ROCKLIN VS. DEL ORO - My High School Journalism

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Mallory Valenzuela
Staff writer
FeaTures
Students building up anticipation for
Megan Cardona
Staff writer
This is the time of the year that should
be known as “The most wonderful time of
the year”. Well, maybe not for all of us.
Others may see this time of the school
year as nerve-racking, maybe even
nauseating. Yes, Hearts-a-Fire is around
the corner and everyone is gearing up for
this special evening. What many students
are awaiting is one of the biggest aspects
of this dance, a date.
Girls asking guys to the Hearts-A-Fire
2007 dance seems out of the question.
“I don’t really have a plan for Hearts-a-
Fire just yet. I would like to be asked in
a somewhat romantic way. I don’t think I
would want to be the one asking though.”
Sophomore Stephanie Fitzugh explains.
Every Hearts-a-Fire dance is planned
around couples, and romantic, formal
evenings. Of course, single students
November 2006
Live performance scheduled for Hearts-a-Fire
With the next semi-formal
dance, “Thoughts of Loving
You” Hearts-A-Fire 2007 on
Feb. 10, sophomore class officers
and the Activities Committee
in ASB have been in full
force planning for this event.
There has been a brand-new
addition to this dance and it
is, beyond doubt, bringing the
aspect of a “live performance”
many have been anticipating
for quite some time.
With no precedence and
making Rocklin High School
history, sophomores Jeremy
Crooks and Josh Ramos,
and seniors Angelo Maniego
and Michael Felias have been
chosen to perform the theme
song “Weak” by SWV. Pressure
has been put on all four
to make this performance a
success, as this will not only
be the last slow song, but also
the final song of the night.
might feel a little out of
place at this dance. “I don’t
know if I want to go to the
dance without a date, that
might be a little awkward.”
Amanda Bruns says.
On the other hand,
some singles don’t let the
theme of this dance ruin
“[The song] is about someone
that you love, like you get
weak in the knees and you
get shy,” says Maniego.
Felias adds, “Yeah, [it’s like
suddenly] you’re shy, so in order
to get in the mood while
practicing, we tried thinking
of our dream girl. But we
were like, forget this! WE’RE
ALL SINGLE! WE ALL NEED
DATES!”
Practicing day and night to
master “Weak” has been on
Maniego’s mind for weeks.
Preparation has been of
paramount importance to the
group’s success.“I’ve been
listening to the song over and
over, and I sing in the shower
all the time,” says Maniego.
“I’ve gone to all our practices,
and we’ve been practicing
everyday since we’ve
been told, just to beat it in.
And it’s important to listen to
60% of
students
unsure of
plans
25% have
a date
their fun. “I don’t see why people don’t go
just because they don’t have a date. They
lose out on their high school memories
that they will never get back,” Junior
Austin Rocha expresses.
People planning the dance, and their
personal plans, have the most stress.
“Thoughts of Loving You,” is the theme
of this 2007 Hearts-a-Fire dance. The
color schemes for the dance are ivory
and purple, which is supposed to have
5%
no
Hearts
21
the feeling of midnight. Pinks and
reds are just too predictable for
this dance. The song of the dance
will be “Weak,” by SWV.
“Planning the dance is
definitely more stressful than
making plans for my personal
agenda.” Junior Marissa Graves,
who helps plan details of the
dance, said.
The backdrop for the pictures will
be a beautiful secret garden. There will
be a water fountain filled with flowers
floating on top of the water. Some other
decorations students will see in their
picture background are step stones, a
bench, trees, and a gate. The lobby will
be dolled up with candles and flowers,
giving the atmosphere a very romantic
and calm feel. T
10% in
groups
date
A Fire
each other. Half of singing is a bass. I want to see every-
really being able to underone’s reaction, and if we’re
stand, because anyone can good, have that impact.”
sing. So the other half is [be- Maniego adds, “It’s a way
ing] really able to express it,” for me to show my Filipino
Felias says.
pride! To end senior year with
The group has faced chal- my mark, like, Angelo was
lenges and struggled at times. here! It’s more for tradition
Nonetheless, they have been though, and since it’s never
able to pull through.“We didn’t been done in Rocklin High
have any sheet music, so School history.”
we had to sing and hear the With the dance not far
song only by ear. It was sort away, Maniego and Felias
of short notice, and we had hold their heads up high. As
problems with harmonizing an opportunity to showcase
and the tempo,” says Felias. their talent, they hope to en-
Despite the pressure and courage others who can sing
work being put on the group’s to continue on with this new
shoulders, Maniego and Fe- tradition.
lias both feel that performing Maniego says, “I don’t
at Hearts-A-Fire was not just have any regrets [by agree-
10%
about being asked to sing, ing to sing]. Man, it was fun
but to leave a lasting impres- and cool.”
sion as seniors.
Felias agrees. “No regrets.
Felias says, “I did it to sing, That’s kind of how I live my
it’s what I do. And they needed life, with no regrets."