Clark Chronicle Senior Issue 2014

LETTERS

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Hey Class of 2014!

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igh school graduation is filled with so much emotion for me. As I watch you walk in front of your friends and family and reach out for your diploma, I visualize a moment in time where our paths have crossed. For many of you, I see a fleeting memory of a sophomore in PE gym clothes. I remember some of you relieved to never have to wear that uniform again, and others begging for Enrichment passes to continue to come down and play as juniors and seniors. For those of you that competed in intramural competition, there will be a type of video clip that plays in my mind as you walk to receive your diploma. You played on teams with your friends and experienced the excitement of winning and the frustration of losing. Win or lose, I value those memories and thank you for sharing those special times with me.

Then there are some of you, when your name is called at graduation, for whom I will have a vivid picture of – my TAs. You have made my teaching life a little easier, helped me remember names of students in my classes of close to 60 (lol), brought me Starbucks to keep me awake, and shared daily high school challenges and teenage drama. I will remember moments with you the most, and cannot thank you enough for adding laughter and fun to my daily routine. Thanks for introducing me to One Republic and One Tree Hill, helping me laugh at my mistakes (and teaching you to laugh at yours), and always saying “hi” to me as you passed by me on campus. I have never been more proud of all of you as when I walked the halls during your Senior Project Oral Boards to see you dressed up, ready to present your life work at Clark. You have grown and matured from silly sophomore PE students into confident young men and women ready to face the world after high school. I will miss your smiles, your craziness, your passion for life, and our daily lives together.

Congratulations to you all!

— Miss Thomsen My quote for you: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

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lark Magnet completes its fifteenth year of operation with the graduation of the Class of 2014. This year has been especially rewarding for me in that Clark has been around long enough to produce a whole generation of adults who have graduated from high school, college and graduate school, and have now entered the world of work and careers.

A large number of former Clark graduates joined us this year to judge Senior Projects. They were complimentary of the experiences they received at Clark Magnet, even though they may not have understood their value at the time they were here. In the years since, many have come to realize that no life experience is wasted and yet it may have taken years for them to understand where the experience fit in their life’s puzzle.

As I speak with former Clark students, I am struck with the commonality of their experiences after Clark. They soon come to realize how many skills they have mastered here and how many of their college peers who attended other high schools approach their futures less prepared. Things that seemed insignificant or were dismissed at the time Clark Magnet students were learning them, became of major significance in the “real world.”

Other Senior Project judges who did not attend Clark Magnet commented that they had to take costly technology training in college to prepare for their “corporate jobs.” This expensive technology training was essentially 9th grade work at Clark. I wonder how much easier their university experience would have been had they grasped these skills before leaving high school?

If it is true that no experience is wasted; you will be applying your Clark skills for a very long lime to come. In the future when you encounter a need for or a connection to the skills you have learned here, think of the people at Clark Magnet who worked so hard to give you an advantage for the rest of your life. And don’t forget to measure twice... ­— Doug Dall

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o the Class of 2014,

via social media and what you share via social media. And that I immediately found myself agreeing with his assessthis isn’t just about taking “selfies” and sharing them via ment. I do think your generation has much capacity for I write to you this letter to challenge you to defy Instagram. compassion, but that too often you become immersed in the pejorative “selfie generation” that is sometimes used a world of social media which I’d argue has become our to describe you. In a much-cited Chicago Tribune article My concern is that unless you see a virtual representabiggest double-edged sword of this century. in Jan. 2014, writer Seth J. Carr takes on the charge that tion of some ill in society, you sometimes don’t see that you all are “selfie-posting, social media-crazed underconcern as worthy of consideration. Take the KONY 2012 There is much power in being connected 24/7. But with achievers.” campaign, for example. Do you still remember that? Do that power comes a responsibility to stay in touch with you remember the media frenzy that this viral video crethe world that is real and not just displayed on a glowing Your generation is certainly not one I’d call “underachiev- ated? Why did it take the social media grapevine to raise phone screen. ers,” as Carr says many in my generation call you. So awareness of Joseph Kony’s African militia? many of you have achieved so much in your 18 years.

May your Class of 2014 live up its potential and realize Your college applications, your resumes are chocked full I challenge you to look directly, with your own eyes, at the best that is in all of you. I know you can. with accomplishments many of my peers could not have the community where you live and address those conimagined. I took two AP classes during my high school cerns, if not now then in the years to come. Consider the Best wishes for much happiness and success in your life, years in the 1980s; many of you have eight or more AP work of the members of your school’s Global Mindset courses. I volunteered a few hours doing community Group who have taken on meaningful community service — Chris Davis service in Boy Scouts, but in no way could I have spent to better the lives of people directly here in Glendale. more than 100 hours doing community service as so many Consider the work some of you have done as part of your of you have. senior projects where you’ve learned about the challenges others face.

Underachievers? Hardly.

Yes, a video on YouTube of some injustice can engender Much of what he writes I agree with, as I don’t worry too great interest and empathy, but it can also make it all too much about our world’s future if it is in your hands. easy to distance yourself from the more tangible concerns right here. Ask yourself how well you know your own Still, I don’t think Carr is entirely correct in his assessneighbors. Ask yourself if some older people who are ment. Carr attributes much of your generation’s shortcom- alone could be helped by your occasional presence — ings to years of corporate greed on Wall Street and to even if that means just sitting with them for ten or fifteen high student debt generated by exorbitant college costs. minutes and asking how they are doing.

Perhaps.

When Rodney Suddith, the president of Sports Outreach However, Carr underestimates the consequences of a Network who came to our school last month with Ugan“social-media crazed” generation. I do believe that as a dan chess champion Phiona Mutesi, said that people see whole you are too concerned with what the world shares you as the generation with compassion, I wish I could say

2014

LETTERS

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Dear Class of 2014:

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t is hard to believe that four years have passed since many of you first stepped foot into my geometry class! Oh, I’m sorry, did I bring up some bad memories! :) Many of you didn’t like math to begin with, and the fact that you were in a geometry class just made things even worse.

However, you persevered and succeeded. That was the year that the CST geometry scores hiked up 18%!!! That was all you.

Since that time you have had many other accomplishments, a few of which are winning the Lexus Eco challenge, successes in Robotics, and earning your school Blue Ribbon and Distinguished school titles. These awards were all the direct result of your efforts, along with the teachers who guided you.

As you reflect on the past four years I hope that you have many good memories, and that they far outweigh the bad ones. As you move into the next chapter of your lives, I think...no, I know, that you will become much more appreciative of your experiences at Clark and your Clark family.

Now I am your counselor – well, to at least half of you. I have gotten to know you better in ways that I wasn’t able to in the classroom. I have been able to watch you grow into mature, young adults.

You are now moving on to higher education. Take the skills that you’ve learned and use them to surpass your wildest imaginations. You are capable of achieving the desires of your heart. However, to do so requires dedication, perseverance and patience. Be involved, take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you and, to use the cliché... be the best that you can be!

— Mrs. Howe

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n her memoir, Let’s Take the Long Way Home, author Gail Caldwell wrote the following:

“The old Navajo weavers used to insert an unmatched thread into each of their rugs, a contrasting color that runs to the outside edge. You can spot an authentic rug by this intentional flaw, which is called a spirit line, meant to release the energy trapped inside the rug and pave the way for the next creation.

“Every story in life worth holding on to has to have a spirit line. You can call this hope or tomorrow or the ‘and then’ of narrative itself, but without it —without that bright, dissonant fact of the unknown, of what we cannot control — consciousness and everything with it would tumble inward and implode. The universe insists that what is fixed is also finite.”

Dear Class of 2014,

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as it really two years ago that Mr. Davis and I handed you your pen/highlighter at the end of your sophomore year and sent you on to your junior and senior years? I know we worked you hard that sophomore year — democracy speeches, newspaper projects, children’s book, year-in-the-news, essays, DOL, vocabulary cards; we tried to pack a lot into our year with you.

We reminded you often, “Humanities is TWO classes, you know! Stop complaining!” During that year with you, we wanted to teach you an important life lesson: Rarely does procrastination pay off. We wanted you to learn to break tasks into more manageable chunks to save yourself unnecessary grief.

As you leave Clark, life will get more complicated. You may find that hard to believe as you survived your senior projects, but it is true. More demands will be made of your time. You will be pulled different directions by your education, your work, your family, your friends, your significant other. At this same time, you’ll be freed from the parent/teacher bubble that tried to enforce some sort of schedule or good work habits on you. You would do well to learn how not to procrastinate.

While in school, it might have been that paper that was late. . . well, just the Works Cited. But, as an adult, in the real world, it might be car payment that’s late, a rent payment that is overdue, a job opportunity you miss because you didn’t get your resume in on time. You’ll perhaps begin to put off today what you think you can do tomorrow. You might embrace that Scarlett O’Hara philosophy of “Tomorrow is another day.” But, the years will pass, and you may find yourself in a place you do not like — be in a “tomorrow” that was not your intended “tomorrow.”

What you do in your life is made up of what you do each day.

Certainly, value your family, friends, relationships, but also value responsibility, consideration, achievement, hard work.

Some of you may remember the Nigerian proverb we have in our room: Until lions have their own historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter. Here is another proverb that I’d like to leave you with: If and When were planted, and Nothing grew.

Live long and prosper, Mrs. Davis

Dear Class of 2014, I wish for you a future that is not finite but limitless. I wish for you the acceptance that there is much in life that you cannot control, and the courage to face it and rejoice in it anyway. I wish for you the realization of all of your dreams, the ones you’ve longed for, and the ones you’ve yet to discover. I wish for you health, happiness, friendship, and scholarship. I will always remember you as a colorful thread in my life blanket.

Best Wishes,

Stephanie Sajjadieh

All photos by: Tatyana Aposhian and Elise Mariano

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MEMORABLE THINGS 5-23

Find the best memories

Finish your senior project on page 14.

Code the computers on page 5.

Make a dash to PE on page 6.

Twerk your way to the Black Light Dance on page 7.

Take a bow at Awards Night on page 8.

FRESHMEN 2014

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First block out Wave goodbye to talent in high school Elise Mariano Staff Writer

Susan Krkasharyan Staff Writer

Every year at freshman orientation, wide-eyed fourteen year olds gasp at the thought of surviving in class for an hour and a half at a time; yet, everyone loves the thought of having two days to complete homework.

