THE ROAR Vol. 29 Issue 4
ROARMAGAZINE Volume 29 Issue 4
Featuring: Yearbook Distribution...8 Graduation...13 Sports Recap...22
Page 1- Cover Final.indd 1 4/13/2017 7:59:55 AM ROAR Dear Red Mountain, MAGAZINE Volume 29 Issue 4 As the 2016-2017 school year comes to a close, Roar Magazine staff members dedicate this issue to the memorable achievements of the Red Mountain community. The staff put together an Principal: informative and professional publication. In this issue, we provide tips to end the school year on a Mr. Ryan good note and plan for summer entertainment with book and movie recommendations. Addition- ally, we recognize amazing accomplishments of athletes, yearbook staff and seniors. We would like Adviser: to congratulate our seniors for their high school endeavors and wish them luck in the new chapter Ms. Saquella of their lives.
Editor-in-Chiefs: Heilee Pentz and Paul Stanton Heilee Pentz and Paul Editor-in-Chiefs Stanton
Editors: Michaela Brown, Maymuna Quote of the Issue: Elmi, Taylor Guzik, Ava Hansen, Hailey Hardy, Marlee Find us online: Hotchkiss, Carly House, Elijah “...a lot of what gives life McKay, Veronica Moraila, meaning is helping people. Taylor Page That genuinely happy feeling of making an impact, Staff: however small, on another Emily Benyamin, Cebada Boyles, Lauren Godlewski, person’s life cannot be beat.” Elizabeth Goodin, Julianna Head, Amanda Henley, Alexis –Trinity Wolff (11) Hernandez, Tatiana Hernandez, Hannah Jackson, Danielle Kernaghan, Evelyn Leiva, Gillian McComeskey, PHOTO BY SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS Isaac Noriega, Kennedy Palaschuk, Trent Stimac
Cover Photo By: Ms. Saquella
Roar Magazine is a publication of: Red Mountain High School Journalistic Writing 7301 E. Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ 85207 For information concerning advertising, call (480) 472-8228 and leave a message for the magazine staff. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the view or official policies of the school. For more information on Red Left to right:Taylor Guzik, Taylor Page, Alexis Hernandez, Trent Stimac, Paul Stanton, Veronica Moraila Mountain’s Journalistic Writing class, visit our website at http://www.mpsaz.org/ rmhs/academics/english/news- paper/. COURAGE RESPECT INFLUENCE Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 2- Letter From the Editor.indd 1 4/13/2017 8:00:22 AM PHOTO BY DANIELLE KERNAGHAN News Foreign Trips... 4 Native American Club/RM Carnival... 5 News Briefs... 6 News Briefs... 7 Yearbook Distribution/International Journalists... 8
Opinion PHOTO BY AUBRIE OLIVER Summer Reads... 9 Career Path/Yearbook Look Book... 10 Student Activism/Summer Activites... 11
Feature Senior Reflection... 12 Graduation Checklist... 13 Principal’s Corner/College Acceptance... 14 PHOTO BY EVELYN LEIVA Epidemic of Pandemics... 15 Student Hangout Spots/Hobbies... 16 Xzavier Medina... 17 A&E Pot of Gold... 18 Summer Movies... 19 Green Day/The Real Group... 20
Sports
Winter Guard/Softball... 21 Sports Recap... 22 Sports Recap... 23
PHOTO BY ALANA RAMIREZ Red Mountain High School
Page 3- Table of Contents.indd 1 4/13/2017 8:00:52 AM 04 News Greatest Adventure By: Tatiana Hernandez Staff Writer PHOTOS COURTESY OF GERMAN CLUB
During June of 2016, Red Mountain German students visited the North Sea With a smile on her face, junior Kazhra Angelique Kelcho leans against the Island of Sylt in Germany. Berlin Wall during her 2016 summer trip.
fter a stressful school year, some foreign language stu- French students will visit the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Adents leave the U.S on school-sponsored trips to explore Cathedral, the Loire Valley and the Mona Lisa. different countries and immerse themselves in the language “I love the French culture,” junior Stephanie Wiggins said. they’ve been learning all year. The Spanish students are trav- “I am most excited to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and eling to Costa Rica, French students are going to France and experience the new food, culture and the different people.” England, and the German students are traveling to Germany. During the last couple days on the trip, the students will Trips range from 8 to 24 days. take France’s high speed train to London. While in London, The German students depart May 30 and will return June they will visit many popular sites like the Big Ben, Piccadilly 22. Since German students will still be in school, the Amer- Circus and St. Paul’s Cathedral. ican students will attend school in Germany, where they will “Being outside the United States overall is exciting,” junior present to the school in German. Makenzie Armstead said. “But visiting a city like London “We are hoping the students learn a lot of German in the makes it more exciting. I’m so thrilled to interact with differ- 24 days they are in Germany,” German teacher Herr Cole ent people and try new foods.” said. “They are required to keep a journal where they com- The Spanish students will explore Costa Rica when they plete their homework each night.” arrive May 28 and depart home June 5. They will stay the first On June 1 the French students will depart to France and night at a hotel, then students will stay with a host family for return home on June 11. the five remaining days. “At first, thinking about going to someone else’s house, I was a little nervous because I didn’t want to only have one other person translate,” junior Sierra Bailey said. “But, the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I think that being fully engaged with the culture will really help me use what I’ve learned more effectively, while still learning about the culture and the people in Costa Rica.” The students will teach Costa Rican elementary students English, games and painting. “For me, a lot of what gives life meaning is helping people,” junior Trinity Wolff said. “That genuinely happy feeling of making an impact, however small, on another person’s life cannot be beat. Add that to always energetic and smiling kids, and you are bound to have at least a few moments of pure joy when every problem becomes irrelevant.” After a jammed-packed school year, the students deserve a break of exploring new places and cultures. For more informa- tion about the foreign language trips, contact Señora Thomp- son in Room 251, Madame Bute in Room 259 or Herr Cole in Room 703. Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 4 Template- Left.indd 1 4/13/2017 8:01:21 AM 05 News 4/13/2017 9:59:16 AM - - - PHOTO BY EVELYN LEIVA PHOTO BY HAILEY HARDY PHOTO BY ELIJAH MCKAY Red Mountain High School A. B. C. - - - - Fire Ball on April 9. PHOTO BY GERRY GROEBER PHOTOGRAPHY (GERRYGROEBER.COM) lecture hall and 3:15 p.m. in The Commons. For more infor For more in The Commons. hall and 3:15 p.m. lecture at [email protected] or mation, visit or contact Ms. Makin Office in The Commons. American at the Native stop by “We go on a lot of field trips to colleges,” sophomore sophomore field trips to colleges,” go on a lot of “We and MCC earlier to ASU went said. “We Nanonka Nikomare about what opportunities helped us learn which are this year, in the future.” for us available that inform mem presentations The club also conducts American Native the involving events bers about different community. mainly informed us Rock presentation Standing “The Pipeline,” Access the Dakota involving about the protests Lawny Schurz said. “There president and club sophomore is also a that the pipeline will break—it is a huge possibility that is trying water not only for the people to save movement there.” the people around but for Reservation on the Sioux a sup students develop and fundraisers, events Through portive them gain leadership skills community that will help the course of the year. over American Club Native do fundraising events,” “We the over said. “The students got together Ms. Makin Adviser Then they held the and baked cookies and brownies. weekend exercise.” bake sale after school—it was a nice teamwork welcomes all students to attend Club American Native The are college conferences However, events. their informative The club meets only. American students to Native exclusive both at 7:30 a.m. in the 800 math Wednesday every other carnival on the morning news. carnival - - 9, carnival patrons ride the Scrambler. 9, carnival Enjoying rides, carnival goers enjoy the goers enjoy rides, carnival Enjoying C. Attending the Mountain Lion Carnival, Fox Fox Lion Carnival, the Mountain Attending Enjoying the Mountain Lion Carnival on April Lion Carnival on the Mountain Enjoying A. B. 10 News reporter Cory McCloskey promotes the promotes Cory McCloskey reporter 10 News
ticket booth and collecting tickets at rides. Lion the annual Mountain Overall, had something for everyone. Carnival en to the live the food and rides From did not carnival tertainment, this year’s disappoint. “From footballs, uniforms and equip “From expenses and food, the car ment to travel the best our boys provide us to allows nival high school football experience possible,” said. Peterson Coach Mike Head Varsity in jerseys helped to run players Football the voluntary Coaches believe the event. skills that will develop helps the boys work for college and life. Par help them prepare performedticipating football players tasks like taking out the trash, managing the PHOTO BY MS. MAKIN PHOTO BY MS. - Staff Writer By: Evelyn Leiva Staff Writer By: Julianna Head By: Julianna
Carnival was held on April 6–9 on held on April was Carnival he seventh annual Mountain Lion annual Mountain he seventh Native American Club, the Native American Education Program Program Education Club, the Native American Native American Big-Crow and lawyer Stephanie Hunts-in-Winter Timothy director gather together. After the Standing Rock presentation on March 10, Members of the Rock presentation the Standing After munity events to help develop leadership skills. The Native Native leadership skills. The to help develop munity events a of 2016 by in December American Club was rechartered coming from of about 20 students, a majority of them group students American Native Nation. Yavapai McDowell the Fort throughout college conferences in this club can attend several intended to guide them to the opportuni which are the year, ties specific to them. Students who join Red Mountain’s new Native American new Native Mountain’s who join Red Students about the Native the opportunityClub have more to learn while also partaking in campus and com American culture
