Magnet magazine 1 3

March 2015

The official magazine for the Clark Chronicle

ClarkChronicle.com

THE MAGNET CIRCUIT BREAKERS BREAK THE LEARNING CURVE Page 4

FEATURES Videogames tap into the human subconscious Pages 8-9

IN THE LIFE

Lifeguard certification course teaches water safety skills Pages 22-23

Letter From the Editors W

ith the beginning of spring break comes the third issue of The Magnet! Our layout and content have evolved over the year, and in this issue we focus on education, showcasing the things that make Clark special like our Robotics Club and the AP Studio Art class.

You can read more about what the Robotics Club has been working on all year in “Circuit Breakers break through the learning curve,” while “Going behind the scenes of AP Art” discusses the environment in Clark’s AP Art classes. You can also read about why iReady testing is taking place and what students’ results are being used for in “iReady is introduced

in Glendale schools.”

Next, in our In The Life section, you can find first-person accounts of our Publications students trying new and unique activities. Read about what it feels like to work as a lifeguard in “Swimming to save lives.” If you are into music, read about a K-pop fan’s memorable experience in “Appreciating the K-pop audition.” On the other hand, if you are an aspiring singer, be sure to check out “GarageBand upgrades to Sounds Labs,” which tells about an amateur singer’s experience transitioning from singing in her bedroom to recording a song in Kingsize Soundlabs.

For reviews on the latest spots students

Clark Calendar

are enjoying, turn to the Lifestyle section, where you will find students’ opinions on Coolhaus, Pressed Juicery and Everest. If you are considering watching Cinderella over spring break, the A&E section is the place to go for more information. In A&E, we also share recent trends you can find at Uniqlo in the Glendale Galleria.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed creating it. Have fun and stay safe over spring break! Be sure to also check clarkchronicle.com for ongoing news and additional stories, and keep an eye out for our final issue of the magazine in May! —The Editors

March 2014

Table of Contents

Features 4-5 Circuit Breakers break the learning curve 6 Solved by Sareen 6-7 Behind the Scenes of AP Art 8-9 Video games tap into the human subconscious 10-11 Teens drive their way to freedom 12-13 iReady is introduced in Glendale schools

Student Work Stroup’s Art 1-2 portraits 14 Creative Writing poetry 15

Lifestyle 16-17 Uniqlo geared to take world by storm Cooking with Chef Maggie

18 Everest Burgers sure to satisfy everyone

Slater’s 50/50 stands tall over all competition 19 Take a blast to the past with Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop 20 The Coolhaus Shop enjoys fiery success 21 The Stage brings creativity to their food Blending health with satisfaction

In the Life Swimming to save lives 22-23 Appreciating the K-pop audition 24-25 GarageBand upgrades to 26-27 Sounds Labs

A&E Cinderella makes another 28 appearance Marina and The Diamonds rebrands her image in“I’m A Ruin” “Chick flick” classics 29 Gimme a Call teaches a lesson about the past A & E Column: Syuzi Says...

Opinion Sexuality gets classified 30 Photo Credits

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Circuit Breakers break the and learning learning curve Teaching in Clark’s Team 696

T

By Luis Sy Magazine Editor

he distant sound of a drill echoes in the air, students huddle around a robot, and the subtle smell of snacks floats through the air on an average day in the engineering room of Clark’s robotics team 696, the Circuit Breakers. Team members finish their snacks, “and then Jack [Nazaryan, Robotics club president,] tells us to get to work,” said senior Joshua Valerio. “And then everyone working that day goes into their respective subgroups.”

Team members work in many subgroups where they learn different skills and perform various tasks that all contribute to the overall manufacturing of their competition robot. Among the various subgroups of the robotics team are the prototype team, which prototypes parts of the robot, and the wiring team, which wires the robot and and its various parts.

The robotics team also has subgroups like the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operators and programmers, who operate and program the CNC. The CNC manufactures the metal parts of the robot after they are designed and prototyped, and is also known as the large machine in the engineering room.

Subgroups working in animation and computeraided drafting and design (CADD) design parts of the robot to

Senior Joshua Valerio

holds two metal components of their robot while Alfredo Degoma uses a screwdriver to fasten them together. be prototyped, and they use computer programs and their innovative design skills to draft computer models of their robot’s parts. The team also has programmers who create the programs the robot runs, a media and business team, as well as a lathe team which operates the lathe,

a machine that turns a big aluminum cylinder, spinning it at high speeds so intricate patterns can be cut into it.

As leader of the prototyping team, Valerio and his team test out different ideas for the robot to complete tasks.

“We come up with a strategy for what the robot needs to do to win,” Valerio said.

This robotics season’s challenge requires robots to stack big crates and boxes, and the production of such a robot capable of this requires the various subgroups to learn and work together cohesively.

“We have to stack boxes, so we think ‘how can we lift something up?’

Oh, an elevator!

So we have people work on building prototypes of the elevator,” Valerio said. “And then after we give the dimensions to the CADD people, they give us dimensions to make a second level prototype, which is the nicer, more accurate prototype.”

“We basically strategize, prototype, strategize, prototype,” said senior Elizabeth Abramian. “And that goes along with each

TEACHING: Teacher David Black shows

senior Joshua Valerio how to wire parts of the robot together. During prior years’ training sessions, Valerio learned various skills like wiring and prototyping.

Junior Mika Stanghill catches a red ball shot into the air by a robot built by the Circuit Breakers.

robot that could complete a challenge given to them by the team mentors, the lathe team had to lathe parts for a robot, and the programming team had to write total hours from the students and the programs that would allow a robot to other 1570 hours from the team mentors. carry out a specific task. “We all had However, between September and smaller projects that reflected exactly December, when the team is not on their what we would need to do during the build season, they are busy learning and build season, which helps train us,” said honing the skills they will need to build a senior Julien Courtade. “We learn skills successful robot during the build season. before we actually do stuff.”

In addition to learning from the team In those months, the members in their specific subgroups are given tasks and mentors and by experience, the robotics assignments by the team mentors that team members also learn from each other. they must complete by the end of the first “There are lots of different skills that the veteran members also teach the newer semester.

“In my sophomore year, I was tasked with members, by guiding them or pulling building just one particular mechanism,” them through,” Courtade said. “So we can Valerio said. “I chose to make a mechanism be good cops and bad cops.”

Courtade believes that the months prior that can make the robot grab a pole and pull up and climb so I had to learn a lot to the teams building season are helpful, about how to CADD so I could design and offer a challenging setting in which that part.” He then had to learn, through the team can learn and practice their experience, how to strategize, design and skills without the pressure of competition. prototype such a mechanism. “I had to “You just learn from the mentors and the manufacture it myself on the router, and veteran members during those training unfortunately, it didn’t work,” Valerio said. weeks,” said Courtade. “Even though “But I learned so much about how to everyone always learns more during the season, we try to learn everything we can design and how to manufacture.”

Similarly, the other team before showtime.”

The team will be competing in the members had to complete Los Angeles Regional competition from assignments specific to the subgroup they specialize in. March 11-14, and the Ventura Regional The prototyping team had to competition from March 26-29. build a Senior Julien Courtade

uses a wrench to connect two different parts of the robot’s interior mechanism.

mechanism, the intake, the totes that were making, and something that also pulls trash cans because thats also a thing we have to do.” After multiple strategies, prototypes and designs, the robot and its parts are manufactured, and the team learns more about what does and doesn’t work.

This process is repeated throughout the team’s build season, which lasts six weeks from Jan. 4 to Feb. 17, after which they pack up their robot and do not touch it until their competition dates during the week before and after spring break. Within those six weeks, the team meets every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Monday and Thursday meetings after school last until 6 p.m., on Fridays they last until 9 p.m., and on Saturdays they last from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last year, the team collectively spent about 8660 hours working on their robot, 7091 hours of which were the

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Solved By Sareen: Take 3 Dear Sareen,

As a senior, what would you recommend to juniors to ease their worries during the end of their year?

-Dinkleburg

Dear Dinkleburg Your senior year at Clark will probably be your best year in high school. Therefore, you would want to make it even better by taking the best classes.

First of all, you are required to take one year of English, one semester of U.S. government, and one semester of economics.

Senior English will be one of the most important classes you take because it’s the class that will guide you through the terrifying senior project. Therefore, whether you take A.P. or regular, you should pay attention to and respect your teacher because they’re the ones who will be guiding you through this project unique to Clark.

Concerning the Government/ Economics classes, I suggest you take the A.P. course. It is a great class, and the class instructor, Mr. Doom, is one of the greatest teachers at this school. He makes the class enjoyable, and it won’t hurt to get that extra GPA point.

In regards to the other classes you can take, there are many options: Cinematography with Mr. Stroup, Photography with Mr. Zamlich, Animation with Mr. Over, and so many more.

One of the classes that I really appreciated was Mrs. Newcomer’s Essentials of Research class. Before taking her class, I was completely unprepared for the senior project, college and finding employment. With her help, I was able to complete the senior project easily, I found out what colleges to apply to for my major, and I learned what classes to take when I got there. I am now ready to face anything that may come to me in the future.

Another class that I really appreciated was Mrs. Guarino’s creative writing/modern poetry class. Not only was I able to explore my abilities as a writer in this class, but I was also able to discover myself through my writing. Mrs. Guarino is also one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, and she does a great job of encouraging her students to meet their full potential.

However, the best class that I took this year is the Publications class. This class isn’t just for seniors, but juniors and sophomores as well. I look forward to this class every day. Students in the class create pages for the yearbook, write articles, take photographs, edit pictures, and manage the business side of the class. The best part of Publications is that all the students in the class are very close, and that we have become a family.

