The SpectacleMesa Vista MHS ı PO Box 50, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 VOL. 1, ISSUE 3 ı May 21, 2010

Winning Bigby Ben SandovalReporter Placing 2nd overall in the State FFA Sweepstakes, the Mesa Vista FFA group is now pre-paring for Nationals.        The group, however, is losing eight strong seniors to graduation.        “They’re going to have to fill some big shoes, and although I’m going to miss my seniors, I know they (the underclassmen this year) can do it,” sponsor Connie Lujan said.      The team will go to the National FFA Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana at the end of October. In the past, FFA has won bronze as a team, and has had some individuals who have won silver. Lujan encourages other students who are curious about FFA to join.   

FFA State Competition:1st Horticulture Produce, 1st Floriculture, 2nd Overall Sweepstakes, 2nd Nursery, 7th Forestry, 10th Entomology, and 11th Landscape

by Ashtyn MegarizReporter Students are more cautious now with the addition of two new security guards. And, some teachers say the added security makes it easier for students to learn. “We are here for the safety of all students and to help keep students from being late and truant,” security guard Anthony Vigil said. Superintendent Randall Earwood hired the security guards from Prosec in the month of February to help around the school. The security guards have the front gate guarded at all times and assist with disciplinary issues at the middle and high school. They will also assist the elementary in case of an emergency. “We hope to get more control over kids so teachers can actually teach rather than chasing you guys (students) around school,” security guard Ernest Armijo said. Two more security guards on campus means the original security guard, Isidoro Lucero (Spider, as some kids call him) has two new co-workers. Lucero helped train them. “I taught them the routines… how to run the gate and how to approach students,” Lucero said. The new security guards are not shy with dealing with students, however. Vigil worked at Carlos Middle and High School and Espanola Valley High School for five years. Armijo spent eleven years at a New Mexico boy’s school and eight years at the Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM). “I try to be firm but fair

and try to understand the student’s problems. If you can tell, I’m not too friendly and I try to get along with the students,” Armijo said. The new security guards help keep an eye out for students who are breaking the school rules. Some of these rules are the no electronics, no hats in the building, and do not be tardy. With the security guards patrolling, teachers don’t have to worry about these problems so much.

“The presence of the new security guards alleviates the pressure of teachers having to enforce discipline of repetitious violations such as hats, cell phones, and iPods,” teacher Victor Jaramillo said. Although the security guards enforce the rules for both

staff and students they are still accepted among all, Jaramillo said. “The most interesting thing that happened to me was the welcome from staff and kids. I felt as if you guys have really brought me in,” Armijo said Although the security guards spend most of their day at Mesa Vista, they still have time for a life outside of school.

Armijo has a second job, on the weekends at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs where he is a security guard. Additionally, he spends time with his four children and wife. “I like to play soft ball, basket ball, go horseback riding, and spend time with my family,” Armijo said.

New Security Arrives on CampusTo ditch or not to ditch?

The Spectaclec/o MVMHS PO Box 50

Ojo Caliente, NM 87549(505) 583-2275

505-583-9133 fax

Slow Down: New security guard Ernest Armijo works the gate at the entrance to the Mesa Vista campus. Armijo is one of the two new security guards working at Mesa Vista.

photo by Ashtyn Megariz

photo from FFA sponsor

Eyes on the Prize: FFA members show off their judging awards in Las Cruces. Mesa Vista’s chap-ter won first place in Floriculture and Horticulture, and second place overall for Sweepstakes.

INSIDE!

Sports Briefs

see p. 6

page 2 May 21, 2010 OPINION The Spectacle

The Spectacle StaffAdviser: April van Buren

Editor: Genna Salas

Staff: Yacxubeli CamposAlejandro GriegoLily HawleyAubrie KuykendallPauline Luhman Morgan MascarenasAshtyn Megariz Katie SalasBen Sandoval Jennifer Suazo andRaphaela Viereck

This is the third issue of the Mesa Vista student newspaper, The Spectacle, produced by the school’s jour-nalism class. The goal of this publication is to provide accurate, informative and entertaining information in the true spirit of responsible journalism and to operate as an open forum for students, staff and parents. Those who are not enrolled in the journalism class may still contribute to the publication in the form of a letter to the editor, a guest column, photog-raphy or artwork. No editorials will be printed, how-ever, which complain or attack without factual justifica-tion. All guest editorials must be signed and approved for publication. The Spectacle also reserves the right to edit copy. Readers’ responses can be mailed to The Spec-tacle c/o MVHS, or sent in an e-mail to adviser April van Buren at: avanburen@mesavista.k12.nm.us.