Clark’s block schedule is both hated and loved by students.

Having longer class periods exponentially increases the chances of nodding off in class or fiddling with laser pointers. “I didn’t think I could make it through my classes because I’ve never been in an hour and a half long class, but I eventually got used to it, since most teachers do different activities to get us involved,” Natalie Armenian said.

Many students had similar feelings about the unique schedule.

“It was kind of confusing in the beginning, but once we did get used to it, it turned out to be really useful. The schedule gives you a lot of time management skills,” said Vahan Ghazaryan. “It gets bad when you start leaving things for the last day and procrastinate, but it’s an experience everyone needs to learn from.”

Though it was difficult in freshman year for some students to peel their eyes away from the clock, the block schedule actually does wonders senior year. The earliest seniors can get out of schools without block schedules is around 1:25 p.m. At Clark, students taking the same amount of classes alternate between getting out at 11:20 p.m. and 1:25 p.m. This block schedule that drove so many people crazy throughout the first three years of high school actually ends up saving students hours in their senior year, providing a greater sense of freedom and independence.

If you ask someone from the Class of 2014 if they remember the talent show their freshman year, their response will most likely be, “we didn’t have one.” In the spring of 2011, the senior class decided to pull off their senior prank. They vandalized the robotics team’s pool and spray painted male genetilia on one of the windows. The seniors also decided to graffiti on the “C” that is in the teacher parking lot. They colored to make it look like the Armenian flag and they wrote “seniors” on it as well. “I got to school early for the talent show, and I noticed the C first,” said Ramon Tumbucon. “As I was playing guitar, I saw people pointing at the side of the building. When I looked up, I saw a really offensive and disgusting image grafittied in the Armenian colors.”

Of course, a prank like this would come with consequences, so the talent show was canceled that year. “I just remember coming to school that day, seeing the drawing on the window by

the senior area and hearing that the talent show would be cancelled,” said Cristine Khachaturova.

“Oh, I remember that talent show,” says Natalie Armenian. “I was supposed to perform.”

The whole school had to attend an assembly regarding vandalism, and it was nothing like the pre-spring break assemblies that usually follow the talent show. “Mr. Dall was really upset,” Khachaturova said.

Ramon Tumbucon

Learning the tech basics the rest of her high school career. “Although I have not further built on my Tech Lit knowledge, what we learned in his class specifically is still Lilia Zograbyan still remembers her days as fresh in my mind after three years,” she said. a freshman taking her Tech Lit classes. Out of The class allows students to get as much out the four quarter classes, Zograbyan’s favorite of Clark’s technology as possible by teaching was teacher David Black’s class. “He was a each student about computers and programs fun teacher and the class didn’t require too that are used in the real world. Even though much work, so we enjoyed ourselves while still Zograbyan is not a technology oriented person, learning a lot about computers,” Zograbyan. she said she still enjoyed her Tech Lit class.

Black also helped Zograbyan broaden her She learned about the history of technology, knowledge of technology. “Mr. Black is not only a very smart man but he is also a very good the creation of the car and the functions of a teacher,” Zograbyan said. “He helped me develop computer. “Because I am not a technology based person, it was nice to learn a little bit about how technology skills which I did not previously a computer works,” she said, “especially because possess.”

The knowledge about computers that Black’s most students do not have the opportunity to class provided stayed with Zograbyan throughout learn it.

Maggie Baboomian Staff Writer

First time runners making records Olimpia Hostetler Staff Writer

“I felt accomplished,” said Elsa Abedi about her 6:10 mile run freshman year. “A lot of guys were behind me.”

Abedi said PE was her favorite class freshman and sophomore year. She especially liked playing basketball in 9th grade and volleyball in 10th grade and participating in intramurals. “It was good to be with friends. We were in the same basketball team,” she said.

Issa Al Hadeed liked that in Chris Axelgard’s class you were able to do whatever you wanted, as long as you were exercising. He said he liked having PE in school, despite the fact that some people say the class has no value. “It’s a good stress reliever and helped me focus,” he said. It reminded him that he’s not a “test bubbling monkey.”

For the mile run, Al Hadeed got a 5:11. He said he was surprised. “I thought they miscounted but my friend came a couple seconds after. It was a cool experience.”

While these students enjoyed PE, not everyone did.

“I didn’t like PE,” said Isabel Lawler. “It was a huge struggle for me, especially freshman year, but honestly, I got in shape.” She said she pushed herself to do well and with each mile she improved her time. The thing Lawler File Photo disliked the most was when the class misbehaved and, as punishment, everyone had to be in push-up position for EXERCISING AT SCHOOL: As the semester comes to an end, freshmen take off for their end-of-the-year final: about ten minutes. “It felt like ten hours,” she said. “I felt the mile. Although running requires both edurance and agility, students are willing to put all of their energy like my back was going to snap.” into it on the last day of P.E.

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SOPHOMORE

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Making connections in the humanities Ericka Shin Staff Writer

McGrath and Ms. Naka, so I already knew him. From our creative discussions and projects together, I already knew we could work well together to come up with great new ideas.”

But for many who had the Davises, the idea of one giant group was appealing.

“Having a big class is a challenge,” English teacher Jennifer Davis said.

“But the benefit is that we can have two instructors, so if there’s an interruption, one can take care of it, while the other

continues to teach.”

“My initial impression was that it was a big class, which I liked a lot because I knew many people in the class,” Hunter Sandmeyer said.

“Even though it was a giant class, I would always feel like I was walking into a giant family,” Arzviek Moradian said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Davis would always make sure that somehow every five weeks,we would switch seats and meet with new people and make new friends.”

All sophomores go through it, that formidable class of all classes: humanities.

Some go into the class without knowing what it is, which is part of the reason it seems so intimidating. But once in the class, it becomes apparent that the class is more intriguing, what with a dual curriculum and all, and perhaps a bit less daunting than first thought.

“You see a much more personal connection,” said history teacher Chris Davis. “You see the human reaction to that time period. For example, you can learn about colonialism by reading a history textbook and learn about the impact it had on the native peoples.”

Isabel Lawler can testify to the effectiveness of such a unique program.

“To me, World War I and II are the most memorable,” she said. “My favorite book was All Quiet on the Western Front because it was such a wake-up call, so it was interesting to simultaneously learn about World War I. Just like how we read Night as we learned about World War II.” English teacher Diana McGrath fondly remembers Lawler as well as her other students. “I did two Fish Bowl discussions with that class,” McGrath said, “and I File Photo remember the discussions being really Manne Oganyan works on her cereallively and really fun; it was a really and-string bracelet as part of the creative group that year.” assembly line project.

Christine Khachaturova’s experience in the innovative class even helped her lead the school. “I’m ASB president, and I have to collaborate a lot with the other officers, especially the senior class president, Vahan File Photo Ghazaryan,” Khachaturova said. “Luckily, Alan Begian makes a bracelet out of cereal and string for the Industrial Revolution he was my classmate when I had Mrs. assembly line activity in the Davises.

File Photo

Tigran Nadimyan works on the Davises’ newspaper project with his group.

The newspaper was about the French Revolution.

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Yervand Tsaturyan runs the mile during P.E. while Ms. Judy Thomsen keeps time.

JUNIOR

2014

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Dancing under the neon lights The dance was held in the auditeria was decorated with balloons and glow sticks. “We “I remember the pins that had the date of the dance on walked into the auditeria and it was like they them,” says Sophi Melikian as she reminisces the time she transformed the place completely,” Melikian describes. I couldn’t believe they pulled it all and her classmates prepared for the junior prom. “It was off in one day because it looked so good.” so cute.”

Once students arrived, they were prompted The dance was initially a Monte Carlo theme, but the to take photos in front of the black fabric senior committee decided to vote on a theme that would background.

“We took some really cute appeal to students more effectively. They voted and photos,” Melikian said. “I have some of decided on a black light theme. them printed on my bulletin board at home.”

The dance was coined “Black Light” and everyone Melikian said that all juniors should go to a was asked to wear white or neon colored clothes. “We dance before prom because it’s an enjoyable went dress shopping and I got a pale pink dress, kind of experience.

“It definitely was something cream colored,” Melikian said. “One of my friends wore me and my friends will remember once we a white dress and it looked so cool under the lights at the graduate,” she said. dance.” Black was also a very popular color of dress, as many students chose to honor the “black” in Black Light.

Varty Yahjian Staff Writer

File Photo

File Photo

TURNING UP AND GETTING DOWN: Before hitting the dance floor, students take photos in front of the custom-made backdrop. Class of 2014 partied with friends and showed off their outrageous dance moves.

File Photo

Students keep it classy with The Great Gatsby bus ride back to Clark. “It was all we talked about for a few days after,” he said. “People took selfies while we “It was honestly one of the best field trips we’ve went were there and it was just a good time.”

The juniors were not the only ones excited to go on on,” says Nora Oghlian, as she remembers the time she the trip. “I knew it was going to be good because Mr. and her then-junior peers went on a day trip to see the film Pruitt loves The Great Gatsby,” Oghlian said. “He was The Great Gatsby at the Pacific Theatres in Glendale. getting all of us hyped about it and he wore his little Students from both the A.P and regular American Litfedora and everything.” erature and Composition classes loaded onto buses to be Eleventh grade English teachers Stephanie Sajjadieh transported to the theatres in the morning. “The bus ride and Conrad Pruitt prepared their students by organizing was fun too,” says Nicole Mirzakhanian. “We all were activities relating to The Great Gatsby prior to the field talking and laughing and being loud and trying to decide trip.

Sajjadieh said that students had read the book and what snacks to get for the movie.” had a project involving planning a party for one of the Students were left in awe once the movie was over, characters prior to seeing the film when it was released. nearly all raving about the movie, DiCaprio’s performance “The movie had made a lot of references to the symbols and “that one guy from Spider-Man,” as Pierre Simonian in the book and reading it enhanced the viewing experirecalled. “I really liked the movie. It was one of those ence,” Sajjadieh said. things where you come out of the theater and feel like you’ve gone through a life experience.”