Sincerely,

Sareen Shatikian

Behind the scenes of AP Art

By Sophie Jose Staff Writer

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

“I

’ve b“I’ve been drawing since I was little and I have wanted to take [AP Studio Art] since freshmen year,” said senior Ainsley Dye. Dye is very passionate about art, so AP Studio Art was a class that she sought as a necessity. Getting accepted in the class was a somewhat difficult thing for Dye to do, as she had to submit a portfolio of her best art to AP Studio Art teacher Nyrie Gharibian.

While students still have to get

the student’s AP exam. AP Studio Art does actually have an exam like other AP classes, but the exam is to turn in the portfolio to judges, “who evaluate creativity and meeting specific requirements,” according to Dye. There is no specific topic that judges want the students to draw or design; they just want to see the student’s best work. Portfolios must have art pieces that concentrate on breadth and focus.

Breadth is a standard project such as still life and figure drawing and focus projects are personal projects that students wish to work on.

AP students must work extremely hard throughout the year, according to Gharibian.

The portfolio they submit to judges for the exam is completely different from the one they submit to colleges.

They can use the same paintings, drawings or any works of art in both portfolio; however, the portfolio that is turned ‘This class helps young artists in must consist of 24 their artistic voices.’ works. Half of the works on breadth and — Ainsley Dye focus the other half deal with focus or concentration works. Overall, five out of all those works will be judged on its quality. This amount of work shows that in this class hard work is a major factor.

The class may seem unorthodox, meaning students don’t sit down for 90 minutes taking notes and listening to a lecture; instead they immediately work on whatever project they have to finish. In addition, Gharibian gives recommended by an art teacher, the the students assignments which they most important thing is having a portfolio must finish as they also work on their to present to Gharibian. Portfolios are own projects.The class has a different important to art students, as they are atmosphere than other classes. Senior collections of their best work and can be Timothy Suh says, “I really enjoy the class, the winning ticket to getting accepted but not just because I like art but because into an art college or in this case, AP the class has a free environment.”

Studio Art. Gharibian individually meets with her Not only is the portfolio key to getting students to help them find their artistic accepted into AP Studio Art, but it is also voice in order to help them with their

discover

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artwork. “This method is useful because I can help students by telling them whether they are using a technique correctly or incorrectly,” Gharibian said. “Also, I can help them find the voice or the theme of their project, because sometimes they don’t see they use a recurring theme.”

Students quickly learn to juggle between finishing assignments and working on their own projects. “The good thing about this class is that it teaches you time management,” said senior Eric Supangan. ”How much time a student works on a project is important because Ms. Gharibian grades her students’ work based on its quality, just as the judges do during the AP exam.

Dye said she likes how the class allows her to be “able to showcase individual voices in an artistic way.” Supangan said he likes “expressing creativity and experimenting with different mediums” and Suh said he likes the “free environment and really friendly atmosphere.” However, putting off work even for a couple minutes is a luxury that students in AP Studio Art cannot afford.

A unique aspect of the class is that the students don’t get the exact same assignment. Some prefer design, meaning they work on computers and use programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Others prefer to draw, paint and use different kinds of tools to express their creativity. This is why grading system for a class like this is judging the quality and how much time and effort the student put into it, according to Supangan.

Students take this class for many reasons. Suh said he took the class for several purposes. “I took the class because it will help me in college, also for the experience, and earn people’s critique,” Suh said. Taking certain AP classes can show what students want to be in the future. AP Studio Art students can major in a wide variety of majors that lead to many different careers such as architecture, studio art, art history, illustration, fine arts and entertainment.

Because students do get college credit if they pass the AP exam, this of course will come in handy for the few seniors who take the class and wish to continue a career in art by applying to art colleges.

There are many fine arts colleges in the nation such as School of Art Institute: Chicago (SAIC), Otis College Art and Design, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and Burnage Media Arts College (BMAC).

“This class helps young artists discover their artistic voices,” Dye said.

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Features

Video games tap into the human subconscious Video games grow in complexity by developing many methods of immersing the players

By Hayk Mardirosyan Staff Writer Since the 1970s, video games have invaded almost every home and have become popular worldwide. “Video games can be considered as an artistic medium,” says Andrew Abuhanna, a Clark junior who spends most of his time studying video games.

“They can also convey a rich story. If you consider movies or television an art form, then you should also consider games as such,” says Abuhanna.

But why are games considered such a form of art? What makes video games so much more popular than movies for this young generation? “You read the stories of a character in a book or you watch the character in movies,” says junior Mikia Zohrabian, a gamer of ten years. “However, in a game, you become the character, which vastly changes how the situation in which the character is in is perceived.”

Game designers take that into account when making a game. In the Game Developer magazine’s August issue, Brandon Sheffield interviews Hirokazu Yasuhara, the Namco Bandai Games America senior design director, most famous for creating iconic character, Sonic the Hedgehog. In the interview the thought process behind designing of video games was discussed. As Yasuhara says, “The important thing here is that the player always feels like he’s in control of his own fate, that he’s got a full un-

derstanding of the world around him and what’s going on. That has to be a constant process.”

But there is a specific way by which games immerse the player into their virtual world. According to Ernest W. Adams, an author and game designer, games immerse the player through three types of immersion.

First, there is tactical immersion which is experienced when performing an operation that involves skill, such as constantly killing enemies to earn points, solving a complex puzzle, or getting through a platforming course. These challenges cause chemicals to be released in the human

Junior Nicolas Yedgarian is seen here playing his all time favorite game, League of Legends. The game uses a mix of tactical and strategic immersion in order to encourage fun gameplay.

brain, thus deepening the immersion. The reason for this is because the more entangled the brain gets in the virtual world, its lore, physics, and mechanics, the more interested it gets in this world. Hence, games that are not very good at providing challenging puzzles or platforming, or any satisfaction in fighting, fail to immerse the player and end up being boring.

Then there is strategic immersion which is associated with mental challenge. When playing strategy games, the player will experience this form of immersion when the player makes the correct move and achieves victory. This is similar to solving puzzles except slightly more complex.

Strategy games, and other games of similar form, run on multiple variables. To win, the player must find a proper combination of said variables to reach the winstate. The deep process of searching for these variable causes the brain to get immersed, once more.

Finally, there is narrative immersion, which occurs when players get invested in the story. This is similar to the experience achieved while watching a movie or reading a book. As video games evolved, so did their stories. It used to be just “save the princess,” but now video games involve plots that discuss complex ideologies, diverse cultures, or even human psychology.

The purpose of such complex stories is to immerse players hungry for a rich story.

Providing with a complex and deep narrative for players to explore and interact with, and sometimes even shape themselves, video games immerse the brain via narrative immersion.

Staffan Björk and Jussi Holopainen, in their book Patterns In Game Design, discuss a fourth type of immersion, spatial immersion. This occurs when a player is given the illusion that the virtual world is “real,” thus making the player believe he or she is physically there.

So a game can physically and mentally involve the player into its world — exploring ancient undiscovered cities, slaying dragons, shooting zombies, and feeling

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

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However, many, if not all, gamers disagree that video games encourage violence.“I love violent games,” Abuhanna says. “It’s a good way to blow off steam, but any sane gamer recognizes that real life isn’t a game and you can’t go around exhibiting violence towards people for no reason.”

More adult audiences may have a slightly different opinion. Cinematography teacher Matt Stroup said that he has played games and still does, since they “can relieve stress and improve problem solving abilities, however the more violent games may not encourage real violence, they certainly do glorify violence and other criminal acts and desensitize people, which may be even worse.”

Zohrabian, on the other hand, disagrees, saying, “If games desensitize violence, than history books desensitize imperialism. Games can teach teamwork and problem solving. However, games can also teach how to tell a story in a way that no other medium can teach.” the adrenaline rush caused by the adventure. “I play games because through them I am given the ability to enjoy time with friends while being in the comfort of my home,” says junior Nicolas Yedgarian, a longtime gamer. “They also allow me to take my mind off stress and just have a fun time.”

However, can this immersion also lead to negative consequences? Some say that video games can be dangerous. For every media there are critics, and video games are no exception. Since their birth, some have criticised games for harming a person’s eyes and wasting time. However, these criticisms became more serious when games improved graphically and started depicting more violent scenes. Because of this, serious debates began about whether games encourage violence.

Long time anti-videogame advocate Jack Thompson has led a campaign for a long time against violence in video games.

He launched his campaign against the video game industry after the launch of an open-world-sandbox game, Grand Theft Auto 4, which allowed the player to run around beating people senseless. His other victims included games such as Killer 7, Manhunt and Sims 2, all of which allow the player to freely run and kill anything that walks.

A survey across the campus revealed that 1 out of every 12 students believe that video games inspire violent acts, while 1 out of every 3 teachers believe they don’t.

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Features

Teens drive their way to freedom

The process of teens learning how to drive can be a challenging and sometimes odd experience.

By Monika Petrosyan Staff Writer

Every person has their own interpretation of their teenage years. If it’s anything like a ‘90s pop music video, it is mainly summed up by three things: partying, dancing and cars.

Through the eyes of a teenager, the most exciting thing about reaching this age is finally being able to drive. The ability to drive gives a sense of power and responsibility, two things that adolescents seem to desire.

That’s why it’s no surprise when more and more teens apply for their license and sign up for driving school as they reach this pivotal age.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, teens in California are eligible to apply for a learners permit at the age of 15½. After six months, at the age of 16, teens can apply for their provisional license. However, they must first complete their driver’s education with an instructor.

As summertime emerges, more teens take advantage of their clear schedules and begin working on getting their drivers license. For students who already have their permits, taking lessons with a driving instructor is the next step towards freedom.

Ani Davtyan, president of Glendale Driving School, says that summertime is when they get most of their teenage clients. “Be-

cause of summer school, more students come in for lessons,” Davtyan said. Surprisingly enough, throughout the rest of the year there is an equal amount of adults and teenagers, if not more, who taking lessons.

“We see more adults taking a refresher course because the older they get, the more they forget the rules and ways of driving,” Davtyan said.

According to the AAA Foundation for

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Traffic Safety, only 44 percent of teens got a license within a year of reaching the minimum age of qualification for their drivers license in their state.

