Olivia is 16 and is in her junior year of high school. She is the Editor in Chief of the Lighthouse because she loves writing and because she wants to create connections in the TVE community. When she graduates from college, she would love to work as a journalist for a real newspaper! Right now, Olivia loves reading Shakespeare and watching superhero movies. She is also an acrobatic gymnast in a level 8 trio. She and her family live in Walnut Creek with their weird adopted dog, rabbit queen, and a flock of evil chickens.
Category: Home
Meru S. – Fiction Section Editor / A&E Editor
Meru S. is 14 years old and an ninth-grader who has been homeschooled throughout her life. She has loved being part of the Lighthouse staff since she joined out of her interest in writing. Her hobbies include reading (particularly fantasy), art, and horse riding. Meru has been playing the flute for six years and sings Carnatic music. She very much enjoys books and movies and will never hesitate to have a conversation about The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Marvel, or any of her other favorites- Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and many more. Meru is currently in the first stage of trying to form the constantly changing plot of a book. She always looks forward to spending time with her friends at TVE Park Days every week.
Ava Amara Salado – Editor-In-Chief
Ava Salado is 17 years old in her senior year of high school, she enjoys studying History, Literature, and Environmental Conservation. She has been homeschooled her whole life. This is her forth year of writing for The Lighthouse but has been creating small stories since she was two. She has just started on her first novel. Some of her interests include photography, crafting, gardening, hot gluing everything, playing with her cats (who act like toddlers,) and cooking. When she is older, she hopes to become a script writer and director of animated series and movies and/or study to be a conservationist. She also loves animals and would like to one day start her own shelter home. She participated in Odyssey of the Mind for 2 years, qualifying for state in 2020, and has been a part of Homeschooled Films, basketball, and watching way too many sci-fi movies with her family and friends. One of her favorite things to do is to act out funny characters and make random crafts out of recycled material she finds around her backyard.
2021 TVE Graduation
by Ava Salado
Homeschooling takes a village, and on June 5th, 2021, our TVE village was very proud to present 11 extraordinary students graduating from their own respective grades. The future is bright for these young (not so much anymore) kids.
Let’s start by congratulating our students promoting up to middle school!
Olive Pate: Olive enjoys and is very talented at art, playing the piano, and making home videos with her little brother.
Noah Ruggreio: Noah loves to embroider and recently joined a mountain biking club where he rode all the way up and back down our very own Mt. Diablo.
Meru Sashikanth: Meru likes to compose music on her flute; she learned to use the app GarageBand to record a flute quartet of Carol of the Belles.
Cressida Brazier: Cressida is learning to play the drums and competing in acrobatics; she does think that middle school will be different than elementary school. When asked this, she states “Yes, at least that’s what my sisters keep telling me.”
Again, a huge congratulations to these elementary school graduates; you all did such a great job, we are all very proud of you!
Next, our middle school graduates on their way to the wonderful world of high school!
Elise Brazier: Elise dreamed of attending the high school Carondelet, so she set her mind to it, worked hard, and got in. She also enjoys competing in acrobatics.
Tobey Garcia: Tobey has a passion for reading, listening to music, and gaming with his closest friends. He also had a large growth spurt and is now the tallest member of his family, although being the youngest.
Congratulations to our new freshmen! We were so happy to share this milestone in your lives!
Now, we are excited to present our seniors getting ready to start the college journey!
Rowan Farrand: Rowan was supposed to graduate last year, but the festivities were postponed until this year. When asked what they are passionate about, they reply with “I’m really passionate about art and health.” They might want to pursue a career in art, and we are very excited to see what the future holds for them.
Lucas Garcia: Lucas would like to chase his lifelong passion for paleontology, and he is very happy to be going to DVC in the fall and has his first fossil dig in Montana this summer. We asked what he felt was his greatest accomplishment in his high school years, he said, “Finding out what interests I have, and again, meeting amazing people. ”It is going to be wonderful to see how this kid rocks the world (I couldn’t help it)!
Anna Hartz: Anna is enthusiastic to be attending DVC, where she can explore new interests in art and voice acting. She plans on deciding some further objectives she would like to pursue. A round of applause for this amazing young woman.
Blake Killion: Blake is getting ready to pursue his dream of filmmaking (which was inspired by the Mero brothers). He states, “I’m planning on going to Las Positas College to pursue an AA in film studies, that’s my plan. And then from there, maybe make an independent film studio or something like that.” This graduate is ready and willing to take his dreams to “infinity and beyond!”
