Written By: Tori Carrese
*Editor's Note: This does not reflect Newport Harbor High School's view on the election, this article just allows students from NHHS to voice their own personal and valuable opinions. The 2016 presidential election has been one of the biggest shockers that America has endured. As we all know, the Democratic nominee was Hillary Clinton and the Republican nominee was Donald Trump. Both of their campaigns however, managed to divide our country to disheartening levels. When asking our students about their thoughts on the election, their responses varied from positive to extremely upset. When Junior Mia Martinez was asked about how she felt in regards to the outcome of the election, she said “I am not happy and just by looking at me that should be obvious. I am the embodiment of everything Trump, his campaign, and supporters hate about this country. I am an educated Mexican woman that comes from immigrant grandparents, so to know that the president of my country does not like me or support my family- it worries me. This outcome truly makes me disheartened. I'm worried now more than ever. This is because he doesn't even need the support of his followers anymore, instead he will have support of the entire United States government.” As you can see, whether it be on social media or evidenced in the safety pins on t-shirts, many individuals are worried about Donald Trump’s presidency.
Many may
be opposed to Trump and his views; but there are many people who support President Trump. For instance, senior Tony Vasi, when asked his thoughts on this year's election, said “Regardless of my political views, I think that this is a good opportunity for the Republican Party to show that their way works. They have the presidency, the House, and Senate, and will most likely have the Supreme Court as well. With all of these components, they should be able to do a lot- hopefully it will be a lot of good.” Not only is Vasi hopeful about this year's winner, he also believes the Republican party can make a real difference in the world if they chose to use the power to better our country.
While some may be shocked by the elected president, hopefully we can all keep in mind that everyone needs to stay together.
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“I’m going to be spending time with my family who are flying in from Omaha, Nebraska. One of our traditions on Thanksgiving is after we eat our Thanksgiving feast, we all play poker at the table and we compete against each other to win the prize, which is probably money, and it’s super fun and we all get really into it. My favorite food on Thanksgiving would probably be my Grandma’s cranberries because they’re amazing.” -Ayla Spitz (sophomore)
“For Thanksgiving break, I think I’m planning to stay home and local… with my family because it’s also my birthday during the same week as well! [Some traditions I have are] always [eating] Thanksgiving dinner early [in the evening] and every now and then, I get to pick dessert because my birthday is [very soon after Thanksgiving]. [My favorite food is] definitely the turkey and I like the pie at the end too.” -Justin Boals (freshman)
“[My plans for Thanksgiving break include] staying home and spending time with family. We always make cream corn, irish stuffing and scalloped potatoes. Also, we always go around the table and say what we are thankful for. [My favorite Thanksgiving food is] scalloped potatoes! But I do not like the turkey.”
-Annie O'connor (junior)
Overall, there are many different ways that Newport Harbor families spend their Thanksgiving, from traveling places as a family to just relaxing at home. But no matter how Thanksgiving is spent, it is mainly about being thankful for the people you are surrounded with as well as the delicious feast awaiting you that night.
Coach Brinkley said "I feel sorry for my seniors. The kids were in tears. It's a shame that it happened to them. Every division, one through 10, the third-place team [from a league] made [the playoffs], except for our division." As coach Brinkley stated this was mostly heartbreaking to his seniors who hoped to end their high school football careers in the playoffs. Many people feel the decision made was not fair or appropriate and many coaches and players voiced their complaints regarding it. Many people were especially upset because the Huntington Beach Oilers who finished fourth in the sunset league were admitted to the division 7 playoffs. 
ision 7 playoffs]. I don't know why they're in different divisions. They either both should be in [Division 6] or both in [Division 7]. There [are] a lot of flaws. [Newport Harbor not getting in is] a flaw. Brethren Christian not getting in [the Division 10 playoffs with a 9-1 record is] a flaw. They've got to figure out a better way." 
Among these strong competitors are two girls, sophomore, Alina Aguirre, and senior, Cheyenne Stooks. These girls play to win, and easily hold their own against the other wrestlers around them. Stooks, having been on the wrestling team for four years, has overcome all boundaries and succeeded greatly in her sport. “I like wrestling the most because of the technical aspect and discipline that comes out of the sport,” said Stooks when she was asked what drew her into wrestling, “you have to be able to figure out situations on the spot and be willing to learn from mistakes.” Her love for the sport allows her to play hard and perform the best she can on and off the mat.
At Newport Harbor, all wrestlers are treated equally, as both the boys and the girls are given every opportunity to succeed.
Stooks mentions how “surprisingly, we don't get treated any differently than the guys” even though that wasn't what she expected when she first started. Even though their teammates treat them with respect, there are still some hardships that go along with it. Aguirre says, “Cheyenne and I have both had an experience with a ref who wouldn't call our pins or points we deserved, but for the most part people are nice.” Both wrestlers are now preparing for another great season.
The team as a whole is working on getting stronger for their upcoming December season. After beating CDM in their Battle of the Bay game, winning the Golden Singlet, and wrestling in the CIF championships, the team is looking forward to holding on to those wins and performing even better this year. The wrestling team is upping their practice intensity with the hope that this year, they will take home the wins in CIF. “It is always fun to have a goal to reach for,” says Aguirre, “this year our goal is to have a lot of wins!” Good luck to our sailor boys and girls, we are excited to see you compete!
nts for a much lower price or even just an excuse to add a few more clothes to the wardrobe. Black Friday can be “really hectic but a lot of fun” says Lexy Peck, but people still endure the craziness because who doesn't want to get their Christmas presents early and cheap? Some people even get up at the crack of dawn and camp out at retail stores. Gianna Negrete says she goes shopping on Black Friday because “it's a fun and exciting shopping experience”. This event has been going on since 1932 and originated here in the United States. Black friday takes place the day after Thanksgiving. Some people make a tradition out of this American holiday and go every year hoping to get good deals. April Scott has been taking part in this holiday and shares, “I absolutely love black friday and have gone the last 3 years.” However others find it all just way too hectic and a complete mess. People usually want to be the first ones there because products and items go very quickly. If they aren't there soon enough everything of high demand is usually gone. At the end of Black Friday stores usually look like a complete mess but they have actually made a lot of money because although they lowered a lot of the prices they sell a lot of inventory!
There is also cyber monday which, like Black Friday, is when stores have all their products on sale for really good prices , however it is all online. Cyber Monday is the monday after Thanksgiving. A lot of people have begun to really prefer Cyber Monday over Black Friday because there is not all the chaos and craziness that come with Black Friday. You can do all your shopping from the comfort of your own home.
amily of seven kids. This is what we should strive to be like as followers of Christ. Be thankful and hopeful and know that God has a plan for you to prosper, even if it may not seem like it at the time. God never gives us more than we can handle. Instead, the trials we face are to better our future. Don’t rely on any worldly solution to your struggles, but rely on God and know that you will be blessed. From everyone at FCA, have a happy Thanksgiving and remember to thank a loved one!
FCA would also like to shout out to our friends over at Young Life Ministry, who meet every Monday night at 7:15 at 1501 Galaxy Dr, Newport Beach. Want to grab a cup of coffee with friends? Then come see us at Coffee and Devos every other Monday morning at the Coffee Bean in Westcliff for some morning joe and a devotional. Finally, if you want to become an official member of FCA and receive updates, sign up for our remind by texting @NEWPORTHAR to 81010 and follow us on Instagram at NHHSFCA.
