December 2012

TEACHERS’ KIDS PROFILED

ARE WE RECYCLING?

INSIDE

Diamond Bar High School’s system of recycling needs to be reconsidered.

What’s it like to attend school where your parents work?

PAGE7 FEATURE

PAGE5 EDITORIAL

LIFE OF PI REVIEW

NEW LEADERS ON CAMPUS

DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL

A boy and a savage tiger... stranded at sea in a solitary lifeboat.

PAGES8-9

PAGE11 A&E

STUDENT NEWSPAPER

The Bull’s Eye WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012

Volume XXXI, Issue III | ONLINE at bullseye.dbhs.org | Published Monthly

Loving Brahma passes away too soon Danika Tibayan is remembered for her outgoing, kind personality.

The district wants to implement furlough days to alleviate the problem.

BY JENNIFER WANG NEWS EDITOR

It was just the night before Thanksgiving, when Diamond Bar High School senior Danika Tibayan was rushed to the Pomona Valley Hospital after having a severe asthma attack; results were not optimistic.

Doctors were able to get her heart pumping shortly after arriving at the hospital and Tibayan was put in a hyper thermal state. On Nov. 28, Tibayan had her first brain scan. Two additional brain scans were conducted in the following days, but all three pronounced her brain dead. On Nov. 30, Tibayan passed away at age 17.

When students found out about Tibayan’s situation, many were confident that she was going to pull through. No one really realized how serious her situation was until the brain scan results were released. “When we, [DBHS cheer team], were at the hospital for the prayer session, that was when it started to hit, and it hit them hard and fast. They were devastated,” Economics teacher and former

Budget crisis causes controversy

BY HOLLY LIU NEWS EDITOR

She kept things light and positive when it was tough practices or when things weren’t going so well.

[Cheerleading] was very important to her,” GLC Jenna Maine shared.

No matter how much or little people knew about Tibayan, she was always seen with a wide smile on her face; her bubbly personality always shining through. People shared that Tibayan would sometimes stay up late just to bake for her friends; those were just some of

Due to the Walnut Valley Unified School District’s $4.7 million deficit spending each year, the district has asked teachers to accept the possible reduction of salaries and benefits in addition to furlough days, six for the next semester and twelve each for the next two school years.

However, Salli Collins, a Walnut Valley Educator Association negotiator, commented that the union feels that the problem is the district’s spending of budget.

“The association believes that the district has a spending problem and has yet to formulate a plan to get their spending under control.

[The furloughs] are a band-aid fix and if they do not come up with a plan, the district will continue to deficit spend beyond the next three years,” Collins said.

Just last week, the district de-

See REMEMBER| pg 3

See BUDGET| pg 2

COURTESY OF BENJAMIN HSUEH

LIGHTING UP THE WORLD - Candles, posters, flowers, and gifts were left near the flag pole by various students in memory of Danika Tibayan. The candles were lit and relit all throughout the night.

Cheer Advisor Mary Gaxiola commented.

A friend and teammate to many, Tibayan received wide support from the student body. Two prayer meetings were organized on campus, and students lit candles for Tibayan and placed them around the flag pole at DBHS. A small memorial, of posters, flowers, and candles, was made in honor of Tibayan.

A range of support, from raising funds for the Tibayan family through selling bracelets to wearing purple, Tibayan’s favorite col-

or, were all witnessed on campus.

Everyone kept Tibayan in their thoughts, hoping that she would be able to pull through.

Tibayan was one of the very few, if not only, girls who made it straight to Varsity Cheer. She began cheering at DBHS her sophomore year as flyer, and returned to the team senior year. But besides being a remarkable cheerleader at DBHS, Tibayan was also extremely involved in another cheer organization Pacific Coast Magic.

“She was a really good flyer; very talented, a great tumbler too.

Matthew Tanaka crowned as the new Big Man on Campus Twelve male seniors are judged for their charm, poise, and talent to gain the famous title.

BY XING YEN QUEK PHOTO EDITOR

COURTESY OF DARREN PENG

“D” IS FOR DEFENSE - Darren Peng poses with a portion of the 1000 paper cranes that Pei-Ying Chai’s Chinese classes made for him.

Darren Peng shows promising resilience

After fighting a difficult battle, DBHS junior Darren Peng is now slowly recovering.

BY JUSTIN PARK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Junior Darren Peng braced for the worst when he walked into his

optometrist’s in October for his rapidly deteriorating vision and severe headaches. While his doctor came to a conclusion that he was perfectly normal and healthy, Peng knew he wasn’t. He knew something was wrong.

“I could still see and walk around and go to school, but it was weird.

So right away, I asked my mom to go see the doctor,” Peng shared.

Peng and his mother visited

See IMPROVEMENT| pg 3

Twelve male seniors were selected to compete in the annual Big Man on Campus competition, an event that featured each student’s unique traits and talents. Displaying his wits and charm, Matthew Tanaka was named this year’s Big Man on Campus.

Judges Carly Russo, George Harderson, Latitia Thomas, Kemp Wells, and Shari DeCambra picked the senior who they thought was most impressive in these categories: best formal and casual wear, best pick-up line, best personality, and talent. The competition started off with a brief introduction that described each contestant’s qualities.

The participants then showcased their talents, which was the highlight of the entire show. There was a variety of interesting and entertaining talents, ranging from an acapella performance by Tanaka to

EMILY HWANG

STRIKE A POSE - The Big Man on Campus participants dance to One Direction “What Makes You Beautiful” at the end of the competition.

Franklin Yu’s gingerbread house building.

After the unique performances, the participants attempted to charm the crowd with their best pick-up lines. However, Stephen Lee took a different approach by creatively presenting several honest statements about his shortcomings and his feelings, trying to convey that honesty with his best pick-up line. The contestants concluded the competition by dancing to “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction.

“There was a lot of energy and there [were] quite a few students that were very encouraging in the audience,” Wells commented.

At the end, each contestant received personalized sashes created

by USB. Matthew Tanaka won a large trophy, along with the recognition of being the Big Man. “I am extremely happy with the results, and grateful to the judges and the 11 guys [who] came out with me. The trophy was for all twelve of us; we are all worthy of the title,” Tanaka said.

2 NEWS

THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

New Musical Theater Class comes to DBHS Performing Arts teachers train students to become triple-threats in their new class.

BY JOY CHOW ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Just this year, a new musical theater class has been added to the list of courses at Diamond Bar High School. On Nov. 20, students enrolled in Musical Theater showcased their very first performance, “Musical Revue.” The show incorporated the acting, dancing, and singing the students had developed during the past semester into various solos and duets.

The students currently enrolled in Musical Theater, a college-approved course, auditioned last year during second semester. Previous dance, drama, and choir students were encouraged to try out for the course to broaden their theater experience. Taught by dance instructor Janna Lindenburg, choir director Patty Breitag, and drama

BUDGET from pg 1

The teacher union and district are currently in impasse about future fiscal actions. clared a “negative certification,” which means that it is unable to pay its bills for this school year.

The official fiscal status will be reviewed by the Los Angeles County Office of Education which could lead to its taking over control of the district’s budget. In response to this financial crisis, the district is considering issuing furlough days

director Peter Bland, the course guides the students in mastering all three elements of theater.

“We want to help students become triple-threats because that’s what they need to be when performing in musicals,” Bland commented.

During the beginning of the semester, the students worked in class on different songs and dances. Students reenacted scenes from various well-known musicals. Afterwards, the instructors chose a number of acts to compile into the revue. Musical theater will be holding a revue every semester, and next semester’s revue is expected to be longer with more diverse duets and group performances.

“We hope the parents and students look forward to revues, because it’s an opportunity for musical theater students to apply their own takes on musicals. The students get to take on musicals they might have never heard of or dealt with before,” Bland explained.

The course is offered during third period during which the three teachers individually mentor the students on each subject. It is split up so that the teachers teach the students their own expertise at to cut salaries, reducing health care benefits, suspending the step and column salary increases, and reviewing class-size limits. Though the district plans to cut teacher funds, there are currently no plans to cut from any academic or athletic programs. These terms were deemed not negotiable.

“The association is willing to sit down and discuss the deficit spending, but [the district is] not willing to do this. We do not feel we are the problem to the district’s deficit.

Teachers have had three retirement plans in the past five years in order to retire higher-paid teachers. We have also not added to the

THE BULL’S EYE

Diamond Bar High School Student Newspaper

STAFF

Lea Chang, Justin Park

Editors-in-Chief

Holly Liu, Jennifer Wang Joy Chow, Katlyn Lee

News Editors Asst. News Editors

Colene Eng Gloria Kim

Editorial Editor Asst. Editorial Editor

Sarah Cho, Angie Zhang

Feature Editors

Austin Kong Claire Huang

A&E Editor Asst. A&E Editor

Vivian Tang, Hanna Yi

Feature Theme Editors

Winston Cho Andrew Choi, Joseph Park

Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editors

Xing Yen Quek

Photo Editor

Michelle Lee Katlyn Lee

Business Manager Asst. Business Manager

Rose Kim

Web Editor Staff Writers

Emily Hwang, Hanna Kang, Rose Kim

Advisor

different times. The class provides hands-on and collaborative learning for all students.

In addition to performing in the revue, the students also receive the opportunity to star in next year’s spring musical. As a class, the deficit in health care benefits and have no cost of living adjustment since 2007,” Collins commented.

Numerous phone calls to the district for comment on the issue were not returned.

Because the negotiations reached a stalemate, the district declared impasse. An impasse, which is usually a two to three month process, means that, because no agreement was reached, both groups will go to an unbiased mediator to present their stance. The mediator will bring the two groups together to reach an agreement. If the impasse fails, then teacher contracts will be suspended, and the district would be able to issue furlough days as it sees fit.

Teachers, as a form of protest, could withdraw from participating in activities they are not required by contract. According to many teachers on campus, this would include advising clubs, staying for extra help during lunch and afterschool hours, and writing letters of recommendation.

As of now, both parties have agreed on three minor items.

WVEA members hope to reach more agreeable terms. Before the impasse, the district and association may meet anytime to work on an agreement.

Diamond Bar High School, Room 250 21400 Pathfinder Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Phone: (909) 594-1405 x33250 Email: eye.editors@gmail.com Business Inquiries: dbhs_business@yahoo.com

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 anonimity. The staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing content. You may forward letters to Room 250, or submit them via e-mail.

students work together on different skills and techniques that are needed for performances.

“I think the best part of musical theater for the students, is the performance opportunities. The students also become so much more

JOY CHOW

appreciative of others. The dancers become so much more appreciative of the singers, the singers to the drama students, and same for drama to the dancers. There’s a really great cooperative feeling,” dance coach Lindenburg explained.

