Pioneer Valley HS
May 25, 2017
Issue 151 vol. 2
PVHS Hoopsters Take on SMPD
Last night the SMPD faced off with our very own panther basketball players. The game was very entertaining with the police officers trailing the panthers by only a few points. During the half-time the police officers announced the raffle winners and gave away baskets full of goodies. Tickets were given to spectators as they entered gym.
The second matchup of the evening was the police department and the Special Olympics players. This game was equally entertaining with roars from the crowds as each player scored a basket. One of our lucky Panthers, Michael Ortega (9) won the PV Booster’s $100 cash prize. Over all last night's game was an experience to remember.
Mike Wheeler, School Resource Officer –SMPD
We had a great time. Glad to see the turnout from the fans. It's a great opportunity for us to interact with our youth and give a little back to the school.
Danny Rois , Sergeant – SMPD
I enjoyed the sportsmanship and enthusiasm displayed by PV’s young men and the Special Olympics. It was a great time, work out and fellowship... and nobody was injured.
G. Santiago –SMPD
I enjoyed the game. I love getting to connect with our cities youth in a positive light.
-David Penalosa
Mr. Magni Triumphs at World Championships
On May 13-14, Mr. Magni competed in the World Armlifting Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia. The first day, May 13, Mr. Magni's first event was the Silver Bullet and he had to do it with his left hand, because he had injured his other finger. He had gotten 10.97 seconds (PR) with his left hand and he placed 7th. The next event was the Rolling Thunder and he was able to lift it up and he placed 5th. The next event was the Ironmind Hub and he had got 4th place! The second day, May 14 Mr. Magni's first event was the Apollon's Axle Deadlift and he said," I'll get that one at the next contest," he placed 5th. The next event was the 3" Saxon Bar and he placed 10th. The last event was the Excalibur and he placed 15th. We are all extremely proud of you Mr. Magni! You did a great job at the competition and we can't wait until you compete again!
​"I feel like I did really well, it was really difficult to compete in Russia because of the 10 hour time difference. Since the time difference was 10 hours, my first event on Saturday was at 11 am and that was like 1 am California time. I wish I had more money and I could have gone to Russia a week early to get used to the time change, but otherwise I feel like it did great. Team USA got 3rd place, which was very exciting.
Do I feel like all of my hard work paid off? The answer is very simple, YES!!! Yes it paid off I would go to Russia again, because the contest level was very high, so all the guys there were super strong. In fact there was a girl at the contest that was probably stronger than all the boys at Pioneer Valley Highschool. The people there were very serious and very well prepared. I would say the only reason I wouldn't go there again is that I have already been invited to Finland and Canada as a result of how well I did in this meet. It would be nice to see a different part of the world that I've never been too. Since I am a teacher and I don't have a million dollars, I might not be able to do all of it.
The event was super long, it was 13 hours of lifting each day. It started at 9am and ended at 10 pm both days. On the Sunday the second day, I had 8 hours in between my first event and second event. It is like a whole day of school in between. I will tell you this there was about 150 people competing, a bunch of them had fans and spectators. I would probably say the total was five hundred to a thousand people there. Again, I was really focused on myself, my friends, and the rest of the USA team that were there.
No I wasn't nervous, the only thing that I would call nervous is the meet that was conducted in Russia. I don't speak Russian, just English and Spanish. The fact that there was a lot of words being said that I didn't understand, I wasn't used to that because I have only been competing in meets in the United States where they are in English. That was interesting, and sometimes I was confused when it was going to be my turn to lift. It is difficult since you don’t really know when you will be lifting. The men were very strong, and there was a twenty year old kid that beat me in one of the events, believe it or not. Very, very serious, there was 16 total countries that were represented and there was no joking around. These guys: Finland, Canada and obviously the Americans did very well. It was the real deal, that's why it was the World Championships, it was a very serious competition." -Mr.Magni
-Elizabeth Morales
Farewell Seniors
Gone in just a short few weeks
Onward with their lives
Off to venture the world
Diplomas, their ticket free
But I will miss them dearly
Yes we’ll keep in touch but
Even so the halls will feel empty the first day back
Sorrow fills my eyes thinking of when we’ll say goodbye
Everything they did made me laugh and feel whole
Now I’m going to have to face my senior year alone
I hope you live a glorious dream
Only promise not to forget me and the memories
Run and be the generation to change the way we think
Soon enough we all leave
-Alasaundra Silva
Eye Sea You
Her beautiful eyes were the ocean.
