February 2015 by The Bull's Eye

ALUMNI: JENNY TING

opinion 4

Past Athletic

feature 6

a&e 10

the bull’s eye •

OPINION

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F E AT U RE

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PRINCIPAL

STUDENT POLL

Vaccination

NEWS

OF VICE

OSCARS

TERRY

A View on

LIFE

inside the issue

sports 15

FEBRUARY 25, 2015 Volume XXXIII, Issue VI ONLINE at dbbullseye.com

ART S & E N TE RTA I N ME N T

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S P O RT S

Creating change around campus Four APES classes will be implementing projects focused on DBHS environmental issues. bernard chen asst. news editor This year, the four AP Environmental Science classes at Diamond Bar High School will be xeriscaping, building solar carports, holding a T-shirt recycling drive, and reducing paper usage, as part of projects APES classes plan each year. The project, which is part of each students’ grade, is planned and completed by classes themselves. Every class elects a president who then assigns various other positions and leaders. Xeriscaping is the focus of teacher David Hong’s third period class. Nicknamed Xeri, the project promotes replacing nonnative plants, such as grass and turf, with indigenous species native to our area. The class will be attempting to convert grassy areas on the DBHS campus to areas with succulents and other more drought-resistant plants. The inspiration for the project came from a brief mention of it in the APES textbook. The Metropolitan Water District is also giving a rebate on removing grass to promote water conservation, so it was the most financially realistic idea for the class. “[Other ideas] just seemed like they would be way too expensive or impractical, and this definitely seemed like one of the most practical ones, while also covering the issue of water conversation, which is so important, especially because we’re in a drought,” senior Ruben Reyes Jr., the project’s president, said. The project team has spoken with Principal Catherine Real and is waiting to hear back from the school district to see whether the project is approved. Xeri also has a website, on which the class plans to release educational materials. For example, the team might upload a story book which can be brought to elementary schools in an effort to educate the youth on water conservation. Reyes hopes to have some of the project’s xeriscaping done on campus by May, when he and other students of the class graduate. Meanwhile, Greg Valor’s period four APES class plans on implementing stations in DBHS’

˃˃ APES on p.2

A look into the growing popularity of e-cigarettes with Diamond Bar students. See pages 8 and 9.

Scholastic stars shine in art, writing Seven Brahmas receive awards in a national art and writing competition. frances wu asst. news editor

ANDREW CHOI

The members showed their skills at the recent Performing Arts Rally after taking first place at two competitions within the last month.

Color Guard holds dominance

Just a few weeks into its competition season, Color Guard already has several successes under its belt. calvin ru staff writer Spinning flags and tossing rifles and sabers up in the air, members of Diamond Bar High School’s color guard put up a spectacular show at the Bakersfield Regional Competition on February 2 held by Winter Guard International. The team

outshined their opponents and earned top marks from the judges, placing first with a score of 67.560. The scoring rubric was based on four categories: vocabulary, design, general effect, and execution. Vocabulary is the choreography of the performance and is tied in with the design; the coaches helped the performers create the theme and routines that would accompany it. General effect judges how hyped the audience was during the performance, and execution is based on how well the choreography was

˃˃ FLAGS on p.2

It’s no secret that many students at Diamond Bar High School have talent, and recently, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards proved this once again by recognizing seven Brahmas for their submissions in the annual contest. Writers Brian Chang, Irene Chang, Gaby Dinh, and Frances Song and artists Joseph Chang, Eunice Chung, and Connie Mach received various awards for their entries in several different categories. There are three levels of regional recognition: Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention. With her personal essay, titled “9 Words Irrational, 1 Word Sane,” Gaby Dinh was awarded a Gold Key while Frances Song, Brian Chang, and Irene Chang all received honorable mention: Song for her personal essay, “Home, as Told through the Five Senses,” Chang for both his short story, titled “Snapshot,” and his critical essay, “Internet Aff,” and Chang for her short story, “Clair de Lune.” Meanwhile in the art category, three students received Silver Keys for their submitted works. Joseph

Chang received a Silver Key in the category, “Drawing and Illustration,” for his art entry, titled “Building Blocks of Life,” Eunice Chung was awarded for her paintings, “Largo” and “Vivace,” and Connie Mach for her paintings, “Track,” and “After the Rain.” Brian Chang, who entered in the contest and received honorable mention last year as well, was encouraged to submit his works by a summer school teacher. “Think about what you want to write in small chunks. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, thinking you have to finish your entire story in one sitting; spread it out so it’s easier to write,” he said via Facebook. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have been held annually since 1923, making it the longest running competition for teenagers in the United States. Today, over 90,000 students around the country in grades seven through 12 submit a total of over 185,000 works in 28 different art and writing categories each year. While regional awards have already been designated, works are still being considered for national awards. All works that receive Gold Keys are sent to New York City, where the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers hosts a panel of judges that selects entries that

˃˃ SCHOLASTIC on p.3

NEWS

Students will utilize class information for these projects

mapping out everything that we need to do, and we will kick off as soon as we find an exact date for our T-shirt drive,” junior president April Song said via Facebook. In the future, Song hopes to have a lasting impact on the environment, possibly by holding APES from p.1 annual T-shirt recycling events. In addition, the class plans on doparking lot to provide shade, gen- nating the reusable bags to local erate electricity, and “mitigate supermarkets in the process. the effects of the urban heatTheresa Hebert’s second period ing iron.” The problem the class class is also focusing on the idea found with the school was that of recycling and conservation, there was little to no shade in the but with paper instead of cloth. parking lot and that most of the The project, titled Leaf the Paper sun’s energy was being absorbed Behind, looks to reduce paper usinto the concrete or into the cars, age on campus and raise awarethus wasting heat and energy. ness of the amount of paper that “The inspiration for the proj- is used on campus. ect came from “We are workjust looking ing on many “My whole goal is to get out into our things, but the them environmentally school parking main focus is on aware ... It’s neat to see lot and noticour social media them take charge and go ing a problem outlets, schedfor it.” with a very viuling meetings able solution. with school adGREG VALOR Our idea was ministrators to just to harness pitch our ideas, that energy and turn it into us- and think of ideas about fundraisable electricity,” senior campaign ing,” senior president Daniel Shin president Saakib Akbany said via said via Facebook. Facebook. The purpose of the project is While executing this project to raise student awareness of enwould involve a tremendous ef- vironmental issues, get students fort, it would require an even big- interested in environmental sciger budget. As a result, Akbany ences and implement a solution puts fundraising as the class’ top for issues that will last. Valor, priority. Akbany contacted U.S. who teaches two of the four classRepresentative Ed Royce, whom es, has even received emails from he met in a congressional trip in previous APES students in appreWashington, D.C., and Royce said ciation for the project. Some past that he would be more than happy students have even changed their to help the project with grants. major to Environmental Sciences Plastic conservation is Valor’s because of their experience from first period’s concentration. The these projects. class plans to hold a T-shirt drive “My whole goal, is to get them in which participants donate old environmentally aware. It’s all shirts that would be recycled into run by the students; they do evplastic grocery bags. erything. It’s neat to see them “We are still in the beginning take charge and go for it,” Valor stages of the project, but we are said.

the staff Editors-in-Chief News Editor Asst. News Editors Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editors

Katlyn Lee, Joseph Park Yusheng Xia Bernard Chen, Frances Wu Hanna Kang Eric Hong, Sasha Rivera

Feature Editor Asst. Feature Editor A&E Editor Asst. A&E Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

Emily Leung Michelle Ki, Victoria Ly Emily Wong Lilly Ball, Vrinda Chauhan Andrew Choi, Joseph Park James Kil

Photo Editor Business Manager Asst. Business Manager Web Editor Asst. Web Editors Staff Writers Advisor

Andrew Choi Emily Leung Vrinda Chauhan Katlyn Lee Gaby Dinh, Evon Hung Calvin Ru, Nadia Lee, Sarah Markiewicz Doug List

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The unflagging efforts of the team members pay off

Tech-Nicole Accomplishments

FLAGS from p.1 paired with the other elements. The Bakersfield competition, with 12 participating schools, was one of the first major color guard competitions this season. In this competition, the team used “Cinderella” as the theme for their performance and performed to an acappella version of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. Despite the seemingly simple performance, learning this routine was anything but. Many members had difficulty mastering the moves in the beginning, but as color guard practiced more, everything fell into place and the show ran smoothly. Two weeks before the event, the color guard members spent every other day perfecting their performance in several different areas to create a similar atmosphere to that of the actual competition. However the team faced several challenges, one of which included noisy practice locations, which made it hard to hear the music and concentrate during practice. The installation of new coaches in the past two years was also difficult because many changes were implemented within a short amount of time. “Since we got new coaches pretty recently, I expect [the members] to try to help others so that when it comes towards the end of season [so] everyone will be content with what they put through throughout the season,” senior co-captain Nika Villaverde stated. Last school year, coaches Rob Brett and Brent Dunlap took over and helped guide color guard through a strong undefeated season. This school year, the team almost recreated this record, with a single blemish being a loss to the Riverside Kings. Coach Anna Tran joined the two coaches as they pushed all the members to train harder in every aspect of the routine. “I believe it’s safe to say, there’s evidence and proof the team is doing fantastic and it’s just going to get better from here on out for Diamond Bar High School Color guard,” coach Tran said. A week after the Bakersfield competition, color guard placed second out of fifteen teams at the WGI Riverside Regional Competition.

Photos courtesy of DBHS BRAHMA TECH ACADEMY

Nicole Chen (left) and Leslie Sim were both runner-ups in this years awards.

Two DB girls win honors for their success in a predominantly male field. nadia lee staff writer As technology continues to advance, Diamond Bar High School senior Nicole Chen and sophomore Leslie Sim refuse to be left behind in the dust. Participating in a competition held by the National Center for Women in Information Technology for a scholarship opportunity, these two Brahma Tech students displayed their talents as promising leaders for the future. The NCWIT is an organization that assembles girls interested in the STEM—science, technology, engineering and mathematics— subjects. The purpose of this program is to reduce the inequality between genders in these areas of studies by encouraging more girls to consider these fields as their future careers. Though she was solely the state winner in last year’s contest, Chen was chosen as both the state champion for the second time in a row and as a national runner-up this year. “I didn’t really have [any] reactions, but I am excited about the award ceremony because I got an iPad mini last year,” Chen said. A couple months ago, Brahma Tech advisor Alina Gallardo informed the Brahma Tech students about a scholarship opportunity

more on THE WEB LOVE IS IN THE AIR By Evon Hung A writer introduces some of her favorite songs that promote different forms of love. NOW SHOWING: SPONGEBOB: SPONGE OUT OF WATER By Vrinda Chauhan The latest Spongebob movie is a far cry from the lovable TV series and disappoints. NEW YEAR, NEW BOOKS By Frances Wu Five new releases that are sure to create interest in young adult fiction.

FRESHMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE DEBUNKING MYTHS: GRADES DON’T MATTER By Sarah Markiewicz While grades aren’t everything, it’s best to start maintaining grades in freshman year. Arming Pakistani teachers to defend against Taliban By Eric Hong A look into Pakistan and the defense of their students against Taliban and the true value of education.

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called the Aspirations in Computing Award from the NCWIT. This award’s true purpose is to target high school girls for their computing related achievements and interests. This year out of over 2500 applicants, there were 35 national winners along with 350 runner ups who received this award. Chen believes that one of the key aspects to her success was the technology itself. “I think knowing your passion is very important. Once you find it, you’ll be able to go extremely far. I think that’s what contributes to the little bit of success I’ve had with technology in the past few years. I truly enjoy what I do. It gets extremely tiring at times, but at the end of the day, you know you’re doing the right thing and it builds character,” Chen stated. Unlike Chen, who already had experience with the application process, Sim applied for the first time this year not knowing what to expect. “I just wanted to be honest in my answers about technology and describe what it meant to me,” Sim said. For her, technology gave her multiple new opportunities and caused her to recognize the large role it plays in her life. Though she is only in her second year of high school, Sim is already deeply involved in Brahma Tech along with some of Diamond Bar High School’s clubs: Technology Student Association, Math Club, the Health Occupations Students of America and the National Honor Society. She plans on majoring in a STEM field when she goes to college, but is still open to other options. “I think I realized the importance of technology in my freshman year, which was when I joined TSA and Brahma Tech. [These organizations] really showed me how technology could be integrated into every part of my daily life as well be a very useful part of a future career. Technology is a part of every career now—whether it’s a medical career, an engineering career, or a liberal arts career, technology can be useful,” Sim said. Sim was chosen to receive the Affiliate Runner Up award, meaning that she is now officially considered a part of the NCWIT program and is also a runner up for the regional winner. “I was stoked. To be honest, I completely wasn’t expecting the award when I applied for it. I just expressed what I thought, and I was fortunate enough to receive the award!” Sim stated. Both students will be attending the NCWIT conference in the spring to be recognized and awarded for their outstanding achievements. They will be offered opportunities such as scholarships, internships, and research experiences that will allow them to discover new pathways to their success.

