November 5, 2014
Issue 14
Viking Chronicles
New Brighton Middle School Journalism Class
Gratitude
by Sophia Steffan
When’s the last time you stopped to
think about everything you’re grateful
for? Have you noticed some small
pleasures or kindnesses you
experienced? As Louie Schwartzberg
said, “Most people go through their
days thinking today is just another day
in their life. It’s not. It’s a gift. It’s
given to you, and the most appropriate
response is gratitude.”
It’s beneficial to be grateful at any
age, but especially now while you’re
still young because you’ll develop the
habit of being grateful throughout
your entire life.
Gratitude is healthy for you both
physically and emotionally. According
to happierhuman.com, being grateful
can help you become more optimistic
and less self-centered while increasing
your self-esteem and the quality of
your sleep. Gratitude can also reduce
feelings of envy, make your memories
happier, help you experience good
feelings, and help you bounce back
from stress.
Additionally, gratitude can help in
social situations because it often
makes you kinder and allows you to
create deeper relationships. According
to studies from 2003 and 2005, people
who are more grateful experience less
physical pain, and people who kept a
gratitude journal lowered depression
symptoms by 30% for as long as the
practice was continued.
(Gratitude, continued on page 2)
The Matsiko
Children’s Choir
by Jessica Borgman
On September 26, New
Brighton Middle School was
treated to a special performance
by the Matsiko Orphans’ Choir.
Children from Liberia, Peru,
and India came to the school
auditorium and spread hope
through song and dance. It was
an experience our student body
won’t soon forget.
The Matsiko Choir members
traveled great distances to arrive
at NBMS. Throughout the
journey, these individuals
smiled and shared stories of
their lives and adventures.
Hearing these anecdotes gave us
an insight into the experiences
of others from cultures much
different than our own.
Behind bright eyes and upbeat
songs, life for children such as
these can be treacherous and
grim. Being orphaned or at risk
financially, they often become
victims of malnutrition, human
trafficking, and violence. Their
ability to attend school is a rare
privilege instead of a right.
Hearing of the challenges these
young people face proved truly
eye-opening. There are so many
luxuries for which we should be
grateful.
(Matsiko Choir, continued on page 2)
Education by Traveling the
World
by Dillon Jenkins
When people think of education, they
think of school, books, classrooms and
homework. But, wouldn’t it be exciting
to get your education through traveling
around the world? Rather than reading a
book or listening to lectures on subjects,
what if you could hear the Pope speak in
Rome, stand on the site in Puerto Rico
where famous Spanish explorer Ponce
De Leon once stood, see lava pour out
from a Hawaiian volcano, or see
sculptures that Michelangelo created
with his own two hands thousands of
years ago? Or, what about looking at the
awesomeness of one of the seven
wonders of the world such as The Grand
Canyon or the Roman Colosseum where
gladiators battled?
I’ve been lucky enough to experience all
these things and the lessons I’ve learned
are memories I’ll never forget. The
benefits of learning through traveling
are tremendous. Traveling allows you to
learn about other cultures, enhances
your language and social skills, and
causes you to look at the world
differently.
No matter how many books you read
about different cultures, it’s just not the
same as trying new foods from a
different country, celebrating their
holidays that you’ve never heard about,
or walking off the beaten path and
finding a building, a beach, or ruins that
you might have never heard about by
reading a book.
(Traveling, continued on page 2)
Contents:
Features–2
Editorials–4-5
Community–6
School Profiles–3
Culture–5
Entertainment–7
Science–8
Features
(Gratitude, continued from p. 1)
(Traveling, continued from p. 1)
Sometimes, it’s hard to see the positive when
everything seems like it’s going wrong. By noticing
your day-to-day world from a perspective of gratitude,
you can help yourself pay attention to all the goodness
around you. These don’t have to be huge changes in
your life. It’s as easy as giving at least one compliment
a day. Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting
the things you want, but instead an opportunity to notice
the little things. You can look for the positive even in
negative situations. Today, start bringing gratitude into
your life, and you may find yourself healthier and
happier.
When I visited Italy this past summer, I spent hours
exploring alleys and learning about art, music, buildings,
and ruins that I had never heard of before. I ate gelato and
pizza that tasted deliciously different than any gelato or
pizza that I’ve ever tasted in California, and believe me, I
eat those foods all the time. I also celebrated holidays that
I have never heard of, while watching the most
spectacular fireworks with 10,000 other people.
(Matsiko Choir, continued from p. 1)
There are many ways that we can support these
children. Doing so can be as simple and rewarding as
purchasing a handcrafted item native to the choir
members’ home countries at the gift stand or online. If
one feels quite connected to a child, s/he can become
pen pals and communicate through letters. If you desire,
you can even house one or more of the performers the
next time they visit for the period they’re in the area.
