The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/114196
Features Page 3 Juniors selected for Boys/Girls State Program offers chance to learn about American government W hat is Boy's State? "A political experiment that gives teenagers the chance to get a first-hand experience of government and legislation," said Garrett Ward, junior at Red Bluff and one of the two junior boys chosen for the week long program. Boys State is sponsored by The American Legion. Along with Boys State there is Girl's State, sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary. Jane Kinner, junior at Red Bluff, chosen to attend the Girl's State program in the summer said she found out about the program through the school and decided to apply to get a better understanding on how government works. Kinner said that there was "tough competition" and was extremely happy when she found out she was chosen to attend. Caleb Provolt, the second boy chosen explained how " The building at Boys State is essentially suppose to be the state of California, and we run it as if it were the state of California, with all the same offices and we have to abide by the California constitution, there are laws, attorneys, governor, supreme courts, etc. There are one thousand boys in a state which is divided into counties which are divided into cities. Half of a floor is equal to one city and six cities is equal to one county, and there are four to five counties in the 'state'." "In my future I hope to persue a career in politics so I think that this program would be perfect for that," said Provolt. The Girl/Boy State program was first presented in the late 1930s and is now one of the most respected and coveted learning programs in the country. Each summer about 20,000 girls attend the weeklong program. The program's objectives include: developing leadership and pride in American citizens, to educate citizens about our system in government, and to instill a greater understanding of American traditions. When asked what he hoped to gain from this experience Ward answered, " I hope to gain a better in depth understanding on how our government is set up and to make new friends along the way ". Olivia Henderson, senior at Red Bluff, attended the program last year. " It was different, you gain so many friendships, and you gain so much knowledge, and it's just a once in a lifetime experience because you will never get to do it again. You get to learn things about politics that you never really understood, like how difficult it is to really be a politician," said Henderson. When asked if she had any advice for the juniors who were selected this year, Olivia responded " You are not going to get a lot of sleep at all because you are always doing something and having a lot of fun." At the end of the week two boys or girls get selected to attend the Boys/ Girls Nation, which is like an extension of the program but in Washington D.C. Each state chooses two boys and two girls to attend this program. The Girls State will be held at Claremont- McKenna College and Boys State will be held at CSU Sacramento. Story by: Sam Rodriguez Foreign exchange students unveil what it's like to be attending Red Bluff High School March 8, 2013 S partan ound off If you could change any school policy what would it be and why? Allegra Brocken (9) "Freshmen not being allowed off campus, it's not fair." How did your first semester at Red Bluff High go? What are some differences at Red Bluff High compared to your high school back home? Sam Paul (10) "Freshmen not being able to go off campus because I have friends that are freshmen too." Adam Frajka, Slovakia Baptiste Guilbert, France "My first semester went good. It is easier here compared to France and Red Bluff High has an open campus unlike my school in France." Piet Ramsl, Germany "It has gone good. I enjoy the weather and the people here are very nice. The school system here is very different than in Germany though." Arif Selvitopu, Turkey "It has gone pretty good so far. It has been a great experience for me getting to play basketball in America." Gulce Kahraman, Turkey "It has been very fun. The people here are nice. In Turkey, we have to wear uniforms and we have 8 classes everyday instead of 6 classes." "My first semester has been a great expirence for me. It is easier here in America, I've met nice people, and my English has gotten better." Marija Dukanovic, Montenegro "It went great. The classes are a lot more fun and easier here in America. The people are also nice and very 4-Way Test Speech Contest PRIZES 1st Place ~ $300.00 2nd Place ~ $200.00 3rd Place ~ $100.00 Thursday, March 21, 2013 Mercy High School, Red Bluff Arrive: 5:15 pm ~ Instructions Contest: 5:30 pm ~ Speeches Begin Topic: The 4-Way Test ROTARY CLUB OF RED BLUFF Of the things we think, say, or do 1. 2. 3. 4. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? He Profits Most Who Serves Best: The speech may be up to but no longer than seven (7) minutes. Service Above Self! Contact: Mrs. Pelanconi, Room 315, or P.O. Box 507 • Red Bluff, CaliHillary Lindauer, 736-6603 fornia 96080 Ashley Samson (11) "I think that the Freshmen should go off campus because most of them go off campus anyways." Interviews by Bailey Patchen Austrian Exchange ventures for Graz Veronica Smith Staff Writer Red Bluff High School has been participating in an exchange program to Austria for more than 15 years. For two weeks, Red Bluff students will be living with a host family and experience what another country is like to live in. "I like how the students bond with eachother on the trip," Mrs. Coker said. Mrs. Haase and Mrs. Coker have been doing this exchange program for five years after Dausee had done it for multiple years. Haase and Coker will be helping the 18 kids who are taking this trip to Austria by organizing the whole trip, difference in the money, going over safety, cultural difference, what they will be doing, and the travel there and back. Weeks before they go on this trip they have parent meetings to let them know what will be going on while they are there and to assure the parents that their children will be safe and protected. During the two weeks they will be in Austria they have much to do. On weekdays they will go to school with their host brother/sister. The students will go on several excursions. Some sites they will see include: castles, a salt mine, and a concentration camp. Along with this, the mayor of Graz holds a reception for the exchange students. On weekends and evenings the host family can take their guest to other countries and some main attractions. "It's important because so many kids don't get to leave Red Bluff, there is more out there other than what Tehama County has to offer," Mrs. Haase explained. Not many other schools in Northern California do this exchange program, but Red Bluff High did help Chico High School get into the program of going to Germany every year. Zach Taylor (12) "I would let the Freshmen go off campus because places in the community would get more business." Mrs. Dehart (Teacher) "I would add a rule of men and women taking off their hats when they enter a building because it is a sign of respect." Mr. Gleason (Teacher) "'I would change the dress code policy of not wearing LA jerseys because that's where I am from and I am a Dodgers fan." Sound Off/Rodrigo Sanchez