NEWS

THE BULL'S EYE

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

NEWSBITS GEORGIA

ENGLAND

Ever had a bad haircut? An Atlanta barber is offering an option called the “Benjamin Button Special” free of charge as a punishment for disobedient kids. The haircut is styled to resemble the head of a balding elderly man, one shave straight down the center with the back and sides left in place. The first victim to receive the special was the barber’s twelve year old son, whose grades “dramatically skyrocketed” after receiving the haircut.

While most dogs learn rather ordinary tricks such as to sit or stay, Brac the Border Collie has a more unique talent. Brac can surpass any princess, not only with balancing books on his head, but also with stacks of oranges, wine glasses, and even Jenga towers. Not only can he balance objects on his head, the 10 year old dog can also open and close doors, as well as turn the TV on and off. His proud owners, Sally and Paul Turner, report that he has loved balancing objects as early as six months old.

QUEBEC A mere seven seconds can mean the world to some people. This is the case for Quebec’s Joel Ifergan, who purchased a winning lottery ticket seven seconds too late to claim the $21.3 million prize. Ifergan bought the ticket after the deadline, so the money went to another ticket holder whose numbers matched the winning ones. Although he brought the case to the Supreme Court, the case was rejected. However, he still has hopes and will continue to purchase lottery tickets.

Photo courtesy of BRAHMA TECH ACADEMY

The seniors create tri-fold boards to display information about the work that they have completed and what they have learned during their time at their internship to help underclassmen gather information for the future.

Intern experiences retold Brahma Tech hosted its second annual Internship Fair for underclassmen. bernard chen asst. news editor

Photo courtesy of DAILY MAIL

ARIZONA

ENGLAND

It’s that time of year again, when Girl Scouts sell their famous Samoas and Thin Mints. The 600 troops of the Girl Scouts Arizona CactusPine Council made $355,000 after selling more than 88,700 boxes of cookies. They decided to increase sales by taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl. The council wanted to set a Guinness World Record so they sent in a submission for a “cookie-selling” category. Guinness complied and set a base requirement for at least $75,000 worth of cookies sold in 24 hours, which the council easily surpassed.

As Zoe Butler opened a can of tuna as a snack for her children, she was greeted with a pair of beady eyes staring right back at her. After Butler sent pictures to the tuna company Prince, it claimed that the creature was an adolescent Megalopia, a small crab. Contradictory to what the company said, however, Stuart Heine, the identification and advisory service manager of the Natural History Museum, believes the specimen is a Cymothoa exigura, a tongue-eating louse. Butler has various theories proposed to her on Twitter, but no one knows the exact species of the dead creature.

Each year, juniors from the Diamond Bar High School Brahma Tech Academy are required to work as an intern over the summer to graduate from the program. Luckily for those students that struggled finding an internship opportunity, the senior class shared advice and guidance to Brahma Tech juniors through DBHS’s second annual internship fair. The fair was held after school in the Golden Horseshoe on Feb. 4 and 5. The purpose of the event was to encourage interaction between the different classes so that the underclassmen could gain experience from the graduating class’ displays and presentations. It was also a way for the juniors to explore careers in the various fields that the seniors worked in, as part of an internship class juniors are required to take and attend several times after school. The event was mandatory for seniors to receive credit on their internships as well. “[We hope the event] inspires

A dramatic forest

them to prepare and start thinking about what they want to do with their career,” Brahma Tech student president Amy Zhu said in regards to the juniors at the event. Each senior created a tri-fold display and prepared a presentation with bits of information regarding their respective internships. The information shared included how they prepared for the internship, what they learned during their time there, and what they did and accomplished as interns. In total, 42 seniors shared their internship experiences over the two days. Many of the students

“[We hope the event] inspires them to prepare and start thinking about what they want to do...” AMY ZHU interned at programs with applications and an extensive admittance process while others worked at companies around the local area, which didn’t require any applications. Each provided his or her own take on the professional atmosphere they worked in as well as the qualities needed to intern at each program. “Definitely make your resume

The awards have been held annually since 1923 SCHOLASTIC from p.1 will receive either Gold Medal, Silver Medal, or the American Visions or Voices Medal. In addition to recognizing creative young minds for their literary and artistic talent, the Awards are a large source of scholarships for high school students. For example, in the writing portfolio category, which is only open to

ANDREW CHOI

Acting out and lip-syncing at the recent Performing Arts Rally on Feb. 13, the Advanced Drama students performed the opening number of their upcoming spring musical, “Into the Woods,” which is scheduled to debut on April 23.

very strong. Try to write a great essay because that’s actually something people look at. And definitely show an interest in the internship you’re going to,” senior Joshua Christian-Miller said. Christian was a former intern at the USC Keck School of Medicine and conducted research on biomedical proteins in order to work toward a cheaper and safer alternative to chemotherapy. Ray Dui, another intern at USC, researched upon the power consumption of platinum in electronics. He encourages future interns and applicants to never stop asking questions. “If they feel like their bothering their mentor, they probably are, but that’s how you do it. That’s the best way,” Dui said. As for the event itself, Zhu and Alina Gallardo, head of the Brahma Tech program at DBHS, plan on spreading the event more to underclassmen in the future instead of inviting solely on juniors. They hope to provide students with earlier insight about what’s to come regarding internships and college. “Brahma Tech is always evolving. Every year, we expand, we enhance, we improve. It’s really meant to help the freshmen and sophomores to see what’s required to get an internship,” Gallardo said.

“Think about what you want to write ... Don’t put too much pressure on yourself...” BRIAN CHANG seniors, 15 Gold Medalists receive $10,000 and numerous scholarship opportunities from over 60 colleges, universities, and summer programs each year. The Awards have recognized several notable figures in past years, including Truman Capote, noted author of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “In Cold Blood,” in 1932, fashion designer Zac Posen in 1998, and pop artist Andy Warhol in 1945.

4 OPINION

EYE OF THE EDITORS

FROM THE BRAHMA PERSPECTIVE:

VAPING: This rising trend of electronic smoking has been shown to be detrimental to health and may be a gateway to smoking real cigarettes.

een smoking has been on the decline over the past few years, as more and more teenagers have found their way to what is supposedly a healthier alternative to the cancer causing, teeth rotting effects of a cigarette. As of 2015, “vaping” has become the new trend in the teenage life with e-cigarettes rising in popularity throughout schools. Diamond Bar High School is no exception to this trend and countless students have taken up e-cigarettes as described in the article on the device in this issue of the Bull’s Eye. However, while the media and advertisements suggest that e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative that offers little to none of the dangers caused by regular cigarettes, science paints a different picture that is quite smoky. The past years have seen high school vaping statistics reach record highs with over 16 percent of 12th graders reportedly having vaped within the past 30 days in a study done by University of Michigan. Most who take up vaping

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

believe that it is harmless to the body due to absence of cancer causing substances associated with a regular cigarette. In addition, recent additions of flavored vapor juices make e-cigarettes highly attractive to younger generations of users. Deceptive advertising combined with teenagers’ ignorance of the harmful effects ecigarettes have on their bodies and minds have persuaded many to take up an activity that could be highly detrimental to one’s future. Dangers exist in the use of e-cigarettes. Vaping at an early age can often lead individuals to take up smoking later on in their life, as reported by the Journal of American Medical Association. Many ecigarette users inhale large amounts of nicotine, oftentimes in greater amounts than are present in a regular cigarette. This increased usage gives the users a strong addiction to nicotine, making it difficult to quit over time. While there are many nicotine-free cartridges offered, even those have been reported to con-

tain nanoparticles of metals that could have harmful effects on one’s body. Furthermore, studies by the University of Rochester have shown e-cigarette flavorings to be damaging to lung cells of vapers. This problem exists for adult ecigarette users and is even more dangerous to teenagers, whose lungs haven’t fully developed. Sellers frequently refer to e-cigarettes as a tool for smokers to quit smoking, not as a cool activity for minors under the age of 18. Currently in California, it is illegal for marketers to sell e-cigarettes to minors. In addition, state health officials have called for a campaign to combat the use of e-cigarettes in the state and educate students of the dangers posed by vaping. It is finally time for people to realize that ecigarettes are a huge detriment to one’s health and should be monitored. With a collective effort, it will be possible to prove to the up-and-coming generation that while e-cigarettes offer many different flavors, the overall effect isn’t so sweet.

Measles return

“What are your general thoughts on vaping?”

KIMI TAIRA (12)

TERENCE TING (9)

“Initially I was unaware of what vaping was, but personally I wouldn’t condone people who do those actions and wouldn’t carry them out myself.”

“I think e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative but I also think students will get used to smoking, and they might move on to actual cigarettes.”

CHRYSHELE ENIERGA (11)

AARON LEE (10)

“I think vapes are okay but only if students are of age. It really helps adults stop smoking so I think people should encourage it but not to the underage.”

“I don’t think students should be using e-cigarettes at a young age and I think using it in class is wrong. It bothers the class because of the smell.”

SERIOUSLY SATIRICAL

Negligent parents who refuse to vaccinate their children have created a health risk for the public. emily wong a&e editor

n 1963, scientists and public health officials celebrated the release of the measles vaccine and the accompanying hope that the deadly airborne disease that had afflicted three to four million people each year would be gone for good. And for a while, it did seem that way, with officials announcing the eradication of measles 15 years ago. Little did they know, the highly contagious virus would materialize once again, instigating an impending—and commendable— California law to mandate the vaccination for everyone. For a while, many parents opted out of the vaccination due to the published works of Dr. Andrew Wakefield linking the vaccine to autism (a belief I like to call Jenny McCarthyism). He was later found to have falsified his data and his medical license was revoked. Still, the rise in anti-vaccination parents (and simultaneously, the progressive loss of common sense) has led to a recent outbreak of the deadly virus, originating in Disneyland. Measles is no joke; it can kill you and others around you. Refusing to vaccinate your child is a selfish act that infringes not only on your children’s own health but also on the health of those around them. Like all vaccines, the measles vaccine is not 100% effective, as shown by the few vaccinated Disneyland measles victims. However, since its release, the measles vaccine has dropped the number of measles cases in the U.S. to near extinction, thus proving it to be a very effective

form of immunization. In addition, booster vaccines are available. Even in the off chance that you do contract measles, vaccination will still diminish your symptoms significantly. In addition, the spread of infection is interrupted, even for susceptible individuals, when a large number of a population is vaccinated, a concept called herd immunity. A required measles vaccination would ensure this occurs. Some argue that forcing parents to vaccinate their children is a stepping stone to a totalitarian government. Yet, this belief is merely an extension of paranoia. When there is a serious health threat to the population, the government should take the necessary precautions to extinguish that threat. Mandating the measles vaccination is no different than mandating the whooping cough vaccine, which has been required for California students since 2010. Both protect the health of students and faculty and do not open the floodgates to microchip injections and other governmental overstepping. Arguing otherwise is a ludicrous slippery slope fallacy that deviates from the matter at hand. I am usually not one to approve of the government’s attempts to encroach on citizens’ rights to make their own decisions. However, the possibility that the health of my future child and society is jeopardized by the idiot who refused to immunize their child calls for a mandated action that will protect everyone. The fact that I have to argue for what looks like a win-win situation is absurd. In this case, it truly is better to be safe than sorry.

vrinda chauhan asst. a&e editor arent/ Guardian:

