Paw Prints Weekly | Volume 52 Issue 2

Get to know some amazing members of our Science Olympiad team!

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Educational and societal expectations don’t often align. Find out why!

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Everyone’s favorite sitcom Friends, celebrates its 25th anniversary!

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The student newspaper of Glen A. Wilson High School | Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

Paw Prints Weekly Volume 52, Issue 2 | Monday, September 30, 2019 | pawprintsweekly.com

Catstyles Theatre produces musical

By NATALY ROSALES STAFF WRITER

Catstyles Theatre and Voices of Wilson held castings for Seussical, the Musical for all inspiring actors on Monday, Sep. 23.

Auditions took place in the Little Theatre, which lasted five minutes for each student. To prepare, individuals took mandatory dance classes with Mrs. Chang and optional vocal lessons with Mr. Brown. The Arts department posted the cast list for these auditions on Friday, Sep. 27.

Overall, the event gives students the opportunity to tune in with their inner musical character and understand what being in a production is all about.

According to drama teacher Kim Weaver, the students’ enthusiasm is vital to auditions.

“What makes a student stand out is confidence. Especially in this showcase, being animated is important because this musical requires a lot of energy and we are looking for students who are able to perform in an [enthusiastic manner],” Weaver said.

In addition, junior Ethan Brown described drama as a top priority. “[Drama] is what I am most passionate about. Taking part in the musical is something I really wanted to do because it brings me happiness, which is why I decided to expand on my drama skills and audition [for Seussical]. I first realized I was interested in theatre when I was 11 and watched my older brother’s productions, which inspired me to be part of them.”

Furthermore, sophomore Andrea Robles believes her past experiences motivated her to audition for the play.

“When I did [drama] my freshman year, the energy that people had on stage is something I did not experience from other arts, which is why I decided to participate in [Seussical, the Musical],” Robles said. “[It is important for everyone to do their part in the play] because every role counts. If one person does not give it their all, the energy and performance is lost.”

The preview of the musical takes place on Wednesday, Apr. 15.

Show dates are Thursday, Apr. 16 to Sunday, Apr. 19.

SPIRIT ALL AROUND - Representatives from various clubs and organizations hand out information show their spirit during Club Rush, an event dedicated to the students.

PHOTO/CANDICE LEE

Club Rush activities excite student body

By RENEE WANG STAFF WRITER

Associated Student Body (ASB) organized the annual Club Rush for freshmen to explore clubs on campus during lunch on Sep. 19.

Club Rush allowed students to survey the multiple clubs the school offers, in hopes for students to involve themselves in what interests them. Clubs displayed their excitement with

poster boards and fun activities to gather new recruits.

According to ASB advisor Patricia Branconier-Habash, ASB coordinated Club Rush to become more informative than previous years and prioritized objectives for the rest of the school year. “[This year], ASB wanted a [smaller variety of clubs] for [freshmen] to choose from so they can feel less overwhelmed, since students can sometimes get lost in the [crowd],” Habash

said.

Additionally, ASB president senior Melanie Cruz expressed certain priorities ASB set for Club Rush this year.

“We [aspired] for [freshmen] to have the time to go to [Club Rush] so that they can ask questions if they are interested [in a club],” Cruz said. “[It is mainly so students] can really make a connection with [the club members].”

Through the roaring excitement, freshman Rebecca

Wu highlighted the enthusiasm and dedication each club displayed. “[Club Rush] was not what I expected at all, but hearing all the [cheering] was [an interesting experience],” Wu said. “Middle school [activities were more subtle], but high school is when everyone is passionate about something.”

The next Club Rush for sophomores, juniors and seniors will be held during lunch on Tuesday, Sep. 24.

District hosts informative College Fair

By ANA-SOFIA MUÑOZ STAFF WRITER

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) hosted the 58th Assembly District College and Career Fair on Saturday, Sep. 21.

The fair gave students the opportunity to attend workshops on financial aid, college admissions and other aspects of planning for life after high school by providing resources such as college and career

representatives. Additionally, all student attendees entered an opportunity drawing to win scholarships.

According to counselor Jasminda Khan, the fair helped create a strong sense of community within the district while also providing a broad range of resources for students. “[With the fair], our communities come together, not just in the HaciendaLa Puente district, but [also students] from around the neighborhood,” Khan said. “[This year] we incorporated more career information, not

just college [advice]. [It is] important to [provide variety], and cover aspects of both colleges and careers.”

In addition, student volunteer senior Melanie Cervantes gained insight on college through her experience of volunteering at the fair.

“As a volunteer, there were a lot of things to do, but [they all] got done in a very organized fashion,” Cervantes said. “[Since] I am a senior, I wanted to learn more about financial aid, and the financial aid workshop gave me information that is helpful

[to the college application process].”

Moreover, student attendee senior Sergio Chang explained how the fair eased some worries he and many other students face when preparing for their futures.

“All of [the representatives] were very friendly and [made students] feel welcomed,” Chang said. “They really tried to [eliminate] the nervousness of taking the next step [towards the future]. I learned that [although] college is not going to be easy, it is [still] good to be optimistic.”

2 EDITORIAL

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

EDITORIAL

Vaping ban disguises nicotine problem Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are not a reflection of the views of Paw Prints Weekly as a whole. They are the sole views of the author.

Paw Prints Weekly celebrates a diverse audience and staff, and it supports the declaration of the duties and rights of a Journalist per the U.S. Constitution.

Will a national ban on e-cigarettes actually solve the vaping epidemic?

After recent lung disease outbreaks linked directly to THC—a main component of psychoactive marijuana, there has been a demand for legislative action against the vaping epidemic that is sweeping the nation.

Deemed as a public health emergency, electronic nicotine delivery systems, more commonly known as e-cigarettes or vape pens, have recently faced the direct scrutiny of the FDA and President Trump himself.

Following a rising tide of attractive vaping flavors such as peanutbutter-and-jelly and Strawberry Watermelon POP is the dark realization that vaping has begun to target youth. In an on and off battle against the flavored cartridges in vapes, practically every form of government has pooled together to reduce the dangerous effects of vaping on minors.

Starting with the state of Michigan in early September, a total of six states have placed age, o r production restrictions on vaping. Most recently is Governor Baker, who on September 24, set a four month ban on the sale of vaping products: effective till May of 2020.

At first glance, this fragmented collection of vaping bans may have the power to

remake a multi-billion dollar vaping industry. However, in the end, an outright ban on vaping is a sporadic, politically incentivized decision, that is just a smokescreen sprouted for legislators to be able to say that they have done something to lower the statistics of minority vaping and vaping related injuries.

More importantly, the vaping ban is set up to fail.

Sta r ting from its politica lly fueled, orange haired, roots.

After a marijuana induced lung disease outbreak, the Trump administration took it upon themselves to tackle

two problems at once: the teen vaping crisis and marajuana vapes. Despite being separate issues, President Trump has made no inclination of the differences and has instead continued to push for a ban on vaping products, which are regulated by the FDA. In the meantime, President Trump actively tweeted on Twitter ‘While I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to ma ke sure this

alternative is SAFE for ALL! Let’s get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!’

However, hold your excitement. It would not be the first time that the President jumped on a popular political bandwagon only to back out as soon as political concerns prompted him to dial back. In fact, if Trump backs away from this proposed enforcement policy, it would be the second time this year that he dialed back due to political concerns.

Nonetheless, sketchy presidential support is not the only reason that the vaping ban is set to fail.

Remember the “noble” ban on alcohol in 1920 to 1933? This act, called Prohibition, began to curve crime rates and alcohol consumption only to be met with a rebounded increase in government s p e n d i n g and more organized crime systems. Ironically, although consumption did decrease for a short time, it actually grew

steadily afterwards, bridging in 1922, and marking the start to a time of illicit production and distribution despite efforts of enforcement.

Similarly, a ban on vaping will send smokers back to the packs, stretch court and prison systems and remove a significant source of tax revenue. See the pattern? In other words, Prohibition was a miserable failure and if the vaping ban does not change its course, it will be too.

Worse, this ban is blatantly hypocritical in nature. Why ban e-cigarettes—which are only a decade old, rather than cigarettes which have killed about eight million people a year according to the World Health Organization?

The answer lies in economic reasoning.

In 2018, revenues from tobacco tax amounted to 12.86 billion U.S. dollars. Clearly, the government is aiming to put a bandaid on a fairly new wound, rather than sorting out the tax related issues and backlash that come with cigarettes.