Any means of donation helps contribute to the
foundation’s success.
Seeing the Matsiko Children’s Choir Performance is
always a pleasure. We are so very fortunate to witness
the spectacle almost every school year. Let us hope this
gift continues to be shared with NBMS in the future.
If you desire to learn more, feel free to visit their website:
http://www.icnchildren.net/matsiko-orphans-choir
Traveling to other countries can teach you social skills
and language skills that you wouldn’t learn by staying in
your hometown. Social skills are very valuable for many
reasons. When I was in Rome, I had a tour at the Vatican,
which was 45 minutes away from the hotel where I was
staying. My mom and I had to walk to the train station,
get on the right train, then walk another 20 minutes to the
tour. This doesn’t seem like a big deal but it actually is
when you’re in a foreign country. Imagine finding your
way in a city you’ve never been to, where few people
speak English. We had to stop 10 times, asking whoever
we could find who spoke English, understood sign
language or understood our Spanish words that were
slightly similar to Italian. We made it just in time, but it
was an adventure that seemed almost impossible that
taught me a lot about communication and interacting with
people, something you can’t learn from a book.
One of the greatest things about learning through traveling
is the experience of actually seeing something in the real
world. Imagine you’re in class learning about volcanoes,
the Grand Canyon, Michelangelo’s sculpture of David, or
the Pope. These all appear to look magnificent but when
you actually see vibrant, red, burning hot lava pour down
a volcano, feel the heat, and hear the sounds, it’s amazing.
Similarly, standing on top of the Grand Canyon looking
down into the depths of this 1,902-square mile canyon
with the most unbelievable colors and layers of rock
formed by years of erosion, it actually takes your breath
away.
Another example is taking an art history class and seeing
pictures of the statue, David, by Michelangelo. When you
actually see a 17-foot tall statue of a young man, with
perfectly detailed features, its power overwhelms you and
you realize what a genius Michelangelo really was. A
picture just can’t describe the power and beauty of these
works of art.
A picture from the recent Matsiko Choir performance at
New Brighton Middle School. The members are gathered
in a stunning final pose to conclude yet another masterful
singing and dancing routine.
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2 of 8
So, you can see how traveling is truly an unforgettable
way to learn that is so different than our formal education.
When it comes to learning about life, there’s nothing more
enriching than traveling the world and broadening our
horizons by seeing new places and meeting people from
other cultures. While what we read and learn at school is
valuable and important, no book or photo can provide the
same amazing experience.
School Profiles
S.T.E.M.
by Sam Mussetter
S.T.E.M is a new elective in which kids
get to learn about engineering,
technology, and other fields of science.
S.T.E.M is an acronym for science,
technology, engineering, and
mathematics. One of the reasons it’s
important is that kids can learn if they
want a career in one of these fields.
Many innovative companies including
Apple, Google, and others began in
California. There are over 900,000
S.T.E.M jobs in California. Some of
those jobs are in bioengineering,
physics, programming, astronomy,
chemical engineering, genetics, and
nuclear engineering.
At New Brighton Middle School, our
S.T.E.M teacher is Luke Sanders. I
interviewed four of his students, asking
them about their current project and
why they like it. Cosgrove Mould is a
seventh grade student in the class. The
project he is working on is making a
bridge out of toothpicks and glue. His
bridge can hold over two pounds. He
shared that he likes this elective because
of the opportunity to use science and
technology.
Next, I spoke to Nadine Kienhoefer,
who is also in the elective. She shared
that she’s interested in engineering and
technology. Her bridge is 15
centimeters long. She is also looking
forward to their next project of
soldering a radio transmitter.
Another student, Javi Jekins, whose
favorite class is S.T.E.M, appreciates
that there is no homework. His first
project was building a tower out of
newspaper. He enjoys all the action and
activity. It is never quiet except when
the teacher is talking. The class recently
had a competition to see which bridge
could hold the most weight. Javi’s
bridge can hold 18.5 pounds.
Another student, Jeremy Hyde, signed
up for the class because he wanted to
build and work as a team.
Clearly, the school’s new S.T.E.M
elective is fun and engaging for
students.
Amazing New Teachers At NBMS
by Zoe Davis and Kaitlyn Sanclemente
You know what teachers are like at school, but do you know what they are like outside
of school? Do you know about their history? Here is some information about our new
teachers to start off a great new year!