On behalf of the school administration of Burlington Elementary School, I would like to inform you about recent changes made to our policy. Due to two separate incidents in which students brought baked goods on campus, the school has placed a ban on such items. For those of you who do not know, last week, two fourth graders at this distinguished Kentucky School were found with boxes of cupcakes. It was later concluded that the students were distributing the treats to their peers, in order to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends. The students were discovered loitering on campus after school and enjoying cupcakes after singing Happy Birthday to the student who brought these cupcakes. Rest assured, our faculty moderated the situation by disposing of the 150-calorie treats, ensuring that no student had become obese as a result of the cupcake. The students’ body mass indexes were measured, and fortunately, only one was found to have increased

by a whole 2 percent. The student is now being treated by specialists in order to restore his health. The other partakers are now facing consequences for defying school rules. The school does not condone such atrocious actions within our student body and is consequently taking up the responsibility of moderating what our students eat by proposing a no tolerance policy for all things sweet and baked. As

addiction rates to these unhealthy items continue to rise in America, it is imperative that we receive support from parents and community to exert our full efforts into making our school a dessert-free zone. We hope to address the root of obesity in America by removing sweets from our campus, and we have decided the best possible way

to achieve this is by instituting a ban. Bans have proven to be effective (just take Prohibition, for example). We are hoping that, with this policy, children will forget about sweets as they grow older. School is the only place children are even offered sweets, so the amount of sweets consumed, as well as obesity rates, should decline radically with this policy. By associating fear and taboo with desserts, students will never be tempted to indulge in these sweets again. After all, associating guilt with all that is delicious is the ideal mindset for a healthier American future. Hopefully, in the future, these students will have the conflicted “I know I shouldn’t eat dessert but I can’t help myself” attitude that this policy strives for; we must take baby steps in order to achieve this. Our administration would also like to offer our support for any students an KATLYN LEE undergoing addiction. Students may speak to our school psychiatrist about ways to help them rid their deadly habits. Burlington Elementary is working toward a more healthy future, not only for our students, but for America as well. Sincerely, Principal Swete

OPINION

THE BULL'S EYE

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

THE DB BUBBLE

HANNA'S HARANGUES

Combating Islamic extremism with Goldilocks approach

The Obama administration fails to acknowledge the imminent crisis caused by the Islamic State and has only put forth an ineffective plan of action. hanna kang opinion editor

“Y

Cartoon courtesy of MEGAN LEE

pro

of the existential nature of what we confronted during World War II or during the Cold War,” Rice went on to offer a bit of advice, saying: “We cannot afford to be buffeted by alarmism and a nearly instantaneous new cycle.” The Obama administration simply cannot continue on with its Goldilocks approach to the imminent crisis. The disengaging foreign policy led by the administration is threatening the security of international citizens all around the globe. Airstrikes are not enough. America has to apply national power by empowering its every component and setting them in sync. The very seed of Islamic extremism must be completely eradicated. There is no easy way out of this fight. Condone, or condemn. Nothing else in between. In fact, the rise of ISIS is the byproduct of a lack of a formidable American presence in the Middle East. This powerful group stemmed from al-Qaeda, which made a comeback after the premature withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011. Boots must be set on the ground once more. The September morning when the United States, the once-impregnable fortress, shattered, must never recur. As the leader of the free world, President Obama must condemn Islamic extremism and do everything it takes to protect the safety of its people. After all, “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”

Should students recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

victoria ly asst. feature editor

PRO|

et to defeat an enemy, you first must admit they exist, and this we have not done.” The words of Former Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn invariably resonates in my head on almost any occasion President Obama decides to pull one of his foolish acts, which I have resorted to calling “Obamas.” If only the Commander-in-Chief thought the same. Speaking at the National Press Club on Feb.17, Attorney General Eric Holder lashed out at Fox News for fixating a good amount of its coverage on the President’s inability of properly labeling ISIS as Islamic, specifically radical Islam. He said: “We spend more time, more time talking about what you call it, as opposed to what do you do about it, you know? I mean really. If Fox didn’t talk about this, they would have nothing else to talk about, it seems to me.” I clearly understand where Holder is coming from. The fact that most levelheaded people would search for viable solutions when placed in a sticky situation is a given. However, I find it absolutely pathetic that Holder is the one voicing such things (once again, wholly missing the target) when

frankly, the Obama administration only recycles its talking points over and over again to the point where the American people need an explanation for them. The future looks bleak with a president who refuses to do something as simple as to recognize that the Islamic State is, well, Islamic. Albeit the stated goal of the Islamic militants is to establish a caliphate in the Middle East, President Obama repeatedly asserts that the organization is not affiliated with Islam. Instead, in his speech at his summit on countering violent extremism, Obama stated, “Islam has been woven into the fabric of our country since its founding.” Purely delusional. The enemy must be identified. No strategy will fall into place if we do not identify the enemy—an Islamist ideology that “promotes the slaughter of innocent people to support a radical agenda.” I am in no way tying in the entire Muslim population with this ideology; the vast majority of Muslims are peaceloving. Nevertheless, we must be clear that ISIS is perpetrating heinous acts in the name of Allah. Via an article published on Politico Magazine, Flynn stressed that it would be “foolish for us to wait until [ISIS] poses an existential threat before taking decisive action,” directly crossing swords with National Security Adviser Susan Rice who stated otherwise in a speech at the Brookings Institute. After contending that ISIS is “not

In recent years, the Pledge of Allegiance has become a source of controversy rather than a decree of patriotism for our country. Our flag salute is constantly being castigated as an unnecessary part of our educational curriculum—one that supposedly infringes the First Amendment right of the Constitution and draws prejudices against other religions. Yet, despite these accusations, saluting the flag of the United States of America is in no way a violation of rights; it’s simply an act of patriotism. The American flag has long played an important role in representing our nation. Thus, abstaining from saluting it would be committing a huge disservice to not only our country, but also to the millions who have fought to protect our rights and secure our nation’s beliefs in battle. In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that the Free Speech Clause protects students from being forced to salute the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school, meaning that students can voluntarily choose not to participate during the Pledge. Although California, along with a few other states, doesn’t mandate the recitation of the pledge in schools, it is still a necessary part of American tradition and should not be taken for granted. Many also make the argument that the act of pledging allegiance to a country is characteristic of fascist regimes. Before 1942, America adopted the Bellamy salute, which

bore a similar resemblance to the Seig Heils given during Nazi rallies, in which the right arm is extended in the air with a straightened hand. It is only a coincidence though; our nations shared similar gestures, because we both adopted this salute from the ancient Romans. Nonetheless, President Franklin D. Roosevelt rewrote the Flag Code to the customary hand-over-heart gesture. Congress added the phrase “Under God” to the pledge during the Cold War to make further distinctions from the American nation to that of the communist, atheistic Soviet Union. Since then, many have attempted to remove the presence of those words, demanding that the pledge be banned in schools on grounds that it discriminates against other religious beliefs. Yet, in this case, standing or even saying the Pledge of Allegiance is a choice one can make. If students feel as though the flag salute is discriminatory, they can choose not to participate because saying the pledge is completely voluntary and thus, there is no reason to get rid of it. Here in Diamond Bar High School, reciting the pledge is a rare occurrence. It may be said once a week—that is, if USB remembers to include it along with the announcements. This inconsistency causes many students to overlook the value of the pledge. Pledging your allegiance to the flag of the U.S. should be considered an obligation. Yet, the vast majority of us disregard this amongst many other things we take for granted on a day-to-day basis. To eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance completely from our schools would be removing a piece of American history—one that, along with the national anthem, will fade in due time if not taught to the future generations.

sasha rivera asst. opinion editor

CON|

Even though the Pledge of Allegiance is not announced every Monday in Diamond Bar High School, there are still teachers on campus that make students recite it every day in class. The words are ingrained into our minds but, are they really necessary? With its religious discrimination and eerie similarity to the actions of totalitarian states, this nationalistic oath has become a subject of controversy. Two words, “under God,” have especially raised the most debate over the pledge. Originally, the pledge, written by Francis Bellamy, did not include any religious references. The words “under God” were not added until June 1954 by President Eisenhower and a joint resolution of Congress as part of the Cold War anti-communist movement. However, these words favor only certain religions, even though America is a diverse country with citizens of various cultural and religious backgrounds. Moreover, separation of church and state should prohibit the words “under God” in school. Also, if the First Amendment supports all religions, it shouldn’t discriminate like it does in the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge, in contrast, references only one deity. Although the West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette case deemed forced recitation of pledge in schools to be unconstitutional, there are still instances where students face consequences for refusing to partake in the oath. In one instance, accord-

con

ing to the Tampa Bay Times, a fourth grader from Explorer K-8 School did not recite the pledge on 9/11 due to his religious beliefs since Jehovah’s Witnesses are forbidden from worshipping objects. His teacher took his hand and forcefully placed it over his heart despite his protests and told him that as an American he had to salute the flag. “In my classroom, everyone will do the pledge; no religion says that you can’t do the pledge. If you can’t put your hand on your heart, then you need to move out of the country,” the teacher reportedly told the class, according to several students. She was suspended for five days without pay and instructed to attend diversity training The U.S. claims to be a country of freedom and democracy, yet it pressures and somewhat forces students into reciting the Pledge of Allegiance from childhood, almost brainwashing them from a young age before they even have comprehension of politics, religion or American history. Children should at least know what they are getting themselves into before swearing such immense loyalty to a flag and country. Many students, including myself, feel peer pressure to recite the pledge because we’ve been trained since childhood to robotically say the pledge from memory and to conform to the patriotic ideal. However, I do not feel comfortable swearing complete loyalty to a country built upon slavery and oppression of native people that promises in its pledge “liberty and justice for all,” especially since many injustices and forms of discrimination continue to run rampant in its borders today. While I still feel pressured into standing, I refuse to place my hand over my heart and recite those words.

FEATURE

ALUMNI

S P OT L I G HT

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

Brahma ON THE COURT

michelle ki asst. feature editor Let’s face it. Most students don’t walk out of Diamond Bar High School thinking they’ll be able to make a living out of being a professional cheerleader—let alone a Los Angeles Laker Girl. However, DBHS alumna Jenny Ting achieved her stardom, pursuing her lifelong dream. In high school, Ting was mainly involved in Dance Team, the hip hop club, CSF, and Journalism. Although she started dancing as a hobby, it evolved into a passion for her. Her love for dancing also led her to become a Laker Girl. However this season, Ting decided not to try out, and instead to put her sole focus on her current occupation as a realtor. “I completed two amazing years, and it was time to move on into the next chapter of my life. Focusing on [real estate] and with the Lakers schedule [became] very demanding. I have been licensed for five years, so I’ve been enjoying real estate a lot,” Ting said. Born and raised in Taiwan, Ting moved to California at the age of 10. Learning English as a second language was a huge obstacle to face, but after two years, she was able to adapt and fluently understand English. “While attending high school, it was not the easiest path as a student that did not fit in. I remember struggling to make friends and finding my own personality. There were a few years of bullying and hard times. It took me a few years to overcome the fear and I have finally been able to discuss my experiences involving bullying,” Ting said via e-mail. Ting graduated from DBHS in 2006 and pursued a double major in Anthropology and Sociology at the University of California, Irvine, graduating in 2010. She was also the first person in her family to graduate from an American university. After college, she passed the California Real Estate Exam and received her Real Estate Broker license. Due to the obstacles she faced from immigrating to America, Ting was determined to change the fate of her younger siblings and give them what she could not have. “I think my greatest accomplishment is being a huge part of

my younger siblings up-bringing. I cannot be more proud of everything they have accomplish[ed] and all the sacrifices I put into raising them like my own kids,” Ting said. Like many students in high school, Ting did not know what career she wanted to pursue. “DBHS taught me more than just a specific subject. It gave me a great education, but more importantly, DBHS taught life skills because of the diverse education environment it had,” Ting said. In high school, Ting’s favorite teachers were Daniel Roubian and Latitia Thomas due to their intelligence and inspirational attitude towards her. “Every single day I looked forward to my six period class with Mrs. Thomas because she always made math fun and she brightens up my day with her attitude and sweet caring personality,” Ting said. Recently, Ting has also competed in the Miss California USA pageant as Miss Diamond Crest and placed second runner up out of more than 300 girls. Her first pageant was at Diamond Bar in high school, making the Miss California pageant only her second time competing in a pageant. “I started pageants because I was really bad in public speaking. My mom suggested that I should try it to train my interview skills. [Both pageants] were amazing experiences and I definitely learned a lot about confidence and speaking,” Ting said. Ting believes her supportive family, a small group of honest and truthful friends, and hard work got her to where she is now. “I look back on my journey, and I think it is because I followed my own thoughts and opinions—did everything my own way. When I have failed, I gained more and learned from my mistakes. I was curious and wanted to try things I never did. Till this very day, I am still intrigued by the world and different opportunities. I always believe there is always room for growth and improvement. I am still learning and educating myself every single day,” Ting said. Daniel Roubian, one of Ting’s favorite teachers, still recalls her even after nearly a decade. “Jenny Ting was an excellent student, very personable—thorough and driven. I enjoyed having her in my class and I’m proud of what she has accomplished,” Roubian said.

