Seniors Chris Tung and Luong Sy, both in the 135 pound w

eight division, face each other during the W

inter Sports Pep Assembly in the m

ain gym on

Friday, Dec. 3.

To provide entertainment, each m

ember of the

wrestling team

went one-on-one w

ith the closest w

eight on the team.

“We both cam

e up with it together,” Tung said. “W

e w

ere both pretty excited, all the fans and hype we

were getting.”W

hile some of the staged m

atches felt serious, others felt hum

orous. One notable m

oment w

as w

hen Physical Education teacher and Wrestling coach

Jimm

y Andrews interrupted the w

ell-organized event w

ith a surprise. “It brought a lot of energy w

ith the crowd, especially

when M

r. Andrews decided to take off his clothes,”

junior Phe’Shay Paige said.Andrew

s unveiled a wrestling singlet beneath his

normal teaching clothes.

The assembly ended soon after, but not before the

wrestling team

staged a group photo and the student body sang the alm

a mater.

See Page 3 for more photos and inform

ation.

Volume 3, Issue 2

Kenneth Orejudos photo

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blueprint

Every issue, the editors-in-chief explain the magic and maniacal torture behind the ARROW scene. If it’s less than (or especially) magical for you, let them know at rhsarrow@gmail.com

TheWord

FINE PRINT ARROW is an open forum produced by unique and strangely amazing people who “scoop” people with spoons, drink bubble tea, and eat pizza. Awesomely enough, they all go to Renton High School at 400 S. 2nd St., Renton, WA, 98057. Phone number: 206-473-2678 or 425-457-0195 ARROW is printed six times a year by Pacific Publishing Company in Seattle, Washington.

Word processing, graphics and layouts are created on Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Creative Suite 3 programs. ARROW has a press run of 2000. The staff welcomes letters to the editor and will publish letters which meet our standards of good taste (as space permits). Letters must be signed. ARROW reserves the right to edit letters, though every attempt will be made to preserve original content.

Unsigned editorials and editorial cartoons represent the majority view of ARROW edito-rial board and do not represent the views of the Renton School District or RHS. Opinions, commentaries, satires, and perspectives are the views of the writers and artists, not the Renton School District or ARROW editorial board. ARROW is financed by advertising based on size-determined rates. These range from $20-$80.

Dear Readers, You know how we told you last

issue that we’d have a new theme every issue? Well, this time it’s Away From Home.

Everyone has a new and different definition of home. Home could be that place you go to sleep and eat and that’s it. Home could be your family, and all the experiences you have with them on a day-to-day basis. It could be a place where you spend all your time with your friends, when you have nowhere else to go. Some of you may not have a home. Everyone’s definition of home is different.

Our reporters have gone deep down to the core of what a home really is. They talk about what it’s like to move away from that home, or be in a different place. We also explore the customs and rules of different countries. Even touching stories about being scared.

What is home? This issue will go in depth, and make you think about your own home life.

Our two new sections this issue are “Staying Put” and “Bars.” Bars is on page 13 and full of lots of sick rhymes for you to read.

Some things for you to check out this issue:

-Vanessa Abenojar goes into depth on her life story. Running away is a hard thing to do and she definitely shows you this. (Pg. 14)

-Mindy Saeteurn does a Q and A with Merhweit Ghebrekiros which explains Ghebrekiros’ old lifestyle that has changed due to a sanction going on in Eritrea. (Pg. 10)

-Know More expands on the Food Drive with junior President Akinlana Sterling and freshman President Jonathan Pendleton. (Pg. 5)

Finally getting the hang of it all. Devante and I have gotten the hang

of our position. The hectic journalism room is still crazy as ever, but we have got a hold on the reins.

CHECK IT OUT.You might have noticed a piece

of paper fall out of this issue, or you might have even read it already. That paper is from our wonderful Vice Principal Ms. San Martin. Read it, enjoy, and be proud of yourselves.

Your E.I.C’s, Olivia Fry and Devante Swann

E.I.C’s to you.

Name: Farid Ahmach Position: Art Editor Notable For: Farid is the behind-the-scenes art man. He navigates Photoshop and Illustrator while being completely calm and cool.

Q&A“I am white and Asian, not Arab.”

Q: What is something that’s always with you, and why? A: My phone because my phone connects me to my friends and my parents.

Q: What is a talent that you want? Why? A: Dancing. Hip Hop style. I want to be able to DJ. I just like how it’s done.

Q: What is a recurring dream that you’ve had? A: I was in Seattle and my cousins from Buffalo came here for good.

Q: What is your morning routine? A: Wake up, take a shower, put clothes on, put all my stuff in my pocket, brush my teeth and leave.

Name: Kenneth Orejudos Position: Photo EditorNotable For: Ken is the king of the camera. He gets in and does work. His photos will blow you away.

Q&A“Apparently, my swag’s on point.”

Q: What is something that’s always with you, and why? A: My swagger is always with me. If I don’t have it then I get no looks.

Q: What is a talent that you want? Why? A: If I ever wanted one, I’d develop it on my own.

Q: What is a recurring dream that you’ve had? A: Me sitting on the clouds, looking down at all the bulls**t.

Q: What is your morning routine? A: Wake up, check my phone for texts from my boo, shower, brush my teeth for at least 10 minutes, spend 15 minutes looking for what I’m going to wear, and put the smell-good on.

Name: Max BureauPosition: Faces Staff Notable For: Max is the boy from France that everybody knows. His story will make you want to buy the next plane ticket to France.

Q&A“Oh my gosh, I look so young.”

Q: What is something that’s always with you, and why? A: A red Scout badge awarding me for my leadership. I forgot to sew it on my shirt.

Q: What is a talent that you want? Why? A: I want to sing properly. Everytime I sing, I end up destroying the song.

Q: What is a recurring dream that you’ve had? A: I dreamt of the US, spending one year up there and to be bilingual.

Q: What is your morning routine? A: Snoozing my alarm, shower, put my contacts on, eat my breakfast, and catch the bus.

Name: Vanessa Abenojar Position: Online Editor Notable For: Vanessa is a master of words. In her story, you can feel the experience and emotion. It makes you think.

Q&A“Renton needs an ultimate Frisbee team!”

Q: What is something that’s always with you, and why? A: My itouch. Bad things happen when I don’t have my music.

Q: What is a talent that you want? Why? A: I want to be able to keep in my anger and not show it.

Q: What is a recurring dream that you’ve had? A: People would turn into vampires and I would just keep running, but I’m not scared.

Q: What is your morning routine? A: Wake up at 4 am, call my boyfriend, we talk for an hour, I brush my teeth, pee, change, then get online before I leave for school.

Name: Eli De Los SantosPosition: Know More StaffNotable For: Eli is the master of Photoshop grayscaling. He is the guru of photo essays.

