Vol. 2 No.

October 2014

Riv al:

beyondthecavenews.com

N.

A person or thing competing with another for the

same objective or for superiority in the same field of
activity.

By Bailey Richter & Meaghan Hodge

Sports Editor
Reporter
The approaching October 10 football game
between Summerville Union High School and
Sonora Union High School is bound to be historic
as this is the first time these two small-town rivals
have competed against one another while in the
same league.
As Sonora High begins their transition into the
Mother Lode League, the rivalry is sure to be
renewed.

In recent years, Sonora Highs enrollment has

decreased, and as a result, the CIF moved them
from the Valley Oak League into the MLL.
While other factors played a role in Sonora's
transition into the MLL, it is the enrollment that is
at the forefront of the discussion.
Summervilles defensive line coach, Lee Suggs
said, Success in football is dependent on
enrollment.
After years of discussing this change, there are
mixed emotions throughout the league and in this
community.

Compared to most of the other schools in the

MLL, Sonora is larger and has experienced more
athletic success.
When asked what he was looking forward to in
the upcoming Summerville and Sonora game, head
football Coach Ben Watson stated, "I am not
looking forward to it at all because I don't think
they belong in our league. They are a much bigger
school."
While controversy surrounded Sonoras inclusion
into the MLL, some welcome the transition.
RIVALRY continues on pg. 7

Vision Fulfilled: Field in Final Stages California

By Claire Schermeister
Reporter

Summerville Union High School is set

to debut a new sports complex next
month, and questions have arisen in
the community as to whether it will be
ready for homecoming and available
to the public.
Mr. Griffith, the superintendent of
Summerville, has been working on the
bond ever since he came to
Summerville last year.
When asked about some of the
obstacles faced during construction,
Mr. Griffith relayed the difficulties the
team faced, including carving off an
extra 13 inches of rock while replacing
the field.
"The team has done great," he said,
"we knew we would have rock, but it
was relentless. We hauled out 100 loads
of rock."
He then explained that the rock was
removed by drilling holes in it, pouring
in a solution that expands and cracks
the rock so that it can be hauled out of
the area.

Many people in the community have

wondered if the new stadium will be
open to the public, and the
Summerville Union High School Board
of Trustees met in mid-September to
discuss this issue.
On the topic of public access, Mr.
Spisak, the longest-standing board
member, said the process of
determining the details of public use
has been a complicated one. Access for
large parties will be based on a fee
schedule, how big a group or
organization is, and availability of staff,
he said.
"All this is still in the process," he
explained. "We will have this
information before the field opens."
Regarding when it will be open,
Superintendent Griffith added, "It will
be open during non-school hours until
dusk.
He explained that there will be no
bikes, strollers or other personal
equipment allowed in the facility.
"If people start bringing these things,
the board will have to re-evaluate that
decision," he said.

Photo courtesy of Levi Graham

Mr. Griffith also mentioned that two

new gates will be installed on campus
to ensure security.
"We've been fortunate enough to have
a minimal amount of vandalism on
campus," he explained, "but we can't
push our luck any further."
There has also been debate about all
of the bond money being spent on
athletics, leaving people questioning
whether other areas of campus in need
of attention will be improved.
"Over the past several months, we've
completely replaced the Internet; so
we're not just spending money on
athletics," said Superintendent Griffith.
He also mentioned that the art room
will be renovated, and a lunch shelter
will be built so students have a place to
eat year-round.
"The stadium will be here for many
years to come. It's a state of the art
facility," Superintendent Griffith stated.
Michael Oliva, the project
superintendent
overseeing
the
construction of the new stadium at
Summerville, detailed the extent of
what needs to be done on the project
THORSTED FIELD continues on pg. 2

Left out to Dry

By Mariah Graham
Managing Editor

After a summer marked by water shortages

and conservation, Tuolumne County residents
and employees alike look back on what made
this year different and prepare for what's
shaping up to be another dry season.
California has a long-standing history of
droughts, the majority of which last anywhere
from three to twenty years. This year,
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a
statewide drought emergency, and according
to Tuolumne Utilities Department's (TUD)
records, this is the fourth worst drought in
state history.The most devastating occurred in
1923.
Because the California water system supports
more than 35 million people, strict
management of the state's many water sources
is required. This is especially important
DROUGHT continues on pg. 2

Sexual Assault
Schools under fire
By Katie Freeman
Editor-in-Chief

Schools across the nation are under scrutiny for

their handling of sexual assault cases, and there
are state and federal bills being passed to
address this issue.
Several bills were recently proposed in
response to the ongoing problem. One such bill,
AB 1433, would require colleges to report violent
crimes such as sexual assault to the local police
unless the victim wishes to retain their
anonymity.
The Senate enrolled another bill, SB 967, on
Sept. 2 of this year. It imposes an affirmative
consent standard in California colleges.
Essentially, this means that instead of preaching
no means no, the new motto would be yes
means yes.
Both of these bills focus on respecting the
victims of sexual assault and easing their
hardship.
The Summerville High School sports complex is nearing its final stage of completion as Robert E. Boyer
Construction works ardently to finish before the expected debut date, October 17.

Freshman vs. Senior Perspectives

PAGE 4

Marvel vs. DC
PAGE 6

ASSAULT continues on pg. 3

Depression
PAGE 5