Vol. 84 No. 1 (2014-2015)

issue

01

vol. 84 october 2014

Wildcat brea olinda high school

The Homecoming Issue

ROYALS

Princesses Abby Broadstreet, Nina Evans, Madison Miller, Sierra McCoy and Sophie Zambri vie for the title of Homecoming Queen which will be announced this Friday at the football game.

I INDEX

S STAF F O P- E D ACTIVISM OR SLACKTIVISM?

WHERE’S MY WATER? While we flagrantly waste water, California’s supply continutes to dwindle. The Wildcat’s Joy Hsieh inteviews Brett R Barbre, director of the Municipal Water District of Orange County. Read on to learn about how we can conserve OC’s water.

The ALS ice bucket challenge is still viral even months after its inception. But do participants really care about its goal--to end amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? Is it a matter of awareness, or selfpromotion?

SCHOOL HACKS More than ever, teachers and students students are using technology in the classroom.

Online textbooks, educational video channels on YouTube, smartphone apps, and even cellphone cameras are enhancing the educational experience.

PG 5

PGS 16-17

SENIOR TAKES Africa, ONE SMILE AT A TIME

REMEMBERING GHIBILI STUDIOS

This summer, Michael Jovellanos, senior, traveled to Africa on behalf of Operation Smile. Turn to page 30 to learn about his experience with the children whose smiles were transformed forever.

Following a lifetime of adoration for Ghibili Studios, home to the famous animator, Hayao Miyazaki, Editorin-Chief Betty Lee shares how Miyazaki’s hand-drawn animation inspired her and changed her life.

Making a varsity team at BOHS is challenging enough, but Logan Forde (water polo), Alisa Fang (tennis) and Alex George (volleyball) are already making a difference at the highest level of their respective sports as freshmen. Learn more about these athletes on pages 44-45.

PGS 30-31

PG 36

PGS 44-45

PG 27

MAKING AN IMPACT

M MASTHEAD

THE WILDCAT since 1930

What has been your favorite Halloween costume?

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Emiko Kaneoka

NEWS EDITOR

Nicole Nam

OPINION EDITOR

Anabel King

FEATURE EDITORS ARTS EDITORS

“I was a pumpkin two years ago.”

Jessica Yim and Betty Lee

“When I was 10 I dressed up as my 5th grade teacher for Halloween.”

Astyr Ko and Stacy Uhm Joy Hsieh and Charlotte Kim

PHOTO EDITORS

Rachel Lin, April Santonil, Michael Cho

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hannah Dotan, Monica Hiemer, Halie Nam, Deval Patel, Hannah Roark, Brandon Yun

STAFF WRITERS

“I was a box labeled ‘God’s gift to men.”

Angelica Doan, Khurrum Elahi, Samantha Magpantay, Matthew Moon, Jacob Nam, Jean Park, Celeste Roh, Jessica Tseng, Elizabeth Wheat

MISSION STATEMENT // The Wildcat is published by the students of Brea Olinda High

School’s Newspaper class. The purpose of the publication is to inform and educate the Brea community, as well as highlight campus life and student achievement. The Wildcat encourages expression of reader opinion in the form of letters to the editor.

Letters must be signed with a name and submitted to bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail. com. Opinions stated in the Wildcat do not necessarily belong to Brea Olinda High School administration, faculty, and students. Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the staff. Bylined columns reflect the views of the writer.

2

“Totoro, from My Neighbor Totoro.”

2 THE WILDCAT October 2014

the Wildcat

Brea Olinda High School 789 Wildcat Way Brea, CA 92821

bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com

FACEBOOK:

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

IN HIS JOURNAL on leadership, author John C. Maxwell wrote, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” And he’s right. Technology is constantly changing, and as result, journalism is too. Gone are the days of manual typewriters, of paperboys cycling through suburban streets announcing breaking news along the neighborhood route.

Gone are the once-profitable news stands on city sidewalks crowded with people rushing to buy the morning paper. Soon-to-be gone are the cheap tabloids displayed near the cash register so eager to find their way into the hands of impulse buyers and gossip mongers.

But now? Magazines are auto-renewed on Amazon and accessible 24/7 on e-readers.

A few clicks of a mouse button will access the OC Register and the New York Times.

News channels on YouTube, trending topics on Twitter, viral posts on Tumblr, Facebook links, and Google alerts are all forms of informational media that are swiftly replacing the traditional newspaper.

In June, Time magazine was separated from its parent company, Time Warner, and forced to continue as an independent magazine company due to the high costs of magazine publishing in an era of with decreasing sales in print media, according to nytimes.com.

Communication is changing. What we’re saying, how we’re saying it, whom we are saying it to evolves a little more every day.

There will always be change, so there must always be results. And during a time where young people are bored with news delivered in black and white on newsprint, apathetic to bodies of text without captivating and colorful images to grab their attention, ambivalent to a news platform older than the founding of America, it was time for us to change.

As students studying the field of journalism, we must be prepared for change and able to change with the rapidly changing tastes of our readers. We write for our readers, from our peers to our parents, from school board members to high schools across the nation. Our job is to inform, impact, and inspire. Converting to a glossy, full-color newsmagazine after 84 years as a traditional newspaper on newsprint is a giant inevitable step closer to appealing to our audience and remaining relevant in a world that no longer wants their news in black and white.

NEWS

N

‘The Tracks’ trail still under construction

by NICOLE NAM // News Editor

photo courtesy by SILVIA PULIDO

SAVING THE DAY: Pulido (‘12), dressed up as Wonder Woman, interacts with patient at Mattel Children’s Hospital in UCLA. Pulido, Witt, and Kincer enjoy working with children while washing windows.

Costumed grads bring joy to hospitalized children

by ANABEL KING // Opinion Editor

Dozens of child patients watched in awe at the Mattel Children’s Hospital on August 13, gazing at the three superheroes standing on the hospital roof. Their mission was simple: clean the windows of the UCLA hospital, as employed

by Sunland Window Cleaning Service. But their response, from the children, media, and people, was unimaginable.

As a local family business of graduate (‘12) Ricki Kincer, Sunland Window Cleaning Service, a Brea company of over 25 years, is the window maintenance vendor of the Mattel Children’s Hospital in UCLA. As employees graduates (‘12) Silvia Pulido, Andrew Witt, and Kincer were “called in to action” and dressed up as Wonder Woman, Spiderman and Captain America, respectively, to fight crime and grime in front of the patients at the hospital.

“My first appearance was on top of the Mattel Hospital’s roof where the children could wave to us down below,” Pulido said. “Seeing the expressions on their faces made all of us feel excited as them.”

While Sunland Window Cleaning Service is known for its professional and meticulous maintenance, it goes beyond all other windowwashing services by going out of its way to make ailing children smile. According to Pulido, every

time Sunland is hired by an organization that involves working with children, the local business takes advantage of its job to entertain the kids from the windows of the building and meet the children one-on-one.

“The patients [at the hospital] are ill and [accustomed] to the same daily routine, so Sunland employees [combine] their duties with a costume to entertain the kids,” Pulido said. “It’s pretty gratifying [to know] that I made these children so ecstatic by simply dressing up as a classic, iconic superhero. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

My goal was to brighten up their day and at that moment, even if it was for an hour or so, I knew they appreciated my presence.”

Pulido also said that her most memorable moment during the hour-long event was having the opportunity to be invited to an isolated room with an infant who had just undergone a successful heart transplant.

“It was such an awakening experience for me [when I met this infant],” Pulido said.

“I felt very grateful and blessed as well. These children have been through plenty and continued to engage with us,” Pulido said. “[The experience] was something new to me and I loved every minute of it.”

Construction on new pedestrian and bicycle trails -- dubbed The Tracks -- through the heart of Brea, is still underway.

According to Roslyn Lau, a member of the Community and Economic Development division, the goal is to construct a four-mile, multi-use trail that will wind through the city.

Although this project was originally mentioned in the city’s General Plan in 1986, it was not until 2007 when it came into fruition.

With this trail, residents will have their first urban trail with convenient, public access to outdoor recreation for all ages. It will also provide a safe route connecting neighborhoods to the Brea Plunge, Brea Sports Park, Boys & Girls Club, community center, parks, and more. “[The Tracks] will promote access to many destinations, removing pedestrians and cyclists from high traffic volume streets,” Lau said.

Not only will the trail offer separate walking paths and bike lanes, but also other trail amenities including benches, drinking fountains, trash receptacles, a bike repair station, and bike racks.

Moreover, Lau states that due to the community’s interest, an addition of a community garden and a splash pad has been added.

According to Lau, following this project, the city’s environment will also be improved. With the use of new transportation, allowing citizens to reduce reliance on automobiles, The Tracks will help reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions in California. “[Brea] will improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions and thereby create a more sustainable community,” Lau said.

On the other hand, Lau states that since the construction of the trail does not utilize any city general funds, the funding is mostly obtained from grants. Therefore, due to the requirements of the receiving ten state grants and ten federal grants in order to complete this project, progress on The Tracks has been moving slower than expected.

However, the trail is built as funds become available through grants. Therefore, more physical progress is expected to be made in the upcoming years, and The Tracks is anticipated to open in 2016.

“This project will eventually allow connections for trails in other nearby cities, creating a viable alternative method of regional transportation,” Lau said.

October

2014 THE WILDCAT 3

swagroup.com

GOING PLACES: An artist’s rendering of the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) which is currently in its last stages of construction. ARTIC will serve as a hub to provide easier access to destinations in OC and beyond.

ARTIC aims to improve county transportation

by MATTHEW MOON // Staff Writer

A huge mass of steel and glass shaped like an iceberg near the Honda Center will soon be the transportation headquarters for Orange County (OC) residents as the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is nearing its last stages of construction. ARTIC is expected to improve transportation throughout OC beginning in late 2014.

According to Anaheim’s Public Works Department, the construction began in September 2012 by the Clark Construction Group. The center is estimated to be around 67,000 square feet and include enough parking for 1000 vehicles.

4 THE WILDCAT October 2014

It contains baggage and pedestrian tunnels to train platforms, offers transit choices such as Metrolink, Amtrak, OCTA buses, Anaheim Resort Transportation, shuttles, taxis, and tour buses, and is designed to accommodate high-speed trains in the future.

Inside the ARTIC, the station is split into three levels. On the ground floor, it will consist of ticketing desks, spaces for retail, and a wide open lobby, as well as a plaza with thirteen bus bays. The second floor will have office and restaurant spaces, and the top floor will contain a small lounge and pedestrian/baggage tunnels.

The outside will include exterior public spaces with art and landscaping; electric vehicle charging areas; and access to a bicycle trail along the Santa Ana River. It also includes new sidewalks along Douglass Road and improves pedestrian access to the Honda Center and Angels Stadium.

Inspired by blimp hangars from the nearby former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, architects lined the roof with panels of ETFE, a material that resembles glass but is lighter and is easily maintained. Under the panels, LED lights are installed to display a multitude of colors at night.

Anaheim’s Transit Planning Committee predicts the ARTIC will develop a more united transportation system. According to OC’s Visitor and Convention Bureau, more than 40 million tourists visit OC annually and over 20 million visit Anaheim. Therefore, ARTIC will provide an easier way to travel and is expected to have nearly 10,000 boardings a day. “I’m hoping to get more foot traffic in [my restaurant],” Joe Gouveia, manager of JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery located near the ARTIC, said. “Once people start using the [transit choices] more business opportunities will be created.”

The station will reduce traffic congestion on the 57, 91 and 5 freeways.

As the station nears its opening date, it will soon be a familiar sight for OC residents.

“Anaheim’s economy and culture depends on a healthy and diverse transportation system,” Tom Tait, Mayor of Anaheim, said. “Anaheim has been a leader in moving ARTIC from a vision to a reality.”

The Wildcat conducts q&A with Brett R. Barbre, director of the municipal water district of orange county, about the the drought’s effects on the oc community Interview by JOY HSIEH // Staff Writer

grow crops?

With Southern California water managers ensuring that lawns are green throughout Orange County, it is hard to believe that California is currently experiencing one of its worstever droughts. Brett R. Barbre, Director of the Municipal Water District of Orange County, explains California’s current water situation, the importance of water conservation, and answers other key drought-related questions.

Yes. Due to various restrictions on the water allocated to agriculture in California, food prices will increase, unemployment will increase, and we will be forced to rely on foreign produce to feed ourselves. From beef and grapes to almonds and avocados–all are at risk as long as deleterious policies intended to drive shortages rather than provide an abundant supply of water are in place.

What do you think of UC Irvine professor Jay Famiglietti’s quote, “We only have enough water in storage to get through the next 12 to 18 months, and that’s it”? Is this true?

Will we run out of water?

In California, water supply is not the problem and, therefore, I do not believe we will ever run out of a secure supply of water. If we manage our resources properly, including building more storage facilities to fill up in the wet years so we can make it through the dry years, we will be fine. Southern California has learned those lessons by building storage reservoirs, utilizing water use-efficient technologies to easily reduce water consumption, and developing local resources such as water recycling, desalination and groundwater basins. In fact, Southern California uses less water today than in 1990, and we have had a significant population growth since that time.

Where does our water come from?

In Orange County, roughly 50 percent comes from the development and management of local groundwater basins, and 50 percent is imported through the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), either from the Colorado River via the Colorado River Aqueduct, which was built and is operated by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), or from Northern California via the State Water Project, which is operated by the California Department of Water Resources. Brea receives most of its water from the San Gabriel Groundwater Basin and supplements their supply with water from the MWDOC.

What needs to happen for this drought to end?

Short term–more rain and snow this winter.

Long term–build more storage statewide so as to minimize the impacts of longer periods of dry weather.

How seriously should the drought be taken?

California has periods of great rainfall and times of little rainfall. Southern California has effectively

HANNAH ROARK // the wildcat

developed storage facilities which allow us to store in the wet years in order to have supplies in the dry years. Unfortunately, Northern California refuses to follow our lead, and as a result, they have contributed to the problem given that the most recent three years have brought us below normal supplies of rainfall and snow. For the foreseeable future, until the rest of the state catches up with what we have done in Southern California, the drought should be considered serious and we should remain vigilant in our efforts to be as efficient as possible in our use of water.

What are some of the direct effects the drought has on communities such as Brea?

For the near future, all communities–Brea included–will need to be extra careful with their water resources. With access to multiple sources of water, Brea–like most of Southern California–will benefit from the historic investments in storage, recycling, groundwater management, water use efficiency, desalination, and learning how to use and reuse water. These investments have created not only a quality supply of water, but a reliable supply as well. Brea will be able to weather the drought with a minimal impact on the lives of individuals.

Will food prices rise as we run out of water to

Many university academics, such as Mr. Famiglietti, have an agenda when it comes to water resources.

Their agenda is to slow or stop growth, to control behaviors and activities of citizens into practices they deem appropriate, and to restrict individuals from the freedom to decide how they wish to use their water resources. While the statement by Mr. Famiglietti is “technically” correct, it assumes that there will be absolutely no water brought into Southern California in the next 12 to 18 months, and that is simply not the case.

How can the community (especially our youth) conserve water?

Being a good steward of water resources includes turning off the water when brushing your teeth, using a shut-off device when washing your car, and making sure you turn off faucets completely.

CAN INDIVIDUALS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Yes, most citizens understand that in order for society to properly function, there must be a balance of rights and duties. Many people ask me what makes a First World economy, such as the U.S. I tell them the ability to provide a clean, healthy and abundant supply of water; the ability to provide for sanitation; and an abundant supply of energy to provide the clean water and sanitary communities. In our country, we all have a right to those items (water, sewers, energy) but we have a duty to pay for what is provided, and a duty to be good stewards of those resources. That starts with the basics of not wasting water such as letting it run down the drain while brushing one’s teeth, or washing your car without a device to turn off the spray when you are not using the hose.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 5

SALUTATIONS NEW STAFF

karli bauermeister Counselor

Karli Bauermeister is a new co-counselor for sophomores to seniors with last names Rh-Z. Before her counseling career began at BOHS, Bauermeister attended the University of Arizona for her undergraduate studies. She then received her counseling degree at Chapman University.

According to Bauermeister, she always wanted to be a person who could help others. Although she began college as a psychology major, she decided to pursue education.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to be in a helping profession,” Bauermeister said.