Native American Club American Native Football Players Play Fair Football Players views the carnival as a way to bring the views the carnival teens some community together and give thing fun to do. were available for pre-sale or purchase at or purchase for pre-sale available were the gate the day of the event. Football Association Mountain Red The attend, continuous live entertainmentattend, continuous live with and local bands were a DJ, dance groups While admission to for free. all available unlimited ride tickets was free, the carnival secured 20 full-sized rides for the event, rides for the event, 20 full-sized secured including the 100-foot “Vertigo.” to a big enough reason rides weren’t If ever before. To attract people to the event, attract people to the event, To before. ever Association Football Mountain the Red Amusements and up with Butler paired Mountain’s football program. Mountain’s of carnival successful years After several was back and bigger than fun, the carnival Mountain Football Association’s biggest Association’s Football Mountain and was held of the year fundraising event to raise funds for athletes in Red in order the football field. The carnival was the Red was the the football field. The carnival T Page 5 Template- Right.indd 1 06 News
Plasma Robotics Going to World Championship in Houston NEWS Plasma Robotics is celebrat- to compete in a special challenge. ing their 10th year with a trip This year’s challenge was FIRST Prom Information STEAMworks, and the robot had to World Championships in May 13 from 7–10 p.m. to shoot whiffle balls, hang gears, Houston, Texas. Plasma had Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201 and climb four feet up a rope. a successful season and won Theme: Our Last Adventure Besides competing with their awards at both FIRST Robotics Ticket Prices: May 1–5, $55; May 8–10, $65; May 11, $70 (last robot, Plasma also does a lot of Competition regional events day to purchase tickets). Tickets will not be sold at the door. outreach and service. They have they attended. Visitor’s Pass: Visitor’s Pass $10 in Front Office; Visitors cannot traveled all over the valley pro- At the Utah Regional, they enter without RMHS student moting STEM at places such as finished in second place and Spirit Days: the Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona won the Excellence in Engi- Monday: Mickey Monday (Disney) Diamondbacks. neering award. At the Arizona Tuesday: Would You Still Take Me to Prom If I Wore This? West Regional, they PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBOTICS (Crazy Clothes) won the Industrial De- Wednesday: Where Are You Going? (College T-shirts) sign Award sponsored Thursday: Time’s Up (Wear Blue and Yellow, Bring Rose for by General Motors. Prom Date) In Houston, they Friday: Field Trip (Tourist) will compete against 400 other teams from PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA around the world. Each year Plasma has six weeks to build a robot Voices Writing Contest Winners Voices is a Writing Contest for Mesa Public Schools sponsored by the Curriculum & Instruction Department. Poetry Narrative Riley Duemler (9th) Michael Borrmann (11th) Madison Grams (9th) Justin Bump (12th) Irvin Coronel Torres (10th) Essay Alondra Lopez Olvera (12th) Hunter Katen (12th) Cassandra Quinonez (12th) Important End-of-Year Dates Red Mountain Honored at All-State Festival Debts/Fees: There will be a list of students with outstanding Several Band, Choir and Orchestra students were recognized as debts posted in the hallway near the Bookstore by April 3. Be top in Arizona at the 2017 Arizona All-State Festival. sure to check this list. If you do not have debts listed in the Choir: Orchestra: hallway, you will need to return your current textbooks to your Matthew Long – bass Mark Manaloto – 1st violin classes when your teacher tells you to do so. Library books will Brigham Blackhurst – bass Juliana Good – viola also need to be returned to the Media Center in a timely manner. Miles Hull – bass Rachel Einecker – viola, alternate Academic Awards Night: May 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditori- Anthony Procopio – tenor Band um hosted by Academic Booster Club. Andrew Seeley – tenor Yuki Kuno – euphonium, band MDLP Drop Dead Date: By Thursday, May 11, all MDLP Desmond O’Connell – tenor Brandon Good – bassoon, orchestra coursework and final exam must be submitted by this deadline. Mandalyn Larsen – alto Kathryn Hall – clarinet, band Scholarship/Awards Assembly: May 16 at 9 a.m. in the Audito- Reagan Bentley – alto rium (By Invitation Only) ABODA Area Concert Festival Results: Lenovo Computers: Devices will be returned beginning May 18 Honor Band – Excellent during English class. Red Mountain Symphony Orchestra – Superior with Distinction Senior Meeting: May 18 at 9:55 a.m. in the Auditorium. (all judges awarded Superior) Textbooks: Must be returned to the Bookstore by May 22. Chamber Orchestra – Superior with Distinction
Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 6.indd 1 4/13/2017 10:05:27 AM 07 News 4/13/2017 10:04:03 AM
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PHOTO BY SHERI COMPTON PHOTO COURTESY OF SAVE THE CORD FOUNDATION CORD THE SAVE OF COURTESY PHOTO Red Mountain High School - Save the Date Save the Steve Rushing 5K On Thursday, April 27, Red Mountain will Mountain Red April 27, Thursday, On Expo and STEM Capstone ever host the first in the 800 building. 5–7:30 p.m. from Held on March 11, Red Mountain High School hosted High Mountain 11, Red on March Held about 50 were 5K. There Rushing Steve W. its annual W. raised for the $1,250 was runners and approximately scholarship fund. Sophomore Rushing Steve division Bourgeois won first place in the men’s Broderick Bourgeois won first eighth grader Brenna and Fremont division. place in the women’s High Mountain original Red was an Rushing Steve have To golf coach for 25 years. School teacher and girls’ his memory a $2,500 scholarship was estab honored, each lished for graduating seniors. The scholarship is given the qualities to a qualifying senior who represents year and work hard – integrity, he demonstrated and inspired dedication. - Next Generation: Cord Blood part of their Blood Cord Generation: Next curriculum. and Torrey’s Ms. our children, “Inevitably, benefit the most from students, will Ms. Gazda’s the NEXT They are in medicine. this evolution and they deserve to know,” GENERATION said. “Regardless Foundation the Cord Save a hoping to pursue of whether or not they are blood and related the use of cord STEM career, need to We to stay. here cellular therapies are can we how need to know We understand it. fami for our of new treatments take advantage lies and ourselves.” information, visit http://www. more For savethecordfoundation.org/. Service Award munity Service award from from munity Service award Year of the Citizen the Mesa a received Association. Moser Eligible $1,000 scholarship. candidates must complete at least 150 service hours during high school and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong is community service. Moser of Lion Link Crew, president serves band on the marching leadership team and is on the track team. Senior Rebecca Moser was Moser Rebecca Senior Com the Student awarded PHOTOS BY SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS Senior Wins Community - RM Senior Wins $5,000 Scholarship her essay at http:www.ncpa. org/youth/young-patriot-es say-contest-2017. The Benefits of Free Trade” Trade” Free Benefits of The 700 entries was one of over See the country. across from Good learned about the Young Young learned about the Good from Essay Contest Patriots essay titled Ms. Cupryk. Her and Possibilities: “Production about whether international in are trade agreements free of the U.S. the best interest the National Center for Policy for Policy Center the National essay contest and a $5,000 scholarship for her essay Senior Juliana Good won Good Juliana Senior Sewell, Bibiana Caballero, Brenden O’Brien and Andralyn Allred secured fourth place. secured and Andralyn Allred O’Brien Brenden Caballero, Bibiana Sewell, On April 7 at Mesa Community College, Mr. Leverington’s Economics students participated and placed in the “Own Your Your participated students Economics and placed in the “Own Leverington’s College, Mr. Community 7 at Mesa April On a garnered and Catherine Kiener Crofts Paige Challenge. Seniors Economics Competition at the “Mayor’s Freedom” Financial place; and seniors Emma third Campbell received and junior Marissa Karah Hiltunen McCuistion, second place; seniors Baylee non-controversial stem cells and for making non-controversial Next Generation: Cord Blood wanted to Blood Cord Generation: Next that students thank them both for making sure and learn about the latest in cellular therapies and truly appreciate what they are learning when what they are and truly appreciate their they see the need for this information in said. Foundation the Cord Save lives,” own to help students understand the importantto help students understand of They make science fun and science in our lives. that students will only learn They know real!! Ms. Torrey and Ms. Gazda as Outstanding as Outstanding and Ms. Gazda Torrey Ms. the topic relevant how for recognizing Educators blood is to their students. of cord hard work and Gazda Torrey “Everyday Next Generation: Cord Blood recognized recognized Blood Cord Generation: Next Students Take Top Awards at Economics Competition Students Take Top Awards at
Ms. Torrey and Ms. Gazda Recognized as Outstanding Educators Ms. Gazda Recognized as Ms. Torrey and BRIEFS: Page 7.indd 1 08 News
“Up” With Yearbook Distribution
By: Kennedy Palaschuk The Yearbook Distribution Event takes “Each year, we tie the distribution theme Staff Writer place on Friday, April 28, for students who to the yearbook theme,” Yearbook Adviser have purchased their book by April 13. Ms. Saquella said. “For example, the year-
PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA One of the biggest events on campus, the book theme is ‘Our Greatest Adventure,’ yearbook distribution, is an annual celebra- which comes from the Disney movie ‘Up.’ tion that allows students who pre-purchased The distribution event will include the mov- their yearbook the opportunity to receive ie soundtrack and ideas from the movie like it before their classmates for a $1 entrance lots of balloons.” fee. Extra materials such as Sharpies, book Along with the decorations, students covers and extra autograph pages will be win prizes if they find a golden ticket in sold. Students also have the opportunity to their yearbook. Students also can watch pay $5 for a VIP concierge service that lets a slideshow at the event featuring various them bypass the long lines. pictures from the yearbook. “I can’t wait for everyone to see this year’s “I’m looking forward to people looking yearbook,” senior and managing editor at the book for the first time and hearing Nicole Sedillo said. “We put so much time what they have to say about it,” Yearbook and effort into it, and I know everyone will Editor-In-Chief and senior Stella Proudfit love it.” said. “It just shows how our hard work pays This year, the yearbook staff chose the off.” theme “Our Adventure Book,” based on For more information on the Yearbook Disney Pixar’s movie “Up.” The yearbook Distribution Event, see Ms. Saquella in cover is styled after the adventure book in Room 313. the movie with a vintage feel. International Journalists Visit Publication Classes Special Contributors: Roar Staff n Feb. 16, the Roar Magazine and It just blows me away,” senior and Roar personal and professional, U.S. Citizens OPinnacle Yearbook students hosted 21 Magazine Editor-in-Chief Paul Stanton take part in Citizen Diplomacy—One international investigative journalists, three said. “They encouraged me to push myself Handshake at a Time, becoming part international visitors’ liaisons and two state harder. When I told them about things I of the U.S. Department of State foreign department officers as part of a program want to do, they didn’t just nod and smile, policy efforts. with Global Ties Arizona, a council for they told me to go out and do it. That’s the “As I stood in the room yesterday, I international exchange. The International mindset I will take from this experience. I thought how lucky these students are Visitor Leadership Program is the U.S have never met a group of more dedicated because connecting them to experts for an Department of State’s premier diplomatic individuals.” authentic experience empowers them like exchange. The international visitors were These relationships are often life-al- no textbook can,” Assistant Principal of described as “The UN of Investigative Jour- tering. Through these interactions, both Student Services Ms. Creaser said. nalists,” and represented countries from around the world. Their goal was to gain PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA a deeper understanding of other cultures, political systems and people. The visitors shared information with the students about their respective coun- tries and experiences as journalists, learned about the journalistic writing skill-building programs the school offers and heard about the schools 2015 Arizona Interscholastic Press Association’s awards. Red Mountain High School was the only high school the international investigative journalists visit- ed while in the United States. “I felt honored to meet with people who have dedicated their lives to uncover- ing the truth. They love what they do, and Red Mountain publication students group together for a photo with international visitors after a day of to have them interested in what we do… information sharing. Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 8.indd 1 4/13/2017 8:03:17 AM 09 Opinion Your Summer in Books By: Paul Stanton Editor-in-Chief Something Old, Something New, Something Funny, Something True
COURTESY OF GOOGLE BOOKS n some lands summer brings sports, sunshine, the wonder of rebuilding, but evolving—in his eyes we cannot fight our envi- Ibeing outside. But in the heart of the Sonoran desert, where ronment or even leave it, only join it. (Hardcover, 336 pages: summer burns hot enough to ground planes like a New York pairs best with a standard GMO hamburger composed of a blizzard, Arizonans find themselves listening more often to the not-meat patty on a not-quite-bread bun with a slice of definite- hum of the air conditioner than the buzz of bees on wildflow- ly-not-cheese, spread liberally with a paste of tomato-flavored ers. No better time or place exists for reading than Arizona in polyethylene. Above all do not attempt to fully understand, be summer. So to save you the pain and suffering of having a huge content and enjoy.) chunk of reading time and not a single good book in the house, “Bellwether” Connie Willis I’ve compiled a list of four books to stock up before school ends. It’s always a struggle to review the most awarded author in “Grass” Sheri S. Tepper science fiction and fantasy, but “Bellwether” isn’t your typical If you’ve ever wished for a version of “Dune” as written by highly-awarded, hoity-toity fare. It’s a razor of a social comedy, Ursula K. Le Guin, “Grass” will not disappoint. It manages to cathartic to read for those fed up with the endless beaurocracy combine the massive sweep of a classic sci-fi with the intense of school life. Willis explores the frivolous causes for human inner lives of characters more typical of modern genre writing. activity, even the activities we take seriously. Like any good farce, Tepper’s writing shifts nimbly between simple prose and “Bellwether” spirals out of control and just when the plot seems trance-like lyricism, clearly delineating the lines between the to have imploded, pulls back together, revealing a perfect lattice- everyday Orwellian madness of Marjorie Westriding-Yrarier’s work of interconnected elements. life at the start of the novel, and the hypnogogic madness into Fans of John Green will find a more mature, in-depth which she is drawn on the planet Grass, where she and her fam- approach to a familiar type of writing. (Paperback, 243 pages: ily have become ambassadors with a secret mission. (Paperback, good, fluffy fun for people who take themselves too seriously. 476 pages: intensely readable but a bit heavier than the other Read instead of filling out needless paperwork.) three books. Save for long stretches of uninterrupted reading “Without You There is No Us” Suki Kim time.) Don’t be fooled by the label on the cover, this is no memoir. “Borne” Jeff VanderMeer Journalist Suki Kim recounts her year teaching undercover at Fresh from finishing his Southern Reach trilogy, whose first the only North Korean school in the country run by Westerners. book “Annihilation” won the 2015 Nebula Award, VanderMeer The Pyongyang University of Science and Technology is a school sets out in “Borne” to continue his exploration of the New as tightly run as a prison and by Kim’s account with worse food, Weird, a genre he named and has become the self-appointed run by a group of evangelical Christians who seek to use their champion of. position as teachers to evangelize the sons of North Korea’s elite. An unnamed city plagued by the biotech left by The Compa- Of course these missionaries pretend they are nothing more ny, an entity that has long since abandoned these ruins, now ruled than simple teachers, and Kim herself must use a double layer by the giant, flying bear Mord. In this city of scavengers, Rachel of deception: pretending she is a missionary pretending to be a adopts a scrapped piece of amorphous biotech, whom she names teacher and not a journalist bent on revealing to the world the Borne, who seems to be both sentient and growing. hidden lives of people in the world’s most brutal dictatorship. VanderMeer’s specializes in apocalyptic landscapes, yet his (Paperback, 320 pages: personal, slow at times and deeply trou- stories don’t revolve around survival, but adaption, not bling. Read in a sunlit place.) Red Mountain High School
Page 9.indd 1 4/13/2017 10:03:06 AM 10 Opinion
By: Gillian McComeskey The Journey Begins Staff Writer s graduation approaches, seniors prepare themselves for the The advisors assist students in researching scholarships and giving Afuture and endure the stress in order to reach their career goals. them motivation to push forward to careers. “Reaching the goal of playing football in college and fulfilling “I plan to go to MCC for one semester, then go on a mission my scholarship is the most important thing in my life right now,” for the Church Of Latter Day Saints when I turn 19. When I senior Dylan Kelley said. “There will always be obstacles in life, return, I plan to move back to Utah to finish my bachelor’s in but I know that I need to stay motivated and be determined to elementary teaching,” senior Estella Beeson said. “I am currently in childhood development, which is such continue pushing through them.” PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA Even juniors are taking the early a fun class where I get to help a preschool steps to achieve their dreams. From student.” researching colleges and occupations to Sometimes, however, seniors can be making appointments in the student tempted to slack off and lose sight of PHOTO BY STEN [CC BY-SA 3.0], VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS advisor’s office, juniors are setting new their goals. With the help of the advisors, standards for their peers. students are kept on the rigorous course “The advisors and teachers have to graduation and future professions. prepared me a lot, especially this year,” “While there are a lot of students junior Alexa Davis said. “My teachers who have seen how their hard work has have given me tasks and homework paid off and continue to give it their all, that not only have taught me academic there are far too many students who feel knowledge but life knowledge. Respon- Speaking to a representative from GCU at the Science Fair they deserve an ‘easy’ senior year,” Senior sibility is something everybody has to and STEM Expo on Feb. 10, sophomore John Dawson takes Advisor Ms. Zeper said. “That's a tough a step to reach his academic goals. take on at some point in our lives. I was mindset because your senior year is just really able to get a feel for it this year through the assignments as important as any other year.” my teachers have given me. My teachers also gave me hope and Careers are all about the decisions that one makes in life, excitement for what the future can bring.” especially in high school. This is an important step in life as well With the