bishop montgomery high school
KNIGHTLIFE February 23, 2018 XLIX • ISSUE 3
Above: The Knightlife staff celebrate the launch of their new website.
Letter from the Editors Visit knightlife.news Written by Erin Hall and Jackie Pistole
Hello Bishop Montgomery! This is Erin Hall and Jackie Pistole, the Co-Editors-in-Chief of your school newspaper, Knightlife! We are so excited to announce the opening of our school’s (first ever) online newspaper! This marks Knightlife’s shift from print issues (which would be released monthly) to our new website that will be updated with new content on a regular basis. So, what does this mean for you? With the website being updated frequently, you can read about topics that are more relevant to what’s happening at school. You can keep up with your favorites, like the “Where in Bishop” contest and read a review on the movie you’re just dying to see. You can hear what your classmates have to say on current events, answer polls (something new to Knightlife) and see pictures from the recent basketball game. So go to knightlife.news soon! We will be announcing a launch date for the website very soon! - Erin Hall ‘18 and Jackie Pistole ‘18
Coming Soon!
After School Interviews Written by Jackie Pistole Photographed by Jackie Pistole
Above: Brandon Kallenback ‘18 enjoys learning new languages.
Above: Brandon Kallenback ‘18 studies Chinese characters.
“I’m learning how to speak and write in Chinese. I’ve been studying for about two years now. My parents wanted me to learn, and I wanted to learn, because I really enjoy learning other languages.” “What language are you learning in school?” “Well, unfortunately the German program was scrapped when Mr. Farkas left, so AP German wasn’t an option for me this year. I’m not taking a language now.” “So learning Chinese has been a sort of backbone language then?” “I guess you can say that.” - Brandon Kallenback ‘18
Above: Gio Garcia ‘18 wants to attend college on the East Coast. “Right now I’m checking up on college stuff...emails you know? I’ve applied to NYU, Boston College, Santa Clara, Brown, Yale… “A lot of those are on the East Coast.” “Yeah. I want to live in a new atmosphere, a different world.” “But can’t you do that a little closer to home?” “See, I want to be as far away as possible to get the full experience.
I want to see the leaves on the trees change with the seasons. I want to walk around with my guitar and notebook. I want to see who I can become when I’m growing up on my own, without being restrained by school rules or being surrounded by everything and everyone familiar to me.” - Gio Garcia ‘18
5430 TORRANCE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE, CA 90503 • WWW.BMHS-LA.ORG
Oprah 2020
Student Life
Written by David Carroll and Matthew Alcedo Photographed by Matthew Alcedo
Ah 2018, the year that seems to keep on giving. While this year may have started off with complete failures like the Tide Pod challenge, a new movement seems to be gaining moment that could potentially change the US for years to come: Oprah running for president in 2020. Following her acceptance speech for the Cecil B.DeMille Award during the Golden Globes, social medias became flooded
with posts and tweets about Oprah running for 2020; a rumor that especially began to catch fire when word got out that close friends of Oprah said they have been trying to push her to run for months now. While many see her as the feminist advocate and fighter that this country is in need of, others have been questioning her presidential potential due to lack of experience in politics. After the Golden Globes, various
Above: Cecilia Mansilla ‘21 is preparing for the 2020 elections.
people commented on Winfrey’s potential as a Presidential candidate in 2020. However, others offered a different opinion. Speaking recently at the Los Angeles Times Ideas Exchange in Los Angeles, former Vice President Joe Biden says that Winfrey will have to build foreign policy chops if she wants to run. The Los Angeles Times reported that Tom Steyer, the man seen on the Impeach Trump T.V. commercials, said “Should Oprah Winfrey run for president? I watched her [Golden Globes] speech. I thought it was very good. I also read that she’s actively considering running for president. I want you to send me the list of Americans who aren’t actively considering running for president, because I have to save time by having the shorter list, really.” The Los Angeles Times Opinion Section related sentiments from its readers. Branden Frankel of Encino comments that, “I’ll vote for Winfrey, the former two-term governor of Illinois, in 2028, and not before then.” It does not appear that Winfrey is running for office as of yet, but it appears that the Dem-
ocrats will be looking for a new candidate. Although Winfrey has the charisma and popularity to run, she lacks the political and economic experience. Part of the buzz is a result of the desire for Democrats to find someone to run against Donald Trump in 2020. His presidency indeed opened the door for anyone to run for President. The Democrats are in need of a rebranding of themselves with younger candidates. Undoubtedly, the country would be in a precarious situation if we consider electing another politically inexperienced celebrity as President.