“But I come from a family of educators and I ultimately realized that education was where I was supposed to be.”

Looking forward to a great year, Bauermeister expects to grow closer with her students and help them succeed. “I am really looking forward to a phenomenal year with the students at BOHS. I am excited to be at a school that has shown me such a warm welcome and sense of community,” Bauermeister said.

wendy cervantes Health Clerk

Besides a passion for cycling, sewing, and baking, Wendy Cervantes, health clerk, has added a new passion to this list— nursing the students at BOHS back to health Born in East Los Angeles, Cervantes moved to Pomona and attended the University of La Verne. After working a few odd jobs at the college, she decided that she enjoyed the school environment and wanted to pursue a career that would enable her to contine working on a school campus.

After receiving the opportunity to work alongside her husband, Raul Cervantes, security officer, as the health clerk at La Verne, Cervantes was ecstatic.

Cervantes stated that working at BOHS job is ideal, because not only will she be able to be near her children six-year old Matthew Cervantes and five-year old Bella Cervantes, who attend Country Hills Elementary School, but she will also do what she loves the most— helping others.

6 THE WILDCAT October 2014

Thomas dewey

kara dietz

shawn french

aemon fowler

Chemistry

Lit. Comp. I

SDC English

Physical Science

Link Crew Advisor

Algebra 1A/1B Financial Math

Not many 12-yearolds know what they want to be when they grow up, and not many discover what their passion by installing motors in Model Ts. However, Thomas Dewey found his love of science by doing just that. With a Master’s degree from USC, Dewey arrived at BOHS looking for a school that was “moving in a technological direction.” He aims to make a difference “in the way public schools use technology” and in the lives of BOHS’s “great students.”

Kara Dietz (‘93), former Brea Junior High teacher of nine years, comes to BOHS as an English and Skills for Success teacher and Link Crew advisor.

A familiar face already at BOHS from his years as a subsitute tecaher, Shawn French is now a full-time employee teaching all levels of Special Day Class (SDC) English in the Life Skills department.

Already familiar as the head varsty baseball coach at BOHS, Aemon Fowler is also a new math teacher on campus.

Dewey was inspired by his teachers throughout school to become a teacher himself, and since then it has been his mission to inspire his students in the same way. His greatest lesson as a teacher came not from his college professors or colleagues, but from his students. “I teach Earth Science, and we are all on this planet together whether we like it or not. The more we can celebrate our differences and magnify our similar interests, the sooner we will solve many of the problems our planet is having due to human influence.”

Growing up in Brea, Dietz graduated from Fanning Elementary, BJH, and the BOHS in 1993. She then attended Cal Poly Pomona and went on to Chapman University to earn her teaching credential.

At BJH, Dietz taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts, PreAlgebra, Speech and Debate, and Reading Intervention. This year, Dietz takes on the role of Link Crew advisor, which has proven to be her busiest assignment thus far.

According to Dietz, she plans for Link Crew to continue to be a positive support system for freshman and a place where upperclassmen can learn to be positive and influential leaders.

“I am very excited to transfer to BOHS. I am looking forward to all the new opportunities and experiences at my old alma mater,” Dietz said.

Graduating from Rubidoux High School, French attended the California State University, Fullerton, and earned his teaching credentials in 2007 and 2012.

Before arriving to BOHS, French worked as a long term and day-to-day substitute teacher for six years both in the Brea Olinda Unified School District and Anaheim Union High School District. He then taught elementary school Irvine last year.

It’s the high school students French enjoys teaching the most. “I’ve always enjoyed my time here at BOHS,” French said. “I absolutely love interacting with high school students and they understand my humor more [than the elementary students].”

Of the year ahead, French said, “I expect to learn a lot from my students and to have a wonderful year,” French said.

Graduating from South High School, Fowler received his undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach, in 1995, and earned his Master’s degree and teaching credentials from the University of Phoenix in 2006.

In addition to 14 years of teaching math, Fowler has also worked in the finance industry.

Although Fowler enjoys creating a fun learning environment where students can openly express their thoughts, Fowler run an organized classroom where he and his students cooperate and respect one another.

“As a teacher and a coach, I expect my students and players to work hard, be dedicated to the program, and set high expectations for themselves and their group/team as a whole,” Fowler said.

CLYDE GRANGER

SAMANTHA GREINER

amanda louis

matt rainwater

justin villasenor

audrey wertz

BITA

RSP

French 1 & 2

World History Cross Country

SDC History RSP

Lit. Comp. 2 & 3

Although the new Social Science teacher may be a stranger to the student body, he is no stranger to BOHS.

After five years of substitute teaching and six years as the freshman and JV football coach, Justin Villasenor returned to BOHS as a special education teacher.

With years of experience in construction, Clyde Granger is excited to pass on his skills to the students of BOHS through the BITA program.

Granger’s background consists of taking a ten-year break after graduating high school to discover what he wanted to do with his life. After deciding to pursue a career in construction, he attended and graduated from Orange Coast College. Granger gained skills in every aspect of construction so that he could one day complete larger projects from the ground up on his own.

Granger now owns his own company, CA Granger Construction, Inc., which specializes in building for the medical field.

As BITA teacher, Granger’s goals are to teach and expose his students to every aspect of construction so that they will have a greater chance of getting a job in the industry one day.

Samantha Greiner (‘00) is the new Resource Specialist Programs (RSP) teacher at BOHS. Since she was in elementary school, Greiner has always wanted to become a teacher. After graduating from BOHS in 2000, Greiner attended the University of Northern Iowa and then moved on to Cal Poly Pomona for both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History. Greiner then earned her teaching credential at the University of La Verne last June.

Greiner chose to teach secondary students because she’s more able to help students grow to be successful posthigh school.

“I like working with high school students because when teaching [high school students], it is much more than teaching to succeed in a specific subject matter. It also helps students grow personally to be successful in life after high school.” said Greiner.

Greiner loves to travel and experience new things such as different cuisines.

Amanda Louis begins her tenure at BOHS as a French teacher.

Prior, Louis taught at Canyon High School for three years, Buena Park High School for two years, and Troy High School last year.

Before Louis began a teaching career, she pursued singing and dancing. Louis graduated from Orange County High School of the Arts and attended USC and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in French and Theater.

She then earned both her Master’s in Arts degree and teaching credential in French at California State University, Fullerton.

Later, Louis spent a year studying abroad at La Sorbonne University in Paris.

Not only is Louis excited to teach French 1 and 2, but also she expects to have a memorable French Club experience this year.

“I love sharing my passion and knowledge of all things French with other people, and high school students are the most fun and open,” Louis said.

After graduating from BOHS in 1999, Matt Rainwater will begin his ninth year as an educator teaching World History and Government, along with coaching girls’ cross country and track.

“It is kind of trippy to think that I am teaching at the school that I went to,” Rainwater said.

This year, he is looking forward to being back in a “traditional” high school after working in a prison, at Whittier Middle School, and at Brea Canyon High School. He is also looking forward to being on campus everyday with the track team to recruit interested athletes and to continue to develop the program. “[Rainwater] is a very welcome addition to the [history] department,” Leslie Leaming, Social Science Department Chair, said.

Following Villasenor’s completion of his Bachelor’s degree in History at the California State University of Fullerton, he earned his teaching credentials at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona.

Villasenor decided to become a special education teacher due to his desire to be a positive role model to students and help them succeed.

“I wanted to be a special ed teacher because of the kids. I think being a positive role model in a student’s life can go a long way for any student, especially in special education,” Villasenor said. “These students may have been put down throughout their school life and I want to be there to support them and to remind them that they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it.”

A self-professed “grammar and syntax nerd,” Audrey Wertz is the new Literature and Composition 2 and 3 teacher.

After completing her student teaching at Huntington Beach High School, Wertz moved on to finish her credential program this summer at the California State University, Long Beach.

Wertz chose to teach at BOHS because she loves that BOHS “focuses on teaching teens to be citizens and contributors to the world and not just to be good in the core subjects.”

Not only will Wertz be teaching Literature, but she will also be restarting the Speech and Debate program in the future.

“I am confident she will build a great speech and debate team, which we have not had in BOHS for a while. It was great she picked it up,” Jerry Halpin, principal, said.

Moreover, Wertz’s goal is to help her students meet the high expectations that she has. “I will never hesitate to help a student who is struggling in English,” Wertz said.

compiled by JACOB NAM, CHARLOTTE KIM, SAMANTHA MAGPANTAY, ANABEL KING, NICOLE NAM, CELESTE ROH, ANGELICA DOAN, JOY HSIEH, JESSICA TSENG

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 7

NEW BIKE LAW ENFORCES THREE FOOT RULING

by EMIKO KANEOKA // Copy Editor In an effort to promote cyclist safety alongside motor vehicles, a statewide ruling took effect on Sept.

16, which states that drivers must maintain a three-foot distance while passing bicyclists. According to the Los Angeles Times, drivers who fail to heed this regulation will receive a $35 fine, and a collision with a cyclist that occurs while the driver is “in the buffer zone” will result in a $220 fine.

“I think the law is reasonable. I have had cars come up right behind me and almost hit me. That can get me pretty mad. It is a car against a bike, so the car will almost always win,” Triston Brown, senior and fixed-gear cyclist, said.

Each year, about 100 deaths occur in California due to bicycle collisions, while an additional “hundreds of thousands more” are injured in the same manner, according to the California Department of Motor

Drivers must maintain three foot distance with passing bicyclists; failure to do so will lead to $35 fine collision with a cyclist when driver is in buffer state will result in a $220 fine If three foot is not available, then drivers must allow cyclists to pass california is the 24th state to adopt this law Vehicles (DMV). California is now the 24th state to adopt the three-foot ruling, according to the Los Angeles Times, while Pennsylvania has the biggest buffer law of four feet.

“The new law for the three feet rule for cycling has been long overdue. I have friends that have been killed on the road, so I think that this is a very reasonable law,” Leslie Leaming, history teacher and avid

cyclist of 10 years, said. “It is very easy for a car to go around a cyclist or take another lane.”

In the event that a three-foot buffer is not available between the car and bicycle and drivers cannot change lanes, they must conduct a “reasonable and prudent” speed to wait for the bicyclist to pass.

While drivers must provide the 3-foot buffer immediately, Sgt. David Dereszynski of the Huntington Beach police department shared that officers will give violators warnings instead of citations and will explain the law, according to the OC Register.

“We want to educate the public first and give people an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the law before we start [writing tickets],” Dereszynski said.

According to Dereszynski, Beach Boulevard, which lacks a bicycle lane, will receive “extra enforcement,” as the cyclists share

the road with drivers.

While “bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists,” as stated by the California DMV, “[many] don’t think that cyclist should be on the road at all,” according to Leaming.

“I have had people yell at me to get on the sidewalk,” Leaming said. “I just don’t think that people understand that bicycles are considered vehicles, and that they have all of the same rules and regulations that apply to them as well.”

California laws regarding bicycles on the road states that cyclists can use the entire lane if it is “too narrow to safely share side by side with a motor vehicle,” according to the DMV. “It’ll take [the driver] only 30 seconds of their life to go around the bike,” Leaming said.

RENOVATED BIRCH HILLS GOLF COURSE TO OPEN IN NOV.

by MATTHEW MOON // Staff Writer

HALIE NAM // the wildcat

REDESIGNED COURSE: This sign marks the entrance of the renovated Birch Hills Golf Course. It is expected to open to the public in November.

After three years of closure, the Birch Hills Golf Course is to reopen for public use this November.

According to Brea’s Community Development, the new course will be 8

THE WILDCAT October 2014

completely redesigned for golfers to enjoy.

Although the golf course is currently scheduled to open this November, an earlier opening

date in September was anticipated.

However, due to soil contamination and surf turf growth, it was delayed.

As renovations began several years ago, the remodel is part of the La Floresta master plan, which encompasses plenty of new housing for Brea, as well as a new retail center and recreational areas.

The head developers of the project are Chevron Land and Development, a corporate successor to the timeless Union Oil, who established Brea’s first neighborhoods to house oil workers. Although Chevron is in charge of the golf course now, ownership of the property will be passed on to the city of Brea once the redevelopment is finished.

The complex is expected to contain many reworked features.

According to Laer Pearce, member of Brea’s Community Outreach, the golf course’s 18 holes have all

been completely redesigned and the property will include an all new driving range along with lights for nighttime use.

It will also consist of a new clubhouse and pro shop that will improve the property’s facilities as well as a brand new parking lot for golfers. Moreover, there will be a trail running through the course that will be connected to The Tracks trail.

“The golf course owner desires to create a very high quality golfing experience,” Casey O’Callaghan, lead architect for the project, said, according to the project files. “An example of [our] attention to detail is how much extra work we’re doing to hide the golf cart path from view.

When players look down the fairway, most of the time all they’ll see is golf course [and] no cart path.”

The golf course will be opened in November, if there are no delays.

Fanning Elementary to reopen late Fall

by JEAN PARK // Staff Writer

ue to the massive 5.1 earthquake last March, Fanning Elementary School discovered asbestos in its buildings, a mineral fiber commonly found in building insulation and fire retardant.

Asbestos was found to cause cancer and other diseases years ago, according to cpsc.gov. The earthquake disrupted the asbestos and released it into the main building of the campus when the ceiling tiles fell.

Although Fanning Elementary did not have any structural damage, the fire retardant material was compromised, leading to the necessary abatement of the asbestos, cleaning the building, and re-installing new fire-proofing material without asbestos.

Therefore, with the destruction of Fanning Elementary, all students and teachers were transferred to attend Laurel Elementary.

d

MICHAEL CHO // the wildcat

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Fanning Elementary is still under construction. It is expected to be reopened to all students and teachers in late Fall.

“Everyone has been working even harder to make sure that we provide the best education and learning environment we can for our students despite the challenges. In the beginning, our teachers did not have any textbooks or technology.

However they used their creativity, and came up with lessons to continue to teach the standards.

We are planning to move back sometime this fall,” Susan Metcalf, principal of Fanning Elementary, said.

According to Jamie Snyder, a fifth grade teacher at Fanning, the evacuated students and teachers have been at Laurel Elementary since the end of March. Although they initially lacked materials, this year the students all have materials and Fanning-only classrooms.

“I’m excited to go back [to Fanning], I’m excited to feel like I’m home again,” Snyder said.

“Laurel [has] been really welcoming, but everyone is ready to see what our new school is going to look like.”

Meanwhile, the costly and lengthy process of repairing Fanning Elementary is estimated to be completed late Fall.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 9

O

OPINION

counselors

keeping up with the

High school students have relationships with many people: boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends, teachers, favorite lunch ladies. Not too many students realize, though, that one of the most beneficial relationships you can have is with your guidance counselor.

a

poll conducted by the Wildcat of 120 Wildcat seniors, their counselors are intimidating. revealed that only 13 percent named counselors as the “Students equate coming to the office with getting in trouble. Once they people they feel most connected to at BOHS, while more see that we can be helpful, supportive, and form a relationship, they get over than 78 percent of the surveyed students rated counselors the intimidation. We can even help you plan for life after high school, which the lowest on the poll of personal importance, with coaches can be scary sometimes,” said Jennifer Cormier, Guidance Counselor. scoring 49 percent and teachers 38 percent. The students, seniors especially, For me, this “intimidation” of not going to see my counselor has to do are not realizing the advantage of having a strong relationship with their with the fact that I wanted to delay the prospect of going to college. In this guidance counselor. stage, I knew that parents will not make dinner after school, a full-time job Guidance counselors are essential to students to help steer them to more would be needed, and there would more rigorous studying to be done. I realistic expectations; they didn’t want to go to a university give advice to the curious because that meant one more or lost; and they “sketch” step closer to being an adult a basic road map of the and living in the real world future. Their knowledge, where I would have to provide compassion, and expertise all for myself. Ironically, I will definitely assist realized that the solution to get each student who comes rid of this intimidation was to through their doors. actually take the first step in Leena Fritz, senior, having a strong relationship strongly recommends with my counselor by talking to any student to see their them about my aspirations and counselor. She says that goals in life. she “regularly sees them To begin developing a if there is a problem,” relationship with your guidance illustration by Betty Lee and that she “feels more counselor, you should first prepared and comfortable when talking about life during and after college.” schedule a meeting with Mirna Graciarena, Guidance Secretary. Or, if there Counselors can even write out a “plan” of how a dream of becoming is a personal issue you need to discuss right away, your counselor’s door is a doctor can be made possible, from the stepping stone of high school (e.g. usually open. Then, when you are finally face-to-face with your counselor, taking required classes) to the pre-med major necessary in college. They tell them about your college and career dreams as well as how you can can help you go in the right direction by reminding you about scholarship reach them successfully. Not only will regularly scheduling these meetings and college deadlines, preparing you for college, writing valuable letters of make you feel in control of your life, but the frequent meets will also let the recommendation, and just keeping tabs on your progress and character. counselor learn more about you, your interests, and your desire to become a Even as a freshman, you can also start early to have a beneficial relationship well-rounded student. with your guidance counselor, Beth McDonald. Sophomore Allie Mayer said “We are here to support the student in the different facets of their livesthat “counselors already know what classes freshmen should take, and they academic, personal, career,” Cormier said. give another wiser perspective on a student’s academic career.”

