INSIDE THE ISSUE
opinion 5
a&e 10
feature 7
the bull’s eye NEWS
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OPINION
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FEATURE
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APRIL 24, 2019 VOLUME XXXVII, ISSUE VIII ONLINE AT DBBULLSEYE.COM
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Campus to gain four classes
SPORTS
While the city celebrates its 30th anniversary, the community knows more than 170 years of history. Samyuktha Vellaiyan Asst. Photo Editor
Tiffany Lee Asst. Photo Editor
Courses ON P. 3
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Diamond Bar, from farmland to suburb
Digital Marketing and Advanced Stagecraft are among the new careercentered courses.
As Diamond Bar High School’s campus undergoes renovation, its curriculum will also be revamped with several new Career Technical Education courses for the next school year. These courses include Career Explorations through Technology, Digital Marketing through Social Media ROP, Business Management/Entrepreneurship and Advanced Stagecraft. “Anybody can take these courses and market themselves as a brand and gain many career skills,” Instructional Dean Gabriel Aguilar said. “We are giving the students a glimpse of what these career paths look like and which one might be right for them.” Career Explorations through Technology will be a one semester-long course similar to the Microsoft Office User Specialist and Information Communication Technology courses it will replace, and will be taught by previous ICT and MOUS teacher Linda Morales. CET will allow Brahmas to meet their technology course requirement, while exploring the career pathway programs that DBHS offers each week. Students who aspire to become entrepreneurs or want to learn the workings behind manufacturing can learn how to start and grow their business with the two entrepreneurship pathway courses. They must first take Digital Marketing, a year-long course designed for sophomores, juniors and seniors to learn how to start a business and use social media to promote their business. The next course for Brahmas who wish to pursue entrepreneurship is the Business Management/Entrepreneurship course for students who already taken the Digital Marketing course. Replacing the Sports Marketing course, this class will use everything that the students learned in Digital Marketing to design projects ranging from T-shirts to banner printing. Both of these courses will be taught by Sports Marketing and Business Math teacher Sabrina Ruiz-Emmons. Another course that will be offered by the school next semester will be Advanced Stagecraft,
sports 16
cess through her attending college, which they themselves were unable to do due to financial barriers. “I have to set a good example for my younger siblings,” Wang said. “I want them to do well and succeed, just as my parents want me to succeed. Being a first-generation college student is going to leave a lasting impact on them because they’ll see that there is much more than the little city we live in and the small world of their school.” Meanwhile, Jacob Panduro will be attending UC Irvine to major in chemical engineering. He said he hopes to make new connections and meet new people. “I haven’t put a lot of thought into anything other graduating if I’m being completely truthful,”
From raising cattle to providing homes for thousands of residents, the city of Diamond Bar has evolved through the decades to mark its 30th anniversary this year. According to “Images of America: Diamond Bar,” Diamond Bar’s history began on March 30, 1840, when California Gov. Juan Alvarado offered a Mexican land grant to Jose de la Luz Linares. Alvarado’s land consisted of the yet unnamed Diamond Bar, Brea Canyon, and east Walnut Valley. Linares added the new land he received to the plot of land he had already owned and named the collective territory Rancho Los Nogales. Linares passed away in 1847, and his land was eventually sold to Ricardo Vejar. During the 1860s, ranchers faced problems arising from federal intervention of old California land grants. Vejar started with 10,000 acres of land and was left with only 464 acres after the investigation. In addition, the California droughts forced landowners to invest in food to feed their cattle.
First ON P. 2
History ON P. 3
ANGELA YANG
Brahmas create new legacies Two DBHS seniors will be the first in their families to pursue higher education. TIFFANY Lee Asst. Photo Editor Out of all the Diamond Bar High School seniors graduating this year, a small group will be establishing a milestone by becoming the first in their family to go to college. Alice Wang is deciding between Stanford University and University of Pennsylvania and plans to major in biochemistry and minor in creative writing. She also plans to do research as an undergraduate, working with professors and grad students in
labs related to medicine. Wang is currently writing a fantasy novel and hopes to publish at least one novel in her lifetime, preferably her current work in progress, and win an award. She also hopes to publish research papers as a pharmacist. “My parents always told me that the key to building the life that I wanted was education and I’ve been a witness of my parents’ struggles and triumphs as immigrants with literally nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Wang said. “Their determination and perseverance is something I [will] always admire.” According to Wang, her parents wanted her to fulfill the American dream to carve a place for herself in the world. She said she would like to give back to her parents by allowing them to enjoy their suc-
Science instructor honored by colleagues Chemistry-Physics teacher Teresa Hebert recognized as Teacher of the Year. Josh Kim Asst. A&E Editor At this year’s annual Teacher Appreciation luncheon, Diamond Bar High School science teacher Teresa Hebert was presented with the Teacher of the Year award for her dedication and willingness to help. The event was hosted by the Magnificent Seven, a group of parent groups, in the gym on April 5. Other candidates for the award were social studies teacher Cathy Lee, math teacher Jimmy Kuo and music teacher Marie Sato, who were nominated by fellow teachers in their departments. “[I felt] honored. It was nice to be recognized. It’s been a really good experience: the students are really
good, the administration has been good and my fellow teachers have been awesome,” Hebert said. Involved with the DBHS Health Occupations Students of America club, or HOSA, for the past two years as an adviser, Hebert often holds meetings in her room during lunch and attends competitions and events with the club members. Hebert previously coached Science Olympiad as well. Hebert said her main focus in her daily teaching is to prepare her students in their studies, whether it be for college or to improve their work ethic. “My main goal as a teacher is to teach kids not just the subject matter, but skills, like how to take notes,” Hebert said. “For my AP class, I like to focus on making sure that they know how to take notes and use their notes, so when they go to college, it’s easier for them. For my kids in regular chem, sometimes it’s to get them ready for the next level and sometimes it’s hop-
VICTORIA ARTALE
DBHS science teacher Teresa Herbert, left, watches as senipr Joshua Lee demonstrates an electricity experiment in her fifth period regular physics class. ing that one of them will like science, any science.” Instructional Dean Nicole Cabase praised Hebert for her willingness to help anyone, regardless of who they are. “I think she was a good selection
for teacher of the year because she is always available and willing to help, whether its her colleagues or her students or students that aren’t actually her students,” Cabase
Teacher ON P. 3
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NEWS
APRIL 24, 2019
THE BULL'S EYE
Senior lands the final sock After six weeks of laughter and betrayals, the Bounty Hunter competition comes to a close. BRAHMAS TAKE ANNUAL STATE TESTS
Maggie Liu Asst. A&E Editor After 43 days of strategizing, staking out and launching socks at targets, two Diamond Bar High School seniors emerged as the winners of this year’s Bounty Hunter game: Caryn Iwanaga as the last player standing and Royce Park tying with Iwanaga for most eliminations. The class-wide game for seniors awarded $50 to the winner and $25 to the player with the most eliminations, but because Iwanaga and Park tied for most eliminations by ousting six targets each, they both received $25. “I was honestly really excited for Bounty Hunter,” Park said. “I didn’t really know what to expect, but I really was planning on just being able to go around and have fun with my fellow students and just get as many people out as possible.” Park said that his most memorable moment of Bounty Hunter was when he stayed on campus from 8 to 10 p.m. to eliminate his target, Jerry Cheung, who had orchestra rehearsal. According to Park, Cheung hid on campus for two hours after rehearsal ended and managed to escape. “I personally liked it a lot not
DBHS juniors took the CAASPP, or SBAC, while seniors took the CAST in the first two weeks of April.
From left, seniors Caryn Iwanaga and Adam Gonzales were among the last two remaining in the game. Royce Park, right, tied for most eliminations. only because I won $25, but especially because of the fact that you can get people as your target that you don’t know… It’s like a good chance to meet new people and just a way for everyone in your class to have fun and get together,” Park said.
“It’s... just a way for everyone in your class to have fun and get together." ROYCE PARK Iwanaga said that when only five players remained, she and Patrick Nguyen teamed up to oust Adam Gonzales, although Nguyen was eliminated in the process. After many failed attempts at targeting Gonzales, such as sneaking up on him during his tuba lesson at school, Iwanaga finally elim-
A Bull’s Eye staff member shares opinions on her experience at this year’s prom.
TUNE IN: “FREE SPIRIT” BY KHALID
A Bull’s Eye staffer reviews R&B singer Khalid’s second album “Free Spirit,” which was released on April 5.
CHEER LEAPS OVER OBSTACLES
Cheer places in the top 8 at the CIF cheer state competition despite injuries and choreography changes.
First-generation admits open up
the staff Editors-in-Chief
Amelie Lee, Amy Miyahara
News Editor Asst. News Editors
Angela Yang Renee Elefante, Elizabeth Peng
Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editors
Ted Yarmoski Grace Lee, Erin Li
Feature Editor Asst. Feature Editors
Cindy Liu Kristen Sanchez, Kate Zheng
A&E Editor Asst. A&E Editors
Amelie Lee Josh Kim, Maggie Liu
Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editors
Amy Miyahara Ryan Lam, Johnny Wang
Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editors
Amelie Lee Victoria Artale, Tiffany Lee, Samyuktha Vellaiyan
Business Managers Asst. Business Managers Web Editor Asst. Web Editors
REVIEWING A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
inated her last target on Mar. 26. “I think Bounty Hunter was definitely one of my senior year highlights, not just because I won but also because it was something my friends did together and all of the competitiveness with my friends was like so funny,” Iwanaga said via Facebook. Senior class president Megan Young said that she wanted Bounty Hunter to run smoothly without any problems in rules or safety so that future senior classes could participate in the game and carry on the tradition. According to Young, participants this year were more active than the senior class of 2017, which participated in the last Bounty Hunter game. “I think everyone really enjoyed it. They were a lot more enthusiastic about it than I thought,” Young said. “[This year], people moved fast, like right when the game started, everyone was out getting targets.”
Catherine Liu, Cindy Liu Maggie Liu, Nia Mitchell Ted Yarmoski Christina Liu, Samyuktha Vellaiyan
Staff Writers
Emily Koh, Camille McCurry
Adviser
First FROM p. 1 Panduro said. “I’m really still shocked that I got accepted into UC Irvine.” His motivation to become a college student arose from the lack of travel opportunities his family has had, along with the overtime his parents worked to support their three children playing club sports. After transferring to Walnut Valley Unified School District in seventh grade, he noticed his friends traveling around the world, while the farthest he has ever gone was Pennsylvania for a college soccer showcase. The lack of travel was a sacrifice that his family made in exchange for a year of club sports. “I saw how hard they worked to allow us to do what we love and I want to be able to pay them back for what they did after I’m living on my own,” Panduro said, “I can’t think of a better way of saying ‘thank you’ than by giving them
a vacation through Europe like they’ve always dreamed of.” Although his parents wanted to go to college, his grandparents were unable to pay the tuition and both had to drop out before finishing a year due to the lack of financial support. They tried to be
more independent by moving out and working, but gradually found it more difficult to go back to their education. Panduro said he wants a career that would allow him to travel and experience what it is like to be on a vacation.
Seniors Alice Wang, left, and Joshua Panduro will be the first in their immediate families to attend college and after they graduate from high school at DBHS.
Doug List
contact us Diamond Bar High School, Room 563 21400 Pathfinder Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Phone: (909) 594-1405 x33563 Email: eye.editors@gmail.com Business Inquiries: thebullseyebusiness@gmail.com
editorial policy The Bull’s Eye is a public forum that welcomes the views of our readers. Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed pieces will be accepted only if they are signed. The author may, however, request anonymity. The staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing content. You may forward letters to Room 563 or submit them online at dbbullseye.com.
VICTORIA ARTALE
Junior Tori Kwon, left, and sophomore Julie Ruelas, dressed respectively as Princess Daisy and Princess Peach, helped emcee during the Super Mario-themed Top 10 and Spring Sports rally in the gym on April 11.
