A huge dance floor surrounded by formal white tables with fancy silver utensils and enormous centerpieces greeted students and teachers upon arrival. Off to the sides sat a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, and a photobooth that was open for everyone that was complete with a wide variety of costumes and props.  “The best part about prom was the photobooth. It took away some of the tension of being all fancy and dressed up and let you express your personality. It was fun,” said Junior Sari Foundas. Student Council did an excellent job making sure the students got into the “1920’s Carnival” vibe by setting up some of the most fun and interesting centerpieces anyone has seen. The middle of the tables were complete with mustaches on a stick, peanuts, chalkboards, and even clown noses.

Not only were the decorations liked by everybody, but the entire vibe set the mood for the night. “The best part was the flow of it. The fact that there wasn’t too much sitting down or too much dancing. The balance was good,” said Junior Lucas Shaunnessy. When asked if it was due to the theme
or not, Junior Carina Oswald said, “The activities kept you entertained, there were so many things to do. But I think a red carpet movie star or underground rave prom would be fun!” Some felt that as fun as the prom was, it could have been improved. They felt that the activities and games were restricted due to the theme of the dance. “It was acceptable, but a medieval theme would be better,” said Junior Coburn Hopkins.

After all the blood, sweat, and tears shed by Mrs. Omori and her group of Student Council members, it is easy to see that Prom 2012 was a success. There wasn’t much students felt could have been done differently except to, “put the teacher table outside.” But even then, the dance was a success and because of the excitement from this year, everyone is sure to have high expectations next year.

The Senior vs. Junior Football game is a tradition Le Jardin prides itself on. Since the size of the school does not allow for a football team, the students of the Junior and Senior class play a flag football game instead of the stereotypical Homecoming football game. Senior song is another tradition that is held at Le Jardin. The graduating class sings a chosen song to their families and guests at graduation. At Punahou they have a tradition of the “Flaming P”. The Flaming P is a giant P lit on fire before their Homecoming football game. Senior, Logan Fornes exclaimed “When I saw the ‘Flaming P’ I was shocked how big it was! Every year before the homecoming game, the students light the letter P on fire for their school’s pride.”

When the word Senior Prank comes to mind, students think of harmless fun directed towards the school. Most schools allow this tradition to happen, however Le Jardin’s administration does not. Students at Le Jardin Academy question administration’s views pertaining to Senior Prank being a tradition. The administration feels that a harmless prank could lead into destruction of school property which could cost the school money.

While four years in high school feels like a lifetime it actually files by with late night studying, cramming in homework, school traditions, sport games, and school parties. These experiences will be remembered forever. Junior Jaime Ciletti said, “I want to be able to remember all my years of high school, and the great memories it comes with. School Prank is a tradition in all schools and should be allowed here!”  Every school has its different traditions; things that make each school unique and make the school year a little more fun and exciting for everyone.

Some students are nervous and feel unprepared for the exams. “Exams suck! I’m not looking forward to taking them at all,” said senior Maile Riehl. Another senior Chris Sprague is feeling overwhelmed with school and has a case of senioritis. “I’m so over school, I don’t know how I’m even going to be able to study,” said Sprague.

Other students at LJA feel differently about the upcoming exams. Senior Luke Shimmon is looking forward for the end of high school. “I can’t wait until exams are over then I will graduate and be done with high school,” said Shimmon.

In preparation for exam week both Le Jardin Academy students and teachers are working hard finishing final assignments and studying for exams with the hopes of finishing the fourth and final quarter strong.   Even though exams are right around the corner students know that the end of the year is that much closer and summer will be here soon!

Most seniors felt that the senior trip was one of the best of all time due to the freedom to do what they pleased. “I personally enjoyed that we had free time and vehicles so we could split up and do whatever we wanted in our own little groups,” said senior Logan Fornes. With the open schedule seniors had freedom to pick and plan their own events, although most times it seemed the majority just stayed at camp.

Others felt that the trip lacked planning and wished there was more scheduled events. Senior Mahealani Schuman said, “senior trip was a joke! The only planned activity was community service. Last year the seniors got to go hiking, boating and zip linning.” Seniors felt that splitting into groups made it easier for people to get along.

Activity director Mrs Omori said, “We were not able to plan out the trip that much due to us buy the tickets last minute because some seniors didn’t turn in their forms until last minute.”

