Serving his country and serving students is what teacher Justin Woodruff does for Poway High School. The World History, Physical Education teacher and wrestling coach has worked on campus for two years, but missed this semester which has left many students wondering why.

A Marine reservist, Woodruff is spending time in North Carolina learning to fly Osprey Helicopters, according to wrestling Coach Wayne Branstetter.

“My time in North Carolina has been challenging, but enjoyable” Justin Woodruff said. He loves the challenge of learning to fly this unique aircraft because it “flies like both an airplane and a helicopter.”

Woodruff is said to return mid-January to prepare for the last half of the year. He will be teaching three periods of World History.

Many students enjoyed his sophomore history class. Junior, Jessy Pellegrino, said that even though history was not her favorite subject that she could always look

forward to his class.Woodruff also taught a weight training class for

sophomores, juniors and seniors. Junior CJ Fuenzalida was one of his students last year who really appreciated the class. “I enjoyed Woodruff ’s class a lot because he balanced fun things, like dodge ball or basketball, with more challenging activities, like running and lifting weights. I also really enjoyed all the free lift opportunities because it helped me develop a personal routine.”

Woodruff will also be back in time to coach the vigorous wrestling season. Along with being a great teacher and coach, students are inspired by his personality as well. Senior Ben Urbach said, “[Woodruff] is an excellent role model to us. He is strong, dependable, and adheres to good morals. Part of what makes him so important to our team is that here, and went through Poway wrestling just like we are going though it now.”

Many are looking forward to the return of teacher and coach Woodruff, and cannot wait to start the new semester.

8 FeatureDec. 21, 2012

Iliad

Julian is a local, and often overlooked, treasure. Nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains this town of 1,400 has become renowned for its natural beauty, small town charm and not to mention delicious apple pie. Julian is about a one hour drive from Poway on Highway 78, however, a longer but more scenic route can be followed by taking the Old Julian Highway.

The town used to have a population bigger than San Diego – that was when there was a gold rush and the gold mines in the area kept Julian’s hotels, saloons and shops busy. Now it is tourists coming for apple pie, craft shops, and (at least a few days a year) snow. San Diego resident Jose Garcia “come[s] to Julian for the food and mountain air.”

When you arrive in Julian the first thing you end up looking for is a place to park. Laid out in the 1800s,

the town’s streets are generally narrow. If you can’t get a parking spot on the wide main Street (which is highway 78) then you are probably going to drive up one of the hills and park a quarter mile away. Not to worry – there are plenty of interesting things that aren’t on Main Street. Many local artists have studios off of Main Street.

There is also the Eagle & High Peak Mine —a gold mine hand-dug out of a mountain that you can tour within walking distance (about 1/3 of a mile) from Main Street. On Main Street one can enjoy its several craft shops such as Apple Blossom Crafts along with cafes and even wine tasting.

Another notable feature of Julian is its several apple orchards that supply the town’s local eateries with fresh apples. You can even watch apple cider being made at the Julian Cider Mill using a hydraulic press to squeeze local apples into naturally sweet, delicious cider.

Every year students and teachers look forward to the winter concert assembly the day before winter break. Aside from this concert however, the Poway High Choir also entertains the community with several showcases.

This December the choir has been involved in many different events, ranging from concerts here in Poway to out-of-town performances that the students in choir are honored to attend.

Showcases that the choir has participated in include community performances, including a show at the Remington Club, a performance in Old Poway Park for “Christmas in the Park,” a performance for the Poway Rotary and a show at the NCL Holiday Home Tour.

Only the Die Leaders participated in the “Christmas in the Park” event, which was held in Old Poway Park.

“Students practice for seven weeks for these performances,” said choir teacher Nancy Gray, making sure that they are all prepared when times

comes for the showcase. Most recently were the annual Winter Concert on

Dec. 11, which was held here at Poway High, and the Candlelight Carols at Disneyland on Dec. 20.

Die Leaders member junior Kyle Fisher, was very excited for the Candlelight concert, saying he looked forward to it “because [they] had learned a lot of new and cool songs for the show.”

The Candlelight Carols was 20 nights long, and the Die Leaders performed on the last night of the event. It is a very big honor that the Die Leaders were included in the performance at Disneyland, because they had to audition for the spot. They sang with 500 other singers, along with a professional orchestra. Also, the show was narrated by Dennis Haybert, who is the iconic man in the Allstate commercials.

This was the first year that the Poway High Choir had the chance to join in this performance. Gray said that “it was a special treat” that the Die Leaders were able to participate in such a big event. Plus, “they all received a free guest pass to go back to the park, as a thank you from Disneyland.” It is hopefully one of many oppurtunities to come.

Julian “Treasures” Revealed

Welcoming Coach WoodruffStudents are excited to receive beloved teacher as he returns from duty at the start of the semester

KC LONGLEYNews Editor

Holiday cheer for all to hear

CAROL JOHNSONStaff Writer

Choir performs throughout So. California

PATRICK CUNNINGHAMStaff Writer

COACH AND ATHLETE: Coach Woodruff advises a wrestler during a match. Woodruff helps lead Titans to many victories, and his return is much anticipated. ~Courtesy of The Odyssey

In college students must receive a certain amount of credits to graduate, similar to high school. Articulation classes taken at Poway High allow students to get Palomar College credit before they leave high school.

Photography, engineering, architectural design, 3D computer animation, and computer graphic arts are all articulated classes. Digital media, run by Robert Kaechele is an articulation class that helps students produce film and use editing software through the use camera work. All the skills learned in this course are the ones needed to become a motion picture producer.

Upon completion of Digital Media Production 1-2 or 3-4, (with a grade of B or better) “ the student will receive five units of (Gcmw 101) Palomar College credit that is transferable to any college or university” according to Kaechele’s course outline. “It’s typically a fine art class that has articulation” said Kaechele.

Daniel Harris’s photography class is also eligible for articulation if students are registered with Palomar College. “It could save you money,” Harris said. After attending Palomar, students can use the credits to continue on to a four-year school. In order to register with Palomar Community College, students must have the school district, and parent or guardian sign a verification of graduation.

CARL SULLIVANStaff Writer

Students achieve elective credits through articulation

Home Made Fudge: San Diegans gather to Julian for the fall and winter months to try the town’s signature foods. Fudge is one of the many coveted treats. CARLSULLIVAN// The Iliad