Redlands East Valley High School’s swim team honored their senior swimmers and team managers at their final meet of the season on April 19 at Redlands High School.
The final meet before the Citrus Belt League all-school meet included junior varsity and varsity boys and girls against Redlands High School’s swim team.
The Senior Night ceremony was held during the meet’s halftime and honored the team’s seniors and recognized their path after graduating high school.
Wildcat varsity and junior varsity relax by the pool and wait to cheer for their Senior swimmers during the Senior night on April 19, 2024. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Varsity and Junior varsity girls show off the hearts drawn on their shoulder symbolizing the love and unity the swimmers have for one another. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
REV and RHS swim coaches prepare flowers, balloons, gift bags, and speeches for the Senior night ceremony. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
REV Senior swimmers and managers are congratulated on their 2024 season with balloons and gifts. (Photo courtesy of Gwendalynn McClelland)
Redlands East Valley High School swim team members freshman Arina Rupan, junior Gwendalynn McClelland, and junior Maren Andrews show off “wanted posters” of REV Varsity Coach at the swim meet at Redlands High School. The poster is meant to tease Coach Austin Brown, who formerly when to Redlands High School but is now a Redlands East Valley High School teacher and coach. (Photo courtesy of Gwendalynn McClelland)
By KYA ANTHONY, EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ, ALEX VERDUZCO and JAYLEAH PARCHMAN
The Advancement Via Individual Determination program at Redlands East Valley High School received revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School on April 10 commemorating their accomplishments.
AVID Revalidation is an honor for the school and recognizes the dedication to pushing students forward and building a community of strong successful leaders. REV was first named a National Demonstration School in 2020.
There are approximately 300 REV students in the AVID program. This includes 60 seniors and 12 class sections of AVID.
“I’m very proud about AVID achievements. It has personally helped me a lot and made me feel a lot better in my classes,” Natalie Fauria, a REV AVID freshman student says.
According to the AVID website, to earn AVID National Demonstration School status, the program has to be an “exemplary model of the AVID College Readiness System.”
The website explains that to earn and continue National Demonstration School status “Schools undergo a rigorous validation process and are required to be revalidated every few years to ensure high levels of implementation, with quality and fidelity to AVID strategies schoolwide.”
Screenshot
The Redlands East Valley High School AVID site team from left to right: teacher Cindy Gardner, counselor LaRee Orland, AVID coordinator Jana Bailey, teacher Alex Valle, teacher Jacqueline Hernandez and teacher Diana Gamez. (Photo from instagram @revavid)
Jana Bailey has been the REV AVID coordinator for 21 years.
“I didn’t realize, until we were going through the process, that revalidation is actually very hard to sustain. In fact, there were a number of AVID schools that did not get renewed,” said Bailey.
The AVID event on April 10 included REV non-AVID students’ participation by encouraging them to wear school gear associated with any sport, club or organization on campus. The festivities continued with a free pizza lunch as well, offering it to the first 300 students that are not enrolled.
Samya Miller, a REV AVID senior student shares, “It was good, I had a great time and we had food.¨
In celebration of earning revalidation as an AVID National Demonstration School, Redlands East Valley High School AVID students pose with the AVID mural in the front of the school and hold the “AVID National Demonstration School” banner. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
“We are thankful for our entire school’s support,” said Bailey. “The majority of teachers I saw were wearing their REV or AVID gear and it means a great deal to us.”
Many district officials like Superintendent Juan Cabral, Assistant Superintendent Ken Wagner, Assistant Superintendent Sabine Robertson-Phillips, as well as the REV AVID teachers and counselors who make the program possible, were present for the honor.
The REV AVID program includes year-round activities, such as college field trips and over-nighters, community service, and team building activities. The class includes tutorials, organized notebooks, discussions, college tutors and Fun Fridays.
The REV AVID program also has the “Men of Ten” class, previously taught by REV teacher Duan Kellum and currently taught by REV teacher Alex Valle, who is new to REV AVID this year.
In explaining the Men of Ten class, Bailey says, “Nationally, boys – especially those of color – have lower retention rates in AVID and it usually occurs between 9th and 10th grades.”
REV AVID was not the first program to have the class, but Jana Bailey’s husband and Citrus Valley High School teacher Yon Okorodudu was the first in the district to implement the class when he taught AVID.
“Having the Men of Ten class was meant to encourage these students to stay in a college-going culture by providing an environment analogous to a sports team,” said Bailey. “We found that having a male teacher who is a solid role model and who gives the boys a forum to talk about issues that relates to them keeps them engaged in doing well in high school and preparing for college.”
For many AVID students, the program has a strong impact on many aspects of their life.
“‘AVID is a lifestyle’ is what one of our AVID sophomores said while on the student panel,” said Bailey.
The REV AVID program became a Gold Ribbon Program in 2015 and earned Site of Distinction in 2016, a status which the program still holds.
According to RIMS AVID website there are currently 16 schools designated as AVID National Demonstration Schools in San Bernardino County.
Redlands East Valley High School is the only school in Redlands designated as an AVID National Demonstration School.
The Redlands East Valley High School swim team competed in their first meet of the 2024 season. On Feb. 28 La Quinta High School hosted the meet on their home campus. The meet consisted of twelve events for both junior varsity and varsity girls and boys teams.
The first 200-meter relay event of the swim meet between Redlands East High School and La Quinta High School completed by the girls varsity team. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School varsity swimmer Ashlyn Allen waits to compete in the 200-meter freestyle relay race on Feb. 28, 2024 at La Quinta High School. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School varsity swimmers Kate Hienze, Lily Stanton, Emi Norland and Anissa Kothapalli pose after warming down from their races at La Quinta High School on Feb. 28, 2024. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School varsity swimmer Kaylee Schan prepares to dive in and compete in the 100-meter Breaststroke event at La Quinta High School on Feb. 28, 2024 (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
The scoreboard before the boys varsity 100-meter backstoke event at La Quinta High School on Feb. 28, 2024. The scoreboard is used to track lane places, school names, competitors’ finishing times, and event types. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley held its Winter Rally on Feb. 9 in the Wildcat gym to celebrate the announcement of the 2024 Prom Theme. The rally included student performances from Junior Varsity and Varsity Cheer, the Pacific Cultural Club, the Inspired Choir and the Winter Guard. Sports captains from each winter season sport were also introduced.
Members of the Pacific Cultural Club Aniya Smith, Daera Aguinaldo, and Camila Vargas get ready for their performance. (GEFFERY ACOSTA/Ethic News photo)
Daera Aguinaldo performing a traditional Pacific islander dance. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/Ethic News photo)
REV Winter sports captains get recognition for their completed season. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/Ethic News photo)
Junior and senior students volunteer to play a competitive game of balloon pop. (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/Ethic News photo)
REV’s 2024 Prom Theme is announced as “Mirrorball” or disco ball, inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “Mirrorball.” (EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/Ethic News photo)
Alma Shelly-King performs as the villain in the Color Guard’s Star Wars-themed dance.(EARENDEL HENRIQUEZ/Ethic News photo)
San Bernardino Valley Community College held a Black History Month event for local high schools with various guest speakers on Feb. 2. The “Pass The Mic” field trip offered so many resources and great advice for students this year by presenting multiple important topics. Guest speakers addressed how to start your own business, the signs of domestic violence, and mental health issues. At the end of the sessions, performances were held outside with dancers, singers, and even musicians.
When the event started, all the different high schools such as San Gorgonio, Carter, Hesperia, and the four Redlands high schools: Citrus Valley, Redlands East Valley, Orangewood, and Redlands, joined together in the theater for keynote speaker Demarco Washington. Washington spoke about how to navigate college and life after high school. After the speaker’s presentation, the room broke into small groups to start the different sessions.
“The open mic event really opened my eyes to relevant conversations that are always needed as growing into young adults. I enjoyed the positivity and education on opportunities for careers and how to go about life aware and cautious of safety” says Citrus Valley senior Anniya Session.
The domestic violence presentation was one of the most emotional and serious presentations of the day. The speaker spoke about different real domestic violence cases and about how easily teens can fall victim to many different kinds of abuse such as verbal abuse and mental abuse as well as physical abuse. During the presentation, the speaker also talked about the importance of self-love and body positivity. This was to explain that people without self-love are more susceptible to different kinds of abuse.
The mindful space presentation discussed different coping mechanisms that students can use to deal with stress, depression, and anxiety. This presentation also explained how people cope in different, unconventional ways such as dancing, singing, or drawing. Students were given more important information such as the national suicide hotline number which is 988. During this presentation, there were t-shirts and water bottles given to students who remembered information about the presentation.
“The most impactful part of this all was being allowed to come together as a community,” says Orangewood senior Skye Gaynair. “We came together to not only physically see each other but to educate one another, celebrate one another, and love each other.”
After all the presentations were complete, the students were released to explore different pop-up informational booths and fill out a bingo card for every booth visited. There were multiple booths discussing how to get into business or how to start their own business. There were also sororities and other extracurriculars offered at the booths. After visiting the booths, students were given a free lunch which was a sandwich of their choice and a water bottle on the side.
To close out the event, the San Gorgonio BSU (Black Student Union) step team performed a dance and step routine for the audience. After them followed multiple other performers such as rap artists, Latin rap artists, and traditional Spanish musicians. (Naleiah Miller/ Ethic News photo)
The Pass The Mic event served as a very educational and informational event for young students. This event is important to the community because it offers information on serious topics that teens don’t often get the chance to hear. This advice information and experience will stick with students and influence them to make good decisions in the future.
“This event taught me that a sense of community matters and how important it is to see people who think or look like you being able to break unimaginable barriers,” says Gaynair.
The event was very successful as it got close to everyone who participated and did an amazing job putting together such a big event. It was a great experience to hear different stories to help make your own businesses, how to prevent domestic violence and even how to cope with mental illness.
Members from the Black Student Union at high schools in Redlands Unified School District take a picture with Dr. Alise Clouser of San Bernardino Valley College. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
Members from the Black Student Union at high schools in Redlands Unified School District, the Umoja program at San Bernardino Valley College take a picture with Dr. Alise Clouser of San Bernardino Valley College and Superintendent Juan Cabral of RUSD. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
Dr. Alise Clouser and Redlands Unified School District superintendent Juan Cabral with support team who helped coordinate the ‘Pass the Mic’ event at San Bernardino Valley College. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
College of various presentations and performances that took place at this ‘Pass the Mic’ event at San Bernardino Valley College. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
By ALEX VERDUZCO, JENAIA THOMPSON, AMBER BOGH and ANGELA MOAWAD
Valentines Day is a Holiday celebrated in many countries on Feb. 14. Near the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius replaced the celebration of Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. Valentines Day is celebrated for people to show their appreciation for each other, such as through greetings and gifts.
How did students at staff from different high schools around Redlands spend their Valentine’s Day?
Redlands East Valley’s Associated Student Body wrote every student’s name on a heart note placed on the bulletin downstairs in the English building as well as the gym doors (not pictured) on the morning of Feb. 14, 2024 in order to encourage students to find their name and inspire Valentine’s Day spirit. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Lupe Barba, Citrus Valley High School counselor, says he “got flowers and took them to his wife at work” and she loved them. After work, Barba got “Cuca’s burritos and had a wonderful dinner.” Barba and his wife have been together for 44 years.
Kami Pham, a Citrus Valley freshman, spent Valentine’s day “sick, failing tests, and with a sore throat.”
Citrus Valley students, Dominic Stevenson a senior, Claire Olson a freshman, and Emma Ritter a junior say they had a great Valentines Day. Stevenson “played volleyball after school.” Olson “took a nap” and Ritter “hung out with friends.” (AMBER BOGH/Ethic News photo)
Jessica Washburn, office clerk at Citrus Valley, said she “went to work, went home, took a walk, and made spaghetti for her husband.”
Orangewood High School senior Kai Moyles and Kevin went to Build-A-Bear at Ontario Mills for Valentine’s Day. Moyles says Ontario Mills was packed and there was a long line at Build-a-Bear. (Photo courtesy of Kai Moyles)
Citrus Valley freshman hearts in the C building, shaped in their graduating year, 2027. (AMBER BOGH/Ethic News photo)
Jesse O’Donnell, math teacher and aquatics coach at Citrus Valley says that he “worked, coached swim practice, then coached a baseball practice for his sons.”
Rebecca Strode, English 9 Honors teacher at Citrus Valley “hosted a Galentines party” at her house for her daughter. (ANNALEIGH DE LA ROSA/ Ethic News Photo)
Chalk art of hearts can be seen in the hallway heading towards the J-Wing on Valentine’s Day morning at the Redlands East Valley High School campus. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)
Alan Perez, United States history teacher at Citrus Valley High School, spent “the first half at work” and the second half with his wife. Perez said he “took her to dinner and gave her a nice gift.” (AMBER BOGH/Ethic News Photo)
The Redlands All Star Marching Band, with a total of 95 performers, pose for the team photo in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London, before setting off on the two and a half mile parade route. (Photo Courtesy of Austin Meiners)
High school marching bands of Redlands got the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform in the 2024 London New Years Day Parade during their 2023-24 winter break.
