Download original issue as a PDF

Volume 20, #4: January 22, 1982

---

News

Savanna leads in grammar ratings

By James A. Ollinger, Esq.

Every year seniors must face a California Assessment Program test which determines how well the average student in a certain school is performing. This year Savanna rose above expected levels in all categories; the only school in the district to accomplish this feat.

"I was pleasantly surprised," said Charles Purcell, Savanna Career Guidance counselor. "Savanna always receives a couple A's, but this is the first time since I've been here that we have received 4 A's." Purcell refers to the ratings Savanna achieved. Every school has an expected range it should fall into. Above this range a school would receive an A, within this range is a w/i, and below is a B. Though none of the schools in the district went below, Savanna was the only school to receive A's in all four categories, written expression, spelling, English, and Mathematics.

This year 395 students took this test; its purpose: "To assess the effectiveness of school districts and schools in assisting students to master the fundamental education skills." Each student receives 1/18 of the master test in social studies classes. Students answer the questions, the test is graded, averages computed, and the answers published.

Two factors are involved in determining placement ranges: parental education and if one receives financial aid to families with dependent children. A separate form is filled out with this information which aids in determining a placement range. Often parents with higher education will stress education for their children more than lesser educated parents.

But why would Savanna's ratings increase? Among other things, "higher education requirements," says Purcell. With an extra year of English having been added, and the test being English oriented to begin with, an improvement shouldn't be surprising.

Schools, however, are not compared. The ratings are only compared to their range. Four A's do not put Savanna above or below any other school, only above its expected placement.

Girls' League in fashion for formal

By Kristin Dragoman

A variety of activities has been provided by an organization on campus called Girls' League. Their activities are usually geared toward the social aspect of school.

The Winter Formal and fashion show were the most recent events sponsored by Girls' League. The fashion show held on January 14 was designed to provide students with ideas as to the current casual and formal fashions. The clothes were modeled by senior students who were recruited by Girls' League president Carol Walston. The And You store in the Anaheim Plaza provided the styles worn by the girls and the tuxedos worn by the boys were donated by Clint's Tux shop located on the corner of La Palma and Dale.

Every year the Girls' League has had the responsibility of coordinating the Winter Formal dance; the planning includes: deciding where the dance is to be held, theme, and entertainment. Theme submissions were accepted and the student council made the final decision as to the theme. They decided on the theme "Winter Time Dream." The Winter formal dance will be held tomorrow night at the Garden Grove Community Center.

All girls who attend Savanna are automatically members of the club. There are no requirements.

The club meets every month on no set day and it has an average attendance of about 25 girls. The purpose of the League is to get girls involved with the school. Some of the other activities sponsored were a "ghostie grams" sale at Halloween, and a candy cane sale at Christmas.

The Girls' League offices are: President, senior Carol Walston; vice president, senior Jo Tennyson; secretary, sophomore Laticia Robledo; senior representative, Cathy Michaels; and freshman representative, Ellen Lipuma. There are no junior or sophomore representatives for the league.

Koskela becomes CSF President

By James A. Ollinger, Esq.

After twenty-five years of service, Charles Koskela has become the president of the California Scholarship Federation. CSF, which extends through the entire state, provides scholarships for selected students as well as other services. Koskela's job will be to "oversee all the chapters and CSF functions in the state."

Koskela has been training for the job for two years as presidentelect, a position he was voted into. From there he has moved automatically to the presidency (current), just as he will eventually become past president who oversees operations. From there, "I'll probably be done with CSF." before this, Koskela was registrar, the office which decides which classes can be used toward the entrance requirements to CSF. Also, he has been and still is an adviser. He started a CSF chapter at Savanna when it opened as well as starting a chapter at Western High School.

Even though the presidency is "much easier" than the registrar's office, Koskela still has a big job in front of him. In forseeing this he has proposed some changes, "which are really quite radical," Koskela said. First, Koskela would like to see a law that prohibited a chapter's existence without being accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. (Savanna will be undergoing this accreditation in the near future.) Second, with CSF growing rapidly, the flood of mail and paperwork is or will soon be getting out of hand. Koskela's way to solve this problem is to hire an executive secretary who can devote the time needed to sort and organize the paperwork involved.

With these two important issues being discussed, as well as looking after the chapters (many schools in all of California have chapters) may keep Koskela busy for some time.

