Wildcat
issue vol. 88
03
february 2019
brea olinda high school
From the Wildcat Staff
the bohs
WILDCAT Issue 03 VOL. 88
since 1930
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole You PHOTO EDITORS Daniel Cho Angela Lee Indigo Lopez NEWS EDITOR Choyun Lee OPINION EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR Kenneth Kim ILLUSTRATORS Madeline Allen Justin Lee STAFF WRITERS Gunnar Cierley Indigo Lopez illustration by MADELINE ALLEN
IT’S NOT COOL TO JUUL We’ve all probably seen those Truth commercials from breaks during the Super Bowl and as previews to Youtube videos. If you answered “yes” to the former, you most likely went back on your phones and waited for the next commercial; if you answered “yes” to the latter, chances are that you waited for the countdown to skip the ad. But now is not the time to ignore the warning signs or to gloss over the truth that vaping is an epidemic. Truth is, it’s no excuse to ignore the fact that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four teens vape and develop a nicotine addiction, lured to Juul and its hints of guava, mango, whipped cream, and apple pie. We’ve all probably thought “sure,” it seems harmless -- even amusing -- at first. What looks like a recognizable USB flash drive and tastes -- and even smells -- like a candy store couldn’t be harmful, right? Wrong. The Juul is not a harmless trinket that its compact size, discreet smoke, highly alluring creme, mango, and fruit-flavored
2
STAFF EDITORIAL
February 2019
juices, and easily refillable and customizable pods, make it out to be. In fact, 63% of Juul users aged 15 to 24 didn’t know that the Juul pods contain nicotine, according to a study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We should be alarmed that the majority of our students, friends, and classmates that Juul -- 63%! -- do not even know that their Juul pod is the equivalent to a pack of cigarettes. We’ve all probably seen a classmate Juuling on Snapchat or Instagram, and yet we mindlessly tap through our Stories and shrug off the videos of our friends casually puffing rings and disappearing behind clouds of smoke.
One in four teens vape and develop a nicotine addiction, lured to Juul and its hints of guava, mango, whipped cream, and apple pie.
And while our Juul-using classmates regularly “go to the bathroom” on a daily basis and lightheartedly showed off their tricks and flavors as if they were Pokémon cards, we look the other way as they vape the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes. Also alarming, the average Juul user spends $180 per month on pods, about 30 to 34 of them, according to researcher Mike Brown. That’s a lot of money! We should all be concerned that our peers are so willingly developing a nicotine addiction, risking the chance of developing cancer, increased blood pressure and heart rate, lung disease, chronic bronchitis and insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes, according to Penn State University. It is no excuse to look the other way or to normalize Juuling as a hot “teen trend.” It is not a “trend” to desensitize and normalize the very real and threatening risks belittling the dangers of vaping. So the next time you get a “random” whiff of raspberry and cotton candy in the bathrooms, think twice about picking up the Juul and the imminent future that awaits you and your classmates.
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.
Wildcat
issue vol. 88
03
february 2019
brea olinda high school
cover illustration by JUSTIN LEE & NICOLE YOU
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
Brea Olinda High School 789 Wildcat Way Brea, CA 92821 bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail.com
AP EXAMS HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
The Wildcat presents students AP exams that do not have designated classes.
by CHOYUN LEE
The month of May contains several events that students anticipate each year, including AP exams -a big concern for many students seeking to earn college credit. BOHS offers students 33 AP exams, including those that are available for classes that are not offered at the AP level, such as World History and Psychology, and for classes not available at BOHS, such as Music Theory, Studio Art, and Human Geography. AP Studio Art, Music Theory, and Human Geography are not offered on campus. But for those who are interested in pursuing a career in those subjects or receiving credit to preserve tuition in college, they can prepare for the respective exams by taking similar courses: 3-Dimensional Design and Advanced Drawing in place of AP Studio Art, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz and Marching Band, and Wind Ensemble in place of AP Music Theory, standard history courses in place of AP Human Geography, and Psychology in place of AP Psychology. While students can also selfstudy for AP exams that are not
POTENTIAL AP EXAMS THAT CAN BE TAKEN
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AP MUSIC THEORY AP PSYCHOLOGY AP STUDIO ART AP WORLD HISTORY supplemented with courses on campus, students should look for resources online. Joy Cordia, assistant principal, advises students to use College Board, a non-forprofit education organization site, to utilize sample questions they offer. Gil Rotblum, history teacher, recommends students to use test prep books to study for those that are interested in the AP World History exam, a test that does not have a designated AP course on campus. He especially prefers the Princeton Review because “the assessments are identical” and students only need “more content knowledge about China, India, and Africa,” which is present in the book. However, students wishing for a proper AP course for exam preparation can contribute to the effort. According to Cordia, “BOHS AP class offerings have changed” to “fulfill a demand or need from [the] student body.” “Student demand for a particular course is a [consideration] so that
NEW LAWS OF 2019
enrollment in the course would match the given student to teacher ratio we need to account for when building a master schedule,” she said. AP Art History is an example that has fulfilled a request from the student body; the course was added in 2017 due to a need of a class to fill the Visual and Performing Arts category of the A-G Requirements established by UC and CSU schools. Likewise, with enough demand and a voluntary staff, new AP classes can be established at BOHS. The rising number of AP exams taken also offers a chance in increased variety in AP course offerings. Since 2012, the number of total tests taken by BOHS student body has increased from 929 to 1212. Respectively, the population taking exams have increased from 444 to 560. This increase in popularity of AP exams can bring in a further variety in AP courses offered at BOHS. This trend mirrors the national rate of participation in taking AP exams. Since 1955, the number of students taking exams have risen from 1229 to almost three million, according to collegeboard.org. Sign-ups for the 2019 AP exams begin early February and is divided into two parts: signing up on Google Classroom and sending payments to the office. Deadlines for the registration processes are Feb. 15 and 25 at 3 p.m. respectively. Further details are included in the announcements sent to student email accounts. Visit Pam Valenti, assistant principal, for questions. Official study guides from test prep sources such as Barron’s, Princeton Review, and Kaplan are available on and offline for those that are interested in taking available exams.
