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Volume 20, #5: March 26, 1982
News
Lot turns into attack zone
By Dan Kelton
On two different occasions this month, two girls have been accosted on their way to school. The first incident occured on Wednesday, March 3rd, when a girl, while taking a short cut to school through the vacant lot off Lincoln Avenue, was reportedly approached and grabbed by a man in his early twenties. She managed to fight her assailant off and escape, providing the police with a good description. The police now have the area under surveillance.
A second incident took place on Wednesday, March 17th, when a man in a blue Pinto wagon tried to force a girl into his car on the corner of Crescettfrand Gilbert. The two occurrences have caused Principal Mary Frinks to issue a series of warnings concerning students and their walking to and from school. She has also taken action in regard to the sight of the first attack; the vacant lot between the filling station and the mortuary.
The vacant lot, which is the property of the Atlantic Richfield Company, has been an area of concern for some time, even though this was the first confirmed report of a student being attacked. It lies unfenced and unmarked, covered in waist-high growth, save for several intersecting paths worn by continual student crossings.
Mrs. Franks had hoped to at least have the grass and weeds cleared from the field. She felt that if she could not keep students from taking short cuts, she could at least see to it that if a student was attacked again, people on Lincoln Avenue could see it and possibly take action to help.
Franks' complaints to the city's fire prevention and weed abatement department managed to do little, since it would have taken as long as thirty days to take care of the problem. Mr. Robert Spicer, assistant business manager for the district, contacted Atlantic Richfield and received permission to disc the field.
As of press time, the clearing of the weeds was scheduled for Monday, March 22nd, as long as the weather held up.
Whether or not something can be done to protect Savanna's students on their way to and from school, Mrs. Franks emphasizes her warning about students walking by themselves and their, 'oh, it won't happen to me' attitudes. "Young ladies should never walk alone through an area in which people could hide and jump out." She also commented about Savanna's students and their reaction to the matter. "I am proud of the young men who have spoken to me about their concern for the young ladies on campus."
Band goes on road to Arizona
By James A. Ollinger, Esq.
On March 3, the Savanna marching band, flag and rifle corps, and drill team went on a five day excursion into Arizona. The group consisted of four instructors, fifteen chaperones, and 120 students in three busses. During this trip they were in Tucson, Phoenix, and Williams, Arizona.
The main point of the trip was a parade they performed in, playing before 50,000 people with approximately 35 other bands. This parade was different for many reasons. "It was the largest audience we've played to," said band director Mark Lowery. "Everyone was out of school to watch. The parade was about three and a half miles long, with people along the entire parade route." Band member Ed Fikes commented, "But there were too many horses." To add to this, head drill team leader Kay Henry explained, "At the end of the parade, the busses weren't there and we had to walk back." That night they returned to the hotel tc*see themselves on television. They won one of the three 'specialty' awards. "We were one of the three top bands there," said Lowery. That night they went to the Triple C Chuckwagon for dinner, country style. While in Tucson they visited the Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo, aviary, etc.
From there they went to Phoenix, visited the University of Arizona and saw a rodeo. While in Phoenix, many went to a basketball game that night. Time was allowed for souvenir shopping, as Lowery proudly displayed a large, black, cowboy hat. "Most of the people were taking pictures," comments Henry.
The last day was spent seeing the Grand Canyon, stopping at three different points along the way. "One of our girls lost her purse in the Grand Canyon," said Henry, "and a ranger had to go get it." That night they had a dance with the two other bands from California, El Toro and North Torrance.
Much of the time was spent in the busses, however. According to Lowery, "We played a lot of poker. Some people slept in the luggage, and we had a Chinese fire drill." Henry added more to this, "I was in the lead bus, so when we pulled over and ran out, the other two pulled over and thought we were on fire."
Comments about the trip were positive. "We had a good time," said Lowery. "It was fun," said Henry, "I enjoyed it. It as educational. I got to meet people. It was good for the seniors since this is our last trip. And we had a funny bus driver. He cracked jokes all the way." Fikes added, "We're all tired of McDonald's."
