October 2019

School Events

Photos: Valerie Aguirre & Terralynn Datrice

TIK-TOKING THROUGH SPIRIT WEEK

Cadence Dooms 2021

After surviving the first six weeks of University High life, students had the opportunity to dress up and have some fun with UHS’ yearly Spirit Week -- many embracing the modern “TikTok” theme.

The week kicked off with letting students go above and beyond with amazing attire, the day’s theme encouraging students to Dress to Impress. Students also learned about our school’s humble beginnings, and were educated on what truly makes University High's environment so unique. The week continued, with either the much anticipated or dreaded VSCO girl day. With shrieks of “sksksk,” students sprinted through the halls to represent their favorite clubs and groups in the school-wide Lip Dub. The halls filled with students lip syncing to hit songs like “Old Town Road” and “Sunflower” -- the feature filmed by Juniors Francisco Cardinale and Caleb Liu, with technical and music assistance from Joshua Liu and Senior Jonathan Aycock. The final product was, lastly, amazingly edited by Francisco Cardinale and Cooper Cook.

The fun continued into Wednesday, with a sea of students clad in black for the “E-girl/boy” themed day in the Satellite Student Union, to hype everyone up with a rally featuring games and performances from groups like a UHS favorite, X-Class, with choreography by Seniors Christine Racoma and Christian Balakid. The excitement rose even higher on Thursdays “Cowboy” themed day, with UHS students doing their part for our campus by participating in a school-wide community service day. The last day was the annual Phoenix Bowl competition, with students showing their pride with their class colors, and supporting their class teams with shouts from the sidelines. Congratulations to the Class of 2022, for finishing strong with 3 wins!

With the end of yet another successful spirit week, University High carries the tradition 20 years in the making even further, reminding and reiterating that we are, indeed, UHS.

MAGIC OF THE ARTS: IN HONOR OF UHS' 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Celine Irasusta 2021

Another successful MOTA, this time in celebration of University High School’s 20th anniversary! As always, it was truly a dazzling experience for all, from watching everyone’s hard work in rehearsals pay off to learning about the founding and the unification of the school itself.

We asked students what their favorite and most memorable part of MOTA was, and here are some of their responses:

"Getting ready with friends and watching each other perform!"

"Show Choir!"

"Jazz Band!"

"Getting to learn more about new friends."

"Playing card games in between rehearsals."

It was a lively performance; everyone appeared on stage beaming with excitement, smiling and overall having a fun time performing. Something quite memorable was the ending number, where the whole school performed We Go Together. This number really exemplified how unified we are as a school, as well as how we will always stick together through good times and bad.

Overall, fantastic job to everyone involved in MOTA, and I also extend my thanks to the people involved in the making of a splendid school: University High School. Here's to another remarkable MOTA and many more to come!

THE BEGINNINGS OF A LEGACY: UHS' 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Terralynn Datrice 2021

During the accomplishment of UHS’ 20th anniversary, many students may be wondering about the school’s small beginnings. From originating ideas to conquering tough challenges, how was UHS able to execute their vision of becoming the advanced school it is today? To answer these questions, why not go to one of the most well known influencer of UHS, Mr. Gerard Jones.

Once becoming one of the first teachers hired at University High School, Mr. Jones was told that the music program was going to be the most important to the school-wide learning expectation, making Mr. Jones -- of course, the most equipped at being able to illustrate a music filled environment on the UHS campus. Mr. Jones described that laying out the plan was “an educational and artistic vision to teach [music] theory, composition, and all the things we do in musicianship, [while] at the same time start[ing] a brand new school on a university campus -- it was pretty exciting!" However, with starting something new there are often many challenges.

One of the challenges UHS had to undergo was “the idea of putting a high school on a university campus,” which created a large number of mixed emotions. The public was concerned with overcrowding, mannerism of high school students, and if college students would be accepting of young high schoolers. Adding another challenge for (specifically) Mr. Jones was “incorporating music theory all four years,” making sure students were successful and growing in a class not taught at most schools. With Latin and musicianship required, UHS “wanted to make sure to foster and ensure student success” with an excellent and accepting program that the school depended on for survival. UHS students exceeded these goals and expectations leading to a growth of over 20 successful years. This reinforced the idea that the UHS school community has been able to “have a college prep school where music is an integral part, not an extracurricular activity” differing from other schools.