One of our new teachers here is an adventurous, fun guy named Mr. Dickson. He has
taught most of his years in Portland, Oregon. When he was a child, he wasn’t the best
student, but he had many ideas about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He went
from wanting to be a fireman, to a police officer, to an astronaut. All of these career
interests developed from organizations that had come to visit his schools. Finally, he
decided he wanted to be a teacher. He was then inspired by one of his middle school
teachers, Mr. Neil, who influenced him to work harder in school. Mr. Dickson went to
college and got his degree in social sciences and education. Now, in his eighth year of
teaching, he has joined our NBMS staff as a sixth grade humanities teacher. To go along
with his awesome personality, he's amazing at doing accents! If you ever see him, don't
be afraid to ask him to share one with you!
Another wonderful teacher joining the NBMS staff this year is Ms. Rieber, our new
resource specialist. For the past five years, she has been teaching at Aptos High School,
but this year she decided to come to our school. In college, she studied speech pathology,
and as a child, she wanted to be a “chicken doctor,” NOT a vet! In her first year of
teaching at the age of 23, she was only a few years older than some of her students at
Aptos High. One of the boys in her class thought she was pretty great, so he asked her to
prom! But sadly for him, she had to say no. Another thing that you might not know about
Ms. Rieber is that if she could, she would eat bacon and sausage 24/7! As you can tell,
Ms. Rieber is a very caring person, and that is an amazing trait for middle school
teachers!
Mr. Sanders is also one of the enthusiastic new teachers here. This will be Mr. Sanders’
third year of teaching. His favorite subject to teach is science because kids are just
naturally curious, so they are very interested in most topics in his class. Believe it or not,
when Mr. Sanders was in middle school, he went to NBMS and had a few of the same
teachers that you have right now! During that time, he really wanted to follow his
passion and become a professional golfer. But when it came time for college, he put
golfing aside and studied anthropology, geology, and business. Ms. Sanders also wants
everyone to know that he is “better at memorizing than Mr. Barnes.” Mr. Sanders is very
excited to be teaching here now!
Mr. Barnes is another fabulous new teacher that we are delighted to be introducing. He is
a double-jointed, musical, and curious sixth grade math teacher. Mr. Barnes likes
teaching this subject because math is a strength for him and he looks forward to the
projects done in sixth grade math. When he was younger, he really wanted to be a rock
star because he loved playing music so much. One of his funniest teaching experiences
occurred recently during a part of his class called “Tape-in-Time.” This time is for
students to tape whatever they need in a certain amount of time. One student decided to
make a song to go along with this activity. He started singing it and eventually, the
whole class was singing it. Mr. Barnes thought this was hilarious, so he recorded it. He
will never forget an experience as funny as this! Mr. Barnes is very excited to be here,
and hopefully you are excited to have him here as well!
Another enjoyable, athletic new teacher at our school is Mr. Corbal, who teaches sixth
grade Humanities. He grew up going to Catholic school, and received a superb
education. Just like many boys his age, he wanted to be a professional athlete. Mr.
Corbal’s family consists of his mom, dad, younger brother, and sister. His family is
caring, supportive, and very loving. Mr. Corbal has been teaching and substituting for a
long time. He's taught many different grades, but he enjoys sixth grade the most. He
explained that "the students are very interested in learning and they’re also old enough to
have good conversations with.” He also enjoys their "great spirits." Mr. Corbal is so
happy to be working with our staff and students, and we’re lucky to have him teaching
here!
(NBMS Amazing New Teachers, continued on page 6)
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Another marvelous teacher that we are fortunate enough to have here is Ms. Wayte. This
Editorials
Cluck? Chickens and Factory Farming
by Jessica Borgman
Drug and Alcohol Education
by Ben Grove and Willy Holmes
There is no doubt that chickens are a large part of our
culture. Be it through meat production, egg laying, or
the pure joys of having them around, the world would
simply be plain and stale without them. However,
many people don’t know where their meat and eggs
come from.
Drug and alcohol experimentation among adolescents is common.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence, teens who are chronically depressed, have low
self-esteem, or feel like they don’t fit in are more likely to abuse
substances. Some of these substances include:
 Alcohol
 Marijuana
 Common narcotics
 Household medication
As stated on Medicinenet.com, drug use in teens can lead to many
negative consequences, including difficulty in school, poor
judgment, accidents, violence, and in extreme cases, suicide.
Individuals who begin using drugs as juveniles are at greater risk of
becoming addicted than those who begin use as an adult due to the
immaturity of the teenage brain, specifically that part of the brain
that controls impulses.
