Rodriguez High School October 2009 Page 3

Blaine Biggs displays his fast ‘Black Beauty’By Rachel Balella (’11) Senior Blaine Biggs stand out — from the custom tattoo on his back, to his personal style of Oakley’s sunglasses. And then there’s his 1996 GT Mustang. Not only does Blaine claim his car is, “the fastest one in the parking lot,” he says it is the “loudest too.” A new Mac airflow intake system allows more air into the car’s motor, making it to go faster than other cars on the road, he says. Biggs also put in subwoofers and an amp, enabling his car to be heard from miles away. Not only has he made alterations to his car’s speed and sound system, he also put in a DVD player in his dashboard, helping Blaine to find some time to catch up on the

latest flicks while he’s on the road. Blaine says creating his “Black Beauty” wasn’t easy or quick. He used to cruise around in an old beat-up truck until about two years ago. It was after hard work and some help from his parents that he sold the truck and purchased the car of his dreams. Blaine feels this muscle car shows a hint of himself. His friends think his car is fast. “Blaine’s car is freaking raw. I wish it was mine,” said senior Dontae Gaddis. He has had few mishaps, except for one recent incident involving his girlfriend’s little brother. “I was at my girlfriend’s house, and her little brother scratched the quarter panel with his scooter — twice!” No dents were left, but

a few scratches appeared and some of the paint in the attacked area was ruined.

No matter, Blaine is still proud of his customized ride.

Foreign exchange students adjust to American styleBy Sydney Tracy (’10) Remember how nervous and anxious you were on the first day of high school? Now think what it would be like to not only be in a new school, but also a different country and you will understand what RHS’s newest foreign exchange students face. Juniors Julie Holk and Henning Jerusalem have traveled long distances to get a glimpse into the American lifestyle. Julie is from Denmark and Henning comes from Germany. Both students have already graduated, but

chose to continue their schooling so they could visit the United States. Julie chose to come to the United States because she wanted to improve her English and experience new surroundings. She arrived just days before the start of the new school year. “I’m not a person who just stays in the same place the whole time. I want different experiences.” Henning is fluent in German, French, Italian and English. He is on the RHS soccer team and says he loves it. His teammates gave him the nickname, Big German or Big G for short. Julie is on the RHS girls’ golf team; however, she said the team isn’t serious enough. Still

she is enjoying her stay. “It’s beautiful, but you’re eating all the time out here. My lunch box has never been so full!” Henning also loves the food in America. His favorite foods are Chinese and Mexican. Growing up in Germany, Henning says he is used to cold weather, so the mild California climate is a big change for him. “It’s nice out here; it’s just really really warm.” Both students agree that the clothing styles in America are much different from those in their countries, for instance the boys don’t sag their pants at all in either country and the girls wear mostly clothes from the department store H&M.

Lisa Zacarias (’11)With 79,000 hours under our belt,

Rodriguez was exceptionally close to winning the much-anticipated $100,000 fitness center that was the reward for the Governor’s Challenge last year.

But, we weren’t quite close enough.Still, the battle isn’t lost yet. It turns

out that the school has another chance at the prize this year because the Governor’s Challenge is coming back.! And this time, we’re aiming higher.

Ms. Lynn Gregerson, who has taken

Governor’s Challenge returnson the task of spearheading the operation, says this year’s goal is, “to win, and to get the $100,000 fitness center.”

Still, while the reward is enticing, Ms. Gregerson admits that, mostly, “[She] wants everyone aware of how important it is to be active.”

She has, along with the help of multiple other teachers, begun the effort to spread the enthusiasm for the competition throughout the school, but the task does not rest solely with her, she said. Students need to motivate ourselves.

Photos/ David Melad

Photo/ David Melad

Left to right: Henning Jerusalem and Julie Holk

Senior Blaine Biggs models on his 1996 Mustang.