final [23 May 2006|10:32am] In a time when fast-paced living is the norm of society, some special speakers took out the time to have a seminar celebrating the earth, life-centered choices and the all-around well being of the future. On Saturday May 13, All-Saints Church in Pasadena hosted a daylong workshop from speakers David Korten and Francis Moore Lappe, entitled “On the Road to a Just Society: Gathering for a Positive Future”. History teachers Jered Cassetta and Ann Schaefer took some of their classes to take part in this event for the morning sessions. According to Cassetta, the reason he took his classes to this field trip was to “help us look past the very limited solutions that the government offers us for our problems.” The workshop began with an opening address by award-winning author Lappe, and then the students took part in a discussion with Korten. In one of the main lobby areas, booths were set up where visitors could buy free-trade items such as jewelry and organic chocolate, or sample a complimentary copy of Yes! Magazine, which was a major affiliate of the event. Along with some extra credit for the effort of coming out to Pasadena at 8 AM, the students who took part in the field trip received a lot of invaluable learning experience. When asked her opinion of the trip, junior Arlin Zerda, one of Cassetta’s students, said, “the conference was a great way to reach out to people about all the things that are going on in the world.” 1 comment|post comment

Fieldtrip.doc [19 May 2006|08:58pm] By: Ronald Collins May 11th marked the last day of the three-day Media Literacy semiar for the 11th grade Humanitas and English students at the academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Science. The program included an in depth look at the racial sterotypes used by the media as it relates to film. The seminar included the showing of several clips and discussions on how the media captures an audience’s attention and uses sterotypes to draw them in. To better analyze the sterotypes in television shows, students broke off into small discussion groups. Within those discussion groups the students were charged with creating an idea for movie or TV show. At the conclusion of the second day of the seminar, students were given a written project to complete and return to the academy three weeks later. Students also may have the chance to have their projects published in a literary magazine put out by the academy. Upon their return, students were rewarded with the opportunity to view the hit film “Crash” in the famous “Academy Theatre.” When asked about the experience, Humanitas teacher Carolyn Stebbings said, “By the end of the three-day trip I felt the students were fully immersed in the world of film and how intense its influence on an audience can be in terms of sterotypes and various social isues: in this case, racism.” By: Cindy Panka During this year’s summer school session, Westchester will be implementing the Bridge Program, along with regular summer school classes. The Bridge Program targets students in need of help in mathematics based on their CST scores and gives them intensive tutoring to prepare them for advanced level math. The program is separated into two parts: the summer bridge that will bring upcoming freshmen to the Westchester campus and the intensive bridge that will be a repeat of sorts for former freshmen. According to assistant principal Dechele Byrd, the Orville Wright students, while taking classes to improve their math skills to prepare them for Algebra I, will also be given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Westchester campus. The intensive bridge for freshmen will target students who are now failing or in need of help in Algebra and place them in intense Algebra I B classes to reinforce skills. Teachers and a coordinator will give students more specialized and individual attention that might have not been available or requested during the regular school year. The program will last approximately two to four weeks and will not interfere with the regular summer school classes. During the summer, Westchester is capable of holding the same number of students that it can hold during the regular school year, thus making the influx of students not a problem. The integration will only help student relations and confidence in both classes and campus, according to Byrd. post comment

for sharla [18 May 2006|09:43am] In a time when fast-paced living is the norm of society, some special speakers took out the time to have a seminar celebrating the earth, life-centered choices and the all-around well being of the future. On Saturday May 13, All-Saints Church in Pasadena hosted a daylong workshop from speakers David Korten and Francis Moore Lappe, entitled “On the Road to a Just Society: Gathering for a Positive Future”. History teachers Jered Cassetta and A_____ Schaefer took some of their classes to take part in this event for the morning sessions. The workshop began with an opening address by award-winning author Lappe, and then the students took part in a discussion with Korten. (Quote) In one of the main lobby areas, booths were set up where visitors could buy free-trade items such as jewelry and organic chocolate, or sample a complimentary copy of Yes! Magazine, which was a major sponsor of the event. (quote) Along with some extra credit for the effort of coming out to Pasadena at 8 AM, the students who took part in the field trip got a lot of invaluable learning experience. i got the quotes from mr cassetta: "why did you want your students to go?" - to help is look past the very limited solutions that the government is providing and now people are talking about. - there are root causes to the immigration problem. in our national dialogue, we are not dealing with those causes. (main answer)= To learn about these root causes, and examine some global trade policies. post comment