The unfortunate reality is that many are unaware of
the treacherous lives that chickens live in factory
farms. First, the birds are forcefully hatched from
their eggs in the incubation center. Second, they travel
roughly on conveyer belts and are handled in brutish
ways, often causing them to break bones or obtain
other serious injuries. Next, the males are thrown
down a chute that leads straight to the grinder. There
is just no use for cockerels in this manner of farming.
This journey is dangerous, and their lives can be
ended in other horrific ways. No mercy is shown for
these newly hatched living things.
The terrors don’t end there. For hens are kept in
cramped cages for the majority of their short lives,
never seeing sunlight. The feed they are offered is full
of unnatural substances meant to give them large,
uncomfortable bodies and/or affected eggs. These
eggs are considerably less healthy than those
produced from free-range hens fed an organic diet.
Their waste surrounds them in the cages, also causing
infections and illness. Chickens that do not live in
cages in these facilities, on the other hand, live in very
close quarters with others. They can hardly walk
without running into one another. Waste piles on the
floor, making conditions even worse. The crowded
animals often become aggressive and peck at each
other. Is this really how these wonderful animals
should be treated?
There are, however, things you can do to help make a
difference. You can purchase Kosher or free-range
chicken products, and check to see if GMOs
(Genetically Modified Organisms) were added to their
diet. This will help assure that you are buying healthy
products from a reliable source. If you are interested,
you can also raise your own chickens. You can use
them for meat, eggs, or the pure pleasure of it! I raise
poultry myself, and the eggs I will soon receive when
my girls come of age will be natural and delicious.
Chickens are easy animals to care for, and I’m sure
you’d have as much fun with them as I am!
Given that there are many ways we can help chickens,
why not consider making a change if you haven’t
already done so? There is no need to change your diet
or drain your bank account. As long as you can be
proud of where your poultry products are coming
from, you’ll feel EGG-xellent!
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Long-term drug abuse can lead to withdrawal episodes and
problems managing life issues. Certain drugs are more likely to be
abused to the point of overdose. Symptoms can vary based on a
number of individual, family, genetic, and social factors. Although
genes play a role in the development of substance abuse, this is a
condition in which other factors can often influence its occurrence.
There are many treatment options based on how severe the
addiction, ranging from management of risk factors and education
to residential treatment followed by long-term outpatient care and
support. However, the best and most effective way to prevent drug
addiction is to avoid using these substances from the start.
Classroom Overcrowding by Charlotte Jellinek
Were you ever in an overcrowded class? If so, then you probably
know how it is when you’re having a problem, but the teacher’s
busy with the other 34 people. Or maybe it’s just so loud that the
teacher spends most of his or her time dealing with everybody so
that you end up bored out of your mind.
This is a big problem. Some school districts say things like: “[We
are] helping learners reach their highest potential” (Pajaro Valley
USD) and “[We] create and support a learning environment that
challenges and enables students to achieve their highest potential”
(Santa Cruz City Schools). However, stuffing 35 people into a small
classroom does not help you learn.
The benefits of small classes can include: more individual attention
from the teacher, everyone knowing each other, and most
importantly, everyone being able to see the teacher. Additionally, in
a small class, all the chairs fit comfortably.
One reason for large classes is limited funding. Many school
districts just don’t have the money for more teachers, causing them
to cram more students into classes. This needs to change to benefit
both students and teachers.
Luckily at NBMS, we have many small and medium-sized classes.
You can help support reasonably sized classes by making donations
to our school and participating in school fundraisers.
Culture
More Editorials
Blossoming Like a Flower
by Ariana Tosado
Music
by Johnny Ames
My mom tells me that ever since I
came to New Brighton, I “blossomed
like a flower.” What she means by
that is, I had never gotten straight A’s
or been on the Honor Roll until I
came to NBMS. To me, this school
deserves an award for best education
given to students. I recently learned
that NBMS received a well deserved
distinguished school award in 2009.
NBMS remains an excellent school to
this day!
I‘m a musician and
I’ve been a musician
for much of my life.
I’d never sing a
song if it didn’t
matter to me. My
brother Jason was a
musician long
before me. He
played many
instruments and
taught me almost
everything I know.
It’s no wonder New Brighton Middle
School has many Honor Roll students.
In fifth grade, I struggled with
learning about fractions and how to
make them equivalent. When I came
to NBMS for my sixth grade year, my
math teacher, Ms. Hutson, told us that
we were about to enter the world of
fractions. In my head I was thinking,
“No! Fractions are going to kill me!”
However, I was really shocked
because fractions ended up being
really easy to understand. Unlike my
struggles in 5th grade, I didn’t need
personal tutoring when I came to
NBMS. Due to the excellent teaching,
I was able to do the problems easily
without much help.
