Sweetwater High School 2900 Highland Avenue National City, CA 91950

Winter Edition Issue 35 December 16, 2016

The Devils’ Advocate

Devils Come Home

Mrs. Wapnowski and SUHi

Homecoming. Homecoming is an important part of the school year, when Devils come to Sweetwater displaying the most of their crimson spirit. Homecoming is a time when all Devils - past, present, or future - back up the football team at the glorious “Homecoming Game”. Homecoming is an opportunity for students and alumni to come back and set foot again on their Alma Mater. This year, the week of Homecoming was kicked off with the introduction of a spirit week. The spirit days ranged from Battle of Brands, to Pajama Day, to Twin Day, and to Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The entire week was topped off on Friday when the school flooded with red for crazy Red Devil Day. The Spirit Week was not the only way to hype up the students for the Homecoming game and Homecoming Dance. Ten seniors, voted by the senior class, were nominated to run for the title “Big Man On Campus” if they were male, or “Homecoming Queen” if they were female. The five BMOC candidates were Juan Meza, Wyatt Papasin, Ivan Sanchez, James Labitad, and Aaron Porras. The five Homecoming Queen candidates were Jacqueline Alvarez, Jacqueline Morfin, Paloma Gillegos, Zaineb Hassan, and Khalila Johnson. Throughout the week, while exemplifying tremendous amounts of spirit, the candidates would campaign in order to get the votes of the entire student body. During the outside Homecoming assembly, Aaron Porras was crowned BMOC due to receiving the most student votes at Sweetwater. At the Homecoming Game, Zaineb Hassan was crowned Homecoming Queen. The two proudly carried their title as 2016-2017 Homecoming royalty to the dance the next day. SUHi did lose their Homecoming game this year, but the amount of sportsmanship, spirit, and pride that ALL the Devils had at the football game was tremendous. From reciting chants to cheering SUHi on, the sea of red in the “home” section was flooding with spirit. Homecoming is a time in the school year when one’s Alma Mater is rich with pride. With traditional football games to genre specific spirit days, it’s a time when pride can be racked up so that when alumni and students come “home” for the Homecoming football game, they revisit the aura that got them hooked onto SUHi. Homecoming this year was great, as always, and the tradition of flourishing pride we know will continue for generations to come.

We all know we’re not the ones who started it all here at Sweetwater, but one of the wonderful women who helped to create some of our traditions and our values here at Sweetwater was our Homecoming Grand Marshal, Mrs. Georgia Wapnowski. Mrs. Wapnowski graduated from SUHi in 1964, and her class was very fond of being spirited and loving old SUHi. She still carries on that love today. Luckily, we’ve never been without that Wapnowski love, because after she graduated as a student, she returned and worked here as a staff member. And, now, her own son Mr. Wapnowski works here as one of our beloved teachers and baseball coach. Many of you may recall from our outdoor Homecoming assembly not that long ago, Mrs. Wapnowski retold the story of how she had walked Mr. Wapnowski down that red carpet when he ran for BMOC during his senior year. Mrs. Wapnowski was so very proud to see her very own child with her walking down that aisle. She has always been very well loved here at SUHi, and everyone was so excited to have her come back to us once again and be able to explain her knowledge to us and give us all wonderful advice. Mrs. Wapnowski really is a pleasure to have back, and we all hope that she comes back again so we can talk to her and get to know her more and more over the years. She still keeps in touch with her classmates; they all have a newsletter, and three past students write in it and send it out to all of the Class of ’64. Mrs. Wapnowski confessed that she and her classmates would t-p the houses around the neighborhood and their Chula Vista rival games were the most intense; they had a parade before each home game. Mrs. Wapnowski also shared that at their Grad Night, the girls weren’t allowed to wear flat shoes or tennis shoes; they had to wear heels. While a student here at SUHi, Mrs. Wapnowski had been in Flags, was a lieutenant, and experienced Senior Convention. I asked if she had any words for our Red Devil soon-to-be graduates and our incoming future Devils. Mrs. Wapnowski’s advice: “Pay attention to your education; talk to people; and respect yourself, your family and your friends, because if you can’t respect yourself, you cannot respect anyone else.” We all hope you come back to Sweetwater soon, Mrs.Wapnowski! We miss you very much; please visit more! The students from SUHi would also like to say thank you for taking time out of your day to come and visit us during our 2016 Homecoming; it was amazing to have you share that experience with us.

by Nemuel Cajudo, Staffwriter

“Don’t Be Afraid to be Passionate” by Nemuel Cajudo, Staffwriter

If you’ve been around SUHi for quite some time, you’ve maybe encountered Mr. Brown. For the past couple of years, he has been a substitute teacher around campus, mostly for the social science classes. Some may know Mr. Brown as ‘Coach Brown’ since he is one of the few coaches for SUHi’s football team. Just recently, for the 2016-2017 school year, Mr. Brown has become a teacher here at SUHi, and he teaches world history as a class to some of the school’s population. Teaching was not on Mr. Brown’s ‘radar’ of careers growing up, but as he studied in college, he found that it was what he really wanted to do in life. He entered college with the intent to pursue a career that would help people; and Mr. Brown soon discovered that teaching was that outlet. The young teacher shared that “life is defined by what you do to make an impact in the world,” and again he restated that teaching was ‘it’ for him. With a proficiency in the genre of histories, Mr. Brown has aspirations to teach a class in communications, psychology, sociology, weight training for general students, ‘great books’, and government. He considers himself a “student of a lot of things” and he passionately wants to share his knowledge with our fellow Red Devils. For his first year, Mr. Brown describes his teaching experience as ‘intimidating’; however, it is a good thing to him since he believes that being nervous is key to knowing that what he is doing is right, and that it’s important to him. He feels as if he has monumental responsibility to be someone who helps people, and that is to be a public servant as a teacher. “I’m happy to be here and I do not dread being at work,” mentioned the new teacher, “I like being here, and it’s fun - really fun.” Mr. Brown has one ambition besides teaching students world history. He wants to guide students to help them find what they are good at and what their interests are. He wants students to look at what they excel at rather than focusing on just their flaws. He advises that NO ONE should be afraid of their dreams, and that people shouldn’t be afraid to seem goofy because of their elevated level of passion. Through him, he hopefully wants to provide an impact that will encourage students to follow their dreams. Just like he passionately fulfills the role of a teacher and a coach, his passions have led him to where he is now. He enjoys his current self and is content with all that’s given to him. With great fervor, Mr. Brown voices out to ALL students -- “Don’t be afraid to be passionate.”

by Yarely Alvarado, Staffwriter

The Sweetwater Exchange by Cassandra Keough, Staffwriter

The Sweetwater Exchange is located in the nurse’s office. This is where anyone can get free clothes. There are many different styles of clothes for boys and girls. There are even different styles of shoes and sandals. All of the clothes and shoes come in different sizes, so there are clothes for anyone. Nurse Ross is always happy to have students come and shop. There are three different racks, so it is easy to find everything. One rack is for the girls, and it has a variety of choices from dresses to sweaters. In the second rack, there are all kind of shorts and pants in all different sizes. The third rack has all different kinds of boys’ shirts from regular t-shirts to nice dressy shirts. All of the clothes that are on the racks are from people who have donated them to Sweetwater High School. After the people donate them, the student aides and Nurse Ross go through them and hang them all up. If anyone ever has any extra clothes, you are welcome to donate and Mrs. Ross will be happy to take them. What better way to share what we have in our closets at home, and to get new things in exchange!