Q&A“I’m so sore from swim.”

Q: What is something that’s always with you, and why? A: My voice because I sing a lot. I also carry my womanizer abilities so I can always have a girl on my arm.

Q: What is a talent that you want? Why? A: I want to be able to play guitar so I can serenade the girls.

Q: What is a recurring dream that you’ve had? A: Being with this one girl. I wont name names. Haha.

Q: What is your morning routine? A: I shower before anything else, check my phone, then get dressed, then I leave and go straight to acappella!

Derek Smith is hiding from the wild antelope.........................................................................................Adviser Olivia Fry is super excited to spend her Christmas with her boyfriend Brock................Editor-in-ChiefDevante Swann is about to punch everyone out ...................................................................Editor-in-ChiefAlyssa Antonio <3 November 8 x] <3....................................................................................Know More EditorBryan Diaz still thinking about that special girl.......................................................................Play Hard Editor Mark Mariano I’m hungry and there’s no food!...............................................................................Intro EditorMindy Saeteurn is going to get a puppy...Hopefully!...........................................................Portraits EditorDarren Briggs me=Jennifer Vu so deal with it................................................................................Faces EditorJames Enebrad gigaton punch...............................................................................................................Bars EditorCindy Nguyen there’s a difference between a hamster and a guinea pig............Perspectives EditorKaylah Grady I’m tired..................................................................................................................Staying Put EditorGabriel Dominguez needs donations for the Rock Band 3 Foundation.................................Intro StaffKatie Reynolds Evanescence is coming out with a new album!.............................................Copy EditorMona Orejudos wants some hair extensions! !@#$%....................................................................Photo Staff

Hamilton Carter currently smacking Devante in Yugioh.........................................................................Portraits Staff Malik Roper PB&J sandwiches. milk, my bed are the only things I want after practice..............Play Hard StaffGary Nguyen lacing up his Hyperdunks.....................................................................................................Know More Staff Drako Glaspy is currently unavailable...............................................................................................................Portraits StaffDominique Brooks is nowhere to be found.........................................................................................Perspectives StaffBrian De La Torre time to sleep in for winter break...........................................................................Perspectives StaffJasmine Marley I don’t go anywhere without my purple pen.............................................................Numbers Staff Aaron Garcia if you were a soccer ball, would you kick it with me?...............................................Staying Put StaffMohamad Abdullahi cannot be found................................................................................................................Faces Staff Tony Le Catching more zZz as the days get colder...................................................................................................Art Staff Gerald Reddy winter break isn’t that far, I hope we get some snow..................................................Play Hard StaffJohn Lon I got kicked out of class for eating in the eating zone.........................................................................Art StaffJoe Vo wants to go ice skating because he never has................................................................Co Photography EditorTristan Cawagas *wonk*..................................................................................................................................................Art Staff

Notable Contributors

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Know moreWARMING UP THE WINTER PEP ASSEMBLY

Shirtless, the boys swim team warms the gym with jokes and skin on Friday Dec. 3. The skit was part of an afternoon of dancing routines and athletic showcases in the gym to promote winter sports participation and the Winter Ball!

SWIMMING ON AIR: After demonstrating how other winter sports are not their forte by performing parodies of each sport. The swimmers jump into each others’ arms as they show the student body how it’s done. “It was fun, I think I should join gymnastics,”varsity swimmerHudson Du said.

THE GRACEFUL GYMNASTS: The gymnastics team does a routine to show the student body what they’ve got. For every practice, the time the gymnasts condition varies, but it’s usually 20 to 40 minutes a day. “Some of the girls, including me, were late at saluting,” junior gymnast Geovana Alcantar said.

4 STYLES FO’ SHO’:The new dance group, 4 Styles, kicked off the winter pep assembly with their fresh moves. “It’s funny when people don’t think my leg is broken,” junior Anthony Hill said. “Because why would I be wearing a brace if my leg wasn’t broken.” Hill recently got off his crutches and is now wearing a brace to make sure no further injury will occur. There was a lot of shouting to show that the performance had great results.

A ROSE FOR STATE: Two members from XC and four members from swim were presented with red roses to show them graditude for making it to state. “I thought it was funny because I went to districts and I was honored to go up there to represent my friend; Joy Barnes, who is homeschooled,” sophomore Cynthia Fang said.

Vanessa Abenojar and Devante Swann photos

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|Hamilton Carter|Portraits Staff

ONE STUDENT’S OPINIONJunior Joey Nguyen does not like the

new online grade book updates“It’s horrible,” Nguyen said. “It updates

every two or three weeks.”He also doesn’t like that the new

passwords are longer than the old passwords. The old passwords were student identification numbers. The new passwords are last names and numbers.

“You can’t change your password,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen also sees all of the good sides of it too. He likes that the site shows student grade point averages.

The official name for the online program is Renton Assessment Data Warehouse, or RAD for short.

TEACHER RESPONSE“I really like RAD because it shows

more student data,” Language Arts teacher and Ignite adviser Dee Draven said. “I like how it allows you to see how successful students are doing in other classes.”

Unlike a few students, a couple teachers realize the good in the new system then bad.

“[It helps me] keep an easy track record on a student,” Language Arts teacher Dylan Okimoto said.

Teachers like Draven and Okimoto can use that additional information to provide

extra assistance to students in need – as long as teachers upload grades regularly.

“You need to connect your grades to the internet in order for the data to upload,” Draven said.

The old site uploaded grades automatically when teachers put in new assignment grades.

“RAD has a few steps that are frustrating in the beginning, then you get used to it,” Okimoto said.

GRAPHICAL INTERFACESenior Jomhar Aquino checks his grades

online often to make sure that he stays on track for graduation.

“The website could have more color, it’s too basic,” he said.

The website has a new graph system, including a GPA graph, an attendance graph and a missing homework graph. But according to Aquino it’s too boring and could use some flavor.

“There is too much white space and the page doesn’t have much going for it when it comes to appearance,” Aquino said.

But it’s hard to compete with the practical ease of the online gradebook.

The old grade book required students to click on two different windows before accessing grades. The new site allows them to automatically see their grades.

“Very powerful software… easy to use,” Okimoto said.

Students, Teachers Adjust to Grade System

Joe Vo photo

Kenneth Orejudos photo

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TheBeat

Every month, The Beat explores the latest news going around the school. Everything from dress-code offenses to school-wide events. Breathe deep. Clarification on school news has finally arrived.

|Eli De Los Santos|Know More Staff

The Winter Choir Concert opened with “Calypso Clapping Carol”, an unbroken Tradition at Renton for over 50 years.

“It’s going to go great,” choir teacher Lizabeth Diaz said, before the show.

The concert sang songs from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, such as “Carol of The Bells” by Peter J. Wilhousky.

