South East’s Wise Up! members inform themselves and spread knowledge about current immigration reforms in California.
Wise Up!, run by SEHS seniors Omar De Los Santos and Jesse Pantoja, is a school club that promotes equal human rights. “[The club] informs students about current issues on immigration,” said vice president Jesse Pantoja.
The politics behind current immigration reforms such as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM act, and the eligibility for undocumented students to pay in-state tuition are predominant topics discussed at the weekly meetings.
The near failure of the DREAM act stunned the members of Wise Up! Rejection of the bill would mean that undocumented students would access higher education by paying expensive out of state tuition. These students would also struggle to acquire residency since the bill grants citizenship if a two year college degree is earned or two years are served in the military.
Wise Up! focuses on students, regardless of their residency. On November 15, California’s Supreme Court decided that undocumented students can receive lower in-state tuition at California universities and colleges. Daniel Rodriguez, a senior and Wise Up!’s sergeant of arms said, “I was elated that undocumented students have the opportunity to further their higher education. I was really happy because a lot of my friends wanted this to pass, and it passed.”
Many opportunities are also offered to Wise Up! members. They include volunteer work, college advice, and the chance to attend CORE meetings—weekly meetings in Downtown LA in which officers from different Wise Up! clubs discuss their club’s progress and give updates on immigration issues, explained Pantoja.
Wise Up! is held on Tuesdays during lunch in room A201. “In a school that’s approximately 99% Latino, I’m sure that many students could somehow connect to immigration,” said Pantoja. “By informing students [about the issues], we intend to have our word spread even further by having them talk to their peers, parents, relatives, etc.”
Adam Espindola, a senior and member of the club, believes many SEHS students can start practicing equal human rights by simply joining Wise Up! Espindola said, “People who attend the club obtain knowledge about immigration reforms. This is passed onto others, bringing more awareness to these dire social issues.”
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Illegal immigrants can qualify for in-state college tuition
On Monday, Nov. 15, California’s Supreme Court unanimously decided that illegal immigrants, who graduated from state high schools, can receive lower in-state tuition at California’s public universities and colleges.
California is one of 10 states that allow undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. This vote can save undocumented students, who are also ineligible for government financial aid, approximately $23,000 a year at UCs, according to Maura Dolan and Larry Gordon, staff writers for the LA Times.
Although more conservative officials disapproved of the ruling, some saying the case will only cost California more than $200 million annually (LA Times), others believe that there is more importance in gaining citizens with degrees.
Sofia Campos, 20, is co-chair of a UCLA organization that helps undocumented students at the university. She called the ruling "a victory" and says undocumented students "would have been pushed out of higher education" if the law was overturned in an interview for the LA Times.
Cal State and community college officials agree that illegal immigrants are students that also deserve a higher education.
California is one of 10 states that allow undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. This vote can save undocumented students, who are also ineligible for government financial aid, approximately $23,000 a year at UCs, according to Maura Dolan and Larry Gordon, staff writers for the LA Times.
Although more conservative officials disapproved of the ruling, some saying the case will only cost California more than $200 million annually (LA Times), others believe that there is more importance in gaining citizens with degrees.
Sofia Campos, 20, is co-chair of a UCLA organization that helps undocumented students at the university. She called the ruling "a victory" and says undocumented students "would have been pushed out of higher education" if the law was overturned in an interview for the LA Times.
Cal State and community college officials agree that illegal immigrants are students that also deserve a higher education.
No More Paper or Plastic
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a plastic bag ban said to take full effect in July, according to the LA Times. Supermarkets and pharmacies will no longer provide disposable plastic bags. To stop shoppers from resorting to paper bags as an alternative, a 10-cent additional charge will be placed per paper bag.
Plastic bags are nondegradable; they pollute streets and accumulate in storm drains. This endangers wildlife when the bags are passed into the ocean, one of the world’s most popular environmental and economic resources. In an interview with the LA Times, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said,” Plastic bags are a pollutant. They pollute the urban landscape. They are what we call in our county urban tumbleweeds.”
