Our first in-print issue since February 2020! Copies will be distributed during 5th period on November 19. After that, you can get a copy from Mr. Weller in Room 248.
Please note: On page 1, the Scroll wrote “When students or staff receive a positive COVID-19 test, the school performs contract tracing by evaluating all staff and students who had close con- tact…Staff then determine if the students will be sent home, or if they can stay on campus depending on their vaccination status and symptoms.”
To clarify, in the last sentence, “students” refers to students who had close contact with another person who tested positive for COVID. Students or staff who receive a positive COVID diagnosis are required to self-isolate according to Los Angeles County protocols and are not allowed to return to campus until at least 10 days have passed.
The Scroll regrets this lack of clarity and will run a correction for the record in Issue 2.
Destiny Flores, contributor, contribution by Metztli Hernandez, page editor
Though the campus is closed due to the pandemic, the MVHS ASB continues to meet virtually with its new cabinet.
Arlene Hernadez (‘21), the current ASB president, was voted in on June 10. Hernandez said, “I am happy to be president because I was super shy before and never thought I would do something like this. Unfortunately, I can not do everything that I had planned for this school year, as I was looking forward to achieving a lot for our school.”
Julieth Cardona was elected as the ASB vice president on June 10. Julieth (‘21) said, “With everything going on due to the corona virus and distance learning I believe ASB has helped me still include a sense of normality. Sure it’s not the same but it’s still nice to plan things for the school as always.”
On September 12, Frankie Robles became the ASB President and Diego Gonzalez became the Vice President of the freshman class.
Robles said, “I hope to make the school better, help out with everything, and to make sure to listen to everyone’s ideas.”
Gonzalez said, “I want to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to do something new and get an amazing experience out of it.”
This new leadership hosted a spirit week through instagram from August 24-28. They had many polls like debates between movies and other fun activities. The ASB leadership also interacted with students by reposting many of their costumes and makeup posts submitted.
Hey Vikings! It’s college time. In this article, we’ll go over some of the different college applications.
For all of your applications, you will need to fill out quite a bit of information. Since a lot of these questions on the application require information about your parents, you’ll want to ask your parents to help you out with applying. You’ll need your transcript, and of course, you will need to complete all required A-G courses by the time you graduate high school. Colleges also have fees for submitting applications, however many offer waivers for lower-income students. You’ll also need test scores for the SAT or ACT; however this year, due to the unprecedented pandemic, colleges have temporarily dropped their requirement for test scores (although you can still submit test scores if you took the exams) for the 2021 graduating class. Students who have taken AP tests will also want to submit their AP test scores.
The UC application filing period for fall classes will start on November 1st, and the deadline to turn in applications is November 30th. When you fill out a UC application, you’ll need to select the UC colleges that you want to apply to, instead of having to apply to each school. For the application, you’re going to have to answer 4 out of 8 personal insight questions, with a maximum of 350 words for each question. These questions cover a wide range of personal subjects about your personal life. Often, these questions can make your application, as it is one of the ways to make yourself stand out above the rest of the other applicants.
For the CSU applications, the application filing period started on October 1st, and the deadline is December 4th. Like the UC application, you will select which colleges you wish to apply to on the application website. Like the UC application, there are personal questions that the application will ask you. As of writing, the application for fall 2021 students has not opened yet.
For most colleges that aren’t UC’s or CSU’s, you will most likely fill out a Common App application, which is a general application that most private colleges use. Deadlines will vary from college to college, so make sure you find out the deadline for the college(s) you’re applying to. Like the previous applications mentioned earlier, you’ll fill out some information about you, your parents, your household, etc. However, depending on which college you plan to attend, additional requirements may be present, such as certain personal essays or teacher recommendations.
Sandra Rodriguez, an MVHS alum from the class of 2009, visited the Journalism virtual classroom as a guest speaker on September 28. Rodriguez talked about the struggles of balancing her personal life and being a student mom. With her experiences, she reminded us that even through difficult times, we need to be kind to ourselves as we do our best.
When Rodriguez was a student at MVHS, she was a part of the Viking Scroll as a photographer and writer. She recalls having great teachers and ROP programs when she was a student at MVHS.
Rodriguez became a mom to her first child, Odin, at the age of 16. After graduating from MVHS, she took two years off to work. Later, she attended Pasadena City College.
After Rodriguez graduated from Pasadena City College, she committed to Cal State Northridge (CSUN). She wanted to attend school that was close to home and study mental health.
She loved CSUN’s strong Psychology program, campus, and the many opportunities that were offered to her. Rodriguez was involved in the Blues Project, a volunteer program that promotes awareness and education about mental health. Rodriguez was inspired to join from having kids – her second child, Irissa, is now 5 – and how being a student mom has affected her mental health.
Rodriguez was able to use the writing and critical thinking skills that she learned in Journalism at CSUN for studying her psychology major. “Much of what is taught in the field of psychology alongside the social and behavioral sciences, is to think holistically and take in many different perspectives and populations other than our own,” said Rodriguez. She explains that it was easier for her to analyze concepts from an unbiased perspective from what Journalism taught her.
She graduated from CSUN with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology in 2020 and is now involved in mental health outreach.