CSF is much more than just another club. Besides providing scholarships, CSF also provides services such as tutoring. And with twenty-five years of service behind him, Koskela has reached the pinnacle office in the CSF. That's dedication.

ROP offers night classes

Do your school activities keep you busy until dinnertime? The North Orange County Regional Occupational Program (NOCROP) has many evening classes to serve you.

NOCROP has 38 classes which begin after 5 P.M. Students enrolling in the classes receive grades and credits while learning valuable job skills.

Contact Mr. Purcell to enroll in these classes which begin the week of February 1st. Daytime classes are also available.

Some of the evening classes offered include banking computers, cosmetology, drafting, electronics, graphics, machine operations, and marine diving.

Other classes are medical occupations, motorcycle repair, musical instrument repair, office occupations, recreational leadership, technical illustration, and travel careers.

This year, NOCROP celebrates its tenth year anniversary of providing job training to high school students and adults.

Decathlon team accumulates awards

By Dan Kelton

Over 300 junior and senior students from 48 Orange County high schools pitted their knowledge against one another at the 14th annual Academic Decathlon, held at El Toro High School on November 14th, 1981. Students were tested in areas of super quiz participation, interview, speech, English literature and grammar, math, physical, and biological sciences, career education and awareness, social science, fine arts and essay. Competitors were chosen in accordance to their grade point averages, standardized test scores, and counselor's recommendations.

Counselor Stu Nielsen coached the six member team which consisted of two students with "A" grade point averages, two with "B" averages, and two with "C" averages. Included in the honor group was Darryl Yoshizumi and Carol Walston. In the scholastic group was Curt Olbricht and Vinh Nguyen; and Ricardo Brito and Chris Butler completed the team in the varsity group.

Receiving third place in the essay competition for each of their groups was Darryl Yoshizumi and Ricardo Brito. Vin Nhu Nguyen came in first in math and third in social science. Curt Olbricht achieved second place on the super quiz and third place in physical and biological sciences. Chris Butler received third place awards for both physical and biological sciences and fine arts.

The results from the six written tests, written essay, prepared and impromptu speeches, scoring for participation in an interview situation, and audience participation quiz on current energy predicaments gave the Savanna team a total of 35,908 points out of a possible 60,000.

Although the competing Savanna students did not make it into the top ten category, Nielsen mentioned, "This year's team won more individual awards than any other Savanna team before." The team, however, reportedly came close. "By about 900 points," estimated Nielson, which put the team overall "around the top 12 or 15."

News in brief

The Freshman class will be sponsoring a candy heart sale from February 1st through the 13th.

January 28 will be a minimum day due to first semester finals. The first semester ends on Friday, January 29 and there will be no school for students.

February 5th Western High School will be sponsoring a "Dating Game." Two Savanna seniors, Mike Jones and Laura Gutierrez will select a date from among three Western students.

---

Opinion

Waste from N-energy too dangerous to mess with

by Vera Maestas

When we first learned about nuclear power, it seemed the answer to our future energy needs. It is fast becoming a serious problem. Safe waste storage is still an unsolved problem. Equipment failure and human error can still be greatly reduced.

The disposal of nuclear waste is a serious threat to us right now. Even without putting more nuclear power plants into production, those already scheduled for servicing in the United State alone, will generate about one billion cubic feet of radioactive wastes in the next twenty years. We still don't know what to do with the wastes we have already generated.

In the 1940's and 1950's, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission chose to ignore the warnings of what it called its "maverick physicists" and approved the dumping of thousands of tons of lethal materials into the seas. The Atlantic is still used as a receptacle for so-called low level wastes from nuclear facilities in both Europe and North America. At the Farallon Islands off the California coast, an Environmental Protection Agency found that about one-quarter of 50,000 waste containers ruptured during the twenty years they've been stored in the Pacific Ocean.

Now, the U.S. department of energy is drilling mile deep test holes into basalt rock formations at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in eastern Washington. Officials seem confident that this will be the permanent burial ground for nuclear waste. The Hanford Nuclear Reservation's past record on nuclear waste storage hardly inspires confidence. In the past thirty years, Hanford's management poured thirty-one million gallons of "low-level" weapon's waste — containing at least 190 kilograms of plutonium — directly into the soil. There seems to be no safe place to store these poisonous wastes. It is important to note that these nuclear wastes will be lethal for another 250,000 years. They will have to be monitored until they are no longer harmful.