Overall, students need to know that guidance counselors are always eager Counselors also find solutions to problems. For example, if you are and ready to support their goals, not simply office staff members perceived as struggling with grades, counselors will pinpoint the “weak spots” and figure intimidating and “scary.” Counselors are always trying to realistically chart out the problem. Even though it is in their best interest to motivate you to take out a future for their students, and they are willing to create the process of more challenging courses, they understand how some classes are difficult. finding a college and make the transition a little bit easier. Even though coaches Therefore, they will modify your schedule to bring out the and teachers are of the utmost importance in a student’s life, best in your academic career. counselors are also significant in their role of smoothing the

by CHARLOTTE KIM According to the poll, 49 percent of students feel that road for you to begin another chapter in your life: college.

Staff Writer 10 THE WILDCAT October 2014

The tenure excuse

A

s students, we rely on our teachers to provide us with the quality education that is guaranteed to us by the public school system of California.

Although we are blessed with some teachers who are truly passionate about their profession, it is obvious that others, who hardly understand their own curriculum or give ridiculously irrelevant tests, have lost interest in their work. These lazy, incompetent teachers are ultimately protected by just one right—tenure. While job security definitely benefits teachers, it can also cause major hindrances to the education of students.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu confirmed the detrimental nature of such job security on June 10, deeming teacher tenure unconstitutional in Vergara v. California, on the basis that such security “impose[s] a real and appreciable impact on students’ fundamental right to equality of education,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

In the case, Treu cited the equality protections stated in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. According to NBC News, he argued that tenure systems “hinder the removal of ineffective teachers.”

Although some teachers, even those of honors and AP level, are blatantly apathetic towards the needs of their students, “the constraints that are in place with the tenure system, in terms of what we have to prove for somebody to be released, are extremely cumbersome and extremely costly,” Jerry Halpin, principal, said.

The fact that tenured teachers, no matter how ineffective, are not easily removed (the process requires multiple evaluations and thousands of dollars, according to procon.org), is a serious concern for students. These teachers, who are

unsuccessful in instructing their course, are known to the student body—those who give tedious and pointless assignments, neglect to teach vital skills for the AP exam, or have no ambition to teach their class. How does it feel to know that this teacher, now tenured, will hold on to their job until retirement simply due to the tedious evaluation process that tenure places in the way of their release? How many students will they fail to teach in their protected career?

Following Governor Jerry Brown’s appeal of the ruling on Aug. 29 due to Treu’s refusal to “provide a detailed statement of the factual and legal bases for its ruling,” according to the New York Times, it is unlikely that the tenure system will be eliminated anytime soon. However,

by EMIKO KANEOKA Copy Editor photo by RACHEL LIN despite his failure to provide specific evidence to validate his opposition, Treu did succeed in prompting discussion on the topic of tenure, which desperately needs to be revised to benefit both teachers and students.

Teachers should take the current debate over the topic as a reason to think about their current teaching habits, and whether or not they would have reason to fear for their job if tenure was eliminated. In the end, truly talented teachers should have no reason to fear the elimination of tenure.

“For some teachers, I think that they will have to step it up [if teacher tenure was eliminated],” Leslie Leaming, history teacher, said. “I am fully confident in what I do, so if the tenure system ended today, I would be okay with it.”

In the meantime, government officials will continue to debate over the topic of tenure. In Halpin’s opinion, teachers “should be able to earn tenure,” but believes that steps should be taken to redefine the means of such job protection.

“I think that the state of California provides tenure too soon. As someone who is in management, I have to make a decision of whether someone will receive tenure in about a year and a half,” Halpin said. “I would like to have more time to make that recommendation for someone to receive tenure. A year and a half is kind of hard to prove yourself to the people who are evaluating you.”

Although tenure may shield failing teachers, it also protects those who wish to teach subjects that may be controversial. This allows teachers, such as Leaming, to discuss sensitive but important, topics with her classes. Audrey Wertz, English teacher, believes that the tenure system plays a big role in drawing new teachers into the profession.

Of course, the greatest worry in the matter— incompetent teachers—still overrides the benefits of tenure.

“I think that the tenure system definitely has its pros and cons. I like the idea that we can have job security, absolutely. But I definitely see the possibility of some teachers losing their pizazz that they may have had before, because they are not as worried [about losing their job],” Wertz said.

The last major attempted revision to the tenure law was made in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who proposed teachers wait five years before being considered for tenure as opposed to the previous, and still standing, two year waiting period, according to procon.org.

Now, it is clearly time to revise the tenure laws to remedy the damage that they have caused over the years, not only for the sake of teachers, but for the sake of students who are entitled to proper and equal education by law.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 11

Bad for the student’s body, bad for the student body

BULKY BACKPACKS

by ANABEL KING // Opinion Editor

12 THE WILDCAT October 2014

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backpack is the most essential school supply for a student. Every binder, every worksheet, every textbook, and a host of other odds and ends— Chapstick, spare change, Marshmallow Surprise hand sanitizer—travel around campus from the locker room to the library in the bookbags of students. So it seems strange, ridiculous even, if the average backpack could seriously damage a person’s body for the rest of their life, as well as block students from escaping a classroom during an earthquake.

The average backpack, according to a recent study from Carrington College, weighs up to 30% of the student’s body weight due to the abundance of school supplies stuffed inside. All sorts of materials—ranging from five-pound science textbooks to 400-page notebooks—are crammed and wedged and squeezed into a Jansport backpack, whose popularity is large but capacity poor. If a student’s backpack weighs more than the recommended 10 percent, it can pose a longterm and short-term health threat to the student’s body, such as the curvature of the spine, shoulder and neck injury, muscle strain, chronic back and neck pain, and spine compression, according to livestrong.com.

And those students who think it “cool” to wear backpacks on one shoulder are at risk of suffering shoulder strains, upper and lower back pain, and an uneven distribution of weight that can affect their sense of balance, according to spine-health.com.

If students want to reduce their risk of back pain, they need to cut down on what goes in their backpack, especially since health risks increase when the student is not physically fit, or has poor sitting posture over a long period of time, warns an article from kidshealth.com.

Backpack companies have attempted to solve the issue of backpack strain by producing

rolling backpacks that students can pull behind them. But the little plastic wheels are no help, says education360.com, when the backpack is filled past its maximum, causing it to wobble uncontrollably when in use.

Placing all the weight on one arm puts strain on the working muscles, while the erratic movements of a colossal backpack on wheels can potentially harm other students.

So if a rolling backpack isn’t helpful, and wearing a backpack on one shoulder isn’t healthy, the logical solution is to organize the contents of one’s backpack by ensuring only the essential school supplies are placed inside, such as the required textbooks (which should be no more than two at a time), relevant binders and notebooks, assigned novels, writing utensils, a cellphone, and an optional lunch. A four-inch

subject notebooks protrudes almost a foot away from the back of the student wearing it. Shorter students can’t see past the bulge in the middle of a crowded hallway, rushing students don’t have time to dodge the herds of cow-like luggage.

But all students are victims when a person wearing a 40-pound, dual-strapped, zipped-up boulder on their backs turns around and smacks them in the head with their backpack.

And the backpacks are not just a problem during passing period. These bulking bags crowd the aisles in classrooms. Teachers trip, students fall. Backpacks that are supposed to be kept under the desk but are scattered up and down the aisle are not just annoying inconveniences—they are a safety hazard. If a fire or an earthquake (a very real possibility in the wake of the 5.1 quake that shook Brea on March 28) or any other disaster

The average backpack weighs up to 30% of a student’s body weight due to the abundance of school supplies stuffed inside. bottle of hairspray or a week-old stash of M&Ms only add to the burden of a congested backpack.

Other unnecessary items should be disposed of to lighten the load.

Granted, students may find it convenient to shove everything but the Wildcat statue into their backpack. Why spend the five minutes of passing period travelling through the crowded locker rooms only to sprint to the classrooms on the other side of the campus, especially if you don’t have a car or a locker (free to athletes, dancers and students enrolled in physical education and $12 a year for everyone else)? You’re only risking your health and safety that may affect your back muscles, balance, and posture for the rest of your life.

Actually, you’re not just risking your health and safety. Lugging around an overflowing bag poses a danger to other students as well. A backpack stuffed with three-inch binders and five-

that requires evacuation were to occur, students need to be able to leave the classroom safely, without having to climb over mountain-like backpacks that were specifically designed to help climb mountains.

Even though backpacks claim to carry up to 50 to 60 pounds, students need to limit the bag’s capacity to 10 percent of their body weight, not 30%. Proper backpack wearing, even weight distribution, and awareness of one’s environment are key in ensuring the safety and health of the wearer and their peers.

It may sound ridiculous that a backpack could do this much harm; it may even sound ridiculous that a backpack could do anything other than hold our school supplies.

But the reality is that something this simple is causing unnecessary damage, stress, injuries, and pain, and it can be easily solved by a little organization, prioritization, and restriction.

Popular bags at BOHS 185 BOHS students surveyed

10%

21%

41%

21%

7%

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 13

hough a free public education is available to all American citizens, the cost of education is nothing compared to the cost of being a student.

Throughout the school year, students struggle to purchase certain calculators, download certain novels, and replenish basic school supplies. Retailers try to take advantage of a student’s needs by falsely advertising certain products and promoting unnecessary items. If the student isn’t careful, they can end up spending more than they need to.

Tempting students and parents alike, these sales can be a dangerous opportunity to overspend. There are many discounts that are more flashy than helpful, offered mainly to draw customers into the store than to save them money. H&M offers 15 percent off an entire purchase, but only on totals over $50. Staples boasts many discounted prices that are only pennies cheaper than the normal price. American Apparel’s back-to-school sale was an impractical 20 percent off $350. These kinds of sales can urge shoppers to buy more to meet the minimum totals and trick them into believing they are saving hundreds of dollars.

The purpose of back-to-school shopping, for example, is to provide students with supplies they’ll need throughout the school year, such as paper, pencils, and notebooks. But retailers are abusing the “back-to-school” title to promote nonessentials such as snacks, headphones, and watches. It may seem wise to take advantage of these seemingly great sales, but it is easy for shoppers to buy items that will barely be used at school, and can often be found for similar (and sometimes cheaper) prices throughout the year. To avoid getting sucked into these sales and wasting money, there are preventative measures that students can take.

Digging up last year’s supplies, for instance, and making a list of what is already owned can ensure that money is spent on items that are actually needed, rather than thrown away on yet another box of highlighters. Consider which supplies ran out quickly in years prior to help create a better shopping list as well.

Students should also set a spending budget prior to going to the store to help reduce the temptation to buy items that are only appealing because of the discounts placed on them. Each budget should be tailored to the student’s specific needs based on what is already owned.

Another trick consumers usually fall for is viewing the total as just a number when paying with a credit or debit card. But physically counting out cash can help shoppers realize just how much they’re spending. Paying in cash can help students and parents reconsider what is truly necessary for school versus useless wants.

Comparing the costs of similar items from different stores can reduce spending as well. A 200 sheet pack of Mead filler paper is $6.99 at Target, but only $4 at Walmart or on Amazon.com. Bring ads from other stores offering lower prices, because retailers will usually price-match.

Online shopping is also very useful to find the cheapest prices. There are websites and apps that feature coupons that are redeemable online and in stores, such as RetailMeNot.com and Groupon.com. It’s also a good way to find out which stores offer discounts to students with valid ID cards, such as Apple, Charlotte Russe, and J.Crew. According to the National Retail Federation, families spend an average of $669.28 on school supplies, clothing, shoes, and electronics to prepare students for school. This is a five percent increase from 2013’s spending of $634.78. Back-to-school shopping throughout the summer is the second largest shopping season of the year, following winter holiday shopping. Retailers aim to keep it this way and boost their revenue. By creating advertisements with words like “need”, “essential” and “must have,” this convinces students that they have to have things that are actually unnecessary. Spending is now driven more by student wants than needs according to the National Retail Federation. A new pair of shoes and new clothes are fun to wear on the first day of school, but they are not essential.

Shopping for student needs is about restocking used-up school supplies, not replacing usable items with newer ones or purchasing unnecessary items. When retailer intentions are clarified and shoppers can wisely navigate sales, students will be better prepared for school and parents save more.

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SAVE IT LATER

FOR

HOW SCHOOL SUPPLY RETAILERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF STUDENTS AND WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO TO AVOID THIS

by JOY HSIEH // Staff Writer illustration by JESSICA YIM // Co-Editor-in-Chief

14 THE WILDCAT October 2014

world wildlife fund

sports medicine club

UNICEF Club vocal music council

men of the sword

fencing club

link crew club

FRENCH CLUB

culture PINGcomedy club PONG CLUB

BEST BUdDIES REPUBLICAN CLUB

brea museum history club

make-a-wish club

ANIME CLUB RED CROSS

page turners club BEST BUdDIES pava club model united nations fellowship club of christian athletes club imagiscience guitar club freestyle dance club japanese culture dance club

Green ENVIRONMENT club

GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOL KEY CLUB Overdosing on clubs N ow that the school year is in full force, it is easy to get lost in the hype of a fresh year. A poster for Guitar Club might spark some interest, a handout for Key Club might spark even more interest, and, before you know it, you’re writing down meeting dates like Rihanna’s personal assistant and collecting club flyers like a hoarder.

Behold, the power of Club Rush.

The first time I was exposed to Club Rush, I was overwhelmed by the extracurricular activities flyers posted along the hallways and handed out by club leaders. I went to meetings held by Red Cross Club, Club P.A.W., Imagiscience Club, and Do Something Club every week until the word “club” didn’t look like a word anymore. Each club had its own rules and requirements, objectives and expectations.

Not only did I have to participate in the club’s events, I also had to keep up with two honors classes, a foreign language, after school tutoring, and volunteering at my church. It got to the point where I taught fifth graders science experiments one afternoon (Imagiscience Club), volunteered at my church the next morning, advertised cats for adoption that afternoon (Club P.A.W.), and went straight to the Homecoming Dance that night, only to realize the next day that I still had an essay to finish, a biology test to study for, and a French project to start working on. (Yet I still

remember wishing UNICEF Club didn’t overlap with Imagiscience, and Girl Up Club didn’t overlap with P.A.W., so that I could be a part of even more clubs.)

Club Rush, held on September 24, is a chance to sample new hobbies, indulge in old ones, and discover untapped passions and inspirations. But Club Rush is not a buffet. At buffets, customers eat as much as they want for as long as they want.

But in high school, there are honors and AP classes, foreign languages, electives, sports, volunteering and part-time jobs to keep up with—these are all commitments, promises even.

It’s always exciting to try something new, but it’s also exhausting to commit to something as important and time-consuming as a club. There’s planning and scheduling and participating and volunteering, which can be tiring when there’s also studying and reading and essay-typing and notetaking.

Granted, joining a club is perhaps one of the most gratifying extra-curricular activities a student can do. Clubs are interesting, exciting, and fun, and you’re surrounded by people who also think the club is interesting, exciting and fun. BOHS is fortunate to have such a variety of great clubs (75 as of last year) available to its students. But with great

by ANABEL KING Opinion Editor photo by APRIL SANTONIL

clubs comes great responsibility.

A club is not just a couple of words to round out college applications. It’s not just a place to hang out with friends. And it’s not just an excuse to take your mind off of school. It is all that and so much more. It is an organization. An idea. A place for activists and leaders, doers and dreamers. It is a common belief that joins people together to carry out that mission.

