Raiders, go Turkey Trotting!
by Stephanie Mesa
You know that morning after thanksgiving when you feel so full after eating so much the night before? Don't you hate that feeling? This year, the SOH Cross Country team is giving people in the Nestor community the opportunity to run the 1st Annual Raiders Turkey Trot to burn those extra calories off!
When?: November 26, 2010. 7:45 AM
Where?: Southwest High School.
Headquarters will be located in the south parking lot of the campus.
Course: A loop through the Nestor neighborhood
start/finish line @ Southwest High School
RACE TIMES: 1/2 Mile kids fun run- 7:45AM
Turkey trot 5K Run/walk- 8:00AM
Entry fee: 1/2 Mile fun run(kids) $3.00
5K Turkey trot run/walk $18.00
All of the money collected for the event will be used to help the SOH Cross country team.
Raiders, don't miss out on this great opportunity and be part of the very first Annual Raiders Turkey Trot!
For more information contact:
Mr.Buse (Cross country coach)
davidbuse@gmail.com
619.596.7387
Web: sites.google.com/site/raiderscrosscountry
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
De-stressing tips
Follow your dreams
by Sierra Holter
Ever since we were little our parents, teachers and even the media have encouraged us to follow our dreams. Whether your dream was to be a firefighter or police officer or a doctor, there was always someone there saying to follow that dream. Even having this support many teens do not continue to follow their dreams and drop out. Here in California one-third of a high school class will drop out. School counselors have many other tasks to deal with rather than spending time with those at risk of not graduating. Studies show that teens living with one parent, being of hispanic descent and/or not having peer support are the leading reasons why kids don't graduate.
Seniors at our school are filling out college applications and writing personal statements every day. Most seniors say that the stress and anxiety about what the futture holds is getting them down. Despite these fears Southwest is proud to say that many are applying to private universities as well as local schools. They are following their dreams and taking steps to better themselves and our community. However seniors still have a lot of pressure put on them so here are some destressing tips:
1. Smile. It's scientifically proven that smiling automatically will make you feel better.
2. Change your routine. It may be that youre stressing because everything is happening all at once. If you take a couple of minutes out of your day to change things up a bit you'll be amazed by how different you'll feel.
3. Don't hold your mistakes against yourself. Maybe you didn't finish that essay on time, or maybe you came home an hour past curfew, fix the mistakes you can and the rest will eventually fall into place.
4. Replace "I have to" statements with "I choose to" statements. It will relieve pressure and give you a whole new perspective.
5. Find a hidden treasure in your day. Search for one positive thing that you may have never noticed before,whatever it may be theres always a silver lining.
6. Spend some time with a person or people who make you feel good about yourself. You are a great person!
7. Remind yourself that even when you have no control over certain situations, your attitude is always within your control. It's our attitude that shapes our experiences. Its also your attitude that will get you into college.
8. Continue to remind yourself that this day will pass and tomorrow is a new day.
9. Share your stressful day or event with a friend or family member.
10. Appreciate yourself. Think about all the positive things you are able to accomplish each day.
After all...
Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. -Dr.Seuss.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Halloween
Raiders celebrate Halloween
By Vianney Casas
This year Raiders celebrated Halloween the Friday 29th of October, and scary is the last word you would use to describe that day. No scary costumes for the most part, no people scaring. "Why was it called Halloween then?" is my and I’m sure many other people’s question. Well, the spirit for sure was still there. Not many people dressed up, I must admit, but the ones that did no matter which grade they were in, or how old they were, showed proudly the Halloween spirit and dressed up in their own unique ways. Some guys even dressed up as girls! It was hilarious, although you needed to be there to laugh as much as Raiders laugh as soon as they saw them. And when I say dressed up as girls I mean completely as girls! Make up, dresses, sandals, wigs, and even purses. Speaking of guys dressing as the opposite sex, there were a couple of girls dressed as guys too, wearing baggy pants, a cap and a mustache even painted on their face. Other types of costumes included a hot dog, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Angels, Little Red Ridding Hood, puppets, Obama, ladybugs, bumblebees, and others, each person showing spirit and their personality in their own way.
Of course a costume contest was held. Unfortunately(and I regret this) I wasn’t there long enough to see who exactly the winners were, but here’s what I saw while I was there:
The brave Raiders here at SOH came out of their shells and competed against each other for “The best costume”. Of course the first to stand in line were the guys dressed as girls. They, along with other brave contestants walked across like models showing off their costume as people screamed, laughed and clapped and at the end, as I was informed the guys dressed as girls won.