Gridiron Greats play ball
By Jennifer Griggs
On March 28 a slow pitch softball game will be held between the National Football League and the mens faculty from Savanna. The fooball players' wives will also play a game. The wives opponents will be the varsity girls softball team. This event will be the first in three fund raising happenings. The events are to help raise money for new football uniforms for our football team. The jerseys being worn now have been used since 1976.
The people sponsoring the soft-ball game for Savanna are the football team, the football club, and the parents of both.
"These games are not a promotional excercise by the N.F.L. but just a casual game in which we have a whole lot of fun," explained Todd Hewitt, the assistant equipment manager for the L.A. Rams. Hewitt organizes these charitable games on behalf of the N.F.L. "We play both softball and basketball. It gives the players a chance to play something other than football. We like doing things for a worthy cause," stated Hewitt.
The N.F.L. team has played only one game prior to this one this year. "We have a very busy schedule, and we plan to play a game almost every Sunday until the end of May," said Hewitt.
Some of the players for Savanna's team include football coach Jim Everett and tennis coach Dean Anderson. Wrestling coach Dennis Joslyn will also participate. Players for the N.F.L. involve people such as Nolan Cromwell, an all-pro free safety; LeRoy Irvin, a record setting punt returner, both of the L.A. Rams; Bill Simpson, a veteran free safety for the Buffalo Bills and Jeff Rutledge who is fighting for the first string quarterback position on the Rams squad.
Rebels give to the needy
By Nicole Casado
Savanna's student body sponsored a fund raiser for the United Way in mid-February. Savanna's goal was 800 dollars, and after the first two weeks this goal was passed by 349 dollars; at the end of the drive we ended up with a total of $1,119.07. Mr. Clement commented, "I was really happy to find that our students think that giving is that important."
The top class was Myrt Jones' English class, which donated almost 8 dollars per student. Craig Davies' driver's ed. class and Jack Clement's government class came in next. The top class was given an ice cream party-Senior Account Clerk, Nora Robinson, added, "I am very impressed with the attitude of the students, and I feel that this will stand strong in the future."
The United Way fund raiser is a major tradition and is district oriented which has gone on for many years and is supported by the student body.
As an organized public charity throughout the United States, the United Way devotes its time to raising money for local and national health and welfare agencies.
The United Way was founded in 1918. Until the early 1970's the United Way was known as United Community Fund Council of America. In addition to fund raising activities, the United Way serves as the National Association of Com munity Welfare Services.
Choir sets plans for future events
By James Garde
Savanna's Choir productions were scheduled to perfrom two festivals this year. The choir groups had been practicing the different types of music since the month of February to get ready for the festivals. The groups that will present Savanna are Concert Choir, Swing Choir and Mixed Choir.
The first festival was at Anaheim High School on March 23. There were eight high schools who attended. The basic order was to construct the criticism from the two adjudicators; to instruct what they are doing right and wrong. The two ad judicators were: Brent Pierce from Fullerton College and Lee Vail from Cal State Long Beach.
The second festival is a Jazz Festival at Fullerton College on April 16, and starting at 8:30 in the morning. This festival will be only for the Swing Choir and Boys Barbershop Quartet. In this festival, Savanna will compete against other high schools while the judges will be looking for correct vocal production, good stage appearance, presence, and how well the performers follow the director. The group that performs the best will go to Disneyland to sing for a day as a prize.
"Savanna Choir has always done fairly well in festivals. I expect them to do well again," commented Mrs. Vanhorn, the choir director.
Other upcoming events for choir are a tour and the Rebel Show. The choir tour this year will be at San Francisco on April 29, 30 and May 1. They will perform for two schools and will tour the interesting sights of San Francisco, such as a three hour guided-sightseeing tour on motorized cable cars to such famous sights as Chinatown, Ghirardilli Square, the Cannery, and Lombard Street. Then they will go to Napa Valley to see the 25,000 acres of vineyard, and to visit the different museums. Finally, the group will take a trip to Alcatraz Island. The R^bel Show will be in the Savanna Gym on May 21 and 22. The choir groups that will perform in this show are: Concert Choir, Swing Choir, and the boys quartet called, "The Dixie Dudes".