Student journalists on The Spectacle staff will publish only legally protected speech following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. The adviser of The Spectacle will not determine the content of the paper. The adviser will offer advice and instruction to help the staff cover all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner according to the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics. Gossip columns, horoscopes, song dedications, senior wills and senior superlatives will be avoided due to the narrow audience they serve and the probability they possess of containing libelous material and content. Staff members will strive to correct any errors before publication. However, if the editorial board de-termines a significant error was printed, a formal cor-rection will appear in the following issue.

Opinions Vary on Special Treatment for Athletesby Ben SandovalReporter At Mesa Vista High School, there are mixed opinions about athletes receiving (or not receiving) special treatment. Some teachers have been saying for years that there is favoritism shown, but some also say the school has good staff that doesn’t dish out this sort of extra special treatment to athletes. To me, this argument is double-sided. On one hand, this school (and community) seems to be enthusiastic about sports. On the other hand, being an athlete is difficult both physically and mentally. Most athletes try their best to get good grades and represent our school with a positive attitude.

Coaches, naturally, don’t think their athletes receive special treatment. They have good reason to think this way – all of the current coaches on staff here were once student athletes themselves. They know what it takes to be one and be made an example of. The basketball coach, Thomas Vigil, said he doesn’t think his athletes, or any other athletes in the school, get special treatment.

“The school has a staff with good integrity and I don’t see any of them showing any favoritism toward athletes,” Vigil said.

Athletes are under a microscope, and they have a more strenuous schedule than

most non-athletes, Vigil said, with all of the games and practices that they have on top of their regular school work.

“Even though they get home late from games the student athletes still have to get their work done,” Vigil said.

There are teachers, however, who insist they’ve seen student athletes get special treatment whether they see an athlete get less strict punishment, more food in the cafeteria, or more attention from their peers or in the general community.

“I think they do certainly (get shown favoritism) – not in my classes – but I do see it in other areas on campus,” teacher Monique Garcia said.

Vigil and Garcia, though on different sides of this issue, do agree that student athletes are often prone to getting more attention from their peers or from community members.

In my opinion, athletes that receive special treatment are more confident and may be more likely to ask for special accommodations, but that doesn’t mean it’s good to give them that pass. If a teacher or a faculty member gives them too much extra attention they might think they can do whatever they want and still slip by or avoid any repercussions. For teachers, it’s not right to give athletes this kind of attention because

it’s not fair to non-athletes. It’s also not fair for student athletes to allow teachers to treat them with extra attention. Especially with finals this week and next, there can’t be any kind of special treatment for student athletes or to any student for any reason.

Special privileges shouldn’t happen during the school year no matter what the circumstance is, or who the student is. In the long run, it’s bad for the student and it’s bad for the school.

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The Spectacle OPINION May 21, 2010 page 3

Every year, younger classes dread the end of the spring semester. The senior class “takes over” and runs amuck, although some say it is harmless, others disagree. The newspaper staff thinks it is a problem that has gotten out of hand at many high schools, and senior bullying needs to stop. “All students need to be respectful of each other. I don’t see all seniors behaving this way and the ones that do probably do because of their own insecurities,” Spanish teacher Theresa Sandoval said. Although the senior class has worked hard for the past four years and many think they deserve to goof off, during the school year is not the right time. Their celebration of this occasion should not start until graduation is over. At the end of the school year about 60 percent of seniors are playing “catch-up” in attempt to bring up their grades, teacher Victor Jaramillo said. The other 40 percent are either done or just don’t care, he said. If they do not take an interest in keeping or bringing up their grades, however, they might not be eligible to walk across the stage and receive their diploma. “I think the seniors start to party because they are about to leave MVHS and go to college, so they think they are all bad and tough, but they are not…” said an anonymous seventh grader.            Bullying also becomes more common this time of year, according to principal Ruben Lucero. At this school, bullying is usually teasing or harsh jokes. Although it is not physical it can still have a negative effect on students. The seniors and upperclassmen say it is just fun and games, but the targets of these cruel jokes think otherwise. One 7th grader said he was bullied mentally, so much that he hates coming to school. If he tries to tell someone, he said he thinks it would do more damage than good. Pranks may seem funny at the time, but when the humor fades, the only thing left is a senior in the principal’s

