Author: Ethic News

News publication for high schools of Redlands Unified School District and the community.

Album review: Taylor Swift begins a new chapter with the release of ‘Midnights’

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By MONIQUE VARELA and MARSHALL SCOTT

Taylor Swift released her latest album, Midnights, on Oct. 21 at 12 midnight. The idea for the album was for it to be released exactly at midnight, however, due to the different time zones, Midnights was released at 9 PM pst, 10 PM mst, and 11 PM cst. 

The album has 13 songs in total with one song, “Snow on the Beach,” which features Lana Del Ray. 

According to nylon.com, “Midnights has also broken several streaming records, including being the most streamed album in 24 hours (184.6 million streams) and the most streamed act on Spotify in 24 hours (228 million streams).” 

Swift fans thought that Midnights had a different vibe than her previous albums, as she has a tendency to make her albums about past failed relationships, so the change is something fans thoroughly enjoyed. 

You’re On Your Own, Kid

You’re On Your Own, Kid was the fifth track on the “Midnights” album. The song is about Swift’s own personal journey navigating gaining fame, love, and the people she has lost and gained throughout her journey through fame.

Though the song lyrics seem to be more closely related to Swift’s romantic side and wanting a boy’s attention. Throughout the song she continues gaining fame but yet still feeling alone even around so many people who love her.

She also seems to briefly address her past eating disorder in the song with the lyrics “I hosted parties and starved my body.”

The song strongly suggested that this song is about growing up and learning to release negative things from your past. Learn to keep the positives about life instead of the negatives.

Lavender Haze

Many fans speculated that “Lavender Haze” was Swift coming out as bisexual due to the color association. 

Christobal Hastings CNN article “How lavender became a symbol of LGBTQ resistance” states,  “In 1969, the color came to symbolize empowerment. Lavender sashes and armbands were distributed to a crowd of hundreds in a ‘gay power’ march from Washington Square Park to Stonewall Inn in New York, to commemorate the Stonewall riots that had just taken place a month before.” 

However, the song is actually about Swift’s relationship with her partner of six years, Joe Alwyn. People speculated that Swift and Alwyn were allegedly engaged which was neither confirmed nor denied. 

The lyric “All they keep asking me is if I’m gonna be your bride” makes it seem like Swift is tired of people asking whether Alwyn and Swift are going to get married.

Swift has spoken on social media about her relationship before as well as talking about the song. 

On an instagram post, she talked about the meaning of the song stating, “My relationship for six years, we’ve had to dodge weird rumors, tabloid stuff, and we just ignore it. This song is sort of about ignoring that stuff to protect the real stuff.” 

Swift also mentions in the instagram post how she decided on the name of the song, Swift looked up the meaning of the term “Lavender Haze” which was a common phrase used in the 50’s that meant being in love. 

Maroon

Maroon was the second track on the Midnights album and is suspected to have a lot to do with past flings with lovers. Maroon is assumed by fans to be her backtrack to Swift’s “Red” album ex Jake Gyllenhal and her romance with Harry Styles. 

In the album Swift uses many colors to describe her emotions throughout the songs, one example would be the color maroon. With the song fans get to see deep into Swift’s thoughts and what keeps her up at night. 

In the song she talks about a lover she once had and remembers the first night they spent together.  Swift recalls the days and nights she spent with the lover which she felt she could really be herself around them.

The color maroon resembles what it used to be which was a bright red but it slowly burned out and turned to maroon, the color suggests it was similar to how the relationship between this lover went. Swift and her lover didn’t understand how to fix the drift and silence that came between them and all she has left are the memories that keep her up at night.

Anti-Hero

Within the Midnights album, Anti-hero was the third song. This song was very relatable for some of  fans and for Swift, as the song is about Swift’s insecurities and her anxiety in both her public and private life. 

On one of Swift’s Instagram posts she states that the song is one of her favorites on the album, “This song really is a real guided tour throughout all the things I tend to hate about myself,  We all hate things about ourselves” Swift says. 

In addition she says “So yeah, I like ‘Anti-Hero’ a lot because I think it’s really honest.” There are many deep lyrics in the song which can be interpreted in different ways. 

Some of the lyrics such as, “I should not be left alone to my own devices” and “I end up in crisis” can be seen as relatable to her fan as some people believe they shouldn’t be alone because they’re afraid of what could happen. 

In her music video she shows thoughts on her weight and appearance which caused controversy against some of her plus-sized fans. During the music video, Swift stands on a scale and it read “Fat” which is what Swift felt because of her eating disorder. 

Mastermind

Mastermind was actually the last song of her “Midnights” album.  This song was revealed by Swift to be about Joe Alwyn and her relationship origin story.

This is not the first time Swift has referenced Alwyn in her music but this song recaps the beginning of their love. Swift and Alwyn were considered to fall in love at first sight at the 2016 Met Gala. In the song it constantly describes how she felt meeting Alwyn and how she immediately felt something special about him.

The chorus shares her dedication and stubbornness to making things work out between herself and Alwyn naming herself the “Mastermind” behind their relationship. The song shows a lot of dedication between their relationship and has a nice twist from her music about all her past relationships that didn’t work out well.

Snow On the Beach (feat.Lana Del Ray)

Snow On the Beach is the fourth song on the Midnights album. Swift’s idea for Snow on the beach is the wonderful feeling of someone falling in love with a person as they’re falling for you too. 

It’s almost the feeling of a dream and realization of love. Like other songs on the album, this song is also assumed to be about her relationship with Alwyn. Lyrics that support this claim are “You wanting me tonight, feels impossible.” 

Midnight Rain

“Midnight Rain” was the sixth track on Midnights. The song’s meaning isn’t exactly known, however, guesses can be made by paying attention to the lyrics being sung. 

The possible meaning towards the song could be that Swift did not want to be the small-town girl she wanted to be well-known but her partner at the time could not have wanted that for Swift and wanted to lead a “normal” life. 

The lyrics “He wanted a bride, I was making my own name.” could have represented this idea.

Question…?

“Question…?” was the seventh track in the Midnights album. The true meaning of the song is unknown but queer fans of Swift believe the song might have something to do with Swifts former best friend and rumored kissing partner, Karlie Kloss. 

Queer fans believe this to true because the context in the song. The song uses mainly she/her pronouns. 

In the lyrics “Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room?” could be linked to Swift’s song “dress” in her album with the lyrics, “Our secret moments in a crowded room” and “I don’t want you like a best friend, I only bought so you could take it off.” 

Vigilante S— 

The eighth track in Midnights is Vigilante S—. Vigilante S— is said to be about a wife finding out about her cheating ex-husband who has also done some white-collared crimes. 

This song is also Swift’s second song to ruin a man’s reputation to avenge one of her friends. Swift helps the ex-wife take revenge on the ex-husband, while they are said to look hot doing it. 

The song allegedly references Scott “Scooter” Braun, who Big Machine sold six of Swift’s songs to. As well as the feud between Kim Kardasian and Kanye West with the rumored album “Karma” that was then reworked into “Reputation.” Swift’s fan base is excited for the alleged official music video to drop. 

Taylor Swift’s ’Midnights’ album CD in the target music section which includes the 13 songs as well as three bonus tracks. (MARSHALL SCOTT/Ethic News photo)

Bejeweled

The song Bejeweled was the seventh track on Swift’s new album. This song is a feel good song and reminds the listener to not settle for less and to those who feel or have felt taken advantage of. 

The song discusses dating someone who doesn’t treat Taylor how she wants to be treated, she starts to feel under appreciated and loses her shine. As the song progresses Swift realizes she is better without him and with or without him she can still “make the whole place shimmer.” 

One thing about the song that really caught people’s attention when one of the lyrics described Swift dancing with another man while talking to her lover about this new man. People suspect this may be a reference to Tom Hiddlestone they met at the 2016 Met Gala  and famously danced with him while she was still dating Calvin Harris. The dance quickly hit headlines in May 2016 and in early June 2016.

Labyrinth

Labyrinth was number ten in the Midnights album. The song Labyrinth is another song about her current long-term boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The song represents how Swift was afraid to fall in love with Alwyn because of her failed past relationship. 

The lyrics “Oh no, I’m falling in love again” shows how Swift really panicked when she found herself falling for Alwyn. 

Another lyric, “I thought the plane was falling down how’d you turn it right around” shows how she originally thought that the relationship could’ve turned out badly because of past experiences but in fact, it’s going the complete opposite. 

Karma

Karma was placed 11th in the tracking list.The song is based off an album that was not released, also called “Karma.” 

When the song title was announced fans believed the song would be a diss track to rapper, Kanye West, only for fans to find out that was not the case. 

The meaning behind the song is “a perspective of feeling really happy, really proud of the way your life is.” 

Swift says, “Feeling like this must be a reward for doing stuff right, and it’s a song I really love because I think we all need some of those moments. We can’t just be beating ourselves up all the time.” 

The song also represents Swift’s long-term determination to have a life-long career, the lyrics “Ask me what I learned from all those years, ask me what I learned from all those tears.” show that determination Swift has.

Sweet Nothings

Sweet Nothings was Swift’s 12th  track on her album. In Midnights Swift did not shy away from getting personal in her lyrics about her life and love life. This song discusses her highs and lows that come with being in the public eye and figuring out her peace and comfort with her partner of six years, Alwyn. The song discusses herself seeking comfort and shelter from the outside world with Alwyn. Going in deeper she feels safe with her partner and is comfortable enough with Alwyn to show her deepest thoughts and insecurities without feeling judgment. Swift feels safe with him and doesn’t have to ask him for compliments to receive them.

Midnights was the first album to be released after her two year hiatus, this album quickly began to be a fan favorite for the relatable topics in many of her songs on the album. 

The album talks a lot about her struggles in life and also her feelings and love towards her six-year long relationship with Joe Alwyn. 

Additionally, to the Midnights Album, Swift also made an extended version with seven more songs giving Midnights 3AM 20 songs. 

These albums can be found on Spotify, Apple music as well as Youtube music.

Correction: The original publishing of this article did not include analysis of the songs Anti-hero or Mastermind. It was corrected on Dec. 2 at 2:55 pm.

Q&A: Academic case carrier counselor helps students overcome challenges

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By NORYAH COPAS

Sophia Malsher-Lopez is an academic case carrier counselor in the Redlands Unified School District. Malsher-Lopez is known as Ms. Sophia by her students and visits different schools, including Citrus Valley High School. 

What is your position or title? 

Academic Case Carrier Counselor

Pronouns?

she, her and hers

What are some of the main responsibilities with this position?

As a counselor, my main responsibilities are to ensure that students are successful academically and in their personal lives.  I help students with academic challenges, social challenges, mental health challenges, homelife challenges and help prepare them for life after high school. 

How long have you worked in education?

I have worked in education for seven years.

Have you held any jobs outside of education? 

Yes, I previously worked in the business sector and worked for a publishing company in the motorsport industry.  I dedicated nine years to Racer Media & Marketing and started out as an office manager and ended as an advertising manager

 What made you choose this job?  

My sister-in-law recognized I could be ideal material for becoming a counselor.  She encouraged me to apply for a position as a Career Coach so I did and loved the job within minutes!  I thought, “What have I been doing with my life?!”  I helped students with college and career readiness.  I immediately went back to school to get my Master’s degree in School Counseling. 

What is one of your favorite parts of your job?

My favorite part of being a counselor is working with students and helping them overcome barriers so they can be successful. Everyone deserves happiness and success and there can be many obstacles that get in the way of that, so I love to equip them with the tools necessary to both give the best of themselves and earn the best for themselves.   

What’s the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is to mentally shut off at the end of the working day.

Did you have any mentors or role models growing up? How did they influence you?

Both my parents are hard workers yet endured very troubled times from their late teens through to their early 40s, a period where they went down potentially self-destructive avenues. They have shown me it is possible to overcome barriers and difficulties and find a way back to the right path – which undoubtedly contributes to my belief that the work I do can help nudge students in a direction that can lead to happiness and fulfillment. As for my parents, both have qualities that I admire and try to emulate:  my mother has the biggest heart I know and loves unconditionally, while my father is ambitious and never gives up.   

Is there an experience or event that had a major influence on who or where you are today?

I was never a studious person; I actually disliked school.  I knew I had to go to college because that was what my father wanted for his children.  He never wanted us to do physical work, he wanted us to build our brains and use them in the careers we chose.  It took me 12 years to get my Bachelor’s degree; it typically takes 4-6 years.  I learned to never give up and to just keep going even when you fail or it feels like a never ending journey.   

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Pay attention in school!

Which languages do you speak?

English and Spanish/Spanglish

Do you have skills, interests or hobbies that you would like to share?

I like to hike, travel and eat.  I am interested in history and love to learn about different cultures and ways of living. 

What do you enjoy doing most with family and friends?

I love to create memories by trying new things, going to new places or spending the holidays together.

What is a goal you have?  

Although school is not my thing, I plan to finish my doctoral program within two years.

