Fall2016
Welcome to a new year Gauchos! We hope that the first quarter was a successful one for each of you. As you settle into the routines and fall weather the second quarter brings, we hope you will enjoy our first edition of the year . . . So grab your PSL and curl up with some good reads . . .
Don't forget to check out our Home Page for a chance to win free Starbucks!
Drum-roll Please . . .
Introducing Ms. B!
By: Hannah & Helena Her
About
Zodiac: Pisces.
Birthday: March 13
Favorite color: “Gaucho Blue”
Favorite food: Homemade tacos- She insists they’re a mixture of authentic and tacos; soft, not crunchy, with lots of “stuff”.
Children: three; two daughters and one son.
Fun fact: She took three years of Spanish in high school and claims she can understand it (don’t expect her to speak it very well though…)
If you see a woman with curly, fiery statement hair, chances are it’s probably Ms. Brouillard, or Ms. B, as everyone refers to her as. Since the Gaucho Music program lost its previous director, Mr. Hillhouse, Ms. B has become the new face of leadership for El Capitan’s band, choir, guitar, color-guard, and percussion. A big job … but thankfully with big rewards. Ms. B states that music has been her passion since playing French Horn in her own high school band, and that this is her dream job- not many people can say that!
As opposed to what many of you may think, Ms. B has varying, and to some, surprising interests outside of music. In addition to sewing and painting, while being interviewed, she spoke very highly of her love for Hawaiian and Tahitian dance, and its culture in general:
Do you have any hobbies outside of band?
“Yes. I do Hawaiian and Tahitian music and dancing. I like to sew.”
Are you part Hawaiian?
“No.”
What’s your favorite place in the world?
“Probably Hawaii, even though I haven’t been there yet. But I’ll be going next summer.”
So why do you feel such a strong tie to Hawaiian culture?
“It started when I started Hawaiian dancing and started learning about their culture.”
When did you start Hawaiian dancing?
“Three years ago.”
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Mr. Hillhouse [previous band director] was well loved and missed by most, if not all of his previous students. This certainly, left big shoes for Ms. B to fill, however she is not one to shy away from a challenge and eventually, the once hesitant students grew more accustomed to her ways:
What has been the overall perception/reception of Ms. B so far? How has band or choir changed since Ms. B was hired? Are there any obvious positives or notable negatives?
“I guess because of her leniency-this is also kinda a bad thing, but class is a little more fun. But she does tend to choose entertaining songs- because I enjoy them.”
-Derick Cabanag, first year choir student
“She does try to get the students to engage in the activities and have them be comfortable to sing in front of each other, and her song choices are pretty good.”
-Nixie Vang, fourth year choir student
“At this point in time, it seems the band is bitter about Ms. B, though throughout the last week we are moving towards a more positive salutation.”
-Margaret Vaughn, Vice President of Band Council
“I don’t really know how the band has changed since Ms. B was hired because I am a freshman. Based on the upper classmen, Ms. B is not as strict as Mr. Hillhouse. I am assuming that it is less tense than before, but what do I know; I am a freshman.”
-Rod Calos, fourth year band student
“I think she has a lot of cool ideas for choir, and I feel maybe later on we’re going to have a positive impact. In band, there was a negative impact at first, but it’s been getting better and she’s been letting students have more of an input into the band program- which is helping us a lot.”
-Kayla Medina, Co-President of Choir Council
“I think that when the year first started, I was very, very skeptical of her. And Hillhouse had told me and Kayla to both give her advice on stuff, because she wasn’t very familiar with choir, while she was more, like, a band person. So, we definitely think that with me and Kayla, we can guide her to create a better choir. For choir, I feel she could actually make some positive changes. For example, the whole thing with us standing there like we have no emotion, I think she could create something that maybe Hillhouse couldn’t … maybe she could add something to the choir that wasn’t there before.”
