Amos Alonzo Stagg High School1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, CA 95207

12.20.13 Vol. 57 No. 4

BottomLinethe

Players should ‘act like leaders’

— See page 3

Service WeekThe annual Stare-off will return on Friday, Jan. 17 while the traditional ser-vice week days will contin-ue as well. Look forward to a walk-off, dance-off, quiz-off and the student star-off during the week of Jan. 14-17. Can dona-tions are encouraged.

Scholarship packetSeniors are to turn in their local scholarship packet on Friday, Jan. 10 into the counseling office. Two let-ters of recommendation are required. The packet offers a number of schol-arships that are beneficial to all seniors interested in getting money for college.

Inside the issue

Learn about Stockton’s

history— See pages 4 and 5

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Phones are out, balled up papers are flying, and the constant chatter is like the background music to a classroom. We all are familiar with these sounds — a substitute teacher is in. “It’s like a jungle, like that scene from ‘Mean Girls,’” senior Paul Spaulding said. He walks into what he calls his “crazy, discom-bobulated” Algebra 3-4 class hoping to get through the period without any confusion on a problem. Spaulding knows as a senior he needs this class to graduate. He knows that when he walks into the classroom, he won’t have the support he needs to help him pass the class. Antoineaha Sims, junior, knows this too. “He (math teacher) came in for two weeks, and since then we’ve had so many subs,” Sims said, de-scribing the teacher. She would finally get used to her new substitute and then three days pass and a new face would greet them. Sims knew that there was no possible way to pass the class without a per-manent teacher. “I talked to my counselor to take me out,” Sims said. “I was really sad and crying.” Fifteen class periods, 400 students and no teach-ers to teach them. At the beginning of the year three out of the 10 math teachers and an English teacher required a long-term substitute teacher to cover their classes. Weeks later, one of the math teachers came back. The other three teachers haven’t come back and

there has been no permanent teacher for the fifteen class periods. Andrew Walter, math department chair, stepped in and did what he could for the math classes. From lesson plans to after-school tutoring, he is trying to make it fair for the students. He is also in charge of grading the students for the time that the substitutes are in. “(I’m) trying to grade the students, but (I’m) not even in the room,” Walter said. Ninety percent of the students in Algebra 1-2 that have substitute teachers have a failing grade. That class also had about 22 substitute teachers this year. “Unless you have a substitute that is knowledge-able in the subject, you lose that day of instruction,” Kathy Sady, math teacher, said. Administration says there is nothing that they can do because they have to wait for the teacher to retire until the district office can actually hire a new teacher. The Algebra 1-2 teacher, Barbara Rizzonelli and now the placement of a new teacher is being pro-cessed. The condition of the Algebra 3-4 teacher Tuan Ton is still uncertain. As the semester is coming to an end, an idea of a solution will take place after break. The Algebra 3-4 class will be dismantled and students will be placed in other available seats in an Algebra 3-4 class on campus. The Algebra 1-2 and English classes will get a permanent new teacher on campus.

Students get frustrated during class and drift off into their own studying in an attempt to learn the material the best way that they can. Pictured here is junior Robert Garcia in his second period Algebra 3-4 class.

photo by Fe Valencia

FeVaLencia

At St. Jude’s Hospital a nervous girl is about to get her first anti-body IV. Years later that nervous girl still needs more. Where do the antibodies come from? Blood. Brianna Simpson, junior, was that nervous little girl. She needs these IVs every month. These life saving antibodies come from blood donated at blood banks all over the United States. “It takes two hours,” Simpson said. She describes the process like getting blood drawn, except they’re just putting antibodies in. The blood drive Stagg had in November put some much needed blood in the supply that California has. This was taken by phleboto-mist technicians like Nora Hilda Hurtado-Gutierrez. Her position involves drawing blood and checking vitals to make sure people are healthy. One unit of blood can save three lives. Hurtado-Gutierrez said that it’s good for donors, too, because the

blood bank takes old blood, allowing the body to make more fresh blood. Red blood cells are used for people with iron deficiencies or just to replace blood that is lost. White blood cells are used for people who have low immune sys-tems. Technicians take the white blood cells and put them into pa-tients so the patient can fight off everyday germs, viruses and bacteria.Platelets help clot blood for people that have thrombocytopenia. These people do not bleed like healthy people. When healthy people get a cut they dab a cloth on it to stop the bleeding. People with thrombocytopenia get a cut and it does not stop. It keeps bleed-ing and bleeding until they get sewed up or get enough platelets to clot the opening. This means that a person with this condition can die from a cut about two or more inches long. Plasma is the hardest to explain because it is comprised of lots of things left over in the blood. One of these leftover components are antibodies, which Simpson needs.

The antibodies are y-shaped cells that attach to viruses and other bacteria that can destroy many of our healthy cells if handled or put under control. The antibodies attach to the germs and do not allow it to spread. Then other cells come and take in the germs and antibodies and de-stroy them. When Simpson gets cells from donors, they help her fight her ill-nesses. These cells have already seen and fought off the germs before, which makes them better at fighting them now. Since they are fight-ing for Simpson’s health, she acquires the donor’s immunity. Hurtado-Gutierrez said that O-negative is the universal donor. This blood is needed very badly because if people are injured and they cannot tell the doctors what their blood type is, the doctors can just give them O-negative blood and they will be fine. Also, if children do not know their blood types, they just get O-negative. Hurtado-Gutierrez said they need blood, so come and bring a friend or relative. “We don’t bite.”

Student benefits from blood drive Donations help many lives

Students struggle to make grade in classes with long-term subs

400 students 15 periods

+0 teachers

angelGonzaLez

Graphic by araceli Valencia

A patient receives the necessary blood to save their life.

A qualified person donates blood.

Their blood is transported to the local Blood Bank.

Then, it goes to a lab where it is checked and separated into three bags: whole red cells, platelets and plasma.

After, the blood is left in a freezer until a person is in need of it.

When needed, it’s distributed to hospitals.

