Think before you play

By: Sierra Holter

You CAN'T get pregnant if you have sex standing up.

You CAN'T get pregnant if you're on your period.

You CAN'T get pregnant if you do jumping jacks after you have sex.

Only cheating girls and guys get STDs.

Two condoms are better than one.

ALL these statements are false. 2,800 teens every day are get pregnant and one in every four sexually active teen will get an STD. We're told that "No sex, is safe sex", the reality is that many teens are having sex and have the right to know how to protect themselves. Although abstinence is the only 100% way to not get pregnant or an STD, condoms and birth control are alternatives. Latex condoms are designed to prevent against STDs and pregnancy while, non-latex are designed to protect more against pregnancy; either way, they both protect your health. Some teens think that sex isn't a big deal, but with the amount of teenagers becoming pregnant and contracting STDs, it is a big deal and we should all be educated. Don't let yourself become a statistic respect yourself and protect yourself. Remember it's your sex life, and, ultimately, your future.

The rise in teen pregnancy this last year has shown obvious neglect of contraceptive use at our school. You couldn't walk down the halls and not see at least one pregnant teen. I know two teen moms and they both have said that taking care of a kid and going to school are two of the hardest things to balance. "High school is hard enough, and once you add a baby it becomes ten times harder," says Brenda Martinez, a 16 year-old mom. The fact is that teen moms are less likely to go back to school once their child is born. With the economy as bad as it is right now, everyone needs a high school diploma to make ends meet.

With that said, if you are in a relationship in which you are having sex, make sure you're using protection every time. There is no such thing as safe sex, there is only safer sex and everyone can benefit from that. Don't believe the hype - not EVERYONE is doing it - and as said before abstinence is the only 100%, risk free way to prevent pregnancy and the spread of STDs. Think before you play.

Introducing Mr. Wahib
By: Viviana Topete


We Raiders have been seeing new faces around the school, but one of the most important faces we see is the face of our new Vice Principal, Mr. Wahib. Most students have not taken the time to get to know our new VP, but our staff members took the time to get to know him.

RD: What brought you to Southwest High School?

MW: Dr. Armstrong had requested my presence here at Southwest to assist and promote school culture, safety, and develop programs that help student achieve academic success.

RD: Where did you come from?

MW: My assignment was at Otay High School. I was there for about 7 years. (Since the school opened)

RD: What past experiences have you had?

MW: I have 15 years of experience as an educator. I started out as a math teacher in middle school and made my way to becoming an administrator.

RD: What do you plan on doing for our school?

MW: My plan is to promote student success by providing great opportunity for the students and be proud of their community and ultimately to get back to that community. Students are our future, their leadership skills are essential to that future.
RD: Who inspired you to be come an administrator?

MW:I think what inspired me was the idea of education. Ever since childhood, I observed the benefits of education that ultimately lead to successful individuals

RD Where did you graduate college and high school?

MW: I went to a Norfolk, Virginia and a South Philly high school, then moved to San Diego from Chicago in 1986. I received my math degree, teaching credential, and masters in education from SDSU.

RD: What were you involved in during your high school years?

MW: I spent most of my time with my friends, if I wasn’t with them I played soccer and basketball, and trying to learn the English language.

RD: What about in college?

MW: In college, I would say that I wasn’t involved in any extra curricular activities. I was more focused on finishing my degree and working. I also spent a lot of time with my first born child.

RD: What message or imprint do you want to leave on the students of Southwest High School?

MW: If anything, developing problem-solving strategy that would help them make sound decisions in life. Many individuals in society are quick to react without reflection. This is something that proved time and time again that is elemental to a human being.

Why did school start on a Wednesday?

Waking up on a Wednesday
By Viviana Topete

As all you Raiders know, this year school started on a Wednesday. Many students were annoyed at the fact that they would have to wake up early on such a random day, others were disappointed to find out they wouldn't be able to go to Comic Con because of school being on the same week. Although we all had our own mixed emotions about starting on a Wednesday, we were all curious... Why on a Wednesday?

Well, to answer that question, we asked Mr. Leaf, the AP English Literature and English 12 teacher. He had said that we started three days earlier so that we could have a whole week off for Thanksgiving break. That's a good thing, right?

So instead of being grumpy about starting earlier than usual, we should be very grateful that we are getting a whole week off in Thanksgiving, just three weeks before our winter break!

