The Buccaneer #2 - Reef-Sunset Unified School District

The
Buccaneer
September 20, 2013
Board member Jose Barrera cutting the ribbon to
open the stadium.
Avenal High School Opens New Stadium
By Buccaneer Staff
Friday, September 6, 2013 was a momentous day for Avenal High School and Reef-Sunset
Unified School District.
This was the day we have been waiting for since the Measure A Bond was
passed in November 2012. With an overwhelming success rate for a bond measure, Reef-Sunset
Unified School District was able to remodel the old stadium and create a new and improved stadium
with a new ticket booth, restrooms, concession area and lots of cement to keep the dust down. In
addition to these improvements, Bush Construction of Hanford put in new lights, an all-weather track
and totally revamped the field with new grass and watering system. This entire rejuvenation project
took less than nine months to complete.
To begin our stadium dedication ceremony, Dr. David East, our superintendent introduced the
contractors, architect, and those who helped get Measure A passed. Board member, Jose Barrera,
cut the white ribbon with help from board members, Leticia Lopez and Ricardo Verdugo, to open the
gates and let us all in. As soon as all were seated, Dr. East began the dedication with a brief history
of the bond and how the stadium was designed and completed. He then introduced Mr. Ruiz, our
principal to say a few words. Following Mr. Ruiz, AHS alumni Paul Williams, gave a very short but
encouraging talk. The energizing and all-encompassing presentation from AHS alumni Jared Savage
had us all on our feet repeating after him. “Buccaneer born, Buccaneer bred, I’m gonna be a Buc till
the day I’m dead!” Thank you Jared Savage, for your words of encouragement and the reminder that
we are “ONE” when it comes to AHS. The football teams were able to set foot on the field for the first
time and it was exciting to see so many boys in blue walk with pride onto the new field. The cheer
squad entertained us with a cheer that had Anysa Plasencia being tossed in the air and a dance
routine to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody”. The football team closed our ceremony with a huddle
and break that pumped up the teams and stands getting us all ready for the game against Sierra
Pacific of Hanford that
night.
Buccaneer born,
Buccaneer bred,
I’m gonna be a Buc till the day I’m
dead!
AHS Alumni returning for dedication ceremony.
Jared Savage, Enrique Jimenez, Andre McMahon, Jose
Ramirez, Erika Garza and Paul Williams
Meet Mr. Smyers –
AHS Assistant Principal
By Gloria Balderas, Celeste Martinez
This is Mr. Smyers first year working for Reef Sunset
Unified School District. He says the staff is very welcoming!
Mr. Smyers says the students at AHS are great, even though
the seniors pulled a prank on him and filled his office with balloons. He believes that there are a lot of
traditions at Avenal High School that should continue. There is a lot of pride. Being an assistant
principal is more fun for Mr. Smyers because it gives him an opportunity to interact with the students.
Mr. Smyers went to UC Riverside; while attending he went to a lot of Dodger games! He has a
Bachelor's degree in education along with his administrative credential and a Masters degree in
education from Fresno Pacific University. Mr. Smyers loves baseball and he is a Yankee fanatic! He
played baseball and soccer in high school. His birthday is in December and he loves chocolate! He
has two dogs (pugs). He’s allergic to cats. His plan for this year is to work on athletics, “bring nothing
but the best” and increase activities.
Wacky Spirit Rally
By Deisi Ayala, Marisol Pacheco, Dulce Blanco
On Tuesday the 10th, Funworks, a group from Fresno, came to
AHS to help us start this new school year with much school spirit and
friendly competition. This event was held in the new gym after seventh period after a Wednesday
schedule. All students and teaching staff attended the rally and showed off their pride for their class.
The senior and junior classes dominated the games and also showed the most school spirit. Karen,
the lady in charge, and Wacky Wendy, her assistant, made sure everyone was involved and ready to
participate. Even though it was a friendly competition, everyone tried their best to win, including some
of the teachers. At the end, seniors took the win. The highlights of the event were Pablo, Mr. Santino
and Ms. Wilkinson, and watching Mr. Ruiz use a plunger. Just remember the wise words of Karen,
when you’re having a bad day, close your eyes and think about them and their
creative participation.