And more than one club means more than one mission.

Eventually, I realized that I couldn’t juggle everything I signed up for. I needed to prioritize.

I was missing lunch with my friends since all the meetings took place during lunch. I was volunteering more but studying less. And I also realized that some of my clubs inspired me more than others.

So I dropped out of three of the four clubs and decided to stick with Imagiscience. I found that I could focus all my extra-curricular energy on one club and actually immerse myself in that club’s purpose and activities. At the end of the year, I even became the club’s Vice President of Logistics.

The experience was engaging and demanding, but even now I don’t regret my decision to focus on a single club one bit.

With a little organization, adroit timemanagement, and brutal commitment, Club Rush can be an exhilarating experience that can spark the first steps to an endless journey.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 15

#kickthebucket

Why the ALS ice bucket challenge of summer 2014 is perfect for a generation of the summer-bored, self-absorbed, and attention-hungry

r

by ASTYR KO and STACY UHM // Feature Co-Editors

emember when Facebook feeds and Yahoo! home pages were flooded with high-pitched screams and ice-cold water? When almost every social media post was a 40-second video and a three-person nomination? Everyone was talking about it, everyone was partaking in it, but there is an underlying incentive that contributed to the sovereignty of the seemingly charitable summer trend.

Attention is a basic human need. Babies need it to survive, children need it to socialize, and the elderly need it to prevent boredom and provide personal care. But there is a point when the need to be noticed turns into narcissism. As a student stands on a grass field, gazing at the icy water reflecting sunlight, rather than fearing the cold, the student is excited and curious as they cannot wait to post the video and see how others will react to it. When attention becomes a necessity and teens are willing to drench themselves in iced water for a cause they do not fully understand, we know that this generation is self-absorbed.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that causes motor neurons to die, thus causing the brain to lose its control over muscle movement making a patient paralyzed, according to alsa.org.

A patient who is diagnosed with ALS has a life expectancy of about two to five years, and there is no cure for this disease, according to the ALS Association . However, the association says only about “5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year”. Therefore, the amount of research for the disease is miniscule compared to the research for more popular diseases, like breast cancer or diabetes.

Yet, due to the ice bucket challenge (made popular in the summer of 2014) and at least 1.7 million donors so far, according to als.org, the ALS Association has raised $109.1 million in donations as of September 5th. In the same time period last year, the ALS Association received donations of $2.8 million, according to washingtonpost.com.

Despite the large money income, the ALS ice bucket challenge donations give only a small boost for research funding. According to ABC News, the National Institution of Health (NIH) spends $30 billion for medical research while donations accumulated to $5 billion in 2007.

16 THE WILDCAT October

2014

This means that donations pay for a fraction of research costs and a sudden load of money is insufficient for long term research. Researchers need a steady, dependable flow of donations to further their study and to support their own careers.

However, many participants take part of the ice bucket challenge to praise themselves, not to donate.

It allows people to think that they are charitable and helping the community. However, as Californians, we need to conserve water. California is in a stage five drought and the State Water Board is trying to conserve the use of water. Due to the lack of seriousness and effort to save water, they allow residents to be fined up to $500 for overwatering their lawns. The fact that the ice bucket challenge is for a good cause does not make it acceptable for residents to waste water. Supporters of the ALS Association can find other ways to help, like simply donating money.

“People forget that we are in a drought, but they should care because we are losing water,” Annice Lee, sophomore, said.

People have forgotten the challenge’s purpose and the importance of its disease.

The frivolous videos of people pouring water on their heads does not compare to the serious, killing disease.The ALS ice bucket challenge lost

Survey of 184 BOHS students, conducted by the Wildcat

69%

61%

will not donate to ALS any time in the future

did not know what ALS is, even after being nominated

Out of 315 BOHS students nominated for the ALS ice bucket challenge, 96 percent of students accepted the challenge and four percent did not.

Accepted Declined

77%

One bucket represents five students.

did not donate to the ALS organization

its meaning behind computer screens and smartphone apps.

There is something perverse about watching countless videos.

Every person pouring water on their head is someone who refused to donate. Being drenched in iced water is the punishment for those who do not donate to the association, yet people want to be deluged. This is a “wanted” humiliation shared among participants (which was also observed in people choking on cinnamon or planking on highways over the past years). Many people are able to donate a certain amount of money whether it be $5 or $100. However, participants would rather post the video for “likes” on Facebook or “favorites” on Twitter.

The ice bucket challenge became popular after Americans watched Oprah, Lady Gaga, or Bill Gates take part of the challenge, not because of the kindness in people’s hearts. The challenge was not meant for viewers to be entertained by watching celebrities shriek in ice water.

Teens only want to follow the trend which the celebrities set, and join the bandwagon. The power of social media allows the challenge to spread like the wildfire. As celebrities posted their videos on Twitter, fans immediately aspired to do the same. Therefore, the burst of the ALS ice bucket challenge will end as quickly as it came.

The challenge is a fad that will be regarded as 2014’s summer trend.

There is a lack of seriousness and respect among

compiled by ANABEL KING

most participants. The disease attacks first with slurred words and fatigue and suddenly, the patient is in a wheelchair unable to eat as his lungs slowly fail to breathe. ALS is not a joke. For most teens, the ALS ice bucket challenge, conveniently taking place during summer, is a way to cool down and have fun. The challenge brings excitement on long, boring summer days for friends.The ALS ice bucket challenge is merely an act of slacktivism and narcissism.

The ALS ice bucket challenge is no longer about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, charity, or self-promotion. The challenge is a way to feed this attention-hungry generation. Self-absorbed teens will try their best to gain “followers,” and to defend their cause, their attempt to relate a bucket of ice water to a killing disease is that “just for a moment, we can feel a bit paralysed from the ice water, like those who have the disease” as seen on Tumblr.

This generation should not need a viral video to donate to the association. Donating is an “act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution”, according to dictionary.com. However, are people really caring and treating this challenge as a gift to others? Sure, the great popularity helps contribute money, but people’s actions are a gift to themselves, not to the patients.

“People shouldn’t need to drench themselves or announce it on social media to do good things,” Rianne Paracuelles, sophomore, said.

While most teens don’t normally desire to donate or help out, because everyone is doing a challenge, they feel ambitious to join in.

This process makes teens who have participated in the challenge relate to other teens who have participated also. The ice bucket challenge has become something teens can relate to each other, rather than to the patients.

This generation would do anything for retweets, likes, followers— attention. Although some may crave less attention than others, when an individual posts something, they end up waiting for the response of others. This results in teens sucked into a fake, touchscreen world.

There are people who, in return of a certain amount of likes, would do an extreme dare, such as lighting their hair on fire. However, since this ice bucket challenge is not extreme, it is the perfect opportunity for anyone to gain attention.

October

2014 THE WILDCAT 17

How students cost school library thousands of dollars every year

by EMIKO KANEOKA // Copy Editor illustration by BETTY LEE

R

omeo and Juliet, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby—these are just a few of the quintessential novels that high school students study yearly. While we should be grateful for the books that are provided to us, free of charge, by our school library, 152 novels were not returned in the last year according to Nancy Thompson, librarian. These missing novels (the equivalent of four class sets) plus unreturned textbooks and damaged book fees, adds up to a whopping debt of $6,300.

Why is it that hundreds of students fail to return their books each year? Do they misplace them? Are they being hoarded? Are they not being returned out of sheer laziness?

As privileged students of the California public school system, it is our duty to take care of the resources provided to us by our school. After all, these resources that are provided to us are absolutely free.

“There is no excuse to not turn your books in.

The textbook room is open full time during the last six days of school. Students can just drop them off and leave. We make it as easy as possible,” Thompson said.

Although our school can “withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of the pupil responsible for the damage,” according to the California Education Code, and hold the yearbooks of students with debt, not much can be done to ensure that the exact novels that went missing are returned to the library.

According to Thompson, once students pay off their book debt, the money is used to purchase books that are needed by our school, which could be new textbooks (i.e. for the new AP Physics curriculum), and are not necessarily the specific

novels that went missing, such as the 24 copies of The Jungle that were not returned last year.

In order to replenish the dwindling supply of specific books that are often used in literature classrooms, such as The Lord of the Flies, Thompson encourages students to purchase inexpensive, used copies of the missing novels to donate to the library, and will “research and find the cheapest replacement option for the student.”

Thompson also suggests that teachers should motivate their students to return their novels, perhaps using “a couple extra credit points” as incentive. Even so, Kristen Bertoloni, senior, believes that returning library books is an assumed responsibility of all students.

“I don’t think there should have to be anything to encourage the students to return the book.

The fact is that they borrowed the book from the school, so it is their responsibility to return it or else it is stealing,” Bertoloni said.

As high school students, we need to cherish the years in which textbooks and novels are lended to us for free for the entire school year. When we reach college, we will be required to spend thousands of dollars on books each year. According to collegeboard.com, a student attending a public, four-year university will spend

Questions?

Comments?

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Praise?

Story ideas?

18 THE WILDCAT October 2014

a yearly average of $1,200 on books alone.

So, as you enjoy your loaned copy of Of Mice and Men or Tess of the D’Urbervilles, remember this—our school supplies our novels, therefore it is our duty to preserve and return the resources that enable us to read and learn for free.

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bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com Please include your first and last name and a phone number we can reach you at. (Anonymous emails will not be printed.)

New standards, new tech, old texts What the school’s purchase of Chromebooks means for students taking classes with new CCSS standards, but unreliable texts.

by JEAN PARK // Staff Writer

Eli Broad, founder of The Broad teacher, said, “We need new textbooks Foundation which focuses on education for because there’s so much new information urban students, once stated, “How absurd coming in that the old textbooks can’t be that our students tuck their cell phones, possibly be up-to-date in the information.”

BlackBerrys, iPads, and iPods into their Embedded technology that accompanies backpacks when they enter a classroom and new textbooks, like masteringphysics.com, pull out a tattered textbook.” enables online textbook access for students Google Chromebooks purchased for and provides helpful tutorials that can BOHS remedies this puzzling situation; accelerate the learning process. Even physics although Chromebooks are helpful for homework is completed online. But the Common Core-driven instruction and various technology is only used to supplement the classroom activities, students still carry information that is found within textbooks. around battered textbooks with outdated Without the textbook, the technology is information that do not match current an ineffective means to understand the standards. Textbooks are the primary source material. of information in use by students, therefore Our College Prep Biology books are the purchase of new textbooks would be from 2003. However, AP Biology received more beneficial to the student body than new textbooks in 2012. The stark difference more Chromebooks. of textbook age between modified classes Jennifer Collier, Math Department and regular classes calls for a renewal of Chair, expressed the need for new textbooks class material in regular classes as well. It is due to outdated calculus text and the unfair to students in regular classes to study recent implementation of Common Core from outdated material because simply Old 10th-grade literature textbook torn apart because their classes remained unchanged.

State Standards (CCSS). The severely and outdated due to student mistreatment After all, new information is constantly old-fashioned calculus textbooks include and the failure to purchase up-to-date texts discovered and edited in every field, whether uncommon terminology that refers to aligned with the CCSS. calculators as “graphing utilities” further it is science, math, or literature. illuminating the need for current, up-to-date All classes deserve to have new textbooks textbooks.

There is no textbook budget for BOHS. Burns that match the newly implemented standards, not This year, AP Physics books costs $165 said, “Instructional materials funds are provided just for recently modified AP courses. It is unfair each, and 260 copies were purchased. According to LEAs (Local Education Agency) as part of the to the students taking such unchanging classes to Heidi Burns, BOUSD Administrator of Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), and as to have obsolete textbooks that do not match Educational Services, the district has spent around such may be spent on any educational purpose as current standards. $20,000 on textbooks and several orders for new permitted by law.”

Steps are being taken to allow equality textbooks are still being placed. Last year, around According to Nancy Thompson, librarian, amongst all classes which require new textbooks. $62,000 was spent on textbooks. However, over the purchase of textbooks are determined by Susan Luce, literature teacher, attended an AP $550,000 was spent on Chromebooks, plus the the request of teachers and the approval of the English Language and Composition conference costly addition of wifi campus-wides for student District Office and school board. this summer and discovered textbooks that fit the use.

“The assistant principal in charge of current requisites for the AP exam perfectly. Luce, Chromebooks were purchased as a method curriculum has a big say in which classes need along with the other AP English Language and for students to access more information beyond new books,” Thompson said.

Composition teacher, Summer Teal, submitted a textbooks. Despite the information Chromebooks The priority is primarily based on whether request for new textbooks for their classes. provide, internet access is not a valid solution to the curriculum has undergone change or the AP The textbooks aligned to the CCSS are just the problem of outdated textbooks. Textbooks structure has been redone. now being published and reviewed, and although provide information solely about one field of AP Physics 1 and 2 recently went through a teachers use creativity to teach the CCSS in study, explaining the subject thoroughly. The change in curriculum—AP Physics AB was split different ways, textbooks are the primary source internet provides scattered sources that may help to 1 and 2—and new textbooks have arrived for of information students have access to--therefore the understanding of the subject, but does not the classes. Students received their new books new textbooks would be beneficial to the student explicitly teach students. in late September. Todd Channel, AP Physics body.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 19

selfiecontrol

by ANABEL KING // Opinion Editor

# libbywillliams

926 likes 20 THE WILDCAT October 2014

A selfie. Is there anything more remarkable in the social media world? Transformation Tuesdays, probably. But then, there are no Transformation Tuesdays in outer space.

Named 2013’s Oxford Word of the Year, selfies flood every Facebook home page, every Instagram newsfeed, and every Tumblr dashboard. According to oxforddictionaries.com, a selfie consists of a person taking a picture of themselves and uploading it to a social media website. But is that really all it is?

Selfies, with the power to capture all the achievements mankind has made and discovered in the world (the depths of the ocean, the grasps of a volcano, the realms of outerspace), are being standardized to half-naked teenagers in bathrooms with more pixels in their camera resolution than cells in their brain.

Instead of applauding selfies that show evidence of self-aware animals (such as the viral chimpanzee selfies uploaded by a Wikipedia photographer), selfies of biologic breakthroughs now fall in the same category—and sadly, the same importance—of selfies taken at extremely inappropriate places, such as funerals, car crashes, Auschwitz concentration camps, and

allthatmatterns

j_dombrowski, ap.rotblum, rain_h20

even our school classrooms.

Because why mourn the loss of a loved one when the people sitting next to you are totally up for a selfie, like President Obama at the memorial service of Nelson Mandela? Why help injured victims of a car crash when the natural lighting at that exact moment perfectly evens your skin tone, like the paramedics and emergency workers of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service? Why pay respects to the millions of lives lost at the Auschwitz concentration camp when you can take a cheerful selfie in front of a cool-looking building, like teenager Breanna Mitchell from Alabama? And why, oh why, pay attention during class when you can take a selfie and post it to Instagram with the caption: “ughhh soo bored in bio omg #classroomselfie #lol #bored”?

We get it. You like taking pictures of yourself. You like showing people pictures of yourself. But selfies in church, in bathroom lines, in medical emergency rooms, are inappropriate and disrespectful.

“One time I was getting a flu shot at a hospital, and there was this long line of sick people who were coughing and sneezing and they just looked so tired, and these two girls go up next to [the

junioritis

176,222 likes

line] and take a selfie in front of the sick people with peace signs and everything. The people in line looked so annoyed and embarrassed, and I remember thinking, ‘I can’t believe those girls think that’s okay,’ ” Jorden Brown, senior, says.

There are selfies on the moon. There are selfies in the depths of the ocean. There are selfies of political leaders and animals with opposable thumbs and accomplished mountain climbers reaching the top of their destination.

Selfies can be a revolutionary way to show not only the progress of man, but the advancement of technology. But if the majority of selfies today were to prove any progress or advancement of mankind it would be the fact that we learned how to tilt our head so that our eyes appear wider and our cheekbones more defined and that we know which filters hide our blemishes the best. Our ancestors would be so proud.

“I think it’s fine if you take a selfie every once in a while, but you have to remember there’s a time and place to do it. It’s sort of like texting-it’s rude to text in the middle of a conversation with someone and it’s dangerous to text while driving, so you have to know when it’s okay to [take a selfie] and when it’s just completely inappropriate,” Nick Ryti, sophomore, says.

