THE BRAVE
A Student Led Publication
Vol. XVII, No. 1 ∙ September 20th, 2017 ∙ St. John Bosco High School 13460 S. Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower CA ∙ Bosco.org
The Journey This year, the Rector Major, who is in line with the Pope and the whole Church, has set up the year reflecting on the theme of family. “We are a Family”, opens the Strenna 2017, where the family serves as a place of life, and thus the family as a school of Life and Love. Deriving our own Strenna, or baseline for this year’s spiritual journey, the ASB and Youth Ministry team adopted: “As a Brave family, let us listen and walk together on our journey.” We are called as a Bosco community to accompany others on this journey, which centers itself on the community – here at Bosco and at home, God, and the youth. It is in the Strenna that the mission of the Salesian Family – to make of the world a home – that we can build a big family playground of friends, family, and encounters with God. After having celebrated Triduum Week, which is a three-day period of preparation, reflection, and prayer, we were prepared to engage in our Strenna much further, listening to our faith families and developing a trust that will hopefully grow into an understanding for each other. These families will serve as an outlet for all of us to say what is on our minds, and listen to others – walking the same journey that they are. I encourage you, especially to my Senior class, to reach out to those who you may see but never talk to, encourage one another in ways that build us up as a Brave family. I hope that you will take into consideration these words, whether you are a Catholic, Christian, or of a non-religious background to help build our family on the premise of being willing to listen to your fellow Braves, and doing our best to walk with them on this journey of life. Whether you are a parent, faculty member, or student, we are all in this together, and the quality of this journey depends on your willingness to support and nurture our Strenna in all that we do. It is important to realize that we are not just here to learn or teach, we are here to accompany each other as young men and educators on this four-year journey. Raymond Rojo
Editor-in-Chief Senior ‘18
The New Leaders of Bosco By CONNOR CARTLEDGE Journalist | Senior ‘18
Change can be difficult. It can lead to frustration and confusion. Thankfully, change at Saint John Bosco has proven to be excellent. Dr. Christian DeLarkin has been chosen to serve the Bosco community as Principal, while Mr. Salmingo fills his former role as Vice Principal of Academic Affairs. Building from the ground up is tough, especially when talking about a new staff. Dr. DeLarkin however, is an exception. Having been a member of the Saint John Bosco faculty already, Dr. DeLarkin was not only prepared to take on the challenges of Principal, but he was ready to take them on with dedication, diligence, and delight. Every student at Bosco has a relationship with Dr. DeLarkin, whether that be as a leader, a mentor, or someone to simply rely on for help. [SEE WELCOME TO BOSCO, A6]
While You Were Gone... Bosco Welcomes Renovation By SEAN WILK Journalist
Senior ‘18 Over the summer, the area between the Activities Office and the Theater has been completely remade from a locker area for freshmen into a new student lounge. This student lounge is fit with plenty of seats and outlets to charge electronic devices, a clean, neat, and new space. Before the remodel, many students felt that that area could be used
more effectively. Freshmen rarely used their lockers due to their lighter workload compared to upperclassmen. The response toward this new student space has been overwhelmingly positive. The majority of students, especially upperclassmen, feel as if this is finally a useful area for them. The space has been consistently full during break and lunch as students take advantage of the outlets to charge up or use it as a social area. Spencer Moore, a senior
who worked at Bosco over the summer, said “I worked on it this summer very closely and put some of my opinions into the space. I was really pushing for it because I thought it would be something well received by a lot of people. I personally think it’s a great use of space, it is somewhere that I see frequently packed with students and being used. I also love that we turned it into a beautiful space, we [SEE SUMMER RENOVATIONS, A7]
THE THEATRE SPACE WILL BE A PERFECT HELP FOR OUR ACTORS AND ACTRESSES IN OUR PRODUCTIONS THIS YEAR [SEE SUMMER RENOVATIONS, A7] PHOTO COURTESY OF SPENCER MOORE
An Album Review
By CADEN SANTIAGO Journalist
Senior ‘18 Dedicated to Bobby Jameson is the most comfortable and relaxed Ariel Pink has ever sounded. The album, which was dedicated to Bobby Jameson, a singer-songwriter who had fallen into obscurity and depression, has a very unique feeling which can be described
as a warmth, almost as if the audience listening was Bobby Jameson and Pink was singing to them. It’s not hard to see why Ariel Pink would be obsessed with the forgotten pop singer. Bobby Jameson found minimal success in the 1960s, only to see his career fall by bad business dealings, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Jameson spent much of the ‘70s in the institutions or living on the streets and
by the ‘80s, he had left the music business completely and was presumed dead but then reappeared in 2007 with a blog and Youtube rants which he explained his life story on how he fell. It’s a classic underground story, and there’s nothing ironic about how an album dedicated to the recently deceased singer allowed Pink to manage his most heartfelt and beautiful works. [SEE ALBUM REVIEW, A9]
IN THIS EDITION Current Events Red, White, Brave New Old Faces See A2
On North Korea See A8
See A5
A&E See A9
See A6
Sports See B10
NEWS
A2
Current Events Today Hurricane & Earthquakes - Hurricane
Maria barreled toward Dominica on Monday night, and headed to Puerto Rico as dangerous Category 4 storm, just as Texas had been hit with Hurricane Harvey, Florida and Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Jose steering Hurricane Maria. Just yesterday, there was an earthquake that has killed more than 200 people in Central Mexico.
DACA - Trump plans to discontinue DACA
- the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, which grants work permits to 800,000 undocumented immigrants. California leaders set aside $30 million to help “dreamers” affected by Trump’s decision
North Korea
- North Korea threatens
the UN will pay a “due price” if harsh sanctions against the country are agreed upon. North Korea’s most recent nuclear test is 17 times stronger than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima
Mexico
- At least 90 people died
from an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico. It was the strongest earthquake Mexico experienced in 100 years
Olympics
September 20, 2017
Hurricane Haven
By JUSTIN PERRY Executive Editor Junior ‘19
Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, made landfall on the coast of East Texas and Louisiana from August 25-30. In cities like Houston, Rockport, and Port Aransas, they were pounded by Category 4 winds, with peak gusts reaching over 130 miles per hour. The affected area was inundated with 33 trillion gallons of water, an estimated 336,000 people lost power, 118,000 people did not have access to drinking water, and nearly 150,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Hurricane Harvey served as a wakeup call for those living in areas that can be affected by natural disasters. However, Hurricane Irma stole the spotlight as it devastated Caribbean islands and the Florida Keys as a category 5 storm. Nearly 95% of buildings on
Barbuda were destroyed. 65% of all homes in the Florida Keys were damaged, and 25% of Keys homes were completely leveled. With most government administrators and citizens unwilling to take chances, nearly 6.5 million people were under mandatory or voluntary evacuation as the storm was projected to directly impact cities like that of Miami, Tampa, and Daytona Beach. As a Category 4 storm, Irma had peak gusts of nearly 150 miles per hour, nearly 2 million people were without power, and floodwater reached as much as 60 inches in some areas. For the first time since hurricanes began to be recorded in 1851, 2 major hurricanes impacted the United States. As a result, the economic toll will be staggering. On Friday, September 8, Congress approved a $15.25 billion disaster relief measure to provide more federal funds to the Federal Emergency Management
- Paris will host the 2024
Olympics and Los Angles will host in 2028. Los Angles and Paris join London as the only cities to host 3 Olympic Games
Baseball - The Dodgers snapped their 11
game winning streak to the Atlanta Braves last week. The Cleveland Indians tied the modern record with their 22nd straight win
Science
- The Cassini spacecraft has
plunged into Saturn, sending back its final communications before burning up in the ringed planet’s atmosphere
PHOTOS FOUND ON TIME.COM & ABC NEWS
Agency (FEMA). The measure is necessary albeit limited given that the two hurricanes are estimated to cause between $150 and $200 billion in damage to Texas and Florida, comparable to if not exceeding that of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While the loss and destruction that was wrought by both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma evoke a sense of sympathy for the victims, continued costal resettlement will continue to place serious burdens on American taxpayers. The federal government has not ceased to subsidize flood insurance for high risk areas, and institutions like FEMA have been faced allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Increasing ocean surface temperatures which contribute to sea level rise, and weakening wind shear, the variation in wind velocity, will enable the formation of fewer but more intense hurricanes during the typical season.
