Magazines, television, fashion shows, the Internet, and famous designers all advertise the new trends for the season, determining what style is in and what’s out. For the year 2010, celebrities are paid the most attention to when deciding what look is deemed chic. For example, Holy Family High School’s Jessica Intal said in an interview “(Selena Gomez)…She is similar to my age so we have similar styles and taste of clothing. The way she puts it together; it’s mixed and matched but still looks nice.” Jessica’s thoughts and feelings about Selena Gomez’s style aren’t any different than how teenagers react towards creating their own individual take on fashion.

In creating our personal style, we sometimes try to recreate the looks we find appealing on store mannequins, in magazines, or from celebrities.  For instance, Nicole Richie and Vanessa Hudgens are among some of the famous fashionistas whose apparel that young teenagers and women strive to imitate. The only downside in successfully achieving this goal, is having the endless supply of money to spend on shopping as they do.

In this image of Nicole Richie, she is wearing casual business-like attire. She spent a total of $4,626 (not including tax) on her entire outfit: clothing and accessories included. However, we found a more affordable version of this same outfit costing us a small fraction of the price, at an estimated charge of $288.00. With our recreated look, we saved $4,338. A similar black fitted blazer, tank top, and handbag to the one she is modeling can be found at your local Urban Outfitters. As for the rest of her garments, the jeans, and the jewelry can be found at Forever 21. Her cheetah print pumps are available at Steve Madden for a reasonable price.

In another image of Vanessa Hudgens, she is sporting a laid-back look for spring. Her total cost on the outfit was: $1175.00, not including tax. A less expensive edition of Vanessa Hudgens’ black tank top, floral red skirt, aviator sunglasses, fringe purse, and bangles can be found at Forever 21. Similar black sandals are available at piperline.com and a pendant necklace at Charlotte Russe. Using these stores, our imitation only cost us $81.79, not including tax. So in comparison with how much Vanessa Hudgens spent, we saved a total of $1,093.21. Given the following examples, it is not all that difficult or expensive to really pull off a celebrity look. What matters most is shopping wisely, and still managing to look trendy and chic.

By: Tiffany Gutierrez, Krischana Vongpiansuksa, Krista Parino, Yvonna Lyons, Veronica Abella, and Alina Asmarian

College student Emily Chan started out on deviantart.com, gaining fame over time. But now she’s a published cartoonist. Chan is well known for her comic, “StupidFox”, which can be seen both online and in Hispano Clasificados. She is a talented cartoonist who, even with a busy school life, finds time to draw and publish her work. And as many can attest: it’s pretty hard to get published as a newcomer.

Chan created “StupidFox” as a doodle in high school, but she eventually evolved the character into one who enjoys all the little things in life; everything from trampolines to horrifying nightmares. “I think StupidFox is a ‘Zen’ character,” said Chan. “Eventually I figured I wanted to do something more philosophical and that ‘StupidFox’ wasn’t actually ‘Stupid.’”

1. What gave you the idea for “StupidFox”?
- StupidFox started when I was in High School (about 5 years ago; wow, that was a long time), when I drew a little fox doodle on a piece of paper in class. My friend looked at it and said, “That fox looks retarded…” and I said, “No that’s mean! I’ll just call him StupidFox!” And the name stuck with me ever since. It’s catchy!
2. Where do you get your ideas for each strip?
- Actually, coming up with ideas was the hard part. I created StupidFox five years ago in high school, yes, but I never actually had a story for the fox. Originally, StupidFox had a friend named TalkativeCrow (or something of the like) and StupidFox loved eating cookies… and it was just pointless nonsense. Anyway, eventually I figured I wanted to do something more philosophical and that “StupidFox” wasn’t actually “Stupid” but only his name was “Stupid”, so even though we (as people) may  think of something as “Stupid”, if you really take time to think about it, it might really be “Stupid”. Sorry if that broke your head.

3. When do you find the time to work on “StupidFox” and go to school?
- [Laughter] That was before, when I was taking simple classes. Of course, now, I have less time but I’m doing different things. But I think back when I was making StupidFox, I just tried to manage my time well (and sometimes pulled a few all-nighters, which I don’t suggest). I would do all the sketches (drafts) in one day, then another day work on the line-art for about 5 of them, then other days go back and work on the coloring and final touches… just so I could pace myself and be consistent with line-work and coloring. (Because some days I color differently than others, so might as well do it all in one day!)

