News
Iran Conflict Worries Student Body
Major general’s assassination widens preexisting rift between two countries By Maxwell Moiseff On Jan. 3, a United States MQ-9 Reaper drone struck the Baghdad International Airport, killing Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani. In the following days, Iran retaliated with several missile strikes targeting U.S. bases. |
“A lot of people aren’t very happy, they think that both sides are wrong, but they’re really not happy with Trump, but also they don’t like the leader of Iran anyways. They’re worried that both of them are going to do something stupid and kill a lot of people.” |
District Pushes to Embrace Diversity in Curriculum
New ethnic studies class planned to be offered to freshmen in San José Unified starting next year
By Joelle Gendzel
Hosting San José Unified School District’s most diverse student population, Pioneer places a special emphasis on showing support for inclusion, acceptance and understanding of all the different cultural backgrounds represented in the school’s student body. Recognizing this trend, SJUSD has begun a district-wide push to expand this emphasis on cultural diversity, with the goal of spreading its teachings into the classroom.
New ethnic studies class planned to be offered to freshmen in San José Unified starting next year
By Joelle Gendzel
Hosting San José Unified School District’s most diverse student population, Pioneer places a special emphasis on showing support for inclusion, acceptance and understanding of all the different cultural backgrounds represented in the school’s student body. Recognizing this trend, SJUSD has begun a district-wide push to expand this emphasis on cultural diversity, with the goal of spreading its teachings into the classroom.
Rising into Special Education Career Opportunities
District partners with San José State University to renew RISE credential program for second year
By Natalie Sarsfield
Unlike traditional teaching, special education requires significantly more hands-on training as well as crucial skills in child development. The widespread shortage of special education teachers has left districts across the country scrambling to train and recruit qualified individuals to step into these necessary roles.
District partners with San José State University to renew RISE credential program for second year
By Natalie Sarsfield
Unlike traditional teaching, special education requires significantly more hands-on training as well as crucial skills in child development. The widespread shortage of special education teachers has left districts across the country scrambling to train and recruit qualified individuals to step into these necessary roles.
Homecoming Teachers Receive Warm Welcome
English and social studies departments unite around the return of Catrina Galloway and Priya Talreja By Darius Parakh Jan. 8 marked a new beginning for veteran teachers Catrina Galloway and Priya Talreja — after a year and a semester away, respectively, the two emerged from the holiday break with a new-found fire behind their eyes, each with a similar passion to engage and develop their students’ skills following their time apart from Pioneer. Selected for deployment from the Army Reserves during the spring semester of 2019, English teacher Catrina Galloway spent the majority of the year in the Middle East, serving in the psychological operations unit as part of the Army’s joint task force with the Navy. In contrast, history teacher Priya Talreja took on a similarly stressful endeavor — twins — during an extended maternity leave due to health complications with the births. |
“The English department stepped up in the most amazing way possible. Instead of getting long-term sub after long-term subs, they took extra classes. It’s a whole jigsaw," said Catrina Galloway.
Administrative Roles Combine Due to Opening
Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush is now interim principal at Carson Elementary
By Sara Stamos
After two years at Pioneer, former Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush has taken over as interim principal of Carson Elementary School. Following Brush’s transfer to Carson, her position has now been assumed by Assistant Principal of Student Services Amy Hanna, which took effect at the beginning of the spring semester. Hanna will now handle special education as well as standardized, state and Advanced Placement testing.
Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush is now interim principal at Carson Elementary
By Sara Stamos
After two years at Pioneer, former Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush has taken over as interim principal of Carson Elementary School. Following Brush’s transfer to Carson, her position has now been assumed by Assistant Principal of Student Services Amy Hanna, which took effect at the beginning of the spring semester. Hanna will now handle special education as well as standardized, state and Advanced Placement testing.
Sports
Skating to the Top of Their League
Roller hockey continues to dominate after winning fall championships
By Faith Martinez
Since its founding in 2005, Pioneer’s roller hockey team has won numerous championships, working its way to the top of their league.