Once a Devil, always a Devil



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Sweetwater High School Forget Glass Slippers, Get You A Girl With Running Shoes by Crisel Magyawi, Staffwriter

Cross Country is one of the sports that is underestimated by many. Most people see it as “boring;” others see it as inferior to other sports; and some even say it’s not a sport. However, for cross country, their sport is often seen as every other sport’s punishment. This sport is pure conditioning of the body and the mind. There is no bench, no warm dugouts, no cheerleaders, no half times, and no time outs. Just like other teams on campus, our cross country team is built on endurance and strength. The only difference is that these athletes do not catch a break. In addition, our cross country team doesn’t seem to get as much support from the school as other sports. “I hate that no one comes to watch our races because they’re not at school,” Dariela Herrada shares. Every athlete plays a sport because of passion, but recognition for their hard work is always the cherry on top. Unfortunately, nobody really witnesses the hard work and dedication that the cross country ladies put in because they start running where the pavement ends. Despite any perceived lack of recognition, these Lady Devils still represent Sweetwater with every muscle in their bodies. They train to run when it’s hard, when it hurts, and even when they don’t want to. At the end of the day, they have put in time and effort just like every other team on campus; and they deserve the same recognition given to other athletes who walk through the halls of Sweetwater.

Sports

December 16, 2016

Swoosh!

by Arjud Dela Cruz, Staffwriter Swoosh -- the sound you hear whenever a basketball goes into the basket. And soon, that’s all you’re going to hear as our Red Devils’ Men’s Basketball Team gets buckets after buckets! Last year, the team had to go through tough trials as many of their seniors had already graduated. However, with the strong leadership and guidance given to them by Coaches Jesse Aguirre & Maui Garcia, the team still managed to get a banner at the end! Now, that’s how it is done at SUHi -- not letting any circumstances get in the way of achieving a major goal. This year, the future is looking even brighter for our men’s basketball team. With most of the players from last year returning, winning a banner again this year is definitely within reach. But, of course, this wouldn’t happen without substantial preparation and practice. “Since we are still a young team, we really need to gain more team chemistry – on and off the court,” states Eivan Villagracia, the team’s shooting guard. To solve this problem, Coach Jesse makes sure that the team gets to play and bond with each other as much as possible. On the court, the team basically practices throughout the year, not just during basketball season. Off the court, the team participates and helps out in various community events, thus strengthening their chemistry on and off the court. This season is unsuspectedly a much anticipated one, not only by the players, but also by the fans who come and support the team each and every game. Last year was a thriller, and we all know this year will be even more exciting!

Rowing Towards Devil Pride by Leslie Gallarzo, Staffwriter

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, rowing once again was part of these amazing games, showing which athletes are literally the best in the world. The most powerful nation in this sport was Great Britain, for the third time in a row. Rowing is one of the oldest traditions in the world, and now it has been brought to our good ole SUHi. Though it began as a method of transport and warfare, it now has become a sport worldwide. There aren’t many rowing clubs in San Diego, and until now there have been none in National City. However, San Diego Community Rowing is in a partnership with the Sweetwater Union High School District, looking for youth who want to exercise their minds as well as their bodies. This means that there is a new opportunity at the National City Aquatics Center located on the Sweetwater Channel!

Coaches on the Path to Track and Field!

by Jackelyn Hernandez, Staffwriter Cross Country for the ladies is soon to be over, and they are on the road to train for Track and Field in spring. Although it’s far away, the coaches are already on the move. Coach Latham has goals for the ladies, to bring another banner home and to be the very best they can be. He knows that many of the girls will come back for Track and Field, and he knows that he has a strong, competitive team ready to win. As a coach, he does feel weary at times; it takes hours of dedication to become the very best, but he believes it’s worth it because he sees the team compete and all the effort shines through. He is most proud of all the work that he and the team put into training. Coach Romero, knowing that they are undefeated, feels blessed to be a coach; and he is more than happy to be working with the team, especially since he is a former triathlete from the Class of 88. “At the end of it, we’re always reaching for the same prize, and we will continue to train hard,” Romero states.

The Sweetwater Union High School District has chosen three schools to pilot a new rowing club. The three schools include Sweetwater High, Mar Vista High, and Bonita Vista High. The district is hoping to form a rowing club and begin competing in rowing races, known as regattas, as soon as this spring! On November 11, 2016, thirty SUHi students and their families reported to the boathouse in Pepper Park to experience rowing for the first time. Even the mayor of National City, Ron Morrison, was there to open the brand new facility and to show his support for Sweetwater rowers. SUHi students had a great time learning how to use the rowing machines. They also had the opportunity to feel what it is like to sit on a boat in the water and to use an oar. Many students reported that they wanted to become part of the rowing team that is forming soon because they had such a good experience. The next “Experience Rowing” event will be held on November 25th from 1 pm to 3 pm at the National City Aquatic Center, 3300 Goesno Place, National City (Pepper Park). Everyone is welcome to attend! The Sweetwater High School Rowing Team will be forming mid to late December. Please contact Mrs. Ojeda in Room 306 for more details. We hope to see you there!

Dedication Leaves A Legacy by Marina Garcia, Staffwriter

No other sport is as demanding as football. It requires both mental and physical strength, and it’s one of America’s favorite pastime sports. However, to the six captains of Sweetwater’s football team, it is so much more than that. Phillip Brandon, Alfredo Ulloa, Alan Reyes, Marty Sesma, Adrian Kercher, and Roque Espinoza have put their blood, sweat, and tears into their practices and games. They are the ones who are pushing not only themselves, but also the whole team to perform their best at each and every game. It has been a bitter-sweet season for these young men. They all agree that this season could’ve been better, but you can’t change the past. Every team has their good seasons and bad seasons, but what matters is the heart that they put into every play. Each captain has left their mark on the team. Alfredo Ulloa’s season was cut short due to a dislocated shoulder, but that didn’t stop him from cheering on his teammates for their last two games. Alfredo is a great example of true dedication and passion for the game. Even though some days he wanted to quit, his love for the game is what kept him going. He will always be number one on the field and number one in our hearts. This isn’t the last game for Marty Sesma. Marty is the only captain who is an underclassman; therefore, he carries an advantage over the rest of the players. Marty shows a lot of heart and grit when he plays, and he leaves it all on the field. Alan Reyes is a man of many words. He, like every other captain, leaves every ounce of dedication and perseverance on the field. Alan shows true passion through his words. Alan described his season down to the very detail, and he says, “Do not go gentle into that good night, and that gives you an idea that you shouldn’t go silently into death. This is our last game, and the one thing that stands out about that poem is the fact that we are going to fight death, we are going to go out fighting and swinging. If one of us is going to go down, we are all going to go down as a team. That’s the kind of mentality that I have for my team, and I hope everyone else has that same kind of mentality about our football team. I know that next year we are going to come back, better, faster and stronger.”

