15 ¢

volume 52issue 8

By Jennifer RileyOn May 23, the English department

will host the senior project exhibition which will take place in the quad before the senior awards ceremony. Three to four student volunteers from each 12th grade English class will have the opportunity to present their senior projects to the commu-

e exhibition is meant to show students’ interests in the diverse topics, such as cyber-bullying, energy drinks and their effects, stem cell research, veganism, and obesity. It will also illustrate the work seniors have put into a project they had been working on throughout the semester.

While the senior project was established

time and space to present their topic on a larger scale than just their English class. The department is excited to launch it and cannot wait to see the projects on which students worked hard.

“We want students’ passion for their research to drive participation in the exhibi-tion and their desire to share their accom-plishments with the community,” English teacher Christina Hoppe said.

Any senior could have volunteered for the opportunity to present. The student had to talk to his or her English teacher and ask to be added to the list of students presenting in the quad.

Senior Michael Ciabuca worked on his project all year and is excited for the pres-

Senior project exhibittakes place in the quad

ACADECA WINS: The Academic Decathalon team members and coaches hold three fingers up to represent their three-peat championship.

and the surrounding communities,” Execu-tive Director Brian Bauer said. “We have the opportunity to expand our existing or create a new high school program, as well as consider a grades 6-8 or K-8 school on this ideal school site of almost seven acres less than a mile from Granada Hills Charter High School.”

Pinecrest Schools, a family-operated and privately owned school system, will continue to operate its renowned educa-tional program on the Northridge Pinecrest campus through the 2014-15 academic year. Pinecrest Schools has nine campuses in the greater Los Angeles region with nearly 3,000 children enrolled from 18 months through 8th grade.

The acquisition of the campus was a relatively short process with the notice to sell the property being made public in mid-November and GHCHS’s ultimate purchase in mid-March around spring break.

“We acquired the school property with a $5 million tax-free Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) – the first of its kind in the history of charter schools – that we secured based on our strong financial track record and AAA credit rating,” Bauer said.

Pinecrest is still deciding what to do with their students for the 2015-2016 school year. Student and families either will have to relocate to another Pinecrest campus or

sion. The first is the type of instructional

program and grade levels that will be offered. Should the school decide to implement a grades 6-8 or K-8 program at the location, there will be a very strong connection in terms of philosophy and curriculum between what is offered between the two schools.

Although students at the Pinecrest campus may not be guaranteed a spot at GHCHS, they would still be adequately prepared to succeed not only at GHCHS, but also at any neighboring high school.

The second factor is the architecture of the seven-acre property as it was built in the 1950’s for a K-8 school. Should GHCHS decide to have a high school there, some facilities such as the bathrooms and water fountains will need to be remodeled to better suit the students. New construction or remodeling the existing structures, or both, may be considered.

The third deciding factor is what the community would like to see GHCHS offer. GHCHS staff already have begun to connect with community leaders, elected representatives and city government oabout which options will most positively benefit the community.

More information about GHCHS’s plans will be made available on the school’s website and other communication venues.

By Danielle BulanteThis year the school began offering

courses under the International Baccalau-reate (IB) program.

The IB program aims to develop a scholar and a citizen of a community. This rigorous program, only offered to juniors and seniors, requires students to take seven classes in courses that range from chemistry to theatre and visual arts. These courses are later subdi-vided into higher and standard level classes in which students have the choice to dedicate t h e m s e l v e s to 240 hours (higher level) or 150 hours (standard level) of instruction.

Unlike the Advanced Placement (AP) classes, the IB program courses often intertwine with one another. The curriculum of this program requires that students take an interdisci-plinary approach to their education. As a

students for a series of internal and external assessments. During these internal assessments, students are expected to produce portfolios and reflections that highlight their intellectual and personal growth in the program. External assessments include a theory of knowledge essay, research essay, and CAS in which the student must score a combined total of 24 or more to earn an IB diploma.

helped me learn to handle a lot of stress. I have learned to look at issues more complexly. We cover so much material and look into theories of knowledge, so we’re able to question things more openly and gain

a more intense level of education,” junior Anna Mattia said.

