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Student News for Horizon Honors Secondary School

The Horizon Sun

Student News for Horizon Honors Secondary School

The Horizon Sun

Student News for Horizon Honors Secondary School

The Horizon Sun

Jake Matise, Sports Editor

Jake Matise is entering his third year at Horizon Honors and third year as a part of The Horizon Sun. After taking Journalism 3-4 last year, Matise really enjoyed it and is excited for his first year as Sports Editor. He is ready for the challenges and activities that await him in his first year as an editor. Matise is eager to participate in extracurricular activities such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and high school athletics as well.

When Matise is not in the classroom, you most likely will find him on a baseball field. He has been playing baseball since the age of six, and has been playing competitively on a USSSA club baseball team throughout Arizona since the age of nine. He played on the high school baseball team last year and hopes to continue to play in high school and beyond in the future with continuous hard work. His favorite foods include fried chicken, calamari, and macaroni and cheese. Matise’s other interests include listening to music, building models of vehicles, and playing blackjack with friends and family.

All content by Jake Matise
Both teams anticipate a rebound in the second quarter of the JV boys' basketball game. The Eagles kept it close, but ultimately lost 53-56.

Horizon Honors Falls Short in Spite of Impressive Comeback

The Eagles lost 53-56 to Bourgade Catholic on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, despite an amazing comeback.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 9, 2016

Missed Calls on Cam Newton: Intentional or Poor Officiating?

Following a number of unpenalized hits he’s taken this season, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has called out NFL referees for missing calls.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 4, 2016

NBA West Conference Final Recap

Following a 3-1 series deficit, the Golden State Warriors did the unthinkable and were able secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
June 2, 2016

Homerun Seniors

As the spring sports season draws to a close, baseball team seniors look ahead to college and beyond.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 29, 2016

Umpiring the Officials

Baseball fans have long argued over missed calls by umpires, and as the accuracy of calls are not improving, something needs to change.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 15, 2016

Minor League Football System Not Far Away

With more and more players being left in free agency and undrafted, a developmental league could be coming to the football world as early as 2017.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 8, 2016

Diamondbacks Wanting Out of Chase Field?

Following the seemingly outrageous request for Maricopa County taxpayers to pay $187 million in stadium renovations, the Arizona Diamondbacks want out of their lease, as well as permission to look at stadium options elsewhere.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 1, 2016

Horizon Honors’ Eagles Defeat Don

On Wednesday, March 2, the Horizon Honors baseball team took on Coronado and won by a score of 9-1 in their first home game of the season, thanks to a combined no-hitter and an impressive offensive showing.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
March 4, 2016

Basketball Qualifies for State

The past week was an exciting one for Horizon Honors as both the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams qualified for the state tournament.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 26, 2016

The Concussion Conundrum

Concussions are a significant problem in sports, but players, coaches, and medical professionals wonder if enough is being done to ensure the safety of athletes.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 21, 2016

Super Bowl 50

On Sunday, Feb. 7, the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos squared off in Super Bowl 50, with Denver pulling off a huge 24-10 upset in a game that was one for the record books.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 12, 2016

Boys’ Soccer Qualifies for State

Following a successful regular season, the Horizon Honors boys’ soccer team has qualified for the state playoffs.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 1, 2016

Boys’ Soccer Celebrates Season with a Win

On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Horizon Honors varsity boys’ soccer team took on Valley Christian and came away with a huge 5-0 victory on senior night.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
January 29, 2016

Eagles’ JV Basketball Wins Big

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Horizon Honors JV boys’ basketball team came away with a 41-30 victory over Northland Preparatory Academy.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
January 21, 2016

Steelers-Bengals Rivalry Goes Too Far

The unsportsmanlike actions of Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals players, coaches, and fans in their Jan. 9 playoff game raises some questions about what coaches must do to keep their players in check, as well as proper behavior at a football game.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
January 15, 2016

Investigating the Forensics Elective

Forensics is one of many new additions to Horizon Honors’ list of electives.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 18, 2015

Lady Eagles Take Home Tournament Championship

Horizon Honors varsity girls’ basketball team played in the Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS) Desert Classic on Friday, Dec. 4, and took home the championship.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 9, 2015
Professional Baseball Coming to Cuba?