Goalie Ready for New Soccer Season!

by Jackelyn Hernandez, Staffwriter Rafael Morales is ready to be the goalie for the varsity team once more. As a goalie, he feels that being a goalkeeper is special; standing on the field, wearing the gloves, and impeding the shot is the most fulfilling sensation that there could be for him. He knows that the team relies on him, and to him that is what is most special: the trust they have in him. “Being a goalkeeper is being a perfectionist, as mistakes come with high prices,” Rafael explains. To him, being the goalkeeper is like being the knight in a chess game; he is the protection. As this is his senior year, Rafael feels that the Red Devil lamp within him that glows bright is what has motivated him. He shares, “It’s a flame that has experienced times of stress and overwhelming pressure.” His ultimate goal in his last year of soccer is to be the best he can be and to push himself so that on graduation day he can look back and say, “High school, it was worth it.”

These are just a few highlights of the wit, brawn and strength of these men, but overall they all show dedication, grit, and a whole lot of passion for their sport – both on and off the field, every single day, as they continue to represent the Red Devil spirit that is alive and kicking strong at Sweetwater. What truly stands out the most about these captains is not only their ability to play under extreme pressure, but also the bond that the whole team has with each other. Roque explains that there is no other bond stronger than Sweetwater High School’s Football Team. Phillip calls his team his brothers because they are like one big family. Even though our team hit quite a few rough spots in their season, our Red Devils played their hearts out. Each and every one of them showed how much they love the game by playing hard every game – no matter what the scoreboard looked like.

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more important than that.” - Bill Shankley

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Clubs

Sweetwater High School

December 16, 2016

Makeup Club Halloween Special

A Little Goes a Long Way

I, Robots

If you didn’t know what to dress up as for Halloween, no fear… the Makeup Club was here! SUHi’s very own Makeup Club spent this Halloween providing scar tutorials and makeup for this year’s Halloween costuming. The makeup consists of real-looking scars made with Latex, fake blood, nasty looking scabs and much more.

With just a pint of blood, a difference can be made. Every year, SUHi holds 4 blood drives (2 per semester) that are hosted by MCJROTC cadets. Students who are 17 years and older come to donate one pint of blood to the San Diego Blood Bank. The goal every year is to reach 100 pints of blood for those in need. Thanks to our very own Sweetwater Red Devils, we are able to reach that goal every year. Over 100 individuals sign up to donate blood, and the change in others’ lives is just heartwarming.

It’s the 21st century and robots are going to take over the world! Robotics has been at SUHi for over six years. For the past six years, the SUHi Robotics team has been winning competitions against other high schools and pushing themselves to be the very best. Recently, they have joined the Starstruck Competition. Even though they didn’t end with a win, that hasn’t stopped them from trying again. November 4 was their second competition at Starstruck this year.

by Yarely Alvarado, Staffwriter

The Makeup Club doesn’t just do ghoulish makeup, but also they specialize in glam makeup. Any time they have a meeting or fundraiser you can go talk to the Club Advisor, Ms. Manlangit, and ask to help the club or simply just be part of it. The club consists of many people from all grades here at Sweetwater, all simply sharing their same love for makeup. They all love the art of makeup, from contouring, to blush, to eyeliner, and let’s not forget about the eyebrows. The Makeup Club even gives tutorials to those who just love makeup or want to learn more about it. Just recently, they gave an eyeliner tutorial. So many people enjoyed learning how to fix up the eyeliner or learning how to do a simple top layer above the eye and then adding a little wing to give it a little extra something. Sweetwater’s Makeup Club is our new addition to the Club Family at Sweetwater High. So, Red Devils, look forward to how they add new things every day… more tutorials, make overs, and fashion shows are coming soon!

GHOSTS! Are They Real? by Bianey Ramirez, Staffwriter

If you have seen any paranormal series on television like “Ghost Hunters” or “Ghost Adventures,” then you might be skeptical about what you see. Like those who are familiar with photoshopping, you might know it’s relatively easy to edit a picture. Mr. Esperon, the club advisor of the Paranormal Club, founded and created this club in 2008. He states, “It bound the local history together when doing research.” Being in Paranormal Club gives you great detective and police skills since they treat any investigation as a crime scene. Liandra Severn joined Paranormal Club because she always has had a fascination with things that aren’t easily comprehendible. She states, “It’s like someone researching Mars, but never going to Mars.” One of the locations the club has visited would be the Whaley House in downtown San Diego, which is one of the oldest official sites of paranormal activity in San Diego County. While using their EVP to scan for any activity, Liandra claims that she saw a woman wandering around who was not there when they began their research. So… are ghosts real? You decide. Join the Paranormal Club if you want to help investigate the supernatural and find out for yourself!

Link Crew Success

by Brianna Elizardo, Staffwriter Sweetwater’s Link Crew recently held a Pie in The Face activity in late October to fundraise money for future events to be hosted by the newly-established club. Link Crew is a newly chartered club whose main objective is to guide incoming underclassmen, freshmen in particular, through their first year of high school. Aside from being the tour guides around school, Link Crew also serves as role models to the underclassmen around them. Link Crew consists of a little over 100 juniors and seniors who plan on making many students’ first year of high school one they won’t forget. With strength in numbers, they’ve managed to group together to bring the concept of Pie in The Face to life. The Pie in The Face event required permission from the school, as well as consent from the staff members allowing the student body an opportunity to hit them in the face with pie. This event was flawlessly executed, acquiring over $100 within the span of a lunch period (about twenty minutes, but who’s counting?). Many of the Link Crew leaders were excited to see the connection between the students and staff grow as a result. The event showed that Sweetwater is a place filled with excitement and fun activities. This is the first of many events Link Crew has in store for the students of SUHi. They urge freshmen and new students to the school to participate in these events in order to get more involved with the school. Link Crew provides a welcoming environment to all those attending Sweetwater, so look forward to what they have in store next.

by Alyssa Doon, Staffwriter

Not only does it make a difference to those who need the blood, but it also impacts the students at SUHi. Juan Meza, a senior says, “It’s a win win situation. It’s basically the Blood Bank that comes to you; you give blood for a good cause, you get food afterward, and you gain community service hours too. It’s not like you lose anything because it’s just a little bit of blood taken from your body. That little bit of blood can save a life.” For most people, this is all just a simple act of kindness and favor that anyone can do for the benefit of others. This is exactly what Sweetwater High School is all about: giving back, helping others, and sharing their love and generosity with the community. SUHi is filled with warm hearts that are willing to participate in events such as these blood drives all for the sake of other people. David Rojas, another senior says, “It’s really cool to see a bunch of people coming out to support this cause. As members of the MCJROTC, we get to learn a lot and understand about the qualities of leadership that take place within this event.” Sweetwater High School is more than glad to be a part of something that can make a change in people’s lives every year. Whether it’s for our students, families, or community, we’re all for it. To kick off the holidays, a blood drive took place on Wednesday, November 9. But, even if you missed that opportunity, Red Devils, remember that you will still have two more chances to donate blood this school year… a little goes a very long way!

by Bianey Ramirez, Staffwriter

Carlos Gonzalez, a tenth grader, states “This challenges our minds to make them stronger since we get little help from the teacher.” However, his real reason for joining Robotics was that he thought it was going to be building stuff like Legos. Robotics isn’t all fun and games. It takes sincere dedication and commitment to the club. One of their challenges is that some people don’t come and stay. Overall, Robotics is a challenging place to be if you love technology and building things. So, if you’re a Lego lover or if you’re thinking of being an engineer, or even if you just want a cool place to hang out with cool people, Robotics just may be the SUHi Club that you’re looking for!

