THE BRAVE A Student Led Newspaper
Vol # 16|Edition 1
13640 S. Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower, CA
Summer Destinations See page 8
Football See page 7
Stronger With Her
By: Vincent C. Grospe
Senior ‘17 ~ Executive Editor On Nov 8, 2016, America’s next four years will be changed -- for better or worse. On that day, America will elect a new president. “The land of the free and home of the brave” yearns for a true defender of the U.S. constitution and a real representative of America’s citizens. It is vital that this country picks the right candidate for the job: Hillary Rodham Clinton. No other candidate in this election cycle has more experience or qualifications than those of Hillary. She has been fighting for civil rights and equality since day one. After law school, she worked with the Children’s Defense Fund, primarily with disabled children who were denied access to a proper education and with incarcerated teenagers who were placed in adult prisons. As a first lady, she helped expand healthcare to millions of children through the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. When she was a U.S. senator, Hillary led the initiative to expand healthcare benefits to military families. Finally, as a secretary of state, she negotiated an effective ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and was with President Barack Obama, as well as other important advisors, to coordinate the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. While Hillary has a strong appeal to ethos, her policies are credible as well. Imagine an economy where Americans have more access to occupational and educational
opportunities and are ensured a fair tax system. Hillary has the formula to achieve this. If elected, she will increase job training capabilities and invest in higher education, so hardworking citizens can choose from a wide variety of jobs and earn good wages. In terms of finance, she will fight for a fair tax code that makes sure the wealthiest Americans do not have a lower tax rate than the middle classes. She has many more policies, but her overall economic strategy is legitimate. According to Moody Analytics, an independent research group, Hillary’s economic proposals, if in effect, will add 10.5 Continued on Page 4
September 29, 2016
Around Bosco See page 5
A Defense of Donald
America is in trouble. In a situation not unlike that of 1980, we face a rise of foreign threats, a struggling economy, and massive sociodemographic issues. We need a Reagan. Instead, Donald Trump was voted the Republican candidate. Literally a dozen of the other contenders in the primaries would have beaten Hillary Clinton in the general election. But Donald Trump arose from the anger and frustration of the people, an anger at a perceived lack of response to pressing needs. He was not a logical choice, he was an emotional one, and has run his campaign for president accordingly. Nevertheless, Donald Trump brings many needed merits through his policies. He promises lower taxes, a secure border, a stronger America abroad. These are the solutions the United States desperately needs. A lower tax rate would boost the economy, lowering unemployment and increasing wages. A secure border furthers wage and labor stability, and can stabilize social and educational
IN THIS EDITION Page 2 ~ Science Page 3 ~ Olympics Page 4 ~ Political Page 5 ~ Around Bosco Page 6 ~ Editorials Page 7 ~ Football Page 8 ~ Journalist’s Travel
By: Mark McDermott
Junior ‘18 ~ Editor-in Chief
systems. A stronger foreign policy can reduce terrorism around the world and grant the United States political and economic leverage against China, Russia, and Iran, promoting world stability. Mr. Trump fits much of the policy description of a Republican candidate, though his ostentatious nature is in stark contrast with most Republican wishes. Mr. Trump’s biggest problem is the blunt things he says. Ultimately, if that is the worst thing about Donald Trump, I will accept it in the place of the alternative: four more years of continued liberal policies that from Hillary Clinton will continue instability abroad and the slow pace of our economy. Even the Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson, believes in a porous border, an unacceptable proposition that will perpetuate mounting social and economic issues. Ronald Reagan asked America in a debate with President Carter: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” We can ask ourselves the same questions Reagan posed: is America’s standing in the world better, prices lower, jobs available? Continued on Page 4
Science
Page 2
September 29, 2016
Sleep Deprived Teens By: Justin Perry
Sophomore ‘19 ~ Science Editor School is back in session, and whereas many students were used to waking up to their body clocks, they now grudgingly arise to the incessant ringing of the alarm clock. While the need to finish up that last assignment may be inevitable and the desire to watch just one more You Tube video overwhelming, many do not take the time to consider the detrimental effects that lack of sleep can have on mind and body. Although it is well known that an insufficient amount of sleep can result in a variety of problems, the extensive impact of sleep deprivation may be surprising. Obtaining a sufficient amount of rest is essential to regulating behaviors, such as managing stress and eating healthier. As stated in a 2014 report in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, teens who cannot get 8-10 hours of sleep are more prone to drug and alcohol use, suicide, and depression. Likewise, lack of sleep contributes to belligerent and inappropriate conduct during school hours and can even lead to more athletic injuries due to poor judgment.