Tag: High School

  • School reopening is a good idea – but not for me!

    Jackrabbits are officially returning to school! As of March 2021, Polytechnic High School and the rest of LBUSD has announced that students are able to take a survey and decide if they would like to return to school and do hybrid learning or continue doing school online. 

     

    I feel like this is a good thing because I have noticed that many students have slept during Zoom sessions or do not take online classes as seriously. So I feel like having that hybrid option could really help students bring up their grades. 

     

    On the other hand, Covid-19 is still going around, so when students return it could expose students to the virus. We would have to do things like clean desks, wear a mask the whole time and keep our distance from teachers and other students. 

     

    Me personally, I think I will continue to do online instead of hybrid. I feel like the two days of the week in school isn’t going to help or affect me or my grade. I would like to return to school, but only if everything was back to normal. Overall, I think hybrid learning will be a lot of help for many students who can get on-hand help if they need it, but I don’t think it would be worth it for me.

     

  • Working out During Quarantine

    Working out During Quarantine

    Working out is endorsed by doctors and health-specialists for all kids or for anyone who may be in need of it. Many supply this need with walking, biking, or other hour-long activities that can be accomplished at a park or out in the open. Other workouts are done in gyms or closed-off workout spaces. Some people indulge in building up a private gym in their homes and have been unaffected by the change Covid-19 brought upon them. Others, however, have been left in the dark about how best to go about continuing their routine while stuck at home – and some people are too busy trying to support themselves or their dependents to worry about it.

     

    I have experienced this myself, even as a student with no workout-heavy extracurricular activities, the sharp decline in the amount of walking I accomplished in a day, walking from class to class, and walking around school with friends have left me uncommonly lethargic, eternally tired, and while my grades have taken a sharp upturn with the abundance of time I have to do nothing, my physical upkeep has been lacking. While no negative effects have shown long-term problems, should the world go back to normal, it shows me more clearly the lack of agency I take in keeping myself fit, as I usually rely on everyday exercise to keep me healthy.

     

    Without that outlet, I’ve been put in charge of my own health and wellness, and I’ve done my best to develop a small, important way to make sure you move about and give your body the smaller exercises it needs to stay healthy.

     

    1. Don’t sit at your computer all-day

    No matter what you believe, schoolwork won’t keep you glued to your chair all day. Every workspace and school schedule allows for small breaks to be taken in between bouts of work and classes. Don’t take this time for granted, and sit at your computer or on your phone, watching Youtube or Tik Tok. instead, get up, shake out your legs and stretch your arms, use every break you can to move as much of your body as possible.

    1. Have a small workout or stretch routine

    Set aside a small amount of time in your schedule to work out, no matter how intense it is. It can range from a small ten-minute low impact routine, or an hour-long weight-lifting routine. Any extra movement will be beneficial for your body, and its health. I prefer a ten-to-fifteen minute workout, short and simple, with hand weights to ensure I keep the strength in my arms and torso. There are plenty of examples of short, long, easy, and intense workouts out there if you look for them.

    1. Understand that you need to go outside

    With the threat of Covid-19, many fear going outside. By saying you need to go outside, I’m not encouraging you to go outside and have parties or visit others, but to sit or stand outside, with proper mask protection and sunscreen, and stretch or stand or walk. Breath in the air and let the sun warm you. Becoming stagnant inside can lead to more brittle bones with a lack of vitamin D, which can become a long-term problem. Make time every day to stand outside, and sit or lie down, in your front or backyard, if you can, or try to squeeze the time in when going out for needed groceries. 

    My main suggestion would be to do a pre-warm-up outside, or if your workout is short, spend your entire workout outside, if you are able to do so and with proper face protection. I do a combination of school work and workouts outside, intermittently throughout the week.

    Image result for Dumbbells

    Working out and moving around, no matter how often, is an activity that will help with the monotony of staying indoors and any feeling of stillness that may come upon you. These are three smaller ideas that I’ve come up with to help myself when facing being indoors for the unseeable future, and keeping your body strong is one of the main ways to combat this. 

