Every school thinks they are the best at what they do, while Placer may be great at many things, some people might observe that Placer students have begun to display a little bit of arrogance with our team sports.
With 18 different sports at Placer High; there is a lot to be proud of. One has to wonder what the students from other schools think when they come to our school and see the booming crowds at something such as a home football game.

Junior Allicen Goodrich commented when asked about the so-called arrogance of Placer, “We can be arrogant with certain schools like, center or foothill; but that is because we always beat them. When it comes to schools that give us a challenge we usually don’t say too much.”
When asked about whether she feels the volleyball team is cocky, Senior Erin Ellner said, “we’re not too cocky, we’re just confident in our team.  Like we talk before a game, but what school doesn’t? Whenever we do talk, we always back it up and come out on top.”
Junior Stephanie Sykora observed, “It’s okay to be a little cocky but there is a line not to cross when having school spirit, there is a lot of tension built between the teams the week before the game; then when the game comes everyone just wants to fight in order to get out all the anger and tension that was built up over the past few days.”
Two Fridays ago, Placer played Bear River in football. During the games, mainly the varsity game which the Hillmen won 10-6, a few fights were started between students.  Some were taken to the parking lot while others were either broken up by police or people talking sense into the students planning to fight each other. This may be because some people from other schools think Placer’s athletes were being “cocky” and “thinking they’re better than everybody”, but truthfully, there was smack talk coming in strength from both sides.
When asked about his involvement in any fights at games, Junior Mason Lenover said, “I get into some fights, most are taken care of by the police at the game. But I have fought in some fights this year.” The Auburn police department has been called to almost every football game this season whether it be a home or away game.
Lenover commented on the other sports games for past years as well, saying, “it’s mainly football games where all the fights happen, like there are people yelling at each other games but mostly fights will usually happen at the football games”

There may be some level of truth to the idea that Placer has have gotten a little cocky over the past year, but there is no reason to say that’s a bad thing. It is a  good thing to have major school spirit and to show that we think we’re good where it’s true, as long as it doesn’t go too far and result in problems between students from Placer and other schools.

As an Italian exchange student I have noticed lots of different aspects. First of all, the main difference is that Italian high school lasts five years instead of four years, and during these five years we have the same classmates.

Actually my thoughts are that five years is a long time, but you are definitely more mature to deal with the university experience.

Then it’s important to know about the size of the school facility itself: American school facilities are much larger than their Italian counterparts. That’s why the Italian teachers usually change classes for each hour and rotate to you; instead students stay in their classrooms.

Italy’s schedule is totally different. It has a Monday-through-Saturday schedule. The school begins at 8.20 a.m. and we get out at around 1.30 p.m. that’s because each subject lasts 50 or 60 minutes and not one hour and 30 minutes like it is here. Then, everyday, we have five or six different subjects.

This is probably what characterizes most Italian schools than American ones.

About the organizational level of the Italian schools you can choose between four main ways, that’s why Italian schools are more targeted than American ones. It’s up to you and your major qualities.

The obvious division is between college-track “Licei” and work-track “Istituti”. Within the “Licei” there are Scientific Schools which are aimed at Math, Biology, Physics, Chemistry studying, then Classical Schools which are aimed at Italian, Greek, Latin, Arts studying, and Languages Schools which are aimed of course at languages studying. Within “Istituti” instead there are schools specializing in various trades.

Here, in America, you have just one choice. Classes are not exactly the same and we can’t choose subjects. Unfortunately Italian students don’t have funny classes such as drama class, photography class, PE or TA class and many others.

From this very substantial difference, I can state that the Italian, like European, high school system is more rigorous, academically speaking. My verdict is that Italian schools are more academically challenging.

There’s lots of handing in papers, they maintained, and “what is written counts”.  Exams and tests in Italy are similarly written affairs, which doesn’t mean, no multiple-choice tests, and almost everyday we have oral or written test for each class.

The main difference is that Italian high schools don’t have gymnasiums and adjacent athletic fields.

There are no sports teams connected with Italian high schools. High-school age students who want to play sports can participate in community-based teams.

I have noted how there seem to be much more “school spirit” in American high schools, and they attributed it to the sports teams.

On a side note, cheerleaders are perhaps the central manifestation of American school spirit. Most Italians I know are fascinated when they see a real life cheerleader. Before their first sighting, they’ll have only seen cheerleaders on TV.

We have also lots of surface differences. Walking into an Italian “Istituto” is nothing like walking into an American high school. Italian schools are minimal: the monotone hallways do not boast the student art and flyers for sports and theatre events that plaster the halls of American schools like Placer High School.