Week of Open House gains worldy culture
By Kristin Dragoman
As open house approaches the teachers are planning something different this year; something called International Week. On April 22, open house, instead of staying in their classrooms, the teachers will be in the gym. Outside of the gym, the campus clubs will have booths. In these booths, the clubs will be selling food, buttons, and miscellaneous items from around the world. The Anaheim Police Department has offered to donate a dunk tank for the event. This concept for open house was proposed by three teachers, Julia Chase, Linda Barnett, and Alfreda Dockery.
The first club to become involved with International Week was the International Club. The International Club is a club designed to learn about other countries, their customs, their food, their dress, etc. The clubs purpose tied in with the event's theme so it was the first to be approached with the idea and from there the other clubs have become involved.
As of press time, the actual activities have not been decided on. The proposed ideas include dress-up days.
Opinion
Law makers are way off when aiming at arcades
by Jennifer Griggs
To be or not to be, that is the question. Will arcades become a thing of the past? They will if some people get their way. There are people across this nation that would like to witness the complete closure of all arcades and would like to see them stay that way, permanently.
These people have wide-ranging occupations, from housewives to members of the local schoolboard, and even some members of the Senate House Committee. The reasons for the strong disapproval of video games and arcades are also varied. It has been argued that children spend far too much money on these games. This matter can be controlled simply by budgeting the money given to children.
The next most brought up reason is that drugs are passed in arcades. In this day and age, drugs can be and are passed in major parts of the world. It has been proven that some pushers spend time in arcades, but seriously, can a few incidents condemn all of the decent arcades in town?
The rules in most arcades are fairly strict; no smoking, no chewing gum, no beverages and no profanity. These rules are strictly enforced. In an atmosphere like this, it is highly unlikely that a child will be exposed to any indecent "goings-on".
The reason brought up by most is that many kids on the junior high and high school levels seem to be ditching school in considerable numbers to play these games. This may be partly true, but junior high and high school students also ditch school in large quantities to go to the beach. Many suggest closing arcades during school hours to eliminate any tempatation kids may have to leave school and go play these games. This seems hardly valid. Certainly no one has ever suggested to Congress that the beaches be closed during school hours.
In an already over-regulated society, video games, which have taken the western world by storm, should be one form of recreation that shouldn't be regulated.
Students pay price of being involved
By Greg Inzunza
Three neighboring Orange County school districts have the same problem as the Anaheim Union High School District —a lack of funds.
What these districts have done to bail themselves out may, in effect, prove to be an even greater problem. For these districts, Irvine, Laguna, and Saddleback are all charging fees, just for participating in extra-curricular activities and handing the expense to the students.
Besides paying for the normal cleets, running shoes, and cheerleading uniforms, students in these districts are expected to pay an additional $30 —$60 entry fee per sport and $25 per extra curricular activity.
In a public school system students should not be forced to pay the fees. The fees undermine the "free" or public education system.
For example, if a student wishes to play football, but later decides that with all the expenses it would be too costly, then the fee would be depriving him a chance to play.
Not only would the student be denied the same opportunity as students in non-fee-charging school districts, but the quality of the school's extra curricular activities might be hurt as well due to lack of envolvement.
Thus far, 25 Southern California school districts are presently charging for the extra curricular activities and many more are speculating fees. Even so, the legality of the fees has yet to be determined.
The decision should be settled when a case concerning Santa Barbara High School District's fee charging goes to court in Los Angeles.
Consequently, if a school district finds it difficult to support the activities, then the community should get involved and the booster clubs should take over some of the financial burden. Individual schools on their part will have to reduce the amount of frills such as new uniforms for athletic teams. All this should be done so that every student has at least the chance to participate. After all, a public education is meant to profit everyone and not just those who can afford the fees.