Key Club

by Fernando D. Cardenas, Staffwriter At Sweetwater High School, students are to complete a certain number of hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Although a motivation tactic to help out their community, there are those students who enrich the community by going above and beyond the required hours through the many clubs that they themselves have initiated. These clubs offer the opportunity to gain hours as a result of the many events hosted by them. However, one club distinguishes itself from the rest due in part to its international affiliations as well as local connections with other schools. Key Club International has thrived through the high school experience of many. The club officers encourage their members to always be dedicated and to have a positive view of the change they make when helping at events. They advocate not only for the dedication and transformation of the community, but also for the priceless memories that are made when collaborating with friends, meeting new people, gaining communication and managing skills, or even keeping in touch with nature. The Key Club officers consist of the President, Emily Paug; Vice President, Jonathan Galvan; Secretary, Maria Manuel; Treasurer, Matthew Vollmer; and Editor, Josselin Martinez. They make everything more fun with a few ice breaker activities here and there to familiarize everyone with one another. These friendly folks welcome everybody and anybody interested in being part of Key Club as well as those who want to volunteer at community service events. Although paperwork and a small fee of $12 is to be completed to become an official member, many benefits emerge as it can be used when applying to various internships and types of activities done at SUHi. With your help, they can achieve their mission to transform the community into a better place. Throughout the year, Key Club offers various volunteer opportunities. One example of a weekly opportunity is located at Stein Farm in National City, where students may learn a few gardening techniques, create healthier habits, and be at peace with nature. Most of the other events take place on a certain date which, like the La Vista Memorial Park and Relay for Life, are annual. If interested in joining the club, just talk to your fellow Red Devil classmates who are part of it. They meet every Thursday during lunch in Mr. Rowland’s class.

A Rookie on the Road to Varsity by Angelica Fontanilla, Staffwriter

Being a freshman is quite frightening, especially being on a varsity basketball team for the very first time. An incoming freshman - Isabel Morales - has been given the opportunity to prove her skills for the 2016-2017 Lady Devils’ Basketball Team. Isabel Morales has been playing basketball since the very young age of four years old. Her love for the game has not changed, and she continues to grow more passionately for the game as she gets older. Given the opportunity to be a part of the varsity basketball team, Isabel feels very accomplished. All of her hard work and dedication has proved to the head coach, Heather Fax Huckaby, that she deserves a spot on the varsity team. She believes that the biggest challenge for her being on the team would be that she would be looked down upon by the other opponents and that she would not be able to live up to the expectations that the coach and the team set for her. Although she feels intimidated, she is determined to overlook her small physique and age, and just play the game that she loves most. Knowing that she will be a newcomer to an experienced team, she is willing to make the best out of the season. She plans to contribute to the team by using her speed, reflexes, and communication. This upcoming basketball season, she hopes to achieve a banner and a stronger connection with her teammates. Additionally, she prepares herself for the season mentally and physically by attending offseason practices and practicing skills on her free time. She claims, “My motivation on court is to give it my all and to hopefully be noticed by college recruiters.” Isabel strives to play every game passionately and desires to play college basketball after high school.

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Sweetwater High School

Arts & Leisure

December Nights- Balboa Park by Ivan Green, Staffwriter

One of the nation’s most grand attractions, bringing more than 350,000 people together for a grand festival, is San Diego’s December Nights in Balboa Park. This holiday celebration includes food, some of the best performers from the community, and free admission to some of the most prestigious museums in the world, open from 5-9 pm. This took place for the 39th consecutive year on Friday, December 2 from 3-11 pm and Saturday, December, 3 from noon-11pm. As it has been in years past, these festivities offer seasonal entertainment for the whole family as well as beautiful, festive holiday lighting throughout the Park, from the Plaza de Panama canopy, to the Botanical Building, to the landmark Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Only some of the grand performances include musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, the Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree and many more. As children begin to scramble through museum interactions, these facilities will be hosting a wide variety of exhibitions and entertainment they have not seen like in the past. This includes the Timken Museum’s annual Christmas Tree, displaying the exquisite Schlappi Collection of Hord and Schlappi Christmas ornaments; the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s “kid-friendly” and interactive exhibitions and the San Diego Natural History Museum’s “Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science” and “Coast to Cactus in Southern California.” So, if you’re looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit, give Balboa Park a try. It’ll be sure to brighten up your season, and perhaps your hearts.

Lights! Spirit! Action! by Alyssa Doon, Staffwriter

As the holidays approach, lights are being hung, decorations are being put up and everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit. For many years, the city of Chula Vista has hosted a “Christmas Circle” on Whitney Street and Mankato Street, which is like a scaled-down version of the grand “Candy Cane Lane,” the traditional holiday array of lights and decorations created by homeowners in a square block area where people come to observe and admire. During the days of December, the houses and buildings around this area of Chula Vista are presented with beautiful displays and abundant lights for the people of the community to see in honor of Christmas time. Sweetwater student, Rocio Nava says, “It’s really cool how people come together and put in the effort to put on something nice for people to drive by and look at. All the houses are intensely lit up and it’s so pretty.” This event is open to the public, hosted by Chula Vista’s very own residents. This year, the “Christmas Circle” will take place on December 12-26 from 5-10 pm. Other places throughout the area also have similar events like this, where community members put up a show with their homes by going all out to decorate them for the holidays and open them to the public for free. Some of these must see lights are also in Clairemont, off Mt. Abernathy Ave, a circular street called “Clairemont Christmas Circle”; another is in El Cajon, off Solomon Avenue and Pageen Place, called “Jingle Bell Hill”; and many more communities express their holiday spirit similarly throughout San Diego County. With the help of their neighbors and a little bit of Christmas spirit, these people are able to put an extra smile on many faces this winter season. Will you have one of those smiles?

Star Wars Rogue One

December 16, 2016

Save the Date for the Movies Coming Soon by Ana Hernandez, Staffwritter

With holiday season coming up, who doesn’t love a good movie? Dressing up comfortably and heading over to the nearest theater is what the majority of the student body will be doing soon. Especially right after college application deadlines and the semester ending, our students will be needing a break from all of the stress. All Red Devils should be aware of the many movies that are premiering during the upcoming winter season. On November 11th, Veterans’ Day, there are a variety of movies airing. If you want to watch a movie as a family, Almost Christmas is recommended. It’s a comedy by producer Will Packer telling the story of a family that gets together for Christmas for the first time since they lost a beloved family member. The film focuses on how dysfunctional the family is as a whole and how Christmas brings them together. If you’re a fanatic of music, especially of the genre of rap, All Eyez on Me would be a great option for you. It’s produced by Benny Boom and focuses on Tupac’s life and the struggles he faced as a young African American man in the spotlight. Another great movie to watch as a family would be Arrival, especially if your family is interested in Sci-Fi and Thrillers. Denis Villeneuve is the director of the movie, which focuses on the invasion of aliens and how one significant person can change it all. Also, the Friday of Thanksgiving break, Moana and Lion were premiering. Although they are completely different – one is an animated movie and the other is a story based on true events – they both are great to watch as a family. During the first weekend of Christmas break, on December 21, one of the movies being released is Autopsy of Jane Doe, a horror movie based on a story about a father and a son performing an autopsy on a woman who was a victim of homicide. As they attempt to identify her, they discover bizarre and terrifying secrets involving her. Two other movies being released on that Friday are Passengers and Patriot’s Day. Passengers is a film about two individuals who are on a journey through space and are awakened 90 years too early when their ship malfunctions, as they look for a way to save themselves and the 5,000 other passengers on board. Patriot’s Day is focused on the Boston Marathon bombing, when many people lost their lives. Although only a small portion of movies are listed here, there are many more that are being released around the same time as these. If you have further questions or interest, don’t forget: you can always visit your local theater’s website and the rest of the premiers will be listed there. Watching movies is always a great activity to do indoors on a chilly night, so don’t miss any of them!

