6 free (or cheap) things to do in the summer!

By SANDRA PEREYDA

With college right around the corner for many of us seniors and money being a huge concern, I have decided to make a list of free and cheap things to do to help you enjoy the summer!

1. GO TO THE FREE MILTON PLAY AND FREE BBQ! There’s a fun and free thing you can do and it's at the beginning of the summer as well! The Milton play will be June 16-19 @ 7pm and June 18 and 19 @ 2pm! Sign up for a ticket at Super Milton, Burger Hut, Conoco or Sub Shop! You could also call (888-854-5698) The free BBQ will be on Saturday at 5 p.m. before the show!
2. Build a fort and invite your friends! Bring some nostalgia into your backyard with some of your closest friends this summer. A fort could be a fun way to keep the summer heat out and the coolness of your friends in! Alternatively, you could build a fort by yourself and read a book or watch some movies by yourself! Either is fun!
3. Make some popsicles! Fun summer treats could be consumed at any time during the summer! You could make enough for all of your friends or just a few to hide in the freezer for yourself. One of my favorite things to make is a fruit and gummy bear frozen popsicle. You will need Sprite, some fruit such as strawberries, kiwi, raspberries and blackberries or other fruits you like. Next add some sprite into a cup or popsicle maker, throw some fruit and gummy bears inside, freeze for a few hours and, Voila! You have yourself some Instagram-worthy popsicles.
4. Ride your Bike around! Riding your bike around and finding a new trail could be the best thing you've ever done! My favorite place to ride my bike is the trail at Harris Park. Not only is there nature around, but the satisfaction of the fresh air and the feeling of freedom is pure bliss! Not to mention the nice calves you can get!
5. Start a Garden! Gardening could be something that you could be interested in. Growing your own fruit and vegetables could have many benefits! For one, you know what goes into your fruit and vegetables AND you can save money! I personally grow strawberries, peaches, green beans, tomatoes, and peppers, and it’s not that hard to do! You can also just walk outside and grab a nice snack!
6. Explore Milton-Freewater! Grab a couple friends, buy some snacks and find yourself a new chill spot for the summer! Last year, our go to spot was our “ Waterhole,” a pool like area in the river by the bridge that is both fun and safe! Make sure to take some sun screen and river shoes because you’ll have to walk for some time in order to get to a good river spot! In the end, it’s all worth it.

All these are some fun suggestions that I have done before or will do in the summer! Just remember that whatever you do, make sure to have fun, even if it’s staying inside and binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix! Have a great summer everyone!

Getting to know our staff: Michelle Sears

by SANDRA PEREYDA & C.A. GREEN

With our previous secretary Sue Wright gone, Mac-Hi has added some new changes. Mac-Hi has introduced Michelle Perez Sears as the new receptionist at Mac-Hi!

Mac-Hi’s new receptionist isn’t like any receptionist, Michelle has some hidden talents! She, in fact, is very creative and likes to do arts and crafts in her free time. “ I believe I am a Martha Stewart on the inside,” said our new receptionist. Arts and crafts aren’t the only thing Michelle likes to do. Additionally, she also likes to do cool effect makeup -- from gory gashes to realistic looking spiders. One might not think of zombie makeup and making table decorations as going together, but that's part of what makes Michelle interesting.
Michelle graduated from Mac-Hi in the class of 2006. She must have loved Mac-Hi because she also says that she is excited to come back and work for the school. When asked what her favorite part of the job was her response was, “I don't have a favorite part of the job! I like everything about this job!” 
Here are some more cool facts about Michelle: Michelle’s favorite genre of music is rap, and she doesn’t like the taste of coffee, so if you feel like bringing her a treat, she'll pass on a cup of Jo, but she loves sour candy.
We are very excited and grateful to have such an awesome receptionist such as Michelle added to our school! The student body thanks you and welcome back to Mac-Hi!

Pioneers to Take Flight to Visit Italy and Greece

by CAMILLE RILEY

What can shape an individual's life? According to Mrs. Holden, traveling abroad can be one of the most impacting and life-changing experiences for a human being. There are about 22 students from McLoughlin High School that have the opportunity to have that type of experience.

Emily Holden, who teaches a variety of classes including speech, greenhouse management, and various other classes at McLoughlin High School, is taking 22 students and various adult supervisors on a tour of Italy and Greece this summer, June 21st through July 1st.

There are many attractions that the students are going to visit and learn about, including but not limited to the catacombs, various museums, and the Vatican. Sandra Pereyda, a senior, is most excited to visit all of the old ruins. She also sees this as a wonderful opportunity to explore and have adventure before going off to college. While she is excited about visiting many different places, she also finds the idea of being able to walk in the footsteps of those before us both intriguing and inspiring. 
Brandyn Chaney is most excited about the aspect of traveling and learning about a whole other culture. He is also ecstatic about the overnight trip on a cruise ship. Brandyn yearns for the chance to try authentic Italian pizza, and is curious about the local traditions and folklore of all the places they will be visiting in.

The trip has been planned and researched for two years now and most of the students have been doing all sorts of fundraising since the beginning to raise the money needed to take full potential of this wonderful opportunity. The trip itself costs about $4,000 dollars per person with added costs for food and spending money. Any students going must meet specific requirements like taking a class from Mrs. Holden, going to the meetings, and fundraising.

Those people attending the trip will have the best souvenir possible, their memories that they can look back on with fondness.

Tennis Rivalries Heat Up This Spring

by KAREN STEELE

This April has been a busy month for the Pioneer Tennis team, with the record having four matches in a four school-day long week. Despite this, the teams have prepared over the last two months of conditioning and are getting their swings back into shape. With the guidance of Biology-and-Art teacher Michelle Snyder and former player Danny Sanchez as their coaches, the singles and doubles teams are armed and ready to ace their biggest competitors.

