THE BRAVE Vol. XVII, No. 3 ∙ December 14th, 2017 ∙ St. John Bosco High School 13460 S. Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower CA ∙ Bosco.org
A Christmas Issue O’ CHRISTMAS TREE By CHRIS ABARQUEZ Journalist | Junior ‘19
Every December, the ASB and Youth Ministry teams invite friends and family from the Bosco Community to enjoy the upcoming holiday season by attending Bosco’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. “The event started when we were looking at a commercial for bringing a 50-foot Christmas Tree to Rockefeller Center in New York, and one of the students suggested that we should do that by bringing a 30 or 50-foot Christmas tree to Bosco,” said CYM and Activities Director Mr. Adán Jaramillo. During the ceremony, the quad, decorated with beautiful Christmas lights, was open for friends and family to drink hot chocolate and have a relaxing dinner. This year, the dinner consisted of pasta, lasagna, pizza, sandwiches, and a large variety of desserts. While guests were enjoying their dinner, [SEE AROUND BOSCO, A4]
Photo Courtesy of Raymond Rojo | Senior Class of 2018
A Student Led Publication
BRAVE STADIUM UPDATE By ETHAN PIECHOTA Sports Editor | Junior ‘19
Around a month ago, St. John Bosco High School received excellent news. After months of fundraising, planning, and preparation, the school finally received approval to begin construction on the state-of-the-art athletic stadium being built for the use of many major athletic teams at Bosco. This stadium will be used by the football team, soccer team, lacrosse team, rugby team, cross country team, and track team for the start of the 2018 sports season, if all goes according to plan. This beautiful to-be stadium will change Bosco and our overall identity for the better. “The projected completion date [for the stadium] is [set for] July 1st of 2018. We will be playing football games in
there coming this fall, 2018. We hope to have 5-6 home games there next year,” says head Athletic Director, Mo n t y Mc D e r m o t t . There is a constant buzz of optimism surrounding this astounding turning point in Bosco's history as the stadium is renewed. Such a renewal will complete and tie in the home-school-churchand playground ideology that Bosco believed in. Instead of having to travel to El Camino or Cerritos College for home games, the stadium will finally be on campus and serviceable for all students. The stadium will truly be a state-of-theart project. It projects to be near the top of all high school facilities in Southern California based on its sheer value and many features.
The Journey
Raymond Rojo
Editor-in-Chief Senior ‘18
“As a Brave family, let us listen and walk together on our journey.” Every year, millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions and, by February, about 80 percent of them have already failed to keep them (myself included). Whether it’s due to a lack of motivation in keeping a resolution or simply setting unrealistic expectations, let us leave that behind this upcoming New Year and set several small, simple goals and that can help us grow as a community here at Bosco and at home. As we approach the Season of Advent and the beginning of a new school year, I ask that you think of this time as a chance to spend with your family, away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday tasks we so very much deserve a break from. Let us begin the New Year with family and friends, focusing on all the events that we experienced this past year, learning from them and building ourselves from these events. Let us continue to remember of what we are thankful for in our lives, and that this season is not just about the gifts and receiving them, but rather the time we get to spend with family and friends, and a gift of giving to others that reminds us of our humanity.
IN THIS EDITION
Photos provided by Scott Varley, Press-Telegram/SCNG | visit http://www.presstelegram.com/2017/11/15/ st-john-bosco-breaks-ground-on-new-football-stadium/
Review: Donald Trump Winter Transitions OPINION: CA Gas Tax Fall Sports Review See A2
See A5
See A6
See B9
NEWS
A2
December 14, 2017
Politics: Reviewing the Year of President Donald Trump
By MARK MCDERMOTT Editor-in-Chief | Senior ‘18
[EDITORIAL]
President Trump stunned the world with his election victory one year ago – somehow, through noisemaking and some legitimate ideas, Trump found votes in the crucial states. But where does the nation stand now on the key issues we face? As with Trump himself, there is good news and bad news. Bad news first. Trump’s Twitter election campaigns was in some ways genius, keeping him in the news and relevant. But to do this he essentially provided his presidency with a ball and chain in the form of Congress. Most of his own party in Congress wants to stay away from
him, naturally prompting insulting Twitter barrages. It has crippled some of the foundations of his campaign. The travel ban shows this perfectly. On paper, the revised travel ban is within the president’s powers – as the Supreme Court ruled – restricting travel of those from certain countries from entering the United States; under another president, this might have been accepted. The problem comes from Trump’s campaign speeches, where he called for ending the entry of Muslims. The campaign form of the idea is not legal, feasible, or acceptable, and thus when the actual and correct form of the order is signed, it faces
serious opposition because it is framed in the context of the comments that attracted attention in the election. Health care and tax reform have also not been passed, although the partisan wrangling in Congress would have occurred with or without Trump. Even so, the president has done a poor job of mediating between the two sides because he perceived as radioactive by the Democrats and a time bomb by the Republicans; he does little to alleviate their fears. With Roy Moore's loss of a Republican Senate seat in Alabama shows conscientious voting, but also represents a major
defeat for Trump and the Republican party. Not only will Trump now have to face the political consequences of endorsing such a flawed candidate as Moore, but the narrow Republican Senate majority is weakened further. This will only worsen the deadlock, and unless Republicans can somehow make a major breakthrough in 2018, the key issues facing America will not be effectively addressed by either party because of the presidential veto or congressional stalemate. And then Russia. It is certainly disappointing that Trump didn’t vet his national security advisor more thoroughly, but in fairness,
he fired him rather quickly. Needless to say, none of this looks good for the President. Even so, as the investigations continue, Trump hardly looks guiltier than he looked the day before. None of this negates the humiliation of having the head of state subject to strong internal inquiries and even the threat of foreign interference is disturbing. Even more disturbing, however, is the disregard of the media for any semblance of journalistic standards in verifying stories published, which undermines the foundations [SEE DONALD TRUMP REVIEW OP-ED, A6]
Politics: Reviewing the Abuse Scandals Contribution from Our Sister School A dark side of American society has been dramatically exposed through a widespread movement to oppose sexual assault and exploitation in the workplace, starting with the trial of Harvey Weinstein expanding from Hollywood into Washington. St. John Bosco High School, in its mission to educate young men in the values of the Church and of Don Bosco, recognizes the importance of these messages, and invited Sophia Flores from our sister school, St. Joseph High School, to reflect upon recent events.
