will be chosen and announced on March 13, and the rounds will follow

ByMaria Bischoff Staff Writer

By Edward ZhuEntertainment Editor

Superbowl--Steelers versus the Green Bay Packers Photo courtesy of Google.com

The Athlete of the Month for February is Ashleigh Worthington, a basketball player who also is on the varsity Track and Field team. Worthington has been playing basketball for 9 years and track and field for 2 years. Her events in Track and Field are Shot Put and Discus.

Shot put is an event where the player is “puts” a heavy ball (called the shot) as far as possible. The modern shot put is now an Olympic event.

Likewise, discus is a sport that has been played for centuries- in fact, since the 8th century. Discus was in the original Greek Olympics, and when the Modern Olympics was created in 1896, it was one of the first events as well.

“You really need to have a passion for your sport because you are up against girls who want the same spot you want,” said Worthington, in response to being asked what she has learned by playing sports. “You also need to have a good relationship with your teammates because if you do not, your team will suffer in response.”

There are currently 13 girls on the JV basketball team, and of the 16 girls in Track Field, 4 are varsity.

Worthington’s personal best for discus is 88-0, and for shot put 29-0.5. Worthington received 29-0.5 in the Shot Put at Bronco Invitational, placing 6th last March. At the

Dick Wilkins Frosh-Soph Championships, she also placed 6th after getting a PR of 88-0 for Discus.

“My favorite part about playing sports is the intensity and excitement. I love it, and it is so much fun to hear the crowds and your teammates cheer you on after you have made an awesome shot. I love the support I get from my

team and my friends.”Basketball has had a successful season

so far, with 18 wins and 3 losses. Last year Worthington went 29-0 at the Jaguar Invite, placing 17th in Shot Put. In the same year, she also went 85-1 in the Discus, placing 17th at the Jaguar Invitational.

Worthington’s future goals include playing for college and possibly pros. The college she wants to attend is University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Gio Valdez is one of the captains of the Varsity Tennis team and is an outstanding student athlete of the spring season. Valdez has been playing tennis for ten years and hopes to play singles for the upcoming 2011 Tennis season. His first experience with Varsity tennis was in his freshman year when he made the team with now Co-captain Cameron Bernhardt.

“Gio was a very gifted athlete in terms of his physical attributes. In his sophomore year he quickly established himself as one of the team leaders” said Coach Mike Parrinello.

Last year, Valdez was also named to the All Palomar League team with his teammates senior Cameron Bernhardt, juniors Tyler Pham, Alec Connelly, and sophomores Christopher Bernhardt, William Chiu. He has been named to the All Palomar League team all three years.

The team was also 18-0 as they led a perfect season all the way to the CIF final where they beat Torrey Pines.

“My high school tennis experience was alot of fun; I have made many new friends

from my team and from other school’s teams. I have also enjoyed the team experience being that this is such an individual sport,” Valdez said about being on the team.

This year the team will go to the National tournament after their success in the Dana Hills Invitational.

“We might compete in the all-american tennis tournament at some point in our season which would be an excellent way to go out for my senior year,” Valdez said about the possibility of playing in the National tournament.

“My goal is to help lead the team to another CIF championship this year,” Valdez said of the upcoming season. For the past fifteen years,

Torrey Pines had won the CIF championship eleven times. Last year, Rancho Bernardo won the title in a close 10-8 victory.

“I think that this year will be very successful as we work as a team to win,” said William Chiu, a Varsity player.

In his freshman year, Valdez teamed up with his teammate, Cameron Bernhardt and made it to the CIF semi finals.

Now as senior and captain of the team, Valdez will help lead the RB tennis team to success.

RB High Athlete Spotlights:By Taylor Franklin Staff Writer

By Maria BischoffStaff Writer

Ashleigh Worthington Giordano Valdez

until the championship game is decided and a new champion is crowned.

“My favorite part of March Madness are the little competitions and parties that there are.” Said freshman Mei Athay.

March Madness is not all about basketball, teams, and points, however. There are many extravagant giveaways and competitions that are based off March Madness. The most popular is perhaps the bracket-prediction games. There are many variations of this game along with various rewards ranging from monetary amounts to a brand new car!