Each individual team (be it one person or a team of two) has their own rival, someone from another school  who they’ve played against for years and whose skill has always matched their own. Sometimes the rivalries are inside of Mac Hi’s home courts, like Rigo Ponce, a senior, and Deazen Zerba. Zerba is Coach Sanchez’s stepson and a sophomore, and the two of them are constantly fighting to stay in the number-one singles’ slot. Although Ponce is armed to the teeth with years of experience, Zerba slaved away all summer at the country club practicing his serve.

Among the other ace seniors is Elise Griffith, one of the most dedicated athletes on the team, participating in cross country and track. Griffith practices hard every day to trump Umatilla’s number-one singles player, Sidney Webb.

According to some other people (*coughcough* Lieuallen *winkwink*), tennis is not a “real” sport, but many disagree, including players on this state-winning team. Among these believers is Sandra Pereyda, a senior at McLoughlin and a third-year tennis player. She believes that tennis can be a great stress reliever. “I love tennis,” states Pereyda. “I especially love it when you almost hit the other opponent with the ball, although not too hard.” She continued, “I love Snyder as a coach. She’s amazing, she’s understandable, and I think that she’s one of the best people in the school.” As not to be exclusive, Sandra added, “Coach Danny is pretty rad as well. He can be scary, but a good scary.”

The team has been busy, traveling everywhere from Stanfield to Umatilla, or just a hop-skip and a jump to the brand new College Place High School, where the Pioneers performed wonderfully and patiently against the brand-new team. Next year, College Place’s  coach promised their players will have more experience and be more prepared after getting their first taste of playing against another team.

Snyder, who started on as an assistant coach in 1998, is excited and looking forward to the results of this year’s tennis season.

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.

Manny Galvin: A Blast With a Past

by SANDRA PEREYDA

Manny Galvin likes to spit fire, party and dance. But these are not all the aspects of Manny; Manny, originally from California, had a rough childhood starting when he was three when his dad left.  His mother was left alone with twelve kids, Manny being the tenth. Manny stated that his mother was on welfare and he would survive off of roaches and mice. Manny also said that he grew up with no role models and only had gangsters around him, “ They were the only ones showing me love,” he stated.

At the age of 15 Manny got curious about his dad and decided to find him, his mom got mad at him for talking with his dad whom she hated and kicked him out. He had to live on the streets for a while and slept in parks until one of his college friends at the time invited him to live with him.

This friend fed him and clothed him at a dorm by San Diego University at only the age of 19. Manny then moved to Milton-Freewater two months ago to see his dad, a retired veteran with PTSD; but since he wasn't very welcoming and rude, Manny had to move in with his aunt in La Grande.

She had to kick him out because his aunt's boyfriend thought that he was taking her away from him. Luckily Manny moved back to Milton-Freewater and now resides here. When asked what he likes about Milton-Freewater his response was “I feel peace over here, no violence or drama” Because it’s peaceful and he doesn’t have to deal with anyone, Manny says his favorite place in Milton-Freewater is his house. “My second favorite place is church” he added. Manny may of had a rough childhood but his heart is smoother than a baby’s butt. His advice to Mac-Hi kids is to stay in school because being book smart is better than being street smart. Next time you see this awesome kid make sure you give him a smile because his warm smile will hit you right back.

Gato Escapado

by KAREN STEELE

     Last Friday, a black fuzzball of adorably, loving cotton was found, shivering, in the stairwell between Thorstad's classroom and the Science Wing. First found by yours truly during third period, I escorted the cat outside, closing the door that lead to inside the school. The cat then sat by the window, crying loudly. After asking Thorstad what to do with the Pioneers' cat, the Spanish teacher replied by miming picking the cat up by its tail and swinging it over her head like a cowboy with a lasso. Over the course of the next two hours, Senior Diego Romero brought the feline into Mr. Lynn's class during fifth period, much to the first-year teacher's distress.

     Thankfully, Superhero-Cat Lady Sandra Pereyda, also a senior, saved the cat from a band of freshman and took it home during sixth period. If the cat is yours, please contact one of us so we can make sure that it returns home safely. For now, however, we can rest easy knowing that they're in a safe place currently.

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

'Día de los Muertos' Meets Shakespeare

by KAREN STEELE


All of the lights were out in the Powerhouse Theatre in Walla Walla. The faint sounds of scuffling feet could be heard on the stage as the actors got into position. Once the lights turned on, they were frozen in place, their bodies and painted faces telling a story.

The story was told in English first by a member from the Powerhouse crew, and then in Spanish by Sandra Pereyda. It was the story of a king, portrayed by Marcos Saldaña, who ascended to the throne through murdering his brother. Taylor Johnson played the ghost of the prince’s father, the true king of the land. These images of the frozen actors are called tableaus. Some of them were moving slowly. In one scene, the prince stood above his uncle, knife poised, and they slowly shifted to the next scene where the king fell on his side as the prince lowered his weapon. Other props were used during the performance, such as swords during a battle, crowns, goblets, and jester hats to add color and vivacity to the play.

“It was fun and exciting,” said Camille Riley, a Junior. Although she has been involved in community plays in years past, this is her first semester in Drama with Mrs. Cunnington. “I enjoyed performing in a new and somewhat difficult way. While on stage, I got to learn a bit more about the Day of the Dead.” She went on to describe how much fun she had.

Collin Green, who performed the role of the prince, stated that it was “interesting to go at Hamlet from a different perspective.”

Although our Drama Club was only involved for the one night, the theatre was full, the audience was captivated, and the growing thespians will remember this night for years to come.

Thank you to Melissa Cunnington for letting her use her pictures.