December Magazine

VIVID
arts
December Issue

CO
N T E N
TS

Christmas Story
An Oddly Silent Night
Controversial Topic:
Teachers & Tenure
Five DIY Gifts:
Under $10
Senior Project:
Shadi Azad
Holiday Quiz:
What Holiday Character are you?
Concert Review:
Drowsy Chaperone
8
10
12
14
16
17

MEET THE
Contributors
Photo By: Mohammad Asaad

Samantha Brown
Co-founder of Vivid Arts, Sam is the graphic
designer and head of Vivid Arts magazine, handling all
activities regarding the project. From inquiries, to designs,
and article writing, she has it all under control. Sam created
this magazine in hopes of giving students an outlet to
express their creativity and have a place to show their art
Chloe Berezowsky
Mental health awareness counselor and Vivid Arts
marketer, Chloe is a major contributer to our team. She
writes articles regarding family matters, mental health, or
student issues while giving us the marketing materials and
ideas we need to be successful.
Emily Chung
As an inspirational leader, Emily has given
everyone in this project the emotional support as well
as the ideas they need to continue working and staying
motivated.
Alyssa Ortiz
Co-founder of Vivid Arts, Alyssa is the photographer,
social media manager and art coordinator since she runs the
instagram account, handles inquires, and organizes events.
Alyssa will be hosting an Art show under Vivid Arts, which
will display the magazine, other student work and more, for
one spectacular night.
Madison De Smet
Website designer and grammar police, Maddy
assures that this magazine is kept to its perfect standard
while she edits all the work done and designs our
aesthetically pleasing website.

WHAT HAPPENED IN
November
ASTRONOMY
NIGHT
Shadi Azad for her
senior project put on
an entertaining night
under the stars with hot
chocolate and telescopes.
NIGHT OF
ONE ACTS
Santa Susana High School's
Children's Theatre class
put on a night to remember
filled with one night only
performances by the entire
classes.
SENIOR
SUNRISE
The senior class spent their
morning bonduing over the view
of the gorgeous sunrise from
Rocky Peak.
TRAGEDY
In a horrible turn of
events, so many lives
were taken in the
fires that terrorized
California and at the
shooting that took place
at the Borderline Bar
and Grill.
THANKSGIVING
All Simi Valley Schools took a week
long break as everyone celebrated
the Thanksgiving holiday with their
friends and family.
Page 6

Drowsy
Chaperone =
Santa Susana’s Musical Theatre invites you
to see their first fall musical, the Drowsy
Chaperone on the 1st of December
Instrumental
Music Concert
1
On the nights of the 7th and the 8th of
December, Instrumental Music will be putting
on a holiday spectacular, creating a “Winter
Wonderland” On the PAC stage.
Quantum
Dance Concert
14 & 15
The Dance department is hosting their first
concert of the year as they invite you to be
amazed by the talent our dance program has in
store.
7 & 8
Upcoming Performances
DECEMBER
Important concerts and performances for the month of November
at Santa Susana listed here so that you don’t miss a single piece of
the action!
Page 7

An O
Not a
creature was stirring not even
C
a mouse... Just kidding, this is not your
average Christmas story. But, it was a very, very
silent night. Oddly silent if I do say so myself.
There was no wind blowing or trees rustling. No caroling
nor jingle bells ringing. Nights like this happen
sometimes, so I brushed it off and headed to bed. I had to
be asleep before the presents were out under the tree. As I was
starting to close my eyes, I heard it. A sound. I looked out my
window and saw it, a shadow of someone tall with... with horn
seemed to have a sack full of presents thrown over its shoulde
when I heard another noise, the jingle of Santa’s jingle bells!
pretended to be asleep so that I could have presents to open in t
hear anything come down the chimney. Weird.. Santa isn’t clau
chimney because it soots him... I heard an awful sound, like nai
and down my arms. There was the jingle again… if it isn’t Santa,
in their room. Hmm...I glance out my window again and the perso
my house and it was not Santa. I started to wonder if it was because
because I was bad? Do I not get any presents? Did I play too many p
handle started to rattle and shake... and there it is. A tall goat-like m
sticks in its hand. There was something off about the sack... it was m
I am peeking out from beneath my covers. He whispers something,
anything like that before. He reaches his claw-like hand towards
life but nothing comes out. The next thing I know, I can’t see an
to get my Christmas presents.
Page 8

ddly Silent
hristmas
Night
s? It
r. And that is
I closed my eyes and
he morning, but I didn’t
strophobic, he likes to go down the
ls on a chalkboard, giving me goosebumps all up
then who is it? It can’t be mom or dad, they are asleep
n was gone. I started to panic, there was someone in
I wasn’t being very good. Was Santa not going to come
ranks on my friends? Was I too elfish? Oh no. My door
an with a sack thrown over one shoulder and a bundle of
oving. The man comes closer and closer to my bed where
a name maybe? It sounded like Krampus. I’ve never heard
my bed and yanks off the covers. I tried to scream for deer
ything and I can’t move either. This is it... I’m never going
Page 9

