Student Council is the heart of Desert Vista. They handle all of the behind-the-scenes mess, including fund raisers, approving bills, dances, posters and everything else spirited, like decorating the football players’ houses for the Tukee Bowl, the talent show, Mr. Relay, Battle of the Bands, and so much more to keep the school fun and in order. So, the responsibility of choosing officers who can handle all of that is extremely important, though sometimes neglected for the people who are more popular among the students.

Recycling: By the end of the week, a whole 6-yard bin is filled with recyclable material thrown out in classrooms.

Low Flow: All urinals save water by using 1.5 gallons per flush. These are low-flow toilets that save water.

The Off Switch: The school runs on an energy manage system that switches lights off at 5 p.m. unless someone turns it on.

Solar Panels: On top of the cafeteria, DV uses solar energy with year-old solar panels. Check out what DV saves at http://srp.kiosk-view.com/desertvista.

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.

“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.

Just a day later,  Cory Crowe and Gabby Newell, received an honorable mention for their on-site broadcast package; Tyler Oman, Excellent for Sports; Anessa Blanco-Paiz, Excellent for News; and Elena Mendoza Honorable Mention for Features.
More than 3,000 students from high schools across the country gathered for the JEA / NSPA national spring convention where students attended workshops and competed in group and individual publication contests. The DVTV staff chooses a newscast of announcements, stories and projects, then saves it on a DVD and submits it to the convention officials. Judges watch and critique the shows, choosing the best to recognize at the Saturday awards ceremony.
“To prepare we looked at previous shows about a week out and started building what important aspects we wanted to include,” said Cory Crowe.

This is only the third time the DVTV staff has competed in the national competition, but they have climbed the latter of rankings as a team with each venture.
“The staffers focus really hard to put their best work on the air,” said adviser Michelle Coro. “The amount of time that is spent coming up with ideas and producing the show is a testament to how much these staffers care about what they do.”
The competition is based on a daily newscast submitted for review and judged onsite. Ten schools are recognized in the awards ceremony, but dozens more come to submit their newscasts. In the overall contests, hundreds of students compete with each others. Strong journalism programs in Texas, Missouri and throughout the country always come with students well prepared.
“It was unreal,” said Elena Mendoza. “My first reaction was just to jump out of my seat and start screaming…and I was glad we beat Corona Del Sol.”
Several publication staffs from TUHSD and Arizona traveled to the convention, with groups representing broadcast, newspaper, yearbook and photography for best of show. Corona, Horizon (Scottsdale), McClintock, and Mountain View also received recognition for their student publications.
“At first I heard them call ‘D-TV’, which was another high school, and I got super excited so when they said ‘DVTV’ shortly after, I flipped out,” Gabby Newell said.
Having confidence in their publications, staff members sat on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
“I didn’t know when would hear our name but I knew we would,” Tyler Oman said.

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.