Issue 1
Academic Decathalon team builds on last years success
but
API
on
EU
down
topstill
Volume 22
LANCE
UNION
Football
Field flooded with
is
new
back
players
See SPORTS
EAST
The start of a new school year
By Kevin Chaney
Staff Writer
The East Union Academic
Decathlon team is primed and ready
to take on a new year. After last years
5th place fnish overall, and collection
of $2500 in prize money, the team is
looking for continued success.
“Mr. Carpenter, the former advisor of
the team, approached me at the end of
last year and offered me the position,
A new school year means a fresh
start, new opportunities, and for
some, uncharted territory. The
transition from summer to school
can be hard. This transition may
have been especially difficult for
those who went out of the country
over the summer. Senior Michael
Pastor traveled to Azores, a group of
nine islands governed by Portugal,
with Mr. Silvera’s band: Azoras Band
of Escalon. After a two week trip
Michael said he was glad to be back
to his “own shower and clothes,”
but also that he wanted to go back to
Azores after awhile. Senior Rachel
McDaniel went to Europe for two
weeks with an all girls basketball
team. “It was defantly a once in a
lifetime experience,” McDaniel said.
“I had a blast going over there.”
After such a great summer, it was
bound to be exhausting coming back
to school. New freshmen coming to
E.U might have had a more strenuous
time getting into the routine. Two
freshmen class officers, Zac Carrillo
and Tyler Bertao, agreed “It was hard
waking up at 6:00 am and it was hard
getting used to the lockers.”
On the other hand, Junior Chelsea
Ellis said “I was super excited [about
coming back], but at the same time
really sad that summer was ending.
But I am really stoked about being a
junior and i’m excited to try harder
this year.”
Senior Kate Steves has a different
outlook on this upcoming year. “I
think I can speak for everyone when
I say that I have been waiting for my
high school graduation, since my 8
th
grade graduation. I am super excited,
but also a little bit sad that in about a
year I won’t be able to wake up and
come to E.U and see everyone’s faces
that I’m used to seeing on a regular
basis.”
Overall, students seem content
with coming back to school. It’s the
administrators and teachers that seem
the most jazzed this year.
“We’ll be up to the same routine this
year,” said Principal John Alba. “We
will just be continuing to work just
as hard. Our API score goal is up to
750 this year, and we are just always
getting better at that.”
Also, Alba wanted to address the
students on campus when he said
“Thanks for working hard and making
this school so great.”
Adult living and Link crew teacher
Scott Sacuskie said “I am really
looking forward to great things this
year with the football team and with
link crew.”
Dean of activities Kim Ray was proud
to have stated that she believes this
year will be really exciting.
“We want our dances to be bigger
than ever,” Ray said. “I’ve already
planned all the activities for the year
and I’m really enjoying the leadership
class.”
Ray also remarked that “the more
active you are, the more fun you’re
going to have… so get active!!”
Though there have already been
problems with overcrowding in
classes, students and office staff seems
happy to get the year going. In hopes
of this being another great year,
welcome back to East Union, Lancers
and remember… “Lancers lead,
others follow.”
Foods class has been made
available, yet again, at East Union with
Marilyn Lagier placed as teacher.
“It all started with Mrs. Kuiper leaving
to be the librarian at Lathrop High
School at the end of last year,” Lagier
said. “Mrs. Ficken and Mrs. Krug both
said that I should teach foods as well as
fashion and design this year.”
Judy Kuiper was the fashion and
design teacher last year, but the foods
class wasn’t available. In the 2006-2007
school year, Mr. May taught the class
at E.U. but left at the end of that year
to teach at Downey High School in
Modesto.
“Lagier actually has a home ec
credential, switching from English was
a good change of pace I think,” said
East Union principle John Alba. “She
works just as hard, as do the students,
it’s not an easy a class as a lot of students
think… they have to work!”
Bringing back the herbs and spices
After four years of growth East Union
had been atop the district in API scores,
with last year’s score of 734, however with
a 14 point drop this year, teachers and
administrators are reinforcing their focus
on the standards. English teacher Mr.
Edom expressed his concerns about the
frst drop in four years, to 720, and how
the school will address the situation.
“[The school] needs to continue to
focus on improvement,” Edom said.
Mr. Edom communicated the
importance of the API scores to East
Union, feeling that the school should take
pride in the scores they receive, because it
reflects not only the school’s effort, but the
student’s effort as well.
