Movie Review Ghost Rider ENTERTAINMENT Robotics Goes Baby Jay Raps To NOLA For Change ACTIVITIES FEATURES People: Stop Valentine’s Day Interferring! Fun & Gifs OPINION NEWS The Buzz Galena Park High School News Magazine Volume 2 Issue February 14, 2007 Local Teen Lives His Dream Of Positive Rap Y Y Y Valentine’s Day Gift Guide & More Young Rap Artist Sends Message To His Community From his early childhood rapping at his brother’s studio in his house, to working with a record label, Jonathan “Baby Jay” Gutierrez, hopes to change people’s perspectives about drugs, alcohol and staying in school. “I started rapping from about the age of six or eight. What had inspired me to become an artist was my when my brother had rap things set up in the house, and I used to just start spitting things out that I was going through in life,” Baby Jay said. At the age of 12, Baby Jay was signed to the label Rolando Entertainment, owned by his cousin Roland and he started recording with different artist and had the opportunity to meet others like Gloria Estefan, Jibbs and Paula Deanda. “I’ve recorded with Fo Legend, Peter Yarrow, K.B., David Enriquez and I’m looking forward to record with many more artists,” he said. “When I met Gloria Estefan it was a blessing, because she was nice to talk to and I also met Jibbs from Chain Hang Low, and Paula DeAnda who sings Walk Away, and it was cool to meet them since I like their music,” Baby Jay said. “I got on the label because my cousin Roland heard my music and said that we can do something different and make this world a better place with Positive Rap. It feels good to know that I can help make kid’s days better by just showing them positive music,” Baby Jay said. Unlike some artists, Baby Jay writes his own Baby Jay’s Inspirations lyrics and what he mostly writes about is not doing drugs or alcohol, staying in school and every day things that happens to him or people around him in their life. When his audience listens to his lyrics, they often change their perspective about the things he talks about. “In my lyrics, I usually write about life and things that happens to the people around me, like one of my songs “Just A Baby Yourself,” it just talks about how girls get pregnant in school and they’re just a baby themself. I also talk about staying in school and staying out of trouble,” Baby Jay said. Signing autographs doesn’t just make him more famous it also allows him to make new friends and fans that he can try to motive to be positive about things in their life. “When I sign autographs, I feel good because I make new friends and fans and that’s a great feeling,” Baby Jay said. Live events, shows, helping out in the community and making an album pretty much make his schedule full, but he still has time to be involved in school activities like a regular student. “I don’t just rap, I make my own beats, and play football, basketball and I write my own lyrics. Writing lyrics and performing at shows are the ways that Baby Jay tries to get his message across to his audience and listeners. “I want my audience to just stay focused, don’t ever let anyone ever bring you down, you can do whatever you can and want as long as you put your mind to it. I also like performing in different schools to spread the word about saying no to drugs, staying in school, and to stop the violence,” Baby Jay said. Page 2 Tupac Shakur Jay Z Jennifer Lopez Love Disapproval The Buzz Newsmagazine Good Things, Bad of Friends & Family Interfere With Student’s Relationships There are many ways in which a relationship can go down the drain. Some of which have to do with parents and friends that don’t think the partner is good enough. Most of the student body can relate to some kind of problem dealing with interference. It’s a tiny problem that becomes a huge problem in a friendship when someone has a close relationship with their parents. It’s something that can cause serious damage to a relationship. It can make it a lot harder for a boyfriend or girlfriend to see the other, or to be accepted by friends and family. Some feel that it can make it a lot more difficult for the relationship to bloom if people keep interfering with the relationship. It seems like all the people around the couple decide whom they should be with, instead of thinking about whether the couple is happy or not. Therefore, sometimes the couple decides that they should completely lose touch with the person or people who tell them to break up. There are exceptions when it’s okay to advise someone, to break up, such as when the relationship is not healthy. Most of those cases involve physical, verbal, or mental abuse, and in some cases unfaithfulness. If there are signs of physical, mental, or verbal abuse, then it is okay to recommend friends or family members to leave the abuser. It can hurt them both when it’s happening and, in the long run too. The person that might be experiencing the abuse will act as if nothing is going on and say that they’re not being abused. They deny the fact that they are being abused, and think that just because their partner tells them that they love them. It’s also not right to let friends and family be made look bad by letting them be with someone that cheats on them. If that happens and the person that’s being cheated on doesn’t know, it’s okay to tell them that their partner is cheating on them. It’s not okay to tell them that they just can’t be with the person they want to be with because they’re not right for them. Actually tell them what is going on and give a definite reason of why that person is not fit for them. To solve the problem of interference, people should not only learn to accept the people that their friends or family members decide love. If their friend decides to stay with someone, then they should at least pretend to like them. But if the person is really not fit for them, people should just advise them to change their mind about their partner, not yell at them or get mad at them. If people decide to do that then they will just decide that they shouldn’t listen because it’s not the adviser’s problem. The couple will just get mad and have more problems on their hands other than their own problems. Therefore, people should just advise and explain why that person is not suited for them, and not blow things out of proportion and make it into a big deal. Interference is just one of those problems that you have to actually experience to know how it feels. Everyone has the right to be with whomever they choose, and it isn’t fair not to give someone a chance to love. Editor in Chief - Fahedra Salas Assignments Editor - Crystal Jones Production Editor - Valerie Torres Quality Editor - Victoria Salinas Photo Editor - Nohely Hernandez Business Editor - Zaira