help of the student advisors, seniors are able to get as succeeding in high school and college. For more information support regarding minor or major situations concerning their about career planning, visit http://www.mpsaz.org/rmhs/services/ futures. counseling/. Pinnacle Yearbook Featured Red Mountain High School’s year- The Red Mountain High School book, Pinnacle, has been recognized Pinnacle yearbook was one of only 418 in 2017 Jostens "Look Book" for excellence and featured in the 2017 yearbooks selected from approximate- Special Contributors: Roar Staff Jostens "Look Book", celebrating the ly 3,000. The 2017 panel of judges, best-of-the-best in yearbook design and comprised of nationally recognized coverage. The Jostens "Look Book" scholastic journalism professionals is a collection of spreads and photos and award-winning yearbook advisers, from outstanding yearbooks and their selected the best examples of yearbook creative themes, cool covers, dazzling spreads and covers to make up the 344- designs, relevant coverage, storytelling page 2017 Look Book. copy and action-packed photography. “Yearbooks are unique, limited Along with design excellence, the annu- edition books created by students to ally published "Look Book" honors the capture the stories and events for all important role well-crafted yearbooks of the school’s students and Jostens is play in helping schools chronicle the proud to celebrate the yearbook tradi- experiences, stories and achievements tion and the 418 yearbooks selected for most relevant to students and that the 2017 Jostens Look Book, said Gary academic year. Lundgren, editor. “Today’s yearbooks The Pinnacle was created by are very sophisticated in terms of visual Editor-in-Chief’s Jordyn Holman and presentation and the relevant and inclu- Jake Baker under the direction of Ms. sive content that is featured.” Saquella, Red Mountain High School The first Pinnacle yearbook began in yearbook adviser. the fall of 1989. Throughout the years, “This just further confirms how the annual has received numerous awards amazing our 2016 yearbook really was,” including a First Place for General Excel- Ms. Saquella said. “I am so proud of my lence in the 2016 Arizona Interscholastic students who are so deserving of this Press Association contest for excellence recognition.” in journalism. Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 10.indd 1 4/13/2017 10:00:02 AM 11 Opinion A Slice Of Summer By: Ava Hansen Editor PHOTO COURTESY OF YEARBOOK As the summer season rapidly ap- Other students spend the summer meet- proaches, students are already making ing up with friends to go to conventions plans. Some students are spending their or other activities in Phoenix such as the summer travelling, preparing for college Phoenix Comicon in late May. and visiting large attractions. “I go to the Phoenix Comicon every “My favorite summer memory was year because I’m into many different genres when my best friend and I went to Costa of things like anime, comic books, movies Rica together. I liked it because it was and superheroes. My friends and I also my first time travelling alone, and it was dress up to go,” junior Johanna Contryman so much better because my friend was said. “I make the costumes and we always there,” senior Diana Kwiatkowski said. get a lot of compliments. It’s a fun place “We just had a really fun time. When filled with people with similar interests as there, we went hiking on volcanoes, me, and I would highly recommend going ziplining, went to the beach and learned because it is a great experience.” about the culture there.” Some summer ideas include volunteer- Some students find themselves taking ing, heading to the lake with some friends, the time to visit colleges and plan for taking up a new hobby, finding a new show their future. This can include summer to watch on Netflix or relaxing by the pool. learning programs, internships and Some places to cool off are Sunsplash, camps. Arizona Grand Waterparks and Big Surf. Standing on the edge of a cliff, seniors Tyler Mansell, “For the summer, I’m going to be Other ideas include the Butterfly Wonder- Katherine Smith, Ashleigh Peterson, junior Mckell spending a lot of time preparing for my land, OdySea Mirror Maze or the OdySea Mansell and sophomore Caroline Smith go cliff college applications in the fall,” junior Aquarium. For more ideas on activities over jumping at Saguaro Lake. Mia Ramos said. “I’ve been captivated by the summer, go to https//:www.teenadvice. Stanford since the sixth grade, so I’m very about.com/od/entertainment/a/fun-things- excited to finally see the campus.” to-do-in-the-summer-for-teenagers.
By: Trent Stimac Political Passion Staff Writer emocracy is a long held facet of Ameri- “I really take to heart what he said because he Dcan society. With fewer people voting, it wasn’t pushing his agenda, he simply wanted is now more important than ever for students us to be active.” to participate. Other students participate in democracy by “Students may not realize that they can going to rallies held by politicians. This allows make a difference in society, but they can,” students to understand a political platform Government teacher Mr. Buckley said. “They and be around people who are passionate for have a voice, and they should use it to their politics. advantage.” “I recently went to a Trump rally,” junior Some students are already getting involved Jason Warth said. “I get that it’s controversial, in participating in democracy by joining clubs but the people there were more concerned such as Model UN, We The People, Academ- about raising awareness for issues that mat- ic Decathlon, Student Council, and Speech tered to them, and they wanted the President and Debate that inform students on political to hear their voices and let him know that processes, such as how a bill is passed. It is they still mattered.” important in a democracy that citizens are in- There are many opportunities to involve formed enough to have opinions on different democracy in a student’s daily life and to issues. make a difference. “I joined a political club, On The Issues, “I try to input democracy into daily classes led by John McCain, and he told us no mat- to get students thinking about it, how it works
ter what side we are on, it is very important and how much of a difference their voices PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB WRIGHTSMAN for us to be active participants in democ- make,” Mr. Buckley said. After learning about the democratic racy because we need to be the checks and Democracy is a driving force in American process, senior Jacob Wrightsman poses with Senator John McCain. balances for our government,” senior Jacob society. It is society’s responsibility to embrace Wrightsman said. the ideas that embody it. Red Mountain High School
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Moving Forward and Looking Back Senior Reflection By: Veronica Moraila Copy Editor
ver the past four years, the class of PHOTO BY JESUS MORAILA my team, my coaches or any of our hard O2017 has been through countless work and achievements over the years.” experiences, both good and bad. As this Participating in sports has given year’s graduates get ready to say goodbye, students countless opportunities to break they are beginning to reflect on the mem- not only school records, but their own. ories made and express their gratitude “I was involved in track and field all towards their years at Red Mountain. through high school,” senior Kendly “What surprised me the most about Jones said. “I was able to compete as a high school was how much of an influ- state-level athlete in discus. One of my ence it would have on who I am as a per- best memories is pulling up to the meet son,” senior Lindsay Gardner said. “The we had competed at and just knowing past four years in high school have hosted that all my hard work has paid off.” Because high school can be a challenge huge changes in my life, and each year Standing in front of Red Mountain, seniors Lindsay I have learned something new that has Gardner and Jazmin Park pose for their senior photos. just as much as it is enjoyable, maintain- helped me grow and better understand ing a positive attitude can be difficult who I would like to be.” during a student’s high school career can without support. Every student has their favorite year of last a lifetime. “I would say my mom helped me high school, whether if it’s when they met “I think I’ll always remember junior realize the most,” senior Jazmin Park said. their best friends or the year they learned and senior year the most,” senior Leilani “She made me realize not to worry about the most. Abinosa said. “I met incredible people the little things when it comes to high “Junior year was my favorite year that I strongly connected with and made school. We still have so much to learn because I found a stable group of friends unforgettable memories with. They and so much ahead of us in our lives.” I know I’ll continue talking to even after hold the greatest value in my heart and Although some students may feel graduation,” senior Kylie Mercer said. “I memories.” relieved to be finished with high school, also enjoyed taking classes with seniors Being involved in school activities there is also a sense of nostalgia. and learning about the things to look such as sports have allowed students to “It’s crazy to think we’re leaving,” forward to my senior year. It was easier create unforgettable moments. Abinosa said. “But I know I’ll love and talking to my [senior] classmates, too, "I’ll never forget my tennis team cherish the memories I made here at Red because they were able to open up to me during my last two years at Red Moun- Mountain.” and share their experiences.” tain,” Abinosa said. “Last year, we fought Experience after experience, the class Meeting new people may seem our way all season and to State, and they of 2017 is ready to prepare for their challenging, but some friendships made pushed me to lengths I never thought future and begin a new chapter in their I’d reach. I can never forget my girls, lives.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA SEWELL PHOTO BY MACHELLE JONES
Excited to attend Brigham Young University, seniors Annie Allen, Allison Newman Visiting her future college, senior Kendly Jones stands by the Utah State and Emma Sewell display the BYU hand sign. University sign.
