TCSTribune.com

As the clock ran down, the small crowd from T.C. knew that the girl’s basketball season would be over. And although everyone in the stands knew this, the girls on the floor never played like it. They never stopped fighting, ceasing only when the last buzzer went off. It was a disappointing loss for the Lady Eagles, putting them out of the playoffs. But also lost were Erin Santiago, Tiffany Snyder and Emily Breuss. This was a huge blow to the Lady Eagles, but the current team seems to be taking it in stride as new players come up.

Players such as freshman Halie Bergman, who has been compared to Erin Santiago in her prime, Amy Wright, one of the most experienced players to return to the team, and Candice Balswick, one of the most aggressive players in the Southern League are some of the key players.

“Halie Bergman will help us out with her amazing moves and consistent threes,” said Amy Wright.

Also on Amy’s mind are the playoffs. They may be a ways off, and not a definite, but Amy Wright is confident that this year’s squad will have no problem getting there. “I think our toughest opponent this year in league is going to be Le Grande. If we get into the playoffs, which I’m thinking we have a high chance of doing, then Bradshaw Christian is the one to beat.”

As Gisele spoke the words “I Do” to her now husband Bobby, her dating history flashed before her eyes. She thought about all the times she had been hurt, all the secrets she had told, and all the lying it took to hide the relationship from her parents. Was it all worth it? Sure at the time, she thought it was a great idea, but now looking back on it she realizes the mistakes she made. Gisele’s mind began to wander, would Bobby hurt her the same way Taylor did? She began to doubt her marriage and her feelings.

Seventy-six percent of teens say they have dated in high school; yet only 27% of those students actually marry their high school sweetheart. The controversy of dating in high school has become an epic battle between parents and teens. Teens obviously want to have relationships, but why date? Where does the drive to date come from? Our wise Math teacher, John Godfrey, says the influence comes from pop culture and peer pressure.

One has to admit his observations aren’t without proof. Television shows convey scripts filled with stories about who is hooking up with whom. And some of the situations are less than moral, with shows like Secret Life of the American Teenager, containing dramas about out-of-wedlock sex and unplanned pregnancies. Even movie themes revolve around high school girls attempting to find love with the popular boys. One can’t help but wonder if teens are programmed to think that remaining single in high school is abnormal.

Mr. Godfrey believes that teens today don’t look at the big picture. He said that every time he considered dating a girl he would think to himself first “Can I see myself marrying this person?” Teens might argue saying the relationship it’s not that serious, and that they are not looking to get married. So if you’re not looking to get married then why date? Of course the answers says Godfrey are in written in God’s word, the Bible.

“Matthew 6:33 tells us, ‘ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ When we seek God first everything else will come into play,” says Mr. Godfrey. “God promises that as long as we seek him first, other things will be given to us.”
Still the question remains, Does dating in high school affect your marriage/ adult dating life? Mr. Godfrey says most definitely. “Every experience affects how you will process things in the future. When you have a bad experience, and someone hurts you, you will try to protect yourself next time and not open up to someone else.”

Mr. Godfrey warns that dating in high school adds on to our “baggage”. “Baggage” is something that you have to carry with you for the rest of your life, through every relationship you have.”
Mr. Godfrey added that there is only one person you can give your ‘first kiss’ too. “You will remember that kiss for the rest of your life, because there are some things that can never be returned,” he said.

Fortunately for those who’ve made some unwise decisions in the past, there’s no time like the present to give God your dating life, and seek him first.

Below, some of the TC students weighed in on their dating opinions concerning dating.

“Experience means nothing if it comes with regrets and hurt. Guard your heart and do not leave it out in the open.” - Freshman, Alysia Warda

“I want to be older the next time I date, and also I want to put God in the center of the relationship.” -Junior, Ashlee Burnam

“What I learned from my last relationship is that the girl is always right.” -Sophomore, Schyler Johnson

“Teen dating is fun as long as it’s within the law. Listen to your heart when he’s calling for you, listen to your heart there’s nothing else you can do.” -Senior, Kyron Loving

George thought suicide was his only option. He owed the bank too much money; he’d lose his home, maybe even his freedom. Perhaps he would join the lament of the biblical character Job, what if he’d never been born?

So begins the plight of George Bailey in Turlock Christian’s drama ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ first produced and directed by Frank Capra. This beloved Christmas favorite portrays the importance of each human life, as George is given the opportunity to see what life would have been like had he never existed. Good deeds went undone and a life that George saved didn’t happen, rendering terrible consequence for all involved.

