Volume 103, Issue 4 Modesto High School April / May 2016

Spring Sports #WeDay Black Hole Up pp. 4-5 p. 8 p. 13 Table of Contents The Panther Press 18 H Street Modesto, CA 95351 Mock Trial Mastery 3

Panther Press Staff: Liam Coyle, Roberto Jimenez, Waleed Khan, Yarithceli Mariscal, Stacey Mean, Spring Sports 4 Amar Pannu, Amrit Pannu, Nicole Parhizgari, Enya Rodriguez, Natalie Schlenker, Jordan Toledo, Jasmine Underwood, Lucy Wenstrup, Alexandria K. Yaum, and Kristina Zuroff Community Garden 6

Adviser: Kerrie Glenn Volunteer Spotlight [email protected] 7

The Panther Press is created for and by students of Modesto High School. The goal is to bring news to MHS and to 8 acknowledge ideas, events, and indi- #WeDay viduals on campus in an unbiased and professional manner. The opinions ex- pressed in this publication are those of the journalism staff and not of Modesto When in Rome 9 High School or Modesto City Schools. This publication may also be accessed at mohipantherpress.com. Letters may be mailed to MHS or submitted to Kerrie Glenn’s mailbox in the main MoHi Art Show 10 office.

Men’s 12

Black Hole Up 13

Modesto Marathon 14 By Waleed Khan

April / May 2016 3 S p r i n g By: Nicole Parhizgari

above: Yunah Kim (‘16)

Diving Right In Mohi’s swim boys and girls have both been mak- ing a big splash this year! The girls have a record of 3-2, while the boys have a record of 2-3. They have been practicing extremely hard this season and are making Modesto High school very proud! above: Briana Valencia (‘20)

above: Varsity swim doing laps You got Served The Modesto High boys’ team has been doing well this year, with a record of 7-3. There are many new faces on the tennis team, and the boys have been working hard to show their above: Yjaira Mendoza (‘20) skills. When asked about his most and Diana Garcia (‘20) memorable achievement this season, senior Liam Coyle said, “The win Setting against Enochs was a pretty proud Goals moment.” Girls’ Soccer have been kickin’ butt this sesason, with a league score of 4-2-1. Additionally, the girls have quickly become very close and have a great team connection. Keep us cheering, ladies! below: Coby McCaige (‘20) below: Riley Noland (‘16)

4 The Panther Press S p*Records o current at rthe time thist story swas written below: Neiko Archuleta (‘17) No Place Like Home It’s been a tight season for the Modesto High team so far, with a league record of 5-5. There’s a lot of pressure, but this only mo- tivates the boys according to Orlando Carde- nas ( ‘16) who said, “ Win or lose, we just love the game.” Well said, Orlando.

Just Keep below: Varsity girls pitching and catching Swinging Modesto High Girls’ team has been having a rough season so far, with a league score of 0-5. However, the girls have been having a great time play- ing the sport they love and have developed a strong team bond as well. Go Lady Panthers!

Hole above: Keaton Berger (‘17) ‘Lotta Fun and Nathaniel Tsai (‘17) The team has been enjoying many new additions this year, and the boys have been enjoying a fun season so far. A few of our panthers have never played golf before, but have quickly grown to appreciate the sport. As Matt Henriques (‘16) put it, “Golf takes a lot of concentration and pa- tience. I find it very relaxing.” Along with his fellow teammates, it seems like our boys are having a great time!