Hernandez Photographers Elizabeth Reyes, Zaira Hernandez, Bianca Salinas, Valerie Torres Reporters - Sephora Avalos, Veronica Cardenas, Adriana Chavez, Courtney Corfield, Jessica Cruz, Crystal Deleon, Angela Diaz, Melissa Estrada, Zaira Hernandez, Valeria Hinojosa, Cynthia Jimenez, Kimberly Mullinax, Luz Muro, Belinda Pulido, Bianca Salinas, Arely Sanchez, Martha Sanchez, Kelli Tyson, Gizele Benitez, Elizabeth Reyes, Esther Arredondo, Paola Benitez, Sabrina Garza, Christina Gutierrez, Melissa Silva, Jeanette Solis Letter from the Advisor, Beginning with our next issue, The Buzz Newsmagazine will no longer be published as a printed edition. We will be moving the entire magazine online. There are many reasons for this, beginning with the high cost of quality printing. Our magazine or ‘zine is entirely supported by ad sales. When ad sales are low, we can not print. Printing a paper edition also takes time. From the time the staff finishes a story, creates the layout, gets final approval and sends it to the printer can take as long as a week. By then, the news is no longer new. Finally, we have been restricted to black and white printing. Color printing is very expensive and so many great photos go unpublished in our ‘zine. Publishing online will give us the ability to use color photos, create new issues as often as we want and our readers can view it on the computer or print out in color from their own printer if they wish. We hope this new way of distributing the ‘zine will be more convenient and keep our school informed faster in the future. Visit our web site at: http://www.galenaparkisd.com/campuspages/gphs_campus/ index.htm Page 3 Blocked Websites, For Students Own Good or Not? By Belinda Pulido Blocked web sites are an issue for many students, maybe even for some teachers. Issues such as, the concern of the teachers for the students going to inappropriate web sites or just the safety of keeping online predators away from the students. “I think it sometimes causes problems, but it’s necessary, Technology Information Specialist Mr. James Carson said. “If it’s blocked, it’s blocked for everyone in the school, even teach- Movies are one of the top searches on the web, but if you don’t have a computer at home you go to school and find out the site is blocked. Even searching for Valentine’s Day treats on the schools computers can be a dilemma. It is unable to be accessed too. Searching stores for the newest items in retail can save you a lot of time, but the web site is blocked so students will focus on school work. ers,” Mr. Carson said. Some students don’t seem to think it’s fair to have blocked sites, but feel differently, even some teachers. “Sometimes it’s a hassle, because for simple educational web sites that are blocked, we have to send in a request in order for it to be unblocked,” math teacher Mr. Tom Le said. As for the students, “Sometimes you try looking for important information for a project on fun web sites, but they are always blocked and there’s nothing you can do about it,” senior Yadira Ramirez said. “I think they should unblock the websites, because students should have the privilege of being trusted,” senior Elizabeth Sena said. Other students think the computers are much safer with blocked sites. “It’s much safer for students, and I understand that they should block the bad web sites for the student’s own safety,” senior Sara Cardenas said. “They shouldn’t unblock the web sites, because some students try to look up things that have nothing to do with One of the most viewed web sites, MySpace. school,” senior Mayra Franco com is used to being accessed at home by many students, but when they come to school it’s unable said. As for the teachers, they to be accessed. don’t have more privileges. “Teachers can request a site to be blocked or unblocked,” Mr. Carson said. The rules for blocking web sites actually started quite some time ago. “As soon as they had Internet access, which has been more than 10 years ago,” Technology Information Specialist Mr. Charles Broadstreet said. MTV, one of the most viewed network in the U.S., but at school they tend to block music web sites for As for the students needing the students own safety, because of bad lyrics. to use the computer for school purposes such as, projects, homework assignments or other needs, they might have a problem concerning the safety of the rest of the students. “If student’s school work has to do with content they can request the site, if you can’t get it through at school, go to public library or off camAt games.com, you might find some fun games, pus (at home),” Mr. Broadstreet said. but it is blocked so students won’t waste time during class. Page 4 Black History Now and Then African American Celebrate Their Fight for Rights For many years the African American culture suffered through segregation, racism, slavery, and harsh treatment. Now decades later, not only are the African Americans no longer considered non-citizens, but they have the celebration of Black History Month. “ I think Black History Month is a great way to let people get an idea of everything my ancestors went through,” senior Dhamiri Thomas said. And that is exactly what is done during the celebration of Black History Month. Information is given to everyone regardless of what race they are to inform people of everything, African American citizens were put through. “ I think it is great that they inform all the generations of what blacks were put through. But I also feel like a lot more could be done. Now, as a high school student, I don’t feel we give it as much importance as we did when we were younger,” junior Warneshia Holloway said. Black History Month isn’t a celebration that should only be celebrated by the black race. On the contrary it is a celebration that is taught nation wide. “ Just because I am not a black person, it doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t care for Black History. I think it’s very important that especially the kids who aren’t black should study and come to understand the history of it,” junior Tina Deo said. Many say that enough is done to understand the celebration, others disagree, and some think more could be done. But this year, the school is going to do a lot more to fully understand, or at least get an idea of Black History Month. “Personally I think we should give Black History Month as much importance as we do to any other holiday like the 4th of July, or Cinco de Mayo. In history classes, we should look up the history of it and have after school activities,” assistant principal Brandon Garza said. A lot is done during the month of February, freedom fighters are honored, movies about segregation and the ending of slavery are shown, parades are held, and much more. But