The LA Times reports that approximately 6 billion plastic bags are used each year in Los Angeles, and government figures show that only 5% are recycled. The plastic bag ordinance will guide California to serve as a model that preserves the environment, and ultimately, our planet.
Plastic bags are nondegradable; they pollute streets and accumulate in storm drains. This endangers wildlife when the bags are passed into the ocean, one of the world’s most popular environmental and economic resources. In an interview with the LA Times, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said,” Plastic bags are a pollutant. They pollute the urban landscape. They are what we call in our county urban tumbleweeds.”
The LA Times reports that approximately 6 billion plastic bags are used each year in Los Angeles, and government figures show that only 5% are recycled. The plastic bag ordinance will guide California to serve as a model that preserves the environment, and ultimately, our planet.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Special Needs for Special Friends
Special education students gain support from SEHS and South Gate to compete in the 2011 Special Olympics.
South East’s special education students planned to participate in the Special Olympics at the beginning of this year. An inadequate amount of funding for their team uniforms and transportation almost took their opportunity away from them. Ms. Chavez, leader of the drama department, created a benefit show when she learned about the insufficient funds. The money that was collected gave the special needs students the opportunity to participate in southern California’s Special Olympics.
Ms. Chavez was distraught when she discovered that the special education students did not have sufficient funds to compete in the track and field meets and competitions. “I was in the office when a faculty member walked in during a meeting. I remember she was [stressed] because she found out the school did not have enough money to send our special education students to the track and field competitions,” recalled Chavez.
Instantly, she began planning a fundraiser to collect money for the group of students. She had only one week to overcome the sudden “hurdle.” “This is [something that] is close to my heart,” said Chavez. As a means to facilitate the dilemma, she created the show, “Special Needs for Special Friends” with the choir and band classes.
In the show, theatre students, choir, and our band performed the highlights of last year’s performances. The show premiered in January of 2010 and it raised a large amount of money --an estimated $1,300-- for the special needs students, who were ultimately able to compete in their first Special Olympics while “proudly wearing the school colors,” said Chavez.
Due to personal matters, Ms. Chavez is impassionate and caring for kids with special needs. “They’re totally wonderful. They need people to appreciate them as much as they appreciate others.”
And appreciated they are. Vice Mayor of South Gate, Mrs. Maria Davila, recognized and is very supportive of the benefit show “Special Needs for Special Friends.” She will help by providing Chavez with South Gate’s city auditorium, meaning more available seats will be sold.
Davila will also help Chavez advertise the show in South Gate’s business letters and marquee. More money will be provided to the deserving students at South East High. The 2nd annual “Special Needs for Special Friends” will showcase on January 27, 2011 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $8, with donations welcome. Every penny earned will go to the South East Special Olympians.
South East’s special education students planned to participate in the Special Olympics at the beginning of this year. An inadequate amount of funding for their team uniforms and transportation almost took their opportunity away from them. Ms. Chavez, leader of the drama department, created a benefit show when she learned about the insufficient funds. The money that was collected gave the special needs students the opportunity to participate in southern California’s Special Olympics.
Ms. Chavez was distraught when she discovered that the special education students did not have sufficient funds to compete in the track and field meets and competitions. “I was in the office when a faculty member walked in during a meeting. I remember she was [stressed] because she found out the school did not have enough money to send our special education students to the track and field competitions,” recalled Chavez.
Instantly, she began planning a fundraiser to collect money for the group of students. She had only one week to overcome the sudden “hurdle.” “This is [something that] is close to my heart,” said Chavez. As a means to facilitate the dilemma, she created the show, “Special Needs for Special Friends” with the choir and band classes.
In the show, theatre students, choir, and our band performed the highlights of last year’s performances. The show premiered in January of 2010 and it raised a large amount of money --an estimated $1,300-- for the special needs students, who were ultimately able to compete in their first Special Olympics while “proudly wearing the school colors,” said Chavez.
Due to personal matters, Ms. Chavez is impassionate and caring for kids with special needs. “They’re totally wonderful. They need people to appreciate them as much as they appreciate others.”