Sexual assault, as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary, is the “illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (such as doctor) in a position of trust or authority.” In America, there are about 321,500 victims of rape and sexual assault who are above the age of twelve. 54% of women between the ages of 18-34 are sexually assaulted. I am turning eighteen next year and the
By SOPHIA FLORES Contributing Writer ~ St. Joseph High School
thought of this statistic scares me, especially because I hope to move out of state for college next fall. Among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation. This makes it almost impossible for students to finish off their schooling, because of the pure fear that sexual assault leads to. “The scary thing is that it can happen to anyone. It could be a complete stranger or someone you’ve trusted completely, but regardless, both are equally terrifying,” Vanessa Burch, a
senior at Saint Joseph High School says. People who are sexually assaulted also have a higher probability of suffering from mental health issues after the fact. As the youth in our generation, it is our job to fix what others have not. “It’s sad to know how many of my closest friends are constantly in danger of being exploited, the stories I hear sicken me.” Spencer Moore a senior at Saint John Bosco High School states. These victims could be your cousins, sisters, friends, and even mothers. Speak up and out against sexual assault.
Current Events in the World Today
1. Doug Jones claims an Alabama Senate seat — a Democratic win in the reddest of red Republican states — Trump's critics plan to hang his support of Moore around his neck for months and maybe years to come. 2. A deal was made on legislation to overhaul the tax code — but they refused to release details amid reports tax rates would increase for corporations and drop for people with the highest income. The legislation, which is still being finalized, would cut the top tax rate for the wealthy from 39.6% to 37%, lower the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% percent — an up-tick from 20% that has been in earlier House and Senate plans — and allow homeowners to deduct interest only on the first $750,000 of a new mortgage, according to The Associated Press. 3. California firefighters gain on blaze amid wind threat — Southern California firefighters continued working to contain the fifth largest fire in the state's history but warned that some communities are still at risk and could be in greater danger if unpredictable winds whip up again and fan the flames. 4. NYC bombing suspect makes 1st court appearance from a hospital bed — The man accused of detonating an explosive in a New York City subway passageway, only causing serious injury to himself, made his initial appearance before a federal judge today via video from his hospital bed.
December 14, 2017
Suicide Prevention
By RYAN LINGSANGAN Journalist | Junior ‘19 Three weeks ago, St. John Bosco held a Suicide Prevention assembly at the gym for the students. The speaker of the event was Luke Maxwell, founder of the website "U Can't B Erased". He travels to many schools, spreading the idea of suicide awareness and prevention. Suicide has the ability to drastically change a person’s life, especially family members. After the shock to the Bosco community from the tragic suicide of an incoming freshman, the administration took measures, including this assembly, to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Mr. Jaramillo, organizer of the event, hoped to ingrain the idea that suicide is a serious issue and everyone can be affected by it by starting with the Suicide Prevention assembly. “The speaker gave us what the warning signs are and what to do. These were the warning signs: isolation, being reserved, depression. How to approach it is to talk to someone,” said Mr. Jaramillo. But most importantly, he emphasized, is that a student should know how to handle another student who may be depressed. After seeing the signs of depression discussed in the assembly, the student should be able to communicate with him and then get help from either the school or parents. Samuel Betancourt, a junior, said, “The Suicide Prevention assembly was one of the best [SEE SUICIDE PREVENTION AROUND BOSCO, A4]
Previous Issue - Retraction The article “A Schedule Change” in our October edition mistakenly stated that Bosco officially plans to move to a “4 by 4” schedule next year. This system is only in the consideration phase and may or may not be implemented in the 2018-2019 school year. We apologize for this error. -Mark McDermott Editor-in-Chief
NEWS
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Sports Update
NBA Rookie Class Has A Major Upside Sports Columnist & Editor: Ethan Piechota ‘19
The 2017 NBA rookie class is extremely special, just as everyone anticipated. The entire class has shown superstar potential and tremendous upside throughout the first 30 or so games of the NBA regular season. Immediate stars have emerged, such as 2016 first overall pick, Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, 2017 third overall pick, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and 2017 top ten pick, Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks. Late 2017 first round picks such as Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers have been excellent as well. The first overall selection in 2017 – Markelle Fultz – hasn’t even been healthy yet. The second overall selection in 2017 – Lonzo Ball – hasn’t shown his true potential so far this season. This rookie class can and will be extremely special for years to come, as they represent the new generation of NBA superstars. Below is the current NBA rookie ladder, based on the play of the most impressive rookies of this class so far. __________________________________________________ 1. PG Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers) – Simmons has been even better than advertised in his rookie season thus far. Drawing comparisons out of college to Magic Johnson and even LeBron James, Simmons has lived up to the hype and is taking the league by storm. The 6’10 point guard is averaging 18 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, 7.7 assists per game, and 2.1 steals per game. He already has one Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honor under his belt, and is the clear favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year. 2. F Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers) – Kuzma has gotten off to a tremendous start in the NBA. From spending all 4 years at the University of Utah to barely sneaking in the first round of the NBA Draft, Kuzma has emerged as a future star and pure scorer in this league. He has a Western Conference Rookie of the Month honor to his name already, and is currently averaging 16 PPG and 6.7 RPG. 3. F Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) – Tatum was advertised as a pure scorer fresh off just one season at Duke University, drawing comparisons to Carmelo Anthony. This guided him to be the number three overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum has shown every bit of this scoring ability already, emerging into a key player for the East-leading Boston Celtics. He currently averages 13.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG, while shooting 50% from the field. 4. SG Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz) – Mitchell has been excellent out of Louisville this year. He dropped 50 points in a game not too long ago, and has exceeded everyone’s exceptions as the 14th overall pick. Mitchell continues to impress as a violent defender and attacker on the Utah Jazz, averaging 17.3 PPG, 3 RPG, and 3.2 APG. 5. PG Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks) – Dennis Smith Jr. may be the next Russell Westbrook. His attacking play and finishing around the rim will probably land him in the NBA Dunk Contest this season, as he is doing amazing thus far. As the 9th overall pick out of NC State, he is averaging 14 PPG and 7.7 APG.
