Yosemite High School
Blue Print
June 4, 2004 - Volume 27 Number 6

Spring Sports:
Burns’ no-hitter is school record;
Worstein at state

Valedictorians reflect on high school
Yosemite High School Class of 2004 Pitman Scholars and class valedictorians

Sober Grad Night features fun, prizes

Swim programs open in the fall 2004 semester

Graduation is June 9

Prom Queen and King

Spring Sports:
Burns’ no-hitter is school record;
Worstein at state

Yosemite’s left-handed pitcher Jake Burns threw a no-hitter against Kerman May 25 to clinch the Central Section championship for the Badgers and to become the first YHS pitcher to throw a no-hitter. YHS won the game 9-0.
Burns called the game “un-believable, amazing,” but, he said “I couldn’t have done it without my team.”

The baseball team’s fifth championship in 10 years is one of the highlights of the spring sports season.

The other is Fred Worstein winning section in the 100 and 200 meters sending him to the state track meet today (June 4) in Sacramento.
Worstein will run tonight in the preliminaries at Hughes Stadium at Sac-ramento City College.

Winners from tonight’s competition will participate in the state finals Saturday, June 5.

He won valley in the 100 and 200 meter events in 2003 as well.

Valedictorians reflect on high school
Yosemite High School Class of 2004 Pitman Scholars and class valedictorians
BRITTANY TIDWELL AND MALISSA TRENHOLM

The Yosemite High School Pitman Awards were held on May 19 at the Pines Resort for all Valedictorians of the graduating class of 2004. The top of the senior class, 23 seniors, was honored with gifts given from various members and businesses from the community and a certificate.

The Valedictorians each wrote an essay in a booklet for the awards dinner in which they reflected on their years at YHS and about the people who have helped them be successful. Information for this story is from those essays.

The 2004 YHS Valedictorians are: Cody Campbell, Alexander Cano, Michael Cole, Cori Dooman, Jessica Flippen, Kaley Franklin, Kyle Howard, Samantha Hunt, Marissa Mar-tin, Mary McKennon, Andrew Medley, Kyle Mosher, Jonathon Nickel, Rhiannon Smith, Tim-othy Springer, Matthew Steph-ens, Ivan Tomazin, Brian Trout-ner, Jessica Tucker, Ashley Vett-er, Timothy Williams, Casey Wolters and Brandon Wright.

Cody Campbell plans to pursue career goals in marine biology, chemistry and video editing. He thanks the IB program for granting him the ability to specify his likes and dislikes in each field while preparing for the demands of college. Thanks to Yosemite's video program, Campbell has discovered his passion for editing, where he never would have at Sierra High, where he initially planned to go to school.

Alexander Cano thanks his parents for supporting him in all his activities and his good friends for always being there for him to talk to when the need arose. Cano plans to attend UC San Diego with a goal to help others and contribute his time and talents to make a difference in the world.

Michael Cole reflects on his desire to thrive when he arrived in high school, which he displayed throughout his high school career. Among Cole's influences, he had to thank his parents for shaping him into the person he is today and the affect his peers have had on him in subtle ways.

Cori Dooman experienced home school her first two years of high school and chose to come back her junior year to better suit her needs. Among the many who helped shape Dooman, she thanks her parents and counselor Bob Yohn, noting that she owes it all to Jesus Christ who has always shown her an indescribable love.

Jessica Flippen wanted to individually thank her teachers for their support and all that they have taught her to succeed in the world, as well her one true rock, Jesus Christ. Fresno State is on her horizon as well as a career as a public relations specialist for a scientific company.

Kaley Franklin thinks of all the people who influenced her development, including her parents, grandparents, her sister, Bob Yohn, Rebecca Hardison, and all the "amazing" staff at YHS and the people at Sierra Telephone. She thanks Yosemite High staff and friends for helping her realize her dreams.

Kyle Howard stated that his parents have had the most influence on his high school career, but not leaving out the person who bestowed his wisdom and grace on him throughout the years, Jesus Christ. Howard acknowledges that without Coach Aaron Eames and the football program, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to know his classmates and the conditioning mentally and physically that the football team provided.

Samantha Hunt knows that without her close friends, she wouldn't have the amazing memories that she will carry with her throughout the rest of her life. The Oakhurst community and Yosemite's staff that has dedicated their time has made Hunt's first chapter of her life a great and successful one, she believes.

Marissa Martin reminisces about her memories of the special education department and the sheer joy that she experienced on one student's face when she was just simply being a friend to him. Realizing that because of her selfless help to other special education students, Martin chose to continue to help them out for years to come.

Mary McKennon's main goal for high school is to make memories and have fun and she says being concerned with being popular is not what it's all about. Thanks to Deborah Brown, McKennon has decided against just being a stay at home mom, and to pursue a career in psychology.

Andrew Medley wanted to pass on the information that has kept him true to himself these past years, and that is never to compromise. He thanks his parents, dear friends and staff for not letting him stray off his path of success and allowing him to stand up for himself and what is right.

Kyle Mosher recounts the joy of the night that the Yosemite Varsity Football Team won CIF Champs his junior year as being one the greatest experiences of his life. Winning that title with his beloved teammates has helped Mosher better appreciates the memories preserved and the friendships gained with his team.

Jonathan Nickel's most memorable experience was when he took a trip to Rumania in the summer of 2001, learning to appreciate how easy Americans have it. He thanks Jesus Christ for the influence he has held on his life and that his beliefs kept him from making life-altering mistakes that would cause him not to have succeeded the way he has today.

