Volume 105, Issue 3 Modesto High School February/March 2018

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Page 5 February/March Animal Shel- Winter Perspectives on Winter ters around Homecoming Homecoming Sports the Holidays By Anna & Royalty By Gisselle Rivera By Lauren Byerly Sarah Rinne By Margaret Peterson & 3 4 6 Matthew Smith 8 18 H Street Modesto, CA 95351 Academic An Irish Editors: Mock Trial Shelby Benz and Decathalon New Year Jasmine López By Shelby By Brianna Benz By Mehar Nijjar Panther Press Staff: Donnelly Lauren Byerly, Aryanna Davis, Breanna Donnelly, Mehar Nijjar, Anna Rinne, 10 11 12 Sarah Rinne, Gisselle Rive- ra, Matthew Smith, Chan- Spring dara Tep, Michelle Tipton, An Opinion on the Rahul Walia, Rohin Walia Sports Cover Banner by Scott By Rahul & Never Again MSD Mitchell Rohin Walia Movement Adviser: Kerrie Glenn 14 By Jasmine L pez The Panther Press is cre- Ó ated for and by students Teen of Modesto High School. The goal is to bring news to Driving MHS and to acknowledge ideas, events, and individu- By Tera Waterman als on campus in an unbi- & Chandara Tep ased and professional man- ner. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the journalism staff and 15 guest writers and not of 16 This publication may also be accessed at Modesto High School or mohipantherpress.com. Modesto City Schools. Animal Additions Animal Shelter Numbers Increase Around Certain Holidays According to the National Kitten Coalition, which cause families to be unable to look after over the course of a year in the United States their pets, and the inability to care for animals 7.6 million animals enter animal shelters. The due to the costs that come with the holiday Stanislaus County Animal Shelter reports that season and gift giving traditions. many of the animals which reside in the shel- ter enter the shelter around 3 major holidays: The lesson to learn from the issues that other New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July, and Christ- people have with pet ownership is to make mas. The influx around New Year’s Eve and the sure that one is ready for the responsibilities Fourth of July happens directly on these hol- that come with pet adoption. If a person feels idays because they are holidays that typically ready to get a pet, one should make certain use fireworks, which scare animals and cause to adopt and support animal shelters rath- them to run away from home. These animals er than supporting puppy mills by buying. are then turned in by citizens who see them Adopt, don’t shop! Many animal shelters have roaming the streets and are taken to the shelter services where one can even play with the pet to be housed and hopefully reconnected with before finalizing an adoption decision. Plus, their old families or adopted into new, loving there is a large number of animals which are homes. found at Modesto High which are usually put into the animal shelter. If you want your own One way for a person to avoid confu- school-spirit dog you might find one there at sion if a pet has run away is to chip them. The the shelter! term “chip” refers to a small microchip insert- ed under the skin of the animal on which the name and address of the owner of said animal is stored. Shelters check animals for chips and thus can acquire the information stored on them and return them to their families.

The reason for the rise in animals before Christmas is unknown, even by those working at the Stanislaus County Animal Shelter. How- ever, there have been several proposed reasons for this change in admittance rates to shelters in Modesto and across the country. It is sus- pected by some that this is due to families buy- ing new animals and dropping off older ones at shelters or not knowing they have become responsible for in the purchase of an animal. The Huffington Post has reported that many believe that the influx is due to holiday travels, Winter Homecoming 2018