Enter restrooms at your own risk
By Vera Maestas
Lately several students have been complaining about the sorry conditions in Savanna's washrooms. These students complain about the lack of such items as paper towels, soap and especially toilet paper. They have talked about the incredible amounts of writing on everything. Such things as "Var-rio del West side" and "Led Zepplin" cover the rooms from wall to wall. In the boys restroom there is no mirror! How can a person try to look presentable for class if he cannot look at himself?
Some of the graffiti has been washed off by the custodians and the people that have Saturday work detail. Even with that, there is still more every day to replace that which is removed. Mrs. Franks says that the custodians wash the walls every day. But who can tell? Everything is covered so fast.
Whose fault is it? The custodians? Do they ever go in there? Or is it the students who try so hard to cover every available inch of space they can write on. Do the students even care? Does it matter to them how the rooms look? Some do or they wouldn't have spoken up. What can be done about it? Mrs. Franks, our principal, feels that the effort has been made on behalf of the school. However, she doesn't realize how lacking the restrooms were for paper items. "I'll see about placing paper goods in the restrooms immediately." However, things like towels have "been burnt frequently" and the students couldn't use them any way. When asked about things like soap, Mrs Franks replied, "I'll see about the soap. I would like to have the mirrors in the restrooms, but when they're broken, they become a safety hazard. I have more mirrors, but they are broken as fast as I can put them up. I would entertain any ideas the students would have about keeping mirrors in the restrooms. I will be putting the new mirrors up again net fall and we'll see how that works out."
So the office will do it's part and put the things in there, but what about the students? Will they take care of the materials or will the situation remain the same? It is strictly up to the students of Savanna to take care of their school and if they can do that, then every one will reap the benefits.
Plainly Speaking
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Mrs. Tate, adviser, Greg Inzunza, Editor-in-Chief, and the entire Dispatch staff for publishing the best paper during my fourteen years at Savanna.
Your most recent edition was visually attractive, most interestingly written, and possessed sufficient diversification to be appealing to all students and faculty.
Also, I wish to commend James Ollinger for his excellent interviewing and reporting skills. On several occasions I have been interviewed by James; he handles himself in a most professional manner. Best wishes to the entire staff for continued success. You can be very proud of your accomplishments.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Purcell
Counseling Chairperson
Rebel with a cause
by Greg Inzunza
With Reagonomics in effect, people are finding that there's a lot less jelly beans going around and that the average person's share of the pie will have a big bite taken from it.
To compensate this, people are using their noodles; deciding how to score some extra dough.
Non-profit groups such as high school clubs and organizations seem to relish over the idea of fund raisers. The Dispatch staff, for example, just completed two weeks of hustling M&M candies.
Along with the fund raiser, however, comes many inconveniences which the customer doesn't realize.
First of all, the most monumental of these happened to me on the first day of the sale. One M&M box opened up in my back-pack. By the end of the day, the inside looked like Linda (Exorcist) Blair had got to it.
Somehow a green M&M even found its way inside my government book. Poor Jimmy Carter was plastered with a green and chocolate coating and the worst thing about it was the M&M was plain. Mr. Carter would probably have preferred peanut.
Throughout the sale, the intent, of course, was to gain money for the school newspaper. As it turned out, the one who profitted the most was my dentist.
My dentist says I've gained five pounds since my last visit. Funny though, I always thought I'd gain weight through calorie intake, not silver intake.
As the first week of the sale passed, it was obvious that Savanna's students were divided into four M&M groups: The plains, the peanuts, the mixers, and the green M&M'ers.
Besides this, I realized that the worst part of the whole candy sale was having the darn things with me all day. By third period, it finally got to the point where the temptation was too great.
Slowly, I'd open my backpack and see those little boxes just staring me in the face. Then in one swift move, the cardboard box would be thrashed open, half emptied and I'd be 50 cents poorer.
Perhaps fund raising is indeed the key to people's economic woes, but if anyone asks me to sell candy in the future, I think I'll reply, "Not now, I'm right in the middle of a Rothchilds.
Feature and Arts
Teen mothers—a growing trend
by Vera Maestas
"Some 600,000 babies are born to girls between the ages of 10 and 18 each year. And abortion is a very rare thing now." According to Dr. Luella Klein, of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Atlanta.