There is also the chance of human error, which greatly increases the chance of a serious accident. In December 1952, the NRX reactor core at Chalk River, Ontario, was largely destroyed. A hydrogen explosion dislodged a 4-ton gas holder, and a million gallons of radioactive water flooded the structure because a technician opened a set of valves by turning them in the wrong direction.

The one thing that frightens most people about nuclear power is the prospect of a leak into the atmosphere of the radioactive chemicals contained in a vessel. No one would ever know if a serious accident happened unless they were informed by the authorities. The radioactive gases would travel in an invisible cloud undetected by the human senses. They would not be visible. They would have no smell, taste, warmth or sound. The particles would stick to the surfaces of buildings and leak into cracks. To be virtually safe one would have to be sealed in a completely airtight building until the cloud passed. The radioactive chemicals produced in a nuclear reaction would cause sickness in large doses, which can be fatal in itself, but even in smaller doses it greatly increases the risk of cancer.

"Until we can solve the question of waste disposal, and human error, how can we sanely contemplate the construction of more nuclear power plants; we should try to transform our energies into nurturing life, not destroying it.

America needs N-energy to meet resource

By Dan Kelton

Controversy over the use of nuclear energy continues to cause a rumble in our society. If the anti-nukes had their way, we would disregard the fact that nuclear fission has provided economical and efficient power for many years and abandon all our technology simply because of one close call. If that type of logic had always been followed automobiles would have been abolished after the first collision.

There are of course dangers involved with nuclear energy, as there are with any type of energy producer. A leading cause of household fires is from shorting electrical wires, but no one ever stages demonstrations or rock concerts in protests of the use of electricity.

The incident at Three Mile Island was a mistake. Human error was responsible for the hydrogen bubble that formed in the reactor. Although the problem had been solved, Americans continued to speak of the evils of nuclear fission. No one bothered to congratulate or admire the crews and technicians who risked their lives to divert a near catastrophe, they instead dwindled on the fact that a near meltdown had almost occurred, and could occur again."

Using the sun, wind, or flow of a river to generate power is just fine, except lack of development has yet to make them practical. Nuclear energy may not be around forever, but it is the best thing that is presently available.

Care must be taken in the utilization of fission. Constructing faulty reactors or placing them on earthquake faults is sheer stupidity. Perhaps with stricter Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards and some caution, nuclear energy will continue to provide inexpensive electrical power as it always has in the past.

Rebel with a cause

By Greg Inzunza

In those rare momemts when I'm overpowered by boredom (usually brought about by an overdose of homework) I'll look for relief in that little box called television. Recently I had an extreme case of the yawns so I proceeded to tune into the TV. The only problem I had was that I was unable to choose which news-station to watch, ABC, CBS, or NBC.

On channel seven Dr. George was giving the weather report. Knowing that it takes him awhile to get to the nitty-gritty of rain, sleet, or snow, I turned the dial with the intentions of tuning in later.

Channel four, meanwhile, had a special news report on teenagers. According to the report, today's youths are more independent and resist adult authority more than sven the teenagers of the 70's and the 60's. Overall, the feeling I received* was that the adults interviewed were upset that teenagers have less respect and confidence in today s government. Upon changing the station to channel two I saw a group ot civilized-looking men decked out in their three-piece suits waiting for the president to speak. Mr. Reagan began a speech about the importance of a military increase. He explained all about thermonuclear warheads, ballistic missiles, and many other extraordinary weapons, but what it boiled down to is that the Russians are capable of blowing up the world about 70 times while the United States is only capable of the same feat about 40 times.

Soon afterward, I was back to channel four where the subject was registering for the draft, or rather, the lack of it. The report explained that out of approximately 800,000 eligible males nearly 40% or 307,000 have failed to register. This is even a greater number than in 1973 and 1974 just after Vietnam. The clincher of the story was that the government is now going to punish those who fail to register.

Alter switching back to channel two I saw another group of men except this time the setting was different. These people were in a shipyard looking stern and chanting "Solidarity." It seems these people of Poland desire change but now the government there has declared martial law to prevent any changes. As the people stopped chanting, the announcer added that Soviet troops have been on maneuvers near Poland's borders.