“The API scores reflect the teacher’s
and student’s efforts, and the tests only
assess that effort,” he said.
Despite the overall API drop,
East Union showed an impressive
improvement of students in the Hispanic
and Socio-economically disadvantaged
groups on the High School Exit Exam.
Both groups gained 14 points, meaning
that more of the entire student body has
been passing the English Language Arts
portion of the Exit Exam.
“Reducing the gap between signifcant
sub groups and an overall population has
been a focus not only on the school level
but on the state level as well,” Edom said.
See API pg. 2
By Elle Lewis
Staff Writer
By Jeena Kraus
Staff Writer
Electives
are
being
distributed
differently this year. Classes are flled
with seniors who sign up frst, and
then juniors take the available spots
left open.
“I know my whole 1
st
period
foods class is full of seniors,” said
senior Kate Steves. “I’m pretty sure the
6
th
period class is only seniors too.”
As of now, Lagier teaches foods 1
st
and 6
th
period and fashion and design
2cnd and 5
th
. There is a waiting list for
juniors to enter the foods class right
now.
“Mrs. Lagier will be teaching foods
and fashion and design until she wants
to leave,” said Alba. “Who knows… if
enough students continue to sign up
for the class, we might eventually get
another teacher to help Lagier teach
the classes.”
When Mr. May left East Union, the
room was out of use for an entire
year. The frst month of foods class
has been designated to having the
students clean and organize the room.
Lagier is having the students wash
dishes, organize cupboards, as well
as learn about the various tools used
in the kitchen.
“We’ve done a lot of cleaning lately,”
said Steves. “We have to wash
almost everything in the room… its
taking a long time but I guess it’s just
something that has to be done before
we can start cooking.”
The old sewing room was connected
to the back of an English class
previously, but Lagiers new room has
been re-designed to hold sewing as
well as foods.
“We opened up the room by tearing
down the wall separating the home
ec room,” said Lagier. “I think
I’ll enjoy this job a lot more when
everything is cleaned up and in its
place.”
Because of all the cleaning and
organization, the students have yet
to start cooking. Lagier has high
hopes though that her students
will be cooking by the beginning of
September, beginning with breakfast.
I was excited when I found out that
I was going to take over” said Mr.
Prichard, the new ACADEC advisor.
The team has many obstacles to
overcome such as a new advisor and
many new members but they are glad
to overcome them.
“This will be my third year in
ACADEC, and I’m looking forward
to it” said Senior Sarah Jacobson, the
only veteran on the team this year.
The team members are excited for
what is to come.
“This is my frst year joining the team,
I’ve never done it before, but I’m
excited” said Junior Sarah Sokolowski,
a new member to the team. The new
advisor English teacher Mr. Prichard
is looking forward to being the new
advisor and has many plans for the
team.
“I get to do a lot of the behind-the-
scenes stuff, and I help them study, the
best I can” said Prichard. He is also
the advisor of the Speech and Debate
team.
“This year is kind of a building year,
we have a lot of work to do, but we
have the tools and the drive to do it”
said Prichard.
The academic decathlon has a theme
to which they study in all year. This
year’s theme is Latin America.
“We get a binder and a CD flled
with materials based on the theme
and we study in the areas of English,
Math, Science, Art and Music” said
Jacobson. Towards the end of the
school year the team will go to a
competition where they will put all
their skills to the test. Last year the
team medaled in various subject areas
and overall did really well. The team
hopes to match or even supersede last
year’s feats.
By Matt Bloomfield
Staff Writer
Exchange
Visitors turned Lancers
Rate
See FEATURE
students lounge during lunch time in the quad
m rs. lagier teaches the class kitchen safety
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The mission of
The Lance
is to provide students, teachers,
and members of the community with news, in an effort
to create a more informed and connected readership. Our
staff is dedicated to these ends and committed to raising
the bar in school newspapers and the quality of news in an
ethical and informative manner with a focus on the facts
and the quest for the truth.
Contact Us:
East Union High School
1700 N. Union Road
Manteca, CA 95336
email: jlund@musd.met
Phone: (209) 825-3125
Take out those calendars and dust
off those ESLRs, it’s a WASC year.
East Union is up for its 3 year review.
WASC is the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges. They are the
ones that accredit the schools and
make sure that the school is up to par
on standards.
“They make sure that the diplomas
handed out mean something and are
worth more than a piece of paper”
said Mr. Brad Edom, English teacher
and main writer of the document. The
accreditation document is a document
analyzing critical standards that the
school, according to WASC, needs
to hit. This document is presented to
WASC before their visit to campus. It
is being written by Mr. Edom, Mrs.