During half time the fact discussed was that Green Bay is known for bringing up the scored in the first half and Pittsburgh is known as a secpmd ja;f tea, amd tjeu were starting out with the ball in the third quarter. With 10 minutes and 19 seconds left in the third quoarter the Steelers provecd this fact scoring another touchdown.

Left on the clock was only 2 minutes and all Pittsburgh needed was a touchdown and the extra point to win the game! They threw an incomplete pass and Green Bay recovered by giving them the ball.

This year’s Super Bowl’s winners were the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rogers won MVP and along with the title he won a 2011 red convertible Camaro. This was the Packers 4th Super Bowl title in 80 years and their 13th NFL title. This year’s match up looked great on paper and the game definitely lived up to that expectation.

RB High boys soccer tears up the turf

By Hannah Chiu Staff Writer

NCAA hoops prepare for March Madness

Hard-working and dedicated, the boys’ soccer team is playing hard to make sure they get another chance at that coveted CIF Title. When asked how their season was going so far, captain Connor Lachenbruch said, “It’s been really good, better than we expected and we are really optimistic about the future.” Lachenbruch is a co-captain along with Jake Fenlason and Dallin Cutler. “Some of the major roles of being captain are keeping everyone tuned in and focused. As well just being an example for the lower classman as to work hard during practice.” Fenlason said.

Achieving teamwork is not exactly easy either, “It is usually hard to bring in twenty-two individuals together to make

one solid group, but I think that by being together everyday you come to realize your teammates common tendencies.” Fenlason said. Lachenbruch stated that though hard work, “teamwork is achieved through strong leaders, good roles models, and a common desire to win and succeed.”

When asked who were some of the key players to watch out for this season, senior Brian Brennan said, “Reed Mckenna, Connor Lachenbruch, Dallin Cutler, and Jake Fenlason.” Fenlason is the starting goalie, Lachenbruch and Cutler are midfilders, and Mckenna is the leading scorer with ten goals and four assists in just seven games. Brennan says that the team gets along together with “tough love, we make fun of each other but at the end of the day we still like each other.”

The boys tennis season has yet to start, but the preparation has already begun. The team has a lot to live up to because last year’s season were undefeated so that means that a lot of rival teams will be looking to beat them.

This season will matches against rival teams like Poway and Torrey Pines who they met in last year’s CIF team finals, Mt. Carmel, Westview and Ramona.

This season there will be new challenges. Due to the success the team had at a widely regarded tournament, Dana Hills Invitational at which they finished third, the team will be going to the National Tournament.

“Our team was invited to play in the Dana Hills invitational tournament last year,” Valdez said. “ Teams from all around southern California were competing in this tournament and we placed 3rd out of about 32. Our coach says that we might compete in the all-American tennis tournament at some point in our season….”

The varsity team has 14 members, and nine of them start. To start means to be part of the three singles or the three double teams. To win a match is to win 10 of the 18 matches that are played. The singles and doubles are played like a round robin where each match is one set. So that means if the player does not get subbed in for another player, the original player will have played three sets.

Practice starts at 2:45 sharp Monday through Friday until five.

Last season, as the top-seed, RB High won its first CIF crown since 1994, with a win over Torrey Pines.

“We will be successful if we continue to work hard. Our senior leadership and our experienced players should carry us to meet our goals we set for ourselves,” said coach Mike Parrinello.

This year’s team should be as successful as last year as long as the team works hard.

March madness tournament.

Photo courtesy of Photo ClassVarsity soccer player moving in for the goal

Tennis team

hopes to continue

dominance

Photo courtesy of google.com

By Hannah ChiuStaff Writer

March Madness Schedule

First Four: March 15-16 Round 1: March 17-18 Round 2: March 19-20 Sweet 16: March 24-25

Elite 8: March 26-27 Final Four: April 2

National Championship: April 4

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 2011 11SPORTS

RB High’s boys lacrosse gets ready to storm the field

The RB High girls’ water polo team is finishing a successful season. They have faced some difficulties. There were only three returning varsity players, and so the whole team has had to learn how to work together. However, Haley Gansert, a senior and team captain feels that the team has been doing the best it can.

“The team has been doing fairly well this season, and we’re definitely better than last year,” said Gansert. “Although with only three returning varsity player, we’ve developed a great team that is strong and capable with plenty of potential.”

