n. finding something good without looking for it

2012-2013 The STagg Line Senior ediTion

It’s impossible to expect what will happen in high school. Whether it’s meeting your best friend freshman year, finding a boyfriend sophomore year, joining a club

junior year, or trying out a sport senior year, there is always a moment that changes us. One day we will

look back at those changes and recognize them as our defining moments: moments that bring us together, that remind us of the past and lead us toward our future.

2

Running away to find family

annamarie rodriguez

Imagine not having a stable home for the beginning of your life. Imagine being taken away from your home at 3 years old. Imagine not understanding why your world is falling to pieces. Unfortunately for Joshua Zepeda this was not a hypothetical situation, this was his reality. As a child, one learns who to trust, who provides for you, and who loves you. Stability is essential for a child at a young age to have, allowing the child to know who they can rely on when something is needed. Zepeda didn’t have this sense of stability. “At 3 years old I became a foster child,” Zepeda said. “I was put in Mary Graham Hall for a month and then I was placed into my first household.” It was a constant move for him, nothing was ever permanent. “In total I moved from nine households and within every two years I would move to three different schools,” he said. However, during his stay at those schools he had met a friend that would eventually provide him with a permanent home, he just didn’t know it yet. When Zepeda met Niko Sanchez they immediately didn’t get along. “He got mad because I said something inappropriate about his mom,” Zepeda said. After sixth grade they both got transferred to Peyton and met again but that was short lived because Sanchez got expelled and moved to another school. They both never expected to come across one another again. But sophomore year they met again. “I heard he was coming to Stagg, and he would start coming over all the time after school to hang out,” Sanchez said.

Every day that they hung out Zepeda would open up to Sanchez about his situation at home. This led to Sanchez asking Zepeda to live with them. “I told my mom that he wasn’t in a good home and if it was okay that he lived with us,” Sanchez said. “That’s when she talked to him about it.” Zepeda ran away from his foster home and moved in with Sanchez and his family. However, it was a difficult situation because their family was keeping a runaway. He missed a lot of his sophomore year trying to avoid any trouble or having to go back to his foster home. And after four months he decided to call an attorney and tell them that he had found a stable home. “It was a long process to get it finalized,” Zepeda said. It was never easy transitioning from one household to the next but this time it was different. “After a couple months I started getting comfortable and it felt like home,” Zepeda said. “Now I feel like I’m part of a family.”

Joshua Zepeda found a stable home and a new family after moving in with Niko Sanchez.

EMILY CORNELISON

A normal childhood for Michael Perez consisted of temporary siblings. Ever since he was born his parents would take in children that needed a temporary home. He knew that his parents were foster care parents along with being his parents. “They took in kids my age, mostly boys,” Perez said. It was rare that he and his parents would argue but when high school came around the arguing began. “Me and dad started arguing a lot because he thought I was doing bad things,” he said. He understood why his dad believed that because it seemed odd how they were never home at the same time. “Every time I would be leaving for practice he would be coming home and vice versa, so he just assumed that I was moving out because I was rarely home.”Without saying a word to him, his dad packed his bags and early that Sunday morning his step mom gave him his belongings signaling that he needed to move out. He took his belongings and went to his best friends Kenton Quilenderino’s dads house. “It was hard at first because it wasn’t the same,” Perez said. “It was all off for me, it wasn’t home.” Having to move out made Perez realize how it feels to be without someone guiding his every step. “It showed me how it feels to be on your own,” he said. “There’s not someone telling you what to do, you just have to do it.” Having Quilenderino’s family take him in helped make things easier but at times he still thinks about his family. “It’s harder because I don’t talk to my mom or dad,” Perez said. However with graduation coming up he has realized who has been there for him. He has realized who has provided for him. He has realized who didn’t leave his side when things got tough. “This is my home.”

JAZMIN CARRILLO

Chemistry in the F-wing was always predictable. Every week there are always notes, quizzes, and labs. But there was one lab that set off a small spark in the high school career of Emily Cornelison. Two chemicals reacted so that there was enough smoke to cause the fire alarm to set off. Based on procedure everyone had to evacuate their classrooms. Just when Cornelison least expected it, she was about to make a huge commitment. Yael Castillo asked Cornelison if she wanted to join MESA so that she could write a 15 page technical paper about the windmill that his team was working on. And because she wanted to be more involved in Mesa she agreed to join the club. “I didn’t realize how much work it would be, I thought it wouldn’t

be much of a burden because it was just like writing three to four

papers,” Cornelison said. But her perspective soon

changed. “I was sadly mistaken because I spent my junior year

stressed out about it.” Before this Cornelison

never expected to actually be involved in the science aspect of Mesa. She thought writing would be the only role that she would play a part of. “If someone told me I would be a science person I would laugh at them,” Cornelison said. “But Mesa totally opened my eyes that I wasn’t just boxed in with English.”