Our school also makes the lessons
enjoyable. The teachers have a sense
of humor and know how to make the
students laugh, yet get them back into
focus when it’s time to learn. Our
teachers also know how to properly
teach their students without anyone
getting left behind, and this is why my
mom wants to make sure I stay at this
school until I graduate from middle
school.
For many reasons, kids are fortunate
to attend NBMS. A lot of parents
want their kids to stay at this school
because of how awesome the teachers
and resources are. To all the
wonderful NBMS teachers, thank you
for teaching your students so
incredibly well. New Brighton Middle
School is hands-down the best school
my friends and I have ever attended.
In fifth grade, I
joined my first
band. It was a
school band and I
was a vocalist. I
wasn’t the lead yet,
because I was only
in fifth grade and
there was a sixth
grade girl who had
the best voice, far
better then my voice
at the time. I wasn’t
lead singer until
sixth grade.
Today I’m in a band
called “Diamond
Wire,” which is a
fun rock band, but it
takes skill and
commitment to
learn everything we
need to learn so that
we can perform on
stage live.
Good Thing:
An Original Song
by Johnny Ames
(1st verse)
With or without you
my
Heart still seeks you
but,
How will I know just
How to reach you
(Chorus)
Down in a hole
For 30 days
And it’s a good thing
Living without hope
And now I’m
unbroken
But it’s a good thing
(2nd verse)
Where do I go
Got nothing to know
But it’s a good thing
How will I show
As much as it goes
That it’s a good thing
(Chorus)
(3rd verse)
I really don’t know
But I have to go
But it’s a good thing
I really don’t think
You act like a freak
But it’s a good thing
(Chorus) 2x
Dogtown and Z-Boys by
Tayvin Dominguez
In the 1970’s, skateboarding was
getting so popular that it started
a revolution across America. It
all started in Venice and Santa
Monica, California, also known
as Dogtown. Santa Monica is
where the Zephyr Surfshop
stood. Skip Engblom, who had a
rad young surf team of local
teenagers, owned the surf shop.
In 1974, the team consisted of
Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Allen
Sarlo, Chris Cahill and Stacy
Peralta. They mostly surfed by
Pacific Ocean Park Pier even
though it was dangerous.
They then began skating more
than they intended. In 1975, that
paid off with the first skateboard
competition since the 1960’s. By
this time, they had developed a
skate team from the original
Zephyr Surf Team. When their
deadline came, they presented a
surf skate style, which seemed
outrageous to other competitors.
The once popular upright style
seemed to vanish from the skate
society.
However a massive drought hit
California, which forced people
to drain most pools. The Z-Boys,
then started to skate at these
abandoned pools. This began to
form into a modern type of
skating. Despite occasionally
being chased by the police, they
still managed to enjoy their
passion for skating.
Appreciation/Praiseworthy
Special thanks to Lillie Reynaga, Jessica
Borgman, and Sophia Steffan for their
help formatting our school newspaper.
Thanks also to the many student writers,
editors, and others who contributed to our
first publication of the school year. We
hope you enjoy reading our stories!
Sincerely,
NBMS Journalism Students
In the end, the skate team that
once seemed to set the trend for
modern day pool skating fell.
This happened because all the
skaters who once were bound by
friendship drifted away from
each other for money and fame.
Tony Alva decided to make his
own brand and skate team. Jay
Adams fell from the life of
skating due to drugs and alcohol.
The rest were picked up by
separate brands. The once
mighty Zephyr Surfshop was
closed.
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Community
A Skate Park In Capitola?
by Ian Healy
Do you skate? If you do and you live in Capitola, you
probably know that it’s illegal to skate in the village
and there are no skate parks within Capitola’s borders.
Skate parks are good for the community and they are
a good way for kids to stay fit and healthy. The city of
Capitola is considering building a skate park in
Monterey Park. However, since some neighbors are
opposed to the idea, complications might arise.
Skating is a wonderful activity for people to get out
and exercise. Many people love skating and it is a
great hobby. Because of the numerous benefits of
skating and because a lot of people think skating is
fun, many locals want to see the park built, including
quite a few NBMS students. Local skater and NBMS
student Tayvin Dominguez said, “There should be a
park in Capitola so the people who love to skate don’t
need to drive super far to get to a park. Also it will
keep kids from skating on the street.”
The proposed park has a great design; it has an
assortment of curbs, grind rails, and ramps. It also has
a bowl, a quarter pipe, a ribbon, and manual pads. To
top it off, there is an already existing shady tree to sit
under.
Here’s what some local residents think about the
proposed skate park:
“I think it’s important to have a skate park in Capitola
because it will give kids a place to skate that is legal,”
said skating enthusiast, Ben Grove.