With such a student-centered school, UHS not only cares for just the school, but primarily the students. Exemplifying Mr. Jones teaching philosophy saying, “I am here for the students, they're not here for me, I am supposed to be teaching them something -- I am supposed to help them become better people, helping them realize their vision” which is why the school is so successful. Having students be a part of school decisions makes clear this truth. Without these principles, UHS would not be celebrating the 20th anniversary today. So, next time you ponder thoughts on the birth of UHS, make sure to not only thank past students, but just as important, the trust that UHS has put into its students.

UNITY OF THE BOWL: CONGRATS TO CLASS OF 2022!

Nyanza Williams 2022

Each year, approximately 480 united souls walk to the Fresno State practice band field to watch the treasured tradition of their school, The Phoenix Bowl. This year, The Phoenix Bowl happens to be a very special one because it is the 20th anniversary, something most charter schools do not get to reach. To any non-Phoenix, it looks like this:

A sea of red, white, black and gold. A group of bopping heads, moving lips, eyes looking up and down the field, breathing in promised victory on the horizon, each and every student knowing that only one class will receive this victory. Excitement is in the air. The smell of freshly trampled on grass fills ones senses. The sun becomes brighter and brighter, as if gleaming with excitement. As a result, students begin to sweat a little, but are too happy to care.

That’s the thing about this competition -- it’s so much more than a game. It’s about everything UHS represents: being understanding, honorable, and studious. Understanding when the losing team congratulates the winning team, Studious in the way that different classes set aside time to practice, Honorable with the way in which students compete with respect. When speaking with some students about The Phoenix Bowl, the enormity of it all was eye opening. Sophomore Charis Grey says, “Phoenix Bowl means everything! I even paid to change my flight ticket when I was in Mexico to come back for Phoenix Bowl a day early.” If that’s not commitment, what is? Charis is not alone in the joy that the game brings. Senior Anjeli Macaranas says, “It’s amazing just watching from the sidelines and seeing how driven the players are. Hearing everyone cheer beside me makes me feel really proud of how close our class has grown throughout the years. Especially this year, the sportsmanship among the grade levels has been so great. Even though it’s a competition, Phoenix Bowl has really highlighted the family-like environment of UHS and how everyone supports each other here." It couldn't have been said any better! Altogether, Phoenix Bowl is a long-standing, schoolwide tradition that magnifies the core values of UHS. Like the legacy of our school, hopefully Phoenix Bowl’s meaningful significance will never fade with the times. Phoenix Bowl was great, is great, and together — we can keep it great.

Current Events

SUGAR SKULLS, ALTERS, AND MARIGOLDS: EXPLORING THE WORLD OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Paulina Valadez 2021

Spooky season is amongst us! Time for candy, costumes, and pumpkin flavored everything. Over the years, Halloween has become one of the most beloved holidays for its diversity and overall fun, but there is much more to this terror filled time than just candy and scary movies.

From October 31st to November 2nd, Dia de los Muertos (or “Day of the Dead”) is being celebrated all throughout Mexico. As the name suggests, this holiday is all about celebrating and honoring loved ones who have passed on. Although death is usually associated with feelings of sadness and loss, Dia de los Muertos is the complete opposite. It is all about remembering loved ones and celebrating what they did while alive, by practicing different customs and traditions.

So, what does this holiday entail? Well, there are many different traditions that come with this time of celebration. As this holiday revolves around passed loved ones, the building of alters is perhaps the most prominent tradition.

Decorated with bright and lively colors, these altars are built by families and decorated with ofrendas (or offerings). This includes,but is not limited to, candles, food (the favorite of the deceased), personal possessions, and flowers. In addition to building altars, it is also customary for families to visit graveyards, leave ofrendas and clean the graves of their loved ones as well.

Conceivably the most recognizable traditions from this holiday are the sugar skulls, skeletons, and marigolds. Sugar skulls have become the main symbol representing not only this holiday but Mexico as a whole. These sweet decorations are either made or bought, added to alters, and even sometimes have the deceased person’s name on them. Sugar skulls might be the most widely known, but the usage of skeletons in general can be found everywhere. Calacas, for example, are brilliantly colored and decorated skeleton figurines that are put out on display. Along with these, cempasúchiles (the Mexican marigold) are also plentiful and used as ofrendas. Also known as "flor de muerto" these flowers bloom around this time of year. They are believed to be an aid for the dead so that they can travel back to the living world.