Not only do the timing and location of selfies reflect on our generation, but the importance of which we hold selfies also demonstrates our generation’s lack of ability to respect and prioritize.

One of the highlights of National Geographic’s July photos was the “Volcanic Selfie” by Andrew Hara. The photographer was inside Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano on the edges of the Halemaumau Crater, only feet away from flowing lava where

jeff_zordani

354 likes

Hara set up his tripod to take a picture of himself inside the active volcano.

But the only volcano selfie that was celebrated during the summer was Rihanna’s bikini selfie taken miles in front of volcano Stromboli in Italy, receiving much more attention than Andrew Hara’s small feat. Forget about the fact that Hara was actually inside an active volcano with redhot lava pooling just a couple feet below him and a camera that could withstand that kind of heat.

Rihanna was wine-tasting. On her yacht. Wearing a bathing suit. What a time to be alive.

“People think celebrity selfies are so much more interesting because they’re, you know, celebrities and they’re cooler than us. But I really think it’s sad that people care about stuff like Kim Kardashian’s sunburned face or Justin Bieber’s

Would Abraham Lincoln have taken a selfie of himself crumpling up a rough draft of the Gettysburg Address with the caption: “cant believe i hav 2 rite this hella long speech RN #allnighter #thisspeechiskillingme”? Would Thomas Jefferson have snapped a selfie of him and the founding fathers arguing at a meeting, saying: “my bros don’t know how to chill LOL”?

Of course not. You know what the selfies were in the olden days? Van Gogh’s plethora of selfportraits. Robert Cornelius’ “The first light Picture ever taken. 1839.” Buzz Aldrin’s first extravehicular activity (EVA) picture in outer space in 1966. Why are these selfies so legendary?

Why are they so cherished and discussed and remembered? Because all of these selfies are evidence of mankind’s triumphs. All of these

Selfies are being standardized to half-naked teenagers in bathrooms with more pixels in their camera resolution than cells in their brain. new tattoo, when I would rather see stuff like that Giant Pacific octopus that stole a scuba diver’s camera to take some selfies or that parachuter who put the camera on his foot to take a picture of himself on his way down,” Brown says.

A parachuter’s beautiful descent through the clouds or a scuba diver’s aggressive encounter with a squid should be the examples that illustrate what our generation has accomplished scientifically and technologically.

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portray a genius, a novice, a risk-taker, a groundbreaker-- these selfies highlight the achievement of that generation. And what do we have? What is our contribution to the success of man? Because if Instagram photos of kids posing in front of dirty mirrors or teens making a “peace sign” in front of flu shots lines are the best we can offer, then the footprints we want to leave in the trail of human evolution will seem nothing more than an incoherent smudge left to fade with the dust.

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ladycats, adaptordie, and 63 others like this October 2014 THE WILDCAT 21

W

ith the recent release of Mariachi Barbie appearing in toy stores across the nation, the iconic doll has once again revived the age-old controversy initiated since the dawn of the doll in 1959: Is Barbie a bad influence for young girls?

In a study conducted by both Duke and Yale universities, if Barbie was a real-life person, she would be seven feet tall, weigh 100 pounds, and wear a size four dress. Her waist, four inches smaller than her head, would not have the capacity to hold all of her vital organs, while her thin ankles and child-size feet would not have the strength to hold her body upright, forcing her to walk on all fours, according to nydailynews.com.

Adults have wondered, mothers particularly, if the intimacy between young girls and a doll with

such proportions negatively affects a girl’s mental health. According to psychologytoday.com, mothers were concerned about their daughters playing with a doll that had a “mature, sexualized body” when the doll was first launched. The website claims that mothers are still concerned with the impossible body image that the doll imposes onto their daughters.

But for young girls playing “tea party” with their beautiful best friend, Barbie is not an “impossible body image” that children aspire to have. Barbie is appropriately marketed to children ages three to nine, a period when girls (hopefully) have not yet developed any self-esteem issues or physical insecurities. “[Barbie’s] original message is to tell girls that they can be whoever they want to be,” Earllyn

All dolled up

by ANABEL KING // Opinion Editor

How the average Barbie doll positively influences a young girl’s perspective on life

Momongan, sophomore, said, referring to the doll’s famous slogan. “I think parents just see way too much into it. Young girls don’t care about what they look like or how much they weigh-they just want to play ‘dress up’ and be in some fantasy world, and I think Barbies definitely provide that for them.”

A doctor, a firefighter, a computer engineer, an architect, a paleontologist, and so much more, Barbie is a positive influence for girls raised in a country where one in seven engineers are female and less than 27 percent of computer science jobs are held by women, according to forbes. com. Researchers have tried to explain this phenomenon with one theory claiming that the lack of female role models in the STEM field--science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are to blame for steering young girls away from pursuing STEM careers.

But young girls already have a female role model in the STEM field, and she’s being criticized for her unrealistic body type by feminists everywhere, such as feminist blogs Jezebel and Feministing.

Barbie is a CEO, a surgeon, a president, an astronaut, a business executive, an ambassador for world peace. She is the role model for three to nine-year-old girls, encouraging them and proving to them that any career they pursue is more than possible and more than acceptable to achieve in today’s world. She is not a deterrent to a girl’s physical latinpost.com

aspirations, but rather she is perfect, plastic proof that girls can accomplish their wildest ambitions.

But what about Barbie’s unrealistic body dimensions? What purpose do these outrageous measurements serve?

Kim Culmone, Vice President of Design at Mattel (the company that created Barbie), explains the doll’s figure to time.com, saying, “Barbie’s body was never designed to be realistic. She was designed for girls to easily dress and undress.”

Six-year-old girls could not have the patience to undress Barbie’s U.S. Army officer uniform if she had broad shoulders, thick legs, and a bulging waistline that would get in the costume’s way.

The goal of any toy is to maximize play time with the customer, and the design of Barbie’s body establishes that.

So while the doll’s dimensions may be realistically unattainable, in no way does its appearance pressure girls to strive for that image.

“Barbies are impossibly skinny and planting the thought of ‘skinnier is better’ in girls’ minds at such a young age, or any age for that matter, is absolutely ridiculous,” Julia Lee, junior, said. “[Barbie] has an infinite amount of career-themed [costumes], telling girls that they can be a mom, teacher, astronaut, president, etc. They basically show that girls can be anything [they] want and still look good.”

The slogan of this universally-recognized doll is “Be Who You Wanna Be,” not “Look Exactly Like Me.” And with the new line of Barbies called the “Dolls of the World” collection, the toy now appeals to an even wider audience with dolls representing cultures from all over the world, from Amazonia Barbie to Sumatra-Indonesia Barbie to Native American Barbie. Not only are girls inspired to be the scientists and doctors of tomorrow, they are taught to celebrate diversity.

Young girls are too busy imagining themselves as firefighters or recognizing a traditional festival costume to analyze Barbie’s breast size and waist length. They’re too concerned with Barbie and Ken’s movie night to worry if their neck is as long and as thin as hers.

A Barbie is a girl’s best friend and role model who shares the same interests, dreams and even cultures with her. She is not an epitome of female body types who dictates the standards that a fiveyear-old girl must achieve.

F EATU R E

F

HOMECOMING PRINCESSES

SOPHIE ZAMBRI

ABBY BROADSTREET

senior

NINA EVANS

KAYLA LIBED

senior

MADDISON MILLER

senior

sophomore

SIERRA MCCOY senior

HALLIE STACK

senior

DOMINIQUE ZENZOLA

freshman

junior

Why did you run for Homecoming princess?

“It’s my senior year and I wanted to see if I could make it. It’s one of those hopeful things.”

“I like breaking stereotypes. I like the whole punk rock scene.”

“I feel that I have a lot of the qualities it takes to become a Homecoming princess.”

“It’s something fun to do my senior year and I would love to represent the school.”

“I wanted to be able to add some diversity to the senior court and resemble a well rounded student on campus.”

“I thought it was a really good opportunity to represent the school.”

“Dress shopping and having fun.”

“I have to put my sparkling dancing Vans on, so I can bust all my moves out.”

“I need a manipedi and get my hair done.”

“Everyone loves me and cares about me.”

“It seemed like fun.”

How are you preparing for Homecoming?

“Dress shopping, getting my nails done, getting my hair done, and definitely color coordinating.”

“I must redye my hair as vibrant of a color as I can make it.”

“I really want to have a cool dance at the rally. I want to rock that.”

“Buying a dress and calming down before Homecoming because I get nervous.”

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 23

The

Class

‘44 of

E

by ASTYR KO and STACY UHM Feature Co-Editors

photo by BRANDON YUN

photos and letters courtesy of SHIRLEY BAYARD and BETTY SCHROEDER

Every student dreams of traveling the world with their closest friends and attending one another’s wedding, but how many of these dreams come into realization?

The alumni of the Class of 1944 have been there for each other through much more than weddings, pushing through the financial struggles of the Great Depression and facing the fears of World War II. Despite the chaos that they have endured throughout their lifetimes, the small class of 40 alumni continues to reunite annually 70 years after their high school graduation.

Although the class faced the difficulties of their time, such as drafts and food rationing during the war, they were able to survive it all as a community.

Fathers, teachers, and students alike volunteered to

24 THE WILDCAT October 2014

70 YEARS AND COUNTING

Betty Schroeder (left) and Shirley Bayard (right) visit BOHS’s current campus for the first time since its reconstruction and relocation from Birch Street. Friends since kindergarten, the two experienced high school and college and still reunite often to this day.

serve the country as loyal citizens.

John Bayard, husband of Shirley Bayard, Class of 1944, wanted to join the service, but suffered from poor eyesight. In order to enlist, he memorized the Snellen chart, which tests eyesight.

During the war, school life was different for students, as many left school to join the service and were unable to participate in their graduation ceremony.

Also, in the ‘40s, BOHS had a Home Economics department, where female students went to the Practice House, also know as the Bungalow­—a building located where the Brea Mall is today— and learned proper etiquette. Students also took classes where female students learned about infant care. The majority of the male students took classes

such as wood shop.

Despite the everyday struggles of living in the ‘40s, high school was “wonderful,” according to Betty Schroeder, Class of 1944.

“We loved high school. We loved it. We’re so thankful we lived back then because it was fun,” Schroeder said.

Although friendships during this period of war against Japan were sometimes difficult to maintain (in 1942 thousands of Japanese-American citizens were sent to internment camps throughout the West), they were also sometimes strengthened through shared hardships. Bayard’s relationship with her Japanese friend, Martha Kitaoka remained strong despite her relocation to an internment camp during the war. The day of her departure, her friend

FRIENDS FOREVER

(top left to bottom right) Twins Irl and Merle Chansler, Christine Pyland, Ralph Michael, Willa Fae Drake, Virginia Vance, and Virginia Boyd still gather for annual reunions. The senior photos were exchanged amongst the entire class of ‘44 to create scrapbooks which replaced yearbooks due to a paper shortage during World War II. The letters were written to Betty Schroeder from her high school sweetheart, Bubs Schroeder when he was serving the U.S. Army.

gave Bayard a red scarf that she had knit, which Bayard still has today.

Bayard’s friendship was one of the many strong relationships the citizens of Brea held. The entire city was like a family, as seemingly everyone helped each other by leaving groceries on the doorsteps of poor families or volunteering at the school cafeteria, which Bayard’s mother enjoyed.

Bayard’s mother was also given the responsibility of keeping track of the Army planes that flew by. Standing on the school’s rooftop, she was taught to record and recognize planes since there was no radar to track planes at the time.

“People were very civic-minded. It is absolutely amazing how people would stumble over themselves, wanting to volunteer,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder shares that “everyone pulled together” to support each other through the uncertainty of war, leaning on each other for comfort.

“Nowadays, there is so much business and so much activity. Kids should learn to sit still and think about how important life is and how important people are,” Schroeder said. “People can do so

much through words of encouragement and love.

Life is a gift­—God gave us that gift.”

Schroeder does not remember her adolescent years as a difficult time, but rather as exciting and eventful. She laughs as she remembers hunting rabbits and birds around her forest-like backyard, which was where BOHS is currently located. She was given a gun as a birthday gift and used it often to hunt. wBut hunting was not the only way teenagers entertained themselves.

Schroeder and Bayard, childhood friends, enjoyed their middle school and high school years as they tucked their dresses into their undergarments and ran around the playground.

Their friends share that their children only know one or two of their own graduating classmates, while they know their entire class even after all the decades that have passed. Schroeder believes this was possible since Brea was a small town during war which brought them together.

Their “faith in God” also greatly influenced their bond within the class, which they call “[their] own little clique.”

The most recent gathering celebrated the class’s

70th reunion and the anniversary of D-Day on June 28. Although about 15 classmates come together for the reunion, some do not attend, as some live out of the state, have health issues, or have passed away. Whenever there is an ill classmate, the alums send out prayers and words of encouragement.

The rest of the classmates remember the lives of the lost classmates by contacting their spouses, who also attend the reunions. At the gathering, the alumni and their spouses have “interesting” conversations and share stories about how the spouses have been living and keeping busy after their loss. These discussions create a connection throughout all the classmates making the reunion “very personal.”

“This really made us close. Yes, there was deaths and bad things, but we shared all of that,” Schroder said.

For those who live too far away, Bayard sends photos and a newsletter which includes miniautobiographies of the classmates and updates on their classmate’s lives.

“It is amazing how after all these years, we are still here and interested in [other classmates’ stories],” Schroeder said.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 25

FLASHBACK TO THE ‘40s

sources: Betty Schroeder, amazon.com, 398th.org, nytimes.com, thebaseballpage.com, pbs.org

ABOVE

CONGRESS DECLARES WAR

AUTHOR JOHN STEINBECK

CARDS WIN WORLD SERIES

RATIONS ARE ISSUED

The Santa Ana Register announces that Congress declared war with Japan on Dec. 8, 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The United States officially enters World War II.

The St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in ‘44 against the St. Louis Browns. Due to drafting during the war, there was a depleted pool of talent.

ANNE FRANK GOES INTO HIDING

On July 6, 1942, Anne Frank goes into hiding in the Secret Annex, located in Otto Frank’s business. With the help of Miep Gies, she and her family are hidden for two years until they are discovered by Nazis and taken to concentration camps.

26 THE WILDCAT October 2014

John Steinbeck, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award author, wrote The Grapes of Wrath, a novel about the Great Depression. He also wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Ration books are issued to every American as supplies are limited during the war. Rations given by the government replace money, serving as tickets to purchase gas and food.

This limited Americans in what goods and foods they could purchase.

BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOR

On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, destroying the U.S.’s Pacific Fleet. Almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were wounded in the surprise invasion.

FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt serves as President during two American crises—the Great Depression and World War II. He is also the only President to be elected for four terms.

PINOCCHIO IS RELEASED

Pinocchio is released on Feb. 23, 1940.

Pinocchio is the second Walt Disney Production film inspired from the novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Callardi.

GLENN MILLER

Glenn Miller, composer, arranger, trombonist, and Big Band leader, was a famous musician who earned medals like the American Victory Medal. His Army Air Force band entertained thousands of troops with songs like “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade”.

T

HERE’S ALWAYS THAT feeling of desperation when

you are scrambling to write down the last few words as the teacher impatiently tries to clear the whiteboard. Or that feeling of frustration when the person sitting in front of you keeps moving around in their seat and blocking you from copying down what is on the screen. Or maybe it is the feeling of helplessness as you try to figure out that one science question at 7 o’clock at night, knowing it is no use asking for your parents’ help.

Whatever level of incompletence you are suffering—whether it is inside a class or in front of a textbook—there is a cure.

Technology today is more useful than ever when it comes to high school students of the 21st century. This generation is “more resilient, adaptable, and tech savvy,” according to huffingtonpost.com, so it’s no surprise that more

geometry teacher said, “Technology—we’re behind. I think paper activities are a part of the past, and we really should embrace technology of all forms.”

There are also more productive ways to spend those ten minutes in a dentist’s waiting room or 25 minutes at an airport terminal. ‘Studying-onthe-go’ does not require an 800-page textbook or even a working pen. All you need to review for an upcoming test are simple flashcard apps like Flashcards+ and StudyBlue.