The top five things that should be remembered when taking precautions at college are: (1) Never walk alone: there is safety in numbers and there should always be a buddy to walk with. By walking with someone else, the chances of being hurt are significantly reduced. (2) Limit alcohol: with alcohol present in any situation, judgments and options blur, leaving victims confused and easy to overpower. (3) An iPod, or ATM should never be used at night; using an iPod or ATM at night redirects your attention, now focused elsewhere making the user an easy target, same with texting or searching for keys in your bag. When interviewing convicted rapists, journalist Ed McMan said “Rapists are 10 times more likely to attack when the victim is distracted or not focused, like when they are searching through their bags, or reading, they look for that kind of vulnerability.” (4) Always know where campus security is located; there are also stations with radios that are connected to campus security located all over. Use them. (5) Communicate; always let someone know where you are going and who you are with. That way if you do not show up, at least someone will know where you were supposed to be.

When asked about safety precautions on campus, senior Maile Riehl said, “I haven’t really thought about it, but I guess it would be smart to always be alert when you are in a new place. I would never want to walk around by myself; there are so many weirdos now.” According to the American Association of University Women 20 to 25 percent of college women are raped during their college career. Also, 65 percent of these attacks go unreported, and alcohol is involved in at least 75 percent of all attacks. Rape does not only happen to women, men are raped too. Laurie Morgan said, “Everyone should be alert and aware! I want my children to both take self defense classes before they go off to college, everyone needs to be prepared.” If you are to ever get raped you should immediately get to a safe place and report the situation to police. You should also refrain from taking a shower or bath, or changing your clothes because that can wash away evidence. Always be alert when in a new place, and never divert your focus or be left alone.

Dear Alice, I feel as if I have been growing apart from my friends. I don’t mean to push them away, but I just feel like I don’t want to do the things they do anymore. How can I let them know this without hurting their feelings? (from KittieLuv934). Dear KittieLuv934, if you feel as though you need to be alone right now. Don’t worry, that is completely understandable. If you need some time alone, let your friends know. They only care about you and want what’s best, so don’t be afraid to let them know how you feel. Remember that they are always there if you need to talk, but if you feel as though you need to be alone, do what you want. Let them know it is nothing they are doing, but it is strictly for your own well-being. I hope everything works out!

Dear Alice, no matter how many times I take a shower after P.E. classes, I still smell very bad; I can’t help it! What can I do to make this stop? I don’t want to be known as “the dirty/smelly” person. I want people to like me. Help? (from JockBoi87) Dear JockBoi87, no offense, but if you take a shower and STILL stink, you might need to see a doctor. Don’t be ashamed, but get it checked out. Another much easier alternative would be deodorant. If you don’t use it, try buying a stick and rubbing it under your pits a few times.

Dear Alice, people always tease me for being a “nerd”, because I love to read. I enjoy it, but I don’t enjoy being teased. What do I do? (from Bookworm101) Dear Bookworm101, if reading is something you enjoy, keep doing it. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do and what not to do (unless those people are your parents of course). Besides, reading helps gain knowledge! Think of it this way, those bullies might be pumping your gas
one day. Keep it up!

Alice takes any question you have to give you real and direct advice; there is no sugar coating this stuff! There are no guidelines as to what you can or cannot ask her, so send in any question you may have or any topic you need advice on. Whether you smell like butthole or love reading but hate being a nerd, Alice is always there if you just need to talk to someone. Send in your questions/topics to askalice@aol.com.

There were many reasons as to why Winter Ball 2012 was cancelled, the most prominent being the lack of money that comes as a result of not enough students attending the dance, and because of that, the lack of money available to be spent on the dance. Senior and SGA president Mahina Kahalewale said, “We talked extensively about the choices we had for this dance, and after making a deposit of $ 200, and finding out that hardly anyone was intending on attending the dance, we had to make the decision to either continue on with hardly anyone going and possibly loose $ 2,000, or cancel the dance and only loose our deposit.”

There were many reasons that students were not planning on attending the dance, including community service hours, newly issued “grade checks”, and even the allowed age of guests. Many students think that the grade checks that have now been issued for student dances are unnecessary and unfair. Freshman Kai-Bonis Ericksen said “The grade checks aren’t fair, dances are supposed to be a fun event that everyone can go to, but now they are excluding the students that don’t do as well in their classes, when it might not even be their fault!” English teacher Mrs. Barron said, “I think the grade checks are important. The dance is a privilege, and if students aren’t doing well in school and meeting the minimal requirements they shouldn’t have the ability to participate in something extra.”