Unfortunately, if legislators pass this ban without considering the true issue behind vaping, they are doomed to repeat their past mistakes. Firstly, the entire ban is mainly centered on the dangerously popular flavored cartridges that attracted teens to vaping. Flavors such as mint or mango-creme are particularly attractive to youth. However, these flavored cartridges are a smokescreen for unhealthy amounts of nicotine and the various additives and condiments in a vape stick.

Going down to the nitty gritty details, vaping exposes the body to far more nicotine than normal cigarettes. Therefore, instead of hastily creating a vaping ban, we should instead focus on understanding the underlying health concerns that come with vaping. Only then will legislators have the ethical leeway to say that they have worked to solve the vaping epidemic.

Prohibition did not stop the consumption of alcohol, and illegality did not stop the drug trade. A ban on e-cigarettes will not solve the vaping issue either. It takes more than a nuanced understanding of such a complex issue to effectively solve it. Vaping is no longer the back alley version of the cool kids cigarettes. It has evolved to a multi-billion corporation that will not back down quickly or quietly.

Anyone looking to quit vaping should call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help.

ART/HAZUKI TONOMURA

Paw Prints Weekly Volume 52 | Issue 2 Glen A. Wilson High School 16455 E. Wedgeworth Drive Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 www.pawprintsweekly.com

ADVISER Pilar Robles EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Emma Chang Carol Li

EDITORS NEWS Carol Li EDITORIAL Vincent Cortes FEATURES Simone Yu ENTERTAINMENT Colleen Gapuzan PERSPECTIVES Adrian Hernandez Rani Chor SPORTS Emma Chang VISUALS Candice Lee Estelle Zhou ONLINE Candice Lee

STAFF Alex Castro Ana-Sofia Muñoz Claire Law Denise Thuong Devyn Kelly Gary Lee Haruki Tonomura Jacob Ramos Joseph Mendoza Nataly Rosales Renee Wang Shirleen Kwong

An open forum, Paw Prints Weekly, encourages the written opinion of its readers in the form of signed letters to the editor or longer commentaries on topical subjects.

While we recognize the individuality of all forms of expression we reserve the right to edit and censor that which we feel necessary in accordance with California Education Code 48907 and standards of good taste.

All communications must be signed and submitted to room C-9 or emailed

directly to editor@pawprintsweekly. com It should also be understood that the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of individual Paw Prints Weekly staff members or the policy of Glen A. Wilson High School.

Follow us on social media!

@glenawilsonppw

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Paw Prints Weekly

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

An impending crisis in Iran

P

icture this: a tragedy has befallen on a country. As the daft eyes of the world watch from a distance, a knight in shining armor saves the day.

The knight is no other than our very own nation: the United States. At least, that is what the media perceives it to be.

But, the depiction of the U.S. military as a savior could not be any further from the truth. This past week, a drone strike knocked a major Saudi oil facility, cutting the country’s oil supplies in half. While Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack, Secretary of State Mike P o m p e o has accused Tehran of launching the strikes.

As increasing evidence gathered by the Saudi gover n ment eludes to T e h r a n sponsoring the strike, the Trump

Certainly not. However, with President Trump ordering more sanctions on Iran, this is where we are heading— and war with Iran might be what some politicians want.

To give some context, the U.S. has in the past inherently manhandled Iran to get what they want. In

administration is, by the President’s words, “locked and loaded.” While Trump says that war will not be his first option, the premise of one is terrifying. Just imagine: another war in the Middle East, the thousands of military and civilian lives lost--to see none of the goals were met.

Yes, Saudi Arabia is our ally, and the destruction of their oil plants has caused oil prices to spike. But is this something to go to war to?

2018, the U.S. pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Agreement (2016) and continued to place sanctions on the country. What resulted is the sanction on medicine, leading to the deaths of thousands of Iranian people.

Essentially, the Trump Administration launched economic warfare on the country. Therefore, as we continue to place sanctions on Iran, and intervene in the relations in the Middle East, war is inevitable.

Consequently, this time around, the U.S should mind its own internal affairs and leave the powder keg in the Middle East alone.

No doubt, the reason why the U.S. has intervened in so many affairs in the Middle East is because of the region’s strategic

into the Vietnam War, one of the most controversial wars in American history.

As the U.S. continues to act as the world’s police, we inadvertently give into the special interests of other countries. When Trump continues to negotiate with Saudi Arabia, no

long withstanding from U.S. stationary troops. The main reason why ISIS emerged was because the U.S. dismissed all Iraqi soldiers from duty and garnered a hatred towards the U.S. Consequently, those soldiers were left to be radicalized

by ISIS. Ironically, when the U.S. stationed troops in the Middle East to combat terrorism, what emerged was a sentiment of hatred towards the U.S. and the emergence of more terrorists groups.

Of course, the Middle East is not the only place in the world to experience U.S. intervention. From military dictators appointed by the U.S. in South America to aiding rebels in Africa, the U.S. has been behind many of the world’s conflicts that have affected these places poorly in the long run.

Whether it be direct or indirect action, U.S. intervention has made an impact for the worst.

Now, as we come to the brink of war, the U.S. needs to act decisively and quickly. In order to avoid another failure like the invasion of Iraq, Trump needs to realize that fighting Iran should not be the country’s prerogative.

If U.S. troops mobilize on Iran, the effects will be devastating.

Overall, based on the U.S.’ past interventions on world events, it should be a no brainer. The U.S. needs to refrain from diving into problems that they have no reason to be apart of. However, the President now needs to understand that sending troops to the Middle East will not only hurt Iran but our country as well.

location and plentiful resources of oil and steel.

However, the oil did not belong to the U.S., and Saudi Arabia’s king,Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has not called for protection from Iran nor the Yemen rebels.

Realistically, this small problem will probably be an excuse for President Trump to escalate the problem to the point of another decade war. This was one of the same tactics that were used by politicians to get the U.S.

doubt they will want the U.S. to go to war with Iran. After all, our closest allies in the Middle East want Iran to be taken out.

Evidently, when the U.S. “solves a problem,” it usually ends up creating new problems or even escalating the issues they were trying to solve.

Take, for example, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), an extremist group that rose to power after the U.S. invaded Iraq after a

ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

4 FEATURES

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

WORDS FROM OUR SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Ashley Ko (12)

Rocelyn Lee(12)

Cameron Tran (9)

What is Science Olympiad?

“Science Olympiad is a competitive science program in which students can compete in twenty-three diff erent events that range across a wide variety of disciplines including biology, engineering, physics, and chemistry.”

What is your responsibility as vice captain of Science Olympiad?

“I am in charge of recruitment, so I often help with advertising and reaching out to others as well as organizing the new members and assigning them tasks.”

How did you end up joining Science Olympiad?

“I did Science Olympiad in the past. It is a team where you can learn, have fun, and hang out with your friends.”

How do you balance Science Olympiad with your school life?

“Science Olympiad is [manageable] because when I get home from practice, I still have the time to [do the things I need and want to do].”

What are some of your experiences in Science Olympiad?

“I started Science Olympiad my freshman year and I have been competing ever since on the varsity team. It has been really fun and I have made a lot of friends! When we compete, we get to travel and visit many diff erent college campuses, and it is an amazing experience overall.”

What is some advice you could give to new members as vice captain?

“Do not rush into events, make sure to study hard, put in more hours than required, and remember to do the topics you want to do, not the topics your friends want to do.”

What do you feel about the members this year?

“I like all the members this year, and this year we have a lot more. We used to be a really small team but since more than fi fty have signed up this year, it feels more complete and I am very happy that more and more people are joining such an amazing team.”

What do people gain from joining Science Olympiad?

“You can learn a lot more than you can in normal classrooms and it also helps you study for your various science classes, especially if you are hoping for a STEM major.”

What is your favorite classical music?

“My favorite composer would be Beethoven, because his music is very calming and I just like how basic of a composer he is.”

What type of cuisine do you enjoy the most?

“I like Italian cuisine, for no particular reason, Italian just happens to have the same food items that I like.”

What is your favorite dessert?

“Kerama soup, it is a good combination of all sweet and moist things that I like.”

interested in.”

If you can relive a single moment of your past, when would it be?

“Probably every moment I have been sleeping, since I like sleeping.”

What is your favorite sport?

“I am not athletic [and that is why] I do not like any sport.

[I feel that] it takes too much time and money [while] I only like academics.”

Justin Xu (11)

Elizabeth Leung (9)

What is Science Olympiad to you?

