Key Club to Host Talent Show - Last Year's Winners Prepared

by MARCOS SALDANA

    Well, folks, It’s here once again. The annual Mac-Hi talent show has returned. Every year, McLoughlin High school Key Club hosts a talent show for all of its student body to participate. Whether you’re interested in watching someone sing, dance, tell comedic jokes, or drop a few sick verses, all are welcome to watch our contestants show off their talents at this coming talent show on April 29. If you don’t know yet, the talent show will be held in the Mac-Hi Auditorium at 6:00.

    As we’ve seen last year, there were quite a number of singers that showed off their harmonic voices. One man that stood out was none other than Diego Romero, who took first place with his own original song. Diego had been in the works with this song for quite a while. Once it was completed, he figured it was something good he’d want to share with his peers. Unlike most of his music, Diego’s original wasn’t exactly labeled in the blues genre. He wanted to do something different, so he changed it up for the year. That was definitely a bold move that paid off. This year, though, we’ll expect to see something upbeat, but still similar to his usual work. And, yes, Romero says it’ll most surely be another original piece.

    The humble Diego Romero really loves musical work he does. It was actually the main reason why he entered the talent show. He clarifies that he wasn’t in it for the money or fame, though those were a nice bonus. Really, he says he just wanted to go out there to do what he does and have fun. Like most people, Diego was pretty nervous when he went on stage. Though, it only takes a moment for him to forget the fears, enjoy the show, and just get lost in the music.

    One of the other contestants from last year, Sandra Pereyda, also had her fun on stage. She very much enjoyed the rehearsals as well because other contestants “were so much fun to look at and kind of know what people are doing. That way, you can be BETTER THAN THEM!...Just kidding,” but she really did like being a part of the talent show. Even being on stage, she says she felt more excited and nervous because she felt thrilled to be up there and being able to go up there to present her poem about gender and society, which was co-written by Samuel Donovan Miller. This poem and their empowered delivery won the two were able to take second place last year. We will expect to see Sandra Pereyda presenting some more of her rather moving slam poetry.

    For those that feel they have a talent of any kind they’d like to show but are feeling a bit uneasy to go out there, listen to these fellow talented people and what they say about expressing yourself. Diego Romero feels that you just need to “ Get your butts up there and do it. No one’s ever gonna know if don’t go up there and try.” Simply going up there and giving it a shot takes balls. Sandra Pereyda had something similar to tell students thinking about entering the Talent show. Quoting one Shia Labeouf, she says to, “ Just do it.” But she also says she’s more than willing to lend a hand to those too shy to try it out. Speaking from her past, Pereyda understands how it is to be a shy kid. Like her, you can grow out of that and become a more forward and empowered person. From us here at the Crimson and Black Press, we wish you contestants and talented souls good luck.

New Opportunities Sprout for Future Doctors and Electricians

by ALEX HUNTER & SAMUEL MILLER

There will be two new classes taught by Mrs. Groff next semester. The two classes will be an electronics class and a medical terminology class. These classes will be taught during seventh period next semester. Groff decided to take on these classes when she was asked to come up with electives to help students who plan on going into vocational schools.

The purpose of these classes is to give students another way to further learn about occupations they might have in the future. These classes can assist students in the transition into vocational training. They can earn two college credits from the medical terminology class. The goal in this class is to help students get a career in the path that they want.

Mrs. Groff hopes that these classes will be available next year in addition to this year. She continued with “I think that there is a good chance of them staying around, because they are free and they don't cost any real resources.” She goes on to say that the classes will be easy for diligent students. She also feels that it will show how effective students are with an online class. The classes will be a trial run.

Inez Pulido Has a Way With Words

by SAMUEL MILLER

Inez Pulido is a sophomore that many people don’t know about, but even though she is somewhat unknown, she is one of the most interesting people you will meet. Her favorite dish is a nice hot and savory spaghetti with a side of garlic bread. Her favorite restaurant in Milton is the Golden Village. When asked what she plans on doing after high school, she replied that she plans on going to college and getting a job to help out her family.

When asked What she truly enjoyed doing, she replied, “I love to write or read. When I write, it gives me a sense of serenity.” She feels that writing is essential to finding out who one is. To Inez, writing has opened the doors to how she sees the world today. This year, she decided to join poetry club. Since then, she has enjoyed adding poetry into her writing. To write her stories she uses an app called “WattPad”.

“I am writing a fantasy story write now. I just started, but I hope to make it a series,” Pulido says. She hopes that she can finish the first book of the story by her junior year.

GSA Begins “Choose Another Word” Campaign

by ALEX HUNTER & SAMUEL MILLER

The Gay-Straight Alliance is a club that creates a safe place for everyone to come regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. This is a safe place for people who have questions or answers about gender or sexual identity to go ask questions and answer some that other students might have.