For some teens, driving right away is not necessary. For others, it’s a means to escape the boredom that accompanies them when they cannot drive. Junior Ani Hovasapyan said that she doesn’t like to stay home all the time which is why she was quick to apply for her permit and later, her license. “It makes everything way easier and better,” Hovasapyan said. “I’m home all day so it’s nice to get out once in a while all by myself if it gets boring at home.”

New drivers are often fearful of being on the road since it is their first time sitting behind the wheel. The responsibility that comes with driving is something that some teens are not prepared for but must learn to accept.

Junior Cynthia Babakhanian described her first time driving as a “nerve-wrecking” experience. “I had never even sat in the driver’s seat before, but after getting on the road, I kind of just told myself that I have to do this either way so I wasn’t that nervous anymore,” she said.

Teenage driving is often tied with the idea of reckless driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of crashes are higher among 16 to 19 year olds than among any other age group.

Every student is unique, according to Davtyan. “There is really no way to differentiate older drivers and teenage drivers because everyone drives differently,” Davtyan said. “For the most part, it also depends on the instructor and the way they teach their

students,” she said.

The fear instilled in new drivers is also encouraged by the uncomfortable tension between an instructor and a student.

According to Davtyan, this is why instructors are told to get comfortable with students, relieve them of the stress, and help them perform better. “We make sure our teachers make students feel relaxed so that they won’t panic while driving,” Davtyan said.

Junior Arthur Ovsapyan described his first time with his instructor as a strange and scary experience.

“My instructor was an interesting man,” Ovsapyan said. “He made me drive on the freeway during our first lesson.

I was trying to stay calm while he was just sitting and eating almonds.”

His first lesson took another odd turn when his instructor had him drive to North Hollywood to buy used car parts. “We stopped at this secluded little auto shop where he made me stay in the

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car as he bought some cheap parts,” Ovsapyan said.

Sometimes instructors go out of their way to help their student drive comfortably. Junior Cynthia Shamerzian’s instructor helped her overcome a significant challenge. “While we were driving uphill, I noticed a squirrel up in the middle of the road where we were supposed to pass,” Shamerzian said. “I stepped on the brakes to avoid hitting the squirrel when my instructor told me to continue driving.”

After she refused to drive over the creature, her instructor got out of the car to move it himself. “He just told me to put on the parking brake and he suddenly got of the car,” Shamerzian said. “He was pretty scared of the squirrel himself. It took him a while to step around it to make it move. It was funny because he was such a big guy with dark sunglasses and the little squirrel made him uncomfortable.”

In the end, students seem to know that they must listen to what their instructor tells them in order to learn how to drive properly. “I just took what my instructor said and applied it, but I don’t think you can truly be comfortable driving until you drive on a regular basis,” Babakhanian said.

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

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Features

iReady is introduced in Glendale schools GUSD is now a research partner with Curriculum Associates, who provided the iReady diagnostic, a computerized test that adapts to the individual.

By Susan Krkasharian Managing Editor

With last year’s announcement of the new Common Core standardized testing being implemented in schools nationwide and the revised SAT set to be administered in the spring of 2016, it finally seemed as though no other changes were to be made in testing. Glendale students were in for a

surprise, however, as the new school year brought yet another mandatory test, the iReady diagnostic test.

As an intervention tool, Curriculum Associates’ iReady provides a diagnostic assessment to identify students’ weaknesses, then addresses these weaknesses by providing assistance with teacher-led instruction, student-driven online instruction, mobile applications and progress reports; however, much of the remediation it provides is available only for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.

The iReady diagnostic is a computerized test that adapts to the individual student. If a student answers a question correctly, the student is given a harder question to answer, and if a student answers a question incorrectly, the student is given an easier question. Students in the Glendale Unified School District took the iReady assessment once this fall and will take it again in January and a final time at the end of the school year, if the District follows through with its original plan to test all students three

times per year.

GUSD became a research partner with Curriculum Associates this year, the creator of i-Ready, when the GUSD signed a five-year contract that allowed for a 40% discount off the program’s face value, totalling to a price of $3.4 million, which is to be funded by Common Core State Standards, Title I and Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) monies.

Many teachers appreciate the remediation tool, but they are also experiencing some hesitation. “My only concern with iReady is the amount of time it is taking away from instruction,” said Fred Blattner, an AP Statistics and Geometry teacher. He explained that the first administration of the test took two full class periods from his AP Statistics class. “That means I am surrendering six full class periods a year, which is a lot. Thankfully, Ms. Kortoshian and the rest of the administration did as much as they could to have the test impact the classroom as little as possible.”

“The test might be worth the time if the

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

data we get back is meaningful and can inform our instruction. It is something that actually could be a huge plus,” Blattner said. He said that teachers get the data back instantly and adapt their curriculum to strengthen students’ weaknesses that were identified by the test.

Other teachers had similar thoughts about the new test. English teacher Carol Pettegrew said that although she thought the test was well designed and had good questions, it was too much of a burden on both students and teachers, as the students did not understand why they had to take the test and teachers were preoccupied with changing their curriculum to fit Common Core standards.

‘The test might be worth

the time if the data we get back is meaningful and can inform our instruction. It is something that actually could be a huge plus.

‘

-Fred Blattner “The data that it is supposed to provide seems like it would be very useful, but right now with the new Common Core testing and the new curriculum that comes with it, I do not even know if I have time to really look the data over and figure out how I

would be able to use it,” Pettegrew said. “If it was a different year where I wasn’t incorporating a new style of teaching, I would be all over it, and I would be very excited about it. I do think the test is valid. I do think it will be helpful. I just think that the timing is unfortunate.”

Students have had mixed feelings about the test. Freshman Samantha Dominguez said she liked the test because “it adjusted to how well [students] were doing while it was being taken.” Freshman Sevada Ghazaryan agreed that “it was pretty cool” but said, “I took my time and did my best, but I doubt a lot of people took it seriously.”

Junior Nanar Asadourian also said that she does not believe many people completed the test to the best of their abilities, as many students chose random answers just to get the test over with. Furthermore, Asadourian said that she preferred the math section to the English one. “Math was easier for me since the questions were not as open-ended as the ones in the English section,” Asadourian said.

On the other hand, sophomore Andrea Bernardo said she found the iReady “point-

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less and time consuming” and that she liked the CST better. She said one of the main reasons she did not like the test was that the iReady was administered on a computer, and consequently did not allow her to see how many questions she had already completed and how many she had left. “I liked the CST because it was on paper. I was able to skip difficult questions, then go back to them,” Bernardo said. “The iReady was practically never ending.”

However, not all students had such negative opinions about the test. Asadourian said that although she felt intimidated at first, she understands the test’s purpose. “It is not something we are used to. It is complicated and different. The questions given are not simple ones that you can answer quickly; you actually have to think critically before answering,” she said. “I had some trouble with the test at first, but then I got used to it.”

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THE MAGNET MARCH OCTOBER2015 2014

Student Work

Stroup’s Art 1-2 Portraits

By Andre Garcia

By Haroutyoun Ashkharian

By Gennine Lagman

By Meri Galstyan

By Aleks Melkumyan

By Adelina Sefiano

By Jarred Lima

By Arka Khechoomian

By Nareh Abramian

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Creative Writing Poetry When We Were Together Why? What were you hiding from me?

It was out of your character.

I never had long hair and I still don’t change for anyone, but how long did we stare into each other’s eyes?

Twenty minutes? That’s too short for me.

I preferred a clean slate, for a new day to conquer with you by my side, but those days all fade as I get older without you.

Halfway The ink of my pen slowly flows Bringing you anywhere I go Just a smile, but so flawless Ordinary hair makes you a goddess I try to grasp any image that comes to mind But those eyes are all I am able to find Time is an illusion without your love Every task I try, I fail and shove During noon of every day My mind wanders since you left me halfway

We Choose We choose unwisely.

Everyday components.

We choose wisely Out of control.

The maybe so’s.

Backwards, perhaps stagnant As if that’ll help.

Get lost while trying to stay.

We wait.

We fight and wonder.

But leaving every chance.

You make sure.

You don’t always make it.

You contradict.

And being left with nothing We go on about our days.

Tuesday 9:00 P.M.

Knowledge is deadly But its deadly to be naive As the ground caves in Does your sidewalk stay concrete?

And if your body’s on fire Or the water level reaches your nose Do you stop splashing and lay your head back?

Destroying your senses to float Clothes become drenched Feet freezing into blocks How wonderful to burn when you’re always freezing To drown away your senses instead of watching them turn to rock Paying all attention To the water filling your insides Time moves at pain’s convenience And bystanders watch as they eat you alive

(no title) Brown eyes and hair, a nose and two ears Maps, borders of red and seas of blue Your teeth are straight but crooked too “So” I’ve never seen your hair this short and “Magdalena” is one of many words I can’t draw but twenty minutes is longer than you think You’ve never eaten a grapefruit, At least not in front of me.

Sometimes I’m awake in the morning Not usually.

Sometimes I think you’re forgetting me.

Fake Glass Unbounded Some things must be done Tedious, everyday tasks I can’t stop it It’s the truth The charge keeps me going Steps echo and I look back Still don’t know what I want The rain stings Like boiled water The disease nears My surroundings feel dark The car won’t start No one to help me Others watch my efforts in the distance Don’t they want to help Didn’t eat breakfast, and I couldn’t

All poems written by students in Mrs. Guarino’s Creative Writing class and are all submitted anonymously.

My brush on the mirror Across the reflection Tracing your face clearer Cleaning your false complexion I want you to be more I can trace your lips and call them home For minutes, days, seconds I wash the veil and drown reality And between the minutes and seconds I trace a face in the mirror In vain You Doodles around in a notebook A heart around your name Your smile, I memorized. It’s only for me You need haircut You’re my safe haven When I look at you, I’m home It’s time to go soon We order different things In the afternoon I dont want to leave you

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Lifestyle

Uniqlo geared to take world by storm

By Ericka Shin Managing Editor Opening to an unbelievably large crowd on Sept. 26, 2014, the Uniqlo branch in the Glendale Galleria has been an absolute hit.

