January 2015

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the bull’s eye NEWS

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OPINION

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Boys Soccer sports 13

JANUARY 28, 2015 Volume XXXIIi, Issue V ONLINE at dbbullseye.com

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

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S P O RT S

A playdate with the Brahmas Advanced Drama put on five different plays for elementary students. nadia lee staff writer

ANDREW CHOI

Advanced Drama puts on a series of plays for children from elementary schools around the district over a week’s time.

‘Yes:’ An early acceptance Three seniors were admitted into top schools through early decision. frances wu asst. news editor For most high school students, getting into your dream school is just, well, a dream. However, that dream has become an incredible reality for three students at Diamond Bar High School.

Kyu-Seo Ahn and Ruben Reyes Jr. were both accepted to Stanford University, and Angela Huang was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School

of Business. Huang was accepted through early decision, while Ahn and Reyes applied through restrictive early action. “[When I found out,] I was still on campus, so first I called my parents and told them. After that, I walked around to thank all my teachers and GLC who had written letters of recommendation for me,” Reyes said.

Huang also found out about her acceptance while she was at school, and even burst into a freshman class screaming.

However, Ahn had a slightly more muted reaction.

“I was incredibly happy and relieved that I got in but one of my best friends who applied to Stanford also got rejected at the same

time. My excitement was a bit muted, to say the least,” Ahn said.

Both Stanford and UPenn are world-renowned schools with extremely low acceptance rates. According to the Stanford Daily, of the 42,167 students who applied, only 2,138 students were admitted to the Class of 2018, a mere 5.07 percent. This marks the lowest admission rate in Stanford history and makes the school’s undergraduate program the most selective in the United States.

In addition, UPenn, one of eight elite Ivy League schools, had a record-breaking 35,868 applicants this year with only 9.9 percent of

˃˃ COLLEGES on p.3

Donating blood to save lives Students will have the opportunity to donate blood next month. calvin ru staff writer People often associate superheroes with saving lives. However, in real life, anyone donating just one pint of blood can save up to three people. On Feb. 11, Diamond Bar High School’s American Red Cross Club will be organizing a blood drive in the gym to help save the lives of many people.

Although seemingly simple, blood drives can help millions of people around the world. On the day of the event, all donors will be excused from certain class periods and go to the gym. Then, the volunteers will sign in with a club officer and proceed to a Red Cross nurse, who draws out the participants’ blood. A parent consent form is required for all students 16 years

or under to participate in the drive due to school policy.

Students can contact any Red Cross member and obtain an informational form that lists requirements for participation. These requirements include having a picture ID, being in good health, and making sure one hasn’t recently taken antibiotics prior.

The donors will be asked to pass many tests which include having their height and weight measured and receiving a physical in order to find out whether the iron levels in the blood are balanced before they are actually allowed to donate.

“It is important donors eat and drink water before they donate,” Kelvin Pang, American Red Cross club president, said. “When you donate blood, you’re losing a decent amount of liquid. You want to stay hydrated and not malnourished.”

After the blood is drawn from all participants in the drive, the blood bags are sent to a Red Cross blood component laboratory. There, the blood is spun in centrifuges to separate the main components: red

blood cells, plasm, and platelets.

After being separated, each component is sent through a series of tests to determine if there are any infectious diseases within each unit. If so, the unit is discarded and the donor is notified. The units suitable for transfusion are labeled and stored in IV bags and kept at their separate temperatures determined by the contents until they are needed by a patient.

While donating blood is definitely helpful to the recipients, studies have shown that blood donations are also beneficial to the donors.

Blood donations improve blood flow, resulting in lowered risk of heart attacks, strokes, and various cancers. According to World Health Organization, people who donate blood also tend to live longer lives have improved health.

“It is a great opportunity for students to save lives,” Jacqueline Zhang Red Cross club publicist stated via Facebook. “It’s also a fun event for volunteers who work [at] the blood drive and for officers to get to know their members more.”

While the director cues for the lights, the actors ready themselves on the stage as the curtain rises to present Diamond Bar High School’s annual Children’s Theater. From Jan. 13 to 15, children from elementary schools visited DBHS to attend this event presented by Advanced Drama students.

Ever since October, Advanced Drama, advised by drama teacher Beatriz Casagran, has been working to make sure everything from costumes to scripts were prepared for this event Unlike previous years, where the play only had one storyline, Advanced Drama decided to separate the event into five short plays which were written and directed by the actors themselves.

Throughout the event, the actors made sure that the audience was involved and encouraged viewers to answer questions to receive

prizes. Every play had a message which taught the children important lessons.

“It’s a really good experience for children to be a part of because they’re able to learn lessons of life,” said senior Cindy Park.

The first play, “Superdoodle,” is about two lonely children who each draw a superhero that comes to life. The four of them must come together to defeat a bully and his drawn-to-life super villain. In the end, the bully joins forces with them to turn his former villainous creation back into a drawing.

The following play, “Tina,” revolves around a girl who loves to dance, but is accidently injured from practicing the super scary splits for a recital. Luckily, with the help of her friends, Tina was able to perform a routine that touches the audiences’ hearts.

The next play was called “Carl,” which introduced a villain tired of his digital world. Carl decides to enter the human world instead, but fails after trying to adapt by acting like a good citizen.

Advanced Drama then presented “Chuckie’s Girl,” which is about a

˃˃ THEATER on p.2

New law restricts school discipline Students can no longer be severely punished because of ‘willful defiance.’ vrinda chauhan asst. a&e editor Talking back to the teacher or refusing to work in class won’t get you in as much trouble anymore in California. Last September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill which

was implemented on Jan. 1, limiting the use of suspensions for K-3 students and expulsions for all students and bestowing leniency in terms of punishment among all high school students of California.

Brown signed bill AB 420 into law, making California the first kindergarten and third grade over actions that “[disrupt] school activities or otherwise willfully [defy] the valid authority of school staff.” Ex-

˃˃ NEW LAW on p.2

Printing the future

ERIC HONG

Robotics Business captain Amy Zhu and public relations lead Samuel Chiang helped to apply for a grant, winning the team an Ekocycle Cube 3D printer.

2

NEWS

JANUARY 28, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

Familiar faces offer advice Former calculus students returned to share their college experiences. bernard chen asst. news editor

ANDREW CHOI

Adam Thai (center), playing the antagonist in “Superdoodle,” acts surprised as his drawn villain, played by Emily Beard (left), springs to life.

Each act taught a different theme or moral.

THEATER from p.1 nerd—Chuckie—who begins to develop feelings for a smart girl in his class, but constantly gets rejected by her. Whenever he attempts to talk to her, a jock intercepts and bullies Chuckie. The girl eventually admits to acting dumb so her intelligence wouldn’t affect her popularity. In the end, she accepts her true self allowing Chuckie to win her love.

The final play, “I know things now” has a similar plot to “Little Red Riding Hood” It’s about a girl, Red, who doesn’t listen to her mother about the benefits of eating healthy. On her way to school, Red encounters two students who tempt her to eat junk food, causing

the three to be late. The trio gets caught and the scene ends by Red singing a parody of, “Nice is Different than Good,” originally from Disney’s “Into the Woods.”

“The purpose of Children’s Theater is to expose children to theater,” senior Emily Beard said.

“Getting responses from the children and the laughs, it really just makes it for me.”

Right as the children left the auditorium, they were greeted by the characters from the play as the closing ceremony.

“It was good and my favorite character was Tina,” first grader Skylar Kang commented.

Though Children’s Theater is held to entertain children and adults, it also gives a chance for Advanced Drama students to create a stronger bond with each other. “[Children’s Theater is] a way for all of the students of Advanced Drama to get closer each other,” Park said, “It creates the Drama Family.”

Though high school students are thoroughly prepped to be admitted into colleges, they are rarely informed on what to expect after graduation. Luckily, Diamond Bar High School alumni shared their college experiences to current Brahmas during a calculus guest speaker event on Jan. 7.

Calculus and higher level math teacher Howard Alcosser hosted the event, which invited many past students who are currently attending Ivy League schools and other distinguished universities from around the country. Students currently in the calculus program attended and were encouraged to ask questions in an effort to create a better understanding of life after high school.

“The purpose of the event, when I started doing this 30 years ago, is the same as the purpose now. The main reason is so that the students, here at Diamond Bar, can get an idea of what college is like from a

student’s point of view,” Alcosser said. The math teacher also stated that another goal of the event is to “keep the legacy of Diamond Bar High School alive.” He believes that past students enjoy returning to their high school to visit old friends or even see previous teachers.

The alumni had a chance to speak during each calculus class period. Current students had less than an hour to listen while the alumni shared their thoughts about their respective colleges.

Topics ranging from financial aid to social life were covered as well.

Among the speakers was Emily Kuo, who was part of Berkeley’s spring admit program. Kuo is now a junior at the school, majoring in English and Gender and Woman Studies. This means that she was not able to attend the school until the spring semester her first year, but now that she looks back, she says that it didn’t make any difference.

Stanley Liu, another spring admit who graduated last year from DBHS, has now gone to Northern California and is preparing to begin his first semester at Berkeley.

Daniel Kim, a 2013 alumni now studying accounting at USC, advises current students to keep an open mind and know what you

like and dislike. He loved math in high school, pursuing math competitions, but quickly found that he disliked physics. As a result, he decided upon accounting as his major, saying that college is the time to explore.

The math teacher invited all his former students via email around winter break to attend the event and encouraged them to come and speak.

This tradition began about 30 years ago with the Gifted and Talented Education program. At the time, the dean of the math department was also the head of the program at Diamond Bar. Thus, Alcosser, being in the math department as well, was able to help the dean plan and lead the event. However, when the GATE program was removed, Alcosser decided to continue the program.

For the future, Alcosser doesn’t see the event ending any time soon and hopes to continue the event in order to improve students’ perspectives on college.

“I hope that the students who are listening get a better idea of what college life is like. They can be exposed to different colleges,” Alcosser said, “[I also hope that] the students coming back can continue to have warm feelings toward Diamond Bar High School.”

CORRECTIONS Last issue, in the Math Team article, a quote on the second page was wrongly attributed. The quote was actually said by Hall Chen. In addition, in the article announcing the newly elected USB commissioners, Student Store Commissioner Ashley Lee was left out.

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CALVIN RU

The panel of speakers, consisting of alumni from various universities, discussed topics that current students asked.

Bill AB420 will reduce expulsions and suspensions

schools but a whopping 19 percent of suspensions for defiance.

“California is now the first state in the nation to take badly-needed measures to curtail suspensions and expulsions for minor misbehavior in our schools,” Assemblyman Roger Dickinson said in a prepared statement. “Kids who NEW LAW from p.1 have been suspended or expelled are two times more likely to drop pulsions are also no longer allowed out and five times more likely to for students above third grade for turn to crime. Rather than kickbacktalk or refusal to work. ing students out of school, we need According to Vice Principal to keep young people in school on John Terry, the new law will have track to graduate, and out of the little effect on Diamond Bar discicriminal justice system.” pline policies.

The new law was enacted in or“Since I’ve been here at Diamond der to help children “re-engage” Bar High School, after defying I have never exclassroom rules, pelled for this while also sup“California is now the violation, so it porting teachfirst state in the nation doesn’t really imers’ efforts in the to take badly-needed pact us. Kids for classroom.

Admeasures...” the most part folditionally, Brown ROGER DICKINSON low directions,” hopes to reduce Terry said.

California’s averThis law is age drop-out rates geared toward counteracting seemand increase daily average atteningly heavy punishments for trivial dance, thus providing the state with rule violations. The bill addresses more funds. the rising statistics of public school Brown previously vetoed a disciplinary actions, such as sus- similar bill, AB2242 because he pensions for high school students, did not wish to “support limiting which have reached about 750,000 the authority of local school leada year, as well as expulsions, which ers.” However, unlike bill AB2242, are up to 8,500 per year. Accordthis new law was narrowed to only ing to the American Civil Liberties prohibit willful defiance suspenUnion, “willful defiance” makes up sions for students in kindergarten 43 percent of suspensions in public through 3rd grade. Additionally, schools. This category also contains the new law encourages less austhe highest racial disproportions. tere disciplinary measures for According to EdSource, an eduproblematic behavior by giving cational site, African-Americans high school students three offenses made up only six percent of total of willful defiance before suspendenrollment in California public ing them.

