“They play hard but we got the best of them,” sophomore Russ Davis said.

The varsity boys basketball team have had a excellent season and looking forward to the playoffs. They have the number 1 seed in their sights, with a win Friday against McClintock.

The girls basketball teams on the other hand haven’t done so well, all the teams got beat by Dobson, and varsity and freshmen lost to Marcos.

The girls team will not be making the playoffs but they finished the season strong winning against McClintock.

“ The game is all about having fun, its not all about winning or losing,” sophomore Vicky Sanford said.

The Retro Run 10km & 5km Run/Walk

Date: Jan. 28, 9 a.m.

Location: Kiwanis Park, Tempe

What it’s all about: This 10km & 5km Run/Walk takes you back in time. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best 80’s attire, like shoulder pads, leg warmers and acid wash jeans. The winners of the best male and female costumes will receive a beach cruiser bike.

For more information: http://www.4peaksracing.com/

The Nun Run

Date: March 10, 8:00 a.m.

Location: Kiwanis Park, Tempe

What it’s all about: This 10km & 5km Run/Walk goes through the desert and its exactly what you think. It’s a run with nuns.

For more information: http://www.4peaksracing.com/

IMS Arizona Marathon

Date: Feb. 19, 7:00 a.m.

Location: Verrado Towne Center–
21029 W. Main St.
, Buckeye

What it’s all about: In addition to walking the marathon, the marathon as a whole supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and a portion of the net proceeds goes to support its mission to fund blood cancer research and patient services.

For more information: http://thearizonamarathon.com/

The Lost Dutchman Arizona Marathon

Date: Feb 19, 7:00 a.m.

Location: Gold Canyon to Apache Junction

What it’s all about: There’s a race for everyone. If you’re not up to running the marathon from Grand Canyon to Apache Junction, you can participate in the half marathon, 10K, 8K Trail Run, or a two-mile fun run/walk. This marathon supports a variety of charities, mainly benefiting local youth organizations that are focused on the economically disadvantaged.

For more information: http://www.lostdutchmanmarathon.org/

One for Water 4-Miler

Date: March 10, 8:00 a.m.

Location: Rio Vista Community Park, Peoria

What it’s all about: This run was originally created to raise awareness about fixing leaks and encouraging citizens to become water savvy in homes, businesses and landscapes. From there it has escalated into a fun local race that has food, activities for kids, leak-fixing demos and more.

For more information: http://www.active.com/running/peoria-az/one-for-water-4-miler—join-the-chase-2012

Havasu Half Marathon

Date: April 14, 7:30 a.m.

Location: Lake Havasu City

What it’s all about: This run takes you across the world famous London Bridge. With beautiful scenery and perfect outside temperatures, this race is a hot spot for a variety of people.

For more information: http://www.havasuhalf.com/

The Night Run

Date: May 12, 7:00 p.m.

Location: Civic Center Mall – Northeast Lawn–Scottsdale, AZ

What it’s all about: This year the run goes to support Workshops for Youth and Families. The run, being a Scottsdale tradition for 25 years, should be a fun night full of entertainment, beautiful scenery and running or walking!

For more information: http://www.thenightrun.com/

4^th Annual Women’s All the Way 5k Run/Walk

Date: Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m.

Location: Kiwanis Park, Tempe

What it’s all about: This run/walk supports the Women’s Enterprise Foundation (WEF), which is a non-profit charity working to help Phoenix women entrepreneurs.

For more information: http://www.elfpromotions.com/WEF_5K_Run_Walk.html

Gay marriage rights first were catapulted into the spotlight in 1993 when Hawaii essentially stated that for gay couples to be denied being wed, there has to be a very good reason. Congress proposed, then President Bill Clinton signed, the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which denies traditional marriage rights, such as joint tax filing and Social Security benefits to same-sex couples.

Presently, 27 states have passed constitutional bans on gay marriage while 10 have ruled it acceptable. According to Time Magazine online, polls demonstrate that an overall majority of Americans oppose gay marriage; this is what puzzles me.

Being open-minded and being able to understand opposite views is important when you have opinions on controversial issues. But, I can’t say I think there are any valid arguments to oppose gay marriage, and I’ll explain why.