4. What steps did you take to get your comic published?
- It was more of people coming up to me and asking if they could publish my work, rather than me actually going out there and asking people to publish my work. But I think the most important part for that was actually getting the work out there on the Internet and in public view for people to see. As for the publishing part, I just made sure the publishers weren’t using the artwork for profitable or commercial causes or altering them without my permission; the legal stuff.

5. Why, of all the comics you draw, did you decide to publish “StupidFox”?
- I think StupidFox is a very “Zen” character who looks at life’s simple values as well as issues, and I think that he could be influential towards readers since life during this time is getting tougher and tougher. StupidFox focuses on very simple ideas from enjoying a rainy day like a shower, to enjoying your nightmares because then you feel better when you wake in reality. I wanted to keep StupidFox in the 4-panel format, too, to keep it clean, simple, yet vibrant with colors and enjoyable to view.

6. Who is your favorite cartoonist, and how much of an impact does he/she have on your own comics?

- That’s a tough question because I have so many! There’s Kris-Wilson on Deviantart and explosm.net who uses a very simple style but writes hilarious material. Kristen Campbell (http://lexuswolf.deviantart.com/) was a great influence because I was always inspired by her animal drawings. (And she went to high school with me when I created StupidFox.)

Interview by: Maya Rodríguez, Krischana Vongpiansuksa, and Samantha Wilson

“At first I was on the fence deciding whether or not I should attend HSU. As a high school senior, I visited the campus to try and help me make a choice. I’m glad I did because not only did Humboldt meet my standards academically, the campus itself exceeded my expectations!”

Humboldt State University’s lush green surroundings may have convinced Smyth to attend the college due to her interest in the outdoors, but the beautiful forestry is not the only aspect of the school that may attract prospective students. Other features of the school cater to different types of personalities. An example of this is the Engineering Building which has an innovative solar design that incorporates eco-friendly structure and is used for conducting research in hydrodynamics and the biological sciences. Humboldt’s versatility in both the liberal arts and sciences create a balance in the demographic the school attracts. When asked what motivated her to apply to HSU, prospective student Samantha Wilson says that, “…the campus buildings are easily accessible; I know I won’t get lost because there aren’t any complicated areas, plus, it has a great environmental studies program. It just felt like the right campus for me.”

Many other prospective students feel the same way as Smyth and Wilson do. It turns out that campus aesthetics is imperative in searching for the college fit for you. Remember: you will be spending four or more years of your life mostly on campus; do you feel at home? It is important to search your ‘college match’ on collegeboard.com, but the one thing that may affect your whole view of the school is not included on the website as part of their search: appearance. Be sure to visit your colleges of interest to make the final judgments and to be sure that you are completely comfortable with it. Smyth and Wilson were smart to fully research the aspects of the school and it may be a smart move for you too!

Finally, a book that actually connects with its teenage demographic without the common story line. Cheesy pick up lines and airheaded teenage heroines who fall in love at first sight have long been over done. “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie contradicts these common cliché story lines with its originality.

The protagonist of the story is Arnold Spirit, a Native American living on an Indian Reservation in Spokane, Washington. His character, as Alexie wrote him, is admirable in a human way. His daring personality is balanced with moments of cowardice and his imperfect appearance reflects the common thoughts of normal teenagers of their own appearance. With his strengths and weaknesses, a reader can identify with this character. There are moments when you hate him, sympathize with him, admire him.

The book addresses many major societal issues including racism. For instance, Arnold resents the racism he experiences from Caucasians, when he himself possesses racist tendencies. The irony of this shows that Sherman Alexie is a master of his craft, and that his subtle yet meaningful use of literary devices and thought-provoking themes contribute to the making of a realistic plotline. By tackling familiar issues, Alexie recreates vitality in his fictional characters. The story very well seems like biographical documentation because of the truth and the very substance of the whole plot.

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” is a refreshing read, but aside from the great writing, the comic illustrations contributed to the entertaining manner of the book. Ellen Forney is a talented comic artist with the same sarcastic humor that Sherman Alexie possesses. Because of the parallels in their talents, it is easy to say that they were a ‘match made in heaven’ in creating this book. The combination of visual aid and wordplay creates an interesting, original work.