office and a hurt younger student, with little-to-no self-esteem. A national survey shows that 30 percent of all students will be bullied sometime in their lifetime, according to the how-to-stop-bullying.com’s national survey in 2009. Nearly 160,000 students miss school every day for fear of being bullied. Bullying can cause students to feel inferior, depressed and even suicidal according to The Kansas City Child Injury Law Website. “It has a negative effect on the school

when seniors bully others, because the younger generations that look up to them will make the same mistakes and bad decisions that they are making now,” sophomore Justin Varela said. Finally we would like

to point out that many seniors are scared. They are about to graduate high school and be on their own. Most of them will move out and have to support themselves for the first time in their lives. They have to pay bills and be responsible for all their actions. Such childish behavior could just be a way to cope with fear. “Senioritis is another phase in human development….those who persist with foolish, clownish behavior or celebrating are the same people who had difficultly leaving elementary and middle school. They are terrified of the

freedom they have finally earned,” English teacher Sallie Gallegos said. So even though we do not approve of the seniors’ crazy behavior, we still love them and will miss them when they are gone from the campus. And it’s important to remember that they have also made a positive impact. Some have taken younger students under their wing and helped them adjust to high school. We just want senioritis to stop. This is a heads up for the classes to come and a reminder to all that seniority is not always right. The 2009-2010 year is coming to an end and the Newspaper Staff wants next year to start off right.            To put an end to seniorities, the class of 2011’s class president and sponsors can set up a program where the seniors have a “little buddy,” like a seventh grader or a freshman. They could do various activities together like tutoring or games during spirit week to help unite the grades. Perhaps the administration could also better train school staff to notice bullying. and when seniors fall victim to senioritis, perhaps staff could be better trained on how to reach out to them and help them come up with better solutions. Our last suggestion is to make a program like “Safe School Ambassadors” that is made up of kids from different cliques and teach them to put an end to bullying within their own groups and eventually the entire school community.

STAFF EDITORIALSenioritis: Class of 2010’s Fun is Overdone

editorial cartoon by Fabian Maestas

The younger generations that look up to them will make the same mistakes and bad decisions they are making now.

— Sophomore Justin Varela

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page 4 May 21, 2010 FEATURES The Spectacle

HUGS: (Left) Brothers Brendon (seventh grade) and eighth grader Damian Herrera are two of four Herrera siblings. (Above) Junior Chris Marquez and his brother, sev-enth grader James Marquez, with seventh grader Jose Terrazas and his sister, senior Sabrina Terrazas are just a few sets of sib-lings at Mesa Vista Middle and High School.

Sibling Story - Morgan& Culture Shock - Aubrie

by Morgan MascarenasReporter Annoying, mean, best friend, twin…these adjectives can all describe the relationship between siblings. Junior Carmelita Trujillo loves her three siblings very much. As the youngest of four kids, growing up she believed everything her siblings told her, even silly things like when her sister said she could touch the clouds. Yet she gets along with her siblings really well. “My brother and I are very much alike so it’s fun to be with him,” Trujillo said. Additionally, she and her siblings have similar interests like sports and listening to the same kinds of music.

Being the youngest of four kids, she remembers doing a lot of things with her siblings. One funny memory she shares with a sibling was when she and her brother were younger they went fishing, and she threw him into the lake. Although it’s common for siblings to fight, Trujillo said she gets along well with her family.

“I love my brother very much, and when he comes down from college, I spend as much time as I can with him,” she said. Like Trujillo, teacher Anthony Jaramillo also has several siblings — four sisters and one brother. As the oldest, he has a lot of memories and said he enjoyed getting to watch everyone grow up.

