Issue #2: Fall Lions
November/December 2024
Embedded Files
By: Yya Nicholle Curato
Date: 12-04-24
At Auburn Mountainview High School (AMHS), ignoring the growing number of student tardiness is challenging. The administration of AMHS recently reported more than 9,000 tardies in just this quarter alone, which led to a review of the administration to implement new measures aimed at improving student punctuality. The importance of addressing this urgent problem is evident, requiring collaboration from students, teachers, and parents with new rules and outcomes established. Whereas the student body had a variety of reactions to the changes, showing both approval and apprehension about the new policies.
In order to address ongoing lateness issues, the school implemented a graduated system of penalties. Upon reaching 10 tardies, students were given lunch detention, at 20 they were assigned after-school detention, and once they hit 30, they had to attend Lion Academy. One major modification was the administration and security personnel’s five-minute post-bell “Sweep” of the hallways. These modifications show that AMHS is dedicated to enhancing student attendance.
Moreover, the school implemented more stricter security protocols. Students had to use designated entrances like the east and west courtyard, the front of the school, and the bus area during morning and after-school hours when door alarms went off. Everyone had to enter through the designated entrance since all doors, with the exception of the front one, were locked precisely at 8:10 A.M.
Talking about these changes, Principal Terri Herren emphasized the key concerns, “ The Primary issue was teachers have voiced that the disruptions caused by the tardy students, which may not only interrupt lessons but also hinder the focus on who arrives on time .” By tackling this problem, the school intends to make the school environment more fair and productive for all.
However, AMHS students have different opinions about the new tardiness policy that the school implemented. There were a variety of mixed responses from the student body. Some of the students see it as a positive change, Senior Bre’Anna Fugate noted, “The policy helps students make it to class on time, but it feels unfair for those with classes far apart or who need to use a bathroom. A suggestion would be to allow two warnings before lunch detentions”. Sophomore Jaida Aletha also shared a similar perspective, “It helps some students get to class on time, but the new security doors slow down the access to some classes, and restroom breaks are harder.”
Junior Obed Varghese noted how the policy impacts students with tight schedules, “The policy ensures students to get to class on time, but it’s tough for students in Running Start or college who have tight schedules and might always be tardy which is bad for them”. Jona Amor Pineda, a freshman, shared her own personal experience explaining how this new approach really affects her, “Since my classes are in portable, the new gates make it even harder to get to class and use the bathroom on time so I just end up holding it until the end of the day.”
Principal Terri Herrin understands the multiple reactions to the new policy, “I know not everyone loves it, but teachers appreciate starting class on time without worrying about late arrivals.” Moreover she noted, “We’ve decreased tardies by half, and the number of students in the hall after the bell is down significantly.” This illustrates how the AMHS has made a progression combating tardiness and cultivating a more responsible educational environment.
The push for better punctuality highlights the challenges of balancing efficiency with fairness. Although improving promptness is the goal of the new measures, the range of student opinions demonstrates how hard the problem is for them. Some students may find the regulation more difficult to follow due to their busy schedules, the distances between classes, and the short toilet breaks. However, some take it as an essential step toward improving school discipline and culture. Going forward, constant communication and modifications will be necessary to guarantee that the system functions well for every person in the AMHS.
By: Charlotte Cullom
Date: 11-29-24
How often have you heard your parents talk about their high school experiences like something out of a cliche high-school movie? Where school dances thrived off of drama-filled slow dances and everyone who’s anyone had a date? Like many popular high school events, homecoming is one that has changed a lot from our parent’s high school years. If you were like my mom, maybe you were running from an awkward slow dance with two different Jasons. Or maybe you went to homecoming with Nate Christiansen because going to HOCO without a date would’ve been a social crime then. Point is, nowadays you wouldn’t need a Nate Christiansen to go to a school dance. Fortunately, dance culture now is more inclusive, and attending a school dance with a group of friends is just as acceptable as going with a date.
In addition to increased inclusiveness, having the freedom to go with whoever you want can make the whole experience more enjoyable. Ultimately, high school dances are about creating moments that will give us nostalgia someday. We’ll look through our old photos and remember the songs that we screamed with our friends, or perhaps the DJ that played FE!N a countless number of times will come to mind. Either way, when we’re with our people, memories are made that will last way longer than any awkward slow dance would.
However, this isn’t to say that going with a date can’t be a rom-com worthy experience- but it’s all about who you’ll have the most fun with! In fact, when discussing this with my mom (who gave me my inspiration for this article), she wishes she had gone to the dance with her best friend instead of Nate. Now, this wasn’t because going with Nate was a bad experience, it was simply because her best friend was the one who knew her inside and out! Sharing those classic high school milestones with those that truly have been there for us throughout all the craziness is undeniably more heartfelt! Without this cultural progression, those of us that are single would’ve been out of luck- or at least stuck going with someone we didn’t really know. So, next time you’re out on the dance floor with your friends, remember that it was the generations of years past that made it possible.
By: Sydney Soysouvanh
Date: 11-15-2024
The first of the two annual school year’s Multicultural fair came up on October 24 2024. This free event was held after school for two hours, which showcases students' backgrounds with food, performances, clothing, and much more. Families and students are able to walk around the commons and fully immerse themselves in each beautiful culture that resides inside of AMHS.