New Year, New You Written by Natalia Cortes Photographed by Cortland Foster
The new year, opportunities for new beginnings and second chances, the best time to reinvent yourself and set new goals. There are many people who participate in this often foolhardy tradition, and often only a small percent of Americans actually stick to and accomplish their resolutions. In that small percentage is Jonathan Bustamante a junior football student at BMHS, who says his New Year's resolution is to “get faster and stronger and improve enough for the next football season.” What inspired him to make this his resolution was the way the 2017 football season ended, “I don’t ever want that happening again.” To accomplish this goal, he is going to spend as much time in the weight room to improve himself, and Coach Sheckler and the rest of the team will help him on his football skills. Jonathan sees football as a goal only lasting till the end of high school, but working out and be-
Knightlife pg.2
ing fit is a expectation he sees for himself for the rest of his life. He will know that he has accomplished his goal when “the first week of camp starts and we have our helmets and pads so I can show the improvement through full contact.” Another student from BMHS that is looking to stop procrastinating and be true to herself is Mackenzie Tabalo. She hopes to accomplish this with the help of her family and friends, and she’ll know she’s accomplished it when she’s happier. Mackenzie decided to pursue this goal because she has not really been taking care of herself and that is a long term goal. For Jordan Archie, junior basketball player, his resolutions are more basketball based, since he wants to improve in it and he wants to keep his grades up. He needs help from his family and teammates, and what inspired him is that he wants to get a scholarship into
the university he wants to go to. Archie will work hard and stay focused and he’ll know that he has accomplished his goal when he attends the college of his choice, with a scholarship of course. Gabriella Mata, a junior at BMHS, sets “zero (resolutions) because I don’t follow through. I do have a goal which is to be more confident in my decisions.” She knows herself and knows that if she set the resolution of working out everyday, she would get too lazy. However, she knows that she wants to be more confident in her decisions, and she’ll accomplish this goal with the support of her friends and family, and not second guessing herself.
Above: Jonathan Bustamante ‘19 works on getting stronger for the next football season.
Above: Jordan Archie ‘19 wants to improve in basketball and get into a good college.
Above: Gabrielle Mata ‘19 does not make any New Year resolutions.
Student Life
Don’t get burned... Lather up. Written by Riley Parker Photographed by Riley Parker
Do you enjoy basking in the warmth of the sun and spending time outdoors? Well do we have a product for you! Introducing SUNSCREEN - the number one protector against those nasty sunburns and Melanoma skin cancer. Sounds pretty gross, right? Well, then you are looking for the number one product to help avoid all those awful tan lines and other burn marks. Living in this sunny state of California, we are more susceptible to the harmful rays of the sun because of the constant shine we receive most every day. Right about now, you may be thinking, “Well I never sunburn, so I couldn't possibly need sunscreen.” WRONG. No matter what shade of skin color one has, everyone is always susceptible to harmful UV
rays, and let's be honest, most UV rays are harmful. Darker skin can only help prevent 2-6% of UV rays from penetrating the skin, but the right sunscreen can help prevent 90-98% of those same UV rays. Use a 30 SPF or higher for proper protection, but to gain that bonus point make sure it is a “broad spectrum” to protect against all types of rays. Feel apprehensive or nervous putting sunscreen on in front of friends who may make fun of you for it? You can try putting some sunscreen on a fluffy companion too and tell your friends that you feel nervous about it, so you put some on to make them feel better. Animals, too, can get skin cancer, so it is never wrong to put it on them. Just make sure the sunscreen does not include zinc which can
Above: Edward Bozeman ‘18 applies sunblock before playing outdoors. harm your animal. Wondering Reapply for every two hours that how to apply sunscreen correctly you are out in the sun, especially and in what increments? Use the if you’re sweating a lot. Rememmarble and golf ball rule: use a ber, better safe than sorry in the large marble size of sunscreen long run. So, lather sunscreen on for your head and neck and a and keep it cool. golf ball size of sunscreen for the rest of your body. Don’t forget to apply to your ears, hairline, and anywhere else the sun may hit.
Surviving Cold Season Written by Annaliese Kaxon-Rupp and Anjelika Esteban Photographed by Jenna Yu
Since flu season is here, it is important to know how to prevent the flu. However, if you get the flu, there are simple things you can do to make the symptoms less worse. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that individuals who are six months and older should receive a flu shot before November begins. The flu shot causes antibodies to grow in the body, and this takes approximately two weeks after getting the shot. The flu spreads when contaminated individuals cough, sneeze, or talk, and droplets of the virus spread in the air. People who have the flu should cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze to prevent the flu from spreading. It is also essential that those who are sick wash their hands with warm water and soap, or they should clean their hands with hand sanitizer. Consumer Reports explained how there are home remedies, in addition to normal medications, that will help you fight your cold. Lisa Gill, editor of Consumer Reports, explained how chicken
Above: Hand sanitizer is available for all students in each classroom.
