Knightlife Winter 2017-2018

Bishop Montgomery High School

KNIGHTLIFE Winter 2017-18 XLIX • ISSUE 2

Above: Sarah Oppenheim ‘20, as Red Death, screams into the void as her victims lay dead below her.

Is it Cold in Here, Or is it Just Poe? Written by Nicole Barragan Photographed by Julija Garunkstis

On Wednesday, November there were people from all grades 15, Drama Lab premiered a comthat were new to Drama Lab. Alyssa pletely unique production, ShudAccinelli ‘19 comments that because dersome. This show was unique of Shuddersome she “was able to because it was the first Drama Lab get to know everyone in the cast show to be completely directed by and make new friends,” and that students. The show featured six although “being in the show took a different poems and stories written lot of time and effort, it felt really reby Edgar Allan Poe, with each one warding to perform. I’m so glad that I being directed by a different Drama was able to be a part of the cast and Lab officer. Although it was only I hope to be in many more shows!” meant to be an experimental show Everyone in the cast of all grade with only two showtimes, ​Shudderlevels grew close thanks to ​Shuddersome did incredibly well, with tickets​​ some​, but it led to a show that was Above: Krissi Fiebig ‘19 and Jenna Brock ‘21 face off against each other in a completely​ ​selling​ ​out​ ​in​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​ that much​ ​better.​ ​Svetlana​ ​Altshuler​ ​ duel for the play. days.

‘20​ ​agrees,​ ​saying,​ ​“We’re​ ​weird,​ ​but​ ​ than the original story. In the original, by it being a story that Edgar Al The works included in ​Shudwe​ ​rock​ ​it.” len Poe wrote, but by a poem that it is told by one man but in the play, dersome were “The Bells,” directed

The individual tales told in five girls told the story and reacted was addressed to Annabel Lee that

by Angelina Herrera ‘19, “The Tellthe play were each unsettling in was found in Poe’s book of poems. as one.

The five girls were sitting on Tale Heart,” by Gio Garcia ‘18, “The their own way. The fact that they are stools and walking around the stage Annabel Lee started walking down Raven,” by Julija Garunkstis ‘18, “ written by Edgar Allan Poe is already and talking to the raven, which was from the audience to the stage. Even Lionizing,” by Matt Alcedo ‘18, and somewhat chilling, knowing his writthough nothing incredibly eerie was seated above the entrance in TMH. “The Masque of the Red Death,” by ing style, but the way that the actors The story started by being narrated said, soon all of the other characters Colin Sevely-Ortiz ‘18, with the show portrayed it really brought the stories from the past tales started to come peacefully, but by the end, you could finishing off with the poem “Annabel to life. I think that it was very clever out and surround her, which gave Lee.” Unfortunately, “The Tell-Tale to have the stories somewhat narrat- feel the girls’ hatred for the raven which is what kept everyone on the the audience an uneasy feeling, but Heart” had to be removed from the ed by Edgar Allan Poe’s sister, who if a play does not leave you feeling edge of their seats.

From the yelling final show due to Jacen Castillo was played by Sonia Kortenkamp of the girls to the chilling voice of the something, it was​ ​not​ ​a​ ​good​ ​play.

‘18, the lead role, falling ill the night ‘19. The first story was “The Bells,”

The play overall was, just like raven saying “Nevermore,” it was before. However, this definitely did and the costumes for it really fit with definitely an unforgettable perforits name, very shuddersome. If this not take away from ​Shuddersome as the story. “The Bells” talks about the mance.

The fourth tale was “The is the product of a play being directa whole, and it was still a fantastic​​ different uses of bells, like emered by the students, then they have a Masque Of The Red Death.” This show. gency bells, wedding bells, death tale told of a masquerade given by lot of potential and there should be​​

Because it was entirely bells. If it was emergency bells, than more​ ​like​ ​this.

Princess Prospero.

Everyone in the directed by other students, ​Shudthe characters were dressed in yeloutside world was being riddled with dersome was a great opportunity for low, death bells dressed in black, the disease of The Black Death, so those new to Drama Lab, such as and for wedding bells there was a the Princess closed all of her doors new freshmen, to join and see what bride and groom. The second story they think without feeling intimidated. was “Lionizing.” This tale was not as and windows and had all of her elite friends with her so they could party Yasmin Garcia ‘21 says her “experiscary as some of the others, yet it and forget about everything else. ence was fantastic! I loved working was somewhat twisted. It was about She one day decided to have, spewith everyone who was so kind and a woman who had a special nose so very talented. I’m so proud and that everyone adored because it was cifically, a masquerade party. One ominous visitor comes and everyhappy that this was my first show different. As time went on, people one feels off with its presence. The as a BMHS student and proud to started to treat her as a regular perPrincess orders the visitor to leave, be part of the Drama Lab family.” son again and stopped putting her but with one touch of their hand on Olivia Kelleher’s ‘21 favorite aspects on a pedestal. In the end, there was her, she is dead. The guards try to were “laughing with your cast at a gun face-off with her and another chase the visitor but all they find many long rehearsals, walking on woman and she won and killed her, are clothes. One by one they all fall stage and feeling the spotlight hit and everyone hated her for it, which your face, having crazy inside jokes really reflects society. The third story ill of the black death. The tale that nobody else would understand. was “The Raven.” The way this story closed out the show was “Annabel Lee.” This tale was introduced, not Then ending and realizing how lucky was told in the play was different you were to be a part of it.” However, 5430 TORRANCE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE, CA 90503 • WWW.BMHS-LA.ORG