The Multicultural Fair is an event run by the Multicultural Club (MCC). This club celebrates and supports the diversity that AMHS has for its students and where they come from. As well as aims to bring a diverse community together through events, such as the fair.
In past years at AMHS, the first MCC fair would have started during lunch nearing winter break. However this year was a bit different; as this fair was only starting a month after school had started. Club officers shared that they are “ hoping that everything goes well. It's going to be way more different than how we usually do it.”
When preparing for this event, each culture had to quickly create poster boards filled with facts and history about their culture. And optionally scramble groups together have dance performances and decide their foods of choice. Such as Somalia's group, they prepared for the dancing performance and food. “We’re just doing a cultural dance for fun [and] I’m cooking my famous Suugo!” Needless to say, members of the club could feel a bit rushed in the timing. “It’s kind of stressful with cramming stuff with posters or anything” stated by members of the Philippines club. Contrasting to other groups, where they “had a great and really fun time making the poster” shared by members of China’s group.
This fair was planned in advance to give more time to have families experience the fair for longer, compared to the 35-40 minutes that students had to face in previous years. But club officers worry since “there’s going to be way more people” so they “want everyone to have fun and experience all the diversity.”
As the fair commenced, it was lively and jam-packed with people experiencing the cultures the club officers hoped for. Almost everyone had plates full of little pieces from each booth around the commons. Each booth was almost full of empty trays! The dancing performances represented cultures splendidly and marvelously. Additionaly giving insight and greater knowledge about these cultures for the audience.
By: Rowan Santos
Halloween Season is here, and Auburn Mountain View High School has amplified the Halloween spirit, creating an environment of horror, fun, and excitement. Halloween is a holiday celebrating the spirits that have come before, and America has adopted a modern approach where children dress up as characters. This vibrant holiday tradition has been passed on to our school, where numerous students have embraced Halloween, wearing their special costumes that resonate with their identities and passions.
Multitudes of students dressed up, and it was brilliant to see. Various students wore onesies: Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh, Tigers, Sharks, Pompompurin, My Melody, Angels, and Bears. Cats, dogs, and more. Some students wore makeup to exaggerate their costumes, dressing up as cats, witches, and even demons. Their makeup was complex, depicting vivid horror and colorful vibrancies. Some dressed up as anime characters (Japanese cartoons), including Shizuku (HxH), characters from Chainsaw Man, and more, Notably, those in inflatable circuits grabbed everyone's attention. There were people dressed up in airsuits as sharks, bananas, babies, monkeys, and more. They truly were astounding and were mega-sized in comparison to others. Even teachers dressed up: some as whoopie cushions, one as a character from the Magic School Bus, and a teacher dressed up as Pikachu (Pokemon).
Auburn Mountainview also held its annual Halloween costume contest competition during both lunches. During lunch A, ten students were competing, making it more of a ferocious, cutthroat battle. People were dressed up as princesses, animals, and more, and it was amazing. During lunch B, even more individuals dressed up, with 23 individuals competing. Each of their costumes was elaborate, and their designs were complex. While seeing them, you could decipher their personalities, as some costumes conveyed chipperness, and some elicited glooming qualities. Viewing all the costumes was like seeing a beautiful mosaic painting and precisely analyzing its qualities and the emotions it conveyed. Watching everyone artistically dressed up makes you crave more of why... Why do they dress up as this? Why did they decide to add certain elements? How do the characters present relate to them?
It is pleasing to see our school come together, embrace spirit, and enjoy things together. The holiday Halloween truly connects Auburn Mountainview like no other event. Although Halloween wasn't directly addressed by the school, students took it into their own hands, connecting all one costume at a time.
Generally, Halloween at Auburn Mountain View High School was candidly confounding and will be memorable for years to come. As each student shares a laugh with their friends in their costume, they recognize that moment will be perceived in their future nostalgia. Every Halloween yet to come, they will embrace this Halloween, reflecting on the carefree fun with their friends.
By: Rowan Santos
Welcome to the Journalism Club, where every story counts and every voice matters! Our club is dedicated to exploring, reporting, and sharing the world around us through the eyes of young journalists. Whether it's capturing student opinions on current events, shedding light on local community issues, or diving into the hidden stories within our school, we’re here to tell it all.
What We Do:
News Reporting: We cover everything happening around our school and beyond. From school events to global affairs, we bring the latest updates and insights.
Creative Writing and Storytelling: Journalism isn’t just about news—it’s about telling stories. We encourage creative pieces, profiles, and personal narratives that give readers a fresh perspective.
Interviewing and Investigating: Each story is strengthened by getting real voices involved. We interview students, teachers, and community members, developing investigative skills to tell fuller, more compelling stories.
Photography and Design: Visual storytelling is a huge part of what we do. Our photographers and designers work to enhance each story with images, layouts, and visual flair.
Skills Development: We host workshops on journalistic skills like writing, editing, fact-checking, and ethical journalism to sharpen our members' skills and ensure we’re always learning.
The Journalism Club is a space for aspiring writers, reporters, designers, and photographers to hone their craft while making a meaningful impact. We strive to make a difference in how our school and community stay informed and connected. For anyone interested in media, communications, or just telling a good story, this is the place for you! Let’s capture stories worth sharing and be the voice of our school community. Join us in the Journalism Club and be part of a team that informs, inspires, and empowers!
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