PHOTO BY HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/WIKI/FILE:GRADUATION_CAP.PNG Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
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Checking Out of High School Graduation Checklist By: Alexis Hernandez Staff Writer
PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA he class of 2017 graduates “I’m keeping track of my TMay 25 on the football checklist by reminding myself field at 7 p.m., but before they of short term goals and tasks are able to say goodbye to I need to accomplish,” senior their high school lives, there Kylie Mercer said. “I know are a few tasks that must be for a fact that I want to have a crossed off the senior checklist. bonfire with a group of friends Although academics plays a and burn all of our school- large role in the process, there work.” are other components in pre- Everyone’s checklist varies. paring for the ceremony. For some students, giving “Before graduation, I thanks to teachers is a priority. need to pick up my cap and “I would like to help the gown, apply for more schol- teachers who have influenced arships, visit colleges and get me, like Mr. Whetten,” senior senior pictures done,” senior Abigail Bickley said. “In Madison Moore said. “I’m also addition, I would like to walk going to take an annoyingly down the awkward stairs [east abundant amount of pictures of the 100 building] one last with all my friends.” time.” Everyone’s checklist varies As senior year comes to depending on the student’s a close, the seniors check off goals for the future. Many their list and a new chapter simply keep mental notes for begins. For more information Patiently waiting to receive their high school diplomas, last year's seniors sit what must be completed be- about graduation, visit Ms. through the graduation ceremony. fore the end of high school. Creaser in Administration.
Are You Ready? Senoritis? That's right, it's finally here, graduation is just around All Credit Hours Completed the corner. But are you sure you're ready? Check off the items on our list Return Computer, Gear, Textbooks to make sure that your graduation goes just as stellar Pay all Fees as you've always dreamed. For more Purchase Cap, Gown, Announcements information about graduation, visit the senior page at http:// Fill out your ECAP www.mpsaz.org/rmhs/ seniors-2017. Finish all MDLP courses by May 11
Register at www.gradimages.com for a
PHOTO COURTESY OF picture of you receiving your your diploma SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS Red Mountain High School
Page 13.indd 1 4/13/2017 8:38:39 AM 14 Feature Principal’s Post By: Mr. Ryan DERIVATE OF PHOTO BY MEHMET PINARCI [CC 2.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Principal enioritis is supposedly an affliction PHOTO BY SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS As the end I hope any students who focus on this which takes over some students during of the year type of act understand that if done in the S approaches, their final year of school. This affliction Principal Mr. wrong way is jeopardizing the opportu- leads to lack of motivation, a reduced Ryan hopes nity to take part in graduation ceremo- level of academic performance and seniors make nies. Being removed from the ceremony ultimately creates bad habits which are good choices is very emotional for not only you but before hard to break. Often times, this condi- graduation. your family as well. The goal is for every tion may lead to an increased amount of single senior on campus to be part of that time thinking of senior trips, ditch-days special event and join us as we enter that and even pranks. While this time could stadium. It will be the last time you are be much more productive when used all together at the same time. It provides to prepare for college entrance exams an opportunity to celebrate all of your or completion of senior projects, many friends and family who have helped you students choose to simply focus on the to this point. less productive options. our expectation for the final month of the Make the final month the greatest yet When the discussion of senior pranks school year is for students to value and and take time to soak in the relationships is posed, I always like to focus on the respect our campus. you have developed over the last 13 years. difference between a great memory for There are ways to enjoy a fond mem- I am proud to be your principal and can’t students versus negatively impacting the ory of something from your senior year wait to watch you all throw your caps in campus. Just as we expect all students to without it causing damage or disrespect- the air on May 25. have fun without hurting other people, ing our beautiful school.
himself and how he contributes to Red “They are really looking for people Mountain and the Mesa community. with a broad range of skills, they are also Securing “The two most important rules to looking for people that are not just gener- follow are to apply early and to apply ally qualified but have something specific often. The more scholarships students that they really love and have passion for,” Scholarships apply to, the higher the chances a stu- Stanton said. “One of the stronger parts of By: Hailey Hardy Copy Editor dent has to receive them,” Payne said. my application was my portfolio because it From a milk mustache to perfect “It’s important always to be proactive was able to show all of the work I did over grades, scholarships are available for because many scholarship deadlines the last two years for Roar Magazine and anyone willing to put in the time and come sooner than the applicant Mind’s Eye.” effort to apply. thinks.” There are many opportunities for “There are scholarships that are just Most scholarships award students scholarships. With a lot of time, effort and based on grades and how students can with only small amounts of money organization, students can earn money for get full rides into colleges. However, for college. Students have to apply college. For more information on schol- with grades, they have to have a high to many and accumulate as much arships, visit the Career Center in The GPA, take challenging courses and be scholarship and grant money as pos- Commons. the top of the class,” senior advisor Ms. sible. Moreover, students must put in PHOTO COURTESY OF C JACOB PAYNE Zeper said. “For other scholarships out the time. For example, senior Juliana there that a student would be applying Good received a scholarship for an for, the scholarship would be looking essay she wrote. for not only a student’s GPA but what “This essay required a lot of re- type of person that student is and how search,” Good said to the East Valley they enrich the community of Mesa.” Tribune. “I think I spent four hours Senior C Jacob Payne received a full at the library one Saturday just to find ride to Yale University through a pro- the information I would use. As soon gram called QuestBridge. QuestBridge as I started researching, I was hooked is a scholarship program that looks at on this topic.” students to see how much they have Universities offer scholarships to accomplished throughout high school students for a number of reasons. and awards the top students with Senior Paul Stanton was accepted into tuition money for specific colleges. the University of Chicago and was QuestBridge gave Payne a scholarship offered financial aid based on his work based on his GPA, how he presents ethic and financial need. With the help of the QuestBridge scholarship, senior C Jacob Payne will attend Yale next fall. Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
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The Epidemic of Pandemics By: Maymuna Elmi Managing Editor
t’s dark, dank and eerily silent. Visitors Mike As Shah previously stated, most pathogens today actually PHOTO BY MANUEL ALMAGRO RIVAS (OWN WORK) [CC BY-SA 4.0], VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS ILindley-Jones, an Australian doctor, and two ecologists come from animals. Ebola came from bats; malaria, HIV and from EcoAlliance, a non-profit organization in the US, are most likely Zika came from monkeys; all sorts of influenzas in Gomantong, an ancient cave in the Borneo region of come from birds and the list goes on. When humans invade Malaysia with NPR. The cave, made of 20-million year old wildlife habitats or interfere in ways which bring them into limestone, is also the perfect hideout for bats. As the visitors contact with animals, there is great risk for disease to trans- make their way through, they are cautioned not to touch late between species. With travel happening so much these the bat guano, or waste, which could contain potentially days due to tourism, humans and animals come into contact dangerous materials. more and more. Bats are a species known for carrying viruses, some of Tourism isn’t all bad, though. For example, the Goman- which are harmful to humans. However, bats are an essential tong cave has become something of an ecotourist hotspot. part of the rainforest, as they are pollinators for over 500 Tourists from all around the world come to visit this cave, as plants. well as the diverse wildlife in the surrounding rain forest. If it “We need to recognize that there may be potential health wasn’t for tourism, there’s a healthy chance this forest would risks when people and wildlife come together, and that’s have been cut down and converted into palm oil plantations. why we’re working to understand and limit those risks,” It is necessary that we strike a balance between benefiting disease ecologist with EcoAlliance Kevin Olival said. Olival from the environment and disease prevention through stay- and his team, while searching this cave and the nearby ing away from the animals’ natural habitats. area, found 48 new viruses, including one related to SARS. In the event that a huge pandemic breaks out, it likely Historically, however, major diseases have come from do- won’t be one of these rare forms of disease such as Ebola or mesticated animals and not wild ones. The fact that the crop Zika, it will be a form of influenza, and Shah says this is what of diseases in the last several decades has mainly come from really keeps virologists up at night. Influenza pandemics, al- wildlife is a fairly new development. though on a more minor level, happen every year. Due to the Disease and the potential risk in humans coming into evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which has happened contact with animals is science writer Sonia Shah’s subject because antibiotics are increasingly used in non-medically of choice. In her new book, Pandemic: Tracking Contagions necessary ways, we may end up facing an influenza which is from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond, Shah examines the his- resistant to our existing medications. Then a minor influenza tory and science of contagious disease. As Shah told NPR, becomes a major outbreak with no antibiotics to treat them, an important note from her research shows that humans and the death toll could be devastating. Our latest example continually put themselves in danger by “encroaching on of this is the 1918 flu, where our lowest estimates put the wildlife habitats.” According to her, 60 percent of all new death toll at around 100 million people. With the population pathogens come from animals. today being greater than it was then, the number of people a With all this potential for a new pathogen to turn into pandemic could reach is much larger. a widespread disease, the question becomes how we can prevent this from happening. This means we have to under- stand where diseases are coming from and what’s causing them to spread, which ultimately leads to a pandemic.
