2007 november late version

The World Is Our Campus Volume 56, Issue 3

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

November/December 2007

‘Tis the Season to Lend a Helping Hand

In this issue:

Photo by MICHAEL CHEN

FEATURES pg.7 Biggest and Blackest Friday: Excited shoppers go to great lengths to get the best deals

Photo by HANNAH GALLAHER

SENIOR MEN AND WOMEN Students at Arcadia High participate in various drives held by SCAC and SMW to benefit needy families in the community.

By DAVID SUN Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of THE ARCADIAN

CENTER SPREAD pg.8-9 Boys Varsity Waterpolo: Waterpolo wins first League title in Arcadia history

Photo by ASHLEY JOHNSON

STUDENT LIFE pg.12 Arcadia Festival of Bands: Arcadia hosts and performs at competition on Nov. 17

This holiday season, with the economic recession present, everyone could use some extra gifts this holiday season, especially the needy.

There are opportunities for everyone to help out though, as there are three donation drives held by two separate organizations on campus.

From Nov. 26 to Nov. 30 the Senior Men and Women of Arcadia High School will host a White Christmas drive to help out the less fortunate this holiday season. White Christmas originally started in Arcadia during one of world’s largest recessions, the Great Depression, which hit in the late 1920s. Teachers banded together to provide essentials for those students hit hardest by the depression. These gifts were wrapped in white paper, and the resulting tradition was named White Christmas.

The tradition is continued annually, as students at school are encouraged to bring canned food, dry food, or grocery gift certificates to give to the less fortunate families of Arcadia. Boxes will be placed in homeroom classes and the accumulated products will then be collected by Senior Men and Women members. Sophomore Leah Wong said, “White Christmas has always been done and I think it’s great because no one

really loses anything but a lot of families gain.”

These boxes of goods will then be delivered to the Arcadia Welfare and Thrift Shop, who in turn distribute the products to needy families in Arcadia.

The Senior Council Apache Commission (SCAC) will host a donation drive for monetary donations to the White Mountain Apache Indians whom reside in Arizona. This will involve placing the traditional envelopes within homerooms to collect money, but will also feature a new addition in which two cans will collect change separately from the teachers and students in the ASB office.

The goal is to collect 2000$, which SCAC will then use to purchase Wal-Mart gift cards to send to the Apaches in Arizona.

From Dec 10 through Dec 14 the SCAC plans to host a Toy and Jacket drive to support the White Mountain Apache tribe in Arizona. The SCAC was formed by the student body in order to improve relations with the White Mountain Apaches because of a recent incident involving American Indian tribes being used as school mascots a few years back. However, even though many schools had to remove tribal names and symbols from their mascots, Arcadia was able to keep the distinguishing Apache name because of the good relations which were kept between the actual tribe and the school. Junior Kimberly Ma said, “I believe that it’s generous of the apache tribe to allow Arcadia High School to use the

Apache as our school mascot and the arrangement of us giving back to them is a way of thanking them for it, so students should make sure to participate in the annual Christmas drive.” Unlike most other schools, Arcadia’s mascot carries a history of honor, tradition, and friendship, as students from the SCAC are dedicated to preserving this bond of friendship.

Because of a sense of collective identity, our school tries to assist the tribe around Christmas time by sending gifts and clothes to display our appreciation and support. Danica Shei, the Senior Girls Relations officer in charge of organizing the event said that “It’s a great yearly opportunity to give back to the Apache Indian Tribe, and I hope others can participate to help out the White Mountain Apaches.” On Dec 18, SCAC will collect and prepare to ship the donations to Arizona.

When asked about the donation drive, senior Ryan Choi said, “I didn’t know we had any donation drives.” Reasons for not donating usually involve forgetfulness or laziness, but this year, it is even more important to donate to the needy.

With the stagnant economy, it is important to realize that not getting ten $60 games for your brand new Xbox 360, or not getting that new car may not be the end of the world. Consider spending some of your Christmas shopping money to help out the needy and participate in donation drives this holiday season.

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NEWS

Michael kiM

By JENNIFER CHANG Staff Writer

Arcadia High School Graduate Michael Kim passed away in a drunk driving accident at approximately 12:30 a.m. on November 1st, 2007. Michael, who was heading eastbound towards the San Bernardino Photo Courtesy of THE ARCADIAN Freeway from San Gabriel Boulevard, passed away at the scene when a drunken driver crashed into his Honda Civic. The driver was identified as Alexander Contreras, who caught Michael in crossfire while leading the police on a 3 minute car chase. He is now being suspected of murder, drunken driving, and evading police.

Part of AHS’ graduating class of 2005, Michael was actively involved in Academic Decathlon and participated in two ROP classes his junior year. He was 20 years old. Friends have expressed their grievances on his myspace, which was updated the day of his death with goodbyes and comforting messages for Michael’s family. Those who knew Michael in high school described him as being “joyful and uplifting,” someone who was always “friendly and caring to those around [him].” Michael’s funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 7th, 2007.

Hundreds of family members and friends arrived at the Rose Hills Memorial Park to express their love and condolences. The Apache Pow Wow sends their condolences to Michael’s family in this time of difficulty.

NEWS BRIEFS December 2007 1 SAT & Subject Tests http://www.collegeboard.com 1 Financial Aid Workshop Session 2 - 9-11 a.m. - South gym (new location) 3 Meeting regarding College Recruiting for Athletes 7:00 - 8:30 PM, in the AHS Cafeteria.

3-14 Apache Jacket & Toy Drive 5 Orchestra 1 Concert at Holly Avenue 10 Minimum Day (Staff Development) Students released at 1:40pm 11-15 Winter Drama Production 13 Holiday Concert for Choral and Orchestra - 7:00 p.m. - San Gabriel Civic.

Order your tickets early from any Choral or Orchestral student. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for students or children.

20 Orchesis Charity Show - 7 p.m. - North gym 24-1/6 Winter break begins through January 6 List compiled by the PTSA

theapachepowwow.com

November/December 2007

The Billion Dollar Mall of Arcadia for the holiday season.

The Disney Staff Writers Store opened Nov. With cough inducing dust and on earsplitting drillings, there is no 9th after a but doubt that the Westfield Santa Ani- long, ta mall is undergoing construction. anticipated The approximated one billion dol- remodeling. store lar renovation of the shopping cen- The ter will include not only upgrades c e l e b r a t e d grand to the existing structures but also its the creation of a new “open-air” opening by distributing section.

The outdoor area will feature a free pair approximately 30 new establish- of Mickey ments, including several up-scale Mouse ears retail stores. These notable stores with every include Banana Republic, Ann Tay- p u r c h a s e . lor Loft, and White House/Black Vi c t o r i a ’s Photo Courtesy of Westfield Santa Anita Fashion Park & Photos by ASHLEY JOHNSON Market. Aside from the new retail Secret, which Now in construction stores, the outdoor area will also of- has also been T r a nsf o r m a ti o n fer a plethora of new dining options. remodeled, (bottom), new shops will be added to the mall (top).

This new sector of the mall aims to e x p a n d e d act as an investment to lower costs recently opened on the lower level create a more relaxing atmosphere into a chain for shoppers with tranquil fountains of three separate but conjoined of utilities and to create a more tran- next to Macy’s. Juice it Up!, another and state of the art landscaping. A rooms, consisting of fragrances, scendental environment for shoppers healthy alternative, which serves nutritious and energizing drinks, is located new parking structure will also be lingerie, and the popular cloth- and employees alike.