Lagier and others.
Three years ago WASC gave East
Union a list of areas that they
needed to work on; they included a
more standards based curriculum,
systematic assessment tools, a higher
percentage of participation and more.
“They wanted us to work on were
ongoing professional development,
and continuing A-G requirements”
said Edom. Some other areas that
WASC said East Union needed to
improve on was getting onto a more
standards based curriculum.
“All of our core classes have new more
standards based textbooks” said Mrs.
Peterson. The accreditation document
that must be presented tells WASC
what the school has been doing in
order to get more in line with the
areas they thought EU needed to
improve on.
A few faculty members are on a
WASC committee and know what
it is like to visit other schools. Mrs.
Warren and Mrs. Peterson are both
on WASC committees and know
what it is like to visit other schools
and what WASC looks for. She has
been on a committee for a year and
has visited one school before.
“I’ve been on a WASC committee
for about a year, last year in April I
visited another school in Fresno” said
Mrs. Warren. Mrs. Peterson has been
on a WASC committee for a longer
amount of time and has visited many
schools. She looks for particular
things when she visits another school.
“I’ve been on one for about 15 years, I
learn many good ideas, the one thing
I always look at is how engaged the
student is and how the teachers are
teaching the lesson.” said Peterson.
Mrs. Warren also looks for particular
things when visiting another school.
“It’s really interesting you get to see
how other teachers are doing and how
they are teaching, I usually look for is
if the school has addressed its critical
standards or not” said Warren.
The visiting WASC committee is
sure to look for similar things. East
Union students should continue to do
their best and show that are the best
students around.
the l ance
Lancer News
By Elias Cameelaria
mission
statement
New schedule provides more, longer breaks, later ending date
Lancer News
| September 15, 2008
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31
Modified Calendar Break
First Day of School
Weekend
Vacation/Holiday
Teacher Prep/No School
Staff Development/No School
Minimum Day
Parent Conference
STAR Testing Period
Summer Break
Employee Holiday
Last Day of School (minimum day)
Tr 08.09 3.27.08
17 Instructional Days
22 Instructional Days
16 Instructional Days
MANTECA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
2008-2009 School Calendar
Adopted 2/12/08
15 Instructional Days
22 Instructional Days
19 Instructional Days
05 Instructional Days
November 2008
December 2008
May 2009
June 2009
86 Instructional Days
13 Instructional Days
15 Instructional Days
March 2009
April 2009
September 2008
October 2008
21 Instructional Days
July 2008
August 2008
January 2009
February 2009
00 Instructional Days
15 Instructional Days
180 Total Instructional Days
Legend
Employee Holidays
94 Instructional Days
September
November
November
December
May
4
1
11
27/28
25
1
19
16
July
Christmas Day
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
April
January
January
February
February
Washington's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Memorial Day
20
10,13
25
Spring Break
Three years after visit WASC accrediation team returns
East Union students are all used
to the same old schedule, but as
Mr.Droullard said it is time to shake
things up. This year the schedule has
been changed so that the school has
more break time to extend the school
year to meet year round schools in the
middle. East Union will end the school
year around the same time. Although
school started later and will get out
later the amount of school days will
still be the same, as the district has a
set amount of days that are needed for
the school year for students, teachers,
and counselors.
The new school year schedule
will give students and teachers alike
more vacation time to spend with
their families, perhaps to go on longer
vacations. And students will not have
to call in sick because they need more
time for vacation. Ms. Peterson said
she simply loves the new schedule.
Students will have more vacation
time during Thanksgiving, Winter
break, and also Spring break. Students
say that more vacation time is great,
and that getting out later will not be
so bad, since they are still attending
the same amount of days from the
previous year.
Although the staff does not know
whether or not the new schedule will
beneft, or
even harm the students at East Union
high school, they are hoping that it
will beneft the students.
“We’ll have to wait and see” says
Ms. Peterson.
So let’s shake things up and take
the new schedule as a way to spend
more time with families.
Reducing the scoring gap
between groups is something that
has been a focal point of teachers
and administrators. Mr. Edom said
that while it is impressive to see the
improvement, it is unfortunate the
overall results did not fall into place.
Mr. Edom said 180 students scored
advanced on the English Language
portion of the California Standards Test.
He also said that the school needs to
focus on the standards in order to do
well across the board for next year.
