By Delaney Simmons//Opinion Editor
An emergency training exercise on campus featured a mock hostage situation and a simulated triage center set up in the school parking lot. School administrators, teachers, and students participated in connection with local safety personal.
Law enforcement and emergency personal from the Encinitas Fire Department and the Carlsbad Police Department descended on campus for an emergency training exercise. More than fifteen selected students took part in the exercise which involved an undercover police officer posing as a gunman.
The drill was scheduled for noon and all teachers and students were notified days in advance. The drill lasted over two hours and proved successful.
All of the classrooms successfully went into lock down. Each classroom was individually evacuated by a policeman who had a key, in order to insure student security. “Injured” students were evacuated first to the triage center, set up in the parking lot.
Chris Sayer from the Encinitas Fire Department was taking student vitals and ensuring health, “[In a real emergency] we would treat all of the injured students with anything we could fix and then send them off to the hospital.”
All of the healthy students were evacuated and escorted to the field. There was a lot of speculation from faculty that students did not take the drill seriously. English teacher Nicole Housen said, “It is hard to take something seriously until it actually happens.”
The students were not made aware of the simulated events. This differs from last years because the actual threat was not present.
Assistant Principle Doug Kamon said, “Students are taking it seriously, if it were the real thing than they might be more quite, but they are very organized, they are going where they are supposed to go, they are sitting where they are supposed to sit.” During the last class on the day of the drill, a police man dressed in sweats and a sweatshirt was released onto campus [. He approached students that were loitering outside the library and bathrooms asking questions regarding the school and details about security.
In a staged confrontation with Meredith Adams (11), the man asked, “Do all of the teachers have radios? Do you know of anyone who has guns here at the school?” Adams responded as a student might in a real confrontation, “I don’t know.” This addition to the drill was one of the many tests throughout the day for faculty members. Administration did not alert any of the teachers of the man that would be walking around.
One teacher did pass the test proving to administrators that teachers are constantly on the alert for suspicious people. Many students have begun coining the phrase, “Maverick Man,” referring to history teacher Bill Vice. He noticed the suspicious man and “saved” the day.
“He was goofy looking, he popped his head into my room, didn’t say anything and… I escorted him down to the Admin. Building [to make sure],” said Mr. Vice.
Mr. Vice apprehended the undercover policeman, despite the man’s assurance that he was in fact a part of the drill.
Many students were laughing and giggling through the rest of the drill where they met up with friends and socialized with teachers while waiting out the rest of the day.. Student Cody Christensen (10) said, “I am just going with it; I do not know what is going on right now.” At the end, many administrators were happy with the drill and stated that it was a success and a learning process.
“The likelihood of something like this happening is very rare but we were prepared,” said Assistant Principle Marc Trocchio.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Entertainment: Opening Night of The Dining Room
By Nicoll Mischel // Staff Writer
The Dining Room. A spectacular performance brought to you by talented students from Sue Raley’s acting class in the Black Box Performing Theatre. Opening night on February 7, 2008 might have gone wrong but think twice- there were no mistakes.
“It was better than I thought it would be the hardest part was the rapid character change going from a dying father to and old grumpy man.” Chris Gurley said. It is a touching story of many colorful characters. Many of the themes make the audience appreciate the wooden thing that you sit around or sort the laundry on. It’s the idea that the dining room table and setting is useful in many ways to different people. How society and families over different generations evolved its presence.
Each different scene is an example of how that person or family treats the dinner table and the human interactions between family members. The set never faltered in bringing a distinct giggle or solemn tear from the extremely responsive audience. Collectively the way the actors used the dinner table was for leisure, bringing families together, disciplining children, talking about their days, gaining knowledge about the family history, gossiping, or asking grandpa for money.
The dinner table is supposed to signify togetherness or gathering, it was well established and apparent how touching each scene was. Just sitting at the table can bring up such things from the past whether it’s good or bad. Sparks that moment when mom asked you about your first boyfriend, or yelled at you because you got D in chemistry, or remembering your fifth birthday was at the dinner table- whatever it is, its an extremely important thing, this production redefines the need for families and community.
Every aspect that goes into making an extraordinary production was executed flawlessly. The lighting was spot on, and the set was beautiful. The actors engaged the audience, they did a wonderful job. One of the different aspects of this play was the intimate setting in the Black Box. Unknown to many of the students, it is a fully equipped stage with seating surrounding the stage.
“I’ve never performed in the black box theatre, it’s different than stage because there are people all around you and there is no focal point so you always have to be in character.” Sarah Frondoni said, emphasizing the tedious two-month long rehearsal calendar. Even the actors said it was hard with all the experience that they have and the dynamic presence of the audience. Remember to keep the tradition of the sacred dining room, going and go see the show!
The Dining Room. A spectacular performance brought to you by talented students from Sue Raley’s acting class in the Black Box Performing Theatre. Opening night on February 7, 2008 might have gone wrong but think twice- there were no mistakes.
