From the Wildcat Staff
Let’s Get Wild!
or 88 years, since 1930, the Wildcat has been a studentproduced news publication that has aimed to tell important stories, inform, and (hopefully) entertain the BOHS student body and staff. We’ve evolved with the times, changing from a more traditional “broadsheet” printed on flimsy paper that left your fingers ink-stained, into a glossy, full color newsmagazine. While our issues may not be as thick as those $10 Vogues you eye while in line at Target, our newsroom (aka “second home” for our editors) remains staffed, year after year, with hard-working student journalists committed to producing professional-quality, award-worthy
F
the bohs
work that tells the stories of those people who populate this great school. Just as the Wildcat is adapting to a rapidly changing world, so is BOHS. New at BOHS for ‘18-’19: following Jerry Halpin’s retirement as principal of BOHS after 15 years of service, Ixchel Sanchez arrives with energy and innovation; new classes such as Korean 3, Video Production ROP, and AVID 11 (see page 3) provide further diversity to our ever expanding list of courses; new staff members Amanda Chen, special education teacher, Kristen Dedmon, English teacher and softball coach, Edwin Gomez, Video Production teacher, James Charrette, band director, and Stephanie Anderson, Ladycats coach, add to our Wildcat spirit; the WILD program is bigger, better, and louder (Mr. Parish, always: “Let’s get WILD!”) than ever; and on pages eight and nine of this issue, you’ll get a glimpse of a new court of deserving Homecoming princesses. There’s been a whirlwind of positive changes at BOHS, and we are here to welcome them. From launching the ultimate guideline, to
The Wildcat Experience by Madeline Allen Freshman
navigating our campus and promoting highlights of the WILD daily lives of our students, the Wildcat will strive to continue covering what’s new and great about the BOHS community. We’ll leave you with: Do what you’re passionate about; excel in your classes, and never sacrifice your happiness and health by shouldering every Honors and AP class available. It’s the quality of the work you produce, the knowledge you acquire, and the breadth of experiences you achieve -- whether as a member of our nationally-recognized choir and cheer programs, our award-winning band, Graphics, GITA, and BITA programs, our league-leading and CIF-competing sports teams, or our community service-oriented clubs -that is the most important, no matter your grade level. Ultimately, BOHS is a vehicle to introduce an array of opportunities for you to enjoy and be challenged by. While we have a long road to the top of the hill (and we don’t mean Wildcat Way), we’re excited for what’s to come this year, and we hope that you too will look forward to a “WILD!” ‘18-’19.
WILDCAT
VOL. 88 Issue 01 since 1930
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole You PHOTO EDITORS Daniel Cho Angela Lee Indigo Lopez NEWS EDITOR Choyun Lee OPINION EDITOR Kenneth Kim ILLUSTRATORS Madeline Allen Justin Lee STAFF WRITERS Gunnar Cierley Indigo Lopez ADVISOR Alex Koers The Wildcat is published by the students of Brea Olinda High School’s Newspaper class. The purpose of the publication is to inform and educate the Brea community, as well as highlight campus life and student achievement. Opinions stated in the Wildcat do not necessarily belong to Brea Olinda High School administration, faculty, and students. Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the staff.
Sophomore
cover illustration by JUSTIN LEE
Junior
Senior
Write to us! The Wildcat represents the voice of free speech at Brea Olinda High School, valuing discussion, discourse, and opinions from all walks of life. Send in questions, comments, concerns, feedback, and story ideas to become a part of the next issue. Email us at: bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com Please include your full name in your correspondence.