Boys Basketball [22 Mar 2006|10:32pm] The Westchester Comets boys basketball team has done it again. Win a city championship that is. On Mar.4 the Comets defeated the Taft Toreadors by a score of 68- 58. The game was played at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Prior to the championship game, the Comets defeated Carson, King- Drew, and rival Fairfax to have a chance of winning back to back city championship titles. This was the sixth title won in seven years by the Comets. Early on the Comets attempted to establish a force inside with senior forward Brett Goodwell, who scored the first six points of the contest. Senior Ahmaad Cook hit two three pointers in the first half that gave the Comets an advantage in momentum. At half time the Comets led by 13. Although the Comets, led the entire game, they had trouble breaking Taft's press. The Comets, also slacked defensively, letting the Toreadors whittle the lead down to six points. However, Taft was unable to capitilize. At tip off it was clear that the Comets wanted it more. They were lead offensively by junior guard Dane Suttle who had 22 points. Cook added 17 points and Goodwell had 11 points and 9 rebounds. To many critics the win may have come as a shock. Many believed that Westchester would not be able to do what it had done so many times. " The win was very satisfying because by most people's standards we were not supposed to win or even make it that far," said head coach Ed Azzam. Unlike past teams there weren't countless seniors or a superstar. This years team got the job done by overall good play from everyone. post comment

bertha and rheo choir article [22 Mar 2006|10:17pm] [ mood | blah ] [ music | nada ] Rheo Smith and Bertha Mejia One of the new members of the Westchester High School (WHS) family is the new choir director, Michael Wright. Wright is aiding our campus in resorting the lost art of choral music, which had dissolved sometime along the 59 years the school has been open. Since his arrival, students have performed at school events like the Annual Pancake Breakfast and the Annual Christmas Assembly. The choir mostly performs secular music but surprised us all at the Christmas Assembly with a song that was created by all the choir members. Michael Wright has been involved with music since the age of fifteen, where he auditioned and was accepted by the Albert McNeil Jubilee singers. Wright has toured the U.S., Europe, and Africa while singing with the acclaimed acappella choir. Wright has studied at California State University at Long Beach and Pepperdine University earning his bachelor or arts degree in music education at California State University at Dominguez Hills. Wright teaches not only the choir class but also, basic music theory, music history and ear training. Wrights long-term goals are to make the choir something for people to be proud of, and to make the choir as any high school or college choir. He feels that the removal of music from the local school district was more a disservice than anything else. By teaching music that is uncommon to high school students Wright hopes to “wow” the children and give them a creative outlet which they might not other wise have access to. Since the removal of funding toward music from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LASUD) students have gotten use to not having it around. Now that music has been restored to the schools, students are no longer excited. “Learning music makes students more well rounded and reflective since most music deals with emotions that most high school students deal with,” said Wright. “Music has an enormous amount of power, and it definitely belongs in the schools. Most people don’t believe that music is an academic, but it really is.” post comment

[22 Mar 2006|10:08pm] Francesca Murray STAFF WRITER Stuck babysitting children and don't know how to entertain them? Disney is to the rescue with a movie that is enjoyable for kids of all ages. Ice Age 2, which releases on March 31 is the perfect way to spend time with children without emptying your pockets. The loveable characters Diego, Manny and Sid return in this sequel to 2002's computer animated hit. The story starts out with an angery vulture warning the characters of a meltdown which could cause the end of the ice age as they know it. In order to survive, the animals must make it to the boat on the other side of the ice. One of the great qualities of this movie is that unlike most sequels, one doesn't have to have seen the original to understand the plot or the characters. The movie contains the perfect mix of child and adult humor, along with an angaging storyline. Ice Age 2 teaches children that no matter what, friends should always stick together, which is a message that can apply to all ages. If you are looking for a movie that offers good, clean fun then this is the choice for you. post comment

