Category: Senior Editor Final Columns

BY LAURYN BEST

As I approach what is commonly considered the end of childhood, it’s inevitable that I’ll  look back on my past four years at Citrus Valley. I’ve learned a lot, not just academically, but about myself. I realize I had a lot of misconceptions about a lot of different things. I’d like to take the time to explore and explain some of those things to my younger self in my last column as Editor in Chief of  Ethic News.

Procrastination: You’ll never quite get over this one. In fact, you’ll get worse. I’m not just talking about homework. Things get hard, and sometimes you’ll be in rough situations that you’d really feel better off ignoring for the time being. But some things can’t wait forever, and opportunities will pass you by time and time again if they’re not taken care of promptly.

Friendships: Truthfully the ones you make at this point in your life may not be the long lasting type, but that’s okay. What’s important is that you give your all in these friendships, but if the other person doesn’t want to do the same it’s okay to walk away. You’re worth a lot more than one sided relationships. And sometimes people may hurt you unintentionally or otherwise, but that has nothing to do with you. You’ll have no regrets if you know that you did all that you could.

Respect: Everyone is worthy of it, even if they don’t give it back to you. Your teacher’s deserve it, staff members deserve it, and your peers deserve it. This is not only with words, but also your actions: raising your hand in class, going to the attendance office when you’re late like security asks, or something simple like holding the door open for another student.
This is something you’ll fail at in many ways, but it is always something to strive for.

Compassion: Sometimes your teacher might be having a bad day and it can feel personal when they take it out on you, or a student may be having a hard time at home, and didn’t get their part of the assignment done and you didn’t know. A lot of the times there is no possible way that you could have known these things, but to at least imagine yourself in their situation is a good start.

Gratefulness: For your teachers, your friends, another day that you get to be alive. It’s easy to lose sight of all the things you have and focus on what you don’t. It’s really no way to live, and you could only end up hurting others and yourself if you don’t recognize this. Things may seem hard, but trust me when I say they get easier.

Self Love: This will be a constant battle for the rest of your life most likely. It’s no fun when you don’t exactly like what you see in the mirror, or you can’t stop thinking about that dumb joke you told that no one laughed at. But truly loving others comes from within. You are strong, intelligent, and capable. Another person’s version of success does not have to be yours and that’s perfectly okay. Comparing yourself to others is no use as we all created to be unique.

Highs school is an important time for everyone. I’ll always be thankful to Citrus Valley and Ethic News in particular for being the best place for me to spread my wings.

BY SAVANNA PATINO

An Open Letter to a Lost Friend

Dear Friend,

I decided to write this because now it has been one year without you in my life. Here’s what you missed:

Denial
I still remember the moment I heard. I received a text saying you were in the hospital. My heart stopped. I felt sick for a completely different reason than why I had stayed home from school that day. After that moment, my life stood still and became a blur at the same time. The next few days were filled with hospital visits, memorials, prayers, crying, confusion, shock, and disbelief. School became less important and friendships took over. Everyone I knew put their lives on hold and banded together for comfort. You were in the hospital for two days and I still did not believe it. I did not understand how something like this could happen to us. We continued to say you would pull through and be okay, even though we did not quite believe it. And on that Monday, I could not accept the fact that you were gone. You weren’t gone, you couldn’t be gone. Nothing seemed right. My body had put my prior sickness on hold, but it came back stronger than before. I had to push myself to continue life without you.

Anger
I was furious. I was absolutely trembling with fury that this had to happen at this moment. Why did you have to leave like this? Why did you hurt us like this? I was mad at you for hurting everyone I cared about. I was mad at my family for trying to comfort me. I was mad at my friends for being mad at you, and I was mad at myself for being mad at you too. And, I was infuriated at everyone else. I was constantly told that everything would be okay. How could everything be okay when you were not here with us any longer? How can you expect me to continue on with my life when a piece of it has been ripped away from me?  How could my teachers ask me to keep my grades up? How could other students continue on planning for their futures when you couldn’t? And how the hell was I going to be okay? I was not okay. I would never be okay. I refused to be okay.