The preparation for such a trip began all the way back in early 2022, allowing for nearly two years to plan and rehearse. “It took some years of planning and organizing from many different people and logistics,” Citrus Valley Band Director Austin Meiners shares. “Working with three schools was challenging at first to figure out ways to communicate, but we did eventually come up with some great systems.”
The LNYDP began in 1987, first called the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s Big Parade. The parade was renamed in 1994 to the Millennium Parade until 2000 when it became the famous name everyone loves today. It started out with only 10 participating groups, nearly doubling every year.
This year, there were 93 total participating groups, ranging from marching bands to multicultural dancers to giant inflatables and over 10,000 performers showing off their talents. The parade was estimated to have over 500,000 people lining the streets of London with an additional 50 million others watching from the comfort of their homes, according to the LNYDP organizers, Destination Events.
The parade route began on Piccadilly and traveled two and a half miles through some of London’s most notable landmarks, such as The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Square, Horses Guard Palace, Tower of London and ending most notably at Westminster Abbey.
The route, being longer than any local parade that the bands have previously participated in, made for a completely different experience for Redlands students. “There were thousands of people watching us as we marched through London. The audience seemed so excited to see all the marching bands participating and they reacted so positively to us performing,” Citrus Valley Senior Danielle Diaz shares.
“The environment felt so much different. I felt more engagement from the crowd than in previous parades,” said Citrus Valley sophomore Joseph Fordon.
The marching band prepared three pieces for the parade, two for the route itself and one for their “grand finale,” Dancing Queen by the 70s group ABBA and Confident by Demi Lovato
Marching band students weren’t the only ones who participated in a performance of a lifetime. Orchestra students from all three schools participated in the LYNDP Concert Series, performing at the Holy Trinity Church in Sloane Square, London, alongside schools from all over the United Kingdom and United States.
The Redlands All Star Chamber Orchestra stands in the center of the Holy Trinity Church in Sloane Square before taking the stage for their performance in the LYNDP Concert Series. (Photo Courtesy of Austin Meiners)
Not only did Redlands students get the opportunity to perform in the LNYDP, they also were able to tour a few of the United Kingdom’s most popular locations, including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Oxford University and the heart of London.
Redlands High School Senior, Matt Connelly, says that his favorite part of the trip was “definitely visiting Oxford, the architecture was amazing.”
Redlands East Valley Junior, Ellie Brown, shares that she enjoyed “experiencing everyday London weather and all the tours that we took.”
The Village of SBC hosted its 9th annual MLK Day celebration on Jan. 15, and it’s their first year of adding a resource fair. This celebration had classrooms where they learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., resources with free food boxes and additional information, prize-giving competitions and live performances.
When the doors opened at 10 a.m, the event started with watching videos teaching about MLK. The Chair of this event, Alise Clouser, welcomed everyone in and brought up special guest speakers such as, Mayor Eddie Tejeda, Council member Mario Saucedo and Superintendent Juan Cabral.
The students dispersed into different classrooms based on their grades with each assigned teacher. Kindergarten through second grade was Melissa Richey, third through fifth was Kayla Anthony and Zonnia Montgomery, sixth through eighth was Jiselle Bryant and Kristen Anthony, and finally ninth through twelfth was Kevin Anthony and Lyz Green.
In those classrooms, each student received a packet filled with the history of MLK. The students got to have interactive activities with the teachers and could share their own experiences based on how they felt about racism and prejudice. As the student’s grade increased, the information on MLK’s life and the improvement that he brought about for other minorities went more into depth.
In kindergarten through fifth, they got to learn who Martin Luther King Jr. was and how his kids felt during the time. Sixth through eighth grade students first went through their own lesson on how they would feel if they couldn´t be friends with others because of the color of their skin. Then, the sixth through eighth grade group learned about the accomplishment that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did at such a young age. A couple minutes later that group went to join the ninth through twelfth graders to have a debate. In this debate they argued on whether kids should listen to their parents or not.
After each class was finished, they were sent to visit the resource fair with different varieties of booths. Some of the booths consisted of Umoja from San Bernardino Valley College giving away merchandise, Redlands East Valley High School’s Black Student Union providing free face painting, the Family and Community Engagement department from Redlands Unified School District giving away free food boxes, Chicka’s Cakes giving free cupcakes, Book Mobile providing new kids books, and The Trailblazer Project giving out cartoon books.
Photo collage of various booths, speeches and activities at the MLK Celebration in Redlands on Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Redlands East Valley Black Student Union)
As an opener, the Anthony Family sang the National Black Anthem.
The first interactive performance was Larena Garcia from the FACE department holding a puppet show where she read a book about young Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s experience when he was child to the audience. The puppets were voiced by Kevin Antony, Kristen Anthony, and Kayla Anthony, who would give remarks based off the story with funny dialogue.
During the event the Yaya Praise Dancers performed to ‘Get Up’ by Tye Tribbett.
During the day there was a contest going on for an art and a speech one where all grades can enter and win cash prizes. K-2nd participant winner would get $75, 3rd-5th would get $100, 6th-8th would get $125, and 9th-12th would get $150.The winner of the speech contest for 9th-12th grade was Jazz Daughtery. The 3rd-5th contest winner was Langston Buffong. The winner of the K-2 contest was Xavier Buffong.
The Winners of the speech contest all grades along with Alise Clouser, chair of the event. (Photo courtesy of Redlands East Valley Black Student Union)
Closing out the event Bishop Jackie Green brought up on stage the president of REV BSU Samya Miller, Maria Saucedo and Chair event holder Alise Clouser. Then she told everyone to cross arms and link hands as we all sang “We Shall Overcome” together in harmony. After the song she then held a prayer with everyone to officially close the 9th annual Martin Luther King Jr. event.
The Family And Community Engagement Department came out to support Anthony Chavies and LaRena Garcia. Garcia read a childrens book of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. younger self. (Photo courtesy of Redlands East Valley Black Student Union)
“I was so nervous to be reading in front of such a large audience mixed with children, adults and the mayor and other city officials,” Garcia said. “But then I thought of my mom and read to everyone like she used to read to me and all of her grandchildren. The children in the audience that engaged with me and the puppets helped me calm my nerves as well.”
Black Student Union clubs from the local high schools and Umoja from San Bernardino Valley College work together to provide activities and awareness at the MLK Celebration on Jan. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Redlands East Valley Black Student Union)
Kevin Anthony, treasurer of Umoja, said, “ I enjoyed connecting with the high school students and finding out their point of views on racial injustice.”
Closing out the event Bishop Jackie Green gathered everyone for prayer. (Photo courtesy of Redlands East Valley Black Student Union)
Note: This article contains the subjects and images of needles and blood.
In the heart of Redlands, California, a beacon of community service shines from the campus of Redlands East Valley High School. The school has recently organized a blood drive that not only highlights the altruistic spirit of its students but also underscores the profound impact such an event has on society and individuals alike.
This is where donors are seated to get their blood drawn. As the chairs go into a flat position, this allows the blood flow to circulate throughout the body into the blood bag. (NAILEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School held a blood drive on January 12, where students can get their blood drawn in order to donate and help people in need. ASB (Associated Student Body) and Life Stream worked together to host the event in the school’s gymnasium. REV opened its doors to students, faculty, and residents, turning the school gymnasium into a hub of life-saving activity. The initiative was not just a call to action but an educational experience, raising awareness about the critical need for blood donations.
Once the donor is seated, the Life Stream staff insert a needle that’s attached to the tube. Then, the tube begins to attract the blood into the blood bag. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
The benefits of this blood drive ripple through the community and beyond. Each pint of blood collected could potentially save up to three lives– a statistic that translates into a significant impact when considering the collective effort of a school community. The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, donations are at a 20-year low. “In order to shore up the need at hospitals, an extra 8,000 blood donations would have to be collected each week,” states The Red Cross Foundation
This picture shows how you are supposed to squeeze the heart-shaped stress ball every 30 seconds. The blood pressure cuff helps to stimulate the blood and plasma transfer. (NAILEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
For individuals, the act of donating blood is both a noble gesture and a health benefit. Donors undergo a mini-physical, which can provide an early indication of health issues. Moreover, the process of blood regeneration post-donation can help to rejuvenate the body’s blood supply, which is beneficial for the donor’s health.
Plasma is drawn and collected to be used with the ALYX machine which is an apheresis machine that separates and gathers various blood components and returns what they aren’t using back to the donor. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
Furthermore, students who participate in the blood drive learn valuable lessons in civic responsibility and the importance of community engagement. ASB gain organizational and leadership skills, as they navigate the complexities of planning and executing a public health event. The blood drive becomes a living classroom for empathy and science education, teaching students about human biology and the medical processes that save lives every day.
Shown above is the station where they analyze your blood pressure and iron levels to determine if you qualify to have your blood and plasma drawn. (NAILEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School’s blood drive is a testament to the power of community involvement and the difference a group of dedicated individuals can make. It’s a reminder that in our interconnected society, simple acts of giving can have profound implications for the health and well-being of others. This event not only provides immediate benefits to those in need but also sows the seeds for a more compassionate and health-conscious generation.
The machine in the photo is where the plasma and blood bags are held for the process. All the bags can get easily transferred between setups with this machine. (NAILEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
The “X is silent” in Deaux, according to the tagline of Redlands’ newest donut shop, but student taste-testers from three local high schools were not.
About twenty students from Citrus Valley High School, Orangewood High School and Redlands East Valley High School sampled a dozen donuts from the gourmet donut shop, Deaux, to share their opinions on the unique and traditional donut flavors.
Students from Citrus Valley High School, Orangewood High School and Redlands East Valley High School tried a dozen donuts from Deaux, the gourmet donut and coffee shop that opened in October of 2023 in downtown Redlands. Donuts were cut into smaller portions so that each person could sample multiple flavors if they chose. (NALIEAH MILLER and CYNTHIA FLORES DIAZ /Ethic News photo)
“It looked so cute, I liked the frosting on it. It was so good. It tasted sweet but also the lemon was very noticeable. Definitely recommend, especially if you’re looking for something gluten-free.”
Monique Varela, Citrus Valley senior
“It looked really good and very tasty. It tasted as good as it looked.”
Annaleigh De La Rosa, Citrus Valley freshman
“Very cute and formal frosting presentation. Very excited because the flavor mixture seems unique. [After tasting] The frosting was abhorrent. The flavors don’t mix well at all and the actual donut part was just the vanilla bean donut but with a nasty lemon cheese mixture on top. Very disappointing.”
Earendel Henriquez, REV junior
“From first glance, it had frosting on top going around the whole donut, also being glazed. My first impression is that the flavor of the lemon plus it being glazed adds so much delectableness to it. This donut is like a mini lemon cake, but with a bunch more flavor. A donut this great is a must-try.”
Joseph Eskander, Orangewood senior
“Looks very interesting, I have never had a donut with any sort of frosting on the exterior.”
Sam Uribe, Citrus Valley senior
“Overall the whole donut tastes just like lemon cake.”
Jayleah Parchman, REV freshman
“The Vanilla Bean was good. It was the right amount of sweet.”
Jimmy Mazariego, Orangewood senior
“The donut looked large and had the top glazed. The dough looked very fluffy and it was a nice brown color. Too chewy and not enough glaze-to-donut ration.”
Alina Sanchez Santacruz, Citrus Valley senior
“Vanilla Bean is my favorite because it’s sweet and it just tastes like a glazed cake. It’s sweet.”
K Bonna Dancy, Orangewood senior
“It was kind of like a glazed donut, but with more of a vanilla flavor.”
Sora Reynolds, Orangewood senior
“Nothing special about it for an “artisan donut.” Seems more normal than the other unique looking ones, like the pastrami. Really doughy and not very sweet, unless you have the glaze in your bite.”
Eerendal Henriquez, REV junior
“The donut itself looked good and had a nice layer of glaze that didn’t appear too heavy. It was chewy, it tasted like a mochi donut. It wasn’t overly sweet and I enjoyed that the frosting wasn’t overly sweet.”
Melanie Perez, Citrus Valley senior
“The presentation on the donut was good, shown to be very flavorful. My first impression of it made me think it was gonna be a super flavorful donut. I felt like although it had a good amount of topping on it, it was still very non-flavorful. I feel like if the dough was made with some type of chocolate or peanut butter it would’ve been more effective.”
Jayleah Parchman, REV freshman
“It’s original because the chocolate is thin like in a donut shop. I liked it.”
Amierah McWilliams, Orangewood senior
“The presentation was good. The donut looks aesthetically pleasing. The donut was great. It had nuts on top that made the donut even better. It tasted great.”