One-fifth of all babies born in the U.S. each year have teenage mothers; one-third of all first born children are delivered to women in their teens. Teenage pregnancies are becoming more common these days and many of these girls decide to keep and care for their babies without the father's help. Many of these young fathers are still in school and couldn't afford to help out if they wanted to.
Bev was barely 18 when she learned she was pregnant. She was sure she loved Steve and knew that no matter what happened, she wanted to have and keep her baby. She and Steve plan to marry when he is financially secure. For now, they don't want to let anyone rush them into a hasty marraige just because of the baby.
Bev was still attending her last semester of high school when she was first pregnant. She found it hard to be one of the girls like before. "Everyone knew I was pregnant. Word got around fast. The girls gave me dirty looks and talked behind my back."
Many young girls glamorize motherhood. But girls like Chris, 18, who are not married and decide to raise the child themselves, know how it really affects one's life.
"I had to give up a lot of things I took for granted. Like going out with my friends all the time and just leaving whenever I want to. I have to think of Anne and be there when she needs me."
Many girls are very young and uninformed about their bodies. Jana was 13 when she got pregnant. "I hadn't even had a health class yet." Is the answer to have more information given in the schools? Chris responds, "That would be a good idea. My mom could never talk to me about sex. I guess she didn't know how to tell me anything. The schools do try to teach you something, but by the time you learn anything, it's kind of late."
Where do these girls turn for help? If they qualify, they can go on welfare and most likely they will quit school to care for the baby. Still many girls stay at home. Their parents help them care for the child and the girls can go back and finish school.
Teenage pregnacy is a definite reality. Many young girls feel that if there had been better communication between their parents and themselves, and if they had received a better background from their schools, perhaps nothing would have happened the way it did.
Urgh!: Proof of new wave split?
By Larry Lee
URGH! A Music War/Various Artists
Tonight at some local theaters, a film of the same name will premiere, and if it fairs as poorly as the album, it will confirm the popular notion that a unified New Wave movement no longer exists, but instead has broken up into little sections.
The album released last summer, features 27 songs from artists as varied as Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark's synthesizer attack, to the raw power of X. All the cuts were pulled from live performances.
As could be expected with a compilation this large, not all of the songs work. The Police's, "Driven to Tears" is not as cohesive as the studio version, Gary Numan's, "Down in the Park" is just as boring as his studio work and "Tear it Up", by The Cramps is all hyped up but doesn't go anywhere.
When the songs click, however, the momentum is awesome: Devo's, "Uncontrollable Urge" and Oingo Boingo's, "Ain't This the Life" fly with an energetic fury; the Go-Go's, "We've Got the Beat" and Joan (I Love Rock and Roll) Jett's, "Bad Reputation" offer an update of mid-sixties pop and eighties power; and The Fleshtones, "Shadow Line" is an off beat fusion of punk and folk.
There are five songs on the album that rise above the others offering a completely satisfying combination 'of emotion, music, and lyrics.
Athletico Spizz '80's, "Where's Captain Kirk?" is a witty look at Star Trek, backed by a furious pace complete with what is probably the only punk version of the Star Trek theme.
X's, "Beyond and Back", which features a gritty rockabilly guitar lead by Billy Zoom, plus their usual abstract lyrics, (This is no place to be addicted to another place), makes for a highly potent moment. An extremely powerful version of "Homicide", by 999 is side four's other major contribution.
URGH's finest moments both appear on side one: Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark's, "Enola Gay" is unusually lively and emotional for a synthesizer song as the carnival-like colors of the music excellently offsets the pessimistic lyrics.
In contrast to OMD, Wall of Voodoo's, "Back in Flesh", is a brilliant song about working class problems. With the music building in tension as rapidly as the lyrics, Stanard Ridgeway delivers the lyrics with both sarcasm and anger and as the song reaches its climax, he declares, "You can't tell me what to do" but his 'all powerful' boss simply replies, "Hey, s____w you" and Ridgeway quietly resigns realizing his position is hopeless.