“[The school] will have to
focus on learning, if we learn our
standards, and not let it go in one ear,
and out the other, we will improve,”
he said.
Vice Principal Ms. Peterson feels
the school can improve by doing
what they have been doing.
“If teachers keep on teaching and
all students keep trying their best on
the test, we’ll do better,” Peterson
said.
She also was impressed when
informed about the 180 students
who scored advanced.
“I think it is awesome and I
think that kids can do that in all
areas,” she said.
East Union still has the highest
API score in the district with Sierra
High in second with a 6 point drop
from 714 to 708, Weston Ranch
with an increase of 37 to 688, and
Manteca High with a drop of 23 to
685.
Gap between categories decreases drastically
East Union API SCORES
2002- 615
2003-605
2004-624
2005-660
2006*-730
2007*-734
2008*-720
*-Top high school in the district
API from pg. 1
By Kristal Romero
Staff Writer
Opinion
uncontrhavthat
the
“I
e
havleads
temporarrepere
olled
learned
to
cussions
a fight
y
anger
can
that
and
in
your future.”
“Its like a new stop sign,
everybody is going to pass
it the first couple times
around, but eventually,
we will get used to it.”
-Mrs. Riggins
3
The Lance
By Crystal Sepulveda
Staff Writer
September 15, 2008 |
Opinion
Trownout for
throwin’ down?
f ine with me
Coming to my frst day of high
school was not what I expected. I
remember coming extra early because
I did not want to be late to my frst
class. As I stepped into the locker area
I was overwhelmed by the number of
new faces. It was scary to me knowing
that I was not in a familiar place.
The frst bell had rung and everyone
started to scramble to
class like a pack of
cattle being herded
together. I managed to
get to class and when
I stepped through the
door a sigh of relief fell
through me. Starring at
me was an expression I
had known all too well,
a friend.
Freshmen have
started a new year
at EU and advice
for them only seems
helpful. Most advice
from
upperclassmen
concludes
that
freshmen
should
always try their best
and do their homework
in every class. Another
helpful
thought
from the elders is to
continue sports and
stay involved in school
activities.
Chelsea
Cochran, a senior said
“Have fun no matter
what gets in the way.”
Going to school
dances,
rallies
and
games eases off tension
from school work and allows the
individual to enjoy their time in high
school. It can be fun to do things with
friends as long as school work comes
frst so you don’t procrastinate and get
stressed out later.
Junior
Kaitlyn
Hughes
reminisced on her years so far in high
school and said “It’s been satisfying
keeping up with school work because
when
you
accomplish
something
you feel more relieved and never get
behind!”
Keeping up with school work
is the key to freedom in high school.
It’s the golden ticket to grades, dances,
sports, and other school functions.
Peer pressure is a problem that
is dealt with at school and a lot of the
juniors and seniors said to expect it.
Little fish in a
big
pond
Going into high school may seem
like it’s supposed to be a perfect little
world. It’s not. A lot of problems occur
throughout the four years. Depending
on the person and how the problems
are looked at determines how those
years will be spent. It’s not all about
being the most popular person in
school, it’s about the experience.
Junior Kyle Harman said “Do
not procrastinate and play sports.”
Playing sports at EU keeps the
player in check by making sure they
keep up on their eligibility and its
fun! Not only does a sport mean being
involved, but it can help later in the
future. Sports may lead to scholarships
and even new friends.
If playing sports is not for
you, then clubs like the Red Sea and
the Sixth Man are
always a pleasure
to join, if you like
to watch sports.
If
you
don’t
like sports than
there are always
alternatives such
as all the other
clubs
that
are
available to join at
school.
Remember, high
school is about
fnding yourself,
not being someone
you’re not.
Dress Code: Friend or Foe?
Many of you are aware that fghting
at school can lead to a fve day suspension
for the frst offense. With the Manteca
Unifed School District “zero tolerance”
policy in effect it doesn’t matter if you are the
victim or the aggressor. The school allows
up to two fghts before you are in my words
“sentenced to expulsion” and then, you’re
outta there!
It was to my pleasure to sit and
interview the campus police officer Joe De
Angelis and other campus authorities. I was
introduced to the standard consequences for
fghting on campus.
”Two angles” says De Angelis.
”School rules and the law.”
Actions with the school are
supposed to stop the situation. If the fght
is threatening or involves illegal actions, De
Angelis is known to cuff em’ and take them
to the station or in other words, make an
arrest. A fve day suspension will take place
for the frst offense and for students that
play sports can get up to 45 day ineligibility
and cannot play in games. Does it sound
worth it to you?
