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After Party

Icon

Pardi Gras

Partyology

UP

I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Molly Ragan, party chair of UP, today at lunch and asking her a few questions about the party she’s worked so hard to motivate and bring to where it is now.

Me: To begin with, how would you describe your party using as few words as possible and if you would, explain your choice.

Molly: I would have to say…. Consistent, reliable, and fun. To exemplify “consistent,” I think our policy on the Arab Spring uprisings is particularly good, but really all of them are so. We’re trying to apply this value across the board especially in domestic where we’re trying to keep things consistent whilst decreasing our deficit

Me: Thanks, that was very informative. Now about your name: how did your party come to choose it? Were there any other names you were considering?

Molly: Yeah, we were actually. Somebody in class came up with the idea of UPS and said we could make it an acronym for values we wanted to convey but UPS is clearly a title associated with shipping goods so we then thought of “UP” and tried to make THAT an acronym. We tried to stray from the movie initially but then we ended up going right back to it. It actually worked out for us because we wanted to be a fun and colorful party and UP was it.

Me: You’ve been working on this party for a good amount of time now. What personal challenges have arisen as chair?

Molly: It was more in the beginning that I had some issues, with stepping up to the role of leader. I didn’t know everyone in my gov. class so I didn’t know if I could be strict and yell at just anyone when I needed to assert power. But now it comes easily and we really don’t have any problems in that department.

Me: Your platform was just recently released, which would you consider your favorite policy and which your most radical?

Molly: I guess my favorite policy would have to be our health care one. However, I’m kind of biased toward it because I worked on it. It was fun though, I pretty much got to know Obamacare like the back of my hand which was interesting. Hmmm….radical? We don’t really have any radical policies; we’re really moderate left-center in most aspects.

Me: So based on the policies that you know of other parties and their propaganda, which of them would you consider your biggest competition?

Molly: It’s really hard to tell at this point, I haven’t been talking to many juniors on their current opinions of the parties; but among the Seniors I would think Partyology because they’re good at working together and have good policies. I think our two parties are rather similar though.

Me: Were you a junior then, would you be voting for Partyology?

Molly:  Well, one thing I have heard from juniors is that they think Partyology is quite pretentious. But when I was a Junior I based my vote purely on policy, not propaganda. So yeah, I think so. That is of course if UP weren’t in the picture!

Me: So which party did you vote for last year?

Molly: I voted for Frontier. I was initially leaning toward POP but then there was that fiasco in the debates and they also had policies that said they would negotiate with terrorists which I thought was rather sketchy as it seemed to humor them. I also think Frontier debates well.

Me: Well thank you for your time, it was really great getting to know you and your party a little bit better. Good luck!

An interview with Aida Villarreal-Licona, party chair of Partyology

K:  Where did your party name come from?

A: Well it didn’t go our original way which was like an urban dictionary, slang type thing where we would make words with –ology. But when we did our photo shoot it just got… classy and we went with that instead.

K:  Describe Partyology in five adjectives:

A: Classy, cooperative, communal, driven, excited. We are definitely excited.

K:  What makes your party stand out from the rest?

A: Other parties are more about glitter and sparkles, so we went with a unique image that’s older – a classic look.

K: And that’s like your slogan right? “timeless ideology”?

A: Yeah, it’s “timeless ideology” and it’s all about merging tradition with innovation.

K:  What were some challenges you faced as party chair?

A: Keeping in contact with forty people was difficult but thankfully only two people in my class don’t have Facebook. And I basically have to create an agenda for everyone and make sure – because we’re given time to work in class – that everyone’s doing something and checking in with me and then I have to update everyone.

K: So you manage everybody, are you getting to know everyone in the party pretty well?

A: Yeah, not all my friends are in my class so I definitely got to know people better and that’s a good thing.

K: How about difficulties in the party as a whole?

A: Agreeing on our issues was hard especially with our leaders being so different. Our VP is conservative, our Domestic and Foreign Chairs are liberal, and our President is moderate. Sometimes it could get a little heated.

K: What’s the best part of your policy? Your strongest front?

A: We are focused on improving education while also reforming spending, so we are pushing at balanced budgets and looking at the ethics of the decisions. Like education will be big later on, it’s the foundation for jobs and it spreads out to affect everything. For example there’ll be less people in jail.

K: Who did you vote for last year?

A: Frontier because of their solid debate. Before, I was for POP because of all the propaganda but after town hall and getting to see their platform, I chose Frontier.