Lady Buc Volleyball
By Brenda Vargas, Itzel Peregrino & Luis
Herrera
Lady Buc volleyball is well on its way for the
2013 season. It was a tough season opener for
the Lady Bucs against McClane High School on
August 29th. The varsity came home with a loss
of 0-3 but the JV team came home with a 2-3 win.
On September 3, the Lady Bucs traveled to
Paramount Bard Academy in Delano. The varsity
made a clean sweep with a 3-0 win and the JV
also came home with a 2-3 win. On Thursday, September 5th the varsity Lady Bucs hosted Shandon
High School and ended the night with a 3-1 win.
“Ashley Lopez a 4 year player may be out for the
season after being injured in the Avenal vs. Shandon
game. We will keep our heads up and go forward and
have a successful season.” says volleyball coach Alicia
Jones.
California Dreaming
By Mariaxochitl Martinez
Numerous students are sent to the office for dress
code violation for shirts that simply represent the
state of California. Some might say ‘it is just a shirt’.
True, a shirt is just a shirt, but obviously the school
and many other schools had banned the shirts for a
particular reason. To find out what this reason was I interviewed the Vice Principal. It was revealed to
me that these shirts were banned because they are gang affiliated, but this wasn’t enough so I further
probed asking, how? Mr. Smyers, The vice principal at AHS explained, “California Logos have been
banned because they have been identified by local law enforcement as clothing that would be
associated with gang attire. It has taken on a negative meaning. For example, The Nebraska
University N is used as Norteño gang logo. Even a while ago the trend was Raiders apparel and
white socks. Gang trends change, now it is sports apparel that has taken on this meaning because of
them. To keep up with these trends we have police officers who inform us on the style of gang-related
apparel.” I took this with a nod, so this reaffirmed these shirts are gang affiliated.
They have been identified as gang related clothing and schools do not want these clothes on their
campus. Obviously to someone outside of California it may seem that this rule does not make much
sense if you are not familiar with gangs. However there are gangs here, they go to our schools, and
they walk these streets. The colors of the gangs are known and the danger it might entice are known
here. Fights are started by clothes that are just related to gang activity, which ‘provokes’ them to hurt
their enemy. They see it as a challenge. Some of these victims are not even in gangs themselves;
simply they were wearing the wrong clothing in the wrong place and time. So it should not even be a
question as to why the schools are banning anything gang-affiliated. School is for learning and
nothing else, not to put anyone in danger, but to keep their students in a safe learning environment.
Since there are kids in gangs here, some of the wear these logos to symbolize their side, but then
again there are some who just wear them to be simply worn.
For this to be a justified rule because of their gang related nature there has to be a negative effect
upon the student body of high schools. So is there an effect? Again Mr. Smyers answered my
questions, “Absolutely, for the kids involved with these gangs they know what they are wearing. They
wear them to intimidate the kids who do know what these logos mean. They all hang out in one
group, wearing similar clothing to bring fear and show their ‘superiority’. They mostly bully each other,
that is, the two sides, which is bad in itself, but it also affects the rest of the kids. The students feel
threatened and gangs threatened by each other. At school, they should feel safe and ready to learn,
not uncomfortable in anyway.” I agreed, kids at school shouldn’t have to deal with this. School is to
supplement you not put you at risk. These shirts do hinder education; they only bring trouble between
the gangs or the students uninvolved just because of the clothing that is worn. It will only be a
distraction. The fear is negative, the school should be positive.
After this, the real question left is why students would break the dress code, there isn’t an excuse. It
might hinder your complete freedom of expression, but I’m sure that doesn’t hurt you in anyway. For
some students though they just break the rules for the heck of it or wear them to defy the rules, but
this there isn’t much of a point to this. There is already a dress code, it’s just any other restriction and
it won’t change anytime soon. It is not really much of an inconvenience if you can’t wear your
California t-shirt for 7 hours of school for 5 days. All summer you have the freedom to wear anything
you wish, along with every weekend all year. In fact, does it even matter? School is for academics
and not fashion. These shirts do affect the school. What is this t-shirt going to change? Nothing. It is
especially important if it is a precaution against this or worse. The education system has the right
under school dress codes to not allow certain clothing because of its hazards. As a rule the
administration won’t interfere except when it affects the education program of the school (AHS School
Dress code). Any kind of Gang activity, including related apparel, has been recognized and proven to
be hazardous to school under Education code 35183 and because of this they must ban them to not
put at risk any students health or well-being. After all of this evidence is examined, you can see that is
best if the shirts are banned as wearable clothing to school.
