Banner designed by Club Commissioner Ayah Bany-Mohammed ('12).

Every year I look forward to the first week of November, the much anticipated Bell Week. It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year. I love getting pumped up at the Pep Rally and I love seeing posters hung all over campus and the way they cover entire walls and even the ground. For the last three years, I have had the chance to work with the ASB and Senate in their efforts to prepare for Bell Week. I’m surprised at how much time they sacrifice to raise school spirit. What strikes me the most is the quality of the posters and how that quality has improved year after year.

During the summer students brainstorm poster ideas and begin designing them.  Many of the ASB officers put about thirty minutes or more into just a single poster. That requires dedication considering how they are obligated to basically draw 100 posters. The time they spend to put the posters up is even more astonishing. Having only Thursday night to hang up posters all over campus, our ASB and Senate works diligently and swiftly to assure that the school will be ready for the next morning when students walk through the gates.

In addition to their poster duties, ASB officers  were expected to attend the annual ASB Breakfast with the Chargers\’ ASB around 5:00 A.M. The hours of bedtime they sacrificed for just this week is unimaginable.

Mural completed by Spirit Commissioner Natalie Wilson ('12).

Some question whether the numerous amounts of posters are necessary every single year. The truth is yes. Yes, because it rallies up the school to defeat the Edison Chargers. Although we haven\’t won for the last seven years, our school still exerts pride and spirit at every Bell Game.

What about all those students who have worked so hard to make Bell Week happen? What everything really worth it?

Spirit Commissioner Jessica Hanson (\’13) thinks so. “In the end, it was all worth it. I believe the posters and the rally really got everyone pumped up for the game. I honestly never have seen our school as loud and together before of my three years in high school. It\’s really thrilling to see the crowd so stimulated.”

You don\’t see Edison or Marina High Schools rally up as much spirit as we have for football games. Everyone on campus from the student body to the administration has exemplified what it is to be a Baron through spirit and unity. We should be thanking ASB for all the countless hours they have spent to make Bell Week possible and the student body and staff for being so supportive. We are the mighty Barons!

FVHS ASB

I have never been popular in my life. In my never ending pursuit of knowledge I decided to explore the realm of popularity. Before I could discover the majestic world of fame (the land of ASB) I had to find out more about the foundation. The members of the Associated Student Body are not just there by inheritance, they must earn their right in the hierarchy of high school popularity.

So, how does one achieve this honor? A common route is by joining Senate, also known as the gateway to the kingdom which is ASB. This gateway intrigued me because many join, but few proceed to the next level.

It wasn’t enough for me to ask members of Senate or ASB to find the truth of becoming popular. I knew they would give sugarcoating answers and make it seem like the road is all sparkles and rainbows. I felt that the only way to give the Barons the truth was to go incognito and visit some of the “poster parties” Senate hosts after school.

My feelings would best be described as apprehensive. I have heard many things about Senate prior to my planned trip. “Senate is like ASB’s little elves,” says Vinh Vu (’12) This is coming from a man who is on homecoming court, on a popularity level almost equal to ASB. “Aren’t they a lower echelon of ASB?” Jaime Tran (’12) said, as you can tell Jaime is just your average nerd (who uses the word echelon outside of math class?), but he shares the same view of Senate as many other students on campus.

Before I had arrived to the gateway of popularity I expected to see something similar to scenes of a missionary visiting a third world country. I could imagine it already. It would look exactly like Sam Childers seeing the poor children of East Africa for the first time in the movie “Machine Gun Preacher”, except it would be little senators slaving away on posters in a blazing inferno.

When I arrived I saw it. The little senators were toiling away on posters, but it wasn’t just them. ASB was also helping out. It was amazing, I thought I would see elves slaving away while the ASB leaders fed on the grapes of servants. This is probably the only time ASB is helping senate I thought to myself.

Maybe ASB was just “giving back” to the community and being nice that day. I had to visit again to ensure that it was just a charity act. The second visit was even more stirring. ASB was there again making posters with the senators. I even made a poster with a senator and conversed about the whole idea of senate and ASB.

“We really feel like we help to encourage school spirit and contribute to a positive school environment.” said Harrison Nguyen (’14) when I asked him what he thinks Senate does for Fountain Valley. This answer was very mature and shocked me to some degree. I was reluctant to believe that all senators felt this way. This Harrison Nguyen kid was probably just an exception.

The rest of the senators were hungry for the fame of ASB right? The thing is they weren’t. I interacted with several other members of senate and I admit I had fun. In fact, I befriended several members of Senate and my viewpoint has changed.

After my visits I realized that the students on Senate have a genuine desire to help our school. They treated me as an equal even though my popular points were not as high as theirs. It was a loving environment and the marvelous element about it all was that you have fun.