A new selection of dining op- in the food court. Tokyo Table Restaubuilt to accommodate the growing ing line Pink. Windsor, a popular popularity of the mall. These ad- dress shop, recently relocated and tions is also currently available at rant and Bar, which is a new Japanese the mall. A Beard Papa’s cart is now dining experience, will be located additions are anticipated to be com- is now situated near JC Penney.

Macy’s is also undergoing located on the upper level near Nor- jacent to the Cheesecake Factory. pleted by 2009.

With these new additions and upIt will be long before these internal renovations providing dstrom, serving delectable pastries renovations are finished; however, the department store with new such as its famous cream puff. Cefio- coming renovations, the Santa Anita many new additions have recently solar power capablilities.This en- re, which offers healthy alternatives Mall will continue to grow in both been added to the mall just in time vironmental friendly feature will such as Italian non-fat frozen yogurt, popularity and prosperity.

By RACHEL CHEONG & KRISTEN MURAKAMI

(Red) Bullying Your Heart

By CELESTE CHEUNG Staff Writer

Everyone knows that energy drinks give people a caffeine rush.

However, new findings presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007 show that drinking just two cans of this popular drink increases blood pressure and heart rate within four hours.

Even though these rises did not reach dangerous levels in the healthy volunteers studied, they have the potential to prove harmful to people with heart disease and high blood pressure. In the study, fifteen young men and women around the age of 26 drank two cans of an energy drink every day for a week. The drinks contained 80 milligrams of caffeine each, about the same amount found in a cup of coffee. All volunteers agreed to refrain from other sources of caffeine for two days prior to and throughout the study.

James Kalus, senior manager of patient car services at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said that the systolic blood pressure rose by nine points within four hours of drink consumption, while diastolic blood pressure rose by five points and heart rate increased by five

beats per minute. On the last day, systolic blood pressure rose by ten points, diastolic blood pressure once again rose by five points, and heart rate increased by seven beats a minute.

However, caffeine isn’t completely bad: energy drinks contain taurine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods, which has generally been found to have positive effects on the heart. Coffee has phenol, an antioxidant shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Caffeine also increases the effectiveness of some drugs, such as pain relievers. Caffeine is shown to make such drugs 40% more effective by helping the body absorb them faster. For this reason, most over-the-counter headache relievers contain a small dosage of caffeine.

Another study, conducted

by Wake Forest University researchers, found that mixing energy drinks with alcohol has drastic effects. People who mix booze with energy drinks are twice as likely to be hurt or injured during sport activity, be taken advantage of, require medical attention, or ride with an intoxicated driver as people who just drink alcohol without energy drinks.

Cherishing Children’s Benefit Concert

sored by H&M, Jessica McClintock, and Hooligans, which displays college and high school students walkStaff Writer & ing down the runway in glamorous Guest Writer dresses and stylish clothing donated by the sponsoring companies.

The wholesome ideals of charThe idea of the benefit conity and the sequined splendor of cert was proposed by Clarissa Wei, Jessica McClintock’s dresses often FBLA Community Service Projwould not go hand in hand. How- ect Director, and her committee of ever, in the Cherishing Children’s FBLA members worked hard to acBenefit Concert taking place on Dec. complish the goal, meeting once a 2, the two will mesh together for week to plan events for their cause, the sake of a “Cherishing common goal: Children”. to make life a Auditions little easier for for the concert children who were held on have already Nov. 15, and been deprived a number of so much. students and This conlocal bands cert, to be held showcased at the Arcadia their talents, Presbyterian with hopes of Church from performing at Photo Courtesy of FBLA the 7 p.m.-9 p.m. concert. on Dec. 2, di- FBLA Members fundraise for “It’s great that rects the pro- the concert by selling ribbons. people are so ceeds toward enthusiastic planning a holiday fair for children about this project, and we’re hoping who have been victims of domestic more people can get involved,” said abuse, attempting to alleviate their Clarissa Wei. The concert is open to burdens with a joyous occasion. The everyone, as the team is hoping to concert features snippets from last reach out to cities outside of Arcayear’s Speech Follies, live perfor- dia as well. Tickets for the benefit mances from Chaunteurs, singing concert are $5, and may be obtained sensation Passion, and Teen Groove. from any Cherishing Children comThe most anticipated presentation of mittee member or at the trading post the night is the fashion show spon- during lunch.

By ANGELA SHEN & ARVIA SUTANDI

NEWS

theapachepowwow.com

November/December 2007

Hollywood: Let the Reruns Begin

By JENNIFER HANG & JANHVI JOSHI

Staff Writers

Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), a labor union that represents writers of television and film, are heading into their third week of striking to fight for a greater share of the profits from the Internet, which is expected to become a major means of distribution for films, and the sale of DVDs . Negotiations regarding these revenues began in July and when an agreement was not made, writers began the strike on Nov. 5. On that day, all 12,000 writers that belong to the guild stopped writing and editing for producers in the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

According to CBS News, writers claim that they are currently receiving insufficient wages and demand at least a 2.5% increase in their original earnings. They believe that “the studios and producers are giving far less, and claim that the technology is too new and their profits too slim.” The Guild demands

that they receive a generous portion of profits from DVD sales.

Adamantly devoted to the developments of the strike, senior Dayna Lee said, “the strike is everywhere.

Studios need the writers and they are not as appreciated as they should be.”

Sophomore Labib Damouni said, “This entire commotion shows that people are dissatisfied and rudely awakened by the Hollywood commercial industry. Changes must be made to accommodate the writers’ demands.”

At a meeting between leaders of the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Nov. 26, the AMPTP argued that Internet and other broadcasting sources are still relatively new and do not yield a large enough profit for producers to reimburse writers.

Because of the extensive losses due to each day writers remain on strike, producers have agreed to pay writers when episodes aired on the Internet are funded by advertising.

This strike is possibly the worst to hit Hollywood in 20 years. A simi-

lar strike in 1988 lasted approximately 22 weeks and cost the film industry an estimated $500 million, delaying the beginning of the autumn television season in that year. The recent strike has also had consequences on television and big screen productions. In fact, the Columbia Pictures Studio has recently announced that the production Angels and Demons, prequel to The Da Vinci Code, will not be released in 2008 as previously announced, but in 2009 instead because the script needs more work. The WGA does not allow writers to edit or polish scripts during strikes, so scriptwriters for this movie adaptation turned away from the job nearly two weeks ago in a dispute over profits of DVD sales. Experts say that if this strike lasts anywhere near as long as that of 1988, a loss of more than $1 billion is to be expected.

Besides the postponing of the release date of “Angels and Demons”, the strike also affects notable television shows like ER, Desperate Housewives, and network stations like Comedy Central. Until a suitable compromise is made, let the reruns begin.

Westfield Works Wonders in Arcadia

Staff

Editors

Editors-in-Chief News Editors Opinion Editors Entertainment Editors Student Life Editor Features Editors Sports Editor Academics Editors

Front Page Editor Center Spread Editor Calendar Editor Campus Focus Editor Advertisement Editors Associate Editor Executive Copy Editors Photography/Graphics Editors Webmaster Fundraising Chair

Hello Sir, Can You Print Me A Bladder Please?

By VICTORIA BIAN

Staff Writer

The typical inkjet printer is capable of printing essays, posters, photos, and from a recent mind-blowing breakthrough--human organs. Functioning organs that can be created from a mere printing machinery accessible at one’s local Kinko’s or Dr. Anthony Atala’s lab at Wake Forest University.

For nearly two decades, Dr. Atala, a pediatric urologist, has been experimenting and perfecting the science of regenerating human tissue, in other words, the creation of new body parts.

