January Issue

INSIDE THE ISSUE

opinion 5

feature 7

the bull’s eye NEWS

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sports 14

a&e 9

opinion 4

OPINION

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FEATURE

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JANUARY 24, 2018 VOLUME XXXVI, ISSUE V ONLINE AT DBBULLSEYE.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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SPORTS

Staff speaks out in silent protest Teachers across the district are wearing black every Wednesday until their concerns are addressed.

HANNAH LEE

Among the students accepted to various high-ranking schools are (front row from left to right) seniors Matthew Ho, Silvia Cao, Tanya Yang, (back row from left to right) Pablo Martinez, Brian Li and Amy Xia.

Students receive early 'yes' Seven DBHS seniors received early acceptances to prestigious universities.

Cindy Liu asst. News EDITOR Harvard. Yale. MIT. While the majority of Diamond Bar High School seniors are still crossing their fingers in hopes of receiving their acceptance letters, seven DBHS seniors are among the few

who already have a confirmed future at top schools across the country.

Matthew Ho was accepted to Harvard, Pablo Martinez to Yale, Tanya Yang and Silvia Cao to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brian Li to Johns Hopkins University, Amy Xia to University of Pennsylvania and Mandy Wu to Harvey Mudd.

Although Ho was accepted to Harvard University as a chemistry major under non-binding restrictive early action, which does not allow applicants to apply early at any

other school, he is still considering other schools to attend. He decided to apply early not only because he felt that Harvard had the best undergraduate program and resources but also because it meant that he did not have to wait until later in the school year for his results to come out.

Ho credits a large part of his application success to the time he spent researching at an institute in Germany, where he worked on a synthetic chemistry project.

COLLEGE ON P.3

Currently, teachers and staff members across WVUSD are wearing either plain black or their WVEA shirts once a week, and plan to do so until the district addresses their request.

At the school board meeting last ANGELA YANG week, WVEA President Lisa Peterson spoke to the board members asst. News EDITOR about the organization’s concerns.

She described WVUSD teachers Students across the district may as “very overworked, very frustrathave noticed teachers and staff ed, very stressed and underpaid,” decked out in black every Wednesciting the lack of compensation as day this semester as they present a reason many teachers have left a united front in their negotiations the district. with the school district.

She said the district was ranked The Walnut Valley Educators 27th in salary compensation among Association encompasses teachers, 35 surrounding districts. counselors and “That’s a nurses among little bit disother faculty heartening to "We're working members at all the members of harder...but we're K-12 institutions this district,” not paid as much as in Walnut Valley Peterson said. “I comparable districts."

Unified School really feel that SALLI COLLINS District. it’s about priori“They’re ties, and maybe wearing their you think, ‘You black shirts to show solidarity,” know, our budget is so tight.’ But Diamond Bar High School specialif we look at these other school ed teacher and negotiator for the districts, how are they able to do district Salli Collins said. “We’re it? Why isn’t Walnut Valley able working harder, the teachers here to? I just really want you to take have been working very, very hard into considerations the priorities, [but] we’re not paid as much as and when there is a will, there is a comparable districts in the surway.” rounding area.”

She specifically referenced BoCollins represents the Teachers nita Unified School District and Union for its members’ pay, benUNION ON P.2 efits and working conditions.

Cultivating culture of tolerance at DB Ethnic clubs to host a week of cultural exposure starting Monday.

Amy Miyahara asst. A&E EDITOR In a school with a dominant East Asian population, many students are not exposed to the cultures of other minority groups. A few of Diamond Bar High School’s cultural clubs hope to change this by hosting DBHS’s first ever Culture Week, starting Jan. 29.

The event will be hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU), the Hispanic Organization of Parents and Education (HOPE) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA). Indian Culture Club (ICC) will also be collaborating with MSA during the week.

Although it has never hosted a Culture Week, BSU has held multiple Apollo Night talent shows in the past. BSU senior president Amelia Anijelo said she was first inspired to host Culture Week after hearing about similar events at

other schools.

“My cousins at their schools in Cerritos and in the Inland Empire have a type of Culture Week shows.

There’s...dance shows and everyone’s cultures can come together, and I was like, ‘How come Diamond Bar doesn’t have this? I’ve never seen this in my life,’” she said.

Anijelo brought up the idea of hosting a Culture Week to MSA president senior Noor Naji, who was able to get HOPE involved.

The groups have been planning the event for over a month.

To start off Culture Week, there will be a march to save Temporary Protected Status, starting by the 300 building and going across campus. The clubs are expecting around 50 participants. TPS protects people of certain nations from being removed from the U.S. while conditions in their country of origin prevent them from returning safely. President Donald Trump’s administration announced the end of TPS protection for people from Haiti this past November. More recently, he announced protection will be ending for about 200,000

Culture ON P.3

Open forum for secrets

Photo Courtesy of DBHS CONFESSIONS

The Brahmas behind the popular Facebook page reveal the inner workings.

Angela Yang asst. News EDITOR Many students of Diamond Bar High School may be familiar with DBHS Confessions, a Facebook page that has shot to popularity among Brahmas in recent years.

From gushing about crushes to divulging innermost musings, students use the page to read about and express what they don’t feel comfortable revealing to anyone else.

Founded in 2015 by class of

2017 alumna Administrator K (the administrators have decided to remain anonymous), DBHS Confessions has become a go-to entertainment page for many of the school’s frequent Facebook users.

Students and teachers alike have interacted on the page, which allows anyone to submit anonymous thoughts through a Google form.

Inspiration to create the page came largely from WHS Confessions, according to Administrator K. “I thought it’d be nice and interesting for DBHS to also have a confessions page so people would have a space where they can speak their mind without having to worry about their identity,” Administrator K said. “When I created the page, I didn’t really have a concrete plan as to how I would manage the

page. I just kept the page up in case people would find it.”

Currently, DBHS Confessions has garnered over 1,200 follows online and is managed by a total of five administrators. While administrators Star, Bell and Card remain students at DBHS, administrators K and Dice graduated last year. The alumni still occasionally assist with the page and give input.

“If anything, it’s always thanks to the support of everyone reading...and submitting confessions.

The page is run by admins, but its true potential and power lies in the hands of everyone else,” Star said.

DBHS Confessions began to receive more submissions around October 2015. The page receives

CONFESSIONS ON P.2

2

NEWS

New act for DB senior Senior Willington Liu will be leaving the country on Feb. 26 to pursue his acting career in China.

Catherine Liu Staff Writer Though Diamond Bar is just 34 miles from Hollywood, one senior is pursuing his acting career 6,243 miles away.

After going through two sets of auditions, DBHS senior Willington Liu, was cast for the Chinese mythology movie, “Feng Shen.”

“It was very exciting, of course, because I always wanted to do YouTubing or filming things, but it’s really sudden,” Liu said, who has never acted before.

Liu was introduced to Chinese cinema after his college adviser introduced him to Anna Smith, the wife of an animation and special effects director and an acting coach, which led to the opportunity to audition for “Feng Shen,” directed by Wu Erxhan.

“I casted in America out of a few hundred [people] maybe and then sixty were selected to go back to Beijing to cast again and from there, a handful were chosen to participate in a six month training,” Liu said.

While preparing for the casting, Liu received coaching from Smith and learned that expression with the eyes were vital in movies.

He also stated that his experi-

ence in dancing helped him with many parts of the audition.

“Dancing made me less camerashy because before, when I was in middle school, I was a really shy kid, but now performing in front of the whole school and [Gravy Babies, JHL Dance Dynamics] really made me less nervous,” Liu said.

Liu was invited to audition in Beijing on Dec. 28.

He and seven others were given tasks that allowed the directors to examine their skills and physique.

Although Liu made the cut for the six month training, he stated that he was indecisive about actually taking the part.

“It was very exciting, of course, because I always wanted to do Youtubing or filming things," WILLINGTON LIU “It’s really a gamble because if you don't succeed there and you left this all behind, basically you have a lower chance of making it into [colleges],” Liu said.

By taking the part, he will have to do independent study and take a gap year before college to complete the filming.

But he does not want to leave DBHS and its dance company behind, especially with an upcoming dance competition.

“My mom was like, ‘Are you go-

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

Emily Jacobsson, Catherine Zhang Brian Chang, Hannah Lee Angela Yang, Cindy Liu

Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor

Noor Naji Ted Yarmoski

Feature Editors Asst. Feature Editor

Emily Kim, Catherine Zhang Amelie Lee Emily Jacobsson, Pauline Woodley Amy Miyahara

A&E Editors Asst. A&E Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor

Ryan Chae Justin Prakaiphetkul

Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editors

Hannah Lee Ingrid Chan, Amelie Lee

Business Manager

Tess Guan Tess Guan Sophia Kim

Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Staff Writers

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

Catherine Liu, Christina Liu, Samyuktha Vellaiyan

Advisor

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.

Site admins open up, discuss 'Confessions' CONFESSIONS FROM P.1

Photo courtesy of WILLINGTON LIU

ing to let a dance let you miss this opportunity?’” Liu said.

However, Liu decided to participate in the first competition before heading to Beijing.

He plans to attend the Beijing Film Academy to gain the experience he needs for “Feng Shen” along with its possible sequels and for his future career.

Liu also plans to continue both dancing and acting in the future and hopes to attend USC. “The movie is just to help me get into this field and experience it and what it’s like, but I want to study acting so I can improve myself,” Liu said. “My main goal is to get into the film academy, but if I get into this movie as well, that’s basically a bonus.”

just a handful of confessions per day, though the rate fluctuates depending on events such as school dances or major news. Influxes of submissions also tend to flow in on significant holidays or soon after new ones are posted by the admins.

Not every confession submitted is posted, however. The page follows guidelines that strictly prohibit any form of cyberbullying.

Spam, excessive swearing or emojis, names and controversial topics have also been filtered out by the admins.

“This page and the admins will not always be perfect regarding our activity. After all, we all are, or once were, just high school students. There may be some issues or conflicts that occur from time to time, but we hope to maintain this page as best we can,” Administrator K said.

When submitting confessions, students are asked to select a poll option disclosing their age group.

Data on demographics collected by the page show that most confessions are submitted by juniors, sophomores and seniors in descending order. These demographics are not necessarily definite; however, as the poll is optional and susceptible to false answers. As administrators cannot look after the page forever, administrator trials are typically announced around spring and summer of each year.

“Many admins we accept sadly

go inactive and never post anything,” Administrator Bell said. “[But the trials are] relatively easy to pass if you understand the rules.”

Students often speculate on who the administrators might be, but the individuals filling these clandestine roles must not stray from their responsibility no matter the pressure.

“I know you’re an admin,” a fellow Brahma once said to Administrator Card. Sworn to secrecy, she denied the accusation repeatedly.

It was only afterward that Card discovered the student pestering her was none other than Administrator Dice.

“Not everyone knew I was Admin Dice on the team, so I wanted to test out Card’s response. Later I messaged her, and she stated it scared her,” Dice said via Facebook. “A cruel act by me, but it showed I can trust Admin Card.”

While all the administrators currently on the team are now aware of each other’s identities, applicants are not permitted to reveal to anybody that they are seeking a position until after the process.

On occasion, this does lead to surprises.

"Admin Star and I have been friends since before our adminship, [yet] we didn’t even know the other applied,” K said.

Upon graduation, however, an administrator may make the decision to reveal all or part of their identity if they choose to do so.

Thundering Herd stars in Rose Bowl halftime show DB band played last Sunday during college football all-star game.

Samyuktha Vellaiyan staff writer Winning multiple sweepstakes and competitions earned the Diamond Bar High School Thundering Herd a spot in the college all-star game halftime show at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Jan. 20.

Steve Acciani, DBHS’ band director, was informed about the opportunity by the NFL Players Association, which wanted a high school band to perform at its Collegiate Bowl.

The band performed the field show music they typically play at the DBHS football game halftime shows.

“It’s very enjoyable for us,” Acciani said. “We love getting to do different types of events. We like high sophisticated things, but we love things that are just enjoyable and getting connected and doing things that make our community look good are a lot of fun for us.”