September 20, 2017
NEWS
A3
The Opioid Epidemic By JUSTIN PERRY Executive Editor Junior ‘19
The abuse of prescription opioids has taken America by storm in the last decade, leading to prolonged addiction to potent substances and a catastrophic loss of life. Nearly 2.1 million Americans are addicted to prescription opioids that often serve as gateway drugs to heroin, a drug to which and about 467,000 Americans are addicted. 21% to 29% of prescription opioid users misuse them, and nearly 80% of heroin users began with opioids. Accidental overdoses have quadrupled since 1999 and approximately 90 Americans die every day from opioid addiction. Not only is the opioid epidemic tragic, but it is also a $78.5 billion burden on the US economy considering the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice proceedings. While the addicts themselves do carry a significant degree of blame, they should not be denied the treatment they need because they were not the root cause of the problem. To understand its causes, one must examine the past. Although doctors had long been trained to avoid prescribing opioids by the 1970s due to the emergence of addiction, the development of Percocet and Vicodin fully initiated the opioid
crisis. Researchers began to publish studies that asserted that opioids were not addictive in nature and that they should be used to treat patients with conditions associated with long-term pain like osteoarthritis. In 1996, OxyContin hit the shelves as doctors focused on addressing pain as opposed to solely eliminating its causes. Through a salvo of media campaigns, doctors and patients alike became convinced that opioids should be used more frequently. While addictive deterrents were later implemented in opioid medications, those already addicted often turned to heroin as a much cheaper means of getting high. Still, a staggering 259 million opioid prescriptions were issued in 2016. Overmedication was undoubtedly the catalyst of the opioid crisis, but a lack of border security has enabled heroin users to have continued access to opioids. Mexico is the primary supplier of heroin, as 79% of heroin in the US comes from Mexico due to its proximity and established transportation networks. According to the DEA, 28,000 hectares were dedicated to its production in Mexico in 2015. Furthermore, laboratories in China have been supplying US consumers with fentanyl, a new synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin. Merely touching a sample can cause death due to the dosage specificity required. In 2016, 20,000 people died as a result of fentanyl overdoses, a 540% increase from three years prior.
Brave Feature Aidan Flaherty By CONNOR CARTLEDGE Journalist
Senior ‘18 To some, Aidan Flaherty is just another Senior at Saint John Bosco, but to others, he is a devoted, comedic, and dramatic artist on a stage bringing nothing but joy and amusement to the audience. Aidan is an actor here at Bosco, having performed in a number of theatrical productions, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, West Side Story, Enchanted April, and the theatrical classic, Hairspray. Aidan began acting and singing for an audience when he was only in the 7th grade, acting in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, where he played the part of Schroeder. His devotion and love for the arts came from his family’s long history of interest in music, drawing, acting, and any other form of art that there was. His biggest challenge has been the involvement of dancing in theatrical arts, since he has not taken any lessons or classes during his career. Despite his challenges however, Aidan has seemingly always made it to center stage, at least in the audience’s eyes. Anthony Flores, an actor working alongside Aidan, has worked with him in many productions, and has not only watched him developed as an actor but has seen his hard work turn into success, on and off stage. He notices Aidan’s personality on and off stage, noting that he is always so excited to get involved and take his hand at new things. “[Aidan] is very comfortable with getting out of his comfort zone, and that is a hard thing to do when it comes to acting.” Some of Aidan’s favorite plays are Newsies, CryBaby, Book of Mormon, and Les Miserables. GRAPHIC CREATED BY ANDY BRUNNING FOR CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING NEWS
[Cont’d on AIDAN FLAHERTY, A9]
A4
Transgender Issues & The Military
By JUSTIN VARGAS Journalist Senior ‘18
In a series of tweets, President Trump announced he would reinstate a ban on transgender troops from serving in the military — a move reversing President Obama’s previous policy of allowing transgender personnel to openly serve. After these Tweets, President Trump faced backlash f rom the LGBTQ community and from other critics for addressing transgender troops as “burden[ing] with tremendous [a] medical cost” that entails “distraction.” However, although President Trump may seem to dismiss transgenders in the military, the medical policies to qualify in the armed forces are especially sophisticated and are designed to assess readiness for the hardships of military life. In environments that demand constant attention, such as peanut allergies, flat feet, diabetes and asthma, are immediate medical disqualifications. Any medical condition that suppresses the ability to combat the reality of warfare mentally and physically becomes not only a risk to the person but to other service members. In essence, Presidents Trump’s proposed ban is appropriate for transgender troops in combat Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) jobs. There are, however, positions within the military that are suitable for transgender personnel given their medical circumstances. President Trump’s ban is necessary to some extent, but excessive in others. In a combat situation, deployments can last up to nine months and often involve engagement with enemy fire. During times of engagement, the ability to react often means dropping and leaving equipment.
OPINION
For transgender troops in combat, this equipment might contain nine months of a hormone dosage. If that dosage is lost in combat, transgender troops specifically transitioning from female to male no longer have their source of testosterone, for example, and are vulnerable to the physical expectations of all male units. Furthermore, hormone therapy and medical treatment to transition from one sex to the other drastically increases at-risk symptoms. Those born as males but who are transitioning to the female sex are advised to “monitor [their] health while on estrogen, [and their] doctors will periodically check [their] liver functions and cholesterol [to] screen for diabetes,” according to the University of San Francisco. A Vanderbilt University report further recommends, “ Transgender persons wishing to use hormones should only do so under the supervision of a doctor who can prescribe an appropriate dose and monitor its effects.” Because persistent medical care is necessary, other potential issues, including the cost of such treatment, are brought into question. According to a RAND Corporation study, an annual cost of $8.4 million out of an overall department of Defense health expenditure of $50 billion will go towards gender-transition treatment this year. Which is about 0.017% of the overall budget. However, that is $8.4 million too much and any spending of tax payer dollars into gender reassignment surgery is ill-favored. The issue of providing transgender persons with free reassignment surgery may be solved under the guidelines of “medically necessary.” After much deliberation, the Pentagon in late 2016 decided that gender dysphoria is indeed qualified under “medically necessary.” [Cont’d on EDITORIALS, A6]
September 20, 2017
Micro-Transactions Do they eliminate Gaming Competition?
