The Mustang Express » Uncategorized

Snowy Days Staff Ed

Kate Limebrook — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:12:12 +0000

We don’t want a lot for Christmas. There’s just one thing we need. We don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. We just want a snow day this year, more than you could ever know. Is that too much to ask? We don’t think so and we all believe the students at Ponderosa would back us up on this one.
Snow day’s come and go every winter here in Parker. It’s a tradition for all Ponderosa students to continually check what the weather is going to be like by calling 303.887.SNOW bright and early when the forecast from the night before said it’s supposed to snow; but usually, more often that not, students and teachers are trapped inside the hot school buildings because there isn’t four feet of snow on the ground, even though the ground is usually covered with a thin sheet of ice that could easily make us spin out of control in our vehicles. Every year many students get into car crashes because of the icy road conditions, so if the district would let us stay home on those miserable and dangerous days we could all avoid those ridiculous, time consuming, stupid little crashes that completely ruin someone’s day.
Also, if we had a snow day every once in a blue moon we could all spend time with our family and friends, by staying home and drinking hot chocolate with the mini marshmallows floating on top or going sledding on top of the neighborhood’s monstrous hill. Maybe squeeze in a snow ball fight. Snow days are good for the soul. They give everyone a chance to catch up on their sleep and just relax for the day. Possibly, give them more time to study for a big test and/or complete another homework assignment.
So we ask ourselves, why don’t we ever get a Snow Day? Not just late starts, but an actual, full out, SNOW DAY. Now I understand that the district doesn’t want to lose any money and if the school busses are capable of making it to school safely that school shouldn’t be cancelled, but the district should forget about their rules and let us enjoy ourselves just this once. Again, is that too much to ask? We don’t think so.
Will you make our wish come true? We’re hoping and wishing on a falling snowflake.

Driving Dilemmas

Erin Steen — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:17:56 +0000

Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. Roughly one thousand teens are killed in accidents each year (AAA Foundation). But still, students have the gall to be angry with the policemen hanging out next to Ponderosa during lunch and before and after school. Before turning on the police, students need to understand the reason why they park their patrollers around high schools- to keep us (and others) safe.
Its been said that policemen hang out here to fill their “ticket quota.” Why not scare high schoolers and pick on the easy targets all in one? Believe it or not, having a ticket quota is not a big deal for policemen, and its not why they patrol around Ponderosa. In one week they have to give out two tickets- and if you have ever driven on Parker Road with the homeward bound commuters at 5 PM, you know that the quota would be easy to fill without coming near PHS. But they do, to save us from ourselves.
Ponderosa drivers are abnormally excellent high school drivers- every student can name a friend that has gotten a ticket or been in an accident in the last month. All I can say is, PHS students desperately need to see the other side of the road, so to speak. After all- police men have feelings, too.

Senior Quotes

kimschlaepfer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:26:27 +0000

Todd Sowell- “If you don’t rock out then you’re not a rocker.”

Matt Coleman- “Fight The Power”

Cole Fletcher- “Here’s to the memories I’ll never remember.”

Alex Esquibel- “Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers.”

Adam Erickson- “Life’s hard. It’s harder when you’re stupid.”

Derrick Higgins- “Take every problem you have and turn it into an advantage.”

Horoscopes

Brittney Paiz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:07 +0000

Aries (March 21-April 19)- Be careful trick-or-treating this year, especially crossing the street to the house with the king size candy bars. You could end up road kill.

Taurus (April 20-May 29)- Love is coming your way in this orange and black month. Watch out for the ghostly pale, and green significant others.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)- Changes are good energy for you this month. Instead of that school-girl outfit you were going to wear, try a scary monster, or be the one passing out the candy.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)- If you are trick-or-treating, go in a big group and if you’re going to a party, introduce yourself to new people. This is a very social month for cancers. Make new friends, or even a new love interest.

Leo (July 23-August 22)- Black cats are the sign of the month for you. Be careful not to walk under ladders, spill salt, or flick your boogers to the left. If you’re responsible, good luck could come your way.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)- Performance is key. Keep your head up high. Self-confidence is a necessity. Ghostly ghouls are trying to take you down this month on Hollow’s eve.

Libra (September 23-October 22)- You’re tensed up… try to relax a little bit and take it easy this month. Carve some pumpkins and drink hot chocolate.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)- Latch on to positive influences this month; negative people may be getting you into a lot of trouble. Keep your head on right and avoid the witches and warlocks.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)- Cheer up and buckle down. This is a very important time to stay serious: it will pay off in the end. Make this month a treat, not a trick.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)- You may feel like a leader this month, but to others you’re just going to come off as bossy. Step back and let a friend make the plans this Halloween. Reaching another’s wants could save you from losing a friend.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)- Reaching your highest goals can be the simplest task this month. Don’t stress over the spiders crawling on you, because the fly swatter is oh so near.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)- You are the emotional one of the month. It seems nothing will go right, but don’t be selfish. Reflect on the good things of October. 5 candy bars is better than none.

Heard in the Halls

Kate Limebrook — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:22:43 +0000

-“Did you see her hair? It matches her poodles fur perfectly?”

-“If I eat any pork, will I catch the Swine flu?”

-“I lose my temper easily, but it’s all over in a minute, so don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”

-“If you love me so much, why are you walking away?”

-“Graduation doesn’t really matter, unless you don’t do it.”

-“Alright, I know I don’t have a girlfriend. But I do know some women who’d be really mad at me for saying that.”

-“I’m a babe magnet…just the wrong end.”

The Fogue

rileylauer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:11:40 +0000

The Fogue are a punk band who were recently signed to Peak 58 Records. Three of the four band members attend Ponderosa: Blake Thomas on guitar/main vocals, Tim Kane on drums, Ben Welker on bass. They also have a student from Arizona Tech named Kelson Bryant who plays guitar.

