This Day in History: March 23
By Cynthia Andary
1775 – Patrick Henry proclaims, “Give me liberty or give me death” in his famous speech in favor of Virginian troops joining U.S. Revolutionary War.
1806 – Having completed the first U.S. overland expedition to the Pacific coast, explorers Meriweather Lewis and William Clark this day in 1806 began their return to St. Louis, Missouri, where their journey had begun in May 1804.
1868 – The University of California was founded in Oakland, CA.
1922 – The first airplane landed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
1933 – The Enabling Act was passed; German Reichstafe grants Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers.
1934 – The United States Congress accepted the independence of the Philippines in 1945.
1972 – The United States called a halt to the peace talks on Vietnam being held in Paris.
1981 – United States Supreme Court upheld a law making statutory rape a crime for men but not women.
1983 – Dr. Barney Clark died after 112 days with a permanent artificial heart.
1989 – A 1,000-foot diameter asteroid missed Earth by about 430,000 miles.
1998 – The movie Titanic won 11 Oscars at the Academy Awards.
2001- Although designed for only 5 years of service, the Soviet/Russian space station Mir ended 15 years in orbit when it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, falling into the South Pacific Ocean.
BOTC Recap
By Sophia Christensen
After ASB’s hard work and dedication the past few months, they managed to put together an unforgettable Battle of the Classes Week! From daily lip sync practices to sleepless nights painting the class banner, every class truly pulled through with impressive dances and decor.
It may not have seemed like it, but due to unfortunate complications, the freshman banner was made in only four days! Wow! With haystacks adding the final touch to a creative corner, and a wild lip sync, the freshmen were seriously not horsin’ around.
Next, the sophomores busted a move in their amazing lip sync, off the hook banner, and the realest corner. Winning a plethora of rally games, the sophomores were truly a tough competition, surely putting pressure on the seniors, especially after the sophomores’ impressive first win against the seniors in tug of war.
And we cannot forget about the juniors with their iconic lip sync featuring a sassy dance with Juniors George Bilionis, Evan Griffith, and Victor Pham, a lively banner, and a cute corner. With their high spirit and competitiveness only as juniors, I am certain they’re going to do big things senior year.
Last but certainly not least, the BOTC champions, the seniors! As always, Senior Lainey Fitch carried the Senior Class on her back with a foxy banner, and a funky lit up corner using five blacklights and endless rolls of LED tape. Lainey is truly the reason the seniors deserved first place in quad decor, banner, and corner. Can ya dig it? Four year lip sync choreographers, Seniors Samantha Binns and Jenna Martello gave it their all for our final lip sync boogie, creating multiple dances with unique and groovy dance moves, rewarding seniors in first place for lip sync.
Wellness Center at Westmont
Westmont, the wait is over. The brand new Wellness Center on campus is finally open! Learn more about it in the post below. Follow their Instagram for more updates! @whswellnesscenter
Fun Facts about March
By Julia Kemp
- March is the first month of the year on old Roman calendars.
- According to Forbes, March is one of the most unproductive months of the year.
- March was named after the Roman god of war: Mars.
- March is the first month of spring!!!
- International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20.
- The full moon in March is called the “worm moon” because earthworms tend to appear in many locations in the northern hemisphere.
- If you’re born in March, your zodiac sign is either Pisces or Aries.
- March is Women’s History Month!
- Bon Jovi, Shaquille O’Neal, Elton John, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga were all born in March.
Have an amazing March!!!
East Coast Trip Do-Over?
By Isabella Brady
As COVID-19 restrictions lighten, an increasing number of travel opportunities are materializing–just in time for summer! Unfortunately, the pandemic indefinitely canceled many vacations, one being the renowned 8th grade East Coast trip. However, the opportunity is not lost! This summer might be the perfect opportunity to travel… (To continue reading, click here!)
“The Dark Magic of Sleep Paralysis in Silvermore Creek”
By Aresena Equihua
If one were to ask a student who attended camp Silvermore Creek during the year of 1979– in the middle of an unnamed California forest– what they remembered, they would not be able to help but answer with a look of reminiscing horror. The events taking place were truly traumatic for every child. All of those who went home were unable to rest comfortably in their rooms, keeping a flashlight on each of their nightstands, crucifixes resting over their beds, and overdosing themselves with caffeine in order to keep the demon away. When ignorant parents, horrified for their children, sent some of them to mental asylums or attempted to soothe fears of what they assumed were of the boogeyman, the children only shook their heads and repeated under their small breaths,“vigilate peccatis vestris: nolite loqui verbum tuum in consanguineis ac prope oculis vestris…1 (To continue reading click HERE!)
The Shield is an independent publication of the Journalism class at Westmont High School. Editorials reflect the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Westmont High School, its Board of Trustees, faculty, administration, or students. The Shield welcomes all opinions, editorials, poems, artwork, complaints, pictures, advertisements, and letters to the editor. Submit all material to Room 58 and/or aevans@cuhsd.org. We appreciate articles from students, faculty, parents and subscribers. The Shield, Westmont High School, and CUHSD do not endorse any advertisements that run in the newspaper.