THE TILLER NEWS

By Mary Jo Rado, Tustin High School Teacher

Members of Tustin High’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society have been working on a new mural in Pepper Tree Park. The mural was designed by Christin Ibrahim, a 2013 Tustin High graduate and past president of Tustin NAHS. Christin answered a call from the City of Tustin for artists to submit proposals for a mural reflecting Tustin’s commitment to the arts.

Christin included collaboration with current NAHS members in her proposal, and her design was selected! NAHS members have been helping prep the wall, layout Christin’s design, and paint layer after layer to complete the project. Jalyn Reeves and Joyce Agis headed up the NAHS team, organizing work crews and communicating work schedules. They also spent many hours working hands-on alongside NAHS members: Anna Nguyen, Malintzin Blanco, Joyce Agis, Jalyn Reeves, Arly Zavala, Samantha Arroyo, Anna Nguyen, Daniela Diaz, Wendy Estrada, Rossy Quintero, Chelsea Lobato, Michelle Bravo, Lucia Conejo, Michelle Bravo, Nadeen Heyari, Tiffany Guillen, Brian Ngan, Genesis Guzman.

By Maureen Keelin, AP US History Student

There are four main benefits of taking an AP History class: college credit, college-level essay practice, committed students, and college applications. First of all, if you take an AP test and score a 3 or higher, you are eligible for college credit. This could exclude you from taking an entry-level college course in that subject, saving you both time and money in the long run. AP History classes also teach you how to write college-level essays. At most colleges, rather than teaching students how to write college-level essays, professors assume that students already know how to write them and expect that degree of quality. However, no other classes teach you how to write college-level essays, especially historical essays, as AP History classes do. The quality of students also makes AP History classes a much better experience from day-to-day. Students that take AP classes tend to be much more committed and engaged than those in CP classes; therefore, there is greater participation and more efficiency in the classes. Finally, taking AP classes shows academic rigor on college applications, whether you take the AP test or not. It can help to strengthen your college applications and improve your chances of acceptance. Overall, AP History classes help to both prepare and equip you for college and provide a better high school class experience.

Story by Junior Michelle Cisneros, Copy Editor

While this year has been primarily online, the world has been far from dull. Through this yearbook, we’ve aimed to showcase our school’s new normal. Since many events have been canceled, our focus has shifted to feature personal stories about online school, hobbies, and mental health. The book also features current events such as the election and today’s trends. We’ve tried to honor our students’ resilience by documenting the way extracurriculars have participated online and how sports have safely practiced and played amidst the pandemic. This year’s book will be undeniably different, but the Tiller spirit has clearly endured.

Submitted by Abbey Zinsser, Tustin High Teacher

Our Science Department Tiller Spotlight is senior Alex Tran. Alex recently completed a project that included building a spectrophotometer out of legos. A spectrophotometer is a device that measures which substances are present in a given sample through calculations of wavelengths. Alex then designed and conducted his own experiment using the device that he built. Alex submitted his project for an opportunity to earn up to $16,000 in scholarships. Alex plans to continue his love of science and is leaning towards a major in nutritional sciences at UC Berkeley next year. Good Luck Alex!

By Melissa Trout, Girls Athletic Director

Alyssa Haas is our Tiller Athlete of the Week. Last Friday, she became one of our first swimmers to qualify for CIF this season. Her time in the 100 M fly makes her one of the fastest swimmers on the THS pool deck. Alyssa has been a two-sport Varsity letterman during her high school tenure participating in water polo and swim. She is also an honors student and involved in the MUN Program.

...But wait there’s more. The COVID-Pandemic has hit high school athletic programs especially hard. Most schools have had to reduce the number of squads they will carry. Last week, Tustin came dangerously close to canceling our softball season. When Alyssa and the Girls’ water polo team heard this news, they volunteered to play softball so that their fellow Tillers would not have to lose another season of participation. Without any softball experience, Alyssa stepped on the field Tuesday and started at right field. During the game, she caught two fly balls. I would personally like to thank Coach Molly Andrews, Coach Hanna Sommer and both programs for coming together to make this season a memorable one. I am confident that Alyssa will always remember some of her races on the Tustin pool deck...and I know that she will also never forget that one game where she traded her swim cap and suit for a bat and glove.

This week, ASB students have created a poster plaza display showcasing many ideas regarding global issues, diversity and inclusion. The issues that are closest to their hearts will be on display. Please come by the THS Plaza on Friday to view the Global Awareness Poster Plaza, the first event in next week's International Week. Visit @thsasb on Instagram to find out more information about Spirit Week, the International Assembly and more.

Email: THSInfo@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/tustin-high
Location: 1171 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780, USA
Phone: 714-730-7414
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TustinHighSchool/
Twitter: @TustinHS