FROM A DONOR TO A PATIENT: HOW BLOOD TRAVELS

This time of year is all about giving, right? Well, what is the meaning of giving if

you always receive? Everything given should be genuine, and not just because you are getting something in return. While there is nothing wrong with receiving, one should be satisfied just knowing that they made someone happy or helped them in their time of need. Ever since we were really young we have been taught that there always needs to be the chain reaction of “we give, we get.” When there are all these opportunities to receive, between school and clothing stores, I’ll admit it is hard for us not to fall into the temptation of wanting something in return. These clothing stores are offering discounts for those who bring in coats and sweatshirts during the cold seasons. And while I can see the store’s point of view, I feel like the discount is unnecessary. Some believe that people need this incentive when they’re young, so that they will eventually give without expecting something every time. Science teacher Bill Lorentz started his canned food drive at the beginning of November. For every can a student brought in they would receive one point extra credit. Lorentz offers the extra credit not only to motivate his students, but because he has hope that eventually they won’t need that motivation and will voluntarily give. Breanna Joyner, a junior, appreciated the extra credit offered in her history class. She was aware

of the 25 percent limit and still brought in 50 cans. “I knew the credit was there, but it was important for me to give,” she said. “I knew I was going to have something to eat and I wanted to make sure someone else did, too.” Those who are offering incentives mean well. However, I believe that if from a young age we are taught we will

always receive, our society will always expect that and in the long run we will become selfish. I remember a lot of times at school when teachers would ask for pennies or box tops for a cause that the school was supporting and would reward the class that brought in the most with a pizza party or homework passes. At the time I never thought anything was

wrong with that and that was what had to happen. It wasn’t until I have gotten older that I realize there doesn’t always have to be a reward. This chain reaction has continued to follow us. Right now Stagg Key Club is offering Krispy Kreme donuts to the fourth period class that brings in the most canned food items. While the offer is extremely tempting, you have to wonder whether it is appropriate to offer something in return for this particular cause. Our society needs to break the chain reaction of “we give, we get.”

What some seem to forget is that this is the season of giving, not receiving. Next time a store or school asks you to donate something, maybe we should have our mind made up whether or not we are going to participate before we hear about any rewards.

OpiniOn the StaggLine12.20.132

STAFF EDITORIAL

Absent teachers, failing students

Season of giving should be year of givingHolly jolly Christmas.

Time to bundle up, buy presents, and decorate

your house. But most importantly, time to give. Ah, the wonderful season of giving. Every year during Christmas time there’s a barrage of advertisement about donating time and money to the less fortunate. Although that is a great and kind thing to do,

shouldn’t people give no matter what time of year it is? Thousands of people go out every year during Thanksgiving

and Christmas to volunteer and

help feed families or

wrap presents. Families are

hungry year round.

Not just on Thanksgiving. Families need clothes year round. Not just on Christmas. I understand that in the holiday spirit and joy everyone has this inner fire burning, wanting to help people. But what happens once the holiday season is over?

People carry on with their everyday lives. Going to work, picking up the kids, making dinner, so on and so forth. The inner fire is put out. There are people that give year round, but the only time of year that this topic seems to be popular is around the holidays. It’s beneficial that people do give, but some do it with the wrong motivation. We shouldn’t give because it’s “the season of giving” or because we feel guilty to help others since we are at a financial advantage. Giving time and money should come from the heart. We should be driven to help those in need no matter if it’s June 3 or Dec. 25. We shouldn’t let the inner fire be extinguished.

Holidays are to give and not

always to receive

Dellanira Alcauter

Arianna Smith

art by adrianna Owens

all graphics by alyssa rOjas

I knew I was going to have something to eat and I want-ed to make sure someone else did, too.”

BreannajOyner

junior

“

DonationsDonationsDonations

This picture shows the grades from one of the math classes that has a long-term substitute.

phOtO by trisha newman

Decked in brown and goldA school from down the bayPast the game truck we go

DK rockin’ all the way (troptroptrop)Swope and choir singShowing pride inside

What joy it is to beat the greenAnd dance at neon nights

ayeeeeeee Jingle bells Edison smellsHittmann saved the day!

Oh what funIt is to mosh at an LTA Friday! Yay!

Jingle Bells give blood cellsNext blood drive in May

Oh what joy I laughed and cried In a PLUS Forum today...

FOR THE FULL SONG WITH AUDIO VISIT staggonline.net

‘Jingle Bells’ parodyLyrics by Brian Walker and Veronica Vargo

Henry Ford once said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off

of your goal.” The common goal in high school is for all students to go on to college with the foundational knowledge of math, English, science, and history, with a hint of electives to round things out. This goal is met by equal effort from both student and teacher with the help of administration. This collaboration has been rocky for many students because of absences. On whose part? Strangely, it’s teachers. It is rare for teachers to miss class, but when it happens, it is cause for celebration. However, as hundreds of students are suffering from the extended absences of three core teachers, the celebration is over. Students have had enough of the constant shuffling of substitutes and realize the significance of having a qualified teacher in class. It is unfair to students that two math teachers and one English teacher have

been in and out of the classroom for years. And this problem isn’t affecting just students. Other teachers have had to make up for the gap, notably Math Department Chair Andrew Walter, who has taken a “self-appointed role” because, he says, “I feel bad because they don’t have a teacher.” Despite his sub plans, his grading students’ work and his offer to tutor, most students in the affected classes are still failing. We acknowledge that subs aren’t completely at fault. Neither are the teachers. Health has been an issue with all three. The flaw is in the system. When substitutes come in for one day, plans are already made for them. Their only task is to relay the information to students. But when subs are there for four to five days, they have to come up with the lesson plans themselves. Rather than alternating one-day subs to save the district money, qualified substitutes should get to teach as long as possible to benefit the students.

Considering most teachers have different methods of teaching, it’s hard to adjust to constant change. The solution now is the students in Algebra 1-2 will get a new teacher while the students in higher level math classes will be put into either Kathy Sady’s or Julie Backster’s classes. The question remains: How will these students recover from months of butchered foundational math lessons? Although a solution has been proposed, these students have already suffered. Math is like a staircase, and removing one step prevents you from reaching the next level. Without the basic building blocks there is no way students can move up. The damage is done. Because of the frugality of the district, these students will have to strain every muscle to gain the basic knowledge that should’ve been taught to them. The focus of the district is on saving money — the obstacle. We need to shift focus to the goal of graduating students with appropriate knowledge.