Keepin’ Track Of Things Modesto High’s track team have been training very hard and have been leaving their competition in the dust. Stretching and running in the field, even in the burning sun, these dedicated panthers aren’t letting anything stop them. Keep it up! left: varsity pan- thers running April / May 2016 right: track stretching 5 Modesto High Community Garden By Amar Pannu

Worms, worms, worms, worms, worms . . . .See us movin’ the dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt . . . the commu- nity garden we work, work, work, work, work. . . Recently a group of students have planted a garden at Modesto High in the Ag Center. A variety of crops have been planted that will be donated to local food shelters to help those in need. The garden may sound a lot like the Gleaning Proj- ect from last autumn. That is be- cause the same students involved in gleaning created the garden. It shares the same goals as the Gleaning Project. The garden consists of various types of lettuce and radishes. The plan is to grow more types of vegeta- bles in the garden to provide a variety of produce for the community in West Modesto. Project Hope has also committed to helping distribute the produce. The students involved in this project are doing it to help the community and those in need. As of right now there are only I.B. students involved; however, all students are welcome. The students involved state that they want to leave a legacy behind. They hope that this garden will be a project that students take up every year. If you are interested in helping out with the garden, touch base with Project Hope or the Ag department for information.

6 The Panther Press Volunteer Spotlight: Society for disAbilities Story by: Kristina Zuroff

Since 1947, the Society for disAbilities has been, “providing recreational, educational, and social pro- grams for people with disabilities,” said Executive Director Marci Boucher. Matthew Tilford, the Director of Programs, described the society as, “a local non-profit to help peo- ple within our community,” referring to Stanislaus County. They also offer the largest loan closet of adaptive medical equipment in Northern . Every year the Society for disAbilities offers adaptive programs for skiing, bowling, water skiing and bike riding. They also have Day on the Farm, Miracle League, and prom. None of this would be possible without the support of community members. These programs and events are perfect for anyone looking to earn some community service hours while having a great time. They are able to find work for anyone who would like to volunteer, especially the people who are self-starters and motivated. Christy Gong, a senior at Modesto High, after volunteering for Day on the Farm said, “It was really fun and I would definitely do it again.” Her favorite part was getting to work with her little buddy who loved horses and eventually got to ride one at the event. Marci Boucher said that the Special Needs Prom is her favorite event that they put on because, “… the kids have so much fun and they get to be themselves without any one getting made fun of…” Past prom themes include Flying to Neverland and Mardi Gras, but this year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland. The prom is held at the Del Rio Country Club and Boucher mentioned that everyone, even those who go to their own school proms, say that it’s the best prom ever. On the other hand, Matthew Tilford said that the TOPSoccer is his favorite. The Society for disAbilities partners with MYSA and has a soccer league for youth, aged 5-17, who have a disability. Matthew built that program and he has lots of friends involved. This program is going to take place in August 2016 and when it comes time, they would love to have some volunteers. A new program that has recently gotten started is Miracle League, a baseball league for children with disabilities. The Society for disAbilities needed a lot of volunteers to become “buddies” on the field to cheer on the children on while they were playing. Modesto High students were chosen to be the mascot, Homer, and mascot’s guide. If you are ever in need of community service hours, or a fun CAS experience, the Society for disAbili- ties is the place to be. It is an amazing non-profit organization that is looking for volunteers to help in a vari- ety of different places throughout the year. To volunteer for one of these programs, contact Carolyn Teixeira Gomes by email ([email protected]) or call their office at 209-524-3536. For more information, visit their website: http://societyforhandicapped.org/