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TWO VIEWS: SONY CONTROVERSY

By Emily Wong, Eric Hong Two perspectives on Sony’s response to threats upon the release of “The Interview.”

VISIT

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JANUARY 28, 2015

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NEWSBITS

VRINDA CHAUHAN

Class of 2019 students sign up for clubs, play games at their tables, and learn about their goals after the performances.

Fresh looks at DB clubs

This “Toy Story” themed event, hosted by Link Crew, welcomed freshmen. brian chang contributing writer Freshmen who missed out on their chance to join Diamond Bar High School’s diverse collection of clubs and programs received a second chance on Jan. 14 during DBHS’ annual Freshmen Remix.

The event, which was characterized by skits, music, and games, introduced a wide variety of activities to the entire freshmen class during fourth period.

Many school programs participated in the event, including Drumline, Marquis and All-Male.

The remix also included performances by members of the DBHS Color Guard, Cheer, and Dance teams, who all flashed their respective skills to the freshmen present. In addition, the newly-formed Commercial Band program was introduced at the event.

“It was fun, though it was very crowded,” freshman Annie Yen said via Facebook. “The dancers were the best part.”

The event’s theme was based on Disney’s “Toy Story” movie. Link Crew members were dressed in various toy costumes while posters of the most famous animated characters were hung on the wall facing the bleachers. A skit that matched the theme was performed to the freshmen audience, with one of the Link Crew members pretending to be a new toy, named Mr. Mouse, who helped the original toys solve their problems. In return, Mr. Mouse was treated to special performances by the school’s choir, dance and cheer teams, as well as the school’s drumline.

“All the officers got together with the captains and we just wrote whatever came to mind. At one point we had over 20 possible themes. Then we began to narrow it down based on realistic aspects, like costuming and skit plot lines.

We decided ‘Toy Story’ was the easiest out of everything,” Link Crew President Elmeera Nosrati said via Facebook.

One of the Link Crew advisors, Silvia Bento-Smith, began the event by welcoming the students.

She encouraged all of the freshmen to broaden their horizons and try out new activities, stating that all of the performers who were about to showcase their talents agreed that the best part of their

high school lives was being involved in their respective extracurricular activities.

“I think it’s a good way for everyone to get together and find a club that they would enjoy participating in,” freshman Steven Liang said via Facebook.

After the performances were over, the students were allowed to walk around and learn more about various clubs offered at DBHS. Tables featuring a variety of school clubs were set up around the gym. Each club allowed freshmen to join, and many offered games for them to play, such as bean bag tosses and estimating the number of candy pieces in a jar. As an added bonus, some clubs gave out candy to freshmen who signed up.

“I believe it really opens up freshmen to all the possibilities offered at DBHS. It was through Remix where I found clubs that I’m still a part of today.,” Nosrati said.

Some freshmen are really timid and closed off from all the activities and clubs available, so I think Remix is a good way to reintroduce them to a part of high school they might have been closed off from. I was really pleased at how Remix went this year, but for next year I think we can further expand the theme concept.”

The new cardinals and quaker are off to college COLLEGES from p.1 these getting accepted, resulting in the most selective admissions cycle in the University’s history.

All three students can now relax during their last semester of high school and focus on preparing for the next four years of their lives.

“The nice thing is that I don’t have anxiety from having to see if I’m getting into college … [but] I still have lots of great work to do on campus,” Reyes said. The senior, who is involved with various extracurricular activities like Yearbook and Best Buddies, will spend the rest of his last semester finishing up various projects.

OREGON

COLORADO

Jogging is usually a relaxing and healthy activity, but 58 year old Ron Jaecks was struck twice in the head by a large unknown force. The second time, Jaecks was able to glimpse a large, winged animal, causing him to believe that it was a massive bat. However, biology professor David Craig told the Statesman Journal that the assailant was most likely an owl acting in defense of its’ nest.

It may be common for public transportation to offer bike racks to travelers, but in Fort Collins, CO, ambulances have been equipped and upgraded with racks as well. The racks, which cost $5000 for the 12 ambulances the city has, were installed because bikers often hesitate to leave their equipment on public racks in the event of an accident, and hospitals claimed it was too much of a hassle to return to the site to collect the bikes afterwards. The town is used to biking as transportation, holding bike parades and even teaching elementary schools biking safety.

DOMINICA Famous photographer Keri Wilk recently went scuba diving with four companions off the coast of this small island when a seemingly calm sperm whale approached the group. However, the swimmers were soon surrounded by what can only be described by the Huffington Post as a “poopsplosion.” Initially, when the whale began defecating, Wilk wasn’t surprised because whales are known for defecating regularly. However, when the whale continued its’ bowel movements “for a startling length of time,” the group was caught in the cloud.

OREGON Two thieves learned the hard way that everything is stored in the cloud, after their selfies taken with a stolen iPad ended up on the victims iCloud account. The images included the faces of the two robbers, both of whom were shown to be holding up $100 bills. The victim ended up sharing the photos with the media and detectives soon identified the suspects. In the world of crime, one’s selfie game can’t be too strong.

While both UPenn and Stanford have many appealing qualities, what draws each student to a school is different. Stanford was a good choice for Reyes, who is still fairly unsure of what he wants to do in life, because he believed that if he attended one of the best universities in the nation, he would be “in good shape” regardless of what field he ended up in.

UPenn was the obvious option for Huang because the school has a nationally-ranked business program. She also participated in a program that the Wharton School of Business hosted last summer and “fell in love with Philadelphia.”

There were more physical aspects that made Stanford the perfect fit for Ahn. “The land is flat, but the people are not. Being in a wheelchair, the terrain is really important to me; the flatter the ground, the better,” Ahn said.

There is a variety of factors that play into a student’s experience or success with college applications,

IOWA Police were sent early last Monday to respond to several callers regarding a possible suicidal jumper on a billboard of U.S. Highway 61. However, the jumper was not a human, but rather a mannequin mistaken because of the darkness, placed by advertiser Deery Brothers GM. After learning of the situation, Brad Deery, the owner of the car dealership, quickly agreed to remove the mannequin. “I’m here to sell cars, not get people hurt,” Deery said.

CALIFORNIA One man has found the best way to chase after his dreams…by running. Tim Durbin has one marathon left in his goal of completing the World Marathon Challenge, which consists of running seven 26.2mile marathons in seven days on seven continents. Joining Durbin in the challenge are 11 other participants from Brazil, India, Great Britain, Hong Kong, France, Finland, and Australia.

and all three Brahmas attribute their success to different elements.

“I feel like the school culture at Diamond Bar really pushed me to excel. Everyone else in the school is just so smart … I would always feel bad whenever I wasn’t busy with something,” Huang said.

Reyes didn’t ask anyone to critique his application, and instead chose to complete everything on his own. “The biggest thing that helped me in applying was my experiences. It’s [easy] to write about what you hope to do in the future when you’ve seen things outside of your bubble,” he said. Reyes also believes that reading can help students understand the world as well as unfamiliar experiences.

Ahn, who is a member of Mock Trial and Debate Club, believes that students shouldn’t participate in activities just to look wellrounded on their applications.

“Find a passion and never give up on it; be intrinsically motivated,” he said via Facebook.

KATLYN LEE

Three seniors, Kyu Seo Ahn, Angela Huang, and Ruben Reyes Jr., (left to right) were admitted into prestigious colleges through early admission. Ahn and Reyes will be attending Stanford and Huang will go to UPenn.

4 OPINION

THE BULL'S EYE

EYE OF THE EDITORS

from the brahma perspective:

SLEEPING IN CLASS: Students argue for the right to sleep in class without facing punishment.

S

leep. It is one thing that many students at Diamond Bar High School and many other schools are deprived of. There are too many instances when the teacher is lecturing and a couple of students sitting in the back are continuously nodding their heads up and down, particularly in classes during zero or first period. A few seconds later, the teacher catches the drowsy students and punishes them by writing a referral or docking off points from their grade.

However, this situation is not fair because students don’t stay up late because they choose to, but rather because they are busy with school activities.

Many students, especially high school students, are sleep deprived. On average, teens need 9.25 hours of sleep a day. However, a study by the National Sleep Foundation shows that only 15 percent of teens get an average of 8.75 hours or more of sleep, contributing to the vast majority of sleepdeprived students. Many students have their schedules filled up with so many extracurricular activities just so they can impress colleges

that they don’t have enough time to sleep.

Many teachers cannot stand students sleeping during lectures. Yet, students have the right to make the decision to sleep during class or not. Students can either take a quick nap and learn the material later on or try to retain information from the lesson even when they feel drowsy. Educators should not be concerned with teens sleeping in class as it is their loss that they are missing out on key information from the teacher’s lesson. Why should teachers punish the drowsy teens when they are not disturbing class and are just trying to make up for their loss of sleep? There is no reason for teachers to send students to their GLCs when students have the right to either sleep or listen during class.

Sleeping in class is definitely rude to the teacher, but in most cases, students simply can’t help it. Everyone needs sleep, but only a few get the right amount. Without allowing the right environment for students to get more sleep, teens are being restricted from ever reaching their full learning potential.

“Should students be allowed to sleep in class without facing repercussions?”

MARISA UMEH (9)

AMEER ALAMEDDIN (10)

BRIAN HO (11)

“As much as I enjoy a good nap, school is meant for educational purposes and sleeping in class would distract from that.”

“Students should have the right to sleep in class because it will be their fault if they miss the material, so it’s their loss.”

“I feel bad for sleeping in class because teachers take the time and effort to teach us.”

REBECCA WANG (11)

NALIE BORIHANE (10)

PAPA MIDLEY (11)

“Its hard not to fall asleep in class especially if you’re an upperclassman but if you sleep through the entire class you’re not getting the information you need to know.”

“The first time they should be excused and just woken up because it’s unintentional due to lack of sleep but after a while they should be sent outside to wake up.”

“Students should be allowed to sleep in class. Because of sports and all the other extracurricular activities students have, they need some time to just close their eyes for a minute or two.”

SERIOUSLY SATIRICAL hanna kang opinion editor

Y

ou make them while you’re watching New York City Time Square’s annual ball drop, counting down the seconds until the ball drops. Or if you’re Korean like me, you compile the list on your way back from a family trip to watch the first sunrise of the New Year.

For countless people around the world, writing New Year’s resolutions has become an unspoken must, and reasonably so. After all, life-changing decisions are accomplished if and only if they are written on the first day of a lifeless calendar.

I am very positive that all of you have your resolutions nicely tucked away in a safe place and can’t wait to put them into action. But just in case my genuine assurance came up a bit short in motivating you to take the beginning steps, I am more than willing to disclose three of my unbelievably feasible resolutions, along with the steps I will take in order for them to materialize.

Hanna Kang’s Top Three New Year’s Resolutions: 1. I will lose some weight.

This one seems to have been monopolizing the number one slot on all my lists for quite some time. If the same goes for you, I can give you a bit of advice that will have you wanting to gain a few pounds when 2016 comes knocking at the door. To shed a few pounds and achieve a leaner physique, first get rid of your kitchen and bathroom scales. Contrary to popular belief, portion control and tracking weight loss are highly detrimental to achieving your goal of losing

Cartoon courtesy of MEGAN LEE weight. As another small investment in helping you reach your diet goals, demolish your fitness room.

Keeping tabs on your body fat, hydration, muscle mass and bone mass is strictly taboo. Follow these steps and I promise you will be fit as a fiddle by the end of March.

2. I will get straight-As. As a senior attending Diamond Bar High School, I can profess on behalf of the entire student body that this is something none of us can ever seem to achieve. Here are some possible ways to break this trend. When you are assigned a lengthy math assignment, flip to the back of the textbook and copy the solutions. For the evennumbered questions, imitate the odd-numbered solutions, changing some numbers and equations here and there. Never take notes during

JANUARY 28, 2015

lectures and always come to school prepared to sleep or goof off. This last bit of advice is exclusive to seniors—succumb to the symptoms of senioritis. There isn’t a better way to achieve good grades.

3. I will get more sleep and be less stressed.

I needn’t give you much advice for this one. Make sure you start your homework at midnight and do not ever study for any exam.

When doing assignments, make sure to distract yourself by taking a slew of selfies, watching random videos on YouTube or aimlessly scrolling down Facebook.

Now that you know the steps to success, go and put them into action. Achieving your resolutions will be too easy that you will be looking forward to writing another list next year.

