By Sujin Seo

    Every one of us encounters stereotypes daily and some of us are naive enough to actually believe them. While some may argue that stereotypes are based in fact and occur pretty often, most people agree that stereotypes are nothing more than a bunch of generalizations that has nothing to do with the individual.

Some plans for the future are outlined below as students recap where they’re going, what offers they’ve gotten and why they chose what they did. Isabella Schwartz is traveling far off to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

“I plan on majoring in Psychology, and UNC is ranked 20th in the nation, so it’s perfect for the cost,” Schwartz said. She continued, “It’s a large campus with small classes, so it really has a sense of community. Not only that, but my mom also lives there, so it’s on in-state tuition costs.”

Isabella Schwartz is ready to travel across the country to Chapel Hill in North Carolina.

Nicholas Selby is going to the Georgia Technical Institute to chase his passion for math, the sciences and technology as a whole.

“Georgia Tech is ranked second in the nation for mechanical engineering, which I plan on majoring in, so it was a great choice and they offered me a great deal,”   Selby said. “Location wasn’t really part of the decision, though I’ll be sad to see everybody go. I was offered scholarships to ASU, the University of Texas, and Harvey Mudd. I applied for Stanford as well, but unfortunately, was not accepted.”

Katie Giel, among other seniors, plans on attending the Barrett Honors College at ASU. Others plan on traveling afar to the Northeast, depending on where they received scholarships and which universities are most prestigious or fit their career interests. However, nothing is wrong with studying in state as Giel plans on doing. In fact, staying near family and friends has its rewards to visit for holidays or more frequently than that.

Options have closed for seniors, but no matter where they go, DV students know they have made a quality decision. ASU or other community colleges simply mean easier access to family, but the long-distance universities are also very prestigious. Wherever they go, Desert Vista’s seniors are sure to prosper and excel.

Bandeau Bras: Now you can be promiscuous and adorable too!

Sleep: You are now back in a relationship with your bed. Enjoy.

Ray Ban sunglasses: Even the knock offs are cute.

Thrifting: Now you can buy cheap and get the cutest stuff.

Nautical: Now we can wear pirate merchandise and not look like Jack Sparrow!

TV: Bringing back the 90’s for the win.

NOT:

OBEY: Nothing says “you’re a tool” like this brand does.

Small bikinis: We don’t need to see your….areas. They’re called privates for a reason.

Yolo: Just…no. Cats have nine lives. YOLNT (You Only Live Nine Times.)

Swag: If you say you have swag, chances are…you don’t.

Half covering tankinis: It’s hard to decide between a bikini and a one piece. I suggest staying at home if you’re wearing this.

Logo shirts: If you’re flaunting hollister and abercrombie across your chest, go back to sixth grade.

Bobs: Please sketchers, I loved you when I was five.

Really?:

Really James Cameron? As if Titanic didn’t make me cry enough the first time.

Really sixth graders? Just because you have a album on facebook titled ‘Photography’ You’re a professional photographer now?

Really Picnik? Finally we can see what girls really look like without editing.

Really, Yolo? Last time I checked Hakuna Matata was the motto.

Really high school teenage girls? Just because you have a Tumblr you’re hipster now?

Really disney channel? I suggest bringing back Lizzie McGuire.

Really One Direction? You make my standards for boys higher than NASA has ever travelled.

Really Nutella? You’re not helping me with my summer diet.

Senior and student body president Julia Thatcher decided the answer is “Yes, it is worth it. Individually, there are some things that are too high-priced, but it’s really a choice; you have to decide what you want and what you don’t want. If getting a certain thing is important to you, then it is definitely worth getting.”

The back of the senior t-shirt gestures a friendly "Bon Voyage!" to the class of 2012.

Sentimental value is a huge factor as to why previous seniors, as well as future ones, did and will keep their mementos from their graduating class, much like how a yearbook is typically expensive, but people still buy them for memories’ sakes.

Another senior, Sterling Boyns, believes sentimental value is important too, but also that there are other factors for as to why people buy keepsakes.    “I plan on getting a class ring, mostly because my family has gotten class rings in the past. However, rings and letterman jackets symbolize your whole high school career, and that’s always neat,” Boyns said.

Of course, sentimental value is a major factor. However it is not the only reason as to why seniors buy letterman jackets, class rings, and jerseys. It could be simply because they have had family members before them who bought these items so it became a tradition(such as Boyns), or because they want to buy something for a friend, and even more. Though they are not as big a reason as some others, these reasons still contribute to a senior’s decision about buying mementos.

