The Voice of the Wildcats The Gusher Since 1912 Volume 94, Issue 2 Taft Union High School, 701 Seventh St., Taft, Calif. 93268 November 30, 2006 Sen. Feinstein visits Taft, speaks to student assembly In her first visit to book, many plays, the debate “Only half of them went to team, and the first CSF club. school,” Feinstein commented Taft, the three-term After high school, he went on about her father’s siblings. senator tours the to become a successful surgeon. Goldman was one of the lucky Goldman is being considered ones. He eventually went on to school from which her for induction into the school’s attend UC Berkeley and became father graduated in new project, The Walk of Fame. Chief of Surgery at the UC Med- the 1920s, calling it a Senator Feinstein toured the ical Center in San Francisco. halls of the main building and The topic of Senator Fein- “roots trip.” visited the classroom of Karen stein’s motivational speech was Hillygus before going to the au- being the best you can be. By Lacey Chappelear ditorium for her speech. “Life gives you a lot of very Features Editor “I went into a classroom hard knocks,” Feinstein said. “I and it was interesting. I wonder believe you have to be a little bit U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein if my father could have been in like a phoenix to face the defeat (D - CA) paid a visit to Taft and that classroom,” Feinstein told after defeat life brings you.” Taft Union High School on Oc- students. Feinstein encouraged stu- tober 19. During her speech, Fein- dents to “find out what you “It is a roots trip,” Senator stein told the history of her fam- do best...read those books, bet- Feinstein commented in her ily. Her grandfather emigrated ter yourself, and become that motivational speech to the stu- from Poland and eventually phoenix.” dent body during 4th period found his way to San Francisco. Feinstein also talked about Her father, Leon Goldman, After the great San Francisco global warming and its effects attended TUHS in the 1920’s. earthquake in 1906, her grand- and possible solutions. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein speaks to the TUHS student Goldman was an outstanding parents moved to Taft during At the end of her speech, body about fulfilling their potential during a 4th period assem- student, participating in sports, an oil boom and founded Gold- ASB President Ashlei Bryant bly on October 19. Photo by Megan Chappelear both the newspaper and year- man and Sons Supply. continued on page 3 Fall Renaissance Rally has fun honoring Top Cats and those with good attitudes By Nathan Lampkin participated in the first game of Staff Writer the rally. On October 25, the first Re- Students were given foam naissance Rally of the year apples, and the object was for made its “Hollywood” debut each class to get as many of the on the red carpet with Greg apples as they could into a trash Goossen, the new Renaissance can within the time given. The advisor, hosting the event. senior class crushed their oppo- The Renaissance Rally opened nents, making almost twice as The Homecoming queen candidates after the crowning. L-R: Sara Kidd, Emily Graves, Queen many as any other class. with the national anthem, sung Toni White, Ali Matthews and Kelsee Melton. Photo by Jordie Hood by the choir. Goossen then in- The Top Cats, students with troduced himself and gave a GPA of 4.0 and above, were Homecoming Week activities stir up spirit an inspiring, heartfelt speech recognized and awarded with By Sam Gonzales about succeeding in life by set- a trophy of appreciation. There nominees were Michael Gon- mores followed close behind in Staff Writer ting goals and accomplishing were 26 Top Cats all together. zales, Fernando Romo, Junior second, with freshmen in third them. Again, more hints were given Taft’s Homecoming Week Sefo, Taylor Unruh and Shawn and juniors in fourth place. Soon after, the local band to help people figure out who stirs up excitement throughout Wynn. Following the JV foot- Team momentum was at an Ferdinand the Bull took the the Staff Member of the Year the student body and awakens ball game the Homecoming all-time high as the varsity foot- stage in front of the jam-packed and Most Improved Student of school spirit all over campus. Court was announced, with ball team shut down the Wasco crowd, performing their own the Year were. The Homecoming football Toni White crowned Queen and Tigers in a 63-0 win. songs, such as “At the Bottom Finally, after one more set of game and dance on Friday Fernando Romo crowned King. Earlier that day the Home- of the Ocean,” “Last Train,” and hints, the mystery was