Bargaining
Days and weeks passed, and all I wanted was more time with you. I wished I had gone on that late night pizza run when you invited me that one time but I was too tired to go. I wished I had hugged you at that last practice we had together. I wished I had said I love you the last time I saw you. I wished you were still here with me. If only I had seen your hurting, if only I had seen your pain, maybe you would still be here. Maybe you wouldn’t be gone. I spoke at your memorial, and I recounted the good times and the bad. I spoke about our trip to Seaworld, the sleepovers, your love of One Direction, and the songs we used to sing. I told mostly about the song we sang with the orchestra at the homecoming pep rally our sophomore year, “For Good” from the famous musical Wicked. I talked about how this song truly resembles my feelings for you and that “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

Depression
After eleven years of having you in my life, my daily routine was tainted without you. When we used to carpool to school, we walked together into the school daily; now I am forced to walk that same way alone. When we had practices, your optimism and enthusiasm lightened up everyone’s mood; now it all seems dull. When we would walk by eachother, you would smile and hug me; now all the hugs I get are meant to comfort me from losing you. I felt lost and extremely alone. But I finished my Junior year of high school, took my AP Exams, ran for leadership for the new year (I got colorguard captain, like you always said I would), toured colleges, took summer school, got ready for the new year, and continued missing you. All the while, I felt empty. I plastered a smile on my face for months and attempted to live my life as close to before as possible. But I was tired. I lost the desire to work as hard in school and in the extra-curricular activities I was in. Without you, everything seemed bleak and pointless.

Acceptance
This last year has been the hardest year of my life. I took my hardest classes, applied for colleges (been accepted and rejected), took on more leadership positions, filled my schedule to the brim, and had to do all of this without you. Now it has been a year, and I am still not okay. I don’t think I will ever be okay, but I think that is okay. My life will never be the same, and while I wish I had more time with you, I am grateful for the time I did have. I am truly honored to be able to say you were my best friend for eleven years- eleven whole years filled with laughter, joy, and love. I hate that it had to end, but I understand that we can do nothing but move on. I will continue missing you for the rest of my life. And, I will live my life continuing to keep you in my heart. I want to make you proud, because knowing you really has made me into the person I am. And of course, because I knew you, I really, really have been changed for good.

With love,
S

BY JASMYN GONZALEZ

There are many different types of teachers. There are the teachers that are easy to talk to; easy to be honest and real with. There are the teachers that want nothing to do with students after the bell rings; the ones that could care less about their students or their grades. Other teachers that do everything they can to make sure that every student passes but sadly are usually taken advantage of, and the teacher that doesn’t see you for who you are beyond your grade. I would like to point out a few things that teachers maybe never seem to really notice that is right in front of them.  

 To begin, I would like to touch up on the different students that roam around school everyday. There are many students who face different hardships everyday that both students and teachers don’t even know about. There are students who have it very very easy, such as having loving parents and a strong bond with their siblings; they are well off financially and emotionally and mentally stable as well. However, there are also students who don’t have it so well. It would take forever to give various examples as every student has a rare and unique situation.

 Any school year is a difficult challenge for both students and teachers to be consistently dedicated to learning or teaching something new everyday and to continue going at that pace even if they didn’t understand the last lesson. For teachers, learning different techniques and having patience with their students can at times be challenging and I’m sure also a bit discouraging. Although it is their job to educate students, I feel it is also their responsibility to realize changes within their students.

Teachers should understand that there are some students who struggle with school because of their circumstances, and they cannot always simply be resolved with a tutoring session or with extra time after class. There are students who don’t look forward to going home, who have to work and pay rent even though it may be illegal for parents to charge a minor for necessities. For these students, school and their school work is the last thing on their mind.

I wish teachers could see that, I wish teachers could empathize for that. I am not saying that these students deserve an easier road or an easy way out from all the school work and from all the tests and studying that school is going to command; I am saying that school involves so much more than academics. It is something that all try to conquer or at least dream of conquering, and if a student is blocked from that because of their personal circumstances, how is it fair that the teacher judges who that person is because of their grade? I am not saying that these students need pity, or that they need to be treated like they are handicapped. I am acknowledging that it is unfair, and that is just a fact. Grades show only the surface of a student’s integrity and commitment to life.  The devotion a student may have to working hard at their after school job or, volunteering at an organization can show more of what they are made of instead a letter grade that represents their academic abilities.