The GSA is beginning a campaign, called “choose another word.” They want to help students use language that is less offensive and more positive. For example, if a student is assigned a book to read in class and begins reading it, and says, “This book is gay,” that could offend a portion of the other students. “I know sometimes people aren’t trying to be offensive, but it’s a problem when they use words that associate being gay with something they dislike or think is stupid,” says club advisor Mr. Lynn. Because, as we all know, a book cannot actually be homosexual.

How are they going to do it?

They have cards. They will pass it out if someone says gay or the n-word, or something along those lines.

They are trying to suggest that they use different words. “We are trying to make people a bit more knowledgeable and a bit less offensive at the same time. Without shoving it down their throats,” added Collin Green, an active GSA member.

Third World Problems

by SAMUEL MILLER

(Setting: Somewhere in Africa. In a small settlement. Two boys, aged 17, are talking.)

Val: Hey, Eadric. What’s up?

Eadric: Sup, bro. How’s it hanging?

Val: Not good, bro. Couldn't get any water today.

Eadric: Ah, man, third world problems.

Val: For sure.

Eadric: I found some water, but it’s a little dirty.

Val: How clean is it?

Eadric: Prob’s got a few parasites in it.

Val: Third world problems, man.

Eadric: Yeah, but at least it is water.

Val: That’s true. Hey could I get a sip?

Eadric: Sure.

Val: Thanks, bro. Did you hear that Sally got Internet?

Eadric: Dude, she is so lucky.

Val: Yeah, we can barely afford food. She is so lucky.

Eadric: Third world problems, dude.

Val: Seriously. So, can you read yet?

Eadric: Small lines. I’m getting there.

Val: Same. Did you hear that Shaq read the entire Harry Potter series?

Eadric: Wow. I can barely Read Dr. Suess.

Val: Yeah, man. Third world problems.

Eadric: Yeah. Well, I gotta go man. Work.

Val: Same. See ya.

Eadric: Bye.

Mind Over Matt Dives into Brain of Hopeless, Helpless Illustrator

by KAREN STEELE

      The lights were out. The entire auditorium was dark. Slowly, the lights came on... and lead Christopher Moran was asleep in his underwear, as was his nerdy subconscious counterpart, played by Sam Miller. McLoughlin's newest drama play is a hilarious comedy called Mind Over Matt.

     “It's been a really fun adventure, and it's a smaller cast than we've had before,” said Director Melissa Cunnington, comparing this play to ones in the past. “It's a little bit different than what we've done before, so it's exciting that we're attempting something a little bit more challenging for us.” In years past, she has had to work hard to find a play with enough parts so everyone in the drama class who wanted to be in the play could. For this semester's play, she tried something new: choosing a play with a small cast and opening up the opportunity for everyone in the school to audition.

      Despite all of the jokes cracked (along with the Star Trek references out the wazoo), Mind Over Matt offers the opportunity to take a much closer look at why people do the things they do. The different personalities of Matt (played by Moran) are personified by Taylor Johnson, Collin Green, Sam Miller, Marcos Saldaña, and David James, who, respectively represent Matt's responsible, vain, nerdy, curmudgeonly, and misogynistic sides. Together, the five personalities take turns controlling what Matt does and says, bearing similarities to Pixar's Inside Out, but with a very unique feel and atmosphere.

     The actors have put lots of effort into their play, as shown in their near-perfect synchronization when Matt hits his head on the table and all five of his personalities react at the same time. Both Saldaña and Miller put lots of time into developing the voices of their characters; Saldaña with a gravelly tone that sounds like it would hurt his throat and Miller with a constant, nasally whine. Moran did a great job keeping himself occupied while not distracting the audience during the soliloquies of the personalities, and Cynthia Ruiz (playing Rose) bravely had a glass full of water tossed at her.

     Katie Torres (Ms. Killian) dominated the stage with her powerful presence as she stalked back and forth, demanding the audience's attention as she delivers her icy lines. The cast also shares a sense of familiarity, like they all have known each other for Matt's whole life, proven when they march together in a drunken conga line and cracking up while making (terrible) puns. The role of Matt's cranky landlord, Mrs. Snyder (Grace Miller) reaps laughter, as does the friendly banter between the Devil and the Angel (Sandra Pereyda and Ashley Gardner), who take turns making good and bad choices for Matt.

     As always, this Mac-Hi play delivers, providing a chance for students to see their peers in completely different ways (i.e. in their underwear, drinking from sippy cups, wearing each other's underwear, and some butt-slapping). All in all, Mind Over Matt is another great performance by the Pioneers and Mrs. Cunnington, with props to the crew (Mackenzie Norton, Grace Merritt, and Cynthia Lozano) and Todd Cunnington for his continued willingness to help with stage setup.

Samuel Miller, seen tied up. Johnson helped, while James, Green, and Saldana stood by.

Torres places a gentle hand on Moran's shoulder while Saldana enjoys the view, and Miller, James, Green, and Johnson run away in fear.

Pereyda looks at Ruiz and Moran lovingly.

The entire crew: Lozano, Merrit, Ruiz, Torres, James, Samuel Miller, Moran, Johnson, Saldana, Green, Gardner, Grace Miller, and Pereyda. Not pictured: Mackenzie Norton.

