Paw Prints Weekly | Volume 52 Issue 6

A leader on and off the court, Matthew Chan’s life is anything, but dull.

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An inside look into Paw Prints Weekly from this year’s Editor-in-Chief!

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High School Musical reboot expectations with its uniqueness.

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

Paw Prints Weekly Volume 52, Issue 6 | Tuesday, January 21, 2020 | pawprintsweekly.com

2020 THE NEW DECADE

2 NEWS

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

NEWS

Wilson hosts Open House to showcase programs

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Wilson hosted its annual Open House event, showcasing various clubs, classes and programs being offered on campus on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Each program offered information at their booths to motivate new faces to join.

Catstyles Theater, Wilson Jazz Band and Voices of Wilson provided live performances in the Little Theater as well. Attendees enjoyed refreshments such as grilled cheese and cupcakes sold at trucks outside the gym.

Essentially, Associated Student Body (ASB) advisor Patricia Branconier-Habash believes the success of the event came from through preparation,

and sees changes for future years. “[To prepare], ASB met with admin to lay plans and be able to represent every organization on campus,” Habash said. “[The event went smoothly], but for next year, we would like to enhance the sound systems in the gym for the performers in the little theater.”

In addition, sophomore Aiden Chan attended the Open House to recruit basketball players, which

he hopes to gain a connection with in the future.

“I believe our booth [successfully demonstrated] the bond between Coach Allen and my teammates, and next year I [would like] to bond with new members on our team,” Chan said.

Overall, incoming freshman Arash Momenasaab feels positive about his experience at Open House.

“Everyone [at the event appeared] inviting and very friendly, making me excited about my next four years at Wilson.

[Open House] really opened up my eyes to everything at this school and I hope that I can be an active student [in the future],” Momenasaab said.

ASB will host the Sadies Hawkins dance on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Associated Student Body welcomes incoming students

By CAROL LI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Associated Student Body (ASB) hosted the annual eighth grade orientation to expose incoming freshman to programs offered at Wilson on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The event began with an introduction and performance from the Wilson Dance Company, Wilson Cheer and Royal Wilson Marching Alliance. ASB members then led tours for incoming freshman to explore the campus as well as discover clubs, sports and organizations that peaked their interest.

According to ASB vice president junior Matthew Chan,

ASB worked with administration to coordinate a smooth tour for the eighth graders.

“To prepare, [ASB] met with the administrators to create a seamless layout of the tour and decided which clubs and performers would be represented throughout the day,” Chan said.

“Although there was not much time allotted, [we] still managed to give the [incoming freshman] a taste of Wilson life.”

Furthermore, senior Ashley Ko believes the orientation offered the Science Olympiad organization a head start in recruiting new members. “[Eighth grade orientation] gave incoming freshman an opportunity to consider joining our team earlier,” Ko said. “It

also provided us a way to promote our program more effectively to students who have a passion for science.”

Through Open House, ASB member sophomore Ivy Liang envisioned her past self while interacting with the eighth graders, despite some challenges.

“The orientation was a cool experience because the incoming freshman looked just as nervous and shy as I was when entering high school,” Liang said. “Overall, this event is a success, but the eighth graders could have been more engaged during presentations in order to take advantage of this tour.”

ASB and Administration will coordinate Open House on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES - An incoming freshman poses with a club frame after signing up to join.

PHOTO/GAWHS TEAM UP FOR ST. JUDE

OPINION

The unrealistic expectations of the new year

By GARY LEE STAFF WRITER

New year’s resolutions: goals that are notorious for being difficult to accomplish.

The concept of making resolutions was said to be created by the Babylonians over 4,000 years ago. The idea behind the resolution is to promise oneself to accomplish certain goals set by the person within the year.

As suggested by the name, a

New Year’s resolution is mostly accomplished (or forgotten) within the first few months of the year. For countless people, the New Year promises of new opportunities and a fresh start of resolutions and reflections from the previous year.

Ultimately with every new year, the goals that are set often become more and more unrealistic for many reasons. In most cases, unfilled resolutions are caused by a lack of in-depth planning and time. Additionally, factors such as

education, work or life have also proven to consume the time and efforts of individuals and leave them with no time to pursue their initial aspirations.

Further, as the year goes by, people often change their personalities and interests, making the goals set at the start of the year become inapplicable if individuals have developed different priorities.

In a perfect world, if people were always able to fulfill their New Year’s resolutions, everyone would be the perfect version

of themselves. It would be the equivalent of having a flawless society; unfortunately, that is untrue as there is always a certain reason behind the downfall of the resolutions. Whether it be the reality conflicts or the sudden loss of interest, anything could easily become a roadblock to completing one’s resolution.

Although resolutions can be hard to achieve, it is still productive to create a set of goals at the start of the year to help focus oneself and improve on their

imperfections and weaknesses.

As important as a resolution may be, it is also essential to realize when it is time to let go. Just as the name implies, a New Year’s resolution is merely a desire that people seek with truly nothing binding us to the cause.

While it is often seen as impossible to depart from our goals, it is best to remember that change is inevitable and should be taken on a positive note. After all, the best part about resolutions is that you can always get back up

Markle slandered for desiring independence

By ANA-SOFIA MUÑOZ STAFF WRITER

The “difficult and dictatorial” Duchess of Sussex has finally had enough.

Since their wedding in 2018, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s relationship has been the subject of intense scrutiny by the British media. Major media outlets The Sun and BBC have spent the last several years slandering Markle, making harsh and often unproven criticisms of her every last action.

From the supposed distribution of illegal drugs at her first wedding to

former husband Trevor Engelson, to even comparing her young son Archie to a chimpanzee, the press appears to have no limits when it comes to their condemnation and disapproval of the Duchess.

The apparent smear campaign by the British press has taken an obvious toll on Markle; in an interview with Grazia Daily, she opened up about her struggles as a new mother under the pressure of both her royal duties and the severe abuse by the media. When asked about how she handles being a new mother alongside such scrutiny, Markle stated, “...as a woman, it’s a lot. So you add this on top of just

trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed… It is a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.” In a now viral clip from the interview, she adds, “Not many people have asked if I’m OK.” Unfortunately, the lack of support from other members of the royal family during the couple’s struggle in the public eye has led to what is now deemed “Megxit”. A play on the term “Brexit”, it refers to Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s recent decision to step back from their roles in the royal family. They plan to spend more time living in North America and working to support themselves, opting to no

longer receive money from British taxpayers. Unsurprisingly, the move has been ill-received by both the royal family and the British media, largely regarding it as disrespectful.