Every year, new laws signed by the governor of California at the end of the previous year are put into effect. These laws can change anything from kids’ meals to internet privacy within California.
Reduced Plastic Straws
AB 1884 prevents restaurants from automatically providing plastic straws to customers.The bill is designed to reduce the amount of plastic within the Pacific Ocean.
Marijuana Freedom AB 1793 requires that the Department of Justice review all marijuanarelated arrests in California to identify arrests for nonviolent uses of marijuana that may be eligible for recall. This is a direct response to Prop 64, which legalized adult recreational use of marijuana in California.
Healthy Meals SB 1192 mandates the inclusion of healthier drinks such as water and milk into retail “kid’s meals”, replacing the current juices and sodas. This bill is meant to help children earlier establish better dietary habits.
Net Neutrality SB 822 prevents Internet service providers (ISPs) such as Comcast and Verizon from slowing down or blocking websites that require a higher bandwidth. This is a response to the FCC’s Dec. 2017 vote to repeal net neutrality, a vote which gave ISPs more freedom in how they charged their users.
THE BEST TEST PREP
The Wildcat asked BOHS AP teachers for their favorite AP exam prep books. Gil Rotblum recommends Princeton, Jen Collier Barron’s, and Bruno Morlan No Bull Review and AMSCO for their respective subjects.
compiled by KENNETH KIM
3
NEWS
February 2019
BOHS CONNECTS WITH SISTER CITIES by CHOYUN LEE
B
OHS students may have noticed a few unfamiliar faces on campus throughout January; foreign students from two of Brea’s sister cities, Hanno, in Japan, and Anseong, in Korea, respectively, have visited the campus for an exchange program back to back. Masako White, Japanese teacher, elaborates on the bond that the exchange program creates. “It’s really a great program. [Exchange students] become friends over a short period of time. By the time they leave, everyone’s in tears, especially the host families. Many of them have been going back [to Hanno], traveling throughout Japan with them and have become lifelong friends.” Brea and its sister city in Japan, Hanno, have promoted cultural exchange by sending students across the world for 37 years. This year, Hanno sent 18 hand-picked students for the exchange program from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18. 13 students from BOHS were sent to Hanno from Feb. 8 to Feb. 18. “In freshman year, the exchange was for fun, but as I got older, it became more of a learning experience,” Timmy Lee, senior, said. “Being able to speak to the exchange students helps us practice our conversational skills.” The Hanno delegation’s sixday tour of Brea included trips to Universal Studios and a picnic at Carbon Canyon Park with their host families. Students in Japanese and ESL also took part in campus tours and Sports Day, an event organized by the chaperones from Hanno, consisting of students competing in
ONE, TWO, SMILE!: Students from Hanno pose for a group photo with signs showing appreciation for Hanno’s hosts. They spent time touring the BOHS campus throughout their annual exchange program with their sister city, Brea.
games like relay races and capture the flag. Many of the Hanno students enjoyed their trip, with some boys stating that their favorite part was visiting Universal Studios while the girls collectively enjoyed “playing [traditional] games with their host families.” During the Hanno delegation’s tour, Anseong in South Korea sent a delegation of 30 to California from Jan. 14 to Jan. 30. The exchange students had an opportunity to dip their toes into the daily lives of typical American students by tagging along with their individually assigned Link Crew buddies to their classes for two days. The Korean students commented on the difference in the learning environment between the U.S. and Korea.