 Global artificial intelligence develops rapidly with robots featuring human characteristics

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By SERENITY PALMERIN

Technology is developing and advancing rapidly throughout the world. Society has become more and more dependent on technology as it advances. Some restaurants have small robots that bring your food to you, other places are having them deliver packages. There has even been an increase in the development of human-like artificial intelligence. 

Sophia the humanoid robot, engineered by the Hong Kong-based company Hanson robotics, was activated on February 14, 2016. For many years she was considered the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. However, at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CSS) in February this year a new highly developed robot was “born;” her name is Ameca. Ameca was developed by a UK-based company known as Engineered Arts. 

Sophia the robot makes an appearance on Centre Stage during her second day of Web Summit 2019. (Photo credit: Flickr Sophia, Hanson Robotics Ltd. at AI for GOOD Global Summit, ITU, Geneva, Switzerland, 7 – 9 June 2017.)

As described in her own words, Sophia is an extremely developed robot with highly advanced programming, “My real AI combines cutting-edge work in symbolic AI, neural networks, expert systems, machine perception, conversational natural language processing, adaptive motor control, and cognitive architecture among others.” 

While Hanson Robotics does not claim that Sophia is the most advanced robot in the world. they state on their Sophia webpage, “Hanson Robotics’ most advanced human-like robot, Sophia, personifies our dreams for the future of AI” (2). 

If Hanson Robotics, one of the most successful robotic companies, says that Sophia is the most developed robot they have, Sophia has the potential to be the most developed robot in the world. 



Ameca communicates with highly advanced facial expressions and hand movements. (Screenshot image from youtube video: Ameca conversation using GPT 3 – Will robots take over the world?)

Ameca is meant as a tester for further advancing the capabilities of artificial intelligence, however, she is nonetheless extremely advanced. Her software is modular, meaning she can be easily upgraded, so much so that each module, or limb, can run independently. She is connected to her technological cloud that can be controlled from anywhere in the world. Not only that but she has advanced facial expressions so she can connect with anyone.

Unlike Hanson Robotics, Engineered Arts does state with confidence that Ameca is the most advanced humanoid robot in the world. 

According to “Ameca: The Face of Future Robots” on Engineered Arts, “Ameca is the world’s most advanced human-shaped robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology. Designed specifically as a platform for development into future robotics technologies, Ameca is the perfect humanoid robot platform for human-robot interaction. We focus on bringing you innovative technologies, which are reliable, modular, upgradeable, and easy to develop upon.” 

Although there is still a discrepancy between whether Sophia or Ameca is the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, the companies that activated them have the same goal in mind. They hope to further advance artificial intelligence to develop a robot that is more human-like and intelligent than ever before.

Asimo the robot demonstrates its extremely developed walking and mobile ability. (Vanillase, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons)


Artificial intelligence has had significant developments in recent years, however, none of this would be possible without previous robots. Asimo the humanoid robot was created in 2000 by Honda and is currently displayed in the Miraikan museum in Tokyo, Japan.

Asimo was considered the world’s most advanced humanoid robot for a time. Unlike Ameca it does not have extremely advanced facial expressions but it is highly mobile. Asimo can run, climb stairs, and move the rest of its limbs with extreme ease. It has been displayed in several shows across the world and made its most recent and final appearance in March of this year. Honda has announced that it will be focusing on more advanced remote-controlled robotic technology.

Although Asimo is not considered artificially intelligent, it is still a highly mobile and advanced robot. The way that Sophia may not be able to answer extremely detailed questions but she is equipped with short answers in dozens of languages. Ameca as well may not be able to walk but the programming of her facial features is extremely advanced. 

Each robot paved the way for the next to become extremely advanced and in some ways artificially intelligent. Every company that creates humanoid robots aims to improve after each launch in hopes to achieve full artificial intelligence. If this goal is ever reached, as it seems the world is already getting there, the impact on society as a whole will be tremendous.

Video: 50 Questions with Ethic – Song captain chats candidly

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Interviewed by MAURICIO PLIEGO

Filmed by DANIELA MORA

Directed by MAURICIO PLIEGO

Come join Ethic News as they interview Redlands East Valley High School senior Brooklynn Rios. Rios responds to questions about Associative Student Body (ASB) and song for the Redlands East Valley Wildcats. As always, Rios answers fast, controversial “this or that” questions at the end of the interview.

Arrow Rail Service begins

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By JOHNATHAN GHAZAL

The new Arrow line service opened for commuters to ride starting Oct. 24. As an extension of the MetroLink lines through San Bernardino’s transit hub, the Arrow train will connect the East Valley of San Bernardino to the rest of the Metrolink network via the San Bernardino Downtown station. It is also referred to as “The Redlands Passenger Rail Project” with most of the stops along the line being located in Redlands.

People fill the Redlands Downtown station during the ribbon cutting ceremony next to one of the Arrow trains which was open to the public for viewing on Oct. 21. (JOHNATHAN GHAZAL/Ethic News photo)

The rail project “has been more than a decade in the making, featuring new tracks, enhanced street crossings, quiet zones, and five stations along the nine mile route between downtown San Bernardino and downtown Redlands,” according to the San Bernardino County Rail Authority. 

A dedication ceremony was held to mark the opening of the Arrow Rail line to the public on Oct. 21. Representative Pete Aguilar was one of the speakers at the event who spoke about the importance of new infrastructure in our community and the use of energy-efficient trains in its rolling stock.

Many important figures, including California Representative Pete Aguilar, D-California 31, participated in the ribbon-cutting event during the dedication ceremony on Oct. 21 to commemorate the opening of the Arrow rail line at the Redlands Downtown station. (JOHNATHAN GHAZAL/Ethic News photo)

Afterward, attendees were permitted to tour one of the new Arrow trains, which was displayed at the Redlands Downtown station. They had the opportunity to walk through coaches and get a glimpse of the experience of coming onboard the train and feeling the modern design inside. 

One of the new Arrow trains arrived at the Downtown Redlands station in the early morning for the first day of revenue service on Monday, Oct. 24. (JOHNATHAN GHAZAL/Ethic News photo)

The line was officially opened for revenue service on Monday, Oct. 24. The first trains arrived in Redlands around 6 a.m. Small crowds were grouped together in the frigid temperatures to watch the train, now open to the public. It was a mostly uneventful morning with fewer people boarding the train than standing on the platforms. To commemorate the opening of the Redlands University station, the University of Redlands offered refreshments to onlookers and passengers at the station. 

All the trains in the rolling stock are all energy efficient by utilizing hybrid engines which will later be replaced by fully electric engines in years to come.

As Congressman Aguilar said, “until those oil companies stop gouging us at the pump, we’re going to have to get more creative with what we do. Investments in transit… one way we can do that.” The trains were originally meant to be light rail vehicles, but it would have surpassed the budget given by the state grant. Instead, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority opted for heavy diesel trains.  

Passengers wait for the Sante Fe passenger train as seen in this historic photograph from more than 90 years ago. (Credit: Redlands Area Historical Society)

The historic Sante Fe train line ran through Redlands starting with the construction of the original Redlands Sante Fe Depot in 1888, but the building we are familiar with today as the Redlands Downtown station was built in 1909 to replace the former structure, according to the National Register of Historical Places. Service of the Sante Fe line ended its passenger service in 1938. The introduction of the train was vital to the city’s export of oranges, as can be seen with the last operating packing house located along the train route. 

The opening of the station to passengers after more than 80 years is a momentous occasion for the City of Redlands and its residents. Redlanders will now have access to the large Metrolink network, connecting commuters across Southern California. 

Wildcat girl’s tennis team celebrates Senior Day

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By ALEX VERDUZCO

The Redlands East Valley High School girls’ tennis team held their annual Senior Day on Oct. 20, marking the end of their season with their last match before the Citrus Belt League Championship games. 

Senior Day posters hang on the tennis fences greeting parents, family members, and onlookers with the names of the graduating players of the Redlands East Valley girls’ tennis team on Oct. 20. This home match is against the Cajon Cowboys at the REV tennis courts. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)

Their final score was against the Cajon High School girls’ tennis team at home totaling 15-3. With the previous score of the season away against Cajon being 16-2, securing the Wildcats’ win against Cajon for the 2022 season. 

Before the line up announcement commencing the Wildcats versus Cowboys match, Wildcat family members and parents showered their senior players with flowers, gifts, and shared with their teammates personal jokes and kind words about their daughters. 

After these private moments with their families, parents from the senior captains Abigail Washburn and Maryn Strong handed roses and took pictures of each graduating player. 

Redlands East Valley girls’ tennis senior players pose for a picture on the courts in Redlands, California before their last league match on Oct. 20. Victoria Lee, Sadie Foley, Abigail Washburn, Maryn Strong, Elliana Valentino, Coach Edward Stark.

(ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)

 To begin the match, parents announced their loved ones in the line up participating in their senior’s last high school league match and sending them off to play their opponents. 

With abrupt line up changes and unforeseen injuries, the Wildcats persevere and adapt with members stepping up to do their part and cover for their teammates helping to lead their senior players through their last season with sentimental memories through the winning moments, team bonding experiences, and challenging drills during practice. 

The team managers senior and sophomore duo, Thys Hallen and Brayden Yorgesen, organized Wildcats by keeping score, directing players to courts, setting up and tearing down supplies for practice and matches, and providing the players with comedic and moral support.

Redlands East Valley girls tennis team managers senior Thys Hallen and sophomore Brayden Yorgesen kept scores during the match, chatting in front of the tennis shed with previous seniors’ ‘paw prints’ ‘ painted with their names and graduation years.

(ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)

Washburn says,“Starting tennis my freshman year has put me on an incredible journey from starting as varsity doubles No.3 to winning the CBL championship two years in a row. Overall, it’s been an unforgettable experience and an honorable contribution to the team that I can say I have taken part of.” 

Strong says, “Tennis has been a blessing to me for the past 4 years. I’ve loved every bit of it: From the start of my freshman year to senior year I feel like I’ve grown so much in tennis. I’m so grateful for the whole experience and the friendships I’ve gotten.” 

Team captains and seniors Abigail Washburn and Maryn Strong stand under their respective posters after their 15-3 win against Cajon High. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)

Although graduation is not until June of 2023, the seniors on REV’s girls’ tennis team experience the end of their high school tennis career as a benchmark of their last year on campus.

Senior Victoria Lee says, “As much as I love the playing aspect of tennis, my favorite part would definitely be the karaoke bus rides and post-game In-N-Out runs! I wholeheartedly believe that the friendships I’ve gained over the past four years, are one that’ll carry me throughout my lifetime.”

Sadie Foley, a senior on the team says, “I joined tennis my junior year and I’m really happy I did. I had never even held a tennis racket before and so I’m grateful to [Coach] Stark for helping me get to where I am today, and I love this team for everyone supporting each other and it has been fun!”

Senior Elliana Valentino says, “I’ve had so much fun these four years playing tennis, especially this year because I got to play doubles with my sister.”

Along with the wins against Cajon, the Wildcats held onto their winning streak throughout the season despite their two losses against rival school, Redlands High. The Redlands Terriers continue holding onto their triumph year after year but the REV girls’ tennis team persists onward and moves closer in the competition to hopefully soon win the match of Wildcats v. Terriers. 

Other than the Redlands defeats, the players still reign successful in their league matches with the only losses being against the Terriers.

Coach Ed Stark adds, “If I had known at the beginning of this school year that there would have been such great obstacles and challenges I would not have expected the season to turn out as well as it did but it was made possible with such strong leadership shown from the girls and their hard work in finishing strong.”

Final League Scores of 2022

Redlands losses for REV

Home: 8-10              Away: 7-11

Beaumont wins for REV

Home: 11-7              Away:15-3

Citrus Valley wins for REV

Home: 12-6              Away: 10-8

Yucaipa wins for REV

Home: 12-6              Away: 9-9 tied in sets, Wildcats won in games 

Cajon wins for REV

Home: 15-3            Away: 16-2

Team captains Abigail Washburn and Maryn Strong share a hug underneath the Senior Day poster with the graduating players’ names after winning the match against Cajon.

(ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)

Dual Enrollment program offers high school students college credit

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By MEANNA SMITH

The dual enrollment program offered in Redlands Unified School District high schools, which operates through Crafton Hills College, allows high school students to get college credit while also making high school credit.

Citrus Valley High School dual enrollment counselor Christina Rodriguez states, “I encourage high school juniors and seniors… to take the offered partnership and CCAP dual enrollment courses. UC and CSU colleges will weight the dual enrollment courses when considering admission to their campus. Simply put, dual enrollment makes college more affordable.”

According to the California Community Colleges website, dual enrollment offers college courses which are taught by college professors at students’ high school campuses. Each semester taken through dual enrollment will count for one year of high school credit. These courses help students get a head start on their higher education goals.

There are many different courses offered throughout the spring, summer, and fall terms. Some of the courses offered include American Sign Language, Introduction to Sociology, English Freshman Composition, Astronomy, and many more. 

Citrus Valley High School junior Danielle Diaz took the Intro to Sociology course at Crafton Hills College through the dual enrollment program last summer.

