Do Raiders use facebook to counter-productively?

XOXO, Gossip Girl
by Vianney Casas

“I think it's kinda dumb. Like OK, I get that people like to gossip but to make pages about who's hot and who's not is pretty pathetic in my opinion. But it won't just go away but they could at least respect other people and just post positive things.” -Albert Fernandez

“I think it makes people look really shallow like, just focusing on beauty .” - Kimberly Cruz

“I think our peers need a hobby. I think they're only doing it because they or their friends are part of the group of people only getting compliments. That they're being accomplices because they have nothing better to do. But you're better off asking someone else about their opinions. I, personally, don't waste time talking about it since that's what they want.” -Paradise Martinez

“Well, I believe it's something that should be completely ended since sure it can put certain people in the spotlight but it also hurts people who have low self esteem, if we want to have a good and safe school environment we can not put up with this. This can also be considered as bullying and bullying is a crime. School is like our second home and we must have a safe environment in the place in which we develop every day.” -Fernando Parra

“I was one the people in the picture thingies, but honestly it's judgmental. Sure, it compliments but it doesn't give a chance to the bunch of people who aren't mentioned. All of these people who are both beautiful on the inside and outside. It leaves people outside and makes them feel bad, it shouldn't exist.” -Max Garcia

“Well, I believe they are a waste of time and they just make people care to much of their appearance and of what others think about them. People should just stop trying to put others in categories. If they want to talk about people, they should say it to their face.” -Anonymous

Remember my last article, Raiders? The one where I talked about this gigantic problem that had happened not so long due to some Raiders creating a Facebook page where they talked about pretty much everyone in our school. You’d think that after all that happened because of that Raiders would stop creating gossip pages. Not true. It seems that we don’t learn Raiders. To make you understand what I mean let me list here all the pages that had been created about Raiders at SOH:

• Southwest Hottiez




• Southwest Blair




• Soh Bonitas




• Soh Best




• Soh Socials




• Soh Raiders




• Southwest High




• Southwest Royalty

Do not get me wrong, Raiders, these websites aren’t “mean”. They don’t talk bad about people. All the opposite, each website contains albums as “Pretty Ladies”, “Hoties”, “Best friends” and “Cute couples” to mention just a few. I’ll leave your own opinion to you but may I just ask a question here? Are they doing something nice? Obviously, if you were in one of those “Pretty Ladies” albums you would answer yes, but what about the rest of us? How do you think the left out Raiders feel? That they’re ugly? Not worth it? I believe these pages should stop, and I sure am not the only one since recently a page called “SOH Resist” was created to basically give an end to all of this gossip pages. Here’s what they said: “All you guys got to stop making gossip pages. Saying who's pretty and beautiful and sexy, I mean everyone is special in their own way and every single student deserves to be mention. Most of the people on there yeah they're nice and pretty. I know some of them and they really are some genuine people, but for others who aren't apart of those pages you people bring them down. It's not good for our school. School to most students is like their second home. They socialize, learn, eat, and we have a good time. Come on just having those pages it's really embarrassing to know that our school has one. I'm kind of ashamed to even say that we do. All this nonsense needs to stop, because I seriously think that Southwest High School is way better than that, we shouldn't be this low to have a gossip page on Facebook, come on people!"
So Raiders, if you think someone’s pretty or cute say it to their face, make them smile and make their day! There’s no need to go and post it on a facebook page. Also like I’ve always said: “What matters the most in a person is the inside, fall in love with a person’s heart not their physical appearance”.

Goodbye, Ms. Meza

Farewell to a Raider
By Jethro Jay Narciso

Bon Voyage!

That's French for “safe journey”! Why exactly are we saying this? Well, if you haven't heard, Room 404 has undergone a slight change, a change of teachers that is! The ROP Culinary Arts teacher, Ms. Meza, has had a sudden change in plans this semester. Instead of finishing off this semester, Ms. Meza has made a tough decision to move to Texas to be with her husband. She notes that she had been asked to move to Texas numerous times before, but each and every time the question was asked, she would always choose to remain as a Raider.

Although Ms. Meza longed to be with her husband, she states that one of the reasons for staying is the students. With her short stay of two and a half years at Southwest, she has come to see that Raiders are some of the best kids she has ever seen. She grew up in the South Bay, attending Hilltop High, where she says it wasn't always the best. That’s why she was amazed when she came to Southwest to teach. They break the high school stereotypes of bullies and whatnot. All the students got along, they make the best of friends, they are respectful, are just a few points on the long list of why Southwest has the best kids.