“Science Olympiad is a big time commitment , but I enjoy spending time there, it is really fun learning about new things that I did not know before. Science Olympiad is a part of my life that I do not want to lose.”

What are your expectations in joining Science Olympiad?

“I expect everyone to be very serious about what they are working on, [contrary to middle school], where most people were just goofing off all the time.”

Science Jokes!

What is your favorite subject?

“My favorite subject is science, specifically biology because I am really interested in how the human body works. I also want to become a pediatrician, so science is something I am really

If Science Olympiad was discontinued, how would you feel?

“It is kind of bittersweet, I do not have that specific motivation to just spend time learning new things and study science, then again if it is canceled I would have a lot more free time.”

What do you do as a member of a Science Olympiad?

“I conduct a lot of research for biology and astronomy, but it is different for other people. I also do encryptions and decryptions of ciphers.”

What is your favorite form of entertainment?

“Television shows, cause they take longer to fi nish than books and so they entertain me for a longer period of time.”

What impact does Science Olympiad have on your life?

“It makes me feel smarter, it is something that I look forward to especially the competitions and school trips. Science Olympiad often requires a lot of time, but it [is worth it at the end of the day].”

We hope you enjoy!

How is it like in Science Olympiad?

“Science Olympiad is really interesting. There are times where it gets really hard, but when you have friends doing the same things as you, it becomes easier.”

What do you hope to accomplish in Science Olympiad?

“I hope to make it into the A team eventually, and go to many regional and state competitions. I also hope to be captain in my senior year.”

What kind of dogs do you like the most?

“I love small dogs, [such as] Pomeranians and chihuahuas.”

Who is your favorite teacher?

“My favorite teacher right now is my biology teacher, Ms. Chap. She teaches my favorite subject, and is a really calm teacher who is really good at listening to us.”

COMPILED BY/GARY LEE IMGAGES/GOOGLE

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Paw Prints Weekly

FEATURES

Going behind the scenes of a Wilson leader

By RENEE WANG STAFF WRITER

Whenever the Wildcats are down, she brings them back up with both supportive cheers and overflowing charisma. Leading as the president of the Associated Student Body (ASB) and cheer captain, senior Melanie Cruz sets herself as the precedent of starquality leadership.

Over her high school career, Cruz found herself to have a recurring interest in encouraging school spirit. Cruz’s dedication and character in ASB and cheer pointed her towards becoming a role model for other students.

Attending her first ASB organized event, Cruz became interested in the organization process of school events, which promoted her to join the association in her sophomore year.

“In my freshman year, I remember attending an exciting rally on the first day of school.

Seeing the amazing spirit [of the students] was a cool experience, and coming from middle school, we never had anything like that,” Cruz said. “Th roughout the year, events like the Beat Los Altos (LA) rally, fall, spring, or winter sports rallies, really intrigued me. The spirit of the ASB family really caught my attention, and I wanted to be part of that.”

In addition to her ASB origins, Cruz had also revamped her childhood sport in high school, cheer.

“I have been doing cheer since I was seven, specifically all-star cheer. Originally, I did not plan on doing cheer in high school and just continued doing all-star outside of school hours. However, when our all-star gym closed, I decided to try out for Wilson’s cheer team,” Cruz said.

From her commitment to the particular sport, Cruz would find herself tied to the sport in all of her high school career, starring now as a cheer captain.

As a result of Cruz’s involvement in both cheer and ASB, this allowed her to experience behind-the-scenes planning and front-stage performances in notable events like the rivalry games.

“For both cheer and ASB, the rivalry games are the most memorable. It gets crazy for

ASB—we start setting up all the posters and coming up with rally ideas,” Cruz said. “During the football games, cheering is extremely [enjoyable] because there are tons of people there to interact with.”

While Cruz is faced with many time-consuming activities, she never fails to remind herself

It does get hard and stressful...

[However,] I always tell myself it is still worth it of the reasons she does these activities in the first place.

“It does get hard and stressful, sometimes to the point where I have to compromise sleep.

[However,] I always tell myself that it is still worth it because when I see [our cheer team] hit the stunts and routines we worked so hard on, it is definitely [deserving] of our time and effort.

Same with ASB, when I see people [participating] in rally games, it is [fulfi lling] to know that the student body is having [so much] fun,” Cruz said.

Overall, Cruz’s diligence is shown from her academic performance and leadership roles. Her excellence stems from her integrity and good communication, not just from participation.

With her schedule packed tight, Cruz acknowledges that her extracurriculars can cause her to lose sight of taking care of herself and spending time with others.

“Sometimes getting too involved in school makes me worry about my other responsibilities or academics. I feel like I stress a lot about those things and forget that I need to relax sometimes,” Cruz said. “Last year, even my [social life] was limited, because there were just too many responsibilities I had to take care of.”

During these hard times, Cruz still perseveres with her positive character to spread enjoyment to the student body.

“In the end, it was worth it.

Sometimes when I look back, it was difficult to keep track of time and events, but overall, seeing everyone else happy makes me happy,” Cruz said.

Looking back on her freshman year, Cruz recognizes the positive effects of playing a major role as the ASB president and cheer captain.

“With both extracurriculars, I feel like I have gained more confidence. In freshman year, I was more insecure and not as open to talking to people. Back then, I [always] just minded my own business,” Cruz said.

“I feel like that experience has [encouraged] me to talk to more people comfortably.”

Over her years in Wilson, Cruz expresses that she has learned the importance of being open-minded to others, especially in high school.

“Sometimes people come into high school with certain expectations that are not exactly the same. I feel like you need to be open-minded because, there is a very diverse student body on campus. [For example], if you are into a certain sport, most likely you’ll find your friends there.

Even if you are not that sociable, it is very important to build relationships in high school.”

Cruz said.

Accordingly, looking at her involvement and excellent academics, Cruz states that it was thanks to the support of her loved ones.

“For me, my mom and sister [in particular] encourages me to always do better. My mom works very hard for me [despite] being a single parent. She has always supported me in what I wanted to do,” Cruz said. “She is very openminded, and I feel like that has shaped me in the way I am today.

My mom has always been my number-one.”

For now, Cruz desires to keep her options for colleges open.

She hopes to attend a school that will fit her best in lifestyle and academics with a possible path in political science.

As the representative of all students of Wilson, Melanie Cruz certainly sets herself as living her high school life to the fullest, both as a great leader, hard-working student and an outstanding individual.

PHOTOS/MELANIE CRUZ

5

6 PERSPECTIVES

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

PERSPECTIVES

The unromantic stories of murderers and their fans Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are not a reflection of the views of Paw Prints Weekly as a whole. Paw Prints Weekly celebrates a diverse audience and staff, and it supports the declaration of the duties and rights of a Journalist per the U.S. Constitution. Paw Prints Weekly does not support the promotion of violence in any form.

“Do you ever just want to go back to ‘99, find Dylan Klebold, and just hug him?”

More likely than not, you have not.

In fact, many may not even immediately recognize the name Dylan Klebold, typically paired with that of Eric Harris.

Instead, the two are known as the perpetrators of the devastating Columbine High School shooting that occurred in 1999.

As Internet usage has expanded over the past decade, it has subsequently provided an outlet for young people to express their love for just about anything: celebrities, television shows, movies—and, in a far more dangerous and unexplored vein, mass murderers.

In a society currently rife with tragic mass shootings, this disturbing trend of idolizing murderers—even going so far as to emulate their crimes—indicates the true vulnerability of today’s young people.

Unbeknownst to most, a

quick search on social media sites like Tumblr will reveal a horde of true crime blogs. For the most part, the owners of these pages are simply interested in the forensics of various well-known crimes.

Unfortunately, there is also a plethora of bloggers who worship and romanticize murderers like

with hearts and flower crowns.

In these photos, he looks like just another subject of teenage admiration. In truth, Roof is the infamous Charleston church shooter of 2015, during which he killed nine African Americans in an act of white supremacy.

To these impressionable fans,

mass shooters by putting them on a pedestal and proclaiming that perhaps, if they had been shown love, they would have never resorted to harming people.

Evidently, the way that the media provides explanations for these men’s actions has greatly influenced how they are perceived

the Columbine shooters.

At a glance, the edits and art made by those who take part in what has been deemed a “mass shooter fan club” are seemingly harmless. Often, bloggers appear to bear no ill intent in posting pictures of Dylann Roof adorned

the young men who commit these types of crimes are simply misunderstood. They stand by the argument that is perpetuated by the media: mass shooters are victims of bullying, mentally ill and seeking attention through violence.

