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The Desert Breeze The Oldest Student Newspaper in Southern Nevada Volume 75, Issue 3 Las Vegas High School February 2006 et we iS es o Lv Yo Yo Yoga pg.4 Senior Proaie esnlts pg.3 Dating Tips pg.7 American Idol hits the high note pg. 5 Myspace Dominates pg.2 Horoscopes pg.10 V-day Quiz/ Shout Outs pg.11 High School Sweet hearts pg.7 L v i A lA o n U oe s l rud s Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 News A deadly high school game pass out because of their reactions,” explained Kunkel. “I didn’t think it was serious, I was scared while it was actually happening but everyone was laughing, so I was trying to think about it being fun.” Kunkel said. The choking game is known for being addicting. When a child gets addicted to this game the urge to play may come at the most dangerous time, when they are alone. This game has been ruled as a type of suicide, though the teens may not be looking to take his or her life. With many of these suicide cases, the parents believe their child was playing the choking game. Young adults are found hung in their closets after trying to play this game alone. There is no evidence that they were playing this game and their death is ruled a suicide. Nathan Hoiosen, a school resource officer with the Nampa Police Department said, “Youngsters think the choking game offers a safe buzz compared with drinking or doing drugs. I wish you could just take the kids and shake them and say, what are you thinking?” “Choking” has been known for causing other side effects such as brain damage, strokes, loss of brain cells, seizures, headaches, and death. Other terms for this game are space Monkey, Black Out, Space Cowboy, Fainting Game, and Rising Sun. Although the negative effects of this game often expose themselves, teens refuse to pay attention. This dangerous game may one day hit them hard. If you are concerned that your loved one is playing the choking game, or want to find out more information on “choking’ you can get help by logging on to www.teenchokinggame.com or get help from a school counselor. udent St uncil Co David Largesse Editor Jessica Sells Staff Reporter You’re taking deep breaths as you lean forward. People are surrounding you waiting for the moment that you will collapse, as your friend holds your neck and you are held against a wall waiting to pass out. Suddenly your body becomes heavy and your vision starts to blur, and you enter an unrealistic state of mind. This life threatening game is played among teens across the world. It’s called many things, one being the choking game. The “choking game” is a game in which someone holds another’s neck until the oxygen supply to his or her brain gets cut off. This causes them to pass out. The rush of blood back to their brain can be compared to the high you feel as if you had been on drugs. Teens are still not aware of how deadly this game is. Parents and educators are also oblivious to how much the game is taking place at schools and homes. CNN reported, “Six girls at the high school (located in Idaho) were suspended for a day after a security camera videotape showed the seventh graders choking each other in the hallway.” Teens playing this game don’t realize how harmful it is to your body. Linzie Kunkel a student at Las Vegas High School was introduced to this game by her ex boyfriend. “ He said it was cool and it was fun to watch people Myspace Dominates Lacey Robison Staff reporter Teens everywhere are getting addicted to MySpace. A simple website that can get you hooked. MySpace is a website that you can morph to be your very own. You can upload your own photos and add your friends who also have a MySpace. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this unique source of online entertainment. Maybe one of the main reasons why this MySpace is becoming more and more addicting is because you can continuously add friends on your MySpace profile. On your MySpace there is a friend space where you pretty much collect friends. There is absolutely no limit to how many friends you can have on a single MySpace. Some MySpace junkies get to the point where the have one thousand, two thousand, and even, three thousand friends. This MySpace crave is just a simple and free website that can keep you in touch with anybody, anywhere, at anytime. The creator of MySpace is Tom. Now Tom has everybody’s profile. He is the first friend you will ever have on MySpace. So naturally, Tom has a lot of friends. He has 490,770,500 friends to be exact. MySpace is not only a tremendously addicting website, but it’s also a very good music source. Some of the top bands now have there own MySpace. MySpace has even come out with a CD containing the top MySpace bands. My Chemical Romance, Panic! At the disco, and Fall Out Boy are some of the many names on the CD. MySpace is also a way to get your own band known, like Elora, for example. Haven’t heard of them? Well that’s because they are from Vista, California. They are high school students just like us. Their oldest member is a senior. There is even a band from Las Vegas who has a MySpace. One band, which you might know of, is Under City Stars. One band member, Justin Turner is from Las Vegas High School. Another band from North Las Vegas is The Aggressive Napkins. They have four members and they all go to Cheyenne High School. You can do anything with your MySpace, funky layouts, pictures, having to pick your friends, deleting friends, adding friends, having background music, whatever you would want to do, you can do. Editing a profile may take some time and thought. Having a MySpace has been making teens more computer savy. Knowing how to make a profile, how to have scrolling pictures, and even how to change the color of your background may take some thinking. Parents are probably wondering why this website is becoming one of their child’s main priorities but that’s truly unknown. It’s just like any other video game. It is just something to do Have you ever wondered how all the dances were brought about? How about the amazing assemblies? Well, it is almost obvious, but to those who do not have a clue, It is the Las Vegas High School Student Council and their dedication and spirit they have for this wonderful school. Student Council is a student organization, a sort of government that helps run the school alongside the administration. They decide on themes for dances, spirit week dress up days, and assemblies and games. They are the voice for the announcements, and the signs up in each class’s hall. The council has successfully pulled off three assemblies, three dances, and miles of butcher paper along with gallons of paint for signs. Not only does the student council take care of events, but they also plan and execute fund-raisers. Everything that has happened so far this school year could not have happened if they never raised the money for it. If you have been to the dances and assemblies, you would understand and see that the things that are put into it can become a bit costly. Money is an important thing when it comes to remembering your good old high school days. From the senior class all the way down to the freshman, leaders stand among them to represent their class as stuent body officers. Although