The Wildcat
2
STAFF EDITORIAL
September 2018
Brea Olinda High School 789 Wildcat Way Brea, CA 92821 bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com
What’s NEW and WILD at BOHS by CHOYUN LEE
BOHS WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL Ixchel Sanchez is BOHS’s new principal following the re-assigning of former principal, Jerry Halpin, to the district office. “I’m excited to be a Wildcat and to interact with the students and the staff,” Sanchez said. “I look to continue to work with my teachers and staff ensuring that we have that positive school culture moving forward.” Sanchez aims to maintain an “open door policy,” visiting classrooms to “understand the [BOHS] culture.” Her policy reflects her belief in the value of a principal: a collaborative and instructional leader that should “hear everyone’s voice” before making decisions. Sanchez has been working in the education department for 20 years. She has worked as an English teacher, English Language Development (ELD) Coordinator, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Coordinator, athletic coach, and Vice and Assistant Principal at Warren High School in Downey. She received her BA at UC Irvine and MA at University of LaVerne. Currently, she is working for her Doctor of Education at USC. So far, she has been impressed with the successes of BOHS’ sports teams. Throughout the year, she believes her challenge will be to make sure that students “receive 21st century skills to be successful, young adolescents.” “We’re living in a world where culture [and] technology play a part,” she said. “We’re challenged every day to make sure that our students receive the best.”
CHARRETTE TAKES OVER BAND James Charrette has taken the helm of band following former director Joseph Bartell’s retirement from BOHS in 2018. “My ultimate goal as a band director is to establish a program that is fun and inclusive and that creates a family atmosphere where everybody helps each other,” Charrette said. “I think it’s important for students to develop a critical ear and learn how to talk about and analyze music in significant ways. I think that skill is a valuable skill that can transfer into many different aspects of life.” Charrette has been teaching high school level concerts and marching percussion since 2005. He received his BA from UCLA and a MM from Boston Conservatory both for percussion performance, as well as teaching credential from CSUF. Charrette plans to keep the transition between two directors as smooth as possible, keeping the structure of the class similar and “try[ing] not to fix anything that isn’t broken.” He hopes to bring more performances to band members and increment small changes to the program in the future as necessary. Currently, he is impressed with the reliability band students have shown throughout the class. “Our student leadership is really, really good this year,” he said. “[I’m] really impressed with our drum majors and our section leaders, their dedication and how much they’ve been supporting me transition.”
AVID 11 BEGINS Continuing last year’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) implementation process, AVID 11 has been added for 2018-2019. The program will essentially retain the same curriculum from the preexisting AVID 9 and 10, such as “self-awareness, community involvement, and communication.” Tailored to the juniors, however, the class will also focus on providing opportunities for taking college entrance exams and writing application essays. By offering fee waivers and discounts, AVID 11 will provide students with financial challenges easier access to tests. “We try to get rid of as much obstacles as we can. You don’t want someone not taking a test because they can’t afford it,” Amanda Louis, AVID 11 teacher, said. With a total of 60 students enrolled in the AVID program in BOHS, the program now has new teachers for each grade level, with Jessica Dombrowski, Skills for Success teacher, and Jessica Vogel, Spanish teacher, taking over AVID 9 and 10, respectively. “My goal is for AVID is to feel like a family that supports each other through their high school years,” Dombrowski said. “The more connected they feel, the more effort they will put forth to keep them on the college track.”
SPORTS MEDICINE ADDS NEW UNIT Sports Medicine and Therapy has expanded its curriculum by including a unit for body systems and disorders. A two-classroom setup will be used instead of a traditional single room; the second room will have lab and medical equipment so students can utilize skills learned in the class. Ken McCall, athletic trainer and ROP instructor, believes the new structure of his class will assist
students in honing their skills. As Sports Medicine and Therapy combines “hands-on skills achieved through practice” with theoretical education, the new classroom setup aims to increase “the [students’] aptitude or competency to perform the [theoretical] skills,” said McCall. It’s so much fun to learn handson lab work,” Jennifer Hernandez, senior, said. “Learning the information is great, but when you actually get to practice, it becomes real to you that being in the medical field is a possibility.”
