April 8, 2016

47 E Pennington St Tucson, AZ 85701

Vol. 1 No. 4

April 2016
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Image Credit: Jessica Melrose

Putting Power in the Students Hands

BY OLIVER DEWEY
City High School strives to be a community of learners in which all members use
their minds well and care about one another. We engage with challenging academics and the unique resources of our
city and region in order to become active citizens and responsible stewards of
our world.

ing a system where any student can make

their opinion known, it goes forth to generate more open-minded discussion and
cause people to rethink an issue from an
entirely new perspective. But it all depends
on student initiative. As said by SVC member Safia Francis, You cant be heard if
youre not present during the meetings.

Everyone should be familiar with that mantra. They are the words that fuel every
aspect of City High. But there is one very
specific aspect of our community that truly
represents City Highs mission and what it
entails: Student Voice Committee. For
those who are not familiar with SVC, simply
think of it as a City High version of a Student Council. It is a means through which
students can convene, discuss issues they
have noticed in the school community,
and - through collaboration with the administration - offer and implement solutions. Students are what drive it, and it
allows them to make the change they
want to see, transforming them into the
stewards of community alluded to in our
mission statement. Essentially it gives students a voice, hence the name, Student
Voice Committee.

SVCs potential for creating change can

be seen clearly when looking at the recent
cell-phone policy reform. In that scenario,
the administration came to SVC directly
with an issue. Many students in SVC advocated for cell phones and their importance to students as a link to the outside-school world, as well as highlighting
their benefits as educational tools. Something which doesnt necessarily inhibit student learning, but can, in fact, amplify it.
The discussion that we had completely
changed my perspective on cell phones
and their use in the classroom, said Annie,
revealing the importance of Student Voice
Committee and the differing perspectives
that can be observed during meetings.
Eventually the policy that was decided on
allowed cell phone use in certain situations, with a lot of it left up to teacher discretion. This is a prime example of SVCs
power as a conduit for students voices
and opinions; one which has the capacity
to make people rethink an issue, opening
up the opportunity for higher level collaboration between the students and administration.

Despite the differences between SVC and

what many would consider a traditional
Student Council, there are a few similarities. As mentioned already, there are positions such as President involved, but it
works a tad bit differently. At the beginning of every year, SVC members appoint
students from the committee to positions
(president, vice president, and secretary)
through a vote. However the process is
very informal, unlike some schools where
there may be campaigns and speeches
involved. And no ones voice is any more
influential than anothers. As stated by
Annie Holub, one of the teacher overseers
of SVC, unlike a traditional school where
people are elected to student government, with SVC we simply open up the
floor to anyone who wants to participate
in it. This is SVCs primary strength; by hav-

popcorn sale) and culminating in harder

decisions (choosing a venue, selecting a
theme, compiling a song list, etc.) and
everything else that goes into making it a
spectacular night for City High students.
Despite the mecca of responsibility that
goes into planning such large events,
many students in SVC speak very positively
about the events themselves as well the
fact that students are given the opportunity to plan them in the first place. Going
back to SVCs mission of providing a place
for student-advocacy, having the students
plan these events allows them to discuss
what they want to see happen, which
creates a sense of ownership over them
and their end-result. I feel that it is good
to voice your opinion [in the planning of
school events] so that you can enjoy it
more, said SVC member Seamus Turner,
speaking to the pride that is felt when your
opinion becomes represented in a school
event: to know that you had a part in
making it a reality.
Between confronting multi-sided issues
and planning large events, those who
choose to participate in Student Voice
Committee have their work cut out for
them, however they also receive a fantastic opportunity to voice their opinion that
then goes to making real change occur.
Many schools do not offer this opportunity,
but for City High, its one of the most important pillars of our community. Ultimately
a school and its administration is meant to
serve the students needs: to help them in
a way which will result in them getting the
best education and becoming the best
people that they can. Student Voice
Committee helps to bring to the table
what students need in order to accomplish
these goals, and by having an administration that listens and considers the students
perspectives and proposals, the result is a
stronger and smarter community.

While the tackling of school wide issues is a

large part of SVCs mission there is another
aspect of SVC that most people are probably very familiar with: School events! (Cue
cheering). Behind most (if not all) of City
Highs events, such as the Winter Party,
Prom, and the Chili Cook Off , there is the
Student Voice Committee. However,
many students who participate in these
events dont know how much work goes
into planning them. Prom, for example, is a
year long endeavour for SVC members: Please note: four of seven consistent members of the
Narwhal News team are consistent members of SVC.
starting with fundraising (the ever-popular

April 7: Registration night for incoming students.

