By Melissa Moreno

La QuintaHigh School has been granted a full six-year accreditation term from the WASC commission. This is the highest approval that the members of WASC ever give. With this achievement, there will be no mid-year review visit required. DSUSD’s new superintendent, Gary Rutherford, is very proud of this result. “Do you know how rare it is to earn a full six-year WASC accreditation these days? You have every right to be very proud of this great shared accomplishment. Congratulations!” he commented by email.

According to LQ principal Salazar, “This is the best possible news!” Salazar would like to thank the teachers for their hard work with the students and families. Her gratitude goes out to the board members, district cabinet, and directors. Great job, Blackhawks!

Most likely to be the next American Idol

Danielle King

Alex Gomez

Most likely to land a Backside Flip

Andrew Gonzales

Carlos Ortiz

Most likely to be a Comedian

Geoffrey McManus

Micaela Lerma

Most likely to be a Dog Trainer

Brianna Gatlin

Most Eccentric

Lauren Feliciano

Jose Clavijo

Most likely to be a fashionista

Isabella Houg

Armand Hernandez

Most likely to be on a game show

Hector Pineda Jr

Heather Davenport

Most likely to be a Hairstylist

Aaron Angulo

Selena Alvarez

Most likely to be inseparable

Megan Moon and Sam Schmidt

Most likely to be a Juggler

Shane Archer

Most likely to be a kindergarten teacher

Alyssa Luna

Most likely to be a lifeguard

Jackie Rivas

Wyatt Seaman

Most likely to be a mechanic

Austin Castro

Seleste Sanchez

Most likely to go into the Navy

Brandon Lewis

Most likely to go to the Olympics

Hayley Schoppe

Isaiah Verazas

Most likely to be President

Kristy Kim

Garrett Eaglin

Most likely to be Quiditch Captain

Michael Finch

Beth Case

Most likely to be a Radio DJ

Marcus Simerson

Most likely to still believe in Santa

Sierra Kalman

Most likely to be a TV show host

Dominique Dulski

Christian Rowe

Most likely to be US Senator

Kevin White

Briseida Jimenez

Most likely to be the next Van Gough

Elizabeth Flores

Most likely to be a Web Master

Ashley Gonzales

Ryan Hamel

Most likely to work an x-ray machine

Jessie Norman

Charles Silva

Most likely to be a Yoga Instructor

Dominick Signoretto

Maria Ross

Most likely to be a Zoo Keeper

Jerry Jaramillo

Michelle Scarcella

(La Quinta, CA) On Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 4pm, the City of La Quinta will become the only City in the Coachella Valley to have an authentic piece of steel from the World Trade Center and Ground Zero. Located at the Civic Center Campus (behind La Quinta Library), there will be an unveiling and dedication ceremony to remember those who lost their lives September 11, 2001, and those affected by the tragedy. This event will also double as an Eagle Court of Honor for the young man who helped bring the piece of history to the desert, Andrew Davis.

Davis, now 18, began this project as a means of obtaining his Eagle Rank. “This is something that hits very close to home for our family,” said Mike Davis, Andrew Davis’ father.

In September of 2001, Mike Davis was in New York working at the U.S. Open tennis tournament. He had planned to go to the Stock Exchange the next morning, but at the last minute, decided to come home to his family.

“The subway that we would have taken would have taken us right by the Towers,” said Mike Davis. A few years later, Mike showed his son an article about a little boy who helped get a memorial built in his town. Andrew, although he was only 6 at the time, has a distinct memory of the day that his dad could have been taken away from him, but out of luck was stuck at LAX instead.

“He decided that this is something that everyone should remember and reflect on,” added Mike Davis.

There were a lot of people involved in this project. Andrew raised about $20,000 in cash through fundraisers, the City of La Quinta donated over $35,000 plus time and land.

After Andrew made a presentation during the January 4, 2011, City Council meeting, artist Robert Radi spoke with staff at the City of La Quinta and said that he wanted to pay for the shipping of the steel. Radi also donated his time in designing the display and redesigning it after receiving the exact size of the piece of steel the City would be receiving.

“For Andrew to pick this as an Eagle Scout project was huge. We’ve grown a lot in the past couple years together, and to see the community come together to make this happen is incredible. So many resources and finances were given and so many touching stories told, everyone coming together to make this happen is really encouraging,” said Mike Davis.

The Memorial will be located at 78275 Calle Tampico. For more information, please contact Community Services Department 760.777.7090.

On December 13, La Quinta High sent a team of four to the 8^th Annual World Affairs World Quest competition. The event was held in the Indian Wells Theater on the Cal State San Bernadino Palm Desert campus. It was split into five rounds, each consisting of ten questions. The questions were under five different categories: U.S Economic Competitiveness, the Middle East,China, Geography, and Current Events. The audience was able to play along with the official teams on answer sheets given out with their programs.

