Over yonder where the horizons smile sunny rays over MTHS lays one of the daintiest classrooms ever seen. Decorated with students’ heart-felt memoirs, inspirational quotes and uncontainable love, the room harnesses the powers of knowledge and cultivates it into a language that teems with energy.

This classroom is none than Ms. Buford’s Floating Block/English class. However, it does leave one with a solemn aftertaste upon hearing that Ms. Buford will be leaving the school. On the 2^nd of September, Ms. Buford travels across the country to Hunstville, Alabama to be with her family, her children and grandchildren as well as her husband, who had recently been relocated to Hunstville because of his job. After she settles down, she plans on “going back to the classroom”.

Although a teaching profession was not her original career goal (she wanted to become a doctor), she later became an English teacher out of the love she had for English and memories of herself playing “school” as a child.

Ms. Buford will certainly be missed, as an important staff member, as a teacher, and as “one of the teachers I can talk to [because] she’s someone I can trust”,  laments Cassie Teal, one of Ms. Buford’s former students.

Although Ms. Buford will be nearly a country away, her triumphs and teachings will forever remain a part of MTHS. She wants all of us to “never give up, follow your goals” and to tightly pocket but freely use her 3Es: Effort, Endurance and Excellence. But she too, will be taking with her, “the love I have from all the kids, the lessons I’ve learned from them about cultural diversity and the deep relations I’ve formed with the excellent staff here at Monterey Trail”.

Thank you for everything you’re done, Ms. Buford, for being there for us and truly caring about us. We wish you the best of luck.

            Exit to serve

An interview with Boys Like Girls:

-          When asked if you should or shouldn’t go to prom, they answered that you should because it’s a “once in a lifetime experience and you’ll always remember what happened, how much fun you had, all your friends there… you might think there’s a lot of preparation and stuff but just have fun with it and you’ll have a good time.”  

-          Guys would rather have girls ask them out to Prom but if you want to go with somebody, guy or girl, just ask them out.  Just go up and ask the person, it’s bold and impressive in its own way.  

-          Don’t know how to dance – its okay. Welcome to the club – the majority of people there don’t know how to dance so you’ll fit right in. “The worst dancers at Prom have the most fun.”

An interview with Selena Gomez:

-          Long or short dress to Prom: Long.

-          Solid or prints: Solid

-          Hair up or down: Hair up.

-          Eye catching earrings or statement heels:  Statement heels.

-          Makeup that’s natural or glam: Glam makeup.

-          Go with group or guy:  Group [of girls].

An interview with Ashley Green:

-          Some tips: “Don’t wear something for somebody else – to make somebody else happy – and make sure that you’re comfortable because regardless how many other people say it looks good on you,  if you’re not comfortable its gonna show and you’re not going to feel good and you’re not  going to look your best.”

-          For someone who wants to ask a guy out to Prom: “just go for it and be confident and maybe rehearse what you’re gonna say in front of the mirror so you don’t start stuttering.”

Trends for Prom 2010:

-          Ruffles

• “A girl who loves to dance will be moving a lot and shimming on the dance floor.” Ruffles look amazing when you move.

-          Cut Outs

• “It’s very form fitting, very chic… doesn’t look that complicated from the front but in the back WATCH OUT! Cut outs – super super big trend.”

-          Party Dresses

• “Base this story all around short, little, fun dresses. The idea was girls go together to Prom, there is no pressure about who you’re going with or who asked you… really it’s all about having fun in your dress.”

-          Romantic

• “It’s for that girl who really wants to feel like a princess so a lot of the dresses that we shot were pink with jewels, lots of flowers, she really just wants to make an entrance this way  – she just wants to feel classic and sweet.”

-          Dark Romance

• “Obviously inspired by Twilight and that feeling of being like a little vintage –y, things being lush, very romantic. We focused on dark colors like black and grey with a little bit of white thrown in there. We’re seeing a lot of lace and a lot of satin. Go for drama on these dresses.”

-          Bold Color

• “This is really not for the girl who’s shy or reserved. This trend is pretty crazy, it’s a lot of color, a lot of pattern, a lot of jewels -it feels a little poochy, a little water color, and a little Versace.

Where to buy:

Girls:

-          JC Penny :  ranges from $60 – $150

-          Gown City:  ranges from $30 – $200+

-          Deb Shops:  ranges from $50 -  $100+

-          Yes Bridal : less than $99

-          Macy’s: ranges from $25 – $330+

-          Sears:  ranges from about $20 – $250

-          Forever 21:  ranges from as low as $13 – $45

Guys:

-          Men’s Warehouse: start as low as $49.99

-          Macys: ranges from $100 – $200

-          JC Penny: ranges from $90 – $100+

-          Sears: starting at $75

No matter what you wear or what you look like – just make sure you have a good time. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and you most likely won’t regret it.

The fashion show will open up with a catwalk of about 20 student models. There will be prize drawings periodically throughout the night, and $500 of Virtual Cash will be given to each attendee, where they will have an opportunity to participate in Virtual Enterprises’ stimulated business. Concluding the event will be live makeovers on Ms. Bott, Mrs. Lagmarsino and Mrs. Cook- their hair will be done courtesy of Studio 3 from Elk Grove, and makeup courtesy of our students.