A month before her departure, Ms. Meza introduced Ms. Birchfield to the class. They ran the class together so that the transition would be as smooth as possible. However for three weeks, Ms. Meza dominantly ran the class, while Ms. Birchfield would sit in the back taking notes. On the fourth week, the two teachers switched up their spots.

On the last day before her departure, Ms. Meza gave her farewell speech, where she stated, “I don’t think I’ll ever find myself teaching again because I’ll never find kids as great as you guys ever again.” She goes on to say how much of a joy we have been to her. She tearfully said, “I love you all as my younger siblings. I’m glad to have been your older sister.”

Southwest High would like to give Ms. Meza a big thank you for all that she has done for us. She may have been specifically a Culinary Arts teacher, but she has taught us not just about food, but about life. Whether it was her being a teacher, a friend, or even an older sister, she has truly shown what being a Raider is all about. Remember, Ms. Meza: “Once a Raider, always a Raider!”

SOH's Literary Magazine

SOH Launches New Literary Magazine
By Vianney Casas

Life can be beautiful, life can be confusing. Life can be many different things, but what is life through a Raider’s eyes? Life Through a Raider’s Eyes is the title of Southwest High School’s first online literary magazine. Although the magazine is still in progress, the first contest for its first edition already took place. The contest’s theme was Valentine’s day where Raiders had the opportunity to express their feelings regarding Valentine’s most important word: Love. After deliberations by the Literary Magazine’s club and SOH English teachers, three poems were chosen in the end. I will not reveal the winners in this article, if you wish to know who won you must go and check out the magazine when it’s finally finished ; the winning poems will be posted on the first edition of the magazine.

The second poem contest for the magazine is already on its way to being made official, the theme being Spring. The club is still small (Vianney Casas as editor in chief, Denisse Avila, Erika Melendrez, Stephanie Silva, Kathia Albanez, Andrea Morales, Jocelyn Salazar, Mayte Casas, Julia Alcaraz, and Oscar Vargaz), so people interested in joining and representing Raiders' voices are still accepted. Anyone who would like to join can attend the meetings on Friday to suggest ideas for the poetry contest as well for the magazine or should just simply let me, Vianney, or Ms. Stretcher (advisor) in room 811 know you would like to join the club.

So here’s how the club works: the magazine will be posted online consisting of the following sections:

1. Poetry: Poems of any subject/Topic, Lyrics
2. Fiction: Short stories. (pretty much anything comming from your imagination)
3. Non-Fiction: A story from your life, kind of like a “diary”.
4. Reviews: Movies, Music, Books, Tv Shows
5. Question of the week: Example: “If your house were burning down what would you decide to save?”
6. Fashion: What’s in, What’s not, fashion advices for guys and girls
7. Photography/ Art
8. Contests/ Contest Winners
9. Letters to the editor: We want to know your opinion!

Anyone can participate in the magazine . They can send their work and might get it posted on the magazine after the magazine’s club revises it and edits it if needed.

Why will the magazine be online? I’m sure anyone is aware of how the economy is looking right now; therefore, SOH has not enough money to provide us with printed magazines. Ms. Stretcher and I are looking for ways to make that happen, we’re looking forward to getting as much help as we can, so anyone who would like to help is well welcomed. For starters, the club will begin selling stuff for fund-raising as soon as we are approved of doing so.

So Raiders, if you’re interested in letting your imagination run wild and show your personality and creativeness through words and art please contact me or Ms. Stretcher and try to come to every meeting.

Choosing a College

Raiders Look Forward to Higher Education
by Stephanie Mesa

This month has been very exciting for all seniors, because college admission decisions are being sent out. There's nothing more exciting than opening your mail-box and finding that letter from your dream college, and feeling the adrenaline in your skin when you're opening it up. However, as a senior, I know that along with a feeling of excitement comes a feeling of confusion and doubt. Many seniors wonder: Should I go live on campus? Do I really want to go to a far away college?
Everyone from family, friends, the media, etc. tell us that living on campus is a big part of the "college experience." Even though this statement can be right for some, it really depends on the individual whether or not they should actually leave far away from home to get an education.
So if you're a senior who is stuck in this decision, here are some pros and cons you might want to consider before making an important decision :