To view new photos of Humans of Diamond Bar on Tumblr scan this QR code

Photos courtesy of JENNY TING

tomato r+d

Restaurant Review

Photos by HANNAH LEE

Tomato R+D’s vintage style restaurant features a carbonated strawberry lemonade and their cold pasta.

hannah lee contributing writer As vintage style restaurants become trendy, Tomato R+D made its way into Yes Plaza in Rowland Heights. Although the place was quite small with just about 12 tables, this fusion restaurant serves as a pleasant place to catch up with friends or family. Upon arrival, my friend and I were seated immediately, as there was only one other party in the restaurant. This made us feel quite awkward at times, but it accelerated the service. There was only one server available, but he made sure our glasses were filled and attended to our needs immediately. Just for fun, I decided to ask what R+D meant. He seemed defeated for a couple seconds before going to the back and asking another employee. He simply replied that it stood for research and development. One of the walls were all glass, allowing customers to have a view of the busy parking lot and a rather shady fenced off back area. The rest

of the walls were built with bricks, giving off the vintage feel. The hanging bulb lights also added to the style, giving the place a dim but warm glow. Off on the side was an open bar that allowed the customers to see their drinks being made. The open style ceiling exposed the air conditioner pipes and made the place feel spacious. There was also no music playing, making it rather silent aside from the bustling in the kitchen. The atmosphere was casual, but I could see it being a sweet romantic date spot for couples. Despite the pleasant ambiance, the menu wasn’t the best. It was made of paper and a piece of string held it all together. There were also no photos of the food items. Like any other fusion restaurant, the menu was a random mix of food selections. Regardless of the dodgy menu, I settled with cold pasta and a fizzy strawberry lemonade. My drink was served immediately in an old fashioned mason jar. It tasted like any other ordinary strawberry lemonade, but the carbonation added a nice satisfying fizz. The pasta arrived shortly, and as

an impatient person, this was pleasing. The food was served in unique glass square pans. I was pretty surprised at how big the portions were, especially for about $9. The cold pasta had noodles mixed with salad greens in a tangy sauce that had a hint of spiciness. It was the perfect ratio of fresh leafy greens to cold pasta noodles that allowed me to finish the dish without a trace left. The atmosphere created an extremely enjoyable experience, and I left Tomato R+D with my both my eyes and taste buds satisfied.

DETAILS cuisine: Italian, Asian Fusion Address: 18162 cOLIMA RD ROWLAND HEIGHTS CA 91748 PHONE #: (626) 810-0402 PRICE RANGE: $8-$12 Yelp Rating:

CLUB SPOTLIGHT:

BRAHMA CINEMATICS

Photos Courtesy of HOWARD PARK

Brahma Cinematics members, Jun Park (left) and Howard Park (right) starred in their own short film, “The New Guy.”

gaby dinh asst. web editor Many clubs at Diamond Bar High School come and go, starting off strong but fail to last. Brahma Cinematics, however, is a film club that hopes to break the streak. The club was founded in early 2014 when Brahma Cinematics president senior Howard Park was disappointed by the lack of film clubs when he was a freshman. “Brahma Cinematics’ job is to basically be a place for students to have fun making films with their school peers,” Park said. One thing that makes the club stand out from previous counterparts is that club members submit their work to film competitions and local film festivals. “We are not only combining our strengths and weaknesses as one team to create the best videos ever but also spending that time and energy showing the school that Diamond Bar has some creative potential,” Park stated.

Currently, the club is participating in “Directing Change,” a California student film contest that advocates reducing the stigma of mental illness and promotes suicide prevention. They also plan on uploading videos onto the club’s Youtube channel, which currently has the short film “New Guy.” The club submitted the film to the DBHS film festival last year and vice president of the club, Jun Park, won an award for best actor. “We want to gather students who had passion and interest for the cinematography field, whether it be acting, directing, or screenwriting, and put their skills and idea[s] into fruition by producing short films and other forms of cinema art,” Park said. When the club is not shooting videos or writing scripts, they also focus on other aspects to the world of cinema. Members interested in acting develop their skills by participating in improv. They also hold movie screenings to observe films notable for cinematography and their artistic influence, such as “Children of Men,” “2001: A Space

Odyssey,” and “The Matrix.” Typically, club meetings are devoted to having club members and their casting teams devise production plans to produce ideas that best translate onto the big screen. “We want to do nothing more but entertain people, so a bulk of our efforts are put into brainstorming and producing films we deem entertaining and engaging for our audiences,” Jun said. Park feels that students who enjoy directing, making videos, and filmmaking should consider joining Brahma Cinematics. “To be a part of this club is to be a part of a team. You won’t go through it alone, and if you are interested, we will readily take you with open arms,” Howard said. Although he has only been the club advisor starting last year, video teacher Mario Enriquez says that as he is becoming more involved with the club. “They’re incredibly enthusiastic about film and the videos they want to make on their own. I hope this is the start of what I want to take the club for future use,” Enriquez said.

FEATURE

THE BULL'S EYE

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Brahma Accepted to West Point hanna kang opinion editor Faith. Dedication. Service. The path that led senior Caleb Lim through the almost impassable doors of West Point is emblazoned with these three words. Lim was admitted to the prestigious Army academy earlier this month. His acceptance was a fulfillment of his dream of becoming a soldier, which blossomed as a kid. “I’ve always wanted to be a soldier. I played war as a kid, and I found honor in service. I realized West Point was a place where I could use my God-given talents to my maximum potential in the field,” Lim said via Facebook. As determined as he was to become a service member, the process was long and arduous; Lim decided to join the military near the end of his sophomore year, later than most kids. To make up for lost time, Lim took the initiative to educate himself by talking to as many people as he could regarding service academies. He notified his GLC, Sonja Burns, who connected him to a local West Point liaison officer. Upon contact, the officer gave Lim a several hour brief on the entire application process. “I had to do a physical exam, fitness exam, eye exam, plus my online application, on top of that get a congressional or senator’s nomi-

STAFF

SPOTLIGHT

Read about Daniel Castro, who was also admitted to West Point, and enlistees Ricky Chuang, Ray Shane Dui, and Harrison Lin on the website.

Photo courtesy of CALEB LIM

DBHS senior Caleb Lim, has recently been accepted into West Point Academy in New York, a long time dream of his. nation,” Lim said. In January 2014, Lim ran into a minor complication. He applied to both the Naval Academy and West Point summer programs but was not accepted to West Point and instead went to the Naval Academy program. “I had a great experience at the Naval Academy summer seminar. It gave me a lot of insight on academy life, classes, schedule, meals, and people,” he shared. The prospective cadet was faced with another hurdle when he was initially denied entrance to Boys State, a competitive summer pro-

A Trip Down Memory Laine

nadia lee staff writer Hidden away in the book room silently scanning books into the computer, textbook clerk Peggy Laine emerges from the binds and opens herself up to Diamond Bar High School’s students. Laine has been working at DBHS for three years as a part of the library staff. When the school decided to have a separate textbook room, Laine volunteered to be the one working behind the scenes. “Anything to do with the textbook, that’s my job. I order them after somebody tells me what needs to be ordered. When the books get here, they get processed, bar-coded, put into the computer, and get marked up so that they’re ready to be issued to everyone,” Laine said. There are cases where students mistakenly take their textbooks to the library and their library books to the textbook room throughout the school year. In fact, many students don’t even know what and where the textbook room is. Though Laine spends the majority of her time in the book room during school hours, looking after the books isn’t the only thing she enjoys doing. In her spare time, she loves to cook with her family and learn about different cuisines. She has also grown an interest for studying herbs for health benefits in her cooking. Along with cooking, Laine enjoys hiking, bicycling, and traveling with her husband. “My husband and I love taking our bikes down to the beach and go bicycling on the boardwalk. Recently, we traveled to Washington D.C. which was an amazing experience. I got to experience seeing the leaves change colors,” Laine said. Despite the peaceful environ-

ment Laine works in, there is also a time when things just get a bit busy in the textbook room. “The hardest part is during the last two or three weeks in May when we are trying to take in 19,000 books. It’s pretty crazy around here. We have to make sure that all the books get in and check to see if the students took care of the books they lost. It’s just very hectic. It’s a lot of books and work in a short period of time,” Laine stated. As the school year is about to come to an end, Laine plans on improving the textbook room for easier access and usage. “I just want to get it to be as efficient and organized as possible. I want there to be more systems that would make everything work more smoothly,” Laine stated. But at the end of the day, after all the processing, and organizing, Laine still finishes with a smile. “I love the kids. I love talking to them, hearing what they want to do and how they think. That’s the very best part of the job,” Laine said. “It’s just a good balance of being around books and kids. It just seems to be the right combination.”

NADIA LEE

Peggy Laine, a familiar face on campus, can be found scanning books in the textbook room.

gram sponsored by the American Legion for high school juniors. “I turned in my application early, but they didn’t give me an offer and said it was too late, so Mrs. Burns argued on my behalf, and I gained a spot last minute. It was the hand of God working,” he said. Lim has been actively working as a Boy Scout, starting from the seventh grade. Last year in January, he became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the scouting program. He then became the first of his district to earn an Eagle Palm, an award that represents additional recognition

for an Eagle Scout who has stayed active in his unit. Similar to any other student, Lim had to keep up his grades and do well on the SAT, but social interactions played a key role in his acceptance to West Point. “I [attended] congressionally held service academy nights [and] Korean-American West Point clubs to meet the students there. The connections I’ve made and kept helped me a lot because I left good impressions, and some even put in good words for me,” he said. Burns was equally pleased on Lim’s acceptance to West Point.

“He is an outstanding student who challenges himself in multiple AP and honors classes,” she said. “I actually had tears in my eyes when he told me he was going to West Point... he has worked his tail off to get to where he is now.” Lim admitted that his brother was a big influence in his decision to join the military. “My greatest inspiration was my brother...He went into Marine Corps training, and when he came back home, he was a changed man. He changed from a college party boy into a respectable young man, and I admired that change,” Lim shared. However, Lim’s ultimate decision to serve stemmed from the philosophy he lives by. “I admire the act of growing stronger, so I set a motivation that I wanted to place myself wherever I needed to achieve the strongest version of myself… My direction in life is becoming an Army Ranger and moving on to more advanced levels of Special Forces units,” Lim said. “Success isn’t money or income. To me, it’s finding fulfillment in maximizing my potential for the benefit of others. I firmly believe I can do that at West Point.”

Ahn the rise to success victoria ly asst. feature editor Strolling among a sea of students, Diamond Bar High School senior Kyu Seo Ahn is noticeably different from the rest of the crowd. Diagnosed with Charcot-MarieTooth disease (CMT), Ahn cruises around campus in a wheelchair. The condition, which affects both his motor and sensory nerves, is one of the most widely inherited neurological disorders in the world. Though despite having this disability, Ahn has been able to make the most out of his high school career, exceling in academics and immersing himself in what he enjoys most: public speaking. As a senior, Ahn stands by his valedictorian status and will be attending Stanford University in the fall, majoring in economics with intentions of going to law school. Yet it wasn’t until entering through the gates of high school that Ahn decided to become the motivated individual he is now. In fact, all throughout middle school, Ahn recalls being a relatively defiant student. “The biggest problem I had before high school was that I was always felt separate from everyone else, I acted out a bit because of that,” Ahn said, “Being in a wheelchair and having that image of being separate even though people tried to be accommodating was very impactful.” However, seeing his older sister with the same disability attend the University of California, Irvine and later, transferring to Harvard University, spurred Ahn to abandon his rebellious disposition. Thus, he began to challenge himself in school, just as his sister did. “I thought to myself: Oh man, she can do this—my sister is so great. She did this despite having a

disability,” Ahn said “So I wanted to see what my full potential is--I tried harder in school and became more reserved when it came to acting out in class.” Immigrating to America at the age of six, Ahn lived without his parents for a period of two years, an experience that instilled maturity early on to his childhood life. “[Immigrating from Korea] made me grow up quicker.” Ahn said, “Being in this new environment without any sort of familiarities and not having my parents around definitely forced me to mature faster.” With public speaking as his main interest, Ahn is heavily involved in DBHS’s Mock Trial team, an activity that has impacted his high school career immensely. “I love arguing. Even when I was young, I was always a big talker,” Ahn said. Being a devoted member for two

years, Ahn has developed close relationships with the Mock Trial team, feeling as though the team has become his “family outside of his family.” Ahn shows great admiration for Mock Trial advisor Latitia Thomas, who has given him guidance to improve as an overall speaker. “[Kyu Seo] is one of the greatest speakers I’ve ever met,” Thomas said, “He has a natural presence when he speaks.” While Thomas acts as Ahn’s Mock Trial advisor she is also his AP Statistics teacher and Class of 2015 Class Committee advisor. “What’s amazing about Kyu Seo is that he likes to sing. He’s really good at karaoke because he is not embarrassed to be bad. He’s also very funny and thoughtful. But he’s also very obnoxious and swears too much,” Thomas said. As a talkative individual who enjoys voicing his opinions amongst a crowd, Ahn is also the co-founder and vice president of DBHS’s Debate club. He believes that debate not only makes people good speakers, but also helps create a better understanding of the world. “Through debate, I gained a more worldly perspective which is what I wanted to have particularly in Diamond Bar because I feel that the people here live in a super bubble,” Ahn said. Ahn is also involved with Class of 2015 Class Committee. Being an officer for the past four years Ahn has served as secretary and treasurer for the club and is passionate about supporting his graduating class. As an outgoing and academically distinguished student, Ahn retains a vivacious energy that resonates with everyone he comes across. “I have this problem, but I’m just going to deal with it. And I do deal with it because I don’t let this disease define me.”