It's a truly awesome moment among many brilliant ones but the diversity of the album did it in commercially, but maybe the film will give it a boost. If not, the New Wave's war against popular music may turn into a civil war.
Drug use still high but decreasing
By Kristin Dragoman
The results of a study which involved 17,000 high school seniors all over the country, were that the use of illicit drugs by American students has dropped sharply since it reached peak levels in the late 1970's. The study suggests that the reason is because teenagers have finally, seriously began to consider the warnings that drug abuse poses significant health and psychological hazards.
The number of students who said they smoked marijuana—the most widely abused illicit drug—regularly on a daily basis, has shown a substantial decline. This was probably the most remarkable find from this study. In 1978 the study showed 1 in 9 high school seniors said they were daily users and now in 1982, the number has declined to 1 in 14, and the trend shows signs of continued decline. The use of most major illicit drugs, including alcohol and cigarettes, has either declined or stayed the same in the last year, except for stimulants. More than a fourth of the students polled said they had tried a stimulant during the last 12 months, a 25% increase over 1980.
Those who continued to use drugs reported that they now tended to consume smaller amounts and to stay high for a shorter period of
The authors of the study: Lloyd Johnston, Jerald Bachman, and Patrick O'Mally of the University of Michigan, said that the abuse of drugs among American youths remains high. Calculated from the study was that 2/3s of the class of 1981 had tried at least one illicit drug during the year.
"We judge these still to be high levels both in absolute terms and relative to other countries," their report stated. "In fact, they are pro-abuse among young people found in any industrialized nation in the world. Thus, while some improvements are definately beginning to emerge, the problem of drug use and abuse are still a very long way from being solved."
The survey performed in the 130 public and private schools selected, provided a national cross-section of seniors, and it has been taken annually since 1975 by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan under contract to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The survey taken under special dispensation from the Justice Department that permits no federal, state, or local police authorities to obtain personal information on the students from the researchers. The survey is widely considered one of the most reliable indicators of drug abuse trends which are very hard to measure.
Sports
Baseball makes pitch for CIF berth
by Larry Lee
"We have as much of a shot as anybody at a CIF (California In-terscholatic Federation) playoff berth," stated first year varsity baseball coach Fred Maenpa as the Savanna Rebels opened their 1982 Orange League season.
Savanna, which has a 0-1-1 record as of last Saturday, faces a young inexperienced Anaheim team tonight (7:00, Brookhurst Field). Although the Colonists are inexperienced, they have been tough in the past and opened league play with victories over Brea-Olinda and Valen-
Along with an abundance of quickness, a "very excellent defense" is the Rebels strength according to Maenpa, but if Savanna is to be a strong contender for a playoff spot, they'll have to improve their pitching, which Maenpa says is their most suspect area.
Three pitchers have done a fine job for Savanna: junior Adam Hopkins; sophomore Greg Oymaian; and senor Jon Tompkins, but otherwise it is a thin staff which could be a problem as the year winds down.
In Savanna's other league contest, they battled Valencia to a 3-3 tie in 11 innings in a game called due to darkness, and last week, Jim Halley threw a three-hit shutout striking out 12 Rebels as Magnolia, which Maenpa calls the league favorite, easily defeated Savanna 9-0 after breaking the game wide open with a six-run third inning.
After Magnolia, "It's all bunched up" and Maenpa believes that if the pitching comes through, the team will be in good shape for one of the three CIF playoff positions.
Veterans lead softball
By Larry Lee
Although they are not winning as much as last year, the girl's Varsity Softball team is still playing to win. A preseason record of two and three isn't good, but after playing so many 4-A teams, what can be expected?
In their first game against Loara the girls lost, but they came back to beat Woodridge. They were downed by Marina in a close 3-2 game. They evened up their record at 2-2 with a victory over Fullerton. They lost their final preseason game to Cypress. They broke the .500 mark again with a victory over Valencia opening in a 3-2 league opener.
Eight players are back from last year and all have outstanding talents which when combined makes for a winning team.