soup has an anti-inflammatory effect, and the heated soup aids in alleviating congestion and sore throat. Additionally, she recommended to gargle with warm water that has table salt dissolved into it because it can relieve pain from a sore throat. A spoonful of honey or honey in hot tea is also very helpful during the flu season because it can comfort a cough. After getting the flu, many people wonder, “How long do I have to wait until I can go back to school or back to work?” This varies for each person, but you do not want to go back if you still have the virus. You are contagious if you are coughing or sneezing, and you do not want to get others sick. Doctor David Shih wisely stated, “The general advice for a patient is to really take the 3 to 5 days to rest and only exercise and go about your daily business once you feel you have the energy.” It is crucial to take care of yourself and to rest if you have the flu because you are only making matters worse if you do not. After finals last semester, some students became sick, probably from catching a cough and cold from a fellow classmate, pulling all-nighters to cram that last bit of studying, or even a combination of both. Whatever the case, symptoms of the flu first appeared either November or December of 2017, and it is still infecting many people across the country. In case you were curious, The New York Times reports that the onset of the flu originated in “Louisiana and Mississippi, then spread across Texas
Above: Mrs. Strauss provides hand sanitizer for all of her students in her classroom. to California and up the West Coast from San Diego to Seattle,” and eventually reached the Midwest. What is concerning, though, is that this particular flu has claimed the lives of young, healthy individuals. Just recently, The Washington Post highlighted a story covering the death of Nico Mallozzi, a tenyear-old hockey player from Connecticut. Despite coming down with the flu one day, Nico wanted to support his friends in their tournament in Buffalo, New York. He was rushed to a hospital after his condition was noticeably growing worse, and died “before the end of the [same] day… of sepsis resulting from pneumonia, a complication of influenza.” Especially since the strain of the flu has been particularly and unusually strong this time around, it is important that you watch out for your health and those around
you. Kelly Sawa ‘19 said that she was “sick for two weeks” right after winter break began. Catching up on sleep and drinking tea gradually helped in her recovery. It’s always a great idea to frequently wash your hands (and also have access to some hand sanitizer), and try stocking up on Vitamin C tablets as Vitamin C supports the immune system. If you’re not a fan, having an orange or other fruit high in the antioxidant is as beneficial too. As for those of us who have received a flu vaccine, The New York Times also shares that most experts think the shot is less effective—estimated to work at about 30%, but that it’s still worth getting as “the virus persists all winter and into spring.” Even if it may “not prevent you from catching the flu, it may save you from dying of it.”
pg.3 Knightlife
Campus Life
Winter Spirit Week! Written by Skyler Lamar Photographed by Yearbook Staff
It’s been rather cold lately, and in California, winter almost never lives up to its name. Also, with this crazy flu season, everyone is bundled up. But one thing that usually heats things up on the BMHS campus is Winter Spirit Week! This Spirit Week is not as intense as the one in first semester, but still competitive, fun and full of school spirit nonetheless! I mean if volleyball, McDonald’s and class rivalries doesn’t sound like fun then I’m not sure where you head’s at. If you were not here one day during spirit week, do not worry because I am here to catch you up! Monday was the kickoff day! There was a performance by the band and the Song Team on the Lower field at lunch to show off their talent and school pride! The band played some of the school favorites that you would most likely hear at school events such as football games and pep rallies, but they also threw in some extra songs that we all know such as Crazy In Love by Beyoncé! While they played all of these songs the Song Team were showing off their moves and looking good while doing it. It takes a lot to learn those dances, so a big round of applause for those girls! Moving on to Tuesday, which was Class Color Day! Everyone was showing off what year they were by wearing their designated color! Red is the seniors. Green is the Juniors. Blue is the Sophomores and purple is
the Freshmen! Seeing all the different shades of all of these colors is cool when you are just gazing down the hallway. I think that my favorite part of Class Color Day is seeing what color everyone is wearing because there is always that one person that you thought was a freshman but was actually a junior or vice versa, so it’s a good way to find out if you don’t necessarily want to go up and bluntly ask that person. Now, Wednesday was more exciting as it was Day 1 of 2 of the Class Volleyball Match! The first day was the Juniors against the Sophomores and the Seniors against the Freshmen! They both showed up with not only their class color on but also their game faces on. The Juniors and Sophomores game was very close but the Juniors ended up on top! The Seniors and Freshman game was also a good one but ended up with the Seniors victorious and moving onto Day 2! Day 2 was the Final Round of the Class Volleyball Game with the Juniors going head-tohead against the Seniors. The game was a close one but the Juniors came out victorious! Seniors are always a shoe in for a win in class rivalries but good job in showing who’s boss! Go Green Team of ‘19! The last day was Black and Gold Day and also Student Appreciation Day! The one day where the students are appreciated for their hard work. In my opinion, students should be appreciated more
Above: The juniors battle the sophomores in the student volleyball game.