Simonian said everyone raved over the movie on the Varty Yahjian Staff Writer

Courtesy of Wikipedia

SENIOR

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Senioritis rampant Alyssa Da Silva Staff Writer

As a high school senior, staying focused and motivated can be difficult. This phenomena of laziness and disinterest found in seniors is known as senioritis. Senioritis can strike at anytime, from the the beginning of the year or towards graduation. It’s a danger to grades, but some seniors see it as a tradition.

Senior Arshak Bdroos said, “Every senior sees people leaving so when senior year kicks in they want to get out.”

The urge to escape school grows throughout the years, finally manifesting itself into senioritis.

Symptoms vary among seniors, some more serious than others. “I think it’s different for everyone because not everyone leaves early,” Bdroos said. “Sometimes I get lazy, but I still go to my classes.” Cases like Bdroos’s are mild. Most, if not all, work is still done and classes are attended. Grades haven’t dropped drastically and there’s effort.

On the other end of the spectrum, senioritis is a cascading wave of apathy.

The senior year is like a finish line which makes some slack off because they’re closing

in on the end of the year. It’s easy to catch but hard to shake off. More serious cases often involve difficulty getting out of bed, laidback attitude about homework and projects, indifference towards the future, and the great need to constantly be around friends.

Senioritis can be a roadblock, but graduation lays a new path. “I think we’re all just waiting for that day,” Bdroos said.

Thank you PTSA & ASB for supporting the Class of 2014 and the Senior Issue.

Seniors accept awards Tina Stephens Staff Writer

“Honestly, going in, I wasn’t expecting any kind of department award or anything big,” said Senior Class Vice-President Sherry Zaki. “I thought I was just getting a CSF Award and an Academic Award.” Along with a CSF Award and PTSA Academic Award, Zaki was awarded the AP Chemistry department award and the Dr. Donald Empey ASB Award for leadership.

“When I’m 90 years old, I won’t regret not going to the Awards Night.”

-Jett Bohanan Zaki said she was shocked to find out about the awards.

She showed leadership through multiple activities such as Senior BBQ and prom. “My mom and I were so happy,” Zaki said. “I was really proud of myself and my accomplishments.”

Zaki shared the award experience with her mom, brother and cousin. Many families, in fact, were encouraged to come cheer and celebrate their child’s achievements. As the ceremony began, students finished up their tacos and quesadillas and began to fill up the auditeria. One

Seniors always on the go Vanessa Codilla Staff Writer

With college applications and senior projects, there is no denying that senior year is stressful. Luckily, some of that stress is alleviated with short days. Seniors use their free time for jobs, internships, volunteering, and to work on their senior projects.

On even days, Rocen Santos only has two classes and leaves school at 11:20. “It gives me enough time to either relax or get a jump start on getting work done so it’s really helpful,” she said. Santos’s schedule gave her enough time to volunteer at the Glendale Adventist Hospital every Tuesday as part of her senior project field work.

Christopher Kramer also used his free schedule to

Elise Mariano

SENIORS HAVE SHORT DAYS: Senior Karo Papazyan has short days on odd days and leaves school at lunch.

his advantage with his senior project. After his classes finished, he would go to an animal shelter to volunteer and film a documentary for his final product. “Having a short day allowed me to get to the animal shelter and film before it closed,” he said. He also explained that his schedule provided him more time to get help with AP classes. “I would finish homework before enrichment and see teachers during that time if I needed help,” Kramer said.

While Santos and Kramer remained active in their academic life in Clark, Emilia Nazinyan and Margarita Deroyan enrolled in college classes at Glendale Community College. The pair signed up for a theaters arts class that met twice a week after school. Aside from pursuing other interests such as piano, Deroyan was thankful that she was able to sleep more, too.

Scarlett Shabandari initially had a different short day schedule and wanted to switch her long days with her short days to be with her friends. “I carpool with two of my friends, which is one main reason why I wanted to switch my schedule.” Luckily, since seniors held priority to meet with counselors on the first day of school, she convinced them to accommodate her. “After school my friends and I usually go out to eat or go to someone else’s house,” said Shabandari, “I’m very happy because if I didn’t switch my schedule, I would have felt left out.”

by one, seniors’ and parents’ faces began to light up as they discovered their award titles in the event program.

Unlike Zaki, some seniors like Jett Bohanan were uninterested in attending the event. “It’s a waste of my time,” said Bohanan. After receiving the preliminary notice that he would be honored at the event, he paid little attention to it.

“When I’m 90 years old,” said Bohanan, “I won’t regret not going to the Awards Night.” He said he wasn’t very curious about what award he got, but he was also not surprised when he found out which award he received.

Bohanan earned the PTSA Academic Award which is given to individuals with grade point averages of 4.0 and above.

“I’m the best that ever lived,” Bohanan said.

Despite this indifferent attitude towards the event, many seniors were grateful to be honored. Besides department, CSF, Academic Achievement and ASB Awards, there were also students awarded with PTSA Service, Bilingual Competency and various other scholarship awards. “Ms. Howe was kind enough to look at every application herself and nominate the best candidate for the scholarship,” said Alin Torosian who won the Rashad Varma Scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship students had to be enrolled to a four-year university to study business.

Sherry Zaki

SENIORS AWARDED FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Patrick Allahverdian, Saikiran Ramanan, Alan Begian and Sherry Zaki stand on stage with their ASB Acheivement Awards.

SENIOR 2014

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Perks of having a license Sara Azim

Staff Writer

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a senior is finally receiving a license and driving to school every day. Driving to school is a long awaited privilege for many seniors. “I love being able to sleep in in the mornings because I have an open period,” Allahverdian said. “It also feels amazing to not have to take the bus because the bus drivers drive too slow,” he said.

Driving can be very dangerous at times.

While driving to school one time, Allahverdian ended up rear ending a broken car on the freeway.

“My car got completely totaled, $45,000 worth of damage,” he said. “I broke two bones in my spine.”

Senior Simon Alparaz has been driving for over a year. “I like that I have more freedom and can leave school whenever I want and can grab lunch with my friends after school,” he said. “I’m also really happy about the fact that I don’t have

to take the bus anymore because my bus smelled really bad,” Alparaz said.

Although most seniors would not trade driving to school for the bus, driving does come with many disadvantages. “I don’t like the traffic and the fact that the juniors take up the senior parking spots and I have to park on the streets,” Allahverdian said.

“Parking was a pain in my neck this year,” Alparaz said. “The juniors broke the senior hierarchy by taking up all the parking spots in the morning,” he said. Alparaz resorts to parking in the sun and having to wait 15 minutes every day for his car to cool off because it has a black interior and it gets very hot.

Other aspects that Alparaz finds to be unpleasant aboutdriving, include the traffic, the fact that seniors drift in the parking lot and reserve spots, and the new enforced staff parking regulations, which prohibit students from parking in the staff lot. Students who do park there risk having their cars being towed.

Sara Azim

SENIORS DRIVE TO SCHOOL: Avetis Dishigrikyan leans against his car.

Senior year in a nutshell detail of the week had to be planned to ensure that all her priorities were in order and that she would have the least amount of stress.

Senior year is coming to end and seniors are now The factors contributing to the stress senior acquire remembering all the events that happened during the year. this year are homework, college applications, SATs, Some hope that the friendships they made will last longer ACTs, AP classes, and most of all, the infamous senior than just four years of high school. Others are happy project.

Like most seniors, Andre Shakbandaryan did that they were able to plan their senior year early so the not want to do the senior project, but he feels that level of stress was not as high. “I plan everything,” said it teaches seniors useful lessons. Being stressed in Natalie Armenian. Armenian believed that every single senior year can also cause lack of sleep. “In freshman year, I had enough sleep to keep awake in class,” Shakbandaryan said. “Now, in senior year I don’t get so much sleep.”

Since he is done with oral presentations, David De Leon is now focused on keeping up with his grades to make sure that he’ll be able to go to the college he chose. “Life gets a lot easier after the senior project,” De Leon said.

A benefit of being a senior is having repeating teachers, which helps seniors because they know the style and the way a teacher works.

Senior Vahan Ghazaryan has had Nicholas Doom for two years: for AP US History and AP US Government. Consequently, Ghazaryan is no longer surprised with the amount of notes he has to take in class. Though Shakbandaryan does not have any repeating teachers.He said that Elise Mariano he highly respects Julie Ann Melville and Gerald Gruss because both teachers teach SENIORS ENJOY HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS AT SENIOR BBQ: more than the subject.

Edric Mirzoian plays with a beach ball.

Sophie Jose Staff Writer

Vanessa Cordilla

STUDENTS DANCE AT THEIR SENIOR PROM: After waiting for Prom for four years, seniors finally kick back and enjoy dancing on this special night.

COLLEGES

10

California

Private Colleges

University of California Berkeley

Los Angeles Patrick Allahverdian Alan Begian Avetis Dishigrikyan Luiza Harutyunyan Christina Zakarian

Jeremiah Cortez Tatevik Stepanyan

Riverside Cristine Khachaturova Christine Lee Ramon Luis Tumbucon Arman Virabov

David De Leon Claudia Melkonian

Davis

Santa Barbara

Aram Balaian Christian Mendoza

Santa Cruz

Vahan Ghazaryan Ludmilla Hovsepian

Loyola Marymount University

Daniel Sarkissian

Christina Galajan

Pepperdine University

Irvine

San Diego

Issa Al Hadeed Eduard Antonyan Tatyana Aposhian Henrik Avetisyan Sarah Balaian Artem Bojadzian Roxana Bokaei Teo Davidian Alyssa Dermenjian Christin Francis

Gary Kirakosian Guianina Lim Patrick Manooki Mineh Markarian Allen Navasardyan Galust Navasardyan Shant Oganesian Saikiran Ramanan Alin Torosian

Cal State Universities Northridge Alina Baghdasarian Cristina Fabular Tamara Guliyan Armenuhi Gulyan Vivian Hovsepian Dina Issagholi Narek Jalladyan David Keshishian Araz Maleky Harutyun Margaryan

Los Angeles Kirk Mekerdichian Syuzanna Nersisyan Emile Ohanyan Chris Pereira Armen Shabanian David Shabazi Abajlou Zareh Shahinian Elvis Shamirian Vanik Sirekanyan Michael Vartanians