This was what Halloween was like at Southwest High School, which now after your read it doesn’t seem scary at all, but now lets take a quick look at the real deal:
October 31. Halloween night.
I went around and asked people that had gone trick or treating what their Halloween night had been like and I myself went trick or treating. From what I was told, people this year had not a lot of Halloween spirit this year. Many houses' lights weren't even turned on, not many people were on the streets, and the worst and saddest for most of us is that depressingly, not much candy was given out.
“I only got six candies!” “What happened to Halloween spirit?!” “A woman just gave me a piece of gum”, were among many others, some angry Raider exclamations, and I myself must admit my bag wasn’t even half filled by the end of the night and I went to three different places. It was sad I must confess, but that however didn’t ruin our night. Halloween isn’t just about getting candy, it’s about having fun and showing your spirit, and Raiders definitely had that accomplished.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Homecoming
Raiders come home
by Vianney Casas
Once upon a time...
There was a homecoming dance.
“It’s the night of our nights, it’s the night of our dreams...”
There’s this night in high school besides Prom you just cannot miss: The Homecoming Dance. And what’s even better is that the homecoming dance is available for students of all grade levels. This year’s homecoming dance was a success; its theme was Disney. You imagined it right, it was all a fairytale.
Of course, the homecoming queen and king (or Big Man On Campus A.K.A BMOC) weren't forgotten. All candidates were wished good luck and all deserved to win, unfortunately only one princess and one prince could. The queen (Stacey Ruiz) was announced on the night before the dance during the Homecoming Game. The BMOC was announced that October 23, the actual night of the dance. All candidates were as charming as princes we see on Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping beauty, however, Hugo Flores ended up becoming the BMOC. Going back a few minutes, you could totally feel the suspense as people waited for the BMOC to be announced a few seconds that seemed like a hours and then... Hugo Flores! Pretty much everyone ran towards and hugged him, screaming his name in a chorus. At the end it was worth the wait, no matter whom you voted for, the best won.
The dance itself was amazing. There was nothing else you saw but beautiful girls in dresses of different kinds and colors and handsome guys with ties. Surprisingly, not all couples were boy-girl. You could see group of girls together as well as boys and still you could see them having fun! “Who needs a boyfriend/girlfriend anyway to have fun?” was their question. Speaking of which, I’m 99% positive everyone had fun. Music of all kind was played by the DJ: from Hip-Hop, reggeton, banda, slow songs and a bit of Pop. The dance floor was filled with teenagers having no regrets and just dancing like popcorn popping in a microwave and lets not forget the slow songs! Those who were with their boyfriend/girlfriend got a little romantic and danced their arms wrapped around each other, just like in a fairytale. The whole thing was movie-like, and, of course, an experience that those who went will never forget, and not just for students, because, believe it or not, teachers went as well, alone, with a friend or a date. Ever wondered what makes high school unforgettable? Well homecoming is definitely one of those.
To get more details and in case you want to see pictures buy our SOH yearbooks.
by Vianney Casas
Once upon a time...
There was a homecoming dance.
“It’s the night of our nights, it’s the night of our dreams...”
There’s this night in high school besides Prom you just cannot miss: The Homecoming Dance. And what’s even better is that the homecoming dance is available for students of all grade levels. This year’s homecoming dance was a success; its theme was Disney. You imagined it right, it was all a fairytale.
Of course, the homecoming queen and king (or Big Man On Campus A.K.A BMOC) weren't forgotten. All candidates were wished good luck and all deserved to win, unfortunately only one princess and one prince could. The queen (Stacey Ruiz) was announced on the night before the dance during the Homecoming Game. The BMOC was announced that October 23, the actual night of the dance. All candidates were as charming as princes we see on Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping beauty, however, Hugo Flores ended up becoming the BMOC. Going back a few minutes, you could totally feel the suspense as people waited for the BMOC to be announced a few seconds that seemed like a hours and then... Hugo Flores! Pretty much everyone ran towards and hugged him, screaming his name in a chorus. At the end it was worth the wait, no matter whom you voted for, the best won.