Going throughout this school year in itself, I have faced many challenges personally; physically, emotionally, and academically. If I looked back at what I learned, I know that I definitely learned how much grades truly matter and how important school is. Something else I also learned is that life is not at all like school; sometimes, even when you put work into something, it falls apart and that doesn’t mean that it is wrong; it is just the way of this world. From having two jobs, three AP classes, medical challenges, and obstacles outside of school, what really surprised me the most was that one of my teachers who definitely had multiple chances to see a change…had no clue. He didn’t even know that I had a job and I don’t mean to sound like teachers should remember everything but, I had invited him to have a free meal before. It was shocking that he didn’t know. I feel like that is where most teachers lack awareness; simply noticing changes. Because in my eyes, changes symbolize cries for help.

So, just as teachers have a life of their own and it’s weird to run into them at the local grocery store, there are students who have begun to feel the stress of the “real world”, there are students who face responsibilities most students don’t have to even think about until they are years into college.

As my final time writing to you, my readers, I would like to thank you for listening to what I have to say. I am a student who has changed so much over this year and being a part of the Ethic Newspaper staff not only gave me a reason to look forward to school, but allowed me to gladly and happily practice my first amendment rights as a journalist. I have made some of the closest friends within this group of strangely dedicated students with scattered and random personalities, and I am most grateful that I had the privilege to write a column. I have definitely learned to grow up in many things, and I hope you have enjoyed reading whatever it was that I might have felt like sharing; let’s hope this new chapter offers much more. Good bye my dear reader.

This column was written at the beginning of the week of publication. As a journalist, I felt it was my responsibility to inform the teacher I mentioned earlier in this passage that I was writing of him in my final column. So, I went to explain to him how I felt his awareness could have been helpful.

As can be expected, stepping into his room to tell him this was quite awkward; I was about to tell my teacher that I felt he wasn’t doing a good job watching out for his students. So, I approached him and explained what it was that I have experienced and why I changed so much and how it was probably the most evident in his class. I even asked him if he had noticed anything different about me and he admitted that he didn’t.

As I explained to him that I felt he could have helped if he acknowledged anything that had changed about me, he had me sit down and explained how his life was much similar to the events that had taken place in mine so far. He stated that he wonders at times, why he chose this career path if he doesn’t obtain the gift some teachers have of realizing when a student is changing or going through hard times in life.

He gave me so much insight on this whole issue that I realized this is a mutual issue. Teachers don’t know their students, and students don’t know their teachers outside of their performance at school. I don’t feel like pointing the finger at the teachers is the best thing to do; I think that students and teachers should both be aware of each other and consider that there is a lot more going on than we see.
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After having this conversation with my teacher, I realized that we are all human beings; we all have it deep down within us to help others but are either too hesitant or embarrassed to say anything. I wish it wasn’t that way. Every teacher is a great teacher to try and educate children and every student is a person who has feelings and a life outside of homework. I would like to let him know, because I know that he’ll be reading this, that he
is not a bad person or a bad teacher for not being aware. I have also realized that there is so much I don’t know about all of my teachers, that I couldn’t possibly point the finger at him for something I myself am at fault for. It wouldn’t be right, or valid for that matter. This is an update on what I believed a few days ago. Now I say my final goodbye to my readers. This time I mean it; I have enjoyed this experience so much. Thank you and I wish you luck on your future journeys.

By KAYLAN ENGE

I never would have guessed that I would end up writing publicly.

When I was a kid I hated being told what to write; I still do actually. I strongly dislike writing essays and answering homework questions that require me to explain how I got my answer. However, I do truly enjoy being able to freely write what I want. That’s something that joining this group has taught me.  

Occasionally when I was younger I would write stories that were for pure entertainment. But I used to get frustrated because I could never get them to go anywhere, which led to me throwing them aside and never getting back to them. But here’s why I decided that I would give it a shot.

I remember the second to last day of summer school in Mrs. Aranda’s government class. I was sitting in my spot scanning the room like I usually do when I space out. When she began to tell the class about Ethic and showing us the first two magazines I didn’t know what to expect. The way I saw it was “Hey! That class could give me an elective so I can fill up my schedule and still have no six period.” So I decided I would see what I would find.

I was uncertain of how I would be involved and what I would like to do. After already saying I would try it, it became official. I got into contact with my counselor and next thing I knew I found myself sitting in a telepresence class with people I don’t even know (from different schools?) doing something that was way out of my comfort zone.