Wouldn’t it be nice to go back
in time, back to when you could wear
hats, bandanas, anything you wanted
basically!
Those were the days when
people
actually
practiced
self
management. Thanks to these people
who obviously don’t know what the
word self management is, current
students at East Union and many more
to come, suffer the consequences. We all
blame the administration, but do we as
the student body, take the time to think
“this may actually be all our fault”?
We were once given so much
freedom to express ourselves through
wardrobe. Now all you see is students
express their rebellion through their
wardrobe.
“Its like a new stop sign, everybody is
going to pass it the frst couple times
around, but eventually, we will get
used to it.” said, Mrs.Riggins.
Is this really true? Coming in
two years ago as a freshman the “two
inch strap” rule still applied.
As a junior, I still see girls
almost everyday get in trouble for
“inappropriate” shirts. I do not see
how hard it is to take two minutes out
of your day to evaluate your outft. If
you know your shorts or too short, why
risk it? Having to go to the office..call
home..wait for new pants..and possible
Saturday school? Is it really worth it? It
seems now that the fellas are getting inn
trouble for dress code just as much as
the ladies.
Guys were once able to wear
“tall tees”, “sag”, wear red and blue
without being considered gang related.
Girls even have to be careful how they
layer or “stack” their t-shirts now!
Only because the “gangsters” pushed
the administration to its limits, forcing
them to put more restictions on the
dresscode. As crazy as this may sound,
we were even able to wear hats at one
point in time ! Now, it seems we can not
even wear a hat at any school function.
As a student, of course I don’t
agree with every rule in the dress code,
and of course there are those days where
I’m attempted to were that “one shirt” or
those “certain shorts”, however, I have
fnally realized that it is not hard to
By Briana O’Brien
Staff Writer
By Cora Copple
Staff Writer
Whether I agree with the rules/
laws or not, I have to follow them because
of the simple fact that they are the rules.
On the other hand, how outrageous
would this campus be without them?
I can almost guarantee that students
would not feel as safe coming to school
everyday as they do now. As lame as it
sounds coming from me, the rules keep
the students under control.
I come to school to get an
education like many other students
here on campus. In my opinion, those
with other intentions need to take them
elsewhere. Everybody has a fghting spirit
inside of them, it’s only humane. And we
defnitely all have our good and bad days.
Fighting on campus not only affects you
but the surrounding population. It can
create tension and kill any comfort zone.
After having two brothers kicked
out of the district for fghting, I’m not one
to say fghting is for bad or stupid people
but it is just a bad decision that can be
controlled if you take the time to think
it out. If you’re going to fght, fght for
something you believe in and something
that will be worth it to you in the end, not
something that can possibly throw your
13-14 years of education away.
In my lifetime and experiences
I have learned that the temporary and
uncontrolled anger that leads to a
fght can have repercussions in your
future. Not only academically-wise, but
accidental injuries could most likely
impact both futures. So to sum it all up
for you folks, stop and think about what
you can easily get your self into. A piece
of advice to my fellow graduating seniors,
you control the shovel, dig as deep as you
want.
Have an opinion?
Send letters to
jlund@musd.net
or stop by room 54
evaluate what I decide to wear, and that
my highschool career will run much
smoother without faculty hunting me
down for my “inappropriate clothing”.
Maybe if we all decide to evaluate our
wardrobe we will realize that the rules
are not that hard to follow and that we
can still look good following the dress
code. People, if we do what we are told,
our next couple of years will fly by so
easily and maybe the administration
will give us a break.
f reshm
An
st Arting over in
new pl
Ace
Feature
By Sierra Green
Staff writer
a4
FEATURE
| September 15, 2008
Diversity at EU
New students
from all over the
world get to
experience the
Lancer tradition.
Try to imagine a life where
no one speaks your language, your
friends and family are halfway across
the world, and you didn’t know
anyone. Then, imagine yourself as
a foreign exchange student in an
unfamiliar country. Sounds pretty
similar, doesn’t it? Or should I say,
pretty scary.
This year’s foreign exchange
students come from very diverse
cultures and places. Noelia Rüegger,
17, is a senior this year and she comes
to us from Switzerland. Close by, in
Belgium, is Maryline Hoste’s home.
Maryline is 18-years-old and is also a
senior. Julia Petrocchi is 17-years-old
and is from Brazil. Sara Russo, 16,
lives in Niger, Africa, but was born
and raised in Italy.