Roller hockey continues to dominate after winning fall championships
By Faith Martinez
Since its founding in 2005, Pioneer’s roller hockey team has won numerous championships, working its way to the top of their league.
Wading For the Pool’s Completion
Overdue pool renovations affect athletes and coaches as season approaches
By Dat Huynh
With renovations to the swimming pool overdue and construction taking longer than expected, swimmers and coaches are prepared to start the season behind schedule.
Overdue pool renovations affect athletes and coaches as season approaches
By Dat Huynh
With renovations to the swimming pool overdue and construction taking longer than expected, swimmers and coaches are prepared to start the season behind schedule.
Coaching Staff Faces New Challenges
Interim coach hopes to lead girls’ lacrosse to another winning season
By Hassan Bhatti
With the season quickly approaching, the girls’ lacrosse team is having difficulties finding a coach, with Mike Rosenbaum, currently head coach of the boys’ team forced to step up to the job. The team went undefeated in the 2019 season, and they are hoping to continue their winning streak. However, coaching troubles might adversely affect their ability to achieve this goal.
Interim coach hopes to lead girls’ lacrosse to another winning season
By Hassan Bhatti
With the season quickly approaching, the girls’ lacrosse team is having difficulties finding a coach, with Mike Rosenbaum, currently head coach of the boys’ team forced to step up to the job. The team went undefeated in the 2019 season, and they are hoping to continue their winning streak. However, coaching troubles might adversely affect their ability to achieve this goal.
Features
Meaningful Mentoring Relationships
Administration is hopeful to combat lack of Latinos in higher education
By Tom Patterson
A new mentoring program will connect male Latino seniors with incoming freshmen of the same demographic in hopes of combating high dropout rates coupled with low attendance.
Administration is hopeful to combat lack of Latinos in higher education
By Tom Patterson
A new mentoring program will connect male Latino seniors with incoming freshmen of the same demographic in hopes of combating high dropout rates coupled with low attendance.
A Monumental Movement for Gender Equality
The Student Action Committee attends fourth annual Women’s March in downtown San Jose
By Selena Ganguly
People of various backgrounds strode down with pride and gripped tightly onto their posters. Repressed anger and fear of injustice spewed out through blaring microphones. Four years strong, this march is just the beginning of the efforts to close the doors on gender inequality.
The Student Action Committee attends fourth annual Women’s March in downtown San Jose
By Selena Ganguly
People of various backgrounds strode down with pride and gripped tightly onto their posters. Repressed anger and fear of injustice spewed out through blaring microphones. Four years strong, this march is just the beginning of the efforts to close the doors on gender inequality.
Opportunity Arises to Perfect Student Artwork
Art students submit pieces to be featured at the New Museum in Los Gatos’ annual competition
By Sydney Teves
Working and perfecting art takes time, which is why students who take art in high school look forward to any opportunity to create and present their work in hopes of it being chosen to be featured in an art museum.
Art students submit pieces to be featured at the New Museum in Los Gatos’ annual competition
By Sydney Teves
Working and perfecting art takes time, which is why students who take art in high school look forward to any opportunity to create and present their work in hopes of it being chosen to be featured in an art museum.
Dances Disappear as Student Interest Depletes
Lack of interest from the student body serves as a crucial factor in deciding the elimination of events
By Isabella Wight
Following Leadership’s confirmation that Homecoming and Prom will be the only two dances this year, the declining amount of school-sponsored rallies and events have caused alumni teachers and students to fear for the future lack of school spirit on campus.
Lack of interest from the student body serves as a crucial factor in deciding the elimination of events
By Isabella Wight
Following Leadership’s confirmation that Homecoming and Prom will be the only two dances this year, the declining amount of school-sponsored rallies and events have caused alumni teachers and students to fear for the future lack of school spirit on campus.
Mustangs Meet Monsters in Dungeons & Dragons
Club allows students to escape everyday stresses of life through a popular role-playing game
By Emily Guerra
In the quiet halls of Pioneer, one small classroom is being transformed into a world of monsters, mystery and dangerous lairs with the help of a new club.