Current Events in the World Today 5. Geminid meteor shower could be the year's best, scientists say — a good treat for all skywatchers tonight. The annual Geminid meteor shower that will streak across the night sky will be one of the best of the year. The Geminid meteors are expected to peak overnight. With good weather conditions, the cosmic display can be seen between 7:30 p.m. and dawn local time. The largest number of meteors will be visible between midnight and 4 a.m. local time, according to NASA. 6. U.N.'s Guterres warns against 'sleepwalking' into war over North Korea — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warning against the danger of “sleepwalking” into war, said on Thursday that Security Council resolutions on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs must be fully implemented by Pyongyang and other countries. 7. Russian delegation arrives in North Korea as Tillerson softens U.S. stance — A Russian delegation has arrived in North Korea, state media said Wednesday, hours after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicated the United States is open to talks with Kim Jong Un's government without preconditions. 8. Allies of Syrian rebel factions claimed they broke a government siege of the country's second biggest city — Damascus denied this, saying the rebels had been pushed back after intense air strikes by pro-government forces. The UN launched an investigation into claims that a toxic gas - believed to be chlorine - was used by pro-government forces in an attack on Aleppo's rebel-held areas.
AROUND BOSCO
A4
Traditions: The Christmas Tree Lighting By CHRIS ABARQUEZ Journalist | Junior ‘19
December 14, 2017
Photo Courtesy of Raymond Rojo | Senior Class of 2018
[Cont’d from COVER]
the St. John Bosco’s jazz band performed live Christmas music. Normally, the event coincides with the Christmas Concert. After eating, people are invited to the Christmas Concert. But this year, the Christmas Tree Lighting and the band performances were combined. “St. John Bosco himself always advocated for hope; this event is more than just the lighting of a Christmas tree, but [it] represents the start of Advent, Christmas, and hope,” said Mr. Jaramillo. Because of this, a prayer service before the countdown to the tree lighting was added to mark the start of Advent. For next year, there are plans for incorporating other schools, such as St. Dominic Savio and St. Maria Goretti, to have an event for the local Salesian community. There are also plans for offering service hours for students who help set up the event. Mr. Fabiero, the new Band Director, said, “It was a nice event; I enjoyed the food and the reception. Having been here for only a couple of months, it is really neat to see all the traditions that Bosco has, and I am looking forward to taking part in more of them.”
The St. John Bosco Blood Drive In 2015, James Harrison became a world record holder for making his 1,100th blood donation— saving an estimated 2 million babies throughout the world. While many may wince at the thought of getting poked more than a thousand times, one pint, one needle, is all it takes to save a life. On November 16 th , approximately seventy of our own Bosco Braves donated to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s blood drive. That makes the percentage of eligible donors who donated here at Bosco greater than the national average of eligible donors who give blood—that is, more than 10 percent. Although this is indeed an accomplishment to be joyful about, according to American Red Cross, every two seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion. That means there is and always will be a demand for volunteers who are willing to donate. Certainly, we here at Bosco can do better! Derrick Salladay, chair of Christian Service, who is responsible for the organization of the blood drive and is a regular donor himself, says in retrospect, “By donating blood, our student body can reflect the principals of Saint John Bosco [and] as Catholics, the idea of
By KEVIN VARGAS Journalist | Senior ‘18 giving to others and maybe saving lives.” Nick Eaton, member of yearbook and a first-time blood donor, reflects, “The needle wasn't the most fun part, but it felt great to donate to people in need.” While the American Red Cross and other organizations seek out for new and recurring volunteers like Nick Eaton and Derrick Salladay, it has been a challenge to find motivated individuals who are willing to lend a vein. That is why in January since 1970, the American Red Cross has commemorated National Blood Donor Month and other campaigns to promote awareness for donating blood. However, the necessity of blood donors is not exclusive to the United States. Recent studies have shown that developing countries are much more vulnerable to a shortage of blood donations than already developed countries like the U.S. This issue is especially fatal for African children who suffer from malaria, the leading cause of death for children under five in Africa, and who may not be able to receive a transfusion due to supply shortages. Furthermore, developing countries have to hassle with out of date equipment that
prevents detection of infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis— to name a few. As a result, according to the World Health Organization, up to four million people every year are infected with HIV due to unsafe transfusions. To take a step in the right direction, we here at Bosco must emphasize the impact we make at the local level, so as to put into perspective the possible impact we all can make at the global level. At this year’s blood drive, the Bosco community saved as many as 140 lives! In fact, Mr. Liu, coordinator of Christian Service, plans on continuing our annual blood drive for this exact reason. He says, “Bosco has been hosting a blood drive for years; we definitely plan on hosting another [blood] drive in the Spring of 2018, and in future years.” As healthy “blood makers” are depended upon by millions of patients, who otherwise would become another fatal statistic. Next year’s goal: save more than 200 lives! When comparing Bosco’s numbers of donors to the national percentage of eligible donors who donate —that is, 10%—the Bosco community surpassed expectations.
Suicide Prevention By RYAN LINGSANGAN Journalist Junior ‘19
[Cont’d from COVER]
assemblies we could have had at Bosco. I think that assembly helped many people.” There are also many resources to help treat students suffering from depression. As Luke Maxwell said, these students just want to be heard and need an outlet to talk about their feelings and receive comfort. The counselors at Bosco especially are equipped with the knowledge to help students and put them toward recovery. The Suicide Hotline is always available to connect the user to a crisis center for treatment. Suicide is a very serious problem in our world today. The CDC reported that the suicide rates for males aged 15-19 years was 12.0 to 18.1 per 100,000 population from 1975 to 1990. It declined to 10.8 by 2007, and then increased to 14.2 by 2015. As suicide rates are beginning to increase, and those who may be depressed are afraid to talk about their problems. That is why things need to change. Maxwell’s mission, and what should be our mission as well, is to “help people recognize their problems, overcome them, and be unashamed of them, and that means taking a bad experience and turning it into something good.”