Perhaps the most widespread tradition of its time, is sharing stories and memories of those who have entered the world of the dead. It is always important to remember loved ones, even if they are no longer with us. This tradition is greatly beloved and impactful. Overall, Dia de los Muertos is a very dear holiday to a lot of people and should not be overlooked. October 31st can be, and is, about more than just pumpkin carvings and costumes.

BULLYING AWARENESS MONTH

Celine Irasusta 2021

“Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.”

The month of October is Bullying Awareness Month. Bullying comes in a variety of forms, may it be physically, through the Internet, and more. This month is the time for all of us to educate ourselves on bullying, as well as how it affects victims.

Bullying can negatively impact the victim in many different aspects (physically, mentally, etc.); it is not uncommon to see a victim develop feelings of melancholy and distress. Some signs that suggest someone is being bullied include, but are not limited to:

unexplainable injuries
changes in eating habits
sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
difficulty sleeping/frequent nightmares
declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
decreased self-esteem
self-destructive behavior

Surely, we’ve all either seen or experienced bullying and its effects at least once in our lifetime, and honestly? It’s heartbreaking. In addition, the thought of loved ones being unable to recognize the predicament they’re in and help them ease the pain can really take a stab at your heart. The victim feels hopeless. Neglected. They feel as if no one could take away all the hurt they have been experiencing. But we can.

If you ever see one of your fellow classmates fall victim to bullying in any way, shape, or form, become the bigger person and take action. Taking action includes standing up for the person and confronting the bully in a safe manner, reporting the bully to a responsible and trustworthy adult, and more. Let’s make our school environment safe and inviting for all, and let us start by putting an end to bullying.

Source: www.stopbullying.gov

THE UN "BOO" LIEVABLE HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

Kimi Galang Villegas 2020

We all look forward to the spookiest night of the year. The name of the holiday we all know and love, Halloween, translates literally to “hallowed evening.” In the past, All Hallows’ Eve, October 31, and All Saints’ Day both celebrated “hallows,” or saints. Halloween falls on October 31 because of the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, which marked a pivotal point of seasonal change. People believed that the boundary in this time and the next was especially thin, allowing for easier interaction with the dead. They would make offerings of food in order to get on the good sides of these spirits and deceased ancestors. This belief is the source for Halloween’s “haunted” connotations.

In spite of the holiday’s correlation to the pumpkin, apples have played a more important part in its history. All in all, apples have appeared in Celtic mythology and are often associated with the Underworld. Ever wondered why bobbing apples is a predominant game? The practice used to be considered as a form of divination performed around Halloween. People would dunk their heads in a vat of water, trying to bite into floating fruit in hopes to discover their future spouse. Women would mark an apple and throw it into a tub, believing that whoever pulled it out of the water was their destined soulmate.

Although Halloween traditions are rooted from different cultures and beliefs, such as the Celts, Romans, Christians, English, and the Irish, by the end of the 1800s, Americans pushed for more secular (and safer) rituals. People began to hold Halloween parties, placing emphasis on games, fall foods, and costumes over witchcraft and troublemaking. Trick-or-treating popularity skyrocketed in the 1950s.

Currently, over 179 million Americans celebrate Halloween, while spending about $9.1 billion dollars on it yearly, according to the National Retail Federation.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Ryan Titapiwatanakun 2023

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The lifetime risk of a woman in the U.S. to develop breast cancer is about 13% (1 in 8 women). It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that about 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2019. About 41,760 of those women will die from breast cancer.

The risk of breast cancer nearly doubles in women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer. However, the death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing since 1989 as a result of earlier detection through screening, increased awareness, and better treatments. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new breast lump or mass. When found early, breast cancer can be treated successfully. Screening with a mammogram is recommended. Women benefits from screening at age 40. However, guidelines for screening vary depending on personal and family risk factors. Though not as common, breast cancer can develop in men. For men, the lifetime risk is about 1 in 833. More research to find out the causes, prevention, and treatment of breast cancer in men is underway.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Spread the word! Remind your family to get screening mammograms.

References:

About Breast Cancer. American Cancer Society. Atlanta, GA; 2019
U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Breastcancer.org. Ardmore, PA; 2019

THE HISTORY OF HORROR: A GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF SCARY MOVIES

Paulina Valadez 2021

The love of the spooky and scary have been carried on throughout generations. Most recently, scary movies have become a staple when it comes to the month of October. Sure, both spoken and written stories will always be around, but with the introduction of horror films, there is now a way for people to witness what they fear come alive on screen.