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
NEWS
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Traversing across Europe in 10 days DBHS students and teachers go sightseeing in Switzerland, France and Italy during break, learning history along the way. Nia Mitchell Asst. Business Manager 45 Diamond Bar High School students explored new cultures during a trip to Europe this spring break. The excursion, which took place from April 12-22, was open to all interested Brahmas. History teacher Emily Clark and math teacher Latita Thomas organized the overseas trip and accompanied the students along with a few other chaperones. “After the informational meeting that was held, I was very interested in going on the trip,” junior
Valerie Hui said. “I was intrigued with all the new things that they said we would get to experience.” The itinerary included stops in Italy, Switzerland and France. Within Italy, the students paid a visit to Vatican City as well. “It’s really exciting that we got to see these new places and experience the different culture[s],” junior Lauren Chen said. The students visited the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, went on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal in Venice and visited cities like Nice, embracing the French culture. The group also visited the small country of Monaco bounded by France. Although the students said they had lots of fun on their trip, it was also an educational experience because of the large amounts of history they learned from the different sights that they saw, and their experience learning to adapt other cultures’ lifestyles. “Something that I had to adjust
to while in these countries was paying one euro everytime I used a public restroom, which I wasn’t expecting,” said Hui. Being there in the moment and immersing themselves in the culture was the type of experience that the attendees looked forward to having. “One of the main reasons why I was so interested in going on this trip was because of all of the things that I would be able to witness in the time that I was there,” junior Eryn Lau said. “If I were to go on a trip with just my family, I don’t know if I would have been able to see all of these things.” Several students who traveled to Europe said they were also excited about going because they could not only explore new cultures, but also enjoy it with classmates and friends. “Being able to travel with my friends at this age was such a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget,” Hui said.
Photo courtesy of VALERIE HUI
DBHS juniors (from left to right) Debbie Yim, Lauren Chen, Valerie Hui, Emily Hong and Eryn Lau visited Switzerland as part of their travels through Europe.
Unraveling DB’s quiet evolution tle on the land for 13 years. In 1960, the Transamerica Corporation introduced plans to build a community and create homes for more than 50,000 people. By 1970, the Walnut Valley Unified School District was created and by 1982, Diamond Bar High School was established. Diamond Bar was officially incorporated as a city on April 18, 1989. The demographics of Diamond Bar have also changed drastically. According to the U.S. Census estimates, the population rose from 10,576 in 1970 to 28,045 in 1980 to 56,287 in 2000. Currently, the population fluctuates between the high 55,000s and low 56,000. Roughly over the past two decades, the Asian population increased from 43 percent to 55 percent and the Caucasian population decreased from 41 percent to 29 percent. According to Mayor Carol Herrera, the city council has been proactive about asking residents for ways to improve upon what the city
History FROM p. 1
PEACEFUL PROTESTS OUST SUDANESE LEADER After 30 years of rule, Sudan’s president is out. Omar Hassan al-Bashir was ousted from his seat amid a four-month long street protest effort to oppose the leader’s policies and regime. The deposition was peaceful, but new concerns arose among citizens, who fear veering back into the same authoritarian lane, when defense minister Awad Ibn Auf declared himself the leader of a military transition into more sustainable government.
DHS SECRETARY MOST RECENT TO RESIGN
Kirstjen Nielsen has left her post as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Having previously served under the George W. Bush administration, Nielsen’s most significant enactment in office was Trump’s child separation policy at the border. The resignation comes after the president’s increasingly critical posture on her inefficacy in executing his demands to stem immigration.
SAUDI ARABIA DIPLOMAT APPOINTED
The U.S. Senate has confirmed John Abizaid, nominated by President Trump, as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The position had been vacant since 2017, before President Obama left the White House. Trump had been pushing his party to fill a continuous slew of openings in his administration.
Most ranchers had to borrow money because the loss of land led to debt. Vejar eventually sold Rancho Los Nogales for $30,000 to rancher Louis Phillips, who owned 12,000 acres of land, including this purchase. Phillips then sold a portion of this ranch in 1866 to William Rubettom, who opened a tavern and an overland stage station (where tired horses are exchanged for energetic horses) called “Spadra.” This became the first settled territory in the area of Diamond Bar, and it is currently the area near the Route 57 and Pomona Boulevard. Rancho Los Nogales was sold again, but this time in allotments to many landowners. In 1918, Frederich E. Lewis bought and reassembled most of Rancho Los Nogales and established the Diamond Bar Ranch. The ranch was sold in 1943 to the Bartholome family, who raised cat-
Brief History of Diamond Bar CA Governor Juan Alvarado offers Mexican land grant to Jose de la Luz Linares.
Transamerica corporation introduces plans to build a community for 50,000+ people.
1840
1960
Herbert awarded Teacher of the Year taught all levels of chemistry from regular to AP, Integrated Science, said. “She always does it with a AP Environmental Science and smile on her face. People don’t feel Conceptual Aside from teaching, afraid to approach Hebert said her her, and I think it’s favorite part that what makes about her job students so comis being around “My main goal as a fortable and relate students and teacher is to teach so well to her.” getting to know not just the subject Hebert has been what they enjoy. matter, but skills." teaching at Dia“Seeing what TERESA HEBERT mond Bar for alyou guys are most her entire into, what kind career. Before of music, what teaching, Hebert kind of movies, worked for Baxter Healthcare and even the t-shirts you guys wear, was a stay-at-home mom. In her that tells a lot about you guys,” Heeight years at DBHS, Hebert has bert said.
is today. “As mayor, [the] staff and I are constantly asking our residents about what services they like and what would they like to see,” Herrera said via email. “I am working with the rest of the council and staff to find funding to improve the traffic on our streets.” City expansion is limited by the hillsides of Diamond Bar. Furthermore, with competing neighboring cities, stores prefer to be located in Brea or Chino Hills. Regardless, the council has been working on improving the business in Diamond Bar. “Our latest achievement is the Spouts Shopping Center,” Herrera said. “We worked with the shopping center owner for years to pull all those stores together.” On April 13, the annual city birthday party was held at Pantera Park. The event had many activities, including rides, carnival games and activity booths. Singers and dancers performed on the stage throughout the day.
1866 william rubettom’s property becomes first settled territory in diamond bar.
City of Diamond Bar is established.
1989
1982 Diamond Bar High School is founded.
Teacher FROM p. 1
RENEE ELEFANTE AND ELIZABETH PENG
Curriculum expands scope of study courses FROM p. 1 which will be taught by current Stagecraft teacher Jenna Riley. Students must first take Stagecraft as a prerequisite. Advanced Stagecraft will be a year-long course teaching students skills such as how to use
lighting software to program the lights to turn different colors during a performance, to train them to become certified light technicians. “We are buying new laptops, soundboards and light boards and upgrading our program so that the students can learn
how to program and that’s why [Advanced Stagecraft] is an advanced course,” Aguilar said. Aguilar is looking for a match at Mt. SAC for the same career pathways courses offered at DBHS so students can have the opportunity to receive college credit.
OPINION
EYE EDITORS OF THE
OPINION: Teachers need to prevent cheating by creating original tests.
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ntegrity. With a quick scribble of the pen, a student can sign off on it before letting the meaning of the word slip into the back of their heads. As one of the systems in place for the math department to prevent cheating, signing integrity on every test is supposedly there to have students take the test truthfully while allowing teachers to grade and set curves for the test. However, this symbolic action seemingly does not deter students from spreading answers to friends during passing periods or even taking pictures of the test when looking it over in class. With some teachers re-using their tests each year, pictures or copies of old tests can circulate throughout the student population and even tutoring centers, providing students undeserving of the grade to receive an A while affecting the curve for
struggling students. Although this situation does not occur in every circumstance, the root of the problem still lies with how teachers continue to re-use their test each year. (See news story on page 8.) Taking this into account, teachers should acknowledge that there could be old documents of their tests being distributed among students and find new ways to prevent cheating. Whether it’s giving different forms of the test to each class period or even changing the test from year to year, teachers can implement a more secure process to prevent students from cheating. While it’s more time consuming to revise a test, the results of providing a fair assessment of each student’s skill level should outweigh any consumption of time. This is especially true for
those teachers who take their tests either partially or entirely from online sources. This makes getting an unfair advantage both easy and potentially unintentional as tutoring centers or students may stumble upon the tests when searching for study material. Additionally, it is ironic that math tests are notorious for being cheated on, yet simply changing the numbers within the problems is not a precaution taken by most Diamond Bar math teachers. For students who are tempted by pictures of the test or feel the need to share answers with friends, cheating only provides detrimental and short-term results. Receiving a guaranteed score will only procure a lax attitude to testing, which would not last as a solution forever. As it often is with most issues at school, the responsibility for fixing this problem lies with
both students and teachers. Students must recognize that cheating, while it may seem appealing and useful in the meantime, will significantly hurt their future performance in all areas, from college to their careers. On the other hand, teachers must be aware of the commonality of cheating and take measures to prevent it from happening, especially when their tests are easily accessible and widely spread among outside sources. High school is the foundation of a student’s education, and cheating only hinders the learning process. Without actual understanding of topics that are built upon throughout the years, cheating students are bound to struggle once it becomes more difficult to cheat. Ultimately, taking the easy way out will not last into college and beyond.
Inhumane prison system needs reform
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Erin Li Asst. Opinion Editor
labama Department of Corrections runs what is considered one of the worst prison systems in the nation with the highest prison homicide rate in the country. In addition, it has been accused of violating the Eighth Amendment by not preventing homicides. Without proper confrontation of
this problem, the tortured treatment of today’s prisoners will only continue. After the recent investigation of Alabama’s prisons, the U.S. Justice Department concluded that the combination of overcrowding and understaffing of these prisons has resulted in numerous murders and sexual assaults that are often discovered long after they occur. By the time prison guards react, most of these inhumane acts have already been committed, with murder victims bleeding out in front of other inmates. According to DOJ’s official report, Alabama’s prison guards have failed to prevent prisoneron-prisoner violence and sexual abuse. Prisoners are often found with concealed weapons and drugs, yet enforcement to prevent
Researching for truth
Amelie Lee Editor-in-chief
D
espite spending the last 12 years enrolled in America’s education system, I’ve been repeatedly disappointed in the schooling I’ve received. In light of recent evidence, I find it astonishing that the media has decided to ignore major breakthroughs, opting to instead focus on society’s misplaced belief in “science” and “facts.” Teachers continue to neglect huge categories of meticulously researched information easily found on the internet. In the past four years, I’ve read at least three articles suggesting that the government creates earthquakes and two that have definitively concluded that the Clinton family has assassinated 50 political figures. Yet, when bringing up these topics with my teachers, I’ve been met with nothing but scorn and dismissal. The fact that nobody takes this
APRIL 24, 2019
THE BULL'S EYE
evidence seriously represents a failure of our education system. Teachers are constantly going on about “new ideas,” but refuse to watch a 27-minute YouTube video that outlines how vaccines are destroying the economy. It disappoints me that people refuse to educate themselves, instead latching onto a herd mentality of believing the first thing that they read. Once exposed to the statistics I found on www.fakemoonlanding. com, surely people will start to realize that the information they’ve learned from decades of scientific studies and acclaimed researchers have been carefully falsified by malicious infiltrators of society’s highest levels of leadership. Surely, people won’t be able to contradict undeniable facts after looking at such convincing evidence.
this rarely occurs. Without proper funding for more prison space and adequate staffing, the state of Alabama will be forced to find an alternative solution to improve prison facilities. However, this problem isn’t just centered in Alabama; the need for prison reform is present in all states. Overcrowded and understaffed prisons have become a constant problem and if the government does not send fewer people to jail for petty crimes, model state prisons after federal prisons or appropriate more funding toward prisons, numerous inhumane safety violations will continue to occur. Instead of locking up every individual who has ever committed a crime, we need to focus more on those who have been convicted of violent, high-profile crimes.
Prisons are meant for retribution, deterrence, incapacitation and rehabilitation, not just to minimize crime. If letting out low-risk inmates means preventing future violent crimes from happening within prison walls, I would say the trade-off is worth it. DOJ’s recent investigation of Alabama’s state prisons has made on thing clear—the U.S. prison system is in desperate need of reform. The government should provide more funding for state prisons to alleviate the growing problem of lack of prison guards and jail cells. We should be remodeling state prisons after the foundation of federal prisons. If we do not reform prisons like those in Alabama, we are sentencing criminals to a fate filled with institutionalized torture.
SCIENTIFICALLY SATIRICAL Society’s ridiculous stubbornness against the truth has also taken a toll on the benevolent communities that work to teach their newfound ideas to others. Unfortunately, educational videos that help viewers understand that society has been lying to them for years have begun to be restricted by YouTube. My efforts to publish my ideas on local news sites are repeatedly rejected, continually disparaged as a joke. It is continually baffling as to why people are intent on denying what is clearly presented in front of them. In some cases, there have been attempts from evil corporations to contradict the facts presented, with falsified Wikipedia articles being broadcasted alongside our highly accurate information. Luckily, the internet has ensured
that our hopes to inform the world of our ideas will not be deterred. By staying active on Facebook groups that preach about how gay Americans are actively conspiring to destroy religion, I can continue guaranteeing that intelligent and skeptical audiences will find the truth. Outside of Facebook, I find hope in the countless blogs and platforms that emphasize that we should doubt everything we are told—even when given to us by a reputable scientifically-based source—and instead find solace in the research done by middle-aged mothers on Quora. In this age of technological and social progress, it’s more important than ever for citizens to take charge of their own education, actively looking for truth among the lies that plague society.
