The SpectacleMesa Vista MHS ı PO Box 50, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 VOL. II, ISSUE 1 ı Oct. 7, 2010

News Briefsby Denise Ortiz and Anissa BacaReporters

A lack of funding has led the district to cancel summer school for 2010, Co-Principal Benjamin Trujillo said. Students are allowed to attend summer school in other schools/district if the school accepts them, and students are responsible for paying any fees the other districts charge. Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools will accept the credits students earn in summer school if they choose to attend somewhere else. “(No summer school) would save the school district about $2,000 or $3,000,” Superintendent Randall Earwood said.

Mesa Vista’s FFA team will compete in Nationals Oct. 18-23 in Indiana. The floriculture team quali-fied for Nationals by taking first place in the State competition. Also, some members will be recognized on the Na-tional stage as a 3-star chapter, which is the highest rank schools can earn. The floriculture team includes senior Genna Salas and juniors Jerome Gurule, Katie Salas and Emma Hardison. Sponsor Connie Lujan has taken FFA teams to Nationals three times before, participating in floriculture twice before. Making flower arrangements and answering questions are only a couple of the practicums, or different parts of the competition, in which the the team is expected to compete. Nationals is expected to be different than previous years, however, because new practicums have been added. “I feel we will do better this year because, as their coach, I know what to expect because we have been at this competition before,” Lujan said.

by Ashtyn MegarizReporter Students may have noticed some new faces around campus this year, as well as some changes in policy and enforcement. Changes include new teachers, administrators and security guards as well as a designated area for student parking. “My main goal is to make every decision with the students in mind and try to make the best environment where students will be successful,” Superintendant Randall Earwood said. A major change is the administration. Benjamin Trujillo and Lillian Griego are co-principals of all three Mesa

Vista Schools and James Branch is the assistant principal and athletic director at the Middle and High School campus. Trujillo had been a principal at El Rito Elementary for four years prior to his position this year. In addition to being co-principal, Trujillo is the after school and bilingual coordinator. He worked in the Pojoaque School District for 20 years. There, he was a

New Year, Schedule, Staff, RulesChh-chh-chh-changes!

The Spectaclec/o MVMHS PO Box 50

Ojo Caliente, NM 87549(505) 583-2275

505-583-9133 fax

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: New Assistant Principal and Athletic Director James Branch works in his office at Mesa Vista Middle and High School. Branch lives in Taos and previ-ously worked for the Taos School District.

INSIDE!

see p. 7

PDA is bad, mmkay Adjusting to Fridaysby Morgan MascarenasReporter

by Aubrie KuykendallReporter With different principals and a

new schedule, there are also a few changes in the rules this year. One of the more noticeable changes is the anti-Public Displays of Affec-tion (PDA) rule, which says that students can-not kiss or touch other than holding hands. Co-principal Lillian Griego said the anti-PDA rule has been in the student hand-book for quite some time, but it was never enforced. If these rules are not followed, the first offense will be staff and student contact. If there is a second offense, the students will be sent to ISS. These

Students are adjusting to a new schedule this year. Not only do they have just six classes a day instead of seven, students also have a whole different schedule on Fridays. At registration in August, high school students could choose to go to UNM-Taos or take three two-hour classes with middle school students at Mesa Vista. “I like the new schedules. It is an opportunity to get ahead in college while you’re still in high school,” junior Emma Hardison said. There are several reasons for moving to this new schedule, Superintendent Randall Earwood said.

photo by Denise Ortiz

cont. p. 2, see FRIDAYS

cont. p. 2, see CHANGES

FFA to NATIONALS

NO SUMMER SCHOOL

cont. p. 3, see PDA

ACT tips!

see p. 6

Sportsbriefs

page 2 Oct. 7, 2010 NEWS The Spectacle

FRIDAYS, con’t.: UNM-Taos, New Friday Classes Give Students More Study Options“The decision for providing this opportunity to our students……(was to) allow students to be exposed to the college environment and expectations that they will be subjected to,” Counselor Denise Lopez said. Fifty students from Mesa Vista, along with students from Questa and Penasco, are attending these dual credit classes. Thirty-nine of the 50 are taking academic courses and the other 11 are taking Career Tech courses. During registration, students could choose from a variety of classes, including Communication and Journalism, English, Psychology, Spanish 1, Freshmen Seminar, and  Early Childhood and Multicultural Education. The Career Tech courses include applied Arts and Crafts Metal Casting, Pueblo