With such existing modern feats such as stem-cell biology and cloning, Dr. Atala is merely combining these concepts and taking the course a step further with the tinkering of more complex organs. According to TIME’s recent interview with Dr. Atala, the process begins with the use of the patient’s own cells from the ailing organ that needs to be replaced.

The cells are cultured in a Petri dish

and incubated until enough cells have multiplied. Then, to ensure their adequacy, the cells undergo rigorous tests that measure their ability to function and imitate the cells that remain in the patient’s body. Now for the most innovative and creative aspect of the entire process: Atala’s method of molding this clump of cells into a three-dimensional human organ. Using an ordinary inkjet printer programmed by a distinctive software that controls the electrical resistances and temperature of the printing fluids, biodegradable material collagen and a selection of cultured cells are poured into empty ink cartridges and placed into the printer. With a press of the print button, tiny bits of cells are literally sprayed on paper in a pre-set pattern in successive layers until an ultimate three-dimensional mold of cells is printed in the form of the desired organ. While printing organs may seem convenient, there lay many other problems they will have to be over-

come such as supplying enough oxygen and nutrients to sustain cells deep within the structure. “It’s been the holy grail of tissue engineering, to be able to create adequate circulatory networks for complex organs,” Dr. Atala said. The entire process takes approximately six weeks and orders have already been flying from all over the country for Dr. Atala to perform his extraodinary “printing” for children with dysfunctional bladders.

The first patients to receive Atala’s regenerated organs were seven young children who were transplanted with bladders grown from their own cells.

Eight years after their surgery, the children are doing well, and their bladders continue to function normally. In the United States, the Joint Commission for Health Care Organisations has declared a public health crisis because of the shortage of donated organs and this breakthrough will hopefully bring light to the thousands of people on the organ waiting list.

Kyle Jacobsen and Hanan Kamal Lisa Chang and Jay Zhang Iris Jong and Gretl Lam Veronica Lim and Emily Rueter Mimi Kamal Cora Ormseth and Lily Wong Laura Kelly Melissa Chen and Jacqueline Yue Poonam Mantha Mitalee Khilnani Daphne Tan Elaine Chang Kayla Pang and Ivy Yang Hannah Gallaher Celeste Cheung and Christine Xu Roya Falatoonzadeh and Jennifer Hang Minda Wang Hannah Mathews-Ward

Staff Writers

News Staff

By LISA CHANG & SCOTT LI

creased business and shoppers are entomer the opportunity to watch the titled to additional discounts from parSanta and Friends Parade, a Tree Lighting Ceremony, music performances Staff Writer & ticipating stores.”

Guest Writer and much more. Shoppers were offered Along with exclusive prices in From Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, vari- stores, the wristband gave each cusmany discounts in name-brand stores ous programs such as the Arcadia and even restaurants within the PTSA, Color Guard, Pep Squad, mall. Children were included in and the Girls Soccer Team particithe festivities with activities such pated in selling $5 wristbands for as face painting, Hot Potato and the Westfied’s tenth annual charity Frisbee; winners were awarded event, Westfield Works Wonders. with special prizes.

With 100% of the profit going Separated into three different directly to any local non-profit days, each day provided a differorganization willing to particient and new activity for the eager pate, PTSA Vice President Joyce holiday shoppers. Not only did Sakai says “This was a win-win the fundraiser help support the loPhoto by SCOTT LI situation, local charities can earn cal non-profit organizations, but it money with no downside, stores high spirits Adults and children also helped kick off the beginning in the mall can benefit from in- alike enjoy the benefits of the fundraiser. of the holiday season.

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Opinion Staff Entertainment Staff Student Life Staff Features Staff Sports Staff

Academics Staff Calendar Staff Campus Focus Staff Advertisement Staff Copy Editing Staff

Center Spread Fundraising Staff

Adviser

Mr. Johnny Lee

Victoria Bian, Jennifer Chang, Celeste Cheung, Jennifer Hang, Ashley Johnson, Janhvi Joshi, Akhila Rao, Allison Zheng, Christine Xu Tiffany Chang, Aisha Elmarsi, Arthur Huang, Yan Man Brianna Beckman, Roya Falatoonzadeh, Angela Meng Michael Chen, Joanna Chuang, Jenny Lin, Scott Lyou, Parvin Shakib, Angela Shen, David Sun Rachel Cheong, Kristen Murakami, Christine Pao, Linda Wang, Erica Win, Chloe Yuan Hannah Gallagher, James Hernandez, Christine Howard, Mitalee Khilnani, Frank Lam, Hannah Mathews-Ward, Minda Wang, Gregory Zachary Kevin Kim, Grace Kwong, Tracy Lee, Daphne Tan Victoria Bian, Veronica Lim Sarah Lin Michael Chen, Chris Liang, David Sun, Minda Wang Melissa Chen, Cindy Huynh, Grace Kwong, Tracy Lee, Kristen Murakami, Jacqueline Yue Chris Liang Brianna Beckman, James Hernandez, Christine Howard, Ashley Johnson, Janhvi Joshi, Poonam Mantha, Akila Rao

Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly

throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of the Apache Pow Wow editorial board. All others represent those of their respective authors. Address letters to the editor to: AHS Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, call (626) 821-8370. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $380 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

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Opinion

theapachepowwow.com

November/December 2007

Sucks Even More What We Really Don’t Want Being a Sophomore

By TIFFANY CHANG

Staff Writer

By KAYLA PANG & MELANIE YUEN Staff Writer & Guest Writer

The term sophomore derives its meaning from the Greek roots sophos, meaning “wise,” and moros, meaning “fool.” This oxymoron describes perfectly the typical nature of a sophomore –foolish arrogance produced from a short experience of high school life. Sophomores occupy neither the bottom of the social ladder nor the top. We boast of having survived one year at AHS, but simultaneously brace ourselves for the many hardships yet to come.

Believing we knew the ropes of AHS, we entered our sophomore year confidently. After all, by trial and error freshman year, we now know where the ASB office is, where each grade level is allowed to sit during lunch, and even where the L-hall is located. Although the labyrinthine J-building and the missing I-hall remain a mystery, we can declare that we are familiar with most of the campus. But without the new magical discoveries that we stumbled upon as freshmen, like the whopping number of students at AHS and the endless list of clubs, it’s harder to keep ourselves entertained.

Now that the novelty of a new school has worn off, schoolwork has grown unbearably dull. The workload between freshman and

sophomore year did not noticeably increase, but the pressure to earn better grades did.

Freshman year grades are, after all, insignificant – colleges tend to concentrate more on sophomore and junior grades. The stress in anticipation for junior year, considered the most time-consuming and strenuous period of high school, increases too. Sophomore year, we begin to question our capability of handling our heavy course loads and upcoming onslaught of junior year courses. The more we strive to perfect every assignment for a better grade in the class, the less time we have for leisure.

With this increasing pressure of grades and the coming of junior year, the excitement from freshman year has faded to a mere memory.

Not only is sophomore year tedious, it is also the “forgotten class.” Sandwiched between more recognized grade levels, our lack of recognition can be interpreted as either a blessing or a curse. Freshmen are coddled, but they are also ignorant, juniors are consistently overworked and steeped with the vast amount of studying, but they emerge with bragging rights, and seniors buckle under the stress of college applications but anticipate the glories of second semester. Sophomores have two purposes in life: to wait for junior year and to maintain good grades. Sophomores miss out on the thrill of a fast-paced high school lifestyle other classes enjoy. We are stuck in the rut, in the middle of nowhere.