Walking into the the-ater, I didn’t know what to expect. I had

never seen a one-man play. I’ve never seen a play on health care, for that matter. As the lights dimmed, Michael Milligan came onto the stage to perform “Mercy Killers.” With police sirens flash-ing, the audience sees the image of a man, torn and conflicted. The audience has no idea what’s going on. As a human, pity is felt, even though it is unclear what has happened to him. The play progresses with Joe in an interroga-tion room as he leads up to tell the story of his life spiraling down, until he eventually crashes.We learn that his wife Jane is a hippie. She eats organic and loves nature. We learn that he is a right-wing conservative who listens to Rush Limbaugh. He watches football, drinks beer, loves his country. His wife, fairly liberal, doesn’t mind, but they end up arguing from time to time about the founda-tion of the U.S. government. And then Jane is diagnosed with breast cancer. They think that they can handle anything thrown at them. But as the bills pile up, the couple struggles to find any hope. This story is told as if Joe is answering questions from a detective. But you can see that he isn’t just responding to the detective. He is trying to answer

them for himself as well. To make sense of what happened. Toward the end of the play, Joe claims he had to put his wife out of her misery. She had an allergic reaction to penicillin and she was suffering. I felt the tears welling up as I watched him reflect on the life that he once had — the life they had. He told a story of a

motel they stayed in, and a nearby river they swam in. As he describes it, a smile crosses his face. Then he says, “It’s the little things.” And you see that he is struggling to hold on to the little things. The memories. The recollections that are slowly being boarded up. Buried under all of the pain he’s encountered. And then it hit me. This can happen to anyone. The Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, which aims to make health care affordable for everyone, requires citizens to have some form of health care. After the Ted Cruz fili-buster, the nation laughed at the Republican Party and the Tea Party. However, they are now laugh-ing at the Democratic Party, Obama in particular, for the miscommunication and the problems that have surfaced with the website. “Mercy Killers” is paired with Campaign for a Healthy California, an organization that is com-

mited to replace private health care providers with a guaranteed health care plan for all citizens of California. While the ACA has made history for making health insurance available to citizens, it has failed to establish one national health care plan, and instead leaves the insurance companies in charge. Many politicians want to repeal the act, yet they want to keep certain aspects of it, such as the part that says a child can stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26. A positive to the ACA is that insurance companies can’t turn someone down because of pre-existing conditions. In previ-ous years, people would try to get insurance once they found out they needed it (when they devel-oped cancer, or any number of illnesses) and the companies would turn them away. Now, however, the act is aimed at getting everyone on insurance before it becomes too late for them. For Jane, in “Mercy Killers,” it was too late. The cancer had spread before she had insurance. And once she was on a health plan, her rates were higher than most plans. Before seeing this play I wasn’t sure just what to think of the ACA, and I’m still not strong in my opinion on the matter. However, I do know that what the wife went through in this play was not fictional. As I was crying in the audience, I realized that this is real life. The need for health care is real.

the StaggLine 12.20.13OpiniOn 3

the StaggLine

1621 Brookside Rd. Stockton, Calif. 95207

209.933.7445 ext. 8487

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School

The Stagg Line newspaper is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Awards and recognition include the following:

º 20 consecutive All-American rankings º NSPA Hall of Fame, 2005 º NSPA First Place Best of Show five times º NSPA National Newspaper Pacemaker

seven times º JEA Impact Award, 2002

Stagg Line student journalists have won many awards and scholarships over the years, includ-ing California Journalist of the Year, National Story of the Year and National Photo of the Year.

Keep up with us º Facebook: Search “Stagg Line” º Twitter: Follow us @staggonline º Web: Check out staggonline.net º PDFs: Go to issuu.com/staggline

The Stagg Line newspaper is published monthly and distributed free of charge to students and faculty. Our website is updated regularly with photo galleries, video and break-ing news.

Our newspaper is a long-standing open forum for free student expression. That means that it is student editors and reporters who make content and style decisions with the adviser offering the guidance.

A staff editorial, which appears on the top left of the first opinion page, reflects the opinion of the entire staff and therefore is not signed. Opin-ion columns reflect the view of the writer.

Readers are welcome to write letters to the editor in response to any story or to make a comment about an issue at school. We will make every effort to print any letter as long as it is not libelous. Letters longer than 250 may be edited. Unsigned letters will be printed only in unusual circumstances and only when we know who the writer is. Letters may be delivered to the Stagg Line newsroom, A-10. They may also be emailed to dbott@stockton.k12.ca.us

EditorialPolicy NewspaperStaffAdriannaOwens & FeValencia

Co Editors in Chief

JadaJohnson // News Editor

VeronicaVargo // Opinion Editor

DevinWickstrom // Features Editor

AlexusPlascencia // Entertainment Editor

JessicaMangili // Sports Editor

DellaniraAlcauter // Photo Editor

AlyssaRojas // Graphics Editor

MicheallaFoules // Web Editor

BrianWalker // Social Media Editor

NuviaCervantes // Copy Editor

DonBott // Adviser

WilliamAlexander

MichaelBishop

JessicaCervantes

AngelGonzalez

MarcellaHawkins

YesicaIbarra

BlancahMendoza

BaylinMoran

TrishaNewman

MarleenePheav

RubiRico

ArrianaSmith

AraceliValencia

Lack of health care allows no mercy

Around 5 on a Friday night people pile at the gate of the stadium.

They wait to see the challenge our competitors have brought. To see the star players score touchdowns. To see the Hail Mary pass in the last second of the game. To see the Delta Kings beat “the green team.” Everybody is always excited for a football game. I mean, why wouldn’t they? It’s a high school tradition and an all-American sport. It’s entertaining and makes for an overall good experience — at least, when the Delta Kings win. It seems like every year we have a new star player, or we are waiting for one to move up to varsity. At the same time, we’re watching the ones we admired for years leave to college on scholarship.

