For the first half of the concert, several tributes were made, including one for football coach Fred Petersen’s passing. The choir sang “I’ll Make the Difference,” by Moses Hogan. Before the song, Choral director Mrs. Jensen made an emotional about how Coach Pete was always around for her even in the darkest of times. “His sparkling blue eyes brightened her day, and his thoughtfulness always went a long way.” In the audience was Coach Pete’s family, who began to cry as one of his former football players Phil Kang (12) began to sing the solo. Even at the start of the concert, tears ran deep for several members in the audience.

Continuing on, Amy Romano (12) and Phil Kang (12) sang a duet to the famous song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” which made audience members sing and smile along to the music. As the first half of the concert was coming to a close, Aristocracy sang its traditional song, “The Wind Beneath My Wings” as a tribute to their parents. Throughout the song, students would bring roses to their parents, thanking them for all that they have done. Jane Jang (11) commented, “Even though I’m not a senior, I immediately begin to tear up as soon as I see everyone else. This song is truly an emotional piece, and I thank my parents for all that they have done and sacrificed for me.” With an emotional piece to signal the beginning of intermission, Aristocracy rushed to prepare for the animal-themed songs in the second half of the concert!

Walking out with various animals on everyone’s shirts, Aristocracy was ready to perform some interesting and recognizable songs. Tunes such as “Bare Necessities” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” gave a smile to people’s faces. As the concert continued, the Aristocracy girls sang “Everybody Wants to be a Cat”, which was filled with coordinated dance moves and cat calls which was a humorous touch to the famous Disney song.

As the concert came to an end with an interpretation of “Pop Goes the Weasel,” Aristocracy once again swept people off their feet with harmonious singing. The concert was definitely enjoyable to everyone in the audience. Be sure to make the Spring Concert on May 25^th which includes all choirs as well as the faculty choir singing along to your favorite songs.

Once the show had ended the boys began making their first album titled Up All Night. They debuted in the UK their first single “What Makes You Beautiful” on September 11, 2011. The single broke pre-record sales for Sony Music. Their second single “Gotta Be You” was released on November 13, 2011 which hit the charts at number 3. The entire album was the released on November 21, 2011 debuting at number 2 on the UK Album Charts. The album was a hit and the band announced the dates for their headlining UK Tour. On February 21, 2012 “What Makes You Beautiful” won the boys a Brit Award for Best British Single.

Upon coming to the United States, the band signed with Columbia Records. They released their album on March 13, 2012. In the U.S. “What Makes You Beautiful” became the highest Billboard Hot 100 debut for a UK act since 1998. The boys have released dates for the North American leg of their Up All Night Tour which will from April to July 2012.

These boys sure are headed in “one direction,” and this up!

   Rovio’s Angry Birds was one of these spectacular successes. Developed for over seven different mobile platforms, the Angry Birds game has been released all over the world. Kids internationally recognize this icon of pop gaming and it has flipped the mobile app market upside down. It has been so wildly successful that Rovio has released stuffed Angry Birds dolls, pillows, and kids hungrily bought Angry Birds books off the shelves at Barnes & Nobles. The media company was also so successful that, unlike many of its predecessors, it has succeeded in… taking the fight to space! Yes. For 99 cents, the Angry Birds space edition is available for instant download and play. Another out-of-this-world app “is Scramble with friends,” says Tricia Samson (10). She plays the game with the thrill of that of an addiction and enjoys the prospect of winning against her friends very much. “I also like tumblr… [but both] are social apps,” states Samson. Scramble with friends, the brain child of social media giant Zynga, was an instant hit. And that is expected to grow. With its recent acquisition of NYC based OMGPOP, the games giant has destroyed the market, bringing hundreds of new social options to the table.

   The App Store has revolutionized the way people connect with each other. The mobile platform industry is expanding and, with it, there are new options that will change your life forever.

The movie takes the first book and brings it to life. The story is set in the future in which the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television. Katniss Everdeen (X-Men’s Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for this year’s 74th Hunger Games. She will fight alongside, as well as against, the male tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson most recently seen in Journey: The Mysterious Island.) Other actors in the film include: Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, and Liam Hemsworth.