MICHAEL PEREZ &KENTON QUILENDERINO

annamarie rodriguez

annamarie rodriguez

As she steps on the soccer field underneath the blazing sun, Jazmin Carrillo started to realize that her seventh grade soccer team meant more to her that she would ever imagine. Crowds cheering, sun shining, adrenaline pumping, all of these things have motivated Carrillo to continue playing. She would try her best to become more agile and precise with her movements during her years of playing. With every step she took, she thought of how she can improve herself even more as an athlete. Looking back at the years when she just started to play, Carrillo said, “Soccer showed me how to be competitive.” She continued to demonstrate this when she beat soccer rivals, Tokay High School, her sophomore year. This is a memory that she will always remember and continues to draw inspiration from.photo by AnnAmArie rodriguez

victorious gemma

photo by rebeccA romero

photo by AnnAmArie rodriguez

JOSHUA ZEPEDA & NIKO SANCHEZ

photo courtesy of JoshuA zepedA

3

Dancing and writing, a future

It’s what people do when they are at a party with friends. When their favorite song starts playing. And in today’s electronically driven world even video games have cashed in on it. But to others, it is much more than just a simple way to have fun. This is dance. And for Cliniah Tevis it has been a defining factor in her high school experience. Around campus she is known as “the dancer” for her impressive and fluid dancing style. In her four years of high school she has participated in dance showcases, school assemblies and the first ever dance-off during December’s week of service, which she eventually won. When a label is applied to someone, they may usually try to avoid it. But for Tevis, it is taken positively. “I’ve been dancing since my freshman year, so it makes feel really happy that people identify that this is my passion,” Tevis said. Tevis has been dancing before high school, participating in talent shows during middle school. “I was going through a rough time in my life,” she said. “Dancing was a way to help me get through it.” When picking a defining moment of her high school experience, Tevis easily points to her sophomore year. “When I did the showcase in 10th grade Ms. Spector (dance teacher) let me to do a Michael Jackson piece,” Tevis said. “It is

still the thing that I’m the most proud of.” Despite being known for this facet of her creative game, there is more to Tevis than meets the eye. Creativity has always been a big part of her life. “I’ve been writing short stories since the age of 13,” Tevis said. “It’s still one of my biggest passions.” These passions for creativity have also expanded into music. She has played piano and sang in choir in the past and is currently taking guitar. However, she also recounts how English classes in high school have helped her with this talent. Tevis has been enrolled in honors and AP classes in the subject all four years. “By taking honors and AP classes all four years, I’ve been able to become a better writer.” As high school comes to a close, Tevis has a clear view on her future. She plans on attending CSU East Bay in the fall to major in psychology. However, she does not plan on leaving her passions behind her. “I want to be a psychiatrist, but I also want to be a hip hop dance instructor and a writer and a poet,” she said. And as Tevis keeps many options ahead of her as she plans her future, she also has another thought in mind. “Overall, I’m one of those people who wants to go for everything, and I want to be a role model for others to say that you can do anything that you have a passion for.”

damon heine

During a contest Cliniah Tevis shows passion. She went on to win after three rounds of dancing.

photo by AnnAmArie rodriguez

DEANTE CHAMBLISS

ANDRES FLORES Playing football throughout high school was just part of everyday life for Flores. He never imagined it would still be part of his life in college. At least that was the case before he received a phone call in December. “Coach Mingo from Greenville College called me and recruited be to go there,” Flores said. Greenville College is a small Christian college located in Illinois. The football team’s mission statement is about helping players to “live championship lives” through athletics and religion. This is a great fit for Flores, a proclaimed Christian who loves helping others. “I wasn’t planning on continuing to play football,” he said. “I thought I wasn’t big enough to continue to play.” Now, however, Flores is excited to move to Illinois to attend Greenville College. He’s ready to take everything Stagg has taught him, both on and off the field, and make an impact as he moves toward higher education.