According to an article by Japan Society, the first Uniqlo store opened in 1984 in Hiroshima. The company then moved its headquarters to Tokyo, making it “‘truly a Japanese national company,’” according to Nobuo Domae, CEO of Uniqlo USA. Now this global company has branches in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Germany, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the United States.

At first glance, the design of the clothes might seem too simple and cookie cutter for some, but looking closer, there is a subtle quirkiness to every article of clothing, reminiscent of the 1950’s suburbs craze in America.

But Uniqlo products are even more lively than that. Each product is laden with a bubbliness and fun that is a breath of fresh air from the wild chicness of Los Angeles; the clothes are imbued with a flavor of childishness and surrealism.

To top it all off, the store has countless promotions on top of their already decently priced items.

A shopping spree at Uniqlo would be perfect for breaking those winter blues and inviting in spring!

And now, here is a selection of Uniqlo’s best products, chosen by yours truly, to help fight off the dreariness of winter:

(above) There are many denim shirts to choose from, but only one for the low price of $9.90.

Granted, the low price is due to a promotion (it was originally $29.90), but the promotion price has stayed the same for the past month. The pocket on the left breast keeps the otherwise plain shirt from being boring, and the denim has faded blue look that keeps you looking fresh and light. This shirt is a perfect complement for any cardigan or pair of jeans. The simplicity also makes it a nice canvas for accessories like a chunky golden necklace, or a bright scarf. Mix and match to find your own style! (bottom, bottom left) I’ll admit, I am guilty of butchering the name of this collection as “spuhruz NY collection.” To clear up the confusion, let me just throw this out there first: it is called “Surprise New York.” A unique collaboration between Uniqlo and New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the collection contains various styles including Ultra Light Down jackets, crew necks, hoodies, tank tops and T-shirts. These clothes have prints of works from artists like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jenny Holzer. Ranging from $9.90 during promotions and $89.90 for the Ultra Light Down jackets, SPRZ NY is affordable and definitely unique.

(above) The various colors makes these shirts perfect for casual wear, whether you want to embrace a feminine or sporty style. Slightly thick, these shirts are great for any sort of weather, too.

Some flannel shirts even have flower patterns on top of the checkered patterns. Regardless of what kind of pattern you prefer and what your personal style is, these shirts will end up as part of your go-to outfit. There is also a vast collection for the men, who will find the shirts just as charming. At $29.90, the shirts might seem a little pricey, but they are definitely worth the price. Watch out for the random promotions to snag a shirt for $19.90!

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(below) At first glance, Uniqlo’s stoles are nothing more than moderately priced scarves at $19.90. But upon closer inspection, they are miracle accessories; they can be used for anything. I use the thick 2Way Stole (Check) in 31 Beige, shown here, as a scarf, a blanket and a protective wrap for my books on rainy days.

Great as an accessory, and it actually provides warmth! Offered in a variety of colors, styles, thicknesses, all Uniqlo stoles are useful in one way or another. While stoles similar to the ones shown here are more heavy-duty, some are very light and casual. Options in stores may be limited, but be sure to check out the website for a plethora of stoles. Uniqlo stoles are a musthave, regardless of the season, so stock up on them today!

(left) Uniqlo’s shining jewel, the Ultra Light Down collection, puts unthinkable twists on a seemingly simple piece of outerwear. Some have hoods, some are vests, some are short, some are mid-length, some are long, but all come in the same vast variety of colors that Uniqlo is famous for; the combinations are endless. The light fabric also keeps them from being burdensome.

The most incredible feature of the Ultra Light Down pieces is that it can be rolled up and put in an accompanying pocket. Offered in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, everyone can indulge in this little treat. While it is a bit pricey (prices range from $29.90 during promotions to $89.90 regularly), it is a necessity for those random, chilly days in Southern California.

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Vogue and Rags The little things make all the difference Accesorize, accesorize, accesorize!

If you ever feel like your outfit is too simple, then throw on some bracelets and a baseball cap to complete your look. Layering necklaces seems to be what all the rage is about lately, so get yourself a few necklaces and go crazy!

When you’re layering your jewelry you should stay on the same color base. If you are going with gold, keep all accents either rose gold or basic gold so the colors don’t clash. With silver necklaces you can have a little more fun; add in some turquoise jewelry to get that pretty bohemian look.

Always have at least a two-inch distance when you’re layering. Crystal gem necklaces are perfect for a starter piece in your layering process. You can’t go wrong with something so fun; remember to just do what you think is right and rock the look!

Running late to a girls night out?

Throw on a pair of black, high-waisted jeans, tuck in a loose white v-neck, layer up some bracelets and necklaces, and throw on a flannel or leather jacket to get a quick look that’ll stay stylish from coast to coast.

Too sunny or too cold? Hats are always the answer and never get old. Baseball caps are back and ready to stay. From floral to team spirited, baseball caps can finish off any outfit and come in all sorts of styles while protecting your hair from the heat. Beanies never go off the grid and are a quick throw on when you are in a hurry. Remember no matter what you wear, embrace your style with a smile on your face!

Yours truly,

Dianna Khudoyan Staff Writer

Junior Sintia Babakhani layers a white gold eye charm bracelet with two Alex and Ani bracelets that add a quick and stylish look to any outfit. “I really love charm bracelets and they make all my outfits look cute,” Babkhani said. “It’s like a signature piece I put on every morning.”

Junior Michelle Boodaghian rocks a pre-attached three layer gold necklace that completes her outfit perfectly. “I like that it’s already connected so it looks like I tried really hard when I really just put one necklace on,” Boodaghian said. “Plus it finishes off my outfit really well.”

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Cooking with Chef Everest Burgers sure to satisfy everyone when I turn to Everest’s French fries, which are a fried to a golden crisp.

Maggie Everest is a also an excellent burger

Ingredients: • 10 lbs. chicken wings • Half cup of brown sugar • One cup soy sauce • Flour (enough to cover the entire wing) • Hot sauce (for flavor) • 2 tbsp. oil This recipe was probably the easiest and most fun to make. I made this recipe for two reasons. First, my family acquired 20 pounds of chicken wings for some unknown reason, even though no one in the family has fried chicken wings in their life. Second, we had a ridiculous amount of hot sauce laying around, again, for some unknown reason. Therefore, my obvious response was to make some hot wings.

First, I put all of the chicken wings in a bowl and mix it with the brown sugar, soy sauce, and hot sauce. It really is up to the person how much hot sauce they would like to put. I am a baby when it comes to spicy food so I only added two cups.

Then I covered the wings and chilled them in the fridge for two days. Me being the most impatient one in my family, I wanted to take out the wings not even 30 minutes after I put them in. I advise that you hold in your urge to take them out early and wait the two days. Thankfully, my family convinced me to leave them in.

After I took them out of the fridge, I covered the wings with flour, put about two tablespoons of oil in the pan, waited about three to five minutes on medium high heat for the oil to heat up, and fried those wings like no tomorrow.

Then, if they are not spicy enough, you can dip them in the same hot sauce you used to marinate them. You could also cut some carrots and celery to chew on the side and pretend like you are at Hot Wings Cafe eating real hot wings.

— Maggie Baboomian

Some of the amazing options at Everest Burgers include tasty golden fries, a massive 2/3-pound burger and a scrumptious fish sandwich.

By Elen Hakoupiani Staff Writer

joint. The charbroiled burgers have delicious toppings, including cheese, mushrooms and bacon; it’s a quarter pound piece of heaven for any meat connoisseur. If burgers prove to be too juicy, the restaurant will rain a variety of sandwiches on you.The pastrami dip is the best sandwich they have in my opinion. I know when we go there, my dad’s must have is a pastrami dip with a cup of root beer.

The restaurant has a steady base of drinks, including cool sodas and milkshakes for the hot summer, and hot chocolate for rainy winters.

The restaurant itself looks very old fashioned. It’s like a window into the 1960s. The yellowish tone to the outside brickwork and the classic half-plastic, halfmetal tables make it all feel like you’re from the good old days. The service can be a bit “meh” at times, as the waiters sometimes seem like they’re in a completely different plane of existence, but the cooks clearly know what they’re doing.

From those looking for a small breakfast to kick off the morning to those seeking a juicy and filling hamburger, to the vegetarians looking for a good old fashioned healthy salad — anyone can find something at Everest Burgers.

As a vegetarian, I appreciate an establishment such as Everest. The number of delicious vegetarian choices at Everest is stunning. Nothing can quench my hunger and fuel me for a day as well as the Greek salad with pita bread or the Hours: Sun-Thurs 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 7am-1am enjoyably spicy Caesar salad. But salad Address: 3826 Foothill Blvd, isn’t always my thing. Sometimes I want La Crescenta, CA 91214 something deliciously unhealthy. That’s Phone Number: (818) 249-9402

Slater’s 50/50 stands tall over all competition

By Argeen Ghazarian Staff Writer Slater’s 50/50 manages to be a superb hamburger restaurant as told by its diverse menu, fast customer service, beautifully designed interior and the tastiest hamburgers a person can ever experience.

The restaurant’s name comes from its signature burger patty, the original 50/50 patty — 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef. Their entire menu is based upon the simple bacon. They have other meats you are sure to like: grilled chicken, beef, fried chicken, portobello mushroom, carna asada fire beef, turkey and veggie.

Slater’s 50/50 gives each guest the opportunity to pick out their perfect burger. On an order form, you create your personalized burger. With literally thousands of different combinations, you can choose your favorite item for every aspect of the burger. Best of all, in the end you get to name your creation.