holidays

Thanksgiving Feast: Photo Story Photographed by Bonny You

Santa’s Village

Photographed by Cortland Foster and Natalie Cortes

Knightlife pg.2

Friendsgiving

holidays

Written by Annaliese​ ​Kaxon-Rupp

Friendsgiving​ ​goes​ ​way​ ​ back​ ​to​ ​1973​ ​and​ ​“A​ ​Charlie​ ​ Brown​ ​Thanksgiving,”​ ​where Peppermint​ ​Patty,​ ​Marcie,​ ​Franklin,​ ​ Linus,​ ​Sally,​ ​Snoopy,​ ​and​ ​Charlie​ ​ Brown​ ​all​ ​spend Thanksgiving​ ​together.​ ​​ ​Peppermint​ ​Patty​ ​invited​ ​ herself​ ​and​ ​her​ ​friends​ ​to​ ​Charlie​ ​ Brown’s house,​ ​so​ ​Charlie​ ​Brown​ ​ had​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​a​ ​last​ ​minute​ ​Thanksgiving​ ​dinner.​ ​​ ​Even​ ​though Peppermint​ ​Patty​ ​is​ ​unhappy​ ​with​ ​ the​ ​buttered​ ​toast,​ ​jelly​ ​beans,​ ​ pretzel​ ​sticks,​ ​and​ ​popcorn​ ​that Snoopy​ ​prepared,​ ​all​ ​the​ ​friends​ ​ were​ ​together​ ​at​ ​the​ ​dinner​ ​table.​ ​​ ​It​ ​doesn’t​ ​matter​ ​where​ ​you celebrate​ ​or​ ​how​ ​you​ ​celebrate;​ ​ good​ ​company​ ​is​ ​what​ ​keeps​ ​the​ ​ holiday​ ​spirits​ ​high.

Friendsgiving​ ​has​ ​become​ ​ extremely​ ​popular​ ​with​ ​millennials,​ ​and​ ​more​ ​people​ ​continue to​ ​celebrate​ ​this​ ​holiday​ ​as​ ​more​ ​ and​ ​more​ ​people​ ​post​ ​pictures​ ​ of​ ​the​ ​feast​ ​on​ ​social​ ​media.

Friendsgiving​ ​is​ ​like​ ​having​ ​a​ ​ second​ ​Thanksgiving,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​ often​ ​celebrated​ ​before​ ​the​ ​hectic family​ ​Thanksgiving!​ ​​ ​To​ ​plan​ ​the​ ​ perfect​ ​Friendsgiving,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​crucial​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​where​ ​and​ ​when​ ​it’s going​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​​ ​After​ ​deciding​ ​the​ ​ whereabouts​ ​of​ ​your​ ​Friendsgiving,​ ​create​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of​ ​what​ ​food​ ​is needed,​ ​and​ ​then ​people​ ​can​ ​ sign​u ​ p​​to​​bring​​specific​​items.​​​​ This​ ​will​ ​help​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​you have​ ​enough​ ​food​ ​and​ ​you​ ​can​ ​ make​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​everybody​ ​brings​ ​

something​ ​different!​ ​​ ​Once​ ​you worry​ ​too​ ​much​ ​about​ ​the​ ​food, have​ ​the​ ​table​ ​set​ ​up​ ​with​ ​dinner​ ​ just​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​there​ ​is​ ​enough​ ​ plates​ ​and​ ​utensils,​ ​Friendsgivfood​ ​for​ ​everybody. ing​ ​can​ ​begin​ ​as​ ​people​ ​start​ ​to eat​ ​the​ ​delicious​ ​food​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​ your​ ​generous​ ​friends.

However,​ ​your​ ​Friendsgiving​ ​does​ ​not​ ​have​ ​to​ ​serve​ ​typical​ ​Thanksgiving​ ​food.​ ​​ ​Friends can​ ​bring​ ​different​ ​foods​ ​that​ ​ they​ ​like,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​food​ ​will​ ​be​ ​ just​ ​as​ ​delicious.​ ​​ ​You​ ​can​ ​even​ ​ plan to​ ​eat​ ​out​ ​at​ ​a​ ​restaurant​ ​to​ ​ make​ ​Friendsgiving​ ​less​ ​stressful;​ ​the​ ​host​ ​will​ ​not​ ​have​ ​to​ ​worry about​ ​cleaning​ ​their​ ​house​ ​and​ ​ the​ ​guests​ ​will​ ​not​ ​have​ ​to​ ​worry​ ​ about​ ​making​ ​food.​ ​​ ​The​ ​point of​ ​ Friendsgiving​ ​is​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​time​ ​ with​ ​all​ ​your​ ​friends,​ ​so​ ​don’t​ ​

Happy Holidays!