K: Which party do you feel is Partyology’s biggest competitor so far in the race?

A: In propaganda, Pardi Gras with their shiny horse. But in party leaders, Icon.

K: What’s something you want to put out there for people to know about Partyology?

A: Most parties are trying to be moderate because it’ll appeal to more of UHS, but we’re trying to have more radical policies on both sides to balance each other out instead of just taking the middle road.

K: Ok, just for fun, what were some of the other candidates for party names for you guys?

A: Party Rock and Pool Party for some reason, like they thought I could go out in a bikini or something but that was out of the question because we have to keep it appropriate. And some of the other parties have been like real “party-ers” and that just didn’t fit our personalities. Plus, we feel like we need a more serious image because after all the debates are on T.V. and we want to represent UHS, not mock it. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and professional, and that’s us: classy.

I interviewed Ken Decker, party chair of After Party, in the bustling, propaganda-filled room of Ms. Roediger. Here are some facts about the inner-workings of After Party, including their most radical policies.

Q: What adjectives best describe your party?

A:  “Practical, efficient, moderate, and fun”

Q: What makes your party stand out from the rest?

A: Decker quickly responded with the fairly moderate stance of After Party. He stated that they “don’t indentify with the right or left wing,” leading them to be appealing to the majority of juniors. Decker also said After Party focuses on choosing the “best of both [political extremes] to do what makes sense.”

Q: Where did the party name “After Party” originate from?

A: Decker said that he thought of the name approximately two years ago, and suggested it to his peers. He really wanted to emphasize an “open-ended and broad theme,” however; he still wanted it to be “interesting.”

Q: Whom did you personally vote for in the senior debates last year?

A: He enthusiastically responded Frontier. When asked for reasons why, Decker responded with “thorough ideas, and a strong platform accompanied by good speakers.” He also stated that a “mixture of good ideas with good speakers make ideas appealing to the audience.”

Q: What would you say is the most radical policy your platform has?

A: Decker replied with cutting taxes on large corporations. When further questioned about the appeal of such a radical policy, Decker responded that After Party is focused on doing what “makes the most sense and what to do NOW for results!” He then reiterated the earlier statement that “After Party does not identify with one political side.”

Q: In your opinion, what part of your platform is the best?

A: Decker replied with After Party’s education policy. He stressed the “funding of the education policy and the expansion of the schooling system.” After Party has a major emphasis on improving all schools, from public to private and charter schools.

Q: What were/are some challenges you faced as party chair

A: Decker said that “trying to motivate, bring together, and combine ideas [within the class] to be appealing, along with making smart decisions” were all challenges faced.

Q: Who do you think is your party’s biggest competitor?

A: Decker chose Pardi Gras, based off of their popularity among the juniors, propaganda and campaign style. However, he also emphasized that “it really comes down to debate, and I think we will excel!”

Q: Whom would you vote for it you could? (Besides your own party.)

A: Decker carefully replied that it is important to base a vote off of the platforms, because “the platforms are more important” and he has not had a chance to read all of the platforms. When asked about voting off of the current propaganda, Decker stated that it is important for the propaganda to reflect the platforms, and “no propaganda has reflected the platforms.”

Q: Any final thoughts or comments?

A: “Vote After Party!”

Interview conducted by Sophie Clark and recorded by Karen Wang

An interview with Olivia Kerwin, party chair of Icon

S: So where did your party name originate?

O: Well, we had a lot of ideas. We decided not to use “party” in our name to stand out. I don’t remember who came up with “icon,” but the word “icon” is all about the people who – in the past – get it right while everyone else gets it wrong. So we are looking to the icons of the past to create a policy.

S: What makes Icon stand out?

O: We are all about sustainability, and not pushing all at once right now. We want to fix the deficit and we feel the most attention should be on getting sustainable energy policies and helping the environment. And these energy policies would raise enough money to fund other things like protection agencies and the Department of the Interior and national park services. We are not cutting on the environment. It’s worth the money to preserve and take care of our environment. And then there’s our creative education plan. This plan would fix the system we have now and lower unemployment in the future. We also want to raise the taxes on the upper brackets gradually over years.

S: What would you say is your most radical policy?