Anahit Vartazaryan Helen Zardaryan

Community Colleges

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Andrew Aghaian Mia De Borja Todd De La Torre Ugarte Arsen Kaakijian Amanda Lieu Giselle Marquez Hranush Muradkhanyan Vahe Nahapetyan Amatellah Omar Rocen Kathleen Santos Arpine Ter Hovhannisyan

Rica Therese Delos Santos

Whittier College Alex Chraghchian

Woodbury University Adela Davtyan Tina Stephens Armand Tatavosian

Pomona Devin Younanian

Glendale Community College Elsa Abedi Javier Aguayo Jr. Natalie Aivazian Zareh Akopian Ida Amadian Hovhannes Amirkhanyan Natalie Armenian Kevin Arutyunyan Aram Asatryan Noor Atif Meline Avagyan Emin Avetyan Mineli Avrand Shunt Baghoomian Anahit Balyan Rita Bastekian Arshak Bdroos Petra Beglarian Robert Beglaryan Andre Boodaghian Sevag Bosnoyan Magy Bournazian Tatiana Chambrasi Jennifer Chavando Ashot Chobanyan Alisa Davtyan Alvin Dela Paz Margarita Droyan Marine Dzhugaryan Nicholas Eguiazarian

Vahe Eliasyan Alejandro Espinosa Alyssa Galadzhyan Piouneh Garabidian Anna Gevorgyan Savanna Gharibian Artur Gharibkhanyan Mariam Grigoryan Paulette Hacopian Armen Hagopian Mireille Hagopian Arsine Hakobyan Eden Hakoupiani Armine Hambartsoumian Davit Harutyunyan Vanessa Havakian Edgar Isagholian Edita Isajanyan Hayk Israelyan Rana Jammal Artur Javadyan Pamela Kachian Moghri Karabedian Ileana Karabekyan Anita Karapetyan Sarkis Katourjian Natalie Keshishian Katerin Khachikyan Melodie Khanjian Walter Klyshevich

Andre Koshkerian Isabel Lawler Christine Malikian Adrien Mangasaryan Liza Manukian Lilit Manukyan Ani Mard Shant Mardirosian Arlen Markarian Vartan Matossian Elina Mayilyan Nicco Mekerdichian Sophi Melikian Marc Miller Anet Mirabian Nicole Mirzakhanian Edric Mirzoian Lilit Mkrtchian Arlen Moradi Arzviek Moradian Rentia Moradian Annabel Moradkhani Ani Mosinyan Sarin Mousessian Tigran Nadmiyan Roobina Najarian Jiania Navaro Emilia Nazinyan Alexander Nehme Lilit Nersisyan

Kathy Obdzhanyan Ani Oganesyan Manne Oganyan Nora Oghlian Kevin Paliakara Hovhannes Panosyan Karo Papazyan Asbed Papisian Akhiles Petrosyan Ana Petrosyan Aslan Petrosyan Anastasia Pinal Matthew Quiambao Selin Rostami Deanna Sargsyan Naira Sarkian Edvin Sarkisian Rina Sarkisordoukhani Scarlett Shabandari Daniel Shabani Raisa Shahbazian Daniel Shahgaldians Romen Shahijanyan Andre Shakhbandaryan Ani Sinanyan Irene Sipan Arlen Siraki Eric Soltani Vartouhi Tashchyan Roupen Tavitian

Suzy Ter-Oganesyan Aris Terteryan Anahit Topachyan Anaida Torosyan Gevorg Toroyan Yervand Tsaturyan Luiz Fernando Urias Inessa Yesayan Leo Zadoryan Lilia Zograbyan

Santa Monica Community College Michelle Carreon Alyssa Fortaleza

Pasadena City College Daniela Almeida Rafael Babayan Mariam Chilingaryan Anna Hakopian Arlene Isagulyan Nerses Karadolian Talin Kojababian Eunice Grace Sedano Lusine Shakhmuradyan Pierre Simonian Shoushanna Zograbyan

All information supplied by the students themselves

2014

COLLEGES

11

New York

District Of Columbia Georgetown University Sheina Sakhrani

New York University Simon Alparaz

Massachusetts Emerson College Christopher Kramer

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy Sherry Zaki

Harvard University David Olvera-Sanchez

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Matej Zampach

What We Will Miss About California Simon Alparaz: “Since I will be going to New York, I know I won’t get to drive. I definitely will miss being able to drive on my own whenever I want.”

Sheina Sakhrani: “The fact that each day you get to wear different things because of the weather! 70 degrees means I get to wear warm clothes in LA .”

David Olvera-Sanchez: “I will definitely miss all the Armenian slang! Also, In-N-Out, Froyo, the beach, and of course, my family - and Ani Mosinyan, especially.”

Sherry Zaki: “ Of course, the weather. However, the diversity of California and the ethnic foods will also be missed greatly.”

Chris Kramer: “I’ll miss the ever-present fear of earthquakes.”

Matej Zampach: “Honestly? The weather. I’m going to freeze on the East Coast!”

5-23

2014

“We be all night!”

T

he evening skyline was sharp and alight with the surroundings of The Castaway in Burbank. Cars and limousines pulled into the driveway dropping off seniors from Clark. The sky was cloudy, and it looked like it was going to rain later in the evening.

Students walked into the ballroom to witness twinkling lights draped with chiffon.

Ani Mard attended Clark’s prom with friends.

“The table settings were absolutely beautiful. The flower arrangement was artfully done, and the hydrangeas were elegant,” Mard said. “The DJ played a good mix of music, allowing us to dance different genres the entire night.” The DJ played genres including Dance, House, Armenian, Arabic and Persian.

An additional feature this year was the photo booth, which allowed groups to pose for photos with props such as bunny ears and face masks. The booth was crowded the entire night and allowed students to have take-home mementos of the great time they had that night with their friends. In addition, ASB prepared complementary mugs for students to have as a keepsake when they left. With over 250 attendees, the night was full of activities that led to memories that will last a lifetime.

Photo Credits: Elise Mariano Vanessa Codilla Chris Davis

14

5-23

SENIOR PROJECT

Claudia arches away Alen Shirvanyan Staff Writer

After four years of going through academic courses and memorizing formulas and researching history topics, Claudia Melkonian wanted to try something different. Melkonian said that she found archery to be an interesting sport to master.

“My senior project is archery but my final product is archery instruction certification,” Melkonian said. Melkonian said that her goal was to learn how to teach archery, as only learning archery might be too easy.

Melkonian began her project by taking classes at Pasadena Roaving Archers. She stated that she was initially worried about Varty Yahjian how long the field work would take. “I was aiming for certification; they told me that it would take a long amount of time, hours as the printer shelled out plastic layer but it only took me six or seven sessions,” Melkonian said. by layer.

“Once the printer started dragging plastic and I had to restart twice,” Begian said. “I fixed it eventually, but that was annoying at first.”

Altogether, he was able to finish printing the full palm over the course of one weekend, without error.

Begian also explained how using Lego pieces to build the motors was a challenge: “Sometimes I had to search through huge boxes for these tiny little pieces I needed to make the motor for the fingers and the wrist.”

Once the arm came together, it was interesting to see how all his mathematical calculations became reality, Begian said.

“I looked and thought of all the numbers I had stashed in my head for measurements and seeing them in front of me as the final product was just a really cool feeling.”

Begian boosts with bionics Varty Yahjian Staff Writer

“I’ve been interested in engineering for a long time,” says Alan T. Begian, whose senior project idea was developed as a result of this interest. For his final product, Begian designed and later constructed a prosthetic arm that could move all five of its fingers and rotate its wrist — just as a human hand would do.

Begian wanted to find a way to merge biology and engineering together to form a project that could encompass his skills in both fields. “I decided to do this because I figured it would be a huge learning stretch,” he said. “I taught myself how to use Autodesk Inventor 2014, which was a program I had to use in order to design the palm and the fingers.”

Begian 3-D printed the individual pieces of the palm using Clark’s printers.

Printing the palm took approximately 15

Melkonian said that the process was very unique for a sport, as archery is less focused on action. “It’s not really an actionfilled sport, it’s all about accuracy and precision; you have to do the same thing over and over again to train your muscles,” Melkonian said. She also stated that the nature of archery as a mental sport rather than a physical sport attracted her to it.

Melkonian says that the experience was very enriching and was a nice break from all of the academic work she had done before.

“I feel a lot more self-confident because I can do something that other people can’t,” Melkonian said. She described the experience as one that was frustrating, but rewarding and that the project inspired her to get further involved with the sport. “I’ve joined an archery team at UCSD and I’m excited to continue archery,” Melkonian said.

Photo credit: Arshak Bdroos

Anastasia launches Gracely Graphics Lawler works with wood Vanessa Codilla Staff Writer

“I spent 60 and above hours designing and printing shirts,” says Anastasia Pinal about her senior project. Pinal expressed her love of graphic design by pursuing

screen printing where she learned to print personalized designs on different items such as T-shirts and tank tops, as well as designing logos, business cards and flyers.

To learn more about the process of screen printing, Pinal took an internship opportunity at Mook Print & Design, conveniently located two blocks away from Clark Magnet. At the store, Pinal did “everything, from the beginning to the end of screen printing.” She learned the whole process of the job, from color separation to exposing

Photo credit: Hasmik Nalbandian

the screens to cleaning up the screen for reuse. “I was offered a job at screen printing place and I have been getting many T-shirt requests,” Pinal said.

Mentored by design teacher Nyrie Gharibian, Pinal launched a screen printing business called Gracely Graphics. She said that several students have purchased her custom designed shirts. Pinal advertises her business to potential customers through business cards and an on Instagram and Tumblr.

Her Tumblr page shows Clark students modelling her shirt designs of popular icons such as Dr. Who, The Beach Boys, Mac Demarco and K-pop group member Zelo.

Luis Sy Staff Writer

Students often try to learn new skills or discover new hobbies when thinking about what to do for their senior projects. For seniors like Isabel Lawler, inspiration came from the craft of woodworking. “Woodworking is something I’ve always been interested in,” Lawler said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to work on for a while.”

With help from her mentor and her English teacher, Conrad Pruitt, Lawler wrote her research paper on deforestation and irresponsible logging, and was able to learn all the basic skills needed to create her final product.

