opinion 5
inside the issue
Pro/CON: college food
ALL MALE’S
A GUIDE TO VALENTINE’S DAY feature 7
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OPINION
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F E AT U RE
Freshman Boxer
a&e 11
the bull’s eye NEWS
sports 15
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JANUARY 27, 2016 Volume XXXIV, 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
‘Caring’ coach is remembered Asst. water polo coach Alexander Alan Ruiz collapsed Jan. 12 and passed away soon after. emily jacobsson asst. a&e editor
ERIC HONG
Drama members bid farewell to students from Evergreen Elementary School as they leave the school after the conclusion of the Children’s Theater. The event was Tuesday through Friday, starting on Jan. 19.
Drama brings children’s stories to the big stage
Last week, the department put on its annual Children’s Theater for area schools. pauline villegas asst. a&e editor
Diamond Bar High School’s advanced drama department has lifted the curtain, dimmed the lights, and yet again shined on stage in their annual performance of Children’s Theater.
Lead by the head of the drama department, Beatrice Casagran, the advanced drama students each helped to write plays based on storylines straight from the minds of local children. From Jan. 19 to 22, the drama department performed five short plays to elementary school kids within the district. Each of the stories was written by children from local elementary and middle schools. The department then picked the five stories that they enjoyed the most and transformed them into plays.
The performance also allowed the actors to see what interests children. Each submission was written by someone under the age of thirteen, which gave the show a youthful vibe. “It has taught me what kids like. It has also taught me the different energy levels in theater. For first graders, we needed to amp the energy level up 100 percent until it almost feels ridiculous. That is something that is still a learning curve for all of us,” senior Julianna King
THEATER on p.3
More than just a dedicated coach, Alexander Alan Ruiz was a loving father, husband, and friend who touched the lives of many during his two years at Diamond Bar High School. On Jan. 12, Ruiz collapsed on campus after water polo practice and later died at a local hospital. The official cause of Ruiz’s death has not been determined, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. However, a brief explanation of the events of Ruiz’s collapse was given by interim principal Guy Roubian. When leaving campus after practice, Ruiz collapsed in the parking lot. The other assistant water polo coaches were with him at the time and were able to initiate CPR until the paramedics arrived. Ruiz still had a heartbeat when he was taken to the hospital, though he died shortly after. DBHS students are still coping with the loss of their beloved coach and role model, including freshman Isabel Cambiaso, who wrote Ruiz a poem which she shared with several of her team members to help with the mourning process. On Jan. 13, water polo team members were allowed to leave
Photo courtesy of THE RUIZ FAMILY
Alexander Alan Ruiz, who was a coach at DBHS, also served as a sensei at the Red Dragon Karate Studio.
their normal class schedule in favor of receiving grief counseling from a group of professionals brought on campus. “Coach Ruiz was the type of person you’d never forget after meeting. He was very caring and protective over us. Coach Ruiz was a wonderful person, and there won’t be a day that goes by where I won’t miss him,” senior varsity water polo player Mia Le said. On Jan. 21, during an away game at Glendora, the girl’s water polo team was presented a card signed by all the players from the opposing team, a tree to plant on campus in honor of Ruiz, and purple and gold balloons, which the girls on the frosh-soph team released. Ruiz had been involved with
WAter polo on p.2
Establishing a DB respite State enacts new legislation
Laws that take effect in 2016 include changes to driver safety and immunizations. brian chang asst. news editor
Not even the state government is immune to the “new year, new me” trend that accompanies the start of every calendar year. In 2016, California legislature is implementing laws that will radically affect the lives of its citizens, and several of them may directly impact students at Diamond Bar High School. Driving is a dangerous activity, but the state hopes to reduce some of the risks associated with getting behind the wheel with new legislature. It is now illegal to wear headphones or earbuds while
driving or while riding a bike. Furthermore, the California Highway Patrol is now authorized to issue more “Yellow Alerts” to help drivers identify and catch hitand-run drivers. These alerts will be placed on highway signs to give descriptions of hit-and-run cars, making it easier for passerby to identify and report such drivers. New drivers who are eligible will be automatically licensed to vote by a new piece of legislation. However, such a process will only be implemented after a statewide database of licensed motorists is created, a move expected to be finished soon after the primary elections in June. In the Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento, and Tulare counties, those who are convicted of driving under the influence are required to use Ignition Interlock Devices, which have prevented over one million cases of drunk driving in
laws on p.2
Located in room 254, the Wellness Center will be open for tired and stressed students. ingrid chan staff writer
In the planning stages since September 2014, the Diamond Bar High School Wellness Center is about to officially open. As a resource for struggling students to rely on, the Wellness Center will be promoting its usefulness by having a school-wide fair on Friday. “It has become abundantly clear to not only myself as the peer counseling advisor, but also to the counseling staff and GLCs that we need an extra layer of support for our kids, and that we have kids who are really stressed out because of academic pressure,” current Peer Counseling adviser Sandy Davis said. The center is located in room 254 and will offer several activities
and tools to help students deal with stress including advice, anxiety relief, yoga, and guided meditation. Trained student consultants are available to give others strategies on how to deal with their problems, and an adult counseling staff is accessible for individuals troubled with more serious issues. The student wellness interns will utilize what they have learned
“...it’s going to be awesome, and I hope that students will really embrace it and be proactive...” SANDY DAVIS over the past two years to help fellow schoolmates with whatever difficulties they may have. “There is a wellness internship, something students can actually sign up for as a elective. The requirement is that you need to have at least one to two years of peer counseling training. If someone’s interested in going into psychology, social work, or therapy, this
would be a great opportunity,” Davis said. The center will be open every school day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will always have a wellness consultant on hand to attend to the needs of students. The consultants of the Wellness Center will walk students through steps on how to solve their problems as well as provide strategies for anything that a student may be troubled with. Exercises to help students deal with stress and time management will also be made available at the opening. The goal of the center is to teach students how to develop social skills and ways to cope with everyday problems. The idea of such a place was proposed to former Principal Catherine Real over a year ago, and was then resubmitted after her approval because it had to then be approved by the district. Administrators have been very supportive of the project, and approval from the school district was
wellness on p.3
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NEWS
DBHS soccer star Alex Morgan accepts key to city The alumna visited Pantera Park on Jan. 24 to be honored by Diamond Bar council members. sophia kim staff writer Having grown up in Diamond Bar, Alex Morgan is not only a hero to the city, but a national star. On Saturday, the city of Diamond Bar cheered on Alex Morgan, as she returned to her hometown to receive the first ever key to the city. The key to the city is the highest honor presented by the city council and is given to an individual who has accomplishments that reflects well on the Diamond Bar community. It has taken the council five years to make this event possible. “The purpose of this event today was for the city council to honor Alex Morgan as the hometown hero and to receive the first key to the city, for her accomplishments,” Deputy City Manager Ryan McLean said. Before the Morgan’s arrival, the city set up a variety of booths. Volunteers gave out drawstring bags, ribbons, and cheer sticks with Morgan’s name printed on everything. There were numerous soccer-related carnival games, an airbrush tattoo booth, and even bounce houses. In addition, children received numbered wristbands, for a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Morgan after the ceremony. “We wanted to give the commu-
ERIC HONG
Alex Morgan accepts the key to the city from Diamond Bar council member Carol Herrera on Jan. 24 as DBHS co-interim principal Denis R. Paul looks on. nity an opportunity to share their appreciation for what Ms. Morgan’s done on behalf the community,” McLean said. At around 11 a.m., Morgan arrived at Pantera Park and was escorted onstage by the Diamond Bar High School Drumline members. There, she received numerous awards for her accomplishments from the city council, Walnut Valley School District, and Diamond Bar AYSO commissioners. State Sen. Bob Huff, Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, DBHS Interim Principal Denis R. Paul, and DBHS Athletic Director Kevin Ferguson were just a few that were up on stage to present the awards. In addition to the awards, Morgan received a Diamond Bar soccer jersey from AYSO, and in return, gave the city council her soccer jersey with the official FIFA logo that she has worn for the last couple months. “I can’t even begin to explain how appreciative I am to have you
the staff
guys supporting me every day,” Morgan said from the stage. “It’s really amazing to be part of a community that supports each other; a community that I feel so much a part of.” During her speech, the 2007 DBHS graduate spoke about all the memories that flashed back to her while visiting her hometown. She also talked about how the day before marked her 100th game with the national team, and the Olympics that she’ll take part in this summer in Rio. After her speech, Morgan randomly chose tickets from the raffle box, and the winners attended a meet-and-greet soon after. The rest of the tickets were chosen by the city council, and the winners of the raffle either received a signed photograph, a book, or a jersey. “I have this remembrance forever that I’ll always have a piece of Diamond Bar with me,” Morgan said.
New laws affect safety, education, sports LAWS from p.1 California since 2010, according to a study done by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Another law that has been signed, to be implemented in 2017, requires all children under two years old to be rear-facing while in child safety seats, unless they are either taller than 40 inches or weigh over 40 pounds. On-campus shootings were major topics in the news in 2015, and lawmakers are looking to prevent such incidents. Concealed weapons are no longer allowed on college campuses in California, reducing the risk of shootings. In addition, students will have less to fear in terms of getting sick, as they will all need to show proof of immunization before attending school in fall 2016. A new law was passed that effectively forces parents to immunize their children, regardless of religious beliefs, and by July 1, every student will need to have been vaccinated. Implemented last year, a law that suspends the California High School Exit Exam has taken effect and will provide state educators a chance to create a new exit exam that caters more closely to Common Core standards. Another change aimed at affecting education requires health classes to teach students about different sexual orientations as well as methods of preventing sexual violence. However, sex education is no longer mandatory for students. Health classes aren’t the only
ones affected; future history textbooks must include sections on the deportation of over one million citizens of Mexican descent in the 1930s. A final piece of educational legislation allows community colleges to legally suspend or expel students who have been accused of sexual assault, even if those charges are off-campus. Under a new law, cheerleading will become an interscholastic sport, meaning it will receive the same protection and recognition as other sports. Specific information about how the sport will be affected will be released in February or March and the law will be fully implemented in July, as the law is still being written by lawmakers. According to the Orange County Register, the sport may be negatively affected due to limited practice hours. Others, however, are interested to see how the new law will impact the sport. “I think it’s exciting for the sport to be recognized and I think it’s been a long time coming because of the athleticism in the sport and the number of injuries involved,” DBHS cheer coach Whitney Prenger said. Additionally, cheerleaders for professional sports teams are now considered employees of the team, and are thus entitled to workers benefits and minimum wage, which has been increased from $9 to $10 in the state. Details on the new laws, many of which were signed into law near the end of 2015, were reported by the Los Angeles Times.
celebrating the season
Editors-in-Chief News Editors Asst. News Editors
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
Lilly Ball, Yusheng Xia Frances Wu, Yusheng Xia Brian Chang, Hannah Lee
Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor
Eric Hong Sarah Markiewicz
Feature Editor Asst. Feature Editors
Michelle Ki Vrinda Chauhan, Catherine Zhang
A&E Editor Asst. A&E Editors Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editors Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Business Manager Asst. Business Manager Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Staff Writers Advisor
Lilly Ball Emily Jacobsson, Pauline Villegas Bernard Chen Ryan Chae, Emily Kim Eric Hong Calvin Ru Vrinda Chauhan Emily Jacobsson Gaby Dinh Tess Guan Ingrid Chan, Sophia Kim Doug List
contact us Diamond Bar High School, Room 563 21400 Pathfinder Road Diamond Bar, CA 91765 Phone: (909) 594-1405 x33563 Email: eye.editors@gmail.com Business Inquiries: thebullseyebusiness@gmail.com
editorial policy The Bull’s Eye is a public forum that welcomes the views of our readers. Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed pieces will be accepted only if they are signed. The author may, however, request anonymity. The staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing content. You may forward letters to Room 563 or submit them online at dbbullseye.com.