After the first few articles and some good ideas, I became an editor for A&E. That gave me a reason to commit, along with getting closer to everyone in this group, and becoming comfortable writing about things that were important to me such as marching band and other things. I am grateful to Mrs. Aranda for getting me interested in this class.

What I want people to get from this story is that life has a funny way of bringing you to different paths and that you never know which path you’ll take. So if it’s a path that brings you back to a former interest or sparks a new interest just go for it, take a bit of a test run and see if you enjoy it. This is the final time I get to write something like this so I hope I had a worthwhile effect on all of you readers and that you enjoyed my articles.

BY MAYA SANCHEZ, Editor-in-Chief

This news publication is nearing its end: after this publication, there is the magazine, then it’s for next year’s team to start again. And as the year comes to a close, one of the things that’s most prevalent on seniors’ minds (not all seniors, of course, because each person is different) is college.

Some of you reading this already know where you are going, some are still deciding, and others have no clue. It’s stressful, to say the least, no matter what part of the college adventure that you are in. But it’s never just college, is it? It’s the programs that the college offers, it’s the city that it’s in, it’s the atmosphere of the college. It’s the parts that make the whole.

Out of my friend group, I’m the only one that’s going out of state. It’s not really a surprise, as I have only been looking at east coast schools, and they’ve been looking at solely Californian schools. It’s not unexpected but it still is a bit weird thinking about spending time away from them, meeting new people, and making new memories with new friends that aren’t them.

This isn’t supposed to be a sob story about me lamenting the woes of youth and about crumbling friendships, nor do I think of it as such. I think of it as another part of life that lies before me. I’m excited to take it, excited to leave high school behind and go onto the world full of bigger and better things. But change is always going to be faced with apprehension, and that’s okay.

Senior year has been filled with a lot of firsts. It was the first time I spent the entire school year driving myself to school. It was the first time I became involved in newspaper. It was the first time I went to prom! But in the same breath, it’s been filled with a lot of lasts. And as the days tick down, it is officially going to be our last.

For me, those lasts meaning enjoying the Californian sun as much as humanly possible because I know I will be missing it when I move out east. For you, it could be something completely different. Chances are, it is.

So whatever those lasts mean to you, whether it’s worry or joy or some odd combination of the two, make them yours. We’re only in high school once, after all. And even though these probably weren’t the best four years of our lives, they were four important ones.

Even writing this is a last– and a truly bittersweet one.

I truly hope that you make your lasts worthwhile.

BY CAMERON KROETZ

​Over the course of my life I have been fortunate enough to have been to 32 states, three provinces, two territories, 36 independent nations, four dependencies, and one principality. Each individual place has left a mark on my being and they have all contributed to the person I have become; we as humans are the products of our experiences and my travels are fundamental experiences in my life. Because of these experiences I am a proud citizen of the world and I have learned how to look at things through different eyes.

People often ask me why I care about what is going on in countries on the other side of the world. The simple answer I give them is that what happens in other places can affect us here at home. The truth is, if I were to give them the real answer it would take much longer. Since I have been exposed to a variety of different cultures starting at a young age, I do not really separate people based on their nationality or culture; I see humans as one people. Even though there are borders with fences and walls, our common sense of humanity should transcend division and I believe that most people would agree with that assessment. This viewpoint is fundamental to who I am and what I believe; it is the reason I take a compassionate and humanistic stance on most issues.

One major aspect of travel is keeping an open mind, and trying new things such as food or maybe even learning a new language. Before I go to a new country I try to familiarize myself with the regional customs and some basic linguistics to make my experience more enjoyable. Opening myself up to other cultures has allowed me to develop a very open mind, a characteristic that is a pillar of who I am as a person and who I strive to be. I believe that If you do not accept other cultures for what they are it will lead to xenophobia, the fear of other cultures and nationalities. I am not suggesting that one should forget their own cultural identity, but what I am saying is that keeping an open mind is very important to personal growth.

Connecting to other people is one of the traits that makes us human. I have spoken to people from the hills of Tennessee, the islands of the Bahamas, and the flatlands of Siberia, and they all have one thing in common: they were interested in how we liked their homelands and just how we were feeling that day. Compassion for other people is the most fundamental characteristic of humanity. I have learned that everyone I meet is human and for the most part they have good intentions. Some people would call my disposition naïve but I call it basic human decency.