RUN SOH

Raiders hit the ground running
By: Stephanie Meza


As the new school year starts, many fall sports coaches are beginning their pre-season practices. One of the most challenging fall sports is cross country; you might recognize some of the raider runners wearing their RUN SOH sweaters around campus. However, many raiders wonder what the true meaning of RUN SOH means. Come join cross country, find out and be a part of it!


Last year, the cross country season had an excellent start having about 50 runners walk through the fall sports assembly. Unfortunately, less than 20 runners actually finished the season. If the athletes that quit had shown more commitment toward the team, they would have actually had a chance to win a banner for the school.


Now more than ever, the cross country team is recruiting people to come run this season. Yes, cross country is a difficult sport that requires speed and endurance, but as the old saying goes: ‘No pain, no gain.” Anyone can run, and anyone who wants to be a part of the team is more than welcome to give it a try. You’ll need a pair of running shoes, shorts, and most importantly enthusiasm and desire to run and help the cross country team win a banner and make the school proud.

Beginning of School

SOH starts a new year
By: Stephanie Meza




It’s 7:34am and the first bell of the 2010-2011 school year rings at Southwest High. Different people on campus are having a rush of different feelings. Some freshmen are anxious to discover what their first year in high school has in store for them. On the other hand, the seniors are excited for all the events of their final year


Despite all these emotions, what are the expectations some raiders have for this year? Senior, Mildred Rubio, says: “This year looks great; I can’t wait for homecoming, prom, grad night, etc. I’m also excited because I’m on the cheerleading squad!” While others, such as Yazmin Alejo, hope this year will be the one when they can get involved as she explains: “I can’t wait to this year to get going, I finally want to be involved in so many things!”


This year will also be a little different from previous years at Southwest High. There are many new faces on campus from incoming freshmen, and a lot of new staff members. Many raiders are also excited about their classes since the school offers a variety of classes including ROP and Advanced Placement. Senior, Gerardo Santos says: “My favorite class is AP English, with Mr. Leaf.”


The school year will be different for everyone, but everyone has the ability to make the decisions to make this year unforgettable. It doesn’t matter if it’s a club or a sport, being involved makes a school year unforgettable. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you make this a great year!

Changes in High School

Changes affect raiders of all ages
By: Vianney Casas


We all go through changes in life, but definitely the biggest ones you’ll go through are during high school. It doesn’t matter whether you're a freshman barely starting high school, a senior ready to graduate, or a sophmore/junior in process, your life still gives this sudden, unexpected spin and your way of seeing things still changes. It’s like every step you take before becoming an adult, every grade you go through you become a different person - a better one maybe - and you will find yourself thinking in a way you never thought you’d ever think. All of this sudden difference, all of this change that for a second might seem like magic, happens just as you move onto the next level of high school.
We must all admit all the credit should be given to the freshmen. I’ve been there; I know what it’s like to feel like you’re lost in a mall full of frightening strangers. Bye bye middle school, hello high school. Welcome to a whole never-seen-before planet, to a whole new life. They’re no longer in this fantasy pretty little world where everything is so simple. They’re no longer there, now they’ve arrived at this world where life turns more difficult in every way possible. For the sophomores and juniors come the infamous AP classes, more responsibility and most importantly, independence. Congratulations students, you’ve passed freshman year, now on to more work.
For the juniors though, there is a little but not insignificant difference. They have to make sure they try their best and hardest academically, and help as much in their community as possible for community service hours, for they will be filling college applications in the beginning of next year.There’s no time to try to do everything in their senior year, which leads us to the final level of this difficult and unpredictable game: the seniors. It isn't the change they face as they become seniors, it’s more of what change they will encounter later on.
Seniors, get ready for the biggest, most frightening maybe - and hopefully one of the best -change of your life: College - the determination of your future. It all starts over again. It’s time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new again. The “welcome to a whole new world” comes back after four years of facing the different changes a high school student goes through in the unforgettable journey we call high school. Changes come to us every day, and every day we see at least one thing different in our lives, but these changes believe me are nothing compared to the ones a student has to face while in high school.

Host Parents Needed

Bring Exchange Students to SOH

by Cynthia Fuentes

Hello,

I spoke at the last parent night about bringing at least two exchange students (Maggie from China and Matteo from Italy) to your school. In order to make this dream come true we need two host families in your community.

Host Family requirements:

-Student must have bed , place to study , all meals at home (can share room under special circumstances)

-Love and support

-Financial security

-English speaking household

Both students arrive with full insurance and spending money in July .

Please contact San Diego County Coordinator Cynda Fuentes-Lippman at 619-238-4337 orcyndaf@gmail.com