The Tesoro Tribune

Orchestra performs at California Adventure

Sally French — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:24:09 +0000

Just days after performing in a holiday conert filled with Christmas cheer, Tesoro’s String Ensemble performed in yet another concert - this time at Disney’s California Adventure.

The String Ensemble is made up of two orchestra classes, consisting mostly of underclassmen.

While Tesoro’s orchestras have a tradition of performing annually at the Carnation Plaza Stage in Disneyland, this was the first year that any of the orchestras have performed at California Adventure. It was also the first time many students got the opportunity to perform at the Disneyland orchestra with Tesoro High School. Most importantly for many, it was the first time that rain did not hinder the performance.

Students enjoyed performing in the new venue in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of the park.

“The stage was a lot bigger which was really nice,” violinst Hannah Green said.

Along with playing in the big venue came big challenges.

“We had to play louder and sometimes it was hard to hear,” Teryn Igawa said, “but we did a good job.”

They performed a wide variety of music - everything from Mozart’s classical “Symphony No. 12″ to the more contemporary and a bit humorous song titled “Plink Plank Plunk” by Leroy Anderson.

“I practiced a lot for this performance. The cello solo in “Spring Breezes” was the best,” cellist Zsaqlene Fisk said.

After the performance students enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the theme park.

“We went on the Tower of Terror a million times!” violist Melanie Slate exclaimed, “well, maybe not a million.”

The photo above shows freshmen Teryn Igawa, Melanie Slate and Hannah Green blasting off on California Screamin’. The musicians spent the day at Disney’s California Adventure after their performance inside the theme park.

By Sally French, Web Editor

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Make a Wish club wraps up 2008 with Barnes and Noble fundraiser.

Sally French — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:57:38 +0000

On November 28 and 29, and December 5-7, Tesoro’s Make a Wish club held a gift wrapping fundraiser inside Barnes and Noble at the Irvine Spectrum. The goal of the fundraiser was to raise money for the Make a Wish charity, a worthy cause which raises money to grant a child with a life threatening illness one wish.

“I held this fundraiser as another way to become even closer to our $4,000 goal, as well as give club members another opportunity to actively help out,” club president Lauren Yang explained.

In addition to members of the club, all of the club’s officers volunteered at this event. The officers are President Lauren Yang, Vice Presidents Megan Meyer and Alex Fischler, Secretary Kelsey Brongo, Treasurer Ted Zaki, and Publicists Erika Dereschuk and Michael Villarreal. At the fundraiser, a few volunteers were positioned at a gift wrapping table near the entrance of Barnes and Noble, wrapping gifts for free, and asking for donations. The volunteers generally had shifts of an hour or two at a time, switching in and out with one another. Barnes and Noble graciously provided both Christmas and Hanukkah wrapping paper free of charge, in order to help the club raise as much money as possible. This fundraiser was a hit, and many book shoppers stopped for gift wrapping and a donation on their way out the door.

The club raised over $100 from the event to go towards the clubs plans for granting a child’s $4,000 wish.

By Chloe Beer, Staff Writer

Red Cross club spreads holiday cheer to underprivileged children

Sally French — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:52:11 +0000

Tesoro’s Red Cross club members visited Santa Ana College last weekend to volunteer in The Holiday Project. Each year, all of the Red Cross clubs from across the county come together to share a memorable Christmas with families that cannot afford to celebrate with their children. The Holiday Project is comprised of multiple booths run by each of the participating schools. Together, the project’s entirety resembles a carnival.
Prior to the Tesoro Red Cross club members brainstormed ways in which to bring their dream booth to life: baseball targets. Meetings soon reached a consensus as plastic cups formed the pyramid and with a lightweight ball, a child could test his or her hand-eye coordination to win from an array of various candies laid out on the table. However, in hitting all six of the provided cups, a child could take home a Penn tennis ball as a trophy to remember their time spent at Tesoro’s baseball targets.
Christmas-colored banners, candy canes, and paper snowflakes colored the quad at Santa Ana College as everyone began decorating their designated tables. From bean bag toss to candy cane fishing, the children were sure to find delight at each of the booths.
Upon entry, each child received a toy collected from the school toy drives before venturing into their winter wonderland. Holding onto their toys as they came in, the children were further mesmerized by the multitude of activities offered to them. The children were then left to enjoy the holiday festivities with not only their own families but also with everyone else involved.
“I felt thankful to have the opportunity to put a smile on the faces of underprivileged children and I really took the time to count my blessings,” Red Cross club president Ted Zaki said.