Fund-raising is one of the basic foundations of a student’s high school experience. Once in your life you have to ask a neighbor to help you, either by supporting your team or an extracurricular activity. Knocking on the door in the heavy sun is worth it because in the end, you end up raising money for your school or just yourself.
“I love doing fund-raisers,” said Jamyee Brugman a member of the girls basketball team who has participated in more than a dozen fund-raisers since her freshman year.“They are very fun and entertaining, plus there’s money involved; who doesn’t love money?” girls basketball collected coins that were matched by Midfirst bank, sold t-shirts and popcorn to help raise money for their $250 sports fee.
Student council sold Valentines’ Day candy grams for five dollars each to raise money for prom. Choir members also sold butter braids for $10 each to go towards a field trip. Various extracurricular groups raise money because activities tend to become very expensive.
“For our last concert we’re having we have raised over $14,000,” said Tia Howard, “Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but it’s worth it because we’re doing the things we love,” she continued. “Without fund-raising we wouldn’t be able to have this concert.”
Prom committee has many activities that they fundraise. Parents are helping their children to fundraise, such as selling candy grams that are five dollars a piece or donating canned food. Both of these help pay for prom.
Students raise money for sports as well, and makes it easier so families don’t have to pay for the whole entire sports fee. Various sports sell different types of food like popcorn and pizza, both for $25 each.
“Fund-raising can sometimes be a hassle, since I play so many sports. Selling food to the same people every single time can be kind of difficult ”Lindsey Peyton said who plays on Varsity basketball, “I feel like they understand that I need them to help me so I can play, and not have to pay for all of it.”
Fund-raising helps many of the students you are unable to participate in sports or clubs have the same experience that others have. Several of the clubs and all the sports at our school do activities that leads to fund-raising . Many schools get most of their money by using fund-raisers , Various of schools wouldn’t have prom without fund-raising or donating.

Reporter

From Harvard to the University of Phoenix Stadium, we not only dominate Arizona in terms of academic success, but travel great distances to be one of the best in the nation.
DV is one of the top ranked schools across the country, and if not the best choice in Arizona. We have grown in achievements since the primal Joe Mcdonald days and hope to excel further in the years to come.
“ I am proud that our students have excelled inside and outside of the classroom” Said our principal, Dr. Anna Battle, who is extremely proud of the school’s progress throughout the year, “I can have a whole lot on my mind and when I look into our students’ faces, they seem to appreciate me and that makes my day! I am proud to be the principal of Desert Vista High School”.
Here are a few of the many victories this year:

• 1st in State Latin Convention
• 9th consecutive TSTDC win
• State Football Championship
• Marching Band State Championship
• National HOSA qualifications
• Tukee Bowl Win

“Each year, teams are ranked top 5 in the state.  A great program is consistently competitive and DV’s athletic program has proven every year to be one of the best athletic programs in the state” Said Dr. Battle referring to our numerous athletic achievements, “Every year the students out-perform the previous year. Because students are appropriately challenged, they are finding success from use of effective instructional strategies”.

Our school has always seemed to rise to the top against our rival Mountain Point, who has won has won many games but is yet to never come close to our wins.

However, costs of transportation don’t just stop at gas. On top of it, there’s car insurance which can be over $100 a month, Parking passes that are $100, Oil changes at more than $30, and lastly, repair costs that can range from a small set back to a largely empty wallet. ]]> http://dvthundermedia.com/life/2012/05/14/the-empty-pockets-of-students/feed/ 0 http://dvthundermedia.com/news/2012/05/07/a-building-to-undergo-steamy-changes-for-next-year/ http://dvthundermedia.com/news/2012/05/07/a-building-to-undergo-steamy-changes-for-next-year/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 14:30:27 +0000 MBorbon http://dvthundermedia.com/?p=11209 A new door has opened for Freshman Katelyn Miyasaki, one of the most passionate biology students at Desert Vista. For the girl who  wants to know all there is to know about cells and DNA structure, a new state of the art biotechnology lab in the A building marks the start of a new and more extensive science program.

“I’ve known I’ve wanted to do something in science since I was little,” said Miyasaki. “I’m very excited about the new technology. I am planning to take biotech 3-4 my junior or senior year, and the new technology will be a big benefit.”

For Miyasaki, an aspiring scientist since elementary school, the new class will give her the tools to reach her dreams.