The Winter Concert raised money and toys for teens and tweens. Students also learned how to perform with more confidence.

The choir sang thirteen songs and the audience was loud. The audience cheered, laughed and had a good time.

“I really enjoyed the experience,” junior Alla Kim said. “I love the Christmas spirit and everyone enjoyed the concert.”

The singers looked nervous at first but got

over their butterflied stomachs as the concert went on.

“It was nice to hear some of the solos,” sophomore Vianca Lazaro said.

“I liked the song ‘Bam Bellela’ and I thought it was fabulous,” senior Kathy Nguyen

said.“I thought it was awesome and almost

everyone hit their notes perfectly,” freshmen Alexis Solano said.

CHOIR DECKS THE HALLS|Mindy Saeteurn|Portraits EditorThe school started the food drive

slowly. As the end of the drive neared - Tuesday, Nov. 24 - more food began to pour in.

“We started off pretty bad, but gradually we got a little bit better,” junior president Akinlana Sterling said.

The school was led in the food drive by two chairmen, Sterling and freshman Jonathan Pendleton.

Together, they tried to reach the intended goal of 15,000 points, but in the end came up with 9,170 points.

“I don’t think the goal was unreasonable,” Pendleton said. “It was a decent amount to strive for. I appreciate Renton’s efforts.”

Using the announcements and the screens in the commons as vehicles for his message, Sterling wants to try to motivate and notify students more for future food drives and other community service oriented activities.

“We have an incentive to motivate students more,” Sterling said, “but I think the word needs to get out more.”

All the donated food is being given to the Salvation Army Food Bank, located behind the school near the tennis courts. The food is being picked up by them on a later date.

“I thought we did pretty good, I expected a bigger turn out,” Pendleton said, “It’s the effort that counts.”

The turn out was surprising for both Chairmen due to the lack of advertisement. But still, Renton gave it’s best efforts and helped many families.

“I think we did well,” Sterling said, “It was different from last year because it was a class competition before, but I still think we did well even though it was school wide.”

The school was able to raise a reasonable number of points. The most common items were Top Ramen, boxes of pasta, and canned fruits and vegetables. The least common items: baby food and water.

“Lots of people didn’t know what to donate for the food drive,” Sterling said. “Even though we made a lot of posters it didn’t get publicized as much as we hoped.”

He is surprised considering that a few of the students in the school have been having a hard time at home so donating food would have been difficult.

“I learned that we might have expected to much from Renton,” Pendleton said, “or we needed to promote the food drive better.”

Bites� Upcoming SAT DATES: Mar. 12, May 7, and June 4. Register online at www.collegeboard.com. Free SAT prep: www.sat.collegeboard.com/practice.

� Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel, superintendent of the Renton School District, received the 2011 Superintendent of the Year by the WASA, Washington Association of School Administrators. The announcement was made in Spokane at the association’s annual superintendent’s meeting Nov. 19.

� Additionally, the district’s school board was recognized for its work to improve student learning and rewarded by the Washington State School Directors Association.

� The next Senate meeting is tomorrow, Dec.16.

� The next Senate meeting after that is on Jan. 6.

� On Friday morning, while many students sleep, a select group of students nominated for their hard work and good deeds so far this school year will join the faculty at a staff appreciation breakfast in the commons at 7:00 a.m.

�The Ignite team met yesterday in adviser William Ruehle’s room to plan a celebration for freshmen.

� Senior pictures and quotes are due today, Dec. 15, to Susan Johnson’s room, Room 152.

� Freshman T-shirts are on sale for $8.50 and sweaters for $17.50. Order forms are due today to Carol Benedictus, Dec. 15.

� A representative from Eastern Washington University provided an informational presentation on the application process and campus life on Dec. 13.

� The Boy’s Basketball has a tournament on Dec. 28 to 30 at Bellevue College.

� The Girl’s Basketball has a game at Port Angeles on Dec. 30.

� Pick up a senior T-shirt order forms from adviser Christina Neuschwander or outside the ASB window in the commons. Due by Friday.

� MLK Assembly on Jan. 10 for sophomores and juniors; Jan. 13 for freshmen and seniors.

� Rashaad Powell is coordinating a spirit squad for Renton High School’s boy’s basketball. “An energetic and spirit group like this is long overdue at Renton High School,” Powell said. The group is designed to rally and embody school support their peepers. Any and everyone is welcome to join. If you have any questions or if you want to join, please contact Rashaad Powell.

� There will be no school for the next two weeks: Dec. 20 - 31 due to Winter Break.

FOOD DRIVE.

Kenneth Orejudos photo

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Play Hard

What’s your coaching position? - Assistant Coach of Girls JV Basketball What are your tactics to motivate your team? - Sportsmanship on the court and become a young lady on and off the court. What do you try to teach your team on and off the floor? - Having them believe in themselves, so that they know they can do anything. What are some of your common coaching strategies? - Defense, play hard, and having fun.

What’s your coaching position? - Boys Varsity Assistant Coach What are your tactics to motivate your team? - Try and motivate them with the intensity. Try to motivate and appeal to things they can relate to on and off the court. What do you try to teach your team on and off the floor? - To be accountable and responsible young men. What are some of your common coaching strategies? - Try and motivate them with the intensity.

What’s your coaching position? -Assistant Wrestling Coach What are your tactics to motivate your team? - Prepare them beforehand so they’re ready for anything. What do you try to teach your team on and off the floor? - That they are representing their families, their school, their coaches, and their teammates.What are some of your common coaching strategies? - Constantly being the aggressor.

What’s your coaching position? - Head Coach What are your tactics to motivate your team? - Having them to keep on doing competitive work. What do you try to teach your team on and off the floor? - A lot about team work and to be independent ladies. What are some of your common coaching strategies? - It’s more individual work and every one is on their skill level.

EARL CHEATHAM

COACH FOR: GirlsBasketball

RASHAAD POWELL

COACH FOR: BoysBasketball

JIMMY ANDREWS

COACH FOR:Wrestling

ELAINE MONILLAS

COACH FOR: Gymnastics

| Vanessa Abenojar| Online Editor Walking into the Skyway Bowl you can smell the shoe cleaner in the air and see the glares of light shining onto the lane. At the end of the other side you see white figures stuck in a triangle separately standing in a vertical position. You can feel the tension of the other bowlers in their lanes trying to strive and aim for that strike. Senior Gregori Rosas chooses to participate in a different sport outside of school which not many people would really hear about. Though he might be interested in joining tennis, he doesn’t really consider it much due to his dedication and commitment to bowling. Bowling you may think is an uncommon sport but to Rosas sees it more than that. “My cousin asked us to join a summer league three years ago,” Rosas said. ”It was weird because everyone was good when they first started and now when I look at it, they’re just average. I thought, this was fun, I should keep going.” Bowling is a year round sport so even though league members would maybe like to join another sport, they choose not to and decide to continue bowling. They’ve been in one tournament and went to state three times and are still bowling. “If the school actually did have a bowling team, it might be different because a lot of people like to do it for fun,” Rosas said. “I like to bowl, I’ve been doing it since freshman year.”