Ultimately, Markle does not deserve the damnation that she has been subjected to. The royal couple has made the right decision in choosing to remove themselves from the forefront of the royal family, even despite the negative response.

Hopefully, if the couple distracts themselves from tabloids in the United Kingdom, they will feel less pressure from the media and will be able to rebuild a successful and happy life.

tinyurl.com/ppwv53app

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly Volume 52 | Issue 6 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 Estelle Zhou ONLINE Candice Lee STAFF Ana-Sofia Munoz Claire Law Denise Thuong Devyn Kelly Gary Lee Jacob Ramos Joseph Mendoza 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 gawhspawprintsweekly@ gmail.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. Rather, all publications are written at the discretion and opinion of every staff member.

Thank you for reading!

Paw Prints Weekly

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL Afterschocks continue to shock the nation of Haiti It only took thirty seconds for Haiti’s economy, government, infrastructure, and population to be ravaged—and with ten years passing, the country has yet to recover.

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, into silence. The immediate shock evoked multiple response groups across the globe to aid the island country. With numerous countries pledging more than a total of 8.3 billion dollars in helping Haiti, it should be expected that there was at least some progress made to Haiti’s situation.

Right?

However, as today marks a decade after the disaster, Haiti has shown no signs of improvement, and even with the efforts of many non-govern ment a l organizations (NGOs), it has solemnly gotten worse. One question remains: If the donations were not used to recover Haiti’s facilities, where exactly did the money go?

While it was a global effort made by separate countries, the U.S. comes out on top for making the largest donation, hence, highly impacting Haiti. Unfortunately, however, Haiti marks yet another case of the U.S.’s lack of planning with extensive promises that were never fulfilled for years since the incident.

Ultimately, the U.S.’s several aid programs’ mistreatments of funds have played an integral role in the stagnant progression in Haiti’s recovery efforts.

Particularly,

many of the promises dedicated to Haiti’s recovery have been neglected. According to the Congressional Research Office, of the 1.6 billion donated for humanitarian relief, none of the money was allocated directly to public Haiti institutions, instead, about 40 percent went to the U.S. military.

Haiti’s United Nations deputy special envoy even reported that less than one percent of relief aid was donated to the institutions.

Essentially, this was not necessarily “aid” at all, as almost all of the funds went to foreign organizations.

Moreover, money was being spent on the wrong causes, and especially in the wrong hands. For example, since the 1990s, the Clinton Foundation has been an avid supporter of Haiti, overseeing 4.4 billion dollars that Congress designated for recovery aid by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have expressed their desire to improve Haiti’s economy through creating an infrastructure that attracts investments and creates stable jobs.

Specifically, a quarter of the money that was left was spent on a project for a new industrial park in Caracol, an area completely untouched by the earthquake. The Clinton Foundation has committed its efforts to the building of the park instead of investing in the actual problem: the damages of the earthquake.

As evidenced by the malicious usage of relief

money, it is obvious that Haiti’s situation is not improving because of unnecessary and risky investments that lead further away from the solution.

Additionally, this has also made many Haitians lose land and jobs in the process. According to the Haitian Times, thousands of farmers and families had lost their source of income and food security to make room for the Caracol Industrial Park. While families were ultimately compensated, the results showed more or less of a disappointment and a waste of time to the Clinton Foundation as the number of created jobs was only about 1.6 percent of the expected amount.

With this, the poor allocation of resources has ultimately led to Haiti’s inability to recover from the earthquake. In 2012, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed 3.67 million Haitians were suffering under a massive hunger crisis—a crisis that was the result of the U.S. food aid that helped citizens to access cheap food, but in the end, due to the U.S.’s lack of planning, it drove many Haitian farmers off the land.

Ironically, with the promise to focus on helping Haiti and the people’s needs, the U.S.’s intention to build certain infrastructures and factories that harm the environment in order to fix Haiti’s faltering economy will ultimately lead to Haiti becoming more susceptible against the looming threat of climate change.

According to In These Times, Haitian workers are paid less than six dollars a day to sew up clothing for American brands like Gap, Walmart, and Target. Although Haiti is in great need of work to revitalize the economy, however, the extremely underpaid jobs introduced many problems that include increased exposure to pollution. As a result, Haiti is forced to face severe droughts and disastrous events like Hurricane Matthew for which they are not well-prepared.

It should be noted that it is not the first time the U.S. has become the prime example that longterm help can become disadva nta geous.

The U.S. foreign aid has hindered more than helped in past situations like Haiti’s.

U.S. foreign aid causes many problems to both sides as the U.S. loses funds while the people suffer under a fraudulent government.

In addition, it loses the purpose of aiding them as long-term support can cause any country to grow dependent on the United States which prevents the country to reform and improve.

To clarify, it is likely that the best solution is to leave Haiti alone.

Of course, not by completely abandoning them, but for U.S. organizations to put in more support for Haitian institutions to help their own country.

While it is true that Haiti suffers from economic debacles and political crises, as shown in foreign aid efforts, it is unlikely that more U.S. aid groups are what Haiti needs.

ART/SHIRLEEN KWONG

4 EDITORIAL EDITORI-

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

EDITORIAL

Execution of Iranian military leader sparks crisis

A

fter Iran launched missiles at U.S. military bases in Iraq, President Donald Trump tweeted ‘All is well!’

Unsurprisingly, these words come across as hard to believe, since the current fate of the United States’ foreign relations in the Middle East is so vastly unpredictable. But the cause for such action? The assasination of top Iran general Qasem Soleimani

by U.S. hands. Tensions in the Middle East appear to be at a breaking point and will continue to escalate as Iranians retaliate against the continued pressure applied by the U.S. military.

Last Friday, the American government ordered the drone strike on Baghdad International Airport, executing Soleimani, who has now become a central figure in news as of late.