VIDEO PRODUCTION ROP NEW FOR ‘18 Video Production ROP has been added alongside the pre-existing photography ROP for the 20182019 school year in response to the high student interest in the class at Brea Junior High. Video Production ROP will serve a “TV production pipeline,” with the curriculum based on the process of creating professional videos step-by-step. Taught by Edwin Gomez, who has worked in the entertainment industry for 23 years and has experience working for companies such as Disney, Dreamworks, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, the class is designed to prepare students that are interested in media production careers for higher level production classes in college. According to Gomez, “a lot of professionalism” will be expected of students. He has cautioned “if [students are] not informed properly on how to shoot, where to shoot, or what to shoot,” they can create content that is not aimed at high school level. As an ROP elective, the class will allow students to receive graduation credits for UCs. The photography class, along with video production, has been approved for its inclusion in category G (college preparatory electives) of the A-G UC requirements.
September 2018
NEWS
3
a WILD rally
The 2018-2019 school year began with a “WILD� Fall Sports Rally. From top left, freshmen Katie Kuron and Jada Gibson perform a cheer routine; seniors Amber Kim and Ashley Hong express their excitement for the WILD program; juniors Lauren Skinner and Haley Kim, and senior Lindsey Johnson perform a Hawaiian-themed dance routine; seniors Christian Hohbein and Jake Henderson participate in a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos; Marley Nicolas, junior, and Lauren Taylor, sophomore, strike a pose in their cheer routine. photos by DANIEL CHO
4 NEWS
September 2018
Nike Kneels with Kaepernick Nike’s controversial “Just Do It” ad should serve as a model for other companies.
O
n Sept. 3, 2018, Nike dropped a two minute, five second ad for the 30th Anniversary of its “Just Do It” campaign. The video features images of inspiration -- a hijabwearing female boxer, wheelchair-bound athletes, and disabled wrestlers. But it’s the five seconds featuring former NFL quarterback and “Take a Knee” originator Colin Kaepernick at the end of the video that set the Internet ablaze. Responses to Nike’s ad were dramatic, with the anti-kneel
contingent conveying their anger by burning Nike apparel and the pro-protest segment Tweetstorming their support for Nike and Kaepernick. Ultimately, Nike’s support of Kaepernick’s peaceful protest against police brutality should be celebrated, and other iconic brands should follow Nike’s lead. Nike’s use of inspirational figures breaking the status quo is not unprecedented. In 1995, Nike featured an HIV-positive, gay athlete in a “Just Do It” ad, and a 1987 commercial featured The Beatles’
“Revolution” and its lyrics: “You say you want a revolution / Well, you know / We all want to change the world.” These ads promoted diversity and acceptance, so making Kaepernick the focal point of its updated “Just Do It” campaign is nothing new for a company whose mission statement reads: “to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.” Reactions to the ad have ranged from the reserved (even President Donald Trump stated that Nike has the right to freedom of speech), to the economically wasteful (multiple videos of angry Twitter users burning their Nike apparel). And in the week after the ad appeared, two competing hashtags, #JustBurnIt and #ImWithKap, trended on Twitter with 16,700 and 33,100 tweets, respectively. Some critics of the Nike ad were quick to point out that Nike enjoyed $43 million in positive media exposure, and their sales increased 31% according to Apex Marketing Group, suggesting that Nike was using Kaepernick as a marketing ploy. Conservative personalities such as Tomi Lahren were quick to point this out, stating that the ad was inappropriate due to Nike’s capitalization of the fierce social debate between Kaepernick and NFL. To them, the ad was nothing more than a money grab. But does this even matter? Nike is a business, yes, but what matters most are the values of solidarity with Kaepernick that Nike clearly shares. The actual social message carried by the ad matters far more than the economic motivations for doing so. Kaepernick’s years-long disagreement with the NFL (the elite athlete is still being unfairly and inexplicably blackballed by the league) serves as a perfect way for Nike to make a bold statement. Yes, the decision was probably made by a roomful of marketers who saw a way to make Nike relevant in social justice discourse again, but this doesn’t excuse the fact that Nike, by including Kaepernick, is promoting a positive and necessary social message about the freedom to protest. Two years ago, Kaepernick knelt, not to disrespect the flag or the military or America, but to peacefully protest for a cause he believed in. The personal cost: a pro football career, millions of dollars in earnings, and his reputation amongst many NFL fans. But the nine words emblazoned over his portrait demonstrate the price he, and Nike, were willing to pay for change: Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.