all the hard work is divided among the classes to put up decorations, set up dances, and bring about assemblies, all these leaders are equal in their spirit for their school and peers. just to waste time. “MySpace is just something to do to pass the time. Just to keep in touch with friends over the weekend. It really has no point to it. It’s just there. Just to keep you occupied on a boring day,” said Jessica Sells, a senior at LVHS. MySpace is a way to meet new friends and can also help you keep in touch with old ones. “My friend moved to Washington and MySpace is one way I can keep in touch with her,” said one freshman at LVHS. Not only is MySpace the new crave in high schools, but it is also getting mentioned elsewhere. “Hey Tom, MySpace got mentioned on Saturday Night Live. I don’t think there is not one person who doesn’t know what MySpace is,” writes a fellow MySpace junkie on Tom’s profile. MySpace can be fun, but the concept of it could be very dangerous. You must be sixteen to have a MySpace profile, but people can easily lie about their ages. This new crave is hitting the scene hard and fast. As long as you are careful, this website can be a very fun and interesting thing to do. 2 The Desert Breeze Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 News Senior Personalities Senior personality time is upon us once again. Here is a few of the many senior personalities that will be shown in the 2005-2006 year book. d ange h ost C M Most Likely To Never Grow Up Most Talented Mos t Marr Likely T yAM o irror Jared Hiram Aakriti Upal Kevin Lucey Raina Sanchez Kyla Johnson Fred Lenna Kortney Johnson Celina Lane Most Spirited us ellio eb ost R M Bes t Sm ile Best Dressed Jeff Lord Shavonne Farnsworth d Hyde terfiel n But Tasheena Jorda Craziest Hair Best Guy Duo Prisc illa G allego s Jama l Lom ax Shryday Green Akeem Anifowoshe Heartbreaker Most Forgetful Best Perso nality Andrew Ruano Trisha Molina Jamal Lomax Evan Walton Raquel Martinez Josh Chasse n nd Ke eA Barbi Darleen Campsey Xavier Cleveland Best E yes Drama King/Queen David Giguere Esther Calata oniz h iny M ris Basc C Dest Chelse a Aldre te Dylan Josh Meade Bundy Cassie Sweet Most likely to trip at graduation Will Sweat Ashley Irvine Most Likely to Succeed Most Likely To Sleep In Class Tatianna Bibbins Jeremy Craddock Couple That Should Have Been Together Garrett Niles Shavonne Farnsworth Melissa Walker Jonathan Neilan The Desert Breeze 3 Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Health The legend and lure of chocolate “The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.” -Hernan Cortes Mellisa Camacho Staff Reporter It is irresistible and addicting. It is the source of deep love and affection for all couples and friends alike. Through the years chocolate has been an icon of love, passion, and continues to be a delicious delight for all. Hernan Cortes a 16 th, century Spanish explore, described chocolate as, “The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.” Many chocolate lovers have claimed to be addicted to this candy and are unable to live without it. Others say they experience mood swings when eating chocolate. Researchers at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California know why. Chocolate contains small mood altering substances. These minor substances of chemicals mimic the behavior of marijuana. It activates psychological and physical responses that are similar to those given off by THC, the ingredient most active in marijuana. There is nothing to worry about though because to get high or a buzz you would have to eat more than 25 pounds of chocolate in one sitting. These chemicals do not have the exact same effect as marijuana and cannot make you physically addicted. It feels that way, but it is more of a ‘happy induced’ feeling than an actual addiction. You have probably heard rumors surrounding chocolate and many of them are untrue and misleading. One major myth is that eating chocolate causes acne. According to the studies performed by Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the U.S. Naval Academy, that is not true. Chocolate can actually help when eaten sparingly. Unfortunately, chocolate can have negative effects on those who eat it .If you consume huge quantities of chocolate daily you can gain weight, especially if you eat milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is high in calories and is not as natural as dark chocolate. It is also known to trigger headaches in people that already suffer from migraines, according to the University of Pittsburgh. Chocolate can relax and invigorate you. Through studies it has been shown that the smell of chocolate may actually relax you. It increases the theta waves in the brain, which are responsible for calming you down. Chocolate can also help you live longer. Harvard University studies show that a male who eats chocolate compared to a male who doesn’t may actually live longer. Chocolate is a mystery when it comes to medical studies. Even though it contains many secrets and is useful in many ways one thing is certain. People will always love chocolate, somehow you just cannot get enough. Bend backwards for the new excercise craze Linzie Kunkel Editor-in-Chief The spiritual yet physically good work out program, yoga, is becoming the answer to many people’s cries for relaxation. Yoga m a y s e e m l i k e s o m e - thing the elder generation does to unwind and say they are actually working out, but the fact of the matter is, is that yoga truly is both and it can be for any age. Yoga has been around for almost 5,000 years. This practice began in India, which the word also developed f r o m , meaning “union” in Sanskrit (one of the languages spoken there). The purpose of this practice back then was to become one with the spiritual realm. Although not all participants believe in the spiritual side of yoga, many people receive great benefits from practicing yoga. Some of the benefits include flexibility, muscle toning, calming, and overall good health. Yoga can app r o a c h healing an ailment by both mental and physical ways. The psychological side of yoga refers back to the somewhat spiritual side of yoga, an optimistic point of view that has been said to help cure ailments of the body, as well as boost your self-esteem. The physical approach on the other hand is contributed by the intensity of the breathing exercises and the numerous positions i n which t h e y b u i l d stamina and lower fat. For teens, yoga can be a tranquil experience. It can also relieve stress, perhaps from that test you took the night before, or the test you’re about to take. If some teens are up for loosing weight and becoming spiritually in tune, yoga is the a n s w e r. There are various yoga classes available at recreation centers, as well as videos that are sold at your local video store. If you feel like winding down and keeping in shape, yoga is definitely for you. Yoga Tips Here are a few tips for anyone who may be interested in trying this relaxing form of exercise. 1. In the morning before breakfast is the best time to do yoga. 2. When doing yoga, you should find a quiet place that is well ventilated. There should be no distractions. 3. It is suggested that you should drink a glass of lukewarm water and then begin the exercise after 15 minutes. 