“As long as no trees are harmed, the skate park is a
fine idea,” Jessica Borgman remarked. (As a side
note, the planners are not intending to harm any trees
and they are even keeping all existing trails in
Monterey Park).
Remember the Monte fireworks show over the wharf?
Monte put those fireworks on to raise money for the
Capitola skate park. He has wanted to build a skate
park for a long time but could never find a location.
He even got some of the stores in the village to donate
a portion of their sales that night to the skate park. I
think Monte’s donation will make a big difference on
getting the park done.
Some people are opposed to the idea of a skate park in
Capitola because they are concerned about the noise
and the cost of trash clean up and maintenance.
However, this park could have a great impact on the
Capitola community. While there is some opposition
to this proposed skate park, all of the people with
whom I spoke were in favor of such a park. Clearly,
there are many more people who are supportive of the
skate park than those who oppose such a park.
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Restaurant Review:
Charlie Hong Kong
by Jesse Castelan
I recently went to a local
restaurant called Charlie
Hong Kong and I would
like to share my opinion.
Charlie Hong Kong is
owned by Carolyn and
Darryl Rudolph. It is
located at 1141 Soquel
Ave. in Santa Cruz.
Charlie Hong Kong has a
creative and healthy menu.
A few of my favorite
dishes are the Green Curry
Chicken with rice, the
Chicken Teriyaki with
rice, and Charlie’s Pad
Thai. Two of these dishes
are spicy and the Teriyaki
Chicken is a less spicy
option. All of their food is
gluten-free and a lot of
their food is for
vegetarians and vegans.
However, they also have
options for meat eaters.
Charlie Hong Kong has a
simple yet comfortable
eating area. The inside is
small with a counter, some
chairs, and a window to
view the outside. The
outside eating area is a bit
bigger with two tables and
a bench.
I think customers will be
happy that Charlie Hong
Kong gets fresh organic
produce from a local farm
named Life Side Farm.
These healthy vegetables
are part of what make
Charlie Hong Kong’s food
taste great.
I recommend Charlie
Hong Kong because of its
tasty, healthy, and lowpriced food. This
restaurant has earned a
spot on my top ten local
restaurants.
NBMS Amazing New Teachers,
Continued from p. 3
Another marvelous teacher that we
are fortunate enough to have here is
Ms. Wayte. This is Ms. Wayte’s
first year of teaching, and before
this she was a naturalist. This year,
she is a seventh grade science
teacher. Growing up in Orange
County, she was always trying to
overcome her biggest challenge:
figuring out who she really was.
She has always wanted to be a
marine biologist, so when she got to
college, that’s what she studied.
While she was in college, she
realized that she wanted to become
a teacher as well, because she loved
how kids are naturally curious, and
in science, curiosity is key! She is
also passionate about mountain
biking and being in the great
outdoors. Another piece of
information that you might not
know about her is that she has a
twin. How cool is that!? NBMS is
fortunate to have Ms. Wayte on our
teaching staff.
Mr. Hoover, also known as
"Hoovdog" from previous students,
is a seventh and eighth grade
humanities teacher at NBMS.
Before teaching here, he taught at
SLV Junior High for a long time.
Every year he taught there, the
students voted him as their favorite
teacher! He was a good student
throughout his school years, but
never thought about being a teacher
until college. Many of our students
can easily relate to his main hobby.
Since the age of seven, Mr. Hoover
has had a strong passion for surfing.
His heart was set to be a
professional surfer, which drove his
decision to move to California. Mr.
Hoover still goes out surfing every
week. He's a kid at heart and enjoys
being around people. If you ever see
him, make sure to say hello and
don’t forget to ask him about the
number 111, as he has an interesting
story behind it!
If you see any of these teachers
around school, be sure to welcome
them. Don’t be shy to say hi!
Entertainment
Pokemon X and Y: A Video Game
Skyrim Review by Brodie Speziale
Review
by Rollin Roby and Jacob Flippo
Get ready to choose a partner and embark on an amazing
adventure. You and your partner will battle to claim your
title as a Pokémon master. When you start out, you will be
awarded with a Pokémon and a Pokédex, your Pokémon
finder, to start your adventure. You and your Pokémon
will battle to become stronger.
In Pokémon X/Y, there are three new legendary Pokémon
that are more powerful and rare than most Pokemon. There
is the “X” Pokémon, Xerneas, the “Y” Pokémon, Yveltal,
and finally, Zygarde. Additionally, you can catch
legendary Pokémon from previous games, including
Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Groudon, Kyogre, and
Mewtwo. Depending on which starter you choose, you
may also find Moltres, Articuno, or Zapdos, some of the
oldest legendary Pokémon.
