Open World Comes to Nintendo with the Nintendo Switch

By Dan Rabideau

Nintendo fans everywhere are stoked about Nintendo’s next generation console.  Bringing new and old together in a new portable format, Nintendo has created a console that is for all types of people in a way that can be enjoyed by everyone. With the upcoming release of Nintendo’s new console coming in March of 2017, the Nintendo Switch, it is looking like a very exciting release that Nintendo desperately needs after its previous launch flop with the Wii U. With games such as Super Mario Odyssey, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim coming to the console, it seems nintendo is upping it graphic quality, and moving to more expansive and immersive games with open world formats. This release will also please the retro gamers out there with an updated virtual console.  

This release will also bring back favorites from the Nintendo Wii, such as the newest installment in the popular party game series Just Dance, which is named Just Dance 2017. The updated graphics are a definite improvement and help stray away from the image of Nintendo as a budget console with lacking graphics, and power to be desired. However, this release also comes with a higher price tag of around $300. This is still cheaper than the current generation consoles that cost around $400-$500.

The added bonus of the new Nintendo Switch is the instant portability. This gives you the ability to play all your games both home and on the go - a feature that is not available on any other platform without buying additional hardware. The Nintendo Switch is planned to have a Nintendo Virtual Console so that users can play older games from previous Nintendo consoles, and it is also said that it may include a Nintendo Gamecube feature as well. The Nintendo Virtual Console is supposedly going to have an online multiplayer feature as well.

The hardware on this device is impressive for the money, boasting a battery life ranging from 2.5 to 6 hours. This depends on the graphical intensity of the game being played. The touchscreen runs in 720p which may limit some of the graphics of the game when played away from a television, however it will not be so severe as to affect gameplay on games such as Elder Scrolls V. It is also made to have 32gbs of storage and an expansion slot for microSD cards giving options for storage. Nintendo has yet to announce what graphics processor they will go with, however sources have indicated an NVIDIA card will be used from the Maxwell series. The CPU is less powerful than its competition. However, with a much lower price tag and the types of games being brought to the console it will run smoothly. The graphics processor will be the determining factor for how this console will run new releases that are going to run at high graphic settings on PC and competing consoles.

Overall this console has good value for the money. The graphical processor that Nintendo decides to use will determine how it will do with games not designed specifically for it. Hardware aside, Nintendo has done a good job with what it does best - create a console that is user friendly, innovative, and introduces new features while giving old Nintendo fans the ability to play the games they love. They have added more power to this console which will allow for open world games and an overall more immersive experience on some of the most anticipated Nintendo exclusive releases to date.

Reactions on Donald Trump Becoming President

By Joanna and Yhailine

On Friday, January 20th, Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States. Vanguard had plenty of reactions:

“He is not president in my world.” - Joana Villa

“I am nervous.” - Megan Baker

“I feel weirded out.” - Patty Rosales

“I feel upset.” - Chynna Anderson

“Things happen.”  - Kobe McAloney

“I have no comment.” -  Scott Scholten

“I don’t care; he’s not doing anything to me.” - Gerald Clemons

“I am angry. I have no desire to watch any of today’s activities.” - Dawn Garcia

“I am scared and not happy.” -  Cheryl Giovannetti

“Nervous, but maybe hopeful.” - Panagiota Sbirakos

(laughter) “One moment I am enjoying and all of a sudden something triggers me and 

disturbs me.” - Jim Arey

“I feel sad, afraid, and concerned.” - Juana Santos

“I have mixed feelings about it.” - Joe Marchisotto

“I am worried.” - Nancy Garcia and Kathy Rodriguez

“I have no opinion.” - Brandon Sobecki

“I don’t like it.” - Cameron Baumann

“I don’t care.” -  Anthony Flores

“I have no trust, for I don’t believe in their policies.” - Dan Rabideau

(sarcasm) “Looking forward to the next 4 years. Make America Great again.” - Mark Koz