Comic by Anna Quast Christmas Illustration by Cindy Peng

Black Friday

Written by Liliana Linan Comic by Henry Hasnah

Black​ ​Friday​ ​is​ ​the​ ​ ‘holiday’​ ​which​ ​overshadows​ ​ Thanksgiving​ ​and​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​begin earlier​ ​every​ ​year.​ ​As​ ​calculated​ ​by​ the ​National​ ​Retail​ ​ Federation​ ​it​ ​is​ ​estimated​ ​that​ ​ this​ ​year​ ​the average​ ​American​ ​ will​ ​spend​ ​$967.13​ ​with​ ​a​ ​total​ ​ of​ ​$682​ ​billion​ ​dollars​ ​spent​ ​ nationwide​ ​on Black​ ​Friday.​ ​ According​ ​to​ ​balance.com​ ​the​ ​ best​ ​day​ ​for​ ​purchasing​ ​Christmas​ ​decor​ ​and toys​ ​is​ ​Novem-

ber​ ​22,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​also​ ​the​ ​best​ ​ day​ ​for​ ​online​ ​sales.​ ​Yet​ ​Black​ ​ Friday​ ​is​ ​still​ ​the​ ​best day​ ​to​ ​ buy​ ​TVs,​ ​tablets,​ ​appliances,​ ​ and​ ​jewelry.​ ​Many stores​, such as Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Ulta Beauty, a ​ nnounced​​ their​​sales before Black Friday.

pg.3 Knightlife

Opinion/entertainment

Battle for Your Money: Star Wars Battlefront II Written by David Carroll

Recently,​ ​Star​ ​Wars​ ​BattleFront​ ​2,​ ​a​ ​$60​ ​video​ ​game​ ​by​ ​EA​ ​ released​ ​on​ ​November​ ​17th, was​ ​ critically​ ​panned​ ​for​ ​its​ ​intrusive​ ​ microtransactions​ ​unleashing​ ​a​ ​ massive​ ​backlash​ ​of​ ​angry consumers.​ ​According​ ​to​International​ ​ Gaming​ ​News (IGN),​ ​the​ ​game’s​ ​ microtransactions would​ ​allow​ ​ players​ ​to​ ​buy​ ​randomized​ ​loot​ ​ boxes​, ​thereby​ ​giving​ ​players​ ​ more​ ​resources​ ​and better​ ​battle​ ​ equipment,​ ​effectively​ ​making​ ​it​ ​ a​ ​“pay-to-win”​ ​game.​ ​Additionally,​ ​ many​ ​popular Star​ ​Wars​ ​characters​ ​were​ ​locked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​start​ ​of​ ​ the​ ​game.​ ​They​ ​then​ ​could​ ​either​ ​ be​ ​unlocked​ ​by spending​ ​a​ ​large​ ​ sum​ ​of​ ​actual​ ​money​ ​or​ ​by​ ​playing​ ​the​ ​game​ ​normally.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​“... discovered​ ​it could​ ​take​ ​upwards​ ​ of​ ​40​ ​hours​ ​of​ ​online​ ​play​ ​to​ ​ unlock​ ​hero​ ​characters​ ​like​ ​Darth​ ​ Vader​ ​and Luke​ ​Skywalker.​ ​To​ ​ unlock​ ​everything​ ​in​ ​the​ ​game,​ ​ one​ ​player​ ​estimated​ ​it​ ​could​ ​take​ ​ 4,528 hours.”​ ​According​ ​to​ ​Business​ ​Insider,​ ​a​ ​business​ ​news​ ​ site,​ ​“​ ​EA's​ ​comment​ ​respond-

ing​ ​to​ ​the backlash​ ​became​ ​the​ ​ most-disliked​ ​comment​ ​in​ ​Reddit​ ​history,​ ​with​ ​over​ ​600,000​ ​ ‘downvoting’ it.”​ ​​ ​IGN​ ​also​ ​reports​ ​ that​ ​“Bob​ ​Iger,​ ​Disney's​ ​chief​ ​ executive,​ ​was​ ​‘alarmed’​ ​by​ ​the​ ​ backlash from​ ​fans...”​ ​resulting​ ​ in​ ​the​ ​temporary​ ​removal​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ microtransaction​ ​system​ ​from​ ​ BattleFront 2.​ ​Additionally,​ ​similar​ ​ issues​ ​with​ ​randomized​ ​loot​ ​boxes​ ​appear​ ​in​ ​many​ ​other​ ​major​ ​ games, resulting​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Belgium​ ​ Gaming​ ​Commision​ ​concluding​ ​that​ ​paying​ ​for​ ​loot​ ​boxes​ ​is​ ​ considered gambling.​ ​The​ ​Commission​ ​is​ ​pushing​ ​to​ ​ban​ ​this​ ​ game​ ​mechanic​ ​across​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​ European Union.​ ​The​ ​developer,​ ​ EA​, ​is​ ​also​ ​partially​ ​to​ ​blame​ ​for​ ​ the​ ​unpopular​ ​microtransactions.