The movie stays very true to the book which will make the trilogy’s lovers extremely pleased. With the movie taking place in the future, the effects are incredibly life-like. The costumes are ornate and very brightly colored. The audience falls into this world in which everyone is controlled. The film is very violent so audience members should be prepared for bloody violence as children are forced to fight to the death on screen. There also is of course the love story that helps to keep that wide fan base.

Whether or not you have read the books, the film stands very well on its own. With its running time 2 hours 20 minutes, it captures the audiences attention for the entire time and is a must see!

   Set in the scene of Downtown Skid Row, characters Audrey, played by Amy Romano (12), and Seymour, played by Daniel Barrett (10), slowly fall in love working through a busy business and a growing plant. Little of Shop of Horrors is revolved around a plant named Audrey II, voiced by Alex Madrid (11), which grows to become a human-eating monster. All of these theatrics are accompanied by the classy Doo-Wop Girls, who come out in sparkling green dresses singing intricate harmonies. With an eye-catching visual on stage, this musical is definitely is not one to be missed.  

  Directed by Mrs. Orabuena, the musical hopes to attract many people with the energy and power seen on stage. But the musical cannot survive without the musical talent of Mrs. Jensen. Several band students participate in the orchestral pit to create the dramatic and intense sounds for the musical. With lots of hard work and late night practices, the cast comes together to present a hit show.

  West High Alumni Ammar Zia came back to help with the work of the production, making sure that everything was in place for a picture-perfect production.  He comments, “It honestly took a lot of energy and hard work, but I’m so excited to see everything come together in such a short amount of time.” Come watch this amazing production from Tuesday, March 20th to Saturday, March 24th. Tickets are on sale at ASB through Friday ($10 Presale).

The story revolves around a woman named Paige, played by the lovely Rachel McAdams, who is married to Leo, played by the charming Channing Tatum. They are involved in a severe car accident and Paige is left in a coma and wakes up with severe memory loss. Leo must win back the love of his wife to keep their marriage together. The audience is taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride as the two battle amnesia. Jasmine Lau (11) thought, “The movie was adorable, I was almost in tears the entire movie.”

It really hits home with the movie’s marvelous metaphor of comparing reading your favorite book for the first time to falling in love–the dream of being able to experience it all over again. Taylor Adams (11) mentioned, “It was cute and inspirational. I’ve always wanted to be able to read my favorite book again.”

The ending comes right when the audience needs it, but with a slightly unexpected twist. Amanda Wolcott (11) added, “I thought the movie was great, perfect for a date night. However, I did not like the ending all that much.” It is bitter-sweet and ultimately depends on how the person interprets it.

This romantic chick-flick is one that almost stands up to the iconic The Notebook. If that is one of your favorites, then this movie is suggested for you. It is one you will not be able to forget.

   Students at West High have the ability to find their passion, the activity that motivates them to do better. From January 10-12, several students from the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels of the Dance Department dedicated their hearts out on stage for their show, Synergy.

Jenna Hoover (12) commented, ‘Synergy is all about working and dancing together on stage. When we’re apart, we don’t have the same energy together. Each one of us is represents the different parts of a whole.” Jenna performed in different styles, from contemporary to the energetic hip-hop genre. Starting the show with the song Gravity by Sara Bareilles, Advanced Dance followed each others’ movements by the choreography of Stefanie Eriksen (12). Eriksen is not only a dance choreographer, but is part of the West High Drill Team as well as the Co-Ed Hip Hop Team. With dance surrounding her life, it is no surprise that she loves what she does. She stated, “When choreographing dances, it is a lot of pressure. But in the end, I really enjoy dancing to the songs my whole team worked so hard on.”

Beginning dancer Carol Boyd (10) danced to the contemporary song All the Right Moves by One Republic with her team. She remarked, “I am so glad I joined dance, because I [love] to perform. I was extremely nervous on stage, but knew that my whole team was with me.” The Beginning dance team also danced to the infamous Lady Gaga song Glorious and Once Step at a Time by Jordan Sparks.