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a 2012 study of middle and high school athletes, “getting less than eight hours of sleep was the strongest predictor of injury” (Lewis). The most notorious repercussion of sleep deprivation, drowsy driving, is carried out by as many teen drivers as all other age groups combined, which has resulted in the loss of countless lives. Sleep deprivation also has a profound influence on various aspects of one’s health and academic performance. During the sleep cycle, the hormones responsible for growth and development in children and teens are released, and the brain prepares neural pathways that play an integral role in learning and processing new information. Lack of sleep also increases the likelihood of contracting illnesses that can make it more difficult to handle the workload of a busy student, which, in turn, can lead to further sleep deficiency. Not getting enough sleep can even cause acne or other skin conditions to worsen and lead
Is It Just for Games? By: Miles Lacey
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist In Sao Paulo, Brazil, a group of researchers from Duke University have taken the power of virtual reality and used it to help paraplegics. The science behind the discovery is simple. A patient would wear a virtual reality headset and a specially designed suit that would mimic the feeling of touch as he or she moves around in the virtual reality world. Thus, the patient’s brain would be able to connect feeling with a certain body part, training the brain to recognize what part of the body to move. This process not only enables paraplegics to regain
muscle control but also helps them regain bladder and bowel control, which reduces the likelihood of getting infections. The haptic suit provides a feeling of touch and helps to reawaken nerves that may have survived. In turn, the stimulation of those nerves and the connection received in the virtual reality world reconnect those nerves to the brain. Since the costs of the virtual reality and haptic suits are coming down, the technology will be available in a wide variety of places to help people suffering from similar conditions worldwide.
individuals to eat unhealthy food products, resulting in weight gain. While knowing the effects of sleep deprivation can be informative, many sage pupils are likely concerned about how to solve the sometimes unavoidable dilemma of getting an insufficient amount of rest on a regular basis. The seemingly obvious answer that has been drilled into the brains of students by parents and teachers alike is to simply go to bed earlier. However, according to Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical
psychologist and sleep expert, “teens are biologically predisposed to stay up later at night and sleep later in the morning” (Gregoire). Therefore, since it is virtually impossible for many teens to fall asleep before eleven o’clock at night, a very logical answer to this dilemma would be to implement later start times, at least occasionally, to counteract the impact of sleep deprivation among teenage students.
Video Provided by Vincent Grospe, Chris Gamboa, Lawrence Breen, and Harold Hernandez Sources Referenced: LA Times Article “Why School Should Start Later in the Day” By: Lisa L. Lewis National Sleep Foundation NIH “Why is Sleep Important?”
Tribe Robotics By: Juan Aleman
Junior ‘18 ~ Contributing Writer Define. Plan. Develop. Create. Tribe Robotics is a team of likeminded students interested in the field of engineering, where, now alumni, Robotics’ founder David Ponce and leaders Adrian Campos and Diego Castañeda were the visionaries of this club. Last year they built a robot from their own design and testing. Our team takes pride in the fact that it is truly the students’ work that designed and built the robot. As Mr. Wippler likes to say, their work was “student built, mentor approved”. This has become our
mantra, which in turn, drives us to greatness. It is a team where ideas and designs of the robot come from the students and the mentors serve to assist. Every day after school the team can be found hard at work building the robot during a six week time frame. If it were not for the commitment and dedication of the team, we would not have been able to finish our project. A good majority of the club’s members are underclassmen, thus marking an era that lets us know the future of the robotics team shines brightly.
Last Year’s Robotics Team ~ 2016 Photo Provided by: Adrian Campos ‘16
Olympics
September 29, 2016
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Legacy Of Heart of the The Greatest Games By: Christian Sotomayor
By: Connor Cartledge
Junior ‘18 ~ Editor
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist
The Olympic games in Rio are over, and there a great things to remember. In one word, it was lively. Looking deep into what the Olympics are about, many would say it is all about bringing the world together every four years to show off the best athletes from all countries. In Rio, the best athletes weren’t the only people who stood out. Three unique individuals captivated the minds and hearts of crowds watching from within the games all the way to the millions watching back at home. To begin with, there is the Olympic swimmer Robel Kiros Habte. The bulky Ethiopian swimmer whose courage showed the true character divulged from within the Olympics. He finished last in the 100 meter men’s freestyle heat. During the live broadcasting of the event, he was not even on the screen when the final two swimmers in front of him finished. It took him a minute and four seconds to finish, yet the crowd cheered for him as he emerged from the water, as if he just brought home the gold. Each Olympic athlete finished in times that were far from their best, yet the crowd again cheered for the pair like they had just become medalists.