Diaz says, “It was interesting and I really learned a lot. I would definitely recommend the dual enrollment program as well as the intro to sociology course  to other students because it was an easy and beneficial way to gain credits.”

Citrus Valley junior Riley Houser, states “I took the medical terminology class through the dual enrollment program during ninth grade. It was interesting and I would recommend the program to other students.”

To enroll in dual enrollment, students must possess a weighted academic grade point average of  2.0 or more. There are three different types of dual enrollment available to students. These categories are listed as Partnership, College and Career Access Pathway, and Standard. 

Partnership dual enrollment consists of evening classes taught by Crafton Hills college professors on a high school campus. In recent years, partnership dual enrollment has moved from high school campuses to zoom instruction. 

CCAP dual enrollment is college courses offered during the school day. This type of dual enrollment is only offered to seniors. These courses will also count for high school graduation requirements. 

Lastly there is Standard dual enrollment which consists of courses not offered by Redlands Unified School district. This type of dual enrollment may also include fees that students will be responsible for such as textbook fees, registration fees, etc. 

According to the California Community Colleges website, to enroll in any of these types of dual enrollment, students must complete six steps. 

First: Complete an online college application.

Second: Complete the orientation by watching a video and answering the following questions.

Third: Submit Transcripts

Fourth: Meet with a counselor.

Fifth: Complete and submit a dual enrollment form

Sixth: Register for your desired college course.

The California Community Colleges website provides reasons for students to consider dual enrollment. Dual enrollment can provide students preparation and an introduction to college life and the opportunity to build skills that are needed in the workforce. 

Review: ‘Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ shows the limitlessness of media

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By MAXWELL BRIGGS

Netflix released a show titled “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” on Sept. 21 and there are differing opinions on this show and how the cases of Dahmer and his victims were depicted. 

Accuracy

One glaring issue people have with this show is the inaccuracy throughout the show. 

For example, Glenda Cleveland, played by Niecy Nash, lived in a different apartment building than Dahmer’s and wasn’t his next-door neighbor as depicted in the show. To some, this may not seem like something significant, let alone something to think is wrong. 

Still, when depicting real-life instances like the Jefferey Dahmer case, details must be accurate, out of respect to the people that were involved in that case, especially those who lost family members and friends to that man; they deserve to have stories shared truthfully. 

The police on the case were already making the case even harder to solve due to their own inaccuracies about Dahmer.  Even the most minor details that may seem minuscule and irrelevant need to be depicted properly because this isn’t just an instance of disturbing fiction. 

This isn’t something that can be rewritten or have a spin-off, and that’s what some viewers of the show forgot.

Permission

This leads to another concern regarding the show, the directors, Ryan Murphy and Dan Brennan, did not get permission from the victim’s family to make this show and include their deceased loved ones. 

Eric Perry, the cousin of victim Errol Lindsey, shared on Twitter on Sept.  22, “No, they don’t notify the victims’ families when they do this. It’s all public record, so they don’t have to notify (or pay!)”

It was disrespectful and unnecessary for the directors not to do the bare minimum by seeking out the victims’ families and asking them how they feel about the show idea before they go along with any final decisions for the show. 

No matter which way you look at the dilemma of asking for permission and risk not being able to go along with the main plan for the show or  getting permission from the victims’ loved ones and possibly having to alter the whole show itself,  the most reasonable option seems clear. 

There’s a possibility that co-directors couldn’t find any link of family or friends to some of the victims, or maybe their loved ones simply shut the idea down right away; either way, straightforward communication is necessary when handling such cases.

Casting

Another complaint is the casting choice, especially for one person in particular. 

It was a poor casting choice in the long run to cast Evan Peters, a notoriously known and loved horror actor,  to play Jeffrey Dahmer, a genuinely vile human being. 

While Peters has played immoral roles in the past (i.e. Kai Anderson from “American Horror Story,” a raging sexist, alt-right, Trump supporter), the issue is, Jeffery Dahmer isn’t just some creepy spooky slasher from a horror movie like Jason Vorhees or Micheal Myers. He was a real person, who impacted other very real people, but some viewers from the show have made some kind of disconnect between this show and the real events that the show is based upon. 

It just seems as if some fans of his long life work, the viewers that will watch whatever piece of media he’s a part of as long as he’s in it, forget the fact that this isn’t just a typical casting role for Peters to play, it’s based on real life, real stories, real people that had the misfortune of coming across that man.

A question to those (specifically non-black cisgender heterosexual people) that have watched the ¨Monster¨ series and make jokes about what the victims had to live through before passing away for shock factor, or to the people who decided to dress up as Dahmer after getting inspiration from the show:

 How does fiction affect perceived reality; how do  real-life events affect fiction? 

And truly, is someone able  to decipher the fact that just because something is on television  it does not mean it can’t, doesn’t, or hasn’t already been carried out into reality.

In this case, unfortunately, it already has.

So there truly is no excuse.

Featured image photo collage designed by JUSTEN NGUYEN

Dragons compete in their first flag football tournament

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By VINCENT CASTRO

“Expect the unexpected,” said senior Jordan Beccera, starting cornerback for the Orangewood High School Dragons flag football team.

For the first time in district history, according to Orangewood coach Mark Perkins, there was a flag football tournament for continuation high schools in the area.   

The games were played at the outdoor football field in Central City Park in Fontana on Oct. 26.

The Orangewood Dragons were coached by Perkins and Orangewood engineering teacher Matthew Stewart. 

“I was very proud of how the athletes participated and I couldn’t have done it without Mr. Stewart,” said Perkins.

In the game of flag football, it is a seven on seven. Each game is four quarters long and each quarter is 15 minutes long.  Each school that attends the tournament is guaranteed three games.  The three games are to consider where they stand in the bracket for playoffs. 

The Orangewood flag football team went into the tournament with only five weeks of practice. Practices were held everyday at lunch on the soccer field.

The Dragons played their first game against Birch High School from Fontana. When going against Birch, Orangewood never let go of the lead and proceeded to win the game 27-14.

“Winning feels better when it’s earned,” said senior Samuel Bahena, starting rusher. 

The second game of the tournament for the Dragons was against Sierra High School from San Bernardino. The Dragons lost to Sierra 26-12.  

Orangewood had a third game against Slover and took the win 30-16, sending them to the championship game against Sierra. 

In the championship game it was a back and forth between touchdowns until Orangewood got intercepted and scored on, losing the game by four, 28-24.  

“We failed, but we will be back,” said junior Jeremy Zaragoza, starting wide receiver. 

The Orangewood High School flag football team with coaches Matthew Stewart (top left) and Mark Perkins (top right). “We are not a team because we work together, we are a team because we work and respect each other,” said junior Jesus Arana, defensive captain. (Photo courtesy of Orangewood High School principal Carli Norris)

Correction: The original posting of this article stated two weeks of practice. It has been corrected to state five weeks of practice. Nov. 18, 2022 6:30 pm.

News brief: Donald trump announces presidential campaign

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By RYAN VENEGAS

With the end of the midterm elections Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign. 

On Tuesday night Trump presented a speech with the announcement at one of his estates in Florida which will be the head office for his campaign.

“In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump stated.

In Trump’s speech he recalls his first-term as president and states all of the accomplishments he made. While also contrasting those accomplishments with the economy and current policies with Biden’s presidency.

Trump claimed about inflation, “As we speak, inflation is the highest in over 50 years.”

Trump referred to the withdrawal from Afghanistan as “perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country, where we lost lives, left Americans behind and surrendered $85 billion worth of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world.”

Though the United States did leave lots of military equipment worth billions, Trump’s criticism with the US withdrawal of Afghanistan is false. Estimated by the Defense Department it was actually estimated to be about $7.1 billion.

In Trump’s speech he also comments on the high prices of gas.

“We were $1.87 a gallon for gasoline, and now it’s sitting at five, six, seven and even eight dollars, and it’s gonna go really bad.”

The 2024 election will be the first presidential election after electoral votes are redistributed with the 2020 census.

Timeline: Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving may soon return from suspension over controversial post

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By JUSTEN NGUYEN

  • Oct. 26

    In a since-deleted tweet, NBA Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving posted a link about a 2018 film “Hebrews to Negreos: Wake Up Black America,” which has been labeled as anti-semitic.  

  • Oct. 28

    Owner of the Brooklyn Nets Joe Tsai posted on twitter, “I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.” 

    Tsai said that Irving’s anti-semitic comments were unprofessional and should have real repercussions. 

  • Oct. 29

    Irving stated at an Oct. 29 press conference, “I’m only going to get stronger because I’m not alone,” along with, “I have a whole army around me.”

    He also tweeted that the anti-semitic labels of him are not justified.

  • Nov. 3

    Irving’s Nov. 3 suspension was originally only for five games, but Irving refused to apologize for his comments and found himself suspended indefinitely. 

  • Nov. 3

    Irving posted an apology on instagram on Nov. 3 after the announcement of his suspension.

  • Nov. 4

    Nike announced on Nov. 4 that they will be ending their partnership with Irving and will stop all production and remove all models of Irving’s shoes from store shelves. 

    Although Nike and Irving recently released Irving’s eighth signature shoe, it will no longer be sold.

  • Nov. 5

    According to Shams Charanie of the Athletic, the Nets established six requirements for Irving’s return.

  • Nov. 16

    As of Nov. 16, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnaroski reported that sources indicate that Irving is nearing completion of the Nets’ requirements.

  • Nov. 20

    According to reports, Irving may return for the Nets home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 20.

Video: Skills USA students from Orangewood visit Redlands Animal Shelter

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By JUSTEN NGUYEN

Participating students from Stephen Plumb’s SkillsUSA class went to the Redlands Animal Shelter on Oct. 27. Students were taken on a tour around the facility and donated dog and cat toys to the animal shelter.

Animal control officer Kaitlyn Giroux answers questions about animals at Redlands Animal Shelter. Video recorded by Ethan Bounthavy, interview and video editing by Justen Nguyen.

Redlands High School Terriers win the 25th annual Smudge Pot

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By AILEEN JANEE CORPUS

The annual Redlands Smudge Pot took place on Oct. 20, which ended with the Terriers taking back the Smudge Pot trophy. 

During the first quarter, the Wildcats had the first score of the game which was a touchdown but a missed kick with one minute and 57 seconds left. Being the only score of the quarter, it ended with a score of 6-0 with the Wildcats in the lead. 

By nine minutes and 37 seconds left of the second quarter, Redlands High School’s first score of the game occurred; a touchdown and successful kick. Ending this quarter with a score of 6-7 with the Terriers in the lead.

Throughout the game, cheers and jeers could be heard from both the Wildcats and Terriers. When it was the third quarter and the Terriers were leading by a point, the student section for RHS, the Boneyard, cheered “Why so quiet?”

Once with 10 minutes and three seconds and the second occurring with nine minutes and 48 seconds left in the third quarter, there were two false alarms that the REV had scored a touchdown. Just five seconds later, there was an attempted touchdown by the Wildcats, but the Terriers intercepted the Wildcats’ pass.

In the third quarter with two minutes and four seconds left, REV scored a touchdown and instead of going for a kick, the Wildcats attempted another touchdown to no avail. This ended the third quarter with a score of 12-7 with the Wildcats in the lead.

In the fourth quarter, the pace quickly picked up with the Wildcats scoring a touchdown and kicking successfully. Then with the Terriers simply scoring a touchdown making the score 19-13 with the Wildcats holding on to the lead. 

With barely two minutes left on the clock of the fourth quarter, RHS managed to score a touchdown and a kick garnering them seven points which put them in the lead by only one point. After getting one down and with only twenty seconds left, the Wildcats unfortunately were not able to make up for the loss, leading the Terriers to win the 25th annual Smudge Pot. 

The final score of the game was 19-20 with the Redlands High School Terriers winning the 25th annual Smudge Pot game.

On Oct. 20 2022 for the annual Redlands Smudge Pot, Wildcat cheerleaders lined up along the sideline for the national anthem. The Wildcat cheerleaders helped in keeping student motivation up throughout the game. For this Smudge Pot game, REV was the home team, but because of the continued construction on the Wildcat stadium, home games for the Wildcats’ 2022-2023 year of football were held at Citrus Valley High School. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)
Before the annual Redlands Smudge Pot started on Oct. 20 2022, the Wildcat cheerleaders hold a sign that says, “Hey Terriers better luck next time #smudgepotstays[home].” Immediately afterwards, the varsity Wildcat football team ran through the sign passionately and ready to take the Terriers on in the infamous rivalry. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)
The Wildcats varsity football team celebrates their first score of the game on Oct. 20, 2022 for the Redlands annual Smudge Pot game held in the Ted Runner Stadium at Citrus Valley High School. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)
Wildcat senior Carissa Perez is performing a solo on her clarinet during the Wildcats’ marching band performance for the halftime show of the annual Redlands Smudge Pot game on Oct. 20 2022. For the halftime show of the Smudge Pot game, the Wildcat marching band performed all three parts of their program for the crowd. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)
The Wildcat song team performed for the halftime show of the annual Redlands Smudge Pot game on Oct. 20, 2022. Unlike cheerleaders, song leaders focus more on hip hop, jazz, and more dance aspects of performance. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)

On Oct. 20, 2022 in the Citrus Valley High School Stadium at the end of the annual Redlands Smudge Pot game, the Redlands High School Terriers triumphantly take the smudge pot trophy back to the crowd full of Terrier fans. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News Photo)

What’s up with Marvel? Deadpool 3 could drastically change the MCU for the better

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BY EMMITT MURPHY

On Sep. 12, Ryan Reynolds announced the third installment of the Deadpool franchise, which will also be the character’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). To everyone’s surprise, it was also announced that Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine from the X-Men franchise, starting the introduction of the team into the MCU. 