Italian high schools don’t have lockers. Students carry their books with them, and I can assure you that our backpacks weigh a lot.

Italian high schools don’t have parking lots; in compact and public-transport-friendly Europe, students take buses, trains, trams and/or bikes to school.

Definitely, there are many differences between the Italian school system and American but, after all, a school is an important institution at the base of the formation of all students.

Perhaps men should show us lady’s a little of what their mama’s taught them. Were not saying to take us out to fancy dinners every night or to bring us flowers and Starbucks every day… even though that would be nice. But a little politeness can go a long way.

Chivalry doesn’t just go one way; ladies can also do the same. The downfall is that men are expected to do all of the hard work or the extra help and it could go one of two ways, the women can either greatly appreciate it or they think that the man is underestimating her by trying to help. So I guess there is no right or wrong answer.

Most women would be glad and thankful about receiving help, unless they are a super feminist. Men should know women are clearly capable of doing things on their own and if they don’t they have some serious issues.

In this generation the problem with males is that they don’t even think about opening doors or asking how your day is going just to be courteous, maybe it is just old fashioned ways. There are many reasons why men just don’t get it. Possibly they think it doesn’t matter anymore or why does it matter if it’s not doing opening a door for my girlfriend. Genius! How do you think you get a girlfriend?!

Also a lot of young men these days talk very disrespectfully to girls and will make a lot of sexual jokes. Just a tip, if the girl doesn’t know your joking that’s a total turn off and a lot of girls don’t like that if it’s offensive. You would think men would want to be smooth and charming but clearly that doesn’t show so much when they say things like that.

I’m not saying that all gentlemen are extinct and gone for good but when you find one don’t be someone who is over controlling and expects to be put on a pedestal because that isn’t chivalry! Chivalry is one of the qualities not a lot of people have, but it’s also one of the best.

Bernhard Peat, Placer graduate of 1974 and grandfather to Placer’s current football star Eddie Vanderdoes, recalled that the rival school when he was in high school was Nevada Union. The same rivalry would continue into later years.

Dan Wilson, Placer’s current Technology Coordinator, graduated from Placer in 1987. As an involved athlete who represented Placer on the football field, Wilson was directly influenced by rivalries of the times.

“The sports outlook when I was in high school was very similar to the attitude we have today,” commented Wilson. “We have local schools that we love to compete against and the nearby schools are our rivals.”

Placer participated in the Capital Athletic League along with Grant, Del Campo, San Juan, Bella Vista, Casa Roble, and rival of the times Nevada Union; the CAL was the toughest league in the area.

“There were more fights, more vandalism, and the students were vicious when it came to rivalries; the rivalry games always brought out the best and the worst in us,” added Wilson. “To this day Nevada Union bothers me! Because of that intense rivalry we had in High school, many alumni don’t like the football team’s new; they resemble NU’s.”

“The sports attitude was just as competitive when I went to high school,” explains Placer teacher and coach, Tony Camillucci, “maybe even more so. School sports were the only sports; there were no club teams so the sports at school were the only sports we really had.”

Camillucci, a Colfax graduate-class of 1985, made the Kendall Arnett All Tournament Team in 1984 and 1985 along with fellow Placer teacher Scott Barry.

“Our rivals were Golden Sierra and Lincoln,” added Camillucci. “My high school friends that teach at Colfax call me a traitor; I feel Colfax’s rivalries from a different side now.”

Varsity football coach Joey Montoya is a Placer alum as well; also a former football player, Montoya took part in the 1997 Placer-Del Oro rivalry

“It was a pure hatred on everybody’s part,” said Montoya. “It was fueled by the teachers and the coaches; we loved it. And it wasn’t just football, it was all sports; we had rallies whenever we played DO and thousands of people would show up at the games.”

As a current coach and teacher at Placer High, Montoya admitted that the emotions that are fueled by the rivalries are more recurrent: “A piece of me still holds on to those past rivalries but I am starting to grow out of it.”

Now that Del Oro and Nevada Union no longer compete in the same league as Placer, the Hillmen have targeted the Colfax Falcons and the Bear River Bruins. With a win against the Bruins, Placer’s football team is looking to fight off another PVL rival Friday night; coach Montoya added that he believes the Falcons are taking the lead over the Bruins for the more heated competition.

“Competing against our rivals gets us really amped up,” said senior volleyball player Michaela Leonard. “ It’s a pride thing; we can’t lose to Colfax.”