ONTARGET * Winter Sports Rally: Dec. 14 * USB Install/Extoll: Dec. 16 * Finals Week: Dec. 17-21 * End of First Semester: Dec. 21 * Minimum Day: Dec. 21 * First Day of Winter: Dec. 21 * Winter Break: Dec. 24- Jan. 4 * Christmas: Dec. 25 * New Year’s Day: Jan. 1 * Freshmen Remix: Jan. 17 * Non-Pupil Day: Jan. 18 * Winter Snow Fest: Jan. 19 * Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School): Jan. 21 * Late Start: Jan. 22

Jason Chen plans to attend Princeton University next fall Fellow DBHS student has been receiving offers from top schools around the country.

BY VIVIAN TANG FEATURE THEME EDITOR

Doug List

CONTACT

EDITORIAL POLICY

REVUE IT UP - The new musical theater class students show off their talents at the “Musical Revue” show.

While many seniors are scrambling to finish their college applications, DBHS senior Jason Chen, two-time captain of the golf team, has already committed the next four years of his education to Princeton University.

He will be a member of Princeton’s golf team starting the fall of 2013.

During October, Chen received a letter from Princeton stating that his admission for the fall 2013 school year would be definite as long as he maintained his academic and personal standards. He will receive his formal acceptance letter on Dec. 18, the same day that

admitted Early Action students receive their confirmation of acceptance.

In September, Chen formally visited Princeton University and stayed on campus for two nights with one of the golf team’s players.

He played a round of golf with the whole team and had the opportunity to see the team’s facilities.

Chen was treated as if he were a Princeton student; he was introduced to the many activities on campus.

Many prestigious colleges contacted Chen during his sophomore year, recognizing his golf ability and grades. Chen served as captain both in his junior and senior years in his four years of playing on the DBHS Varsity Golf team. He was ranked as one of the top 100 junior golfers in the United States by the American Junior Golf Association, and this past summer, the schools started calling Chen.

“Golf is a game of life where every decision made and every thought process affects the outcome, but no matter the end result, golf teaches you to never give

up and to never surrender,” Chen commented.

During junior year, Chen started visiting colleges and their golf teams. He cut his list of potential colleges into his top two: Columbia and Princeton. Chen had the opportunity to visit these two schools on a “paid for visit by the colleges” status.

“The academic portion is very important to these schools. Without it, I knew I would have zero chances in getting the opportunity to go these schools. No matter what the obstacle, I knew that as long as I worked hard and dreamed high, I could be the best [I could be],” Chen said.

Chen later chose Princeton after comparing the positives and negatives of both schools. Three factors that weighed heavily in his final decision included the quality of the team, the coach, Will Green, and the school’s atmosphere. “Because of my parents’ and friends’ support, I’ve had the opportunity to reach one of my goals, and that is to play golf for Princeton University,” Chen shared.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Opportunity at White House for DBHS alumna Rachel Scott Rachel Scott, a former USB vice president and runner-up for Miss Diamond Bar, interns at the White House under the Office of Communications.

BY MICHELLE LEE BUSINESS MANAGER

Diamond Bar High School alumna Rachel Scott has proudly trekked into Washington D.C. to intern in the Office of Communications at the White House. With this White House Internship Program, Scott has walked closer to her dream of becoming a television journalist.

“The work in the Office of Communications is fast-paced, challenging, and diverse,” Scott said.

In the Office of Communications, Scott helps craft the president’s message for the country and serves the community in various high schools and non-profit organizations as part of a public service component that is offered by the internship program.

The White House Internship Program provides Scott with professional experience and mentorship to foster her leadership skills and enhance her understanding of the executive office. It also gifts her with an opportunity to work alongside the nation’s brightest leaders and gain exposure to a life of public service.

As a graduating student of the Class of 2011, Scott had a prominent high school career. She served as the Class of 2011 vice president, the Commissioner of Academics, the vice president of the United Student Body, vice president of the Black Student Union, and the co-founder of “Happy Birthday to Me Club.” For the first two years of high school, Scott played in the school’s soccer and track team, served as the captain of her varsity volleyball team, and was enlisted in DBHS’s Hall of Fame for volleyball. Scott was not only active on

campus, but in her community as well, as she also ran for Miss Diamond Bar 2011.

Scott currently attends UC Irvine majoring in journalism. She continues to be actively involved in her school by pursing her interest in various activities such as student government in UCI and acquiring a paid internship at Channel 2 News in Los Angeles. She was also selected by the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, a group that prepares the minority youth interested in the media industry, as one of its scholars.

The leadership skills that Scott gained from the extracurricular activities and the scholastic skills she has learned throughout her tenure have carried her far and to the Obama Administration at the White House. “Have courage and you’ll find yourself not only where you dreamed you would be but beyond it,” she said.

REMEMBER from pg 1

Many students visited Tibayan at the hospital not too long after the incident. small acts she did. And just as she would do, Tibayan’s family gave seven others a second chance at life by donating her organs. “With Danika, even if I tried to get mad at her, within seconds I couldn’t.

She just had a way about her where there was nothing you can do but love her because she always made you laugh. She just had that kind of joking personality,” Maine shared.

Tibayan’s funeral was held in the past weekend at Forest Lawn, Covina Hills. Though Tibayan will continue to be missed, her spirit has truly touched many individuals, not only just the people who

COURTESY OF BENJAMIN HSUEH

FLOWERS TO REMEMBER - Tibayan’s friends and members of the DBHS Cheer Team left more gifts near the front school gates all last week. knew her but also those who didn’t.

“Danika and I had a special friendship. She was an amazing person inside and out [and had a]

NEWS

THE BULL’S EYE

huge heart. Her amazing smile that would light up the room will forever be missed,” Nazli Mogtehidi, a close friend, said.

3

NEWSBITS w Emergency Room technician Marsh Hedgepeth didn’t let Hurricane Sandy stop her from getting to work. The morning after the Sandy hit, Hedgepeth woke up to see 10 feet of water flooded in her neighborhood. Despite this, she swam 200 yards to work in order to make her 3 p.m. shift on time. The determined technician was also a longtime surfer.

w Joseph Rose didn’t expect what was coming when he approached a nearby deer. The deer suddenly attacked Rose with its antlers, forcing Rose to retreat to his truck. The buck then climbed into the truck cab and began chewing on Rose’s cigarettes in the front seat. It took five men, with a stun gun, to control the wild deer.

w Brian Reynolds never thought that he could be run over by his own car. When he found out that the brakes of his Chevy stopped working, he opened the driver’s door in an attempt to stop his car.

However, he fell out of the driver’s side and was lying face down on the road, while his truck drove over his leg and ran into a fire hydrant. After being taken to a hospital, he was issued a ticket for driving with defective equipment.

w In Maine, Mickey Cheney got an unusual case of hiccups, and he could not seem to find a cure. After nine straight days of no sleep, constant hiccupping, and difficulty in consuming foods, Cheney finally went to the hospital after his wife advised him to.

Doctors believed that heartburn and acid in an ulcer caused these hiccups. He was hiccupping at approximately 26 hiccups per minute.

IMPROVEMENT from pg 1

Peng’s health shows great progress. He is expected to be back at school mid-January. their regular family physician, who was also unable to provide a conclusive diagnosis regarding his double vision.

The physician then advised the family to receive a CT scan to see if the symptoms were neurological. To ensure that Peng received his results without delay, Peng was transported to the emergency room of Huntington Memorial Hospital.

The results of the scan indicated that a mass in the third ventricle of Peng’s brain was blocking the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Peng was admitted to the hospital immediately.

On Oct. 23, Peng underwent his first procedure to reroute his cerebral fluids by placing a shunt from the blockage in his brain to his stomach. Soon after the surgery, Peng was transferred to City of Hope in Duarte for post-operation care and screenings. “I went back in [to HMH] for a checkup, and that’s when they gave me another CT scan. They found out that the tumor was growing,” Peng recalled.

Peng underwent his second surgery on Nov. 12 to completely remove the tumor and the previously placed shunt. An internal shunt was drilled in his head as well, to allow the body to drain fluids by itself.

Peng is currently resting at home, counting his blessings for his healthy state. “I just finished my first round of chemo. I’ve been really, really lucky to catch the

tumor and get the VP shunt in.

The doctors said that the tumor started to bleed almost right after the shunt went in,” Peng said. His tumor is entirely removed with no complications except for minor headaches and slightly blurred vision. During his break at home, Peng will be entered in a Home Hospital program, where he will be visited by a teacher to make up classwork. He has missed numerous weeks of school, but his teachers and GLC are confident he will easily adjust to the new circumstances.

“At the meeting, we saw this guy that was making us laugh and making the whole room bright. He was keeping us positive, and it was just inspirational. He has such a positive attitude and that’s going to help him pull through this,” GLC Jenna Maine commented. “He’s in some tough AP classes, and not all of that stuff, you can teach yourself. His teachers have worked with him as far as making sure most important assignments and tests are done.”

After hearing the news, the students and faculty members alike rallied in support of Peng’s journey. The student store put together a gift basket to wish Peng’s speedy recovery. The teachers have been keeping close contact with Peng via email to update him on the curriculum. Irene Na, the class president, gathered her classmates on Facebook to take a group photo with an encouraging message painted on a poster. Na commented, “We were just supporting Darren and hoping for the best.”

Peng looks forward to going back to his normalcy. “I’m pretty lucky and thankful. I’m really looking forward to eating school lunch again!”

Locks of Love

COURTESY OF VANESSA CHING

HAIR FOR HEARTS - Key Club Advisor Denise Mesdjian participates in the annual rally and donates her hair to the Locks of Love Foundation. The event, which was held Nov. 7, was open to any students and teachers interested in cutting their hair and giving it to its foundation.

4 EDITORIAL

THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Inked Out from Middle School A tattoo artist was not permitted to attend a career fair, as his occupation choice will negatively influence the young students.

BY VRINDA CHAUHAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

L CARTOON BY: SANHEE YI

Teacher Tenure: A Shortcut to Complacency Protection from unfair terminations may be beneficial to teachers, but tenure does nothing to promote the betterment of the quality of American education for the students.

BY JUSTIN PARK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W

e complain about bad teachers all the time. It is perhaps inevitable for academically ambitious students to view our teachers as the perfect targets to blame for our incessant struggle of high school life. Although many of our complaints could be considered as petty and juvenile frustration, some are still much too valid to ignore.

So the golden question remains unanswered. Why doesn’t the school administration terminate the underperforming teachers?