Pottery and Safe Etch-Intaglo, Construction Tech Plumbing, and Electrical Wiring. “I am taking Plumbing and Electrical Wiring. It teaches us parts, angles, math and safety,” junior Jerome Gurule said. All Mesa Vista High School students could opt to take classes at UNM-Taos, as long as they met the GPA requirement of 2.0 or 2.5, depending on whether they attend at the Taos High School campus or the UNM Taos Campus, Lopez said. For the 169 students not attending the dual credit classes in Taos, there are also a several new Friday classes at Mesa Vista. “I take Environmental Science, Video Broadcasting and Fitness. I really like the classes,” senior Melissa Serrano said. Other Friday classes at Mesa Vista are Achieve 3000

(reading), Acellus, Math, Hispanic Studies, Driver’s Ed., First in Math, Integrated Technology, Financial Literacy, Consumer Math, Pre-Algebra, Creative Arts, Creative Writing, and Agricultural Ed. Though at first, many students were confused by all the changes, they are slowly adjusting. UNM-Taos reimburses the district for transportation costs and covers tuition, fees and books. Other issues, like getting athletes back to school in time for sporting events and what to do on UNM holidays and teacher training days are still being developed.

“It will all pay off once we work out all the growing pains and speed bumps,” Co-Principal Lillian Griego said.

high school business teacher. He was also an elementary and middle school principal in that district. Trujillo coached girls basketball and sponsored National Honor Society at Penasco Middle and High school for seven and a half years. His hobbies include hunting and fishing. “I enjoy traveling the forest in my Rhino (off road terrain vehicle) since I don’t have horses anymore,” Trujillo said. Also not new to the district, Griego has served as Director of Instruction, Curriculum Coordinator and state reporter for six years and is still serving this year. Before being employed by the Mesa Vista Central Office, she taught one year of pre-kindergarten at El Rito Elementary, two years of third grade at Ojo Caliente Elementary

and worked at a preschool for handicapped children while attending college. “When I am not working, I like to ride horses, read, hunt and spend time with my kids. I also enjoy watching the high school sports teams play,” Griego said. Unlike Griego and Trujillo, Branch is new to the district and assigned only to the Middle and High School campus. For the last three years he served as basketball coach and athletic director at Taos High School and has previously been the athletic director and assistant principal at Questa High School. English teacher Santiago Archuleta is also new to Mesa Vista and most recently taught for five years at McCurdy Private School. He teaches upperclassmen, with the exception of one 8th grade class. “Students here are awesome and

very respectful….I’m looking forward to making some positive changes for the students,” Archuleta said. In addition to new teachers, several teachers are returning to the district or moving up from the elementary school, including middle school English teachers Denise Archuleta and Johnny Garcia, and math teacher Javier Arellano. “The only difference (from elementary students) is the kids here say ‘miss’ instead of ‘teacher,’” (Denise) Archuleta said. There are also two security guards on campus. They are contracted employees for ProSec, a company owned by County Commissioner Elias Coriz that provides security for schools, events and other functions. They are here to ensure the safety of the school as a whole and enforce the rules, security guard Paul Chacon said.

CHANGES, cont. from p. 1

See Me After Class: Juniors Jennifer Val-dez and Katie Salas, and seniors Anissa Baca, Jason Slocum and Felicia Lucero speak to their UNM-Taos professor Al Forthman in their Sociology 101 class on Friday, Oct. 1. Mesa Vista Penasco and Questa students attend Taos each Friday.

photo by Ben Sandoval, Jr.

On Guard: Security guard Paul Chacon surveys the patio. Chacon is one of three guards at Mesa Vista hired through ProSec.

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by

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The Spectacle NEWS Oct. 7, 2010 page 3

PDA, cont. from p. 1results apply to those who are caught kissing at school. “We’re just enforcing the rules,” Griego said. “Holding hands is allowed. None of us (the principals) said it wasn’t.” Some students have complained about this new rule, saying it’s too “elemen-tary.” Sophomore Jeremy Broyles said he feels the rule is pointless for high school students. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with hugging, holding hands, or kissing. They’re treating us like we’re still in elementary,” Broyles said. The reason for enforcing this rule, Griego said, is that PDA is not “appropriate” in school. When asked about what makes PDA inappropriate, Griego said students should think about their parents when they kiss or make out. Most students might find it a little embarrassing if they thought about their parents while kissing or making out. No PDA at school, she added, also helps keep students out of trouble. School nurse Carol Hite mentioned that kissing is a way of spreading germs. “School isn’t the appropriate place to display affection,” Hite said. “It’s hard to tell if people get sick from PDA, but just be careful who you kiss and watch out if they are sick.”

photo illustration by Ben Sandoval, Jr.