We congratulate them and wish them the best of luck. Then we say the player was so good that they earned the scholarship, but now that I think about it… did they? How many of them do we see in the hallways when they are supposed to be in class? Or slapping their music with the phones that any other student would get taken away? Is it special treatment they receive? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But there should be no need to give them an easy way out of

punishment; they shouldn’t be acting out. The way I see it, if they are being awarded these scholarships, they should show they deserve them. The majority of the student body can say their school’s football team is the best and show off their pride. The younger generation of the high school world kind of look up to the varsity football players, especially when they have such a good season. It was almost perfect, some would say. But can we say the same about all of the players? You would think that making it to the first round of playoffs would motivate players to be on their best behavior because victory is just around the corner. Yet it was a shock when we learned that some of the star players the crowd was lining up for were not

going to play that night. It left everybody wondering why and the audience questioning, “Where are they?” The truth is they were behaving like children, getting into unnecessary trouble. That’s why they weren’t there, and there is no reason why it should be sugar coated like it always seems to be. It’s time athletes, notably the celebrity football players on campus, realize that the decisions they make have consequences. To recognize that they should act like campus leaders. That people are quick to judge, so don’t give them a reason to judge quickly.

With age comes responsibilities

Adrianna Owens

Baylin Moran

art b

y ad

rian

na

Ow

ens

Finally I can make my own rules and do what I want.That is what most 18 year

olds claim.

But is it true? Well, not necessarily unless they’ve moved out of their

parent’s or family’s house, live on their own or possibly with friends, because otherwise rules still apply. Say somebody at the age of 18 gets in a fight, with different consequences such as being taken to court or given jail time to serve. Whereas somebody under the age of 18 may just get a slap on the wrist or their parents can deal with any further punishment. I have a friend who deserved a wake up call on growing up. He’s 19 and has the possibility of being kicked out from his parents’ house unless he can maintain his job, but then he was in a fight and risked his own success, spending the night in jail. Back when he was young, he would always fight and never spent the night in jail or had any harsh consequences. The night that he did end up in jail opened his eyes about how he needed to get his act together. Just hitting 18 does not make someone a successful and full adult. Becoming an adult is when a person begins to take on more responsibilities and acts accordingly. Now that we’ve come to the legal age of an adult, laws are beginning to affect differently. Some of these rules or laws include but are not limited to buying a car, going to jail, serving on a jury, paying taxes, and driving without restrictions. Some people with the age of 18 forget about these changes and the things tied to becoming an adult. Becoming 18 in the United States is a lot different than other countries due to certain laws concerning drinking and clubbing. Drinking laws in the United Kingdom is age 18 to purchase and age 16 to 17 to consume on a legal premise with the order of a meal. Just because they can drink at a younger age in a different country doesn’t necessarily mean that they can party or get drunk because of another law to help restrict that, which is the legal clubbing age. Clubbing laws in the United Kingdom start at age 18 with or without alcohol and here the age is 18 at clubs without alcohol and 21 at clubs that do serve. People need to realize that they have to take responsibility for their own actions and own up to their mistakes without being able to rely on their parents or their guardian to fall back on. Think of these age restrictions and how they allow us more time to be young and enjoy our youth. Yeah, 18 is a big step but at the same time it’s only a small portion of what’s to come. Just keep in mind the new rules and responsibilities while realizing there is more on the way and more to happen a few years from now. This is the age to show maturity and to finally begin the process of being a successful adult. We still have rules to follow and have to take more responsibilities, being 18 isn’t just a walk in the park.

Campus celebrities?Football players in need of wake up call

Veronica Vargo

Featuresthe StaggLine 12.20.134 5

STOCKTONis magnificent

Some only see the crime statistics. Some only hear the current reputation. Some only consider the negative. But there is much more to Stockton, California. Its history, full of culture and diversity, has played a key role in popu-lating northern California. Let’s rewind back in time, to the California Gold Rush specifically.

Poor immigrants thirsty for gold came to San Francisco and then to either the northern or southern mines. To get to the latter, miners had to travel through the Delta until they reached Stockton, the farthest they could go by ship. So this city has been a transportation hub for decades, and since it was an industrial town, the population became really diverse. Cheap labor from Asia brought many people and many of them were forced into slavery. The biggest change they brought to Stockton was the literal physical change. They built levees, which transformed the city from a delta to an agricultural town by irrigating crops and rerouting the canals. Native Americans, tired of being persecuted by their European counterparts, integrated into the city and added to this diverse popula-tion soup. Also, African-American slaves were brought from the southern states by their masters. There weren’t many because it was easy for slaves to es-cape in the valley because of the Delta and foothills being so near, which served as fast transportation and easy hiding. However, emancipation affected the city greatly because when slaves became free, they populated the area. Finally, Filipinos played a huge role in the construction of the city. One can see today all of these races’ influence in the Chinese script on

street signs downtown and the Filipino Plaza. “Stockton was commonly known as ‘Little Manila’ because of its diversity,” said Chuck Bloch, who taught history when Stagg opened in 1958 and then later at Delta College. Being a transportation hub, there was bound to be success and the city has had its share of fame. For example, Benjamin Holt is much more than just a street name. Tractors at the time were extremely heavy, often weighing several thou-sand pounds, and they constantly sank into the rich soil of the valley. So, the business giant modified the tool and instead of conventional wheels, he put planks on the wheels and when the vehicle moved, the planks would move like a conveyer belt, or caterpillar, which it was soon nicknamed. This modification created jobs and put Stockton on the map of the world. Enough of old history, let’s fast forward a few decades. The Civil Rights movement was beginning, the young John Kennedy was a sena-tor, and Stagg High was born. But, compared to now, the city was still young. The north side of Stockton was the Country Club neighborhood at the time, while now it is McNair High. And this is how to imagine Stockton in the 1950s and 60s. Near McNair, there is farmland and new

houses so that was how the city was like, but instead of McNair, it was Weberstown Mall. West of campus then was all farm land, much how McNair is today. Pershing Avenue ended at the Calaveras River, and there wasn’t a bridge constructed until Stagg came along. So the city expanded greatly in just a few decades. Now life without cell phones and video games seems inconceivable, but times were like that once. In the 1960s through 80s adolescents roamed the fields of March Lane and the streets of downtown with the alarm to come home being their mothers’ call or bell. “It was a small area then,” said Pam Curtin, special education teacher. “You can walk down the street and you knew everybody, and if you didn’t know them then you knew their cousin.” Curtin’s family has lived in Stockton for generations and she is a graduate of Stagg. The present city has seen better days, and it’s important to remember that. But it’s also important to keep this history alive. And though Stock-ton may be known as a second-rate city today, it’s possible to make it great again because it’s been done before. “It’s a really colorful town, Stockton,” Bloch said. “We have all these good people come out of here.”

City offers more than meets eye

DevinWickstrom

Stockton was commonly known as ‘Little Manila’ be-cause of its diversity.”