Workplaces everywhere fire bad employees and hire better ones all the time, and yet, this procedure of filtering the work force seems to almost never happen in a school

environment.

The answer is simple: teacher tenure.

By definition, teacher tenure is a form of job protection that public school teachers can benefit from after 2-7 years on the job. What is hailed as the holy grail of teachers union was initially instated as an effort to protect teachers from being punished for exercising their free speech. In reality, teacher tenure is nothing but an inefficient constituent of the American education system. In order to terminate those protected by tenure, the principal, the school board, the union, and the courts must be involved in a legal strife that is much too costly. Because of tenure, some teachers no longer see the incentive of putting more work than the minimum, thus becoming complacent.

Granted, seniority is a respectable trait for teachers. Their genuine dedication to the occupation

FOLLOW UPS

Lance Armstrong

In October, former seven time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, was stripped of his title and forbidden from cycling races for the rest of his life.

Although U.S. Anti-Doping Agency presented “overwhelming” evidence of his involvement in doping usage, he still testified against his accusations. Since then, he has lost top sponsors and has stepped down as chairman of the Livestrong Foundation.

Despite Armstrong’s marred reputation, however, donations made to his 15-year-old charity foundation in recent months have increased.

Children should always be prioritized in education. In fact, our very own district’s motto, “Kids First... Every Student, Every Day,” serves as the very reminder that the education system must strive to benefit the students. However, the tenure law is constructed strictly for the benefit of the teachers. It does absolutely nothing to promote the betterment of the education for children. It is the children who are victimized by a teacher’s poor teaching, should that teacher decide to perform inadequately under the protection of tenure.

Education reform is necessary, and it must happen soon. Firing underperforming teachers may be a cruel practice, but it is a necessary evil to maintain a productive environment. It’s surprising, if not embarrassing, to know that our very own American public education system is falling behind on this rather grossly simple reasoning.

Chri$tmas vs. ChrisUmas (Finding the true spirit of the holiday season)

Proposition 30

California’s Prop 30, which passed in November, will benefit the youth as well as teachers.

College tuition was immediately lowered and budget cuts and possible tuition hikes will not be considered in the following years. Prop 30 will raise personal income taxes on residents who make over $250,000 and will also increase California’s state tax from 7.25 to 7.5%.

deserves much praise and honor from students and administration alike. Obviously, a teacher with ten years of experience under his or her belt is likely to be more professional and knowledgeable in the field than a new teacher. As important as seniority is, however, it is nowhere an indication of superiority. A teacher’s aptness for the job should not be evaluated on how many years he or she has taught, but how well he or she is teaching.

No single individual or system would have the capabilities of accurately judging the quality of a teacher, but numbers and statistics can help to a considerable extent— namely students’ standardized test scores. Ranging from benchmark test results to AP exam scores, these statistics adequately suffice in indicating which teachers are suitable for the job. This data would be more than enough in deeming a teacher inapt for his or her job.

BY HANNA KANG STAFF WRITER

T

he arrival of winter brings along Christmas, which people consider the most anticipated holiday of the year. This festive season gives the go-ahead for excited shoppers to flood shopping malls and online stores in a fierce battle to score the biggest seasonal markdowns.

One may catch a glimpse of late birds hurriedly running down the aisle at Wal-Mart in an attempt to pick and choose amongst whatever is left. In the thick of this frenzy, however, many are actually unaware of the true meaning behind Christmas.

According to a new study by LifeWay Research, nine in ten Americans personally celebrate Christmas. Eighty percent of those respondents reveal that family traditions are the most important part of the holiday. Furthermore, selfproclaimed Christians are ironically among the most likely to celebrate aspects of the season not in connection with Christ’s birth, with 66 percent stating that they watch fictional Christmas movies, as compared to less than half of atheists and Americans of other religions. The research also proved that these Christians constitute a large percentage of those who inform their children of the existence of Santa Claus and how he, not the parents themselves, brings them their presents on Christmas Eve. The present concept of Christmas has become

distorted from that of the first Christmas nearly two thousand years ago—one that was rugged and modest. The respectable birthday of Jesus Christ is misrepresented as a celebratory day revolving around presents and the fictional Santa Claus. The decorated tree, merry carolers, and themed décor that one normally expects around Christmastime are only vestiges of popular culture that know nothing of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas, according to the Bible and other religious texts, originated from one night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago when a young woman named Mary and her husband Joseph had to travel to the city of Bethlehem for a census ordered by the king. When they finally arrived at Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay because, by then, the inns were full. The young couple spent their night inside a stable, where baby Jesus was born in a manger.

Indeed, Christ was born in the most humble of circumstances, none of which is mirrored in the commercialized holiday people around the world celebrate today.

In a secular society, the notion of Christmas having a religious aspect may be but a distant memory fading away. This holiday is often viewed merely as a shopping occasion, and the bulk of the population is reluctant to turn the tide. Although implementing the ideals of the traditional Christmas into today’s society would be impractical, we should at least acknowledge the coming holiday as a true celebration of the birth of the Son of God. For indeed, Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season.

ast month, in Clearwater Middle School in Florida, Walter Smith was justifiably banned from career day because of complaints from other parents, who believed Smith promoted an “alternative lifestyle” as a tattoo artist. Smith intends to fight this decision, claiming the parents are “closed-minded.” He refers to his profession as a creator of art, not realizing that middle school students, who have barely entered adolescence, won’t see it that way.

Tattoos have been viewed as a symbol of rebellion since the 1970s, when the working class young people of the Punk movement used them explicitly to protest against the restrictions of society’s rigid class structure and values. This was the era when tattoos first became popular, and the negative connotation of bearing tattoos has not yet faded.

Career day is the student’s first exposure to different types of career fields. Its purpose is to inspire the students to academically aim high. This day is certainly significant and beneficial for students in order to help them think about their future and decide on what they’re interested in pursuing. In this case, bringing a tattoo artist to the event is not serving the same purpose.

Though Smith has stated that he intends to educate the students about health risks that underage or unlicensed tattoos entail, he does not take into account that precautions are not going to be the first thing that comes to the minds of most 12-year-olds when they think of tattoos. If all children were capable of following through warnings taught at school, then one would expect a reduction in the amount of underage drinking and drug abuse. But it doesn’t. According to a recent study conducted by Inspirations Youth, 60% of drug abusers are from ages 12 to 17, despite that most of these teenagers have received formal education on the dangers of drug usage. Clearly, younger children do not heed the precautions that these adults have intended to teach.

Naturally, parents are concerned with what their child would be exposed to at school. What Smith refers to as “closed-minded” is very subjective. Some parents may have welcomed the exposure of tattoos, but many more parents have expressed their desire to shelter their child. The school must respect the parents’ personal decision toward their child. Smith needs to accept the fact that most parents believe his occupation is inappropriate in a school environment and stop trying to force his presence there.

The parents and the school administration aren’t trying to block out “art” from the fair—just his stigmatic medium of expression.

Tattoos are undeniably symbols of rebellion, and bringing a tattoo artist to a pre-teen career fair would only promote the concept of tattoos. Smith isn’t wrong to be a tattoo artist. But some things just don’t belong in school.

EDITORIAL

THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Eye of the Editors

Why Recycle?

GREENER ENVIROMENT|DBHS must implement a recycling system in order to reap the monetary benefits.

R

educe, reuse, recycle. This familiar phrase has been stated repeatedly throughout our educational careers.

We are encouraged to recycle plastic bottles, paper goods, and aluminum cans in order to protect the world. In the recent years, more people have become aware about recycling’s importance due to the increasing rate at which our ozone layer is decreasing and the detrimental effects of global warming.

In fact, there has been a 100% increase in the total recycling in the United States during the past decade. Many places have implemented recycling systems such as recycling bins found in the majority of America’s households. Recycling has proven to reduce energy usage, air and water pollution, and greenhouse gases. Despite its benefits towards our environment, recycling is also a quick and easy way for one to earn some extra pocket money, as each can or plastic bottle is worth five cents. So why doesn’t Diamond Bar High School take advantage of this potential monetary benefit and implement an effective recycling system?

In each classroom, there is an eminent blue box that stores all the recyclable goods. One would expect those goods to be collected at the end of the week and disposed in a separated dumpster that will eventually be sent away to a recycling center.

However, our recycling system

About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable,

yet our recycling rate is only 28%.

Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1,000,000 sea creatures a year.

17

The trees saved by recycling one ton of paper can absorb a total of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year.

250

x x

If every American recycled of their newspapers we could save about 25 million trees each year.

1/10

Donʻt let your garbage go to waste –Recycle!

5

More than

20 million Kisses are wrapped in aluminum foil each day.

But the foils, which are recyclable, are thrown away as trash!

INFOGRAPHIC BY GLORIA KIM

ends at the conspicuous blue box. All the recyclable goods are tossed in the general garbage bin along with the smelly banana peels. What is the point, then, of separating them in the first place? Why bother specifying if there is no use?

There are approximately 3,000 Diamond Bar students.

The majority of them use a plastic bottle every day. By collecting one plastic bottle from each student, the school could earn $150 a day. The school could raise $750 a week solely on recycling bottles.

Not to mention all the leftover papers used by classrooms.

This can contribute to the funds needed for school activities that can benefit the student body.

According to a school official, the district used to collect the recyclable goods and return the funds back to the school.

Currently, there is a specific bin allotted for recyclable goods next to the J Building.

Unfortunately, not all of these goods end up there. As a consequence of the lack an organized plan, we are deprived of an efficient and organized system that will prove to benefit both the environment and the school. We need to have a central location for all the recycled goods in order to create an effective and convenient system. It is imperative that we re-implement the lost recycling system in order to encourage a greener shcool and enviroment.

Eye of the Editors is an editorial piece of The Bull’s Eye. Statements and opinions expressed in the article herein are strictly those of the editors of The Bull’s Eye. The view of the editors does not necessarily reflect that of the entire staff.

Colleges are De-emphasizing SAT in Admission Process PRO | The SAT does not offer an even playing field for applicants.

BY EMILY WONG CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

he SATs have long played a critical part in students’ acceptances into certain colleges. Last year, however, UC Regents decided to exclude the SAT Subject Test scores from a prospective student’s application. With this decision by the UC Regents, the significance of the SAT has resurfaced for debate.

A majority of colleges in the United States, including the UCs, still require the applicants to submit their scores for SAT Reasoning Test. This standardized test should be deemphasized for its inaccurate portrayal of a student’s worth to a potential university.

The value of one test score is trivial compared to the significance of certain attributes, such as inventiveness and creativity. A person’s capabilities cannot be determined by one test. Schools should focus on selecting well-rounded applicants

who have demonstrated hard work through extracurricular activities.