Rhiannon Smith's love and passion to make beauty through art in home furnishings and design is what she has gained from Yosemite High. She plans to pursue a goal of being a consultant for designing and furnishing homes and businesses that express the beauty of art that Smith holds dear to her life.

Timothy Springer's most important people in his life are his parents, who have taught him his character and values and driven him to succeed. Using the important quote applied to Springer's life "High school is what you make of it,” and because of his value to be social and active, he feels he has been a success.

Matthew Stephens said that Madame Read has been the biggest influence on him and that without her; he wouldn't have the preparation she's provided for him to succeed in college. Stephens also adds that when college gets tough in the future, he will turn and grin at the hard times from high school knowing that they have helped him all the way.

Ivan Tomazin plans to go to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to major in mechanical engineering. He thanks his friends, family, and teachers for giving him guidance, love and support. He feels that "not taking risks is the biggest risk of all,” which he learned at YHS, as well as foundations on which he hopes to build in his future.

Brian Troutner said the best decision he has ever made in high school was to get involved. Because of this he was awarded the Presidents Scholarship to California State University, Long Beach that includes full payment of tuition, housing, priority registration, book allow-ance, parking, and many other things. Troutner would like to thank friends, family, Rebecca Rice, Deborah Brown, Steve Browning, Coach Aaron Eames, Gael Irizarry, and, of course, “Him.”

Jessica Tucker would like to thank the grace of God, for as her mother countlessly said to her, "do your best and leave the rest up to God!” She said this phrase has helped her through high school. Tucker is grateful to her family, teachers and friends.

Ashley Vetter said "laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you get all wet.” She thanks her friends for letting her be who she is, and she thanks her mother and father as well because they taught her to be very thankful and pushed her to her full potential. Vetter said nothing beats hanging out with the ones you love, doing dorky things, and laughing till you cry.

Timothy Williams thanked a unique role model and friend, who has never given up on him, Christ. He also thanked his parents for their love, support, care, humor, faith and hope that has been more than adequate in helping him move on. Williams also thanks his bother as well as his grandmother.

Casey Wolters said that things happen whether you like it or not, and the only thing you can do is hold on to the bonds you share with family, friends, and teammates. He thanks David Carpenter, Steve Brown-ing, Coach Bonner Cunnings, Coach Aaron Eames, his mom and dad for asking how his day went, and thanks to God.

Brandon Wright said the most important thing he has learned from high school is how to manage time. He thanked Matt Skeahan for enabling him to enjoy English class, and greatly influencing him over the years. Skeahan helped Wright to think outside of the box, and to overcome his fear of public speaking. He also said high school has opened his eyes to many new things, and now he feels he is ready for a brand new experience of college.

The Pitman Awards are named for Paul and Martha Pitman who were instrumental in the formation of Yosemite High School in the early 1970s. The dinner is sponsored by Sierra Telephone.

Sober Grad Night features fun, prizes
JESSICA FLIPPEN

Sober Graduation was started as a way to keep our kids safe and to help them make it to their future,” said YHS teacher Linda Heinbach in her description of this senior event. Sober Grad takes places after graduation, and is held at Sierra Lanes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. It provides a safe and sober place for graduating seniors to celebrate, Heinbach said.

Though the event is free for graduating seniors, invited guests must obtain a $20 pass at the student store. All students attending must be in by midnight. Music, casino games, video games, free bowling, and a rock wall are just some of the activities hosted by the Sober Grad Committee.

The community provides cash, prizes, and gifts for this event, and these donations will be given away throughout the night. Thousands of dollars will be won in cash prizes, as will passes to amusement parks, television sets, VCRs, mini appliances, and gift certificates to restaurants.

Madera Auto Mall has donated a car for the fifth year in a row. The vehicle, a 1996 Saturn, will be “given at 5 in the morning to some lucky senior who has stayed all night long,” Heinbach says.

Some of the clubs on campus help out by making donations or helping decorate. The Sober Grad Committee is still looking for community volunteers and donations. To help, call Linda Heinbach at 642-7699 or at school,: 683-4667, extension 221.

Swim programs open in the fall 2004 semester

S tudents will be able to participate in swimming events beginning in the fall of 2004. The swim complex is on schedule to be open in August.

Water polo will be offered in the fall semester and swimming and diving in the spring of 2005.

Chad Houck and Brandon Brokaw, both new staff members beginning next fall, will be the swim coaches.

Houck met with potential swimmers during a recent visit to the campus.
Between 75 and 100 students attended the meeting.

The pool will be open to the public when not in use by students. Members of the public will be charged a fee for use of the facilities. Specific details have not been finalized regarding the fee schedule.

The pool is accessible for handicapped people, including wheelchair access.

Funds for the swim complex have come from a local bond, state bond funds, local fundraising efforts, state matching funds and private donations.

Graduation is June 9
CASSIE HULTMAN

Graduation will be held at Yosemite High School June 9 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the newly refurbished football stadium.

There will be speeches by students and some teachers and the school band will perform.

There will be approximately 250 graduates this year.

Although the additional seating has been added and the football field has been covered with sod, the new lights will not be installed. Temporary lighting will be brought in for the ceremony.

The graduation is open to the public.

VANESSA FIERSTADT
Lacy Abbott and Jake Dodderidge were crowned Prom Queen and King at this year’s event held in May at Tenaya Lodge.

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