They express their sympathy for

by young people. By refusing to portray these people as criminals and truly hold them accountable for their crimes, the media has inadvertently created poster-boys for those that share the same harmful ideologies. This is both dangerous and irresponsible.

For instance, in 2015, 19-yearold James Gamble and Illinois woman Lindsay Souvannarath took their idolization of mass murderers far beyond sympathy.

They had met online through a shared obsession with Columbine, and the neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideas of many mass shooters. The two plotted a Valentine’s Day massacre that, luckily, fell through. Gamble committed suicide after police were notified of the plan to shoot up the Halifax Shopping Center in Canada. However, Gamble and Souvannarath are just one example of the dangers of a mass murderloving subculture.

Overall, there is a broad range of fans that worship mass shooters.

While not all intend to carry out acts of violence, they all contribute to the problem. Young people struggling with mental illnesses see well-loved mass murderers online and begin to view them as role models, driving more young adults to create their own blogs sending the same messages. It is a vicious cycle that can only be broken if the media chooses to reform their portrayal of mass shooters. Once these individuals are no longer given a convenient excuse for their actions such as mental health issues, others who are struggling may begin to look towards more positive resources for assistance—instead of wanting to date a convicted murderer.

ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

The modern realities of being an “average” student

By ALEX CASTRO STAFF WRITER

No one is perfect, yet students are expected to be.

Having extracurricular hobbies, ample amounts of free time and achieving good grades while still pushing yourself towards success and preparation should be every student’s goal. Nowadays, more often than not, students who choose this method often fail.

In the modern era, students have an ever-growing pile of problems; from homework to extracurriculars to college prep, every student has work to do. Somehow, schools expect students to be able to find and maintain the delicate balance necessary to meet the institution’s high expectations needed to succeed in their academics.

In reality, the psychological pressure on students to push themselves past their limits can overwhelm them and have dangerous effects on mental health. Overexerting students has disastrous impacts on students’ mentality towards their work, school, grades, and enjoyment in life.

These idealistic goals prove to be incredibly difficult for hardworking students who are pushed farther and farther down

the rabbit hole of long, arduous study sessions and late-night work frenzies. Simply finding the time to balance the workload can be a challenge, demanding very precise

4,317 students from high performing high schools were asked to describe their homework and home life situations.

Unsurprisingly, lack of sleep

nonproductivity that can lead to sub-par academic performances in classes, degradation of students’ mental states and add more pressure and expectations on

time management skills and focus. This also does not include other personal responsibilities like family matters or interests. What happens when they have practice for sports, schoolwork and personal obligations all in a short timeframe?

In a study done by Stanford Graduate School of Education,

and time were two of the most prominent theme.

In essence, an inability to handle constant floods of new work leaves students constantly stressed, anxious and tired. This makes working on schoolwork harder, as students lose the motivation to continue, initiating a cycle of

students’ shoulders.

Not only does overloading students with work have negative effects on their mental states, but it also has serious implications on physical health as well.

For example, the brain processes and stores information; this skill can be affected by both

the quantity and quality of a person’s sleep. Sleep provides a necessary break between long periods of concentration and focus, which can be hard to do when the hours a person sleeps decreases, whether it be from additional schoolwork or extracurriculars using up valuable work time.

According to a 2006 poll done by the National Sleep Foundation, about 70% of teens reported receiving an inadequate amount of rest. Sleep deprivation is very common due to an accumulation of lost hours and bad sleep habits, such as staying up late in order to do assignments during the week and attempting to account for that by sleeping in on the weekends.

As a result, even minimal sleep loss can take a substantial toll on student’s mood, energy, cognitive function and ability to handle stress. Over the long-term, chronic sleep loss can wreak havoc on mental and physical health.

This simply feeds back into the worsening, cycle of mental and physical exhaustion.

Ultimately, schools and institutions have high expectations and demands of students; yet, they utilize methods that end up being detrimental to both students’ physical and mental health.

ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Paw Prints Weekly

PERSPECTIVES

7

Social Media Warriors: the knight no one needs

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

As we transition deeper into the realms of twenty first century technology, awareness of worldwide problems has become the first step to solving them.

However, what happens when that same accessibility leads to an endless sea of social media spam, that realistically will not help anyone?

Perhaps you were recently bombarded with “repost on your story to send a meal to Sudan” or a barrage of the same post detailing that sharing it is the “only way” to save the burning Amazon forest. Unfortunately, social media warriors—users who take far too much responsibility into their own hands—have viewed these horrid events, filled with death, trauma and negative change in our world, as an opportunity for personal net growth via phony social media ploys and attempts to go viral.

It is true that the Sudan crisis of 2018 and 2019 was a serious matter in need of support and in likeness, the Amazon Rainforest fires must be put out as the Amazon is a crucial piece to our Earth’s collective ecosystem.

Unfortunately, the causes have blown up far too much online, even though social media did not even have access to these issues before hand. This leads to another issue where there is a snowball effect, in which more and more social media warriors begin spreading their spam and fake information.

Logically, Instagram and Facebook, two massive social media platforms that have long been tied by a business deal made in 2012, must have the ability to instill a collective verification test for accounts which try to

“Donation Hub” title successfully earns the name, one more account for a good cause will be on the internet. Those rejected may request the title again, although, Instagram and Facebook will surely handle the matter of accounts requesting

information to quickly be filtered out of your favorite social media platforms.

For example, the Sudan “support’’ page, which attempted to fraud people into thinking they were helping Sudan, exclaimed

request money for causes such as the Amazon fires, Brexit or the Sudanese Crisis.

Such a verification process must look as simple as the current Instagram verification process, in which one fills out what aspiration they want to raise money for. If the account requesting this new

“Donation Hub” status accurately.

Once Instagram or Facebook creates this method, there will be much less counterfeit, shallow hearted gofundme pages or repost pages allowed to clog up your feed.

Not only will this problem’s resolution fix what one may see on their feed, it will also allow for false

they could get the food through Sudanese borders, leading many to believe that the internally feuding Sudan had open borders. However, it was never made aware to these followers that their attempts at sending food to starving families were futile, as Sudan had closed borders during the time of the

crisis.

Via the complete account inspection that Instagram and Facebook would have to complete in order to verify the account for donation, a fact check should take place. The fact check would not only attempt to take down spam, but it would also include a thorough checking of all points made on the page.If a score is not sufficient above a certain level, then the account would not be able to attain the desired title.

Fortunately, there are organizations currently that truly do help international affairs, along with smaller events in which there are issues. Take for instance greenpeace.org which is a tried and true organization which has donated millions in a positive effort to help the Amazon. These organizations do their part so they can attempt to make a positive change in our ever changing world which sometimes seems to be charged with negativity.

In short, this resolution would keep social media warriors at bay and allow for a safer and stronger social media support zone.

The matter is now in your hands, Instagram and Facebook.

You have the influence, the power and the following. You truly matter in people’s eyes. Make this change and make the world a better place, or do not, and allow for more people to be fooled by some of your page’s misguided deeds of attempted pure self enhancement.

With such a massive reach, this should be a no brainer.

ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

School Spirit: More than just a school rally

By GARY LEE STAFF WRITER

School spirit has always been a part of students’ life, and has a surprisingly positive influence on our high school careers.

In the past, most people prioritize their focus on grades and education because these aspects were believed to guarantee good jobs. Consequently, factors like school spirit was irrelevant as most people only thought of their academics and education.

However, as time and technology evolved, promoting school spirit became necessary for a student’s education and their extracurriculars. In other words, despite previous beliefs and criticism, having school spirit in high school will not only create an atmosphere which will benefit students’ mental state, but also improve their education, social skills, and attitudes.

Additionally, when students reach high school, they start to worry about factors such as grades, relationships, and their future; for them, high school may be difficult to adjust to as adolescents begin to see the importance of school work, homework and extracurricular activities. Due to this, the morale of many students is often very low. However, organizations such as Associated Student Body are

formed to help maintain a positive attitude among the student body.

To begin, school spirit positively affects the school, improving the performance of students and decreasing the stress and anxiety caused by school

proves that anxiety can have a large impact on decision-making, attention and higher thinking capabilities of a person.