Cheryl Cristofaro is the starting catcher and presently is hitting .333. This average has earned her the lead off at batting.
Chris Makimoto is a superb pitcher with an ERA of only .30. She is the team's clutch bunter and has a batting average of .181.
Sandy Navarro is another great player who pitches a low .61 ERA. She bats .209.
Darlene Trenary, the clean-up batter, earned her position because she gets lots of extra bases on hits due to her great speed. She bats .303 and plays a very tough short stop, where her speed means tough luck for the other teams.
DeAnna Long, according to the coach, is "very Defensive!" She plays third base and hits the ball a "Country Mile". She has a .260 batting average.
Mary Ann Bakos is the starting outfielder who plays tough and bats .206.
Kris Reinmuth, the left fielder, has a powerful arm and hustles. The coach depends on her ability and Kris comes through. She also bats .214.
Debbie Drlik plays center field and is a strong defensive asset. She bats .166.
All of the girls mentioned started at the same positions last year, so they are working well as a team. There are three new varsity girls on the team and they are Vanessa Allen, Kim Rodriguez, and Lori San-ford. Lori played at the junior varsity level last year.
Coach Coon says that this year's league will be tough and that the tough teams will be Brea, Western, Magnolia, and Valencia. CIF is in the furture for the girls but the coach is mainly concentrating on league for now.
Girls swim to fast start; guys tread water
By Michael Cota
Savanna's varsity girls swimming team is showing very strongly this year. Not having won any meets so far this year, the boy's varsity swimming team is showing strong individual efforts, but lacks sufficient placings to take the meets in which they have competed. The boy's varsity has yet to win their first swimming meet, however, both varsity swimming teams are looking forward to having a very competitive season. The toughest league meets look like they are going to be against Brea and Valencia, according to coaches Bob Lynn and Alan Dobkins. Unfortunately, the first two league meets are against these two teams. The remaining meets look like "they will be very competitive," stated coach Lynn.
Savanna's girls varsity is obviously a strong team having gone undefeated in their first five meets. Strength comes from 200 yard medley. The team of Michelle Cote, Gustafson, Sheena Clark, and Andrea Embry have crushed their opponents in the 200 yard medley. Karen Gustafson has also been placing well in the 100 yard breast stroke. Savanna swimmers also placed strongly in the free style events. It appears like the Savanna girl's varsity swimming team will do very well in league meets if they continue placing as well as they have so far. The boy's varsity swimming team has a preseason record of 0-5. Although they have not won a swimming meet, they have placed well in most of the events they have entered. One of Savanna's stronger events is the 200 yard medley which is composed of Paul Woo, Steve Barrios, Eric Hayes and John Criske. Another event that shows much promise in the future is the 100 yard fly.
Hayes has demonstrated outstanding ability in the 100 yard free style with times of 51:33 and 50:77, a time which qualifies Hayes for California Interscholastic Federation competition later this year.
Tennis set for shot at Orange League crown
By Nicole Casado
Looking forward to league competition, the Boy's Varsity Tennis Team rallied and defeated their first opponent of the season.
Coach DeanAnderson commented, "The Varsity team has a very strong potential, enough to take the Orange League, this season."
Facing Valencia, Parish Patel, Savanna's top singles player, swept his bracket; 6-1, 7-6, 7-5, 6-3. Greg Terravella also swept his bracket: 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6. Curt Olbricht contributed three sets by beating numbers one and two doubles teams with a score of 6-0, 6-0, 6-3, 5-7. Although Phong Hynuh wasn't successful, he played four very strong sets. The Rebel doubles teams also played defensively. George Kaelin and Greg Ducolon added three sets by beating numbers one and two doubles while Paul Calabrese and Rob Ackles contributed one set by beating doubles number two. The final match score was 17-11.
Last year's top singles player, Paul Gabaldon, has come back to haunt the courts of Savanna High, only this time as the junior varsity coach. Paul has worked with all the boys and is looking forward to a great season. Gabaldon comments, "This year's team has an exceptional amount of talent, not only varsity, but junior varsity, too."