PROS:
- Independence
- A fresh start in a new area
- Making many friends
- Learning Responsibilities
- A whole new world of possibilities
- Learn how to function without an adult
- Learn to develop resources of your own, rather than depending on your family for it

CONS:
- Cost: living on campus is more expensive
- Homesickness: you might miss your friends and family
- It might be tough to meet people who really care about you
- Many distractions
- Not being able to manage your time
- Party life might get into your head

Whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure it's because that's what you want. Nobody can choose your future for you, you're the only one responsible for that.
If you're confused, think about the situation you're in, make a list of the pros and cons that apply to you, and evaluate your options.
Maybe going away to college is what you really need: get out there and meet new people, become independent, take risks and explore another world.
Always remember, you miss 100% of the shots you DON'T take.

Senioritis

Raiders attacked by yearly 'Senioritis'
By Stephanie Meza

Senioritis, from the word senior plus the suffix -itis , is a term used in the United States to describe the decreased motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school years. The seniors at SOH can already feel that the end is near. There are just two more months left of high school, and after four years they'll finally move on to a new stage in their lives. For many seniors this is exciting, but for some the fact of growing up makes them nervous (this is called the "peter pan syndrome"). Being a senior, I know what that melancholic yet exciting feeling is like, here are what some other 12th graders think about leaving high school:

"I feel a mix of emotions, the feeling of accomplishment because after 4 years I finally graduate and move on to university but also the sad feeling of being attached for something for a long time. For example, my underclass friends." -Victor Andrade

"Even though I have been through many experiences, these four years of high school have somehow changed me for the rest of my life. I really feel great to end this phase and go out to the real world where all what I have read in books are going to not only be helpful, but are going to become real!" -Marco Mendizabal

"Well, I have many emotions about the fact that I am going out to the real world, in a way I feel like I am ready but at the same time I don't want to leave."-Vivian de Vega

"After being in high school for four years, it's time to graduate and explore the real world."-Lara Aquino

Now as the end of the school year is approaching, seniors can feel the "senioritis" kicking in. Senioritis can present itself in many ways, here are some of the things you might feel if you experience senioritis:
-Procrastination
-Lack of motivation
-Drop in academic performance
-A desire to drop out of school
-Ridiculous trouble waking up in the morning
-The act of going through classes with very little concentration or application of intent along with truancy and frequent tardiness

Many seniors who are experiencing senioritis think it's no big deal. They have this mentality that high school will be over soon, and if they mess up in their last semester, it wont matter. However, this idea is wrong. Here are some of the consequences of senioritis:
-Your grades will drop.
-If you have frequent uncleared absences, you might have to attend Saturday school, and if you fail to attend, you'll be placed in the non-privileged list. If you're in the non-privileged list you'll be excluded of senior activities such as: Prom, Grad night, and even graduation.
-As an incoming college freshmen, you may not be as adequately prepared for the rigor of college.
-A decrease in academic performance due to senioritis may also create difficulties, should the college decide to rescind the acceptance decision


In conclusion, senioritis only brings problems. However, at one point or another every senior might experience it a little. The key to senioritis is being in top of it, and not letting it control you. When it comes down to it, you need to have an optimistic view about finishing high school the right way. So if you feel you're experiencing senioritis, shake it off! Turn in your assignments, get to class on time, and be ready to learn! Just two more months left, FINISH STRONG!

Here at what seniors think of senioritis:

"I think many people don't think senioritis can happen but it sure can happen. I am not experiencing it, but I can feel it coming" -Cindy Yoquigua

"There's time I feel it but I always try to keep up with all my work because you get behind with senioritis." -Hugo Flores

"I think senioritis hits everyone at a certain point of the year, but with time we learn to confront it. I am going through it because I noticed that last progress report I was lagging it with all my work and I was turning everything late on my classes." -Mildred Rubio

"I think that senioritis is a stage that every twelfth grader goes through when they realize that high school is almost over. I'm not going through it but I did in first semester and when I saw that my grades where going down I decided to shake it off" -Christian Sanchez

"I was going through it at the beginning of the semester. I think it's hard to overcome but it is possible. I don't think it's only seniors though, all grades can go through it." -Brian Berman

"I think it's really a dumb concept. A lot of kids get lazy in high school despite what year they're in. Some are super busy their first few years and take the last year at ease and others are super lazy in the beginning and take their senior year to really freak out. It's a matter of your situation, not just because you're a senior you're gonna get lazy. I'm not going through it, I do what I can to keep my grades up and if I see myself slipping, I freak out because it's my senior year I want good grades." - Anissa Villa

SSA Assembly

Cross the line
by Vianney Casas

“You can’t hate someone when you know their story”.