by Anna Rinne and Sarah Rinne The first week back from winter break, January 16th-19th initiated this year’s annual homecoming cel- ebrations. School spirit radiated from stu- dents in excitement over all of the hallway decorations, dress-up days, an exciting rally, homecoming royalty, the homecom- ing dance, and, of course, the basketball game. Modesto High leadership students helped the school prepare for the game by spending countless hours preparing to decorate the hallway. On Tuesday, the freshmen started the semester with a Wii Sports themed hallway while students rocked their pajamas. Sophomores en- Junior Prince Carson Hull and Junior Princess Safa couraged students to recreate their favor- Sareshwala at the Homecoming rally. ite memes and “Just Dance” through the hallway. College gear was spotted every- Friday afternoon, hundreds of students where around campus, accompanying gathered in the Big Gym to celebrate the game. the juniors’ Sonic the Hedgehog themed Junior Anna Banh recalled, “I really liked the hallway. When the day of the game finally music played by the school band.” She also arrived, Modesto High students showed loved “the performance from all of Modesto their school spirit alongside the seniors’ High”, referring to the inspirational demon- Mario Kart hallway. Beth Romeo, a soph- stration of spirit. The rally consisted of school omore leadership student enjoyed setting cheers, cheerleader dances, and the crowning up the hallway because she “got to see of Sophomore Prince and Princess and Junior how all the work [she’d] been putting in Prince and Princess. The title of Sophomore over the last month was actually for some- Prince went to Jeremy Kwon and Sophomore thing.” She also loves this tradition be- Princess went to Martha Wenstrup. The title of cause “[she] felt a great level of satisfaction Junior Prince went to Carson Hull and Junior and pride” seeing what she collaboratively Princess went to Safa Sareshwala, who said, created. She also said, “I love seeing what “I’m so happy that my friends and family were all the other classes prepared.” there to support me.” Homecoming also consists of activities that occur throughout the big game. Between the JV and varsity game, each individual class presents a float and skit that represents their theme. A panel of judges then watches and scores their performances. The freshmen had a fun skit where they acted as if they were Mii characters in the Wii Sports game. Their float represented a Wii console with a Wii Sports disc protruding out of it. The freshman skit included a match and a lively dance number to end it off. The sophomores brought lots of energy and spirit into their Just Dance inspired skit. They danced cheerfully to many songs that are featured in Photo by Eduardo Alba the Just Dance game alongside their float, which was a DJ booth with speakers. The juniors then During halftime, the senior Homecom- performed a choreographed dance to the 80s ing King and Queen were announced. The song “Supersonic”. To correlate with their dance, nominees lined up in front of boxes. On the they wore brightly colored 80s themed outfits to count of three, all of the nominees opened up help set the mood. Their float was the Sonic race the boxes in front of them. The winners’ box- car as it rolled around Modesto High School’s es contained a balloon that floated up when it mascot, the panther. Lastly, the seniors ended was opened. Senior Class President Matthew off their last homecoming with a very enter- Soares and Modesto High’s ASB President taining skit inspired by Mario Kart. Their skit Lauren Bridges won Homecoming King and featured some fan-favorite characters including Queen. Lauren Bridges commented, “I was Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. The so excited and surprised that I won Home- seniors’ float acted as the castle that Bowser coming Queen! It was such a fun experience takes Princess Peach away into. The crowd was and I’m really grateful to have won at my last excited to see the skits, and definitely walked homecoming.” away satisfied. In conclusion, 2018 Winter Homecom- ing was an amazing week. Towards the end of the game on Friday, the announcer publicized the Homecoming activity results. The seniors placed first, the freshmen placed second, and the sophomores placed third, followed by the juniors. Although the varsity team ended up losing by four points (65-69), students re- mained loud and spirited in the Black Hole throughout the whole game, continuing to support their team and end Homecoming on Photos by Eduardo Alba a positive note.

An Outdated Tradition? a.k.a. Homecoming Royalty

Margaret Peterson, Junior

Every winter, we nominate, vote for, and shortly forgotten as a close and aggressive basket- celebrate our homecoming nominees and victors. ball game resumed. Weeks prior, individual clubs, and organizations Sadly, this story is the same every year. The nominate peers that they think best represent same kids are nominated from the same groups on their class and those people are compiled onto a campus, and the diversity of the school is not repre- scantron. After this initial voting, the top three boys sented in the homecoming court or royalty. Of the and girls in every category: sophomores, juniors, over 2,000 students on the Modesto High campus, and senior, are voted for and announced at the rally every single prince, princess, king, and queen were on the afternoon of the homecoming game. Each leadership students. This is not an attack on the nominee is paired up with someone from their same students that won, or the class itself because the class, and the couple skips, jumps, or runs down leadership class does a lot for school spirit and pride. the court doing a handshake or skit that has prob- However, there is obviously an issue within the vot- ably been done a million times before. Sophomore ing and election that must be addressed because the and junior prince and princess are crowned at the probability of every student having this one thing in rally while we are forced to wait in anticipation for common is astronomically unlikely. As we returned the seniors to be crowned King and Queen at that from winter break, the first Tuesday back was the day night’s game. As the game begins and the classes that we, the student body, voted for who we thought walk their “floats” across the court, the winners from deserved to be royalty. After this initial voting, there the previous afternoon line up with their families on was an announcement that those votes were not one side, and the senior nominees line up with their going to count, and that we needed to go vote again families on the other. Each senior is announced with the following day. So let’s be honest, first of all, who a biography, summarizing the last 4 years of their life votes in these elections? And second of all, who is in 30 seconds as their parents walk them through a going to take time of our their lunch, again, to vote? balloon arch and they take their places on the court. The people who are running the election. Part of the This particular homecoming was a little different. responsibility for this lack of diversity falls upon the Instead of simply announcing who had won, boxes student body. Just like the United States, our turn were placed in front of each nominee. If they opened outs for elections are abysmal, a truth I am guilty of the box and a balloon flew out, they won. If their box myself as well. One of the pillars of what Modesto was empty, they had lost. Winners were announced, High stands for is the diversity of the student body, bouquets of flowers and crowns were handed out, and how we must use this to our advantage. For and the ceremony was something we value so much, it sure does not show in this year’s winter homecoming royalty. In light of these conclusions the question must be asked, if the system has become rigged? If the student body is not engaged, why should we continue? And an even more important question must be asked, has the time come for this antiquated tradition to die entirely?