“I don’t see him being a good president.” - Diana Sanchez

“I don’t like the idea.” - Maria Medina

“I don’t care.” - Yanet Najera and Jaselle Colon

“We have to work together to protect human rights and we have to lean on each other during this time because this man has a scary agenda.” - Amy O’Neill

“He’s trash.” - Angelica Esparza

“I don’t like it and I am white.” - Ellen Piotrowski

“---- him.” - Mariah Mendoza

“ What happens, happens.” - Thurston Glover

“It’s ridiculous that a reality tv star is going to be president over any other politician.” - Mauricio Herrera

“I feel scared of what he is going to do and helpless, for there is not much of anything I can do.” - Carly Tannhauser

“ I don’t care.” - Beto Diego

“I am worried but hopeful. I don’t want him to be president, but I am not going to give up.” - Tom Jackolin

“I don’t care about him.” Charlie Konsolakis

“Now, more than ever, minorities have to stand up.” - Edwin Nava

“I am disappointed in this country because they voted for him.” - Herve Nelson

“I am not a huge fan. Jill Stein should've become president instead.” - Sydney Schultz

“I don’t give a ----.” - Hector Villalobos

“I am annoyed, yet hopeful.” - Danielle Roman Mendez

“I feel mixed emotions. I am upset that it’s happening and happened the way that it did and I am really unhappy with the process of him being elected. Sad to see Barack Obama leave.” - Adam McCallister

“I am pretty nervous. I feel very uncertainty about the future, but I am hopeful that the people of our country will overcome my fears.” - Patrick Kain

“I don’t think he will follow through on a lot of what he says.” - Sebastian Tomy

The Jester Race by In Flames

A Song by Song Review by Thurston "Ayumu" Glover

Nothing says metal like Comic Sans!

Prologue
So I've been listening to In Flames recently. I was thinking, "Hey... Maybe I should write a review of this album for the school paper", so here we are now. I hope you enjoy this.

Moonshield - 9/10
Moonshield is the first song on this album. This song starts off with a soft acoustic guitar riff that leads into a very catchy acoustic guitar melody. At almost exactly 50 seconds into the song, they come in with distorted electric guitars. The guitars play a melodic riff that just sends shivers down one's spine. After a few repetitions, the vocals come in and they play a variation upon this melodic riff. As the chorus comes in, they play the acoustic guitar melody on electric guitar. As a transition into the next verse, they build upon the original melody which finally leads into the second verse. They play the original verse riff four times until Jesper Stromblad goes into a short and melodic guitar solo. After the guitar solo, there is a short bridge followed by a transition that is reminiscent of the original distorted guitar part. This is followed by another acoustic guitar riff. The bridge part then proceeds to play once again after the acoustic guitar part, and then the original distorted guitar riff is played. This is followed by another chorus. Shortly thereafter, the song ends.

I gave this song a 9/10 for a simple reason. This is my favourite song off of this album and possibly by this band. It is simply breathtaking. This song is the epitome of good melodic death metal. The only reason I did not give this a 10/10 is that the solo was not necessarily impressive. Yes, I like melodic guitar solos, and I am a fan of Jesper Stromblad's guitar playing, but it just was not memorable.

The Jester's Dance - 6/10
This song isn't exactly memorable or amazing. This piece is more of a transitory piece. It starts and ends with an acoustic melody, with the original acoustic melody followed by distorted guitar riffs that aren't memorable.

I gave this song a 6/10 simply because it is not that memorable. There isn't anything amazing. However, this song still gets a slightly higher rating because most metal bands would not come up with something like this.

Artifacts of the Black Rain - 7.5 /10
Artifacts of the Black Rain is your typical old school In Flames song. It starts off with an amazing guitar riff that is repeated throughout the song followed by a melody. There are a couple of verses, and then a transitory section with a harmonized guitar melody in harmonic minor. After this bridge of sorts, there is a repetition of the melody played in the intro.

