Gradnight 2013

Gradnight is just around the corner! On May 30^th seniors are going to have a lot of fun all night. After four years in high school, seniors across the country are celebrating their final days before college. Graduation activities represent a fond farewell to a teenager's high school years. It is a tradition going to Disneyland every year senior’s graduate; now it is turn for the class of 2013. It is their last time for some; to spend time with their friends, the same friends they knew since elementary or middle school. It will be a great day to remember in the happiest place on earth with your favorite people. Even though it will be a long night; we as teenagers have a lot of energy that we can sure spend on a single day. This will be first and last day seniors will be able to celebrate all their achievements before graduating and continue with their lives. Some students are really excited for gradnight because they know it will be an unforgettable experience in their High School memories. Now the only thing seniors have to do is have fun, a lot of fun because they know they deserve it. 

by Bryan Ruiz

Senior Year

As your high school years wind down to a close, it's easy to feel like each semester and every day goes by faster and faster. Senior year will be one of the most memorable years throughout your High School career. This year is where you have to be mentally prepared for what’s coming next in your life, it can be stressful and difficult to handle but in the end all the hard work you did during those four years pays off. As of today there are only 2 days left for seniors and there are mixed emotions in every student. We are no longer part of SOH, the school that open their doors to us, and now we are leaving it forever. This will be the beginning of the end; our school career will not stop here the class of 2013 has a lot more to give. Some people would say senior year was one of their “best years of their lives” however as our class quote says “This is only the beginning” there are more good years to come, but there’s no denying that senior year will be memorable. It’s the year where you remember all the activities you lived such as Homecoming, football games, school assemblies, Prom, Graduation, etc. These events will never erase from your mind, SENIORS! Let’s make the best out of us! Every class has their own special thing. However we are a unique class full of many stars, as some teachers would say; the class of 2013 will be remembered as one of the best ones. So don’t cry it is only the beginning. 

by Bryan Ruiz

What time is it? Summer movie time!

Hey Raiders! Ready to start summer? What better way to kick it into gear than to watch the newest, anticipated movies of the summer season? Let's start with some action! Man of steel, a movie based on the DC Comic Man Of Steel is coming to theaters soon! Whether you're a comic book fan, or just wanting to see what the hype is all about, Man of Steel is one of the most anticipated movies of summer 2013, something you can't miss watching! Aside from action, how about some family time? Monsters University is another anticipated summer movie, rising from nostalgia of your childhood. Mike and Sully are heading to college, and future Raider college students, wouldn't you like to experience Monster's University as well? Okay, so maybe family and action aren't your thing, so how about some suspense? The Purge is not as anticipated as Monster's University and Man of Steel, but if you're up for a little thrill and suspense, even a little scare, don't miss out on watching The Purge. Raiders, whether you're a huge Pixar fan; want to see Superman live in action; or want to know why everyone is wondering what The Purge really is, you shouldn't miss out on watching the latest, soon to be released films of the summer!

by Genie Fernandez

A Night to Remember

Hey Senior’s! Through-out high school do you have that one special night If not then did you go to prom? SOH students had they’re prom on a three story yacht called Spirit of San Diego which had to be fun and a lot of memories including floors for one night. Like where else would you rather have a prom in a sticky hot hotel room or a stylish and classy yacht, especially when the boat is cruising all around Coronodo. On a glorious and high yacht seniors have made themselves that one night to remember with the friends and foes they have made at school. Also while having the time of their lives for a night, what better way to spend it with the teachers and staff that they all love. While school is coming to an end senioritis is at its peak, seniors did anything and everything to make prom the best night of the year from buying dresses to renting tuxedos, money and time didn’t stop not one senior. After all the studying and testing it’s all about to end, but with laughs and smiles these seniors will always have that one night to remember.

by Keoni Arceo

Academic League

For many years in a row, the Academic League team at Southwest High has gone to the semi-finals and finals of the Metro League competition. This year was no exception! Going 10-2 in the regular season, this team of high-achieving students played Eastlake during the semi-final round of the three game day. A spectacular win and phenomenal score, 137-53, qualified the team to play against Olympian High school, who had just beaten Bonita Visa a few hours before. Both teams were neck-in-neck the entire game through, coming within 2 points of each other at one point, but a bad round of questions and a limited amount of time allowed Olympian to pull ahead at the end. With a final score of 83-108, Olympian took the Metro League title and moved on to the County competition, however Southwest didn’t go down without a fight! The entire years worth of hard work truly paid off for many of the member’s final year of playing on the team, many of which had been on the team since freshman year! This year has definitely been the most memorable for everyone, with the majority of the team being seniors. We all wish the underclassmen good luck for the many years of winning to come!

by Alison Lawyer

Day of Silence

On April 29th 2013 the schools GSA club celebrated the national Day of Silence. The day of silence is an anual movement in which people decide to take a vow of silence for the day to stop bullying twords gay, lesbian, transdender and bisexaul  and allie students. the movement has brought youth groups together to bring awareness to the people around them. the GSA group was proud to anounce that of the past couple of years they reached  their highest amout of students 250 participants signed up  to help support the cause. talking to mr. roncoroni, the GSA advisor said he it was a very  succesful out come of students and he was proud to see students he didnt expect to participate come together to encourage such a good movement. the amount of work that the GSA students and advisors put in to make this day memorable was weeks of work. students did their best to spread the word to let people know of what the day of silence stood for to raise awareness around the school. we asked a couple of students what they thought of the day a silence and if they thought it was affective. Kristen hardin said"At first i thought it would behard to stay quiet the whole day  because i  talk alot but it was easier than i thought because of the purpose it stood for." we also asked keoni arceo and he said "i thought it was affective because it impacted other students and myself because people and friends didnt think i'd take part in it. i thought it was a good way to support gay  lesbian and bisexual people as well as those who are victims of bullying."

By Berthita Villegas

Experience

It's that time of the year. The saddest part of the year, or life itself; letting go. The Class of '13 only have 22 days to go; and boy, does time go by fast! Senior year is suppose to be the last, memorable year Seniors hold. That means many notable, fun events such as prom; Grad night; and their last Raiders assemblies. But aside from the class itself, Seniors hold experiences to themselves that they will will never forget that happened in their final, memorable year in high school. Senior Daniel Sandoval, going to be a student at CSU LA, says becoming a drum major in band is something he will never forget. "I found it memorable because i get to punish people", he says jokingly"...i found it a memorable accomplishment because i love band and music; it was a wonderful opportunity...and its going to teach me responsibility, leadership, and will prepare me for the future", he says proudly. Salvador Gutierrez says something he will never forget is the Academic League family and their final moments together, "I'll always remember the end of the year cider chase," he says. "I'll also never forget the League Christmas part", he adds. Its not surprising that Academic League and  band made marvelous accomplishments to Seniors within those two activities that will never be forgotten; as well as the other events planned ahead before the Class of''13 moves on. Its not just these two Seniors that will always hold precious memories, but the entire class that will find it difficult to let go during graduation time. But while it can be painful to let go, it won't always be hard to remember. Let's end this great, Seniors!

by Genie Hernandez