BRAVE VOICES
December 14, 2017 The following are written by
CONNOR CARTLEDGE Journalist | Senior ‘18
The Lavardashians?
We have all most likely have heard of the Kardashians, the controversial family that has dominated the reality TV stage for nearly a decade. They have attained a great amount of wealth and success through their outlandish and hustling behavior. While their weekly episodes still average a little over three million viewers, perhaps it is time for the Kardashian Dynasty to step aside, and make room for a new family, the Ball Family. The Ball Family has perfected the formula for fame. Through just the right amount of lavishness, commentary, and skill, it appears you can’t go a week without seeing their name in the headlines, especially with the latest controversy regarding LiAngelo Ball’s incident overseas. Regardless of his actions and intentions, this has been covered on news sources throughout the world, and it has contributed to the increasing popularity of the family. Much like the Kardashians, the Ball Family has grown to fame through eccentric and outspoken behavior, mainly displayed by the head of the family, Lavar Ball. While some may think that his comments are out of line and have no place in the world of sports entertainment, others believe Lavar’s attraction and popularity is ingenious. Aside from the skill of the three Ball brothers: LaMelo, LiAngelo, and Lonzo, the Ball Family has a number of attributions that have contributed to their success, one of which is their line of merchandise--Big Baller Brand. The Big Baller Brand can be compared to the Kardashians' line of retail, as well as other exclusive brands, such as those located on
Fairfax. What separates them from others, however, is their decision to only do popup shops. This promotes selectiveness and chic, which results in a comparison to luxury. But brand selectivity can only take one so far, and there are more aspects to fame that are equally as important, such as behavior. It is no surprise that unique and distinctive behavior attracts attention. For the most part, the Ball brothers have maintained a moderate behavioral pattern, something that is expected of an athlete. Their father, however, says otherwise. Lavar has made headlines multiple times with his comments regarding his skill back in his day, arguably comparing himself to some of NBA’s legends. While his comments may be regarded as idiotic and reckless, it has no doubt attracted attention to his family name. The Ball Family has their own reality TV show as well. Highlighting the life of the Ball Brothers beyond the courts, the series focuses on their everyday lives, family vacations, and love interests. Having seen a few of the episodes, I can confidently say that it is truly a male version of "Keeping Up with The Kardashians." As sad as it may seem, the way to fame and success in today’s day and age is through attention. Gone are the days when hard work and determination, combined with a little bit of luck, matter. Some call it arrogance, I call it ingenuity. The Ball Family has followed in the footsteps of the Kardashians, and are on the way to becoming one of the most popular modern-day families.
Gas Tax is Hard on Students
As the 3rd largest state in the United States, the need for transportation across California is essential. For those who can afford a car, it is often a financial burden to keep up with payments and maintenance, especially for students. For those who are able to own a vehicle, the increase in gas prices is noticeably high, and shows no signs of slowing down. Some students have time to get part-time jobs to help with the costs and coverage, but others are involved in sports and extracurricular activities. To get through the week, they need low gas taxes. “Having the responsibility
to pay for my own gas, the tax really puts a financial burden on myself. Having a budget is crucial, as I am going to have to factor in an extra tax and make it manageable,” says Senior Matthew Pennala. College applications can cost upwards of $80 per submission, not including sending official test scores through college board. These fees add up quickly, and a price increase in gas makes it very difficult for some students to manage. If raising the gas tax causes a financial burden, why do it? For a multitude of reasons, gas prices fluctuate each year, especially during the seasons. Usually, winter
mixes of gasoline are cheaper then summer mixes in California. This year however, the gas tax increase is for helping fix state roads and bridges, improving public transportation congestion, and creating more bike lanes. While some may look at the gas tax as less money in our pockets, others look ahead to the future during next year’s political elections. Candidates with ideas and visions pertaining to lowering the gas tax will have a significant advantage in the polls, as the majority of California is at least mildly affected by the tax. While the majority of
A5
WINTER TRANSITIONS By RJ JOHNSON Journalist Junior ‘19
The Holiday Season is here! No matter your age or circumstances, you are will want to rejoice once you meet that family member you haven’t seen in a while. Coming off a bountiful Thanksgiving feast, we are getting straight into winter. Being natives of Southern California, snow is definitely something we won’t have to be worrying about. Something we do have to worry about is more of our sunlight being taken away. Our days are shorter and nights are longer, with the sun going down around 4:30 some days. This takes a major toll on the body, demanding time to adjust to new weather and time patterns. This is a very common time of the year to catch a cold and this is something high school students should be especially aware of. With winter sports such as basketball, soccer, wrestling, and rugby preparing to start at Bosco, athletes have to adjust to the weather faster than everyone else. Sports might be a huge part of this time of the year, but an even larger part is finals! Everyone has papers to do, work to turn in, and teachers who are rightfully tired of their students' nonsense. “Since Christmas is around the corner, I get that push or edge to start
California is open to government spending, it is difficult to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the gas tax. On a personal note, less money in the pockets of consumers means tighter personal budgets, which means tougher, more financially straining money management. As a 17-year-old student
picking up the slack and turn in any work I need to get done,” says sophomore Josh Camper about his motivation going into finals week. “My goal is to give my parents the grades they expect from me,” sophomore Josh Alford said when asked about what keeps him going. As these responses show, not everyone finds their motivation from the same source. As a community and country, we should be more than willing to help each other meet that finish line that we are all trying to get to, even though it is very easy to be selfish during these times. The biggest transition of winter is the shift of attitude, how we feel towards one another. Who’s going to be in your corner around this time now that you need them the most? Or a bigger question is, who will you help that is in desperate need? There are plenty of soup kitchens to volunteer at or shelters to donate towards. Also, in our Season of Giving, or Benevolenza, St. John Bosco has toy and blanket drives that you could take part in. It just goes to show that you don’t always have to go out of your way to help someone in need. An old sweater or a couple of toys could go a long way. Knowing you helped someone have clothes on their back means a lot especially during this time of year.
who can barely lend his peers a quarter for cookies, the California gas tax is not a small, non-noticeable fee to cover. It is something that as students and young adults, must consider every time we go to the gas station. Soon we will all have the chance and option to vote, meaning we will have to make important decisions that we must prepare and be ready for.