As the Trump administration scrambles to provide a valid reason for executing a foreign leader, we are left to question whether it was truly justifiable. Ultimately, if we take into consideration the action’s disastrous impact, alongside the lack of proper reasoning for doing so, the execution of Qasem Soleimani is little more than a rash decision by the hands of a warhungry administration.

Evidently, Soleimani played a crucial role in the Iranian military.

Having been involved in the Iran-Iraq war since the early 1980s, he was acknowledged as a “living martyr of the [Islamic] revolution” by Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Just like previous military conquests in the Middle East, our Capitol remains divided. But let it be

clear: the United States is not currently endowed with the capabilities or resources to deal with the potentially devastating consequences of escalating American intervention in the Middle East. Interestingly, while C on g r e s s — s p e c i f i c a l l y House Democrats—have not approved of a war in

rates have decreased by a noteworthy amount. When combined, these glaring details suggest the possibility of an ulterior motive by the Trump administration.

According to President Trump, Soleimani’s execution halted a major attack on the United States. While Soleimani

baselessness.

In their eyes, the United States has committed a heinous murder by taking out one of its most esteemed military leaders. They view his killing as an attempt to undermine both the Islamic revolution and Iranian authority. The Iranian people’s response to Soleimani’s death alone has

the Middle East, Trump is certainly exercising his war powers—an undertaking that is undeniably detrimental to the American people.

It is important to note that the Iranian crisis is occurring in the midst of President Trump’s impeachment. As a result of the events that have taken place within the last several months, the President’s approval

was undoubtedly a figure that posed a major threat to Americans, there is little evidence of the supposed plot for “imminent and sinister attacks” that Trump both insists upon and fails to provide a factual account of.

Essentially, Soleimani’s execution has been deemed an act of war by Iranians, especially due to its abrupt enactment and apparent

proven that the attack was far from worth the risks, as the prospect of additional counterattacks grows more and more imminent every day.

In spite of these repercussions, the President continues to stand by his decision. He even goes so far as to commend himself and the U.S. military for successfully carrying out the operation. Additionally,

many of his supporters have voiced their approval of the strike; at the same time, they call out Democrats who oppose the President’s action, going so far as to claim that those who denounce it side with Iranian terrorists.

More likely than not, the drone strike on Soleimani is nothing more than a failed attempt at valor, equipped to regain some semblance of support for the President as elections approach. The likelihood that the previously escalating unease in the Middle East was unbeknownst to the Trump administration is near impossible—in November of 2018, the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, reinstating previous economic sanctions that have done little more than serving to strengthen anti-American attitudes.

And in 2019, the Trump administration responded to the downing of a U.S. drone with even more sanctions, putting an even greater strain on our relations with Iran.

If the true reasoning behind the execution of Soleimani lies in President Trump’s futile efforts to re-establish himself as a trustworthy leader, his gross lack of consideration for the potential amplification of conflict with Iran has led the United States to the brink of a possible war.

As the current Iranian crisis continues to unfold, the American people can only hope that our administration acts in the interest of bettering our nation, rather than seeking to fulfill an ulterior goal.

ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

THIS WEEK’S COMIC “WHERE SANTA BLOOMS”

By HAZUKI TONOMURA

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY. JAN. 21, 2020

FEATURES

FEATURES

He is the man who can. He is Matthew Chan.

By CAROL LI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The score is tied, with seconds left on the clock. He feels the players rush past him, and with adrenaline filled confidence, decides to shoot the three-pointer. The ball swoops swiftly into the basket, and the crowd goes wild.

He’s the man who can. He is Matthew Chan.

Junior Matthew Chan is the vice president of the Associated Student Body (ASB) and participates in the Wilson Basketball program.

With many engaging extracurriculars, Chan’s life is anything but dull.

Chan’s interest in leadership stemmed from elementary school, which motivated him to join ASB in his sophomore year of high school.

“Even as a young child, I was interested in being the voice of the student body. In elementary school, I was my class representative and in middle school, I was the ASB president for two years,” Chan said. “Seeing Wilson’s ASB active involvement on campus also made me eager to become a part of the program.”

Undoubtedly, Chan believes that ASB has made his high school experience very positive, as the memories made with the organization are unforgettable. “[ASB] has made me a better leader since the program has taught me to plan for large events like homecoming,” Chan said. “The best part of ASB is the people. I am [extremely lucky] to be able to call them my second family since they have been there for me in difficult times.”

As Vice President, Chan has many ideas to offer in planning events for the student

body.

“This position allows me to organize and facilitate important events such as business days, orientations and rallies. These events ensure that students feel welcomed when they are on our campus,” Chan said.

Furthermore, Chan also invests much of his time playing basketball for the Wilson team, with his interest in the sport beginning at a very young age.

“I started playing basketball when I was four years old, and I fell in love,” Chan said. “I also enjoy watching professional basketball as well as the element of camaraderie in the sport.

Being able to play basketball is truly a blessing to me.”

This season, Chan’s hard work paid off, leading to multiple accomplishments as well as immense improvement in his basketball skills.

“Before winter break started, my team beat Los Altos High School for the first time and I scored twenty-four points, which was a great victory for me,” Chan said. “My coach was extremely proud since this was also his first time [seeing Wilson] beat Los Altos.”

Moreover, Chan sees his fellow peer as an inspiration in cultivating his own basketball style and skills. “[While playing basketball], I look up to [classmate] Ryan Uyeki. Not only is he my best friend for life, but we also play the same position and have a similar playing style, so I [often] look to him for guidance.”

In addition, Chan’s closeknit group of friends never fail to find creative ways to cheer him on and put a smile on his face.

“When I was presenting my speech as a candidate for [ASB] vice president, my friends stood in the crowd and wore shirts that spelled out my name, making me feel [very special and appreciated],” Chan said.

To balance the workload between school, ASB and basketball, Chan makes sure to

manage his free time efficiently.

“On days where I have basketball practice or ASB events at night, I will go home to finish my homework first, so I have time to focus on my [extracurriculars],” Chan said. “To re-energize, I also [occasionally] treat myself to a beauty nap for about three hours, but only if I do not have any homework.”

One particular individual in Chan’s life has always pushed him from the sidelines, giving Chan encouragement to pursue his dreams.