still, not many have an idea of Black History Month. “To me Black History Month is just another month in the year, I don’t think anyone actually celebrates it and it’s sad because we all should,” senior Warren Holloway said. How well are the students informed about this celebration and do they all know what the meaning of Black History Month? “I don’t think it’s actually anyone’s fault but ours that Black History Month isn’t a big celebration. If we honestly cared for the celebration a lot more would be done. Enough is taught to everyone about the celebration, but whether we celebrate it or honor it it’s optional,” senior Broderick Jackson said. Frederick Douglas was an important freedom fighter who stopped at nothing to achieve equal rights during and after Civil War. Rosa Parks stood up for her rights and was arrested for not giving up her seat at the front of a Bus in Alabama. Martin Luther King, one of the most famous freedom fighters is well known for his speech “I Have a Dream,” given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Page 6 Robotics Team Heads to New Orleans Kaos, Inc. competes at FIRST Bayou Regional Contest Getting ready for competition in New ries; they have to do 500 character essays and Orleans, Team Kaos Inc. prepares for their new 10,000 character essay. They are also making challenge. With only a few weeks left to make a web site and animation. The good thing is the final touches they are working at their best. their shirt design is already done. “I think we have a great shot at this com- “It gets hard trying to make the web site, petition; we are not only prepared physically, because I only know so much. But Mr. Courbut mentally as well,” senior Eddie Torres said. temanche volunteered to help me build our The objective this year is to get inner web site,” sophomore Priscilla Perez said. tubes into a rack-like structure. The difficult They are getting ready to ship out their thing is that another team is trying to put on robot on Feb. 20. That only gives them a little a tube as well so the whole structure moves bit of time to finish up. The team is going to when they do. competition at the beginning of March, but “The robot we are building will get before that, their robot is being shipped so points easily because we can lift two robots they have to finish construction and practice with ours, which gives us around 30 points. driving it. We also got this arm that will put tubes on the “The good thing is after all the building lower rack to give us more points,” freshman and the rest of the stuff that we do the comJose Alejandro said. petition in the end is a fun experience,” junior While the construction is getting taken Jarvis Small said. care of, the design team has their own worGetting taught about engineering by an ITT engineer, sophomore Russell Panell listens carefully. Working on the lower deck freshman Jose Alejandro drills a screw. Making measurements junior Fidel Limon Cuts wooden pieces. Writing 500 character essays Senior Noelia Ibarra corrects the mistakes on their second draft. Page 7 Page designed by: Elizabeth Reyes Slowly cutting a wooden block senior Brandon Cavazos makes another piece for the robot. The structure for the FIRST Bayou Regional Competition in New Orleans. At The Movies Ghost Rider Columbia Pictures presents Ghost Rider. It is scheduled to come out Feb. 16. starring Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider), Eva Mendes as (Roxanne Simpson), Wes Bentley as (Blackheart), Sam Elliott as (Caretaker), Peter Fonda as (Mephisto), Donal Logue as (Mack), Matt Long as ,(Young Johnny Blaze), Raquel Alessi as (Young Roxanne Simpson), Mathew Wilkinson as (Abigor), Joel Tobeck as (Grissel), Daniel Frederiksen as (Wallow). From the same director who brought you Daredevil, Simon Finch and the upcoming movie Daredevil 2. This Movie an Action, Horror, and a Thriller. In Columbia Pictures’ action adventure Ghost Rider is superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze who strikes a deal with the vile Mephistopheles for the most precious of commodities, his immortal soul. Now Johnny Blaze is forever destined to ride night after night as the host to the powerful supernatural entity known as the Ghost Rider. Johnny Blaze is A fearless competitor, daredevil, and performer. Johnny is famous for his death-defying motorcycle acrobatics and reclusive personality. Ghost Rider is the fiery alter ego of Johnny Blaze, Ghost Rider walks the line between living and dead, administering justice. Forced into service every night, he is the devil’s bounty hunter, roaming the land on the Hellcycle and collecting evil souls that have escaped from Hell. Mack is the guy behind the guy, Randall “Mack” Mackenzie is Johnny Blaze’s best friend and chief mechanic. Roxanne is a hard-nosed, hard-working, and relentless journalist, Roxanne buries herself in her job to avoid dealing with her painful memories of her split with Johnny Blaze. Blackheart is the enemy of all things good and pure, Blackheart is a new breed of devil, powerful and soulless, looking to create a Hell on Earth that he and he alone will rule. With a single drop of blood, Mephistopheles seals the fate of Johnny Blaze and creates the Ghost Rider. 300 Release date: 3/9/07 Rating: R Set in the midst of the PersianGreco war during the Battle of Thermopylae, where Spartan king Leonidas led his army of 300 soldiers into battle against the invading Persian army. According to legend, their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece to unite against their Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy. Director: Zack Snyder Bridge To Teribithia Release Date: 2/16/07 Rating: PG An 11-year-old boy has his life changed forever when he befriends the class outsider, a girl. Together they create the world of Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings. Director: Gabor Csupo The Hills Have Eyes 2 Release date: 3/23/07 Rating: R A group of young National Guard trainees are attacked by mutants during a training mission in the New Mexico desert. Director: Martin Weisz Page 8 Halo 3 Multiplayer BETA The Rule of Three Purchase Crackdown for the Xbox 360 and gain access to the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta. A code to access the Beta will be packaged with Crackdown. Limited time offer. Only on specially marked boxes including all pre-orders. Requires a hard drive and Xbox Live Gold subscription. Halo 3 Multiplayer beta expected to begin Spring 2007. Halo 3 had a huge start in 2006 with pre-orders for a game that won’t be released until November 2007. It had such an effect on many people who play first person shooters. Around the world people are waiting for the game to be released for the Xbox 360 only. Bungie (Halo’s maker) came out with a variety of versions of the game. All games will be the same but the only difference is that the higher the price the more extras there will be. Like the legendary package which includes a master chief helmet and DVD extras for about $100 with the reserve. Then they have the Collector’s version with the DVD extras but without the helmet for about $70 and the regular version of the game with no extras for $60. The latest update at the moment on Halo 3 is the Multiplayer Beta. It’s scheduled to be released in the spring of this year. “I’m excited that they are giving us a chance to play a demo of the game before it’s big release in November,” sophomore Joshua Velasco said. There are three ways to get your reservation for the beta. Also the only way to play the beta is to have a valid Xbox Live account. The first way to get it is by playing Xbox Live for three hours starting at the beginning of this month. The next way is by signing up at www.halo3.com, the signups started in November of last year. The final way is by reserving Crackdown. Each player must decide whether getting the Multiplayer Beta before Halo 3 actually releases is worth it or not. Some can’t wait while others say they can wait until November to play the real thing. “I’m definitely going to try and play that beta version of Halo 3 one way or another,” sophomore Joel Barcenas said. “There’s no need to rush and get the Beta for Halo, it’s worth it to wait a few months,” senior Steven Montiel said. Page Designed by: Elizabeth Reyes Purchase the Halo Legendary Edition and receive a Halo Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI Helmet Replica!* Also includes three bonus discs that contain: * Behind-the-scenes at Bungie Studios with new insights into the Halo Universe and the making of Halo 3. * A special hi-res collection of all cinematics from Halo 1 and Halo 2 with director commentary from the Bungie Team bonus * Community content from Red vs. Blue, This Spartan Life and Exclusive Gamer Tiles & a Theme * Each unit will be serialized for added individuality and collectability. Not life-size. *Product specifications are subject to change by Microsoft. Helmet cannot be worn. Page 9 LOVE and GENDER Same Sex Marriage Controversy Between Religion And Legal Rights Since man has had religion, they have taught that marriage and love was supposed to be shared between a man and a woman. But today that is not always the case; there are now more same sex couples who have begun to fight for the right so that they too, can be married. Society has two very different views on the situation, many people believe that gay, bisexual, and lesbian relationships go against their religion and should not be legal. Others don’t see anything wrong with these couples and feel that people should be able to legally marry whomever they want. “I think that people overreact about the situation, it’s not a big deal. People just have to get used to it and quit being immature about it,” junior Angelica Tavares said. “I think it’s wrong and gay, bisexual, and lesbian marriages shouldn’t be legal because it should be a man and a woman like Adam and Eve,” junior Kennie Cambell said. Gay, bisexual, and lesbian marriages have become legal in some countries and a few states, but overall the controversial topic of gay marriage has not been settled for the entire country. “I think it should be legal because every individual is different and should chose for themselves if they want to be with someone of the same sex or opposite,” junior Elizabeth Reyes said. “I don’t think it should be legal in the United States and in Texas a constitutional amendment passed a law stating marriage should be between man and women not man and man or women and women,” senior Jeanette Solis said. People discriminate against these relationships because of different views based on religious, social, and emotional values. Most gays and lesbians in a relationship just want to have the same privileges that a married couple would have. Many want to have this right so they can have permission to be in the ER with their mate and because they believe they share love just like a heterosexual couple. So far the Episcopal religion is the only religion that accepts homosexual couples and even marries them in certain cases. “I think that people should be able to do what they want and people shouldn’t discriminate against them for who they are,” junior Michael Barton said. “Gay and lesbian couples get discriminated against because people still have that mind set that being gay is bad, but I don’t see anything wrong with it, I think it’s OK,” senior Sergio Gonzalez said. “I think that these couples are wrong not only because it goes against my religion; but because I think they are not really gay or lesbian, they are just confused because of a past experience,” Jeanette said. Despite the criticism gay and lesbian couples receive, more people feel comfortable coming out and showing who they really are. “People are coming out now because they feel more comfortable with themselves and they are saying this is who I am accept me or not. Most people do accept it because it’s not them,” Kennie said. Page 10 Happy Valentine’s Day What Do You Do If You Don’t Have A Valentine On Valentines Day couples give and receive gifts and are being extra mushy. When students or teachers see somebody with balloons and flowers, or some other present, they know that that person has a significant other. But by looking at them some students may feel depressed or sad because they don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend to share this day with. “I don’t like being single on Valentine’s Day because I don’t have a boyfriend who will give me presents and say that he loves me,’’ sophomore Rosa Carrillo said. For singles, Valentines Day can be a disheartening day. But other singles are hanging out with their friends at a singles party. Some students have a boyfriend or girlfriend 5 Suggestions for what to do 1. plan a party with some friends 2. exchange valen- tine’s with a group of friends 3. go to the movies 4. exchange pres- this year, but last year ents with people they didn’t have one. “Last year I didn’t you know have a boyfriend and I felt left out on Valen5. go out with your tine’s Day because all of mom and dad my friends had a boyfriend or girlfriend and I didn’t have one,” senior, Beatriz Estrada said. Others had somebody last year but this year they are without somebody to share Valentine’s Day with. Page 11 How Much Would You Spend On Your Valentine? Some people think that on Valentines Day you are supposed to spend lot of money on your special someone and others don’t. “I would spend $300 on my girlfriend, I would buy her whatever she