FVHS ASB

On Tuesday January 17th during SSR, ASB will be conducting a student survey in order to assess student satisfaction.  The survey will consist of three open ended questions which students may answer voluntarily.  All responses will be kept anonymous and ASB will later analyze the results.

ASB Activities Director, Quinton Dang, said “the survey is one of our ways to try to reach out towards our students and listen to their voices, to see what they want and what they like and don’t like. We know that there are always certain people who would tell us upfront, but quite frankly, there are a lot of students who aren’t comfortable doing so, so we never get the right feedback. We’re hoping this survey will allow students to freely express themselves.”

ASB plans to take the results into consideration for improvements in the future.

According to reports, the water polo player and at least one other student were running around and playing on the pool deck. Wet and slippery conditions contributed to the accident.

Emergency personnel from the city of Fountain Valley responded to accident and treated the injured student in the nurses office. The student was then transported to a local hospital.

Sitting in a sports bar on a Sunday afternoon, I saw no signs of acknowledgement of the importance of this day. The throngs of football fans that pack Slater\’s 50/50 Burgers do not act any differently then I imagine they do every other weekend of professional football season. They still yell and curse at the television when their favorite player fails to score a touchdown. Some still scream and pound their fists at what they believe are “bad calls” by the referee. Their attitudes suggest ignorance to the true magnitude this day should hold. Other than the images of Budweiser Clydesdales occasionally bowing their heads in remembrance during commercial breaks, it seems that even the sports media has turned a blind eye to the anniversary of this event.

Logging onto FaceBook, I see my news feed is crowded with chain posts about remembering the disaster that occurred a decade ago. “God bless America,” posts one sophomore attending FVHS.  However, hordes of other non-related posts suggest that life is carrying on without interruption.

Once at home, I relax on the couch watching the women’s finals of the US Open. The broadcast opens with Queen Latifah, backed by a gospel choir, ready to sing the national anthem on this momentous day. First, she asks, “Can we please have a moment of silence for those we lost ten years ago today?” As the moment comes to an end, and the music begins to resonate from the stadium’s speakers, she speaks softly into the microphone for all to hear, “We will not be defeated,” echoing the sentiments of thousands this day. Later, American finalist Serena Williams also shares her pride of playing in New York on this day.

That night, as my dad and I are driving to the video store to check out the latest thriller for our Sunday night movie nights, we pass a small cluster of people standing on the corner. They hold candles up to the sky and wave our flags high with pride. The phrases on their signs speak volumes to those who encounter them. Those people provided a beautiful example of what it means to love our country, and to love those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Based on what I witnessed today, I find that many have forgotten the true significance of this day, and choose to simply carry on with their lives. Having lived on the west coast all my life, I understand that without a personal connection to the events, many find their lives unaffected; the trauma felt by others is beyond their perception. However, those who did celebrate this anniversary gave their hearts to our country in honor of those who perished. The memorial built where the twin towers once stood stands strong in patriotic beauty, and we Americans who paused to reflect on this terrible memorial, live on, proud to say “We will never forget.”

Editor-in-Chief

Our Fountain Valley High School Baron Broadcast News (BBN) now has their very own official website where all BBN-goers may visit to read up on updates on inside scoop of the BBN behind-the-scenes as well as updates for upcoming episodes. If unable to watch an episode the day it premieres in the English classrooms, episodes and segments are also posted on the website for viewer’s convenience.

Come visit their website at http://www.baronbroadcast.tumblr.com.

Also, BBN is now open for new applicants for the 2011-2012 school year. Application forms are available in room 306 or here. However, there is a highly recommended brief meeting for all students interested or possibly interested in joining the staff. Space is limited and process of elimination runs by personal review of application and interview as well as “first comes, first serves” as several applicants may fail to attend.

Finally, for those curious when the next episode will premiere, Season 9: Episode 4 of the Baron Broadcast News will be released on Friday, March 4, 2011 in the English classrooms.

Photos By Sarah Rahman

Last weekend, tragedy struck in Tuscon, Arizona. Twenty-two year old Jared Lee Loughner fired his gun outside a supermarket, killing six and injuring fourteen. One victim was a nine-year-old girl. Loughner also wounded U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, whom he had harbored a longstanding grudge against. Fortunately, Loughner was tackled by three civilians who managed to hold him down until police arrived.

Although the nation is still mourning for the victims of the shooting, things are improving each day. Giffords\’ condition is stabilizing. President Obama attended the memorial service for the victims of the shooting, expressing his condolences and addressing the courage of the three individuals who tackled the Loughner.

“It was tragic what happened to all those innocent people,” says Emily Robert (\’14). “More people are buying guns, and more access to guns also means more violence.”

Mrs. Gilbert, a longtime English teacher at FVHS, isn\’t too worried about our country\’s security, but she does express concern about the gun Loughner used for the shooting. “Sales have gone up for that gun. Young people are experimenting how fast they can change cartridges,” she says. “That scares me more than terrorism.”

Natalia Pombo (\’12) stresses another important fact. “Society should pay more attention to the mentally ill by creating preventative programs.”

Loughner is believed to have mental problems. He was suspended from his community college in September for multiple classroom disruptions. His fellow students and teachers expressed concern about his erratic behavior, but nothing was done about his condition. Loughner\’s friends said he was nihilistic and believed in a number of outlandish conspiracy theories.

Loughner purchased his gun legally at a warehouse in Tuscon, where he passed his background check with flying colors. The fact that just about anyone could walk into a store and buy a weapon poses countless threats against the American public. It was also apparent to everyone who knew Loughner that he was a potential danger. Furthermore, this was not his first run-in with the law. Loughner was previously arrested for drug possession and defacing public property.