Morgan Mascarenas and Lily Hawley

by Lily HawleyReporter When Billiards Club members returned to school this fall they were disap-pointed to find out that their club had been shut down. Neither the president of the Billiards club, senior Jonathan Gallegos nor the vice president, junior Justin Varela received any no-tice that the club would be disbanded. “They didn’t tell me that they were go-ing to stop it…when I got to school the first day they only told me that I had to have the pool table removed,” Varela said. When Varela questioned co-principal Bejamin Trujillo about why he could no longer play pool, he said he didn’t get a clear answer. “It was because the room the billiards club was in a room that was needed as a class room,” Varela said. At the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, Gallegos and Varela thought add-ing a Billiards Club at Mesa Vista might give students something productive to do during the lunch hour and started the leg work to get the club going officially. “We approached the superintendent, he really liked the idea and it got a lot of sup-port from last year’s principal (Ruben Lucero),” Gallegos said.

Members and sponsor Gerard Garcia donated the equipment: the pool sticks, balls and table. “Billiards was the only club made by the students for the students, it was something for us to do after lunch,” Gallegos said. New administration, being just that new, were unaware that billiards club was any-thing other than a place for students to ditch Trujillo said. “I didn’t even know that was actually an organized club,” Trujillo said. Some students say they miss it and entertain the notion that maybe someone will move to bring back the club they had a hand in creating. “We played pool, listened to music and did homework. It’s worth having and it’s worth bringing it back,” Gallegos said. The discontinuation of the billiards club may have been the result of wires being crossed, however, the administration is open to the suggestion that the club be revived. The students should not be discouraged said Garcia the club might not stay closed. “I think that if it was productive then we need to relook at it to see if it’s something we need to reinstate,” Superintendent Randall Earwood said.

Billiards Scratched For NowChalk it Up: Senior Andrew Clavery lines up a shot during Billiards club in March. The club has since been disbanded and English teacher Santiago Archuleta’s classes now occupy the room.

page 4 Oct. 7, 2010 OPINION The Spectacle

The Spectacle StaffThis is the first issue of the 2010-2011 Mesa Vista student newspaper, The Spec-tacle, produced by the school’s journalism class. The goal of this publication is to pro-vide accurate, informative and entertain-ing information in the spirit of responsible journalism and to operate as an open fo-rum for students, staff and parents. Those who are not enrolled in the journalism class may still contribute to the publication in the form of a letter to the editor, a guest column, photography or artwork. No editorials will be printed, however, which complain or attack with-out factual justification. All guest editorials must be signed and approved for publica-tion. The Spectacle also reserves the right to edit copy. Readers’ responses can be mailed to The Spectacle c/o MVHS, or sent in an e-mail to adviser April van Buren at avanburen@mesavista.k12.nm.us. Student journalists on The Spec-tacle staff will publish only legally protect-ed speech following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. The adviser of The Spectacle will not determine the content of the paper. The adviser will offer advice and instruc-tion to help the staff cover all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical man-ner according to the Society of Profession-al Journalists’ code of ethics. Gossip columns, horoscopes, song dedications, senior wills and senior superlatives will be avoided due to the narrow audience they serve and the prob-ability they possess of containing libelous material and content. Staff members will strive to cor-rect any errors before publication. How-ever, if the editorial board determines a significant error was printed, a formal cor-rection will appear in the following issue.

The Spectaclec/o MVMHS PO Box 50

Ojo Caliente, NM 87549(505) 583-2275

505-583-9133 fax

Adviser: April van BurenEditor: Genna SalasStaff: Anissa Baca,

Jonathan Gallegos,Lily Greenman,Lily Hawley,Aubrie Kuykendall,Pauline Luhman, Morgan Mascarenas,Ashtyn Megariz, Denise Ortiz,Katie Salas, andBen Sandoval.