     

    The next time you get a ten-minute break, rather than looking at screens, stand and stretch, take a breath, and move your body.

  • Boredom Strikes: What to do when class is over?

    This school year has already been different from anything students have ever experienced. Most students start school at 7:50 am. We wake up to open our computer sometimes not even getting ready for the day. For the first time in its history, the Long Beach Unified School District is forced into homeschooling across the entire district.  For seniors this school year is new to them in many ways with the responsibility of applying to colleges, scholarships or finding a job. With school being online and ending a bit earlier for most seniors, the remainder of the day goes to homework. Even after doing homework and some studying there is still time in the day that can be filled by doing many activities. Have you been active? Have you been eating because you’re bored? Have you been sleeping your days away? Here are a few safe ways to fill your days during the pandemic:

     

    • After classes go on a walk or run

    A 30 minutes walk or run through your neighborhood or the closest park(with a mask) may be just enough activity you desire. 30 minutes of activity is just the start of creating healthy habits. If you wish to start working out there are many free personal trainer videos on YouTube and websites that can help you begin your journey at home and at your own pace.

     

    • Make breakfast/ learn how to cook your favorite meal?

    There are many YouTube videos as well as cooking shows that can be streamed to help you discover new meals to cook. You can also find blogs giving detailed steps on the food you are trying to create.

     

    • Bake desserts

    On Netflix there are a number of baking series available giving insight on different desserts and how to make them. If you don’t have access to cooking shows there are always YouTube videos you can watch as well. You can also be creative and create your own sweet treat using your favorite ingredients and prior skills.

     

    • Try different hairstyles

    Although many people will not get to see your hairstyle getting up and trying a different look builds confidence and may change your mood. YouTube and Pinterest have some of the best ideas for new hairstyles.

     

    • Paint or draw 

    Painting and drawing always helps me express myself. If you feel as if you’re not artistic whatsoever then this isn’t the activity for you. Painting and drawing can be time consuming and expensive if you are dedicated. Supplies can be found at a local drug store, 99 cent store and art and crafts stores such as Michaels. Getting your emotions down on paper can be a therapeutic experience called art therapy, different colors, styles and texture can inflict certain types of emotions and even relief. In art there are no mistakes, anything you make is beautiful. 

     

    • Discover different diets 

    There are many ways you can start healthy eating habits. Blogs and YouTube can be essential tools to your new journey. Here’s a helpful link to a blog I used when I began my Keto diet: 

    https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/essential-guide-to-healthy-eating/

     

    • Discover new movies or shows 

    There are many ways to watch movies or series either way it can be streamed through various apps. If you sign up for subscriptions for at least $9 a month each you can have access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO, STARZ and for a few dollars more you can subscribe to Disney Plus. All of these streaming apps include  original shows and  movies and a variety of popular movies and series from various networks. There are also movies that are and able to rent that can be streamed through YouTube. My personal favorite shows at the moment are Hannibal, One on One, Sister Sister, Moesha and Grand Army, which can be found on Netflix.

     

  • My Braces Experience

    My Braces Experience

    I feel at some point everyone wanted to have braces whether you needed them or not. Prior to me having braces, I would see people with them, and I never really realized that these people were having their teeth moved by it every single day. 

     

    Before I get into my experience with having them I wanna give a brief explanation of what braces are. Braces have different parts to it, so first brackets (this is what holds your wire) are glued to every tooth, then you start with a thin wire  placed to go through each bracket, your wire is what is moving your teeth. Braces wires come in different thicknesses, you usually start with a thin wire, and upgrade to a thicker one little by little then the wire us attached to the bracket by rubber bands, which are your choice of color. Then every month you MUST go in for a check up where they change your color bands (may switch to different colors) and the bands may be smaller making your braces tighter, which makes your teeth move a bit faster, and you may also get a new wire, but that depends on how much your teeth has moved since your last check up. Braces straighten your teeth, and also fixes your jaw, over bite, and under bite.