Tony Jeong, a student from Anseong, appreciated how their tour allows him to “expand his views.” He noted that there were many things to learn from BOHS, from the relationships between students to the differences in school policies. “I think Brea students are lucky to be attending this school,” he said. Not only did the exchange students learn about the lives of American high school students, but their respective Link Crew buddies also gained relationships that crossed cultural boundaries. “This exchange program is a great way for students from both BOHS and Anseong to learn what school is like in different countries,” Scott Gackstetter, senior and Link Crew member, said. “The students were very interested in the culture
EXCHANGE PROGRAM FAST FACTS
21TOUR 13380 DAY
4
NEWS
February 2019
MILES WERE
FLOWN ROUND TRIP
48
EXCHANGE STUDENTS
VISITED BOHS IN TOTAL
of the American student and experienced it first-hand. I was able to connect with my buddy Shady and build a friendship in the short time we were together.” The exchange was organized by the Brea Korea Sister City Association. Their two-week schedule afterwards included visits to Universal Studios, Columbia Space Museum, UCLA, and San Francisco. With the exchange program, visitors from both Hanno and Anseong received a taste of America. This program will hopefully be a start of a valuable relationship filled with friendship and understanding on both sides of the world. “Though we’re different due to the differing cultures, our similar interests can help us understand each other better,” Lee said.
37 YEARS SPENT
8 YEARS SPENT
WITH BREA
WITH BREA
AS SISTER CITIES
AS SISTER CITIES
WILDCAT ROYALTY: Mr. Brea winners Bryson Burns, social science teacher, and Caleb Weiseth, senior, pose with their crowns in Burns’s classroom. Burns earned the coveted Mr. Brea Teacher title with a dance performance, and Weiseth won the crown with a musical act.
February 2019 NEWS
5
Is the ‘weight’ finally over? + Wildcat Opinion Editor Kenneth Kim makes a case for Honors Literature and Composition 2 to receive the ‘honors’ weight it deserves. by KENNETH KIM 6 OPINION February 2019
illustrations by JUSTIN LEE
Attention, Class of 2022, your prayers have been answered: The process to weight Honors Literature and Composition 2 (HLC2) has begun, which means, for future sophomore classes, long-overdue GPA bumps. According to Joy Cordia, Assistant Principal, BOHS follows guidelines set by the University of California (UC) system that dictate what is, and what isn’t, an “honors” class. On BOHS transcripts, honors classes are noted with a “+”, but HLC2 notes a “p” for “College Prep” on transcripts. Without the “+”, colleges do not consider the class a weighted honors course. Which sections earn the GPA boost is both a “local decision,” according to Cordia, and the UCs determining if the class is rigorous enough to be weighted. Becky Marchant, counselor, explained that the UCs will ultimately have to consider whether or not HLC2 fits their standards for an honors English course. “We have to show that there is a significant difference between the regular class and the honors class,” said Marchant. Paperwork to achieve the honors designation has been provided to the English department. The next steps for Jonathan Quiming, HLC2 teacher, and Laurel Batchelor, English Department Chair: 1. Submit the paperwork necessary for the UCs to consider HLC2 weighted between
Feb. 1 and May 31. 2. If the UCs reject the paperwork, BOHS may resubmit it by July 31. 3. If the UCs reject the paperwork a second time, submit it a third time by Sep. 15.
If approved, HLC2 will be weighted by the start of the 2019-20 school year, with the class of 2023 being the first class to benefit from the bump. The application’s approval should be a nobrainer. To Quiming (and to many students who have graduated from his challenging class) there is a “significant difference” between HLC2 and College Prep. In fact, the course is so rigorous that many sophomores opt not to take it. In 2017, there were five sections of HLC2, but just two in 2019. And from 2017 to 2018, four sections worth of Honors Literature Composition 1 students chose to take the easier College Prep avenue, sacrificing the “honors” label on their transcripts for an easier “A” in the non-Honors course. (Students then opt back into Honors. AP Language has five sections and more AP exam-takers than any other subject. Even AP Literature, the most challenging English course, has three classes, one more than HLC2.) “I think the students started to figure out this problem, asking themselves, ‘Why would I take this class if it won’t give me credits if I could just take a College prep class, get an easy A, and move on?’ [Students] view these
“
THE BOHS
Although Honors Literature and Composition 2 (HLC2) is one of the most challenging sophomore classes at BOHS due to the amount of reading and writing and the teacher’s high expectations, students walk away without one of the biggest rewards for passing a weighted honors class: a GPA boost.” classes as a means to the end,” said Quiming. Batchelor agreed: “It’s been a discouraging trend that students don’t want to step up and take more rigorous classes. Weighting Lit Comp 2 Honors [is] a really good decision. I would love to see that happen.” Quiming and Batchelor aren’t the only ones advocating for a weighted HLC2 class. A poll conducted by the Wildcat of BOHS students revealed a whopping 98.66% who believe HLC2 should be weighted. Luckily for this year’s freshman, this opportunity may soon exist. But why are students so hungry for the slight bump in GPA? Students are awarded two benefits from taking an honors class: the learning that comes with taking the challenging course, and a GPA boost. Yes, students reap rewards from the increased rigor, but in order to apply this learning in the country’s top colleges, students need the extra grade points to be more desirable applicants, both for admissions and for scholarships. These extra points can go a long way: While BOHS’s highest GPA last year was 4.8182, Troy High School’s was a 4.88. One honors class may not be the only reason for the difference, but weighing HLC2 would be an important step to closing the gap between BOHS’s top students and those high-achieving students at nearby schools like Sunny Hills, Troy, and Diamond Bar. Closing this gap is especially important at a time when it’s getting increasingly harder to get into California’s top, and most popular, schools. San Diego State, for example, had 96,000 applicants for the 2018-2019 school year, up from 84,000 in
98.66%
Percentage of students polled by the Wildcat who said that Honors Literature -and Composition 2 should be weighted.
