Issue 8 Volume 6      March 6, 2009

Black is Back! [-NOT]

Recently, the girls' softball team was forced to send back their black pants, because black "isn't a school color". Though the girls had to return their black pants, the boys' baseball team was allowed to keep the black hats they ordered. How is equality being achieved here? If the football team, volleyball team, AND baseball team were able to have black as part of their uniform, why can't the girls' softball team? The school has already set a precedent by allowing black to be used as a neutral color in not only male sports, but some female sports as well. This year's football and volleyball teams were allowed to wear black pants/shorts without any comments from the school board. These sports also purchased sport-supporting shirts that were black. Moreover, ourschool's History Club was permitted to sell black school spirit shirts, and while they also sold them in red, a white T-shirt was not sold as a solid color. After reviewing about 25 years of year books, pictures prove white has seldom been used as a bottom color. The reason for this is extremely obvious, but apparently, some people do not want to acknowledge that female athletes have menstrual cycles and that sometimes accidents occur. How is having white as our shorts/pants going to help with that problem? This school's leaders should be doing the very best they can to avoid embarrassing these young athletes, and help improve the image of Ajo Schools. To arbitrarily require the girls' softball team to wear white pants at this point, would seem to be highly prejudicial and ill-advised.

Prom is Approaching!

As some of us may already know, this year's Prom, to be hosted by the junior class of 2010, is fast approaching us. This year's theme is 'Masquerade'. As you can see from the pictures, this theme is very colorful and vibrant, so everyone should definitely dress to impress. Prom is scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The time of the dance is 8-12 PM, and at this moment there is a possibility of a dinner being hosted by the junior class as well, and would be held before the dance starts. So if your looking for a perfect way to end the year with a dance with all your friends, come check out the 'Masquerade'

Inside Our Mind: Our Thoughts on1990's Nickelodeon vs. 2000 Nickelodeon

What You Are About To Read:We all know about the NEW Nickelodeon, but what about the old one in the 1990's?? The awesome one that included shows such as 'All That', 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?', 'Doug', and 'Aaahh! Real Monsters'! Well, that's why we're here! To compare the great 90's Nickelodeon to the new Nickelodeon .

Too Much Drama!!!

By: Felicia Roman
I think Nickelodeon nowadays isn't as good as it used to be. There used to be all kinds of cartoons and fun shows that were only about being a kid, and now, all they are showing is reality shows, or shows about teenage drama. These shows don't let the children of the next generation have fun, they only get them involved in drama that they shouldn't have to experience just yet. The shows are showing them that acting dramatic and older than they really are is a 'super-cool' thing to do. Shows like ICarly and Zoey 101 have all sorts of problems and drama that little kids shouldn't have to worry about, but when they watch it on TV it makes them think about problems that teenagers have. Back in the day, things were very different. Us kids were able to laugh at stupid, childish things, and we didn't care if they rotted our brains. The cartoons that we used to watch may seem dumb and boring to us now, but they kept us what we really were, just normal, immature kids. The cartoons kept our imaginations going, kept us laughing, and definitely didn't make us worry about our future. Growing up with Nick used to be fun.

*The writers and editors of the Raider Review would like to point out that we are not personally attacking any person(s) by writing these articles. They are only personal opinions.

1990's were the BOMB!!

By: Arely Nunez
I miss the old, great shows on Nickelodeon, don't you? My favorite by far was Kenan and Kel. There were a lot of shows that I liked, by the way, including 'Hey! Arnold', 'All That', 'The Angry Beavers', 'The Wild Thornberrys', 'CatDog', 'Rocko's Modern Life', 'Double Dare', 'Guts', and they were all great. I remember when Spongebob Squarepants aired on television back then, and though it still airson Nick today, the whole series has totally lost all the enthusiasm in the episodes that used to make me want to wake up and watch them. Now we have some lame shows. What's up with these shows about teens getting pregnant and going to parties and drinking? You know, it really does set a horrible example for the kids. Maybe all these "new" television shows are having a negative impact on this generation. And people wonder why their kids act this certain way, HELLO? Observe the shows your children are watching!

The old saturday mornings

By: Joseph Bailey
Waking up on a Saturday morning to watch cartoons was the best. I remember being dressed in pajamas and dedicating my morning to staring lifelessly at the television. Not just then, but all week! Nickelodeon was the number one station to turn to. I recall such shows as 'Rugrats', 'Double Dare', 'Aaahh!!! Real Monsters' and 'KaBlam!' What happened to those? All of the ones in the 90's era were great. Now it's stupid, unentertaining shows with stupid things like baby mama drama. Kids these days have no shows to watch, and I really feel sorry for them. Nickelodeon and other channels should bring those kinds of shows back, because watching cartoons is one of the best things about being a kid.

Four Wheels or Two????

Who can honestly decide which one is better? On bikes you can get a lot of air and on a skateboard you can land some sweet tricks on rails, sidewalks and wherever you please. Both take skills, stamina and sacrifice (you know, blood, sweat and tears!). Not only is it a hobby and a passion but it can take you to the Pros. Also, you could break ANYTHING on your body so it's always smart to wear safety gear. You'll see many skateboarders and bikers at the skate park or even on the streets of Ajo. These two street sports are even more popular out of town. The deal with skateboarding is you mainly use your lower body and it's best to maintain balance. BMX is almost the same thing because you use your whole body just as much as skateboarding. You use your feet for both, BMX you peddle and skateboarding you push the board with your dominant foot, unless you prefer the other. It's not a matter of which is better but what you enjoy and benefit from, the important thing is to not stop doing what you love and keep yourself motivated.

