daredevil soundtrack evanescence
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daredevil soundtrack evanescence
January 2007 5 volume 13 Get Moving! In the gym or out on the trail, local teens can have fun and keep fit class! by, for for and and about about the the high school students by, students of of Clark Clark County County January 2007 Vol.13, Issue 5 Founders David Phillips • Paul Aizley • Sari Aizley Board of Directors President: Tom Warden, Vice President, Community & Government Relations, Howard Hughes Corporation President-elect: Chris Ferrari, Deputy Director of Government and Public Affairs, R&R Partners Vice President: Marydean Martin, Owner, Marydean & Associates Treasurer: Michele Johnson, President/CEO, Consumer Credit Counseling Service Secretary: Sari Aizley, Publisher, Aizley Publications Past President: Dr. Paul Aizley, contents! 03 by, for and about the high school students of Clark County feel the beat! taiko drummers put on a show of Japanese culture 06 Professor of Mathematics, UNLV Founding President: Barbara Buckley, Esq. Nevada State Assemblywoman; Executive Director, Clark County Legal Services Mark Brown, President, YourBuyer, Inc. Cindy Creighton, Executive Director, Nevada Subcontractors Association Kathleen Frosini, Director, Career and Technical Education, Clark County School District Paul Henry, Esq., President, Henry and Associates Judy Jenner, Spanish Content Manager, Vegas.com Denise Karpelenia, Coordinator 6-12 English Language Arts, Clark County School District Catherine Levy, Gov. and Public Affairs, R&R Partners David Phillips, Photo Supervisor, CSI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Susan Sawyer, Guidance Counselor, Liberty HS Patrick Smith, Account Executive, The Rogich Communications Group Dr. Carrol Steedman, Director of Credit Programs, UNLV Division of Educational Outreach Myrna Williams, CLASS! Founding Member entertainment! evanescence ‘opens doors’ with new album 14 Ortega!un orgullo hispano en Las Vegas High School 22 Honorary Board Shelley Berkley, U.S. Congresswoman Jan Biggerstaff, former member, Nevada Board of Education Thalia Dondero, Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education Mark Fine, Developer, CLASS! Past President Robert Forbuss, Strategic Alliances, LLC Mary Hausch, Asst. Professor of Journalism, 26 schoolzone! coffee shops by University of Nevada, Las Vegas Gary Steven Markewich, M.D. Julie Pippenger, Executive Director, Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation schools – a clever business ploy Sarah Ralston Judi Steele, President & CPO, Clark County Public Education Foundation Patricia Wright Elaine Wynn Staff Maureen McDonough, Executive Director Lina Hernández, Diganos Editor Ariel Gove, Advertising Director Mary Phillips, Administrative Coordinator Stephanie Espinoza, Editor Jessica Fryman, Staff Writer Jennifer Polito, Community Relations Director Jennifer Campeau, Advertising Assistant Media Services David Phillips, Cover Photography TenWestCreative.com, Graphic Design Student Correspondents Alicia Cooper, Clark HS Greg DaLuz, Odyssey HS Miranda DaLuz, Odyssey HS Jaime Garcia, Western HS Anupa Gewali, Green Valley HS Whitney James, Liberty HS Kerstin Kent, Faith Lutheran HS Farah Minwalla, Palo Verde HS Rikki Mitchell, Faith Lutheran HS Brianna Rizzo, Arbor View HS Kayla-Jo Rosoff, Sierra Vista HS Asia Sapp, Liberty HS Kaice Scarborough, Centennial HS Danielle Sloan, Green Valley HS Jillian Stenzel, Faith Lutheran HS Erin Walsh, Meadows HS Gregan Wingert, Las Vegas HS careers! ever considered joining the circus? 28 news! opinion! entertainment! body&soul! artspace! diganos! instyle! sports! wheels! 10 12 13 14 16 19 23 24 25 26 27 schoolzone! college! scholarships! career center! 28 29 on the cover… In Red Rock Canyon, Green Valley High School student David Espinoza tries out different kinds of exercise to stay fit in the new year. 04 class! Publications University of Nevada, Las Vegas UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451025 Las Vegas, NV 89154-1025 Phone: (702) 895-1504 Fax: (702) 895-1505 Campus Services Building, Room 226 [email protected] Submissions and Letters E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.classmag.com CLASS! is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, accredited by the United Way of Southern Nevada. The opinions expressed herein are the views of the student writers who submit their work. CLASS!, its board of directors, its donors and advertisers, and the Clark County School District do not necessarily agree with these views. Submissions considered for publication are checked for plagiarism through Turnitin.com. Submissions may be edited for style, content and space restrictions. class! magazine would like to thank our distinguished donors Agave Mexican Restaurant • Allegiant Air • Altadis USA • Altria Corporate Services, Inc. • American Medical Response • Amy Ayoub • Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation • Angie Cochran • Ann Lynch, Sunrise Hospital • Anna Wilson-Perez • AT&T • B&E Auto Auction • Bank of America • Bank of Nevada • Barrick Gold of North America • Betsy Rhodes • Bloomingdale’s • Body in Mind Pilates Studio • Boyd Gaming Corporation • Brenden Theaters Corp. • Bunny Hoest • Charles Silvestri • Citibank (Nevada), N.A. • Clark County Commission • Clark County Public Education Foundation • Clark County School District • Claudine Williams • Club Sport • Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf • Commissioner Rory Reid • Community College of Southern Nevada • Congresswoman Shelley Berkley • Cox Communications • Culinary Workers Union, Local 226 • Curves • CW Catering By Chef Cary • David Phillips Photographers • DeLuca Liquor & Wine, Ltd/Nevada Wine Agents • Dillards • District Attorney David Roger • Doggie Oasis • Dr. Carrol Steedman • Dr. Paul Aizley & Sari Aizley • Edward Doumani • Elaine & Steve Wynn • Embarq • Faiss Foley Warren • Fertitta Enterprises • Fitzgeralds • Fleming’s Steak and Wine Bar • Flora Mason • Gaudin Automotive Group • GC Wallace, Inc. • Gilbert and Edythe Katz Yarchever • Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors • Greenspun Family Foundation • Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. • Harrie’s Bagelmania • Harvey & Annette Whittemore • House of Blues • Howard Hughes Corporation/General Growth Properties • HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. • IBEW Local 357 • IGT • Irwin Kishner, Estwin Corporation • Jill Meredith • Jim Severson • Joyce Mack • Judi Steele • Judy Bart • Justice Michael Cherry • Kitty Rodman • Kolesar & Leatham, CHTD • Krispy Kreme • KVBC Channel 3 • Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department • Las Vegas Sun • Lionel Sawyer & Collins • Little Buddha Restaurant Sushi Bar & Lounge • Luxor Hotel/Casino • Marie Callender’s Restaurant • Marilyn and Mel Larson • Mark and Gloria Fine • Mark L. Fine Associates • Mary Bartsas, Bartsas Realty • Mary Kay • Marydean Martin • Mayor Oscar Goodman • McMullan’s Irish Pub • MGM MIRAGE • Michele Johnson • Mon Ami Gabi • Myrna Williams • N9NE Group • Neiman Marcus • Nevada Arts Council • Nevada Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley • Nevada Association of Realtors • Nevada Ballet Theatre • Nevada Department of Education • Nevada Mining Association • Nevada Power • Nevada State Bank • Nevada State College • Nevada Subcontractors Association • Nevada System of Higher Education • Nobu • Palms Casino Resort • Paperdoll Boutique Stationery • Peckman Media • Preferred Public Relations • Pulte Homes/Del Webb • R&R Partners • Regent Thalia Dondero • Rhodes Homes • Rhonda Glyman • Richard and Patricia Wright • Robin Leach • Roy Purcell • Saks 5th Avenue • Sam’s Club • Sen. Harry and Landra Reid • Sheila Moulton • Sierra Health Services • Sonja and Michael Saltman • Southwest Gas Corp. • Southwest Printers • Spa at Lakeside • St. Rose Dominican Hospital • Station Casinos • Susan Houston • Susan Sawyer • Task Force for the Fund for a Healthy Nevada • Teamsters Local Union No. 14 • The Gallery at Summerlin • Tishman Construction Corporation • Tony and Maria Alamo • Tournament Players Club At The Canyons • University of Nevada, Las Vegas • University of Nevada, Las Vegas Athletics Dept. • University of Nevada, Reno • UNLV Performing Arts Center • Venetian Foundation • Vera Turner • Vintner Grill • Wells Fargo • Wynn Resorts 04 Ring in the New Year with a new, healthier you! by Kaice Scarborough, Centennial HS On New Year’s Day you may have already made a few resolutions for the upcoming year. It’s possible that one resolution was specifically about losing weight, as many people take the start of a new year to be the start of a healthier lifestyle. But how do you make sure that you lose the right amount so that you can still remain healthy? There are many different types of programs out there, but first you need to find the right one for you. First things first: consult a physician. Dr. Michelle Zebrack, board certified in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine reminds teens, “Before embarking on a weight-loss program, please see a physician for an in-depth assessment.” This evaluation should include a physical examination and a review of your medical history, family history, diet and physical activity level. Consulting a physician first is a good idea for inexperienced teens. Physicians like pediatricians can help teens because they don’t just work with little kids. They can also help you make a plan and set reasonable goals for yourself. photo: David Phillips Often teens set high goals. When they don’t meet these goals they’re disappointed and then feel like they’ve failed. 05 There are so many activities that can get teens moving, from swimming to soccer to kickboxing. Even jumping on a trampoline or walking your dog will help! photo: George Thompson, MCT “…A little activity is better than no activity. Walking counts, so get moving…” Teens can be influenced by actresses and models that are overly thin, as well, which leads to more unrealistic goals. Fashion magazines and television shows advertise their models and actresses/actors as being thin, knowing that teens will follow that same trend. Because American society today teaches us that it is not okay to be overweight, teens will sometimes do anything to look like those underweight models. This is what can lead to eating disorders. In the United States, as many as 20 million females and 1 million males are struggling with an eating disorder according to the National Eating Disorders Organization’s Web site. Most medical professionals would agree that for a teen that is not experiencing medical conditions that would contribute to weight gain, losing about one-half to one pound per week is realistic. Losing many pounds at once may be more desired, but it really isn’t safe. So when trying to lose a healthy amount of weight, teens should start by considering how much they weigh in the first place. Body mass index, or BMI, is commonly used by doctors to determine whether an individual is overweight. As explained by the California Childcare Health Program at ucsfchildcarehealth.org, the BMI is a ration of weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters. BMI that is between the 85th and 95th percentile for age and sex is considered to be at risk of being overweight, and a BMI at or over the 95th percentile is considered overweight or obese. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “15.5 percent of 12- to 19year-olds are at or above the 95th percentile for BMI on standard growth charts based on reference data.” This data indicates that many American teens are just not eating right, nor are they getting the exercise that they need. Consulting a dietician can be a great way to get started on a better path. Dietitians are health care professionals who have received specialized, formal accredited training. They can help outline a healthy eating plan for you that ensures you are meeting your body’s nutritional needs while you lose the excess weight. If meeting with a dietician is not an option, teens can start with their school nurse. School nurses are trained to help direct teens to good information about nutrition, diet and exercise. They can help teens sift through the many healthy and nonhealthy options that are out there. Sometimes it’s enough just to make simple, healthy changes to a teen’s diet and routine. Dr. Zebrack advises, “Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Eat when you are hungry, but remember it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to realize your body is getting food. Slow down and enjoy the meal. Also, take note of portion size. There might be four servings in that small bag of potato chips!” Exercise is also essential for teens – even those who aren’t looking to lose weight. “If you are not exercising, please start. A little activity is better than no activity. Walking counts, so get moving,” says Dr. Zebrack. There are so many activities that can get teens moving, from swimming to soccer to kickboxing. Even jumping on a trampoline or walking your dog will help! The article “Exercise and Teens,” on life.familyeducation.com, states how, “the American Heart Association suggests that teens raise their heart rates for 20 minutes without stopping, three or more times a week.” So instead of being couch potatoes you can get your body moving. Local YMCAs also offer plenty of programs that teach teens how to workout by themselves, in organized classes or with the one-on-one supervision of a trainer. They have programs that teach teens how to set an exercise format. All you really have to do is contact the YMCA and sign up. As you move into the new year, realize that maybe this time you will actually stick to your resolution. You will find that losing weight can be easy if you put effort into it, research your options carefully and look for a program that features balanced nutrition and exercise. Then, GO FOR IT because you can do it. Have a happy and healthy 2007 ! 06 Beyond the sushi bar A new side of Japan revealed 3 1 2 by Rikki Mitchell, Faith Lutheran HS The word “drums” makes most people think of a rock band with their crazy drummer slamming away in the back. But what happens when a group of people bring Japanese drumming into American culture? An amazing cultural experience by Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko. Taiko drumming has resonated through the country of Japan for thousands of years. In ancient Japan, Samurai warriors used Taiko on the battlefield to signal commands and to instill fear into the enemy. Taiko was also used to signal danger, and priests used the drums at religious ceremonies to communicate with the heavenly gods. Taiko was brought over to the United States by Japanese immigrants in the early 20th century. But after World War II broke out, Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps, and when the war ended they tried to assimilate into American culture in order to remove the prejudice. It wasn’t until the Civil Rights Movement that the Japanese-American community started to revive their culture. The Las Vegas Taiko scene started in 1993 when formed by George Goto. The group performs at numerous events across the city. Their strong rhythms and intense beats make them well worth the high price to schedule them for an event. Not only are they entertaining to watch but they allow spectators to witness a part of Japanese culture that they’ve probably never seen before. “It gave me a new perspective because it ended up being way cooler than I expected,” says one audience member, Cheyenne Sandler, in regard to the performance. “The battle songs were intense and made me want to get up and dance!” Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko not only brings Japanese culture to America, but the group members are so diverse that even more cultures are presented. Also their ages range from 14 to 53 years old, so the members come from all generations. “My favorite part of Taiko is the difference between all the people,” says Noel Garcia, the group’s creative director. “I love all the different personalities.” Desert Pines senior and Taiko group member Angela Chiao agrees. “Taiko has all sorts of people that join – they’re not all Japanese.” The best part about the whole organization is how much the group members love what they do. “We have such a close-knit group of people, which makes it fun,” says junior Jenni Rowe. “I just think it’s amazing how everyone comes from different backgrounds and different sides of town, but we all have a common interest and love for Taiko.” “I love Taiko because it brings a sort of Cultural richness to the community,” Garcia adds. And it does. At a recent performance – a small event that only lasted 30 minutes – there were already people coming from the nearby apartment buildings to listen to it ahead of time. “Taiko definitely promotes diversity in Las Vegas because all the performances are multicultural; they’re not just Asian events. The audience learns about our culture and we take in other cultures as well,” Chiao says. “Our main goal within our group is to allow people to understand that Japan is more than just sushi – it’s a nation with a rich history and culture,” says Rowe. Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko performs at all events from formal hotel private parties to casual events in Chinatown parking lots. To find out more information about the group, such as future events and even member profiles, check out Lvkaminaritaiko.org. Or to schedule the group for an event, contact Teresa Tokumon by emailing her at [email protected] ! 5 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: Justin Hee Matt Chun, Justin Hee, Noel Garcia Jenni Rowe Angela Chiao and Jenni Rowe Teresa Tokumon, Janeen Nanbu and Jennifer Caballero photos 1 & 3 by Kamille Garcia photos 2,4 & 5 by Rikki Mitchell, Faith Lutheran HS 4 Feigned Reality Every 15 Minutes staging raises drunk driving awareness By Erin Walsh I pulled into school at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, to a scene of half a dozen police cars parked in our school parking lot. Attending a private school that tends to be sheltered from crime and violence, and a school which most of the students, including myself, have attended since kindergarten, led me to worry that one of my classmates, one of my life-long best friends, might be injured, or even was dead. Rumors circulated through the hallways as people gossiped as to why Metro was outside. Our importune questions went unanswered as teachers told students they would find out what was going on later. At 9 a.m., our student body was seated on an outside set of bleachers. Two policemen on motorcycles, an ambulance and a fire truck emerged with sirens blaring as we saw Stephen Zaiss, a senior whom we all recognized, saturated in blood on the hood of a car. He was dead. Our student body vice president, Chantel Hopper, was no longer yelling as she cheered on the football team, but rather she was in the driver’s seat of an obliterated car screaming at her friend and asking if he was okay. She fumbled as she got out of the car and failed to follow the policeman’s instructions to walk a straight line. Kristen Klaunch, the sociable theater student, was placed on top of a stretcher as a Flight for Life helicopter landed to try to revive amiable Mary Cate Thalgott. They were victims of a drunk driving accident, but it was no accident… it was staged. The school took students out of class and faked a drunken driving accident in order to edify us on the subject. Thousands of dollars were spent to elicit a reaction from us. Well, they got one from me. I was infuriated that a program entitled, “Every 15 Minutes” was designed to toy without emotions and chew away two days of school in the last week of the quarter. The grim-reaper and Living Dead (students who pretended to be victims of DUI accidents) made the school seem like some scene from a Halloween movie, which downplayed the issue of drunk driving. I was outraged that anyone would dramatize an already dramatic issue and further blur the lines between reality and fiction. I carried the same angry emotions with me to a second assembly the following day. First we watched a film made of the prior day’s events. We saw, not only the accident, but families who would have been affected by the accident. I still believed that there were enough real tragedies that we did not need to stage one. Yet, my animosity melted into tears when Marcee Schafer, a guest speaker, began to unpack a few of her daughter’s favorite things on stage. She explained that her daughter was not involved in an accident because accidents can be avoided. She died at the hands of a driver who was speeding in a car. This collision was real. Her daughter’s death was real. Her memories, her story and her daughter’s jacket that she wore every day, were real. Though I had already resolved not to drink and drive, now I was resolved to go on a crusade and keep others from incriminating and victimizing themselves. I disparaged the program’s methods, but when it came to Schafer’s story, I felt compelled to talk to her afterwards. When I got the chance, all I could say to her was, “I’m sorry, but thank you.” In the hallways, I noticed people crumbling into their friends’ arms and wiping tears from their eyes. They were moved by a choked-up trauma surgeon as well as the video made by the 16 students who went on retreat. Vows to never brush off another friend who might be under the influence and vows to be more cautious in one’s own driving could be heard in every conversation. Maybe I was selfish to think that the students at our college prep school did not need to be lectured on such an overt problem. I was wrong. If people needed a fictitious scene to corroborate the truth, then it is worth it. There is no doubt that some of us will be saving a stranger, or a friend, without receiving recognition or maybe without even knowing it. Dean of Students David Lamb says, “I hope that at least one life will be saved. If that happens, then of course every penny is worth it…because you can’t put a price on a life.” ! c c c Plan a snow day c with friends, even without the snow By Amber Hatcher, Clark HS 07 c Snow is nature’s best creation. There are so many things you can do in the snow. You can go sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snow angel making and much, much more. Too bad we never get snow in Las Vegas. Those who grew up here may never have experienced a snow day in their life. But it’s one of the most fun things you can ever experience. I was in a blizzard once while I lived in Colorado. I had woken up that morning ready to go to school, but when I sat down for breakfast my mom told me that it was snow day. Meaning no school! I was free to play in the snow all day. My favorite snow activity is snowboarding, but since there was no way for me to get to the ski resort, I decided to do my next favorite snow activity: snow caving. The trick to snow caving is to make the cave before you crawl around in it. Items needed: one snow bib, one waterproof jacket, one pair of waterproof boots, one pair of waterproof gloves and one shovel. The shovel is the most important part. Since this is snow caving and not “cave caving,” you can actually wear whatever you want, but these items are the most comfortable. If you don’t have a shovel, your cave is going to be very small because digging with your hands is not very easy or fun. In this case, it would be wise to invite some friends over to help. I had a shovel on this snow day, but I invited friends over anyway because everything is more fun with friends. c After snow caving, we had to shovel the driveway because the snow was getting packed too close to the house and we did not want it to block the door. This happened to me during a blizzard once and I was locked out of my house for four hours because that’s how long it took us to unblock the door. It was not fun. Let my lesson be your lesson as well: always keep your door unblocked and unlocked. After eating grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch my friends and I went back outside for a snowball fight. Since all of us were girls, we just had a regular snowball fight because we were afraid of pain. If you are not wimpy like us then I would suggest an ice ball fight. All you have to do is form the ball with your bare hands and your body heat will melt the snow just enough to turn it into ice. Once we were exhausted, we put in a movie and curled up on the couch with some hot chocolate. It was the best day ever. c If you are a Las Vegan and have not seen much snow, then just remember my snow day and try something similar the next time you get a chance. For the snow activities you can always go up to the mountains or travel to another state. But to really enjoy yourself without going anywhere, all you need is some free time and your friends to make the perfect “snow” day. I can guarantee it will be the most fun you’ve ever had ! 08 trading places Foreign exchange program spreads cultural insight both ways by Megan Smallen, Coronado HS As we become engrossed in everyday routines and absorb the immense atmosphere of our country, it often appears as if no life or culture exists past the barriers of oceans and mountain peaks that separate our society from countries different from our own. What we do not comprehend is the fact there are many people present in our world who, despite being part of the American environment, possess their own culture and traditions unique to their own society. The foreign exchange program introduces culture and communication to Coronado High School, and high schools all across Clark County. By having students from other cultures in our schools, students gain an active understanding of life on the other side of the world. “While in this program, students get to experience another country while meeting new friends,” says Del Sagers, counselor. Currently there are two foreign exchange students at Coronado living as American students and gaining their own knowledge of the many aspects of Las Vegas. After being inspired to take part in the foreign exchange program by her teacher, Xiangyan Kong, who is from China, considers her stay in Las Vegas to be unique. Known by her friends as Joyce, Kong explains that life in China is vastly different from life in the United States. For instance, with nine classes a day, she considers Chinese students to have access to a more diverse range of information and difficult subjects. “In China we wear a uniform and classes are much harder,” “says Kong. Through years of experiencing school from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Kong was eager to take part in the American culture and experience life as a Coronado student. Once students demonstrate an active interest in the program, they undergo a process in which they enroll in a foreign exchange organization and are given a designated host family in a certain country. In many international societies, the country of choice is the United States; however, the region in which applicants stay may differ depending on the country in which they currently reside. Unfortunately, after enduring both written and spoken tests involving the English language, and intense interviews that introduce potential students to the journey they will soon encounter, passage to the United States is not guaranteed, making the trip even more complex. Many of the organizations that specialize in the area of foreign exchange and international communication do not have specific requirements, but the ability to speak the language of the designated country is recommended. In order to receive credit for the classes they take during their stay at Coronado, foreign exchange students, despite their age, are recognized as seniors. Linnea Karell, a foreign exchange student from Sweden, has been an active member of the program since before school began. She states that her mother was a member of the program many years ago, which sparked her interest in becoming a participant. “It is a different and cool experience here,” says Karell. “School in Sweden is similar to college. You can choose hairdressing classes and learn in one room.” Although Karell was given the opportunity to select the region where she wanted to live in the U.S., she considered locating a proper host family more important than choosing a city. It is all the people participating, teaching and sharing that ultimately make the foreign exchange program so powerful. As members of the program, Karell and Kong meet regularly with other members and are able to share their experiences with others in the valley. Thus knowledge and cultural awareness continues to be spread. Despite the drastic change in atmosphere and education, the benefits of the foreign exchange program prove to be far reaching. Once home again, the foreign exchange students at Coronado will have gained a complex knowledge of our history and culture, and will have developed a true understanding of a life very different from their own. As host to their adventure, the Coronado community is also able to share in their international experience and form a better understanding of the world. “Sometimes Americans misunderstand Chinese culture in that Americans may know less about us than we know about you,” says Kong ! 09 Key Club: more than just community service by Gregan Wingert, Las Vegas HS When hearing the words ‘community’ and ‘service’ together,‘fun’ is not a word that usually follows, but for the Key Clubbers of Clark County, those three words go hand in hand. During a 28 North Division meeting held on Dec. 13 in the cafeteria of Mojave High School, there was no end to the cheering from the Key Club members of various high schools that were there, including Shadow Ridge, Las Vegas High and Rancho – just to name a few. Starting off their meeting with a high-pitched cheer, the club members recited the pelage of allegiance and then Key Club’s own pledge: “I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and God; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.” As they read the pledge off the projection screen I could not help but follow along. “We make everyone feel welcome,” says Dr. Peter Rost, Key Club Region 16 assistant adviser and Las Vegas High School adviser. Key Club is the oldest and largest community service organization available to high school students. It all started May of 1925 in Sacramento, Calif. when 11 male students came together for the first official Key Club meeting. As part of the Kiwanis family community service organization, Key Clubs are present on over 5,000 high school campuses in not only the United States but in Canada, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia and Australia. As a student at Las Vegas High, I never really thought about Key Club as more than just a way to get some community service hours to put on a college application, but after attending a DCM (Divisional Council Meeting) I learned that these kids are not just helping their community, but they are making friends and having fun doing it. “It is not just picking up trash on the highways,” says senior Melissa Salcedo, the historian for the Shadow Ridge Key Club. Salcedo continues that it is basically the fun version of community service. “You wouldn’t expect that a charity club would do spirit and dance competitions,” she says. It is true that the club members are accustomed to a spirited atmosphere, and many of the students have gone to Fall Rally held at Six Flags Amusement park. The rally is when students from Key Clubs in California, Nevada and Hawaii come together to compete in different events including a dance contest, cheering competition and also a contest to see who raised the most money for pediatric trauma prevention. “They go away with friends, leadership and values,” says Legacy advisor Valerie Hofheins. John Pacheco, a senior at Shadow Ridge, says, “You should go because it is a fun experience.” “We have fun doing community service,” says Rost. Many clubs do everything from making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless to cleaning up