Children sled down a hill at Pantera Park during the annual Diamond Bar Snow Festival on Jan. 16.
ERIC HONG
The assistant coach’s passing was honored at a recent match Water polo on p.1 the water polo programs since its beginning in 2014. This year, Ruiz took on the responsibility of boy’s junior varsity head coach and girl’s frosh-soph head coach. Besides being heavily involved in on-campus activities, Ruiz was a member of the U.S. Masters Swim Program and a competitor, instructor and student of the Red Dragon Karate Studio in Diamond Bar. Two of his children attend DBHS and another at Chaparral Middle School. To help Ruiz’s family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe account has been set up to collect donations. As of Jan. 24, over $11,000 has
been raised by 131 people in ninedays. Many of those who donated have also been leaving short messages to share their condolences. “No amount of money can
“We are going to miss our daily connection with him around the pool deck.” ALEXANDER MATAL
repay what he’s done for me. My deepest sympathies for his family,” sophomore Hedric Pisigan wrote on the site.
In addition to the online fundraiser, the girls varsity water polo head coach Alexander Matal has been asking for donations in the form of gift cards, so that they can be presented to the Ruiz family. A viewing for Ruiz will be held tomorrow and Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pierce Brothers Mortuary in Chino. Following the viewing will be a mass on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills. “More than anything, we are going to miss our daily connection with him around the pool deck,” Matal said via email, “The struggles, the laughs, the smiles, the conversations and his big heart.”
NEWS
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
Alumni shed light on life after high school The calculus program and Brahma Tech held their annual events for alumni to give advice to students. calvin ru asst. photo editor Going to college can be a confusing transition for students as they are left to become self sufficient. To ease students’ concerns, Diamond Bar High School graduates spoke during the school’s annual Calculus Day, held Jan. 6, in order to answer some questions that future college attendees may have. This year, math teachers Jimmy Kuo and Latitia Thomas took the initiative of inviting alumni for the event, taking over the duties of retired teacher Howard Alcosser. In addition, Brahma Tech hosted its annual conference after school where five graduates participated
in the event. The panel for the calculus event consisted of alumni who are currently attending college, have graduated from college, or are taking a break to gain work experience. Topics discussed during the event ranged from essential information necessary for college to managing stress. Speakers included both recent graduates, Ruben Reyes, Jr., Angela Huang, and Sophia Deng, and older graduates Stephanie Chow, Jason Chen, and Sylvia Guan, all of whom attend Ivy League schools. While questions and topics varied throughout each calculus and higher level math period, the ultimate goal was to provide future college students insight on what to expect. For example, Reyes, who is currently attending Harvard, informed Brahmas that once in college, a majority of stress comes from stacking too many classes and dealing with too many activities. “College is very different and
you’ll be challenged having to manage your own academic schedule and navigating a new social scene. When things get difficult, make sure to spend time relaxing and really just wasting a little time to de-stress,” Reyes told the audience. Likewise, Alina Gallardo invited former Brahma Tech students to attend the forum while junior Les-
CALVIN RU
Alumnus Hall Chen explains what he calls “the pyramid of intelligence” as fellow alumna Angela Huang holds his microphone for him.
Seniors reflect on internships Brahma Tech students displayed their summer experiences for juniors in the program. calvin ru asst. photo editor Summer is a time for students to relax, unwind, and take a break from the rigorous Diamond Bar High School curriculum. However, for Brahma Tech seniors, summer is an opportunity to explore professions through internships. On Jan. 13 and 14, 25 seniors presented their experiences during the Brahma Tech annual Internship Fair after school in the Golden Horseshoe. Each senior filled a tri-fold board with information regarding their internship and was expected to answer questions from the juniors who attended the fair and the Brahma Tech advisor, Alina Gallardo. This allowed juniors who are currently searching for internships to learn more about this requirement. The students were able to work in fields ranging from marketing to developmental designing. The hands-on experience they gained working for companies allowed them to gain new skills and network with other interns.
However, finding and obtaining internships is no easy feat, as students must compete with others or have connections that will help improve their chances of making the cut. A handful of students applied for internships with Boeing, due to Brahma Tech’s affiliation with the company, but only six were able to fill those spots. Therefore, many other students sought out startup companies, which proved to have some challenges. “I had college mentors. Through them, I made a lot of connections, and when it came time for my internship I emailed a lot of people,” senior Carol Lai said. “They generally don’t hire high schoolers unless you have a personal connec-
lie Sim and senior Carol Lai directed the forum. The alumni gave insight on college life as well as some information regarding internships. The five speakers present included Guan, Huang, Hall Chen, Nicole Chen, and Grant Shao. Hall Chen and Nicole Chen are attending UC Berkeley and both are majoring in electrical engineer-
tion so I applied to a lot of private businesses.” Lai, who worked at C3 Network Inc., filed and managed inventory that branched out through international servers, making sure that they were updated and maintained. On the other hand, Brian Ho, who interned at Boeing, worked with the company’s network security and simulated fiber optics. “The challenge I faced is that normal high school students aren’t open to the wide variety of internships that are actually possible because of their lack of experience. You have to show them you are perfectly capable as an individual and you can overcome these obstacles,” Ho said.
ERIC HONG
Danica Prather presents her experience as an intern at the Boeing company to juniors in the Brahma Tech Academy as part of the fair.
3
ing and computer science, otherwise known as EECS. Hall advised students not to underestimate college classes, and said he regrets not being able to take physics during high school. Furthermore, Nicole stated that the SAT, AP classes, and college applications gave her a lot of anxiety, but those didn’t matter as much once she got to college. In addition, Shao, a sophomore majoring in material science and engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, explained how extracurriculars work in college. Although he had joined many clubs related to his major, including robotics, Science Olympiad, and Technology Student Association, he also did it to satisfy his passion rather than to fill his resume. “A guideline that a good mentor of mine shared with me is one, do you enjoy it, two, are you gaining something from it, and three, are you contributing something to it? You should aim to answer yes to all three,” Shao said.
The wellness center will expand over time WELLNESS from p.1 granted last May. to 4 p.m. to introduce students to “I have a three year plan, so I this new resource. have a lot of goals. I’m working on The Wellness Center’s grand getting us a therapy dog, I will be opening will feature community available for speaking and helping vendors, therapy dogs, and guest in classrooms, and I’m working on speakers from Cal State Fullerton, getting us support groups — potenas well as raffles and other wellness tial partners being Kaiser Permarelated activities for the students to nente, Valenta Clinics, and Pacific enjoy throughout the grand openClinics. So it’s going to be pretty ing day. awesome, and I hope that students History, Economy, Kinesiology, will really embrace it and be proacand Health teachers will be allowtive,” Davis said. ing their students to participate Davis has conin the fair during ducted research class time. over the summer In addition, “I have a three year plan, by visiting Piedthere will be a vaso I have a lot of goals. mont High School riety of student I’m working on getting us in Northern Caliperformances a therapy dog...” fornia. and demonstraSANDY DAVIS The facility tions during the there had a staff fair, such as singof 10 people with ing and dancing a student body of 800. by groups on campus. As DBHS has a much larger stuStudents will receive a “passport dent body, Davis hopes to expand to wellness,” which they can use to and improve DBHS’ own center visit vendors and acquire stamps over time. that will allow them to participate The Wellness Center has made in raffles for Disneyland tickets, efforts to publicize its existence by Sadies Hawkins Dance tickets, and setting up a booth during the freshmore. man remix, handing out flyers, and Results of the Zen art contest, hosting an art contest. an event that students signed up To celebrate the opening, the for beforehand, will also be anschool will hold a fair from 9 a.m. nounced the same day.
Drama creates a magical start to the year for grade schoolers theater from p.1 said. The team has been working on the event since November. After each play was written, it was sent to stagecraft and tech to begin the behind-the-scenes process. Although the show’s main purpose was to promote acting as a possible interest to the kids, it was also a learning process for the students involved. Each play was co-written and codirected by two drama members, allowing the students to get a feel of the play-making process. “Being a part of the process, I have learned that if you and your partner put a lot of effort into one particular idea than you can create something that you are both proud of,” senior Austin Mooney said. The five plays were titled “Guava Hunt,” “Three Crows and a Scarecrow,” “Bullied,” “Potato Problem,” and “Danny’s Friends.” Each play was written to help the the audience learn a moral lesson. For example, the first play, “Gua-
ERIC HONG
Julianna King (left) performs alongside elementary students who volunteered to be a part of Children’s Theater on Jan 22. va Hunt,” was about three children who attend a sleepover and discover that they shouldn’t judge someone based on their looks, encouraging the children to get to know someone first before judging based
on appearances. Another play, “Danny’s Friends,” was about a boy named Danny on a farm. The bank takes the farm away, until Danny receives one wish from the god of the
forest for being kind to nature. With his one wish, his parents are able to keep the farm and Danny is able to stay with all of his animal friends. “What I hope the children that
were apart of it learned is that they have the ability to be apart of something creative from a young age, and that their stories were a building block in creating this amazing and fun show that people will get a chance to see,” King said. Some elementary school students joined the actors on stage and play small roles in each play, allowing the students to explore their interest in drama. After the play, the students met the actors and share their opinions. Each child walked out ready to let their fellow classmates know what they thought of the play, and all received high-fives and big smiles from the cast members. “What inspired me to perform to the kids is the fun in it. There’s a magic when performing on stage, and children’s shows have a certain kind of energy that is really fun and addictive,” Mooney said. The drama department also performed a matinee showing on Jan. 22, giving families the opportunity to see what their child was working on.
4 OPINION
THE BULL'S EYE
EYE EDITORS
JANUARY 27, 2016
OF THE
AWARENESS: Even as students strive for great test scores, schools should encourage teachers to discuss current events with their classes.
D
espite what it may feel like at times, the purpose of school is not only to get into university or remember the right answers for a test, but also to educate students on becoming wellinformed individuals. Yet today’s Diamond Bar High School students have a narrow viewpoint on that subject because of the school’s emphasis on testtaking and its role as the “stepping stone” to higher education. Students are not developing their own opinions on current events the way that citizens should be doing. DBHS claims to prepare students for the working world by developing their skills to contribute to society, but this effort seems hardly present. Though it may seem ironic considering that this is what most high school students strive for, colleges have stated that they seek students who are well-informed individuals capable of thinking for themselves, not
merely cogs in a machine who can spit out one good test grade after another. So why have teachers not pushed students to form their own opinions, or at least get a dialogue going on issues? Teachers shouldn’t always stick to their intended lesson plan, if it means they can’t encourage students to think for themselves. When people discuss current events, they help to shape their own opinions. There seems to be little of what is happening in the world today ever being talked about in class. Some very pressing issues have occurred this school year, such as the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, but rarely are such events even brushed upon in class. Not all classes have to focus on current events, if it’s not what their subjects require, but in certain classes—such as history, English and even science—why should it not be openly discussed? All that is happening in the world is not merely a
backdrop to a student’s education. These are real, pressing issues that are as equally important to a student’s life as a test. The San Bernardino shootings were less than an hour away from school, yet few teachers even touched on the subject. A past column in The Bull’s Eye discussed students and their lack of awareness of what is going on in the world today. It talked about how, especially at DBHS, it seems that students do not care about current events. This is an issue that should not be entirely blamed on students. As a high school that regularly ranks high in national rankings, DBHS should be obligated to not only have students become the high scorers they are, but also have students think intensely and critically. Since today’s high school students will eventually become an integral part of tomorrow’s society, they should leave school with the desire to think for themselves.