-Baylor Browning, Co-President of Choir Council
***
The El Capitan Music Program has always been strong from the start. Just last year, the concert band won Unanimous Superior [the highest honor a band can receive] while the choir won Superior festival. Ms. B looks forward to “continuing the successful tradition of excellence that has already been established, and taking it one step further. (I have very high hopes).” To those questioning joining band or any of her other (musical) classes, she only encourages more members, saying “it’s a ton of fun a very rewarding experience”.
“What I’m most looking forward to is getting closer to Ms. B”
- Carlen Williams, President of Band Council
“I look forward to having Unanimous Superior at our festival-if we don’t get that I’m gonna kick someone. And I expect- I don’t expect but I hope for us to get more people.”
-Nixie Vang, fourth year choir student
“I’m looking forward to the concerts, I guess. And singing in general.”
-Derek Cabanag, first year choir student
To see this and other artwork - check out the Mind's Eye page under Legatum.
5 Quick & Simple Halloween Costumes!
Don’t have any ideas for a costume? Need something quick and easy to impress your friends? Well, we have you covered! Follow these simple techniques and ideas to be the life of the party and impress your friends!
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For purely comedic purposes, why not re-enact the Life Alert Commercial, and (assuming your trick or treating) lay on the ground and scream “Help me I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” If you want to spice it up, you can even wear a wig and dress for the part!
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If you’re feeling school spirit, then we have the costume for you! Grab a bandana, cut out two eye holes, grab a hat and bam! YOU’RE A FIERCE GAUCHO!
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Still stuck in those John Green books? Ever felt like you connected with one of the characters and just needed to embody them? Well, throw on some sweats and a jean jacket and woah! Is that Hazel Grace?
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Boys, ever gotten lazy and didn’t feel like washing your hair? Well, just slick it back and bam you’re a greaser. Hello Danny Zuko!
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Ever thought about being something completely ridiculous to receive a laugh from your friends? We have the solution for you! Apply some gray coloring to cotton balls, and then apply to the face and BAM! You’re a dust bunny! And if you want to be more clever with it, add a pair of bunny ears!
Now that you have a couple of ideas, here’s some techniques if you want to experiment yourself and create your own, original costume.
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Have fun with it! If there’s little mistakes along the way, don’t worry! It doesn’t have to be perfect - so long as it’s fun!
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Need blood? Mix some red food dye and corn syrup and apply to surface.
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Don’t have a cool logo? Trace a design on a paper and paste it to your shirt!
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Do NOT wear masks to school, but if you want to wear one at home, you can use a gardening mask!
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No clown costumes at school this year.
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And remember: Don’t cross the street at night, unless you’re at the crosswalk. Stay safe you scary Gauchos!
Female Athlete Spotlight
Mackenzie Wenham: Dedication & Determination
By: Basketball Blonde
Mackenzie Wenham is truly extraordinary: a senior who has been playing water polo for four years, not only is a star in the pool, but also in the classroom. When asked if it was hard to balance water polo and schoolwork, Mackenzie replied, “It is actually very difficult!” She went on to say, “After league games, we get home around ten. Then, I still have six classes to do homework for.” How does she deal with it? “I plan my showers in the mornings and work hard all night.” Wenham is an achiever. She says she was always taught by her coaches to work consistently in everything she does. She gives it her all 100% of the time.
Last year, the varsity girls placed second in the CIF San Joaquin Championships. They were so close, but there was still room to improve. Mackenzie’s plan to win this year is to work to her fullest potential. She says, “I take practice really seriously.” Many of her teammates participated in water polo this past summer. There, Wenham says that she “focused on the center position, worked on my weaknesses, made them strengths, and rounded off those edges. I was getting to my fullest capability.”
The game is intense. It takes a lot of strength and teamwork, something Mackenzie is very familiar with. She says something that hypes her up before a match is doing the Cha Cha Slide in the pool. “We get in a circle and our goalie shouts out the song.” Wenham beams, “It’s really fun to see everyone laughing and relaxing.” The calm before the storm.