2015-2016, according to SDSU Newscenter. For BOHS, a school that sent 49% of its seniors to either UCs or CSUs in 2018, this recent effort to weight HLC2 is a welcome (and long overdue) one. “It’s refreshing to see BOHS make a change that both the faculty and students have been wishing for,” said David Lee, sophomore. “Hopefully, in the future, we can see more things done for BOHS students to better help their future.” BOHS’s mission is to provide academic pathways to success, which it achieves with programs such as GITA, AVID, BITA, Gateway, a wide array of Advanced Placement classes, skilled teachers, and a counseling staff highly motivated to get students into the best possible schools. A weighted HLC2 widens that pathway for BOHS’s student body and should result in a pool of more competitive applicants. A weighted GPA for HLC2 also will also give BOHS a leg up on its neighbors -- only Troy currently weighs HLC2. But this isn’t the end. With this victory, BOHS can hopefully look forward to other changes in the upcoming years. Imagine a school where freshman are allowed to take AP classes, where Pre-Calculus Honors will also be weighted, where classes such as AP Psychology and AP Human Geography exist. This is a vision of what BOHS could be, and if the weighting of HLC2 is any indication, there’s potential for this vision to become a reality. Students and faculty alike have expressed a desire for HLC2 to be weighted, a desire that has been met with action by the administration and English Department.
COMMUNITY
WEIGHS IN
+
“[Honors] classes are harder than the normal classes and I think it’s unfair for someone in a normal class to have a higher grade on their transcript than a person in honors class who is working two times as hard.” Kasane Mounce Senior
“Yes, [honors] classes are much more rigorous than the non-honors classes, so students should receive the benefit of having it weighted.” Allison Jackson Senior
“[Honors Literature and Composition 2] specifically [was] harder than most honors and a couple AP classes that I have taken. There was the same amount of work that had to be done for [that class] as other weighted classes.
Sydney Barton Senior
“If a course is classified as honors and the work is as difficult as weighted classes, then they should be weighted or they’re less appealing [than] a normal course.” Hannah Jang Senior
“Each of the classes require higher level thinking and more effort is put into each one. Why would you weight some honors and not all of them?” Emily Allen Junior
“Yes, because students will still receive a weighted GPA that reflects their advanced coursework as an incentive.” Maddi Klancher Junior
49%
of the class of 2018 attends a CSU or UC
“Some students decide not to take honors classes because of this reason and if the classes were weighted, I believe it will encourage more students to take the harder courses.” Camryn Pi Sophomore
February 2019 OPINION 7
In response to the growing vaping epidemic amongst adolescents, Editor-in-Chief Nicole You details the alarming dangers the epidemic poses at BOHS.