Jake K. Siders: Jake will be going off to Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Film Scoring, which has been a dream of his for a while. With over 11 scores from both MMC and Homeschooled Films under his belt, his resume is quite impressive. When asked if Covid had made him more excited or nervous about transitioning to college, he said, “I’m feeling a little more excited because we have been locked inside for a year beforehand.” This young man is sure to score big in his future.
The hard work and dedication of these many students is so apparent, and we could not be more proud and grateful to the parents and families for helping teach and guide these wonderful human beings who will help the world in so many ways. Another thank you to all of the TVE leadership and volunteers for helping make this graduation so great for these amazing kids.
Many thanks to the following:
Senior Organizers Nicole Garcia and Rose Killion for all the lovely work you have put into TVE, Nicole Pate, the Host of this inspiring event,
Zoom Tech Jenni Norton for running the difficult technical webinar side of things,
Senior Tech Tim Salado for making sure this event went smoothly,
Sheri Salado and Ava Salado for photographing these wonderful moments,
and to the rest of the TVE leaders like Devona Brazier, Dana Skikos, Christina Sonas, and Jennifer Hull Smith.
And thank you to all loyal TVEers who attended our very first Zoom graduation, and sticking with us through these crazy times, our 8th annual Tri-Valley Explorers graduation was made possible by you.
In the words of a famous graduate, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” These kids showed us to take the time to celebrate the past, live and acknowledge the present and look forward to the future. So congratulations, best wishes, and applause to these students. We can not wait to see how you all make the world a better place.
Welcome Back TVE
by Ava Salado
The last almost two years have been rough for the world, including the homeschooling world. The funny thing about “homeschooling” is that many “homeschoolers” are almost never at home. There are classes, co-ops, fairs, field trips, park days, and events, and this pandemic has put a damper on our “outschooling.” Most of you reading this are probably part of the homeschool support group, Tri Valley Explorers or TVE. The group has, at one point, over 880 adventure-seeking families. TVE strives to help and improve children and their families’ homeschooling journey through resources, events, and seminars that are designed for education, having fun, and making lifelong friends along the way.
Through the course of COVID, TVE has had to cancel or reschedule planned events. Most of the TVE events are in-person, so it was almost impossible to keep meeting under TVE. Because of this, TVE has had to step back from its regular self. Unfortunately, some have gotten the idea that TVE has been shut down and is no longer going to help homeschooling families like it has for years. This is thankfully not true at all, and the wonderful leaders have no intention of shutting down Tri Valley Explorers any time soon.
How TVE will bounce back is highly anticipated by its members, and we are glad to report that our “outschooling” will hopefully be back very soon! The history of TVE is broad, and we have many better answer-seeking families to thank for that. One person can change the way you think of your homeschooling journey, and this is just what TVE has done for so many. TVE is not just one person; it is a group of people working together to help each other.
The future at TVE is hopeful, with our first virtual Graduation scheduled for Saturday, June 5 of this year. We will be celebrating the incredible past of our senior graduates and their exciting future. You can tune in on Zoom 3:30 – 5:30 for a night full of celebration! Check the Tri Valley Facebook page for more info.
We thank you for sticking with us through these hard times and can’t wait to see all of you again.
Four Family Movies to Start Off Summer
Summer break is just around the corner, and the perfect way to celebrate is by watching a fun family movie. Here are four movies (in no particular order) that I enjoyed watching with my family. Maybe you will like them too!
1. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
This is a truly unique and fun family movie. The story follows aspiring filmmaker Katie Mitchell as she and her family go on a “family bonding” cross-country road trip. But their plans are interrupted when robots take over the world! Katie and her family must embrace their weirdness and get along to save the world.
This movie was hilarious and creative! Its unique style of animation like that of Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse made it a visually cool movie as well. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is rated PG.
2. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
This was another unexpectedly great movie. The movie is about Lars Ericksson, whose lifelong dream is to win the Eurovision song contest for Iceland. He and his best (and only) friend Sirgrit, through a series of accidents, qualify to compete.
This movie is full of music, hilarious mishaps, and colorful settings that make it thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is rated PG-13.
3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty develops negatives for Life magazine and has a habit of getting lost in fantastical daydreams where he goes on epic adventures, unlike his real life. With the closing of the magazine, Walter is given the perfect picture for the cover. The only problem is, the negative is missing! Walter must go on an epic quest to retrieve the negative before it’s too late.
I absolutely loved this movie! It reminded me a little of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga in the way that it’s a bit of a hidden gem. This movie was both inspiring and funny, which I think is a good combo. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is rated PG.
4. Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! starts out with Sophie, who is about to get married. She wants her father to be at her wedding, but she doesn’t know who he is. That all changes when she finds her mother’s diary. As it turns out, there are three possible fathers! Sophie sends an invite to all of them, without her mother knowing. Chaos, confusion, and music ensue as old friends meet again. Who will walk Sophie down the aisle?
In my opinion, no summer is complete without Mamma Mia! and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. These musicals are very silly and a little wild, but their energy has that wonderful summer feeling that can’t be beaten. The way ABBA’s songs seamlessly carry the story, you’d think they were written specifically for the movie. This movie is a summer romance movie, so I was skeptical the first time I watched it, but even my musical-and-romance-hating brother enjoyed Mamma Mia!. Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again are both rated PG-13.
Authors Spotlight: Esperanza Rising
Esperanza’s life could not be more perfect. She has a loving family, a beautiful home, and all the dolls and dresses she could want. But when a terrible misfortune upends her life, Esperanza must learn to take care of herself and her mother. After escaping to California, Esperanza discovers the challenges and hardships of farm labor during the Great Depression, and she must learn how to be humble and accepting towards a new life and new people. Filled with bright imagery and compelling characters, Esperanza Rising is a book that all ages can enjoy.
Jacket Description:
“Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a girl could want: dresses; a home filled with servants in Mexico; and the promise of one day presiding over El Rancho de las Rosas. But a tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and her mother to flee to Arvin, California and settle in a farm camp. There, they confront the challenges of work, acceptance, and economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression.”
Reading Level: 8+
Age Range: 8 – 14
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Length: 259 pages
Awards:
- Pura Belpré Medal
- Jane Addams Award
- Willa Cather Award
- Judy Lopez Award
- Arizona YA Book Award
About the Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
From her website:
“Pam Muñoz Ryan is an American author. She is half Mexican with Basque, Italian, and Oklahoman cultural influences. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She the author recipient of the NEA’s Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and the Ludington Award for body of work. Her novel, Esperanza Rising, was commissioned as a play by the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and has been performed in many venues around the U.S. including The Goodman in Chicago, and the Majestic Cutler Theater, in Boston.
“Born Pamela Jeanne Banducci in Bakersfield, California, on December 25, 1951, her last name was changed before she attended school to match the name of her parents, Hope Bell and the man she considered her real father, Donald Bell. As Pamela Bell, she attended McKinley Elementary, Longfellow Elementary, Washington Jr. High, Bakersfield High School, and Bakersfield Community College. She then attended San Diego State University where she received a bachelor’s degree. She married James Ryan in 1975. An early childhood teacher, she worked for the Escondido, California, school district for three years before starting her family. After her four children were born, she became the director of an early childhood program and went back to school to get her master’s degree in Post-secondary Education with the intention of teaching Children’s Literature in college. When she finished her graduate program, she became interested in writing, and at the encouragement of her agent, Kendra Marcus, included her family name, Muñoz, to her signature, to reflect her Mexican heritage.”
Find out more about Pam on her website at pammunozryan.com
King of the Tyrant Lizards
by Lucas Garcia
The T-Rex is without a doubt the most famous dinosaur in history, but there is much more to the Tyrant Lizard King than you might think.
In the year 1900, assistant curator of the American Museum of Natural History, Barnum Brown, found the first partial skeleton of T-Rex; two years later, he found another partial skeleton, consisting of 34 fossilized bones. In 1905, Henry Fairfield Osborn, the president of the same museum, named the second skeleton Tyrannosaurus rex, and later that same year, the first specimen Dynamosaurus imperiosus. Though in 1906, Osborn recognized that the two skeletons were from the same species and chose Tyrannosaurus as the preferred name.
T-Rex is part of a group of theropod dinosaurs called Tyrannosaurids. A few features that differentiate Tyrannosaurids from other theropod dinosaurs are their massive skulls and large, banana-shaped teeth, and comparatively very small arms with only 2 functioning digits. The majority of Tyrannosaurids were the apex predators of their ecosystems, such as Albertosaurus, Tarbosaurus, and of course T-Rex, to name a few. Them being apex predators allowed them to prey upon a wide variety of animals such as hadrosaurs, ankylosaurs, ceratopsians, and possibly sauropods, as well as scavenging.
The incredibly small arms of Tyrannosaurids allowed their necks to be strong enough to carry their large and robust skulls, as arms and the neck compete for muscle attachments. This evolution allowed for T-Rex to have the most powerful bite of any land animal that has ever lived; it could have produced over 12,000 pounds of force, which allowed it to break the bones of its prey!