Letter to the Editor

A

s an avid participant in the Ferguson debate and a victim of the increasing racism in America, I was personally affected by Hanna Kang’s column (in the December 2014 issue), due to its harshly trivializing nature.

One of the many gripes I have with the article lies with Hanna’s accusation that everything is seen as a race issue—especially Ferguson—which she claims is not racial by any perspective. I’d like to underscore the trivializing nature of Hanna’s claims; when she believes that real race issues are twisted to include racism, it subverts any struggle by the black community to achieve equality.

Ferguson is about race. As much as anyone tries to divert attention away from that, racial profiling and discrimination absolutely played a part in Wilson’s decision to murder an innocent and unarmed black boy, and Mike Brown’s death is emblematic of a deeply embedded racism in America, not simply an isolated incident.

When a black person is killed by police every 28 hours, no one can deny that racism is a striking problem in our country.

Another point that struck a chord with me was her assertion to dismiss the protests because of her 96 percent black-onblack violence figure for which no sources are cited. Even if this ivory tower-esque figure is accurate, narratives of black people entirely outweigh empirical statistics. When one analyzes the overall sentiment towards the police by the black community, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that black people are victims —not “self proclaimed”—of police violence and police oppression.

Hanna only further perpetuates racism and

stereotypes of black people in her article, and it’s a shame that a person in her position would advocate for such ignorance.

Her grouping of black people into suffering from “poverty, broken families and poor education” and her accusation of parents to teach black children to not fear police struck me as sweeping generalizations and obvious bias.

What needs to be realized is that black people are not responsible for making themselves look like “savages” and “looters”, but it is biased media coverage from major news organizations.

These corporations paint black people as savage rioters that are out of their respective minds for protesting against an unjust system. Hanna cherry-picks events which demonizes these protesters and parallels the behavior of the media.

The reason there is so much outrage is because of the inherent disparity between black people and whites. No, if Mike was white and Wilson was black, there would be not as large of a reaction, precisely for the fact that abuse of police power is completely unlikely to happen in such a situation.

Race issues are in our face precisely because they are a large problem.

I get that it’s easy to write about black struggles with such an emotional detachment because of the equality and positive environment that DBHS provides in comparison to other schools—I too am guilty of that—but Hanna’s demoralizing rhetoric does no favors for the black community and only sets them back further.

(The entire letter can be read at dbbullseye.com) Justin Chuang, sophomore

OPINION

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

Transgender tragedy

5

CROWDFUNDING

The death of transgender Tumblr user Leelah Alcorn highlights the intolerance that members of the LGBT+ community unjustly continue to face in society. sasha rivera asst. opinion editor

L

eelah Alcorn’s name has been circulating throughout social media since December 28, when the transgender teen allegedly committed suicide by walking into traffic after scheduling a suicide note to be published on her Tumblr blog. Alcorn’s death is only one of the many in the transgender community caused by intolerance, but continues to highlight the prejudice and bigotry in society.

Named Joshua Ryan Alcorn at birth, the teen was raised in Ohio in a conservative, Christian household. In her suicide note, Alcorn wrote that she had felt “like a girl trapped in a boy’s body” since she was four years old. However, when she came out a transgender, her mother reacted negatively and refused to accept her daughter’s gender, forcing her into conversion therapy, where Christian therapists reinforce the idea of being transgender as wrong and unnatural. Alcorn was diagnosed with depression, but in her note says that she “never actually got the therapy I needed to cure me of my depression” and only got “more Christians telling me that I was selfish and wrong and that I should look to God for help.”

Conversion therapy is a form of child abuse because rather

pro

than receiving helpful, medical therapy, the patient is manipulated and drilled with bigotry that is extremely detrimental to mental health and can further lead to suicide, as seen with Alcorn.

Unfortunately, this medieval practice is only banned in California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., with legislation still pending in other states, including Ohio.

However, conversion therapy is not the only abuse that Alcorn experienced.

Her parents completely isolated her for five months, barring her access to social media, electronics, and her friends.

“No friends, no support, no love.

Just my parents’ disappointment and the cruelty of loneliness,” Alcorn wrote in her note.

While her parents did relent a bit and allowed her back onto social media, her friends by then had distanced themselves and drifted away. In her note, Alcorn lamented that her life was only getting worse with the pressures of the future, not being able to transition properly, and having to live a life where the majority was against who she was.

“My death needs to mean something. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year… Fix society.

Please,” wrote Alcorn in the final lines of her note.

Unfortunately, her final message

and requests are meaningless to her parents, especially her mother, Carla Alcorn, who in interviews refuses to acknowledge her daughter’s gender identity and pronouns, even in death.

“We loved him unconditionally…I loved my son. People need to know that I loved him. He was a good kid, a good boy,” the teen’s mother stated in an interview with CNN. It appears as if she does not comprehend the meaning of “unconditionally” because if that was true, she would have accepted her daughter and allowed her to transition. The person the mother is mourning is not Leelah Alcorn, but rather a fantasy of a perfect, Christian son she always wanted.

According to the Los Angeles Times, approximately 41 percent of transgender people attempt suicide. Leelah Alcorn is now a part of this statistic because of a society that cannot accept differences. This horrible situation of human beings dying, for reasons they cannot control, can be stopped, but only if barbaric practices like conversion therapy are banned, and updated information about gender and acceptance is taught early on. So far, California is the only state to ban giving lesser charges to defendants who murder someone based on the victim’s gender identity and sexual orientation; the fact that it is the only one terrifies me. As Leelah requested, things need to change and society must be fixed.

KATLYN LEE

Assembly Bill 420:

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Prohibiting school administrators from suspending or expelling students for willful defiance

eric hong asst. opinion editor

PRO|

Suspension for mouthing off to a teacher? For refusing to take a seat? For standing up for one’s beliefs? This may sound unheard of to the reserved community of Diamond Bar, but it’s become a real problem especially for the minorites in some California school districts.

In order to counteract this, Assembly Bill 420 was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown and prohibited school administrators from expelling students on the basis of “willful defiance.”

Although in some districts the bill is geared toward the benefit of black and Latino students, the primary concern is with disciplinary action for defiant students. But even the actions taken in this bill are not enough; administrators must also be prohibited from suspending and not just expelling students for willful defiance, as suspensions prove to be just as destructive.

In SFUSD, African American and Latino students account for 77 percent of suspensions, according to district data received from Public Council. Of these, they make up 81 percent of suspensions for willful defiance.

There’s a reason why these statistics are geared so much toward minority groups.

With a term as ambiguous as “willful defiance,” it’s no surprise that this has been used in biased, often racially charged, premises. The only thing that results from a suspension for such a trivial crime is a period of inactivity away from schools that students

often regard as mini-vacations, which are spent in leisure while grades gradually begin to slip. Let’s face it; unless it’s for a serious wrongdoing, suspensions end up as lose-lose situations for the student. There’s nothing remedial about it. When one is put out of the classroom even once for an extended period of time, the likelihood of dropping out of school is doubled, according to the Civil Rights Project by UCLA. The opponents of this cause complain that students who would normally be convicted of defiance are now being let off the hook, so that they may continue to disturb the classroom. But, the law never states that defiant students cannot be punished; it simply protects them from suspension and expulsion.

Students will still be called to administrators’ offices and receive proportionate consequences for their actions, perhaps detention or a referral slip.

It’s true that the students suspended for willful defiance are often repeat offenders who have no intention to learn. However, that’s where the responsibilities of schools come in. Our so-called “institutions of learning” are obligated to provide students with the motivation needed to sit through school and study. Schools need to deal with this at the roots, through intervention and counseling and not hope to suppress apathetic, defiant attitudes toward school.

Administrators have finally realized just how destructive suspensions and expulsions can be to students, and with AB420, they’re righting their wrongs. It’s time to start proactively supporting students through their education rather than stopping them in their tracks and leaving them in the dust for everything they do wrong.

brian chang contributing writer

CON|

Being suspended or expelled from school is a serious matter. To be suspended from school, one must take drastic action, such as threatening a teacher or student, bringing a weapon to school, possessing or selling drugs, and, until recently, disobeying school officials. Refusing to work and disrupting other students’ learning ability is definitely an offense that merits suspension or even expulsion from school.

This new law implemented on Jan. 1, limits suspensions of children in third grade or below and expulsions of students in fourth grade and above. The reason stated is to keep children in school, and according to Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, any student expelled or suspended from school has double the likelihood of dropping out of school. The law is aimed primarily at African American and Latino minority groups, who have suspension rates “disproportionate to their population in school,” according to CBS News.

What the lawmakers fail to realize is that the probability that students who have been suspended or expelled might drop out may not be correlated with the punishment itself but rather with the student’s mindset. A student that talks back to a teacher or refuses to do work obviously shows that he or she does not have any academic aspirations.

Another aspect overlooked by the state government is that the students who are suspended or expelled are not learning in

school anyway. By not doing work, disrupting class, and defying the teacher, the students show that they do not want to learn; by allowing these troublemakers to stay in school, a school is harming the instruction of other students in the classroom. The state argues that students who are suspended receive less education but fails to realize that by their own choices, these students are trying not to learn, harming other would-be learners in the process.

A third detail that is detrimental to the state’s case is the fact that suspensions and expulsions tend to correct behavior. Studies indicate that a majority of students who are suspended or expelled are never suspended or expelled again. Anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of students are not suspended or expelled again. This data proves that suspension helps to change the mindset of students, making them less likely to disrupt class or rebel again. By showing students that disrupting class and defying the teacher will not result in substantial punishment, a school indicates that rebellion and refusal to complete class and homework is tolerable, and students will repeat the same actions.

While the need to lower suspension and expulsion rates is high and important, a school must be more concerned with the welfare of the majority of students instead of one or two troublemakers. By refusing to suspend or expel disruptive and defiant students, a school harms more than just one student. The school harms all the classmates of that one student, who are unable to learn while the teacher is dealing with the trouble. In order to supply students with the most education they can, schools must be allowed.

6

FEATURE

JANUARY 28, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

Club spotlight: R.E.D. Photo courtesy of Nadia Mejia

The Mejia family stars in their own reality show, “Suave Says” on VH1.

Photos by VICTORIA LY

Fighting against human trafficking, club members of R.E.D. (left) and supporters (right) gather together at the Chino Hills Shoppes to participate in the anti-human trafficking walk.

victoria ly asst. feature editor Although slavery is thought to be a thing of the past, human trafficking is still an ongoing issue today.

R.E.D is a club at Diamond Bar High School that educates students about human trafficking, bringing light to the situation and striving to spread awareness on this issue.

Establishing itself as a club two years ago, R.E.D stands for redemption, emancipation, and determination. This club works to end human trafficking by raising money to give to organizations like Loose Change to Loosen Chains, International Justice Mission, and My Refuge House. These organizations save adults and children who fall victim to human trafficking. They take in

Restaurant Review

these victims and help by educating them, providing shelter and getting them back on their feet.

“Unfortunately since we’re only high school students, there’s only so much we can do. We can’t go out and help conduct the raids on trafficking sites to save the victims,” Co-President Mika Pham said.

The club also participates in antitrafficking campaigns around the area. R.E.D to participate in the local walk against human trafficking in Chino Hills last weekend.

“Although we can’t help them directly, we can spread awareness by educating the people around us and making sure our community is safe,” Pham said.

R.E.D occasionally invites guest speakers from anti-trafficking organizations to speak during club meetings, and in this way, educates stu-

dents about the subject. These guest speakers discuss their profession, what they do in the anti-trafficking organization, and at times give testimonies of the victims they’ve worked with.

“I learned that spreading awareness can keep one less person from getting trapped and donating time and money can get someone out of trouble,” Secretary Chelsea Wong said.

CORRECTIONS In last issue’s Staff Spotlight, some quotes and information attributed to Shellie Spicer were actually said by co-worker Teresa Burton.

caught ‘on the hook’

Photos by VRINDA CHAUHAN

A jar of mint lemonade (left) and a plate of lightly flavored beignets (right) served at On the Hook in Brea.

vrinda chauhan asst. a&e editor With its savory cuisine, stylish décor, and friendly service, the newly-opened Brea restaurant On the Hook should have rightfully been named “Off the Hook.”

From the moment I entered the restaurant, everything about it was simply impeccable—I truly felt as though I was not merely dining at a restaurant, but rather undergoing an experience. The place was oozing with Cajun perfection, down to every last detail. In short, I fell in love with the restaurant, hook line and sinker.