It can be hard to start a new
life in a place where you don’t know
anybody. Just ask Noelia Rüegger,
a foreign exchange student from
Switzerland.
“People
can be really open, but it’s hard to
tell if they’re going to be a good or
bad friend ” said Rüegger. Maryline
Hoste, from Belgium, also fnds that
it can be difficult to adjust and make
friends with people who don’t speak
her language, “It’s hard because I
don’t always understand everything”
said Hoste.
Though it can often be hard
for exchange students to understand
English, it’s even more difficult to
think of a response. “I know what I
want to say in my head, I know it in
Swiss-German, but I can’t translate
it into English all the time.” said
Rüegger. Russo agrees with Rüegger,
by saying that it is sometimes hard to
understand what people are saying
and to think of how to say what she is
thinking.
Not only do these students
have to adjust to a new culture, but
they also have to get used to a new
way of schooling. They go from a
new class every day and hour long
lunches to a repetitive schedule
with a little more fun added. Julia
Petrocchi, from Brazil, said “Here,
I can choose what classes I want to
take. They have classes like chemistry
and biology back home. Here, they
have fun classes like Adult Living
and Fashion and Design.”
People sometimes get the
wrong impression of America,
thanks to Hollywood. Because of
this, foreign exchange students are
sometimes surprised when they get
here and don’t see the typical football
player and cheerleader combo and
nothing but beaches and surfer boys.
“They told me that I would
see football players and blonde
cheerleaders everywhere and now
I see that isn’t really true.” said
Rüegger.
These students think they
know what America will be like by
what they see in movies, but when
they get here they end up with a
completely different experience
than expected. Petrocchi gives her
perspective, “In the movies they
show big cities but when we get here
we get to see small cities that they
don’t show in movies” said Petrocchi.
America is a place where anyone can
come and be accepted. The exchange
students want to come to American
because it is a more laid-back lifestyle.
“I wanted to come to America to learn
English and for the experience of
another country.” Russo said.
That is a very common
statement among the exchange
students, as they all agreed upon that
being one of the main reasons they
chose to come here. Hoste said, “I had
a choice to come here, or England or
Australia, and America is better than
those other places.”
When people come here, they
want to experience the beach, the
cities, and the food…okay, well maybe
not the food. Rüegger was told that
she would gain weight in America
because of the fatty foods. According
to the exchange students, they want to
experience as much as they can while
they are here. Petrocchi is looking
forward to go to the beaches down in
Carmel and going to Disneyland with
her host family.
Despite the fact that they are
having fun and experiencing new
things in America, there are still things
about home they are going to miss.
Something they all have in common
is missing their friends and families.
Russo said, “Oh, I don’t know what
I will miss, maybe my family and
friends.” Aside from missing her
friends and family, Hoste says that
she will really miss the food back
home.
Mrs. Johnston, East Union’s
French teacher, is head of the
committee that runs the welcoming
ceremonies for the foreign exchange
students, which is to be held on
September 19
th
this year in the library
after school. In regards to this, she
said “The ceremony is important
because a lot of kids don’t even
know there are exchange students on
campus, and the exchange students
might not have been making friends
very easily. It’s a great way for people
to get together and learn about new
cultures.” She also suggests that
the students get as involved as they
possibly can because being a French
teacher, she knows that in other
countries they don’t always have the
same opportunities available here at
East Union.
Mr. Alba agrees with Mrs.
Johnston and strongly suggests that
these students get involved. He said,
“I think they should get involved in
everything that they possibly can.
Clubs, sports, just everything if they
want to get the full U.S. high school
experience.”
Mr. Alba always attends
the welcoming ceremonies because
he enjoys getting to know the new
students and likes to learn about
their cultures. He also said, “These
kids are no different than any of the
other students here. Kids are kids no
matter where they’re at.”
The life of a foreign exchange
student can be difficult to adjust to.
Making new friends and learning
to be a part of a new family are just
a few of the challenges that these
students face. Although it is often
stressful and difficult, it can be the
experience of a lifetime and East
Union is glad to have them here.
They are only here for one short year
and they deserve a warm welcome, so
do your part to make that happen.
its never easy but east union has enabled the trasition for the exchange students to be smooth.