In preparation, the band prac-

ticed every Friday to polish the routine by reviewing the choreography as well as by revamping some portions of the song.

Though being invited to the Rose Bowl was a tremendous opportunity for the band members, they were not shocked by the news.

“Our band gets invited to a lot of big-name events, like commercials and movies. So because of our reputation, we get the chance to participate in all these kind of events,” Acciani said.

Even though the Thundering Herd has years of experience playing at multiple field show competitions, performing in a major event in front of a live audience is still a

new experience.

“The largest difference between performing on the street for a score and in a stadium for a crowd is that when we are on the street, our job is to be as perfect and nitpicky as we can be,” senior drum major Nicholas Lucero said. “In contrast, when performing for a live audience, our job is to entertain and bring excitement to the audience.”

The DBHS band members look forward to performing at more exclusive events like this.

“Performing at the Rose Bowl is a tremendous honor. We hope to have more opportunities like this in the future,” senior drum major Ethan Holmes said.

Photo courtesy of DBHS.ORG

DBHS color guard warms up outside the Rose Bowl in preparation for the show.

Staff wears black to show support union FROM P.1 Glendora Unified School District as ones with similar population demographics as WVUSD but higher worker’s compensation, despite their lower ranking.

Although this silent act of protest was not officially announced to the district, it has been successful in previous cases. According to

Collins, students who take notice tend to inform their parents of the demonstration, which helps draw attention to their cause.

These shirts often make an appearance whenever members of the WVEA want to express unity in a cause.

“We wore [black shirts] last year, we wore them the year before, so this is not the first time,” Collins

said. “Usually when we’re going into negotiations if we want to show that we’re solidarity the first thing we always do is wear black shirts just to make a point.”

Previous years have also seen the Teachers Union employ additional tactics such as having members speak at school board meetings and pass out papers detailing their concerns to parents.

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

NEWS

3

Alumni return to campus to provide college insight

more on

THE WEB: PRO CON: GOLDEN GLOBES BLACKOUT

DBHS alumni discuss college concerns, give advice to Calculus classes in annual event.

Prominent figures at the awards ceremony donned black to display solidarity against sexual assault as the recent "Time's Up" and "#metoo" movements have swept through the industry.

Catherine LIU Staff writer

DECA COMPETES IN THIRD YEAR

Diamond Bar High School's DECA club spent three days competing at the Career Development Conference, staying overnight in Anaheim. Seven Brahmas placed at the event.

Diamond Bar High School calculus teachers invited alumni to talk to students about life in college and beyond during the annual Calculus Day on Jan. 9.

This event was created by Howard Alcosser, the now retired longtime Diamond Bar High School math teacher.

Each period had a different panel of speakers.

While topics differed between periods, the main goal was to provide students with information about college life and academics.

“College is what you make of it.

You’re not forced to do anything that you don’t want to do and you don’t have to,” class of 2017 graduate Mina Sin told the audience.

Sin emphasized that students should pursue a major that they are passionate about and should not cater to others’ expectations for them, which she saw as a problem among her friends.

Other speakers addressed student concerns about college and its expectations.

With students trying to decide what classes to take to make them stand out and better prepared for college, the speakers aimed to give

students a better understanding of what needs to be done before college in regards to summer programs, classes and internships.

“I feel like [the talk] inspired me in the way that these guys are very dedicated and passionate about what they do so that next time when I find my major and minor, I’ll try to be passionate about it just like them,” junior Ethan Trinh said.

Other topics that were discussed during the event include advice on classes to take in college, finding a suitable major, choosing a college and daily college life.

“Just remember whatever you do, enjoy that and make the most of it because you can always find your own path to success,” class of 2012 graduate Richard Nguyen said.

LADY BRAHMAS OFF TO SLOW START

Despite various losses and player setbacks at the start of this season, girls' basketball plans to continue improving throughout the winter, focusing on developing skills rather than winning.

CELEBRITIES AS WORLD LEADERS: TAKING IT TOO FAR

Many celebrities may be well-suited for prominent positions in the entertainment industry, but that does not make them fit to lead a nation. Famous faces have been announcing possible presidential bids left and right, without any proof of adequacy in the role.

visit

DBBULLSEYE.COM

AMELIE LEE

From left to right, DBHS alumni James Lo (class of 2017), Nicholas Hale (class of 2011), Celine Kong (class of 2017) and James Boo (class of 2001) were invited to speak to current Calculus students about college at the Golden Horseshoe.

Speaker to close out week of celebrations culture FROM P.1 Salvadorans in Sept. 2019, putting them at risk of deportation, according to the Washington Post.

“TPS is something that isn’t really covered in the media, but it’s a really big thing,” HOPE secretary senior Andrea Moran said.

“There’s going to be kids without parents, spouses losing their significant others. A lot of people’s lives are going to be changed, and it’s so sad that people [who] have been here for almost twenty years are going to have to start over in a

country that they don’t know.” get their names written in Arabic Each of the clubs will then host a calligraphy, a photo booth where different day of students can try Culture Week. on a hijab and HOPE will games where "We know about host Tuesday’s students answer other cultures, but I questions about events, during feel like Muslim culture which there will minorities here are for prizes. ICC be a celebration kind of underlooked." will also perof Hispanic culAMELIA ANIJELO form on Wednestures affected day. For Thursby TPS. HOPE day, BSU has has planned for arrangements for African dance dancing as well as a pinata activity. and drum performances.

On Wednesday, MSU will be havOn Friday, Keith Osajima, a proing a station where students can

fessor from University of Redlands and uncle of DBHS intervention counselor Lauren Osajima-Baird, will speak about racism at DBHS. Anijelo said that she hopes to raise student awareness about different cultures with Culture Week.

“We know about other cultures, but I feel like minorities here are kind of underlooked. [Culture Week] is just so people can know, get general information on what does mean to be black, what does it mean to be a Muslim, what does it mean to be a Latino or a Latina,” she said.

DBHS seniors look into East Coast aspirations COLLEGE FROM P.1 “Not only… was [I] able to experience the professional world of science, I was [also] able to make a lot of connections with other faculty,” Ho said. “I feel like their advice in my admission definitely helped me a lot in planning for my future.”

Martinez also applied under restrictive early action and was accepted to his top school, Yale University, as a physics major. Although he visited other Ivy League universities like Harvard, Princeton and Columbia—which were all similar in terms of academic standards in his eyes—Yale stood out to him because of its atmosphere.

“The campus was just beautiful,” Martinez said. “Everything was green, and it didn’t really feel like you were in a city. Yet, I knew if I walked a couple blocks over, the city would be right there at my disposal.”

Martinez took a structured approach to college applications, dividing it into three major components: academics, writing (including recommendation letters) and extracurriculars.

“Colleges don’t just want a 4.0 [GPA], 1600 SAT,” Martinez said.

“They want a person who has that and an involvement in other activities, so it’s important that you find your niche.”

In contrast to the others who did restrictive early action, Yang was accepted to MIT under early action, which allows an applicant to apply early to multiple schools.

While she is still considering other colleges, she sees MIT as her top choice.

She describes her internship at MIT the past summer as a big factor in her decision to apply there.

“I really fell in love with the kind of culture the school presents… [and] the kind of innovation that

MIT drives,” Yang said. “MIT often has this stigma that everyone’s a genius— it’s so untouchable—but when I got there, I realized what’s more important is how important you regard your work, how much passion you have and how that drives you to accomplish things.”

Yang found out about her acceptance at DBHS during a Performing Arts Academy chamber music rehearsal and then called her family and friends to tell them the news.

“It was kind of surreal. I remember the first words I saw were “behalf” and “pleasure”... I screamed and immediately burst into tears and immediately ran to tell Mr. Acciani,” Yang said. “I think I just sat on the floor outside the physics rooms crying, and I had to look [at] the acceptance letter six more times to realize that I got in.”

Meanwhile, Li plans to attend Johns Hopkins University as a double major in neuroscience and

biophysics.

He decided to apply under early decision—which binds the applicant to the university upon acceptance—since he felt certain he wanted to attend Johns Hopkins University above any others.

“For about a week prior to their releasing the decision, I don’t think I breathed much,” Li said. “I felt happiness at first seeing the acceptance letter. After that, it’s nervousness mostly because when you get there, there are better people, smarter people; classes are insanely hard, and it is further away so I really don’t know what’s going to happen [and] I have to step up my game.”

While many high school students are anxious to know a list of accomplishments or activities that can guarantee an acceptance to a top college, Li advises students to follow their own passions instead of doing what everyone else is.

NEWSBITS Forget cowboy rodeos; police rodeos are the real deal. A bull NEBRASKA came from an unknown slaughterhouse and galloped into Prospect elderlyover couple heading Park,An toppling a one-year-old to celebrate Christmas within girl's stroller and injuring her familyItignored conventhetheir process. then ran into a car tionalrunning Christmas ideas before intopresent the Parade when they decided to bring Grounds.

There, the chase ended 60 pounds marijuana as when the bull of was hit by a tranquilgifts.

The twotrapped were stopped izing dart and between two by sheriff deputies when vehicles.

It was loaded into they a New noticed strong smelltruck from and the York PoliceaDepartment couple’s pickup.

Their Sanctuary stash of sent to Skylands Animal marijuana was valued at over and Rescue in New Jersey. $300,000.

LONDON Customers at the Tea Terrace cafe can now drink their own faces with the latest beverage on the menu. The “selfieccino” allows people to upload a picture of their face to the cafe’s app, which are then made into images in the cappucino foam. The “Instagramworthy” cappuccino made its debut with over 400 sales over the first three days.

ARKANSAS With the help of some young engineers, an eight-month-old duck mauled by a turtle at birth is up and waddling again.

Two high school students successfully created a new foot for the one legged duck using a 3D printer after 30 failed prototypes. Patsy Smith, the woman who initially rescued the injured duck, thanked the students for their efforts.

4

OPINION

EYE EDITORS OF THE

Noor in a Nutshell

Trading culture for globalization

W

noor naji opinion editor

hether you’re in Diamond Bar, or across the world in Zimbabwe, you are guaranteed an almost identical cup of coffee at any Starbucks shop. Not long ago, this would have seemed impossible. You can thank globalization for that. Or should you?

It is alarming to realize the rate at which many corporations and brands like Starbucks, McDonald’s and many more have become popular worldwide. And although globalization has many economic benefits, it could be catastrophic to cultures.

The main engine behind this sudden acceleration is the internet and social media. In “Cultural Globalization in Contemporary India” written by Biswajit Ghosh, a professor at University of Burdwan, he writes, that “cultural hegemony” is shaped to the demands of the market and therefore, “replaces customs and rituals by goods and services.”

Homogeneous societies have long been idealized in futuristic books. However, this is simply a form of modern colonialism, where nations, instead of sending troops, simply establish their spheres of influence through companies under the banner of creating “a common thread around the world.”

Continuing with Starbucks as an example, The Diplomat, a South Korean magazine, claims that the corporation has been a threat to local coffee shops. This imbalance can be seen in annual sales numbers, with Starbucks at around 470 million dollars and Angels-In-Us, a coffee chain in South Korea and its biggest competitor in the region, at around 294 million.

The main cause of this disparity is due to the effects of social media, which has placed Starbucks and the like as luxury brands. In “Asian Brands and the Shaping of a Transnational Imagined Community,” it points out that many people “become united through common brand experience rather than national belonging.” This illustrates the danger facing local cultures in weaker countries. If this trend continues, culturally significant items like food, music and coffee will fall to the margins in each country.

Of course, it is almost impossible for cultures to be truly extinct, even in the face of ever-growing homogeneous communities. However, it is important to recognize the importance of heterogeneous sets of beliefs and values, which allows for various individual identities internationally.

While no one is really to blame for this issue, it is worth noting the fast pace of this dramatic change.

There is no doubt that globalization has changed the world for the better economically, politically and, to a minor extent, socially. But in spite of that, there is a cost; we are trading the benefits for the death of hundreds of cultures worldwide.

