VOL. 83 No. 1 (2013-14)

wildcat the

Vol. 83, Issue 1 Oct. 3, 2013

est. 1930

Brea Olinda High School 789 Wildcat Way, Brea, CA 92821

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HOLE in one 38

Amy lee, junior, claims 38th junior pga Title

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The Wildcat Oct. 4, 2013

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What's inside bohswildcat.com

new staff members A new assistant principal, French teacher, and history teacher joins this year’s staff

by audrey moon news editor

e-cig trend rising

Trending “safe” alternative to smoking proves to be harmful

by emiko kaneoka opinion editor

alumnA beauty guru

Eva Gutowski (‘12), beauty guru, rises in popularity on YouTube

By noelle gracia content manager

sink in africa

Jeff Sink, Ladycats coach, captures his passion for Africa through photography

By noelle gracia content manager

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q&a with Louie JOTA

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Broadstreet

Louie Jota, senior, discusses Show Choir career and future plans

Abby Broadstreet, junior, plays for national youth volleyball team

by nicole nam staff writer

HANNAH ROARK / the wildcat FAMILIAR FACES: Ciara Martinez, Elisa Trujillo, and Jordan Lombardo, sophomores, reconnect during break, marking the first day of the school year, on Sept. 3.

NEWS

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Oct. 4, 2013

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THREE STUDENTS NAMED finalists for nspa HONORS

by Audrey Moon, News Editor

FINALISTS: (left to right, clockwise) The work of Selina Che, Trent Preston, and Megan Moberly, seniors, nominated as finalists in the NSPA Design and Photo categories.

BRIEFLY API SCORES DECREASE

by Audrey Moon, News Editor Throughout Orange County, high school Academic Performance Index (API) scores did not surpass the record highs of last year scores.

Brea Olinda High School scored 846, seven points less than last year’s 853. Although this score is still above the statewide average, the decrease is greater than the county’s of six points, 839 to 833, and the state average of two points, 791 to 789.

“At this point with how well we’re scoring on our API with the school population we have, it comes down to student motivation,” said Jerry Halpin, principal.

The API ranges from a low

200 to a high 1,000 and scores are derived from the annual California Standards Test scores, which measure the progress of each school and district and monitor their performance level.

“If students really treated it as it was as important as the tests they take for their grade, I bet you we can go up 20 points, just like that,” Halpin said.

According to Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the reason for the API drop was due to budget cuts and time spent by teachers in preparation for Common Core State Standards, a new standardized test that the state has adopted for this year.

Trent Preston, Selina Che, and Megan Moberly, seniors, were chosen as finalists by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) in the Design and Photography categories. Winners will be announced at the NSPA’s national convention in Boston in November.

Only nine high schools nationwide had more than two finalists.

Preston was chosen as one of the finalists in the “Sports Action” Picture of the Year category for his Nov. 2012 photo of water polo player Lucas Keller (‘13). Photos are judged on “technical quality, artistic value, and journalistic content.”

“It is amazing to know that I have taken one of the ten best sports action photographs in the nation by a high school student. When I first picked up a camera at the age of ten, I was hooked; I made a personal goal to be the best at what I do, and now I am one step closer to achieving that goal,” Preston said.

Che and Moberly were chosen as finalists for a centerspread on gun control (Oct. 17, 2012) and an illustration on anorexia (May 7, 2013), respectively. The two were entered alongside over 600 entries from high school newspapers from around the world.

“I was so ecstatic to find out that my centerspread was chosen as an NSPA finalist,” Che said. “It has been a long-term newspaper goal of mine to get my work recognized by the NSPA. I would always look at previous NSPA winners and finalists for layout inspiration, and to actually be a finalist and have my hard work and name featured on the website is incredible. The centerspread picked took forever to complete–even recalling the layout process of it stresses me out. I feel really grateful to be chosen and that all my hard work has paid off.”

Designers and artists were judged based on their use of photos, color, art, graphics and typography, and content for the respective audience, according to studentpressblogs.org.

“I was pretty excited about it. I think it is going to look good to colleges and even if I don’t win, I think being a finalist is a cool thing,” said Moberly.

First place winners will receive a free Adobe software package.

Deborah Kim (‘11) is the only other Wildcat to be honored by the NSPA in the paper’s 84-year history. Her March 2011 cover earned second place out of 545 Page One Design of the Year entries at the 20102011 NSPA convention.

According to studentpress.org, NSPA is a nonprofit membership organization for secondary and high school publications. Their main goal, since 1921, is to offer resources and journalism-related, educational services to help students and teachers improve their publications through national high school journalism conventions, contests, scholarships, and publication critique services, thereby promoting the standards and ethics of what is accepted and practiced in journalism. “[We] have arguably the best high school newspaper in Orange County if not the entire state...so it’s not a surprise that our students were recognized by the National Scholastic Press Association,” Jerry Halpin, principal, said. “I think it’s unbelievable to think that three members of the staff are in the top 10 in their category out of all the newspapers in the United States. That’s a tremendous honor and as an ex-high school editor-in-chief of two years, I’m extremely proud of what all of them have accomplished.”

ASB PRESENTS BOM NEWS

CLUB RUSH

by Astyr Ko, Staff Writer

by Stacy Uhm, Staff Writer

Brea Olinda Monthly News (BOM) videos, created by ASB, will be the new way of informing students about upcoming school news and activities.

According to Pam Valenti, vice principal and ASB advisor, ASB was looking for a new way to share information with the student body. “[Informing students] has just been an ongoing conversation that we have been having and they found another way to make it happen,” Valenti said.

Through BOM, students learn about upcoming sports games and events, sports reviews, announcement updates, weather reports, and popular YouTube videos of the month.

“It’s a really good resource for students to know what’s going on. [BOM News] is funny and it’s a good source of news and getting

updated,” said Sam Marcoly, senior.

Trent Preston, senior and ASB president, and Cameron Bishop, senior, act as co-reporters for the monthly news. Matteo Miralaie, junior, is sports reporter, and Marcoly is weather reporter.

“One of ASB’s main goals is to get as many students involved as possible. I personally would feel ashamed if a student wanted to go to an event but didn’t because he or she did not know about it,” Bishop said.

The most recent video produced was a Post Game Report on Sept. 6. Miralaie interviewed football player Nick Drury, sophomore, about the varsity team’s home game against Sonora.

The report can be found on Vimeo or ASB’s Facebook page, Brea Olinda ASB.

Club Rush enabled students to join clubs and to meet new people on Sept. 25.

This event provided clubs the opportunity to get noticed and to expand their membership. Club Rush also revealed to prospective students club membership involves, according to Dillon McKinley, coordinator of Club Rush.

In the quad at lunch, each club set up tables with decorations and even food to catch the attention of their peers. “[Club Rush] is to introduce freshman and everyone else that’s not in clubs to different clubs in order to get more involved in school activities,“ McKinley said.

Clubs range from Anime and Science, to Key Club and Red Cross. While students went from table to table for snacks

and flyers, original club members encouraged sign-ups.

Many clubs, such as Key Club, also included creative interactive activities with students. The club provided a photo frame poster that allowed students to take pictures inside the frame. “[Key Club’s] main goal is to get more members, be more active, and to keep the members in the club throughout the year.

We also offer volunteer hours for the community service that we do,” Michelle Shin, junior, said.

Class presidents also recruited students so they can start working on their individual class floats for the Homecoming game.

“Club Rush was a great way to mingle with friends while looking for different clubs to be a part of.

I can get community service and meet new people,” Danielle Kim, freshman, said.

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‘highway’ homecoming shifts into gear on oct. 12

by Sharon Cho, Editor-in-Chief

Students will be shifting into high gear at Girls’ League’s “Life is a Highway” Homecoming, which will take place on Oct. 12.

The dance will take place at K1 Speed in Irvine. This year’s DJ, Kris N-Effect, recommended the venue to Jennifer Ryan, Girls’ League adviser. Girls’ League began planning Homecoming in February. “[Girls’ League] is creative and think of things I would never think of,” Ryan said.

In addition to the dance, the entire location will be open to the students, including the two go-kart tracks. All students are required to fill out a permission form, which will be provided with the purchase of the ticket. Tickets are on sale until Oct. 10 in the Activities Office and are $80 a couple with an ASB card, and $95 without.

Spirit Week will begin on Oct. 7. The first day, students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue for “Fast Cars and Freedom.”

Homecoming princesses will participate in various games in the Quad at lunch.

The second day will be “Life in the Fast Lane,” where students can dress up in running clothes and sign up in the Activities Office for tricycle races at lunch. On Wednesday, students are encouraged wear “Stoplight” attire, green representing “single,” yellow as “it’s complicated,” and red as “taken.”Thursday will be “Finish Line,” where students can wear black and white, and a photo booth will be available at lunch.

The last day, students are encouraged to wear class t-shirts at the rally on Oct. 11. Class t-shirts can be purchased and picked up at the Activities Office.

This year’s Homecoming princesses will be officially introduced at the rally. Senior nominees include Samantha Cortes, Samantha Drury, Kaylee Kooiman, Jenna Lambourne, and Cheyenne Navarette. Sierra McCoy, junior, Carly Halm, sophomore, and Bri Denbo, freshman, are this year’s underclassmen princesses.

“I’m excited. It’s an honor to be a princess,” Kooiman said.

Students will be able to vote for senior Homecoming queen on the day of the rally in the Quad.

TRENT PRESTON / the wildcat

CROWNED ROYALTY: Carly Halm, sophomore, Bri Denbo, freshman, and Samantha Cortes, Samantha Drury, Kaylee Kooiman, Cheyenne Navarette, Jenna Lambourne, seniors, and Sierra McCoy, junior, stand as this year’s Homecoming court.

new adult transition program introduced

by April Park, Staff Writer

Sponsored by the Coast Community College District, the Special Education Department and Best Buddies recently opened up a new Adult Transition Program on Sept. 3 for students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), ranging from ages 18 to 22.

After graduating high school, students with IDD take various routes, such as going to college or getting a job, depending on their abilities. For students with serious disabilities, they can attend the Adult Transition Program before transitioning into the Regional Center of Orange County, which is a nonprofit organization that provides support for people with disabilities.

Before the new program was established, students mostly attended the Adult Transition Program offered in Esperanza High School.

According to Jeff Weber, Life Skills teacher, he always had felt a strong need to establish an Adult Transition Program on our campus to better prepare students for their lives after graduating and create a stable transition between high school and adult education programs as well as work placements.

“The final goal of this program is to ultimately build lives by themselves, get a job and keep the job,” Weber said.

The special education staff members are making their best efforts to raise the possibilities to a maximum point where the IDD students can reach a goal and eventually to a successful life. After several requests for registration, the program was finally approved, and began with four

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former IDD graduates.

“It’s a great program that will help the individuals with disabilities obtain jobs so when they graduate with us, they can hopefully hold on to these jobs and become more independent,” Krissy Ettinger, Co-Life Skills teacher, said.

The new Adult Transition Program consists of three parts: functional academics, job trainings, and independent living skills. However, the major difference between this program and programs offered in other schools is that academic studies are provided.

Because the students have already graduated, they are limited to taking only Life Skills and adapted Physical Education. However, they can still participate in group projects and collaborate with other classes.

Every afternoon and all day on Friday, the special education staff members help the students on their school studies. For job training, they work for two hours, accompanied by an aid, at Target on Mondays and Wednesdays and at Old Navy on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Although Best Buddies club does not run the program, they still collaborate with the program by interacting with the students of the Adult Transition Program.

“The goal of Best Buddies Club is to destroy the invisible border line that separates students with IDD with people without. We promote one to one friendship to bring them back to society,” Jake Evans, junior, and president of Best Buddies club, said.

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New staff additions: Oseguera, Schlueter, gutierrez

by Audrey Moon, News Editor, Jaymi Wilson, Staff Writer, and Rewa Ousman, Feature Editor New school years mean new faces.

New hires Joy Oseguera, Brian Schlueter, and Robert Gutierrez bring experience, enthusiasm and even familiarity to BOHS for the 2013-2014 school year.

Joy Oseguera

Assistant Principal After teaching for a total of nine years, Joy Oseguera begins her new career as assistant principal of curriculum, instruction, and guidance, this year. “[The transition] has been really smooth and I think a big reason for that is the people that work here. There are a lot of welcoming students and teachers and staff members that have just been there to answer all my questions as I learn the system, and all the pieces that I need to know for my job,” Oseguera said.

Oseguera’s immediate goal is to become more a part of the team and make sure that the year is smooth, fun, and productive for everyone on campus.

Oseguera has prior experience with BOHS: During the 2012-2013 school year, she presented information about the Common Core State Standards to the BOHS staff.

“Every time I’ve come up here, it’s been a really supportive environment to work in. So the job opened up and I thought I would try for the opportunity because I already knew what it would be like a little bit to work with people here,” Oseguera said.

Jerry Halpin, principal, believes that she is fit for the job as she brings knowledge and insight to BOHS. “We are very excited to have Mrs. Oseguera working as an assistant principal at [BOHS],” Halpin said. “She came to our school with a lot of respect of our staff because they got a chance to see her all last year. She is also very, very, knowledgeable and we are happy to have her as part of the team. She is very funny and as you get to know her, she has a great sense of humor, and she has fit in great here at our school.”

Prior to working with the Brea Olinda Unified School District, Oseguera worked at Washington Middle School in La Habra

Photos by MICHAEL CHO, MICHELLE KRIZO and RACHEL LIN / the wildcat ROBERT GUTIERREZ

JOY OSEGUERA Position: Assistant Principal Math Previous Job: Coordinator at OCDE Years Teaching: 9

BRIAN SCHLUETER Position: History Teacher Wrestling Coach Previous Job: Financial Advisor

ROBERT GUTIERREZ Position: French Teacher

Years Teaching: 3

Previous Job: Substitute Teacher Years Teaching: 5

High School GPA: 3.9

High School GPA: 3.6

High School GPA: 3.5

for six years, and most recently at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) as a mathematics coordinator for another six years, a subject she loved in high school.

“I am glad I made the move,” Oseguera said. “I really like working here, I am very excited when I get up in the morning to come to work and I can not wait to come back.”

Schlueter remembers going on a field trip during elementary school to the William Floyd Estates, the home of a Revolutionary War general for the colonies, and later a signer for the Declaration of Independence.

“In the center of town there is a cemetery that pre-dates the Revolutionary War that General George Washington stopped at to pay respects to some of his fallen soldiers,” Schlueter said. “It all interested me, [and] as I got older I wanted to understand how all of those places and people factored into who we are as a nation today.”

After high school, Schlueter wrestled at nationally ranked Nassau College in Garden City, New York, as well as at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), where he studied finance and history.

Schlueter’s main goal at CSUF was to become a history teacher.

However, due to his interest in coaching, Schlueter postponed his dream to teach history and began working at BOHS as a wrestling coach.

This year, after receiving his credential from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Schlueter is officially ready to teach.

“I think I’m probably more strict than most students like, but I really do my best to let them have a good time while learning. I really want to make sure they’re getting it and that I’m doing the best I can and being the best I can be,” Schlueter said.

Schlueter’s overall goal is to make the students’ time in his class enjoyable and he plans on doing his best to teach history in a memorable way.

“I finally made it. I’m lucky to have my job here and I couldn’t be happier. I feel so blessed. Everything’s groovy,” Schlueter said.

Brian Schlueter

History Teacher Brian Schlueter’s face is a familiar one to BOHS students and staff as he has been subbing in the district and assistant coaching wrestling for years. This year, Schlueter can add “history teacher” to his resume.

Growing up in Long Island, New York, had a huge impact on Schlueter’s love for history.

Walking around a city with historical and colonial landmarks made it easy for him to grow interested in history, and as he got older he began to grow more and more engrossed.

education classroom at Country Hills Elementary that Gutierrez learned about the French opening at BOHS. After contacting the school regarding the job offer, and submitting to an interview process, Gutierrez was hired.

Having always been fascinated by foreign languages, the majority of Gutierrez’s schedule at the University of La Verne consisted of language classes ranging from Russian and Chinese, to Italian and French.

He reached high levels of Italian and French, but after often changing his major due to indecisiveness, he finally decided to graduate with a French major.

Gutierrez studied abroad in Strasbourg, a city on the border of France and Germany, for one year. Due to the lack of English within the city, Gutierrez was forced to learn “survival French,” as he called it.

During his second semester living in France, he began to understand French clearly and speak fluently.

“I think living abroad and studying abroad really helps language learning,” Gutierrez said.

Once back in California, Gutierrez decided that teaching would be the most beneficial use of his degree and he returned to California State University, Long Beach, to earn his teaching credential.