You can mega-evolve your amazing Pokémon for a
stronger performance on the battlefield. When you megaevolve a Pokémon, its power and abilities increase. Very
few Pokémon can mega-evolve, such as Charizard
(appears in Pokémon X/Y in different forms), Venusaur,
Blastoise, Blaziken, Pinsir (only appears in Pokémon Y),
and Manetric (only appears in Pokémon X). There is only
one legendary Pokémon that can mega-evolve, which is
Mewtwo (appears in Pokémon X/Y in different forms).
Have you wanted a Pokémon that stands out? Well, now
you can have one, with Shiny Pokémon, which shimmer
and are different colors. Shiny Pokémon are the same as
regular Pokémon in power and abilities. They are very
rare, and you only have a 1 in 8,913 chance of catching a
shiny Pokémon.
New in Pokémon X/Y is that you can play with and train
your Pokémon. You can play games with your Pokémon
and feed them Poké Puffs. During Super Training, you can
train your Pokémon using the stylus that comes with your
3DS handheld gaming system. Most of the time, you can
give your Pokémon special training bags that increase your
Pokémon’s base stats.
Surf the coasts, wander through forests, skate across the
new land, bike through the beach, and fly across terrain to
find and explore new areas. Catch new Pokémon to create
new bonds. Update your Holo-Caster, your device that
keeps your messages organized, and learn about and
compete in the newest Pokémon tournaments. Battle the
Elite Four and the Champion and claim your title as a
Pokémon master!
But you aren’t finished yet! Once you defeat the Elite Four
and the Champion, you can go to Terminus Cave and catch
Zygarde. You can also go to Unknown Dungeon and catch
Mewtwo. Don’t forget to search Glittering cave for
Pokémon fossils. Another thing you can do is find all the
Technical Machines and Hidden Machines. Finally, you
complete the Looker Detective Agency side quest. I would
highly recommend this game to any Pokémon fan out
there, as this is a great game!
Skyrim is a great role-playing game and if you like the adventure
genre you may want to check it out if you don’t know about it
already. First let’s talk about the story: you are the Dragonborn, a
mythical hero that takes dragons’ souls and gets more powerful
from every soul. However, you don’t know until a dragon comes
after you at the beginning of the game, but you escape and find
out you’re the Dragonborn.
After that, you can go on whatever adventure you want or follow
the main storyline. If you decide to stick with the main story, you
will find Delphine, the last member of the Blades. She helps you
fight a dragon, sneak into the Thalmor Embassy and steal their
files. You go on to battle Alduin, the master dragon, and finish
the main storyline.
Next, the Dragonborn DLC pack takes place on Solsthiem, an
island off the coast of Morrowind, a province covered in ash after
the eruption of Red Mountain. The first Dragonborn, Miraak is
trying to control everyone on the island and you have to stop him.
There is a dead pirate captain named Haknir-Deathbrand and you
have to hunt down all the pieces of his armor. At the end of this
mission, you fight his ghost and get his two swords Bloodscythe
and Soulrender.
The second DLC pack, Dawnguard, allows the player to choose
sides. You can choose to be a vampire, a vampire hunter, or
nothing at all. This is my favorite DLC pack because it has more
stealth and big battles between the vampires and the vampire
hunters. With the introduction of crossbows, it makes Skyrim
more immersive. The main objective is to defeat the vampire,
Lord Harkon and find out who made up the prophecy about the
sun getting blocked out by the daughter of Coldharbour’s blood.
Coldharbour is an evil realm ruled by a Daedric prince. Last but
not least is Hearthfire: this DLC allows you to build your own
house and raise a family.
Overall, I think Skyrim is a pretty good game, but it does not
have the best graphics because it was made in 2011. Since then,
the graphics have improved a lot. However, Skyrim is still
enjoyable because of its detail and storyline. I rate it 7.5/10 for
impressive game-play and story.
Blame It On Mr. Shaff by Our Journalism Class
California is in a drought. I blame Mr. Shaff.
It rained on Halloween. I blame Mr. Shaff.
I got raisins for Halloween. I blame Mr. Shaff.
I lost the costume contest. I blame Mr. Shaff.
I was mauled by a bear while taking a selfie. I blame Mr. Shaff.
My chickens made crop circles. I blame it on Mr. Shaff.
I have nightmares about belt buckles. I blame Mr. Shaff.
Now there are 102 Dalmatians. I blame Mr. Shaff.
I walked into a wall. I blame Mr. Shaff.
My parents forgot my birthday. I blame Mr. Shaff.
The Giants won the World Series! I thank Mr. Shaff!