By Kevin Mwangale Journalist
Senior ‘18 Video games are a fun hobby or pastime to play both sitting at home and on the go. However, one thing companies are trying to make extra money on is the addition of microtransactions in video games. Micro-transactions are the exchange of real-world money for in-game items or services. At first, this type of business sounds harmless, but developers are starting to use micro-transactions for players to gain access to better gear just by paying money. Some games will stop users from playing all together until they pay an extra fee, and this type of usage for micro-transactions is unfair. Micro-transactions are another way to support the developer of the game, however the developers of most free to play or mobile games are forcing people to use micro-transactions if they want to stay ahead in games. Some games like “Dead Space 3” have a crafting system that requires certain items to get in order to make better weapons and gear. There is the option to spend money to get the items instantly or to ignore it and get the items without
spending more money. However, if a user chooses to ignore spending real money, he or she are forced to spend many more hours struggling to find an enemy who can yield the rare part the user wants. This slows down gameplay to a crawl and takes away the fun of the game, and instead makes it extremely tedious. This problem only gets worse with games that have micro-transactions that include playing with other players. The FIFA games are known for using microtransactions for players to have unfair advantages over each other. To summarize how the system works, packs allow a player to gain very good players and items if he or she is lucky. To gain these packs, the user has to keep playing to get in-game currency to spend on these packs. Furthermore, these packs are extremely expensive and take a long time to actually gain one. Although, for a price, players can buy these packs and get all these good items and characters very fast. So if one works to put up a team without spending any money, the player will be lose badly to the people who have spent money and have amazing characters on their team. Essentially these players are just paying real money to “get better” at the game, and
the players that did spend all their time to get these packs weren’t as rewarded. With all these ways that companies can scam the consumers with microtransactions, there are a couple of games that do them right. One older game called “Team Fortress 2” has used micro-transactions as optional way to support the developers. It uses a hat system that permits customization of the look of the characters, but doesn't give a player any advantage over people that haven’t purchased hats from their store. Players can also buy weapons from the store, but can obtain the same weapons by simply playing the game. There is no specific way to obtain the weapons because the game gives weapons and hats every week, just by having fun. “Team Fortress 2’s” way of implementing microtransactions doesn’t give any players advantages. People who put time and effort into the game are rewarded for their skills and aren’t outclassed simply because they didn’t put any money into the game. This is how microtransactions should be used. It should be a side grade and cosmetic change rather than halting gameplay or giving unfair advantages.
The Life of A Brave
September 20, 2017
A5
Academic Decathlon
By JOAQUIN MEDRANO Journalist
A TYPICAL WELCOME DANCE - Social Awkwardness at its finest...
Welcome Back Dance
Thoughout the first three and a quarter years of my attendance here I had never been to a Bosco dance - until now. I say this with a mixture of regret and ironic conviction. I am not an ardent fan of contemporary music; my preference starts mid-1980s, and peaks in the 1970s, and I have always had a soft spot for Chopin and Mozart. But the insistence of my well-intentioned classmates and my realization that as my time in high school was drawing to an end, it provoked me to spend the mere eight dollars required to open a portal into a new plane of social existence. My entry was heralded by my classmates as a surprising and enjoyable occasion. But the funnel of so many people through so narrow a gate meant that the genesis of the real crowd around the stage for DJ Felli Fel was delayed by 45 minutes. The crowd, however, exceeding a thousand persons at peak strength, reached critical mass at about an hour in, where Felli Fel and the accompanying dancing truly began to show. As the “Red, White, & Brave” Dance, it was indeed inspiring to see so diverse a group gathered under the American flag, sharing the experience of a good time. Although
A COMIC BY LANCE SIMBULAN | ‘18
By MARK MCDERMOTT Editor-in-Chief Senior ‘18
somewhat overwhelmed by the raw power of the bass and not familiar with the lyrics to 95% of the songs, I could not help but share in the excitement and energy of the others. Although the heat in the packed gym continued to build, the atmosphere and enthusiasm grew at least equally. One would be hard-pressed to find a member amongst that thousand-strong cohort who did not enjoy his or herself, and did not meet someone new – including, admittedly, myself. The opening Bosco dance of the year did not disappoint anyone, and exceeded any expectations. It has helped to cast off my reputation (which I consider slanderous) as “No-fun McDermott,” and shown me what makes the social efforts of the Bosco community so special. (I still cling to my musical principles – it could have had some 70s, for example, “One of These Nights” by the Eagles, for diversity from the continuous bass beat.) But it certainly demonstrated to me and any others who have not yet ventured into the great unknown of the high school dance what we have missed, and the benefit of partaking in it with their fellow Americans and Braves.
Reflect: Triduum
Freshman ‘21 Every day we learn something new. For those interested in learning new things in a fun way, Academic Decathlon is the right place for you. This year, Vice Principal Edgar Salmingo is the supervisor of the program. He states that it is, “our goal to help other students promote and recognize those who are great in academics, to stage their intelligence.” “Academic Decathlon is a place where people can compete with those that are at the same academic level, [and] they can show and express their ideas, compare the information with their peers and help each other to be better each day.” The Academic Decathlon has two competitions throughout the year, with one national competition and one international competition for students to test their knowledge and what advantages they can take from the program. It is incredible to see over 30 boys at 7 in the morning ready to learn new things not everyone has the courage or desire to get involved in an activity that is demanding
By CONNOR CARTLEDGE
Our Strenna for the year: “As a BRAVE family, let us listen and walk together on our journey.” This strenna originally came from the Gospel of John. It was reworded from the original Salesian strenna, “Let us Cultivate the Art of Listening and Accompaniment,” to better fit the spirit of our school. Mr. Jaramillo, Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Activities, has played a major role in this three-fold process, and leading our school in this journey. “As a school, the challenge for all of us is simply being on this journey together, and coming to the point of being relational with your peers in a spiritual sense,” he says. Triduum has been a part of the Saint John Bosco tradition for more than 30 years, which is a three-fold process that begins with preparation.
of such time and dedication. In asking students about the Academic Dcathlon, Senior Jared Stillhard thinks that, “it is a good opportunity to expand your knowledge and experiences. You have the opportunity to improve your speeches skill, which can be good if you will like to have a career that involves speech skills, you also learn in a fun way - I think everyone should join.” A fellow freshman also remarked that the, “Academic Decathlon is a fun program where you expand your knowledge in academics, not only it looks good in your college application, but you are prepared for college classes, I really recommend people to join” (Pedro Ochoa). Academic Decathlon is a great experience where you can compete against other people that are at your same academic knowledge, people can help each other to grow their knowledge and see other people opinions and how they could improve on their work. If you are interested on the program, but you can’t be at 7 am in the classroom, you can go talk to Mr. Salmingo and he will help you to find a way you can study the subjects.
Journalist |
Senior ‘18
Together with Senior moderators, each Tribe Homeroom went through a series of questions regarding Triduum and our strenna, and had a personal and in-depth discussion on each topic. This helped us prepare for the next phase of the three-fold experience, Reconciliation. Reconciliation played a crucial part in Triduum, cleansing our spirits, minds, and our souls, so that we could come together as one family and celebrate on the final day, where we had liturgy with the Bishop. Liturgy was the perfect celebration to end on the week of Triduum, having the entire faculty, staff, student body, parent, and Salesian community come together in the gym, celebrating our renewed faith as a community. Now that Triduum week is past us, the biggest challenge for us is maintaining the virtues and the practices of Triduum and our strenna throughout the entire year.