by Alissa Gonzalez, Staffwriter Talk about a throwback. Rogue One, A Star Wars Story features many of the old characters featured in the 90s films such as Darth Vader, Lando and a few others. This film will surely fill in some blanks along with bringing back some good memories. The movie takes place at a point in the rebellion when it is more important than ever to fight for freedom. With Darth Vader’s plans to build a Death Star exceeding expectations, it leads a group of ordinary fighters to band together and do some extraordinary things. This team of unlikely heroes must use all their force and steal the plans that belong to Darth Vader involving the Death Star. This mass weapon not only can wipe out humans, but also entire planets as well, which is why it is so important to successfully complete this mission. If this story doesn’t interest you, then maybe the cast will. Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, will be starring as the one and only Lando Calrissian, a smooth-talking smuggler who always has a plan. Lando was once a criminal, but is now a strong leader in the rebellion which will be helpful in the new movie. Whether you are excited for the new movie or just want to see one of your favorite rappers acting, this movie surely will not disappoint.

Features Sweetwater High School

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December 16, 2016

On The Other Side of the Screen

SUHi’s Very Own Queen Bee

Did you ever wonder how the people on the T.V. announce the news and are still in their seats for their class at the same time? During every 3rd or 4th period, the SUHi News appears for a maximum of 10 minutes. SUHi Media is in charge of the daily news, and they work diligently in order to get the school news recorded and edited in time for people to see it the very next day. Ever since the second semester of the 2016 school year, SUHi Media has been established as a club on campus in order to fundraise for new equipment so that they can create better quality news for all students at Sweetwater to enjoy. At the start of last year, SUHi Media was a club where a maximum of about 15 people would come to help the process. Now, in first semester, there are over 30 people who participate in the club. There are three jobs that need to be fulfilled every day in order for the news to be made: anchor, camera person and editor. Anchors are the people who announce the news that students see. Camera people record the actual anchors, and the editor revises the entire news program, from the actual clips to the music volume and placement.

Homecoming has always been an important and well-known event in Sweetwater’s history. While what excites some is the varsity football game against our rival school or the silly spirit days, the girls in glamorous and sparkly dresses never fail to capture one’s eyes. This year the five beautiful ladies who walked the red carpet as nominees were Khalila Johnson, Paloma Gallegos, Jacqueline Alvarez, Zeinab Hassan and Jackie Morfin. Although they each had tremendous support from friends and others, only one was to be crowned queen.

By Kathy Corkill, Staffwriter

by Jeffrey Cardinez, Staffwriter

In a club of over 30 members, there must be some type of leadership in order to keep the entire club in balance. This year’s SUHi Media president is senior Daniela Gonzalez. Daniela joined SUHi Media in her junior year in hopes of learning more about the news-making process. When the 2016-2017 schoolyear started and all the 2016 seniors left, Daniela saw an opportunity to be a leader in a club that she loves; she ran for Media President in order to help the new underclassmen understand the ways of editing, anchoring and camerawork.

Oh, He Just Couldn’t Wait To Be King by Kathy Corkill, Staffwriter

Out of five candidates, only one is crowned BMOC of Sweetwater High School each year. Ivan Sanchez, Aaron Porras, Juan Meza, James Labitad and Wyatt Papasin, were this year’s homecoming court candidates. Although each of them had unbelievable support from their classmates, only Aaron Porras was crowned king. Aaron reveals that winning BMOC has been a dream of his since his freshman year of high school. Since then, he has been imagining how he would campaign, what type of suit he would wear, and how memorable the whole experience would be. After three years, his dream finally came true. Aaron claims he has never felt more blessed than in the moment his name was announced as the winner. Blessed to not only have had the opportunity to run in the first place, but more importantly for all the support he received. He is thankful for everyone who voted for him because without them, he would not be SUHi’s 2016 BMOC. One of the most enjoyable parts of the whole experience for Aaron was dancing with Ms. Haynes. Aaron also really enjoyed having his mom by his side during the crowning. Now that Homecoming is over, Aaron looks forward to wrestling season and finishing this semester of his senior year strong. One thing that Aaron wants to tell all his fellow classmates is, “Jesus loves you.”

Read More, Pay Less

by Brianna Elizardo, Staffwriter As the seasons change, so do the events that are held throughout the year. Fortunately, one club has made a giant collaboration with the library and some staff members on making an Autumn Book Sale. This event was held in the lobby of the Laura Charles Theatre, coordinated by the lovely Dianna Elizardo. As president of Theatre Guild, she thought it would be wise to hold a book sale in order to help fund the production of Cave Dwellers. Dianna asked our new librarian Ms. Brown for assistance, by donating a few books for the sale, and then going around and asking other teachers to donate books to widen the variety. Dianna first came up with the idea as she was cleaning out the dungeon of the Theatre Guild and noticed that many of the books down there can benefit fellow classmates. Most of the organization and execution had been her decisions to make, which in the end, worked out extremely in her favor. The book sale was held for three days consecutively, and by the last day the club had raised one hundred and fourteen dollars. Many of the books that were displayed were priced as low as fifty cents to the maximum of five dollars. The books displayed varied from a table of just James Patterson books, donated by a fellow student of Ms. Kavouklis, to pre-teen novels that were collecting dust in her personal book collection. I encourage more students to attend the next book sale that the Theatre Guild holds, and know that Dianna will be there behind the tables to make sure you leave with a perfect book. Dianna has now thought of holding more book sales in the future, and you never know what treasures you might find there.

Creating a Year’s Worth of Memories by Jeffrey Cardinez, Staffwriter

Under the leadership of AP English Language teacher, Mrs. Rose, senior Cassandra Keough, this year’s Editor-inChief, runs the Journalism class during 1st period, where students work on collecting information for the Red and Gray Sweetwater Yearbook and The Devils’ Advocate newspaper. In order for yearbook to function, all students in the class must work as a unit since there are deadlines to be met. If one person doesn’t do his assignment, the whole group gets set back a week or so. It’s important to work together and encourage each other to have it be a worthwhile year with wonderful people. Almost everything that happens on campus throughout the year ends up in the yearbook, from the Welcome Back Assembly to the senior portraits and the panoramic picture during Homecoming week. There are multiple groups that are included in the class itself. There are online article groups, newspaper article groups and seasonal sports pages groups. Each time a new season of sports rolls along, the teams are switched so that everyone has an opportunity to work with everyone else in the class. For those who think that creating a yearbook is easy business, it’s not. Each page in the yearbook takes tons of hours to create and perfect before it’s ready to publish. Also, there are multiple deadlines that the staff writers have to make; and the deadlines for the yearbook are critical since it determines when the book will be available to SUHi students at the end of the year. For example, half of the yearbook – including the cover art and design – must be completed before winter break commences. In terms of picking leadership, last year’s Editor-in-Chief, Jesilyn Ferrer, helped to select and train this year’s senior Cassandra Keough to fill her position for the 2016-2017 school year. Although the stress certainly is present at times for the one in charge, Cassandra loves doing her job every time first period rolls around. Being in the class for both her junior and senior years at Sweetwater, Cassandra definitely knows what she is doing, and she does it well. Cassandra knows that this year’s Journalism class is definitely ready to have tons of fun as they work hard to collect and display SUHi history in another Red and Gray annual that we will take to county competition at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in summer 2017. Find us at the fair. We’ll be the ones with a ribbon hanging next to our yearbook!