Having school spirit does not just mean participating in school activities. It also encompassess

important compared to other aspects of education. However, a study from Varsity-Brands displayed that students who have a high morale and school spirit are more likely to become leaders in comparison to those who do

work. If no school events or activities existed, many students would be in a constant state of worry over grades, potentially leading students to make bad decisions. For example, studies from the University of Pittsburgh

the enjoyment and happiness one experiences at school, and, most importantly, the pride one has for being apart of that school.

Despite this, many continue to argue that school spirit is an insignificant factor and not

not. This indicates that school spirit motivates students to take initiative, which benefits not only the school but also through the activities they partake in, whether it be school-related or extracurricular.

Additionally, an online survey

by Harris Poll stated that the majority of students who possess high school spirit performed above average academically while over 20 percent of students with low spirit performed below average. This is another instance of how school spirit is able to better young adults, who are learning how to make a mark on the world.

Whether it be in work or people, school spirit helps us understand who we are, and who we want to be. School spirit can increases our ability to empathize with others. you wanted to pursue a career in. It means you know you are contributing to a healthy future, and not showing up to work to play, but to experience profound personal growth (not just professional growth) consistently as you develop.

In other words, pushing towards a dream is not as easy as people perceive it to be.

There is a lot of work involved, commitment, and dedication.

When you hear stories such as overnight sensation Justin Bieber, it might sound easy to achieve success effortlessly; but, remember when something sounds easy, it is probably too good to be true. So, when you have the opportunity to follow your dream, make sure it is something you can achieve.

ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

8 PERSPECTIVES

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

“Follow your dreams” is not always the way to go

By SIMONE YU FEATURES EDITOR

Not everyone can be like Justin Bieber.

Nowadays, it seems as if the online world is filled with inspirational quotes like “chase our dreams” and “be the person you want to be.” However, despite this saying being a fantastic mantra to follow at times, occasionally it is just not something that you should do.

Do not get me wrong, I am not telling you to just give up on your dreams for the future and settle for something that is going to make you unhappy. However, this cheesy advice ultimately comes from a place of inspiration, a world that is not meant to define your dreams, but a method of motivation.

Consequently, these quotes never really tell you how you should go after your dreams.

For example, if you wanted to be the next generation’s Jennifer Lawrence or Chris Hemsworth, someone would probably tell you to move to Hollywood, and just “believe in yourself!” However, even if acting is something you want to pursue, there are multiple factors that string along. Can you earn a living off of this? Would this still be your passion if you had to do it everyday, for the rest of your life?

And possibly the most important factor: Can you even achieve this goal?

Essentially, you do not always

have solid answers to all your questions; however, in a world where finances are getting tighter, colleges are harder to get into, and a vast sum of student loans need to be paid off, sometimes dropping everything in your life to pursue a big dream you have is not the most

to achieve your dreams in a certain period of time is pretty frustrating and can discourage individuals.

The second, and possibly most important reason why it is not always a good idea to drop everything for your passion, is that these quotes make it sound too easy.

everyday that you would get your break, so you can at least afford your groceries.

A close friend of my parents dreamed of being a singer for all her life, and dropped out of college to dedicate her time to music lessons.

She was in severe debt, cut out my

rational idea.

In fact, only about eight percent of people in the nation actually reach the dreams they aspire to reach. According to the University of Scranton, a whopping 92 percent of people who chase their dreams never actually achieve them. Despite the overwhelming inspiration around them, failing

Realistically, life is hard and your dream can take an insane amount of time; you have to stay dedicated in every step of the way. This means battling many nights filled with worry and anxiety, doubting your abilities, and wondering if it was a naive or good choice to pursue the path you chose. It means emptying out your bank account and praying

family and I, and wasted 12 years looking for small opportunities to pursue the dream “she had always wanted.” Twenty years has passed, and I still do not see her face on any billboards, or hear her voice on the radio. It goes without saying that some dreams are not meant for everybody.

As a result, understanding

where you come from and checking the progression in your life can help you reach other fulfilling opportunities, which will in turn influence and alter your vision on reality. Life is all about self-creation, self-discovery and developing your true skills. Mastering these can help you look at other realistic goals that will benefit you greatly in the future. For example, a person who loves to sing but is also naturally good at biology can start a singing based YouTube channel and also pursue a career in biology. Her career in biology benefits her economically in the future, but she is also doing what she loves to do.

Furthermore, pursuing meaningful work does not mean you should drop something you wanted to pursue a career in. It means you know you are contributing to a healthy future, and not showing up to work to play, but to experience profound personal growth (not just professional growth) consistently as you develop.

In other words, pushing towards a dream is not as easy as people perceive it to be. There is a lot of work involved, commitment, and dedication.

When you hear stories such as overnight sensation Justin Bieber, it might sound easy to achieve success effortlessly; but, remember when something sounds easy, it is probably too good to be true. So, when you have the opportunity to follow your dream, make sure it is something you can achieve.

ART/HAZUKI TONOMURA

Should schools provide more technical skills?

By ALEX CASTRO STAFF WRITER

Should high schools provide more practical life skills?

Life beyond high school is a complicated process that requires many technical skills in order to be successful. This does not only pertain to scholastic careers, but also to life in general. These can include financial, domestic, economic knowledge or life skills.

School is the foundation on which students learn all they will need to be successful in their lives.

Essentially, school is the last stop before students are shipped off to their futures. However, many students are wholly unprepared for the drastic changes in independence and safety. The consequences of students actions and sudden change in the types of choices presented, can shake students confidence and understanding.

Many schools nowadays provide basic career and trade skills such as cooking or engineering, yet these classes and courses are career-focused and mainly serve to peak interests in different fields of study. One example of this is the engineering pathway in our highschool which aims to teach students the basics in the many fields of engineering. These classes are beneficial in that they provide a strong base for students to follow their passion, however, these classes do not cover the multitude of life skills necessary to be successful

in both domestic and educational aspects of life.

By providing students the necessary skills to become more independent, they will promote self sufficiency and encourage others to achieve higher goals as well as create a more rounded individual.

These skills are essential in

educated decisions. This would prove highly beneficial when considering the long term positive effects which can come as a result of being a more educated individual.

One example of the need for such skills is, according to a recent study by U.S News on the financial education of college students and

decisions. These companies do this because they are allowed to take advantage of students’ lack of basic financial knowledge and use that to create profit for themselves at everyone else’s expense.

Not only do the effects of the ignorance of technical skills affect individuals’ financial state, but it also

providing a stable and productive environment. By being adaptable students may build on and support the learning of others and expand on their own fundamental knowledge.

Schools could encourage this behavior through the incorporation of mandatory, or extracurricular courses which allow students to learn the everyday practical skills that empowers them to make smart and

how it affects them, 40% of students were not taught about credit cards.

Unfortunately, college students are more likely to be targeted, even at the company’s expense of millions of dollars, by well known or trusted companies offering predatory deals or contracts to create a dangerous situation for anyone caught unprepared. Mostly, this is because colleges benefit from student’s poor

can have drastic consequences on the entirety of a student’s educational career. Many for-profit schools use tactics such as offering students job opportunities and “the best” financial aid or loans. They promise job skills or outright guarantee students jobs while secretly wrapping them up in tendrils of interest and technicalities.

Unfortunately, due to students’ low knowledge in these areas,

even with unconcealed “fine print” for profit colleges easily lure students to walk into their traps, completely unknowingly. In the end, students educational credit might be questioned. Consequently, these schools continue to draw in unsuspecting students who are unfortunate enough to believe the lies they are told. And why would they? They don’t know any better.

This is the dilemma that modern schools face, balancing beneficial personal traits and crucial world knowledge lessons. Contrary to belief, any changes made to the curriculum do not need to be wildly different. The largest unused opportunity lies in pre-existing classes which are meant to guide students to make better choices and become better people, but in the end, they prove highly ineffective due to an over-simplified design and poor execution.

Rather than have a curriculum that curtails to crucial topics alongside developing maturity and responsibility, they continue to push the learning of personal skills, even to the point where they are no longer necessary. By teaching repetitive and outdated lessons that most students have either learned from experience or have chosen to ignore, education is ignoring the vital details and skills that will make students successful.

After all, what use is being told to be nice to people if you do not know how to balance a checkbook or wash your clothes?

ART/HAZUKI TONOMURA

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Paw Prints Weekly

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAIMENT

9

NBC’s hit sitcom Friends continues television legacy

By CLAIRE LAW STAFF WRITER

“Oh. My. God.” Janice once said in the episode: The One With The Candy Hearts.

Friends is a popular American sitcom that first aired on Sep. 22, 1994. Throughout the ten season run, fans watched characters Monica, Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey settle in New York City, while dealing with relationship and career drama.