My travels have defined who I am, both as a person and as a citizen of the world. They are also the main reason I have decided to major in Political Science with a focus in International Relations; my plan is to get my bachelors degree and then go on to law school to get my J.D. in Foreign Policy Law. It is my hope that I will be able to affect change in the world by sharing my compassion and problem solving ability in the world of diplomacy. The biggest thing I have taken away from traveling is that if one keeps an open mind and recognizes the common humanity that unites us all, the world does not seem such a dark and scary place, but rather a world of hope and potential.

Perspectives from a Positively Stressed Senior
By ANNIE DELGADO

​This is it. My last column for TRUE Ethic news. I want to start off by saying thank you to all the readers, you guys have helped grow this paper so much and I’m so grateful for that. Second of all, I want to thank the amazing freelance staff for the time and energy they also put into this paper. Thank you to my fellow editors, this journey would not have been the same without you guys, and I love you all. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank Mrs. Aranda for her relentless commitment to this newspaper and to her students, this paper would not have been possible, or the same without you.

These last four years, I have had the privilege of attending Redlands East Valley High School. Here I have met some of my best friends, mentors, and have built life-long relationships. High school has been quite a roller coaster, but I have been fortunate enough to go to a high school that cares. I felt this was an appropriate topic for my last blog, so, here are some reasons why I love REV so much:

The administration and staff. Anyone who knows me, knows I am very close with all the administration and staff on our campus. I truly believe, that these people are some of the most caring and loving. Mr. Maloney never fails to make me smile, whether it’s through a joke, a compliment, or just a “good morning.” Mrs. Murillo, Mrs. McCue, and Mrs. Chann are always there to give me encouragement and love when I need it, a good cry, a kick in the butt, or just a random conversation about life. My counselor, Mrs. Delmonico, is there when I need to rant, a hug, or to talk about our love for the same sports. My teachers are there for me when I need some patience, knowledge, or understanding. I would like to give a special thanks to Mrs. Aranda, Mrs. Gardner, and Mrs. Ford for always being there when I needed it. If it were not for these people, high school would not have been the same.

The family aspect. As most high school campuses do, REV has it’s share of cliques. This does not stop the students from sticking up for each other and having each others backs. When a tragedy hit the school, I saw the kids come together and support anyone who needed it. It didn’t matter if they were the biggest football star on campus, or in the marching band, the kids were there for each other. This doesn’t happen on many campuses, but, I have seen it happen more often than not at REV.

The programs. Throughout my 4 years at REV I have been involved in Colorguard, Wind Ensemble, Soccer, Cross Country, Track, Link Crew, One Club, and FCA. REV offers so many clubs, sports, and performing arts etc. for students to be involved in. It’s very easy to feel like you fit in at REV. The programs are some of the best in the city, and even in California. We are a school of state champions, CBL title holders, award winning AVID programs, and so much more. I would like to thank Mr. Hollett, my band teacher, for helping me remember what music is really about, and helping me fall in love with it again. The programs at REV have helped to keep me focused on what was important and get involved in the school.

These few things have had a lasting impact on my high school experience. I feel very fortunate to have gone to REV with all the great opportunities available. I will truly miss this school, and I will miss writing for this paper. TRUE Ethic newspaper has done so much for me and it will always have a lasting impact on my life. I will never forget the memories I have made, the people I have met, or the lessons I have learned. Thank you to everyone who has made my high school experience extraordinary.

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?’ – Winnie the Pooh

Halftime

By RYAN ARANDA
When I was a freshman, all of the seniors would tell me about how fast high school would go by, and at the time, I didn’t believe them. Now that I’m a senior who is under two months away from graduating, I find myself giving a similar message.

While all four years seemed to go by quicker than I thought, I am content with leaving high school knowing that I will have no regrets as to what I have accomplished in my time here.

From the classroom to the basketball court, I’ve done all that I can for my school while facing challenges that included the sorrows of AP and honors classes, the effects of surgery, and many others.

August 15, 2012– I walked on to the Redlands East Valley campus for the very first time as a student. Unfamiliar faces crowded me across the school, while I prepared for four years of memories, achievements, and lessons that would last a lifetime.

