The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/828942
Drury for being some of the best basketball coaches I have ever had and believing in and helping me be the best version of myself. Finally, a special thank you to Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Pe l a n c o n i f o r a l w a y s encouraging me and pushing her friend's help. For me, it was a relief to see her leave. Ever since we were little, she was always jealous of me because I was well-behaved, excelled in school and didn't regularly cause problems around the house, and she always found dark ways to take it out on me. By the time she did that, our relationship was so badly damaged that I was happy to have her gone. However, her leaving did damage to the relationships I had/have with my parents. I've noticed that every time I talk to my mom, I sound either annoyed or angry and most of the time I'm actually not, but it's like I've forgotten how to not sound that way with her. As for my dad, he talks to me about how it sounds like I talk down to her. I try not to sound that way. I feel that despite those changes, it has brought me and my parents closer together. I want to believe that my sister and I can repair our relationship. I honestly don't, and I don't want her to come to graduation, either. Throughout it all, I'm just glad I got to have these experiences over the last four years to make me grow up and I want everyone to know that I am ready to have that moment of closure and move on in life. that my perspective has changed. Personally, I will never rely on someone else again. In six days, I will take one final walk across the football field. It didn't really hit me until I finished my final in first period back on May 5, when my friend Ashton turned to me before the bell rang and said that it's too soon for me to be graduating. In some unexplainable way, it is, but I know that it's my time and that I'm ready for what waits after that handshake. I didn't feel like I really started to grow up until about mid- junior year when my sister, in a matter of one hour, dropped out of college, ruined all the relationships she had with me and my parents, and moved out with A s I close the doors to my Senior Year, I continue to look back on the people that have made the biggest impact in my life throughout my high school years. A role model is a person who inspires and encourages us to strive for greatness, live to our fullest potential and see the best in ourselves. A role model is someone we admire and someone we aspire to be like. We learn through them, through their helped me get to my full potential. I consider them my definition of role model. These are the people that we should always be thankful for. I didn't think I'd make it this far without the help of everyone in my life. Hitting rock bottom is really the worst, and I know this from experience. M u c h of what that well, because not only can teachers make a difference in your life, but the people that you surround yourself with too. As I am looking back on the four years I spent at Red Bluff High, it really shaped me to be the person I am today, now after I graduate I will be moving to Sacramento, California and going to American River College (ARC), and hope to get a degree in physiology and maybe one day even pursuing the career of being a therapist! at Red Bluff High myself as well is to just listen to your peers, u n d e r s t a n d what they are saying, be there for people you may not e v e n k n o w influence in my life, he always reads the expressions on his student's faces and knows when something is wrong and would always at least try and make it his concern to at least talk and listen to the students or even if it's just to tell them that "everything will be okay." We need more teachers who care like that, it's more motivation for students to want to come to school. Having teachers you can communicate with one on one without having the barrier as a student can really make high school a lot easier as well. One thing I definitely learned I started high school with Mr. Kennedy in his Physical Earth Science class for my first period. As soon as the bell had rang, he told us that these next four years would fly by faster than we as freshmen could ever imagine. Of course, with my teenage arrogance I thought to myself, what the heck is this teacher talking about? It's four years. Four years don't just pass by in a blink of an eye! The rest of the day I got the same spiel from multiple teachers and, well, their words just flew right over my head. As it turns out these teachers actually know what they're talking about. However, as a fourteen year old I couldn't fathom the idea of graduating me to be successful in all that I do. Four years ago, I joined the journalism program at the high school because it was recommended to me by my eighth grade teachers, Mr. Barrios and Mr. Prinz. My best friends were also doing it. I never imagined that four years later I would be writing this editorial in the position I am in today. The Bluffer has been a part of some of my fondest memories throughout high school. It gave me the opportunity to be my own person and meet some amazing people along the way. It allowed me to participate in something bigger than myself through publishing stories, opinions and photographs. So thank you to those who suggested I take this course it has been l i f e changing. T h a n k you, Bluffer. Page 3 May 26, 2017 Opinions Senior Editorials A s I reach the end of my high school career, I am quickly starting to realize that the real world is coming at me like a bat out of hell. I thought that this moment couldn't come any sooner, but now that it is here it all I can think about doing is hiding under my bed and never coming out again. It has been an amazing four years of my life and as I reflect on them, I realize how much I am going to miss it here. Before I leave, I feel as though I owe some of the teachers here some of my gratitude because I would not be where I am without them. First, I would like to thank Mr. Michael, Mr. Hendricks and Rebol for always putting up with my constant attitude (especially during cross country) and for believing in me all those times that I didn't believe in myself. You actually made running fun even though I never made it sound like it. Along with these coaches, I would also like to thank Miss Long and Mrs. Bonjean-Coleman, who has made English 1A an interesting subject for me and for her sublime personality. También le quiero dar mis profundas gracias a la Señora McDermott por siempre ser honesta y por ser la que me ha impactado mi español en una forma positiva. ¡Extrañaré su clase muchísimo! Also, shoutout to Mr. Michael for being the best Chemistry teacher I've ever had and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the