The buttery smell of popcorn fills the audience, and eagerly awaiting students sit in their cars, set up chairs, and face the big screen on Movie Night.

             After raising money through different activities, and having extra money from shirts, Student Council held the first movie night showing “Remember the Titans” on a 50 x 50 foot screen.

             Student body vice president Hayley Schwartz said it was a good first effort, but hopes for a bigger audience next time.

            “It actually went really well. The screen was … HUGE,” she said. “We didn’t have a ton of people there because there was a U of A, ASU game, but next time we’re expecting a huge turn out.”

            As students got up and down from their seats and cars, student council directed them where to go, and showed guests where to get popcorn, water, and other movie night snacks.

            Teacher Mrs. Crystal McKenna, who helped run move night, said that maybe there weren’t as many students because not enough students knew about the event.

            “Next time we hope to be able to advertise a little bit more,” she said. “We were a little bit limited on getting approval from the district ahead of time, so we hope to advertise more and get people more interested in it.”

            McKenna said inviting more people is the key.

            “Maybe we can invite more of the community, and the middle schools and stuff like that; make it more of a community drive instead of just Desert Vista.”

            McKenna discussed that advertising throughout the community and getting sponsors could help the school raise more money for future movie nights. This first time the school lost more money than they spent.

“We just usually eat whatever is left over from Christmas eve dinner then we open presents and watch the parade,” Tracy Chung said.
Having leftovers from the night before is a wonderful tradition, but why not have something more sweet and full of savory flavor in the morning? There are so many traditional breakfasts for any winter holiday; creative recipes are everywhere.

“My family has a tradition of eating coffee cake on Christmas morning,” said Stephanie Miller, a freshman. “I love waking up to the smell of cinnamon.”
Here are some ideas for a delicious breakfast on Christmas morning:

Pancakes:

   The options for these are endless. Chocolate chip, blueberry, banana, whole wheat, pumpkin, syrup-drenched, cranberry, even apple pancakes are easy and delicious to whip up on Christmas morning. Whether from a box, package, or made from scratch, pancakes make a great Christmas breakfast.

(Belgium waffles, regular waffles, and crepes are also delicious.)

Crumb cake:

Coffee, crumb, cinnamon, and marble tea loaf cakes may not make the healthiest breakfast, but they do make a savory one.

Honey and biscuits:

  Honey and warm biscuits are a simple and delicious way to start Christmas morning. Fresh baked biscuits with melted butter and a light drizzle of honey can make any morning feel more cozy.

Donuts:

  Yes, donuts may not be the crazy-recipe route but they are definitely hard to resist. Sweet and full of sugar, frosting, or sprinkles, not only are they a cheap and easy alternative to spending an hour whipping something up, but they still have the sugar to brighten the morning.

Danishes and pastries:

  Blueberry, strawberry, cherry, apple, cheese, chocolate, and raspberry danishes; cinnamon rolls, Elephant Ear pastries, cookies, and more– there are loads of opportunities for a fantastic holiday breakfast.

For recipes and more ideas, check out this website:

  http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/christmas/breakfastbrunch/

Students pay a lot of cash daily for their meals, and most are reluctant to buy due to current prices.

Jackson Clithero sits down for lunch every day to a soda, an Arby, fries, and two Hostess chocolate cup cakes. There is never a thought of deviation from the norm in his mind.

“It’s tasty stuff,” said Clithero, a freshman, “and not too expensive to buy. It’s enough to eat and it’s satisfying to taste. I’m not sure what else I could ask for besides that.”

Satisfactory is enough to keep some students content, but others have much higher standards for their meals. Some students even bring their lunch every day, rather than buy from the cafeteria, such as Nik Singh, another freshman.

“I bring my lunch daily to avoid waiting in long lines, avoid paying for meals, and mainly so that I can have what I want when I want it. While the cafeteria may be varied somewhat, it’s not enough to suit every mood,” Singh said.