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

NEWS

THE BULL'S EYE

THE NEW FUME

BY NADIA LEE CALVIN RU SARAH MARKIEWICZ

Do you vape? Chances are that almost every student in Diamond Bar High School knows, or is, a vaper. Smoking electronic cigarettes has become as popular as traditional smokes. Recently, the Bull’s Eye staff interviewed students who partake in smoking e-cigarettes. To obtain the feedback for this article the reporters granted anonymity to the students. One student stated how vaping has become more popular than smoking among high school students. “I think vape is popular among teens because it is a ‘non-harmful’ thing to smoke. That makes them feel cool, or simply it’s a fun thing to do for young teens and they enjoy the action of smoking and getting a flavored taste,” he said. “I think it’s becoming big because it has all the benefits at time of smoking without all the hassle.” One DBHS senior claimed that his parents were not upset when he told them that he has been trying e-cigarettes. He was already a regular smoker of tradition cigarettes. “They were OK with it since it was fake,” he said through Facebook, concerning his past use of e-cigarettes. “It felt really good when I took it during the addiction,” he said. “It just made me feel relaxed.” This user noticed his friend vaping and decided to try it out of curiosity since he did not know what it was. Although the senior reported some craving, he said that he did not feel enough addiction to continue, and stopped vaping after about 30 uses. One reason these new devices have gained popularity is the advancements of its physical appearance. Unlike the cigarette, the e-cigarette is mainly made up of three replaceable parts: the battery, the atomizer and the cartridge. The cartridge is one of the key elements to e-cigarettes

opinion of the e-cigarette trend see page 4. because it contains e-liquid. Once heated from the battery, the e-liquid will then evaporate into smoke. E-cigarettes are intended to appeal to many because buyers can choose whether their e-cigarettes contain nicotine, tar and flavor. Just like regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes can be purchased by anyone 18 and over. This makes it easier for high school students to obtain this merchandise not only in person but online as well. Most e-cigarettes are sold in starter kits ranging from $12 to $200. Some even gain their e-cigarettes through connections such as friends who meet the age requirement. Purchasing an electronic cigarette is no hard task for the students of Diamond Bar. Students report having experiences of purchasing an e-cig, or components of it, in nearby shops located in Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights and Walnut. The lack of legal procedures of carding customers is greatly servicing the rise of e-smoking. With already four shops in the vicinity of DBHS to have reportedly sold e-cigs to underage smokers, there are more opportunities and access other students have in their respective area,

thus a ground-breaking record in underage electronic smoking. While there are shops that do follow procedures, such as Vape Section located in Diamond Bar, not enough stores are following laws and regulations to protect the health of the youth. “Every person is required to get carded that looks under the age of 32. We have to ID. Ultimately everyone gets ‘ID’ed.’ By law, it’s an 18 and over establishment, standard just like any other smoke shop. We are pretty good with our carding and servicing,” an employee at Vape Section commented. Another past user, a junior, used flavored ecigarettes. She was attracted to the vape after observing a group of friends using e-cigarettes and blowing rings. “Vape is about as readily available to us teens as cigarettes, they can be bought almost anywhere and by anyone who’s 18,” she said. “I know a few people [who vape]. It’s not as cool now as it was a few years ago. Quite honestly, it’s not that big of a deal and more people smoke cigarettes or marijuana than vape.” She did not recall that vaping flavored e-cigarettes was perceptible to others, and there was only a subtle smell upon inhaling. “However, if I worked out right afterwards,

a quick look at

e-cigarettes

STATISTICS FROM the National Youth Tobacco Survey

High school students who reported ever using an e-cigarette

2011

4.7% 10%

2012

1.78

million middle school and high school students had tried e-cigarettes in 2012

1 in 5 middle school students who reported ever using e-cigarettes say they had never tried conventional cigarettes.

High school students who reported using an e-cigarette within the span of 30 days*

10th graders 12th graders

16.2% 17.1%

see more on page 12 *measured by the National Institute of Drug abuse

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

NEWS

THE BULL'S EYE

THE NEW FUME

BY NADIA LEE CALVIN RU SARAH MARKIEWICZ

a quick look at

e-cigarettes

STATISTICS FROM the National Youth Tobacco Survey

High school students who reported ever using an e-cigarette

2011

4.7% 10%

2012

1.78

million middle school and high school students had tried e-cigarettes in 2012

1 in 5 middle school students who reported ever using e-cigarettes say they had never tried conventional cigarettes.

High school students who reported using an e-cigarette within the span of 30 days*

10th graders 12th graders

16.2% 17.1%

see more on page 12 *measured by the National Institute of Drug abuse

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

The ACADEMY AWARDS Best Actor The Academy’s Winners Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne “The Theory of Everything” Best Film: “Birdman” Best Animated Film: “Big Hero 6” Best Actress: Julianne Moore “Still Alice”

Best Film

Out of 152 votes

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” 61%

“The Imitation Game” 10% “The Theory of Everything” 8% “Whiplash” 2%

Best Animated Film “Big Hero 6” 32% “How to Train Your Dragon 2” 10% “Song of the Sea” 2% “The Boxtrolls” 48% “The Tale of Princess Kayuga” 8%

Last week, DBHS students selected their f a v o r i t e s f ro m e a c h c a t e g o r y.

B e s t A c t re s s Rosamund Pike“Gone Girl” 14% ©Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®

Marquis Hosts Dance Teams Take H o m e S h o w c a s e Three at USA Regionals Placing in three categories at one of its most important competitions of the year, the dance department stepped confidently into its competitive season. Led by the director, captains, and members of the dance company, Diamond Bar achieved a triple win at USA Regionals. One of the pieces, which won fourth place at USA regionals, featured a large lyrical group made up of members of Dance Team and one member of All-Male. Set to a serious song with a sensitive melody, the piece portrayed junior Jason Lin, the single male dancer in the piece, as a character who inflicts emotional harm to those he interacts with onstage. Aside from simply having a heavy theme, the piece was also described as difficult because it was mostly choreographed by the students. Senior Rachel Mao, a co-captain of Dance Team, said it was also especially gratifying to win for this piece for that very reason. “We dedicated so much extra time as a team to making it competition material,” she said. An energetic co-ed hip-hop dance placed first in a dance set to B.o.B’s song “Out of My Mind,” featuring a concept closely related to the lyrics. Complete with costumes resembling doctors’ uniforms, the intricate visuals and motions of the dance borrowed imagery from scenes in mental asylums. It was choreographed by Keegan Sullivan, a DBHS All-Male alumni. The ever-successful All-Male Dance Crew also took first place in

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the competition with another interesting concept. Set to a compilation of upbeat drum covers of popular songs, their fast-paced, vigorous dance derived inspiration from another stimulating performing arts group: drumline. Mimicking the precise motions of drummers, the team even dressed the part by wearing marching band uniforms, weaving in and out of formation and giving energetic shouts throughout the piece. The team’s overall score qualified DBHS Dance Company for the championship division of USA Nationals, surpassing the team’s goal as described by director Kari Simonson. “All groups have been working incredibly hard and I think each brings with them their own special quality and they bring forth the personality and what defines the team,” Simonson said. Despite the initial success, the leaders of Dance Team and AllMale have been anticipating fierce competition and have been planning ahead since the first competition. “Pushing them wasn’t easy and it isn’t going to be any easier in the future, but fortunately for me, the team knows that performing with confidence in front of an enormous crowd will be exhilarating and rewarding,” Peter Kang, senior cocaptain of All-Male, Following their winning streak, the team also placed at Sonora Cal Performing Arts Competition last Saturday. Senior Stephanie Ung won second place for Senior Solo and Small Dance and All Male placed first for their respective catagories. Co-ed hip hop also placed third.

sarah markiewicz staff writer

During the competition season, Diamond Bar High School’s show choir, Marquis, busily competes throughout Southern California. Every year, Marquis hosts the Diamond Bar Show Choir Spectacular and on Feb. 13 Marquis played host to five different show choirs from the region and Arizona. “This kicks off the Show Choir Competition season for Southern California,” Patty Breitag, show choir director, said via email. “This is the first time since I’ve been at Diamond Bar High School that we have hosted it on campus in our theater.” Formerly the competition took place at Citrus College, and Breitag hopes to host there again next year. Each group gave a performance that was scored by three judges. Marquis, as the host group, did not compete and instead performed a set at the end of the night. “It was great to show our set to other choirs [and] also to see other talented choirs and their sets,” junior Felicitas Anijelo, a Marquis

member, said via Facebook. In the first tier, the order of placement was Serrano High School, Willow Canyon High School, Mark Keppel High School, and Glendora High School in first place. Brea Olinda Masquerade, being in a tier by itself, was automatically awarded first place in its tier as well as a plaque for showmanship. “It’s a really different experience just watching the choir when you aren’t competing because you get to really focus and see the others,” senior Alex Silva, another Marquis member, said via Facebook. Although Marquis had competed with many of the attending show choirs before, the Willow Canyon show choir from Surprise, Ariz., came due to its previous networking with Breitag. Marquis members had the jobs of meeting the choir directors and showing the choirs to their sections in the theater. While Marquis was able to host and perform for a competition, it had another competition that it participated in the next day. Marquis lost to Hart High and Glendora High, but DBHS’s Solitaire won first place as an all girls choir.

ANDREW CHOI

Senior Rosemarie Grady performs “Lights” by Ellie Goulding in the showcase.

My name is Emily and I’m a teenager without a smartphone. I never really realized how much of an anomaly it was to not have a smartphone until I hit high school. Although my parents had initially refused to get me one, they have recently come around. Even so, I have purposely decided to not own a smartphone. Gasp. To be fair, I do own an iTouch, which is essentially an iPhone without the texting and calling capabilities and data. However, I do not carry it around with me as others do with their smartphones. In fact, I barely even use my old, scratched up GoPhone, except for emergencies. I have always been technologically incompetent but it got to the point where I realized my teachers were more technologically advanced than me. Whenever teachers allowed students to look up information online on their phones, I was always that one student who had to share with a neighbor. I remember being especially embarrassed when one of my teachers dragged me across the room to her dusty desktop to look up the information in front of my dead silent classmates. By the time her desktop had turned on, everybody was already done with the assignment. As much as I love my four year-old prepaid phone, it has been an awkward journey going through high school without a smartphone in such a technologically-dominated era. Of course, I am not complaining about reaping the benefits of modern-day technology. Nevertheless, not conforming to society’s apparent necessity for smartphones has allowed me to see life from a different perspective. I enjoy talking face-to-face with people. Judging by the number of families and friends I see at restaurants who are looking down playing with their phones, face-to-face interaction seems to be less and less commonplace. I can even directly attest to this. My friends who have purchased smartphones look at me far less now as they fiddle with their phones during a conversation. Looking at one’s phone in the middle of a conversation with me has become one of my biggest pet peeves. There is something you cannot convey through a text or a Facebook message but you can through eye contact and body language. Therefore, I am fearful that getting a smartphone would make me more antisocial than before. As smartphones have risen, convenience and immediacy have replaced contemplation and patience. Students have a compulsive need to be on their phones constantly, as if it were a drug. If people are bored in one minute, they pull out their phone to play whatever stupid app to satiate their boredom. Some students have no boundaries, not even in the classroom. Exposing myself to this addiction is something I hope to prolong for as long as I can. I am not condemning those who have smartphones. They are revolutionary devices that will facilitate life. In fact, I’m sure I will concede to the smartphone bandwagon once I am in college. However, for now, I will just stick to my “socially unacceptable” phone as I attempt to survive the smartphone epidemic.