According​ ​to​ ​Polygon,​ ​a​ ​technology​ ​news​ ​site,​ ​EA​ ​was​ ​voted​ ​worst​ ​ company​ ​in​ ​America​ ​three times​ ​ in​ ​a​ ​row​ ​between​ ​2012​ ​and​ ​2014​ ​ in​ ​the​ ​Consumerist's​ ​Worst​ ​Company​ ​in​ ​America​ ​poll​ ​due to​ ​their​ ​ anti-consumer​ ​practices.​ ​Ironically,​ ​if​ ​the​ ​game​ ​had​ ​no​ ​microtrans-

actions,​ ​more​ ​copies would​ ​have​ ​ sold,​ ​and​ ​EA​ ​could​ ​have​ ​made​ ​ more​ ​money​ ​than​ ​they​ ​actually​ ​ did.​ ​Ultimately​, ​pay​ ​to win​ ​microtransactions​ ​hurt​ ​$60​ ​games​ ​and​ ​ EA​ ​and​ ​other​ ​companies​ ​need​ ​to​ ​ reform​ ​their practices​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​the​ ​ trust​ ​of​ ​the​ ​consumer​ ​back.

Below: Matthew Bukowski ‘21, Sean Manson ‘21, and Isaiah Harris ‘18 think that Battlefront II is better than the first game, but don’t enjoy the microtransactions.

Thrilling Return: Sam Smith Written by Gabriella Mata

Sam Smith is arguably one of the most famous singers in the music industry.

When you think of Sam Smith, the first thing that comes to mind is passion. His songs, whether it be upbeat or slow tempoed, seem to always touch the listener’s heart. In his latest album “The Thrill Of It All,” Sam Smith strips his soul for his listeners in a collection of songs that speak of passion, love, and not surprisingly, heartbreak. After being MIA for what seems to be a lifetime for Sam Smith fans, Smith doesn’t disappoint. “The Thrill Of It All” opens up with one of the most well known songs out of the album, which is “Too Good At Goodbyes.” We are told about the speaker’s strength after an intense breakup. Even though the stereotypical heartbreak love song may be out of date, Smith’s soulful tone in his voice gives us something to relate to. Songs like “Burning,” which he admitted was “the

Knightlife pg.4

most personal song [he had] written in [his] life” and “Pray,” which is inspired by his time spent in Mosul in Iraq with the charity, ‘War Child,’ Smith has taken advantage of his time off of music to really get to know who he is and live life to the fullest. There are no words to express how amazing this album is. Sam Smith still remains to be a thing of wonder even after coming out of the shadows.

Right: Edward Bozeman ‘18 is a big Sam Smith fan and regularly sings his songs during class.

Entertainment

Thunder, Lighting, and Mischief Written by Matt Alcedo Illustration by Cristian Jimenez

Lightning,​ ​mischief,​ ​and​ ​ the​ ​fate​ ​of​ ​the​ ​universe​ ​hanging​ ​in​ ​the​ ​balance;​ ​it​ isn’t ​a​ ​ Thor movie​ ​without​ ​any​ ​of​ ​it.​ ​​ Thor:​ ​Ragnarok​​ ​weaves​ ​another​ ​interesting​ ​story​ ​combining​ ​ the​ ​Marvel comic​ ​universe​ ​with​ ​ the​ ​apparent​ ​comical​ ​mood​ ​ that​ ​just​ ​fuels​ ​this​ ​generation.​ ​ Compared​ ​to​ T ​​ hor and​ ​​Thor:​ ​ The​ ​Dark​ ​World,​​ ​​Thor:​ ​Ragnarok​​ ​presented​ ​a​ ​more​ ​comical​ ​storyline​ ​yet​ ​still​ ​kept​ ​up with​ ​its​ ​predecessors​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​ of​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​captivating​ ​and​ ​ unique​ ​story.​ ​With​ ​Thor​ ​going​ ​ up against​ Hela,​ ​the​ ​Goddess​ ​ of​ ​Death,​ ​and​ ​having​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​ with​ ​the​ ​possible​ ​coming​ ​of​ ​ Ragnarok, this​ ​movie​ ​created​ ​a​ storyline​ ​that​ ​could​ ​leave​ ​anyone​ ​on​ ​the​ ​edge​ ​of​ ​their​ ​seats​ ​ with​ ​all​ ​its suspense​ ​and​ ​plot​ ​

