Paw Prints Newsblog

by Melissa Reed

If you haven’t heard about the new field, you’ve been missing out. Many of you will read this and say to yourself, “This is so stupid, nobody cares anymore!” Oh contraire! I think you will be quite interested in this small bit of news. There have been several articles, announcements, not to mention the practices and P.E. classes executed our new field. Yes, it’s blue and bright. Some of you may have even heard that it can be seen from the air. Well, you heard correctly. Not only has it been confirmed through the news and personal accounts, but one source tops it all. Our very own Wolfpack “smurf turf” can be seen by the HMH-466 Wolfpack on MCAS Miramar. In fact, it’s used as reference point for pilots flying over Santee. Yeah, that’s right, we are a focal point. You may not like our new two-tone field, you may despise it, but you should be pretty proud of it.

by Lauren Brown

Barona Speedway is San Diego’s only semi-banked quarter-mile clay oval track. Unknown by many in our community, it is a place for amateur racers to experience their passion for cars. The track features a wide variety of cars including Pro Stocks, Pony Stocks, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks, Modifieds, Dwarfs, 600 Sprints, and Mini-Dwarfs, providing an exciting race program every other Saturday. People may think dirt track racing is for “hicks” and “rednecks,” but it’s a lot of fun for the whole family. I have personally attended this track for about 12 years because my dad races dwarfs. The track is located 5.8 miles north of Barona Casino on Wild Cat Canyon Road between Lakeside and Ramona. Gates open at 1:00 PM, with racing getting underway at 5:00 PM. There is a concession stand for your convenience with lots of good food and soft drinks, or you can bring your own cooler and BBQ’s. For more information, you can visit their website at www.baronaspeedway.com, and I hope to see you there!

by Rachel Caird

The rumors have been long confirmed about Paula Abdul’s departure from American Idol, and there has been one lingering question on every Idol fan’s mind: Who will replace her as judge? The answer is Ellen Degeneres.
After Paula endured much abuse from the public about her over-eccentric, “drug-like” behavior, and having a crazed fan mistakenly let on Idol die in front of Paula’s house from a drug overdose, she has decided to leave the hit show and go on co-hosting VH1’s Diva. Soon after, the producers of Idol sought a new judge to replace Paula Abdul, even though she claimed she “couldn’t be replaced.”  When the position was offered to Ellen Degeneres, she “jumped on it.”
This has sparked many people’s interests. Some feel that this was the farthest they could get from a worthy replacement for Paula Abdul, while others feel it may do the show a little good to have a familiar face on the panel. I think she could be the comic relief from Simon’s brutal comments and Randy’s constant flow of both enthusiastic and unhesitant remarks. She could also possibly let down a little bit of tension, seeing as she never had a platinum, gold, silver, or anything for that matter.  She’s only a sarcastic, well-known talk show host, who happens to be a fan of American Idol, apparently. This can only do more good for her talk show ratings, unless some insane fan drives her crazy and makes her quit, too, but that’s unlikely, although I do not believe it would take much for her to be driven mad; she acts like she’s already been down that street and is quite fond of it.
Only time will tell how this strange act of complete irony will play out for this overly ecstatic woman and the rest of America. I, for one, wish her the best of luck, even though her previous appearance on another popular, addictive show, So You Think You Can Dance, was not a total triumph. Hopefully, she will get the hang of being a bearer of bad news and become another American favorite. To those who are skeptics about the show’s future success with the out-of-the-blue star on the wagon, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. The notoriously outspoken and nearly too-awkward lady may just be your cup of talent-scouting tea.

by Camille  Vernon

On Wednesday, September 16th, the students of West Hills sent their parent or parents to explore their classes with nothing but their schedules, a map of the school, and the hope that they wouldn’t get too lost. But before visiting each class, parents could attend an initial meeting from 6-6:45 where they could be informed of all West Hill’s ways and goals for the students. Parents were also given information about PTSA, and they could collect paperwork if they wanted to join. Food and drinks were also provided.
After the meeting ended, the bell rang for parents to go find their child’s first period or wait until 7:01 if their child starts second period. In each classroom, teachers educated parents on what the students will be learning, the class curriculum, grade breakdowns, and online grades and how to access them (if the teacher used them). Teachers also exchanged their contact info with parents so could call, e-mail, or make appointments if they had any questions.