The dance itself was amazing. There was nothing else you saw but beautiful girls in dresses of different kinds and colors and handsome guys with ties. Surprisingly, not all couples were boy-girl. You could see group of girls together as well as boys and still you could see them having fun! “Who needs a boyfriend/girlfriend anyway to have fun?” was their question. Speaking of which, I’m 99% positive everyone had fun. Music of all kind was played by the DJ: from Hip-Hop, reggeton, banda, slow songs and a bit of Pop. The dance floor was filled with teenagers having no regrets and just dancing like popcorn popping in a microwave and lets not forget the slow songs! Those who were with their boyfriend/girlfriend got a little romantic and danced their arms wrapped around each other, just like in a fairytale. The whole thing was movie-like, and, of course, an experience that those who went will never forget, and not just for students, because, believe it or not, teachers went as well, alone, with a friend or a date. Ever wondered what makes high school unforgettable? Well homecoming is definitely one of those.
To get more details and in case you want to see pictures buy our SOH yearbooks.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Consider vegetarian
Think before you eat
By Sierra Holter
We go to school to educate ourselves, so why not become educated about what you eat? Every day, countless animals are being murdered for humans. They live their lives in what seems to be death camps just waiting for their day to be slaughtered. Every day, cows, chickens, pigs and all other livestock are being pumped with growth hormones, shoved into tiny cages and being poked and proded until their bodies give out because of their weight, or they are slaughtered.
CHICKENS
There are more chickens on earth than there are humans.Yet we kill more than 23 million chickens daily for meat. Chickens are extraordinary animals though their brains may only be the size of a walnut. These animals have their own language with more than 40,000 different dialects, also, when a chick is born and the mother needs to go tend to other business other female chickens will babysit the chick until the mother returns. So next time you're enjoying fried chicken or pollo asado remember these creatures are capable of love and deserve to be treated as the wonderful animals they are.
COWS
Most people never have the chance to meet their meat. Well here's your chance. Cows are amazing animals that hear,feel and remember almost everything. These animals are beaten, pumped with steroids,deprived of their children and forced into cages half their size. Like humans, cows produce milk when they give birth to a calf. Dairy cows are artificially inseminated to produce milk. Once born their calfs are taken to other farms to be raised for meat or if they're females they are kept on the dairy farm and the cycle starts over. If people knew the awesome things cows are capable of they might consider buying a salad instead of a cheeseburger. We have a second chance to rethink what we eat, whereas 100,000 cows do not have any option to whether they become someone's meal or not.
PIGS
Did you know pigs are smarter than our dogs? Did you know pigs can play video games and can dream much like humans? These are only few of the interesting talents pig have. Even though they are one of the world's 3 smartest animals we kill more than 150,000 each day. Most factory farms do not have the most humane killing methods: a recent investigation in 2008 found that pigs were being lifted by chains around their necks and hung for until finally their necks were slit open. This is against many laws in the United States and ultimately the factory was shut down. The pigs in that farm were lucky and no doubt there are many more farms all over the world just like this one. Pigs are as smart as 3-year old children; we dont eat our kids or our dogs, so why would we eat these cute little animals?
TRUTH.
Face the facts: eating meat does so much unnecessary harm to millions of animals every day. Calves, chicks, and piglettes will grow up in factory farms alone with no families or friends. Every day they will be tortured until they are big enough to be slaughtered. You can help stop this cruelty by not eating meat,but, if you cannot give up animal flesh you can always be a part of many animal cruelty prevention groups. This madness can be stopped. A cow may not be a cute cat, a pig may not be man's best friend, and a chicken may not be a cute little hamster, but these animals deserve to be loved and will show you love if we just gave them the chance. So next time youre about to enjoy that hamburger remember just because it doesn't cuddle with you at night or bring you the morning newspaper doesn't make it any less of a living being.
Felix "El Gato" Castro
To an athlete dying young
By Stephanie Meza
Felix "El Gato" Castro was a former raider who passed away on October 9, 2010. What made Castro stand out from other alumni was his boxing career. Felix Castro was born on December 16, 1991. Castro had a future in boxing in Mexico: he represented Baja California in the national Olympic, and brought back home 2 medals in 2008 and 2009. He would train every day at the Mojac gym, with hope in his heart than one day his name would be known all around the world for what he did in the boxing ring. Felix had the support from everyone around him, especially his father and coach. With his mind set to succeed, Felix was on his journey for a second victory, but unfortunately life came unexpected and he couldn't get his second victory.