     

    Now I have had my braces for about 4 months now and let me tell you something… these braces have a lot more maintenance than I thought! 

     

    So first thing I had to do was go in for a consultation where they see if you can benefit from braces treatment. The next thing they do is fix anything with your teeth, for example, one of my teeth had a root canal so before I got my braces they had to get that removed and I also had a small hole in my tooth that they had to fill. After all that is done they sized my teeth to add molar bands (brackets on your molars but wrapped around the tooth instead of just in front). After that the next appointment is when you get your full set of braces. 

     

    Now I was really excited to get these braces – I been waiting forever to get my teeth straighten – but what I didn’t realize was the maintenance that came with braces. Literally ANYTHING you eat will get stuck in your braces and it’s not easy to get the food out. I always have to rinse out my mouth after I eat. And within the four months I’ve had braces, I’ve broken four brackets total off my teeth, which you have to go in and get redone. I have also had my wire come out on the ends many times, which you also have to go in and get placed back in, if your wire comes out at the ends your braces will NOT work. 

     

    And going in every month is a lot too, when you go in every month they tighten your braces, so you feel some pressure on your teeth for about two days and if you miss appointments your braces won’t work because you didn’t go get the adjustments you need. Also if you miss your monthly appointment that adds another month to your braces treatment. Braces has also changed what I eat, I try to stay away from hard foods because it’s better than breaking off your brackets and that’s hard for me because I like crunchy foods.  

     

    It has also affected my night routine. In order to keep my teeth clean and white, I brush my teeth for 10 minutes each night, which is a long time to be brushing your teeth, not saying 10 minutes is needed but you know I gotta keep these teeth nice and white and especially since you gotta get in between your braces. You’re also supposed to floss every night which is difficult to do cause you have to go in between your braces before even being about to floss, but I went ahead and purchased myself a water floss to make it easier, it’s like a water gun that constantly shoot out water to clean out the food from in between your braces and teeth. This replaces regular flossing completely and it’s way faster. 

    But the results in my teeth in just four months are amazing!  The before and after pictures of my teeth show you the results: p

     

     

  • New Dog in Town

    New Dog in Town

    Kelly Rodriguez, center, with Zion, left, and King, right.

    This is Zion, my dog. The small dog is my sister’s dog, named King. We are going to talk about King first. We got King when he was two weeks old. My mom got him from my grampa for $50. We have had him for two years now. He´s really smart and we don´t have to put a leash on him. Also, we never trained King or Zion.

     

    Zion is a really good dog. We got him when he was two months old. Zion was my brother’s dog at first. My brother’s name is James. He paid $400 for Zion he was supposed to pay 800, but my tia’s girlfriend was friends with the girl who sold Zion to us. James and I agreed that I would take care of Zion when he’s at work.

    Zion when he was a puppy.

    So I took care of Zion and my brother would come home and not give him any attention because he was tired and Zion would make a lot of mess, so my brother decided he wants to sell him and my mom was okay with it because she doesn’t want him. After all, he’s going to grow big but I told both of them no I’ll keep him since I take care of him more than my brother since he’s always working. My mom said no I can´t keep him but I begged her to let me keep him and she said okay.

     

    Now Zion is seven months. He’s a husky mixed with a   german shepherd. Zion still makes a lot of mess. I walk him every day for like 30 minutes or less. I take him everywhere with me because my mom doesn´t want him in the house. Sometimes when I try to go somewhere I can´t because of him since my mom doesn´t want to babysit him, so I just stay home or try to figure out something.

    Zion is in the festive Halloween spirit.

    Zion is an indoor dog because I live in an apartment and my neighbor has other dogs outside and they don´t want Zion close to their dog because he’s big so I try to take him out when I go somewhere.

     

    Zion loves meeting new people and kids, he is so nice to them. One day we went to the dog beach and he lay down next to someone and tried to hug them – I got a little jealous.

     

    Zion is my whole world, the only one who makes me happy. Also, dogs are better than people.

     

    Kelly Rodriguez with Zion.

