Opinion

Tyler Livingston
Copy Editor

On Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in every time zone on Earth, nearly 3,000 cities worldwide contributed to Earth Hour.

For the past three years the aim of Earth Hour has been to call attention to a supposed climate crisis and raise awareness regarding how we can stop the theoretical danger involved with an impending warming of Earth’s climate due to human behavior.

Famous sights and landmarks are blacked out, along with average homes across the planet. From Paris to London; from Toronto to Las Vegas, businesses, buildings, and homes turned out their lights for one hour.

In 2007, according to the event’s official Web site, earthhour.org, 2.2 million homes and businesses turned off their lights to prove their concern and convince others to recognize the potential danger of not acting against climate change.

This year, Earth Hour had a goal to convince 1 billion people to turn off their lights during the specified 60 minutes.  According to FOXNews.com, at least 250 American cities participated in the event this year.

Whether the worldwide 1 billion-person goal was reached has yet to be announced.

The United Nations (UN) was a major supporter of Earth Hour this year. Many people believe that this is because the UN benefited from it financially.

It seems obvious that Earth Hour was a plot by the UN to gain popularity using the issue of climate change and further push its own environmental agenda.  In a FOX News article, it is explained that the UN originally told the press that turning out the lights in the UN building located in New York for an hour would save them $81,000, but that number was soon reduced to a more realistic figure of just $102 after questioning from FOX News.

This shows how quickly the UN exaggerated the savings caused by turning out the lights in their building for an hour.

On Earth Hour’s Web site, the group explains that America’s participation in their event is important to show how Americans feel about climate change.

“The US participation in Earth Hour sent a clear message that Americans cared about the future of the planet and would stand with the rest of the world in seeking to find solutions to the escalating climate crisis,” the Web site explains.

This quote suggests a number of things that show how far this organization will go to force societies into participating in its cause.  It accuses the some-250 million Americans who did not turn off their lights on Saturday, March 28 during the specified time of not caring about the future of Earth.

Next, it suggests that America is finally joining the remainder of the world in trying to stop the potential danger of a climate change, when, in reality, the U.S. was and is the world leader in this area.

Coupled with the fact that countless news organizations around the world sent out reporters via cars, airplanes, and helicopters to cover the event—all of which contribute to global warming, the very thing Earth Hour aims to bring to a halt—proves the event to have been a waste of time that actually harmed the environment.

By Kristiana Trinidad
Junior Staff Writer

On Tuesday, March 31, iTune’s AppStore released a new Skypeapplication, or app, for the iPhone. The new Skype app has already risen to number one among free applications in the AppStore.

Skype is software used to communicate with others. It offers instant messaging, video conferencing, and Skype’s most well known feature, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which allows users to make phone calls over the Internet. Calling users with a Skype account is completely free, but there is a fee for calling landlines and cell phones.

Skype’s price for calling, forwarding calls to phones, and transferring calls to landlines and cell phones is twenty-one cents a minute for each. Receiving outside calls with a personalized number is sixty dollars and sending and receiving voicemail is twenty dollars for twelve months. That amounts to a year of extra money to pay, not including the cost of actually calling someone, along with the wireless service’s fees.

For those who use cell phones sparingly to moderately, Skype is much cheaper that a cell phone plan. However, Skype users can only make calls when WiFi is available.

A feature that is only available for Skype on iPhones is the ability to use the camera for the avatar. This allows users to take pictures of themselves without having to save it on a file.

A Skype app is in the works for the Blackberry network, and is expected to be released some time in May.

Alyssa Hahn
Junior Staff Writer

On Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, the A-TECH Forensics Team competed in the Nevada State National Forensics League (NFL) Forensics Tournament at Spring Valley High School.

A-TECH’s Forensics team won second place for small schools, as well as two trophies. The scores of each team member who competed were added up and schools were ranked by their total points.

Many members of A-TECH’s Forensics Team placed in the Nevada State NFL Forensics Tournament. Senior Henry Castillo won first place in Dramatic Interpretation and third place in Original Oratory. He also tied for third place in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate. Senior Nicolas Rosa placed second in Original Oratory and sophomore Evan Shobert received fourth place in Super Congress.