During my recent trip to the Pasadena

location, I created the Clark Burger: a 1/3-pound burger with white brioche bread, the 50/50 patty, American cheese, lettuce, Fritos, beer-battered jalapeños and bacon ketchup.

Most everything on the menu is their own creation made freshly every morning.

This is a fine food establishment that only offers their experience to their guests at one of seven California locations.

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am–12am Address: 61 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 Phone Number: (626) 765-9700 Among the many possible tasty eats at Slater’s 50/50, I chose to make the Clark Burger. In the background are Slater’s fries and beerbattered jalapeños, perfect complements to create a meal that is sure to fill you up.

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Take a blast to the past with Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

The vintage atmosphere of the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop in Glendale provides a candy-buying and consuming experience that can’t be found anywhere else.

By Monika Petrosyan Staff Writer If I could turn back time and live as a teenager in any era, I’d definitely choose the 1960s. Why? Because I would love to catch a groovy flick at a drive-in theater with a guy named Johnny. While visiting the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop on Brand Blvd., I came pretty close. This small store is created to look like a classic ’60s candy and soda shop where you can satisfy all your sugary cravings. Even if you didn’t grow up fighting the man in your floral Volkswagen van, Rocket Fizz will

make you feel nostalgic.

With just one step inside the doors of Rocket Fizz, I already felt like I was transported 50 years back. Classic rock music reverberated throughout and tin signs hugged the walls with their cheesy but iconic ’60s slang and phrases; it even smelled like the ’60s there.

Outside the shop, you are greeted by the mannequin of a young woman dressed as a diner girl in roller skates.

Inside the store, candies (including PEZ) and sodas that I hadn’t seen since I was younger, were abundantly layered into rows. There were other products I had never seen because they were either created exclusively by the company, from other parts of America, or, according to the Rocket Fizz website, from “other galaxies.”

In other words, I was thoroughly impressed.

Rocket Fizz is primarily known for its uniquely flavored glass-bottled soda pops. Different categories of sodas are offered, ranging from “Martian Sodas” to “Lester’s Fixins Sodas” to “Soda Pop Labels of Fame,” and more. Sodas created by Rocket Fizz display a more classic taste.

The soda pops that are “named of fame” are my personal favorite because flavors

are designated to certain celebrities from the past or present. Rocket Fizz is possibly the only place where you have the option between drinking “Snooki Wild Cherry” and “Lester Fixins Buffalo Wing” soda.

Almost every candy you can think of can most likely be found in Rocket Fizz.

There are literally barrels of candy. There are Lifesavers and lollipops, gummy bears and a wide array of chocolates. You can fill up bags of candy which are charged by the pound at a satisfactory low price.

There are little baskets which you can use to fill up with candy as you walk through the store. Not only can you find practically any candy and soda in Rocket Fizz, they are all sold at inexpensive rates, including the tin signs.

Before I entered Rocket Fizz, Soda Pop was only the name of an attractive greaser and That ’70s Show was all a myth.

The ’60s are a pivotal stage in American culture, and maintaining that little piece of history through a candy and soda store is, not only impressive, but genuinely groovy.

Hours: Sun-Thurs 10am-10pm Address: 138 North Brand Boulevard, Unit B Glendale, CA 91203 Phone Number: (818) 730-0233

Rocket Fizz was founded in 2007 by Robert Powells and Ryan Morgan. The shop features a large selection of different flavors of sodas and candies. For someone who would like to experience the past today, Rocket Fizz is the place to be. The different brands of candies will make you feel nostalgic- even if you weren’t a child of the ‘60s. The atmosphere of Rocket Fizz is sure to make anyone wish that they could go back in time.

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Coolhaus Shop enjoys fiery success

The Coolhaus Shop is a hip ice cream shop that the entire family or group of friends can enjoy. The bubbly letters are the perfect example of what kind of environment the eatery offers.

By Elise Mariano Staff Writer One can assume that every child dreams of a perfect ice cream sandwich — their favorite ice cream flavor sandwiched between their favorite cookies. Coolhaus has made these dreams come true with their signature ice cream sandwiches. These perfect creations are no ordinary ice cream sandwiches that you buy in a box, individually wrapped at a grocery store (although, Coolhaus does offer individually wrapped ice cream sandwiches at select grocery stores, but that is besides the point).

Coolhaus is unique because of the flavors they offer. You can go for a classic vanilla ice with a chocolate chip cookie, or you can even go for a chocolate wasabi ice cream and a ginger cookie.

The Pasadena store offers a good selection to choose from, with a few sorbets and mostly ice cream. The vanilla pear sorbet I ordered recently was light and tasted much like biting into a juicy pear. I was not a fan of the “cookies & sweet cream” ice cream I sampled from my friend — it was more like milk rather than Oreos. They are pretty generous with their portion— they fill the cup (if you prefer ice cream in a cup rather than in between two cookies) with ice cream/sorbet and they put an additional half or so scoop on top.

Coolhaus has 11 ice cream trucks/carts (five in California, three in New York and two in Texas) as well as a location in Culver City and in Pasadena. The Pasadena location is located on Colorado Boulevard, tucked away with a few other shops. The store is a little difficult to find if you are driving by. You should park in the parking structure in the back and walk along Colorado to find the little ice cream shop. There is seating inside and outside along the sidewalk on Colorado Boulevard.

Hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm Address: 59 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91105 Phone Number: (626) 486-2700

The Vanilla Pear Sorbet in a cup and two Seahawks Blue Cookie with Cookie and Sweet Cream ice cream sandwiches. Any combination is possible at Coolhaus, so try them all for yourself by taking a muchdeserved trip to the store today!

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The Stage brings creativity to their food

By Syuzi Sargsyan Staff Writer Hidden yet heavenly, The Stage, located in Burbank, serves hungersatisfying dishes that please customers.

Walking through the entrance of the restaurant makes one feel right at home.

The exterior is quite pleasant. Placed in the center are the tables and chairs, and on the sides bright green bushes cover the sitting area that is located behind the bushes. Behind the bushes couches are placed where one can enjoy a cup of coffee or a sweet delight. There is also a band that begins playing relaxing, soothing music at 8 p.m.

On the right side of the restaurant is an area called Cloud Island, and it’s only for designated smokers. Throughout the restaurant are placed signs (similar to street signs) that are used to divide different areas. For instance, the path that leads to the restrooms is called Relief Road. Along with Relief Road is

also Discovery Way, Hideaway Path and Daydream Alley.

As for the food, it tastes amazing. One really unique dish is the steak on the stone. They bring you a wooden tray and a rectangular piece of stone is placed on the left side. The stone is hot and on the stone is placed a raw piece of meat. You cook the meat according to your liking.

Along with the meat comes three small sized bowls of different dressings to dip the meat in with fried Brussels sprouts on the side.

The Steak on the Stone is one of their most unique dishes in which guests cook their own meat on a hot stone.

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Their customer service is very appreciated. I ordered the butternut squash soup and then a few moments later the waiter approached me with a concerned face. Turns out the cook didn’t want to serve the butternut squash soup because it was left over from the day before and there wasn’t time to make a new one. He didn’t want to serve leftovers to his customers and that shows how much he cares about the quality of the food.

Overall, I received great satisfaction from this restaurant. At The Stage one will enjoy great food, great customer service and great scenery. After all, their slogan is “The Stage is created by friends for friends; we trust you’ll become one soon.”

Hours: Sun-Fri 11am-12am Address: 546 S. San Fernando Rd. Burbank, CA 91501 Phone Number: (818) 567-2610

Blending health with satisfaction However, the ambiance is quite pleasing, as its setup is

By Alec Badalian understated, yet impressive. Its anterior is largely wooden and Staff Writer One of the Americana’s lesser known establishments is Pressed unpainted, but is put together beautifully. It also has a quiet Juicery, an artisanal blendery of fine vegetables, fruits and other atmosphere as a majority of the beverages sold are all pre-juiced extraneous ingredients. Founded by Carly de Castro, Hayden and kept in refrigerators, allowing customers to pick their drink without difficulty.

Slayter and Hedi Gores in 2010, the company As for the drinks themselves, they are began opening stores in Southern California immensely satisfying. Though the prices are and has expanded to Northern California a tad inflated for a simple juice with only few over time. Since then, their customers have ingredients, they taste delicious. My beverage been provided with nutrient-filled beverages, choice was a blend of apple, lime and strawberry, some of which have made Oprah Winfrey feel which had a lovely organic sweetness to it and a “really good and energized,” according to the perfectly thin consistency, unlike something such philanthropist herself. as a Jamba Juice beverage which is commonly I had no prior knowledge of this institution thick and lumpy. My companion, Ani, got a more until I was given the task of evaluating its complicated drink, however, consisting of coffee, service. Finding out that there was one locally almonds, dates and vanilla bean, which she said hidden in the Americana was a surprise. The was quite tasty as well. day on which I visited was uneventful as the Overall, there is nothing particularly business had few customers, perhaps due to memorable or spectacular about Pressed Juicery. its relatively drab appearance, which is unable My experience there was in no way poor; however, to attract passers by. there just isn’t any one aspect about Pressed Its presentation was relatively uncomplicated Juicery that warrants a ringing endorsement. in terms of its color palette and visual features, such as text and decorations. The walls are largely a stark grey-ish/white shade and the Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, cumulative size of the place is extremely tiny, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm which makes the overall store more homey.

Address: 132 Caruso St. But this is in no way a flaw or a discouraging Pressed Juicery’s minimalist interior Glendale, CA 91210 feature, for it is constructed masterfully.

Phone Number: (818) 247-2034 adds to the clean and fresh atmosphere.

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In the Life

Swimming to save lives Lifeguard certification course teaches water safety skills

By Elise Mariano Staff Writer

Senior Paul Terzian works as a lifeguard at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA. “This course will prepare students to be professional lifeguards, provide patron supervision, understand emergency preparation, perform important rescue skills, and provide First Aid,” says the course overview for the American Red Cross lifeguard certification at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (RBAC) in Pasadena. Lifeguards are an important part of every pool. They do the obvious — guard the lives of patrons.

