Saguaro High School - Sentinel Yearbook (Scottsdale, AZ)

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The Amendments a hion - How Well Do You Fit n. Courtesy of The Press - by Chris Tucker A powerful epidemic has invaded the cam- pus of Saguaro High and is rapidly spread- ing over a large percentage of the students. I am reminded of this disease every time I am ridiculed for my everyday school at- tire, usually consisting of a Rolling Stones t-shirt and faded Levis. I am, of course, refering to the great obsession most stu- dents have with fashion. Fashion has become so important to the average teenager that it is practiced like a religion. Students have been known to study fashion guide magazines, known as fashion bibles, to keep up on the latest styles. Publications such as Seventeen and GQ decide what is to be worn for a particular season, and then students follow without hesitation. If a magazine tells them to wear something, then that is the thing to do, no matter how ridiculous the clothes may be. Usually, the more expensive the clothes are, the more stylish they are con- sidered. Anyone not following these guide- lines is somewhat outcast. Fashion is, in fact, a mild form of discrimination. As a result, almost everyone dresses alike, not realizing that their intelligence is being insulted. And although they are hap- py to fit in with the crowd, they are lacking originality and individuality. The most popular shirts these days are sport shirts with animal logos on them. There is a great variety of animals to choose from, including alligators, foxes, and polo ponies. The main purpose of the animal is to indicate how much the shirt cost. It is much like wearing a price tag on the shirt. There are, of course, many less popular shirts, but they do not feature animals on them. These are not as fashionable because they are simply Uimitationsf' and are considered to be tacky. 124 Fashion Designer jeans are also making the scene. They are similar to the less expensive Levi brand, but there are some noticeable differ- ences. Most designer jeans are made so that you pay more for less fabric. This causes these jeans to fit tighter than the average leotard. As a result, many curves that peo- ple are blessed with are flattened out. It's much like a battle between flesh and fabric. Needless to say, it is rather difficult to walk in a pair of these jeans. One should allow him or herself at least a week of practice before attempting to wear them to school. The latest attraction under the sun are the Vuarnet glasses. They are one of the most expensive glasses on the market. Al- though they are very plain looking, they do have a unique high quality black string at- tached to them to enable the wearer to sus- pend the glasses around his or her neck when not in use. These fantastic, luxurious glasses can be yours for the low price', of 560. Probably the most frustrating thing about fashion is that it is constantly chang- ing. In fact, what is now considered to be distasteful will most likely end up in the fashion magazines in the near future. by Deena Armstrong It is possible for me to appreciate the posi- tion on fashion which is based purely from a monetary standpoint, but one must realize that there is more to fashion than finances. There is a running battle over whether designer name clothes are worth the ex- tra cost. Depending on the article, frequent- ly the answer is yes. Designer clothes, are, more often than not, of superior material and workmanship. The style is more flatter- ing, the fit better, and the clothes are more durable. Another benefit reaped from designer clothes is the personal satisfaction of the wearer. If a person feels more attractive in designer clothes, he will feel better about himself as a whole and will convey this more confident, assured attitude toward those around him. If an ego boost is gained through wearing designer label and results in a person with an improved self-attitude, then it is well worth the cost. This leads to the subjects of the so-called fashion bibles, or fashion magazines, and indiscriminate buying. Just because it is the rage in Paris, it is doubtful that all the girls in Saguaro will run out to buy bubble dress- es and black lipstick. Today's consumers are more intelligent to be thought of as mindless robots who will buy anything that is thrust in front of them, fashions or other- wise. - That everyone at Saguaro dresses alike is also a questionable fact. If one were to trav- el to any section of the world, the inhabi- tants of that area would invariably all dress in a similar manner. Fashion does not rob people of their originality. To the contrary, fashion allows an individual to express his own unique personality to the fullest. Clothing is a tool with which people declare themselves to the world as much as with speech or body language. As for the constant change of styles in fashion, what would happen without change and advancement? Today's society would still travel by horse and buggy, com- municate through the Pony Express, and be garbed in long skirts and stiff high collars. So, fashion is not the root of all evil, but a valuable means for individuality, here at Saguaro and in the rest of the world. Oh, and in case you were wondering if the ru- mors are true, nothing does come between me and my Calvins except for my Ralph Lauren panties.