Tyrannosaurids likely hunted different prey at different ages, with juveniles and subadults having comparatively longer legs than adults. So juveniles were likely much faster and hunted smaller and faster animals, and the adults were stronger and better suited to hunt large, and even some armored, dinosaurs. An adult T-Rex could only run on average about 17 miles per hour, so a person could possibly outrun one. A juvenile, on the other hand, could easily overtake you if you tried to run away.
Some studies show that Tyrannosaurids went through huge growth spurts, with Tyrannosaurus specifically tripling in weight in 4 years. Going from roughly 3,000 pounds at about 14 years of age to over 9,000 pounds at around age 18!
Several misconceptions about the T-Rex exist in pop culture, but none more prevalent than that about its vision. In Jurassic Park, the T-Rex couldn’t see you if you didn’t move. In reality, that was absolutely not the case. By applying perimetry to facial reconstructions of dinosaurs, including T-Rex, studies found that it had a binocular range of 55 degrees, which is more than that of a hawk. It is estimated that T-Rex had vision 13 times as sharp as humans, the farthest point at which it could visibly define objects is about 6 km or 3.7 miles away from its eyes!
Dinosaurs are truly fascinating animals, and Tyrannosaurs are no exception. For 30 million years leading up to the extinction of the Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurids were the apex predators of the northern hemisphere. It’s no wonder that the King of the Tyrant Lizards is as famous as it is.
Brianna Killion – Copy Editor
Brianna is a 15-year-old 9th grader who has been homeschooled all her life. She lives at home in five acres of forest with her parents and older brother in Castro Valley, California, where she likes to write, draw, read, sing, and participate in her friend’s livestreams. This is her first year working in journalism, though she has been writing fantasy and fiction since she was about 10 years old. She also loves animals and cloaks, and has been a part of Homeschooled Films as an actor, and the cinematographer in many movies with her friends.
Filmmaking During the Pandemic
Since the start of the Covid19 pandemic, live-action filmmaking has been drawn to a halt, with new restrictions and safety guidelines preventing many of the franchises we know and love today from being filmed. However, despite this unexpected stop in traditional production methods, many filmmakers have begun trying new mediums with which to tell their stories.
As a small independent filmmaker myself, I’ve spent much of my life creating live-action short films with friends in person, in a variety of locations and genres. Early 2020 found me in mid-production of a fantasy short film with a sizable crew. Unfortunately, in early March, I, like so many other filmmakers and production studios, had to put the short on hiatus given the implementation of quarantine. Some called the Coronavirus the end of traditional media, but filmmakers were not ready to give up so quickly.
A few weeks into the pandemic, an online film course I take as a student launched a virtual film challenge to anyone interested, providing a series of prompts to create a three-minute short from. Many others followed suit with their own challenges and film festivals with the goal of providing small-scale movie-making opportunities to those locked in their own homes. A fair number of popular YouTubers launched their own festivals to their fans, offering prizes for a variety of categories a short could fall into, and as a result, inspiring the massive community of independent filmmakers online to resume their craft.
Theatrical productions essentially came to a temporary close in the pandemic and gave center stage to the online filmmaker community, and with it came a number of new styles and methods of film production. Many creators made solo productions or collaborated with those within their social bubbles, while others found workarounds for their limited number of live-action casts, such as creating storytelling within recorded video games, using green screens, and some even using objects such as puppets as their main actors. Others still utilized the medium of animation to tell their stories. One YouTuber in particular, Joel Haver, kicked off an AI-assisted animation trend (fittingly called the Joel Haver Style) where live-action footage was animated over with the help of an application called EbSynth. These examples barely scratch the surface of the incredible determination of filmmakers to tell their stories in any way possible.
Similar to independent filmmakers, major production studios stayed strong despite the Coronavirus. Animation studios such as Pixar had an easier time of simply moving their animators from the studio to their homes to finish movies like Soul, while live-action studios went through the more rigorous task of having their actors and crewmembers all quarantine so they could record safely, on top of the mask requirements the entire rest of the world also was required to undergo. This seems to have worked, as a decent number of productions have both finished and started during the lockdown.
The Covid19 pandemic put a difficult obstacle in the path of filmmakers everywhere. With our primary method of production now unavailable, it seemed as if movie-making might cease until restrictions lifted. But filmmakers everywhere pressed on despite the trials put before us and gave rise to a whole new plethora of mediums and methods for storytelling. Whatever the world throws at us, we will persevere.
The Lighthouse 