I love swimming. I love being by the water. My love for swimming and helping people are the main factors that sparked my interest in becoming lifeguard certified.

Although being in the water and swimming my butt off is nothing new to me, swimming my butt off while towing a person to safety was something I’ve never done before.

Not only is swimming a good way to exercise your whole body, it can also save your life. Drowning is one of the top ten leading causes in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of ten people die from unintentional drowning every day. According to the CDC, two of the main factors that contribute to drowning are lack of swimming ability and lack of close supervision while swimming. There is a large percentage

of people that can not swim. If more people knew how to swim, fewer drownings may occur.

It was my mom who initially wanted to enroll me into the lifeguarding course. I was reluctant to let her do it because I thought the classes would take up too much of my time, or I thought that was just not cut out for it. Eventually, I started missing being in the pool so I thought to myself, “I like helping people and I love swimming, so why not put both of those interests to work and try lifeguarding?”

I read a little about the course and found out about the prerequisite test that one must pass before he or she is admitted into the class. You have to be 15 years of age or older and must show that you are pretty good in the water. To prove the latter, you have to swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating your skill in two strokes — front crawl (freestyle) and breaststroke. In addition, participants must tread water continuously for two minutes without using their hands.

Upon reading about that part of the prerequisite test, I was still feeling pretty confident that I would pass. However, the last part of the test kind of scared me. I would

have to swim 20 yards out and surface dive about seven feet to retrieve a ten pound brick from the bottom of the pool. After I got the brick, I would have to swim 20 yards back to the wall on my back with the brick on my chest while keeping my head out of the water so I could breathe — all under two minutes.

On the first day of the tryouts in September I was a little nervous, but I showed up to the pool ready to pass the prerequisites. I successfully swam the 300, treaded for two minutes using only my legs, and I retrieved the 10-lb. brick without even breaking a sweat. I was admitted into the the class that same day, along with another young woman. I was on my way to becoming a certified lifeguard.

Under the instruction of Karen Powers and Mike Dowell, six of us aspiring lifeguards met four days a week, nine hours on Sundays, and three hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two and a half weeks. During that time, I improved my swimming and learned lifeguarding skills.

Dowell has been teaching the lifeguarding course for over 30 years, and he has seen it change many times. In an e-mail interview, he stated that as the course has changed

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over time “the skills improve in effective rescues and improved safety for both rescuer and victim.”

Each day, we spent some time in the classroom and some time in the water. The RBAC has rooms on the second floor of the main building that are used for this course.

Classroom time consisted of going over first aid, CPR and emergency preparedness. We would also discuss what we would practice in the pool.

The Red Cross lifeguard course offers a Lifeguard Manual, which we studied. The course also included videos, which demonstrated essential skills. Although the videos were pretty cliche and the acting was bad, they contained great information and tips.

One memorable video featured a little boy who pretended to have an asthma attack while a lifeguard helped him. The little boy was trying his best to look distressed, but it just made me giggle because I could tell right away that it wasn’t real.

For the first few meetings, we focused mainly on first aid and CPR. Since I was in the Junior Lifeguard course the year before, none of the skills were new to me. When Powers and Dowell brought out the CPR dummies, last summer’s memories came

back to me. I remembered the feeling of the rubber dummy’s chest on my hands, and I remembered the sounds of its chest clicking as I did chest compressions.

One day while we were CPR training, Dowell played “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. The beat of the song went perfectly with the rhythm of the chest compression. We spent a few minutes with our hands on the dummies, going pressing down, waiting for the chest to recoil, and pressing down again as voices of the Gibb brothers filled the room.

Since all of this was pretty familiar with me, I would smile when Dowell would say something he said the year before. In the water for those first few meetings, we mostly worked on swimming techniques and how to jump into the pool. The biggest difference between the two courses was the prerequisite test as well as the written test and skills test I took at the end of the lifeguard certification course.

Lifeguarding is a popular part time job for teens. Paul Terzian, who is currently a lifeguard at the Crescenta/Cañada YMCA, became interested in lifeguarding for similar reasons to my own: to get a job and for the love of swimming. He got certified in March at the same YMCA where he works.

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“My favorite part of being a lifeguard is being around the water all the time and I like knowing that I’m helping to keep people safe,” Terzian said.

For Dowell, the most rewarding parts of the class is the ability for him/her to give back to the community and the gain in improvement in swimming. Dowell also said that others who do not take the class can indirectly benefit through someone who has taken the class when the lifeguard helps keep a family member or a friend safe around the water.

My favorite parts about the the course were being in the water almost every day and learning first aid. I loved being in the water for obvious reasons (and it was also during the time in September when it was extremely hot all the time), but I liked learning first aid because I like knowing that I can be useful in emergency situations so I can help people. Terzian especially enjoyed watching the videos when he took the class.

He too found himself giggling when they reenacted lifeguarding situations. “They were really funny because the acting was so bad,” he said.

In the water, we practiced rescues on each other. All six of us ended up getting pretty close, both physically and in emotional ways. When we would say, “Try not to kill me,” we meant it jokingly and seriously. We were partnered up and we’d have to successfully “rescue” each other.

We also made a connection with both Dowell and Powers. We weren’t shy around them, and it was easy to joke around with them (but when it had to be serious, they got pretty serious). Dowell says his favorite part about teaching the course is when a student comes back to tell him of their success in a rescue or of a safe swim season.

When it came the time to take the two written tests and the skills tests, I was feeling pretty conflicted. I was confident about the written tests, but I was feeling a little uneasy about the skills tests. My deep water rescues were still pretty crappy, and I felt like I wasn’t going to pass. Even though I was 70% sure that I failed the skills test, I ended up passing. Nervousness seems to be a universal feeling to those who have to take the skills test. Terzian recalls being just as nervous. “I just took a deep breath and did what I had to do,” he said. That breath was finally released when he found out that he passed.

Passing this course is one of my biggest (and favorite) accomplishments. Not only do I have the opportunity to help people and save lives, but I will also be by the water a lot once I get a job as a lifeguard.

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

Appreciating the K-pop audition

NU’EST. “I passed through the first round, which was just sending in a picture and application form,” Hung said. “But in the second round, the judge said I was too nervous, and I was dropped.”

Physical appearance can play just as big a part in an industry that comes from a culture that values long, thin limbs and a flat stomach. Another close friend and a fit dancer of 13 years, Nini Buu of John F. Kennedy Middle College High School, auditioned as a dancer in S.M. Entertainment’s 2012 Global Audition, and made it to the third round. “But they said I would have to lose ten to fifteen pounds within two weeks to get in.”

Listening to the feedback that my talented friends got, I wondered how K-pop stars emotionally and physically survived the auditions, let alone the entire training process. “It’s very tedious,” Hung said.

To prepare to audition as a singer, I consulted with my friend, freshman Juslyn Rollan of Eastlake High School, who already has a number of fans from her song covers on YouTube. An avid singer, Rollan has auditioned for S.M. Entertainment twice and once for Cube Entertainment, which has trained groups like 4MINUTE, BEAST and BTOB. “Prepare two or three songs, in English and Korean,”

Thousands of hopefuls flock to auditions to become global Korean pop stars

K

By Ericka Shin Managing Editor

orean pop, or K-pop, has taken the world by storm with its boy bands clad in tight, shiny pants and girl groups with impressively long legs.

As if all of the members are part of one ethereal organism, they flawlessly execute dance moves together and harmonize in all the right pitches.

These seemingly perfect units, however, are not entirely organic because K-pop groups rely heavily on the investments and precise planning of the industry’s companies. As ABC News reporter Akiko Fujita says in the news segment “K-pop Boot Camp,” “...these groups aren’t born, so much as built.”

While each K-pop company is known for looking for something a little different, the components of this rigorous system are essentially the same. First, there are multiple rounds of auditions for a coveted spot at the company of one’s choice. Then there is a contract, followed by endless amounts of practicing: singing practice, dance practice, language practice and media / PR practice.

The end result? No one knows. Even after all the sweat, blood and tears of these already-talented individuals, there remains a considerable amount of uncertainty as to their fates.

Clark Magnet senior Christine Lee, who is a K-pop fan herself, said there are benefits and drawbacks to the system. “I think it all depends on where you stand,” Lee said. “If it’s your dream, then it’s a great opportunity. But if you aren’t, then you’re going to think it’s just a waste of time to be a trainee for several years without a guarantee of being a K-pop idol.”

On Sat., Jan. 17, to delve into the minds of the hopeful youths who give up so much to become global K-pop stars, I tried out for S.M. Entertainment USA’s Monthly Auditions. S.M. Entertainment is responsible for some of K-pop’s biggest names, including Super Junior and BoA. This first step to Korean superstardom is not easy. Even emotions that are typical for a performance in front of others can make or break a potential contract. In 2012, Lina Hung, a current freshman at the University of the Pacific and my close friend, tried out as a singer for Pledis Entertainment, home to groups like After School and

Performers needed to fill out applications before auditioning.

Senior Ericka Shin takes a photo with K-pop star Hee JUN Han.

Au

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

said Rollan. “And of course, a dance routine, because they usually ask you to sing and dance in an audition.”

Preparing during the entire week before the audition, I tried singing various songs all over my house. I found that Lana Del Rey’s songs were best suited for my voice.

Unfortunately, I felt that this was too dark for a genre that is reminiscent of bubble gum and puppies.

Therefore, I tried singing something more upbeat and in Korean, such as Girls’ Generation’s “Gee,” Apink’s “Luv” and IU’s “Marshmallow,” ideal songs for any girl trying to join the Korean music industry.

But sweetly singing those high notes strained my vocal cords, so I abandoned that idea within two days.

I tried the the powerhouse vocal approach with “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” by Fergie, Q-Tip and GoonRock, “Flawless” by Beyoncé and “U&I” by Ailee, but I nearly popped a vein in my eye trying to emulate their voices.