O: Well we are not legalizing prostitution, but decriminalizing it. So it wouldn’t be an issue that can be prosecuted federally, only in state court. We are also legalizing marijuana and lowering the drinking age to 18, but that’s excluding hard liquor and will also have no tolerance for D.U.I’s. Educations is pretty radical too because we want to implement an option for a two year high school and then having kids graduate into vocational schools. We’re doing this because it will help lower unemployment and the poverty level as well as offer opportunities for low income families. To add a little to our foreign policy: our goal is to switch theUnited Statesfrom leading by force to leading by example. So instead of going in with guns, we want to endorse organizations like the Arab League or African Union because that can go farther than guns and guns are no fun. And domestically, Icon is working on some congressional policy that will help end the partisanship and personal agendas.

S: So if you had to vote for any other party besides Icon, who would it be?

O: Pardi Gras because they have a strong foreign policy and a clean campaign. And, of course, all their propaganda.

S: Who did you personally vote for last year?

O: Frontier, but I wished I had voted for ACT after, because they really brought it to the debates.

S: Who would you say is Icon’s biggest competitor so far?

O: Pardi Gras, I really like them, they’re a good party.

S: Describe Icon in 5 words.

O: Sustainable, responsible, inventive, leaders, positive.

S: What were some challenges you faced as party chair?

O: Basically, it’s my job to make sure all the time in class is accounted for, Mr. Karlowicz literally takes attendance and then that’s it. I need to make sure everyone is busy and also that they’re being heard because we can’t just have a party with five people. It’s also important to say positive things and stay respectful of the other parties. And you know, propaganda started a little slow for us.

S: Is there anything you’d just like to share about Icon?

O: You should vote for Icon because we’re working to fix the present and the future. We are working for a better country and political system for tomorrow.

We interviewed Maggie Lopez, party chair for Pardi Gras. We discussed Pardi Gras’ theme, policy, competitors, and more.

Q: Pick 5 adjectives to describe your party.

A: “fun, progressive, collaborative, equal, realistic”

Q: Where did the party name originate?

A: Lopez answered, “We wanted it to be a celebration with a theme.”

Q: What makes your party stand out from the rest?

A: Lopez said that Pardi Gras is not afraid to take on projects and challenges and that the party is a fun twist on the normally “monotone political party” way of doing things. She added that “through collaborations we created a party that can prove to the juniors that we’re prepared.”

Q: Who did you personally vote for in the senior debates last year?

A: Lopez voted for Party Knight, because she thought they performed well in the debates. Although Knight did not win last year’s elections, Lopez says that “you can’t really win the debate. You lose, and there’s one party that doesn’t lose.”

Q: What would you say is the most radical policy your platform has?

A: Party platforms had not been published yet at the time of this interview, but Lopez believed that the most radical policy Pardi Gras had thus far was their prostitution policy. According to her, the policy is similar to ACT’s policy last year. She remarked that ACT was attacked last year for their prostitution policy, but that “any stance on the issue will be questioned” and Pardi Gras’ stance is fairly radical.

Q: In your opinion, what part of your platform is the best?

A: Lopez responded that the strongest part of Pardi Gras’ platform is their education policy. Their education policy was a collaboration between all members of their party. Their president is conservative, while their domestic chair is liberal, and the collaboration between the two opposing political views is “moderate but effective”.

Q: Who do you think is your party’s biggest competitor?

A: Lopez thinks Pardi Gras’ biggest competitor is Icon, due to their “massive class and strong party leaders.” Lopez said that Icon has a good background and their party leaders all have exceptional debating skills, especially their president Allyson Yoder. However, she has no doubt that Pardi Gras will excel in the debate.

Q: Who would you vote for if you could (besides your own party)?

A: After some thought, Lopez replied that, not knowing any of the party’s platforms, she would probably vote for Icon “because of their strong leader and theme”.

Q: What else should everyone know about Pardi Gras?

A: “Pardi Gras is a strong party even if we were under-estimated at the beginning,” said Lopez. She emphasizes that Pardi Gras has the “strongest propaganda, with a clear and present theme” throughout all aspects of the party. She concluded by saying that “Pardi Gras will put up a strong fight [in the debates].”

The Perspective has a long history at University High School, but in the spring of 2009 a combination of low enrollment and steep budget cuts led to the dissolution of the journalism class that had produced the school newspaper for years. In the fall of that year, Celia Ampel (’10) and Mia Spiri (’10) recognized the importance of the paper as a voice for the UHS community and sensed that students would be willing to contribute to the paper even if they had previously been too busy to take the journalism class, and the paper was reborn as a club.