April 14: Block Party prep family night hosted by Brett.
April 15: Block Party!
April 21: College Night for 9th and 10th
graders hosted by Eve.
April 22: Prom! Hosted by Student Voice
Committee at the Whistle Stop Depot.
April 24: VegFest, see back for more information.
April 26 & 27: Senior Gateways!
April 27 - 29: Senior Trip on Mount Lemon.
April 28: Family Wellness Initiative at Playformance.
May 7: 2nd Annual Tucson Queer Youth
Summit at City High School sponsored by
the GSA.
Source: Tom Moore

BEHIND THE
SCENES
Designers

Jane Bendickson
Editors:

CONTACT US!
janeb@cityhi
ghschool.org

Jane Bendickson
Anna Brunson
Oliver Dewey
Additional Support:
Seamus Turner
Supervisor:
Dillon Martino

VISIT US!
narwhalnews.weebly
.com

The Signs at a Party

BY MILO LEHRLING

Aries (March 21 - April 19): Probably hovering around the snack

table and trying to make conversation with passers-by. Secretly
wants to go home.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Definitely off in some corner or on the
couch, either eating or cuddling - or both. Like Aries, they also
kinda want to go home. Definitely a sideline partier, they like to
watch the fun instead of being in it. Terrified of being coerced
into playing Just Dance with Cancer.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Mostly sticking with one or two small
groups of people, generally having a good time. Really craving
the one snack that isnt there. Theyll probably drive off early
with their group to go get that snack and end up back at their
place, watching weird science documentaries.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Either SUPER talkative or just on their
phone the whole time. Either all over the place or actively
avoiding everyone. Either tries to get everyone hanging out in
the corner (cough cough Taurus, Aquarius) to join in on the fun,
or joins the quiet corner party.
Leo (July 23 - August 22): Having a JAMMIN time. Probably being incredibly outlandish - possibly for attention. Theyre the
ones that get embarrassingly filmed on Snapchat.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Really hoping that theyre not
making a fool of themselves. Kinda nervous the whole time, but
it fades as the party goes on. Ends up having a lot of fun. Had
some part in organizing the party with Scorpio and Libra.
Libra (September 23 - October 22): The party was probably their
idea. INCREDIBLY chatty, whether it be with everyone or just a
small group. Lets everybody in on the latest gossip. They kinda
want to join the quiet corner, but they feel like theyd just bug
everyone in it. Stays away from the snacks until the last 20
minutes of the party.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): The proud host of the party! Cant remember how they let Libra convince them to plan it,
but they are glad that it happened. Very glad that everyone is
having a good time. Very wary of Leo because they are concerned that Leo will spill something that could damage the carpet.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Their partying side
gets brought the heck out. Sagittarians are usually pretty laid
back and calm, but at a party, they act the complete opposite.
Nobody was expecting it, but nobody is complaining.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Wants to go home a lot.
Their best friend is the snack table and theyve stolen the food
that Gemini wanted. Theyre probably chilling outside on the
porch with the bowl of cheese puffs or whatever, waiting for
their mom to pick them up.

Leah Farbstein on VegFest

Recently there has been a lot of talk around the
school about a certain event by the name of
VegFest that will be taking place in a few weeks.
Leah has encouraged students to go to it, flyers
have been set up around school, and there was
even a school committee to help. However, what
exactly is the VegFest? Weve been given plenty of
details to come in our school announcements, and
I know plenty of us are curious as to what it might be.
Recently I had the opportunity to ask Leah all about
the mysterious VegFest, and I got some of the sweet,
sweet, details.

Can You Explain What The VegFest Is?

VegFest is a food festival to celebrate plant-based

food and living in Tucson. A number of plant-based
restaurants and producers will have food available
for purchase and consumption (including samples).
There will be other exhibitors educating attendees
about the environmental, health, financial, and ethical reasons for choosing to support plant-based businesses.
The event features a cast of nationally renowned
guest speakers who will offer TED Talk style lectures
about their own personal stories and experiences.
Speakers Robert Cheeke, Emily Barwick, Katie
Cantrell and Mark Devries will be joined by four local
chefs providing educational cooking demonstrations. One of the featured chefs is 15 year-old Tucson
native Haile Thomas, a health advocate who has
appeared on the Food Network, the Today Show
and Dr. Oz and has visited the White House to share
her youth-friendly recipes.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Following around the person who invited them or chilling out with Taurus in the corner.
Taurus probably dragged them along just to get them out of
their house. Probably bored.

There will be activities for kids, live music

and more, all focused on celebrating the
vibrant plant-based community and food
of Tucson, AZ.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Honestly, probably isnt even

there. Theyre just at home, doing something quiet. If they are
there, their attendance is ephemeral and takes place mostly in
the quiet corner. Pisces arent really the type for long parties
with a lot of people.

VegFest is also designed to support nonprofit organizations in the community. This

year, 10% of ticket proceeds go to benefit
City High School. The more CHS students,
families and staff that attend the event,
the more money we can raise for our
school!

Artist: Milo Lehrling

BY BRANDON GREEN

How Can We As Students Get Involved?

Students can get involved both by attending the

event or by volunteering. We need several students
to assist on the day of the event with set up, manning
the CHS booth, greeting guests, assisting vendors,
stage management, photography, kids activities and
more. Volunteers may choose the assignment that
best suits their skills. All Volunteers will receive free
admission to VegFest, a ticket to the event pre-party
on April 23rd, certified volunteer hours and a VegFest
t-shirt. Students may contact Leah Farbstein at
leahf@cityhighschool.org and/or attend our volunteer planning meeting this Thursday, April 7th at 3 pm
(immediately after school).
Students can also help create buzz for the event by
sharing the event flyer, indicating that they will be
attending via the Facebook event and telling their
friends and families.
So remember, VegFest will be taking place Sunday,
April 24th and is open to anyone whod like to go! If
you have any more questions, please contact Leah,
shed love to speak
to you more about
it. If youre interested
in
helping
out,
please do! Not only
will it be a great
experience for you,
but itll also benefit
City High through
proceeds
from
VegFest. Ill see you
there!
Scan for more info!