  • My New Normal: Kelly Rodriguez

    When I first wake up I get my Chromebook to start my first period without getting ready. Sometimes I sleep in my class or watch youtube when my teachers are not talking or when I am done with my work. My son (dog) always wants to play while I’m in class so I go outside with him while I’m in class and let him run around or just throw his toys so he can get it.

    Also, I have some reasons why I don’t like online school. One of them is I have a lot of siblings in the house. There is nowhere in the house that you can be by yourself. Also, my mom tells me to pick up my son’s (dog’s) mess or to clean up or help her with the kids because she doesn’t know how to work the Chromebook. It’s just hard to learn when there are a lot of people in the house. A lot of my teachers don’t know how to give examples of how things work online or how to work some of the apps they tell us to get on. Sometimes I don’t feel like being on zoom with them.

  • Humans of Quarantine: Chilling, Exhausted, and Not Missing the Beach

    Humans of Quarantine: Chilling, Exhausted, and Not Missing the Beach

    “Lately I have been feeling extremely exhausted and overwhelmed by not only school and distance-learning, but from my community being torn apart and all over the place from past/recent tragedies.”
    —Mahogani Sogules-Corbin

     

    “Quarantine just means I don’t have to worry as much about wearing sunscreen.”
    —Sophia DelBello
    Reymar Santos, High Life Staff Writer: “This is my Uncle Eddie, he’s been chilling and pushing through this quarantine and he said, ‘Make the most of the time spent with your family because that is all that we can do. Enjoy life that’s it.’ “
    “Life WAS like a box of chocolates, but now its as uneventful as a Kit Kat Bar from the 99¢ store.”
    —Christian Gisborne

  • The Greatest Pageant

    “The Greatest Show” was the 25th annual Mr. and Mrs. Jackrabbit Pageant, that displays the talents of senior students at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. This year 13 Jackrabbits competed with each other for the title “Mr. and Mrs. Jackrabbit”. Meanwhile 3 fellow seniors took place in the show by participating as hosts. Here are some questions we asked each contestant, along with the three daring hosts:

    1.  What prompted you to try out for the pageant/host?
    2. If you could only have one wish, what would you wish for?
    3. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
    4. What have you gained from the experience of working up to the pageant and/or the pageant as well?

    Michael Chhay

    1) Well, during my junior year, I was the head of the Jackrabbit Pageant and organizing it was one of my proudest accomplishments. So, of course, I wanted to be in it because of how it brought the community together.
    2) I would wish for an unlimited boba supply in my fridge so I can have easy access in times of need.
    3) I would visit Japan because I have studied the language and culture, and I would live to put my skills to use while seeing the beauty of the country.
    4) The most valuable experience is the connections I have made with the contestants and MCs. We have gone to school together for the past four years, and some I didn’t know well, but they have gone from familiar faces to reliable friends. Now when we see each other in the hall, our greetings changed from small smiles to warm hugs.

    Chakravartin Sokhomsan

    1) From attending Jackrabbit Pageant in previous years, I realized there was a lack of Cambodian representation in the pageants. This was saddening since Poly is located in the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia. Therefore, since as a freshman, I’ve wanted to represent my culture and heritage; I thought, what is a better way than performing a Cambodian Classical Dance piece and dressing up as a pioneer paving the way for more men to be a part of Cambodian dance!
    2) If I could wish for one thing, it would be rain for Australia, and no drafting for WWIII, I’m trying to go to college.
    3) If I could visit any place in the world, it would probably be somewhere in Southeast Asia. On my bucket list are Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam since their culture and heritage and arts are similar to Cambodia.
    4) A valuable lesson is the importance of authenticity: It’s not just about winning. You should remain yourself, especially when competing in a pageant. Once you’re focused on the prize rather than your pride, you lose yourself. Choosing to perform certain pieces, and portraying myself according to certain inspirations was on my terms; swaying from portraying any other way to not please others.

