On Thursday, March 2, physics students from all over Southern California journeyed to Knott\’s Berry Farm to take part in physics-related competitions, festivities, and, of course, some rides.

The theme park opened for the students at 8 AM, two hours earlier than usual, with a total of 5,000 teenagers in attendance. Students scurried around the park with their lab packets measuring the angles, heights, and speeds of different rides.

“It was kind of hard measuring acceleration on the roller coasters because we were moving so fast!” says senior Mariyam Ahmed. “Luckily, the calculations were short, so we got to enjoy our time without having to solve  problems all the time.”

Not only did students calculate measurements, but they also participated in numerous all-day competitions against other high schools. Such competitions included an airplane making tutorial in the morning, followed by the paper tower contest, Fermi questions, an airplane throwing contest, and a buoyancy competition. Fountain Valley teams gave it their all in the competition, with one team placing first in the Fermi questions.

Senior Jennifer Duong says, “This competition was interesting and fun. It was a bit of a challenge because you had to give estimations on the sizes of different things based off of your former knowledge. What made it harder was that we couldn\’t use a calculator.”

Until closing time at 6 PM, students enjoyed the short lines that justified the $22 ticket price. Sadly, the popular rollercoaster Xcelerator was closed, much to the dismay of many physics students.

“It was like senior ditch day without the ditching,” recalls senior Anh-Vu Nguyen.

As for the seniors who didn’t attend, it was a free day for them. Some classes, such as Advanced Placement courses (AP’s) had mini parties with six students or played board games to pass the time. This was probably the only day prior to AP exams when AP students could stop to smell the roses.

It’s February, which means that the mega-Hallmark holiday known as Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Although some of us will be spending this Sunday celebrating Single Awareness Day, here’s a guide for everyone, single or otherwise, on what to wear for this holiday.

Single Ladies

For all the single ladies without a ring on it, why let a perfectly fine day go to waste? As tempting as it may be to shut yourself in with a tub of ice cream, you should put the commercial holiday to good use and dress up a little. Just because you don’t have a date for the weekend doesn’t mean you can’t show off that new body-conscious dress on a girl’s night out. If you don’t know what “body-conscious clothing” means, then here’s a quick explanation: body-conscious clothing consists of peices that accentuate your curves in a good way. This is not to be confused with “dear-Lord-I-can’t-breathe” clubbing wear.

If  body-conscious clothing isn’t for you, try the opposite approach. Instead of donning a slim fitting skirt, try a full one instead. A full, poofy skirt will give you a more feminine, but not necessarily body-conscious look . However, if you’re taking this route, be sure to pair your skirt with a top that’s fitted in order to better  emphasize the fullness of the skirt.

With both approaches, don’t forget to wear the appropriate colors. Pastels and nude tones are always a good choice.

Ladies with a Date

Now for those who do have a ring on it, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to showcase your femininity, even if you don’t like it. The easiest way to dress up for your date would be to wear a dress, obviously. Vintage dresses with classic, flowing cuts are best. There’s just something about the fashion of the past that’s so perfect for the occasion. Just don’t look too dated. Bring the vintage up to date with some modern jewelry.

Unfortunately, there is a limited supply of decent vintage dresses in the world. Thankfully, floral patterned dresses are highly accessible and just as cute. Pick a dress with that has a fitted bust and full skirt, and just as before, select a color appropriate for your Valentine’s day date.

Gentlemen

Just because you’ve got a Y-chromosome wired into your DNA doesn’t mean you’re exempt from dressing up this holiday. Unless you’re dateless and staying home playing StarCraft, you should dress nicely. If you’ve got a lady friend, then is it too much to ask for a collared shirt? By the way, those flannels you always wear do not count. Pair your shirt with a pair of jeans that actually fit and you’ll be good to go.

So whether you’re a boy or a girl, single or not, Valentine’s day is the perfect excuse to dress up.

Public Notices: LOVE LETTERS

Thank you to those who purchased “Love Letters” from the Baron Banner. Your contribution makes our publication possible!

Cindylamchopper <3  Binh the Bunny

Miss Taylor: You are, and always will be The One. –Dr. Poff

Courtney Garrity, I think you are scrumpdiddlyumptious and you are a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious friend. I love you! Mari

All to of my “kids”: Have a great Valentine\’s Day! Make good choices. Mama M.

To Bert without a mustache. I love you so much. You\’re amazing. I can\’t wait until Valentine\’s Day. Love Raychl

To Bert with a mustache— I like you. I\’m so glad I met you, hun. Happy Valentine\’s Day. -Love Anonymous.

Albert Nguyen, age is but a number to me. Swim your way to your heart! –Your most ardent admirer

Trevor & Niles Marquez,
Happy Valentine\’s Day! I love you! –Mom

Madame Jones— Nous vous aimons! Merci beaucoup. Vous êtes très chouette ! – Love votre AP classe, period 3

Rachel Lynn London White: You\’re just amazing. –Andre P.S: I love you more.

I would write you a letter,
But I\’ve got something better.
Love. Happy Valentine\’s Day, Brina.