graffiti to collecting the tops of soda cans. However, though Fall Rally might be the reason some students join, it is not the reason why they stay. “To belong to a group larger than themselves [is one reason students join],” says Jeff Buchbaum, Key Club adviser at Mojave. “Also for all the social opportunities.” Buchbaum believes that the club boosts kids’ self esteem and knows that the $5,000 scholarship opportunity is also a big plus. “It’s about service, helping others. Also making friends and cheering,” says freshman Joy Phan, who is the president for Rancho’s club. The members of Key Club have no limits to the types of community service work they can partake in, and are encouraged only to fill the needs of the community. Such was the case where the Las Vegas High School Key Clubbers repainted the trash cans around their campus, which is not a traditional community service act, but is very much appreciated by the staff and students of LVHS. “I have over a hundred hours,” says sophomore Matinin Sinirath, LVHS’s Key Club treasurer. “I like helping others, putting others before yourself.” The Key Clubbers of one school have also been known to team up with other schools’ clubs in order to complete in big charity events such as the Kids Without A Christmas, where students from various Key Clubs throughout Las Vegas came together Dec. 9 at UMC to distribute donated gifts they collected, sing carols and spread some much-needed joy to the kids that are spending their holiday at the hospital. During major events like Kids Without A Christmas and Fall Rally, Key Club members have a chance to meet even more kids who like the same things they do. Salcedo says the friends that members make in Key Club stay friends long after high school, recalling cases where people who had first met while in Key Club have even gotten married. “I turned in like 2,000 pop tabs,” says Legacy junior Theeranart Butrpho. Rancho’s Key Club is planning a Breast Caner Walk, and many of the Key Clubs have adopted a family this past holiday season. Legacy High School has read to kids at Hayden Elementary, and Advanced Technologies Academy has colleted 540 blankets for another elementary school. A-TECH Key Club President and senior Tamella Arias says that her favorite volunteering experience was when she helped at a senior care home where there was karaoke, and where she was able to listen to the stories of the residents. As for who joins Key Club, Rost says, “Some of the best kids in school. They usually are some of the better academic kids, and they have a focus for community service.” In order to participate in Key Club, a student must have a 2.0 GPA or better. To learn more about Key Club, visit the official Web site at www.keyclub.org ! 28 North includes: • Advanced Technologies Academy • Las Vegas High School • Legacy High School • Las Vegas Academy • Shadow Ridge High School • Rancho High School • Arbor View High School • Eldorado High School • Canyon Springs High School • Cheyenne High School • Mojave High School news! 10 MGM MIRAGE gift offers new opportunity to National Merit Scholars local and national news that matters to you MGM MIRAGE gift offers new opportunity to National Merit Scholars by Anupa Gewali, Green Valley HS This past October, a new fund to attract National Merit Scholars to stay local and attend UNLV was established by MGM MIRAGE. The MGM MIRAGE Academic Excellence Scholarship Endowment began with a $1 million gift from MGM MIRAGE and is the largest corporate scholarship donation that UNLV has ever received. The scholarship will be awarded to one recipient, with all National Merit Finalists across the nation being eligible. The National Merit Scholarship is a competition that begins with the PSAT test given to high school juniors in October of every year. It continues by narrowing down the students through essays and SAT scores. The final result is a very small percentage of high school students who receive a large amount of benefits through scholarship programs such as the program established at UNLV. According to MGM MIRAGE Chairman and CEO Terry Lanni, MGM MIRAGE may even continue to give the UNLV endowment fund gifts of $1 million continually over the next four years. The scholarship, according to Merlinda Gallegos, Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy at MGM MIRAGE, would not only benefit the recipient, but also the community. “At MGM MIRAGE we believe that education is really the key, so we are proactive in our role, and we have enjoyed a long-term relationship with UNLV,” says Gallegos. “The scholarship creates a strong pipeline of talent to uplift the whole community. We want to retain some of the brightest minds and recruit some of the brightest minds to this great city.” Stephen Rosenbaum, dean of UNLV’s Honors College, states how great the importance of this scholarship is to the decisions of those seniors choosing schools to attend in the fall. “We hope that the MGM MIRAGE Academic Excellence Scholarship will become one of the most prestigious awards offered to attract our nation’s most promising young scholars to UNLV,” says Rosenbaum. “We know that merit-based scholarships are one of the elements academicallytalented students look for when selecting their university of choice.” This is all put toward the Invent the Future campaign, an effort by the university to raise up to $500 million through programs such as this, and many others. The count so far surpasses $332 million since the year 2002. This fund is used in order to ensure the hiring of more experienced faculty and the conducting of more indepth research, as well as offering more scholarships High schools in Clark County with National Merit Scholar Semifinalists include: ATA, Arbor View, Centennial, Cheyenne, Clark, Coronado, Durango, Green Valley, Las Vegas Academy, Palo Verde, Sierra Vista, Silverado and Valley. At UNLV the scholars will be able to choose from 220 undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees and have access to over 3000 faculty and staff ! ! !news!news!news!news!news!news!news!news! 11 Cox Communications supports student journalists news! by Stephanie Espinoza, class! correspondent To commemorate CLASS! Magazine’s 12th birthday and in honor of the organization’s accomplishments over the past 12 years, Cox Communications held a celebration on Nov. 15 to give the most exciting birthday present of all: a donation of 12 laptop computers. Working with a staff of seven in the Campus Services Building on the UNLV campus, the non-profit organization that promotes high school journalists had previously used outdated, broken-down computers running Windows 98, which severely limited the productivity of the magazine. The purchase of new machines would have resulted in cutting one CLASS! career workshop, five student internships and 5,000 issues of the magazine in order to cover the cost. Luckily, Cox came to the rescue. Former television news anchor and Emmy Award-winning journalist Steve Schorr hosted the event as Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Cox Communications. Schorr recognized CLASS! founders David Phillips, Paul Aizley and Sari Aizley, spoke about the organization as a whole and presented a giant birthday cake to CLASS! staff along with the 12 new Dell laptops. A KVBC Channel 3 News crew covered the presentation while CLASS! staff members accepted the laptops and board member Tom Warden offered his thanks. CLASS! Community Relations Director Jennifer Polito also spoke at the event. “I felt very proud to be part of a team [and also proud] that companies such as Cox Communications support our efforts to continue educating our high school generation,” Polito says. Several high school interns attended the event as representatives of CLASS!’s student journalists as well. “I thought the Cox Communications donation was a marvelous thing,” says Las Vegas High School CLASS! intern Gregan Wingert, who witnessed the unveiling of the laptops and even got the opportunity to chat with Schorr. “It’s nice to see that companies like that are helping the community and giving back.” She adds, “It’s going to make our lives easier too.” The new computers will not only help with the production of the magazine, but will also allow interns who do not have computers at home to participate more during their internship. Upcoming workshops are also planned to use the laptops for teaching the interns design tips and tricks to use for their school newspaper layouts. “You guys are the future,” Schorr told all the CLASS! interns after the presentation. And Schorr, along with Cox, is especially dedicated to encouraging that future and providing the students with tools that will help them succeed. Later in the evening Schorr not only donated to the CLASS! annual fundraising dinner, but also offered the organization a spot on Cox Channel 96 for teen journalists to hold a TV news broadcast. “I’m excited to try broadcasting,” says Western High School intern Jaime Garcia. CLASS! wishes to sincerely thank Cox Communications for their generous donations and to thank all who continue to make the organization possible ! Above: Cox Communications' Steve Schorr, vice president of Public and Government Affairs, and Mark Gangeness, vice president of Information Technology, join CLASS! staff and interns to celebrate the organization's 12th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Cox donated 12 laptop computers and other technology to launch CLASS! as a Cox Computer Donation Program site. The updated technology will improve the publication's production process and will be loaned to CLASS! interns who do not own computers. Below: Cox Communications' Vice President Steve Schorr presents laptop computers, flatscreen monitors and other upgraded technology to CLASS! to replace the organizations outdated computers. opinion! 12 Terminator Teachers proposed bill to arm teachers dumb and dangerous have your say · tell it like it is · get it off your chest · make some noise Terminator Teachers proposed bill to arm teachers dumb and dangerous More gats could also mean making teachers even more dangerous. photo: Jeffrey Phelps/MCT by Justin Najar, Green Valley HS Turf wars could erupt between different departments here at school, such as social studies and math. Drivebys could become a fact of life as teachers hijack and pimp out those carts the administration uses for transport. The halls of GVHS could look like the streets of Compton. “You don’t know what could happen,” says senior Jenny Kim. If teachers had guns in school, some might use them if they have a beef with a student. A school shooting in Wisconsin prompted Wisconsin State Senator Frank Lasee to introduce a bill in Wisconsin that will give teachers the right to bear arms in the classroom. “What!?” says sophomore Jordan Becker. I know! “ I’ Æve had some pretty angry teachers before,”says senior Alex Tettamanti. “ I don’ t want to get shot.” Tettamanti does not see any benefit in arming teachers to protect students. In fact, she, like many other students, would be more afraid of getting capped at school. “If teachers had guns, I wouldn’t come,” says senior Jason Majors. Odds are, making guns available in school would actually increase school shootings. Kind of like how kids get fat if they live next to McDonalds. Not only that, but if you get shot by a teacher, there’s a whole world of legal entanglements that the school district gets tied up in. It’s just not worth it. Lasee believes this will protect students from further violence at school. Lasee says Thailand and Israel, two nations wracked with internal conflict, do it, and their campuses are safer than ever. Opposition to this plan by school district officials has left many baffled, because somehow, to some people, letting teachers come to school with guns makes sense. What many people do not know is this could already happen without any changes in the law. Some kids here at Green Valley High School would support giving teachers gats. These kids are also part of the generation that made the “Bumfights” series a hit and Adam Sandler a star. That should tell you something. “Whoa. Who does that?” says junior Chad Langille. They also seem to have a point. Until you think about it. Increasing the number of guns on school campuses could actually, AGAINST ALL LOGIC, make them more dangerous. “If a student attacks them, they could just use them anyway,” says sophomore Yazzan Al-Deik. Come on people. Do you really think you can trust a room full of teenagers to not try taking the gun? They’d probably take it and post a video on YouTube of them shooting at each other and using really thick books as bulletproof vests. “By law, you’re not allowed to have weapons in school. If a principal authorizes it, and the teacher has a concealed weapons permit, the teacher can do it,” says Officer Cory Rahe. Teachers with principal authorization do that. No, but really, letting teachers take guns to school to prevent school shootings is like urinating on a fire to put it out. Have you ever done that? The fire will get bigger, and it’ll leap up and burn you. Lasee obviously never urinated on a fire to put it out. His cousin, the president of the Wisconsin State Senate, apparently has – and sees that giving guns to teachers is a bad idea. It’s true! Israelis and Palestinians have had beef since Israel became an independent nation in 1948, and all the Palestinians either left, were chased out or lost their homes. Then they started fighting each other and things just got worse. Thailand’s been fighting a Muslim rebellion in its southern provinces since 2004. Teachers, seen as government agents since they are paid by the government, have been victims of the violence. We do face school shootings, but the situation here is not as bad as Israel or Thailand. Teachers with guns will not solve these problems, because by the time they need to use them, it will be too late. There needs to be a way to deal with the root cause of why students would come to school and shoot someone. Stiffer penalties against kids who bring any kind of weapon to school only work as long as the kid doesn’t use the weapon against someone before being apprehended. The root cause is our society itself. “ I read that America is the most violent country on earth that is not in a civil war,”says history teacher Demetrius Beam. In 2003 alone, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported 49,639 violent deaths in America. Violent deaths are one of the top-ten leading causes of death for people under 65 in the U.S. “We’re just a violent society, and it’s frightening. Extremely frightening,” says Beam. Strangely, the Bureau of Justice reports violent crimes have dropped by almost 50 percent since 1973. However, statistics don’t change reality, and extreme school violence has either increased or is just being reported by the media more often. A solution to this may be an elimination of the zerotolerance policy. If kids start fighting at school, why not let them fight, but stop them before things get too serious? Once the fight is broken up, an administrator should mediate a discussion between whoever was fighting. That way some effort can be made to patch up their differences. To Lasee’s credit however, he cites Thailand and Israel as places where teachers packing heat to protect students works, or where someone is standing outside is ready to unload a clip from their Uzi. I suggest this strange plan because back in first grade, I was involved in a fight against two other boys. By the way, I won, no contest. This kind of solution worked, and after the principal was done talking to us, he made us shake hands. We became friends. Lasee, however, missed a crucial point in his argument. Thailand and Israel are different from the United States. We might not be in first grade anymore, but it seems that our current way of handling school violence isn’t working ! gothic Evanesence open the door to fans Sugarcult creates the best concert experience what’s hot and what’s not in the world of books, film, music and nightlife Members of gothic quartet Evanescence ‘open the door’ to