asks for, especially roses the one thing that you give a girl on Valentine’s Day besides your love. You cant forget that that’s the most important thing, that a girl could get on Valentine’s Day,” junior Pedro Ruiz said. “For Valentine’s Day I think that I would spend $50 on my boyfriend, the most that I would spend on him would have to be $100 and I think that I would have to give him a chain with a teddy bear,” junior Estela Tobias said. Some people said that they wouldn’t spend a lot of money on their girlfriend because is not necessary to spend so much on them. “I don’t think that I have to spend money at all on my girlfriend. I think that with the love that I give her is good and I really don’t have to spend money because love is priceless,” junior Luis Gonzalez said. “I think that when your girlfriend loves you, it shouldn’t matter if you buy her a Valentine’s Day present or not,” junior Roberto Peyrano said. And other people think that if you buy them something good and if not, then it is good too. “I think that if I buy my girlfriend a present it is OK, and If I don’t it is OK too because a relationship shouldn’t be about presents, it’s about love,” senior Albert Rojas said. “I think that Valentine’s Day is about love and not about money. It would be nice like a dinner or something, but nothing expensive,” sophomore Tanhia Silva said. “I think that when you have a boyfriend and it’s Valentine’s Day, you are supposed to give them a present on that day. They expect to get something really special that day, but not spend a lot of money probably like $30,” freshman Karen Melendez said. “I think that I would spend like $20 on my boyfriend. I would buy him chocolates and a teddy bear or spend more money depending on how much I love him,” freshman Jessica Arenas said. “On Valentine’s Day, I go home with some flowers for my wife I buy her something that I know she likes and that is not a lot of money,” algebra teacher Mr. Miguel Ramirez said “I would spend like $10 on my boyfriend. I would buy him some candy or some flowers. The most that I would spend would be $20, but not more than that,” CATE teacher Ms. Lorraine Lupo said. Page 12 Feeling The Music Of Love Students Express Thoughts Of Affection Through Songs A love song is music that talks about love between people and sometimes describes the relationship a couple has. Some love songs talk about many issues between couples and that is what makes everyone like them. In some ways, love songs can hurt people because they make them think about not having a loved one or making them remember their former loved one. Most couples have a song that relates to them and decide to call it “their song.” “In my relationship, I would pick a song that related to us and how what we’ve been through our times together,” junior Jazmin Guzman said. “I guess it be one that went with the characteristics, how she is, or the way she is,” senior Jeremy Castaneda said. “I would pick one that went with his personality and talks about things that has happened to us in the past,” sophomore Tiffany Jasso said. Popular love songs that people remember, talk about the relationship issues, or the happiness like Be Without You by Mary J. Bilge, Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts, Let’s Get Married by Jagged Edge, All My Life by KC & JoJo, Three Little Words by NU Flavor, Shortie Like Mine by BowWow featuring Chris Brown, Power of Love by Celine Dion, and Back at One by Brian McNight. Songs like these describe people’s relationships or the feelings they have or once had. “Songs can describe your feelings because when something good or bad happens to me, a love song comes on, and describes the way I feel at the moment. It takes all the words out of my mouth,” Tiffany said. “They do describe relationships, because, maybe something happens to the couple and the song talks about a problem they have or had,” freshman Jessica Arenas said. “No because a love song just talks about the good side most of the times. They only talk about one topic of love,” sophomore Fernando Gonzalez said. With many love songs, they can help bring people together, but can break them apart. If a couple were to break up, the best way to help themselves, would be not to listen to love songs, or to some maybe it would help them. “I wouldn’t listen to love songs after a heartbreak because it would make me think about the situation more and make me feel worse,” Tiffany said. “It wouldn’t help really because it would remind you of what happened,” sophomore Luis Guevara said. “For me to listen to a love song after we broke up would not help because I don’t want to think of them anymore since it’s over between us,” Jessica said. “Some people it may help listening to love songs because they might get over it faster. The song helps them get over it real quickly, but not many people are like that,” Jeremy said. “No, listening to love songs would make you remember the times you spent with that special person and hurt someone more,” Jazmin said. “The love song would make you think of the relationship again and then you would cry and be depressed,” Fernando said. Victoria Salinas Quality Editor Page 13 TOP 50 LOVE SONGS 1. Believe In You & Me - Four Tops 2. Colour My World - Chicago 3. Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison 4. I Finally Found Someone - Barbara Streisand 5. I Can’t Stop Loving You - Ray Charles 6. Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Elvin Bishop 7. Till There Was You - Beatles 8. You Belong To Me - Dean Martin 9. When I Fall In Love - Celine Dion & Clive Griffin 10. Have I Told You Lately I Love You - Van Morrison 11. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston 12. After The Lovin’ - Engelbert Humperdink 13. Because Of You - Tony Bennett 14. Quit Playing Games With My Heart - The Backstreet Boys 15. Running Back To You - Vanessa Williams 16. She Be The One - Enrique Iglesias 17. So Beautiful - Chris De Burgh 18. Tell Me It’s Real - K-Ci & Jojo 19. This I Promise You - N Sync 20. After All - Al Jarreau 21. As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys 22. Close To You - Barbra Streisand 23. Don’t Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle 24. Everything I Own - Bread 25. Dreaming Of You - Selena 26. Crazy In Love - Beyonce 27. Forever - Mariah Carey 28. Getting To Know You - Oscar Hammerstein 29. Happy - Brandy 30. Here And Now - Luther Vandross 31. I Drive Myself Crazy - N’sync 32. I Love You - Faith Hill 33. It Must Have Been Love - Roxette 34. Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel 35. I Will Still Love You - Britney Spears 36. Perhaps Love - John Denver 37. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx 38. Runaway - The Corrs 39. She’s In Live With The Boy - Trisha Yearwood 40. Somebody Loves You - Crystal Gayle 41. Take Me As I Am - Faith Hill 42. This Is The Night - Clay Aiken 43. Underneath The Stars - Mariah Carey 44. Whenever You Call - Mariah Carey 45. When You Tell Me That You Love Me - Julio Iglesias And Dolly Parton 46. X-Girlfriend - Mariah Carey 47. You’re My Home - Billy Joel 48. You Will Be Mine - Faith Hill 49. All My Life - America 50. Beautiful - Faith Hill www.theydeserveit.com XOXO X O X O PDA: How much is too much? Many students have a significant other and they have a lot of peer pressure to explore their sexuality from friends or other students. Some students also show public displays of affection or PDA. “Kids lose focus in school when they are worried about things they shouldn’t be worrying about,” English teacher Ms. Natalie Hicks said. Does it affects students in school because they make their relationship their first priority, when it should be school they should be concentrating on? “I don’t think it does affect the students because they are going to do it no matter what,” senior Rachel Prescott said. Students believe that the school should let students hold hands and hug each other, but anything more is understandably against the rules. “The rules here in school are no touching, no matter what. Which I think is ridiculous,” junior August Stefano said. “Some students do make you feel uncomfortable, because they start getting all on top of each other, now that’s too much,” sophomore Priscilla Bravo said. Students do PDA because of peer pressure, to look cool, or just to show that they don’t care who sees them. Couples try to show PDA because they want everyone to know they are taken or they want everyone to know they are really into each other. “I once had a friend that he and his girlfriend would show a lot of affection towards one another. They wanted everyone to know they where taken and they where serious about their relationship,” sophomore Aaron Gonzales said. Students have gotten pretty bad about PDA and they have gotten to where they do everything in front of everyone. “I remember one time, I was in class and this couple started grabbing each other, that really made me feel uncomfortable,” sophomore Aaron Gonzales said. Teachers are mostly the ones that get really uncomfortable with students that get really touchy with their significant other. “ No touching we are here to learn and work,” soccer coach Shannon Summers said. “I think couples show too much affection because of peer pressure. They think that if there friends do it and they don’t they wont be cool any more,” junior Jonathon Godinez said. “When you do something like that, you should think first; what if your parents where here, would you be doing this?” English teacher Ms. Denise Swaford said. XOXO Page 14 XOXO O XOX Would You Like to Have A Wonderful Valentine’s? Stop Worrieing about how to have a romantic evening and get ideas on how to have one. As Valentine’s Day comes closer, students prepare to give gifts to their loved one. People have come up with special surprises without letting it be the same old thing. Many are romantic, and can come up with the most unique things, but for others they just don’t have any idea. Everyone wishes they could have an unforgettable evening; not having to worry how much everything will cost. They worry about who will disturb their evening and what things could go wrong. Most things that hold people back are how much the gifts will cost, how much is enough and how much will you spend on a loved one? “Well I would spend about $70 without dinner, since he’s going to pay for it,” senior Natalie Rodela While receiving a beautiful homemade rose from her boyfriend junior Christina Guerra and her boyfriend spend their time outside on a beautiful field said. “My girlfriend would want everything to be perfect. So I would spend as much as needed. I don’t have any limit for her,” senior Arturo Garcia said. Most people want to do so many things, but can’t do all of them in one single night. Going out to eat, watching a movie, walking in the park, and just spending time together. This year Valentine’s love. Thinking if you should just give her roses and chocolates others need some advice on what they should give. “For Valentines it’s hard to find something for a guy. You can’t give him something so girly. Something unique would be going to your loves house and on the drive way with chalk write, I love you,” senior Rebecca Rodriguez said. “Something sweet and cute would be going to her house and on her bed put rose pedals in the shape of a heart and in the middle have a big bear holding a beautiful picture Need tips? Any gift with love from the heart Day lands on a Wednesday. Half of the day will be it in school. “If I had the whole day, I would just want to spend time with her. Valentine’s Day is a romantic day and should be spent with some one you love. If it was warm I would take her to the beach and look at the stars,” senior Albert Rojas said. It’s getting hard to think of something very unique, Something that’s not so ordinary and not so boring to give you the ones you Page 15 of us in a nice frame,” Albert said. When shopping for a gift, it can take so long deciding what to buy. Having the thoughts of will the like it? Or will they hate it. It would help if you would know what they expect. “It’s really wouldn’t matter what he buys me. I would just want something that has meaning, something that comes from the heart,” senior Natalie Rodela said. History of Love Love: Wonderful Word That Hurts L-O-V-E, is what comes to mind on Valentine’s Day? Hearts, kisses and flowers, are a part of the search for the meaning of love. But even the great philosophers, with their profound definitions could not fully touch its true essence. Can people tell the difference between love and infatuation? It seems, like it is only waiting for the person who made the heart pound and the brain not stop thinking about that one true love. Falling in love with that one-person, “I feel like everything is going great but we do have problems. But no couple is perfect because in a relationship there are ups and downs,” freshman Karen Melendez said. Thoughts start to go everywhere. Mom warns about being in love, how easy it is to get hurt and love doesn’t always have to be about sex in order to have love for someone. A relationship isn’t always too happy. To know that if love is true, sometimes there will be. Deep inside of heart people get this great feeling of them inside their heart. “You wont miss something ‘til you lose it”? “ No I don’t think it’s true. The only thing that matters is that you love them, cause some couples won’t miss their partner,” sophomore Mariano Hernandez said Real love is caring about the