Just then for some reason I thought back to the report earlier on teenagers and how adults are upset that they don't have the full respect and confidence of these young people. Perhaps if the world formed by adults were just a little more stable then maybe teenagers worldwide would feel more confident in adults.

As the Poland report came to an end, I switched back to channel seven for the weather. Unknowingly, Dr. George summed up all what I had heard when he said, "It looks like we're in for some gloomy days."

Day for King finally Arrives

By Greg Inzunza

For many students January 15th was simply a day without school. It came and went and many did not even know wh; California officially proclaimei January 15th, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., to be a school holiday. Furthermore, ther were some who did not even know who Dr. King was or what he fought for.

Without Dr. King and people like him, black students and other minorities could legally be prevented from attending the same schools as white students. There would also be special sections in buses where only whites could sit. Luckily, there were a chain of events that led to a civil battle against segregation. It all started on a busride, a busride that changed history.

It was on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. After a long day's work, Rosa Parks was sitting in the first row of the bus's "Jim Crow" section for blacks. After awhile the bus filled up and a white man was standing in the aisle. The bus driver then ordered Parks to vacate the seat so the white passenger could sit down. Parks thought awhile, then refused. At the next stop the driver left the bus and returned with two police officers. The officers arrested Parks, took her to jail and charged her with violatiing segregation laws.

Within two days Parks' friends rallied to her support and the Montgomery Improvement Association was formed and headed by 26-year old Ph.D. and local minister Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King was a person who believed that people could accomplish a great deal through nonviolent means. With this philosophy in mind, the MIA urged Montgomery's 25,000 black workers to boycott the buses. The one-day boycott was 90 percent successful since blacks comprised 75 percent of the city's passengers. In a month the MIA had organized car pools and blacks increased their walking and bicycle riding so that the boycott was 95 percent effective.

After a one and a half year boycott, the bus company was nearly ruined and the United States Supreme Court ruled that segregation in the public transit system was unconstitutional. Thus, Dr. King won a great battle through nonviolent means and his role as a civil rights leader was recognized worldwide.

It was after this when Dr. King undertook speaking throughout the country motivating people to urge the government to make changes so that all men and women regardless of color could benefit from education, employment, and the decision making of this country. Unfortunately his great efforts ended when he was assassinated in Memphis on April 4,1968.

Today the civil rights of blacks and all minorities are greatly improved because of Dr. King and people who believe in his "Dream." To remember Dr. King's efforts, people such as the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Stevie Wonder are rallying to make Dr. King's birthday a national holiday. Already Dr. King's birthday is a holiday in ten states, California included; but the real goal is a national holiday. A national holiday seems only fitting for the man who knew he'd be murdered but continued fighting peacefully for the things in which he believed.

Plainly Speaking

Dear Editor,

I was really upset because of the article on the smoking rules. The person who wrote it said the school had a smoking section before and they wanted it back again. I don't know about you but I don't feel a smoking section is needed nor called for. How would you feel if someone smoked next to you and you were allergic to smoke? I know you've heard it before, but it is as unhealthy for people to take in second-hand smoke as it is for the smoker. Please think of the other people who want to live healthy lives.

Debby Nussdorfer

---

Feature

Restaurant guide: Spots to dine for winter dance

By Vera Maestas

As the Winter Formal approaches, many couples are wondering what restaurant they will go to for dinner. We have many fine restaurants in Orange County, and the following are just a few suggestions.

One of the nicer restaurants in Orange County is one named Chanticlair. The inside is decorated like an old-fashioned parlor with overhead ceiling fans. The menu selection has a wide variety of delicious foods. Of the many dishes they serve are stuffed young veal, pheasant, and succulent seafood dinners. If one orders the Caesar salad, it is prepared right at the table. Chanticlair is a restaurant one has to experience to appreciate. It is located at 18912 Mac Arthur Boulevard in Irvine.

Another highly recommended restaurant is Gullivers, also located in Irvine. They serve only prime rib in the evenings. The dinners are $11.50 and include prime rib, spinach souffle, creamed corn, sour dough bread, and Yorkshire pudding. It is located at 18482 MacArthur Blvd.

The Cattleman's Wharf is a unique eating experience with diversified atmospheres of your choice. The waiters and waitresses dress to suit the decor of the room. Their specialty of the house is prime rib, sauteed in a delicious wine and butter sauce. This is priced around $14.00 per dinner. They also serve steak Deion, which is sauteed in wine, dejon mustard and baby mushrooms. This runs about $12.95 per dinner. They also serve a variety of tasty seafood dinners ranging in price from $8.95 to $12.95. It is located at 1160 W. Ball Road in Anaheim.