hen we think of a 20-pack of cigarettes, a small thumb-sized cartridge containing fruity liquid accompanied by a USB flash drive is probably not what comes immediately to mind. However, since its debut in 2017, the Juul, in which a single “Juul pod” is the rough equivalent to a pack of cigarettes, has amassed an audience where 15-17 year-olds have become prone to using the devices even more than their 25-34 yearold counterparts, according to Truth Initiative, a nonprofit tobacco control organization aimed to educate adolescents on the dangers of smoking. At BOHS, the increasing allure of the Juul to students raises concern over how to combat the misleading and harmful effects of these vaping devices. The Juul, an e-cigarette known for its unique USB flash drive-like and compact shape, heats the liquid contents of Juul pod cartridges which create vapor that quickly dissolves into the air. Since its debut in brick-and-mortar stores and its online webstore in 2017, the Juul has become immensely popular, “with Juul owning more than 72 percent of the e-cigarette market share.” Further, Juul sales increased by a whopping 641 percent in just one year, from 2.2 million sold in 2016 to 16.2 million in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2018 alone, Truth Initiative found that one in five middle and high school students saw the Juul being used in school. At BOHS, Bob Parish, assistant principal, has noted the increased vaping culture that is rapidly developing. “The use of vaping devices at BOHS has increased drastically. Thus far this year, we have confiscated approximately 35 devices or products that are used in vaping devices and [there have been] approximately 40 vaping-related disciplinary situations. Vaping is the new, trendy method of
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CENTERSPREAD
February 2019
smoking tobacco, nicotine and other substances.” Separating the Juul from other e-cigarettes is not only its sleek appearance, but also the increased health risk compared to other e-cigarettes. According to center4reaserch. org, the Juul pod e-liquid is “5% nicotine by volume, with more than twice the concentration of nicotine in similar devices like the Blu e-cig cartridge [which is] 2.4% nicotine.” The widely misconceived perception that Juuling is safe, where “youth often believe that the liquid used in vaping only contains water and flavoring,” according to Penn State University, or even safer than smoking, is false: while Juuls are “less toxic than combustible tobacco products,” a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences found that adolescents who use e-cigarettes are nearly four times as likely to smoke cigarettes within 18 months compared to their peers who do not vape.
urthermore, according to center4research.org, studies show distinct differences between the brains of adolescents who began to smoke at younger ages where they had increased sensitivity to other drugs and impulsivity. Images of the brains of adolescents who began smoking at a young age had a significant reduction in activity in their prefrontal cortexes, which are key in decision making and cognitive behavior. So, despite these health consequences, what makes the Juul so appealing to a younger audience? The Juul’s market success is testament to its increased popularity among 15-17 year olds with “16 times greater odds of being current Juul
F
users compared to those aged 25-34,” according to truthinitiative.org as the Juul’s discreet USB drive-like appearance and smoke make it easier for adolescents to discreetly vape at school. For Juul users at BOHS, the flavors, desensitized culture of vaping portrayed by “celebrities on social media” and the peer pressure to vape influenced their decisions to start, and even continue to vape, according to dailyamerican.com. Despite campaigns by Truth Initiative and warnings by the FDA and CDC, Juul users at BOHS see Juuling and vaping as a safer means and alternative to using marijuana and smoking cigarettes. “The flavors and culture around vaping and Juuling in social media generally make it hard to not want to Juul,” said an 18-year old BOHS Juul user who requested to remain anonymous. “The fun flavors, the cool appeal of it, and peer pressure are definitely a big part of the reason why I and a lot of my friends started and continue to Juul...It’s not a hardcore drug like marijuana or even cocaine. We get that it’s not exactly safe, but it is somewhat safer than us using drugs and smoking cigarettes.” The flavors corresponding to the Juul is also a factor in its growing success among the adolescent community as a whole. “Almost a third of the middle and high school students who used e-cigarettes in 2016 said the availability of flavors is a main reason they used the products” according to truthinitiative.org. It is because of these alluring flavors -- ranging from creme to mango -- that adolescents who vape believe that these flavored e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, according to Penn State University. A fact that “many teenagers do not consider JUUL to be synonymous with e-cigarettes” is a probable explanation to its rapid and continuous growth amongst adolescents,
according to truthinitiative.org. Research from the organization also show that “young people are more likely to believe [the Juul is] less harmful than tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes”; they found that 63% of Juul users were unaware that Juul pods always contain nicotine. The increase in vaping incidences on campus can be seen by the accessibility of Juuls on the BOHS campus, where, according to a 17-year old BOHS Juul user who requested to remain anonymous, getting Juuls is generally available across campus. “I knew someone who Juuled, so I asked them about how to start...Although someone may not know someone who Juuls, they more or likely know someone who can get a Juul. For the most part, I’d say Juuls are pretty easy to get and I was pretty surprised that a lot of people I didn’t expect to Juul, did Juul.” In addition to its sleek, USB flash drivelike appearance, the Juul’s composition of its cartridges and marketing strategies pose dangers to a vulnerable and, at times, naive audience. According to the President of Truth Initiative, Robin Koval, “‘it is no wonder that JUUL e-cigarettes have rapidly caught on with youth… unfortunately, young people are unaware that JUUL packs a powerful nicotine punch.’”