The only cure for affluenza is justice
T
hree people were helping out a dazed motorist who had just lost control and crashed her vehicle. Meanwhile, an intoxicated 16-year-old Ethan Couch, driving at 70 miles per hour in a designated 40 miles per hour zone, swerved off the road and crashed into the four people, leaving them dead. Though Couch was convicted on four counts of intoxication manslaughter, he was not sentenced to prison but to probation and rehabilitation. His rehabilitation featured horseback-riding sessions, massages, and cooking classes. This is the “punishment” Couch received for killing four civilians and injuring eleven; for utterly shattering the lives of affected families, that he might realize his mistakes and distinguish the difference between right and wrong. The real question, then, is how Couch pulled it off. How he was able to evade imprisonment on four counts of intoxication manslaughter in addition to two counts of intoxication assault. And the answer is money. Affluenza is what the defense called it. A so-called psychological disorder not even recognized as a legitimate psychological disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, supposedly affecting extremely spoiled kids. The argument that saved Couch was
that he was just so darn rich that he couldn’t tell the difference between right and wrong, never having received punishment for anything he had done. And what better sentence to cure this “disease” than to give Couch no punishment whatsoever? After all, the judge’s essential purpose of the sentence—as stated by the judge herself—was to teach Couch responsibility and to give him a second chance in life. The sentence, then, is not only laughably absurd but also hypocritical. If affluenza can be used as justification in court, then one must consider that the exact same reasoning can be applied to a poor person, whose violent and harsh background affected his poor decisions. Surely, if “affluenza” exists, then so does “poorfluenza.” In reality, though, the chances of a poor person receiving a lighter sentence for his background are extremely low compared to the chances of the wealthy. This is where the money comes into play. The poor can’t even make a case with “poorfluenza” whereas the rich can with “affluenza,” and this is because the rich have the money to buy the best lawyers to make the best case. Such an inequity due to economic privilege blatantly contradicts the very definition of justice and the purpose of the court itself. Couch’s sentence ultimately enforces his idea of affluenza and sends the message that the wealthy are privileged in court. The defense, in this sense, was not exactly wrong. As usual, the privileged received special treatment.
DAVID TORRECILLAS (9) “It keeps you informed. I think teachers should make their students watch the news.”
CHRIS HUANG (12)
“One teacher has us write journals, and they ask a few questions. Usually I don’t watch the news.”
JESSICA JUAN (10) “I think teachers should talk about the importance and what effects current events have on their own lives.”
SERIOUSLY
SATIRICAL
Ethan Couch avoided jail due to having ‘affluenza.’ This injustice emphasizes the inequity between social classes in court. stuart kusdono contributing writer
SHING LIN (10)
“It’s good that the teachers bring up current events because most of us don’t watch the news a lot, but the bad part is when they bring their own opinions into it.”
frances wu news editor
“R
aindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens … brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things…” God only knows what was wrong with Maria von Trapp, for I can think of a million things that are far superior to soggy flowers and Amazon packages. In fact, one of my favorite things in the world is school. After having spent seven hours a day of my life here for the past four years, I can, without a doubt, say that high school teaches you things that you would never be able to learn anywhere else. I’m not talking about life skills, like time management, that you would use “in the real world.” I’m talking about the truly important stuff: derivatives, cross price elasticity, and
Aaron Burr’s beef with Alexander Hamilton, to name a few. Even at the recent Calculus Day event, during which DBHS alumni answered questions about college, former students admitted how having a substantial knowledge of rhetorical devices helped them adjust to leading an independent lifestyle at college. One even stated how a knowledge of vectors prompted him to quadruple minor in theater, gender studies, and French! The concepts I’ve learned in class now permeate my everyday life: I wouldn’t have survived all those tough decisions between paperback or hardcover at Barnes & Noble if I hadn’t calculated the marginal utility for each, and I definitely wouldn’t be able to navigate everyday conversations if it weren’t for the list of significant Supreme Court cases I memorized for APUSH (Hammer v. Dagenhart, anyone?). Furthermore, when I hear adults sigh and say, “kids these days,” I can only roll my eyes
at their ignorance. Don’t they know that the “life skills” they talk about have absolutely no significance? All I need to survive in the real world is what I’ve learned in my high school classes. Honestly, adults these days. No longer do they remember the essential lessons that they learned in high school; instead, they focus on useless traits like public speaking and networking skills. Worried about living on your own in college? Don’t be! All 12 years of your previous education have led you to this period in your life: all the biology classes you’ve taken will help you self-diagnose any ailments, and the vocabulary words you’ve had to memorize will help you communicate with adults. You’ll be fine. At the very least, you won’t die, and that’s all that matters! When I think back over my high school years, I don’t think of the people I’ve met or the experiences I’ve had, but the lessons that I will use and treasure for the rest of my life.
Cartoon by INGRID CHAN
OPINION
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
5
Forget the classes, how’s the food?
PRO
yusheng xia editor in chief
T
he transition from high school to college can be frightening for students. For many, it will be the time where they are exposed to a range of experiences including living away from parents, managing their own day-to-day lives, and surviving the rigorous academic curriculum. With so many challenges, it is essential that students find a school that can provide them with comfort. And all across our society, good food is considered one of the most essential comforts of them all. There are many people who claim that food should not be a major factor in a student’s decision on which college or university to attend. These people generally focus on a school’s academic characteristics and often disregard the school’s food menu completely. However, multiple problems can occur when new college freshmen step onto campus for the first time and find the school’s food totally disagreeable to their personal appetites. First off, a student might obtain bad eating routines by shying away from the school cafeteria and instead loading up on alternative options like instant noodles and chips. Whether they eat very little and snack out during late night study sessions or choose to skip meals entirely, students develops eating routines that over time can be detrimental to both their health and academic performance.
A student’s rejection of school food can have a financial impact as well. Because most of schools’ tuitions cover meals, students who choose to eat out instead of dining on campus are essentially paying money for a wasted resource. In addition, frequent restaurant dining can make it difficult for a student to return to the much less extravagant cafeteria food and as a result, over time, the often pricier out-of-campus options can tempt students into spending much more than they would like to on dining. Finally, the realization that one must spend the next four years stuck with unpleasant school cafeteria food can wear a person down emotionally. For many people, the excitement of a coming meal and the enjoyment of eating is often seen as the highlight of a day. Eating has come to be associated into many aspects of our lives, whether it be a tool friends use to spend time together, a method used to deal with stress, or an energizer used to give the motivation needed to finish a project or activity. Consequently, if students dislike the food on campus and are powerless to change what they are offered, this knowledge can be enough to dampen their overall college experience. By settling down on the decision to attend a particular college or university, students are not just choosing their future learning grounds, but choosing their home for the next four years as well. If they disregard the school’s food, they run the risk of entrapping themselves in a situation that can be detrimental to their overall college experiences. Whether we acknowledge it or not, food is home.
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sarah markiewicz asst. opinion editor
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ecently, one DBHS alumnus visited my class of seniors to answer some questions about college criteria, such as tuition costs and majors. It wasn’t long before I began to hear many student questions pertaining to an aspect I hadn’t seriously considered before: college food. Even worse, I found this to generally be one of the first things students discuss when looking at potential colleges. What? College is somewhere we go to find new opportunities. From my perspective, those opportunities are what should be on every student’s mind when they think about the future. While food gives us comfort, knowledge and new locations give us much greater opportunities for new experience. I realize that food is a basic need for survival. It is a part of the whole “college experience” and gives students something to fall back on when they are stressed. However, worrying about food in college seems silly. It reminds me of people who look forward to theme parks because of the food (which is usually bad.) Yes, some people do that. Eating, something that has to be done for nourishment, has become more important in some seniors’ minds than things like costs and academics. When I think of college, I worry about getting a job that will help me afford food, and not about the food itself.
I realize that most students do consider these things when thinking about which college they would like to attend, but I feel that students should be getting their priorities straight. I have faith in my fellow seniors, but I sincerely hope that food isn’t near the top of the list when they narrow down their choices. From my perspective, the most impactful criteria would be the price, the types of majors offered and the quality of the programs. Rather than doing what every other human is doing—eating and breathing— students can look for opportunities that are unique for them. As they think about which college fits them, they should set goals on what activities to join and what subjects they would be interested in. Location is also an important aspect to think about, and it could also play a big role in what careers students will choose. From going on campus tours over the summer, I learned that indeed, some colleges like Pomona College, UCLA, and Cornell have food that is very good compared to what is typically offered at colleges. However, for those of us who won’t be attending prestigious schools, the food will likely be no better than what is offered at the high school level. We’ve all heard about the freshman fifteen, and we can accept it as something that can be inevitable with the stress of a new school and newfound freedom. Where health and body consciousness is concerned, however, the freshman fifteen isn’t really something that I yearn for. And based on what’s on the minds of fellow seniors, most college freshmen aren’t really thinking about preventing it.
southern california WINTER
Cartoon courtesy of MEGAN LEE
Keeping up with the caucus: Why should Iowa be first? vrinda chauhan business editor
W
ith all the hype for the upcoming election, the primaries are sure to draw in more voters than ever. It seems that both parties are finally stepping up and getting serious, and just in time for the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary in less than a month. Neither Iowa nor New Hampshire are wealthy or traditionally powerful states, and yet they still have an unjust amount of power over the electorate. This begs the question: Why do those states have the opportunity to influence the
elections so drastically, especially Iowa and its inability to accurately represent America? In 1972, a new rule required a 30day notice of the dates of caucuses and primary elections. Iowa’s electoral system is much more convoluted and lengthy than that of the other states. In order to give a 30-day notice for each caucus, Iowa had to begin planning early. By coincidence, in 1972, there were no available hotel rooms in Des Moines for the state convention originally planned in June. Because of this, the convention and caucuses was pushed back, landing the caucus in January, before New Hampshire’s primary. Back then, it made little difference, but henceforth, it has been one of the most important aspects of the
elections. Today, Iowa and New Hampshire are still able to hold such power because when the two states feel threatened, they threaten to cease syrup and ethanol production, according to an article by Politico. The two states are so adamant that have even formed laws demanding that they go first. In 1972, Iowa and New Hampshire captured the essence of traditional Americanism: small towns, tons of farmland, and a mostly white population. But times have changed. With Iowa making up less than one percent of the U.S. population, it makes little sense to continue allowing it to be in the position to knock out lower-tier candidates at the very beginning of the election process. Iowa can no
longer represent the entirety of the country in this way. Away with all the hours poured into pandering to Iowa’s corn interests. Moreover, neither Iowa not New Hampshire have enough ethnic diversity to represent the electorate, which dilutes a wide range of issues that America faces, especially in modern times where race and ethnicity have become such a large issues. In fact, Iowa Republicans’ selections have been extremely inconsistent with the rest of the nation since they first took up their first-in-the-nation status. They preferred George H. W. Bush instead of Ronald Reagan; Bob Dole instead of George H. W. Bush; Mike Huckabee instead of John McCain; and Rick Santorum
instead of Mitt Romney. These choices only prove that Iowa’s view of the elections and what they visualize as the next Commanderin-Chief contrasts starkly with the rest of the nation’s. It is simply unfair that Iowa and New Hampshire have such a dominating presence in the election process of the next president when they seem so disconnected with the issues and plight facing the rest of the nation. Suitable replacements for the two would be California and Michigan, as both states that are quite diverse in both race and political positions. However, chances of any change in the process seem murky, as it seems that Iowa and New Hampshire have the rest of the United States in a chokehold.