Lawler worked with her mentor to learn the skills needed for woodworking such as finishing, sanding and cutting wood. With those skills, she spent about 34 hours working in her home workshop to create her final product, which was a wooden

Photo credit: Isabel Lawler

candy dispenser, and a wooden binder that she used for her portfolio when she presented her project.

When she presented her project, Lawler took the judges through the process of her project and all the steps she went through to create her final products. “I gave the judges a sense of how to cut, finish and sand wood,” she said.

Lawler says that the overall experience was a lot of work and was exhausting at times, but that it was very rewarding, as she intends to use the skills she learned again in the future.

2014

Tatevik creates glass art Sophie Jose Staff Writer

Senior Tatevik Stepanyan decided to use her senior project as a way for her to learn about something completely new: glass art. Stepanyan became interested in glass art after hearing about her coworker’s experience with glass art.

“My final product is a 12x12 glass made of a variety of glass with a frame,” she said.

Researching on classes for art glass, Stepanyan ended up taking classes at a studio in Highland Park and was able to get the owner of the studio to be her mentor.

Her mentor taught her the basic techniques as well as to how to use the heat power tools.

Besides making her final project, Stepanyan also made simple ornaments, plate and jewelry.

Another plus was Stepanyan being able to use a kiln, which is a machine that melts glass to the

15

SENIOR PROJECT

Stepanyan finally presented her senior project to five judges who were in awe and she ended up receiving a score of 96. She impressed the judges with not just her final product, but also with the other pieces that she created during her lessons with her mentor. “I felt better presenting in front of the judges because it was more comfortable,” Stepanyan said. She considered herself lucky because she did not experience any technical difficulties with any Photo credit: Claudia Melkonian of the technology she used. “The difference point where Stephanyan could between presenting in front of shape the glass. “I had no idea judges is that they are in the about glass art but I wanted try mood to enjoy the presentation, something new and it sounded but your peers will be looking for really fun,” Stepanyan said. mistakes.”

Being a professional makeup artist Sara Azim Staff Writer

Senior Guia Lim chose to build her senior project around learning how to do professional-level makeup. Lim originally wanted to pursue fashion, but it was too expensive to pursue it at the beginning of the year. “My mom suggested that I take a different approach and work with her friend, a licensed esthetician and professional makeup artist,” she said. “That would give me the ability to see a different side of fashion.”

Lim worked with family friend, Antonio Maximo, better known as Maxi.

Lim said that Maxi has worked with groups and people such One Direction, Christina Milian, Patti Austin and even works events such as the Oscars and VMAs. “I have the tendency to get overwhelmed and discouraged easily, so the project benefitted me by pushing me to keep a positive mindset,” Lim said. Prior to senior

year, Lim said that she did not have much interest in “girly” things pertaining to makeup and hair and such. “I couldn’t even tell the difference between a lip liner and an eyeliner,” she said. “The project also put me out of my comfort zone,” she said.

Although Lim greatly benefitted from the project, the process was not always a breeze and she faced a lot of challenges.

“My mentor was so busy a lot of the time, so I had a hard time getting time with him to learn and do my final product,” she said.

For her final product, Lim even had to restart her project between first and second semester due to scheduling conflicts.

During first semester, Lim learned the basic skills by reading huge packets, learning how to wash brushes and by practicing on her mom. By second semester, she was shadowing her mentor on a job. As her final product, Lim gave 3 of her friends makeovers, which she describes as her favorite part of the project. “It was so nice to see how excited my three models got while I was doing their makeup,” Lim said.

Now that senior projects are over, Lim is planning on taking what she learned and becoming a licensed makeup artist over the summer. She hopes to get a part-time job doing makeup to help pay for college.

Vahe envisions Latin dances

Photo credit: Karo Papazyan Luis Sy Staff Writer

Vahe Nahapetyan’s senior project introduced him into the world of Latin ballroom dancing and even won him a first place prize at a dance competition. Not bad for someone who had never danced before.

Nahapetyan wrote his research paper on music therapy and dance, and he took Latin ballroom

dancing classes at Matador Dance Studios in Glendale. “I wanted to try something that was out of the ordinary,” he said.

With the help of his mentor and his professional dance partner, Nahapetyan spent about 100 hours learning how to dance and practice his routines. “My mentor and partner worked with me and helped me clean up my routines,” he said. He then competed in California Dancesport, an Orange County competition, where he won the first place award.

Nahapetyan’s first place award was his final product when he presented his project to the senior project judges. “I told them about my journey from not knowing how to dance to being an experienced dancer,” he said. Nahapetyan said that the most important lesson he learned from his senior project was how to commit himself to something. “It was annoying at first,” he said. “But it gave me an opportunity to learn something that I wouldn't have learned.”

Photo credit: Nerses Karadolian

African drums meet Aram Balaian Olimpia Hostetler Staff Writer

During the summer of 2009, Aram Balaian went on a trip to England and bought a drum. He had practiced playing it every day and during his junior year, the drum had started to fall apart. He thought it would be a good idea to make a new drum. “[The senior project] gave me the opportunity and an excuse to build a new drum,” Balaian said.

After 71½ hours of working at Motherland Music in Inglewood and learning the steps to create the drum, he could begin making it. The first thing Balaian had to do was decide how big of a ring size he would use for the head and base of the drum. Then he picked a body.

For two hours, he had to soak the skin that would be used to cover the head. After the two hours, he had to but the skin five inches bigger than the circumference of the head of the drum and then cut holes along the head. After cutting the holes, a rope needed to be fed through the holes and bunched up to the ring. This is all taken and put on the body. “After you’ve made the skin-ring assembly, you then complete lashing the rope,” said Balaian, “and then

you tighten the rope as to both tighten the skin and lower the ring about ⅜ inch – ½ inch below the brim.”

Balaian said that this was the hardest part about constructing the drum. “When preparing to make the cradle knots, one must mark equally spaced spots on the ring where the cradle would go,” he said.

If not pulled down evenly, the knots would move off their marks and when completed like this, the drum doesn’t sound right. To complete the drum, he had to tune the drum using diamonds. Once that is completed, let the drum dry for two days.

“It was an opportunity to achieve an objective that has always fascinated me,” Balaian said. Before, there was always school work getting in the way of making a drum, but the senior project helped him reach his goal and by making it himself he only had to spend half as much.

While he enjoyed creating the drum, it wouldn’t be a career path, only a hobby.

“If I ever have the facilities necessary to allow me to make another drum, I would begin immediately,” he said. “Maybe if my friends request a drum, I might be able to build one for them.”

WHAT WE’LL MISS

16

5-23

Great memories that will resonate...

Ericka Shin Staff Writer

Jennifer Chavando: “I’m going to miss the gourmet food.”

Alvin Dela Paz: “I love the mountain scenery up here at Clark.

It’s refreshing and unique.”

File Photo

Sheina Sakhrani: “The best part of Clark for me was the senior project.

It’s something you can show off to your parents and friends, and it’s unique to Clark.”

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Luis Fernandez Urias: “I think I’ll miss the engineering and robotics program the most.”

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Amatelleh Omar: “I’m going to miss Ms. Sajjadieh.

She’s so nice and she’s an awesome teacher.”

Rica Theresa Delos Santos: “Short days during senior year were the best.”

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Michelle Carreon: “I love the small population at Clark because you know everyone.”

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Shoushana Zograbyan: “Mrs. Melone saying, ‘Bus 114 has just arrived. Bus 114 has just arrived.

Students will show a bus pass indicating that they were on bus 114.’ Why bus 114? Because it’s my bus, of course.”

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Arshak Bdroos: “I’m going to miss having Mr. Pruitt as my teacher.”

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Emin Avetyan: “Mr. James!

Mr. James is the best.”

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Armand Tatevosian: “I’ll miss cinema a lot.”

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Sarah Balaian: “I’m going to miss Roberto the custodian. I love seeing him around the campus.”

WHAT WE WON’T 2014

17

So relieved to never see that again...

Vardui Grigoryan Staff Writer

Sherry Zaki: “Waking up early enough to catch the bus. Waking up before the break of dawn was always a hassle. But in college I can choose what time is more comfortable for a certain class. You make your own schedule now.”

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Eda Amadian: “I never liked eating the cafeteria food at school. It never tasted right to me. I’m looking forward to cooler food courts at college.”

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Edric Mirzoian: “I would not miss the fact that I had to pay for my overdue book just because I had it throughout Thanksgiving break.”

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Vivian Hovsepian: “Dress code. Period.”

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Natalie Keshishian: “Dealing with the senior project all year. It was a big part of my senior year. It took up all of my English class lessons.”

Paulette Hacopian: “School being seven hours was very tiring and annoying to me.”

Claudia Melkonian: “All the juniors suddenly started driving to school, for no reason, because they don’t leave early and there was never any parking. After the month of October, and I had to park in the sun which nobody ever heard of before this year.”

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Mia de Borja: “School computers with all the sites blocked on them.

When I am doing my homework or paper at the school, I cannot get onto more widely-known sites because they are mysteriously blocked.”

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To Davit Keshishian, beloved student, I have proudly witnessed your development from a child into a mature young adult.Wishing you all the best luck in all your future endeavors, and better luck burning your favorite English teacher.

Sincerely,

;

18

SENIOR STORIES “A sentimental bond with one another, like a family.”

5-23

Christine Lee

How have you changed throughout high school?

“I learned to value my time and manage my priorities in high school because before, I never cared about school before because everything was so easy in middle school.”

What has high school taught you?

“I learned that building relationships with teachers is really important! We really need to get to know our educators to seal our successes in life and maintain friendly relations so that we can all work together for a more positive goal.”

Will you miss high school?

“I’ll miss Clark a lot because it really is a great educational facility that enhances our learning opportunities! The small staff and student population really allow us to feel a sentimental bond with one another, something like a family.”

What were you like freshman year, compared to senior year?

“I was more timid as a freshman because it was a new school and I didn’t really know anyone very well… But then as I got to know the people around me and my surroundings, I got more comfortable as the years passed! To be honest, it really wasn’t that hard of an adaption from middle school because the size of Clark.”

— Lauren Alparaz

Anna Dadurian

“Graduation and ‘the real world’ seem closer and closer.”

How have you changed since high school began?

“I have become more “laid back.” In the beginning of high school I was always stressed and worrying about things I should not be worrying about. Since Freshman year everyone have gotten more mature.“ What has high school taught you?