By Anhthu Tong, Staff Writer

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Titan football champions recognized with luncheon

Sally French — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:08:28 +0000

Upon Tesoro’s victory over Orance Lutheran, Mr. Ramirez, Athletic Director at Tesoro, received a letter from the CIF-SS office inviting five of the Tesoro Varsity Athletes to a celebratory luncheon and press conference preparing the men from all over Southern California for their games coming up on the preceding Saturday.
26 schools were represented at the luncheon. Upon arriving and being seated with the boys that otherwise would much rather be wearing blue, there was a prominent atmosphere of carbohydrate-saturated menu items, college scholarship offers, and gossip of statistics of other players in attendance in the room.
The afternoon started off with the highlight for the linebackers, food. For simplicity the eating utensils was limited to one fork, spoon and knife, presented in manner suggesting class and higher education. Menu items were filled with every imaginable form of protein and carbohydrate known to man. After the food line set to feed well over 200 people was devoured by half that number, an inspirational speech was presented by the head coach at USC, Pete Carol.
Carol emphasized he was enjoying being in an “atmosphere where [he is] surrounded by winners”. He kept the winning theme by stating that, “in every drill, practice, and game there is a winner and a loser. Everyone wins and everyone loses, but what matters is the effort you put in to get to that point”. He summed up his pep talk with the USC Trojan’s motto, “Fight on, let’s go win forever”.
As Pete Carol grabbed his gift basket with assorted chocolates and various sweets and headed out the door, desert was served as all teams and guests were introduced. One by one, the coaches stood up after a brief introduction from a CIF board member and introduced all of his guests. The room was filled with silence as coaches from all corners of Southern California talked which was accompanied by the occasional murmur of football gossip.
Quarterback Robbie Picazo was very confident in the teams progress and talent and firmly the best plan of action for the game was to “keep doing what we have been doing for the past thirteen games”.

Line Backer Scott Graves tallied up the boys feeling well with one word, “Surreal”. He continued on to say “We always knew we had a shot to be here but never really took time to realize that we are here, and even though we are 13-0 and we’ve beat Orange Lutheran, Mater Dei, and Mission Viejo, it just hasn’t set in yet.”
Saturday came around, and as the stadium lights flickered on and the white jerseys were dawned, the Angels Stadium wreaked of the beautiful scent of Titan Pride. As the crowd waited in frantic anticipation of what the future holds instore for their team as the pawns, rooks and kings of football were savoring the moment in the locker room, knowing that for the seniors they might never be able to experience the feelings and emotions ever again. They fought well, and for the first seventy percent of the game lead the game on the scoreboard, but unfortunately Long Beach Poly scored the last touchdown setteling for a score of 20-17. Even with the loss to Long Beach Poly, it is still hard for the Varsity boys to not qualify as champions. Good job boys, you’ve made every one proud.

By Zack Rusaw, Staff Writer

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New activities director is here to stay

Sally French — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:00:09 +0000

Most schools try to handle all their activities under one ASB advisor in one year. A few unlucky schools may have to transition between two advisors in a year. But few schools ever have ever had to work with three different ASB advisors in one year as we have this year. Once again, its time to meet our newest Activities Director and this time she’s here to stay – Ann Zendner.
Zendner is no stranger to the inevitable pressure and responsibility that await her with her new position. She has worked at numerous different schools including her most recent job as Activities Director and Economy teacher at Junipero Serra High School. “I remember I jumped in the air, and on the way down I was basically tackled by hugs of happiness from all everyone around me…of course the whole time I was crying and was just completely ecstatic,” Zendner recalls.
Zendner is first and foremost a mother and thus the position of ASB advisor came quite naturally to her. In fact, it was Zendner who founded the first ever ASB at her former school and hopes to bring that leadership over to Tesoro.
Now, Zendner is ready to lead a new group of student leaders and create the best year possible for Tesoro and its students.
But while that may be in the future, Zendner is all ready hard at work with her new position here on campus. Arriving halfway through homecoming, arguably the most stressful time of the year for ASB, Zendner has quickly assimilated herself into Tesoro and our ASB.
With an abundance of inspiration to offer and a commitment to Tesoro, Zendner is ready to assume her new position and lead Tesoro through a new and flourishing year.
By Bhavik Amit Vashi, Cover Editor