Teachers
and Tenure
50%
of students
stated that they believe that teachers shouldn’t have
tenure. However, the other fifty percent believed that
teacher’s should have tenure. So we must ask: What
do we do now?
of students78%
stated that they believe it to be a good idea to be
able to grade teachers and provide feedback on their
teaching and effectiveness in the classrooms.
Page 10

What
Now?
According to students, there are many things we
can do to improve this Californian teachers system that
might be corrupting our education. The tenure system
we currently have in place does protect teachers from
angry district officials or parents who want the teachers
fired for giving their child a low grade, however it also
allows for lazy and so called “bad” teachers to be able to
keep their jobs and waste a students educational year.
Many of the students here at Santa Susana High School
believe that tenure is actually restricting their education
as it is preventing them to get a better teacher since the
one they were given doesn’t actually teach or use effective
methods. The school district here in Simi Valley sends
officials out to evaluate teachers throughout the year,
however students watch as their teacher that usually
sits in their chair all day playing on their computer
“Tenure is allowing for
abusive teachers keep
their job”
suddenly comes to life, becoming the teacher they wish
they had. But what the district doesn’t know is that as
soon as the official leaves the room, the teacher returns
to their chair and the monotonous classroom returns.
So in response, if the district can’t properly evaluate
these teachers, shouldn’t the students be able to? When
we asked students if they believed this to be the proper
idea, most of them agreed, for it would give the district a
good understanding of what educational experience the
teacher is giving to their students and it would also help
the teacher learn and improve from their own habits,
making a better and effective classroom. However, many
individuals expressed concern that students would be
too subjective, and they would judge the teacher based
on the grade they received in the class. So, what would
be the proper solution then? The only conclusion many
other students came up with was to allow select students
with high merit or trusting status in the school to actually
grade their students. However, this also raises suspicion
in the classroom as well as it is too selective to single out
particular students. In the end, there must be some sort
of solution eventually, for the teachers that are using their
tenure to be lazy, are wasting money and draining the
educational experience from students.
Page 11

cin
you
1
With just two to three yards of fleece
six yards of your favorite trim, you ca
make someone a cozy blanket to use a
they bundle up by the fire!
A bit of wax, a cute winter or vintage
tea cup, wax wicks, and your favorite
essential oils and you can make an
adorable tea-cup candle that everyone
will love.
3
4
For this gift, all you need is a letter, some
of your favorite pictures and some glue! In
the end, you will have a memorable gift
that is perfect for someones bedroom or
wall decor.
Ever
choco
more c
have to d
favorite
Page
14
12

and
n
s
Some shea butter, ginger, coconut oil,
namon, and vanilla mixed together and
have got a scrumptious body butter that
everyone will love this holiday season.
2
DIY Gifts
Under $10
ything you need to make delicious
late chip cookies in one jar? What
ould someone ask for! And all you
o is put all the ingredients to your
cookie recipe in a jar and call it a
job well done.
5
Page 13

SENIOR PROJECT
SPOTLIGHT:
Shadi Azad
For this project, Michelle has created a story
about a young girl in her teenage years living in
the slums of Mexico and her journey as she paints
and tags in the cartel. However, while she is tagging
buildings a scout from America finds interest in
her and invites her to come to the states to continue
her art. The young girl is then torn between staying
where she knows and where she is from or going
and pursuing her passion away from her family and
her current life.
Michelle has created this project as she
aspires to be an artist and animator. She also hopes
that with this project, she can show what life i s
really like in the slums of Mexico and that she can
share her own experiences from when she lived
there as a little girl. Michelle is striving for success
and hopes that everyone enjoys her project and
that maybe one day she can fully animate this story
and pitch her ideas to Netflix.
Page 14
Written By: Samantha Brown

Music Trends
ALTERNATIVE
- Machine by Imagine Dragons
- Home by Morgxn & WALK THE MOON
- Worst Nites by Foster the People
HIP-HOP
- Lil Boat by 88glam
- Feels like Summer by Vince Staples
- Don’t Come Out the House by Metro Boomin &
21 Savage
R&B
POP
- Thank you, next by Ariana Grande
- Happier by Marshmellow & Bastille
- Connection by One Republic
ROCK
- Pressure by Muse
- Make it up as I go by Mike Shinoda & K. Flay
- Every Step I Take by Tom Morello & Portugal
the Man & Whethan
- S.w.I.n.G by Tory Lanez & PnB Rock & Trey
Songz
- Who Hurt You by Daniel Caesar
- Carried Away by H.E.R
Spotlight Artist
ELLA MAI
R&B artist Ella Mai
competed and made her debut
on The X Factor in 2014 and
soon there after released
four solo tracks. Now she is
excelling in her career as she
just released her new Album
last month titles “Ella Mai”.
WINTER
Movie P laylist:
- The Santa Clause
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Polar Express
- The Family Stone
- Elf
- Home Alone
- A Christmas Story
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Love Actually
- Fred Clause
Written By: Anshel Ahmad & Samantha Brown
Page 15

