Q&A with Student Body President Isaiah Gale

by Marshal Magazine Staff

Q: What made you want to run for Student Body President?
A: I’ve always had a deep love for Rockwell and the people who go here. It’s such a unique place.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being on Student Government?
A: My favorite thing about student government is forming a community in our school to get more students involved and to have pride in their school.

Q: What is the purpose of Student Government?
A: The purpose of student government is to form a community. To make high school more enjoyable for whoever wants to make life-long memories and friendships.

Q: What is something you wish other students knew about Student Government?
A: The student government is a diverse group of individuals that have a bunch of different opinions but when we work together, we work for the student body of Rockwell.

Q: What do you want to say to the students of Rockwell?
A: Make these the best moments of your life. Be involved, show pride in your school, work hard to better yourself, and help better others around you. It’s over before you know it.

What To Say to Someone That Comes Out

by Lin Grimshaw

Coming out can be extremely scary. If someone comes out to you – whether you support them or not – you should respect that they trust you enough to tell you something this intimate.

Your first reaction is what they (the person coming out) will remember the most. For instance, when I first came out to my parents they asked me “Are you jumping on the gay train?” Admittedly, it hurt a lot and I felt like I couldn’t trust them. They’re a lot more supportive now. But whatever you do, definitely do not say that. Instead, try your best to stay calm and don’t say the first thing that comes to your mind. Yelling and calling them profanities won’t make them not LGBT anymore, no matter how hard you try, that won’t change they’re attraction/gender. If anything that will make them want to fight with you more or just go back in the closet.

If you want to support them, you should ask them if you can help with anything and what you can do to better understand. If they’re still confused, ask how you can help relieve the stress of coming out to others, etc. They trust you, so if they’re not out to anyone else ask them if they’d be okay with you bringing it up to other people. Don’t talk about it , don’t talk about it to anyone if they say “no”, it’s their identity and their choice as to who knows. This is a very vulnerable time for them, don’t make them feel worse by pretending that part of them doesn’t exist, of course it’s not their entire personality, but it’s a big part of who they are and it’s important to them. Plus ignoring that part of them doesn’t change the “problem”.

Coming out is different for everyone and it’s hard to know what to expect, just remember that they are just as human as you, doesn’t matter what sexuality or gender identity, we’re all naked, ape descendents. Your life doesn’t matter more just because you’re comfortable being cisgender heterosexual. Stop trying to take the high ground and instead realize that it’s unexceptionable to be a bigot. You don’t have to love lgbt, but at least try and have some basic human courtesy.

Photo Gallery: Rockettes take first at dance competition

Congratulations to the Rockettes. They took first place in their jazz routine, and second place in their lyrical routine at their first competition of the season on Saturday, March 30. Check out the photo gallery of the event below.

Photos courtesy Diana Figueroa. 

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RCHS Breaks Ground for Track Friday

by Marshal Magazine Staff

Students, staff, faculty, and community members gathered outside Friday afternoon to celebrate the groundbreaking of Rockwell’s latest addition – a brand new track.

“It’s cool that we’re getting a track,” said Rockwell junior Aimree Swift. “It was neat to be a part of this. Good job, Rockwell.”

The Rockwell track team has been holding track & field practices in the back parking lot since its opening in 2008.

“Having a track at Rockwell is really exciting,” said Rockwell sophomore and track team member Diana Figueroa. “Not only is it going to help our running improve, but it will make it so we don’t have to fight the buses and cars about who gets the parking lot after school.”

Today’s groundbreaking began with a few words from Principal Darren Beck and RCHS board member Tiffany Southern. Athletic Director RaNell Goldthorpe then took her seat in the tractor to dig the first hole, followed by board member Tiffany Southern. Track team members, teachers, staff, seniors, and administrators then took turns completing a celebratory shoveling while posing for a photo.

“It was exciting to witness an expansion of Rockwell,” said Rockwell teacher Jake Hampton. “I think the track will be a great addition to the school, and it’s an honor to see it happen from the beginning.”

The track is set to begin construction soon and will be ready to use beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

See the gallery below for photos of the event, courtesy Diana Figueroa. 

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Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Crazy Socks

by Chae Ewell

Each year, March 21st marks World Down Syndrome Day. Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs when there’s an error in the process of cell division, resulting in an extra chromosome. The most common form of Down Syndrome is trisomy 21, a third 21st chromosome. This is why we celebrate on March 21st (3/21).

“My sister has trisomy 21,” said Rockwell freshman Doug Ewell. “I think it’s really cool. She is one of the most optimistic and happy people I know.”

As the chromosomes look like socks, we invite you to wear crazy socks on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21. Wear mismatched, crazy colors, knee highs, tie dye, or crazy patterns of any kind. Doing so will help spread awareness and honor those who live with Down Syndrome every day.

(Image via TheStranger.com)

 

One Can Can Make a Difference

by Sierra Maldonado

Rockwell Charter High School is doing a food drive for local families that need food for Thanksgiving.

