Weak attendance and past stigma hampers the sucess of the Sadie Hawkins Dance

By Komal Ram, Staff Writer

Senior Commission\’s Sadie Hawkins Dance was last Saturday, Barons. While the dance was considered better than last year, there’s still room for improvement. Among students, Sadies has earned the reputation for one of the worst dances of the year. While this is a rather harsh view, it is seemingly justified. Now, the main concern that was heard repeatedly throughout the night was that not enough people went to the dance. This isn’t an easy problem for Senior Commission to solve. Let’s relate getting more people to come to a dance to figuring out how to get more people to come and buy things from your store. You\’ve only got so much money to spend and a lot of different ways as to how to spend it. Should you get more merchandise? Should you advertise more? Should you get more expensive merchandise, even though that would mean you’d have to charge more? Should you get cheaper merchandise so you can charge less, even though the quality might be terrible? It’s definitely a valiant effort on Senior Commission\’s part to attempt to organize the timeless high school staple that is the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Still, as far as dances are considered, there are things that can change.

When I entered the gym, the first thought that came to my mind was “awkward”. The lights were turned off and the black lights attempted to give a dance/nightclub/rave impression, but there was something missing. Lasers? Albeit, there were few students on the dance floor, most of them were standing doing absolutely nothing. But it was early into the night, surely there would be more to come. The “awkward” mood became a bit more relaxed as time went on. Still, when you walk into a dance, you want to walk into a dance where people are having a good time. After a while, people did seem to start having a good time, but in a way that’s a little too uncomfortable for my tastes. Most people there were grinding to the point where you couldn’t help but want to pay for their hotel room. Even though I suppose one could call that enthusiasm, I was hoping for dancing less appropriate for a bedroom and more befitting for a dance floor. The music had just about every popular pop song of the last few years as well as a few blasts from the past . While I generally subscribe to different musical tastes, I really liked the music and it did help to get people in the right mood. The video DJ-ing was a nice touch. It helped to fill up the empty space of the dance floor. Being that it was a Sadie Hawkins dance, I’m relieved that at least a few slow songs were there. They’re a great excuse to dance a little more eloquently and for the shyer girls to actually dance with your date. The night was rather uneventful in terms of supervision. No major or noticeable problems occurred, so way to go Barons for not making the night interesting in a bad way!

Interviews during the dance tended to yield the same responses. While the music selection and dance atmosphere were great, the students who were there felt that there were too few students. One student also complained that the photo booth being outside of the actual dance area contributed to the lack of people, saying that: “people would just stay over there and take pictures all night instead of dancing.”

In planning next year’s dance, Senior Commission may want to consider having more activities during the dance, like games with prizes or a dance-off to entice people into coming. The issue with students coming is not entirely the club’s fault as well. Most students wouldn’t go to a dance knowing most of their friends aren’t attending. Because Sadies already has a reputation for low attendance, people ultimately feel less inclined to go. So, my fellow Barons, if you like dancing and like having fun, consider going to Sadies. The more people go, the better the dance will be.

Staff Writer

Barons, I almost didn’t write this article. I almost blew it off to watch TV, play video games, or simply be unproductive. And, why? Because I, like so many seniors, are falling victim to the dreaded disease known as Senioritis. Here’s what you need to know about this horrible illness to protect yourself when it kicks in your Senior year (and if it already has, keep reading to find out how to return to your academic glory before colleges reject you).

What is Senioritis? Senioritis is what happens to Senior students, usually in their second semester, once they realize it’s their last semester of high school and they’re probably going to graduate very soon. For some, it’s brought on by the false sense of security of receiving a college acceptance letter, in which case the victim feels as though they don’t need to care about high school anymore. For others who never cared about school very much to begin with, Senioritis comes from their inherent laziness and is built up with the knowledge that once they’re 18, they won’t even have to go to school. So they’re simply waiting it out until their birthday. It can also happen to Seniors who plan to go to junior or community college next year, as their grades in high school will have little to no impact on their admission to those colleges.

This sneaky disease will overtake us in our weakest moments, like when you get a D on a math test and remember you don’t need to pass the semester to graduate. You mull on the thought, look at your math textbook and then focus your efforts on other things, like Call of Duty or Infamous. But, Barons beware! Senioritis can definitely mess with your plans after high school. People who stop studying in high school and then attempt to pick it up again in college, (which is much harder than high school), will have a hard time. Not to mention, colleges can take away your admission status if they see you blow off your senior year. The B average student who gets straight D’s in their senior year sounds like someone who’s not exactly hard-working, not the type of student colleges want.