Dead Rising 2 is a comedic action/ survival horror video game that released Sept. 28. Bringing new spirit into the zombie genre, Dead Rising brings 7,000 blood-thirsty zombies on screen at once. Featuring new mission and weapons mechanics, DR2 distances itself from its predecessor making a more user friendly learning curve, and all around easier gameplay. For those who occasionally play, “new mission and weapons mechanics” means there will be more missions types, and a feature where you can build your own unique weapons. God of War 3 – An action-adventure videogame, God of War 3 wraps up a decade-long trilogy. The game is loosely based on Greek mythology, and features some of the most violent and gory cut-scenes I have ever seen, coupled with beautiful graphics and smooth controls. God of War 3 is one for the ages. Halo: Reach – A first person-shooter game, Halo: Reach made $200 million on its opening release day, setting a record for the videogame franchise by gaming company Bungie. Featuring an online multiplayer option that only Halo can provide and a new forge mechanic (a sandboxing feature which allows you to build entire buildings and levels from scratch on the player’s own personal island), Bungie used its 10 odd years of Halo experience to go out with a huge bang. S u p e r Mario Galaxy 2 – A platforming title (a type of game where characters jump over obstacles and from platform to platform, for example), every gamer is familiar with this protagonist, but Galaxy 2 brings some new graphics and game ideas, such as platforming around

huge 3-D planets, or new mushroom variants, and a feature called sling-star. Metriod: the other M – An action-adventure game. This is the eleventh installment of the metroid franchise. With a focus more on 3-D graphics and a simpler control scheme, this game is sure to grasp an entire new following. Metroid is one of the only mature titles for the WII. Split/Second – An arcade racing game, and the only racing game on the list, split second distances itself from other racing titles by its unreal and fast paced action. With destructible environments, beautiful explosions, and gritty replays, Split second promises hours and hours of racing bliss. Alan Wake – A survival/ horror game, Alan Wake is a phycological thriller, focusing more on story then gameplay. It features some of the most realistic lighting effects, and a dark, eerie feel. Alan Wake was the highest rated game of 201o, so far. Fallout: New Vegas – A Roleplaying game, Fallout is my choice for game of the year. Packed with uncountable hours of gameplay, A huge sandbox style map set in Las Vegas and surrounding desert, as well as the introduction of a new weapons upgrading system. I spent an entire year beating 100 percent of its predecessor, I can’t wait to enjoy the apocalypse again.

by Jonathan Gallegos Reporter

Eight Fresh Games of 2010

courtesy image

The Spectacle OPINION Oct. 7, 2010 page 5

STAFF EDITORIALNew Principals Bring Confusion to Mesa Vista At the Mesa Vista Consolidated School District there are many changes this year - not only in teachers but also in administration. Instead of the typical one principal per campus, all three campuses are now sharing two co-principals, and the Middle and High School also has a vice principal. There are some who support this change, but the newspaper staff believes that this structure - having three principals - creates more problems than it solves. When people hear about having three principals, the first thing that often comes to mind is money. Schools have little money to begin with, and spending money on administrative salaries instead of classrooms (for supplies, teachers and other costs) seems ridiculous, especially when there are only about 200 students in grades 7-12 and about 450 in the entire district. Escalante High School in Tierra Amarilla has 164 students in high school and 452 in the district. Another concern is that there is poor or no communication among the three, and this is partly due to their different schedules. They are never at the same campus at one time so communication among the three is difficult to impossible. Although it is good to have three people to bounce ideas off of, it is also hard to get a direct answer or timely decision made when there are more people to consult. For example, when students needed to get approval for a schedule change, they were required to get all three principals’ signatures even though all three are never here on one day. This is true for teachers as well, when they need an answer or approval for something like a class meeting or to get approval for a fundraiser. It would be so much easier to have one person in charge who has the final say on things and is available more often than one or two days a week. When there is only one principal, communication and decision making is so much smoother because they do not constantly have to check in with one another. Being co-principal of three schools