There are more than 2,000 homeless people across the state of Utah. Donating even just one can of food can help someone not go hungry this holiday season.

How it works: Beginning tomorrow, November 7, there will be a box for each grade to donate their cans in the library. When you donate, the librarian will have you count your cans and fill out a can to hang up on the poster in the hallway. The grade with the most cans donated will win a pizza party!

It’s not just canned food you can donate. We accept other non-perishable food items, as well. Here are a few ideas of things you can bring:

– Canned beans
– Canned soup
– Canned fruits
– Canned vegetables
– Canned meat
– Cereal
– Rice
– Peanut Butter
– Pasta

These are things that food banks need the most, but any and all non-perishable food donations are welcome. If every student donates just 5 cans of food, we will have almost 2,500 cans of food to donate! Let’s help people in our community have a memorable Thanksgiving.

The canned food drive begins tomorrow, November 7, and ends Friday, November 16.

Students campaign to bring cheer team to Rockwell

by Ashlee Milton

Photo: Rockwell’s cheer team in 2014.

Three students are working together to bring back the Rockwell High cheer team.

“We all want to come together to bring something more to Rockwell,” said Rockwell sophomore Kiera Barker. “It would be cool to show support for the sports teams by cheering at their games.”

Mikayla Tanner, Skilin Hacking, and Kiera Barker are some of the girls advocating to bring the team back. The last time Rockwell had a cheer team was in 2014 and was ended due to all the participants graduating.

“We all want to come together to bring something more to Rockwell. It would be cool to show support for the sports teams by cheering at their games.”

– Kiera Barker, sophomore

Mikayla Tanner, a senior at Rockwell, has had some experience with cheer and tumbling for about a year and a half. She brought the idea to Misty with the intentions of starting a team to help all feel like they have a place at the school.

“I think a lot of people at Rockwell could benefit from having a cheer team here,” said Tanner. “I want to be part of creating a place for people to feel included and feel like they can bring more spirit to the school.”

Having a cheer team would help bring more people to the games and more spirit to the school.

Image via Sydnie Holland

10 Albums to Add to Your Summer Playlist

by Kaya Garza

10. “Are You Experienced” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Not only is Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time, he’s a phenomenal lyricist and performer. My grandma explained to me the day she got the record back in 1967.

“I was with my girlfriends, and back then Rock N’ Roll wasn’t very accepted by our parents, so we went behind their backs and bought the LP record anyways,” she said. “We played that every day in the summer.“

9.”Rumours“ by Fleetwood Mac – “My go-to summer album is Rumours by Fleetwood Mac,” said Rockwell senior Alexa Camargo. “I really like that album because every single song on it really speaks. I kind of get a light, airy vibe from it, but the songs are also about deeper things. I don’t know, it just feels like a good summer album to me. Also, Stevie is a goddess.”

8. “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen – I, myself, am not the most patriotic, but when Born In The U.S.A. comes on, I can’t help but want to throw some tea in a harbor and light up a bunch of red, white and blue fireworks. They call Springsteen ”The Boss” for good reason.

7. “40 oz. to Freedom” by Sublime – How could I not throw in a Sublime album? Sublime are the gods of summer laziness, and this album is the CD that’s in all of our dad’s old junk drawer. So if your plan is sleeping in everyday, having fun all night- this is perfect for you. Tell me, are you a badfish, too?

6. “DAMN.” by Kendrick Lamar – Kendrick Lamar may very well be the voice of the era, delivering the cold truth with a punch. From the daring track “XXX” to “HUMBLE,” Kendrick never fails to speak to his listeners in a way no one else can. This country needs a bit of work- and Kendrick won’t shut up about it. And neither should you.

5. “Traveller” by Chris Stapleton – This was me and my mom’s favorite album last summer, perfect for trips to Moab or Lava Hot Springs. Stapleton isn’t like many other country artists, as he brings back the true spirit of the genre. Influenced by some of the greats like John Denver and Hank Williams, Stapleton writes his heart out and can speak to every American. Give it a try.

4. “Odyssey” by HOME – “This album is iconic in the synthwave genre,” said Rockwell sophomore Connor Mackintosh. “The main highlight of the album, Resonance, is a simple but great track that inspires a unique feeling of melancholic nostalgia. It’s best experienced with your close friends on a long, nighttime drive in the middle of the summer.”

3. “Dazed and Confused” Soundtrack – If you haven’t seen the movie, I’d recommend watching it sometime this summer. It’s witty, exciting, and could make anyone want to go back to the 1970s. And it’s got Matthew McConaughey, so that’s a plus. But the best thing about this film is the soundtrack. Iconic songs like ”Low Rider“ and “School‘s Out“ make for an excellent Friday night, whatever your plans may be.

2. ”Exodus” by Bob Marley (and The Wailers) – I was named after a Bob Marley song so maybe that makes me a bit biased, but no one can argue that Bob Marley is a true icon and ambassador of peace for the entire world. Best for vacations- (specifically Jamaica), the pool, or on the weekends.