Though it contains themes such as teenage romances, rocky relationships, poverty, discrimination and even modern-day segregation, the book was written in a way that balances all these serious issues in a humorous though empathetic manner. If you are searching for a somewhat light read, we highly recommend this book. It is touching yet sometimes unsympathetic, funny yet tragic. It is a work for the ages.

Peer pressure, academic struggles, and social issues affect our daily lives. As we struggle through our everyday problems, some of us do not have the courage to trust or tell our friends or family. Our column is your new stress-reliever! You can write or email us anonymously about your daily dilemmas. We are here to listen to your concerns and give you advice to the best of our ability. You can vent to us!

Reading or writing into an advice column can be helpful because it addresses relationship, family or internal conflicts in an anonymous fashion; the writer does not have to reveal who they are and the advice may be helpful to others experiencing similar difficulties.  Here is an example, let’s say a student is having an academic problem but they do not know the best way to approach the teacher for help, either they are shy or perhaps feel foolish about the struggle they are having.  Many of us have been in this very situation before, if not with an academic situation, maybe with an employer, friend or family member. To answer the inquiry, the advice columnist may draw from the wealth of their own experiences, their peer’s experiences, or from reading self-help and spiritual texts, like the Bible.   When you e-mail us about a problem we will be more then happy to advise you on what the best possible solution would be. Of course we do not have all the answers, but perhaps we can ease the burden, getting stuff off your mind and getting into the solution is empowering. At HFHSCP we often go to reconciliation to relieve our minds and increase our closeness to God. We can’t possibly guarantee that our suggestions will relieve all of your troubles, but when you need to speak to someone anonymously without being judged, we are the place.

Dear Tina,

I am freaking out about college. I am constantly thinking about whether I’m going to get rejected by every school. My friends and parents try to assure me that I will get into to at least one school, but I want to get into the best school I applied to. What do I do?

Sincerely, Stressed Out

Dear Stressed Out,

You should not worry about getting into college and if your friends and family  have confidence in you, maybe you can borrow their confidence while you wait. Believe in yourself and have a little faith, know in your heart that you will end up where you are supposed to be. Don’t ignore your friend’s or family’s positive comments, they really care about you and your anxieties. College acceptance is a stressful time of year, however if you don’t get into the school you want there are always options that you could take. It would be great if you could find a way to relieve the stress such as yoga, sports or maybe a day of relaxation without any homework or applications.

Sincerely, Tina

Dear Tina,

My life revolves around meeting deadlines. Everyday I have more homework and responsibilities to take care of. There is simply no more time left in the day to do what I want and like to. Lately, I missed my California State University deadline. My life is in chaos it seems. I do not know what to do and my parents are so upset with me because they wanted a better future for me. I just think that I should go to junior college, but that would be considered a failure to my family. I do not know what I should do and what to expect for the future. Please help!

Sincerely, Maybe Not Going College.

Dear Maybe Not Going to College,

Don’t freak out about all the responsibility that is in your life, take a TIME OUT. BREATHE. First things first. Forgive yourself for missing the deadline, every human being forgets something important at sometime in their lives, you are not unique!  If you learn from this that you must be more conscientious of deadlines and make sure to meet the next ones that come up you will have success! The Cal State University system is one option out of many that you still have, it is not the only college on the face of the earth. Ask your college counselor immediately for specific guidance on these options.  Explain to your parents that you want to make them proud, you made an error and now you are taking the action to find viable solutions to solve your problem.  They may still be disappointed, just accept their right to have their own feelings about this situation. Ultimately, your actions will speak louder than words, so get into action and show them you mean business!  Community college or schools specializing in particular subjects and trades are some choices to consider. Many community colleges have transfer fast tracks to particular U.C. schools.  Community colleges do have the advantage of being quite affordable. If you are devoted and single-minded about improving your future one small action at a time you can achieve your goals.

Sincerely, Tina

By: Veronica Abella, Tiffany Gutierrez, Jessica Intal, Yvana Lyons, Krista Kae Parino, Ysabelle Sadsad.