Even though Rosas is into the idea of having the bowling team exposed, not all his teammates agree. There’s an issue of the fear of being judged for doing such a sport that most people wouldn’t think of as a sport. There’s an issue of students that who tease him for what he enjoys doing. “I’d feel kinda embarrassed because bowling is kinda lame to other people, so if they knew I bowl then they’d think I’m a loser,” senior Victor Fernandez said. “It’s like you know how people think, golf isn’t a sport? They’d say, bowling is not a sport then they’re trying to debate with you. I like that it’s hidden.” Fernandez has been bowling undercover since seventh grade. “Greg never helps me. My first time bowling, I didn’t really know how to bowl. I did the league so there were coaches there that helped us out,” Ferandez said. “I had a friend, we used to hang out and he brought me to bowling once and I started to like it. Greg is funny; he never listens when I try to help him.” Rosas is a serious player and bowls at Skyway Bowl every Monday from 3 to 5 pm. As a state participant Rosas currently represents Renton High School but the school doesn’t know anything about it. He went to state 3 times in a row now and he for Renton to have an official school team.

Renton Bowler Strikes For A Team

Vanessa Abenojar photo

TheSidelines

Every month, The Sidelines provides a first-hand account of a sporting event or activity with the sweaty, sticky details in tact. Relive the experience with the greatest glory, and maybe a few laughs.

678ARROW

| Malik Roper| Sports Staff You may think fans have nothing to do with the success of a team. You are sadly mistaken. Fans can make a player feel great and also feel bad. The worst feeling for a player is being booed by the crowd. Now- a-days opposing fans come up with chants to get you off your game. “The worst chant that has ever happened to me was the crowd yelling “where’s his birth certificate… get that grown man out the game,” shooting guard Donavan Saario said. “They were really trying to get in my head.” Because of his caveman facial hair style the crowd decided to chant this. On a personal note I have been called Gary Coleman, It’s just part of the game. Crowds can get pretty brittle but they can talk all they want about the team or individual player. I know that they won’t take us down because of some comments. There are times when you are at a home game and the crowd is pumping the team up and helping us out because there giving us hype and excitement. “Our first home game against Kennedy went down to the wire and the crowd helped us a lot,” point guard Colton Hafey said. “In the end I made a free throw to secure the lead and the crowd went crazy.” Fans do play a bigger role to the game than you may think. If you come out the locker room and all you see are your parents in the bleachers you’re not going to be as pumped to play as you would with a hyped crowd feeding your confidence and adrenaline rush. The best games to play are in packed with so many people that they can’t all fit in the bleachers and they have to stand on the sidelines. So many people that it causes the walls to get wet and the gym is hotter than usual. It would be pretty dope it that ever happen, I mean just imagine a whole gym crowed by thousands of people, million of eyes on you, dribbling down the court and shaken’ players off. I encourage the entire student body to go to every home game of every sport. You will be helping the team more than you can imagine. Every athelete would at least appreciate a good crowd, at every home game supporting your local Indians.

Name:Grade:

Vanessa Tran (Captain)12

Priscilla Tuiasosopo 11

Mercedes Dantzler 11

Taylor Farris 09

Position: Forward, Guard Point Guard Center Forward, Guard

What motivated you to play basket ball?

The coaches and the team made me want to play.

I started when I was a kid. I grew up loving this sport.

The team and the coaches push me into playing .

My mom really pushed me towards playing.

When did you first join Renton team?

Freshman Year 2008 Freshman Year 2009 Junior Year 2010 Freshman Year 2010

How long have you been doing this sport?

For about three years now. Since I started to dribble a ball, when I was three years old.

For about three years now. For about four years now.

Favorite NBA Player? Sue Bird, Seattle Storm Kobe Bryant, Lakers Kobe Bryant, Lakers Rajon Rondo, Celtics

TOUGH FANS

| Mark Mariano| Intro EditorYou may see wrestling as a brute sport of brawn. When you have

experienced it yourself you will see that it’s more than that. There is technique and proper ways to accomplish a move correctly. It involves both mental and physical discipline. When you’re missing one, you would not reach your full potential of your success.

Captain Saugat Poudel has been wrestling since middle school due to the encouragement of his wrestling friends.

“I remember I joined wrestling in the eighth grade because there were no light weights,” Poudel said. “My wrestling friends asked me to join.”

He started as just another wrestler but then was promoted to captain. He would soon push himself and his teammates to their limits while trying to toughen them up. He already had the mentality before he even took on the sport, and soon after he would have the physical strength needed to be successful in doing what he loves: wrestling.

People may think wrestling is just fake hits and tiring practices that help condition the body for future matches. But to Saugat, it’s the tournaments that he loves. Others may find this as an odd reason to love a sport, but for them it’s like a cycle of life. Eat, school, sleep and wrestle.

Hard work can pay off, especially for Poudel. He earned an overall record of 32-7 last year. Wrestling at the 103 pound weight class, Poudel took second at the League meet, pinning his opponent from Highline in the first round and his following matches. He beat opponent Derek Ingraham from Tyee with ease. This placed him in the finals against teammate Aaron Garcia, which earned them both a spot in the regional meet.

“There are a lot of times where I’ve been frustrated and wanted to walk away, but I’ve never felt like officially quitting. Last year in regionals, I was defeated horribly… I felt anger rush through me, in my head I wanted to stop wrestling for a few months but I had to keep on going and support my team.”

Showing his dedication to the team made the wrestling team better and stronger. Poudel kept wrestling for Renton while preparing Aaron Garcia for the upcoming state meet. He’s a dedicated wrestler and is preparing for his very last season.

“My goal is to make it state,” Poudel said. “I’m giving it my all, it’s my last shot”

It’s More Than That, Its Wrestling

Motivation, Ambition, Basketball.Words from Girl’s Varsity

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portraits

|Mindy Saeteurn|Portraits Editor

For almost her whole life, Merhweit Ghe-brekiros has lived in America.

“I came here when I was eighteen months,” Ghebrekiros said. “But I went back often.”

She was able to experience part of her life there at a very young age and she would go back there often to visit the one thing she missed the most, the people.

“The people of Eritrea are hard working and mostly happy even during hard times,” Ghebrekiros said. “They help one another even if they don’t know the person.”

Being in America for most of her life she notices that the people are completely differ-ent from her home. When first going there she was able to meet new people and noticed how much family she had.