“The person I looked up to the most was my dad, before he passed away. Whether it was grades or basketball, he always made it clear that he cared about everything I did,” Chan said. “[For example], my dad would [make the effort] to be at every game I played to support me. When I watch the videos of my games, I can hear him cheering in the crowd, and I am grateful I had such a great [father].”

Consequently, Chan motivates others who are going through a difficult time in their life to find happiness through their loved ones. “[Some advice I would give] is to rely on [people] who [truly] care about your [well-being]. Taking care of yourself is also important, and remember that there will always be better days,” Chan said.

In the future, Chan plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in business.

“I am thinking about attending a UC college near home, and major in business to become a business consultant.”

Despite the difficulties Chan faces, he always preserves with a positive mindset and attitude; thus it is easy to see why he is so well-liked by the student body.

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6 FEATURES

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

Take some advice from our supe Sarah Parra (12) What do you like most about soccer?

“The thing I like most about soccer is [the fact] that it lets me forget about the stress I have.. I love the lifelong friendships that it has [also] given me and how much our team connects with each other.”

Why did you decide to be team captain?

“I [did not] decide to be captain, I was voted to be one by [my teammates] and the coach. I always try my hardest to lead by example and encourage the girls to do their best. [As] a captain it is your responsibility to make sure [you are] doing well as a team and make sure each individual, including yourself is doing the best they can for the [team’s] overall benefit.”

Who is your favorite Disney character?

“My favorite Disney character is Winnie The Pooh.”

Pasta or pizza?

“Why not both pizza and pasta?”

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Mia Ayala (12) Why do you like soccer?

“I like soccer because it’s been in my family forever [and I have] played since I was [four] years old. [Soccer] a fun sport where we have to work together as a team to win.”

What is the most important quality a captain should have?

“I believe that a captain has to be confident and be able to push themselves so their team can do their best.”

What is your go-to comfort food?

“My go to food is [any kind] of fruit because [it is healthy] and gives [you] a lot of energy.”

What is one superpower you wish you had? Why? “I wish I could fly because I would have a beautiful view of everything and also be able to get [to] places quicker with no one in [my] way.”

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Tyler Kam (12) Why did you decide to join basketball?

“I decided to join because it was one of my favorite hobbies growing up.”

How do you balance soccer with schoolwork and other activities?

“I try to plan out my day and make schedules to help balance my day out.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“My biggest inspiration is Kobe Bryant because he has such a great work ethic.”

What is your favorite food?

“My favorite food is spaghetti.”

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Kendra Ukita (12) What is the most rewarding part of being captain?

“The most rewarding part of being a captain is seeing all the hard work that I have put into the sport pays off.”

How do you balance basketball with schoolwork and other activities?

“I have learned to have good time management and organization skills through balancing both basketball and my schoolwork.”

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why? “Spam musubis because they remind me of the family trips I took to Hawaii.”

Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm and why?

“Disneyland, because I have a lot of fun memories with my friends from there.”

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SOME CAPTAINS WERE UNABLE TO COMMENT.

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

FEATURES

7

er cool Winter Sports Captains!

Elizabeth Chong (12) What is your favorite part about being captain?

“I am very honored to be captain again because it gives me [more] pressure to be the best that I am. I feel more connected to the coach and team as a captain, but we do not have any differences between different levels of authority [among the girls].”

What is one word to describe the team?

“One word to describe our team is family, because I have never been this close [to a team in my water polo career].

We [do not only] help each [become] stronger and smarter, [but we also] benefit from each other’s [company].”

What is your favorite food?

“My favorite food is avocado toast; it is just the best.”

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

Hannah Mizutani (10) Why do you like water polo?

“I like water polo because of the teamwork and challenges of playing and pushing yourself.”

When did you start playing water polo?

“I started playing water polo [my] freshman year.”

Who is your favorite Disney character?

“Vanellope from Wreck it Ralph.”

Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm and why?

“Knott’s [Berry Farm], because the rides are better and it is not as crowded.”

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

Sarah Limon (12) Why do you like wrestling?

“I like wrestling because it allows me to challenge myself both mentally and physically, [as well as] becoming closer with my team.”

What is the most important quality a captain should have?

“The most important quality a captain should have is to always be encouraging your [teammates] to do their best no matter who they are.”

What is one superpower you wish you had? Why? “If I could have one superpower [I would] want the ability to teleport, but only if I can take people with me. That way I can get to places much faster and be able to do all the things [I have] been wanting to do.”

What is your go-to comfort food?

“My go-to comfort food is honestly my [mom’s] breakfast burritos.

GIRLS’ WRESTLING

Sebastian Hernandez (12) What is an important trait to have when being captain?

“An important trait to have [when] being a captain is leadership and humor because when you and your team are challenged, you have to make sure to push your teammates to limits they wouldn’t cross by themselves [while] still making sure that you surpass your own limits as well.”

How has being in wrestling changed you? “ I started wrestling 3 years ago. Before high school, I never played any sports [whatsoever]. I was [also overweight] in middle school, [so] I decided to join the wrestling team in my sophomore year and it changed my perspective on being a warrior.. [Consequently] wrestling has been a huge part of my life and [has] taught me to [overcome] many challenges I face in my daily life.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“My biggest inspiration of course is Arnold Schwarzenegger. I admire his work ethic and his passion for bodybuilding, which I [also] happen to have a passion for. [I also believe that] he and I are similar in some ways.”

COMPILED BY CLAIRE LAW | PHOTOS/CANDICE LEE

8 PERSPECTIVES

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

PERSPECTIVES

Looking back on my time in Paw Prints

By EMMA CHANG EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Paw Prints, Paw Prints, Paw Prints, our staff’s up to something... woo!

If you do not recognize those lyrics, they are from the promotional video we released in 2016. Four years later, the staff of Volume 52 is in the works of filming our own promotional video and accepting applications.

Though this fact may not resonate with many people, just the idea that I, alongside our amazing staff, are carrying on the legacy of our incredible program is one that I will never get used to.

As a freshman not knowing anything about journalism or what I wanted to do in high school, I would never have imagined being Editor-in-Chief or leading the program that I have come to love so dearly. The past two and a half years have been overflowing with laughs, learning and growth and I only have the staff members of Volume 50, 51 and 52 to thank.

