Monday, January 25, 2010

New Cafeteria?

SOH Cafeteria to Get Makeover
By Elma Gonzalez


Yes! The day is finally here. Our cafeteria will be redesigned! This school year has seen the beginning of many reconstructions. But, like me, I am sure many students believe the cafeteria to be one of the most important ones. For this reason the school administrators believe it would be best for students to take part in the process. Mr. Carpizo and Dr. Armstrong chose a panel of about forty students to give their opinion on the renovation. These forty students are there to represent the whole student body. However, don't think these students are designing it themselves. A company was hired to create a design of the "soon-to-be new" cafeteria. Students only give their opinion on what should stay or definitely GO! Plus, teachers also have a say on the design.


In the last meeting the company presented various changes. Tall tables, booths, artwork, and brand new lamps are among some of the propositions. Although, students and teachers have already discussed these suggestions with company representatives, the principal has the final say. Let's hope all points of view are taken in consideration for this decision, and Dr. Armstrong makes the best choice. Either way, SOH students will soon have a brand new cafeteria.

RUN SOH! RUN!!

SOH Starts Running Club

by Omar Arce



It's the last week of January. The new year feeling is almost gone. And along with this feeling, are the new year resolutions. Obviously, the most popular resolution is to lose a few pounds. There are only two ways to accomplish this goal: a good diet and a well-planned exercise regimen. Luckily there is a club at Southwest High School that will help you with the latter.



The SOH Running Club, a club that was primarily designated to keep the SOH long distance runners in shape, now aims to promote a healthy lifestyle trough running. Senior, Sergio Vargas is member of the running club. "I joined the running club primarily to get in shape after the holidays...but, I mainly joined because I truthfully enjoy the thrill of running...I might be overdoing it, but running makes me feel alive." Explains Vargas.



Everyone is invited to join the club. "I like the feeling of being with people who enjoy running as much as me, and I overall love the atmosphere the running club exerts," says Vargas about the atmosphere of the club. The club meets every Thursday and Tuesday right after school at Room 907. The only things needed, are a pair of running shoes, work out clothes, water, and plenty of energy

Get Your RUN Sweaters

Running Club Sells Gear

by Omar Arce


The RUN SOH hoodies have become an increasingly popular item at Southwest High. But, what exactly do they mean? They do not represent a tribute band to Hip Hop legends RUN DMC, they were this year's logo for the Cross Country team. The idea was so successful that the remaining sweaters sold out in a few weeks after they were given to the Cross Country team. A new shipment has been ordered. There are two ways to get one. Joining the running club and selling a box of chocolates or paying 10 dollars. Get one - they will be gone soon.

Leave Kaeding Alone!

A Raider Has a Rant

by Martin Zazueta



For the past week I have been annoyed when hearing insults and attacks towards the San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding who missed three field goal attempts in the Chargers' first round playoff game this year. Charger fans are so upset at Kaeding because the game ended 14-17 with the Chargers losing to the New York Jets. Fans claim that its Kaeding's fault that the game was lost.



Although I am in favor of people's expressing their opinions freely, I originally did not mind the the talk against Kaeding; what really got me ticked was that minutes after the game anti-Kaeding Facebook groups started showing up saying to get off the team or the witty "Are You Kaeding me?". I also cannot imagine the amount of emails and letters Kaeding must have received from disgruntled fans. What I have to say about that is, Charger fans have to stop being so narrow minded, and look at what really happened at the game.



The Chargers played one of the most terrible games they had all season, with the offense receiving over 9 flags and losing over about 45 yards throughout the entire game. The situation was so bad that they had to bring out Kaeding for the field goal 3 times: one at about 43 yards, another at 57 yards and the third being in the 30s. Ok, first off, all these are difficult kicks and even though Kaeding's record is a 57-yard field goal kick, it does not mean he is going to get it every time. And then again, the offense they did not do their job. If they did, they would not have needed Kaeding to attempt the field goal in the first place.