twists.​ ​With​ A ​​ vengers:​​Infinity​​ War​​ ​coming​ ​out​ ​the​ ​following​ ​year,​ ​we​ ​already begin​ ​to​ ​ see​a ​ ​​greater​​influx​​of​​Marvel​​ superheroes​ ​across​ ​different​ ​ movies​ ​coming​ ​together, from​ ​ cameos​ ​by​ ​Doctor​ ​Strange,​ ​ to​ ​travelling​ ​to​ ​the​ ​clashing​ ​of​ ​ societies​ ​like​ ​Asgard​ ​and​ ​ones along​ ​the​ ​the​ ​lines​ ​of​ ​what​ ​ you​ ​would​ ​see​ ​in​ ​the​ ​​Guardians​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Galaxy​​ ​franchise.​ ​ While​ ​some may​ ​criticize​ ​​Thor:​ ​ Ragnarok​​ ​as​ ​playing​ ​too​ ​much​ ​ into​ ​comedy​ ​and​ ​not​ ​enough​ ​ into​ ​the​ ​in​ ​depth storyline​ ​and​ ​ heart​ ​pounding​ ​action​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​ the​ ​third​ ​movie​ ​of​ ​trilogies​ ​like​ ​ the​ ​Captain​ ​America and​ ​Iron​ ​ Man​ ​series,​ ​this​ ​movie​ ​still​ ​presented​ ​an​ ​interesting​ ​storyline​ ​ and​ ​a​ ​creative​ ​character arc​ ​for​ ​ many​ ​of​ ​its​ ​characters.​ ​While​ ​

this​ ​may​ ​be​ ​the​ ​last​ ​we​ ​see​ ​ of​ ​Thor​ ​until​ ​next​ ​year,​ T ​​ hor: Ragnarok​​ ​leaves​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​ yet​ ​memorable​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ Marvel​ ​Cinematic​ ​Universe​ ​as​ ​ it​ ​was able​ ​to​ ​paint​ ​a​ ​brighter​ ​ and​ ​comical​ ​story​ ​in​ ​the​ ​MCU​ ​ while​ ​not​ ​completely​ ​losing​ ​its​ ​ grittiness.

at​ ​skateboarding,​ ​and​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​ abuse​ ​by​ ​her​ ​stepbrother,​ ​Billie.​ ​She catches​ ​the​ ​attention​ ​ of​ ​Mike,​ ​Dustin,​ ​Lucas,​ ​and​ ​Will​ ​ for​ ​earning​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​score​ ​ in​ ​the​ ​arcade game,​ ​“Dig​ ​Dug,”​ ​ struggles​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​acceptance​ ​in​ ​ the​ ​boys’​ ​group,​ ​and​ ​is​ ​Lucas's​ ​ love​ ​interest. However,​ ​she​ ​is​ ​still​ ​ an​ ​irrelevant​ ​character.​ ​If​ ​Billie​ ​ didn’t​ ​exist,​ ​then​ ​her​ ​character​ ​ wouldn’t exist.​ ​What’s​ ​so​ ​pathetic​ ​ about​ ​that​ ​is​ ​Billie​ ​doesn’t​ ​really​ ​ do​ ​much​ ​besides​ ​harass​ ​Steve Harrington,​ ​party,​ ​look​ ​at​ ​himself​ ​ in​ ​the​ ​mirror,​ ​and​ ​make​ ​Max’s​ ​life​ ​ a​ ​living​ ​hell.

The​ ​Duffer​ ​Brothers​ ​still​ ​ managed​ ​to​ ​have​ ​Billie​ ​directly​ ​ affect​ ​the​ ​plot.​ ​Billie​ ​beats​ ​the

living​ ​daylights​ ​out​ ​of​ ​Steve,​ ​ causing​ ​Max​ ​to​ ​drug​ ​Billie​ ​and​ ​ when​ ​Steve​ ​wakes​ ​up,​ ​they​ ​all​ ​ are in​ ​the​ ​car,​ ​being​ ​driven​ ​by​ ​ Max​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Upside​ ​Down.​ ​Billie​ ​actually​ ​helps​ ​the​ ​kids​ ​get​ ​to​ ​ the Upside​ ​Down​ ​because​ ​that​ ​ would​ ​be​ ​really​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​do​ ​if​ ​the​ ​ protective​ ​babysitter​ ​that​ ​is​ ​Steve isn’t​ ​knocked​ ​out.​ ​Max​ ​basically​ ​ ends​ ​up​ ​driving​ ​them​ ​up​ ​a​ ​hill,​ ​ big​ ​whoop.​ ​Her​ ​role​ ​in​ ​the​ ​plot doesn’t​ ​pay​ ​off​ ​in​ ​a​ ​big​ ​way.

The​ ​only​ ​new​ ​character​ ​ that​m ​ akes​​a​​significant​​impact​​ on​ ​the​ ​plot​ ​is​ ​Joyce’s nerdy,​ ​ compassionate​ ​boyfriend,​ ​Bob​ ​ Newby.​ ​The​ ​minute​ ​I​ ​saw​ ​him​ ​I​ ​ knew​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be​ ​dead​ ​by the​ ​ end​ ​of​ ​the​ ​season.​ ​He​ ​knows​ ​ about​ ​Will’s​ ​“episodes”​ ​but​ ​he​ ​ doesn’t​ ​know​ ​about​ ​the​ ​Upside Down​ ​or​ ​what​ ​exactly​ ​happened​ ​ to​ ​Will.​ ​He​ ​causes​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​damage​ ​by​ ​convincing​ ​Will​ ​to​ ​stand his​ ​ground​ ​when​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​the​ ​ shadow​ ​monster​ ​which​ ​leads​ ​to​ ​ the​ ​shadow​ ​monster​ ​ending​ ​up inside​ ​of​ ​Will,​ ​basically​ ​is​ ​the​ ​only​ ​ reason​ ​Hopper​ ​is​ ​alive​ ​because​ ​ he​​figures​​out​w ​ hat​​Will’s drawings​ ​mean,​ ​and​ ​manually​ ​opens​ ​ the​ ​gates​ ​to​ ​the​ ​lab,​ ​allowing​ ​our​ ​ protagonists​ ​to​ ​escape.​ ​He dies​ ​ in​ ​the​ ​process​ ​and​ ​his​ ​death​ ​was​ ​ the​ ​hardest​ ​thing​ ​​to​ ​watch​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ whole​ ​season.