Mustang Express: What kind of music does your band play?

Tim Kane & Blake Thomas: We’re a pop/punk band from P-Town.

ME: How did you guys get started?

BT: I started the band about two years ago after we won the Battle of the Bands (sponsored by Gorilla Productions) and then we lost members to college, so I regrouped, got new members, and now we’re here, playing music for some bigger and better crowds.

TK: Blake actually needed a fill-in drummer for Parker Days, and well after that, I became a permanent member.

ME: What have been some issues in the band?

BT: We all are pretty chill; we’ve never really had a problem… except for Kelson, he’s a momma’s boy.

TK: Hm….Ben has awful hygiene, that’s about it.

ME: What have been some key moments?

BT & TK: We recently played a gig called Miracle Party downtown at the Crown Plaza Event Center for over a thousand people. It was for a cancer foundation and was a great fundraiser as well.

BT: Also, recording our new cd in our underwear was pretty awesome I gotta say.

TK: For sure for sure, nothing beats that.

ME: What are your future plans, any touring? CD’s?

BT: We’ll have our first full length cd with 11 songs coming out in January under Peak 58 Records downtown.

TK: Its gonna be legit, sold nationwide in stores and everything, we’re gonna for sure meet some ladies.

BT: Oh yeah, it’ll be titled “Next to Her” after the single we’ll be releasing.

ME: Do you have any important gigs coming up?

BT: We recently had some issues with our manager screwing us over, and after firing him, we have to rebook some shows and reorganize our schedule.

TK: Currently we’re talking with The Fray to be an opening act for them, which would be sweet.

BT: We’re also currently working with Eminem’s co-producer surprisingly, so hopefully we can draw some publicity through that.

ME: What inspires you guys?

BT & TK: Blink 182, The Doors, punk rock in general, and anything that has a good beat.

Interview with Olivia Ermel

shelbysteele — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:09:19 +0000

Mustang Express: How long have you been painting?

Olivia Ermel: About 3 years.

ME: Does it inspire you?

OE: Yes, I get inspired by the things around me.

ME: What do you like about painting?

OE: How freeing it can be and it makes me feel independent.

ME: Do you have a favorite form of specific things you enjoy painting?

OE: I like black and white, I also like realistic.

ME: Why did you start painting?

OE: I was trying to find a way to relay my artistic ability,

ME: Have you gotten any of you paintings into art shows?

OE: No, I do it more for myself.

ME: Do you sell or give away any of your paintings?

OE: I give away my paintings when people ask for them, or as gifts.

Top Ten Scary Movies

clairekruljac — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:06:06 +0000

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

A group of teens are thrown into the nightmare of chainsaw wielding cannibal, Leatherface, who soon has them running for their lives in a remote town in Texas.

“It’s scary, because he’s wearing someone else’s face.” – Azzie Hastings, 11

Psycho (1960)

This twisted thriller shocked audiences all over the country, when a young woman is stabbed to death in the shower by a schizophrenic named Norman who has the split personality of a quiet, young man and his own mother0 whom he killed years before.

“It’s weird that the guy thinks he’s himself and his mom.” – Matt Jeffreys, 11

The Exorcist (1973)

Sweet 12-year-old Regan’s strange behavior escalates into something so odd and violent, that her mother seeks help from priests, thinking that her daughter is possessed by the devil.

“The girl is really creepy and it’s gross when she turns her head all the way around”- Rachel Hood, 10

A Nightmare on Elmstreet (1984)

A group of teens musts find a way to stop the nightmares of Freddy Krueger, who is slowly picking off the kids one by one- or never sleep again.

Alien (1979)

A spaceship intercepts an SOS from another planet and goes to explore. They are soon attacked by some unearthly creature and are forced to fight for their lives.

Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The FBI must find a missing woman to saver her from a serial killer who skins his victims. They try to get a better insight onto the twisted mind of the killer by talking to another psychopath Hannibal Lecter.

“This movies is scary, because Hannibal Lecter eats people and stalks Clarice.”- Miceala Adamo,11

Jaws (1975)

Tons of people never set foot in water again after watching this thriller about a great white shark who attacks the people in a resort town in New England over and over and over again. The search to kill the beast is on!

“Sharks are my worst fear, and that’s why it’s scary.”- Carly Haneke

Halloween (1978)

Known for being the best slasher movie ever made, Halloween takes place in the town of Haddonfield, where psychotic Michael Myers returns-after being locked up for 15 years, after stabbing his sister to death- to stalk a group of teenagers, picking them off one by one.

“It’s a creepy guy running around stabbing people. It was so scary, that Jeff Hamner and I were cuddling in fear.”- Matt Blake, 12

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

A group of people are trapped inside a farm house, and they must escape the zombies that are trying to get inside and eat them

Suspiria (1977)

An American girl goes to Europe to join a famous ballet school, but after another student is gruesomely murdered, she discovers that there is something evil inside the school.

The Miracle Worker

rileylauer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:04:05 +0000

The latest play to be put on by the Ponderosa Theatre Department for the fall season is The Miracle Worker by William Gibson, and is to be directed by Mrs. Helen Taylor who is the new theater teacher at Ponderosa.

The play is about Helen Keller, a girl who was blind and deaf. Helen Keller will be played by Rachel Bell, 12, as the lead role. Other lead roles in the play are Captain Keller played by Anthony Terpstra, 10, Kate Keller played by Shellbye Shrader, 11, and Annie Sullivan who is Helen’s teacher played by Rachel Simpkis, 12.

“The play should be excellent and the cast is very driven and prepared to perform to their highest potential,” said Mrs. Taylor

The play will start rehearsals on Thursday October 1, 2009 and the play dates are November 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be $8 without a activity card and $6 with one.