So, if the Chargers end up losing Nate Kaeding, one of the best kickers in the NFL, because irrational fans cannot put the pieces together as to why the Chargers lost and are taking it out on someone who has done nothing but great work until this one game, then we will have other problems to worry about next season. So please don't hate.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Tornado!!!!!!!!

Severe Weather Hits Orange County
by Bob Chan

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was created earlier Monday. The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. If no basement is available residents should seek shelter on the lowest floor of the building in an interior hallway or room such as a closet. A blanket or pillow should be used to cover your body, and always stay away from windows. People inside a mobile home or vehicle should evacuate them and get inside a substantial shelter. If no shelter is available, lying flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and covering your head with your hands is the safest thing to do.

Storm #1 is history though it's possible we could see an isolated shower through Tuesday morning. Storm #2 brought very heavy rain fell for a couple of hours during the mid to late afternoon on Monday; the storm died down quicker than was predicted, thus rainfall totals are less than expected. Storm #3 is taking shape up north and should arrive here late tomorrow bringing heavy rain, strong winds, even bigger surf and the possibility of some thunderstorms. This storm should bring us abundant rainfall amounts and could stick around into Friday with a few isolated showers lingering into Saturday morning. This will be a colder storm and should produce some heavy snowfall in the mountains.

Earthquake In the Carribean

Haiti Faces One More Tragedy
by Elma Gonzalez



On January 12, as SOH students were coping with the first day of the second semester, disaster hit the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti has struggled under decades of coups, corruption and natural disasters. But it is now, with the 7Mm earthquake that hit them last Tuesday, that news radars have turned their way.
According to reports the earthquake hit west of Port Au Prince, and 33 aftershocks were recorded thereafter. Many Port Au Prince historical landmarks such as the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, and the Port Au Prince Cathedral were destroyed. Latest reports inform more than 70,000 people have officially been declared dead. Several countries including the United States have offered to assist Haiti now and in future reconstruction plans. President Obama has assigned former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton the task of raising funds for Haiti's recovery. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sent to the site. The United States has agreed to donate $100million for the cause. Other countries have also donated funds; the UK is giving $32.7 million, France is giving $14.4 million, Italy announced it would forgive the $55.7 million it had loaned to Haiti (altogether the European Nation is donating $474 million). However, money is not enough. The lack of political stability and infrastructure in Haiti has made it difficult to aid the injured. Knowing this, the United States and some European nations have come together to begin plannig the reconstruction of Haiti's infrastructure and government.


If you want to help Haiti in their tragedy please: Text 'HAITI' to 90999: This service was set up by the U.S. State Department. Texting "HAITI" to the number will donate $10 to the International Red Cross, and will appear as a charge on your wireless bill; or Text 'YELE' to 501501: This will donate $5 to Yele Haiti, a non-profit organization founded by singer and Haiti native Wyclef Jean. A donation to Yele will also appear as a charge on your cell bill. You can also donate larger amounts at Yele's website.

From the Mouths of Students

A Raider Has a Rant
by Omar Arce

"Once a Raider always a Raider." People say this, all the time. But what about: "Once involved, always involved." Continuity is what students at school need. Why do we expect our school to do good in sports when people quit sports so often. The a notable case is that of cross country. As the captain of this year's team, I witnessed the team shrink from a team of 40 during the Fall Sports Assembly to less that 15 by the end of the season. The team could have had a chance to fight for the banner but quitters diminished the team's chances to fight in the league. The same thing happens with other sports, whether it is track and field, football, or any other sport. What happened to the time when quitters where teased and looked down upon. Now, if you ask someone, "Why did you quit?" they answer "Because I did not like it" Well, if you did not like it, then you should not even think about joining in the first place.


People join extra curricular activities for the wrong reasons, such as improving their college application with extracurricular activities. Other people join the team for the jersey and the bragging rights of belonging to a sport.


Perhaps, if more people followed through in any sport or club they join, the school would really have better teams and a better reputation. So next time you join some extracurricular activity, be a Raider, not a quitter.