Th e D u f f

frances wu asst. news editor

“The Duff,” a film adaptation of the best-selling novel by Kady Keplinger, depicts the struggles of social pressure in high school with comedy.

Although one could classify “The Duff” as just another cliché chick flick, the film speaks volumes about the ongoing struggles of a real life high school teen in a truly relatable fashion. However, the film does contain cheesy high school love story elements that’s getting a bit trite these days. It is obvious that the main character, Bianca Piper (Mae Whitman) is not your typical “in-style” teen. Her best friends, however, Jessica (Skyler Samuels) and Casey (Bianca Santos), perfectly blend in with the whole “high school” scheme with their more fashionable looks. Antagonist Madison Carter (Bella Thorne) is portrayed as the stereotypical “mean” girl of any chick

flick. One day during school, Madison reveals she is holding a party. At the party, Bianca’s childhood friend and current football jock, Wesley Rush (Robbie Amell) talk while he pours her a drink. Wesley then calls her “the Duff” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her trio friend group. Bianca initially is in denial but soon realizes she really is “the Duff” and is determined to change that. Directed by Ari Sandel, the film emphasizes the over usage of technology and social media by today’s teens. However, “The Duff” doesn’t fight it but embraces it. In the movie, the truth of our generation revolving around technology and social media is accepted. The film’s message conveys the insecurities and labels that almost every teen faces. Although the message is quite typical, it recognizes the

Photo courtesy of trailers.apple.com

Bianca Piper (Mae Whitman) receives advice from Wesley Rush (Robbie Amell).

Apollo Nig ht Brings Out DB Talent evon hung asst. web editor Get ready to witness the multitude of talents that Diamond Bar High School has at Apollo Night. This Friday, a variety of singers, dancers and even a magician will perform their acts starting at 7 p.m. in the school’s theater. Organized by the Black Student Union, Apollo Night is an annual talent show to showcase the gifts of students and to call attention to the diversity of DBHS’s student population. Performers had to audition to be selected. To start off the event with a bang, BSU will be conducting their traditional opening act that differs from year to year. The act focuses on entertaining the audience through pop culture references, as seen in last year’s parody of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. “The opening act is the biggest part of the night and it’ll be re-

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ally entertaining. It’s also a great way for everyone to see BSU and understand our culture and where we come from,” BSU leader senior Samantha Simmons said. The showcase will include various solo singing performances from choir students Rosemarie Grady singing “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, Soumya Kar singing “Dear No One” by Tori Kelly, as well as other performances by Alex Silva, Brandon Marantz, Allyson Cantimbuhan and more. Additionally, the event entails a magic act by Andrew Hou, a piano solo by Ashley Bell, and a dance performance from the Hula Team. Tickets are selling now for $8 during lunch in the upper quad and during first period in Room 404. They will also be sold for $10 at the door. “Everyone can expect a really great time. Students can get to know the unknown and different talents that DBHS students have,” Simmons said.

LILLY BALL

Junior Sheizan Bawa performs with guitar during in his audition for Apollo night.

reality of what every teen struggles with; “The Duff” promotes self-acceptance and confidence. The film’s biggest crime however, is the fact that the cyber-bullying and bullying in it was solely featured for laughs and not for the awareness aspect of it. ”The Duff” had a lot of potential to promote what is probably the biggest problem among teens yet it chose not to. When Bianca is shamed for an embarrassing video of her that goes viral, the script almost completely forgets about her bullying in a matter of minutes. The performances, with the exception of Whitman and Amell, are mediocre at best. Though the acting wasn’t Oscar award worthy, Whitman and Amell exceeded my expectations with their outstanding chemistry. Whitman specifically stood out due to her wit and unbeatable stage presence. However, both fit their characters well and sprinkle their own finesse into each and every scene. Although the acting was subpar, the charismatic and engaging cast sets this film apart from any other chick flicks. Although the film follows the plot line of a typical high school comedy, its characters are surprisingly refreshing and unique. There is nothing too heavy about this film, yet it delivers an empowering message. “The Duff,” a movie adaptation of the best-selling novel by Kody Kiplinger, is easily one of my favorite high school comedies to date—light-hearted and hilarious yet accurate and genuine.

While immigration is a hotly debated topic in the United States, it is rarely ever discussed from an Asian American’s point of view. ABC’s new show, “Fresh Off the Boat,” is based on Eddie Huang’s memoir. The show, set in the 1990s, follows a Taiwanese family after their move from Washington, D.C. to Orlando Florida, so that the father, Louis (Randall Park) can open a steak restaurant. The show centers on the family’s struggles due to the move. For example, mother Jessica (Constance Wu) constantly worries about her children’s education and the restaurant’s profits, and eldest son Eddie (Hudson Yang) deals with his jealousy over the ease with which his younger brothers fit in at their new schools. As an Asian American, I found that the entire show was extremely representative of my own childhood. My parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 90s as well, and while I’ve never had to explain to my mom that you can’t haggle at JCPenny, I completely understood the humor and found myself laughing hysterically throughout the entire 30-minute pilot episode. “Fresh Off the Boat” represents the struggles of Asian Americans accurately, from mean comments about the way Chinese chow mein smells, to racially ignorant housewives giggling about how surprising it is that an Asian could speak English so fluently. Not only does the show focus on racial prejudices against Asians, but it also gives great examples of Asian values, like education and family. One of the most popular

stereotypes about Asians revolves around education, but rarely does anyone stop to think about why it is so important. Just like how Louis moved to Orlando to chase the “American Dream” and spend his days cheerfully running his Wild West themed restaurant, many Asian parents immigrate to the U.S. to give their children better lives and bigger opportunities. For them, the “American Dream” is comprised of successful children who are living happily and without financial struggles. For Asians, education paves the way to economic stability, an important element for a successful future. Diamond Bar, a community that’s saturated with Asian culture, is an accurate example of this. However, the show doesn’t just focus on education. It also takes time to tackle the Asian stereotype of having high standards. For example, when the three sons receive straight A’s on their report cards, instead of celebrating, Jessica responds by creating afterschool lessons to further their education. In Asian culture, showing affection is achieved by demonstrating that you care enough to want something to improve. Asian American culture is probably the least explored in Hollywood. “Selfie,” a recent ABC show, was the only TV show to have an Asian American (John Cho) star as the leading male character, and was cancelled before the first season had ended. However, “Fresh Off the Boat” seems to be ending this streak of bad luck. The show portrays Asian American issues perfectly while simultaneously creating a humorous atmosphere that is sure to leave any audience in stitches.

Student Spotlight

MILES OCON lilly ball asst. a&e editor If you have attended a Diamond Bar football game this past year, chances are, you’ve noticed Miles Ocon. However, he isn’t in a helmet tackling other players. Instead, Ocon is marching out onto the field and conducting the band during the half-time show. As a Drum Major for the Diamond Bar Marching Band, the Thundering Herd, Ocon is the center of attention at football games and during competitions. Ocon, front and center, conducts the band through the lively pep songs and half-time performances that pump up the crowd during the football season. A drum major’s duties also include leading the Thundering Herd at parades and during competitions, such as the recent Arcadia Review, where the band received top honors. “The position that I’m in gives me a lot of experience for the future, like in building leadership skills and dealing with situations… like figuring out the best way to get through them.” Ocon said. Ocon is not only skilled at conducting; he has been playing the saxophone since fourth grade. When he’s off the field, Ocon plays the baritone saxophone in the Symphonic Band, occasionally marches and plays the alto saxophone in the Marching Band, and

works with the conductors to make sure rehearsals go as planned. “What I love most about band is being around people who really care about making music and making memories as well.” Ocon said. During his freshman year, Ocon joined the band to continue his hobby of playing the saxophone. Later on, band director Steve Acciani came up to him during class and made the suggestion that would lead him to eventually becoming a Drum Major. Following an audition that tested his baton spinning and other skills, Ocon received the position and has been conducting the band ever since. “Miles is one of the best leaders we have ever had with the band. We knew from the first day that he stepped into the room as a freshman that the he had the confidence and charisma to become something special,” Acciani said. Despite being a busy junior with two AP classes, Ocon is also in-

Photo courtesy of Miles Ocon

volved in a group within the band department called the Quarter Masters, which keeps him busy during the marching season. When the band is asked to play at events, such as the Disney Star Wars Half Marathon, Ocon and the Quarter Masters unload the equipment and instruments, and set up along the route. “We may not remember what symphony we played our freshman year, but we will remember the wonderful memories that we had with the people closest to us.” Ocon said about himself and his bandmates.

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student vapers drip tip

The mouth piece of the e-cigarette. It is designed so that the lip does not touch the atomizer of the vape. Users also drop the e-liquid into this opening.

atomizer

Contains coils and a wick or cotton. The coils heat up rapidly and produce vapor from the e-liquid.

continued from page 8-9 my lung capacity seemed tighter and it was somewhat harder to breathe. But that feeling went away after a few hours.” This user continued smoking until her e-cigarette pen broke and she didn’t feel that it was necessary to buy one. “I neither recommend nor not recommend vaping—I think it’s a silly fad that won’t last a while. It is a good experience to try once though. As long as you don’t get the kind with nicotine in it,” she commented. Recently, due to the uprising of e-cigarettes among young teens and adults, the government of California has decided a campaign against it. They are planning to create tighter regulations for adults and minors and even ban vaping in certain areas. “I’m advising Californians, including those who currently use tobacco, to avoid using e-cigarettes,” Dr. Ron Chapman, state health officer, said during a conference call. “E-cigarettes … re-normalize smoking behavior and introduce a new generation to nicotine addiction.” According to the data published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, use of e-cigarettes among high school students has doubled over the years of 20112012, from 4.7% to 10.0%. In 2012, over 1.78 million teens had tried e-cigarettes. “The increased use of e-cigarettes by teens is deep-

fire button

mod

The power button of the device.

Holds the battery of the vape.

ly troubling,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Many teens who start with e-cigarettes may be condemned to struggling with a lifelong addiction to nicotine and conventional cigarettes.” Many teens have continued to purchase and actively use e-cigarettes with or without nicotine. The popularity of cigarettes has actually been slowly decreasing among high school students based on a study conducted by several sources such as the Minnesota Department of Health. On the other hand, e-cigarettes have been gaining popularity among high school students, whether it be constantly using them or simply puffing it once. “[I] started because of stress and friends. I know that if I don’t quit early then it’ll be even harder to quit in the future,” one DB student said. As it grows more popular, more students influence friends to try it out, expanding the area of influence around the school. “It’s similar to smoking, in that you still feel the nicotine and there’s still that harsh feeling in the back of your throat. Personally I think vaping is better because it’s not as bad as cigarettes. [It] tastes better and I can also do it indoors like at home,” the user said. “There’s a scent, since the juices for vapes are flavored, but the scent is significantly less intrusive than cigarette smoke.” Also contributing to the story were staffers Yusheng Xia, Lilly Ball, and Joseph Park.

“I think vape is popular among teens because it is a ‘nonharmful’ thing to smoke. That makes them feel cool, or simply it’s a fun thing to do for young teens and they enjoy the action of smoking and getting a flavored taste.”

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Representing DB with Team Rokform Junior Kenji Yoshimoto keeps a strict routine in order to practice for competitions, hoping to make biking his career. lilly ball asst. a&e editor Riding a bike for thirty miles uphill and around the city might seem like an overly strenuous activity to most people, but to junior Kenji Yoshimoto, it’s the highlight of his day. Yoshimoto, at only age 17, is already a sponsored cyclist who has won multiple races. After being inspired by his father, Yoshimoto started biking in sixth grade. Since then, he has kept a strict routine. Excluding Mondays and Fridays, which he calls “rest days,” Yoshimoto rides for thirty miles, a journey that takes him only an hour and a half. On Saturdays and Sundays, Yoshimoto races competitively, and recently placed first in the Men’s Junior Category in the Red Trolley Classic race in San Diego. “I like to go fast and take some risks. When I go out for a ride there isn’t a time where I get bored.” Yoshimoto said. Yoshimoto was once the co-captain of the DBHS Mountain Biking team, and was involved with a club team for four years prior to being on the school team. After the Mountain Biking team disbanded, he sent his resume to Team Rokform, who evaluated his past races and qualifications. He was then accepted and began biking in the junior development team. The team is sponsored by over 20 companies, such as Rokform and Specialized, who give products to

SPORTS COLUMN

Little men show game andrew choi sports editor

the team in exchange for advertising their products during races. Within his first year of being with Team Rokform, Yoshimoto has received helmets, clothing, lights, shoes, and even food. “It’s fun to watch yourself improve through rides and races. As you gain experience, the more time

“[Cycling] helps keep me focused on what I need to do....When I get home I have my priorities straight and ready to go.” JUNIOR KENJI YOSHIMOTO

you want to spend getting better to beat your competition and help your team mates get up to the podium.” Yoshimoto stated. During his weekday 30 mile biking routine, Yoshimoto often rides with his father, who introduced him to the sport that is now their shared passion. His father, who still competes, has been racing for years and has won several races. “[Cycling] helps keep me focused on what I need to do….when I get home I have my priorities straight and ready to go,” Yoshimoto said. Training, competing, and riding takes up the majority of Yoshimoto’s time, but he has no intention of slowing down. Yoshimoto is determined to continue cycling, and wants to possibly make it a career. If that does not work out, he wants to become a mechanical engineer.