AROUND BOSCO
A6
September 20, 2017
Welcome to Bosco Mr. Salmingo & Hello Again Dr. De Larkin! He has always been involved in the high school scene, having grown up alongside his father, who taught at Hamilton High School. Being engrossed in the environment of high school at such a young age gave a young Dr. De Larkin perspective that few others possess, and that developed a drive in him to become an educator. Through college he developed his educational career whether that be mentoring kids at various schools or being a teacher aid. After being Principal at JSerra High School, he became the Vice Principal of Academic Affairs here at Bosco. Expanding his role as Principal lets Dr. De Larkin focus on Bosco as a whole, and how he can improve on the school in various ways. “I want to make Bosco number one, academically, athletically, and in the performing arts,” he said.
Dr. De Larkin wants to focus on bringing excellence to all aspects of school, and reaching out to all of the faculty, staff, as well as the students, to join him in his innovative process. He believes in the potential of Saint John Bosco, for what it is and what it can be. “I want our students to really walk and talk pride for Bosco, but at the same time have a side of humility. I think you can have a little bit of both despite the opposition.”
Q&A with Ms. Edna Ramirez
Ms. Edna Ramirez joins the Bosco community this year to teach Algebra 1 in freshmen classes. THE BRAVE interviewed Ms. Ramirez to share her unique talents and commitment to the principles of Bosco's style of education.
worked on developing and implementing middle school math curriculum focused on California Common Core Math Standards and Mathematical Practices, and Norman Webb's Depth of Knowledge. I also coached Nativity's teachers (K-5) in the area of math with the goal of creating consistency in math language and practices.
Newly appointed into the Bosco administration, Mr. Salmingo takes the title of Vice Principal of Academic Affairs this year, and could not be more eager to serve the school through faith and meaningful purpose. Mr. Salmingo always felt like there was a more fulfilling role he could play in the world. He entered into a credential program, the PLACE corps, where he spent two years workinvg on getting his masters in teaching. He became a teacher at St. Anthony High School shortly afterwards, teaching AP Calculus and AP Environmental Science. Making his way in through the Catholic School System, he went to Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School and then taught at Los Alamitos before the opportunity to teach here at Bosco arose. Mr. Salmingo believes
By RYAN LINGSANGAN Journalist Junior ‘19
in this family shares a common goal: to assist in the development of our young men in hopes of creating tomorrow's leaders. Q: What is the chant we have heard you do at class?
One thing I find of importance is school pride Q: What college did you because school really is attend? our second home. After the dismissal bell, we end Q: What did you teach I did all of my undergraduate class with a chant. I say the and graduate work at Loyola now? first word, students say the Marymount University. I am a PROUD Lion. I am taking what I've learned second: 'Be inspired, Be and applying it to Algebra. brave, Be Bosco.' I even had I teach all the Algebra 1A a little healthy competition Q: What did you teach courses. I get the privilege of at the beginning of school previously? working with the incoming year. The class that showed Before arriving at Bosco, class, the freshmen. the most spirit got donuts. I dedicated 11 years to Q: Message for your class teaching at Nativity School, Q: How do you feel about the and/or Bosco community? community at Bosco? located in the heart of South Central Los Angeles. After completing an intense two- The Bosco community I am excited for this school year program at Loyola has embraced me and year. I look forward to the Marymount University has shown me nothing hard work that will be taking in 2016, with the Center but love and support. The place in my classroom, to the for Math and Science Bosco community is truly growth of my students, and Teaching (CMAST), I a second family. Everyone to my growth as an educator.
firmly in the Salesian tradition, a key trait that brought him to Bosco. Between carrying out that tradition and the strong combination of athletic and educational programs, he is fortunate to now be a part of Bosco. As Vice Principal, his main mission this year is to observe the academic needs of the school and act to make them better and more advanced with each year. Mr. Salmingo believed that the Bio-medical and other pathways are good ways to start to this advancement and coupled with time and
By CONNOR CARTLEDGE Journalist Senior ‘18
[Cont’d from LEADERSHIP, Cover]
progression, the school can accommodate for more ideas. Since coming to Bosco, he has made revolutionary progress with the new addition to the Academic Decathlon team, a new way to showcase the talent of Bosco’s brilliant minds. “Enjoy every minute of senior year, be involved in everything and cherish it all. High school is something everyone remembers, so don’t leave Bosco without any regrets. And don’t do anything stupid.” Mr. Salmingo to the Senior Class
Q: What are your favorite sports and teams?
with Texas and Northern Mexico, characterized by the s a xoph on e, My favorite sports are guitar and accordion. baseball and basketball. I Q: What's your favorite support home teams 100% hobby? Do you have any (remember I'm big on special skills? home pride.) Dodgers and Warriors (I know they're not My hobbies include hiking LA but they represent CA) and working out. I've been are my two favorite teams. doing CrossFit for about Dodgers are doing amazing six months and I love it. It’s things this season and the intense, but still works at the Warriors are unstoppable. individual's ability levels. Q: What's your favorite movie and TV show?
Q: What is your most/ frequently used emoji?
I have two favorite movies: The epic Godfather and Sandlot. More than just being good films, they're films I watch with my father and son. The films create an opportunity to bond with two of the most important men in my life.
My top emojis are the smiling faces, especially the grinning one with smiling eyes. I like to keep things positive and offer as many smiles within the day as possible.
Q: Any music favorites? I love music and dancing. I am a cowgirl at heart. I love Musica Nortena, a genre of Mexican Music associated
September 20, 2017
AROUND BOSCO
Vacations
By JOSHUA ORELLANA Journalist Senior ‘18
During the summer of 2017, Braves traveled far and wide, but two students had particularly memorable experiences. Seniors Daniel Serrano and Andrew Esquivel traveled home and abroad, respectively, both coming back to Bosco with memorable takeaways. Andrew Esquivel woke up every day in Rome, Italy. During his trip, he
experienced the culture and history that Rome had to offer. Andrew visited amazing historical sites such as the coliseum, the Vatican, and the leaning tower of Pisa. He says that his favorite food in Italy was the pizza, and that it was quite simple to adapt to the Italian way of life, besides the electrical outlets being different from
those here in the States. He took an 11 day tour. On his second day he went to the Coliseum and also the same day he was able to visit the Vatican city and saw pope Francis. On the third day traveled south to Sorrento and then took a boat to the island of Capri and stayed there for three days. On the 7th day he took a boat to Naples toured for about 4 hours and from there he went north to Venice and stayed at a very nice hotel for two days. On the way to Florence he stopped at the leaning tower of Pisa and stayed about one day. On the final day he traveled back to Rome where he had to get ready to come back home. T Daniel Serrano had the opportunity to go to Redwood National park and
Pathway Spotlight Entrepreneurship Experience
Last year’s entrepreneurs were given a chance to be awarded funds for their business ideas. The Entrepreneurship Cohort for the Class of 2019 developed their potential business plans for over a year, which allowed them to steadily progress, innovate, and refine their work. Mr. Weiglin, the pathway coordinator, oversaw the development of student ideas, giving input and insight when needed. They had participated in two major business competitions: Project ECHO and the inaugural Entrepreneurship Showcase hosted by Bosco. In the first competition, Project ECHO, which is a nonprofit organization established in 1996, that the pathway was provided with vocational skills and entrepreneurship training. The program concluded with a business contest at the UCLA Anderson School of Management where
students competed for funds. At the 2017 Project ECHO competition, students presented their ideas in front of a panel of judges. These pitches lasted around five to ten minutes and concluded with with a series of questions from the judges. The winners for third place in the Health Section, St. John Bosco’s very own Guillermo Amador and Luis Palomo, were awarded a sum of $500. They presented their vision of Spartan, a company that would innovate on protective sports gear technology. Their product is designed to protect athletes from foot pain when playing strenuous sports, such as football and soccer. Amador and Palomo used these funds to initiate development on their innovative product. Towards the end of the school year, the Saint John Bosco entrepreneurs competed in the inaugural Entrepreneurship Showcase
By JAKOB FIERRO Journalist Junior ‘19
hosted by Bosco. The final contest saw multiple groups present their ideas in front of nine judges and an audience. The winning team would be awarded $50,000 for services to start up their company. Counting down to the last days of school, Mr. Weiglin’s entrepreneurship class was prepared for the Inaugural Entrepreneurship Showcase. This consisted of a panel of judges with backgrounds of enterprise success. Students presented their ideas in front of the judges and audiences. At the conlcusion of the competition, judges voted for the best entrepreneurial idea. Prime Wash, a team consisting of students Brian Flores, Jakob Fierro, and Rodolfo Sandoval IV, emerged victorious. Their entrepreneurship idea focused on the creation of a high- end laundromat. Each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship and the team as a whole was granted $50,000 in startup services.