Braylon Smith, Citrus Valley freshman
“The peanut butter was really good but there was not enough of it. The chocolate was good too, really light on the palate.”
Edgar Cruz, Orangewood senior
“I enjoyed the dough of the donut, but it didn’t have enough topping on it. It reminded me more of a cake than a donut.”
Amber Bogh, Citrus Valley freshman
“The presentation was decent, it looked like the sprinkles were going to overpower the doughnut. Super sweet but really good. Airy and dense at the same time. If you like simple but with an extra kick this doughnut is the one for you.”
Josie Durazo, Citrus Valley junior
“Very basic for something more on the pricey side. Appetizing to a donut lover, but not unique compared to any other donut. Basic, but good.”
Earnedel Henriquez, REV junior
“I thought it would be kind of nasty because of the name it had but when I looked at it, it looked pretty good; it looked appealing. It was pretty sweet despite how it looked. I thought it was yummy and you can taste everything that’s inside. It was pretty good. I didn’t expect to like it, especially because of its name.”
Monique Varela, Citrus Valley senior
“The presentation was pretty basic from the outside which kind of looked like a sandwich. It didn’t have any of the frosting to be called a donut, but the shape of it was there. The overall taste was kind of confusing. The goat cheese kind of just overtook all the other ingredients, such as the bacon. There wasn’t a lot to take from this donut, however the overall texture was pretty nice and the donut was good.”
Adryiel Manalac, REV senior
“The outside gave high expectations; it looked very good and it was. The dough was flowy and tasted good. The meat in it was evenly mixed with the goat cheese which gives a sweet and savory flavor.”
Jules Acuna, Citrus Valley sophomore, and Mia Griffin, Citrus Valley freshman
“Thought it was a sandwich because there was nothing “sweet” looking about it. I was a little scared to try it because goat cheese is not appealing to look. Gross texture and taste. It smelled and tasted like smoked bacon. There was nothing ‘donut” about it. This should be listed as a sandwich. I literally had to empty it out and could only tolerate eating the dough part of it.”
Earendel Henriquez, REV junior
“It looked kinda gross from the outside, but on the inside it was just a sandwich. It was savory and didn’t have any sweetness in the dough, which was probably for the better, but had a slightly sour aftertaste. It tasted good. There was a nice balance of flavors between the pastrami, mustard, and onions. The dough on the outside was kind of dry and reminded me of a croissant.”
Hamzah Odeh, Citrus Valley freshman
“It looked kind of weird looking at it but I looked inside and it looked pretty good. I thought it was delicious and tasted like a normal sandwich, but with a kick. It was so good and a nice mix of everything that was inside of it. 100% recommend.”
Monique Varela, Citrus Valley senior
“The donut was overall pretty good-looking. The inside was filled with meat which was very appealing to look at. I was skeptical about meat-filled donut and didn’t know how it would turn out taste-wise.”
Kya Anthony, REV freshman
“It looks big and thick, but like a normal glazed donut. It had weird taste feeling in the beginning but the after-taste is pretty good and it honestly tastes like a glazed donut.”
Brianna Melliz, REV senior
“Overall they did a good job with showing how the donut would taste and the textures of it. Seeing how the donut was very baked with the frosting layering it just showed how the donut would be very crunchy. The donut had only a few things that were different from other donuts, and that was how the frosting just melts in your mouth. The outside was crunchy enough to satisfy your needs for a crunch, while the inside was very soft. That’s what makes this donut stand out from others.”
Adryiel Manalac, REV junior
“At first I think I’m tasting the miso, then the banana comes in almost as an after-taste; it almost hits you. It pairs well with the caramel.”
Christian Rolle, Orangewood senior
“It tasted like banana bread but burnt, crispy on the outside. It’s not good or bad; in the middle.”
Sophie Gomez, Orangewood senior
“It’s actually kinda gas [really good]. It tastes like really crispy banana nut bread.”
Edghar Cruz, Orangewood senior
“It’s dry. I didn’t like it.”
Jimmy Mazariegos, Orangewood senior
“The presentation was neat and had a small cute flower on the top. It had some touches of the orange color on it. It was very delicious and had a citrusy flavor to it. I had the piece with the yellow flower and it had a strong taste to it. The after taste was sweet and yummy. The flower left a strong pollen after-taste. I would recommend it to people who love a fresh and slightly citrusy treat.”
Cynthia Flores Diaz, Citrus Valley freshman
“This one’s gas. It’s fire. It’s probably the best one. The cake part is sweet and it’s like a cake, that’s what it’s like.”
K Bonna Dancy, Orangewood senior
“It tastes like fruity pebbles. It’s good, but don’t eat the flower.”
Jimmy Mazariegos, Orangewood senior
“I haven’t tried anything orange blossom flavored before, and I would have this again.”
Sora Reynolds, Orangewood senior
All of the Olive Oil and Salt donuts were gone by the end of the taste test, so they were indeed tasted. However, while we did not hear any complaints, we also did not receive any reviews.
Therefore, the jury is still out on the Olive Oil and Salt donut.
Seasonal donuts were also merrily gobbled up, leaving crumbs but no reviews.
Looks like you’ll have to check this one out yourself, too, but don’t wait too long. Per the name, it may not be around too long.
Deaux is located at 501 E. Citrus Ave. in Redlands, where Hogi Yogi was for decades.
Shop hours are Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6 pm or weekends from 8 am to 2 pm.
Makeup can show the individuality and uniqueness of people’s personalities. Many use different types of techniques of makeup to express themselves. Styles of makeup are art and it shows how creativity with techniques. The characteristics of makeup can be a different way to show how to extend beyond comfort zones.
At Redlands East Valley High School, makeup has a big influence on many students. Some students do full-face makeup while some just do eye makeup and even just a bare face. Each style can show their character and part of who they are.
REV Senior Elanie Walker shares their joy of makeup by saying, “Doing makeup for me is a form of self-expression, and I’m an artist. So I use makeup as an outlet for my creativity. I think of it as painting a picture. I love makeup because not only is it like art. It’s used by many women to enhance our natural beauty and feel more confident.”
Elanie Walker, Redlands East Valley High School senior, shows a natural look with a lip combination, adding accessories to make her facial features pop. (Photo courtesy of Elanie Walker)
Redlands East Valley High School sophomore April Ramirez shows a light natural makeup with a baby wing and a peachy lip. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
Redlands East Valley High School senior Alex Verduzco shows a shimmering glitter eye makeup and puts mascara on to create more of an effect. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
Redlands East Valley High School junior Amira Davis shows a more natural look, adding lashes to create more of a soft feeling. (NALEIAH MILLER/Ethic News Photo)
Ro Lightburn, Redlands East Valley High School sophomore, shows eyeliner art with gems creating a euphoric look. (Photo courtesy of Ro Lightburn)
By SPENCER MOORE, ADRYIEL MANALAC and JAKOB GARCIA
The student population at Redlands East Valley High School express their diverse personalities by creating outfits that act as a testament to who they are as a person. On Sept. 1, 2023, pictures to portray Wildcat fashion were collected. In each photo, the personality of each subject and their inspiration for their outfits is on display. Fashion has been one of the most consistently changing mediums for artistic expression over the years. Whether it be the bell-bottomed blue jeans of the 1970’s, the punk aesthetic of the 1980’s, or hip-hop inspired streetwear, in 2023, all manner of styles can be found on the REV campus.
Lauren Hernandez, Redlands East Valley junior, stuns in a dichromic outfit, inspired by Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 film, “Black Swan .” (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Orion Nurez, Redlands East Valley junior, had his outfit inspired by the Y2K era, alongside an appreciation for Maison Margiela. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Jayleen Vargas, Redlands East Valley senior, received this outfit from her friend’s sister, saying, “It’s inspired by Avril Lavigne.” (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Ahmir Carthell Jr., Redlands East Valley senior, builds his outfit around his accessories, such as the rings that are pictured. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Mia Rios, Redlands East Valley senior, likes to wear creative street wear, so long as it’s comfortable. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Alexis Gamson, Redlands East Valley senior, constructed her outfit around wearing accessories, such as bracelets and necklaces. Like Orion, the outfit was inspired mostly by Y2K streetwear. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Amira Kentia, Redlands East Valley senior, displays her sense of style through classic styled ripped jeans, and a black tank top, bearing a cross. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
Adonis Villalta, Redlands East Valley junior, bought the MSCHF “Astro Boy” boots, and wears them with pride. (ADRYIEL MANALAC/ Ethic News photo)
By ALEX VERDUZCO, JAYLEAH PARCHMAN and NALEIAH MILLER
Redlands East Valley High School students kicked off the year with an opening rally and home football game on Aug. 18.
The Wildcats’ gym hosted all grade levels for the opening rally announcing homecoming, upcoming football games, and introducing the fall sports’ captains. Student performances during the rally included the girls’ varsity and junior varsity spiritleaders, songleaders and the Pacific Cultural Club. REV’s Associated Student Body ASB commissioners lifted spirits by inviting students to participate in a game of musical chairs.
Redlands East Valley mascot, ‘Willy the Wildcat,’ welcomes incoming students into the gym to participate in the school rally on August 18, 2023 in Redlands, California. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
First photo: The student sections are divided up by freshmen and sophomores with posters above them, with spirit leaders, marching band, and color guard in view. Second photo: The junior and senior bleachers with posters decorated and designed by ASB above them. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
REV’s ASB commissioners held a game of musical chairs between all grade levels during the rally in Wildcat gym on Aug. 18, 2023. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
REV’s varsity cheerleaders end their performance facing the senior and junior side of the bleachers in the Wildcat gym on Aug. 18, 2023. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
First photo: Junior Varsity spirit-leaders take their turn to perform during the school rally. Second photo: Song-leaders show school spirit during their routine in the Wildcat gym on Aug. 18, 2023. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
Avery Hawkins, wildcat sophomore said, “As a varsity cheerleader this year, I look forward to FNL (Friday Night Lights) every week. It’s especially fun because of the student section and all the watching/cheering for the game.”
All students participate in singing the Wildcat Alma Mater, flashing their phone lights, linking arms and swaying in the Wildcat gym on Aug. 18, 2023.
(ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
Pacific Cultural Club ends as the last rally performance in the Wildcat gym on Aug. 18, 2023. (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News photo)
The first varsity football game was against Vista Del Lago with the student section theme being construction. Wildcats ended the game with a score of 41-42, marking history as the high school’s first home football game on their new field.
Marching band Wildcats perform at the first football game at the Redlands East Valley High School stadium on Aug. 18, 2023. For some marching band members, this was their first high school marching band event. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
Members of the Wildcat color guard team performed at the first football game at the Redlands East Valley High School stadium on Aug. 18, 2023. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
The construction-themed student section was packed at the first football game in the new Redlands East Valley High School stadium on Aug. 18, 2023. (NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News photo)
REV senior, Macey Kuhi said, “I felt that the football game was able to bring everybody together and served as the perfect opportunity to simply have fun with your friends.”
Prior to the game, Aaron Henriken, REV freshman football player said, “We are gonna win this!”
The first Redlands East Valley High School varsity football game in their new stadium was against Vista Del Lago on Aug. 18, 2023. The Wildcats led for much of the game, but ended with a loss of 42-41.(NALEIAH MILLER/ Ethic News Photo)
“Football season is my favorite time of the year. The cheer team loves seeing the excitement in the crowd and especially the student section. We are so proud of our football team and can’t wait to watch them kill it this season. Thanks to everyone that joins in on our cheers and makes our Friday Night Lights so much fun,” says Amanda Morrison, REV senior.
WARNING: This article talks about some sensitive topics involving mental health
Redlands East Valley High School is actively raising awareness and trying to dismantle the false stigma surrounding mental health through an annual fair. The Mental Health Awareness Club on campus hosted a mental health fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:09 p.m. on May 3 in the main quad. This Mental Health Fair was available to all REV students and welcomed teachers to bring their classes for a walk-through of the booths and what they had to offer. Booths from different clubs and organizations dedicated to informing high school students about mental health are scattered around the outskirts of the textbook room and library stairs.
Wildcat Pride Association
Jaylene Tuazon, the club’s secretary is pictured running the booth during the fair in Redlands, California. (KENDRA BURDICK/ Ethic News Photo)
The campus pride club, Wildcat Pride Association, sets up its booth for the fair to help students understand the fake myths and the real truths behind the LGBTQ+ community and their mental health.
They informed the students and staff that wanted to know more about the facts and myths involving the LGBTQ+ community.
Myths:
Homosexuality is a choice.