“She was really surprised when she came to Eritrea and saw that she had so much fam-ily at home than she does there,” Merhweit’s mother, Alem Werke said.

During her visits, she noticed the very different lifestyles there. She realized that their actions were very self-sufficient. They also had a very family oriented life.

“Family dinners are always together, one full plate of injera,” Ghebrekiros said. “Many civilized parents have 8 children or more, so the man of the house would usually cut a piece of injera and give it to every person.”

Families were very hierarchical from the father being the head house member who controls all the actions of the family and does most of the providing for the whole family.

“Once served, the father is the first to eat,” Ghebrekiros said. “Then the leftovers are passed onto the older siblings and mother, and if there are younger siblings they get the rest.”

Ghebrekiros misses the lifestyle her peo-ple have. At any age children are able to stay home alone and there was a lot of freedom. As long as they were able to get home then they were fine, no matter where they went.

“When we first came here she needed to be watched 24/7,” Werke said “But back home she was able to do what she wanted.”

During her visits she would have the greatest times spending hours of time with her large family. Unlike America, Eritrea wasn’t as advanced in technology, so family time was the main event.

“Everyone in the family is their own en-

tertainment,” Ghebrekiros said. “Many times, in the villages ... all brothers and sisters sleep together in one bed!”

The people there were far more differ-ent and they just let anyone be whoever they want to be. They would act kindly towards each other without any judgment.

“A best friend is a big thing back home,” Ghebrekiros said. “Best friends back home - I love love this part - hold hands and girls sometimes give a peck on their best friend’s lips.”

Here in America people would more like-ly hide the fact that they are gays/lesbians, but back in Eritrea there were no such things as gays/lesbians.

“There is no one saying eww look at them,” Ghebrekiros said. “If you walk in the streets you can see guys holding hands and girls holding girls hands.”

Ghebrekiros will always be thrilled about going back home. She remembers there was so much freedom. That no one normally looked at you differently.

“I love how when I went back home we would take a dump outside without be-ing ashamed, you know, ‘cause we have no choice,” Ghebrekiros said.

She misses it so much every time she has to leave. Always remembering what she has to leave later reunited with her sweet home once again.

“I remember back in 2004 I kissed the ground to thank God for bringing me back,” Ghebrekiros said.

‘Till this very day Ghebrekiros still loves Eritrea and is anticipating her next trip back home, but has second thoughts about it ever since she has heard a few things about the country that has been recently happening.’

“Things aren’t the same as they were when I last went back there because there’s an ongoing sanction making the nation even poorer in Eritrea today,” Ghebrekiros said, “Around the whole world there has been thousands of Eritrean refugees entering other countries trying to get away from their home-land to find a better lifestyle for themselves.”

No matter how many years pass, she will still love the home that she has had so many great memories at. The place where she grew up and created so many friends and met so many people.

“That’s where my family is, that’s where my roots come from, that’s just where I’m from, that’s just me.”

Eritrea: Country Of Love And AcceptanceAway from her home country in eastern Africa, junior Merhweit Ghebrekiros

remembers the traditions, lifestyles, people, politics and changes there

Max Bureau photophoto courtesy of Merhweit Ghebrekiros

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|Brian De La Torre|Perspectives Staff

Junior Edgar Cuevas came from Zacatecas, Mexico, and lived there for 9 years. His lifestyle was very different over there.

“No money, 20 times more ghetto, and living in poverty,” Cuevas said of his homeland.

But he loved it there. Many people that he grew up with like family, friends, and even strangers helped him become who he is today.

“Edgar always has a smile on his face no matter how bad his day is,” boxing coach Lorenso Reyes said. “I guess he’s just a happy person.”

In Zacatecas people start working at young ages to help their families out. Rain fall during the summer helps the people grow several different types of crops like corn and many other things.

“But when it rains it pours like crazy, and since I lived on a hill next to the mountains little rivers would always be going down the streets by my house,” Cuevas added.

Many people in Mexico are very religious; they go to church every Sunday. Many things were passed from generation to generation like things the Aztec people used.

“People there in Mexico are very friendly even if you don’t know them,” Cuevas said.

He would hang out with friends instead of playing video games. He would also go out to the mountains with his uncle, brothers, and cousins and pick fruits.

“Since all I got are my brothers, my mom and my dad, every day that passes I miss your cousins and aunties and uncles and friends,” Cuevas said, “You start missing them more and more. You feel empty at times.”

Sometimes he thinks about returning from the thought of him remembering old family and friends

“I have dreams about it a lot, what things would be like if I stayed and stuff,” Cuevas said. “I guess I would like to go back because nobody can live without their family you grew up with all your family and friends down their but now that you’re up here it’s like you might never see them again.”

Cuevas plans to go back to Mexico to support his family. Becoming a professional boxer in the future is what he plans to do to help support them.

“I’ve been boxing for about 2 years and my goal since I was a little kid is to become a professional boxer and be on HBO.”

|Katie Reynolds|Copy Editor

Bern, Switzerland, is the home of Aline Fassbind. A city of close knit buildings loom over streets shaped with a river. The old sandstone buildings are settled next to hills and distant snow-topped mountains.

“This is the opposite of my school,” Fassbind said, “I had culture shock.”

Her old school had about 1,500 students with not much diversity. School starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. with 14 classes throughout the week. It’s required to have at least a B+ or she will get kicked out with only one chance to repeat.

“I miss the chocolate, I miss the chocolate for sure,” Fassbind said. “Milk chocolate with hazel nuts from Lindt. I miss my family, my parents and also my dog. My friends of course.”

Fassbind misses a few things, but it is worth it to leave behind if it means she can travel. She notices a lot of different things as she goes place to place.

“We don’t put lights on our houses and the stores don’t sell so much Christmas stuff,” Fassbind said. “Being in downtown Seattle is like watching a movie, but it’s not just in a movie but for real.”

In Switzerland, Aline would go to dance lessons and keyboard lessons once a week. She also sang with the school choir.

“I’ve known her since the beginning of the year and I was the one who introduced myself, but she was very receptive to what I said,” senior Christiana Birkeland said. “She wasn’t afraid to speak even with an accent and some people are. She’s just an amazing girl.”

Senior Jessica Kolar was one of the first people she made friends with at school.

“She’s gotten more outgoing; like, if you don’t know her she seems really quiet and laid back,” Kolar said.

When she returns to Switzerland she’ll return to her old life, a year behind her friends, but she doesn’t mind. Her English will improve, she is meeting new people and creating lifelong friendships. She’s happy to be able to experience all of the different countries she has traveled to and will hopefully travel to in the future.