ALEXUS RAQUEL

Starting something new is always uncomfortable. It’s common to be uncertain if this new piece of your life is something you actually want to pursue. Deante Chambliss felt this way when he started running track his freshman year. “I didn’t think I would really like track,” Chambliss said. “My first year I was slow.” After four years of running, not only has he increased his speed and prowess on the track, it’s become something meaningful to him. “I started track to maintain my speed and get faster for football.” But after running only to stay in shape, he fell in love with the sport. It wasn’t easy, though. He was always placed in the 400, one lap around the track. The 400 is difficult because it’s the awkward event in between short distance and long distance, meaning it could be sprinted the entire time. Chambliss has gotten better, though. He’s conditioned himself and now is an incredibly successful runner. “Things get hard but you have to push through in order to succeed,” he said.

Imagine being able to wake up to the sound of waves crashing on a beach, to a bright sun and warm weather. For Alexus Raquel, this will soon be a reality. After visiting Hawaii with her father she realized she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. It was this first experience in Hawaii that not only brought her much closer to her father, but also instilled a drive to move out of state. The experience inspired her to attend college in Hawaii. After she graduates, she plans on moving to Hawaii to attend Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she wants to study psychology. She says what was really attractive about Hawaii was the carefree atmosphere. “I’ve always had a connection with Hawaii, they’re so much more relaxed,” Raquel said. Some people don’t want to leave home after high school, but Raquel is the exact opposite. “I realized I couldn’t stay here in California. I just couldn’t see myself staying,” Raquel said. “And I really like the idea of living on a beach.” But for now, she plans on finishing her senior year strong.

rebecca romero

annamarie cunningham

annamarie cunningham

CLINIAH TEVIS

photo by reAnnA rodriguez

photo courtesy of Alexus rAquelphoto by dellAnirA AlcAuter

4 5

serendipity AT STAGG

From classrooms to the library to the football field, here are some memories from various seniors.

This is...

“I joined Key Club for fall rally but then I gained connections with teachers and it helped me realize that I want to help others and my community.”

Carol amaya

“I didn’t have much experience helping other students but working in the Homework Center helped me gain new skills.” Jonathan moreno

“I always had to text Johana to ask her about soccer because we’re bad at remembering stuff. We got really close.” Celia morfin

“Swimming created a healthier lifestyle for me. I didn’t expect much out of it but it changed my life.”

ramon alvarez

“There’s never a dull moment. Celia’s one of the funniest people I’ve met. She’s positive all the time and I like being around her.” Johana nuño

“I started out as a cheerleader and now I love Stagg. If you’re involved you feel like you’re a part of it. You can’t isolate yourself.”

Charnay Brown-thomas

“In conflict mediation I expected to be fixing problems and (my advice) would fall on deaf ears, but I’m really changing people’s lives.” zaChery artozqui

“I got into wrestling freshman year after club rush. I just showed up one day but it taught me to persevere.” eduardo vargas

6

photo by Reanna RodRiguez

rebecca romero

BRENDA ORTIZ & GABRIELA GOMEZ

Ramiro Ramirez’ passion started during recess in the third grade. He threw the orange ball into the hoop, not knowing that what seemed like a simple way to pass the time would become a major part of his life. “My dad signed me up to play with a recreation team that summer and that’s where it all started.” When Ramirez got to high school he knew that his plan was to play all four years and to continue improving his game. The time spent perfecting his shots earned him recognition from coaches of his ability on the court this past year. “When I became captain I felt like it was more responsibility on my part,” he said. Despite this pressure he didn’t let it affect his personality and actions on the court. “I still played the game like I always have. I didn’t let it affect me.” He watches a lot of basketball on television, mostly college, as he believes that they have more drive than professional players. “They play because they want to, not for the money.” He plans on carrying his love for the game that began when he was 8 years old through to college. “Basketball never stops,” he said.

RAMIRO RAMIREZ

SARAH JONESdamon heine

reanna rodriguez

gabriella miller

Seniors Brenda Ortiz and Gabriela Gomez walk into school and on a daily basis they receive compliments from their peers. They dress just like a lot of other girls on campus, but what makes them different is where they get their clothes. A lot of what they wear is either from thrift shops or handmade, making them unique fashionistas. “They have better stuff than trendy stores,” Gomez said about thrift stores. She was hanging out in her cousin’s room and she complimented the many clothes laid out. That’s when her cousin told her that she bought most of them at a thrift shop, shocking Gomez and beginning her obsession with second hand clothes. For Ortiz it began when she was little and her mother would buy her clothes at thrift shops. “At first I was kind of ashamed, until maybe high school when I was like, this is cute,” she said. Now Ortiz also makes her own bows, which she discovered how to make on YouTube. Gomez and Ortiz walk into school and people notice what they

have on. As Ortiz simply said, “it’s

original.”