can also be hard because of all the different requirements. Each principal would need to know all the SPED requirements, what testing each school has and other programs, like the bilingual program or 504 plans. It is too much work for the principals to juggle all of the requirements for each school when there is such a wide range of grades; kindergarden-1st, 2nd-6th, 7th-8th and 9th-12th. Additionally, having three principals so far has hurt consistency. All three of the principals have already shown they have a certain set of rules they expect to be followed, and they each prioritize the enforcement of some rules over others differently. Since not all are the same, it could easily become a “he said-she said” battle. For example, one principal might allow something that another would not. Or even if they do agree parents, students or even staff could still try to manipulate the situation and pit the principals against each other. So it would become a “he said I could” or “she thought it was acceptable” fight that could soon involve parents and even the superintendent. Several of these circumstances could also cause antagonism among the principals. Overall, the newspaper staff feels three principals, with an additional two or three administrative jobs each, is a problem that needs to be addressed. There are too many problems with this change in administration, and we need a better solution. One possible solution includes choosing one principal to be in charge of the Middle and High School and the other in charge of the elementaries. Also, we think it best to keep the vice principal at the Middle and High School. Having them on campus more would help. There would also be one person who has the final say, so there would

be no arguments about what is acceptable and what is not. Another option is to give each principal different responsibilities so the power is balanced, and when a student needs a schedule change or a teacher needs approval they know exactly whom to go to. The principals could also meet more often to make sure their rules and standards are all uniform to keep everything consistent for the students and staff. They could also have an assebly for students and parents to address any concerns or questions they may have. We realize this is a new year amnd there is still much to work out. Yet, we would appreciate any steps the administration takes to end the confusion for the rest of us.

editorial cartoon by Lily Greenman

courtesy image

page 6 Oct. 7, 2010 SPORTS The Spectacle

Basketball starts early, X Co. runs short, Manleader

In order to stay competitive, the boys basketball teams got a head start this season with optional weight room time leading up to the official start of practices, head coach Thomas Vigil said. The team has big goals this season, Vigil said. The players hope to make it to State, and also be able to compete at a State level. Another major goal for the boys is to improve their skills every day. Mesa Vista fans should watch out for competition during the Pojoaque and Taos tournaments, as they are early on in the season. The boys are lifting more weights and getting stronger, junior Jerome Gurule said. They are also putting more hours in at the gym, with a morning practice

at 6 a.m. and an evening practice at 7 p.m., junior Sean Richardson said. “We are working much harder this season,” head coach Thomas Vigil said.

Although there are only three runners on the Cross Country team this year (as of press time on Oct. 1), the runners can still compete as individuals. They can also qualify for State undividually, but the lack of runners does not allow the school to compete as a team. The Cross Country team includes juniors Ben Sandoval, Jr., Hailey Lucero and Julia Martinez. Monday through Thursday after school, they run in Ojo Caliente and El Rito, the El Rito practices

are usually hill workouts. “In a way, yes, (I like having a smaller team) but it’s kind of hard when I go workout. It’s harder for me to train when there’s no one with me,” Sandoval, Jr., said.

A new coach has brought change to the Mesa Vista cheerleading squad. This nine person squad, which began practices in June, will cheer for both girls and boys varsity basketball. Fans can also expect to see the squad performing stunts and dances as halftime routines. What’s most different this year, however, is that Mesa Vista is going to have a boy cheerleader. Junior Christopher Pacheco decided to join the

squad after others urged him to participate because of his flips and dancing abilities. Pacheco has taken break-dancing classes at Northern New Mexico College for the past few years and many students may remember seeing him break-dance at school dances. “He is awesome,” cheerleading coach Yvette Gallegos said. “He develops more and (adds) unity with the team, and encourages the girls to challenge themselves.” Pacheco enjoys being on the squad because of the stunts and tricks he is able to do but worries about what other guys will think of him. He has already faced some teasing but manages to overcome it. “I just brush it off because I know I can do stuff that they can’t,” Pacheco said.

by Denise OrtizReporter

BASKETBALL

CROSS COUNTRYby Jonathan GallegosReporter

CHEERLEADINGby Anissa BacaReporter

Strategy, Stamina: Volleyball Changes Leadership, Practices The Mesa Vista volleyball team has a new coaching staff. Head coach Marcy Romero and assistant coach Denise Archuleta have taken over leadership of the team in place of last years’ coach of two years, Victoria Alire. “Enthusiasm and work ethic are Romero’s strengths and she’ll only get better with every game that goes on,” Asst. Principal James Branch said. The main focus of practices this season has been on strategy and stamina. One strategy is spiking and learning how to set a player up properly for a spike. This will increase the teams’ chance of winning more games, and can also boost team moral. Additionally, Romero has implemented running two laps on the track every day before practice to increase the girls’ stamina for longer games. “We’re learning new stuff and our