Then in the Women’s track and field competition later in the games, a clip of the heel caused Nikki Hamblin (New Zealand) and Abbey D Agostino (USA) to take a stumbling fall to the ground, losing any chance of placing for a medal in the 5,000 meter women’s heat. The fall seemed to have taken the hard work they had put into training for that day and gave them nothing in return. However, it turned into an emotional feat when Agostino stood up, and helped Hamblin to her feet. “We have to finish this race” were the words that brought the pair to finish line. The compassion for others, along with the enthusiastic Olympic crowds, were a phenomenal way to recognize why there are such things as the Olympics. The unity was awesome. Competing for medals is the concrete desire that the athletes strive for, but the abstract concept that the Olympics are for uniting countries and friends, old and new, together is the most important aspect of it, as it has been since the first Olympics in 1896, and will continue to be for the many to come.
Being an Olympic Athlete isn't just about competing, winning a gold medal, and repeating the process, it is the hardest physical, emotional, and mental challenge beyond compare. One must be able to have the immense strength to overcome these obstacles along the way. There is no question that one particular human being has been able to conquer all those feelings and in addition, be the most decorated Olympic athlete in the history of the games. His legacy will reign on forever and for as long as swimming lives, no one will ever forget the excellence of Michael Phelps. For his fifth Olympic games, there’s no doubt that his performance was out of this world. Phelps’s proudly finished with 5 gold medals, which brought him up to 23 in his entire career. Earlier this week, I interviewed 3-time Olympic water polo player, and head aquatics coach here at Bosco, Jeff Powers, who has met Phelps and saw him compete in Athens, Beijing, and London. “Being able to watch him at the Olympics is a fun experience,” explains Powers,” his performance at this years’ games was just incredible because he proved that he could sustain his excellence through his quest for 23 gold medals!” In addition to coaching water polo, Coach Powers is also the
swim coach and he agrees that Phelps is an inspiration to younger swimmers such as those who take part in the team for Bosco. While Discussing Phelps’ new official resignation, Coach said Phelps is still young and that if he wanted to, he could come back in 2020, however, as he explained, “It’s gotta be up to him. I knew I was done with my Olympic career because my urge to continue was no longer there and I wanted to do other things in life, especially be with my family.” We both came to the conclusion that if Phelps still has that Olympic drive to train and go hard, he could definitely go again and rack up some more medals. Michael Phelps is considered by many to be the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time and his success and extraordinary comeback proves just how triumphant he is in this legendary sport. His legacy will definitely be told for as long as swimming is around, because Phelps is pure gold.
An American Spirit By: Raymond Rojo
Junior ‘18 ~ Editor-in-Chief With the commencement of these Rio games we witnessed feats of greatness, where the games of the 31st Olympiad have been a chaotic, enthralling, and intoxicating success. In such, we find it is never all about the great and the good. It is also about the bad, the ugly, and the inspirational human-interest tales. We find this in Ryan Lochte, Jeffrey Julmis, Kimia Zenoorin, and Yusra Mardini to name a few. Their stories, whether they be of a
positive or negative value, embody our humanity to realize that we all have a common thread. Despite his story of a mugging attempt, Lochte presents humanity in the sense that no matter what we achieve we are all human. In the Haitian hurdler, Jeffrey Julmis, albeit running slap-bang into the first obstacle, represented great courage and pride in his country. It is about Taekwondo bronze-winner Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin, Iran’s first
female Olympic medalist. Raised in a nation where women’s rights are normally repressed, she proved that only two women on the planet are more proficient at kicking other women in the head – and there is a certain beauty in that. It is Syrian refugee, Yusra Mardini, winning a swimming heat. Her life-defining journey across the water after she’d survived an overcrowded dinghy capsizing on her escape across the Aegean. It is about Lilly King, the
19-year-old American swimming gold medalist, who showed courage in her outspoken criticism of Russian rival Yulia Efimova. In the end, we can define these 2016 Rio Olympics and past as a work of humanity, defining not only Americans, but also the world ~ where we can find everything that makes us human in these games.