ALBERT GARCIAGoing from the couch to college

Ask most students who roam the hallways of this campus what they do for a hobby and you would likely get a generic response. But for some, their hobbies can be a little bit more unconventional. This is certainly true of Sarah Jones. Racing cars has been a part of her life from a very young age. Despite first starting to race around the ages of 13 and 14, she has “been going to the racetrack since I was two weeks old.”. For Jones, racing has run in the family. “It came mostly from my dads side,” Jones said. “He became a NASCAR official.” Further inspiration came from two uncles who took her under their wing and allowed her to help in their race shop and her older brother who also does the sport. Jones explains however that racing is much more than just an auto-sport. “It teaches you life lessons and responsibility,” Jones said. “You have to be on time and make sure everything is done right, it’s kind of like a job.” Despite racing having a big impact on her life overall, Jones has done other things on campus, including laying basketball all four years. It is her senior night on the basketball team that she feels is her best moment in high school. “It was basically all four years of playing coming to a close,” Jones said. When comparing basketball to racing, though, Jones finds more differences than similarities. “The responsibility aspect is still there,” she said, “but overall they’re two completely different sports.”

photo by annamaRie RodRiguez photo by Reanna RodRiguez

photo by Reanna RodRiguez

If you were to look at Albert Garcia, you would see a successful student who is very involved in his school. However, go back four years to eighth grade and you would see a person very different from the Garcia preparing to walk the stage for graduation. “In elementary and middle I had a hard time,” Garcia said. “I was considered a flunk.” Garcia struggled in school and was told that it would be better for him to redo the eighth grade before moving on to high school. Garcia and his family decided that he could make the transition to high school. With his grandmother and nina there to support him Garcia started high school at McNair. Garcia hated school but with the support of his nina and grandmother, he took on the challenge of finally succeeding in school.

“Once 9th grade started they asked me what I

wanted to,” he said. “My grandma told me I wouldn’t be sleeping on her couch.” Realizing that school would change his future, Garcia took a new look on education. “It scared me a bit,” he said

remembering when he realized he needed school. “I really started to focus.” With this new sense of focus and his new appreciation for education, Garcia buckled down. His goal was to do well in school in order to do well later in life. “I had to teach myself to learn,” he said. “It was hard at first for me, but I did okay.” As a junior Garcia transferred here to Stagg, where he has done well. Garcia worked hard his final year to earn a 4.0 Grade Point Average for the first semester. Looking at Garcia it’s hard to see how much he has overcome with education, but he truly has achieved a lot, and is now one of the most involved students at school. He plans to attend the University of California Merced to major in sociology, and eventually plans on coming back to Stockton to join the city council. “Everyone’s preparing for college...people keep asking me if I’m ready,” Garcia said. “Is anyone ready?” There is still a small part of Garcia that is unsure about college and the challenges he will face there. A little piece of him is nervous for the future, but it is clear that he will excel in his reach for higher education. Having come so far in four years, and achieving all he has, there is no doubt that this senior can overcome many obstacles and will work hard to achieve his future goals.

7

annamarie rodriguez As a child it’s easy to get caught up in having fun at a friend’s house, that it is common to forget their belongings behind when it’s time to go home. Eight years ago this is how Jordan Brandt’s passion began. “My friend left one of his saxophones at my house by accident and I decided to play it,” he said. Brandt always wanted to play some type of instrument but until that day he never had the opportunity to play one. The feeling of holding and playing the saxophone sparked an interest to continue playing. “What I really enjoyed about it was the sound and feel of it,” he said. “I like how it sounded smooth.” About a week later, his school had sign ups for the school band. Once he signed up, his parents agreed to rent him a saxophone. When it came to Brandt’s first performance he became so nervous, but he didn’t let it consume him. “I felt like I was going to throw up,” he said. “But the more I performed, the better I got at it.” The transition wasn’t completely smooth. “It was especially difficult for

me because I came from a concert band in elementary school and went straight into a jazz band in high school,” he said. The standards changed in high school and Brandt realized what he was committed to doing. “High school requires not only much more playing ability, but much more knowledge of music theory,” Brandt said. Between AP classes and the common stress of college requirements Brandt uses music as his outlet. “I’ve always used band as my form of relaxation and stress release,” he said. “It has always seemed like fun, not a job.” Because of his successes in high school Brandt will now be attending University of Santa Cruz, where he will be majoring in computer science. But just because he is not majoring in music doesn’t mean he isn’t going to continue playing. “It is something that I will always continue to do, but at my own pace and on my own time,” he said. “I feel like it will be more enjoyable that way.” From the time he first picked up an instrument to now, eight years later, Brandt has not put the saxophone down. “I plan on playing for the rest of my life.”Jordan Brandt practices a jazz number for an upcoming

concert. He was in band all four years.

