News
Protesters Barred From FCA Meeting
GSA joins demonstrations against FCA’s controversial leadership policies By Maxwell Moiseff and Darius Parakh Although seniors Ryan Dunker and Nicole Le have been protesting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for weeks, their patience reached a breaking point when the FCA advertised free food from Chick-Fil-A, a restaurant often criticized for anti-LGBTQ lobbying, on Dec. 4. The protesters object to the organization’s leadership pledge, which requires potential leaders to agree that “marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman.” Dunker and Le have previously organized three other protests over the course of the school year, but failed to attract significant support until Dunker reached out to the members of the Gender Sexuality Alliance. |
“They simply stood still and held signs promoting love and acceptance. These students were protesting because they want a loving campus, not because they want to cause turmoil or disturbance. Their critique here is an act of love and exhibits a belief in a more equitable, loving world,” said GSA co-adviser Chanel Sulc.
Welcoming Sexennial WASC Re-accreditation
Teachers and staff team up to take on inspection to accredit Pioneer and ensure quality of education
By Hassan Bhatti
Returning to Pioneer for the first time in three years, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges is staged to complete their comprehensive evaluation of the school’s performance in record speed.
Teachers and staff team up to take on inspection to accredit Pioneer and ensure quality of education
By Hassan Bhatti
Returning to Pioneer for the first time in three years, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges is staged to complete their comprehensive evaluation of the school’s performance in record speed.
Electronic Recycling Fundraiser Going to Waste
The Education Foundation has discontinued the event in hopes of finding a more lucrative project
By Natalie Sarsfield and Ben Shiverdaker
On Saturday, Dec. 7, Service Learning put on their final E-waste drive. This will result in a loss of $900 per year on average of funding to the Foundation and a way for students to gain volunteer hours for their sophomore projects.
The Education Foundation has discontinued the event in hopes of finding a more lucrative project
By Natalie Sarsfield and Ben Shiverdaker
On Saturday, Dec. 7, Service Learning put on their final E-waste drive. This will result in a loss of $900 per year on average of funding to the Foundation and a way for students to gain volunteer hours for their sophomore projects.
Giving Blood Provides Opportunity to Save Lives
Service Learning hosts blood drive with the Stanford Blood Center in order to help patients in need
By Dat Huynh
According to Brookhaven National Laboratory, one pint of donated blood can help save three people’s lives. Such a small donation can be a crucial component to a patient’s treatment.
Service Learning hosts blood drive with the Stanford Blood Center in order to help patients in need
By Dat Huynh
According to Brookhaven National Laboratory, one pint of donated blood can help save three people’s lives. Such a small donation can be a crucial component to a patient’s treatment.
District Dives into Long-Awaited Pool Renovation
Measure H funds are now being allocated to support the revitalization of the campus swimming pool
By Maxwell Moiseff and Darius Parakh
Following 20 years of wear and tear by student athletes, the San José Unified School District is currently remodeling Pioneer’s swimming facility, bringing the site up to more modern design standards since its last renovation in the 1990s.
Measure H funds are now being allocated to support the revitalization of the campus swimming pool
By Maxwell Moiseff and Darius Parakh
Following 20 years of wear and tear by student athletes, the San José Unified School District is currently remodeling Pioneer’s swimming facility, bringing the site up to more modern design standards since its last renovation in the 1990s.
Sports
An Optimistic Outlook on the Ring
Wrestling is hoping for a successful season with an influx of new players
By Katherine Rowe
After concerns of fewer players this season arose early on, the wrestling team’s advertisement to attract athletes paid off.
This year, they did not just bring more athletes to the team, but also drew in more female wrestlers than in years previous, with eight joining the team.
Wrestling is hoping for a successful season with an influx of new players
By Katherine Rowe
After concerns of fewer players this season arose early on, the wrestling team’s advertisement to attract athletes paid off.
This year, they did not just bring more athletes to the team, but also drew in more female wrestlers than in years previous, with eight joining the team.
Balling Out at Glenn Ventura Classic
Preseason tournament prepares girls’ basketball for the upcoming season
By Kevin Rodriguez
After last year’s fourth place finish in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, girls’ basketball is working to improve far beyond their previous rankings.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been focusing on getting ready for the Glenn Ventura Classic, a winter tournament hosted by Pioneer in January.
Preseason tournament prepares girls’ basketball for the upcoming season
By Kevin Rodriguez
After last year’s fourth place finish in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, girls’ basketball is working to improve far beyond their previous rankings.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been focusing on getting ready for the Glenn Ventura Classic, a winter tournament hosted by Pioneer in January.