Overall it is a positive atmosphere and a strong team spirit that has led the water polo team to its successes. All the players work together succesfully, and make sure they help each other. They train together everyday from 3-5. The team is incredib;y close.

“The game is fantastic to play, but I also love the family like atmosphere we have,” said Gansert. “I’m sure any of the girls on the team could back me up when I say we’re

all pretty much sisters to one and other. Our coach (Fred Gleason) is also great. He’s a father figure to everyone on the team and supports and believes in us.”

Lauren Monson, a senior at RB High, agrees with Gansert, but also adds that hard work and commitment are important values to the water polo team.

“My favorite thing about water polo would have to be the strong team bond that the team has and the commitment the team has,” said Monson. “We work vey hard every single day in practice.”

Tania Moshirian, a senior on the team, still sees room for improvement.

“I feel like the team has grown since the beginning of the season and we all strive to help one another,” says Moshirian. “We are dedicated to the offence and defense we run. Everyone plays as a unit and we work to perform at our highest level each and every game. I feel our team has been doing well playing together considering this is our first year playing as a unit. We need to use more patients in the game and not rush to score. We have been doing well in leagues and hope to beat mc and Poway.”

Though they have faced challenges, the girls’ water polo team has been doing well, and hopes for a strong finish to the season.

RB High’s girls water polo finishes the season strong

The spring sports season is just around the corner, and the varsity boys lacrosse team is ready to meet it stronger than ever. According to head coach Travis Begay, the team has 24 players returning to varsity, 15 of which are seniors. With such an experienced team, they are hoping to improve and make it past the CIF quarterfinals, where they were when they had lost last year.

“We all left that game [the CIF quarterfinals] feeling we were a better team than we showed, which is something that has been a motivating factor for us,” Begay said. Begay has been coaching RB Lacrosse as the varsity defense coordinator for the last three seasons. This is Begay’s first year as head coach, though with three previous years under his belt, he understands the team and the level they work at.

“We understand what we need to do in order to achieve the level of success that we all want,” Begay said. “We know that games will not be handed to us, so the biggest thing will be the work we put into every practice in order to get better and make a strong run all season and into the playoffs.”

The players are also ready to go as well, after the defeat at quarterfinals. Patrick Killea, a senior, hopes to start the season strong after some disappointments last year.

“We had a bit of a disappointing season last spring, so we’re looking to start this year off right,” Killea said. “Ultimately, I’d say this year is about proving ourselves, and gaining the respect we deserve from other programs.”

The team has many strong points, since

Baseball team steps up to the plate and the books

Those people you see on the field during half time during football games, they are Color Guard. Winter Guard, however, is something very similar though. It’s an

indoor Color Guard event where instead

of accenting the band, it performs to its own music. The teams are judged on talent, precision and creativity.

The typical Winter Guard consists of various numbers of members depending on the team. The staff of the guard is drawn from numerous specialties, which sometimes

overlap. There are equipment instructors, dance instructors and drill instructors. Equipment instructor’s create the work done with the equipment and teach in to the guard. Dance instructors create and teach the body movements that are performed during the show. Drill instructors focus on the position of the guard members that are on the floor at all times.

The three types of equipment used during Winter Guard are flags, rifles and sabres, which are used in shows to display the technical difficulty a guard, can achieve. These pieces of equipment are often covered in electrical tape for a uniform appearance. The pieces of tape are also used as protection for the pieces of equipment when it is tossed, caught and or dropped. Types of dance are also displayed to show themes and to gain points of difficulty from the judges.

The first Winter Guard performance will occur on Saturday, February 11th, where they will perform at the Rancho Cucamonga WGI Regional.

Rancho Bernardo has two official Winter Guard teams; A-Guard, which is the ‘Junior Varsity’ team and World Guard, which is the more advance team.

The Captains for Winter Guard are Kim

Mariano, Megan Celestial, and Kaitlyn Summers whom are all seniors. Kim Mariano is a senior who has been in Color Guard since she was a freshman. Megan Celestial has been on the team since she was a sophomore. Kaityln Summers is another senior who also has been on the team since she was a sophomore.