Too often, we are so taken away by the genius of our innovations, that we willingly, and at times subconsciously, overlook its negatives, which risks the downfall of human culture as we know it.

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

OPINION: Poor teacher performance should not go ignored; student opinions should receive attention and consideration from administrative staff in an organized manner.

I

t may be hard for the administration to accept, but even at a school as accomplished as Diamond Bar High School, there are bad teachers. Many times, the issues students have with teachers are not important enough to require serious action. Even so, listening to these complaints could dramatically improve the quality of teaching at our school.

A simple system in which the administration seriously considers and reviews feedback from students regarding their teachers would be an improvement to the administration’s current disregard of student opinion.

Too often at DBHS we hear students in distress over their teachers. There are the times that these complaints can be reduced to the daily whining of high school stu-

dents; however, there are serious issues behind them. How many times do students need to complain about unfair grading policies or a lack of teaching for administration to act upon it?

In most jobs, when an employee is not performing well, they are fired. While in schools this may be difficult because of tenure, an effort should be made to ameliorate poor performance.

The opinion of students in regards to their teachers seems to be completely arbitrary in the eyes of administration. This is ironic seeing how the performance of these teachers most directly affects students. It seems as if deans are much more willing to feign ignorance than to address any issues with teachers.

A system needs to be created in

which students are able to submit reviews of their teachers. For example, several students from each teacher, all with varying grades, could be randomly selected to give a holistic review of the teacher.

Alternatively, a panel of students could be formed to review submissions from the rest of the student body. These submissions would be turned in before the end of grading periods, so that biases do not form based on grades. The panel would be responsible for making sure that the comments are truthful and valid.

On top of these student evaluations, deans should also take more initiative in checking in on teachers. The sit-ins that deans currently conduct are few and scattered. Additionally, the teachers are often given notice in advance, allowing

them to prepare for visits. Students will find that their teacher’s daily routine has suddenly become a lot more interactive, or they are doing activities that have never been seen before in the classroom on those days. Therefore, random checks should be instituted.

It is understandable that DBHS has many teachers and it may be difficult to keep track of them all.

However, the trouble is worth it, especially in an institution in which education is the main goal.

Inadequate teachers do not characterize the majority of the staff at DBHS, who are dedicated to their jobs and care deeply about helping their students. But even the best teachers can benefit from student feedback and apply it to continuous improvement in the classroom.

From the Brahma Perspective

Teachers can always improve.

Feedback can help them teach different people.

Students should definitely have a voice and some way to evaluate their teachers.

Deans shouldn’t evaluate teachers.

They act differently when the dean is there.

SIRJAN SANDHU (9)

SALMA RASHAD (10)

DAVID CHEN (11)

Student perspectives matter, but the teachers got their job for a reason.

ANGUS WU (12)

A ticket out of class Taking a look inside

the White House

amelie lee asst. feature editor

W

Cartoon Courtesy of MEGAN LEE

ith page after page of juicy insider gossip, Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House” has been the center of attention for weeks, quickly rising to No. 1 on the New York Times best selling list. Highlighting commentary about the president’s ignorance and inability to lead, the book goes into detail about the tumultuous relationships between Trump and his staff as well as his questionable handling of the Russia investigation and North Korea situation.

There’s no denying that drama is difficult to resist, even if the actual facts are alarming. When the subject of such gossip is the executive branch of the United States, however, there should be serious consideration and concern about the lack of professionalism, experience and sheer lack of common sense currently leading our country.

Following the first year of Trump’s presidency, the book describes the confusion and difficulties the White House faced as issue after issue was mishandled.

As the year progresses, Wolff ex-

plores the perspectives of those around Trump exasperated with his petulant way of handling the country. Although it reads like a gossip magazine, the book raises more cause for alarm than entertainment.

Since the 1970s Wolff has written for New York Times and started his own book publishing company. Despite winning the National Magazine Award three times, Wolff has been called out for fabricating quotes and misrepresenting his subjects. Conducting over 200 interviews in the White House since Trump’s election, Wolff seems to have had unfettered access to the president and his administration.

With their lack of experience, the administration never gave a second glance to the journalist lounging outside the Oval Office for months.

While little thought was given to Wolff as he interviewed staff-from former chief strategist Steve Bannon to Donald J. Trump himself--the publication of the book came with an explosive reaction from White House administration. Calling it “trashy tabloid fiction” and even attempting to stop it from publication, Trump has only spurred the book’s popularity with his intense reaction.

From the size of his inauguration crowd to the authenticity of the Billy Bush tape, Trump has dismissed negative press as fake time after time. However when it comes to Wolff’s book, straightening out truth from lies is necessary.

WHITE HOUSE ON P. 12

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

OPINION

5

Net neutrality: The idea that Internet service providers must treat all Internet data as the same regardless of its source or destination to prevent these large companies from finding more ways to make more profit, such as slowing down or blocking other services as a way to profit more off of consumers and internet content providers.

Without net neutrality, a large internet provider like Comcast would have the ability to slow down a competitor, such as Netflix, in effort to keep consumers to stay on their cable plans. This in itself would not be hannah lee much of a problem, as Netflix has the money news editor to pay for what would be an internet “fastlane” to speed up their service again. The The Federal Communicaproblem is that this would ruin competition, tions Commission recently as well as create extra charges for consumcreated a large digital imers for a paid for service like Netflix. Though pact by voting to repeal net neutrality. If a large company like Netflix can afford this this repeal isn’t halted by Congress, it can “fast-lane,” smaller, startups that could posessentially kill the internet that we now sibly be the next big future alternative will know. likely never take flight.

The internet can be diBy smaller services bevided into two categories: ing buried by these larger, internet content providmore favored platforms, “Net neutrality works ers, such as Netflix, Faceit also brings up a conflict to prevent large book and YouTube, and with free speech; with companies from internet service providers, blockages and speed reducfinding more ways such as Verizon, Comcast tions, as users, we would be to make more profit, and AT&T. Net neutrality losing the freedom to pick such as slowing works in the favor of inand choose which services or blocking other ternet content providers, we spend our data on. The services.” which naturally results system would essentially in working in the favor of be blocking other services consumers as well. from our reach and filtering out the alternaYouTube, for example, provides video tives, limiting our choices as consumers. streaming, which takes much more bandThe internet is for us. It is a public good, width than something simple like emailing. not a monopoly—net neutrality keeps it that Net neutrality prevents internet service way. providers from charging YouTube and, as a result, the consumer more for taking up the large amount of bandwidth. It neutralizes the cost of receiving this data.

However, this destroys a very large necessity to the economy: competition. If the majority of people are only paying for Facebook, it limits the discovery and growth of a small startup, which Facebook once was.

Net neutrality allowed Facebook to grow and build an audience, instead of allowing larger companies like Myspace from continuing to dominate the internet.

Net neutrality also ensures that certain websites and services cannot be slowed down or blocked. These large internet service providers fight the battle against net neutrality because without it, they would be making significantly more profit charging for larger uses of data. Net neutrality works

PRO

in which ISPs must alert consumers before making these changes. As a result of the repeal, massive amounts of misguided outrage was generated by the internet community as false images of website “packages” and internet “plans” circulated.

Under Title II, each time a new technology or business model was proposed by ISPs, it had to be submitted to the FCC and subjected to questioning and a lengthy approval ted yarmoski process, severely discouraging innovation. asst. opinion editor Paid priority allows content providers to pay extra to ISPs to have their content delivA dystopian society with ered faster under the new policy. Logically, powerful corporations in the sites utilizing this would need to be in control of the internet; high demand, as they would need to be able this is what many people imagined when to afford the cost of paid priority. This is they heard about the Federal Communicaseen as unfair and anti-competitive by many tions Commission’s decision to repeal net in support of net neutrality, as certain conneutrality rules. However, the internet will tent is given more bandwidth than others. still be the same contentHowever, more people filled place you’ve always would be given a better inknown and loved, just with ternet experience because “The internet will still faster speeds and more inthe most frequented webbe the same contentnovation. sites would be faster. filled place you’ve Two years ago, the FCC, When net neutrality was under the Obama adminin effect, the only way for always known and istration, reclassified inconsumers to enjoy faster loved, just with faster ternet access as a Title II speeds was by paying for speeds and more communication service, an entire new internet innovation.” making it a public utilplan instead of for specific ity and placing it under sites. Although the cost of government control. This using paid priority sites prevented Internet Service Providers from may go up in the form of higher subscriprestricting either speed or access to online tion fees or more advertisements, consumcontent. The recent repeal reversed this ers will be paying for those sites specifically decision, but created a “transparency rule” instead of all internet content.

There are also many open-internet protections in place to prevent ISPs from abusing power. Title II regulations prohibited the Federal Trade Commission from protecting consumers from ISPs. After the appeal, the FTC now has the power to take action against ISPs, whether they are engaging in deceitful behavior or violating privacy and data protections.

Federal antitrust and state consumer-protection laws will also apply. The Sherman Act, for example, renders anti-competitive agreements illegal. A state attorney general can bring actions against ISPs as well, acting as another blockade for unfair business practice.

As of now, the internet will be essentially the same as it was a year ago. However, the effects of the repeal over time on both consumers and providers will be a net positive.

CON

The parking lot: DBHS battleground

W

emily kim feature editor

elcome to Diamond Bar High School, home of the Brahmas. Many of you have asked for instructions on the best way to navigate the parking lot before and after school. It really depends on every driver’s preference, but if you insist on the rules, here are some suggestions: First things first, there is always room for yet another vehicle. I truly cannot comprehend when students say that the parking lot is too “packed” with cars zooming in and out, every which way. The solution is so simple. Like parents who drop off or pick up their precious Brahmas, student drivers should just create lanes of their own. That way,

there will be no rush or crowding.

After all, if the parents do it, why can’t the students?

I personally take every opportunity I can to squeeze in between the line of cars that are patiently waiting for their children in the loading zone because I just don’t have the time to wait for them. It works every time.

For the parents, a simple solution to getting to your child after school as easily as possible is to ignore all those worthless lines they’ve painted on the lot and station your vehicle wherever you want. So go ahead and double-park behind all of the other cars in the staff parking lot. Or just park in lanes designed for moving traffic; no one will mind. That way, students can clearly see where their parents are and can make their way to their ride. Even if 1,000 other parents picking up their children have the same line of thinking, the lot never gets too crowded; even if it takes an hour to navigate back into the street.

Although the lines are twice as long in the mornings, with all of the students trying to dash off to

SPEEDILY SATIRICAL

Cartoon Courtesy of SARAH SEIF their early morning classes and parents making sure that Johnny or Jenny don’t have to walk all the way across the parking lot, you’ll always find a route to the front of the line. A few honks of the horn and eventually at least one car will slightly inch forward giving any parent ample room to squeeze through and zoom away.

And for our Brahma parents and Brahmas alike, you don’t need to stay in a single file line to get out.

Those exits can definitely fit at least three SUVs filled to the brim with students in one go. Just try and make your best guess as to when it will be safe for you to turn out onto the main street. Because certainly, the other pedestrians and drivers will see that you are handling students and will always stop for you to go, even if it means creating a traffic jam.

The way that the parking lot runs right now is one of the most

efficient ways I have seen students get picked up and dropped off. It is also the best way for parents to get to their valuable cargo, their children, as quickly and efficiently as possible. There is always enough room to fit more cars into an already crowded parking lot. Always a path that can be made. And, of course, always enough time to honk at those annoying students trying to make their way to a safer location to wait for their ride.

6

FEATURE

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

COmpeting thrOugh service Emily kim feature editor Lions are commonly known for their astounding roar, but at Diamond Bar High School, lions are recognized for something completely different—their volunteer work. The DBHS Leo Club is known for its large number of members that work together not only within their own club, but also with the numerous other Leo Clubs in the district.

These high school clubs are associated with the Lions Club, a community organization that sponsors Leo Club events as well as scholarship competitions.

The members meet twice every month during their general meetings to talk about past volunteer events, upcoming events and upcoming district meetings. Long associated with the Tanaka couple, Leo Club now works closely with Wanda Tanaka after Jack Tanaka’s passing.