Stress Busters

By YAN MAN Staff Writer

“I’m so stressed out.” It’s our mantra, our motto. As if our lives are unimaginably burdened with the weight of our academic and extracurricular trials, expectant parents who pressure us to get that A, or the melodrama of our relationships bearing down on us. As though we are modern-day versions of Atlas, carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, filled with the uncertainties of our score on the latest AP Biology exam, or the apprehension of having to finish mounds of homework in a couple short hours. We’ve all said it.

We’ve all felt it. Or thought we did. But to say that we, in Arcadia, are stressed out is a travesty, an injustice, a gross misappropriation of the word. Because we don’t even have a clue.

“Stressed out” is not the pressure to get those A’s in all of your AP courses or break a certain score on a standardized test, nor is it having to conquer massive amounts of homework that teachers give out on SAT week, to be done by tomorrow and submitted to turnitin. com by midnight. It isn’t the drama that goes on with your girlfriend or boyfriend, when you guys haven’t talked in “like, 3 days” and you’re questioning their commitment to your high school relationship. It isn’t wondering what to wear to the next big school dance, who you are planning to ask or how to ask this person (with a rose in your left hand or your right hand? Oh, the decisions!). It isn’t fretting about whether someone else will ask them before you will or what they will say. Stress isn’t pondering whether your BFF is really your BFF and whether they will remember you in five years. It isn’t the tedious and emotionally draining application process for college or having to work up a sweat to rewrite your college personal statement in one night and whining about your low chances of making the school of your dreams. Neither is it realizing that

you really aren’t as good as you thought. And stress won’t be when college acceptance letters begin to come out and you can’t sleep because you’re worried about who accepted you.

Stress is much more. It’s the petrifying sensation of instant terror the man living in Darfur gets when the Janjaweed, numbering in the hundreds, carrying a slew of automatic weapons, are approaching his home and he must escape to the nearest refugee camp with his wife and three children before they are brutally massacred, their bodies mutilated and distorted for sick pleasure. It’s what the little girl who has been taken from her home in the Philippines and forced to become a prostitute, sold and bought like a piece of meat, feels when she is desperately hoping she will survive another day, not be beaten to death for refusing to submit herself to the abuse and be able to live to see her family once again.

It’s the feeling that the African boy, sold into slavery, who is now working in the diamond mines of Sierra Leone, feels when he is panning for diamonds, pleading with the gods to let him find enough precious rocks to pacify his captors, praying that an unintentional action won’t be interpreted as an attempt to escape, that he won’t be shot, disposed of without a second thought. Stress is what the man working 2 minimum wage jobs to support his family of five, barely scraping along, experiences when he is too sick to go to work but will get laid off if he misses even one day. Stress is all this and more, but it isn’t what we feel.

So what do we feel? I’d like to call it “minor discomfort,” nothing more. Because if we take a step back and gauge our lives of riches and opportunity, we’ll quickly realize that we should actually be feeling privileged just to be in the position that we are all in, no matter how hard we feel our lives are. Your own “stress” will seem even more trivial when you stop to think about that kid in the ghetto who would give anything for the opportunity to bask in the education that you take for granted and complain about. Like I said: we don’t even have a clue.

TCID:

The most momentous parts of my day occur at dawn and dusk, when the sky’s canvas changes in hue and the warmest of reds kiss the deepest of blues. It is breathtaking, to wake and sleep to nature’s perfection, to have the intangible tints of morning and night, held in suspension as a picturesque backdrop for the days of my life. So the question, then, is this: why do I find myself wishing for more from time to time? Not for more of nature’s beauties, but for the exact opposite— for disaster, for violence, for pain. I wish and dream and chase after thorns because all I have before me is the spring rose, ubiquitous and bland.

I don’t want to walk through life hesitating at every traffic light or stop sign. I want more, because sometimes we need the thrill, the danger. So we’ve practiced at school, we’ve drilled; embedded into our systems is information about what to do and where to go and who to follow; we know precisely how to handle every disaster situation. Yet, we have never had to execute such precautions under real, life-threatening situations. All that practice and nothing to show for it. In the event of the California fires, families were relocated, homes were destroyed, and lives were lost.

Our initial response, of course, was to sympathize with the victims, to breathe a sigh of relief, count our blessings, and show gratitude for what we still possess. Behind that veneer of sympathy, however, there lies more. Sometimes, overhearing conversations, I find that we are plagued with horrid thoughts: some of us find it extremely unjust for those Californian fires to not have toured our colorless city, our Arcadia, so remote from all the commotion. Deep within us, rooted in the gravest of evils, is a secret desire for something to happen in our isolated city. It may be latent; we may not know we think it, or we may deny we think it, but the sentiment is there: some of us would have liked those fiery flames of fun to have veered towards us. At least close enough for us to have been exempt from school, though far enough to not impose any actual danger. We find ourselves envying students from the University of California San Diego for not having to attend classes because of a school evacuation, wishing the same would happen to our school. We begin praying for a cancelled practice due to poor air conditions, and smile and express thanks for having that prayer answered. But still, some of us

are clouded with thinking that a practice cancelled is not enough when compared to school evacuation, that still having to attend class and only being exempt from stressing over a quiz, while others are exempt from school altogether- how unjust of fate. We crave for more.

Even in the absence of a real disaster, we have our hearts set on practice drills. We want them to be during third period because we didn’t do our homework or, better yet, during fourth so we don’t have to take our test.

Disasters have become super cool saviors that students rely on to get out of class. In the event of an unplanned drill, telltale of some impending danger, students relish in jubilee. An unexpected lockdown will stimulate the nerves and tug the heartstrings of many because they can’t wait for a little rendezvous with Mr. Hyde. But more often than not, that lockdown resolves itself as a false alarm, and before we can dance that demonic dance, before we can do a little one two step, we feel as if Dr. Jekyll has come to ruin the day, leaving us to wallow in a disappointing false hope. What I fail to understand is why we feel like the underdogs, the underprivileged few who are tossed a bone after all meat has been devoured, when in reality we are so blessed to not have had to face danger eye to eye. Why all this desperate yearning for some catastrophic event? I imagine that if a Virginia Tech- like massacre actually happened here at Arcadia High, we’d feel nothing but remorse.

If this is so, then what some of us are really asking for is the illusion of danger; it’s as if we expect a man to walk the halls of our campus, hold a gun for fun, and have absolutely no macabre intentions. But what for?— so that we can brag to our future posterity of the time their courageous grandparents escaped death by the hairs of their chinny chin chins?

This need to act reckless— to intentionally take that perilous plunge— should have limits. I’m in my senior year and I have yet to experience a true disaster- a pop quiz in physics is the only thing that has come close.

But is this really such a bad thing? So nothing ever exciting happens in Arcadia; there are no plane crashes, major earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes; so it’s a little boring and there’s nothing to gossip about. But at the end of the day we still have the comfort of our pillow and home to keep us from danger’s way.

And that should be all that really matters.

While many hate these Tantalus-esque situations and ache for a way out, I say, leave us here. Don’t give us an excuse to skip class.

Don’t give us a reason to be sent home from school. Please, don’t give us anything at all.

Graphic by DANIEL YAMANE

Dangerous wishes It’s not that we want harm to befall

our city; It’s just that we want more than

sunshine and roses.