“Of the over 2,000 students on the Modesto High campus, every single prince, princess, king, and queen were leadership students.”

Matthew Smith, Junior

As is tradition, the 2000 plus students of not simply a leadership issue. Leadership students Modesto High nominate whomever they deem to be have gone into classes in an effort to encourage worthy of Homecoming Royalty. Usually, the leader- more students to participate in school leadership ship students are responsible for raising awareness and work to have all groups of students represent- and getting fellow students to participate in the ed. election. However, this year the student participation was a measly 500 votes and about 50 of those votes originate from the leadership students themselves. Any leadership student that is nominated for royalty have a built-in advantage. On the surface, this may seem unfair, but the lack of student votes can’t fall solely on the shoulders of the leadership students. A pervasive sense of apathy toward the tradition of homecoming royalty lands squarely on the shoul- ders of the student body. The leadership students work to make posters, advertise upcoming events in the morning announcements, and take time to in- form other students. That’s not to say that leadership can’t improve its efforts to inform students, but it’s

WINTER SPORTS

The winter sports start in November and end in the middle of February. The sports available in winter are soccer, basketball, for boys and girls and cheer of course because the basketball players need to have the cheerleaders there to hype them up. Each sport requires one to try out and there is conditioning for all. BOYS SOCCER Senior Varsity Soccer player Ricardo Becerra sais, “As of right now we are 3-4-3 and have been doing really good this season with less players.” Coach Casillas has been motivating them to do better and practicing so much be- cause of the fact they have lost many players.

WRESTLING Wrestling- Senior Yasmin Caballero sais, “The varsity wrestling has been pretty good. Whey lost against Beyer, Davis and Enochs but won against all the other schools.” The cheerleaders have been doing some amazing performances this sea- son with the help of their amazing coach, Dottie. Their homecoming dance is always the most talked about because they always go all out, and sure enough the girls did the same this season. Recently one of the varsity cheerleaders lost her dad and the squad had a mini performance for him at the house, and also for the basketball senior night everyone wore black and orange for her father.

BASKETBALL Homecoming was a success for the boys. They played against Enochs and had a great score. It was a very intense game for both the players and the crowd. The boys have had a great season like they usually do. Flexing Cerebral Muscles Modesto High Academic Deathlon Team Improves and Has the Medals to Prove It

members. Knowing this was the last year for many members of the team, drove many of the competitors to be extremely motivated in their efforts to win med- als or plaques, or for some members, team sweaters. Team member Thavie Keary said, “Academic Decathlon is a group of people who are dedicated to learning and have a tone of fun while doing it!” The Modesto High School Academic Decath- lon team highly encourages Panthers to come join them for the competition next year. For more infor- mation on medal-winners, please visit the Panther Press website - mohipantherpress.com. By Breanna Donnelly Mock it Up For the past few months, a team of students at Modesto High School have studied for the Aca- LEFT: Sophomore, demic Decathlon. These students have put in hours Rachel Thompson, takes of studying for this year’s county competition which one of many exams. Thompson was the MHS focused on Africa. Students compete on either the top point earner, had the official team or the alternate team. The official team highest essay score in the can consist of up to nine members, split between county, and received a varsity, scholastic, and honors levels, based on stu- first place medal for her dents’ cumulative GPAs. speech. The Academic Decathlon competition this year took place at Ceres High School. The schools represented come from all around Stanislaus County. The teams arrived by 7:15 in the morning, and were ready to test by 8:00. The students took tests in seven RIGHT: Senior, subject areas: math, science, social science, art, mu- Eeman Khan shows off her first place sic, literature, and economics. Members also took an medal in math. Khan essay test in January, and the official team completed also earned a third a speech and interview. After taking the tests, the place medal for her official teams compete in the Super Quiz, answering speech. questions in front of a gym full of spectators. After all tests are completed, scores are taken into account, and awards, medals, trophies, and plaques are prepared. The Modesto High Academic Decathlon Team did an amazing job this year, much LEFT: Senior, Brendan Hulse, sporting better than last years competition, and even man- two of his five medals. aged to earn the Most Improved Team Trophy. The Hulse medaled in liter- team earned medals in almost all categories, includ- ature, economics, math, ing numerous first place medals. interview, and essay. Several of this year’s team members are se- niors, so the team will definitely be looking for new “Mock Trial is a program like no other, and I love being able to take part in such a unique and fascinating experience” Mock it Up - Jack Ford

