News

Will the Rise of Artificial Intelligence Impact the Students at Canyon High School?

by Abigail Hwang, Journalism Student Writer

First published November 29, 2022

https://chsnews.org/ 

The rise of Artificial Intelligence may impact artists around the world, including students at Canyon High School.

With the rise of technology, comes the evolution of generators like Artificial Intelligence. AI is an art creator that makes a piece within seconds if an individual types in just a few words. However, it raises many questions. How can technology form pieces of artwork with such emotion? How can AI create works within seconds of an individual typing it? 

Elliot Serure, a student at Shalhevet High School, has expressed their own emotions with the impact of Artificial Intelligence. They even go as deep as questioning, “what art is” based on the outcomes of AI. Serure sort of answers the question by stating, “Some, such as Plato… viewed art as an imitation of nature that captures the essence of ideas and forms. Others, such as Leonardo Da Vinci… argued that art is an expression of emotions and a medium of ideas and feelings. Others even argue that everything can be considered art. Still, most define art as an expression and reflection of humanity.” 

Now, this begs the question of how this can impact individuals, specifically, how can this effectively impact those at Canyon High School? Well, many students at Canyon love and have a great interest in art, in which they love painting, drawing, etc. However, with the evolution of Artificial Intelligence art and the system’s ability to create such complex and impressive pieces in such a short amount of time, big effects can take place on individuals around the world who create art pieces. Though some choose to believe that the meaning of art is human expression, the rise of Artificial Intelligence may downsize this idea and belief. 

However, the new rise of AI may not only have just a negative impact on artists. For example, the complexity of the unique and different designs that the system creates when a user types words into the generator can help stir up new ideas for individuals and influence a new project for them to make. 

As the students of Canyon High School become the artists of the future generations, they may be impacted by the rise of Artificial Intelligence art, especially with how it may advance more throughout the years ahead. However, with this comes new motivation for more pieces that are distinctive and one of a kind. 

 Ms. Deloyola details her 5-Day Study Trip with 2nd place ‘Chapman University Holocaust Art and Writing Contest’ winner, Grace Simonian

Every year, a large portion of Ms. Deloyola’s Freshman Honors English class is spent studying the Holocaust through educational documentaries, survivor testimonies, and historical literature. Furthermore, Ms. Deloyola offers a yearly extra credit opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of the Holocaust and deepen their historical empathy. Her students have the option to enter the contest under one of four given categories: prose, poetry, art, or film. 

The Chapman University Holocaust Art and Writing Contest aims to honor and remember Holocaust survivors via the contestants’ chosen art forms. Something that is so special about winning this contest is that it provides the chance to meet and talk with living Holocaust survivors; an experience that goes far beyond anything you may read in a textbook or discover in an online article. 

“It’s one thing to read a testimony or to watch a video, but to have somebody tell you their story first-hand is beyond powerful and I think it’s an experience that is enriching and beautiful,” Ms. Deloyola explains. 

Typically, only the first-place winners are able to attend this trip. However, Grace Simonian was privileged to attend as a 2nd place winner in the ‘prose’ category this June, accompanied by her mother and Ms. Deloyola. During the event, winners were able to interact with survivors for three hours. 

Ms. Deloyola is grateful to have gone on this study-trip multiple times. When asked how this experience has impacted her teaching, she shares,” It becomes personal and you kind of take it on. You want to honor it [The Holocaust] and give it value in the classroom so that you can do it with one-hundred-percent respect and dignity. I think kids can connect with that more than just sharing the dates and saying ‘This is what happened’. For me, it’s kind of become a passion.”

article by Canyon Publications student, Emily Hackett

 Read Grace Simonian’s winning prose, ‘Power of a Promise’

World Alzheimer’s Month: find out more about this disease and how to spread awareness

By Isabelle Dorantes, Publications Student Writer • September 25, 2023

September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and World Alzheimer’s Awareness is September 21st. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. It can cause memory loss and affect other cognitive abilities negatively. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and it represents 60-80% of dementia cases. 

The most common first symptom of Alzheimer’s is having trouble remembering information that was newly learned. Alzheimer’s usually starts in the area that affects learning in the brain. It spreads to other parts of the brain from there. It will usually go to areas that affect social behavior and language understanding. What is happening in the brain is that its cells are failing. The neurons that transmit messages throughout the brain and the rest of the body have lost their connection to other nerve cells. This causes the proteins that cells make to form incorrectly. Proteins in cells keep the cells functioning. Since these connections between neurons are destroyed, the neurons can’t communicate with each other. Eventually, many areas of the brain will be destroyed to function, so this disease is fatal. 