Cartoon courtesy of JAMES TSAO
Tedy
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Making tragedies worse
ted yarmoski opinion editor
iolence. Tragedy. Controversy. These are some of the things that keep news media afloat and the most audiences engaged. But at what point does reporting on acts of violence and malevolence become ethically wrong? A couple of decades ago, mass shootings were unthinkable and quite rare. Now, it seems like they happen regularly. In the wake of the shooting in New Zealand last March, a repeated pattern has made it obvious why the number and severity of these tragedies have been steadily increasing for years. Among other factors, the largest contributor to these acts is the propagation and attention that they receive in the media. After each one, details, interviews and other coverage goes on for weeks, all while generating advertising revenue and increasing ratings. The media profits off of massacres. The easier it is to connect to a story, the more likely someone is to emulate it. Coverage of mass shootings provides everything necessary for some to relate to and empathize with the shooter: social media, interviews, motivations and the shooter’s face. Without the sensationalized way that massacres are reported on, the nobodies who commit acts of mass violence would not become celebrities overnight. Many of the criminals guilty of mass killings were motivated by a lust for notoriety, an opportunity to create and solidify a legacy. The coverage of their acts guarantees them their wish. There is no better example of an evil legacy being solidified and inspiring others than the Columbine shooting of 1999. The perpetrators of this tragic event are hailed as heroes on many online forums and can be found in many modern shooting manifestos. Just as there are people who worship serial killers, the same holds true for mass shooters. The news media enables these communities to grow and encourages people with nothing left to care about in life to join the roster of shooters and become idols for sick individuals around the globe. There has been extensive research into the effects of suicide coverage on increasing suicide rates leading to reforms in how these incidences are covered. The same needs to happen for mass shootings. Reform must take place in regard to how violence is covered. Do not turn the shooter into a celebrity: stop spreading a face, name and other elements that give them humanity. Instead, focus reporting on information useful to preventing future attacks such as methodology and causes, as well as coverage of positive aspects such as efforts by first responders and the resilience of the community. Those in opposition to this “limited” coverage argue for the public’s “right to know.” However, necessary info can be conveyed without unintentionally glorifying the killer. For example, the shooter’s name does not need to be mentioned more than once in a story. Instead, pronouns such as “the perpetrator” can be used to make it harder for others to relate. Journalists have an important job in reporting these incidents. However, when the focuses become the face, the motivation and kill count of the murderer, journalists should remember their ethical responsibilities and prioritize them over extra revenue.
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
Randomized testing
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Get-out-of-jail card for the rich
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Cartoon courtesy of NICOLAS KIM
OPINION
Josh Kim Asst. A&e Editor
fter allegedly staging his own beating and disguising the deed as a homophobic and racist attack, actor Jussie Smollett should have had to answer to his crimes. But he did not as Chicago prosecutors dropped all charges against him. Smollett, known for his role as singer Jamal Joseph Lyon on the popular television show “Empire,” reported to police that he was attacked on Jan. 29 by two men in the name of racism and anti-gay ideals. After the incident, Smollett received support from the public, including politicians and celebrities outraged by the attack. However, as police further investigated into the case, they found evidence that led them to believe that the attack was faked and arrested Smollett. Police stated that they had in possession the check that Smollett used to pay the two accomplices, who he was acquaint-
ed with. Even with the evidence stacked up against him, Smollett still refused to admit his wrongdoing, asserting throughout the case he was telling nothing but the truth. He was charged with 16 accounts of felony and removed from his acting position on “Empire.” While the charges were dropped on the grounds of “reviewing the case’s facts and in view of his agreement to forfeit his $10,000 bond” according to CNN, Smollett’s career will never be the same. During times when racism and homophobic acts are so prevalent in our society, it is almost too easy for people to take advantage of it. Smollett is a prime example, as he obviously wanted to increase his own publicity by staging a fake attack. This creates a shameful stigma not only surrounding him, but for anyone in the future who actually is a victim from a hate crime. In the event that someone actually falls victim to a racist or homophobic attack, people will most likely think of the Smollett case, wondering if an attack is the real deal or just a public stunt. That Smollett’s case was dropped so quickly reveals how those with both financial success and power can get away with almost anything. Pop artist Chris Brown was accused of beating his then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009,
with very little repercussion to his musical career as his 2011 and 2013 albums reached the top of the U.S. Billboard chart. Another example is Justin Bieber, who has found himself in trouble with the law on multiple occasions with little to no repercussions. To name just a few instances, Bieber has smoked marijuana, attacked a paparazzo and received a DUI. However, after escapades like these Bieber has managed to avoid severe punishment and continues to be a major pop star, scoring hits with “What Do You Mean?” and “Love Yourself” in 2016. Seen as pop culture icons, many celebrities experienced little to minimal loss in their careers after their legally questionable actions. In the same way, it isn’t lawful that Smollett is getting away with this crime with only a slap on the wrist. In addition, both the former mayor of Chicago and city police have questioned why prosecutors did not charge him, despite the evidence. Jussie Smollett’s deed is something that should not go unnoticed. Lying to the police should result in severe consequences and it is unsettling that Smollett did not get punished. Moving forward from this incident, we should learn from situations like these so that justice can be properly served in the future.
New legislation calls for restricted cellphone usage in school
Camille mccurry staff writer
L
ooking around any classroom, you will find the disengaged student here or there, cell phone in hand hidden beneath the desk or behind a folder. The prevalence of this inattentive behavior is what sparked Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Los Angeles) to propose Assembly Bill 272, which would require all California school districts to either limit or
restrict cell phone use. Although it may seem like a tyrannical attempt to ban all phones on campus, this bill will actually end up benefiting both California students and teachers alike. The initial impression of the bill based on media headlines, is that the measure enacts a statewide cell phone ban on school campuses. However, this idea misconstrues the bill’s true intent and purpose. Its wording purposefully leaves the question of how heavily to restrict cell phone usage to the governing body of each district. Because of that, our school would most likely remain unaffected due to our preexisting cell phone policy, which disallows their use during class without explicit teacher permission. On the other hand, it also forces districts that previously had no cell phone policy to restrict or even
outright ban possession of a smartphone on campus grounds, an idea that may leave some disgruntled. Although schools have always had this option, the difference the bill makes is that all districts must have a policy that at least restricts usage. The proposition of this bill is also partially influenced by France’s nationwide ban of cellular devices in elementary and middle schools. Additionally, it is backed by research: a 2015 study conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science found that test scores improved significantly at schools that banned mobile phone use. The same study also concluded that the most significant gains in test scores were found in the most disadvantaged and underachieving students. The researchers say these results suggest that these
Child pageants reinforce society’s negative self-image perceptions
O
Renee Elefante Asst. News Editor
ne minute, a young child is playing on the playground with her friends at school; the next thing she knows, her parents have pulled her away and forced her to put on makeup, wear provocative outfits and present herself to a panel of judges. While most parents believe they have their child’s best intentions in mind, the parents of child pageant contestants need to realize they are inflicting more damage than good. Every year around 250,000 children participate in over 5,000 child beauty pageants, according to Occupy Theory. Although some parents may ask for their children’s
consent, these underage girls are too young to truly know if pageantry is what they want, especially if their parents are guiding them towards a certain path. The parents may say that they enroll their children in the hopes that they would learn something from the pageants, but, as I see it, the only things these little girls are learning are that appearances do in fact matter and that portraying themselves sexually is important. Take 20-year-old Mississippi college student Madison Berg, who entered her first pageant when she was five months old. This past December, she published an article in The Sun, a News UK Company, describing her experience in the pageants and the hate she dealt with outside of them. She has also become extremely dissatisfied with her body. Other contestants have even taken on eating disorders in an attempt to remain the “perfect” weight, according to psychologist Martina Cartwright. Aside from mental health, physical health can also be affected. In an article written by Dr. Rick Nauert,
he reveals that these parents give their children caffeinated drinks and Pixy Stix candy, also known as “pageant crack.” In hopes of their children staying awake, these parents let their children consume unhealthy products instead of getting them the necessary sleep and proper nutrition while preparing for pageants. This leads to the infamous tears and temper tantrums that are often associated with these child pageant contestants. Pageantry also sexualizes young participants. Contestants often wear evening gowns and bikinis while striking suggestive poses. Aside from these revealing outfits, children also run around in heels, which damages their developing feet to the point that the only footwear their bodies will feel comfortable wearing are the heels, according to The Week Magazine. All of the makeup and hairspray being used on little girls doesn’t help either—usage of these products can cause health issues and attract predators toward these children. While some little girls might enjoy the idea of being in a spotlight
students are more likely to be distracted by phones than their highachieving counterparts. By imposing a restriction or ban on cell phone usage, districts may be able to help close the divide between disadvantaged students and their peers. Another researcher, Dr. Jean Twenge, influenced Muratsuchi’s decision. Her book, “iGen,” describes a positive correlation between social media usage and depression rates in teens. A cell phone usage ban in classrooms and on campus could significantly reduce depression rates in teenagers across California, seeing as the majority of teens’ waking hours are spent on campus grounds. Despite all of the research and statistics about potential benefits to students, there are still those concerned about the harm a cell
phone ban could cause to students with medical needs or those who find themselves in an emergency situation. The cellphone bill also covers these bases, stating that “a pupil would not be prohibited from possessing or using a smartphone under specified circumstances,” which include emergencies, with recommendation from a licensed medical practitioner or with permission from a teacher or administrator. The final decision on how to implement the bill would come down to each district. Whether they choose to restrict or ban cell phone usage, the potential benefit to students is clear. However, it still needs to pass the legislature. If it does, it will bring about a much-needed update to the outdated technology policies of districts statewide.
Numbers behind body image
80%
of women say actresses on TV and movies make them feel insecure.
37% of young children suffer from anorexia. University College London
37% Y N
PEOPLE magazine
81% of 10-year-olds are scared of getting fat. PBS
81%
YN
with their frilly dresses and dancing around on a stage, they do not comprehend their actions or how others are viewing them. To them, they’re playing dress-up. But to outsiders who only know these children for their dramatic makeup and showy outfits, the underage contestants can be viewed overthe-top or even as sexual objects. As they get older, these girls sometimes become insecure about their appearances after being forced to wear long eyelashes, lipstick and even false teeth, unable to accept themselves for who they are because they feel they need the aforementioned items to be “beautiful.” What kind of parent willingly lets their child think this way? Child pageants must be eliminat-
42%
of 1st to 3rd graders want to be thinner. PBS
ed for contestants under 18. School talent shows, on the other hand, are acceptable since many schools often have specific dress codes prohibiting their students from wearing revealing outfits. There are other activities for children that don’t strip away their confidence and teach them unhealthy lessons, like music and sports. To all parents who are currently enrolling their children in pageants or who are thinking about doing so, please ask yourself if the so-called “benefits” are worth the long-term damage. At the end of the day, children are just children and should enjoy running around on the playground or having play dates instead of being used as objects to be paraded across a stage.
6
FEATURE
From trash to treasure
tori artale Asst. photo editor
selling and trading apparel with others. “I wanted to have a way to make money, and this is the best way to do it,” Porter said. “I wanted to do what I love, and buying and selling shoes and other clothing is what I love.” The boys, including Sharma, who is in charge of @figure.sell on Instagram, sell not only shoes but other clothing items by high-end popular brands such as Supreme and Anti Social Social Club. “I see kids all the time at school
The rising popularity of streetwear fashion has led Brahmas to make big bucks buying and selling items on social media platforms. Junior Ernesto Perez, sophomore Nathan Porter and junior Rohun Sharma are among the student entrepreneurs who have scored successes in this online market. Perez started his instagram account, @_coldkicks_, in October, and has already sold more than 20 pairs of designer shoes, including brands like Jordan, Revenge X Storm and Yeezy. These brands are normally sold at prices ranging from $150 to $300, but Perez sells them for slightly cheaper, with most of his items ranging around $100 to $300. Perez made a profit of $1200 in the month of Feb. “I do a lot of research on different types of shoes, because a lot of people don’t truly know the value of some shoes,” Perez said. “One man’s junk can be another man’s treasure. [Even] if a shoe is worn, you can fix it up and sell it to make profit.” Perez was able to start his small business after buying used Jordan Six Carmines for $50. Photo courtesy of ERNESTO PEREZ Although his parents thought Ernesto Perez snaps a picture of one his purchase was foolish, he sold of his Nike shoes and his buisiness the shoes at the Los Angeles seccard for his Instagram account. ond-hand store Round Two for $200. More recently, Perez sold wearing streetwear, and it’s very a pair of Off White toddler-sized interesting to see different styles,” shoes for $200. Sharma said. “The trend is grow“I want to start a clothing line ing so fast, and more and more in the future because a lot of my people are accustomed to wearing clients really enjoy doing business nicer clothes than they did before.” with me,” Perez said. “Hopefully Although this trend of buying, I become well selling and tradknown and have ing streetwear "One man’s junk can people wearing is male-domibe another man’s my merchannated, Sharma dise, and I also takes notice of treasure. [Even] if a want to start apps like Heroin shoe is worn, you can selling pairs of that serve as an fix it up and sell it to shoes to celebrionline market make a profit" ties.” geared toward ENESTO PEREZ Porter started women. his Instagram “They [girls] account, @streeobviously have theat.sell, in January. Before Pora different style and gravitate toter’s Instagram account began, wards brands like Brandy Melville, he worked small jobs like bridge but the buying and reselling of card game tournaments and doing clothing is still as big of a business chores for his grandparents until for girls,” Sharma said. “I believe he could afford his first pair of defashion can be something that can signer shoes. Later, Porter found a be enjoyed by anyone no matter passion for street wear and started what gender.”