The desire to create scary movies did not come long after the introduction to film in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Early films were often action or comedy based, but there were filmmakers that began experimenting with scary stories as well. Unfortunately, many early horror films have been lost forever due to the sensitivity of early film stock, but there are still remaining films that allow us to take a trip back to the early stages of this popular genre.

The earliest horror film dates back to Le Manoir du Diable (1896). This film is only a little over 3 minutes long but, manages to include many characters that are still used today such as witches, trolls, and devils. The first “monster movie” soon followed in the German film known as “The Golem” (1915, re-released in 1920). These early films focused a lot on symbolism and interpretation which was later replaced with people striving more towards realism. Filmmakers started to find ways to bring their ideas to life so, they focused more on real life people interacting with real life things. This genre soon became more and more popular while artists were discovering new techniques to bring their stories to life in more elaborate ways. This proved to be very effective. One of the most iconic movies that came from this new genre is the vampire film known as “Dracula” (1931) and the monster movie “Frankenstein” (1931). These pictures, along with many more, further cemented the genre and attracted a lot of attention. The growing fascination with these spooky tales lead to the term “horror” to be used to describe this category of movies in the 1930s.

To this day, horror movies remain one of the most popular movies that are produced. Most recently, the movie "It" (2017) became the highest earning horror movie of all time with $327.5 million. The horror genre keeps expanding leaving fans waiting for the next film, to become the new Halloween night classic.

SPOOKETTI!

Claire Irasusta 2022

Student Life

Halloween Short Story Winner

CONGRATULATIONS TO NATALIE VASQUEZ, CLASS OF 2021, FOR BEST SHORT STORY: "SCARED OF THE DARK"

When I was young, I was convinced the safest way to sleep was with the door open. After all, shadow monsters and boogiemen couldn’t get me if I had even a sliver of light in my room from the hallway. I was safe under the blankets, and my parents were only a “MOM! DAD!” away. With the door open, I was safe from an assortment of abominations that came out after dark: vicious crocodiles, translucent ghosts, and man-eating spiders. My parents closed my door once, so I wouldn’t tiptoe to their room and slip under the covers. “You’re too old for this!” they chided. But didn’t they know what they were doing?! They were putting me at the mercy of the nighttime horrors! I ran to my door. I kicked. Screamed. Sobbed. I did everything in my power to persuade them to open the door, but they were resolute. So I clung to the last shred of hope, the last gleam of light, barely peeping through the crack under the door. Luckily, I made it through the night without being snatched, maimed, or devoured, and the danger was gone the instant the first ray of sun crept through the window.

Then I grew up. Headlines such as “Man Murdered in His Own Apartment” and “Woman Abducted during Nighttime Jog” forced me to reevaluate my views of nocturnal shenanigans. I soon came to realize that the real monsters do not have claws, fangs, horns, or scales. They are armed instead with lock picks, craftiness, guns, and knives. The real monsters do not come to hypnotize, scratch, and consume, but rather to plunder, creep, and kill. The real monsters are far more dangerous than the ones lurking in the darkest shadows of a child’s overactive imagination. The real monsters have no weakness. The light doesn’t burn them. Parents won’t scare them off. They can tell if someone is hiding under the blankets. The real monsters don’t go away when the sun rises. The real monsters can be found skulking in the deepest, darkest crevices of humanity. The real monsters walk among us- in the streets, alleyways, sidewalks, and hallways.

I sleep with my door closed now.

WHAT IS THE WORST CANDY TO RECEIVE DURING HALLOWEEN?

Rowan H. 2020

"Candy corn is the worst, it tastes gross!"

Juliessa R. 2022

"I don't like 3 musketeers."

Sophia B. 2021

"Um...black licorice."

Alex C. 2022

"Anything sugar-free, I guess."

Bilal K. 2023

"The ones with the fire... oh yeah! Red Hots!"

John H. 2022

"Black licorice, 100% black licorice!"

ALUMNI'S ADVICE TO CURRENT UHS STUDENTS

Praise Okoli 2022

UHS is very different from other schools, and many people end up confused or stressed out about what their UHS experience holds for them. An advice column with advice directly from UHS alumni would solve this problem. This specific set of alumni all graduated last year-

All of the alumni that have been interviewed agreed that UHS can take a toll on your mental health, which is why it’s important to put it first. “Make sure to make time for yourself because part of being able to succeed at school is taking care of your mental health” explained Jaidaa Hussian '19.