Above: Mr. Haynes, Ms. Reano, Ms. Strauss, Ms. Meehan, and Mr. Hong serve up fries at McTeacher’s Night.
often, but maybe I am just biased. Whenever we think of Spirit Week and student-oriented things, we sometimes do not think about who puts the hard work into thinking about or putting together those ideas. This is the work of ASB and staff. I interviewed the Junior Class Co-President Sophie Celis about how ASB gets all of this done. I asked if she felt pressured about making the events fun and cool (because I definitely would) and she said “I do feel pressure finding a way to make it fun for all students and taking into consideration what everyone likes and what they don’t like.” I also asked if she ever not liked the ideas brought up but didn’t say anything: “There are a few times where I disagree with an idea brought up by another ASB member, but for the most part, we all think alike so it’s easy to get along and to think along the same lines. If there was anything that I did not agree with then I would definitely say something and speak
up”. It’s always good to speak up and not just let your voice stay unheard. Since ASB does so much for the school, I feel like that would be a bit overwhelming, so I asked and she said: “ There is a lot ASB has to do but I don’t really feel overwhelmed because I know it will all get done eventually and will turn out great.” Motivation can always push people to do their best! I was curious about what she liked best about being in ASB overall: “ I like being able to help around the school by setting up for events and having a specific task, then the feeling of pride seeing the finished product. It’s also super fun to be the one to represent my class.” Everyone in ASB is very admirable and does great things for our school. We should appreciate them more! Overall, Winter Spirit Week was a success and brought our school closer together.
Teacher Trivia Corner: Teachers’ Features Written by Julia Hadnett Photographed by Julia Hadnett
So, the ones who propose questions are now the questioned... Your teachers are so much more than the people assigning you homework. Not only do they assign projects,
they also take sides for different sports teams and different desserts. I interviewed four teachers: Mrs. McDorman, who teaches Honors English I and Honors American
Literature, Mrs. Rodriguez, who teaches Spanish II and AP Spanish, Mr. Haynes who teaches US After ‘45, Pre Algebra, and Video Production, as well as is the Head Coach of Cross Country, Coach of Girls’ Soccer, and Head Coach of Track and Field, and Mrs. Rudder, who teaches Honors English I and AP Language.
Mrs. McDorman has taught at Bishop for thirteen years. Over the years, she has given many inventive projects, but her favorite is when she gave her students extra credit to dress up as a character in The Great Gatsby to the theater to watch it (with photos!). Her favorite dessert is cookies and cream ice cream. She supports UCLA Athletics and the Dodgers, as well as the Bishop JV Girls’ Basketball team, so come out and support, too!
Mr. Haynes, or B-Haynes has been a teacher at Bishop for three years, and a coach here for ten. Of course, he supports all the BMHS teams, and he enjoys watching almost every sport: he promotes UCLA for every college sport, the Dodgers for baseball, the Lakers for basketball, Newcastle United for soccer, and the Maple Leafs for hockey. Even this fitness instructor has a favorite dessert, and he loves carrot cake. His favorite project he’s given went to his Video Production class, in which they had to present a short film of their creation, gathering all the material they had learned throughout the semester.
Mrs. Rudder has been a Bishop teacher for twelve years. With two kids, she hardly has time to make it to the Bishop sports games, but she does her best to come because of her love for these students and the school. When she cannot attend, she is constantly checking the scores. She’s also an enthusiastic Steelers fan. Her favorite dessert is cookie dough ice cream. Her favorite project assigned is a new one: her AP Language students read articles and connect them to a work of Plato’s. With all their hard work within the classroom, it’s hard to imagine our teachers having time for their personal lives.
Knightlife pg.4
I asked them each four questions: How long have you been a Bishop teacher? What is your favorite project that you’ve ever assigned? What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? And finally, what are your favorite sports teams, in and outside of Bishop sports?
Mrs. Rodriguez has been a Bishop teacher for eighteen years. She gives many original projects, but having her students create and film a cooking show using vocabulary takes the cake. Speaking of, her favorite dessert is tres leches, a fluffy milk cake. Her favorite sport is baseball. She actually helped her husband coach a Little League team, so she knows her way around the sport. We don’t know a lot about our teachers, but they know a lot about us! Now, you’ll be able to spark up a conversation with one of these teachers about sports, or even dessert!