Being LGBTQ+ is an issue and can be cured
Teaching students about this subject makes them gay
LGBTQ+ people make bad parents
You can identify an LGBTQ+ person by their mannerisms, clothing, and physical appearance
Facts:
One out of every two people a part of the LGBTQ+ community experience depression
Three out of every five people a part of the LGBTQ+ community experience anxiety
One out of every eight members of the LGBTQ+ community experience unequal treatment from health care staff because they are LGBTIQ+. One in seven have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination
Homosexual behavior occurs in over 500 species of animals
Such as koala bears, penguins, seagulls, etc.
One of every two transgendered individuals has considered taking their own life
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are at a greater risk of experiencing hate crime compared to heterosexual people
Sexual orientation is caused by factors such as genetics and the sociology of the brain
Coping Skills
This booth was giving out sensory stickers that stick to phone cases along with galaxy-printed stress balls which gives people who like to fidget the outlet they need for school or day-to-day life. They also provided different stickers that spread different messages of positivity and pencils that had, “support mental health awareness” printed on the side. (KENDRA BURDICK/ Ethic News Photo)
The booth had a couple of interactive coping skills including an activity called Butterfly Breathing where one inhales and exhales while following a path on the table with their fingers. For completing the activity, students received candy, a pencil or a sensory sticker.(KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News Photo)
The main thing that this booth was handing out was sheets of paper with a list of different coping skills which were divided into three main categories, distractions, cognitive coping, and tension releasers.
Distractions:
Clean or organize environment
Dance
Doodle on paper
Read
Cognitive coping:
Brainstorm solutions
Think of something funny
Write a list of goals
Visualize your favorite place
Tension Releasers:
Chew gum
Cry
Laugh
Stretch
Mariana Cota, a senior in charge of the ‘Coping Skills’ booth states, “I think that this fair is definitely helping people such as our booth which helps to inform people about different coping techniques so that no one does anything negative because of their mental health. I believe that coping skills help people who take care of their mental health or not, though it’s really bad if they don’t. This whole fair is to promote mental health and the stigma around it because there’s a lot of stigma.”
BSU
BSU stands for “Black Student Union” and they have a booth to help spread awareness of mental health within the black community. (KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News Photo)
“Our booth is talking about how mental health in the black community is very stigmatized and has a very negative connotation around it. So our goal is to bring some light on it and normalize it because I personally feel that it’s not normalized right now even though it should be because it’s something that everyone goes through. It’s also very toxic to push people down because they have mental issues.” Reymarr Bernier, the senior president of BSU continues to talk about the thoughts behind the school’s help in promoting mental health.
“I feel like the mental health club is doing a lot to help bring awareness and to help mental health but that’s not really a part of the school so I don’t really think that the school’s doing stuff about it, more so the students are trying to help each other,” states Bernier.
Mental Health Awareness Club
The president of the Mental Health Club Amélie Palacios is standing next to Isabella Olmos, both of them are working together and with others to help students be as informed as possible about the subject of mental health. (KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News Photo)
“Personally, I found out things about mental health that I’ve never known before simply just walking around the quad and visiting other people’s booths. I think it’s good for everyone to be informed and know that everyone is going through something and everyone has different struggles but there are ways to help. I also feel that there should be other ways to get people informed about mental health and ways to cope through social media. I believe that venting and communicating is the best way to help your mental health and having support groups to talk to.” Olmos is a senior and a proud member of and attending the Mental Health Awareness Club’s booth.
Nicky, another therapy dog poses with a volunteer from the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs and hands out stickers of the therapy dogs for students to collect. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Visitors from the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs bring service dogs to the Redlands East Valley campus to alleviate stress among the students and show the benefits of interacting with the therapy dogs. This therapy dog is named Pepsi. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
A sign of the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs welcomes students that are walking around the booths of the Mental Health Fair on May 3. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Wildcats 4 Change President Nicole Samaan (senior) and Social Media Director Pearl Solis (junior) strive to “Stop the Stigma” surrounding mental health at their table in Redlands, California. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Visitors from San Bernardino County run a table and provide educational resources, bracelets, candies, and more to inform students about mental health. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Pamphlets and other informational paper resources as well as motivational stickers offered to students at the San Bernardino County’s booth during the Mental Health Fair. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
A close-up of San Bernardino County’s booth and all it offers.(ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
The Wildcat Sanctuary located in F-101/106 is now open to all Redlands East Valley high school students as of April 5. This resource offers a calm space for students to take a break from school stressors and partake in creative activities such as coloring, puzzle building, and even a quiet place to sit down and relax.
The door and window of the Wildcat Sanctuary was decorated and labeled to direct students seeking a mental health break in between the G and E buildings of the Redlands East Valley campus in Redlands, California on April 11, 2023. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
A room with chairs intended for moments of mindfulness and tranquility, where yoga and art therapy are scheduled to take place. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
An unfinished puzzle of the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, is placed on the counter displaying an example of the activities that can be done in the Sanctuary. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
On the other side of the blue chairs, is this seating arrangement to further inspire mindful activities and inviting stillness. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
An up-close shot of the chairs, mindful message, and zen garden. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
A tea station at the entrance of the Wildcat Sanctuary with cubbies underneath for incoming students to place their belongings and relax inside the building. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
An overview of one of the rooms featuring puzzles and activities for students to participate in, a seating area, and a desk to color and draw (not pictured above). (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
These shelves hold art supplies, puzzles, and other creative activities to engage students. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
Video of the interior of the Wildcat Sanctuary located in F-101/106. (SPENCER MOORE/ Ethic News)
REV junior, Amanda Gold, says, “I’m actually really excited about this. It feels like it’s going to be a safe space to recuperate and take a breather.”
With it, are groups that will be organized with the intention of benefitting students such as the Stress Management Group and the RestorARTive Art Therapy group. The Stress Management Group is set to meet during lunchtime on the following Fridays: April 14, 21, 28, and lastly, May 12. The Art Therapy group is still collecting information on what time would work best for students to meet such as in-person after school, virtual sessions, and more through the Google Form.
Shana Delmonico, Redlands East Valley counselor explains, “Redlands Unified School District recognizes and hears our students and staff when they express that they are having feelings of anxiety and stress over social and emotional issues. It is important here at REV that we acknowledge that these feelings are valid and respond by working toward students/staff having access to the Wildcat Sanctuary.”
As time goes on, it is expected that more groups will form depending on the student feedback and needs expressed to the counselors.
Ian Catren, a REV junior adds, “It’s an admirable concept and it’s nice to see the school trying to address growing stress amongst the students.”
Students are welcome to visit the Sanctuary Monday through Friday except during the fifth period and not during the second period on Tuesdays.
Delmonico says, “The goal is providing resources for students/staff about self-care, self-awareness, social anxiety, and interactions, offering opportunities to deal or cope with stress through providing space for a mental time out, calming space for students in distress, interactive lessons (empowerment/educational), referrals, and resources.”
Advanced Placement English Teacher at REV, Mr. Sean Molloy shares, “The Wildcat Sanctuary is a brilliant idea from our counselors here at REV. Too long have students come to school in need of real help with their mental health. We need to remove any stigmas around mental health and remember that it is perfectly ok for anyone to say, “I’m not okay.” Taking this first step into the Sanctuary might be exactly what we all need in doing that. Please remember to take care of yourselves!”
“Wellness centers can significantly reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, as well as increase attendance and the likelihood of graduation for our students,” says Delmonico.
Brandon Ford is a newer addition to the Redlands East Valley High School staff and is in his second year teaching on campus. Before REV, he spent 18 years teaching at Redlands High School.
Brandon Ford poses at his desk in his classroom at Redlands East Valley in Redlands, California on Jan. 17, 2023 (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
What does your involvement look like on campus?
I teach two different classes. I teach American government for two sections and sociology for two sections, mostly upperclassmen and then I am the head softball coach on campus.
How do you hope to positively affect the staff and students here at REV?
I think the best way to impact, to be a cog in the machine, is to try and be myself. I am a pretty energetic person, I’m very passionate and I care about my students in the classroom and I care about the players that play for me and I think that the more that we have on campus [students] that the kids know that the staff is unified under the ideas of trying to help them and nurture them through these tough times of school.
How would you describe your high school years?
I grew up in a small town, a farming area, we don’t even have a stoplight still, so it was a small school with about 350 kids when I went to high school. School for me was not easy, it was a struggle having some learning disabilities and things we didn’t know back then, and it made certain subjects hard. And so I had to go and get extra help and tutors in math and science just to get through since nobody in my family had gone to college but I was told at an early age that I was going to. I needed to make sure I was on a path to do that.
If you could leave your high school self a message, what would it be?
What I would tell myself is to just keep doing what I’m doing, keep working hard and have that work ethic—don’t be afraid to get help. Honestly, believe in yourself because you’re going to get there kid, you’re going to be able to achieve this and reach the goals you want to reach so keep believing and trusting yourself.
Where did you attend college?
I started out taking a football scholarship to Chico State University after high school, but they dropped their football program and I transferred to the University of Redlands. I finished there, with my social studies degree. I coached in college for two years while I was getting my masters in education at the University of Redlands. I never moved back home, I fell in love with this place.
What guided you to this career choice?
I was impacted at an early age. I was involved in a lot of sports, my goal was to be a professional baseball player. I was good enough to play in college and was proud of that but I had teachers and coaches in school, who I still tell stories about in my classroom. They believed in me and pushed me. I was an athlete that responded to being challenged and they knew how to challenge me in the right ways. When you put out the work ethic, they notice that and give you positive praise for that and I built relationships with those people. I sat back in class one day as a junior [in high school] and I remember just thinking about what I wanted to do and I thought about these people, teachers, coaches. I thought, ‘That’s a good life,’ you get a chance to be on campus and play a positive role in mentoring these people that are trying to figure out their lives and need more help.
Redlands East Valley sociology teacher and softball coach, Brandon Ford, stands in front of banners and posters hanging on his classroom wall of the J-Wing of the REV campus. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News Photo)
What would you be if you weren’t a teacher?
I would probably be a firefighter or go into the military. What I would have liked to be but probably would have never done is be a DJ or someone working for a company that had to do with music because I love music a lot.
Which hobbies and/or interests would you like to share with students to take interest in?
I believe if you want the students to buy into your classroom then you have to get them to buy into you as a person, they have to know that you are a person with likes and dislikes. I try to show them my love of music and the places I’ve seen, and the bands I’ve seen. I like to talk about sports a lot and life stories in my classroom. I have no problem connecting who I am and what my journey has been and letting the students know that. I feel that making connections with pop culture and making connections to the students helps them buy into you as a person.
Any advice for REV students?
Life is a journey, not a destination, don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out right now. If you do that’s great, if you don’t you’re alright. Life is going to take you down these roads and paths that you’re going to have to choose and sometimes you’re going to pick the wrong ones and sometimes the right ones. Believe in yourself and understand that this is your journey and never lose sight of that. Don’t let the hard times take you far out of your path, you only get one shot. Bet on yourself and believe that you can do this and you’ll succeed. It’s not a race to get to the end, it’s how you get there.
The Redlands Scholarship Foundation application process is being offered at each Redlands Unified School District high school to give seniors the chance to earn money for their education.
The applications opened Friday, Jan. 30, at 6 a.m. The deadline to submit applications is Feb. 6.
Students may use scholarships towards community college, university and maybe even trade school.
The scholarship foundation was created as a memorial in 1966. On the RCSF website it states that “inspired community members created the first scholarship to honor Mr. Kenneth Hurlbert, Assistant Superintendent”.
According to RCSF website, they have been “supporting over 131 community, business,educational, and individual donors who desire to make a positive impact on students’ lives.”
Seniors have a week to prepare their main essay and any additional essays for a chance to earn a scholarship at whichever high school the senior attends.
By MAURICIO PLIEGO, CRAIG MORRISON and KENDRA BURDICK
The first games on the new Redlands East Valley High School stadium are expected to be played this week by the REV boys and girls soccer teams, who will also have their senior nights at these games.
REV boys soccer plays versus RHS on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 pm and REV girls soccer plays versus Cajon High School on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 pm.
When Redlands East Valley High School first opened in the 1997 – 1998 school year, it did so without a stadium.
Each of the other two comprehensive high schools in the Redlands Unified School District have had their own stadiums: the Larry Dodge Stadium at Redlands High School and Robert Hodges Stadium at Citrus Valley High School.
Marking the 25th year of REV’s anniversary, the school administration announced on June 6, 2022 at 3:30 pm that they would begin breaking ground for the building of a stadium.
REV Principal Robert Clarey and Superintendent Mauricio Arellano addressed the crowd gathered around the soon-to-be stadium with speeches. Along with Clarey and Arellano, several school board members were in attendance and had the honor of shoveling the first heaps of dirt.
Redlands East Valley High School mascot Wendy the Wildcat stands next to the shovels meant to symbolize the breaking of ground for the new stadium on June 6, 2022. (Craig Morrison / Ethic News Photo)
Student-athletes, Spirit leaders, and school and community leaders expressed excitement for the long-awaited stadium that was set to open for winter or spring sports next year if construction goes as planned.