Deadpool’s involvement in the MCU has been a very open secret for a while now, as it was expected that Deadpool would cross over after Disney had purchased 21st Century Fox. Wolverine’s, or at least Hugh Jackman’s, return is very unexpected, as Logan (2017) was thought to be the end of the character’s cinematic story and Jackman’s portrayal of him.

The first and currently only official promotional photo for the film, showing Deadpool’s logo slashed by Wolverine’s claws (From IMDb)

The film’s story is still unknown, but other information has been revealed by Reynolds himself. The first piece of info is in regards to the events of Logan and how Wolverine is still alive, stating that “Logan takes place in 2029” and that it is a “totally separate thing” from the current film.  Reynolds has also claimed that the movie was always going to involve Wolverine and was originally going to be a road trip movie before Disney acquired Fox.

One of the most anticipated aspects of these characters’ involvement in the MCU is the potential stories with other prominent characters. With Deadpool now involved, there is potential for his relationship with Spider-Man to be adapted on-screen. In the comics, Deadpool and Spidey have a sort of love-hate relationship, where Deadpool idealizes Peter as the perfect superhero while Parker wants nothing to do with him.

With Wolverine, it could be expected that he eventually battles with the Hulk as he made his first ever appearance in issue #181 of The Incredible Hulk where Wolverine clashed with the titular character. Another popular idea is that Logan doesn’t become the MCU’s main Wolverine but is instead a mentor to Laura Kinny, a clone of Logan and the second Wolverine.

Easily the most important aspect of this movie is the potential lead up to the X-Men. Marvel has slowly been introducing mutants into the MCU, with Namor in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Kamala Khan in Ms. Marvel, who was retconned into a mutant during the show. With Deadpool 3, the first official X-Men will be introduced into the MCU with Wolverine and would start the implementation of the X-Men into the MCU. 

As of now, the only official information about the film is Reynolds and Jackman’s involvement and it’s release date, which is set for Nov. 8, 2024. However, if Deadpool 3 should be as good, if not better, than the previous installments in the Deadpool franchise and will only be amplified with it’s involvement in the MCU.

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Hurricane Fiona hits Puerto Rico ruining healing progress of Hurricane Maria

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BY MONIQUE VARELA

Days before the anniversary of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico which was on Sept. 16, 2016, Hurricane Fiona aroused attention on Sept. 17, 2022, coming to hit the south and central regions of Puerto Rico, which were still recovering from the destruction of Maria before Fiona hit.

Fiona has caused flooding on the streets, mudslides, and has caused hundreds and thousands of people to go without power and water. Up to 20 inches of rain flood the streets, and even in some places, reaching up to 35 inches of rain. 

Hurricane Fiona, currently a category four, hit Puerto Rico causing over 20 inches of rain and destroying many homes and roads. Transportation of water, food and fuel has been difficult because of the amount of damage that Fiona has caused and it has also been hard for people who have lost their homes and have no shelter. (Elijah Nouvelage from CNN)

Fiona had been considered a category one hurricane until it began heading to Bermuda and Canada, causing an abundance of damage, and quickly becoming a category four hurricane. President Biden has since declared Fiona a federal disaster.

Ponce, a city in Puerto Rico, has received more than 32 inches of rain and has caused emergency crews to save over 400 people from the flooding. The amount of rain created by Fiona has caused roads to be flooded and has also made mudslides covering the roads and streets of Puerto Rico. This has created a lack of food and water in places that have flooded the most. 

Not only is there a shortage of food and water, Fiona has caused hundreds and thousands of citizens to go without power. More than 900,000 people are without power and it is still unknown when power will be brought back to them. 

Fiona has caused eight deaths and many people having to be saved by troops. Nearly 150 New Jersey police officers are heading to Puerto Rico to help with the recovery process. 

Two waves of 74 troops and one medical doctor are also being sent to Puerto Rico, specifically to the town Vega Baja. It is to help those who were injured during the hurricane. 

From Puerto Rico itself, more than 400 members of the Puerto Rico National Guard are helping the government by holding a search and rescue. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also helping by sending 700 of their staff members to Puerto Rico to help with the recovery efforts.

Hurricane Fiona has caused a devastating amount of damage and is also going to hit Canada. The Washington Post claims Fiona is being considered ‘a storm everybody will remember’ and may be the worst storm Canada has faced. This hurricane may take a while for Puerto Rico to recover and the economy of Puerto Rico will face a multibillion-dollar hit. 

News brief: Halloween candy prices spike with inflation

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By MEANNA SMITH

Every year on Halloween day, children go door to door collecting various types of candy which typically last a few weeks. This year many people wonder if Halloween candy will last children more than a few days.

Inflation has been on a heavy increase since early last year and is now carrying noticeable effects in citizens everyday lives. Inflation has been on an 8.2 percent increase since September of last year, vastly exceeding the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Halloween candy prices are now 13 percent higher than last year. This marks the highest yearly jump the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has ever recorded. To understand the magnitude of this jump, it is necessary to note that in the past it has taken nine years for candy prices to jump 13 percent.

The inflation surrounding Halloween candy is largely due to the increase of prices on sugar and flour. The price of flour alone has gone up by 24 percent in just the last year. 

Many US citizens are wondering how these large percent increases directly affect the prices of candy in a way that is relevant to them. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are predicted to collectively spend about 3.1 billion on Halloween candy during this year’s Halloween season. At a 13% increase, a fifteen dollar bag of the most popular assorted Halloween candy adds about two dollars onto the price.

Each classic Halloween candy has been affected in price differently by inflation. Here are the updated prices of some frequently purchased Halloween candy packs according to the US addition of Bloomberg:

Twix: $7.60

Skittles: $4.43

M&M: $4.62

Reses’s Peanut Butter Cups: $8.01

The prices of these candies are extremely expensive compared to the price of the same candy last year. The candy with the highest price jump is Recese’s Peanut Butter Cups jumping from $5.92 to this year’s price of $8.01. 

Feature image: MIA CALIVA/Ethic News image

Video: 50 Questions with Ethic –  Wildcat board of education trustee chats candidly

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Interviewed by MAURICIO PLIEGO

Filmed by DANIELA MORA

Directed by MAURICIO PLIEGO

Come join Ethic News as they interview Redlands East Valley High School senior Frankie Russo. Russo responds to questions including about what her usual school day looks like and who inspires her the most. As always, Russo answers fast, controversial “this or that” questions at the end of the interview.

Creeping into Halloween at Universal

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BY JASMINE ROSALES

The month of horror has arrived early at Universal Studios Hollywood. Halloween Horror Nights debuted the eighth of September and is ongoing until the 31 of October. With two months of horror, people look forward to getting jump scared with all the new attractions this Halloween. 

Known for their movie productions and CGI effects, horror nights at Universal have been claimed by customers to be scary and really spot on. Separated from the daily park hours, horror night is held exclusively from seven at night till two in the morning. Across the entire park, there are a total seven haunted houses/mazes, a total of three scare zones located throughout the park, and a spooky take on the tour tram on the lower lot, now vamped up for halloween called the “terror tram”. 

Universal staff dressed up on stilts standing taller than the crowd, runs down the entrance path to scare guests walking into the park. (JASMINE ROSALES/ETHIC NEWS)

The mazes were grouped up by two’s and three’s on the lower and upper lot. Down on the lower lot you would find the Killer Klowns From Outer Space maze located to the right of the Transformers ride. To the left of that would be The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare maze. Located on the upper lot near the entrance and middle of the park, the entrance to The Horrors of Blumhouse maze by the Kung Fu Panda ride, Universal Horror Hotel and the long awaited La Llorona: The Weeping Woman maze. Going through Harry Potter land, guests will find the last two mezes on the map, the Halloween maze and Scare: The Reaping. 

Shown above, the map helps locate and visualize where each horror attraction and ride attraction stands in the park, including food and restroom areas. (JASMINE ROSALES/ETHIC NEWS)

The three scare zones are all located on the upper lot. The three zones all have cast members walking around to scare guests and keep everyone entertained outside of the main attractions, and keeping guests on their toes for what’s to come next. 

Apart from the halloween attractions at Universal Horror Nights, all rides were open for most of the night with some closing earlier. Located in the Fear Factor Stage, there is a live show featuring the famous dance crew, the Jabbawockeez.

Universal Horror nights includes a 30 minute performance from the well known and talented dance group, the Jabbawockeez shown in the park. (JASMINE ROSALES/ETHIC NEWS)

Universal Studios is sure to have many sold out nights because of how popular their horror nights event is, attracting all horror enthusiasts and guests who get a kick out of getting scared and halloween are sure to be impressed. 

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News brief: Adidas drops Ye after his antisemitic comments

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By RYAN VENEGAS

Adidas has ended their partnership officially with Kanye West.

After the recent antisemitic comments said by Kanye West, Adidas and other companies such as Balenciaga and Gap also ended their partnership with him.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25 Adidas released a statement as to why they dropped Kanye West.

“Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” said the statemente released by the company.

With the end of their partnership Adidas has also stated that they will stop production on all Yeezy products and stop payment to companies owned by Kanye West immediately. 

 “After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies,” read the statement by Adidas.

Kanye’s remarks toward the Jewish community have brought plenty of backlash and Adidas ending their partnership is just one of the consequences Kanye is facing currently. 

Last week Kanye West was a guest on the podcast Drink Champs and stated “The thing about me and Adidas is like…I can say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me. Now what?” 

According to Forbes, with the partnership loss with Adidas Kanye West will no longer be a billionaire. Kanye West is estimated to lose $1.5 billion of his net worth.

Opinion: Schools aren’t helping students in the most important way, adulting

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By JADE BURCH

Let’s face it, school feels very out of touch with the outside world. The education system seems to think extensive algebra takes priority over skills that are important as an adult. As a senior, you may wander out into the world with only your high school education and wonder: “What now? How do I apply for housing? What even are taxes?” But you know about integers and variables if you managed to pay attention in class. 

Life Skills classes are essential, and should be a mandatory course. Assistance after high school and school resources should be available and should be regularly emphasized to students. Curriculum can be outdated at times and if adjustments aren’t made, students won’t be the only ones affected.

Even if you get a Life Skills class in your schedule as an elective, the information is either too general or too specific. Students feel like it doesn’t apply to them, so they’re not engaged.  We need a mixture of fixed and flexible curriculum that adapts to students.

Andy Simmons, a senior at Orangewood High School, says, “I feel current life skills classes are necessary, but they’re not well executed. The curriculum isn’t solid and the information is too specific to apply to students.”  

Matthew Stewart, a Career Technical Education teacher at Orangewood, expresses his frustration with the curriculum and its coverage on economics and business. 

“You get taught theories of the economic system, not where the money goes or how it works. Schools fail to teach you the basic economics of life,” said Stewart. “Current classes miss the mark, they teach you to be an employee for the rest of your life without moving up.” 

There are different opinions on what curriculum should be in the classes. 

“Helping students prepare for a more specific career path, taxes, how to buy a car are good ones,” Simmons says. “They need to teach students how to be eligible for an apartment. They also need  child development education since it’s required for a lot of jobs.” 

Stewart adds, “They should be teaching you guys what bare minimum is to survive financially and socially. Other things like the basics of banking and credit along with home and vehicle maintenance would be very useful as well.” 

Staff have noted that the class should also teach social concepts to students, such as things they wished they learned earlier in life. 

Stewart gives examples such as, “How to engage people in a civil manner and having an open mind. You need to understand your position in society and either be happy with it or change it.” 

Jason Knight, a counselor at Orangewood, adds, “I wish I learned about finances and using business technology, like Email and Word. Being able to read official documents like paystubs, tax forms, and contracts saves you a lot of trouble.”

Stewart also notes the need for students to find other goals in life, emphasizing life isn’t all about money or success. 

The question is, how do we keep students engaged? Most students will go straight into the workforce with their high school education and nothing else. They won’t learn any other life skills that high school relies on college to teach. Students may feel what is being taught doesn’t apply to them because they aren’t going to college. 

“We need to make sure students know that they will encounter the scenarios that are taught in a life skills class no matter what,” says Knight.

School staff also feel that students need different services or classes. Field trips to help students get jobs, apply to colleges, and apply for other government services would be extremely useful. Even after high school, students who are on their own as new adults are lost and may need additional help programs.  

“Students need more assistance with post high school situations,” said Knight. 