Some religions will protest that being wed is for the sole purpose of having children. If we follow this rule, then we must also deny the right to be married to men and women who are unable to reproduce, older women who can no longer bear children and couples who don’t desire or can’t afford children, right?

Other religious groups say that if two people of the same sex get married, it diminishes the value of marriage. But if we’re talking about making marriage less sacred, Kim Kardashian’s 72-day marriage, Brittney Spears 56 hour marriage and J-Lo’s four-month marriage do a fine job of making marriage seem meaningless. That’s just a couple of well-known examples, not accounting for the countless annulments and divorces that happen every single day in America. Speaking of which, if two people of the same-sex being wed makes marriage less holy, so does divorce, right? If we outlaw same sex marriage we ought to out law divorce; both are detrimental to the marriage system.

Some people are afraid of the gay population, also referred to (but hardly admitted) being homophobic. Younger communities feel this way because seeing two people of the same sex showing affection makes them uncomfortable. But, the way I look at it…just don’t look. You can’t really complain about something that nobody is forcing you to watch. Additionally, people commonly think that if they are around someone that is gay, that person will start to like them. It’s important to realize that just because someone likes girls, they don’t like every girl, and vice versa. Just like being straight, human attraction is based on several things, and obviously doesn’t happen with every interaction. Let’s not be so self-centered and think everyone who likes our gender will like us.

Similarly to homophobia, parents sometimes fear that if their children are around homosexuals, they too will turn gay. It is unclear how sexual orientation is determined, whether it be genetically or through experiences. But, it certainly is not a disease or transmittable, and that’s a fact. Parents also worry that this will open students up to experiences and ideas that differ from what they teach at home or preach in the family church. Heaven forbid children grow up to be tolerant; that would just be awful. Acceptance of everyone’s differences, that would make a safer, more peaceful community, and we certainly don’t want that.

Many argue that the dictionary defines marriage as “the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.” or compare it to Adam and Eve. If we all abide by the theory that things shouldn’t change and we should follow traditional definitions and practices, slavery would still be in effect, you’d have to be a white, male land-owner to vote in elections, women would have no rights and our 10-year old children would be working in sweat shops. And if we were living our lives through the Old Testament, men would be stoning their cheating wives. And I can’t buy the argument that that’s why we have a new testament, because then why are we still listening to parts of the old one?

But frankly I don’t want to get into a religious debate or argue the politics. This is undeniably a human rights issue. The heart wants what the heart wants, and you can’t control the person you fall in love with so why should we place restrictions on it? So let’s cut the intolerance and go back to classic kindergarten teachings: only worry about yourself.

“We played a good game and we worked hard for that win,” sophomore Hannah Rowe said.

The team, however did not make the playoffs but ended their seasons 7 – 5 (varsity) and 7 – 5 (Jv).

With boys varsity basketball they had Mountain Pointe come to their house and beat the Pride soundly, 71 – 64.

“ I like playing against Mountain Pointe, it’s always fun playing them,” senior Calaen Robinson said.

The team has two more games and will soon be in the playoffs, hoping to make the nationally ranked season end well (ranked first at Arizona,34^th in the nation)going 20 – 1 and still having three more games left.

“It’s great, but I want that ring man,” Robinson said.

I guess growing up and always eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches influenced my love for peanut butter. Then my sister introduced me to putting peanut butter on my french toast, pancakes, waffles and regular toast. I will never get enough of peanut butter; I put it on everything and never grow tired of it. Recently, for lunch, I’ve been making myself peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches and I regret nothing.

Yes, I’m aware of how horrible eating peanut butter is if you eat it every day but still…it’s peanut butter. According to jif website (the company I buy my peanut butter from) one serving size is two tablespoons, which is 190 calories and 130 calories from fat. Like I said, yeah, it’s pretty bad, but, I mean, who doesn’t love peanut butter?

Back to M&M’s, I have to admit I have an obsession with peanut butter M&M’s and I think that they are so much better than any other kind of M&M with the exception of the original. So I offer this, if you ever want to be on my good side, buy me a bag of peanut butter M & M’s. If you want to try starting a friendship? Buy me a bag of peanut butter M & M’s. You want to me to fall head over heels for you? Buy me several bags of peanut butter M & M’s.

“I hate waking up in the morning. I’ve known most of these people for over four years; they should know what I look like,” senior Avery Moss said. “Because I’m a senior I don’t feel like I have to do any work.”