November/December 2007

theapachepowwow.com

Inside and Out, the Windows of My Soul

By ARTHUR HUANG Staff Writer

Life. What’s so precious, so special about it, this little 4-lettered word that we’re always trying to fulfill and best? Can it be characterized by vague, one-word abstractions of love, happiness, success, or is it little more than the superficial joy of buying a new house or car; love at first sight; achievement of aspirations; awe of bizarre shapes and wonder at exotic sounds; beauty in comprehension, lucidity in understanding; perhaps all of the above? Does it even matter? The question remains: what is the purpose of life? My retort: life holds value simply because we need, crave, demand a reason for our existence, ideals to uphold, glorification, the opportunity to say I’m superior to you because I have such and such values, while you believe in something else. We are worth about $70 in carbon and water and the rest… the rest is up to you.

First, then, look within. How well do you know yourself? And, subsequently, who are you? How much of your answer is truth, and how much is what you want others to believe as truth? I ask the same of myself. This is the question that everyone else desperately seeks, in social settings, at interviews, on applications... and at the same time, it is perhaps the hardest question for me to answer. It requires a soul-searching that even the bravest of men have trouble with, for it involves an abandonment of pride and insecurities: to face yourself in the mirror and admit your faults, celebrate your triumphs, look within your naked soul and say, this is who I am, shaped by the world around me, weathered and battered and molded by time, riddled with flaws, but at least with an honest aura. Honesty, sincerity with the self, the reward after a trek of self-consciousness reflected through my eyes, the clouded windows of the soul.

Life. How queer it can be. How tragic,

how lovely; how unbearably painful, how poetically beautiful; how absolutely sad and yet how utterly inspiring; how remarkably perplexing, but at the same time, how wonderful that so much of it comes together to make sense and miracles. From the stormy rage of individual raindrops to the perfect arc of the rainbow as the sun breaks through, such oxymoronic metaphors and paradoxes are found in the most inspiring of poetry, encompassed in the blatant mystery of life. It is the harmony in the escalating entropy, reassurance of a universe of ever-increasing disorder. And maybe it’s the struggle- the endless, constant struggle that ebbs and flows- for achievement, for success, for approval, for love- that gives life its beauty. The grotesque, gnarled tree atop a hill is more significant and exquisite than the clichéd rose on the sidewalk, as the tree is shaped, represented, by its perseverance and determination in fighting the unforgiving wind for survival. It is the tale of unexpected success. But the rose? Whereas the former symbolizes life in its entirety, taking the foul to be the fair, the rose, although indeed beautiful, is so fragile, so easily broken, and encompassing more miracles in its symbolism than reality.

This is the view out, through the spiritual looking glass with which I observe the world. I see trust as difficult to earn, but so easy to lose. Second chances rarely alter first impressions. The world is not one of equality, and fair is never to be taken for granted.

The present is a gift. I believe in the inherent good of people, but also in a society that corrupts. Everyone so caught up in making money, sometimes it just doesn’t make sense.

Yet without dollars, you can make no change.

I judge others so easily, but that is the natural tendency of humans. We rarely ever get to break free from society’s binds. Other people’s opinions matter too much, and too many people live a life dictated by others without even realizing it. The whole world needs a wakeup call, to reevaluate its priorities and ideals.

Laugh. Love. Live. We only get one chance.

Graphic by GRETL LAM

Through the looking glass How have you been shaped

by life? How do you see the world? And how does the world see you?

Opinion

5

BFF, Always and Forever- For Now

Graphic by IRIS JONG

NO LIFETIME GUARANTEE Friendship bracelets, BFF memorabilia

and treasured keepsakes don’t always lead to lasting relationships.

By TIFFANY CHANG Staff Writer

I’m all for inside jokes, secret handshakes and lovey-dovey friendships, but despite the labels we assign to our dearest, closest friends, these relationships just don’t last forever.

When I think back to elementary and middle school, I realize that the majority of those I had deemed my best friends forever no longer exist in my social bubble. Bear hugs and warm smiles have been replaced by sideways glances or awkward hellos, in the rare event that our lives coincide. I guess those friendship charms and cute names just didn’t cut it. Way to overestimate the power of string and beads.

And so much for the Four Crazyteers— all for one and one for all (but only for today, and if we’re lucky, a little bit of tomorrow too).

Call me cynical, but I don’t believe in friends forever. There are friends forever temporarily and situational best friends, but no friends forever because, honestly, what can truly last a lifetime when even the cosmos we wish upon and the sun that gives us life must succumb to time? Just as permanent markers are never really permanent, so friends forever are never really forever. That’s not to say that I don’t believe in friendships. I believe in friends who can make my day with a simple smile or high five and in friends who tear down the emotional barriers I can’t help but put up, because sometimes that’s what I really need them to do. I believe in friends who ask me how I’m holding up at 3:00 in the morning and friends who try their best to keep me company until I finish my homework.

I believe in friends who randomly cook food for me, knowing that I love pasta, in friends who bring me coffee in the morning after I’ve

had a long night, and in friends who buy me tea instead of coffee when they think I need to tone down on the caffeine. I believe in the hugs, the laughs, the tears, and the fights leading to the make-ups that bring us closer.

But still, I don’t believe in friends forever.

I wish I could say I did, but the truth of the matter is that more often than not, friendships are situational. What lasts today may be gone tomorrow, if not sooner, then later, perhaps in a year or two. Times change, things rearrange, and suddenly we find ourselves distanced from people we were sharing intimiate secrets with just yesterday. Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s them. Sometimes it’s mutual. It might be the fact that you no longer share a class or that your friend has found a significant other and priorities have changed. Perhaps in the advent of meeting new friends, old ones were inevitably left behind. Maybe you outgrew each other and it’s time to move on. Maybe the spark of excitement you once got from seeing each other has long since faded. Think back to elementary school, to your best friend.

Think back to junior high, or think about now in high school. How many friends have you drifted away from? How many of those were people you thought would remain forever?

Despite the eventual breakup, our friends, bound to us by this tapestry of shared experiences and memories, are hard to completely erase from our lives. That’s why I always wish for a gradual phasing out, a slow distancing and pulling away because of my “busy” schedule. That way, there are no harsh feelings. And more importantly, in doing so, we leave a glimmer of chance for reconciliation, a slight possibility that someone will change or that circumstances will pull us together and we will find ourselves in the need of each other’s company again.

Share the Privilege- Let Us Off Campus

By AISHA ELMASRI Staff Writer

When the lunch bell rings at noon, students rush out excitedly to meet friends and eat. But as I look around the school for meal options, I only see unappetizing foods, and I watch the seniors getting in their cars, envying their freedom and endless choices, from Baja Fresh to Great Khan’s to In-N-Out. Sadly, we underclassmen do not have the privilege of going off campus for lunch, so we are forced to trudge to the cafeteria. As we all know, “cafeteria food” is as appetizing as it sounds.

TCID:

And even worse, it’s the same food every day.

Why shouldn’t underclassmen be allowed to leave campus too, to burn off some energy and savor a tasty lunch at the same time?

Because nearly everything at school is overpriced and unappealing, numerous underclassmen are tempted to enjoy lunch off campus. Though deans circle the school throughout our allotted forty minutes of lunch, underclassmen continue to attempt escape, and many succeed. How futile the administration’s efforts are! It’s simply an innate quality for us to react rebelliously, and outwitting the hawk-like deans brings on such an adrenaline rush. It’s all in the thrill of the chase and the

exhilaration of defeating the system. The risk and challenge make that first bite of food obtained off campus taste all the better because we had to go to great lengths to obtain it.