“I’m really happy that REV’s getting a stadium cause now people can’t make excuses and finally realize how amazing we are,” said Junior Emmanuel Wallace, track and field and basketball athlete. “Besides, it’ll be nice to not have to run on a bad dirt track.”
Redlands East Valley High School football players walk down towards the field as they prepare to be part of the announcement of the new field on June 6, 2022. (Ava Larson / Ethic News Photo)
“I’m happy that our school’s finally getting this stadium so we can improve and be the best we can be,” said REV student Teddy Collins.
Over the last six months, progress on the construction of the stadium has been visible as students and staff attend school.
On Jan. 23, the REV marching band was among the first to stand on the new field meant for the stadium and began to prepare for a performance. It was a small performance meant for the teaching and faculty staff of the school.
Caption: Drum Major Jennan Foutz stands to prepare for her first performance on the newly set grass of the future Redlands East Valley High School stadium on Jan. 23, 2023. (Geffrey Acosta / Ethic News Photo)
Current senior and Drum major Jennan Foutz said, “Now that we have this field it’s relieving that we can actually do what we have to in order to win competitions and to get better than we’ve ever been before. The field affects the band’s playing through our attitude, we sound better when we’re more enthusiastic and it’s hard to have that high energy level when we don’t have a field. It’s also safer for our feet to glide cause that affects the sound, if you bounce and have to gopher holes to worry about it makes the sound wavy and not consistent. Now the sound will be consistent and we’ll be able to know what to improve on.”
A marching band hat and trumpet sit on the newly set grass of the new Redlands East Valley High School stadium on January 23, 2023, as the marching band prepares for a performance. (Geffrey Acosta / Ethic News Photo)
While female athletes make up a total of 44% of all athletes, they receive a fraction of the coverage male sports do, as female sports coverage is less than 10% of all media attention.
This is according to Togethxr, a media company founded by female olympians Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel launched a platform in March 2021 dedicated to showcasing more women in sports.
These decorated athletes use their voice to uplift fellow women in the field of sports and put out content to shine a spotlight on those who otherwise would not be featured in televised programs.
Digital art created to incorporate the sports of founders of Togethxr, sports coverage company highlighting women in the media on Dec. 15, 2022 (ALEX VERDUZCO/Ethic News media)
Since 1989, a study has been conducted every five years by the University of Southern California and Purdue University, with the purpose of revealing the percentage of female sports media coverage when compared to male sports coverage. The most recent findings, published in 2019, revealed that 95% of sports media coverage tends to revolve around men’s sports, leaving that remaining 5% to presumably feature women’s sports.
These results raise the following questions, “Why do men’s sports grab the most attention?” and, “Do women deserve more recognition in media coverage?” Yes, female athletes put in the same amount of training and undergo the same requirements to be recruited in professional sports as do their male competitors. Why are sports presented differently based on the gender of the players? If, according to the study’s data, women are receiving some small amount of attention in the media, then why is the percent staying the same rather than increasing over time?
Cheryl Cooky, professor at Purdue University of American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, explains that the reasoning behind this is due to women landing a piece in the news that is often overshadowed by multiple accomplishments done by male athletes. With this, “one and done,” as she refers to it, the amount of content highlighting women’s achievements in sports is buried by the male dominated industry, and their surplus of coverage which limits the attention of female athletes. This restricts the increase of recognition women receive.
Do female athletes deserve more recognition in sports? Redlands East Valley High School student athletes weigh in.
Kate Sorenson of the REV varsity girls’ wrestling team says, “Girls’ wrestling is rarely ever shown in the media which makes opportunities far fewer. If women received the same amount of media coverage in our sport, we’d experience far more success and earn more praise for our accomplishments. Media coverage improves the quality of sports by increasing participation. For wrestling, the more women we have on the team, the more competitive we can be as a school. It’s hard to get girls interested in wrestling when girls are a minority.”
Kate Sorenson, representing Redlands East Valley High School varsity girls’ wrestling, stands in front of the weight room doors on Dec. 5, 2022. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)
Jason Knutson, mixed doubles badminton player at REV says, “Yes, womans’ sports should have more recognition, but the reason they don’t is because their sports are newer to the world than mens’ sports so they haven’t gained as much popularity and publicity.”
Jason Knutson, from the Redlands East Valley High School badminton team, stands in the REV library after school on Dec. 5, 2022. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)
“Yes, I do feel like girls in sports are unrecognized. I feel like this is also a part of hidden misogyny,” says Kate Heinze of the varsity water polo and swim team. “For example, boys’ water polo has been given money and is always talked about. But for girls’ water polo, we are a division 6 team and almost beat a team that has future Olympians on it; additionally, boards like the ABC [Aquatics Booster Club] refuses to give us money to travel to games for California Interscholastic Federation because we are destined to lose– why are they giving the boys’ team a chance but not ours? We deserve it just as much because we are bringing in wins.”
Celine Hill, captain of the varsity cheerleaders and water polo says, “Yeah, I believe women deserve equal representation in all fields including athletics. Like at football games, cheerleaders have supporters too and yet all the ticket money made goes toward the football players. Girls don’t seem to get funding in [school] sports like the boys do.”
Kate Heinze and Celine Hill varsity girls’ water polo players stand in front of the Redlands East Valley High School swimming pool fence on Dec. 5, 2022. (ALEX VERDUZCO/ Ethic News photo)
Dylan Cockerill, a member of the cross country and track team says, “Yes, women deserve equal representation compared to men.”
Jared Rubow, varsity boys’ tennis player, “Yes, that way we [as a society] can watch more tournaments.”
LEFT: Jared Rubow, Redlands East Valley High School varsity boys tennis player, stands in front of the trees on school campus before class starts on Dec. 5, 2022. RIGHT: Dylan Cockerill, REV cross country and track runner, stands in front of the pool fence after school on Dec. 5, 2022. (ALEX VERDUZCO, Ethic News Photo)
High Schools across Redlands competed in a hot cocoa competition. The competition tookplace on Dec. 9 between Citrus Valley High School, Redlands East Valley High School and Redlands High School.
Citrus Valley High School, Redlands High School and Redlands East Valley High School each promoted the hot cocoa competition on their instagram accounts. (Instagram screenshots/ Ethic News media)
The competition was also named the “Mug-of-War” contest.
Kylie McCue, a Citrus Valley junior, said,”It was good. Participation was good and hopefully it will be an annual thing.”
At each high school, the student government representatives scanned identification cards, filled cups with water, and provided hot chocolate packets. Students had to come before school to have their cups filled. Citrus Valley also went out of their way to provide disposable cups to anyone who did not bring their own cup.
The winner was announced at the end of lunch. The results were posted on Instagram announcing that RHS had won the competition by 45 cups with Citrus Valley coming in second and REV placing third.
Citrus Valley junior Riley Brossia said,”Even though we lost, I think it really rallied our school spirit.”
All three high schools posted the results of the “Mug-of-War” on their instagram accounts. Citrus Valley High School and Redlands East Valley High School congratulated Redlands High School for their win. (Instagram screenshot/ Ethic News media)
Overall the competition was a big success with Citrus Valley, REV and RHS all receiving high participation in the first “Mug-of-War” hot cocoa challenge.
It was announced that this was going to be an annual tradition and this year was the first.
The marching band has been underestimated for a long time. This behind-the-scenes video shows hard work, discipline, skill, and emotion. These students use every practice to perfect the show and strive to make it the best. There is a family within this group as they are all the parts that make up Redlands East Valley High School’s marching band.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.”
The Redlands East Valley High School Mental Health Awareness Club held a suicide prevention event during lunch on Thursday Sept. 8, 2022.
The booth was held in observance of National Suicide Prevention Week which is from Sept. 4 to Sept. 10.
“I think that it’s good that more people are talking about mental health and the stigma around it,” said sophomore Eliana Campa, “So, the booth was really cool because people were able to talk about what mental health is and why it’s important.”
At the booth, there were pins with green ribbons for mental health awareness, candy for students, and a positive affirmation station. There students were able to write positive anecdotes on notes or on a poster that will be hung up at REV. Finally, an interactive mental health check was available where students could have placed a paint dot for how they were doing in a certain section.
“I was in charge of the positive affirmation notes,” said Mental Health Awareness Club Vice President and senior Amélie Palacios, “and I saw that many students were more than happy to leave a kind note for a student that would need it in the future.”
“[Mental Health Awareness Club’s] goal is to provide a safe space to learn, talk and listen to each other,” said Mental Health Awareness Club President and senior Sarinna Schwendiman.
Mental Health Awareness Club’s next event is their annual Mental Health Fair where multiple clubs from REV and organizations from the county hold educational booths with games, giveaways or resources.
On Sept. 8, 2022 during lunch time, Wildcats came by the Mental Health Awareness Club’s booth dedicated to suicide prevention. There were many activities at the booth including an interactive mental health check and a positive affirmation station. Among the Wildcats, sophomore Eliana Campa picks up a pin and reads the table cover which shows that National Suicide Prevention Week and a crisis hotline: 988. (Credit / Amélie Palacios)
Starting in the 2022-23 school year, Ashley Visco is teaching at Redlands East Valley High School for her first year. She will be teaching Theatre Arts I and II. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Visco)
Ashley Visco is a new teacher to Redlands East Valley High School staff. Visco teaches Theater Arts I and Theater Arts II and tries to make a colorful and inspiring learning environment for her students. Visco answers some questions about herself and her career below.
Why did you choose this course to teach?
I loved theater forever. For as long as I can remember I was raised on it, a bit because when my dad was in high school he was heavily involved in theater. My sisters all loved musicals and things like that so I kinda grew up with a lot of plays and musical performances. Stories in general, I loved. I volunteered at my former high school Pomona Catholic High School, I volunteered for their theater program, helping out with their productions. I was working with the kids and I was like, I could teach this, it’d be fun and I’d enjoy doing it. But I didn’t know if I’d have the opportunity to teach a drama class, I’d always thought I’d go for English, so when this came up “Hey do you want to be our drama teacher?” I said “Yeah! I do.” I love this and it’s been really fun.
Did you teach at any other schools before REV?
This is my first teaching position and I did student teach at Upland High School and that is about it. Only Redlands so far.
Why did you choose to teach at REV?
For sure I am really happy with REV and Redlands in general, Redlands Unified. I’ve had the opportunity to teach before this. I finished my program two years ago to work at charter schools and different things but I felt “It just doesn’t feel like a good fit.” Other schools just didn’t feel organized and it didn’t seem like they were prioritizing the kids. I almost worked at an arts high school which had a lot of theater kids coming in, but it still wasn’t the right fit for me. I got hired to do summer school for Redlands and I just really liked the district. Everyone was so nice and professional. Then this school interviewed me and was very nice and I hoped that I got the job. Everyone I’ve met has been so nice and lovely and the campus is big and beautiful and has this big, beautiful theater. My high school’s theater was like one-twentieth [the size of] of REV’s.
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
I talked to my English teacher saying “Hey, I want to be a writer.” Things changed with college. I was majoring in English and it didn’t feel purposeful enough, it didn’t feel like I was doing anything. It was like “what’s the point, what am I here for.” When I volunteered with those kids I thought it felt important. So I tried teaching because I liked working with young people and doing something that could matter.
What would you be if you could have been anything other than a teacher?
I wanted to be a writer for a long time. I was very book obsessed and still am but my brain gets tired so unfortunately I haven’t sat down and read a good book in a while. I thought I’d be a writer because I love historical romance, Pride and Prejudice, and things like that. I wrote Pride and Prejudice fan-fiction back in the day.
What’s important to you?
Respect is huge for me. Confidence is also very important because I like working with younger people and helping them find who they want to be. Especially because we all can remember what it’s like being at this time in your life (high school) its really difficult and you need those people who support you and build you up and being that person to students is important to me. Respect and love are all around for everybody. That’s something that I love about this theater department. “I can do anything and I’ve got people from different parts of theater that can come in here and try something new.” It’s an exciting position and I’d say that the most important thing is respect and love for everybody.
What’s something that you would like to tell students?
Focus on yourself. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately cause it’s easy to get stuck in the day and your schedule and you try to get through it with your friends but it can get frustrating and it’s good to remember to focus on yourself and your needs. Especially with school, get done what you need to get done and you might not know where you’re going necessarily but that’s okay as long as in the moment, they are happy, healthy, and surrounded by people that are good for you.
What college did you go to?
I started at the University of La Verne right after I graduated from high school but my mental health started to slip a little bit to where I was struggling and I just wasn’t happy and finally I was struggling too. So I decided “Let’s take a break.” I worked and matured and tried to figure out what I wanted to do, that’s when I volunteered. I was like “Teaching sounds good. I worked with kids at the theater program and loved it.” So I went online and went to Grand Canyon University which is a cool program and I highly recommend that people decide if they want to go to college in person or not in person. I was struggling with the anxiety of being in college and being with all of those people and I realized that online works better for me. I got a Bachelor of Arts in English for secondary education, specifically for teaching English.