The winner was Zee Hassan. During the indoor assembly, Zee had an intriguing, one of a kind performance. She had a diverse dance in which she included her own culture. Maybe it was this that influenced the votes, or maybe it was just her friendly, positive and warm attitude she always seems to carry. When Zee was asked why she decided to run for queen, she responded with a simple answer of wanting the significance of the school to increase even more for her. “Sweetwater is a big part of me. It has helped me become the person I am today,” Zee expresses. When Ms. Charles announced her name as the winner, one of the many emotions that took over Zee was genuine surprise. She was shocked! “I wasn’t going to cry, until I saw my mom crying; then I cried,” Zee reveals about her crowning. Zee also really enjoyed receiving the crown passed down from 2015’s Homecoming Queen, Dalia Alvarez. Overall, the whole experience is something she will forever remember about her time in high school. By winning Homecoming Queen, not only did SUHi impact Zee, but Zee also has impacted SUHi. Now, with full gratitude, Zee walks the halls of Sweetwater as the 2016 Homecoming Queen.

Behind The Scenes

by Marina Garcia, Staffwriter When you walk into the indoor assemblies, you immediately notice the bright colors of the posters and the decorations in the room and how everything is put together nicely. Not only do such assemblies as these, but also the dances and senior night, all fall under the supervision of the ASB, the Associated Student Body. Our ASB President for the Class of 2017, David Gutierrez, is in charge of all of that. He is the big cheese behind all the big events. This past fall season, ASB has had a lot on their plate. From the football games, to Homecoming, to the two biggest assemblies in SUHi history, the ASB students are the ones to thank for all the décor, all the dedication, all the above and beyond the scenes to make our 2016-2017 year that much more magnificent. You don’t get to see what happens behind the scenes because everything is usually done by the time you first walk in. But when you see how much work these students put into the dances, it really amazes you. For example, the Homecoming dance was amazing. The chairs were covered in socks and wrapped with purple bows, the tables were set, balloons were hanging and floating around the floor, and there was a decoration on every table. It was absolutely beautiful. However, what you didn’t see was all the effort put into making that place look beautiful. Each bow and chair sock was tied on, one by one. It took a total of two hours to blow up each balloon, tie each bow and set each table. And after everything was finished being set up, they had to make sure everyone got water and had something to munch on. And when the dance was over, they had to clean up everyone’s mess and untie all the bows and pop all the balloons. They didn’t get home until midnight. So, being a part of ASB requires a lot of dedication. David says that usually the fall season is the busiest season due to Homecoming dance, the game and the two Homecoming assemblies, and making sure all the candidates had what they needed for their campaigns. ASB made sure that everyone was happy with what they could provide. But not everyone can be pleased. Regardless, ASB never fails to blow our minds with the fun assemblies and the great memories that all of SUHi can share. The season coming up, winter season, is the cooling down season. This season ASB can kind of relax and be at ease for a little because there isn’t as much to do, besides the winter assembly, lunch activities, and planning for second semester… you know, a whole lot more behind the scenes work. So, next time you see an ASB member, make sure to thank them for all that they do. They hardly get any thanks for all the blood, sweat and tears that these students put into the big events, as most of their dedication and effort is done FOR the student body, long before the student body as a whole even knows it’s happening. So, thank you, ASB for all your hard work. We at SUHi truly do appreciate all you do for each and every Red Devil on our campus!

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World & Local News

Sweetwater High School

December 16, 2016

Toys for Tots

by Vanessa Juarez, Staffwriter Just like every year, the Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center is hosting their annual Toys for Tots! The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The following are places in National City where you can kindly drop off toys. Starting on November 01, 2016 you can drop off gifts at T Mobile, located in the Plaza Bonita Mall until December 14, 2016. Another place available to drop off presents in National City is Friendship Developmental Services located on Hoover Ave. If you’re interested in volunteering for the organization please email Sgt. Laila Andrews at SanDiego.Toys4TotsVolunteers@ gmail.com. Another place where you can also donate is the San Diego Children’s Hospital. Their goal each year is to help the thousands of children who visit their facilities, so they completely appreciate donations of toys, games, or arts and crafts supplies. The hospital does not accept food nor candy; books and toys with violent themes, such as guns, swords; military themed toys with guns; latex balloons; video games that are not an “E” or “T” rating; movies that are rated “R”; or stuffed animals due to dust and infection control. Please keep in mind that donated items should not be gift wrapped. Items should not be used. These donations are collected year-round, and any kind of donation is considered a charity donation, so it can be used as a tax deduction. Plus, it just feels good to be part of that giving holiday spirit.

Two Unbelievable Murders by Durit Duran, Staffwriter

British banker Rurik Jutting was prosecuted for killing two Indonesian women. It is said that this British banker tortured one victim for days before brutally killing her. Jutting had filmed the torture he made the women go through on his iPhone. He had tortured and humiliated one of the two women for three days before ending her life by cutting her throat. The two victims whose lives ended so tragically were identified as twenty six year old Seneng Mujiasih and twenty three year old Sumarti Ningsih. According to the police officers, the British banker called the police to surrender. As the police searched his apartment, they found one of the victims with wounds to her neck and buttocks while the other victim was found in a suitcase on the balcony with neck injuries. It is believed she died a few days before Jutting called the police. He was detained for two years, pending trial. On Monday, October 22 he plead not guilty. But on Sunday, October 23, Jutting plead guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of preventing lawful burial. When he plead guilty, the prosecution said they would not accept his manslaughter plea and that they would not press for murder convictions. Both victims Ningsih and Mujiasih had been migrant workers in Hong Kong before they were killed. Ningsih was a mother of a seven year old child. Both of them were just ordinary women, like many others, but unfortunately their lives got taken away too soon.

PUT IT IN YOUR MOUTH by Rocio Nava, Staffwriter

Food. Food is essential for human survival. Someone can just say the name of their favorite dish and their mouth starts to water. There are so many different types of foods that have been created and so many more combinations that can be made that will probably never be discovered. Some foods have the ability to make people stronger or to make people smarter. There are foods that can cure illnesses and food that can cause them. People go crazy for food, and some are even willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a dish. Some of the biggest companies in the world are fast food restaurants. People die because of food, and others live for it. Some make a living from selling food and some from criticizing how good people can make the food. Here in National City, around every turn, there is a food joint. You can get Chinese food, Mexican food, American food, Italian food, food from all over the world. When you think of your favorite food, what comes to mind? Picture it. Some people can buy their favorite food around the corner, but others have to travel halfway across the world to have it. It’s incredible how people all have different tastes; what could be someone’s favorite food can make someone else want to puke. People can make food from almost anything and make it taste good. There are people who study food all their lives and are master chefs who can make you an entire dinner out of a few ingredients; yet there are others who couldn’t make eggs to save their lives. Food can make a sad man happy and can bring a tear to your eye. So then, if food is such a crucial thing that can taste so amazing, why do school lunches taste nasty?