By Thursday, I was in despair and slightly resented the whole K-pop system. I am not drop-dead gorgeous, an especially gifted singer or a coordinated dancer.

But as Buu said, “All you need is a catchy hook and you’re good.” It was baffling that something that seems fun and easy onscreen could be so difficult in reality.

After sleeping on the thought, I woke up on Friday, resolving to do whatever I felt most comfortable doing once I got there. I felt that I was overthinking the whole process and that I should just go with the flow.

I had no particular expectations, and the absence of the burden actually made me sing better than I could have thought possible.

On the afternoon of Jan. 17, after minimal preparation, wearing a simple sweatshirt and jeans, I finally walked into the nondescript building in Los Angeles that housed S.M. Entertainment USA’s office on the third floor.

Within ten minutes of filling out a brief application, the receptionist ushered my group behind a wall and led us into a spacious roo Along the length of the wall ran a collage of all the S.M. Entertainment artists, which served as our background.

My group consisted of only two Koreans, including myself. Meanwhile, the rest of the auditioners were of various ethnic backgrounds. Of the five of us, four were girls and one was a boy.

We stood in a cluster by the leather sofa, as the judge called us one by one to give us a badge with an identifying number. I was called forth and given the number 15005: 15 for the year, 005 for the number.

The judge was surprisingly softspoken and sympathetic. In English, she explained that we were the first batch of the new year, and reminded us that our faces and numbers had to be seen at all times. “As soon as I give the sign, say your name, age, school, and what you’re going to be doing,” she said. “Is anyone singing?”

My whole group raised our hands, and we all gave each other side-long glances of amusement. “Okay, great! Just sing once you’re done with your intro. Fifteen

Auditions were held at S.M. Entertainment, a South Korean company.

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seconds, or the chorus, would be ideal.”

When it was my turn, I said, “Hello, my name is Ericka Shin. I’m 17 years old, and I go to Clark Magnet High School. My number is 005 and I will be singing today,” and repeated the same in Korean. Taking a deep breath, I launched into the chorus of Lana Del Rey’s “Born to Die.” It might not be what they were used to, but I hoped that the shock value of something besides pop music could be my outstanding charm.

And maybe it worked. Despite two bouts of choking on air, the judge asked only the youngest girl of the group and me if we had any previous experience.

I said that I had placed in the top three for “KCON’s Got Talent,” and she seemed impressed.

The audition was followed by a mandatory rhythm test, in which the five of us clapped along to a clip of Britney Spears’ “3.”

I cannot say for certain whether I made it or not. I will find out with a response, or lack thereof, in two months’ time. In the crowd of millions of talented singers, I doubt that an amateur like myself could actually be picked out to mount the stage alongside my favorite K-pop groups.

However, that does not mean that I or any other hopefuls should give up. “Look at Kim Sunggyu from Infinite,” said Rollan.

“He auditioned for S.M. Entertainment before and did not get accepted but look at him now. He’s the leader of the famous K-pop group Infinite, and one of the main and lead singers of the group.”

Badges were used at the auditions to identify performers.

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A

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

ll amateur singers have the same humble beginnings, but not the same opportunities. Like millions of other singers, I can credit my humble beginnings to Apple’s GarageBand. From the time I was eleven up until now, GarageBand has served as somewhat of a “starter kit,” a personal studio for me to record in the privacy of my own bedroom.

With GarageBand catalyzing my passion for singing, I began vocal lessons at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood when I was twelve. My vocal abilities have been nurtured by my vocal team of Michael “Miles” Lanvitch and Brian Mieher for the past four years, through weekly lessons.

Mieher and Lanvitch never fail to stretch my abilities, push my voice a bit farther than I thought it could go, and cultivate my personal singing style and really mold it into my own.

My experiences at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute have been

nothing but positive, especially in the sense that my team has pushed me into a deeper understanding of my art. “I think that we’ve succeeded into really tapping into your potential,” Lanvitch told recently told me. “Your vocal range has expanded and I think that your progress from twelve years old until now has been amazing to watch.”

Many other amatuer singers have enhanced their singing talents over the years. According to the official X Factor Website, over a 150,000 people auditioned for the final season of X Factor in 2013. Victoria McCaffery, a contestant who auditioned for the X Factor, attends the Lee Strasberg school, and she told me that the competitive nature of the contest made this one one of the most nervewrecking experiences of her entire life.

“It was fulfilling to see how much I had improved over the years, but unfortunately I only made it to the third round of auditions not making the live

GarageBand upgrades to Sounds Labs

By Nazan Titizian Staff Writer

Amateur singers move from recording at home to actual studio experience

shows,” McCaffery said. She also said that competition among the artists was fierce. “Every contestant trying out has their own sound and are determined to win the show,” McCaffery said. “Each artist works hard to pursue their dreams and will do anything to make that happen.”

However, not all singers like McCaffery and myself wish to expand their opportunities. Alyssa Peralta, an ambitious singer I met at a vocal lesson, said that she would never record a song in an actual studio. “That would be too difficult and interfere with my regular schoolwork,” she said. “I enjoy singing

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

as a hobby it is not something I’d like to pursue in the future.”

But with my team’s confidence in my abilities, I had decided to invest more time, effort and money into singing. Last month, I made the decision with Lanvitch and Mieher to record in a private recording studio rather than Lee Strasberg’s public studio. Lee Strasberg’s public studio is

I could ever count. So with the support of Lanvitch and Mieher, and a little bit of help from Yelp, I had researched a few private recording studios in my area.

Lanvitch and Mieher had personally recommended Kingsize Soundlabs in Los Angeles, thinking that it would be a good fit for a first time experience with handson producers. Upcoming giants on the music scene were listed on their site, from FKA Twigs to Bassnectar, and just the idea of working in a studio that they came up with hit songs in was the stuff of any musician’s dreams. So I scheduled six hours to work in Kingsize Soundlabs for the following month with sound engineer named Eva Reistad.

The factor of money is by far the biggest roadblock for amateur singers.

Having the opportunity to work with experienced professionals doesn’t come cheap.Formal vocal training is notoriously expensive, especially when compared to athletic hobbies. Many parents are hesitant to invest so much money into a hobby that their children could easily disregard as another swimming lesson or track season. The tuition for the

just that — public, and therefore open to all students. The recording studio at Lee Strasberg suits the amateur artist just fine, but I’ve sat on the same wooden stool to sing into the same microphone with worn out headphones more times than

One Year Conservatory Program at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute is about $16,500, whereas a year of any given athletic program is a fraction of that cost.

Peralta also said money has been a fac-

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tor for pursuing her singing. “I definitely think that I would’ve pursued singing if it weren’t for the price that comes with it,” Peralta said. “Singing is definitely a passion of mine, but there’s no way that I’d be able to swing that much money for something that isn’t really a necessity. I love it and I wish there was more I could do, but with college coming up, I can’t make my parents pay that much money for it.”

Just going into Kingsize Soundlabs was nerve-wracking, but at the same time the most gratifying experience that I’ve ever had. In fact, I brought along my close friend Prenny Zadoorian to try and ease my nerves a bit. On Nov. 11, I walked into the Kingsize Soundlabs with uncontrollable nerves and high expectations.

We were greeted by Eva Reistad, and Zadoorian was welcome to observe while I was instructed to warm up. I tried to go through the motions of a usual warm up but my nerves were definitely palpable, with Reistad encouraging me to loosen up and Zadoorian smiling at me with her most sincere confidence.

After half an hour of warm ups, I was less wrapped up in the fear of bombing this session and disappointment and more focused on the sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing a song, whether I was in a public or private studio. I had decided to do a cover of “The Way I Am”

by Ingrid Michaelson to test the waters, and Reistad smiled with approval for the classic song.

However, Reistad’s approval hadn’t lasted very long. I was interrupted between verses to “try that again, instead with…” and to use techniques that my vocal coaches at Lee Strasberg had barely grazed upon.

Many artists are rewarded with the incredible opportunity of recording music in an actual studio. Full-time Strasberg student Hannah Koch remembers her first experience at the studio. “I remember the first time I stepped into the studio, it was one of the most surreal moments in my entire life,” Koch said. “Being able to actually live your dream is an amazing feeling. You feel like you’re on top of the world. The pride you feel when you start recording is unimaginable. You reminisce on all your hard work and how you got here today.”

My recording session felt the same way.

The entire session totaled to be six hours, and as tedious as parts of it were, I learned during every minute of it. I walked out with digital files of my recording and a smile that seemed to be permanently plastered on my face.

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THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

A&E

Cinderella makes another appearance a blonde, perky and helpful godmother whose magic helps Cinderella meet her prince.

Hayley Atwell plays Cinderella’s mother, who has a longer After 65 years, the classic fairy tale, appearance in the movie than the previous Cinderella is once again making an Cinderella movie. Her presence in the film shows appearance in children’s lives, but this her influence on Cinderella to grow and become a time it’s a live-action film opening heroine. Atwell is familiar with playing the heroine March 13. and being an inspiration to women and continues The well known story has been in to do so in this movie, but she ditches her red hat children’s lives since 1950 and Disney and dyes her brown locks blonde, removing any is once again showing the magic of a sense that she’s the daring and brave Agent Carter young lady who was destined to be from Captain America. Atwell shows a softer side, a princess by showing true kindness and despite her short appearance she makes a — and with a little help from a fairy long lasting impression on her daughter. godmother and a glass slipper.

“When there is kindness, there is goodness While people are getting tired of Disney remaking The upcoming release of the live- and when there is goodness, there is magic.” movies, this movie seems to hold a spark not just action of Cinderella has provided new because it a classic fairy tale. It stands on its own for insight on the life of Cinderella. Viewers will also get to see more it shows the details of how Cinderella became her own person of Cinderella’s mother and her impact on her daughter’s life and differs from the past version because Cinderella does not before her passing. act like the delicate lady she was in the animated version. She The actors in this film are well-known for some of their former proves to be a kind, daring and driven person. roles. Helen Bonham Carter played the wicked and insane This movie should be watched not just by children but also Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but the teens and adults who grew up watching and listening to now is no longer on the side of evil. Instead she has become the fairy tale.