What’s the biggest thing that you welcome into your classroom?
The bravery to try new things is huge and even if it’s the smallest thing. You don’t have to be “look at me” but if normally you’re kinda shy and you step out of your shell and do some of the exercises and games we play. The courage to do something silly is really important. Another thing I’ve been thinking about is that there’s so much shyness I think and the awkwardness of standing out in high school which I understand. Something that I value and appreciate is seeing someone willing to just do something as opposed to having the fear of standing out.
Who got you to where you are now?
My parents in the sense that they helped me get through a lot of school just by being very accepting and supportive. There was never too much pressure or too little pressure. They were like “Hey, we know you’re smart and do your best.” I didn’t struggle with school because of that so I appreciate that they were like that. I had an English teacher who was also the drama director at my high school. She was wild and wacky and we had a lot in common. We’d talk about Pride and Prejudice. We’d go out to Cal Poly Pomona and do Shakespearean competitions, we’d perform in front of people for prizes and stuff. My fiance has been super supportive, he’s somebody who helps you be yourself, to find out who you are and what you need. Finally, me. I helped myself get here and I don’t think I give myself credit enough which is something that I’m trying to work on cause I’ve worked hard and it’s difficult to look at yourself and say “You’re doing great right now.” I constantly think about what I did wrong and what I could do better. But it’s like “No. I’m doing great and I worked hard.”
What is something that you’ve had to change about yourself to fit the job?
Perfectionism is deadly and I lived with it throughout my life. I didn’t realize it until I got older. There’s a part of you as a teacher, I found, that feels responsible for everything. I think that’s why some students see teachers as controlling because there’s a part of you (as a teacher) that makes you feel like it’s all your fault. If it’s not going well, you have to fix it. If a lesson didn’t go well it’s like “Oh my god, I’m the worst.” With cheating, I try to figure out what I did wrong and try to give the students a second chance. I’ve learned I need to just step back and realize that people make their choices. Everybody does what they do, naturally, you can’t step in and try to change it cause you’d be controlling them saying “Hey this, hey this.” Sometimes you’ve got to step back and let them make their choice and if their choice is to not do well in the class then it’s not my fault. If I did everything that I could do, it’s not my fault.
What is the main goal you want to see your students achieve?
Confidence is an important goal I want to see my students achieve. I want them to have enough confidence in themselves to be like “Hey, I can do this and it’s going to be okay.” My ultimate goal is to have them try acting, try to get up on the stage and use their voices. Acting did that for me, it built my confidence like now I can give back the wrong order and talk to people on the phone. Exploring is also a big thing. That’s why I picked the fall play that I did, cause I want them to explore different things from every culture and variety.
By MAURICIO PLIEGO, ALEXANDRA VERDUZCO and GEFFREY ACOSTA
The Associative Student Body, opened up the new school year for students at Redlands East Valley High School with a rally in the Wildcat Gym on August 19. Senior Pep Commissioners Emma Guerrero, Seth Bruer and Ruben Villanueva introduced Fall sports captains and the new sports student section, the Redzone.
Jahir Garcia, a senior at REV, said, “the best one yet to start off senior year.”
Throughout the rally, various REV student groups performed, such as the Colorguard, Junior Varsity, Varsity, and Songie Cheerleaders.
Three total games were played, the first two by the students and the third by the teachers. The first was a game called “Disney Musical Chairs” where students wore distortion goggles and had to find a chair when the music was over, but the third was a tug-o-war between teachers from various departments and the loser would be “slimed” as the famous Nickelodeon game show works.
Finally, the Pep Commissioners introduced the freshman class of 2026 to “class calls” where students attempt to be the loudest to yell their graduation year.
Carey Rowan, a sophomore, said “ I liked the enthusiasm and class calls, I wish they had more seating.”
Senior Brooke Rowan said, “It was fun and went well, minimal mistakes and really hot. More seating would be nice.”
From left to right: Redlands East Valley Fall sports captains, Brooklynn Rios (12), Aliyah Maciel (12), Aubrey Rivas (12), Celine Hill (12), Analicia Swanson (12), Charlize Munar (12), Maryn Strong (12), Abigail Washburn (12), Vivian Bosch (11) and Ainsley Zercher (11). Team captains introduce themselves to the crowds of students and the sport they represent and lead. (GEFFREY ACOSTA/ Ethic News).
Senior Pep Commissioner Seth Bruer encourages the last remaining players as they wait for the music to end and run for the remaining chair in the game at rally in the Redlands East Valley High School gym. (GEFFREY ACOSTA / Ethic News)
Players from each grade are waiting for the music to end to run and find a chair to stay in the game and continue to the next round. The rally includes a variety of games, performances, and introductions by various students and organizations at Redlands East Valley High School. (GEFFREY ACOSTA / Ethic News)
By ELLA FITZPATRICK, NADIA CENICEROS, MIRIAM YORDANOS and MARSHALL SCOTT
Seniors from the class of 2022 at Citrus Valley High School and Redlands East Valley High School answer “How do you feel now that high school is coming to a close?” and “What are your plans after high school?”
There has been an emerging trend of students bringing various types of baby foods to snack on throughout the day at Redlands East Valley High School. Although this may seem like a strange choice of food to bring to school, there are some components that compel students to eat it other than just taste.
People of all ages have been eating baby food as a snack and with the goal of getting the nutrition that they need from a smaller portion. (KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News photo)
Most high school students are eating baby food for the perceived benefit of losing weight, due to its nutrients and small portions.
According to the health site Verywell Fit, Shereen Lehman, a healthcare journalist and fact checker, said, “Some proponents of the baby food diet claim that baby foods are healthier because they don’t usually contain any food additives.”
The health site Healthline Writer Aimee Eyvazzadeh further explains how the diet is used for the reason that “the small portion sizes of baby food will reduce your daily calorie intake. There are several less restrictive versions of the diet, like replacing only one meal a day with baby food.”
With restrictive diets like the baby food diet, it’s also important to keep in mind the risk of developing disordered eating, which could lead to an eating disorder if the diet is followed for a longer period of time, according to Healthline.
“All the baby food that you can buy in the US meets strict US FDA regulations for safety,” said the health site Baptist Health.
Regardless of whether they bring baby food for dietary purposes or purely based on the taste, some students enjoy this unusual snack to munch on throughout the school day.
Alexandria Driscoll is a new teacher to Redlands East Valley High School staff. Driscoll teaches Special Education English and tries to make a colourful and inspiring learning environment for her students. Driscoll answers some questions about herself and her career below.
Why did you choose this course to teach?
I teach special ed and this was the opening that was here. My background is a little more in science but I thought that it’d be fun and I liked English a lot when I took it as a student.
Did you teach at any other schools before REV?
I taught at a school called Shandin Hills in San Bernardino. It’s a middle school and I taught science there.
Why did you choose to teach at REV
I really wanted to be closer to home and closer to my daughter. I figured it was a good transition because I only live five minutes from here. I went to school in Redlands and I liked it a lot, so I thought it would be a good place to work.
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
So, originally I studied child development and I liked it a lot. I liked learning how children grow and develop and it kind of got me into the whole ‘how children learn’ and so I was really interested in that. When I graduated from grad school, my friend and I were like “what should we do next” we didn’t really know. So, I kind of dragged her along with me to a credential program with me at the University of Redlands. We really liked it and honestly I’d say that my friend and I influenced each other and with the background in child development it was really easy to transition.
If you could have been anything other than a teacher, what would you be?
Growing up, I really wanted to be a veterinarian at the zoo. But, that takes a lot of school. Science was not my strong suit growing up and definitely not going to the medical field. But if I could go back in time, I would just be taking care of a baby koala, just feeding it with a bottle.
What’s something that’s important to you?
I would say teaching in a way that’s inclusive for my students and making sure that they’re comfortable here and they feel like they’re represented. That’s my main goal here, even before I start teaching I make sure that this is a comfortable environment for them and that they feel when they’re here they won’t be judged. That they’re comfortable to discuss things here. That’s my main goal—to have inclusion in my classroom.
What’s something that you would like to tell students?
One, mainly for my students, is to not to give up because that’s life and it’s going to be really hard. If you give up the second there’s a struggle, you’re not going to, I think, make it in this world. I’d say, if you’re struggling and it’s hard just kind of push through the best that you can.
What school did you go to?
I started at RCC in Riverside and I got a couple of associates there then I transferred to Cal State. I got a bachelor’s and I stayed there for grad school and then I got a master’s in child development. Then, I went to the U of R and I got my credential there.
What’s the biggest thing that you welcome into your classroom?
Difference of opinions. I tell my students if you don’t agree with what I’m saying, let’s discuss it. I really welcome an open discussion and that healthy disagreement as far as if you disagree then let’s talk about it.
Who got you to where you are now?
Mainly me because it was a lot of work. My family, they’re very supportive. Both of my parents didn’t really go to college so they didn’t really know how to help me. They were always like “She’s gonna do what she’s gonna do so we’ll just support her.” I’d say that my dad is a really big supporter of me, even if he doesn’t understand fully he’ll always agree with what path I choose.
Miss Driscoll has taught at Redlands East Valley High School for a year. (KENDRA BURDICK/Ethic News Photo)
Come join Ethic News as they interview Redlands East Valley High School senior Arnie Corpus. Corpus responds to questions about his future at University of California, Berkley and on the badminton team winning first place in the Citrus Belt League this year. As always, Corpus answers fast, controversial “this or that” questions at the end of the interview.
“A high-flying, slam dunking, rim-rattling basketball show is coming to town!” said the email sent to Redlands East Valley High School students the day before the Harlem Wizards basketball game.
In an effort to raise funds for the Redlands Education Partnership, REP hosted the Harlem Wizards for a fun and friendly game of basketball versus Redlands Unified School District staff on Friday, April 22 at the Wildcat Gym.
Both sides of the gym were packed with students, family, and staff members from the various Redlands schools including Franklin Elementary School, Crafton Elementary School, Kimberly Elementary School, Redlands High School and REV.
“It was fun for the kids,” said REV senior Arnie James Corpus. “[The Wizards] got the crowd going and I think people who came got a good show.”
Hailing from Fairfield, New Jersey, the Harlem Wizards, not to be confused with the Harlem Globetrotters despite both teams’ similar comical antics, was originally found by Howie Davis who had “a passion for the merger of sports and entertainment,” according to the Harlem Wizards website, and have five different team units: Broadway Unit, Showtime Unit, Swoop Unit, Rocket Unit, and Assembly and Special Events Unit.
For the REP game, the crowd saw the Broadway Unit of the Harlem Wizards which included Eric “Broadway” Jones, Arnold “A-Train” Bernard, Devon “Livewire” Curry, Lloyd “Loonatik” Clinton and Leon “Space Jam” Sewell.
The players who played on behalf of the REP Rebounders were Redlands teachers, classified employees and administrators. The team captain was RUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. Bill Berich, REV history teacher and recently retired head basketball coach, was the coach for the REP Rebounders.
“My favorite moments of the game were watching the staff and the Wizards play, but also, honestly and most important, was just seeing those faces in the crowd having a good time,” said Sabrina Thunderface Mercado, AP Secretary from Cope Middle School, who was the shortest player on the team at 4 feet and 11 inches.
Mercado says she volunteered to play because she “thought it would be fun for my 19-year-old son to see his Mom out on the court playing ball with The Harlem Wizards. He loves basketball.”
(MIA ARANDA/ Ethic News visual)
The referees of the game included Redlands East Valley High School’s new athletic director, Chad Blatchley. Brandon Ford, sociology and career foundations teacher and softball coach, Ted Ducey, badminton coach and earth science teacher and Ryan Parson, teacher, also represented REV. RHS Advanced Placement Teacher and Volleyball Coach Nathan Smith joined the high school teacher players.
“The game itself was a lot of fun and I hope it raised a lot of money,” said Smith, “I would play it again.”
Middle school staff players were Mercado, TeAnna Bermudez and Kiele Pratt from Cope and Matthew Villalva from Moore.
“Joining in on the fun, especially after the last few years we’ve had, where people couldn’t hang out with each other, students weren’t in school like normal. It was great to have some normalcy return to us all,” said Mercado.
Elementary schools staff players included Jennie Dyerly from Crafton, Jeff Stamners from Cram, and Natalie Wood from Judson and Brown, Carolyn Bradshaw from Kimberly, Scott Ferguson from Lugonia, John Smith from from McKinley, Damion Sinor from Mentone and Jeff Doolittle from Mission. Franklin Elementary had Rebecca Acosta, Erick Nowak, Katy Swift, Leah Timpe and Alexis Padilla participating in the game.
