The final results for the Mock Election:

Icon – 86

After Party – 42

Pardi Gras – 23

Partyology – 15

UP – 4

Read the rest of the Mock Election Coverage here.

Aries

Don’t question the things you know, question those you’ve never heard of.

Taurus

If you’d like to have some cereal, go ahead. It will improve your chances to get your homework done on time this week.

Gemini

That broken zipper you’ve been trying to fix, give up. Those things are impossible. Try buttons instead.

Cancer

A good investment for you right now would be a chicken hat. As in a hat with chickens on it.

Leo

Mumus are totally in style; you should get in on that quickly. You know you want to be a fashion star.

Virgo

You can see through venetian blinds when they’re pointing down, but you don’t have much hope when they’re pointing up.

Libra

If you have a hobby, keep it up. Motivate yourself to finish that project you’ve had for years.

Scorpio

Soufflés are usually pretty difficult to make, but it’s pretty darn easy to ruin a perfect one.

Sagittarius

One thing can be repurposed into a million.

Capricorn

Vague recollections are coming back to you. Write them down before you forget them again.

Aquarius

No matter how worn your shoes are, there’s probably some way you can keep wearing them.

Pisces

If there’s a light bulb over your head already, you should figure out how to wire it so that it can turn on at comically appropriate times.

After Party. Icon. Pardi Gras. Partyology. UP. What are all these names and why is the school suddenly covered in glitter, construction paper, posters and pictures? For those of you that don’t know, this is the beginning of the Senior Gov Party Election. As a senior at UHS, you are required to take AP US Government. From this mandatory course springs what is known as the UHS rite of passage. Starting in mid-November, each class period becomes its own political party and elects a party chair (campaign manager), president, vice president, domestic chair and foreign chair. Over the course of two and half months, a political platform is created by each class which is displayed and questioned in the adrenaline-pumped debates at the end of January. Based on the debate performance and the policies of each party, juniors vote on which class period they believe should win.

Although most of the school admires the propaganda and freshmen and sophomores decide what party is the best based on the flashiest posters or memorable mottos, the seniors are hard at work.  Throughout January, party leaders meet during and outside of school to create Facebook pages, websites and videos to attract the attention of the juniors and to display what makes their party so great. Additional effort is displayed in the APUSH room, or LL05, which is smothered in layers upon layers of propaganda, planted there by seniors’ intent on persuading juniors to vote for their party.

Platforms are created during this time in addition to propaganda. Party platforms are created by all students in a class period. Over winter break, students each write a paper focusing on a topic, such as policy towards Social Security. Students then submit their papers to the party leaders, who read through and combine all of them to form the political platform. Around mid-January, the party leaders update their websites to include their platforms to allow juniors to view what exactly each party stands for and what differentiates them from the four other parties. “Round Robbins”, or the presentation of each party leader, occur in APUSH classes, allowing the junior class to meet each leader and acquire a better understanding of the specific role each leader plays in the party. Later, towards the end of the month, a few days before the debates, party leaders participate in what are known as “Town Hall Meetings”. The party leaders visit junior English classes and answer questions juniors have about the political platforms while further promulgating their policies.

Then senior debates happen. There isn’t a good description of the event, but it’s something that every UHS student needs to attend. Not only are you fascinated by even more propaganda, but you’re able to watch the seniors as they show off the work and effort of three months time. As an underclassman, it’s extremely fun to watch the climax of the Senior Gov Party Election because it gets you pumped for when you become a senior and are able to be a part of it. Senior debates are just a part of UHS that you have to experience before graduating.

Sophie Clark & Karen Wang

Last year's debate with first and second place winners, Party Frontier and Party Knight, respectively.

The Senior Mock Election has been a staple of UHS since 1988. Created to mirror the presidential election, the Mock Election involves the creation of five political parties, one for each AP Government class. Each year in late January, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors file into the auditorium to witness the debate between these senior-created parties. As usual, in the weeks preceding this year’s event, propaganda will be plastered upon the lower level walls and policies will be published by each party. During the actual debates, the five parties will put forth their representatives to defend and advance their platforms. The junior class will then vote based on whatever criteria they see fit and the winning party will be announced the subsequent day.

So here’s the rundown of what will happen:

1. Party formation and officer election

2. Every non-officer student writes a 10 page paper on a topic

3. Officers combine these papers into the party’s platform

4. Propaganda goes up EVERYWHERE

5. Town Hall style meeting with juniors for Q & A about the parties

6. Debate in the auditorium: usually split into domestic and foreign policy sections with a question and rebuttal format. Everyone can come watch the action!

7. Juniors vote

8. Winning party announced

9. Inaugural dance to celebrate

Party names are out! Check it out so you’ll know who’s who!