And if you need a brief refresher on last night’s assigned chapters or if you forgot how to spell that one word for French class, some basic essentials to download from the app store are Sparknotes and Google Translate, along with the necessary dictionary.com app which is pre-installed in most Android phones.

“It’s basically like carrying a calculator and a dictionary and a translator all in your pocket. It’s all I need for research and equations at my finger

Angela Messner, sophomore, said.

And it is not just academic sites that can provide educational information. YouTube can be used for more than cat videos, makeup tutorials, and basketball trick shots. It is also home to many education channels, such as Khan Academy, Crash Course and SmarterEveryDay. Each of these listed channels has at least 1.7 million subscribers, according to vidstatsx.com, and all of these channels are devoted to teaching educational lessons that appeal to their viewers in visual, auditory, and kinesthetic ways.

“I’ll look up videos on YouTube on how to do a math problem because the videos usually have experts that can teach you in a certain way if you’re a certain type of learner,” Giannini said.

While some education channels are mostly about math and science (Khan Academy, SciShow), some cover other academic areas from literature to ecology to U.S. history (CrashCourse).

“I try to provide links to videos and other study

SCHOOL HACKS

Students use technology for covenience in education.

by ANABEL KING // Opinion Editor photo by BRANDON YUN

and more students are using their smartphones as tools to aid them through their education.

What?! A smartphone being used for more than social networking apps and entertainment?

Inconceivable!

Picture-taking seems to be the new note-taking for many students.

Struggling to keep up with a speed-writing teacher can easily be replaced with a simple click of a high-res, auto-focused, touch-screen phone camera.

“It’s a great way to get stuff written down, because not a lot of people like to use their agendas and stuff. Getting a picture of [the notes on the board] is just more of a simple way, because everyone always has their phones on them,” Anthony Giannini, senior, said.

Using technology for more than just entertainment and actually applying it within the classroom is “necessary,” Hengameh Moshirr,

tips,” Neil Uy, sophomore, said.

But using technology for school does not stop at award-winning apps or light-sensitive phone cameras. Students have taken to accessing their textbooks online. Publishing companies like Holt McDougal and Prentice Hall have created online companion sites for their textbooks—my.hrw. com and phschool.com, respectively—allowing students to enhance their education with online tutors, interactive animations and diagrams, and self-quizzes.

For Holt McDougal textbooks, students must get the access code from their teachers if they have registered their class on the site. For Prentice Hall textbooks, the access code is printed in textbooks and is ready to use at any time.

“I use my.hrw.com so I can print out math worksheets to study off of. It helps drill it into my head because I can practice harder problems that make it easier to do the ones on the exam,”

tools that students can use. If there’s something we’ve covered in class, we might watch a movie that covers that lesson in class, like on YouTube, for example, and I’ll link that to a section on [my] website,” Mrs. Brown, honors biology teacher, said.

And if you ever find yourself stuck on a Spanish worksheet at 10 p.m. and can not seem to find the answer, chances are you can Google the question word for word and find multiple websites that have the answer key to that same worksheet. And of course, there’s the widely-diverse, but not always trustworthy Yahoo! Answers, where users might have asked that question and received seemingly well-thought out explanations.

“It’s funny because every generation has new technology that comes out, and it’s either embraced or completely ignored. I think that if you’re using your technology responsibly, then that’s a good thing,” Brown said.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 27

Teacher Profile

Exploring Deeper

Biology teacher Amy Welch indulges in her love of science by attending USC’s marine biology summer program and pursuing her Master’s degree.

by EMIKO KANEOKA // Copy Editor photo courtesy of AMY WELCH

28 THE WILDCAT October 2014

After a day spent researching, exploring, and learning, Amy Welch, biology teacher, snorkeled under the Catalina Island moon, wonderstruck by the twinkling bioluminescence that sparkled in the water around her. This is how Welch spent her summer at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Boeing Teacher Institute, a five-day immersive marine biology program.

Welch and 29 other teachers from Southern California spent two days at the Aquarium of the Pacific and three days at the University of Southern California, Wrigley Institute Campus on Catalina Island studying the indigenous marine biology. As Welch “collected plankton and analyzed them in the lab” and “listened to talks from scientists and their current work in marine science,” she was inspired to apply her experience to her biology and AP Biology courses.

“I learned a lot about the composition of our local ecosystems, and how scientists conduct research in marine science,” Welch said. “I also learned a lot about plankton. I am hoping to integrate more plankton biology into my classes to serve as a unifying theme throughout the year as to how all the disciplines of biology are integrated together.”

Despite Welch’s undeniable dedication to biology, evidenced by her decision to spend her summer expanding her knowledge of the subject, it was not always her main passion in life.

“Science was actually not my favorite subject as a child. I loved art and music as a kid,” Welch said. “However, I always loved the outdoors and my parents tell me I could always be found outside, digging in the mud, catching skippy butterflies and bugs, and making little homes for them.”

Yet, when Welch entered high school, she was placed in a freshman biology course, and “was hooked.”

As her senior year approached, Welch enrolled in AP Biology, which deepened her interest in the subject. Now, as an AP Biology teacher, Although Welch’s interest in biology grew throughout high school, upon entering the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), her major was undeclared.

While exploring the various courses available at UCLA, she decided to take an introductory biology class, where her “true passion for biology really solidified.”

“Dr. Phelan, my professor, had the most interesting way of presenting the information that made it completely applicable to my life. He was very passionate about the subject, and the class was eye opening,” Welch said. “After taking that class, I changed my major to biology.”

After completing her undergraduate education at UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, Welch studied abroad in Seville, Spain for a month, earning a Spanish Immersion Certificate from Pablo de Olavide University.

“I then realized that I could potentially have the same impact on people that the brilliant high school teachers and professors at UCLA had on me,” Welch said.

Welch then attended the California State University of Fullerton, to earn her secondary teaching credential, and began her career as a biology teacher. Now, with nine years of teaching experience, and Orange County Teacher of the Year honors, under her belt, Welch inspires BOHS faculty and students alike.

“I was already planning on going into a major related to biology, and being in her class has just further pushed my desire to learn about biology and eventually make a career out of it,” Melody Kim,

senior and former AP Biology student, said.

Phil Henderson, Science Department Cochair, believes that Welch is “someone who could be a Teacher of the Year nominee every year.”

“Ms. Welch is a very bright individual who is constantly trying to improve her teaching strategies and scientific knowledge and loves to share her new teaching techniques with her colleagues. Her energy for teaching tends to energize the entire Science Department,” Henderson said.

After years of dedication to her career as a biology teacher, Welch decided to take the next step in her journey as a biologist—her Master’s degree.

During the spring of 2013, she applied to Washington University in St. Louis.

Now, Welch spends her school years balancing teaching and her own schoolwork, and summers in St. Louis, fulfilling her lab requirements. During her time at the university, Welch feels “just like being an undergraduate student again living in the dorm and eating in the dining hall.”

This coming May, Welch will graduate with her Master’s degree in Biology, and hopes to be in St. Louis for her ceremony. Upon entering graduate school, Welch intended to “deepen [her] content knowledge of biology and earn a degree in that science,” which she has certainly accomplished.

“She is constantly developing new ideas and sharing them with the rest of [the science department].

She is on the cutting edge of technology, curriculum and biology,” said Andrea Ramos, Science Department Cochair. “ I have the best job in the world because I get to work with great individuals every day, get inspired by students, be creative, help others, and spread my love for a science that is so important to our everyday lives.”

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 29

HJDAKFHFDSDFDVDVFD-

Michael Jovellanos, senior, distributes toothbrushes to the Malawian people.

He performed play therapy and lectured about health routines.

JOVELLANOS’’ ’ ‘s COMPASSION LEADS HIM TO AFRICA Jovellanos goes on a medical mission to Malawi through Operation Smile When Michael Jovellanos, senior, founded the Operation Smile Club with his close friend and co-president, Joyce Kang, senior, at the start of their freshman year, he never imagined that he would end up in Africa only years later. Even so, after three years of Operation Smile involvement, Jovellanos found himself in Malawi, Africa in August, immersing himself in a 15-day medical mission and seeing with his own eyes the impact that his club has on the children of the world.

Operation Smile is a worldwide medical organization that “performs safe, effective cleft lip and cleft palate surgery, and delivers postoperative and ongoing medical therapies to 30 THE WILDCAT October 2014

children in low and middle income countries,” according to operationsmile.org. A cleft occurs when an individual’s lip or palate fails to form properly during pregnancy, according to cdc.gov.

Throughout his involvement in the organization, Jovellanos was inspired to embark on a medical mission by his Operation Smile colleagues.

“I really wanted to experience it myself. I had fundraised and volunteered for the club at

by EMIKO KANEOKA // Copy Editor photos courtesy of MICHAEL JOVELLANOS

conferences and concerts, and it is great to do that, but I really wanted to see with my own eyes the change that we are affecting in the world,” Jovellanos said.

In order to go on a mission, Jovellanos was first required to attend Operation Smile’s International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) 2013 in Norfolk, Va., the home of the organization’s headquarters, and to apply and be accepted to mission training only months later. As Jovellanos went through with all of the mission requirements, his parents provided guidance in any way possible.

“He had a plan, and he knew what he had

to do. Most of what we provided was support, because it was really his own undertaking to do this, so we were there for him,” Ed Jovellanos, Michael’s father, said.

After years of Operation Smile involvement, two trips to Virginia, several months of preparation, and a few vaccinations, Jovellanos finally embarked on a two-week medical mission in August to Malawi. Jovellanos and Alec Clifford of Virginia Beach, his mission partner and grandson of Bill and Kathy Magee, founders of Operation Smile, were the first student educators sent to Malawi on behalf of the organization. They were joined by several doctors and surgeons, their mission sponsor, Laura Kraytem, and Samantha Devito, a U-Voice student who documented the mission on her Operation Smile blog.

Following over 30 hours of flying, Jovellanos stepped off of the plane at the Malawi Airport and was immediately confronted with the country’s poverty, which “inspired [him] to completely immerse [himself] in the experience.”

While Jovellanos and the rest of his mission team stayed in a nice hotel, “by American standards” in the city of Lilongwe, the “most urbanized part of Malawi,” rural, towns and barren expanses of land existed only 10 minutes away. Jovellanos would spend the majority of the next two weeks in these rural areas, specifically at the local hospital.

The first two days consisted of screenings, during which natives would come from near towns and far away villages to seek treatment for their various cleft palates, lips, and other deformities.

According to Jovellanos, about 200 individuals were screened, and 144 were given surgery.

During the screening period, Jovellanos met an infant named Geoffrey, who suffered from a growth on his left cheek filled with blood, which would be “really difficult to operate on.”

Jovellanos immediately fell in love with the child, who was “the happiest baby out of everyone there, just smiling even among all of the sad images of the facial deformities.” Unfortunately, soon after Jovellanos was tasked with guiding those denied surgery to the shelter, which included Geoffrey.

“I got to carry Geoffrey outside. It was a really hard moment to see a child that happy even though it was a sad circumstance. It was really difficult to watch, because I really cared for him and wanted to see him receive help,” Jovellanos said.

Despite the sadness that Jovellanos felt as individuals were denied treatment, he was able to provide great joy to the children as they waited during the week of surgery. Both children and adults loved to play soccer with Jovellanos and Clifford, both avid soccer players in their hometowns. Providing “play therapy” was just

MOTHER AND CHILD A mother smiles as she holds her son with a cleft lip. Operation Smile performs simple surgeries to treat cleft lips and cleft palates.

one of the students’ mission duties, and was the best way for the pair to truly connect with the people of Malawi.

“To be able to share not only a soccer ball and goal, but also a mutual love for the game, was one great thing that I was able to do. Even though it was hard to communicate at times, since most of the children spoke Chichewa, we could still bond over a simple game of soccer,” Jovellanos said.

Throughout his mission, Jovellanos also experienced many off-site trips, such as his threehour journey by “normal Malawi streets and some off-roading” to a local orphanage and several trips to the shelter where patients awaited surgery or post-operation care. While there, Jovellanos gave about 35 presentations on the five basic health modules of Operation Smile: dental hygiene, basic health care, oral rehydration therapy, burn care and prevention, and nutrition.

“They include the most basic information, but it is also information that saves lives and improves quality of living,” Jovellanos said, “It is hard since not everyone speaks English, but we are taught skills at mission training that allow us to overcome language barriers. For example, we learned to give a lesson without speaking a single word.”

As the week of surgery came to an end, Jovellanos witnessed one amazing transformations before his own eyes, as he was able to enter the operating room during a cleft surgery. He was also able to visit a man named Joe, who he played

soccer with earlier in the week, immediately after his surgery on his unilateral cleft.

“You could see in his eyes that he was incredibly happy with the outcome of his operation. When we showed him pictures of himself before the surgery, he just pushed them away as if he was trying to say that he was a new man,” Jovellanos said, “To see both layers of his change, the physical and the mental, was amazing.”

During the same week, while handing out toys to the children at the shelter, Jovellanos stumbled upon a familiar face. The infant Geoffrey, who he met during the screening period, had in fact received surgery.

“It was such an amazing surprise to see his transformation,” Jovellanos said, “Despite his physical transformation, he was the same exact smiling baby before and after the surgery—it was really just who he was inside.”

Following the post-operation week, the final party, and several heartfelt goodbyes, the Operation Team packed up to embark on their journey in Malawi—a safari at the Liwonde National Park.

While on their safari, the team traveled by boat on the Shire River and jeep, observing hippos, elephants, and many other native species.

“It was a really amazing experience, because I have never been anywhere like that in my life.

We were completely in the wilderness—there was wildlife everywhere,” Jovellanos said.

As their safari ended and their 35 hour journey home began, Jovellanos reflected on his time in Malawi, “the Heart of Africa.” After spending two weeks in a place of extreme poverty, he was able to see “the complete spectrum of wealth, and how unequal it is.”

“In Malawi, everyone is poor.,” Jovellanos said, “It has really made me more grateful for what I have and has made me want to help the less fortunate.”

“I think that service is so important, so I hope that his experience will just continue to light that fire in him to want to provide service whether its in his community, school, or world,” Sonia Jovellanos said, “I think that the people of Malawi have touched his soul and changed his way of viewing the world. No matter where he is in life, he will be able to remember that experience.

Although Jovellanos does not wish to pursue a career in the medical field, he plans to continue his involvement in Operation Smile in the years to come. “I see myself as someone committed to service,” Jovellanos said, “I definitely want to further my involvement in Operation Smile and other organizations that truly make an impact on the world.”

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 31

T

BRANDON BLACK CONTINUES HIS FAMILY’S PASSION

by JEAN PARK // Staff Writer photo courtesy of BRANDON BLACK

HE LOUD ROAR OF THE ENGINE MIXED WITH

the incredible heat of the desert sun fuels the passion of dirt bike racing for Brandon Black, junior. The adrenaline filled sport first started as family ventures, partially influenced by Black’s late father, an experienced desert racer.

Racing competitively is thrilling and immensely fulfilling at the same time. According to Black, “competitive racing is [a] sportsman competition for bragging rights and fun with other riders.”

From Black’s first 40 mile desert race to his most recent race at Prim, Nev., a bumpy and sandy track just outside of Las Vegas, his experiences have increased, including enduro­­–an overall harder, tiring race which requires more technical challenges with boulders, hills, and sand.

Having first started on a motorcycle at the age of four, Black regards himself as “being born into riding”. He started racing around the age of 11 or 12, winning multiple awards and placing in races, following in his father’s footsteps. Black’s awards range from trophies to first overall in his class.

Joe Bianchi, a family friend of Black’s, said, “This spring, I was fortunate enough to ride an enduro race with Brandon. He rode great and was able to keep up [with me] no problem at all. The next day, he took on an 85-mile enduro and barely missed out on winning his class.

It was a very tough race and he did better than a lot of older and more experienced racers. His long legs sure help, but overall, it is his bike skills that have made him as good as he is. I’ve watched him race Grand Prix and other races and he is always toward the front of his class. It [has been] a long way from his first ride on a PW 50 back in 2002.”

Amy Black, Brandon Black’s mother, wants Brandon to have fun and continue with dirt biking with his family. She supports him by financing the operation of Black’s bike and by continuously encouraging Black to do his best and enjoy himself. Black prioritizes having fun over race results. Black said, “I’m drawn to racing for the thrill and adrenalin that comes with it.”