4. You should begin with easy postures and then progress to the more difficult ones. 5. Your breathing should be long and deep. You should keep your mouth closed and breathe through your nose. 6. It is recommended that you eat a balanced diet. There should be 4 hours between meals. 7. You should avoid overeating, fasting, or eating once a day. 4 The Desert Breeze Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Entertainment The Rich and the Famous Top Ten Contenders #10 - David Copperfield This celebrity magician is literally pulling Benjamins from his hat. #9 - Nora Roberts Romance and money go great together for this astounding author. #8 - Bruce Springsteen Rock n’ Rolling in the dough. #7 - Jim Carey Being Dumb and Dumber made him Rich and Richer. #6 - Steven Spielberg From man-eating sharks to finger healing aliens, this director will dish them out if the dough is rolling in. #4 Michael Schumacher Break-neck speeds pay alot by the mile. #5 - Tiger Woods #3 - J.K. Rowling With the flick of the wand for this white witch, money flies out thanks to her Harry Potter books. Driving it deep... as deep as his bank account. #2 - Mel Gibson This man has not a problem with freedom anymore, but whether to get the Porsche in a cherry red or onyx. And #1 Oprah Winfrey The fame, the glamour, the talk shows. Oprah has got it all, so she gives alot as well. Money is not a problem for this number one contender in the richest celebrity competition. are also a big part of the show. The winners have all been very sucessful. Carrie Underwood was the season four winner. She battled Bo Bice for the crown of being “The American Idol”. When she won, she came out with many commercials for Hersheys. Her album, titled “Some Hearts”, hit the top of the Country Music charts. The winner of American Idol season three was Fantasia Barrino. Fantasia came out with an album entitled, “Free Yourself”. Now Fantasia is an R’n’B singer. She sings at award shows and appears on talk shows. Ruben “Teddy Bear” Studdard was the winner of season two. He has been the only male to win the “American Idol” Contest. He sang the sony “Flying Without Wings” on the show. Off the show he had the song “Sorry 2004”. The first American Idol was Kelly Clarkson. She has been all over the place. She has been on TV shows and has been touring. She recently came out with her second album. Her first album was called “Thankful” followed by “Breakaway”. The winners are not the only ones who become famous. William Hung was a contestant who went into the auditioning room and tried very hard. He sang his heart out to “She Bangs” by Ricky Martin. Hung was definetly one of the singers that the judges were not looking for. He then told the judges, “ I have no professional singing experience.” Clay Aiken was also made very famous. He was the season two runner-up to Ruben Studdard. He had a hit song “Invisible”. Aiken released his own CD and has been on many different talk shows. The show is not only about the “Top Twenty”. It is also about the thousands of people that go out to audition. The first few weeks of the show are dedicated to just that. Watching the auditions can be compared to “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. “I think ‘American Idol’ is a very entertaining show, the auditions are hilarious,” said Alyssia Cordova, sophmore at Las Vegas High School. The auditions are one the most important elements of the show. The people that audition are everyday people with no contracts. American Idol is a singing contest that has hit the nation for the fourth season in a row. It will be a way for anyone to get their voice heard, litterally! Now, season five is here and you can catch it on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm on Fox and the result show Wednesdays same channel, same time! “Welcome to Hollywood!” Lindsey Crumb Staff Reporter “American Idol” has been a big hit for four years. This show has had many tears; tears of joy, tears of laughter, and tears of sadness. There is the good singers and the bad. Who could have American Idol without the three famous judges? “The Dawg” Randy Jackson is one of the three. Jackson is known for being the middle man. He is the only thing standing between Paula and Simon from getting into a brawl. Paula is the nice one. She is the one to always say “yes” to the contestants. Simon is known for being the brutaly honest one. He will tell you how he feels without a care. Ryan Seacreast is the host of the show. In season one he co-hosted with Brian Dunkleman. Although Dunkleman did not return for season two, Seacrest is still the host. The four famous winners The Desert Breeze 5 Las Vegas High School Volume 75, I Cent gas Ve ol as L ho Sc gh Hi es upl Co Manuela Sandoval and David Van Buskirk 2 yas er. Head over Foot Cream in L-O-V-E Staff Reporter Greagan Wengert Amanda Parolini and Kyle Hall 2 months. Karl Owens and Ashley Selman 3 years and 3 months. Dear Gregan, When you asked for stories of romantically challenged gift-givers I could not help but think of my boyfriend Sander. To fully understand my situation and the reason why I received such gifts as an electric bug zapper and a solar powered flash light, I have to start from the beginning. It was a dark and stormy night. Not really, I just always wanted to say that, no actually it was the first day of 7th grade. I know, I know, a little young, but what can I say we were fools and we fell in love. Anyway, he sat behind me and when he told me that he liked the scent of my perfume and asked me if it was the new cocoamocha-honeycream-candycorn-mint. I remember saying “how did you know?” and our relationship blossomed from there. You are probably bored out of your mind after hearing all this mush so let me get to the juicy stuff. On our first Valentine’s Day as a couple, Sander gave me a huge box; he said it was full of gifts and that each one had a special meaning. He also said that to build up “the moment” I would have to wait until I got home to open it. That entire day I carried the big brown box that was probably big enough for my fiveyear-old sister to live in (come to think of it that might not have been such a bad idea). It seemed that all day long everyone had asked me “who is that from?” and I was proud and eager to say it was from my boyfriend. My eagerness quickly dissolved when I open the box to discover it full of useless items worthy of a yard sale. I was devastated. Inside were the items listed as follows: 1. a bug zapper 2. a solar power flash light 3. the book How to become Smarter for Dummies 4. a Buff Billy’s exercise video 5. foot fungi cream 6. facial hair remover 7. anti-ageing cream 8. a pink make-up kit (I hate pink!) 9. a box of tic-tacs 10. an inflatable toilet seat In all my heartache I decided to break up with him, but I did not want to do it over the phone because I wanted to make a scene. So I had to wait until the next day of school. Until then I vented. I tore up every picture of us and destroyed all his e-mails, letters, faxes, cards, grams, postcards, love notes, and post-its that he had ever sent me. Near the very end of my tantrum I did the most horrible thing imaginable, yes that is right, I deleted his number from my cell phone. The very last