Political
Page 4
Stronger With Her Continued
million jobs, decrease the unemployment rate to 4.4%, increase median income by 4%, and boost the average GDP growth by 2.7%. For the safety and security of this nation, Hillary has a real plan to stop ISIS as well as other threats, both foreign and domestic. And no, building a wall will not simply stop attacks on the homeland or illegal immigration. She has a three-point plan: destroy ISIS strongholds in Iraq and Syria, take apart global terrorist networks, and increase domestic security inside our homeland. The United States deserves the right type of leader, one who has the expertise, willpower, and sensible plans to improve Americans as individuals and as a whole. The first female Democrat nominee possesses these crucial characteristics that make her a unique presidential candidate. Ultimately, if you want a better economy, a country that truly values its constitution, and a safer America, then put a checkmark next to Hillary Clinton.
October 24 Last Day to Register!
Importance of Propositions By: Mark McDermott Junior ‘18 ~ Editor-in Chief
The typical attitude towards propositions is an annoyance, at long, melodramatic television commercials begging for a vote to prevent the destruction of the world or the children or health. This mentality, while easy to fall into, is actually quite sad. It is counter to the purpose of having propositions in the first place – to allow the people to vote on critical issues that garnered sufficient popular support to reach the ballot. It is one of the most direct ways for the people to directly affect change through the government into their own lives. Unfortunately, the participation and interest of Americans in elections has dramatically decreased. The distraction this election year over the two presidential candidates of the primary two parties has not helped with the mentality toward politics. Critical propositions have reached the ballot this year for the people to consider, not the least of which are the legalization of marijuana and the repeal of the death penalty. These moral issues will have profound impacts on daily life, and often have significant interest from the Catholic Church, the death penalty especially.
Just as important as the propositions are the smaller elections, not only for members of Congress but also for members of state and local government. These representatives make or reject the laws that shape the lives of the people in their jurisdiction. A decision to put a representative in the Senate should not be a whimsical one, as the single votes of these representatives in our government profoundly affect the nation and the world. It is far too easy to dismiss these bubbles on the voting card as unimportant. But even just the two examples mentioned above – and there are 18 state propositions this year – would have a profound effect on society. Take some time to consider the options presented, and to exercise the power of the people on which America was founded with a vote. And if you choose not to vote to decide on an issue, why should you complain of a negative result of a law? It obviously didn’t seem to matter then. In a republic such as ours there is never as clear an opportunity as through the propositions and elections to all levels of government for a person to directly affect political change. For your sake, and for the sake of others, pay attention to the message behind the starspangled television commercials. It makes a difference.
September 29, 2016
Donald Defense Continued
We will find that the situation, especially abroad, is much worse. I am fearful of the world that I see, of terrorism and a new type of cold war in Ukraine, Syria, and with China; of an economy where college graduates are mired with debt and unemployment. I am willing to pay the price of a few verbal missteps, as Mr. Trump says some of his comments are, for a hope of new stability and resurgence, for Reagan’s America. These are issues that Hillary Clinton is ideologically bound not to resolve, as she will continue the policies created by the Obama Administration. We cannot become so blinded with emotion and panic that we forget the fundamental issues at stake. Donald Trump presents the solutions to the issues that we have hoped for. Don’t forget his faults, but look at policies over personality, the objective approach in such an emotional campaign, and we will find him to be the remaining candidate for a conservative America.
A Third Party? By: Miles Lacey
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist In this year’s presidential election, we have to ask ourselves whether electing Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton is a good idea. If that answer is no, we need to find someone else to elect. Though we are not going to have that luxury this year, we as a country need to make sure that there is a platform for someone who is not a hard right or left democrat or republican can run for the presidency. Sadly, if you are not a democratic or republican nominee, then it is extremely difficult to be elected into office. This is because the third party nominees do not receive any time in the limelight and are not given a platform to defend their beliefs on. For instance, Mr. Cordero of the history department said, “[We should] give them a more formal voice in the election season.” Which is exactly what needs to be done. The debates are closed, and those who hold the debates choose who to invite to them.