APRIL 24, 2019
THE BULL'S EYE
Photo courtesy of CARLOS ANDRES FRANCO
Alumnus Carlos Andres Franco, right, wears his uniform as he poses with a colleague on Pomona Catholic career day.
Recruiting for duty Erin Li Asst. opinion editor Carlos Andres Franco, who spent time flying helicopters to aid medical evacuations for security operations and disaster relief missions, has been serving his country as part of the National Guard for the past 19 years. Franco, a Diamond Bar High School class of 1996 alumnus, started out in the National Guard by assisting the supply sergeant and managing equipment for five years as a supply non-commissioned officer, overseas financial specialist and human resources specialist. He then transitioned into the aviation field, transporting troops in helicopters and managing deliverage and storage of vital supplies for troops as a supply and logistics specialist for four years. After a desire to switch fields, he is now applying his knowledge in his prior fields to his current occupation working as a career counselor and recruiter and retention non-commissioned officer. “I ended up falling in love with these jobs because I am able to help others when they are in their worst times, either because their home was burned by fires or because it’s flooded,” Franco said. “Watching [their] faces light up when we help them is priceless.” As a National Guard recruiter for the past 10 years, Franco has visited numerous high school and undergraduate colleges—including DBHS—to recruit students by discussing the benefits of joining the military. After his first few years as a business marketing major at Mt. SAC, Franco heard about the various opportunities the military offers. He decided to learn more about the Air Force and the National Guard and acquire some hands-on experi-
ence. While he was first interested when he learned of the military paying for his college education, he stayed for the enjoyment and the numerous other benefits it brought him. Those in the National Guard can be deployed by the governor of the state, usually to help after natural disasters, or by the president to support the federal military. Considered as part of the U.S. Army, those who work for the Guard can be called into service by the government to serve overseas or in the U.S. “The National Guard recruiter dealt with me on a much more personal level, rather than [seeing me as] just a number,” Franco said.
Similar to the National Guard recruiter who inspired him to join, Franco now works as a recruiter to encourage others to also join the Guard. “[The job] gives me the opportunity to let others know that they, too, can help with the great physical resources we have available and how they can get that feeling of pride and joy of serving this great state and country, ” Franco said. For Franco, working in the military has helped him become knowledgeable in diverse fields due to his experience working many different jobs there. “To grow in the military, you have to be very versatile and have different knowledge so you can lead different people from different
blocks of life,” Franco said. “[My previous military occupations] allowed me to grow more as an individual.” Franco plans on changing jobs within the next year since the National Guard has requested him to work in operations or marketing. “I might be changing jobs in the next year or so to transition to a different position,” Franco said. “I look forward to leading other soldiers in that realm.” As for his knowledge in the business and marketing department, Franco continues to educate himself in that field, creating flexibility in career options when he leaves the military. During his time at DBHS, Franco was involved in French and Spanish club and performed in Dance Club and Drama. He remembers former history and economics teacher Bill Zylstra, GLC Kevin Patterson and former career counselor and dean Maggie Buchan, all of whom made a lasting impression on Franco. Buchan in particular was a mother figure to him during his time at the school and has kept in touch with him. For students who aspire to work for the military one day, Franco said the National Guard is one of the best options due to the large variety of opportunities it presents. Those in the National Guard work one week out of the month, giving them both work experience and the time to finish their education. “The struggle I run into is the disappointment of how people view the military as a whole,” Franco said. “It is disappointing and upsetting to see how they don’t care and misjudge the people in uniform. But even with the negatives, I always say that I will continue to share what I know and perhaps more will take on the challenge and get the honor to serve, just like I have done for the last 19 years.”
Eco-Friendly Products for Earth Day Reusable Water Bottles
In tribute to the recent Earth Day (April 22), the Bull’s Eye staff has compiled some of the best eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products on a budget to raise awareness for a better, more sustainable future.
to plastic water Alternatives bottles have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, and for all the right reasons, since they are the perfect alternative to plastic water bottles. Refilling this bottle will be cheaper in the long run and prevent
Recycled Clothing
MORE ON THE WEB DBBULLSEYE..COM
for new clothes Looking can be wasteful, but
you can turn shopping into a more sustainable activity while trying out new alternative clothing with friends. Clothing
Stainless Steel Straws
STORY BY: ERIN LI DESIGN BY: KATE ZHENG
plastic—a substance that can never completely break down—from polluting our oceans. Most plastic bottles contain harmful chemicals that can damage the health of both humans and sea creatures, so reusable water bottles like Hydro Flasks and brands like Recover Brands and Patagonia have made a more eco-friendly way to shop while encouraging a more sustainable approach to reduce waste. Recover Brands produces clothing of sucking I nstead the life out of
the environment, consider switching out plastic straws for sustainable stainless steel ones. These lightweight
S’well bottles are not only safer, but can be decorated to add some fun to your daily ensemble. These reusable bottles can also keep your beverage cool or hot for up to 12 hours and their price ranges from $10 to $60, depending on the brand and size. using purely recycled material and has eliminated uses of unnatural dyes, while Patagonia encourages its customers to buy less products and instead renovate old clothing.
metal straws will not only add style and elegance to your drink, but they will also save wildlife in the process. These affordable stainless steel straws are
dishwasher-safe and come in an array of colors. At around $1 for one, you can buy them at Target or Walmart or online on Amazon.
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
FEATURE
7
Interest in investing Kate Zheng Asst. Feature editor
Camille Mcurry STAFF WRiter
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to eat with friends after school, a meal with family during the weekend or a late night snack, it can be hard to find restaurants that are open at the right time. These restaurants have the perfect solution to your problems, as they are open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. 18902 A East Gale Ave, Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Sun Nong Dan Korean Restaurant Sun Nong Dan, located in Rowland Heights, is perfect for large groups of friends or family. The restaurant serves Korean comfort food, with a wide variety of hot soups. Of their specialties, the beef short rib soup is the most popular, nd it comes in three sizes: individual for $16.99, medium for
Molcasalsa Mexican Food Molcasalsa is a classic Mexican restaurant in Fullerton. Their pricing is suited to the more budget-conscious individuals looking for a cheap bite a step above fast food. The menu mainly consists of their combination plates, which come with rice and beans. They also offer their tacos, tostadas
1849 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833
$64.99 and large for $74.99, with the latter two sizes being portioned for parties. Individual sizes come with the option of purple or white rice and extra meat. The restaurant is also conveniently suitable for any late-night study sessions, as its large tables and numerous booths provide ample space for study materials. 115 E Imperial Hwy, Fullerton, CA 92835w
and other dishes a la carte. Molcasalsa has a special breakfast menu: burritos filled with scrambled eggs, cheese and a meat of your choice for $3.40, with the exception of the carne asada, which is $4.65. The interior is not suited to dine-in groups—instead, the bar-style seating is perfect for quick visits just to pick up takeout.
Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant Fullerton’s Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant is the epitome of the classic American diner. The restaurant’s selections for breakfast are available all day and night, such as the $13.99 Eggs Benedict, which come with an enormous side of hashbrowns. The generous portion sizes at this restaurant are perfect for
sitting down and watching a sports game with friends or family. Another benefit of the restaurant’s hours is that one never has to worry about closing time before the game ends. In addition, the waitstaff is very attentive, ready to fill drinks at all times. If one is in a hurry, they also offer takeout.
With the looming burden of college tuition and other future financial strains, many Brahmas have concerns about money on their minds. Finance Club attempts to help Diamond Bar High School students become well educated about money management and investment. To create awareness on money management, the new club, established about a month ago by junior Mark Tan, provides students with information and resources to teach them how to make responsible decisions regarding their financial situation. “Even though not everyone is interested in stocks or going into the business field, everyone still eventually has to manage their own finances in the future,” Tan said. Although DBHS does have a few other business clubs—including FBLA, DECA and LaunchX—Finance Club distinguishes itself from the crowd by directly teaching students about financial affairs, whether they are beginners or experts. The organization not only provides a place for students to register and compete, but also a space for them to learn valuable lessons taught directly by experienced club members or guest speakers who are already in the business or finance industry. “I know that there are other business clubs, but they’re more competition oriented, while my club is more involved with directly spreading financial literacy on our campus,” Tan said. The officers of the club said they are confident about their ability to teach efficiently. President Tan has invested in the stock market for approximately two years, and is an intern at a wealth management firm. Other officers, including juniors Jonathan Ho, Harris Daud and Rohun Sharma, have also had a fair amount of experience with
investing and finance. Finance Club also has monthly informational meetings that cover topics ranging anywhere from cryptocurrency to stocks. An exercise that is often played out at meetings is a case study analysis, where the officers lead club members in discussing why a certain stock dropped or why an investment went wrong. The club is also working on providing members with the opportunity to explore and practice investing on different platforms such as Investopedia or Market Watch. “We’re pretty active, considering the fact that we’re still a new club,” Tan said. “We have many new activities we want to bring to the table.” Tan plans to implement stock simulations into his club meetings next year since it is something that has not yet been done by any other business club on campus. He hopes these realistic practice exercises will be effective in increasing the students’ knowledge and experiences with money management and investment. Besides from educating students on the fundamentals of finance, Tan is planning to broaden the horizons of his club by participating in the Awards and Investing Competition. Seven members from the club will form the competition team representing Diamond Bar. “Although those seven are the only people who will compete, we are going to show the trading activity to the whole club and analyze why we chose to make the decisions that we did during the competition,” Tan said. Since the club is new, Tan and his officer board are still looking to increase membership. To attract more attention to the club, Tan is working toward offering internships and inviting guest speakers next year. “I see a vision in the future where we could be working with real businesses to get a better idea of our purpose,” Tan said.
Photos and ratings courtesy of Yelp
Vegan ventures Samyuktha Vellaiyan Asst. photo editor With the popularity of healthy eating, senior Vanessa Troccoli and junior KT Wirth are among those at Diamond Bar High School who have tried out greener lifestyles with their endeavors as vegans. Vegans, unlike vegetarians who only don’t eat meat, refrain from eating or using all animal products. Examples of this diet include no meat, eggs or dairy products. Troccoli became vegan during her sophomore year when she found out that she was lactose intolerant. She went on the vegan diet for nine months, but she was forced to stop this diet since she needed to consume protein and vital minerals to maintain her strength for water polo. She stopped playing the sport during junior year and resumed her vegan diet five months ago after realizing that her stomach does not tolerate red meat properly. She was further
motivated to become vegan after she researched its environmental benefits. “I want to continue being vegan just because I feel a lot better about myself and I just have a lot more energy,” Troccoli said. Wirth, on the other hand, was in-
spired to become vegan while taking AP Environmental Science this school year. “I realized what these animals go through and I realized how horrible it is and we can actually get a lot of nutrients from other things that aren’t animal based,” Wirth
said. While Wirth has only started being vegan around a month ago, she has learned from her vegan family members and friends. “My dad loves meat so I’ve actually had to start making food on my own,” Wirth said. “Also, I’ve gotten used to being in the routine of making my lunches, so it has actually made my life a bit more organized.” While maintaining a vegan diet plan often comes with nutritional challenges, Wirth has to be more careful than most vegans. Wirth was recently diagnosed with anemia due to iron deficiency and lack of Vitamin B12, both of which are nutrients that come from meat. Since she doesn’t eat any meat products as a vegan, she takes supplements to maintain her health and live a balanced lifestyle. “It’s been pretty good so far other than the fact that I’m anemic,” Wirth said. “Even though I have to take a lot of vitamins, it’s worth it to me.”
TO SEE FULL STORY VISIT DBBULLSEYE.COM
From left, Rohun Sharma, Mark Tan and Harris Daud are officers of Finance club.
