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March 2, 2010
Marcy Shieh
Get ready to rock ‘n roll. Bandapalooza will return with student performers ready to strum those guitars and hit the high notes.
This will be the first Bandapalooza to hit the WHS stage since 2007. The line-up will include #@&$ (Stagflation), Quick Question, She Waves the Flag, Sincerely, Your Superior and Spaceman Spiff.
“In previous years, interest from students to audition has been low, and the cost of renting sound equipment and facilities has made [Bandapalooza] not worth holding,” senior Emily Khuc said.
This year, the interest was high and ASB agreed to donate sound equipment.
Each band audition was scored out of 50 points. Music and sound of the band was worth 25 points, performance was worth 15 points, song was worth 5 points and professionalism and appearance was worth 5 points. Judges, which included five band class students, English teacher Daniel McCarthy and economics teacher James MacLeod, used the final point values to pick their top five bands. Students and teachers were asked to be impartial and keep their decisions confidential.
In previous years, only students judged the performances. This is the first year the school has allowed teachers to judge the performances.
Bands needed to include at least one WHS student. There will not be much publicity outside school.
“The purpose of Bandapalooza has always been to have a rock concert for the students of WHS in particular,” Khuc said.
Since auditions took place Feb. 25 and 26, it was inconvenient for band members who were also performing in the talent show.
Junior Erin Riegelsberger participated in two bands and one solo singing performance in the talent show and her band, Quick Question, also auditioned for Bandapalooza.
“[It was] a little stressful,” Riegelsberger said.
The talent show rehearsals were Feb. 23 and 24, so in order to avoid a sound battle between the band room and the cafeteria, Bandapalooza auditions took place on the actual dates of the talent show because the cafeteria would be empty until evening.
Tickets will be on sale in the band room from March 15 to 19 for $5 with ASB and $7 without. Tickets can be bought the door March 19 for $6 with ASB and $8 without.
The money will go to WHS music department, which funds the choir, guitar and band classes. It will also be used to pay for equipment, repairs and band performance transportation.
“Money from fundraising is especially needed now after budget cuts,” Khuc said.
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January 27, 2010
Sarah DeLanda
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) reached their sales goal for its annual fundraiser. Each member of CSF was required to sell at least one bag for the club to ensure the renewal of their membership the next semester. They sold Rice Krispie Treats, granola bars and other snacks from Jan. 5 to Jan. 19.
As motivation for CSF-ers to sell more, prizes were offered to the top two sellers. Sophomore Kerry Liou and senior Christine Harms each earned a gift certificate to a place of their choosing, selling 12 and 10 bags respectively. Profits reflect the initiative driven by the fundraiser.
“We’re making more money this year,” CSF club president Emily Khuc said.
She attributes this success to the hard work of club members, key changes from last year and flexibility in the fundraiser.
“None of the items we’re selling this year are the same as the ones we sold last year. Last year’s fundraiser mostly had 50 cent items, whereas this year’s has mostly one dollar items. Our profit margin is greater this time,” Khuc said.
While originally the granola bars were supposed to bring in the most profit, they did not start off well. At one dollar per bar, students were having a hard time selling them- a necessity if they wanted a second bag. CSF allowed its students to turn in granola bars in exchange for more bags to increase sales. The club was then able to redistribute the granola bars, dropping the price to fifty cents. After the price change, the bars sold better, diminishing the fear that CSF would not break even. However, fruit snacks and Sun Chips both did better than the CSF officers predicted. The fundraiser did well enough that they were able to order 60 more bags of assorted snacks the week of Jan. 11. The money will go to the spring luncheon later in the year and the CSF scholarship.
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December 15, 2009
Chase Glenister
Christmas has always been known as the season of cheer, peace and giving. However, due to the current economic situation, the giving part of the season is severely cramped.
Senior Eric Olsen disagrees.
“People give much more because they realize how close they are to being in the same position,” Olsen said.
Last year the WHS Toy Drive, expecting 150 gifts for families down on their luck, actually collected 336 presents.
“In the past, we’ve received everything from action figures and dolls to games such as Trivial Pursuit,” Olsen said.
There are many people who have clever ideas for gifts. Sophomore Jill Huynh has several ideas for presents that are cost-effective and can be purchased almost anywhere.
“Candy’s always good. As long as they don’t know where it came from, it’s good and go cheap!” Huynh said.
If you don’t know what your friend wants, then choose something anyone would want.
“I think money is a fantastic gift because of its versatility. Practical things might make a good gift in this economy,” senior John Rasure said.
Giving gifts to friends may be difficult due to the economic situation. Sometimes, though, the best gifts are the small things.
“Homemade is the way to go,” senior Emily Khuc said.
Don’t forget, Christmas is not only about presents. The main purpose of the winter season of love and cheer is family.
“I’m going to New Jersey to spend time with family. I don’t get to see them in New Jersey very much, and we usually have a lot of fun,” Rasure said.
Whatever you may go through, your family will be right there with you. That’s what Christmas is about.
“Materialistically, my Christmas hasn’t really changed,” Khuc said. “However, it’s more about the closeness of my family. We always get together with family.”
Times are hard for a number of people. Despite this, Christmas is still the season of peace and joy. So instead of worrying about material presents, give emotional ones. Give hugs, high-fives and sing songs. The inside jokes and shared memories will be treasured more than the expensive gifts. Enjoy your break, and happy holidays!
Photo Credit: Pro Image Studios
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November 10, 2009
Alex Tyler
During halftime at the homecoming game, Nov. 6, after performances by the cheer team and the school band, an excited crowd waited with bated breath for senior Breana Meagher to announce this year’s homecoming queen. The 2009 homecoming queen is Kellie Ishisaki and the runner ups are Kimberly Chatterjee, Emily Khuc, Monique Pascual and Shay Mozzetti in second, third, fourth and fifth places, respectively. Erika Gerards, last year’s homecoming queen, returned to crown Kellie as queen. The court rode into the game in convertibles, escorted by their fathers, all of whom were ecstaticly proud of their daughters. All of the girls were happy for Kellie, and proud to be part of the homecoming court.
“I was really excited. I had been hoping that she would win because she has done a lot for the school throughout the year,” Chatterjee said.
The next night, at the homecoming dance, this year’s Mr. Husky was crowned. Brian McMahon, last year’s Mr. Husky, came back to crown Cedric Lousi as the winner of the title. The first, second, third and fourth runner ups were Austin Wong, Seth Neumann, Ben Rich and Jack Veronin, respectively. Halfway through the event, the lights were turned on, and everyone stopped dancing as the Mr. Husky nominees were led onto the stage by the homecoming queen nominees. There were smiles all around when Cedric was announced as winner, and he broke out into a huge grin while his mom came on stage to congratulate him.
“I was just excited and happy that I won,” Lousi said.
He definitely hoped to win and it came as a great surprise when his name was announced.
This article has been altered with the addition of corrected information.
Photo Credit: Raphael Ghieuw Sien
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November 8, 2009
Nicole Pham
Kellie Ishisaki was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime of the Homecoming football game Nov 6. Last year’s winner, Erika Gerards, returned to honor the new queen. First runner-up was Kim Chatterjee, followed by Emily Khuc, Monique Pascual and Shay Mozzetti, respectively.
