Thunder Media » Daily Announcements

All together for the last time

atam — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:52:48 +0000

Thursday, April 5th was filled with cheers and screams as Desert Vista’s class of 2012 celebrated their last pep assembly with the rest of the school.
They kicked off the assembly by checking up with the boys and girls varsity tennis teams.
After listening to tennis captains talk about their outstanding season so far, the class of 2011-2012 Valedictorians were introduced. The four seniors, including Jennifer Wu and Kevin Zheng, were introduced with the prestigious honor of being Valedictorians for their class.
Track, baseball, and softball captains also talked about their winning seasons so far, and kept us updated on their latest games and activities.
Following the sports teams was the presentation of the coveted the Diablo Award, won by Dr. Linda Peairs, the honored english teacher.
Than, the new student body officers were introduced! The 2012-2013 president will be junior Mitchell Hammer, the new spirit director will be junior Joey Steigerwald, the vice president position will be shared by juniors Carly Contract and Shannon Gilpin, and the treasurer spot will be occupied by sophomore Rachel Clark.
After a round of applause for the newly appointed officers, some of the seniors boys and security guards took the dance floor. The boys danced a dance choreographed by a senior company dancer and got a standing ovation.
“The dance was so funny! I was probably one of my favorite things about all the assemblies this year. It was cool to see the guys dressed in spandex and their jerseys, being goofy and funny, especially with the security guards who always seems so serious!” says Megan Fisher
The assembly closed out with a smashing number by the DV Dance company, consisting of many seniors who will be dancing in front of the school for the last time.
From the silly dances to the awards, what were the student’s favorite part about the last assembly of the year?
“I definitely felt like we went out with a huge bang!” says Brittany Ly, ‘I loved the seniors dance with Snow and Walt and I had so much fun watching the senior company dance also.”
This may come as a surprise but some seniors might even miss high school already.
“ Being at the assembly brought back a bunch of memories from I was a freshman. It’s hard to believe things have ended so fast and I’m already out of here!” says proud senior Sydney Dale

Welcome to dv spiritline

cbaguindo — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:38:20 +0000

In a mandatory meeting for information held Tuesday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. in room 140 of the C building, girls came to find out the requirements of what it would take in tryout to make the elite DV squads.

Tryouts were held on April 9 to April 13, 2012 from three thirty to six in the afternoon daily. The girls were excited, yet nervous as they attended the mandatory meeting. Next year’s squads include the freshmen team, the JV team, and lastly, the Varsity team. Making the team required a commitment to camp during the summer.

“I’ve always done cheerleading since the elementary school, so it’s something I’m confident about with the upcoming tryouts,” explained junior Corrine Davis. “Ever since high school started I have been on a school squad, but this is my first year at DV so I’m kind of excited to see if I make it to varsity this year.”

To make the team, judges look for many things while monitoring the tryouts: arm placements and angles, bent wrists, toe touches, sharp movements (chants, cheers, and the dance), not bouncy or hippy, smile, jump and tumble on your entrance, neatly put together, and showmanship.

It’s very important to get those placements right when/if you are trying out for the teams. Once the final girls are chosen, the camp is located at NAU. Varsity will show up in on the fifteenth through seventeenth of June 2012. Then, the JV and freshmen team will join the camp from the thirteenth through the fifteenth of July 2012.

DVHS Fight Song

Cheer, cheer for DVHS,

We all know the Thunder is the Best,

As a team we work and strive,

Showing our talent, focus & drive,

Shake the thunder from the sky,

Desert Vista stands on high.

Noble thunder strong and bold,

Victory for blue and gold.

Delicious donuts cause disdain among the masses

Rfedasiuk — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:02:42 +0000

: Students chow down on the savory and sweet offerings of Renaissance club, as a celebration of their academic success.

By Ryan Fedasiuk, Reporter

In a perfect world, fairness is optimal. Utopian societies provide equal benefits to everybody within, and all are treated as one entity. However, as the saying goes, “Life’s not fair.” Unfortunately, this seems true for some students here at Desert Vista High School and false entirely for others. Last Thursday, Renaissance gold or silver card members received a free donut before school at 8:00 am in the courtyard. Not only this, but added benefits are also still existent through the option to exempt final exams, receive discounts at various stores across the valley, and park at discounted costs during the school year. So the question arises in the minds of students across the campus: “Why can’t I have one?”

The Gold and Silver Renaissance Cards are obtained through maintaining a high grade point average throughout specific quarters. A 3.833 to 4.0 GPA must be achieved to receive a gold card, and a silver card requires a 3.677 to 3.833 GPA. Only gold card members can exempt one final, but students feel deprived of advantages they could have had if they aren’t receiving a card.