Missing humans? Humans of DBHS is a collection of interviews and photos of the students around our campus. Students share their personal stories, opinions, and advice on this platform. Scan the QR code to visit our website.
8 NEWS
THE BULL'S EYE
Offering tests under the veil of guidance WRITTEN BY Angela Yang
Students speak out on how off-campus tutoring centers collect reused Diamond Bar tests to offer to their students as a means to get ahead.
F
aced with the cutthroat race of college admissions in senior year, some Diamond Bar High School students are willing to do anything it takes to snare an advantage. After-school tutoring centers are common in the area, and a few have discovered an invaluable resource to offer: photocopies of tests reused yearly by DBHS teachers, marked with the correct answers. According to students familiar with the strategy, at least one group of students attending the same after-school center obtains copies from the institution of tests given at DBHS—complete with answers—then study the questions beforehand. One junior, requesting anonymity, said she tested out the validity of these answers. “Before the test during fourth period, I was standing with my friends at break and I looked over at my friend’s phone and she had a group chat where they were texting each other answers,” she said. “I saw a specific answer and when I actually was taking the test I saw that specific question and because I didn’t know how to do it I just put the answer... and it ended up being the right answer.” Brahmas outside the cheating circle began observing the situation after some calculus students were required to retake a test amid suspicion of false scores, and numerous students began reporting names of peers to teachers. Junior Maggie Liu attained photos of printed photocopies of a Calculus AB test on which the correct answers were circled, as well as screenshots of text messages between students planning to memorize test answers. She took the images to junior GLC Ginger Auten. According to Auten, the school has made contact with the tutoring centers involved. Potential consequences for student participants, however, are ambiguous. “There was never an indicator of who may have taken pictures of the test, exactly, because it was more like a rollout… from this person to that person to that person,” Auten said. According to Brahmas who have enrolled at Total Learning Education or SAT Professionals, among others, these after-school centers keep stocks of the exact tests given by local teachers in a variety of subjects. They allegedly receive the tests from teacher’s editions of textbooks used by DBHS staff as well as from students who snap photos of their own tests. One DBHS senior attended TLE until the eighth grade. “They’re very upfront that they have tests for middle school teachers and high school teachers,” she said. “They ask seniors to get tests for them in return for discounts.” According to the Brahma, a student receives tutoring help from teachers there but is also given access to additional resources. This includes packets of worksheets that can be found online, often with DBHS tests inserted within. “I remember one time when I was in eighth grade, there was this teacher there; she was a college student. I got a lot wrong and she was like, ‘You need to be careful about this because this is the actual test,’” the student said. Junior Michelle Wu was implicated earlier this semester in the surge of cheating in Calculus AB. “I have a couple friends who go to Total Learning and they gave me test questions and answers, and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I should look at them to cheat,’ but then in the end I didn’t because it was against my integrity,” Wu said. “A couple of other people overheard people talking about how Total Learning people had test answers, so then some of them went to report to [calculus teacher] Mr. [Jimmy] Kuo and other teachers.”
Total Learning Education declined to comment about the issue. Senior Evan Wu, who attended SAT Professionals his freshman year, said the facility offered students these tests discreetly. “They won’t really tell you that this is a real Diamond Bar High School test, but it’s more of like, ‘This will be on the test so you should study for this,’” Wu said. “And then when the test is happening, you’ll just be like ‘oh man, the whole thing is on the test.’ They’ll have pictures [of tests] printed out and it [has] some people’s handwriting already on there.” Another senior who requested anonymity was enrolled at SAT Professionals for homework help due to its proximity to campus. During his three years there, he discovered the center kept a binder for each subject, containing tests and answer keys for each chapter. “I was given practice tests to use to study [but] when I took the tests I noticed that the questions and answer choices were the same and it happened repeatedly,” the student said. “Then one time I went to go ask the TA for the practice test and he told me to look in a binder. Many teachers that I’ve had—for example, [Pat] Wakefield or [Eric] Sorensen and many more—give the exact same exams as the ones given at SAT Professionals.” According to the senior, some of physics teacher Angela Jensvold’s tests appear at SAT Professionals and another tutoring center in Rowland Heights. SAT Professionals declined to comment. Instructional dean for science Nicole Cabase is aware that students cheat by obtaining access to tests before they are taken. “The school can’t take any action to do anything about it,” Cabase said. “From what I know, it’s publishers that are selling them teacher’s editions. It would be my hope that publishers instead would only sell them to schools and not tutoring centers, but our hands as a school are kind of tied and we have to depend on the integrity of our students.” Kuo first gained knowledge of such occurrences last year, when the issue was unveiled in another teacher’s Algebra II class. “[These after-school centers] are not exactly modeling to the students... how to be a better student, they’re teaching them ways to cheat the system, to say that you can do anything you want as long as the end goal justifies [the means],” Kuo said. “I hope that more students than not are against this type of idea that you can just buy your way into a better grade.” Meanwhile, the culture of cheating on campus continues to be passed down by the few who do it. Freshman Akash George was introduced to the prevalence the mindset during freshman orientation. “[My Link Crew leaders] said everyone in Diamond Bar cheats, and you shouldn’t get mad at your friends too much for it, because it’s normal,” George said. “I don’t think they specifically advised it, but they made it clear that it’s very normal to cheat and you shouldn’t feel too bad about it.”
APRIL 24, 2019
"'Get it by any means necessary.' Shakespeare said, 'Do the ends justify the means?' In this case, yeah they do."
Soorab Ruppal Senior
"The students, they pay out money and they should get the bang for their buck, you know? They deserve the test questions to do well." "Why cheat if in life, you can't cheat your whole way?"
Stephanie Amador Junior
9
The Bulls Eye staff asked Diamond Bar students what they thought about tutoring centers offering re-used tests as part of their services. Alex Moon Junior "I think it’s fine that the after schools have a copy because it's like they [students] pay to go to after school."
A large market for tutoring
Sunhee Choi Sophomore
See page 4 fo r the Bull's Eye editor perspective
WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH PENG
Considering the recent allegations toward several tutoring centers, The Bull's Eye examined the rising prevalence of these after-school programs in Diamond Bar culture.
A
s the stress of excelling at the SAT, ACT and AP exams continues to overwhelm students, many have turned to tutoring and learning centers outside of school. Within a five-mile radius of Diamond Bar High School, there are more than 10 tutoring or learning centers, each with its own specialties in SAT and ACT preparation, homework help, college counseling and other academic areas. Parents often pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a package of classes at tutoring centers, though individual classes may cost a few hundred dollars. Keystone Education was established in 1993 and was originally called ACI Diamond Bar. The tutoring center helps students from third grade to 12th grade, as demonstrated by its math and English programs, test preparation classes and counseling services. Many high school students take the PSAT and the SAT preparation classes at Keystone. Over the summer, the center will have about 40 DBHS students. When she was in seventh grade, senior Pearl Choi took an Algebra 1 class at ACI to supplement the math class she was taking at school. In addition to getting math help, she also took PSAT classes for two years to prepare for the PSAT and the SAT. “I think tutoring centers are pretty common among DBHS students,” Choi said. “I wouldn’t say popular, but you’ll definitely meet at least one person who’s been to say Lee’s Review for example.” Established in 1997, Lee’s Review focuses on SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, AP exam preparation and college consulting, with
SAT I and college consulting being the most popular classes. In the past four years, around 300-350 DBHS students attend per year, out of the estimated 400 students enrolled at the tutoring center. Sophomore Aileen Park, who started taking trigonometry classes at Lee’s Review last October and SAT classes in February, believes that tutoring centers are extremely popular among DBHS students. “A lot of students want to do especially good at school and excel in their grades and/or the SAT, so they go to after-schools and tutoring centers to help them with that,” Park said. A different kind of learning center is Total Learning Education, an after-school tutoring service that provides K-12 students with a place to do their homework, gives students additional practice material and offers one-on-one tutoring services. Many students receive math help and assistance at TLE. Out of its estimated 120 students, around 40 are DBHS students. The center was established 15 years ago, but it was bought by its current and third owner in 2008. At SAT Professionals, SAT I and AP sciences are the most popular classes. In addition to the test preparation classes found at other tutoring centers, SAT Professionals also provides oneon-one sessions on various subjects, college planning and a GPA after-school program that helps students with their homework and focuses on specific subjects like math, science and English. Around 100-120 students from DBHS are enrolled at SAT Professionals.
DESIGN BY MAGGIE LIU AND KRISTEN SANCHEZ
10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
APRIL 24, 2018
THE BULL'S EYE
arts & Eics Keeping up with reality Photos by VICTORIA ARTALE
The spring musical “James and the Giant Peach” is based on the 1961 children’s novel of the same name. The DBHS show debuts on April 26 at 7 p.m.
Amy Miyahara editor-in-chief
A peek inside the Giant Peach R Victoria Artale ASST. Photo Editor Diamond Bar High School drama will be bringing a children’s classic to life as it prepares for the annual spring musical. The department will be taking the stage in the spring musical “James and the Giant Peach,” based on Roald Dahl’s 1961 children’s novel. After their comedic performance of “Suite Surrender” at the beginning of the school year, the cast is getting ready for a more heartfelt presentation later this month. “For this show we really liked it because it’s a new show based on the Roald Dahl book, but it’s written by the authors [whose credits include] “La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman” and “Dear Evan Hansen” who are Steve Lavensen and Benj Pasek,” drama
teacher Jared Kaitz said. “We love the music, we love the story and it’s something we haven’t done before.” The musical is about an orphan named James who is sent to live with his two cruel aunts after the death of his parents. He escapes from his aunts after discovering an enormous enchanted peach and befriending its insects inhabitants. The musical will include two casts, starring freshmen Gabriela Jones as the purple cast James and Gavin Prudencio as the gold cast James. “What I really want the audience to get from this performance is for them to understand the moral of the story,” sophomore Grace Thomas, who plays Earthworm, said. “That family and friends come in all different shapes and sizes. People who are your real family are people who respect you and love you.” Despite the fact that the role of James is played by freshmen,
junior Katherine Wirth said that they admire Jones and Prudencio’s ability to play the part despite their lack of experience. “Some of the freshmen have been really excited and eager, while some of them don’t take it as seriously and it messes everyone else up,” sophomore ensemble member Diego Tamayo said. “But the two freshmen playing the lead have been putting in the effort which is good to see.” Thomas said that the goal is to make the audience feel more included during the musical, including performing scenes while in the aisles. “We want it to be a fun experience for those coming to see us perform, and we are doing something different by making the performance interactive with the audience,” junior Katherine Wirth, who plays Ladahlord for the purple cast, said.
Tickets for the show are $12 for students and $15 for adults. Opening night will be Friday at 7 p.m. in the DBHS theater. Additional performances will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and then, May 2, 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. “I think this performance has gotten me to accept that it doesn’t all rely on you, and that sometimes you have to go out of your shoes and really try to work with other people too,” Tamayo said.
Dates: 4/26 - 4/27 5/2 - 5/3 - 5/4 Price: $12 for students $15 for adults
Flags up year-round for colorguard Emily Koh Staff Writer Earlier this month, Diamond Bar High School’s varsity colorguard spun their way over to Dayton, Ohio to compete in the Winter Guard International competition. The team advanced to the semi-finals but failed to qualify for finals. They went into the competition ranked 14 out of 60 teams. They received 23rd place in both
the prelims and semi-finals out of the 60 teams. “In Ohio, I was really proud of how even though we had two performances, we were sleep deprived and it was back to back we [still] killed those performances,” senior varsity captain Brad Chang said. “We walked out of there proud of what we did and the work we put into the season, and it’s something we haven’t felt in a long time.” Varsity has been to other WGI competitions earlier in the season. They received second place at Ba-
kersfield, fourth place in the power regionals in Las Vegas and third place at WGI regionals in San Diego. “We went to three regionals and then [using] those scores they rank us versus all the other guards that are going to Ohio and then they place us, so we went into Ohio in 14th place,” senior varsity captain Nia Rae Ignacio said. Along with performing in WGI competitions, they participated in
Colorguard ON P. 12
Photo courtesy of NIA IGNACIO
Color guard ranked 14 out of 60 in this year’s WGI earlier this month.