am Valenti, assistant principal, expressed her worries for the marketing appeal of the Juul and its increasing influence over adolescents. “I think the rate that [vaping culture] is progressing is scary,” Pam Valenti, assistant principal, said. “I think it’s the way that [vaping devices] are being marketed to kids that’s dangerous. They’re being sold as less harmful than they are. There’s a lot of people that might be willing to use a Juul who, if you were to offer them a cigarette, they’d never.” In an attempt to counteract the allure of Juuls to a young audience, as cited in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request to reduce the “epidemic” of teen vaping, the company decided to pull alluring flavors, such as the fruity cucumber and mango flavors, from brick-and-mortar stores in early November. While this was to restrict distribution solely to its online webstore, where a social security number is required, the root of the issue lies in its composition: Juul pod cartridges are manufactured to be refillable with the user’s choice
P
E-JUICE
of any e-liquid, where, among top flavors of an e-juice retailer were “berries” and “vanilla bean flavors.” Despite appealing Juul pod flavors no longer being available for purchase in stores, where according to Truth Initiative, 74% of youth claimed they obtained Juuls through physical retail locations, appealing juices are still available at brick-and-mortar stores where teens are still able to have easier access to poorly regulated stores and retailers. Essentially, the variety of flavors available on the market and the versatility of Juul pods go hand in hand where users are able to cutomize their own Juul pods, bypassing the Juul pod flavor restrictions. “The mass marketing campaign that the tobacco industry and liquid nicotine manufacturers are implementing claims to be aimed at ‘smokers’ who want a better way to stop smoking cigarettes, yet the nicotine oils are fruit flavored and have names that cigarette smokers most likely would not be drawn too,” said Parish. Even so, while efforts from “truth,” the national youth tobacco prevention campaign from Truth Initiative, promote that ‘“safer ≠ safe’”, faculty and staff at BOHS believe that educating and spreading awareness through assemblies and prevention training -- not creating newer, stricter policies -- are part of the solution that will ultimately help prevent teen vaping. “School Resource Officer Buckels has conducted Vaping Awareness training with various staff members, we addressed why students should not be involved in vaping...our Health teachers address the dangers and health issues related to vaping and the use of nicotine based substances or other controlled substances that can be ingested using a vape device. There is no law that can keep a person from choosing what they are going to do! Our students have the ability to CHOOSE to be healthy and it is my greatest hope that they will CHOOSE TO DO SO!” said Parish. While the full extent of risks of Juuling and vaping are unknown, choosing to Juul nonetheless comes with adverse health effects, some of which are still yet to be seen, that cause long-term addiction and health defects. Ultimately, it will be the collective efforts of staff, faculty, and even students who are contemplating Juuling or who are currently Juuling, to hold the users accountable to choose and uphold a healthy, Juul-free lifestyle.
by NICOLE YOU artwork by JUSTIN LEE
FAST
FACTS
1ST
Vaping devices may cause damage to the brain, heart, and lungs
2ND
The younger the person that tries nicotine, the greater the risk of addiction
3RD
Nicotine can disrupt brain development and long-term cognitive functioning
4TH
Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for addiction to other drugs
5TH
E-cigarettes are not FDA approved as a smoking cessation aid
6TH
Little evidence suggests that e-cigs promote smoking cessation
sources: centeronaddiction.org, cdc.gov
FLAVORS
February 2019
CENTERSPREAD
9
A HERO’S JOURNEY (clockwise from top left): early drawings of SpiderMan and Hulk; a drawing of the Hulk that Gunnar’s biological father drew for him for his birthday; a notebook sketch of The Super-Fruits by Gunnar’s biological father; a black-suited Spider-Man, Marvel’s latest take on Spider-Man, and Batman, by Gunnar Cierley.
Drawing from
INSPIRATION Wildcat staff writer Gunnar Cierley reflects on his creative influences and evolution as a comic book artist. story and illustrations by GUNNAR CIERLEY
T
here’s a certain “high” that I experience when I draw. I pick up a pencil, choose a reference (Bruce Timm’s Mad Love Batman comic, for instance), plug in my earbuds (blasting ‘80s playlists), and time flies. Soon, I’m illustrating Spider-Man shooting a web-line across the bustling streets of New York City and Venom’s contorting tentacles, each detail and crosshatch fighting to fill the white space. My love of drawing stems from both my passion popular culture and my creative DNA. Almost all of my relatives are artistically inclined, originating with my grandfather, who illustrated pirates, airplanes, hot-rods, and portraits of elderly
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FEATURE February 2019
people. Also artistic are my uncles and my parents (more on that later), all of whom contributed to jumpstarting my love of art. Before I could even talk, I was entranced by the adventures of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, felt the rush of wind as Spider-Man swings through Brooklyn, and laughed for hours at Michelangelo’s dumb jokes while battling Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These classics kept me busy for hours while at my grandma’s house, with piles of action figures and comic books. Most importantly, the comics, toys, cartoons, movies, and my artwork (especially the artwork) were necessary distractions while I was being adopted.