Furthermore, the television show became popular due to its unique content, given that the main criteria for a successful episode was considered to be the characters interacting with each other, rather than following an intricate plot. In addition, the chemistry between the characters is what made the show so interesting to watch.

Although we may have said goodbye to Friends fifteen years ago, as the new generation rekindles the show, the American classic is fortunately making its way back onto the big screens.

Ultimately, Friends is a nationwide phenomenon, as well as one of the most popular television shows of all time, as its relates to many of its audience, and shows us how simpler our lives were before apps, social media and smartphones dominated our attention, time and friendships.

As the show is being celebrated for their 25th anniversary, the

main actors reunite togethers as the reunion brings back many old memories while they were filming for the show.

Right from the beginning, viewers could compare their own lifestyles with the show as they

unfortunately go through on an everyday basis.

Essentially, we can connect to this episode as everybody chooses a New Year’s resolution to accomplish and gives an effort to achieve it. However, sometimes

Ross’s acting causes the situation to be more dramatic and comedic than it already is as he comes out of the tanning booth.

Moreover, viewers can connect to this episode as getting a spray tan is a popular thing to do now.

watched the characters live in New York City. For example, in one episode Ross and his friends take forever to get ready for an event, which resulted in sheer chaos.

Essentially, the show’s genuine storyline of people being very indecisive while getting prepared for the day, appealed to its audience as it represented the struggles we

it does not work out as according to our plans. From this, not only does the plot make it relatable to its viewers, but the cast’s raw acting ability, also demonstrates their distinct chemistry with each other.

Additionally, in another episode: “The One with Ross’s Tan,” Ross comes out of a tanning booth with a two-toned appearance.

However, the result is not always how we expected it to be, including coming out with an uneven skin tone.

In addition, the different themes in Friends aids to the sitcom’s utter success. The combination of the spectacular acting and chemistry between the actors, makes an entertaining

and negatives of diversity, as well as dealing with consequential mistreatment. In these days, the diversity of appearance is everywhere, but the fact that Jodi had to deal with theses problems

beliefs.

Additionally, the cast did an amazing job of portraying the real life experiences of high school. From the raw emotion to the suspenseful drama, Tall Girl

in romantic relationships that were very realistic as they are very relate able to common high school dramas. Some cases include when true love is rejected, where people want to be loved for who they are

makes her all the more relatable.

For instance, instead of being portrayed as the cliche, innocent victim of bullies, the protagonist has her own, accountable flaws, whether it be her own actions or

definitely conveys cinematic gold.

The actors were able to express the everyday high school experiences, such as the prom sequence and other events. From this, the story comes alive in embracing diversity

or when people fall in love with the person they least appreciate.

Furthermore, to add to the film’s genuinity, Ava Michelle, who played Jodi Freyman, had similar issues to her character

sitcom to view. Even though sometimes there was tension between the characters and their friendships, they still found a way to come back to each other.

Furthermore, Friends also represents the laid back, vintage feel, as there were no electronic devices incorporated into any of the scenes of each episode. Due to this, the sitcom stood apart from other television shows because of its uniqueness, which enhances the show’s feel good theme.

As a result, the disclusion of electronic devices had a major impact on the characters in Friends. The actors seemed to have a closer bond, in contrast to people who only go on their phone when hanging out with their friends.

Despite the show’s recent triumph, it was not always America’s favorite sitcom.

Midway through the second season, Friends was cancelled due to low ratings. However Friends, having reached 10 full seasons, is rising to the top as more and more people join the Friends fandom.

In conclusion, Friends has made a positive impact on American television and is ultimately a great sitcom to watch in which viewers can relate to, and also allow us to understand how life was “back then.” A quarter of a century later, fans can agree that the impact the beloved TV show has left is still being celebrated today for future generations to come.

GRAPHIC/ DENISE THUONG

Netflix’s Tall Girl Surpasses fans’ expectations

By GARY LEE STAFF WRITER

We have two choices. We can lay low, or we can stand tall.

On Sept. 13, Netflix released its new original movie, Tall Girl, starring Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, Sabrina Carpenter and much more. Directed by Nzingha Stewart, the rom-com follows the life of Jodi Freyman, a selfconscious high school junior who is constantly bullied for being too tall.

In the film, Jodi finds herself being teased and discriminated against due to her height.

However, she sets her sights on new, foreign exchange student Stig Mohlin, who happens to be taller than her. Consequently, conflict ensues when Jodi gets caught in a love triangle with her best friend and the perfect guy of her dreams.

From the positive message to the remarkable acting, Tall Girl phenomenally delivers an empowering message of embracing individuality.

For one thing, the movie’s prominent emphasis on how important it is to stand tall in the midst of diversity captivates its audience—both young and old. Through Jodi, the movie was able to express the positives

growing up, and was mistreated due to her height. The director of “Dance Mom,” Abby Lee Miller specifically stated, “Ava! You’re too tall for us today! You’re cut,” and thus kicked her off the show.

Due to her discrimination, she felt as though she was stronger as ever since the incident. Consequently, when the critics and audiences leave hateful comments, she feels as though she is more confident and better equipped to handle the negativity. Through her acting she displayed the fact that she was not afraid to take risks and did not care about what others thought about her physical appearance.. Michelle remains strong and determined despite her many setbacks and discouragement she encountered at a young age.

When the movie was released, critics complained how the movie overly romanticizes the discrimination of tall girls. All in all, Tall Girl was not just an ordinary rom-com, but a unique, coming of age story that speaks truth on the importance of individuality. It utterly highlights the true meaning of accepting oneself, acceptance, and standing tall for what you believe in.

Thank you, Netflix, for creating an exceptional film that definitely does not fall short.

GRAPHIC/DENISE THUONG

10 ENTERTAINMENT

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Angel Has Fallen receives a myriad of harsh reviews

By ALEX CASTRO STAFF WRITER

The only thing that’s falling is this movie’s rating.

On Aug. 25, Angel Has Fallen was released to the big screen. As the third installment in the “Fallen” franchise, this film follows Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen, both of which have similar flaws and successes. In total, the series received very low scores on both IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, which was mainly caused by over-complex plots and underwhelming computer generated imagery.

In the newest addition to the “Fallen” series, the President of the United States (Morgan Freeman) and his secret service agents are attacked during a fishing trip, landing the President in a coma and placing the blame on protagonist Mike Banning (Gerard Butler). Now, Banning must operate outside the law, and find a way to clear his name in order to stop who is really behind the attacks.

Ultimately, from the complete lack of attention to detail to the overabundance of plot, setting errors led to an unpleasant viewing experience that lacked emotion and individuality.

Unfortunately, when the thriller Angel Has Fallen was created, it sacrificed realism for sensationalism. Multiple elements of the film do not hold up when held to scrutiny, including the science behind much of the plot, and the motivations of many of the character’s actions.

For example, one of the main errors in the film was the completely nonchalant and casual attitude the secret service has when concerning the president. Security issues were used as a simple and convenient plot device and reused several times to further the plot.

film has many opportunities to incorporate an added layer of depth and complexity, yet only explores these options briefly.

In essence, the creators mainly condense these scenes in order to allow time for the monotonous action sequences. Subsequently,

150% increase. As we can see, this unambitious effort in production resulted in the film’s failure to establish a convincing in-depth setting and reliable plot.

Additionally, a large area that contributed to the movie’s inadequacy is its basic set designs

The inclusion of repetitive plot tools cheapens the emotional value of plot twists and character developments.

Furthermore, an abundance of plot holes and inconsistencies resulted in an entirely underwhelming plot. This made the movie feel incomplete, as if the audience was meant to be clued in on important details that were not revealed.

More than this, Angel Has Fallen relied heavily on irrelevant and cliche character development. For example, the

many of the predictable plot twists are further undercut by a lack of emotional attachment, which makes it difficult for pure audience captivity.

Furthermore, the inexpensive production value heavily aided in the thriller’s downfall. Needless to say, this movie is more of a box office cash grab than an actual, legitimate feature. We see this through the film’s low budget, which was only 40 million US dollars, low compared to Olympus has fallen, which had a total budget of 70 million US dollars, an almost

and visually unappealing digital effects. Many of the scenes are rendered badly or utilize minimal effects, and horrible blending and crowded sets to distract from the action of the film. The set design is minimal, including but not fully utilizing landscapes and buildings to add depth to the setting.. In addition, the sets of the film are also undetailed, making them feel rushed or incomplete. This makes the audience disengaged with the film, resulting in a lack of empathy.