I gave this some a 7/10 because it is a typical In Flames song from the Jester Race - Clayman era. It is melodic and it has good riffs, but it is slightly generic.

Graveland - 7/10
This song is decent overall. It has nice melodies and it is pretty memorable. This song is nothing special.

I gave this song a 7/10 because, like I said, it is nothing special. It is still a good song, however.

Lord Hypnos - 9/10
Ah, Lord Hypnos. This is simply an amazing song. From the beginning of the opening riff to the repetition of the opening riff at this very end, this is a great song. The melodies are absolutely amazing and the vocals are on point. The lyrics are epic and very enjoyable. Oh! The amount of thought put into the lyrics on old In Flames songs. Alas, they have fallen away. Not to say that new In Flames are bad. I do like them. I digress. Lord Hypnos is an amazing song with great transitions and I personally love this song. It is most likely my second favourite song by them.

I give this song a 9/10 for its amazing melodies and how catchy/memorable it is. That is, if death metal of any type can be catchy.

Dead Eternity - 8/10
This song is great. The main riff is tremolo picked and it just sounds amazing. Tremolo picking is basically picking as fast as you possibly can - in time of course - on a string. As I was listening to this song, I was wishing that it had a guitar solo, but then I remembered that this is In Flames - they don't have guitar solos very often. This song would be even more amazing with a guitar solo.

I gave this song an 8/10 because it is a great song, but it doesn't have a guitar solo. If you haven't learned by now I am a "solophiliac". Guitar solos are literally life, and I wish In Flames had realized that they would have sounded even more amazing with guitar solos. Now, that's really saying something.

The Jester Race - 7/10
This is a good song. It doesn't have anything special, but it is a good song. I would say this song is more filler, rather than killer*.

I gave this song a 7/10 because it's just not memorable. It's a decent song, but it really just isn't memorable. 

December Flower - 9/10
This is a great song. It finally delivered the solo I had been looking for. The solo is just great. I love the tone, note choice, and technicality. The riffs are amazing and mostly tremolo picked. As is the case with most melodic death metal songs, the riffs tend to be pedal tones and/or pedal phrases. If you combined the melodies of Moonshield or Lord Hypnos and had a solo of this type, it would get a 10/10. 

I gave this song a 9/10 because it is one of my favourite songs by In Flames. This song is easily in my top five by this band.

Wayfaerer - 8.5/10
This song is very reminiscent of Rush and Dream Theater, and I love those two bands. The melodies and the keyboards just have them written all over this song. That is really all I have to say about this song.

This song gets an 8.5 because of the melodies.

Dead God in Me - 8/10
This song has good riffs and is a good song overall. The melodies are very good as well. It is more of a filler, but even filler songs by In Flames are good.

This song gets an 8/10 for being a good song, but it is truly nothing special.

Summary
This is an amazing album. It has great songs with great riffs and great melodies. The vocals are absolutely astounding and I could not be more pleased. The only thing I would have personally done different is added more guitar solos. This is quite possibly my favourite In Flames album because it has three of my favourite songs by them. If you like metal and you haven't given this album a listen, I suggest that you do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPbObVABzz4

*Reference to the Sum 41 album All Killer, No Filler

An Interview with Aaron Minter

Written by Aaron Minter

Q: What is your name?

A: Aaron Minter.

Q: What is your home school?

A: Prospect; I hated it.

Q: What is your career pathway?

A: Something having to do with adventure.

Q: What year are you in school?

A: I think I’m a junior.

Q: Why are you at Vanguard?

A: It kind of started by wearing a hat at Prospect, they weren’t big fans of that.

Q: How do you feel about Vanguard so far?

A: I dig it.

Q: What activities do you do outside of school?

A: I like to skateboard and play video games.

Q: Do you play any sports?

A: I used to play football and soccer.

Q: What subjects do you enjoy?

A: I don’t really enjoy school, but I’m good at math.

Q: What are your least favorite subjects?

A: English and science.