The increasing competition to attend certain colleges has resulted in a great deal of pressure among students to seek outside assistance. Individuals with better resources have an advantage compared to those living with money constraints. The test’s fundamental purpose to keep all students on an even playing field has been altered.

Although the test is constructed to suit the knowledge of all students, the exam only tests on math, reading, and writing skills. This format can hinder those with originality and resourcefulness. A person’s desire to attend a reputable college may be denied due to his inability in mathematics and literature, even if he has an innate talent, such as art.

The test’s failed attempt to give everyone in the nation an equal chance and the focus on certain subjects are also significant flaws of the exam. Thus, the importance of the SAT should be devalued for the test’s ineffectiveness to accurately represent a person’s intelligence.

CON | The SAT accurately gauges a student’s intelligence.

BY DANIEL KIM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

E

ver since anyone can remember, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or more commonly referred to as the SAT, has been the benchmark exam for high school students interested in moving on to college education. In the recent years, however, the pressures to perform exceptionally well have caused students’ families to invest thousands of dollars for the SAT prep, and the university admissions, in turn, have begun to deemphasize SAT scores as the indicators of a student’s scholastic abilities. The SATs, nevertheless, still have not failed to fulfill its role in pointing out the student’s academic capabilities.

On seven Saturdays out of the twelve months, high school students across the nation gather at local high schools to take the SATs. Over the years, the test-makers of this national exam have continued to refine and develop its questions so that it would,

without bias, allow students to demonstrate their academic abilities. The SAT score compares students at a national level and eradicates factors of local high schools that affect the student’s academic record.

Depending on the high school, the teacher, or the overall environment of his setting, a student’s transcript as well as his GPA may vary differently from one to another. Because of the SAT’s thought-out and meticulous test and procedures, students across the country can ascertain his academic level in preparation for college.

The SATs is an excellent means to both judge a student’s abilities and to prepare them for the next level education. College examinations will often test whether a student can simply study materials presented to them. If SATs purpose is to determining a student’s academic proficiency, SAT is the way to achieve that goal. Regardless of the arguments of financial advantages in preparing for the SATs, the decades-old Scholastic Assessment Test should continue to play an important role in indicating a student’s readiness for college.

Blazing Trails of Satire

BY SARAH CHO FEATURE EDITOR

“A

house united cannot stand. I believe this government can endure 49/50th United States and 1/50th the lone star state smashed between Mexico and the rest of America. I do not expect the Union to remain unified–I do expect the house to fall–and I do expect it will remain divided. It will become mostly one thing, and a little bit the other.”

On June 16, 1858 in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln gave his infamously flawed “House Divided” speech.

His words poisoned the nation and unfortunately held the country

together. This speech should never have graced the ears of any of the living as they were the words of an incompetent madman–a president who was truly the worst president of all time (even worse than that African-born President Barack Obama who is also both a Socialist and a Communist and Fascist Hitler’s reincarnated self–are I say it, he’s the antichrist).

And on December 12, 2012 in Diamond Bar, California, I boldly publish an amended, corrected version in honor of the bravery and glorified righteousness of the states–Texas, in particular–who are nobly petitioning to secede from the union. For what was righteously started in 1861 with the secession of the South, will finally be finished. Texas will become a pseudo-country, a mini-nation–all

on its own. And the other states will soon follow for citizens in all 50 states have begun online petitions to secede from the United States Government. In the words of Valley girls and cheerleaders everywhere, let me say–“You go girl!”

If Australia can be both a continent and a country, Texas can be its own nation without any problem.

And so in the spirit of this amazing feat, let me finish what I started and finish my truthfully, honest, cross my fingers, hope to die, editorial in the words of Abraham Lincoln.

Eleven score and 16 years ago (according to Google, a score is 20 years and hopefully my handy dandy computer calculator is accurate), our fathers brought forth on this continent a new

nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that states can secede whenever the heck they want.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war of online petitions, very mean online comments, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can

CARTOON BY XING YEN QUEK

just give up already.

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

Any criticism is unjustified and no states deserve to be mocked for only doing what they think is best—leaving the Communist-led country.

6 FEATURE

THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

of Mock Trial The Unsung Tale Kids

BY SARAH CHO FEATURE EDITOR

A first person account of the trials and tribulations of Mock Trial-ers as told by a 4-year veteran.

Mock Trial is the love of my life. It has done so much for me; it has honestly become the most important aspect of my high school career. And I think most of our team will tell you much the same. I don’t think most students join the team anticipating how important it will become to them, how much they will grow to love Mock Trial. But, without fail, Mock Trial surprises everyone—like a brick to the head. Almost all members end up caring for the team far too much to be healthy.

I do appreciate, from the bottom of my heart, the many people who respect Mock Trial. And it’s true that, while most don’t fully understand what we do, the majority of the students at our school value the hard work we put into the team. Teachers, in particular, have been so supportive of us over the years.

But, it is because I care about the team so much, that I become so infuriated when people overlook or insult the team. If there were an award for the most underappreciated group on campus, Mock Trial would definitely be in the running every year.

We don’t get free food the way other Varsity teams do during the luncheons that USB holds. We don’t get a video at rallies. It’s not that I actually want a slot in the rally, I just wish the team would get a little recognition. Actually, I would just be happy if the school unlocked the front gate on days we have practice so I don’t find myself walking for 10 minutes trying to find an entrance or attempting to jump the gate.

What’s worse is the mass of confusion and misperception that surrounds Mock Trial. As a fouryear veteran, I’ve taken my

fair share of ignorant comments from individuals who not only fail to understand Mock Trial, but won’t even try.

Some people say we’re just a debate team. We’re not. Some say it’s only acting. It’s not. Some even have the nerve to say it’s easy.

I’ve heard people tell my teammates that they “hoped we lose in the upcoming competition.”

It was an off-handed remark and I don’t think they meant it to have the effect it did. But, I don’t think they understand the time, the effort, and literally

the tears we’ve shed because of our hard work.

Mock Trial completely absorbs a little more than eight weeks each year of our high school career.

During those eight weeks, we meet four days a week after school for two hours each. That doesn’t even include the time we spend at home writing and preparing. We also meet occasionally at lunches, on Sundays, and during school breaks. On Veteran’s Day—we were practicing. During Thanksgiving break—we were practicing.

Remember the furlough days two years ago? We were practicing.

And the devotion both coaches, Nicole Cabase and Latitia Thomas, have is absolutely amazing. So is the amount of sleep they lose and Starbucks they consume because of Mock Trial.

Everyone in Mock Trial b e c o m e s absolutely obsessed.

I, myself, have

become so absorbed in the team that I find myself almost saying “Your honor” to teachers and other authority figures and on competition days I look like a maniac reciting arguments to myself.

However, the most common complaint I am confronted with, is that some rude, ill-informed people don’t think Mock Trial “deserves” a Varsity letter.

But, there’s a reason it is the only nonathletic team at Diamond Bar to be considered a Varsity sport. Mock Trial is draining, time consuming, and stressful. It combines acting, quick thinking, writing, public speaking skills, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations. It is a competition that relies on your ability to be confident, to be intelligent, and to come off as so. It requires a unique blend of talents and hard work that sometimes (even when we spend hundreds of hours) just isn’t enough.

And when it isn’t enough (when we finally lose), it is absolutely heartbreaking.

Because when we lose, even in just a single round, we are knocked out of the entire competition. This means it is the end of the season. It’s possible that we’ll no longer see many of our teammates again.

And the feeling is absolutely debilitating because, as any Mock Trial person can tell you, the feeling you get when competing—when you’re in court, when you get the better of the other team, when you’re impeaching a slow witness, when you’re giving an eight minute closing statement from memory—is unbelievably satisfying. It’s honestly the best experience you could ever have.

You end up accomplishing more than you ever thought you could.

Staff Picks: Hot Drinks

as compiled by Claire Huang

As the chilly winter quickly approaches, our Bull’s Eye staff warms up on cold, windy days with their favorite piping hot beverages. In addition to regular menu items, traditional holiday flavors have been added to countless coffee and tea shops, creating a much larger variety to choose from.

From classic favorites to new, festive drinks, our staff members share their number one picks.

COLENE ENG

EDITORIAL EDITOR

“I like the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks because it’s like fall in a cup. It’s the perfect drink for cold, windy days and it never fails to warm me up.”

VIVIAN TANG

FEATURE THEME EDITOR

“I like White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks because it’s coffee based, but it’s not too bitter. It has a little tinge of chocolate caramel flavor and it keeps me awake.”

AUSTIN KONG A&E EDITOR

“I love Chai Tea Lattes.

It’s a year round drink; I can have it hot or cold, and it still tastes amazing.”

HOLLY LIU

NEWS EDITOR

“At Tea Station, my favorite hot drink is the Mixed Fruit Tea, but it’s a bit on the pricey side.

It’s a meld of passion fruit, apple, and orange flavors, which is super yummy.”

ROSE KIM STAFF WRITER

“I like to drink the hot milk tea from Boba Time on Colima Road.

It has all the delicious qualities of its cold counterpart, but it’s for the winter.”

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

From Aaron’s Kitchen:

mac&cheese

3

A dish made with 3 different types of cheese.

BY AARON LIM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

• 1 pound rotini pasta • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 8 tablespoons butter • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 3 cups milk • 1 cup heavy cream • 1 tablespoon freshly • ground black pepper

A Last Minute ^College App Checklist

by Angie Zhang

The time of college applications has once again come around, and, due to demanding classes and multiple extracurricular activities, it can be easy to forget some steps in the application process. In times like these, a checklist can make things much easier and save you some time.

2. Essays: The first step, which you hopefully have completed by this time, is obviously to write the essays. When you are done, try to get at least two people to proofread it and give you some criticism. It could also be helpful to ask your GLC or English teacher for some advice.

NOT rinse the pasta, as the starch on the pasta will help it adhere to the cheese sauce.

3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Sprinkle flour over the butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat to make a roux (a cooking mixture of wheat and fat).

• 1 pound white Cheddar, Add cold milk shredded and whisk • 4 oz Romano, shredded vigorously un• 4 oz Asiago, shredded til dissolved.

• 2 cups Panko bread crumbs Cook sauce • 1 tbsp Salt (to taste) on medium• 1 tbsp truffle oil low heat until thick and (optional) creamy. Add • Bacon bits (optional) heavy cream, all cheeses, 1

ingredients

7

1. Applications: Make sure you know all the deadlines for your applications (regular, early, and supplemental). If you are mailing your application, it would be helpful to know what time your local post office postmarks its mail. If you are submitting your app online, make sure you know the time zone that the website operates in.