One memory that stuck with him is when his brother decided to play a prank. They were going to ride horses and his brother untied the saddle on his horse. After riding for a bit, the saddle came off and Jaramillo fell right off his horse. Even though Jaramillo’s brother pulled a prank on him, he wasn’t

too mad about it. In the end, he said he thought it was really funny.

In general, Jaramillo loves spending time with his family. When he was younger, he would go hunting with his dad and brother and says he loved how their friendship grew because of it.

“My siblings are great because we love to spend time together and have a picnic and just talk,” Jaramillo said.

Jaramillo and his siblings have always spent time together. They were raised to be close to one another, he said.

Like many siblings, Jaramillo and family have some things in common. Four of the six Jaramillo kids went into education. One of his sisters is counselor Denise Lopez, another sister is Special Education teacher Diana Jaramillo, and his other sister Antoinette is an English teacher in Albuquerque at YDDC (Youth Diagnostic Developmental Center). Also he and his brother have a physical resemblance so sometimes people would mix them up.

One thing he doesn’t have in common with his siblings is that he’s not as loud as t h e y are. He’s more low key and

quiet. But despite being the quiet one, he loves talking to them and visiting with them all the time.

Eighth grader Damian Herrera is the middle child of four siblings. He has two sisters and two brothers.

Having siblings has its ups and downs, and being in the middle, he used to get picked on by his other brother, he said.

“Siblings can definitely be mean. One time my older brother shaved off my hair for fun,” Herrera said.

E v e n though

siblings can be mean, Herrera said he loves spending time with his brother and other siblings.

“One time we went to California and stayed at the beach the whole day. It was a lot of fun,” he said.

Also, Herrera gets along with his older brother and sister the most because they are closer to him in age. They also share a love for sports, so they have more in common.

“The best memory I share with my siblings was when my older sister got a ring of honor for sports. It was really cool and I was so proud of her,” he said.

Regardless of whether you love or hate (or both) your siblings, they are family. More than your parents or even a future spouse, siblings know you almost your entire life.

“I love having a brother, he’s so much fun and he’s my best friend,” junior Carmelita Trujillo said.

Siblings May Be Annoying, But We Still Love Them

photo by Genna Salas

photo by Genna Salas

The Spectacle GOODBYE to 2010 May 21, 2010 page 5

TOP SENIORS

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What do you like most about Mesa Vista? I like that its more like a family, (we’re) not just numbers. I’ll miss going places with FFA and meeting friends who will stay with me though college.

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What do you like most about Mesa Vista? I like that it’s a small school and the kids get in-dividual attention in class. I’ll miss my friends because they help me get though the day.

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What do you like most about Mesa Vista? I like the people, I’ve met people who aren’t your average individuals here. I’ll miss Mrs. Lujan and her words of encouragement and Mrs. Sally’s skits because they made the day go by faster.

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nWhat do you like most about Mesa Vista? I like that it’s a small school and you get a lot of one-on-one time with teachers. I’ll miss my friends ‘cause they give me another reason to come to school, besides class.

Where are they going next?Northern New Mexico CollegeKristen ArchuletaGerald CamposManny DeVargasLeticia GarciaSamantha GironBrianne HerreraJacob MartinezLarry MercadoDaniel OcanaAmanda SerranoSabrina TerrazasEugene TrujilloMichael VelasquezJennifer Suazo

Alex Griego

New Mexico State UniversityCrystal MartinezJeremy SalazarRamon Trujillo

University of New MexicoAnna BaeckerLucrecia ChavezMariah GalvezRobin MartinezAndrea SalazarAlexandria Vasquez

Highlands UniversityJerome Broyles

Work ForceJoe Chavez

NavyPatricia Alire

U.S. Army ReservesJared AlireJerome BroylesSamantha GironAlex GriegoOlibama MaestasGreg Trujillo

photo by April van Buren

3,2,1, pose! Front row (from left): Jeremy Salazar, Sabrina Terrazas, Estevan Trujillo, Alex Griego, Jerome Broyles, Gerald Campos. Second row: Larry Mercado, Robin Mar-tinez, Anna Baecker, Mariah Galvez, Alex Gallegos, Cassie Suire. Third row: Daniel Ocana, Kristin Archuleta, Crystal Martinez, Samantha Giron, Gene Trujillo. Back row: Leti-cia Garcia, Jared Anderson, Manny DeVargas, Greg Trujillo.