1. The Black Panther Album (Inspired By), Kendrick Lamar, SZA, The Weeknd, and more – Black Panther is the most iconic movie of the 21st century- I’m ready to fight anyone on this. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “All The Stars” is by far the best track- one to listen to at any point in the summer. Jam out to it with the sun roof open, at a party, barbecues, or just hanging out with friends. You can’t be disappointed.

‘This American Life’: Q&A with Rockwell’s Exchange Students

by Kaya Garza

Many of us have been personally touched by exchange students as we’ve learned so much about their cultures, way of life, and languages. When they come to Rockwell, they bring little pieces of their country with them and we are lucky enough to have them share that with us as they see our country through foreign lenses.

Marshal Magazine sat down with some of these foreign exchange students to find out more about where they came from and their time in America.

Fabio Malta, Brazil

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: The prices.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The parties.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: New family and friends.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: Americans are less friendly than Brazilians.

Q: Do you like America?
A: For sure.

Jeff Yuan, China

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: The way of government and school.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The food.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: School.

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes!

Jun, South Korea

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: The food.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The driving/drivers.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Food

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: I miss my friends.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: School is very different.

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes.

Hanter, China

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: The culture and the respect.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: Education

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Making good friends.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: Church. It is a big part of everything.

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes!

Chrystee , China

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: America has a different culture, and the houses are very different.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The people are really helpful and nice.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: School.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A:The weather.

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes.

Sofie Larsen, Denmark

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: I love the outgoing people, and I love that everyone speaks English. I love this language.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: I love the culture, the habits, family, food, and drinking. I can drink in Denmark.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Fast food places! Everywhere!

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Having to leave and say goodbye to good friends.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: Nobody wears the same style, everybody wears Converse, and dinner is so early!

Q: Do you like America?
A: I love it. “Put, I’m loving it!“

Clemens Block, Germany

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: I like it that sports are more of a focus in school. You have much more possibilities to practice and do your sport in a competitive way because the school is respecting your sport and is helping you do it by the different high school teams. You can also practice during school which I think is very cool.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: I like it that you have better possibilities to learn other languages.
Also, I like that you are not only learning the surface of a math topic.

Q: What is your fave thing about the U.S.?
A: I like that you can get your driver‘s license at 16.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: It’s a little bit the racism in some states, which I didn‘t really notice, but I am often hearing some bad news over it.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: The first thing was definitely the food, which caused some stomach problems. It’s not bad, and it’s better than our food, but our food is healthier. It was also a bit hard for me to understand American English because I was used to British English.

Q: Do you like America?
A: I would say I love America. It is the country of many possibilities. The people are very relaxed and also very nice to non-native speakers, which surprised me.

Aom, Thailand

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: The people, they are so friendly and helpful!

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The food.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Kaya

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Americans are very sad some days and very happy the next.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: Americans eat dinner together and do everything together!

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes!

May, Thailand

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: Sidewalks! They make things easier.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: The culture and the importance of respect.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: The weather.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Little children are crazy.

Q: What were some culture shocks when first coming to America?
A: Water fountains. We don’t have those

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes!

Daniel, China

Q: What do you like more about the U.S. than your home country?
A: It is much bigger.

Q: What do you like more about your home country than the U.S.?
A: Everything is very convenient.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the U.S.?
A: Basketball, friends

Q: Do you like America?
A: Yes!

We’ve Got Spirit…How ‘Bout You?

by Sidney Bernabeu

Rockwell may be a small school but their school spirit makes the school seem a lot bigger.

Rockwell’s students are enthusiastic about cheering on their school. They cheer on their peers whenever the chance to arises. Students aren’t afraid to show some school pride; they cheer on the school’s teams as much as they can. Student government organizes activities and assemblies for students so they can show school spirit by getting involved and have some fun while doing it.

Rockwell encourages its students and community to get involved in service, each year the school does a “change wars” fundraiser to raise money to bring holiday cheer to Rockwell families. Rockwell’s students always come out to support their school it doesn’t matter when it is, students always come.

“I love Rockwell,” said senior Aubri Bailey. “I love how small it is. I love the teachers and I love how everyone knows each other. I also love playing volleyball and softball here. Honestly, I’m not ready to leave high school. High school is my safe place. I’m graduating, and I’m excited, but I’m scared at the same time.”

Rockwell students love to support the school at various events.

“I think Rockwell has a lot of school spirit. We come together at basketball games and make sure we support the teams. But I feel like we need to support the school as a whole – not just the athletic events. School spirit isn’t just about cheering on the athletic teams – it’s about cheering on the school.”

– Katherine Pinheiro, junior

Whether students have been here since 7th grade, or have transferred in mid-year, they love what they find here at Rockwell.

“I came from Orem High mid-year, and I love that the teachers are a lot more accessible here,” said junior Peyton McCann-Ashton. “Having moved in the middle of the term and being socially anxious, it is difficult for me to start a conversation to make friends, but here, I didn’t have to. Everyone is friendly and that makes it easier to talk and have fun with others.”