Q: What are your thoughts on this election?

A: America has fallen into the hands of someone unfit for presidency, although both major candidates would have been undesirable.

Q: What are your musical preferences?

A: I enjoy everything except country but Indie-Folk is probably my favorite genre at the moment.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

A: Summer because the sun comes out and it’s warm, so I don’t have to wear shoes, and there’s no school.

Q: When are you graduating?

A: Preferably June 2017, but it will probably come closer to January 2018.

Q: Do you play any instruments?

A: I play a little bit of the ukulele.

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Orange, because it is the color of our sun.

Q: What is your favorite drink?

A: I’m pretty into milk.

Q: Are you employed?

A: Yes, I work at the AMC in Randhurst Village.

Q: What motivates you?

A: Making people happy.

Q: What book have you been reading during silent reading?

A: Harry Potter.

Q: What classes are you taking this quarter?

A: Only algebra and English.

Q: What is your best quality?

A: My positivity.

Q: What is your favorite decade?

A: The 70’s man, I’d love to chill with those hippies.

Q: What would be your last meal if you were on death row?

A: A large cheese pizza from Papa John’s and a gallon of some Oberweis chocolate milk.

A Letter to Future Webmasters and Editors of the Newspaper

By Ayumu Glover

At this point in time, I, the first and current webmaster, am in the process of redesigning and cleaning up this website. In this post, I will explain what to do, my reasons for doing it, and how the jobs of the editor and webmaster intertwine. 

As a foreword, I will say that there is no easy workaround to fix the problems that I have explained in here. I have tried to find a way to do this more efficently, but alas, there is not.

Currently, there are many posts with a white background highlight behind the text. This looks hideous, and I am not the only person who feels this. The white clashes with background and there are slight spaces the lines. It does not look pretty at all. In order to fix this, you must go into the HTML code of an individual post and search for (an easy way to do this is to press command + f on a mac or control + f in windows and type in the code) and the text "background-color: white;".  Once you do this, delete that code - or at least just the word "white" - and then preview the post to ensure that the white highlight is gone. If it is not gone, there may be more places within the code that contain this text. As a demonstration, I will show you the way that some posts currently look.

See how this looks?! It's not pretty.

Many posts on this paper currently use black text. The black text is very difficult to read on this colour background. "Why not change the colour of the background," you may inquire. I have not changed the background because our school colour is blue. If our school colour is blue, the background should be blue. This is why I have not changed the background colour. If you are the editor, please do the webmaster the favour of using the tool to change the colour to gray. The gray you should be using is the gray that is fourth from the right. This gray is very nice looking, and it matches with the blue background. Once you, the editor, have changed the colour in the "compose" area, preview the post. If changing the colour via the "compose" area did not work, get in touch with the webmaster and have the webmaster change the HTML. Webmasters, what you should be looking for in the HTML is "color: black;". Delete the word "black" and then the colour will be appear as intended. In my experience, this tends to show up rather often. Be sure to clean it up of this black.

The editor and the webmaster need to work together. It is a good idea to try to get closer to each other in order to work more efficiently. The editor should be changing the text from black to gray. The webmaster may like to request the editor - myself included - to check for and fix the HTML, but this is not fair to the editor. That is giving the editor an extra job that should belong to the webmaster. The webmaster's job is to design and maintain the website. Designing and maintaining the website includes fixing the HTML code. The editor's job is hard enough. How would you, the webmaster, feel if the editor asked you to proofread the paper? This may slightly contradict my previous saying, but editors, it is good to know how to change the code in case the webmaster is not present. That is partially why this letter is also addressed to you. The webmaster and editor should cover for each other when the need arises. 

Now for colours. These are the colours you should and should not use according to the blue background. For the do not's, I will explain why you shouldn't use them. I will also put the words in the stated colour as a demonstration.