“The exchange student year is the best thing I have ever done and I recommend it to everyone!”

|Cindy Nguyen|Perspectives Editor

Senior Kathy Nguyen might love and consider Vietnam her home, but she just can’t seem to break away from this cultural melting pot called America. Nguyen has been here for about five years.

“She’s been good at English since I first met her and her accent is so cute,” senior Karyn Johnson said. “She mixes the Asian and American style together.”

Nguyen visits Vietnam every two years to see her mom and friends. It is a joyful reunion with her home country, family and friends. Sometimes it’s not all it is cut out to be.

“I actually don’t really want to move back. Sometimes I want to because there are things I want to do that I can’t do here,” Nguyen said. “Like, eat real Vietnamese food and see my mom.”

There might be Pho restaurants around nearly every corner, but that’s no comparison to sitting down with your buddies outside in a hut with the warm, sunny weather. Although most Vietnamese parents refuse to break away from their culture even though they have moved to a totally new place, the food they make is still the same with little variation. There is much to be missed about Vietnam, but moving here was also good.

“America gave me a huge opportunity to improve myself, let me do what I want to do and to reach my goals and dreams,” Nguyen said.

Vietnam may have deliciously healthy food, but the discipline was quite the frightening thing to experience.

“I mostly don’t miss my teachers because they’re mean,” Nguyen said. “They hit students.”

Many parents threaten their children by telling them they will be sent back to Vietnam if they continue to be disobedient. In their schools, hands would be slapped with a ruler repeatedly. Here in the United States, it is illegal. In Vietnam, the discipline is smiled upon. The United States of America might be a dream come true, but there are some things that just cannot be replaced.

“My favorite memory of Vietnam is going on vacation to visit my mom and going to the beach. We did so much stuff together,” Nguyen said.

America may be where she lives now, but Vietnam will always be the real home that she has learned to love and has to be away from.

Coming to America

Aline FassbindSwitzerland

Edgar CuevasMexico

KathyNguyenVietnam

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Faces111213

We All Have Been On A Road Trip

“I went to Orange County, Califor-nia with the whole soccer team for a soccer match. I like traveling and driving with a whole bunch of friends.” -Anthony Abdorohman

“I went to Sacramento, California with some close friends on bikes to visit family and to have a good summer. The way going down got tiring due to the way I was sitting on the bike.” -Bayla Dangc

“I once went on a road trip to California, and it took nearly took two days! We stopped in Northern California for a night. It was really fun, even though I slept a lot dur-ing the trip.” -Roedah Mansour

“I went to San Francisco, Califor-nia. I really liked being on the road and driving the whole time. It was relaxing.” -Jamie Godoy

“My trip to San Diego, California, was an incredible experience. On the way there we stopped by Disneyland!”

-Lamarr Mills

“I went to Camas, Or-egon for one week. The favorite part was fishing with the family and scar-ing my family members at night!” - Kevin Gonzaga

“I went to Stockton , California for three days. My favorite part was messing with my sister in the car while we were driving!”

-Sopheck Ven

“I went to Portland, Oregon. Nothing was beautiful, no Mc-Donald’s or Starbucks every block like here. The traffic was bad. There was an ice-skating thing in the middle of the mall.”

“I went to Stockton, California to check what there was to do down there. The beaches were the best part, but the projects sort of killed the scene. Either way I knocked out from being so tired of all the fun on the way back.” -Michael Douang Dara

“My friends and I would sing songs, reminisced about old memories, take pictures on the side of the road, stop to eat, and visit friends. With my parents, we would play license plate games, eye spy, and tell riddles.” -Michelle Pinkham

“We went from Arizona to Wash-ington to move here. It took 4 days and it was pretty fun. I was eleven. We got to watch Mount St Helens erupt.” -Sara Abid

-Merhweit Ghebrekiros

“Although not far, my friends and I went on a trip to Kirkland, Wash-ington. Our reason for going was to participate in a children’s card game tournament. I did horrible and got depressed.”

“My friends and I would sing songs, reminisce about old memories, take pictures on the side of the road, stop to eat, and visit friends. With my parents, we would play license plate games, eye spy, and tell riddles.” -Michelle Pinkham

“I went to Yakima for three days. Mr. Hogan’s legs were too long for the bus seat so it looked super funny!”

-Stephanie Nguyen

“I went to Leadership camp in Randle, Washington. We were all excited to go there. We drove by a long one way road; it was always the same thing. So boring. We learned new ways to be an effective leader and took back new ideas to our school. It was definitely life-changing.” -Akinlana Sterling

“I went to Vancouver, Canada. Their zoo and aquarium is so dope. The dolphins can do tricks!”

Leah Feona Facun

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TheMeaning

The Meaning offers one reporters interpretation of the picture you see at your left. The rhymes represent our theme of away from home in a lyrical way.

Bars

| Gary Nguyen| Reporter

Dear Grandma, I listen to Hip-Hop because they have something called bars. No Grandma, not candy bars, not bars like an alcoholic, not bars like jail. Bars are what make up the song and why most of us listen to it. Bars could be punch lines for anything. It is a punch line in lyrical Hip-Hop songs that rhyme with each other to create a metaphor and in this case it’s about our them of being away from home. These are rhymes that describe experiences and times away from home. Some but not all Hip-Hop artists have these so called bars. Bars sound attractive to us teenagers because they draw our attention. It makes us actually listen to what exactly the musician is talking about. For the artists’ that actually have bars, they’re not just talking to make money. Bars have a deeper meaning and tell us about artists’ backgrounds, their experiences, what’s going on in their mind, some of life’s obstacles and how they get past them. We may have the same problems or thoughts of a certain artist. I know the lyrics of rap music do not appeal to you. You feel as if every rapper talks about gangs, killing, and degrading woman. While that may be true for some musician’s, other musicians, the good ones, have a topic to talk about and can relate to young people. Having a song with bars is the only way you can make the listeners ask for more. Hip-hop music is a good way of letting out our emotions and our thoughts on the world around us. Not every bar written down is pointed towards the devil, grandmother. Read our bars and see if it changes your view on us teenagers.

Sincerely, Your grandson

LYRICAL TRIP

Bars On The Go, Away From Home

Devante Swann & Gabriel Dominguez lyrics

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perspectives

I’ve also seen some amazing lands, mountains, springs, lakes, trees, etc.

The Pacific Northwest is full of wildlife, and trust me, you do not expect to see raccoons in your backyard in my home city.

I’ve also seen a patriotic country that knows the meaning of “Being an American.” You’re proud of it. People can say whatever they want about American soldiers fighting all over the world, but every time a country is oppressed, you’re there to give them their freedom back. You care about others. In Normandy, France, D-Day cemeteries are full of American bodies. Walking through these lands with white crosses as far as I can see made me feel thankful: these soldiers, sometimes only 2 or 3 years older than me, left their families and gave their life for me and the freedom of a country where they didn’t even live. As someone said during the Veterans’ Day Assembly, “Freedom is not free.” Thank you for paying the price.