After graduating in 2009, he began substituting in Downey and Santa Ana, at the elementary school level, which is where he recognized his appreciation for the classroom.

“My goal, this year, is to make sure that the students are ready for French 3.

I really want them to be able to speak French and understand it enough, whether they decide to take it or not,” Gutierrez said.

Erica Budds, sophomore, said, “So far, I have learned a lot from our new French teacher, Monsieur Gutierrez, and I think that he will fully prepare me for French 3 and make this school year fun.”

Robert Gutierrez French Teacher

After changing majors 10 times, Robert Gutierrez finally settled on “the language of love” and ultimately became BOHS’s new French 2 teacher this year.

It was while working in a special

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Oct. 4, 2013

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olinda elementary PROPERTY sold after two years

by Julianne Tetreault, Staff Writer

Covering 8.5 acres of land, Olinda Elementary School was finally sold for approximately 2.95 million dollars after the school was relocated in 2011.

On Aug. 21, construction workers began demolishing the dilapidated buildings at the vacant school lot off of Carbon Canyon Road so that the land could be cleared for potential buyers.

Samantha Ko, junior and a former student who attended the old Olinda School, was saddened by the destruction of the school.

“It’s just sad. If you’ve seen the new school, it’s really new, and it’s extremely tame and domesticated. The old Olinda, on the other hand, is in a little secluded area, with a small number of people, and it looks like you have the huge place to yourself,” Ko said. “It’s kind of like the high school, in its own little world. It’s really sad that they’ve destroyed the old Olinda because I have a lot of memories from there.”

Having nurtured the students for almost 50 years, the school moved from the previous property because it was too far away from the other Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD) schools.

The school has remained empty until City Ventures, a company that builds homes, was approved by the City of Brea to build on the Olinda property. They have entered escrow, but the actual construction date is yet to be decided. Neighbors surrounding the property were also notified of the sell via letters sent to their homes.

Though it still is not fully settled on what the land will be used for, there is speculation of using the area for new homes or even a park space. According to ocregister.com, Kelly Reed, president of the Olinda Village homeowners association, is also a mother to a daughter who

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KRISTEN BERTOLINI / the wildcat

BEFORE AND AFTER: At left, is the old Olinda Elementary school before it was sold for approximately 2.95 million dollars. At right, is the school property after the destruction. attended the school when it closed. She fears that if the land is sold to a developer, the construction of a condominium complex would not be consistent with the single-family houses in the neighborhood.

“We know that the community is very interested in having some of it dedicated as park space. That’s one of the things the board is going to consider. There are issues beyond financial concerns that they’ll have to take into consideration,” David Giordano, assistant superintendent for business services, said, according to ocregister.com.

Founded in 1988, City Ventures has already partnered with the city by building houses near Downtown Brea.

“Development is inevitable but I for one would like to see homes and lot sizes similar to existing homes in our neighborhood. This is our opportunity to make our opinions known,” Jeff Henderson, Carbon Canyon resident, said.

On Sept. 10, City Ventures encouraged neighbors to give their input at a meeting held at the Brea Civic Center

mariposa principal WINS national distinguished principal AWARD

by Nicole Nam, Staff Writer

Dr. Helene Cunningham, principal of Mariposa Elementary school, was awarded the 2013 National Distinguished Principal’s (NDP) Award for California in May. Established in 1984, the NDP program recognizes elementary and middle school administrators who strive for student achievements, education, character, and a friendly environment for students, parents, and staffs, according to naesp.org.

“It is so humbling to be representing Mariposa, BOUSD, Orange County, and California for this auspicious award. It was definitely hard to believe that of all of the elementary and middle school principals in California, they chose me. Sometimes, I just have to take a moment to reflect, count my blessings, and celebrate. It’s getting more exciting, as it becomes more real,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham graduated from Brea in 1987 and has been a principal for the last 18 years, five years at Corvallis Middle School in NorwalkLa Mirada, four years at Brea Junior High School, and nine years at Mariposa Elementary School.

She has also written a chapter on the “Professional Development Schools,” which will be published and released next year.

“My goal is always just out of reach, so that I keep growing, discovering, and learning. We can always be better. We are all works in progress,” Cunningham said.

In the future, Cunningham wants to recognize every student and The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

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MICHELLE KRIZO / the wildcat

NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Dr. Helene Cunningham, Mariposa principal, stands with her National Distinguished Principal’s Award, with students by her side. make sure they feel connected to their school, prepared for future jobs, and receive a good education.

In October, she will tour the White House in Washington D.C. to receive her award, collaborate with the U.S. Secretary of Education and other NDPs from different states, and be the keynote speaker at the State Administrative Symposium.

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Oct. 4, 2013

Lack of bookstores ‘kindles’ nostalgia

by Stefani Clark, Staff Writer Cartoon by JESSICA YIM / the wildcat

About two years ago, devastation hit Brea’s bookworms hard when Borders closed down.

Each time I would visit the beloved bookstore, it was filled with reading fanatics of all ages.

But despite its popularity with local readers, it still shut its doors for good, leaving this city without a major bookstore.

I felt like a part of me was missing when I heard the terrible news. It may sound nerdy, but all I could think about was how much I would miss the comforting scent of the books on the shelves and how my favorite spot--a quiet spot on the floor in the corner of the World Records and Ghost Stories area-- to read my newly purchased books was gone forever. It was nearly impossible for me to begin buying books anywhere else, as I was sure Borders would reopen. (The closest bookstore now is the Fullerton Barnes and Noble, about seven miles and a couple dozen stoplights away.)

For many Brea residents who do not want to wait for a book to arrive in three to five days from Amazon, the quickest way to purchase a book is to make the trip to the overly crowded Barnes and Noble in Fullerton. But with citizens from Brea, Fullerton, and neighboring cities occupying the moderate-sized store, the stock of most books is incredibly low. When I

went to Barnes and Noble at the beginning of last summer to buy In Cold Blood for my AP Language and Composition class, there were only two copies left. I would not have had this problem had Brea had still had Borders (or even the old Tower Records downtown), but since there are no major bookstores anymore in this city, I was forced to scramble through the parade of people crowding the super small aisles to make sure I secured a copy of the Capote classic.

According to npr.org “bookstores are fighting for their lives, day in and day out” and less and less bookstores are staying in business.

399 Borders bookstores were closed due to the company’s bankruptcy filing in 2011. For those who love the experience of browsing bookstore aisles, the sad truth is that bookstores are not in high demand because of online retailers like Amazon.com and superstores like Target and Wal-Mart who offer steep discounts on media like books, movies and music.

Although it is common to think that bookstores are not relevant anymore because of online book buying and superstores, books are one of many things people would prefer not buy online or at Wal-Mart. According to CBS News, buying books from superstores will

cause “consumers [to] have difficulty finding all but the most well-known authors.” This limits opportunities of smaller-name authors to became known. I have never seen a book at Wal-Mart or Target that I have not already read or wasn’t a current bestseller.

Buying books online is not a popular choice, either. According to the New York Times, 39 percent of those who bought books from Amazon said they looked at the book instore before buying it online. People do not like to buy books online without previewing the physical version first.

Since bookstores have dwindled, it is harder for shoppers to preview books in person before purchasing them online. The Times study also showed that 38 percent of parents who use e-Readers prefer to buy print books for their children. Bookstores in this way are not limited to people with technological devices and online shopping abilities because an intellectual connection with a physical copy is still in demand, especially for children.

“The most influential thing for whether or not kids start reading and enjoy reading has more to do with if their parents are teaching them the love of reading,” Summer Teal, AP Language and Composition teacher, said.

“Rather than reading to their children, parents are exposing them to Smartphones and iPads.

An interest in reading has to stem from a young age, but it seems parents have stopped reading to their children. Reading is the best way to discover new things, and younger children are not experiencing this advantage of books.”

Janet Yergler, second grade teacher at Country Hills Elementary School has also noticed a lack of interest in books in her classes.

“I can see that my students don’t exactly want to read, but I still encourage reading. It is a foundation to all subjects, but they’re just not as interested as they should be.”

Sadly, the decline of bookstores has made it increasingly difficult for book-lovers to enjoy the feeling of owning and flipping through actual pages of an actual book. I would literally “geek out” in the doorways of Borders after finding a new book to read. And now, without major book stores in Brea, it is not as easy to indulge in one of the world’s oldest and greatest treasures.

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Staff editorial As the world of stability and cheer came crashing down with the end of summer, many students cannot help but wonder why the life of a teenager can possibly be so difficult.

Before entering into our crazy, hormonal teen years, we spend hours dreaming about creating relationships, spending weekends with friends, and breaking out into song and dance like the teens in High School Musical. As we reflect on our naive expectations, we realize that high school is filled with the pattern of sitting in class, procrastinating on homework, and lying awake at night wondering why sleep seems to be so friendly during the day but absent at night.

As freshmen, we see our upcoming Honors Bio. test as the most difficult obstacle in the world. As sophomores, we struggle through sleepless nights spent reading entire AP Euro chapters.

As juniors, we learn to juggle several AP classes while preparing for the SAT or ACT. Even as seniors, there are hurdles to be jumped before graduation caps can be tossed into the air.

In order to cope with the “hardships” of being high school students, we spend days running on an average of four hours of sleep, squeezing effort out of minds and bodies that are already beat. Our best friends: computers and textbooks.

Our bodies and minds are constantly running, and we are exhausted. And why do we exhaust ourselves? For college acceptance? To please our parents? Instead of running in a hamster wheel of stress, we must remimember to seek happiness first. After all, what good will our difficult classes and extracurriculars be if we hate life while doing them? The greatest lesson that a high school student can learn is to know their limits, and to put their mental well-being first.

If you absolutely hate your honors or AP class, which you are on the brink of failing, then drop the class. If you don’t enjoy your sport, then don’t do it. As long as you are trying your absolute best on the road to graduating high school, then there is no need to fret over unnecessary stressors.

While we try to adjust to the hectic lifestyle of our high school years, we must remember to restore our world of stability and cheer. In order to do this, it is important to prioritize our lives and rid ourselves of unimportant nuisances.

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OPINION

Oct. 4, 2013

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Local colleges: smart alternatives

by Deval Patel , Staff Writer and Emiko Kaneoka , Opinion Editor Harvard.

Stanford.

Yale.

Princeton. These are all Ivy League colleges, some of the most esteemed universities in the country which many students only dream of attending. While these prestigious schools have some of the best academic programs available, students should not fall victim to the “tunnel-vision” effect of aspiring to attend a university simply because of its fame.

Instead, students should look into colleges based on realistic considerations, such as price and major.

“Students should absolutely not overlook community colleges,” Becky Marchant, guidance counselor, said. “Approximately 45 percent of BOHS students choose to attend community college.”

Two local schools, Fullerton College (FC) and the four-year California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), can provide a worthwhile academic experience for an affordable price.

The annual fee for FC is $1,084 (and $46 per unit) and a year’s tuition at CSUF, including room and board, is $15,322. On the other hand, a year at Princeton costs $57,495 for an out-of-state student.

Unless a student receives significant scholarships, he or she will be paying off students loans years after graduating. Although this type of prestigious school may be worth the money for someone looking to be a doctor or a lawyer, a student that wishes to become a teacher, on the other hand, will not make nearly enough to pay off student loans in a timely fashion.

Even so, some students view these colleges as inferior in comparison to four-year universities. On our campus, many students who wish to go away and dorm in college view FC and CSUF negatively due to their close proximity to home.

“CSUF is a school with a huge student population extremely close to Brea. Having said that, more than half the students commute and are willing to go to class and then head straight home,” Michelle Suh (‘13), current CSUF freshman, said.

Although many students dream of going away to college the second that they graduate from high school, it is important to think practically in terms of financial matters when searching for the perfect college. Students should not degrade colleges based on their title or location, but rather on their own financial ability.

“Sometimes students view community college as a second choice, as the place where those who don’t qualify for a fouryear university go. However, each year BOHS graduates who are well qualified for a four-year university make the conscious decision to attend a community college. They see it as a costsaving strategy and a great stepping-stone to the university level,” Marchant said.

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

Even students who wish to eventually attend a four-year university should consider the benefits of cost-conscious schools such as FC and CSUF, especially if their intended transfer school has a high tuition.

Transferring from a junior college to a university is a smart financial choice and can be done successfully by determined students who have a clear plan for their future.

“These students [who wish to transfer] will need to maintain focus, check to make sure the courses they take satisfy GE requirements, and have a well-organized plan for transfer, if that is their goal,” Marchant said.

Attending a community college for the first two years is also a great way for students who are undecided about their major to “explore a wide range of options.” Junior colleges that are close to home may open a student’s eyes to the many career possibilities that surround them in their own communities.

Community college can also introduce students to careers that only require a two-year degree, “such as law enforcement, fire fighting, building and trade crafts, automotive repair, court reporting, culinary, surveying and public works, just to name a few.

These programs can lead to very well paying jobs and careers,” Marchant said.

Some junior or community colleges also have special programs or policies allowing early enrollment for freshman, who often have the last pick of classes. This can be a great advantage for students who wish to finish their schooling in a timely manner, especially since community colleges tend to have impacted classes.

“If you have a GPA of at least 3.0-3.5, apply for the Honors Program at your local community college to receive priority registration and enjoy smaller class sizes,” Marchant said.

Due to the large student bodies of community colleges, it is sometimes frightening to think about how one could lose themselves at such a large school. Even so, the great size community college allows various events, Greek communities, and associations to be formed, allowing students to seek out a sense of community, even at commuter schools, such as CSUF. “It’s less about the brand and more about what you do to involve and distinguish yourself at whatever college you end up attending. It’s the ‘big fish, little pond’ scenario and not all highly successful people have attended a ‘brand’ name school.”

Marchant said.

No matter where a student chooses to attend college, they should be proud for making the choice to continue their education. All too often students become wrapped up in the Ivy League craze, forgetting just how lucky they are to be given the chance to attend college at all.

Wildcat Brea Olinda High School 789 Wildcat Way, Brea, CA 92821 bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com www.bohswildcat.com

Our Mission We, the Wildcat, are the voice for the student body of Brea Olinda High School. The purpose of our publication is to inform and educate the Brea community, as well as to highlight campus life and student achievement. Our energy is dedicated to the research of facts and opinions, and focusing on issues that concern the high school experience.

Editorial Policy The Wildcat encourages expression of reader opinion in the form of letters to the editor. We believe our purpose in pursuing the truth requires an open forum among students. Letters must be signed with a name and title and submitted online at www.bohswildcat. com or emailed to bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com.

Any opinions stated in the Wildcat do not necessarily belong to Brea Olinda High School administration, faculty, and students.

Unsigned editorials reflect views of the majority of the staff while bylined columns and stories reflect views of the writer.

Advertising Policy The Brea Olinda Unified School District has not reviewed, nor does it endorse, the products or services advertised. Purchasing of advertisements can be requested through email. We reserve the right to refuse to place an advertisement if it contains overly controversial material or promotes illegal behavior.

Wildcat Staff

Sharon Cho Editor-in-Chief

Audrey Moon News Editor Emiko Kaneoka Opinion Editor REWA OUSMAN Feature Editor Linette cho A&E Editor Matteo miralaie Sport Editor Julia eberhardt Centerspread Editor noelle gracia Content Manager RACHEL LIN TRENT PRESTON APRIL SANTONIL Photo Editors BETTY LEE Jessica yim Art Edtiors Venessa kim alyssa placencia Business Managers

Kristen Bertoloni stefani clark hailee gallegos astyr ko nicole nam april park jean park deval patel christian santonil noah strobele brittany tam julianne tetreault amanda tortarolo stacy uhm jaymi wilson eric yang sophie zambri Staff Writers

Julia Ainley michael cho asha kadakia michelle krizo hannah roark kaitlyn serna amanda tortarolo Photographers Emjay layco Web Master ALEX KOERS Adviser

ON THE COVER

Amy Lee, sophomore, won the 38th Junior PGA Championship this past summer. She attributes her success to her father and her passion for golf.

COver photo by TRENT PRESTON

The Wildcat

OPINION bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

9

Tweets

#StopTwitterDrama Tweet to @theWildcat

Who to follow BOHS ASB @bohs_asb Followed by the Wildcat BOHS FB Boosters @FBBOHS

Brea Ladycats @BreaLadycats411

Source: twitter.com and facebook.com

Trends #youRdumb #sougly #getalife #IhateU #goAWAY #Usuck #leavemeALONE

by Sophie Zambri, Staff Writer

“Like OMG did you read the latest edition of the Wildcat? #WeHaveIssues” can be tweeted in a matter of seconds.

Although Twitter may seem like a fun and convenient way for students to share moments of their lives, it has become an all-too-easy means of anonymous bullying.