Entertainment/ Pop culture
Two Takes on Hamilton Written by Annie Elming and Sonia Kortenkamp Photographed by Annie Elming and Sonia Kortenkamp
Annie Elming: On Saturday October 22, I was in the “room where it happens” at the Pantages Theatre! The touring cast of Hamilton was performing and it was amazing. As I walked into the large theatre, it was very crowded and many people were in line to buy a Hamilton t-shirt. I waited in line for twenty minutes and bought the Hamilton sweatshirt that I had been wanting. As my mom and I walked into the auditorium to find our seats, I was handed a Hamilton playbill, which I had to take a picture of for Snapchat. I was among the other hundreds of people that loved the musical. I waited a short time before the lights dimmed twice; I could hardly believe that I was about to watch a play that would match up to the lyrics I had been listening to for so long. The room finally went dark and the entire audience went silent. The opening music began and one of the characters began singing the opening number, Alexander Hamilton. When Hamilton finally came onstage and sang his opening lines, the crowd roared for a minute straight. It was a magical moment and one of the best parts of the evening. Act 1 was about Hamilton’s early life and how he rose to his fame. My favorite part of Act 1 is when Hamilton gets married to Eliza, in the song Helpless. This song has so many catchy lyrics and it also is a break from the issues Hamilton faced during the play. The rest of
Act 1 was a perfect symphony of the challenges Hamilton faced as well as his personal life. When Intermission came, I came back to the real world from the trance I was in. I got in another line and got peanut M&M’s. I returned to my seat and chatted with my mom about the first act. Sonia Kortenkamp: I stayed in my seat for intermission because I was in awe of how incredible the first act was. I was talking to my sister the entire intermission about what her favorite parts were. Soon it was time for the second act to begin and I could not wait for it. I had not listened to the second act yet because I wanted some of the show to be a surprise. As soon as the music started again, I got the chills. During the second act I was surprised by how the show ended, and it made you think about your own life, future, and your legacy you leave behind. There are so many incredible songs in the second act. All of them are lyrically genius and I do not think I can pick a favorite. I cannot pick even a favorite act because I am constantly discovering new things that I love in each song. The ending was the most surprising part for me. Especially how Eliza, Hamilton’s wife, grows as a person and helps Hamilton to realize his mistakes. After-Show Thoughts Annie: This entire show inspired me
Above: Annie Elming enjoys the musical, “Hamilton.”
Above: “Hamilton” headlines at the Pantages theater.
to create my own legacy as well as chase after my dreams in life. The show was a perfect medley of a history lesson and the personal life of Hamilton. I enjoyed how there was comedy added into the show. There would be a moment that was sad, but then the next line in the show had the crowd laughing. Another aspect of the show that I enjoyed was how emotionally tied the actors were to the characters they were playing. When the actor playing Eliza sang Burn it felt as if she was actually feeling it herself, and that also transferred over to the audience. The voices of the actors were amazing and they sounded just like the recording. There was so much talent on the stage and I was so lucky to be able to experience it.
not feel like I was in an audience. I felt like I was there with Alexander Hamilton going through everything he went through. To see people singing and dancing live, to the songs that I had memorized, gave the whole show new life. Seeing the show preformed gave all of the actors a chance to put their own spin on the characters and that was the most interesting part for me. Because I already knew the plotline for act one, I paid more attention to small details instead of trying to decipher what Lafayette was saying in his french accent! This is one of the most fantastic shows I have ever seen. I would recommend it to everyone because it is entertaining and it opens your eyes to a whole other world. I am so grateful to be able to have this experience and I would see it again in a heartbeat.