The Jolly Knight Restaurant is close to the Garden Grove Community Center where our Winter Formal is being held. Their dinners range in price from $8.95 to $16.95. They serve prime rib, lobster, lamb and a variety of seafood dinners. Each dinner includes soup or salad, baked potatoes and rolls. It is located at 8666 Garden Grove Boulevard in Garden Grove.

There are just a few suggested restaurants located in the Orange County area.

U.S. exchange improves through Holland student

By Jennifer Griggs

Skiing is one of the activities Irma Van Der Helm of Holland wishes to become involved in as an exchange student. When asked how she found out about the exchange student program her reply was, "I met a boy who had just returned from the United States and he told me all about it." She then contacted the Youth For Understanding organization and received an estimated cost of how much money was neededto come to the United States. She then strived toward earning the $3,000.00 needed herself.

Irma's first five days in California were spent in Yosemite. She still thinks this was the most beautiful place she has seen since her arrival here. "Yosemite's natural beauty was awesome," commented Irma.

Irma is residing with the Ruzgys while in California. Aida Ruzgy is a sophomore at Savanna. Irma's praise for her hosts was most enthusiastic.

Having already graduated from her high school in Holland, there were still many comparisons to be made. The all indoor campus she attended, has a student body of approTcimateiy 700 pupils. Weather conditions make it mandatory that the entire campus be indoors. There are no locker facilities because they are considered unnecessary. Out of habit, Irma can still be seen carrying all her books from class to class. Savanna students also enjoy a greater selection of electives. Competitive sports between schools in Holland are almost unheard of, with the possible exception of volleyball for girls and soccer for boys.

Irma remarked on the social life, "While the proms and dances are very impressive here, in Holland we have a more casual get-together. Every week a band is playing or some other form of entertainment such as billiards or disco dancing.

A major comparison made by Irma was California's lack of countryside. "I like to ride my bike in the country but every time I ride my bike I can't find any country to ride in." What Irma likes most about California is that everything is so readily accessible. It is a quick trip to the beach or to the mountains. While Holland's weather conditions make skiing ideal, there are no mountains so one has to go to Switzerland. The mountains here are so close and Irma would love to learn to downhill ski.

Irma's parting words to this reporter were, "Altogether, this has been a great experience."

Problems cause teens to run

By Kristin Dragoman

"Julie, the youngest of a large family was the only child still living at home when her father was killed and her mother severely injured in an auto accident. Her home situation changed almost overnight from one in which she was the favored center of attention to one in which she was required to care for her mother, do the housecleaning and shopping for both of them, and serve as the object of her mother's bitter complaining and frustration over being confined to a wheelchair. Julie began spending time at a friend's house after school and gradually found excuses to spend more and more time away from home. One morning, she left for school and did not return." (Illustrated case courtesy of USA TODAY magazine.)

The above case illustrates one of the wide variety of reasons young people have for running away from home. The majority of runaway behavior occurs as a reaction to pressures at home or in school, was the conclusion of a study by the National Institute of Mental Health. It also found that the following were reasons youngsters had for running:

1. the inability to meet the real or imagined expectations of parents or teachers. 2. Boredom or disillusionment with parents' life style or behavior. 3. Fear of punishment after some type of unlawful activity is discovered. Besides the ones mentioned still many more reasons were found for running away.

The school performance of runaways was found to include lower academic averages, low involvement in school activities difficulties in forming close friendships, and the avoidance of programs such as sports or clubs. A lower degree of self-acceptance and the self idea of poor physical health were found to be a characteristic of potential runaways.

Methods for dealing with runaways suggested covered the whole spectrum from not paying any attention to their runaway tendencies as long as they stay within the law to intervening at the slightest sign of runaway behavior with counseling and guidance. The majority to which complete inattention was paid to the problems and dangers faced by runaways proved to be disastrous to their phsysical and emotional well-being. Few options are open to teenagers fleeing from home who do not want to risk legitimate contacts for fear of arrest other than association and dependence on street people or fellow runaways who are also "hustling" to get by.

