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Stellar Adventures:
Chaffey’s Astronomy
Class Reaches for the Stars
By Jessica Moreno, Staff Writer |
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Mr. James’ third period astronomy class is unique. Colleges recognize it as an academic
elective, and Chaffey is the only school in the district to offer it. What
do students do? The class studies the planets, the solar system, outer
galaxies, stars, constellations, and other stellar objects. Astronomy students
choose objects to study in-depth and photograph using the Internet and
a telescope on Mt. Wilson. About once a month, they trek up Mt. Baldy to
view the sky with high-powered telescopes. |
Many students join because they are intrigued by the sky and want to learn more about
it. Antonio Ulloa (00) explains his simple reasoning for taking
astronomy: “I want to know something about everything.” When asked what
he liked most about astronomy, Ryan Payne (01) said, “Observing,
which I did anyway, but now I’m able to do it while learning more about
what I’m looking at.”
Because this class is
offered only during third period, not everybody can take astronomy. However,
there is the Astronomy Club, which holds star-gazing field trips regularly.
Anybody can join the club. Various members include former astronomy class
students, current students, as well as those just interested in space.
This year the club plans to teach middle schools a little astronomy, in
seminars, and to intrigue people about the sky.
The astronomy class has been described as “even better than some college courses,”
shares Mr. James. The class is a wonderful opportunity for everyone and
looks impressive on college applications. Byron Lopez (01)
declared, “I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who has ever
looked at the stars in wonder.” |
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Kiwins Helps Out the Community |
KIWINS members serve the hungry at the First
Methodist church.
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By Jennifer Ruiz, Assistant Editor
Have you ever wanted to join a club that helps out the less fortunate in your
community? If the answer is yes, then Kiwins is the club for you.
This community service club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ontario, an
associate group of the Kiwanis
Club of America. Kiwins hosts many activities throughout the year in which the
members of are very active.
One of those many activities is the Loaves and Fishes dinner. “I like seeing the faces of the kids when you
bring them a huge plate of food, and they hug you. I love doing it; it
makes me feel good,” exclaimed Megan Crawford (00). The event takes
place at the First Methodist Church on Euclid and I street. The members
help set up the tables, serve food to the people, and clean up when the
dinner is over. The dinner is held every three or four months. The most
recent one was held on October 22.
Another activity that Kiwins has recently begun doing is visiting the Inland Christian Home, where members play
bingo with
the elderly residents and help call the numbers. “They look so appreciative
that we are there, and they thank us after every game just for coming to
visit them. It’s not just community service; it’s fun too,” says Kiwins
President, Tracy Figueroa (00).
Much of the community service performed by Kiwins counts towards the hours that
seniors have to fulfill in order to pass government and economics classes.
If you want to join, unfortunately, the last day to do so was November
12, because that was the last day that club dues were being accepted. But
if you are a determined soul, meetings are Thursdays during both lunches
in H155.
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