Macaroni and cheese is a dish traditionally served as a side or appetizer. However, this macaroni and cheese recipe becomes the main course by using panko bread crumbs, which give it a crunch to the palate, and an essence of truffle oil, which gives it a smooth savory flavor. This twist on a classic American dish will make sure you never go back to the cupboard for Easy Mac! 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. In large pot filled with water, add olive oil and 3 pinches of kosher salt. Once the water comes to boil, add the pasta and let cook until al dente, which will take about 8-9 minutes. Drain. Set aside. Do

FEATURE

THE BULL’S EYE

tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of pepper. Cook until cheeses are fully melted. Stir occasionally until the cheese sauce becomes a light blonde hue.

4. In a separate pan melt 2 tablespoons of butter and then mix in panko bread crumbs until the butter is thoroughly absorbed.

5. Add cooked pasta to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly. Place macaroni mixture in a baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. For an extra crispy topping, place under broiler after baking until bread crumbs turn golden brown.

7. To finish, add a few drops of truffle oil and bacon bits.

8. Bon appetite! You’re ready to serve!

3. Financial aid forms: Make sure you know your financial aid deadlines (priority and regular). The above tips regarding postmark time and website times also apply here. Remember to submit your Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) and/or your College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.

4. SAT scores: These scores must be sent in before the college deadline, but scores that come out after the deadline will still be accepted at some schools.

5. Transcripts: These will usually be sent in by your GLC, but private schools not on the Common Application may have a different policy. Also, UC schools only require transcripts after you are accepted.

6. Teacher recommendations: Teacher recommendations are usually only needed for private schools but it never hurts to double check. As with everything else in your application, this also has a deadline, so make sure you let your teacher know about it. A thank you letter would also be proper for this situation.

Once you get that admission letter, you will be set for the rest of your high school career, but remember that colleges may rescind your acceptance if your final grades are too low, so keep working hard until the end!

an apple for my parent

BY GLORIA KIM ASST. EDITORIAL EDITOR

From giving up the luxuries of Late Start days to receiving free homework help, the life of a teacher’s child is not like that of an ordinary student. A student’s high school experience certainly differs when his or her parent is present on campus. In a short Q&A with those in such positions, the Bull’s Eye has gathered some information about the daily lives of a teacher’s child.

Bull’s Eye: Do you sometimes find it is helpful that your parent is a teacher on campus?

McKenna Acciani (9)

McKenna Acciani: Yes, because I can go to my dad whenever I need something or help with a class.

Katie Desmond: Yes, if I have a question about school or schedules, he helps me work it out.

Gracie Sorensen: I think it’s really helpful because they can help me with homework and they know what the teachers are expecting so I know what I have to do [to succeed].

Holly Thomas: Yeah, whenever I don’t understand math she’s always there to help me.

Kali DeCambra: Yeah, because when a class gets pizza or she has a pizza party, I can get pizza. And it’s just nice. If I need to print out an extra copy of a worksheet, I can go to her room.

Molly McCabe: Yes, because if I forget my lunch sometimes, he takes me out and buys me lunch. And I know a lot of teachers because of him.

Spenser Brose: Of course, because I don’t need a locker. I usually just put [my soccer stuff] in my dad’s room. Also if I have a question about math, homework, or anything else, he helps me out.

Holly Thomas (10)

BE: How do you think your life differs because you’re the son/daughter of a teacher?

Katie Desmond (9)

MA: It is not much different except sometimes I have to wait for him while he is in rehearsal to leave.

KD: It’s cool because if I need something he’s there. That’s always kind of nice.

GS: Usually my friends and I hang around in my parents’ room at school until four or five, and on late starts I can’t sleep in. But high school in general is different for me because I used to attend a private school until middle school that had kids from pre-school to eighth grade. There were only about 250 kids so this is definitely different HT: A lot of feelings that freshman feel, I never really experienced because I already knew the school and I knew where the classrooms were. I guess I never really had to stand on my own. Even when I would forget anything, I could always come [to my mom’s classroom] and get it. It’s easier in many ways, but it could be a hassle at times.

KDeC: I think that it’s nice knowing the administration and knowing a lot more students and it’s good socially because you just know a lot more people you wouldn’t normally get to know MM: People and teachers just tend to know me better. But because of that, people have higher expectations of me.

SB: I don’t really see it as different, but it made me somewhat popular, in the sense that people would come up to me asking if I was Brose’s son. So it was a lot easier to socialize. But I always have to keep in mind that my reputation affects his reputation so I have to be a good kid, and that influences me to do well. So I guess it’s a positive effect.

Kali DeCambra (10)

BE: Do you sometimes think it’s an invasion of your privacy?

Gracie Sorensen (9)

MA: Kind of because I know he could check up on me with any of my teachers or GLC to see if I did anything wrong.

KD: A lot of people ask, “Is your dad Mr. Desmond?” It can get pretty annoying sometimes, but I’m used to it.

GS: No not really. I know my dad has mentioned me in his class a couple times (because I have some “spies” in his classes) but I don’t really care that much.

HT: Yeah, sometimes randomly [my mom] would start talking about [some sophomores I know] and I ask her how she found out about these things because they’re not even in her classes. It’s weird. Also, random people come up to me and know things about me because she talks about me in class. It can be embarrassing at times.

KDeC: Yeah a little; in her room there are pictures of me when I was little. Also, sometimes students don’t really know who I am, but rather [see me] as DeCambra’s daughter so it’s hard to have my own identity.

MM: Well, I’m used to it in a way because I went to elementary school with my mom who was a teacher there. But high school’s definitely different. It’s different from being just a normal high schooler.

SB: Not really. I actually introduce him to my friends sometimes. I just hope that I’m making good friends so that I’m not in the wrong group. But like I said, if I do something stupid, it affects him and me. Not that I ever would.

Molly McCabe (10)

Spenser Brose (11)

8

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

THE BULL’S EYE

FEATURE THEME

9

DESIGNED BY VIVIAN TANG & HANNA YI

10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

British Remakes

BY ROSE KIM STAFF WRITER

Most television enthusiasts are probably familiar with shows that have made the passage from the United Kingdom to the United States of America. With all these remakes, there is that one debate that has never changed: whether or not these remade-for-AmericanTV shows are able to maintain the same quality as their originals.

The fact is, part of the allure of British television lies in the uniquely European charm, accents and all. There’s an interest that is piqued when American viewers become privy to the stylizations of a foreign country. A popular series amongst teenagers is the UK show “Skins”, which premiered in 2007.

The basic premise of the show is a group of teenagers that explore some of the darkest corners of teenage life. The loose network restrictions for TV in the UK allowed for the realism in this gritty depiction of teenage life, an attribute largely responsible for the show’s international success. In 2011, this critically acclaimed British television show was brought across the Atlantic and adapted into an American version, premiering on MTV. Unfortunately, the show tanked.

The regulations for teen TV in America stripped the show down to just another high school TV cliché. Moreover, core plotlines were altered and the charismatic British accents were nowhere to be found.

There definitely seems to be a consensus that most remade versions are merely an embarrassment to their originals. However, there is at least one show that proves this theory wrong: “Shameless,” whose American adaption premiered on Showtime. The show is about a dysfunctional family that

C

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

THE BULL’S EYE

truly puts your family’s problems to shame. Despite the frequent unusual situations, the show’s extensive effort in exploring the personas of the individual characters provides a captivating dose of realism. Though the American “Shameless” lived a shorter life span than its original, the saying “quality over quantity” is truly appropriate. In addition to the insanely believable chemistry amongst the characters, the acting never faltered with anybody and the plot had your eyes glued to one episode and in search for the next.

In the midst of being remade is “Misfits,” a UK hit about a group of teenage delinquents who are brought together by circumstance and kept together by a bond they come to share: superpowers. The beauty of this show is that it’s not your average “Heroes” type show.

It’s plainly a ragtag band of mischievous teenagers who seem to have stumbled upon superhuman abilities.

To be terribly honest, the heroism seen in the show stems from self-preservation for these young ne’er-do-wells, though, to be honest once more, it is oddly refreshing against the all-too-common standard superhero formula.

Many fans of the original series look to the coming American version with clear disdain, speculating that the uniquely British traits of “Misfits” will be lost in the new American version, leaving fans with yet another great show beaten down to nothing in the adaptation process.

Still, viewers should not forget that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel as not all adaptations are shameful mutations of their originals. It seems that the outcome of the adaptation process is never completely predictable. But, undisputedly, the UK to US television transition is a trend that is sure to stick with us for a while.

hristmas Choir heer

BY ANGIE ZHANG FEATURE EDITOR

As an event used to generate holiday spirit and showcase talented students, the Winter Choir Concert will be the culmination of the hard work that Diamond Bar High School choir students have put into preparing for the performance.

“We worked really, really hard on preparing for the concert. Although it might seem like the concert might be cheesy because we are singing a lot of Christmas songs, its actually very fun and the songs really bring around some holiday spirit,” shares senior

Ploy Wongthavarawat. The Winter Choir Concert will feature all four choir groups (Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Solitaire, and Marquis) singing and dancing to a repertoire of diverse music.

The concert is overall holiday themed, with traditional Christmas tunes, but will also feature a few classical songs. All alumni and staff members are also invited to sing along to the Christmas tunes on stage with the choir members.

A few of the seasonal songs included are “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland,” while “Hallelujah Chorus” from the Messiah, by Georgo Frediric Handel will be the finale.

To further enhance performances, bass drums will be added to some

song selections.

“Students have been working very hard to prepare [for the concert] and we hope that students and staff will come to get into the holiday spirit,” states choir teacher Patty Breitag The concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the theatre on Dec. 13 and 14. Tickets will be sold in the choir room and will be $8 for students and $10 for adults.

The Winter Choir Concert will be an exciting, Christmas-themed night filled with music and interesting performances. It is an event that will be sure to provide students and adults alike with an evening of entertainment and also display the wealth of talent in the DBHS’s choir groups.

Dr. Who:

The highly anticipated Christmas special “The Snowmen” will air on BBC on Christmas. With his companion Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), Doctor Who (Matt Smith), comes up against the evil villain Doctor Simeon (Richard E. Grant), who wishes to destroy all of humanity. He creates an army of snowmen to fight against the protagonist, Doctor Who. The mysterious and action-filled television special also includes romance and comedy. Thrilling and suspenseful, “The Snowmen” is an off-beat addition to holiday viewing.