“It was better than I thought it would be the hardest part was the rapid character change going from a dying father to and old grumpy man.” Chris Gurley said. It is a touching story of many colorful characters. Many of the themes make the audience appreciate the wooden thing that you sit around or sort the laundry on. It’s the idea that the dining room table and setting is useful in many ways to different people. How society and families over different generations evolved its presence.
Each different scene is an example of how that person or family treats the dinner table and the human interactions between family members. The set never faltered in bringing a distinct giggle or solemn tear from the extremely responsive audience. Collectively the way the actors used the dinner table was for leisure, bringing families together, disciplining children, talking about their days, gaining knowledge about the family history, gossiping, or asking grandpa for money.
The dinner table is supposed to signify togetherness or gathering, it was well established and apparent how touching each scene was. Just sitting at the table can bring up such things from the past whether it’s good or bad. Sparks that moment when mom asked you about your first boyfriend, or yelled at you because you got D in chemistry, or remembering your fifth birthday was at the dinner table- whatever it is, its an extremely important thing, this production redefines the need for families and community.
Every aspect that goes into making an extraordinary production was executed flawlessly. The lighting was spot on, and the set was beautiful. The actors engaged the audience, they did a wonderful job. One of the different aspects of this play was the intimate setting in the Black Box. Unknown to many of the students, it is a fully equipped stage with seating surrounding the stage.
“I’ve never performed in the black box theatre, it’s different than stage because there are people all around you and there is no focal point so you always have to be in character.” Sarah Frondoni said, emphasizing the tedious two-month long rehearsal calendar. Even the actors said it was hard with all the experience that they have and the dynamic presence of the audience. Remember to keep the tradition of the sacred dining room, going and go see the show!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Sports: Game of Giant Proportions
By Sean Bentley // Staff Writer
As the clock dwindled down to zero in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII, all the New England Patriots andtheir fans could do was gaze at the celebrating New York Giants in utter disbelief. Even those who hadn’t joined the Patriots bandwagon on their 18-0 perfect season run were baffled to see them come up just short of reaching the elusive 19-0 when it really counted in NFL’s most prestigious event on Sunday, February 3.
In a matter of two minutes the Giants, led by quarterback Eli Manning, turned the perfect Patriots into the forever imperfect Patriots by steadily driving down the field ending in a touchdown pass to their leading wide receiver, Plexico Burress, leaving New England with only thirty-five seconds left on the clock to attempt a miraculous come back from a 17-14 New York lead. And this time, even the Patriots couldn’t bounce back from this shocking blow to their perfect season dream.
After the regular season had come to a close, no one expected opponents to even come close to winning against New England going into the playoffs, being well favored in every one of their playoff games, including a twelve point favorite in the Super Bowl, based on some solid reasons too. Besides going into the Super Bowl a perfect 18-0, quarterback Tom Brady was announced the Most Valuable Player of the league and had broken the record for most touchdowns in a single season with fifty. Plus, wide receiver Randy Moss caught a record high twenty-three touchdowns for one season. These accomplishments and more didn’t mean anything in the end though, as they didn’t come through in the one game that fans and athletes ultimately look upon in the end to measure a team’s success. Instead of Tom Brady and Randy Moss stealing the show as they were expected to do, Eli Manning and Plexico Burress ended up taking the spotlight away from them by pulling off one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.
Although the Patriots had achieved what no other team has yet to accomplish, a 16-0 perfect regular season, after Super Bowl XLII they will always be remembered as the best team to ever end their season with no Super Bowl trophy to show for their achievements. While on the other hand, the Giants, who flew under the radar during their entire season, ended up settling into a groove in the playoffs when they really needed to, and defied the odds, by narrowly defeating the undefeated.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
It's All About the Skills: A Closer Look at Internship
By Danielle Ohlemacher & Lauren Colby // Staff Writers
Founded by Mr. Embree eleven years ago, the Internship class has provided valuable opportunities for close to one thousand students. The class allows students to explore possible professions by interning within the community.
“Most experiences students have they couldn’t pay to get,” Mr. Embree said. He has helped students find internships with a variety of people, ranging from astronauts to horse trainers. Internships allow students to experience real world situations which are unavailable to them in the classroom. One student even fought the major wildfires five years ago while interning with the San Pasquall Valley Fire Department.
David Berning (11) was interested in coaching baseball as well as being involved in non profit groups. He decided to intern with the Miracle League, which runs baseball games for disabled children. He coaches on Saturdays for six to seven hours at the school’s baseball fields with the help of the children’s buddies who help them round the bases.
“I liked it a lot,” Berning said of the experience, “but it was really hard.” Mr. Embree sees the hard work required in an internship as one of the most important things that students learn because it teaches them the skills they will need in the real world. “You learn you’ve got to work to get paid,” Embree remarked. He also said that the most successful students in the class have a positive attitude and are assertive.
By experimenting with a professions of interest, students can decide if the field is worth pursuing in college. Mr. Embree explained that even if students disliked their internship, it was still a success to know that it was not for them. David Berning said that though he won’t be in the internship class next year, he plans to continue working with the Miracle League because he enjoys it.