Some memorable quotes:

• “Good morning, testosterooomies!” - Rose (Johnson)
• “Ms. Killian? More like Mrs. Kill-Her-Men!” - Dylan (Green)
• “Who do you think is the best [James] Bond?” - Matt, asking Penny (Ruiz), a potential love interest, the most important question
• “Halo everybody!” - Angel (Gardner) to Devil (Pereyda)
• “She wants to have our babies!” - Butch (James)
• “We're sorry... That your stupidity forced us to hurt you!” - Dylan

A Monster’s Diary

by SAMUEL MILLER

Friday, October 15

It is that time of year again. The "Humans" are hunting for me, and it is getting quite old. I don't know why they try because it always ends the same way for them: in my stomach digesting. I don’t eat them because of the way they taste. On the contrary, I do it because the food is there. What I mean is, I eat these “humans” because they are a free source of food. These two legged beasts blame me for eating their people when they were the ones with the audacity to attack me in the first place. You see, I am actually quite nice and humble. If these “Humans” stopped to ask, I would have had an intellectual conversation with them, but they don't stop to think that I am intellectual and instead come at me with weapons. I wonder if this will ever stop.

Monday, October 25

A “Human” showed up at my house today, and let's be frank: he tried to kill me, so I killed him, but only in self-defense. I do not enjoy killing these “humans,” but I have to admit they are quite delectable. Even though they are tasty I will resist the urge, because if I don’t, the “Humans” would have been right about me. I would be nothing but a monster.

Wednesday, October 27

I slipped in my standards today. I went out of my house in search of “Humans.” My stomach had this hunger. A hunger only human hands could satisfy. This attempt of a hunt almost led to my demise. As I hunted for a “Human” I was ambushed by a group of “Humans”. One of their arrows pierced my upper leg, ripping through my muscle. I ran, scared for my life, through the woods. After an hour of running I had finally lost them. I returned to my house and tended to my wound.

Friday, October 29

It’s been two days since my lapse in judgement, and I fear that “Humans” I encountered might have followed me to my house. I think they plan to attack my home and kill me. The wound they gave me is still fresh. I stay alert in hope that I can live through this engagement.

Saturday, October 30

They attacked at midnight. Weapons blazing, they charged at me. I fought as hard as I could, but so did they. Their group suffered many casualties in their men. They have pushed me back into my bedroom. This may be my last journal entry. They are beating at the door. I see the door breaking under the force of their blows. They will be inside any minute, and I fear that the world may never know the truth about me. About what I really am. Because I am…

FILE 170465

A beast was found in a cave, its body only bones. This body is bigger than most humans. Its hand could have shattered the skull of a human. As we researched this being, we found that it closely resembled a human. We have sent the skeleton to deep storage where it is being classified and is to not be opened again for 50 years. We hope by then that we will be able to better identify what this being is. Till then, we have decided to call it “Big Foot” because of the size of its feet.

Poem - NERD

by SAMUEL MILLER

I have grown up hearing the words NERD,

An insult meant to crush my self esteem

but it only elevates it

Because to me, NERD is only an acronym

you Never

Ever

Really

Die

Nerds live on as legacies through their creation

I wanna be a NERD

I wanna be like the great nerd Albert Einstein

Changing the world through my superior intellect

I wanna be like Thomas Edison

Lighting up people's worlds

I wanna be like Thomas crapper

Getting rid of the crap in people's lives

I wanna be like the Wright Brothers

Soaring over the competition

I wanna be like myself

And change the world

I wanna be a NERD

New Face But Familiar Role: Mac-Hi's New Principal

by SAMUEL MILLER & ALEX HUNTER

Mac-Hi has gone through many changes in the past year, but one of the biggest is the change in principals. Our new principal, Mindi Vaughn, is a new addition to the Mac-Hi family.

Ms. Vaughn worked as a middle school principal in Baker City. She was offered a new position there as a federal adviser, but she respectfully declined. When asked why, she replied, “I didn’t want to settle. I wanted to have a challenge.” She stated some obvious differences between middle school and high school, such as the amount of supervision.

She said she she chose McLoughlin because she was “impressed with Mac-Hi’s positive environment,” and she hopes to contribute to the school by bettering the counseling center, creating more dual credit courses, and making the cafeteria a more inviting place to hang out.

Ms. Vaughn hopes to push the students harder than she pushed herself in high school because high school is short, so students should make the most of it. She said that high school was one of the most important periods of her life and that students should live it to the fullest. She desires to encourage high schoolers to branch out and take a variety of courses.

Ms. Vaughn has worked with our previous principal, Mr. Brown. She mentioned that he was good at keeping the kids on track, and she wants to continue to support students the way he did. She also wants to add a chance for students to do a job shadowing program, along with helping the school staff in becoming more able to counsel their students.

We, as Pioneers, look forward to seeing what Ms. Vaughn is capable of. Students should also look forward to getting to know our new principal and the changes she plans on making.