However, because Senate attends many school events and helps around campus frequently, these students become more well-known and “popular”. It’s something that is inevitable and maybe they deserve it, after all they do provide a better atmosphere at school for all of us. We can all agree to what Kanye said in School Spirit, “Back to school and I hate it there, I hate it there.” and Senate tries it’s best to make it as fun as possible.

So, next time you see Senate working on their posters, you should remind yourself that they’re doing it for you. If you’re feeling really generous ask to make a poster yourself, they don’t mind. Underneath all of the popularity and stardom, ASB and Senate are people too and amicable ones at that.

Photo by: Frederico Stevanin

When you hear homecoming, what do you think of?  I asked a couple of students and their responses were, “I think of Kanye”, Ryan Peffers (\’12). I think the same thing, Peffers.

“A king and queen.” Thao Pham (\’12),

“Girls in dresses and boys in dress shirts. Mild freaking out about dates.” Julie Nguyen (\’13).

“A really fun night spent with friends and really good music. It\’s an excuse for people to ask or get asked in super cute ways too!” Noelle Nguyen (\’12).

However, before that “really fun night” comes the drama of homecoming. Big groups of homecoming-bound students have to find the cheapest limo that fits everyone and organize the after party.

Girls worry about who is going to ask them and hope it isn\’t done in public, which makes rejecting the guy almost impossible. Guys plan weeks in advance to ask a girl to the dance and there\’s no drama involved until that girl already has a date; a guy who you thought was your best friend!

Which leads to me to question, when did guys start asking in the most grandiose and creative ways? Each guy has to ask a girl in a unique and cute way so he doesn\’t look weak compared to the other men. It\’s high school stick measuring and it sucks, because it makes every guy work their butt off just to ask a girl to a dance. What happened to the tradition in ye olden days where men could just ask straight up and take a girl to a dance?

Homecoming King and Queen is just an interesting subplot, in short it\’s a popularity contest. Homecoming is an event that gives us high schoolers an excuse to go out with our friends, spend vast amounts of money on things to make us feel sexy. Homecoming promotes high school stereotypes of popularity and drama.

The whole event may drive many people away from attending the event, but as Kanye said in “Homecoming”, “Now everybody got the game figured out all wrong, I guess you never know what you got ‘til it\’s gone.” Homecoming may seem like a night full of wasted money and time, but since we\’re here (in high school), might as well enjoy it while we can.

(photo credit to: https://s3.amazonaws.com/luuux-original-files/bookmarklet_uploaded/strong-shoulders-high-waisted-shorts–large-msg-127732943093.jpg)

Another trend that has not particularly gone out of style would be rompers.  These are very summery and welcome in the sunshine.  For those who don’t know what rompers are, they are like one piece suits.  They are comfortable and have a very young look to it.  The patterns they come in are countless and can match almost anyone’s style.  There are one shoulder, strapless, and strapped rompers that have many different prints.  I personally love them because unlike short dresses, you don’t have to constantly pull them down because they are shorts!  You can wear them over swimsuits when you are heading toward the beach or the pool.  Throw on some stripy sandals and a fedora and you are ready for a stroll along the pier.  These are sold almost EVERYWHERE so do not worry because chances are that if you go to the mall, 3/4 of the stores will be selling rompers.

(photo credit to: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cp52ufjp_jA/TUYL90nisAI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Q4YvNI4rkVI/s1600/Rompers.jpg)

Lastly on my list would be light colored, open toed wedges!  These shoes SCREAM summer and are very fun.  Some vary from short heels to high so it really depends on your preference.  Either way, these shoes can be matched with almost any summer outfit.  They can be matched with rompers, jeans, shorts, and dresses.  Some of my favorites include ones from Urban, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Cathy Jean.  However, these are not the only stores you can head to for wedges because almost every shoe store should hold these types especially since summer is right around the corner.  There are so many other trends out there but it is important to be true to yourself.  Don’t ever wear something that you’re not comfortable in or feel that is not you.  Dress to express, not to impress!

(photo credit to: Nine West website)

Artwork Created by: Megan Strazzula ('12)

BB Artwork of the Day

Worked on all through the summer and recently finished around early October.

Artwork edited and created by Tammy Tran (’12)

All content belongs to and was edited Tammy except for the original photographs and quotes of her figures.

Artwork Created by: Brandon Tao (’11)

This picture was worth my life. It was merely a black and white picture captured in its utter simplicity. 601 N Golden Circle Dr. Just a series of industrial buildings placed next to each other with a sign out front reading “Red Cross Orange County Chapter.” There I stood, simply marveling at the amazing craft. Yet, I couldn\’t stop but feel a tear gracefully form, the deep corners of my bosom then filled with gratitude and an unconditional love my heart never felt before. It came alive and caressed down my cheek like a brook through the forest, the tear did. A picture is worth one thousand words, they say; this picture was worth my life. Why?

