The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/828942
Serving Red Bluff High School since 1901 Volume CXVIII Issue 14 'Snatched', page 5 Bluffer The May 26, 2017 Varsity Softball, page 8 Sexting Epidemic: Red Bluff High School tackles issue Return of 'Senior Make a Difference' Sophia Cumpton Topics Editor Becca Frey Topics Editor "This is happening at every school, we just found out in a big way." -Cindy Haase, Dean of Students "We need to change what our ethics and what our morals are to recognize that is not something we all do, and realize there are consequences." -Michael Tambini, Principal R ecent events at Red Bluff High School has brought on a series of investigations from RBHS administration, Alternatives to Violence, and the Red Bluff Police Department concerning sexually explicit photographs of minors, and the sharing of these photos with both other minors and people 18 and older. Todd Brose, superintendent, believes that education about the issue is essential. "We did allows class of 2017 to show creativity the podcast to try to bring education and awareness to the students and there's going to be a series of those. The first one was on the emotional impacts on sexting for our students, those that are sending and those that are receiving. Then the second one is more on the legal impacts. The next podcast will be on interviewing law enforcement and some other advocates that will talk about what can happen legally to the individuals. That will be done in the next couple weeks, then it will go onto our website and we will announce it to our students so they can download and listen to the podcast. Most likely it will be online. "We wanted the first one to be in a classroom for everybody, but we understand the instructional minutes and time is important. We want it to go out to parents and students so they can listen to it together," said Brose. Cindy Haase, Dean of Students at Red Bluff High, emphasized the critical need for awareness of the situation. "Education and awareness for our students, staff, and our community is the best way to go about it," said Haase. Brookelyn Stafft is a victim advocate at Alternatives to Violence, and has been on the high school campus almost every day since the events have occurred, offering counseling. She stresses the consequences of "sexting" both personally and outside of the school. "[Sexting] can open up the door for further victimization. 1 in 5 of people in sexually explicit picture have a predator get ahold of it," said Stafft. She emphasized the education of sexting as important as well. "If people want to be apart of that they still have free will, but it's good to know pros and cons before considering whether or not to send the picture out," said Stafft. Stafft talked about how education about the problem, without any judgement towards the people involved in sexting, is the best way to go about it. Using an understanding and supportive method will be the leading way towards helping the individuals, community, and families. Michael Tambini, principal at RBHS, spoke about the sexting problem as not being a Red Bluff High School problem; it's a community, societal problem. "Mr. Brose talked about the normalization of sexting, with the kids accepting it that this is a normal way of relationships. But in reality it is not normal, and we have to recognize that we need to change what our ethics and what our morals are to recognize that is not something we all do and realize there are consequences," said Tambini. The school district, Alternatives to Violence, and the RBPD are all available for counseling and more information about the issue. R ed Bluff High School has brought back the Senior Make a Difference program with the help of a number of students and teachers. These students include Matthew Richards, Gabe Fregoso, Kenzie Colgate, and Rylee Dufrain. Following the reinstatement of this program, a multitude of seniors are finding creative ways to express their gratitude towards the community for the years of support they have been given. "We're taking a group of individuals from North Valley Services to go fishing a Red Bank O utf it ters," said Gabe F r e g o s o . H i s Senior Make a Difference group is made up of Kenzie C o l g a t e , K a y l a Moore, Abby O'Sulliva n, R y l e e D u f r a i n , E v a n Tanner, Adam Swarthout, and Matthew Richards. This program is not just about the community, but about the seniors making last memories with each other before they part ways for college, work, or more. "It's the last time we're all together. Most of us have lived in Red Bluff together forever, so this is something we can all do to give back to the community. It's a last thing we can do with all our friends, its pretty cool we're able to do this," said F r e g o s o . A nother group of s e n i o r s , S a r a h H e r r e r a , M o n s e S a u c e d o , M a r i a n a Razo, and O d a l y s Torres, are going to J a c k s o n H e i g h t s Elementary S c h o o l to help fix and maintain the school's garden. "I went to Jackson Heights when I moved here from Mexico. The teachers were really patient with me because I was just learning English. I wanted to give something back to that school," said Razo. This situation further emphasizes just how much this community helps the students, and how grateful all those students are. Razo said how important it is for the seniors to give back to the community, and how, "this community built the senior generation." With their high school experience coming to a close, the Red Bluff High School class of 2017 thanks this community, and also expresses their gratitude and recognition for all that it has done for them over their years in school. Cartoon by Leslie Soto