ChuCkBloch

“

In those days we’d go over to the schools to play because they weren’t locked down like now.”

Pamcurtin

“

We don’t think of Stockton as an indus-trialized city, though for a time it was second to San Francisco.”

toDruhstaller

“

RICHhistory

Haggin Museum Historian

Retired Stagg High teacher

Special Education teacher

Visit staggonline.net

For interviews, an interactive timeline, and more,

graphic By adrianna owens

and william alexander

Stockton foundedFirst courthouse

completedFirst railroad depot built

City Hall merges with Stockton Civic Center

Stockton Civic Theatre founded

“Stockton is Magnificent” festival

takes place

Taxes put more police officers on

the force

First steamboat arrives

First train arrives on the Western

Pacific Line

Holt builds first gasoline-powered

tractor engine

First ship arrives in Port of Stockton

Stockton named “All American City”

Stockton files for Chapter 9 bankruptcy

1848 1854 1898 1927 1951 2011 20131849 1869 1906 1933 1999 2012

Did you know?

University of the Pacific

Not only is this pri-vate university the first chartered col-lege of California, but many big stars were produced here. Parts of “Raid-ers of the Lost Ark” and “Flubber” were filmed on cam-pus. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her mother Janet Leigh (“Psycho”) attended the school.

Benjamin HoltBenjamin Holt Drive and Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy are named in honor of the man who invented the crawler-type tread tractor known as the “Caterpillar.” Holt in-novated his tractor, helping out farm-ers on their heavy duties. It has been used in other ways such as military op-erations in World War I and road building.

Port of Stockton

As of 1933, the Port of Stockton became the first and largest inland seaport of California. It occu-pies an island in the San Joaquin Delta and connects to the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. This so-called “dirty creek” provides two-thirds of drink-ing water for Cali-fornia.

Bob HopeTheatre

Also known as the Historic Fox Theatre, it is one of the two movie palaces left in the Central Valley. Stockton resident and billionaire Alex G. Spanos donated $500,000 and re-quested to name it after famous en-tertainer and friend Bob Hope. Now there are movies and live perfor-mances in the the-atre from celebrities such as comedian George Lopez.

Some people recognize the high crime rate, the poverty, the foreclosures. No matter what, it usually has a negative reputation. But this is not fair to the inhabitants, the arduous workers, those who pursue their dreams despite hardships. It’s always the negatives that get more attention than the positives. However, those who see beyond the rough patches realize that...

5

4

99

Charter Wy.

Arch Rd.

Airport Wy.

B St.

Main St.

El Dorado St.

California St.

Pacific Ave.

March Ln

.

Hammer Ln.

Brookside Rd.

St. Joseph’s Hospital

First hospital estab. 1899

Civic Auditorium

Constructed in 1925 to honor fallen WWI soldiers

Engine House No.3

Oldest firehouse in Stockton

Sikh Temple

Est. 1912, the first in the U.S.

Bob Hope Theatre

Built in 1930, still holds showings

Nippon Hospital

Served Japanese community after 1918 influenza outbreak

Haggin Museum

Built in 1928 and displays early Stockton history

graphic By Fe Valencia, Veronica Vargo and nuVia cerVantes

HISTORICALtreasuresMany unappreciated landmarks throughout the city are worth visiting. Here are several locations.

graphic By yesica iBarra

EntErtainmEnt the StaggLine12.20.136

Overall: It was a bizarre yet extremely amazing book — I never got tired of reading it, but it should be read at an older age regarding some of the content.

Book ignites imagination and emotion

“The City of Bones,” a mysti-cal yet romantic novel entirely filled with twist and turns — and only one of many books in the series, “The Mortal Instru-ments.” When reading the book, ex-pect the unexpected. “The City of Bones” is a magnificent book, keeping me interested at all times and wanting to read more. Clary, the main character in the story, ends up falling in love with Jace. Jace is a shadow hunter, a mystical warrior that is out to find and destroy all demons in the “underground world.” The underground world is a combat zone filled entirely with violence and “good” and “evil” characters. Clary is a human, or as the shadow hunters like to call hu-mans, a mundane. Since Clary is not a shadow hunter she is not to fall in love with a one, and a shadow hunter is not to fall in love with her. Little do the shadow hunt-ers know that Clary is one of them (a shadow hunter). Clary grew up without a father — her mother never spoke about her father nor did she have any pictures or memories with him. Her father turns out to be a shadow hunter. When Clary found out, she decided to move to the underground world and become a full on shadow hunter. In the end, Clary and Jace get together and live happily — but not for long. Clary and Jace separate and all hell breaks loose. The ending was definitely one

of the best I have ever read in my life. One minute you feel as though everything is going to end well and the next everything is mixed up and out of control. When reading “The City of Bones,” it makes you feel as though you are a character in the book. The detailing of the story makes it feel as though you are actually living the story. For example, “Fresh blood dripped out of the creature’s enormous mouth, its eyes bloodshot red, it was ready to kill.” The imagery in “The City of Bones” is brilliant. The book is based on many fictional and mystical characters — it gets your mind thinking in a more imaginative way. The emotion portrayed in the book is strong and very appeal-ing. It made me feel the emo-tions the characters were feeling in the book. Take this quote from the book, “I hate him! I really do! I wish I could just rip his ugly little face off! I hope he burns in hell. I will taunt him for the rest of his life.” The language usage could have been a bit less Rated-R. Not only was that an issue, but the content said was in fact overrated. The book is aimed to-wards young kids ranging from the age of 12 and up — there-fore 12-year-olds are exposed to inappropriate innuendo. “The City of Bones” is the best book I have read. I am looking forward to the rest of the series and the upcoming movie.

RubiRico

City of Bones

graphic by marlEEnE phEav

blancahMendoza The Habit first opened in Santa Barbara. Shortly after that, 16-year-old Brent Richardson got his first job there. A few years later he and his brother Bruce decided to buy the place, not knowing what a buzz it would turn out to be. Their philosophy is to deliver high quality food and great service at reasonable prices.