“As senior year begins everyone starts to care more about their grades because graduation and “the real world” seem closer and closer. It has definitely taught me to not procrastinate, because it will never work in college.”

Will you miss high school?

“I will miss my friends, definitely. But I am always looking forward to what the future holds and college.”

— Vardui Grigoryan

Christian Mendoza

“Now I have a tighter grip on school.”

How have you changed throughout high school?

“I would say that my biggest changes are that I’m more focused on work that’s important and I’ve grown more a lot more mature regarding school and my education, and Guia (Lim) says that I’m definitely more organized now.”

What has high school taught you?

“The most important things that high school has taught me are time management skills and presentation skills, for sure.”

Will you miss high school?

“I’ll miss high school, but I’m definitely looking forward to next year at UC Davis. Mostly, I’ll miss all of my friends and teachers like Mrs. Guarino and Ms. Sajjadieh.”

What were you like freshman year, compared to senior year?

“I used to be super unorganized and terrible at class presentations as a freshman, but as a senior I feel like presentations aren’t a big deal to me at all and now I have a tighter grip on school.”

— Lauren Alparaz

19

SENIOR STORIES

2014

“Change is inevitable.”

Artem Boyadjian

Artem Boyadjian has constantly been modifying his life. In his freshman year, he was absorbed by the Los Angeles Lakers. In his sophomore year, studies became a priority. In his junior year, rigorous courses such as several AP and Honors classes took most “I don’t think I have of his time. And he gave his changed because I wanted utmost attention to college to, but I changed because I applications his senior had to. From the beginning year. “As I said before, I’m of my freshman year, different because of my I’ve had to adjust almost surroundings. Everything everyday. I think I’m not around us is constantly the same person as I was changing, so it is just a only a day before.” Senior matter of time we change

Elsa Abedi

too.”

Over the past four years Boyadjian has made friendships that he thinks will last forever. And for that he credits the Clark Magnet culture. “I’m pretty sure one of the best things from my experience at Clark Magnet are the great friends I made. And I’m not sure I would have had the opportunity to meet them if I went to another school.”

Boyadjian today is known by most of his classmates for the being always organized and ready. He’s the one who

always has the extra pencil, and the one who is always ready for the pop quiz in class. “I wasn’t always like that, but because of my rigorous courses I had to change the way I kept track of my classes. Now I’m always making schedules and planning my days.”

According to Boyadjian if it was not for the schedules he would not think he’d be getting the good grades he is today.

“I am never afraid of change, because I know change is inevitable.

— Alec Kellzi

“Hard work almost always pays off.”

How have you changed throughout high school?

“I’ve definitely matured over the years. I’m more committed to what I do now compared to freshman year when I used to take everything a lot more lightly. Now I have many more responsibilities. I’m also much more social.”

What has high school taught you?

“High school has taught me that hard work almost always pays off. I have developed many bonds that I will keep for many years. After going through freshman and sophomore year, I understand that I need to take work seriously.”

Will you miss high school?

“I’m definitely going to miss certain aspects of high school, like my friends because I know I won’t be seeing them every day anymore. I’m also going to miss the teachers that I’ve had for more than a year because they are the ones who truly taught me a lot. I’ll also miss the campus because I feel very comfortable. I’m definitely not going to miss all the homework nights I stayed up to do the senior project.

However, those experiences pale in comparison to the enriching experience this school has offered.”

— Alen Shirvanyan

Arman Virabov “These four years have gone so fast. I still remember my first day here at Clark. And to be honest I’ve missed every single day.

From the not so good days to the really bad days, I have loved and cherished every one of them.”

Arman Virabov began his first year

“I’ve missed every single day.”

at Clark as the shy freshman who didn’t talk much. The freshman who had a few good friends that came with him from middle school, but that was it. “At first it was really tough. Especially because I was really shy it took a long time for me to make new friends.” It did not take long after that though for Virabov, to create friendships that he thinks will last forever. “Probably one of the best things I love about Clark are all the students. When I came here I didn’t know a lot of people, but now I know almost everyone and am proud to say that I am friends with most of those people.”

Beyond his social life, Virabov used to be a slacker who did not care about his studies at all. But, by his sophomore year at Clark Magnet, Virabov became an A student.

For this he credits his teachers, counselors, and parents for not giving up on him. “It could’ve been easy for them to just give up on me, but they never did and that’s why I give them the credit for my success.”

Now four years later, Virabov has completely transformed. “Now

when I see my old middle- school friends, none of them recognize me. Not because of any drastic physical differences, but because my personality and priorities are so different.”

— Alec Kellzi

Volume XVI Final Issue

www.clarkchronicle.com

May 23, 2014

The end of the Chronicle 2003-2004

“A

fter sixteen years of education, the lesson that still sticks out most in my mind is that of my time with Mr. Davis, Publications, and the Chronicle. It was an absolute joy to dedicate a large portion of my high school experience to the Chronicle: staying late after school to meet deadlines, learning from my mistakes, and growing into my own ideas.

Ten years later, I still think about my time on the Chronicle and the lifelong friendships and knowledge I took away from being a part of that team. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the print version of the Chronicle and hope that future Publications students discover a way to fill the much-needed void left behind.”

-Kristopher Kachurak Editor-In-Chief

2004-2005

“I would like to express my gratitude to Clark Magnet High School and to Mr. Davis for giving me the opportunity to be a part of something as life-changing as The Clark Chronicle. The relationships that I built with my fellow staffers and the skills that I honed as a writer and editor will forever serve as a testament to the immeasurable value of educational programs such as The Chronicle.”

-Martin Manucharyan 2002 Sports and Sci/Tech Editor

2005-2006 “Knowing how to say a lot in few words and to lay something out in InDesign.

I challenge you to find a Publications alum who wouldn’t say the same.

That class, and the labor of love that was the Chronicle, made high school matter.

-Anahid Yahjian Editor-In-Chief

2006-2007 “In a world overloaded with digital media, and the multitude of voices that come with it, it’s important to see the value of the Chronicle.

It, after all, is the voice of the student — and hopefully the deficit of that will help to echo the immense need for it.”

-Richard Alvarenga Features Editor

2007-2008 “I didn’t appreciate much my first couple of years as a university undergrad, but I veritably appreciated EVERYTHING that I’d learned from the Publications class as a whole. From having ostensibly good grammar — sorry Mr. & Mrs. Davis, I didn’t master that colons, semi colons or dashes until three years ago — to knowing how to use Photoshop and InDesign, these are skills I acquired directly from the Chronicle that I truly appreciate.”

-David Michael de Guzman News Editor

Final Issue

May 23, 2014

www.clarkchronicle.com

Page 21

2012-2013

“I

spent three years of high school with the most incredible bunch of classmates and teacher doing the most fun thing we could do: publish a newspaper. Looking back on all the issues we have had, I see more than the stories we wrote. I see the late days we spent editing pages. I see parties at the Davises. I see computer mouse hijinks, board doodles, and incredible friendships that I will always hold so dear

to my heart. My best memories of high school reside within the pages of the Chronicle.”

-Hasmik Djoulakian Managing and Copy Editor

2011-2012 “The Clark Chronicle helped me grow as a writer and underscored the vitality of exploring different sides of a particular story.”

-Adrian Hairapetian A & E and Sci/Tech Editor

A

2013-2014

fter 16 volumes published and countless stories written and edited, the Clark Chronicle comes to an end with this final publication. The Chronicle staff this year, as well as the staff from years prior, looks back at the Chronicle and its years of publication with nothing but pride and gratitude not only towards our advisor, Mr. Davis, but to our loyal readers who have read our newspaper throughout the years. revious Chronicle editors and staff members look back at their experiences working with the newspaper and with their publications classmates throughout the years 2003-2013. As they recall their experiences and what the Chronicle meant to them, the staff this year looks forward to a new, more innovative type of publication next year. ext year, Publications will be publishing an exciting new magazine with more pages and more pictures than the Chronicle. Next year’s magazine will have a fresh new look and will feature the very best of Clark in a stylistic and creative way. We hope to showcase more of what Clark has to offer, as well as expand readership, and we hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as we’ll enjoy publishing it.

—your Publications staff

P

N

2010-2011

“Working on the Clark Chronicle helped me realize my passion for writing and gave me the foundation to pursue a degree in journalism. I will forever cherish the times spent in the Chronicle newsroom with my Publications classmates.”

-Alik Ourfalian Managing and Copy Editor

“Joining the Chronicle team was the best decision I made in high school.

Working on the Chronicle helped me temporarily escape from the stressful realities of my other classes, and it gave me something to look forward to every month.”

-Parbi Boodaghian On-Line and News Editor

2009-2010

“The Chronicle documented my time in high school. Not only did we prepare a newspaper, but

we drew from everyone’s individual strengths to create something unique and to grow as a team and family.”

-Narineh Ohanian Opinion and Sports Editor

2008-2009

“M

y time on the Clark Chronicle was invaluable to me — under the guidance of Mr. Davis I of course learned a lot about writing and photography and the basics of journalism, but also about leadership, perseverance, and the pride that comes with reporting.

I remember all of the late days after school fondly when Adobe InDesign was paired with In-n-Out. Some of my most enduring friendships were formed in Publications and it was the Clark Chronicle that was the lifeblood of our friendship. The Clark Chronicle was something I put blood, sweat and teenaged angst into, and I come away from my time working on it with nothing but gratitude.”

-Matthew Grant Anson Opinion Editor

Page 22

www.clarkchronicle.com

Culture

May 23, 2014

Nina Nesbitt doesn’t have to Stay Out Lack of summertime sanity In a live performances of “Boy”, found online, she could in fact hit the notes made in the recording.

“In her debut US EP, Nina Nesbitt, speaks to However, it wasn’t super impressive because she every teen, and transports all adults back to that was very soft-spoken and quiet. As she got to the age,” reads singer and songwriter Nina Nesbitt’s high notes, her words became a bit less defined, biography. However, this new and upcoming pop which is fine, if you like artists whose recordings are better than their live performances. The live song has singer’s lyrics do very little to support this claim.

Nesbitt’s album which apparently contains a more staccato rhythm than the recording does.

