The Smoke Signal

By Sai Chilakapati Aside from the commotion that the Super Bowl causes for avid football fans, the Super Bowl is also known for its multi-million dollar ads that captivate and entertain viewers. However, this year’s commercials failed to meet the Super Bowl standards. Most commercials were too obvious as in the Toyota Ad which promoted its brand with a direct emotional appeal rather than entertaining the audience. Here are the Smoke Signal’s top five picks for the best 2012 Super Bowl commercials:   1. Chrysler – “Its Half Time America” This commercial was the most powerful and emotionally riveting commercial of…

By Supriya Yelimeli On Thursday, February 2, MSJ’s SOS (Stressed Out Students) hosted Competition to Collaboration, a student and parent function to discuss the everyday issues that MSJ students face. Vice Principal Zack Larsen started off the event by welcoming everyone and explaining the purpose of the event. SOS secretary Anjali Kanthilal then introduced guest speakers, Seniors Diya Roy and Trisha Srivastava, who spoke to the attendees about the different paths they took to achieve success. The two speakers discussed both the merits and disadvantages of the conventional system and allowed the parents and students to ask questions regarding the…

Check out the editorial staffs picks for Valentine’s Day! Feel the love! Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com

By: Catherine Ho While school lunches may be something juniors and seniors shy away from, it remains a must for underclassmen. As freshmen enter high school, they may be hoping for better tasting and a greater variety of food than was sold at Hopkins Junior High. Indeed MSJ food is better, varying from Chinese to Mexican to traditional American food. Our school provides pizza, burgers, salads, burritos, Teriyaki chicken rice, pastas, and many other types of entrees. However, instead of buying a single item, most students choose to purchase a box lunch, which includes a fruit, drink, salad, potato wedges,…

Come check out the editorial staff’s top picks for their favorite songs during Christmas! Post in the comments to tell us your favorite Christmas song! Create a playlist at MixPod.com

By: Vipin Dulam A form of this article appeared in the December 20, 2011 issue of the Smoke Signal. This version includes additional candidates in the GOP election. John Hunstsman Former Utah Governor John Huntsman has held three different political offices so far, and is definitely shooting to hold a fourth. Apart from being governor, Huntsman has also served as the Ambassador to bothSingapore andChina. Due to his experience with the two major trading countries, Huntsman is holds extensive knowledge in Foreign Policy matter but is also well known for his conservative tax policies and has repeatedly stated the US should increase ties with…

By: Alice Zalan The week of November 28-December 2 was Genocide Awareness Week at MSJ. The members of STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition, and ERRC, Ethnic Race Relations Committee, organized this week in remembrance of genocides past and present and to raise awareness for the atrocities going on in many places around the world. The Bell Tower quad featured posters portraying statistics (on death and rape) about the different genocides going on, such as the genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ERRC Co-President, Senior Malinda Cheung said, “Through the posters, we hoped to raise awareness about these incomprehensible actions.…

By: Frank Chen At every school assembly, every football game, and every Girls volleyball home game since the start of the school year, MSJ spectators can find a group of animated girls dressed in black, green, and white. With a smile on their faces and pom-poms in hand, MSJ Cheerleaders tirelessly lead the way in school spirit. A couple of years ago, there were only a few students on the squad. In 2009, however, with the help of their new coach, Ashley Dollard, the MSJ Cheer team has been growing . Cheerleading, just like any other varsity sports team,…

By: Sai Chilakapati With yet another month of NBA canceled due to the lockout, more and more NBA fans will have to turn to college basketball as a substitute. But this upcoming college season will not disappoint them. With many high-caliber teams, eager returning players, and a talented freshman class, the upcoming season seems to be a perfect sub for the NBA. The Duke Blue Devils, with their disappointing loss to Arizona in last year’s sweet sixteen round matchup, are primed with new talent to show America that they can win a title. Though they lost three of their best…

Come check out the editorial staff’s top picks for their favorite songs from musicals! Post in the comments to tell us your favorite musical music!   Create a playlist at MixPod.com