All in all, the sets fail to establish a distinct setting, giving viewers

a sense of perspective which feels almost entirely removed.

Another flaw in the film is the inconsistencies with language, primarily foul language. Towards the middle of the film, the movie became determined to utilize their R rating. To achieve that, it introduced an excessive amount of profane language within a small time frame. This also clashes with the minimal explicit language in the other areas of the film, which displays its inability to establish consistency.

Yet, despite all of the film’s flaws, one of the movie’s saving graces was its raw, genuine acting.

The experience and skill of Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler shone through in their performances, as well as the cunning portrayal by Danny Huston.

However, the main reason that these actors played a large role in the film’s limited success was the amount of screentime they received. In total, these three characters comprised the majority of the movie’s runtime, which allows these actor’s talent to be more prevalent. Over the runtime of the film, the wide range of emotions the actors display to the audience keeps them involved, and helps to elicit emotional responses.

Overall, Angel Has Fallen’s poor writing and disappointing execution left much to be desired, resulting in a fall in its reviews. understand how life was “back then.” A quarter of a century later, fans can agree that the impact the beloved TV show has left is still being celebrated today for future generations to come.

GRAPHIC/ DEVYN KELLY

Post Malone’s new album grants relatability

By ANA-SOFIA MUÑOZ STAFF WRITER

Hollywood’s bleeding, but not literally.

Post Malone’s third studio album, Hollywood’s Bleeding, was released on Sep. 6, comprising of 17 songs and several guest collaborations.

The album topped the United States’ Spotify streaming chart in just two days; from “Hollywood’s Bleeding” to “Wow,” the album transitions from a soft electronic melody into an intense rap that goes to show the multi-genre talent Malone possesses.

Ultimately, Malone’s skill in conjuring moodiness with lyrical meaning enables people to relate to his new album in the message he successfully delivers.

According to an interview with Apple Music, Post Malone states, “I’m not trying to make songs that are huge smashes. I just want to make songs that tell stories and are genuine.” In his new album, Malone utterly conveys who he is as an ordinary human being, regardless of his fame and success.

In his opening song, “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” Malone criticizes people he associated with, specifically his lovers, saying

that they “never took the time to get to know [him].” The beat suddenly drops after the chorus, and he continues to repeat a series of questions stating “It seems like dying young is an honor, but who would be at my funeral I wonder?”

feel the same, too much pleasure is pain,” referring to the rock band Nirvana’s lead singer, Kurt Cobain, who unfortunately passed away in 1994. Ultimately, the reasoning behind Malone’s inclusion of the late musician was to convey a strong

which is how fame affected Malone as it did with Cobain.

For instance, these small details in his lyrics show up again in “Circles,” the fourth single in his album, further exemplifying Malone’s take on relationships. In

From these lyrics, Malone exposes a vulnerable side of him, especially when he concludes that there is no one that truly cares for him.

Generally speaking, Malone’s line of “dying young” recurs in another track on the album titled “Goodbyes Ft. Young Thug.”

At the beginning of the first verse, Malone states, “Me and Kurt

message on how popular artists like Kurt are generically perceived to have a life of “pleasure.” However, he also emphasizes in his lyrics that it subsequently comes with damaging consequences.

Notably, the echoing background and groans of Malone’s voice in the song act as hints to the audience on the theme of the track,

the chorus, Malone’s use of the metaphor “Seasons change and our love went cold. Feed the flame ‘cause we can’t let go,” reveals to the audience about his own problems within his relationships. The figurative meaning of feeding “the flame” describes something slowly getting worse which, in this case, is his deteriorating relationship

that the audience can relate to.

In essence, Malone successfully encapsulates meaningful verses that convey his connections to his personal life, including his distinct relatability.

Furthermore, aside from the album itself, the behind-the-scenes songwriting process with Ozzy Osbourne, SZA, Swae Lee, etc. had shown positive aspects that added multiple perspectives that made the songs more “organic.”

Namely, in Malone’s collaboration with American rapper Dababy on “Enemies,” a song about friends becoming foes, Malone and Dababy narrate a different story based off their experience on the subject of deteriorated relationships. Malone recalls how his friends became enemies due to his fame; on the other hand, Dababy shares about having fake friends when he achieved success from his debuting lead single.

Subsequently, Dababy’s additional verse adds more depth to the song, making it more intimate with the listeners on personal subjects in a poetic, lyrical meaning.

In summation, Hollywood’s Bleeding goes into profound detail with lessons fans can take away from, while also being an awesome arrangement of songs to jam out to.

GRAPHIC/DENISE THUONG

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

Paw Prints Weekly

ENTERTAINMENT

11

IT: Chapter 2 Prevails as “It” Movie of the Year

By ANA-SOFIA MUÑOZ STAFF WRITER

The past—and killer clowns—will always come back to haunt you.

After the success of the first IT movie released in 2017, IT: Chapter 2 has easily been one of the most highly anticipated motion pictures of the year.

At the end of the first installment, the Losers’ Club, comprised of seven outcasted preteen protagonists, made an oath to return to their hometown of Derry, Maine, if they had not truly succeeded in killing the evil shape-shifting clown, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård). In the sequel, the group of friends reassemble twenty-seven years after the events of the first movie, living up to their promise of finally ending Pennywise’s reign over Derry.

Surprisingly, however, IT: Chapter 2 is not so much frightening as it is heartwarming.

The film teaches a valuable lesson about learning to accept our pasts and how they shape us, without letting them define our present.

While it has received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, the movie does an effective job of bringing the IT storyline to a close.

For one thing, the cast does a phenomenal job of portraying a strong sense of youth in their adult characters. In the film, returning to their hometown has caused the characters to revert back to more childish ways. This is especially prevalent in the comedic chemistry between fan favorites

Richie Tozier (Bill Hader) and Eddie Kaspbrak (James Ransone), who upon meeting for the first time in decades, easily slip back

influenced by the characters’ insecurities, making the fears they face much more formidable. In the movie, it is no longer monsters

keen on not only feeding, but also creating a sense of true horror in those he preys upon. For instance, Pennywise lures Bill Denbrough

into constant bickering and juvenile ‘your mom’ jokes. The friendship between the characters that is established so well in the first movie almost immediately resurfaces among them as adults, as they reminisce over dinner in one of their first scenes as a group. Essentially, much like its predecessor, the film nicely incorporates plenty of these lighthearted moments between those of sheer terror.

Additionally, another wellexecuted facet is the emotional factor that pervades the film.

The thriller’s storyline is heavily

that frighten each member of the Losers’ Club—instead, it is the various aspects of each character’s past that continues to hinder their adult lives. The film makes it a point to emphasize this theme, and displays how fear can inhibit a person’s ability to live freely, regardless of their age.

Of course, even in light of the comedy and thematic elements within the film, there are still many scenes that thrill audience members and keep them engaged.

Bill Skarsgård continues to terrify as Pennywise; he draws his victims in more slowly and deliberately,

(James McAvoy) into a funhouse maze, forcing the character to watch helplessly as he kills a child.

Moments like these are downright grotesque and have the innate ability to leave viewers feeling particularly disturbed. In this way, the film inevitably instills genuine dread into its audience.

Despite the motion picture’s success, some horror fanatics claimed to be disappointed in the sequel.

According to critics, the film’s focus on the theme of moving on from insecurity detracts from its effectiveness as a horror movie.

They argue that its attempts to send a positive message come off as preachy at times, and would have been better off left to the viewers’ interpretation instead of so openly stated. Although this may be true for some scenes, a deeper look at each character’s individual insecurities ultimately allows the audience to form a greater attachment to them and strengthens their relatability.

Likewise, the same has been said about the comedic element of the film, as many scenes intended to frighten the audience are too heavily laced with humor, sometimes providing comedic relief too soon or when it is not needed. Nevertheless, the use of comedy throughout the movie adds to its unique charm and pays homage to Stephen King’s respective novel.

Overall, the film produces more positives than negatives, despite many critical reviews.

While it may not live up to the high expectations set by the first movie, it is still incredibly entertaining and provides a sense of closure for fans. In essence, IT: Chapter 2 keeps audiences at the edge of their seats while expertly bringing viewers back into a world of distinct and lovable characters.

Thanks to the brilliant cast, the film has the potential to leave a lasting impression on pop culture for years to come.