Well, one of those is true. The service is great and even though there is a long line, it goes by fast and they make your food with little or no waiting time. However, all the buzz about The Habit is not all it’s cracked up to be as far as the food is concerned. The burger was more greasier than normal and it was not cooked all the way. It tasted like a burger that was stored in the freezer and defrosted. The lettuce was shredded and wasn’t appealing to the eye or stomach. Not to mention, the buns weren’t as soft as they should have been, nor were they a bit warm. In addition, the burgers get soggy fast and they fall apart, easily causing your hand to get full of ketchup and mayonnaise. So where’s the hype coming from? Could it be that The Habit is just a new burger grill in Stockton with a well chosen location? Sitting outside, enjoying the pretty lights and driving cars definitely makes one feel like it is a happening place. The scenery and great service definitely make up for the lack of good taste the burgers have. That’s not to say The Habit is all bad food. The fries and the milkshakes are to die for. They did not have too much or too little salt, they were just right. The food on a scale from one to 10 is a seven, but overall the restaurant deserves an eight. The Habit also seems to be getting a lot of attention because it is so close to In-N-Out. However, the only thing they share in common is the production of burgers. The Habit has a lot more to offer since they have a larger variety of burgers. The prices do not match the quality of the food,

or the quantity. Perhaps a person is just paying for the buzz, to say they are at The Habit, rather than paying for good quality food. Service at The Habit has an inviting atmosphere. The employees were kind, courteous, and very joyful. It seemed like a great hangout place. Maybe that is why people are always talking about it. Seeing pictures on Instagram and Twitter of The

Habit might convince someone it’s the best burger place in Stockton. However, if a person doesn’t taste it for himself, they will not know. It is a great place to go for milkshakes and fries, but they do not have a great tasting burger. Overall, the Habit is a very inviting burger grill. It is a three star restaurant with good qualities. It is unfortunate that the burgers aren’t that good.

photo by DEllanira alcuatEr

OverallThe service was great and the environment was inviting but the burgers could have been better.

Charbroiled meatSesame bread

Carmalized onions (Sauted onions)

Shredded lettuceChoice of American or Swiss cheese

Tomatoes and pickles

New habiteasily broken

SAMSUNG

Construction fAlthough they are both thin, iPhone has a small frame and screen, built for people with small palms. fAndroid has a thicker and wider frame, more compatible for business people.

Apps f iPhone obtains big name apps (such as Instagram and Vine) quicker than Android.

f Android provides options to save persistent application data. One is able to choose where and if one wants to save data from apps.

Camera Quality f Both cameras work fairly well in quality, but the iPhone is better, with its quick snap burst and its slow motion video features.

f Android has an automatic night mode filter, and it makes a great change in photo quality in dark lighting. Without that filter, photos usually come out really dark.

Which is better?iPhone Android

SportS the StaggLine12.20.13 7

As sweat runs down his face, he stays focused and concentrated. Jab, jab, right uppercut and an-other right. Ector Madera, a junior, is a boxer at Los Gallos Boxing Club and has been boxing since the age of 10. He started when he was a little boy looking up to his brothers and cousins who were involved in boxing. It was then that a fire began to spark inside of him. This fire would lead him to become No. 3 in the nation in his weight division. He trains six days a week for three hours a day and runs five miles every day. His goal is to take the No. 1 title. Madera says the reason he is not No. 1 in the nation is because he has not run into No. 1. However, he will be fighting in Reno on Jan. 5 for five consecutive days for the title. In addition to competing to become No. 1 in the nation, he will also be placed on the 2016 Junior Olympics team if he keeps winning. He has one more tournament to qualify. With all the competi-tion, Madera has no doubt he will do great. “I put up a good fight and I always fight my heart out.” With the burden of always competing placed on Madera’s shoulders, he has no plans on giving up. Boxing has become his therapy -- his outlet for ag-gression, his ticket to a better life. “Little kids try to fight like me and they want to be like me.” He has now become an inspiration to others which has helped him with his inspiration. Aside from the trophies and belts, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride for this athlete. In the eighth grade he faced family problems and decided to quit boxing. This took a toll on his life. “It broke my heart,” Madera said. “I would cry because I wasn’t able to fight no more.” Two years later he found himself a new coach, Gabriel Flores. “He is like my son and is a joy to have around,” Flores said. “I have no doubt Ector will be a world champion one day.” “Everyone has gift and this is mine,” Madera said. Since he resumed fighting, he has participated in various tournaments. Some include him fighting against people who are two times national cham-pions with fights ranging in from 100 and above. With lack of experience, Madera doesn’t get frus-trated but rather gains more confidence. Training with professional boxers, sparring against them and beating them, is all the confidence he needs. Yet there is much more to being a good boxer: discipline, structure, and persistence. All of these things have made this young athlete who he

is. At times he may not feel like waking up early to run or even go to the gym and train for hours and hours, but this doesn’t stop him. “He always comes and is always working hard,” Flores said. “With the power and speed he has, I know he will destroy the No. 1 in his division.”

BlancahMendoza

We’ve all seen it: the typical surfing picture. The photographer gets the shot of the surfer inside of the perfect wave. The sunset is coming in through the crystal clear water. The surfer’s hand is skimming the wall of ocean behind him, and the look on his face is accomplishment. However, when senior Alejandro Cruz is out on the water, he doesn’t always catch the “good” waves. “If you only see it in the magazines, they only show you the ‘good’ waves,” he said. “Some-times you go out and only get the small waves.” He has been surfing since his uncle taught him to when he was 10. Because his uncle is a native in Hawaii, Cruz goes to Maui every year to surf. “We lived in Hawaii for the first two years of my life,” he said. Moving to California didn’t stop him from visiting his uncle on the island and learning how to surf. “My uncle introduced me to surfing when I was 10,” he said. “It’s just different.” His face lights up as he talks about the sport. For him, it’s not something that everyone will do. He notices that people don’t un-

