Multimedia Sculpture Teacher Kerry Grover chose Enya Hernandez (10) as this month’s artist.

“I feel good that someone noticed that I have a great talent,” Hernandez said.

One may perceive art as a beautiful painting or a complex picture.

Others may feel or look at it differently, but to some people it is a way of expressing themselves.

To Enya it is getting her feelings out on paper.

“I’m very close to doing self portraits, oil and canvas,” said Hernandez

Her major skills are working with fine arts. They get to work with different types of art. Some of the other things Enya has worked with are photography, sculpture, and pastels.

“Being successful and maintaining other school subjects and juggling what you love to do may not be easy,” Hernandez said. “I have been really into art since I was four.  My family inspires me because they really support me, [which] makes me keep going.”

Enya was chosen for two art projects. One of which is a still life project which she named “My Family is My Life”.

The other is an Alpha Hypno project which she decided to use letters for.

With her family by her side and her passion for art, she plans to continue art and go to Otis in downtown Los Angeles for college.

There was even a little bit of stand-up comedy from our hosts Jeremias Corona (12) and Tye Harbert (12).

The notable singers that made it into finals include Jason Closas (10), who won the singing category, Alexandra Davalos (11), the runner-up, and Chelsea Chavarria (11).

The most astounding dancers were Jessica Bennett (11), the winner of the dance category, and Dance Club, the runners-up. Great bands included Somewhere on the Front Page and the winners of the band category, Streetlights.

The runner-up of the night for acting was Chelsea Alexander (12) and Brandon Unzueta (10) was the winner.

The miscellaneous winners were GAS (Gloves and Shuffling) Club for their outstanding light show along with a little shuffling, and the runner-up Daniel Peraza (9) for his rapping skills.

Many of the competitors had fun, regardless of win or loss.

“It was the best day of my life. I had so much fun and can’t wait for next year’s show,” Rizza Braga (11) said.

Despite some technical issues with sound and lighting, the individuals that participated in the show were definitely a sight to see and a sound to be heard.

Later, Drama Club will be selling a DVD of the talent show for $20 for those who missed this show that will last  for years to come.

“This is the third year that Gahr is part of theYouth Summit. It is a wide plan providing unity and leadership conferences to students,” Manuel Cruz, Dean of Students, said.

Schools that participated were Whitney High School, Artesia High School, Cerritos High School, Tracy High School, Carmenita Middle School, Fedde Middle School, Haskell Middle School, Ross Middle School and Tetzlaff Middle School.

Students who attended Youth Summit learned through many activities how to spread school unity within their own campuses.

“I thought Youth Summit was real good and educational. It gave me an insight on people’s feelings and emotions,” Susana Iturbe (12) said.

Activities consisted of balloon ice breakers, presentations, relay races, and skits about serious problems occurring at school such as bullying, drugs and alcohol abuse.

Cruz, Miguel Canales and the Gahr students who participated in the summit, decided to  take the Youth Summit a bit further and bring the program home onto the campus of Gahr.

“This program promotes school unity through individual interaction which means a more united campus regardless of ethnic diversity,” Cruz said.

This new organization on the Gahr campus is called Bridge Builders.

The organization’s mission is to spread peace, love and unity to our extremely diverse student body.

“Bridge Builders is unity and bringing people together,” Kelsey Sousa (12) said.

To start off and get recognized by the staff and students, Bridge Builders had a lunch social on top of the rally platform yesterday.

It was just a casual social gathering where students got to know each other a little bit better. They talked about many subjects, played games and listened to music.

Hopefully, after having more of these lunch socials, Bridge Builders will move on to discuss more important topics and go into deeper conversations with the students. This should bring student unity to our campus.

“I want to see the Gahr campus to look like a kindergarten classroom where fun and games unite the school,” Cruz said.

The picnic was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 on top of the rally platform.

If you are interested in school unity and want to learn more about the Bridge Builder’s program, do not hesitate to go out and bring your lunch with you to the next social!

“I liked how this year that other clubs from Gahr went to AIDS Walk along with Key Club. Not only as a club but as a school we should spread awareness about the AIDS Walk to all,” Shannon Lee (11) said.

The 6.2 mile walk  around West Hollywood was tiresome for many, but it was all worth it in the end, because AIDS Walk raised more then $3 million for the organizations that work to help prevent AIDS. In addition, Gahr raised more then $500 to help.

“I would of expected AIDS Walk to be long, because I already think the two mile run we do at P.E. is tiring,” Gabriel Cabra (9) said.

Students from WAC, Barkada, Spanish, French, NHS, CSF and Key Club participated in this special event.

For some students, it was their first time, while others were veterans to this walk.

“Out of all the years I went to the walk, I think this year had the best school spirit! The Key Club president, Bruce Guu, did a great job of pumping everyone up and teaching the chants. Everyone participated with so much energy,” Bianca Togonon (12) said.

Students not only had fun walking to support AIDS Walk, but had fun challenging other Key Clubbers around California that attended.