I’ve seen a diverse country, with immigrants from around the whole world. All these cultures, all these different ways of life are melting together to create a society where respect and tolerance are true values. To get along with each other and to learn from everyone’s point of view was definitely a great challenge of mind. A diverse school like RHS does not exist in France, and it’s doubtlessly sad.

I’ve seen beautiful things in America. I have fallen in love with this country, and as I say: “France is in my heart, but America is now my flirt.”

People here are easy-going and care more about the inside than the outside. They love each other and trust their country. I found out that the American dream was not in money or success; I found it in the heart of the people.

And every morning at school, when I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, I’m proud to be an American for the year, and surely forever.

Your food is fat, fat, fat, and the healthy food has no flavor, or an artificial one. You spend zillions of dollars in weight loss programs.

If you just start walking and practicing in PE, moving your body, and eating healthy, these zillions could be saved for more necessary spending. A piece of broccoli will not kill you; a nasty, infected cheeseburger just might though.

It’s simple for us Europeans to criticize the US, these big pigs always in war. But the truth is, beside all of this, you rock.

I’ve seen things here I would never expect on the Old Continent. I’ve seen a random guy on the street asking me about my religion, like he has known me for years. This guy told me that: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to the garage makes you a car.” I found this pretty deep and it really changed my mind about my faith in a positive way.

I’ve also seen the best sport fans in my life at Safeco Field. The Sounders fans support their team and show it. They are proud of them. They wear their gear and cheer with all their voices. This random guy in front of us gave his coat to my little brother who was just freezing, like this, like he was his son. And when this team wins, it is just a blast of pride, friendship, dedication and respect. These players know that the stadium is behind them. And when I saw this, I became one of them.

I’ve also seen some amazing homework. It was the first time in school that I had to write an essay about me, my life and my mind in US History, not about an old man who died two or three centuries ago.

I really enjoyed introspecting myself, and being part of a school system about me, where I can choose my own path instead of having to study classes I don’t want that won’t help me for college, where I’d simply be bored.

| Max Bureau| Faces Staff

The first day I landed in the US, in the Washington DC airport, the cashier asked me how I was doing.

Whoa, what a shock! Man, I’m just buying some Skittles; you just need to ring me up! I’m not your bro! Why do you care about me? I know you prefer my wallet rather than my face, as pretty as it is.

Imagine spending one year in a foreign country, thousands of miles away from home and family.

I made this choice one year ago. My dream was to go to America before my senior year. I was like a magnet attracted to this country: attracted by its history, stereotypes, and many other things. And finally, after multiple episodes, I landed in Sea-Tac airport on Aug 16.

After the first days’ euphoria, everything I took for granted was challenged, and the truth came.

People ask me every day to speak French and think every French person lives by the Eiffel Tower.

Um, France has 60 million habitants, and is larger than Washington and Oregon combined. However, speaking French with a pretty American girl is not a problem, at all.

America also has an odd obsession with cheese… According to the U.S., France is a country in the Middle-Ages, where people eat cheese and bread for breakfast and get drunk every night with their wine.

I discovered that America is the kingdom of cars. You’re hungry; you drive through a Burger King. You need cash; you drive through Bank of America. You need medicine; you drive through Walgreens. And every day by 6 pm, freeways are full of traffic jams because they don’t carpool.

Gosh! Are you that lazy? Is your normal life all about sitting in your car and going on with your day, leaving it only for sleep. And getting back on it the next day? And the size of your RV’s, how can you still call it camping? Hire a steward and it’s like your camper is the Hilton!

I’m really amazed by the fast food. I can find a McDonald’s, a Burger King, a Wendy’s, a Taco Time, a Taco Bell, a Denny’s or a KFC every half mile. You really eat that much?

FOR SENIORMAX BUREAU,FRENCHFRIES ARE A METAPHOR

As an exchange student from France, Bureau

looks around our regular world - from homework

to drive-throughs, Sound-ers games to French fries - and finds all things new.

Max Bureau photo

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TheHeat

Every month, The Heat showcases the hot opinion of a fired-up reporter willing to hold your feet to the flames. Or set you on the burner. Enough fire to inspire action in you, our reader.

| Vanessa Abenojar| Copy Editor

I sat in my red rotating chair at my desk, trapped in my purple and white room as loud untamed voices bounced back and forth throughout our aged house. They belonged to a depressed mother and an angry father. They belonged to the woman who gave me her all for 10 years and a man who kept secrets ever since my mother could remember. A man who always had to win the argument.

I put on music to drown the sounds, but I couldn’t obliterate this fist that insists on knocking at my skull over and over again. This all too familiar routine sent me out of my bedroom window and across my front yard. No hesitation. I ran. I kept running until finally I stopped at the top of a hill. I stared aimlessly at the view before me. The lights. The cars. The body of water that seemed so calm. Breathing became so difficult; I began to choke on my tears. Plopping down on the grass, I rested my stomach on my thighs, arms wrapped around my shins, chin on my knees to stop the shaking.

I felt around in my pocket. My hands touched something small. Something only one person knew I possessed because that person gave it to me. A knife I only used on myself. I pulled it out. I put the blade on the surface of my skin and slid it across my flesh. Blood erupted from the fresh trench in my wrist. I let the fabric of my long sleeved blouse suck up the blood, my face dry. The tears had stopped before the blade danced on my body.

If I wasn’t born, they wouldn’t be together anymore and they wouldn’t be fighting. I hate everything. Everything is all wrong.

I never thought about going back, but I had to. Slowly, I stood up and turned away from the beautiful picture,dropping the knife back into my pocket. The only reason I came home was for my little brother. Running away doesn’t help him, though he never knew. What could I tell a child in pre-school? What could this 5-year-old understand? Hopefully he was never aware of my absence. Hopefully he was oblivious to the situation, but I fear that was too much to hope for.

Head down, feet dragging on the ground, I headed home. Home. Not my home. It’s the home of horrible lies and many tears. It’s the home of harsh arguments and secrets unexposed. It’s the home of inconsiderate, selfish actions.

I guess you could call it home. It’s not my home though.

| James Enebrad| Bars Editor

The night sky was clear as if God sprayed Windex on the windowpane of air above me. My dad came home with breath like he drank too much apple juice, fighting with my mom like most nights. Then he disappeared outside.

My sister and I – she was 5 and I was 3 – were playing in our room. My mom came in and told us to come with her. We followed like minions. She took us to her truck and put my sister in front, me in the back. I laid down on top of garbage bags full of fluffy stuff, teddy bears or clothes or something and fell asleep.