by KENNETH KIM illustration by JUSTIN LEE
September 2018
OPINION
5
commentary
Crazy Rich Asians: Why it’s necessary by NICOLE YOU photo Illustration by INDIGO LOPEZ
sat, staring and sobbing at the black screen at the Edwards Brea theater. No, my tears weren’t due to the ending of Infinity War. I was crying because, for the first time in my life, I had just watched a movie on the big screen that featured a predominantly Asian American cast. In Crazy Rich Asians, from the eccentric cousins to the flashy and fashion-savvy playboy family friend, the film’s relatable characters made me feel as though I could be more than the stereotypes that Hollywood propagated for so long, that Asians are more than bad drivers and rich snobs. Crazy Rich Asians, with its $140 million box office
haul so far, Hollywood, and the rest of the world, proves that there is an audience for relatable, complex, and romantic characters of Asian descent. Testament to the film’s wideranging appeal: according to the Los Angeles Times, Crazy Rich Asians’ audience during opening weekend was 41% white, 38% Asian, 11% Latino, and 6% African American. This diverse demographic and the movie’s big box office show that the film, by poking fun at and satirizing (while not perpetuating), tired Asian stereotypes like the fanatic “tiger mom”, emasculated male bodies, an obsession with economics and business, and even the color of our skin through the clever use of
The cast of Crazy Rich Asians. 6
OPINION
September 2018
rozette.org
the song “Yellow” by Coldplay, shows that Asian characters are far more than old stereotypes. Kurtis Chan, physics teacher, said, “When I saw [Crazy Rich Asians], it was awesome to see that it wasn’t the typical portrayal of Asians, where there was Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and that sort of martial arts or sidekick [stereotype]... and that they’re are able to play the protagonist, the lead, in a mainstream film.” He added, “I think it’s huge, not just for the Asian community, but for any other person that feels that they don’t fit in. Regardless of being white, Hispanic, or African American, it showcases that anyone can relate to [the actors] on screen, not specifically just Asians. For us, as Asians, it’s really great to see that.” On paper, Crazy Rich Asians may seem like a typical Monsterin-Law-esque romantic comedy: a handsome, GQ-ready poster-boy, Nick Young (Henry Golding), wants to bring his equally perfect girlfriend, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), to meet his overbearing mother, Eleanor Sung-Young (Michelle Yeoh), only for conflict to arise between the girlfriend and boyfriend’s mother. What moved me the most: both romantic leads are Asian. According to USC Annenberg for Communication and Journalism, only 1% of Hollywood leads are Asian. Crazy Rich Asians being “another dumb rom-com” isn’t the reason why I enjoy it so much. It isn’t because it is the first major Hollywood film in 25 years featuring an all-Asian cast (1993’s Joy Luck Club was the last one). It’s because I didn’t leave the theater wondering what a movie with Asian leads would look like. I didn’t have to ask myself, “What if she were Asian?”. Because finally, after imagining what an Asian Bridget Jones or Allie Hamilton would look like, she was Asian, and we were finally on the big screen as leading ladies. And the movie’s success proves that I’m not the only one so moved by this.
Kwan’s Guide to the Crazy Rich Kevin Kwan’s hilarious and refreshingly eyeopening trilogy provides both a glimpse into the opulent lives of the world’s super-rich and a reimagining of traditional family values.
CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2013) The part-brilliant satire, partsoap opera takes NYU professor Rachel Chu to meet the ultra-rich family of her boyfriend Nick Young, running into conflicts based on familial values.
CRAZY RICH GIRLFRIEND (2015) When an unexpected family member finally makes an appearance, Rachel and Nick must travel to Hong Kong to deal with an entirely new family branch - and with them, a new set of problems.
RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS (2017) When the sickness of Nick’s grandmother leaves her massive estate up for grabs, Rachel and Nick must travel back to Singapore to make amends with her before her death.
movie review
BlacKkKlansman
RACE RELATIONS Lee does the right thing with true-crime masterpiece by KENNETH KIM
Spike Lee’s latest “joint”, the passion project, BlacKkKlansman, is an incendiary masterpiece filled with hilarious, multi-layered humor, and harrowing socio-political commentary about race in America. There are a lot of elements that this movie does justice to -- its cinematography (by Chayse Irvin) is beautiful; the humor is innovative; and the endearing chemistry between the protagonists, especially Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) and Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), helps to constantly keep the film lively and fresh. What the movie does best, however, is its masterful assessment and critique of fractured race relations in America. Based on a true story chronicled in Ron Stallworth’s 2014 memoir Black Klansman, the main character, African American cop Stallworth, experiences overt racism in his Colorado Springs community, from racial slurs casually slung by KKK Imperial Wizard David Duke (Topher Grace), to side glances and snide
ew.com
remarks by his white counterparts that creates palpable tension. His cop partner, the Jewish Zimmerman, also experiences racism when crazed Klansman Flex (Jasper Pääkkönen) threatens to put Zimmerman through a “Jew lie detector test.” BlacKkKlansman is most notable, however, for how it showcases a bridge between black and white communities, and spotlights commonalities between races. Films such as Get Out and 12 Years a Slave, while remarkable for also shedding light on racism, largely portray the white community as “bad guys”, with the only good white people being contrarians. BlacKkKlansman, however, is unapologetic in the way that it brings disparate communities together against hate groups like the KKK. The diverse Colorado Springs police department unite as one to stamp out the hate that plagues their
mountain community in the 1970s. Along the way, Stallworth becomes romantically involved with Patrice (Laura Harrier), a radical Black Student Union president, and he must keep his job as a police officer secret from her because Patrice hates the police. As a radical leftist in charge of the biggest black union at Colorado College, she frequently spits on images of cops and derisively calls them “pigs” due to moments of police brutality and racism she has experienced. Although Stallworth is attracted to her, his identity of being a cop gets in the way more than once during their relationship. Just like Patrice has come to hate the police over their perceived systematic oppression of people of color, so too does Stallworth fight to prove that black men can be police officers as well. (In an America
where police brutality and anti-police sentiments run high, it is refreshing to see a black cop as a protagonist.) Another intriguing element in the film is the way BlacKkKlansman portrays the KKK as both blue collar, day-to-day workers caught up in the drudgery of life and as dangerous, hate-motivated, white hood-wearing racists. This depiction of them as seemingly ordinary citizens in small-town America is frightening because it shows the pervasiveness and anonymity of hate. The movie does not humanize or glamorize the KKK in any way; rather, it reveals that our closest neighbors, friends, and even family can be racists. BlacKkKlansman is Lee’s statement that racism exists among us, in 2018, in every walk of life. In the wake of racist rallies in Charlottesville and the rise of white Nationalism, Lee’s movie and its message is especially timely and relevant. After the ending sequence of the movie, footage featuring hate groups marching in Charlottesville appears, with a final clip of President Donald Trump’s much-derided comparison of white supremacists and protestors being on morally equal footing. It’s unedited and the message is clear: racism lives among us today. It’s risky for a film to be so direct with its criticism of current race relations in America, but Lee manages to do so in a fresh and refreshing way.
the essential
SPIKE LEE
Director Spike Lee’s 32 year career has spawned an eclectic mix of documentaries (When the Levees Broke, about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and 4 Little Girls, about a 1963 church bombing in Birmingham, Ala.), big-budget biopics (like 1992’s Denzel Washington-starring Malcolm X), and arthouse hits, era-defining hits (such as 1989’s Do the Right Thing).