With 177 million tweets sent worldwide per day, according to socialmeadiadd.com, our student body is constantly active in the “Twittersphere.”

From live-tweets at football games or dramatic comments at the Homecoming dance, teens are always tweeting the latest.

Not only do many students have personal Twitter accounts, but some also have anonymous accounts. Some of these accounts are positive towards our student body, such as @BreaFirsts, while others slander reputations, such as @ BreaSeconds and @BreaNews101. These pointless, pathetic accounts are clearly made for no other reason than to win attention and to humiliate others.

Though these anonymous accounts often go unnoticed after a short stint of rudeness, it needs to be understood that such accounts act as serious forms of cyber bullying. According to dosomething.org, 81 percent of teens think that cyberbullying is an easier alternative to bullying in person. What good comes from putting another person down? Rather than targeting others online, students should better themselves with positivity.

While anonymous accounts are the most obvious forms of cyber bullying on Twitter, teens also publicly share their negative opinions, which often leads to hurt feelings. Even though everyone is entitled to their own opinion, they are sometimes better left unsaid or, in this case, untweeted.

“Twitter can start a lot of drama due to subtweets and anonymous accounts that gossip behind others’ backs. It just causes

internet drama, which can get annoying,” Allison Gracia, freshman, said.

Subtweets, typically negative tweets targeting individuals without specifically naming who they are intended for, also invade Twitter feeds. These tweets are usually easy to decipher by the victim, playing a leading role in the end of friendships. Subtweets can also be misinterpreted, which can cause unintended conflict between peers.

“Subtweets start unnecessary drama and can be misinterpreted very easily.

That is when Twitter fights break out” Maddie Boliver, junior, said.

Whether we send these tweets for attention or due to legitimate issues, talking the problem out in person will always be the safer choice. Involving the world in a fight via Twitter is an extremely immature way to approach a conflict between two people.

“My whole subtweet situation was stupid and could have easily been avoided.

I learned that subtweeting causes petty drama and to stay away from those kinds of tweets,” Gracia said.

Many fights occur over Twitter, often due to subtweets. Fighting over Twitter is neither a mature, nor smart thing to do, especially since most tweets can be seen by the public. 58 percent of teens have had hurtful things said to them online, according to dosomething.org. Teenagers should not take advantage of Twitter to hurt one another, especially in such a public setting. Rather, teens should utilize the site to uplift their peers.

“I like keeping tweets positive because making someone’s day is what I love doing. When people have a bad day, I want to be the guy to cheer them up,” Todd Vu, junior, said.

Rather than using social-media sites to degrade one another, we should use them to inspire each other to better ourselves.

Tweet with positive intentions, because we never know whose life we could potentially hurt or help with our words.

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

10

The Wildcat

OPINION bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

should we intervene in syria?

possible intervention if syria fails to comply to U.N.

by Noah Strobele, Staff Writer

by Rewa Ousman, Feature Editor

While the U.N. recently mandated the destruction of all chemical weapons from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the U.S. questions what the consequences may be if al-Assad refuses to surrender.

Although many Americans are opposed to intervening in Syria’s conflict, we must defend the country’s citizens, because the use of such extreme weapons, on any front, is completely unacceptable.

It is difficult for us to imagine this type of horror occurring here in the U.S. Then again, we live in a first world country, where our biggest issues usually involve rising gas prices or advancements in the next smart phone.

The Syrian Civil War was not America’s issue, not until Aug. 21, the day that their own leaders murdered 1,400 people with chemical weapons.

Even so, the American people claim that we should not worry about foreign affairs since things are “bad enough at home.” While it can be agreed upon that the status of America is not as positive as it used to be, our civilians are not murdered in the streets by our own government. Therefore, we should aid the victims of al-Assad’s chemical warfare.

“Chemical weapons are a slow and painful way to be killed.

So their use, especially on children, is something that needs to be handled swiftly,” Nick Tango, junior, said.

Of all the debate over intervening in Syria, the horrendous humanitarian disaster seems to be the least discussed. We need to realize that the use of chemical weapons on civilians is one of the main reasons we went to war with Iraq and its dictator, Saddam Hussein, according to policymic.com, giving us even more reason to take action in Syria.

If al-Assad has reached the point of using gas to kill his own, innocent people, diplomacy is not going to be effective. The man who is willing to go to those lengths must be removed from power immediately. This man, al-Assad, has committed crimes against humanity. In order to stop these tragedies, we must be ready to intervene if al-Assad refuses to surrender.

Syrian President al-Assad recently gave an interview regarding the chemical attacks. In this interview, al-Assad appears to be intelligent and educated of the law. This can only mean one conclusion—he knows what he is doing, and that is the scary part, he knows exactly what he is doing.

RACHEL LIN / the wildcat

As the U.N. works toward securing peace in Syria through its destruction of President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons, America gears up to intervene at any sign of resistance. In order to respect the Free Syrian Army and all that they have fought for in the past two and a half years, we should not intervene in Syria’s conflict, even if alAssad ignores the U.N.’s mandate.

It is inspiring to see how far the Free Syrian Army has come within the past two and a half years. The Free Syrian Army has grown to an approximated 40,000 soldiers as of late May. Nevertheless, they fight against forces greater than them in numbers and weapons.

According to globeandmail.com, the Assad regime attacked the rebels with a deadly nerve agent, sarin, on Aug. 21, killing 1,400 innocent civilians.

“This is the most significant confirmed use of chemical weapons against civilians since Saddam Hussein used them in Halabja in 1988,” Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary General, said.

Although the use of chemical weapons on innocent is alarming, America should not intervene in Syria at all. This war between the Assad regime and the Free Syrian Army has been going on for two and a half years, so why should America decide to step in now? Why, when the Assad regime has been murdering, torturing, bombing, and knifing Syrians for 29 months, according to policymic.com, did it take a homicidal chemical weapon attack to bring attention to the violent occurrences in Syria?

The U.N. confirmed the vote to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons on Sept. 26 and stated that Syria must be cleansed of all chemical weapons, as murdering innocent civilians by the hundreds is a crime.

But, this is not America’s war. In order to respect all that the Syrian rebels have been fighting for, America should not become involved.

It is unreasonable for America to intervene in Syria without confirming with the rebels if they desire assistance. It is not up to America, but rather to those who have been fighting for the preservation of their beloved country.

If America intervenes in Syria, there will be more destruction and lives lost. Will it be worth it? The only real success for the Free Syrian Army will be an end to the Civil War in which they earn for themselves, as a testament to their years of strife. That the U.S. cannot give them, no matter how great the force.

BREA Babble

Should we become involved in Syria?

“We shouldn’t become involved in Syria because violence is not good for America right now.”

Malia Jarosh Freshman

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaer

“The US needs to get involved because the use of chemical weapons is an international war crime.”

“Intervening in Syria would show that our country stands up for others and that all should be treated equally.”

Sophomore

Junior

Kyle Kirk

Jayden Mendoza

“If we say we are going to do something, we need to follow through.

Backing out will make us look weak.”

Taylor Parker

Senior

The Wildcat

OPINION bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

11

Putin anti-lgbtq law, russian intolerance unjust

by Emiko Kaneoka, Opinion Editor As the 2014 Winter Olympics to be hosted in Sochi, Russia, approaches, members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) community worldwide are conflicted by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new antiLGBTQ law. This law, signed into effect on June 30, bans the distribution of “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors,” according to polymic.com.

This unjust law is supposedly intended to protect the children of Russia and the country’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to Russia’s court. Putin has even argued in a recent interview with the Associated Press that the government does not sanction discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Due to Putin’s clear intolerance of the LGBTQ community, some supporters of equal rights are threatening to boycott the international event entirely. According to CNN.com, protests from all countries have included “bars dumping Russian vodka to calls from some quarters for a boycott of the Games themselves.”

Even President Barack Obama took a stance on the debated Olympic boycott. In a White House news conference on Aug. 9, President Obama stated his reasons for opposing the boycotts.

“I do not think it is appropriate to boycott the Olympics. We have got a bunch of Americans out there who are training hard, who are doing everything they can to succeed. Nobody is more offended than me by some of the anti-gay and lesbian legislation that you have been seeing in Russia, but as I said just this week, I have spoken out against that not just with respect to Russia, but a number of other countries where we continue to do work with them, but we have a strong disagreement on this issue,” President Obama said. “And one of the things I am really looking forward to is maybe some gay and lesbian athletes bringing home the gold or silver or bronze, which I think would go a long way in rejecting the kind of attitudes that we’re seeing there. And if Russia doesn’t have gay or lesbian athletes, then that would probably make their team weaker.”

Although the Russian constitution states that discrimination is forbidden, Russia has blatantly¬ overlooked this ruling.

A boycott of the Olympics would act as a harsh wake up call for Putin, whose archaic regime allows LGBTQ persons to be physically persecuted by society throughout the country without government intervention.

According to nytimes.com, same-sex couples protested the law by kissing in front of the State Duma, and were attacked and beaten by supporters of the bill, while police officers simply

observed.

This utter lack of conscience demonstrated by the Russian law enforcement embodies the overall attitude of the Russian society— one of indisputable indifference towards LGBTQ intolerance.

As shown in a recent survey by the All-Russian Public Opinion Center, 88 percent of Russian society supports the banning of LGBTQ propaganda. Also, Russia remains at the bottom of the list of 49 countries evaluated for the living conditions for the LGBTQ community, as stated in a study by ilga-europe.org.

These shocking statistics serve as a testament to the true backwardness of Russian society. And, with the propaganda law’s vague regulation, society can deem almost any public talk of same-sex relations as illegal, serving as even more reason to put down the Russian LGBTQ community.

“I think it is unfortunate that Vladimir Putin is using antigay sentiments as a way to prop up his own failing regime. It is a human rights travesty and it just goes to show that Russia is a long way from being a democracy,” Jonathan Gunther, GayStraight Alliance advisor, said.

Although Russia’s backward and unjust actions towards the LGBTQ community are shocking to the modern, Western view

of same-sex matters, Russia has always been influenced by antigay thought, beginning with Peter the Great of the eighteenth century, to Joseph Stalin in the 1930s. It was not until 1993 that Stalin’s LGBTQ-criminalizing laws were revoked, granting Russia a more tolerant society, which has proven in recent years to still be tinged with anti-gay sentiments.

Unfortunately, with the passing of the propaganda bill, these anti-gay sentiments have transformed into law, which specifically prevents LGBTQ information to be distributed to minors. This lack of support for the LGBTQ community can and will lead to LGBTQ Russians to live their lives with constant fear and shame due to their sexualities. This fear of government and social persecution due to sexual preference is intolerable and unacceptable for anyone to live with.

To add to the controversy, another anti-LGBTQ bill was proposed on Sept. 5 that could allow Russian authorities to take custody of children with one or more gay or lesbian parents, according to nytimes.com. Though Yelena Mizulina, United Russia State Duma Deputy, deems this proposed bill to be unlikely authorized, according to moscowtimes.com, the mere mention of Russian government interfering in the parental duties of LGBTQ citizens is appalling. The proposal is especially disturbing due to its possibility of severely affecting the families of Russia and its future generations.

“The law’s affect on the future generations of Russia depends a lot on how long Putin remains in power. He has one more term left, but he could just take a break and come back to office, which he has already done once. So, it is hard to say what its affects could be for sure. I think that Russia is starting to turn backwards and is becoming less of a western democracy and more of a dictatorship,” Gunther said.

Though President Obama opposes the possible boycotts of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, it is imperative for some sort of pro-LGBTQ statement to be made in relation the Games, if not by an entire nation, then at least by an athlete. If the entire world remains silent while Russia continues to persecute the LGBTQ community, a horrendous attack on lesbian and gay Russians could easily begin.

“I think that the situation in Russia could become pretty extreme,” Gunther said. “The Russians have certainly never historically needed an excuse to go after an unpopular minority group, and it could easily become a sort or witch-hunt or pogrom against same-sex relations. It could get very bad in Russia for the LGBTQ community.”

russian lgbtq rights over the centuries 18th century Peter the great is the first tsar to implement anti-gay laws in Russia.

1832 Article 995: being gay is defined as a crime punishable by exile.

Source: polymic.com and community.middlebury.edu

1930

c. 1990

1993

2006

Joseph stalin re-criminalizes homosexuality.

Russia loosens restrictions on lgbtq activity.

stalin’s articles 121 are revoked, lgbtq acts legal.

First lgbtq pride march held in moscow. marchers beaten and arrested.

2013 Putin enforces anti-lgbtq propaganda laws.

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

The Wildcat

12

OPINION bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

E-cigarettes RISKS OBSCURED IN SMOKE

by Emiko Kaneoka, Opinion Editor Illustration by JESSICA YIM / the wildcat

Although most teens grew up in an age in which cigarettes were clearly depicted as harmful and unhealthy, this same generation has been introduced to a modern and supposedly “safe” alternative to smoking— the e-cigarette.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of ten high school students have tried an e-cigarette at least once. Though advertised in stores and kiosks, such as the one on Birch Street, to be a “harmless” pastime that is “safe” to be used in a family setting, puffing on this gadget may result in risks unknown to the naïve teens that have been caught up in the e-cigarette frenzy.

The e-cigarette, commonly referred to as an “e-cig” or “vape,” is a sleek, modern-day take on the body of a cigarette, which utilizes an internal heating chamber to vaporize cartridges of liquid nicotine, according to health.discovery.com.

Due to the lack of tobacco in e-cigarettes, such devices are not consistently subjected to federal tobacco laws, according to foxnews. com. This negates the law that one must be 18 to purchase e-cigarettes in some states, allowing minors to purchase e-cigarettes without proof of age. While California is one of 12 states to have laws banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, teens continue to purchase them over the internet or borrow and abuse a tool that was meant to ease chronic smokers off of toxic substances.

While e-cigarettes are proven to have “as little as one-tenth of the toxins inhaled from burning tobacco,” according to Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California at San Francisco, other facts about e-cigarettes are unstudied and mysterious.

According to discovery.com, health experts are concerned about the risks of inhaling pure nicotine. Also, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began researching the contents of the e-cigarette vapors, they revealed that many manufacturers falsely report the true chemical ingredients in their products.

Such false disclosure from e-cigarette companies regarding what buyers are putting into their bodies should be a warning sign to all users. If e-cigarette companies cannot truthfully report the ingredients of their products, what harmful, unreported ingredients could they be hiding?

This lack of knowledge about the rising trend is the real cause for worry amongst users. Just as the risks of cigarettes were unknown to the buying masses in the 1950s, the millennials of today are more than willing to buy these novelties without real knowledge of what harm the e-cigarette vapors may do to their bodies in the long run.

While the FDA continues to search for the truth, some individuals have reported

experiencing irritation in their eyes, noses, and throats, along with irregular breathing and nausea while exposed to secondhand vapor alone, according to health.discovery. com. It has also been proven that “a number of toxic chemicals and ultrafine particles” exist in the vapor of e-cigarettes, according to nationalgeographic.com, which could pose the same risks of traditional cigarettes.

Since consumers are using e-cigarettes indoors because of advertisements claiming “safe” usage, a whole household could be infected with the harmful byproduct of an e-cigarette. And because e-cigarettes are easily accessible via the internet to minors, it is simple for teens to sneak one home and to “vape” behind closed doors without the giveaway of smoke, harming their family with the potentially toxic fumes.

In addition to the immediate detriments that e-cigarettes pose, the new sensation could lead to a lifelong addiction to nicotine amongst adolescents since 90 percent of all smokers begin as teenagers, according to the CDC. “The worry is that it is going to acclimatize kids to the behaviors that are like smoking.

Until proven otherwise, we need to assume that this may increase their chances of taking up smoking with burn [conventional] cigarettes,” Tim McAfee, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, said.

The use of e-cigarettes by teens, thought to be “just for fun,” could act as a gateway drug to the use of normal cigarettes. Much irony lies in the fact that e-cigarettes are sometimes used for nicotine cessation in long-term smoking addictions, but teens will nonetheless become lifelong smokers due to this tool. The blame does not lie in the e-cigarette company’s hands, but in the accessibility of this product to minors across the country, whether they acquire their own or borrow one from a friend.

“I think that e-cigarettes are ok, as long as teens don’t abuse them. E-cigs were designed for people who have problems getting off of real cigarettes,” Sam Lee, junior, said.

Although e-cigarettes may be beneficial to one trying to quit smoking, most high school students do not use the device for this reason since 90 percent of smokers only begin to smoke during their teens, according to foxnews.com. Rather, many teens begin using e-cigarettes due to peer pressure and their desire to seem “cool” or “rebellious.”