Thirty-eight different high schools from Nevada competed from 2:15 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

“Although it can be exhausting spending a lot of time in tournament,” says Castillo, “I realize that I gain a lot in the long run. I may exhaust myself in the short run, but in the long run, I’ll be able to use these skills I learn in Forensics in life.”

The A-TECH Forensics Team also competed in the Golden Desert District Tournament from March 26 through March 28 at Canyon Springs High School. After multiple rounds of elimination, only a select few team members got through. Senior Nicolas Rosa and Junior Parker Junger made it to the quarter finalists. Senior Henry Castillo, however, made it into the top three competitors in the competition and is going to Nationals.

Though the A-TECH Forensics Team competed from March 26 through March 28, the District Tournament is not yet finished. This Saturday, April 18, the Forensics Tournament will continue at Canyon Springs, where more people will be given the chance to go to Nationals.

Alexis Hanselman
Senior Staff Writer

Throughout the 2008-2009 school year, there have been rumors that Drama Club might put on a spring play. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

In November 2008, Drama Club decided that their first play would be a play called “April Fool’s.” It was even approved by the dean, Mrs. Price. Major roles would have been given to those in Drama Club and minor roles would have been given to anybody else who would want to participate. After the play was approved though, nothing happened. Students stopped showing up to Drama Club about five weeks ago.

Various teachers even offered to help out with the production. Ms. Norby volunteered to be the technical advisor and Mr. Johannessohn offered to do the scenery.

“We just didn’t have people fired up,” said Drama Club advisor Mr. Eason. “I was more into it then the kids were.”

Before the students had decided on the play, Mr. Eason suggested the play “They’re Playing Our Song.” A problem that was presented in both of the play options, was finding a student that could sing.

Two students this year, Michelia Perry and Tiffany Wong, asked Mr. Eason to be the advisor of a new club next year. It would be the same thing as Drama Club, but would just be called Theater. If students are serious about this club for next year, Mr. Eason suggests that students start looking for plays this summer. That way students can begin working on it at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

“I am really excited for next year,” said sophomore Michelia Perry. “I hope students will join and participate.”

Omar Zepeda
Junior Staff Writer

Saya, a Japanese robot, was first used as a receptionist. However, she is now teaching students in a Japanese primary school.

The creator of Saya is professor Hiroshi Kobayashi of the University of Tokyo. Kobayashi has worked on Saya for 15 years, and does not think his creation will ever replace organic teachers.

The robot is multilingual. Saya can organize tasks for students and it can call roll. Saya makes the students laugh when it tells jokes.

“Children even start crying when they are scolded,” Kobayashi says.

Saya can also get angry when the kids misbehave and smile at the students when they behave.

This robot was originally developed to cut costs for companies, replacing office workers like receptionists and secretaries.  Saya was employed by Tokyo University, where she greeted guests in the foyer.

The robot can express 6 different basic emotions, surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, and sadness, using 18 motors behind her latex face.

Japan is planning on having a robot in every home in the country by 2015.

By Allison Neighbors
Editor-in-Chief

This year the students running in the student council elections for student body vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian had no opposition. The only position the students of A-TECH could actually vote for was student body president.

“I think that the reason most of the candidates ran unopposed was because students were not informed early enough,” said senior Nick Rosa. “They should have informed people earlier about the election so that they could have more notice. It should have been fair to both the students, who should have had options, and the participants.”

The two candidates for Student Body President were junior Lilien Gil and junior Maui Orozco. The votes to see which presidential candidate would become the 2009-2010 school year’s Student Body President were held from 2 p.m. on Monday, March 23 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. After the voting took place, the votes were counted and it was determined that Orozco won the election.

Since there was no opposition to any other candidate, junior Florence Fernandez will be 2009-2010’s Student Body Vice President, sophomore Tiffany Wong will be Student Body Secretary, junior Carlo Valentin will be Student Body Treasurer, and sophomore Andrew Agustin will be Historian.

“It is pretty pathetic that no one wants to run, we need to get more spirit in A-TECH,” said sophomore Evan Shobert.