With small class sizes, students are able to overcome the rigorous course load and complex material. With about 72 people

IB program in review:students finish first year

By Grace Park On April 27 in Minneapolis, Minnesota,

the Academic Decathlon (AcaDeca) team rst place in the National Academic

Decathlon competition for the third year in

e nine competing decathletes, seniors Bea Dimaunahan, Faria Ghori, Rina Kim, Kimberly Ly, Kelley Ma, and Hamidah Mahmud and juniors Jenny Baek, Jake Chong, and Kailin Li scored a total of 54,652 points.

is year’s top competitors included El Camino Real Charter High School, Rock-wall High School in Texas, Willoughby South High School in Ohio, and Whitney Young High School in Illinois.

El Camino Real High School, which came in second place, trailed behind Granada Hills Charter High School by approximately 1000 points.

Being three-time National Academic Decathlon champions, GHCHS is the only charter school in the National Academic Decathlon competition to win the national title and the only public school, traditional or charter, to claim the national title three

“It’s such an incredible honor to be national champions. My teammates and coaches have spent countless hours studying and reviewing for this competition. It feels amazing to know that all our hard work was worth it in the end,” Mahmud said.

e team, alongside AcaDeca coaches

Mathew Arnold, Nick Weber and Spencer Wolf, devoted many hours to studying material that revolved around this year’s theme, Russia. The decathletes had to study a variety of topics such as math, science, art, literature, multiple choice questions, trivia questions, essays, speeches, and interview competitions.

To prepare for nationals, the team had a strict studying schedule. Every week day from sixth period to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m, the team would study together. They reviewed study guides, did practice questions, wrote essays and practiced their impromptu speeches.

“By doing and reviewing practice ques-tions, we were all able to figure out what our weaknesses were or which subjects we were having the most trouble with. Each study session was really about perfecting those weaknesses and overcoming our personal challenges. In this way, we have not only each grown individually, but also have grown as a team,” Mahmud said.

The team members hope that all their efforts will help them prepare for their future goals and ambitions whether in high school for the juniors or in college for the seniors.

“AcaDeca has helped me realize the importance of sheer hard work. Winning a national title is a privilege, but the true honor is learning about cooperation, team work, and the value of hard work which I know I will use in the future,” said Mahmud.

parties every weekend. They soon become friends and Nick enters into Gatsby’s world as he helps plan a meeting with Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), who is also Gatsby’s past love. Their reunion sets off the rest of the story unveiling Gatsby’s past, leading to the fatal consequences caused by the actions of careless people.

Luhrmann’s signature style shines and lm superbly. Audiences become

absorbed in the stunning period costuming, extraordinary sets, and visual effects. The elaborateness of his visual style accentuates

of Lurhmann’s past movies like “Moulin Rouge” and “Romeo and Juliet” in which the soundtracks also had a modern twist.

Though the visuals and music were enter-taining, Luhrman could have focused less on the partying and more on the charac-terization and story from the novel. The movie does follow the book’s storyline well and even takes most of its dialogue from the novel, but the visuals are emphasized more than the story. The movie is missing substance; the façade glitters and shines but it lacks depth from the characters, themes,

more with the role? Yes. But his portrayal of Nick was not disastrous as Maguire narrates as if he was truly “within and without” and captures Nick’s non-judgmental but witty and insightful character.

DiCaprio was charming, nervous, para-noid, suave, and mysterious, everything Gatsby should be. He captured Gatsby’s disconnect with reality or what Fitzgerald calls the “unreality of reality”, which is his infinite love for Daisy and his ultimate hope and desire to recapture his past. Dicaprio’s version of Gatsby’s rare and reassuring smile

my favorite lines in the novel “I like large parties. They’re so intimate.” relationship with, Nick was not emphasized in the movie like it was in the book, she still captured the audiences attention.

It was not perfect and lacked the depth and substance from the novel. I would honestly prefer if everybody would pick up a copy of the novel and read the wonderfully crafted story, beautiful words, grotesque style, and insightful themes originally done by Fitzgerald himself, but the movie was a good start.

By Alyssah Pinitsak

By Josh Lavinee prosecutor makes one last surveying

floor, his eyes focused on the tile of the court room, before turning toward the judge and jury. As he speaks he makes a series of calculated gesticulations.