A quick list of symptoms often include the following: an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old comfy T-shirts, athletic shorts, sweatpants, over-sized sweatshirts, a lack of studying, repeated absences, a large decrease in academic performance, procrastination (not just in school) and a generally dismissive attitude toward teachers, parents, administrators and most of all, underclassmen, because seniors are obviously better than everyone else. No exceptions.

“You can tell seniors don’t spend much time preparing for the day,” freshman Brooke Schofield said. “They just seem irritable and annoyed at everything.”

Infected students will often leave their binder (not their backpack, it’s too much to carry) in their car from the time they leave campus until the time they return the next day.

“I took easy classes so I wouldn’t have homework,” senior Katie Koponen said. “The only homework I do have is for math and I wait until the next day to do it, like when there’s down time in classes before that one.”

Seniors with senioritis also tend to play pranks on others, sometimes doing things that they would never consider doing. But it’s all right because detention is acceptable after your college applications have been submitted. Right?

Although this illness is quite serious and extremely difficult to get rid of, as the only real cure is graduation itself. There are only four months left of having these diseased students roaming campus.

Until next year that is.

“I’m proud of the way everyone came together,” Smith said about his students.

The state competition was roughly about 10 hours. At nationals there will be multiple preliminary rounds and the last round is with the final remaining teams. The closest CdS has ever come to winning Nationals was in 1988 when the school won 3^rd place.

Students in this class had to apply for a spot to get in; only seniors are allowed to be in the class. The class is split into 6 units of four or five people each. Each unit gets a number of questions that they have to study, answer and present at competition. Each unit gets a score and then the scores of all the units are added up for the overall team score.

“It is a great experience, you learn so much,” senior Hirsh Shah said.

Shah is in the Unit 4 group, which was the best performing group for the CdS team in the district competition. Even though the students are split into units they still have to function as a whole team.

“We are a very cohesive class. It’s fun and there is intellectual stimulation. It is a break from classes with students who only care about music and their cell phones. We actually care about the learning,” senior Courtney Naumann said.

To be in the class you have to be hardworking and show interest in the government. The skills you take out of the class are public speaking, composure and how to deal with high pressure. Librarian Justine Centanni and government teachers Lisa Adams and Smith are the sponsors of We the People.

“This year the class has kept the tradition of We the People alive by exemplifying a championship team,” Smith said.

Concussions are provoking headaches and dizziness and causing long-term health risks and in rare cases, death, for young athletes throughout the country. Students are starting young, competing at a high level and not taking nearly enough recovery time to properly heal from injuries. TIME Magazine reports that from 2005 to 2008, 41 percent of athletes who suffered concussions in 100 high schools across the country returned to play too soon, disregarding guidelines set out by the American Academy of Neurology.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines a concussion on it’s website as “type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.”

At Corona, Certified Athletic Trainer Scott Mason, partnered with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, AXON sports and the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) to put programs and tests in place, creating an efficient system for athletes to perform at optimal level by taking proper recovery time and being aware of the risk and symptoms prior to a concussion on the field or court.

One of the first steps taken has been done so by the AIA. The educational course, entitled Brainbook, was developed in coordination with the B.R.A.I.N.S Clinic of the Barrow Neurological Institute and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. It is now mandated by the AIA Executive Board to educate student athletes about concussions, and students must present proof of completing the program and passing the test at the end before they are even allowed to try-out for a sport.

Javier Cardenas, a neurologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital and director of the B.R.A.I.N.S. program, explains why creating a program like this was so important and how it was developed.

“The education that’s available currently through the CDC for the coaches is great education. It’s also available for the parents. But there is nothing directed at the athletes. What the states require is you handing a piece of paper to your parent and saying ‘you acknowledge you know the danger of concussion’ and then you sign off and you’re done. As a student, that’s not education,” Cardenas said. “About a year and a half ago, the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Arizona Cardinals came to my institution because I run a program called B.R.A.I.N.S. They said, ‘Will you go educate all the schools about concussions? We’ll buy you a van and you can go throughout the state.’ But that wasn’t very practical.”

Instead, Cardenas worked with Arizona State University to create the online class that has come to be known as Brainbook.