Professional Baseball Coming to Cuba?

Following the recent end of the United States embargo on Cuba, officials representing Minor League Baseball are working hard to organize a professional team in Havana, Cuba.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 5, 2015

Johnny Manziel Under Pressure for Being Under the Influence

After getting out of rehab for undisclosed reasons and promising his team that he would not embarrass them again, Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is in trouble again for going on a two-day drinking binge on Thursday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 21.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 28, 2015

Pom Team Qualifies for State

After finishing fifth in the recent state qualifier, the Horizon Honors pom team is headed to the state championship.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 17, 2015

NFL’s Domestic Violence Policy Fails to Hold the Line

The NFL has yet another domestic violence crisis on their hands, and something needs to change before it’s too late.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 13, 2015

Eagles’ Volleyball Soars to State

After a successful 30-5 regular season, Horizon Honors’ varsity girls volleyball team is heading to the state championships in Prescott.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 4, 2015

Merit of AzMERIT

The results from the first AzMERIT test are in, and many Arizona students did not pass the new standardized exam. Now the Arizona State Board of Education is left to decide whether or not to continue to implement the test.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 31, 2015

Spirited Public Transportation

This year, Horizon Honors has added a “Spirit Bus” that will allow students to attend away games and support our athletes, even when they are not playing at home.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 17, 2015

Courts Deflate Brady Suspension

On Sept. 3, 2015, the Federal District Court in Manhattan, New York, overturned the suspension of New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, of the National Football League (NFL). The ruling leaves fans of the NFL to wonder what will become of the Patriots’ season.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
September 26, 2015
SL Basketball

Girls’ Basketball Heating Up Summer League

Horizon Honors continued their summer league competition with a varsity girls’ basketball game against Leading Edge Academy.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
June 5, 2015

Capital Punishment

The deliberation phase of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s trial, one of the two men responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, brings to light the controversial debate on capital punishment and whether or not it should remain in today’s society.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
May 15, 2015

Eagles Suffer Tough Loss To Patriots

On Monday, Apr. 13, the Horizon Honors Eagles squared off against Grace Community Christian, losing 22 to 35.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 18, 2015
Mrs. Shaheen will become the new Principal of Horizon Honors High School.

From Mrs. Shaheen to Principal Shaheen

With the recent announcement that Principal Nancy Emmons is retiring, Cynthia Shaheen has been selected as Horizon Honors’ new principal and is excited to begin her latest position.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 12, 2015

Balancing Sports and School: A Sport Within Itself

With all of the lengthy and late practices and games, it can be difficult to complete your homework on some nights. However, there are ways to balance sports and school successfully.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 12, 2015
Gilbert-based restaurant Sal's Gilbert Pizza has drawn more and more customers since the restaurant was featured on a popular Food Network TV show. The food certainly proves itself worthy of the attention.

Celebrity Endorsed with a Celebrity Taste

The Gilbert-based restaurant Sal’s Gilbert Pizza provides a comfortable atmosphere combined with delicious food to ensure that customers leave satisfied.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
April 12, 2015
MS Boys' Basketball

MS Boys’ Basketball Falls Short In season Opener

The Horizon Honors Middle School Boys’ Basketball A Team lost 42 to 51 in their home opener against Rancho Solano.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
March 8, 2015

Spring Training: Overpriced or Entertaining?

Major League Baseball’s Spring Training season is coming to Arizona, generating tons of revenue for the state and providing a fun family experience. But is it getting too expensive?
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
March 1, 2015
Several Little League teams stand around the baseball diamond, listening to the inspirational speeches of former players and coaches. However, with youth sports becoming surprisingly more competitive, the values of teamwork and sportsmanship might be sacrificed for a win.