Students not only learn about themselves through an internship, but they learn the skills they will need to survive professionally in the future.
Founded by Mr. Embree eleven years ago, the Internship class has provided valuable opportunities for close to one thousand students. The class allows students to explore possible professions by interning within the community.
“Most experiences students have they couldn’t pay to get,” Mr. Embree said. He has helped students find internships with a variety of people, ranging from astronauts to horse trainers. Internships allow students to experience real world situations which are unavailable to them in the classroom. One student even fought the major wildfires five years ago while interning with the San Pasquall Valley Fire Department.
David Berning (11) was interested in coaching baseball as well as being involved in non profit groups. He decided to intern with the Miracle League, which runs baseball games for disabled children. He coaches on Saturdays for six to seven hours at the school’s baseball fields with the help of the children’s buddies who help them round the bases.
“I liked it a lot,” Berning said of the experience, “but it was really hard.” Mr. Embree sees the hard work required in an internship as one of the most important things that students learn because it teaches them the skills they will need in the real world. “You learn you’ve got to work to get paid,” Embree remarked. He also said that the most successful students in the class have a positive attitude and are assertive.
By experimenting with a professions of interest, students can decide if the field is worth pursuing in college. Mr. Embree explained that even if students disliked their internship, it was still a success to know that it was not for them. David Berning said that though he won’t be in the internship class next year, he plans to continue working with the Miracle League because he enjoys it.
Students not only learn about themselves through an internship, but they learn the skills they will need to survive professionally in the future.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Editorial: "Cheating the System, and Ourselves"
Lauren Philips and Jackson Keller // Staff Writers
“Very few people never cheat,” replies AP English teacher Matt Cunningham, when asked about academic honesty on campus. Cheating, whether it is on homework or tests, has become a huge problem within our school.
Kids cheat simply because they can. Many teachers are oblivious to the fact that kids cheat when they turn their backs, leave the room or just don’t pay attention. By not making different exams or watching students carefully during testing, it makes cheating even easier.
Teachers and parents put to much pressure on kids to get good grades, in the meantime forgetting about the learning itself. In many cases the reason students cheat is because they don’t feel the need to learn, they just do what they can to get the grade they want.
Yet cheating can not be blamed solely on the students; sometimes teaching by the book is not the best way to go. If you’re doing interesting assignments then there is no need to cheat. Teachers should focus on learning and comprehension rather than having students memorize something for a test that will be forgotten afterwards.
“The system is set up so that the grades are more important than the learning. If you get the grades then you will get into college” added Cunningham. There is no way to stop cheating because it has become a part of our society. Cunningham continues, “There will always be people who will try to get more with doing less.”
Campus supervisor Tom Meeks also sees this as a bigger issue, “Lack of ethics and moral standards reflects the decay of society in general.” This problem which has grown throughout the school not only reflects our school and its values, but our entire community.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Spending Some Time at the Purple Palace
Danielle Olemacher and Lauren Colby / Staff Writers
Out of the 1,900,000 street children in
Previous victims of rape, poverty, domestic violence, and sex trafficking, the lucky children of Ninos de la Promesa have gained security and a new beginning. In the family-like setting that the “
“I was surprised that the conditions are so good. They make the children feel comfortable,” Devilbiss said. “The children love the company and there are always opportunities for volunteers.”
Many of the children have been abandoned and are rescued off the street, but others come from homes where the parents are involved in drug dealing and prostitution. Due to limited space in the facility, Youngkin must choose the ones in the very worst conditions to live at the shelter.
Due to their traumatizing past, the children have a family-like bond at the shelter. Just like a traditional family, the children follow the house rules and complete their chores. By forming a competitive soccer team, the boys have restored confidence in their capabilities and learned to work towards their goals. While they are free to leave the program at any time, they know their chances a successful future are greatest at the home.
Devilbiss, Arviv and Cambra educated our community about the abandoned children in
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
New Assembly Rules Take Effect This Friday
ASB is holding a mandatory winter assembly this Friday, January 18th, in the gym. This is ASB’s second school assembly of the year to build up school spirit and support ASB in an entertaining way for the students. As a result of this assembly, both second and sixth period will be cut short by fifteen minutes, while fourth period will be shortened by twenty minutes.
This year’s second assembly will be slightly different from that of the first assembly, as three new policies will be put into effect. From now on backpacks have to be left in class, but the assembly will end ten minutes early to allow time for students to go back and retrieve them before lunch Also, there will be no standing around the top level of the gym, so when the bleachers become full students will be forced to find room to sit on the gym floor. Finally, staff and administrators will be assigned certain areas to supervise students, meaning fewer opportunities for students to act inappropriately.The assembly will include everything from the Winter Formal and announcements to a Hurley fashion show and recognition of the fall athletes of the year. Also incorporated in the assembly will be a Winter Sports and Comedy Sportz video, jousting competitions, and entertainment provided by Kelly Simek and the winner of the battle of the bands, Mammoth.
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