OP-ED
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December 14, 2017
President Donald J. Trump ~ A Year in Review (cont'd) of democracy even more severely than some Russian advertisements. All of these negatives must be viewed in context of the 2016 election. Where would we be if Hillary Clinton had been president? Health care and tax reform wouldn’t be moving too well with the partisan divide regardless – Congress, not Trump, is to blame for the stagnation of the most important issues. Ms. Clinton has controversies of her own with Russia and the Clinton Foundation that are coming to light. And Trump’s tenure has brought several improvements. One of the greatest improvements is the American stance towards North Korea. President Obama was not forceful enough against the Kim regime to prevent its progression towards an ICBM capable of striking the United States, a capability Kim recently demonstrated. Trump, however, in addition to the strong military presence and clear presentation of U.S. strength, has gathered stronger support from China in sanctioning North Korea than ever before, the key element to achieve a peaceful solution. Trump has also done much
work for stability in the Middle East. Iraqi security forces are destroying the last vestiges of the Islamic State. Trump also greatly aided the stability of Syria through a missile strike on Syrian chemical weapons facilities in April after Assad once again used nerve gas on his own people. This clearly demonstrated the position of the U.S. against Assad’s war crimes, in stark contrast to the “red line” against chemical weapons that Obama humiliatingly failed to enforce against Assad. These actions, in spite of the difficulties caused by the president’s words, are reassuring to our allies and show renewed global strength. The president’s plans to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem sparked significant uproar recently, but are only the first step in Trump’s efforts for peace in the Middle East. Palestinian protests are now beginning to subside, and the policy finds broad support in our ally, Israel. It is possible that Trump will use this Israeli support as a bargaining peace to gain concessions for the Palestinians in peace negotiations. The actual movement of the capital is still years in the
future, so the Palestinians and global critics should wait to see how Trump plans to use this in his negotiations for a peace that has eluded previous administrations for decades. Domestically, Trump handled three devastating category-four hurricanes striking within weeks of each other. The petty squabbling between the mayor of San Juan and the President was mainly media noise, and it is very difficult and timeconsuming to bring billions of dollars of aid to an island, but once again Trump’s Twitter noise hides the facts. The affected areas are now rebuilding with substantial federal aid. The economic future also looks bright, although how much of it can be attributed to any one person is debatable. The stock market is surging to new highs, and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been produced every month, with investors confident in the economic future under Trump as unemployment remains at 17-year lows, in stark contrast with the billing that his “finger on the nuclear button” would lead to global chaos. The deregulation Trump is pursuing to boost the economy is encouraging
expansion, and in spite any other issues with the tax bill, the planned reduction of the corporate tax rate is long overdue to make the U.S. competitive internationally. Ultimately, Trump is upholding many of his campaign promises in a tumultuous first year in office. He promised a travel ban, and delivered it. He promised an aggressive foreign policy, and has delivered no less. He promised to move the Israeli capital, and is planning to do so. He promised to shake up the Washington order, and has shattered it, especially within his own party. What is the net effect of this? It is difficult to tell, and there are no clear historical parallels. In the media, the presidency appears to be floundering under the weight of its own political baggage; but so did his campaign. The economy is surging, and any so-called “loss of credibility” abroad is primarily in the liberal nations of Europe which remain dependent the United States regardless, especially with the rising Russian threat. Instead, alliances with Israel and South Korea are strengthening, and even China seems to be warming up to U.S. interests around North Korea.
The overall picture from Trump's actions would seem to place the U.S. in a slightly better place than it would have been with Ms. Clinton, especially as the failure to resolve the primary domestic concerns – heath care and tax reform – are Congress’s responsibility. Trump’s gains abroad are diminished by his Twitter noise, Russian uncertainty, and the political damage of the Moore scandal, but foreign policy gains such as Chinese cooperation and increasing stability in the Middle East outweigh the damage by a good measure. The lesson is this: in a republic, we could have nominated almost anyone to be president, and we choose two people with a lot of negative, even criminal baggage on both sides. Trump is doing what he was elected to do, because Clinton was too weak a candidate to overcome him in the framework of the electoral college. Those mistakes are past, and now cannot be changed. Let’s deal with what we have in the present, and try to change some of the issues that matter most for America – health care and the economy. And Mr. President, for your presidency and for your country: logout of Twitter.
The Language of Videogames by Kevin Mwangale Books, movies, and videogames all have similar traits. They are all able to explore themes, tell stories, and each provide a unique experience. However, video-games have an interesting quality that make them stand out compared to the rest. Unlike movies and books, video-games are able to give the player the power to interact with the story, its characters, and the overall plot. Although, games can act like movies and books but with multiple branches, and therefore have more substance to them compared to the linear, singular road a book or movie has. By design, games can make moments more impactful compared to movies. Unlike watching or imagining a scene from a movie, the player is actually a part of the scene and living it. Games make the scenario
more personal because the player is involved. All games have the potential to use the power of interaction in order to create a unique gaming experience, but a few games in particular do this very well. The game Ico is about a boy, Ico, escorting a girl, Yorda, out of a tower. The core theme throughout the entire game is the bond between Ico and Yorda and the feeling of companionship. However, the game doesn’t say this directly because the player is experiencing it through gameplay. Through a firsthand experience, the player is able to learn what the game is about, which is possible through the design of the game. Ico’s lead designer Fumito Ueda uses a method that he calls “design by subtraction”, where the design team tries to fully express the core of the game and take out anything
that doesn’t fully support it. Without “design by subtraction” Ico’s theme would be overshadowed and the game wouldn’t be nearly as powerful. The player wouldn’t be able to experience and understand the main theme to its fullest without this design. Thus, Ico is able to convey both the roles characters play, and the themes tied within the game through gameplay. Another game by Fumito Ueda is called The Last Guardian. Like Ico, this game is about the bond between a boy and Trico. The boy excels at platforming and puzzlesolving and Trico is extremely powerful during combat. Thus, when controlling the boy, the player can feel helpless and vulnerable without Trico. This makes some clear rules. The boy can’t defeat enemies without Trico and Trico can’t advance without the stained glass windows
being removed or destroyed. It’s a clear cut rule that is present throughout the game. Fumito Ueda decided to use these aspects to show that the bond between Trico and the boy has grown. Games that involve choices and storytelling aspects show a different side of the gaming scene. Beyond Two Souls is one of those games, made by Quantic Dream and an example of a game that allows the player to make small choices throughout. “These types of games cater to a more casual audience and that’s fine. Everyone should be able to enjoy a game as they please,” said former social sciences teacher Mr. Hartman. Another game also made by Quantic Dream is called Heavy Rain and it’s the opposite of Beyond Two Souls. Unlike Beyond Two Souls, Heavy Rain gives the player much more control over the plot.