On Saturday, October 9th, 2010 while at a family reunion, Felix was chewing on a water bottle cap and swallowed it by accident. Felix immediately tried to pull it out, and many of his family members tried to help, but it was useless - the cap was stuck. They rushed him to the hospital, but he died on the way there. His death was a surprise to everyone, the way it happened made many people reflect on how death comes unexpectedly at times. No one expected Felix, a boxing champion, to die at such a young age and in such an unexpected way.
His classmates from the class of 2010 were in shock. Tabatha Aceves, a former Raider who was a friend of Felix said: "Felix was such a sweet and fun person...I saw him as a happy individual because he was good at what he loved doing the most: Boxing." Tabatha also added: "I'm very sad and shocked by his death, and mostly because the way it happened could have been prevented, I will always remember him." Another friend, Jorge Beltran also told us: "It's awfully ironic how such a strong, dedicated champion could go down so easily in an accident as such. Really makes you think about how life could be taken away with so much ease if one is not careful...my respects Felix "EL Gato" Castro..."
Champion, and loyal friend, Felix will always be remembered for the magic and power he created with his boxing gloves on, and for the funny and happy guy everyone knew at school.
R.I.P. Felix "El Gato" Castro.
You will be missed but NEVER forgotten.
By Stephanie Meza
Felix "El Gato" Castro was a former raider who passed away on October 9, 2010. What made Castro stand out from other alumni was his boxing career. Felix Castro was born on December 16, 1991. Castro had a future in boxing in Mexico: he represented Baja California in the national Olympic, and brought back home 2 medals in 2008 and 2009. He would train every day at the Mojac gym, with hope in his heart than one day his name would be known all around the world for what he did in the boxing ring. Felix had the support from everyone around him, especially his father and coach. With his mind set to succeed, Felix was on his journey for a second victory, but unfortunately life came unexpected and he couldn't get his second victory.
On Saturday, October 9th, 2010 while at a family reunion, Felix was chewing on a water bottle cap and swallowed it by accident. Felix immediately tried to pull it out, and many of his family members tried to help, but it was useless - the cap was stuck. They rushed him to the hospital, but he died on the way there. His death was a surprise to everyone, the way it happened made many people reflect on how death comes unexpectedly at times. No one expected Felix, a boxing champion, to die at such a young age and in such an unexpected way.
His classmates from the class of 2010 were in shock. Tabatha Aceves, a former Raider who was a friend of Felix said: "Felix was such a sweet and fun person...I saw him as a happy individual because he was good at what he loved doing the most: Boxing." Tabatha also added: "I'm very sad and shocked by his death, and mostly because the way it happened could have been prevented, I will always remember him." Another friend, Jorge Beltran also told us: "It's awfully ironic how such a strong, dedicated champion could go down so easily in an accident as such. Really makes you think about how life could be taken away with so much ease if one is not careful...my respects Felix "EL Gato" Castro..."
Champion, and loyal friend, Felix will always be remembered for the magic and power he created with his boxing gloves on, and for the funny and happy guy everyone knew at school.
R.I.P. Felix "El Gato" Castro.
| "So set, before its echoes fade, | |
| The fleet foot on the sill of shade, | |
| And hold to the low lintel up | |
| The still-defended challenge-cup..." |
You will be missed but NEVER forgotten.
Bullying can lead to death
Raiders Don't Bully
By Vianney Casas
Bullying? Homicide.
“Nine teens, including three juveniles, have been charged in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Massachusetts girls who committed suicide after weeks of bullying on Facebook and at her high school.” “Seth Walsh, a California teen spent the better part of the last 10 days on life support after attempting suicide over relentless bullying because he was gay.” “Jon Carmichael took his own life Sunday after what some say was bullying by bigger classmates.”
“In the US, a person convicted of murder is typically given a life sentence or even the death penalty for such an act.”
Bullies are nothing but murderers. The coldest, heartless way to murder someone slowly, breaking their heart in the process, causing a mix of the worst feelings is killing someone with words, words coming out of our mouths like rattlesnakes. For the heartless bullies out there: Do you not realize all you’re causing? Can’t you see it in the person's face? The pain, the heartbreak your nasty offending words are causing ? What if someone else teated you the same way? Now, let's see how that feels.
Why do people bully? Is it pure boredom, no life, nothing better to do? Is it ignorance, feeling like you’re God to judge others and superior enough to put people down,feeling like they’re in Hell? Is it that you're so mad at the world, so insecure about yourself, that you have to take it out on someone else? Someone that didn’t do a thing to you and yet you kill them. Wait, I think I know the answer. Maybe you just like ending people’s lives. Destroying a family, the future they had ahead. Maybe you like knowing they will never accomplish what they had planned, have a family, live a life like the one you’ll keep living and should’ve spent in jail for the damaged done.