If Loughner had received treatment for his illness, the shooting may have never happened. But now it\’s too late, and we can only search for answers to an endless stream of questions. Just how many more shootings will occur? How many more people will die before we do something about the Jared Lee Loughners of the world?

Three weeks earlier, at the start of November, I vowed not to wait ’til Thanksgiving Break to start my apps. But that’s what happened. Throughout the first three weeks, Mother and Father begged me to start, pleading in every fashion save for clinging to my knees with tears streaming down their cheeks. Of course I blew off the college apps and waited until half way through Thanksgiving Break.

I shamelessly spent hours of my time playing games with Jake and Bob rather than getting back to work. My applications were filled out completely, all except for the essays. Oh, the essays. I sat in my office chair blasting pipe organ music while I brooded over what to write. I tried no less than five separate rough drafts for the two essay prompts, none of them being sufficiently jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

Finally, at 2:00 A.M., on the day before the application deadline, I was visited by the angel of inspiration and finally my brain vomited up two acceptable ideas for the essay prompts. I labored intensively, and after getting a stamp of approval from the voices in my head, I fell asleep in my chair.

It just so happened that Mother and Father thought my essays were the best thing since sliced bread, and made almost no corrections to my rough drafts. With that, I sent in my applications and went back to slaying Jake and Bob.

Photos By Kennington Cung w/ Sarah Rahman and Joy Chen

Engineer and business owner, Charlie Nguyen, grew up in the area and attended Westminster High School.  He claims that if elected, he will prioritize encouraging parental involvement and support teachers.  Nguyen strongly believes in Republican ideas and as business owner, has much faith in the free market.  He trusts that private industry will benefit the public school system in many ways through generous donations. Nguyen has been endorsed by the CA Republican Assembly and Assemblyman Van Tran.

1. Why do you want to be elected?

- To provide the best education possible for our children. I also grew up in this area and went to. Westminster highschool and its a good way to contribute back to the area where I grew up.

2. How would you apply a business mentality to running a school district?

-Leadership skills are important  in order to listen to parents and students and how to manage their issues while having budget and other ….in mind.

-As a business owner I can work independently to manage the school budget and make sure that we use that budget properly and prioritize. As a business owner I believe in having a plan carrying out with the plan and end with measuring the result.

3. Since funding is a problem is that what you will go after first, or is there anything else?

We have to look at the big picture, however, funding is one of the top priorities. We need to see what we have and from there work and move forward.

4. How will you maximize the use of technology?

As an engineer, I know how to balance. Corporations value education because the next generation will improve our technology. Computer programs, for example, although they have many versions but give a free student version. Companies buy, but student (school) gets it free.

5.Would you provide an incentive for these companies?

-Firstly, they want to contribute to school, and since school is for everyone, then everyone has to contribute. If students are familiar with the software and programs then they will choose that product or software. So the companies, in the long run have the advantage in the future.

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Photos By Kennington Cung

Former educator Kathy Iverson hopes fiscal responsibility based on student needs will alleviate the district’s financial woes.  She was named Soroptimist Woman of Distinction in Education in 1994 and OC teacher of the Year in 1989.  Iverson has over 30 years of teaching experience under her belt and wants to increase school involvement with the community.  She has been endorsed by Margie Rice, Mayor of Westminster and Ian Collins, FVSD board member.

Q: What are your credentials?

A: I am 60 years old. I have a Bachelor\’s Degree in Chemistry, and a Master\’s from Cal State Fullerton. I spent 36 years teaching chemistry, math, and physics. I\’ve been active in this district since the 1980\’s and I worked as the district\’s Curriculum Specialist in the 90\’s.

Q: How do you personally pertain to the position you are running for?

A: My family has lived in this general area for quite some time. In fact, before I went to Westminster High School, my father did, and my grandfather did, and so on up to the school\’s inception. You could even call it something of a legacy.

Q: How does your history of growing up in Southern California\’s school system influence you?

A: I am not new to these waters. The reforms I implement are founded upon experience. I\’ve been through this, I worked through this, and now I\’m coming out of retirement to make some changes.

Q: If elected into the school board, what would your first reforms be?

A: The first thing you should know is: my strategy consists of evaluating and planning. Evaluating and planning. This means I will go back and review district programs. I\’m planning a budget fix.

Q: What do you hope this will achieve?

A: Why invest equal money in two programs, when one garners much more success than the other? It just doesn\’t make sense. I will give students equal opportunities by moving funds towards programs they are more interested in – because you know, some schools have drama departments while others don\’t. I want give every student a chance.

Q: Have you faced any opposition concerning your goal to ‘plan and evaluate\’?

A: Yes, of course, faculty members always scorn any idea that could include them getting cut. And not everyone agrees with my viewpoint. It is human nature. But we can\’t keep with the same system forever. It\’s just like goading the ox. Change is necessary. You have to go back and ask yourself: Is it making an impact and, if it\’s not, what can you do to make it better? ‘Better\’ being the key word.

Q: With budget reform being your main priority, how do you feel about Prop 25? (Prop 25 will change California\’s State Legislature vote requirement from 2/3 majority to a simple majority for budget bills)

A: I am all for it. The current 2/3 requirement is just unrealistic. What happens if there is a 59% majority? It\’s so close, but not there. School budgets need to be passed on time – time is crucial towards planning and evaluating.

Q: How do you plan on keeping on keeping up on current issues in the district\’s schools?

A: I would be more than happy to attend as many school-site council meetings as I can, so long as I am informed of when they are. Of course, there may be a few sour faces over my attendance. But it is my first priority to step in, plan and evaluate, and make changes to make the Fountain Valley a top-notch school district.

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