I arrived on a Sunday afternoon, and the place was surprisingly vacant. I found the venue a tad small, with several rugged wooden tables and chairs that seemed to take up most of the middle of the room.

The décor inside was tastefully done, with nautical wooden structures and ropes decking the walls.

One side of the room held the seating and another held a mini-bar.

The overall ambiance of the restaurant came off as very casual, yet picturesque.

I took a seat and a pleasant waitress helped me immediately. I knew my choices would be limited because I am a vegetarian and the restaurant’s specialty is seafood.

However, the polite waitress helped me find delicious dishes that fit my diet. I decided to order garlic and cheese bread, stir-fry noodles, and garlic fries. I also ordered a mint tea. Overall, the food was not too pricey, averaging about $6 to $7 per dish, and I later found that each dish was worth every last penny.

Other specialties offered at the restaurant include steaks, po’boys, crawfish, shrimp, and lobster.

My mint lemonade arrived no more than five minutes after I ordered, and it was utter perfection.

The sharp minty flavor and the citrusy lemon gave the lemonade a refreshingly cool tang. Even better, it was served in a mason jar instead of an ordinary glass and held a very large quantity that lasted long after my meal was over.

My waitress then arrived with my stir fry noodles, which were appetizing, if a bit bland. The quantity was perfect, and it was served in a sizzler dish.

However, it was the garlic fries that impressed me the most. When I first saw the fries, I was a bit disappointed—they simply looked like regular fries topped with garlic bits and green onions. However, my first bite into the dish proved me wrong; the fries were fantastic. Unlike fries served at fast food chains, these were more butter-based instead of oil-based and struck me

too savory for a snack.

Surprisingly, I had room for.

However, instead of bringing me a menu, the waitress simply brought me a dish. I’m not sure if she mistakenly brought us someone else’s order or if that was the only dessert they kept in the restaurant, but it was unexpected. I was served beignets, which had no taste to it, so the cinnamon and honey were the only two ingredients providing flavor. However, I can’t complain; its texture and subtle taste flawless.

The small details of the restaurant, such as the platter they used, or the décor, tied the whole experience together. Overall, I’m hooked on this fun seafood hole-in-the-wall that wasn’t even a disappointment to a vegetarian.

DETAILS cuisine: cajun seafood Address: 2445 e. iimperial highway ste m, brea, ca 92821 PHONE #: (714) 671-5886 PRICE RANGE: $7-$10 Yelp Rating:

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

emily leung feature editor

MODEL MATERIAL

school experience so wonderful,” Mejia said.

In her modeling career, Mejia has had the opportunity to work When high school graduation with clothing stores such as Pachits, a period of both excitement Sun, Tilly’s, and Swell and has and uncertainty begins for most even modeled in a winter campaign students, the start of a long pro- for Reef. cess in discovering a future career.

One of the highlights of her caHowever, Class of 2013 alumna Na- reer was working with Raf Simdia Mejia quickly rose to stardom mons and one of the designers of both as a TV personality and model Christian Dior as their fit model. soon after she stepped out of the “They basically used me as a hudoors of Diamond Bar High School. man mannequin and created their Her father, Gerado Mejia, a mu- new collaborative line on my body. sician who had a hit song, “Rico To be around such iconic people Suave,” in 1990, now works behind in the fashion industry felt like the scenes in the music industry in a dream come true and to watch the artists and repertoires division them in their creative process at Interscope Records. while using me as a vision of their Two years ago, the Mejia family line was the icing on top of the participated on the reality show cake,” Mejia said.

“Celebrity Wife Swap,” and a few Currently, she is in the process months later, a production compa- of recording her first EP with Red ny contacted their family about do- One, a music producer who has ing a reality show. They all agreed worked with Enrique Iglesias, and filmed a ten minute sizzle reel Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Jason to give networks a taste of their Derulo, and many more. As for family. The Mejia’s received offers acting, she feels she is much betfrom MTV, A&E, and VH1, and ul- ter at being herself than trying to timately decided to go with VH1. play someone else, but she is open They began filming to what the future “Suave Says” for the holds. next seven months Mejia’s faith is a with the show finalvery important asly premiering last pect of her life, and month. she holds an active This past year, a part in her church trip to Huntington in Los Angeles as Beach for the 2013 a worship leader U.S. Open of Surfevery Sunday and ing proved to be Thursday. a very lucky day “I would be nothfor Mejia, 17 years ing without God old at the time. by my side,” Mejia As she was walksaid. ing on the beach Though modelwith her friends, ing has allowed she was scouted by Mejia many great Next Model Manthe Photo courtesy of NADIA MEJIA opportunities, agement, an agency misconception that known for signing the winner of girls need to look a certain way to “America’s Next Top Model.” This fit a certain job description led her seemed to her like a scam until develop an eating disorder for a pethey emailed her the next day tell- riod of time. ing her to come to the agency. One “Now that I am healthy and week later, she was signed to be a happy, looking back on that dark part of NEXT. time has made me stronger than I “I know this sounds corny, but was before, and I have learned to the minute I stepped in front of love my body and embrace the way the camera while I was on my first God created me and to never let test shoot, I knew that modeling anyone’s opinions bring me down. was what I wanted to pursue until You’ll never please everybody, people told me I was too old and don’t hurt yourself trying,” Mejia wrinkly to do it anymore,” Mejia stated. said via email.

Now that she has overcome her Before her modeling career be- eating disorder, one of her hobbies gan, she was a student at DBHS is cooking. To pursue this hobby, taking classes like anyone else her she is taking online classes to reage. She attributes much of her ceive a degree in restaurant mansuccess to the positive experience agement and would love to open up she had in high school, namely her own restaurant one day. with some of her favorite teachers.

“As I travel with modeling, I am “I had continuous support from going to take cooking classes so my teachers to follow my dreams that I am able to learn and be inand whom have still continued to spired by each culture’s diversity support me on my journey even when it comes to their cuisines,” after I graduated. Mrs. DeCambra, Mejia said.

Ms. Burns, Mr. Galeener, Mr. Hard“I give all of the glory to God erson, Mr. Wells, Mr. Brummett, for these continuous blessings and and even my favorite grumpy old can’t wait to see what my future man, Mr. Zylstra, all made my high holds,” Mejia said.

FEATURE

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

7

Student Embraces Motherhood sasha rivera asst. editorial editor Sara Rodriguez went through an ordeal unfamiliar to most students.

After becoming a teenage mother, the Diamond Bar High School senior is back at school, doing her English and Economics homework between changing diapers and feeding her son, who will be eight months old next week.

About two months into her junior year, Rodriguez discovered that she was pregnant. She decided to keep her son, who she later named Mason, and eventually gave birth to him on June 4. Although during her pregnancy she said she was withdrawn and became extremely reclusive, after having the baby she has been very open about her experience.

“I think it’s a chance to educate teens about their options, preventative measures, and let them know that having a child is a serious life change,” she said.

For Rodriguez, support from family, friends, and the school were essential for her strenuous situation. From DBHS, she received much aid from the staff, and after realizing her pregnancy, she was allowed to switch to independent study at home.

“I was offered a tremendous amount of support from the entire staff in working with my schedule and plan. Specifically Mrs. Burns, Mr. Galeener, and Mr. Terry were

STAFF

SPOTLIGHT gaby dinh asst. web editor For students who find themselves overwhelmed with the stress of school and need somebody to vent about their problems, they should visit school psychologist Stacey Woodward, a friendly face who is always willing to listen.

Whether it is about making learning adjustments for a student struggling in a class or listening to students discuss the events going on in their lives, Woodward is the person students can turn to. As the school psychologist, she is qualified to support students not only emotionally but also academically in class.

Woodward has been working at Diamond Bar for six years. On most days, she counsels and helps with students who are having difficulties in their classes by creating plans for them to get extra help.

“The school psychologist does a lot of counseling, but we also work with staff members to help them with any kids that are struggling in class in terms of different ways of teaching, different ways of modifying things,” Woodward said.

“We also are the staff people who, if there are kids who have consistent difficulty with learning, then we do assessments and see if they qualify for extra help. And if they qualify for extra help, we can make a plan for that.”

Students who visit Woodward for counseling can either walk into her room right away or send her an email beforehand to make an appointment.

The most common topic that students come to her for is stress. Due to the competitive nature of DBHS, students often take on a lot of hard

DBHS senior Sarah Rodriguez balances school responsibilities along with parenting and spending time with her 7-month-old son, Mason. such a big help and Mrs. Burns is so amazing,” said Rodriguez.

She stated that her family, especially her mother, helped her through the challenges and difficulties of caring for a child, even though the baby’s father has not had a real presence in the child’s life. When she came back to school, Rodriguez said her friends welcomed her back and gave her support and respect throughout her ordeal.

“I’m a single mom so I have no assistance whatsoever from his father. It makes it very challenging but I have a lot of people rooting for me and helping me,” she said.

The pregnancy came with many hardships as well, such as sleepdeprivation, stress, and judgment from strangers when she was out in public. Rodriguez also feels that it set her back mentally a little because she “let it crush [her] spirit a bit.” Rumors also spread in school

Psychologist Opens Up classes. Woodward feels that there is no problem with motivating yourself to do well but there should definitely be a balance.

“Sometimes [students] are extremely stressed and not sleeping properly or eating properly.

They’re not able to take care of themselves emotionally or physically because there’s so much stress here and so much focus on academic excellence,” Woodward said. “While it’s a great thing to have a focus on academic excellence, but sometimes it gets out of proportion for the rest of life. We have kids who won’t be leading a happy, healthy life because they’re just doing school.”

Before she worked at Diamond Bar, she worked in alternate education for the Walnut Valley Unified School District. She also taught at Azusa Pacific University for their Master’s program, teaching people how to become school counselors.

When she’s not working, Woodward spends time gardening and volunteering for Easter Seals, a nonprofit organization geared toward helping people with disabilities gain more independence in their lives.

For the students who are wondering if they should come into her room to receive counseling, Woodward wants students to know that counseling at the school is strictly confidential. However, if a student is suicidal, being abused, or plans on hurting someone else, then that the matter must be reported immediately.

“Outside of that, anything a student tells me is between them and me. I don’t talk to their GLC about it; I don’t talk to their parents about it; I don’t talk to their teachers about it,” Woodward says. “It all stays in here.”

The most important advice Woodward would give to students, especially if they’re stressed, is to know that high school is not the end of the world.

“It is important to push yourself to do what you can, but it’s also extremely important to live a balanced life and to be happy,” Woodward says. “Because if you’re not happy, you’re not balanced; then even if you get that wonderful college resume and the college of your choice, you’re still not a happy person. I think happiness is the best thing students should know.”

GABY DINH

DBHS’s psychologist Stacey Woodward is a friendly face who is always there for students to confide in with their worries and struggles.

that were hurtful and bullying occurred due to stigmas about teen motherhood. However, she came away with new knowledge and life lessons as well.

“I have learned patience. Also that not everything will go how you want in life, you have to take the cards you’re dealt [with] and try to play the best hand possible.

I’ve learned a lot about myself, who I can actually rely on, and what it takes to be a mom,” Rodriguez

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

stated.

She has also had to undergo the difficulty of acquiring many more responsibilities as both a mother and a high school student, having to juggle parenthood with her classwork and academics.

“I often have to hold, feed or entertain Mason while doing schoolwork so as a student mother you have to learn to multitask really

˃˃ PARENTHOOD on p.12

Teachers Take on the New Year

Shari DE CAMBRA MATH TEACHER catherine zhang contributing writer Almost everyone makes New Year resolutions, and teachers are no exception.

“This year, my new year’s resolution is to be more patient toward my students and family,” Chinese teacher Janet Lu said.

In past years, Lu had taught Chinese II, so teaching Chinese I this year is very different since more students are freshman and come with no Chinese background. In addition, she is accustomed to having her pupils already familiar with the content, so teaching the beginning course is a bit tougher.

Like students, teachers also have their regrets. One problem Lu, like many other teachers, faces in her classes are students not listening to her instructions.

“I’ve been trying out different methods such as asking the students questions before they ask me or to ask students to repeat the instructions. Although my past resolutions have failed, I really hope I can succeed this time,” Lu said.

“At the end of the school day, I reflect on my actions. When I get mad at my students or kids, I’ll

JANET LU CHINESE TEACHER think to myself ‘I shouldn’t have done or said that.’”