Knight goes on to say that Career Centers are a great resource that goes unnoticed by students. They typically provide information about scholarships, financial aid, job opportunities, and college exploration. There are also other resources online that could aid students, but none of these things are stressed to students. So, these resources will continue to be overlooked unless staff worry less about academic classes and more about relevant skills. 

If changes aren’t made, students will continue to go into society unprepared and knowledgeable of how the world functions. They will be easily taken advantage of by other members of society, creating a generation of people that don’t know their options. This isn’t just for the benefit of newly graduated students, this is for the benefit of our future society.

California law takes steps toward a greener future

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BY MIA CALIVA

Recently, California heard the latest news on future plans to combat climate change as of September 23, 2022. 

Governor Gavin Newson and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that by 2035 a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles would be implemented in the state of California. 

This has been considered a huge success for environmentalists and their fight against climate change, but many voters are against this new ban. This ban will massively affect California environmentally and the rest of the country as well. But, with every progressive step toward a greener future, there’s always a behind-the-scenes.

An electric car from which leaves are being emitted alludes to “clean” fuel and non-carbon transportation. (MIA CALIVA/ETHIC NEWS)

Thousands of electric charging stations will be built in the decades to come to accommodate electronic transportation. Eventually, we will see that electric charging stations outnumber gas stations, and many gas station companies will even transform their gas stations into electric charging sites. 

Electric cars come in a large variety, meaning the time taken to fully charge a vehicle can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, keeping in mind possible technological advancements in the future. For this reason, many charging stations will need to be built to provide convenience and avoid traffic as drivers likely will not wait more than 10-20 minutes to charge their car. 

Naturally, we will also see home and residential charging stations becoming increasingly common.

There are currently 32 battery-electric vehicle models available in the United States. A large portion of which come from luxury brands such as Tesla, Cadillac, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. 

With the electric car market being made up mostly of luxury brands, it is evident that buying an electric car is not an accommodation many people will be able to make after 2035 and engenders the need for affordable, accessible electric vehicles. 

Thankfully, new and future innovations in technology allow for the manufacturing costs of electric vehicles to become cheaper, enabling the production of more affordable cars. The battery manufacturing costs of electric cars are estimated to go down by 77% over the next decade. 

California licensed driver and Citrus Valley high school 11th-grade student Mackenzie Cordova says that “due to the high increases of oil prices, having electric cars wouldn’t be the worst idea. It may save our economy in the future.” 

Suddenly, the fancy electric cars that seemed so unattainable will eventually be in the same price range as the average gas-powered car. 

Gas-powered cars are pictured emitting toxic greenhouse gasses with a dark background alluding to heavy air pollution. (MIA CALIVA/ETHIC NEWS)

As of 2020, 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation alone. 

The emission of greenhouse gasses worsens climate change because it traps heat within the atmosphere, thus remitting the heat back onto Earth and heating up the planet. This causes extreme weather conditions, droughts, melting of ice caps, and increased wildfires.

 In addition, greenhouse gases cause a number of health conditions, including respiratory disease caused by smog and air pollution. 

To increase our Earth’s lifespan for the benefit of its inhabitants, including ourselves, decarbonization of transportation is essential. 

Despite the fact that banning the sale of gas cars will become extremely beneficial to the health of our environment, our electric vehicle technology has not yet fully ensured clean, zero-carbon cars. Electric cars aren’t as “clean and green” as one may think. Electric vehicles are powered by lithium batteries and contain many other minerals, such as copper and nickel, that are quite costly and dirt to mine. Lithium is extracted from hard rock mines and the mining process causes 15 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for every single ton of mined lithium. 

This makes the decarbonization of transportation far less efficient than we are aiming for. If we do not find a cleaner way to manufacture these batteries, our climate change situation will stay exactly the same. As always, we are forced to rely on future innovations and technologies. 

For the sake of energy efficiency, climate change, and reduced carbon emissions, this ban will most beneficially impact our world and marks a major stepping stone for our mission in saving the planet. 

News brief: The world’s first successful planetary defense test

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BY MEANNA SMITH

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s first launch of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission was a success. The DART mission’s goal of testing a method of planetary defense against near-Earth objects was achieved. 

According to NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, DART was designed to prevent a potential doomsday meteorite collision with Earth. This space mission was not only NASA’s first planetary defense test, but also the world’s first successful planetary defense test.

The spacecraft was roughly the same size of a standard vending machine. The spacecraft crashed into an asteroid called Dimorphous on Sept. 26 at 7:14 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). 

This photo taken by the DART spacecraft pictures Didymos (a larger body which Dimorphous orbits) in the top left and Dimorphous in the bottom right corner. This photo was taken about two and a half minutes before the collision. (NASA John Hopkins APL)

Asteroid Dimorphous is about the same size as two football fields. Dimorphous is estimated by NASA officials to weigh roughly 11 billion pounds.

DART was first launched on Nov. 24 of 2021 weighing a total of 1,260 lbs. Although DART was significantly smaller than Dimorphous, speed is more important than size in space. DART was traveling at hypersonic speed when it crashed into the distant asteroid Dimorphous. 

The collision was videotaped by NASA’s Demonstration Rocket For Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) satellite camera. DRACO was able to record minutes before and minutes after the collision. 

Dimorphous posed no real threat to Earth however it provided the perfect opportunity to test the abilities of DART. Although it can’t be determined for another two months whether DART was actually able to alter the path of the asteroid or not, the collision is still considered a huge success because it hit its intended target. 

The success of the DART mission creates protection for Earth against the possibility of a tragic asteroid impact. Although this first-time success is only a small step in the direction of total safety, it proves that humanity is no longer powerless in the event of an asteroid and Earth collision natural disaster.   

Orangewood boys softball team works hard and plays hard

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By BRIANNA SHIRLEY and VINCENT CASTRO 

“Work hard, play hard and you will succeed,” says junior Jeremy Zaragoza, who plays left field for the Orangewood High School boys softball team. 

The Orangewood Dragons took their fourth win of the season at home against Citrus High School on Friday, Sept. 30.  The Dragons were down in the second inning by ten runs.  They ended up overcoming and scored a consistent 19 runs against Citrus.  The Dragons upset Citrus with a score of 19-16.

The Dragons took their fifth win against the undefeated team from Sierra High School on Wednesday, Oct. 6.  The Dragons took the lead in the first inning going up 5-0. The game ended with a Dragon victory with a score of 13-10.

If you ask the players on the team what’s the secret to their success, they talk about their close-knit team.

“We are not a team because we work together, we are a team because we respect, trust, and care for eachother,” says Orangewood junior Jesus Arana, who plays center left field.  

“Even though we may argue and yell at each other, we are still a good team and we are close like family,” says Orangewood senior Nick Boiarski, who plays right field. 

“We play as one and we win as one,” senior Samuel Bahena, who plays pitcher.  

According to Orangewood senior Alex Sanchez,  “We the best team in years.”

The Orangewood team played Glen View High School and went head to head till Glen View hit a walk-off double to seal the game 19-18 giving Orangewood a loss.

Orangewood boys softball team made it to the playoffs this season. They played against Val Verde and was devastated 18-6 being first round exits.

Senior Andrew Gonzalez, senior Sol Ramirez and junior Jeremy Zaragoza jog off the Orangewood High School softball field. This was after the second inning the boys were coming in from getting three straight outs against Slover high school on Sept. 14. (Brianna Shirley/ Ethic News photo)

Orangewood High School seniors Alex Sanchez, Jose Hernandez and Nicholas Boilarski celebrate taking a win against Citrus High School on Sept. 30. (Brianna Shirley/ Ethic News photo)

Pictured from left to right: Orangewood High School Senior Ivan Navarro, senior Sol Ramirez, senior David Garcia, senior Victor Garcia, senior Axel Gonzalez, senior Samuel Bahena, senior Andrew Gonzalez, junior Jesus Arana, senior Nicholas Boiarski, senior Jose Hernandez, senior Alex Sanchez, and junior Chase Bass. The team watches the Dragon girls softball team compete at Orangewood High School. (Ethic news photo)

Pictured from left to right: Senior Adrian Marroquin, senior Jose Hernandez, senior Giovanni Galvan, senior and team manager Jennifer Castro, senior Axel Gonzalez, senior David Garcia, senior Vincent Castro, senior Alex Sanchez, senior Azariah Williams, junior Jeremy Zaragoza, senior Sol Ramirez, junior Chase Bass, senior Jack Bryan, senior Andrew Rosas, senior Nicholas Boiarski, and coach Mark Perkins. The team took a win against Slover High School on Sept. 14. (Brianna Shirley/ Ethic News photo)

Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade after fifty years

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By NADIA CENICEROS AND MARSHALL SCOTT

The Supreme Court confirmed the right to have an abortion in the case of Roe v Wade on Jan. 22, 1973. On June 20, 2022, it was overturned. 

The vote

Five out of the nine supreme justices chose to overturn the law for abortions. The members of the Court who voted on the overturn included Samuel Alito, Clarence Thoman, Niel Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. 

State variations

According to politico.news out of the 50 states in the United States,  California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine have protections for abortions. The remaining states have either already decided to ban or are in the decision to. 

The reproductiverights.org has an interactive map that shows different state policies on abortion.

Consequences

The states that have implanted the no abortion laws have varying consequences for the mother who was found guilty of having an abortion. 

Ohio and Alabama have a penalty of jail time up to one year. 

South Dakota and South Carolina have jail time for up to two years. 

North Carolina has a three year jail sentence with an unknown fine. 

Idaho, North Dakota, Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma have up to five years. States with up to ten years are Mississipi, Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia and Georgia. States with up to 14 years are Wyoming. 

States with up to 15 years are Utah, Wisconsin, Missouri and Tennessee. 

In Texas, a person can serve up to life for having and abortion. 

Across state lines

In many instances, pregnant people who want to terminate their pregnancy but are in a state that does not allow abortions have to cross state lines into a state that does allow abortions. 

According to NPR, one example of this is the ten-year old from Ohio, who was pregnant, and had to go to Indiana to terminate her pregnancy. The doctor was then harassed for preforming the abortion. 

Terms to know

The Supreme Court is a court that is in charge of ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under the law. The Supreme Court is made up of nine people. The chief justice, John Roberts, and the eight associate justices, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Elena Kargan, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Bret Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

An abortion is a medical procedure to terminate a fetus, typically done within the first trimester of a pregnancy. Many things can effect the choices of having an abortion, in some choices it may not even be what the mother wants. One of many examples of needing an abortion, is an ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg grows outside the mother’s womb, leading to major health issues and a potential death of both the mother and fetus.

From the beginning of legalizing abortions, there have been two separate groups, pro-choice and pro-life. 

Pro-choice means you advocate on the decision whether mothers can choose to go through with a pregnancy or the choice to terminate the fetus. 

Pro-life is when you advocate against the idea of abortions, you protest for the life of the fetus growing within the womb. The ban of abortions was ultimately decided by the supreme court.

Feature image: NADIA CENICEROS/Ethic News image

Review: Chon discography evolves and grows on you

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By CHRISTIAN CHAPPAROSA

One of the most influential math rock bands, “Chon,” is a four-person group consisting of both Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel as the lead guitarists, Nathan Camarena as the drummer, and Esiah Camarena as the bassist (although there have been different bassists throughout the years of their tours). The band started small. As younger adolescents, Mario and Erick were already extremely talented guitarists with bright futures ahead of them. This was shown beautifully with their small demo EP in 2008. They decided they wanted to do live shows, so Mario had Esiah (his brother) on board, and also taught 11-year-old Nathan (little brother) how to play drums. With everything all together, the band is official. 

2008 Demo EP: 

-Across The Spectrum

-Mountains of Creation

-Temporarily Destabilized 

-Elliptical Illuminations 

This short EP shed light on Mario and Erick’s song-composing skills at a young age. Each song displays absurd and complex riffage. One could also hear how much another math rock band, “The Fall of Troy,” influenced the band’s sound in terms of guitar tone and riff ideas. As much as I enjoy each song from this sort of EP, a particular piece stands out between the four songs. Temporarily Destabilized has incredibly catchy rhythms and jazzy solos that will stay in your head for weeks. It’s also more significant in length and progresses more than any other song within the band’s whole discography. Overall an album that stands out and gets better every listen.  

Releases created before or after the 2008 EP:

-Newborn Sun

-O.G.

-Breathe

-The Perfect Pillow 

These releases were used regularly during the band’s live sets between 2009-2013. Newborn Sun would come to have a re-recording in their 2013 album, “Newborn Sun,” and The Perfect Pillow getting a re-recording in their 2015 album, “Grow.” I thought this era of Chon was their accumulation of all of their influences, mixed with finger breaking arpeggios and interesting solos. Although these songs have no right being as good as they are, this mesh isn’t quite what I’d define for the band as a whole, since I’d regard their first 8 songs as “refreshers for those that are tired of listening to metal.”