    Valery C. Sanchez

    1) I wanted to do something for myself, and perform, I love to perform and I just wanted to be apart for the 2020 pageant.
    2) That’s a hard one but I think I would just wish for more wishes like everyone else.
    3) Europe, for sure, I would to visit many places but Europe is the first place I would go.
    4) Just so much love and support from everyone and the contestants. We kinda have this family bond.

    Gari L. Nolan

    1) I saw it last year and just knew I had to be in it. The past contestants looked like they were having so much fun, so I knew I had to do it.
    2) I would wish for more wishes, obviously.
    3) I would really like to visit Ethiopia because my ancestors are from there and I would like to experience the culture.
    4) I have met a lot of new people as a result of being in the pageant, and I don’t think I would have met them if it wasn’t a contestant.

    Heather Davis

    1) I’ve always loved performing and being on stage since I was a kid because I grew up doing dance and being in dance recitals.
    2) For my family to always be okay, like to be healthy, always be okay financially, and to be safe.
    3) Sydney, Australia because I just think it’s so beautiful and I’ve never been out of North America, and I really want to go to Australia.
    4) It’s great getting to know all of the other contestants and being part of a big show. It’s helped me make my senior year memorable and fun.

    Emmanuel Guia Guerrero

    1) What prompted me to try out for the pageant was knowing that it would be my very last important performance in high school.
    2) If I were to have one wish, it’d be to help anyone that is suffering physically, mentally, and/or emotionally.
    3) I would love to go to New York. It has always been a huge dream of mine ever since I was little. I’ve always dreamed of being able to see musicals on Broadway, take a walk at Central Park and take a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and see all the pieces of history.
    4) What I gained from working on the pageant is that it takes hard work and determination to put on a huge show. It may be tiring with rehearsals and meetings, but in the end it was completely worth it. Knowing that I was able to be part of a huge production and creating new friendships that I know will last for years to come.

    Jailenn A. Williams

    1) Watching the show as an underclassman I knew that I wanted to be a part of it but I didn’t have talent so I thought being a MC would be a good fit for me, I also thought it was a great way to finish off my time at Poly.
    2) I would wish for the ability to stop the world at any moment and take a nap, or go to the mall and grab a pile of clothes and then let it continue when I want it to without anyone knowing it stopped.
    3) If I could visit any place in the world it would be the setting of the movie Guava Island with Rihanna and Donald Glover.
    4) I have learned that JPAG is so underrated and how much time and effort is put into it to become the greatest show.

    Lucille A. Nottonson

    1) It seemed like it would be a cool event to experience since it’s already my senior year.
    2) I would wish to be happy for my whole life without any sadness to deal with. It will bring me more success.
    3) I would visit Egypt so I can see the pyramids with my own eyes instead of pictures.
    4) I met new people from different programs around Poly and made new friends.

    Zane Witter

    1) I decided to try out for the pageant because I wanted to feel like I was participating during my senior year, but also because the deadline had been extended due to so few male applicants.
    2) I’d wish for a more cooperative global community (world peace is always a classic).
    3) I’d visit some super remote area of Alaska that’s been almost untouched by humans, the geography there is spectacular.
    4) The greatest thing I’ve gained from the Pageant is 12 new friends, and that’s not counting everyone involved in the pageant that I grew closer to but wasn’t a contestant. They’re all so supportive, and they made the hard weeks leading up to the pageant worth it.

    Snigdha Barua

    1) I think I ultimately auditioned for JPAG because I wanted a high school experience that went beyond the classroom. As someone who is not involved in many activities on-campus, I thought JPAG would get me out of my comfort zone and allow me to meet people outside my pathway.
    2) It’s a bit foolish, but I would wish for my home-country Bangladesh to be larger in landmass. I think a lot of the problems faced by many Bangladeshis such as sanitation could be improved by it.
    3) If I could visit any place in the world, I would go to Lumbini, Nepal. It’s Siddhartha Gautama’s birthplace and its sort of a pilgrimage site; I hold deep value in Buddha’s teachings so being able to go there would be amazing.
    4) As cheesy as it may sound, I now understand what “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey” means. Throughout the past months we (the contestants) worked tremendously hard alongside the ASB heads, Stage Crew, staff in charge, etc. Although our end goal was to put on “The Greatest Show” the bonds we created together will forever stick with me. I was rather “over it” the week prior to the show and now I miss it.