Mock Trial is a program initiated by the Consti- The students have worked together since the begin- tutional Rights Foundation (CRF) in order to inspire ning of September, dedicating countless days and nights an active understanding of the United States judicial to practice in preparation for the Mock Trial county system and law. In doing so, students are able to devel- competition. In many ways, the club has brought to- op analytical and critical thinking skills, acquire public gether a collection of passionate individuals that have speaking experience, and obtain more efficient means become part of a family under the wings of such a of communication. Currently, there are 36 supportive community. In describing his experience in counties that participate in the program. Mock Trial, prosecuting attorney, Damian Sablan, stat- ed, “I really love crushing our opponents.” The team has Each year, the CRF designs new materials for student shared experiences of variety including: fits of laughter, use, including a hypothetical criminal case, trial mate- passionate flares of rebuttal, and competition wins and rials, and information on central issues that are relevant losses. Like other activities and sports, Mock Trial is a to the case. Each person on the Mock Trial is assigned feat of collaboration, teamwork, trust, and comradeship. a role to rehearse and authenticate for the purposes The defense and prosecution groups were dependent of the Mock Trial competition while obtaining more on each other to practice and grow in their ability to information regarding the procedures and practices of elaborate on the basis of their characters to make their the courtroom. The importance of understanding the court case. constitution and the unalienable rights of the people lies in the idea of knowing the structure of the country and For many, it is an opportunity to grow and learn with the unalienable rights of the people in their pursuit of the assistance of others. Taylor Tran, who portrayed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. the defendant, decided to join Mock Trial “…because I really wanted to get out of my comfort zone and work The Modesto High team boasts a history of success- on my public speaking skills.” es throughout its Mock Trial career. With the help of student alumni, local attorneys, and coaches Ms. McAl- At the culmination of the season, MoHi held its own lister and Mr. Mitchell, the Modesto High Mock Trial in a fight for the winning ticket to the state competition. team has been a force to be reckoned with - learning Although the Modesto team did not win 1st place in the and growing with knowledge and a more profound county, the season filled the hearts of its participants understanding of the importance of law in maintaining with love, friendship, and invigorated excitement for the order in society. year to come. A Scottish New Year By Mehar Nijjar

5! 4! 3! 2! 1! The universal walked several blocks to a friend’s countdown to the start of new apartment, where I met some of promises, new relationships, new the sweetest people. We played experiences. New Year’s celebra- card games, listened to music and tions vary from country to coun- a young woman, Anne, told me try, by custom to custom. This more about the New Years she ex- past winter break, I had the oppor- perienced growing up on the Scot- tunity to experience the start of tish islands. There, she told me, this year in the city of Edinburgh, people “party” for hours until sun- Scotland. rise and then run into the ocean as a tradition to start the new year. Festivities are a seemingly The tradition of running into the much longer and common or- sea is also known as the “Polar deal in Scotland. Regardless of Bear Plunge”, where people col- whether you have big plans for lectively refresh themselves in the night, it is regular to walk wake of a newly unfolding chap- on the streets and see apartment ter. windows of gathered friends and family, usually drinking and play- After the “pre-party”, I had ing music. We, too, bought ciders, the honor of attending a popular dressed-up in fancy clothes, and event known as the Ceilidh under the Castle, on West Princes Street truly inspiriting moment to be in Gardens. The event started at 8:30 a foreign country and to find the P.M. as hundreds of people gath- same warmth and geniality as you ered on the grounds directly below would with your closest compan- the castle to take part in traditional ions. Scottish dances. A band consist- ing of a person on the bagpipes Hogmanay: played folk songs (with a twist) (n.) hog – mun – ei on a large stage. Part of the whole The Scottish word that is used to activity is to switch partners and refer to a New Year’s celebration. meet new people – I found this to be a very humanizing and positive aspect of the event. Everyone was all-smiles as they hopped, prome- naded, and spun with one another. Towards the end of the count- down, fireworks appeared from behind the castle and the tradition- al Scottish folk song, Auld Lang Syne was played. We all embraced each other and sang along – a Spring Sports By Rohin Walia and Rahul Walia