Giving businesses a signature look christina liu asst. Web editor After getting her start in her Computer Graphics class, slowly learning how to use Adobe Illustrator just a year ago, Diamond Bar High School junior Helen Pan now designs logos for companies professionally. “When I first thought about designing logos, I thought that it was pretty easy, all simple—it’s just words and putting images together,” Pan said. Pan was introduced to the world of logo creating when she designed her very first logo her sophomore year in Computer Graphics. Using the software Adobe Illustrator, she had her first taste of what designing logos was like. “It was a wolf, and something in Japanese,” Pan said. “I didn’t know what it was but it was pretty bad though—I looked at it and was
like ‘Wow this sucks.’” Ever since, Pan has been practicing the skills she absorbed in class. Pan’s process begins by first sketching out multiple designs to get a feel for what she wants— which takes around two to three weeks—before actually transferring the designs on screen using Illustrator. Having practiced out multiple sketches for fun and enjoyment, Pan said her favorite overall design is a dog logo she made for herself. “I really enjoyed making them for myself, and I thought ‘I have a talent for it so why not make it for others,’” Pan said. Depending on the style or her vision, Pan generally works with both geometric shapes and typefaces to create the final product. “I’m so picky, and every single time I look at it, I just thinking ‘this doesn’t look right,’ so you just have to keep going until you find something correct,” Pan said.
Pan’s first commission was for Agouti Trails, a store that specializes in handmade rope and leather leashes for dogs. With this being her first time publicizing her work, she designed the logo for free. Upon receiving her work, Agouti Trails posted a shout out to the dog community on social media. As a result, Pan began to receive similar offers for paid work from the dog community. “This was my favorite [commissioned] design because I actually remember trying really hard to make it, and it made me happy to see they used my logo in many different ways,” Pan said. Pan has since made logos for @ captivatingk9photography, a dog photography account; @mountaintailsco, which specializes in dog bandannas and @theknittedarrow, which creates handmade dog balls. Individuals have also reached out to Pan for other customized dog logos to put on top of their profile picture. Although Pan does not plan on pursuing logo design professionally, she hopes to continue it as a hobby.
eality TV is my guilty pleasure. While students are binging seasons of “Stranger Things” or “Riverdale,” I can be found rewatching episodes of “Dance Moms” or catching up with the latest drama on “The Bachelorette.” Many criticize reality TV for being the trashiest form of entertainment. It’s true that shows such as “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” which shows the extravagant life of the Kardashian family, give viewers a false idea of reality and pass off a lot of bad behavior as socially acceptable. Almost all reality shows are heavily produced, with scripted drama that does not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. Not only that, but reality TV has also created a genre of celebrities that are famous for no good reason. The Kardashians are a prime example of individuals who have garnered millions of followers on Instagram or Twitter, just for being on television. This creates a culture that awards glory based not on merit or achievements, but on appearance and money. Despite the problematic values that some shows perpetuate, I still watch them for the excitement of rooting for my favorite contestant or hoping to see a show’s bullies get what they deserve. Though many reality shows are overproduced, the purpose of these shows is not to educate, but to entertain. As long as viewers watch with a grain of salt, it makes little difference whether a fight between two stars actually happened or was set up by the producers. If the stars involved have consented to being filmed and portrayed in a certain light, then there is nothing wrong with giving people the drama that they want to see. And not all reality shows are created for drama - many have a purpose beyond showcasing petty fights and lavish lifestyles. Shows such as “The Amazing Race” showcase teams completing different tasks around the world. These shows educate audiences on global culture and allow them to learn about countries and cities that they may have never known existed. Other shows such as “I am Jazz,” which follows the life of transgender teenager and social activist Jazz Jennings, showcase diverse stories and experiences of underrepresented groups, allowing audiences to become more inclusive and open minded. Reality competition shows such as “The Voice” or “So You Think You Can Dance” give everyday people the opportunity to showcase their talents and rise to fame. These shows can provide hope and inspiration to regular people to pursue their dreams. In a world where it is difficult to break into the entertainment industry, it is uplifting to witness success stories that demonstrate how hard work and talent can be rewarded. Ultimately, even though reality TV is not the most profound form of entertainment, it can be an enjoyable way to bring fan bases together and give audiences a broader perspective on life.
Amelie Lee and Amy Miyahara write the Arts & Entertainment column on alternating issues.
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
adjusting the awards spotlight to streaming services an a&e commentary maggie liu ASST. a&E Editor
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he conflict between traditional and contemporary forms of entertainment has been brought into the limelight. Steven Spielberg is leading the fight to make Academy Award nomination rules stricter to guard against movies that are streamed competing against theatrical films. Even though his intentions are gallant, Spielberg’s proposed changes will inevitably hold back the film industry as a whole from moving forward. In his commentary, Spielberg has mainly focused on some of the more fundamental differences between original content from streaming services and films that play in theaters. Despite the one-
week minimum theatrical run to qualify for a nomination, most studios have adhered to a 90-day window for theatrical releases before digitalization. Netflix broke this precedent by only releasing “Roma” in theaters for three weeks before making the film exclusively available to its users. “Roma” went on to win three Oscars, which made the film industry acutely conscientious of the disparity between big-budget theatrical films and streaming services. As an influential member of the Academy’s Board of Governors, Spielberg is spearheading possible changes to the rules surrounding theatrical windows. “I don’t believe that films that are given token qualifications, in a couple of theaters for less than a week, should qualify for the Acad-
emy Award nomination,” Spielberg told ITV News. Spielberg is pushing for a 28-day window, mainly because of the dwindling number of people going to cinemas. Movie theaters are not as much of a staple in American lives as they were even 20 years ago, which is concerning for directors such as Spielberg, who wants to preserve the movie-watching experience. Spielberg said he believes that streamed movies should be categorized as television films and be eligible for the Emmys instead of Oscars. Theaters and movies have been synonymous since the Nickelodeon theater opened in 1905. For decades the movie experience has been the same: going to a cinema, sitting in an audience and watching a film with the big screen and surround sound. This model has been challenged by VCRs in the 80s, DVDs in the early 2000s and now by streaming services. The loss of the authentic moviegoing experience is a pivotal factor in the push for tightening nomination requirements. While Spielberg’s attempt to protect the industry is admirable, it shouldn’t apply in the age of modern film. Streaming services have slowly been integrated into our daily lives in the past decade. Netflix started as a DVD rental service, similar to the obsolete Blockbuster, and is now the leading streaming service, with 139 million paid subscriptions worldwide. With its immense revenue, Netflix began to invest in and release original motion pictures. With the increasing budgets and celebrity casts in Netflix movies, the distinctions between streaming-service films and their box-office released equivalents are becoming more blurred. The Academy has been slow in adapting to the changes in the entertainment industry. The Acade-
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT my must realize that by turning a blind eye to streaming services, the film industry will not evolve and remain relevant in the eyes of the public. Now, people are relying on streaming services for entertainment more than ever before. These numbers will continue to grow because of the extreme convenience and accessibility of these sites. If the movies featured on these services are excluded from the Academy, the younger generation will naturally lose interest in the Os-
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cars. As time moves forward, the Academy will undoubtedly become archaic. It is not in the interest of the film industry to prioritize movie theaters over rewarding well-made content. The number of moviegoers decrease every year and these numbers will not increase by shunning streamed movies from the Academy Awards. The Academy Awards should acknowledge all films of outstanding content and not focus on their theatrical release.
The numbers behind the scenes Price per month: $12.99 2018 original content budget: $13 Billion Monthly subscribers: 56.7 Million
Price per month: $12.99 2018 original content budget: $5 Billion Monthly subscribers: 23.6 Million
Price per month: $7.99 2017 original content budget: $2.3 Billion Monthly subscribers: 20 Million
A Jolt of Light-heartedness
STATISTICS BY FORBES
NOW SHOWING: Shazam!
ryan lam ASST. sports Editor After years of delays for the production of the superhero film, “Shazam!,” the seventh installment of the DC Extended Universe proved to be worth the wait. The movie brings a light-hearted and goofy approach that is refreshing to see given the studio’s usual dark approach to its movies. The film successfully introduces its origins without being boring—a young Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong) is transported to a temple by the ancient wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou), who is looking for a new champion that is “pure of heart” to carry on his duties of keeping the seven deadly sins in check. It then transitions to the present, with foster child Billy Batson (Asher Angel) following the same ritual that Sivana went through, and successfully gaining the powers of Shazam. Shazam’s powers are similar to those of Superman, but the characterization of the two are complete opposites. While Shazam can be compared to the studio’s “Man of Steel” in terms of the storyline, Shazam carries more of a comic-book feel to it, seen by the superhero’s obnoxious white cape and costume as well as the film’s music score. The soundtrack features a melodic and magical old-school superhero theme, evoking joy and hope. These lighter elements make the film enjoyable, hinting to viewers that while the film follows a typical superhero storyboard, it is meant to be funny and light-hearted. As a result, the multiple clashes between Shazam and Sivana throughout the movie are not as dull, leaving viewers anxious for their next comedic interaction. The main source of humor in the movie is Batson being in Shazam’s, as Shazam has the classic and exaggerated physique of a comic-book superhero that contrast Batson’s childish mentality. From learning and discovering more about his new superpowers with foster brother Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) to buying beer and going to clubs as Shazam, the film is surprisingly comedic while also bringing home the concept and importance of family through the unique dynamic between Batson and Freeman. The various experiences that the two undergo show that the hero and villain dynamic does not necessarily need to be the
center of movies all the time, which made for a refreshing and meaningful plot. However, the film has some flaws involving the character transition between Batson and Shazam. While Batson is established as a weathered and overly cautious foster child, Shazam acts as the complete opposite of Batson, prideful and overly confident in everything he does. For example, superheroes such as Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne carry on their personalities while they are in other aliases, but Batson does not. Regardless of whether the stark contrast in acting was intentional, Angel did a phenomenal acting job, bringing Batson to life and giving the audience a relatable and well-rounded main character. Although Shazam’s budget was on the lower end for the average superhero movie, the film comes off as very authentic, featuring well-developed characters and easy-to-follow comedy, continuing on DC’s successful film releases with previous big hit “Aquaman.”
DC Studio’s newest movie follows the story of Shazam as he fights the powerful Dr. Sivana.
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BUSINESS
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
Twirling into championships the colors work together. Color guard rehearses three regional competitions. The team weekdays, as well as every Sattook the title of West Coast Winter urday when they don’t compete. Guard Champions after winning One of the team’s challenges was first place at all that over half of the WCWG of the team was "We had a sucessful competitions new, with only season because of they attended. a handful of exthe way that we just This year the perienced memclicked during pracshow’s theme bers. tices, it was a great was CMYK, “This past which stands season comseason." for cyan, mapared to all the MARKELLA SIMMONS genta, yellow other seasons and black. Their was different, song was “Nemesis” by Benjamin but I think we figured out how to Clementine, which is about treatwork together and we had a sucing others the way you want to cessful season because of the be treated, and the show revolved way that we just clicked during around the idea of working topractices, it was a great season,” gether. junior co-captain Markella SimIn the show they portray how mons said.
COLORGUARD FROM P. 10
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THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2018
FEATURE
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wise words for a new chapter
The bull’s eye asked DBHS alumni and staff what they wish they had known before graduating high school. from making friends in college to choosing a career path, dbhs seniors have a bright future ahead of them.
Senior bucket list
Emily kim, class of 2018 “I wish I would have known about the importance of my major. trying to switch into a capped major is a pain. Know which classes are required and which aren’t... Join something. Loneliness is very real, but will be less if you join an [organization].”
Learn how to cook “Learn how to cook your favorite meals before you leave for school! Most schools/ environments/ areas don’t offer the same comfort food as you’d find at home. [By cooking], a piece of home will be with you no matter where you are.”
Tess guan, class of 2018 Go on a senior trip “It doesn’t have to be far, but [seniors] should take the chance to go someplace and just have a real vacation before going off to college. After school starts it’s difficult to carve out time to do that sort of thing unless you’re on break, and even then things like internships and other commitments have a habit of coming up.”
Michelle ki, Class of 2017 “It’s perfectly fine and normal to feel confused and uncertain about what [you] want to do with [your] career. I came into college strictly as a Political science major. However, it became evident to me that I had many other interests and passions outside of this field...Embrace the uncertainty and believe that everything will turn out the way it it’s meant to in the end.”
Sonja burns, GLC “You don’t have to take 8 a.m. classes. I feel like so many people make that mistake the first semester because [they] just are used to it, but typically students in college don’t do well at eight a.m. classes.”
Brian chang, class of 2018 have lunch with your parents “If you can, before you leave home, have lunch or dinner with your parents (just you and them) and talk about everything. Your relationship with them is about to change, and that’s a good thing! just make sure it changes in a healthy way.”
Rich gonzales, glc “Before they leave, seniors should reach out to a teacher that they’ve had over the four years whose helped them or left a great impression on them and just say ‘Thank you.’”