    Nohemi Pino

    1) I really wanted to be a part of something big at Poly, because I’ve never been super involved in school activities.
    2) I would wish for my college to be paid for.
    3) I would love to go to Greece, it looks so beautiful.
    4) I definitely bettered my public speaking and planning skills, bust most importantly, I gained an awesome group of friends!

    Amanda Angeles

    1) I love to perform and it would be a cool opportunity to show my talents on stage for the whole school to watch. I had never performed in front of this many people from Poly before, and it was interesting to sing for a full auditorium of her peers.
    2) I would wish to be on Broadway.
    3) If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to New York.
    4) Unlike my typical musical theater performances, this type of audience tended to want to clap in the middle of my song instead of waiting for the end. It was interesting to have to work around the cheering and stuff like that. So I guess I learned how to adapt my performance based on having a different kind of audience.

    Dominic Rojas

    1) I’ve performed at a lot of the Poly Faire’s and I liked singing in front of people so I thought “why not?”
    2) I’d wish for free education because college debt is no joke.
    3) I’d visit Hawaii and chill at the beach.
    4) I gained valuable friendships with some of Poly’s most talented people. I’ve also became more confident in performing.

    Laura Yontz

    1) I just wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and have fun.
    2) I would wish for the world to receive what it needs most to become a better place.
    3) I would go to Egypt and explore the rich history there.
    4) Taking a baby step and trying something new can open so many doors for you to broaden your experiences and to meet new people. The best things always come as a surprise!

    Micaela A. Ramos

    1) I thought it would be fun and I thought it would be a good opportunity to perform for the school. I wanted to put myself out there and be brave.
    2) That a drunk driver didn’t kill my family. I would love that.
    3) I think it’d be cool to go to Japan.
    4) I got a lot closer with people I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t do Jackrabbit Pageant.

    Janelle Soriano

    1 ) I wanted to try out for the pageant because I’ve known about it since I was in 8th grade and I love showcasing my talent.
    2 ) If I had one wish, I’d wish for a lifetime supply of boba from Sharetea 🙂
    3) I’d want to visit Bora Bora because I love being on tropical islands.
    4) I’ve gained new friendships along with a new love for my talent. I learned that singing is all I ever want to do in life 🙂

  • ‘Tis the Season for Pi(e) (COMIC)

    ‘Tis the Season for Pi(e) (COMIC)

  • TikTok at All Hours of the Clock

    With over 33 million downloads, TikTok has become a very popular media platform that has risen to the top. Although many people may say that it’s a cringey app, I think otherwise. Well at first I didn’t actually. I once found myself among the several people who would claim themselves to be against TikTok. I’ll admit, I would even judge the people around me, such as my friends whenever I would see them making or posting their videos.

    My obsession with TikTok began just like any other person who is now making videos on the platform. I only downloaded the app as a joke, not thinking I’ll find any pleasure in the content it provided. At first I wouldn’t go on the app very often and even almost uninstalled it at some point. However, after more and more of the people I look up to on YouTube began using it, I found myself following them and before I knew it, I couldn’t even bring myself to close the app.

    I may have published a couple videos at some point,but I don’t really enjoy making them as much as others. Moreover, I definitely don’t enjoy showing my face to a bunch of strangers. People such as y cousin and best friend may do it, but I think just having downloaded the app is plenty outside my comfort zone for me. All in all, while I may enjoy the people who make content on the app, but I can guarantee that I will never make any videos of myself dancing or following along with the weird trends that go around just at an attempt to go vial and become “TikTok famous” as they say.

    Sadly enough TikTok has consumed much of my life.There have been situations where I have been in the middle of conversations through text with people, and end up forgetting to reply to them because I get distracted with TikTok. There has even been a certain weekend where I accidentally found myself staying up till the sun rose all because I stayed up all night on TikTok. This is something I definitely did not do before TikTok.