Her songs are very fairytale“smart, witty observations ish, specifically her song “Just on everyday life and the Before Goodbye.” They sound opposite sex,” has six songs like songs that should be in the filled with teen pop clichés. background of a Disney movie, Her songs are nice, but they which isn’t bad . . . but it’s not aren’t amazing. Despite her just her voice, it’s also her lyrics modest attitude towards that sound very Disney-esque. fame, she will no doubt be The fact that her biography says popular for a hot minute. that she writes from the point Her first song on her of view of a “typical teenager” album is called “Stay Out,” makes me think twice about her which is about different album. Not too many teenagers types of people finding actually think in the way her love. It’s a cute song with lyrics propose. My own peers clever lyrics. She sings do not have this “once upon a about boys wearing Rolling time” perspective of love.

Stones T-shirts who “think If I had to choose a song as they’re from the ‘60s, but Courtesy of Moxie & Island Records my favorite, I would probably they were born in 1991.”

She also talks about girls who try too hard to get choose “Statues.” It’s a really pretty song. Although attention, specifically girls who “think [they’re] in it sounds nice, the lyrics are irritating. For example, barbados, but outside it’s minus three.” It’s a funny “You’re just a lighter with no fuel to light the flames” makes sense, but then “You know I’ll fight for this, lyric to match the funny, cheerful tone of the song.

The music video for “Stay Out” is a typical “girls but you wouldn’t do the same” is the line that follows just want to have fun” sort of music video. It shows it. They’re okay lyrics by themselves, but together Nesbitt and a few girlfriends goofing around the they don’t seem to flow well. It has a different type town, taking selfies and laughing, which appeals to of calm and mellow vibe to it that the other songs many teens. Teenagers like to see other people their don’t. I can see fans doing covers to this song.

The final song on this album is called “Way age having fun because often times they desire that in the World,” which probably has to be the most sort of experience, whether or not they have it.

It’s best to listen to the whole album before relatable song to her targeted audience. It’s about watching the video because there are little details finding who you are and figuring out the next step you wouldn’t catch had you watched the video first. in life, which is what most teenagers are doing. The The video starts out with Nesbitt getting ready with teen years are the years kids begin to make decisions her friends to go out. Right before leaving the room for themselves, so in effect it’s also the years they she’s in, there’s a short clip of Nesbitt grabbing and will make the most mistakes when figuring out what eating an apple just before she leaves, which reflect they’re going to do for their future.

However, yet again I am bothered by the lyrics. on her song “The Apple Tree.”

“The Apple Tree” is pretty much what I expected The chorus has an irritating repetition. She sings it to be about. When I saw the title, I figured it would “Do you ever, do you ever, do you wonder?” which have some connection to Adam and Eve. The song is repeated again within a few seconds. Of course, is a cute and modern take on the story of Adam and songs have repetition but it’s too much in the upbeat Eve. She sings about being “naive as Adam and song.

Despite my frequent criticism on her songs, I Eve.” The next song on the track is “Boy.” Like its give the album a three out of five. The album does lyrics, the song is nothing special. It’s about a boy not reflect the image that Nesbitt claims to be going who Nesbitt regrets falling in love with. A lot of her for, but it is a somewhat successful set in terms of songs, if not all, are sung with a high-pitched voice. teen pop music.

Tina Stephens Staff Writer

Sushi always tastes so much better at Niko Niko Sushi Susan Krkasharian Staff Writer

Although crowded and noisy, this little restaurant that looks a bit shabby on the outside, serves the best sushi available in both the Glendale and Burbank areas.

Though it is always stuffed with people, one can walk in to Niko Niko Sushi and get seated in under five minutes. The food takes even less time to prepare, and the service is undeniably amazing.

Once one tastes the food at Niko Niko Sushi, it is impossible to go back and eat sushi in other restaurants. The fish is tender and has a uniquely savory flavor. The rice is neither raw nor overcooked, creating an ideal texture that almost melts before one has the chance to swallow.

Niko Niko Sushi even offers to take out that frustrating seaweed

enclosure that one’s teeth never seem to be able to chew off.

Instead, in order to prevent the sushi from falling apart, the chefs replace the seaweed with a roll of rice paper, which lacks the relishing taste of seaweed but makes eating more convenient.

The best item on the menu is the Alaska roll; however, those who shy away from extravagant flavors and nontraditional dishes should order the California roll.

While the California roll solely contains avocado, cucumber and crab meat, the Alaska Roll consists of a spicy California roll and smelt egg topped with salmon tempura and a drizzle of their sweet sauce.

A menu item typically available at any sushi restaurant is garlic edamame; however, it is not prepared well at Niko Niko Sushi.

It is not as savory as it should be,

and the chefs do not use nearly enough garlic to fully coat the edamame.

Nevertheless, Niko Niko Sushi serves sushi that people residing in different cities travel to eat. It does not compare to other sushi restaurants that serve food lacking flavor and appealing texture. Once having eaten there, other sushi restaurants will seem to not even exist.

Contact Info: Niko Niko Sushi 1212 North San Fernando Blvd Burbank, CA 91504 (818) 848-2224 Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00 am 10:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Summer is the time of bikinis, fruity drinks and all-out partying.

This media-fueled image is probably one of the most inaccurate depictions ever.

Summers rarely go as expected. The days blur together and speed past until it is fall again. Yet media hypes up summer to give teenagers unrealistic expectations.

To fulfill these empty notions, teenagers do stupid things. They go to stupid parties

By Ericka Shin trying to lose their senses through stupid things. According to Christine Hammond, a licensed Mental Health Counselor, the most stupid things teenagers try over summer break include huffing, drinking bleach and taking eyeball shots of vodka.

Things spin out of control, and bam! Someone’s life is ruined forever.

Or if things aren’t that wild, teenagers go towards the complete opposite end of the excitement spectrum. For most students, the reality of summer is two and a half months of mindless televisionwatching and junk food consumption.

If there is any summer homework, teenagers wave it away and instead procrastinate on the last day of summer. I admit, I was one of these zombies last summer. I took summer classes Fridays and Saturdays, but for the other five days of the week, I would get up at noon, eat, nap, watch television and sleep. And I felt guilty every day because of it.

We are a generation of slack-jawed, unproductive human vegetables. What happened to creating a lemonade stand from scratch? What happened to having a summer job? The sons and daughters of former go-getters now make up a society of phoneobsessed, pop junk-holic.

Even as the year comes to a close, all students ever think about is how to relax and have fun. The majority of the kids plan pool parties and hang-outs, or make lists of movies to stream on Netflix or blogs to follow on Tumblr. Granted, after a long school year, students do deserve rest. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to completely let loose and forgo all responsibilities.

I believe there must be a balance between being productive and being a couch potato. Sure, relaxing is great. But working hard and then reaping the benefits by relaxing is even greater. As clichéd as this sounds, the view from the top of the hill is a whole lot greater than rolling around in the dirt road to stare up at the long distance you have to travel.

So don’t be the friend in your group who says they did nothing or did something stupid this summer.

Go out and actually do something productive! Join Glendale’s Teen Advisory Group to get help out Glendale Public Libraries. Or get a job as a volunteer at either Glendale Adventist Medical Center or Glendale Memorial Hospital. You can even get a lifeguarding license. Or for those of us who are still lacking self transportation, you can work on driver’s ed. And for all those juniors out there, maybe you can start thinking of senior project ideas that you’d actually like to do. You don’t have to find the cure for cancer or something else just as epic. Just be productive and have fun.

Opinion

May 23, 2014

www.clarkchronicle.com

Page 23

Fashion giving hidden by camera flashes Renita Moradian Staff Writer

Think back to the Met Gala on May 5.

I’m sure the only reason you have heard of this event is because of the countless pictures and headlines of celebrities wearing the breathtaking designer gowns.

It is not an awards night, and many are confused as to why this event is regarded one of the biggest and most exclusive events in New York, hosted by the ultimate source of fashion, Vogue Magazine and its editor Anna Wintour.

The Met Gala, formally known as the Costume Institute Gala, is actually an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its Costume Institute.

Millions are raised each year, but ask anyone or search google and the results will only be “Who Wore it Better?” or the most recent controversy, “Jay Z, Beyoncé, Solange Issue Statement After Met Gala Fight.”

The truth is, the fashion industry is one of the biggest and most profitable industries in our country, with only short-term products that generate attention and media coverage when the styles are in season and people are interested to see what the current stars are wearing.

According to The Guardian, the industry is worth $1.5 trillion. There are thousands of talented designers who make this profit by their name only, presenting their latest looks on the runway and by marketing through celebrities. However, as a fashion fanatic and love, I cannot complain. I will admit that I do pay attention to all the seasons and my favorite designers, but I also realize the money behind this industry and how much of it is actually donated to fundraisers or other organizations. Some of the greatest designers actually do

contribute generous amounts of money to organizations, but rarely do we ever hear about their donations.

Ralph Lauren, a household name recognized by most people, has founded many organizations that have focused on education, healthcare, art and cancer.

According to The World of Celebrity Giving, The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation is designed for higher education alongside healthcare programs for needy communities. Also according to the website, he donated $13 million alone in 1998 to the Smithsonian Institution. Other charitable works include establishing the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and investing in other charities as well.

Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer of the fashion house Chanel, recently offered an internship opportunity to the highest bidder at the The Naked Heart Foundation.

Founded by russian model Natalia Vodianova, the organization builds parks and playgrounds in urban areas of Russia, even around hospitals and orphanages.

Lagerfeld would later on donate the money raised to this foundation.

Loui Vuitton, another famous household name, formed a partnership with SOS Children’s Villages since 2010 and has developed a program called “Partnership for Children’s Future,” focused on helping and shaping the future of disadvantaged children all across the globe. According to SOS Children’s Villages International, they have been helping in countries where children have no other choice than to work, and have made education, learning and security the main focus of their goals.

Giorgio Armani, the founder of the Italian fashion House Giorgio Armani, is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United

Courtesy of Sophia Wu, Deviantart

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

He has also supported many charities including the American Foundation for AIDS Research, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The list goes on, with many famous designers who do not get recognized as widely for their charity work. It is an absolute fact the industry simply does not give enough as they could, and some designers only give back for the publicity.