Youth Sports Becoming Win-At-All-Costs

The 2014 United States Little League champions of the Jackie Robinson West Little League in Chicago, Illinois, recently had all their wins vacated due to a number of illegal players.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 20, 2015
Photo radar cameras, like this one in Tucson, Arizona, cold soon be a thing of the past, as could texting and driving.

Goodbye Photo Radar, Hello No Texting?

On Feb. 5, 2015, two bills passed through the Senate panel and moved onto the next legislature. Arizona is considering stopping all photo radar as well as banning texting while driving.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 17, 2015
Junior Cam Oakes is sporting some attire that you wouldn't normally seen at Horizon. As the week comes to a close one question remains on everyone's mind: Is this new dress code here to stay?

Dress Code Trial Week

Students around campus were excited for the dress code trial week, in which students were allowed to wear more comfortable attire with a possibility of the trial dress code being adapted for next year.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
February 1, 2015
Course Request Forms

2015-2016 Course Registration

Although the school year is not yet over, it is decision time for the students of Horizon Honors as it is time to choose their classes for the next school year.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
January 16, 2015
This year's new college football playoff should add even more excitement in the road to a national title.

Playoff Puzzle

There has been much anticipation, as well as concern and tension, around this year’s college football season. The new NCAA playoff system looks to build off of that anticipation.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 10, 2014
Baseball Field

Baseball Field Frustrations

Since the inception of Horizon Honors, neither the middle school nor high school baseball teams have had their own field on campus.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 10, 2014
Bid for Kids finished stronger than any year before and will bring new technology to all grades at Horizon Honors.

A Successful End for Bids for Kids

Horizon Honors’ online auction, Bids for Kids, came to a successful end on Nov. 21.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
December 9, 2014
Josh Drapkin

Athlete Spotlight: Josh Drapkin

Junior Josh Drapkin anticipates the upcoming soccer season, following his development of his own document about physical education.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 23, 2014
The amount of penalties in the NFL  and NCAA have skyrocketed this year, and new policies are to blame.

Penalty Problems

The recent influx of penalties in this year’s football season has fans of the game frustrated. Is there a method to what may seem like madness?
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 16, 2014
Here is the finished sandwich. This tasty meal is complete with beef, pickles, and optional cheese and condiments.

Sandwiches Maid Rite

Follow these simple steps for a delicious and classic meal, perfect for any occasion.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
November 10, 2014
Bids for Kids is an online auction and the proceeds go towards updating Horizon Honor's technology.

Bidding for Good

The online auction, Bids for Kids, looks to improve technology for Horizon Honors.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 31, 2014

MS B Team Volleyball Finishes Up Undefeated

The Horizon Honors Middle School Volleyball B Team came back from being down by seven points to get the win against Bethany Christian in three sets.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 27, 2014
A Liberian man, part of a local aid team, helps a fellow worker put on a protective suit. Clothing such as this must be worn at all times to prevent workers from exposure to the virus.

Combating Ebola

With one confirmed death in the United States from the disease and reports of Ebola spreading to Europe, how should the United States and other countries try to prevent the illness from infecting their people?
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 20, 2014

Soccer Preps for Success

The arrival of the 2014 high school soccer season is almost upon us,which means that a great deal of effort and preparation must go into selecting the team and getting them ready for the upcoming season.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
October 1, 2014
Sophomore Tiana Oster smashes a jump serve during warm-ups. The Eagles pre-game routines are almost as entertaining as the game themselves.

JV Volleyball Defeats Santa Cruz

The JV volleyball team defeats Santa Cruz in only two sets.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
September 26, 2014
Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson has come under fire following his arrest for child abuse.  Can his celebrity status get him out of trouble this time?

Adrian Peterson’s Behavior Out of Bounds

Adrian Peterson was arrested on Friday, Sept. 12, on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child, making him one of the latest NFL players to be charged with a crime.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
September 15, 2014

A Blast from the Past: HHMS Social

Horizon Honors middle school students were able to dress up in outfits from their favorite decade as a part of the “Flashback Friday” theme.
Jake Matise, Sports Editor
September 15, 2014
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