World best teacher

Ms. Yocum teaches Freshmen English, journalism, web design, photography, has a freshman orientation class and still finds the time to help the Drama department become a better class. Ms. Yocum is a great teacher who dedicates her time toward her students, shows that she loves her job even though sometimes there are hard days, but overall every day she tries to teach us life lessons that, telling us that we have to go to the right path to achieve goals in our lives.

Delilah was asked what she would like to say to Ms. Yocum and she said, “I would like to tell her that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and we are all so proud of her for taking on the responsibility of this class. She's shaped us all into the person we are today and we are all like family because of her. She is hard on us but we all know it’s because she believes that we can do amazing things. And we are all glad to return for another year of drama next year with her”.

Ms. Yocum was new to East Nicolaus four years ago and she was told she was responsible for the Drama class, she accepted, she started form the bottom and worked to the top. Every year she changes the setting making you go back in time, makes you feel like you were part of the last century. Not only has she helped drama, but she has helped the journalism class to achieve, thanks to Ms. Yocum the Journalism class got to be recognized in the Appeal democrat newspaper. Isabella McNicol says, “She is always willing to help people, she wrote me a really sweet letter of recommendation”. With the help of Ms. Yocum she made students become actors, helped to get them out of their shells.

 The whole drama class would like to thank you for your time and dedication, thank you for not giving up on us, we love you Ms. Yocum!

The Drama troop takes a trip to Ashland Oregon

On May 11, the East Nicolaus drama troop took another exciting trip to Ashland Oregon to again celebrate the Shakespeare festival.  The students were excited to go to this trip, even if they had to be at school before 6am in the morning. Ms. Yocum the organizer of this great event  helped to make this happen, and with the help of other community members the drama troop were ready to go in the school vans.

“I thought it was a good bonding experience for the drama troop and it gave us a vibe of how drama is once were out of High school,” says Delilah Yang.

The Drama students had a fun trip going to Oregon, they got to have fun playing games, talk during the car ride, and they got to make stops in the way admiring the nature of Oregon. The students arrived just before a musical  they were thrilled to see what the actors were going to perform.  The students got to eat at a pizza place and explore the city of Ashland, seeing the different tourist shops.

Yang talks about the other performance, “They were both great plays and made everyone laugh, but my favorite would have been the Taming of the Shrew because the set was lovely and amazing, the costumes were pretty, cute and modern”.

The drama saw another performance named The Taming of the Shrew, this play was more modernized, and this play was actually modernized to normal English. The next day the students got to go to work shops, they got a tour of the stage that was being set up for the evening play; they got to know the history for the Shakespeare festival. “I really enjoyed looking at the costumes being designed, and I think it’s amazing how the costume designers make the costumes from scratch,” Carlena Granados said. With the help of Mrs. Wallace the students got the chance to go to where they make the costumes for the characters, and got to see how they were designed.

Solomani Namonasimalua was asked what he enjoyed most of the plays and he said, “I think the Oregon trip was fun and I think I learned more about how Shakespeare is in everything in our media and what we watch in romantic comedies and dramas and soap operas because it's like he made the original version of all of them”.

Senior Sneak

The Disneyland trip is coming fast for the seniors; they only have hours to pack. Seniors are leaving at 4am in the morning and will not return till the afternoon of Friday; whoever does not make it before 3:45am they are being left behind. After attending four years of high school the students finally get their reward by having the opportunity to go to Disneyland, and Magic Mountain. Disneyland shows how hard work pays off, because they are given a midnight showing for the graduating class of 2013.

Andreha Neidhart was asked what she was more excited about and she said, “Not going to school and of course going to Disneyland”.

They have been planning senior sneak for the whole year, they have had meetings, talked about the rules, and also talked about how they should behave to represent well our school. The seniors had to have passing grades, have a good attendance to be able to attend this trip.

Adam Driver was asked what he needed for Senior Sneak and he stated, “Snacks and music because it’s going to be a long bus drive”.

Seniors will be very exhausted because they will not have many hours of sleep but they will try to regain their sleep in the bus. They will be heading home at around 7am in the morning, and will not arrive until the afternoon. This senior trip would not have happened without the help of the senior advisers, Mr. Wolcott, and Ms. Yee.

"I'm excited to be able to have a good, fun day with my friends in Disneyland," Daniel Torrecampo said.

2012-2013 Community Appreciation Night

On May 3, East Nicolaus High School shows their love and appreciation to their alumnus. Every year Student Leadership puts together a reunion for the former Spartans. This year, Student Leadership and the former Spartans had a “fiesta.”

“We put together an event which includes food, games, music, prizes, and it’s all for fun. It’s all for the community,” said Iris Parra.

The Student Leadership plans this event starting with the date, the theme, positions and places, and much more. Community Appreciation Night brings alumnus together so they can catch up with one another since they graduated. This event also allows them to see what has become of the High School and what improvements or accomplishments it made over the years.

When asked about what Student Leadership has to organize for this great event, Graciela Pack explained,
 “We have to cook food, ask for donations for prizes, handout ticket prizes, set up the multipurpose room, and manage the games.”

 Clubs donated towards the event in order to make baskets for prizes. This is a great event that allows the entire community to come together and to make memories relive or to create new memories.

“I love these events because everybody has fun and we get to eat great food,” stated Ingrid Alamilla.