Sports
Harder than winning gold at the
Olympics were the chances of last year’s
soccer players at winning the VOLs. On the
heels of a disappointing season in which
four games were forfeited, East Union
soccer team is looking forward to compete
for the VOL title this year. Leaving the
soccer feld with a 3-6-2 league record and
an overall record of 5-6-2,
The Lancers are not willing to repeat their
previous mistakes. With last season’s record
erased off their minds, the new team is
fnding their way to improve the loss of
eight seniors and a junior, most of which
were starters and essential players.
Head coach of the boy’s soccer team
Clarence Goes feels that the team will have
to step up.
“Losing all the seniors last year
means that all the new players are going to
have to step up the game. Pain is temporary
but, pride is forever,” said Coach Goes.
Learning from their mistakes, Lancer
soccer players are not willing to be defeated
by grades this year. The feld might occupy
a vast amount of effort but school is by far
fundamental.
Jordan Jeffery, a key player on the
team said, “This season is going to be pretty
good as long as people make grades.”
Concluding with cuts as of August
28, 2008, the new team is ready to start off
what appears to be a good season. This
year’s strategy is to work together, as the
team they have become. They’re looking
forward to beating Manteca High, who is
famous for having the title of being one of
the toughest teams in the league.
Team captains have not yet been
decided but uniforms were distributed
Thursday afternoon as the staying players
remained and the unfortunate ones were
long gone.
“The team needs to choose only the
best players in the school.” said Manuel
Montañez. Adrian Quant is confdent that
the offense is their strongest part of their
team
“Our record will hopefully be 8 and
3 and at least get to 500. Our defense is just
weak because they’re all inexperienced but
we’re looking forward to tire the other team
out, which is why we need to get in really
good shape,” he said.
Practices have started and this
season’s soccer guys seem to be in great
conditions for their frst scrimmage game
which is going to be held in Turlock on
August 28, 2008. Having that in mind
excitement from the players is already
inevitable, everybody is anxious to see how
the team proceeds.
Representing number 20, Jorge
Saldate said, “This Thursday we begin our
frst game. I can’t wait!”
Lancers begin the league with high
hopes on the Varsity soccer team and a heart
full of passion for completing what was left
unfnished last year.
5
The Lance
September 15, 2008 |
SPORTS
a5
Redeem
Team
Loss
drwoneamers’t
of
stop
seniors
By Thomas Griffin
Staff Writer
Being a couple uniforms short is
a good problem. Its one the East Union
football team almost had to contend
with, as record numbers of students set
foot on the practice feld vying to earn
their Lancer mesh. A total of ffty-four
players have been out in the hot sun
getting ready for the new upcoming
season. The excitement on the feld is
high and the hope for reestablishing
the EU football tradition.
Jonny Quesada, who has played all
for years, says they are starting to be a
team.
“The team is really starting to come
together and we are starting to develop
chemistry,” Quesada said.
New-comer Tyler Bylow said the
environment on the practice feld is
one of hard work.
“The coach’s coach just as hard as
the players work,” Bylow said.
Head coach Mike James said he is
pleased at the turnout after numerous
years of thin squads, and is anxious to
see how the Lancers will look against
Enochs in their frst game.
“I am looking forward to how
are offensive and defensive lines will
perform,” he said
Even with the loss of last year’s
starting seniors, Coach James said he
has no doubt that the players this year
will perform just as well. He explained
that all three levels are taught and
treated the same.
“Each time the players move up a
level, they are to expect the same thing,”
he said.
Coach James is also counting on
his returning players to fll the void;
however, he does not want to get ahead
of himself.
“They are not looking ahead, there
will be no easy-going teams this year,”
he said.
Coach James said he is hoping to
improve on both sides of the feld.
“The frst game will tell us on what
we need to work on,” he said.
Coach James said a good start is
important for the psyche of the team,
but doesn’t want anyone to get too
excited. Last year the Lancers shot out
to a 2-0 start, before sputtering down
the stretch.
With the VOL as tough as ever
this year, Coach James said it will be
important for his team to be ready
physically and mentally.
The Lancers open the season away
at 7pm against Enochs on September
12.
If history holds true, the East
Union cross country team will have its
turn a top the VOL standings again.
Two years ago East Union edged
Sonora, who returned the favor last
year, outpacing the Lancers. Despite
the loss of state qualifer Theresa
Sianez, Coach Todd Dunaway said the
squad is primed to compete.
“The team is very capable of
reclaiming its title,” he said.
Junior Janice Villanueva, said she
is very optimistic about this season.
