Pioneer Valley HS
February 16, 2017
Issue 96 vol. 2
Stay Woke: A Day Without Immigrants
"I'm an immigrant, I was born in Mexico and I'm proud of it. I will stand up for my country and be another voice heard. I can't stand living in fear that one day I will get separated from my parents and my siblings because of how Donald Trump is getting all the immigrants out of California. I can't stand that all my dreams are being crushed because of this. We have a president that doesn't want any immigrants in this country.”
-Diana Valenzuela (11)
This country is made of immigrants. Unless you’re Native American you can not say you aren’t an immigrant. For the most part we all descend from people who came to this nation to make a better life for themselves and for their future generations. We live in an America which has turned the word immigrant into a negative term. Immigrant is not a dirty word. The current president seems to think immigrants are ruining this country. Immigrants make America great, they work hard and get the job done, at the feet of Lady Liberty there’s a quote that embodies what America is: ”Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” Emma Lazarus’s words emphasize the American spirit.
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I believe that today many immigrants are going on strike to protest against deportation and the urgent laws being imposed against immigrants. It is my understanding that many immigrant students from schools all over Santa Maria are not attending today to express being proud of being immigrants. Many workers in the fields are not going to work either.
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I feel that America has been turned upside down and there’s a lot of families living in fear of getting deported and separated. Many industries rely on immigrants, especially here in Santa Maria. The agriculture industry heavily relies on immigrants. People who work in the fields go to work at 5 in the morning and come back home at 6 or 7 at night. These immigrants only see their kids on the weekends, but immigrants aren’t just field workers. Immigrants are doctors, lawyers, and teachers, they can do anything. I think that Americans have this conception that because immigrants may not always speak English that they are uneducated. Speaking English doesn't make you smarter or better than anyone. -Alasaundra Silva
“I think that it’s actually really cool that [immigrants are striking]. Some of my mom’s students were saying that they weren’t going to go to school to protest. I think that’s cool that they’re standing up for what they believe in. Especially since in California there are a lot of students who come from Mexico. Speak your voice. Be heard. Immigrants, we get the job done.” - Alina Davila (11)
“I think [immigrants striking] is a very good way to raise awareness of a good cause especially in the time we are living in today with Latinos having representation. However protests are interesting. Now we must become informed subjects in order to elect representatives who know what they are doing and who represent our voices and our lifestyles.”
-Daniel Segura (12)
FFA's 2017 Santa Barbara Section Speaking Competition
Pioneer Valley FFA students had a great time at the Santa Barbara Section speaking competition held last night at Arroyo Grande High School. It was a very big night for many of the members, in fact this is the most students that have qualified for the Regional competition in the history of Pioneer Valley. Early morning practice, lunch practice and late practice after school was well worth it, one can say that the hard work paid off for these students as evident by the results. Students competed in all categories available which include; Creed(11), Impromptu(7), Job Interview(3), Prepared public speaking(4), and Extemporaneous(3). All of these students come from our Ag Biology and Leadership classes.
-H. Guerra
The purpose of the Public Speaking Career Development Event is to foster and develop the speaking abilities of FFA members as well as develop their self-confidence and contribute to their advancement in inter-personal skill attainment and leadership development. In particular FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Career Development Event is designed to develop the ability of all FFA members to express themselves on a given agricultural subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance. This gives the FFA members an opportunity to formulate their remarks for presentation in a very limited amount of time. The event requires students to think on their feet, state their case quickly and persuasively, and to be able to answer relevant questions based upon their presentation. In this area we have two individuals placing and qualifying for Regions in March. They are Daniel Segura and DJ Claborn.
The highlight of the evening was the FFA Creed. This competition is designated for 9th graders only and it outlines the organization’s beliefs regarding the agricultural industry, FFA membership and the value of citizenship and patriotism. The purpose of the Creed Speaking Career Development Event is to develop the public speaking abilities of 9th grade FFA members as well as develop their self-confidence and contribute to their advancement in the FFA degree program. In this category Pioneer Valley qualified nine members that will go on and compete at the regional competition in March. They are Brianna Nunez 5th Place with also regional qualifiers Nick Vasquez, Francheska Cabeliza, Marina Cuevas, Sergio Segura, Sebastian Pinon, Nicole Cabatan, Jennie Medina, and Angelica Rodriguez.
Who’s Your Favorite Superhero?
Growing up, everyone wanted to become a superhero or superheroine. Whether it being the classic heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman or the modern day Antman. Throughout the years, we have changed our minds about our favorite superheroes. It has made us realize that some of the traditional superheroes we all know are vastly different than some of the other superheroes appearing in the media.
"My favorite superhero is Spiderman. He's really cool because he has the webs and swings from buildings and stuff. I really like his spandex suit and his awesome mask. I wish I could be bitten from a spider and turn into him one day."
-Oscar Martinez (12)
"I love Wonder Woman. She is a perfect role model for women and proves that women can also be strong and powerful like her. She's also really pretty with her hair and I can't wait for her new movie to come out this summer."
-Daisy Morales (12), right
"My favorite superhero is Batman. I remember watching him guest star on Scooby Doo and he was one of the first superheroes I started watching when I was younger. I love his Batmobile because it's pretty cool. Batman's outfit is cool because it's black and the mask is cool too." -Angie Magaña (12)​​
-Cacilda & Araceli
"My favorite superhero is definitely Captain America. He always has been since the beginning because of his beautiful blonde hair and his pretty blue eyes. He looks so strong with his outfit and his shield. I would let him save me if I were in trouble." -Sadie Amaya (12), left
-Joseph Pinedo