offense is more strategic,” sophomore Alicia Dominguez said. The two coaches are rallying the team together for success. “My goal for this year is to get the girls to play with confidence to make them realize that they’re better than they think they are, and to hopefully win a district title,” Romero said. Archuleta added that she hopes to improve teamwork and teach the players how to give constructive criticism to each other. District play begins Oct. 22 against JemezValley, they continue on Oct. 29 at home against Dulce. The ladies won three games during the NRG Tournament and have lost 9 games overall this season, as of Oct. 2.

Kickin’ It: Junior Ashtyn Megariz and eighth grader Sierra Marquez help teammates with leg kicks to strengthen their core during a recent volleyball practice. Players are adjusting to a new coach this season and a new style of practices.

photo by Ben Sandoval, Jr.

by Benjamin Sandoval, Jr.Reporter

Basketball starts early, X Co. runs short, Manleader

Strategy, Stamina: Volleyball Changes Leadership, Practices

The Spectacle FEATURES Oct. 7, 2010 page 7

American College Testing (ACT) Explained Every year juniors and seniors alike sign up for the ACT with the goal to pass the test or get a higher score. “The ACT is a test that students need to take before they apply for college. It’s best to take the test during junior year or at the very beginning of your senior year,” librarian April van Buren said. ACT stands for “American College Testing” and was founded in 1959, according to the official website ACT.org. The ACT is used for admissions acceptance in all four year colleges in the United States including the Ivy League Schools. The test is used for placement purposes by colleges and universities and the score may determine the level of courses students are placed in such as college level courses or developmental courses. There are also several scholarships that require a certain ACT score in order to be eligible to even apply. The ACT assesses what you have learned in you high school courses: English, Math, Science and Reading school counselor Denise Lopez said. “The ACT is related to curriculum and content. It is not an I.Q. test. ...it is not a pass/fail assessment. It measures what you have learned in the core courses. The best way to score well on the ACT is to take your coursework seriously and strive to achieve the most possible in every class in comparison to doing the minimum in order to pass the class,” Lopez said. The ACT is a test in which everybody must take at least once as a junior and once as a senior, however, the good news is that students can take the test up to 12 times. After the first two times, however, New Mexico students must pay. The ACT without the writing portion costs $33. With the writing test, the cost is $48. Some colleges require the writing section of the test, so it’s important to know what you’re going to need before you take the test. “The written part of the ACT is not mandatory. It is either recommended or not

needed in most colleges or universities,” Lopez said. “If you are not certain if the educational institution you are interested in requires the writing test, please see me.” The ACT isn’t just a test; it also provides information for career and educational planning. It contains a student profile section where students can create a profile of all work that was done in high school as well as planning out the ideal future. To register, students need to create an account on the official website at www.actstudents.org. Online registration is available and is the most efficient way to register for the ACT, Lopez said. Computer use for registration can be arranged if needed by consulting with Lopez in her office. Each student is awarded two waivers/vouchers for the ACT fees, available in the counseling office. To register, students need an unofficial copy of their transcript and a waiver. For more information, go to www.ACT.org. Today, in the auditorium, Oct. 7, UNM professor Michael Shorr will be visiting from Natural Helpers to lead an ACT Prep session with juniors and seniors. Shorr suggests students relax and focus before the test. It also helps to take the ACT pre-test online before taking the actual test, to get familiarized with the format and types of questions. Some of the best ACT prep books, Shorr said, are done by Kaplan or Barron’s and are available at Amazon.com, Borders and practically anywhere that books are sold. “Try to do the practice test under the exact times posted (in the books),” Shorr said. The key to success on the ACT is to be motivated by choosing a career, Shorr said. The ACT does take time and effort, but with motivation, students can be successful. The second key is to have a positive attitude

by respecting yourself. For example, a 75 percent on the ACT would equal a 26 on the test, which is very high. The highest possible score is a 36, but only a handful of students in America have gotten that score. The test also doesn’t tell students how well they’ll do in college. Those who worked hard in school, will do well in college, Shorr said. “There is no penalty for wrong answers, so make sure you mark all questions, even if you have to guess,” Shorr said. On the day of testing be sure to have a good breakfast this can help by giving the brain energy to concentrate and work properly during the whole two hour test. “ O n e the day of the test, it’s good to eat something like a banana, yogurt or granola bar so you don’t start out hungry and tired,” librarian April van Buren said. On Oct. 25, there will be another ACT Prep session in the library computer lab during 1st and 2nd periods.