The first year produced 34 posts, a relatively small number compared to the 194 posts made during the 2010-11 year, but enough to establish the paper as an important part of the community. Laura Van Slyke (’11) and Amita Gupta (’11), moved from writers to co-editors in 2010-11, building enormous enthusiasm for the paper, which has continued under the current editors, Lauren Berring (’12), Lindsey Bressler (’13) and Meilin Ossanna (’13).

The first two years have been full of excitement that should continue as long as there are observant, articulate Penguins interested in reporting on the community around them.

Below is a look at some of the biggest posts from the last two years:

1. UHS Remembers and Honors Alums Zimmerman ’98 and Giffords ’88
The events of January 8th, 2011 affected all of Tucson and reverberated across the nation and around the world. At University High School, the alma mater, of Gabby Giffords (’88) and Gabe Zimmerman (’98) the pain was acutely felt. This article and the related coverage of the January 8th shootings are rare examples of school newspaper content that is relevant to an audience that stretches far beyond the campus grounds. This horrible event also reaffirmed the importance of having a voice for our community.

2. Come and Get Your Love 2010 and Come and Get Your Love 2011
All students have the opportunity to share their warm feelings through the newspaper every February, and the wild popularity of these two posts attest to the affectionate nature of Penguins.

3. Mock election project has rich history
Unique traditions like the mock election project and Green Elephant Sale become rites of passage for UHS students. This article looks back at one of the longest running traditions at the school.

4. UHS student is piping hot
Penguins are nothing if not unique as this look at Samantha Leopold-Sullivan (’10) illustrates. This article with a video of Sam jamming on her bagpipes has remained one of the most popular posts on the Perspective site.

5. Web of Intrigue: Tattoo Trend Explained
Students may be interested in each other, but based on the number of views this article has received their deepest fascinations may be for learning about the secret lives of their teachers.

The months before Christmas break are pretty hectic for seniors. Senior debate preparation begins, the always funny senior sale is coming up, the first few conversations with college reps will happen and for me. I promised my readers a no “bull” account of what it is like to be a senior, so starting from the beginning, lets talk about the beginning of senior debate preparation.

Senior debates are either loved or dreaded by every senior. Most people get pretty into it, but some hate the idea of having to write a ten page term paper about politics (yes, ten pages. Nobody really warns you about that one when they talk about the debates). I must admit I was pretty excited for senior debates, I always saw myself as being someone who did well in front of a crowd, I do not get nervous and I am very good at presenting speeches. However, when the time came to elect representatives, I did not get elected to speak, I did not even run actually. When the time came to “just do it,” I wimped out and realized that I had bigger responsibilities that I’d already dedicated myself to. LAME. I know. So no, I didn’t get to be the amazing speaker like I’d hoped but I did get the term paper topic I had hoped for and other than that I’m not sure yet what I’ll be involved with.  I’m just worried about not being able to talk about Privacy and Abortion for ten pages. When it comes down to it though I am pretty happy with my party. I won’t lie and say there’s nobody representing us that I wish didn’t win, but that is just how life goes.

However, no matter how much I dread going to AP Gov. and working on this assignment, or how much I dread going to school in general, the senior sale is coming next week! I cannot wait to see what all my fellow seniors have prepared. I was thinking of selling myself (as bad as that sounds) but decided not to. Even so, I am going to the sale and buying the boyfriend because I guess it is my “duty”. Maybe I’ll make him dress as me to school one day, who knows? I encourage everyone to go and buy anyone! Even if they don’t know them seniors will do some pretty amazing things if they’re told and it only takes a little bit of creativity to make it memorable. My junior year we had our seniors come to Roediger’s AP Art History class and dance around her during the lecture… just be careful which teacher you try to pull that off with.

Senior year does bring a lot of traditions that everyone wants to partake in but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot on the line still. November and December are when most college applications are due and pretty soon after that the acceptance letters start coming in as well as the college representative phone calls and emails. They can get a little awkward if you have not yet decided what to major in or have not decided why you want to go to that particular college. College reps want you to be as enthusiastic as possible about their college because THEY ARE ENTHUSIASTIC. So even if you don’t feel it, FAKE IT.

Let me break down what I’ve been up to lately for you all:

1. Government: It seems awful when you’re studying but when you take the test, it is surprisingly nice.
2. Psychology: Laz is my favorite teacher. Enough said.
3. College Applications: Get them done early and be that kid that gets to laugh at their friends when they STILL have essays to write.
4. Last but not least, Get a Free Period for either 1^st or 6^th: Gives you one less hour of the day, one less piece of homework, and one less test to study for.