My​ ​least​ ​favorite​ ​part​ ​of​ ​ the​ ​season​ ​was​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​episode​ ​nine​ ​when​ ​the​ ​kids​ ​are​ ​at​ ​ the dance.​ ​Lucas​ ​and​ ​Max​ ​end​ ​ up​ ​kissing,​ ​followed​ ​by​ ​Mike​ ​and​ ​

Above: Cristian Jimenez ‘18 was inspired by the movie “Thor: Ragnorak” and drew this picture of Hela in his Stats book.

Stranger Things 2: Strange Yet Fun! Written by Julia Keller

Caution: Spoilers ahead!

In​ ​2016,​ ​we​ ​all​ ​fell​ ​in​ ​love​ ​ with​ ​Stranger​ ​Things​ ​either​ ​for​ ​​ ​its​ ​ homage​ ​to​ ​80’s​ ​classic science​ ​ fiction​​movies,​​its​​brilliant​s​ torytelling,​ ​or​ ​its​ ​extremely​ ​intelligent​ ​ but​​relatable​​and flawed​​characters,​ ​or​ ​in​ ​my​ ​case,​ ​all​ ​three.​ ​ Although​ S ​ tranger​ ​Things” ​will​ ​ always​ ​hold​ ​a special​ ​place​ ​in​ ​my​ ​ heart,​ S ​ tranger​ ​Things​ ​season​ ​ two​ ​is​ ​a​ ​far​ ​cry​ ​from​ ​the greatness​ ​that​ ​is​ ​season​ ​one.

Season​ ​two​ ​includes​ ​all​ ​ the​ ​characters​ ​that​ ​its​ ​audience​ ​ fell​ ​in​ ​love​ ​with​ ​in​ ​season​ ​one along​ ​with​ ​some​ ​new​ ​additions​ ​ like​ ​Max.​ ​Also​ ​known​ ​by​ ​her​ ​ arcade​ ​username,​ ​“Mad​ ​Max,”​ ​ she is​ ​new​ ​to​ ​Hawkins,​ ​a​ ​whiz​ ​

Right: Christina Truong ‘18 binged watched “Stranger Things 2” during her Christmas break.

Eleven​ ​kissing.​ ​For​ ​me,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​ just a​ ​really​ ​sloppy​ ​ending​ ​to​ ​ have​ ​Will,​ ​Mike,​ ​Lucas,​ ​Max,​ ​and​ ​ Eleven​ ​dance​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​and have​ ​Dustin​ ​dance​ ​with​ ​Nancy,​ ​ to​ ​then​ ​have​ ​the​ ​audience​ ​be​ ​ shown​ ​a​ ​clip​ ​of​ ​the​ ​raging​ ​Upside Down​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​ tells​ ​us​ ​“We​ ​actually​ ​didn’t​ ​solve​ ​ this​ ​problem​ ​and​ ​there​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a season​ ​three.”

Although​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​hate​ ​ season​ ​two​ ​of​ S ​ tranger​ ​Things,​ ​ I​ ​don’t​ ​plan​ ​on​ ​ever​ ​watching​ ​it again​ ​just​ ​for​ ​the​ ​heck​ ​of​ ​it​ ​like​ ​ I​ ​did​ ​with​ ​season​ ​one,​ ​multiple​ ​ times.​ ​While​ ​season​ ​two​ ​on​ ​the whole​ ​is​ ​pretty​ ​interesting,​ ​there​ ​ were​ ​too​ ​many​ ​irrelevant​ ​subplots​ ​ that​ ​I​ ​just​ ​don’t​ ​want​ ​sit down​ ​and​ ​ watch​ ​again​ ​and​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​ scene​ ​included​ ​in​ ​season​ ​two ​that​ ​ I​ ​would​ ​sit​ ​down and​ ​watch​ ​again​ ​ just​ ​on​ ​its​ ​own.

pg.5 Knightlife

Student Life

STRESSED OUT? Written by Arabella Stadvec

Above: Jason Hilliard ‘19 enjoys his Spanish class but gets stressed out about conjugating the verbs.

The first semester is coming to a close. Finals and college app due dates are coming a lot faster than most students expected. Last minute lessons, more tests and quizzes, more homework assignments assigned to try to speed up the chapters, the end of the semester is a stressful time for all High School students because not only are students expected to actually complete all the work, but also perform well.