“I’m not sure why I didn’t receive a card, but I feel as though I should have,” said freshman Allen Crowder. “My GPA is certainly high enough and I’ve been working hard for my high grades. The donut factor doesn’t bother me, but I would have liked one. I just want to exempt a final exam.”

In fact, some students are angry that a higher GPA means that you get one of these cards at all. They envy the benefits and feel that those successful enough to receive a card don’t even need to reap the rewards.

“I don’t know why people with that high of a GPA need to be able to exempt a final,” said freshman Jackson Clithero. “They’re already earning high grades and are probably in honors classes where they don’t even accept gold cards. I’ve been working hard, too, even if my grades aren’t perfect. In fact, I’m just under the limit, but I am the type of person that would actually use the card for my benefit if I had one, because my grades would skyrocket.”

However, students that have received these cards have certainly put a lot of time and effort into preserving their grades and valuing them holistically. Completing honors courses and turning in all assignments, even those rigorous ones, has caused the students to feel entitled to at least some benefits, and rightfully so.

“It only seems fair that hard-working students reap the rewards,” said senior Katie Giel. “It doesn’t make sense to just let anybody who slacks exempt a final exam. I work hard to achieve a high GPA, just like I know others do, and they definitely deserve what they are currently getting as rewards, if not more.”

Passionate Spanish teacher blazes up the Diablo Awards

MBorbon — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:54:41 +0000

Last weekend, foreign language teacher Dr. Linda Peairs received the Acheivement Award at the Annual Diablo Teacher Awards.

Peairs has taught Honors Spanish 5-6, AP Spanish Language, and AP Spanish Literature for 10 years at Desert Vista and an additional 10 years at the college level.

The prestigious award is presented only to “an individual who produces exceptional growth in student achievement that is demonstrated by measurable data over a three year timeframe.”

According to her students, Peairs is just that teacher.

“Dr. Peairs is amazing.” said sophomore Kailyn Revenew who is in Peairs’ Honors Spanish 5-6 class. “That’s the only class I have that I don’t fall asleep in. I think she definitely deserved it.”

Back when Desert Vista was still working on its AP Spanish program, Peairs was hired to bring it up to pace. She has led the way and carved the path for the third year spanish curriculum, and made the AP Spanish Language and AP Spanish Literature programs one of the greatest in the state.

“It is a lovely recognition of the many hours of thought and energy I have put into our department’s curriculum, into my teaching, and into the education of my students,” said Peairs. “I feel so appreciated by my colleagues, my administration, my district, and my community.”

Beyond making the Spanish program at DV fantastic, “Doctora” has expanded her reach as AP Consultant for the new AP Spanish Literature and Culture course next year. Under this position, Peairs helps other AP Spanish teachers across the district improve the learning and critical thinking of their students.

“I try to prepare my seniors for college, graduate school, and the workplace by sharing my experiences in academic and the corporate world,” said Peairs. “Students are motivated, hard-working, and very bright. I love teaching them. My students challenge me to think deeply, to be creative, and to have a sense of humor.”

Peair’s dedication to her students sets her apart, but it isn’t the only thing that makes her unique. She has a huge passion for what she teaches: Spanish.

“I fell in love with languages in junior high school.” said Peairs. “As a teenager there was nothing more awesome than being able to speak a language my parents didn’t speak.”

“Doctora” Peairs has also studied French, German, Latin, and Portuguese.

”I teach Spanish because it is the language that speaks to my heart. It is so beautiful and so expressive as a language that I want others to appreciate the special view of the world that it communicates ” said Peairs. “I also adore Spanish and Spanish American literature—especially the poetry. I love introducing the beauty and power of this literature and culture to my students, knowing their lives will be enriched by this contact.”

“She is hilarious, I love hearing her stories.” said Revenew. “I feel like I can relate to her, and I learn so much because she makes the material so interesting.”

Change is in the air

atam — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:05:57 +0000

By Amitty Tam

It looks like current juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are going to have full schedules until they graduate due to the new graduation requirements in the state of Arizona. Luckily for seniors this year, they have not changed for them.

Starting with the class of 2013, juniors, 23 credits are required to graduate high school. The class of 2012, the seniors, only needs 21 to get the diploma.

Science credits were increased from only needing 2 credits of graduating to a total of 3 science credits. It is required that you have one year of physical science, one year of life science, and one year of another type of science to your choice.

The number of Mathematics credits also changed, from three to four, so it is required that you take four math classes during high school.