Lu is also hoping to get in a few extra hours of sleep in 2015.

“Another part of my resolution is to sleep earlier, [even] though it’s really hard for me. Every day, I make lesson plans, correct homework, or do housework after my kids go to bed around 9 p.m., and I end up sleeping no earlier than 12 a.m.,” Lu said.

Exercising more and getting in shape is one of the most popular New Year resolutions.

“My resolution is to exercise more and be in better shape. I want to have an overall better health,” math teacher Shari De Cambra said. “Ever since the year started, I’ve been waking up early to exercise on the elliptical trainer on the weekdays. On the weekends, I try to take walks. The last few years, I didn’t succeed with my resolutions but this year, I want it to succeed.”

Of course, there are times we don’t want to make any resolutions because they can be pretty hard to keep up after all.

“I don’t make any new year’s resolutions. If I want to start something, I’ll start it right away. I don’t wait for the upcoming year,” English teacher Lisa Pacheco said.

8 FEATURE

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

“It was my first day here from Chile.

I was alone, and she was the first person to talk to me.”

Rodrigo Ross (junior), Kayla Josephson (senior)

What’s the first thing you noticed about each other?

“Her nostrils.”

monica lin, paul bang, sophomores

FRIENDS + COUPLES of DBHS

“We broke up but we’re just friends now... “

Ben yoo, isabelle hwang, juniors “One time, she gave me a kiss and then she burped in my mouth...”

geovon thomas, sophia arnold, juniors

“Sometimes I make him sandwiches.”

daniela san gabriel, edward yang, juniors

”When one of us is sad, we just send random photos to each other to make us laugh.”

BARBIE CHUI (JUNIOR), NATHAN TRAN (SENIOR) Scan the QR code to view more portraits on Students + Humans of DBHS Tumblr.

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

WORDS WITH WONG: emily wong a&e editor

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

9

Valentine’s Day Chick Flick Picks

I consider myself somewhat of a movie buff. And although I wish I could say I had a more sophisticated taste in films, I concede that my favorite genre is the ultra-cheesy romantic comedies. Whether you are single or not, these chick flicks are my personal favorites and will be a great addition to your Valentine’s Day schedule.

edy movie, “Definitely, Maybe” contains elements that are present in most rom-coms—a somewhat neurotic protagonist, a New York setting, and love triangles. However, this film minimizes the cheesiness that most chick flicks exhibit and narrates the endearing tale of Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds), who recounts his romantic endeavors to his young daughter.

“Serendipity” (2001) The epitome of cheesiness, “Serendipity” is one of those films I wish I didn’t like for its far-fetched plotline and tacky concept. Even so, I cannot help but watch it over and over to satiate the irrational teenage girl inside me. Starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, the movie is about a couple who meets for one “Bridesmaids” (2011) “Definitely, Maybe” (2008) “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993) The raunchy comedy “Brides- night in New York and relies on only This is not only my favorite chick After Richard Gere and Julia maids” focuses on the irrational faith to reunite them. flick, but my favorite movie of all Roberts, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) and her “Valentine’s Day” (2010) time. An underrated romantic com- are my favorite duo in romantic struggles to pay rent and maintain With a star-studded cast, “Valher relationship with her new- entine’s Day” follows seemingly unly engaged best friend, Lillian related characters and their strug(Maya Rudolph). In the midst gles on the unofficial love holiday. of her attempts, she dissolves Each story is captivating and has her friendship and establishes its own little twist at the end of the a relationship with a cop. Hi- movie. Despite the negative reviews, larious and entertaining, the this film is merely a lighthearted ingenious script starring lead comedy to watch with your loved “Bridesmaids” female roles will generate one or a tub of ice cream. laughter from even the most “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” (2011) Photo courtesy of jabberingjessi.COM serious moviegoer.

This film is more than “Valentine’s Day” “Sleepless in Seattle” an advertisement for Ryan Gosling’s abs. The plot centers on a middle-aged man (Steve Carell) who recently separated from his wife (Julianne Moore). He finds help from womanizer Jacob (Ryan Gosling) to jump up his love game. The film is an “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” amusing piece that embodies love at all stages of life.

Photo courtesy of imgkid.COM

victoria ly asst. feature editor

comedies. Their onscreen chemistry is showcased in the adorable “Sleepless in Seattle,” which is about a widower named Sam (Hanks), whose son flies across the country to unite his father with Annie (Ryan), a stranger who fortuitously listens to Sam’s story on the radio and subsequently becomes attracted to him.

Photo courtesy of collider.COM

Photo courtesy of thedatereport.COM

Date Destinations for a Fun Feb. 14

February is a spontaneous pop of red amidst the dreary midwinter season. It’s also a time when couples embark on romantic excursions with their significant other. So for those of you who have no idea where to take that special person, here are a few options that might help you.

Most people tend to overlook the whole picnic-in-the-park escapade.

Though it may be an overdone cliché, there are multiple directions to take when planning a picnic. Located in Walnut, Snow Creek Park is characterized for its crisp, grassy landscape.

The park’s greatest attraction, however, would have to be the long creek that runs throughout the park and extends underneath a cute little bridge. A picnic

is a romantic date idea that, although may take more time and effort to put together, can also be a sentimental way to exemplify how much you care. Bring a few soft-lit lanterns and a delicious, home cooked meal, and you’re sure to win a few extra brownie points this Valentine’s Day. Hide Out is a great option for couples that prefer a more secluded, quiet place to dine. This small restaurant offers a warm, romantic atmosphere with its soft lighting and calming interior.

And because it’s hidden in a relatively new plaza located in Rowland Heights, this restaurant is quiet and rarely crowded with people. Hide Out also offers a unique selection of drinks and foods such

as blueberry green tea, tiramisu latte. At night, the café’s outdoor patio is lined with dimly lit heaters. So bring a blanket and cuddle outdoors while warming your hands with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

A Valentine’s Day hiking excursion is the ideal getaway for those who wish to escape the city. Located in Pasadena, Eaton Canyon is noteworthy for its 44foot tall waterfall and moderately easy hiking trail. Walks along streams and striding across logs make this hiking spot an essential place for exploring nature with that special someone.

After reaching the waterfall, couples can sit amongst the rocks and enjoy the picturesque scenery. The hike also offers

a breathtaking scenic overview of the city so on the way back; you can catch a glimpse of the sunset.

An upbeat and lively date night idea, karaoke is sure to bring in a few lighthearted laughs on Valentine’s Day. Located in Rowland Heights, LA Melody KTV is a relatively new karaoke center.

This date spot destination is also fitting for group dates, since the room sizes are quite spacious. During happy hours, this karaoke joint offers free drinks such as iced honey milk tea.

Most song selections are accompanied by music videos. The variety of music offered here includes Korean, Chinese and English. Strange dance moves and mediocre singing makes for a humorous, and memorable night.

Photos courtesy of YELP.COM

Eaton Canyon, (left) Snow Creek park, (middle) and Hideout (right) are all great destinations for a wonderful Valentines day. Each location offers a variety of activities to keep you entertained.

10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Appsolute Music Must-Haves emily kim contributing writer We are completely surrounded by notes and rhythms, whether we are listening to our favorite radio station, or jamming out to our own personal soundtrack. Now, thanks to smartphones, we have instant access to all of that with just the simple touch of a finger.

Spotify

Spotify is a popular app with 10 million users. There are two different versions of the app, Spotify Free and Spotify Premium.

With Spotify Free, you can listen to all of the music, but only on shuffle mode. Therefore, you can’t choose your favorite song and listen to it on repeat.

There are also quite a few pesky ads that you’ll have to endure listening to. With Spotify Premium, you can choose any song from an album for $9.99 a month. The app is available to download on the Apple store and Google Play store.

8track Another versatile music app is 8tracks.

Users form playlists by uploading them from their computer or using the public 8track library. The formed playlists can be tagged with key words that allow other listeners to

see what kind of music is on your playlist. You can “like” playlists and listen to them again and again and you can see how many times a certain playlist was played. When searching for a song, you can view tags, users, playlists, and collections all at your fingertips.

SoundCloud

You can create your own music or listen to music from other artists using SoundCloud.

Users can also make their own playlists or follow other people’s playlists. Another feature is the option to join different groups based on similar music tastes, almost like a music club.

Pandora

Pandora Radio is another way to listen to some of your favorite artists. You create different stations based on the bands the listener enjoys. It is a custom radio station centered on the listeners’ favorite tunes. Users can like or dislike the song currently playing and Pandora will take the preferences into account when it is choosing the next song. You also have the option to purchase the song playing.

Spotify is my favorite app to use; it has clear music, and since I have many songs, there are often little ads. Although I will occasionally use SoundCloud or Pandora, I will always return to Spotify.

Diamond Bar Alumni Dances to Hip-Hop Fame hanna kang opinion editor A majority of students going to college expect to remain on the sidelines and come out with nothing much more than a degree. However, Diamond Bar High School class of 2013 alumnus Franklin Yu chose to remain in the spotlight he has been in since high school.

Yu, now a sophomore at the UCLA, was featured in a recent video uploaded to YouTube that has been making its rounds on social media. The short clip opens to loud cheers from the audience in response to a large group of dancers on stage, ACA Hip Hop, a competitive dance team affiliated with the UCLA Association of Chinese Americans. The video, a front row coverage of ACA’s routine, went viral due to the sharp and impeccable synchronization of the team.

It now has more than 613,000 views on YouTube.

As one of the coordinators of ACA Hip Hop, Yu supervises all logistic and artistic functions of the team. In order to strengthen its presence in the dance community, Yu stated that the team practices frequently, sometimes at odd hours, while balancing extracurriculars, jobs and the rigorous academics of UCLA. “The team rehearses together on Mondays and Wednesdays in a standard week. But before competitions, we sometimes go up to six days a week, and practice can go from 7 to 8 p.m. to 2 to 5 a.m.”

For the routine ACA showcased

Student Spotlight

Jonathan Estrada evon hung asst. web editor At six foot, sophomore Jonathan Estrada towers as the sole male dancer among a throng of females. Yet with the utmost grace and poise, Estrada effortlessly leaps and glides across the stage to

showcase what he does best: ballet.

This isn’t the only form of dance that Estrada is apt at performing.

Since he was eight, the dancer has also been involved with hiphop, lyrical, musical theater, contemporary, and tap—dances that take on different facets of technique and interpretative form.

However, ballet has been Estrada’s primary focus for the past four years; he currently dances and competes as a soloist and in groups at the Cutting Edge Dance Center in Diamond Bar. Estrada is also a dancer of the Advanced Perfor-

mance and Dance Ensemble classes at DBHS. Out of all the dance forms, he stresses the importance of technique and accuracy in ballet.

“Ballet is the ‘core of dance.’ It focuses on your body and how to correct your technique. For example, a kick could be turned in and that could be wrong. [Ballet] teaches you to turn it out and focus on placement,” Estrada said.

The ballet dancer began his dancing journey in the fourth grade by attending a dance class with an interested friend; however, his curiosity has opened up many opportunities.

Of these are the multiple dance conventions and scholarships that Estrada has participated in and won throughout his middle school years. A few include the Die Hard Dancer Award from the Nuevo Dance Convention, a six week scholarship in New York from the American Ballet Theater, and various summer intensive awards held in state.

In his first year in the Dance Department, Estrada dances with all girls in the Advanced Performance and Dance Ensemble class. Be that as it may, Estrada actually finds himself most comfortable dancing as the sole male dancer among a majority of female dancers.

“I think it’s because I’m so used to it. Dancing with boys is more uncomfortable with me because I’m not as used to it—also, I feel like there is more competition,” Estrada confessed.

Being able to dance ballet well

JANUARY 28, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

was a learning process for Estrada that involved striving for accuracy and time management. The dancer dedicates around 13 hours a week to practice dancing at the studio.

However, he feels most motivated and inspired by his dance teachers at Cutting Edge and has learned to grow as a dancer and person.

“He is passionate about his dancing and artistry. You really see him come out, his true self, when he dances [ballet]. I think that’s the amazing part about what he does— it’s unexpected,” dance teacher Kari Simonson said.

Despite his busy schedule, the dancer finds ballet dancing recreational and favors the challenges that particular dance moves can bring him. In particular, Estrada enjoys any move that deals with leg placement and leaps. Generally, the

danc- Pho tos co er loves urt ballet for its esy o fj ON cathartic quality.

