Are You a Pincher?
-Madison Skaufel
Saint Patrick's Day has been celebrated widely through the U.S. But for some strange reason there is the tradition of wearing green or pinching the people who aren't wearing green. Turns out, the tradition is entirely an American thing that was started in the 1700's. As a modern sort of spin on a reason would be that, people use to think that if green was not worn, a leprechaun would sneak up and pinch the non-green wearing perpetrator.
But the origin of wearing the color green started when the English invaded Ireland. The Irish being proud of who they were, worn green, but the Irishmen were seen as unwanted and below the English. The English would then kill the men and women wearing the color green. So now in modern times, Irish-Americans have said wearing green was a tradition passed down from Irish ancestors. It is meant to show pride of being Irish and celebrating the survival of hunger, death and oppression of the Irish lads that told the story of Ireland. The pinching is a tradition that is now turned into a joke played by more little kids and not from a fairy or a leprechaun. Are you a pincher?
"I do pinch people but I don't even wear green so I guess I contradict the tradition but I think that the whole tradition is pretty funny and it's something that's not widely taken into consideration by many people." -Sua Vargas (11)
"Well like, it's one of those fun holidays that you can have fun with and play with people. I guess it's tradition if people wear green you don't have a reason to pinch them. But I sometimes do pinch people for the fun of the holiday. It's a holiday to have fun with."
-Ricardo Gamino (12)
"My thoughts on the traditions are that I kind of like it. St. Patrick's Day is the only day where I can "pinch" people and get away with it. If I see someone not wearing green I will most likely pinch them."
-Abby Prado (9)
Are Leprechauns Even Real?
Remember those old stories you would hear in elementary schools where there's a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow? Or where your teacher would drop gold coins filled with chocolate and say that they were from a leprechaun? Leprechauns are known as tiny, sneaky, Irish men dressed in green, with a green top hat and their pointy elf ears peeking out the sides. Their behavior can be described as mischievous and cunning for they hide their pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. So the question is, do you still believe in leprechauns? Here are a few fellow panthers who might still believe.
Cristian Espinosa (11) "As of March 15, 2016 at 12:41pm, I just found out leprechauns weren't real. Although, if they are real and are walking around, I got to see it to believe it."
Christina Bui (10) "I never really believed in those little Irish men. If they're not running around me or in front of me, I won't believe they're real."
Alberto Rodriquez (12) "I do actually believe leprechauns are real. I believe in all the legends and myth characters. I have been told by family and friends they're fake, but I respond back telling them that they're fake."
Vanessa Gonzalez (9)
"I did believe that leprechauns were real, but then my third grade teacher told us all the characters like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy were fake. She basically made the whole class cry."
-Melanie Naraval
Panthers of the 3rd Quarter Celebrated
The Students of the 3rd Quarter were acknowledged during a lunchtime celebration yesterday. Four students from each class were recognized for their outstanding scholastic achievements and treated to pizza and cake. The honorees were encouraged to invite their parents and teachers to show support for their achievements. It’s a way for the teachers and parents to recognize the hard work that the students have done this past quarter. Ms. Martinez, the event coordinator, was beaming with pride as she handed out awards to the studious Panthers. Congratulations to our Panthers of the Quarter!
"I managed my time by planning out my entire day after school and thinking about other things that I already have scheduled throughout the week. I know I have the potential to do anything I plan to do and be, so I just did my best and remained myself." -Christina "Glitter Face" Bulosan (11)
"I prioritize my time. I've always tried to be respectful to others around me and get all of my work done." -Alexander Pugh (9)
"I try to do my homework during school, and if I don’t have time, then I push myself to do it right after school. I just try to do my best in class." -Angelina Passion (12)
-Nestor Lopez & Jessica Pena