Seniors are allowed to go off campus only because they are the oldest and most “mature” of all students. Sophomore Bonnie Tam hypothesizes that “it’s not that we’re not capable of going off campus. The administration just wants to allow only the seniors, to make them feel privileged.” The fact is, many seniors are irresponsible, taking advantage of their privilege and ditching afternoon classes. Senior Jeff Black admits that he “[walks] into 5th period twenty minutes late every day. Believe me, it

has nothing to do with maturity.” The state of California allows students to obtain their license when they turn sixteen, and many students at AHS get their license between sophomore and junior year. If a student is trusted with driving a car, surely he or she can handle forty-five minutes of freedom during lunch.

Jeff Black also exclaims that “going off campus is so much fun! The food is better and cheaper. I’m so glad I don’t have to stay on campus anymore.” If the administration expanded this privilege to underclassmen, most of us would be able to handle it. Show us some freedom, and allow us the chance to prove our maturity.

6

entertainment

theapachepowwow.com

Best Sites on the Web PROFILE Six Shooter Mary

By JAHNVI JOSHI

Staff Writer

By ROYA FALATOONZADEH Staff Writer

Photo by VERONICA LIM

Several Arcadia High students have done what most people consider the impossible: they formed a successful high school band. This band dedicates their free time to writing lyrics, creating melodies, and having fun with their music. The four members of the band Six Shooter Mary are Senior Yousef Saleh, Juniors James “Pfysh” Bull and Tony Bustamante, and Freshman AJ Rail.

The musicians of Six Shooter Mary spend much of their time keeping their vocal cords in shape and practicing their instruments. Yousef, Pfysh, and Tony do the vocals of Six Shooter Mary. Yousef and Pfysh also play guitar, while Tony plays his bass. AJ, the newest member of the band, plays the drums for Six Shooter Mary.

After forming their band, the group faced the dilemma of coming up with a name they could all agree on. “We wanted to incorporate the term ‘Six Shooter’ as the more ‘Rock ‘n Roll’ part of our name, but we needed that sweet second half for contrast, as in Roses,” says Pfysh. “The only name which connoted enough sweet purity came to me one day – Mary”.

As with all musicians, their passion for music began as a mere love to listening to the songs that their favorite artists produced. With the guidance of friends and family, the musicians of Six Shooter Mary were introduced to different genres of music. Many classic, older bands, such as The Who, AC/DC, and The Beatles play a vital role in their music.

More modern bands, such as Sublime, The White Stripes, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are major influences for Six Shooter Mary as well.

Six Shooter Mary is unique from many bands these days. While many of today’s bands try to scream their way into popularity, Six Shooter Mary avoids such tactics to accumulate fans. Instead, they seek guidance from the music that they listen to. Each member of the Six Shooter Mary have different tastes in music that they bring to the table when writing a song or the music to accompany it.

Material for the songs comes from a wide range of inspiration. Alex’s Song was motivated by the relationship between one musicians relationship with his girlfriend. While some songs are about personal experiences, others just try to tell a story. Six Shooter Mary also has several instrumental songs, such as Rage & Paranoia and Song. Heartbreaker, another song, was written in a fashion to “get your blood pumping”, according to Yousef.

Six Shooter Mary was also able to produce Hypocrisy, a “heavier, head-bangish song”.

Six Shooter Mary has made several live appearances. They have preformed at No Future Café in Pasadena, done a few shows in Anaheim, and even participated in Arcadia High Schools Battle of the Bands in 2006.

They are hoping to have their next performance at AHS Advance Drama’s next pro-

Livejournal, DeviantArt, Gaia. Any of these phrases sound familiar? These popular Web sites represent a new generation: the Internet savvy generation. The Internet has become the tool to use in the entertainment world.

According to a random poll, the top five internet Web sites viewed by AHS students are: 1. YouTube (www.youtube.com)- Loved by people of all ages, YouTube has become the place for online videos. Senior George Zhao said, “Youtube provides quality entertainment in any area you wish. It’s really a beautiful thing.” 55% of AHS students chose YouTube as a “must-have” stop while on the Internet.

2. Facebook (www.facebook.com) and MySpace (www.myspace.com)– These social networking sites have become the most popular places for students to interact online. Ranging from photo tag requests to diverse layout designs, Facebook and MySpace provide addicting and amusing features that are ideal for distracting the hardworking student.

3. PostSecret (postsecret.blogspot.com)This underground blog gained national recognition three years ago when Frank Warren, the

creator, released the book Secrets. The PostSecret project began with Warren’s personal experiment in which he sent 3,000 blank postcards to random strangers and asked that they write a secret and mail it back to him. Since then, this Web site has become an Internet phenomenon and contains the secrets of thousands of people nationwide.

4. Perez Hilton (www.perezhilton.com)Boasting the latest Hollywood gossip, Perez Hilton has become a routine stop for many teenagers. Rumors, scandals, and shocking photographs are the soul of this site, and it’s obvious from the salacious content. Junior Julie Zhang said, “Reading celebrity magazines are so much fun when you are bored. And it [is] more convenient to have access to these stories on the Internet where I spend most of my time after school.”

5. Gaia Online (www.gaiaonline.com)– An online RPG/forum-style site that boasts hundreds of thousands of users worldwide, Gaia Online offers a fun environment for people to interact. Senior Allison Perry said, “Gaia is a place where people can interact about everything, including anime, and discuss whatever is on their mind.” Gaia is an entertaining place to debate topics, meet new people, and create your own icon.

November/December 2007

Download This:

“It Don’t Make Any Difference to Me” -Kevin Michael ft. Wyclef Jean “Nature of the Experiment” -Tokyo Police Club “The Night Starts Here” -Stars “Into the Night” -Santana ft. Chad Kroeger “Can We Chill” Ne-Yo Want to share your favorite songs?

Email them to: powwow.ent@gmail.com

Honorable mentions include DeviantArt (www.deviantart.com), a site which allows artists to host their artwork and get feedback from others, and music sites such as Pandora (www. pandora.com) and Last.fm (www.last.fm), which allows users to listen to music they love and find new artists they like.

Been There, Done That: A Girl’s Bilingual Tale

By ANGELA MENG Staff Writer

While many high school students can only dream of one day writing their own autobiography, Katharine Wang has already done it. In a captivating story of triumphs of all ethnicities and all personPhoto Courtesy of alities, Wang’s Been There, www.fltrp.com Done That closely follows the lives of six private school students’ journey to reach their goals.

As the pages begin to unfold, Katharine Wang, a fourteen-year-old Chinese-American girl, becomes a freshman at Susan Jones Preparatory School of California. Unfamiliar with the

world she is about to step into, Katharine makes friends with Sunny, the conservative Chinese girl; Erin, the tomboy with a passion for soccer; Kiara, the girly hopeless romantic; Shawn, the resident bad boy; Christopher, the foreign exchange student, and Camden, the popular boy and love interest. Like Arcadia High School students, Katharine and her classmates are bombarded with mountains of homework in addition to various volunteer, club, and sports activities. This is a tale of six bright students who struggle to mature through friendship, intimacy, and love on top of SATs, APs, and CLEPs. Throughout the novel, Katharine focuses on the ethnicity clash between Chinese and American culture. “I’m Chinese...I have no Great Uncle that used to live in a monastery; no, I do not know what bak choi means; Have I become so Americanized?” Wang depicts the meaning of being

Chinese and the meaning of being American in her novel, adding fresh humor through her vivacious narrative. There is an author’s note at the end of every chapter which summarizes the moral values and work ethic gained by the characters and goals they wish to reach. Katharine Wang is a fresh change from older novelists and can better relate to her readers through her unique perspective and modern views.

No piece of writing is ever perfect, and Been There, Done That is no exception. Although Wang’s writing is highly skilled for her age, minor grammatical errors and misnomers are present. There is a great amount of stereotyping in the novel, and in this aspect, Wang’s description of the characters are quite unoriginal.