Farewell “Big O”
By Bailie Taylor and Dulce Blanco
On Friday, September 13, AHS lost one of its finest
employees. Octaviano Sigala, also known as “Big O” had
been working at AHS for eight wonderful years. He had also worked for a year at Tamarack
Elementary and a year at Avenal Elementary School. Big O has always worked with the
maintenance/custodial part of the school, now he is starting a new chapter in his life and moving on to
work for West Hills College Coalinga. He will be missed by the students and staff of AHS. He was not
just a staff member to AHS he was family. He will be dearly missed.
Mystery Spot
Upcoming EventsSeptember - October
9/20 – Cross Country- Sanger Invitational
Football vs. Minarets 5pm & 7:30pm
9/24 – Volleyball @ Alpaugh 5pm & 6pm
9/27 – Cross Country at Mount Whitney Invit.
Football bye week
9/30 – 10/4 – Homecoming Week
9/30 – Sports Day – “Join the Winning Team!”
10/1 – Super Hero Day – “I’ve got the Power!”
Volleyball vs. Alpaugh 5pm & 6pm
10/2 – Stand up to Cancer Day – Wear Pink
10/3 – Theme Day – “Blast to Bucs Past!”
Seniors – 1950’s
Junior – 1960’s
Sophomores – 1970’s
Freshmen – 1980’s
Bill Glass Champions of Today – Assembly
Night Rally 7pm at Stadium
If you can identify where this is on AHS
campus be the first person to see Mrs.
Rodrigues in room 23 to claim your prize.
10/4 – Buc Pride Day – “Once a Buc, Always a
Buc!”
Football vs. McFarland 5:00pm & 7:30 pm
Introducing Mr. Ricks – Earth
Science Teacher
By India Jimenez
Buc staff – What did you do before this job?
RR – I was in between jobs for 14 months I had a very long
“summer break” I taught 7 different subjects at a tiny school
in the mountains. The entire high school had 20 students!
Buc Staff – Do you enjoy the students in your classes?
RR – What kind of question is that? Of course I do!
Buc Staff – Where did you grow up?
RR – I grew up in Huntington Beach.
Buc Staff – What made you come to Avenal?
RR – I came here for a teaching opportunity.
Buc Staff – Has there been any trouble for you so far?
RR – In school, no but here in Avenal, yes. It is too hot here! I am use to cold weather and snow.
Buc Staff – How was your first day working here at AHS?
RR – It was great I met a lot of interesting students and staff members.
Buc Staff – What are your plans this school year?
RR – My plans are to teach students how to survive high school, and of course enjoy learning about
science.
Buc Staff – Do you enjoy your job here?
RR – Yes, I do. If I didn’t enjoy it I wouldn’t still be here.
Buc Staff – How many years have you worked here at AHS?
RR – I have worked here for 13 school days. This is my first year here at AHS.
Buc Staff – Where did you attend college?
RR – I have an undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara. And I also attended CSU Monterey
Bay and got a teaching credential.
Buc Staff – Did you play any sports during high school?
RR – Yes, I ran Cross Country.
Freshmen
Thoughts on
High School
By Pedro Santiago and Alexis
Campos
Talking to 7 freshmen they all
seemed to have the same opinion of
their start of high school. Most of
them say that it feels okay, some
freshman say that it’s boring.
Freshman students think that some
teachers are strict and other are nice
and not as strict. Most freshmen say
most of their classes are boring and they wish Avenal High school had more electives. We asked
them if high school was everything they had expected it would be, in some cases they said yes and
others they said no. The freshman do not like the school rules, they think that they are “lame”. They
feel that being in high school isn't really a good thing or a bad thing they say it feels the same as all
the other years of school. According to them they say that upperclassmen are mean and rude. Most
freshmen think that the dress code rules are not fair but others don't really care one way or the other.