fans with new studio release by Kayla-Jo Rosoff, Sierra Vista HS Amid the release of the Benniffer flick (Garner not J Lo) ‘Daredevil,’ Evanescence became thrust into the mainstream music scene. who Lee was singing about, or even if her songs were inspired by real guys, the various subjects Lee croons about on Door are anything but bogus. First, there is ex-boyfriend and fellow band mate Ben Moody, who left the group in the fall of 2003 while touring with them overseas. The anguish of that departure is felt all throughout the disc, as heard in songs like ‘Sweet Sacrifice’ where Lee vows that Moody ‘lived to break’ her but that she will ‘forget his name.” With both the soul bearing and guitar grinding, ‘Bring Me to Life’ and the haunting ballad, ‘My Immortal,’ featured on the ‘Daredevil’ soundtrack, legions of pop, Goth, alternative and even R&B fans fell under the group’s entrancing spell. Flash forward three years, with some 14 million copies of their first album, Fallen, sold under their belt, and those same fans have returned for the group’s sophomore release, The Open Door – even without the aid of a movie studio’s support. Like Fallen, Door finds lead singer Amy Lee shouting out her objections and pain felt toward all the boys in her life who have done her wrong. While in the past fans and listeners alike never truly knew Though Lee met Moody long before her most recent split with Seether’s lead vocalist, Shaun Morgan, the current single from Door – the unashamedly vocalized ‘Call Me When your Sober’ – is anything but an ode to Moody. Similar to ‘Bring Me to Life’s’ piano-driven introduction, ‘Sober’ opens lightly, but its chords pound into one’s head. With their relationship as publicized as their breakup, it is no wonder that within the lyrics, Lee finds no shame in shouting how Morgan “played the victim,” while their relationship was plagued with “lies” and “shame.” Though Morgan and Moody are rightfully unhappy with the singles, some of Lee’s Sugarcult creates the best concert experience by Ashlee Richardson, Eldorado HS With a sound that gets you up and moving, and a sense of humor that could put Robin Williams to shame, Sugarcult is one band you can’t help but have a blast listening to live. Sugarcult recently headlined a show that included All Time Low, Meg and Dia and The Pink Spiders at the House of Blues on Nov. 6. The concert had energy, lights and devoted fans. When Sugarcult started to play, there was a buzz in the crowd, and everyone moved toward the stage. People were screaming, jumping, clapping and singing their favorite songs at the top of their lungs. The songs “Pretty Girl (The Way)” and “Bouncing off the Walls” in particular got the crowd going. Between songs, Sugarcult talked to the audience and cracked a few jokes. They even recognized one fan (and his toy Chihuahua) from a show they played back in 2001. best work is contained within their depths. While numerous artists attempt albums that personalize themselves through a divorce or breakup – and falter – Lee has perfected the concept. The rifts on the lyrics never feel too distracting and serve to aid the poetic references to their full potential. While the first two tracks on the album are sure to be in heavy rotation on any angstdriven teen’s iPod, their 11 counterparts are anything but songs to be forgotten. Like its Fallen predecessor, the songs are a mix of Christianic influences, family memories and Lee’s own struggles with her fame. Perhaps, it is in this redundancy of ideas, where many of the group’s loyal fans will begin to waver. After all, there are only so many references to the longing Lee feels toward her deceased sister – as heard in ‘Like You’ – that one can take. And, in songs such as ‘Weight of the World,’ many who adore Lee may feel unable to relate. With both of these songs, Evanescence finds itself once again wrapped up in the film world. And as the character Cher stated in ‘Clueless,’ the band is most like a Monet: “from far away, it’s okay, but up close, it’s a big old mess.” entertainment! entertainment! 13 This ‘mess’ however, is easily forgotten with the album’s last track – one that many would compare to ‘My Immortal’ in both style and texture. Yet it stands all on its own. Said to be comprised of an introduction that was to be used for the film ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ the song “Good Enough” is as good as it is thanks to the aid of its piano. Listeners never really know if the lyrics are aimed at Moody, Morgan or God Himself – and they are all the better for it. As Lee waits for “the rain to fall, pour real life down” on her, the listener cannot help but be spellbound. While Justin may have brought “Sexy Back,” and My Chemical Romance added a new recording to go with their new hair color, Evanescence’s “The Open Door” was easily the most anticipated album out this fall. Their powerful lyrics with piano and rock undercurrents keep fans coming back for more, even if much of their work seems to have been dated and reused ! Rating: HHHHI There were a few downsides, however. The floor was only a little over half full (which may have been a good thing; it made the concert more enjoyable because you could actually breathe and move), and there were some minor technical difficulties; the volume on the microphones could have been a little higher, and sometimes it was hard to hear the lyrics over the music. But all in all, Sugarcult and all the other bands put on a great show. They made sure that their fans had fun and got their money’s worth. All the bands seemed to have a great time as well. Sugarcult’s ‘Evanescence photo: amazon.com The concert was an amazing experience, and anyone who enjoys good music, bold lighting and amazing lyrics would feel at home at a Sugarcult concert (as long as they don’t mind being around a lot of very enthusiastic, devoted fans). After the concert, all the bands hung out by their merchandise booths, talking and taking pictures with their fans. “Big-time” bands don’t do that. But Sugarcult did, and it was a nice way for everyone to end the evening ! 14 body&soul! e. coli spreads to taco bell teentalk with Doctor George big fat goodbye don’t stress health for mind, body and spirit! e. coli spreads to taco bell by Alicia Cooper, Clark HS Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past weeks, you have probably heard about the recent E. coli outbreak that brought a storm of illness into our pop culture and has tainted many of our nation’s essential food items such as spinach, lettuce and ground beef. The notorious bacteria struck again in our food market by plaguing the widely known and internationally prominent Taco Bell restaurants across the U.S. at the end of 2006. Investigations into this devastating outburst of disease have suggested that the toxic bacterium was found on the lettuce and green onions used in many of Taco Bell’s products. This conclusion was made due to the fact that many people fell ill when consuming items of Taco Bell’s menu that consisted mainly of those particular vegetables. The current discovery of E. coli has damaged not only Taco Bell’s costumer income, but also its reputation and competence in mainstream media. Escherichia coli O157:H7, also known as E. coli, is the foremost and leading cause of food borne illnesses. Based on a statistic initiated in 1999, 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths happen per year in the United States. Most of the illnesses are the result of eating undercooked, contaminated beef, contaminated bean sprouts or fresh, leafy vegetables like spinach and lettuce. The most common symptoms and telltale signs of this disease are abdominal cramps, severe and bloody diarrhea and kidney failure – usually occurring in the young and elderly. If you are diagnosed with the infection, you probably will have to take antibiotics, and more than likely be cured in five to 10 days. The most critical result of being infected is hospitalization or death. The chance of a fatal outcome is 3 to 5 percent. Most of the dangerous and sometimes fatal bacterium are found in petting zoos, cattle farms, vegetable crops and even local swimming locations such as rivers, lakes and public pools. Many farmers are unaware of the fact that the E. coli bacteria can live in the intestines of cattle, regardless of how healthy the animal may look or act. The infection can spread onto meat products during the slaughter, but still be packaged and shipped to various markets without anyone knowing that the disease is even there. Most farmers that raise vegetable crops face a similar predicament. A number of people blame the government for the E. coli crisis in vegetable products due to a lowered demand of health inspections of the crops. In fact, the need for inspections dropped to a reported 37 percent in the 2004-2005 year. Because of such low rates and lack of careful watch, countless produce has been tainted with the bacteria. Local swimming pools could also be areas of high contamination since bad hygiene is the fastest way to spread the disease. With so many bodies in one enclosed area, infection becomes a high risk. teentalk with Doctor George Dr. Constantine George is a Las Vegas native. He went to medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno, Nevada and finished his schooling in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. George enjoys working out and reading. teen talk for today’s teens Get answers to your health questions each month in the Teen Talk health column, sponsored by Southern Hills Hospital. Dr. Constantine George, specializing in adolescent health, gives you advice on everything from acne to asthma. Send your confidential questions by e-mail to [email protected], by U.S. mail to CLASS!, UNLV, Box 451025, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1025, or by fax to 895-1505. Here is this month’s Q and A with Dr. George: Q. If I have sensitive skin, can I still get a tattoo when I turn 18? Dr. G: Tattoos can irritate your skin so if you want to get one, have a very small area worked on first and see how your skin/body will react. More importantly, be aware that tattoos can lead to several problems like Hepatitis C, skin infections and allergic reactions. Remember that they are very difficult to remove and get rid of as well. When facing a dangerous epidemic, one question comes to mind: how do I avoid infection? Health officials have made simple guidelines in order to prevent contracting E. coli. One way to steer How important is flossing, really? clear of the illness is to wash all fruits Dr. G: Flossing is very important and should be part of your daily routine. and vegetables before eating – especially Flossing helps do the following: remove plaque, polish tooth surfaces, control those that will not be cooked. Another bad breath and remove debris that adhere to your teeth and gums in between way is to cook all ground beef and meat your teeth. thoroughly. Also, if you are served any meat product that is undercooked, send What’s the difference between name brand medicines it back for further cooking. It would be in and generic ones? your best interest to request a new plate Dr. G: Name brand medications are under patent by the company that as well. created them, so they are the only ones allowed to make it. But when the patent Drink only juice and milk that is runs out, anyone can make the same drug, so then the drug becomes a generic pasteurized, and avoid swallowing drug. Although cost is a difference between brand and generic, they are the same water from public pools and lakes. medication so they should work the same. Always remember to wash your hands every chance you get, especially after I’ve never gone to a tanning salon before. preparing meat and using the Is it safe to try one? restroom. Be sure to sterilize all Dr. G: Tanning beds at tanning salons do emit both UVA and UVB rays, cooking utensils and counter tops which are known to cause skin damage, premature skin wrinkling and skin cancer before and after preparing food. as well. If you are already diagnosed with E. coli, you should refrain from serving What kinds of foods are good for your mind? food to others, bathe alone and avoid Can they actually make you smarter? swimming in public places. Dr. G: An easy way to remember this is by referring to the food pyramid. We should all remember that despite the Fruits and vegetables are the best foods for your brain because they contain several food scares that plague us today, we vitamins and minerals that we need to be at our best. Sweets and fatty foods have must try our best to control the spread of lots of fat and other ingredients that, although we need, we should try to keep to this ailment and not let it control us ! a minimum ! Q. Q. Q. Q. body&soul!body&soul!body&soul!body&soul!body&soul! 15 big fat goodbye body&soul! say farewell to the unhealthy problem of trans fats by Erin Walsh Trans fats. They have been inescapable from the news in the past few weeks, from food labels in the past year and, according to many doctors, from the mouths of many Americans for the past couple decades. They contaminate our margarine, microwave popcorn, cookies, etc. They are the reason we are told to choose between dessert and death. We have been importuned to renounce our favorite foods that use them and are comforted when we can read ‘0g’ on the nutrition information. What exactly are trans fats? For chemistry students, trans fats are created by using partial hydrogenation to rearrange most of the double bonds of a fatty acid that would originally not become chemically saturated, in order for the hydrogen atoms to end up on different sides of the chain. In other words, trans fats are synthetically altered fats made from liquid oil. The war on trans fats does not begin or end with New York, however. Denmark spurred the health kick by becoming the first country to introduce laws against the demonic fats in 2003. The Netherlands, a country famous for its loose laws on drugs appears to be enforcing more stringent rules regarding trans fats. Arby’s, Panera Bread Company, Wendy’s, Kraft, Oreo and soon Disneyland will be trans fat free. Starbucks recently announced their plan to cut trans fats from pastries, muffins and sweets across the country – a plan that’s been two years in the works. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration demanded that all packaged products be labeled with trans fat information by Jan. 1, 2006. State officials in Connecticut and Massachusetts are also considering saying a big fat goodbye to trans fats in the future. Vegetable oil alloyed with hydrogen and pressure will produce a harder, stiffer fat. The inception of turning non-saturated fats into saturated fats about 20 years ago allowed businesses to preserve foods longer and at a cheaper price. After a few years of sitting in a box, crackers still had their crunch and potato chips were no longer stale. Trans fats gave foods a longer shelf life, but shortened the one of the consumer. Some are celebrating America’s health kick, while others spurn the idea of being deprived of another choice. Ricka Gen, a health-conscious New Yorker, home-cooks almost all of her meals. The more solid the fat, the more likely the fat will succeed in clogging heart arteries. Trans fats has been proven to contribute to coronary heart disease and have been linked to other heart and stroke complications. Some research indicates that trans fats may also have an impact on diabetes, fetal development, neurological damage, obesity and cancer. The effects of hydrogenated fats (trans fats) on the latter subjects remain a more controversial subject between scientists. Alix Smilow, a high school student attending Las Vegas Academy, believes that her food choices “are choices that [she] would like to decide – not have New York City is home to millions of people who eulogize Sloppy Joe’s – a haven for thousands of greasy pizza parlors and a place where the two golden arches of McDonald’s can be found on every street corner. The Big Apple might be the last city people would expect to be the nation’s first to bar the use of trans fats, but many officials were not surprised. According to the “New York Post,” more than a thousand deaths could be linked to the consumption of hydrogenated fats. Formidable statistics like these led to the unanimous vote by the New York City Board of Health to ban trans fats, giving cafeterias and coffee shops until July 1, 2008 to find substitutes that satisfy taste buds as well as the stringent law. don’t stress! busy teens need to find their own way to relax by Miranda Daluz, Odyssey Charter HS Relaxing occasionally is an essential for you body and your mind. Whether you’re in school, working to enhance your career or both. Part of being human is that we need a rest from time to time. Maybe you’re under a lot of pressure and therefore have a lot of stress in your life. Spend the weekend at a luxurious spa. Of course, there are other ways to relax. Most people have found music to be very soothing. The music would distract your mind from previous events that perhaps were stressful. Music is quite interesting because, it doesn’t matter if you’re sad, happy, angry or irritable – music can put you in a different mood, and often make you feel better. Some agreeable artists I recommend include Jack Johnson, Aaron Neville, Tim McGraw, Lionel Richie, Brown Boy and many more. As a considerably high-maintenance teenager, I have to say that Pilates and hot bubble baths are truly superb. Pilates helps with breathing – which really does more than you think. If you breathe right each day your mind “You just never know what other people throw in it,” she says. With the new ban, she can be a little more relaxed while dining out. [her] government decide for [her].” Some are indifferent to the laws, claiming they will be unenforceable. “Banning trans fats is as enforceable as banning marijuana,” says one anonymous high school student. There is no doubt that these changes will impact every American’s pantry. Not only are national chains being pressured to rework their recipes, but also public awareness on the subject is growing. As far as our own Sin City is concerned, the public has already convinced the state to throwaway its restaurant ashtrays; the steps to ban trans fats may not be far behind. Whether or not the topic makes it to the political agenda, however, one cannot deny how unavoidable trans fats have become on the agenda of the individual ! becomes more clear, and decision making becomes more simple. One thing to love about ‘the hot bubble bath’ is that it’s so traditional. Throughout the years it has not lost its status. It’s still the ultimate carefree way to relax, and can feel like being in a Jacuzzi. Going to school every day leaves you little time for anything else. It’s not really a problem until it makes you too busy not only to relax, but too busy to get enough exercise as well. Kids these days really don’t value how much they mean to our society. We are the next generation and taking care of ourselves is a necessity. Waking up early and going running really does help you in more than just losing weight. It gives you time to think without someone over your shoulder, stressing you out. You could say, it gives you ‘you time.’ Everybody needs to get away once in a while, but sometimes with work and school it’s just not possible. Running or even walking is a way to clear your head and figure things out for yourself while getting exercise. People are different. Therefore, relaxing methods will be different. The basis of relaxing yourself is just doing something that you enjoy. Other than work. Like hanging with friends, pottery making, painting, drawing, watching or doing some form entertainment, etc. And sometimes just doing nothing. The main recommendation for relaxation that I have received from my peers is meditation, where you simply sit down by yourself to meditate on life, organize your decisions and clear your mind. Clear your mind and don’t worry about all that stress for a little while. That’s what relaxation is all about ! 16 artspace! Exhibit your artistic talents in words and pictures. E-mail your work to [email protected], and be sure to include your name, your school, and a description of your artistic medium your space to express your vision in art and poetry i am by Greg Daluz, Odyssey Charter HS I am hollow. I wonder what you feel. I hear the words, I see you but don’t believe you’re real. I want only life and to be healed. I pretend to be like you. I feel nothing. I touch everything you touch. I worry about loving. I cry about pain not about you. I am alone in everything I do. I understand life, untitled by John Callahan, Arbor View HS grade 10 And what it should be like. I say things that could possibly be right. I dream of being normal every single night. I try to fake it in the words I write. I hope to be like you, Not cold as steel. I am alone in all I feel. I am a fake. I want to be real. untitled by Kerstin Kent, Faith Lutheran HS desolation gloomy winter by Michelle Lee, Silverado HS senior city life, by Michelle Lee, Silverado HS senior artspace! !artspace!artspace!artspace!artspace!artspace! 17 life in motion untitled by John Callahan, Arbor View HS grade 10 untitled Kerstin Kent, Faith Lutheran HS Michelle Lee, Silverado HS senior untitled by Kerstin Kent, Faith Lutheran HS untitled by John Callahan, Arbor View HS sophomore Programas de Intercambio Ojo con las libritas de más Crítica cinematográfica Ortega: orgullo hispano 19 entérate de las noticias nacionales y locales en español Programas de intercambio expande las experiencias culturales por Megan Smallen, Coronado HS Así como todos los días estamos expuestos a diferentes rutinas y a una atmósfera inmensa pareciera como si ninguna otra vida o cultura existiría fuera de la nuestra. Mas allá de las barreras y de las montañas existen otras sociedades diferentes a la que hoy en día vivimos. Lo que no comprendemos es que existen millones de personas que a pesar de ser parte del sistema americano, también poseen otra cultura y otras tradiciones. Un nuevo programa de intercambio establecido en Coronado High School y en otras escuelas del Condado de Clark, está presentando la otra cara de la cultura y de la comunicación. Al tener estudiantes de otros países entre nosotros, podremos aprender sobre otro mundo y la vida en el otro lado del mundo. “En este programa los nuevos estudiantes aprenderán nuestras tradiciones y harán nuevos amigos,” dice Del Sagers, consejero de la escuela. Actualmente en nuestra escuela hay dos estudiantes que vienen de intercambio y que están aprendiendo con gran facilidad la vida en la ciudad de Las Vegas. Xiangyan Kong, quien llegó desde China, considera que su estadía en Las Vegas en una oportunidad genial. Su maestro en China fue quien la inspiró a que viniera a experimentar la vida en América. Kong es conocida como Joyce por sus amigos americanos y explica cómo que la vida en China es muy diferente a la vida en los Estados Unidos. Por ejemplo, en China cada estudiante tiene nueve clases al día, para así adquirir mas conocimiento de diferentes temas. “En China tenemos que utilizar uniforme y las clases son mucho más difíciles,” dice Kong. Después de estudiar desde las 7 a.m. hasta alas 9:30 p.m., Kong deseaba poder experimentar la vida escolar aquí y ser parte de Coronado. Una vez los estudiantes demuestren tener ganas en ser parte del programa de intercambio, tiene que sobrellevar un proceso un tanto largo. Los estudiantes tienen que inscribirse a una organización que es la que lleva a cabo los trámites y quien escoge las familias patrocinadores en el país de visita. En muchas sociedades internacionales, el país más pedido es Estados Unidos; sin embargo, el destino es determinado dependiendo del lugar donde residen actualmente. Infortunadamente, después de tomar exámenes de inglés tanto escritos como orales, y después de pasar por entrevistas y orientaciones, la entrada a los Estados Unidos, no está garantizada. Esto hace que la travesía sea aun más compleja. Muchas de las organizaciones que se especializan en programas de intercambios y comunicaciones internacionales no tienen requisitos específicos, pero se recomienda tener la habilidad de hablar el idioma que se habla en el país de destino. “La experiencia es diferente y muy linda,” dice Karell. “La escuela en Suecia es parecida a la Universidad. Puedes hasta tomar clases de cosmetología y quedarte en un solo salón de clases todo el día.” Karell tuvo la oportunidad de seleccionar una región de los Estados Unidos donde quisiese vivir, pero ella piensa que escoger una buena familia es más importante que escoger una ciudad. Según Karell, son los participantes y las familias que hacen de este programa una experiencia tan grande y tan importante. Para que los estudiantes puedan recibir crédito por las clases que toman en la escuela, tienen el estatus de ‘senior’ o estudiante de último año, sin importar su edad. Como miembros del programa, Karell y Kong se reúnen constantemente con otros estudiantes para hablar de su experiencia en esta ciudad. Así, el conocimiento y la importancia de las culturas se pueden esparcir. Y a pesar de los cambios drásticos en la educación y en el ambiente, estos programas de intercambio demuestran que son una excelente opción para muchos. Linnea Karell, es una estudiante de intercambio que llegó desde Suecia. Ella ha hecho parte de este programa desde antes de iniciar la escuela y nos cuenta que su madre también hizo lo mismo cuando estaba en la escuela. Esa fue una de las razones que la llevó a emprender este viaje. “Muchas veces los americanos no entienden la cultura china… pero es más probable que los americanos sepan menos acerca de nuestra cultura de lo que nosotros sabemos de ustedes,” dice Kong ! ¡Gana $$$! ¡Participa en el concurso de poesía que CLASS! está patrocinando! Necesitas dinero... ¿para comprar un ¿Cuáles son las reglas? regalo? ¿Para pagar una deuda? Debes ser un estudiante del noveno al doceavo grado. ¿Para ir de compras con tus amigos? • Tienes hasta el 3 de abril para enviarnos tu poema. ¿Qué tengo que hacer? Escribe tu nombre, edad, escuela, grado y tu correo electrónico junto con tu poema y envíalo a: (Poemas recibidos después de esta fecha serán eliminados) No hay otra manera más fácil de ganar dinero. Simplemente anímate y escríbenos. No necesariamente tienes que estar enamorado para escribir versos... expresa tus emociones hacia la vida, la guerra, la paz... lo que tu quieras, el tema es libre. • Máximo de dos poemas por persona. Lina Hernández CLASS! Publications Box 451025 University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV 89154-1025 ¿Cuáles son los premios? O envía un correo electrónico a: • El poema debe ser escrito en español y propio (Poemas no originales serán eliminados) • No hay límite de líneas y el tema es libre (Por favor no se limiten a escribir poemas de amor) Primer puesto: $125 Segundo puesto: $60 Tercer puesto: $40 [email protected] Nota: por favor no te olvides de mandar tus datos personales, sobretodo tu correo electrónico, porque si ganas, queremos tener el gusto de poder comunicártelo. Comentale a todos tus amigos sobre el concurso de poesía y de lo que se pueden ganar. ¡Estaremos esperando tus poemas! 20 ¿Malas noticias? Unas libritas de más durante las vacaciones “En el tercer día de Navidad, mi verdadero amor me dio: tres gallinas francesas, dos pajaritos y mil calorías extra.” por Anupa Gewali, Green Valley High School Esto es algo que vemos todos los años para la época navideña. Es imposible desistir de probar esos pastelillos, dulces y bebidas. De acuerdo con el Instituto Nacional de Salud, quienes ya están pasados de peso tienden a engordar cinco libras más durante las fiestas de diciembre. Y ahora que volvemos de ellas, analicemos las consecuencias. “Yo pienso que los niños deben aprovechar y comer de todo porque es una época especial, pero también se debe controlar y no convertirlo en un hábito,” dice Karina Narang, estudiante de Coronado High School. “No puedes privarte de esas cosas porque de pronto un día comerás hasta explotar y será peor para ti.” La directora de Servicios Alimenticios del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Clark, Karen Vogel, atribuye estas libras de más durante las fiestas navideñas a dos factores: el cambio repentino de vida de los niños al estar en vacaciones y todas las constantes invitaciones a fiestas. “Los jóvenes tienen más tiempo libre ya que no tienen mucho que hacer. Les gusta sentarse a ver televisión o algo así, y cuando se relajan tienden a comer,” dice Vogel. “Además, hay mas fiestas donde la comida es más elaborada, es decir, tiene más grasa y calorías.” Junto con la abundancia de comida viene la abundancia de familia y estrés. Según Vogel, esto también hace parte en la batalla contra la protuberancia y el aumento de peso. De acuerdo con la página de Internet MealsMatter.org, el factor más importante que alguien puede llevar a cabo antes de la navidad es obvio. Antes de tratar de bajar de peso, hay que prevenir comer cantidades grandes para no aumentar de peso. ¡Para que te enteres! Pastelillo de Manzana Datos Nutricionales: “Si me encuentro en una fiesta social, como la misma cantidad de comida que usualmente como en casa,” dice Stephanie Serhan, estudiante de Green Valley High School. “Pero como hay más variedad, usualmente como porciones chicas de diferentes platos.” Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: Pero según Vogel, una sola vez que se exceda, volver a surgir tomaría mucho tiempo y fuerza de voluntad. Pudín de Navidad “Hay quienes hacen un buen trabajo durante todo el año comiendo porciones pequeñas pero una vez empiezan con porciones más grandes, es muy difícil volver a la rutina de antes,” dice Vogel. “Todo depende de cuánta disciplina sobre ti mismo puedas desarrollar.” Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: Para aquellos que no pueden vivir sin las delicias de las fiestas navideñas, existen sustituciones. De acuerdo con un profesional en salud de la compañía Quaker Oatmeal, cubrir un pastelillo de manzana con un yogurt congelado sin grasa en vez de nueces acarameladas, o sustituir papas al horno por ñames dulces o comer la carne blanca del pavo en vez de la oscura! puede salvar horas en el gimnasio. Y a pesar de que pueda parecer una época de mucho estrés, hacer ejercicio y tratar de permanecer en forma puede ayudar más y no es tan difícil como muchos piensan. “Yo trato de hacer cualquier tipo de ejercicio; con mi familia siempre vamos a esquiar y también nos vamos de compras,” dice Ashley Artmann, estudiante de Green Valley ! 