Thus, if debates were open, and all people who are running for the presidency could join them, the general public would be able to equally hear all of the candidate’s views and policies. In general, this would grant those who could not fund a presidential campaign the ability to learn more and give the general populace the ability to research a particular candidate. It is, however, still important to remember that in this country we have a stable and working system that enables a peaceful transfer of power. Once the last president’s term is over, the person elected will then be inaugurated, and the cycle continues without any sort of bloodshed, as it sometimes does in other countries. All that needs to change is that any third party candidate needs to have an equal platform with the democratic and republican parties. The only people capable of such change at this point is our generation.
September 29, 2016
Around Bosco
Page 5
Where Are They Now? Frank Musso By: Christian Sotomayor Junior ‘18 ~ Editor
Frank Musso, as some of you may know him, is one of the most hilarious, exciting, and debateworthy guy ever. Having known him just my freshman year, he has impacted me very much through his charisma and self-righteous persona. Now attending Loyola Marymount University, Frank is having the time of his life, “LMU is incredible! Beautiful campus, beautiful people, and extremely personable professors focused on the success of their students.” A major in civil engineering, Frank has an outstanding work ethic where he's looking to be in an internship next summer to advance his expansive knowledge of the
subject. In comparison to High School, Musso said that, “College is similar to high school in that you still have homework.” According to Frank, “Whoever said that you don’t have homework in college is a liar and should be publicly stoned in the town square.” With all jokes aside, Frank takes full advantage of his free time at Manhattan Beach or working on multiple ‘Do It Yourself’ projects with friends. Frank Musso claims that LMU is a significant step forward in his academic career and credits that Bosco has done a magnificent job preparing him for the great handfuls of life.
Mr. Pillon
By: Calvin Zabala Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist The Saint John Bosco family of Mr. Pillon is unique, he states a history of 6 uncles, 8 cousins, his brother, and his father as alumni. He has returned to Bosco as a mathematics teacher in the Math Department. As a student, Mr. Pillon “grew up in Long Beach, played volleyball, studied mathematics during college, and was a 2010 valedictorian from Cal State Long Beach.” Spending his time in classroom 307, Mr. Pillon teaches Geometry, Geometry
Honors, and Pre-Calculus. According to Mr. Pillon, the importance lies in making math interesting and making connections with the subject to everyday life. His goal is to bring excitement to the classroom, making math appealing to his students, “since math is generally a boring subject.” Stop by Mr. Pillon’s classroom and welcome him for he is now among the esteemed Bosco alumni teaching on campus.
Jack Sarantos By: Spencer Moore
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist College can be the best experience of your life, but it is also one of the most crucial times. Jack Sarantos of the Bosco 2016 graduation class is attending college at University of Colorado, Boulder. Jack was unsure what or how to prepare for college. “Summer was almost like a fiesta because I was through with high school.” He prepared for college by taking a bit of a mental break over the summer to get ready for the intellectual rigor of college. Jack’s biggest challenge was adjusting. It was hard balancing a social life, freedom, and classes. Everyone wants to go party and hang out, but he needs to make sure he is working hard and keeping grades up. He has also found it difficult knowing what to get done. Teachers can be unspecific about what needs to be done and what does not. Many of the assignments are open to student interpretation, so several have been struggling. One of the best parts of college for him has been having a roommate. “It is almost like having an assigned friend.” He feels that having a roommate has not only allowed him to make a friend but also allowed him to learn a bit. He has learned the balance between being friendly and respecting others’ privacy boundaries. It has given
Jack the chance to learn about his roommate’s homeland, England. College has offered many activities for him to participate in. When he is not working out at the gym, Jack has been hanging out with many people in his dorm. Sometimes, they go into the city of Denver and might see a football game. They have also gone on hikes or would spend time around campus. Joining a Fraternity is another option Jack is considering. Even though he is only a freshman, Jack has two major suggestions for the seniors going to college next year. He suggests that students stay true to themselves; they should not change to try and make friends. He also recommends that when it comes to senior year semester two, seniors continue making an effort in their work. Colleges care.