The Leos are involved in several events to help the community of Diamond Bar, most prominently hosting the Diamond Bar Winter Snow Fest every January. The members help run booths and look after children at the event.

Also, they have written cards for veterans for Veterans Day and helped distribute them at local centers. The club also worked on a float for the Rose Parade, cutting flowers, filling flower vials with water and spreading different varieties seeds on the float.

“Leo Club is a really interactive way to have fun with friends around you but also

do something good for the community and have time to destress from school.” junior director of meetings Natalie Chung said.

The club also holds socials, usually associated with a charity, such as holding a canned food drive for their Thanksgiving gathering.

According to Leo Club President Chelsea Li, socials provide an opportunity for board members to interact with the other members of Leo Club and help to unite club members.

“I feel that Leo Club is like a family. As the president, I want to be friends with everyone. I don’t want to have members think of me as a little bit higher than them. So I try to present myself as a leader and a friend at the same time,” Li said.

Photo Courtesy of NATALIE CHUNG

Once a month, aside from general school meetings, officers and members from Key Club attend Divisional Council Meetings where they meet up with those from other high schools to bond and discuss largescale community service events.

One of Key Club’s main social event is the Fall Rally South, an immense congregation in which members from California, Nevada and Hawaii come together at Six Flags as a fundraiser for the Pediatric Trauma program.

For this event, students not only raise money for the nonprofit organization, but also hold spirit sessions in which members cheer in a competition to win the “spirit stick.”

“We like to make members feel excited about service and not just something they have to do,” Key Club president Meghan Shen said.

Emphasizing their motto of serving the community with spirit, members of the club also have a variety of opportunities to volunteer at local community events, such as Isaiah’s Rock, a food packing house that serves the needy.

Around the holidays, members can also participate in a toy and food packing event where they may get a chance to interact with families receiving the items. In addition, this past year, Key Club hosted a school-wide can food drive to donate to the food pantry.

“I really enjoy packing food and cleaning the pantry for the needy,” sophomore Debbie Yim said. “This event is special to me because I get to give a helping hand to the homeless.

SOPHIA KIM asst. web editor As one of the first volunteer clubs established at Diamond Bar High School, Key Club continues to thrive with over 150 active members supporting the local community. Based on incorporating their four core values—leadership, inclusiveness, caring and character building—through every activity and event, the club provides a myriad of opportunities for members to explore.

As DBHS Key Club is part of a larger district, which consists of ten high schools, students from across the region of Southern California are involved in a number of joint social events and activities.

Photo Courtesy of MEGHAN SHEN

Leo Club (left) and Key Club have members and attends events across Southern California.

Humans of Diamond Bar High School “Lately, I’ve realized the importance of being self sufficient. When I was younger, I was always conscious of when I was alone and felt like I had to be hanging out with people. Now, I realized that it’s OK to be alone sometimes. It doesn’t mean you’re lonely. It just means you’re hanging out with you.”

“I want to be a good friend, like a background helper. I just want to help other people do their thing. They don’t have to recognize me, but I just want to be there for them, if they do ever need my help.”

GRant wu Senior

ELLEN LASKO Senior SEAN KIM Senior

ARushi Verma & isabel chu Freshmen

“At church, my friends and I were having a contest of who could jump over eight chairs, and then I jumped it. My pastor walked in, and they wanted me to show him. I had a bad feeling about the second time because the first time felt lucky, but I got pressured into doing it again and I broke my ankle.

“Even if we haven’t hung out in a while, we’re super close and really click. We don’t really have a lot in common, but our personalities get along. We get good reactions from each other and understand one another.”

SABRINA SANCHEZ SOPHOMORE “I try to enjoy life as much as I can. I don’t get mad about the little things in life. The only things I care about is my family and friends. That kind of mindset makes your life much less stressful. I just take things as it goes day by day.”

“Everyone at Diamond Bar stands out to me. The people are so vibrant with unique personalities. I consider myself a people person. I can be too forward, I come on strong personality-wise and I surprise people with how suddenly I come into their face.”

ALICE KWAK, FRESHMAN

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

FEATURE

7

The new rep for DBHS amy miyahara asst. A&E Editor While many Diamond Bar High School students are oblivious to even the most important campus events, the attorney general tries to connect students to the school district and the various events that affect them.

This year, junior Austin Hyun will take over the position of attorney general from junior and current USB secretary Abigail Nakaishi.

“Being attorney general was a really unique experience. I got to work with the staff and represent DBHS to the school district.

I learned a lot about what the district does for us, and this position opened up so many opportunities for me,” Nakaishi said via Facebook.

As attorney general, Hyun is required to attend WVUSD district board meetings each month to report on DBHS and pass along any information about school activities and accomplishments from the report that the school deans and principal give to him.

“It is my job as attorney general to present Diamond Bar [High

School] in the most positive way possible, showcasing all our events and any accomplishments that our students or teachers have,” Hyun said.

Hyun was able to get the position through the general USB interview process, in which he listed attorney general as his first choice.

He has previously worked as the USB academics commissioner in 2016, planning events such as Top Ten and Renaissance giveaways,

Austin Hyun is this year’s USB attorney general to the district.

and E-board finance director in 2017.

Hyun said that he hopes his position as attorney general will allow him to talk to more people in power and develop his skills in presenting professionally.

“Even as academic and finance director, I wasn’t really able to talk to teachers as much as I wanted to.

Even though finance director is an E-board position, it’s a specialized job,” he said. “For finance director, I wasn’t able to talk to a lot of adults, and that’s what I want to do with attorney general.”

Hyun attended his first board meeting last Wednesday. Although he said that the first meeting was nerve racking, it was exciting to represent DBHS. In the future, Hyun wants to make sure to keep students informed on important district information and policies.

“There’s a lot of formal policies that are being introduced into these meetings, and yet a lot of the students don’t really know about it. [The attorney general’s] job is to communicate these events to the school, and I felt like this hasn’t been happening as much,” he said.

“I want to be able to be a mediator between school and the district board.”

An unconventional summer camp Catherine Zhang editor in chief Over the summer, many students at Diamond Bar High School scramble to find highly accredited academic programs and classes.

But instead of taking your run of the mill rigorous academic classes, three seniors, Winnie Houng, Christian Park and Cameron Belden, immersed themselves in a camp of vigorous academic and physical workouts, while getting a glimpse of cadet life—in the Air Force and at West Point military camps.

Houng first found out about the U.S. Air Force’s Summer Seminar through her older brother, who had attended the West Point seminar last year.

After completing the application, Houng decided to attend the program to experience cadet life for a week in late June.

Every morning, Houng awoke to her element leader banging and kicking on her cadet dorm door, then did planks outside of her room until the last person came out of their dorm.

Before breakfast, Houng and the other cadets were required to exercise, sprinting a few miles and doing sit ups and push ups.

“We would sprint for a few miles because no one wanted to be the last one to finish. Sometimes after we finished our run, after we have poured our last bit of energy into sprinting the last mile, our element leaders would tell us to go another mile. That extra mile really made me realize that what is seemingly the end of physical strength is actually just the beginning of an effective workout,” Houng said via Facebook.

Similar to Houng, Park and Belden both decided to attend the West Point Summer Leaders Experience, a program that accepts only 1,000 applicants out of 6,000, as a way to experience cadet life.

Aside from the physical workouts, Houng, Belden and Park also attended classes about various sub-

Photo Courtesy of CHRISTIAN PARK

Christian Park (fifth from right) along with Cameron Belden and Winnie Houng attended military camps over the past summer at West Point and the Air Force.

Christian Park with Cameron Belden spent their summer at West Point. jects, such as astronomy and aerodynamics, and learned about the process of applying to the academy the following school year.

During her time at the academy, Houng and the other Air Force cadets attended a Mil-X day, in which the cadets spent a whole day exercising, aside from meals.

“The greatest difficulty for me was the physical exertion. Also, as a girl, there are a lot of inconveniences,” Houng said.

Although the thought of cadets may evoke a certain stereotype, Houng feels as if the military tries to dispel the “mold” of the cadets, promoting diversity and minority groups.

“Truthfully, stereotypes are

more common at home than at the academy. In the recent years, the military academies have been working at promoting minority groups in the military. There were a lot of tough, muscular men, but academics are just as important as physique, as other members in my element are all top of their classes,” Houng said.

Although Houng has no plans of attending the Air Force in the near future, she is still considering the option for the future.

“I was attracted to the idea of service originally, also the people there are seriously talented. At DB, you think everyone in the world is about the same [studious, working hard for app cushions] but the people at the program are what you can seriously call bright and well rounded,” Houng said.

Like Houng, Park and Belden are not considering a career or education at West Point.

“I chose not to apply because I realized that the academy is not for me,” Park said. “Some people have different routes in their lives, and other people are well-fitted to go there, and I respect that. It’s not a regular college campus; you don’t have the same freedom as other college students. You have strict rules, and you can’t break them.”

Photo Courtesy of LAUREN ABEDINI

Lauren Abedini, aka Kittens, will play at Coachella after working with Usher.

DBHS ALUMNI EST. 1982

KITTENS SCRATCHES TO THE TOP

CINDY LIU ASst. News editor

her first turntable and started off learning basic DJ skills from her friends involved in the skill. However, she spent the majority of her While thousands of people time experimenting with the music dream of attending the Coachella through trial and error.

Valley Music and Arts Festival, “Learning from people who Diamond Bar High School class of came from a different era made it 2007 alumna managed to take it one a little tricky because so much of step further. Lauren Abedini was their lesson involved training my recently booked to perform as a DJ ear and musical intuition versus at the April festival, where she will the mathematical formulaic asbe playing music on the same stage pects of music, which ended up as big name music stars. being a game changer for me,” Known as DJ Kittens, AbediAbedini said. “I wanted to quit so ni has established herself as an many times but then once it finally emerging DJ whose talent has clicked, I was like ‘Okay I can do been recognized by top musical this!’” artists such as Usher—an eight Abedini first met Usher, who time Grammy winning R&B star— now acts as her mentor, at the and Kid Cudi. Her recent booking South by Southwest Music Festival at Coachella will place her on the where she was performing with same stage as stars like Beyonce, Kid Cudi as the DJ for his tour.

David Byrne and Post Malone.

After the show, Usher invited As a woman in the male domiher to perform for Jermaine Dunated DJ industry, Abedini recalls pri, a hip hop record executive, and the challenges she faced with sexhimself at their studio, and offered ism—everything from being mishis support for her growing DJ cataken as a fan trying to get backreer. stage and being disrespected to “The biggest thing that I got others constantly discrediting her from that whole situation was this for her success—during her career. feeling of purpose. Like I was on “You have to work twice as hard the right path and like for the first and be twice as good for people to time in my life, I was being noticed. even consider you a real DJ,” AbeSomeone so huge saw something dini said via email. real and special in me,” Abedini Abedini’s experience struggling said. “That was wildly inspiring in the industry led her to establish and motivating.”

PWR with Kittens, a series of feHaving came out as a lesbian male only DJ workshops, in which during high school, Abedini found she covers everything from basic a supportive community at DBHS DJ skills to advice on facing the as a member of the Gay Straight challenges of working in the indusAlliance. She was also a member of try as a woman.

Varsity Song and French Club, and “I just want to empower and eduremembers French teacher, Tony cate people who feel like they can’t Tietz, as her favorite teacher. do something because society has “He always incorporated music told them for so long they don’t beand relatable fun stuff into how we long there,” Abedini said. learned, which has stuck with me Abedini’s first exposure to the all these years,” Abedini said. world of disk jockeying was in After graduating from DBHS, high school when she would Abedini decided to attend Cal sneak into clubs to dance State Fullerton as a business and listen to music. major with an emphasis in In particular, she remarketing. members the Low End Now, being named by MixTheory club in Los mag and The Hundreds as a Angeles as a partic“Rising Producer/DJ Shapular moment when ing the LA Club Scene,” the DJs’ music and Source Magazine’s inspired her to “25 Women to Watch” as take up disk well as having nearly jockeying her100,000 followers on self.