thing I thought to do was trash the presents in the “break-up box.” Dun, dun, dun! So I went and fiercely tipped over the box dumping out the remains of our finished relationship. When I did this, however, I discovered something incredible, a hand made macaroni card. I opened up the card and read the message inside that said, “Shelly you may be wondering why I gave you all these useless items worthy of a yard sale, but they all have a double meaning. I gave you a bug zapper because I always want to be there to squish anything that is bothering you. The solar powered flashlight because with out you I would be in the dark with that flashlight. The book because you are the smartest blonde I know. The video because even though you say you are fat you know you are not. The fungi and hair removers because you do not need to remove anything from your head to your toes. The anti-ageing cream because in my eyes you are forever young. The make-up kit because you do not need to wear makeup to be beautiful. The tic-tacs because you know you need ’em. And I added in the inflatable toilet seat to make you laugh.” That is the end of my story. Sander and I have been dating for five years now, and he still has not forgiven me for erasing his number. Tyler Ward and Lori Dugger 2 To my g-unit, i love you girls very much. We are going to have the best winterguard season ever! -Linzie This goes out to my Oreo sister and brother, Charlie and Missy! - David 6 The Desert Breeze Issue 3 February 2006 ter The Truth Behind LVHS Puppy Love Lindsey Crumb Staff Reporter Do you know any high school sweethearts? If not, look around Las Vegas High School, many are blooming right before your eyes. High school Sweethearts are in every high school, they are a very important key to high school life. They are defined as a couple that has been together throughout high school and many time beyond the high school experience. A high school relationship is one of many things almost every teenager goes through. These relationships are believed to be not so permanent, although, there are some that do last. Some believe that you should date around in high school, and have fun. While others believe you should try to find that certain someone and that is a goal in life. The real question is can you really tell what is true love, or if it is puppy love. Puppy love and real love make heads spin, especially in high school.When you start a serious relationship in high school many people think, it will last forever, but reality says relationships don’t last after you have graduated. When that love is gone, all you have is the special memory of that person in your heart. Any high school relationship has to grow, you either grow together or you grow apart. Mr. Duane Hansen, an LVHS science teacher, had a high school sweetheart but six months after high school they grew apart. In high school and after high school you have to make a lot of choices. Choosing if you love your sweetheart and will be with them forever is one of those big choices. For those couples that do stay together it is nice to be with that special person and to find them so soon. Dr. Patrice Johnson, principal of LVHS, has been with her husband for 32 years. He was her high school sweetheart. They met when they were 16 and 17 in a California youth group. “I saw him and said, he looks pretty cute,” said Dr.Johson. She would go to his track meets and she just knew he was the one for her. “He never held me back and I think that is what makes me who I am today,” she said. She also has a word of advice for high school love. “You need to look for someone who will make you better than you are.” How true is that? Love is an amazing thing once you find that special someone.Many people think you should explore life and love in high school and if you fall in love, you fall in love. High school is all about having fun and education, some people just fall in love during that time. If you stay together after high school, a high percentage of couples get divorced. Relationships do last and stay together. “Some people stay together, some don’t, it’s just the love between each other” said Summer Henrie, a sophomore at LVHS. Around two out of five teenagers think you should have fun while being in high school and find that person later in life. Many people however, were undecided and said that when love happens, it just happens.To find that high school sweetheart is a special thing. Although love is a challenge, many couples do fight and stay together. For the ones that don’t they know it just wasn’t meant to be. Love is blooming all over LVHS, and this school has seen many relationships last as well as break. High school sweethearts are a rare thing. They will forever be your love and will always be in your heart. Azriel Ard, a junior at LVHS said, “It matters about the people, the situation and the maturity. A lot of times it lasts and a lot of times it doesn’t. People just don’t try. However, I do believe in highschool sweethearts.” In the end it doesn’t matter if you stay together with that person, if you have that person, or not, all that matters is the love you always have for that person. Dating 101: Tips to help you improve your dating skills Araneth Smith Staff Reporter Dating can be hard in high school. We’re young, unsure of ourselves, and afraid. So here are a few helpful tips to make the “dating game” a little bit easier. · When asking someone out on a date, think positively. Do not shoot yourself down before you actually get the answer. · Be clear on what you’re asking them out on is a date. You don’t want to be half-way through only to realize that your friend thinks that you guys are just hanging out. · Make sure you know where to ask them to in case they do say yes. Have some ideas in mind, such as what movie or what restaurant. · Keep the day of the date close to the day that you ask them. It will be hard scheduling a date three weeks away as some things could come up that will prolong it. · Before a date, while getting ready, listen to some music and dance to get yourself loosened up and relaxed. · Go somewhere where the two of you can talk and have fun. · While on the date, be yourself. We always hear this one but this is because it is true. You never want someone to fall for somebody that you aren’t so just stick to who you know best: you. · If you find that conversation is lacking, ask the other person questions about their interests. Maybe you will have something in common that you guys can discuss. · Avoid talking about an ex. Unless the conversation calls for you to talk about them, or the subject of the conversation is about exes, do not talk about anyone you dated in the past. To be honest, no one really cares what so and so used to do so just keep your mouth shut. · It has always been said to never kiss on the first date, but if the moment feels right, go for it. · After your date, if you had fun and would like to see them again, don’t be hesitant to schedule another date! “Any high school relationship has to grow, you either grow together or you grow apart.” S.. o. Remember have fun out there in the dating world and goodluck! WAAAAAH! Nice dance moves Ewok!!! Trees, Cars, People The Desert Breeze 7 Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Opinion