derstand the sport, and that a lot of people will always think of it as something you see in that “perfect wave” picture. “Just being out there in the ocean, it’s different,” he said. “I feel peaceful, it’s very relaxing. You feel one with yourself and one with the ocean.” He takes pride in his accomplishments and recalls the first time that he rode inside of a wave and made it out successfully. “It was my biggest accomplishment.” Cruz practices in Santa Cruz, but he competes every year or two in Hawaii. Though he loves competing and winning the competi-tions, he said that nothing can compare to the feeling of coming out of a great wave and knowing that at one point he wasn’t able to do that. He takes pride in knowing that he is improving his tech-nique. “Doing certain tricks or things you haven’t done is the best feel-ing ever,” he said. The sport also serves as a form of bonding between him and his family. Because he doesn’t see his uncle that often, surfing helps the two get closer. “When you’re out there on the water together it’s different than just going to the movies,” he said. “You’re learning from each other and teaching each other.” His father is currently learning how to surf, and while the two already have a strong relationship, Cruz is looking forward to bonding through surfing with his dad and uncle. “It’ll be the three of us out on the water together,” he said. He wants to continue to surf throughout his life. He was accept-ed into the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and if he decides to enroll there, he will make trips to the beach whenever he gets the chance. He admits that when he has children, he will continue on his uncle’s “legacy” and teach them how to surf. For Cruz, the sport is more than the glossy picture seen in the magazines. “When you surf, your physical body, your mental body, and the ocean have to be working together,” he said. “When you do suc-ceed, it’s like every part of you is in balance with the earth and to me that’s an amazing feeling.”

adriannaowens

(Above) Senior Alejandro Cruz is balancing himself on his board after he caught a wave at the Egro/Hi-Tech Lopez Surfer Bash in Hawaii on Nov. 16. Cruz went on to place eighth in the open men’s category. (Left) Cruz waits patiently just past the shore for a wave to ride.

photoS courteSy by AlejAndro cruz

Boxing provides gateway to the future

Alumni often return to their high school after some years for a football game or to see a former teacher. But there are few who return to give back to their alma mater, to continue the legacy they ex-perienced, to teach current generations. Dao Tep is one of those few. The 32-year-old, who wrestled from 1995-1998 in the 103 and 112 weight classes, is now the head coach for the team. His predecessor, Andres Uyeda, coached him when he attended, and has coached until last year. “Dre (Uyeda) gave me a call last year and told me he was giving it up, so I came and be-came his assistant for the 2012-2013 season.” Tep competed in mixed martial arts for the past three years as both a coach and fighter and he took his three captains for this season to his gym over the summer. “We mostly conditioned,” he said. “We worked on cross training, losing weight, and basically just getting in shape for this year.” He said he would like to change the annual rou-tine of the team. The plan is to teach moves and techniques over summer and then condition and drill as the school year starts and the season ap-proaches. “We’re constantly working,” he said. “There is a dead period for a couple weeks after the season.

But after that, we’re back at it until the next season ends.” Kevin Culp, senior, was one of the captains to join Tep over the summer. “We got to wrestle with more advanced MMA fighters,” he said. “They were stronger than us and we were in a completely new environment. It was very motivational.” Culp also said that Tep is a great teacher. “He breaks the moves down into simple, clear steps. He tries to make it suitable for us.” He said Tep is a more technical teacher, one who fo-cuses more on “winning the position” rather than pure strength. Besides goals for this season, the new coach has long-term ones to build the team. “Compared to other schools, we’re starting the season behind.” Tep said the key to improving is attending the sum-mer practices. They are less intense, but the break from school gives students time to focus on the moves and tech-niques so they have them mastered by the start of the season. “I’d like to change the whole culture of this program.” One of his goals is to get the youth program more involved to build a stronger year-round team. “But it’s important to remember that we’re here to have fun and stay in shape,” Tep said. “We’re here to build a family.”

Reconstruction of program creates family

devinwickstroM

Family’s legacy brings student to Hawaii for annual surfing competition

Catchin’ waves

photoS by blAncAh MendozA Junior Ector Madera works on his jab-bing technique and foot work at Los Gallos Boxing Club. He also travels the country training at other gyms.

Senior Alexander Rebultan pins his opponent while focusing on keeping his balance to avoid being rolled over in the Bear Creek Invitational on Saturday Dec. 14.

photo by triShA newMAn

the StaggLineNews12.20.138

Common Core comes into effect

The bubble-in method in testing is what stu-dents are accustomed to. The answer is either A, B, C, or D. If stuck, the other way out is eenie, meenie, min-ey, moe. However, students will no longer be able to use this method as a last resort. Next year, schools across the nation, including California, will be shifting to a new set of standards called Common Core. These standards will be ap-plied from the start of kindergarten to the end of high school. These new standards have designed lessons in the core subjects — math, English, history, and science — to make students think more critically. As a result, the traditional scantron tests will no longer exist, and student summatives will be mostly free response that will be done on computers. Multiple-choice questions give students the chance to luckily pick the right answer, to guess without showing any work or process in aspects to

a math question. “I think the type of testing they’re going to use will ultimately be a good thing,” Kathy Sady, math teacher, said. She has already incorporated some of the new methods into her lessons. “I’ve been easing into it.” Sady’s tests are also free response type questions for students to show how formulas are used to get the answer. She says it is important that kids can apply math to real world situations. English teachers have also practiced some Com-mon Core standards. Recently Victoria Marinelli’s class have complet-ed a project where students were assigned a country to research. Another English teacher, Samuel Pope, had his students simulate a delegate of a country and help their country prosper. “The work we do isn’t necessarily harder,” soph-omore Celine Lopez said. “It just requires you to think more and put more effort into your work.” Another drastic change brought by the Common

Core standards is the replacement of the yearly Cali-fornia Standardized Test. In place of the CSTs, there will be a summative test taken in the 11th grade cov-ering material from the beginning of freshman year. The test is designed by the Smarter Balanced Assess-

ment Consortium who are in charge of developing these “next-generation assessments” based off of the Common Core standards. For more information about this organization and their mission, visit smarterbalanced.org.

MicheallaFoules

In 2012 the government made significant cuts in the food stamp program. That same year, senior Sar-ah Parker’s* family barely had enough money to put food on the table. Senior Ricky Chiprez’s family went hungry. And junior Hadiyah William’s family went homeless. Since the cuts began in 2008, the number of people depending on food stamps has exceedingly increased. Every year since then, Americans have suffered from any new cuts to the budget and fear for the next year, when even more, will be cut. Although the 47 million Americans on food stamps are suffering because of the cuts, seeing this problem hit home is even more devastating. Stu-

dents on campus are hurting be-cause of the economic recession and there’s little they can do to fix it. But they do not lose hope. They maintain the zeal and per-severance that they need to get through their everyday lives. Williams lives in a two-bed-room apartment with her mother and younger brother. Her mother works as a special-ed nurse for the Stockton Unified School District and isn’t earning enough money to support their family. They were supporting them-selves with the help of food stamps, but when her mother got a $2 per hour raise, the aid was completely cut from their bud-get. For an average family of four, the maximum amount of money received is $632.

