November 19, 2004

ESUHSD NEWS BRIEFS

‘Thirty Inches of Love’

EVHS Freshman Donates Hair to Cancer Foundation

By Anila Khan
Times Intern

At “A Day in the Park,” Corina Vigil decides to do her good deed of the day and give 30 inches of her hair to a foundation to support children with cancer. Her long, brown hair will be turned into a wig for a fortunate child in Florida.

Five hours of community service may be needed to get an A—but could you imagine dedicating five years to improving a stranger’s life?

Corina Vigil, a freshman at Evergreen Valley High School, can. She heard that Great Clips for Hair would be set up at “A Day in the Park” on Oct. 16 to give free haircuts and donate the hair to make wigs for children with cancer in affiliation with the “Locks for Love” program.

She had been growing her hair since fifth grade, so when “Locks of Love” required a minimum of 10 inches of hair, Vigil decided to donate 30! Once it was cut off, she stated that losing so much of her hair “feels weird, but I’m happy because I know I’m helping someone.” She plans on donating more in the near future.

Vigil’s hair will be taking a trip to Florida where it will be turned into a wig for a child who has lost its hair due to chemotherapy. She hopes that “there will be a cure for cancer one day, and the kids who have cancer are happy.”

Seniors win Mt. Pleasant’s Homecoming quad decoration competition

By Amanda Rivas
Special to the Times

Mt. Pleasant’s most spirited students, arriving as early as 4:30 a.m., waited with heavy eyelids as the gates opened for an event that they had been preparing for since last summer. They were ready to kick off their homecoming weekend with the Homecoming quad decoration competition held Friday, Oct. 15.

The freshmen blew everyone away with their theme of Candy Land, proving that they were just as creative as the other classes. Giant Razzles, Starburst and Life Savers decorated their quad.

The sophomores decorated their quad to resemble the childhood movie Peter Pan, and the juniors went with a cereal theme. Oversized cereal boxes from Honey Nut Cheerios to Trix to Fruit Loops filled up the junior quad, not to mention Tucan Sam. There were decorations everywhere hanging from the roof and even off the walls.

The seniors picked a theme that every teenager in America could relate to: fast food. Just looking around the senior quad seemed to make everyone hungry. One of their main attractions was an 8-foot tall, paper mache Ronald McDonald. Onlookers were in awe of him.

So it’s fitting that the seniors won first place in the competition. Juniors placed second, freshmen placed third and sophomores fourth. The first day of homecoming wouldn’t be complete before classes participated in the traditional bunny hop to have a little fun and let loose.

Mt. Pleasant eats dirt at homecoming football game vs. Lincoln

By Alex Terrazas
Special to the Times

Mt. Pleasant’s homecoming game versus Lincoln turned out to be a real downer. The Cardinals entered the game pumped up and ready ‘to take it to’ Lincoln, but some weak run defense and bad calls factored into the Cards 60 – 28 loss.

Lincoln started out fast, scoring at one minute thirty seconds on their first drive. Five minutes later, Lincoln scored again on a run play, making it 14-0. The Mt. Pleasant Cardinals answered back as Julian Carbajal connected with David Jahn on a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Lincoln then threw a touchdown pass, making it 22-8. With 6:18 left in the first half, Hasaan Jackson plowed through the Lincoln defense, scoring after a long drive, making the score 22-14. Lincoln again scored on a run. On the kickoff, Lincoln unexpectedly tried an on-side kick, and they recovered the ball. On the ensuing drive, Lincoln ran the ball in once more, making the score 34-14 going into the half.

The second half went from bad to worse, with a slew of controversial calls. Lineman Joseph Gurule said, “Every play they lined up off the ball.” He was upset that the referees turned a blind eye.

Hasaan Jackson carried the ball into the end zone for a second time, making it 41-22 Lincoln. With the Cardinals still in the game, Marc Nunez delivered a bone-crushing block on a Lincoln blocker on the kickoff.

What could have been a momentum changer for Mt. Pleasant turned into a downer, as the referee called a clip on Nunez, giving Lincoln prime field position. Lincoln scored on the next play, extending their lead to 48-22.

Mt. Pleasant did score the final touchdown of the game, courtesy of another run by Hasaan Jackson. The final score was Lincoln 60 - Mt. Pleasant 28. Captain Duane Poteat simply stated, “We got blasted.”

Silver Creek Principal Ana Lomas moves to Andrew Hill

Effective immediately, Ana Lomas, the energetic, can-do principal of Silver Creek High School for the past three years, has been assigned to the principal’s post at Andrew Hill High School. She’s filling in for Andrew Hill’s Principal David Riley, who is on a medical leave.

If he doesn’t return from medical leave, Lomas will likely remain at Andrew Hill. Associate Principals Ed Fox and Chris Schroeder will remain at Silver Creek to support interim principal Art Darin.

“I have very special memories of the last three years at Silver Creek, and a very special place in my heart for the graduating class of 2005,” said Lomas in a letter to parents. “I look forward to hearing of the continued success of all Silver Creek students.”

In the interim, Darin, who is also East Side Union High School’s chief academic officer, has been assigned to Silver Creek. Darin spent six years as the popular principal at Mt. Pleasant High School before joining Superintendent Esperanza Zendejas’ cabinet last January. Watch for more permanent announcements in February.