Foreeeee!!! The golf season has begun, and the boys are ready to start swinging their clubs. Coach Wagner said, “I am excited for the new golf year, especially since we have a lot of young golfers joining the team.” S

Splaaaash!!! The swim season has begun and with Coach Chiavetta’s last year as head coach, the team is looking to have its best season of Coach Chiavetta’s coaching career. Coach Chiavetta said, “As my last year coaching, I intend to become MMC champs once more.”

TRACK

Tiiiiime (as runners pass the finish line)!!! With the track season underway, Modesto High is looking to train their student-athletes as gold medalists. Coach Battig said, “It’s not all about winning, but more about learning.” TENNIS

Game, Set, Match!!! The tennis season is here, and the tennis players are ready to compete. Coach Mitchell said, “We had a great year last year, hopefully we have an even better year this y e ar.” Driver’s Crash Course

A driver’s permit is something all young driv- remember them from the permit course. A few driv- ers need before finally getting a license. If you are a ing schools you can go through are Code 4, Love’s minor, the permit is a requirement you must fulfill Safe Driving School, or Turlock Driving School. They before you can get your license. All young drivers will generally pick you up at a given time, and by can start to work toward the freedom of the road at the end of lesson they let your drive home. the young age of 15 ½. To start off you must com- Once you have completed your first session, your plete a DMV approved driver education course. You driving instructor will sign your permit. This now have the choice of completing the online educa- allows you to drive with your parent. You, along tion course or take the class in person. Both classes with your parent should keep a log of the hours require a minimum of 30 hours. Upon completion, you drive because you need a total of 60 hours to you can head out to your local DMV and take your get your license, and 10 of those hours have to be permit test for a fee of $35. You can miss up to a at night. After your driving sessions and total of 60 total of 8 questions. If you fail the test you must hours of driving, you are ready to take your driving wait at least 7 days before you take it again. If you test. One recommendation is that your have your fail up to 3 times you must pay another fee of $35 final session right before you take your test. to retake the test. Here at The Panther Press we would like to After you have passed your permit test you stress safe driving. Please do not text ot talk on the are required to take at least one of your three 2 hour phone while driving. Also never drink and drive or sessions or two 3 hour sessions with a driving in- drive under the influence of any other drug. Always structor, before you can drive with a licensed adult. be responsible while you are driving. Lastly, if you’re During your sessions, your instructor will go over driving with friends, do not let them distract you the rules of the road with you, to make sure you from the road.

Tera Waterman and Chandara Tep How many More Lives? -Opinion -

The Never Again MSD is an organization that formed in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The lives of 17 students, daughters, sons, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, friends, and humans were lost to a gunman, using a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle on February 14, 2018. The shooting that I believe my genera- tion was first impacted by, because we are able to remember it, was the mass school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 in which 26 adults and children were lost. We all thought it would never happen again, yet according to Ev- erytown there have been 290 school shootings since Sandy Hook. Every morning we go to school sure that a shooting won’t happen at our school, which is what the students at Stoneman Douglas High School thought on the morning of February 14. Most students were thinking of practice or an upcoming test, not where they should hide in order to pro- tect themselves. Other countries have also been affected by school shootings. The difference between them and us is that they acted to protect their children. The Never Again organization has vocally condemned U.S. lawmakers who have received political contributions from the NRA. It is now time for us as a community to condemn our United States 10th District Representative, Jeff Denham, for the contributions he has received from the Have a different viewpoint? Please submit NRA. According to the Modesto Bee, Denham has received your thoughts to mohipantherpress@gmail. $62,900 from the National Rifle Association. Let’s put aside com. Staff would appreciate the opportunity to political parties and fight for the safety of all. publish varying thoughts on this issue. By Jasmine López “THE GREASTEST CIVIL RIGHT YOU HAVE IS THE RIGHT TO STAY ALIVE.”

- JOHN HOWARD