Banning More Than Just Books by Rocio Nava, Staffwriter

Since birth, parents and adults have done their best to protect children from all the ugly in the world. “Don’t talk to strangers.” “Go to another room; this is an adult conversation.” But, there comes a point when these noble intentions become a violation of our basic freedoms. According to the American Library Association, more than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982. The most prominent arguments against certain banned books are those which contain “offensive language,” content that is “sexually explicit,” or topics that are “unsuited to any age group.” The purpose of books is to share thoughts and ideas. They are a medium that challenge people’s preconceived notions and expand viewpoints by offering those views of others. Books empathize with people. They relate to readers. They inspire and shock and communicate. Kerosene filled hoses may not be aimed at libraries, but today’s extensive list of restricted books are not unlike Ray Bradbury’s dystopia (also on the list of banned books). It is because of censorship that a broad range of relevant, important topics such as racism or sex are such a taboo. Intentions of protecting young minds may actually be doing more harm by inhibiting them from real life happenings and discouraging them from posing questions many people wonder about. People are being kept away from that which they will inevitably come across in life. Personal preferences and beliefs shouldn’t be forced on a whole. Every individual is entitled to choose what they read. And it is up to parents to oversee what their children are exposed to, until they can choose for themselves. It is simply wrong to restrict access to books in libraries and schools. Read banned books!

Battle for Sacred Lands by Paulina Prieto, Staffwriter

By the end of 2016, the state government wants to build a 1,172-mile pipeline that would stretch across four states - North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois. The project would cost up to 3.7 billion dollars. The pipeline is meant to carry 470, 000 barrels of crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois. Late this summer, protesters began to gather together to attempt to stop this pipe-line project. In North Dakota, the pipeline would be built on Standing Rock Sioux Reservation - Native American lands - therefore destroying their sacred lands. Native Americans have teamed up to show the government how important these lands are to them. Not only are they taking lands from the Native Americans, but also they are destroying the earth and contaminating the water near them. Protestors are speaking out for the land and fighting to keep away any destruction threatening the Earth. People have gone out of their way to stop this project from even starting by going to big banks - such as Bank of America and JP Morgan - to object their funding of this project. Protesters blocked big bank workers from Grand Central Station, therefore delaying their commute to work. Farmers have also had negative feelings toward the pipeline project. The location of the pipeline throughout the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois has been inconvenient for various other occupants of these lands. Although the pipeline would bring in many jobs, the actual building of the pipe would destroy various lands. For now, the federal government has blocked any construction regarding the pipeline, but there is no certain answer if it will still be built.

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Editorials

December 16, 2016

Sweetwater High School All These F***ing Swear Words by Piolo Teo Maling, Layout Designer

In the past, the English language had been highly respected by most people with certain restrictions regarding its appropriateness. Americans continuously have adapted and chaged it for the “better.” In the modern era, the language has evolved over the course of many years. The English language has drastically changed after “borrowing” words from the British; and now it’s been casually used by people all around. However, the change that’s associated with it has recently seemed to turn for the worse: spellings have been altered, rules have become meaningless in format, other rules are just plain contradictions, and worst of all, profanity has become the norm, casually used by most people. Before the year 1939, the usage of profanity was not frequently used in a daily lifestyle; however, after that year, obscene language slowly has increased. The film Gone with the Wind has been known to be the first movie that used a profane word. It created a trend and idea that using obscene language in a film is justified because there are no political laws regarding swearing. After the establishment of that film, people tended to slowly accept the idea and use it as a part of their language to the extent where it’s become a part of everyday English conversation. However, people morally believe that the usage of cuss words is inappropriate and ill-mannered. Especially those who work in the news industry carry that belief due to the professionalism they display; they need to maintain appropriateness due to their audiences. People also tend to avoid cursing around minors who are not aware of the impact of certain words. If they ever hear those words, their minds will slowly become accustomed to them and they will slowly learn to incorporate that kind of language into their own daily conversations. People who often curse may believe that they either feel empowered whenever they use profane language or that they’ve become accustomed to the obscenity of it. Certain words may carry self-empowering motives, such as the word “b---h”. With the progression of the feminist movement, many women tend to feel a boost in self-esteem due to the empowering emotions that are associated with the word. Instead of seeing it as an obscene insult, they choose to see it as representative of a strong, independent woman. However, other words still have negative connotations which only have a motive to offend and dehumanize people. The word n*&&@ and c!#$ are words that are frequently used by people in their conversations without thinking of the consequences they carry. Sadly enough, society has slowly accepted the idea of profanity being implemented in films, online videos, and daily conversations. The medium YouTube was purposely created for educational purposes; yet now it’s being used for humorous content. With that content, using obscene and foul words has slowly become associated with humorous content by many, so generally the offensive language springs up all over the internet. Using profanity is up to the person himself, not society. Each person has different beliefs. Honestly, curse words do carry empowering motives, but only to an extent; and only certain words carry selfempowering meaning. We must always remember to choose our words wisely, for it is our language that many people – in school, at home, on the job – will continue to judge us by. So, why not parade our best selves instead of our worst?

Disney’s Distinguishable Depictions?

The Silent Issue

Ask Tita Tia

Everyone loves Disney movies. From their beloved characters to their memorable storylines, people are always mesmerized by the films they release every year. People are always enthralled by the motion pictures they make, frequently allowing people to empathize with fictional characters due to their backgrounds and stories. Around the world, Disney is an infamous corporation that constantly appears in many articles and headlines. The company never fails to cause online topics regarding their movie visuals, diverse characters, and everyone’s all-time favorite...racial stereotypes?

September 10th was Suicide Prevention Day; but no one seemed to have knowledge of it, and those who did know about it seemed to have brought no type of awareness to it. It seems as if no one wants to talk about this tragic situation. It’s as if they’re scared to see what happens if they do. However, it’s something that needs to be discussed. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for the age bracket of 10-24. Suicide is 100% preventable, and people can help those who are in need of help. But first people need to be educated on the signs. People need to be given knowledge on this issue that affects so many others on a daily basis. Suicide needs to be discussed; it needs to be heard.

Dear Tita Tia, what do I do with those friends who judge everything I do? -Katherine, 12th grade

Suicide is a greater problem than what most people seem to think. Each year approximately 34,598 people die from suicide. This means that, on average, 94 people commit suicide every day. What people don’t usually know is that for about every successful suicide, there are about 25 suicide attempts. This means that roughly every 16 minutes one person will commit suicide, with one person attempting suicide every 38 seconds.