2013 Newborn Sun: 

-Potion

-Puddle

-Fluffy

-Dew

-Bubble Dream 

-Frosting

-Newborn Sun 

With this next EP, Chon still keeps their metal influence but makes a more significant push for melodies and atmosphere with short and sweet songs for “Potion” and “Frosting.” It is also home to their most iconic piece, “Bubble Dream,” which put them on the map and a staple for the math and prog community as a whole.. Also, “Dew” has a beautiful ethereal solo, and I think everyone should listen to this song. It shows how fast Mario and Erick have improved over the past few years. 

2014 Woohoo! EP: 

-Super Potion

-Knot

-Ecco

-Sketch

-Dust

-Suda

With each new release, Chon continues evolving their music and is not afraid to take risks. When I first listened to this EP, I wouldn’t say I was much of a fan then. But over the years, I became a little upset that I never listened to this small album as much as their other works. This EP is home to an interesting batch of songs, with only pure acoustic guitar on Super Potion written by Erick and Dust by Mario. Not only this, “Ecco” would be the band’s first song to have vocals sung by their bassist at the time, Drew Palisek. All and all, this EP has exciting ideas, especially with how “Knot” and “Sketch” have such groovy ending riffs and the beautiful melodies within “Suda.” 

2015 Grow(Band’s first official album):

-Drift 

-Story

-Fall

-Book (Feat. Matt Garstka)

-Can’t wait

-Suda

-Knot

-Moon

-Splash

-Perfect Pillow

-Echo (re-recording of Ecco)

-But (Feat. Matt Garstka)

After years of growing popularity, Chon was able to sign with a record label, Sumerian Records, and debut their first official album, fully licensed. At the time of the release, there were mixed opinions regarding the album, as almost half of it was re-recorded songs. But after time, it was much more appreciated; since this was the band’s first full album, they needed to showcase some of their best stuff to reach out to people newer to the band and the genre itself. But even with the convoluted reasonings, I believe this is the band’s holy grail album. “Story” and “Splash” structure the vibe you feel while listening to this masterpiece. “Can’t Wait” would be the crowd pleaser among the community, and “Fall” is, in my opinion, a perfect song from beginning to end. This album also features guest artist, well-renowned drummer, “Matt Garstka,” from the prog-metal band, “Animals as leaders.” The two songs featuring him really do mesh well with Mario and Erick’s writing. I forgot to mention that the band’s drummer, Nathan, doesn’t yet write any of their drum tracks, as his drum mentor, Brian Evans, is the one pulling the strings. 

2017 Homey Album:

-Sleepy Tea

-Waterslide

-Berry Streets (Feat. GoYama)

-No Signal

-Checkpoint

-Nayhoo (Feat. Lophiile, Masego)

-Here and There

-The Space

-Feel This Way (Feat. Giraffage)

-Continue? 

-Glitch (Feat. ROM)

-Wave Bounce

For Chon’s second album, they’ve decided to take even bigger risks and experiment with not only their sound but do collaboration pieces with other artists. They’re using more post-processing, different balances and effects within their songs while still incorporating their roots as a math-rock band. I am a little on the fence with this album as a whole. I didn’t really enjoy the featured artists’ songs, as I don’t think the songs are nearly as catchy or memorable as their other tracks. This also goes for the ones they did create as only the band, with the exception of “Waterslide,” and “Sleepy Tea,” as they are the face of the album. I will say I’m never not impressed by how the band can make such complex and virtuosic riffs that flow so well within each of their songs. 

2019 CHON Self-Titled Album:

-Ghost 

-Cloudy

-Gift

-Visit

-Petal

-Pitch Dark

-Rosewood

-If

-Spike

-Dead End

-Thanks

-Peace

With the third and, as of currently, the band’s final album, we hit a close. In retrospect, I’m happy that this album wasn’t my introduction to Chon. As a listener since “Grow,” you feel the total weight of each song, seeing how far the band’s come. “Ghost” was probably the best choice to use for the first track. It was a hopeful introduction into the rest of the album, with Mario and Erick completely shredding on their guitars. Despite the more simplistic melodies, Chon can really incorporate intense riffs and drum fills together without breaking the song’s initial flow. With regards to “Spike,” this song was definitely written as a callback to their earlier works, literally being able to hear the main theme of “Bubble Dream” at the end of the track. And the album’s final song, “Peace” completely subverts your expectations. Every track from this album has such distinctness, being able to tell one from the other. In conclusion, Chon has never made a bad song, but I just didn’t personally enjoy this album as much as I did with their other works; it all seemed just a little surreal that this would possibly be their last album they’d make.

Q&A: Chats with Orangewood custodial and cafeteria staff

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By MATTHEW MENDES, JUSTEN NGUYEN and JOSHUA ZARATAIN

This feature does not focus on one single person at Orangewood High School, but  three: Alfred Cabral, Mynel Shelton, and Cynthia Duran. Cabral and Shelton do the custodial work and Duran does the cafeteria work. They are staff workers who don’t get as much recognition due to the jobs they do around campus, but they deserve recognition because without them the Orangewood campus wouldn’t be what it is. All of three work hard to make Orangewood a positive place for everyone.

Mynel Shelton, custodian

Mynel Shelton, custodian at Orangewood High School, stands in front of a water fall garden on the Orangewood campus, an area staff and students find peaceful. Shelton is known for being friendly and conversational with anyone he meets. (MATTHEW MENDES/ Ethic News photo)

“A lot of people say they want peace, but they don’t do the things to make peace. Just say you’re sorry and move on.”

Mynel Shelton, custodian at Orangewood High School

Matthew Mendes: What inspired you to become the person you are today?

Mynel Shelton: Initially I wanted to start working for the district. They had many departments. It was something I wanted to do. So, I applied and tested. A lot of the people that were working there were working as custodians. So naturally, I tried the position out. Working as a custodian started off as embarrassing, but it soon became very fulfilling for me. You get to know all kinds of people, students and staff. I am truly blessed working here.

Mendes: How long have you been working here and why did you choose Orangewood?

Shelton: In custodial work, the school typically chooses who they want to work there. I was selected by Orangewood to work, and accepted the position. I soon grew to love it here.

Mendes: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Shelton: Karaoke, racquetball, and chess are some of my passions in life.

Mendes: If you could have any car with money not being an issue, what car would you choose?

Shelton: I would go for an electric truck, from Rivian. Gas is too high nowadays.

Cynthia Duran, child nutrition services worker

Cynthia Duran is the child nutrition services worker that students see in the cafeteria daily for breakfast, snack and lunch at Orangewood High School. Students call her Ms. Cindy and describe her as “sweet,” “chill,” and “kind.” Orangewood custodian Mynel Shelton says that they also call her Cinderella. (Joshua Zatarain/ Ethic News photo)

“Just be kind.”

– Cynthia Duran, child nutrition services worker at Orangewood High School

Josh Zatarain: What inspired you to become the person you are today?

Cythnia Duran: My love for kids of all ages, as I used to be a daycare teacher for many years.

Zatarain: How long have you been working here and why did you choose Orangewood?

Duran: I was assigned to Orangewood and have been here for six years. When I was first assigned I didn’t want to come here but of course that changed and now I won’t leave Orangewood.

Zatarain: What do you like to do during your spare time?

Duran: I like to watch movies, read comedies. I like romance and my favorite movie is “Sleepless in Seattle.”

Zatarain: If you could have any car, with money not being an issue, what car would it be?

Duran: I would like a palisade SUV because I like SUVs.

Alfred Cabral, lead custodian

Alfred Cabral, lead custodian at Orangewood High School, stands in front of a student artwork of the school mascot. Students describe Cabral as friendly and hard-working. From before school to after school students see Cabral around campus helping people and working to keep the campus looking its best. (Justen Nguyen/ Ethic News photo)

“Enjoy it like it is because time flies fast.”

– Alfred Cabral, lead custodian at Orangewood High School

Justen Nguyen:  What inspired you to become the person you are today?

Alfred Cabral: My dad and his work ethic

Nguyen: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Cabral: I play the drums, when I was younger I played basketball, and I am also a concrete contractor.

Nguyen: How long have you been working here and why did you choose Orangewood?

Cabral: 11 years at Orangewood, because I wanted to work days instead of nights at RHS.

Nguyen: If you could have any car with money not being an issue, what car would you have?

Cabral: A Ferrari because when I was younger I had a poster of a Ferrari in my room.

Orangewood High School custodian Mynel Shelton, nutrition worker Cynthia Duran and custodian Alfred Cabral stand at the entrance of Orangewood on Texas St. in Redlands. (Matthew Mendes/ Ethic News photo)

Opinion: An open letter to all the quiet kids who need a club

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By SORA REYNOLDS

If you’re a quiet kid and need a club, you should keep reading.

I have always been one of the quiet kids.

I know how hard it is to be alone without any friends. So, maybe a club might help quiet kids like us get more friends and not be as quiet.

Some kids like to stay quiet, and that’s okay, but maybe if there were more clubs available, people might socialize better.  

Some of us are so quiet that it’s hard to make friends. But if we were around more people we had things in common with, it might make it easier.

So, if you’re in need of a club, I have some ideas. The clubs that are stated in this letter, are clubs that aren’t here yet, but should get added. If or when they do get added and you’re interested in joining, I think you should go ahead.

I’m interested in joining an LGBTQ+ and band club if they’re added.

Many people are part of the LGBTQ+ community at our school, but some are quiet kids. I myself am one of them. And I know there are others that are quiet, too. I think that if there was an LGBTQ+ club, more kids that are part of the community could socialize with each other more.

But it’s not only an LGBTQ+ club that might help quiet kids socialize more. Other clubs for people with things in common might help too.

Clubs could bring people that are alike together.

I think that a club for band people would be a good idea. If there was a club for band people, they could practice and arrange for there to be an assembly so they could play in front of the school. And maybe sometimes they could play during lunch.

But, while I may be interested in an LGBTQ+ or band club, you may disagree or even be interested in a different type of club. I got some feedback from students and they had different opinions on what clubs should or shouldn’t be made.

Some people didn’t like the idea of an LGBTQ+ club because they felt it discriminates against straight people. Others felt that LGBTQ+ clubs were okay so that people could be more comfortable with each other, express their feelings and talk to like-minded people without the fear of being made fun of.  

Some felt there shouldn’t be a band club because it would be too loud, but others felt that a band, car, or bike club would be okay.

Maybe we could have all those clubs.

All in all, what I’ve been trying to say in this letter is that, if you’re a quiet kid who needs a club, as I do, join the club! We’d be glad to have you.

Video: 50 Questions with Ethic – Wildcat Drum major chats candidly

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Interviewed by KENDRA BURDICK

Filmed by DANIELA MORA

Directed by MAURICIO PLIEGO

Come join Ethic News as they interview Redlands East Valley High School senior Jennan Foutz. Foutz responds to questions about marching band and the 2022 marching band show for the Redlands East Valley Wildcats. As always, Foutz answers fast, controversial “this or that” questions at the end of the interview.

News brief: Hurricane Ian devastates Florida residents

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By RYAN VENEGAS

This past week Hurricane Ian flooded Florida, destroying resident’s homes and causing people to feel through boats and air transportation.   

As many rescuers search for survivors Florida counts the death toll. According to Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission the death toll has risen up to at least 100 as of Oct. 3. 

“It’s just not the coast of Florida that’s been impacted. We’ve got impacts all the way through Orlando, up to the East Coast. Places like St. Augustine had devastating flooding,” said Craig Fugate, agent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Florida is not the only place to be hit by Hurricane Ian as Fuagte stated. North and South Carolina have also contributed to the death toll from the hurricane.

“Ian could financially ruin thousands of families in Florida. There’s no better way to say it,” said Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute.

There are 1.8 million households in the counties of Florida and 1.3 of them do not have federal flood insurance. This means the Hurricane will financially affect Floridians in a very negative way.

The Insurance Information Institute, an industry-funded research group, estimates that Ian has caused at least $30 billion in damage. That would make it roughly the 12th-costliest U.S. disaster since 1980, according to the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters.

Featured image is from the United States Census Bureau website.

Citrus Valley Homecoming ‘lights’ up the night

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By CITRUS VALLEY ETHIC STAFF

Citrus Valley High School had their 2022 Homecoming dance on Sep.17 on campus. According to a video posted by the Citrus Valley Associated Student Body (ASB)  class on instagram, it was their “best one yet.” The event had many activities like pool tables, a photo booth, a 360 camera, casino-style game tables, and a fro-yo truck. 

ASB stuck to their word, as there was a DJ set up with screens, lasers, fog, and music to fit the theme of the night, “All of the Lights.” The dance floor was set up in front of the E-builidng in the center of the quad. A stage set up housed the DJ with five different screens, numerous laser beams aiming in all different directions, colorful spotlights, disco balls and fog machines. These special effects combined were able to transform a normal lunch area into an unrecognizable dance floor. 

This year’s homecoming dance offered a few different options of sweet treats and finger food for all students, included in the price of the dance ticket. A frozen yogurt truck offered free, and technically unlimited, frozen yogurt in four different flavors: vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream and strawberry along with both fruit and candy toppings. Other food items included french fries and hot grilled cheese sandwiches, which provided students with some vegetarian options. 