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The Amendments r Competition in Sport Earns Respect by Lissa Staples story by Paige McDowell Competitiveness, in whatever form it may be, is a natural instinct for most everyone. To work towards a goal, whether it is an individual or a united effort, is an essential driving force in our lives. These goals are set in an effort to keep our attention focused straight ahead and not to look back, except possibly, to gain from experience. Competi- tion in athletics has always been intense at every level. In high school, this is no excep- tion. The intensity level here at Saguaro is apparent in all the competitive sports. This includes all the girls' sports as well. There should not be a need to bring at- tention to the fact that the generalization, competitive sportsf' does, in fact, include women's athletics. Unfortunately, this is not the situation. For a woman to be active in athletics, she not only must compete against other women athletes but is also in competition with a system that is highly unbalanced. This situation exists throughout the na- tion. Saguaro High School is also affected by it. I can only speak from my own person- al involvement in certain sports. I have competed in volleyball, softball, and bas- ketball at the varsity level here at Saguaro. For me, every one of my seasons has been very frustrating. This frustration does not stem directly from the sport itself, but from the lack of interest and support from the school as a whole. Having to stand up for our rights as athletes, concerning the atti- tudes toward us, is very draining, both men- tally and physically. I am tired of being on a soap box trying to get people to become aware of the women athletes in this school. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to just cori- centrate on performance instead of worry- ing about whether or not the gym will be empty or if the bleachers will be bare? To compete in volleyball, softball, and basket- ball here means that I must accept the fact that I am supposed to be competing for SHS. However, the school may not even be aware that we were involved in a Divisional or even a State tournament. Yes, I was upset by the fact that at the State Volleyball Tournament last year, Sa- guarols team was supported by just a hand- ful of friends and parents. I do thank the Lord for those special friends and family. Even more upsetting was that this was the first time in Saguaro's history that the vol- leyball team had gone to State. Isn't that the goal for any sport at the high school level, to make it to State? We made it, but no one knew it. That is the only State Tournament I have had the privilege to compete in, so that incident hurts me the most. Support is so very important to a team. Ask any athlete and I bet he or she would tell you that when people are backing him or her, there is more incentive to win. Women's sports will continue to exist and continue to grow. We girls work hard and will keep on working hard regardless of the unawareness. Our skills will improve as will our team. Unfortunately, I still have not accepted the fact that the interest is just not there. Until I do, I will stay on my soap- box. I hope the women athletes will never accept this and keep fighting for what is rightfully theirs in this unbalanced system. Competition in athletics is very gratify- ing and I encourage everyone to get in- volved. Yes, I even encourage girls to com- pete in sports, it may not be the most feminine thing to do, but it is definitely worth it. Paige McDowell showing off her competitiveness on the softball field as she readies for the catch. PHOTO BY ULLERICH Competitiveness 123

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The Amendments by Paul Huff as printed in The Press on November 12. lt has been a rather disappointing year for 'ootball at Saguaro. In fact not only has it een the worst season in Saguaro's history, ut the only losing season ever. People were :tunned to see a school that is famous for its vinning tradition lose four games straight. Then, after the Cats shocked Coronado, mulling offa 17-13 upset one could not help nut feel that it was a turning point. This was :ertainly the feeling among the team, but it vas not to be. Everyone seems to be asking vhy, why a program which enjoyed a 8-2 eason on the Varsity level and a 6-2 record an the J.V. level the year before could possi- ily come up short. The players and even the coaches have lad to take a lot of smart remarks from the tudent body. To the ordinary student it has iecome a joke, but the ordinary student lidnit spend the summer in passing league, he ordinary student didn't go through a feek and a half of double sessions, and the Team Strives for Success ordinary student hasn't made the commit- ment the players and coaches have. For if he had he would know that it isn,t ajoke but that it hurts, it hurts a lot. Coach Keller said before the Mountain View game that the difference between a team that is rated number four and a team that is 50 or 60 or whatever the number, may be very great when printed up in the local newspaper, but when the two teams line up head to head the gap narrows. It now comes down to a good run, a key block, or any unpredictable circumstances that may enter into a football game. Numbers no longer mean a thing. It's just us against them, and whoever wants it more comes out on top. Homecoming is more than just a football game, it is something special. It is some- thing that should not be tarnished by de- feat. To let a team take away your home- coming is about the same as letting someone steal. And from what this school has seen of Marcos that is the level on which they dwell. A homecoming game be- l longs not only to the players but also to the students, the faculty, the parents, the coaches, and everyone else associated with the school. Let's not let them down, let's go out with fire in our eyes and the idea that nothing can stop us from coming out on top. Paul Huff, 943, shows his aggressiveness on the field as he tackles an opponent. Homecoming Football 125