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by Piolo Teo Maling, Layout Editor

Disney has derived many of their inspirations from many diverse cultures, from China (Mulan, 1998) to Paris, France (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996; Ratatouille, 2007) to Norway (Frozen, 2013). The corporation has made multiple movies all around the world and they are always loved by the viewers and critics. However, not all viewers who watch their movies necessarily love the movie and its plot; some show negative reviews regarding the movies they make. Recently, Disney has announced that they will release a brand new movie that revolves around a new Samoan Disney Princess. This new film has spurred many controversies regarding the stereotypes that Disney has focused on in the Samoan culture. The plot of the movie tells the adventure of Moana, the new princess, in search of the once demigod Maui in order to save her people. The movie portrays many aesthetic visuals that leave the viewers in awe; however, many reviewers became enraged once Maui was introduced. Many people were instantly offended when Disney released a Halloween costume of Maui. During the production of the costume, Disney stated “Your little one will set off on adventures in this Maui costume featuring the demigod’s signature tattoos, rope necklace, and island-style skirt. Plus, padded arms and legs for mighty stature!” before they took the advertisement down. Maui’s depiction was found offensive to the Samoan culture due to his racist portrayal. However, the staff who was working on Moana did not intend to offend people; they took great care in portraying both the characters and the culture with respect. The team that’s working on the film only wanted to spread the culture that inspired them to make it. Disney has never intended on offending people with the movies they make; they only wanted people to enjoy their films wholeheartedly.

by Angie Nava, Staffwriter

by Tita Tia, Staffwriter

It’s been shown that some people who have contemplated suicide have given some type of warning sign on how they feel. To be exact, four out of five teenagers and 8 out of 10 people in general have thought about suicide; and in most cases, they have given some type of sign as a warning or even as a cry for help. These cries for help cannot be ignored. People who have given warning signs are 30 times more likely than average to kill themselves. These warning signs consist of people talking about suicide, giving away possessions, saying “goodbye” and so on. If anyone you know or care about is showing these signs, make sure to tell a trusted adult and get help as soon as possible. We cannot afford to continue this cycle. We must work together, united, devoted, to save those we love… for, they can be saved, and they deserve to be.

Dear Tita Tia, I have no more motivation. Pls help. - Anonymous, 12th grade DON’T GIVE UP YET! First semester is almost over, and then second semester, then graduation! I believe in you! Just imagine the pure satisfaction of finishing high school and graduating! ----Hey Tita Tia, my best friend and I have started to become more distant and I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I did anything wrong! -Jasmin, 11th grade Hey Jasmin, I think that you and your best friend are overdue for some communication. Try sitting her down and talking to her, but don’t blame her for anything because maybe there was just a misunderstanding. Communication is key for all relationships. I hope the two of you are able to sort things out!

The Devils’ Advocate Staff 2016-2017

Copy Editor: Brianna Elizardo Layout Editor: Piolo Teo Maling Staffwriters: Yarely Alvarado Durit Duran Randel Cabatian Angelica Fontanilla Nemuel Cajudo Faith Foote Fernando Cardenas Leslie Gallarzo Jeffrey Cardinez Marina Garcia Salma Carral Vanessa George Mary Cielo Chaparro Larriza Gillego Cristian Contreras Sinay Gomez Katherine Corkill Alissa Gonzalez Arjud Dela Cruz Ivan Green Alyssa Doon Ana Hernandez Advisor: Mrs. Debbie Rosenbach

Hi Katherine! If your “friends” are judging you, then they’re not that great of friends. You deserve to be around people who lift you up and give you constructive criticism. Always remember to be yourself and NEVER let someone take that away from you!

Jackie Hernandez Vanessa Juarez Cassandra Keough Stephanie Lopez Crisel Magyawi Juan Meza Angie Nava Rocio Nava Paulina Prieto Bianey Ramirez Janelly Ruiz Evelyn Vega

The views and advertisements expressed in The Devils’ Advocate DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE SCHOOL, THE STAFF, OR THE DISTRICT. The Devils’ Advocate welcomes contributing authors. Work to be published should include names, but names may be withheld upon request. Submit letters, poetry or artwork to Room 303. For advertisement, please call (619) 474-9700

If you have any questions to as Tita Tia, please contact her on Twitter: @suhi_titatia

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Fun & Games

Sweetwater High School

December 16, 2016

Holiday Facts by Cristian Contreras, Staffwriter

Horoscopes for the Holidays

1.) The French gave the U.S the Statue of Liberty for Christmas. 2.) The first artificial Christmas tree was made of dyed goose feathers. 3.) X-Mas stems from the Greek “X” that symbolizes Christ. 4.) The candy cane represents a shepherd’s staff that represents Christ. 5.) The first Christmas stockings were drying socks of unmarried women who needed a dowry to marry; St. Nick put gold in their socks and they rejoiced because then they could afford marriage. That was the first time a gift was placed in a stocking. 6.) Santa Claus was a real saint. He lived in Myra, which is now Turkey. The German name is Sankt Niklaus. Get it? 7.) Hanukkah is an eight day and night festival to celebrate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. 8.) Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights that represents an eternal flame that kept bright for days for the worshippers to see. 9.) A Hanukkah dreidel was originally used as a gambling game, similar to modern day’s poker.

Aries: (March 21 - April 19) Aries, be careful to stay too much time inside; go outside and show your spirit all around. A special day is near you, so be prepared for what there is to come. Lucky numbers 3 and 26.

by Marycielo Chaparro, Staffwriter

Taurus: (April 20 - May 20) This month you will sparkle and be bright. Don’t forget to bring a sweater because cold days are coming your way. Remember to pass through them and shine like the star you are. Gemini: (May 21 - June 20) It’s time to wake up and do what there is to be done. I know you have a lot on your schedule, but in the end everything with work out fine. Remember there is a delicious latte coming your way as a reward. Cancer: (June 21 - July 22) Make time for friends and family in this special season. Be optimistic and don’t let anything bring you down. YOU GOT THIS!!! Leo: (July 23 - August 22) Leo, I feel some tension and stress; but know that a special surprise is going to come your way. It’s your decision on how you want to use it. Lucky numbers 2, 45, 76.

Fill In The Blank By Cassandra Keough, Staffwriter 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The holidays are a time to be with ________ and friends. During this holiday season, the weather is usually _______. The holiday season usually starts in _________. In other places throughout the U.S., it _______ during the holidays. Many people like to _____ during the holidays.

Word Bank Cold Family



Snows

December

Eat

Virgo: (August 23 - September 22) The good smells of this holiday season will bring you up and get you excited. Don’t forget to sing and laugh and have fun with everyone. You have a special talent, and you know it. Use it for the good of others. Libra: (September 23 - October 22) Your creativity will cheer up the warm hearts of the innocent and make them laugh. Always have that spirit in you and don’t forget to pass it on. Good things will come your way. Scorpio: (October 23 - November 21) This may not be your favorite month of the year, but hey at the end of this month you will love all the surprises you will receive. Have fun and make sure to do five squats every day, and take time to look at nature. Sagittarius: (November 22 - December 21) Make your wishes come true this holiday. Enjoy the moments with family and friends, and remember to always be happy and not waste time being mad. Rise up to the challenge because I know that you are ready. Capricorn: (December 22 - January 19) Be careful with paper; it may harm you. Make sure when you open up those presents, remember to cherish the presence of your family. Love life as if it were the last day, every day. Aquarius: (January 20 - February 18) This is your time to start new and have a new beginning. Don’t look back; always look forward towards your goal. If you push a little harder you will surely find it sooner than you think. Lucky numbers are 3, 9, 86. Pisces: (February 19 - March 20) Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery. Make sure to touch the gifts that came from heaven and share them. Don’t rush: take it slow and be patient.