Lassen volcanic park. He stayed for three days, and each day he got up and went out to hike for 12 hours. He wished that he had more time to visit these parks because a lot of his trip was driving to the park, which was about a 14 hour drive. He had the pleasure to go on this trip with his dad. He was there for fun, and since he hikes for a hobby, he got to enjoy this trip more than ever when he climbed a mountain. Daniel said it was pretty easy to adapt to this naturalistic setting, except for the fog. “It was so foggy that I couldn't see my own hand in front of my face.” He enjoys taking these hikes through national parks and hopes to visit more in the future.
Summer Renovations By SEAN WILK Journalist Senior ‘18
[Cont’d from COVER]
are using the area we have wisely across all the classes.” Not only has there been a great space created for all students, but there is now a changing area for member of the Theater Department behind the new student lounge. Previously, the boys and girls who performed in plays and musicals had to use the small, cramped area behind the stage to change, leading to stress and frustration during performances. This new changing area is large and open, which will provide a much better experience for performers by allowing them to feel much calmer, as they no longer need to worry about getting in the way of other people. Senior Anthony Flores, a 4-year participant in the theater program, said “[The changing room] is going to be great for us, I’m very excited.”
A7
Opinion Lunch Service By JUSTIN NEFF Executive Editor
Senior ‘18 For years, the infamous lunch program here on campus has been a hit or miss among students. However, over time more complaints have come in rather than praise, which raises the question: is Bosco in need of a new lunch program? From issues such as long lines and high prices, students believe that the time for change is now. Senior Spencer Moore states, “I would love to see a higher quality in the food. I also would like to see the venue where the food is acquired either updated or moved.” After hearing from Spencer, I had the opportunity to receive feedback from seniors Christian Sotomayor and Christian Munoz, both agreed with what Spencer had to say. The seniors here on campus have had the same lunch program over the four years and concur that no progress has been made over these raised issues. Personally, I agree that a new, or improved lunch program is necessary in the immediate future of the school. One aspect that I notice and would like to expand upon is the prices. The program accepts cash only for items that average close to five dollars each. Because of the cash-only policy, students are out of luck if they forget a lunch and do not have cash on them. One easy fix to this situation could be to credit the entire lunch system. Rather than cash being the only option of payment, students should be able to use their ID’s as a credit card which can be charged to their account. In turn, this could effectively cut down the long lines that are present every day at break and lunch as well offer students who are out of cash the ability to still buy a lunch. Simple changes as such could go a long way in restoring student faith in the current lunch program.
EDITORIALS
A8
September 20, 2017
North Korea’s Lifeline and Achilles’ Heel By MARK MCDERMOTT Editor-in-Chief Senior ‘18
North Korea has now twice violated Japanese airspace with illegal missile tests and detonated a thermonuclear weapon. This posturing makes it painfully obvious that even the Soviet Union and Cuba had a deeper understanding of mutually assured destruction (MAD) than Kim Jong Un. Such uncertainty on a thermonuclear scale renders Kim Jong Un a liability measured in millions of lives, not just in the remote possibility of a missile striking the U.S., but of the very real danger of casualties in the densely populated regions of South Korea and Japan. The Danger is emphasized by North Korea’s latest belligerence with its missile launches and test of its first thermonuclear weapon. It is a dangerous rogue state that cannot be trusted with these weapons, just as mentally unstable people are not trusted with firearms. Immense numbers of North Koreans suffer from human rights violations, with the widespread starvation and forced labor camps. Nevertheless, it is legitimate to question why the U.S. can arbitrarily decide who can possess nuclear weapons and who cannot. The answer in North Korea’s case (and, for that matter, Iran’s) is a lot like gun control: people have the right to bear arms in self-
defense (as in the nuclear philosophy of MAD), but they do not have the right to brandish their weapons in a public place and shoot above people’s heads. This is what North Korea has repeatedly done, violating treaties and common sense with missile and bomb tests. The diplomatic issue arises from the tacit support of China, which clings to a desire to assert its influence in the region and its history in defending Kim’s regime. China, with its formidable economic and military strength, remains North Korea’s largest trading partner. The U.S. and the international community can sanction almost all other North Korean trade and China will ensure that money continues to flow into Kim’s missile program, rendering standard diplomatic efforts ineffective. This has been the root cause of the ineffectiveness over decades of past measures – China ensures that North Korea can survive while still breaking treaties and under sanctions. However, China’s silence surrounding the latest provocations signifies its growing uncertainty. China is balancing its protection of authoritarianism against the risk of conflict, providing the U.S. with its only promising opportunity to peacefully gain leverage over North Korea: if China can be convinced to enforce sanctions of the Kim regime as strictly as the U.S., North Korea would be forced to comply with U.S. objectives
or collapse altogether. It may sadly be true that this may lead to some further suffering for millions of innocent people in North Korea, but it is necessary to prevent a radical regime from inciting conflict on a scale never before seen. This centers upon the fact that neither China nor the U.S. desire all-out warfare against the other. Thus, the U.S. must show that Kim's escalations will eventually result in U.S. intervention and make the current regime a liability for a broader conflict, and that China’s only option is to cooperate in restricting North Korean trade. Besides, if Kim does launch a first strike, the approval of China is needed to ensure U.S. intervention does not provoke the same Chinese response in favor of North Korea that occurred in the Korean War of the 1950s. Even with this in mind, President Trump’s “fire and fury” comments were not unwise. Other United States politicians, including Colin Powell and President Obama, have shared the understanding that any North Korean strike will receive powerful retaliation; in essence, reiterating the doctrine of MAD. President Trump’s rhetoric should be cautioned only to show that the U.S. will, under no circumstances, preemptively attack the Kim regime, which would critically damage relations with China and regional allies; the objective against North Korea is one of defense, not conquest.