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Get live updates from the Tesoro/Long Beach Poly game

Sally French — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 23:23:05 +0000

For those of you who will not be able to make it to the football game tonight, you can still know what’s happening during the game. We will be posting live updates via Twitter. To see our updates throughout the night, click here.

51 students inducted into prestigious National Honor Society

Sally French — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:31:54 +0000

On December 4, 2008 51 students were inducted into the National Honor Society. Founded in 1921, this organization was created to encourage high school students to strive for academic excellence while still being active members within their community. One of the key principles of NHS is to be both a good student and a good citizen. This gives students an incentive to do just that.

There was a table filled with an array of sweet goodies, ladies in dresses, and gentlemen in slacks and button up shirts. The crowd moved into the theatre, decorated in gold and blue. It was time for the students to welcome the blue and gold when the induction started.

To join this prestigious group, students had to submit their applications consisting of two recommendations letters, two essays and a list of all the community service that they have done during their high school years. The students had to wait for weeks as their acceptance was being deliberating. Finally, if they were lucky enough to be chosen, the students received a certificate and a Hershey’s chocolate bar letting them know they were going to become members.

The whole process was very classy and organized. As the parents of the inductees arrived, they waited outside the theatre and were met with lovely music played by a quartet from Tesoro’s own orchestra. As the time for induction neared, the parents made their way into the theatre to take a seat and were once again met with music, this time from Jonas Kwok on the piano.

The induction began with Ashley Maietta singing the national anthem. This was followed by an inspirational speech from Dr. Burch. Having himself been apart of the National Honor Society when he attended high school, he said what an honor it was for the students who would be admitted that night.

Then the inductees learned the four principles of NHS, character, service, leadership, and scholarship. Finally it was time for the inductees to recite the NHS pledge and be received into NHS. One by one, the students walked up to shake Dr. Burch’s hand and to take their positions on the sides of the theatre. Each was given a candle, and one by one they lit them as Taylor Holcombe read the National Honor Society Poem. These 51 students were officially members of NHS.

The participants then filed out to the cafeteria were the reception was to be held. Over all thoughts of the new members was positive. They were jubilant in finally being apart of the society that they have strived to be in.

“I thought it was well orchestrated and a good way to introduce new members to the organization,” inductee Brandon Powell said. The annual tradition of inducting new members into the society lived on.

By Briana Cortez, Staff Writer

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Ms. Woodward reveals secret life as a hair model

Sally French — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:40:07 +0000

Before she launched her teaching career in AP Psychology, Mrs. Woodward was what most of our hopeful Tesoro seniors someday inspire to be: a poor, starving college student. When the norm of using grants and student loans lost its appeal because of its misuse and abuse by the struggling scholar mainstream, Woodward sought out a more daring, unique, adrenaline-pumping method of providing her own financial aid.

At the time, a man operating under the alias “Guy That Did My Hair” (GTDMH) approached Woodward one unparticular day in the hair salon. GTDMH had made it big in his hair career and wanted to know if his faithful client was interested in making a profit in the business. With a head full of modern thought, innovation, and gorgeous golden locks, Woodward finally agreed to take up hair modeling, an intersection of both passion and profit. If hair makes the woman, then Woodward became hundreds, a new transformation with every bountiful perm and / or asymmetrical cut. Not only was she making $500 per shoot, but Woodward also frequently traveled on weekends around the country while sporting variations of her dark burgundy-dyed hair. For the next two years, that Woodward continued modeling, she made sue to never miss a day of school.