The player is presented with many opportunities to drive the plot in different directions. This type of design keeps the game fresh and nonlinear, and it makes every play-through different. The player gets full control of their actions in both good and bad ways. Heavy Rain isn’t as casual as Beyond Two Souls and it caters towards people who are looking for a challenge. The challenge being that they have complete control over what is happening and their actions. Interaction is what makes gaming unique compared to every other medium. It all depends on how the game developers attempt to design their games. Ultimately video-games speak their own language and can be just as great or even better than movies or books.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
December 14, 2017
Tropicalia, Music and Taco Festival
The Tropicalia Music and Taco Festival is a one of a kind experience that displays the culture of Mexico through art, food, and music. 2017 was the first Tropicalia Festival, and it turned out to be a great success, as 95% of available tickets were sold. Many artists came from around the world to perform in the festival and, surprisingly, some big groups and singers had come to play. Some artists who played were: Los Tigres del Norte, Chicano Batman, Kali Uchis, Café Tacuba, King Krule, Cuco, and many more. Tropicalia exceeded everyone’s expectations, with a diverse lineup of acts and dozens of taco vendors. Standing a majority of the time seemed tiring, as the entire festival lasted from 11 AM to midnight. In those 13 hours, there was so much going on that it was not possible to do everything at the festival. We had missed some artists and bands such as Alina Baraz, Summer Salt, and Slow Hollows. The festival had a total of 15,000 people and was packed anywhere you walked to. Making the most of its available space, it had managed to be both massive and detailed. For those
looking for the big concert type of feeling, Tropicalia offered that at its main stage, which had several wellknown artists such as Kali Uchis and Chicano Batman. But Tropicalia also offered access to smaller stages for those who wanted a more up-close and personal type of feeling. Although there were long lines at the taco stands and any food stand, the food was worth waiting for and reasonably priced for an event as big as this. There were multiple taco vendors giving out free tacos as well. Merchandise and memorabilia were also available. The merchandise that was being sold ranged from clothes, hats, tote bags, and even vinyl records. Although some of the merchandise was a little pricey, after seeing the design and the limited edition merchandise, the price seemed reasonable and fair as a lot of the merchandise sold out as well. Walking into the festival had a similar feeling of going to Disneyland as a younger kid: excitment and eagerness. The festival had four different stages for performances. The four stages were Tropicalia Stage, Dia de los Puercos Stage, Mota Stage, and Modelo Stage. Tropicalia Stage was the
Justice League Films have always been a portal for a viewer to be immersed in an undiscovered world of sorts that range from a fantasy world all the way up to an alternative history. The more recent film, The Justice League, makes some leaps forward in the by industry by challenging Marvel’s rule on superhero-themed films with one of their own, but only partially succeeding. Although the attempt is praiseworthy, it is immediately squashed because of how poorly conceived the film’s characters are. One of the immediate signs this film was not going to be wellreceived was the portrayal of these superheroes. This includes the notorious Batman as in this film: he accomplishes little to nothing during the action sequences and is downplayed in a laughable manner when compared to others. Steppenwolf, the exiled son of Darkseid, is the main antagonist in the film, springing out of nowhere to conquer the earth while Superman remained dead. He of course is defeated by the league and the world is saved but what stuck out to me was how forgettable he was as a character. He was a let-down as an antagonist as there is no emotional depth in him; he felt more like a side character. As a result, he could be easily replaced as there are no other traits he possesses which him a defining villain. The use of a replaceable villain was the mortal
By CALVIN ZABALA Journalist | Senior ‘18
wound that hurt the potential of this film. However, one positive of the film is how the League was organized rather quickly instead of the Marvel Phase 1 approach with fleshing out each origin story to only culminate in one epic film. Although brief, the introductions of the characters are bursting with potential as their personalities create an interesting dynamic which is most especially shown with the character ‘The Flash’. His youthful personality and interests in cartoons and K-pop create this appeal, especially for teens, as he seems relatable. He in my opinion is one of the saving graces for this film from preventing it from dropping to the status of subpar as his personality enough can keep the retention of the audience. This film’s greatest strength and weakness lies in its characters, as they are the drive and allure for watching this film because their personalities and powers are what truly define the movie experience. Poor writing and selection of characters ultimately proved to be the film’s downfall but all is not lost: one of the saving graces is “The Flash” as he breaks the “godly” and unrelatable status these heroes usually associate themselves with. This film, by in my opinion, was “meh” as the delicacies of popcorn and nachos were good enough to make me feel satisfied.