The victimization and brutalization of thousands of runaways has caused Congressional action such as the Runaway Youth Act, which was designed to institute reporting and services for parents of runaways, provide funding for research on the runaway youth population, and to establish, maintain, and operate temporary housing and counseling for runaways. Runaway havens or houses can be found all across the U.S. They are frequently operated by religious groups and staffed by volunteers.

J. Geils Band fires up a hot one

By Larry Lee

During the year 1981, many outstanding albums were released (see below) along with disappointments from major artists including The Police's Ghost in the Machine, Steve Martin's The Steve Martin Brothers, Pat Benatar's Precious Time and The Steve Miller Band's Circle of Love. Debuts by Oingo Boingo, Quarterflash, Loverboy, and the Go-Go's picked up some of the slack. Featured below are my picks as the top albums of 1981 with their chart position in the year end edition of Rolling Stone in parentheses.

Tie #1 The J. Geils Band/Freeze-Frame (Released too late to qualify). Freeze-Frame contains all the elements of great rock and roll: energetic, tight playing; intelligent, witty lyrics, and a sense of direction that leaves you wondering what's next.

Rickie Lee Jones/Pirates (25) Despite receiving little radio play, Pirates went gold (over 500,000 copies). Jones weaves you back and forth both musically and emotionally using jazz and blues textures in her tales of self deception.

#3 X/Wild Gift (—) A compelling album by the cream of the L.A. crop, X challenges their earlier boundaries ranging from compulsive slam (We're Desperate) to Latino pop (Adult Books). Combined with their abstract lyrics, Wild Gift makes for an interesting album.

#4 Tom Petty and the heartbreakers/Hard Promises (9). The final part of the triology that began with You're Gonna Get It finds Petty in a more mellowed mood as he realizes success has its problems too.

#5 Go-Go's/Beauty and the Beat (33). Two years ago they were an incompetent all-girl band but now with a hit single their captivating blend of sixties group vocals and power pop proves that all-girl bands don't have to be bad.

#6 Iindsey Buckingham/Law and Order (—). A highly eccentric album from the Fleetwood Mac guitarist where the unexpected is the expected and vice-versa. Trouble, the first single off the album pushed its way into the top ten.

#7 Bob Sever and the Silver Bullet Band/Nine tonight (43). Seger's first live album since his classic live Bullet shows success hasn't caused him to forget how to rock. Most of the songs appeared on his last three studio albums.

#8 Squeeze/East Side Story (51). Their fourth LP gained them more radio play due to the hit single Tempted. Although it lacked the wit of earlier albums, it is entertaining nonetheless.

#9 Sparks/Whomp That Sucker (—) Sparks have been stars in Europe for years but the L.A. based group still hasn't made it at home. Whomp That Sucker is full of their usual imaginative lyrics and bouncy rhythms.

#10 Elvis Costello and the Attractions/Trust (58). Costello's best album since Armed Forces finds him much more passive than usual and in a more varied mood. From a Whisper to a Scream was one of the best pop songs of the year.

---

Sports

Runnin' Rebels take victories in league openers

Boys varsity wins opener at line, faces Western tonight

By Larry Lee

With the smallest and youngest team in Orange County, Savanna's varsity boys basketball team is trying to reach the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs for the first time since 1961.

After opening Orange League play with a 56-46 victory over Valencia, the Rebels face Western tonight (7:30 p.m. at Western) in what could be a big game according to head coach Tom Gregory. Western opened their season with a 70-64 triumph over Magnolia for their third consecutive victory and is much improved over last year when they finished last in the Freeway League.

Western is a big and experienced team that scores many points according to Gregory who added, "If we keep them off the boards we can beat them. They've played powerful teams so their overall record is not good."

Savanna's other key to victory will be to get Western into an uptempo game which the Rebels work better out of than a slow down offense.

In fact, that is the key to the entire season. "We need a fast game, if we played half-court we'll get drilled, "stated Gregory mostly because talent wise and size wise, "we're not as awesome as other teams," but they are small and quick which has resulted in their use of an outside attack.

Despite the outside attack, Savanna went to the foul line more often than Valencia which sustained an inside attack by dominating the boards. Valencia only hit 2 of 5 from the line while Savanna hit 16 of 19 including 8 of 8 by David Lamb and 5 of 5 by Keith Watanabe.

This, along with Savanna's effective zone press and aggressive zone defense which forced early turnovers by Valencia helped the Rebels overcome their lack of rebounds.

