Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Volume 2 issue 2
December 2011
Junior Benny Greene decorates the halls of West Tech. Read more about students and their holday spirit on pages 6 and 7.
Opinion
Sophomore Wranglette, Tracie Davis, exhibiting the effects of sleep deprivation on students.
from eight to ten hours of sleep to fully function. However, on a survey of WCTA students only 26 percent of them said that they got the recommended hours of sleep needed. On top of that, a healthy breakfast will give you the energy necessary to go through the day. On the down side, the same survey showed only 49 percent of students said that they eat a breakfast every day. With this in mind, look at your grades. It has been proven that the amount of sleep and whether or not you eat breakfast has a direct effect on the grades.
Experts say that if you study before you sleep, get a full seven hours of sleep, and then eat breakfast you are more likely to be successful and get better grades. The theory is that when you sleep your brain runs over everything that has happened that day and then stores what is the most important information. So, if you study before you sleep, then you are more likely to remember what you studied. All in all, for most people the answer to a successful life is a proper breakfast, not procrastinating on tasks, and getting enough hours of ZZZs.
News
The students of West Tech admire the view at Red Rock Canyon with their elementary school buddies. Students also expanded their photography skills.
By Ashley Lawson
West Tech photography students had the unique opportunity to enhance their photography skills while simultaneously sharing their knowledge with students of Mabel Hoggard Math and Science Magnet School. The students traveled to Red Rock Canyon to take pictures of this famous scenic area. Photography II, as well as a select few of Photo I students, began their journey on Friday, Nov. 4. The photography students selected one elementary school student to be a photo buddy for the day. The photo duo would shoot pictures, assemble the project, and present the work at later reception. Due to a transportation issue, the trip was delayed a few hours. However, students and teachers alike still approached the trip with positivity and excitement as to what the day was to hold. At around 11:30 a.m., the Wranglers boarded the cozy tour bus and were welcomed by excited elementary kids. Theres more! One little boy in particular shouted out, as the high school kids boarded the bus. It was obvious the children were just as excited as the Wranglers. The fifteen-minute drive to Red Rock provided students with a beautiful glimpse of the natural Nevada scenery that they were going to experience and take pictures of that day. After arriving at Red Rock, elementary kids were given a few minutes to eat their
lunches while high school students selected their partners. As soon as the duos were ready and the children received their disposable cameras, the little ones began to lead Wranglers on crazy (and sometimes dangerous) hikes throughout the Red Rock Mountains. After two hours of taking in Nevadas extravagant scenery and bonding with one another, students made their way back to the bus, and departed for their separate schools. With all the photos developed and collected, the Wranglers and the little ones reunited on Friday, Nov. 18, for Day Two of their Red Rock Photography Project. Students spent the day mentoring the little ones by walking them through the Photoshop program. The little ones were able to select their favorite photo of their choice, as well as edit their photo with the WCTA kids. The duos took a 30-minute break for lunch, where they dined on Dominos pizza, Gatorade of their choice, brownies and cookies. After lunch was over, it was back to work. After the well-deserved lunch break, partners began to print their finished product. The duos then went through the next step matting. Once matted and taped, partners were to select a frame for their beautiful pictures. At 12:30 P.M., the end of Day Two had approached. After hugs and tearful good-byes, the students parted ways
once again. However, students should not fret! A reception was held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 where duos reunited. In front of parents, students showed off their hard work and dedication to the project. The reception took place in the evening at the Red Rock Visitor Center where the framed photography and reflections were displayed for all to see. Krystal Piedy, sophomore Wrangler, reflected on the experience. I felt honored to be able to participate in West Techs second go at the Red Rock Field Trip. It was great to be able to do what I love best while teaching younger students, at the same time. Each and every student definitely had his or her own personality. My little girl was great. She listened
and took in the knowledge. We ended up bonding and having a great time with one another, said Piedy. Students were warned by photography teacher Chrissy Pavesich to be on their best behavior. I agree 100 percent that we needed to be on our best behavior. We needed to put ourselves, and more importantly the children, out of harms way. But theres more than just thatwe are role models to these kids. Its crucial that we be on our best behavior, added Piedy. The Red Rock Field Trip was definitely a positive experience and a learning opportunity for all involved. What is better than absorbing Nevadas natural scenery, taking photos and simultaneously bonding with younger kids?