This event will be on January 26, from 6pm-8:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room, and admission is free.

 The stone on a mood ring actually contains liquid crystals that are either located underneath a clear glass covering or inside a clear hollow shell.  These liquid crystals react to the heat on the surface of the skin by shifting, thus altering the colors reflected off of them.  In other words, the body’s surface temperature causes the color change, not emotion.

 This does not mean, however, that mood rings never work.  Sometimes it can, to some extent, reveal a basic emotion.  A common mood ring color chart might look like this:

 Violet = love, happy

Blue = relaxed, calm

Blue-green = somewhat relaxed

Green = average

Yellow = a little tense or nervous

Brown = nervous

Black = very nervous and anxious

 Mood rings are calibrated so that a human’s average surface temperature falls in the blue, or “calm,” range.  A person’s skin might flush when feeling happy and romantic, which causes temperature to increase, while anxiety or fear can cause a person to feel cold. 

 However, temperature is not a good indicator of emotion, so mood rings are more useful as accessories than as accurate reflections of a person’s mood.

 The SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT Test are standardized tests administered six times a year by the College Board and ACT, Inc., respectively.  These assessments measure general education as well as reading, writing, and mathematics skills (science skills also in the ACT).  High school students usually take them during the spring of their junior years or during the fall of their senior years, when most applications are due.  Numerous colleges and universities require students to take one or the other and include the test scores in their applications to be considered during the acceptance process.

The SAT and ACT tests are important because colleges use them when considering applications.  According the College Board and ACT, Inc. websites, these tests help predict success in college.  While GPA’s are probably the best indicator of future college success, grading systems vary from school to school.  The SAT and ACT provide a more objective way for colleges to measure college preparation and compare students.

Some colleges and universities also require students to take one or more SAT Subject Tests, which focus on individual subjects.  Subject test scores help colleges evaluate students in specific areas, which may be important when one is planning to enter a specific major.  Colleges may have specific Subject Test requirements, so be sure to check on college websites. 

 Because the SAT/ACT tests are considered by some colleges during the application process, students are encouraged to prepare as much as possible prior to the test, such as by taking practice exams, completing practice problems, and reading SAT study books.

As seen in this morning’s Advocacy video, the Mustangs have frequently been the feature of news shows’ Friday Night Football sections, and many ‘Play of the Week’ awards have been given to our players.  With several shutouts against high-ranking teams and beating every undefeated team that has come up against them, our football team has made quite a name for the Monterey Trail Mustangs.

 That name is, apparently, spreading quite far, as reported by Ms. Bott, whose Oregonian relations have even heard of the Mustangs and our outstanding academic and athletic achievements.

            But the fight isn’t over yet!

This Saturday is the championship game against Nevada Union.  Please support our football team by going to the game and giving them a few encouraging compliments when you see them on campus!

While GPA’s are important, a high GPA is not the only requirement for getting into college. Many universties  look at many other requirements for acceptance. Other requirements include ACT/SAT scores, community service hours, and extracurricular activities – these all play an important role in the acceptance process as well. Colleges want the most well-rounded students, so be sure to make your application as stunning as you can.

It does get a little difficult, each and every year, trying to keep up with the major new trends and fashions for the winter. However, this season has brought back the long suede boots and well tailored pea coats. Accessories acquainted with these trends are crocheted hats, scarves and gloves. Many celebrities of course have also payed much attention to changing trends. The picture above shows Fergie and Rihanna sporting their gorgeously knitted hats, making quite a fashion statement.

Many teens think that pea coats are way out of fashion, but that’s where you’ve gone wrong. Peacoats are a great way to stay warm and to look fabulous doing it. Along with the coat, wear some knee high boots with low or flat heels to get that cozy winter day look. Now many of you know what to do with fashion up top; but how many of you know what’s perfect for the bottoms?

For the ultimate look, bottoms can easily be found. Pair your winter ensemble with a few tights in dark colors like grey, black, purple and brown. Not a fan of tights? No problem. Another look is skinny jeans or tights tucked into boots. The only problem now is the cost of all these wonderful trends, right?

Its right around the holidays which mean major sales should be coming. JC Penny as well as many other stores will definitely be having sales on the latest coats, boots, hats and scarves. With all these sales it won’t be expensive to shop till you drop.

The Mustangs fiercely macerate the Vikings with a marvelous score of 51 to nothing. Breaking a record in Monterey Trail history of fastest 21 points scored ever, the Mustangs accomplish this feat in a remarkable five minutes and thirty-two seconds during the first quarter. #21 Mike Calvan throws the 42 yard pass followed by a successful kick that brings the Mustangs their 21 points. #44 Michael Worthen brings the Mustangs their first touchdown after their first abortive attempt due to a flag on the play.  As the Vikings edge towards earning their first touchdown, #30 Sedale Hunter trails them for the prevention.  #24 Evan Favors returns a touchdown run of 99 yards with the start of the third quarter, bringing Monterey’s score up to 47 followed by a two-point conversion for 49 points. #32 Derek Bellamy obtains the Mustangs another touchdown during the second quarter, after another cleared kick conversion the score subsides at 41-nothing until the third quarter. With the breach of the fourth quarter, the Mustangs acquire a safety for the final score that earns the triumph over the Vikings.