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FEATURE
STAFF
SPOTLIGHT
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
Top Guy, Roubian
brian chang asst. news editor New facilities and building numbers are only a few of the changes that were made while Guy Roubian was away, but the new interim principal will have plenty of time to familiarize himself with the campus while he stands in for Denis R. Paul, as the district continues to search for a new principal. Brother of Diamond Bar High School English teacher Daniel Roubian, Guy Roubian was one of the original teachers at the school when it opened in 1982, serving as the auto shop teacher. Afterwards, he took on an administrative role as a Grade Level Coordinator. In 1995, Roubian bade farewell to DBHS in search of an administrative job, becoming the vice principal at Upland High School. Five years later, Roubian found himself as the principal of Upland, a position he held for 10 years. Then in 2010, Roubian said goodbye to the school, and made a living as the director of the Human Resources Department for the Ontario-Montclair School District. Last June, Roubian retired, and is now working out of retirement as DBHS’s interim principal, a position he acknowledges as similar to his previous one at Upland, albeit with some changes. “I haven’t been a principal for six years,” Roubian said. “One of the hardships is learning the new policies that are important to run a
CALVIN RU
Interim principal Guy Roubian returns to DBHS to replace Denis R. Paul, who will be returning in April to finish off the spring semester. school, and to be sure that I’m following all the current laws and requirements.” Since they are retired, Roubian and Paul are both held back in terms of the amount of hours they can put in at the school. Most retirement plans feature limits on how much a retiree can earn, and Paul had been approaching that limit. Roubian was called in to relieve Paul, who will be returning to finish off the semester on April 29. Twenty years later, DBHS still feels familiar enough for Roubian to be comfortable; however, many
of the buildings are new and there are many new faces and sights for Roubian to become accustomed to. “It’s not the same as going into a totally strange place, but there’s quite a bit that’s changed,” Roubian said. “First of all,the facility; the pool area, the 600 building, even the 300 building wasn’t there when I was here. Getting acclimated to the map is all new to me because the numbering system has changed since I left. Learning the new leadership team [is also new]; Mr. Terry, and all the deans are folks I’ve never worked with before.”
New catch in town
catherine zhang asst. feature editor Offering a modern twist on beloved fast food favorites, it is no wonder Slapfish has become a hit at its many locations, which include Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine, and Brea. My family and I visited the Brea restaurant, which opened in December. Located at 3405 E. Imperial Highway, the venue was much smaller than I expected. With a continuous stream of customers entering the restaurant, there clearly wasn’t enough indoor tables, as many customers ended up waiting for a seat. Although the trendy yet casual franchise was as loud as any other fast food chain, it had a very comfortable and inviting environment. The employees were friendly and helpful, and one of the servers even recommended a few of the customer favorites when we couldn’t decide on what to try. We ended up ordering the customer favorite, Chowder Fries and Lobster Roll. We also ordered the Ultimate Fish Taco, and the Major Crunchy Fish Sandwich. For the price of $6.50, the Clam Chowder Fries came with an option of sprinkling bacon on top, with no additional charge. However, I quickly regretted that, as the salty bacon strongly overpowered the taste of the savory, creamy chowder. The fries weren’t starchy and had the fresh, crisp taste of being right out of the fryer. The concept of the dish is quite unique, but the chowder was lacking in terms of equal distribution. Served in a small tub, the top layer of fries tasted amazing. However, the bottom layer was saturated in the chowder,
making the fries soggy. The customer favorite Lobster Roll came with a side of fries, which were nicely seasoned with Cajun spices, and a slice of lemon on the side. The roll was toasted, though not too crunchy, and the buttery lobster pieces melted in my mouth. Although the Lobster Roll was deliciously seasoned with spices, lemon, butter, and mayonnaise, it wasn’t worth its hefty price of $18.50. Since lobster is expensive, I expected, at the least, more fries, or something more filling than just a measly portion of lobster and roll. We also ordered the Ultimate Fish Taco for $6.50, which had an option of the fish being grilled or fried, and the Major Crunchy Fish sandwich for $7.50. We ordered the fried, and the taco looked very appealing visually and it tasted just as good as it looked. Served with spicy sauce, the giant piece of fish was piled on top of freshly shredded, crisp cabbage,
Cynthia preciado (12) BOMBER JACKET “My jacket has a lot of colors, which represents my personality of how I’m cheerful and funny.”
HAYDEN LEE (12) LOAFERS
“My style is European and modern. I try to imitate the European and modern feeds on Instagram.”
WINTER FASHION
avocado puree, and pickled onions. The flavors blended together well, and I could taste the individual components of the taco. On the other hand, the Major Crunchy Fish sandwich, which came with fries, was just mediocre. Although the sandwich was stacked tall with many ingredients, it was lacking both in appearance and taste. It was messily layered with freshly cut lettuce, tomato, onions, and an “awesome sauce.” No part of the sandwich stood out to me--it was a bit bland for my taste. Even though Slapfish’s seafood tasted very fresh and tender, a few of the dishes were overpriced for its portions. However, the seafood at Slapfish is, surprisingly, restaurant quality for a fast food franchise. Although my visit left me content and satisfied, I still prefer alternatives such as In-n-Out or Chick-fil-A, but I think Slapfish is definitely worth a try, as it may be perfect for seafood lovers.
Ben Yoo (12) WINDBREAKER
CATHERINE ZHANG
Slapfish in Brea offers various seafood infused entrees, including the Ultimate Fish Taco (pictured above), which consists of fried fish and fresh vegetables.
“I just wear what I want and [I] try to be myself. I like my windbreaker the most because it’s stylish but it also keeps warm.”
Olivia Wallace (10)
WHITE PANTS
“I like wearing white pants and stripes. because it’s easy to match. I like Coco Chanel, she knows what she wants and goes for it.”
FEATURE
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
Club Corner
Ready for her closeup michelle ki feature editor As the popularity of social media continues to rise, many teenagers around the world would consider it almost a dream to be featured on famous social media accounts. That dream came true for Diamond Bar High School sophomore Mikayla Shiann, who was chosen to model on the official Brandy Melville Instagram account, which has over 3.2 million followers. Though she had always been interested in modeling, it was not until Shiann got her braces off in 2015 that she had her first photo shoot, and began her modeling career. Although she just started officially modeling in August 2015, Shiann has worked for brands like King and Fifth Co., JGALT, 3ten Clothing, and Threads, along with her Brandy Melville gig. Shiann initially found the Brandy job when a photographer who she previously worked with asked her to do a photoshoot for Brandy Melville at the Los Angeles County Fair. As of mid-January, she has been posted three times on the Instagram accounts of Brandy Melville USA, and a couple of times on the accounts of Brandy Melville Spain, Bologna, Canada, Bay Area, Portugal, and Vienna. “Brandy Melville has brought [me] a lot of exposure because different photographers wanted to work with me [after it] and a few companies reached out and wanted me to model for them as well,” Shiann said. Through her Brandy gig, Shiann also was able to meet the owner of the Brandy Melville franchise, who helped her choose outfits for her next photo shoot. Some of Shiann’s most memorable shoots were
in Los Angeles at the 6th Street Bridge, as the location offers some of the best views in LA. She recalls that some locations were even scary, sometimes having to sit on an edge of a building to get the best shot. Though many believe that models are stuck up and narcissistic at heart, Shiann explained that models are widely misinterpreted. “It’s sad to [think] that the stereotype of models can be negative, but in reality I have come across nothing but sweet, hardworking and fun people. You really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover [because] all you see is the picture of the person but you [can’t] see who [that] person really is,” Shiann said.
Shiann stated that modeling makes her feel “confident and amazing,” and that she loves the one-on-one interaction with the photographer. Although Shiann currently works as a freelance model, she hopes to get signed with a modeling agency when she turns 16, and do more print work in magazines and catalogs. “I plan on continuing my modeling career in the future. Modeling has opened so many doors [for] me and [introduced] me to different photographers, models, and business owners that I can now call my friends. There is so much more in this business that I can’t wait to experience,” Shiann explained.
Photos courtesy of Mikayla Shiann
DBHS sophomore Mikayla Shiann was asked by a photographer to model for Brandy Melvile, which later landed her on the brand’s official Instagram.
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DECA Photo courtesy of MELODY CHANG
DBHS club DECA specializes in finance, marketing, business administration, and hospitality, and has achieved high rankings in their recent CDC conference.
ingrid chan staff writer Although DECA is a relatively new club at Diamond Bar High School, members have already kicked off the year with a great start. DECA, also known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, was started this school year by sophomore Melody Chang with the purpose of training students in finance, marketing, business administration, and hospitality. Achieving high rankings at the first event they participated in early January, the Southern California CDC Development Conference, the club is looking toward a promising future. “I wanted a club like DECA because I’m interested in pursuing a career in business in the future, specifically in market and finance.” President Chang said. In the CDC conference, students were assigned roleplay prompts to work with. Given only 10 minutes to prepare and comprehend the prompts, the students had to present their skit to the judges. The students were then asked questions relating to their skit by three judges, who ultimately decided the fate of the competitors.
Brahmas who obtained high rankings from the conference include junior Ashley Chen and sophomores Matthew Ho, Kenny Ni and Brian Ng. “DECA is a fun business opportunity since you can have fun with your friends while competing . The roleplay and events are really educational activities you can do with other people,” Technology Representative Sabin Park said. Although this particular conference only involved schools in Southern California, the club plans on participating in international events in the future. Since the majority of the club members consist of sophomores — and one freshman and junior — DECA plans on recruiting a larger variety of students next year. If the membership increases significantly, they may be considering the possibility of tryouts for future students who are interested in joining. During their club meetings, members are provided materials and subjects they must study for competitions, as well as advice on how to prepare for roleplays. “We’re not sure if we’re attending state this year, but since all of our accomplishments in the recent conference, we’re thinking of going to compete in district and state next year,” Chang said.