Some have a feeling that the school will change after this year, and that there will be more rules
added to the handbook.
The freshman said that the Chromebooks are okay, and it makes it a lot easier for them to turn in
their assignments, but the internet is slow.
1
Marcos Caro
Jose Dominguez
Juan Guzman
14
Griselda Cervantes
Melissa Maldonado
Samantha Monrroy
4
Lorena Magana
15
Luis Guillen
Amanda Piere
5
Litzi Alcantar
Claudia Morillon
16
Kimberly Arredondo
6
Jessica Araiza
17
Mayra Pacheco
7
Jose Ledesma
Anysa Plasencia
18
Yulitza Salinas
19
Carlos Zamora
8
Brian Lopez
20
9
Dominick Ramirez
10
Alondra Guzman
Camilo Lara
Heidy Morales
Arturo Alvarado
Johnathan Cruz
Yomira Perez
Natalie Solano
21
Brandon Avila
Oscar Castanos
Andrea Gonzalez
Ian Ramirez
Gabriela Tafolla
27
Juan Pastrana
30
Cesar Clemente
11
Rodrigo Reynosa
13
Carlos Alvarez
Marco Cabrera
Raj Patel
Purchase your 2013-14 LaNeva
Yearbook in Room 23. Only
$55 limited number of books
available.
ASB Stickers $30
Get into ALL home games free!
Available in room 23
Big O and
Ray’s Life
By Jazmin Soto & Karen
Campana
Buc Staff: What are you planning to do to make this school a better place?
Big O and Ray are trying to maintain the campus clean.
Buc Staff: What made you decide to work here at Avenal High School?
Ray came to work at Avenal High School because he enjoys being with the kids. Big O came to work
here because he needed the job.
Buc Staff: Do you like your job?
According to Ray he LOVES his job & Big O thinks this jobs okay.
Buc Staff: What’s the favorite part of your job?
Big O’s favorite part of his job is that he gets to leave at 2:31 and Ray says his favorite part of his job
is getting to spend time with the students.
Buc Staff: What are your plans for this year?
Big O and Ray are looking for ways to utilize and use time wisely.
Buc Staff: Tell me about your family.
Ray: Has a good family; Big O: Has a beautiful wife and 3 wonderful daughters
Buc Staff: How is your experience here working here?
Big O and Ray have had an exciting experience while working here.
Buc Staff: How was your first day working here?
Big O and Ray’s first day here was like every other day.
Buc Staff: What have you learned so far while working here?
Big O: Ray taught him everything he knows.
Buc Staff: What’s the best thing you have learned so far from the students?
Big O and Ray both think the students are good kids.
Buc Staff: Where were you born?
Big O was born in Hanford, CA & Ray was born in Pueblo Colorado.
Buc Staff: What school did you attend?
Big O attended Avenal High School, he's an alumni and Ray attended Hardwork High School
Buc Staff: How many siblings do you have?
Big O has 5 sisters and 1 brother and Ray has 4 brothers and 1 sister.
Buc Staff: When is your birthday?
Big O was born on August 28 & Ray was born in November he likes to celebrate his birthday the
whole month.
Buc Staff: Where do you live?
Big O lives in Coalinga & Rays lives in Avenal
Chromebooks
By: Gloria Sauceda and Xochitl Martinez
New this year at Avenal High School, all students
received Chromebooks. In order to allow students to get
homework done online, turn in projects, and also allowing
parents to become more familiar with their students
learning, making it easier in cutting down actual handwritten work these laptops were passed out in
the end of August.
In interviewing Mr. Ruiz, Principal at Avenal High, he states “The Chromebooks are going to be
very helpful to students, in allowing them to compete in academics, and also allow students to
prepare for college.” The money provided to pay for this new technology, was given to our school
from district allocated funding. “Which enabled us, to purchase 625 Chromebooks, with twenty-five
more still in the works to purchase? Overall it is a great investment, to enable our students a simpler
way of studying.”