NASA program my junior year. Furthermore, I feel blessed to have been in the Bluffer for three years of my life. Room 315 has been my home for a long time and it breaks my heart to leave all the marvelous people behind, but change is inevitable. But most importantly, thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mrs. Pelanconi, for being a mother figure to me and for being one of my biggest supporters. No doubt, I will miss you the most. On another note, I also appreciate all the wonder friends I've made throughout the years. I wouldn't have been able to make it out of here alive if I didn't have any of you. It's been real Red Bluff High, but it's time for me to move on. Peace. F rom the moment one steps foot for the first time at Red Bluff High School to the last steps they take as their diploma is handed to them on the football field, high school is filled with highs and lows. Beyond the hours spent cramming for finals, studying for AP exams, and putting together countless PowerPoints, there are the memories and moments that help shape each student into the person they will become. As graduation is right around the corner, it's the time when seniors start wishing for another four years of high school. The last first day of school, the last Hawaiian rally, the last homecoming dance, the last dress up days, and the last Pink Out basketball game. In my four short years at Red Bluff, I have made l i fel o n g f r i e n d s and created bonds with several teachers who have always been so supportive of me from the first day I met them. L et me first start off by introducing myself. My name is Britney Miranda, I am a graduating successful student here at Red Bluff Union High School. I had to work very hard to get where I am today. In life I have many strengths and talents that help me work harder for what I want. I can be a very focused and determined person when it comes to getting the job done. I can be very committed to things I know are important to me along with other people as tree house hangouts and slumber parties. There is too much homework and too many electronic alternatives. If I have learned anything else about friendships in high school, is that they keep you on track and push you through high school, if and when they are the right kind of friends. There are no perfect friends, and there are no perfect teacher, but I know the teachers here changed me for the better, and Red Bluff High gave me. L ooking back at my four years here, I've grown up so much more than I thought I would. I was a stupid freshman who believed that we all have to rely on each other to succeed even though relying on someone else generally ends in the smarter p e r s o n b e i n g s c r e w e d over by t h e i r peer(s). I ' m n o t saying that I'll walk out of here in less than a week as one of the smartest people on Earth, but Lexi Pritchard Julissa Villalobos Britney Miranda Sarah Herrera Marissa Mills Brianna Tackmier just yet, in fact the countdown is at a little less than a week, and the reality of it still hasn't sunk in. I can't say I'm not excited because I am. I'm definitely not ready to start adulting, but I am ecstatic for the freedom, independence, and new beginnings. Anyway, I want to thank Mr. K e n n e d y for his incredible tea ch i ng abilities and for continuously challenging me a c a d e m i c a l l y in AP Fiziks. I'm also grateful for M r s . well. Even when things get stressful, and a little tougher on me, I still stay committed because I won't let anyone down. Over the years at Red Bluff High, I have opened myself to many different opportunities and advantages. I made some lifelong friends on the way, and have also met some teachers who really impacted and made a difference in my life. I can not even begin or even know how to thank them for helping me survive through high school and just getting through it. One teacher who really had an inspiring voice to me is definitely Pat Gleason. One of the most amazing teachers I have ever had, he made us really think about our personal lives, he made us understand that mistakes are made in life, but to just love yourself and be kind to everyone around you because you never know what one person is going through. Other teachers who were really there for me were Mrs. Pelanconi and Mrs. Gantenbein, they really listened to me when I needed someone to talk to and always gave me the best advice. Norton is another really big even if it means acting like a parent. I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it's to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don't walk away, don't be distracted, don't be too busy or tired, don't take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Gone are the days of running around the neighborhood with your best buddies until dinner time. Nearly gone are the students learn from their greatest teachers is not detailed on a syllabus. Teachers who help us grow as people are responsible for teaching us some of life's most important lessons. During our initial school years, we encounter, perhaps for the first time, other children of the same age and begin to form some of our first friendships. Teachers show us how to become independent and form our own relationships. They carefully guide us and intervene when necessary, At Red Bluff High School, we are very fortunate to have such a wide variety of classes to chose from. I participated in C.T.E. Healthcare Occupations during my junior and senior year, and would like to send the most sincere thank you to Karrie Roth. Sending high school students out into the community to gain experience is a big responsibility, and Karrie truly cared about each and every student she taught and helped motivate them to be their best. I was also l u c k y e n o u g h t o have C-Rod not once, but twice during my high school career. For any student that has had her as a teacher, they understand how enthusiastic and outgoing she can be. C-Rod has helped me become a better person and to always be optimistic, a n d for that I am forever grateful. I'm filled with bittersweet memories about my time I spent at Red Bluff High School. Red Bluff is unlike any other school. We have the entire community rallying behind us, supporting their local youth in whatever way they can. The teachers at Red Bluff High School become more than just teachers, but someone you can turn to for advice and you can trust. To all the rest, don't sit in class waiting for g r a d u a t i o n because one day it will c o m e , a n d y o u ' l l w i s h y o u could do everything just one more time. commitment to excellence and through their ability to make us realize our own personal growth. We look to them for advice and guidance. I believe that teachers I have had t h r o u g h h i g h school and friendships I have created, have