News
Foundation). HOSA also participated in a walk at UNLV for JDRF on Nov. 19 and a food drive starting at the end of November. The food was delivered to the Las Vegas Mission on Dec. 14. Besides being busy with fundraisers, HOSA students also visit elementary schools and deliver an important message to the younger students. The message is NOT to smoke, and getting the message out early to these young elementary students is the best way to accomplish this goal. HOSA also gives out scholarships such as the Outstanding HOSA. HOSA is a great way for students to help out their community and do something they love. HOSAs mission is to promote career opportunities in HOSA members Kristina Mendiola, Breana Moore (historian), and Kmystry Taylor-Jackson are ready for class and wearing their the health care industry and to enhance Monday scrubs. the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA is for students who are selling food like blizzard and donuts, By Alyssa Stewart This mission is especially critical interested in health care, said Clemens. but whats the money for? when considering the shortage of Membership in HOSA is restricted Fridays in the lunchroom we sell qualified workers in the health care On Mondays it is not unusual to see students around campus wearing to health occupations students, and the blizzards for $3.00, said Clemens. industry. This shortage will continue red scrubs. These students belong to organization provides a unique program This money is for a fundraiser that to get worse as the population ages. our very own HOSA. HOSA stands for of leadership, development, motivation, we can use for the State and National If you want to know more Health Occupation Students of America and recognition for students enrolled in Competitions. In the mornings we about HOSA or how to join go to and is advised by Nursing Program health occupations education programs. sell hot chocolate and donuts for the NevadaHOSA.org. or see Kathy You may have seen HOSA students JDRF (the Juvenile Diabetes Research Clemens in C125. teacher Kathy Clemens.
their first years record of 0-6. Wests team gave it their all. The atmosphere at the chess game was that of absolute focus and tension. The Chess Team has
The top three players from the West Tech Young Knights Chess Club go head-to-head against Bonanza to wrap up their first season of playing chess.
By Brett Bialik
Do you have time after school you are not using? Then join the Young Knights Chess Club! Chess Club meets every Tuesday, right here in B107, says Snehal Bhakta, the Young Knights adviser. Young Knights teaches students strategy and critical thinking skills, adds Bhakta. The Chess Club tough competition is district wide. We play against other schools in the area, depending on the district. Our district consists of WCTA, Palo Verde, Sierra Vista, and Bonanza, says Bhakta. Bonanza has also assisted the Young Knights in getting on their feet, by helping us with coaching and donating two chess boards, said
group at the moment. We have 12-14 students on any given occasion, says Bhakta. Anyone who wants to join is welcome to! I joined because Ive been playing since fifth grade, and I enjoy it, says
Alicia Robb. It is a lot of fun playing against other schools and the people are really friendly. The atmosphere of the Young Knights Chess Club is very inviting indeed. It is very cool, and calm; it relaxes, says freshman Nathan Sharratt. I joined personally because it relieves stress, and it helped me focus on my schoolwork. However, the best
Bring on the H
Sophomores decorate classroom doors for the school holiday door decorating contest. Decorating instructor Nancy Giffords door are Kielle Delafuente, Sami Haeick, Taylor Fajardo, and Savanna West. Winners of the contest receive a donut party.
Feature
By Shree Joshi Students at WCTA are a very diverse group, and they celebrate holidays differently. While some might celebrate a holiday such as Christmas during Winter Break, others may celebrate holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Some might not even celebrate a holiday but use the break to go on vacations and spend time with family and friends. I look forward to presents and spending time with my friends and family, said sophomore Adrian Aquino. Most commonly, the holidays are something to look forward to for two reasons: a twoweek break to procrastinate and all of those presents. Every Hanukkah, my family and I go to Mt. Charleston to sled. I get one present for every day of Hanukkah. On the last day, we light all of the candles and make a lot of food. Then, we party, Haddar Ben-
Shimon, freshman, explained. I usually spend time with my family. We celebrate Christmas and party, Christian Velasquez, sophomore, stated.
Christmas seems to be the most popular holiday celebrated at our school. In my family, we dont believe in Santa. On Christmas Eve we eat a very big dinner instead of
breakfast. We also wait until 12 to open our presents. Minnie Delgado, freshman, said. Several students, here at West, play games and sing carols during this merry season. Some students, however, just use this break as a two week sleeping, eating, and video game period. Everyones individual families have their own special ways of celebrating their holidays. My family celebrates the holidays by setting up lights and a Christmas tree, Sam Moss, junior, declared. No matter the celebration and traditions, were all brought together on this special and jolly season. Have a great winter break, Wranglers!
In my family, we celebrate Christmas, watch seasonal movies, and eat turkey! said freshman Antonio Tassone.
I always look foward to Christmas Eve dinner with my family, presents, and enjoy hanging out and eating leftovers, teacher Audrie Rosen said
Holiday Spirit!