A g u i d e t ♥ V A l e n t i n e ’ s D ay cindy liu contributing writer vrinda chauhan business editor With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, some Diamond Bar High School teachers have their own special plans for the holiday with their loved ones. Teachers Jon Hurst and Emily Clark are just two of millions of people making an effort to do something unique in a time where mass produced greeting cards and gifts are taking over. With some well-thought out ideas, even a small gesture can be a refreshing break from the monotony of store bought gifts. Hurst, a Civics and Economics teacher, recently proposed to his girlfriend during winter break at the Orange Circle, surrounded by Christmas trees and lights. For Valentine’s Day, he plans to take her on a trip to Catalina, their favorite place to go on vacation. In addition to trying out the island delicacies, the couple will go snorkeling and fishing. AP Euro teacher Clark will cel-
ebrate her 10th anniversary on Valentine’s Day. Coincidentally, her husband also proposed to her at the Orange Circle a decade ago. As they do every year, they will eat at a restaurant and revisit their engagement site. Instead of following the overused cliche of chocolates and roses, more creative ideas will give a much needed breath of fresh air to Valentine’s Day. An alternative to visiting the same restaurant every year is having a picnic. Couples can try an indoor Valentine’s Day themed picnic. Simply spread out a blanket in t h e living room or bedroom and prepare a movie and some snacks to munch on. Indoor picnics are relatively easy to prepare without the hassle of outdoor worries. Surprise your beloved with a trail of chocolate Kisses or a treasure hunt with various clues and riddles leading to the picnic. Another activity couples can enjoy on this holiday is visiting an art museum. The Norton Simon Museum is located in Pasadena if you are more interested in fine art. This museum has a lovely small cafe near its sculpture garden, and admission is just $12 for students. The Broad, in downtown Los An-
Photos courtesy of Jon Hurst and Emily Clark
DBHS students can take Valentine Day’s advice from DBHS teachers, Jon Hurst (left picture) and Emily Clark (right picture), who plan on visiting their favorite tourist attraction and their engagement spot, respectively. geles, is also a nice museum for couples, and features more contemporary art, including Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room, which is an enchanting room covered with colorful fairy lights and mirrors. Both locations are near nice dinner spots, making it perfect for a quiet night out. Conversely, if you prefer to opt for a more local option, Brea downtown is a very bustling spot. Even a traditional dinner-and-a-movie is romantic there.
The dinner options are vast, ranging from the casual such as Elbows Macaroni and Cheese, to fancier restaurants, such as Yard House. There is a sweet little cafe nearby called Crepes de Paris which makes for a more intimate dessert experience. Edwards Theater is also nearby, so you can complete the traditional date with February’s new releases, such as “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” or “Deadpool.”
If all else fails, Disneyland and Downtown Disney are both popular spots for Diamond Bar students. This comes as no surprise, as the location features various restaurants and attractions that truly make it the happiest place in the world. What better way to show your special someone how you feel than take them to the spot that is sure to bring a smile to their face? One simply cannot go wrong with Disneyland.
8 FEATURE
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
“When my children were born, it made me feel like I stepped into a different part of my life and that now there’s someone that’s going to be looking up to me and it’s my purpose in life to lead them down the right paths.”
Reina Blean, Junior “My mom decided to give me a lot more independence this year. I got my own credit card, and she said, ‘I’m not going to pay for your stuff anymore.’ But I don’t really mind... I like the independence.”
Jimmy kuo, math teacher
HUMANS OF DBHS Xavier Jackson, Junior “I like my dark skin and my beautiful, outgoing personality. But I don’t like my hairline and the fact that I’m not too good at math.”
hannah nasser, sophomore “In March, my brother got in a car accident and passed away three months later and my grandpa died two months ago of old age. Because of this, I feel like as a family we’re there for each other a lot more even when one of us just needs a hug, we’re there.”
Kitty Wang and carol li, seniors “We can’t stand each other for long. You know your friendship is real when you can say anything to each other.”
Scan the QR code to view more portraits on Students + Humans of DBHS Facebook page.
Larry Chen, Sophomore “I wish I was taller, I wish I could be six feet tall. At times, my height makes me insecure because my friends tease me for being a little short. I’m also in basketball, and the height doesn’t help me at all.”
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This year’s Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 28 is sure to bring in more viewers than ever, especially with the controversial race issue concerning the nominees. Among the selections for Best Picture are “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Spotlight,” and “The Revenant,” all excellent nominees that will make for a tense evening at the Oscars.
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THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
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Read Bull’s Eye writer Vrinda Chauhan’s Oscars Predictions at dbbullseye.com
10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
student music producers
emily jacobsson asst. a&e editor An average song lasts about three minutes. The time it takes to produce that song, however, can range anywhere from a few hours, to a few weeks. Facing the difficult task of balancing their musical aspirations and schoolwork, student music producers and DJs attending Diamond Bar High School find their own way to manage their schedule and do what they love at the same time. Junior duo Arman Shah and Shane Chang bring truth to the popular phrase “practice makes perfect.” They have been working together to produce music since the sixth grade, although Shah developed his interests much earlier from his father who was also once a music producer. With the knowledge that Shah gained from his father, he introduced Chang to the world of music producing. Over the years, they’ve learned that producing music and learning to DJ does not come easily. “It’s not easy first of all, it’s not something you can put together in a few seconds with no experience. You have to know what you’re doing, it takes a lot of practice and it takes a lot of heart,” Shah said. The two first met in second
Photo courtesy of ARMAN SHAH
Chase Harker works on a new track in his self-made music stuidio.
grade when Chang moved to America from Taiwan. Though he couldn’t speak much English at the time, Chang was still able to become good friends with Shah, and he considers him one of his first American friends. Since then, they have found that Shah’s musical expertise and Chang’s business skills in helping the duo book gigs make them the ideal team. Albeit all their practice and professionalism, the duo still finds it hard to book gigs. “We try to get opportunities as much as we can. The thing is, for young people like us, people don’t really give us respect for doing
a full-time music producer. For now, Lopez is continuing to produce music using the Fruity Loops Studio software, and posting them on SoundCloud, a popular platform for both rising and established music producers, under the pseudonym DJ Jetboy, as he has been doing for the past three years. Choosing a pseudonym to publish your music under can sometimes be as easy as picking a few words that fit well together. However, other times these names can tell a story. In the case of senior Sameer Sharma, alternatively known as DJ Kripple, the latter is the case.
this type of music. It takes a whole lot for people to understand that we truly have a passion for this,” Chang said. For senior Jude Lopez, music runs in the family. His love for music has its roots early in his childhood, with his father and grandfather influencing him with their musical preferences. As he got older, he began attending more concerts, and was exposed to electronic music. From then on, Lopez knew that he wanted to be a producer, and now plans on picking a major that will bring him closer to his goal of becoming
sarah markiewicz asst. opinion editor Lone Panic! At The Disco member Brendon Urie released “Death of a Bachelor” in hopes of continuing the legacy of the band.
After a three year hiatus, Panic! At the Disco has finally returned with its release “Death of a Bachelor,” an album produced by the sole remaining member of the band, Urie. Although drummer Spencer Smith left the band last year, the lone ranger Urie along with Jake Sinclair, a producer for bands such as Fall Out Boy, though different from his moody and dark 2013 release, “Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!” Urie described this new release as a “mix between Sinatra and Queen,” yet the blend between rock, jazz, big band, and modern showcased in the album falls somewhat flat. “Victorious” prove to be a strong opening track, as it is a power anthem that any listener can shout along with. Also, the title track was a great example of what is in store for the listener, as it combines both the big band and modern sound that makes up a good chunk of the album. The beginning portion of the album has a very distinct sound, yet the songs seem to have a cohesive theme of upbeat mixed in with some strong emotion like “Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time.” Urie’s velvet voice leads the way down a long road filled with equal parts clever and mystifying lyrics and melodies that make you want to dance. The confusing yet catchy lyrics
After dislocating his knee during football conditioning his freshman year, Sharma was left to figure out how he was going to manage the music at his cousin’s birthday party while on crutches. He learned how to maneuver with his crutches to get through his first job, which ultimately sparked his interest for being a DJ specializing in Electro House and Trap music, for years to come. “I thought if I could spread the joy in a musically fun way, why not?” Sharma said.
producers on p.12
Memories of Childhood: The Books that Mattered
Tune In:
emily kim asst. sports editor
Photo courtesy of CHASE HARKER
Arman Shah and Shane Chang DJ at one of the events they have booked.
are an aspect that I hope Urie will continue on every album. It is inevitable that all albums will have a few rough patches and “Death of a Bachelor’s” downfall is its sudden change. The final stretch of the album delivers a completely different sound, and along with it, a completely different mood. “The Good, The Bad And The Dirty” was the most similar track to band’s previous works, being one of the few songs on the album that has toughness and grit. Though there were newer elements, I could feel the 2005 Panic! Shining through. “Impossible Year” is one of my favorite songs, and as it is the most unique of the album. It showcased Urie’s vocals, as he sings some depressing lyrics with a 1950s style. It felt as though he was walking around a park dramatically while it rained, which was reflected in his lyrics, “Only black days and skies grey/And clouds full of fear.” Although he did not accomplish much in replicating the smooth voice of Frank Sinatra, it was a valiant effort that deserves some recognition. While the lack of the Queen influence is slightly mournful, the album shows that even without the rest of the band, Urie can still provide a wonderful roller coaster of emotion. Perhaps as a solo act, he will be the new face of Panic! At The Disco. I still believe that despite their new sound, the “emo-punk-rock” group from Las Vegas that I grew to love will always be there, even if there is only one man in the band.
If you looked at my bookshelf, you would notice that I haven’t really matured much since middle school. Stuffed onto the shelves and collecting dust are the remnants of series that I used to love: “Goosebumps,” “Narnia,” and maybe even some “Junie B. Jones.” I generally shunned mainstream novels. The ones that I came across were old books that my librarian mom brought home, or classics. Even though I had to trudge through “Huckleberry Finn” while my elementary school classmates read “Percy Jackson,” my favorite childhood books gave me companionship during my loneliest days, and the stories of these books stay with me to this day. “Through the Looking-Glass”: Perhaps Disney lovers will relate to my interest in “Alice in Wonderland.” Though charming, the movie cannot hold up to Lewis Carroll’s nonsensical but fiercely witty writing style. In this 1871 sequel to “Alice’s Adventures in Won-
Photo courtesy of MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS
derland,” Alice travels through a mirror and finds that everything is in reverse. Inanimate objects become alive, and Alice competes with chess pieces to move across this strange world. It really is very peculiar, but very funny and fresh even for its age. “The Tiger Rising”: This more modern novel comes from Kate DiCamillo, author of the popular novel “Because of Winn-Dixie.” Animals were my childhood obsession, but it’s the characters and themes featured within this story that drew me in. In a weepy rural Florida town, a melancholic and bullied young boy is woken up from his depression by a tiger he finds caged in the woods, and also by an even stranger interaction with Sistine, a new girl from the North who is outspoken and bold. This book stuck out in my mind because of the way it confronted themes such as the loss of a family member and the struggle of being an outcast in a cruel, but beautiful world. “Peter Pan”: This book brings me back out of the real world, and into my number one fantasy. Those familiar with the story from what
Disney had to tell will find that this is not a simple, cheerful fairytale. This tale of an impish boy who will never grow up is full of adventure, and the comparison between the dangers of Neverland and the dreariness of the reality of a bourgeois life lived by the Darling children is only one level of this book that covered the past tragedies in author J. M. Barrie’s life. “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”: The first of a very long series by L. Frank Baum is another strange fantasy about a normal Kansas girl who is swept into a surreal country called Oz. Some of us know of the story from the film, but the Land of Oz doesn’t really come alive until reading the book. Recently I learned that the book symbolized the ideals that the American Progressive Party had in the early 1900s. It’s still one of my favorite books of all time, and I’d even recommend picking up the second book, “The Marvelous Land of Oz.”