Instagram, Abedini “I would describes one of the go there most important asall the time pects to being a sucand was just cessful DJ is more in awe of the than just the music. types of music “You have to be I was hearing able to feel the enand the way that ergy [of the room] DJ’s were so creand know how to atively weaving work with it,” Abetogether such difdini said. ferent sounds [and] “Mixing is secmaking something ond nature to me completely new,” now so I don’t really Abedini said. have to think about In 2011, after the technical asdeciding to take pect anymore. All the jump to beI have to do is focus coming a real on the energy and Photo Courtesy of LAUREN ABEDINI the sounds.”

DJ, Abedini bought

8

FEATURE

restaurant review

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

Durian makes way into desserts

Amelie lee asst. feature editor Serving traditional drinks and desserts, Malaysian cafe Puan Sri takes what has been nicknamed the “smelliest fruit in the world” and creates palatable and tasty snacks for those curious to try a new flavor.

Making its home among the hundreds of boba shops and dessert cafes in Rowland Heights, the cafe utilizes the Malaysian fruit durian in its array of cakes and drinks.

Known for its strong gasoline-like scent, durian is popular in many areas of Asia and is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. Despite its off-putting smell, the fruit has a sweet flavor and creamy texture, often compared to caramel or banana.

Named after a Malaysian title of authority, Puan Sri incorporates the exotic flavor of the fruit in their dishes, serving durian flavored cakes, puddings, coffees and milkshakes.

Upon entering the restaurant, I immediately noticed the yellow color scheme. Since the cafe was relatively empty, I was quickly approached by waiters who began describing the different desserts and

DETAILS CUISINE: Malaysian

ADDRESS: 18340 Colima Road, Rowland Heights PRICE RANGE: $7-$12

drinks the store offered in great detail.

The interior was an explosion of the creamy yellow color associated with durians. Decorated with yellow wallpaper, long hanging lights and yellow and blue couches, the cafe and its use of bright colors matched the sunny personalities of their engaging waiters.

A glass display case showed off the desserts offerings, from durian raindrop cakes, small clear cakes made with gelatin, to lattes and souffles. I ordered the classic durian dessert for $7.50, the durian sawdust cup for $5.45 and durian milkshake for $4.95.

For those who have never tried the durian fruit, the flavor is often too intense to be enjoyed at first, but since my mother grew up in Malaysia, I have learned to enjoy the fruit’s distinctive scent and flavor.

Despite this, while the durian cake’s creaminess was delicious, the durian flavor was a bit overpowering. After a while, I became used to the intense flavor of the fruit, and I was able to appreciate the creamy and crepe-cake like texture of the cake.

At almost $8, a single slice of cake was on the more expensive side, but worth the brand new experience of trying the fruit in a cake.

Similarly, while the smoothness and sweetness of the blended durian milkshake was refreshing, the strong durian flavor kept me from taking more than little sips at a time.

However, after getting used to the scent, I found the drink to be more enjoyable and easier to gulp down. For $5, the drink was a reasonable size and was well worth the price.

Layered with durian cream,

Photos by AMELIE LEE

Puan Sri Cafe serves Malaysian style durian flavored cakes, milkshakes, pudding, coffee and other desserts. whipped cream and crushed crackers, the sawdust cup was a much more balanced dessert. The whipped cream and crackers gave the dessert additional textures that balanced out and lightened the strong flavor of the durian that was present in the other desserts.

While a bit pricey for a small cup, the sweet and crunchy sawdust cup was my favorite out of the different durian desserts.

With its cheerful yellow atmosphere and unique use of the durian fruit, Puan Sri brings an exceptional Malaysian specialty to Rowland Heights, allowing for the more adventurous risk takers to try a new exotic flavor in their desserts.

The distinctive yellow decor reflects the color of the w main ingredient.

Senior takes plunge into the Antarctic Ted Yarmoski asst. Opinion editor Strapping on her all-terrain boots, Diamond Bar High School senior Maria Zhu prepared for her day of walking among penguins and gazing upon icy cliffs at the frigid bottom of the world. As she steps outside, the unforgiving yet serene glacial landscape stretches before her.

No, this wasn’t your usual winter break vacation. At her request,

Zhu visited Antarctica as well as several nearby islands on a six-day excursion with her family.

“My parents say that before I turn 18, they want me to be able to see the world and cover all the continents,” Zhu said. “So far, I’ve covered six and am only missing Australia.”

Zhu’s group began their journey in Punta Arenas, a city on the bottom tip of Chile in South America.

A small plane took them to King George Island, located 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica, where they

boarded a cruise ship along with 48 other people from all corners of the Earth.

“Snow, Ice, and Water. There was never a time that we weren’t looking at one of those.”

The expedition visited various different spots off the coast of the frozen continent, traveling to sites including Cierva Cove, Paradise Bay, Whalers Bay and Half Moon Island. The islands ranged from barren rocks to homes of hordes of penguins. Some housed research stations such as The Great Wall,

Photo Courtesy of MARIA ZHU

Senior Maria Zhu poses with penguins at Half Moon Island. She visited the continent for six days with a tour group.

a Chinese Antarctic research station.

Much of the tour was spent sightseeing from small, rubber motorized boats. The group gazed at staggering arctic bluffs and unending horizons of ice.

At Whalers Bay, Zhu participated in the Polar Plunge, in which she quickly walked into the Arctic waters off of the edge of the island’s beach. After signing a waiver, she approached the freezing water as the heavy wind blew against her.

During the Plunge, the participants were not wearing their usual layers of winter coats and took the dive in their swimsuits. Zhu gathered the courage to enter and quickly stepped in.

“The water was so cold it completely numbed my body. While running, I felt like I wasn’t moving.”

In addition, Zhu took part in continental landings, hiking on the land. Even though December through February are summer months in Antarctica, the group wore waterproof outer layers, additional inner layers and all-terrain rubber boots to shield themselves from the 30-degree weather while exploring the terrain. On the hikes, Zhu saw plenty of wildlife, including large groups of birds, seals and penguins.

“This trip showed me a different side of life, undisturbed by pollution, society and people. I felt like I was in a different planet at times because it was so quiet and pure,” Zhu said. “It was a wonderful, eye-opening experience.”

Photo Courtesy of TIFFANY WU

Seniors Krystal Mach, Mandy Wu and Tiffany Wu visited Coldfoot, Alaska for a week over winter break.

A white christmas around the planet

Photo Courtesy of CYRUS HUNG

Junior Cyrus Hung spent winter break inside an ice cave in Iceland.

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Anime: japanese Design, global phenomenon Junior Katrina Lee

cosplay culture While cosplay does not exclusively refer to anime, it has become a common practice of the biggest anime fans.

Several fans at DBHS have taken part in the action.

Photo Courtesy of KATRINA LEE

nico robin from “one piece”

Ingrid chan asst. photo editor Just a little over a century ago, the beginnings of what the world now knows as anime first appeared in Japan. With distinct artwork and its signature frame-byframe production process, anime was originally produced by and for Japan.

Though originally an unpopular form of expression, Japanese government began taking advantage of animation in order to spread propaganda during World War II. Now, however, anime has become an international phenomenon, inspiring and affecting people from around the globe.

Though many people not familiar with anime classify it as a genre, that term alone does not quite encompass the broad spectrum of topics that anime covers.

Rather, it is more accurate to compare anime to books and movies. It is, in itself, a whole separate medium for storytelling and expression.

Anime shows cover a wide range of existing genres: horror, romance, comedy, sci-fi, adventure and drama. One of the most important factors leading to its global popularity is the sheer ver-

satility of anime shows. It guarantees that almost anyone can find an anime show or movie they’re interested in.

Anime took its first steps out of Japan around forty years ago, when the initial wave of subtitled animations began spreading overseas.

“Where I grew up, Kashmir, anime was pretty mainstream and we would see it all the time on our cartoon network channels,” Diamond Bar High School senior Mehr Showkat said. “I grew up with ‘Detective Conan’. I’m very

Seniors Mandy wu, brianna kwan and clara ru

Senior Janet Wong

Photo Courtesy of CLARA RU kiki from “kiki’s delivery service”, anime school girl and levi from “attack on titan”

daoko girl from “Daoko Girl” music video

into mystery-thrillers, and animes like ‘Detective Conan’ and ‘Death Note’ fit the description.”

What makes it so different from Western cartoons? For one, the creators have no qualms about taking on epic, almost saga-like plotlines that can last for hundreds of episodes, allowing viewers to easily become emotionally invested. The continuing stories and characters viewers watch for hours on end has served to create one of the largest online fanbases.

Fans are drawn to the characters in classic animes, such

Photo Courtesy of SHUEISHA

Ken Kaneki is the main character of “Tokyo Ghoul,” a popular dark anime.

as “Bleach” or “Dragon Ball Z,” who are far from perfect. They begin with character flaws and weaknesses that are eventually addressed and resolved as the plot progresses, giving the audience a similar sense of accomplishment as well as familiarity. As time passed, anime broadened its reach by emulating storytelling styles from all around the world instead of simply sticking with adventure themes.

Anime’s unique artstyle also has a huge role in its popularity.

Despite the animated people having similar proportions, Japanese creators take great liberties with the background art, - as is evident in anime series “Code Geass,” “No Game No Life” and “Sword Art Online.” Viewers have become entranced with the hyper-realistic scenery.

It’s not a stretch to say that anime has become its own online subculture. Fans flock to everything anime and often create their own content centered around the characters they love.

“I definitely draw a lot whenever I’m inspired by animes I like.

There’s something about their hug e eyes and w i l d ly col ored

ANIME ON P. 12

the icons of anime son Goku

From “Dragon Ball”

Monkey d. luffy From “one piece”

Naruto uzumaki From “naruto”

Photo Courtesy of JANET WONG

Asuka Soryu

From “neon genesis evangelion”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

Luke lin Game creator hopes to pursue design as a potential career christina liu Staff writer While most students have spent some time playing video games, Diamond Bar High School senior Luke Lin has taken gaming to the next level, incorporating his passion for gaming into a potential career.

“I was really interested in programming and that got me into making games because that’s something I’m very familiar with and passionate about,” Lin said.

Lin first started programming in the summer of his freshman year during a technology camp hosted by ID Tech at UCI. Through the summer camp, Lin learned how to create an adventure game using the programming language C++. From there, he began to watch tutorials on the internet to get a better grasp of how to utilize the different programs for video

game development.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a very good developer but I think I got better,” Lin said. “Games feel smoother and they work as intended.”

Since then, Lin has switched from using C++ to Unreal Engine, as the program has many preset functions that makes programming faster. He has also tried to make different types of games, such as puzzle and stealth games. Lin is currently working on an adventure exploration game that is inspired by his interactions with his teammates in colorguard.

“When my teammates are sad, I’ll try to cheer them up,” Lin said.

“It’s kind based around the theme of bringing

light to dark so that’s kind of the basic inspiration.”

For the game, players play as an orb of light that lights totems with the goal of lighting up the rest of the world. To bring the game together, Lin used the design tools Unreal Engine 4 for programming, Autodesk Maya to model his characters and Audacity for audio effects.

“When I’m creating a game, my main concern is usually with game feel,” Lin said. “I’m trying to see if the game is fun and if it conveys the feelings I’m trying to create.”

Lin spends around 3 to 6 hours on the weekends wo rk i n g on his

B l o w i n g t h ro u g h t h e co m p e t i t i o n

game. He said that although he hasn’t published any of his games, he has let a few friends test them out.

“When my friends play my game, I feel a little bit of anxiety because the game is not as good as I Photo Courtesy of LUKE LIN hoped it is, but Luke Lin developed this scene for an adventure exploration I also feel it’s a game that he is currently working on. chance for me to get some feedback to make it ing company like Naughty Dog, better,” Lin said. which Lin describes as a playable Hoping to continue game design action movie. in the future, Lin has already sub“When I play games now I start mitted some of his games with his looking into the little things,” Lin college application, including a said. “It just makes me think more level from his newest adventure about games under the hood rather than just play them for enjoygame. One day Lin said he hopes ment.” to work in a video game develop-

Tune in

CAMILA

Top clarinetist of DBHS has been honored internationally Samyuktha vellaiyan staff writer When he began playing the clarinet in middle school, Diamond Bar High School junior Andrew Chang never knew he would be able to take his music skills to international competitions.