Controller Buzz David Largesse Editor friend you know in the game who is nothing more than a total stranger in real life. WoW is only one game of the many to get addicted to. Just for PC alone there are dozens, and even more coming in with the demand for more Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG’s). Blowing off work, school and friends for a game is called an obsession. It can happen to anyone. You might see a video game commercial on TV that appeals to you and that is all it takes sometimes. Mostly it occurs through friends suggesting you you bring it home with you and then you are not seen for weeks. Gaming addiction has reached the Las Vegas area, with stores around every block to feed this obsession. WoW, along with other console games are being used e v e n amongst our peers today. Addicts are usually commonly identified by droopy eyes, pale skin, a lack of energy, and uncontrollable pulsations of the fingers as if they are typing on an invisible keyboard. Do not let this happen to you, do not get addicted to games like these. They can literally spell the end your social life. All for what, a high leveled character? That is not going to help you with your future. It is too late for the people described here, but there is still a chance for you. The gaming world has reached its peak, and it is still soaring. With Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, and the PC duking it out to be the top dog, video games have spread their wings throughout the year. Company owners can breathe a sigh of relief for releasing games like Medal of Honor: 2 to impatient gamers. But has gaming reached a unhealthy level of addiction? Has it gotten too extreme in the constant “overnighters”? Is it ruining lives as we speak? A PC game created by Blizzard, World of Warcraft, (known as WoW to gamers) is very easy to get addicted too. You are a role-played creature with a land full of beasts to slaughter, power to win, and levels to gain. What more could a gamer junkie ask for? As you progress in this game, you start to notice your statistics rise as you gain in power. Before you know it, you are on a hunt with your guild at 4 o’clock in the morning with empty soda cans littered around you like slaughtered foes. You have a problem, but tonight’s hunt is way too important to notice anything. You have plans to go out tonight with friends, but no wait, you have to “power-level” a ial tenn Cen er! inn W Congratulations to Gregan Wingert, a staff member of The Desert Breeze. Wingert, a junior at Las Vegas High School, was selected to have her essay placed in the Las Vegas Centennial Time Capsule. Out of over 1,000 entrees Wingert’s essay was one of twelve essays selected. “I am so excited. It is a great honor,” said Wingert. “It’s wonderfult to think that a hundred years from now people will know my name.” The contest, sponsored by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, asked for students to write an essay either about the history of Las Vegas or what they expected would change in Las Vegas in the next 100 years. The time capsule, located at the Centennial Plaza on 4th Street in downtown Las Vegas, was lowered in the ground on December 15, 2005. The time capsule, marked by a commemorative sculpture, will be excavated 100 years from now. classes, when one of your friends tell you how Joe Schmo cheated on his beautiful girlfriend? Pretty much a regular occurrence for high school students to hear of such deception. This goes directly back to where did they learn this? Where did they see this? Youths take up creating teen drama for numerous, uncountable reasons; one of which including envy. Natasha Irvey, senior at LVHS commented, “I think teens act like characters on teen dramas because they try to live life like those characters on television because they think it’s cool.” Teen drama can only lead to negative outcomes, yet the mass production of this continues and will persist to do so because of the TV shows. If only teenagers could get a grip on reality and grasp that these characters portrayed on the television actually are not their age, but a bunch of over paid late 20 year olds that have no logic of what teens actually are going through or, better yet, what they shouldn’t have to go through, then preposterous teen drama would have a sharp decrease. should just try it out one day. Then, it turns into the next day, and the next day, until Save that Teen Drama for your Mama Linzie Kunkel Editor and Chief Teens today are simply sponges that absorb every aspect of drama shows on television, especially when it comes to relationships and “the opposite sex.” When broadcast stations present a fun-filled package of heartache, ridiculous love triangles, stunning arguments, and sex appeal; teenagers eat it right up. The younger generation is obsessed with television shows and the relationships those characters share. It’s as though teens put these relationships on a pedestal, in which they take reference to and follow as an example of “real relationships.” This effect produces what every “high schooler” knows as teen drama, it’s almost as common and essential to their everyday life as drinking water or chewing gum. What does teen drama consist of? Well one thing is for sure, teen drama is conjured up from influential teen shows; including the infamous “Dawson’s Creek”, “Laguna Beach”, “The O.C.”, and “7th Heaven”. These shows are stimulators for teen viewers. A perfect example is Annie age 17 loves watching “Dawson’s Creek” and one week on the show they her admired character with keen observation, so Annie starts seeing two of her best guy friends just like what’s her name did, and ends up causing not only a love triangle but grief and heated arguments. “The most common fight that average teen couples would quarrel about would be if one is unfaithful,” stated Joanna Dizon, senior at Las Vegas have her favorite character having multiple relationships with out letting the other guys know she’s seeing other people as well. Annie of course watches The Desert Breeze Editors Linzie Kunkel `06................................................Editor-in-Chief David Largesse `06.............................................Editor Wendy Gantt `07................................................Editor Staff Crystal Burgess `08 Lindsey Crumb `08 Megan Maurer `07 Jessica Sells `06 Gregan Wingert `07 Melissa Camacho `07 Angela Funes-Navas `06 Lacey Robinson `08 Araneth Smith `07 High School. The unfaithful are always punished even on television, which you would assume adolescents would comprehend, but instead they take it and literally run with it. When is the last time you remember walking down the hall between 8 The Desert Breeze Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Opinion The True Meaning of “Love” Araneth Smith Staff Reporter It is not uncommon to hear the word “love” all through the high school halls these days. It seems as if so many young people fall in love that sometimes, it is hard to believe that it is real. No one can tell these people how they feel, so no one can tell them that they are not in love. Although, sometimes it may make you wonder about what people define as “love” when they say that they are in love with their partner then the next