“My favorite time at AIDS Walk was when we challenged other Key Club divisions and beat them with our full spirited members and schoolmates from other clubs! It feels great to have a bunch of our schoolmates from all grade levels team up as one to represent our school and just give nothing but good vibes,” Diane Ilegan (12) said.

For the many first timers, AIDS Walk was not what they had expected. Many thought it to be extremely difficult and tiring.

“After I went home from AIDS Walk, I decided to take the greatest, longest nap I have ever taken. The best part about my nap was my dream where I was back at the AIDS Walk except I wasn’t walking with the Key Clubbers from Gahr, I was walking with the red Power Ranger I saw there. I then woke up around midnight to finish all of my boring homework. Overall it was worth it because AIDS Walk was one of the funnest events I have ever attended,” Christian Villa (11) said.

AIDS Walk not only raised money for medication given to AIDS patients, but it also inspired many walkers there to stand and fight this disease together.

The atmosphere was truly inspiring for every walker there. Gahr students were proud to walk for such a cause.

“I really loved this year’s AIDS Walk. I walked with all of my friends and close teachers. Everyone seemed to be in a really good mood and just really excited. The music got everyone dancing and it was fun and we all had a great time,” Victoria Simbol (12) said.

Hopefully, this new tradition of every club from Gahr going to the  AIDS Walk continues for years to come. Students not only walk, but walk for a reason, and that reason is to find a cure for AIDS.

“I would come back next year to this event. I want to support AIDS Walk and walk another six miles for a good cause!,” Benson Chao (10) said.

“I thought the crowd at McTeachers Night was pretty good. I was glad to see that there were way more people than I expected! I definitely enjoyed watching students come and support the seniors. It made me happy to know that there are people out there that want to support us,” Sharlene Ocampo (12) said.

Many students from freshmen all the way up to seniors, went to support their favorite teachers at McDonalds.

Several teachers went to participate and work in this awesome event, including Martha Gardea, Grover, Bear, Christina Moreau, Canales, Im, Svenneby, Steffen, Vu, Ramirez, Flores and Burneson.

“I liked seeing the teachers at work. To me, I saw them through a different perspective behind the counter not speaking so much HAHA. Personally Mrs. Moreau was my favorite teacher working there. I went pretty late, yet she was still up on her feet running around trying to make sure everyone had great service,” Angie Chavez (12) said.

Teachers worked  shifts such as frying fries, sweeping the floors, cleaning the tables, selling deserts, working the drive- through window and working as the order callers. Service was magnificent and students enjoyed having the teachers serve them for once.

“I thought that the decorations were very well done and well thought out,” Natalie Romero (12) said.

With all the lights, glamour and decorations, this dance was one not to be forgotten.  Accompanying the terrific DJ was the guest performer Mann.  With one of his hit singles “Buzzin”, Gahr was honored for him to attend this dance for the students.

“Wow, I was so excited to see Mann there and I got to have my picture taken with him. It was most definitely a memorable night,” Monica Burling (11) said.

The outcome was much more favorable than that of last year’s. There were over 200 tickets sold!  With music videos playing on five different screens to coincide with whatever song was playing at the moment.  Either way the dance was a great success.  The desserts and beverages were appetizing.  Among some of the snacks were tuxedo cake pops and secret agent cake pops.  In addition, there were drinks like water and soda. It is safe to say that the guests were well looked after.

At the dance came the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.  Xiomara Hernandez (12) was crowned queen and Connor MacDonald (12) was crowned king.  We all wonder what goes through the mind of these nominees as their names are announced.

“I was somewhat worried that when I would go up on stage, I would trip,” MacDonald said.

We must all give thanks to  our wonderful ASB.  Without them, Gahr would not have had the opportunity to have the wonderful experience that was bestowed upon them.

Sanchez began the discussion by talking about the basics of her job; like being voted into office, how long the terms are, how the House of Representatives are supposed to be close to the people.

She explained how a single term in the House of Representatives is two years and a single term for in the Senate is six years. Linda Sanchez has now served nine years.

Sanchez explained that one can be from any background in order to run for Congress. one does not have to be born here, one just needs to be a U.S. citizen.

Sanchez then started talking about her life. Linda is the Representative for the city of Artesia and represents 650,000 people.

She talked about how her parents were immigrants from Mexico and she is one of seven children in her family.

She talked about how she did not always want to be in Congress. Before being in Congress, she was a third grade teacher.

“I wasn’t really impressed with the other candidates,” Sanchez said.

So instead of complaining, she came up with the idea that she could run, so she did and won.

Sanchez works crazy hours and even on holidays and weekends. Her normal schedule ranges from 10 to 12 hours a day. But it is all worth it because she gets to help people.

Sanchez explained that she is unique because she is a woman in a mostly male job, she is Hispanic where she is surrounded by Caucasians and she is young where most people are in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

During breaks, Sanchez likes to spend time with her two and a half year old son.

This makes Linda Sanchez  even more unique than others because she is only the eighth woman to have a child during her term in office.