A Salesian Community By: Justin Neff
Junior ‘18 ~ Editor This past summer, Campus Youth Ministry visited Santa Cruz, California for an event known as SYLC. At this week-long retreat, we were opened to the ways of the Salesian movement as well as the vision of Don Bosco. By interacting with the other various Salesian schools and parishes in California, the CYM team of Bosco bonded and created priceless relationships with others who share the same passion and interest of helping the
youth. Mr. Jaramillo describes the importance of SYLC as, “it teaches students to be Salesian leaders. It blends both aspects of leadership and Salesian which are important in this school in order to live the charism.” As the new director of campus ministry, Mr. J was able to see us students grow and take in this similar experience that he once had as a high school student. As someone who attended this retreat, one thing we can take from this experience is to take what we learned about the vision of Don Bosco and to apply it
in our everyday life here at Bosco to promote a sense of family and to reinforce our idea of brotherhood. It is our job to tie in what we learned at SYLC into everything that we do at Bosco, so that one day we can help the other students understand what it means to be Salesian. With events such as Triduum and Marian Day it is important that we demonstrate these new ideas to help improve on our events. Rather than just having mass and confession, we transmit the value of Triduum and its meaning to our community at Bosco that everyone is able to
see the importance in celebrating. By displaying the meaning of what we do on campus, we can then develop and strengthen our Salesian community.
Editorials
Page 6
September 29, 2016
Our Brave Nation By: David Black
Senior ‘17 ~ Journalist Brotherhood, unity, the spirit of competition. Such concepts are the goals of the Tribe meetings and games held here at Saint John Bosco. The idea behind tribe unity is a great one, but after having been a part of the process for a full three years now, I can say with confidence that the action behind the idea has proven to be problematic. In fact, the last two years’ it seems fewer students have attended Tribe Days. However, their are ways to highten the experience for students and faculty. Make tribes grouped by grade Whole-school unity is an impossible feat if the classes
themselves aren’t united. Each class would benefit from getting to know itself and its members better. In fact, class pride would likely boost school spirit and lead to increased attendance at sports events. Class pride could also lead to class rivalries, thereby increasing desire and reason for competition. Meet more often. It’s difficult to develop the bond of brotherhood with a group of guys you see once a month, seeing as brotherhood can only result from familiarity. Therefore the tribes should get together more, so that its members can become familiar with each other. This way, the
relationships that come from Tribe will be friendships rather than acquaintances. Incentives for particpation There should be something to look forward to when pondering the next Tribe meeting. There are many options… Food, laid back activities, study hour; the opportunities are endless. The Tribe is a good idea, but ideas are meant to be built upon, expanded, and improved. Taking into consideration a new way of conducting the Tribe experience will do those things, at the same time it will enhance student life at Saint John Bosco.
By: Jacob Bueno
Senior ‘17 ~ Managing Editor The senior status is the holy grail of all high school students, the final destination of the high school journey, and arguably the most anticipated experience of a teenager’s life. Constructed around fantasies of sleeping through class, coasting through courses, and being sent off to college, among other extracurricular” activities, senior year has quite the reputation. However, is this fourth year of
high school over-rated? What is the difference between senior year and previous years of high school? Plain and simple, the answer is nothing. There is no instant gratification or leniency. Here at Bosco, senior privileges are not granted until a two-monthlong probationary period has been served. The harsh reality of it all is that senior year will be the toughest time of your high
school career. Though the difficulty of classes remains unchanged, senior year will take a toll on you mentally. Senior status is the realization that your time in high school is over, that thing that you have been working for since elementary school is here. In just a few months’ time, someone will look over your life’s work and decide whether they will accept you into, or decline you
from their institution of higher education. This is not an attempt to be cynical or scare away the senior experience, but it is a call to be prepared for the responsibilities that are to come with being a senior. Senior year is the culmination of everything you have ever worked for. It is the duty of underclassmen and juniors to work hard now to ensure a successful senior year.
A Better Lunch2You By: Isaak Gonzalez
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist The current lunch program at St. John Bosco is quite often a theme of complaint by students. These complaints stem from both high pricing and a lack of quality options available to them. Although students may have a negative opinion about Lunch2You, these issues can be solved. The issue of money, either food being too costly or students forgetting to bring cash, can be solved by instituting a debit-card
to pay for meals. This would likely give Lunch2You a reason to offer a discount for the purchase of a meal-plan. A system like this would prevent students from using “I forgot my money at home,” as an excuse for not eating. Although students have different preferences, a quality menu can be assembled. Lunch2You should track their individual sales in order to document the most purchased items. The items that are often
purchased should remain on the menu. Those that are rarely purchased should be replaced by new options. New choices can be generated by conducting schoolwide student surveys and through submission of new food ideas directly to Lunch2You. While some students may be currently content with our lunch system, the number of unhappy students unhappy is large and growing.