Sonia: The entire show was magical, and the entire cast captivated me with every note they sang. It did
New Year, Old You Comic by Henry Hasnah
Love Yourself Comic by Anna Quast
pg.5 Knightlife
Entertainment/ Pop culture
The Okayest Showman Written by Julija Garunkstis
(WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS) Many of us have heard P.T. Barnum’s story, and we’ve all seen the movie trailers, so what’s the deal with The Greatest Showman? To some, it might be the story of creating homes and families for misfits, to others it could be the history of the foundation of the first three-ring circus. Though both of these are depicted in the film, P.T. Barnum’s story is much more dense and perhaps controversial. If you enjoy musicals and bold, colorful aesthetics, this is definitely the movie for you. Not only does The Greatest Showman open with an epic musical performance, it features several musical numbers throughout. The film’s feature song, This is Me, is not only nominated, but favourite to win for Best Original Song at the 2018 Oscars. Matching the message and tone of the song, the bold colors of the costumes and set create a surreal aesthetic of blending styles from the 19th century (when it took place) and the 21st. The cinematography and design is truly a work of art on which to feast your eyes. And of course, who can forget the extremely notable cast including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, and Keala Settle? Their diverse personas and characters surely add to the blend of styles within the film. Setting aside the music, aesthetics, and cast of the film, it’s important to take a look at the story-
line itself. According to The Greatest Showman’s movie trailers, the story appears to follow the journey of a poor man who not only finds wealth, but happiness and a purpose in life by accepting misfits and helping them become worth something they never imagined. Sounds intriguing right? I thought so at least. It seemed like a cute, family-friendly movie with a good message portrayed through music. Though this is not entirely false, I developed other opinions upon watching the film. It seems promising and true to the trailer during the first portion of the movie (maybe first 20-30 minutes), but takes a turn when P.T. Barnum begins to allow the wealth get to his head, essentially prompting him to lie to his audience, ignore his friends, virtually abandon his family, and cheat on his wife. At this point, I’m wondering why the movie is titled “The Greatest Showman.” A person who cares more about money than the actual show is not “great” in my book. My previous thoughts of the film being a cute, heart-warming story vanish. At the end of the movie however, P.T. Barnum does turn around for the better...sort-of. His theater burns down, almost resulting in his death, which prompts him to create the first ever three-ring (mobile) circus where he reunites with his original troupe of misfits and acrobats. It might seem like a “happily-ever-after,” but don’t you think it’s a little weird how quickly he turned? Not only is this turnover quick, but the movie focuses on this development for maybe 7-10 minutes
at the end. The bulk of the movie focuses on P.T. Barnum’s greediness and mistakes. I felt like I was watching P.T. Barnum go down a checklist of all the possible mistakes he could make. Here’s the thing, this can be interpreted in two ways. His story could be portrayed this way to prove that even after a long history of selfishness and mistakes, one can still turn around for the better and create a positive impact on the world; or the writers of the film completely missed the point of focusing on the positive aspects of Barnum, and pointed out all of his faults instead. To be honest, I lean toward the latter because I was disappointed with the timeline of the movie, having previously seen the trailers; however, the film can absolutely be interpreted either way. Not only did I find issues in the focus of the story, but in the logistics of the characters and timeline. First of all, there were too many events that happened in the film. P.T. Barnum’s life was so complex and jam-packed, and it seemed like the producers wanted to fit everything they could in the film. I would prefer the story to be portrayed as a trilogy or a tv series, so that we can more deeply focus and understand all the things that Barnum accomplished (or didn’t accomplish) in his life. Like I said before, it felt like I was watching Barnum go through a checklist. It was like watching a Shmoop summary video that covers an entire book, but in this case covered almost the entirely of Barnum’s life. Because of such a quick pace, the character development struggled a bit. For example, Zac Efron’s character, Phillip Carlyle, a wealthy socialite, falls for
Zendaya’s character, Anne Wheeler, an African-American trapeze artist. Their love story was cute, but escalated rather quickly. They met, sang a song together, and then were a couple. Though this lack of character development was distracting, it wasn’t the writer’s fault, because there was just too much going on in the movie to make room for their story. Lastly, if you’re a history buff and really care about historical accuracy, this might not be the movie for you. After research of P.T. Barnum, I learned that the story-line is not entirely accurate. For example, Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron’s character) and Anne Wheeler (Zendaya’s character) are totally fictional. Also, P.T. Barnum’s path to success wasn’t as smooth as it seemed. Instead of being laid off from his job, buying a museum, and slowly working his way up, Barnum actually sold a general store that he owned, moved to New York working as a showman, and then fell into three years of difficult financial times during the Panic of 1837. He also didn’t actually have an affair with the Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind. These inaccuracies are actually just the tip of the iceberg. Despite the rapid storyline, and historical inaccuracies, the movie is highly entertaining. If you love bright and contemporary colors and characters breaking into song, you would LOVE this movie. It’s a typical entertaining musical with an overall good message. The big takeaway is that despite our mistakes, we can still strive and become who we want to be, like Hugh Jackman’s P.T Barnum.