“Your Honor, the facts make clear that Perez was present in the park beyond park hours when he knew he should not have done so. The sign of park hours was posted and illuminated at any of the park’s entrances, and the testimonies of several residents from the nearby community we have heard here today provide irrefutable evidence that Perez violated the city’s park ordinances.” He pauses. “The community cannot sleep while shadows lurk about in

at is all I have to say, Your

Honor.” The lawyer, a young student recently

graduated cutting his teeth on misde-meanor cases, with slick black hair and a clean smile sits down, giving his mouth a rest. The judge calls the defendant to the stand. When the defendant, focused on the pupils of the judge’s eyes which float in a sea of blue, fails to rise, the judge jerks his head toward the elevated platform with its leather seat--luxury for an instant--and the defendant rises and sits down again.

He utters an inaudible sound, hesi-tates, and then begins. “Yo me llamo Juan Hidalgo Perez. Pues, no hablo inglés, así que voy a defenderme en español.”

And so he did defend himself, or so I think, for at that moment my employer

pulled me by the collar and threatened me with my job if I did not stop “this instant” gazing through the door, half open to the court and the case that interested me so. As I finished mopping the floor I returned, evading the watch of my employer to hear the final words of Perez.

Speaking in an eloquent and measured tone, the doubt of himself was nonetheless maintained by the gyrations of his leg which I could see from my place behind the judge’s bench.

Perez ended by referencing “el diálogo de ‘Utifro’ y Socratis.” But I will never know the fullness of his defense, for as he stepped down from the stand and returned to his other seat I glanced at the sketch artist’s drawing--nothing more than a caricature

with grotesque emphasis on his tattered clothing! And I knew then that the newspapers would publish photographs taken as soon as the man left the building of justice, with as great a chance of defending himself then as when he had entered.

I returned my mop to my locker, exchanged my uniform for the jacket and hat they make me wear before I exit through the metal detector near the entrance to the building, and peered into the court room as the three-man jury presented its decision.

“Guilty,” read the leftmost sign. “Guilty,” read the next in cursive. The decision was already made by this

majority of votes. But I read the last vote anyways.

“No culpable.”

e Plaid Press presents a short story: “No Culpable”

If you liked what we read this year, try

these bookse Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen Jessica struggles to cope with a prosthetic leg after losing her leg in a car accident. With the help of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia but when Rachel stops treatment, her friends, Greg and Earl decide to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

Looking for Alaska by John Green Miles Halter leaves his home in Florida to attend Culver Creek Preparatory High School in Alabama for his junior year. He then meets Alaska Young, who is described as an attractive yet emotionally unstable girl. She becomes Pudge’s first crush. Suddenly, Alaska is dead and the remainder of the book revolves around Pudge trying to uncover the mystery behind her death.

An Abundance of Katherinesby John Green When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, it never works out for Colin. Nineteen times,

Unwind (Unwind Trilogy #1) by Neal Shusterman Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, parents can have their child “unwound,” where all of the child’s organs are trans-planted into different donors. Three chil-dren however, make an attempt to escape.

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Rule 4:

The Plaid PressThe Plaid Press is published by

the Advanced Journalism class at

Granada Hills Charter High School. 10535 Zelzah Ave.

Granada Hills, CA 91344 Phone: (818) 360-2361

The Plaid Press welcomes all letters and commentaries on all matters and reserves the right to edit as required. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of Plaid Press, its adviser, Granada Hills Charter High School faculty or student body.

Editors-in-Chief Eiman Kazi

News Editors Ramanan Sivasundaram

Entertainment Editor Alyssah Pinitsak Opinion Editors

Feature Editors Danielle Bulante

Sports Editor Tessa WeinbergOnline Editor Joshua LavineBusiness M anager Marilyn RamirezPhotographers Alison Montenegro

Staff Reporters: Alison Montenegro

By Romina Pizarro and Kilee Splettstoesser

Since its beginning in 2005, YouTube has often been praised as a place where peo-ple can go to express themselves and their ideas. Only a select few Youtubers have suc-ceeded in becoming online celebrities with massive amounts of subscribers. YouTube can become a creative outlet where you can connect with others. However, despite often being seen in a positive light, YouTube also

YouTube sponsorships began in May 2007. Now some videos have ads on or around them, which allows people who are sponsored to make money off of their videos depending on their prominence and

e amount of money made de-pends on the number of subscribers as well as the type and price of the ads used in each video. It has become a career for those lucky enough to gain such an audience of thou-sands or millions of viewers online.