552 230 25.6g 72.9g 24g Pastelillos de Papa Datos Nutricionales: 344 165 18.4g 43.6g 3.9g Rompope 319 18 2g 67.3g 9.8g Datos Nutricionales: 335 187 20.9g 19.4g 7.3g Elotes en Crema Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: 784 465 51.7g 16.2g 60.3g Ñame con Malvaviscos Datos Nutricionales: Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: 21.6g Proteínas: Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: Carne de Ganso Asado Datos Nutricionales: Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: Datos Nutricionales: Datos Nutricionales: 330 247 27.5g 3.9g Calorías: Calorías de la Grasa: Grasa Total: Carbohidratos: Proteínas: 419 123 13.7g 59.6g 5.6g source: Forbes 21 El concejal Weekly le da una mano a los más necesitados por Pedro De León, Las Vegas HS Mientras sea el Día de Acción de Gracias o Navidad, ese es el tiempo del año donde debes pensar en otros antes que en ti mismo. Las personas sin hogar y la gente de la tercera edad son solo dos grupos de los tantos que tienen muchas necesidades en nuestra comunidad. Ahora que esta época ya pasó, debemos recordar que todo el año podemos ayudar a los más necesitados. Muchos de nosotros tenemos todo lo que necesitamos para vivir y aún así, muchos lo dan por hecho. Sólo ponte a pensar en un niño pequeño que no tiene absolutamente nada. ¿Qué tan feliz sería si le dan algo tan simple como un juguete? Y ponte a pensar, ¿cuánto te enojas cuando a ti no te compran lo que quieres, aunque recibiste muchos regalos de tu familia? ¡Es ridículo! Yo admiro mucho a la pocas personas en este mundo que encuentran tiempo en su día para tratar de hacer una diferencia en nuestra comunidad. Personas como el concejal Lawrence Weekly saben de las necesidades que tiene esta ciudad, y poco a poco trata de hacer una pequeño cambio en las vidas de la gente que más lo necesita. Durante el mes de noviembre del año pasado, el concejal Weekly llevó a cabo un evento que ya ha existido por seis años: ‘Un Pavo como Obsequio’ (Turkey Give Away). pregunta, “Fantástico, ¿cuánto cobran?” El voluntario le contestó: “¡Tienes suerte! ¡Es gratis!” En este evento se ayuda a las familias de bajos ingresos y más desfavorecidas. “Se siente maravilloso ser parte de un evento como éste,” Lourdes Cortés, estudiante de Las Vegas HS. “Se necesita ayudar a las familias que apenas pueden sobrevivir,” dice el concejal Weekly. “Cualquier tipo de ayuda que podamos dar es bienvenido, especialmente en este tiempo del año.” A mí me dieron la oportunidad de trabajar como voluntario en este evento cerca del edificio municipal. Mi trabajo era dar comida y pavos a la gente de la tercera edad. Mientras unos de los trabajadores le daba un pavo a un señor, éste le Crítica cinematográfica: Turistas por Sander Smith, Coronado HS ¿Se acuerdan cuando hace mucho tiempo la palabra “terror” significaba algo? Cuando las películas se categorizaban como “terror,” uno esperaba ver una buena película y muchas muertes, por supuesto. ¿Desde cuándo cambiaron el significado de la palabra? Al parecer, hoy en día, ese término solo se aplica a las películas con una cantidad excesiva de sangre que no poseen el factor miedo. La cara de sorpresa y felicidad que tenía ese señor te obligaba a sonreír. Miembros de Wal-Mart, estudiantes del grupo de PAL de la preparatoria Las Vegas y unos de los asistentes de concejal trabajaron juntos en este día. Supermercados como Smith’s, Albertsons y Wal-Mart, contribuyeron en las donaciones de comida y de los pavos. Otro evento que realizó el concejal se llevó a cabo también en noviembre, donde hubo una cena para 300 veteranos. ¡Muchas gracias concejal Lawrence Weekly ! ¿Sabías que?… Según una lista de la revista Hispanic Business publicada en septiembre del 2005, éstas son las 10 primeras compañías que emplean a la comunidad hispana en nuestra ciudad: 1. McDonald’s Corporation 2. Bank of America 3. Washington Mutual, Inc. 4. Verizon Communications 5. Wells Fargo & Co. 6. Olive Garden Restaurants 7. Citigroup, Inc. 8. Marriott International 9. Denny’s Restaurants 10. Hyatt Hotels Corporation Turistas es una nueva película que está categorizada como película de terror. Mientras que la película es un poco perturbadora, en definitiva, no asusta para nada. La película contiene el típico personaje que se sabe que va a morir. Casi al final de la película, ya a nadie le importa si se mueren o no. Si mueren a nadie le parece una tragedia. Y es ahí cuando la película pierde su credibilidad. Es muy difícil que te preocupes o sientas miedo por una persona con la cual no te identificas. Ya cuando estos personajes pierden el sentido, la audiencia no quiere nada más que se acabe la película rápido. Pero como también se le tiene que dar crédito, la película fue filmada de una manera espectacular. Desde las imágenes por debajo del agua hasta las imágenes de violencia sangrienta, se ve bien. Pero eso se esperaba de John Stockwell, el mismo director de las películas Blue Crush y Into the Blue. Es obvio que está obsesionado con el agua tropical. La película en general se puede predecir. Con la cantidad de películas sangrientas que están saliendo últimamente es difícil ser original. Pero eso de torturar a la gente se ha hecho tanto que para ser honestos ya no asusta a nadie ! ¿Tienes algo que decir acerca de alguno de los artículos? Quizás tienes una historia que comentarnos acerca de algún evento o entidad positiva en nuestra comunidad. Entonces escríbenos a nuestro correo electrónico: [email protected] o por correo regular a: Lina Hernández, CLASS! UNLV Box 451025, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1025 ¡Anímate y publica tus opiniones! gramática o restricciones en el espacio. Artículos en nuestra posesión pueden ser editados a base de estilo periodístico, ! 22 ¡La RISA es SALUD! Ortega: un orgullo hispano en Las Vegas High School Qué borrachos... Estaba un borracho en una esquina. Una mujer pasa caminando, el borracho la observa y le dice: - ¡Adiós fea! La mujer indignada se da media vuelta y le dice: - ¡Borracho! por Pedro De León, Las Vegas High School Kelli Ortega es una estudiante de la preparatoria Las Vegas que ha sido reconocida por el Programa ‘Reconocimiento Nacional Hispano’ de la Junta Directiva de Universidades de Nevada. El Programa ‘Reconocimiento Nacional Hispano’ se estableció en 1983 el cual proporciona un reconocimiento nacional para los estudiantes de herencia hispana en su último año de preparatoria que además de demostrar excelentes resultados en sus notas académicas, también son llamados por importantes institutos universitarios. Este año, más de 175,000 estudiantes en los Estados Unidos se identificaron como hispanos en los exámenes conocidos como PSAT/NMSQT. De estos estudiantes, 4,700 les fue otorgado becas o menciones honorables; todo esto bajo los requisitos y las calificaciones finales de estos exámenes. Ortega nació en los Estados Unidos pero viene de descendencia mexicana por el lado de la familia de su papá. Ortega se considera una buena persona en todos los aspectos. ¡Entérate! La ciudad de Las Vegas fue considerada como la sexta mejor ciudad en la nación para vivir para la comunidad latina. (Revista Hispana) especie se acerca y le pregunta: - ¿Qué te pasa? Otros de sus éxitos incluye la vicepresidencia de curso en Las Vegas High School y de la Asociación Nacional de Ayuntamiento de Estudiantes (NASC, por sus siglas en inglés). Muchas felicidades para Kelli Ortega, ¡todo un orgullo hispano! Sí, somos la especie más venenosa sobre la tierra, una sola mordida y ¡¡zazzz!! ¿Por qué preguntas? - ¡Es que me acabo de morder la lengua! El 23 por ciento de la población de Nevada es hispano. Pepito y su papá están en el supermercado y a la hora de hacer fila para pagar, delante de ellos va una señora extremadamente gorda. El 25 por ciento de la población del Condado de Clark es hispano. Mira papá, ¡cuánto lugar ocupa! - Cállate Pepito, ¡no seas malcriado! En las elecciones presidenciales del 2004, alrededor de 7.6 millones de hispanos votaron ese año. Cuerpos... al natural El maratón de Las Vegas Evento: ‘Cuerpos... La Exhibición.’ Día(s): abierto todos los días. Hora: 10 a.m. a 10 p.m. Lugar: 3801 S. Las Durante un fin de semana de enero, usted podrá disfrutar de comida y entretenimiento en el Hotel y Casino Showboat. Llame al (702) 385-9150 para más información. Oye mamá,¿por qué papá tiene tan poco pelo? -Es que es muy inteligente y siempre está pensando. Aparte de sus buenas calificaciones, Ortega hace parte del equipo de porristas y del equipo de natación de su escuela. “Yo estoy lista y preparada para cualquier reto,” comenta Ortega. Eventos para enero La celebración del Super Bowl Padres y calvos “Me encanta tener responsabilidades Y entonces, ¿ por qué tienes tú tanto pelo? -¡Calla y cómete la sopa ! y mantenerme organizada,” dijo Ortega. “En todo lo que trato de Serpientes y muy venenosas lograr, no doy menos del 100 Una serpiente estaba llorando por ciento.” desesperadamente. Otra serpiente de la misma Agenda Comunitaria A mediados del mes de enero, participantes se congregan para correr 26 millas hasta el centro de la ciudad. Habrá sorpresas y comida para todos los participantes durante y después del evento. Llame al (702) 8763870 para más información. El borracho con una sonrisa le dice: - Sí, pero a mí mañana se me pasa. Vegas Boulevard. En el Hotel y Casino Tropicana. Teléfono: (702) 739-2411. Precios: $24 admisión general, $22 personas mayores de 60 años, $21 para los residentes de Nevada y $16 para los niños entre los 4 y los 16 años. menores de 6 años. Arte estética y contemporánea Evento: ‘Arte Contemporánea de Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Robert De Niro y Alexander Calder.’ Día(s): abierto todos los días. Hora: 8am a 5pm Lugar: 107 E. Charleston Blvd., En el Museo de Arte George L. Sturman. Teléfono: (702) 384-2615. Los niños y sus chistes - Pero Papá, mira ¡es casi como un autobús! ¡Que te calles te digo! En eso se escucha el clásico sonido del ‘beeper’ de algún otro cliente y Pepito grita: - ¡Cuidado se va a echar de reversa! No te quedes sentado en tu casa sin hacer nada y aprovecha los eventos que nuestra ciudad tiene programados para tí. Exhibiciones de Arte Exhibición: Exhibición: ‘Arte fino’ por Karen Wallo y Fernando Molinari. ‘Africa: el orígen’ cuadros de artistas locales. Lugar: 1401 E. Flamingo Road. En la biblioteca pública del Condado De Clark. Teléfono: (702) 507-3400. Ciencia atómica en Nevada Evento: ‘Explore la historia local, nacional e internacional de la ciencia atómica en Nevada.’ Día(s): de lunes a sábado. Hora: 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. Lugar: 755 E. Flamingo Road, En el Museo de Pruebas Atómicas. Teléfono: (702) 794-5161. Precios: $10 admisión general y gratis para niños Sin dejar de llorar la serpiente contesta -¿Es cierto que somos venenosas? Exhibición: ‘Espacio ocupado: reuniendo artistas en espacios públicos,’ trabajos tridimensionales por artistas locales. Lugar: 250 N. Eastern Avenue. En el Centro Comunitario del Este de Las Vegas. Teléfono: (702) 229-6844. Lugar: 2207 W. Gowan Road En la galería de arte Left of Center. Teléfono: (702) 647-7378. Exhibición: ‘Lo más reciente’ cuadros hechos por Jesús Bravo. Lugar: 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. En la biblioteca pública del Oeste de Las Vegas. Teléfono: (702) 507-3980. 23 the perks and complexities of the fashion industry fashion news · what’s cool and trendy · who’s wearing what the perks and complexities of the fashion industry behind the scenes at SpaceGirlz While some young women go tend to patients at a hospital and others teach at schools, some get to experience the unanticipated twists and turns of the roller coaster we call the fashion industry. 8:26 a.m. Myra DeGuzman heads up to the office, not knowing what the day’s work will be, but knowing that there will be a lot of it. As assistant to Rick Skolnik, owner of the SpaceGirlz apparel company, she is excited to see what new tasks await her. Many girls have heard of, seen or own a pair of SpaceGirlz bottoms. The company primarily manufactures Junior bottoms, in casual wear and denim. The designer, Holly Kennedy, is busy this time of year working on the new apparel for Fall 2007 (Be the first to know, plaid prints are being manufactured for next fall!). Everyone at SpaceGirlz has an important role, and contributes an intense amount of time and effort into the production of the clothes. by Asia Sapp, Liberty HS DeGuzman’s job involves a great variety of tasks, including all areas of bringing the designs to life. Many girls aspire to grow She does everything! She enters orders and fabrics, and creates trim sheets, which are layouts of the specifics of each type of clothing that is made. They indicate exactly what types of colors and patterns are on the fabrics, buttons, zippers, etc. industry. There are a lot of She is also responsible for making sure that the orders get to and from the factory on time. got her degree in fashion “Everything is on a time scale!” DeGuzman says. A heavy load definitely rests on her shoulders. A missing order to the company would be like a mother losing her child in Wal-Mart! Although this job may be too stressful for a lot of people, DeGuzman handles her tasks with confidence and pride. She explains, “I love that my job is different everyday. Nothing is repetitious.” up to work in the fashion things you have to do, and like any job, you must start off at the bottom and work your way up. DeGuzman merchandising, and though she is happy with her current job, she hopes to one day become Production Manager. To those who are interested in having a job like DeGuzman’s and want to work their way into fashion, designing or owning a clothing line, DeGuzman’s advice for right now is, “Read magazines and business newspapers” and “follow up with all the trends!” SpaceGirlz apparel can be found in catalogs like ‘Delia’s’ and ‘Alloy,’ and also in stores such as Wet Seal ! 24 sports! Ladainian Tomlinson:setting a new standard for players stay active with cool winter sports on the field, on the track and on the court LaDainian Tomlinson: setting a new standard for NFL players by Greg Daluz, Odyssey Charter HS The shining star in the NFL today is, without question, LaDainian Tomlinson. Showing integrity on and off the field, ‘L.T.’ is disproving the age-old theory that says arrogance and athlete are synonymous. Professional athletes, as of recent times, seem to be one great disappointment after another – from the basketball brawls to the ridiculous cheap shots week after week in the National Football League. However, Tomlinson is setting a standard for the sport that is almost mythical. Drafted in 2001, L.T. quickly began to stand out. He rushed for over 1,200 yards in his first season and scored 10 touchdowns. Most running backs would be thrilled with a season like this, but not LaDainian. He came back and topped himself in 2002 with 1,683 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. A player with these kinds of numbers had to have been a star at a young age. Growing up and playing football in Waco, Texas, L.T. was not a quick standout player. In fact, in high school he played fullback and, until his senior year, did not get too much attention. He wound up receiving a scholarship to Texas Christian University where he was turned into a running back. He got drafted, before graduating, by the San Diego Chargers. Tomlinson is now in his sixth NFL season with the Chargers and has been doing absolutely incredible things. He set the record for fastest player to score 100 touchdowns by doing it in 93 games. He shattered the single-season scoring record in 14 games with his 31st touchdown of the year (29 rushing and two passing). Did I mention that he can pass too? He seems to do it all. ESPN calls him “Mr. Everything,” and even his teammate, Lorenzo Neal, calls him “Superman without a cape.” I wonder what a man with this kind of talent and work ethic does in his spare time. The last day that L.T. had off was Dec. 18, and he spent it at Rady’s Children Hospital for his sixth annual Touching Lives Holiday Program, where L.T. and teammates gave out 1,500 toys. Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation contributes to under-privileged children and families, through everything from promoting education to distributing over 1,400 Thanksgiving dinners this year. Tomlinson offers scholarships, and even has his own football camp. How many 27-year-old guys can say that? Tomlinson is a man and athlete of great integrity and ambition. Nothing came easy to him, yet he has achieved everything he could have wished. He has stayed humble through this record-breaking season where he is being called the “best player in the NFL.” We will see many more great things from Tomlinson, on and off the field ! Stay active with cool winter sports People use the excuse that summer is over to get lazy. Just because the season has changed does not mean you can’t play sports outside. It’s time to get up and get going. by Brizie Montano, Coronado HS There are various sports you can choose from during the winter season. Biathlon, broomball, ice hockey and speed skating are all popular winter sports looking for players. Though you might not have heard of it, biathlon is actually a Winter Olympic sport that combines cross-country skiing and precision target shooting. The athletes are told to ski with their rifles through to a distant shooting range, where five shots at five knockdown targets 50 miles down the range are taken from a laying position. Depending on the format of the sport, either a penalty or penalty laps are looked at for shots that miss. The skiers then race to another loop and come back to the shooting range for another chance to shoot, this time while standing upright. Penalties are given again for missed shots. The skiers race to a last loop, ending the race. Ice hockey is a team sport. There are six players and one goalie for each team, plus several substitutes, all who are on ice skates. The object is to score goals by shooting a puck into the opposing team’s goal. Players control the puck with a long stick that ends in a curved blade, as many are familiar with. The players are allowed to redirect the puck by using any part of their body, other than their hands, and without kicking the puck. Almost exactly like ice hockey, broomball is when players use brooms instead of hockey sticks to hit a volleyball into the other team’s goal. Broomball is also played on an ice rink. The broom can either have a wooden or aluminum handle, and a rubber-molded triangle head, like a normal broom. The brooms dipped in rubber are much more durable. The teams include six players, a goalie and five outfielders. Just like ice hockey, the object is to score more goals than the opposing team. Players are only allowed to use their brooms; no body parts are allowed. In speed skating, skaters must travel a certain distance more quickly than the other skaters. Skaters skate four distances and whoever has the best time wins. Most races are done on an indoor ice rink, with a distance of 40 kilometers. When the race is skated outside, the distance can be as long as 200 kilometers. Like all sports, these winter games have safety rules to be followed. Always dressing warmly is the key rule. If you do not dress for the cold weather, you could get frostbite, which can result in the loss of a body part if not treated immediately. Look into buying water-absorbent clothes. Although snow and ice are somewhat solid, you can still get wet if it melts or you fall through thin ice. Always know the game you are playing and understand fully what you must be doing. If you need to, take lessons that will walk you through the game step-by-step. Drinking water and staying hydrated is also a major part of staying safe. Use the proper equipment for the sport you are playing and make sure the equipment is in good shape. Pay attention to all rules and everyone should enjoy the game ! Full Licensed. Is being able to drive still a big deal? Parking lot rowds still on th rise getting around town in style Fully licensed by Jaime Garcia, Western HS All high school students go through the stage of getting their own cars. How excited you are when you get your license and are allowed to drive. It’s one of the best moments of your life. But does that special feeling last? There seem to be many factors that now take away from the excitement of being able to drive. Gas prices are fast becoming one of them. “It can be frustrating,” Western High School senior Clayton Brown says. “I go through half a tank a week. It’s a hassle always paying for gas.” Fellow senior Kolin Niday adds, “I spend about 20 to 30 dollars a week.” Niday also says in regard to driving, “I like it, but in the morning there’s a lot of traffic.” Traffic and gas prices aside, there is also the fact that students often become so used to driving that they don’t see it as a special privilege at all. Brown agrees, “Yeah, on ce you do it enough, it becomes second nature.” But Brown and Niday both try to treat driving seriously and not take it for granted. Niday says, “It’s a lot of responsibility, always making sure you have gas and being careful on the road.” So, while the weight of being able to drive may not seem as heavy as it has in the past, students still recognize that driving is not something to be taken lightly. It’s a skill that we’ll use for the rest of our lives, it gives us something to be responsible for and it marks the beginning of our passage into adulthood ! Parking lot crowds still on the rise With over 2,000 people at some of Clark County’s larger high schools, there’s bound to be some confusion and frustration in what should be the most simple of places: the parking lot. At Centennial High School, a new rule was put into effect beginning Oct. 9 that forces those parked in the west lot to exit from there. They are not allowed to leave from the main entrance as it is now chained off. Though the new rule may help control the traffic flow, some students feel that the parking lot is still too crowded during the morning and afternoon rushes. “They need to have more traffic directors because the traffic flow is way too heavy for just two people to handle,” says Jazlynn Matlock, sophomore. In regard to whether or not the parking lot really is overcrowded, dean Dean Steve Slocum says, “It’s overcrowded in the sense that everyone waits until the last minute to get here. There’s plenty of room for everyone to park.” Slocum is one of the deans in charge of the front entrance at Centennial. Teri Criner is another dean that helps with directing the buses and cars in the morning to try to avoid congestion at the west entrance. illustration: Chris Ware, mct cmpus Is being able to drive still a big deal? wheels! wheels! 25 by Taylor Hassman, Centennial HS Including students and staff, 246 people are currently registered to park at Centennial High School. Since many have not yet gotten their parking stickers, administrators are left with an inaccurate number of cars to keep track of. They ask for everyone to register in the banker’s office for five dollars. That fee allows you to park for the entire school year. At Centennial, three actions will be taken when you do not have the required permit. The first notice will be a sticker on your windshield or door stating that you have received your first warning. If you don’t want further consequences to take place, you need to get the permit as soon as possible. If you don’t have your parking sticker the second time, all of your driving privileges will be taken away. The final step is having your car towed away. You’re left to pay the fee for that action. Every parking lot has some problems with traffic, but if everyone works together to make the traffic flow more smoothly, less people would be complaining about the amount of time that it takes to get in or to get home and it would make everyone’s life easier ! schoolzone! 26 The attraction between students and coffee gives businesses ideas what’s happening on campuses around the valley The attraction between students and coffee gives businesses ideas By Danielle Sloan, Green Valley HS School is a place for learning new things – a.k.a, loads of homework and studying. Sometimes the days are terribly long and become mundane with the repetitiveness and boringness of it all. The hours pass by one by one, and sleep is no longer an option when you have three exams the next day. How is a student expected to make it through? The answer to this predicament is often by using anything from sugar pills to the latest energy drinks, though the mostly commonly used stimulant for students tends to be coffee. All those corporate coffeehouse CEOs aren’t ignorant to this. They are well aware of the needs and wants of young adults, and they know that many of us need and want coffee. So, what do these CEOs do about this? Well, they embrace it. They stick their coffee shops within walking distance from both high schools and colleges, making it very convenient for us to get our coffee and give them tons of our money. The UNLV Student Union is now the home of the all-time favored coffee shop, Starbucks. In addition to being on just about every corner of every city in the U.S., Starbucks is also often found in local bookstores, such as Barnes and Noble. obviously not coincidentally, the coffee shop is located very, very close to one Green Valley High School. The new Java Detour was expected to open on January 11, 2007, according to a friendlysounding Java Detour employee that I spoke with momentarily on the phone. The big corporate guys no longer care to hide away their intentions. They make their intensions quite obvious nowadays. GVHS Junior Kim Carter expects to “be there often. Maybe even before school, on occasion, to help me get through the day,” Carter says. “I need the caffeine juice!” A chain of coffee shops, Java Detour, recently opened a new store at 1659 W. Warm Springs Rd. Conveniently, and Not only does the convenient placing of Java Detour for the Green Valley highschoolers give them the opportunity Now, let’s think. Who frequents these bookstores? Why yes, college and high school students. to get a bit of coffee before the school day begins, it also gives them a place to hang out during the weekends, and a place to look oh so cool together in. “You see, as teenagers, we naturally want to act older – more mature – and we feel we can accomplish this by drinking coffee, like the grown ups,” says Carter. “And by we, I mean most of the kiddos at our schoolio.” See how Miss Carter started her last sentence with a conjunction? Now, all she needs is a latte and – BAM! – she’s a 40-year-old housewife ! Students of the Month January 2007 Las Vegas High School Amanda Hernandez Gil Solis Las Vegas High School recognizes the talents of Amanda Hernandez, one of its most passionate band members. A two-year drum major who “dabbles in percussion,” Hernandez not only participates in the Winter Drum Line playing the vibraphone, but also in the Jazz Band playing the trumpet. Gil Solis proves himself to be an outstanding student and mentor at Las Vegas High School. Hernandez has been a part of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra for three years as well. “I play French Horn in Youth Orchestra and Concert Band,” says Hernandez. She has even conducted the LVHS marching band. Amanda Gil Hernandez hopes to attend Northern Arizona University to major in music education and performance. She also plans to try out for a Drum and Bugle core in California. “I aspire to be active in competitive marching arts,” she says. Aside from her musical activities, Hernandez participates in FEA (Future Educators Association) and works on the yearbook staff. English Literature and Composition AP is her favorite class. We’re customers too Solis plays on the Junior Varsity Soccer team at school and has also participated in volleyball for the past two years. “I really want to practice my soccer skills so I can make Varsity next year,” he says. For this year, he plans to try out for the school volleyball team. In addition to sports, Solis is active in several organizations. He serves as treasurer of SOL (Student Organization of Latinos), and participates in PAL (Partnership at Las Vegas), where he goes to work as an unpaid intern at Rundle Elementary School every Wednesday to learn firsthand about the career he is interested in pursuing. “I like helping people,” says Solis, who is considering becoming a teacher. His passion for teaching doesn’t end at PAL. Solis even gives up his fourth period to tutor freshmen. He says he does not like seeing kids fail, so he tries to help them succeed. Staying sober in college – difficult but rewarding helping you prepare for the next step Staying sober in College – difficult, but rewarding college! college! 27 by Kerstin Kent, Faith Lutheran HS So, why should one bother saying “no” to drinking? There may be more reasons than you think. Self-confidence – Many people use alcohol to make themselves more outgoing around others. With alcohol in their body, people get this fake confidence that wears off after only a few hours. Not drinking will help teach college students how to be confident on their own, which will be a great help later in life. Kevin Eisenhut, KRT College. Just one word can bring hundreds of thoughts to mind. From numerous essays to boring lectures, there’s more than enough to keep a college student busy. However, college also often brings up images of wild parties. And with these parties it will be harder than ever to resist the temptation of alcohol. Don’t gain weight – Twelve ounces of Budweiser has 145 calories, and a Heineken can pack in 170. Now, have a few of these a couple times a night, and the calories really start adding up. Soon you’ll end up not only drunk, but obese as well. Eat some celery instead. Fewer regrets – While intoxicated, one doesn’t have the mindset of a sober person. The chances of doing something you regret are much greater if you’re drunk. If you’re sober, you probably won’t ‘accidentally’ hook up with your best friend’s boyfriend. Learn to say no – Saying no can be hard, but it’s important that one knows how to do it. Instead of giving in all the time, learn to say no. This will be important later in life. Not letting people walk over you and make your decisions for you will help in so many ways, including friendships, career opportunities and relationships. Control – If you’re sober, you have control. Not only over what you do, but over what your friends are doing. If you have the car keys and you get bored at the party, you get to decide when to leave and go find where your crush is hanging out instead. Learning to say no to alcohol right now will give you the strength to say no to anything unwelcome in the future that might present itself. Everyone is NOT drinking – Believe it or not, if you say no to the alcohol, there’s a good chance you won’t be the only one. If you have the will power to stand up against the peer pressure and say no, you’ll be surprised at who might do the same. Be different – Do you really want to look and act like every other person in the room with you? Individuality is key, and being able to say no and walk around without alcohol in your hand will help you stand out from the crowd. Many others just need someone to be the leader and be the first one to say no. Then they will quickly follow your lead. Your safety – An estimated 1,700 college students between 18 and 24 years old die each year from alcohol-related injuries. Stay out of trouble – Yes, drinking is illegal for those under 21. If the police find a minor intoxicated, the punishment is not pretty. If alcohol is found in your dorm room at college, expulsion is possible. If you’re sober, you’ll know better than to get in the car with a drunk driver. You’ll be the one to drive, and in the long run you could even save your friends’ lives. Is a few hours of ‘fun’ really worth everything that’s you’d be giving up? Believe it or not, you can have a good time in college, even without alcohol ! ! 28 Scholarships! make the most of your college future January Scholarship Directory RMHC of Greater Las Vegas/HACER Scholarship Program Contact: http://www.rmhlv.com Amount: $500-4,000 Deadline: Feb. 15 (Postmarked) Requirements: Applicant must be a high school senior with at least one parent of Hispanic descent, attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution the year of graduation and have at least a 2.5 cumulative unweighted GPA. A transcript must be submitted with SAT/ACT test scores. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation and a personal statement regarding their Hispanic background, recent community participation and potential contributions to the Hispanic community. Selection of recipients will be based off of their career goal. More information and the RMHC application form can be found on our Web site. Chairscholars, Inc. Foundation Scholarship Contact: http://www.chairscholars.org Amount: $3,000 – $5,000 Deadline: Feb. 28 (Received) Now’s the time to start thinking about college! Here are a few things you can do for the month of December: If you are a JUNIOR: • Narrow down your school choices and begin scheduling campus tours. Requirements: Applicants must be physically challenged, in need of financial aid, must have an adequate academic record and must demonstrate some form of past community service. Selection is based on academic performance, the student’s capability to become an exceptional citizen in the community and financial need. An essay of 300-500 words must be included, describing how the applicant became physically challenged, how his or her situation has affected the applicant and applicant’s family and the applicant’s ambitions. For more requirements and an application, please visit our Web site. If you are a SENIOR: Nevada Power Partnerships Scholarships • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon after Jan. 1 as possible at www.fafsa.gov (Need help? Call Nelnet to speak with a Loan Counselor who can assist you with the FAFSA). Contact: http://www.nevadapower.com/comenv/safety_edu/scholarships.cfm Amount: 2 per high school – $1000 Deadline: March 15 (Postmarked) Requirements: An agency, organization or school must confirm that the applicant has completed a minimum of 20 hours of community service in the preceding 12 months. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and must submit a high school transcript, a personal statement that outlines career objectives and ambitions and a 500-word essay describing why community service is important. Applicants must have one to three letters of recommendations from the organization that the student volunteered at, as well as one letter of recommendation from a school official. Students must submit a resume stating academic success, honors and awards, school activities, leadership demonstrated in the school and community, number of volunteer hours and any community service project. RMEL (Essential Regional Energy Association) Foundation Scholarships Contact: http://www.rmel.org/foundation/foundationscholarships.cfm Amount: 5 – $1,000 Deadline: March 15 • Complete tax returns and gather additional financial statements. Information provided by www.nelnet.net/collegeplanning Requirements: Applicants must be high school seniors sponsored by an RMEL-member. They must pursue an electric industry position certificate, an associate degree or a full-time undergraduate degree, planning to study careers related to the electric energy industry. Recipients are chosen based on ambitions in the electric energy industry, motivation to accomplish their goals and succeed, academic achievement, school participation and community service. For more information, please visit our Web site. Sons of Norway Vegas Viking Lodge 6-152 Scholarship Contact: http://www.vegasviking.com/index.html Amount: 2 - $500 Deadline: March 19 Requirements: Applicant must be a senior in high school, a legal resident of Clark County and of Norwegian descent. Applicants must complete the Sons of Norway Vegas Viking scholarship application, which can be found on our Web site. Nellis Officers’ Spouses’ Club Scholarship Contact: http://www.nevadacf.org/scholarships.htm Amount: 1 – $2,000, 2 – $1,500, 1 – $1,250, 3 – $1,000 Deadline: March 21 (Postmarked.) Requirements: Applicants must be seniors who are military dependents and have a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit a transcript including SAT/ACT test scores, class rank, examples of demonstrated leadership and extracurricular activities. A 500-600-word essay must also be submitted, answering the question, “How has your experience as a military dependent influenced your collegiate goals and aspirations?” Please use the Nellis Officers’ Spouses Club application form. For more information on how to plan for your future, how to choose a college and how to get financial aid, log onto the Clark County School District’s Guidance Counseling website at http://ccsd.net/cpd/guidance_counseling. resumés · career advice · tips and techniques for landing that dream job HVACR Diva! a woman in air conditioning’s quite refreshing By Gregan Wingert, Las Vegas HS While sitting in class most students never consider what is directly above their heads. But when the air conditioner breaks, everyone knows. In a career that is traditionally thought of as a ‘man’s job,’ service technician Crystal Schnurr of Arrow Air Conditioning is one woman who knows her way around an air conditioning system. Schnurr was hired straight out VoTech high school after completing its Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVACR) program, which is the only public school program of its kind offered in Clark County. The classes are taught by Larry Ball, who worked in the air conditioning and refrigeration field himself prior to becoming a teacher at VoTech. Air conditioning technicians spend their time installing or repairing air conditioning systems. A great portion of Schnurr’s job is figuring out what’s wrong with each of the systems she has been called to assess. “When I look at a system and I don’t know what is wrong with, it that feeling is the worst,” Schnurr says. Schnurr gets an average of four to five calls a day, and the more complicated jobs take around six hours to complete. Her most challenging call was fixing the chiller systems at the Air Force base. As an air conditioning technician, Schnurr is now making $10 an hour, and as soon as she finishes her college training she will earn upwards of $15 an hour. “Schooling helps you know the equipment inside and out, and that is what makes you valuable as a service intern,” Schnurr says. In the VoTech program, the students learn the ins and outs of various types of air conditioning and refrigeration units. Ball teaches his students about how air flows in the ductwork of an air conditioning system and he even teaches his students about the refrigeration systems of a Slurpee and soft serve ice cream machine. CCSD Job Bank choices & decisions dinner and a movie “Joanna, why don’t we do dinner and a movie this weekend?” “Yeah, but rules are made to be broken. And it’s not like I’m asking for marriage, just a date,” answered Matt. “Matt, I really can’t this weekend,” replied Joanna. “I know, but if it turns into more and we have a fight then work would be tense. I don’t want that to happen.” “You said that last weekend. If I didn’t know better I’d think you’re avoiding me.” “I’ve told you every weekend since you’ve started working here that I just don’t date co-workers. I just don’t think it’s a good idea. And the boss has a rule against it anyway,” said Joanna. “Whoa! Slow down. One date is not going to lead to fighting. It’s just dinner and a movie. I know how much you love Eddie Murphy movies,” suggested Matt. “Well, it would be fun,” said Joanna. “Yeah, and if we don’t tell anyone, how will the boss find out?” said Matt. Question: • How do you feel about an employer telling employees that they can’t date? • Should Matt and Joanna go out together? • If you worked there and wanted to date a co-worker, would you? Why? Why not? “If I’m excited, they can get excited,” says Ball, who has been known to break out in song and dance to motivate his students to learn. During the second semester of the program, juniors and seniors in Ball’s classes start internships making $8 to $9 an hour at various locations in Las Vegas, not only gaining some extra cash, but also gaining experience in a field that many will pursue as careers. “It’s hot, it’s hard, it’s work – but it’s a lot of money,” Ball says. He explains that one of his students now makes $20 an hour, and two of his former students each own their own business. sponsored by: 29 career center! career center! HVACR Diva! a woman in air conditioning’s quite refreshing choices & decisions Sheet metal workers earn while they learn Other students become interested in the field because they hear how fun Ball’s classes are. Ball even confessed that he shaved his head because Anthony Denning, a student of his, won national gold at Skills USA in the HVACR category. Denning now has a chance to go to Japan to compete at an international level. Kellie Pelletier, a freshman at VoTech currently in Ball’s metal work class, is planning to take the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program because her love of math and drawing ultimately lead her to consider a career in the air conditioning field. Schnurr was introduced to the career by her cousin and was drawn to the independence that air conditioning technicians have. Pelletier admits that most kids see air conditioning as a boring choice, but that you are doing so much more than just air conditioning. Though she knows it is a traditional male occupation she says, “I love my job,” Schnurr says, “the freedom to do what I want to do, and to do what I love doing.” “Yeah it is, but it’s a girl thing too.” ! !career center!career center!career center!career center!career center! career center! 30 Sheet metal workers earn while they learn By Stephanie Espinoza, class! correspondent When thinking about a possible career, many decide they want to use their mind to do technical work. Others decide they’d rather be more physically active and work with their hands. For those interested in the first, the second or both, the sheet metal industry is one broad career path worth considering. A union sheet metal worker is a kind of craftsman who constructs, installs and services architectural sheet metal, kitchen equipment and ductwork for HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems in all types of buildings. And for those students interested in sheet metal work, along with those who don’t know much about it but would like to try out a new career, there’s no better opportunity than the Sheet Metal Local #88 Apprenticeship Program. Located at 2540 Marco Street in Las Vegas, the training center allows students straight out of high school (age 18 and up) to begin real on the job training – 8,000 hours over the course of five years. They also take 1,012 hours of real college classes that reinforce that training while working toward an Associate Degree through the Community College of Southern Nevada. “The model that we use down here is ‘earn while you learn,’” says the program’s training director Daniel Rose. “It’s different than a regular college system where you take all your courses at the same time, graduate and then hope you have a job. Here you attend classes at a training center for five years – two nights a week – and during the daytime you’re getting paid to work for a union contractor.” Rose, who’s been in the industry for 12 years, started at the apprenticeship program himsef. “I found out what a sheet metal worker does and I was interested, so I took the entrance test and was accepted,” says Rose. Applying to the apprenticeship hasn’t changed much since then. Students still need to pass a math and reading entrance test and then have an oral interview with the Joint Apprentice and Training Committee (JATC). Rose explains that your test score along with how you do on the oral interview ranks you and allows acceptance into the program. Brandon Zeleniak, a fourth-year apprentice, came into the program when he was 20, though he wishes he had known about it in high school so he could have started even earlier. “I was working in a different field before I got into the sheet metal industry, but I was unhappy with it,” says Zeleniak. “My friend, who actually teaches at the school, told me about [the apprenticeship program] initially, so I figured I’d give it a shot. And I’ve been working in the industry every since.” Zeleniak works as a detailer at Bombard Mechanical in AutoCAD and design, AutoCAD being a group of computer-aided design software products used for 2-D and 3-D drafting and design. Big plans for the big top “That’s what I’m primarily interested in,” he says. “But I enjoy field installation as well, since I enjoy working with my hands.” He went on to describe just what it is he does as a detailer. “For AutoCAD, I take drawings from an engineer and I make shop drawings of those drawings. It’s hard to explain if you don’t have a background in construction, but I’m basically taking the engineering drawing and clarifying it for the people I’m giving it to. I also coordinate with other trades like plumbers and electricians working on the job to make sure our work will go in in a timely fashion. In essence, a detailer is somebody who looks ahead of the job and tries to simplify it.” What Zeleniak seems to enjoy most about the sheet metal industry is that every day is not always the same, however, and that there are so many different choices one can make within the single industry of sheet metal. “It appeals to different personalities. For example, for people who are very technical there’s drafting and AutoCAD design, etc. For people who enjoy working with their hands there’s field installation and stainless steel welding and more. And the apprenticeship offers me an opportunity where I have options in my career so I know I won’t get tired of it.” In addition to being at least 18 years of age, passing a Basic Math and Reading Competency Exam and passing the oral interview, interested students must also submit an application with copies of their birth certificate, high school diploma or G.E.D., transcripts and a valid Nevada driver’s license. Applications are accepted at the Sheet Metal Local #88 Apprenticeship Program office in person the first Tuesday of every month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Once accepted into the program, a first year apprentice will earn $16.71 an hour, plus benefits, according to Rose. “Then they get a raise each step as they go through the program,” he continues. And the program is available to both men and women – anyone willing to work hard and learn the aspects of the industry. “I think it was a great career choice,” says Zeleniak. “I don’t regret the decision to get into sheet metal one bit. Also, I think through the apprenticeship program I learned a lot of good work ethic and just practical, hands-on applications of things I can use in life. I highly recommend it to anybody, especially people in high school.” For more information about the program and application process, contact their office at (702) 632-3014 ! By Manuella Monreal, Las Vegas Academy Running away to join the circus is often an idealistic childhood dream. But for senior Sarah Reyes, attending a circus school to one day perform under the big tent is her unique and very real ambition. Juggling since the sixth grade, Reyes has some skill when it comes to the often unrecognized performance art. “My partner and boyfriend, Dustin Knouse, performs street shows at First Friday with me. This past Ren Fair we had our own act. We’re also members of the World Juggling Federation and members of the Sandou Theatrical Circus School,” Reyes says. While she and Knouse practice the common pins, they also go the extra mile and juggle knives, clubs and other unusual objects. Her partner has also been seen at First Friday swallowing knives. Some may wonder just where a person would train to be a juggler with the circus. Believe it or not, there is a school that specifically trains people to one day travel with a cast in the extravaganza. And Reyes has had some professional aid in following her juggling career as well. “Dustin and I practice at the Lance Burton show in Michael Goudeau’s dressing room. He’s the juggler in the show, and he helps us out with learning new tricks.” The next natural question that pops into one’s head is: Why? What would drive a Las Vegas Academy band major to want to be in the circus? According to Reyes, the reason is not only to be part of an enchanting experience for people of all ages, but also to give her the practice and experience she might need to eventually have a show of her own. “The circus is a great place to start a juggling career. I’ve also known people who have worked in a circus, and it seems like it would be a great experience for me. However, I don’t plan on working in a circus for too long. I’d like to work on a cruise ship as well, but my goal is to one day have my own show.” While juggling is her main ambition right now, Reyes has other performance skills that she hopes will one day land her in the spotlight. “I do magic – more card magic than anything else – and I am currently trying to teach myself how to ride a unicycle. I’m trying to learn as much as I can so when I’m ready to work professionally, I’ll have a lot of skill to back me up.” Reyes’ circus aspirations will never get in the way of her schooling, however. She plans to attend the Art Institute after high school and then, once she gets her degree, she hopes to realize her dreams in full !