Period 0 – UP :

Party Chair – Molly Ragan

President — Monique Tran

Vice President — Jayn Adams

Foreign Chair — Eitamar Nadler

Domestic Chair — Fernanda Velasco

Period 1 – After Party:

Party Chair — Ken Decker

President — Marcus Montano

Vice President — Nicole Urman

Foreign Chair — Mengda Qi

Domestic Chair — Jacob Seiferle-Valencia

Period 2 – Partyology :

Party Chair — Aida Villarreal-Licona

President — Evan Rees

Vice President — Chris Vance

Foreign Chair – Ranjan Uprety

Domestic Chair — Andrew Loucks

Period 3 – Icon :

Party Chair — Olivia Kerwin

President — Allyson Yoder

Vice President — Han Duerstock

Foreign Chair — Brian McElroy

Domestic Chair –Carolina Baker

Period 4 – Pardi Gras :

Party Chair — Maggie Lopez

President — Eric Walk

Vice President — Reed Patterson

Foreign Chair — Colin Thackston

Domestic Chair – Reyna Araibi

On November 22, 2011, the Rincon/ University Marching and Jazz Band came together in a final remarkable concert.  The night air was full of excitement and anticipation as the stage crew began setting up and the audience entered. The concert started with an incredible performance by the exceptionally talent Jazz Band, which included songs such as Point of Impact, While I’m Away, Come Rain or Come Shine, Abdominal Revenge of the Aerobicize Goddesses, and the Disney classic I Wanna be Like You. The songs that were chosen showed amazing diversity and were exciting to listen to.  Some of the remarkable soloists include Valeria Ornelas on alto saxophone, Sam Chess on trombone, Andrew Antista on trumpet, Aubrey Martin on tenor saxophone, and amazing vocals by Drew Sheets. After the Jazz band got the audience pumped up and ready to go, it was time for the Marching band to play.

The curtains rose, and the crowd grew silent. Behind them was not the marching band, however, but rather drum line and the sousaphones (tubas). The eagerness was growing stronger as drum line started playing cadences and the sousaphones moved their bells to the beat. The doors opened and the rest of the marching band began to file in, ready perform WAR for what would be the last time. As the drum majors took their stands, the band got set, ready to make their audience and all of Rincon proud. They started off calm, with “Post-War Dream” by Pink Floyd, but then showed their wild-side with their performance of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, and ended the night with a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.  Overall, the night was one filled with fantastic and enjoyable music, and the performance was one to be remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpNMDMkMHLg&feature=player_detailpage

Ten months ago, tragedy struck Tucson when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and eighteen others were shot, six killed. After months of rehabilitation, Giffords is once again greeting the public in a series of interviews. 

On the morning of January 8th, 2011, the tragedy of the infamous shooting was met by the vigilant broadcasting of every major and minor news outlet in the country. Television, internet, and radio resources continually issued statements throughout the day to alert the nation of the goings-on in Tucson.

So it seems fitting that we come full circle ten months later with a major television network’s interview of Gabrielle Giffords, the first since the January shooting. On November 14th, Diane Sawyer consulted the congresswoman for a 20/20 special on ABC that garnered thirteen million viewers. The interview tackled subject matter ranging from Giffords’s early steps toward recovery to her future plans concerning her seat in Congress.

The special was immediately met with pugnacity toward Giffords. Her surprise return to Washington in August first sparked controversy among those who believed her unfit to partake in the political game; the same critics leapt into action after viewing Giffords’s difficulty with forming complete sentences on 20/20.

Alternative calls for resignation and appeals to Mark Kelly have been made repeatedly in past months, followed by uncertainty on the future of Giffords’s plans for reelection. However, through the duration of her interview, Giffords maintained the stance that she would not relinquish her seat. Furthermore, suggestions that her husband, Mark Kelly, run for office were shot down by Kelly himself during the interview as he pledged to support his wife in whatever she may ordain.

Giffords has represented Arizona’s eighth congressional district since 2007, and is facing little backlash, if not support, from her actual constituents. If the interview is misconstrued as proof of her speech difficulties, it must also be acknowledged as evidence of her astounding comprehension levels. The progress Giffords has made in the past ten months–after a possibly-fatal brain injury–certainly warrants some form of commendation, as do her tireless efforts to remain politically savvy. Giffords was described by her husband as “following the debate over the debt ceiling closely” while working toward recovery. And, after all, it was Giffords herself who first realized that fatalities occurred on January 8th when she spotted a paragraph in the newspaper that her husband had glossed over in an attempt to shield her from the grisly news. Clearly she is well above the menial tasks her adversaries claim she is incapable of performing.

Critics will continue to callously tear apart the congresswoman and her current position, but it is up to those she actually represents to evaluate her status as a representative rather than standing mute in acquiescence. In ten months, Giffords has become a hero; we need only allot her more time to once more prove herself a politician.