While earning money for a hobby is everyone’s dream, problems arise from get-ting sponsored. Many YouTubers complain about their sponsorships. Their reasons are always the same: earning money for their ef-forts turns creating videos into more of a job than a hobby. It sucks the enjoyment out of

it and makes uploading mandatory videos something they slowly begin to dread.

Popular YouTubers are even offered deals from companies to promote their products such as beauty gurus who are often sent free product samples to try out and endorse. Beauty gurus, including an American You-Tuber who goes by beautybabby44 and a British YouTuber known as Zoella, share their opinions about fashion, style, and makeup. In addition to giving tips, like these two, some beauty gurus are sponsored by companies, whose products they cri-tique. This presents bigger problems than a YouTube sponsorship because it can lead to a biased review of the products. Naturally the person will want to say wonderful things about a product that a company so kindly sent for free. This kind of sponsorship can turn some people into “sell-outs” and on top of this, many fans may buy the product after trusting the YouTubers’ false opinions, effec-tively wasting their money.

Hand in hand with YouTube fame, feed-back from fans in the comments section makes some YouTubers happy (getting posi-tive comments about how they are such an inspiration or how handsome or pretty they are). It’s not such a pleasant experience for everyone, however. Many people post rude,

mean, and unnecessary comments, and the more fame, the more comments. They make YouTubers feel self-conscious, lose self-es-teem, or maybe even want to quit YouTube entirely.

People define success on YouTube differ-ently, but some of the most successful You-Tubers are those paid highly enough to con-sider it as a full time career. Others define success as producing constant videos with good content with the best quality possible for a period of time.

Another relatively new problem that has stemmed from “YouTube fame” is people posting videos of themselves doing ridicu-lous and unheard of things in an attempt to become famous. Take Giovanna Plowman, who filmed herself eating her own tampon. Her video went viral and she quickly gained infamy, becoming the topic of conversation amongst many. Or Dino Bruscia, another teen who gained minor viral success with his video of himself eating a bowl of ice-cream mixed with his own feces. In fact, Bruscia expressed his anger that Plowman “out-famed [him] in one day” with her video on Twitter, proving that his actions were taken merely to gain fame though YouTube.

Many aspects of YouTube are positive, as it is a way for people to put their ideas

and lives out there for others to see, or even make money out of it. Others use YouTube to jumpstart their careers in the or acting industry. However, there are negative consequences of YouTube as well. Some feel like it becomes a job once oey, others present biased opinions, and some take it to a whole new level by acting out to get negative attention through YouTube.

By Marilyn RamirezWhat do you call someone who only

speaks one language?

more languages, while Americans are looked down upon because we speak only one.

Many countries have made English-

tant than ever.For future job opportunities, applicants

are seen as more qualified if on their re-

Sponsorship and negative attention degrade

By Maral Margossian One day during school, I visited the rest-

room, and while I sat on the mighty porce-lain throne, I mused over the graffiti on the

ere were typical rants, random scribbles, and a plethora of profanities. But there were also some reflective comments. One that stood out most to me (other than the “I love Harry Potter” comment of course) asked, “What is the difference be-tween living and surviving?”

Now for a bathroom stall, that is some ff—the second deepest thing

there next to the toilet bowl itself. I left the bathroom that day with a question I desired to answer for my own life, as well as some inspiration to write a book composed en-

tirely of pictures of graffiti on high school bathroom stall doors; I can safely say, that was the most productive visit to the rest-room in my life, in philosophical terms of course.

It’s easy to dismiss these writings on doors as mere graffiti, and though many of it is, sometimes you find little things that have more meaning than a curse word. We go to a school with over 4,200 students, yet there are only a handful of people that we can say we actually know. The writings and drawings on these doors have effectively be-come a sort of secretive forum.

In English class, we learn that we should read because books serve as a safe outlet to learn about ourselves. We vicariously live

through the characters and reach catharsis as the book ends. These inscriptions, not only in school bathrooms, but on any pub-lic property, serve a similar purpose because they become an outlet for people to share something they otherwise may not have ex-posed.

Usually when we see any sort of writing on public property, our reaction is instinc-tively negative because we are told it is van-dalism. However, such a perspective narrows our concept of art and of communication.