Numerous sponsors supported the game including Pacific Dermatology Institute, Redlands Police Officers Association, Redlands Community Hospital, Maupin Physical Advisors, Welsh Insurance Services, Neal and Joyce Waner, Holiday Inn Express, Trader Joe’s and Chick-fil-A.
As soon as one team got the lead, the other managed to tie the game again, but despite this pattern throughout the majority of the game, the Harlem Wizards left the Wildcat gym triumphant. The Redlands Educational Partnership website has more information on their programs and donations.
Before the game started, Jamel “The Voice” Thompson, brought by the Harlem Wizards, played music to hype up players and audience members. Thompson and Redlands East Valley High School announcer Kirk Escher watch the Harlem Wizards warmup. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News photo)
Teachers from some of Redlands’ elementary schools took part in the game, and mascots from Cope middle school and Clement middle school stood in front of the crowd while watching the court. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News photo)
The REP team is seen standing in a line while high-fiving their coach Bill Berich as he runs past them with his name being announced. Berich is retiring this year from being Redlands East Valley High School’s boys’ varsity basketball coach. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News photo)
Both the REP Rebounders and the Harlem Wizards leave the Redlands East Valley High School basketball court while waving to the fans. The game ended with the Harlem Wizards magically winning. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
Chad Blatchley, one of the referees of the game and Redlands East Valley High School’s athletic director, watches the game as the bleachers are packed with families, students, and staff. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News photo)
With the Harlem Wizards already having a lead of eight points, their player Devon “Livewire” Curry attempted a backwards half court shot, and when the ball fell in the hoop, the players and crowd alike erupted into cheers. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/Ethic News photo)
Both the REP Rebounders and the Harlem Wizards leave the Redlands East Valley High School basketball court while waving to the fans. The game ended with the Harlem Wizards magically winning. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
Come join Ethic News as they interview Redlands East Valley High School Guadalajara native Dona Ayala. Ayala responds to questions in Spanish about her life inside and outside of school as well as maintaining her culture in America. As always, Ayala answers fast, controversial “this or that” questions at the end of the interview.
Bill Berich has been involved in education for 41 years and has been a teacher and coach at Redlands East Valley since its opening in 1997.
Berich says, “I wanted to get back into coaching high school basketball – and REV was opening up so I applied.”
In an away game against the Redlands High School boys varsity basketball team, Redlands East Valley High School boys’ varsity basketball coach Bill Berich dismisses his team from a timeout. The end of the game resulted in a win for the Wildcats. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
He taught at Yucaipa Junior High for two years, 13 years in Yucaipa High School, and 25 years at REV. Berich has taught social studies, physical education, health, English and science classes over the course of his career along with coaching basketball and several other sports.
Berich says, “I have so much fun teaching. I am not the best teacher, but I doubt anyone enjoys it as much as I do. I like helping kids [who want to be helped] and seeing them succeed.”
“I have so much fun teaching. I am not the best teacher, but I doubt anyone enjoys it as much as I do.”
Bill Berich, Redlands East Valley High School Head Boys Basketball Coach
Head coach Bill Berich (far right) watches his team rejoicing as Redlands East Valley High School senior Piave Fitzpatrick and junior Jeremiah Bolaños jump with enthusiasm after winning their final CBL game of the 2021-22 basketball season in an overtime clinch. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
Berich has coached basketball for 43 years and that has included six years in freshman basketball, seven seasons as the head boys’ varsity coach from 1986-1993, four seasons as assistant coach at the University of Redlands from 1993-1997 and has been head coach at REV since 1997.
Along with basketball, he has coached for softball, golf, track, junior varsity softball and badminton.
During his time as a coach at REV, basketball has won four Kiwanis Tournaments, two Beaumont Tournaments, four Citrus Belt League and several other tournaments. Since REV’s opening in 1997, the team has qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs for 20 out of the 25 years.
Redlands East Valley High School boys’ varsity basketball coach Bill Berich stands on the sideline during the first and last CIF game for the Wildcats of the 2021-2022 season on Feb. 11, 2022. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
As coach, Berich can think of two memories that he can say were his favorites but he cannot choose a favorite season.
He says, “CIF Finals at the Honda Center in 2015. Winning a game in the State Tournament. Our first CBL Title. But, maybe above all of that, was the retirement send-off I was given at our last home game on February 4, 2022. That was amazing.”
Over the years, he has grown to love the students, faculty and everyone who works at REV. Berich feels it has “become infectious” and feels blessed to have taught at REV.
Coach Berich speaks to the Redlands Educational Partnership Rebounders team in hopes to lead them through the game against the comedic, traveling basketball team the Harlem Wizards. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
As the coach for the REP Rebounders, Bill Berich talks to his team of Redlands’ teachers, classified employees and administrators before they begin their fundraising basketball game against the comedic basketball team the Harlem Wizards on April 22, 2022. (AILEEN JANEE CORPUS/ Ethic News photo)
The only thing he would change is to hold the students to a higher standard regarding attendance, academics and behavior because he feels that it would be possible to do.
Berich lives by the Golden Rule, and he believes that students should know that “what is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular.”
He says, “I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated. I try to do my best and take satisfaction in that regardless of the results.”
During his free time, he golfs, fishes, and takes care of his disabled son, Billy. For his retirement, he hopes to be able to teach at a junior college, or community college, and continue fishing, golfing, and boating.
Originally an assistant coach to Berich, Head Coach Mike Aranda has coached REV basketball since the 1999-2000 season.
“He has worked very hard over the years to build up the REV basketball program. We’ve won CBL titles, preseason tournaments, a state playoff game, and reached the CIF Final in 2015,” says Aranda. “He cares deeply about his players but not just in regard to their basketball abilities, he wants his players to be successful in all aspects of life. He’s taught his players about responsibility, work ethic, and accountability to prepare them for their lives after their basketball career is over.”
Aranda says, “I am very thankful to Coach Berich for his help and guidance in my coaching and teaching career.”
The Redlands East Valley senior class of 2022 gathered at lunch on April 29 to celebrate senior commit day—an event to recognize the future graduates education plans after high school.
Between the M and K buildings at REV, the Associated Student Body set up a small gathering of free pizza, soda and chips for the seniors attending college in the fall.
Because the grass yard between both buildings was closed off for only seniors, the students were able to enjoy the lunch with themselves and connect with each other about their plans for college.
“It was nice being able to see where other people are committed to. It makes it feel as if we’re going our separate ways but we’ll always have a shared high school experience,” says Alicia Gullon, a senior at REV with plans to attend University of California, Berkeley.
“It makes it feel as if we’re going our separate ways but we’ll always have a shared high school experience.”
Redlands East Valley High School senior Alicia Gullon
Along with eating food, the students could also take photos together in front of the photo booth with friends and sign a banner with their name and the college they plan on attending.
Between the M and K buildings at Redlands East Valley High School, Wildcat seniors Prescott Neiswender and Katelyn Kennedy pose in front of a decorated photo booth to take a photo for Senior Commit Day on April 29 during lunch. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley seniors Giselle Sefiane Coady, Ella Martinez-Spencer, Luca Smith and Corey Ford sign a banner with their names and the colleges they plan on attending in the fall on Senior Commit Day at REV on April 29. ( ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
All students in Redlands are invited to participate in the Redlands Day of Community Service on Saturday, May 7 from 8:30 am to noon.
Steven Mapes, community member, invites everyone of all ages to come out and take part in the Redlands Day of community service. Mapes encourages students to wear their respective school colors to uplift others by seeing the youth serving in our community.
Digital image representing a day of community service created using Adobe Spark (MAURICIO PLIEGO/ Ethic image)
“One of the best things about the Community Day of Service is the way that it brings so many different people together,” said Judy Cannon, Director of Communications for the Redlands Stake of Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. “We have all age groups and affiliations working alongside each other. It’s part of what makes Redlands so great.”
Students can obtain volunteer hours and take pride in their community by partaking in Redlands Day of Community Service.
“Some of our favorite volunteers are the students from our local high schools. They bring their youthful energy and a unique spirit of fun to the day,” said Cannon.
To volunteer visit Just Serve and search for “Redlands Day of Service May 7th, 2022.” From there, choose a project to participate in.
The projects to choose from are: Heritage Park-Grounds Landscaping, State Street Planters, Redlands Sports Park Fence-Painting, Ford Park Pond Stabilization and Gateway Ranch Cable Fencing.
Several Redlands East Valley High School students received recognition for their art on March 15.
The Young Artists Gallery Reception is an annual event hosted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Riverside Inyo Mono San Bernardino
California Arts Project in association with The Arts Education Network.
A total of 27 schools entered the competition and 177 pieces of art were judged for the event. The categories of the show were drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, digital art, comic art, ceramics, mixed media and film/animation.
Out of the 177 pieces of art juried at the show, there were four winners from REV.
“Living in life, that’s probably the best inspiration that I get,” says second place winner REV sophomore Mia Altenbac said. “Things that just come naturally I find inspiration from that.”
The following art pieces are the winners from REV. The winners were also recognized at REV’s spring rally on April 8.
Redlands East Valley High School student Jay Gutierrez, third place winner, sends in this piece for the art category. (Courtesy of Tracy Massimiano)
Redlands East Valley High School senior Luke Loomis wins second place with a ceramic cup for the competition. (Courtesy of Tracy Massimiano)
Second place winner Mia Altenbach has her digital art piece sent in for the competition. (Courtesy of Tracy Massimiano)
First place winner and Redlands East Valley sophomore, Matthew Thorig, displays their drawing piece. (Courtesy of Tracy Massimiano)
On March 17, a protest was organized on Opal and Colton Avenue by #savefash, a movement created by the Redlands East Valley Associated Student Body junior class in hopes of reinstating their advisor, Matt Fashempour, of eight years.
Members of the ASB class felt that there was not an explanation given.
Robert Clarey, the REV Principal, says, “ This is a personnel decision and, as such, it would be unprofessional of me to discuss openly.”
Shannon Cockerill, current senior and ASB Executive President at REV, says, “I realize protest and petitions don’t guarantee anything, so at the very least, I hope Fashempour gets an explanation and he see’s just how many people support him and appreciates everything he does.”
Clarey says, “I hear the rumors as well, it is unfortunate that a lack of information causes people to make up their own narrative. People feel the need to be in the know…or at least to appear that they are in the know.”
More students joined the crowd throughout the morning prior to the start of school. Participants received shirts printed by a parent of one of the students involved and held student-created posters.
Redlands East Valley High School junior Nathan Derry holds a “Save Fash” poster along the sideline of Colton Avenue before school on March 17. (AVA LARSON/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School sophomores Lily Shaw and Amanda Morrison carry posters for passing cars to “honk for Fash” along the sideline of Colton Avenue before school on March 17. (AVA LARSON/ Ethic News photo)
The Redlands East Valley High School theater department presented its Spring Showcase on Friday, March 11. While the department traditionally performs a musical in the spring, this year they decided on a showcase in which students were allowed to perform and collaborate on acts of their choosing.
The show was also unique in that it was a collaboration between REV and Redlands eAcademy. REV is one of the Redlands Unified School District’s three comprehensive high schools. Redlands eAcademy is the district’s hybrid learning school which shares a campus with REV. Students from both schools worked together to put on the Spring Showcase.
The show consisted of many scenes from popular movies and tv shows including “Mean Girls” and “Victorious” as well as acts from acclaimed musicals such as “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.”
“My favorite part has been working with my friends, and seeing how talented everyone is. Getting to act is amazing, but my favorite part [is] having fun with other actors,” said Connor Bromberger, a senior at REV.
REV senior Leilani Baldwin said, “The people are so supportive and loving. Needless to say, they are some of the most fun people I know.”
Many of these acts required students to work together creatively for weeks.
Grace Castell, a senior at REV, said her favorite part about the showcase “has to be working with my friends. There’s never a dull moment with them.”
Bella Mia Fraley, a freshman at Redlands E-Academy said, “Being on stage, the lights, the sounds, it’s all so fun, and I hope I can do more productions with this school in the future.”
While preparing for the showcase was full of excitement, performers admit that the process was stressful at times.
Nina Brown, a freshman at E-academy said, “The preparation process has been really stressful, but also really fun. It’s always fun to go to rehearsal and practice.”
Ella Fletcher, a senior at REV, said the showcase was “definitely a little stressful, but that is always a part of performing onstage because performers care so much that what you see onstage is as perfect as possible.”
(From left down to right down) Evie O’Brien, Lizeth Lopez, Rose Blatchley, Ella Fletcher, Dana Hatar and Megan Rimmer starred in Ex Wives from “Six” the musical. Their performance was the closing act of the night. (ALISSON BERMUDEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Junior Evie O’Brien (left) and senior Connor Bromberger (right) stand next to each other with weaponry during their portrayal of Henry vs his Demons. (ISAAC MEJIA/ Ethic News photo)
The actors and actresses of the showcase had their own unique individual experiences. Behind the scenes, the tech and stage crew had their own experiences as well.
eAcademy freshman Dakarai Marshall said “I have learned a lot more than I expected, such as using power tools. I have had fun learning these life lessons and skill sets that I will benefit from forever.”