Kicking Off Towards Redemption
Girls’ soccer is determined to reclaim their spot in the Central Coast Section
By Sydney Teves
Following a fourth place finish in the Mt. Hamilton division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, but failing to advance to the Central Coast Section last season, the girls’ varsity soccer team is starting off another season with almost the same team they had last year.
Girls’ soccer is determined to reclaim their spot in the Central Coast Section
By Sydney Teves
Following a fourth place finish in the Mt. Hamilton division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, but failing to advance to the Central Coast Section last season, the girls’ varsity soccer team is starting off another season with almost the same team they had last year.
Features
Stretching Out for Student Wellness
Wellness Center now offers yoga classes in the Fitness Center during FLEX
By Joelle Gendzel
As concerns surrounding student mental health have continued to grow, Wellness Center Coordinator Amy Hernandez was tasked with discovering creative ways to increase student well-being during the school day.
Wellness Center now offers yoga classes in the Fitness Center during FLEX
By Joelle Gendzel
As concerns surrounding student mental health have continued to grow, Wellness Center Coordinator Amy Hernandez was tasked with discovering creative ways to increase student well-being during the school day.
Menstruation Meets its Match with Campus Clubs
Two clubs are collecting feminine products for students or to be donated to outside organizations
By Emily Guerra
Providing feminine products to people who menstruate both on and off campus has become a hot button issue and a quickly increasing dilemma.
Two clubs are collecting feminine products for students or to be donated to outside organizations
By Emily Guerra
Providing feminine products to people who menstruate both on and off campus has become a hot button issue and a quickly increasing dilemma.
Student Teachers Shadowing Experienced Staff
Four aspiring teachers are refining necessary and crucial skills while working towards their credentials
By Tom Patterson
Working with tenured staff to improve their education, new student teachers have joined the campus in hopes of becoming future high school instructors, perhaps even at Pioneer.
Four aspiring teachers are refining necessary and crucial skills while working towards their credentials
By Tom Patterson
Working with tenured staff to improve their education, new student teachers have joined the campus in hopes of becoming future high school instructors, perhaps even at Pioneer.
Bridging Cultures in Foreign Exchange Programs
Foreign exchange allows students to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new community
By Faith Martinez
Focused on encouraging teenagers’ understanding of the world, Pioneer has welcomed several foreign exchange students from around the world to take on the rest of the academic year in a new country.
Foreign exchange allows students to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new community
By Faith Martinez
Focused on encouraging teenagers’ understanding of the world, Pioneer has welcomed several foreign exchange students from around the world to take on the rest of the academic year in a new country.
New Conservation Club Makes a Splash on Campus
Save Our Seas is focusing on spreading awareness about the ever-growing ocean pollution crisis
By Sara Stamos
Creating waves on campus, the Save Our Seas club is aiming to actively promote conservation and awareness of ocean pollution.
Save Our Seas is focusing on spreading awareness about the ever-growing ocean pollution crisis
By Sara Stamos
Creating waves on campus, the Save Our Seas club is aiming to actively promote conservation and awareness of ocean pollution.
Entertainment
Dancing in a Whimsical Winter Wonderland
Two of the dance classes brought their annual holiday performances to life at Christmas in the Park
By Selena Ganguly
Tis’ the season for the same old outdated dances of the sugar plum fairy. Only that’s not the case for this holiday season, because Pioneer had new refreshing dances to offer.
Two of the dance classes brought their annual holiday performances to life at Christmas in the Park
By Selena Ganguly
Tis’ the season for the same old outdated dances of the sugar plum fairy. Only that’s not the case for this holiday season, because Pioneer had new refreshing dances to offer.
Rian Johnson Sets the Table for a New Mystery
“Knives Out” proves to be an entertaining murder mystery from the previous Star Wars director
By Colin Smith
After Rian Johnson’s controversial “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” I was both interested and skeptical to see him take on such a difficult genre such as murder mystery. Luckily, “Knives Out” is his most accomplished work yet.
“Knives Out” proves to be an entertaining murder mystery from the previous Star Wars director
By Colin Smith
After Rian Johnson’s controversial “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” I was both interested and skeptical to see him take on such a difficult genre such as murder mystery. Luckily, “Knives Out” is his most accomplished work yet.