Students all over campus re-acted differently to the two-credit change. The majority of students thinks that this is a bad change and should be changed back.

“ It really sucks to be a freshmen or sophomore because your schedule is pretty much jammed pack all four years. I’ve always really wanted to TA and stuff but I guess I won’t get the opportunity to,” says freshman Alex Chung.

Other students think that this is a positive way to stop being lazy during school hours.

“ I actually think it’s really great to we pretty much have to have a full schedule now because a lot of kids slack during school and skip periods. I like to be busy and I like to always have something to do,” says sophomore Gabby Trasser

Another change for seniors after 2012 seniors is that you are not allowed to leave school during school hours like you are now. You are now required to stay at school for all school hours until the dismissal bell.

“I hate the new rule,” says junior Kylie Butler, “ I was really looking forward to the perks of being senior and now it looks like there aren’t any.”

So why do they impose these new rules if many students are against it?

“We have these rules because we want to make sure students are safe,” says long- time security guard Snow.

“I don’t think it’s really a security issue because it’s not really a problem right now,” says Butler.

For more information about graduation requirements, you can visit http://www.azed.gov/state-board-education/high-school-graduation-requirements/

Latin club gives back

atam — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:46:27 +0000

It’s that time of the year again! The Latin Club is holding their annual Gift Wrap for Adopt a Family this December. This has been a project the Latin Club has been taking on since the holidays of 2006.

The club has partnered with AZ Adoption and Foster Care to bring Christmas gifts to less fortunate families. Visit http://www.childcrisis.org/aafc/index.html to learn more about their organization and their movement.

“We hope to give a family in need an amazing holiday.’ said Latin Club sponsor and Latin teacher Sarah Palumbo.

Everyone can participate in this project, not only the Latin Club. Anyone can donate gifts, and anyone can offer to help with the gift-wrapping. Gifts that have been donated in the past has been from anywhere from gift cards to bikes that look like motorcycles.

After all the gifts have been donated than Latin Club has a huge wrapping party at one of their meetings than they deliver it to the organization.

“Many have been blessed with a house, jobs and clothes. It only makes sense that we try to help those in need,” said Palumbo.

Homecoming Week in Wonderland

atam — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:03:14 +0000

The week we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Homecoming week has been the hot topic on campus ever since school started in August. And to go along with all the talk about dresses, dates and dancing are spirit days. To celebrate homecoming week, Student Council has come up with some fun and simple ways to show school spirit leading up to Homcoming in Wonderland on Saturday.

Monday is Mix Match Day, fall down the rabbit hole and see all of the things that mix match in Wonderland. Tuesday is Hat Day; meet your first friend in Wonderland the Mad Hatter.

Wednesday is Decades Day! Run into the rabbit that reminds everyone of their own favorite decades. Thursday is Twin Day, team up with a friend and match like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Finally, Friday is the day to wear homecoming shirts. Homecoming shirts will be available for $10 in the bookstore starting Wednesday.

Dressing up for homecoming week is not only a fun and fashionable way to show school spirit, but a pizza may be involved! A random name is selected and if that person is dressed up for that day’s theme, you win a free Barros pizza for you and your friends.

RED OUT: Special Assembly to Honor Cancer Survivors

atam — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:49:25 +0000

Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, DV partnered up with the Arizona Cardinals to organize a special assembly. The assembly was optional for teachers and classes, but many showed up to honor breast cancer survivors.

The Cardinals mascot Big Red and Big Blue, were introduced first to the pumped- up crowd. The Senior Dance Company danced a smashing number after Cardinals offensive linemen Jeremy Bridges and kicker Jay Feely ran out to loud cheering and applause. Next, the Varsity players walked in sporting their brand new Pink and White breast cancer awareness jerseys.

Cancer survivors including our very own nurse, Jean Kennedy was introduced to thunderous applause from the students and staff that were gathered there. They were presented with a special pink breast cancer shirt by the captains of the varsity football team, Hunter Rodriguez, Michael Arredondo, Ryan Ortega, and JJ Dielman. Bridges and Feely also gave them tickets to a Cardinals game and an invitation to a team dinner.

The students were having a great time at the assembly. “The assembly was so much fun! I was so pumped up when the mascots came out,” said Qury Kim

Dr. Anna Battle also spoke, and gave a very inspiring speech about breast cancer and how it affects women around the world. Breast cancer is the leading cause in death in women, after lung cancer. There are cancer runs, benefits, and fundraisers that people can participate in to make a stand to fight breast cancer. The bookstore sold pink shirts for the Westwood football game and all profits made went to breast cancer research.