The Polar Express:

The motion-capture computer-animated film, “Polar Express,” is coming back for the holidays. In this seasonal film, a young boy boards the Polar Express in hopes of finding the true spirit of Christmas. On his journey to the North Pole, the boy experiences thrilling adventures, meets unique individuals with similar wishes to see Santa and realizes the secret of the Christmas spirit. Despite being released in 2004, many still view the “Polar Express,” with over 75,000 DVD copies sold per year. This inspiring movie will air on ABC Family numerous times over the next two weeks.

Disney’s “A Christmas Carol”: Disney’s “A Chrismas Carol,” is a heartwarming

classic that will certainly bring in the Christmas spirit. The fantasy comedy-drama film, featuring Jim Carrey, is based on Charles Dickens’ tale of loan shark Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is a very greedy and stingy moneylender who refuses to find joy in Christmas. However, his malicious character takes a sudden spin as he is visited by ghosts of the past, present and future. These turns of events teach Scrooge the value of generosity. The time-traveling film will be shown on ABC Family at various times over the next two weeks.

SUMMARIES BY JOY CHOW & KATLYN LEE

Kong’s Korner

Resisting Reality

BY AUSTIN KONG A&E EDITOR

Take the time to think about how many of your friends watch reality TV shows. You can probably recall a few friends who always talk about the latest episode of “Jersey Shore” or “K-Town.” Have you ever thought why these shows generate so much revenue and have the highest viewer count than other TV programs?

I mean, the premise of reality TV is stupid in itself. Every show centers around a group of people or families that have “lives” that are “interesting.” When you watch a reality TV show, you’re basically watching a creepy documentary on people that make a living pretending to be something that they are not. Why do people still watch

A monthly review or rant on games, shows, movies, and other forms of entertainment

these ridiculous shows that not only put out a horrible image of Americans, but also require the self-degradation of the people that are featured in them? The answer is because people enjoy comparing their own lives to the ones they see on the show.

When you watch a show like “Jersey Shore” or “Teen Mom”, you’re watching people deal with their problems (i.e. teen pregnancies) and complain about their lives (partying all day and getting wasted). The only reasonable explanation for these people that are willing to waste an entire hour watching other people’s pathetic lives unfold is that these viewers take pleasure in knowing that their lives are not as horrible as the ones they see on television. Reality TV has become a medium to feel selfsatisfaction and happiness for those who have problems in their own lives.

You may ask, “Austin! What about the reality shows that present successful people or people who are chasing after a better life?”

I would answer with: It’s all the same! There’s always a reoccurring theme for these shows. People love watching the underdogs succeed!

Our society is composed of millions of people who consider themselves as underdogs! Therefore, they watch these success stories to gain hope and assurance that it is possible to obtain success no matter what situation you’re in. A great example of this would be the show “Shark Tank.” In this show, a group of billionaires watch “everyday” people present them with new product ideas. These billionaires, or “sharks,” decide whether or not to invest in the presented product.

We all root for these contestants because we know that a deal with any one of these “sharks” guarantees them success in the future.

PHOTO COURTESY of realitynation.com

REALITY TV puts out a bad image of the United States.

These people serve to inspire other citizens and instill hope into their lives, and that is why people are obsessed with watching these shows.

Every human being on this planet wants three things in life: love,

happiness, and security. Reality TV shows fulfill the security aspect for many people. This mentality is what makes reality TV so successful and influential, and I don’t expect this to change any time soon.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Must See

BY SARAH CHO FEATURE EDITOR

Bands

With the approach of the holiday season comes an onslaught of music festivals and concerts ranging from KROQ’s “Almost Acoustic Christmas” to KIIS FM’s “Jingle Ball.” But, as any avid concert attendee knows, the quality of an artist’s talent can diminish significantly when devoid of the magical touch of auto-tune. There are, however, a few singers, rappers, and bands who not only maintain the quality of their music, but are even better when seen in person.

Rock

Motion City Soundtrack, which years ago was heard on every major radio network, recently reunited and released a new album, “Go.” To promote the album, the band has recently gone on tour, visiting several West Coast cities including Pomona. The band never fails to play plenty of fan favorites including “The Future Freaks Me Out” and “Everything is Alright.”

Justin Pierre, the front man, sounds amazing live; it is clear that he takes the utmost care of his voice. The quality of his vocals actually sounds as if it were ripped from a recorded CD. The entire band is energetic and is clearly passionate about the music it plays, particularly Jesse Johnson who jumps, screams, and dances in the background while Pierre sings. It is obvious that they make music simply because they love doing so.

Rap

Dumbfoundead is a KoreanAmerican, K-town resident. He frequently performs at Los Angeles venues, from LACMA to the

Troubadour. He plays a huge role in the Asian-American scene and was even recently a judge at the National Kollaboration show.

It is already clear that he is an amazing rapper on his mix tape, he is absolutely incredible live. “Cellphone,” which also features Breezy Lovejoy and Wax, hardly sounds like the same song when heard in person. He just has so much power and vivacity when performing live.

Dumbfoundead’s best feature, however, comes from his ability to work a crowd. With ease, he is able to keep the crowd entertained with his amusing and humorous anecdotes. Dumbfoundead has a natural confidence that comes easily to him and translates well when he performs.

K-pop

The K-pop group, Big Bang, definitely has a huge following internationally and it recently had two concerts in Anaheim at the Honda Center. In the media, they are sometimes referred to as the “Kings of K-Pop.” CNN even named the group as one of the top 12 reasons to visit South Korea. Big Bang is truly a performance based group, as much of K-pop tends to be. So to really experience the full package, you truly need to see them live. They definitely focus on shock value and special effects.

The show was really, quite well organized. Unlike most concerts, the show actually started on time and the transitions between the songs were also very clean.

All five members were very engaged with the audience. They made physical contact with some audience members occasionally and even threw out personal items such as towels and even jackets.

It is obvious that the group really cares for its fan base and understands the importance of appealing to its fans.

THE BULL’S EYE

The new fantasy film

by Ang Lee tells a story about discovering one’s self and the unbreakable loyalty between two friends.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11

family on a Japanese freighter only to encounter a fierce storm which sinks the vessel, leaving only Pi, a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, a spotted hyena, an injured zebra, and a female orangutan as the sole survivors on a single lifeboat. The real excitement comes afterwards.

The movie is a near flawless masterpiece. Lee, best known for the Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” more than successfully explores high 3D technology to explicate what cannot be discerned in a 2D perspective. Hollywood filmmakers who vainly attempt to utilize the technology for added profit could collect a lesson

I came to realize the essence of 3D in this scene. Without it, I could not have appreciated the vast expanse in which Pi and his companion pull through all alone on the lifeboat.

The application of 3D and computer graphics is certainly a must in the film, although certain scenes are exceedingly animated—sample a shot where a fascinated Pi is excitedly skimming the waters full of

BY HANNA KANG illuminated jellyfish with his bare STAFF WRITER hands. Take a look at the mysterious island, notably the segment where nightfall comes into play.

The whole island is ablaze with the A boy and a savage tiger strandphosphorescence of a potent acid ed at sea in a solitary lifeboat— to the point where the meerkats sounds whimsical. Not in“Life of living there appear to have a neon Pi,” however, the breathtaking green tint on their film directed by Ang fur. I was literally Lee. The movie vershaking my head in sion of Yann Martel’s confusion; the scene award-winning novel, was much too viwith its incredible brant and far-fetched usage of 3D, engages to be presumed true. the audience in a Not to mention the mind-blowing tale of largest, most lumisurvival and a specnous whale most peotacular voyage toward ple have ever seen. self-discovery.

In addition to its “Life of Pi comremarkable visuals, municates the remi“Life of Pi” features nisced memoir of a phenomenal perPiscine Molitor Patel, formance. Because self-nicknamed Pi. His the bulk of the story parents operate a local resides at sea, the zoo in a botanical garwhole movie leans den in the picturesque on the performance Pondicherry, a town of Suraj Sharma, part of French India. who plays teenage Pi. Although raised a Lee himself praised Hindu, the young Pi Sharma’s acting by comes across Cathosaying that Sharma’s lic and Muslim faiths countenance, mainly and begins practicing his piercing soulful all three to certain eyes, perfectly pordegrees, much to his father’s disapproval.

PHOTO COURTESY of filmofilia.com trayed the character Pi. Sharma, makAs a teenager, Pi is STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE, Pi is accompanied by a new friend. ing his acting debut, on his way to manor two from the way Lee handles gives an excellent performance. hood, complete with a girlfriend. it. One of the scenes I particularly His delivery of Pi’s undying hope Nevertheless, a year later, his faadmire was when the camera is and appropriate emotions simply ther decides to move the family positioned beneath the waves and conveyed through his eyes was a to Canada for a fresh start, along pans upward, past the boat and quite impressive for someone with with the slew of zoo animals later into the deep blue sky beyond the no acting experience. I daresay to be sold in North America. The horizon. I actually gasped aloud as that Sharma is Pi himself. disheartened Pi sets sail with his

PHOTOS BY LEA CHANG, COLLAGE BY ROSE KIM

12

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

THE BULL’S EYE

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THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Girls Golf and Tennis defend the league title for the 7th consecutive time

BY ANDREW CHOI ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The girls tennis and golf programs have always been the two of the mainstays of Diamond Bar High School athletics. The relatively young and inexperienced teams were expected to win their seventh consecutive league titles, and they did just that.

Despite the graduation of talented players Carly Simpson and Valerie Wijaya, the Lady Brahmas golf team was still able to become co-league champs. The team, which consists of five members on the First All-League team and one member on the Second All-League team, finished the season with a 29-1 overall record and an 11-1

league record. Senior co-captains Kristie Yang and Isabelle Shee earned golf scholarships to Southern Illinois University and UC Riverside, respectively. “We have set a standard that will encourage our future teams to work hard because anything is possible,” Shee commented.

Not only did the team win league, but it also won the Eastern Division CIF Championship for the first time through a “card-off.” A cardoff happens when two teams have the same score at the end of the round. To determine the winner, both teams have to look at their sixth member’s score card and the team with the lowest score wins.

“It was so special winning CIF and it was so hard to do,” Coach Tony McCabe admitted. After the CIF playoffs, the team reached the State finals but lost to Torrey Pines High

SPORTS COLUMN

Andrew Luck vs. RGIII

BY AUSTIN KONG A&E EDITOR

COURTESY OF TONY MCCABE

A SEASON WELL PLAYED - The girls golf team celebrates their CIF victory.

School, the reigning champions.

The tennis team, however, had a tougher time than the golf team.

Even with many inexperienced players, the team finished with an overall record of 15-4 but was still able to win the league Title.