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By CADEN SANTIAGO Journalist
main stage where artists such as Cuco, King Krule, Chicano Batman, and Kali Uchis performed with a crowd that consisted most of the Tropicalia festival-goers. Dia de los Puercos Stage was the second stage, with a crowd almost as big as the main stage. Some artists that performed on this stage were Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Buttertones, Yellow Days, Alina Baraz, and Jhene Aiko. The Mota Stage was the third stage that had small artists and bands perform with a crowd of no more than 100, but no less than 50. The artists that performed here were Summer Salt, Surf Curse, Slow Hollows, and Bane’s World. The final stage was the Modelo Stage. It was a smaller stage which had more of an older crowd. The artists playing were La Banda Skalavera, Buyepongo, Red Pears, and Wanda Jackson. The festival as a whole was exciting and incredible, especially for an inaugural event. The music, bands, and artists playing were amazing, as it got the crowd singing at the top of their lungs. There were also songs that had a part of the crowd moshing, or had people even crowd surfing the entire
Senior ‘18
time. Being in the crowd at any of the stages was fun, as no one had enough room to move around. But knowing everyone around you had the same interest in music was comforting. Even if one did not know the artist, it was still nice to see that the artist brought everyone together to listen to the performance. This was an amazing experience, especially for the first Tropicalia festival, and a good way to spend Saturday with friends and other people who share the same interest in music as everyone around them.
Into The Woods By JOSHUA ORELLANA Journalist | Senior ‘18
Into the Woods was the first Bosco musical this year, directed by Martin Lang who has been with the theater department for quite some time. Into the Woods is a musical that implements several fairy tale stories. “I’ve been involved with theater since last semester," senior Sean Wilk says. "I joined theater because I had wanted to try it out since freshman year, especially because I really enjoyed Mr. Lang’s theater class. After my third year of water polo, and seeing that more of my friends were doing theater, I decided that I wanted to do theater in the spring.” Compared to the last show that had taken place at Saint Joseph’s High School, there were many more upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) participating. The play displayed the spirit of childhood; watching the play took the audience back to being a kid and watching the movies of "Cinderella," "Snow White," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and "Rapunzel." Sean Wilk is grateful to be a part of a great theater program, and is happy to have made new friends as well. “This is my third show, my previous two being Guys and Dolls and These Shining Lives.” As a former water polo player, moving into theater was quite a transition--from the roughness and competition to getting into personas and fantasy.
“The audience can expect some really great singing, especially from the witch, played by Elizabeth Hanna, the Baker, played by Aidan Flaherty, and from Cinderella, played by Vanessa Burch, as well as some genuinely funny comedy.” The show played its part as it came out to be a huge success. Almost every show was a full house. Amazing singing, dramatic effects, and humorous jokes livened the musical a little as well. “I’ve been involved with theater since last semester. I’ve kept coming back to the theater department because of the people in the cast and the crew, as well as how cool it is to see how people in the audience react to the show. It’s a great way to express oneself, and when you’ve never tried theater before, it’s really life changing.” Theater has progressed throughout the years and having a great teacher/director like Mr. Lang has helped underclassmen achieve so much and improved them day by day with rehearsals. The play was a huge success and everybody that was involved in the musical Into the Woods demonstrated great talent for the plays to come in the future of the Bosco theater program.
SPORTS
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Sports Update: Breaking New Ground Sports Columnist & Editor: Ethan Piechota ‘19 [Cont’d from COVER]
“It’s going to hold nearly 5,000 people. There’s going to be seat-backs in the middle, there’s going to be a couple of suites in the press box, there’s going to be a press box on the visiting side. There is a student section that’s [going to be] really close to the field. It’s just going to be the premier stadium in Southern California,” said Mr. McDermott. What a treat for all people associated with St. John Bosco High School alike. From students and athletes to teachers and the staff, this will be something special on our campus for sure.
Its impact will be clear and will certainly help enhance the brotherhood represented at St. John B osco even more. While the current parking and construction blocks may be tough to endure right now, but it is for the best. Soon enough, we will see a beautiful stadium be in the presence of our campus to truly symbolize what being a Brave is all about.
Photos provided by Scott Varley, Press-Telegram/SCNG | visit http://www.presstelegram.com/2017/11/15/ st-john-bosco-breaks-ground-on-new-football-stadium/
December 14, 2017
Brave of the Issue: Alpha Okoli Sports Columnist & Journalist: Caleb Wiley ‘19
The transition from being home-schooled in the first semester of freshman year to a prestigious school like St. John Bosco isn't necessarily a smooth one, but senior Alpha Okoli has endured and succeeded through it. The process is totally worth it to the basketball star, as he has learned the benefits of being a Bosco Brave, especially in the aspects of sports and becoming a better person. Okoli brings dedication and hard work to the Bosco community, along with being a good example to his fellow peers. It is difficult to go from being homeschooled to going to high school while making the experience enjoyable and a lasting for him and his friends. Okoli doesn’t talk to just one type of person, but to multiple crowds. Alpha explains, “I bring togetherness and unity to the school because I know all the groups of people at this school." He walks around the school and be able to relate to all kinds of kids, whether it be football players or soccer players. Alpha immediately brought leadership and experience the first time he set foot in the Bosco gym. He has the ability to walk on the court and make others feel his presence. Okoli's experience in basketball is one of his best attributes, which he has been playing for as long as he can remember: “I’ve been playing basketball since I was 9…I played at the boys and girls club of Venice when I was in 4th or 5th grade," said the senior captain. This experience can go a long way in the Trinity League. Being well-liked around
the school and amongst his teammates while being a basketball star shows his character. Teammate Chris James, a junior, explains how important Alpha is to the team along with his attitude, “He's going to be huge for us this year. He is definitely going to help us, and we have a better chance at winning league with him out there on the court.” He continues to say, ”His dedication and work ethic are all really important parts of his attitude to winning. He carries himself well on the court, while being humble and nice to everybody." This reveals how much the team appreciates Alpha and what they think of him. They really think that he is a valuable piece to the team. With Okoli entering his senior year here at Bosco, he would like to end his final year the right way. We asked for his expectation for this year and this was his response: “Last year we had a lot of potential but a lot of things happened during the year and we didn’t fulfill our expectations. This I feel like we’re going to do better. Our expectation this year is to win as many games as we can and beat all the teams we didn't beat last year in the Trinity League." The team this year is looking to win league behind Okoli,
and looking for him to have his biggest year yet. In the playoffs, Alpha and the team have the goal to reach Open Division, which is the best division to be in. Alpha is optimistic: “I’m thinking we can make it because a lot of teams in the Open Division we beat either in the summer or in the fall, and a lot of times we didn’t have our newest player, Jonathan. With him on the court, I feel like we can be impossible to stop." Alpha is really hopeful about the team's chances of having a successful run in the hardest division in CIF, and the team as a whole appears ready and able. Many colleges are interested in Okoli, but he is not yet committed. He does have an offer to Towson University, and interest from Utah State and UC Davis. His goal is to wait until the end of the season to see what his options are. He is very positive that he will be gaining more offers than the one he has right now. We asked Okoli what he will miss most about Bosco and he said, “I’ll miss the friendships that I have built since my freshman year." Even though he is excited about his life after Bosco, there is a little sadness that he’ll be leaving some of his closest friends. So look out for Alpha Okoli to have a statement year, and make a big move after the season is done.
