OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS

OC High asks: What’s the biggest problem at your school?

Responses gathered by Presida Brasov, Garden Grove; Jennie Timar, Los Alamitos; Leeza Duong, Santiago; Christine Monette, Rosary; Rachel Odom, Century; Koreen Kalie, Westminster; Tricia Michels, Fountain Valley; Amanda Garcia, El Modena; Kai Wang, Anaheim; Michelle Pham, Trabuco Hills; Eve Winnick, Loara; Adam Johnston, Whittier Christian; Jennifer Tobkin, Villa Park; Joslin Gemsch, Capistrano Valley; Alison Koodrich, Ocean View; Robert Wenzel, Irvine; Judy Tsai, Huntington Beach; Kiran Jain, El Dorado; Tori Clive, Cypress; John Cortez, St. Michael’s Prep; Joe Sherbanee, Mater Dei.

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What dating tip would you offer the opposite sex?

“Close-mindedness, dogmatism and ignorance in general. I don’t like the food here, either.”

Paul Mathers, 16

junior, Huntington Beach

“Trash on the ground. People just leave it everywhere, sometimes right next to an empty trash can.”

Karintha Rogers, 15

sophomore, Los Alamitos

“Gangsters, I’d have to say. I see them every day.”

Karen Madrid, 16

junior, Westminster

“Vandalism and theft. Sometimes lockers get broken into and possessions such as books are stolen.”

Laura Garcia, 17

junior, Santiago

“A lack of teachers with understanding.”

Michael Kumm, 16

junior, Trabuco Hills

“Getting out of the parking lot after school, because there are so many cars.”

Lorie Luczynski, 17

senior, Ocean View

“They have strict rules, but they don’t really enforce them.”

Carol Cottrell, 16

junior, Capistrano Valley

“The (lack of) acceptance of students that are a little different from the others.”

Monica Brasov, 15

freshman, Garden Grove

“Alcohol is a big problem because it is so widely used and accepted. It contributes to the addiction of other drugs, which only increases the problem for teen-agers.”

Ben Turner, 15

sophomore, Fountain Valley

“By simply having your blouse untucked you’re eligible for a three-hour Saturday detention with your parents!”

Natalie Guthrie, 16

junior, Rosary

“The freshmen.”

Jennifer Petrilla, 16

senior, Cypress

“Ugly, immature boys.”

Laurie Fisher, 16

junior, El Modena

“The students are too hypocritical.”

Nathan Pierpoint, 17

senior, Whittier Christian

“The faculty is too controlling.”

Stephan Mohaupt, 18

senior, El Dorado

“Rumors. People are getting mad at someone else just because of a rumor. And people get bad reps because of rumors.”

Natasha Parra, 14

freshman, Sonora

“The biggest problem with schools today is the hatred and intolerance that go on inside. Everyone would rather remain ignorant and pretend it doesn’t exist, but it is a problem, and it needs to be addressed.”

Jennifer Hatok, 17

junior, Fountain Valley

“It’s not necessarily what is happening at our school, but rather the way our school is negatively perceived by the public.”

Andrew Tamura, 16

junior, Century

“Attitude problems toward everything.”

Jessica Dollins, 17

junior, Loara

“Segregation between different cultures.”

Melissa Pratt, 17

senior, Garden Grove

“The school is a closed campus.”

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Trevor Reese, 17

junior, Villa Park

“The use of illegal drugs and alcohol.”

Allison Duffy, 15

sophomore, Los Alamitos

“Classes are too overcrowded. Some classes have over 40 students, and that makes the students’ and teachers’ job harder. Also, there’s not enough money to do anything with.”

Siebert Baguio, 17

senior, Santiago

“Drugs.”

Katie Boutillier, 14

freshman, Cypress

“Not being able to talk to girls for a whole week, at least until the weekends. But I’ve learned to adjust.”

Jay Vu, 17

senior, St. Michael’s Prep

“Apathy.”

Nghia Nguyen, 16

senior, Anaheim

“There are not enough informal dances for freshmen, and all the formal dances are for junior and seniors.”

Christina Bost, 14

freshman, Irvine

“Because it’s a small school, there aren’t many electives to choose from.”

Lorien Arthur, 15

sophomore, Rosary

“Overall, I’d say lack of school spirit is the biggest problem at Century.”

Sarah McLaughlin, 15

sophomore, Century

“Paranoia. The faculty is so scared of scarring the school’s image that nothing out of the norm can be done.”

Jeffrey McFerson, 17

senior, El Dorado

“The majority population at Anaheim High consists of what society calls minorities. Unfortunately, the African Americans, Asians and Latinos are not learning about their culture. In U.S. history classes, students rarely hear positive things about the African Americans, Asians and Latinos. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about themselves. That is why I suggest an ethnic studies class. Race relations would improve because everyone would get a better understanding of one another.”

Renee M. Poole, 17

senior, Anaheim

“The size of Loara makes it very hard for teachers, counselors and administrators to know their students. Though some do take time and care, there is still a gap in the relationship between students, and there should be more role models.”

Faith Friedman, 17

junior, Loara

“There is not enough Christian spirit or school spirit.”

Peter Lee, 16

junior, Whittier Christian

“Architecture. The buildings are old and don’t look safe. With the recent earthquakes, I’ve been wondering if school is the safest place to be.”

Casey Wickersheim, 16

junior, Villa Park

“The biggest problem is the learning part.”

Ewa Czarnecka, 14

freshman, Sonora

“It’s how strict they are about the Christian Club on campus and how we’re not treated like a normal club by the faculty.”

Anna Goetz, 17

junior, Irvine