For example, artist Candy Chang wanted to turn abandoned buildings in her neigh-borhood into more appealing and produc-tive uses of space. She turned the bottom six feet of a broken down building into a chalk-

board and stenciled the statement, “Before I die, I want to…” People around the neighborhood who walked by the building finished the statement and before long, the chalkboard was filled. An eyesore became eye-candy. The success of her led to the establishment of several similar “public chalkboards” throughout the world.

Through these means, we learn a little bit about the people around us. I may not know who specifically wrote a comment that I found particularly meaningful, but in that moment I become aware that there are others around me who are ready to offer support. As cliché as it sounds, in those instances, we realize that it really is the little things in life that matter most.

By Tessa WeinbergHere at Granada Hills Charter High

School (GHCHS), we have a superhero of our own: coach Carolyn Gunny. We know of Gunny’s hard work, dedication, and ob-vious love for sports; and apparently, so do her peers. On Sunday, April 28, Gunny was inducted to the California Interscholastic

Federation (CIF) Los Angeles City Section’s Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place at the Doubl-tree Hilton Hotel in Culver City, and hon-ored other locally famed athletes, such as Robin Yount, John Muir, and Quincy Watts. GHCHS’s 1963 graduate, Donna Caponi Byrnes, who played golf, was among the honorees as well.

Gunny was the only honoree at the cer-emony who is currently working as a teach-er and coach. She was very grateful for the award.

“It’s very humbling. First of all, I know some of the people that passed away that should be there getting this award,” Gunny said.

Gunny’s love of athletics started when she was young, where she was involved in many sports. She was a member of the ski team and was on the cheer team as well. But Gunny’s real passion was in sports that re-quired her to play defense where she could steal balls from the opposing team.

We know Gunny as our softball coach, but she has been coaching various sports and clubs for 41 years, including cheer, drill

team, softball, baseball, and basketball for 27 years.

Also a recipient of the All-Time Model Coach Award in 2004, Gunny has been at GHCHS since 1971, and since then has mentored fellow coaches and taken on the position of Department Chair of the Physi-cal Education (P.E.) department. Gunny has impacted staff and students at the school more than she knows.

“It’s hard to imagine Granada athletics without Carolyn Gunny. She’s so support-ive and one of the biggest fans to have. She doesn’t just help students grow as athletes, but as young men and women,” athletic di-rector Norm Holloway said.

Gunny has a reputation for being not only challenging, but also supportive. She has seen athletes come and go, but will re-member the most important things.

“Obviously, you remember your exciting games and your championships, but what’s really memorable is touching that one kid who needs help. Being there for them when they’re stressed, things like that,” Gunny said.

For those lucky enough to get to know

Gunny, she has taught them patience, and most of all shown support and kindness to her athletes, students, and colleagues. Gunny’s love for athletics hasn’t gone unnoticed, and is apparent every day that she comes in to work.

“I look forward to sports. I look forward to my classes and my teams. I get up at four in the morning, ready to go,” Gunny said.

By Alison MontenegroAfter an eight-hour school day, most of

our students are ready to be picked up by their parents or drive off in their cars. But for some students, it is time to go to the bike rack. After a staff member unlocks the gate where the bikes are kept, the students flood in to get their bikes or skateboards and travel wherever their wheels take them.

Los Angeles (L.A.) has never been con-sidered the most “bike- friendly” region of the world, but with increasing travel diffi-culties, bikes are emerging as a more practi-cal method of transportation.

Bikes are becoming more attractive since they are cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and keep you in shape.

A new culture is emerging to encourage and demand bicycle use throughout L.A.

The L.A. bike culture is continually growing to include bike-related clubs, par-ties, and even weddings. Cyclists have a cer-tain “connection” with each of their bikes, which can be seen by its influence on their

everyday lives. Due to this emerging bike culture, cyclists are working to make L.A. a better place to ride.

After a bicycling accident, Mayor An-tonio Villaraigosa began to promote safety regulations and activities that will make L.A. safer for cyclists. He has three high-profile bike projects on his agenda: a 1,680-mile bikeway plan to be installed over the next 30 years, the CicLAvia (a Sunday biking oppor-tunity that draws 100,000 to 200,000 peo-ple), and an inexpensive bike rental program that would put 4,000 bikes on the roads.