AT “I [love] getting to HAN e S know the other dancers, TRAD a because you share a passion.

It’s really refreshing to know someone who loves something that you love. Dancing, for me, relieves the stress,” Estrada said.

Photo courtesy of GERALD NONATO

Franklin Yu (center) earns YouTube fame through his avid passion for dancing. during the 2014 The Bridge Competition presented by Team Millennia, an Orange County-based collegiate hip-hop dance team, Yu played a big role as one of the main choreographers working on the set. The team’s hard work did not go unrecognized, as ACA Hip Hop came out on top with first place in the competition.

“As far as what the dance is about, we didn’t really analyze our choreography so deeply. We just wanted to bring something unique and entertaining to the community,” Yu stated.

Dubbed “the Avenger” during his high school years as a member of the All-Male Dance Crew, Yu served as captain of the crew his senior year. He was also a valuable member of the DBHS Freestylerz, a group of hip hop enthusiasts led

by French teacher Anthony Tietz.

Outside of school and All-Male,

Yu also danced with prominent dance teams Miniotics and Gravy Babies.

Now as a student dancing for a UCLA-based team, Yu is once again in the spotlight as a leader. He is living by the quote posted on ACA’s webpage, “Love dance for dance itself and never stop.”

Scan this code to watch Franklin Yu dance.

Books to Read, Not SparkNote katlyn lee editor-in-chief From the tortuous tales of Greek Mythology to the minimalist works of Ernest Hemingway, students are assigned various readings during their years in high school.

Although many required reading books are received with wearied sighs, some of these notable works of literature have been worth the read. So here are the books that I sat down to enjoy and read without relying on SparkNotes to cram plot points before a test.

“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is a simple but telling work that explores the pursuit of the American Dream. The story follows two migrant workers, George and Lenny, who are looking for employment to save up and have a farm of their own. George is the brain to Lenny’s brawn, and is also looking after Lenny, who has a slight mental disability and naïve character. The two finally find work at a nearby ranch, but Lenny’s unintentional actions leads George to make some tough decisions for the sake of his friend.

Despite being a novella, the book is dense—with profanity, pain, and discrimination. As a freshman, I was slightly disturbed by the grueling imagery and cruelty of agricultural life in the 1930s, but was soon engrossed with the plot’s complications and character development.

Not your typical dystopian novel, William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” explores humans’ tendency toward barbarism and savagery. A group of English school boys, all in

their early adolescence, are stranded on an island after a plane crash.

At first, the boys bask in their newfound freedom and carefree lifestyle, but soon lose their civilization to chaos and disorder as food and resources become scarce.

Golding eloquently portrays the boys’ moral decline and leaves readers wondering whether our current society can potentially have the same fate.

One of my favorite novels by far, “Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger is an adult-oriented work that speaks to the teenage heart.

Narrator Holden Caulfield is a sixteen-year-old struggling to find his true identity in a society filled with “phonies.” Having been expelled from his prep school for poor academic performance, Caulfield wanders around New York City, where he encounters alcohol and prostitutes, while suffering from alienation. At the end, Caulfield experiences no real maturation or change, but instead concludes the story with a warning to the reader.

“Catcher in the Rye” is undoubtedly controversial for its explicit content, but its plain-spoken protagonist goes through emotional turmoil and a battle for innocence that many growing teenagers can relate to and appreciate.

Unfortunately, not all works of literature are created equally, and some of these critically acclaimed books were not among my favorites. The books that I relied on SparkNotes to understand include: “The Odyssey,” “Frankenstein,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and “The Heart of Darkness.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

11

Author promotes fairy tale novel series Via skype “Suits”‘ midseason finale saw Louis learning Mike’s secret and then demanding name partnership from Jessica in exchange for his silence According to Executive Producer Aaron Krosh, however, they do not comply.

Season 3 of the family spy drama picks up with Phillip and Elizabeth at odds over what to do: follow the Center’s orders, or not tell Paige anything about their secret lives.

This returning episode of Season 4 picks up after much trouble with Olivia and Jake.

According to members of the cast, the season will continue to see more of the ever-loved Fitz and Olivia.

The last aired episode “Risk” saw some major developments and ended with a bulldozer of cliffhangers. The premiere shows Arizona teaming up with Dr. Herman, and features a reappearance of Stephanie, Jackson’s ex-girlfriend, whose child may be suffering from a fatal condition.

The premiere kicks off with a bang, with much hype of the “prominent new gay character” by the name of Aaron that the series hopes to introduce from the comic book. However, more devastating events are in store for Daryl and the other characters.

The thrilling series is back with more action than ever. The last few episodes led up to Mr. Keating’s death, and we find out that the darling Wes was behind it all and Mrs. Keating knows it.

gaby dinh asst. web editor Students who went to the school library at lunch last Wednesday had the chance to talk to New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer.

Meyer is the author of “The Lunar Chronicles,” a young adult science series of various fairy tales, including Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.

The final book of the four-book series is slated to come out late 2015.

The most recent addition to the series came out this month, which is a short story that describes the backstory of the series villain.

Students were able to see Meyer through a projection on the library window blinds via Skype call. In the beginning of the interview, Meyer explained what her typical writing process was like.

“I find that I don’t really have a typical workday like a lot of writers do. I have to be all over the board on things as I want them or as they come up in priority,” Meyer said.

Infographic by Vrinda Chauhan

Now Showing:

Tune In:

American Sniper The Oscar nominated film shines light on the unspoken struggles of post traumatic stress disorder and the horrors of war. lilly ball asst. a&e editor “American Sniper,” director Clint Eastwood’s newest film, tells the tragic story of Chris Kyle, a man whose service in the Iraq war dubbed him as the most lethal sniper in U.S military history. The film, though at times hard to watch, shows the human side of the legendary Kyle, and the struggle he went through to separate himself from war.

The film begins with Kyle’s childhood, focusing on his relationship with his father, who tells him that he must protect others in life.

Flash forward to his early 20s, Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is a rodeo cowboy who is deeply affected when he sees the 1998 U.S embassy bombings on TV. Remembering his father’s advice, Kyle decides that he must do his part in protecting his country, and enlists for U.S. Navy SEAL training. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Kyle is deployed to Iraq for his first tour. His first kill during the war upsets him, but he continues successfully, becoming well known amongst other soldiers for his accuracy. He then returns home, to his wife (Sienna Miller) and newborn child, but finds it hard to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Based on the autobiography, “American Sniper: the Autobiog-

Photos courtesy of macmillan.COM

Season seven of The Voice is just breaking into its battle round, but the NBC singing show has already secured its coaches for season eight.

The spring 2015 cycle will feature Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams in the big red chairs alongside returning veterans Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

Meyer also talked about why she chose the fairy tales that appeared in “The Lunar Chronicles.”

“The [stories] I that I decided to go with were the ones I had the best ideas for and see how they would fit into this futuristic world while still maintaining the realm of the original stories,” Meyer said.

As she talked about her book series, Meyer shared her aspirations for the final book and how she drew inspiration from “Star Wars” and the television series “Firefly.”

“I hope that [Winter] will be the best book in the series. I’m working very hard to make it more epic and adventurous than the previous three books,” Meyer said. “It’s really important to me that readers who have stuck through the whole series see a strong and satisfying conclusion.”

Aside from talking about her work, Meyer also gave tips for the hopeful writers in the crowd, such as combatting writer’s block, and offered advice for students who want to publish traditionally through a literary agent.

“On days when I’m tired or I’m stuck, I take a piece of paper and

a pen and go away from my computer and start writing out ideas about what I want to happen next,” Meyer explained.

Meyer’s biggest advice to future writers is to continue to read.

Growing up, Meyer knew that she wanted to be a writer because she always had “her nose in a book” due to her love for reading.

“I’m still an avid reader. I try to unwind at the end of the day with a good book,” Meyer said.

The Skype interview is one of many that the library plans to hold in the future. School librarian Pam Hunter hopes that guest speakers will become a monthly occasion at the library that students will be able to enjoy. She also hopes to further extend the Skype interviews to not only authors, but to robotic engineers and even painters.

“I don’t have any other speakers lined up yet because I really wanted to see how [the Skype interview] came off and I thought it came off pretty good,” Hunter said. “At this point I’m going to staff and students and ask them who they want me to go after.”

raphy of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S Military History,” the film portrays the story of Kyle’s career and personal life. Cooper, who has been Oscar nominated for his performance, completely embodies Kyle. Though he may not outwardly express it, pain and trauma are visible in his eyes. . It’s distressing to watch his transformation, from an outgoing young man eager to serve his country to one that has been hardened and closed off emotionally by war. His lines are scarce in certain scenes, but his agonized stares and flashbacks to battle show the trials of PTSD truthfully.

Eastwood doesn’t refrain from showing his audience the full horror of war. More than half of the film’s running time is spent showing Kyle and his companions in battle, with blood, guts, and all. But the battle scenes aren’t just for the

sake of action, they are meant to show the hardships that soldiers faced while in Iraq. Kyle finds himself in many situations where he must decide whether or not to pull the trigger; the lives of his friends and fellow soldiers are in his hands.

Though the fighting scenes were honest, I couldn’t resist the urge to shield my eyes; “American Sniper” is not for those who are squeamish.

The film is different in many aspects from most recent box office hits, mostly because it is honest.

Eastwood did not take the story of Chris Kyle and turn it into something more. He and screen writer Jason Hall worked alongside Taya Renae Kyle to create an accurate depiction of her husband. The combination of intense action scenes and the superb acting of Cooper shows audiences the struggle of a man who fought for his country.

Photo courtesy of THEARTDESK.COM

Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller embrace in a scene in “American Sniper.”

A Year of New Music

evon hung asst. web editor The most exciting part about a new year is the complementary newness of media. Whether it be film, music, or technology, artists and companies are constantly producing content to one-up last year’s fails or successes. Of course, creating a clichéd New Year’s Resolution doesn’t always hurt either.

This year, I’m determined to listen to more music and explore my boundaries: Welcome, diversity!

With that said, here are my most anticipated albums of 2015: Let the Road – Rixton (Release Date: March 2, 2015) With their debut album released earlier this month, Rixton will be releasing the album in its entirety this coming March. The full album’s complete track list hosts ten songs, including their catchy single “Me and My Broken Heart,” and others co-written by Benny Blanco and Ed Sheeran. If you enjoy cool, pop-genre boy bands (e.g.

One Direction), you’ll like Rixton, another heartthrob British group that brings equally fun tunes to the table.

Smoke + Mirrors – Imagine Dragons (Release Date: February 17, 2015) I’ve had a penchant for Imagine Dragons songs ever since they came into existence—adding a second album into their repertoire is like handing candy to a child: fantastic news. Their entrance into mainstream media last year was phenomenal, with hit singles from “Night Visions” hitting the tops of

charts, and I have high expectations for this powerful, alternative band. Their promotional singles, “Warrior” and “I Bet My Life” have me reeling with excitement—Imagine Dragons continues to uphold their compelling alternative/indie energy with prominent percussions and booming vocals.

25 – Adele (Release Date: Projected End of 2015) Since Adele’s explosive popularity with Grammy-winning “21” in 2010, the singer has stayed under the radar reportedly dealing with her vocal illness, supporting her new family, and recording a new LP supposedly named “25” to reflect the age of when she recorded the album. In this impending album, the mood and music of the tracks will be tuned into a rawer, more acoustic vibe that will have a “different sound” compared to Adele’s prior tracks.

74 is the New 24 – Giorgio Moroder (Release Date: Projected Spring 2015) In my attempt to try something new, this record caught my eye.

This will be the first solo album work in 30 years released by techno composer Giorgio Moroder. Moroder has been dabbling with modern pop/techno artists such as Daft Punk and David Bowie, and remixes popular songs as well. His signature style is one similar to that of Daft Punk: a retro-electronic disco.

Now that he’s hit 74, it’ll be interesting to see what this so-called futuristic, revolutionary producer of his era can create for the 21st century, when dubstep and electronica reign and Moroder’s craft is no longer “his.”

12 FEATURE

JANUARY 28, 2015

THE BULL'S EYE

Honest reflection on a new life PARENTHOOD from p.7 have to learn to multitask really well,” said Rodriguez.

Moreover, her pregnancy and its complications have not limited her goals and aspirations for the future. Rodriguez currently wants to get a degree in nursing, attend medical school, and become a pediatric surgeon. She is now taking three classes at DBHS, as well as civics, life skills, and child development through independent study.