I am going to miss (teacher) Sally (Gallegos), because she was an awesome teacher and I learned so much from her in class.

—Jennifer Suazo

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memory from my senior year is when all the basketball players were messing around at midnight madness.

— Larry Mercado

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I like all the students at Mesa Vista, because I’ve known them from like head start or second grade, I grew up with them.

— Olibama Maestas

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SENIOR MEMORIES

(I like it) here ‘cause at Mesa Vista it is a smaller school and it is easier to know people here.

—Manuel DeVargas

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2010

page 6 May 21, 2010 SPORTS The Spectacle

Stars Shine in Girls Track;Baseball Improves Record

After losing every game last season, the baseball team had nowhere to go but up this year. They finished the 09-10 season with a total of eight wins and eight losses, and had the added strength of female player, senior Samantha Giron. The baseball team (with the help of Coach Clifford Richardson) also maintained no less than thirteen players. Richardson said he is proud of his team’s work. “When I showed the kids I was willing to put the time in, they were willing to put the time in,” Richardson said in the Rio Grande SUN newspaper. This year, the team had stronger pitching players, such as sophomore Sean Richardson and junior Alejandro Lopez. Lopez’s pitches are hard, but not as good as Sean Richardson’s, (Clifford) Richardson said.

The team is a mixture of grades, including two seniors, three juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman. Giron joined, she said, because she grew up with an older athletic brother who got her into the sport. “She has been hitting the ball pretty good in practice,” Clifford Richardson said in the Rio Grande SUN. “It was a great season, had so much fun. I can’t wait for next year,” sophomore Sean Richardson said.

Overall, the track team placed 2nd at Districts. Although the boys didn’t place, the girls took 12th at the State Competition at University Stadium in Albuquerque in early May. In a few track meets, before Districts, several of the track players reached qualifying time, including senior Alex

Griego in the 300 hurdles at the Pecos Invitational and sophomore Julia Martinez in the 400 and 800 meter run at the West Las Vegas Invitational and the Fox Vixens Relays. The girls 400x4 relay qualified for State at the 3-AA District Track Meet. M a r t i n e z placed third in both the 800 and 400 meter runs, being outkicked just at the finish line on both. She was also on the 400x4 relay which placed fourth overall and earned a state medal. Senior Samantha Giron, eighth grader Selina Siqueros and freshmen Brandy Valdez and (alternate) Larissa Pena Martinez joined Martinez on

the relay. Griego nearly missed a medal in the 300 hurdles event, as the top six earn medals and he placed 7th overall.

TRACK WRAP-UP

by Yacxubeli CamposReporter

Jump!: Freshman Jeremy Broyles jumps over a hurdle in the 300 meter hurdles, followed by freshman Santiago Terrazas.

Cheerleaders ready for New Squad, New Coachby Pauline LuhmanReporter There’s a new coach working to make the Mesa Vista cheerleaders champions for the 2010-2011 school years.

Coach Yvette Gallegos, who helped as the assistant coach this school year, has taken the lead for this coming year.

“I have been a cheerleader since I was in elementary, and I like the coach because she seems to be into it (her job),” sophomore Yacxubeli Campos said.

Gallegos was not a high school cheerleader because her high school only had dance teams, which she was a part of for four years. In college, Gallegos found a dance team and stayed with them for a year. She also choreographed a dance for a high school class while in college. Now, she is here to improve the Mesa Vista cheerleading squad.

“I am looking forward to working with

the squad and I am very dedicated to their success. I hope that those interested will take the time to talk with me about my goals and expectations of the cheer squad,” Gallegos said.

Gallegos plans to have a squad who will be trained to do a few stunts by the end of this summer. Summer practices will be one day a week for three hours, but the day is still being decided, Gallegos said.

After school practices during the school year will be three days a week.

“It is imperative to have summer practice to develop the squad to a competitive level,” Gallegos said.

In the fall, Gallegos said she hopes to get new uniforms, which will cost about $200. However, they will be a perfect fit she said. The squad will also fundraise in order to go to State Championships in 2011.