The LQ team, which consisted of Liberty Feliciano (11), David Castro (11), Juan Rodriguez (11), and Michael Bergh (11), remained calm and answered the questions thoughtfully. However, the team’s efforts did not place them in the top 3. The winning school,DesertChristianAcademy, will be going toWashingtonD.C.in April for the national competition.

LQ Social Studies teacher Ms. Schuler had a positive outlook on the affair. “The competition is a good opportunity to show their knowledge of world affairs,” she explained, “If the team is the same one next year that we had this year, they will be strong. They will know their way around the entire thing.” Hopefully, their experience this year will help LQ’s young team prepare for next year.

By Kitamba Satcher

Sarita Lawson (18), former LQHS student (2011), was part of the 29th Annual Powwow Dance Competition at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino inIndio. This event took place November 26-28.

“I’ve been performing since I was three and my highest title was the Princess title,” informed Lawson. Having a shared bloodline, Sarita and I discussed the background of the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes. I learned much about the Native Dress worn during the dances.

Lawson stated, “The Regalia is used to represent one’s self. It is to be made by the wearer or by a family member or close friend.” Sarita’s Regalia was made specifically for the Jingle Dance which is a traditional dance that started in the Ojibwe Tribe developed through the dreams of a Medicine Man.

The dress worn for this dance is decorated with bells to symbolize the falling of rain and the movement of the Jingle Dance is performed in a zigzag sequence to represent the journey through life. “This dance is most commonly performed during healing ceremonies but is also performed in competitions at the powwow,” said Lawson.

Through this experience into the world of the Native Americans I learned the true meaning of being proud of my ancestry.

By Emily Pierce

On December 13, La Quinta High sent a team of four to the 8^th Annual World Affairs World Quest competition. The event was held in the Indian Wells Theater on the Cal State San Bernadino Palm Desert campus. It was split into five rounds, each consisting of ten questions. The questions were under five different categories: U.S Economic Competitiveness, the Middle East,China, Geography, and Current Events. The audience was able to play along with the official teams on answer sheets given out with their programs.

The LQ team, which consisted of Liberty Feliciano (11), David Castro (11), Juan Rodriguez (11), and Michael Bergh (11), remained calm and answered the questions thoughtfully. However, the team’s efforts did not place them in the top 3. The winning school,DesertChristianAcademy, will be going toWashingtonD.C.in April for the national competition.

LQ Social Studies teacher Ms. Schuler had a positive outlook on the affair. “The competition is a good opportunity to show their knowledge of world affairs,” she explained, “If the team is the same one next year that we had this year, they will be strong. They will know their way around the entire thing.” Hopefully, their experience this year will help LQ’s young team prepare for next year.

By Vincent Velasco, Justin Ortiz, and Kurt Schawacker

We wanted to give you the latest update on the 9/11 Memorial that is being built at the La Quinta Civic Center Campus Park. La Quinta High School’s very own, Andrew Davis is in the process of constructing a memorial for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. While he was in New York City over Thanksgiving break, he and his family received a private tour from the 9/11 Memorial Organization to learn more. His goal is to complete the project for his Eagle scout rank.

Construction is underway and the memorial dedication is set for completion on January 23rd 2013.

Tutoring for today is as follows: English in room 407 with Ms. Easley and Math in room 201with Ms. Borchard.  Submitted by Mr. Biggert 11/29

Don’t miss transfiguration class tomorrow! Show up to Dumbledore’s Army tomorrow at lunch tomorrow.  Submitted by Ms. Finch 11/29

Attention Boys Golf Team: come by the weight room today during lunch to meet the new coach and hear about this year’s plans.  Submitted by Coach Shelden 11/29

GSA people don’t forget to come to room 504 at noon today for our meeting.  Submitted by Ms. Kennedy11/29

Attention all hip hop and rhyme enthusiasts! Hip Hop Club is having a meeting today, Thursday, in room 410 at lunch. Submitted by Ms. Urmanski 11/29

TGIFCA – Thank God it’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this Friday in room 201 at lunch.  Come hear what Nathan, an awesome speaker has to say.  See you all then.  Submitted by Ms. Borchard 11/30

Attention all Japaname Club Members: there will be a meeting Friday in room 515.  Submitted by Mr. Ussery 11/30

An admissions representative from Holy Family University in Philadelphia will be visiting our campus on Tuesday, December 11.  If you are interested in attending the presentation, please sign up in the Career Center in room 701.   Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/10