    The impacts TikTok has left in my life have not been very good, and that is exactly why I have decided to give myself a break from it. I don’t go on it as much as I used to (although I do still use it more than other apps) but I feel better about it as well. I would definitely not recommend people to download it unless you want to get hooked. By the way this is a joke, I do still have a life.

  • Girls Volleyball Spikes Success

    One of the many sports active this season at Long Beach Poly High is girls Volleyball, coached by Leland McGrath. Tryouts and training for Frosh Soph, Junior Varsity, and Varsity teams were held earlier this summer. The girls volleyball teams have matches held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with tournaments also taking place on some Saturdays. Junior Varsity and Frosh Soph games start at 3:00pm while Varsity begins at 4:15pm.

    On Sept. 21-22, the teams competed in the Durango Volleyball Tournament in Las Vegas, NV.

    After a few tough matches against Wilson and Millikan the Jackrabbits started getting the outcomes they’ve been hoping for in their matches, including a  25 – 16, 25 – 13, 25 – 10 sweep against the St. Joseph Jesters.

    Thanks to a lineup change made by Coach McGrath and a change in the girls’ energy the Jackrabbits got what they were striving for. McGrath put sophomore Adonia Faumuina as one of the setters in the team’s two-setter system.

    Halfway through the  Moore League girls’ volleyball season, Long Beach Poly swept Lakewood on Sept. 25, forcing a first-place tie between the Jackrabbits and Lancers.  Poly was also fierce in a road sweep of the Lancers, winning 25-21, 25-10, 25-15.

  • Prom 2019: Time to Shine!

    Prom 2019: Time to Shine!

    Sunday May 26 at 7:00 PM at the Hotel Maya was where the class of 2019s prom was held. At the event there was food, games, caricature, henna, karaoke, photo booth and multiple dance rooms.

    The weather was not as cooperative before prom, as it was raining. Multiple girls were either holding their dresses up or not even bothering to do so.

    Not only did they have a main dance room but there was also room dedicated to just music in Spanish. In previous years, this was not a thing and people were upset about having very limited songs played.

    Most of the activities were present in the same building as the Spanish DJ. There was some confusion amongst students about where some of the activities were. With the food not many people were enjoying the food, such as on how on one side there was cold food and the other having hot food.

    Senior Denise Diaz said her experience was “fun” and really liked the Spanish DJ. Diaz noticed that people who “normally don’t dance to Spanish music” were dancing to it. Although much people weren’t fond of the food, Diaz enjoyed the “chicken tenders”. She disliked walking in her heels, as she had to keep going “back and forth” and it felt like “forever” walking in them.

    Senior Darli Ortiz doesn’t consider herself much of a “party person” but for prom being one of her first “parties” she found it enjoyable. Ortiz disliked the fact that there was “two different ballrooms”, as everyone was separate and there not being much unity.

    Senior Montserrat Valencia Delgado preferred the spanish DJ as they played spanish music and was “smaller”. Delgado was alternating between the two dance rooms and liked that there was a “variety” of spanish music. Senior Jose Diaz added onto what Delgado said and stated that due to it being small “you could request songs”. Senior Rachcna Sokhom-Khou also said the area with the Spanish DJ was “crowded”.

    Senior Evelyn Sanchez was surprised when arriving to prom, as she expected “less” to be present. Sanchez felt the main dance room could have been “a lot better”. Sanchez liked the Spanish DJ but when it came to him playing music, he played a lot of “reggaeton” and she didn’t know how to “dance to it”. Sanchez for the most part had her expectation pretty low for prom, but when at the event felt it had went past her expectations.

    Senior Amy Martinez had most of the same remarks as other students but did point out about the lack of seating, and how people were “standing up” and had “nowhere” to put their stuff.

    The night ended with confetti falling from the ceiling and songs relating to having a good time and living or remembering the moment. Doors started opening up at 10:30 but most students stayed for the entirety of prom.