Chang started playing the clarinet six years ago while in South Pointe Middle School’s band.

Since then, he has been taking lessons at the Colburn School of Music in Downtown Los Angeles and is involved in some of its programs, such as the Colburn Youth Orchestra and the Honors Woodwind Quintet. Chang attributes his musical success to his teacher, Michael Yoshimi, who has been teaching him since he first started playing.

“I study with my teacher, Michael Yoshimi, who I have been studying with throughout my entire experience playing the clarinet,” Chang said via text. “My teacher definitely had a big role in my progression in music.”

After years of practicing, Chang was able to take his clarinet skills to the next level by entering in various competitions.

“I always thought of practicing and rehearsing as something that I kept doing to improve. Eventually the things I have done just started falling into place,” Chang said.

Chang has competed in multiple competitions, including Spotlight, YoungArts and one hosted by the International Clarinet Association. For Spotlight and the ICA, Chang had to send a video recording of a few solo pieces. He received a merit award for passing the first preliminary round in Spotlight, and became a finalist for ICA. He then traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the

final round, along with six other able to connect to them through finalists. my music. These are things I could For Chang’s most recent comonly experience through a perforpetition, YoungArts, he had to mance,” Chang said. “It’s a feeling send video recordings of solo that can’t be reproduced any othpieces, which were then evaluated er way and it makes the massive in multiple rounds by groups of amount of work worth it.” panelists. As one of the 21 finalChang will continue to play the ists, Chang was sent to Miami to clarinet throughout his life, as participate in National YoungArts music is one of the most promiWeek. Along with his competitors, nent and favored hobbies. he was evaluated on his rehearsal “As of right now, I am still untechniques, his live audition and sure on what I want to pursue in his interactions with other musimy future, whether it be music or cians. something else, but I would defiAlthough he was being judged, nitely want music to still be a part Chang was already considered one of my life,” Chang said. of the winners of the competition, as this judging round was just an evaluation to potentially win bonus monetary prizes.

The winners have the potential to win up to $10,000.

Even after winning multiple competitions, Chang finds amusing the crowd with his melodious music to be the most endearing part of this experience.

“Knowing that you were able to give a performance that moved the audience Photo Courtesy of ANDREW CHANG and invoked a response from Andrew Chang has been playing clarinet for six years and has participated in national and international competitions. them. Being

emily jacobsson editor-in-chief It’s a bold move to walk away from a successful group with an established fanbase, 56 music awards and over 456,000 albums sold in the United States. When Camila Cabello traded all this in pursuit of further creative expression and individuality that being in Fifth Harmony didn’t allow her, my expectations for her first solo album immediately rose.

With her self-titled debut album, Cabello creates a distinctly new sound and proves that stepping away from Fifth Harmony may have been the best decision of her career.

As a whole, the album is an impressive introduction to the new solo artist. Interestingly enough, through her mellow tracks that deliver personal lyrics predominantly on love, both romantic and platonic, Cabello rebrands herself.

She leaves behind the diva persona she once embodied, arguably at a lower degree than the other members, for something much sweeter.

With each lyric about how “Something’s gotta give, something’s gotta break but all I do is give, and all you do is take” or “No, I’m no stranger to surprise this paper town has let me down too many times,” Cabello paints a much more vulnerable image of herself.

Cabello pre-released “Havana,” “Real Friends” and “Never Be the Same” as singles. Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Havana,” and its inviting melody mixed with clear Cuban influences, was evidently well received. However, the rest of the album deviates from the style set in this single.

I was surprised to find a lack of dance worthy tracks, but I wasn’t disappointed. “Never Be the Same” also offered something

completely different from the rest of her songs. It’s a powerful way to open the album and is just intoxicating as the subject matter—falling in love.

One side of her album is characterized by effortless vocals and bright, simple instrumentals that ultimately accumulate to an easy listening experience. “Real Friends” and “All These Years” are perhaps the best examples of this. On the other end of the spectrum are Cabello’s emotional ballads, which she delivers beautifully with her clear, delicate voice.

It’s obvious that Cabello values the expression of identity in her art. She effectively intertwines island influences from her Cuban background to create some of the best tracks on the album.

For example, with the steel drums in the bouncy “Inside Out,” Cabello transport listeners to the sunny “south, south Miami” and demonstrates a contagious playfulness.

Even among a group of talented singers, Cabello stood out with the most interesting voice. Her expertly executed riffs and high notes only add to her unique sound.

Even then, this album makes it evident that her vocal ability was not fully appreciated.

The supporting instrumentals throughout the album are simpler, taking a backseat to her vocal talent, which she shows off through demonstrating her wide range and vibrato. The harmonies also present an airy, almost ethereal quality to many of the tracks in the album.

Naturally, the album contains a few tracks that are rather forgettable; in this case most of them are toward the end. Even with these few discrepancies, the album strongly declares the type of artist that Cabello is setting herself up to become. Cabello has re-introduced herself well.

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Guessing the Grammys

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Moving on from YouTube

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A breakup letter to a platform that’s changing; and not for the better

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Digital artists create online outlet DBHS juniors Aaron Ung and David Lanre-Orepo start virtual studio for designs catherine liu Staff writer Last summer, Diamond Bar High School junior Aaron Ung started a virtual design and art studio, incorporating his designs into videos, photography and illustration.

While creating Waoku Studios, Ung met junior David Lanre-Orepo, who was also interested in art, and Ung asked him to work with him on the studio.

Ung decided on the studio’s name by searching for meaningful words in different languages. He liked the word jungle and found out that Waoku meant jungle in Maori, the language spoken by the indigenous people of New Zealand.

“I thought of jungle, which is pretty varied and there is diversity,” Ung said.

Lanre-Orepo and Ung both post at different intervals mainly on their Facebook page, while also sharing their pieces on their Instagram account @waoku.studios.

Although they both took an interest in art from a young age, Ung and Lanre-Orepo said that they have not taken any professional classes and they chose to pursue art out of self motivation.

While Ung focuses more on photography, editing and vector illus-

trations, Lanre-Orepo specializes in digital, traditional and animation art.

“I was just looking at cartoons and was like ‘I can make something like this’ and I just started learning. It got hard to a certain point, but I kept going. I loved it,” Lanre-Orepo said.

Ung said that although they mainly post art for fun, Waoku Studios also utilizes their designs for organizations. Ung has designed a shirt and logo for Ayala Red Cross, a YouTube banner art for La Verne Youth Ensemble and digital posters for students at DBHS. Although Ung and Lanre-Orepo have yet to create a collaboration piece due to technical complications, Lanre-Orepo said that they are planning to start one soon.

“We want to plan to do something together, maybe a video, maybe a full fledged artwork together with all our ideas,” Lanre-Orepo said.

As an art and design studio, they are looking for new artists to join their team. Although Ung and Lanre-Orepo primarily post and share their art on social media, Ung states that marketing their designs is part of the plan in the future.

Ung also said that he plans to pursue design in college and hopes to get into USC. Although

Photos Courtesy of WAOKU STUDIOS

Juniors Aaron Ung and David Lanre-Orepo publish their designs to their Facebook page, Waoku Studios, and to their Instagram @waoku.studios.

Lanre-Orepo is undecided in his future, he also hopes to continue creating art.

“We’re just trying to get more people to just share their voices in

art. We’re just trying to see people share their voice, share their artwork and get known because it’s hard to get your stuff out there,” Lanre-Orepo said.

Emily Jacobsson & Pauline Woodley A&E Editors

D

ear YouTube, It’s time we break up, and it’s definitely not us— it’s you. Before you over analyze our relationship to figure out just where we went wrong, we’ll lay it all out for you.

You used to be a place where hopeful content creators with big dreams could share videos that they created with genuine care and effort. You were a place where people inspired and encouraged each other. You were a way to escape the unforgiving world by watching anything from funny cat videos to pasta recipes. What happened?

I know that those creators still exist somewhere, but it seems as if all you can talk about now is how someone painted on 100 layers of nail polish or ate Tide detergent pods for views. Is that really all it takes to get your attention? Maybe our values just don’t match up anymore, because you’d rather recommend a video titled “Recklessly Rich Teenager Spreads Negativity Through Poorly Written Rap” than one titled “Young Girl Pours Heart into Each Lyric of Her Original Song.”

And, by the way, this new group of people you’ve been hanging out with have really changed you for the worse. I don’t understand how you can just watch them become public nuisances while they pull dumb pranks on innocent people because it entertains their immature minds. We thought you had higher standards than that, but guess not.

Are these the so-called “social media influencers” you wanted to introduce us to? From what I’ve seen, the only thing they’re capable of influencing is their young, impressionable audience for the worse.

And when they do go overboard with their actions, you’re all too willing to forget about it after a half-hearted apology.

Maybe we’re at fault to. Because all we’ve done while you’ve been digging yourself into this hole is watch. And when you recommend a video titled “I DID THE 24 HOUR HANDCUFF CHALLENGE WITH MY EX,” we clicked on it because, if we’re being honest, sometimes it is entertaining to watch people do dumb things. But we’re leaning to be better, and I hope you will too.

We see the steps you are taking toward recovery and they are much appreciated. But despite them, we feel that the culture you have grown within your URL has been become toxic. We hope you can find your way back to the days when your biggest controversy was Grumpy Cat cracking a smile at 0:47.

Sincerely, Unsubscribers everywhere

12 BUSINESS

THE BULL'S EYE

Anime cosplay grows in popularity ANIME FROM P. 9 hair,” junior Jane Tai said.

Anime conventions all over the world give fans the opportunity to gather and share their interests with other anime enthusiasts.

Everything from anime-inspired food, costumes, art booths, panels, games, and music make conventions a must for anyone who loves anime. Anime Expo, one of the most famous conventions, is an annual occurrence in Los Angeles.

Cosplay has become especially popular as fans attempt to recreate anime characters in real life— and it’s not just limited to anime.

There are many other sources that cosplayers draw from, such as mangas and video games, but anime is the main provider. It stemmed from the frequent dressup events seen at conventions, and the term ‘cosplay’ was coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi from Studio Hard. Since then, it has become an even bigger part of anime culture.

Now, anime has become one of Japan’s most popular exports along with dominating culture in Japan. Walk through the streets of Japan’s largest cities and it is impossible not to notice the traces of anime that can be seen in every nook and cranny of the place.

“There were TV channels like Toonami that would show animes

like “Naruto.” Because of that, kids and teens would watch it and then later go online to look into it, which resulted in them being pulled into the sinkhole that is the anime fandom,” anime club president senior Joyce Chen said.

But anime is much more than TV cartoons for children and teenagers playing fantasy dress-up.

Many anime series, and anime films especially, have underlying messages and thematic concepts that provide much food for thought. Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films are prime examples.

Eight of Studio Ghibli’s films are among Japan’s highest grossing films, and five of those have received Academy Award nominations. The ever popular “Spirited Away” won a Golden Bear in 2002 and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003.

“Animated films are not copies of ‘real movies,’ are not shadows of reality, but create a new existence in their own right,” film critic Roger Ebert wrote. “[In ‘Princess Mononoke’], there is battle with more than one side and more than one motive. The drama is underlaid with Miyazaki’s deep humanism, which avoids easy moral simplifications. You won’t find many Hollywood love stories [animated or otherwise] so philosophical.”

‘Fury’ across D.C. WHITE HOUSE FROM P. 4 With a questionable history of journalistic exaggeration and fabrication, Wolff has been placed under fire for mixing up several names and titles. Due to the misspelling of a couple names and confusing Washington Post reporter Mark Berman with lobbyist Mike Berman, Wolff’s entire book has been called into question.

Despite its factual inconsistencies, the overall narrative in the book holds true and cannot be dismissed. Wolff’s portrayal of Trump as a temperamental sheltered child provides a firsthand confirmation of what most of the public already suspected: our president is unfit for his position.