For the longest time, I searched for something on campus that would be my thing. Everyone I knew at the time was involved in something, whether it be a sport, dance or

art, and I could not help but feel lackluster in comparison to those around me.

Over the summer before freshman year, I had taken up tennis and attended the camp after summer school. Through this, I was introduced to Victoria, the Editor-in-Chief at the time. The title itself was so intimidating, but other than that, I did not give Paw Prints much thought.

That all changed when Victoria personally reached out to me and asked me if I was interested in applying. I had never actually considered the program, given the timing of the situation, but soon found fervently filling out an application and anxiously awaiting Victoria’s reply to schedule an interview.

From there, I did the interview and a week after starting school, I was officially enrolled in Journalism. Being one of the only two freshmen in the program, it is safe to say I was quite nervous.

At first, everything seemed like it happened all at once—deadlines, interviews, articles, editing.

Writing and editing a complete article in four days? Every week?

That is what went through my head on the very first day, along with “What had I gotten myself into?”

Despite all my prior anxiety, I quickly became immersed in the hustle culture of our program and found my own place in the well-oiled machine of Paw Prints Weekly and the staff of Volume 50. As a staff writer, a typical week consisted of receiving a section, creating a topic and spending the week crafting my article and getting interviews to have something perfect and paper-ready by Friday.

Unsurprisingly, freshman me felt overwhelmed and stressed at times, but at the end of the day, it would always be fifth period Journalism that I looked forward to. Issue after issue, article after article, the year flew by and before I realized it, it was time to prepare for banquet. In what felt like days, an entire year had passed and my

time with the staff of Volume 50 had come to an end.

Looking back, I have nothing but endless memories of laughter, learning and fun. I am so blessed and lucky to have had been a part of such a dynamic year, with such a supportive editorial board and staff. Volume 50 was also the year I truly discovered myself and my passion for sports writing.

Shocking, I know.

In actuality, I learned almost everything I know today from my Sports editor predecessor, Lourdes.

Although I was never especially close to her, I frequently wrote for the Sports section and worked with her over weekends and outside of class.

Towards the latter part of the year came our annual writing competition, the East Los Angeles Journalism Education Association (ELAJEA). Feeling like I had no preference for what I competed in, I chose News, one of the several writing sections offered for journalists at ELAJEA, only to be told by Victoria that I would be writing Sports.

Funnily enough, my section had already been decided and with that, I began to prepare. During the few preparatory weeks before the competition, I was able to really get to work with and communicate with Lourdes, who had always been nothing but kind and patient with my not always perfect writing.

In the weeks after, ELAJEA came and went and I finished with a certificate in Sports writing of all things, and on my way to compete at Southern California Journalism Education Association (SCJEA).

That year, I also placed alongside Lourdes at SCJEA. To say the least, I was ecstatic and overwhelmed with pride.

In that moment, I genuinely felt accomplished with how far I had come and even now, owe a large of this accomplishment to Lourdes’ wisdom.

In fact, her kindness and guidance would ultimately give me the courage to apply for Sports editor the following year. Once more, I found myself in front of Victoria and Eva, trying to illustrate myself as someone who had the potential to take Lourdes’ place. By some miracle, I was in fact chosen, despite my

ironic lack of sports knowledge. As Lourdes once said, the only sport I do is edit.

Eventually, the spring semester came to an end and before I knew it, banquet had come and I was listening to Victoria, Eva and the other editors give their final goodbye speeches. It was everything you would expect it to be and at the same time, something I will never forget.

In short, 2018 was one for the books.

Sophomore year came around and I found myself in an unfamiliar position once again. Being the only underclassmen editor on our board was an immense amount of pressure and I was constantly anxious and stressed. Would I be good enough? How would it feel like to be in a position of authority over upperclassmen who might have known more than I did?

Fortunately for me, our Editor-in-Chief Melanie doubled as my Co-Sports editor and was there to guide me. After the first two weeks of the year, I got back into the motions of our busy schedule. Despite the new position, I was in the program I loved and realized all my initial anxieties had no place in my role.

Amongst all of the responsibilities that accompanied my academic schedule, extracurriculars and personal life, Journalism has always been one of my anchors.

I never would have imagined myself assuming the role of Editor-in-Chief, let alone leading the entire program.

As with any organization, we have had our share of ups and downs, but I would not trade this experience for anything.

Thus, if you are reading this and considering whether or not to apply for Journalism, take it from me and give it a shot!

This program truly is a an experience you will not find anywhere else.

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

PERSPECTIVES

9

Self defense: A surprising necessity for students

By GARY LEE STAFF WRITER

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.

A battle is only as unjust as the morals that guide it.

The zero-tolerance policy—set to ensure the safety and welfare of most students in North America, prohibits any form of violence, weapons or drugs to be brought into and out of school campuses.

This rule applies to anyone who steps on campus, and violating the policy results in suspensions for students and sentencing for adults.

However, despite good intentions, the zero-tolerance policy on campuses has become unfair and unreasonable, specifically towards victims of bullying, discrimination, harassment and all other types of in-school violence.

In current times, schools have become one of the most wellknown locations of bullying.

Bullying mostly happens due to the imbalance of power among popular or older students against someone smaller or weaker.

Incidents often occur due to the more powerful student knowing that their victims will not fight back. Due to the zerotolerance policy implemented at school, taking physical action is

discouraged and shunned at even in the case of self-defense. As a result, little to no actions are taken against the bully. In fact, many students see adult intervention as more detrimental, since they believe this solution is impractical and will only increase the bullying.

For example, in a situation where a student is being bullied, what options do they have? They can either involve an adult or take

world, if a person gets into a fight, there exists a fair way to prove innocence in the cases of selfdefense. However, in many of American schools, almost nothing can be considered a fair resolution for both parties.

Imagine a hypothetical situation: a student just failed their finals, they are depressed and angry at the fact that they did, so on impulse, they started

are concerned, they were just fighting, nothing more nothing less. So after school, they were suspended, suspended without a second thought, suspended without an explanation. It did not matter who started the fight or who was the victim, it did not matter, it was still a fight, and as the zero-tolerance policy states, no violence of any kind was allowed at school.

action themselves. Sometimes neither choice is beneficial as both could either harm the student or escalate the bullying even further.