So, how can students protect themselves from Senioritis? For starters, don’t get lazy! It’s too late to change your 2nd semester schedule by now, so if you’ve got a heavy class load, hang in there and stick it out because it’ll probably be worth your while. Also, get your homework done first, and then go out and enjoy yourself. Many teachers understand how seniors are and purposely assign less work. They’re trying to look out for you, so be appreciative! I know that many of us like to work as little as possible, but the reality is that the more you work, the more benefits you’re likely to receive. So, let’s fight this epidemic Barons, and remember, only you can prevent Senioritis.

By Sarah Kari, Staff writer

On Friday, September 11, 2009 at OCC. Barons defeated Tesoro by 35-14. This game was one of the most anticipated Baron football games and sure enough the wait was worth it. The players and the audience were tensed not knowing what would happen, but were relieved to claim the final victory.

The first touchdown was made by senior, Dominic Ragland. At the end of the first quarter the score was 6-0, Barons in the lead. By halftime Tesoro was in the lead by 14- 13. Barons were just waiting for the halftime to show Tesoro what the Barons were made of. And they completely did.

The game was turned around and by the end of third quarter with senior, Ryan Steadman’s touchdown, the Barons lead 21-14. With full determination and goal of winning the game, senior, Kyle Middlebrooks didn\’t make not only one but two touchdowns within 10 minutes. But credit does not only go to the recievers, but to the whole football team.

Sadly, Tesoros\’ audience started leaving with 5 min left on the clock seeing no hope of their win that day.

This year The Varsity Football Team is showing everybody that this year they are going to be tough and nothing is bringing them down. This was their game into the season with no losses yet. This year the football games are going to be exciting and regretful if missed.

GO BARONS!!!!!

Friday, March 27^th marked the second annual Staff and Alumni football game. Teachers and coaches shared the gridiron with graduating players from the Varsity football team for an energetic match-up.

Last year, the Staff won. “We are the defending champs,” explained Principal Herzfeld, “We have our pride at stake.”

The competition was intense. Neither side gained headway until senior Nyko Gonzales broke the ice with the first touchdown, thrown by quarterback Steven Santana.

The Students maintained the lead into the second half, with Santana shooting another scoring pass to Dylan Itkoff. Itkoff shared his thoughts on the competition, laughing that, “The old guys try.”

The Staff rallied with a score by soccer coach and teacher Jason Smith, passed by Football\’s Head Coach Shipp. Girls\’ soccer coach and teacher Alyson Spencer tied the game scoring a second touchdown in the final minute.

The tie led to a strong finish by the Students in Overtime. Coach Shipp threw an interception, and it was caught by Steven Santana and returned for a score. Santana quickly followed his goal on the next drive with a touchdown pass to senior Hayden Toney.

The Students won 4 touchdowns to 2, despite the valiant efforts of the FVHS Staff. 

The Barons won the first match 29-27 against the Rams.  Junior Raffi Contreras-Geck, playing in for senior Matt McCoy, did wonders for the team.  Constantly running, Contreras-Geck sent everything directly to the hitters. Captain Dillon Emery (‘09) had four kills, and senior Chris Gierhart had two kills.

“Objection Your Honor, this question calls for hearsay.”

“Care to explain, counsel?”

“Yes, your honor. This question is not being used for the truth of the matter. It goes to show the motive of the witness which is a possible explanation for the defense\’s theory as to third party culpability.”

This is not the typical dialogue one would expect high school students to engage in, but to about 30 FVHS students, this was much of their lives for the first four months of school.

Since August, the FVHS Mock Trial team has been preparing for its court cases in the Santa Ana Court House against other Orange County high school Mock Trial teams. The Mock Trial participants recreate a real court case. Hours of effort, weekdays and weekends, went into the rigorous mental and physical preparation.

The participants each received a mock case packet. This year, it was an arson case. With the available facts, witness statements, and stipulations, the team went to work committing the facts to memory, creating script outlines, researching outside information, and searching for loop holes to use against the opposing team.

The team split into two groups, defense and prosecution, to argue the two different sides of the arson case. Participants auditioned for different roles ranging from attorney to witness.

FV\’s final result of the season, 3^rd place in Orange County, demonstrated that the long hours of practice and rehearsals were well worth the effort. Although the team started off a little shaky, it rapidly gained momentum. FVHS steadily took down many competitive rival schools and pushed them out of the competition.