The junior varsity team also started their season with a victory over Valencia by the score of 25-3. Jeff Bauman contributed three sets by beating numbers two, three and four. Jay Shedlowski swept his bracket while Mace Absher added two sets. Junior Varsity doubles Kevin Lee and Sam Zeller swept along with Lonnie Cummings and Pat Alexander sweeping their bracket.
In future games, Brea will be the main obstacle in which the rebels need to be victorious.
George Kaelin, a member of the varsity team, said, "We have a good chance to take our league, and maybe even CIF."
Speedsters show skills in pre-season
By James Garde
The boys varsity track team started off with a preseason record of 2 wins and 1 loss. The two schools that Savanna had beaten were Kennedy and Buena Park, but lost against Norco with an incomplete meet because of the bad weather condition.
The opening league meet was against Valencia yesterday. The second meet will be at Savanna against Brea on April 1, the 3rd meet at Magnolia on April 15, the 4th meet Western at Savanna on April 22, and the 5th meet at Anaheim on April 28. The league prelims are at Valencia on May 4 and the finals are also at Valencia on May 7. Savanna entered three relays; they are: Katella Relays on March 19 and 20, Brea Relays on April 3, and Mission Viejo Relays on April 16 and 17.
Athletes who consistently place for varsity are: Rudy Carmona who runs the 120 high and 330 low hurdles, he also runs a strong leg for the 440 and mile relays. Vincent Rivera in the 100, 220 and 440 yard dash and half mile, he also runs a strong leg in the 440 and mile relays. Mike Jones is very strong in the high jump and the 440 yard dash and he also runs a strong leg in the 440 and mile relays. William West is in the triple, long and high jump. He runs a leg for 440 and sometimes runs a leg for the mile relays. Nick Follmer runs the 120 high and 3301ow hurdles, triple and high jump. Roy Urea runs the 100 and 220 dash and he also runs the 440 relay. Randy DeVargas, a sophomore, runs varsity in the 100, 220 yard dash, triple and long jump and shows good effort in each event. Larry Follmer performs in the half mile and 2 mile.
"We have strong individual athletes on the varsity team that can lead us to the league title. Our chief contention is Valencia and Anaheim, which I think we can beat," commented head coach Glen Garson, who is in his first year as a head coach for Savanna track.
The girls varsity track team had a very slow start this year with a preseason record of 0 wins and 3 losses. They are in the process of rebuilding; since most of the girls are freshmen, sophomore and juniors, with many things to learn in the UDComing years.
Individual performers are: Cindy Snow who alternates between 220, mile and 2 mile, 440 relay and mile relay. Twila Kelly and Patti Mathias are in the high jump. Leticia Robledo distance running and long jump. Snow and Robledo are high scorers for the team.
The boys freshmen and sophomore team showed a good potential season with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss in preseason.
Strong performances came from: Ernie Gomez, Gilbert Rivera, Chris Zamora, Eric White and Brian Hillenberg.
Rebs vault for chance at CIF
By Paula Bisogni
The Savanna gymnastics team is ready to begin their meets in the league and Sandra Ring who has been their coach for over five years says that the present team is one of the best in many years. Her goal for this year would be to win the Freeway League and go to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), as they did last year.
Because of last years records, the Savanna gymnastics team is comp-teting in the 4A division which is the hardest division in CIF. After a practice competition against Cypress, the meets for the league began March 18 against Sonora. Although Ring hasn't seen the other school's teams, she thinks that Ran-cho Alamitos may be the strongest; since last year our team tied with them.
The present team is strongest in floor routines, following respectively by vault, beam, and bars.
The outstanding performances in the Varsity team are held by: Wendy Thackery (floor, beam, bars, vault), Ann Dudek (floor, beam, vault, bars) Lanette Salloum (floor, beam, bars, vault), Sue Yruretagoyena (floor, bars, beam, vault), and Desiree Roy (floor, beam). Last year, the Junior Varsity team was undefeated and coach Ring hopes this year will be the same.