On April 21, Gallegos held tryouts for captain and co-captain, electing captain Genna Salas, junior, and co-captains Amber Ocana, junior, and sophomore Katie Salas. In order to become captain or co-captain they competed in several categories, each making up dance routines and cheers. Gallegos based her captain decision on their scores.

So far, the captain and the coach plan to compete at the state cheerleading competition in May of 2011 by learning more stunts. They would also like to make up more cheers and dance routines for the games at half time.

“This is a new learning experience for me but I am up for this exciting challenge,” Gallegos said.

Gallegos and the captains held an open practice this week for anyone interested in joining the squad. Participants had to score a minimum of 30 points out of 100. The final team will be announced on Monday. Space is limited to 12, not including the captains. There will be no more tryouts until 2011.

photo by Ben Sandoval

I like the coach because she seems to be into it (her job).

— sophomoreYacxubeli Campos

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The Spectacle SPORTS May 21, 2010 page 7

Stars Shine in Girls Track;Baseball Improves Record All-terrain Sports Capture Students’ Interests               At Mesa Vista most people only pay attention to the school sports. So what about all the other sports that kids do at school that are not school related?                “I go snowboarding because it is fun and I only get to go one season out of the year,” eighth grader Alexis Archuleta said.                               Archuleta may love to go snowboarding but sophomore Robert Herrera finds dirt, motorcycles, fishing, riding his dirt bike and hunting to be fun for him.                             “My dad got me interested in dirt biking when he bought me a dirt bike,” Herrera said. Some things he can do are stoppies, wheelies and ramps on his dirt bike. He has his own personal ramp. Herrera mainly sticks to free riding in El Rito, but does do some freestyle, which involves trick maneuvers on his bike.

Herrera may not be the only trick rider on a dirt bike at Mesa Vista, but junior Natasha Trujillo may be the only student who

can compete and win in the rodeo. “When I was a little, my grandparents took me to rodeos and I became fascinated with the sport,” Trujillo said. Her events are Pole Bending and Barrel Racing. Pole Bending is an event

where a horse and one rider weave through six poles and are timed from start to finish. If they knock over a pole, it’s a 5-second penalty which can be devastating. Barrel racing is where a horse and one rider

- typically a girl – maneuvers through three barrels to make a clover shape while riding. This is also a timed event, according to Wikipedia. On June 19, Trujillo will be crowned the Rodeo Queen, making it a good year for her.

F r e s h m a n Santiago Terrazas has a good year when he can draw for a hunt. He loves to hunt, fish and

free ride on his ATV. “My dad is the one that got me into hunting and fishing,” Terrazas said. “This is an ongoing family tradition that started with my ancestors.” Santiago’s main hunting weapon is a rifle but is now starting to hunt with a bow. He likes to hunt deer and elk in El Rito, he said, and he  mostly stream fishes with a spinner where he catches native fish like Cuttthroat, German Browns and Rainbows. Terrazas might be able to light up the forest and creeks with his good

hunting and fishing skills, but sophomore Christopher Pacheco can light up the dance floor with his break dancing and kick it on the soccer field.                 “I mostly do Freerunning, Parkhour, Breakdancing, Soccer and Street Football,”

Pacheco said. Pacheco’s inspirations for starting these sports came from watching his cousin and uncle do break dance maneuvers on the street.   “I thought that was cool. I started Breakdancing when I saw my uncle doing flips from his breakdancing,” Pacheco said.    

Pacheco’s started his freestyle dancing, freerunning and parkhour when he was 14

years old. When he was 12, he started street football and, at age 10, soccer.

While Pacheco’s after-school hobbies are fairly common, librarian April van Buren participates in a less well-known sport, women’s roller derby.

“It’s nice to have hobbies away from work and school,” van Buren said. “It is also fun to get to know a group of rowdy and diverse women who aren’t afraid to play a contact sport.”

by Alejandro GriegoREPORTER

My dad is the one that got me into hunting and fishing. This is an ongoing family tradition that started with my ancestors.

— freshman Santiago Terrazas

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I thought it was cool. I started breakdancing when I saw my uncle doing flips.