It was our own Geoffrey Retemeyer, who stunned audiences at Denair Gaslight Theater in the lead role, with a superb impersonation of the great Jimmy Stewart. The entire cast transported the audience back to the original version of the movie first released in December of 1946, presenting the play in black and white.

Casey Franco did an excellent job portraying Clarence, the bumbling angel who must enlighten George as to his true worth in order to earn ‘wings’. Other notable performances were Leon Fox portraying the menacing Henry Potter, and Julia Chamberlain portraying the lovely Mrs. George Bailey.

Before the drama began, Kristen Tillotson treated audiences to a special Christmas monologue celebrating the birth of Christ. It was moving and nicely set the scene for the main drama.

Director, Dawn Davis, is to be commended for leading her troupe, and serving up such an amazing rendition of a well-loved play.

The story closes with George realizing that his life matters. That each person’s life touches and blesses another; definitely something to reflect upon this holy holiday season.

Last Christmas I got an awesome early Christmas present…his name was Valentino. When I was younger I always wanted a sibling that was a lot younger than me; I like holding babies. My nephew was a dream came true for me, but his arrival was not part of God’s best for my brother and his fiancée, Tina. Valentino was born out of wedlock.

When we found out about the pregnancy my parents counseled that even though their premarital act was sin, they shouldn’t commit another sin by killing their baby through abortion. It reminded me of how often we as humans find it easier to cover up our sins.

Take King David for example. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and displeased the Lord further by having her husband, Uriah, killed and taking Bathsheba as his wife. When Nathan confronted King David of his sins, he did not try to deny it and have Nathan killed too. David repented of his sins and came to be known as a man after God’s own heart.

Personally covering up our sins might seem easier than having them exposed. But there’s a better way. This time of year we remember the birth of our Savior, who came to take away our sins and throw them “as far as the east is from the west” Psalm 103:12.

Christmas has become a time when I thank God for his love and his mercy, because without that, I would not be able to enjoy my little boy who is just now learning to walk.

Has there been a time when you thought you needed to cover up a sin?

Maybe this Christmas is your time to come before the Lord and confess your sins. Let God wash you “as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

You may know him as the stunt double to Tevin’s James Bond, but Chuck Boswell is the newest member to the Turlock Christian staff. Besides serving interim for the junior high school principal, he is our new college counselor taking the duties that former counselor Mrs. Dray once had. And although he’s just arrived onto our campus he’s no newbie.

“I started at Livermore high school, and counseled for six years. Then moved to Turlock and began counseling at Turlock High for 21 years. I have 28 years of experience.”

In the winter of his career Mr. Boswell says TC has ushered in a spring breeze. “I’m glad for the refreshing change that this school has brought to me. The thing I love the most is the freedom to express my faith with the students. To help them see the direction God wants their lives to go in.”

Mr. Boswell started out teaching psychology but in 1982 he was given the opportunity to become a High School Councilor. It was a call from God; ever since he began counseling he has impacted high school student’s lives in more ways then just academic. Those students that he has been able to express his faith to, and hopefully guide them, have had wonderful opportunities opened to them.

Yet, says Boswell, it’s relatively impossible to share ones faith in a public school setting. “I loved counseling at Livermore and Turlock High but the atmosphere is radically different. In public school you can’t make God the central figurehead in the student’s lives, to guide them towards the career God wants them to go into. The biggest difference has to be that, for the most part; the students here are more focused academically, and spiritually.”

With all of the benefits of going to TC, Boswell hopes to add even more to prospective graduates. “Academically I want to be able to provide more engineering and medical guidance and hands on practice, create a more hands on engineering club, and hopefully provide students with the chance to participate in outreach programs, such as feeding the homeless.”

But if you ask Mr. Boswell what career choice he recommends his answer will be, “Put God in charge. This of course is difficult, if God’s in charge you have less control of your life, you don’t always no what direction your life may go in. This may make students feel panicky, fearful, or apathetic. They may say, ‘Okay God, lead me where you will, you’re in complete control’, which isn’t bad, but when a student doesn’t do his work, and expects God to do it all, well there are problems.”

In the end it all comes down to one thing, says Boswell, “How do you feel about letting God take control of your life?”

“Two years ago I was a good man, livin and workin and supportin. I had a girl and we were gonna start our own family. But, the booze got to me. I just drank from time to time at first but then I had to get a drink any time I could and anywhere. She [his girlfriend] kicked me out and I have been here ever since. Now, I’ve done some things in my time, but what did I ever do to deserve this?”

-Elijah Thomas, Homeless Citizen of Turlock

Right now in the United States you will find at least 3.5 million people, or about one percent of the United States population, on the streets begging for help. As the rate of poverty quickens so too will this number. The current state of economy means that these people will continue to be on the streets for longer periods of time than ever before. But, what actually defines “homelessness?”