In the real world, countries outside the United States have completely opposite policies. The most major differences found within the zero-tolerance policy are the rules regarding violence within the schools. In the outside

attacking an innocent student on the playground. No eyewitnesses, no one was on the playground at the time. The student fought back, doing anything they can to survive the onslaught of the aggressor’s rage. But then as the students was about to break free from the grasp of death they were stopped, stopped by a custodian wandering around, stopped because as the custodians

Often, there is almost no way to prove innocence without evidence, no way to say that they did nothing wrong, nothing but trying to survive. This notion applies that the zero-tolerance policy can punish victims of violence if they are ever found in those types of situations, even if it was not their fault. As sad and unfair it may be it the reality

brought on by the zero-tolerance policy.

Consequently, the element of peer pressure plays a huge factor in the cycle of bullying.

It is circumstances like these that lead students to develop a hatred towards school, especially since the pleas of victims are often drowned out by the influence of the aggressor.

If self-defense were to be legalized within the zero-tolerance policy, barbaric circumstances will be averted. The less fortunate ones have a chance to defend themselves, and individuals will think twice before attacking others.

While amending the zerotolerance policy is significant, it is only one of the many steps that schools need to take in order to ensure safety for every student. By giving individuals a just system, students may find themselves feeling more secure at school. Not only will changing the policy be crucial to stopping bullies, but it also helps students to better understand and help them to prepare for the differences between school life and real life.

On paper, a ban on any and all violence sounds great and impartial, but what if some students ignore it? What can victims do if the only options they have are bad ones? Those are the questions that plague the minds of rule regulators, rule-followers and rule-breakers. It is not about how rules that stop violence affect students, it is about the rules that prevent it from happening in the first place.

ART/JOSEPH MENDOZA

The major faults of corporate jobs

By RENEE WANG STAFF WRITER

You have probably heard the mantra, “Work hard, go to school and get a good job” more than once in your life.

It is common knowledge that most people in their adolescent years are exposed to the premise that getting a good job leads to a happy life. Usually, that “good job” refers to a 9-5 corporate desk job that provides a high salary, security, and various other benefits for employees. Benefits can include health insurance and a 401K retirement plan with additional add-ons to their daily lives. All in all, it is perceived to be the best work conditions any employee could desire.

Nevertheless, although corporate life seems beneficial to families looking for longterm financial security, everyone should keep in mind that it may come at the cost of giving up certain dreams, passions and even freedom.

Essentially, getting corporate desk jobs in top companies like Amazon or Apple means studying hard and getting into a good school to be accepted. Even then, it is still difficult to get a guaranteed spot in the company. According to a

Glassdoor survey, on average each corporate job attracts 250 resumes, where 4 to 6 get an interview and only one will get the job.

So, with the struggles to get into a good school and graduate to land a corporate desk job, one question remains: was it worth it in the end?

According to the New York Times, a senior at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture Matthew Crawford states that desk work comprises a series of mindless tasks under long hours. Many ex-employees of desk jobs can agree that repetitive practice leads to incredible dissatisfaction in their work. An example of that is Evan Lundy, a former employee of a national firm handling bankruptcy cases for banks in Jackson, Mississippi. Although Lundy was successful in the eyes of his peers, he found himself tired out of corporate life, worrying about deadlines and long hours.

Many of those that work a corporate job agree that they get sick of working at a desk where you would have to crunch out numbers and wait on your manager’s next instruction. According to Forbes, an account from an employee of an anonymous company states that even when their coworkers always look bitter and unhappy,

no one will talk about it publicly.

It proves that although working at a successful company may seem prestigious, the work environment may cause damaging health effects due to the mindset of maintaining a perfect public image to coworkers. So, while the benefits of a desk job might be safe for the future, the downsides can become detrimental in the long run.

Of course, it really depends upon an individual’s financial situation and some might even find quitting a corporate job in favor of pursuing a passion to be unrealistic. However, what most people should know is that as time goes on, priorities change.

In the end, many ex-corporate employees look towards selfemployed jobs or are migrating into fields that they are personally passionate about. The differences between freelance and office jobs vary, but in the end, it all depends on your values. Some believe their hobbies are worth the risk of giving up their job. As a result, a freelance life revolves heavily around independence and creativity compared to an office job. It also benefits society as well, because rather than looking for the approval of higher-ups, self-employed jobs has led many individuals to have a more open mindset to help others.

In addition, having an office job easily allows individuals to fall into a repetitive schedule, and they may never imagine a different occupation or pursuing another dream. Work becomes easy when people are motivated, but more importantly, when you actually enjoy the work. When a job is not, work gets tiresome and feels like a chore for five days a week.

This is why many encourage an individual mindset with self-made

decisions that are not restricted in an office.

Obviously, everyone has a different opinion on what they are willing to give up, but corporate desk jobs often can be more suited to those that can take the pressure and harshness of the work culture. At the same time, it is still important to remember to explore your options first and what is best suited for you in the working field.

ART/ESTELLE ZHOU

10 ENTERTAINMENT

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

High School Musical Series makes a comeback

By COLLEEN GAPUZAN ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

“This is never going to be as good as the original.”

On Nov. 12, Disney+ released its original web television series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, based on the High School Musical film franchise.

Set at East High School where the original movies were filmed, the series revolves around a group of high school theatre students who participate in the staging of High School Musical: The Musical as their school production.

Respectively, the first season consists of 10 episodes and will be renewed for a second season premiering this November. The show stars Joshua Bassett as Ricky Bowen, Olivia Rodrigo as Nini Salazar-Roberts, Matt Cornett as E.J Caswell, Sofia Wylie as Gina Porter and many others.

In an unexpected turn of events, the series cancels out all negative assumptions and takes on a unique concept mixed with the iconic nostalgia Disney Channel fans grew up with.

