On Friday the 13th, Dr. Bushman officially announces the shutdown of University High School due to COVID-19 concerns. To compensate for the days students miss in-school classes, UHS will continue their courses online--may it be through Zoom, Twitch, Google Classroom, or other platforms--until on-campus classes resume on April 13. 

Most initially received this information with joy and shock, but it eventually sank in that many students will miss out on trips, competitions, taking the SAT/ACT, and more. The news of UHS closing is especially disheartening for the senior class of 2020, who will be unable to experience their last prom (among several other big events). Fortunately, as of March 31st, graduation is not officially cancelled, and all of us from UHS hope that it stays that way. Seniors, don't lose hope! :)

COVID-19 is the only thing that seems to dominate the headlines. News and updates regarding the coronavirus are constantly changing and therefore affecting how schools are operated around the world. For instance, as of March 31st, the UHS staff announced that online classes will continue after spring break. Distanced learning will continue indefinitely, but according to Governor Newsom, we will most likely stay sheltered for quite a while and therefore will most likely resume on-campus learning towards the end of this school year.

Yes, I am aware that most (if not all) of us are sick and tired of self-quarantine and online classes, but that does not mean we should slack off with our studies! Like Dr. Bushman and many of your teachers, I encourage all of you to work just as hard as you do at school and continue to take your education seriously. Most importantly, take care of yourselves and play your part in preventing the spread of the virus. We'll see each other again soon!

STATE READY: THE UHS ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM PREPARES FOR THE STATE COMPETITION

Paulina Valadez 2021

All year, the 2020 UHS Academic Decathlon team has spent countless hours studying and preparing for this year’s competitions. The decathletes have anxiously awaited the competition dates since joining the team and their coach, Mr. Canfield has done a lot to ensure that the team prepares thoroughly to reach their potential. After the UHS victory at the county competition, the team was set to go to the state competition in Sacramento. But, things did not go exactly as planned. 

The famous International Women’s Day occured this year on Sunday, March 8th, which had overwhelming support for women all over the country.  This was not only celebrated by women, but also by some men who support women. As some of you know, Women’s Day is celebrated for the achievements of women in many different aspects that concern daily life.  This consistently celebrated holiday was first recognized in 1911, and since then many people still recognize it with just as much or more popularity. Moreover, in our day and age many of us like to post a picture of ourselves on Instagram with the hashtag: #internationalwomensday, to show some support for this longtime annual holiday.

On this day in some areas in ways of showing support for IWD, many women who are known among the community, such as news anchors, women of political status, and more, create special time among their platforms to talk about IWD.  PBS streamed on International Women’s Day in 2016 former first lady: Michelle Obama’s speech introducing the Let Girls Learn program for its first anniversary. In this video she calls out previous acts of good deed from women who stood up to powerful unjust leadership in order for women to get the educational nourishment that we need.  For example, Obama mentions Malala Yousafzai who did everything in her power, even to stand up against terrorists to gain the education for women. 

Sources:

PBS News Central on YouTube

“About International Women's Day.” International Women's Day, www.internationalwomensday.com/about.

MoneyTrans. “The Most Inspiring Speeches for International Women's Day.” Moneytrans Blog, 7 Mar. 2019, www.moneytrans.eu/moneytransblog/en/the-most-inspiring-speeches-for-international-womens-day/.

TimeandDate. “International Women's Day.” Timeanddate.com, www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/international-womens-day.

Disney’s newest live-action remake of Mulan has many excited, but also many upset. If you haven’t seen the original, it is a story about a girl named Mulan who takes her father’s place in the army, and overcomes different obstacles to eventually save China. The original animated movie had many different characters that made it humorous and more appropriate for children.

The live-action remake, however, seems to take on a whole different story, leaving many excited about it disappointed. Those waiting for the movie to come out wonder; will the live-action be better than the original? Or will the animated version stand superior?

One of the biggest disappointments of the live-action was the removal of two very important characters; General Shang and Mushu. Along with these characters being removed, the live-action movie is also removing the classic musical numbers from the original. While it was truly upsetting to hear, it was for good reason. “I can understand why Mushu, along with the big musical numbers, were left out of Caro’s production. They would only distract the audience from an intimate and genuine story about female empowerment in a time when such a thing was rare,” one writer for Forbes stated. So while the live-action movie of Mulan won’t be exactly the same as the original, the new lesson it teaches is just as amazing as the original.

Hope everyone is doing well and taking care of themselves! Practice good hygiene and do your part by self-isolating to protect those who are more at risk. But after all the quarantine madness is over, make sure to check out Mulan in theaters!

So far, 2020 has been a very...interesting year. To put it lightly. There seems to be an extra supply of concerning news articles then most are used to. Although the state of the world at the moment is worrisome to a lot of people, it is also important to take a step away and remember that it is okay to have a little down time and enjoy the things around you. Personally, something that always manages to cheer me up is rewatching childhood shows that take life back to a simpler time of slapstick and cheesy stories. Especially in an era filled with streaming platforms, it is easier than ever to look into the past at the shows that shaped our youth. 

On the fateful day of November 28, 2009, Nickelodeon brought the world one of the most iconic shows that has ever graced this earth. Big Time Rush follows four hockey players from Minnesota that move to California to pursue the opportunity of a lifetime of becoming a boy band of the same name. Kendall, James, Logan, and Carlos leave everything they know behind and spend the next years together, pursuing a career in the music industry. The four seasons of the show are filled with shenanigans and lessons on the importance of friendship as the best friends continually find themselves in outrageous situations that put their bond to the test. This show filled with heart, catchy bops, and laughter worked to shape the young people of this generation but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. History will forever 

remember July, 25, 2013 as one of the most bittersweet days in modern history. It is hard to grasp the reality that eight years ago, this incredible show met its abrupt end that no one could prepare for. Alas, Nickelodeon decided that the show had made its round and it was time for fans all over the world to say goodbye to these beloved characters. 

As Big Time Rush is approaching the eight year anniversary of its finale, fans still look back and remember the tears they shed when they realized that this show, this experience, was coming to an end. Suddenly, there would be no more episodes, no more bops, and no more laughter from these four friends. Reruns and fond memories are all that are left for fans to look back on as they recall the four goofy and talented guys that shaped an era promoting their message of living life to the fullest, taking risks, and having fun. These ideas live on within fans and the profound lyrics of the theme song say it perfectly, “If you want it all, lay it on the line. It’s the only life you go so you gotta live it big time.”