Elysa Lebig, Citrus Valley junior, said that “everything except the french fries was good, but not worth the $75 ticket.” 

The majority of attendees enjoyed the fro-yo truck and food stands despite the long lines.

The line was long for the 360 camera, but Citrus Valley Senior Brooklyn Timm said “it was awesome” and rated it a “10/10.”

The photo booth also had a long line and Citrus Valley Senior Lily Florez enjoyed the picture quality. 

Florez also preferred the digital version “so [she] wouldn’t have to hold the physical copy of it.”

Although some students preferred the physical photos, they were still enjoyed and popular among attendees.

The commonly used game tables reappeared at this year’s Homecoming. The game tables at this year’s dance included pool, blackjack and poker. Even though there were many more tables at this year’s dance in comparison to last year, they were still packed with students who were both eager to play and eager to learn.

Hailey Barrios, Citrus Valley freshman, said, “It was very fun, very fun!”

Featured image: Citrus Valley presented their 2022 homecoming ‘All of the Lights’ on Sept. 17, 2022. (MIA CALIVA/ Ethic News Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign comes to an end

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BY NADIA CENICEROS

Former England ruler Queen Elizabeth II died on Sep. 8 at the age of 96.  The announcement was made to the public a few hours after her death by Buckingham Palace, Scotland. According to the palace, she had died peacefully at Balmoral Castle earlier that afternoon from natural causes after being bed sick just a few days earlier. The queen’s eldest son, Charles Windsor, acceded the throne that same day becoming King Charles III of England. 

Illustration of Queen Elizabeth’s II crown (Nadia Ceniceros/Ethic News Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II was born Apr. 21, 1926 and became queen of England Feb. 6, 1952 at the age of 27 until her death this year. Queen Elizabeth II reigned for over 70 years, becoming the longest serving British monarch in history. Just a year before in April of 2021, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, passed away due to his age.

Her funeral was held on Sept. 19, twelve days after her death for operation “London Bridge is Down”. The operation is a plan that once the queen passes, there would be an announcement of her death by Buckingham Palace, ten days for the people of Britain to mourn her death, and her funeral.

The funeral was held in the late morning. Members of the Royal family, such as her children and all of her grandchildren, attended the funeral. United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended the funeral along with many more countries’ royals and presidents. 

Many people said their last goodbyes to the queen and honored her and what she did for England and her people. During the funeral, her casket was carried by the courtage twenty-eight miles from London to Windsor in a car and was carried out by guards with her crown resting on top to get as many people to gather and say their final goodbyes.

French Exchange student joins Wildcat community

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By SPENCER MOORE

On Sept. 8, 2022, Spanish teacher Michael Celano hosted a luncheon commemorating the French exchange student Adèle Morin and her experiences living with Jennifer Baldwin, Redlands East Valley High School’s French Teacher. The luncheon began with introductions of everyone in attendance, including ASB advisor Jennifer Garret, a number of teachers from the foreign language department, and various student body representatives.

Students and staff gathered in Michael Celano’s classroom on Sept. 8 for a luncheon commemorating the French exchange student, Adèle Morin (Spencer Moore/ETHIC News).

Morin had an arduous journey to the United States, which began with her landing in New York City, where she and other foreign exchange students explored Times Square as their tour guide assisted them in acclimating to the different cultural and societal expectations of the United States. After their original flight to New York, the students went their separate ways, with Morin flying into the Ontario International Airport, but not before she was hit with a 12 hour delay.

Fortunately for Morin, she had been taking English language classes since the beginning of 6th grade, as per French standard. To expand her linguistic knowledge, Morin began studying the English language in her personal time, beginning with her favorite English-Language television shows on Netflix.

Track team member and REV Junior Adèle Morin, focal point of Celano’s luncheon. (Spencer Moore/ETHIC News).

For American classes, Morin stated, “My favorite class would probably be AP Psych because the teacher, Mr. Brown, is very funny”.

After high school, Morin does plan to attend a four year university, and when prompted on whether she would prefer scholarship in France or the United States, Morin said, ”I don’t know, I have the ability to do either, and in Germany as well”.

Morin further stated about schooling in France versus schooling in the United States, “For school, I definitely prefer here, because of all of the teams and clubs, it’s really cool”.

Overall, the luncheon allowed for Morin to share her story as a French exchange student, and further introduced both students and staff to a foreign culture.

California wildfires create lasting damage for wildlife and ecosystems

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By KENDRA BURDICK

Animals’ ability to see and breathe are being harshly affected by the fires that are sparking in California, along with their sources of food and shelter  being burned to ashes. While fire retardant appears to be a solution, it has the potential to create more harm than good for animals. 

The fire retardant that California uses kills fish, feeds harmful algae blooms, encourages the spread of invasive plants, and alters the chemistry of the soil.

The non-profit global organization International Fund for Animal Welfare is dedicated to rescuing animals and alerting the public about animal harm.

“North Complex wildfire in California that left more than 318,000 acres burned and displaced local wildlife like deer, bears and coyotes,” ifaw states. 

They explain how wildfires burn different plastics and non-natural materials and the residue of this has heavy run-off of toxins that can contaminate bodies of water. This means animals in the water and those who drink from that water source are killed.

These statistics are a combination of wildfires responded to by CAL FIRE in both the Local Responsibility Area and the State Responsibility Area under contract with the department, as well as federal fire agencies reported in the National Situation Report. (KENDRA BURDICK/ Ethic News image)

The Cal Fire website, a government site of fire records accessible to the public, states “These fires have claimed at least seven humans and an unreported and inconceivable number of foxes, rabbits, deer, frogs, mice, coyotes, and other animals who were smoked out of their homes and burned alive,” explaining that with all of the fires animals are dying and being endangered.

If the animals didn’t die from the fires then they died from their habitats being destroyed. Food sources are often contaminated or destroyed during wildfires, leaving animals with no choice but to enter new territories beyond their home range. As the animals travel in search of food and habitat, they are at risk of additional threats like vehicles running them over or hitting them, attacks from domestic pets kept by humans, and new predators that they haven’t met before.

Ecologists begin to fear that the fires could inflict lasting damage on species and ecosystems tying in with the Climate Clock, the clock that tells humans when the climate damage is irreversible, and the science behind it. In particular, the ecologists worry about the loss of habitat and how that could imperil species with small restricted ranges or populations, and that incinerated ecosystems will fail to rebound in a warming climate. This could end up leading to permanent landscape changes.

“We are in uncharted territory here, and we just don’t know how resilient species and ecosystems will be to wildfires of the magnitude, frequency, and intensity that we are currently experiencing in the U.S. West,” says S. Mažeika Patricio Sullivan, an ecologist at the Ohio State University, Columbus.

Rob Jordan of Stanford News explains how the study “Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment” says that “We need to start with a focus on people and communities: reduce the flammability of existing homes, invest in fuel breaks and similar natural fire-prevention infrastructure around communities, and restore a lower intensity fire regime in California wildlands.”

All of these fires that are sparking in California are hurting animals and burning their habitats, and the way we stop the fires is hurting everything even worse. Though, if California contacts the people and gets them to reduce the flammability, humans might be able to save these animals and habitats.

Feature image: KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News image

Wildcats welcome back Assistant Principal Heidi Van Deventer

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By ALEX VERDUZCO

Heidi Van Deventer is the newest addition to staff here at Redlands East Valley High School as the  new assistant principal. This is not her first time teaching at REV and worked during its first two years teaching summer school. Until prior to this year, she worked locally at Moore Middle School as vice principal for eleven years. At Moore her career expanded to include teaching sixth grade math, science, eighth grade algebra and English Language Development (ELD) as well as seventh grade social studies. Her background also includes being a math teacher on assignment for two years, principal of AAA Academy of Redlands, summer school teacher at Clement and Department Chair of math. 

Redlands East Valley High School’s Vice Principal Van Deventer poses in her office in front of her wall of inspirational quotes to keep her motivated during the school day on September 8, 2022. (GEFFREY ACOSTA/ETHIC Photo)

How do you hope to positively affect the staff and students here at REV?

When I’m out there [front school gates] in the morning before school starts I like to greet the students coming into school with a smile and a wave to change their day and to possibly be someone to come and talk to. No one is perfect, not even myself, and everyone can improve.

What is your motivation in life?

My parents said that education is a gateway to college. I am a first generation college graduate in my family. They said to open up doors by reading and to always continue reading books for more knowledge.

If you could leave your high school self a message, what would it be? 

Get involved more as a freshman and sophomore, do not wait until your junior and senior years to start getting involved in clubs.

*Follow up* How would you describe your high school years?

I attended an all- girls Catholic high school in San Diego, California and I loved it. It was a different high school experience than REV, but I liked that appearance didn’t nearly matter as much and it was very comfortable going to school there. I was also the ASB historian and I played right field on the Varsity softball team. I enjoyed high school but college was an easier experience for me.

Where did you attend college?

I went to Cal Poly Humboldt State and Point Loma Nazarene University after high school. I love math and I even tested out of math in college but I took them anyway as electives.

Which hobbies and/or interests would you like to share with students to take interest in?

I like watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. I have always been interested in sports and I consider myself sports-minded. I also really like ceramics. I started becoming interested in high school and throughout college but I don’t make any ceramics anymore, I mostly just watch TV programs.

What are the highlights of your career?

The highlights of my career would be when I get to have students on campus and know that I taught their parents previously at Moore or Clement and see them around the school. Overall being able to see that my previous students now have successful jobs in life. Also seeing them succeed and do well in school is always a great thing.

Any words of wisdom for the students at REV?

I would tell them to believe in themselves. I am an open book and I have an open-door policy. The students are always welcome to stop by and chat.

What guided you to this career choice? 

I have always wanted to be a teacher. Even when I was a kid I loved to play school and pretend to be the teacher. However, it wasn’t until I started teaching at Clement that I had decided to go into administration.

Correction: Ethic News incorrectly published information in the original Sept. 27 posting of this article stating that Heidi Vandeventer taught English. Heidi Vandeventer was math department chair at Moore and Clement. She taught eighth grade algebra and English Language Development, but not English. The article was updated to reflection this correction at 2:29 pm on Sept. 28.

Ariana Grande releases new chapter For her beauty line r.e.m Beauty

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BY NADIA CENICEROS

American pop singer and actress, Ariana Grande, is now a beauty brand owner. Besides creating music and acting, Grande released her own makeup and skincare brand, “r.e.m beauty”. These beauty launches are released in chapters, most recently, chapter four has been launched. Grande’s makeup line is being sold exclusively at Ulta Beauty stores nationwide. 

 r.e.m. beauty at a local Ulta Beauty store. All products retail over $15. (NADIA CENICEROS/Ethic News Photo)

Chapter one is named “Ultraviolet” and was released on Nov. 12, 2021. In this chapter,  lip glosses, mascara, fake eyelashes, eye pencils, eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, and lipsticks are featured. On Aug. 12, 2022, an expansion pack for chapter one was released, including eyebrow gel, eyebrow pencils, and multi-use eye sticks.

Chapter two is named “Goodnight & Go” mainly focusing on skincare in contrast to chapter one, which mainly focuses on makeup. Chapter two was released on Mar. 21, 2022, and features the products “Cooling Blurring Under Eye Balm”, “Common Face Mist”, and “Lash and Brow Boosting Serum”. Cream blushes, eyeshadows, and eyeliner are also a part of the collection. 

Chapter three, “On Your Collar” was released on June 16, 2022 and mainly focuses on lip products. In this chapter, a liquid lipstick, lip pencil, mascara, lip stain marker, lip oil, and eyeshadow are featured.

Chapter four was the latest release on July 28, 2022. Named “Out Of Body”, the main focus of this chapter is concealer. Grande has released sixty concealer shades, including a black and white concealer to mix with other shades and create a better fitting tone. Grande’s “r.e.m. beauty” has the highest number of concealer shades featured in a beauty brand, beating Rihanna’s “Fenty Beauty” with fifty shades of concealer.

The theme of the brand is celestial, with the majority of products having a space themed name. All products in the brand are vegan, cruelty free, paraben free, and recyclable. Many of these products also have multi-use, making the brand even more eco-friendly.

Many fans were surprised about the launch of the makeup brand. Grande had not released any music since her “Positions” album in late October of 2020, which started to worry fans about her continuing to make music. Because of the absence of new music, a beauty brand seemed far from possible. Grande’s line has been trending on all social media platforms since launching last year and has since become very popular.

Teacher Feature Q&A: Karen Knudson Wilson welcomes students to Orangewood

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By STEPHANIE ELENA PEREZ

Karen Knudson Wilson, is a teacher at Orangewood High School. She teaches American Government and OASIS. OASIS stands for Orientation, Assessment, Study Skills, Insight, Success. Every student who attends Orangewood, starts by taking the OASIS class for three weeks with Wilson and Stephanie Sachs, Foods and OASIS teacher. OASIS is an introduction class where students learn about the school, themselves and each other. For example, Wilson guides students through writing an essay about themselves, such as where they grew up, the school they came from and other topics. Students see Wilson as a caring teacher, and OASIS teachers as the “moms” of new students at Orangewood.