However, those that truly care are known worldwide. Ralph Lauren is one example, and sadly there aren’t many designers much like him. Nevertheless, some of these fashion events such as the Met Gala allow some of the best celebrities and

fashion designers to contribute a generous amount of money. Even if it is the Costume Institute, there is a reason behind the starstudded event, and the public does not pay attention enough to see the real purpose behind the exclusive fundraiser.

The fashion industry still makes a great amount of profit each year, and while they are not known for their charity work, there are many designers in this industry that have other focuses in their life. Some are concerned about education, others are concerned about research and medical advancement. While it will always be a norm to care what the celebrities are wearing, especially at fundraisers such as the Met Gala, each event has a purpose and most of the time they are not being recognized.

Chairs of pain Public vs private school The AP test effect is not pleasant.

Varty Yahjian Staff Writer

“Take the test booklet out of the shrink wrap and do not open until you are told to do so,” says JulieAnn Melville on the day of my AP Literature test. I mentally prepared myself for the four- hour exam that would comprise of both a multiple choice portion and a section with three essays.

What I was not prepared for was Courtesy of edufurniture the physical aspect of this test. I was not warned, nor was I made aware of the genuinely gruelling requirements this test possessed. Now, I don’t mean that my hand hurt or my wrist got sore ― no! I’m talking about my back. Why my back? Oh, it’s an interesting story.

The desk I took my exam on was the size of a small cutting board. It even looked like one too; a wood of a very light complexion with smooth corners and an ergonomically shaped edge. Nonetheless, my palm took up about a quarter of the desk and when I put my test booklet down, there was no room left ― not even enough to put an elbow down.

I proceeded to take my test, and remember it’s a four-hour long test, hunched over this tiny desk. In addition to that, I had an air conditioner vent positioned just perfectly to blow on my back. The combination of my unhealthy posture whilst sitting and the cold air being religiously slammed onto my waist led to a knot perhaps the size of a small country to be developed in my lower back.

Honestly, if we’re going to take our tests on desks the size of a notebook, can we at least be allowed stretch breaks? It’s not fair, and my back still hurts, a week later. The logical and rational solution to this problem would be bigger desks, but we need flatscreen TVs in every room instead.

Elise Mariano Staff Writer

When comparing schools, it is usually assumed that private schools are better than public schools.

According to The Washington Post, however, a book entitled The Public School Advantage shows that public schools outperform private schools. The author of the book only looked at data comparing mathematics performance. In order to really be fair, you have to look into other academics, student life and even costs.

Comparing private school to public school is like comparing cats to dogs. They are two different things, and they each have their own pros and cons. One of the biggest cons for private school is the tuition. I believe that paying for tuition has its advantages, however. Public schools are funded by the government, and because of this, they function as part of the government and must follow government regulations.

Private schools are funded by tuition, grants, and if the private school is parochial, the school can get money from a larger entity, like the Catholic Church. Since private schools are not usually government affiliated, they can avoid a lot of rules and regulations that politicians set.

Having tuition also means having more funds for extra perks that public schools usually cannot offer. Private schools offer a greater selection of classes than public schools. More classes equal fewer students per class, so teachers are more able to get on a personal level with students, and this can really benefit them. However, even without all these extra benefits, students at public schools learn just as much as students at private schools.

According to The Week, a study was conducted in 2007 showing that “private high school students scored no better on achievement tests in math,

reading, science and history than their counterparts in public high schools.”

Still, test scores are not the only thing that matters. Student life is also a big part of the equation. Students at private schools engage in more school activities because they have the money to do so. Private schools also offer better (tasting) lunches to their students as opposed to public schools. Overall, student life at private schools may be better just because the school itself has more resources.

The range of classes that public schools can offer is really limited because funds are limited.

This also means that classes tend to be larger in public schools because if funds are limited, classes may need to be cut. Tuition also helps pay for better faculty. However, teachers from public schools are required to be state-certified, while teachers from private schools do not.

Some private schools, like parochial schools, also integrate religion into their curriculum. This can either be a pro or a con, depending on how religious a person is. Personally, I am fine with religion being part of the curriculum just because it has been a big part of my life since I was young.

I honestly think that religion does not affect the quality of education in any way.

The quality of education just really depends on the school, not the amount of tuition you do/do not pay. As a person who went to private school for nine years of her life and then transferred to public school for four years of high school, I can say that when I am a parent, I would probably send my child to a private/parochial school just because individual attention is more available. The choice between private and public school really comes down to personal preference and the amount of money one is willing to spend for education.

Dear Pubs of 2013-2014, Dear Publications Class of 2013-2014, I will miss you all. Dearly. Every one of you has such a unique and wonderful personality, you are all amazing individuals. I will miss the singing, the guitar and harmonica playing, Mr. Davis’s clever remarks, the never ending battle of who’s better, yearbook or newspaper (the newspaper, of course), the brilliant, philosophical podcasts that made me question my existence in this universe (or if there even is a universe?), the days where we would have no Clark related news to share and Varty would blurt out random headlines from around the world, the adwalk adventures, and even the mental breakdowns from having three yearbook spreads and five Chronicle stories all due in less than a month - ok, maybe I won’t miss that one as much.

What I will miss and cherish the most about this class are the great friendships I have built and the warm and loving feeling of being a part of a family outside of home. I have learned so much about myself by getting to know every one of you and I am thankful to be a part of such an extraordinary, inquisitive and talented group of students. I know that when I look back at my high school years, some of the best memories will have been made right here in this little classroom at the end of the hallway on the third floor, overlooking the hills of La Crescenta. I will think of you all and smile.

With lots of love, a sprinkle of aestheticism, and "peace and blessings," Ani Mosinyan

We made it. After all of the late days, newspaper meetings, idea brainstorming, and the yearbook editors’ class announcements, we have finally reached an end of the year. But before I whisk myself off to the chilly East Coast for college, I just wanted to bid my adieus as my nature dictates — in a sassy, aesthetic, heartfelt shoutout to my Period 7 family of Publications.

What I’m going to miss most about Publications is the aura of joy, support and authenticity you experience whenever you walk through that 1331 door (provided it isn’t locked, of course ;) ) What that translates to is all of our loud Happy Birthday singing, Mr. Davis’s witty commentary, the spontaneous karaoke bashes during late days, laughing until you cry from a funny meme or from hearing someone’s misadventures as they are trying to get story interviews, accompanying your friends to go and take pictures or get interviews because let’s face it, Pubs people travel in packs, freaking out because your story or spreads deadlines are that day, cramming for your make-up test during enrichment, listening to the yearbook editors scold the class to turn things in on time, asking people if they can help you identify people on your spreads pictures, and that sigh of relief when our stories get finalized on Google Docs.

Never take a day for granted.

Remember, nothing is permanent (even the Chronicle apparently), and unfortunately all good things must come to an end. I am so proud to have gotten to know so many interesting, complex, engaging, lovable, hardworking, and spirited people of Publications.

On a side note though, I’m excited to see who the new David will be…

Applications can be turned in to Mr. Davis in Room 1329 at snack. XD With much love, a hysterical laugh and a sassy expression, David Olvera-Sanchez

Dear Ramon, I’m leaving my family to go to college.

It's out-of-state but I’m extremely excited to be getting on with my life! I plan on staying in the city and getting a job there. But the problem is I love my family. What should I say to them before I go away for a few years?

Love, Watta Boost Dear Mr. Boost, If there’s one thing I know all about, it’s family. If you would take the time to read the things I’d say to my family in Pubs, you can draw your own ideas on what to say before you also leave them for a very long time.

Ani, you’re one of the nicest, yet most cynical people I’ve ever met and I still check your blog every week. David, I thought my mother was the sassiest person in my life until I met you. Thanks for always keeping order and speaking up when I can’t. Tina + Sev + Mel, thank you for making such an amazing yearbook. I’m obsessed with memorabilia, so I’ll treasure it forever.

Renita + Tat + Eliz, when I see your names I can picture you guys looking over a photo on the SLR, laughing hysterically.

Vanessa, it’s been awesome sitting next to you in every class. Susan, don’t stress out so much, because you do great work no matter what. Luis + Alen, you’re great, entertaining, hilarious people and I’m wondering who you’re going to show hilarious memes to when we’re gone.

Olimpia + Sophie, thanks for putting up with my girl problems. Vanewsa + Ericka, thanks for putting up with my girl stories. AJ + Maggie, thanks for being such fun, lighthearted and kind people. Sara and Vardui, I hope you think of me when you see that right-most scanner on the computer. Kellzi, never change. I’m amazed at how quickly

you can energize a room with one comment; that’ll be helpful at parties. Lauren, you’re a really energetic and passionate person.

If you ever stop opening my Snapchats or favoriting my tweets, I’ll probably cry.

Alyssa, I’m still down to teach you how to play Starcraft or Dota, so just contact me if you’re ever interested.

Dish, you’re one of the most hilarious, not-serious people I’ve ever met. I hope you continue to make podcasts, because I find them soothing while I do calculus homework. Varty, you’re one of the funniest and quirkiest people ever. You’re one of my favorite people on Twitter and in life.

Mr. Davis, at first, I don’t understand how you managed to sleep at nights with all the shenanigans and strange things we do in your class. But I know you do it better than anybody else. Thanks for always keeping the interests of the class in mind. You’re one of my favorite teachers.

Last but not least, JERRY. You’re more than a fellow design/newspaper/yearbook editor. You’re also my best friend, period. In Pubs, we’ve done elaborate prom proposals, Photoshop battles, virtual board games and hilarious campaigns. You were a core part of keeping the design workload off of me.

Don’t even get me started on senior prom and the Magnetu no Clark montage. I wish you good luck wherever you go, but I’ll never meet somebody else like you.

Several storylines happen in this class, kind of like how all the cool things in How I Met Your Mother are planned at the MacLaren’s Pub. I’ve seen everything in this class: mouse switching, continuous wallpapers, strange subreddits, spontaneous singing. I cannot imagine doing any of these things with anybody but close friends and family… and everybody I’ve met in Publications fills in both those criteria.

So, Mr. Boost, I hope you’re inspired to say something like this to your family before you leave for wherever. I’m glad to say that not everything is falling apart. In fact, it feels like everything is coming back together. But for now, we’re hashtag done.

Thank you Publications. It was a real boost.

Your love expert, designer, and lowkey editor-in-chief, Ramon “Pang” Tumbucon