Law is A-TECH’s best program area by far

By Allison Neighbors
Editor-in-Chief

Law is the best program area. Period. End of story.

Law students are capable of presenting an argument and supplying the necessary background information and facts to win that argument. That is what law students are taught to do: argue their position and win debates.

Taking speech class with Ms. Bouchard helps law students learn to articulate their argument and speak in front of large groups with minimal anxiety. Unlike engineering, the information law students’ acquire actually helps them in the long run. Knowing how to speak and present a point is more useful than being aware of hot to build miniature bridges or make annoying circuits. While there is nothing wrong with being capable of building an electric car, being able to argue a point is a much more useful tool in real life.

Also, law students go on interesting field trips, like a recent trip for law seniors to the FBI building, where they got to see what the FBI does. As sophomores, law students are given the opportunity to go to the courthouses and see actual cases being tried. These field trips are actually quite interesting and give the students an opportunity to learn in a new and different way.

Law students have great teachers who teach important information, like what rights students really have on campus, the rights that are inherent to every American. These lessons help students to become better acquainted with the law.

Some law students, like senior Brianna Lamanna take what they have learned in law class and apply it to other areas of their lives.

Lamanna uses law to help her with forensics. “I learn a lot of the things I have to debate on in law class,” Lamanna said. “Then I can apply the laws and policy I already know to what I have to debate on.”

Having a background in law is useful in any future career. While a major in engineering isn’t going to be useful to someone who wishes to become a doctor one day, knowing the laws and knowing how the laws apply would be useful to any doctor.

Lamanna puts it best, “Law is the best program area simply because you can easily apply it to all parts of life.”

Pre-Engineering indubitably the best major

By Vincent Martinez
Senior Staff Writer

A-TECH’s Pre-Engineering Technology program is the best of all majors A-TECH offers.

Pre-Engineering is fun because students in Pre-Engineering classes constantly build and craft all sorts of things. Students have created all sorts of things including mousetrap cars, miniature wooden bridges, counting circuits, robots, and even an electric powered car. Time in Pre-Engineering class isn’t wasted on taking notes or studying, we are actually doing something that we will use in the future.

“I’ve only been in A-TECH for two years, but I realized that Pre-Engineering involves using tools and crafting, which are both fun to do,” says sophomore Pre-Engineering major Alejandro Flores.

“Pre-Engineering gives you skills that help with getting into college or with helping your family at home,” adds sophomore Benjamin Martin. The courses needed for Pre-Engineering include Technology I, Computer Science 1, Intro to Electronics (which will be replaced with Intro to Robotics), and Engineering Tech II and III.

A-TECH’s other majors are far less hands-on, and give students less actual hands-on experience with a field they may be interested in pursuing in the future.

By Brianna Vargas
Assistant Editor

April sixth is approaching very quickly and the time to plan a spring break get-away has passed. Instead of wasting money going out of town, stay in Vegas for the week and entertain yourself for less than $25.

Many fun activities can be done with friends and family including the classic movie theatre trips and swimming at a friend’s house. You can also branch out and try something new. There are tons of places in Las Vegas that are open to teens for good clean fun. Karaoke clubs-like Rejevante Karaoke and TJ’s Allstar Karaoke Party- and pool halls- like Dave and Busters-, without bars, are open to all ages. Invite your friends to go with you and get up on stage and sing your heart out or school them in billiards. Don’t forget to take the camera along.

“Singing karaoke sounds like so much fun,” said junior Ginny Chan. “I would definitely go do that.”

The Hooka Spot is also a great place to visit, and is open to all ages. Tea, coffee, pastries, and ice cream are all available at affordable prices no more expensive than Starbucks. The Hooka Spot is located off of Jones between Desert Inn and Spring Mountain. For directions or more information call them at 292-4193.

“The Hooka Spot is really fun,” said Junior Raphael Vertido. “I’ve gone there many times.”