The Last Jedi Written by Julia Keller Illustration by Cindy Peng
(WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS) Many dedicated Star Wars fans did not like the “Last Jedi” and had a lot of critiques about the film. I on the other hand, disagree almost entirely and I quite enjoyed the “Last Jedi.” People I know personally have complained to me about how much they don’t like Rose Tico. She has to stand there and watch people try to escape from the Resistance when her sister literally just gave her life for it. I may not care about her as much as I do the other characters, but I care about her enough and yes, the sideplot did fail, but so did every other mission in this movie. For all of the people saying that this movie solved all of the problems that it introduced, I have no idea what movie they were watching. This is the most catchup that the last movie in a Star Wars trilogy will ever have to do. Luke failed to train Rey how to be a jedi (which I think is actually more interesting). Rey fails to reform Kylo Ren. Finn, Poe’s and Rose’s mission failed. Rose is severely injured, and the rest of the Resistance is on whatever escape pods remain. Many people had issues with
Knightlife pg.6
the movie’s side plot. The side plot had to happen because Vice Admiral Holdo couldn’t tell anyone about her plan to slam the Raddus into the Supremacy because there would be someone who would try to stop her and that’s exactly what happened. The biggest complaint that many die hard Star Wars fans had was that “The Last Jedi” ruined Luke’s character. I don’t think the movie messed up his character because Luke didn’t try to reform Kylo. Luke tried to kill him, which then prompted Kylo to destroy the Jedi temple and kidnap six of his students, which would be pretty good reasons for him to be the bitter, miserable person that he is now. I actually like that Luke was no longer this happy, go-lucky sunshine guy and instead is a withered, embittered man. It’s just another one of those things that the movie is trying to turn on its head. Your heroes are most likely not these perfect people. I wasn’t expecting Kylo Ren and Rey to have this close relationship where they force each other to confront the things that they struggle with the most. Rey tells Kylo Ren that she doesn’t think he has completely
Above: “The Last Jedi” features lightsabers, X-wing battles, and lots of stormtroopers. gone over to the dark side and Ren forces Rey to confront the fact that her parents were most likely no one to be proud of and that she had been let down just like he had. The coolest things that this movie did was show that you don’t have to be a descendant from an important Star Wars hero to be the next chosen one. You can rise through the ranks of the Resistance after being in the background of it for so long and that even if everyting goes wrong, you can still learn from your mistakes. Also, the coolest thing that the movie did was redefine what the force could do. In a scene that strikes me as both very strangely filmed and visually stunning, we finally get to see Leia use the force by using it to propel herself back to the Raddus, which I thought was pretty cool because I
wasn’t expecting the force to be used to be able to physically get places. On the other hand, Luke used the force to make Kylo think that he was really fighting Luke in the moment when it was all just a farce, which is the coolest way to use the force. Even though a lot of people did not like “Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi,” I enjoyed each of the scenes individually and I liked how the movie was so very different from what I was expecting. I cared about the new characters it introduced and it left much to be answered and worked out, contrary to popular opinion.
Get’cha Head in the Game
Sports
Written by Nicole Barragan Photographed by Yearbook Staff
Despite just coming out of a long, relaxing winter break, the girls’ basketball team hasn’t slowed down a bit, and they have remained just as hard at work. With the girls’ great work ethic combined with the leadership of talented coaches such as Noelle Quinn ‘03 and Tiffany Hicks ‘10, they have all the components necessary for a successful, winning team. The current overall record of the team for the 201718 year is 13-9, but they are ready to add as many more wins to this statistic as they can in upcoming games. As for the girls themselves, player Kayla Padilla ‘19 comments that “being a part of this group
of girls is a really rewarding and great experience.” Although they do face obstacles and challenges that they must work together to overcome as a team, the girls all try their best to remain positive and “do a good job of motivating each other,” bringing each other closer together and strengthening their bond as a team. Kayla also appreciates the various coaches and instructors keeping the girls working hard and being the best they can be, saying she “could not ask for a better and more knowledgeable coaching staff.” She concludes by saying that they “have all the right pieces to make this season an incredible one,” and she can’t wait to do the best she can with the team by her side. As for future upcoming games, the Frosh/Soph, Junior Varsity, and Varsity girls all have plenty of these in the near Above: Coach Noelle Quinn ‘03 calls a time out to give directions to future, both at home at BMHS and the varsity team. at the opposing school. Be sure to come out and show your support for the team as well as your school spirit, it’s truly a great experience!
Above: Cyan Dyke ‘19 dribbles in for a layup.
Winter Sports: A Photo Story
Photographed by Yearbook Staff
Left: Josh Vazquez ‘19 drives down the lane for a jumper. Below Left: Markus Raad ‘18 kicks the ball to his teammate. Below: Shannon Blood ‘18 dribbles the ball down the field.
Left: Keith Stinson ‘18 catches a wave for the Surf Team.