— sophomoreChristopher Pacheco

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Cheerleaders ready for New Squad, New Coach

photo by Josie Salas

Rodeo Queen: Junior Natasha Trujillo rides in La Estancia Alegre. Trujillo will be crowned the 2010 Rodeo Queen for Rio Arriba County in June and will compete for State Fair Queen in September.

photo by Josie Salas

Rodeo Queen: Junior Natasha Trujillo her horse Dakota in Rio Arriba County at the Showdown in Old Abiquiu in June 2009. She is one of many students who participate in non-school sports.

The Spectacle BACK PAGE May 21, 2010 page 8

by Lily HawleyReporter Technology has come so far in the last century but this year recent limitations have been redefined in a river full of bloodletting and Greek mythology. Other games pale in comparison to God of War III, a game that turns Hades and Olympus on end, literally. God of War III is a single player, ‘hack and slash,’ action-adventure game developed by Sony Santa Monica Studios and released in March. As a whole, the “God of War” franchise has sold more than 11.5 million units worldwide. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it is the fifth and final installment in the story of Kratos. The Ghost of Sparta’s tale is sad. In the beginning, when he was general of the Spartan army, he struck a deal with the god of war, Aries, to spare his life. In return Kratos served Aries fighting in many wars on his behalf. He is eventually betrayed by Aries and tricked into killing his own wife and child. Plagued

by nightmares, he seeks the help of the other gods. In exchange for becoming the gods’ champion, they will rid him of his dreams. They commission him to kill Aries who is trying to take over Athena’s city of Athens. In order to kill a god he has to find Pandora’s Box. When he retrieves the box and the power within it, he sets out to kill the rogue god. He succeeds and is made the new God of War, however, the other gods do not appreciate being the equals of a ex-mortal. They trick him out of his powers and Kratos vows he will have his revenge. He gathers a Titan army with which to storm Mount Olympus. From here God of War III picks up and starts the end of the tale. Battling with all manner of Greek monsters from regular run-of-the-mill satyrs to Kronos the great Titan king himself, Kratos seems horribly outmatched. For an antihero who is as dead inside as the former God of War, there is nothing he won’t do to get his revenge.

Kratos uses innocents to further his progress and cuts down random people to restore his health. In the God of War series, the violence is so different from that in other games. It is raw, undeniably cruel and pulls players into the game in a way few games do. But even though it seems that this game centers around nothing but a core theme of blood and guts, there is a very important underlying message that is even more significant than outstanding graphics and violence: Hope. “It is what we fight with

when all else is lost.” This is a quote from the character Pandora, who comes into the story and awakens within Kratos a fatherly protectiveness. She is also responsible for rekindling the hope in Kratos that gives this game a storyline full of interesting turns and a surprising finale. Future generations will find this game just as awe-inspiring as we do now. After all, no one can deny the might of a fallen god. NOTE: This game is rated “M” for mature and is not suitable for younger audiences.

God of War III: Game, Series Lives Up to Hype

Sixth Graders Prepare for Culture Shock in Fall in 2010-11

The transition between elementary and junior high can be difficult, but also exciting, for many students.            “I like middle school, but it can be hard because you can’t be late to classes and you have to get good grades,” seventh grader Alyssa Lopez said.

It is not uncommon for students to have a hard time settling into their new schedule, the responsibility and often the

higher expectations. “It was kind of hard

getting used to the lockers and the time (limit),” seventh grader Miquela Martinez said.

Along with simply adjusting, students also often miss some aspects of grade school.

“I really miss recess from elementary, because it let me get out of class,” Martinez said

Don’t let all this “bad” stuff make it look like middle school is scary or boring. In fact, it has it upsides.

“I like all of the electives that you can choose from, like woodworking and computers,” seventh grader Christopher Dominguez said.

Middle school often offers more after school programs, including MESA, FFA and tutoring after school.

“Tutoring is fun because we get to be without friends and work together on math,” seventh grader Lee Roy Martinez said.

Middle school is a step closer to adult life. It teaches

responsibility and teamwork. “Transitioning from

elementary to middle school is the first major milestone in beginning adult life.  There are independent choices that get to be made, and depending on those choices, one can be an outstanding individual or a complete hoodlum.  So the autonomy that a kid gets as a middle school student is a precious gift, one that we don’t get in elementary,” RN/EMT LCDN SBHC Clinical Coordinator Crystal Martinez said.

by Aubrie KuykendallReporter

screenshot from Sony Games