week, they break up with them to move on to someone new. In music, there are so many songs about how much someone loves another. How they wish they had someone back because they are so in love with them. It seems like the word “love” is a bit overplayed sometimes. People often relate to songs that are similar to how they feel. So this could mean that people may feel like they are falling in love just because they feel the same way about a girl in a Ray Jay song. It could be making people blind to what they really feel, or making what they feel seem like it is more than what it really is. There are so many movies based upon “love” and many of them involve characters falling in love in outrageous or tragic situations. Movie love is something that sells tickets and brings in profits, it does not mean that it is the actual thing. Some people just throw the word around freely without really knowing its meaning. Some people just use the word to get what they want or they say it because it is what the other person wants to hear. There have been many couples in high school that get engaged and they seem like they are pretty serious. Until the next year, when that “love” has flown away. Knowing all of this information, how can you be sure that you are in love? It has been said that, “If you have to question it, then there is your answer.” They say that true love only happens once in a lifetime, so how do you explain the people who have claimed to be “in love” numerous times? It is true that “love” is something that almost everyone is searching for. Maybe there are a lot of people out there that are a little quick to fall in love because it is what they long for. In reality, everyone has their own definition of being “in love”. So trying to figure out if people are in love or not, could be a useless act if those people live by the term “love” in their own way. Perhaps the best thing to do is to just live life to the fullest and if you happen to feel like you are in love along the way, then do not question it or worry about whether it is the same love as the movies, just enjoy the feeling. Brainwashed by Commercials Angela Funes Staff Reporter Anti-Drug commercials have exceeded in helping young teens to adults with reducing their use of drug. April 1, 2001 Drug Action Teams (DATs) came into effect due to a drastic increase of youths retaining drugs into their systems. Not only illegal drug uses but also others, such as cigarettes and cigars became known to more and more children under the age of 17. Since something had to be done about misusing these substances DATs set out to local target audiences and no sooner did it start taking effect. “Truth”, “ My Anti Drug” and more came out changing how many people view television commercials and drugs. “ I think drug commercials are good,” said senior Cindy Montufar at Las Vegas High School, “ but I don’t think they help.” For many students, teachers, parents, siblings, these anti- drug commercials will either grow on you or bother you to death. Roberto Laris, senior at LVHS, stated that he believes they should make more commercials dealing with these subjects because teens like to watch television. “ The more you see the more you’ll pay attention, as long as they have different advertising, ya know like being creative and original, “ said Laris. Many people, however, disagree with a lot of anti- drugs commercials but only coming from President Bush. A lot of people seem to think that Bush is being ridiculous with these because of other more important things he hasn’t taken care of like the men and women in the war. As antidrug commercials continue to play with more facts and creative knowledge our youth will decrease on drug usage. Various citizens have known other numerous people of the population taking control of their own usage. Not saying that these commercials have worked for everyone because where there’s a pro there must be a con. Another senior at LVHS, Maribel Rivera, said she thinks these commercials are a good way to get teen attention. That may be so but as for Tom B., selfproclaimed “drug expert”, he said “anti- drug commercials are aimed at the more stereotypical users, they just teach teens, to be more discrete. And no matter how many anti-drug commercials there are there will always be drug users.” As for Julie Navas, parent of students at LVHS she input her opinion stating, “Drug commercials are as honest as politicians.” So as we can see anti-drug commercials have their goods and bads. Some people may only enjoy the creativity, some may actually be interested. Others say though it may decrease and help some youth, they will never fully help America. Take it in your hands. It’s your choice. Drugs: My Anti-Drug The Desert Breeze 9 Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Li ar Aquarius 1/20-2/18 February will be a long and stressful month. Things that once seemed so easy and fun will become difficult. At times you may want to give up on everythinghomework, relationships, jobs, etc., but don’t let stress drive away your goals. Remember, February is only 28 days long. You can make it through, because when March comes everything will get better again. Pisces 2/19-3/20 Tra la la la la... This month will be a breeze. Just kick back and relax. You have your valentine, you did your homework, and you’re satisfied with your work schedule. You did your job and this is your month to relax after your hard work, but don’t get too comfy. Once you’ve had your share of relaxation, stress will once again become your enemy. Taurus 4/20-5/20 Aries 3/21-4/19 Since this is such a busy month for you, you may get caught up in your social life and forget what else is important- your family. Remember they raise you, clothe you, feed you, and give you shelter. They deserve as much, if not more, love than your friends. If you can’t make time for them, there will not be peace in your household. Don’t forget that the little things do matter like taking out the trash or making dinner once in a while. You’ll feel lost and confused at times, but get a map. Find a friend to help guide you through tough times. When you don’t know what to do about something, tell someone close to you that you can trust. Get their honest opinion and it will be more helpful than you thought. If you keep your feelings, ideas, thoughts, etc. bottled up, then you will never solve your problems and you will have a feeling of regret lingering inside. Gemini 5/21-6/21 If there is something you’ve been meaning to tell someone, tell them. You’ll never get a response if you don’t tell them in the first place. Everyone is trying to meet new people. You never know when that special someone is swept off their feet by someone else, and when they do, you’ll regret it for the rest of your high school career because you didn’t tell them how you felt. Cancer 6/22-7/22 You’re awesome and you know it. But just because you’re proud of yourself for whatever reason doesn’t mean everyone else wants to hear about it. If you brag, you will seperate yourself from the rest of your friends. Also, don’t hog the spotlight. Everyone else wants a turn to feel the glory too. Virgo 8/23-9/22 Leo 7/23-8/22 You’re used to having everything your way, but don’t be suprised when someone or something