During the last five years Mr. Ellington, an english teacher in the Justice and Law Academy, has been assigning an“$88 giveaway story,” and this year he will do one on November 19. He repeats the opportunity with his new students in the spring.
“It’s a way to give back to the community… I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to share it and help out everyone else [involved],” said Mr. Ellington.
Mr. Ellington incorporates this idea into his course objective. He said, “They have to write a story about who they would help. [They have to] use ethos, pathos, and logos in it, so it ties up with literature… and it also includes the ESLR’s. They have to be ‘aware and socially responsible citizens.’”
The students write an essay for the “$88 idea” and submit it to the teacher. He screens them, and picks the ones that stand out the most and then the students take a vote to nominate a winner.
“[The winner will be chosen based] on how they affect the students, so it has to be something that touches everybody’s heart. [The winner will be chosen based] on who uses the money in the best way; [on] who is going to have the greatest impact on somebody else’s life,” said Mr. Ellington.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Sky sets on Fire since 2009
The band, the Sky Set Fire, was created since the Halloween of 2009.
The band plays progressive and rock alternative music. It was formed by a
group of students that were motivated to show that anything can be possible.
"The purpose of the band is to show that you can have fun, and that you
don't have to fit in to create music," said Antonio Palomero, the lead guitarist
and vocalist who is a senior in the Technology and Media Academy.
Palomero is the last band member that is still a student at South
East High School; the others graduated last year. The band consist of only three
musicians: Palomero, lead guitarist and vocalist; Joe Ibarra, bassist and
vocalist; and Carlos Canova, drummer and vocalist.
According to Palomero, he's the one that composes the songs that
they play. He said, "I make the guitar part and vocals and the band adds on to
it."
Some of their original songs include: "Seriously", "Cynical Dream",
"Safely Spin", and "Honestly I've Tried". Recently they've also composed a few
others, including "Fair Grounds" and many others that don't have titles yet.
Additionally, they play cover songs like "FCP" by Fall of Troy, and
"Enertia Esp." by Marks Bolton.
Ibarra, the band's representative, is the one who coordinates the band
and sets up all the events and shows where they perform.
One of their performances was held on Saturday November 4 at the Key
Club. The event was called "The Next Big Thing Tour" and it took place at
Hollywood. The event lasted from 11 a.m. -11 p.m. and their show set the event
on fire between 1:40-2 p.m.
The band leaves their heart on stage when they perform. "We had been
shy about it but now we [leave everything on stage]. We didn’t have that much
confidence, but we have it now," said Palomero.
Many of their fans have followed them closely since their beginning. "I
have witnessed them audition since they were first starting... and they [have]
kind of changed their style a bit, but it has just gotten a lot better," said Anthony
Romero, a senior in the Technology and Media Academy.
It is evident that they dedicate a lot of energy to their rehearsals. They
practice once a week for 3 hours. Does it pay off? "The best thing about having
a band is having a hobby that you enjoy and interacting with people [that
become] like your second family," said Palomero.
A band was born on October of 2009, and it emerged to last. "The band
will live on. For the others it has, and for me it will too," said Palomero.
Ever Flipped over Flipped?
Draanen in May of 2003.
This unique book is a standalone teen romance novel that features
dynamic lead characters and very realistic dialogue scenes.
Each chapter alternately switches narration between the two main
characters, Bryce Loski and Juli Baker. It is uniquely written in a he-said she-
said manner that allows each of the main characters to share their perspective
on a shared set of events. Therefore, this novel truly allows the reader to get
both sides of the story.
"It was really interesting because you can see what a guy and a girl
think. Sometimes one [of them] thinks [that] they think alike but they really
don't," said Claudia Castro, a senior in the California Academy.
Juli Baker and Bryce Loski, were both seven when they met and became
neighbors. The second Juli saw Bryce's blue eyes she fell in love with him, and
that's how she felt for him for the next six years. Bryce, on the other hand, never
felt the same way for her, that is, until everything "flips" in the eighth grade.