A homeless person is someone who has no housing and must sleep on the streets or at a homeless shelter. Contrary to popular belief, about 80% of homeless people you see will only be on the streets for about 3 weeks. They either find a job or family to take them in. While only 10% of homeless people are going to be where they are for an extended period of time, usually these people suffer from a mental disease or a substance addiction. 40% of these homeless have children residing with them on the streets.

Of those that are homeless, 20% have been homeless for more than five years; this amount of time encloses the largest population of homeless people. 62% of their total population suffers from alcohol addiction, 58% from drugs, and 57% from mental diseases.

The struggles of these poor denizens start early. The ones who suffer from a mental illness usually had a normal lifestyle and job, until they were afflicted and could not maintain paying bills, going to work, or maintain relationships with family members.

Others are drug addicts who cannot pay for their addiction while trying to live a normal life, with all the expenses that entitles. Surprisingly 5% of the total homeless population is simply unaccompanied children! Most of the youth on the streets are those who have grown up in the foster care system and, finding themselves without any support or direction, must turn to the streets and live a life of meager begging.

He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother

So, what are we going to do about it? Legions of people have amassed to build homes and sustain these downtrodden citizens. Like never before you see relief projects sprouting up, such as Habitat for Humanity, Shelter Plus Care, Housing First, and Assertive outreach.

The question arises, “Should we be helping these people? Could they not just get a job and assist themselves?” As states before, many homeless are substance abusers, the mentally ill, and, most of all, those suffering from a failing economy. The largest people groups of homeless are those of families with children. These families have tried to pay their bills and live as upstanding citizens, but their meager wages cannot handle to pay the soaring mortgage and rental rates in this country. In this financial climate some people who were not part of the homeless culture have found their homes foreclosed upon and in need of assistance. Their credit score is so low, that no one would sell or even rent to them with their history. Finding no where else to go, these people turn to the streets and community service centers, hoping things get better.

Many non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, are directed solely to this people group of unfortunate families. Regardless of a person’s political opinions regarding homelessness, homelessness is not going to go away. Poverty still plagues the United States. Which means churches as well as organizations have to band together to help these poor souls.

As Eric Shinseki, a Vietnam War veteran and Obama’s Secretary of Veteran Affairs, states, “President Obama and I are personally committed to ending homelessness among [many] within the next five years… Those who have served this nation should never find themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope.”

A few of the TC Students weighed in on their opinion to the homeless situation.

Ashley Yonan: “Homeless people should have our support through community service, projects, and churches, everyone should help out.”

Zach Baskins: “We gotta think outside the bun to solve this problem!”

Mitchell Everett: “I think we should help homeless people, but I also think they should be able to help themselves by getting a job and other things.”

Gigi Cezar: “It is all our duty to help those in need. As Co-President of the Samaritan Club, I urge anyone wanting to serve to either contact me or Paige Ulrich for more information about our community service projects.”

This year’s volleyball team had a successful season, which put them in the playoffs. “This year we were planning on going all the way. We were ready to take Davis, but unfortunately we came up short. We had a very good play off season and I am so proud of everyone finishing with a fight,” says Megan Brown senior player for the team.

The Lady Eagles went on and played their first game in Marysville. The team was pumped for this game but it was going to be a little different from their average game. Instead of playing on a hard wood floor they would have to play on carpet.

“We had practice on carpet the day before. After our day of practice we were very ready to play,” said Brown. Even with playing on the carpet they easily defeated their opponents, New Life Christian. After that game they were very excited and pumped for their next game, but weren’t ready for what happened next. Johanna Muller, a key player, sprained her wrist in practice before the big game. In spite of her injury, Muller played in the game to help her team. The team tried their best but in the end they lost 3-2 to Woodland Christian.

“I think everyone was really bummed after our last game,” admitted Brown. “It was probably the hardest loss all season, not just because it ended our season but also because we wanted that game so bad,’ she said. However, the team’s returning players remain optimistic for next season, rebuilding with new players and returning juniors.
Still, Brown can’t help but reflect on such an uplifting year. “This season was definitely so a lot of fun, and I loved every second of It. I think this might have been my favorite group of girls I have ever played with. They really made everything such a joy. I am really going to miss each one of them next year.”

Questions

1. When did God send the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee?
2. Who was Caesar during the time of Jesus’ birth?
3. When was Mary found to be with child?
4. What was Joseph going to do when he heard of Mary’s pregnancy?
5. Where was Jesus born?
6. How many magi came and what gifts did the magi give to Jesus?
7. How will the Shepherds find baby Jesus?
8. Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?
9. What did Herod ask the Magi to do?
10. What prophesy was fulfilled through the birth of Christ?