Madam Tussads Wax Museum in the Venetian could easily be the highlight of your spring break. Nevada residents get a discounted price of fifteen dollars for unlimited entrances. The museum has life like models of many big stars, even the filthy rich Hugh Heffner. The museum is a two-story building with a haunted house on the first floor. All the people in the haunted house are not made of wax, although they appear to be. Madame Tussads is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 am until nine pm and from 10 am until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Do you like bowling but hate having to pay a hefty price? Try midnight bowling at any casino with a bowling alley like the Sante Fe or Texas Station. It’s only one dollar per game. Midnight bowling begins at midnight and extends until two AM. The price doesn’t include shoes so you’ll still have to pay the three dollars to rent shoes.

Temperatures are starting to get hotter now and an escape from the heat might be just what you need. Ice-skating at the Athletic Arts Academy and the Fiesta Ice Arena is open all year around. The Fiesta is located off Rancho, just a few blocks from A-TECH. The price is only six dollars to skate and two-fifty for rentals Monday through Saturday. Sunday has a five-dollar only special. The Athletic Arts Academy is located off of Oakey drive. It’s six dollars to skate and two dollars per rental.

Gameworks is always a classic get away place for teens to enjoy. Thursday nights, Gameworks has a ten-dollar for unlimited game play until nine pm special. Regular days prices begin at one dollar per game but have deals starting at $20 for one hour and up. Gameworks is located off of Las Vegas Blvd. next to the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. For more information call them at 432-4263.

Vincent Martinez
Senior Staff Writer

National Honor Society sponsored the annual Pennies for Patients drive March 16- 27. All donations collected during the Pennies for Patients drive were donated directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Southern Nevada. The organization helps fund cancer research and aids patients in need.  Last year A-TECH was able to raise $998 after setting a goal of $950. This year National Honor Society (NHS) set a goal of $1,000 but was only able to collect $690.

Two years ago Ms. Schultz decided to run the drive as a competition between math classes because most other fundraisers hosted by NHS and other A-TECH organizations are held between English classes.

Each of A-TECH’s math classes was asked to raise as much money as possible to help those in need, and to stop Mr. Detrick, who won in 2008 and in 2007, from getting a third pizza party.

Mrs. Price and Mr. Dietrick competed fiercely to win the pizza party and the bragging rights that come with it. This year both teachers offered to match the donations of their highest-donating classes, doubling the total amount of money donated by that class.

“I’m tired of Mr. Dietrick’s class winning every year,” Mrs. Price challenged. “I’m going to try to make this a competition by matching my top class’ donations.”

“She won’t beat me, I can’t lose,” Mr. Dietrick smirked.

Mr. Dietrick was right.  His fourth period AP Calculus BC class donated $218.13, beating all other classes by over $150.00.  The Calculus students will receive a pizza party courtesy of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after spring break.

By Casey Goodwin
Editor-in-chief

Since 2001, the first year CADD teacher Mr. Johannessohn taught at A-TECH, he has dreamed of creating a robot based off the Maverick, A-TECH’s school mascot.
He tried to interest other classes and teachers in the idea. However, none of the people he approached were interested in starting the project.

“This year I decided I was going to make it happen by hook or crook,” Mr. Johannessohn says.

The actual creation of the robot was a group project. Numerous teachers, students, and faculty members aided Mr. Johannessohn in his efforts.

The foundation for the robot comes from a pink and purple Barbie jeep physical education teacher Mrs. Johnson donated to CADD teacher Mr. Knoeppel, who let Mr. Johannessohn use its motors.

After originally going to a hobby store to find the other necessary supplies to build the robot, Mr. Johannessohn ended up finding everything he needed to build it in engineering teacher Mr. Whitney’s supply closet. In fact, according to Mr. Johannessohn, the quality of the parts he found at school was superior to what he would have bought otherwise.

Computer science teacher Mr. Ellithorpe helped Mr. Johannessohn to program the Maverick robot using an older robot project a previous engineering class left behind.

From there, Mr. Johannessohn simply had to remove parts from the old robot and put them onto the new frame he had been working on.

Educational computing strategist Ms. Harmon provided the Maverick-themed robot’s hair, which Mr. Johannessohn took to Salon Indigo to be cut and styled.

Assitant Principal Mr. Burt gave the bot it’s Toby Keith hat.  Mr. Johannessohn’s daughter found the robot a coat.

The robot’s name has yet to be decided.