To start off, the show’s unique premise captured the attention of both High School Musical fans and non-musical enthusiasts alike. Fans were quick to applaud

the creative diversity of the cast, which elevated the show’s originality. For example, there are multiple characters within the LGBTQ+ community such as Carlos Rodrigo, player by Frankie Rodriguez, the production choreographer who assists Miss

provide a stepping stone for LGBTQ+ representation, in which the audience were amazed by especially being in a Disney original series. In addition, viewers commended how the cast included a wide range of diverse individuals instead of limiting to your standard

songs were introduced to engage the audience, such as “I Think I Kinda You Know,” “All I Want,” “Wondering,” “Just For a Moment” and so many more.

Not only are the songs relatable to viewers individually, but also stand out due to the hidden fact

Jenn, East High’s new drama teacher. Rodriguez is accompanied

by Joe Serafini, cast as Seb Matthew-Smith. Not to mention, protagonist Nini’s lesbian mothers also play a part in Nini’s journey as she discovers her newfound confidence in theatre.

In essence, these characters

white cast. Due to this factor, fans nationwide were able to appreciate the series’ inclusivity and realistic approach to high school.

Additionally, what really sets the show apart from any ordinary remake is the production’s soundtrack. Throughout the series, a variety of new brilliant

that some songs were written by the cast members themselves.

For instance, actress Olivia Rodrigo who plays Nini wrote an original songs titled “All I Want”, which was a heartfelt love ballad about her past relationships. The audience is not only able to witness her exceptional talent as a singer,

but as a budding songwriter as well.

Moreover, actor Joshua Bassett co-wrote the series finale song titled “Just For a Moment” with Rodrigo centering around their “showmance” and their hidden feelings for one another. Fans nationwide are able to appreciate the distinct chemistry between the two leads and anticipated closure to the storyline until the very last “moment.”

Subsequently, the songs only aid to solidify the show’s superiority and is represented through each and every character’s acting.

For example, newcomer Bassett portrayed such a charismatic lover boy in which fans were able to root for in his quest to win back the girl of his dreams. Not to mention, the fact that he improvised the final “I love you” scene in the last episode with Rodrigo closed off the season in the best way possible, while exceptionally demonstrating his versatility as an actor.

In summation, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series fully surpasses fans’ expectations by not only producing such a unique and creative spin-off, but by also paying homage to the original films.

Once a wildcat, always a wildcat.

GRAPHIC/DENISE THUONG

Travis Scott’s JACKBOYS take over the music scene

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

JACKBOYS on the loose!

Releasing debut album, JACKBOYS on Dec. 26, rapper Travis Scott, also known as La Flame, firmly cemented himself as next up on the rap genre’s ever-changing music scene. For Scott’s labelmates, JACKBOYS served as an introduction to hip-hop’s mainstream.

Not long after the album’s debut, Scott announced the beginning of JackBoys, his self-made record label, featuring new artists Don Toliver, Sheck Wes and Chase B. JackBoys is headed by Travis Scott, the very hiphop megastar who flew to the top with hit albums such as Astroworld and Rodeo.

Scott has made a name for himself off of drooly synths, perfectly tuned sounds and his signature adlibs which all preface his trademark style of rapping. The rappers he has chosen to collaborate with share similar traits of Scott. JACKBOYS is the culmination of wide eyed recruits influenced by Travis Scott’s vision.

Naturally, the other members of JackBoys are still in the process of finding their own styles. In the same way Kanye West mentored him earlier in his career, Scott is bringing in a new generation of artists.

Without a doubt, the most impressive take away from the JACKBOYS album is how Scott transcended simply from being a feature on a Kanye collab album.

La Flame quite literally paid it back to the music industry by making an album similar to Cruel Summer, the collab album by Ye that featured Scott and put him on the music scene.

JACKBOYS began with a remix of Travis Scott’s newest hit

Following “GANG GANG” is “HAD ENOUGH,” the fourth and possibly the best track on the album.

Featuring Don Toliver, Quavo and Offset, “HAD ENOUGH” takes listeners on a melodic trip as the three artists serenade a girl who has simply “had enough” of their antics.

the next track on the album nicely.

On the sixth track on JACKBOYS, “WHAT TO DO,” Don Toliver returns in a triumphant fashion, delivering a solid verse and chorus that bridges a continuation from “HAD ENOUGH.” Scott decisively makes another appearance

song “Highest in the Room,” which features the original lyrics along with a new set of verses sung by Rosalia and Lil Baby. The remix is a solid reminder of Scott’s musical compatibility artists.

Then, the album then transitions to “GANG GANG,” a lullaby-like track which uniquely features the entire JackBoys label. The song is said to have brought Don Toliver and Sheck Wes back from “the mud” and illustrates the perfect introduction to the label.

Although Quavo and Offset are considered some of the biggest names in hip-hop, it has become perfectly clear that newcomer, Don Toliver, outshined them this time as Toliver’s infectious voice meshes perfectly with the TrackMan88 produced beat.

The fifth track, “OUT WEST,” is a classic collaboration track featuring Scott and close friend, Young Thug. The song symbolizes Scott and Thugger’s solid musical tandem, as always, while setting up

for a short verse in the song, simply compliment Don Toliver’s complete takeover of the track.

Finally, the seventh and final track of the album, “GATTI,” features Scott and New York rapper PopSmoke. Despite the album’s earlier successes, Scott definitely missed the mark with the song, delivering all but subpar verses to round off the album. Bars with no meaning haunted the song, with awkward delivery from PopSmoke especially.

From a musical standpoint, through JACKBOYS, Scott and his crew have mixed a new bonafide talent in the form of Toliver, Thug and the label. The notable absence of Scott was striking, but in light of his presence, Toliver took control. In fact, Toliver was widely seen as the alpha of this album, as he took up a large part of the track time.

Of course, critics were quick to point out that JACKBOYS as a whole did not feature too much of Travis Scott, even though it is his album. Although Scott is only a large part in three of the seven tracks, the dimming of his own spotlight brightens that of his apprentices.

Clearly, Scott decisively chose to release a seven track album in hopes to provide recognition for sources other than himself.

Ultimately, what many fans ultimately failed to see was Scott designed this album to outdo himself.

It will certainly be an experience to see if JackBoys has the potential to reach the same level as Kanye West’s label, especially since Travis Scott got his start on West’s label, Def Jam Music Group. It will also be a feat to witness if JACKBOYS can replicate Def Jam’s success because Scott definitely has the image, presence and leadership to take his apprentices to the next level.