The night was screaming to stay alive as day grappled with it, the wind chill biting my face as I packed my duffel bag snugly into the back seat of the Camry that August morning. Fifteen minutes later and there I stood, on the hard, concrete floor of 601, teenagers and parents lining the buildings, just as dumbfounded as I. With my guitar in one hand, my duffel bag in the other and my head held high, I pushed forward into this unchartered territory. It was time for leadership camp.

The thunderous cacophony of screams attacked the bus from all sides, we camp-goers stuck in a sea of shock, fear, and adrenaline. I slowly peered out the window to a sight of 20 teenagers about my age, screaming “L-O-V-E, WE LOVE OUR RCC!” What enthusiasm! What ardor!

“David, prepare yourself for the craziest week of your life, guaranteed.” God help me, I was scared. Right there my heart jumped.

“I have to get to know all these eighty-something people in the span of five days? That\’s impossible.” Doubtful and apprehensive as only my social outcast label could paint on my shell, I looked around and could only see a few familiar faces out of a crowd. As stiff as a boulder I stood, my muscles completely tense in fear.

“Hi. I\’m Aryanna.” And out of thin air my fear melted. Fast forward to the end of the day and I had already met and befriended a third of the crowd. I felt accepted, felt the calm of knowing the people around me cared. The sounds of the birds chirping graced my eardrums; the smell of the pine trees wavered around the area carried by the light breeze that gently nudged my tender skin; I knew I was home.

Tuesday morning. Exhilaration. Anticipating the best that camp had to offer, I attacked the day with a gargantuan smile. Moments later, there I stood, maybe two stories off the ground, one cold and sweaty hand desperately holding on to a rope, the other reaching for a big cylindrical tube while both feet were planted on a tight rope no bigger than a centimeter. My heart was exploding out of my chest, my body staggering. Every time I looked down my heart sank a little bit lower.

“It\’s over. I can stop now; I\’m safe now that I\’m holding the tube.” False. My heart sank even further: I had to jump to reach the next rope. I stood there, body still trembling from every agonizing moment. Sense of hearing, gone. Vision? Blatantly impaired. Will to go on?

“Don\’t worry, David. Just go!” my friends screamed. Trepidation grasping the forefront of my being… and I went, just in that split second. The fibers graced my finger, already slipping, but I held on to that rope for dear life. Now it was over. “I feel like a champion.”

Wednesday morning.    My head was down between my knees, my arms wrapped right under them. The melancholy permeated the atmosphere, disrupting the enthusiastic ambience created the previous days. A talk on self image and everyone was crying. Yet sitting there, no shred of emotion crossed my being. Then she spoke. Out of thin air, a tear. Then another. No, I wasn\’t sobbing, but yes, tears. Her words saturated the air and flooded my heart with sorrow. Such a heartfelt confession; a liberating feeling in my bosom. I was crying again. She broke me.

“Eat your damn food and then take your damn meds. You guys are such a waste of time and don\’t even belong in our society. I hate you elderly!” Thursday morning. “Can you hear me? Are you too old to hear?!” Excruciating moments of hell clawing at my heart; the chair pined in retaliation as I continued to sit, ignoring the slander thrashing my ears. Vicious. Sadistic.  My necklace twitched as my fingers adorned my Cross; I was afraid again. A never ending abyss at the pit of my gut; there was food in front of me, but I couldn\’t eat. I could merely wait for it to end. Verbal abuse; I finally understood it.

“I\’m not here right now, no. No…GOD I AM SO AFRAID! PLEASE STOP!” And like that, the scariest moment of my life, over.

Thursday night. Night in the mountains. The stars\’ twinkles bejeweled the night sky in a symphony of heavenly lights, adorning the ambience of our closing circle. Arm in arm, some crying, some laughing, some reminiscing the past week we experienced together. Our first week together, our last week together. A flood of comfort and gratitude permeated my heart as we sang our song for the last time…

“It\’s a new world, it\’s a new start, it\’s alive with the beating of young hearts. It\’s a new day, it\’s a new plan, I\’ve been waiting for you…here I am.”

Friday morning. It\’s time to say our final goodbyes. A crescendo of chatter broke the silence in the room. Tears. Now was the right time to let them all out, but I couldn\’t. Everyone else was crying, yet why couldn\’t I? Then she came, Amanda Hsu, the most tender and loving person a boy could ever know. A discord fell upon me; something was wrong, but I couldn\’t comprehend it. A tingle on my face… like a dam breaking, the tears I had held in for ten years flowed, all out in one instant. Our heads touched, our arms wrapped around each other. There we stood, crying, her tears caressing my shoulder as mine did hers. Heaven.

601 N Golden Circle Dr. It\’s just buildings put together with a sign out front. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet here I am right now, still marveling at this picture. I still feel him, caressing down my cheek in the most delicate manner. He plants himself on my lap, a tear. A picture is worth a thousands words; this one is worth my life.