Photos courtesy by KENJI YOSHIMOTO

Junior Kenji Yoshimoto finished first in the Red Trolley Classic race in San Diego.

here is a new breed of point guards forming in the NBA. Instead of just having the role of being the facilitator, point guards now come in different shapes and sizes. With players like Chris Paul and Stephen Curry in the consideration for the Most Valuable Player award, the NBA is now a little man’s game. The traditional point guard was seen as the player who brought up the ball, took charge of the offensive and defensive schemes, and delivered the ball to teammates for open looks. The perfect example of this type of player was former Utah Jazz and Hall of Famer John Stockton. Considered as one of the best point guards to ever play the game, Stockton holds the NBA record for career assists and perfected the pick and roll with his fellow big man teammate Karl Malone. Currently, there are many different types of point guards in the NBA. The league consists of athletic point guards like John Wall and Derrick Rose, creative point guards like Rajon Rondo and Ricky Rubio, scoring point like Damian Lillard and Westbrook, and all-around point guards like Paul and Curry. With the game becoming more spread out and faster, teams expect more from their point guards. Instead of just searching for bigs on the court, franchises are now looking for versatile guards that have the potential to do nearly everything on the court. An elite player is who is able to score, find open teammates, and defend, are

Stunning 1-0 defeat in CIF BOYS SOCCER After a second place finish in the Palomares League, the Brahmas’ season comes to an end after a 1-0 loss in the CIF playoffs. james kil asst. sports editor After winning the CIF Wild Card game against Templeton 5-0 last week, the 17-5-2 Diamond Bar soccer team was put to a stop by Norte Vista High School 1-0. The Brahmas’ defense gave up a goal to the Braves in the final two minutes of overtime.

“We played well. We were very pleased with the effort. We didn’t get out-played, we just missed some close chances. Unfortunately, that is soccer,” said coach Kemp Wells. In the game against the Templeton Eagles last week, DB demolished the Eagles. Senior co-captains Guy Horcasitas and Andre Gamboa led the Brahmas throughout the game. In the first half, Gam-

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Senior Naethin Herrera touches on passes before the game against Norte Vista.

boa and Horcasitas ran through the Eagles defense, scoring three goals by the end of the first half. Running with their momentum, the two captains each scored another point, winning the wild card game, 5-0. “Templeton was a great way to start off CIF because it allowed us to perform what we practiced perfectly,” senior Kevin Kueter said. Last year, the boys beat Hemet High School in the first round of the CIF playoffs. Then the Brahmas moved on to the second round against Monrovia and tied, 2-2, but after the penalty shoot-out, DB came out on top 3-2, earning its spot in the quarterfinals. During the quarterfinals, DB and Baldwin Park were tied 1-1 for most of the game until they gave a goal to BP and lost their chances of moving on. To ensure that the Brahmas can keep up with the opponent’s offense, Wells made it a priority to practice defensive schemes. According to Wells, the Brahmas offense was top notch this year, as they were averaging three goals per game. However, the boys also gave up a lot of goals on the defensive side. Now, DB gave up half the goals of what they gave up last year. Even though the soccer program moved up two divisions from last year, the team still maintained a similar record from last years. Part of what helped continue a successful record was making the players stay and practice what they didn’t do well during the game. “When we play together, we’re about as strong a team as there is out there in our division. We had

one of the better defenses the schools had in many years, so we did a lot of things right this year. But we fell short in league,” Wells said.

For the rest of the playoffs, the team hopes to stay healthy as one of its crucial players was out for four games, leaving a hole in the depth of the roster. During the game against Claremont, senior Nico Di Donato separated his shoulder after he and Horcasitas ran into each other. Fortunately, Di Donato started to play again ever since the first playoff game. According to Wells, his return helped the forwards and attacking mids have more options because of Di Donatos excellent defense and versatile play. “This was definitely a mixed season for us. Our greatest challenge was recovering from our loss against Claremont. It was a big disappointment but we’ve come back from it and we’re looking to win CIF now to make up for not winning league,” senior cocaptain Jordan Wong said.

qualities most likely attributed to the point guard position. In the past, coaches’ number one options were their big men in the paint unless they had wings like Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler. The point guard would find the center in the paint and the center would finish the play with his arsenal of post moves. However, with teams adjusting to the pick and roll strategy, the roles of the point guard has been changed. Instead of being just a conductor and facilitator, they are now the playmakers and shot-creators for the team. Point guards now have the choice of driving in the paint after a screen or hitting the big man on the roll. Since there is currently a drought of skilled big men and wings in the NBA, the eyes of basketball fans around the globe are now focused on the talented point guards. With Russell Westbrook delivering an explosive and game-changing dunk every game to Kyrie Irving showing off his creativity with his ball-handling combinations, the league is highlighted by the elite point guards. With this new type of point guards, the basketball world has now something to watch as games are filled with exciting dunks and ankle-breaking moves.

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THE BULL'S EYE

Disappointing outcome in Finding fundamentals the first round of CIF in debut season GIRLS BASKETBALL The Lady Brahmas beat the Ayala Bulldogs in the last game of the season to reach the CIF playoffs.

GIRLS WATER POLO With the core of the underclassmen returning, coach Alexander Matal looks forward to much improvement next season.

james kil asst. sports editor

andrew choi sports editor

With the regular season ending, Diamond Bar’s girls basketball varsity team received news that it will be participating in CIF for the fifth year in a row. The Lady Brahmas ended with an 11-14 overall, and 4-6 league record, finishing fourth place in the Palomares League. Unfortunately, the team suffered a 56-21 loss against the Lynwood Knights last Saturday in the first round of CIF. “They are growing up. [We] got to learn how to win those games. [We] don’t ‘win’ them, you learn how to finish off games. We are getting better,” coach Tony McCabe said. Throughout the season, the Lady ANDREW CHOI Brahmas struggled with closing out games, losing 12 neck-to neck games. Sophomore Juliana Gamboa led the game with 21 points against the Ayala Bulldogs. In an away game versus Ayala, DB had possession of the ball and was For two years in a row, there had not been down by three points with 14 seconds left on the clock and missed the shot that would an at-large team that went into the CIFs. An at-large team is a team that did not finhave extended the game. Another example ish first, second, or third place in its league. was when DB lost a ten point lead against Since Ayala is co-league champs with South Glendora in the fourth quarter. Glendora made four three pointers and a free throw Hills, with a league record of 8-2, the win within the last two minutes of the fourth against Ayala was a major advantage. After beating the Bulldogs, DB moved above six quarter, winning the game 48-45. teams in the at-large bids, eventually earning During the last game of the season against Ayala, there were two minutes left in the a spot in the CIF. Although McCabe described the season game with DB up by four points. Ayala was fighting to maintain its first place spot and as disappointing until DB beat Ayala its last DB was competing for a better chance of get- game, he has much to look forward to next season. Rising junior Gamboa averaged 15 ting into the CIF. The Brahmas came out on points per game this season and handled all top, managing to win the game 53-44 with sophomore guard Juliana Gamboa leading the presses really well. Junior co-captain Destinee Garr was the leading rebounder the team with 21 points that game. and best defensive player all year. Having the “I think this season was definitely a learning experience. The team really learned how two players who showed excellent skills durto work together and bring intensity to every ing this season returning increases its odds at moving deep in the playoffs. game,” senior co-captain Marisa Quon said.

Senior co-captain Sierra Sanchez and junior co-captains Jenna Canova and Mia Le took the reins of the team in the beginning of the season and led the Lady Brahmas through any obstacles they faced. “Our captains worked together to share their vision of the program with their teammates. They held their teammates accountable as well as each other,” Matal said. Even though the team dealt with many losses, the program did experience a moment that can be carried onto next year. Over winter break, the team finished fourth place in the Silver Division of the First Annual Lady Brahma Winter Classic. “Winning is not all that matters. It’s about having fun while playing water polo,” sophomore Alison Kim commented. With the first season of the program coming to an end, there are many areas that the team feels they need to improve in before they become contenders of the Palomares league. “[In the offseason] we will push the level of intensity during workouts and begin to develop advanced skill sets,” Matal stated.

In its inaugural season, the Diamond Bar girls water polo team experienced tough challenges as the team competed against the powerhouse teams like Ayala and Bonita. However, instead of trying to improve its 4-23 overall record, the team focused on establishing the fundamentals of the sport and developing its players. “It is always tough to come out as a senior and try something new. These girls will always be part of the first ever girls water polo team at DBHS. The coaching staff and the student-athletes understood from the beginning that this was our first season and we would be playing against wellestablished programs, especially in the Palomares League,” coach Alexander Matal said. During the season, the coaching staff implemented a system that involved the ball touching each members’ hands. In each game, the Lady Brahmas passed the ball multiple times until the right window opened up. “We focused on a team oriented offense and defense throughout the season. Everyone unselfishly works throughout the game for the benefit of the ANDREW CHOI team,” Matal said. Freshman Victoria Stolz practices throwing the ball to improve her form.

Guy Horcasitas ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Playing International michelle ki asst. feature editor Many high school soccer players dream of playing internationally. However, for senior Guy Horcasitas, he has already dribbled past opponents in Europe and looks to finish his senior year with finesse. Horcasita’s parents initially put him into three sports as a young child—wrestling, baseball, and soccer. Coming from a very athletic background, with a cheerleading captain mother and a football captain father, Horcasitas was bound to fall into the sports spectrum. However at the age of nine, at his father’s request, he had to make the choice of devoting himself to only one sport. Horcasitas chose soccer. “My love for the game inspired me to keep playing and choose this sport,” Horcasitas said. Horcasitas was the only ninth grader to make the varsity soccer team at Diamond Bar High School, which consisted of no sophomores, ten juniors, and 11 seniors. Currently, Horcasitas switches off between the forward and center-mid fielder position but occasionally plays defender. “It was the best experience of my life. They would pick me up, we

would go eat places after practice, and have team parties with story time so I got to be really close to everyone,” Horcasitas said. Over the course of his high school career, Horcasitas made it into Olimpica United FC, a soccer team that allows participants to compete in Europe. “My friends from soccer told me about the team and their big plans, so I went to try out for the team and I made it. [I] worked hard and made the team to go to Spain and Russia,” Horcasitas said. Through Olimpica United FC, Horcasitas was able to travel to Europe and play in an international tournament called the Mediterranean International Cup, only losing once throughout the entire tournament. “We lost in the group stages. In order to move on, we had to win and we were winning 1-0 [but] then they scored with[in] 2 minutes left in the game and went on to the next stages. Then they just beat everyone and won the tournament in Spain,” Horcasitas explained via Facebook. However, Horcasitas does not play on Olimpica anymore due to financial issues regarding the owner, which ultimately caused the team to disband. He has been rewarded first Team

All-League twice and All-Valley Team All-League once. Due to Horcasitas’ innate soccer skills as well, DBHS’s varsity soccer team has won three league titles in a row, and placed second place in the Palomares League. Playing soccer for 14 years and counting, Horcasitas has devoted himself to the sport making soccer a “year-round thing” for him. Once high school season ends, he goes straight to club season. However, although Horcasitas considers soccer as his passion and love, he is not sure he wants to pursue it as a career just yet. Next fall, Horcasitas will be attending the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York. “I have still not decided what I want to be when I grow up but I’m leaving to New York for college and majoring in business so I think it’ll be somewhere along those lines,” Horcasitas said. Although Horcasitas is majoring in business, he plans on playing soccer in college due to financial priorities. “[Soccer is] helping the financial part of [college] a little better because the school I’m committed to is giving me a little bit of a scholarship. I just made my down payment for my room for next year for college and now the next step is to sign with them,” Guy said.