interferes with your usual ways of life. You may have to cancel a few plans or step to the side and let someone else take over for a little while. It won’t last long though, for you are the only one who can handle your job. You’re growing up too fast. You just got a job, a relationship, and a liscense. You’re waiting for whatever is coming at you next. Don’t be too excited to move on. You’re only a kid once so take in the fun while you still can. Play a board game, climb a tree, or go play kickball. It may seem childish, but I guarantee it’ll be fun Scorpio 10/23-11/21 Libra 9/23-10/22 “You calm the storms and you give me rest. You hold me in your hands. You won’t let me fall. You still my heart and you take my breath away.” - “Everything” by Lifehouse. You are secure and very content with your life. You’re happily loved and in love. Even when things go wrong, there will always be someone there to make it better. Always take into consideration what rejection feels like before you do something you might regret. How would you feel if someone rejected your ideas or feelings or even you? Don’t take your stress out on other people. You have great friends, but don’t take advantage of their forgiving attitude by thinking you can take your anger out on them. Capricorn 12/22-1/19 Sagittarius 11/22-12/21 Sometimes you need to just let go. You’ve been holding on to these problems long enough. You might not think you have the strength to let go, but you’ll find that you are much happier without all those unnecessary problems bothering you. Like many others, you feel stressed out. Sometimes it’s best to tell someone else about what’s going on in your life or keep a journal. Keeping problems bottled up doesn’t help anyone. Don’t feel like you’re bothering other people with your problems because most of the time your friends really do want to help. It will all blow over soon. Just try to stay calm until the end of the month. 12 The Desert Breeze Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Li ar Who are you celebrating February 14th with? A. I celebrate the day of love with my significant other, of course! 68% B. Being single I spend V-Day searching for other hot singles. 15% C. I’m with the people who have loved me longest…my friends and family! Duh! 42% D. I spend Valentine’s with me, myself, and I. 25% Survey of 150 LVHS Students By: Gregan Wingert The Crush Quiz 1.When you are sitting at your lunch table (looking at him/her as always) is he/she sitting by you? A: No, we sit a million miles away from each other. We don’t hang out with the same people. B: Of course! We sit next to each other and we talk about our day and what we did over the weekend, and make plans to hang out. C: Sometimes it depends on if he/she sits by me or if we can even keep up a conversation. D. We don’t have the same lunch, but if we did I am sure we would talk. Staff Reporter 2. You see your crush in the hallway with his/her friends what is running through your head? A: What he/she is thinking about, if they even notice me. And of course how CUTE they are! B: What class I am going to and if I had homework for it. C: Nothing I am already talking to him/her and we are walking to class together. D: I slide by him/her and hope he/she didn’t see me; I am not having a good hair day! 3.When you talk to your crush you look: A: I look at the ceiling, or anywhere away from their eyes. B: Him/ her straight in the eyes and really listen to what he/she is saying. C: Like I am about to faint, I’m so nervous! D: What? We have never even talked! 4.If you could take your crush on a date with a twenty dollar limit you would take them to: A: I have no clue; I don’t even know what he/she likes. B: To the new Harry Potter movie I am not really interested in it but he/she has been talking about it all week. C: I would save the money and take them to a park and to my house for dinner afterwards. D: I would take my crush to the mountains to look at the view; with the money I would buy snacks for a picnic 5.Their best trait would be A: Everything about him/her is great, from his/her smile to their personality. B: Um, I don’t know we haven’t really talked. C: His/her style and the way he/she carries him/herself. D: I think he/she is cute?? 6.If your crushes friend were to ask them what “relationship” your crush would call you he/she would answer: A: Ummm, Who? B: Oh we are just friends, He /she is cool. Why? Did they say something about me? C: We are talking I really like him/her. D: I haven’t really thought about it, he/she is cool I guess… 7.When the Valentine Grams come out this year will you be buying your crush one? A: Yes I will it will describe my feelings I detail…Signed anonymous. B: If he/she sends me one too! C: Yes we always send each other one. He/ she always knows just what to write! D: NO!! Then he/she will know that I like them! 8.Ladies you thought about taking him to sadies? Guys have you thought about prom? A: I have thought about it, but that is as far as I am going. B: I would go if they ask me. C: Already asked, and he/she said yes! I am so excited! D: I am going to I am just a little nervous. 9.When you are done with this quiz would you be willing to show them your answers, tell him/ her its about them and see the outcome of it? A: WHAT!?! B: Well maybe if I have a friend do it. C: Sure it would be a cute way to tell them how I feel. D: Of course! I bet they are filling one for me out right about now. Key: 1. A:1 2. A:3 3.A:1 4:A:1 5:A:5 6:A:1 7:A:2 8:A:2 9:A:1 B:5 B:1 B:5 B:4 B:1 B:3 B:1 B:1 B:3 C:2 C:5 C:2 C:2 C:3 C:5 C:5 C:4 C:5 D: 3 D:2 D:0 D:5 D:2 D:2 D:0 D:3 D:2 King Gabe is the coolest person ever!!! Shoutout to all my friends who forgot my BIG Shoutout birthday. – to Mrs. Gracie Spears from the Dessert Just wanted to Breeze Staff. wish you a happy Valentine’s Day Mr. Brown! Love ya, Coach O. R e s u l t s 22-10=FRIENDS TILL THE END= The way you answered this quiz shows you should go about being friends. Maybe the reason that you haven’t shown yourself as more than a friend is because friendship comes first in some cases, in yours that may be the best. This crush may be one that blows by, or even grows stronger. Don’t be shy to show your crush your true side 33-23=LET IT HAPPEN= It seems like you are more nervous than anything, give yourself a chance to be different, hey your crush might just find that attractive. Show them a flirty side of you; give them clues about how you feel, be confident!! 