Moments before the show, the cast sits around the set patiently waiting to be called by the tech crew for their last mic check. (ALISSON BERMUDEZ/ Ethic News photo)
Liliana Arroyo (left) and Lelanie Baldwin (right), two of the soloists of the night, pose for a picture outside of the theater room. Arroyo performed “Hopelessly Devoted To You” from Grease while Baldwin performed “Breathe” from In the Heights. (ALISSON BERMUDEZ/ Ethic News photo)
(ISAAC MEJIA/ Ethic News video)
For some students, the Spring Showcase marked the beginning of their theatrical career at REV. However, for seniors, the showcase was the last time that they would set foot on the Blackstone Theater Stage and perform in front of a live audience.
Fletcher said, “I am happy to be a part of this production, but it is a little bittersweet. I do wish it was a full show though, but I’m happy to be involved!”
“It’s a surreal feeling to know this is the last time I will walk on and off of the Blackstone Theater stage as an attending REV student, ” said Baldwin. “I had grown so much in my craft in this very building.”
“I do wish we could have done an actual play, but having the freedom to create a scene on our own is still just as great,” Catell said. “As long as I have fun and get to be with my friends, then I don’t mind! I will miss all the people I got to work with once I graduate though.”
By ELLA FITZPATRICK, CYRUS ENGELSMAN, DANIELA MORA, MIA ARANDA, MIRIAM YORDANOS, AILEEN JANEE CORPUS and KENDRA BURDICK
To raise more awareness and combat the mental health stigma at Redlands East Valley High School, the Mental Health Awareness club hosted a mental health fair from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on March 8 in the main quad.
Wildcat students explore the Mental Health Fair during third period in the main quad on the East Valley campus to participate in the Mental Health Fair on Tuesday, March 8. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
Julie Castillo, teacher of the Mental Health Career Pathway classes at REV who advises the Mental Health Awareness club at REV, says, “People know what they hear in the media. People know what they hear from friends. People know what they hear from family. But people don’t always know what people who work in the field of mental health want them to know.”
“Many people with serious mental illness are challenged doubly. On one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease,” according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. “On the other, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness.”
Booths led by students from the mental health pathway classes, clubs on campus and organizations partnered with the Mental Health Awareness Club and offered a variety of different resources, education, and activities.
“The mental health fair is here to educate people who know nothing about mental health,” says Castillo.
“We always need to bring this education and awareness to the public. And that has always been our main goal: to eradicate the stigma through the education of mental health, wellness, and illness,” says Castillo.
Mental health resource and education booths
Through Castillo’s efforts, the Mental Health Awareness club and the mental health career pathway classes were able to team up with multiple mental health organizations based outside of REV.
These outside organizations that made an appearance, and also made up half of the 20 booths at the fair, included The Spring to Autumn Counseling Services, the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program, the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Medical Center of Loma Linda Hospital, Redlands Unified School District employees, the University of Redlands Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness members, the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Generation Rise.
Ranger, a dog who works with the Inland Empire Therapy Dogs, poses for a picture looking into the sun. He joined other dogs from the program at the Mental Health Fair at REV to receive pets and belly rubs from the students visiting the fair. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
Wildcats students eagerly wait for their turn using the virtual reality headset offered by the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program on Tuesday, March 8. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
The other ten booths were run by students from the Mental Health Awareness Club and the mental health career pathway classes. The students put together educational booths on various mental health topics and coping skills.
Above: Joshua Zatarain, a junior at Redlands East Valley High School, plays a game at the Mental Health Awareness Club booth at the Mental Health Fair on March 8. Joshua Masangcay, a senior and the president of the Mental Health Awareness club, shows Zatarain how to play the game. The game involves throwing a ball towards a pyramid of collapsable cans; if the player successfully knocks down a can, they win the game. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School seniors Avery Zercher and Grace Mcastell, students in the mental health careers pathway classes, give a presentation on the realities of substance abuse at a booth for the Mental Health Fair on Tuesday, March 8. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
Redlands East Valley High School junior Breanna Routhieux and senior Alison Bradshaw provide information about different types of foods that improve brain health at their nutrition booth at the Mental Health Fair on Tuesday, March 8. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
REV’s clubs, including Rock Painting Club, the Wildcat Pride Association and Art Club, were also encouraged to participate in the fair with their own educational booths about stigmas and how to practice healthy mental wellness.
Rock Painting Club
The Rock Painting Club’s booth provided students with supplies to paint their own rocks that they could keep.
Redlands East Valley High School freshmen Vibha Athreya (left) and Eliana Campa (right) use the booth’s supplies to paint rocks on Tuesday, March 8 in the Wildcat quad. (MIA ARANDA/ Ethic News photo)
“Rock painting is a way to prevent stress and find a healthy coping mechanism,” said Rock Painting Club President and senior Tejazvi Gopalan.
Rock Painting Club President and senior Tejazvi Gopalan helps oversee the booth where students had the opportunity to paint their own rocks on Tuesday, March 8 in the Wildcat quad. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
Rock Painting Club welcomes any new members every Thursday at lunch in room K110 to paint rocks that can either be kept for personal use or be used to help decorate the campus.
Art Club
Art Club’s booth allowed students to display their emotions on paper by scribbling on paper then using colors to express the emotions they feel daily.
Art Club encourages different interpretations of art, therefore they reinforced the idea that not everyone’s color interpretations will not be the same.
“Most of us, whether we know it or not, have a mental illness of some sort. Eliminating the stigma is really going to be beneficial for the future,” said Art Club Vice President junior Lana Nutter.
Wildcat Pride Association
The Wildcat Pride Association had a booth with a game of Myth or Fact where WPA Vice President Finn Stewart would make a statement and it would be up to the player to decide if the statement was a myth or a fact. If the participant got the statement correct, then they would be able to get a raffle ticket and a candy or prize.
“Our station is about mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and how it’s stigmatized, and we have written down myths and facts about certain parts of it,” said junior and WPA Vice President Finn Stewart.
Wildcat seniors Rishi Patel, Neo Morrison and Corey Ford talk to Finn Stewart, the vice president of The Wildcat Pride Association, as they fill out an interactive worksheet for their class. The worksheet was provided by Julia Castillo to encourage students to interact with the booths at the fair by answering the questions as they went around visiting booths. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
The WPA had a poster presenting facts about LGBTQIA+ mental health.
Stewart said, “We have a lot of help lines. The fair will be more awareness for students to understand more about people with mental illness and understand that they shouldn’t be hidden away from society and they should be considered people too even though they are struggling with something.”
Student table on schizophrenia
The student-run schizophrenia booth offered educational information about what it’s like to have the mental illness. The booth also provided knowledge on the experiences people have when living with it.
Alicia Gullon and Shannon Cockerill, Wildcat seniors and members of the Mental Health Awareness Club, educate students on the realities of schizophrenia on Tuesday, March 8. Seniors Shireen Takkouch, Luck Mathis and Gavin Oliver watch as senior Isabella-Martinez Spencer plays an interactive game of “this or that” on the computer. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
REV junior Jaylene Lopez said that the booth not only had information to learn about schizophrenia but it also had an interactive game you can play. The game provided a little insight as to how it feels to have schizophrenia and if the player can handle living with it.
Lopez says, “if you really wanna learn, you’re gonna learn more about different types of mental illnesses and different ways to help cope with other mental illnesses.”
The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health
At the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health booth, they offered pamphlets and flyers about urgent mental health care, teenage depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, adverse childhood experiences and more.
The pamphlets offered resources and included symptoms of mental health illness that are common within teens.
Volunteer Services Coordinator Susan Abito said, “This event is going to open up a dialogue between the students, where maybe they might not feel comfortable talking. But, now that everyone here and there is a lot of support, they will be more open to discuss mental health.”
Charlotte Baldes, a Wildcat senior, talks with Lana Frausto who works with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. Baldes and Frausto discuss mental health resources and potential volunteer program information provided at their booth at the Mental Health Fair at in the Wildcat quad on Tuesday, March 8. (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News photo)
National Read Across America was established in 1998 to encourage children and adults to find enjoyment in reading. March 2 has continued to be National Read Across America day, where groups such as local police, city council officials and high school students go to elementary schools to read to children.
Celebrated on the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, American author of children’s books under the pen name Dr. Seuss, National Read Across America day is distinguished by the tradition of reading his stories such as “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Horton Hears a Who,” and “The Lorax.”
This year, Redlands East Valley High School students went to Crafton Elementary, Judson and Brown Elementary, Mariposa Elementary and Mentone Elementary. Each school gave the high school students two hours to read to as many classes as possible.
Shannon Cockerill, Alicia Gullon, Ella Fitzpatrick and Katelyn Kennedy read the children’s book “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt to a group of second-grade students on Wednesday, March 2 at Mariposa Elementary School in Redlands, CA for Read Across America. (Credit to Anthony Gomez)
“Interacting with kids brings a whole new wonder of joy,” says Shannon Cockerill, a senior at REV. “When working with them, they have so much energy and joy.”
At Mariposa Elementary School, the 22 participants from REV were given booths–which were set up on the field–to coordinate. At the five booths, classes of about 20 elementary school students would rotate to as many booths as they wanted and each booth offered a different reading and activity.
Gavin Oliver, Shireen Takkouch, Carston Marich, Isabella Martinez-Spencer and Soraya Gisele Sefiane Coady read a book by Dr. Seuss to a class of elementary school students at Mariposa Elementary School on Wednesday, March 2 in Redlands, CA for Read Across America. (ELLA FITZPATRICK / Ethic News photo)
“It was a lot of fun! I helped read ‘The Day The Crayons Quit’ and helped set up relay activities for the kids,” said Alicia Gullon, a senior at REV.
Seniors Piper Hanson, Ella Fitzpatrick, Lily Cooper, Alicia Gullon, Shannon Cockerill, Emiline Morrison, Tejazvi Gopalan, Katelyn Kennedy, Denver Neff, Isha Saife, Shireen Takkouch, Riley Bouer, Nicholas Sadowski, Gavin Oliver, Carston Marich, Isabella Martinez-Spencer, Soraya Gisele Sefiane Coady, Rishi Patel, Nicholas Perna, Corey Ford, Patrick McIntyre and Sammy Zackowski pose for a photo in front of a mural on Wednesday, March 2 at Mariposa Elementary School located in Redlands, CA. They participate in Read Across America which involves reading books and playing games with the elementary students. (Courtesy of Juliann Ford)
At Judson and Brown Elementary, 13 students were given books to read to children, and hats to wear. Students were told to read their books from one class to another, rotating between classrooms and reading to all grade levels.
Similar to the group who visited Judson and Brown Elementary, the group of REV students who went to Mentone Elementary school were also instructed to go to every classroom and read a book or two to the students.
“It was really cool,” says Arnie James Corpus, a senior at REV who visited Mentone Elementary School. “All of the kids wanted to hear the stories and were full of questions. It was very heartwarming to have been able to read to them.”
Editor’s note: The Mariposa Elementary School group photo credit was mistakenly given to Ella Fitzpatrick in the original post. It has since been corrected to Juliann Ford on March 8 at 2:57 p.m.
Redlands and other cities were greeted with unexpected snowfall across the Inland Empire on Feb. 23, 2022.
According to the Washington Post, a severe drop in temperature was reported to be expected in the Central United States starting the week of Feb. 21, 2022. Cold winds of 20 to 40 degrees were set to blow into the Northern and Midwest areas of the country.
Picture taken at the end of third period at 10:36 a.m. on the top of the stairs connected to the K-wing (ELLA FITZPATRICK/ Ethic News Photo)
The sudden blast of cold weather was initially thought to only make an appearance in the early hours of the morning, being a time of colder temperature. However, near the end of third period at 10:20 a.m., students and staff at Redlands East Valley High School were surprised by a light snowfall.
During fourth period, snow began to fall in the quad area of Redlands East Valley High School (SPENCER MOORE/ Ethic News photo)
The dramatic change of weather from cloudy and partly sunny to snowing roused excitement among students and staff at REV. Some students were even let out of their classrooms to enjoy the snow, which is a rare occurrence in Redlands.
“It was super unexpected, and I like that my teacher let us all out of class to go look at it,” says Rose Blatchley, a sophomore at REV.
The snowfall lasted for almost an hour, continuing until the middle of REV’s lunchtime which starts at 12:39 p.m. and ends at 1:09 p.m..
Sophomore Jolene Kilday explains her joy in seeing the snow this time of year. (SPENCER MOORE/ Ethic News photo)
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