7 WE Day 2k16 and watched movies. Upon arrival at around 7:45 A.M., students were given red carpet wristbands and were led into the area that was considered the red carpet area where they were joined by some crowd pumpers. After waiting a short while, they were invited to sing a few lines to the Muppet’s theme song that was going to be used on air when WE Day was broadcast on television. Shortly after, celebrities including Big Sean, Joe Jonas, Martin Sheen, and Demi Lovato, started show- ing up and the fun began. Many of them decided to walk the red carpet, sign autographs, and take selfies with their adoring fans. The WE Day staff also had a Twitter Mirror that allowed the celebrities to take a selfie and have it instantly be posted onto Twitter. Modesto High We Day is a day of celebration and inspiration students can be seen in many of those photos along for many Modesto High students. 16,000 students from with others as well. Selena Gomez was a student favorite all over California and because she stopped with almost everyone who wanted the surrounding states a selfie. gathered together to When the red celebrate their contribu- carpet action was tions to different local all over, the stu- and global projects. In dents headed into the past, WE Day Cali- the Forum among fornia has been held in 16,000 other kids. Oakland and San Jose, Some celebrities but this year was unlike spoke, while any other. It was held others performed at the Forum in Ingle- on the WE Day wood, California, which stage. Following a is in the Los Angeles lunch break, more area. The Modesto High speakers addressed the crowd and The Voice winner, students who attended Jordan Smith performed with Revelation Avenue. though Project Hope were all eager. Those who attended Students rolled back into Modesto around 11:15 had a 22 ½ hour Thursday and still had to come school on P.M. after a fun-filled day of celebrating what is possible Friday. when people work together for the common good. Throughout the year, Project Hope members have been working hard to raise money to build a school By: Kristina Zuroff in India through Free the Children. The club also raised money for many local projects, including World Refuge and a student’s Eagle Scout project. Members attended month- ly meetings and the officers attended weekly meetings, sometimes spending their whole week’s lunch periods to complete different tasks. All of this paid off though with the long field trip to L.A. On Thursday, April 7th, students showed their determination to get to WE Day when they had to be at the school by 12:30 A.M. for attendance and departure at 1 A.M. Some took advantage of the approximately 6 hour bus ride to L.A. and slept, while others stayed awake

8 By Roberto Jimenez

Prom night is a time in which many students celebrate and have a joyful night with their friends and make unforgettable memories.

What does prom mean to you?

“Honestly, a good night with friends and taking cute pictures and having a good time with friends. Don’t need a date necessarily.” Hannah Negranza (12) “Prom means to me that it’s a place to get dressed up, have a nice date. Go to after parties . . .” Dominique Rew (11) “A night that should be spent with good friends, where a guy or girl can just dress up and look good for themselves rather than for someone. Don’t be ashamed to go alone.” Kaushik Rai (12)

Do you think the theme is important? And if so what is your ideal theme?

“Themes are always cool to walk into, but overall I wouldn’t say that they’re all important. Don’t worry about the looks, as long as you have fun; that’s all that matters.” Hannah Negranza (12) “Yes, it’s important. It would have to be Prominism!” Anthony Drobnick (12) “I don’t think it’s important. The overall idea is just to have a fun night. Maybe a mas- querade one.” Marina Cisneros (9)

April / May 2016 9 At right, students admire senior Katherine Chance’s art show. The majority of her show consists of photography taken while trav- eling throughout both California and the world. Her centerpiece is of a fisherman on a lake in Africa, while still others depict members of Modesto High’s own dance pro- duction. What variety! Creative Panthers By Liam Coyle

At right one can see an interesting medium used by Arlene Martinez. The entire work was created using a wood piece, nails and colored string.

Nate Mittan’s show is shown at right. His art is inspired by a modern take on the nature that he loves. Whether it be trips to a cabin or hikes with his family, Nate draws on real life adven- tures to create his work.

10 The Panther Press Below are two examples of students and their shows. At left we see Teresa Rodriguez depicted in a self por- trait. Her work is primarily in the mediums of paint and pastel, but you’ll notice that the self portrait is com- pletely made of torn paper, a collage. At right one sees Natalie Schlenker looking appropriately concerned in front of Photoshopped pictures of her brother. Her medium, like Donato and Katherine is primarily photography.

The International Baccalaureate art program is a surprisingly rigorous one. In addition to re- search and process presentation, students are required to create an exhibition of their work. Here at Modesto High, the twenty-something visual arts students set up in the auditorium lobby every year to present their work. The show is free of charge and open to any visitors who wish to see it, provided they sign in at the front office. These are examples of students’ work as well as some of the artists themselves.