Students often stress about performing well, which has a negative effect on your health. There are many ways in which you can reduce your stress to help you perform well as well as stay healthy.

Stress from wanting to perform well actually ends up negatively impacting your academic performance . Students have

quite a bit on their plate when it comes to wanting to further their education at a college or university. Students have to juggle schoolwork with sports and other extra curricular activities along with jobs as well. That is a lot for one student to handle and often causes them to stress about getting everything done, especially if you don’t manage your time well.

According to Owlcation.com, Dr. Sian Belie, a psychologist, has found that “ Stressful academic situations impact the performance of students.” Therefore, if you are to reduce your stress you will perform better.

Stress also has a negative impact on the body as well as on your feelings and behaviors.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health prob-

#back2skool Comic by Henry Hasnah

Knightlife pg.6

lems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.” Stress also can take a toll on your immune system, often allowing your body to more easily catch a cold or the flu. In order to perform well academically it’s important to be healthy so that you can thoroughly focus and be on your A­game.

Now, how can you reduce your stress levels to keep healthy and perform well academically?

Relaxing yourself and your mind is the key. You don’t need a spa or a two week vacation every time you feel stressed. There are some very simple ways in which you can relax and avoid stress.

Here are some ten simple ways from Healthline.com in which can help you relax and lower your stress levels: 1. Listen and jam out to some music. It can be anything from the symphony to Metallic to The Lumineers to Justin Bieber.

Whatever genre of music that you enjoy or find relaxing!

2. Talk to a friend or family member. Talking is very helpful when reducing stress; therefore take a break and talk, talk, talk!

3. Positive self-talk. Talk yourself through it as well as think positively about yourself and your work. You are awesome, You are great!

4. Eat a balanced diet. Eating healthy is very effective when it comes to reducing stress. Stay away from sugary and fatty foods and eat some fruit and veggies.

5. Laugh! According to healthline.com, “Laughter releases endorphins that improve mood and decrease levels of the stress­ causing hormones cortisol and

adrenaline.”

6. Afternoon tea anyone? Tea is a great natural source of energy fuel to get you awake and going.

Its much better for you and your stress than coffee or other sugary energy drinks.

7. Mindfulness. Be mindful. It will help you remain focused and on track with your work and other studies.

8. Get up off the couch and exercise. If it for an hour or even if it for a minute, exercise helps to put you in a better mood by circulating your blood and releasing endorphins.

9. SLEEP!! Getting a healthy amount of sleep is a key to reducing stress. It helps your body recuperate from the day before so that when you wake up you are ready to take on the upcoming day to your very best ability.

10. Take a deep breath. Take deep breaths, inhale and exhale, just breathe and relax.

Stress can be reduced. Just follow these 10 simple steps and you will be stress free and feeling good as well as performing to your best ability!

Student Life

My Crazy AMA’s Experience Written and Photographed by Skylar Lamar

On Sunday November 19, 2017, the AMAs (American Music Awards) took place at the Microsoft Theatre in L.A. Live. Two weeks before the awards show, my mom and dad surprised me with tickets to the event. The first thing that came to my head was, “OMG I get to see all these great artists and fangirl to my heart’s content!!!”. Then I realized this would make a good article topic, so here I am to tell you what it is like to actually be at a major awards show, rather than​ ​just​ ​seeing​ ​it​ ​on​ ​ television.

On Sunday, the doors would open at 3:00pm for people to go in and get seated and the doors would close at 4:00pm, so you were out of luck if you were not in by then. I was planning on getting there at noon but got there at 2:00pm...because I am late to everything (#relatable).

When I arrived, there was a crowd of fans with signs that were screaming for BTS, a South Korean pop group.

These people didn't have tickets, they were just standing there, cheering, even though the group wasn't there yet. Because we had tickets, security escorted us to a separate line on the other side of the crowd by the sidewalk. The line was long and mostly made up of BTS fans. It was interesting to see everyone with their BTS merchandise along with the free posters that were being​​handed​​ out​ ​to​ ​everyone.

Fast forward to 3:00pm.

People are slowly let in, and the red carpet is starting across from the Microsoft Theatre, inside a big tent.

From where I was, unless you were looking through the big glass wall inside of the Microsoft Theatre, you could not see any of the celebrities.

The red carpet was aired on Twitter, so I watched with some girls I met in line. While we were slowly walking, a mother, her friend and her nine year old daughter, came up to my mom, me and the group of girls that I was talking to and she shoves a $50 bill in my direction and a $50 bill in the girls’ direction. She basically told us that she was supposed to be in the V.I.P area but since she did not have her badge, she could not get into that area so she was paying us so she could get in line behind

us, keeping in mind that the line basically went all the way down the sidewalk. We accepted the money, and they got in the line behind us.

Five minutes go by and we are still slowly walking and watching the Red Carpet, and all of a sudden, a big security guy comes over and says, talking to the women behind us “You guys the people who are supposed to be in V.I.P?” and they said “Yes, along with them” and she pointed to my mom, me and the girls.”Is she talking about us? Is she serious?”