By Hayden Beers This year, West Career Technical Academy is offering a stocking stuffer program where students fill a stocking with new gifts and toys for children and families that are less fortunate. This is a great opportunity for students to give back to the community, and it is also a great chance to feel good about yourself for doing a great thing. I think that the stocking stuffer is a great project for the school to be doing, said sophomore Kirsten Kight. The program runs during the last weeks before Christmas, and details have been featured on the morning announcements. Sophomores, juniors, and freshman alike can now give their time and feel good about themselves. It is a low cost program, only about $15-$20 dollars, and you can give gifts to a less fortunate child. I feel that it is great for all of
Feature
Michael Chanthapadith and Jeanne Tran deliver stuffed stockings in holiday spirit!
Over 10,000 Santas get ready to participate in the Great Santa Race. The race is sponsored by Opportunity Village. Students from West Tech volunteered to help during the race despite chilly weather.
I go to California to visit and celebrate the holidays with my family, said junior Lexi Rudner.
of decorated trees and millions of new LED lights (donated by the electricity company). I like all of the awesome lights and decorations throughout the trees and displays, said junior Elsie Powley,an Opportunity Village volunteer. Volunteers help in any of the stations from the ticket booths, to the kitchens, and all the way out to the games and activities. I ran a booth for Best Buddys Program that works with Opportunity Village, said Powley. This year the village had three new games and some amazing additions to the Magical Forest. Many students from our own WCTA were helping out this year, at the village and the annual Santa Run held at Town Square. Volunteers received two free VIP tickets to the Opportunity Village for themselves and a friend on their next visit. Its too late this year, but next year volunteer. All in all if you want to do some good and have fun in the process, grab a group of friends and head down to Opportunity Village.
Feature
helping the community and it helped me socially by meeting so many people, said Sergeant-At-Arms (SAA) Ashley Reyes. Besides West Techs events, the club has been privileged to attend events with the rest of the California, Nevada, and Hawaii (Cali-Nev-Ha) districts. On October 22, we attended our very first Regional Training Conference (RTC) and made sure that everyone knew our club was there. Members yelled their hearts out, and although we didnt win spirit rally, I couldnt have been more proud of their performance, said Mercucio. On November 19, 2011, some of the Vegas divisions, including our very own West CTA, met at Del Sol High School to later depart for the Fall Rally South event at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. The early morning departure didnt stop students excitment. Twenty-seven members attended and had an amazing time that they will not forget. Fall Rally was a day for members across the district to cheer until they can no longer cheer, raise money for a good cause, and met other Key Clubbers. My experience at Fall Rally was indescribable. You just had to be there, said Mercucio. Throughout the day, Key Club divisions participated in Spirit Rallies. In doing so, the club was able to raise money for the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP). Also, members enjoyed their time at Magic Mountain by riding thrill rides before and after
Top: West Key Club during Spirit Rally at RTC Bottom: West Key Club posing before the long and fun day at RTC
Key Club members entering Magic Mountain during Fall Rally South 2011
By Suzette Gonzales
Club is a fun and easy way to serve and give back to the community, said Key Club consists of several Concepcion. There are a lot of rumors of the thousands of members from approximately 30 different countries. club being full of Asians, but in reality, With many different divisions across we have members in over 20 different the country, Key Clubbers come countries around the world, said together to help communities in their Mercucio, It doesnt matter where were from or who we are, whenever neighborhoods. Key Club is an international Im around other Key Clubbers, I feel organization that does community welcome. Our very own West Tech Key service, develops character, and creates future leaders, said WCTA Club has been able to participate in several events this year,including the Key Club President Phil Mercucio. Key Club impacts thoughts and Alzheimers Walk and the Walk to ideas towards life and also helps End Autism. With the club being brand new last the community. It allows members to think of other members as family year, it was still able to be all over the place, according to Mercucio. rather than just friends. My experience at Key Club has Key Club is a support system for Technology Editor/Web Master, been life changing. It has given me Dannica (Mikee) Concepcion. Key the opportunity to succeed through
Spirit Rally, cheering their hearts out, and of course, eating funnel cake. Currently, West Key Club is doing Adopt-A-Family, in which they will try to get presents for the children who are living in unfortunate conditions. Key Club gave me a family that I know will always be there to have fun and do service. It gives hope for generations of service, said Reyes. As Key Club president, Mercucio persuades others to join. With several wonderful reasons to join Key Club, why wouldnt you? The best way to understand the club is to join. Mercucio plans on doing his best to offer fun events that members are able to participate in. As the year goes on, I only hope that my members stay and keep on serving. Theyll always be heroes in my eyes if they do, said Mercucio.