But life is a revolving door, and as one side opens up, the other side closes. The new science laboratory comes at a price: the FACS and culinary program will be chopped off.

At the other end of this door is Tino Bernasconi, a freshman with a different dream. Bernasconi aspires to be a great chef and own his own restaurant. For him, the new class puts his plans in jeopardy.

“It’s absolutely terrible,” said Bernasconi, with a practice baby doll in his arms. “I was planning on taking all of the 3-4’s of the FACs classes. Without them, I can’t get the certificate that shows I’ve studied food science, which makes it harder to get into a really good Culinary Arts School.”
This begs the question: Who is to say Katelyn’s dreams are more important than Toni’s?
“ I think mainly what we’re looking at as far as the FACs program was enrollment steadily declining,” said Mr. Dan Zavaleta, who is in charge of engineering at DV. ”There are more kids interested in science programs, and taking science classes. “
The new biotechnology lab will have more room for new technology, and will allow students to work more closely with plants. Giving biotech a separate space makes it easier for students to do more complex experiments.
“This is going to keep our program at the cutting edge,” said award winning biotechnology teacher, Mrs. Birgit Musheno. “ We deal with equipment that is very sensitive so its safer to have the classroom in an area that doesn’t have a lot of traffic.”
There will also be a new 8th hour research class for students interested in pursuing their own research projects.
“My goal is for more students to pursue their own research projects,” said Musheno. “The doctor of the future is going to need to understand genetics. Having a program like this will give students a leg up in college.”
The new additions in science and math mark the beginning of a new direction for the A Building. No longer the Fine Arts Building, the STEAM  will be placing a heavier emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
As for kids like Bernasconi, the future looms uncertain.
“EVIT is still there as an option, they can go there if they really want to go into those programs,” said Zavaleta. “So you know there’s still options available for them, so i think they’ll be okay.”
But is just “ok” enough when talking about someone’s future?
“ Some of my students want to be chefs,” said Mrs. Arlene Ransdell, the FACs teacher. “There’s a couple students in my advanced classes that I think will get there if they can continue, because they are extremely talented.”
Without an instructor on campus of course, they can’t directly continue.Getting into a Culinary Arts school is more difficult. Scholarships are harder to get.
“When you go to the culinary arts school, you are going  to know absolutely nothing, and that’s a really hard spot to be in,” said Ransdell.

According to Principal Dr. Anna Battle, guidance counselors will work with each student to determine the best program of study to meet the academic and career goals for the
students.

“We will continue to offer courses that students need for the 21st century,” said Battle. ” The Science classes that have grown, have proven to to prepare students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Not only are students in these classes going to be prepared for coursework in post secondary training, but also will be ahead of their competitors in the job workforce.”

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math classes will only be extensions of the art program, and it is not likely for more programs to be cut in the A building.

Staff Writer

Restaurant Night fundraisers are popular to both restaurants and consumers because; they make the restaurant look good by giving back to the community, fill the restaurant on a slow night, and It introduces people to the restaurant that might not visit otherwise.

Restaurant fundraisers are held almost everywhere in chain restaurants such as; Baja Fresh, Boston Market, Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Sweet Tomatoes, and Subway. Some local businesses that are involved in “restaurant night” are  Zoyo and Yoasis. Businesses like these are always hosting charity nights where a large amount of their profits will go to a charity you can help choose. Fundraisers including raising money for the YMCA, Student United Way, Akimel middle school, Desert Vista Grad night, and much more.

The process to start promoting a fundraiser at one of their locations is rather simple. It’s actually only as hard as emailing Zoyo at fundraising@zoyogurt.com with the following information;

• Pick a day, anytime between Monday through Thursday, and it’s your official day at Zoyo.
• Send them your info and they will provide a copy of the flyers and you take care of the distribution.
• You can print, post, and email any additional flyers to everyone you know.
• Make sure everyone knows to mention the organization while paying the day of the fundraiser.
• 20% of the proceeds that your organization brings in will go directly back to you.
• Send them payment information for the check and you will have it in the mail within the week of your fundraiser.

The secret to having a successful restaurant night fundraiser relies on spreading the word. The key is to advertise the event to peers and make sure they show up, as well as asking friends and family to encourage others to attend the restaurant night. One major way people are spreading word is through Facebook pages. Facebook pages serve as an excellent method to gain attraction because they are able to remind everyone before the event and give an estimate on how many people are attending.