IN His GLORY DAYS

JOHNTERRY eric hong asst. opinion editor Coming from an athletic family, it was somewhat expected of Diamond Bar High School Vice Principal John Terry to participate in sports in his early years. What began as a casual activity in junior high became a serious ambition at the beginning of high school and stuck with him throughout his education. At 6 feet 5 inches, Terry played as a center and served as the captain for the varsity basketball team in his junior and senior years at Narbonne High School in Harbor City, after spending his sophomore year in junior varsity. He was also involved in track and field and participated in high jump and long jump, but he used track mainly as a method of conditioning and building the legs. “We weren’t a good team. We had a lot of good athletes but we

just weren’t a good team.” Terry said. According to Terry, because practicing as a team during the

the

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offseason was considered illegal, the team was not able to build the teamwork and momentum and that others had. As a result, Narbonne was not able to compete against other teams that continued to practice illegally. Yet, Terry himself made some significant achievements. Terry made All-City in the Los Angeles Unified School District and earned a spot on the All-South Bay Second Team as a senior. He also broke Narbonne High School’s single game scoring record with 50 points during his last high school game. After graduating in 1994, Terry was recruited by coach Henry Dyer to become part of California State University Los Angeles’ class of 1999 basketball team. He received other opportunities such as an offer to Montana State Billings and a full ride to Oregon Institute of Technology but decided that the diverse community of Cal State LA appealed to him, as it most reflected the multicultural environment of Narbonne. While Terry was studying for a major in social sciences with an emphasis on history, he not only played for the Division II basketball team but was also asked to participate in javelinthrowing event in the track and field. Terry remembers one of his most significant personal achievements in college was in his senior year when he scored 19 points without missing a shot out of nine attempts. Terry credits his two coaches at Cal State, Henry Dyer and Dave Yanai, to being pivotal in developing him as a player and a coach. “I’ve always been a disciplined person but the level of discipline Coach Yanai expected was instru-

Lin and Moss advance to CIF Masters WRESTLING Seniors Jeffrey Lin and Derrick Moss will be competing in the CIF Duals after placing in the CIF Individuals. vrinda chauhan asst. a&e editor

Photo courtesy of DBHS.ORG

mental in taking my own discipline higher. Coach Dyer made me a tougher player and made me push myself physically beyond levels I never thought I could reach,” he said. Upon graduating from college and after half a season of playing semi-professionally in the Drew League in Los Angeles, Terry decided that his real passion was no longer playing basketball but rather with coaching the sport and teaching history. In addition, a hairline fracture on the pelvis he injured from a slam dunk in a pickup game at a park suggested that it was time to leave the league and his basketball career. Terry returned to Cal State L.A. in 2003 to pursue his new aspirations. He became the vice principal at DBHS toward the end of 2010. Though, basketball wasn’t a viable career option for Terry, he displayed an impressive performance during his first year at DB in a celebrity basketball game against the Hollywood Knights. As the MVP, Terry led the DB faculty team with 18 points in a 70-63 win. “I played in two other celebrity games but I don’t have time anymore, being an administrator with two kids. It was a great way to meet staff, and it brought back old memories. I thought I could do things that I can’t do anymore, so it was a reality check, but it was just nice with the camaraderie,” Terry said.

Though the varsity Diamond Bar wrestlers experienced a grim season with multiple injuries and tough defeats, they aim to regain their momentum in the CIF postseason in the coming weeks. “The guys overall trained hard. Everyone has injuries right now but they keep coming in and listening to us coaches, and I’m happy about that,” coach Donny Palmer Sr. said. On February 20 during the CIF Individuals, senior Jeffrey Lin won three matches and finished in sixth place. Senior Derrick Moss placed in fourth. After a CIF Duals loss to Bloomington 60-14 on February 7, seniors Jesse Dicken and Lin as well as juniors Jacob Munoz, Vincent Lopez, and Jake Miozza qualified for the League Finals. During this meet, junior Leighlan Corpus and Moss gained the title of League Champs due to their dominating performance. Junior Melody Palmer also contributed victories as she competed in CIF and earned a record of 2-2, despite suffering from multiple injuries. The Brahmas dominated the mats early in the season, starting off with a 76-0 win against Claremont. However, as the season progressed, the team suffered many

injuries, forcing some wrestlers off the mat. “We haven’t really had our best team on the mats this year since half the team is injured, but we’ve been practicing hard and I’m hoping they can take it as far as possible,” Palmer Jr. said. Senior wrestler Donny Palmer Jr. gained a state ranking this year, but quickly lost his title due to concussions. Palmer Jr. also competed at the National High School Coaches’ Association nationals for USA wrestling against 1000 competitors and ranked in the Top 25. Although he did not participate in CIF Individuals due to his injuries, Palmer Jr. hopes to get healthy in time to compete for the State Tournament in April. If he is able to place in State, he will able to compete in the Nationals Tournament, which he participated in last year.

“We haven’t really had our best team on the mats this year since half the team is injured....” SENIOR DONALD PALMER JR. “I think we’ve had better seasons in the past because we put in more time to practice. This league is also stronger than the Hacienda Heights league. At this point, we’re just working on making a stronger team next year and getting someone to state,” Palmer Jr. said. Since Palmer and Corpus had stellar performances, they were rewarded with a sponsorship from Asics. Asics approached coach with the intent to sponsor the whole team based on the stellar individual performances of the two DB wrestlers.

Alumni Super Bowl XLIX champ

Parking Spot

sports talk with joseph park

It takes more than talent joseph park editor-in-chief Too many foolish teams in the sports world are running and building their teams on the notion of talent. Just talent. Let’s break down some recent incidents. The 2012-2013 Lakers is a prime example of why talent can’t buy success. Minus Kobe Bryant, the hard work factor and mentality was missing in action, especially from Dwight Howard, throughout the whole season, thus the infamous first round playoff sweep that ended the projected championship season. Although the current Cleveland Cavaliers isn’t as a shoddy example as the aforementioned Lakers, it clearly substantiates that talent can’t buy success. If you’re telling me there’s a better reason

as to why a star-studded team with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love isn’t the first seed in the Eastern Conference right now besides the fact that it’s not as hard working as the less talented, firstseed Atlanta Hawks, I’m not buying it. If that’s not enough, take a look at the Los Angeles Dodgers the past two seasons. Stacking up talent and a massive payroll, the Dodgers failed to realize that it takes much more than the highest salary cap in the league to win a championship. It’s hard to believe that a team with Clayton Kershaw and co. failed to win a championship, let alone make it to the World Series, but that’s the cold truth: the team that works the hardest gets the gold, not the team that acquires the most talent. “Don’t just sit there and look at him, you’ve got to work,” Mike Tyson’s cornerman, Jay Bright,

yelled. Predicting Tyson, number one fighter, as the winner in the 1990 match against no-name Buster Douglas was as clear as day. Although Douglas wasn’t as talented as Tyson, he brought the winning mentality, something the talented Tyson probably felt as if he didn’t need. It didn’t matter if Douglas contracted the flu the night before the match because the better mentality outlasted raw talent in this match, a feat Buster still cherishes to this day. It’s depressing to see teams, usually the less talented ones, settle for less than the best. No teams should be “tanking,” that’s not what I call sports. Talent is overrated and too coveted; with just brute force and hard work, any team can make a name for themselves, with or without talent. In the end, according to superstar Kevin Durant, “hard work beats talent when talent fails to work.”

photo courtesy of LOCKERDOME.com

Ryan Wendell, the center for the New England Patriots and a 2004 Diamond Bar High School alumni, was part of the Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. In the 2014 season, Wendell started twelve games and has played a total of 77 games with the Patriots. During his playing days at DB, Wendell was selected First-Team All-CIF Southern selection as an offensive guard in his junior year and earned the same honors as a defensive lineman in his senior year. He was also named the Sierra League’s Most Valuable Player.

CORRECTIONS In the January issue, in the girls soccer article, the last two paragraphs were unrelated to the story.

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One game shy of CIF playoffs GIRLS SOCCER Even though the Lady Brahmas defeated the league champions Ayala Bulldogs, DB finished the Palomares League in fourth place. ryan chae contributing writer The Lady Brahmas waited too long to picked up the slack and missed the CIF playoffs by one game. Even though the team rode a three-game winning streak to end the regular season, it was not enough for the Lady Brahmas. “The season went well during preseason but we got off to a rocky start during the beginning of league. [However], we got back on to our feet in the last three games and won all three with shut-outs,” Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Seniors Marissa Favela (left), recently committed to Cal State Northridge, and Ashley Bell (right) dribbles past the Ayala Bulldogs in a 1-0 victory. junior Sabrina May said. The Diamond Bar girls soccer team had a 12-8-2 overall record and finished fourth in the Palomares League. The team will now have a long offseason to work on improvements for next season. “We barely missed out. One game. We finished in fourth place, but you needed third. The way the numbers worked out, we barely missed out,” head coach Matt Brummett said. In their first season in the Palomares League, the Lady Brahmas struggled during the first half of league play going 0-3-2. However, the team was able to adapt to the new environment and finished the final five games with a record

of 3-2, including a 1-0 victory over League Champion Ayala in the last game of the season.

“The team for next year is going to be returning some good players, a lot of talent, and if they continue to work hard, they’ll have a lot of success.” COACH MATT BRUMMETT

“I think overall, transitioning into a new league was tough, but the season was a good one. We won a lot of games, especially towards the end,” Brummett said.

With this year’s season over for the Lady Brahmas, the team has pinpointed different areas to improve in for next season. “We can definitely improve on team bonding. I believe we did not have enough of it this year, and team chemistry is important to the overall success of a team,” May said. Even with a bumpy start to its season, the team was still able to find some highlights in its players. “There was a lot of players that stood out. First off, there was Marissa Favela. She had 20 goals and a successful season. We also had Helena Kisor, a strong presence on the field. Along the backline, Mia Truggerro really stood out,”

Brummett said. However, the team will undergo changes as the Lady Brahmas are losing some if its own to graduation. With nine seniors leaving, including captains Favela, Kisor, and Truggerro, the team will surely be looking for many of its underclassmen to step up. “I learned to never give up hope, and a lot of what I drew from the seniors was to not give up throughout the season and to keep on fighting even though we did not get the results we have wanted,” May said. “The team for next year is going to be returning some good players, a lot of talent, and if they continue to work hard, they’ll have a lot of success,” Brummett said.

Three straight losses doom DB BOYS BASKETBALL The Brahmas finished in fifth place in the Palomares League, eliminating their chances of making CIF. bernard chen asst. news editor This season has been a rollercoaster ride for the Diamond Bar varsity boys basketball team. After finishing the season with an overall record of 13-14, the Brahmas’ season has been cut short as the team did not make the CIF playoffs. “It’s been kind of inconsistent. More so than anything, we’re always looking at our defensive effort and what we call the system. Are we in the proper spots, not necessarily [if we’re] making all our shots,” head coach Henry Frierson said. Frierson believes that the team began to lose consistency toward the end of the season. The team is in a difficult league this year, competing against tougher teams. “Our main goal was winning league, but we feel short on that goal as a team… I think us players had regrets of not working as hard as we could’ve during the off season and the season,” senior Austin Kim said.

However, the team still saw much development and progress within individual players. One player in particular, senior Tyler Peterson, stood out to coach Frierson as he improved the team throughout the season. “The players, for the most part, responded to play well. Tyler Peterson was definitely a player we knew would be valuable to us, but I had no idea that he would become the basketball player that he was

this season,” Frierson said. In addition to Peterson, senior Brandon Rice scored the most points for the team, averaging 16.6 points per game with a shooting average of 46 percent. The coach does not have a solid idea of what to expect of next season yet. Since, nine seniors from the team who are graduating, the program will be losing a lot of experience and mostly consist of underclassmen next year. Frierson

will be using practices during the spring to take a look at the next season’s team, including any freshmen players. “The season was a bit of a disappointment because with all the new transfers that were supposedly good, our expectations were higher. Next season I believe I can improve on scoring, the details that people don’t really notice, and getting physically stronger,” junior Peter Valencia said.

Senior Tyler Peterson (left) and senior Kenneth Thai (right) struggled against the Glendora Tartans in a 57-56 loss.

Though the coach believes not many improvements could be made for the next season, the team definitely plans to develop off-season on defense and shooting efforts. “We left a lot on the tables. We could have done a better job. The guys always gives an amazing effort which is 90 percent of what a coach wants, but I thought there were a few moments that we could have improved our system and execution for sure,” Frierson said.

Photos by ANDREW CHOI