While thousands of students may pour into the cafeteria daily, it is only hunger that drives them. Some students are content with current school food, though most admit it is not their favorite and long for more variety.

Wide varieties of chips, more Mexican food, more choices from the Arby’s cart, and more salad options have been requested, among other food items. John Duncan  is also an advocate for change.

“I don’t think the food here is varied enough,” said Duncan, a freshman.  “For instance, tacos would be a great addition, specifically Taco Bell. I’m sure other items can be added to, but the current stuff is not enough.”

While these foods may be requested, they are not economically friendly for Tempe Union to buy on a regular basis. Currently only Arby’s, Rice Bowls, Pizza, deli items, and a slew of Mexican food choices are available for purchase as main entrée items on a regular basis.

No matter the expense, students still hope for more food choices. At the moment, though, the school district simply cannot afford the requested culinary delights.

The View

To some of us, the first thing we think about when we arrive at school is food. “I forgot my lunch. I’m so hungry. I need to wait in the long lunch line for food.” If you forget your lunch, you might not want any part of cafeteria food. You don’t know how good or bad the food is and are afraid to even taste it. Who knows what it’s made of?

Students here at Desert Vista have bought lunches in the cafeteria. Everyone has their own opinions about it.

“I’ve bought quite a few things in the cafeteria, but I’m not a fan of all of it. I mostly get the roast beef sandwiches, and they’re okay. It’s better than nothing,” Corrina Hale said.

Another student has an opinion that believes everything in the cafeteria is delicious! “Everything’s good. It’s really good. It’s actually edible! Way better than Altadena’s food,” Cade Hornsby said.

But there is some negative reviews on the cafeteria food. For example, Tori Lapre said, “I don’t like the food in the cafeteria at all. All I mostly like is the cookies. They’re really good. I highly suggest people get those,”

Everyone thinks differently. So to answer the question of, “Should I even attempt cafeteria food?” the answer is… if you want to try it, buy it.

When the chefs make the sushi, they automatically go on to a certain colored plate, depending on how much it costs. The prices range from one dollar to two dollars at the maximum. After that, they are ready to be served. The sushi is put on a conveyer belt and the customers can watch the choices go around and pick whatever you want.

It has some of the best sushi I have ever tasted! And not only is the fish exceptionally fresh, it’s also fun. It is fun to watch all of the food go around and just try a little bit of everything. Another thing I love about the place is that it is cheap. I can go in there and feast for literally ten dollars. It is amazing. One plate of sushi at RA is probably the same price as six at Teharu.

Every sushi lover needs to go to Teharu because it not only tastes amazing, it is a great experience full of fish and fun.

1 (8 oz.) package crescent rolls

8 oz. pork sausage

1 cup frozen hash brown

4 eggs

½ cup milk

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degree

2. Separate crescent rolls into triangles and pat down into un-greased pizza pan, sealing off all perforation

3. Brown pork sausage and drain; crumble over crust

4. Top sausage with hash browns and shredded cheese

5. In a small bowl combine eggs, mil, salt, and pepper

6. Pour egg mixture from bowl over pizza ingredients in pan

7. Bake in 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown

Day 1
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Melt margarine and cocoa in small saucepan; remove from heat

2. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in mixer bowl

3. Slowly add the chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture; add eggs and beat until blended

4. Grease a square cake pan with shortening and coat with flour

5. Pour batter into pan and bake 25-30 minutes

6. Pour marshmallows over warm brownies, cover with foil (make sure to label it with Kitchen # and Period #)

Frosting (Day 2):
1 1/2 T. cocoa
2 T. evaporated milk
2 T. Margarine
1 C. powdered sugar
1/4 t. vanilla
Day 2
1. Combine cocoa, evaporated milk, and margarine in a medium saucepan

2. Cook over LOW heat, stirring until margarine is melted; pour into mixer bowl

3. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat at LOW speed until smooth

4. Pour over brownies and ENJOY!!