Despite the current beliefs that e-cigarettes are harmless, users, especially those that are adolescents, should weigh the consequences of their decision to “vape.” While this habit may make one feel “mature” now, it may create a lifelong addiction or health risk in the future. Therefore, teens should think twice before they “puff,” because the smoke and mirrors surrounding e-cigarettes could lead to more than just a “cool” image.

OPINION

The Wildcat

bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

Ousman reflects on syrian conflict

by Rewa Ousman, Feature Editor

Art by YAZIN DIBAVAR INHIBITING INTERVENTION: Prior to the U.N.’s mandate to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons, the U.S. proposed a possible missile strike to intervene in the Syrian conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin, infamous for his support of diplomacy, opposes Obama’s missle strike proposal on Syria.

Less than a month ago, a relative of mine serving time in a Syrian state prison was tortured to death for information regarding the whereabouts of the Free Syrian Army, an opposition force made up of Syrian citizens.

He was taken to prison on account of aiding a wounded Syrian rebel on the street.

If a soldier enlisted under government control can easily kill a man for information on the enemy’s whereabouts, then thousands more could do the same in state prisons all over the country. It is unbearable to witness the inhumanity that has taken place in Syria for the past two and a half years.

I have never experienced anything more traumatizing than watching videos of bombs falling into buildings, the sound of gunshots and explosions echoing in the background, tanks barreling down pedestrian-filled streets, fathers carrying their dead, bleeding children as their mothers weep for them, or mass funerals dedicated to the perished lives

of over 400 children as a result of lethal chemical weapons attacks.

Events like these happen every day in several countries, but it cuts even deeper when these events are happening in your home country.

Even though I was born in America, I am still a Syrian at heart, and it is nothing but a tragedy to watch these scenes unfold, knowing there is nothing I can do to help my people. All that I can do is pray.

As if the tortured death of a relative was not enough to bear, more tragic news followed shortly. On Aug. 21, the Syrian government took up arms and began using chemical weapons to eliminate innocent citizens sleeping in East Ghouta. According to theglobeandmail.com, rockets containing sarin gas were dropped in this area killing around 1,400 civilians, including over 400 children. These were the victims of the world’s most lethal chemical weapons attack

since those in Iraq in the 1980’s, according to the Washington Post. To intervene in these cruel killings, it has been confirmed by the U.N. Security Council on Sept. 27 that Syria’s chemical weapons will be confiscated and disposed of, according to foxnews.com.

After the war, it will take years to rebuild Syria to its former glory, although there is no telling when that will be.

At the mosque I attend, the Islamic Institute of Orange County, the sheikh prays daily for the refuge of the Syrian people and for God to spare them from further violence.

Events and fundraisers such as banquets, dinners, and picnics are organized and held to assist with funds for the Free Syrian Army in hopes to aid their cause. Even if the money does not reach the Free Syrian Army due to government restrictions on the rebel alliance’s financial aid, the fundraising serves to increase the awareness of the Syrian civilians’ plight.

Although I would have loved to been raised in Syria, surrounded by family and familiarity, I am extremely grateful to have the privilege to live in a country where I have freedom.

Years ago, my father made the decision to move to America to start a new life of opportunity, as that was not available in our home country. If it were not for my father’s decision to come to America, I would not be here today experiencing the opportunity to learn and make a future for myself, something that Syrian youth only ever dream of. Instead, I would be among the 426 dead children in Syria.

Although I always try to preserve an optimistic attitude, images of suffering men, women, and children struggling to survive in an environment no longer suitable for humans bombard my thoughts continuously. I am not ashamed or frightened by what society may think of me because I am Syrian. In fact, through this emotional experience with the Syrian Civil War, I have gained an even greater sense of pride in having the privilege to call myself a Syrian.

“Rewa Ousman, born in Hawthorne, Calif., is an American. But the blood that runs through Ousman’s veins is Syrian.”

Read this story online!

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13

early school year benefits academic calendar

by Stacy Uhm, Staff Writer

Cartoon by JESSICA YIM / the wildcat While local schools such as Troy and Sonora returned for the school year in August, on schedule with the new school calendar of many districts, our school lags a month behind. Beginning and ending school a early would help our students academically, which will make our school thrive.

Although many students do not want to begin school early due to a shortened transitional summer, the academic benefits will be worthwhile.

Lorraine Hale, attendance clerk, agrees that the first year would be difficult. Although this initially would be true, it is a worthy sacrifice for the benefit of academics.

“Fullerton Joint High Schools started early this year. They have an advantage over other schools now,” Gil Rotblum, AP European history teacher, said.

This advantage would especially benefit Advanced Placement (AP) students, which prepare to take the AP exams in May each year. If our school began in August, AP students will have an extra month of class time before the exam, which could make the difference between a pass or a fail.

Jerry Halpin, principal, also shared that the change of the Fullerton Joint District’s schedule makes sense and that he also considers this change for our school.

“Starting earlier allows us to get our first semester done before winter break.

Educationally it makes way more sense for us to go earlier. We take our break, and we come back for second semester, so why don’t we just start earlier?” Halpin said.

Starting the school year early is the last wish of most high school students. Yes, one summer vacation would be on the line, but the change will be worth it for the academic success of our student body.

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

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14

OPINION bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

Blackstone construction destroys nature’s balance

by Brittany Tam, Staff Writer In an ecosystem, human civilization and wild animals must coexist. As the dominant species, we are presented with choices that can make or break our habitats not only for ourselves, but also for our fellow native animals that dwell in our living space. It is our duty to choose intelligently in order to benefit both of our natural habitats. Now the hills’ ecosystem near our school is being demolished by the construction of new housing, which will in time have detrimental affects not only on the helpless animals, but also on the entire function of our environment.

On Valencia Avenue and Santa Fe Road, home development companies are building 795 upscale homes to create family oriented neighborhoods that will cover approximately 800 acres, according to blackstonelife.com.

Approved by the County of Orange, these new homes are intended to bring in more business and residents. While this will benefit our human community, animals from the hills, such as coyotes, deer, rattlesnakes, mice, opossums, tarantulas, and diverse species of birds, will be put in great danger.

“Whenever there is construction, there is always a threat of species displacement,” Amy Welch, biology teacher, said.

Species displacement occurs when animals that are foreign to the area, also known as invasive species, are introduced to the environment, according to invasivespecies. gov. In this case, the construction of homes acts as the invasive species. With new human neighbors, the native animal species will be competing for the same resources and territory, causing them to eventually migrate elsewhere.

Species migrating out of their natural habitats will travel through bustling roads, risking their lives and ours. Wandering animals will panic from rushing traffic and noise, causing chaos and possible car accidents. This would pose a danger to both animals, humans alike. Is this worth a few new home and a few more dollars for our city?

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaer

RACHEL LIN and ASHA KADAKIA / the wildcat

CONSTRUCTING DESTRUCTION: Development of the Blackstone area poses irreversible destruction of natural habitats. Consequences of the disappearing habitats could include animals migrating into our city, putting themselves in danger.

As an eco-friendly city with recycling programs, such as the One Ton Challenge, destroying the ecosystem in the hills for new houses will be counterproductive to our eco-friendly ways. In time, neighbors and homeowners near Blackstone will complain about the excessive traffic, animal run-ins, and construction related issues. No one will be happy, and all blame can be placed on the current construction.

According to Betty Rudd, science t e a c h e r,

habitat destruction plays a leading role in extinction. Therefore, further construction of the uninhabited hills will cause numerous native species to become extinct, destroying the balanced food web necessary for an ecosystem to be successful. Once this balance is altered, the risk of declining species diversity will ensue.

Species called specialists are animals with narrow niches and limited diets. When the construction is

complete, “the specialists are often the losers,” Rudd explained. Since specialist only eat a specific food source, they must migrate to other areas or die off if food is scarce while generalists, animals well adapted to the urban areas with varying diets, remain. These generalists survive in changing environments by feeding off of human garbage and by occasionally capturing household pets as prey.

Since we are invading their space, these homeless species will occupy our backyards and trashcans. We will likely see coyotes, possums and mice near our homes and our beloved pets, desperate for food. After a long period of consuming our garbage, animals will develop serious diseases such as diabetes and obesity, according to humanesociety.org.

The current home development in Blackstone will have lingering and possibly permanent consequences to our ecosystem. Construction will push the animals to their death sentence.

Native species will become extinct. Food webs will be tangled, affecting species’ diets and populations. Migrating animals will wander onto our roads, feeding on our leftovers. With the Blackstone construction, Brea will earn an economic boost and enjoy new residents, but the perks will not be worth the permanent consequences of destroying an ecosystem.

“Over time the ecosystem, plants, and animals will either migrate or die off.

Ecosystems are in a delicate balance achieved over millions of years. [Now] we are changing too many of the natural factors of [the hills],” Rudd said.

In Brea, we may have parks with wide landscapes and green grass, but the native plants and animals of the untouched hills are irreplaceable. We cannot bring in new animals to replace the deceased or disappeared; the changes to the ecosystem will be irreversible.

With the current construction ongoing, this irreversible fate along with its consequences is inevitable, and must be avoided at all cost in the future.

15 life is a highway homecoming The Wildcat

FEATURE bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

homecoming shopping for less

by Noelle Gracia, Content Manager Homecoming: flashing lights and bumping beats; a night of memories waiting to happen. However, rather than spending hundreds of dollars on one night, fashionable attire can be found outside of the Brea Mall.

While the mall is a great resource, the majority of the stores that stock formal wear are large corporations that charge exorbitant prices.

Plus, there will not be much variety if everyone goes to the same stores.

If you are looking to go for a dress that no one else will have, there is no better place for that than Buffalo Exchange in the heart of downtown Fullerton. Buffalo Exchange is a consignment store which means that people donate their own clothes to the store in exchange for store credit or cash. Because of this, each piece of clothing is completely unique.

Their prices are also very reasonable, with dresses ranging anywhere from 15-50 dollars. The store is also very particular about only accepting clothes that are only lightly used and are currently in season so you can be assured that whatever you purchase is still in good shape. Buffalo Exchange also stocks formal footwear and jewelry.

For guys, instead of reverting to renting a tux for the special night, stores like Ross and TJ Maxx sell dress shirts and slacks for a cheaper price. So instead of spending that amount of money for an outfit you are only going to use for a few hours, just buy the essentials and get unlimited uses out of it.

RACING TO ASK JOY HSIEH & JOSH KIM

x

REMINDER CHECKLIST

Buy Tickets Find appropriate attire Call florist Make dinner reservations

senior

Q: Favorite Starbucks drink?

A: My favorite drink is an iced white chocolate mocha.

Make appointment at salon Set meet-up time with friends

Samantha Drury,

senior

A: My favorite dip is ketchup for sure.

juniors

Cheyenne Navarette,

senior

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Forrest Gump

Sierra McCoy,

junior

Q: Last Instagram post?

A: My friend asked me to Homecoming.

senior

Carly Halm,

sophomore

Q: Last tweet?

Q: Biggest Fear?

A: “Can someone make a Lizzie Mcguire remix for me?”

A: My biggest feat is drowning.

12 Jenna Lambourne,

10 senior

Q: What was your last lie?

A: “Mom I cleaned the bathroom.”

Photos by Trent Preston, Photo Editor

Laverde stood in a refrigerator holding a Starbucks drink and had a poster that said, “It would make a lot of cents if you would go to Homecoming with me.”

AMBER ROJAS & TYLER SPICER

11

12

12

As a magician, de Jesus lit a piece of paper on fire, which transformed into a rose. He then gave Kim a poster that said, “I think I need a burn heal because you are so hot!”

seniors

Q: Favorite Chicken McNugget dip?

Kaylee Kooiman,

MADDY KIM & JUWAN DE JESUS

ABBY HELMS & JOJO LAVERDE

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An alarm was set on Hsieh’s phone saying, “Turn around.” When the alarm went off, Kim was standing behind her, holding a poster that said, “Just in time! Homecoming?”

sophomores

Arrange transportation

MEET YOUR PRINCESSES Samantha Cortes,

freshmen

Bri Denbo,

freshman

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Girl Code because it’s funny and I can relate to the show.

9

Spicer delivered a package that said, “The most beautiful girl in the world.”

As Rojas opened the box, she found a mirror with “Homecoming?” written on the back.

EUNICE CHO & MASON PEREZ

senior and junior Perez was waiting at the bottom of the staircase on campus. As Cho walked down the stairs after class, Perez appeared with flowers.

Photo courtesy of Astyr Ko, Maddy Kim, Abby Helms, Amber Rojas, and Eunice Cho

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

16

The Wildcat OCT. 4, 2013

WILDCAT VOICES bohswildcat.com

kim (‘13) enlightened by india’s persecuted dalits

A

by Joy Kim (‘13), Guest Contributor

s the rickshaws pulled up one by one, Kristen Park (’13) and I stood there helplessly, knowing that soon we would bid farewell to the students of the Good Shepherd School in the Indian rural village of Nandigama. For the previous two weeks, from July 25 to Aug. 10, our team had been swarmed every evening by almost all of the 260 children attending the school. And even though we could not remember most of their names, every day they never failed to ask, “Teacher, teacher, you come tomorrow?”

For the two weeks prior to that day, we responded to their question by vigorously nodding and giving high-fives to each child, an action they had recently grown accustomed to, while assuring them we would return the next day.

But on that last Tuesday afternoon, we could not say we were returning soon. We timidly admitted to each child that although we hoped to come back one day, there was also a great chance that we would be unable to.

Park soon began crying as students prepared to pile into the rickshaws, each vehicle exploding with over 30 students, even though they were built for only three occupants. The students began to weep, and soon I was tearing up. But the girls did not hug us and cry for much longer. Rather, a sixth grade girl named Rajitha adamantly pulled away, looked me in the eye, and said, “Teacher, you must not cry. You must always be happy.”

And soon, the other sixth grade girls, the ones I had grown closest with, all urged me to remain happy and joyful. They reached up to wipe my tears before wiping their own, and left me with those profound words.

I had arrived at that school two weeks earlier eager to share health and hygiene lessons with the children, teach them the “American” games of kickball and Lemonade, and tell Bible stories I had learned while growing up. I saw them as little sponges excited to learn how to properly wash their hands, sing and dance the songs we taught them, and recite Bible verses. I was proud to have been part of bringing them such joy.

But little did I know that the last words of these sixth grade girls, Rajitha, Kavya, Santheekanah, Pooja, Srilatha, and Prasanna, would be ingrained in my mind, and would change my life far more than I could ever change theirs, for I was being told to be happy by those I had never imagined would live such joyful lives.

The students we taught were of the Dalit people who are members of the lowest caste in India. That meant that they were destined to remain in poverty forever and face persecution by those of higher social class. Dalits are served clay cups when eating in the city, because the cups must

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

be broken immediately afterward in fear that someone of a higher class would use the same cup.

Although Dalits are allowed to attend public schools, they will continue to face persecution and ridicule from those of higher social standing, which includes their teachers. The church I attend, Friends Church, is fighting to reduce this plight by planning to build 200 schools for the Dalits with the help of an organization called Operation Mobilization.

So when I left those children as they pleaded for me to keep a smile on my face, I held back tears. I granted their wishes and smiled as I kept hugging them and waving goodbye. Though the children had also thanked me for teaching them health and hygiene lessons and new games to play, those expressions of gratitude were nothing compared to what they taught me about peace and happiness.

I thought about how much I complain in the United States, a land whose laws demand for everyone to be treated equally, where education is required for all, and where comforts abound.

Yet, the children were not the ones struggling to be happy. I was.

Those kids deserved more. They deserved a school bus, larger homes, more meals, and most of all, protection from their government. But they found absolute bliss and pleasure from playing the same and only hand game they know over and over again, from eating a meager lunch of rice, from seeing a smiling face. A handshake or a high-five, an acknowledgment of their worth, sent them home with pure contentment. They proudly welcomed us to their villages of small shacks, urging me to visit each of their homes.

As I am adjusting to life at Trinity College, those shining faces are always in my mind. I even have to hold back the urge to share my experience with everyone I meet. Though I still manage to find reasons to complain about my life, I often hear Rajitha’s voice in my mind and then I have peace. I feel as if I am still connected to those children who urge me daily to keep a smile on my face.

Photos courtesy of Joy Kim (‘13) SHINING FACES: At top, Joy Kim (‘13) plays a hand game with a Dalit sixth grader at the Good Shepherd School in Nandigama, India. Below, Kim is surrounded by some of the students whom she spent two weeks with this past summer. The Dalit people Kim taught belong to the lowest and poorest caste in India.