To read about more childhood favorites visit dbbullseye.com
Photo courtesy of GEORGE M. HILL COMPANY
JANUARY 27, 2016
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THE BULL'S EYE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THE REVENANT
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this outdoor adventure, delivering his most impressive performance. lilly ball editor-in-chief In an unexplored territory of the Louisiana Purchase, a simple tale of revenge unfolds into an unnerving presentation of man’s will to survive. With his latest release, “The Revenant,” famed director Alejandro Iñárritu has created a film that unapologetically pierces its viewers right through the heart, forcing them to experience every wave of emotion that overcomes the tragic characters as they fight to survive, and, ultimately, find meaning for their misery. The film begins in 1823, with a group of American hunters searching throughout the remote wilderness for animals to pelt. Their camp is suddenly attacked by a group of natives, and only a fraction of the men escape, fleeing by boat. The remaining men discuss their plan for survival, and look toward experienced hunter Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio,) and his native son, Hawk, for advice. Unshaken by the recent attack, John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy,) lacks respect for Glass and disagrees with any plan presented by him. As the men abandon ship and head into the forest, Glass is brutally attacked by a grizzly bear, and is seriously wounded. Unable to car-
ry Glass along with them, the men decide that Fitzgerald, Hawk, and another man will stay with Glass until he dies. Lacking patience, Fitzgerald makes an attempt to kill Glass, but is intercepted by Hawk, and ends up killing him as his father helplessly watches. Fitzgerald then unceremoniously buries Glass alive, and takes his leave. Alone and nearing death, Glass begins the long journey of both recovery, and revenge. DiCaprio, who has suffered and bled for his craft, has blessed audiences with his most heartwrenching performance yet. I was not watching DiCaprio act as a man in pain, I was watching a man in literal, physical agony. And as unpleasant as it was to watch, I could not look away. I wanted revenge just as much Glass. DiCaprio has mastered the ability to overwhelm audiences, and to make them emotionally invested in the character that he is presenting. The image of his face, staring directly into the camera, mouth agape and blue eyes widened, is seared into my memory. He has fewer lines than many of the supporting characters, but his physical acting, just as it was in the film “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” is what astonished me the most. He crawls, convulses, and sobs, all for the sake of his art. Intermixed with the scenes of
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T h e Jo y s o f Studio Ghibli lilly ball editor-in-chief
Photo courtesy of 20TH CENTURY FOX
Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is forced to recover after being left for dead. brute violence, are panning shots of the majestic American wilderness. Trees, lightly dusted with snow, waver slightly in the wind as arrows zoom above them. They silently watch below them, as blood is spilled and lives are wasted. There is a stark juxtaposition between the beauty of the landscape, and the ugliness of the acts committed by the characters against one another, and it is this contrast that makes “The Revenant” bearable. I jolted in my seat multiple times during the film, shocked by the gruesomeness of certain actions, yet, between the atrocities, the film still manages to be beautiful. “The Revenant,” though a film about the men of the American frontier, presents a startling message on the topic of human resilience. Glass strives on, after the
various attempts that both man and animal have made to end him, in hopes of finding some form of peace. This peace, however, is not to be found in revenge. Throughout his journey, Glass witnesses the full range of human emotion in those that he encounters along the way. From the native chief searching for his daughter, to the gluttonous French traders, Glass exists somewhere far, far away from them. Having lost all that he cared for, driven only by instinct, he is able to separate himself from his fellow men, and realize that despite all efforts, fate is not to be controlled by mere mortals. It is this realization that moved me to tears, but like Iñárritu’s previous masterpiece, “Birdman,” the ending of “The Revenant” is up to personal interpretation.
C e l e b r at i n g emily jacobsson asst. a&e editor
letto, among others. The Diamond Bar High School Orchestra was also included in many songs, adding an authentic From the phenomenon dubbed feeling to the performance and “Beatlemania,” that swept across elevating the sound quality imthe world in the 1960s, to the 1.6 mensely. million records sold in the United After a short intermission, and a States alone, there’s no denying welcoming message from teacher that the Beatles were one of the and director of the program, Daryl most successful and respected mu- Hernandez, the students returned sical groups of all time. So it’s no to the stage dressed appropriately wonder that they were the subject in late 60s fashion, to perform all of the Diamond Bar High School’s of the songs on one of the Beatles’ Co m merb e s t - k n ow n cial Mua l b u m s , sic Pro“Sgt. Pepgram’s per’s Lonely show on Hearts Club Jan. 15. Band.” T h e During students this second from the set, Glenn Co m merArnande and cial Music Brandon MaProg ram rantz proved performed their vocal two sets talents in of Beatles “When I’m Photo courtesy CAPITOL RECORDS songs, in a Sixty Four,” tribute concert. and “Lovely Rita,” respectively. TryThe first set of songs consisted ing to recreate a sound as close to the of early classics from the Beatles original track as possible, guest artthat anyone, young or old, would ist Tapan Joshi was brought on stage be able to recognize, including during “Within You Without You,” to “Help!” “I Want to Hold Your play the tabla, an Indian percussion Hand,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” instrument resembling bongos. The Between each of the thirteen presence of the orchestra was heard songs, a short clip was played from heavily in the second set, which uti“The Beatles Anthology,” setting lized many wind instruments. the mood for the upcoming song. As the show came to an end, One standout performer was Hernandez put into perspective all sophomore Cheyenne Fox, who the work that went into preparing opened the show with “A Hard for the showing by thanking the Day’s Night,” which displayed her many people who contributed to powerful vocals and bass guitar the process. The audience then left skills. Joining her on stage were the theater with the promise that Glenn Arnande, Brandon Mathe songs of the Beatles would be rantz, Yvonne Davis, Justin Yoo, stuck in their heads for days to Samantha Hersh, and Jacob Corcome.
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Photo courtesy of AWESOMENESSTV
2015’s All Male team takes first place at Nationals for the fifth year in a row.
Brahmas on Beat pauline villegas asst. a&e editor
Awesomeness TV’s newest docu-series, “Brahma Beat,” takes you inside what it’s like to dance like a Brahma. Five-time National Champion dance team, All Male, is proving that they are working hard to stay on top through the new series, featured on YouTube. The episodes air weekly on the channel, and can be viewed from the school’s website, showcasing the many preparations that go into competing as a high school dance team. The first episode aired Jan. 10, and introduced the audience to some members of the team, as well as head coach, Jeff Calimbas. A producer from the YouTube channel contacted Calimbas because she had seen some All Male performances online. The team was also recommended word-to-mouth by other viewers. After speaking over the phone, the producer got approval for six episodes. If all goes well, the team will be featured in six more episodes. In the show, the coach talks about the measures he takes in order to prepare the boys for their weekly competitions. Calimbas has been with the team for many years now, and has coached them through their last five national consecutive wins. Some of the team members are
interviewed about their experiences on the team, and their background with dancing, explaining the amount of commitment it takes to be on such a disciplined team, and the upcoming challenges they expect to face. “There is a lot of pressure to match our predecessors. Each and every year we have so many teams trying to get that first place championship out of our hands,” head captain Jason Lin said in the show. Based on the prior team’s track record, the new All Male team has big shoes to fill. Calimbas tells viewers that every year the team chooses a theme that they stick to throughout all of competition season. These themes allow the team to maintain a certain type of dance and stagecraft in order to perfect the quality of it, which is what sets Diamond Bar apart from all the other high school dance programs, he explains. “I think it’s great for the boys and the school. It shows how talented they are and how hard they work each and every single day. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and it’s nice to get recognized for it,” said Calimbas via Facebook. The show previews all of the preparations the team is taking before nationals. “The only bad part is they are giving all of our secrets away,” said Calimbas via Facebook.
It was on a bus of all places that I first witnessed the magic that is “Spirited Away.” While the rest of the passengers slept, I couldn’t move my eyes from the screen above my seat, and as I watched, slightly horrified by the unusual animation of the film, I fell in love. For years, I had only been exposed to the simple animation of Disney films and Nickelodeon cartoons, so you can imagine my surprise at the image of Chihiro’s parents turning into pigs. But by the ending of the film, my discomfort had melted away, and I became obsessed with the bizarre Japanese movie and it’s beautiful soundtrack. As strange as “Spirited Away” seemed to me, I was excited to discover that there were many more movies like it. The film is just one of the many masterpieces created by Hayao Miyazaki and his animation company, Studio Ghibli. Each film is its own experience, with a fantastical plot and otherworldly animation. But, possibly, the most amazing aspects of Ghibli films are the unconventional characters. Sophie, the heroine of the film “Howl’s Moving Castle,” is charitable and headstrong, yet is very insecure about her appearance. Unlike the princesses of Disney films, she is not perfect, but she is a believable character, and I would idolize her over Sleeping Beauty anyday. While the majority of the most popular Ghibli films are those that tell fantastical stories of mythical creatures and their wild adventures, my favorite is “Whisper of the Heart,” which follows the life of a teenage girl living in a bustling Japanese city. The film is one of the studio’s smaller releases, and was not animated by Miyazaki himself, but it exposed me to a culture and language so different from my own. Though it was the animation style of Ghibli films that initially hooked me, the sheer alienness of it all is what kept me motivated to delve deeper into the films. As someone who has lived their entire life in Diamond Bar, I have grown accustomed to Asian cultures existing in my community, but they are the Americanized versions. These Ghibli films allowed me to view the stories and beliefs of Japan without any filter, and from the perspective of someone not trying to make it more palatable for Americans. From “Spirited Away,” to “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” I owe my dreams of Japan to Miyazaki, the man who created the world of Ghibli.
Photo courtesy of 20TH CENTURY
Totoro, a mythical forest creature and one of Miyazaki’s most beloved creations, plays with his human neighbors.
12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Photo courtesy of ARMAN SHAH
Producing their own sound
Arman Shah uses skills he learned from his father to entertain audiences.
PRODUCERS from p.10
Sharma draws most his inspiration from other DJs that focus on the Electro House and Progressive House genres, such as Martin Garrix. As far as producing music, Sharma has yet to find enough time to allow him to figure out how to use the producing software, although he hopes to this summer. For now, he is mainly focusing on trying to get various gigs by posting on the Diamond Bar Buzz Facebook page, and asking family and friends to help spread his name. Focusing solely on music production, senior Chase Harker aims to use his skills in the recording studio to help out aspiring singers. “I own a recording studio, so people come to me with concepts and I make the sound real,” Harker said. Harker’s personal recording studio started out as a small setup in his room that he and his friends,
who were interested in rapping, used to record vocals. Soon after, Harker decided to expand, and built a sound booth in his room, complete with soundproofed walls. He’s also begun working with instruments in his sound booth in hopes of being able to record artists of a wider variety of genres. Most of the artists he records are friends, though in effort to find more people he has been handing out business cards and posting fliers. After working with several artists, Harker has found that the key to a good recording session is making sure the artist knows what they want, as it insures that the track will not come out sounding amateurish. Even after the vocals are recorded, Harker’s job is not over. He spends about one hour editing each minute of a song before putting it online. As for advice for anyone who wants to follow suit and learn to DJ or music produce, the general consensus is clear: work hard, be passionate, and have fun.