Transgender Military By JUSTIN VARGAS Journalist Senior ‘18
[Cont’d from OPINION, A4]
Even with the Pentagon’s decision the issue persists b ecaus e this r uling contradicts some of the military’s medical procedure for disqualification when one is medically examined. If one is deemed depressed
or mentally unstable they are unable to further their application. Symptoms to gender dysphoria and potential side effects of hormone therapy sound very familiar to the aforementioned disqualification conditions, but the Pentagon ruled otherwise. Despite the ban’s effectiveness, specifically for combat-related MOS, its universal application is outright wrong. This is
because about 80% of the jobs in the military are noncombat occupations, and thus President’s Trump’s proposition for an all out ban is excessive as it underestimates the reality of opportunities. For example, administrative support, intelligence and technology are some of the more popular MOS that receive crucial input from transgender personnel. The ban, in effect, would strain the workforce of approximately 15000
For this reason, it must be made evident in diplomatic channels that the U.S. has no desire to control the North Korean territory. To compromise between Chinese and U.S. goals, North Korea could become a Chinese protectorate, like Hong Kong, permitting a more open and humane society and visitation from South Korea. Even direct Chinese control would be better than Kim’s government: China does not threaten the West with nuclear weapons every other day and cannot because it needs access to Western markets. Solicitation of Chinese support does not mean that direct negotiation with Kim should be off the table; if China can be persuaded to assist, it is possible that a deal could be made to accomplish objectives peacefully. But unlike the Iran deal, leniency to North Korea should be granted only after concrete evidence of cooperation is consistently found. Meanwhile, U.S. forces in Korea must continue to demonstrate readiness to deter any attack; North Korea may threaten action against the drills, but this has repeatedly proven to be mere bluster. Missile defense systems are especially
important as protection and deterrence, and should be further tested to refine their effectiveness against all types of ballistic missiles. Negotiations and joint military exercises with South Korea must present a united front against Kim, including a willingness to share the cost of missile defense systems that exist primarily to protect South Korea and Japan. Ultimately, as the U.S. learned in the Korean War, China has the stronger presence on the peninsula. Any military involvement, following the lessons of Vietnam and Iraq, must be decisive and carried out with the support of the people against a clear enemy that directly attacked the U.S. or its allies. If Kim strikes, the U.S. must immediately retaliate as it has threatened to do. A peaceful strategy should advance on a broader diplomatic front, while maintaining a powerful military presence. But for any resolution, China is the kingpin, wielding the regional power necessary to bring down the regime. We are already convinced of North Korea’s instability and risk to our well-being; to resolve this crisis, China must be as convinced as we are.
transgender troops on active duty and in the reserves, a problematic consequence of a universal ban. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Blake Dremann is only one example of many that portrays t he accomplishments of transgender service members in non-combat occupations. After having been deployed 11 times, he was recognized by the Navy with the Vice Admiral Robert F. Batchelder Award, its most decorated logistics
award. Although President Trump’s ban might be effective for certain aspects of the military, for the thousands of transgender troops that have served in the past and present, there marks of contribution are truly outstanding. They have continued to show they are proud to serve their country with the highest ideals of duty and sacrifice and taking that away would be a burden to our nations prosperity.
September 20, 2017
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Day N’ Night
The Future of Hip-Hop By Isaak Gonzalez Journalist
Senior ‘18 From September 8 th to the 10 th, the hip-hop world was focused on Anaheim, CA for the DayN-Night music festival. Held at Angel Stadium, the festival was headlined by renowned artists Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, and Kendrick Lamar. The lineup was also filled with a number of up-and-coming hip-hop and R&B artists. Although I did not attend the full festival, I was able to attend the final day. Sunday had a perfect mix of all hip-hop aspects. The day started off with a number of promising young artists looking to make names for themselves. Among these artists was NBA YoungBoy, a 17 year-old rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since he is a teenager, his lyricism, consists of life struggles, proving to be insightful for someone his age. His set was arguably one of the
most energetic of the day. As the day went on, the crowd slowly grew, as the anticipated acts were approaching. The first mainstream artist to perform on Sunday was Metro Boomin, a rapper and DJ famous for collaborations with notable artists, such as Drake, Future, and Nav, to name a few. His set quickly energized the crowd with his unique trap beats. While the crowd was already incredibly hyped, the nightcap of the festival put it over the top. West coast rappers YG and Kendrick Lamar easily had the best performances of the day. Both artists intertwined their sets with real-world conflict in order to portray the true power of hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar’s performance consisted of a movie-like set that further connected the crowd with his music, both old and new. The festival was made special by the diversity of the crowd in attendance - uniting all cultures and ethnicities through the power of music.
Album Review By CADEN SANTIAGO Journalist Senior ‘18
[Cont’d from A. REVIEW, Cover]
Others who are probably not familiar with the “indie” genre of music may not understand or may find it difficult to catch the gloomy production of the first couple of songs, as the first song “Time to Meet Your God” can be viewed as awkward, but after listening to a couple more songs the audience will be able to better understand the gloomy production. The hooks of the songs can be difficult to catch, surrounded by a ring of silly voices and gloomy production. But when listening to this album, the awkwardness lands strongly, making Dedicated to Bobby Jameson resonate deeply. The album features some of Ariel Pink’s most profound work. Pink has
Death Note
A Daring Adaptation By RJ JOHNSON Journalist
Sophomore ‘20 Death Note is a standalone film based off the Manga Series started in 2003. As the most recent adaptation of the series, it gives a lot of people the room to judge. Although there is much room for criticism, director Adam Wingard has a very creative mind and distinctive eye. He is also able to pick a talented cast to show all his ideas and work through them. When newcomers hear the words “Death Note”, there are some things that come to mind. (Note: this title is written to be taken in the literal sense) The original Manga Series follows the premise of a special book given to a random teenager named Light Yagami, and despite the Western adaptation following the same scenario, one notable difference is that his named is changed to Light Turner. This book gives Light the ability to take over or help the world as he sees fit. Little does he know that,
with great power comes even greater responsibility, as he is shown to be barely prepared for. He meets a lot of other people along the way, who either push him towards his goals, hold him back, or even do both. Light typically doesn’t know how to properly deal with simple situations because he is in a state of emotional instability due to the death of his mother in a car accident. Even though he is very indecisive, whenever he does decide on something, it could drastically change the entire world for the better or worse. Other characters like him are noticeably different than he was in the manga series. One significant difference is the inverted skin tone a pasty white in the manga to a dark skin tone in the film. However, one premise is present in both films is Light’s hell-bent desire on finding out who possesses the power of the Death Note. As the appeal for Death Note continues to grow, so do the newcomers. Grab some popcorn and tune in to this Netflix Original!
A9
Feature: Aidan Flaherty
By CONNOR CARTLEDGE Journalist Senior ‘18
[Cont’d from FLAHERTY, A3]
Aidan knows that he may have to pursue a career or major other than acting, because of the difficulty that comes with entering the industry, but he plans to pursue acting after high school alongside college classes, acquiring more skills such as tap dancing and vocalization before auditioning for bigger productions and roles. His biggest influences are some artistic legends such as Jeremy Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Chip Zien, and Heath Ledger. Having been a friend of Aidan’s throughout high school, I have seen his development & look forward to seeing Aidan’s performances and in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
IMMERSIVE & EMOTIONAL
Ariel Pink’s Dedicated to Bobby Jameson
created a record that’s dynamic and diverse. It also has a recurring theme of time, from the albums opener “Time to Meet Your God” to “Time to Live” to “I Wanna Be Young” which explores the ideas of time running out and fading youth. Its finest songs are more cozier and more immediate such as the gothic dreampop “Feels like Heaven,” the hypnotic “Time to live,” and the nervous sentimental of “I Wanna Be Young.” A couple minutes into “Time to Live,” the synth dances with a crunchy guitar riff before Pink’s vocals are delivered. “Kitchen Witch,” a personal favorite, brings an aesthetic feeling to the audience almost sounding like a song lost in the ‘80s.