Black’s first race was the most memorable due to his young age of four and the newness of competing. Black remembers at his first desert race, his father rode behind him the whole time and would pull up next to him, advising Black to go faster while showing him how to do the harder tricks. Even from the first race, Black encountered challenges such as a rocky hill which prevented his smaller bike to go smoothly over it. At first, Black hit the hill, and it soon stopped Black dead in his 32 THE WILDCAT October 2014

tracks, requiring him to try multiple times until he was successful.

Despite the always present danger while racing, danger is not in mind for Black during the soaring adrenaline rush of the race. Luckily, Black has never have been seriously injured while racing, only encountering a bit of blood, and a few cuts and bruises.

The hardest moment for Amy Black during Brandon’s dirt bike racing career was the race when Brandon ran out of gas and she did not know his location. Although there are moments when Amy worries for her son’s safety, she recounts her proudest moment such as Black’s second place in class win in his first endurocross race.

According to Black, the only downside of racing is the maintenance required before the actual race. “[The bike owners] have to change the oil, clean their filter, wash and check the whole bike for problems, and [deal] with the occasional problems such as broken seals,” Black said.

Although Black wanted to give up racing at the passing of his father in a race, he felt the need to carry on the sport in honor of him and become what his father was in the sport. Brandon’s father, Lance Black was an experienced rider, who fatefully passed on January 22, 2012 while doing what he loved the most: riding his dirtbike.

Black recounts happier memories BRANDON BLACK with his father in the sport, such junior as times when his father chased a coyote until it was angry, and holding his father’s umbrella over him as he stretched and giving him a fist bump before taking off before a race.

Black does not plan on racing professionally, but he is determined to keep racing and introducing it to his future family as well.

Black prepares for a race by practicing and making sure to hydrate and eat while making sure everything runs correctly before. As Black continues racing, he looks forward to meeting more people who share his passion for dirt bike racing.

With Black’s biggest supporters from his family and the So. Cal. Motorcycle Club, Black will pursue having a memorable time on the tracks, focusing on the race ahead of him.

Black rides on the C46 dirt bike in a race. From a young age, Black, inspired from his dad, began dirt biking. Despite the dangers of getting lost within a race, or falling off the bike, Black continues the sport.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 33

A ARTS & E NTE RTAI N M E NT >>>>>

PERFORMING ARTS

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SPOTLIGHT Senior JUSTICE HUYNH lives life-long dream of performing onstage as a member of Play Production. The actor discusses his motivations to perform, his love of acting, and reflects on his time in “Play Pro.” compiled by JOY HSIEH and CHARLOTTE KIM

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I’m looking forward to performing with the whole cast, but mainly with the returning seniors because many of us have been with each other since freshman year. I couldn’t be more honored to leave [high school] with these individuals.

What has been your most rewarding experience in Play Pro? Taking the last bow at the end of every show and hearing the audience’s cheers that shows us that all our hard work paid off. Just the little things make us love what we do.

Who has been the biggest influence on you as an actor?

As an actor, I would say my older brother, John (‘10), who was a former Play Pro member, has influenced me the most because he helped me develop some of the characters I’ve performed. Also, he was the

PLAY PRO PRESENTS The Dining Room is a dramatic comedy showcasing families in different time periods in a series of vignettes. The play is written by A.R. Gurney and premiered in New York City in 1982.

Play Production’s staging of the play will occur on Nov. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. at Esperanza High School at 1830 Kellog Drive in Anaheim.

Featured performers include Sara Chee, Justice Huynh, Jayden Mendoza, Alissa Reyes, Matthew Worrall, and Joseph Davis.

34 THE WILDCAT October 2014

one who talked me into joining drama, so I wouldn’t be here without him.

What is the most challenging part about Drama?

The most challenging part of drama is developing characters to their maximum potential, so the audience creates an emotion towards you the entire show.

Which play has been your favorite to perform, and why?

My favorite play so far has been Fools, which I performed last year.

It’s my favorite because it was my first major role and I loved having the opportunity to prove myself to our director, [Kim] Ofcacek, that I can handle these large roles. But performing with my best friends is what we look forward to the most.

What advice do you have for incoming Drama members?

For incoming drama members, the only advice I give them is to believe in the work they put into their character before the show, so they know that they did their best.

What other hobbies do you have outside of Drama?

Another hobby I have outside of drama is wrestling. I’ve been on the team since freshman year also and its been a great influence on my life as well.

What are your post high school plans?

I plan on going to college, earning my degree, and hopefully joining law enforcement. photos by MICHAEL CHO and APRIL SANTONIL

>>>>>

PERFORMING ARTS

<<<<<

SPOTLIGHT

Senior BRITTANY JONES, a Dance Production member since her freshman year, shares with the Wildcat her passion for dance, and expresses her excitement at being named this year’s Dance Pro Captain. compiled by JOY HSIEH and CHARLOTTE KIM

What has been your most rewarding experience in Dance Production?

My most rewarding experience is being captain and teaching the girls the new routines.

What advice do you have for new BOHS dance members?

Try their hardest, go 110%, and leave it out on the dance floor.

What is the most challenging part of dance?

I would have to say it’s stamina and how hard it is to get through [a] two to three minute [routine].

How do you feel about Dance Production’s upcoming November concert?

Since our show is moved up a month, it’s a bit more stressful than usual. To say the least it’s bittersweet since it’s my last time performing in the Brea Dance Concert, but

DANCE PRO presents Dance 1, 2, 3, and Dance Production will be performing their annual Dance Concert on Nov. 6 and 8 at 7 p.m. at Eldorado High School at 1651 Valencia Ave in Placentia.

The show features original choreography by teacher Missy Leonardo and her students in all genres of dance.

Featured performers include seniors Brittany Jones, Kara Richey, Caroline Choi, Deanna Tirheimer, Brittany O’Boyle, Marissa Trujillo, and Natalie Calvillo.

I’m super excited to show all the pieces we’ve been working so hard on.

How has dance influenced you?

Dance has influenced my personality a lot. I don’t think I’d be outgoing or dorky without it in my life. And I love the dorky side of me.

Will you continue dancing after high school?

Definitely! Wherever I decide on going I’m going to audition to try and be apart of their dance team.

Which dance routine has been your favorite to perform, and why?

Contemporary is one of my favorite dance styles, so anything in that genre would definitely be a favorite of mine to perform. It’s hard to pick a favorite because I’ve enjoyed them all!

What are your post high school plans?

Dancing and going to college are my plans after high school. I’m not sure if I want to pursue dance yet; we’ll see how it plays out for me.

What other hobbies do you have outside of dance?

Dance is basically my life and the only thing I have time for, therefore [it’s] my only hobby.

Who is your inspiration?

Allison Holker from So You Think You Can Dance Season 2, and Melanie Moore from Season 8 because they capture the audience’s attention every time they dance. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 35

Lee reminisces on animation master Miyazaki

by BETTY LEE // Co-Editor-in-Chief

A

lthough animation is often viewed solely as a form of entertainment, it is worth so much more to me as it is the source of my passion and future.

Becoming an animator has been my dream career since my sophomore year. I was first inspired

by Hayao Miyazaki’s films with Studio Ghibli.

After watching Miyazaki’s movies “Spirited Away”, “My Neighbor Totoro”, and “Howl’s Moving Castle”, I was in awe of Chihiro’s adventure in the bath house, Totoro’s cat bus, and the incredible detail of Howl’s castle.

From then on, I had a strong desire to create animated films to give the audience the same satisfaction I felt when I first encountered Miyazaki’s works.

Miyazaki has been my role model ever since I discovered his work on the whimsical “My Neighbor Totoro”. I admired how Miyazaki had his own distinct, hand-drawn style that was dramatic change of pace from the usual digital creations of Pixar and Disney.

Miyazaki’s films also feature traditional Japanese architecture, such as the bath house from “Spirited Away” and Satsuke’s home in “My Neighbor Totoro”, which bring out the nostalgic atmosphere where even silence makes an

BETTY LEE // the wildcat

impression on the audience. Through Miyazaki’s movies, I was exposed to Japanese culture, which I am now fond of as well. In this way, Miyazaki’s works influenced not only my career path, but also my taste in music and my love for Japan.

Most of all, I love how a girl can be cursed and become a 90-year-old lady or an eight-legged cat can become a bus in Miyazaki’s stories.

Studio Ghibli movies are mostly categorized under fantasy, and include mysterious characters like No-Face in “Spirited Away” and Totoro from “My Neighbor Totoro” that make me fascinated from the beginning to the end of the film.

Unlike Disney and Pixar, Studio Ghibli specifically inspires me due to their traditional methods of animation. Studio Ghibli’s movies are still hand-drawn, and I also prefer to draw by hand rather than by computer. Even though the process is time consuming (usually three to five years for each film), the results Miyazaki and his studio present are always outstanding.

Despite his success throughout 51 years of his career, Miyazaki retired after his last movie, “The Wind Rises”, ending his career with a tragic but hopeful movie about the survivors of Japan’s Great Kanto earthquake. Miyazaki’s retirement was not a shock, as he already retired once before his return with “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Currently, Studio Ghibli stopped its movie production as it struggled after Miyazaki’s retirement.

I still hope that it will be back on its feet after overcoming Miyazaki’s absence. Even though I can no longer anticipate a new Miyazaki film, I cherish his work and he will always be my role model to strive for my dream to become an animator.

5 must-see movies from Ghibli Studios 1

2

3

4

5

Castle in the Sky

Spirited Away

My Neighbor Totoro

Kiki’s Delivery Service

Howl’s Moving Castle

Hayao Miyazaki’s first film with Studio Ghibli portrays Sheeta, a young girl who holds a magical stone pendant, and Pazu, an elevator engineer’s apprentice. As they embark to find the mythical sky-castle known as Laputa, air pirates and an evil government agency chase Sheeta and Pazu for the precious stone pendant, the key to Laputa.

Winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2003, “Spirited Away” features Chihiro, a young girl who encounters strange creatures in a bath house on a Japaneseinspired fantasy world.

With the aid of Haku, the witch’s apprentence, Chihiro is faced with powerful spells and dark secrets in her quest to find a way to get her family back to reality.

Sisters Satsuke and Mei move into a new town with their father. As Mei wanders around, she encounters a giant and friendly creature called Totoro. He teaches them to appreciate nature by showing the magical qualities of trees and pouring rain. Overall, the movie portrays the sisters’ adventures in their new town, accompanied by their friend Totoro.

Kiki, a teenage witchin-training, and her feline companion, Jiji, struggle to learn to live independently in the calm seaside village of Korico. Kiki soon begins to run an air delivery service, sending packages throughout town.

This Miyazaki classic portrays a tale of creating lasting experiences and friendships through Kiki’s growth as a teenager.

Sophie, an apprentice in a hat shop, is cursed by a witch and turns into an old woman. Ashamed of her appearance, Sophie leaves town and a scarecrow leads her to the Moving Castle. From the war with a neighboring country to falling in love with Howl, Sophie learns to appreciate her life and eventually lifts the curse to return to her former, younger self.

36 THE WILDCAT October 2014

illustrations by JESSICA YIM

photo by MICHAEL CHO

BEHIND THE SCENES Ashley Shin, senior, paints for her portfolio in Advanced Arts Study.

Advanced Art students are also working on an art piece for the Reflections Contest.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 37

T

TRENDS

5

7 3 6 1 6 4 2

TRENDS The Wildcat asks:

What does your necklace mean to you?

38 THE WILDCAT October 2014

1.

3.

5.

6.

7.

Kady Pei junior

Maddy Boliver senior

Bryanna Wallace senior

Kalinah Tallase senior

Abby Harris junior

“The necklace was given to me by my great grandma for my fifteenth birthday, which was the last time I saw her. [It] represents freedom and a happy future.”

“My necklace symbolizes peace.

Both my mom and sister have the same necklace, and it is a peace offering between the three of us.”

“I bought this necklace on my trip to New York this summer. It was my first time traveling alone and it was for an Honors Institute program at Long Island University for fashion merchandising.

Every time I wear it, I remember my New York trip and all the good memories.”

“This necklace is important to me because it was a special gift for my sixteenth birthday. The locket signifies my individuality.

The intricate and detailed design of the necklace alsow symbolizes my life.”

“My grandmother was married to a Nazi, and she secretly helped hide Jews behind his back. One of the Jews was really thankful and gave her this necklace as a token of appreciation, so it was passed on through my family.”

2.

4.

Martin Layco senior

Sarah Rosner senior

“My mom gave this necklace to me about two years ago. It not only represents our faith, but also our family.”

“The necklace is my favorite because it is a dove, which represents peace and Jesus. I love Jesus.”

Four Fall Shows Not to Be Missed With the Halloween season upon us, there’s no better time to settle into fantasy- and horror-themed shows. So settle onto your couch and enjoy the new seasons of these Fall-appropriate series. compiled by JOY HSIEH, EMIKO KANEOKA and ANABEL KING

Once Upon A Time Network ABC Day/Time Sundays at 8 p.m.

tvfanatic.com

Season four of Once Upon a Time returns with a new villain for the fairytale characters living in Storybrooke: Queen Elsa from Disney’s Frozen.

Emma Swan, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and Savior of the suburban town of Storybrooke, deals with the aftermath of saving Storybrooke from the

Want to get caught up? You can binge watch the first three seasons of OUAT on

Network AMC Day/Time Sundays at 9 p.m.

The show, based on the comic series, combines suspense, horror, and drama while following the survival of Rick and his zombiefighting posse.

Season 4 killed off the voice of reason and fatherly figure, Hershel, and ever since the group dynamic slowly crumbled.

After their prison haven was run over by cineparadise.com

zombies due to the infamous Governor’s final attack, the group was separated. As the survivors searched for a safe location, they each struggled to find their place amongst the good and evil left in the post-apocalyptic world.

Following the cliffhanger end to the season as Rick and the gang reunite at Terminus, season five promises to answer the question that everyone has on their mind: Will the group escape the camp?

Season 2

Network FOX Day/Time Mondays at 9 p.m.

fox.com

Season 5

and catch current episodes on AMC and Amazon Prime.

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow turns Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” on its head by transporting protagonist Ichabod Crane to modern-day Sleepy Hollow, New York.

The show combines humor (Crane is usually flummoxed by modern conveniences like cell phones and grocery stores), scares

Want to get caught up? You can binge watch the first season of Sleepy Hollow

Wicked Witch of the West in season three.

A fantasy/drama show about fairytale characters living in the modern world, beloved icons such as Belle, the Evil Queen, and Rumpelstiltskin deal with the morality and justness of their fictional origins and strive for acceptance, repentance, and redemption. But as they find their place in the 21st century, some characters realize that they are slaves to their original fairytale motives, even if it means betrayal.

and catch current episodes on ABC and Hulu+.

The Walking Dead

Want to get caught up? You can binge watch the first four seasons of TWD on

Season 4

(the appearances of nemeses Moloch and the famed Headless Horseman, this one favoring equally axes and machine guns), humanity (one of the show’s highlights is the developing relationship between Crane and police detective Abbie Mills), history (Ben Franklin has already made an appearance and one episode revolved around the legend of Paul Revere), and special effects (the show’s effects are easily the creepiest on TV, surpassing The Walking Dead in scares.)

and catch current episodes on FOX and Amazon Prime.

American Horror Story: Freak Show Network FX Day/Time Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

American Horror Story returns for its fourth season, subtitled “Freak Show.”

The anthology-type series uses the same actors to tell a different story each season. Centering its attention on one of the few remaining Freak Shows in America and their struggle to stay in business, this season stays true to the series’ focus on the misfits moviepilot.com

Want to get caught up? You can binge watch the first two seasons of AHS on

Season 4

of society.

New characters such as the psychopathic clown Twisty are sure to scare even the most fearless of viewers.

Loyal fans can expect heart stopping scenes as well even after experiencing the horrors of seasons past. Previous plot lines revolved around a family living in the “Murder House” of Los Angeles an institution for the criminally insane, and a coven of witches from modern day New Orleans.

and catch current episodes on Hulu+ and FX. October 2014 THE WILDCAT 39

BOO-TIFUL CARVINGS compiled by BETTY LEE, EMIKO KANEOKA, JESSICA YIM

1

2

Use a cordless drill to poke holes into the pumpkin. Various drill bits create a ''sparkly'' effect.