Answers on the Page 2.

• There are 1.76 billion candy canes produced every year
• Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons
• The first time a Christmas tree was lit by electricity was in 1882 in New York. Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, lit a Christmas tree with a string of 80 small electric light bulbs, which he had made himself.
• Want to be Santa at the mall this year? The average salary is $11 an hour.
• 20 billion — Number of letters, packages and cards delivered by the U.S. Postal Service between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The busiest mailing day this year is expected to be today (Dec. 19), with more than twice as many cards and letters being cancelled as on an average day.
• Father Christmas’ reindeers are called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner/Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph. Eight of these names are taken from Clement C. Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” and the ninth from the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Donder is also known as Donner.)

Every day, thousands of young girls go home after school and enter their bedrooms. Most spend countless time in front of the mirror, criticizing things that they hate about their bodies. Pressure to be beautiful, made even more relevant by the media, lures women across the country to undergo plastic surgery.

All throughout America, women, and sometimes men, are nipping and tucking, sucking and lifting, injecting and implanting, all in the pursuit for better looks. In 2008, over 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed. The top five procedures were breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty (nose jobs). Women accounted for 92% of these surgeries while the other 8% were men. Many believe that women undergo more plastic surgeries than men because of lack of confidence or they just want to feel more comfortable in their skin. Perhaps there is the hope that men will look at them differently. Regardless, with over $13.2 billion spent on cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. last year one thing is clear…America likes to look pretty.

Complications

There are countless risks that accompany plastic surgery. These include blood clots, blood loss, drop in heart pressure, and infection to name a few. Recently, the Florida Board of Medicine issued a statewide moratorium on combination tummy tucks and liposuctions, due to the number of deaths in that state. And although it is crucial to find quality care when pursuing cosmetic surgery, the reality is many doctors not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) have begun practicing.

Forever Young

We’ve all witnessed on television and the big screen older celebrity women undergoing plastic surgery in order to preserve their youth. It propagates the message; to be beautiful you must look young. Does that mean aging women are not beautiful? It’s true that beauty at 20 looks a lot different than beauty at 50, but is that even fair to compare the two? Scripture makes it clear that our bodies will not stay the same. 2 Corinthians 4:16 reads, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Even though on the outside we become older, inside we are learning and finishing our walk with the Lord on earth, and are being renewed by His love. Perhaps age is something to embrace, not to be at war with?

Sure, plastic surgery is a personal choice. But, next time you look in the mirror, remember: God made you on purpose for a purpose. The body you were given was given to you for a reason, and it should be cherished. It’s the same message God gave Samuel when he said about King David, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

Mike Williams, TC’s newest history teacher, confesses that God can be found in the strangest places. After all Mr. Williams met God in a 1990 Silver Dodge Dakota. “It was May of my junior year in high school, and I was having a rough time at school; I had just got dumped by my girlfriend, and was struggling in basketball. I was sitting in my dad’s 1990 Silver Dodge Dakota at the school parking lot and I knew that I wasn’t in control. I could feel God tugging at my heart. It was right then and there that I gave my heart to the Lord.”

When Mr. Williams came to Turlock Christian it would be his third year teaching, but his first year teaching at a Christian School. Mr. Williams did not expect to become a teacher until his freshmen year in college. Mr. Williams wanted to become an engineer for Cisco. But he didn’t expect for God to alter his course and take him to our small school.

Mr. Williams grew up in Escalon and went to high school in Manteca. He spent his first few years of college at MJC and went on to CSU, Stanislaus to receive his BA and his teaching credentials. Mr. Williams went on to teach one year at Pitman High School, and another year at McNair High School in Stockton. Mr. Williams had this to say about teaching at private schools, “There is so much more freedom when I am teaching my students, here I can teach them more than just academics, here I can teach them life skills and help them grow in their faith.”

Mr. Williams teaches 7th and 8th grade history, Government/Economics, and high school Coed PE. He also coaches the JV boys’ basketball team for TC. Mr. Williams has really bonded with all of his students, along with his JV team during his first few months at TC.

What Mr. Williams enjoys the most is development of the kids and their growing in their Christian faiths, “It is really a blessing to just have even one kid grow spiritually, it’s just a feeling that I can’t really explain, to see my students succeed. It is really neat to see a student who has been having trouble with assignments to click and understand the material, and then become one of the top students in the class.”