The Lady Brahmas defeated Walnut High School on the last day of league play to capture the title.

“Every match we went into, we gave it our all,” senior co-captain Melody Chen said. However, the

team’s season ended quickly when they lost in the quarterfinals of CIF. “ The team did extremely well and played their hardest,” Coach Tisa Shavers said.

Both teams in the past year played exceptionally well, setting the bar even higher for succeeding years and teams. With their hard work and dedication, it is no wonder that both programs outplay their competition each and every year.

Lady Brahmas defeat opponents on opening day of the San Dimas Tournament GIRLS SOCCER| Winning both matches, the girls dominate with the scores 4-0 and 5-0.

BY JOSEPH PARK ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Lady Brahmas soccer defeated both West Covina High School and San Dimas High School in the San Dimas Tournament on Friday.

In the first match of the tournament against West Covina, DBHS played spectacularly on offense winning 4-0 while having possession the majority of the match. The Bulldogs had no chance in coming back that the afternoon.

In a blowout win, DBHS wrapped things up and prepared for the next match.

For the final match of the evening, DBHS faced off against the host of the tournament, the San Dimas Saints. “I thought we played really well tonight, going against a tough team, the host team, of the tournament. They’ve got some good results earlier in the year and to beat them 5-0 is a great accomplishment,” Head Coach Matthew Brummett said.

The Lady Brahmas stayed consistent in their offense and defense and defeated the Saints in a lopsided match, 5-0. Off a great entry pass, senior captain Tatum Lockett converted it into the first goal of the match.

“Our strengths tonight were keeping possession of the ball and attacking, we didn’t have to do too much defending because we were

always in their half,” Brummett commented.

Sophomore sensation Marissa Favela scored the second and third goals of the half, increasing the lead to 3-0 while the team played impeccable defense. Subsequently, the ball never seemed to reach the defensive side of DBHS. The Lady Brahmas held the Saints scoreless for the rest of the half and headed into the second half with the same determination.

Straight out of half time, DBHS remained consistent defensively.

Due to DBHS’s resilience, the

Saints found themselves not even close to a goal on offense. The Lady Brahmas continued with their remarkable passing, which led to two goals in the second half in addition to the already 3-0 lead.

Sophomore Helena Kisor scored the fourth goal and the game started to slip away as made evident in the Saints’ lack of effort. To top it all off, Lockett scored the fifth and final goal as DBHS finished the night undefeated.

“Our team did a really good job of keeping possession of the ball and moving the ball all around the

field and obviously, with the 5-0 score, we did our job,” Brummett stated.

The next morning, the Lady Brahmas took on Royale High School to qualify for the finals. In these matches, DBHS showed its full capabilities and determination.

“Going into the season, our expectations are high. We always expect a lot out of our team considering how much talent we have. We expect to be a really good team competing for and winning league title, that’s our focus right now,” Brummett said.

LOOSE BALL - Sophomore Marissa Favela dashes to snatch the ball from the opponent.

JOSEPH PARK

MEET THE COACHES Name: Kemp Wells Currently Coaching: Varsity Boys Soccer and Badminton Coaching Since: 2000 Kemp Wells is currently the coach of the Varsity Boys Soccer team. Coach Wells has been coaching soccer for ten years, coaching boys soccer for four years, girls soccer for a couple of years, and moved back to boys soccer for 6 years. This is currently his 11th season. “We have a lot of energy and players have been friends for years so it makes practice enjoyable.”He has high expectations for the 2012 boys soccer team. “My expectations are always to win league and get deep into the playoffs.” Wells said.

13

Name: Christopher Valencia Currently Coaching: Varsity Boys Soccer Coaching Since: 2002 Christopher Valencia is currently the assistant varsity coach of the boys soccer team. He has been coaching soccer at Diamond Bar High school since 2002 and recently retired after serving in the California Highway Patrol for 30 years. He has high hopes for the team and enjoys coaching. “I enjoy watching the student athletes develop over the years here in high school. To be a positive influence on the mind of a young student athlete and to have them come back after they graduate and share their accomplishments is very rewarding.” Valencia said.

Loaded with potential, the 2011 National Football League Draft class has been heralded as the most talented since the 2004 class that unveiled Phillip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning into the league.

Most people are aware of second pick Robert Griffin III’s explosive season and how he single-handedly revived the Washington franchise.

Amidst all the hype surrounding the Redskins’ QB, fans forget that there was a player who was picked before him—Andrew Luck. RGIII was able to do wonders for Washington thus far, but Luck, without a doubt, has completely out-performed RGIII. Let’s compare the situations that both of these quarterbacks came into. RGIII was picked by the Redskins after they traded up in the draft to get him. Luck was picked by the Colts (9-4) after having the worst record in the NFL. The Redskins were coming off a 6-10 season compared to the 2-14 season of the Colts. In addition, the Colts’ roster was absolutely decimated after the 2011 season when they lost veteran players such as Pierre Garcon, Jeff Saturday, Dallas Clark, and Gary Brackett to the rebuilding process.

The Redskins (7-6) were already a decent team with a great supporting cast when they picked RGIII. Griffin was literally handed success on a silver platter by coming into a solid team, while Andrew Luck fought day in and day out to keep his team in every game.

I haven’t even mentioned the quarterbacks these two were replacing. Luck was replacing Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning—the Sheriff, the greatest Cerebral Quarterback to step onto a football field.

Luck was replacing a future Hallof-Fame quarterback, but who did RGIII come in for? Rex Grossman?

This isn’t even a debate! Without a doubt, Luck was placed into a high pressure situation while RGIII had no pressure on him, because it’s basically impossible to be worse than Rex Grossman.

Now let’s take a look at the offense that each team is running.

RGIII and the Redskins are running a low stakes offense filled with spread options and bubble screens.

There are also many Baylor plays that were implemented in the Redskins offense to make RGIII comfortable. On the other hand, the Colts threw a pro-style offense playbook at Luck and asked him to do the impossible. They asked him to average 40 throws per game while hauling the ball down field in highrisk plays. RGIII finishes games where he throws a mere 15 passes, so don’t give me the argument that RGIII has one of the highest completion percentages amongst NFL quarterbacks! How hard is it to throw off of short slant routes and bubble screens compared to deep corner and post routes? Not at all.

I know for a fact that both of these quarterbacks will be successful in the NFL, but Andrew Luck will ultimately have the better career. Luck is on a road to greatness, exemplifying leadership and poise to the highest degree. He has led his team to the playoffs while the Redskin’s season is still in the dark.

14 SPORTS

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

THE BULL’S EYE

Brahmas get the decisive win in a blowout over the Wildcats to score their first victory of the young season BOYS SOCCER| The boys shutout Whitney-Cerritos High School on their way to a 4-0 win led by senior Kase Vollebregt.

JOSEPH PARK

CROSSING MIDFIELD - Senior Loren Trugerro eludes the defenders to set up a cross for the strikers to head the ball into the net.

BY JOSEPH PARK ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Coming off a loss against Monrovia High School, the Diamond Bar High School boys soccer team came out of the gates strong, demolishing the Whitney-Cerritos High School Wildcats 4-0 in a home preseason match on Dec. 6.

In the first half, DBHS started out well, determined to not allow any shot attempts by the Wildcats.

The Brahmas had possession the majority of the match and had numerous chances to score a goal.

In the first half, junior Kelly Craft got past the defenders and made the first goal of the evening giving them the early lead.

DBHS played equally as well on

“I expect the boys will bond as a unit, play hard together, and win league again.”

—Assistant Coach Christopher Valencia

both offense and defense. “I was impressed with the overall play of the team; we scored early in the game which allowed everyone on the team to play. Everyone played very well today,” Assistant Coach Christopher Valencia said.

The Wildcats started the second half much stronger, but the Brahmas continued their swarming defense. “I have high expectations for

every game because we practice hard, we have very talented student athletes, and we have a large number of varsity starters from last year’s winning team,” Valencia commented.

Senior co-captain Gabe Brown scored the third goal of the evening after a miss off a free kick attempt, increasing the lead to 3-0. “We did better and finally put the ball into

the net. We passed much better,” Coach Kemp Wells said.

At this point, the Wildcats seemed to have lost all hopes of winning as they started to play chippy, committing hard fouls. Despite this, sophomore Andre Gamboa scored the fourth and last goal of the match. DBHS wrapped the game up with the 4-0 lead and went home with a blowout victory.

Senior co-captain Kase Vollebregt and the Brahmas dismantled the Wildcat defense through fluid passing. “We connected our pass better, but we just need to finish better,” Vollebregt said.

The Brahmas finally added a win into their overall record, stretching it to 1-2-1. This was a much needed win as it restored the team’s confidence heading into the season. “I expect the boys will bond as a unit, play hard together, and win league

again so we can have back to back on our league championship tee shirts,” Valencia said.

If anything needed to be improved upon, it would be the team’s lack of finishing ability. The Brahmas missed a total of 40 shots. However, 20 of them missed the goal entirely while the other 20 were saved by the goalkeeper.

Last year, DBHS stunned the Hacienda League when it went a whopping 11-0-1 and won the league title. With many returning players from last year, the Brahmas are set to defend the title and once again make a run at CIF. After losing in the second round of CIF last year, the team is determined to make a much deeper run and eventually win CIF this season. Led by senior co-captains Brown and Vollebregt, DBHS will undoubtedly have another successful season.

BRIAN CHAO ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Pinning and Winning His Way to Success

BY LEA CHANG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brian Chao is currently juggling AP Psychology, Math HL, and AP English while maintaining a solid unweighted GPA of 3.75. He is the USB Commissioner of Athletics, an extremely time consuming position. To top it all off, Chao is the Varsity wrestling co-captain.

An avid wrestler for four years, Chao was also in track and field his freshman year, and football his freshman and sophomore years.

However, he decided to quit when he noticed how much he enjoyed wrestling, and also thought that he would have to dedicate himself solely to that sport. “In order to excel at one sport, you need to concentrate on that sport,” Chao advised.

Although he is one of the top wrestlers on the team, Chao humbly accredits his success to pure hard work. “I was average, but a hard worker. I wasn’t the most talented,” Chao admitted.

He attests the proudest moment of his wrestling career to when he was named the CIF League Champion in the 138 pound weight divi-

XING YEN QUEK & BROOKE MILLER

sion, but he does not intend to stop there and has already set a loftier goal in qualifying for State in the

145 pound bracket this year. He also hopes that the entire Varsity team will make it to CIF, as op-

posed to the 12 out of 14 individuals who qualified last year. Chao has high expectations for his fellow

wrestlers, anticipating that they will achieve a lot, including “high morals and [becoming] good men,” from being on the team this season.