Aries

You might want to check on the googly eye collection. They might be plotting.

Taurus

Webcomics are good for your health. I promise.

Gemini

Your twin might be taking advantage of the fact that you are twins…

Cancer

If you have a pet squid, then It might enjoy some homemade snacks for Christmas. Or the winter holidays.

Leo

This area is still pretty cloudy… not getting anything. Sorry.

Virgo

This week is your lucky week! Yay! You are the 1,000,000^th visitor! You’ve won! Click here now! ))

Libra

Mini marshmallows will calm your stress around this time of year.

Scorpio

Look at things as they are, or could be, not as they should be, or will never be.

Sagittarius

If you have telephonaophobia, overcoming that would probably something useful to do before you need to get a job.

Capricorn

You don’t have to believe anyone, but listening is a useful talent.

Aquarius

Chickens are sweet, when they’re not murderous. They might play into your life soon.

Pisces

Everything Hello Kitty is excellent. Use it to your advantage.

On Saturday, November 12, 2011, the Rincon University High School Marching Band participated in the 58^th annual U of A Band Day. Our school band is well-known in the community, and had many fans come out and encourage them at the event. As the announcer announced the band, the crowd was riotous, cheering with excitement.

            Leading the band, drum majors Evan Rees, Noah Wilson, and Alyssa Pfotenhaeur, started their show “War” with “Post War Dream” by Pink Floyd. Even at the start of their show, they started off strong, showing the hard work of the members. Then their selection moved on to “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, they started off loud and proud. The color guard also did a wonderful job. Then, the band broke out into a tribal dance that made the crowd uproarious. They finished off their show, and their last competition of the season, with the “1812 Overture” by Peter Tchaikovsky. The guard wore army suits, and made the crowd go crazy with smoking flags. The band finished with a strong ending, making the crowd go chaotic. RUHS Marching Band received a Superior with Distinction, the highest award a band can receive. The Nunamaker Award, which is represented to the band that gave an exceptional musical performance, was also given to the band. This was a treat for the band, as the award is rarely given out. RUHS Marching Band made us all proud to be a Ranger. Go Rangers!

Aries

Your social life shouldn’t be an escape or a distraction, but rather an enhancement. Make sure you get a balance between work and play.

Taurus

There is an odd lamppost in your future. No, not the one in Narnia.

Gemini

Don’t let a dog bite you. Because then it’ll want to do it again.

Cancer

Injuries are obnoxious, but you’ll get through yours, mental or physical, soon. Stay away from mysterious walls.

Leo

The stars are blinking at me. They really must not like me… Oh it must be Morse code. Here: Stop trying to read your fortune, it probably won’t get you anywhere.

Virgo

Books are your ultimate ally;  read with vigor and vim.

Libra

If your ceiling fan is broken, you’re in for an unfortunate week. I suggest fixing it.

Scorpio

If you try to reason with madness, you’ll just go insane yourself.

Sagittarius

Think about what you’re going through right now, and what you can do to help it. Then do that.

Capricorn

If everyone’s heart doesn’t beat the same, then yours shouldn’t either.

Aquarius

Art is a nice means of expressing yourself, if you need it.

Pisces

Have fun with life, but keep it in check or it’ll run away from you real fast.

Why isn’t the library open during lunch?

Ms. Moll was regretful that the library does not offer more hours, but she said that because UHS funds the position of the librarian, and because it is gives the teacher (Ms. Sepich) a regular contract to teach writing center, they “simply don’t have the funding to have the library open.” She went on to say that the administration has instead chosen to spend money on after school English and Math Tutoring, which I can personally vouch for as a good decision!

What does it mean to be an Academic (college preparatory and Advanced Placement) magnet?

Ms. Moll said that the schools status as a magnet is “very convoluted” and that she doesn’t “know if it will change anything.” She told me that University High School was actually given magnet status two years ago by the School Board and that at that time the administration was concerned that the change would affect our schools admissions testing policy because magnet schools typically do not have entrance exams. She feels that our entrance exam is the “bedrock” of the UHS experience but was “ensured that we would be able to keep our admissions policy.” Ms. Moll, however, also wants to capitalize on our status as a magnet, which- serendipitously- lead straight into my next question!

Now that we are a magnet, are we going to have more programs such as arts, photography, etc?

Ms. Moll informed me that the administration has requested that the School Board and the high schools leadership give UHS fine arts magnet status so that we would be able to have access and priority in more Rincon arts classes and so that there would be a “possibility for more programs and teachers.” Ms. Moll reiterated that the administration wants to be “very cautious about the admissions policy” and that she does not want to compromise our quality for magnet status.