Page
7 of 8
Science-Super Special Reptile Page
The Lizard Lounge
by Jacob Flippo
Constrictor Snakes Q&A
by Charlotte Jellinek
Many different types of lizards live in California. Lizards can come in different
colors, shapes, and sizes. Some lizards look like baby alligators. Don’t worry
though, they aren’t as dangerous as alligators, but some of them bite if you get
too close!
What are constrictor snakes? Constrictor
snakes are a type of snake that kills its prey
by squeezing it to death. Some common
types of constrictor snakes are Corn Snakes,
Boas, and Pythons. Most constrictor snakes
aren’t poisonous, but a few are.
For example, alligator lizards can bite and lock their jaws. You can identify
them by their large smooth scales, and a long alligator-like snout. While they
are found almost everywhere in California except in the deserts, their largest
population exists in Southern California. They are often spotted during daylight
under debris such as logs, leaves, and rocks.
The Banded Rock Lizard is a medium-sized lizard. This greenish lizard is found
on large rocks in the Peninsular range from the border of Baja, California to
Palm Springs. Their habitat is near creeks and wet islands.
Brush Lizards are lovers of the desert! You can identify them by their speckled
white and black dots. You can see them chilling out in trees, brush, or on rocks.
Chameleons are common pets, but in the wild they are seen at Morro Bay and
Laguna Beach, and possibly more humid locations. While these lovable reptiles
are usually found on shrubs and trees, they are occasionally seen on the ground.
Chuckwallas are very large. They are seen on large rocks and boulder piles in
deserts. They are very active during the day.
Collared lizards are also large. You can find them on rocks. They have huge
heads with a black collar.
Desert Iguanas are diurnal, which means they are only out during the day. They
are found on the ground in the hot, flat, sandy desert locations, such as dry
washes and dunes. They are occasionally seen basking on low rocks or other
objects. They are able to continue activity during extreme heat.
Western Fence Lizards are small, diurnal lizards with sharp spines. You can
find Western Fence Lizards almost anywhere.
Fringe-Toed Lizards and Zebra-Tailed Lizards are found in deserts. The FringeToed Lizards jump under sand to escape predators.
How does constriction work? There are two
main theories about how it works. The first
is that they squeeze their prey so that it
asphyxiates (dies of lack of oxygen). The
second is that they squeeze in a way so that
their prey’s heart stops. While constricting,
they monitor the prey’s heartbeat to
ascertain when they’re dead.
Can snakes unhinge their jaws? No. Their
jaws are extremely flexible, and their lower
jaws are not one piece. A snake’s lower jaw
has two separate halves connected by
ligaments that stretch when they eat.
Do snakes chew? No. They swallow their
prey whole, usually head first. They have
two small bones called quadrate bones in the
back of their throat that help push their food
down.
Do constrictor snakes have fangs?
Sometimes. Only poisonous snakes have
fangs whereas non-poisonous types have lots
of small, backwards-facing teeth, mainly for
grabbing prey.
What is the largest constrictor snake? The
Green Anaconda is the largest snake,
constrictor or not, in the world. It is nonvenomous. Full grown, it is about 29 feet in
length and 550 pounds in weight. This snake
eats wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles, capybara,
caimans, and even jaguars.
There are some very rare lizards that few people have seen such as the
Peninsular Banded Gecko, which is found only in rocky locations and the
Peninsular Leaf-Toed Gecko, which is found on desert rocks at night in a
limited area of the South Peninsular Range. Also, watch out for Gila Monsters,
a rare, venomous lizard found in the Mojave Desert near the Nevada border.
Do snakes have legs? Yes, they have small
vestigial legs called spurs, which in some
snakes are visible. These spurs are not used
for helping them move, and a lot of species
have them under the skin, not above.
Western Banded Geckos and Mediterranean Geckos are found around human
dwellings under light sources at night hunting for food. These lizards are unique
because most lizards are diurnal, not nocturnal.
Once you know about constrictor snakes,
they aren’t very scary (unless you’re a
mouse). Most constrictor snakes make very
good pets and if handled correctly, are very
docile.
Horned Lizards are a wide, flat, little spiky lizard. They are found in open
sandy areas in the desert during the day. They live on large boulders.
There are many more lizards in California including: Legless Lizards, Leopard
Lizards, Night Lizards, Sage Brush Lizards, Side-Bloched Lizards, Skinks,
Spiny Lizards, Tree lizards and Whip Tails. Lizards are fascinating, beautiful
animals worthy of our appreciation.
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8 of 8
Sources:
Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constriction)
National Geographic
Snake Anatomy
(http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+
1831&aid=2974)