Hello Desert Vista – today is Thursday, May 6th, 2010.

adviser — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:48:44 +0000

Campus News:

New Student Council officers, mark your calendars for a meeting on Monday May 10th 7:45am Lib-North!

Seniors who will be attending ASU next year…be sure to check your email for your invitation to Monday night’s “Soon To Be Sun Devils” party. The event is from 6:30-8:00 PM but you must RSVP in order to attend. Have questions? Stop by the Counseling Office.

First session summer school registration has been extended to Friday, May 14th. Registration information can be obtained in the Counseling Office.

The Choir Pops Concert is finally here! On May 7^th and 8, in the Dr. Joe McDonald Auditorium, the show starts at 7. This promises to be the best Pops Concert ever. Come out and support our singers and musicians.

You can also support the amazing photographers on campus by coming to see the senior art show at the Coffee Buzz. It’s called, “A voice from out the future cries”. Don’t miss it!

I bought a yearbook – did you? Check the list outside the bookstore to see if you or your parent purchased a 2010 Storm yearbook. It’s your last chance to buy a book for $75. Next week, the price goes to $85. A limited number of books are left to sell. Purchase yours now to ensure that you will get a copy – The Storm yearbooks will run out!

The iParty hits campus on May 18 after school from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Seniors – you lucky folks, you can enter an hour earlier because you’ve got it like that! Oh, yeah – you’ll need your school ID! Pre-purchase distribution party tickets for a $1 in the bookstore or $2 at the door. Get goodies, win prizes – have fun! Listen to this! The books are coming with only one week left for seniors and right before finals. Spend the last days of 2010 getting your yearbook signed, not standing in line! Come to the iParty and get your yearbook quickly so you don’t have to waiting outside the auditorium in the hot sun for hours and hours and hours! Books will be only handed out before school, during lunch and after school, so don’t be tardy for the party.

Just another reminder, this week is Spring Fling Week here at DV! Thursday-is Oil and Vinegar, Mismatch Day. At lnch there will be having a salad-eating contest! Come out to the DJ booth if you would like to play for a chance to win a free spring fling shirt! And Friday-there will be having a carnival and a DJ at lunch!

Sports News:

All girls who are interested in trying out for the women’s volleyball team next fall as well as participating in summer training to attend a short but important meeting Friday at 3:15 pm in the front office conference room. The meeting will start immediately at 3:15 pm and should be completed by 3:30 pm.

Attention all athletes! Get your physicals done for next year’s athletic activities! 2010-2011 Sports Physicals will be available on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 here on campus. Bring $30, your birth certificate, and come out to the big gym. Times are 8am to 12 pm.

Attention all current and future basketball players! There is open gym Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday weekly from 6-8pm. If you are doing open gym, make sure that you turn in your weightlifting form to Coach Hardiman or Coach Christofis.

Don’t forget – you can read the announcements, catch up on school news or watch one of DVTV’S newscasts – by going online to DVTHUNDERMEDIA.COM.

Have a great day DV!

Hello Desert Vista – today is Tuesday, April 20th, 2010.

adviser — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:11:59 +0000

Campus News:
DV students continue to show just how strong they are academically. We’ve had several individuals and groups participate, let’s take a look.
• Sophomore Anes Sung has won the distinguished honor of being the #1 Violinist in the State of Arizona at this year’s All-State Orchestra’s Concertmaster. In addition to her duties as the DV Orchestras Concertmaster and Concertmaster for the Phoenix Youth Symphony she competed against other top violinists in Arizona. Joining her on stage in the violin section were Sophomore Jennifer Wu [2nd year member] and Freshman Sarah Lee. Please congratulate this very talented young ladies when you see them.

• The Thunder Media – DVTV news team of Cory Crowe, Rachel Gosselin and Jason Cowan each received a superior medal from the Journalism Education Association National convention in Portland, Ore this weekend. The students competed in write-off categories of Broadcast News Package – carry in, and the onsite Broadcast News story competition that challenged their reporting, writing and video editing skills under deadline. A DVTV newscast submitted also placed 6th in the Best of Show category sponsored by the National Student Press Association. More than thousand students competed in various categories during this event. It was the first time these DV students competed and they walked away with top honors.