Most also agreed that over stressing yourself is not worth it in the long run. “I recommend knowing what you are capable of and not overloading yourself, which is common UHS culture. Trying to be the kid that does it all but realistically knowing what your capabilities are will make your life easier…” shared Delilah Zied '19.

Arianna Kosiek '19 gave some practical ways to take care of your mental health. “Make sure you get enough sleep. What I used to do was clear my head for ten minutes in between studying by doing something I liked (not Instagram or phone related because that will get you stuck forever) e.g. face mask or walk my dog or walk around the house,” she said.

For the academic side, Paulina Medina '19 gave some practical tips on how to succeed. She said, “Use the PSAT to gauge your study habits for the time that you take the SAT, talk to your counselor about either personal or academic concerns because they definitely help, and build test- taking and study habits through your college classes so you’re more prepared once you reach that next step.”

Finally, Hallie Gamueda '19 gave me some advice about extracurriculars and such. “My advice would be to put yourself out there and not be afraid to join clubs!!! Even though it’s a small school, definitely join clubs to get to know your peers and create bonds.”

To summarize, UHS can be very stressful and overwhelming. But the alumni have proved that it is possible, and with these tips it could actually be enjoyable.

Reviews

CRAZIEST FLORIDA MAN STORIES

Peter Hartley 2021

I recently learned about a popular game which revolves around an odd headline: “Florida Man_______”. One types in “Florida Man” followed by a birthday into the search engine of your choice. The following search results ought to give you a laugh. For example, a star sign, lunar symbol, zodiac sign, or whatever the “Florida Man” did on a person's birthday which defines them. Although I was the one playing, I used the dates of other events, and I was surprised to see how extensive these headlines were. Unlike most memes which over-exaggerate the nature of its content, this meme game is complete. There is a headline and story for every day of the year with many more stories on top of that. There is an entire website devoted to finding the Florida Man Story linked to your date of birth. Anyway, October is a month of crazy events in different countries. Unlike Oktoberfest in Germany, Americans have Florida and there are some interesting stories linked to the crazy stereotypes from those who reside in Florida. Here are some of the craziest stories for October of the Florida Man:

On October 2, 2015, a Florida man admitted to sacrificing a goat and then drinking its blood two years prior. The funny part was that he was running for a seat in the senate! Augustus Invictus -- no, I’m not kidding -- a lawyer, was the vice president of the struggling Liberatarian Party. Now, I have no political goals with such articles, but I thought that this quote form the Orlando Sentinel summarized the situation in the funniest way possible, “...He renounced his citizenship in one paper, and in another he prophesied a great war, saying he would wander into the wilderness and return bearing revolution." "I guess it makes me feel flattered that they think I am a threat to the stability of the system. It makes me think one man can make a difference," Invictus said. He insists, though, that he doesn't advocate violence. No matter what political party we all follow, I hope that we can agree that stories like this are amusing.

2. On October 5, a man was granted 37,500 dollars from charges based on false accusations brought forth by police officers about glazed donuts being methamphetamines. 64-year-old Daniel Rushing was caught rushing in his car after having dropped off a friend at the local 7-Eleven, when the police officers stopped him. He was searched due to the possession of a firearm in the car. The officers found hardened crystals which tested positive for a controlled substance, so he was arrested. Though testifying that it was simply donut glaze, he wasn’t believed. After he was released, he sued the city for faulty test kits and reached a settlement of 37,500 dollars.

3. Now it is time to delve into a more absurd story. On October 10, a 24-year-old named Joshua Jones tossed an alligator (full grown mind you) through a Wendy’s drive-through window. The report states that at 1:20 am, after being given his beverage, he gifted the employees with a midnight surprise they didn’t expect. After which he sped off into the nigh, and later arrested for the theft of the creature and violations to the animal wildlife regulations.

4. On October 12, 2015, Reliford Cooper attempted to evade a DUI charge outsmarting the officers who had caught him. Not only had he tried to outrun the cops in his car, he also tried on foot once he crashed his car. Cooper hid within the bathroom of a church before being cast out by its assembly. Once the convict was cuffed, he played mind games with his captures, claiming that his dog had been driving the car, so he ran because "he wanted to.” He was additionally said to have the distinct smells of both alcohol and marijuana.

5. This next one is simple and ought to remain more of a mystery, but on October 12, 2012, a 76-year-old man was run over by lawn mower after chasing his son down with a chainsaw. He miraculously survived and was charged with attempted 2nd degree murder. This is the perfect ending to any classic Hollywood, horror, Halloween film, with room for sequels to follow up with.

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