During the season, the wrestling team meets and practices from 6th period to 4:30 p.m. every school day of the week. This past summer, members of the team underwent rigorous training and conditioning.

Having been on the wrestling team for four years, Chao had time as an underclassman to observe the seniors and figure out what kind of leader he himself wanted to be.

“I tried to imitate their leadership qualities and tried to reproduce the same results, or even better,” Chao said. He decided that teamwork was the most important quality for success this season.

Overall, Chao believes that time management was what helped him out most during his high school career. He was able to handle the extracurricular activities that require such a significant level of dedication, in addition to taking on his challenging coursework.

Chao does not plan on continuing to wrestle in college and instead hopes to focus on business or pre-med at UCLA. He will undoubtedly take the skills he has acquired through his rigorous high school career with him to college.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SPORTS

THE BULL’S EYE

15

Grapplers take the first match of the season led by captains

Take a look at these staff-selected Internet memes to see what’s the latest in today’s professional sports teams!

WRESTLING | Nine different Brahmas pin their opponent in a 59-14 win over

NBA - Kobe Bryant is the fifth player to score 30,000 points.

Glendora High School despite inexperienced wrestlers.

PRO SPORTS MEMES

MLB - Alex Rodriguez injures his hip and needs more surgery.

DOMINATING THE MAT - Senior Jungsoo Chang breaks down his opponent to get the pin.

BY BROOKE MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Diamond Bar High School’s wrestling team faced off against Glendora High School in its first match on Dec. 5, dominating the match from the beginning, winning with a final score of 59-14.

Junior Aaron Oh got the Brahmas off to a good start by pinning his opponent, and was followed up by five consecutive pins by his teammates. DBHS used this enormous momentum to keep the team energized and focused.

Senior captains Nathan Rodriguez, Matthew Carrillo, and Brian Chao led the team with pins of their own, contributing to the total of nine pins overall for the Brahmas. Chao then ended the meet by

pinning his opponent in two minutes, sealing the wrestling team’s first victory of the season.

Having several new members wrestling in their very first varsity match, the returning wrestlers made sure to encourage their new teammates. “We stick together both on and off the mat. We are a family,” junior KeAndre Johnson stated. This “family” attitude really showed when all the guys got up of the bench to cheer for their teammates. To show further support, the wrestlers became even louder when sophomore Andrew Wen and junior Jonathan Kuo did not win their matches “Our biggest strength we saw tonight was how we came together as a team. We had some people step up and show some toughness who hadn’t wrestled at this level before,” Coach Scott Usher commented.

COURTESY OF BROOKE MILLER

After this match, the team has even higher hopes and expectations for the season. “As a team, this year, we hope to be CIF league champions and CIF champions.

Individually, we all hope to go to state,” junior Jeremy Foo said.

The rigorous conditioning and daily practices have all paid off as shown in its dominating performance. DBHS has proven that they are fully capable of defeating any team and defend the league title despite losing many talented seniors.

“We hope to come in with high expectations and meeting those expectations this year. We have a lot of great wrestlers and the potential to be a really good team,” Coach Usher stated. The Brahmas showed that potential and team spirit against Glendora and hope to carry this momentum and winning spirit through the rest of the season.

NFL - The Eagles struggle to protect their quarterback.

Yewande Alabi leads the Lady Brahmas in the Claremont Tournament with 50 boards GIRLS BASKETBALL | The Lady Brahmas recover from a disappointing first

loss to finish the tournament third.

BY ANDREW CHOI ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

XING YEN QUEK

COUNT THE BASKET - Senior Yewande Alabi powers her way to a bucket.

After losing the last two games of the previous tournament, the Diamond Bar High School girls basketball team finished third at the annual Claremont Girls Classic Tournament last week. Although the team started the tournament off on the wrong note, the Lady Brahmas got back on track with three straight wins.

On the first day of the tournament, the Lady Brahmas struggled to keep up with the Jurupa Valley High School Jaguars and lost 54-11. The game just did not go DBHS’s way. The referee calls were going against the Lady Brahmas and the team suffered a number of turnovers. In addition many of the team’s players were injured but played nonetheless. “It was not our best game,” Coach Tony McCabe admitted.

DBHS came out strong in the second game of the tournament defeating the Monrovia High School Wildcats 38-19. The Brahmas’ defense stepped up as the team held the Wildcats to four points or fewer in three of the four quarters.

“We just forgot about the loss and played our own game,” McCabe said.

The Lady Brahmas kept playing their own way winning the third game 59-25 against the Garey High School Vikings and s e n d i n g DBHS to the third place game.

The Lady Brahmas started the game out fast scoring 36 points in the first half while holding the Vikings to 10. Senior cocaptain Yewande Alabi dominated the game by grabbing 27 rebounds.

On the last day of the tournament, DBHS defeated the Walnut High School Mustangs 66-43 to win third place in the tournament. “We smashed those Walnuts,” senior cocaptain Agnes Tenoyo said.

Junior Norah Wu scored 24 points and Alabi scored 17 points and grabbed 23 rebounds. Alabi was soon selected to the All-Tournament team. The Lady Brahmas shot 60 percent as a team from the court. “We had good team play and

very good shooting,” McCabe commented.

Throughout the tournament, the whole team wore a black ribbon to remember the recent death of senior Danika Tibayan. “The team took it to the heart and it helped them with a third place finish,” McCabe said.

Before this tournament, the Lady Brahmas competed in the annual Wilson Ladycat Classic. The team finished fourth as they beat Alhambra High School and Norco High School, but lost to La Habra High School and Sonora High School.

Wu and senior Alex Perez were selected to be on the All-Tournament team.

The Lady Brahmas are expected to reach the CIF playoffs after having lost in the second round of the CIF playoffs last year. The team finished with an overall record of 1811 and a league record of 7-5. The Lady Brahmas hope to keep their momentum going when they play in the Ayala Tournament.

“We just forgot about the loss and played our own game.”

—Coach Tony McCabe

SPORTS

THE BULL’S EYE

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SPORTS

16

Diamond Bar is unable to clinch the game in the final minutes BOYS BASKETBALL | The Brahmas fall short losing 47-42 to Glendora High School.

BY WINSTON CHO SPORTS EDITOR Coming down to the final seconds of the game, the Diamond Bar High School boys basketball team was unable to clinch the victory against the Glendora High School Tartans on Friday. Despite a momentous comeback in the fourth quarter led by senior Sam Ting, DBHS could not get over the hump, losing 47-42.

The Tartans had an obvious size advantage as their frontcourt players towered above the Brahma forwards. Despite this, DBHS started the game off strong, draining jumpers and getting to the basket frequently.

Senior co-captain Marcus Favela then took a hard fall driving to the hoop. Although he stayed in the game for the next couple of possession, he was substituted out shortly after never regaining the same aggressiveness. This was but one of many no calls favoring the Tartans which shifted the momentum of the game. “It is what it is. The officials don’t have any fans in the gym. They did their job and we needed to do our job and not put them in a situation like that,” Coach Ty Watkins said.

DBHS then found itself facing an 11-point deficit. However, the Brahmas slowly clawed their way back forcing multiple turnovers through a full-court press to shorten the deficit to five points, ending the first half 16-21.

DBHS picked Glendora of the ball twice to start the second half but were unable to convert the layups. Senior co-captain Christian Manalo, in turn, drove past the towers that is the Tartan frontcourt and made the baskets that eluded DBHS all game long. However, this aggressive attitude on defense backfired on the Brahmas as they

committed several fouls attempting to force turnovers. This resulted in multiple free throws for the Tartans, allowing them to stretch their lead and stunting the Brahma comeback.

DBHS was finally able to tie the game late in the fourth quarter but its foul trouble allowed for Glendora to shoot its way back to the lead. Despite this, the boys continued to fight. Unfortunately, Glendora continued its hot shooting streak, extending the lead after every Brahma comeback.

Although Ting was able to make timely baskets including an andone and a jumper, DBHS could not get stops. “I played pretty well but I still have some issues I still need to fix,” Ting admitted.

The Tartans were simply too big for the Brahmas to get past. DBHS suffered multiple scoring droughts, including a seven-point first quarter and a nine-point second quarter. Glendora also played a zone intermittently throughout the game to confuse the Brahma offense.

Although the Brahmas made key runs during the second and fourth quarters, they simply could not get stops to take the lead in the game.

Glendora’s size also gave them several second-chance points and blocked shots. “We played hard but we lost focus by committing a lot of fouls towards the end of the game,” said sophomore Kenneth Thai.

This loss drops DBHS’s record to 1-3 in the young preseason.

The team has been playing tough teams in preparation for the grind of league play. “Our schedule is monstrous. Hopefully, the competition we’re playing will get us ready for league. We may not have the best record because we’re playing some of the best teams in the state but we’re getting better and that’s our goal,” Watkins commented.

MAKING IT RAIN - Senior Sam Ting pulls up for a jumper to lead the Brahmas’ comeback.

UPCOMING GAMES Boys Basketball

(6:45 PM)

Girls Basketball

Wrestling

(5:00 PM)

(6:30 PM)

Boys Soccer

AUSTIN KONG

12/14/12-1/30/13 (5:30 PM)

Girls Soccer

(5:30 PM)

12/19 vs Upland

1/2 @ Los Altos

12/18 vs Northview

12/14 @ St. John Bosco

1/2 vs Los Altos

1/2

@ Los Altos

1/4 vs West Covina

1/10 vs Rowland

1/2

@ Los Altos

1/4 @ West Covina

1/4

vs West Covina

1/7 @ Ayala

1/15 vs Walnut

1/4

vs West Covina

1/8 @ Diamond Ranch

1/9

vs Diamond Ranch

1/9 vs Diamond Ranch

1/17 vs Bonita

1/8

vs Diamond Ranch 1/15 vs Walnut

1/16 @ Walnut

1/19 @ Troy

1/15 @ Walnut

1/17 @ Rowland

1/18 vs Rowland

1/24 @ West Covina

1/17 vs Rowland

1/21 vs Bonita

1/21 @ Bonita

1/29 @ Diamond Ranch

1/21 @ Bonita

1/22 @ Los Altos

1/22 vs Los Altos

1/24 vs West Covina

1/25 @ West Covina

1/24 @ West Covina

1/30 @ Diamond Ranch

1/29 @ Diamond Ranch

1/29 vs Diamond Ranch

1/16 @ Walnut 1/18 vs Rowland 1/21 @ Bonita 1/23 vs Los Altos 1/25 @ West Covina 1/30 @ Diamond Ranch

1/23 vs Los Altos