September 2018
OPINION
7
the
‘18-’19
Homecoming Princesses describe their perfect Saturday photo by DANIEL CHO
Brooke Farley
senior “A beach day with all my best friends.”
8
HOMECOMING
Alexis Colon
senior “Hanging with friends and watching movies.”
Nicole Wood
Maia Santiago
Madison Calabretta junior “On a boat hanging out with friends and family in Havasu, Arizona.”
Jyrmani Hartsfield
sophomore “Hanging with friends and getting food.”
freshman “Waking up in Minnesota with family, sitting by the lake, and getting dinner.”
Emma Allred
senior “Continuing my Marvel movie marathon.”
Kaelyn Cradle
senior “Watching Hallmark movies and going to a concert with friends”
senior “Snowboarding all day then drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace.”
HOMECOMING 9
LET’S GET WILD!: Seniors Paco Hanon, Caleb Weiseth, and Amine Elrayes await in suspense as Bob Parish, assistant principal, draws five WILD cards. WILD cards can be exchanged for a chance to receive rewards such as free dance tickets and food vouchers. photo by DANIEL CHO
10
STUDENT LIFE
September 2018
H&M
ribbed black hat
PALACE
Palace zodiac hoodie
URBAN OUTFITTERS oversized blue flannel
UNIQLO
ankle length pants
FOREVER 21
over-the-knee boots
COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor low top sneaker
Kayla Gil
senior fall
fashion
RALPH LAUREN
chino cotton baseball cap
by NICOLE YOU photos by ANGELA LEE & KENNETH KIM FOREVER 21 gold hoop earrings
OFF-WHITE
brushed diagonal arrows t-shirt
KOTO
Koto Hiroki button-down flannel shirt
H&M lightweight sweatshirt
FOREVER 21 distressed boyfriend jeans
LIGHT IN THE BOX
chunky heel ankle boots
Anthony Kim September 2018
STUDENT LIFE
11
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POWER SERVE: Amadea Soegiarto, senior, rises high for an overhead serve. The Wildcats beat Yorba Linda in five games on Sept. 6. At presstime, varsity was 14-4 overall, and 2-0 in league.
Volleyball crushing competition by KENNETH KIM photo by DANIEL CHO
“W
e want to win.” In just four words captain, Gillian Hidalgo, senior, conveys the fighting spirit and unofficial motto of this year’s girls’ varsity volleyball team as they kicked off their North Hills League season with a 2-0 record (at presstime), on the heels of a 12-4 preseason. Wildcats volleyball is winning indeed. In a recent match-up on Sept. 13, girls’ varsity volleyball faced El Modena High School and narrowly beat them, three sets to two, to improve to 2-0 in league. The entire game against El Modena was a slug fest, with sets one and three going to El Modena with scores of 17-25 and 20-25, and sets two and four going to the Wildcats with scores of 25-23 and 25-19. By set five, the Wildcats beat out the Vanguards 1511, cinching the game 3-2 for the Wildcats. Each Wildcat player contributed to the victory, including Gillian Hidalgo, senior captain, who finished the game with 24 kills and 19 digs; Madison Calabretta, junior, with 17 assists and 22 digs; and Aubree MacDonald, senior, with 9 kills, 15 digs, and 7 aces. Hidalgo attributes their stellar record to the team-centered focus on success. “[My teammates] all truly love volleyball. We have this drive during practice and matches that makes us successful…I think that really helps us support and push each other out on the court,” Hidalgo said. This identity has been a constant throughout this entire season, with an early game against Sonora High School on August 21 setting the tone for ensuing games. “We kept the energy up throughout the game,” Hidalgo said of the 3-1 win. While the first three sets were close, 25-21, 2523 and 28-30, the Wildcats sealed victory with a 25-17 score during the fourth set. The Wildcats then went on an eight game win streak, eventually losing to St. Margaret’s Episcopal School on Sept. 1, 2-0. Next up: Foothill High School Knights Oct. 2, and a rematch against Yorba Linda Oct. 4.