The Gomantong Cave, in the Borneo region of Malaysia, has been around This is a digitally-colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of for millions of years. This cave has been a hot tourist spot for the last Zika virus, which is thought to originate in rhesus monkeys. several decades. PHOTO BY CEPHOTO, UWE ARANAS, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS BY CDC/ CYNTHIA GOLDSMITH (HTTP://PHIL.CDC.GOV/PHIL/DETAILS.ASP?PID=20541) [PUBLIC DOMAIN], VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Red Mountain High School
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By: Amanda Henley Student Spotlight Staff Writer veryone is unique in their own way from those that are dou- Hobbies also can include taking care of pets or animals. Eble jointed to those who have rather interesting pets to those “I want to become an exotic animal veterinarian when I get who have unique hobbies. Some students have hobbies such as out of high school,” junior Hannah Gulden said. “I feel like baking and have started up their own food business. there’s not enough of them out there in the world and there’s still “There’s a guy in my neighborhood who has a bread service, so much more to learn about reptiles and what not. I’d like to and he delivers bread occasionally,” senior Kelby McHardy said. contribute to that.” “But he doesn’t do it on a consistent basis, so I didn’t know when Ranging from reptiles to small mammals and bugs, Gulden
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLIE MCHARDY it was going to happen. I finds herself working with animals in their spare time. thought, ‘I can do that, but I “When I was a little girl, I PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH GULDEN can do it better.’” lived in an area surrounded by Offering an array of differ- desert,” Gulden said. “There ent flavored breads, McHardy weren’t too many kids I knew, spends his time on campus so I would usually go out and selling anything from classic explore in the desert. When bread to his fan favorite cin- I was out there, I loved to namon bread. observe all the different animals “‘Bread Boy’ started out and their unique behaviors. It on teacher appreciation day was something I truly loved to last year, and of course it isn’t do. When I got older, I invest- normal for a student to be ed more of my time and money walking around with a bunch into exotic animals, specifically of bread, so they all asked reptiles. I don’t know who I about it,” McHardy said. “I would be without it.” told them I had a business Hobbies are a great way to and sold bread. That’s when explore different interests and Holding up homemade classic bread, I realized I could sell bread at careers. For ideas on hobbies to Holding up a snake, junior Hannah senior Kelby McHardy poses for a photo school.” start, visit http://www.notsobor- Gulden pursues her passion with to post on his website. inglife.com/list-of-hobbies. animals. Oh, The Places They Will Go By: Isaac Noriega Where do students go to relax and meet up with friends Staff Writer after school? Some students like to spend time with their friends before or after school getting food at places such as Geno’s Pizza PHOTO BY ISAAC NORIEGA and Little Caesars or going to coffee places such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros. “For me, Dutch coffee provides a dose of caffeine that acti- vates my brain and gives me an exhilarating amount of energy,” sophomore Amy Gomez Moreno said. “I highly recommended starting your morning with an Electric Berry Green Tea.” For most students, the school lunches do not provide enough food for them to be fully satisfied. This is why heading for a slice of pizza after school is a must. It’s affordable and well worth the wait. “Going to Geno’s after school is an escape from the stress of school and is a great way to communicate with friends,” soph- omore Rodrigo Maldonado Gomez said. “My friends and I just Benching his daily reps on March 31, junior Jose Romero Machorro lifts at like to hang out with a slice of pizza.” Fitness Works. Outside of restaurants, another location students enjoy going “I like to go to the gym to work out and hang with my to is the gym. The gym is a place where students go to stay fit friends,” junior Jose Romero Machorro said. “It’s a great form of and relieve themselves from the stress of life and school. Students exercise with my friends and to feel more motivated. also choose to exercise because it helps them achieve physical Wherever they choose to go, students enjoy their favorite fitness, which, alongside a balanced diet, is necessary to a healthy places before and after school to escape the stress of homework, lifestyle. relax and spend time with friends.
Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
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Near Death Offers Second Chance By: Elijah McKay The Story of Xzavier Medina Editor
n Nov. 18 the student body experienced tragedy when walk again, but he defied the odds and pushed through getting Ojunior Xzavier Medina was hit by a car while trying to back on his feet. Medina fought hard to regain his strength. retrieve his basketball in the road. This left him hospitalized in “In my coma, I had a dream. It was about my grandmother a coma with a brain hemorrhage and torn ligaments in his legs. who was very dear to me who died about a year ago,” Medina This near-death experience changed Medina completely. said. “I remember her telling me that I have to wake up and “Before the accident, I didn’t have a positive outlook on life; fight. When she extended her hand to me, I reached out for it I misbehaved in school and didn’t get along with my family,” and when she pulled me up, I woke up in the hospital bed. My Medina said. “When the accident first happened, I was rushed to last few days in the hospital were spent recovering. I was able hospital and was in a coma for about two weeks. The doctors said to start walking again and regaining my memory, which I am I wasn’t expected to wake back up, my family was devastated.” grateful for.” With a family of two younger brothers and a sister, his coma When Medina returned to school at the beginning of the left them, as well as his school family, extremely concerned. Ms. semester, he was welcomed back with open arms. He is working Lancaster, an office administrator, got to know Medina during hard to catch back up with his classes after missing so much the time he spent in the office waiting to be picked up by family school. After experiencing such a life changing event, Medina is members. When she heard news of the accident, she was heart- now working hard and appreciating life. broken. During the first week of December, Ms. Lancaster got a “My family was so grateful to know that I was recovering. call from the hospital saying Medina came out of the coma. They feared the worst was going to happen, but I wouldn’t let “When I got the call, I was ecstatic and knowing his mother that be the case,” Medina said. “I’m happy to be home and that I was out in California on a business trip, I rushed to the hospital,” was able to fight through. Life really gave me a second chance.” Lancaster said. “When he first saw me, he didn’t remember my name, but he recognized my face, and I was overjoyed. Once I told him my name, he remembered me clearly.” “When the accident first happened, I was To his doctors’ amazement, Medina recovered quickly despite rushed to hospital and was in a coma for his grave injuries. He started regaining most of his memory and about two weeks. The doctors said I wasn’t rehabilitation went well. Doctors said Medina wasn’t likely to expected to wake back up, my family was devastated.“ –Xzavier Medina
PHOTO BY SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS
Red Mountain High School
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By: Heilee Pentz Editor-in-Chief
Tickets cost about $70 per day and lockers were available for attendees. While many of the performances were well received by the crowd, there were a few hiccups in the event. “It was pretty positive for the most part,” sophomore Kaileah Goucher said. “It was really unorganized, and we were sitting in the sun waiting for someone to come on for four hours, but a lot of people were nice, and I got to see a lot of friends. It was my brother’s first music festival, and he got to go on stage, so I am glad he got to experience that.” Many vendors also attended the festival to sell a variety of products like food, shirts, temporary tattoos and other festival gear. Like other music festivals, many of these venders only accepted cash. “It was hard to find vendors that accepted credit,” Kelcho said. “Luckily, there were ATM’s around.” PHOTO BY HEILEE PENTZ Throughout the day on March 17, different types of bands G-Eazy performs one of his hit songs, “I Mean It,” at the Pot of Gold Music Festival on March 17. performed. The day started with more reggae based bands and ommemorating St. Patrick’s day on March 17 and 18, music shifted to rappers. The final act of the day was G-Eazy, the reason Cfans gathered at the Pot of Gold Music Festival for acts such many individuals went to the event. as Sublime with Rome, G-Eazy, Death Cab for Cutie and Flog- “My favorite artist was G-Eazy,” Kelcho said. “He ended ging Molly. This festival was held at Rawhide Event Center from the first night of Pot of Gold with a bang and left the audience 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. speechless.” “There was so much energy at Pot of Gold,” junior Kazhra Angelique Kelcho said. “Everyone was buzzing out of excitement about seeing their favorite artists, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.” Many different types of bands and music artists performed at this event including many reggae bands and rappers. “One of my favorite acts was Rae Sremmurd,” Kelcho said. “He put on an amazing act and invited everyone that could fit into the stage, so they had a great story to tell.”
Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 18.indd 1 4/17/2017 10:58:42 AM 19 A&E Summer of Superheroes and Sequels By: Lauren Godlewski Staff Writer eaturing everything from sequels of previously loved movies to and even if they are not very good, I feel like I have an obligation Fbrand new storylines, 2017 summer movies include some- to myself to continue to watch them.” thing for everyone. The “Despicable Me” series becomes a trilogy on June 30. This On May 5, the sequel to the beloved “Guardians of the Gal- movie introduces sibling rivalry between Gru and his long lost axy” comes into theaters. The movie follows the team of interga- identical brother, Dru. It also introduces a new villain, Balthazar lactic super heroes: Peter Quill, also known as Star Lord, Groot, Bratt, a former eighties child star that has held a grudge against Gamora, Drax and Rocket as they try to solve the mystery of the world since he hit puberty and his show was cancelled. Peter Quill’s parentage. “I am pretty stoked that there will be a new ‘Despicable Me “The first Guardians of the Galaxy was fantastic, so I cannot movie,’” Chatham said. “The thing that draws me back is all wait for the second movie. Chris Pratt is one of my favorite the great, cheesy humor. I think they keep making these movies actors, and I love to see all of his work,” sophomore Tyra Lam- because they are funny and make people happy.” oreaux said. “I am excited for the soundtrack considering how “Spiderman: Homecoming” premieres as the fourth movie awesome the first one was.” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3, following “Captain “Wonder Woman” premieres on June 2, which tells the story America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange” and “Guardians of the of Princess Diana of Themyscira as she meets an American pilot Galaxy Vol. 2.” This movie will not be an origin story of Spider- and faces the threats of Man’s World. man, but instead a coming-of-age high school story, with Spider- “Cars 3” hits theaters on June 16. Lightning McQueen is man being 15, a much younger age than the previous Spiderman. becoming one of the older cars on the race track, and he gets help “Spiderman Homecoming is different from the others be- from a friend to prove he is still the best. cause it will not explain the backstory of Peter Parker. We have “Transformer: The Last Night” premieres as the fifth movie already seen that twice, so they won’t make us watch it a third in the “Transformers” series on June 16. In the movie, Optimus time,” Lamoreaux said. “Spiderman has always been my favorite Prime has gone bad and returns to his home planet to find it a superhero from the very beginning. I love everything he’s in. wasteland and believes that he can restore it with an artifact. The movies are interesting to me because I love Peter Parker as a “I am excited to see that there will be Nemesis Prime and person. He is so dorky and adorable.” that he uses his full strength against his team,” sophomore Luke Many other movies of various genres are also coming out this Chatham said. “I keep coming back to this series because it is just summer. To find information on these movies and more, visit something I feel that I have to do. I love these kinds of movies http://www.harkinstheatres.com/ or your local movie theater. COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIOS Red Mountain High School
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By: Michaela Brown GREEN DAY’S REVOLUTIONARY COME BACK Copy Editor On Wednesday March 1, Green Day played an unforgettable “Their early/mid 2000’s music was sort of alternative and show at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Their tour titled “Revo- more like ballads with a little punk,” Wilson said. “Their last few lution Radio Tour” followed the release of their newest and 12th albums have just been pure rock and roll. It’s all great.” studio album, “Revolution Radio.” Green Day kicked off their “Revolution Radio Tour” this win- Green Day was formed in 1989, by members Billie Joe Arm- ter with their first U.S. show in Phoenix on March 1. The show strong (lead vocals, guitar) and Mike Dirnt (bass guitar) with was both nostalgic and revolutionary. The band played previous current member, Tré Cool (drums) songs as well as ones off their newest joining in 1990. Their under- PHOTO BY NAOMI LIR [CC BY-SA 2.0 VIA WIKIMEDIA album. They stopped to speak to the ground punk sound quickly spread COMMONS crowd many times throughout the night, throughout their hometown of Ro- with the addition of a few political state- deo, California, and by their 1994 ments along the way. release of their album “Dookie,” The show was very personal, and the they were quickly becoming one of band even called three fans on stage, the most influential punk bands of one of which was Red Mountain High their time. School junior Kenzie Halliday. Halli- Since then, releases of “Amer- day was hand-picked from the packed ican Idiot” and “21st Century crowd to play the second half of the Breakdown” brought them to the song “Knowledge” on stage with the top of the charts with iconic singles band, even getting to keep Armstrong’s such as, “American Idiot,” “Wake Performing at the Talking Stick Resort Arena, Billie Joe personal guitar. Me Up When September Ends” Armstrong ends the show with the song “Good Riddance “When Billie asked for a guitar play- (Time Of Your Life).” and “21 Guns.” er, my mind was thinking ‘there’s absolutely no way he’s going to “Green Day has a few different sounds, there’s something for spot me raising my hand and pick me,’” Halliday said. “But when anyone really,” junior Kristopher Wilson said. “Their old stuff he pointed at me and told me to get on the stage, my mind was from the early/mid 90’s was really punk, but their music from all over the place. When I finished playing and walked off stage, the late 90’s was a lot ‘nicer’ in a way.” the entire venue was chanting my last name, ‘Halliday! Halliday! Over the years, the band’s sound has gone from underground Halliday!’ and I got chills. It was sick.” pop-punk to full-out rock opera. With their new albums, came Throughout the years, Green Day has been a band of political brand new sounds. “Revolution Radio” was released on Oct. 7 passion, aggression and punk rock music. “The Revolution Radio of last year and included many of their traditional political punk Tour” perfectly portrayed sounds of the band’s musical histories as undertones as well as some new rock and roll influences. well as debuts.
A Jazzy Act PHOTO BY DANIELLE KERNAGHAN On March 28 By; Danielle Kernaghan the JazzKats Staff Writer perform their ed Mountain’s own jazz choir, the opening act for The Real RJazzKats, and NAU’s choir, the High Group. Altitudes, opened for a performance of The Real Group, an A Cappella jazz band that originated in Sweden in 1984, on March 28 in the auditorium. The Real Group performed multiple covers of popular songs. “Performing with The Real Group was a very humbling experience,” junior The JazzKats are one of the many The JazzKats had been preparing for Anthony Procopio said. “They were not music electives students can sign up for in this performance since the beginning of only extremely talented, but their genuine the performing arts department. However, February. They perform prearranged jazz quest to better society through music it does require an audition. The JazzKats songs and add their own unique jazzy tones singles them out from other groups.” only have been around for one year. to each cover. The JazzKats were the first group on “My favorite thing about JazzKats “A lot of the time though we can switch the stage, and at the end of the concert, is how it allows me to push myself as a it up by adding some tempos or adding they performed on stage with The Real vocalist. Before I joined choir, I knew scat solos and changing dynamics to make Group singing “Freedom” by George next to nothing about jazz,” senior Juliana it our own,” senior Kristen Woods said. Michael. Good said. “It really opened doors for The JazzKats performance with the “It was an amazing experience to be me as far as finding my vocal style and High Altitudes and The Real Group was able to perform with a professional jazz building musical styles like improvisations a hit in with the audience. To get more group, for me and for Red Mountain,” and sight-reading.” information about the JazzKats, contact senior Desmond O’Connell said. Mr. Johnston in Room 401. Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
Page 20.indd 1 4/13/2017 7:44:05 AM 21 Sports PHOTOS BY SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Nothing Soft About Softball By: Cebada Boyles Staff Writer Alyssa Honneywell Brittany Hertneky Jean Cothrun Tabitha Shupe Mya Davis Salena Solis
Fifty-two years of combined softball playing PHOTO BY MS. SAQUELLA hear was our student section being really loud. It was experience is about to leave the field and grad- the best thing I have ever experienced.” uate with this year’s senior class. The girls’ ded- Post graduation, Davis will continue to play ication to the team is fierce, most of them have softball for Grinnell College in Iowa. Cothrun will been with the program since freshman year. also be playing softball after graduation for Mesa “Anytime you have seniors leaving, the team Community College. is always affected. Usually your seniors are the “I'm excited about the new experiences,” Davis more experienced players, a lot of the time they said. “I'm going to get to travel the whole country to are your better players,” Head Softball Varsity play, so I'm excited for that.” Coach Hamilton said. “You're usually playing Alyssa Honneywell has been in the program for them more often in most cases. So, when your three years and playing softball for 12 years. Salena most experienced players are leaving, that leaves Solis is new to the to the program and school; post a hole.” graduation she plans on continuing softball in Jean Cothrun, Mya Davis, Brittany college. Hertneky and Tabitha Shupe made the varsity Throwing to first, senior Alyssa “I played at Highland my freshman year,” team their freshman year in 2014 and won a Honneywell is about to get an out at Honneywell said. “Then I transferred over here and first at the Red Mountain vs. Campo State championship. They have stayed with the Verde game. started my sophomore year.” program on varsity ever since. With six seniors leaving the team, the softball “My favorite memory is winning State because the crowd was program looks forward to the next generation of softball players. so crazy,” Cothrun said. “You couldn't even think. All you could For more information, see Coach Hamilton in Room 321.