The Wildcat

WILDCAT HEROES

OCT. 4, 2013

bohswildcat.com

17

OPERATION SMILE NAMED ‘BEST CLUB OF THE YEAR’

by Emiko Kaneoka, Opinion Editor

MICHELLE KRIZO / the wildcat

A

smile. This is one feature of the human body that most take for granted, but not all are fortunate enough to receive upon birth. Joyce Kang and Michael Jovellanos, juniors and founding co-presidents of the Operation Smile Club, strive to

ensure that all children are blessed with the ability to smile.

Operation Smile, a medical charity and mobile force of medical professionals, works to improve the lives of those around the world that are born with facial deformities such as cleft lip or palate, according to operationsmile.org. This organization has provided over 200,000 free

surgeries in 60 different countries to heal the smiles of patients young and old.

Kang and Jovellanos were introduced to Operation Smile through an event that they would soon organize themselves, with the help of other high school students of Southern California.

“I became involved with Operation Smile when I attended the 2nd Annual Rock For Smiles Concert as an eighth grade student. My older sister, Eunice, was an Operation Smile member of the Troy HS Club and urged me to go to the concert with her because my favorite YouTube celebrities, JK Films, were to be the hosts of the night,” Kang said. “I tagged along and was unexpectedly pulled into a vortex of chaotic, but fun and exciting, volunteering and instantly fell in love with Operation Smile.”

Once Kang fell in love with the organization, she entered high school, looking to begin an Operation Smile of her own. As she began the establishment process, she turned to a close friend from junior high school, Jovellanos, for support as a co-president.

As freshmen, Kang and Jovellanos were shy and felt intimidated amongst the sea of upperclassmen.

Even so, they began their club with a strong backbone in the support of their friends.

“The process of establishing a successful club as freshmen was actually relatively smooth. This is undeniably because of the level of commitment that our membership and board have shown,” Jovellanos said.

Throughout the co-presidents’ freshman year, the club grew steadily in size and popularity, drawing in all students interested in changing the smiles of others around the world.

According to Kang, the club was able to raise $3,000 by the end of its first year due to several successful fund raising events, such as a sale of brand new, donated women’s shoes. “[Joyce and Michael] were able to establish such a stable club within their first year. Although they are

APRIL SANTONIL / the wildcat

BRIGHT SMILES: Joyce Kang and Michael Jovellanos, juniors, proudly hold their award for Best Club of the Year. Kang and Jovellanos began Operation Smile their freshman year. such a young club, they have a lot of momentum and initiative, which ultimately powers their success. It was only freshman year for Michael and Joyce back then, but they’ve ultimately managed to maintain their motivation, such as with their involvement in the region,” Justine Xu, Southern California Region Head, said.

Around the end of their freshman year, Kang and Jovellanos also began to look into greater responsibilities in Operation Smile, which they found in the Southern California Operation Smile Region. Both Kang and Jovellanos applied, but only one of the two became a board member as a sophomore.

“I applied for Region Board for three years straight. I was rejected the first two years and was finally accepted this year. The first two rejections crushed me, but I got back up thinking, ‘it looks like I’ll just have to prove myself.’ And here I am today, a member of the Southern California Region Board” Kang said.

As sophomores, Kang and

Jovellanos continued to lead the club in various fund raisers, but were also given a greater task to handle—the 4th Annual Rock for Smiles Concert.

This concert showcased popular YouTube talents such as JK Films and Poreotics, along with local high school performers. Although the concert ended in success with enough funds to heal 57 smiles, the process was a stressful, but beneficial, learning experience for the co-presidents.

With Kang as Concert Head and Jovellanos as a member of the Activities committee, both corresponded with other region members, performers, and venues to plan the largest fund raiser of the year.

Through the demanding responsibilities of planning the Rock for Smiles Concert, Kang and Jovellanos grew in their leadership and planning skills, despite the loss of “hours that should have been used to study for AP Euro and sleep,” Kang said.

Even so, Kang felt that in the end, her lack of studying and sleeping was “all worth it” to put together the “concert that means so much to [her].” Jovellanos also reaped the benefits of putting together the concert under such pressure.

“The Rock for Smiles Concert was probably the most stressful part of being on the Region Board because the planning process actually slowed down during the year, so we had to pick it up since we were really behind,” Jovellanos said. “It helped me to grow and mature as a member of Operation Smile because I had more responsibilities and not a lot of time to complete everything.

So, I learned to properly manage my time.”

As the Rock for Smiles Concert ended the school year with success, Kang and Jovellanos moved on to the International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC), hosted by Operation Smile in Norfolk, Virginia.

This conference was a week long

See page 24

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

18

CENTERSPREAD

THE WILDCAT

The wildcat

Oct. 4, 2013

bohswildcat.com

light o v e r

lighter

Electronic cigarettes, relatively new devices that are considered to be favorable substitutes to traditional cigarettes, could save millions of lives with its tobacco-free smoke. However, concerns that these devices have the potential to create a young generation of nicotine-addicts have risen.

The electronic cigarette, commonly referred to as “e-cigarette,” is a mechanism ranging in price from $12 to $200 dollars, composed of a battery, flavored cartridge, and atomizer.

When active, the device heats liquid nicotine, creating a vapor that can be inhaled and exhaled.

The e-cigarette was originally designed to offer a tobaccofree device for people addicted to nicotine, the additive found in cigarettes.

According to time.com, many cigarette smokers stated that the e-cigarette helped curb their smoking addiction. The device also “protected their lungs” due to the e-cigarette’s breathable vapor in place of a regular cigarette’s harmful tobacco smoke.

Although the e-cigarette was introduced to markets throughout the United States in mid2007, sales have increased dramatically over the past year, especially among teenagers.

According to the washingtonpost.com, one out of every ten high school students reportedly smoked an e-cigarette in 2012.

Taylor*, an e-cigarette user on campus, was able to convince an e-cigarette distributor to sell him a device despite being underage. He began to use the device often, describing his experience as odorless, customizable, and clean.

“I don’t know about how safe [electronic cigarettes] are, but

it’s a more viable option for people who don’t want to smoke,” Taylor said.

There is no confirmed answer as to why e-cigarettes and other smoking devices have suddenly grown in popularity with teens, but anti-smoking activists who have been advocating for stricter e-cigarette regulation strongly believe that the smoking devices are being marketed to teenagers through “cartoonlike advertising characters” and by appetizing fruit and candy flavors such as “bubblegum” and “Coca-Cola,” according to redorbit.com.

Electronic cigarette manufacturers and distributors, however, have stated on the Washington Post that they have no intention of targeting underage users.

Hookah pens, a smoking device very similar in appearance and structure to e-cigarettes, are also on the rise. Hookah pens come with a variety of flavored cartridges like the e-cigarette and are available in different designs, varying from short, slender sticks to colorful, thick pipes.

The devices create a flavored steam rather than smoke, but it still provides a realistic and enjoyable smoking experience.

Cameron* purchased hookah pens from local smoke shops, sold them around campus, and was almost always sold out.

‘I barely made a profit, but [hookah pens] were selling,’ Cameron said.

Cameron’s success with selling smoking mechanisms to students illustrates the reality that teens are becoming increasingly involved in smoking activities.

Since it is 10 illegal for people under the age of 18 to hold and smoke e-cigarettes, the rising

number of underage users has raised concern.

According to recent statistics from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, underage users who consistently use e-cigarettes often result in switching to regular cigarettes, undermining the e-cigarettes original purpose to eliminate tobacco usage.

To avoid the possibility of teens switching to cigarettes, anti-smoking interest groups and even state government employees have recently begun to work toward controlling the e-cigarette’s distribution and the regulation of nicotine, especially since limited research has been conducted.

According to the Washington Post, government effort directed toward regulating e-cigarettes has previously been delayed as a result of significant political pressure.

The challenge for regulators is that e-cigarettes offer the first realistic chance of escape from cigarettes, which have caused more deaths than car accidents, murders, and suicides combined, according to Time magazine. Due to the e-cigarettes potential to eliminate the dangers of tobacco smoke, regulators are hesitant about tightly restricting the device.

On Sept. 24, 40 attorney generals sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking that electronic cigarettes be regulated in the same way that the FDA regulates tobacco products.

They, along with the head of 40 state governments, were concerned about the e-cigarettes potential to be highly addictive, especially among underage users. The FDA has yet to reply. *Names have been changed for anonymity

FACT OVER RUMOR E-cigarettes and regular cigarettes are different

only adults can legally purchase e-cigarettes

E-cigarette vapor is odorless

E-cigarettes produce a vapor from liquid nicotine when heated, while cigarettes produce smoke from tobacco when lit.

It is against the law for individuals under the age of 18 to purchase/handle e-cigarettes.

The water vapor has no odor, allowing users to smoke inside buildings.

E-cigarettes can contain up to 18 mg of nicotine

Nondisposable e-cigarettes require maintenance

E-cigarettes are less expensive than cigarettes

Depending on the nicotine cartridge, e-cigarettes can contain as low as 0 mg of nicotine.

E-cigarette batteries need to be charged regularly and the liquid in the cartridges needs to be refilled.

Disposable e-cigarettes are about $12 (cigarettes are $6 per pack) and can last for up to three days.

CARTRIDGES OVER CANDY

ATOMIZER OVER TOBBACO

The following are taken from v2 cig’s official list of flavors.

Silicon tip/ LED light

Atomizer

Coca Cola

Atomizer cover

Peppermint Switch

Mint Tea

by Julia Eberhardt, Centerspread Editor

learn.eversmoke.com

PMS compartment with atomizer converter

Chocolate

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RISING NUMBER OF UNDERAGE USERS? 5

2011 201 2

middle school students

high school students

all students

percentage

THE RISE OF UNDERAGE USERS

0

Center of Disease Control and Prevention

Battery

Coffee

Battery compartment

Congress ecigsplaza.co.uk

v2cig.com

THE PRICE OF THE DEVICE JESSICA TSENG freshman “I feel that people are foolish to think that e-cigarettes are better than cigarettes. I just don’t understand why people smoke at all.”

DANIEL PARAHNEVICH KATELYN MCCANN TRAVIS COOPER

sophomore

junior

senior

“It’s great for adults who are trying to quit nicotine, but ecigarette usage, especially on campus, is inappropriate for kids our age.”

“If e-cigarettes are used to prevent cigarette usage then it makes sense, but if not, then smoking e-cigarettes seems pointless.”

“Personally, I think that electronic cigarettes seem healthier for people. I mean, anything is better than smoking cigarettes.”

Photos by MICHELLE KRIZO / the wildcat

Traditional cigarettes offer 8 to 16 puffs.

MARLBORO $5.78/pack

Vamo models have a battery that lasts up to 24 hours.

VAMO $129.99

Batteries in this disposable device last up to 15 hours.

EGO CE4 $34.99

These popular disposables are equal to 2 Marlboro packs.

KING $9.99

Disposable Blu models lasts up to 400 puffs.

BLU $7.99 Time Magazine

19

The Wildcat

20

Oct. 4, 2013

FEATURE bohswildcat.com

The Wildcat

FEATURE

Oct. 4, 2013

bohswildcat.com

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ike a lot of pastimes, 2012 graduate Eva Gutowski’s hobby of filming videos for her YouTube channel, Mylifeaseva, began out of boredom.

However, what started out as a mere time-killing activity ballooned into a full-time responsibility. Gutowski’s homemade videos of fashion and makeup tutorials, two things she has always been “really passionate” about, has earned her promotion deals from companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch. It also brought her the adoration of over 70,000 YouTube subscribers, a number that increases anywhere from 300 to 600 subscribers a day.

“Here I was, almost halfway through my first year of college, I had like no friends, my best friend was busy with her dorm friends, and I was just so bored. So I started making videos to keep occupied. Plus, I was a journalism major so it was kind of in my field, and I just thought it make for good practice in the future,” Gutowski said. “From there it kept growing and growing to where it just became big.”

Often pretending she was a talk show host or news anchor, professions she has dreamed about since she was a little girl, Gutowski’s first videos were “beauty hauls”, with Gutowski discussing new clothes she purchased.

Due to the high quality of her videos and her emphasis on low-cost products and clothing, Gutowski’s fan base grew with each new video. As her subscriber number increased, she began to delve deeper into fashion, putting more of an emphasis on different makeup products and makeup looks versus just focusing on clothing and outfits.

“I was always more into fashion. To be honest, I was never that girl that was super knowledgeable about makeup. I thought that I was though,” Gutowski chuckled. “I literally owned one $3 eyeshadow pallet from Forever 21 and that is what I would do my makeup tutorials on for a month. It wasn’t until companies like Lorac and Sephora started sending me their makeup to have and to use in my videos that I realized just how cool makeup really was.”

Though Gutowski’s videos project an easygoing and relaxing vibe, with low-key music such as “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers or “Anything Can Happen” by Ellie Goulding playing in the background, it takes a “humongous amount of effort” to put the videos together, according to Gutowski. Between choosing the outfits and locations; deciding which pieces to showcase; deciding which background music will best set the mood she hopes to convey; and editing an entire day’s worth of film, each three to five minute video takes around three to five days to construct from start to finish. Gutowski prefer to use a Canon T4i camera with a Sigma 30 millimeter 1.4 lens to film, and her MacBook Pro to edit.

Taylor Salas (’12) often helps Gutowski with filming which she says is the “most fun part of the whole process.” According to Salas, Gutowski is “very competent” with a camera, despite never being formally trained with one. Often Gutowski will do the filming herself, setting the camera on a tripod and performing if Salas or another friend is unavailable.

BEAUTY GURU

by Noelle Gracia, Content Manager Photos by Trent Preston, Photo Editor

NAME

Eva Gutowski

AGE 19

ABOUT

Gutowski (‘12) began making YouTube beauty videos in December of 2012 and now has over 70,000 subscribers.

She creates segments on makeup tutorials, fashion look books, and beauty hauls. Her videos average 10,000 views the first day they are posted. She is also sponsored by popular brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL mylifeaseva

“I started making videos to keep my time occupied. From there it kept growing and growing to where it just became big.”

Eva Gutowski (‘12)

According to Salas, Gutowski is very particular about the quality of the videos. Though he helps choose locations or gives his input on lighting, “99 percent of the creativity is [Gutowski].”

“Oftentimes she will edit out entire outfits if she isn’t satisfied how the entire segment looks,” Salas said.

Jack Gutowski, Gutowski’s grandfather, whom she lives with, said, “It’s crazy the amount of time and effort Eva puts into her videos, many times I’ll find her up at all hours of the night, editing her videos, working on it until it is absolute perfection.”

Time management has been one of the biggest challenges for Gutowski since she began her channel in December 2012. With her sophomore year of college beginning, and the stress of having to put out a new video every week, Gutowski says maintaining her channel and keeping her subscribers interested is often like managing a full-time job.

But like a full-time job, Gutowski receives more than enough compensation for her efforts. Once her channel hit 1000 subscribers, small-scale clothing lines began contacting her to model their clothes and accessories. Yet it was not until around 30,000 subscribers that larger companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch began to take an interest in her. In just this past month alone, Gutowski’s subscriber number went from 30,000 to 70,000.

“It was then that I realized that this was a big thing that I was doing. I mean, here was [Abercrombie],

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The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

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The Wildcat

FEATURE

Oct. 4, 2013

bohswildcat.com

SINK CAPTURES PASSION FOR AFRICA IN PHOTOS To the students and staff at BOHS, he is known as many things: a witty U.S. History teacher, a national champion basketball coach, and, according to him, the owner of “some ridiculously beautiful eyebrows.”

Sink, to say the least, is a character. And for nine months out of the year, Sink is, to BOHS, a respected coach, a revered teacher, and a loyal colleague.

In the summer, however, when the classrooms are locked and the Ladycats’ basketball season is over, Sink adopts a completely new persona. The summer is when Sink indulges in his second passion, wildlife photography, and returns to his second home, east Africa. While following herds of migrating buffalo, visiting the Massai people of Kenya, or playing tug-of-war with a cheetah over a dead gazelle all sound like episodes of National Geographic, these are just some of the experiences that Sink has had on the continent.

The road to these “fantastical adventures”, however, was not easy, nor did his sense of adventure begin with the African continent.

INTO THE WILD: Below, Sink finds an angle to photograph a cheetah that has jumped atop the hood of his jeep. At top is the up-close shot that Sink captured. Sink’s passion for photography and his love of the African continent has led to many of these “fantastical adventures.”

A life in Alaska

When Sink was 18, his parents divorced, an event “that shocked the entire family.” Because the family was so tight-knit, “no one” was expecting this split to occur.

The BOHS Wildcat Newspaper

by Noelle Gracia, Content Manager Photos courtesy of JEFF SINK

After the divorce, Sink’s mother, Elsa, decided to become a missionary, another decision that came “very unexpected to the rest of the family.” But as all her children were already grown, she decided to “change her life” and travel the world as a Christian missionary.