Ten people, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one house. As Parker describes her crowded home, she has a look of frustra-tion on her face. “We get annoyed very easily... and you get everyone’s opinion on something, even if you didn’t ask for it,” she said. The conditions of the econ-omy caused Parker’s aunt and cousins to be evicted from their apartment. With nowhere else to go, her mom decided to take them in until they would be able to sup-port themselves again. All 10 of them are living off of one single income. For Chiprez, the struggle was a source of inspiration. “My parents went to Mexi-co for two weeks (because our grandparents were really sick)

and so they lost those two weeks of work,” he said. Since the start of the recession, 8.8 million jobs have been lost. Among them, Chiprez’s moth-er’s. Their family was living on their father’s paycheck. “He only got paid two times a month and by the time he got his second check, (they) had to pay for rent and the money wasn’t enough.” Because of the hardship, his family had no other choice but to use food stamps. They re-ceived $400 in food stamps. That allowed them stability and a se-cure source of food. But when his mother got a job, the food stamp amount was cut in half. What most people don’t un-derstand is that when someone gets a raise and their food stamps are cut, it’s as if the person did not get a raise at all because the extra money goes to food. And as the government kept cutting their own budget, the aid Chiprez’s family was receiving was completely eliminated. With a look of distress, Chiprez explained how this situ-ation made him see that an edu-cation is necessary. “I actually have to work hard and get an education so that I don’t have to go through what they are going through. I know that if they’re doing it without (an education), then I can do it with (an education).” This past November, 5.4 per-cent more was cut, meaning that there will be $1 million less in money flowing into the local re-tail economy. Williams’ family is feeling the intensity of this cut. Before, they were able to go to the food bank and get two bags

of food for the month, and now they’re limited to one. But she doesn’t let this downfall deter her dreams and aspirations. “I want to be an OBGYN (ever since I saw a video of some-one giving birth). (I want) to be there… when life starts, to help a child be born. It’s something I’m passionate about and I can’t ex-plain the feeling.” Parker’s career goals were also shaped by her hardships. “Since they lived with us (for eight years), I was always around kids, so I want to be an elementa-ry school teacher and make sure the kids understand their work. I want to be the teacher that wor-ries about everyone.” She knows what it is like to grow up without

much money, and that has moti-vated her to help others as well. “I’ll help someone no matter how hard it is on me.” When faced with adversity, all three of these students became experts in coping with their is-sues. In 2014, when there are more cuts to be made, Williams, Park-er, and Chiprez all face the new year, braced in suspense as to what they will have to face next. Whatever it may be, they know that they will make it through. “I know I’m not the only one,” Williams said. “There are others going through this, too.”

* Name has been changed.

Federal cuts cause hunger, homelessness

Senior Ricky Chiprez reveals

what struggles

he and his family

faced after the cuts to

the food stamps

program. photo by Alexus

plAsceNciA

I actually have to work hard and get an educa-tion so that I don’t have to go through what they are going through. I know that if they’re do-ing it without (an education), then I can do it with (an education).”

RickyChiprezsenior

“

Typhoon takes a toll from 8,000 miles away

Roads blocked. Airports im-paired. Heavy ships thrown in-land. This is the destruction Ty-phoon Haiyan — the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record — caused on Nov. 8 to the is-land nation. Many cities and towns expe-rienced widespread destruction, with as much as 90 per cent of housing destroyed in some areas. “I was wondering if the fam-ily’s okay,” Janelle Javier, a fresh-man, said when she first heard about the typhoon. Because she has an aunt and cousins living in the Philippines, it’s difficult for her to know if they are truly safe. Her grandmother, who has re-cently returned from the Philip-pines, brings a spark of hope to the family.

Not only did the typhoon have an impact with the Philip-pines, but it also hit China, Viet-nam, and Taiwan. With a death toll passing 6,000 and nearly 1,800 people missing, survivors are struggling with the basic necessities such as food, water and shelter. Water and power supplies are cut. Much of the food stocks and other goods are also destroyed. Everyday about 20-30 people are found in the debris. Hospitals are either shutdown or working at partial capacity, leaving many of the injured with-out medical assistance. Today, temporary bunkhouses and emergency shelters are be-ing constructed and residents are receiving money in exchange for work by hauling and packing re-

lief goods. Even with the bunkhouses that keep the survivors safe, many citizens are doing all they can to evacuate. Javier is one of the lucky ones, for few people are able to con-nect with their families out in the Philippines. At first, Javier was unable to reach her family when the ty-phoon struck. But “now we can connect with them. I’m feeling okay, since I know they’re safe,” she said. Many countries from around the world are sending cash do-nations and humanitarian aid/supplies to the Philippines, with Canada at the highest donation of $40 million and the United States at $37 million. IKEA, Red Cross, and OCHA are a few out of many companies

that are fundraising. Even Stagg is working hard to make a difference. Key Club had a divisional council meeting where students decided to have a fundraiser for the Philippines. Yesterday they hosted a Lol-licup social and toy drive, where 20 percent of the funds raised from Boba bought are going to-wards the Philippines. Serving their home, school, and community, Key Club strives to give back. Senior Maxine Contreras had an idea for ASB to fundraise as well for the Philippines. The maximum amount of money they wish to receive is about $1,000 where half the money will be funded. This will not be active until January.

JessicaCervantes

DellaniRaalCauter

English teacher Sam Pope has as-signed his students to do research on a third world country to give them knowl-edge of the outside world. Here, he helps sophomore Celine Lopez with her project.

photo by DellANirA AlcuAter

View the full story online at staggonline.net

This is about the kids. Why has it taken so long for the district to do something about it?”

Rosslynhalekakisphysical education department chair

“

• Average family of four receives maximum $672 per month in food stamps

• 47 million on food stamps are currently suffering from the cuts

• 1 in every 7 Americans are enrolled in it

• 1 in every 6 people in San Joaquin County are on food stamps

grAphic by JessicA MANgili source: the recorD

0123 4567 8910 1234 Smith, John

photo by Alexus plAsceNciA