Why can’t people accept others the way they are. There’s racism, making fun of homosexuals, or just simply the talking about someone because of the way they dress, they think, they speak, they act. But how about you? Do you for some reason think you’re perfect? Do you feel like you have a right to make people feel like they’re the worst thing in the world. Do you think you have the right to destroy their lives? Keep laughing. Do you think it's funny how someone committed suicide because of you, how a family is breaking down in tears because of you? Save them a little pain, the sleepless nights, the fear to present themselves to the world, the thoughts, the humiliation. Why don’t you save them all you cause. I suggest you think before you speak. Just think, get in that person’s shoes for just a minute. Let's see if those words come out, lets see if you can laugh.
Anti-Bullying laws are being enforced where the schools can expel the person bullying and the authorities might take care of it. I say give them life sentence. After all what they do is kill an innocent individual with a heart.
And for those out there that are being bullied: Don't worry, everything will be OK. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re amazing just the way you are. There are plenty people out there that love you for who you are. Believe me. You’re worth way more than those who hurt others.
Sources:http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/hhs_psa/pdfs/sbn_tip_6.pdf
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-30/justice/massachusetts.bullying.suicide_1_scheibel-students-massachusetts-school?_s=PM:CRIME
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2010/09/gay-teen-dies-after-10-days-on-life-support-following-suicide-attempt-over-anti-gay-bullying/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-6173960-504083.html
By Vianney Casas
Bullying? Homicide.
“Nine teens, including three juveniles, have been charged in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Massachusetts girls who committed suicide after weeks of bullying on Facebook and at her high school.” “Seth Walsh, a California teen spent the better part of the last 10 days on life support after attempting suicide over relentless bullying because he was gay.” “Jon Carmichael took his own life Sunday after what some say was bullying by bigger classmates.”
“In the US, a person convicted of murder is typically given a life sentence or even the death penalty for such an act.”
Bullies are nothing but murderers. The coldest, heartless way to murder someone slowly, breaking their heart in the process, causing a mix of the worst feelings is killing someone with words, words coming out of our mouths like rattlesnakes. For the heartless bullies out there: Do you not realize all you’re causing? Can’t you see it in the person's face? The pain, the heartbreak your nasty offending words are causing ? What if someone else teated you the same way? Now, let's see how that feels.
Why do people bully? Is it pure boredom, no life, nothing better to do? Is it ignorance, feeling like you’re God to judge others and superior enough to put people down,feeling like they’re in Hell? Is it that you're so mad at the world, so insecure about yourself, that you have to take it out on someone else? Someone that didn’t do a thing to you and yet you kill them. Wait, I think I know the answer. Maybe you just like ending people’s lives. Destroying a family, the future they had ahead. Maybe you like knowing they will never accomplish what they had planned, have a family, live a life like the one you’ll keep living and should’ve spent in jail for the damaged done.
Why can’t people accept others the way they are. There’s racism, making fun of homosexuals, or just simply the talking about someone because of the way they dress, they think, they speak, they act. But how about you? Do you for some reason think you’re perfect? Do you feel like you have a right to make people feel like they’re the worst thing in the world. Do you think you have the right to destroy their lives? Keep laughing. Do you think it's funny how someone committed suicide because of you, how a family is breaking down in tears because of you? Save them a little pain, the sleepless nights, the fear to present themselves to the world, the thoughts, the humiliation. Why don’t you save them all you cause. I suggest you think before you speak. Just think, get in that person’s shoes for just a minute. Let's see if those words come out, lets see if you can laugh.
Anti-Bullying laws are being enforced where the schools can expel the person bullying and the authorities might take care of it. I say give them life sentence. After all what they do is kill an innocent individual with a heart.
And for those out there that are being bullied: Don't worry, everything will be OK. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re amazing just the way you are. There are plenty people out there that love you for who you are. Believe me. You’re worth way more than those who hurt others.
Sources:http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/hhs_psa/pdfs/sbn_tip_6.pdf
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-03-30/justice/massachusetts.bullying.suicide_1_scheibel-students-massachusetts-school?_s=PM:CRIME
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2010/09/gay-teen-dies-after-10-days-on-life-support-following-suicide-attempt-over-anti-gay-bullying/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-6173960-504083.html
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