Pauline woodley, class of 2018
Dorm finds for fun times REMOVABLE WALLPAPER $40 Chasing paper
Eraser board mini fridge $109 Walmart
Cocoon beanbag chair $50 target
USB PORT BED RISERS $30 Bed bath & beyond
Design by Amy Miyahara
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SPORTS
APRIL 24, 2019
THE BULL'S EYE
Recent scores and upcoming games @Rowland 4/24 Walnut 4/25 @Webb 20-1 W Rowland 17-4 W @Wilson 14-7 W
Montclair 4/25 Chaffey 9-2 W Montclair 4-3 L Don Lugo 16-6 L Don Lugo 8-3 L
@Prelims 4/25
Montclair 4/25
@Finals 4/25
@Finals 4/29
@CIF Wild 4/30
@CIF Wild 4/30
@CIF 1st Rnd 5/2
@CIF 1st Rnd 5/1
@CIF Individuals 5/6 @CIF Team 5/13 @CIF Finals 5/16
@CIF 2nd Rnd 5/7 @CIF 3rd Rnd 5/9
@CIF 2nd Rnd 5/3 @CIF Quarters 5/6
@Prelims 5/4 @Finals 5/11 Chino 134-128 W Ontario 124-158 L Chaffey 214-40 W
Ladies undeterred by key injuries SOFTBALL The team takes a first-place spot in league for the first time since the 2011 season. NIA MItchell ASST. PHOTO EDITOR The Diamond Bar High School softball team has continued getting better as the season progresses, finding itself tied for first place in league since 2011. “It’s a really big change from last year because we have improved so much and it’s a sense of achievement because we practice really hard and put a lot of work in everyday,” junior Liliana Ruvalcaba said. The girls’ overall record is 13-4. In their most recent game against Chino the girls suffered a loss against the Huskies, losing 5-1. “I think our main struggle we had in our game against Chino was that we were weren’t producing enough hits and not being smart at the plate,” junior captain Emily Ruhl said. Previous to the game against
Chino, the girls were on a threegame win streak, defeating Ontario twice and Sunset. They previously had a seven game win streak that was ended by a tough 10-0 loss to Ayala. So far, two girls have dealt with major injuries this season. Junior Alexandra Tejeda, one of the team’s captains, suffered a hypertension of her knee tearing her ACL and will not return this season. Sophomore Kailee Skidgel also will be out for the entire season after discovering tendinitis in her shoulder. “We’re doing just fine, we know that the sign of a good team is to be able to rally around people when they have injuries and so far, we’ve been able to do that. Girls that were not getting the opportunity are now getting an opportunity and they’re doing a great job filling in,” head coach Kurt Davies said. Despite these injuries, the team remains in the fight to win the Mt. Baldy League. “We have to focus on one game at a time and keep our end goal in mind,” Ruhl said. The team’s next game will be tomorrow against Montclair at home.
VICTORIA ARTALE
Sophomore Miranda Montes pitches for DBHS in the 5-1 loss to Chino.
VICTORIA ARTALE
Sophomore Faith Tham, left, and junior Elaine Lin receive the birdie in match against Wilson, continuing DB’s win streak.
Another year of perfect rallies BADMINTON Coach Wells prepares team for another run at CIF title. KATE ZHENG ASST. FEATURE EDITOR As expected, the Diamond Bar High School badminton team is sweeping through the spring season, proving that they aren’t ready to let go of their seven year CIF championship streak. Most recently, the team won a blowout game against Walnut High School on April 2, 20-1, and then defeated Chino Hills High School on April 3, 19-2. Badminton coach Kemp Wells expressed surprise at Walnut’s level of skill, as it was the first year the school had a badminton team since 1983. “They have quite a few players that have trained when they were younger,” Wells said. “So even though they’re a first year team, they definitely don’t play like
they’re rookies.” To improve their chances of winning, Wells changed the lineup of doubles and singles for the games against Walnut and Chino Hills. Sophomore Claire Wang was moved to women’s singles although she normally plays in double matches, while sophomore Conner Lam, also a doubles player,, was moved to men’s singles play against Walnut. Junior Owen Chae and sophomore Kai-Hao Wen were paired up for the first time for men’s doubles. Among the standout players in the game were freshmen Kodi Lee and Codey Ma. Both Ma and Lam took four points against Walnut. He noticed that Walnut had particularly strong players in men’s doubles, but by pitting more seasoned players against the rival, Wells was able to create an easier match for the team. This allowed Diamond Bar to bring home another victory. “This was a good test for us, since we’re anticipating needing these wins if we’re going to make it
to the championships again,” Wells said. On the other hand, the coach took on a much more relaxed approach against Chino Hills. Instead of playing his strongest leading players, he played the reserves to hone their skills in time for the championship. “It was one of those fun days where we incorporated both levels,” Wells said. “Everyone but one player got to play in a match that counted.” Satisfied with the results of both of the recent matches, Wells also praised the students who played in the mixed division for the two games. Wells is working on improving the teams’ shot selection, serving and returning. These key aspects of the game have had a heightened importance since rally scoring was implemented onto the courts around three years ago. The team hopes to continue their winning streak during the next game on April 11 at Wilson High School.
Preparing for the final lap of the season SWIM After multiple successful meets, the Brahmas look for first place in CIF events. ELizabeth peng ASST. news EDITOR As the regular season comes to a close, the varsity swim team, as the Mt. Baldy League champions, are expecting big things in the CIF playoffs. “Our teams have been dominating the pool for practically every league meet we’ve had,” junior Alethea Gani said. The Brahmas remained unchallenged in league when they won in a home meet against Chaffey High School on April 3, where the boys won 136-34 and the girls won 140-28. The meet against Ontario, which was cancelled on March 20 due to the weather, was moved to April 4. In the rescheduled meet, the boys won 140-28 while the girls won 13729. The following week, the Brah-
VICTORIA ARTALE
Junior Everett Cheng swam a 59.31in the 100 yard butterfly against Chaffey. mas competed against Murrieta Valley High School and Riverside Poly High School in a tri-meet at Riverside Poly High School. The girls placed second overall with the score of 202, just behind Riverside Poly, while the boys placed first overall with the score of 246. At Riverside Poly, the girls took first place in multiple events. Senior Valerie Chen placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke, fresh-
man Kaimin Tseui placed first in the 100-yard backstroke, freshman Melanie Wu placed first in the 200yard freestyle and in the 100 yard butterfly and freshman Kate Li placed first in the 500-yard freestyle and first in the 200-yard individual medley. For the girls 400-yard freestyle relay, the team with Wu, Tseui, Li and sophomore Nikki Yip placed first. The boys also came out on top
in several swim events at the meet. Senior Nathan Chow placed first in the 100-yard freestyle and first in the 200-yard freestyle, freshman Matthew Chai placed first in the 500-yard freestyle, sophomore Vincent Cheng placed first in the 100-yard backstroke and first in the 100-yard butterfly and senior Kevin Vargas placed first in the 200-yard individual medley. The boys swept the 100-yard breaststroke with Vargas and juniors William Tan and Cyrus Phan taking first, second and third, respectively. DBHS also dominated the boys 200-yard freestyle relay and the boys 400-yard freestyle relay, placing first in both events. Diamond Bar gained another win at its away meet against Don Lugo on April 10 with the boys winning 138-26 and the girls, 99-53. According to Ankeny, the boys have performed well overall in almost every swim event, but one event they have trouble with is the 50-yard freestyle. Ankeny also said that the team has a couple of girls who can swim in any swim event, but the total number of girls on the
team is still low. The swimmers are preparing for league finals and CIF by practicing tapering, which places an emphasis on rest and speed. “[Tapering is] where you do some fast swims with lots of rest so the lactic acid doesn’t build up in their muscles because rested swimmers swim really fast,” Ankeny said. Alethea Gani said that the team is also working on dives and kicks, crucial factors to every race. League prelims were held at Diamond Bar High School on Monday, and league finals will also be at DBHS today. “We want to win CIF, both boys and the girls,” Ankeny said. “Our boys, we’re trying for champions in every event [for CIF]. So first place in all the events, that’s our goal.” In addition to the swimmers, there are also two divers on the team, freshman Mackenzie Kim and sophomore Luke Huang, who automatically qualify for CIF. The CIF diving prelims will take place on April 30 in Riverside, while the CIF swim prelims will be on May 1.
THE BULL'S EYE
APRIL 24, 2019
SPORTS
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Boys face rivals in the first round of CIF GOLF As league champions, the Brahmas prepare another run at Mountain Meadows.
VICTORIA ARTALE
Senior Lachlan Durlach is maintaining a batting average of .350 for the season and plays the outfield for the Brahmas.
Hoping for an open base at CIF
BASEBALL After finding their groove late in the season, the boys are close to qualifying for CIF. MAGGIE LIU ASST. A&E EDITOR
Diamond Bar High School baseball is preparing to slide into CIF playoffs as the season comes to a close. The Brahmas have a overall league record of 5-8, and is tied with Chaffey for fourth in the league. The team rebounded from a 5-3 loss against Chino with three consecutive wins: 12-3 against Ontario, 5-2 against Ontario and 9-2 against Chaffey. The team then suffered two losses 17-6 and 8-3 to Don Lugo. This season has been hindered by some inconsistencies in playing at the same level offensively and defensively. “We started off hot but then had some bumps down the road,” ju-
nior infielder Christian Barajas said. Head coach Jon Hurst said that defeats such as the 11-8 loss against Don Lugo on March 13 were caused by pitching. Since this game, Hurst has made the team focus on defense. Hurst credits the recent victories to these improvements and to senior pitcher John Chao. Chao has an ERA of 3.73 in the five games he has pitched. “Chao has been pitching really well recently,” Hurst said. “Combined with Xavier Mendoza, our catcher, and Will Murphy, our second baseman, hitting pretty well we are on track.” Senior Mendoza has amassed twelve hits, six RBI and scored five runs, while junior Murphy has accumulated twelve hits, nine RBI and scored eight runs out of twelve games. “We’ve definitely gotten much better defensively,” Hurst said. “We’ve been getting more clutch hits lately.” DBHS’s strong offense has also
been supported by Aaron Duran and Alonzo Fuller. Senior Duran has connected 17 hits, ten RBI and scored eight runs out of thirteen games played. Out of the same number of games, junior Fuller has 17 hits, eight RBI and scored eleven runs. According to Hurst, the team is on track to move onto CIF playoffs as long as they continue to stay focused. The Brahmas need to continue to keep runs off the board and defense consistent. As CIF approaches, Hurst is eager for the last six games. “I look forward to the end of the season where every game means something,” Hurst said. “The fact that we are still playing for something is a good thing.” In line with his coach, Barajas is confident for the remaining games of the season. “I am looking forward to finishing the season on fire with my teammates,” Barajas said. The boys need to win the two final games of league against Montclair in order to qualify for CIF.
Mustangs again at the CIF Western Divisionals. “Golf is funny,” McCabe said. “The biggest home advantage you can have in any sport is golf. Knowing the greens, knowing the wind, there’s so many things that affect KRISTEN SANCHEZ because every hole is different at asst. FEATURE EDITOR all these different courses...it’s almost not fair.” After losing eight matches to the McCabe feels that playing somerecent wet weather, the Diamond one at home should cost a team at Bar High School varsity boys golf least 10 strokes; the boys lost by 11 team finished their season with a in their close match with Walnut. win against Montclair, marking “We are not the favorites to win the 10th year in a row of undefeatCIF and have an outside chance. ed league play. The team begins Walnut and Arcadia are the teams the first round of CIF tomorrow. to beat in the CIF division,” McAveraging a score of 198 per Cabe said. match, the team has been sweeping The CIF match against Walnut its competition while every othhas already been set to be played er school in the Mt. Baldy League at Walnut’s home course. In orhas scored around the 300 mark. der to neutralize this gap between Key players contributing greatly Walnut and Diamond Bar, McCabe to these scores includes this year’s plans to have the boys play their top golfer and senior captain Sam course, Mountain Meadows, as ofCho and junior ten as possible. captain Leo Lu “We are excitwho was last ed because we "We are excited year’s MVP. are close and because we are close “Freshman, Dathere are some and there are... things vid Cho has also things we can do we can do to make been a medalist to make up that up that difference, " in two of the last difference and three matches that’s our goal TONY MCCABE and has really since we have lifted the team won league, we this year,” head coach Tony Mcare looking to take top two in CIF,” Cabe said. McCabe said. McCabe has expressed conMcCabe said that the team has fidence in the team for the first a fighting chance to win against round of CIFs. Walnut and Arcadia and expressed The only team that gave Diafaith in his players, who have been mond Bar golf a run for its money busy practicing individually and was Walnut in a non-league match attending outside tournaments. on April 3. Though the loss on Wal“It takes a lot time and money nut’s home course did not affect and support to be good at golf and their 8-0 win streak in league play, they [the players] are all very rethe Brahmas will have to face the sponsible,” McCabe said.