Glee Club
By Alyssa Stewart
Theyre singing, theyre dancing, but theyre not on TV. Its West Techs very own Glee Club. Advised by Anthony Sass, the Gleeks of WCTA perform and, like any other club, do fundraisers. The first performance Glee Club has is the Winter Assembly on Dec.16. Glee Club has only two weeks to perfect the songs they are performing. They will perform a mash up starting with Jingle Bell Rock, It Will Rain, Moves Like Jagger, and the Glee version of Dont Stop Believing. Dont miss the assembly and this performance!
Above: An example of anime. Right: Glee Club member, sophomore Joshua Abellera, smiling in front of the WCTA logo, is going to sing at the upcoming assembly.
Feature
Sandro. When I was a kid I used to break a lot, then I stopped because I got overwhelmed by homework. Since we have the club, I might as well take the opportunity. I hope to get better, laughs Sandro. Everyone in Break Club hopes to accomplish something, whether its just to learn more moves, clean moves, or progress their skills even further. Break dancing takes a lot of time and effort to become good at it. Some people have more difficulty than others, but at Break Club, we learn from each other. Break Club meets every Tuesday after school in the gym. For questions and concerns, see dance teacher Ginger Rossiter in Room H101.
By Haddar Ben-Shimon
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but can words really hurt me? According to some West CTA students, they can really hurt, but we can do something about it. Ive learned that the only opinion that really matters is your own, said freshman Chevaya Silaski. The goal of the Project Based Learning (PBL) learning activity was to encourage students to creatively play a role in the awareness and prevention of bullying among todays youth. West Tech students spent two days in activities that helped them do this. On Nov. 7, groups were sent to a random teacher to explain the PBL and introduce the topic of bullying. The
creating something, doing research. Youre talking to people; youre actually using technology. Youre going out to the Internet and learning how to do surveys and to put that into graphical forms, added Bay. This topic is very important because bullying happens everywhere even at school. One third of teens reported being bullied at school. Most bullying tends to occur at school, and statistics show that 20 percent of high-school students are bullied at their schools. Bullying leads to many dangerous behaviors that involve violence, including harmful fights and suicide. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the PBL; the results were amazing and really impressed your teachers. Good luck to the best of the best, and may the best groups win!
Sophomore students put the finishing touches on their final projects. The next step was to have their work judged by the other students and teachers.
West Tech students work on school wide PBL. These particular groups created I-movies to illustrate the problems associated with bullying.
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FALL SPORTS
Show school pride by These scholar athletes Playing for a different school than the one you go to understand the reason scholar supporting your fellow students at their next competition! has not changed the dynamics comes first before athlete. of our team. Were all great Ashley Koch friends, said Ryu. puts her heart into finishing Making friends is easy when the race. youre on a cross country team of over 20 girls. Ashley Koch thoroughly enjoyed participating on Palo Verdes varsity womens cross country team this season for the competitive motivation and the many friends she has on the team. During the season, Ashley places in the top ten in most of the meets, like when she achieved a 23:52 time for the 3.1 mile race and placed 6th, after 3 of her teammates. I liked it because I appreciated receiving the great education from West, but I also like the sports atmosphere from running on the cross country team. Its the best of both worlds, said Koch. Zehra Cheathams life is cheerleading. She began cheering at age 5, and now she spreads school spirit at Sierra Vista. With varying games and practices twice a week, Cheathams only challenge was finishing homework when cheer is over, but she enjoys going to a magnet school while Amanda Ryu practices her golf swing at Angel Park. having a normal high school experience. Cheerleading is my life, and I dont know what I would be without it! Cheatham said. Playing and cheering competitively for their home schools across the Las Vegas valley, Wests athletes show commitment and dedication throughout all aspects of their high school career. On the court, in the classroom, or running the track, West Techs student athletes shine wherever they go. Zehra Cheatham, third in the back row, poses with her Sierra Vista cheer members.
sports
Students are constantly in a balancing act, juggling homework, friends, teachers, and parents. Imagine adding yet another commitment that requires hours of dedication, mental focus, and physical intensity. As students from West participate in competitive sports at their zoned schools, student athletes manage to keep up the endless balancing act and maintain their eligibility, spend time with friends, and be successful in their sport. Meilin Haidl is a superstar! Not only does she play on the varsity womens tennis team at Bonanza, but she also maintains a unweighted GPA of 4.0. This tennis season, she was recognized as a National Merit Scholar on top of playing on the Bonanza tennis team in the fall as well as the swim team in the spring. I like playing sports at Bonanza because I can keep contact with my old friends. I enjoy the competition that isnt purely academic, said Haidl. Individually placing fifth place at regional championship, Amanda Ryu is the best female golfer on the Palo Verde womens golf team. Ryu has played golf since fifth grade, and her knack for the sport only gets sharper! The score at her regional championship broke 80, an accomplishment mature adult golfers work years to achieve. The time commitment of having practice every day until 5 p.m. is stressful with all of her homework, and Ryu misses an entire day of school each week in competing in tournaments.