In “Another Weekend,” it bears striking similarity to a classic rock song that compared falling in love to hearing a catchy melody. Dedicated to Bobby Jameson is very immersive. The atmosphere of his songs feels more like his self-recorded music from the early 2000s, which were dull and random, filled with delicate hooks and inside jokes. “I Wanna Be Young” actually dates back to those days. The original version of the song was distorted by a warping tape machine and falsetto harmonies that overpowered the cheap background of keys and guitars. Found on the album itself, the clean sound brings the audience closer to a feeling of urgency and regret. As
Ariel Pink ages, the more his subliminal messages rise to the surface. As a whole, the songs on Dedicated to Bobby Jameson play
with a surprising warmth. Compared to Pink’s other compositions, this is Pink’s simplest, sharpest, and most charming album.
SPORTS
B10
September 20, 2017
Sports Columnist & Editor: Ethan Piechota ‘19
Braves Show Football Promise Early In their efforts to defend their CIF Southern Section and California State Championship from last year, the St. John Bosco Braves football team opened up their season with a thrilling matchup against national powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida. The highly anticipated season opener aired on ESPNU, with millions watching. The Braves had come into the game against Aquinas ranked 3rd in the nation, with Aquinas ranked right behind them at 5th. Both teams are coming off state championship seasons with high expectations. A highly competitive game,
the two programs took a 3-3 defensive battle into overtime, where the Braves would eventually lose 9-3 in heartbreaking fashion. Aquinas held the lead for most of the game, by way of one 37-yard field goal from kicker William McConnel at the end of the first quarter. Bosco’s offense struggled for most of the game, mostly due to the different looks and formations thrown out there by a top-ranked and talented St. Thomas Aquinas defense. Senior quarterback Re-Al Mitchell went just 9/21 with 70 passing yards, and was kept out of the end zone. He threw 3 interceptions in the game. Mitchell did add 17
carries and 85 yards rushing to his stat line however. Said Mitchell after the game: “[It was] execution really. We got in the red zone five times, we were in position to score. Penalties hindered us, but it is what it is.” Mitchell went on to state, “We’ll come back from [this] though.” Aquinas wasn’t much better offensively, and that was in a large part due to the outstanding performance by the St. John Bosco defense. Junior defensive end Cole Aubrey led the way with 10 tackles and 2 sacks. Senior outside linebacker Kedron Williams also tallied 9 tackles for the game. The secondary for the Braves made a statement with the
Every day, Jaiden Woodbey drives to school here at St. John Bosco high school from his home in Fontana, California. The one-hour drive every morning is tough for the star football player and track-and-field standout, but represents the commitment and dedication Woodbey has as a Bosco Brave and member of the community. It’s not easy to be a 5-star recruit and one of the top defensive backs in his class, while in the process of exemplifying what it means to be a Bosco Brave. Woodbey graces the campus every day as a role model for everyone. On and off the field, he’s a true 5-star recruit. Throughout his high school career at St. John Bosco, Woodbey has achieved many things on and off the field. He is widely considered to be the best defensive back in the 2018 class, with a full-ride scholarship to Ohio State University next year already in the works. Woodbey is an All-American Army Bowl commit for this year, and has been a clear-cut leader on Bosco’s defense for the last two seasons. Off the field, Woodbey is a perfect representation of a Bosco man and member of the community. He works hard in class and is respectful and open to all of his peers on campus. That’s
not something you’d normally expect from such a highly-touted recruit, but Woodbey goes the extra mile. Woodbey is well-liked and respected on the football team as well. As a leader on the team and somebody who has experienced a state championship, he is someone who many of the younger and newer players look up to. “Jaiden is a really good teammate, and an even better person off the field. He brings a lot of positivity to the secondary especially, and that helps keep us grounded and stay humble too,” said Junior Cornerback and toprecruit Chris Steele about Woodbey and his leadership. This just goes on to show how much Woodbey is truly valued and appreciated by his teammates on the football team. Going into his Senior season at Bosco, Woodbey wants to end his career on a high note both academically and athletically. After such a successful career, Jaiden still strives for more. “Sportswise coming into my senior year, this is my last ride so I got to make the best of it. Now what I’m focusing on academically is graduation,” said Woodbey on some of his Senior Year goals. Woodbey has high expectations for his football team this season, and expects nothing less than another run at state and national
championships. “Our main goal is still to win a national championship and I feel like we can do that. I’m trying to do 10 times better than I did last year. I’m trying to have at least 5-6 interceptions this year, take 5-6 kickoff returns to the crib.” Those numbers would definitely help the Braves chance of achieving their ultimate goal this year. Jaiden is headed to Ohio State next year to further his academic and athletic career. He believes that he really feels at home on campus, which made his decision to pick between 30 colleges easier. “I took my visit up there, and it was everything I ever wanted. This school was a little bit different than the other ones. My parents gave me the thumbs up, and I’m a Buckeye,” said Woodbey with a smile. Woodbey will graduate early from St. John Bosco, as he will enroll at Ohio State soon after he completes this semester. He expects to make an immediate and impactful contribution to the football team as soon as he arrives, and who would doubt him? He has his future goals in mind, and there is no stopping him on his way to achieving these goals. When asked where he sees himself in 5 years, Woodbey responded by saying, “Being in the NFL, owning multiple businesses, and living a comfortable lifestyle.”
game, holding top recruit Trevon Grimes for Aquinas to zero catches on the night. Senior defensive back Jaiden Woodbey and junior cornerback Chris Steele led the way for the elite unit. “Going into the game our game plan was to shut down the run, and we knew if forced them to pass that was going to work out, because we have one of the top secondary’s in the country,” said Steele. The Braves would tie the game 3-3 midway through the 4th quarter by a 25-yard field goal from Senior kicker James Duchesne. Unfortunately, a 1-yard touchdown scramble from Aquinas quarterback Curt
Co-written by: Caleb Wiley ‘19 Casteel in overtime would decide the game, as the Braves offense came up short, and dropped the record to 0-1 on the season. As expected, the Braves have bounced back with convincing wins against unranked Garces Memorial (63-0), and number 7 Chaminade (31-17) in their home opener September 8th. The Braves also defeated Dorsey High School 69-14 last Friday, a convincing win to head into their flight to Washington D.C. to play St. John's College High School in a much-anticipated matchup. The Braves are looking strong leading up to the critical Trinity League games of the coming weeks.
FEATURE - Jaiden Woodbey
Who would blame him? With Woodbey’s work ethic and dedication, nothing is out of the question. The college experience is great and completely different from high school, especially for a star football player at a nationally-ranked powerhouse such as Ohio State. For Jaiden, it’s exciting, yet tough to leave. Bosco will miss Jaiden sincerely, on and off the field. Through his career here as a Brave, he has brought success and leadership in various ways. It only seems right that Jaiden Woodbey ends his career an legacy as a Brave with another state and national championship run, which is very likely to happen behind Woodbey and his defense this season.