In the end, the iconic IT franchise will continue to live on in the hearts of Losers everywhere, regardless of criticism.being celebrated today for future generations to come.

GRAPHIC/ DEVYN KELLY

OPINION

The real tea behind Tik-Tok

By COLLEEN GAPUZAN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

TikTok is slowly taking over the world, and we’re definitely here for it.

To be frank, I was late to the whole TikTok trend, namely

because I thought it was just another typical overhyped app that would be irrelevant in a week.

Little did I know, it would be one of the most popular and addicting apps of this generation.

For context, ByteDance released the social media app in 2017. In the app, users are able to

create short lip-sync, comedy or talent videos and share them with the public. In 2018, TikTok gained a massive amount of popularity and became the most downloaded app in the U.S. in October 2018.

While it’s true that TikTok is home to some standard lipsyncing, it’s actually better known

for its act-out memes backed by music and other sound clips, which get endlessly reproduced and remixed among its users.

Needless to say, some of the best TikTok videos have become viral memes, in which its audience can heavily relate to and enjoy.

Due to the app’s phenomenal

progress, the addiction levels are rapidly on the rise. Regardless, its users can testify that it is an app that you definitely won’t want to put down (believe me, I should know).

If you haven’t already joined the TikTok cult, it’s better late than never.

This week’s comic: Going through the motions

ART/ESTELLE ZHOU

IT: Chapter 2 Prevails as “It” Movie of the Year

12 SPORTS

Paw Prints Weekly

MONDAY, SEP. 30, 2019

SPORTS

Volleyball suffers a decisive loss to Northview HS

By CLAIRE LAW STAFF WRITER

On Monday, Sep. 16, girls’ volleyball lost against Northview HS with a score of 0-3.

The match served as a learning experience for the team

and allowed players to view their areas of improvement. Despite the loss, the team remains optimistic for the season ahead.

According to captain Nicole Lee (11), bringing positivity to the game influenced the team’s performance on the court.

“It is always good to have a positive mindset because

any amount of negativity can cause a domino effect to your teammates,” Lee said.

In addition, co-captain Imani Lee (10) believes that there is room for improvement.

“We are learning on how to improve our [skills] by focusing on [different kinds of passes],” Lee said. “Sometimes our passes

are off during games and it is [difficult to rebound.]”

Furthermore, defense specialist Delaney Rendon (10) trusts that the team’s bond guides them through every match.

“The team worked together throughout the game [and] I felt a connection with my

teammates on the court,” Rendon said. “We kept the energy up which [also] helped us carry through [the game] no matter what the score is.”

Volleyball’s next game will take place on Monday, Sep. 23 against Baldwin Park HS. home against Temple City HS on Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm.

Girls’ golf successfully conquers Rowland HS

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

On Tuesday Sept. 24 girls’ golf triumphed over Rowland HS with a score of 252 -270.

To prepare, the girls practiced at various golf courses and utilized drills to

improve upon their driving and putting. The team also refined their performance by working on short and long games.

According to captain Ashley Ko (12), the match facilitated a new sisterhood amongst her and her teammates.

“This week’s game showed how well our team gets along

and [incorporated our new members,]” Ko said. “We all bonded quickly and stayed positive mentally.”

Despite their success, captain Rocelyn Lee (12) believes the team can continue to improve on their performance.

“Our regiment is sufficient

and keeps our skills sharp for games,” Lee said. “However, it can be improved by [more] emphasis on long distance driving.”

Overall, player Myla Romero (11), retains high hopes for the remainder of the team’s league season.

“We played a good game

and [I believe] we have a good chance of making CIF,” Romero said. “We can achieve this goal by [practicing] and keeping aspirations for CIF high.”

Girls golf continue their season and face Ayala HS away during their match on Tuesday Oct. 1.

COMMENTARY

The Antonio Brown Saga: Explained

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

“I’m here to elevate everything around me. I’m here to just be a surge of energy, of positivity, and good force; a great teammate [to bring] out the best of everyone around me cause we all know it’s not just about me,” stated Antonio Brown as he was officially introduced as an Oakland Raider.

Yet only five and a half months later, Brown had put himself out of a job, after one of the most spontaneous divorces in sports history. Fueled by his own indignation, selfishness and poor judgement, the former megastar quickly crashed and burned under the weight of the National Football League (NFL).

Leading one of the greatest and most mysterious “goose chases” of all time, Brown has undoubtedly redefined the term diva.

The saga began with an odd case of hypothermia. Not uncommonly, Brown stepped into a frigid cryotherapy chamber to relieve his muscle pain, only this time, without the proper footwear. For the most part, Brown continued in his daily regime, except now with an acute case of hypothermia. Little did Brown know, this minuscule adjustment to his normal routine would ultimately be the cause of his downfall.

Typically, even with an injury as irregular as hypothermia, the athlete and medical team of his or her team will oversee treatment and ensure said athlete recovers as soon as possible. But of course, Brown is anything, but your typical athlete.

Rather than properly addressing the situation, Brown instead took to social media: posting his blistered feet as “evidence” of his lack of

medical attention from his team.

From there, the athlete’s timetable easily became a toss-up, spurring multitudes of speculation and commentary from his devoted online following and sports talk shows.

Throughout the hypothermia fiasco, Brown missed all but one training camp practice in August, raising an early red flag to Oakland.

In spite of the original hiccup, Oakland faithfully continued to pursue the beginnings of a new

helmet, and told the Raiders that he would show up to practice.

Except, he really did not show up to practice.

After being fined more than $54,000 for “conduct detrimental to the team,” Brown found refuge in social media once again, and voiced his discontent towards Raider’s general manager Mike Mayock.

Vehemently, Brown exclaimed, “When your own team [wants] to hate but there’s no stopping me…” via Instagram stories.

Brown decidedly apologized to the team in a seemingly genuine attempt to turn over a new leaf with the Raiders.

But, in typical Antonio Brown fashion, Brown emphatically succeeded his apology by demanding his release from the team in an extensive Instagram post.

At this point, the Raiders truly had nothing more to hold on to and soon, Brown’s wishes were finally granted. Following his dismissal, Brown uploaded an obviously

season, led by their rejuvenated star player.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, Brown soon discovered yet another problem: his helmet. Out of nowhere, Brown filed multiple grievances against the NFL regarding his newly banned helmet, leading to several more missed practices and new organizational issues.

Once more, Brown proved to be volatile asset for the Raiders and after weeks of empty retirement threats, the receiver picked a legal

In the days following his virtual complaints, Brown continued his obscene behavior, calling Mayock a “cracker” and threatening him.

Despite all odds, Oakland’s coach Jon Gruden called Brown and attempted to salvage what simply could have been a rocky start.

Unbeknownst to Gruden, Brown wiretapped the call and used the recording to expose the so-called desperate pleas from his hapless coach.

Contrary to his prior actions,

scripted video of him joyfully celebrating his release.

Less than a day later, Brown was recruited by the acclaimed New England Patriots.

Shortly after joining the team, Brown was accused of sexual misconduct. Despite the ongoing investigation, Brown continued to practice with the team, and as everyone attempted to put the rape allegations behind them. With a new team, a fresh start and a new mentality, what could possibly go

wrong for Brown and the Patriots’ honeymoon?

Judging by the fact Brown is retired a week after his first game, a lot.

Sure enough, a second individual came forward and accused Brown of rape, plunging Brown further and further into the depths of conspiracy theories and NFL exile. Enough was enough, for both parties apparently, and with that, Brown received his second dismissal.

In context, Brown’s future in professional football lies in the NFL’s hands. Whether they or not they decide to let Brown succumb to the trials of law enforcement, the NFL’s credibility wavers.

From the beginning, Brown has been under fire from all angles in various instances, many of which being his own doing.

With a barrage of heated tweets, threats and sexual assault allegations against him, Brown is under fire from all angles, but does this warrant a ban or any other form of punishment from the NFL? From the league’s perspective, the powerhouse must handle their former best receiver carefully, as one wrong move may result in everlasting debates and lawsuits, combined with overall negative press.

The NFL jumping the gun and placing a lifetime ban on Brown will cause immediate uproar, and will not be received any nicer if Brown is proven innocent. Players, coaches and owners such as Brown must be given lifetime bans, although, if their allegations are proven true a court of law.

However the situation plays out for NFL fans, Antonio Brown, or his accusers, this tedious situation will live on forever in the NFL community as one of the most peculiar instances of a star flaming out, ever.

GRAPHIC/DENISE THUONG