Weekly News Archive

April 8 (’07) – April 14 (’07)

Crackdown on the Berkeley High Senior Class

Berkeley High administration cracked down on the Berkeley High senior class severely earlier today. It was announced in the senior meeting with principle Slemp that any student with 3 or more unexcused absences in any class would lose all privileges of graduating on graduation day or going to the Senior Ball on June, 2nd. Mr. Slemp also announced that any student caught streaking would face even more severe consequences then last year’s seniors because “being naked in school is against the law in the state of California which includes Berkeley.” While I agree with what Mr. Slemp is trying to do I don’t agree with the way he’s carrying it out. Being a senior I personally believe that his announcements will only motivate seniors to continue cutting and streak anyway. Seniors will keep cutting because most seniors are eighteen and if they aren’t eighteen one of their friends probably is. (If you are eighteen you are allowed to clear your own absences without a parent calling in.) As far as streaking goes, I believe that the threat against streakers who are caught will only motivate them more to streak and try to get away with it. By threatening them it gives them more excitement and motivation to do it and it will just shovel more work on to Berkeley High security worker’s plates. In addition to all that, Berkeley High streak day is a tradition that begun longer then I care to look back or find out about. All I know is if the administration cares about it so much now how come they didn’t care about it that much throughout all the other years that seniors would streak successfully. Until the next article I am out!

— Josh

Ultimate Frisbee Team Makes It to Nationals

The Berkeley High Ultimate Frisbee team found out the great news that they indeed did make Nationals which will be hosted in Seattle, Washington. In preparation for the event; the team has had three practices a week and have been pushing themselves to the limit in order to be as best prepared for nationals as they can possibly be. “I’m so proud of how well our team has progressed since the beginning of the year. This was a team effort and as a result of our hard work we have the opportunity to win the championship,” team captain Jamie Irvine said emphatically. That prediction might be a little exaggerated considering the Berkeley High ultimate Frisbee team was just started this year and many of the players on the team lack the experience needed to perform at a higher level that is above the other teams playing there. That doesn’t mean that they can’t make a dent in this tournament and possibly make a few upset specials against other teams that underestimate their ability. Watching this team play several games I can tell you that all of the players on it have the heart needed to go far in the tournament and none of them play at a level that is less than 110%. Because of that I believe this team could pull off some upsets and really put Berkeley High school on the map as a school that possesses an above average Ultimate Frisbee program. With all this in mind, Berkeley High will begin their run to the championship with a game versus St. Helena high school on Monday, April 15th. I wish them luck and hope for the best.

— Josh