pg.7 Knightlife
Clubs
Club Spotlight: Bishop Yogis Written by Olivia Thompson Photographed by Yearbook Staff
Stand up, with your feet slightly apart. Take a few breaths to center yourself. Slowly shift your weight to your right leg. Next, raise your left leg and guide your left foot to your right thigh. Try to keep your hips even. Continue to press your left foot into your right thigh, as you bring your palms together above your head. Keep breathing deeply. Congratulations, you just learned how to do the Tree pose! Tree pose. Warrior. Downward dog. Back in 2016, a few Bishop students realized that these poses might be the key to dealing with the difficulties of school. Seniors Erica Olsen and Tessa Sharpe created a proposal for a new club, aimed to help their peers relieve tension and relax. Yoga Club was born. Erica explains that “we started Yoga Club to make a space at school that helps people destress in a
fun, easygoing environment.” The club meets on Thursdays in Room 213. Mr. McGoldrick, the club’s moderator, goes the extra mile to get involved with the club, from participating himself to stashing extra yoga mats. Another bonus of Yoga Club is the homemade food. The club presidents always make sure to bake treats for every session, so not only can students let go of stress, they can have a snack as they do. All of the baked goods are made exclusively without animal products, since several members of the club are vegan. As Erica says “We wanted to make something that students could look forward to and derive a positive, enlightening experience from.” This mentality goes beyond simple stretches. Yoga Club has found a way to create an environment of fun, peacefulness, and exercise. “It’s genu-
Above: Emilyn Wilkinson ‘18, Katie Shanahan ‘19, Victoria Lopez ‘19 are doing neck rolls in the lotus position. inely super fun and it’s satisfying to move your bones after a long week,” the club founders say. So, stop by Room 213 next Thursday! Even if you have no yoga experience, you’ll be welcomed with an extra mat and some delicious vegan brownies.
Where in Bishop? Photographed by Julija Garunkstis
Where in Bishop were these three photos taken? The first three students who can correctly identify the classroom or area of each photo will receive a voucher to the Snack Bar for free food! Bring your answers to Mr. Hong in room 205. Be sure to search for these special objects to win Knightlife’s “Where in Bishop?” *Knightlife staff and faculty members are ineligible for this contest. Do not disrupt any classes to look for these items. Special thanks to Mr. McGoldrick for suggesting this contest!
The Knightlife newspaper is published by the Knightlife club of Bishop Montgomery High School, 5430 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503. Opinions expressed in this paper do not reflect those of Bishop Montgomery High School. Knightlife 2017-2018 Board Editors-in-Chief: Jackie Pistole & Erin Hall Vice Presidents: Liliana Linan & Anjelika Esteban Photography Executives: Jenna Yu & Amanda Ye Treasurer/Advertising: Henry Hasnah Clubs: Nicole Barragan Campus Life: Sklyer Lamar Art: Anna Quast Student Life: Matt Alcedo Entertainment/Culture: Julija Garunkstis Sports: Katie Tomanek Staff Writers: Anna Kortenkamp, Julia Hadnett, Sean Calub, Julia Keller, Sarah Oppenheim, Amanda Gonzalez, Anjelika Esteban, Annaliese Rupp, Annie Elming, Arabella Stadvec, Gabrielle Mata, Hailey Rodriguez, Joie Littleton, Liliana Linan, Natalie Cortes, Nicole Barragan, Skyler Lamar, Anna Quast, Audrey Egekeze, David Carroll, Erin Hall, Jacqueline Pistole, Julija Garunkstis, Matt Alcedo, Olivia Thompson Staff Photographers: Andrew Astorga, Anna Kortenkamp, Ariana Vargas, Corey Mostero, Darcy Campos, Dylan Peiris, Henry Hasnah, Ian Kenneally, Julia Hadnett, Markus Trotter, Ryan Hall, Samara Guillory, Sean Calub, Yuta Yamada, Anastacia Washington, Amanda Gonzalez, Amanda Ye, Annie Elming, Bessy Zhou, Bonny You, Cortland Foster, Gabrielle Mata, Hailey Rodriguez, Julia Bae, Liliana Linan, Natalia Cortes, Rebecca Julifs, Sonia Kortenkamp, Audrey Egekeze, Cristian Jimenez, Jacquelin Pistole, Jenna Yu, Julija Garunkstis, Libby Hadnett, Olivia Thompson, Vicky Zhu, Zandra Tsao Interviewers: Andrew Astorga, Henry Hasnah, Julia Hadnett, Markus Trotter, Samara Guillory, Yuta Yamada, Anastacia Washington, Amanda Gonzalez, Annie Elming, Arabella Stadvec, Hailey Rodriguez, Joie Littleton, Liliana Linan, Natalia Cortes, Sonia Kortenkamp, Audrey Egekeze, Cristian Jimenez, Matt Alcedo, Riley Parker Peer Editors: Audrey Egekeze (1-2), Ian Kenneally (3-4), Anna Quast (5-6), Anastasia Washington (7-8) Graphic Designers: Erin Hall (1-2), Alyssa Accinelli (3-4), Liliana Linan (5-6), Anjelika Esteban (7-8) Advisor: Mr. Hong Proofreaders: Mr. Marafino, Ms. Vigon- Morffi Publisher: Ms. Libbon *Please contact jhong@bmhs-la.org if you would like to advertise in our monthly newspaper.
Knightlife pg.8