“She just wanted something different out of life so she traveled to all these different countries, including the continent of Africa. And she came back with these amazing stories, like hot air ballooning over the Serengeti.

My mom, who was this petite, sort of sheltered individual, could go to Africa, and I thought ‘Wow, that’s cool.’ So that was what initially peaked my interest in the continent itself,” Sink said.

Then in 1979, Sink and his wife, Cathy, moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where Sink coached girls’ basketball at Lathrop High School (LHS). They spent 14 years there and as Sink describes it, it was a “wild and woolly time” in his life and when his sense of adventure really took hold.

“Oh, we did everything when we lived there. I had hiked to the northernmost city in Alaska, Barrow; I hiked in the wildest mountain range left in North America which is called the Brooks Range, I was treed by a grizzly bear, attacked by a moose, I learned to snowshoe, we picked fresh blueberries in the fall, I learned to fly a bush plane,

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I went salmon fishing, and it was just a really great time in my life,” Sink said.

It was also during this time that Sink began to take up photography. His family lived on the Yukon River and Sink just became “overwhelmed with the natural beauty of Alaska.” So he bought his first “good camera, a nice Canon,” and began taking pictures, teaching himself about photography along the way.

Impressed by Sink’s girls’ basketball coaching resume at LHS, which included seven state finals appearances, BOHS recruited him to helm the Ladycats. So in 1993, Sink left Fairbanks for Brea to teach history and take over a Ladycats program which he would lead to four state championships and a national title in 2009.

cool to visit these villages and help them out in any way you can because then you get to see where your money is going, you see the difference you’re making,” Sink said.

A shocking realization

It is not only Sink, however, who feels a connection to these villages and their inhabitants. When Sink began leading trips to Africa, every day Sink and his companions had meetings where they would talk about what happened that day, compare photos and just decompress.

The night after visiting an impoverished village, the group had their daily meeting and one of the girls on the trip spoke up about how it was crazy to her how she might spend $150 on a pair of jeans, “no problem”. $150 dollars in some regions of Africa can feed an entire village for a year.

“She was only 17 and that realization was so shocking to her; she just couldn’t wrap her head around it,” Sink said While the people of east Africa are one of Sink’s favorite aspects of any of his trips, the wild animals and the interaction he has with them are also very important to him.

First-time safari

“It was very hard to leave Alaska, though my wife was ready to go. The nine-month long winters were starting to get to her. But I missed the wild beauty and that’s when I decided to go to Africa, and to go on a safari just to see what it was like,” Sink said.

In 1998, Sink went on his first safari with a host of professional photographers. They visited East Africa and countries such as Kenya and Tanzania. It was in this region that he “fell in love with.”

“They say that when you go to Africa that you either hate it, or you can’t get it out of your system from that day on. And I’ve obviously been the latter,” Sink said.

Part of the reason why Africa became so compelling to Sink was not only the farreaching plains, ability to observe wild animals up close, or the “once in a lifetime” photography opportunities, but the new perspective he gains of his life back home.

According to Sink, experiencing the East African lifestyle “can’t help but force you to come back changed, even if it’s in a subtle way.”

Up close and personal

INTO THE WILD: (left to right, clockwise) A shot of a young male lion that Sink took on one of his 16 safaris to Africa, Sink wrestling with a cheetah over a dead gazelle carcass, a shot of the sun setting over the Serengeti, Sink posing with a cheetah.

Photos courtesy of JEFF SINK

‘Stark differences’

The Massai people and their culture have had an especially profound effect on Sink.

The Massai people are native to southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, and are known for wearing vibrant red clothing and living a traditional African lifestyle that emphasizes hunting, gathering their own food, sewing their own clothes, and male dominance.

It was this last aspect that was most jarring for Cathy Sink when she accompanied her husband on one of his safaris.

“It was odd to see women being so easily subjugated to the men and social inequality that was present but that’s the thing, What

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was one thing to me was just normal life to them. They were completely okay with it.

Those kinds of stark differences between the two cultures was definitely an eye-opener,” Cathy said.

The life expectancy of the average Massai is 45 years for women and 42 years for men, due to the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

One of these villages that Sink visited during one of his safaris “had barely one person over the age of 18 because almost everyone dies of AIDS before they can even

reach adulthood. It was a village of children raising other children, it was surreal,” Sink said.

It is villages like these that Sink makes an effort to visit every time he returns to Africa.

He financially supports a couple villages on his own, periodically giving money to aid the natives in acquiring clean water and food.

“Everyone gives with their heart and I don’t doubt that they genuinely want to help but often they just give to these big general organizations and that’s the end of it. You never see where your money is going. It’s so

Along with visiting the native tribes in the area, Sink also frequents and assists at local animal orphanages. The purposes of these orphanages are to rescue animals that would not have been able to survive on their own in the wild due to injury, abandonment by their herd, or high risk of poaching.

It was during one of these volunteering trips that a female baby elephant became highly enamored of Sink. According to him, her parents were killed by illegal poachers for their ivory tusks, an event that occurs often on the plains of Africa, and she was “left for dead.” The rescuers took her back to the shelter where Sink was able to bottle-feed her and he also slept in her pen every night as the three week old elephant began to look upon him as a mother figure.

“She would follow me around wherever I went and play with me and it was just so amazing to experience something like that, to have that kind of connection with an animal,” Sink said.

Though he often deals with wild animals, photographing, or caring for them in the rescue shelters, Sink insists that most of these animals that are often thought of as dangerous are actually quite docile.

A few summers ago when Sink was

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from page 17

from page 21

from page 23

Operation Smile

Eva Gutowski

Jeff Sink

Comfort.

At ISLC, Kang and Jovellanos made lifelong memories with teens from all over the world. These peers shared a common passion for Operation Smile that led them to Virginia, the home of the organization.

“ISLC was an extremely heart-warming experience because it was 500 students from across the globe, all coming together for the same cause. I didn’t know these people or their background, but I felt at home. I guess it is because we all had one thing in common. That week in Virginia, I learned that Operation Smile isn’t all about surgeries, but it’s also about spreading the love,” Kang said.

Towards the end of their week spent in Virginia, Kang, Jovellanos, and other members of the Southern California Region were hit by a huge surprise and a more-than-sweet ending to their experience at ISLC. During the closing awards ceremony of the conference, the 4th Annual Rock for Smiles Concert flier appeared on the screen. The Southern California Region leaped up in shock and joy as they were awarded the Student Club of the Year Award, essentially naming them the best club in the world.

“The award was a complete shock because I had heard that not many clubs on the West Coast are recognized because. But when we won the award, I felt really proud of what we had accomplished and really grateful that I had the opportunity to be there,” Jovellanos said.

With their experiences at ISLC to power them through their junior years, Kang and Jovellanos hope to attend mission training in order to serve a medical mission “during some point in their high school careers. The duo looks forward to traveling to a foreign country “to be able to be there physically and help the patients to see the impact that [they] create,” Jovellanos said.

“Proactive” and “passionate.” These are the two words that Xu uses to describe these co-presidents. As the pair continues to strengthen their club and its mission to “forever change the lives” of those born with cleft palates, these qualities ring clear their intent to spread smiles around the world as ambassadors of Operation Smile.

For Jovellanos and Kang, Operation Smile has given them the passion to “effect change in the lives of others” and a “cause to live and die for,” according to Kang. But most importantly, their friendship has carried them through the entire process.

“I am really grateful for Joyce and all the members of our club because all the things that we have accomplished together have really been an amazing part of my high school career,” Jovellanos said.

“It was then that I realized that this was a big thing that I was doing. I mean, here was [Abercrombie & Fitch], a company that I had been shopping at forever, loved their clothes and everyone knew who they were, were sending me their clothes for free just because of how popular my channel had gotten. That was an eye-opener,” Gutowski said. With almost 70,000 subscribers, Gutowski’s videos average around 10,000 views the first day a new video is posted.

Not only does a company’s attention remind her of the success she has garnered over the past year, but Gutowski’s fans encourage her to pursue this path as well. Gutowski fondly remembers a time a few months ago when she was walking into VidCon, a convention for online video creators, and a “huge crowd of people were waiting outside and some of them started calling my name, like they actually recognized who I was. That, and the letters I’ll get from girls telling me how much they love my videos or how excited some of them get when I reply back to their comments on YouTube, are just mind-blowing almost, that I was able to make this kind of difference to them,” Gutowski said.

The majority of comments on Gutowski’s channel are left by girls asking where she’s bought a certain product or espousing their adoration of her videos. Many girls ask Gutowski to check out their newly made beauty and fashion channels, or asking her for advice on becoming successful YouTubers themselves.

The fact that Gutowski’s videos are aimed at girls between the ages of 12 and 18 is another reason why Jack believes that his granddaughter’s YouTube career has been such a hit.

“Her overall connection and ability to relate to her fans, has been a big part of why her channel has gotten so big so fast. In her videos, she encourages the fact that you don’t need to have high-end or top quality products to feel good about yourself, or that shopping at a thrift store is completely okay and not something to be embarrassed about. She doesn’t discriminate about what kind of audience she reaches out too and that is something you don’t get all the time from people,” Jack said.

Yet as successful and as much of a whirlwind this endeavor has been for Gutowski, she “definitely doesn’t plan on doing YouTube forever,” choosing instead to stick with it as long as she can still take enjoyment out of it.

“YouTube and everything it has given me, has been so great and I’ve loved it so much. It’s been great to network and I don’t really know where I’m going to go after this. Maybe news broadcasting or journalism. I’d love to work for KTLA or something like that one day,” Gutowski said.

“It has been so crazy how this all turned out, but I’m so glad it did.”

traveling along the plains of Kenya, photographing herds of the wild cats present that day such as cheetahs or prides of lions. Over the years, as more and more photographers travel to Africa to shoot the animals, some species, such as cheetahs, have adapted to the point to where they will jump on top of the jeeps and other vehicles and use them as a hunting view point to look out over the plains on. Though it is “a rare occurrence,” according to Sink, this experience happened to him, with the cheetah jumping on top of the jeep that he and another photographer were sharing.

“This was so cool, I’d heard about the cheetahs doing this and I had seen it happen to other vehicles and now finally, it got to happen to me. So of course I’m thinking that I can’t waste this opportunity. So I shimmied put of the window and was able to pop my head right over the top where the cheetah was so close, her tail was whipping my face. Then I thought, ‘I got a wide-angle lens, why not,’ and was able to snap an awesome shot,” Sink said. “All the other photographers thought I was crazy but in reality, I knew that the cheetah was safe, and there was little to no chance of an attack.”

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Expeditions

Sink has traveled to Africa 16 times and it was after the eighth time of going alone that he decided to lead a safari trip of his own. Students, parents, and fellow faculty members had been asking to be taken along for a trip for awhile so again Sink figured “why not?” Every summer thereafter he has been leading groups on expeditions across eastern Africa.

According to Sink “[they] do these trips the right way,” and stay out all day, following the animals, and tagging along with researchers.

Before every trip, Sink hosts a series of informational meetings every month preceding the trip, giving some background on the cultures the group will encounter, the types of animals they will be seeing, and small lessons in photography. “[Sink] made me feel very comfortable about going and his enthusiasm was so great that you couldn’t help but get excited for the experiences that were to come,” Masako White, Japanese teacher, said.

Though Sink will always have a personal connection with Africa, he is planning on “diversifying away from the continent soon.” In the next few years, he plans on traveling to India, and also hopes to hike in the Himalayas, staying in base camps along Mt. Everest.

“I’m always going to love Africa, but as we all know I am getting on in years and there is still so many things I want to do,” Sink said. “There are still adventures left to be had.”

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MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME In-class essay timers. Reminders of family and friends. Fashion statements. Music devices. Family heirlooms. For many students and staff at BOHS, watches do more than just mark the days’ passage of time.

“Because my Ipod Nano is attached to my watch, I can listen to music in a more fashionable and convenient way.”

“My grandparents gave it to me for my eighth grade graduation. I wear it everyday.”

CAMERON BURT | senior

JULIE KIM | senior

“My mom got this watch for me because she said that I’m a big girl now and I can have a watch.”

EMIKO KANEOKA | junior

I got this watch in Colorado. I remember my friends from Colorado with it.”

AUSTIN SHELLITO | junior

“My parents bought this for me as a birthday gift five years ago. I keep it with me all the time. It reminds me of my parents.”

“The watch was handed down from my dad, then to my brother, then to me. It’s about 30 years old.”

SIDRA AMIN | freshman

JOSEPH PARK | sophomore

“My husband gave it to me, about two or three years back.”

“I use my watch for timing. I use it for when I’m coaching for soccer and for my AP students.”

JENNIFER COLLIER | math teacher

CARLOS CAMEY | Spanish teacher

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The Wildcat Oct. 4, 2013

Art by MEGAN MOBERLY

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JUDGE CYRUS, NOT MONTANA

A Wildcat staff writer delves into the work of the controversial Cyrus, and her view of the controversial singer changes

by Stefani Clark, Staff Writer

T

ired of the already-tired Miley Cyrus coverage that saturate our Facebook news feeds, I was close to giving up on trying to find an original angle until my editor, Linette Cho, urged me to completely immerse myself in all things Miley Cyrus.

Skeptical at the thought of having to watch and re-watch Cyrus twerk, I nevertheless stocked my room with granola bars and water to prepare myself for a barrage of Cyrus-saturated pop culture.

I downloaded 58 songs, five YouTube music videos, and watched countless videos of Cyrus’ past performances to chronicle her transformation from Hannah Montana-era innocence to tonguewagging “wrecking ball.” Unexpectedly, in the process, I discovered my opinion changing of the much-criticized singer.

I was not entirely sure how I would feel after this experience.

Would I become some insane fanatic? Would I scream at the next sight or sound of anything Cyrus-related? Would I suddenly be inspired to chop off and bleach my hair?

My initial thoughts of Cyrus: I do not have a burning hatred for her, nor do I consider her my idol. I just think people need to leave her alone.

Yes, she does over-the-top stunts such as crazy videos and controversial performances for publicity and increased album sales, but other popular musicians in the industry do the same. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Rihanna wear crazy outfits and take body-baring photos, but the public does not react at the same level towards them as towards Cyrus. Because of her still-popular Disney persona, there is the argument that Cyrus should still be the virtuous and “safe” Hannah Montana. But Cyrus is not the character she played on the Disney Channel. However, with her fanbase considering her a symbol of confidence and empowerment, and her haters believing she is a waste of space, I began the search for my own opinion by diving into a weekend with the pop singer.

First, I listened to 58 Cyrus songs consecutively. I played songs beginning from her Hannah Montana days to songs from her newest album, Bangerz.

In 2008, Cyrus’ second album, Breakout, definitely sounds different from her Disney Channel persona. She sounds edgier, but her music still covers themes familiar to fans of the Disney Channel star.

(However, I do remember being angry at her for her song, “7 Things” because through the eyes of a 12-year-old, the subject of her break up song, Nick Jonas, was spot-on.)

“Party in the USA” , the number two hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009, was, and still is, significant. But the transition from this hit about hopes for stardom, homesickness, cardigans and head nodding,

Illustration by MEGAN MOBERLY

Art by SELINA CHE to the risque “Can’t be Tamed” (sample lyric: “I got through guys like money”) was too abrupt for Cyrus fans.But that’s only one risque track on a CD filled with tamer fare like “Party in the USA”, and Cyrus shouldn’t be judged because of it. She is, like her audience, growing up, after all.

Cyrus’ two most recent songs, “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball”, resonated with me differently. “We Can’t Stop” is comical, with Cyrus singing about dancing at a strip club, but then later references God as if her song reflects values. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.

As for “Wrecking Ball,” I love it. I could hear the emotion in her voice, and I could tell that the pain from her recent split with ex-fiance Liam Hemsworth was definitely real.

“Party in the USA” was the first video I watched. I tried counting the number of times she played with her hair, but I gave up. .

While watching the video for “7 Things,” I avoided thinking about who the song was written for. I liked that there were a bunch of

angry, teenage girls letting their anger out on stuffed animals and snow globes, but the sudden mood change was what really entertained me.

I rolled my eyes at the video’s portrayal of teenage girls as dramatic and confused.

“Can’t Be Tamed” was next. I enjoyed her expressing this rebellious side that most people, especially teens, feel at some point, but I was thoroughly distracted by the bird costumes.

“We Can’t Stop” was disturbing. I hope that she was deliberately trying to be humorous, because otherwise, appearing in that music video is embarrassing.

I finished with her current hit “Wrecking Ball”, which has 36.5 million views on YouTube, according to npr.com. While disturbed by the hammer-groping and -licking, I could not stop singing the catchy chorus.