IT’S THE
MOST
wonderful
TIME OF THE
YEAR
Page 16

The
Perfect
Christmas
Ingredients:
Cookie
- 1 1/ 2 cups of butter - 5 cups flour
- 2 cups of sugar - 2 tsp baking powder
- 4 eggs - 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Mix together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl.
Once the mixture is creamy and completely smooth, mix
in flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Allow dough to chill for one hour in the fridge.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4. Roll dough out on a flat floured surface and cut shapes with
cutters as you please.
5. Place cookies an inch apart on a greased cookie sheet
6. Bake for about seven minutes.
7. Allow for cookies to cool completely and then decorate them with your favorite
icing!
Page 17

What Holiday Character are you?
Check off and tally up all that you answered yes to in order to
find the character you represent during the holiday season!
1. Do you listen to Christmas music before December?
2. Do you decorate more than just standard Christmas lights?
3. Do you find wrapping presents fun?
4. Do you dress your pets up for Christmas?
5. Do you plan out your Christmas gift shopping?
6. Do you have Christmas traditions that you do every year?
7. Do you wear a Christmas sweater on December 1st?
8. Do you go out and pick out a real tree to decorate?
9. Do you enjoy holiday Hallmark movies?
10. Do you ever watch the Santa tracker app or channel?
Yes
No
0-1 2-3 4-6 7-8 9-10
Scrooge Grinch Jack Buddy Santa
Page 18
Okay really?
Maybe take a
break from AP
Chemistry.
I’m sure that you
will fall in love
with Christmas
eventually.
We see you
trying be in the
spirit but maybe
this just isn’t
your holiday.
Okay Buddy,
we see that you
are a fanatic
but it’s almost
unhealthy.
We get it. You
are obsessed with
Christmas. You
don’t have to be
so over the top
though.

Drowsy Chaperone
Review
Videressunt
entenisin rerfere
natur?
Ad quatem que sunt ut labo. Met
ipicienderia aborum volo voluptate ratecto
core et enimet que resequis sanim lantia quodi sus.
Andit eaque ressum ex expelia nducite mperspel imi, omnis
estist assi te et accabor solor anditaqui ut reprati onsequidusda
simperorio magnimillore con ea nat molupit ullorerem landign
atusam que ipit quunditatur, serferchil il il molestius aliam, occum
comnis eaque modi que cum hil mossint et prore, venet etus quae.
Lestrum ut quod moluptureici custio etur millecab il inctur?
Rorerum exceped expliquid molorum quidionsequi dunti recernat
por aut aut lam entur sitati sum aut ommodip susapel mo cuptae
cullorum quodi ad qui que idebit od explandaest, viditatus ut
volorunt, aut ullorporest, odicimagnis rero blatiat atioratium, sus,
quae quias andias iduciunte comnis accation conet as qui doluptatem
esequoste voluptiat laborrumqui corrovit aut ento et qui nonsect
atentore nusam fugitiur? Ne excerum debis quam, sequia volum
hilibus andenime dolorero quam alit liae nihic testo temolesciam aut
ipsam atem sitem ipsapis cusdaes magnis doleseque venis in rem
aut quidem verfere, sandae volor asperum que eiuscides volo millab
iuscit, eossitio quo tem est, nectem et haritem poratio nsendi as aut
etur? Fuga. Et autatis alit atur?
Ommo blaccae. Musantiam, sitaspe leceaquae provita tibusciendis
experrovidem idusdam etur, quodis maximin ullenia commodi
tiandam, tet fugias am fugiam ut arum que officiis
doloritatem que nonse ratempos aut estius
asperumeni cum et aut in consequi
cum vid qui utem re plique qui
doluptatus voluptaspel
excestisto od ut
verrore
Written By: Chloe Berezowsky
Page 19

Page 20

VIVID ARTS
Follow us on instagram @_vivid_arts_
Come and support Alyssa Ortiz’s and Samantha
Brown’s senior project!!
This night is to demonstrate the hard work and
hours put into Vivid Arts magazine.
This event will also showcase Santa Su’s talented
photographers, graphic designers, illustrators
and artists.
We’ll have fun arts and crafts, photo booths for
instagram pictures, live performances, and more.
Date of the event :
- February 1st
Time :
- 5pm - 8pm
Place :
- Santa Susana High
School
Email
vividarts2@gmail.com
to find out how you can
Page 21

Page 22
On November 7th of 2018, a tragedy occurred at the
Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California.
Twelve people lost their lives in this horrific event
and we at Vivid Arts would like to honor them
as we offer our thoughts and prayers to
them and their loved ones.
To help support the victims and
their families please go to
www.vccf.org.
Thank you.

To: Erin
“ You are always here even though you aren’t,
through both heart and soul. Though
your body is gone, you’re heart and
soul will carry with me until the
day I see you again. However
long it may be, I know you
are looking over us no matter
what happens.”
"You were the best friend
that I could have asked for.
If I needed anything you
were always there for me no
matter what you were doing.
You were so genuinely nice
and caring to everyone you
knew. You were a great person to
be around, and to be able to know."
Page 23