My freshman year was going well as a student athlete until an unforeseen event occurred.

Dec. 3– The day of my first regular season high school basketball game and unfortunately a date that changed my life forever. A few hours before tip-off, I was diagnosed with a tumor in my hip bone. Whether this tumor would be classified as benign or not, was unknown, making my circumstance a bit scarier.

Facing off adversity from the news, I went to my game and scored what would be my season high of 12 points, in our 61-40 win.

Dec. 8– Five days later, we won the championship game in overtime, 55-52, where I would once again score 12 points, in my final game before my surgery.

Dec. 10- Since my health concern required immediate surgery, I was forced to take all five of my final semester exams on this day, which was followed by my final basketball practice for weeks.

Dec. 11– I went into surgery, and after learning of the fortunate news that my tumor was benign, I spent multiple days in the hospital, thinking about returning home and to  the court.

Even though my doctor predicted that I would be off of the court for six to eight weeks, I returned to practice in just three.

Jan. 8, 2013- After watching 11 games from the sideline, I returned to my first in-game action since my recovery, nearly a month later, which also happened to be our first Citrus Belt League game of the season, in which we won 60-44 over Yucaipa High School.

In regards to my health, for the remainder of the season, I played limited minutes due to not being at full strength quite yet. Although this was a struggle for me, I adjusted as best as I could, and my team went on to finish the season with a total record of 25-1, undefeated in league play, en route to winning the CBL Championship.

Sophomore and junior years are a blur of AP and honors classes, doctor’s appointments, and hours of committing myself to basketball. Pretty soon, I’m a senior and a young adult.

August 12, 2015- I’m walking onto the REV campus for my first day of school for the final time there.

To my surprise, some of my closest friends from my first year of high school, weren’t the ones with me as I headed into my last year. But I was completely fine with that, because the important ones were the ones who were always by my side.

Although I had grown to be quite familiar with the campus and people around it, this first day just seemed to be a bit different. All of the lessons from my previous three years had to now come together for my final year. I wanted absolutely no regrets for my senior year.

Sept. 10, 2015- A special day for not only me and my classmates, but for the whole Redlands Unified School District. After about a month of hard work from both REV and Citrus Valley High School, united through our fifth period News Production TelePresence class, the RUSD released its first ever online newspaper publication by the name of “ETHIC News.”

ETHIC has accomplished more than ever thought possible this year, as we have released a total of 13 online publications and one semester recap magazine thus far. I have had the honor of holding the title of “sports editor” for this historic first year of ETHIC’s existence.

Throughout this year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet different people, make new friends, and learn the skills of journalism along the way thanks to the help of ETHIC.

Nov. 30– The date of my last season opening basketball game. My team and I had trained nonstop throughout the spring, summer, and fall in order to get ready for the regular season, and now that it was here, we wanted to leave it all out on the court. We won this game in a score of 90-66, which would turn out to be our first win of 24 total this season.

Feb. 12, 2016- 22 wins later, and we’re now looking to clinch a share of the league title. On this day, we celebrated our “Senior Night,” in which all of the seniors of the program would be honored in their last home regular season game in the Wildcat gym.

Ironically, for all of the seniors who had played four-years at REV, we were facing off against the CBL team who we played first as freshman, Yucaipa.

After the pregame ceremony for the seniors, it was game time, and nothing was going to stop us from winning the CBL title for our school. We came out firing right off of the bat, and we never looked back, as we went on to win the game 55-27, earning a share of the league title in doing so.

Following my junior season in which we failed to achieve the CBL championship, this meant more than just a title, it was a representation of all the years of dedication us seniors, juniors, and sophomores had given to this program.

Feb. 23– A date that I will never forget. I didn’t know it then, but this would be the final high school basketball game of my career

It was the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Playoffs, and we were matched up with La Mirada. The game seemed to have a different sense about it from the start.

Although the game went back and forth, we lost in a final score of 63-50. After the game, emotions were shared as we all realized that was our last game together as a team. For us seniors, our high school basketball careers had now come to a close. Even though it was all over, we couldn’t help but think about all that we had achieved in these past four years for our school.

March 1- A few weeks later, my status for my future was confirmed when I was accepted to the University of California, Riverside.