I discovered that I enjoy listening to Cyrus’ songs without the distraction of the sometimes-bizarre visuals in the videos. It is a lot easier to judge her from her increasingly outlandish looks rather than her talent.

The final portion of my Cyrus-culture journey was to watch some of Cyrus’s popular performances. I watched her perform “Party in the USA” at the Teen Choice Awards in 2009. For some reason, viewers found this performance inappropriate because she was holding on to a pole, which suggested pole dancing. However, if she was not holding onto this pole, she would have fallen off the cart it was attached to.

Next, I watched her 2013 MTV Video Music Awards performance.

Although I found her reckless behavior on stage with Robin Thicke disturbing, the truth is that Cyrus’s dancing represents how many teenagers dance. Like Elton John said on the Ellen Show, “it was a controversial performance that got everybody talking. And that’s what it’s supposed to do.”

Lastly, I saw her performance of “Wrecking Ball” at the “iHeartRadio” festival in Las Vegas. I really enjoyed it. She got emotional and started crying, which was endearing. She was affected by the power of her own music.

As my exploration came to a close, I was exhausted from listening to so much music. But I emerged enlightened. I learned that people often base their opinions on Cyrus from her planned performances and music videos, rather than her actual talent. I now understand her continuing transition and although I do think she can be a bit too much, the extreme videos and much talked-about performances are the only way people will acknowledge her as “Miley Cyrus” instead of “Hannah Montana.” And her admiring fans are completely right: Miley Cyrus is a symbol of confidence and a talented musician.

#FLASH BACK FRIDAY

Cyrus’ various looks, from Hannah Montana in 2006, to her present, and controversial style in 2013.

Images from entertainmentweekly.com

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HIGH SCHOOL CLASSICS HIT THEATRES

lllustration by Betty Lee, Co-Illustration Editor

AWAITING FOR ENDER’S GAME

by Linette Cho, Arts Editor Based on the famous book by Orson Scott Card, the upcoming Sci-Fi film, “Ender’s Game,” will hit theatres on Nov. 1. Because this novel is a part of freshman curriculum, students anticipate the film even more due to the familiarity of the famous protagonist, Ender Wiggins.

The famous journey of young Wiggins is to save humanity through his intelligence.

“Ender’s Game” focuses on how Wiggin’s overcomes his struggles and difficult obstacles.

However, his leadership and compassion is what ultimately contributes his heroism.

“I would have never read ‘Ender’s Game’ because I hadn’t been exposed to the specific subgenre of science-fiction that the novel inhabits. However, I really enjoyed the book freshman year, and I was introduced to a new facet of literature,” Michael Jovellanos, junior, said.

Since it is mandatory for freshmen to read Ender’s Game, students are more attached to

the characters and the storyline. Students are able to explore the world of Wiggins more extensively through the literature teachers’ guidance. “[My students] get questions that they do at home so that they can get time to think about it. Then, we go over the questions all together and I try to lead them to the right answer,” Jennfier Ryan, literature teacher, said.

Since the publication of “Ender’s Game” in 1985, numerous copies were sold as the novel became popular in high school curriculum. Due to the increasing popularity, Card had many opportunities to adapt the novel into a film. However, he declined all propositions because of creative differences with various studios. However, Studio Entertainment found Hood’s script appealing and hired Hood as the director.

The enduring popularity of the novel and the famous cast has fans all over the world, especially students, waiting for the day “Ender’s Game“ premieres.

ANOTHER ROMEO AND JULIET?

by Audrey Moon, News Editor Alas, another adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” will hit theaters this fall on Oct. 11, “for never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Directed by Carlo Carlei, “Romeo and Juliet” will star Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth as the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

With the same tragic, love-story, one wonders why there is a need for another version. In the case of “Romeo and Juliet,” multiple renditions have already been produced to attract the current generation and for them to visualize the story. Each film is the same, exact plot, but with the mere difference of popular actors and actresses who appeal to them.

“I think there are so many versions of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ because the generation today wants a story that is altered to relate to what is happening in their lives. They also would want to see faces that are familiar to them because that will help them be more interested in the actual story,” Lacie Gammell,

junior, said.

Among the previous renditions, there are Baz Luhrmann’s ‘96 adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, which is more widely known to the modern audiences, and Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘68 version starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia. For the younger audience, “Gnomeo & Juliet,” an animation film based on the classic, was also released in 2011.

However, this immoderately used story still continues timelessly because of the variety of elements: romance, drama, action, and death.

These components will keep fans eagerly waiting for the day of the premiere. “‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a timeless tale, I think everyone can relate to it, even teenagers today enjoy the story of forbidden love and everything that happens in the story. I think that is why they can keep remaking it,” said Kim Ofcacek, literature teacher.

Images from amazon.com

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MATTERN, LITERATURE TEACHER, SKEPTICAL FOR ENDER’S GAME

by Jeremy Mattern, Guest Contributor

Over the past quarter century, Ender’s Game has garnered a cult following in the world of Science Fiction literature. For years, fans of the world’s most beloved child genius have longed for a film adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s 1985 novel. More recent novels with multi-generational appeal have already made the successful crossover to the big screen. We have watched Harry Potter capture the golden snitch and Katniss Everdeen volunteer to replace her sister—now it’s time for Ender Wiggin to save the world.

But will this story earn similar acclaim as a film? The young reader in me desperately hopes so. I first read Ender’s Game in 1987 as a 6th grader. I identified with the protagonist’s strengths and vulnerabilities. I secretly pretended to be a soldier in Dragon Army orienting myself downward towards the enemy’s gate.

As an adult, I am doubtful that the film will inspire such introspection and imagination. While Harrison Ford as Graff could be brilliant, I worry that he’ll come across as a bitter Han Solo who lost the Falcon and now spends his time yelling at space nerds. I worry that the emotional significance of the mind game will be portrayed as exhaustingly as Frodo fainting for the 100th time as he carries the burden of the ring. I worry that this story, as I picture it so perfectly in my head, will be ruined by the fallibility of Hollywood executives who simply don’t get the book.

With all this worry, there’s just one thing to do: stand in line and pay my $12.00.

UPCOMING BOOK-BASED FILMS

The Wolf on Great Expectations Wall Street Oct. 11, 2013

Nov. 15, 2013

Lone Survivor

The Maze Runner

Dec. 27, 2013

Feb. 14, 2014

Hunger The Hobbit: Games: The Desolation of Catching Fire Smaug Nov. 22, 2013

DIVERGENT

March 20, 2014

Dec. 13, 2013

The Fault In Our Stars Unknown

Images from amazon.com

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GREEN RISES IN POPULARITY WITH TEENS

by Noelle Gracia, Content Manager Photo by Michelle Krizo, Photographer

T

housands of books have been written about young love, tens of thousands written about adolescent struggles, and even more have been written about the daily struggle of life itself. Yet, while all of his works include these oft-used themes, all four novels that John Green has written solo have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, has been translated into over a dozen languages, and one of his works, The Fault in Our Stars, is currently being turned into a movie to be released in 2014.

Green is best known for his youngadult (YA) novels The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, and Paper Towns, and he also co-authored another book with David Levithan, Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

So when the popularity of not one, but all of the books written by an author is so high, it begs the question: What makes these books so special?

The answer is easy: they’re relatable.

Through the vulnerability of each character, the surprisingly accurate reactions they display to real-life situations, and the underlying comedic tone they all seem to possess, Green creates stories in which the different aspects and personality traits of each of his characters is mirrored in his readers.

“I did find it very strange that a man wrote The Fault in Our Stars,” Marisa Harton, junior, said. “I did not think he would get the personality and the mindset

of a teenage girl, especially with cancer.

Although I wouldn’t know what a girl with cancer goes through, I can say he got the rest of it right, which really surprised me.”

It was not until the release of The Fault in Our Stars that his other works started gaining more recognition as well.

According to a Fullerton Barnes and Noble employee, The Fault in Our Stars was an immediate best seller at their store in January of 2012. Time magazine named it their best novel of 2012, despite its young adult themes and largely young adult audience.

According to Nancy Thompson, librarian, the John Green books have been so highly requested in the last year that they are “on display in the front of the library, everyone always seems to check them out. He is even on the list where students ask me to buy certain books to add to the library’s collection.”

The characters have such a resounding sense of humanity about them, that though they are fictional, one cannot help to feel a personal connection to them. It’s easy to see the world through Hazel’s wittily, acerbic view from The Fault in Our Stars.

Their thoughts, their feelings, their moments of self-doubt, are all experiences that everyone has gone through, and it is because of that character construction that makes Green’s works continue to fly off the shelves.

The Fault in Our Stars, the most famous of all Green’s novels, is about a normal teenage girl living to fight cancer as she meet the love of her life, Augustus, who also is dealing with cancer.

With his support, Hazel is able to live her life like any other girl until a dramatic twist changes everything.

Looking for Alaska features Miles Halter, who is interested in the last words people say before they die, which motivates him to adventure out of his town. This leads him meeting Alaska Young, a girl who captures his heart, but also turns his life around.

Quentin and Margo make mischief around town. Due to everyone in town being fake, they call it “Paper Towns”. However, Margo goes missing from the town she hates, so Quentin tries to figure out if she committed suicide or is in hiding by clues that she leaves behind.

Colin Singleton, a 17 year old boy, has only been dating girls named Katherine. Katherine number 19 recently broke up him which convinces him to travel to another state. He meets another girl, but due to his previous Katherines, he is skeptical if this relationship will work.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson feature two boys by the name of Will Grayson. They both live very different lifestyles, but are brought together by an event of them meeting that changes their lives forever.

THE WILDCAT ASKED BOHS LITERATURE TEACHERS: ‘WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?’

THE ROAD “I can really relate to the story of the father protecting his young son, and I’m in love with McCarthy’s prose.”

ALEX KOERS Honors Lit. Comp. 9

THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRDS SINGS

“I don’t know why. It is beautiful and sad and full of longing.”

“I was inspired by the perserverence of the main character as she struggles through a difficult life.”

SUSAN LUCE AP English Language

JENNIFER RYAN Honors Lit. Comp. 9

GENESIS

“Genesis is the foundation of my faith and gives me an image of my intimacy with God.” SUMMER TEAL AP English Language

THE TIME KEEPER “The novel reveals universal truth that all human beings are connected at anytime in history.”

JONATHAN QUIMING Honors Lit. Comp. 10

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

ONCE A RUNNER

“This accessible, delightful allegory creatively weaves deep philosophical ideas in a children’s book. Wow!”

“[The novel] is the truth; it’s a painful reality! You read it and it’s like you want to quit because the truth is too hard.”

LAUREL BACHELOR AP English Literature

JEREMY MATTERN Honors Lit. Comp. 10

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD “Every time I re-read this book, I always learn something new that I missed before.”

XIA ZUCKERT Lit. Comp. 10

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30

The Wildcat Oct. 4, 2013

A WILDCAT Q&A WITH MASQUERADE PERFORMER

LOUIE JOTA A monthly spotlight of a BOHS Performing Arts member, this month’s subject is LOUIE JOTA, senior, a two-time Brea Idol division winner.

Interview conducted by Linette Cho, Arts Editor Photo by April Santonil, Photo Editor Q Who is your biggest influence in the music industry?

A

My inspiration is definitely Bruno Mars because his vocal range is crazy and he’s a great performer.

Q What are your plans after high school?

After high school I plan on going to college and majoring in writing

A because I would like to work in the industry as a screenwriter and also hopefully get to direct.

Q What was the biggest challenge during your show choir career?

The biggest challenge was moving to Brea sophomore year and

A having to perform with complete strangers. It was really awkward and it took me awhile to break out of my shell.

Q What made you want to pick choir out of all performing arts and sports?

A

I auditioned for choir at my old school as a joke and I made it so I decided to try it out when I moved to Brea just to try something new other than soccer and tennis.

Q

What is the highlight of your Show Choir career?

A

The highlight would probably be getting first place in my division in Brea Idol both my sophomore and junior year.

Q

What is the hardest thing about being in choir?

A

The hardest thing about being in choir is the rehearsals because they run until 9 p.m. and you get home exhausted but you still have homework to do.

Q

What is the most embarrassing moment that happened to you during a performance?

A

I had to do a handstand once and I think I had a little too much energy and just kept going forward and landed on my face.

Q

How did you find out you had a talent for singing?

A

I learned how to play the guitar and started singing and I found out people actually listened so I figured I must not sound too bad.

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ARTS

The Wildcat

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CHOIR REHEARSES ‘MAGIC’

by Kristen Bertoloni, Staff Writer and Linette Cho, Arts Editor Photos by April Santonil, Photo Editor

T

he United Choirs of Brea (UCB) will perform their annual show, Fall Magic, in the PAC at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19. Fall Magic is the first show of the year and will introduce this year’s performance groups.

“Fall Magic began in 2005 as a way to get the Choir kids and [their] parents excited about our singing and dancing early in the year,” Dave Willert, Choir director, said. “Over the years it has proven to be very popular. We usually have sell outs.”

UCB consists of three different levels, Tiffany’s, Spellbound, and Masquerade.

Tiffany’s Choir is the intermediate level for girls who are interested in choir that has not had much experience.

Spellbound and Masquerade are the advanced levels exclusively for girls and boys, respectively.

Tiffany’s and Spellbound will be joining together to perform My Fair Lady, a musical where a professor agrees to teach a flower girl how to act in high society.

Masquerade will perform Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is about an inventor who develops a magical flying car.

“I wanted musical theatre to be a primary point of the concert. I chose My Fair Lady because it’s fun, classic and colorful. Masquerade is doing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because it’s a children’s show and allows them to perform something far different than their more sophisticated competition show,” Willert said.

In addition to the medleys, the groups will be singing “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” a song from the musical Good Boy. They will also be performing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a show tune from the 1945 musical Carousel. The final number that they will perform is “Shine Down,” a song by Sandy Patty.

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Top, Madison Miller, junior, strikes a pose during rehearsal. At bottom, Tatiana Alvarez, junior, rehearses for Fall Magic, which will be on Oct. 18 and 19 in the PAC.

“’Shine Down’ is definitely the best part about the whole show because it’s not just Masquerade that performs, or just Spellbound that performs,” Julianne

Sexton, junior, said. “It’s when we all come together, literally as the United Choirs of Brea, to perform.”

The Thunder Cats, comprised of all the male students in Chior, will also be featured, singing hits from the ‘60s such as “Sherry” and “Sixteen Tons.”

Students will also perform solo or as group acts in the show to showcase their individual talents. Auditions are still taking place for these “smaller” acts.

Choir has practice every Monday after school, as well as the Thursday before the show as a tech rehearsal.

According to Monica Siazon, junior, rehearsals are very tiring, but it all pays off when Choir performs, as it feels as if their hard work has come to fruition.

“Choir is the hidden gem at Brea Olinda High School. It is just a fun concert to come and see some of your favorite songs and musicals,” Brianna Clark, sophomore, said.

According to Victoria Rivas, junior, the students of Choir are all friendly and have bonded. In order to unify the groups that are not as close, Choir does hugging exercises to draw them closer. And to put on a successful show, Choir needs to be comfortable on stage as well.

According to Sexton, Choir’s program was not the same before Willert’s absence due to the stroke.

However, it was definitely a needed renewal of the whole program to have Dave back.

Choir is also preparing for Preview Night, as they rehearse for Fall Magic.

Preview Night will be held on Jan. 17 and 18, where Choir will perform this year’s competition sets.

“I believe this year’s groups have the potential to be some of Brea’s best ever if they care enough and continue to challenge themselves. My prognosis?

They will,” Willert said. “I want to be the top choir and have sold out shows. I just want to have a great year.”

Fall Magic

Dec. 13 and 14

Jan. 17 and 18

CALIFORNIA CLASSIC

BREA IDOL

SPRING MAGIC

Feb. 14 and 15

March 7

31

CHOIR DIRECTOR WILLERT OPTIMISTIC IN WAKE OF STROKE

by Stefani Clark, Staff Writer

UCB PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE HOLIDAY MAGIC

Oct. 18 and 19

Oct. 4, 2013

PREVIEW NIGHT

May 2 and 3

A

bout a year and a half ago, Choir Director, Dave Willert, experienced a stroke. However, he has made a negative situation positive while recuperating from the life-altering event.

“I had a really bad day at school.

I went home and I got a really bad headache. I fell asleep and I dreamt that I couldn’t move my right leg, and I couldn’t,” Willert said.

Willert’s wife called the paramedics and he was sent to St. Jude Medical Center.

However, Willert was not diagnosed until three days after because the doctors believed that the condition was only temporary.

After testing, clogged blood vessels by a piece of his skin near his neck were discovered.

“It was a terrible spot but it wasn’t a bad stroke. It didn’t affect my mind at all,” WIllert said.