Every reader of Been There, Done That can relate to the book in some way, whether it’s through its fresh humor or modern outlook.

Movie Review: Dan In Real Life with Steve Carell

By BRIANNA BECKMAN Staff Writer

Notorious funny man Steve Carrell has done it again. The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Office star offers both a bit of hilarity and a bit of heartbreak, backed by an incredible cast with enough fervor and zest to make Dan in Real Life one of the year’s best films yet.

As the credits roll unremittingly, the plot’s seemingly slow progression unravels as audiences meet Dan Burns (Carrell), your typical American father and widower, whose entire existence revolves around his three daughters. A successful advice columnist for the local newspaper, Dan always seems to have the right answers. However, after four years of playing Mr. Mom, he still has his fair share of problems and is reluctant to resume his position in the dating game.

The movie opens with Dan and his three daughters Jane, Cara, and Lily packing up

for an extended weekend away at his parents’ cabin in the woods. Upon arrival, Dan seems slightly introverted in comparison to his vociferous, massive family. He faces a prickly moral dilemma with his middle daughter, Cara, who claims to be deeply in “love” with a charming young paperboy. This addition adds a good dose of amusement to the film, as Cara’s overly theatrical lovesickness sparks a striking familiarity with the romantic in all of us. Dan is repeatedly accused of being a “murderer of love” throughout the course of the film as he continually discounts his daughter’s feelings as nothing more than insignificant puppy love.

To escape the frenzied commotion amongst his family Dan visits a small local bookstore where he meets Marie, a beautiful and intellectual brunette who seems to spark a glint of happiness within him. After chitchatting over a cup of coffee, the two exchange numbers and head their separate ways. Love struck, Dan heads back to share the wonderful news, as his younger brother, Mitch, and other obnoxious relatives congratulate and hammer him for details regarding the “hottie” at the bookstore- but

surprise, surprise! The hottie at the bookstore turns out to be Mitch’s beloved girlfriend!

Just when things couldn’t get more awkward, Dan and Marie continue to dance around the idea that they’re incredibly attracted to each other, yet realize that acting on their feelings would be immoral and degenerative, especially considering the fact that Mitch is Dan’s brother.

However, all of this is unbearable for the two, and Dan’s tremendous depression and aggravation becomes increasingly apparent to both his family, and more notably, Marie.

Audiences will witness and experience bouts of jealousy, warmth, laughter, and love as this witty romantic-comedy unfolds. The story’s ironic plot will definitely keep viewers engrossed and eager to discover what’s about to happen. Unlike most comedies, Dan in Real Life does a fantastic job of familiarizing its viewers with the chief characters, and emphasizes both their feelings and their relations to one another.

Steve Carrell lives up well to his reputation in this hilarious, yet heart-breaking work. Overall, Dan in Real Life is undeniably one the year’s must-sees.

November/December 2007

Features

theapachepowwow.com

Arcadia Is Bobas of Fun

By ERICA WIN

Staff Writer

One cannot drive five blocks in Arcadia without spotting a restaurant or a cafe that serves boba milk tea. Even though most Arcadians do not stare at these little black tapioca balls and wonder what they are, the drink itself is considered rare in most of the East Coast, and even within other parts of California.

So where exactly does this yummy drink come from? Bubble tea originated in Taiwan during the 1980s, which is why boba milk tea is renowned for being an “Asian” beverage.

In the late 1990s, boba milk tea gained its popularity in North American cities with large Asian populations. The wave of popularity was initiated by the opening of the restaurant Lollicup in the city of San Gabriel, California.

From there on, the trend spread throughout Southern California, resulting in cities such as Arcadia being pervaded with tremendous numbers of “boba shops.”

The popularity of boba is especially evident in Arcadia. Most Arcadians are well aware of cafes such as Ten Ren’s, Tapioca Ex-

press, Au 79, Quickly, and Lollicup.

Boba milk tea has become permanently integrated in some people’s daily intake. The drink is popular not only during summer but all year-round. The caffeine dose that comes along with the drink only makes it more wellliked among stressed teens.

With prices cheaper than most of the drinks from places like Starbucks, tapioca milk tea has taken Arcadia by storm.

Many people question boba’s healthiness.

The tapioca pearls are just starch and the milk used in the drink is usually not low-fat. The cafes typically add sugar, making the drink range from about 400-900 calories. However, the taste overpowers the sense or any care of its unhealthiness. The restaurants that serve boba milk tea are definitely here to stay.

Staff Writer

It’s 3 a.m. and a mob of soccer moms and cheapskates are standing out in the shivering cold. Judging by the sheer volume of the line itself, it wouldn’t be a bad guess to assume that they are all fighting for the last piece of food on the planet. Actually, they have an even better reason: they’re waiting for Best Buy to open so that they can purchase a laptop for $400.

Black Friday, which took place on Nov. 23, unofficially marked the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

In retail, black ink represents profit while red ink represents loss, which is where Black Friday gets its name. The media often inaccurately refers to this day as the busiest shopping day of the year, as it has historically been outpaced by the Saturday before Christmas. However, Black Friday is one of the few events that cause shoppers to pitch up their tents in front

Photo by MICHAEL CHEN

ANXIOUS ARMY On Thanksgiving night, an army of eager shoppers await

Best Buy’s opening with sleeping bags, tents, and food to replenish themselves with energy for the hectic morning to come.

Juice It Up In Fashion

By LINDA WANG

Staff Writer

Ever noticed that Juicy Couture is getting more and more popular among students?

Juicy’s cute princess-like style attracts many celebrities and students. Fashionable girls with Juicy handbags, jewelry, and clothes are seen everywhere on campus. Juicy Couture is now becoming a favorite brand among students,

but does anyone know the story behind Juicy Couture?

Everyone has probably seen the phrase “Love, P&G” on most Juicy Couture tags, but what does it stand for? P&G refers to the two founders of Juicy, Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor.

At first, Pamela and Gela established a company called Travis Jeans, which specialized in maternity wear, especially comfortable

“Wii” Will Have Fun

By RACHEL CHEONG & KRISTEN MURAKAMI Staff Writers

Photos by ERICA WIN

BOBA CENTRAL Au 79 (top),

Ten Ren’s (left), Lollicup (right), and Quickly (bottom) are some of Arcadians’ favorite tea houses.

Biggest and Blackest Friday

By MICHAEL CHEN

7

of stores.

In order to lure consumers into their stores, retailers offer ridiculously low prices on hit items and typically open their doors at 5 a.m. The catch is that there are incredibly limited quantities of these items, often resulting in 20 cheap laptops that 500 shoppers are trying to get. After the dust settles, those cheap laptops disappear and shoppers must fall back on the normal priced items to ensure that their time wasn’t wasted.

Clothing stores also tend to hold big sales on Black Friday, offering deals such as 20% off everything in the store, generally until noon.

Unfortunately, the great deals often bring about the worst in humanity. Horror stories of women pretending to be pregnant so that they can score a few $1 toys are common. Vouchers, good for redeeming the more sought after items without hassle, are often torn apart by battling shoppers. And yes, people do bring extra water bottles to use when nature calls.

Some will argue that the time spent to get a particular item isn’t worth the money saved. Yet, there is far more to Black Friday than saving a few bucks here and there. The fun all stems from waiting out in a parking lot and goofing around with friends until the store opens. It’s a great way to meet new people and possibly even form teams to snatch items.