UCR is a school that was attended by both of my parents, and while I’m sad to leave REV, I’m so proud and honored to be able to attend the university and call it my home for the next four years.

For me, high school wasn’t just a waste of four years. It was a time to help me figure out who I truly
am before I begin the next chapter of my life, while making memories that will last forever.

I hope that your senior year, you look back on your high school timeline with pride as well.

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By  KATHERINE SNAVELY
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First of all I would like to thank everyone who has been reading and keeping up to date with the Ethic Digital Newspaper and I hope you have fully enjoyed what we, the Ethic team, has shared with you.

This will be the last time that I share the many artistic things I enjoy with you so I want to make it a good one. I was pondering for a while before I decided that I wanted to share my years  here at Redlands East Valley with all of you. All the people here that have had and will always have a lasting impact on me along with areas around campus that hold memories for me. I am sharing this with you through the art form that I enjoy most…photography.

Please enjoy and thank you to all the readers and everyone here at Redlands East Valley High. Farewell and fun readings!
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One last thing I would like to mention is my experience in the Ethic newspaper class, sure in the beginning it was a lot of work but in the end it was all worth it. I had an amazing time and I am so glad I joined. I started out joining just for photography but I ended up writing my own columns and that really helped me personally. I never felt like I was a strong writer but this class has helped me become more confident in my writing abilities. This class also gave me more friends. You have to collaborate with each other so as time goes on you become closer with each other. I now have friends from across town at Citrus Valley High School. I will truly miss writing for the Ethic newspaper and I also want to thank everyone in newspaper, we have accomplished so much this year together and I will miss all of you tremendously. I hope in the future we all make it to the places we dream of being. I bid you and everyone graduating good luck.

“Moving on is easy but what you leave behind is what makes it hard.”

Live to Inspire

By LAYLA ABBAS
They say high school is the best four years of your life. They say high school teaches you how to become an adult and teaches independence. They say high school is what you make it.

They were right.

​High school has done so much more for me, and it is because I allowed it be the best 4 years of my life. High school has taught me multiple lessons, but I will share with you the five most important things I am taking away from my high school experience.

1. Be Yourself: As cliche as this sounds, being yourself is one of the most important things high school has taught me. I had a tendency to want to fit in with the rest of the crowd and be like others around me. Overtime, I had a revelation that fitting in is completely boring and unsatisfying. Being true to yourself, despite what others have to say, is what really brings someone real satisfaction. Never settle for fitting in, we are all better than trying to be a replica of others.

2. Never set limits for yourself: Never assume you can’t do something. You will never know what you are capable of achieving until you try something. A personal example for myself, is my choice to take AP Calculus my senior year. My strength has never been math, but I was determined to challenge myself by taking it. It has been difficult, but I refused to set limits for myself.

3. Be as kind as possible to yourself and others: Throughout high school, it is normal to doubt yourself, but it is incredibly important to always be kind to yourself and and others around you. High school is a learning experience, from learning about yourself to learning about your peers. It is normal to become impatient, frustrated at times, and discouraged. But never stop being kind, as your actions and words have a lasting affect on others around you.

4. Say yes to the challenge: I was never in yearbook, I was never a part of the newspaper, but senior year rolled around and I was asked a question that would change my entire high school experience for the better. Our advisor, Mrs. Aranda, asked if I would be interested in not only being a part of a digital newspaper she was starting, but being the Editor-in-Chief of what became known as Ethic. I said yes. Without having any experience, saying yes to this challenge has done so much for me. So, if you are ever faced with something that seems challenging, do not doubt yourself and just say yes. The outcome will be so rewarding.

5. Focus on your Education: High school is meant to be filled with fun activities, but never lose sight of its main purpose. You are here to further your education first and foremost. Do not ever forget that. When senior year comes around, you will see all of your hard work over the four years pay off and it is the greatest reward.

I sincerely hope this advice helps anyone who is still in high school and even ones who are beginning college.

Lastly, I would like to thank the readers of TRUE Ethic, and everyone who made it successful in its first year! I am so grateful to have been apart of this, and will always be thankful for it.

We have accomplished an unprecedented amount in just its first year. I have gained new friends that I will have for a lifetime, learned about myself on a deeper level, and have discovered my passion for writing.

Thank you Ethic, staff, and readers for giving me one of the best experiences of my high school career.