The team had a really tough game recently. They were losing by a couple points and were really getting down on themselves. Mackenzie says she received some advice from that game that has really stuck in her head lately. The team’s goalie, Toni, said, “ Play it like you love the game, not like you’re trying to win.” She believes, “ I can go out to enjoy and play the sport because that’s what it’s all about.” When asked how she deals with disagreeing with what a referee does during a match, she replied, “It’s really hard not to get upset, but you just have to play your hardest and come out stronger than the other team.” Wenham’s favorite part of the game is the end because, by then, the team is “in sync” and she thrives on that. When it comes to her team, she says, “We flow really well together.”
Mackenzie is well-known by many. When asked if she is a mentor to teammates younger than her, she replies, “I have a lot of freshman that I’m friends with because my brother is one this year.” She continues, “ A lot of the girls come up to me asking for advice and I find that really satisfying because I didn’t have anyone to look up to.” She says she encourages them in any way she can, such as cheering for their games when warming up. Even with schoolwork, she says they can come to anyone of the teammates whenever they need a hand.
As far as her future is concerned, Wenham has a lot of opportunities. She says she plans on hopefully playing water polo in college and has been talking to a military institute in Virginia. She states, “I want to join the military but I also want to play water polo, too, so I was looking at schools like that.” She says she definitely plans to go to college, and if there’s water polo, that’s a plus. As far as advice on joining water polo or any sport at all? She says, “Be prepared to work hard because a lot of the coaches here are looking for well-rounded athletes. Athletes that have their heads on their shoulders.” She says to make sure you are committed to the sport you choose.
Male Athlete Spotlight
Ethan Torres: Optimism is Key
By: Basketball Blonde
One word can undeniably be used to describe Ethan Torres: optimistic. When asked what separates him from others, Torres replied immediately, “I am way too positive.” He went on to add that he puts in the work. Work that other people grow bored of, but he never does.
Ethan has been playing football for three years. He is a senior on the varsity team and definitely enjoys not only the sport, but the qualities that come with it. He believes the first kick-off at the beginning is the most intense in the game because it “gets the jitters out of the way.” This year, he plays guard and defensive tackle on the field. For an explanation on what it takes to be a guard, he says, “You have to be quick for that position because you’re usually the one pulling around.” He goes on to say that defensive tackle is having control of the inside. “You have to have the inside contained to stop someone from going in between the offensive lineup,” He has to be quick at all times, but still be able to stop a player from pinning one of his teammates. That takes a lot of work, but he is definitely capable.
Football is a tough sport. It involves hustle, optimism, but ultimately teamwork. Teamwork is something that Torres strongly believes in. “Teamwork is as simple as knowing what all our jobs are on the field and working together as a unit, not as individuals.” He states that the team really bonded over the summer, in training and practice. During practice, he believes one thing that helps contribute to his success is being positive and encouraging to his teammates. Ethan is very close with his team, as they are close to him.
When asked about a moment that he would always remember, he says, “The Stone Ridge game last season. I missed a block on the goal line and we lost the game because of it.” Torres turns to some of his teammates in the room and chuckles, “They always tease me about it. All I have to do is say ‘Stone Ridge’ and you guys burst out laughing.” He states, “We always work together as a unit.”
Ethan says one person that has influenced football for him is his grandpa. “When I was really young, I always watched the NFL with him. He always told me he’d like to see me play one day, and I had always wanted to.” But as stated before, Ethan is a senior and has bright eyes for the future. When questioned what he wanted to do after high school, he says, “Hopefully, one of the military academies. If not, then hopefully I’ll get a scholarship to play ball in college.” Ethan’s advice for kids wanting to try football? “Be ready by your junior and senior year to wake up early and go to the weight room. Also, to start and work early, get home around 5 or 6 at night, only to restart the next day.” Ethan has done it, and you can, too.