Features

After a long and stressful school year, students take their separate paths to summer relaxation. Often overlooked, teachers also find activities and jobs during the break.

For instance, math teacher Laressa Ridge, who also stands in as the Cheer team adviser, has been an integral part of the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) every summer since 1997. A cheer enthusiast, Ridge started the sport in high school. Her deep love for cheer stemmed from several years of experience as a competitive gymnast, which she continued through her college years, performing at Chico State, University of Washington and Sacramento State.

It was already December and freshman Jennifer Chiang was six months late. Chiang scrambled for a week to find a topic for this year’s History Day theme: conflict and compromise. Fortunately, her high interest in Asian Studies drew her to the subject of Chinese Exclusion, which in turn led to her topic: Closing the Gate: The Conflict and Compromise behind Chinese Exclusion.

“At first, I was very interested in Asian Studies, so I began skimming books and I came across Chinese Exclusion,” said Chiang. “This immediately blew my mind, and I had to have it as my topic.”

Freshman Brian Tidd’s palms began to sweat in his gloves as he waited for the countdown at the start of the Junior Olympics downhill skiing competition; his face was numb from the cold, constant winds atop Bald Mountain in Idaho. He bent his knees and leaned forward, as he waited for the word for the word.

2…3…GO!

With a skillful lunge, he flew out of the start and down the run skillfully maneuvering to the finish.

Tidd, a competitive skier since age 10, qualified for the Junior Olympics this year and competed in the first round of the competition in Idaho in March.

Long-time friends juniors Jenna Finch and Christina Robert used to meet at Starbucks every Wednesday morning for coffee and pastries, making effective use of the late-morning start. The friends eventually came up with an alternative, a way to avoid the unhealthy and expensive

Frappucinos and scones. They began “neighbor breakfasts,” and invited fellow neighbor James Huang to join in on the pancake and waffle making adventure.

“Christina and I used to meet at Starbucks on Wednesday mornings,” said Finch. “We thought it would be fun to make breakfast instead.”

Senior Andrew Chang recently found out that his bank account held just 22 cents. He blames raising gas prices as a big reason for his lack of money because every fill-up is “$30 down the drain.”

Like many students, he has had to change habits as prices rise to $3.75 a gallon or higher.

At the beginning of the school year, prices were averaging around $3.20.

With this in mind, he is planning to resume his last summer job as a private swimming tutor in his backyard.

“Now I usually prefer staying on campus for lunch and eat prepared lunch from home that is healthier.”