To understand Alzheimer’s, it is important to understand a little bit about the brain. The brain is responsible for every action a human makes. The brain is divided into different parts that work together as a team. The brain and the entire nervous system make up many kinds of cells, but the communication cells are called neurons. Neurons contain three main parts: the cell body, the dendrites, and the axon. The cell body is made of the nucleus and that keeps the neuron functioning. The dendrites extend out from the cell body. The dendrites are able to receive messages from other neurons. These signals can travel down the axon so they can be sent to another neuron. Cell communication is vital to a functioning brain. The signals between neurons are called neurotransmitters and they are responsible for regulating the bodily functions. These signals can tell a person if they are hungry or tired. 

Since the brain is responsible for regulating the body, it is important that they work well. Alzheimer’s usually is more likely to occur with age. A person with Alzheimer’s will not know they have it until it is diagnosed. A person with Alzheimer’s can have trouble doing common tasks, such as making food or washing the dishes. It is important to spread awareness for Alzheimer’s because many people look down on people with Alzheimer’s. A person with Alzheimer’s didn’t do anything wrong and there shouldn’t be a stigma against them. Before their diagnosis, they were regular humans just like everyone else. A way to support Alzheimer’s awareness is to support the Purple Club here at Canyon. They raise money for Alzheimer’s through fundraisers and walks. They also make cards for people in Alzheimer’s clinics.

Free Snow Cones

Last week at lunch on Wednesday, September 13th, Canyon High School ASB (Associated Student Body) had a pleasant surprise for our amazing student body- free snow cones for everyone!

By Paulo Martinez Rojo, Publications Student Writer • September 25, 2023

The excitement in the air could be felt as the students lined up eagerly to savor this treat. The sun was out and shining brightly, and the temperature was perfect for these icy treats. As the lunch bell rang, students rushed to the student center where ASB had set up a colorful snow cone station. A spectrum of flavors awaited, from the classic red cherry and blue raspberry and so on. The scent of the shaved ice was refreshing, a pleasant contrast to the typical cafeteria food.

ASB members wore their best smiles as they skillfully prepared and crafted each snow cone, packing it gently. They filled the snow cones with vibrantly-colored syrups in order to create mesmerizing snow cone flavors.

The atmosphere was almost contagious as the students gathered around the table waiting patiently for their icy treat. Conversation and laughter filled the air. It was quite heartwarming to be able to see how a simple gesture like free snow cones could bring our school together for lunch. 

However, as lunchtime neared the end, an unexpected turn of events occurred – the snow cone machine suddenly broke down. The ASB team, undeterred by this minor setback, quickly improvised. They began serving cups with ice and syrup. Of course, it wasn’t the same finely shaved ice, but it was impressive to witness ASB’s adaptability and dedication to ensuring the snow cone experience continued and everyone had a chance to get one.

As the final bell lunch bell rang, the students returned to their classes with smiles on their faces. The memory of the snow cones’ surprise and the great lunch they had lingered. It was a day when ASB, with their thoughtful gestures and ability to overcome challenges, managed to create a sense of unity and joy among the students. This Wednesday, September 13th, will be remembered as a day that brought our school community even closer together, one delicious bite at a time, even in the face of minor difficulties.

 

Homecoming Spirit Week
The student body’s participation in this week’s Spirit Week draws even more excitement to our upcoming Homecoming dance on September 30th.

by Audrey Holas, Publication StudentWriter

All throughout the week of September 25th-29th, there have been creative and fun themes to dress for, according to the day. Students have shown a lot of interest in these activities. The themes for this week were Monochrome Monday, Twin Tuesday, Gym Rat vs. Pilates Princess Wednesday, Adam Sandler Thursday, and Decades Friday. Throughout the week, we’ve seen many students loving these themes. People especially seemed to enjoy Adam Sandler Thursday, as we had a lot of people dressed in their best, oversized-dad outfits.  Although there were definitely some themes with a wider participation rate, all of the days and themes had a lot of people dressed out.  

Spirit weeks usually go hand-in-hand with a big event coming up at school and typically school dances have a spirit week prior to the event. The themes for each day often represent the event in some way or another. One example of this was when the theme was “Too Bright Tuesday” for the Warped Spirit Week because bright and neon colors are a major theme of this dance.  

School Spirit Weeks tie back to bringing entertainment to the student body. We love to see people dress up to get in the mood for big, upcoming school events. Most schools take part in spirit weeks. They are designed to bring creativity and fun to a school campus. You can tell that we bring all of these characteristics forward with our spirit weeks. During these times, it is also an innovative and great way to celebrate our school’s education.  

It has been proven that these kinds of school activities lead to many benefits for students. Students get more socially engaged by participating in activities including other people. Just by getting more social, you can gain a huge boost of serotonin, providing happiness. A lot of students have been seen to perform better academically when having a joyful balance. 

School spirit and participation have always shown to be amusing and exciting for all. It is important to keep this fun-loving tradition alive.