“It’s interactive, it has a Facebook-like interface, even though there is no social networking, it’s multi-media, we included professional physicians and role models from the Arizona Cardinals and from the (Phoenix) Mercury. And lastly, there are some athlete peers talking about concussions,” he said.

Since the start of the program in August, 80,000 tests have been completed. Cardenas is recognizing great success and receiving positive feed back, as middle schools are beginning to use the tool for health education. Cardenas also says that they are trying to take the program nationally, tailoring it for each area.

“We are seeing a shift, and the intent of Brainbook is to create a culture shift, so that people are not afraid to report, that they are looking out for themselves and their peers, and they take the correct measures to sit out so they don’t suffer the injury or a second injury,” Cardenas said. “I link it to dehydration. When I was a high school athlete, if you ran off the field to get water, you were a sissy. You didn’t need it. But you know, people died. But that culture has shifted in the sports world. So that’s what I hope will happen.”

After team players have completed the Brainbook program, they are recommended to take the baseline concussion test at school, administered by Mason. Having a certified athletic trainer on-site is crucial to assist injured athletes, though TIME reports that only 42 percent of high schools in America have certified athletic trainers, like Mason. The baseline test is not mandatory, but proves to be off to a successful start, with about 300-400 tests conducted thus far on campus. The test has been mostly given to contact sports although it is the ultimate goal for all athletes to be tested.

The test is simple, and can provide excellent information in the event of an injury.

“We are looking at the scores of this baseline data, when an injury does occur, and then we’re comparing both to see the significance of the injury, to see if they have returned to where they were before the concussion,” Mason said.

For junior varsity OL/DL Aaron Simons, the baseline test helped him get back on the field. Having taken it prior to his massive collision in practice, the test was available for him to retake making sure that his transition off the bench would be a safe one.

“I was told that I got absolutely mollywhopped by this kid Josh Riedel,” Simons said. “I got hit in the head and l don’t remember much of it until about halfway to the hospital when my mom was like ‘You all right bud?’ and I was like ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Then she told me I got a concussion.”

Although suffering from brutal dizziness and headaches, Simons pleaded to be allowed back on the field, and bitterly understood why he wasn’t allowed to suit up again until he was fully recovered.

“That was a big discussion my mom and the doctors had, that I want to get back on the field as fast as possible. The doctors wanted a whole week of symptoms being gone from my body. They were gone in about a week, so I sat out two weeks,” Simons said. “I love the sport, I like playing, and it was a big game, it was DV, so I wanted to play. It’s a violent sport, it’s going to happen where people get hit, but don’t hit with your head. That’s a rule.”

Corona insists a safe return to his or her respective sport is the school’s primary goal, so as not to add to the whopping 16 percent of athletes nationally who suffered concussions and returned to the field the same day, as reported by TIME.

Many have noticed the NFL changing up the technology of their helmets to better support the head and protect the brain. Turns out the pros aren’t the only one’s suiting up a little safer.

Every year, Corona’s football program adds about 20 to 30 Schutt DNA helmets, one of the most advanced helmets on the market right now within the school’s price range. Since obtaining new coach Tom Joseph, Corona has also invested in helmets that are custom fit to the player, doing away with the “one size fits all” type protection.

“Helmets are good for 10 years and we have them tested each year by Sunvalco to make sure there are no cracks or defects,” football coach Tim Kelly said.

Girls soccer is also taking steps to reduce risk in the high-speed contact sport.

Head girls soccer coach Matt Smith said, “My wife has suffered over 25 concussions so its kind of a personal vendetta for me,” explaining why taking these precautions mean a lot to him, while protecting the long-term health of this players.

“We have purchased FULL90 headgear for each of our girls and require them to wear them for all training and games, both on the varsity and JV levels,” Smith said. “There are lots of people who argue about the effectiveness of the headgear, but we have seen less than two concussions per season over the last two years in the program, which is about 40 athletes each year.”

The steps Corona is taking to reduce concussion and brain injury risk is proving its effectiveness on campus with every practice and game, as athletes are performing at a safer level than ever before.

“It’s better to miss one game than the whole season,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states on their website.

Simons concludes with the idea the athletes need to be patient in a difficult, sometimes long-term process of recovery.

“I was angry (I couldn’t play), but I understood why,” Simons said. “You don’t mess around when stuff comes to your brain.”