by Pauline LuhmanReporter

Parts of SpeechE=mc²a²+b²=c²

ACT prep

drawing by Pauline Luhman

The Spectacle BACK PAGE Oct. 7, 2010 page 8

by Lily HawleyReporter Author Cassandra Clare brings readers back into her world of shadow hunters, demons and down worlders in her new book “Clockwork Angel.” This time, however, the setting is the grey cobblestone streets of Vic-torian London. As a prequel to her “Mortal Instruments” series “Clockwork” is the first book in a new series which follows the story of a sassy girl named Tessa. After her Aunt dies, Tessa travels from New York to London in hopes of joining up with her brother. When she arrives, howev-er, she has her first encounter with the secret world of the supernatu-ral. The sinister Dark Sisters kid-nap Tessa and force her to develop a rare skill she didn’t even know she possessed. Though the setting is Vic-torian London, the characters don’t speak appropriately for their time. If anything, they speak like

they are from the 21st Century transported to the 1800s. Despite the misuse of lan-guage, “Clockwork Angel” dem-onstrates the same caustic wit that Clare’s previous books have taught readers to expect from her writing. “Are you implying that shreds of my reputation remain in-tact?” Will demanded with mock horror. “Clearly I have been do-ing something wrong. Or not do-ing something wrong as the case may be.” He banged on the side of the carriage. “Thomas! We must be away at once to the nearest brothel! I seek scandal and low companion-ship.”’ – from “Clockwork Angel,” pg. 268

This book caters to the re-cent vampire trend in young adult fiction in that the beautiful but dangerous creatures are essential to the plot line of this story. The magnetic attraction to this book, however, is not due to the vam-pires, werewolves or warlocks (of which there are plenty) but more

to the Shadow Hunter boys Will and Jem. Will is pes-simistic, sarcastic and begrudgingly amused by the world around him; whereas Jem is the yin to Will’s yang and is a caring, op-timistic gentleman despite his dark past. Though the boys are complete opposites, Tessa finds herself drawn both. When Tessa finds herself in In-stitute, the London headquarters of the shadow hunters, she is attracted first to Will’s dark hair, blue eyes and acidic personality and then to Jem’s silver lining.

Cassandra Clare’s New Book Reads Like Clockwork

Red Mountain: New Restaurant In Ojo Offers Fresh Options

A new restaurant opened in Ojo Caliente in June. The Red Mountain Café, across from the A-frame on Hwy. 285, serves standard café goods, including coffee, fresh-baked treats, smoothies and sandwiches. “I love to cook and I used to bake bread in the Horno... Besides, Ojo Caliente needed a coffee shop,” owner David Biggs of La Madera said. The brownies, muffins, bread and other pastries served there are baked fresh. I haven’t had that much on the menu yet, but to just say that the brownies are “delicious“ would not do them any justice. “We’re always expanding our baked goods repertoire,” Biggs said. In addition to fresh-baked goods,

Biggs said he supports local growers as often as possible, using local, organic ingredients in much of food he serves. He also has fruit and vegetable juices as well as smoothies, and various types of coffee drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes and espressos. Biggs not only has a variety of ingredients to choose from, but also makes almost everything to order. That means no sloppy, pre-made sandwiches and the juices and smoothies are always freshly made. Alternatives, such as hummus and soy milk, are on the menu as well. For his first restaurant, Biggs has created a cozy atmosphere. Customers can either sit at the newly-built counter or relax on the couch while they wait. The small, one-room café is a little crowded, but it adds to the welcoming environment in a way. Overall, the restaurant is a good addition to local options and affordably priced. Coffee ranges from $1.50-$4, sandwiches are $6.50, fresh juice and smoothies run from $4-$5, and baked goods are $1-2.

by Lily GreenmanReporter

Order Up!: The Red Mountain Cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednes-day through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It has a vari-ety of items on the menu that appeal to people with a sweet tooth, vegetar-ians, omnivores or coffee enthusiasts.

photo by Lily Greenman

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