Above is Donato Cipponeri explaining pieces in his art show to an inquisitive Mrs. Castellani. Donato’s prima- ry medium was photography as the images at right demonstrates, but his show also stretched to 3D works as well as some painting. April / May 2016 11 THE ANNUAL MEN’S VOLLEYBALL By: Alexandria K. Yaum

It’s the pregame ambiance that sparks a sense of reality into any players. On a night without much fun since football season, the gym was crowded. A blur occurred as the players looked around for family and friends. A roar burst from the left, then from the right and immediately back to the left again. The adrenaline began to pump through the veins of each player and in a split second...everyone knew what was going to happen. Twen- ty-four boys, divide in two, would face off in an epic version of don’t let the balloon touch the ground. Last year, the first Men’s Volleyball took place. It was the result of Donato Cipponeri’s hard work. The game’s purpose was not only to let the seniors and juniors battle on the court but to raise money for those af- fected by breast cancer. Just like Powder-Puff, the volleyball game was between seniors and juniors. For the first time, it was the Class of 2015 and Class of 2016 battling it out on the court. The Class of 2016 had taken the glory! In a new scenario with a new junior class, the second Annual Men’s Volleyball game took place Friday, March 11, 2016. The game was a nail-bit- ing showdown between the Class of 2016 and the Class of 2017. Every player was ready to go for the win. The Class of 2016, with a win under their belt, wanted to obtain another ‘W’ for their legacy; the Class of 2017 was ready to steal the win just like the seniors had done the year before. Ev- ery coach understood the strengths and weaknesses of their teams yet still had a winning game-plan and a will to motivate their team into victory! Just as it seemed that the game could not get more exciting, a new addition was added to the event. A huge trophy was added to the mix and the winner would get to ingrain their class onto the victory plate for generations to witness their immortal greatness. As all players gathered on the court and the whistle blew, it was game time. The game opened up with the seniors taking the first point of the game. The battle became close; the seniors scored only to struggle to defend against the junior’s offense. In a battle of 25-24, with a need to win by two, the juniors stole the first set from the seniors. In that precise moment, the seniors fathomed the truth about the juniors. They were just like them last year- ambitious and ready to win. As the game continued on, points after points, it all simmered down to the final set. Set five determined who would walk away the winners of the event. Who would be the one to celebrate the victory and obtain bragging rights? Would it be the ambitious juniors? Or the underdogs of last year’s match? In the end, the seniors walked away with the victory, earning 15 points to the juniors 12!! Next year shall be an interesting match with the Class of 2017 and 2018. Who will the one to add to our glorious victories?

12 The Panther Press Throughout the years, the Black Hole has been the haven of school spirit at Modesto High School. It is the place where we students can most freely express the ad- miration and pride we have for their school. Our school spirit is known to be among the best in our area, as no matter how the sea- son is going, you can count on students to be out there every week supporting MoHi. During football and season, hun- dreds of Panthers, especially during the two Homecoming weeks, will stand together in the Black Hole to cheer for our players. We can also express a rivalry among Modesto City Schools. Here, students from every background and interest can come and sup- The 2015-2016 Black Hole Leaders port their school in unity. From freshman (From left to right: Christian Von to senior year, all students are welcomed to Rotz, Montana Tyrus and Albert participated in our student section as we Coito) call out our favorite cheers and prove that #TURNUPORTRANSFER our Panther Pride cannot be beaten. BLACK HOLE UP By Natalie Schlenker This year, the leaders of Panther Pride were seniors, Albert Coito, Mon- tana Tyrus and Christian Von Rotz. They #IBELIEVETHATWEWILLWIN worked incredibly hard this year to make A packed and spirited Black Hole sure that the students of Modesto en- at the Modesto Fall Homecoming joyed supporting their school. These against Downey leaders definitely proved to be the most innovative the school has seen in the past few years. During the fall and winter, Tyrus was frequently thinking and try- ing to improve school spirit and spread Panther Pride at sporting events. Twice during basketball season, they planned for students to partake in Silent Night, where students dress up in costumes and stay silent until our team has made ten points. Throughout football season, Coito would run the flag each time our boys would score a touchdown. To Von Rotz, the Black Hole is “all about having fun and taking pride in being the best stu- dent section around.”