by Melissa Reed

On September 8, President Obama gave a speech to students about school. Almost every president has given a speech very similar, even adding a bit of politics into their dialogue. We are given the same spiel by our parents and teachers much of the time. Stay in school, try your best, and don’t stop at high school. These are general beliefs that we have been taught to believe since kindergarten. We know the facts: It’s nearly impossible to get a job if you haven’t even completed high school and almost just as difficult to get a job if you don’t get an education beyond high school. So, we know these things, but many of us don’t even listen anymore. We figure we know it all now, heard it enough times to have it memorized. But some of us don’t even bother continuing because it’s tough now—so what about when we go to college, how much harder can it get? Sometimes home situations keep us from focusing on school as well as we should or could. This is the message that Obama sent out, saying that despite all the difficulties and hardships, we have a responsibility. We have a responsibility to do what we’ve heard all our lives: “Stay in school, try your best, and don’t stop at high school.” Obama relates to many lives of teenagers today with the stories of three other teenagers who overcame moderate to severe hardships so that they could make a difference one day. He even spoke about his own hardships in school. We’ve heard this before, but it was somehow different when he said it. Almost like we now have something to work towards even though not all of us want to be president; we have this goal to make a difference and contribute to this world.

However, many students and parents didn’t want to listen to the speech. Many for their own reasons, but most common was that they feared Obama would just talk about politics. Despite these fears, Obama strictly spoke encouragement and influence. What many people don’t realize is that many presidents give these speeches and most of them do add a touch of politics to them; however, this was just telling each of us kids, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, that we have a chance to change the world and make a difference. All we have to do is keep our half of the bargain. In my opinion, the speech was understandble and encouraging to all students.

by Becky Hoffman

Last night at Spreckles Theatre in downtown San Diego, the American Idol winner of 2008, David Cook, performed an exciting show. For two hours, Cook played with his band from years previous to Idol.

Not only was the theater sold out on a Thursday night, but many people stood for the entire night singing, dancing, yelling out, “I love you!,” and overall losing their voices the entire night. Cook introduced all of his band members and revealed funny stories of their pasts.

Most of the songs that were performed from his self-titled debut album; however, that wasn’t all. Cook had graced the crowd with his Fleetwood Mac songs and a few un-recorded songs.

Overall, the night was amazing, and it was number 118 of his Declaration Tour. As he told jokes about his life and his newfound fame, you could tell over all that he was a down-to-earth person with lots of love in his heart (that is, until he used a certain hand gesture to describe how he felt in a song).

by April Ball

Welcome back kids! Hope your summer was good. If you have not yet noticed, there are some changes to the school. They may not be as extreme as the changes that occured last year, but they are definitely noticeable. For example, West Hills was given a brand new blue turf field. Also, there is a slightly different administrative staff. Mr. Rios is West Hills’ newest Vice Principal. In addition to this, there are new drinking fountains and bathroom hand dryers.

It is advised that every student keep on top of their school work and follow the West Hills Way. Dress code will also be strictly enforced this year as well as tight discipline. So keep up on everything, behave properly, and this is going to run smoothly. Welcome back PACK!!

by Aubrey Walford

The big show that hit FOX this Fall was Glee. Glee follows the story of a high school Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), who wants to live out his teen glory days by taking over the Glee Club. His over-bearing wife and the cheer or “cheerios” head coach, who is making sure he fails, makes Will’s job extremely hard.  However, he keeps going for his students Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale), Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz), and Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley). These incredible singers found a non-judgmental place where they feel they can be themselves, and Will provided it for them. This hysterical show is something that all teenagers can relate to because at some point we all feel a little geeky, and we feel like we don’t belong. The great thing about Glee is that it shows teens that you don’t have to stick to the stereotypes, and you can be yourself. Make sure you catch Glee Wednesdays, 9 PM on FOX.

by Mallory Stratton

As some of you may know, the West Hills Drama Club puts on a fall show and a spring musical each year. Our fall show for the 09-10 school year will be Saving the Greeks: One Tragedy at a Time. This is a comedy about two men from ancient Greece who want to create a new land and save all of the old Tragedians before they commit a tragic act. We need about 20 students, and all grade levels are welcome. Pre-auditions will be held on Monday the 14th to go over rules and guidelines and to practice the audition process. This is especially helpful to those who are new to the program. Auditions are then on Wednesday and Thursday of that week, but remember, you will not be allowed in to the audition without the paper you receive on Monday filled out and signed by your parent/guardian. Call Backs, or round 2, are on Friday, and will be more character- focused. The cast list will then be posted the next day on both the choir window and the Drama Kids website. Good luck to all those trying out!