photo by Reanna RodRiguez

YAEL CASTILLO He didn’t always carry around a ukulele. He didn’t always sing along to the tunes of Bruno Mars. He didn’t always want his chance in the spotlight. But now he does. It wasn’t until high school that Castillo finally decided to share his voice with others. He had “jam sessions” with his best friend senior Alexis Jones and, in his words, it all progressed from there. “I thought, if I want to do something I love, then why not?” Taking his own advice Castillo recently performed at the annual Apollo Night and came in the top three of teen vocalists after signing “Let Me Love You” by Mario. Although he was nervous at first, being backstage calmed him down. The rush of the noise from the crowd made him realize that singing is something he loves and something he’s good at. He takes compliments and suggestions of auditioning for singing shows like “The Voice” with a smile. While he says that it would be fun to do in the future it’s not a main goal right now. Castillo took his own advice and sings constantly. Now, he always carries around his ukulele. He always sings along to the tune of Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. He’s had a chance in the spotlight.

gabriella miller

BAO NGAN HOANG The lunch bell rings and people gather around in awe as they witness things that can only be described as magic. Bao Hoang amazes the onlookers as she makes objects disappear and reappear with ease. To think, these magic tricks all started when she was 10 years old. She watched the shows that played on television such as “Criss Angel Mindfreak” and became inspired. As the year passed she tried to recreate what she saw on the TV screen, hopefully that one day she can recreate those illusions. Seven years later, she acquired the skills of a magician that she still keeps tucked under her sleeve. She loves the way she can confuse people and put smiles on the faces of fellow students. Fellow students ask why she does what she does. All she says is, “if you’re interested, keep on learning.”

victorious gemma

JUSTIN VAN METERreanna rodriguez

photo by annamaRie RodRiguez

It was 2003 when the “Be True to Your School” Nike Dunk pack came out. Justin Van Meter remembers the moment he saw the shoes even though he was only 9 at the time. “I just flipped my lid. I just knew I loved them.” Seeing those shoes sparked a passion inside Van Meter, sparked aspiration towards a career in design. With a large amount of knowledge on different labels and a notebook of designs “rough from (his) mind,” it’s clear that he is serious about making his mark on the world through design of apparel. Although Van Meter has many different logos in his mind and in his sketches, he isn’t quite sure what design he wants to share with the world someday. But he does know that “if (he) could

have a life that revolved around it, then that would be complete Nirvana.” One moment put him on the path towards his dream and one day another moment will decide what mark he makes on the world.

JORDAN BRANDT

photo by Reanna RodRiguez

photo by VictoRious gemma

Forgotten saxophone becomes passion

THE 2012-2013 STAGG LINE SENIORS“Even though Taylor and I both cheered together we didn’t get close until my junior year. We’re obsessed

with the same things and she truly

understands me. I wouldn’t be the

same without her.”-Gabby Miller

“It all started with a Facebook message, but it turned into the

best friendship I’ve ever had. I found myself when I found him and

I’m a better person

because of it.”-Reanna Rodriguez

“I’ve wanted to make movies since I was little, but it wasn’t

until I contemplated my high school

experiences that I was given the

inspiration to tell stories

that are as unconventional as possible.”-Damon Heine

“Music was my passion from the first time I touched a guitar. I always put it aside as a major until I conducted jazz band. It made me realize that music is something I want to create the rest of my life.”-Victorious Gemma

“There is never a dull moment with us. She is one of the reasons why my high school experience has been filled with hilarious moments. We do nearly everything together.” -Annamarie Rodriguez

“We’ve known each other for years, but we were each others ‘backup backup’ friends. I don’t think there was a particular moment that made us close,

rather there was a massive conglomeration of lots of awkward (but totally awesome) moments.” -Annamarie Cunningham

“Freshman year I used to hug her ev-ery day. One morn-ing though she hugged me so hard I fell over. In front of everyone. I don’t know how but her tackle of love made us the

best of friends.”-Rebecca Romero