On October 16, 2009, Paramount Pictures unleashed “Paranormal Activity” to the world, which introduced viewers a truly suspenseful and chilling story that is said to leave audiences paranoid for weeks. What started off as a small project, produced with only $15,000 dollars, now has people talking and tickets sold out. This eerie low budget film brought a different kind of horror genre to cinemas. Most horror movies are gory or gruesome. This film tried something fairly new, a documentary style motion picture which convincingly made movie goers believe it was an actual occurrence. The movie generated a huge hype causing it to go global! “Paranormal Activity” attracted a lot of viewers, making over $1 million dollars in the box offices. The thrilling experience gives viewers a reason to scream. The unrenowned film showed up as an under-dog but has topped its way up the charts. After 3 years from it’s first screening, movie theaters in Los Angeles,

San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Seattle re-released the low-budget film, “Paranormal Activity.” The story takes place in San Diego, CA where the main stars: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat document supernatural occurrences over a span of 14-21 days. These unheard of actors , Katie Featherston is revisited by some sort of demonic spirit that she attests to have been the same spirit that taunted her as a child. Corina Olmos, a senior of Holy Family High School said, “I believe the film’s success was a major result of hype. Though the film was and well-made for the resources available, the demand mostly prospered from the whispers and screams surrounding it.”

Other movie-goers found that the so-called hype only resulted from the positive feedback of such an interesting and entertaining movie. In an interview taken by Ysabelle Sadsad, she asked HFHS senior,

This image is one of the many scenes that brings up age-old doubts

of the validity of ghosts and ghouls.

Yanika Robles what she thought of the movie and what portion of it stuck out the most. She said, “It was interesting and quite scary in my opinion; the ending especially, because it was unexpected. The scariest part is when she was being dragged by some unknown force out of her bed.  I found it to be scary because it took me by surprise, and I don’t think something like that is even possible.”

Another interview proved that regardless of its unreal plot, various scenes have left audiences in awe. Brianna Baca also a student from HFHS said, “The most memorable part was when the girl becomes possessed and her boyfriend tries to get her out of the house and she says, “no everything’s fine” and she stares into space saying, “everything’s going to be fine” in 3 simultaneous voices. Despite the various feedbacks “Paranormal Activity” will leave you with something to think about.

Scientists have predicted a massive earthquake to make its way to the city of Los Angeles within the next 30 years. The earthquake is set to hit at 6.7 or higher on the Richter scale. This early disaster foretelling calls for not only the attention of all southern California citizens, but a pertinent family security plan as well.

If this big earthquake were to hit, there may be a probability that an even larger earthquake, a foreshock, may occur. However, from what scientists have researched, the earthquake is more likely to produce aftershocks. People need to be on guard of these fractionally smaller earthquakes because they do not necessary guarantee a less damaging impact.

The results of the big earthquake that happened in China in 2008.

“Running is one of the most dangerous things you can do,” explained Brian Humphrey, Spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department and a previous Community Emergency Response Team instructor. “People can lose their lives when they run, especially when windows or glass mirrors are near. You should duck, cover and hold.” Besides doing the duck, cover and hold, another common way of ensuring one’s safety during an earthquake is finding a doorframe and standing underneath it or a table and going below it. When outside, one should find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines, and then drop to the ground until the earthquake ceases. Taking cover under a piece of heavy furniture when inside the house is another way to protect oneself from harm.

When driving during an earthquake, people should pull over to the side of the road and stay in the car, preferably within an area lacking buildings, trees, utility wires, and so on. Once the earthquake ceases, resume driving, avoiding roads that have been damaged.

If people get trapped in buildings and under debris, they should not light a match, move around, or kick up dust. They should, however, do the following in order to ensure their safety: cover their mouth with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth, tap on something for rescuers to locate their whereabouts, and shout, but only as a last resort.

In light of the recent 2010 seismic activity in the Western Hemisphere, the January 9^th, 6.5 earthquake in Eureka, California  and the devastating 7.0 earthquake that took place on January 12^th, in Haiti, we felt that this article is not only timely, but imperative as a reminder to prepare all Southern Californians. These safety tips are in place to improve the possibility of an individual’s survival, so adhering to them is essential. This large magnitude earthquake that is guaranteed to occur,  invites the community and families to have a sound safety plan in place that should be set up and well-organized. Having a plan ready will provide protection, emergency services and wellbeing to all California citizens.