Towards the end, the momentum did not stop. Advanced Dancer Victoria Yi (12) choreographed a dance to Katy Perry’s California Girls with Intermediate Dance. The girls came out with pink shirts and headbands, loving theCalifornia life. With loud cheers and claps, Yi was extremely proud of her girls.

The show ended with a farewell and appreciation from the entire dance department as they bowed to the audience. Now that Synergy has come and gone, it is time to look towards the Spring Dance Concert through May 2-4.

    The show is another take on the classic Wizard of Oz. It is the story of the unlikely friendship between Elphaba (future Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (future Good Witch of the East). It chronicles their trials and tribulations as they attendShizUniversityand enter adulthood.

   Daniel Barrett (10) claims, “It is amazing! It is a testament to the Broadway musical. It really brightened up my point of view and answered all my questions.” The story explains why The Wicked Witch of the West is the way she is. Alex Madrid (11) stated, “It reveals more back story and gives you insight onto what happened before Dorothy dropped in.” Carly Drobot (11) added, “It is one of my favorite musicals! I can never watch the Wizard of Oz the same way. I am always rooting for the Wicked Witch of the West.”

  With music by Stephen Schwartz, the show moved along with brilliantly composed songs that remain in your head forever. Drobot confirmed, “The music is amazing. I am always listening to it, Schwartz is a genius.” Barrett added, “The music is superb. It is creative and original and it makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Everyone should have an opportunity to hear it.”

  The musical is great for whole family, even those who usual turn away from musicals walk out of the theater in awe.Madridmentioned, “I would recommend it to anyone. It is a great show!” Drobot confirmed, “I know people who are not into musicals and they have loved it just as much as me, and I have seen it three times!”

  The show runs until January 29^th, 2012 so see it while you can.

As the Pavilion lights dimmed and spectators found their seats, Aristocracy appeared with candles at the front door. With a starting note, the choir walked in pairs singing a candlelight processional called “Lo How a Rose”. Aristocracy then lined up across the front of the stage, blowing out their candles one by one. After the breathtaking performance, the curtains opened with Mixed Chorus on stage. The coed chorus sang various songs in Latin, and a combined song with Glee Ensemble. Glee performed a jazz version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. Each song was met with cheers from the enthusiastic audience, especially when the Faculty Chorus came on stage. For the second year, Choral Director Mrs. Jensen organized a Faculty and Staff choir in which a group of teachers and administrators meet every Thursday after school and practice singing songs. Mrs. Burkhard commented, “I really love singing in this choir because of all the teachers being so passionate about singing. I never knew I could have so much fun!” The Faculty Chorus performed “Silver Bells” as well as “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” with Aristocracy. The song was performed in a jazz style in which the audience could join in singing along as well!

After a short intermission, the curtains opened once again with Aristocracy on stage. Brittany Minnis-Lemley (10) remarked, “Even though it’s my second year in the choir, I am always excited to be on stage especially with the different songs we sing.” Aristocracy performed a difficult polyphonic piece called “Regum Natum” as well as a comedic song called “The Dinner Bell Carol”. Towards the end of the concert, the infamous “Let Us Go and See Him” was performed by all the choirs. Each year, this song is meant for the alumni to come onto stage and sing with all the current choirs. This traditional song had the crowd on their feet, ending this successful concert.

  In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage promised to fans in the third movie Eclipse, the scandalous honeymoon where the impossible happens. 

  Over the course of the saga, each movie has improved immensely. The effects and graphics were much more realistic and high quality. The wolves that were CGI (computer generated imagery) were incredibly life–like. When the wolves communicate, they can hear each other think, which of course turned to be a little cheesy, but it was done nicely.

  Amanda Wullschleger (11) stated, “I think it was the most awesome movie out of the series. It was romantic, adventure–packed, and it had suspense all wrapped into one. I can not wait to see it again!” Adriana Hymovitz (12) also added, “It was amazing! I cannot wait until the next one comes out!” There as been lots of positive feedback from those who have seen it.

  The movie can basically be split into two parts. The first half is romantic and filled with love and kisses. The second half of the movie is filled with a sickly looking body and lots of blood. But what is a vampire without a little blood right?

   Even if you are not a Twilight fan it is a suggested to see the movie and give it a try. They have really come a long way and have done an amazing job.