April / May 2016 13 Modesto

For junior Cameron Duquette, another ded- icated runner who ran the half marathon last year, On Sunday, March 20th, 2016 Modesto the experience was similar. Cameron won his age had the annual Modesto Marathon. The marathon group in the marathon and was in the top 20 over- consisted of the usual full marathon (26.2 miles), the all for his marathon results. For Cameron, training half marathon (13.1 miles), the 5k (3 miles), as well came with daily track practices and as for running as a relay. What many may not know is that Modesto the half marathon and his thoughts on it, he was High had a few students who participated in this completely honest. “The run itself was boring”, said event. For most of these participants, the experience Cameron. But for him, it was totally worth it. His itself is unforgettable due to it’s impact on them. results for the marathon as a sophomore was amaz- A few students that had run the marathon in ing, though he claimed he wouldn’t be running the the past are freshman Alan Guerro and junior Cam- marathon this year. eron Duquette. Alan ran the marathon last year as This year both Michael Zheng, a sophomore, an eighth grader. He went to Prescott, a school asso- and Joan Ashby, a junior, had run the full mara- ciated with a program Teens Run Modesto. “Train- thon. Michael has run the marathon in the past with ing for the marathon was fun, but really difficult”, Teens Run Modesto, but this year he took it upon said Alan, “It’s like the real work was in the training himself to train for the marathon. After swim prac- and running the marathon was the prize that you tice, he says he runs long mileage (when you run a got at the end.” When it came to running the mara- longer amount of miles than normal, usually 15- 22 thon itself, he had a lot to say. His strategy was run- miles) every weekend to prepare for the event. For ning in a pack, which helped him a lot. He ran with Michael, running the marathon brings him pure joy. a pacer, someone who runs at a comfortable speed “It is fun and everyone should try it”, says Michael. which was similar to his. But this was a marathon, Joan Ashby has also been running the marathon and eventually we all hit the “wall” (a point where for a while, and according to her this is her fifth. continuing a race gets extremely difficult). “The 14th Joan has been training with Teens Run Modesto as mile is when I started to feel ‘it’ and when I reach long as she had been running the marathon. This the 18th mile, I realized the difficulty of the mara- year, Joan had the opportunity to be a teen mentor thon and the struggle to keep going.” But Alan kept for students from her old middle school, Prescott. going, and found the pot of gold at the end of the Now, she is teaching kids what she had learned: rainbow. After running the marathon, Alan said that how to run a half or a full marathon. “Teens Run his view for running and how seriously he took it Modesto targets high risk kids and helps them build had changed. “Running the marathon, like training confidence with each mile but anyone can join and for the marathon, was when I started taking running it’s surprisingly really fun”, said Joan. Joan’s training seriously. It was when I realized, ‘Oh, okay I actu- takes 24 weeks, four days a week, and Saturdays ally like this and I want to follow through with this were the longest runs at East La Loma park. During throughout high school”, said Alan. the training, as the miles increased, the groups were split according to race. 14 The Panther Press MarathonStory by Amrit Pannu Illustration by Enya Rodriguez

Joan is what you can call a “returning veteran” to the marathon. For a veteran like this, there are always words of wisdom. “Make sure you’re prepared and trained or you will die and it’ll suck”, she said. “The whole running bit is the best and worst part”, said Joan, “it sucks while you are running and you want to cry and give up but once you’re done, it literally feels like you can accomplish anything and no one can tell you that you are not good enough or anything.” Joan, as an experienced marathoner, knows the effect any mental thought can have on a runner, and how letting any bad thoughts getting to you can ruin your entire race. As a runner, it is extremely diffi- cult to avoid letting these thoughts get to your head unless you have motivation and Joan had just that. “For me, running as a whole is super therapeutic and it’s my way to de-stress myself and calm myself down when I am having a bad day. I literally run away from my problems, and it is like a mind game of how much pain you can take before you stop,” said Joan. On Sunday, March 20th we saw the result of this training, of Joan and Michael’s efforts put into action, and we saw just how much this marathon really has impacted our fellow peers.

April / May 2016 15 Your ad could be here.

Contact us at [email protected]