These measures are slowly increasing the prevalence of bikes on the roads, while also making the L.A. community more open to bicycling as a hobby and sport.

Even our own teachers, including Eng-lish teacher Christina Hoppe, have discov-ered their passion for cycling and taken it to the next level. Hoppe has cycled for the past three years, and has participated in multiple events, including the Vineman triathlon, and the Half Ironman.

Hoppe also feels that there should be more safety regulations for cyclists. In re-spect to the newly appointed CicLAvia, she feels that it is a good step toward a safer bik-ing community, but still feels futher action should be taken.

“The CicLAvia brings about a sense of community and helps promote the biking subculture in L.A. Community events like these emphasize health benefits and allow the biker to experience the L.A. culture from a new perspective,” Hoppe said.

Students enjoy cycling as well, and junior Lilybeth Romero, an avid cyclist, considers cycling to be her favorite activity. She has participated in the CicLAvia 2013, which went from downtown L.A. all the way to Venice beach (a total distance of about 15 miles). All of Venice Boulevard was closed down for cyclists; and although there were some places that were very congested, the distance was traveled in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The event was a way for in-dividuals to share their passion for biking

together. Many people had unique types of bikes, such as recumbent bikes, and went with family and friends, and demonstrated the different aspects of the cycling culture.

Romero also typically rides her bike to school. Although coming to school by car is an option, she feels that biking is a better experience.

Despite dangers such as inconsiderate or negligent cars and traveling uphill, cycling is overall an exciting experience worth pursuing. As teenagers, we need to find new ways to get around, and biking is a great option.

Although the majority of people in the valley have other means of transportation, we should still see the importance of biking in our community.

Whether a student or a teacher, the biking subculture is slowly rising in L.A. So next time you need to go somewhere, consider strapping on a helmet and traveling with a bike instead. You can even be brave and wear some of those fancy cycling shorts.

Boys volleyball serves up the competitionBy Neda Salami

Ready, set, spike! This season, the boys varsity volleyball team has dominated the court. With all of the team’s achievements, it is evident that the players’ hard work is truly paying off. The team’s goals are to fin-ish strong in the playoffs and to make it to city championships on May 18.

team practices Monday through Friday dur-ing sixth period and after school in the main

laps, hitting approaches, and blocking foot-work along the net. After that, they practice serving the ball or working on their serving and hitting techniques.

Daily drills are also focused on trying to perfect possible weaknesses of the team, such as spiking volleyballs that are set from a longer distance.

Coach Gunny inducted into the CIF hall of fame

Boys Track4/26 vs Birmingham 41-86 (L)4/19 vs Chatsworth 62-65 (L) 4/12 vs Cleveland 97-21 (W)

Girls Track4/26 vs Birmingham 68-59 (W)4/19 vs Chatsworth 93-25 (W)4/12 vs Cleveland 95-16 (W)

Baseball5/9 vs El Camino Real 1-7 (L)5/7 vs El Camino Real 3-0 (W)5/2 vs Chatsworth 5-4 (W)

Softball5/9 vs El Camino Real 1-7 (L)5/7 vs Birmingham 10-0 (W)5/2 vs Chatsworth 2-9 (L)

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Editors Alyssah Pinitsak, Josh Lavine, and Tessa Weinberg

Advisor Melissa Mason

Editors Ramanan Sivasundaram and Victor Wu

Editors Derek Ung and Maral Margossian

Editors-in-Chief Eiman Kazi and Nezia Rahman

Editors Danielle Bulante and Grace Park

Staff Writers: Neda Salami, Jennifer Riley, Marilyn Ramirez, Myra Shaikh, Lisa Ramirez, Romina Pizarro, Kilee Splettstoesser, Alison Montenegro

By Eiman Kazi and Nezia Rahmanash! Two semesters, ten months, and 8

issues later, we’ve come to the end of the year. We started this year with high hopes: to inspire, to captivate, and to encourage our student body to be a little more literate and a little more thought-ful. Have we succeeded?

We feel our staff has done a heroic job in deliv-ering a well-rounded newspaper that featured dy-

up to date. We are proud to say that we

have successfully met our goals, but we wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of them without the guidance of our supportive advisor Melissa Mason. Whether it was giving us ideas about stories and designs, helping us brainstorm