Yes, true believers, I was adopted at the age of five. My biological father and mother weren’t able to take care of me as a result of issues which, to this day, I haven’t fully been enlightened to. My Uncle Chris and my Aunt Maria stepped up and adopted me, becoming my parents, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While my family was shifting around me and while living in a small apartment in La Habra, my Uncle Chris received reprints of early Amazing Spider-Man comics, starting with Amazing Fantasy #15, Spider-Man’s first appearance. Now it’s my prized possession in a growing comic collection. At five years old, I fell in love with the webslinger -- his wit, his
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Before I could even talk, I was entranced by the adventures of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, felt the rush of wind as SpiderMan swings through Brooklyn, and laughed for hours at Michelangelo’s dumb jokes while battling Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
costume, his abilities -- and as I grew up, I learned to love his relatability, the genius poetry of Peter Parker being a normal teenager juggling history tests and photojournalism while also protecting the city as Spider-Man. It was this relatability that piqued my interest for the character, and superheroes in general, at such a young age. While I spent time at my grandparent’s house, I discovered my biological father’s artistic ability. My grandmother gave me an old sketchbook of his that detailed the adventures of his original characters, The Super-Fruits, a team of healthy fruit- and food-inspired heroes utilizing their weapons to fight against the diabolical Spoilers, a
band of villainous, sentient junk food. I was shocked by the attention to detail in each panel, with pages filled with dynamic action sequences of good versus evil, fistfights, and corny puns (“This’ll be a piece of cake!” Licorice Luis says). These homemade comics made me realize that comic book artistry is in my blood. During birthdays I would even receive full-page, full-color images of the Hulk and Spider-Man hand drawn by my biological father. As a result, I wanted to improve, because although my biological dad wasn’t ever a large part of my life, I felt like I could communicate with him through our shared love of comics and art. My art, and my
desire to pursue art as a profession, is testament to that relationship, the bond that ensues from pouring imagination onto a blank piece of paper. My current passion and stress reliever: drawing Marvel superheroes and original characters like the mystical Esmeralda and the heroic Wing, all drawn in dynamic poses with cross-hatching and shading, skills learned from my father’s drawings. Whenever I sit down and pick up a pencil, I can set everything aside that stresses me out. My grandparents encouraged me to draw; they bought me tutorial books on how to draw dynamic figures with step-by-step instructions for drawing superheroes. This,
combined with TV shows like Teen Titans and Justice League Unlimited, is what allowed me to learn how to develop different characters, whether they be heroes traversing the streets of Manhattan, or images of war with soldiers rushing the enemy. My style further developed at Brea Junior High when I discovered anime like Attack on Titan and Naruto. And Ms. Hooghkirk’s art class taught me how to shade and consider perspective in my art. Best of all, I spent hours laughing with my friends as I put my growing imagination on paper. In those rare moments when I lacked inspiration, I would -- being the nostalgia-crazy kid I am -- break out my old comic book collection, stacks of alphabetized, glossy masterpieces passed down to me, and comics bought from trips to La Habra’s Phat Collectibles, and I’d fall in love all over again with the emotional turmoil of the Silver Surfer, Spider-Man’s wit, and the blind Daredevil’s crime-fighting. I also studied the styles of the greats -- Steve Ditko, John Romita, Bruce Timm -- and tried to emulate their knack for story-telling and detail. But drawing also provided a means for me to stay in touch with my family, especially my biological father, who lives in Texas. I wanted to impress him and the rest of my family, I wanted to impress my friends, but most importantly, I wanted impress myself, because in the words of legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby, “It’s not in the draftmanship, it’s in the man. A brush is a dead object. It’s in the man. If you want to do it, you do it.”
February 2019
FEATURE 11
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February 2019
LOOKING FORWARD: Valery LeBlanc, freshman, successfully keeps control of the ball from her Villa Park opponent on Jan. 19. Girls’ varsity soccer wrapped up their season with a 16-11-2 overall record, a 3-4 league record, and a first round loss to South (Torrance) in the CIFSS Div. II playoffs on Feb. 8. photo by DANIEL CHO
February 2019
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NEW
COACH NEW APPROACH by KENNETH KIM
photos by DANIEL CHO
I
t was a memorable first season for first year Ladycats head coach, Stephanie Anderson, who led the youthful team -- there are five freshmen on the roster -- to a 21-5 overall record, a 7-1 league record, some record-breaking shooting by senior Stephanie Lee, and a top 20 state ranking. The pressure for Anderson to improve on last season’s Bob Walton-coached 23-5 record and league championship was felt by the team, who succumbed to Valley View High School, 62-53, in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 play-offs on Feb. 7, according to Rilee Price, senior guard. “I think there will always be pressure for any Ladycat coach to uphold the legacy of the program, but Coach Steph is an experienced coach and is handling the pressure very well,” said Price. Anderson returned the praise, commending the members of the Ladycats team for their work ethic and talent. “This squad is loaded with an experienced core of athletes who work hard and are determined to get better each and every day. When your athlete’s minds match the coach’s minds the way that they do, it’s likely that the task at hand would become seamless,” said Anderson. Some of these experienced athletes include Ashley Gustafson, senior guard and MVP of the Ladycats Classic Tournament, and Lee, who set the Orange County record for most three-pointers
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in a game with 12, and the Ladycats record for highest free throw percentage in a season at 95%. Anderson had already been a coach at BOHS, serving as the associate head coach under former head coach Jeff Sink two years ago. During this time, she established a rapport with many of the freshmen and sophomores (now juniors and seniors), enabling an easier return as Ladycats head coach. “The Ladycat’s program stands on and is rooted within rich tradition, [and] it has since THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Coach Anderson looks on as Rilee Price, senior, attempts to dribble past a defender. The Ladycats wrapped up their season with a 21-5 overall record and a CIF-SS Division I playoff loss to Valley View, 62-53, on Feb. 7.