By Sophie Jose Staff Writer

Marina and the Diamonds rebrands her image in ‘I’m A Ruin’

By Lilia Lamas Staff Writer Marina Diamandis, better known as Marina and The Diamonds, just released the fourth track from her upcoming “I’m A Ruin” on Jan. 27, for her third album, Froot. “I’m a Ruin” is a mid-tempo song in which Marina and The Diamonds reflects on life and loving herself selfishly.

This album is different from her others, because the Welsh singer-songwriter is not singing just upbeat pop. “This one feels different,” she said during a brief pause in her three-song acoustic set promoting her third album, Froot. “This one is very important to me. I’m sure everyone says that about all their albums, but it’s very true for me right now,” she said in an interview with Larry Day. The song is very refreshing for listeners to gain a new side of Diamandis they have not heard before. The lyrics are more intimate and the songs are more calming and slow. I really enjoyed her softer vocals and calming vibe in her new song. The songs feel more like an insight to her life and has a vulnerable feel from her, it is almost like an acoustic album. The song feels simple without to much background noise. The song feels real, honest, and relatable. Listening to the song, my mind felt transported to another atmosphere, because the lyrics were

genuine and authentic.

Diamandis wanted to go into a completely different direction with this album and have it more about her life experiences as opposed to what others critiqued in her previous albums. “...I very much listened to other people, perhaps when I shouldn’t have. So because of that, on Froot, I wanted to create the whole thing.” Diamandis said in the interview with Day. The album is unlike her others and is expressive of her life. “I think this new album is much more reflective,” she said. “It’s also centred around extremely different things; half of the album is about a relationship that I had to end,” she told day. The video for “I’m a Ruin” starts out with a black canvas and colorful fruits and objects begin to form.

“I’m a Ruin” hit number two on iTtunes chart from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2.

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

‘Chick flick’ classics

Argeen Ghazarian and Hayk Martirosyan debate about the ideal “chick flick.”

Hayk: Hey Argeen!

Argeen: Yes Hayk???

Hayk: Do you know what guys don’t talk about as often as they should?

Hayk: “Chick flicks!”

Argeen: Oh yeah. There are a lot of films of that genre out nowadays.

Hayk: Which one is your favorite?

Argeen: Definitely has to be The Parent Trap.

Hayk: Oh yeah but that’s such an old and outdated movie. I prefer something more modern.

Argeen: It’s not outdated; it’s a classic movie that everyone has seen when they

were kids.

Hayk: No. No. No. A good “chick flick” that everyone has seen is 10 Things I Hate About You it even stars Heath Ledger.

Argeen: That came out only a year after The Parent Trap so its not even modern!

Plus, it’s not that good of a movie. Friends with Benefits was much better, and it’s actually modern.

Hayk: Whatever. Another heart-warming “chick flick” for the entire family is The Holiday. It has a great cast including Jude Law, a great story, great drama and even some humor.

Argeen: Whatever. It doesn’t matter either way. The Parent Trap and Friends with Benefits are much better than the two lousy movies you mentioned.

Hayk: You have no taste in movies. This conversation is over.

Gimme a Call teaches an important lesson about embracing the past

By Iren Haratyunyan Staff Writer Gimme a Call, by Sarah Mlynowski, is an amazing book about a 17-year-old girl, Davi, being able to communicate with her 14-year-old self. After dropping her phone into a magical fountain at the mall, it turns into a phone that’s only able to make calls to the past. One day, our 14-year-old, innocent Devi, is sitting at the lunch table with her friends, when she receives a call from a 17-year-old girl who tells her it’s Devi from the future. She doesn’t believe at first, but the older Devi finds ways to prove that she is telling the truth. After a great adventure these “two” have together, Davi learns things that she hadn’t known before.

Devi tries so hard to keep her young self from falling for the guy that breaks her heart. Many girls can relate to this situation. The way Mlynowski describes Devi’s life makes teenagers think, “Yes, that has happened to me.” The main character experiences pain, joy, regret, anger and finally realizes that her life is perfect the way it is and that she shouldn’t change a thing.

This book is a fun read and has compelling character development.

Although, something bigger could have been done with the idea of time travel, the book didn’t disappoint me. Devi, the main character, is a relatable teenage girl; she is carefree, she is serious, and also very emotional. She is just like me and every other teenager. The book is very relatable because we, as teenagers, often try to go back and fix every mistake we’ve made, not realizing how important they are for our growing process.

Syuzi Says...

Award show costumes create controversy

Spring is coming! Spring is coming! With spring coming comes also….. award shows! Like most recent years, many award shows have been aired and will continue to be aired this spring, including the upcoming Teen Choice Awards and MTV Movie Awards.

Since many famous celebrities will be present at these shows, there will always be a riot going on about who wore what. Many celebs tend to wear outrageous outfits to gain more publicity. I think that it’s a great way to gain more attention but sometimes artists go way too far.

For instance, what Rihanna wore to the Grammys was completely hideous.

She looked like a huge piece of cotton candy. During New York’s Fashion Week in 2012, Nicki Minaj wore this huge blue wig followed by an outfit that could be described as a disgrace towards the fashion industry. It was horrifying. And the one outfit that the universe will never forget is the meat dress worn by the famously known Lady Gaga. There are absolutely no words concerning this dress.

Sometimes celebrities wear certain outfits to outshine others. By wearing hideous and over-the-top looks, celebrities gain more fame and attention. Of course they get sent to the worst dressed list in just about every magazine, but at the end of the day they really don’t care because all the attention was on them. Keep that in mind the next time you judge a celebrity on their appearance.

Stay sweet,

Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski is a mustread because it is relatable for all teens.

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Syuzi Sargsyan Staff Writer

Photo Credits

THE MAGNET MARCH 2015

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Opinion

Sexuality gets classified

Page 4 Courtesy of Team 696 Page 5 Courtesy of Team 696 Page 6 Ainsley Dye Page 7 Ainsley Dye, Farah Ali Page 8

Hayk Mardirosyan Page 9 Hayk Mardirosyan, Vanessa Codilla Page 10 Monika Petrosyan, File photo Page 11 File photo

If you aren’t straight, you’re gay … right?

Wrong.

T

By Chelsea Santos Staff Writer

here are different sexual orientations beyond that, created to satisfy those who haven’t been able to identify as just plain straight or gay. For instance, if you’re bisexual, you’re attracted to people of the same and the opposite sex. If you’re pansexual, you have no gender preference — you can fall in love regardless. If you’re asexual, you aren’t sexually interested in anyone at all. The list goes on from there.

Prior to the Internet and finding out that you were not alone, there was no way to define yourself — not that you should — in terms of not preferring the opposite sex. Luckily, times have changed, even in spite of much criticism (especially from conservatives). Sexuality has been broadened to cover more than just straight and not straight. A common acronym for sexuality is LGBTQ, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning.

Questioning?

As the name implies, the term means that you are questioning your sexuality.

You don’t know if you’re gay, straight, bi or something else. An easy way to get a rough answer as to what your orientation may be is to take the Kinsey Scale test.

A bit of background information first — the Kinsey Scale (AKA the HeterosexualHomosexual Rating Scale), attempts to pinpoint your exact sexual orientation at a given time (the time you take the test) using a scale of zero to 6, or from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual — exclusively, in the context of having strictly that preference and that preference only.

However, it does not address all possible sexual orientations.

It was a bit intimidating at first, essentially asking people to take a test to let me add their score on a test that determines gender preference to my statistics. I found it daunting, mostly because sexuality is such a

sensitive and controversial topic.

At school, “gay” is considered an insult.

Being gay automatically makes you a target for incessant bullying and constant humiliation. Never mind other sexual orientations — “faggot,” “dyke,” “fruit,” “tranny” — the list goes on. No one wants to come out of the closet, so to speak, if this is the way their peers are going to react.

This is why sexuality is rarely — if ever — discussed.

In December 2014, Leelah Alcorn, a transgender teen from King’s Mill, OH, committed suicide by walking in front of a semi-trailer. This was because she said she didn’t feel comfortable being herself — due to the fact that those around her, especially her parents, could not accept her for who she identified

Page 12 Susan Krkasharian Page 13 Susan Krkasharian Page 16 Ericka Shin, Wikimedia Commons Page 17 Ericka Shin, Wikimedia Commons, Dianna Khudoyan Page 18 Courtesy of Maral Baboomian, Ericka Shin, Argeen Ghazarian Page 19 Monika Petrosyan Page 20 Elise Mariano Page 21 Syuzi Sargsyan, Alec Badalian Page 22 Elise Mariano Page 23 Elise Mariano Page 24 Ericka Shin, Vanessa Codilla Page 25 Ericka Shin Page 26 Courtesy of Prenny Zadoorian Page 27 Courtesy of Prenny Zadoorian Page 28 Wikimedia Commons Page 29 Flickr, Iren Harutyunyan Page 30 Chelsea Santos

herself as. She only felt safe in the comfort of strangers she had never met, but only knew online.

This is why her suicide note was published on her Tumblr, which, as of now, has been deactivated.

You can read most of it here.

The only problem with sexuality is people’s reactions and responses to it. Someone else being gay, or bi, or trans is none of your business. If you are straight, cool. If you aren’t, that’s fine. Someone else’s sexuality is not your problem, so don’t try to make it yours. That’s why it’s someone else’s.

If gay people aren’t asking you to be gay, you shouldn’t tell them to be straight.

Just leave each other alone, and watch the conflict dissolve. Stop antagonizing people for being themselves, because if you do respond negatively to them, there will be repercussions — and not the good kind.