Placer’s volleyball team beat the Colfax Falcons in the Earl Crabbe Gym two weeks ago; the football team will have to do the Lady Hillmen justice for their impressive 3-game shutout. The boy’s soccer team also defeated the mighty Colfax Falcons last week; both the volleyball team and the soccer team have chances at the PVL Title and the impressive display of Hillmen pride has left the school wanting another win on the football field and maybe an eventual claim to the league title.

Senior football player Johnny Foley stated: “Playing our rivals gets us more excited. The team needs to stay focused because small mistakes can have big consequences.”

Competition with Del Oro and Nevada Union may not have the immense craze they used to but they have significant importance to many Placer alumni who still savor the chances to have at their past rivals. Placer’s rivals have changed but the competitive spirit still lives on. The Hillmen take to the Le Febvre Stadium tonight at 7:30 to face off against Placer’s current rival: the Colfax Falcons.

“My family and I have been a part of Auburn’s running community for a while, and I feel that it’s my time to contribute,” stated White.

The idea began through White’s landscaping business with his business partner, senior Christian Finkbeiner. They were paid to haul a fallen tree off of a neighbor’s property, but instead of turning it into firewood White decided to try something different; crafting the wood into benches. When he thought of doing it for his senior project White decided that he needed to do something more, that’s when donating them to state parks came about.

“Christian [Finkbeiner] actually came up with the idea by suggesting that I put some on the Western States trails,” added White, “he helped me make most of them.”

Some of White’s craftsmanship has already been put to use during homecoming week at Placer. His log benches were on display across the senior lawn to decorate for powder puff: Lumberjacks vs. Treehuggers. White was a lumberjack and saw his creations as a perfect fit for the occasion. The benches attracted much attention from students and staff such as teacher Scott Barry,

“I saw the benches at the senior breakfast and thought Austin’s idea was great, they would look great in anyone’s yard. I love to see students challenge themselves and with the shape that our state parks are in any kind of donation is beneficial,” explained Barry.

This was not, however, White’s first option for his senior project. Originally he planned on welding a new greenhouse for the school. Mrs. Metrock worked with White and came to a conclusion that money was too big of an issue for a new greenhouse. The benches are a way to make money as well as to give back to the community.

“Austin is an awesome student and works hard, I love his senior project, its great to see kids do what they are passionate about,” Said Metrock.

There has already been some interest in White’s handiwork from Auburn locals. An official price has not been set for the benches, yet speculation has been made.

“We’ve been told that somewhere around $50.00 is acceptable, especially after all of the work that goes into them,” detailed Finkbeiner.

It takes about an hour to make each bench and there are many steps involved. A tree of the right size and length, preferably pine, with no rot is required for a quality bench. All of the bark must be stripped off before cutting it in half to make a seat and legs. The seat and legs must be level to prevent wobbling. After fitting the seat to the legs, the entire bench is planed and sanded. White is planning on carving his name into future benches before using sealant as the final step.

White is excited to see how many of his unique creations can be used in Auburn’s community and our state parks.

“I have always done manual labor. I love using my back and hands to get work done, that’s why I do landscaping,” White proudly stated.

Senior projects can be hectic and stressful, but when a student works with his or her personal interests the result can be a sweet success. As for White, he can’t wait to see his hard work paid off so he can kick back and relax on his hand-crafted log furniture.

“It [sound system] has been in the plans for over four years now, to update the existing system and to coordinate so that the entire school would be on one system,” said Principal Peter Efstathiu in an email.

Each classroom at Placer now has new wall clocks with a speaker attached that can be controlled through a telephone and will broadcast the bulletin and special announcements to every class. The phone used to make announcements is located in the upper office in a conference room.

“I like having the new system, and look forward to when all the ‘bugs’ have been worked out. It is meeting expectations as of now,” said Efstathiu. As with any new implementation there is the possibility of problems and room to improve on minor bugs, usually expectations need to be low for a completely new tool.

For students and faculty alike, second period has been a time for teachers to read the daily bulletin to their respective classes. Now, the daily bulletin is read aloud by a member of leadership at the beginning of second period.

In the past there has been a fragmentation problem where certain classes would not get to hear the daily announcements and subsequently would miss out on information regarding extracurricular activities, important dates, club meetings and many other happenings on the Placer High campus. Now, with a unified sound system in place students will not have to worry about missing an important announcement. Not only can the system be used for reading the bulletin but for other matters as well.