been my mission to ‘check the pulse’ and continue to drive those values,” said Anderson. Senior forward and shooting guard Casey Fust agreed, noting that the seniors especially had an easier time learning from Anderson due to her previous involvement with BOHS. “The seniors remember her voice as an assistant coach and [we got] to hear her voice as a head coach. Having a new voice helps with learning different things about yourself and opens you up to another perspective of the game,” said Fust. Before BOHS, Anderson played college hoops at Whittier College, played professionally in Germany and Belgium, and coached at Whittier College, Calvary Chapel Downey High School, and Hope International University. The Ladycats hopes for an 18th CIFSS championship were dashed with the loss to Valley View High School. Fust took the loss in stride, however, stating that what she learned from her career, and from coaches Sink, Walton, and Anderson, was far more important. “Even though it did not end the way we imagined it, we have much to be proud of. With all the hits this team took, we still came out and gave it our everything,” said Fust. Fust also praised Anderson’s coaching style, the dynamic between the players, and how Anderson interacted with the team after the devastating loss. “Coach Anderson is an exceptional coach and I am so grateful that she came back to coach us. She pays attention to all the details and knows how to make a team even better. She has helped each and everyone of us grow and develop us into stronger and more confident players,” said Fust. With seven Ladycats returning next season, that growth and development will position the Ladycats for another post-season run.
SENSATIONAL SOCCER SEASON by KENNETH KIM
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ith a first round, 3-0, CIF-SS Division 3 win versus Crescenta Valley on Feb. 7, boys’ varsity soccer’s seasonlong aim to improve its young roster is paying off. Senior co-captain Sean O’Brien noted how the team dynamic this season was driven by the abundance of new players on the roster. “This year, we have 16 first-year varsity players and all of them are talented. The team is set up to be a very good team for the next few years,” said O’Brien. And their “very good” right now, wrapping up their regular season with an 8-8-2 overall record, and a 3-2-1 record in league. For Paco Hanon, senior co-captain, an up-andcoming star is Hunter Ogden, sophomore goalkeeper. One of two goalkeepers on the team (the other being Jackson Swindle, senior), Ogden proved his value early in the season when, on Dec. 4, he led the Wildcats to a shutout win against La Mirada High School, the first shutout of his career. According to O’Brien, this is just one example of Ogden’s potential to be the successor to Swindle, the North Hills Defensive MVP of 2018. “They are both talented keepers and they have had their moments. Swindle’s played more because of his experience, and that’s what Ogden is gaining right now, he’s learning from Swindle,” said Hanon. “Again, most of the players are young, so Ogden isn’t the only one going through this phase.” Other stand-out players this season include Kyle O’Brien, sophomore, who won 13 “Man of the Match” awards as a defensive midfielder, and Ryan Esparza, freshman. Matt Vrablik, freshman, quickly adapted to the team’s needs, often stepping out of his defensive role to help the team. “He is a defender, but he is very attack-minded and is involved in most of our goal scoring chances,” said Swindle. Stephen Teal, head coach, praised Vrablik’s flexibility, calling him “the most in-form player on the team.” “We feel it’s important to put trust in our younger guys, especially when they have as much talent as Hunter. Game time is important for developing younger players,” said O’Brien. “I, as well as our other captains, are all making sure we hold everyone accountable.” On Feb. 9, the Wildcats faced the state’s top team, and the 16th ranked team in the nation, the El Segundo Eagles, who entered the contest 191-1. Results were not available at press time. HOT ON THE PITCH: Kyle Tyson, junior defender, maintains control of the ball against the Yorba Linda Mustangs on Jan. 9. photo by DANIEL CHO February 2019
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A STAR IS BORN: Madyson Miguel, junior, won Brea Idol 2019 by singing her rendition of “She Used to be Mine” from the musical Waitress as her final act. Brea Idol 2019 had acts varying from solo. duet, and group dance and singing performances. photo by INDIGO LOPEZ
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BREA IDOL
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