The World Guard team practices every Tuesday and Saturday and most of the holidays. On Tuesday, they practice three hours because it is a school day and on Saturdays they practice eight hours. The A-Guard team practices three hours on Wednesday. All the members are in the ‘Tall Flags’ which an academic class for Color Guard which means even more practice to an event that they dedicate a lot to. With so much practice and effort put into their work, the Color Guard evidently are passionate about what they do.

“I have a lot of fun at practice, especially when I’m around my friends. Practice can get serious at times but it’s worth it in the end when we’re standing on stage at finals in Ohio,” said Jazmin when asked about her favorite thing about Winter Guard.

The team is noted for its success in the past years which will be continued as long as they work together.

Competition heats up as Winter Guard takes the floor

By Hannah ChiuStaff Writer

By Jeffrey LamSports Editor

By Nina von Nyssen Staff Writer

RB High’s Winter Guard after a tournament Photo courtesy of rbhsguard.org

Photo courtesy of Tim BarberRB High’s Boys Lacrosse guards the goal

RB High is known throughout California and the nation as the “Factory” for producing baseball players that have gone on to play collegiate and professional baseball. It is no doubt in great thanks to the amazing baseball program here at RB High.

The baseball program at RB High is headed by Sam Blalock. He is partnered with Mark Furtak, the pitching coach. They have both coached here at RB High for decades and have nurtured the program to be a great success.Some players who have gone to play professional baseball after graduating are Hank Blalock, John Drennen, and Cole Hamels.

These players all attributed their great to success to the program here at RB High while many more great players are expected too follow.

“The team is great and we expect to win another CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) title,” says Gosuke Katoh, sophomore here at RB High who had played Varsity baseball last year. “The team works together great and the program is just amazing Coach (Sam) Blalock is a great coach and has taught me a lot.”

Last year, RB High’s baseball team triumphed over Poway High’s baseball team in the CIF championships. This year they plan on following up the accomplishment by bringing home another banner.

“Our team looks solid right now, we have many returning seniors and great talent coming up from the freshmen and JV levels.” Says Coach Mark Furtak, “Us coaches are very pleased with what we see right now and we can’t wait to bring back another CIF championship.”

Before the team can begin asserting their dominance on the field, the broncos have to get prepared, physically and mentally.

Like many high school sports, playing baseball can take a toll on your grades.

“I’ve managed fairly well balancing baseball and school,” says Katoh, “I go play baseball after school and as soon as I get home I get down and focused on homework. No facebook just me and my books.”

To play a sport in high school and do well in school is a very hard thing to do in balance and it is something every student athlete strivers to do. After all it is student athlete, not just athlete.

“When scouts come down to look at players, the first thing they’ll ask the players isn’t how hard they throw, how well they hit, or how fast they run.” Said Furtak, “They ask what your GPA (Grade Point Average) is.”

Furtak stresses the importance of a good GPA along with athletic skill and it’s quite obvious, RB High is full of both.

By Edward Zhu

Entertainment Editor

Gosuke Katoh hitting a shot into left-center

Photo courtesy of RB High baseball team

there are a large number of skilled returning players. According to Zach Weaver, a senior, the team is full of players who strive to be the best, so there will be lots of competition for their starting spots.

According to Begay, the team’s defense is well fortified, as there are quite a few returning players from last year who know the pace.

“Defensively, we are at our strength,” Begay said. “We have 7 Defensemen and 2 Defensive Midfielders returning who all either have started or received significant playing time; our poles will be lead by Seniors Jeremy Hutchens, Ruben Pena, Travis Brown, Garrett Fox, and Casey Barber - along with Juniors Trent Sessions and Nick McEneany. Our Senior goalie Zach Weaver, a starter the last two seasons, also returns.”

Begay also said that the team’s offensive is just as powerful, which means that the team can most likely take on all others. However, Begay stresses that hard work along with talent will win CIF’s, and not slacking.

“On the offensive side, we have a very strong Attack unit returning combined with a talented and explosive Midfield unit,” Begay said. “Our Offense will be lead by Seniors Tyler Ekeroth, Justin Adams, Blake Heidrich, Pat Killea, and Colin Arthurs, along with Juniors Joe Balestreri, Jack Yeatman, and Shay Dooley. Top to bottom we possess the talent to be very dangerous - however talent alone and high hopes doesn’t win you games. We know the work that lies ahead of us that we must put in in order to reach our goals and be a successful contender for a Championship this season. As they say, ‘Dreams don’t come true until you wake up and go to work’”

There are things the team is trying to improve on as well. According to Killea, the team’s biggest weakness is their arrogance and letting their skills go to their head.

