Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 CHANNEL ISLANDS HE HIGH SCHOOL T Volume XVII, Issue II First Person Homecoming 2012 Prop 30: Special Major win memories of for schools grandmother By Myriam Akbar By Aylin Rodriguez Staff writer Staff writer Proposition 30 picked up a ia de los Muertos is a major win Tuesday, Nov. 6, for edu- Mexican tradition that cation funding in the state of Cali- Dhas been celebrated for fornia, and the victory could be many generations. On Nov. 2 we due to significant turnout among celebrate and welcome our loved younger voters. ones, such as parents, aunts and Proposition 30 was the Sales uncles and grandparents, who and Income Tax Increase Initiative, have passed away. We wait for Class of 2010 and it passed with 54 percent of their return so we can welcome the vote. them to our home. “Thank God, it passed,” said Dia de los Muertos is a day I Mr. Jose Hernandez, a math teacher like to celebrate. My grand- at CI. “If it wouldn’t have passed, mother, Maria De Jesus, passed students would have fewer activi- away in December of 2006. She ties and they would get less money was very much loved by the for financial aid. whole family and by her friends “Honestly, my salary would as well. When the day nears we have been cut, and that would start preparing to welcome her mean I couldn’t go to as many home. We create an altar for her Raider games,” Hernandez added. with all her favorite foods, Gov. Jerry Brown led the desserts, games and activities. It charge for Proposition 30, which is surrounded by cempasúchil, a was a merger of two previously beautiful, bright orange flower, competing initiatives: the thought to attract souls of the “Millionaire’s Tax” and Brown’s deceased. Some things that my First Tax Increase Proposal. family likes to include are her Prop 30 favorite foods, like caldo de pollo protects OBAMA WINS: and mole, a deck of cards California’s President voted because she loved playing cards, schools and in for 4 more and a typical Mexican game she colleges years: Story on loved to play, La Loteria. from billions Page 2 My grandmother was a very in budget lovable person. She was beautiful cuts this and loved to sing and she had a year, and it will stabilize education beautiful singing voice. My Javier Vasquez and Judith Gonzalez, CI’s Homecoming King and Queen. funding for the next few years. grandmother loved having the Educators supported Prop 30 whole family over; she always because it prevents a substantially loved the company of her family. shortened school year, forestalls She liked to cook for us and like thousands of teacher layoffs and any amazing grandmother she stops further steep tuition in- loved all her grandchildren. She creases for families already strug- loved us so much. gling in a tough economy. I would always spend time Proposition 30 will raise the with her before I entered kinder- state’s sales tax by a quarter of a garten because she would take cent for four years, starting Jan. 1, care of me. I have so many great 2013, and increase income taxes for memories of those times. She people who make at least $250,000 used to take care of me and my by up to 3 percentage points for cousin so she taught us her seven years, retroactive to the start favorite card game so she would of the 2012 tax year. It is projected have someone to play with while to raise an average of $6 billion my grandfather was off at work. annually for the state’s general My grandmother always found fund and education. ways to bring the family together, “I think it’s fantastic,” said Mr. Sophomore court Moni Aloese and Alexis Pyle ride in style. whether it was for a party, or a Alejandra Arroyo, senior, and David Cole, a history teacher at CI. random gathering just to be Bryan Almontes, junior. “School-wise, the cuts to would together. She was always looking have been terrible. Personally, now for excuses to have the family my wife has a stronger chance of together. keeping her job at Hueneme.” November 2nd is more than College application month is here Many students in their Gov- just a holiday for most Mexican ernment classes have been learn- By Karina Cortez start getting lost in a pile of a small a very important part when apply- families. It gathers everyone once ing about Prop.30 and the impact it Staff writer things called senior year.” ing to universities, Ms. Jimenez again. My family gets together has on schools. It is now November and all UC However, for most stressed added. Students can still sign up and we pray for her and we sing “I wasn’t allowed to vote yet, and CSU applications are open for out seniors, sometimes small for the December test dates. some of her favorite songs. but since I’m taking Government incoming freshmen. guidelines are needed to reassure “If you are planning to apply Afterwards, we eat the meals we we did an activity where the stu- Senior Madison Aguilar is one them of sanity. to UC’s, make sure you have your set up on the altar. We stay dents got to vote, just for fun,” of those seniors trying to make the Ms. Carri Jimenez, one of the personal statement done and ready together for a while and we talk said Nayeli Trujillo, a senior at CI. Nov. 30 deadline. Islands counselors, said, “You to go for the application process,” and drink coffee and we do what “I’m glad it passed but with poli- “Downright, this is one of the must first check to see if you are Ms. Jimenez said. “Have a few let- my grandmother loved to see us tics, you have to read the fine print. most stressful months I have ex- eligible for universities. Check to ters of recommendation ready for do: we reunite as one family. As I want the government to use the perienced in my high school ca- see if you have or will complete all you application as well.” clichéd as it might sound, at least money for the right things. I’ll be a reer,” Aguilar said. “With so many your A-G requirements with a grade After making sure of eligibil- for another night, we’re one big first generation college student, things going on, things tend to get of C or better.” ity, one of the most crucial things happy family again, just the way and I was worried about tuition wrapped up and my mind seems to The SAT and ACT scores are going up, but now that it passed my grandmother liked it. See COLLEGE on Page 2 there’s hope.” Page 2 The Isle File The nation’s new normal: 4 more years of Obama By Patricia Wrenn Another senior, Amanda Cuevas states, Staff writer “Obama did show change, and his morals This year’s election showed the United about having the American dream hasn’t States as redefining what it means to be an changed.” American. In addition to voting on the presiden- In 2008 Barack Obama became the first tial election, for the first time voters approved African-American President. This year he same sex-marriage in three states: Maine, was re-elected for a second term, along with Maryland, and Washington. Vice President Joe Biden. Oliveros states, “I believe in gay mar- Obama defeated Republican challenger riage, because I don’t think the government Mitt Romney in this month’s election, 332 should have a say about them being able to elctoral college votes to 206. Obama won marry.” the popular vote by about 3 million votes. Wisconsin elected Tammy Baldwin, the Obama has said that he will continue to first openly gay U.S senator, and first Wis- invest in education, expand the Obama-Care, consin woman. Colorado and Washington Photo by Sacora Pankey Solar panels will eventually save the district a lot of money. and end the war in Afghanistan. State legalized marijuana. Jackie Oliveros, a CI senior, voted and With Prop 30 passing, students will be worked at a polling place for the first time. able to receive a more able benefits in hav- CIHS about to go solar “It was exciting...I felt independent,” ing a higher education. she said. “I’m pleased with Obama winning, Oliveros says, “Voting on Prop 30 was By Sacora Pankey listed in the Audit Report as a total of because I believe you can’t really change important to me because I’m going to col- Staff writer $2,748,800 with $135,836 from H bond anything in four years and that there will be lege, and if it hadn’t passed there would be As most of you students already funds and $2,612,964 from government change in his second term.” a big budget cut about getting into school.” know, around the end of last year CIHS energy conservation sources. received a grant for solar panels. “This is the new normal and it is cre- As Mr. Randy Ortiz, assistant princi- ating a future for the students,” said COLLEGE: Time for applications pal, said, “It’s the environmentally friendly Stephen McFarland, the district’s direc- thing to do.” tor of maintenance and operations. Continued from Page 1 Also, make sure to have back-up The company that was selected by The project should be finished by to know is actually know what school you schools, just in case you do not get into the the schools was Sun Power in Richmond, tsometime this month; everything should would like to attend.