S IN REVIEW
By Noah Thorson
sports
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Football, soccer, and tennis. These are three big sports that are played in many different high schools. These sports have been played for many years and counting. It is almost a tradition for some to watch a game of football on Thanksgiving, Wimbledon during the summer, or enjoy flipping the channel to watch the FIFA World Cup with some friends. Andrew Goldsmith, a right defensive end for the freshman football team, talks about his passion for football. It is hard work, he says, but it is always rewarding at the end. Goldsmith is a starter on his Palo Verde football team, and plans to play football for years to come. Footballs awesome! Its fun to play the game, all my best friends are on the team, and my coaches are tough, smart, and often hilarious. Goldsmith currently practices for about two hours a day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and says, It is very hard, but at the end, it is always for the best because we win!
need such as cardio. However, there is one thing that Pratt really wants to have done to the school and to the sport as well. I really wish there was a soccer team at West. Now that would be very interesting!
Kota Cook poses with his tennis racket on the Palo Verde tennis courts
Andrew Goldsmith, pictured, plays football for Palo Verde High School.
Running. It is the complete passion of some people. To them, it is their life. For these types of people, there is a certain club that is just begging for them to join. It is called the Running Club. Lead by health teacher Robert Clements, it consists of 35 males and females, making it a pretty big group. These kids who are in the running club all love it and get to hang out with their old friends as well as make new ones. They absolutely love it.
They also see the benefit of running for their health and fitness, says Clements. According to Clements, it doesnt matter if you run or not, for it is walk friendly. That means you can walk instead of run whenever you feel like it. We are not really restricting anybody from doing anything they want to do, adds Clements. This being said, Running Club is open for everybody and nobody will be left out of the club. However, even though the kids are passionate, Clements sometimes feels less
emotion on the subject. I dont love to run, but I feel very accomplished when I finish a big race, he says. I just love the thrill and the exhilaration of finishing the big race. People might say they know what running is, but what kinds of running are there? Well, in running, there are many different types of running styles. There is the longdistance, in which the people run a marathon. Typically, the two main events are the half and the whole marathon. A marathon is 26 miles. For the
short distance types, there are events such as the 40 meter dash or the hurdles. The 40 meter dash is when there are a line of contenders, and they all are an equal distance away from the goal. Then, they sprint using all of their energy to get to the finish line. In Running Club, the typical distance of running is 3 miles a day. The Running Club commences after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Everybodys welcome, says Clements. So put on those running shoes and start running!
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Feature
Carly Saxe and Ryan Kleiner go Batman for their outfits down the red carpet.
Lexi Rudner and Cory Jacobs use their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hat drawstrings for mustaches.
By Ashley Lawson
The Celebrity Couple Sadie Hawkins Dance 2011 was a success! Wranglers first got into the Sadies spirit during the week of Nov. 28 Dec. 2. The yearbook class, who sponsered the dance, designed and coordinated the Sadie decorations that lined every buildings hallway, the tickets, and the advertisements on the announcements. They planned the theme of Celebrity Couples with the Hollywood background. Most couples dressed with this theme in mind for the event. Tickets were available at lunch for $10. The affordable deal included entrance to the dance, as well as a snack. Susan Williams, the yearbook adviser, had high hopes for a better turnout than last year. I just want the huge debt gone from the yearbook excess ordering last year, Williams said. One of this years editors for the yearbook is Lexi Rudner, who had high expectations of an exciting time for Sadie Hawkins. I just hoped it
would be a fun night with all of my closest friends, and that we could have a great time doing things together, Rudner said. The dance was held here in our own beautifully decorated cafeteria. Marriage and divorce booths were available at the dance, as well as a red carpet where couples walked arm in arm. Snacks, dancing, and pictures were also available at the dance. Pictures were available at the price of $10 and included 2-5x7 photos and 4 wallets. After building suspense through the announcements, spirit days, and decade-themed hallways, the Yearbook sponsored dance, Saturday, Dec.3, finally arrived. Students began to show up at the dance around 7 p.m. The three-hour dance started without a hitch. The students danced the night away. The DJ played todays most popular dance songs such as Party Rock Anthem, Give Me Everything, and Club Cant Even Handle Me. It was a fun evening, one most students will never forget.
Braxton Feller carries Elsie Powley down the red carpet