D.E.A.R DAY!: Principal Fernando Benavides smiles with his D.E.A.R Day Book Oct. 3 in the 300 hallway. The campus Reading Initiative Committee (R.I.C.), comprised of English teachers, came up with the idea. Benavides approved the day because he wanted students to improve their literacy skills. “We wanted to give kids the time to read and make it a priority,” he said. “I want you guys to graduate and be successful and it is better to encourage you guys to read rather than to force you all.”

VETERANS DAY: Senior student council member Adriana Briseno draws a picture of a soldier for Veterans Day Nov. 16 in the 600 hallway. Briseno decided to join student council because it sounded fun and she wanted to get to know people better and be involved in more school activities. “It is not challenging being in this club, it’s more like fun and easy,” she said. “I would recommend students to join this club because you get to plan spirit days and set things up like homecoming and other events. Also, you get to come up with the themes.”

READING, PLAY’IN: Sophomore Anthony Velasquez reads a script during his ninth theather class Sept. 12 in room 703. Velasquez said he didn't choose the class and had initially tried to get out of it, but he thinks theater teacher Maryann Porter is a “great teacher” and fun to talk to. He likes being a “new type of character” in plays. “I have good memories here,” he said. “Yeah, one time we were spinning plates and she was basically teaching us focal point type of spinning and it was fun.”

THE CAFETERIA IS TO MAINS-TREE-M: Freshman Naoku Timoteo enjoys the peace and quiet during his lunch break Dec. 4 in the old courtyard. Timoteo said he likes the “very colorful” trees and the fresh air that comes with eating in the courtyard. The quiet conversations also soothe and make him feel calm although internally he stresses about his grades. “I’ve only attended Sam for two years, since I’m a sophomore,” he said. “But my grandmother used to be a janitor here so I was able to get to know some students and some of the teachers. So, it’s good to actually be a part of the school.”

HAPPY DAY!: Sophomore Yaritza Lopez laughs during a passing period in the old Courtyard. Lopez joined a welding class this school year because she thought it could be a new experience. She wants to be the first in her family to go to college even though she’s not about her career. “Welding could be a career choice, but I might be interested in animals,” she said.

ALL EARS!: A bunny that belongs to the small animal management program, rests in his cage Nov. 9 outside room 918. Agriculture teacher Keith Gray, who was born on a farm, said students take the bunny home to learn how to care for the animal and he takes the bunny home over the summer. “Though I like to joke around with the students about eating the bunny as stew,” he said. “When they ask what is going to happen to the bunny.”