“My parents have always been instilling it in me since I was little that [I’m going to be] one of the best athletes in my class. You will everything into existence, so it’s just persistence and hard work that makes everything go through” “It’s a bittersweet thing. I’m glad high school’s over, but then again… these are my guys and I [will] miss playing with them every Friday”
Jaiden Woodbey
September 20, 2017 Written by Caleb Wiley ‘19
Rise: Water Polo
When people think of St. John Bosco high school athletics, the water polo program isn't exactly what pops up into their mind. Most people think of dominant programs such as football or wrestling. They may even think about one of the up-and-coming programs such as basketball or baseball. However, watch out for the young Braves water polo team, as they are officially on the rise. Last year, the water polo team had an outstanding season. The team exceeded expectations all year long, as they ended up reaching the CIF Division 4 Southern Section semi-finals for the first time in 25 years. "Last year we had a great year, going to the semi-finals of CIF for the first time in a while,” said Junior Jake Douglas. "For a while" is an understatement, considering how well the team played. The team chemistry developed and competitiveness displayed by the Braves ended last year on a great note. “The hype and competition surrounding the team’s 22-6 overall record, [along] with making it to the semi-finals of CIF is what made the year we had last year the best year in Bosco history,” said Junior leader Patrick Burke. The Braves did end up mustering a difficult 1-5 record in Trinity League play last season, which is something they will look to improve upon this upcoming season. However, it’s not going to be easy to keep up their level of play and success from last season. “Of course every year our goal is first of all to win league, [and] after that win CIF,” varsity head coach Jeff Powers explains. He goes on to say, “With five of our starters graduating and only two starters returning, it is going to be a little bit more tough.” With every first-year varsity player in any sport there is going to be bumps in the road. The team will need to take time to gain experience over the course of this season. Burke states, “Right now we only have 2 seniors, the rest 7 are juniors; myself included. Next year, we're going to be pretty tough to beat.” However, he goes on to add that, “We are expecting to make CIF this year, but even more so we [juniors] are going to make the most of this opportunity and learn from this year.” Jake Douglas also confirms this notion, saying, “This year will be a learning season so we can come back next season stronger than ever.”
Wild Card, Wild Winner TOMMY FIERRO Junior ‘19
As the American League wild card race is beginning to narrow, a set of trades have put the Los Angeles Angels in position to take control of the second AL wild card spot. On August 31, the Angels acquired all-star outfielder Justin Upton from the Detroit Tigers and former all-star second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Atlanta Braves. By enhancing two of their weakest positions, the Angels now possess a scary batting order for any pitcher to go up against. A strong mix of speed, contact, and power makes their lineup something extremely special. Alongside their offensive strengths, the Angels have an amazing defense, it being well-disciplined and having a knack for making great plays.
Not only do the Halos have a 30% chance of making the playoffs (mlb.com), but have luck on their side historically. Since being introduced to the MLB in 1994, the wild card has provided much success. Multiple wild card teams have reached the World Series in recent history. While their pitching hasn’t been as great as anticipated, it isn’t as bad as many think. The staff is young as a whole and has had to endure many injuries all season long. As the next couple weeks unfold in this wild card race, the Angels pitching staff will be essential to their success. With key division games upcoming, the Angels must find a way to stay healthy in order to stay alive in the chase. If the Angels find their way to postseason in October, don’t be surprised if they make some noise as an underdog.
SPORTS
B11
Cross Country Seeking to Retake Title
When you think of the most dominant St. John Bosco High School sport, you probably think of football first, not crosscountry. However, the cross-country program and its prestige in recent history beg to differ. For 20 years, the St. John Bosco cross-country team dominated the Trinity League, setting a precedent for the program’s future. After two straight years of losing in the Trinity League finals, losing their league title “streak,” the Braves are back and hungrier than ever. The streak lasted for 20 straight years, ending in 2015 with a tough 5th place finish. Last year, the Braves came in second to JSerra, showing promise and improvement from their previous rough year. This season, they return key veteran runners and team leaders determined for one more league title. Eleven seniors will grace
the roster this year, headlined by Colby Corcoran, Albert Serrano, Diego de la Torre, Diego Gonzalez, and Raymond Solorza. These seniors have taken on increased leadership roles this season in order to develop and aid the younger runners through the journey of a league championship quest. Senior Captain Albert Serrano emphasized a focus on improving teamwork and cohesion rather than individual progress this year. When asked if he had approached this upcoming season with more leadership for the younger runners, Serrano said, “Compared to last year, yes. Last year, I really just went into it wanting to get better from my previous year.” Serrano will be pivotal in the Braves’ success this season, as he is coming off a top 10 finish in the 3 miles in last year’s Trinity League finals.
When asked about the importance of winning a league title this year, senior Colby Corcoran said, “It’s really important, that’s all I want this year…that’s the main goal. I got to experience [a league title] freshman year and I want to bring it back.” Corcoran took first in the 3 miles last year in the Trinity League finals, as well as setting a school record in the race in the CIF SS-Division Finals on November 19th, 2016. He set a new personal record in the 5000 meters at the 2016 CIF State Cross Country Championships on November 26th as well, clocking in at 15:18.5. Behind two of their leaders in Corcoran and Serrano, the Braves hope to bring back another league title this season, and lay down their legacy for years to come. The streak may have come to an end, but a new one is bound to begin.
Valuable Sleepers Fantasy Football
• (QB) Jay Cutler: Jay Cutler is most notably known for his problem with interceptions, which will excel in the Miami Dolphins offense (not really). This season, Cutler has a young and exciting receiving core in Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker coupled with a vertical tight end threat in Julius Thomas. Running back Jay Ajayi adds to the list of weapons on display for Cutler. Expect a bounce-back year from the veteran Cutler. • (RB) LeGarrette Blount: LeGarrette Blount led the NFL last year with a careerhigh 18 touchdowns. Blount also reached the 1,000-rushing yard margin at age 29. LeGarrette is no longer in an offense lead by a QB who’s arguably the best in Tom Brady, but rather in a diverse Philadelphia Eagles offense that will get him just as many - if not more - touches. • (RB) Dion Lewis: With LeGarrette Blount on his way to Philly, the New England Patriots will need a new starting running back. Luckily for the Pats, they have a starting-caliber running back on their roster. Veteran Dion Lewis is extremely underrated, sporting the same exact yards-per-carry average as David Johnson and a higher yard-per-reception average than LeSean McCoy. • (WR) J.J. Nelson: J.J. Nelson is a speedy wide receiver who is known for his 4.28 forty-yard dash. He has shown promise in the long ball (an 80-yard TD against the Seattle Seahawks and a 56-yard TD against the Miami Dolphins). He has shown steady growth in his amount of targets over the past few years and was responsible for 12% of all passing targets for the Arizona Cardinals last year. Even with fewer targets compared to his teammates he shows impressive numbers especially with TDs. • (TE) Hunter Henry: The Los Angeles Chargers rookie phenom was great last year and wasn’t even the number one tight end on the Chargers depth chart. Even with little time on the field, he was tied with a league leading 8 touchdowns among tight ends making him a reliable fantasy option. He only played 54% of the Chargers’ snaps. • (K) Wil Lutz: The New Orleans Saints have a great offense overall and should be able to have multiple touchdowns and red zone opportunities all season under Drew Bree’s. He was ranked #6 last year among kickers and shouldn’t be overlooked. • (DEF) Jacksonville Jaguars: After acquiring defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback A.J. Bouye, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense looks stacked. Having previously acquired star defensive tackle Malik Jackson and the runner up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback Jalen Ramsey along with second year linebacker Myles Jack, this should be the year they are able to make the jump into a top 10 defensive unit in the NFL.
Written By Thomas Fierro ‘19
Vol # 17
2017-2018
St. John Bosco High School Presents
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