Do:

• Gray (light gray)
• Red
• Purple (light purple)
• Green (light green)
• Yellow - use sparingly
• Orange - use sparingly

Don't:

• Black - the black isn't very readable on a blue background.
• Blue - the blue also isn't very readable and it feels redundant. Teal may be okay, but use it sparingly.
• Brown - it's very unappealing on a blue background.

In conclusion, always think about the reader. Think about what the reader would find appealing to the eye, then do it. That is your job as webmaster.

PS: As I read this in a preview, I thought that the use of the white background with black text would be okay for emphasis.
PS2: I would have liked to put in the full code for what I was addressing, but alas, it made the whole post black with a white background.

Farewell to Vanguard

My farewell to vanguard 

I've moved a lot, which means I have been to a lot of schools. Vanguard was my last destination for high school and it has been the best experience. This school has taught me things beyond the academic level and the teachers kick your butt when you need it.  I know I will miss the surge of creativity and and wonder I got as I walked down the halls and admired the art, or being greeted with a genuine smile from a caring teacher each morning. I know that not every place I go will have these qualities but Vanguard has gotten me ready to move ahead. I am excited to start college but will always remain grateful to the teachers who pushed me to work my hardest and become a better version of myself. 

Advice for Vipers

Advice for Vipers who complain too much

A column by emile babrauskaite

As a girl who is doing everything in her power to graduate because she has so little time left, I would like to say a few things to the students who are slacking.
When a teacher gives you an assignment, you don't have to do it. This is a free country, they can't make you do anything that you don't want to do. However, with no work comes no reward, and if you get mad at the teacher for not passing you when you sat and watched youtube videos all year, then you should know that the world is not your oyster. Your reward is a high school diploma, and you should appreciate and respect the people who help you work towards it, because they don't have to. A teacher can sit there and let you watch youtube videos all year, and will still get paid at the end of the month whether you are failing or not, however, they care enough to help and motivate you.
So the next time you want to whine about an assignment, just take the assignment as a suggestion. If you do it, you get your reward, but if you don't, then don't complain about failing because you didn't take the suggestion that was given. It's your choice.

The Twenty Dollar Bill

A column by Emile B.

Recently, a campaign was launched by a group of women activists, called Women On 20's, to put one of America's famous women on the twenty dollar bill, instead of Andrew Jackson. I agree that honoring a woman instead of a man once in a while is a good idea. The argument of currency only depicting men is true, and we have had some fairly important ladies in our history that have changed the lives women live today. I believe that they deserve to be kept in mind while we get to enjoy the opportunities that they gave us. Money is a great symbol for that. Today, women have the opportunity to become as powerful and as rich as they please, with hard work of course. I am not very pleased to say that money is the root of power in society, but unfortunately, it is, and putting the face of a brave woman on something that symbolizes power is a great way to honor the achievements of that woman.

Alice Stokes Paul should be on the twenty dollar bill. She was fighting for women's rights until she had a stroke at the age of ninety two. She fought her whole life to be equal, to be able to vote, to work and get paid the same as a man, to be looked at and seen as another human being, not just a sex object or a way to reproduce. She fought for her rights as a living, breathing human. And she made a huge difference. She had bravery, and that is the true symbol of power.

scholten

taff Interview

Ft. Scholten’s Superiority

Mr. Scholten is the physical education teacher for The Academy at Forest View, but had also made connections with students from Vanguard through his employment at our school. You can easily get caught up in a conversation with Mr. Scholten but be weary bringing up family and relationships if you are planning on having a quick chit chat. Whenever Mr. Scholten gets a chance to bring up his wedding or his wife he seems like he could talk for hours. He could show you pictures, run through the exact story five times, and genuinely make you feel bad about how single you are.

Q: How lucky are you and why?

Mr. Scholten: I’m the luckiest man alive. I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I found a woman who doesn’t mind the fact that I own more shoes than her.

Q: If you were on an island what monster would you run into?

Mr. Scholten: Probably the Lochness Monster, no wait, Mike and Sully from Monsters, Inc.!