Opinions Clash with Pokémon Sword and Shield
Game Freak’s latest title may leave you conflicted with reused features from previous games
By Catherine Dayton
A new pair of controversial Pokémon games were released on Nov. 15 for the Nintendo Switch, marking the first time that the long-running series has appeared on a home console. The new titles — Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield — introduce the Galar region, an area based on the United Kingdom.
Game Freak’s latest title may leave you conflicted with reused features from previous games
By Catherine Dayton
A new pair of controversial Pokémon games were released on Nov. 15 for the Nintendo Switch, marking the first time that the long-running series has appeared on a home console. The new titles — Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield — introduce the Galar region, an area based on the United Kingdom.
“Frozen”: Time to Finally Let It Go
Sequel to the popular animated film fails to capture the magic of the first
By Colin Smith
“Frozen 2” feels unnecessary. Yes, it has the high quality animation expected of any Disney animation, with satisfying scenes, and a few catchy songs, but when boiled down, the movie was simply boring, giving the feeling that the industry, not the plot, demanded the frozen princess’ return.
Sequel to the popular animated film fails to capture the magic of the first
By Colin Smith
“Frozen 2” feels unnecessary. Yes, it has the high quality animation expected of any Disney animation, with satisfying scenes, and a few catchy songs, but when boiled down, the movie was simply boring, giving the feeling that the industry, not the plot, demanded the frozen princess’ return.
Balancing the Weight of Expectations
Hideo Kojima returns video games with the long awaited Death Stranding
By Riley Fink
After the tabloid-esque breakup of game publisher Konami and their superstar director Hideo Kojima in 2015, Sony picked up Kojima, gave him his own production studio and wrote him a blank check for whatever kind of game he wanted to make.
Hideo Kojima returns video games with the long awaited Death Stranding
By Riley Fink
After the tabloid-esque breakup of game publisher Konami and their superstar director Hideo Kojima in 2015, Sony picked up Kojima, gave him his own production studio and wrote him a blank check for whatever kind of game he wanted to make.
Winter Musical Wins Over The Cast
Glue Factory and Advanced Drama work together to showcase Mamma Mia
By Isabella Wight
The iconic musical, Mamma Mia, was chosen to be Pioneer’s winter show with the help of the advanced drama class and the Glue Factory. For this musical the cast is comprised of teachers, alumni, parents and other volunteers. It’s a classic story about growing up and trying to find yourself with the help of family and friends.
Glue Factory and Advanced Drama work together to showcase Mamma Mia
By Isabella Wight
The iconic musical, Mamma Mia, was chosen to be Pioneer’s winter show with the help of the advanced drama class and the Glue Factory. For this musical the cast is comprised of teachers, alumni, parents and other volunteers. It’s a classic story about growing up and trying to find yourself with the help of family and friends.
Riley Reviews: Super Smash Bros Ultimate
By Riley Fink
Since last year’s release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, the landmark fighting game for the Nintendo Switch has smashed through previous records, becoming the highest sold fighting game of all time to match its numerous awards. Taking advantage of this fame, Nintendo have been continuously adding new fighters via downloadable content as a part of their $25 Fighters Pass.
By Riley Fink
Since last year’s release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, the landmark fighting game for the Nintendo Switch has smashed through previous records, becoming the highest sold fighting game of all time to match its numerous awards. Taking advantage of this fame, Nintendo have been continuously adding new fighters via downloadable content as a part of their $25 Fighters Pass.
Opinion
McConnell’s Gridlock in the Senate
By Maxwell Moiseff
For many years, the Senate has been a bureaucratic quagmire where House bills flounder and die, and the current assembly is no different. Under the leadership of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — the self-proclaimed “Grim Reaper” of Senate bills — the legislative body has amplified its long tradition of gridlock, making it harder than ever to pass new legislation.
By Maxwell Moiseff
For many years, the Senate has been a bureaucratic quagmire where House bills flounder and die, and the current assembly is no different. Under the leadership of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — the self-proclaimed “Grim Reaper” of Senate bills — the legislative body has amplified its long tradition of gridlock, making it harder than ever to pass new legislation.
Letter to the Editor
Pioneer's Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Every school should provide a safe and inviting environment through its campus, and this includes its extracurricular activities like our clubs. This is not seen in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at school, who claim that any student identifying as a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not allowed to become a club leader.
Pioneer's Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA)
Every school should provide a safe and inviting environment through its campus, and this includes its extracurricular activities like our clubs. This is not seen in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at school, who claim that any student identifying as a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not allowed to become a club leader.