Mrs. Henderson! Woof Woof (I love you!) Happy Valentine\’s Day! –Love Scout

Boo! Happy Valentine\’s Day, Joseph Pham! Jennie\’s cool. You\’re not. Just kidding. I love you babe. 101107 <3 -Love always, Jennie

Well, I don\’t have a Valentine, so I\’m celebrating S.A.D. – Singles\’ Awareness Day. :] But I guess I\’ll take this opportunity to give a shout out to my cat—I love you!

H.T.H. – you are purely AMAZING! I will never forget “Warner & Magnolia,” cleaning the janitor\’s closet, and almost getting arrested with you. I\’ve had the time of my life with you. <3 L.L

Dearest Ellen Akashi,
You warm my heart.
You\’re as cool as Sweettarts.
I like Sweettarts. *hint hint*
–Love, Casey Odd

I miss you all Baron Banner kids! Hope to be back soon! Love, Amanda

Kara, el amor de mi vida. Tu piel es porcelana. Pero cuando no estás conmigo, siempre pienso en ti. –Tu admirador secreto

Happy Valentine\’s Day from your favorite librarian.

Annette, these past months have made me realize that I love you and hope to never lose you. –Your BF, David

Claudia, Nesli, Annie, and Sophia, we\’ve been through so much together since Masuda. I hope we stay friends Forever. Love ya!

Dear Valerie: You make my life miserable, but I would not have it any other way. Love, Kara

From one lover to another, keep me in your heart. I love you, Tiffy! –Vinson

Dearest Kimmie,
So, we wanted to give a secret something away, but I got this ‘cuz I felt bad. -Ellen

Chikapoo! Too many more good times and adventures! -Dustin Vu

Ian Leo, you\’re sooo sweet!
Going out with you would be a treat!
Love your Secret Admirer

Ms. LaFramboise, thanks for everything. Your class was challenging, but very fun. Thanks for all your support and enthusiasm.

Kyle Sugitan, this is for you:
My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We\’ll lock them up together,
& throw away the key.
- Your Opposite

To the sweetie whom I love so much (don\’t deny it). I haven\’t felt happy like this in awhile. ~ Cutie <3

Aarushi—I\’ll be waiting in New York City!
— J.F.

Good luck in college, Ricky! You were great, and Mock Trial will miss you! And…the Game. — Matthew

Wendy, you are the epitome of the female persona, all in a petite package!
Love, Alan

Valerie, I owe you so much for the things you have done for me, and I will make up the debts. I promise.
— Anonymous

Dear Jaime,
I have twenty words to express my feelings. So, here it is. I love you, always and forever.

Happy Valentine\’s Day Beckaffanayah! I love you! — Sarah Yoo

Julie, I simply cannot put into words how I feel for you. There\’s just not enough words…

NECAS= the best group EVER! All the laughs, sleepover(s), hangouts — it\’s impossible to erase the memories…thru thick & thin — love you guys <3 C.

Hey Kyle, even though I scare you, I hope this Valentine’s Day gives you enough courage to stop running away.

Tim: Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you.
Love, Rick

Ms. Ziller, I didn\’t enjoy the subject you taught, but I definitely enjoyed the class and way you taught it. — former student

Peter Nguyen & Sean Goebel,
Hope this brings a smile to your faces. Study hard; don\’t let the squirrels beat ya!

Señor Yarton. No me gusta usted mucho. ¿¿Por qué tocómi ipod?? Usted es loco y no quiero estar en su clase.

El mensaje de arriba no es serio y pensamos que Señor Yarnton es un maestro magnífico. = )

To Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Penhall, admit it already: you guys are like two peas in a pod! = ]

Miles part, I\’ll remember how your random twitching made me smile,a nd your sleeptalking made me laugh. I love you.

Aboo, I hope your Valentine\’s Day is as sweet as you are, because you\’re my sweetheart. –Honey bee

Who do you predict will win the Bell game?

-Curious George

Now George,

I\’ve been researching and investigating this topic for quite some time now. It seems as though Edison has been beating us for, oh just the last *cough* three*cough* years.  

However, my crystal ball tells me that there\’s going to be a positive change. I\’m just not too clear on whether it\’s going to be them or us.

-Kiley

Dear Kiley,

What the heck is a Charger anyway?

-Mr. Baron

Dear Mr. Baron,

A Charger, according to Wikipedia, is: a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargable battery by forcing an electric current through it.

-Kiley

Dear Kiley,

How did this whole rivalry start anyway?

- Iwannaknowmyhistory

Well Iwannaknow,

It goes a little something like this:

Once upon a time in Fountain Valley the Mighty Barons were the rulers in the land. But on one gloomy day in 1969 a group of savage monsters came tromping into the “nice place to live.” They were known as the Edison Chargers.

Ugly, booger green, and terrifically smelly, the Chargers challenged the Noble Barons in a Football Game for a train bell. The Barons did not want to fight, but felt it that if their neighbors wanted a nice game of football, they might as well give it to them. They also decided to let the Chargers win the first game just for courtesy\’s sake.

But the smelly savages took advantage.

“We won!” the Chargers cheered after the short game.

“But we let you win.”

“No, we won!”

The Barons were deep in their sorrow and full of rage. From then made a pact to never let the unfriendly Chargers win another game again.

Thus began the greatest rivalry in history.

-Kiley

Disclaimer: “Ask Kiley” columns have the accuracy of a magic 8 ball.