In its 6^th round, the FVHS Mock Trial team was presented with a surprise. Going into the court room, the team does not specifically know which school they are arguing against. They can only guess from the list of names of the schools that have not been eliminated. FVHS went up against Santa Margarita Gold High School, the rival school that had defeated FVHS last year in elimination rounds. This year however, Santa Margarita Gold got their own surprise when FVHS came back with a smashing victory, a win that catapulted FV into the semi-finals.

FV was eliminated in the semi-finals round to Woodbridge, one of the strongest Mock Trial team in the county, and the eventual winner in the year\’s competition.  Despite the loss, FV\’s 3^rd place Orange County win is already considered impressive and one of the best in FVHS Mock Trial history.

“Well, the season started off a little shaky, but we pulled through and it turned out to be one of the best seasons I have ever seen,” says team captain Richard Ludlow, senior. “In our final match, we ended up losing to the Orange County champions, but not without taking down a number of our competitive rivals in the process.”

“This season was a lot of work, but it definitely paid off when we got to the semi-finals. 3^rd place out of about 40 teams in Orange County is not bad at all,” says sophomore Tyler Palsulich. 

Having come this far, the Mock Trial team has more confidence than ever to keep its standing as one of the top Orange County teams.

“I\’m very proud of my Mock Trial kids,” says Mrs. Ziegler, English teacher. “Especially after seeing them put so much effort and time into this competition, it was very exciting seeing them in action. Mock Trial is one of the best extracurriculars to participate here at FVHS—if not the best.”

Hands down, high school can be an extremely scary place. There are new people, new places, and especially, new experiences.

These can quickly become overwhelming for anyone unaccustomed to high school life.

However, do rest assured, as things quickly become easier.

Here are some tips from an old geezer readying to graduate and wanting, oh so graciously, to make life easier for all the new delicious fresh meat out there. 

First, we all love our friends. That\’s a known fact no matter your age or grade..

However, don\’t be afraid to go without them.

Do not be one of those kids who wait in the enormous line after school to complain to their guidance counselor with amazingly bizarre excuses just to try to change their class schedule so you can sit next to your buddy in English.

It\’s just ridiculous.

Having a class without your friends forces you (no kidding) to make new friends and to experience things on your own. And believe it or not, you may even find you have more fun when you get to do things by yourself for once.

But even if you don\’t, there will always be lunch, passing periods, and after school to hook up with your BFFLs.

And wait—another thing.

Although hearing the latest gossip may seem super important, class is for learning. Appease your teachers, and your parental units, by paying attention.

Yes, crazy things like that do come with the high school experience.

Next, sleep is your best friend. Seriously.

Young students often make the mistake of thinking that since they\’re in high school, they should act older. Older, I tell you, is not staying up until the wee hours of the morning. Doing this will not make you cool.

It will only give you a disheveled, groggy appearance and cause you to fall asleep during class. This will heavily affect your performance, annoy your teachers, and maybe—just maybe—put a large, red imprint on your face from leaning on your fist too long.

Even if you have an enormous exam the next morning, studying will only do you good if you\’re awake enough to remember what you studied. It is recommended for teenagers to get at least nine hours of sleep a night.

But as we all know, teenagers just don\’t take recommendations, and nine hour sleeping time is not a realistic goal for most.

Therefore, my experience shows that seven hours will keep you alert and awake; five or six will keep you awake, but not alert; and four or less will permanently affix your head to your desk in an incoherent sleeping position the entire day. 

If you manage your time wisely however, it is actually possible for you to obtain those seven hours of sleep.

But watch out. Procrastination is the number one temptation.

No matter what, there always seems to be something more fun and entertaining to do than studying. Giving in to this procrastination may give you a moment of amusement, but in the long run, it can also give you low test scores, a groggy appearance, and a whole lot of frustration. Yep. Nasty, nasty side affects.

One of the hardest lessons to learn in high school is that homework doesn\’t disappear. If you take care of it first and get it out of the way, however, your experiences afterward will be more enjoyable.

If you don\’t take care of it, you will have that impending weight looming over you the entire day.

And you don\’t want the weight to come crashing down. It is definitely not a merry experience. 

Finally, high school is meant to be Fun. Remember that. The word “Fun” even comes with a capital “F.”

Don\’t let the little things and drama bring you down. Focus on school, but make sure you have time for your friends.

Go to the dances, join a couple of clubs, try out for a sports team, talk to that cute guy or girl you see at lunch. High school is an once-in-a-lifetime experience, and there aren\’t any do-overs.

Don\’t let stress take over your life. Take a deep breath and start making some good memories.

You won\’t regret it.