Through his unflattering imagery of the White House, Wolff paints a picture of a staff unimpressed with their boss, with much of the most scathing criticism from Ban-

Despite its factual inconsistencies, the overall narrative in the book holds true... non himself.

Wolff’s inside reporting of the administration exposes that while many Republicans idealize Trump as the hope this country needs, his staff is barely holding on. The book quotes Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway and even family members Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump as seeing the president as unstable and incompetent.

While not every statement in the book is to be taken as complete truth, “Fire and Fury” provides the public with evidence that even the president’s closest advisors understand how badly out of his depth the commander in chief is.

The president’s unrelenting hatred toward the book stands as a reminder of what he’s trying to deny to the public— that the man who has nuclear weapons and the strongest army in the world at his disposal has no idea what he’s doing.

JANUARY 24, 2018

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

FEATURE

13

SENIOR YEAR BUCKET LIST revive old memories

Revisit places you spent your childhood, such as your elementary school, the park you visited everyday with your brother or your old house. As many seniors may be leaving the state, visit your favorite places as a child to evoke nostalgia.

LEARNING THE BASICS memory LN

Before you leave for college or work, learn how to take care of yourself and start now. Learn how to do the laundry, clean your room properly, and cooking healthy meals. Learning these skills will help you transition into an “adult” life more easily.

make amends If you fought and fell out with a friend in middle school, you should take this chance to apologize for immaturity and own up to your actions. If you don’t want to own up to your actions now, you may regret not speaking up in the future. Loosen grudges with others and try to end high school on a clean, guiltfree slate.

spend time with family

This may be your last few chances to spend time with family before you leave. You may not be as close to your family as you wish to be, so take this opportunity to spend time with them and leave on a good note.

Sorry!

REthink RELATIONSHIPS

In just a couple of months, you will be going to a new environment and meeting new groups of people. Don’t let your significant other affect your school decision or prevent you from meeting new groups of people at college. It is highly unlikely that high school relationships last past high school, so you should consider if you should end your relationship.

14

SPORTS

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

Second half grind BOYS SOCCER Struggling to close out games, the Brahmas push for the playoff at 2-2-1.

Pauline Woodley A&E Editor After crucial wins and nail-biting losses this season, Diamond Bar High School’s boys soccer team find themselves in the middle of the standings of the Palomares League with a 2-2-1 record.

Following losses at the beginning of the season to Garden Grove and Arcadia, the coaches decided to tweak the team’s formation.

“We started to play a little more together. Our defense was stronger, it always starts with the back line,” head coach Kemp Wells said.

These changes included moving senior captain Peter Larcheveque to defense, along with adjusting their midfielders.

The team now plays a four-fourtwo formation, with four players in the midfield and two forwards in the front.

“It was definitely the formation

change that turned things around for us, after moving some people around we finally found something that works,” Larcheveque said.

As far as the starting lineup goes, Wells tries to move around players to see where they fit best on the field.

“We have a few players that definitely stand out, but the bulk of the team is very close in ability, so we try and look for who’s playing well that day,” Wells said.

Team captains senior Nicholas Wong and Larcheveque agree that senior David Gutierrez has shown

“We started to play a little more together. Our defense was stronger. It always starts with the back line.”

KEMP WELLS the most improvement since the beginning of the season and is one of the team’s heavy hitters when it comes to offense. The midfielder is leading the team with 11 goals.

“No one was expecting him to score so much in such a little

amount of time. We knew he was good, but we weren’t expecting him to be carrying the entire team,” Larcheveque said.

Another key player has been senior Rajvir Dua. In previous years, Dua played midfielder on the junior varsity team. Since moving up to varsity this year, Dua has been playing goalie.

“He is not as experienced playing goalie, but he is aggressive, and that helps a lot on the field,” Wells said.

Although the team still has hopes for playoffs, they still have to face opponents who have a history of placing first in the league like Claremont and Glendora.

“They are generally a strong team and there is a big rivalry between us,” Wong said of going up against Claremont. They tied Claremont with a score of 1-1 after double overtime.

In the team’s two losses, against Glendora and Ayala, the boys held a 1-0 lead until the second half of the game.

“The league is very balanced, I don’t think anyone is going to go undefeated, or win even eight games unless they get extremely lucky,” Wells said.

Senior midfielder Sebastian Jeon dribbles the ball up the field in a 2-1 win against South Hills.

AMELIE LEE

Winter Olympics on the Slopes E

very four years, countries around the world have the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in a threeweek circuit. No, I’m not referring to the Summer Olympics, and no, not the FIFA World Cup-- I’m talking about the Winter Olympics, which will begin in less than a month.

While some of the best athletes in the world, from ice skaters to bobsledders, compete for their country, the buzz and appeal of the winter sports have seemed to diminish over the last few years, in comparison to its summer counterpart and other sporting events.

Filled with rich history and stories such as “The Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Games and the 1988 Jamaican Bobsled team, the Winter Olympics should have the attention of every sports fan and media outlet.

Taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the Winter Olympics is at the center of one of the hottest political locations in the world with North Korea neighboring the Olympics. Even more newsworthy is the first signs of possible peace between North and South Korea as the two countries plan to march under a unified flag at the opening ceremonies and form a joint women’s ice hockey team for the Games.

With the possibility of peace in Korea, the whole world should be tuned into Pyeongchang.

In women’s figure skating, one of the most popular sport of the Olympics, three-time national champion and 2016 world silver medalist Ashley Wagner was shockingly left off of Team U.S.A., leading to criticism from the face of American figure skating. While losing one of the recognizable names of the sport can lessen interest, it should actually be more reason to watch the sport as viewers now have the possibility of watching skaters

who could outperform the biggest figures of ice skating.

From the infamous Tonya Harding scandal in 1994 to the 2014 Sochi Games in which South Korea’s Yuna Kim was thought to be cheated out of a gold medal, the Winter Olympics has faced great amounts of controversy. This year is no different, with the Russian national teams being banned from all competition due to the statewide doping cover up over the last six years as well as the NHL preventing its players from participating in hockey. While the Winter Games has its fair share of drama, the inspiring stories overshadow the dark ones.

For legendary U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn and snowboarder Shaun White, 2018 looks to be the year of redemption. Vonn, who missed the Sochi Games after tearing her ACL, may be entering her final Olympics as she faces the possibility of retirement. The two-time medalist and the all-time World Cup wins holder has the chance to end her career on the highest of notes on the slopes of Korea.

White, on the other hand, did perform at Sochi, but poorly, as he placed fourth after crashing twice on the halfpipe. Since 2014, the 13time X-Games gold medalist has been on a journey to prove he is still the face of snowboarding. The possibility of watching two of the greatest athletes of their respective sports taking back their rightful places at the top is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Nothing leaves an audience more inspired than a comeback story.

Nearly a century after its conception, the Winter Olympics is still at the forefront of sports. With a little over two weeks before the start, viewers all over the world should take advantage of witnessing what could be one of the most influential games of all time.

Carrying over the momentum BOYS BASKETBALL The team enters league, 2-2, after finishing 3-2 in the Wilson Tournament.

Justin Prakaiphetkul Asst. Sports Editor After a 10-6 start to the preseason, the Diamond Bar High School boys basketball team began league play with two losses and two wins.

The Brahmas dominated South Hills in their fourth league game, 67-38. In the team’s third league game, the boys defeated Ayala in

an overtime thriller, 72-66. “[The overtime game] was one of those moments where you see the kids growing up. That’s the type of game that throughout the beginning of the year was tough for us,” head coach Henry Frierson said.

The team lost their second league game against the Glendora Tartans, 66-62, while losing a nail biter in their first Palomares League game, 48-45, against Bonita.

Senior captain Kingston Ko cited the team’s defense as the main reason for the low scoring bout. With Ko guarding Bonita’s top scorer, the Brahmas were able to hold the Bearcat’s No. 1 option to well below his season average. Frierson stated

Seniors Kingston Ko and Connor w guard the perimeter.

Photos by INGRID CHAN

that the game set expectations as to how the team must compete on defense for the rest of the season.

Frierson also praised the players collectively working together.

“We have players that excel in different areas. I don’t think there’s one player that we can say is holding up the team,” Frierson said.

Two weeks prior to the season, the boys took part in the Wilson Tournament, finishing with a 3-2 record. The Brahmas won their first tournament game, outscoring Whittier 78-50 in the final three quarters to finish with an 88-58 win. In the next match, the Brahmas beat Wilson 66-40 by scoring a combined 37 points in the second and third quarters compared to Wilson’s 11 points.

The Brahmas lost their next two games, losing 67-56 against Lakewood and falling 58-46 the following day to Upland. In their final game, the boys ended on a positive note, downing La Serna 61-49.

“I don’t think we played that well in the Wilson Tournament. That probably should have been a 4-1 tournament for us,” Frierson said.

The boys finished their preseason with a record of 10-6. Ko attributes the team’s unselfish play as the main contributing factor to their success.

“We pass the ball a lot, and we look for the open man. At this point

Junior Mike Gao protects the paint in a 72-66 overtime win against Ayala. in the season, the scoring is pretty even. We’re all happy during games and getting touches,” Ko said.

As the team takes on league rivals, it plans to utilize new offensive plays in order to combat opponents’ new defensive schemes.

Ko credits Frierson’s ability to have the team functioning as a single unit as another key reason for the team’s start.

Ko states that Frierson is able to keep the team upbeat through tough losses, while also holding the team from becoming too excited over victories.

Even though the boys suffered a few tough losses at the start of league, Ko maintains that the end goal for the team is to win the CIF title and the league title.

“We just have to keep our head in the game [and] just don’t go away from our plan. Whenever we play according to our plan, we always end up winning or it’s a close game,” Ko said. “We just have to cut down the crucial mistakes towards the end of the game because sometimes towards the end of games, one play can define whether you win or lose.”

THE BULL'S EYE

JANUARY 24, 2018

SPORTS

Floating in middle of the pack GIRLS WATERPOLO The team is currently third in the Palomares League with a record of 2-2.

SOPHIA KIM ASST. WEB Editor Diamond Bar High School’s girls water polo team has been off to a solid start despite facing schools in a new division. The team is 2-2 in league and has an overall record of 14-5.

Having won against teams that dominated the girls just a couple years ago, the Lady Brahmas have showcased their improvement through each match. The team has won two league games thus far, defeating Ayala, 17-12, and Glendora, 14-8.

In addition, amongst the numerous games they’ve held, the girls beat The Webb Schools, Hillcrest and Montebello moving one step

closer toward the CIF Playoffs.

“It is such a great and amazing feeling knowing that we have the potential to beat difficult teams,” senior Hannah Murray said. “All our hard work, strenuous practice and dedication has got us where we are, which is why we’re continuing to win and be successful this season.”

Although the girls have a winning record, they were unable to defeat long time rivals, Bonita, losing 14-13 in their second league game. Senior Phoebe Tsui stated that the girls’ defense proved to be their weakness, as they were unable to defend their goal against Bonita’s ace player.

However, compared to their previous season where they lost to Bonita by an average of ten points, the Lady Brahmas have shown much development in their skills.

“After the game, we began practicing our defense a lot more,” Tsui said. “We learned that teams will double team us a lot so we need to step up and put shots away.”

Junior Priscilla Franchino hones her shooting skills during a practice.

At the recent Diamond Bar tournament, the Lady Brahmas finished with a record of 4-2, easily winning the four games.

Unfortunately, having lost two games against Corona and Mi-

INGRID CHAN

likan, the girls finished fifth in the tournament.

In preparation for their upcoming games against teams such as Claremont, the girls have been working on refining their individ-

15

ual skills and working on their weaknesses.

The Lady Brahmas have been going over game film to learn what the team and each player needs to improve on.

In addition, recent practices have included increased amounts of swimming to improve stamina and speed with the intention of preparing the team for a spot in CIF. “Since we’ve been playing a lot of Division 5 teams, I think it definitely gives us a feel for what we’re going up against if we make it to playoffs,” senior Monique Yim said.