happiness of another person without any thought for what we might get for ourselves. “I think at this time that no one knows the difference between love and infatuation. Love is a strong word to say to one another, but truly no one knows what’s the real meaning of love,” sophomore Monica Sanchez The meaning of love offers a definition of love in a way that is interesting, intense, clear, logical, and meaningful. “ If you love that one person of yours so much, you will find deep into your heart that what love is, for my experience love is very hurting and wonderful,” senior Adolfo Huerta said. Page 16 Sophmore Vanessa Rojas and Jose Lopez, show their love for each other in this picture marking their one year and five month anniversary. In a Hurry, why worry, quick guy gifts ideas for Valentines. This Valentine’s season is coming up quicker than ever and many girls still haven’t got a gift for that special guy in their life. Some guys put their gift ideas in order from the “I Love You” gift to the “If I get this you should break-up with yourself” gift. The answers will surprise you! Heart-O-Meter Top 5 gift ideas for this Valentine season. Gifts from the heart or a gift that really says something (1 being the fav-o-rite to 5 being he save-me-from it) to that special person usually turns into a memorable gift. A memorable gift could be a first kiss, an anonymous love letter, or a funny card to brighten their day, memory is love. 1. From the heart (homemade) card, and cookies. Girls in general, believe that their guy wants those storebought Valentine’s Sweethearts or that new CD that just came out (and in some cases that is true). But the guys seem to prefer that “from the heart” home-made Valentines’ card, warm chocolate cookies, and a CD full of songs that remind him of his special 2. Man second best friend, chocolates from his sweetie! someone and the times they spent together. Freshman Brandon Taylor and junior Daniel Ashraf have proven that guys are as thoughtful as the ladies of Galena Park because both prefer the card over the candy because, “Candy is gone in a day but a card is a keepsake item.” On the other hand, sophomore Robert Corfield believes that homemade cookies are 3. From the “knock-knock” to the “who’s there” funny gifts are the way to go. better to receive than any Hallmark card. Funny cards and Red Hots are always a fun gift to give to any guy. Senior Dustin Rutherford says he remembers a couple of years ago, when someone had given him a box of them, not realizing how hot they were, he tried eating them all at once. The outcome of this was chugging bottles of water and a red tongue! 4. Stuffed animals (adorable) not for guys, so stay away from them. To fix this problem, a poll says five out of six guys favorite candy was chocolate. Junior Joseph Fade favorite type of chocolates is coconut stuffed chocolate bites. Most girls love stuffed animals but guys don’t. The poll says three out of four guys don’t want a stuffed animal. “I prefer peanut butter cookies with a kiss in the middle,” says Fade, “over a stuffed animal any day” Page 17 5. Store bought item, leave them at the store! Worth Spending For Your Sweetheart Money Doesn’t Matter In Love Now that Valentine’s Day is here, couples need to buy their special someone something really nice, but not too expensive. Others don’t buy anything because they think it is not worth spending money. “I’m willing to spend almost $35, but the thing that I know I’m going to do for him is a heart cake. The one thing I don’t want is to spend too much money on him because what if he doesn’t buy anything expensive for me,” junior Jacqueline Salinas said. The other thing is when couples go out to the perfect date are they willing to spend a lot of money on their date or just stay home. “My perfect date is going out to eat maybe at Olive Garden, and spend what is needed. Then after that I would go to the movies, anything for the girl I would do especially if I really like her, but I do think she is worth it,” junior Pedro Ruiz said. Whenever you go to the store, and you see something that your date would like, but you don’t have money, you would rather borrow money from someone you know. “Well yeah, I was at the store one day, and everything was on special, but I didn’t have any money so I decided to ask my mom. Then after that I bought it, well, my mom bought it I started to feel bad. That’s when I realized that I needed to start saving money or just get a job,” sophomore Rafael Arizpe said. When at the store, sometimes there are times that we want to buy something expensive, but it’s usually not worth it. “The one thing that I have in mind buying for my boyfriend is an iPod yeah, everyone tells me it is too expensive, but I really think its worth it, because I love him a lot that I know he will like. I think is better to buy him something that I know he will use, than something he won’t. My Mom tells me that its OK, and I know that he will buy something expensive that’s why,” sophomore Brittany Rodriguez said. The results on money that would be spent on Valentines Day depend on the grade that students are in, some have jobs, and some don’t. “The one thing I know is just because I’m a freshman, it don’t mean nothing yeah maybe I’ll waste less, but something is something as long as I know is coming from my heart,” freshman Lissette Alanis said. “I don’t think it matters what grade it just matters how much money that person wants to spend. Like i’m willing to spend $200 but it’s going to be a surprise,” senior Albert Rojas said. How Much To Spend Grade Level Graph Freshmen Sophomore Juniors Seniors 0 Page 18 60 120 180 240 300 360 To all my Buddies! Tanhia,Krista, Mariano, Sheila, Rey, Ili, Mario, Elba, Lorenzo, Misha,& Monica, I Love Ya’ll! Happy Valentines Day! Love, Diana Solis PYPYPYPYPYPYPYPYPY PYPYPYPYPYPYPYPYPY YPYPYPYPYPYPYPY YPYPYPYPYPYPYPY To: Daniel Castaneda. I love you Pudding Pie. Love, Monique I I I To my best cousin Daisy, I love you and thank you for everything you have done for me! I appreciate it! Love Ya! Happy Valentines Day! I Y Happy Valentine’s Day I I I I YYYYYYYYYYYYYY Y Y Y Y Y Y To: Richard Vieyra Y Y I love you with Y Y Y Y my whole heart, and thank you Y Y for always being Y Y there for me. Y Y Love, Y Y Erica Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y YYYYYYYYYYYYYY To My Sistas in Yearbook, and always will. I can’t believe that we only have one more year together and then we’re off into the real world. Well, I just want to let you know that I will always be here for you no matter what. I just want to say that I love you a lot and thank you for being there for me every time I needed you. Even though we have our ups and downs, we still have each others back I Love You. Happy