SPORTS
December 14, 2017
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Fall Sports Season 2017 in Review Cross Country: A Dominance Restored Sports Columnist & Editor: Ethan Piechota ‘19 Two seasons ago, the dominant run of 25 straight league championships by the St. John Bosco Braves Cross Country team was snapped with a disappointing 6th place league finish. Last season, the Braves showed resilience, yet came up short; finishing 2nd place in the Trinity League. The cross-country program at Bosco can be viewed as one of the greatest programs of any sport in Trinity League history. Finally, this season, dominance has been restored in the league, as the Braves took first place back, marking the beginnings of a new streak for several years to come. This year, the team brought a lot of talent win a league championship this year. Colby Corcoran, Albert Serrano, Diego de la Torre, Diego Gonzalez, and Raymond Solorza were part of a strong
group of senior runners that lead the way all season for the team. Zeke Delgado, a junior, and Gabriel Cordova and Alexander Frias, both sophomores, were a big part of the team's overall success this season as well. On November 3rd in Central Park, California, the Braves dominated the rest of their league in the Trinity League Finals, taking back the league championship with an 11 point victory margin over second place Mater Dei. de la Torre, Corcoran, and Serrano all were top 10 finishers in the race, guiding the Braves to a league title. Gonzalez and Delgado also earned top 20 finishes in the race, showing the importance of the wellrounded team the Braves had. When interviewing a few team members, one could say that “It means a lot,”
according to junior runner Antonio Valles in regards to regaining the league title. “It was important to win it back and keep the tradition going.” Following this race, the team took 3rd place in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Finals, and ended up finishing 9th place in the entire state of California for the State Finals on November 25 th, 2017. Unfortunately, the downside of this historic season coming to an end will be having to wave goodbye to many of the senior leaders on the team. In order to keep up the grind to continue a new “streak,” many underclassmen and juniors will have to step up and get the job done in the coming years. In the end, however, this season will always be remembered as a special one for the St. John Bosco CrossCountry team. Hard work,
dedication, and commitment to each other got the job done for the Braves, as they restored their rightful dominance in the Trinity League. Bosco Cross-Country is back.
Water Polo: A Learning Experience Sports Columnist & Journalist: Caleb Wiley ‘19 The 2017 water polo season was a tough season to say the least. Finishing up with an overall record of 11-13 and going winless in league, along with a no-show in CIF, the season was somewhat disappointing. The team faced a lot of obstacles but nonetheless fought through and played with their best effort in every game. The 11-13 record along with no wins in league was not completely shocking: “Sure, the outcome is not what we hoped for, but there were many factors to having that record,” said Varsity head coach Jeff Powers. The team had injuries and a lack of experience that ultimately factored in the outcome of the team's record. “With only two returning seniors on the team, we really missed the leadership and
experience out there late in the season,” said Coach Powers. Leadership is really a necessity in team sports such as water polo. Senior captain Gabe Chaine really helped the underclassmen learn and grow in the sport. Unfortunately, Gabe suffered an injury in the middle of the season: “We had our best defender Gabe Chaine out for a while and we really struggled during that time,” said junior captain Pat Burke. With only two seniors on the team, it was easy to observe that without Chaine, water polo did not have the benefit of more leadership and experience. Burke says, “We really came together despite all the obstacles and showed perseverance while Gabe was out.” Senior Gabe Chaine says that he has no regrets and enjoyed
the time he got to play during the season. “I had fun this season...a little sadness does come to me knowing that this is my last year [at Bosco] and we didn't make a big CIF run." His last year was not what he hoped for but he is satisfied with what he left at Bosco, especially knowing that the team next is due to have a solid season. The 2018 season is looking more promising than this year, with everybody returning but two players. The team will have the needed experience that was sorely missed this year. Coach Powers explains, "This was definitely a learning season for next year for the returning players which is basically our whole team.” He goes on and adds, "The players next year will now know what is needed to compete in this league.” The
Trinity league is one of the best leagues in the nation and Coach Powers feels confident about his player’s abilities to compete in this league. This means that the current juniors and sophomores will have more important roles and make a bigger impact than they did this year. The 2017 season was not a complete disappointment, as this season really prepared the returning players. The team can now reflect and learn from the mistakes they made this year and correct them for the better. Therefore the team is optimistic about next year and there chances to win league and ultimately make a big CIF run in the 2018 season.
Vol # 17
2017-2018
From all of us at The Brave we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Brave Newspaper
A Student Led Newspaper
Celebrating 77 Years of Academic Excellence
Editorial Staff Journalists
Christopher Abarquez Connor Cartledge RJ Johnson Isaak Gonzalez Miles Lacey
Editors
A&E - Calvin Zabala Sports - Ethan Piechota
Editor-in-Chief Raymond Rojo Mark McDermott
Executive Editors Senior - Justin Neff Junior - Justin Perry
Faculty Advisor
Mr. Michael Bartelt
Journalists
Ryan Lingsangan Emmanuel Medina Joaquin Medrano Kevin Mwangalo Joshua Orellana Caden Santiago Justin Vargas Caleb Wiley Sean Wilk