A traditional carving tool can create a classic pumpkin. These are inexpensive and can be found at craft stores during the holiday season.

3

4

Use wood carving tools to create fun designs. These tools can be used to make small details, such as Totoro's whiskers which were easily carved using the fine edge of the wood tool.

40 THE WILDCAT October 2014

Take a peek at this spooky assortment of pumpkins hand-carved by the Wildcat staff. We used faux pumpkins which are cleaner alternatives to real pumpkins which are filled with slimy, messy guts.

A precision blade can cut straight lines.

(Be careful while using sharp tools to carve your pumpkin.)

DIY

Halloween Costumes

Hat

HALLOWEEN CLASSICS

Price: $2.50

In the mood for a scare this Halloween but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to brave the hordes of trick-or-treaters or terrifying horror-themes parks? Then check out these classics of the horror genre.

Shirt

Scarecrow

Price: $ 5

Lifeguard Flannel Price: $ 6

Lifeguard Buoy

Price: $ 3.40

Friday the 13th (1980)

Belt Price: $ 2

Swimming Trunks Price: $ 7

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

photos by BRANDON YUN and MICHAEL CHO

DIY

If you are looking for a last-minute Halloween costume, head to your local secondhand store to piece together your own DIY ensemble. Each costume cost less than $20.

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Waldo

Halloween (1978)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) October 2014 THE WILDCAT 41

Which boba reigns supreme? compiled by EMIKO KANEOKA // Copy Editor

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, Fullerto or Blvd n

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Eden Cafe Price: $3.45

Cha2o

Our Order: Milk Tea Taste: The drink had a mildly

sweet flavor, which paired nicely with the soft boba. While it was not remarkable, it was light and refreshing.

Atmosphere: The varied couches, tables, and board games to borrow make a comfortable setting to study or catch up with friends.

Service: The service was decently friendly and fast.

Price: $3.88

Our Order: Jollie Rancher Taste: The drink was a refreshing,

fruity slush with perfectly cooked boba and fruit bits on top. It was a flavorful and satisfying beverage after a hot day.

Atmospere: The restaurant is perfect for a night out with friends, with its cool, modern interior and lighting.

Service: The service here is consistently helpful, friendly, and patient as customers peruse the endless selection of drinks.

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Da Fruiteas

W Imperi

Boba Loca

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Price: $3.45

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What is B

BA?

Derived from the starch of cassava root, the “tapioca balls” become soft and chewy when prepared perfectly.

Otherwise known as “black pearls”, boba is a beverage delicacy that is enjoyed by customers of all ages.

42 THE WILDCAT October 2014

Or a 1 09 W

flavor. Added to the undercooked, hard boba, the drink was overall unsatisfying. This location is known to be inconsistent in quality.

Atmosphere: The shop is relatively small, but has a decent amount of tables and couches to allow comfortable lounging.

Service: The service is always friendly and quick.

ng

Our Order: Thai Milk Tea Taste: The tea had a strong, artificial

ho et

Ave, Fullert rpe on

Pink Boba Price: $3.50

Our Order: Duet Taste: The boba was overcooked,

resulting in a heap of pink, flavorless slime. While the Duet was listed as a combination of milk tea and coffee, it fell flat as the coffee was extremely weak Atmosphere: The shop had plenty of standard seating, but was very warm inside.

Service: The service was decently friendly, but very slow.

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1 2 30

cooked, chewy, and slightly sweet.

The tea itself was fruity, sweet, fresh, and included lychee jelly, which added a variety of texture.

Atmosphere: The shop is spacious and comfortable. Customers can borrow board games while they enjoy their boba.

Service: While the workers are always friendly and fast, there is occasionally a wait when very few workers are manning the store.

H ab

Our Order: Southern Peach Tea Taste: The boba was perfectly

La

Price: $3.77

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 43

FRESH TALENT Three Wildcat student-athletes make the leap to varsity as ninth graders, and they are already contributing to their teams’ success. by ASTYR KO and STACY UHM, JESSICA TSENG, CELESTE ROH

photos by APRIL SANTONIL

LOGAN FORDE “His greatest strength in water polo is his passion. He lives and breathes the sport. I’m sure he would live in [the pool] if he could.

His comfort in the water is evident in the way he handles the ball and [his] opponents,” Mario Ruiz, varsity water polo coach, said.

that Forde continues to push himself every day during practices, whether they are swimming, doing leg work, or working on tactics. He often leads the team during their swim sets in practice, and stays after practice to “get extra shots in on the goalie.”

Forde’s skill has developed

better everyday. He is a big and strong athlete, both of which allow him to play the most demanding position of center and to shoot the ball hard,” Jason Lynch, SoCal Water Polo Club coach, said.

In addition to playing for one of Orange County’s most competitive club teams, Forde was given the opportunity to play in the National

“His greatest strength in water polo is his passion. He lives and breathes the sport. I’m sure he would live in it if he could.”

MARIO RUIZ, Boys’ Water Polo Coach It’s this passion for the sport that has led the 14-year old to the National Junior Olympics and a starting spot on the Wildcat varsity water polo team.

Forde, BOHS’ starting one and two side, started this season “strong” with a current team-leading 25 goals through 10 contests.

According to Ruiz, Forde is a “strong swimmer with a very promising future with the water polo and swim team.” Ruiz also mentions 44 THE WILDCAT October 2014

through world-class coaching, refereeing, previous training at BOHS in eighth grade, and months with SoCal Team A Black.

Last December, Forde joined the highly regarded SoCal Water Polo Club, located in Tustin, Team B Gold. When he joined the team, his coaches expected him to advance to the more competitive Team A Black within six months. However, he advanced the very next week.

“Logan is learning and getting

Junior Olympics, held at Stanford University from July 26 to 29. Socal Water Polo Club competed in the 14-and-Under Boys’ Championships Division of the Junior Olympics.

Although Forde’s team placed a commendable fifth out of 96 teams, they were disappointed with their result as they hoped to place second as most, including prep water polo website waterpoloplanet.com, predicted.

“We played terribly the first half

of the game and ended up losing [against 680 Red A] because of overconfidence. Everyone was so upset because we didn’t do as well as we could have,” Forde said.

Despite the setback, Forde enjoyed the Junior Olympics experience. Forde shares that his favorite memory is from the winning 22-3 against the Spartan Water Polo Club in which he scored a goal from halfway across the pool with three seconds left in the second quarter.

“Our team worked really hard for [the Junior Olympics]. My favorite part about it is just being able to be there with my team which are my friends,” Forde said.

Although Forde’s success in water polo is evident, he struggled with the sport in the beginning.

At the age of three, Forde began taking swim lessons at the Brea Plunge. After swimming for many clubs and teams, Forde fell in love with the sport, but felt out of place in water polo.

“I was the smallest one and was picked on. I was the new guy and socially awkward. But I gave water polo a try and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life,” Forde said.

Despite Forde’s rough start, his teammates quickly became his best friends. After just a couple of years he became one of the biggest and most knowledgeable players on the team.

Although water polo is Forde’s passion, the amount of time consumed by the sport makes it difficult for Forde to balance school and family time. Due to his parents’ “school first, then water polo” rule, Forde prioritizes his school work.

“He has had the privilege of being on deck for Olympic-level games as well as participating in the highest levels of the sport.

As a result he has seen first-hand that those who are succeeding in the pool are also those who are succeeding in the classroom and in their communities. This has inspired him to set ambitious goals for his future,” Linda Forde, Logan’s mother, said.

ALISA FANG To be selected onto the varsity team as an underclassman is a dream most student-athletes aspire to achieve. For one freshman, however, this dream has already become a reality. Alisa Fang’s persistent practice over the course of four years has led her to her greatest accomplishment: making the varsity tennis team.

Fang surprised everyone with her ability, including Bob Walton, girls’ varsity tennis coach.

“As a freshman varsity player, Alisa’s groundstrokes are hard, yet her consistency allows her to outlast most players on the varsity level,” Walton said.

Fang got her start in the sport when she was 12years old and in the 6th grade.

“I’d go out with my parents sometimes and hit a few balls, but what we were doing was technically considered flailing our arms around in the hope that the ball would make its way across the court,” Fang said.

Taking tennis classes at her Chinese school after being influenced by a friend, Fang soon developed a passion for tennis. She began to watch professional tennis matches, and closely followed the now-retired Chinese professional tennis player, Li Na, who won the 2014 Australian Open.

By supporting his daughter through practice

sessions, Fang’s father is a driving force in Fang’s success.

“He’d feed me balls to hit backhands, forehands, overheads, and volleys. On days that he’s physically unable to play against me, he’d drive me to the high school and I’d serve some balls and hit against the wall,” Fang said. “He never really learned how to play tennis, but he’s still an awesome practice partner.”

Out of the 18 sets Fang played this season, she has won 12 of them, but she still critically analyzes her own game, win or lose.

“Some of the best matches are those that you have the highest difficulty playing. In my case, my match against a nationally-ranked player from Villa Park was the best game I’ve ever played. Although it ended with me getting bageled and only gaining one point throughout the entire set, I finally realized the gap separating me from the [best] players,” Fang said.

Although she wishes that some of her past matches had different outcomes, Fang does not regret her losses with the knowledge that she tried her best. Fang sees losses as a way to shape herself into a better tennis player, and her experiences reflect upon her growth rather than mistakes. Her game reflects her sportsmanship, and her teammates take

ALEX GEORGE The volleyball never leaves her sight. She watches it closely as it glides across the court.

Suddenly, an opponent leaps to strike the ball, but years of training allow her to block the ball before it can land. After being congratulated by her teammates, Alex George, freshman, quickly turns her attention back on the game to win with her team.

As a freshman among upperclassmen on girls’ varsity volleyball, George must work hard to meet the expectations of her upperclassmen teammates, who rely on her to block the ball as a middle setter.

“The pressure can sometimes lead me to be doubtful of my abilities, but I usually don’t lose my confidence,” George said.

As the middle setter on her team, George’s job is to cover short serves and block the other team’s hitters, similar to that of a quarterback in football or a point guard in basketball.

Alex is one of two freshman players that was chosen out of 60 other girls, some of whom were returning seniors.

In order to practice for her season, George received special training from her personal trainer, Sheri Sanders, who once worked with Misty May-

RACHEL LIN // the Wildcat

Treanor, a three time Olympic gold medalist. At times, George practiced individually with her but when Sanders held clinics, George worked with other girls.

“I specifically trained for heading, passing, and serving. I practiced at Top Gun in Hope University,”

DEVAL PATEL // the Wildcat

POISED FOR SUCCESS: Alisa Fang before a recent varsity home game. Fang credits her father for her improvement on the court. note of it.

“Watching Alisa play is amazing; no matter how tired she is or how many games she’s lost by, Alisa acts as if every point is her last,” Kalie Laubie, senior and varsity tennis captain, said.

From practicing after practice and spending extra time to hone her skills, Fang smiles at every game, not only because she has fulfilled one of her dreams of competing on varsity, but because she does what she loves every day.

“When people start competing they tend to forget the reason why they play tennis. It’s not about winning, it’s about playing the sport that you love,” Fang said.

said George.

Once accepted onto the team, George admits that she was intimidated and insecure at first, because she “didn’t know what to expect and all the other girls were really good.”

George recalls her recent victory against El Dorado to be one of the most exhilarating moments of her life.

“It was just a game but it was the first time we won against them in ten years. It made me really pumped to be part of that experience and the team,” George said.

Volleyball is George’s second life outside of school. She is also a member of Impact Volleyball Club in Yorba Linda. George attends the club three times a week and engages in weekly tournaments where she can be evaluated for participation in the Junior Olympics. The volleyball club season begins in November, when her varsity volleyball season ends, so she can continue to practice as the middle setter after school.

As a fervent lover of volleyball, George hopes to receive a volleyball scholarship to a university to play professionally after high school. Although being a freshman on varsity volleyball can be one of the most daunting moments in her high school career, George takes on the experience positively, improving and achieving one step at a time.

October 2014 THE WILDCAT

45

Century Conference realigns

by Mattew Moon // Staff Writer

Starting this year, all BOHS sports teams will become part of a new system due to Century League realignment.

According to the Malibu Times, every four years, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rearranges every high school league or conference in the state to create competitive balance. Some years the leagues remain the same, but this year, Yorba Linda High School has been added to the newly-named Century Conference.

Originally, seven schools made up the Century League, including BOHS. Now that eight schools are in the league, the Century League is now called the Century Conference and is divided into two smaller leagues, the Crestview League and the North Hills League, each consisting of four schools. The two leagues are divided up by level of performance.

“Crestview League is the slightly more competitive league and the North Hills League is the slightly less competitive league,” Jeremy Mattern, boys’ cross country coach, said. “Whether you are in which league depends on each team’s record over the last two years.”

Because there are now two leagues in the conference, there will be two league champions--Crestview League Champions and North Hills League Champions.

However, though sports teams are now divided between two smaller leagues, there will be no difference as to which schools will be competed against.

“Whether the teams are in your league or cross-league, you will still play them,” Nancy Smith, girls’ golf coach, said. “Each team will play all the teams [in the conference] at least once, but this year with Yorba Linda High School in the mix.”

However, Smith adds that only games with teams in the smaller leagues will count toward CIF qualifications.

Nearly all Fall sports--girls’ tennis, girls’ volleyball, football, boys’ water polo, and girls’ cross country--are in the North Hills League. Only boys’ cross country and girls’ golf are in the Crestview League.

Since teams will compete against only three schools instead of last year’s six for league titles, their chance to become league champions are greatly increased.

“With the league changes, our odds of making CIF are a lot better,”Alyssa Riffilato, girls’ varsity volleyball captain, said. “The past couple of years we have been in a really tough league, and it was hard to make CIF. [However,] I am not saying that the teams in our new league are easy; they are still very competitive. We are going to have to battle for every point to come out victorious.”

The new century CONFERENCE

Brea Olinda HS Brea

Canyon HS Anaheim

El Dorado HS Placentia

Esperanza HS Anaheim

Foothill HS Tustin

Yorba Linda HS Yorba Linda

El Modena HS Orange

Villa Park HS Villa Park

NEW LOOK LEAGUE: Yorba Linda High School joins the Century Conference, creating two four-team mini-leagues determined by past success.

46 THE WILDCAT October 2014

gettyimages.com

GOLFING USA: Amy Lee, senior, traveled to the Junior Ryder Cup in Scotland as a representative of the USA.

Lee Conquers junior ryder cup

by Samantha Magpantay // Staff Writer

At Blairgowrie’s Golf Club in Blairgowrie, Scotland, a chill of anticipation runs through the crowd, and the spectators are silent. The European golfers, defeated and tired, watched as Amy Lee, senior, help her team capture USA’s fourth consecutive Junior Ryder Cup title, 16-8.

The Junior Ryder Cup is a team competition held between the six best boys and six best girls of the U.S. and Europe according to rydercup2014.com. The tournament consists of foursomes, fourball and single matches over the course of two days. This year’s cup was held on September 22 and 23 and preceded the Ryder Cup. “My performance throughout the whole tournament was pretty good, but the first day I faced opponents who played incredibly well, so I wasn’t able to record a win,” Lee said. “But the final day my play was flawless. I beat my opponent six and five and briefed the last four holes shot five under through 13 holes.

Through winning my match, I was able to clinch the winning point.”

According to www.rydercup.com, as one of the top six girl golfers in the nation, Lee qualified for the U.S team of the Junior Ryder Cup. She was runner-up of the 2014 AJGA Girls Junior Championship. Lee is also a member of the 2014 USA Junior World Cup Team and was a member of the victorious U.S. Junior Solheim Cup Team in 2013. In 2013, she won the 2013 Junior PGA Championship.

Following up on her overall experience, “[Playing in the Junior Ryder Cup] was truly an unforgettable experience. Getting to represent my country was a honor and blessing.”

October 2014 THE WILDCAT 47

take me out to the ball game What: When:

Cost:

Where:

Homecoming Oct. 25 8 to 11 pm $85 w/ ASB Card $100 w/o Card Angels Stadium

Although the Angels were swept out of the playoffs on Oct. 5, BOHS students still have reason to celebrate Homecoming at Angel Stadiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diamond Club on Oct. 25.

photo by RACHEL LIN