Wilson answer questions about her teaching career, interests, and people who influenced her.

How many years have you been teaching?

Wilson: I have been teaching for 14 years. Prior to teaching I was a school administrator and counselor. 

If you were able to choose a different career path would you still choose to teach or would you choose something else?

I really love being a teacher. Knowing I have a positive impact on young people means so much to me. I’d very likely choose being an educator all over again, even though I had the chance to go to law school.

Have you had a different job besides teaching?

Yes! I started out my career as an elementary school counselor and was then promoted into school administration overseeing counseling and intervention programs for a neighboring school district. When I became a mom I took some time off and returned to education (as a teacher) so I could be on the same schedule as my children.

What do you enjoy about being able to teach students?

I love the day to day fun teaching brings. Everyday is different, and it’s definitely never dull. What I enjoy most about educating students is helping them realize the decisions they make today will impact their future. 

What made you want to teach?  

I grew up with a mom who worked in public education for over 30 years. Seeing the impact she made on kids made me want to have a career with a purpose like that, too.

Did you have role models growing up? 

My parents were amazing role models. My dad served in the military, went to school at night, coached little league and still managed to make time for his family everyday. My mom took care of all of us and always made time to take us to practice, our games and the events with our friends. 

If so how were you influenced by them?

The best thing they did for me and my brothers is give us their time. It really shaped who I became as a person and a parent myself.

If you could, what advice would you give students?

Put down your cell phones. Try not to spend so much time watching everyone else’s life go by that you forget to live your own.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

I love, love, love to travel and have been fortunate enough to visit many places around the world. I’d really like to make it to Bali and Greece someday…places by the water make me very happy. I also like to experience different cultures and foods.

Do you speak another language? If so what language do you speak and if you don’t, what language would you like to learn?

I know a little bit of Spanish and some ASL. I really wish I knew more!

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t teaching? Do you have hobbies, interests?

When I’m not teaching I love to travel, read, cook and spend time with my family.

Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish?

I would really like to move home closer to my parents. I’d also like to live by the beach someday and retire when there’s still plenty of time left to play and enjoy my life.

Is there something you would want people to know about you?

Playing little league baseball growing up and softball in high school led to a wonderful opportunity for me to attend college – I was the first person in my family to graduate.

Soul Food Fest unites students and Redlands community with Black culture

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By MEANNA SMITH

Stronger Together Now, a community outreach organization, hosted their second Soul Food Fest on Sept. 11 at Ed Hales Park in Downtown Redlands. This event was sponsored by Chase Bank.

Stronger Together Now, the organizers of the event, set up a booth with an inspiring promotional banner advocating against racism and other prejudices. At this booth, t-shirts and tote bags could be purchased and a donation jar was available for people who would like to see more events like this in the Redlands  community.  (Ethic News photo)

This festival gives many Black owned businesses and organizations a chance to showcase their products or services. This festival was also a great way for the Black community to be recognized in the city of Redlands. The Soul Food Fest gave the local high school club Black Student Union a chance to connect with each other while also connecting with the community and its citizens.

Showcasing a game booth table with cup stacking and cards, various Redlands Unified School District Black Student Union members work together at the Soul Food Festival on Sept. 11. Students from Redlands, Redlands East Valley, Citrus Valley and Orangewood High Schools were present at the event.  (Photo courtesy of Quinkitha O’Neal)

Some of the businesses that were present during the festival were House of Purvian Cookie, Brooklyn’s Bakery Bites, Delviccio’s BBQ SmokeHouse, Asdelina’s Agua Frescas, and most popularly known, The WingMan. Citrus Valley, Redlands, Redlands East Valley and Orangewood High Schools all had BSU clubs present at the festival. 

The House of Peruvian Cookie at the Soul Food Festival was a popular choice among the many food booths, selling many desserts and cookies. The House of Peruvian Cookie is mainly located in Santa Clarita and is a cookie selling business based on Peruvian desserts. (Kevin Kambey/Ethic News photo)

Andrew Simmons, senior from Orangewood High School’s BSU, said, “ I really enjoyed seeing other schools’ Black Student Unions and helping all the different booths set up.”  

Jazz Daughtrey, a junior at Citrus Valley High School, attended the festival with the Citrus Valley’s BSU and said she loved “the soul food fest and seeing the Black culture.” 

“The food was amazing and I love how welcoming the other Redlands BSU clubs were,” said Daughtrey.

Another member of Citrus Valley’s BSU, sophomore Kalaya Felton, stated, “The shirts that people were selling were so beautiful and everything was so well put together. The soul food festival was just overall awesome.”

Various activities were available to participate in during the festival. These activities included spades and dominos contests, music, and food competitions. The food competition consists of three different categories: best main dish, best side dish, and best dessert. 

The award for best main dish was given to The WingMan with his lemon pepper wings, the winner for best side dish was Papa’s BBQ for their mac n cheese, and lastly the winner for best dessert was Still Standn Barbq with their famous banana pudding. 

The winners of the competition were awarded a certificate of appreciation as well as an additional prize. Spades and dominos winners were awarded a customized domino or card set. 

While the judges were tasting food from all the different food competition competitors, Kologbo Daughtrey gave a live performance on his soprano saxophone. He played a variety of songs including “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. 

The Soul Food Festival had a mission of bringing the Black community and all people in Redlands together to bond and unite as one. 

Redlands citizen Kaylee Doll, junior at Citrus Valley, stated, “I think the Soul Food Festival was really a pure, safe, and fun environment and it was a great way to spend my Sunday afternoon.” 

Disney’s D23 expo brings exciting news to disney fans

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BY ANNETTE ALFARO

From Sept. 9 to 11 of 2022, Disney held their D23 Expo in the Anaheim Convention Center where they made various announcements on upcoming movies and tv shows. In the span of three days, companies including Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucas film, 20th Century Studios, and Disney revealed many of their upcoming movies and revealed what they had planned for the next few years.
Day one of the expo started with the Disney Legends Award Ceremony which also served as the launch for Disney 100 Wonder, which celebrates Disney’s 100th anniversary. The celebration then continued with Broadway performers reprising their roles in Aladdin, The Lion King and Frozen. Bob Chapek, The Walt Disney Company CEO, was then introduced and brought on stage where he surprised guests and fans with a first look at Disney 100 Years of Wonder. Additionally, Chapek announced that the Avengers Campus in California Adventure was going to be expanded. At the end of the awards ceremony there was a surprise performance by the cast of Disney’s Encanto where they sang “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” 

D23 logo surrounded by sparkles emphasizes new magic that awaits (ANNETTE ALFARO/ETHIC NEWS)

Day two was so large that they had to split it up into two presentations that included various panels featuring actors, directors, and producers who discuss their upcoming projects. Alan Bergman, the chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, reflected upon the 13-year history of the D23 expo as well as the evolution of the studio. Fans and guests were also surprised with various clips and trailers from upcoming Marvel, Pixar, 20th Century and Lucasfilm movies and tv shows. In addition, it was announced that The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder would be available next year. Along with that announcement, many actors and actresses shared their thoughts and hopes for the future. 

Day three, the final day of the expo, included the last few panels and discussions included various anniversary celebrations. The last “40 years of Tron” and the 31st season of Dancing with the Stars was celebrated among everyone who attended the D23 expo. There was also a Kim Possible Reunion between the show’s stars Christy Carlson Romano and Will Friedle. Fans were also surprised when the voice cast of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder appeared on stage and did a live table read and introduced guest stars that will appear on the show. The highly anticipated Live Disney Princess Concert also occurred and featured many performers and classic, beloved songs from popular Disney films. 

Overall the expo allowed Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Lucas film fans alike to experience a weekend of celebration, entertainment, and joy.

Categories A&E

Opinion: Homophobia growing at Redlands East Valley

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By SERENITY PALMERIN

Redlands East Valley students vandalized a single-use restroom stall in the Performing Arts wing. No further action is known to be done. (Credit / Emerald Gonzalez)

The school year started only a few weeks ago, and there have already been several hateful and homophobic incidents directed toward LGBTQ+ students at Redlands East Valley High School. The largest of which was the band room vandalism that occurred on the second day of school in the Performing Arts wing. Several students tagged the bathroom door, the bulletin, and the choir door with vandalism that included several homophobic slurs and threats. The vandalism included the following statements, “You’re all gay,” “LGBTQ is a mental illness,” and “lock your doors.”

Further vandalism of the Performing Arts building causes distress amongst LGBTQ+ students at REV. (Credit / Emerald Gonzalez)

According to an interview that occurred on August 25 with Brian Hollett, the band and orchestra teacher, and Emerald Gonzalez, the theater technician, this was not the only incident that targeted students in performing arts.

Hollett stated,  “On the first day of school, a burrito was thrown down the hall at the music students. On the second day, as the band was marching to the quad, food was being thrown at them, and they were also being yelled at by other students. I decided not to have the students perform and as we were walking back, someone threw milk in the halls. On Friday morning the bathroom door, the bulletin, and the choir door were vandalized. Stuff was swiped off the window and onto the floor.”

During this interview, they stated why they think the band room vandalism was able to happen and who could have caused it. 

“Who is doing something about this? Is security doing anything? Is the admin doing anything? School culture allows it,” Hollett said. “If the football players were being harassed I don’t think they’d be like ‘oh well.’ It’s a political touchstone, we live in what has been a pretty conservative area. Nobody was caught and the security camera only captured the top of their head. The band room was robbed two years ago and the camera only caught the top of their head.“

Gonzalez added, “I went to admin right away and we want to find who these kids are, and punish them, there need to be consequences. The fact there was no security footage or anyone who could punish them, you don’t have any proof as to who they were. We looked at security footage for what we could, to find out who was here, they haven’t seen.”

They gave their opinion on what they would like to be done about homophobia on campus. Hollet stated, “We just want this behavior to stop. I don’t want my students to feel unsafe. ‘Lock your doors’ what does that mean? I don’t know who’s out there and what their intentions are.”

Gonzalez added, “We’re not asking for everyone to hold our hands and be friends, but don’t say those things and keep it to yourself. The change is coming. The admin is all on your side.”

After the interview, a Google Form was posted on several Google Classrooms. Results of the survey were gathered from 28 REV students including members of the band, Pride Club, and other consenting students. The form inquired about their experiences with homophobia if any at all. 14% of the students surveyed said that either themselves or a loved one has been bullied for their sexuality or gender identity at REV, and half of those students fall under the transgender umbrella. Most of those students also answered that they had been bullied by other students at REV.

However, when asked to give a summary of their bullying experience, Kris Garcia, a junior at REV answered, “although it wasn’t explicit bullying per say, I’ve experienced a lot of discrimination from many of my teachers, especially during freshman year.” 

The survey also asked the students if they have ever changed a part of themselves to combat homophobia, Kris Garcia continued, “I changed my name and email to my preferred name so that teachers couldn’t use that excuse anymore.”


More responses from the survey were collected from students such as Lauren Wasmuth, a junior at REV who said, “It should be brought up with school administration because it is a serious issue. Punishment should be done to the people who are bullying. People can’t control their sexuality and they should not be bullied for something they can’t control or change.” 

Kris Garcia said, “I think reports of homophobia should be taken more seriously.”

 Tegan Foutz, a Sophomore at REV said, “Tell the students at REV that any form of bullying will not be allowed no matter what it is for.” 

Of all the students who responded to this survey, 50% answered that they were not sure if homophobia is a problem at REV, 21.4% answered that it is not, while 28.6% answered that homophobia is a problem at REV.

Many of these students expressed distrust toward the administrators and felt that they needed to take more action. Homophobia is rampaging at REV and few of the participants are facing the consequences of their actions. 

The fact that the camera system in the Performing Arts wing was not changed after it failed to catch the identity of the thieves, who robbed the band room two years prior is unacceptable. This is precisely the reason why the individuals who vandalized the Performing Arts wing have not been caught.

Security needs to be more diligent, punishments need to be enforced, participants need to be caught, and students need to be aware of the discrimination on campus as well as the consequences of bullying. 

The safety of LGBTQ+ students at REV is being threatened and their cries are not being answered, very little is being done to ensure their safety or prevent any further incidents. Students are being mocked, threatened, and terrorized daily on campus, losing their faith in staff due to their idleness. The lack of action from the administration and poor safety measures such as the security camera system all contribute to why homophobia is a problem on campus. This problem needs to be solved. 

Change needs to come, it needs to come from the actions of the staff who are supposed to protect the students. It also needs to come from the students who can either speak out or change their behavior for the better. 

If you are an LGBTQ+ student who has been bullied at REV, you are not alone. You are worthy, you are valid, and you are loved. It is important to speak out about your experiences to make a difference. All it takes is one voice, one tune, to start a symphony of change.

OHS Staff: Christian Chapparosa

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Christian Chapparosa is a 17 year old senior at Orangewood High School. He is a middle child in an average family. He purposefully keeps a shy demeanor, as he is content with being by himself. He is not anti-social, but introverted. Christian also really likes to sleep, because awakening from a nap or sleep feels like being reborn.