revealed. night, October 27th were the The senior class prevailed in coming Rally was held in the “Keep on Runnin’.” Campus Supervisor Mary Mill- culmination of a week of activi- the float competition, with Gi- stadium. Rally commissioners Following a few hints as to er was declared the Staff Mem- ties. Nominees for Homecom- anna Hampton, James Yeley, Toni White and Ali Mathews the identity of the Staff Member ber of the Year and junior Chad ing Queen were Emily Graves, Josh Webb and Lacey Chap- got the crowd pumped up. The of the Year and Most Improved Cruz was awarded Most Im- Sara Kidd, Ali Mathews, Kelsee pelear making major contribu- football teams were introduced, Student of the Year, the students continued on page 4 Melton and Toni White. King tions to the senior float. Sopho- continued on page 3 Page 2 News & Opinion November 30, 2006 Superstar students earn 1st Quarter GPAs of 4.0 and above Seniors: Front row, L-R: Lacey Chappelear, Michelle Perales, Alexander Franzen, Raquel Garcia, Tanner Suthard. Mid- dle row: Kelsey Meadows, Malinde Hoffman, Amy Ma- gee, Patricia Unsoeld. Back row: Emily Graves, Gianna Hampton, James Pearson, Shiloh Mayfield. Not pictured: Sarah Cook, Alyssia Mat- thews, Aaron Payne. Photo by Jim Carnal. SENIORS JUNIORS FRESHMEN SOPHOMORES Juniors: Front row, L-R: Matt Griffing, Jessica Hall, Allen Hickernell, Melissa Hoffman. Second row: Beatriz Aguilar, John Chamale, Selene Frausto, Jennifer Gonzales. Back row: Zakary Krigbaum, Jeremiah Twisselman, Maria Uriarte, Noel Zarate. Not pictured: Megan Chappelear. Photo by Jim Carnal Sophomores, L-R: Daisy DeLeon, Tyler Garrison, Loren Kolb, Jessica Mar- tin. Not pic- tured: Hannah Bozarth. Photo by Jim Carnal Freshmen: Front row, L-R: Mayra Aguilar, Bryanna Bacot, Juliana Campos, Chelsey Coke, Chase Comfort, Angela Dickard. Middle row: Anthony Carino, Chesney Doak, Emmanuel Medina, Sarah Knox, Hannah Koerner, Monica Solis, Anthony Thompson, Karlie Twisselman. Back row: Jordan Mead, Blake Emberson, Melissa Miller, Paige Schoneweis, Eric LeClair, Alexis Long, Ma- rissa McMahan. Photo by Jim Carnal The Gusher Letters to the Editor Taft Union High School When I read “Battle of the Sex- emerges before kindergarten, con- what to wear in high school. 701 Seventh Street es: Female Fashion” in the last issue tinues through ... high school, and I must also say that Jordie Taft, Calif. 93268 of The Gusher, I expected to see an becomes most acute at the college Hood made some excellent points (661) 763-2300 honest, well-thought-out opinion. level.” Thus, at this point, boys are in saying that girls shouldn’t take I was shocked to find it incredibly not as focused on school but rather so much time to get ready just for [email protected] contradictory, sexist and offensive. on the female body. This can cause school. School is for learning, mak- By pointing out specific people and tension and uneasiness. ing new friends and preparing The Gusher is a monthly publication of the journalism class at Taft calling them names, seeing women Girls should not be influenced yourself for the real world, not for Union High School. The Gusher is an open forum for students, faculty as people who should be pleasing by what guys think about how they finding a boyfriend or girlfriend. and alumni of TUHS. The opinions and views expressed in The Gusher for men to see and saying people should dress. Most girls are above In conclusion, I don’t see are the sole responsibility of the staff and do not reflect the views of dress for attention, but claiming to this. We don’t need short skirts, a problem with the way anyone is either TUHS, the TUHS District, or the Board of Trustees. want these same people to dress low-cut tops or other clothing that dressing if they’re abiding by the for the attention of the opposite has already been banned by the school Dress Code. I’m not looking sex, Aaron Rolls is definitely being school Dress Code to get boys’ at- for a life-partner, I’m here for the Editor-in-Chief/Photo Editor Sports Editor unfair. tention. Also, being experienced education. Jenny Gonzales Barbara Eveland in what I can or can’t wear, how I see this issue as a fairly easy Kt Parker I dress currently is in accordance one to solve. It is recognized that Junior Managing Editor Entertainment Editor boys mature later than girls and with the Dress Code. So whether Megan Chappelear Jordie Hood by the time we’re in high school, you are attracted to someone just To submit a letter to the editor, give the male population still has a lot because of the way they dress or a copy to any Gusher staff member, News Editor Staff Writers of growing up to do.