Each character has a very distinctive voice, and pretty soon the readers
feel as if they have known the characters very well, which allows them to draw
parallels between their lives.
"What teenager can't identify with them? I think we've all experienced the
same feelings [of infatuation] during our childhood. And we've all gone through
a similar process of maturity, developing a better understanding of the world
and of life," said Brenda Morales, a senior in the Technology and Media
Academy.
In this novel teens learn a valuable lesson: to look beyond the surface of
people; that there's more than meets the eye. "Get beyond his eyes and his
smile and the sheen of his hair -- Look at what's really there," Bryce’s Grampa
advised Juli.
"If we haven't realized it already, it's a great eye-opener: true love is
not solely based on physical attraction. It's deeper than that and that's what
the book shows," said Morales.
There is more to this novel than just teen romance. It has many
unthinkable twists and turns that make the book all the more readable. It
definitely includes all the elements that you would expect to find in a quick
read.
"It's a really good book. At first I thought it was going to be lame, but at
the end [ I found out] it was really interesting. I would recommend this book to
all kinds of people, [even] to those who wouldn't be interested in love or
romance novels. It tells the actual truth [about life]," said Castro.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Are you ready for the big California earthquake?
Earthquakes strike California
Furthermore, the US Geological Survey predicts that the upcoming earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 or higher will have devastating effects. The USGS predicts that there will be 1,800 deaths, 53,000 injuries, 1,500 collapsed buildings and 300,000 damaged buildings. Thus, they suggest that people become prepared. They recommend having a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, 1 gallon of water per person per day, and an emergency plan. Survival may depend on these preparations.
When asked if his family was prepared, Angel Gastelum, a junior in the Technology and Media Academy and a reporter, said, “I would say good enough as far as water and a fire extinguisher go, but… sometimes parents and other people don’t realize that an earthquake can happen at any second, so they don’t realize the importance of an emergency plan or first aid kit.”
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Maria Vera becomes new drum major for band
Maria Vera, a senior in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, earned the title of drum major for the band this new school year. During the last days of the 2010 school year, Vera and many other potential drum major candidates attended an election meeting. After various meticulous tests, she was ultimately selected by a panel of judges, including band coordinator, Mr. Quintero.
"I felt excited and happy! I couldn’t believe that I was chosen, and [I was very] happy that I was going to lead the band during my senior year," Vera said.
Vera has played the saxophone in band since her freshman year. Now with her new position, she plays a different role in the band.
"When you're a leader leading the band, what people forget is the process. Extra responsibilities come with certain positions," said Mr. Quintero.
As a drum major, Vera is responsible for giving commands through hand gestures to indicate where to march, what to play, and at what time to key. Additionally, she is also responsible for making sure that things are running well during practice.
"She's a good leader. She's able to do things that are asked of her. She's known for being very helpful, supportive and outgoing,” said Robert Galindo, a senior in the Justice and Law Academy, who also plays the saxophone.
Her leadership position demands serious commitment, and Vera is conscious of the responsibility she has accepted.
"Students don't realize everything that is involved: looking over 50-100 people; working on what they have [in order] to get going; preparing for football games, competitions and parades,” Mr. Quintero said.
Regardless of all her responsibilities, Vera has enjoyed her new position and has found many benefits from this experience. "This new experience has made me less shy and more social. The members of the band work with me, and are fun, outgoing, and cool to have around," Vera said.
Some of the things that are worth doing are those that are enjoyed. "[Although] It consumes [a lot of] time,” said Vera, “It’s worth it. I love band…It’s my real passion."
And even though Vera doesn't want to follow music in her studies in college, she will continue playing for fun. She confesses, "I love music… It’s my life, and this is what I spend most of my time on. [Otherwise] I wouldn’t have anything else to do.”
Through Vera’s perseverance, she has demonstrated that she has the potential to obtain many achievements. “I really think they're going to have such a great future. You can see that development [in them]," said Mr. Quintero, who has a lot of confidence in his band kids.
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