Iris Parra: One of Top Ten in Miss Teen Sacramento / Stockton 2013

 

 East Nicolaus High School is proud to say that it has amazing students who participate in extra curriculum activities, even if it means more work or more participation. For example, Iris Parra participated in Miss Teen Sacramento / Stockton, which required discipline, participation, but most of all, dedication.

“It was very fun experience; I learned that beauty is from your personality, and you get to meet new amazing girls,” said Parra.

When Iris first received the letter of the beauty pageant participation from the mail, she was indecisive and wasn’t confident in herself. Until her family and friends told her that they supported her, Iris was determined to do her best to achieve. 

“I learned new things about myself, and it’s crazy how beauty pageants are so different like shown in TV. In reality, all that matters is your personality and not your physical body,” explained Parra.

Iris arrived at her destination where Miss Teen Sacramento / Stockton 2013 would be held. There, the hosts explained what she needed, like the dress. Participants also were told to get a casual outfit that matched their personalities. Student models from an agency assisted the girls by showing them how to walk on a runway.

  

When asked what she would recommend for girls who want to join for next year’s beauty pageant, Parra said, “Girls this is a great opportunity for you. It’s fun, and you get to experience new things and you have the opportunity to go to Orlando. Best of all is you get to wear a pretty dress.”

Prom

This Saturday on April 27^th, the East Nicolaus Prom, “Black Tie Affair,” will be at the Yuba City Refuge. This memorable night will begin at 8 a.m. and ends til’ 12 p.m.

Cameren Miler described what he prepared for that evening, “I got the prom tickets, the limo, and the dinner reservations.”

Prom is a big expense for students, but the junior class organizes and fundraises for the special night. Both the junior class and the junior advisers start planning decorations, location, and appetizers in the beginning of the school year. After paying all the expenses, the junior class keeps the remaining funds which will help them for senior year expenses.

Carlena Granados stated her expectations of prom, “I’m really excited for prom, even though I still have a lot to do”.

Prom is a fun dance, but before you get to party, you have to find the perfect attire, to plan for your perfect hair, or where to eat before you go to the dance.

“I’m looking forward to prom to go with my boyfriend, Toby,” said Marisol.
In some cases, what a person wears can be a concern while who a person goes to prom with is another concern. Most importantly, prom is a chance to have fun and enjoy high school.

“I hope my date and I have an unforgettable junior Prom,” Miller says.

Heaven is for Real

Heaven is for Real is a short novel that will capture your heart and take you to a trip to Heaven.

Four year-old boy, Colton, takes a trip to heaven while being operated in the emergency room. After his recovery, he starts to tell his parents about his trip to heaven. His parents didn’t believe him at first, but when he goes on about what they were doing while he was being operated and his unborn sister because of miscarriage, his parents start to believe.

Colton not only talks about his unborn sister but of his great grandpa he never met. Also, he explained how angels sang to him, but he mostly talks about God, who is very powerful and nice, and how much he cares about each and every individual.

I highly do recommend this book if you are curious of religious spirituality.

Mr. Fisher

    

          
At East Nicolaus High School, we have amazing teachers that we all appreciate and respect. One underappreciated staff member we’d like to recognize is Mr. Fisher.

“I do a lot of data base reporting to the state, and computer technology,” said Mr. Fisher.

Mr. Fisher does a lot for our school. He has helped publicize The Spartan Online and maintain the entire school network. He also does a lot of reporting to the State about our high school.
In our library, Mr. Fisher manages its computers to make sure they’re working and don’t contain any viruses. He has also set certain blocks to make sure our students stay on track.

“East Nic is a small school. You get to do more things and you get to know everyone,” said Mr. Fisher.

Mr. Fisher has been working with our Spartans for three years. He says he’s more than happy to still be able to work at East Nicolaus.Mr. Fisher always has a big smile, and has a great personality. Maybe next time you see him say hi, or maybe thanks, for wanting to be part of our school and by making a difference.

Lastly, when asked why he enjoys students’ company, he replied, “They keep me young.”

Our seniors helping in Shady Creek

On March 11 we will be saying farewell to some of our seniors, but don’t be sad they will return as soon as a week. It’s that time again were our students get the opportunity to go explore, to go and have fun, to meet a different age group, to learn how to be more responsible, its Shady Creek time.

“I always wanted to be a counselor since I went, and now I have the opportunity to go, and I love little kids, “says Andrea Neidhardt.

It’s going to be a new great opportunity for everyone, especially for the six graders which they have the opportunity to interact with the “older kids”; they look up for the older. Seniors have to set a great example for them. Teachers, and the school counselor, nominate the students, and they get interviewed and then try to choose the best candidates.

“It will be fun; I want to relive the experience, “says Nate Navarro.

The seniors are really looking forward for this event, not only are they going to be able to miss school for a whole week, but they are going to have the opportunity to make new friends, and have fun with the six graders because seniors are still fun and energetic and want to have a great time with the kids while being responsible, “I plan to make the kids have a good time, laugh, and gain their trust,” says Iris Parra what she’s planning to do to outstand the other counselors.

 

“My counselor was fun, I hope they think I’m the same,” says Navarro.

In shady creek the counselors are responsible to have their cabin ready on time for meal times, or activities, help guide them. The counselors spend a lot of time with their cabin group. On their free times they will have time to take showers, and help clean. They will also have time to go hiking and have fun as long with the six graders.

“I would not like work there forever but I really hope this experience will be fun for everyone, and I’ll learn new things,” says Parra