Willert was temporarily paralyzed on the entire right side of his body. He started therapy on the fourth day after the diagnosis, and 16 months later, he is still in the recovery process.

On his personal website, davewillert.com, Willert posted how much support he has received from students, friends, and family members.

He also posted how the support has helped him through the rough times.

“The students wrote a lot of letters and I was on Facebook the whole time, so I got a lot of messages there. The Boosters and the choir had a concert called Dave Magic, like Spring Magic, and charged $20 a ticket. They ended up donating it to me to help with the expenses. I think I got around $6,000, and that helped pay for the treatments,” Willert said.

Just six months after his stroke, he showed signs of physical and mental improvement.

“Overall, my body is about 70 percent recovered. I’m back 100

percent mentally,” he posted to his site.

After being out of school for nine months, Willert returned to direct his choir classes.

Jocelyn Dietsche, substitute, took over the class while Willert was absent and led the Spellbound choir to first place against Diamond Bar. “I cannot thank my substitute, Jocelyn, enough for keeping the program intact and for being such a great teacher in my absence,” Willert said on his site.

Currently, Willert still has certain complications and setbacks he has to work through. He is continuing to gain strength in his right arm, but is still not fully recovered and is using a leg brace to help him walk. Despite the various complications and setbacks, Willert tries his best to restore the muscles and nerves back to normal.

Although he has to deal with the setbacks of the stroke, he remains psitive by regaining his strength in his muscles by attending the gym twice a week.

At first, he felt as though he looked like a monster and was too embarrassed to be seen outside.

Eventually, he decided to be optimistic and realized that he did not need to feel ashamed of the way he looked after the accident. He accepted that he favors the right side of his body, and that part of his mouth does not move like the rest of it.

“As you go through getting better, everything is okay. It’s about thinking about what you want to be and working for it instead of accepting the way you are or being depressed about it,” Willert said.

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32

The Wildcat Oct. 4, 2013

Influenced From Afar Journey to national ranking and Junior PGA championship inspired by father

by Jaymi Wilson, Staff Writer Facing page photo by TRENT PRESTON

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It was a warm day first few rounds was “slightly with clear skies at Trump off”, leading her to fall into a National Golf Club in three hole deficit by the final Washington, D.C., on round. However, on the last Aug. 2, as 67 competitors, three holes, Lee recovered including Amy Lee, junior, with a 15-foot par putt on the were battling to earn the 18th hole to shoot 69, earning Junior PGA Championship. her the championship by a A hush fell over single stroke. the crowd and silence “It’s a really big consumed the course and a tournament so it’s one of my slight breeze picked up over greatest achievements so far, manicured grounds. but it was really unexpected Lee took a steadying [for me to win] because I breath as she stepped up to was so far behind,” Lee said. the green, an expression of “Honestly, in my mind on deep concentration painted the last three holes, I was on her face as she began thinking ‘okay let’s just the tournament against the take second’ and then the nation’s top junior golfers. point where I really thought Lee’s journey to the I might win was on the last Junior PGA Championship hole when I was tied. I was began when she was a like ‘okay this is my chance’ child. Her father, a golf and I took it.” fanatic, introduced her to Lee’s third round score the game at a young age, of 67 tied the “female Photo courtesy of AMY LEE while making sure that the competitive course record,” NATIONAL CHAMPION: Amy Lee, junior, follow through on a shot at the 38th according to pga.com. sport was fun and never a annual Junior PGA Championships. Lee won the event by a single stroke on Aug. chore.

While Lee is extremely 2. She has been passionate about golf since the age of 11, when she would train proud of the PGA title, she “When I was younger, with her dad at the local golf course. She is currently the third ranked junior girls’ feels that she is only half my dad was really obsessed golfer in the country, according to pga.com. with golf, and I started way to her goal. Lee plans on playing at around the age turning pro, and being ranked of five, but it wasn’t anything serious,” Lee said. at 9 p.m.” number one, but her dream is to have her own “When I was 11, I started playing tournaments, Every day Lee went to the course her interest foundation that helps underprivileged kids pay and when I was 13, that’s when I knew ‘Oh, this in the sport grew. She always played a minimum for their golfing careers. is what I want to do’.” of 18 holes and hit around 800 golf balls each Lee’s urge to start a foundation stems from Lee said that it her father never pushed her, day. Because she didn’t have a coach, Lee would personal experience. Golf is not an inexpensive giving her the opportunity to develop her own watch her father play, then mimic his swing. sport, and coming from a family that was not passion for the sport rather than trying to force Lee credits her skill to her father, but she poor, but not nearly as wealthy as other golfers, his on her. Lee confesses that her dad never even also receives additional coaching every week Lee can sympathize with not being able to pay taught her to play because he thought that if he from Dr. Jay Won (“He helps me with basically for the pricey sport. taught her and ordered her around she wouldn’t everything,” Lee laughed) and spent five years “Growing up, my family wasn’t always the have fun; instead, he always made sure that being coached at David Leadbetter Academy. wealthiest. I mean, we were able to put food on she just enjoyed playing, letting Lee make the Lee’s father is currently living in Korea and the table, but most of the kids who play golf decision herself that she was going to compete working as an individual golf coach, but she still are really, really wealthy,” Lee said. “Every and play seriously. gets plenty of support at home. single tournament you attend, you have to pay “If you play at a professional level and don’t “My mom comes with me to about half of for airfare, hotels, and rental cars, so it ends up have fun then there’s really no point in playing,” the tournaments, but whenever she does come being [about $3000] per tournament.”

Lee shared. out, she always comes out to watch and she’s From experiencing first-hand the expenses of Lee did not get really serious about golf always watching the scoring and she’s really golf, Lee understands that it is not always easy until the age of eight when her father changed supportive,” Lee said. to become a serious competitor without financial professions, from a computer software engineer In the last two years, Lee has participated in support, so she hopes that when she goes pro, to a golf coach. Once he became a coach, Lee 23 tournaments, according to golfweek.com. her foundation will be able to provide the means started to spend all of her spare time on the La But for now, Lee considers winning first place, to help young golfers follow their dreams.

Mirada Golf Course, where he was working and the Patty Berg trophy, in the girls’ division Lee plans on eventually turning pro, but during the summer. While her father worked, of the 38th annual Junior PGA Championships, will first compete for the USC Trojans in 2015 Lee spent her time playing golf. as her greatest accomplishment. on an athletic scholarship. In the meantime, the “I basically played golf all day while he was The 72-hole Championship featured a 54nation’s third ranked girl golfer says her plans working,” Lee confessed. “During the summer hole cut on Aug. 1, out of which only 35 boys will “only going up from here” since winning I would go to the course at 6 a.m. and get home and 32 girls made the cut. Lee’s game during the the Junior PGA Championship.

The Wildcat Oct. 4, 2013

33

“...on the last three holes, I was thinking ‘okay let’s just take second’ and then the point where I really thought I might win was on the last hole when I was tied. I was like ‘okay this is my chance’ and I took it.”

AMY LEE Junior

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The Wildcat

34 Broadstreet rises above Oct. 4, 2013

junior leads wildcats to 2-2 league record

by Nicole Nam, Staff Writer Photo by Trent Preston, Photo Editor

Team captain and outside hitter Abby Of her transition to a brand new sport, Broadstreet, junior, had the opportunity Broadstreet said, “I was so nervous...I’m the to participate on the USA Girl’s Youth type of person that is afraid of the unknown A1 National Training Team and the Youth and I was afraid to try a sport I have never International All-Tournament Team this past played.” summer.

However, after experiencing her first Wishing to test her skills amongst elite clinic in the seventh grade, she immediately players, Broadstreet tried out during the fell in love with volleyball due to its emphasis summer of her freshman year in Southern on teamwork.

California and made the Youth A1 National “[Volleyball] is a team sport; it’s not team. just all about one person. Also, it is This past summer, at the 2013 High very competitive,” Broadstreet Performance (HP) Championships, one said. of USA Volleyball’s flagship events, her It’s the competition that team, the Youth National A1 Training Team, Broadstreet thrives on. achieved a silver medal against some of the “She takes the lead and represents the world’s best youth volleyball teams. team...[she is] very hands on, aggressive,” The Youth A1 National Training Team is a program “My parents always do whatever they can to for USA Volleyball for junior athletes. They help me out by taking me to all of my practices specialize in training and coming to every single one of my games and talented athletes who hope to attain a position on tournaments. They always show their support the U.S. Women’s Junior and have been by my side every step of the way.”

National Team before actually playing in the ABBY BROADSTREET USA HP Championships JUNIOR Broadstreet was named team captain for the Youth International All-Tournament Team at the HP Christine Budds, senior, and fellow team Championships in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in captain, said.

July.

After only one year of playing volleyball, Passionate about volleyball since the Broadstreet decided to quit her dreams seventh grade, Broadstreet never envisioned of playing basketball and softball and herself as a volleyball player. Before even instead pursued a new dream of becoming a hitting her first spike, she played softball and professional volleyball player. basketball, sports in which her older sister, “It was the best decision of my life,” Megan Broadstreet (’06), excelled.

Broadstreet said.

With Megan, a Ladycat for four years, as During her freshman year, she was a an influence, the six foot Broadstreet, said, member of the USA Youth A2 team. She has “basketball looked like what my future was just finished her fourth year of playing club going to be more about.” volleyball, two years with Impact and two However, after seeing her older sister go years with Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. through three knee surgeries due to the rigors of Broadstreet’s involvement in high school, high-level high school basketball, her parents club, and national volleyball programs could were worried about pursuing a basketball not have been possible without the support of career. Not wanting to go through the injuries her family. of basketball, her parents suggested Abby try “My parents always do whatever they volleyball instead can help to me out by taking me to all of my

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practices and coming to every single one of my games and tournaments.

They always show their support and have been by my side every step of the way,” Broadstreet said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without them and I can’t wait to make them proud in the future”.

Broadstreet’s love of volleyball continues to grow.

Broadstreet’s role model is Destinee Hooker, a professional won the US Women’s National volleyball team. It’s Hooker’s success that Broadstreet hopes to emulate. “[Destinee Hooker] is the same [outside hitter] position as me; I fell in love with the style of her play,” Broadstreet said of her role model.

Throughout these years, volleyball has taught Abby about being a leader, working well with a team, having motivation, and not giving up.

Broadstreet, currently leading the team in kills (a point-scoring spike) on the season, has helped lead the Wildcats to an overall record of 6-5, and a Century League mark of 2-2. (Wednesday’s results of the Foothill game weren’t available as the Wildcat went to press.)

With a loss to Villa Park on Sept. 30, the Wildcats switched places with the Spartans, falling from first place to the middle of the pack. However, the Wildcats have already matched last season’s league win total with two, with eight league games left to play.

Broadstreet said of the current season, “We have improved a lot! We started out the season a little rough but changed our outlook on the season and have improved greatly.”

Of Broadstreet’s contributions, Mariana Montes, girls’ varsity volleyball coach, said, “I am glad to have her on my varsity team.

She’s fortunate to be part of a talented group of athletes. She makes a good team even better.”

While Broadstreet hopes to play volleyball professionally in the future, her priority is on her academics. A 4.0 GPA student, Broadstreet’s immediate goal is to study and play volleyball Duke University.

“Volleyball is my passion in life, and I cannot imagine my future without it,” Broadstreet said.

Broadstreet’s passion, and the Wildcats’ turnaround, continue on Oct. 8 against El Dorado High School.

POISED FOR THE KILL: Abby Broadstreet, junior, attempts a spike in a recent game.

She leads the varsity Wildcats in kills.

The Wildcat

35 Main aims for perfection for varsity football

SPORTS bohswildcat.com

Oct. 4, 2013

QUaRterback controls offense; relishes loyalty

by Amanda Tortarolo, Staff Writer A freshly groomed field, cheering crowds, and Friday night lights can only be described as “beyond words” for three-year varsity football player and quarterback, Richie Main, senior.

Main’s position of quarterback demands that he handle the ball on most offensive positions.

“Quarterbacks face the most pressure, all eyes are on them the whole game. He has to handle the ball every play, the team has to look to him for calm during trying games,” Mike Baker, varsity assistant coach and Health teacher, said.

Main uses the pressure--the defensive line’s attempts to sack him for a loss, the defensive back’s attempts to intercept his passes, and the expectations that come with a position of onfield leadership--to perform his best.

“I really don’t look at this position as pressure. I have done this a million times before, I go out there and try to have fun and prove anyone who doubts me wrong,” Main said. “Of course I get those nerves everyone gets before a game and I just tell myself that I am the best quarterback out there. It helps me get into the mind set.”

Main’s ability to perform under pressure was evident in the Wildcats’ Sept. 27 game against Canyon High School. Main completed 15 of 22 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 48 yards and two more scores.

“Without question, Richie Main is the right person to lead the team. He has become one of the most vital parts of our football team,” Baker said.

An important quality Main possesses is his ability to maintain a positive outlook on the season. He acknowledges what needs improvement and how the team will have to perform in order to make playoffs despite an 0-1 start in Century League play.

“I feel confident we’ll make playoffs.

We’re a young team, but we are also getting progressively better every game. As long as we do not make mistakes like [the game 43-20 loss to Yorba Linda] where it was turnovers that got the best of us. On offense we either fumbled or I threw a pick and gave teh defense the ball. If we can minimize our errors we should be able

Photos by TRENT PRESTON / the wildcat

DODGING DEFENDERS: Richie Main, senior, tries to dodge the tackle of a Valencia defender on Aug. 8. The team is currently sitting on an overall record of 1-4, and a Century League record of 0-1. Main contributed four scores in last week’s loss against Canyon High School. to compete with every team in this league,” Main said.

Trust is a vital asset for any team sport.

A quarterback has to trust his offensive line to protect him from getting sacked, give him enough time to set up a play, and execute it correctly. This type of trust is not made over night, but built upon layers of hard work.

“We, the players, and the coaches, see each other more than we see our real families. When football starts, a new family is created,” Justin Bumanlag, junior and running back, said.

“It’s great having Richie as a teammate. He’s always the one to hype up the team and he is also a great leader.”

Cameraderie plays a large role in the success of a football program. Pulling on the helmet with “Brea” emblazoned on its sidesis a huge source of pride for Main and his teammates who consider the team and their

coaches a second family.

“I really like the brotherhood of the team.

It is different than any other sport,” Main said.

“The feeling of playing under the lights with a huge crowd, going after it every week is an indescribable feeling. No one can really understand this unless you are on the team. So when you see your teammates graduate you really feel the absence of them the next year, but you move on and gain new ones.”

After graduation, college football is part of the plan for this 6’4”, 240-pound athlete.

At this point in time, Main is unsure of his college journey. He hopes to attend University of California, Berkeley, or University of California, San Diego.

In the meantime, the Wildcats hope to turn around a tree game skid heading into showdowns with league foes Esperanza (1-4 on the season), El Modena (2-3) in the annual Homecoming contest, Villa Park (3-1), Foothill (3-1), and El Dorado (1-4).

“Every Saturday morning we watch a film of our game and after every win you have that feeling of accomplishment. You look around at everyone and just nod, thinking we did that last night, we accomplished that,” Main said.

The Wildcats next game is against Esperanza, who is currently mired in a four game slump of their own. Game time is tonight at 7 p.m. at Yorba Linda High School.

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SPORTS

The Wildcat

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Oct. 4, 2013

THE STUDENT- ATHLETES Demitri Herrera SENIOR football

THE WILDCAT ASKS “FIVE RANDOM QUESTIONS” WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AVENGER?

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM DATE?

FAVORITE HORROR MOVIE?

FAVORITE FAST FOOD ORDER?

FAVORITE JAMBA FLAVOR?

The Hulk

“Chillin’ late night at the beach.”

Shaun of the Dead

Pepe’s chorizo burrito

banana berry

“Picnic at the beach.”

Halloween 1 or 2

“El Pollo Loco. Any kind of burrito and hot sauce.”

“I have never been to Jamba Juice.”

“In-N-Out, double-double animal style, with fries and a strawberry lemonade.”

white Gummi bear

“In-N-Out Double-Double, animal style w/o tomato with a vanilla shake.”

“chocolate covered strawberries”

Austin Shellito JUNIOR cross country Brittany Russell JUNIOR volleyball Dillon McKinley JUNIOR waterpolo

Tiffany Lee junior tennis

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Iron Man

“Cold winter day cuddled up in a blanket with hot coco watching movies.”

Hawkeye

“Go to a good dinner, watch a comedy movie, and just hang out.”

Insidious

Nightmare on Elm Street

“Disneyland wit da boo boo.”

Iron Man

Insidious

In-N-Out

white Gummi bear