Junior, Christian Sotomayor, is one of many students who are discontent with the current lunch program. He sees the main problem being that the prices are too high for the quality of the meal purchased. This problem can be eased by the company producing more of the “favorites,” such as pasta with marinara and the carne asada burrito, so that more students are happy during their 25-minute lunch period.
September 29, 2016
Page 7
Football
The Braves are Back in Business By: Isaak Gonzalez
Junior ‘18 ~ Journalist As one of the nation’s top contenders, the St. John Bosco Football team is destined for a successful season. The team is ready to get back to business and has made a strong commitment to improve in wake of the dreadful defeat at the CIF-SS Pac-5 Championship game. Head Coach Jason Negro instills in his athletes a committment to the philosophy, “Compete with the best.” The Braves will be led on the offense by returning Seniors Wyatt Davis (Offensive Line), Berkeley Holman (Wide Receiver), and Kristian Gilbert (Wide Receiver). On the other side of the ball, Senior Jacob Callier (Defensive End) will be continuing his reign on defense. Incoming student-athletes Terrell Bynum (Wide Receiver) and Jaiden
Woodbey (Safety) should have an immediate impact on the team. With an abundance of talent, the ultimate goals this season are to win the state championship and to strive to be in contention for the National Championship. Since this is no easy feat, the team will have a gameby-game approach this season. Coach Negro stated that through “dedication to the program” and “hard work and commitment” the team can achieve their goals. The support of the student body is vital to the team’s success. Coach Negro encouraged students to attend every game, stating, “The student body needs to understand that they are extremely important to the program. When we win, the student body wins, and St. John Bosco wins.”
Berkley Holman returns the kick.
Football Fridays By: Justin Neff
Junior ‘18 ~ Editor The start of the new school year marked the beginning of a new journey for the Bosco Football team. The Braves opened the season in Cincinnati, playing St. Xavier High School, with a dominant 34-0 win. Upon returning home, Bosco’s next game was played against La Mirada High School. Yet again, the Braves proved their strength with another win, this time witnessed by the entire Bosco community. Competing against a tough week three opponent, Bishop Gorman, Bosco gained their first loss of the season at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Despite the loss, the Braves look to bounce back before
the Trinity League begins. The show has just begun, folks. A promising offense led by Junior quarterback Re-al Mitchell and a defense led by seniors look to return to their winning ways and to put on another impressive season. The strong bounce back has the Braves in position to secure another Trinity League title with a clear shot at winning CIF, leaving the team focused on a state title. This fall, the return of Friday night football games will remind all of us what it means to be a Brave. Be sure to come out to every game and immerse yourself in the Braves’ atmosphere. Football season is back.
Kyle Murray celebrates a tackle
The Lights Are Back By: Christian Sotomayor Junior ‘18 ~ Editor The Tribe here at St. John Bosco are the over energized, face painted football fanatics who are now ready to get back to business. Some may see it as the best part of being a Bosco Brave, and others may say it’s the highlight of the year. Still, everyone knows it’s time to go and enjoy the Friday Night Lights of Bosco Football! Crespi High School of Encino provided a great bounce back
following the heartbreaking loss against Bishop Gorman. Bosco had this game completely under control for both halves, leading to a final score of 55-7. Given the score deficit the starters were allowed a break, giving the rest of the team a chance to shine. Last Friday, our dominant and hungry football team went head to head with rival Catholic school St. Mary, where they battled it out at
Senior Captains, Cross Poyer, Jacob Callier, Tyrel Thomas, and Wyatt Davis, take the field. Whittier College. St. Mary’s team came to play; however, the Braves once again proved themselves as one of the most powerful teams in southern California. It was a great experience for a handful of younger players who stepped up to contribute to the 55-16 victory and
have a taste of the varsity limelight. Stay tuned Brave Nation for next weeks’ games which mark the beginning of the Trinity League contest, as Servite will be the first to face the Navy Blue & Gold Army.
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Journalist’s Journies Views from the Mediterranean
During his recent summer vacation, Isaak Gonzalez had the privilege to travel to Europe and Asia, specifically visiting the amazing countries of Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey. Isaak said, “This experience opened my eyes to the unique cultures throughout Eurasia. The 11 hour flight from LAX to Madrid was, beyond any doubt, worth the wait.” To Isaak, the most interesting cities along his trip were Florence, Rome, and Kuşadasi, as “these cities were remarkable, both architecturally and culturally.” Rome, of course, was highlighted by the Renaissance architecture of the Vatican as well as an outing to explore the Colosseum, while Kuşadasi featured the former home of the Virgin Mary and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. The history behind these cities influenced the spiritual foundations of Christianity.