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
Brahmas dominate the field
SPORTS
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BOYS SOCCER With a perfect start in league matches, the Brahmas eye the postseason. emily kim asst. sports editor With five league wins under its belt, the Diamond Bar High School boys varsity soccer team is looking to continue its winning streak as the season moves closer to CIF games. The team has dominated its recent league games including against one of its biggest competitors, Claremont, and currently are 5-0 in league. The Brahmas have only lost one game out of both their preseason and season games, which, according to senior captain Tony di Donato, is due to both the improved team chemistry and overall positive attitude of the team. This year, the team has a much stronger defensive unit and, according to head coach Kemp Wells, it has helped greatly in games. Overall, some players stated that although the skill level and talent of the team members were better last year, the team chemistry and relationships have improved greatly this year. “Last year everybody played more as individuals and this year we play more as a team,” di Donato said. However, injuries are plaguing the team, as many players that are currently out were hopeful starters. A total of six out of 11 starters have been out and a few players such as seniors Mohamad Abboushi and captain Josh Bortis have just returned from injuries.
“We have players that do not get the proper rehabilitation, so it is taking them far too long to get healthy again,” Wells said. “Many of them are players that we were counting on before the season began to not just be starters but be massive contributors to the team’s success.” This year, the team was not able to participate in the Don Lugo tournament, instead participated in the Marina Tournament. The team ended up finishing fifth with a record of 3-1-1. Despite missing multiple starters, several players off the bench performed well, according to Wells. The coach hopes that the team will make it to the quarterfinals of CIF but it will prove a challenge due to the low scoring nature of soccer. In soccer, a team can dominate a game and still lose, unlike other sports. Skills such as corner kicks and free kicks and set pieces are a few of the things the team drills during their practices. Working together as a unit is the overall focus of the team whether it be at midfield or on defense. Another aspect that the team is working to improve on is their outlook on the game. “We need to pick it up in some areas and it always starts with attitude,” Wells said. “Attitude is one thing that most people never think affects how we play or how people perceive us but it does for both of those issues.” The Brahmas faced Ayala once again on Tuesday and will play against South Hills tomorrow.
honoring a fallen member
Photos by ERIC HONG
Senior Justin Kim attempts to score in a match against the Claremont Wolfpack. DB won the match 2-1.
Senior Bruno Gamboa weaves the ball through the Wolfpack defense. Gamboa leads the team in assists with four.
IN his GLORY DAYS
Photos by ANDREW CHOI
JOHN MARTIN catherine zhang asst. feature editor
ERIC HONG
Sophomore Jenny Kim and members of the girls water polo team painted purple hearts on their cheeks in memory of assistant coach Alan Ruiz.
As a high school student, sports meant everything to current Diamond Bar High School Health teacher John Martin, as he formed unforgettable memories and bonds with his teammates, the only people from high school he still keeps in touch with now. Martin started playing sports when he was five, first participating in tee ball and then moving on to football, in which an inspirational coach influenced his early experiences. During his first year of football, Martin found learning the various concepts and techniques difficult, but his coach never gave up on him. “[The coach] showed me how to do things one step at a time and the light bulb went off and I’ll never forget him. That guy took time out just to help me and he has impacted the way I coach and even the way I played with my teammates,” Martin said. Attending Rowland High School in the early 1990s, Martin was a two-sport athlete, playing football and baseball. In football, he was the team’s quarterback, free safety, and captain. Martin’s achievements included being named the first team all-league, offensive player of the year, and MVP. In baseball, he was the centerfielder and was named MVP several times. The friendships Martin formed in his high school football days continue to follow him, even to this day. His teammates still keep in touch and occasionally have get-
togethers. Even outside of practice, the players were inseparable and took the same classes. A fond memory Martin recalls is shaving their heads in his senior year, despite having senior pictures the following day. “We decided this is what we were going to do to become a team. We had a few who didn’t but they were people who didn’t really play much so not everybody had to but it was a great team bonding experience,” Martin said. From sports, Martin learned to never quit. When he first started, Martin said that he partially wanted to stop playing because of the difficulties in forming team comradery, but he fought against it. By doing so, the health teacher learned to stick with whatever decisions he made. “It changes how you are able to be resilient and overcome things.
It challenges how hard of a worker you can be. If you are able to overcome those things in sports, it carries on to your life,” Martin said. Although he played a year of collegiate football in his freshman year at Citrus College in Glendora, Martin discontinued the sport due to an arm injury he suffered in the beginning of his sophomore year. When he began teaching at DBHS, Martin, having served as Rowland High School’s head football coach prior, also started coaching with varsity track and lower level wrestling in 2007. He was the head football coach from 2007 until 2010, taking a break to focus on his family since coaching took up a lot of time. “Being able to teach kids football means being able to teach kids some things you have been through in your life to hopefully help them understand and make better decisions in their life,” Martin said. Martin fondly remembers his first year in coaching, when the team dumped a bucket of Gatorade on him. The season prior saw the team win only two games, but the Brahmas had beat Walnut in the Branding Iron game, a feat unaccomplished in the previous few years. “From that point on, I think we became like family. It was cool because the kids dumped it on me and when it comes from the kids, it means a lot because no one forced them to do it,” Martin said. Although Martin returned as a freshman football coach in 2013 and this season, he will be taking a break from coaching once again due to health issues.
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JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
SABRINA MAY
ryan chae asst. sports editor In her earlier years, senior Sabrina May felt like Saturday soccer games were a chore. Now, the game that was once a nuisance has transformed into a passion, as May continues her fourth and final year as a varsity defender on the Diamond Bar High School girls soccer team
while taking on the role of team playing the sport since she was captain. four years old, the required age to Like most participate in soccer playthe American “Despite me hating the running ers, May Youth Soccer we do in high school soccer, it’s has been alright because I’m doing it with my Organization. involved “When I friends.” with the was younger, I SABRINA MAY sport since didn’t enjoy it a young as much. Now, age. May was introduced to soccer I’m older and thinking about my by her older sisters and has been last year, it’s sad,” May said. “It’s
ERIC HONG
Senior Sabrina May defends the ball against an offensive striker in a match against the Bonita Bearcats.
hard to think about my life without it, so I’ve grown to love [soccer] and have a passion for it.” Before high school, May participated in AYSO to play with her friends, have fun, and stay in shape. As time went by, she slowly fell in love with the sport. She also played on multiple club teams. In her four years of playing on varsity, May has had a fair share of stress from both school and soccer. According to May, she was able to juggle it all with the help of friends and family. As a captain, May’s main responsibility is to lead the team and support it. One of the biggest roles is introducing new varsity players to the team. Like everyone, new players that come to varsity are newbies, but on the field, I don’t make them feel different,” May said. “I don’t chastise them differently than any other player if they do something wrong. I treat them the same way that I’d treat a senior on the field.” Prior to the Ayala game on Tuesday night, May has competed in 70 matches, assisted on 20 goals, and scored once.
May has also been involved in other sports. She has been a member of the school’s track team since her sophomore year, but is unsure if she will join this year’s team. “It all depends on if I want to get a job. For me, [track] is just a good way for me to stay in shape and be with my friends,” May said. After high school, May may play college soccer or in an adult league for recreation and exercise. May’s focus for now is on this year’s team, and she believes this team is different from the rest. Even with a 1-3-1 league record, she has trust in her fellow players and finds the sport to be more enjoyable with them. “This might be the best team we have because we have no drama and everyone pretty much loves each others. Despite me hating the running we do in high school soccer, it’s alright because I’m doing it with my friends,” May said.
Improved offense key to early wins GIRLS BASKETBALL Halfway through the season, the Lady Brahmas hold first place in the Palomares League and are leading the other teams in points scored and allowed. ingrid chan staff writer Successfully navigating through its games and practice matches, the Diamond Bar High School’s girls basketball team is doing better than it has done before in the past 21 years. Currently ranking first in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and seventh in CIF Division 1A, the Lady Brahmas have made
a promising start to their season. “The number one thing we’ve improved on is rebound and shooting. We don’t give other teams second shots, and we make more baskets than ever,” head coach Tony McCabe said. “We have great offensive players, and the kids have worked hard on getting better.” Senior captains Destinee Garr and Kayla Rice, along with junior captain Juliana Gamboa have emerged as the team’s key players.
Junior Juliana Gamboa is leading the team in points with 14 a game.
ERIC HONG
Garr has become the team’s most solid defensive player averaging at around 6 rebounds per game while Rice has achieved the most blocks per game out of the girls. Gamboa has especially shown considerable skill with an average of 14 points per game. This year, the Lady Brahmas made slight improvements on defense, holding opponents to just 30 points a game, down from 32 last year. However, the team has taken the biggest stride offensively, as they have averaged 56 points a game compared to just 35 points last year. According to McCabe, assistant coaches Kylance Malveaux and Erica Young have both contributed much to the team’s success after working with the girls individually to improve their skill The girls practice all year round without much break. When in season, the girls train with weights and then move on to have their near daily practice. Even their Saturday mornings are devoted to basketball. Most members play on teams outside of school to gain more experience. McCabe is proud to have highly skilled kids on the team who are going to keep playing in college, some of whom have already been recruited. On Jan. 8, the team defeated Ayala for the first time in many years, 50-33. They also played a decisive
ERIC HONG
Junior Lauryn Del Campo drives to the paint in a match against Claremont. game on Jan. 12 against South Hills league titles, but took second place and won with a large margin of 53- last year to South Hills while DBHS 36. was ranked fourth. The Brahmas were also chamHowever, the Lady Brahmas are pions of the proving to be a Claremont top contender tournament in the Palo“We have great offensive players, and runner mares league and the kids have worked hard on ups in the with victories getting better.” San Dimas against Claretournament. mont on Jan. COACH TONY MCCABE McCabe 15 and Bonita said he conon Jan. 22, 71siders Bo29 and 39-22 nita and South Hills as the Lady The team’s next match will be its Brahmas’ strongest competitors. second meeting against Ayala this Bonita has won four of the last five Friday.
SPORTS
THE BULL'S EYE
JANUARY 27, 2016
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UPCOMING MATCHES girls soccer 1/28 South Hills 2/02 @Claremont 2/04 @Bonita 2/09 Glendora
boys soccer 1/28 @South Hills 2/02 Claremont 2/04 Bonita 2/09 @Glendora
girls basketball 1/29 Ayala 2/03 South Hills 2/05 @Claremont 2/09 @Bonita 2/11 Glendora
boys basketball 1/29 Ayala 2/03 South Hills 2/05 @Claremont 2/09 @Bonita 2/11 Glendora
wrestling 1/28 @Bonita 2/02 Glendora
Freshman has boxing in blood Freshman Farid Mendoza was introduced to the intense sport at a young age. tess guan asst. web editor Following an older sibling’s footsteps is never easy. However, for Diamond Bar High School freshman Farid Mendoza, taking after his brother allowed for the discovery of an intense and physical hobby that he now loves: boxing. Although he was initially introduced to boxing by his father at age four, Mendoza said that it was his brother who inspired him to continue after his initial dislike. “My dad wasn’t a boxer, but he wanted to be,” Mendoza said. “At first, when I was like eight years old, I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to go, but it wasn’t my choice.” Mendoza’s brother, Fernando Mendoza, who is currently Mendoza’s boxing and training coach, is a professional boxer.