Valentine’s Day Love, Crystal Page 19 Y Y Audrey, Kelli, Nigel, and all of my buddies I love ya! Ya’ll are the best. I hope ya’ll have a great Valentine’s Day. Oh yeah to 5th period - ya guys are awesome! Y Y To: Valeria I love you and I’m sorry for hurting you back then, but I know that you’re the one. Love, William Y To: Coach Garza T’was once a captain of Old Navy Over who the girls went crazy He showed up at speed camp In his track fancy pants And he danced just like Patrick Swayze. To my Ikki and Jay To: My Triplets, Megan, J.B, Saralu G. Thank you for being my friends. Wishing y’all both a Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Valerie Ezquivel I Y you both even though we argue and fight. I Y y’all more than any body else. Erika Guerrero Y To: My Baby Nohely Thank you for being there when I most needed you. I love you a lot and nothing in the world will change that. Happy Valentine’s Day Babe. I love you with all my heart. Love your Honey Albert To: Coach Rodriguez Roses are red Violets are blue It’s a day without sunshine when I don’t see you. Y To: Priscilla Martinez Thanks for always being there. Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite cousin. Love, Amanda DelaGarza Y To: Sarylu & Valerie I love you guys. Thanks for being there for me always. Y’all are the best! I love my triplets. Love, Megan To: Adolfo Huerta I know that we’re not together and we’re going our own ways, but inside of our selves we have something for each other. I know we have our ups and downs, but I know I will never forget about you. You’ve been there for me and I will always be there for you. You’re always going to be in my heart. Yya, Esther Page 20 To: Jerry Sanchez From: Damaris Duarte Let the world stop turning, Let the sun stop burning, Let them tell me love’s not worth going through. If it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart, the only life I was loved by you. To: Stacey Platero Hey Stace, thanks for being my sister and I’m sorry that we’ve been fighting for a long time. But you’re always in my heart. You’re the best sister I’ve ever had. Well, I just wanted to tell you Happy Valentine’s Day and I to tell I love you for ever! Alex Platero YYYYYY YYYYYY Y P A U L You washed away my heartache and pain. You Showed me a new light every single day. I feel so comfortable around you, even at the gym. So i finally decided to let you win.. My Heart!! To My Baby Albert YYou’re the best thing that has happen to me! I’m so happy I found you my love! We have been through so much together and I thank you for being by my side every moment. I love you a lot chikito. YourYNohely I LOVE MY JACKETEERS! Y Y Y -LOVECOURTNEY Y Y Y Marili Y Melanie & Courtney -Friends Forever- Y Christina Y Hey guys, Hope ya’ll have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!! I Love ya’ll a lot!! Thanks for being there. Ya’ll are the greatest!! And to my Best Friend who UNDERSTANDS this I’m Cereal!! LOL!! YAlways, Elba Duque Y Y We have been friends for the longest! And finally I’ve been granted to be your one and only. The short time that I’ve had your heart in my hand, I’ve been loving it more and more each day. Stop Wait a Minute... You Done Got My Heart all in it YHomeroY I Yyou Marili n Nohely Ya’ll were there when things went down, Ya’ll were there when no one else was around, that’s why, ya’ll are my best friends!!! YChristina Guerra Say...YYou Ain’t Down!! Page 21 Girl, I just wanted to tell you that, I luv you in a good way and don’t 4-get I’m always here for you in good & bad. Take care because I care. Luv you, To: Maribel Rivera From Your best friend Marcela Y My Baby AndyY Just wanted to say Happy Valentine’s Day, I Love You and hopefully we can last Love Always, To: All my Peeps, I love Ya’ll and I am glad that I talk to ya’ll. I love every minute I spend with ya’ll!! Ya’ll are the coolest and craziest ppl in the world. I Love... Marrano H, Diana S, Tanhia S, Kelly V, Roger V, Ester A, Elba D. Branea V, Paula P, Iris G, Veronica O, Ray S, Daisy D, Daisy L, Daisy G, Jose P, Donna and to all my other people that I love - the list is too long LOL!! Y Patty Much love Patty ( Yesennia Hernandez) Sergio Vieyra Happy Valentine’s Day!! I YYou !! Samantha Gonzalez YKarenY To: my Best friends hey guys, hope y’all have a wonderfull Valentines Day!!! I love y’all alot!! Thanks for being there, y’all are the greatest !! And to my best friend that understands this “I’m Cereal!!!” LOL!! Yalways, Elba Duque Page 22 To: Jose Ruiz, Jr. I love you so very much i’m so glad that we got together! can’t wait to be with you for the next couple of years. I love you! From: Your Girlfriend To: My Best and Closest Friends From: Esther For ya’ll being my closest and best friends. I love ya’ll forever I know we have our ups and downs, but no matter what were always gonna stick together I Y ya’ll To: Coach Pena Peña butter jelly time Peña butter jelly time Where he at? Where he at? There he go! There he go! Peña butter with a baseball bat! Coach Peña and baseball’s where it’s at! I Y To: Derek Morin Even though we sometimes fight I still love you. ~Love Erica~ Y I To: Erica We love you even though we fight sometime. we don’t like you, we love you more than Derek. From: Ikki and Jay YYYYYY I Y Y I Love Y You Freddi XOXO Y BE MINE I love you Moses! My love, my life, my everything! Happy Valentine’s Day babe!! <3 Sabrina I ADD ME ON MYSPACE MYSPACE. COM/VIVALARZA4EVER -ERIK VALDEZ “I don’t quite know how to say how I feel, those 3 words are said too much they’re not enough” Babe, I can easily say I love you, but then there are times when “I love you” can’t explain how I feel about you. You bring the best out of me, and I thank God for giving you to me. You are truly a gift from heaven. Val Loves Roy YYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Y Julie Hernandez Loves Alex Brito “You’ll always be my baby” Y Andres Salgado Loves Bianca Montiel Happy Valentine’s Day Babe Y Happy Valentine’s Day Page 23 To: Marlen Ozuna Happy Valentine’s Day Baby Love Scotty To: Diane Perez To my special someone, I can’t seem to stop thinking of you, you’re so special to me. I just want to know if you would be my Valentine. Every time we play fight, something in me just lights up and makes me smile. I would like to get to know you better, I really like you Diane!!!! xoxoxo ~Salvador Sanchez~ Y Y Y Sergio Luna loves Priscilla Perez I love you baby, Happy Valentine’s day! Y Y Y LLLLL To: Daisy Ortega Happy Valentine’s Day From: Mario Martinez To all the Yearbook Hoodlums, For A Job Well Done, Another Year Gone, Let’s Enjoy The Best Part BORED? Looking for something fun? Sign up for Yearbook, JACKET-TV or Web Design for next year! The Fun Is About To Start Happy Valentine’s Day -C LLLLL Page 24