Rodriguez believes that attending a CSUN was a better choice for her than a UC. It was much more affordable for her and classes were smaller.
Being a student mom, she found ways to take care of her mental health. Rodriguez advised current Vikings to be honest with yourself and create goals.
She was able to overcome the struggles of balancing being a mother and a student. She strategized an hourly study schedule that included time for breaks and time with her kids as well.
Her advice to students who want to continue their education is to try not to be caught up in expectations. Rodriguez said, “It’s okay to go at your own pace and do what feels right for you at a pace that feels right. That being said, if you find yourself being the first in your family or social circle taking on this challenge like many of us first-generation students have, don’t be afraid to be the pioneer for your family.”
Sandra Rodriguez celebrates her 2018 graduation from Pasadena City College with her son, Odin, and her daughter, Irissa. Photo courtesy of Sandra Rodriguez.Sandra Rodriguez celebrates her graduation from Mountain View in 2009 with her son Odin. Photo courtesy of Sandra Rodriguez.
During these critical times, many of us might be feeling stressed or down. One of many solutions can be in your back yard or home: a four-legged friend.
Two studies done by Elizabeth Scott, MS, and an article from a monthly newsletter from the National Institutes of Health, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have shown that animals can help improve your mood and relieve unwanted stress. Scott’s research also shows that spending time with animals also lowers blood pressure.
Last fall semester, PREP held a Puppy Therapy Event before finals. They also conducted a survey after the event. Their survey showed students had enjoyed the event. It also showed students felt much more relieved after the first 10 minutes of the event.
Vikings Alexandra Ramos and Anabell Flores shared photos of their four-legged friends with us.
“Charlie is a boy. He is 6 months old and he has this favorite toy mouse. He plays with it all day long, running back and forth.” Alexandra Ramos (’21)Anabell Flores (’22) shared this photo of her dog Smokey.
This year we have lived through one of the worst fire seasons in California history. Not only that, but we are already living in earthquake territory, specifically near the San Andreas Fault. Due to circumstances like these, it is always good to have an emergency plan and knowledge of what to pack in case of evacuation.
Animals
Make sure they are going to survive the emergency too! It is in your best interest that they are microchipped and/or have an ID collar with the phone number of a family member. However an important note to remember: most emergency shelters will not allow pets so if you have a pet, make sure you know that wherever you’ll be staying will let your pet stay with you.
Important papers
Even though teenagers don’t normally keep their own paperwork, they should know where it is kept and they should make sure that those papers are the first thing that is brought with their family in case of emergency. This includes but is not limited to Social Security cards, immigration records, immunization records (for pets as well if you have one), birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, proof of insurance, passports, and a list of contacts.
Money and Keys
You may not know where you’re going if you have to evacuate but you can bet that you’re going to need money there. Credit or debit cards are vital too. You do not want to lose access to essential items after an emergency, so bring the keys to any safes, mailboxes, or doors.
Medication and First-Aid Kit
Bring a week’s worth of medication with you. This includes inhalers, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and their batteries, and contact lenses. If you can, have the prescription handy as well. Also, injuries may occur while you are on the way to your evacuation safe place so have the first-aid kit with you. Also, make sure to bring a face covering for each person to filter contaminated air and to stop the spread of illnesses that can be transferred through coughs and sneezes.
Food and water
Have 3 days’ worth of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water per day per person. It is also smart to have a manual can opener with you as well.
Clothing
Try to aside enough clothes to will last a week. It’s best to have clothes that are lightweight, can be worn in layers, and/or waterproof. It is also important to have a jacket and a pair of comfortable closed-toe shoes for each person as well.
Hygiene Items
Remember to be sanitary wherever you are going! Bring along wet wipes, hand sanitizer, feminine products, a toothbrush for each person, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toilet paper . Another important note to remember is that baby supplies may be hard to find wherever you go so carry along a week’s worth of necessities if you have a baby in your household.
Technology
Bring along a flashlight, a hand-turned radio, and extra batteries for both. Pack your electronics as well. Don’t forget the chargers! It is recommended that you have prepaid phone calls or coins for phone calls.
Other Essential Items
Bring a multi-purpose tool, plastic bags, toilet bags, and a local map with two evacuation routes marked. Have a whistle in case you ever need to signal for help and have plastic sheets, garbage bags, ties, and duct tape to protect locations from airborne contamination.
If Circumstances Allow
Bring along “comfort” items and other things you consider valuable, like family or personal photos. Have your computer information in a hard drive or flash drive that you can bring ready to go. Pack paper plates, utensils, paper, pencils, books, games, and activities for the family. Pack a blanket or sleeping bag for each family member as well.
This may have been a long list but it highlights what is most important to pack so that, should the occasion ever arise, you aren’t wasting time wondering what to bring. Get ready, get set, get going! Stay safe, everybody!
The Scroll is pleased to share information for a scholarship opportunity presented by AAEDE. Please see the attached flyer provided by AAEDE for details.
Editor’s note: Due to the pandemic, the Scroll has created its 2019-20 Senior Issue as a digital edition. We hope to return to our usual print format in Fall 2020.
Please click on the image below to read the Senior Issue.
vikingscroll.org 