Overall, JACKBOYS is a massive success in introducing various new names to the rap scene, and firmly placed Travis Scott among the acclaimed Kanye West and Jay-Z. GRAPHIC/DEVYN KELLY

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

Paw Prints Weekly

OPINION

11

12 SPORTS

Paw Prints Weekly

TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020

SPORTS Girls’ waterpolo swiftly bests Baldwin Park HS

By CLAIRE LAW STAFF WRITER

On Monday, Jan. 13, girls’ water polo defeated Baldwin Park HS with a score of 19-1.

The match signified the girls’ first league victory of the season.

With a renewed fervor, the team hopes to continue their success for the remainder of the season.

Despite the team’s overall victory, captain Elizabeth Chong (12) believes there is still room for improvement, based on the team’s performance.

“I believe we should have a more organized [team dynamic],” Chong said. “Our offense and defense were both a little shaky [and] we can improve on that.”

In addition, wing player Allison Wibowo (10) perceived the team’s preparations as a crucial contributor to the team’s victory.

“My teammates and I prepared for the game by [reviewing] our strengths [and weaknesses]. We also considered what plays we were going to execute during the match,” Wibowo said. “[Finally], I practiced counter spins and low

corner shots.”

Overall, wing player Kaitlyn Cheng (9) is confident in her team’s abilities and is hopeful for the future.

“I felt really happy after the game because we did [well] as a team,” Cheng said. “This match is especially [symbolic] because it is our first victory in the league playoffs.”

The girls’ water polo team will face off against Rowland HS in their next league match on IN THE WATER- In a crucial moment against the tide, Wednesday, Jan. 22.

No. 17 reaches for the ball against the ball.

PHOTO/WILSON ATHLETICS

COMMENTARY

Wild Card Weekend continues successful legacy

By JACOB RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Wild Card Weekend certainly lived up to its name.

Beginning in 1978, the National Football League (NFL) has hosted its annual Wild Card Weekend, a series of playoff matches to showcase the six runner-up teams who did not succeed in their division, but still held onto their spot in the playoffs.

Initially, twelve competitors are each assigned a “seed” and ranked from 1-6, based on their qualifying record. Teams ranked Seeds 3-6 will then compete in either the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) in an extra week of playoff football.

During these playoffs, each team competes for a spot in the successive round against the top two seeds, ranked first and second.

Seeded from 3-6 in the AFC sit the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans, respectively.

In the NFC, seeds 3-6 are the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings respectively.

Based on their records, I set my sights on the Bills, Patriots, Vikings and Seahawks.

The action kicked off with the first playoff game of the AFC, featuring the Bills (5) against the Texans (4). The Bills got off to a stellar start, putting 16 points on the board against the stifled Texans. Fortunately for the Texans faithful, the latter pulled through and brought the game into sudden death overtime, where the Texans decisively made their kick and advanced to play another game.

In the next and most shocking match of the AFC, the Tennessee

Titans (6) headed off against the New England Patriots (3).

The game itself was a defensive slugfest and seldom did stars shine throughout, dominated primarily

by Titans’ running back Derrick Henry, who ran over 180 yards and ultimately decimated the Patriots defense. Paired with Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill,

fate.

The Patriots’ future was soon called into question after the loss, with star quarterback Tom Brady heading into free agency and a myriad of other potential problems stemming from a mid season scandal regarding video cameras haunting the Pats. By these means, Vrabel exposed a loophole within

round. The Texans will play the Kansas City Chiefs as a result of the shocking upset which happened in Foxborough.

Meanwhile, the NFC playoffs launched with the Minnesota Vikings (6) headed to New Orleans to play the Saints (3). While the game’s ending was much less history fueled and controversial as

Henry and the Titans handed the Patriots their first wildcard loss and first playoff loss of the decade.

Unsurprisingly, Titan’s head coach, Mike Vrabel is no stranger to playoff games, having played for Patriots coach Bill Belichick in the 2000’s. This experience proved crucial after a rushed possession forced the Patriots’ Tom Brady to punt the ball back to the Titans and after a clutch defensive stop, the Titans intercepted the greatest passer ever, sealing the Patriot’s

the NFL rules that allows for consecutive penalties which occur outside of the five minute mark to keep the game clock ticking, taking over a minute off the game clock.

In spite of this exposure, the NFL has yet to comment on the state of the loophole and is unlikely to change the rule based on prior occurrences.

As for the Titans, they head to Baltimore to play the surging Ravens in the AFC Divisional

opposed to its AFC counterparts, the result was similarly shocking as the Vikings pulled off the upset on the Saints, courtesy of a last second touchdown thrown by Kirk Cousins.

Although it may have been star running back Dalvin Cook who had the most touchdowns in the game and shined the brightest for the Vikings, undoubtedly the biggest takeaway from the game was that Kyle Rudolph is a legitimate weapon to look to at

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the tight end position. Rudolph lined up opposite from the Saints’ cornerback P.J. Williams and simply outmuscled and outsized him on the way to his fourth and most important catch of the day, sending the Saints home and the Vikings on their way to play the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara this Sunday.

In the final game of the Wild Card Weekend, the Seattle Seahawks (5) traveled to Philadelphia to handle the bruised and battered Eagles (4) in a showing of resilience. The Seahawks unintentionally took out the Eagles’ franchise star quarterback Carson Wentz on a legal blow to the head, almost effectively taking Philadelphia out of the game. In a relatively lackluster game, Seattle pushed the tempo running and throwing, but only mustered 17 points in total against an injury decimated Eagles team. Questions about Carson Wentz’s durability understandable arose, along with the Eagles tight end corps and linemen. As for Seattle, receiver D.K Metcalf, quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch all had solid games in what should serve as a tuneup for next week’s divisional round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

As for me, I was slightly lucky one of my upset picks for the weekend turned out to be correct.

With the Vikings and Seahawks winning their games, I turned out to be 2/4 in my picks. As for next week’s divisional matchups, I have the 49ers, Chiefs, Titans and Packers all advancing to either the AFC or NFC Championship games.

Where the most surprising outcome came was definitely the Patriots losing their matchup against the Titans. Amongst the other considerably calm matches, it is clear