34-39= PERFECT FOR EACHOTHER!! Don’t let it lead into a long term “crush” Take it further let it be known! You can even do something simple like giving them this quiz and telling them whom it is really about. What do you have to lose? Mari, I love you more than anything Love, Allen Darian, will you be my grfin? ilred - H. Thurman The Jazz police are gonna get you gy. us Happy Valentine’s Day Erik V. Much Love –From A Friend To my girlfriend Saray. I love you and always will. To Richard from Dominisha you’re Hey baby, just my Valentine wanna send superstar love ya you hugs and your number 1 fan kisses. Muah Happy Valentines I love you Ryan! to my best friends Happy 1 year 6 Natalie, Amber, month! Love, Adni, Rosalba! Lindsey The Desert Breeze 11 Las Vegas High School Volume 75, Issue 3 February 2006 Sports Wildcat Baseball Team Prepares for Season Lacey Robinson Staff Reporter cat baseball has been known for their strength, dedication, and encouragement. One thing you might remember from last year’s baseball was that the freshmen who made it on varsity had to shave their heads. Yea, baseball players find ways to keep their team together even if they have freshmen on the team. “Luckily, this year we have no freshmen on the team,” said Schuette. There are teammates who can help new players through anything no matter what the situation. Last year, varsity baseball had fourteen wins and only nine loses. This year they are already training hard for the new season, trying to beat there old record and set a record that can not be beat “This year is going to be great because we have really good returning seniors,” said Blayne Grondel, sophomore at Las Vegas High School. Making it to the top spot of a really hard sport is difficult. But our Wildcats are up for anything. No matter what the challenge there will be no backing down. Training for the season is hard work. The baseball players are going to be tired and worn out from practice. But that is no match for our fierce Wildcats. So good luck to our Wildcats and make sure to take it easy on the field, try hard, and always stay together with your team. Good luck to all baseball players for the 2006 year! Winterline’s Coldfront Megan Maurer Staff Reporter “We have some of the finest players in our school, and maybe even in the city, playing on our drumline,” said snare player Phil Adkins, junior. This year’s winterline, composed of one tenor, four snares, four basses, and nine front ensemble members, is working hard to accomplish perfection of their show titled ‘Ice’. This is a whole new start for the Las Vegas High School winterline. This year they will be competing with other winterlines across the West Coast unlike last year in which they did not compete at all. They have three competitions in town and one trip to Riverside, California in February. “This year everyone is a lot more dedicated and the line is smaller,” said Jay Lapratt, senior and section leader. The drumline struggled a little bit during fall marching season, but they will be back on top in no time. A smaller line will be easier to clean up and a more dedicated line means a harder working line. That will overall increase their chances of having a good season. The name of their show this season is ‘Ice’. The best part of the show is “the music,” said Lapratt. “There is a lot of cool stuff in there. It’s going to be really interesting,” Adkins agreed. This piece of music entitled ‘Ice’ was written by Brian Mudgett and Alan Keown. “The music itself is very melodic and relies heavily on the front ensemble and often seeks support from the battery,” claimed Lapratt. Despite the difficult music, Adkins and Lapratt have faith in their line and are excited to be competing this year. According to Phil, the only thing that would make this year’s show cooler is “if there would be fireworks.” At the end of the year, this drumline will be losing three talented seniorsJesse Garcia- quints, Jay Lapratt- snare, Jared Hiram- snare, and bass drummer Justin Turner. “I think they will struggle a little bit, but they will have a good section leader,” said Lapratt implying that he thinks Phil Adkins will be next year’s section leader. With hours and hours of practice, dedication, and participation, ‘Ice’ will be a great accomplishment for the 2006 winter season. Good luck to all LVHS winterline members! This years Las Vegas Wildcat baseball has already started intramurals for the 2006 season. A former Wildcat baseball coach, Paul Churchfield, has accepted the head baseball coach position at Palo Verde High School, and Josh Chasse signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at San Diego Sate University. The varsity coaches this year are Mr. Sam Thomas, Mr. Clint Huggins, Mr. Michael Chapman, and Mr. Randall Steen . Thomas is head coach and outfield. Huggins is the pitching coach and Chapman is assistant and infield coach. In the 2004-2005 it was winning season for varsity baseball and they made playoffs with all their hard work and dedication. “This year varsity baseball is stacked with youths,” said Matt Schuette, a junior at Las Vegas High School. This year’s varsity team is really young. The seniors on the team are Josh Chasse, who plays centerfield, Rafael Gonzales Jr., who plays shortstop, Stacey Mackey plays outfielder, and Ryan Theobald who plays catcher. This year’s varsity baseball is going to try to make it to playoffs again and see where they go from there. Our Wild- Down the Court, through the Hoop, and roaring for a Victory! Melissa Camacho Staff Reporter playoffs, staying in shape, and strengthening the team.The varsity girl’s basketball team faces that problem. There are many new people on the team who have not had the chance to play together. In basketball it is important to know each others’ strengths and weaknesses to better the team. “The chemistry on the court is a little weird because we are not use to playing together,” said Darleen Fernandez. Fernandez, who plays a forward and a guard for varsity, hopes the team can grow strong this year. They have new routines for their practices, which now consist of a lot of running. Their goal is to ‘hustle’ the other team and for that they The adrenaline is building as the clock ticks down the final seconds of the game. Everything is riding on this moment and the pressure is driving you insane. It does not matter though because you are calm and composed waiting for the right opportunity. The only sound is the dribbling of the ball. The basket fixed firmly insight the buzzer goes off, and the swoosh of the net lets you know you made it. The crowd roars to a deafening level and victory belongs to the team. This vision is the drive for all the Wildcat basketball players out there. The season this year is all about making the have to be in shape. “The only way to get fit is to push hard when you are tired, never give up. When you feel tired [that] is when you got to work harder. That is when you get better,” Fernandez commented. Fernandez enjoys playing basketball because it keeps her in shape and helps her on her teamwork skills. Important aspects to make this year the best one yet for the Lady Wildcats. The girls are not the only ones who have big plans for this season. The playoffs are a must this year for the Varsity boy’s basketball team. They want to make some ‘noise!’ Shadaevon Florial, a forward, dreams of playing bas- ketball in college and hopes to get a scholarship. Florial thinks, “The game is challenging sometimes but it is real fun.” The team wants to work really hard to reach their goal and have a great season, but most of all it is about having a good time and staying healthy. The competition is harsh and training is constant to keep up on the demand for heart pumping victories. Both varsity basketball teams want to make it to playoffs and stand out for their achievements this season. It is all about teamwork and having the motivation to go out there and win. All the training will definitely pay off and make the up coming games worthwhile. This is one year you do not want to miss out on. 12 The Desert Breeze