Lastly, a major issue of attendance at the dance was the age requirement of the guests. Junior Cara Pyle said that she did not intend on going to Winter Ball because, “they wouldn’t let my boyfriend come. He is the same age as some of the seniors but he can’t come because he has been out of high school for two years. We are the only school that bases our dance requirements on the year the student graduated, and not their age.”

There were many reasons why the 2012 Winter Ball was cancelled, but luckily student government is planning a new dance, to replace what should have been a fantastic Winter Ball. It is going to be in the Harold, and be a Valentines inspired dance, to make up for the disappointment of cancelling this year’s Winter Ball.

“It was so sick!” said senior Luke Shimmon. “Me, Jackson and Nick heard the album a few days before he released it. It was honestly incredible, you would not guess that it was a 17 year old kid.” When the album was finally released to the public, fans were in awe at the sound quality and how catchy the songs were. “Brah, he straight made it in a month and half. And it’s really good too,” says senior Andrew Carmody.

Some controversy at Le Jardin sparked up due to some of the mature content on the album. “It’s not a rap album if there is no swearing and drug references I suppose…” says teacher Mr. Webb. When Spencer was selling his mixtapes in school, Vice Principal Mrs. Doe took the tapes due to a complaint by an unknown parent.

The album is now available for download on the internet free of charge. “I’m not going to turn mainstream, I’m going to keep my music free, and keep making songs as much as I can. I truly have a passion for song writing and rapping and I’m going to keep it like that,” said Phillipson. Who knows what is to come from our Marsden. Fans and friends alike will keep their ears open, and hopefully his next album will be “off the earth” as well.

“It was so sick!” said senior Luke Shimmon. “Me, Jackson and Nick heard the album a few days before he released it. It was honestly incredible, you would not guess that it was a 17 year old kid.” When the album was finally released to the public, fans were in awe at the sound quality and how catchy the songs were. “Brah, he straight made it in a month and half. And it’s really good too,” says senior Andrew Carmody.

Some controversy at Le Jardin sparked up due to some of the mature content on the album. “It’s not a rap album if there is no swearing and drug references I suppose…” says teacher Mr. Webb. When Spencer was selling his mixtapes in school, Vice Principal Mrs. Doe took the tapes due to a complaint by an unknown parent.

The album is now available for download on the internet free of charge. “I’m not going to turn mainstream, I’m going to keep my music free, and keep making songs as much as I can. I truly have a passion for song writing and rapping and I’m going to keep it like that,” said Phillipson. Who knows what is to come from our Marsden. Fans and friends alike will keep their ears open, and hopefully his next album will be “off the earth” as well.

College is a big step into the real world for many students so comfortable in high school.  Many seniors feel lost in the search for a school that will fit them best.  If your family is able to afford college visits it may be well worth your while.  By exploring the college campus environment students are able to learn more information about the school, town or city surrounding the school, and the type of learning styles that are used with the students there.  Senior Sam Spengler said “I really didn’t have any idea what school would be right for me.  I wasn’t sure if UCLA would be a good fit but after visiting the campus I found it to be perfect!”  College campuses can reveal much more than students can find on the schools website and may have hidden information a student would not otherwise be able to find.

College tours and visits remain free for students searching for their college choice but for students out of state it may cost a lot of money to travel to the school they are interested in.  Although the cost may be high for a round trip flight and a place to stay, many have to consider that college will be a much more expensive decision and the benefits of a campus visit will most likely outweigh the cost to travel to the campus itself.  Senior Mahea Schuman said, “It costs a descent amount of money to take a trip to another state but I found the trip to be extremely helpful in finding my top school choices.  If I didn’t visit any campuses I would be lost in finding the college that was truly right for me.”  Schuman visited Pepperdine, California this November and found that the school would be a great fit for what she was looking for.  Senior Christian Riggs said “I think it would help a lot to go on some campus tours so I can see what the school is really like.  The internet only gives a limited amount of information.”

The great search awaits as students rush to find schools that they will likely spend the next two to four years of their life in.  There are many factors to consider when looking for a school that fits a particular type of student, but college visits will surely help.  The benefits of college visits will likely outweigh the cost and make it a lot easier for a student to find the college that fits them best.