The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/616779
Page 2 December 16, 2015 Staff Editorial Welcome to Red Bluff... Opinions Editorial Policy: Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the district, staff, or student body. We welcome signed letters to the editor. Names may be withheld upon request. We also reserve the right to edit submission based on length and/or clarity. THE BLU FFER STA FF Tymberlyn Bealer Editor-in-Chief News Editors Tymberlyn Bealer Ceighlee Fennel Kaylie Capps Kourtney Sanders Opinions Editor Britney Miranda Julissa Villalobos Features Editor Lexi Pritchard Sports Editor Becca Frey Sophie Cumpton Topics Editor Ceighlee Fennel Editor-in-Chief Julia Liebert Advertising Director Alisa Pelanconi Adviser Cartoonist Katelyn Stewart Brianna Tackmier A-&-E Editor Copy Editor Stefanie Brunello The Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament, Christmas vacation, and the Finals week of the first semester always clash together here at Red Bluff High School. This week is best described as a grueling yet fun disaster that is worth the enormous amount of time and effort. This year, on this very week there are seven periods of finals, an insanely large basketball tournament, the spirit week and its dress-up days, and a whole lot of the Holiday spirit to go around on this merry week in Red Bluff. We receive countless visitors on this week, ranging from youth to elderly, tall to the not-so tall, and students to adults. In Red Bluff we don't have much to offer other than a hello and a merry Christmas, but we are sincere about these small greetings and good byes. We are a small and rural community that has a unique twist to the holiday traditions. To all of our visitors, we may not seem like much to watch or even look at, but we all band closely together for this holiday. The amount of effort and work that goes into planning and executing this week is extremely hard to imagine. So when this is read, appreciate the effort that was put into all the decorations, the rally, the hospitality rooms, and even the spirit from the spirit week. Our Spirit Court Nominees have to perform at the rally, tip-off assemblies, participate in our activities of the week, partake in any sports that they may have and take their finals all at the same time within this one single week. We give them a tip-off for all their hard work. We, as students, take pride in the work that was put into making this week a memory to treasure forever. This pride we speak of comes from the fact that we were (and still are) willing to put on such a large tournament during one of the most stressful weeks of the whole school year. This tournament, rally, and spirit week followed by a two- week vacation is exactly the kind of celebration many of our school's students look forward to after the much-dreaded finals. So, without further ado, welcome to the 2015 Red Bluff High School Holiday Classic week! T he NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi used to say: Winning isn't the most important thing. It's the only thing! But what about the mental health and happiness of the athlete? Why are parents and athletes choosing to make a "deal with the devil" when it comes to sports? Coaching abuse is not a secret, so how come athletes, parents, and school officials never step up to the plate and hold these coaches accountable? By not doing so, you are failing the athletes that you are in charge of educating and protecting. Sports are Real Christmas trees are better. SPARTAN THUMBS Mistletoes Finals Artificial Trees Holiday Classic Our favorite time of year is here! The mistletoe has become cliche. The largest tests bring down the holiday spirit. Christmas Music There should be a twist made to holiday music. Submitted by: Jacob Thornton Bluffer/ Abby O'Sullivan ***These Thumbs were acquired by Mr. Hein's third period class. Seniors need to focus on fun memories Crazy goes into full swing with December here Taylor Nguyen Staff Writer D ecember has arrived and that means three things: Christmas, winter break, and finals. I've come to the conclusion that December causes myself to take part in this emotional rollercoaster ride. I'm sure I'm not the only one jumping for joy because Christmas is near, Holiday Classic is around the corner, and the wonderful break is near, yet crying about finals at the same time. Now that we've concluded about how December is the craziest time of year for RBHS with finals, Holiday Classic, and spirit week, one might wonder, how can I handle all this? Is it even possible? It's safe to say that finding time to balance studying for finals with preparation for Holiday Classic or other activities is difficult. It's possible to feel discouraged with the stress brought upon us students. However, we are so close to the end. Well, the "half-end". I don't want to sound cliché, but don't give up. "...kick your finals in the face this year and enjoy the month of December." S enior year is seen as a year of carefree fun and memories, until you get there. And as the end of the school year quickly approaches, many seniors are starting to feel the pressure of big decisions, scholarship applications, signing up for orientation and sending out graduation invitations. As if our GPAs and ACT scores weren't enough hanging over our heads already. This last year of high school may be the most stressful year of high school, because this is the year that can set the pace for the next few years of your life. To the struggling seniors, take it one day at a time. These are the last chances we have to make memories together, live Kaylie Capps A-&-E Editor it up. But don't forget the goals: make it through all of the applications, classes and tests so that you can enjoy the last few opportunities we all have together. Soon we will have a senior skip day, prom, and then what we've all been waiting for...senior trip. And it will continue as a downhill cruise to graduation, and then we're all off to the next chapters in our lives. From one senior to another, keep working hard, but continue to find time to relish and appreciate the little time that we have left. Don't focus on the future right now, just focus on what's happening right now. Before you know it, it's going to be June 2, graduation day. Don't forget your goals and ambitions. Remember that you can achieve all that you dream. As we all know, high school isn't anything like the Disney film 'High School Musical.' We only have one semester left together, so why don't we make it count? Because as we all know, once a Spartan, always a Spartan. Abusive coaching affects the futures of Lexi Pritchard Sports Editor supposed to be "all about the kids". Coaches are supposed to be good role models and build self-esteem and confidence in athletes. As a coach, your number one priority should be about the well being and happiness of the athletes you coach. When coaches believe in the Vince Lombardi saying, when their need to win is greater than the well being and learning of the athlete, when winning is more important than teaching and playing, there is a problem! What can happen to an athlete in the end can be emotionally devastating and can cause athletes to shut down! Abuse is abuse no matter how someone tries to look at it. When coaching abuse happens, it causes athletes' confidence, self-esteem, and performance to drop. They will want to skip practice or quit the team. This doesn't define all coaches. I have played under tough coaches who demanded a lot, but also improved my confidence, improved my skills, and supported me off and on the court, and helped me grow as an individual. The definition of an abusive coach: Creates a team environment based on fear Is not open to input from players or parents Uses embarrassment and humiliation on their athletes Is more interested in their needs than those of their players Leaves their players feeling bad about themselves Demeans their players Is a bad role model Earns disrespect from players and parents Is a bully! A coach doesn't have to be every one of these in order to be an abusive coach. Two or three of these behaviors is plenty. The abusive coach can't take an honest look at their own behaviors because they are too busy defending themselves and blaming others. They are good at convincing players that they should feel guilty and responsible. It's time to end this type of coaching. Athletes and parents need to stand up for what they believe in, even when other people, including teammates disagree with you. Bystanders need to become "upstanders" – people who stand up against bullying. Someone once said that bullying by a coach isn't defined by the number of players affected. A team should never stand around and let this happen. This not only affects the players of today, but the players of the future. If there is a trend, then there is a problem. both high school athletes and families I see many students, including myself, tear themselves apart because they have a lot going on from studying to extracurricular activities. As cheesy as it sounds, we're all in this together, so kick your finals in the face this year and enjoy the month of December. Staff Writers Amy Becerra Mary Herrera Abby O'Sullivan Shania Prieto Taylor Nguyen Skyler Drew Insert Editors Joe Mills Stefanie Brunello