And appreciated they are. Vice Mayor of South Gate, Mrs. Maria Davila, recognized and is very supportive of the benefit show “Special Needs for Special Friends.” She will help by providing Chavez with South Gate’s city auditorium, meaning more available seats will be sold.
Davila will also help Chavez advertise the show in South Gate’s business letters and marquee. More money will be provided to the deserving students at South East High. The 2nd annual “Special Needs for Special Friends” will showcase on January 27, 2011 at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $8, with donations welcome. Every penny earned will go to the South East Special Olympians.
Friday, March 5, 2010
South East High's Rush Hour
Irresponsible drivers cause as much frustration as traffic.
Students at South East High School constantly deal with the crowded doorways and halls during school hours. It is a daily routine to step out of crammed classrooms and step into a heavy, swarming flow of students who are rushing to get to their next class. However, it seems that the busiest time of day occurs after school hours.
Parents and guardians are beginning to complain about the after school traffic that forms on Tweedy Boulevard due to student pick-up. “Picking up my sister is very frustrating and often time consuming, “says Michelle Rodriguez, a 22 year old South Gate resident, who regularly faces the traffic nuisance. “ If I want to find parking in the school ’ s parking lot or in front of the school, I have to be there at least 30 minutes before dismissal because of all the cars. On rainy days, I have gotten to the school an hour prior to dismissal just to find parking. ”
Traffic accumulates because drivers form a line to exit the school ’ s parking lot but most drivers simply turn off their cars while waiting for the street traffic to clear. It creates traffic because the line does not allow other cars to enter or exit the lot. Other drivers also park alongside legally parked cars that are next to the sidewalk. Most cars cannot move around them thus causing traffic. Parking in the middle of the street has previously caused accidents because parents expect their kids to run to the cars. Students, and some guardians, are also using the stopped cars as an excuse to illegally cross the street since there are few moving vehicles. South East High is becoming the cause of a new rush hour in South Gate.
To reduce the amount of after school traffic and avoid accidents, Michelle suggests, “Cops should go and maintain order. They should kick off parents who are parked in the middle of the street. Cops should also encourage students to abide the law and use crosswalks. The city should also make more pedestrian crosswalks to make the streets safer for people because Tweedy Boulevard is such a long, busy street. People are always expected to cross illegally now because of its length and lack of crosswalks. ”
Students at South East High School constantly deal with the crowded doorways and halls during school hours. It is a daily routine to step out of crammed classrooms and step into a heavy, swarming flow of students who are rushing to get to their next class. However, it seems that the busiest time of day occurs after school hours.
Parents and guardians are beginning to complain about the after school traffic that forms on Tweedy Boulevard due to student pick-up. “Picking up my sister is very frustrating and often time consuming, “says Michelle Rodriguez, a 22 year old South Gate resident, who regularly faces the traffic nuisance. “ If I want to find parking in the school ’ s parking lot or in front of the school, I have to be there at least 30 minutes before dismissal because of all the cars. On rainy days, I have gotten to the school an hour prior to dismissal just to find parking. ”
Traffic accumulates because drivers form a line to exit the school ’ s parking lot but most drivers simply turn off their cars while waiting for the street traffic to clear. It creates traffic because the line does not allow other cars to enter or exit the lot. Other drivers also park alongside legally parked cars that are next to the sidewalk. Most cars cannot move around them thus causing traffic. Parking in the middle of the street has previously caused accidents because parents expect their kids to run to the cars. Students, and some guardians, are also using the stopped cars as an excuse to illegally cross the street since there are few moving vehicles. South East High is becoming the cause of a new rush hour in South Gate.
To reduce the amount of after school traffic and avoid accidents, Michelle suggests, “Cops should go and maintain order. They should kick off parents who are parked in the middle of the street. Cops should also encourage students to abide the law and use crosswalks. The city should also make more pedestrian crosswalks to make the streets safer for people because Tweedy Boulevard is such a long, busy street. People are always expected to cross illegally now because of its length and lack of crosswalks. ”
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