Tis’ the season to send sweets to your friends and help those in need at the same time. Candy cane sells begin December 7-11 during lunch. You can buy as many as you want for .50 cents each, and include a saying or jingle on the card provided to send to the person of your choice. These “sweet grams” will then be delivered by senior volunteers. This 20-year tradition has allowed TC faculty and students to donate funds to help the needy in our community.

“One year we gave the money to a man who had a brain tumor and it was a real blessing for the family because the gift was unexpected,” said Tony Campos, fundraiser co-leader. Mrs. Piper, advisor for the fundraiser, reminisced of a similar story. “Years ago, the seniors blessed a single mom. She was so surprised and delighted, that she shared a portion with another single mother.”

This year the group hopes to raise $150 to impact the lives of those in need.

Chase Ulrich summed it up rather nicely when he said, referring to the football team-“I just wish we could have beaten Denair and Mariposa.”

On the night of Friday, November 13, the Turlock Christian Varsity Football Squad was ready to take back what was rightfully theirs, the oh-so-coveted Wagon Wheel, a tradition started two years prior. Everybody on the team was excited for the game, ready to bring back the prize. The whole crowd was ready as well. The game came and went, and along with it went the season, as the outcome of that game, a loss of 39-10, and the bitter sting of defeat decided our playoff berth.

Many believe we could have gotten there if… we threw more, we gave the ball to Nikko more, called different plays, went for it on fourth and inches, lifted weights every day, the list goes on and on. Chase thinks it was more than that.

“We could have done better if we were more of a team, but things were just too separate. We also needed to focus more,” he said.

All of this is hindsight. The season is over and along with the game, we’ve lost many graduating players. To name a few, Nikko Jennings, Robbie Smallwood, Cody Alldrin, Geoffrey Retemyer, Garret Yagi, and Austin Morreli. It will be hard to compensate for these losses, but our school is resilient. We will rebuild.

It was a difficult process to realize the season is over, but the juniors look forward to next year and seniors are happy with the legacy they left. Overall, it was a good season.

Most of the students here know that last year, the Boy’s Basketball team struggled a bit. It’s not to say that they didn’t put up a good effort, but something just didn’t click. This year looks to be a lot different, in a great way.

“This has been a great team to coach. We have some excellent players and are much improved,” says first-year coach Scott Snyder. “This should be an exciting season.”

With only one senior on the team last year, this year’s team should be fresh. Key players to watch this year are, Brandon Rogers, Josh Wright, Kyron Loving, and Casey Snyder. Each has their own way of playing the game blending to create a well-balanced team.

When asked who the toughest opponent was going to be, Casey Snyder replied, “Denair and Mariposa will be tough. Both of those teams have several good seniors, but I feel like we definitely have a shot at beating them if we come out and play hard. In non-league games, our first game against Riverbank will be tough. They are a scrappy team that forces a lot of turnovers.”

To prepare for the upcoming season, the team has done a lot. Coach Snyder said they emphasized on shooting, conditioning, and a winning mindset. “Most of the players who did not play in a fall sport went to the gym to shoot at least twice a week. They also conditioned and lifted weights to build up endurance. In the end it will benefit the team a great deal, as we don’t have the largest team,” said Snyder.

So come on out this year and watch the Boy’s Basketball team push themselves to playoffs. This should be a great year to watch.

Tons of artists are dropping their albums. Two of the most anticipated albums of the year are Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster and Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment. Both made big splashes in the music industry with their riding in the car with the top down feel.

Lady Gaga’s songs are always upbeat and fun to listen to. And while Adam also has upbeat songs on his album, there are some beautiful ballads highlighting his impeccable voice on his debut album.

Lady Gaga’s The fame Monster sold a cool 174,000. Taking the edge over Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert’s For Your Entertainment sold 198,000 albums.

As the Holiday season approaches some of the best albums that you can be blasting out of your car or home are, Faith Hill – Joy to the World, Sheryl Crow – Home for Christmas, Elliott Yamin – My Kind of Holiday, Andrea Bocelli – ‘My Christmas’, and David Archuleta – ‘Christmas From the Heart’.

If you’re thinking of hitting the theaters this Christmas season, the biggest movies this winter are:

• New Moon (obviously)
• 2012
• Disney’s a Christmas Carol
• The Blind Side
• Sherlock Holms

The Blind Side is an amazing inspirational story about a homeless teenager who is taken in by a family and is later recruited into the NFL. The movie based on a true story about Michael Oher. It’s a great movie and is only rated Pg-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

The best Christmas movie to go see is Disney’s A Christmas Carol. It is a cute Disney movie that will warm up your Holiday.

Whatever you decide to listen to or watch for the Holidays, remember to not lose focus on what really matters; the birth of Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!