Q: What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received?

Mr. Scholten: The best gift I have given in my entire life would have to be the ring I gave to my wife.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about humanity?

Mr. Scholten: All the reality shows on E! that I have to watch with my wife.

Q: If you were eighty years old what would you tell your children?

Mr. Scholten: Well let me think what would my grandparents say to me? My grandma used to always say, “Eat dessert first.”

Q: Do you want students to like you?

Mr. Scholten: That’s an interesting question, a tough one at that. Do I hope that they like me? Sure. Do I care or lose sleep over it? No. I hope they like me because then that must correlate to them also respecting me.

Q: Do you have any good quotes from your parents or students you’ve crossed paths with?

Mr. Scholten: Growing up, my dad would always shake my hand and tell me, “Be cool.” And I would always think, I am cool, right? But as I grew up I realized that “be cool” was his way of saying be safe and make good decisions.

Q: What song best describes your work ethic?

Mr. Scholten: That maniac* song! You know which one I’m talking about.

* I assume he’s talking about the very famous ‘She’s a Maniac’ by Flashdance. But for

Mr. Scholtens sake we can make that ‘He’s a Maniac’.

Q: What is your best and worst purchase?

Mr. Scholten: My best purchase would have to be my Jordan 11 Concords. I wore them at my wedding.

Q: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? Do you jam to your music?

Mr. Scholten: Oh one hundred percent I jam to my music. You want to know what I jam to? I got my Michael Buble, John Mayer, SafetySuit, and then I like to mix it up and throw in some Biggie and old school Snoop! Not that Snoop Lion new crap.

Q: How many windows are in New York?

Mr. Scholten: 21,000,752,392 exactly.

Q: Could you see yourself attending Vanguard?

Mr. Scholten: Yeah, I would’ve loved to attend Vanguard.

Q: Do you focuses on strengths or weaknesses?

Mr. Scholten: I like to focus on strengths because while you focus on strengths it helps you develop your weaknesses.

Gustafson

Gustafson in all his glory

Mr. Gustafson is a friendly and well liked “out of school specialist.” He is the president of the ESP Union for the district. His jokes are always well timed and delivered with a smirk. If you know Gus then you know good humor.

Q: How lucky are you and why?

Mr. Gustafson: I am very lucky. I like to think I’ve been at the right place at the right time.

Q: If you were on an island what monster would you run into?

Mr. Gustafson: Big Foot. Definitely Big Foot.

Q: What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received?

Mr. Gustafson: Ooo! I made a scarf for christmas, for my wife. I arm knitted it all by myself.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about humanity?

Mr. Gustafson: Prejudice.

Q: If you were eighty years old what would you tell your children?

Mr. Gustafson: Well, I’m almost eighty now! Hmm.. I would tell them to enjoy life; everyday. I hate that saying but it’s true.

Q: Do you want students to like you?

Mr. Gustafson: I want students to respect me. They don’t have to like me but I think that they should respect me.

Q: Do you have any good quotes from your parents or students you’ve crossed paths with?

Mr. Gustafson: I’m eighty, remember? I don’t remember things anymore. Koz always says, “Eat up. Enjoy your meal. It may be your last.”

Q: What song best describes your work ethic?

Mr. Gustafson: “Come Sail Away” by Styx

Q: What is your best and worst purchase?

Mr. Gustafson: My best purchase has to be a projector that I had bought for $1.57. I thought it was $157.00! And my worst purchase would probably have to be a car.

Q: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? Do you jam to your music?

Mr. Gustafson: I don’t like talk radio. I do listen to music and I do crank it up a little bit.

Q: How many windows are in New York?

Mr. Gustafson: Five Million

Q: Could you see yourself attending Vanguard?

Mr. Gustafson: No, my parents wouldn’t have allowed it.

Q: Do you focuses on strengths or weaknesses?

Mr. Gustafson: Definitely strengths. If you build off strengths you can fix your weaknesses.