By Madi Monahan and Alex Davis

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo courtesy of Thehungergamesmovie.com

The hype was incredible and the expectations were high. Both were met. The Hunger Games premiered at midnight on March 23. Although they already had their tickets, lines of devoted fans wound around the theaters with some arriving as early as 7 p.m. Century West allowed the enthusiasts in earlier than expected, allowing them to sit in the theater for two and half hours. While some slept, some played charades, and others sat on their smart phones; there were the select few that could be heard fighting over Team Peeta or Team Gale. The row of West Central students at Dawley Farms watched The Lorax in 3D. When the time came for the previews to actually start playing, you could hear cheers throughout the theater.

The Hunger Games takes place in a nation known as Panem after the destruction of North America by some unknown apocalyptic event. Panem consists of a wealthy Capitol and 12 surrounding, poorer districts. The Hunger Games is a fight-to-the-death style competition that is televised to show people in other districts that the Capitol is still in control. The movie opens with the main protagonist, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), comforting her sister after she wakes up screaming on the day of The Reaping, the day in which a boy and a girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are chosen for the Games. When The Reaping rolls around, against all odds, Katniss’ sister Prim is chosen. Unable to watch her sister die on TV, Katniss volunteers as District 12 tribute to take her place in the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss, along with male tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), is then escorted to a room to see their families. After saying their final goodbyes, the tributes board the train to the Capitol. After arriving in the Capitol, both District 12 tributes go through a series of events, including interviews and training, before the Games begin.

The Hunger Games is a tale that appeals to a wide variety of people, ranging from teenagers to teachers. This story will captivate from start to end and is sure to leave you wanting more. Although the recently released movie covers only the first book, the sequel is set to arrive in theaters in November 2013. If you can’t wait that long to see what happens, go pick up the book and read for yourself!

By Madison Monahan

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo by Madison Monahan

The long-awaited Madrigal dinner finally arrived on December 2-3 at Central Valley Community Church. It was a Renaissance themed dinner, with the concert choir and mixed choir singing throughout the whole meal. The dinner counted as the choir member’s fall concert, with the nights starting at 7 on Friday and Saturday and lasting about an hour and a half. Continue Reading

By Madison Monahan

Trojan Tribune Staff

Photo courtesy of JereNet Productions

West Central’s band performed the third annual Indoor Show on Oct. 21. Signaling the end of the Marching Trojans’ season, the Indoor Show is a popular community event that draws in a healthy-sized crowd.

The night began with a meal, ‘Marching Tacos,’ of which profits went to the band. During the meal, a slideshow of pictures taken throughout the season were playing on a projector in the Becker Center. After the meal, the band suited up and marched in the gym to the cadence of their drumline. A pep-band favorite, “Championship,” was played along with our school song. When this was over, the band gave a proper pep-band peek, playing songs like “Mickey” and “Hey Baby.”

As the crowd watched the band leave the gym for the first time, the drumline came out and performed an original exhibition. Seconds after they finished, the drumline stepped into place for the street show, American Spirit. With senior Annie Misar performing Taps, the band once again marched back into the gym and began to perform their 2011 street show. Ensuing American Spirit was a special colorguard performance, which included the middle school girls planning to be in colorguard when they reach high school.

Last but certainly not least, the main event, the reason everyone was so excited: the in-the-dark performance of the field show, From the Earth to the Moon. Band members quickly stuck yellow, blue and red glowsticks on their wrists, instruments, and around their necks.

Normally, at a competition, the drum majors will give a 16 count salute that their band is ready to perform in competition. However, as a special treat, band members learned their own eight count salute, which they performed at the Indoor Show. Once the salute had been signaled and the band was raring to go, there was a slight malfunction with the lights. Thankfully, 2011 graduate Jeremy Nettifee came to the rescue, and the band was in total darkness. Sophomore Alanna Schmeichel gave her opinion on the night’s events: “I’m really glad I went; it was so cool to watch them perform in the dark!”

Band members all agree that it was an exhilarating performance and are already looking forward to next year’s show.