Students were also interviewed; here is what a few of them thought. Senior Lucy Valadez
stated, “It’s helpful to students, but at the same time it has a slow network connection.” Senior Cindy
Huling says, “They’re useful because teachers can see what we have difficulties on.” Senior Oscar
Castanos says, He enjoys using the Chromebooks, but not every teacher has implemented them into
their teachings. “So why were we issued them so early? I’d like to address an upside to them, they
do allow us to stay organized, but have a slow internet connection”.
In conclusion, administrators, teachers and students, all form their differences in opinions;
clearly it is stated from the interviews above. I as a Senior of Avenal High School, feel it is a great
investment for our school, for all current and future students. I’d like to give special thanks, to ReefSunset School District for providing and preparing us for a better future.
Ms. Galvan and Amanda Piere getting
Chromebooks ready to check-out
Even at lunch, Chromebooks
are being used.
Poetry Corner
Born alive, always to live
By Mariaxochitl Martinez
Branded with ice, sold, but alive.
Marked a sky sewn with shades of all,
The hole of time.
Awful expectation upon anticipation.
This void.
Poisons, powders and fumes loomed above the stars.
Vile green of the meadows, leaves, lit over hills as the heavy forest screeched.
This Autumn the sky was dark. A milky purple that perished into gray.
The rose, creamy and harsh dripped.
Pouring through the sieve.
The air was no longer the air,
Earth no longer earth.
All emotion was worn. Scorched in burning flames, shot alive.
I arose, I shifted onward into nothing.
The hour of dusk has lived. In this hole of time, In this void.
With one hand a delicate movement with slender hands.
There came a time of silence, so she arose herself beneath her moonlit hand.
Surrounded in the oasis, the scent of sweetness released with the moon.
The whirlwinds stirring my eyesight becoming one as it hung.
I saw nature undisturbed. In the oasis bruised and burned.
For pain is deception and love is never perfection.
In the hole of time, across ocean tides….
So they were open to the night, cold against cold.
Faint color, pink and flush, spread unto my skin.THE HEAT.
High fever ached and so pallid I became
as misted winds encircled my face as I slept.
Brushing softly and calling for my eyes to see,
A small child caressing me,
Forcing my rest, while the flower nourished all that hungers.
I was starved, starved for the obscure.
The scent of mountain stream interlaced the valley air,
A lost valley unleashed this solemn mood.
Bruised air, Bruised minds, Bruised skin too far to say,
Across the land of a mind.
I found my way to time, deep into the dust.Too far to grasp.
Yellow stalks and Yellow grain flowed as a sea for miles.
They suffered, drenched, and dragged their feet to safety.
Burned, branded into the night,
Wrong for right returned across the ocean tides
Some are unsold, but which is spoken of the most.
The Pain given for perfection, love for deception.
Violators undermined the solid ground, but only mind can heal mind
in the hole of time.
Awful anticipation waiting for the expectation
with this void.
They have lived
In the Oasis Bruised and Burned
Until they died.
If you have a piece of original poetry you would
like to submit to be printed send it to
jrodrigues@apps.rsusd.net
Avenal High School’s
“BUC of the WEEK”!!
Sept. 9, 2013
Artwork by Paul Alejo
Erik Ramirez
#2
Sophomore
RB/LB

Cross Country
By: Luis Alcaraz, Alexis Llamas, Jesus
Moreno, Jose Ledesma
Helped team to a 28 – 13 WIN vs.
Sierra Pacific High School of Hanford.
 Ran for 122 yards rushing.
 2 receptions for 63 yards.
 5 tackles on defense.
Last week on September 13 the Avenal High School cross country team went to Hickey Park
in Lemoore to race against other schools. Runner Carlos Espinoza took 3rd place overall with a
extraordinary performance with an outstanding time of 10:29 on two miles and putting himself in first
place for the Bucs, In second place Enrique Vallencillo, in 3rd place Juan Alcaraz, in 4th Luis
Mendez, in Fifth place Ian Ramirez, in sixth place Marcos Soltero, and in seventh place Benardino
Vega. With this incredible performance the Buccaneers are ranked number one. Wish these talented
runners good luck this year.
We interviewed Coach Bill Vallem about his opinion about how the team was doing, and he
said “My team has a strong chance of winning valley this year’’.
GO BUCS!!!!!