Brahmas stay in the fast lane with RYAN LAM and JOHNNY WANG
Formula E drives into the racing headlights
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ith five-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton considering switching to Formula E after his contract ends next year, it is easy to assume that the all-electric racing series will become the future of motorsport, rivaling that of the longstanding F1 racing series. Formula E is currently in the middle of its fifth season, with the Paris ePrix marking its 53rd race since its inception in 2014. Both Formula E and F1 feature single-seater open cockpit cars, but Formula E vehicles are entirely battery powered. This might seem counterintuitive, as motorsport fans generally want to see cars at extremely high speeds with the classic racing exhaust notes. However, the motorsport is still developing and has a higher ceiling of success compared to F1. The relatively new racing series features more manufacturer teams than F1, including big names such as Audi, Venturi and Penske. Compared to F1, which only features teams from Europe, the team makeup of Formula E is more diverse, with teams hailing from Japan, China and America. The technology of electric cars and hardware has also improved tremendously since the beginning of the series. During the first four seasons of Formula E, drivers used two separate cars to finish races,
since the battery didn’t last long enough. Currently, not only do they only use one car to finish the race, but the cars have also become faster. Although F1 cars have a distinct gap in top speed compared to Formula E cars (372.6 km/h vs 280.0 km/h) , both vehicles reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. A number of countries have pledged to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the coming years. Norway is aiming to ban it by 2025, while France, Ireland and the Netherlands are aiming for 2030. Clearly, the car industry is shifting towards sustainable energy sources and Formula E can potentially gain popularity as a result. The innovation in technology has become the driving force for the accumulating fanbase of Formula E, not the high speeds and capability of a diesel engine. Formula E has also paved the way for more exclusive technology to be used in electric vehicles catered to the public. Famous names such as Leonardo di Caprio and Richard Branson have invested in the electric motorsports industry, both owning their own racing teams. In due time, Formula E and other potential new electric racing series will replace the current top dogs of motorsport racing. This is not only beneficial for the sustainability of the motorsport industry, but also the future of battery-powered vehicles.
TRACK AND FIELD Although field events lag behind runners, multiple school records are broken in time for CIF. TED YARMOSKI OPINION EDITOR With many athletes striving to qualify for CIF, having won the Mt. Baldy League this season with the strength of the team’s runners, Diamond Bar High School track and field is taking steps toward building a stronger field team. The boys finished first in league competition while the girls team finished third. At the home meet against Ontario on April 2, the boys won 7660 while the girls lost 48-88. On the track, the boys took at least one top three spot in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 3200 meter races and won 7670. Senior Jeremiah Chukwudobe took first place in the 100 and 200 while junior Lukas Amare took the 800 and 3200. The girls also placed in the top three for several events with senior Paula Williams coming in first in the 100 and second in the 200. Diamond Bar also did well on the hurdles, with senior Matthew Uballe coming in first on the 110 and 300 for the boys, as well as senior Abigail Nakaishi taking first on the 300. Although seniors Kailen Smith and Williams took first in their events, the Brahmas did not shine overall in high jump, discus throw or shot put events. At another home meet again Chaffey on April 9, Diamond Bar dominated with the boys scoring
113-14 and the girls 101-26. The Brahmas took top spots in almost every event. Amare came in first in the 800, mile and 3200 races for the boys while Nakaishi took the top spot in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Two Diamond Bar records were broken recently, and many top 10 spots on the school records list were taken by members of this year’s track team. Amare broke the school record for the mile with a time of 4:23.04 and is third in the 3200. Uballe also broke a school record, with a time of 14.39 on the 110 meter high hurdles and took the eighth spot on the list for the 300 meter hurdles. Other newcomers to the DB top 10 list include Sanchez who placed third for 400 meters, Chukwudobe who placed fourth for 100 meters and Smith who placed fifth for high jump. The girls had Paula Williams place ninth for 100 meters and Nakaishi place seventh in 100 meter hurdles. While the Brahmas have been doing well on the track, they have
been struggling with field events according to head coach Malinalli Cooke. “Field has been our weakness this year,” Cooke said. “Unfortunately, we’re now in a building stage in terms of the throwing events. We lost some momentum with high jump because we didn’t have a coach for a while.” Cooke hopes to remedy these issues and build a stronger team through consistent coaching and additional fundraisers. “All of the coaches work really well with each other because they knew each other from before, so that cohesion has helped a lot,” Cooke explained. “One of the things we need to get good coaches is money. We had to cut a lot of our coaches this year because we didn’t have the funds.” On Saturday, seniors, Smith, Uballe, Chukwudobe and Timothy Lee competed in the Mt. SAC Relays at El Camino College. The Brahmas will be moving into the Mt. Baldy finals with top competitors going to CIF.
TIFFANY LEE
Senior Melvin Houston, left, and junior Cory Ung run in the 110 hurdles event.
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From playing badminton as a family activity, Mirabelle Huang has impressed on the world’s stage. cindy liu feature Editor On the court, the rest of the world falls away until there is just the movement of the opponent’s badminton racket and the blur of the shuttlecock shooting across the net. With her eyes pinned on the shuttlecock, Diamond Bar High School senior captain Mirabelle Huang lunges forward to smash it back toward her opponent. “When you’re really into the match, you don’t really notice anything that going on outside of the court,” Huang said. “You’re at that point where you’re literally in the clouds. You don’t pay attention to anything but what you’re doing, what you’re feeling and what the game is [like].” Since first picking up her racket at nine years old, Huang has become one of the top junior badminton players in the world. Her skills
have led her to compete in prestigious tournaments like the World Junior Championships and the Pan American Games against other top players from around the globe. While she has racked up numerous trophies and awards for the sport, Huang didn’t always want to pursue badminton competitively. Her father introduced her to badminton as a family activity and though she took lessons once a week, it wasn’t until she joined the Global Badminton Academy in Pomona that she became serious about the sport. “When I first started, I actually really didn’t like playing badminton ...but being with a team that trains really hard and put a lot of effort and sacrifices into the sport really pulled me up,” Huang said. At the GBA, motivated by her teammates and the high expectations there, Huang invested more time to play badminton competitively. Now, she trains over 12
AMELIE LEE
Huang placed second in girl’s doubles at the 2015 Pan American Games. She would later compete again in 2017 and 18. hours a week. “Surprisingly, it wasn’t the sport [I liked] at first,” Huang said. “After I started getting better, I started appreciating badminton more because [I realized] how much work had to go into preparing for tournaments and how much you had to face failures and things that don’t go your way.” At 13, Huang participated in her first year at the USA Junior National Championships, where she did not place. However, she went on to compete against other elite players, placing second at the girls’ doubles under-15 age category at the 2015 Pan American Games in Tijuana. She also qualified to compete at the 2017 Pan American Games for the girls’ doubles under-17 age category but did not place. When she was 17, she qualified to represent Team USA in the team event in Salvador for the 2018 Pan American Games after winning her event in the Junior International Trials. There, she and her team placed third at the team event. In 2018, she also earned a spot on Team USA to compete at the
2018 World Junior Championship Games, placing 18th out of 44 in the team event. It was one of the highest rankings that the U.S. has ever achieved at the tournament. Although Huang has achieved great success in her career playing badminton competitively, she has also struggled with defeat. “When things don’t go your way and you’ve spent all this time preparing—and it just happens to be during that one game that really mattered that you mess up —you feel like everything just went down the drain because [you believe] that was the most important game,” Huang said. Huang also described the challenge she faces in living up to her own standards and the high expectations of those around her. “There were times I lost to players I’m supposed to beat, and everyone expects you to beat [them] based on your skill level and everything,” Huang said. “It leaves you wondering ‘am I getting worse, or am I not as good as everyone thinks I am?’ When those things happen, it’s kind of hard to get back from,
but once I enter into the routine of training, I get back into it.” Huang has been one of the players instrumental to the team’s success as CIF champions. Since joining the varsity team as a freshman, she went on to win three Mixed Doubles CIF Championships and two Southern California CIF Championships. As primarily a doubles player, Huang has a 54-1 record in mixed doubles, 8-0 in women’s singles and 27-1 in women’s doubles. “She is definitely one of highest-leveled badminton player we’ve had in a while,” Wells said. “She definitely can keep the team focused—she has that personality where all the players look up to her. They know she’s the best player... some players who are really strong have an arrogance about them, and she has none of that. She just wants to go out and play.” While Huang wants to focus more on her academics in college, she doesn’t plan to drop badminton in college and is deciding between attending UCLA and UC Berkeley this fall.
Lukas Amare breaks school’s 1600 record The junior Amare already holds 2 Top 10 DBHS records in long distance. Johnny wang asst. SPORTS EDITOR TIFFANY LEE
Junior Aadarsh Belliganud, left, and senior captain Royce Park won their matches in the sweep against Chaffey, 18-0.
Scoring a deuce for league title TENNIS Breezing through league games, the boys plan to adjust their lineup in time for CIF. ERIN LI ASST. OPINION EDITOR
After remaining undefeated in league, the Diamond Bar High School boys tennis team has its sights set on CIF. With a 10-0 league record, the Brahmas anticipate continuing their winning streak. Despite their success in league, the Brahmas lost all non-league games except one—their match with Glendora—by a large margin. For league record, the team has won easily, including multiple matches in which the other team hasn’t scored a single point. The team defeated Don Lugo, 13-0 and 18-0; Montclair, 15-3 and 16-2; Chino, 18-0 and 18-0; Ontario, 17-1 and 14-4; and Chaffey, 18-0 and 16-2.
“Our tennis team just needs to practice a lot for CIF, especially because we are in a new league that is significantly easier,” senior captain Royce Park said. “We need to practice and make sure to keep our skills at its best.” Since they purposefully seek out more skilled schools during nonleague matches, the team was able to take away certain pointers that were helpful to their future matches. For example, Valencia was a pivotal game for the No. 1 doubles team, consisting of the varsity captains Victor Chai and Park, because they haven’t had any close games. “Their doubles were very formidable opponents,” Chai said. “One had an amazing serve that Park and I had trouble returning against, and the other had a solid net game where he consistently won the point with a volley. From the game, we learned how to play well under pressure and with a lot of distractions.” Because league games were
significantly easier due to changing leagues, Park said the regular season has not prepared the team for CIF. To continue improving its skills, the team practices by playing against one another and is not planning on changing their game strategies for CIF. Although the Brahmas have been dominating the courts, they struggled early due to the loss of several seniors. The team had to adjust its lineup, and new varsity players have stepped up to accomodate for the loss. Players who have stood out this season include doubles team Park and Chai and No. 2 doubles team Nathan Tengbumroong and Abhay Hiriyur and singles player Akilan Arunchalam. All have gone undefeated in league play. “Every player on the team pulled his weight and contributed in DBHS winning the league championship,” head coach Troy Wong said. “Each team member was exceptional in the way they conducted themselves in the court.”
Endurance. Fast pacing. Iron lungs. Junior Lukas Amare holds three historic records at Diamond Bar High School by utilizing all of these skills in his distance running. By running a 4 minute and 23 second in the 1600 meter run at the Arcadia Invitational, he surpassed class of 2017 alumni Paul Abdo’s run by a solid 12 seconds to see the school record. “Honestly, I’m very happy because I didn’t expect it to happen… it was crazy,” Amare said. Not only did he establish a 1600 meter record, but Amare also ran two miles in 9 minutes and 43 seconds to move into third on DB’s all time list in the 3200 meter event during the Ontario Meet. During his sophomore year, Amare said he felt that he wasn’t working hard enough to improve his time in the long distance events. However, he said that he used his strong Christian faith as motivation and he pushed himself to work on running rather than relax like most other students during summer break. He would run a path in Phillips Ranch called the
Green Belt and take long treks to Chino Hills to improve his body’s endurance. “It’s about getting in shape and being able to run comfortably during long distances,” Amare said. “Honestly, it’s also about getting sharper and getting a consistent fast run going,” Later on in the summer, Amare worked on his form and speed, key factors in his mile run. He trained his body both physically and mentally to run through the feeling of fatigue to beat his previous times. To work on form, he had distance coach Nico Jauregui show him the problems with his running form so he could fix his mistakes. Though Amare already holds the top DBHS records in distance, he is working towards completing his bigger goals for the rest of the season and wants to beat every single one of his runs in his next season. He hopes to win three league championships in the 800 meter run, 1600 meter run and 3200 meter run. He also wants to make it past the first round of CIF. Next year, Amare wants to continue to pursue a spot in the Top 10 DB list for the 800 run and make the state championship. “Im gonna be more aggressive in terms of racing, trying to finish strong during races no matter how fatigued I am,” Amare said.