Her name in the hair business, however, was so quickly becoming legendary that she seldom found a salon magazine that did not feature her flawless sheen. At night, her dreams were haunted by howling buzzers, snapping scissors, and shrouds of hairspray. Stalking fans and persistent paparazzi left her no peace. To this day, no remaining photos of her glamorous and amorous first life are available for public viewing, Woodward’s own private snapshot stolen and hidden, supposedly, in the lair / office of the infamous collector, Dr. Burch. Thus after graduation, Woodward resigned from her blossoming career, her mental health at stake, and eventually resolved to teach AP Psychology.

Hair modeling, Woodward attests, was one of the highlights of her life. When asked if she would ever relive her celebrity career, Woodward replied, “Heck yeah.” And who could blame her? Nevertheless, the thing most precious that she takes away from this hairy experience is learning that “The hair always grows back.”

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Mr. Caplan proposes “Hawaiian Shirt Pride Day”

Sally French — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:00:07 +0000

The flowery print shirts, popular in the 1950’s, are part of the “tragically hip” fashion phase known to every student, teacher, and staff member on campus. But to Mr. Caplan in room 703, these shirts hold an incredibly sentimental value.
“I don’t understand the sudden lack of Hawaiian shirt wearers,” states Caplan, “I’m worried that this relaxing style is becoming out-dated. Everyone is living life too fast to fully appreciate these beautiful shirts. Hawaiian prints are the epitome of breezy hipness and of a laid back mindset.”
The twenty first century is a world of Blackberries, wireless internet, tall lattes, suits, and ties. Every person has his or her agenda filled out to the point that there are not even enough hours to finish everything. This is a world sucked into stress and hectic work days; this is a world that is shunning Hawaiian shirts. Relegated to beach luaus and family vacations, Hawaiian prints are having trouble maintaining their popularity in society. To people like Mr. Caplan, Hawaiian shirts provide a sense of elevated relaxation and happiness during their days. It makes the work place a more enjoyable and easy-going environment. “I think the Hawaiian shirts allow Mr. Caplan to make a better connection to biology, and he seems extremely confident whenever he’s wearing one,” Senior Beth Harvey said.
The artistic orchids, plumerias, and red hibiscuses represent the heavenly nature of the outdoors — something that is a rare sight to those glued behind their computer screens all day. Those that enjoy wearing Hawaiian shirts feel like they are taking a snorkeling trip instead of going about their monotonous life.
“I can see how Hawaiian shirts are more than a fashion statement, they are incredibly unique and beautiful in their own way. I hope we can organize a Hawaiian sprit week to help out Mr. Caplan’s cause,” ASB Junior President Connor Jackson said.
In order to save Hawaiian shirts from getting wiped away from fashion history, Mr. Caplan proposes a “Hawaiian Shirt Pride Day.”
“I know that people need at least one day out of a year when they feel light and eased during work and/or at home. This day will be a reminder to everyone that comfort always comes first,” Caplan said.

By Arveen Dhillon, Staff Writer

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Mock Trial team wins Quarter Final

Sally French — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:20:28 +0000

In a Mock Trial Competition last night at the Sana Ana Courthouse, Tesoro’s Mock Trial team brought their best and won, declaring them Quarter Final winners.

Tesoro played as prosecution against University High School in front of a real judge and six scorers to an audience filled with family, friends and teammates.

Key performers last night were Vinay Joshi, who did the pre trial and lawyers Onn Rubin, Beth Harvey and Helen Cai.

In both counts the defendant was proven guilty.

Teams from over 30 schools around Orange County compete in the mock trial, sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. Last night, the competition was close, but in the end Tesoro won.

The team will find out their exact scores later today. The scores are based on performance of the team, which includes lawyers and witnesses. It does not necessarily matter if their defendant was proven guilty.

They will play in the semi-finals tomorrow, Thursday, against either Woodbridge or El Dorado.

The finals will then be held on Saturday, December 13.

By Sally French, Web Editor

Mark Riley contributed to this report. Photos provided by Arveen Dhillon.

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