• This past week 28 members of the DV Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club traveled to the state conference in Tucson to compete against 1000 other students from schools across the state. Our students studied all year, then Wednesday and Thursday they put on their suits, faced the judges, and came home with amazing results; 12 of the 28 were ranked first in the state and of the twelve events our students chose, we brought home medals in eleven and qualified for Nationals in ten. Please congratulate the following students:

Gold Medal/1st in State
Creative Problem Solving: Team of Ashley Bennett, Grace Ma, Jared Naimark & Sonia Sen
Biomedical Debate: Team of Victor Bhattacharyya, Rudy Chen, Kari Hernandez & Aria Salehi
Medical Terminology: Nisha Talanki
Medical Math: Annie Dai (finally a gold after three years of bringing home the silver)
Veterinary Assisting: Jessica Hammer (our first medal in this event!)
Biotechnology: Jon Yamaguchi
Silver Medal/2nd in State
Medical Spelling: Saumya Bollam
Forensic Medicine: Team of Antora Majumdar & Payel Ray
Bronze Medal/3rd Place
Medical Reading: Team of Carrie Lin, Micah Musheno & Anna Quian
Medical Math: Andrew Wu
Researched Persuasive Speaking: Sooyeon (Tami) Kim
4th in State
Biotechnology: Koustubh Kondapalli
Researched Persuasive Speaking: Ariel Leung
5th in State
Extemporaneous Speaking: Tiffany Wong
Also, please congratulate our students who did not come home with medals, but did spent many hours preparing, qualifying for State and competing: Angel Lam (Nutrition), Elizabeth Haluska (Veterinary Assisting), April Miller (Medical Spelling), Micah Rappazzo & Tianyu Xia (Biotechnology).

• Teachers have winning ways too.
o Congratulations to Mrs. Elaine Padilla!!!! She is this month’s recipient of the KEZ Excellence in Education Award. She received her award this morning right after the meeting with Mr. Adolph and Dr. Wyman. Please join us in congratulating Elaine for this amazing award.
o Dawn Schmidt has been selected to travel this summer with Heifer International to Honduras for 8 days. Heifer International works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth, while providing gifts and training to help families generate income in sustainable ways. As a participant, Dawn will have the opportunity to learn about the root causes of hunger, poverty and environmental degradation. This is a wonderful educational opportunity and a distinguished honor as she will be one of 15 educators participating in this trip.”

Club News• Asian Student Union Members, the T-shirts are coming! The T-shirts are coming! They will be here to give out this Wednesday April 21 to Asian Student Union Members who have paid. There will also be elections for next year’s officers at this meeting, so make sure you attend. That’s this Wednesday after school in C-215.

• Hey DV! Just a quick reminder for all interested blood donors:

All sign ups end this Tuesday and all minor donor forms must be signed and turned in the cafeteria.

The blood drive is next Wednesday, April 28th.

Any questions, ask any Key Club officers, or Mrs. Welch in B166

• Just a reminder to all students who signed up to take the ASSET Placement test for Rio Salado:

• The Reading and Sentence Structure ASSET Placement Tests for Rio Salado Dual Enrollment will be administered tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, in the Library Computer Labs during the previously scheduled sign up times.

• All testing students ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE a picture ID with them. Students without picture ID’s WILL NOT be allowed to test.

• A list of students and scheduled testing times is posted in the library window.

• Please see Mrs. Hoffman in C-265 if you have any questions.

• It’s Spring Fling week at Desert Vista HS. Thanks to all of you who dress-up to support our school goal of spirit. Every day is themed after an salad dressing. The dress-up days are….

o Monday: 1000 Island (Beach Day)
o Tuesday: Ranch Dressing (Cowboy/Western attire)
o Wednesday: House Dressing (College T-shirt Day)
o Thursday: Oil and Vinegar (Mismatch Day)
o Friday: Blue Cheese (Thunder Spirit Day-DV Attire)

• Here’s another way you can show your school spirit. Come to the Varsity baseball game against Chandler Tuesday – it’s cowboy out! So dress in your western wear and cheer on the team.

• Any girl interested in running girls cross country next season must come to our meeting this Thursday 4-22-10 at 7:45 AM in the wrestling room. Important information will be distributed concerning all summer activities. You do not have to be a great runner or in good shape to be part of the team. Let us help you get fit, everyone and anyone is welcome…..come on out and give it a chance this summer! This Thursday 4/22 at 7:45 AM in the wrestling room.

• Congrats to Boys Tennis for sweeping Mountain Pointe in the 1st round of State Playoffs. The Thunder will host Mountain View on wedensday here at DV Stop by and watch they crush the toro’s starting at 3:30 PM.

• Don’t forget – you can read the announcements, catch up on school news or watch one of DVTV’S newscasts – by going online to DVTHUNDERMEDIA.COM.
Have a great day DV!