“We have a lot of talent and a lot of returning players, as well as a very strong senior class. We’re good and we know it, which is going to be a problem if it gets to our heads,” said Killea.

The team plays in Division I with Mt. Carmel, Fallbrook, Carlsbad, San Marcos, La Costa Canyon, Torrey Pines, Westview

and rivals Poway. All of these teams are very competitive and talented but it is without a doubt RB High’s lacrosse team will frit their teeth and fight to the finish.

The team’s goal is to win a CIF championship, which no RB High lacrosse team has ever done. They understand what needs to be done and that it will be a tough road to travel. However, with good teamwork, determination, and hard work, the team can accomplish it.

THE SILVER SPUR - FEBRUARY 10, 201112 FEATURES

Valentine’s Day1.Valentine’s Day is often a competition to see who can say “I love you,” in the most romantic and original way. These pick up lines are most definitely the “way to go”:

2.

What kind of roses do you want to give your girlfriend? Red roses for romantic love, yellow roses for eternal friendship, coral roses for desire, or orange roses for enthu-siasm! No matter what color you decide to give your girlfriend, it

will make your girlfriend sigh hap-pily at the sweetness of the roman-

tic gesture.

There’s nothing more classic than hand delivered chocolate for your loved one! With a box of home-

made heart chocolates and a sweet kiss on the lips, your girlfriend will fall in love with you all over again!

Don’t forget to add in an ‘I love you’ to melt your girlfriend’s heart a little more. Will this Valentine’s Day get any more romantic than

that?

Invite your girlfriend to your house for a delicious home-cooked dinner

from the heart! Make her Valen-tine’s Day special by setting up a

romantic theme to match the mood for the special day! Ranging from a fancy dinner ending with sweet heart shaped cookies, there’s no way your girlfriend would forget

this day!

3.

BO

YS

4.The Melting Pot is an upscale restaurant

in San Diego that is perfect for a romantic Valentine’s day date. This restaurant features fondue as the basis of its four-course meal, a unique dining experience different from

anything you have ever tried before. Private tables are available for intimate couples,

and the service is great and very attentive. Couples will find the ambience of the

restaurant incredibly relaxing and romantic. You and your significant other will have a

wonderful time dining at this locale.

Pick up lines

Gift ideas

Dress for the occasion

Cute date ideas

•

•

•

•

•

I’ll be the Burger King and you’ll be the Dairy Queen. You treat me right and you can have it your way!

Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?

Are you out of breath? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.

Is your dad an alien? Because you are out of this world!

I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?

•

•

There’s the exit. Want to go out?

Are you a broom? Because you just swept me off my feet!

• Do you have explosives on you? Because you just blew my mind.

• If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put u and I together.

Are you a parking ticket? Because you have fine written all over you!

•

GIR

LS

• If I had to cast a patronus, my happy thought would be you.

• If you were a pokemon I’d choose you!

ChocolateHome-cooked dinner

Roses

Connie Kang, junior, is sporting a hot pink asymmetrical, three-

tiered top, and a floral high-waisted skirt. She has a semi-transparent black cardigan over her outfit, and two flower

clips in her hair.

Alex An, junior, is modeling a navy-blue semi-formal sweater vest over a matching

dress shirt. The casual jeans complete the

ensemble. This is the perfect outfit to wear for Valentine’s day!

This is a crucial day in couples’ relationships. This step-by-step guide can help you navigate through Valentine’s day and survive.

It’s as easy as 1-2-1-2-3-4There’s only one thing to doThree words for youI love you~Plain White T’s”

The Melting Pot

“

Remember how when you were five you always longed to travel “Cinderella-style” in a beautiful white horse drawn carriage with a

handsome prince? Well, now you can!You and your beloved can bring a picnic

to feast on while enjoying the breathtaking scenery you ride by. Balboa Park offers

this amazing experience for a reasonable price. This allows you and your date to

bond together throughout the day as well as document your entire trip with amazing

Kodak moments.

Horse-Drawn Carriage