Tomorrow, the girls will be against Glendora, and next Tuesday, they will compete in a match against Ayala.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we hunger for another shot at CIF,” Murray said.

“Our passion for this sport shows through every second of the game which is why we execute [the games] so well.”

THIS JUST-IN...

Bow to the King

with Justin Prakaiphetkul

S

ports Illustrated dubbed him The Chosen One. Slam Magazine said he was ready to rule the world. Celtics GM Danny Ainge told the world with a straight face that there were only a handful of players who he would not trade for the Cleveland prodigy.

Four MVPs, three rings, three Finals MVPs, 13 All-NBA Teams and 13 All-Star appearances later, it’s safe to say that LeBron James has lived up to the hype. Surely an athlete of his caliber at this point in his career would be universally regarded as one of the top players in basketball’s illustrious history.

Yet, when it comes to the King, the exact opposite is the case.

Since the day James put on a Fighting Irish jersey, he has received his fair share of critics, in the form of analysts and fans. Nevertheless, time and time again, he has proven his doubters wrong.

Whether it was scoring 45 points in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, repeating as champion after defeating the San Antonio Spurs or dethroning the 73-9 Golden State Warriors two years ago to bring a title to Cleveland, the King has shown that he can step up in the heat of the moment.

The main argument that critics use to diminish his legacy is the fact that he has a 3-5 Finals record.

Before I go further, yes, LeBron underperformed in the 2011 NBA

Photo Courtesy of ACCESS ATLANTA

The King attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School from 1999-2003.

Finals, as he averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

However, the other four losses in James’ Finals career should not be used against him, as his teams were clearly the underdog in those Finals matchups.

Heading into the 2007 NBA Finals, anybody with a lick of basketball knowledge could predict that the 22-year old James had zero chance of winning against the Spurs’ prime Big Three.

In 2014, the Miami Heat—with an injury-riddled D-Wade and Chris Bosh playing below expectations— had no fighting chance to go toe-totoe with the 62-win, revenge-hungry Spurs, featuring an emerging star in Kawhi Leonard.

The following year, with K-Love out for the Finals and Kyrie Irving suffering an injury in Game 1, the Cavaliers had no hope to take down the Cinderella Story Warriors.

Last year, there was no way that the Cavaliers—nor any other team—were going to overcome the former 73-9 Warriors plus newly acquired Kevin Durant.

Another debate still common in the NBA world is the Larry vs.

LeBron discussion. As legendary as Bird is, at this point, James has surpassed Bird as the greatest small forward in NBA history.

Both Larry Legend and the King are similar in that they have perfected the all around game of

Photo Courtesy of REUTERS

The Chosen One became the NBA’s biggest villain after “The Decision.”

basketball. James is dominant athletically and possesses mythical-like physical gifts while Bird relied more on his arsenal of crafty moves to make up for his lack of athleticism.

So what exactly separates LeBron from Larry? Longevity.

As great as Bird was, his body was not able to keep up with him as his intense battles with the Showtime Lakers and the Bad Boy Pistons took a toll on his back and lower body. After 1988, Bird’s averages and percentages dropped dramatically for his standards. By 1992— his 13th season—he was forced into retirement.

In his 15th year, James is still the league’s alpha dog, a title he has undisputedly held since 2010.

Truth to be told, no player in the last 20 years has come this close to matching the one and only Michael Jordan. If James is somehow able to upset the Warriors this season, he may do the unthinkable and surpass Jordan as the NBA’s GOAT. As the King is clearly in the second half of his career, it may be time to wonder when James will decide to take off his crown for good. Although it seems as though James will never slow down, Father Time has proved to be undefeated. With that said, now is the time to truly appreciate the Chosen One for what he is—greatness personified—before it is too late.

Photo Courtesy of REUTERS

LBJ ended Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought in 2016.

INGRID CHAN

Senior heavyweight Daniel Perez competes in a match against South Hills.

Injuries put focus on individuals WRESTLING With multiple wrestlers hurt, the boys lost three straight league duels.

Ryan Chae sports editor In a season filled with injuries and upheaval, the Diamond Bar High School wrestling team is more motivated than ever in their quest for CIF. “It has been a season of a lot injuries and adjustment for the team, but because of that, we’re going to have a good run at the playoffs,” cohead coach Les Schaefer said.

According to Schaefer, 15 wrestlers left the program over the course of the season. The Brahmas also dropped three consecutive league duels, losing multiple matches due to injury forfeit and rule protocol.

Against Ayala, junior Andrew Cardiel had the advantage over his opponent, but a lingering rib issue that had bothered him last year flared up and forced him to forfeit the match.

Another Brahma had to forfeit as well due to a hard elbow to his ribs. The Brahmas were forced to give up 12 points and subsequently lost the match.

“At the beginning, we’ve had a rough start. We slowly got better.

We almost beat the best school in league, Ayala, but injuries have been holding us back,” junior Conner Diamond said.

Diamond himself had been dealing with injuries as he missed the

entire last season due to a collarbone injury.

This year, Diamond has proven to be among the top wrestlers on the team, placing 6th at the Carter Tournament and Top 12 at the C Tournament of Champions.

Diamond stated that the tournaments and matches have helped shape and improve wrestlers. In particular, senior heavyweight Daniel Perez, who has been wrestling bigger opponents, has improved greatly, even reaching the final round of the Nogales Tournament.

The coaching staff, comprised of Schaefer, co-head coach Marcus Johnson and former DBHS wrestler and personal trainer Andre Bonafe, have all worked off of each other’s strengths and helped the boys refine their skills.

“Coach Schaefer has been great at organizing us, and Coach Johnson has been working with us one-on-one and motivating us,” Diamond said. “Coach Andre has been helping us before season even started with conditioning.”

Having wrestled their final league match against Claremont on Tuesday, the Brahmas will now compete at the league finals on Feb. 10.

Though the team record does not show it, the team is very confident in their abilities to qualify for CIF individuals.

“We’ve got a solid seven to eight [wrestlers] who have performed well all winter break and tournaments where they’ve wrestled state level wrestlers,” Schaefer said. “We just need to make sure they do well at league finals so they can get a decent seeding for CIF.”

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SPORTS

JANUARY 24, 2018

THE BULL'S EYE

SEASON SCORES GIRLS WATER POLO

WRESTLING

BOYS SOCCER

GIRLS SOCCER

BOYS BASKETBALL

17-12 W @ Ayala 14-13 L @ Bonita 14-8 W Vs Glendora 18-6 L @ Claremont

69-9 L @ Walnut 46-27 W @ Bonita 51-30 L @ Glendora 63-15 L vs South Hills

7-0 W Vs Bonita 2-1 L @ Glendora 2-1 L Vs Ayala 2-1 W Vs South Hills 1-1 T 2OT @ Claremont

1-0 L @ Bonita 1-0 L Vs Glendora 2-1 L @ Ayala 3-0 L @ South Hills 2-0 L Vs Claremont

48-45 L @ Bonita 66-62 L Vs Glendora 72-66 W OT @ Ayala 67-38 W @ South Hills

GIRLS BASKETBALL 35-21 L @ Bonita 64-25 L Vs Glendora 60-25 L @ Ayala 46-30 L @ South Hills

Rough patches on the field GIRLS SOCCER After a strong start in preseason, the team has struggled in league play. catherine liu staff writer Though the Diamond Bar High School girls soccer team has started the season 0-5, their first three losses have been by just a single goal.

“We’re not losing due to lack of skill. We’re losing due to a lack of effort and communication,” head coach Matt Franco said.

The Lady Brahmas lost their first two league games, 1-0, against the Bonita Bearcats and the Glendora Tartans, then fell to the Ayala Bulldogs 2-1.

“We play well,” Franco said. “It’s just finishing the game with that effort of trying to find that extra level we need to hit when we’re down a goal a league in the game.”

The girls have struggled to find their offensive groove, only scoring a single goal in their first five

league games.

With the recent league games, the team changed its approach by focusing on corner kicks. According to Franco, the Lady Brahmas are minimizing mistakes, never taking their eyes off the ball. However, the team’s main priority is consistency.

“We want to keep our possession game, the short quick passes on the ground, no matter who we play.

We want to try to dictate that game plan with anyone we play,” Franco said.

According to senior goalie Sam Blazek, the team has also been working on in-game scenarios and the movement of positioning during practice.

While the Lady Brahmas need to improve communicating on the field, Blazek stated that it is attainable.

“Our strong point is a connection as a team. There isn’t any drama or anything like that so the only thing we need to work on is communication, which can be easily acquired unlike bad sportsmanship,” Blazek said.

Franco said that the team has gained the experience of han-

dling league games when playing against Division I and Division II teams during preseason. He also said that the speed of the team has increased from preseason to the league games.

“We need to find that fire to win,” Blazek said. “You can’t win if you don’t want to so we have to find that again in ourselves.”

With their focus on defense, the Lady Brahmas have had different players step up.

Franco stated that freshman Malai Borihane and sophomore Marisa Vasquez have been the team’s focal point of midfield play while senior Jacklyn Martinez and junior Jordyn Beaulieu have successfully shut down offensive players. Sophomore Madison Bernardino has also been a consistent player as the team’s forward.

On offense, the underclassmen have led the way as Vasquez and freshman Julia Ruelas have each scored five goals, a team-high.

“They’ve all stepped it up. It’s just a matter of gelling together and finding that chemistry so that way, they’re a little more [like] a unit as to a bunch of individuals,” Franco said.

AMELIE LEE

Junior forward Olivia Valdivia pushes the pace in a 2-0 loss against Claremont.

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

ASHLEY YOO

The DB Senior joined water polo to avoid PE, but is now one of the school’s all-time leading scorers. ingrid chan asst. photo editor When Diamond Bar High School senior Ashley Yoo initially joined the girl’s water polo team as a means to pass time during first semester of her freshman year, she never expected it would become the center of her high school years.

At the time, she never even would

have imagined that she would later be named Player of the Year by the San Gabriel Tribune.

As a freshman, she first joined Diamond Bar High School’s track team with the intention of running all four years. However, track was a spring sport, and Yoo was a freshman, which meant she would have to be placed in a PE class during the fall season. Yoo had no plans to whittle away her time in a normal PE class, so she decided to

Senior Ashley Yoo was the leading scorer for the 2017 CIF Finals team.

CALVIN RU

captain because the team eliminatjoin a fall sport — water polo. Little ed the positions. did she know how much it would After sophomore year, she came change her life. to the realization that she enjoyed With no prior experience, Yoo swimming and working with her began her water polo journey on teammates more the junior varthan track. sity team. But “Track is a it wasn’t long “I feel like my entire high very individbefore she imschool experience has ual-centered proved and been centered around sport, which climbed up the water polo.” some people ranks. Not only like,” Yoo said. did she practice ASHLEY YOO “But in track, with the school we don’t really team for four work together hours every day for much — not in the way everyduring season, but she also pracone in water polo strives toticed in clubs over the summer and wards a single goal. So I after their winter season. decided to quit track in She especially devoted herself order to focus my comto the sport during the summer plete attention on wabefore her sophomore year, waking ter polo starting junior up at five every morning just for year.” swim practice at six then followed Yoo’s title of Playby games with the DBHS team. To er of the Year is well top it all off, she even had night deserved. She led the practice with her club team as well. team with 125 goals “Basically, my entire day would last season, and was be filled with water polo,” Yoo said. far ahead of the “Even now, I feel like my entire other girls with 175 high school experience has been points. She also carcentered around water polo, esried out 50 assists pecially since most of my closest and 38 steals. friends are also on the team.”

Though she loves Her efforts more than paid off, water polo with a as she became part of the varsity passion, she wants team during her sophomore year. to go into mediLast year, Yoo was voted by her cal school, so she teammates as one of the three vardoes not plan to sity captains. This year, Yoo is not a

continue water polo in college.

She does want to continue playing it recreationally and get together with her teammates when she can.

The girl’s water polo team also participated in CIF for the very f irst time last year and made it to the finals. For Yoo, it was an unforgettable experience.

She hopes the team will get another opportunity in the CIF Playoffs this year.