Even while dreaming, I could hear my dad’s slurred, drunken words. But it was real. My dad’s words met with a group of strange

men who dressed in big red clothes. They had pretty red bandanas hanging from their pockets and pulled out what looked like cap guns that made muffled boom sounds. No smoke, Just big booms.

My mom drove off. She left me in the back of the truck sleeping and, later on, we went back to the house again. My dad wasn’t there anymore.

I woke up in the back of the truck and crawled out the bed. My short legs stumbled to the house. I walked in and saw my mom and sister playing make-up and didn’t want a part of it. I was still sleepy so I hopped on the couch.

A hollow knocking sound rang through my ears and woke up my senses. I searched for my mommy so she could open the door because she always told me not to open the door to strangers. But I couldn’t find her anywhere. I walked to the door and peeked through the glass.

There was a tall man in a blue uniform with a distinctive shiny gold star over his chest. He spotted me and told me to open the door, but being only 3, I was scared and frozen. He kept motioning with his hands so

I opened the door as I was crying.It was like the man already knew what

was happening because right away, he picked me up and put me in his police car. I was scared because I thought he might have been stealing me, but I knew he was a police officer from my toys and I knew police officers were good guys.

He took me to McDonald’s, bought me a Happy Meal and it made me happy. He drove through the drive through and ordered me Mcnuggets with chocolate milk, then escorted me to what would be my new home. It was still early out as he walked me to the house. I sat at the table to eat my meal as he talked with my new mommy.

This home was very religious. I arrived that night and was too tired to be scared of this new place. For the fourth time that night, I fell asleep, this time, with the people who would become my new parents – for a few months. When my parents wanted to see me, they could only see me in this big building with cool toys in the rooms where I would play with my mommy and daddy. I would be moved to 5 different homes after this incident.

I Left Home at the Age of ThreeOn a dark night long ago, James Enebrad slept in the bed of a truck

RUNAWAY

Kenneth Orejudos photo

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|Mona Orejudos| Photo Staff I have some reasons why I want to move out of my parents’ house. But I have five reasons not to.

1. I’m not ready to leave the nest. I don’t even know what exactly I want to do with my life yet. I’m not grown, or stable. In all honesty, I’m still an immature kid, and sometimes the decisions I make aren’t always the right ones.

2. I wouldn’t know what to do if I were to live independently. If I move out, I would not know what to do. I have no job, which means I make no money, which means I can’t afford rent for an apartment. Living at home is WAY cheaper than being on my own.

3. I will have separation anxiety. I have lived with my mother, father and my brother all my life. Not being able to see them every day would make me go nuts. If I had to choose between being with my family or my friends, I would most definitely choose my family.

4. I’m still in high school. I feel that my education has grown since I’ve been a student at Renton High School. Even though I’ve only been here for two years.

5. I do not want to deal with strangers. You know those situations where you could live with a roommate? I’m not down with that. I mean, to me it’s kind of risky. What if they don’t pay the bills? What am I going to do then? Probably get evicted.

Don’t take me away, please

STAYING PUT

| Gary Nguyen| Know More Staff I haven’t made plans to move out. I have never run away from home, never even attempted to. Actually, I never once thought about running away from home. When I hear those stories from people, I just think “Man, that’s all bad.” You watch TV and see the people talk about their problems with running away and you can’t help but feel sorry for them. On the other hand, I will never make that choice. I don’t even want to move out anytime soon.

I mean, I know I will have to someday.But until that day comes, I’m mooching off my parents.I don’t want to move out until the time is right. I know people who move

out right after high school and I personally think that’s not the thing to do. The biggest reason is obvious: RENT! We all love having a place to stay everyday with all our own clothing and beds, for free. We all love to open the fridge and

make whatever’s sitting around. I’m not lazy. I have a job. But I still can’t imagine paying so much every

month again and again. I walk upstairs and find food ready to eat 3 times a day. No need to buy a McChubble every day.

The next best, if not the best, a bathroom.We all need to shower every day and brush our teeth to keep fresh. And

never forget the washer and dryer, my household favorites. We have to stay looking good and we can’t do that without showers. That’s why I think for college I’ll be staying close to home.

Also, if you move out at the wrong time, you might be posted in front of a gas station in a few years. I believe running away is the wrong path to take. You got to stay home because that’s where everything is. You are just going to wander aimlessly, with no destination. No offense.

| Joe Vo| Photo Edtior

My home to me is a two story house: One master room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and a sitting room. No matter the “rooms” it has, it can still pass like most other homes.

Most of what I do when I stay at home is consumed by eating various foods, shooting people up through my “X-Box,” dreading homework and engaging in conflicts with my parents.

For a good while, I would like to live at my home and mainly support the family who lives there.

Even though there is a chance that my family and I will move to a different house, home itself will not change as long as I’m with my family.

Even though some people may think the average teenager has a horrible household that consists of one or more extremely ‘naggy’ parents and maybe at least one annoying sibling, THAT IS STILL home to me.

Home is where family brings warm feelings, where I can assume a person who is more than just friends will support me through anything. Unlike those who backstab you as they rip your heart out.

But when I do move out someday, I believe time will allow me to learn lessons at home, and that will allow me to move out and be independent.

Life seems to be going well for me and I believe that I will stay put for a while.

I like to moochie moochie off my parents and stay in my zone

Ain’t no home without your fam to kick back and relax with

It wouldn’t be a home without the yelling.Kenneth Orejudos photo

| Olivia Fry|Editor-in-Chief

My mom and I yell. She tells me I’m being annoying. I tell her she should quit her job because it stresses her out. We hug, she kisses me and it’s back to the same old routine.

It wouldn’t be home to me without my dad’s laughter, which feels like an earthquake in the Fry house. When he laughs, I laugh.

It wouldn’t be home without my brothers, those two, opinionated, loud, the-world-would-be-better-if-everyone-thought-the-way-I-did, cussing-up-a storm boys. They say I shouldn’t trust anyone but

family. I say they’re rude. They say, “If we weren’t rude then that would mean we didn’t love you, but we do, so we are. “

It wouldn’t be home without my Chesapeake Bay retriever rubbing up on my legs and scratching himself in the hindquarters. Then there’s my Bombay cat, the one who licks her butt on the dinner table and claws me in the face when she’s mad, but sleeps on my lap when she decides it’s time for love.

It wouldn’t be home if I didn’t smell nag champa incense in the morning when I wake on weekends and see my mom doing her makeup and cleaning at the same time.

It wouldn’t be home if I didn’t hear my dad talk about football and how the Seahawks kick so much butt and how they’re going to get better.

I wouldn’t feel at home without my brothers telling me how I’m wasting time in school because there’s eventually going to be an apocalypse and we’re all going to have to pull our shotguns and get treckin’.

My family is my whole world. Without them, it’s just not home.