Just a reminder to all students who purchased homecoming pictures. Your pictures have arrived and are in the ASB office waiting to be picked up. You can pick them up before school, during lunch and after school.  Submitted by ASB 11/30

Attention seniors make sure that you are dropping off your firework donations to the ASB office; before school, during lunch and after school. Any amount would help towards the cost of our fireworks display at graduation! Your donations are greatly appreciated!   Submitted by ASB 11/30

It is time again for our mid-year Blood Drive.  If you donated in September, you are set to donate today or tomorrow Nov 29-30. It has been 56 days already.  We hope we can count on your support. You must be 17 yrs old, there is only one weight requirement, you must be at least 110lbs.  Please sign up in room 705.  You can also sign up with one of the MHA students, with the lunchtime CART sign ups. Thank you for your continued loyalty.  Submitted by Mrs. Pedersen 11/30

Art Club members, turn in your permission slips for the Getty Museum trip.  Permission slips should be turned in by Friday November 30^th.    The trip is Friday December 7^th.   Submitted by Terry Kauffman 11/30

The deadline for Senior portraits for the yearbook has been extended to November 30^th.  Please call Desert Photo at 760-360-6979 to make your appointment.    Submitted by Mrs. Herrera 11/30

Attention Juniors & Seniors: Are you interested in learning more about career exploration and planning, or are you interested in a career in the military? If so, you are invited to take the ASVAB on Tuesday, December 11 from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. To sign up, please stop by the Career Center in room # 701.  Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/4

Tutoring for today is as follows: English in room 409 with Ms. Unden and Math in room P-24 with Ms. Austad.  Submitted by Mr. Biggert 11/28

All track athletes interested in running distance this year will meet today at lunch in the dance room.  Submitted by Coach Perez 11/28

An admissions representative from Holy Family University in Philadelphia will be visiting our campus on Tuesday, December 11.  If you are interested in attending the presentation, please sign up in the Career Center in room 701.   Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/10

If you are interested in trying out for baseball and are a freshmen or a new baseball player, please attend an information meeting on tryouts, in room 509 at lunch today, November 28^th.  Submitted by Coach Conley 11/28

If you are into dance and movement, check out the 2013 LQHS Winter Guard! Color guard combines modern dance with equipment. Auditions will be held after school in the Band Room 301 from 3:00-7:00 pm today. Don’t miss out!  Submitted by Mr. Loney 11/28

Just a reminder to all students who purchased homecoming pictures. Your pictures have arrived and are in the ASB office waiting to be picked up. You can pick them up before school, during lunch and after school.  Submitted by ASB 11/30

Attention seniors make sure that you are dropping off your firework donations to the ASB office; before school, during lunch and after school. Any amount would help towards the cost of our fireworks display at graduation! Your donations are greatly appreciated!   Submitted by ASB 11/30

It is time again for our mid-year Blood Drive.  If you donated in September, you are set to donate on Nov 29-30. It has been 56 days already.  We hope we can count on your support. You must be 17 yrs old by Nov 29 or 30 and there is only one weight requirement now of 110lbs.  Please sign up in room 705.  You can also sign up with one of the MHA students, with the lunchtime CART sign ups. Thank you for your continued loyalty.  Submitted by Mrs. Pedersen 11/30

Art Club members, turn in your permission slips for the Getty Museum trip.  Permission slips should be turned in by Friday November 30^th.    The trip is Friday December 7^th.   Submitted by Terry Kauffman 11/30

The deadline for Senior portraits for the yearbook has been extended to November 30^th.  Please call Desert Photo at 760-360-6979 to make your appointment.    Submitted by Mrs. Herrera 11/30

Attention Juniors & Seniors: Are you interested in learning more about career exploration and planning, or are you interested in a career in the military? If so, you are invited to take the ASVAB on Tuesday, December 11 from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. To sign up, please stop by the Career Center in room # 701.  Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/4

By: Michael Kalb and Erik Lopez

Have you ever thought about shoes and how they relate to life?

Mrs. Fishman, art teacher, and her sister have. Starting as a birthday present for their younger sister, they started making a story about shoes. From there, it boomed.

Fishman and her sister started working on a website six years ago all about shoes. Using Fishman’s artistic talents to create the drawings of shoes and her sister’s amazing writing ability to make the stories, they’ve created several different drawings and various poems and stories all about shoes.

Some of them include “Sole Mates”, “Soles and Hearts” and “Shoe Haikus.” Stories aren’t the only thing you’ll find, though. They have also created videos, like “When Shoes Can Fly.”

Check it out at www.shoebanter.com to find things you’ve never thought of about shoes.