Spencer Moore had what some would call a “stay-cation” this summer, but it was the “best stay-cation ever,” said Moore. Family friends came down from Sacramento with a friend who had never been to Los Angeles. He went to the beach for his first time, and it was amazing to see his genuine reaction of shock, experiencing something that is often taken for granted. Locally, the Moore family and friends enjoyed the local scene of shops and restaurants, and then they set out for Hollywood, enjoying typical tourist attractions, such as the front of the Chinese theatre and the footprints of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Everyone was in a bit of shock seeing the unusual people, but as Moore said, “it is Hollywood after all, and I had a great time doing all the touristy things.”
September 29, 2016
Ancient Japan Miles Lacey visited Japan, a country that still has deep roots with its past. It is a country that holds both their own Eastern philosophies and adopted some Western philosophies. From the famous Inari shrine in Kyoto with 1,000 torii gates to the grandeur of Himeji Castle in Himeji, the wonderful beauty of ancient Japanese architecture never ceases to amaze. Astonishingly, the respect that Shintoism still has in Japan, even for those who are not Shinto, remains. Even the Catholic host family still honored the Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The ability to eat Bento box style sushi everyday was a luxury, however, became quite sickening after a while. In general, the trip to Japan has had a great deal of influence on his life, as friends made on the trip will always be friends.
Dallas Bronze Over the summer, David Black traveled to Dallas, Texas to participate in the USA Junior National volleyball tournament with his club team. Each person on the team was assigned a partner with whom they would room for the duration of the five day tournament. David’s team had been training hard for months with it in mind to arrive at Junior Nationals with an eighth place standing and leave with a gold medal. After having gone undefeated for each day of the tournament, the team approached the fifth and final day “with eager smiles and pitted stomachs, for all we had trained for could very well manifest in only a couple of matches,” said David. However, after an “emotional and hard fought battle with another top-tier club, our journey had come to an end, and we were to leave with not a gold medal, but a bronze.” For David Black, the trip was another experience of high-level competition in the lone state of Texas. Go Braves!
Viva Las Vegas Connor Cartledge and his family’s summer vacation was heightened by a lighthearted travel to the one and only Las Vegas. From the interesting, eclectic characters on the strip to the extravagant design of everything from the gas stations to the casinos, Las Vegas has entertainment. One could describe it as almost like a miniature New York combined with an adult version of Disneyland, packed with people and opportunities for fun. Also, it is recommended to visit Las Vegas at least more than once in order to experience the diversity of people, the plush swimming pools, and all-you-can-eat buffets. Guayaquil, Ecuador
Returning Home: Ecuador
Every summer, Christian Sotomayor and his family go out of the country to return to their beloved homeland, located on the equator of the world, Ecuador. It is always a wonderful experience to return to his “real home,” as he likes to call it. To be back in the beautiful city of Guayaquil and be gathered around by his extended family really sets the experience apart from any ordinary adventure. The family started off by going to visit the capitol Quito, where they visited the “center of the world” park, antique Gothic chapels, gorgeous sceneries, and had a great time feasting on the authentic Ecuadorean cuisine. After that, they spent the rest of their vacation in the city of Guayaquil, where Christian visited his family and had the luxury of practicing with the national Ecuadorean swim team. Finally, they ended with a beautiful and traditional family wedding to finish the trip. It was truly the best time Christian ever had in Ecuador and if he had the opportunity, he would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Vol # 16
2016-2017
St. John Bosco High School Presents
The Brave Newspaper
A Student Led Newspaper
Celebrating 76 Years of Academic Excellence
Editorial Staff Editors-in-Chief
Editors
Justin Neff Christian Sotomayor
Science Editor Justin Perry
Youth Ministry Jakob Fierro
Raymond Rojo ~ Technology & Design Mark McDermott ~ Content
Executive Editor Vincent Grospe
Managing Editor Jacob Bueno
Faculty Advisor Mrs. Judith Day
Journalists Connor Cartledge Isaak Gonzalez Miles Lacey Spencer Moore Calvin Zabala