As always it is my goal to inform and give advice, so email me with any questions and I’ll be sure to help you out.

Sincerely and Always,

The Not-So-Brilliant-or-Put-Together-Senior

Covered in foliage and vibrant tiles, the bench dedicated in honor of Gabe Zimmerman is a reminder to all the students who pass by it of the great and profound impact one can have on society in a short amount of time. The unveiling of the memorial bench–which was designed and donated by members of the 2001 graduating class, which includes Gabe’s brother Ben–took place on a beautiful Saturday in October and was attended by Zimmerman’s father, Ross Zimmerman, and Gabe Zimmerman’s fiancée Kelly O’Brien. Also, in the crowd were TUSD superintendent John Pedicone, Board member Michael Hicks, Arizona Daily Star cartoonist David Fitzsimmons, survivor and staff member for Gabrielle Giffords Ron Barber, along with many friends and past teachers of Zimmerman.

After graduating University High, Zimmerman went on to finish his bachelor’s degree, graduate with a masters and land a role in Gifford’s campaign. As a result of his numerous accomplishments, he was able to affect the community in such a positive way that Dr. John Hosmer, Zimmerman’s former AP US History teacher, who spoke at the event said, “Gabe was the epitome of what we [the University High faculty and staff] hope students will become.” Following Dr. Hosmer’s speech, Ron Barber spoke representing Congresswomen Gifford’s office, noting that Gabe “was a delight to work with” and that he loved serving his community.

TUSD superintendent John Pedicone, also spoke at the event, stating “Every student who goes by this bench will know that this is Gabe.” It is clear that the reminder of Gabe along with his intelligence, drive, and ambition will serve as inspiration for all students at University High School.

More on the January 8th shooting in Tucson can be found HERE.

I do not own a car. Consequently, I depend on the hour long city bus rides to get home. One day, after a Mock Trial meeting at school, I took the bus back home and upon seeing the letter head in front of the school, the bus driver asked me if I was going to homecoming, to which I replied no. He then playfully reprimanded me about how important it was for me to show school pride and attempting to defend myself I replied,

“But I’m going to see West Side Story that day.”

This tall, scruffy, driver who had a strong resemblance to a lumber jack, looked at me incredulously, and responded in his deep, baritone voice, “That’s one of my favorite musicals! Don’t you love how Bernardo and the Sharks dance in the opening scene?” There began the most unlikely conversation with the most unlikely person that covered topics such as the music from West Side Story, to the plot from Chicago, and whether or not we liked Phantom of the Opera.

This conversation I had with the bus driver is one of the many interesting experiences and conversations I’ve had on the city bus. Most of the time, people see the bus as a hassle, and it is, in comparison with the convenience of having a car. However, looking at it from a different stand point, it also gives you the chance to experience moments like talking to the lumber jack driver about your favorite musical. When you get on the bus, you are giving up a part of your day to sit on this bus along with other people who are doing the same thing. You realize that these people, just like you, have something to do after they get off, have a reason for riding it in the first place, and have a story to tell and have a life to get to.

Another time I went on the bus, I sat next to a man whose eyes were glued to a book he was holding in his hands. I let him read on, but I couldn’t help but notice the interesting title the book had—what it was I can’t remember—but I do remember it sparking my curiosity. For a moment, he tore his eyes off of the page and I took the chance to ask him what the book was about. He then gushed about how the book was about the interpretation of different philosophies and different religions, but then remarked about how he was particularly interested in Buddhism. This triggered a ten minute discussion on what beliefs and religions we thought were fascinating. I later learned that this man had woken up from a two year coma about a year ago after a horrible motorcycle accident he had. He even showed me pictures of his wrecked motorcycle. After being hit straight on by a truck, all he could tell me was how grateful he felt for being alive and well. He told me that this was the event that triggered a turning point in his life, which was why he was researching and reading about religion and philosophy. Hearing this man’s story brought me out of my thoughts about school, my friends, and my homework and brought me to reality.

Often times, we as students do have a lot of pressure and work on our plate and we find ourselves absorbed in this little world of ours where we have so many things to do. But from what I’ve gained in riding the city bus, is that riding it forces you to come out of your bubble and when you do, you meet so many amazing people who are going through the same things as you are. You discover that you are not alone. Although you may not get home faster, or have the radio on to your favorite station like you would in your car, meeting these people and hearing their stories is something that a car can’t offer you. So, if you ever find yourself in need of transportation, consider the city bus. You never know what story you’re going to hear.