By Chloe Strickland, Alexis Rocha, and Elaine Sato

Did you go to the turkey bowl? If not, here’s a recap. Mrs.Cook was on the clock, keeping the time, Mr. Wagner was the announcer, keeping the audience up to date, and Mr. Moon and Mr. Webb were the referees, keeping the game in order.

“Even though it was hot, it was worth watching,” said Marilyn Lora, freshman, who stayed and watched the entire game with some of her friends.

“It was a pretty good game, I just wish the students would have won,” commented Shayna Martinez, sophomore, who stayed for most of the game, and was a bit disappointed with the result.

The final score was 28-14, with the teachers winning.

Tutoring for today is as follows: English in room 406 with Ms. Shulby and Math in room 203 with Ms. Lemus.  Submitted by Mr. Biggert

All track athletes interested in running distance this year will meet Wednesday at lunch in the dance room.  Submitted by Coach Perez 11/28

An admissions representative from Holy Family University in Philadelphia will be visiting our campus on Tuesday, December 11. If you are interested in attending the presentation, please sign up in the Career Center in room 701.   Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/10

If you are interested in trying out for baseball and are a freshmen or a new baseball player, please attend an information meeting on tryouts, in room 509 at lunch on Wednesday November 28^th.  Submitted by Coach Conley 11/28

If you are into dance and movement, come check out the 2013 LQHS Winter Guard! Color guard combines modern dance with equipment. Auditions are Wednesday after school in the Band Room (301) from 3-7 p.m. Don’t miss out!  Submitted by Mr. Loney 11/28

Calling all drummers! Auditions for the 2013 LQHS Winter Drumline are TODAY after school in the Band Room (301) from 3-6 p.m. No experience necessary. Come check it out!  Submitted by Mr. Loney 11/27

Just a reminder to all students who purchased homecoming pictures. Your pictures have arrived and are in the ASB office waiting to be picked up. You can pick them up before school, during lunch and after school.  Submitted by ASB 11/30

Attention seniors make sure that you are dropping off your firework donations to the ASB office; before school, during lunch and after school. Any amount would help towards the cost of our fireworks display at graduation! Your donations are greatly appreciated!   Submitted by ASB 11/30

It is time again for our mid-year Blood Drive.  If you donated in September, you are set to donate on Nov 29-30. It has been 56 days already.  We hope we can count on your support. You must be 17 yrs old by Nov 29 or 30 and there is only one weight requirement now of 110lbs.  Please sign up in room 705.  You can also sign up with one of the MHA students, with the lunchtime CART sign ups. Thank you for your continued loyalty.  Submitted by Mrs. Pedersen 11/30

Art Club members, turn in your permission slips for the Getty Museum trip.  Permission slips should be turned in by Friday November 30^th.    The trip is Friday December 7^th.   Submitted by Terry Kauffman 11/30

Are you interested in a lucrative career as an automotive technician? If so, you won’t want to miss the presentation from the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) on November 29. During the presentation, we’ll take sign-ups for seniors interested in a field trip to the UTI campus in Rancho Cucamonga. If you’re interested, please sign up in the Career Center in room 701.  Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 11/29

The deadline for Senior portraits for the yearbook has been extended to November 30^th.  Please call Desert Photo at 760-360-6979 to make your appointment.    Submitted by Mrs. Herrera 11/30

Attention Juniors & Seniors: Are you interested in learning more about career exploration and planning, or are you interested in a career in the military? If so, you are invited to take the ASVAB on Tuesday, December 11 from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. To sign up, please stop by the Career Center in room # 701.  Submitted by Ms. Van Vacter 12/4

The Environmental Youth Conference meets every October at the The Living Desert.  About 200 students attend to learn new field skills such as GPS navigation, testing water samples, surveying electrical usages, and looking for living examples of the carbon cycle.  Students are taught to use video cameras to produce a PSA and how to design and implement a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Service Project.  They are introduced to professionals and mentors to help with their service project.  This year LQHS sent three students: David Castro, Felipe Gonzalez, and Kyrie Tolliver.

Weekend Swap Meet Sponsored by
La Quinta High School Stage Productions/FX Club/Theater

When: Saturday and Sunday
December 8-9, 2012

Where: La Quinta High School Parking Lot on Dune Palms

Time: 8 am – 2 pm

We are looking for donated items to sell at our Swap Meet. If you are a late Spring cleaner than this is the thing for you. Bring your boxes of “treasures”  that are just laying around the garage or house and bring it to the theater. We can store boxes of “treasures’’ here.

If you have any big items like T.V’s, shelving, couches, tables, etc. please bring them by Saturday morning (Dec. 8, 2012)

We will run the swap meet all weekend so please bring whatever you can to help us out with this fundraiser and worthy cause.

Contact person: Kathy Karstens
katharine.karstens@dsusd.us