“He’s been training for 15 years. He’s 21 right now, and he’s a lot better than me. He won about five gold medals when he was 16, I’m 15 right now and I only have two,” Farid said. The freshman Brahma has competed in numerous boxing competitions, including a recent one in Monterrey, Mexico, at which he won first place. He was chosen by Mexico to be a participant and had already won two gold medals prior to this event. “In the first round I was like, ‘this guy is bigger than me, this guy is tougher, and this guy is from Cuba,’ but I beat him, 1-2 ” Mendoza said when talking about the Open of Nuevo León event. Despite his success in the sport, Mendoza has had to deal with the many injuries that come with being a boxer. “My biggest accomplishment
was being selected for Evaluación para Mundial Juvenil, a global competition, but I couldn’t go because I dislocated my shoulder,”
Mendoza said, “I was angry and I was hitting the punching bag, and I dislocated my shoulder. I was so mad and frustrated.” Mendoza also commonly suffers from knee problems after his practices, which prevents him from competing in further competitions and training as much as he would like to. Furthermore, since Mendoza moved from Mexico, where he was born and raised, to California six months ago, his unfamiliarity with English and the schooling system has hampered with his training and practices. He has suspended his intensive gym training due to his knee problems and is now concentrating more on his schoolwork. However, regardless of his injuries, he is slowly and gradually starting his training again, while waiting for his knees to heal completely. “I’m getting back on the road again because I have a fight during spring break. So I have to train harder, this is going to be as tough as the last one,” he said.
Grapplers shine at tournaments WRESTLING Individual wins have not translated to success in league due to weight classes. bernard chen sports editor With a new coaching staff, it’s been a transitional season for the Diamond Bar High School varsity wrestling team. Despite a league record of 1-2, the Brahmas have dominated at tournaments, with seven wrestlers placing at the recent Nogales Tournament while the team placed fifth overall. Individually, the wrestlers are finding success but as a team, the Brahmas are struggling in league. According to head coach Marcus Johnson, the team is lacking in some weight categories. However, several underclassmen have stepped up this season to fill
those empty spots, with freshmen Hayden Gonzalez and Andrew Cardiel wrestling on varsity. This is the first time freshmen have wrestled on varsity in over ten years. “We’re a good tournament team, but because of some injuries and some guys that got hurt or didn’t work out at certain weights, we’re not doing as well at dual meets as we should be,” Johnson said. The team has had wrestlers place in the top five at every tournament they have attended this season including ones at Troy, Carter, Nogales, and Brea. At the Troy tournament, the team placed fourth overall, with six wrestlers placing. Several of the wrestlers have stood out as well, including ju-
ERIC HONG
nior Michael Cardiel, and seniors Leighlan Corpus and Christian Munoz, who competes at the upper weights and has placed at every tournament the team has competed in. Michael Cardiel currently has the best placings overall of the wrestlers at the tournaments the team has attended. According to coach Scott Usher, the ultimate goal is to make it individually to state, but CIF is where the team will begin. To achieve the goal, the team is practicing daily and maintaining healthy diets to match the various weight classes wrestling demands. Because it is often a challenge to remain at the same weight class for some wrestlers, the Brahmas are paying specific attention to their diet. Still, there are areas that both the team and individual Brahmas can improve upon. The team drills
every day to practice moves as each move requires hundreds of practices to become flawless at meets. “Individually I believe I just need to start incorporating more shots, [takedowns], into my wrestling style. As a team I think some of the people need to become more motivated so that they can have the confidence to wrestle aggressively,” Munoz said. Though the team has lost several dual meets already this season, the team still hopes to go to CIF and wrestle at state, as they have only lost by one or two weight classes each match. “We’re as prepared as we’re going to be. Everybody is in shape. Everybody is ready. If we correct a few things, I’m sure we can come out on top on the rest of them. I think we’ll do very well at CIF and I expect us to have a good post season,” Johnson said.
Photo courtesy of DBHS Wrestling
Junior Donje Lee (on left) pins his opponent on the floor. DBHS wrestlers (on right) display the medals they received at their Nogales tournament in January.
girls waterpolo 1/28 Warren 2/02 Claremont 2/04 @Bonita 2/09 Glendora
SPORTS COLUMN
No rewards for cheaters ryan chae asst. sports editor
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teroids. Doping. Performance Enhancement Drugs. Call it what you will, but in my mind, I label it cheating. Seeing this year’s Baseball Hall of Fame class, my hostility to PEDs has been reignited. A few weeks ago, Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. and former New York Mets superstar Mike Piazza were the only players selected for the 2016 Baseball Hall of Fame class. Griffey Jr. set the record for the highest vote percentage from the baseball writers with an astounding 99.3 percent. One of the reasons for such a high percentage was that Griffey Jr. did not take any PEDs during the years he played nor was ever suspected of it. That era of the 1990s has been labeled “The Steroids Era.” Both Piazza and Griffey Jr. have also been known as humble and respectable players, which helped their selections into the HOF. As I looked at the other candidates, I was shocked at how many of them were well-known PED users, including home run king Barry Bonds and seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens. What was even more absurd was that their balloting numbers increased by 7 percent this year. Before taking steroids, Bonds and Clemens were on their way to Cooperstown, as the two players had phenomenal numbers. Bonds already had three National League MVPs in addition to over 1,900 hits and 411 home runs, while Clemens had won three Cy Young awards and over 2,500 strikeouts. Even with the success they were amounting, the two still wanted an extra edge over other players. Then came the steroids. Like many players, the two chose to have their legacies tarnished and thrown in the mud, just for a boost in stats. After the biggest doping scandal of the millennium in 2003, when over a hundred players tested positive for steroids, the MLB strengthened its drug testing by conducting multiple urine and blood tests. The league also raised the amount of games suspended if caught for PEDs in 2005. First time offenders would be out for 50 games, second-time offenders would miss 100 games, and thirdtime offenders would be banned for life. In 2014, the MLB raised the first two offenses to 80 games and 162 games, respectively. While the game of baseball has improved its policy on PEDs, it hasn’t done enough for the legacy of players. If all-time hits leader Pete Rose is banned from the game of baseball permanently, then PED users should at least be blocked from the HOF. Players who damage the game, which so many have worked so hard to succeed in, should not be recognized as Hall of Fame worthy, but rather what they really are: dirty cheaters.
16 SPORTS
JANUARY 27, 2016
THE BULL'S EYE
SPORTS
Young squad shows progress BOYS BASKETBALL Despite the team’s slow start, the Brahmas look to improve upon their offensive game as the season approaches CIF. eric hong opinion editor The Diamond Bar High School varsity boys basketball team, with an overall record of 6-14, has shown
that there is still ground to be covered in order to reach the CIF playoffs. The young team, comprised mainly of juniors, is currently [tied for third place] in the Palomares League with a record of 1-3. So far this season, the Brahmas
CALVIN RU
Sophomore Kingston Ko stares down the Claremont Wolfpack.
have competed in three tournaments and came out with mixed results. The team finished ninth on a 2-2 record in the Bosco Tech tournament, and 16th in the North Orange County Championships tournament after losing all five games. However, the tables turned in the Brahma’s favor during the Nogales Holiday Classic tournament when the Brahmas finished third on a 3-1 record, with senior shooting guard Peter Valencia earning a spot on the All Tournament team after an impressive showing. “We’ve had our struggles,” head coach Henry Frierson said. “There’s been a lot of progress shown over the maturation of what direction we’ve gone but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. It’s a tough league and it’s been a tough season so far.” The strength of the team lies in the post position, according to Frierson. He says the team is looking to focus on improving its offensive play, reducing the number of turnovers it gives up, and having more players secure rebounds rather than leaving the battle solely to the big men. With a smaller and slower team compared to previous years, such areas have been challenges for the team to address, he explained. Prior to Tuesdays game, leading players include seniors centers Damien Flores, who is currently averaging 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and team captain Evon Shubin, who is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game.
ERIC HONG
At the White Out game, junior Malik Corey goes up for a lay up against Walnut. The final score was 63-48 with Diamond Bar on the losing side. “Both Flores and Shubin have done an outstanding job on the floor thus far in their play around the rim, … their scoring opportunities, and rebounding,” Frierson said. Valencia has an average of 8.8 points per game, and junior point
guard Malik Corey is leading the team in offense with a 12.6 point average. “They’re a great group of kids. It’s been an absolute joy to coach this group. Talent-wise, we’re a little bit down but it’s still a great group of kids,” Frierson said.
Lady Brahmas coming up just short GIRLS SOCCER With a mainly defensive team, girls soccer has had trouble scoring but Coach Franco has high hopes for the team. sophia kim staff writer
scored. “Two of them in the back are a big reason why we’re doing so well defensively,” Franco said. “They The Diamond Bar High School have good chemistry back there, girls varsity soccer team’s season and they’re working really well todid not start well, with three congether.” secutive losses. However, the team As for scoring, the team has has since improved with its first many talented offensive players win, against Bonita, on Jan. 19 to who just need to live up to their pobring its record to 1-3. tential. According to head coach Matt Freshman Olivia Valdivia, sophFranco, the team had stable ball omores Valerie Swisher and Jaclyn control and teamwork throughout Martinez, and junior Reena Kang its first three league matches. Howcould all be offensive threats, acever, scoring cording to was a problem, Franco. Deas the team’s spite the lack ““Whether it’s a one two or three improvement of scoring in seed, even a wild card, I think if we the first three is mostly dedo get in to CIF, we can make a big fensive. As games of the impact there.”” a result, the season, juniors COACH MATT FRANCO Lady Brahmas Kayla Pak and lost their first Olivia Valdivia three games each scored against Ayala, South Hills, and Claa goal against Bonita, leading to remont, each short by one goal. their first win of the season. “The outcomes aren’t as expect“We had a lot chances to score ed, so if we scored a couple more and hit the post a few times, which goals our record would be a lot betwas exciting,” sophomore Meg Epiter,” Franco said. no said. Having numerous young memTo help the girls during the bers on the varsity team, Franco games, Franco likes to remind states that the players have the pothem to touch the ball around more tential to win many of their future quickly. With faster moves, the games. Freshman defender, Elisa girls are able to control the game Kolek and junior defender Delaney better. In addition, he likes to make Donohue have stepped up for the sure his girls are confident and team, kicking out as many potencalm throughout the game. tial goals the other team could have “I’m not a real fancy type of
coach that wants them to do all these technical moves,” he said. “It’s just keeping it simple, knowing their space, and moving the ball around without holding it down too long.”
With a challenging preseason set up by their coach, the Lady Brahmas quickly adjusted to the league season, both mentally and physically. During the preseason matches, over 10 girls were out due to their health, but are now in better condition for the season. In addition, the girls are more comfortable with
each other, leading to better performance. The lady Brahmas ended their preseason with a record was 3-4-5. “I believe we have the talent to make it to playoffs,” Franco said. “Whether it’s a one two or three seed, even a wild card, I think if we do get in to CIF, we can make a big impact there.”
ERIC HONG
Junior Reena Kang defends the ball against the Bonita Bearcats as they try to steal the ball on Jan. 19.