Inside the Mind of a Senior:Lorenia Mitchell & Bryan Runge

By: Felicia Roman
Lorenia Mitchell and Bryan Runge are two graduating seniors of Ajo's 2009 graduating class. We tried to get inside their minds' by asking them questions about their current and past high school activities and their personal hobbies. Here is what we found out.

Lorenia enjoys writing, drawing, cos play, watching anime, listening to Japanese music, and playing video games. She participated in track for a year, and since then she has been a manager and photographer for the track team for three years. When she was a child she dreamed of being an animal clothing designer, but her dreams changed because she thinks that they were very stupid and childish. Her most likely career now is a video game designer or a voice actress, because those are things that she could see herself doing in the future. They are also things that she enjoys doing. After graduating she plans on taking her first year off or taking classes at an online college before going to Collins College. Her personal advice to the underclassmen is "Study, and always get your work done on time."

Bryan's hobbies include playing guitar, playing video games on Xbox 360, hanging out with friends, listening to music, causing mayhem in Ajo, and more Xbox 360. He also likes driving people around in his sweet car. Bryan has been in football all four years during his career here at Ajo High School, and regrets not playing baseball, because he really likes playing it. When Bryan was a child he dreamed of becoming a video game designer. His dreams haven't changed very much since then, because he still thinks "it would be sooo flippin sweet to make video games". He sees game design and production as his most likely career, and its something that he is very passionate about. After graduation, Bryan plans on going into the Air force because its a smart choice and it will get him out of Ajo. He also wants to see a lot of places, and he thinks that it would be fun to do it like that. His advice to the underclassmen is "Don't stop, and definitely don't give up, because you will regret failing later on down the road."

The Unabridged Ramblings of Kyle

For more than thirty years Ajo High students have seemed to be complaining about our English and psychology teacher, Mrs. Grissom. Even the author has spent many a school break voicing bitter sentiments towards her. Yet, many of her former students continue to contact her, even after twenty years. This appears to be paradoxical, but in my interview, we get inside the head of Ajo's only psychology teacher and find out why Ajo's graduates seem to remember her fondly despite four years of heel dragging and complaining. RR: So why do you think students think you're so mean?G: I think they think I'm mean because I hold them accountable and many students, they're too lazy and don't want to be held accountable. RR: Yeah, I'm terrible aboutdoing my homework....G: Well, I just think that if students are going to be producing members of society, they have to be taught skills they can use to be producing members of society, and when they come and waste all the years they should be using to get an education, when they turn 18, they won't be producing members of society.RR: I definitely think that there has to be a certain level of maturity involved.G: It takes maturity to realize that. Hopefully students grow up by the time they're juniors and realize they really have to take control of their lives. If they leave here without the skills they need, it will affect the rest of their lives.RR: Do you ever hear back from any of your former students?G: I do a lot. Every year I get one or two students who come back and thank me. Several years ago, I had a student who tested out of English 101 and 102.

Raider Review
Bi-Weekly
Announcements

Red Raider Sports

By: Arely Nunez
Open Gym for Volleyball

Volleyball started yesterday, and will now be open from 7 - 9 PM in the gym, and will only be on Thursdays for the time being. You must be a GIRL entering high school or a high school GIRL. No boys will be allowed in the gym when occupied. To practice with the team, you must have a current physical on file in the office, even though it is not yet time for the volleyball season. Open Gym is a good time to have fun and bond with your future teammates, but it is also a good opportunity to work and improve your techniques and skills, so anyone who wants to play next year is encouraged to come out. Also, our coaches have been awaiting a response from the coaches of the Arizona State University volleyball team to see if they and some of their players might want to come down and show us some of their special techniques. If you, or any of you friends are interested or have any questions, please contact Coaches Nicola Jensen or Aubree Harper.

Upcoming Sporting Events

Club Updates

*History Club*

Our Ajo High School History Club is almost finished raising all the money for their trip to Washington, D.C. Though they have more than struggled to raise all the money in time, they have barely squeezed by, and a breath of relief has left all of the members. Chanel Garcia, Kayla Leon, Mandi Macias, Ariel Fry, Stephanie Carrera, and Savannah McCasland are all going to be going on this trip, and will be chaperoned by Ms. Powell. Their last scheduled fundraiser is going to be held tomorrow, Saturday, March 7, and they will be selling Red Chile Burros in front of Olsen's Marketplace. Come show your support one last time for the History Club!

What's the Big Deal About AIMS Testing?

By: Joseph Bailey
Have you ever asked yourself why, in the name of all that is good, am I taking the AIMS tests? Our Ajo Schools superintendent, Dr. Dooley, answered the Raider Review's questions about this dreadful test that the sophomores have to look forward to every spring. We take the AIMS test because, in Dr. Dooley's words, "First, in Arizona to get a High School diploma." He also said, "Its part of the No Child Left behind Law which stated that all districts in the Nation, based on state academic standards in core academic levels." According to him, this is why the AIMS are so crucial to graduating from high school. We also asked him why the AIMS aren't essential to getting into a Jr. College. He responded with, "Because Jr. Colleges are not governed by the same law as K-12 education is, and universities typically use the SAT or PSAT as acquirements" The last question that inquired was why do we need the AIMS test to graduate if we can simply get into a Jr. College without them. He stated that, "It increases options, help get scholarships and help schools get better education." "It keeps students on track in reading, writing and math."

Ajo's Got Talent!

Red Raider Review Staff

Staff Editor: Laura Davis
Staff Assistant: Lloyd Sedillo
Editor: Savannah McCasland-Jr.
Assistant Editor: Kim Robles-So.

Features/Reporters:
Megan Bollen-Jr.
Kim Robles-So.
Joseph Bailey-So.
Kyle Carpenter-Sr.
Arely Nunez-Fr.
Felicia Roman-Fr.

Sports Reporter:
Arely Nunez-Fr.