Venice Patch asked six Venice High journalism students for their take on the biggest story in Venice. Read on for their answers.
Mitchell Handler, junior:
The biggest story for me is about our new principal, Dr. Mendoza. I want to know how she'll help preserve our programs. I know the photography teacher just got laid off this year. We don't have photography anymore.
I believe we don't have a woodshop class anymore. I want to know how she will be able to preserve the programs we do have and hopefully bring back some of the ones that got cut.
Edgar Mejia, senior:
The biggest story in Venice right now is probably the new principal. Where'd she go to school? Was she a principal at another school? Has she taught before? What is her experience with teenagers?
Also, classes were cut. Journalism used to be 7th period [after school]. Now, people have to cut out something else, or not take it at all.
I'm interested in the volleyball events, because I'm in volleyball, and I know what's going on. The season just started, and they had a tournament on Saturday. The JV team came in third, so it's a good start.
Summer Goller, junior:
At this school, the biggest issue is drugs and alcohol.
It's always talked about. The majority of people here do use—it's a growing issue and will only get bigger. It affects the whole population of the school.
Less people are coming to school, for one. When they are coming, they are under the influence, so it's affecting their schoolwork and affecting the school as a name.
Communities around us will say, "Venice is a bad school," because this is going on.
Grace Lee, senior:
The whole story going on in Arizona, checking to see if people are documented or not, I think that's the biggest story.
I think it's unfair, honestly, for people who are living here legally. And even though the government doesn't want illegal immigrants, I think the law is a violation.
If I were covering that story, I would try to talk to the government, even though that would probably be really hard.
Sienna Pacheco-Gomez, freshman:
I think the biggest issue is how people can't get over their differences. There are gangs fighting over property, who is here and who is there.
If I were writing a story about them, I would want to know how big they are and what their names are. The fact that there are so many people in them makes it an issue.
At Venice High? I see people who try to be in gangs...
Monica Lorenzo, junior:
The biggest issue for me would be the small learning communities. I want to know how they program the students, who goes in which classroom.
With the number of teachers that were cut, it makes it harder for everyone to get the right classes.
Some honors kids have been put in regular classes, and a lot of classes are full. Some kids have to sit on the floor because there aren't enough seats.