Sophomores Lamb and Watanabe have led the offense averaging 14 and 13 points per game respectively and Watanabe has averaged 8 assists placing his second in Orange County. The big surprise has been last year's junior varsity MVP, Phil Hill who has been a consistent scorer and passer according to Gregory.

Aside from Brea-Olinda which is "leaps and bounds over everyone else" the Orange League will be a highly competitive league with the top spots going to "whoever wants the most."

Girls steal victory from Tigers in last half-minute

By Chris Makimoto

The Rebels' starting bench is made up of returning players consisting of seniors Debbie Drlik and Roberta Ibarra, juniors Becky Redeiss, Darlene Trenary, and Cheryl Cristofaro.

In the first league game against the Valencia Tigers an enthusiastic crowd watched an intense and exciting game. The Rebels hosting the Tigers had an added advantage, the "Bleacher Creatures" and a large crowd supporting them.

In the first half of play the game's score was within a two-point reach, both teams fighting to stay a bucket ahead of the other. The half ended with a tie score of 24 all.

The second half started with the Rebels taking command. Redeiss scores a quick bucket and stuffs her opponent at the other end of the court. Trenary steals the ball and gives the Rebels a 30-24 lead.

The Tigers boast their two outstanding plSiyers, #21 Flett and #22 Ricks. Both players kept the fire alive for the Tigers squad scoring buckets at 18 feet out. With both teams in bonus play and foul trouble, the Tigers led 40-36. with 23 seconds left on the clock, the Tigers led 52-48. Cristofaro stole the ball, passed to Drlik who went the length of the court for a lay-up and was fouled on the shot. Drlik makes the bonus point and squeezes it down to a one-point lead with 17 seconds left. With full-court pressure, Trenary steals the ball and assists Drlik for a two-foot bank shot. The Rebels took the lead 53-52 with three seconds left to play. The disappointed Tigers squad left the gym with a comment of "Just wait until you come to our home grounds!"

In the Savanna Tournament the Rebels walked away with a First Place victory. The Rebel squad contributed two players towards the All-Tournament Team: Redeiss and Trenary. The M.V.P. of the tournament was awarded to Drlik.

The Orange League this year will be strong; and the teams are in close competition with each other, all boasting talented players. Valencia possesses two impressive players; they left their marks at all the tournaments they entered. Brea had a preseason record of 13 wins and 1 loss. "The Rebels' chances of taking the league this year are very promising." Their powerhouse from last year has returned and is once again threatening.

"If we play up to our potential, no one in our league can touch us," stated coach Pickler.

Grapplers wrestle with idea of Orange League championship

By James Garde

During the preseason meets the varsity wrestling team had 2 wins and 2 losses record. The toughest opponents that Savanna had faced in the preseason meets this year were: La Quinta, Huntington Beach, and Santiago High Schools.

In the first league meet of the season, Savanna won against Anaheim with a score of 44 to 21. The wrestlers who scored in the meet were: Billy Arrendell, Troy Kenney, Joe Koe, Scott Schode, Tom Barnes, Duane Smith, Bob Trudeau, Jim Yogi, and Kurt Mitchell.

"I predict we will do well against Valencia, it will be a little tough against Western Magnolia, and Brea High Schools. Brea is the team to beat in our league. I think we can take second place in league," commented coach Dennis Joslyn.

The wrestlers who consistently score for the varsity team in the meets and tournaments are junior, Billy Arrendell with a record of 11-2 and in the 98 pound category; freshman Troy Kenney with a record of 12-3 in the 105 category; senior Joe Koe with a record of 9-6 in the 119 pound category; senior Duane Smith with a record of 7-7 in the 155 pound category and senior Kurt Mitchell with a record of 8-4-1 in the heavyweight category. Billy Arrendell had the quickest pin in the beginning of the season with a time of 16 seconds.

"The varsity wrestling team had a good turn out this year, which covered all 13 weight categories. Starting from 90 pounds to the heavyweight. All of the athletes of the team are valuable because of the different weight categories. If we had not had just one weight category we would have lost 6 points, stated coach Dennis Joslyn.

The team is in a new league this year and they will have to adjust to their new opponents. There are many regular meets and tournament meets to come as the season goes on.

This website has no affiliation with Savanna High School nor the Anaheim Union High School District whatsoever.