“It can be used to contact classrooms if needed,” stated Efstathiu. “It can be used for our emergency plans when needed.” Another great aspect is in the event of a lock-down faculty can communicate easily. According to Efstathiu that was a primary reason for making the upgrade. One other great feature is the ability to communicate to individual classrooms.

“If you call a classroom directly, they can speak back to you, it only works when you call the individual room,” said Efstathiu.

The system has been working steadily since day one and has had no apparent problems. As with any new implementation, only time will tell if the new system is helpful and improves efficiency on a day to day level.

“Both Colfax and Bear River have good teams,” stated senior Joe Mangino. “They are well coached and they work hard; it should be a good game.”

Friday’s game has bigger consequences than most people realize; the winner of this game has a chance at clinching the PVL Title.

“This will be a very important win,” added junior Peter Denham. “We have the chance to knock off a good team in the league and give a huge boost to team morale.”

The Bear River game however, is not the only rivalry football game scheduled this year.

“We have three really big games coming up,” explained junior Isaac Brahce, “The Big Three-Bear River, Colfax, and Lincoln.”

Placer students and football team are not the only ones pumping up for Friday’s game; the Bruins are expected to make quite a showing on their home field. When asked their opinions of the impending game, many Bear River students jumped to the defense of their team.

“The Hillmen are going down!”

Just like those at Placer, Bear River students are confident in their team’s win and eventual claim at the league title.

“Yeah, I’m confident of our team’s win,” added a student at Bear River. “Placer is horrible and is going to lose on our field!”

These playfully aggressive sentiments flood the halls at Bear River and a “Dress Like a Hillmen Day” is scheduled for the night of the game. This Bear River dress up day is a mock of Placer’s mascot that many Bruins don’t understand; Bear River fans will attend Friday night’s game dressed as hillbillies and in mock of Placer High School.

“What is a Hillmen?” remarked one Bear River student.
There is no doubt that the Hillmen have every intention of demonstrating exactly what a Hillmen is at Friday’s game, but the Bruins will have numbers. Placer’s Gold Mine has a huge effect on the attitude of the players.

“It helps a lot,” said junior Eddie Vanderdoes, “especially at away games. It lets us know that we have all that support.”

Denham agrees, “A big and enthusiastic Gold Mine is very important. When the fans up the intensity it gives the team a confidence boost and keeps us going.”

Although many Placer and Bear River students believe that Colfax is their biggest rival and the team to beat, only one team will emerge tonight victorious and have a real chance at beating the Falcons for the PVL Title.

“I’ve fallen asleep in class a few times,” stated freshman Katelynn Couto. “I don’t really get enough sleep.”

Losing sleep significantly affects one’s health, performance, and safety. The 65 percent of Americans that are not getting enough sleep most likely have sleep deprivation. Some consequences of sleep deprivation are decreased alertness and performance, stress, and increased risk for dangerous accidents. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths occur annually because of drowsy drivers.

“I can’t pay attention in class because I always want to sleep,” said freshman Mikayla Anielski. “I would rather school start later and end later, so we can get more rest and get our homework done.”

Other consequences of sleep deprivation are moodiness, inability to cope with stress, frequent colds and infections, increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems. Losing sleep weakens your concentration, reasoning, problem solving, and leads to weight gain.

“I get about eight or nine hours of sleep usually, but it depends on how much homework I have,” said freshman Madison LaRue. “On Mondays I usually don’t feel rested when I wake up, but the rest of the week I do.”

Sleep is the body’s way of recovering from the day’s activities, and without enough resting time, your muscles can become sore the following day. Sleep is very important, especially for teenagers. It is recommended that we get nine hours and fifteen minutes each night.

“I never feel rested when I wake up,” Anielski added, “I don’t sleep enough.”

Over time, some people develop sleep disorders from long-term sleep deprivation. Some sleep disorders include sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Sleep apnea is a disruption in a person’s sleep because they begin to breathe shallowly or experience long pauses. This condition causes loud snoring and daytime fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep. Restless leg syndrome is a disease that causes constant leg movement during the day and insomnia at night. Narcolepsy is an excessive urge to sleep at inappropriate times.

If you fall asleep within five minutes of getting into bed, you are sleep deprived. Teenagers who are not getting enough rest can make changes to improve sleeping patterns, even if it means going to bed an hour earlier than usual. We should avoid large amounts of caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals. Exercising regularly can help improve the quality of sleep, but not exercising soon before bedtime. It also helps to keep a regular sleep routine, even on the weekends.

Small changes like these can help everyone get better quality sleep, and a lot more of it.