She expects to graduate in May. “Getting an education is extremely important and having a baby is no excuse for not getting an education,” she emphasized.

Rodriguez also critiqued health class and its impact on sexual education and teen pregnancies at DBHS. She felt that while she was educated on preventative measures and STD’s, everything seemed purely educational and

Sarah Rodriguez still plans to pursue higher education and become a pediatric surgeon. very objective. She stated that students would learn more if the class was designed to reach out to students on a more personal level. In her opinion, health class needs to be revised and extended

“Getting an education is extremely important and having a baby is no excuse for not getting an education.”

SARA RODRIGUEZ

ANDREW CHOI

on the subject of sex because many people are afraid to talk about and ask questions, which results in wrong and misguided information.

“I think we need to make talk-

ing about [sex] more socially acceptable. Teens are engaging in sexual activity, whether they admit it…or keep it to themselves. A lot of parents don’t want to believe it to be true, but they should be aware as well. It’s awkward to speak about but necessary,” Rodriguez said.

Currently, Rodriguez does not want any more children after experiencing the amount of work she must go through with her baby. She joked that before her son she had even wanted four children. However, if she were to have another child at some point she would adopt.

Rodriguez also offered advice to other DBHS students experiencing similar situations.

“Don’t give up! Talk to your friends, [and] stay connected. It’s easy to forget about caring for yourself when you become a dedicated mother. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; there are so many resources available if you need them.”

bullseyeblogs FRESHMAN SURIVIVAL GUIDE

ALUMNI NAUGHT TUNE IN BUT BOOKS MUSIC BLOG ADVICE

Being a freshman isn’t always so easy, and transitions can be difficult and stressful. So our Freshman Survival Guide is here to help you out.

This blog will provide all the tips and pointers freshmen need to survival their first year at DBHS.

For all literary enthusiasts, this blog—as the title suggests—will provide web exclusive reviews and recommendations of books of all genres.

Find your next read and discover new favorites through Naught But Books.

Written by staffer (and choir president) Evon Hung, Tune In will help you discover new artists, know about the latest album releases, and catch up on the latest music talk. This blog will suit all music lovers looking for their perfect pitch.

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SPORTS

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

Offense still a work in progress GIRLS BASKETBALL After a victory against Glendora last Wednesday, the Lady Brahmas struggle on defense and lose to Ayala 56-48. james kil asst. sports editor With a young team in the Palomares League, the Diamond Bar varsity girls basketball team are working their way up to compete against the top teams in the league, in hopes of surpassing its 6-6 league record last year. The Lady Brahmas are 9-11 overall and 2-3 in league.

“We are very young and just inconsistent. We were averaging 55 points a game, [but] the last four games we averaged 30 points a game,” coach Tony McCabe said.

Last week, the Lady Brahmas played against Glendora at home.

In the second quarter, DB mini-

mized how much the Tartans score, only allowing four points. After the first half, the Lady Brahmas were leading 21-15. At the start of the second-half, DB kept up its momentum and finished strong, 45-34.

Seniors captains Molly McCabe, Marisa Quon, and junior captain Destinee Garr are expected to help the rest of the team develop skills for the next season.

In order to beat South Hills and Ayala, the top teams of this year’s Palomares League, the Lady Brahmas are going to focus on practicing their offense so that they pose more of a threat. Since DB’s defense is more than enough to shut down the tougher teams, practicing its shots will greatly increase their odds of succeeding in the league.

“We’re getting good shots but we’re just not making them. That comes with youth. When we make them, we’re awesome because our defensive is solid, so when we score, we’re pretty tough to beat,” McCabe said.

So far, DB has been playing tight man-to-man defense with a focus

“We are very young and just inconsistent. We were averaging 55 points a game, [but] the last four games we averaged 30 points a game.”

COACH TONY MCCABE on the main scorer. The effects of running this type of defense was shown in a game against South Hills, where DB shut down its leading score. The leading scorer of South Hills scored 18 points in the first half, while DB scored 6.

In the second half, the Lady Brahmas stepped up their defense on the point guard, and only allowed her to score six second-half points.

In that game, DB’s comeback fell short. Although the Brahmas ended up losing, the game shows that their defense is in top shape and that their offense is still a work in progress.

On Jan. 17, the Lady Brahmas played against Leuzinger High School in Lawndale for the seventh annual Public vs. Private Extravaganza. In the first half, the Brahmas were up 33-19. As the game progressed, the Lady Brahmas kept increasing their lead until the end, winning 68-44.

Last year, the girls came in third place after losing to the undefeated Bonita and Diamond Ranch. With six more league games left, the Lady Brahmas hope to make it to the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Junior Destinee Garr (left) and sophomore Candace Black (right) lead the Lady Brahmas to a key league victory against the Glendora Tartans.

Seniors leading the charge BOYS SOCCER The Brahmas, led by their four senior captains, pave the way. yusheng xia news editor Looking forward to a strong season with the goal of clinching the Palomares League title, the Diamond Bar High School boys soccer team emerged from its preseason schedule with an impressive nine wins out of 13 games.

Led by coach Kemp Wells, the team is now a few games into its league schedule after their recent 3-1 win against Ayala last Friday and hopes to establish an identity based off the information learned through the previous matches.

“Preseason games are important so we can figure out who can play in what position and what the best lineup combinations are going to be,” Wells said.

Wells has used the preseason matches to identify and assign individual positions to team members as well as set substitution rotations. Noting that the fluidity of the game often has players switching between positions during matches, Wells is pleased with the versatility of this years team and stated that many of the key members are able to switch between positions with ease.

“The nature of soccer does kind of flow so players can move positions. Our better players can easily move from two or even three

positions and the way we work our system, some of the positions are pretty different so it shows how versatile we actually are,” Wells said.

With many of the core members intact, the team has started off the season with an impressive defensive presence as the players successfully adapted to a defensive scheme taken up from last season.

Although the team’s defensive intensity has been impressive, Wells has stated that the team’s offense has not yet reached its full potential in large part due to injuries to many offensive players.

However, a silver lining to the situation has been the opportunity for new players to step up into the injured players’ roles and gain critical experience that the team needs when the games start to gain importance. Wells believes that increased playing time early on in the season helped prepare players to compete against the tension and nervousness that often accompanies critical games.

“We had several senior players who were unavailable for different reasons so it was a good chance for some of the younger guys to step up and make claims for the different positions,” captain Jordan Wong said.

Wong is one of four of the captains leading the team. The other three are Guy Horcasitas, Andre Gamboa, and Naethin Herrera.

Many new players consider the leadership of the captains crucial to the success of the team.

“The captains have shown a lot of leadership on the field. Even though I don’t play a lot, when I do, I feel comfortable playing under their leadership,” first year member Jason Yi said.

In addition to the experience gained during preseason, the team has also sharpened its skills through the practices, which em-

phasize a need for strong defense and quick offensive transitions.

Wells has this year’s team follow a game strategy that includes a physical brand of defensive followed by aggressive controlled offensive transitions meant to take the opponents by surprise.

“We got some drills where they are fast pace just to make sure that players can handle the speed because we play a pretty up-tempo style,” Wells said.

ANDREW CHOI

Senior Nico Di Donato tries to secure position against an Ayala Bulldog.

13

SPORTS COLUMN

Refs and age get in the way ryan chae contributing writer

W

ith the Super Bowl around the corner, there have been several moments in this year’s NFL postseason that left many fans screaming at their TV. Dez Bryant’s “Catch” The most notable moment in the playoffs was the controversial play from the NFC Divisional round when the Dallas Cowboys took on the Green Bay Packers. On fourth and two with 4:42 on the clock and the Cowboys down by five, Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo threw a pass to wide receiver Dez Bryant.

At first, it seemed that Bryant had caught the pass and went for a final lunge for the endzone. However, as he dove, Bryant seemed to lose control of the ball and the refs had to rule the play as an incompletion. With the turnover from Bryant, the Packers were able to run out the rest of the clock and advance to the NFC Championship game.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett believe Bryant caught the ball.

When the game was over, Bryant said the refs “took [the game] away.”

Penalty Reversal in Dallas

While the “catch” was an enormous ripple in the sports world, that game would not have ever happened if a penalty flag in Dallas had not been picked up.

During the NFC Wild Card game between the Cowboys and Detroit Lions, a flag was thrown on an pass interference foul against the Cowboys. The pass interference was called on linebacker Anthony Hitchens when he was defending Lions’ tight end Brandon Pettigrew on a third-and-one when the Lions led 20-17 in the fourth quarter.

However, the refs decided to pick up the flag, eliminating the Lions’ chances of gaining a first down in the quarter.

When the Cowboys were given the ball on the next possession, the team scored and won the game 24-20. Although the Lions lost the match, the team had gained the last laugh when the Cowboys lost to the Packers due to the controversial call on Bryant’s final catch.

Peyton Manning Early Retirement Plan In the AFC Divisional Round, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning took the field against his former team, the Indianapolis Colts. In the match, Manning threw a touchdown and a meager 211 yards. It seems his body is failing as well. Manning has played his last four games with a torn right quad, and in three of those four games he threw less than 300 yards.

With their season ending with the same results, the Broncos fired head coach John Fox and are now questioning of whether or not the team should continue this path with an aging Peyton Manning.

With so many compelling playoff moments in the book, it is clear that this year’s postseason hasn’t been anything but entertaining.

Hopefully, the upcoming Super Bowl won’t be a deflation to this year’s playoff excitement.

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THE BULL'S EYE

Rice and Ginyard lead the Brahmas BOYS BASKETBALL Even though the team upset the heavily favored Bonita, the Brahmas still have a long road, with a 2-3 league record. andrew choi sports editor After winning nine games in the preseason and finishing third place in the Bosco Tech Tournament, the Diamond Bar boys basketball team has experienced many impressive showings and a few duds in this Palomares League play. With an overall record of 11-10 and a league record of 2-3, the Brahmas are currently tied for third place in league.

Prior to league play, the Brahmas faced rival Walnut Mustangs on Jan. 7 in the“Blackout-Whiteout game” with the DB fans wearing black while the Walnut crowd wearing white. The game was lopsided at first as the Mustangs held an early double digit lead, but the Brahmas made a 13 point comeback in the last minutes of the

third quarter. DB, however, fell short 84-76.

The team bounced back the next game with a 73-62 win against the South Hills Huskies. However, against the Claremont Wolfpack, the Brahmas experienced their first dud of league play; the Brahmas struggled on offense and lost 75-50.

DB’s most impressive showing so far in the season came on the road against the Bonita Bearcats.

The Bearcats, known for their outside shooting and their homecourt advantage, were favored to win. However, behind the play of senior co-captain Brandon Rice’s 25 points and senior guard Tyler Ginyard’s 21 points and 10 assists, the Brahmas upset Bonita 90-82, ending the Bearcat’s undefeated home record.

“Rice and Ginyard play well to-

gether. They always play well with the team,” coach Henry Frierson said.

On Jan. 22, the Brahmas, one game out of first place, faced the Glendora Tartans. With a few minutes left in the fourth quarter and down 35-21, DB made a 12-2 run to cut the led to four. However, the comeback was not enough as the Tartans came out as the victors in a 39-33 league match.

In every game, the Brahmas have the same strategies. Defensively, the team likes to keep opponents out of the key. After each basket. the Brahmas would implement a full court pressure and put their best defender on the opponent team’s ball handler. Offensively, the 6-5 Rice is the main focal point of the team. When the center is covered, the Brahmas like to drive around or pass the ball around the perimeter.

“We have a lot of areas to improve in. A lot of them. We need to improve a lot on the defensive end,” coach Frierson said.

Senior Brandon Rice displays his offensive arsenal by scoring 25 against the Bearcats.

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Senior Tyler Ginyard drives to the paint looking to add on to his 10 assists.

Ginyard acrobats around the Bonita Bearcats as he scored 23 points.

the

Parking Spot

sports talk with joseph park

Why this section shouldn’t exist joseph park editor-in-chief

L

et’s all have a moment to recognize the greatness of America, and it’s exceptional educational system. Kidding.

Behind the facade of America’s superbness, lies a pitiful truth: the students of The Land of Opportunity are globally ranked 36 in education. You can blame the kids.

You can blame the teachers. But for me, I point my finger toward how America has embedded sports programs into an educational household.