Diving into oblivion, her blue brilliance entered my lungs
Until all I could breathe was her.
Her currents tugged on the hem of my shirt
Into a whirlpool of lust.
Until her tides sank low.
Her pacific blues fell into the red sea.
Her rigid waves shoved me against the rocks
As crimson tides flooded what was left of her brightness.
And I was left sunk.
- Alexis Dagar
High School Highlights & Lowlights
As we all know, this school year is coming to an end and it must be very saddening for most seniors knowing they soon will be graduating to begin their journey into adulthood. Yes, high school can be very stressful and challenging, but at the same time very special. It's a place to make new friends and create memories that will be cherished forever. We will be able to look back on all the memories we created throughout our high school years. When we first entered high school as small clueless little freshman, we started the year thinking 4 years will be an eternity. But in reality, those years go by in the blink of an eye. Make sure to make the most of your high school years because before you know it, you will be graduating on stage ready to start the new stage of your new life!
"For me, the best year of high school was when I was involved in something. Being able to participate in sports and clubs gave me a much better experience from high school. My least favorite part of high school was just the whole end of senior year. I'm going to miss all the stress and the homework I had to do. Overall, I had a really good high school experience." -Lourdes Ramirez (12)
"My favorite part about high school were all the times I got to have fun with my fellow classmates. My least favorite part about high school would have to be the finals."
-Devon Fuller (12)
"My least favorite part about high school would be my experience as a senior. Things were not as great as people made it out to be. However, my favorite part would be being able to grow up as the person I am today along with my best friends." -Sienna Gonzales (12)
"My favorite part about high school was the randomness that I had with so many cool and interesting people. My not so favorite part was dislocating my collar bone while trying to do a hand stand when a guy was showing off saying how easy it was. I tried doing it and then fell forward and dropped on my shoulder." -Julio Cabatan (12)
-Crystal Barriga
Help Sasha Score a Goal in Israel!
-Alexis Dagar
One of our fellow Panthers has the opportunity of a lifetime! Sasha Brafman is planning on competing in this year's Brazilian National Team! This will be an amazing dream of hers to make it. But she needs your help to get her there. Here's a link to Sasha's gofundme page. Help her get there and make her goal!
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The Brazilian national team is compiled of girls representing Brazil during the Jewish Olympics in Isreal this summer. "Girls have been recruited from all over Brazil and luckily they found me," Brafman explains. She has been in love with the sport when she was as young as 3 years old. However, there is more than just pure talent that got her this far. It's been 12 years of hard work and dedication for Brafman and it sure paid off. "Traveling all across California for games and tournaments has helped prepare me for something big like the Maccabi games in Israel."
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"I am different from the other girls in many ways," Brafman explains, "For one thing I don't live in Brazil. I can understand Brazil's language (Portuguese) but it is still hard for me to speak fluently." Unlike the other girls on the team, Brafman is born and raised in the US. However, she is familiar with the Brazilian culture since Mr. Brafman, her father, is born and raised in the country.
When it comes to things Brafman can bring to the national team, she can offer her knowledge of the sport. "I can offer to the team my experience, since I have been playing club soccer for 6 years now," says Brafman. She is also a good team member and a hard worker which are important factors to bring to a team.
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In other words, Sasha Brafman is a good member for the team. Help this fellow Panther represent Brazil and make the country proud! Here is a link to her gofundme page. All donations are appreciated!
SR Pics by Mona
Class of 2018! As your junior year comes to an end, it’s time to start thinking about senior pictures! Don’t put it off until the last minute! The longer you take the harder it will be to find a photographer. I’ll be taking senior pictures again this summer for an affordable price. Contact me, Mona Lily Garcia on:
Instagram @itslitmona
Via Email monsegarcia02@outlook.com