“We will be alright this season…
we just can’t let the length of the run
get to us,”
Her twin sister Veronica agreed,
and stressed the importance of training
from the outset.
“The team just needs to run
more at practice and pace themselves
at the game to improve from last year,”
said Villanueva.
On the other side, the boys are
looking to establish themselves as a
threat and compete for their frst VOL
title since 2003.
“We defnitely have it within our
grasp,” said senior Aaron Dyke. “We
just need to push through the pain.”
But with the lack of seniors the
team is going to have to depend upon
the younger people to step up vs. key
rivals such Sierra and Sonora.
This years cross country team
has just as good as chance as anybody
in the VOL to come out victorious.
“We just need to improve from
last year and have a real team effort and
we will be just fne,” Dunaway said.
The team’s frst meet will be
at the Sierra Invitational held on
September 6
th
.
Looking for the
THREE-peat
It’s been due
two years since the
EU golf team has been
seriously challenged.
Lead by Seniors
Lindsay Shoot, and
Krysta Clark, the
team looks to have a
prosperous outlook
on the season, with
determination and
fortitude. Back to
back golf section
champions, the girls
are looking forward
on defending their
title.
Head coach
Brian Goulart said
that the team will
defend their title well.
“This year we’re going
to surprise a lot of
people.”
As coach Gutierrez said
that with new incomers the team
will have the ability to grow. [New
set of girls, new set of goals.] This
year, the team’s goal is to go all the
way to the Masters Tournament, to
Northern California for the fourth
time, to be able to win the sections
championship for the third time.
The team’s main strategy
to accomplish this goal is as coach
Gutierrez said, to play great every
time. “We love to win!”
According to senior Lindsay
Shoot this year’s possibility on VOL’s
championship is very high. Shoot
is looking forward on playing the
Lancer’s cross town rivals, the Sierra
Wildcats, on their own tournament,
the Sierra tournament.
Shoot said that she is very
confdent on wining. “It’s always fun
to play them and beat them.”
The excitement of the 2008 EU
golf team is unquestionable. With the
leadership of the seniors and the help
of the lower classmates this year’s
golf team will have a very successful
season, and be able to pursue their
season goal.
East Union Girls is looking forward
to improve even more this season after
a 14-4 record last year. Coach Julia
Bylow said she’s looking forward to
this season.
“We hope that, with returning and
hidden talent in the midst of those 20
girls, hopefully we’ll be pleasantly
surprised,” Bylow said.
The team hopes to do well with
such returners as seniors Kyrie Belme,
Nicole Eichstedt, and Alyssa Wegner.
TENNIS
This year’s girl’s volleyball team is
going to be young and inexperienced
at the varsity level. Coach Bowers still
feels like this year’s team can be better
than last years and that, despite their
youth, their goals have not changed;
they still expect to be on top of the VOL
and make a playoff appearance.
“This year’s team is motivated and
excited to be on the court,” she said.
VOLLEYBALL
EU football schedule
Sept. 19- East Union vs . Bear Creek
Oct. 3- East Union @ Sierra
Oct. 10- East Union vs. Weston Ranch
Oct. 17
- East Union @ Oakdale
Oct. 24- East Union vs. Central Valley
Oct. 31- East Union @ Sonora
Nov.7- East Union vs. Ceres
Nov. 14
- East Union vs. Manteca
New Season
New Players
By Kyle Harman
Staff Writer
By Garret Fisher
Staff Writer
By Oranda Castillo
Staff Writer
b ack
New Hopes
at it
c oach g
’s golfers have been schooling
opponents for the past two years
increased interest has the future east union football team looking bright.
The Caboose
Most exciting summer
memory?
Worst summer
memory?
What are your goals for
this year?
Do you think you’ll
actually achieve those?
Going boating
I don’t have one
Band practice for Faded
Dreams
Doing nothing
Get good grades
Yes
Make some awesome pots
in ceramics and pass all my
classes
I’m not positive about the
pots but I’m pretty sure about
the grades
Hanging out with friends
Not being able to see some of
my friends from school
Get a 3.0 and not getting
expelled
I have to
Being with my friends
I didn’t have my car at the
beginning of the summer
Get good grades and
graduate
Yes
Working summer school
Not having as much time off
To be more organized
Yes
Freshman
Cody Ringueberg
Sophmore
Matt Montero
Junior
Matt Husk
Senior
Morgan
Lagomarisino
Clerk typist 2
Debbie Lopez
a6
The Caboose
| September 15, 2008
EU Illustrated
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