Of course by now, the binding of sports into high schools is a rather irreversible situation. Sports in high school has become so commonplace that the average person is blind to the fact that sports by itself is silently killing the educational system. But nevertheless, it is important to realize how damaging high school sports has become; our country spends more tax dollars on high school athletes than high school math students.

Although not as strong of a case

in Diamond Bar, there are other schools with students attending school as a conduit to further pursue their athletic aspirations. Barely meeting GPA requirements to be eligible to compete and graduate, these students are failing to receive the proper education they need.

By either separating sports from education, like most higher ranked countries do, or at least toning it down, America has the potential to up itself in the rankings. In the end, only two to five percent will receive a college scholarship. And for the majority of the rest, will be left with a bag of cleats and tennis balls.

Sports are too loud. Many students already have a difficult time concentrating on their academics, and missing a day of school for a tournament and dedicating minimized class times for a sports pep rally doesn’t help. Gym, tennis courts, football field, locker rooms, maintenance and materials.

I guarantee if America had the option to return all these and instead invest in our education like they should’ve done in the first place, there would’ve been many more “opportunities” and “American

Dreams” coming true.

There are students that play high school sports as a hobby, but the only hobbies at an educational facility should involve a pencil and a pen. I’m not saying sports is bad; simply, sports should take place elsewhere, not in already academically struggling high schools.

Make high school sports an outof-school activity like it once was.

Integrating sports into a school should start at a collegiate level, where even there having a future as an athlete is slim. At least up to high school, students should be solely focused on academics; education will change the world, not a football.

courtesy of HARVARDPOLITICS.com

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 28, 2015

Kenneth Thai

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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Mr. Aesthetic nadia lee staff writer Dribbling into his last semester of his high school career, senior Kenneth Thai is determined to finish in the paint strong without looking back.

Thai currently plays for the Diamond Bar High School varsity boys basketball team as its shooting guard. Although he was placed in the junior varsity team during his freshman year, Thai was moved up to varsity the following year and has been playing there ever since.

By the time he entered the varsity team his sophomore year, he was the youngest player on the team. “[It] was pretty cool playing with everyone older than me. I was able to learn a lot from them and ever since then, I just kept on growing,” Thai said.

Thai has been playing basketball for ten years ever since the day his father introduced the game to him.

“My dad inspired me at first because he started just playing around with me and my brother, and then it just got really fun for me. So that’s when I started taking it seriously,” Thai said.

His father was not the only one who sparked Thai’s passion for

basketball. His brother—former Brahma varsity basketball player Daniel Thai—also supported him on and off the court.

“My brother has always been playing basketball with me whether it’s been in high school or just out in my neighbor’s backyard. He inspired me to do better because we always had these competitions and just to be with him is a good feeling because I’ll always have someone there for me,” Thai stated.

Playing for the high school’s basketball team was not the only time he dribbled on the court. Thai has also been playing outside of school for the Suburban Optimist Club with his friends since eight grade.

“I play because I enjoy playing [basketball] and without it, I don’t know what I’d be doing right now,” Thai said.

Thai is also the Vice President for the club Hoops of Hope, a DBHS club that coordinates basketball events such as the three verses three activity held every year in the gym, aiming to raise and donate money to charity.

Thai’s talent on the court isn’t the only sport he excels in. Ever since his freshmen year, Thai decided to participate in the 100 meter sprint, high jump and triple jump for the DBHS’s track and

field team. He was named Rookie of the Year during his freshman year and achieved the most points as a sophomore.

“Well, what made me start track was just like a little friendly competition and it turned out that I was pretty good at it. I can jump pretty high so I wanted to just try things out,” Thai stated.

Despite attending high school as a student athlete throughout his four years, Thai does not plan on playing basketball or participating in track in the collegiate level.

Instead, due to his extreme interest in the medical field, Thai aspires to become a physical therapist with a bio medical degree at UCLA, UCSD, or UCI. “It’s [basketball] not my main focus. My dad’s a doctor and I always wanted to be like him,” Thai said.

Unlike the past two years where the varsity boys basketball team’s season abruptly ended short in the first two rounds in CIF, Thai hopes on going even further in the playoffs and finish his last year with no regrets.

“I feel like for my last year, I need it to be my best year because for the past few years, I haven’t been leaving everything on the court. So when I leave, I want to look back with no regrets,” Thai said.

Girls get feet wet in new sport GIRLS WATER POLO Attending the First Annual Lady Brahmas Winter Classic, the team, working on its fundamentals, came in fourth place in the silver james kil asst. sports editor Diamond Bar’s water polo woes continue, now with the girls. The struggling Lady Brahmas are currently 4-17 overall and 0-4 in the Palomares League with five games remaining left on their schedule.

“The coaching staff’s concentration right now is teaching the fundamentals of the game. We have yet to touch any major offensive or defensive strategies. We have focused on teaching and playing a team-oriented defense,” coach Alexander Matal said.

Since the summer, the Lady Brahmas have been practicing the basics and the fundamentals of the game. Now, they do passing and shooting drills, body position drills, transition drills and always ends with scrimmages to make sure what they practiced stays

with them during practice. To add versatility to practice, Matal and his staff often change up the drills in order to keep the team focused.

“The coaching staff does not measure how well the team is doing based on our win and loss record, but whether or not the team is able to take what we do during our practices and implement it during games,” Matal said.

Senior co-captain Sierra Sanchez and juniors co-captains Jenna Canova and Mia Le were chosen as captains because of the leadership qualities and skills they possess.

Since they’re in their debut season, the Lady Brahmas lack experience. Matal thinks that season will serve as a learning experience to help the athletes become aware of what they need to do in certain situations and broaden their knowledge in the sport. Since the underclassmen will still be here when the seniors leave, the seniors

Sophomore Alison Kim analyzes the pool to look for an opening.

will be able to give advice to the new recruits about what the upperclassmen have learned in the past year. As this cycle continues, the team hopes to get better and finally compete evenly against the schools they previously couldn’t to win league.

On January 16, DB attended a two day tournament, First Annual Lady Brahmas Winter Classic at Chino Hills High School. The tournament consisted of DB, Fontana, Chaffey, Western, and La Mirada High School. DB lost their first game to Western, 11-5, and also lost the second match of the day to La Mirada, 10-7. On the second day, the Lady Brahmas started out with a 10-6 win against Fontana, but lost the other two games that day to Chaffey and Western. DB ended up in fourth place in the silver division. Its next league game is at Claremont tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

“I would say we’re doing pretty well considering the fact that we’re in a good league and it is our first year. Even though we lost a lot, there is still room to improve,” junior Erica Kim said.

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Senior Sierra Sanchez raises the ball out of reach to avoid getting it taken away.

Freshman Denesse Ferraez gets ready to block a Glendora Tartan’s shot at goal.

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Pinning its way toward CIF WRESTLING DB wrestlers dominate Claremont 76-0 but couldn’t maintain their momentum in the Palomares League against Bonita, losing 45-26. calvin ru staff writer The Diamond Bar High School varsity boys wrestling team left the Hacienda League with an impressive record of 4-1 last year. Now as a competitor in the Palomares League, the Brahmas look to become the league champions after a 2-2 start to the season.

“We have our basics established and we’re just continuing to review and [stay] mentally focused on the strategies which the guys have,” coach Donny Palmer Sr. commented. “We have a lot of guys that are doing well right now, probably half the guys will place in all the tournaments coming up. We’re planning on winning all of those matches.”

For the past couple of weeks, the Brahmas have participated in several duals and tournaments, placing ninth out of 35 teams at the Arroyo Varsity Tournament, and participated in the 5 Counties Varsity Tournament, a prestigious wrestling tournament where only the best of the best are allowed to compete. The wrestling coaches chose seniors Donny Palmer Jr. and Derrick Moss to represent Diamond Bar and compete in the 5 Counties Tournament but neither of them placed.

Varsity wrestling also placed fifth out of 20 teams in the Troy High School

Tournament. Moss and senior Jeff Lin both placed first in their weight classes at the Troy Tournament.

After beating South Hills 56-16 and Claremont 76-0, but losing to Bonita 45-26, Diamond Bar is 2-1 in the Palomares league. During the Claremont duel, the varsity boys beat the opposing team in every weight class. Junior Ryan Mendez, however, obtained a neck injury after a Claremont wrestler used an illegal suplex move. Suplex moves involve lifting up the opponent and either slamming them to the ground or throwing them across the mat.

In the match against Bonita on Senior Night, only five of the Brahma wrestlers were able to gain points for DB. To condition for these events, coach Palmer trains the wrestlers every day, having them perfect various techniques. Varsity practiced for over three hours to work on their forms. Some dedicated members come back to school and train a couple more hours to improve their individual skills and get more solo training, such as Palmer, Moss, and Lin. “We expect to do well in the upcoming tournaments. Two of our better wrestlers are attending a tougher tournament but the remaining wrestlers are well prepared to wrestle,” Lin stated via Facebook.

Six returning veterans

Photos by ANDREW CHOI

Senior Jesse Dickens stays quick on his feet in order to avoid being taken down. from last year’s pool of varsity wrestlers that went to CIF bring back their experiences to add an advantage against other teams: seniors Palmer, Lin, Moss, Jesse Dicken, and juniors Leighlan Corpus, and Ian Campbell. Palmer competed at National High School Coaches’ Association nationals for USA wrestling against 1000 competitors and ranked in the Top 25.

“As a team I think we’re doing well. We just have some setbacks with some injuries. But we have a very good chance in winning league and getting the team to CIF,” Palmer Jr. said.

Tomorrow, the Brahmas will play their fourth league game at Glendora High School. Their final game will take place away at Ayala High School. CIF duals will also commence next week.

Senior Yong Choi waits for the whistle for a chance to pin his opponent.

Uphill battle in the Palomares League GIRLS SOCCER The Lady Brahmas are still putting the pieces together as they have struggle in the league play, with a .0-3-2 record. nadia lee staff writer Ever since the Diamond Bar High School girls soccer team moved up to the Palomares League, it was clear to the team that the competition would be much tougher than in the Hacienda League, where the girls claimed second place last year.

Consistency. The one word that is familiar to any team and is emphasized greatly by almost every coach. Not only is it aspired to by every player in the DBHS team, but is also expected from the team as a whole.

Despite the rough road that laid ahead, the Lady Brahmas began their preseason off with a great with a great win over La Serna High School 4-3. The team also took the championship title for the second time in a row in the annual San Dimas Tournament in December.

The girls were undefeated until they lost to Brea Olinda.

“The girls soccer team has accomplished quite a bit this season.

We won a great tournament and had one of our most successful pre-

seasons in the last few years. With that said, there is a lot of room for improvement,” coach Matt Brummett stated.

But things went downward for the girls as they suffered a terrible 4-0 loss against South Hills during their first league game.

“Our first official league game did not go as planned. I truly believe it was a fluke game. We are more than capable of slaying this league. And I look forward to the high level competition to come,” senior captain Mia Trugerro commented.

“We need to work on being more consistent and getting mentally prepared for one of the toughest leagues in CIF. I am looking forward to seeing our team complete and continue to get better,” Brummett said.

Failing to overcome its previous defeat, the team lost in its second league game against Claremont High 2-1.

“I think we could’ve done better and our efforts from [the] last game were really awful. They [Claremont] were strong and had some decent plays, but one of the big factors for us was the lack of communication,” sophomore Reena Kang

Senior Ariana Infante tries to gain position on an opponent in a 1-1 tie against Glendora. said.

The girls are now facing an uphill battle in the league as they are scheduled to face tougher opponents. The Lady Brahmas tied Glendora 1-1 in overtime last Wednesday, but they lost to Ayala 3-2. As of now, the Lady Brahmas are in fifth place.

“Right now, we are not at the level we need to be at to play against the tougher opponents we have in our league this year, but we are

definitely progressing toward that point. We are a strong, skilled, group of girls and when we play to our potential and with hunger and passion, we play extremely well.

I have no doubt we will do well in this league and hopefully make playoffs and make an impact here,” senior Ashley Bell stated. proved in technique and endurance since its first practices in June, as evident in its preparation for the start of its inaugural sea-

ANDREW CHOI

son. With upcoming games and tournaments in December, the novice team has much work ahead of it.

Currently, the team is focused on improving its fundamental skills and gaining more experience with the sport. According to Alexander Matal, the head coach for the girls and boys water polo teams, the girls played in over 30 games over the summer to help the team familiarize itself with the sport.