September 2018
SPORTS
13
A
s Elly and Sally Min, seniors, hustle around the hardcourt, the twins seem to share a single mind, communicating through quick glances and synchronized movements. With complete confidence in one other, Elly and Sally, doubles partners, pull off another win, bringing the twins one step closer to CIF-SS Division III semifinals. Last season, the girls went 3-3-1 in North Hills League, had an overall record of 8-9-1, and eventually succumbed 2-6, 0-6 against Canyon High School and 4-6, 1-6 against Alisa Fang and Amber Reynoso, another Wildcat doubles team during CIF-SS Division III semifinals on Oct. 27, 2017. This season, varsity tennis has showcased their veteran leadership and singles and doubles talent in a 3-2 record (at presstime). On Sept. 10, Elly and Sally dominated Rosary Academy, winning their match 6-4, 6-1, and 6-1, to help propel the team to a 16-2 rout. These lopsided scores are not uncommon -- the twins went 6-0, 6-4 against Santiago on Sept. 12 after going 6-0, 6-1, and 6-2 against Sonora High School on Sept. 6. Their success is partly attributed to the many hours they spend training
14
SPORTS
September 2018
off-season, but it’s also result of what separates the two from other duos in doubles tennis: their relationship as twins, which allows them to focus more on technique than on compatibility. “It’s easier to work with [Elly] because we never take our frustrations out on [each other],” Sally said. “Our support for each other is also a lot stronger than that of other players who have only known their partner a few months.” Despite their aptitude for the sport and their success as members of the Wildcat tennis team, Elly and Sally did not originally participate in tennis. Before discovering their talent and passion for tennis, Elly recalls that she and Sally “dabbled in a couple solo sports” such as golf, swim, and ice skating before settling on tennis. “It was a bit more our style because it involved working (or should I say, against) someone else, and our aggressive nature really kept us going on the court,” Elly said. Elly confesses that her love for tennis stems from “how independent the sport is.” Her confidence derives from the connection between her and her life-long partner, with whom she can just focus on herself without having to “rely on multiple girls on [the] court” during matches.
Min It to in It
by INDIGO LOPEZ, CHOYUN LEE, & KENNETH KIM photo by DANIEL CHO
This connection between the twins is apparent when they are both on and off the court, as they work together to ensure good sportsmanship with each opponent and teammate. The “support and energy” they gain from other team members is what keeps them going during tough matches through temperatures of 100 plus degrees, according Senior Varsity co-captains Elly to Sally. (left) and Sally Min (right) “My teammates have a distinctive relationship are so supportive that shapes their games. of one another. I’m glad that I get to spend countless hours with them,” said Elly. As team co-captains, their ambition on the court is no surprise. According to Kayla Gil, senior and varsity tennis player, the twins frequently engage in unique strategies such as making “crazy eye contact” and “speaking in Korean” to thwart their opponents. Since joining varsity tennis two years ago, the team has “lost lots of great players (and friends),” like co-captains and CIF participants Alisa Fang (‘18), Makaila Slife
(‘18), and Tiffany To (‘18). As doubles team number one, the sisters compete up to grueling nine sets a week to maximize team wins, according to Sally. They also put in hours of practice during the off-season to meet the demands of the varsity tennis season. “We’ve had lessons during sunrise, night lessons until the lights turned off, training in the mountains, and field trips to professional tennis matches,” Sally recalled. The twins also credit their success to the coaches that have worked with them for years. “Coach [Bob] Walton has shown me to not let emotions cloud my judgement. My personal coach, Barry Nguyen, has spent tireless hours to compensate for our physical shortcomings,” Elly said. The sisters’ efforts in tennis have given them a lifetime of experiences. From sweet instances of victory to bitter moments of defeat, the twins have learned to step over with confidence. With unrelenting faith in each other, they plan to grow alongside tennis in appreciation for what the sport has brought them. Girls’ varsity tennis next faces the El Modena Vanguards on Oct. 2.
September 2018
SPORTS
15