Makes you think right? SOH’s Safe School Ambassadors motto definitely made sophomores think on Wednesday, February 16th's assembly. SOH sophomores were scheduled to go to L.A’s Museum of Tolerance on that Thursday, so an assembly organized by Mr. Rodriguez and his SSA crew took place during sixth period to give us sophomores some background information and let us know what the rules where going to be for the trip. By looking at sophomores' reaction during that assembly I can tell the assembly turned out to be nothing like we had expected.

The assembly started off with some basic information of the Holocaust. Anyone who’s had Mr. Rodriguez know how serious, important, and professional his lectures are, so you can imagine how that went. The majority of the sophomores were paying attention to each and every word, when suddenly a poem popped up on the screen. Seconds later students were standing up and reading each of the poem’s lines with pride. After that the assembly gave an emotional turn, when Mr. Rodriguez started comparing the Holocaust to life today at school., which caused it to be, in the end, one of the most emotional events in Southwest High School.

For the next minutes, Mr. Rodriguez showed us a video of a group of students, who were not accepted, shooting the school. The video contained the phone call a teacher had actually made to the 911, which I’m sure gave every sophomore goosebumps. You could tell by the silence in the Gym that the video was really getting to the sophomores. That wasn’t the worst part though, after the video was shown, SSA members stood up and shared with the sophomores their experiences and their hardships they had or were going through. Some of the SSA members got a little emotional which made sophomores feel even worse .

Last but not least, an emotional activity took place. The activity consisted of crossing the line if a statement said by Mr. Rodriguez applied to you. At first the activity started off with easy and fun statements such as “Cross the line if you like hip-hop” or “Cross the line if you consider yourself a good dancer”. Students happily crossed the line until the statements started getting a little hard and heart-breaking such as “Cross the line if someone you loved died violently”, “Cross the line if you were raised by one parent”, “Cross the line if you’ve been to economic problems you were embarrassed of”,”Cross the line if you’ve been humiliated or talked about”, “Cross the line if you’ve ever started a rumor”, or “Cross the line if drugs and alcohol have ever affected your family”. Then there was the worst statement: “Cross the line if someone who’s told you they love you has hurt you”. That killed people. If you looked around you would most likely see is sophomores crying or with their faces as sad as they could get. This were serious statements, statements that broke our hearts into pieces, statements that were bringing memories we thought we had forgotten to our minds once again. The atmosphere was sad, you could feel it in the air. Then when the statement “Cross the line if you need a hug right now” got to sophomore’s ears you would see everyone hugging each other.

It was amazing to see how many sophomores crossed the line after each statement. Unbelievably, more than half crossed it; there wasn’t any time when you wouldn’t see sophomores walking towards that line. The message here: You are not alone, Raiders. We’re in our teenage years; it is easy to feel like our whole world is falling down and that no one else is going through the same thing. Believe it or not, you are not the only one. All those sophomores crossing that line are enough to believe you aren’t.

CAHSEE

Is there a CAHSEE in your future?
by Yassel Jimenez

Upcoming Sophomores, are you ready for the CAHSEE? You guys are still Freshman, and the CAHSEE is not until next year but, it's never too early to get ready for the California High School Exit Exam. The more information you have the better score you get.

What is the CAHSEE? CAHSEE is an exam required by the state of California. Students must pass both parts of the CASHEE to earn their high school diploma.

Who takes the CAHSEE? You first take the CAHSEE in 10th grade, but don't worry, if you don't pass it the first time, you have two opportunities to pass.

Why is the CAHSEE important? Clearly CAHSEE is important because it is one of the graduation requirements; if you don't pass the CAHSEE, you don't graduate.

There are two parts of the CAHSEE: ELA and Math. Each test takes about 4 school hours. The ELA part of the test includes multiple choice questions that cover vocabulary, comprehension, and analysis of information and literary text. It also includes a writing task where you have to showknowledge of writing strategies, applications, and the conventions of English (grammar, spelling, and punctuation.) The math part of the test includes 5th, 6th, and 7th grade math and some algebra. It includes arithmetic, decimals, fractions, and percents.

Students can prepare for the CAHSEE by being in school every day and participating in class. They can also talk to their counselors about study guides. Or you can visit" http:// www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp
Take full advantange of the tutoring your school offers.