By: Carly House Winning "The Struggle" Editor n April 1 at Highland High School, the winter guard team “Before tryouts we learn what we have to audition with [flags, Oplaced second for their performance titled "The Struggle" rifles or sabres],” Valdez said. “After we audition, the coach will at the State Championships with a total score of 81.4 out of talk to us about what we did best and what we should start work- 90. Winter guard is a sport based on color guard and derived ing on, then we perform again. You learn a lot, and it really helps from military ceremonies. Unlike color guard, winter guard you see how you can improve.” is performed indoors in a gymnasium. Performances are done There have been several victories this season. Winter guard to recorded music rather than a live band or orchestra. Stunts takes each competition one at a time and uses the judges feedback include flags, rifles and sabres PHOTO BY AUBRIE OLIVER to improve before the next competition. while dancing. The team placed in the top three of six “The toughest part about competitions. [winter guard] is the toll it has “Our biggest accomplishment this on your body. You push your year is our silver medal win at State body to the limits, sometimes I’ll Championships. We had a very intense leave [practice] with bruises and show with 25 members on the floor, sore muscles,” junior Marisa Val- and we were able to make the show dez said. “Although, I love how look clean and together,” Coach Oliver much of a family we are. We all said. “We had been winning first and care about each other and help second for the most part this season. I each other when it’s needed.” am extremely proud of our second place Red Mountain Winter Guard win because our score was the high- is a part of Winter Guard of Ar- est Red Mountain had ever placed at izona (WGAZ). Clinics, which championships.” are held before tryouts, started For more information on winter in November to train new mem- guard, email Coach Oliver at aubrieoli- bers on techniques. The clinic [email protected]. includes warm-ups and practice basics such as using the flags and After their third place victory at their first competition on Feb. 25, winter guard takes a group photo at Casa Grande High School. other stunt objects. Red Mountain High School
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Boys Soccer The Lions pushed on this winter and kept their heads held high, ending the season 5-6-1. “Our team really came together this year and became a whole on the field,” senior Cade Strickland said. “I realized that we will win and we will lose, but most importantly, we will learn.”
Badminton Girls Tennis The girls showed lots of determination and drive The Lady Lions are persevering after a difficult this season, remaining in the top 10 divisional rank- start and need to win their last match in order to ing for Badminton. compete in the State championship. “We played some of the best badminton teams “Our number one player, Mikaya Hamilton, in both the East and West Valley and remained top did not play for the first six matches due to a 10 in our division,” Head Coach Borze said. “All of preseason injury. This put us behind as we should the girls won medals in the MPS City Tournament, have won two other matches than we did,” Head and we made it to the quarter finals of the State Coach Langdon said. “Not exactly what we had tournament playoffs.” hoped for, but we will fight to the end.” Boys Volleyball Girls Golf With a current record of 5-5 the Lions are fight- Working their heart out and refusing to give ing to be one as a team and come out of the season up paid off with a fourth in State ranking for the on top. Lady Lions. “The guys are working hard and starting to “My hopes are to build on the success from come together as a team,” Head Coach Simmons this season and build Red Mountain Girls Golf said. “Changes are happening all the time. We are into one of the top girls golf programs in the realizing as a team that we may struggle in some state,” new Head Coach Kain said. places, and we are working to fix those things.” SPORTS Boys Golf Girls Volleyball The Lions golfed an incredible season and pulled The Lady Lions pulled off an astounding sea- off a regional championship title. son, achieving higher rankings than the volleyball “The team is full of life and loyalty,” senior program has ever before. Gabriel Velarde said. “Everyone definitely made my “We made big strides to move our program in last year a year to remember and cherish.” the right direction, obviously one of those being us winning the region, which we have never done before,” Head Coach Holck said. Boys X-Country The Lions exceeded expectations coming off of this season in a seventh place state ranking, the Football highest team ranking in 25 years for Red Mountain. The boys had an outstanding season this fall, “We had a very senior-heavy team, and the boys finishing up in the top four of the playoffs. this year really bought into the long-term process “We had a great season finishing in a high ranking and barely losing in the playoffs to the of becoming champions,” Head Coach Selby said. number six ranked team in the country,” Head “This was the year we had been waiting for over Coach Peterson said. four years for, and the boys did such a great job “This upcoming year we are going to work hard being patient with their progression and coming and prepare because preparation is the precursor together to form a great team.” to success.”
Girls Soccer Despite numerous injuries to players, the team was still able to make the playoffs by working together and supporting each other. “I think we have improved as a program every season,” Head Coach Gallegos said. “I saw a lot of depth and talent this season in our players this year. We had so many injuries, but we were able to continue to pull up girls from JV and JV2 all season long.”
Roar Magazine Vol. 29 Issue 4 Summer 2017
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Boys Basketball The boys played a tough season, but were able to keep a winning record with 12 wins compared to only seven losses. “The season didn’t have the result we wanted but we accomplished a lot as a team that this school has never done before,” senior Jacob Ries said.
Boys Tennis Spirit Line Starting the season off with a difficult sched- The girls kept a positive influence throughout the ule, the boys are at a current record of five wins whole year, encouraging every team to push through and five losses. their game and building up the crowd. “We can still finish the season strong, we’ve “My girls did a great job this year, and I am proud won the last couple and should be able to win of all of them,” Head Coach Starks said. “Unfortu- the rest and then go into the State tournament,” nately, I wish we had a better outcome at Nationals Head Coach Graves said. because one mistake can take away everything since they only get one shot at wowing the judges.” Swim & Dive The Lions achieved greatness this season with Girls Track the girls surpassing a 20-year-old school record So far the team is doing really well and is continu- and the boys a 17-year-old one. ing to improve each day as the season passes by. “It was a great year. Both boys and girls “Our girls are killing it this season, having won our moved back into the top 10 at State,” Head own meet,” Head Coach Krieg said. “This is only the Coach Peterson said. “Both teams won a big beginning, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of invitational and the girls took back their team this season holds.” City Championship.”
By: Marlee Hotchkiss RECAP Managing Editor Wrestling Boys Track Finishing 12th in the state, the boys didn’t The boys are striving for greatness this season and make the top 10 as they had hoped, but per- the long practice hours are proving successful. Senior severed through all the injuries and trials this Trake Williams is setting multiple school records and season held keeping their heads high. the team is dominating meets. “We will be a young team next year, but that “It looks as if we are going to have the most state doesn’t change our expectations, just means we qualifiers this season that Red Mountain has had in have to put in more work,” Head Coach Hare the past five years,” Head Coach Barge said. “These said. “The off season program has changed boys have been at it since this summer, and all the slightly, and the boys will be held accountable work they’ve put in is starting to show in a big way.” for their commitment to the program.” Baseball Girls X-Country The boys are battling their way through the season Setting high goals for the season, the Lady with a 7-7 record and are hopeful that they can make Lions over-achieved, placing 10th in State. a run in the playoffs. “They ran really well and worked extremely “We are hoping to continue to improve on what hard during the year, overall exceeding my ex- we have already accomplished,” Head Coach Pagel pectations,” Head Coach Krieg said. “Next year said. “We have an uphill battle to the playoffs but our we’ll tweak a few things but nothing major, just hopes are high.” adapt to our players strong suits.”
Girls Basketball The Lady Lions ended this season with a winning record of 19-9, making it to State playoffs and proving that being a young team does not mean they are any less competitive. “This was an even bigger accomplishment factoring in how young we are, graduating only two seniors and having three players ending the season with injuries,” Head Coach Appel said. “Going into next year, we have a lot of optimism as we have almost everyone returning, including all five starters.” ILLUSTRATIONS BY TROY DOMINEY Red Mountain High School
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