[22 Feb 2006|07:51am] Paramount Pictures,New Line Cinema,Universal Pictures, and many more of the movie industries have given us the opportunity to watch there films at the movie theaters. To me going to the movies to see the new Star Wars flick would be exciting and fun. You get to watch it with fifty plus strangers in the theater with you,but the excitment and fun is gone when you download a movie from the internet. Some people do it to copy and sale for a quick buck, others keep and watch for their entertainment. But most importantly some people do it and take your IP address and it will be considered as YOU. Movies, and music pirating are both illegal and if caught will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.Think you're safe?,not likely, the movie industries are cracking down on Peer 2 Peer users,and the programs as Kazaa, and Imesh. Many people have been sued by companies about downloading/uploading movies, and also music companies are doing the same. A word of caution and also experience, don't mess with or download any movies or music illegaly, or they will be on your behind in a quick second. Enjoy watching the films on the big screen until it comes out on DVD,I know I WILL. Westchester High School Varsity Girls Soccer team finished with a losing season, but a few bright spots emerged according to coach Ryan Ritcheske. With a record of three wins, three ties, and nine loses, varsity ended up fifth in the western league." I'm not happy with the results, nut we saw improvement in areas we had hoped to improve," said Ritcheske. Although much more was expected from the team, they came out strong positive minded when it came to being out in the field. Junior Varsity, being the bright spot, finished with a record of four ties, five loses, and four wins, ending up third in the western league. The season started rocky for J.V because coach Jose Corrales was transfered to South Gate High, but with his persevering commitment, he drove to all practices and games." We did better than what I expected. At the end we struggled a bit, but we ended seeing positive for next year. Overall it was a good season," said Corrales with the focus being on getting J.V ready to go on to varsity. Although J.V improved they hope to do better. " Our communication level was low on the field. If we were to work on that, we would be much better as a team," said Molly Skaggs captain of the J.V team. She saw potential, determination, and a positive minded team. Next year the coaches hope to see a better outcome by setting forth a new rule next season: only freshman and sophomores can be on J.V and juniors and seniors on Varsity." Hopefully it will encourage the girls to apply themselves between seasons or else next year they simply won't make it," said Corrales. "I disagree because not everyone has the skills in their 11th and 12th year to be on varsity level, I know that my skills aren't there yet!," said Virginia Marroquin, tenth grader. With the high expectations, defined rules, and the determination for a better soccer season, we may just be suprised with a good comeback. 1 comment|post comment

October Assignments 2005 [30 Sep 2005|02:17pm] here is the current assignment list. deadlines are posted next to your assignment. if it says "photo" then a picture will be needed (come talk to Michelle). if there is a question mark it means that a picture may or may not be needed. any questions? you know who to talk to. October Assignments News: Title I, inaccessible money- Cindy 10-05 Fee waivers- Dimple 10-05 New Bell Schedule- Jennifer 10-05 Flag Team- Bertha+Rheo 10-05 photo Ratemyteacher.com- Mikey 10-05 Kid hit by bus- Ann Marie+Rheo 10-05 photo? New clubs: Buddhishm- Jennifer 10-05 photo MTA Bus Pass- Sandi 10-05 Opinion- Pep Rally Improvement- Yolanda 10-05 photo? Bathrrom quality- Aida 10-05 photo? Fashion/Trends/Style- Britney 10-07 photo What’s in your headphones- Ronald PODS- Carlos 10-05 How should we improve the paper? poll Features- H-Building lockers- Sharla 10-05 photo Corpse Bride- Ann Marie 10-05 photo Into The Blue- Jennifer photo Roll Bounce- Brittany 10-05 photo Alicia Keys- Francesca 10-14 photo Band- Dimple and Richard Poetry Corner- Michelle’s responsibility Career Corner- Staff College Corner- Latasha 10-05 Sports- Jv Football- Francesca Varsity Football- Bertha Girls Tennis- Ronald Girls Volleyball- Britney 10-05 Girls Soccer- Richard post comment

[30 Sep 2005|02:02pm] Hey everyone, this is Michelle typing. Congratulations staff on making the distribution deadline. Remember if you are having issues meeting your article edits deadline, come talk to Mike or me. We understand that you have other things going on besides the newspaper. The sooner you tell us about it the better prepared we will be. Also, do not trade articles with someone without Mike or Weronka's permission. You are responsible for your own article. If anyone needs any assistance with their current assignment just let me or Mike know. post comment

SEPTEMBER ASSIGNMENTS 2005 [13 Sep 2005|02:45pm] SEPTEMBER ARTICLE ASSIGNMENTS News Brittany Veal- Michelle                       photo PODS- Carlos Auto Shop theft- Mikey                          photo Hurricane Katrina (9/16)- Francesca             photo Teacher and staff cut (9/16)- Jennifer      photo Title One (9/16)- Cindy Opinion 6 minute passing period (9/14)- Bertha Parking lot enforcement (9/16)- Aida           photo Sports JV football (9/16)- Aida                            photo Varsity football- Cathy, Sandi                         photo post comment

BEAT ASSIGNMENTS 2005 [13 Sep 2005|02:43pm] hey everyone! this is your Assistant Editor Michelle, I'm posting the BEAT ASSIGNMENTS for this semester. I'm adding it to the memories so that it will be easy to access in the future. BEAT ASSIGNMENTS 2005 Sports: Aida, Ronald Student Government: Dimple Board of Education/ PTSA: Ann Marie Spirit Groups: Bertha, Rheo Counseling and Careers: Francesca, Britney Attendance and Discipline: Cindy, Latasha Administration: Jennifer 13 comments|post comment

navigation [ viewing | most recent entries ]