Club allows students to escape everyday stresses of life through a popular role-playing game
By Emily Guerra
In the quiet halls of Pioneer, one small classroom is being transformed into a world of monsters, mystery and dangerous lairs with the help of a new club.
Entertainment
Robert Downey Jr.’s Failed Comeback
Beloved childhood book comes to life, but should have just stayed dead
By Colin Smith
After years of reshoots and re-edits, “Dolittle” ended up being the sloppy and absurd film the trailer made it out to be.
Beloved childhood book comes to life, but should have just stayed dead
By Colin Smith
After years of reshoots and re-edits, “Dolittle” ended up being the sloppy and absurd film the trailer made it out to be.
Saiyan Hello To a New Video Game
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot remains faithful to the beloved anime it’s based on
By Kevin Rodriguez
With Bandai Namco’s new game, Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, comes my childhood memories of Saturday nights watching Dragon Ball Z. When this game was released, I felt such a wave of nostalgia and excitement — it is, by far, the best game I have played in my life.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot remains faithful to the beloved anime it’s based on
By Kevin Rodriguez
With Bandai Namco’s new game, Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, comes my childhood memories of Saturday nights watching Dragon Ball Z. When this game was released, I felt such a wave of nostalgia and excitement — it is, by far, the best game I have played in my life.
“Weathering With You” Storms Through Theaters
Director Makoto Shinkai returns to the big screen after three years with a climate-themed hit
By Catherine Dayton
After director Makoto Shinkai’s smash hit, “Your Name,” entered theaters in early April of 2017 for American audiences, Shinkai had made it clear that he would not be producing another Studio Ghibli-esque movie.
Director Makoto Shinkai returns to the big screen after three years with a climate-themed hit
By Catherine Dayton
After director Makoto Shinkai’s smash hit, “Your Name,” entered theaters in early April of 2017 for American audiences, Shinkai had made it clear that he would not be producing another Studio Ghibli-esque movie.
Opinion
Instrumental, Yet Still Under-Credited
By Ben Shiverdaker
Over break, I had a blast kicking back, eating some popcorn and soaking in the latest content that the box office has to offer. But after staying through tremendously long scrolling credits just to see an extra 30-second scene, I noticed that every name of every person in any department who worked on making these movies rolled past the screen, except for one group –– the musicians.
By Ben Shiverdaker
Over break, I had a blast kicking back, eating some popcorn and soaking in the latest content that the box office has to offer. But after staying through tremendously long scrolling credits just to see an extra 30-second scene, I noticed that every name of every person in any department who worked on making these movies rolled past the screen, except for one group –– the musicians.
Disheartened by New “Doctor Who”
By Katherine Rowe
With its second season featuring Jodie Whittaker as the doctor, “Doctor Who” has returned and the new edition is just as disappointing as the last.
After the first female doctor debuted back in 2018, the show took an unfortunate downhill turn due to subpar writing, the TARDIS interior changing and the adoption of three new companions.
By Katherine Rowe
With its second season featuring Jodie Whittaker as the doctor, “Doctor Who” has returned and the new edition is just as disappointing as the last.
After the first female doctor debuted back in 2018, the show took an unfortunate downhill turn due to subpar writing, the TARDIS interior changing and the adoption of three new companions.
Ending a Sentence with a Preposition? No Problem
By Maxwell Moiseff
If you’ve ever dared to end a sentence with a preposition, you’ve probably had the misfortune of being reprimanded about it. Perhaps a misinformed teacher rushed to correct you or a militant grammarian dove in to tell you that by ending a sentence with a preposition, you had broken a sacred, inviolable law of English composition. This is wrong, completely and utterly wrong.
By Maxwell Moiseff
If you’ve ever dared to end a sentence with a preposition, you’ve probably had the misfortune of being reprimanded about it. Perhaps a misinformed teacher rushed to correct you or a militant grammarian dove in to tell you that by ending a sentence with a preposition, you had broken a sacred, inviolable law of English composition. This is wrong, completely and utterly wrong.