We are all wide-eyed and end up walking to the front of the line to get in. It was very awkward to just walk in front of everyone, but at that point we were very hyped. We thanked her profusely and walked in. One of the girls had a BTS sign that she wanted to hold up, but it was too big.

My mom even talked to the supervisor to see if she could somehow bring it in, but he refused. Once we were in, we tried to look out the glass to see the Red Carpet, but could not see anyone so we went to our seats and waited for the show to​​ begin.

I am only going to touch on the performances that really stood out to me even though every performance was good. The performance that opened up the night was a collaborative song between P!nk and Kelly Clarkson and it was beautiful.

It was a commemorative song for all those fighting all of the tragedies happening in the world, like the firefighters and policemen. It received a standing ovation because of the deep emotion everyone felt from that performance. After that performance, Demi Lovato performed “Sorry Not Sorry.” Everyone was out of their seats and dancing because she got everyone so hyped up. I was in the high seats, yet everyone was smiling and singing and dancing. The next memorable performance was Christina Aguilera’s tribute to the movie “The Bodyguard” for having its 25th anniversary. She sang the iconic song “I Will Always Love You.” During that performance, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was in awe and entranced by her voice.

Some even teared up. People in the media had mixed feelings about her

Above: Fans wait outside in line to get into the Microsoft Theatre for the AMA’s.

Above: Khalid and Dan Reynolds, guitarist and lead singer of Imagine Dragons, hug at the end of their collab performance.

covering such an iconic song, but she killed it. She also sang other famous songs from that movie sung by Whitney Houston. I was blown away

by Selena Gomez’s performance of “Wolves,” which was her first performance since her kidney transplant.

Her voice sounded great and strong even though you could somewhat tell that she wasn’t back to her normal self. Regardless, everyone still went wild for her. Now, I’m sure a lot of the girls reading this know that I am going to touch on Shawn Mendes’ performance of “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back.” All the girls in the stadium were up on their feet singing every word like they had written the song themselves. His voice is just as pure as it is on radio and I was not disappointed with the performance. BTS was the second to last performance of the night and let me just say that my ears still hurt from that night. I was a fan and screaming as well, but my entire section was the fandom so you can already guess how loud it was. It was even said that the fan chants for the group that the fans yelled were muted because it was louder than the boys singing and the music!

BTS performed their most recent song “DNA” and it was very impressive, and I am not just saying that because I am a fan. Their dancing was something that is rarely seen in American pop music culture to a certain extent. All I am saying is that a lot of people must have left being curious about the Kpop boy group

that is BTS. The last performance of the night was by Diana Ross, and just by hearing that name, most are already in awe. She sang some of her greatest hits and received the American Music Lifetime Award, an amazing honor. Everyone was enjoying​ ​her​ ​performance​ ​and​ ​just​ ​ her​ ​voice​ ​in​ ​general,​ ​the​ ​voice​ ​of​ ​a​ ​ legend.

This experience was something that I would not trade for anything. It was more than a concert. I definitely think that if you are thinking about going to an event like that, please go if there is an artist you really want to see because it makes the experience a million times better.

Above: People gather in the pit next to the main stage as celebrities come in from the red carpet.

pg.7 Knightlife

Campus Life

Where in Bishop?

Photographed by Jackie Pistole

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!

#2

#1

#3

Guilty Pleasures Written by Hailey Rodriguez and Cortland Foster A​ ​guilty​ ​pleasure​ ​is​ ​anything,​ ​ "such​ ​as​ ​a​ ​movie,​ ​television​ ​ program,​ ​or​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​music, that​ ​one​ ​enjoys​ ​despite​ ​feeling​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​generally​ ​held​ ​ in​ ​high​ ​regard.”​ Interested in learning about Bishop students’ guilty pleasures, we asked members of the junior class - “What are your guilty pleasures?”: Hailey​ ​Rodriguez:​ completing​ ​ Buzzfeed​ ​quizzes Gaby​ ​Mata:​ ​watching​ ​“Keeping​ ​ up​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Kardashians” Laura​ ​Gutierrez:​ ​reality​ ​T.V. Cat​ ​Vallejo:​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​kids​ ​ music Lucy​ ​May​ ​Aki:​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​ Christmas​ ​music​ ​in​ ​November Lily​ ​Linan:​ ​telling​ ​her​ ​parents​ ​ she’s​ ​doing​ ​homework​ ​when​ ​ really​​she’s​w ​ atching​​Netflix

Knightlife pg.8

Robin​ ​Daniels:​ ​letting​ ​hot​ ​glue​ ​ dry​ ​and​ ​then​ ​peeling​ ​it​ ​off Jason​ ​Hillard:​ ​watching​ ​musicals Katie​ ​Shanahan:​ ​watching​ ​the​ ​ Bachelor/Bachelorette Chelsea​ ​Garcia:​ ​eating​ ​only​ ​ the​ ​white​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​watermelon

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: Anjelika Esteban (1-2), Annaliese Rupp (3-4), Anastasia Washington (5-6), Olivia Thompson (7-8) Graphic Designers: Erin Hall (1-2), Matt Alcedo (3-4), Riley Parker (5-6), Alyssa Accinelli (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.