Many die-hard shoppers are known to wait as early as Thanksgiving morning. jeans. At that time, Travis Jeans was only an unknown brand of expensive clothing. However, this brand developed into a full line of women’s apparel known as Juicy Couture.

The brand, which focused on comfortable sweat suits and sportswear, was originally popular on the West Coast. Soon, with the addition of accessories as well as men and children collections, Juicy became well-known across the country and later the world. Along with this success came minor changes. The famous Juicy slogan “Made in the Glamorous U.S.A.” is now changed to “Born in the Glam-

With its revolutionary wand-like remote control and consumer-friendly applications, the Nintendo Wii has won over fans of all ages. For those anticipating a price cut of the prized Wii, Nintendo’s President, Satoru Iwata, has recently announced that there will not be one. Because of the increasing demand on the popular console, the Wii will stay at its current price of $249.99.

Nintendo profits have skyrocketed since the introduction of the Wii, forcing rival companies like Sony and Microsoft to reduce their prices. Even the top two competing game consoles, the Play Station 3 and the XBOX 360, originally priced at $599.00 and $399.00 respectively, have been lowering their prices in order to compete with the ever-popular Wii. Nonetheless, a new feature has been added to the Wii, which makes this console all the merrier. This function allows users to send each other games over the internet using the Wii’s Shopping Channel. With just a few clicks, a player can select a game to send as a gift to another online user.

The “Wii Fit,” which is a game that is set to debut later this year in Japan, allows players to weigh themselves, check their balances, and exercise by playing games including yoga, hula hoops, and ski jumping.

With the holiday rush in mind, Nintendo is currently manufacturing approximately 1.8 million copies per month in order to meet the booming demand. In the past year, Nintendo shipped an overwhelming 13.2 million units overseas. As of now, Nintendo is working to expand its market and introduce the Wii to China, where a bright future lies ahead.

Photo by JOANNA CHUANG

BEST GIFT It is no doubt that the

Wii has become one of the most wanted gifts for the holiday season. orous U.S.A.” since many of the products are manufactured in other parts of the world.

So why is Juicy Couture so popular? Why do students choose Juicy over other dominating brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton?

Well, compared to these brands, Juicy Couture offers a much better price. Why spend $1,000 on a Chanel bag? Why spend $800 on one Dior wallet when a cute Juicy wallet is only about $100? Brands with those prices are more fit for adults rather than teenagers. With a more reasonable price for students, Juicy Couture is certainly a great yet affordable style.

8

Water Polo

theapachepowwow.com

November/December 2007

Boys Water Polo Splashes Into History

By ERIC YU Guest Writer

The boys Water Polo team has made Arcadia High School history this year. Twice. First came when the boys defeated Temple City in the finals of the Ayala Tournament, becoming the first team to ever win a water polo tournament. Their auspicious start would carry on to the rest of their season, as the boys won game after game, all the while preparing for the final game with longtime rivals, Crescenta Valley.

This year’s team, comprising mostly of twelve seniors, practiced from two to five, five days a week and woke up early to attend morning workouts two days a week in order to vie for what would be, for most of them, their last shot at getting a league championship title. The only thing that stood in their way, just as it stood in their way for the past four years, was the Crescenta Valley water polo team, who had kept the Apaches at second place during those said years. So they practiced and trained, anticipating the day when they would once again face off against the Falcons.

And when the day came, they were more than prepared. In what could be considered an overwhelming victory, the Apaches pummeled the Falcons, with a final score of 8-3. The boys didn’t have time to celebrate, however, for, due to a stroke of chance, they were scheduled to play Crescenta Valley again the very next day, this time in the League Finals tournament. Again, the boys passed their second test with flying colors, emerging victorious for the second day in a row. Beating the Falcons two days in a row was, according to captain Pouya Dabiri, “a surreal experience”. The boys then went on to defeat Glendale with a score of 15-12 to obtain the team’s first-ever League Championship title. Senior Wesley Yao spoke for the eleven other seniors as he described what it was like: “We all joined the team as freshmen, and year after year, we watched our team lose to CV. But to win this year, our senior year, that’s really special”. According to coach Janice Clark, this year could not have been a better, or more exciting, one: “This year’s team, for the most part, has known and played with each other for four years now. There hasn’t been a better team than this one to finally bring home a League title”.

Expecting to advance far in the Southern Section CIF Division VI playoffs, the boys were cut short by their loss of 6-7 to El Segundo, who they had beaten earlier in their season, ending their season with a final record of 25-3. Despite this setback, the ’07 Boys Water Polo team has definitely left their mark, for the Boys Water Polo banner in the North Gym will no longer be empty.

Photos Courtesy of Apaches Athletics, Emerald Lin, Dav

BOYS WATER POLO team photo from left

Wesley Yao, Robbie Pusic, Mitchell Fricke, Ro Figueroa, Coach Janice Clark Bottom Row- Will Takakura, Arthur Huang, Eri (Captain) Andrew Troung, Ryan Lee, Joseph L

Scorebo

League: Overall:

November/December 2007

theapachepowwow.com

ld Lin, David Flood, Dayna Lee, and Labib Damouni

rom left to right: Top Row- Clayton Rowley, icke, Ross Yuen, Michael Langendoen, Nick

ang, Eric Yu, Austin Lim, Armstrong Kuo oseph Lee, Pouya Dabiri (Captain)

eboard

gue: 9-0 all: 25-3

Water Polo

9

Senior Robbie Pusic is highly revered amongst his fellow waterballers. But of course, Pusic is more concerned about the team’s triumphs than himself as an individual contributor. “This year’s accomplishments have been really good for everybody”, said Pusic, “All around, we played very well all through the entire season. I’m really proud of the guys.” He claims that his biggest accomplishment thus far is having Photo by BRIANNA BECKMAN played outstandingly throughout his ever-emerging athletic career, as well as being able to better himself as a team player. It may come as no surprise that Pusic comes from an evolving legacy of water polo players; “My dad used to play when he was younger, and my cousins play as well…so it’s kind of a family thing- an all around great passion”, said Pusic. Despite the fact that the boys didn’t prevail at CIF, he assures that “We had fun playing and we had fun winning. And although we eventually lost, it’s over and done with- the most important thing is that we came together as a team and made things happen.”

Mitchell Fricke’s outstanding performance this season has been no accident: “Mitchell spent his entire summer playing water polo at a local club, working on becoming better at his position,” said Varsity Coach Janice Clark. As a direct result, “He’s been having many spectacular saves.”

No longer embarrassed about wearing Speedos, water polo is not just a sport for him – it’s become a way of life. “It really gets my adrenaline pumping and that’s really enjoyable,” Photo by JAMES HERNANDEZ he said. Not only does he practice during school, he regularly goes to a club in Midvalley for additional coaching, as well as playing with friends in Newport Beach.

When asked what the team had this year compared to previous years, he replied, “Diversity. Instead of only having a specific strength like speed or ball handling, we have it all. We have guys that are fast, strong, good team players, good passers, good shooters; diversity is what really makes a difference.” With the majority of the varsity squad this year being seniors, he believes that “this has created a bond that cannot easily be broken – something that other teams do not have.”

Senior Wesley Yao, also known as “Wes the Best”, assertively confirms that what the team has been able to achieve in but a short season, is the most momentous thing that’s happened yet. “After 40 years of nothing, we finally won. It just feels really special”, said Yao. He notes that his latest substantial accomplishment is having “won league for the school- it’s just really extraordinary to be the first one to put the number up.” For Yao and a Photo by BRIANNA BECKMAN few of his fellow players, water polo merely began as extensive swim training: “We all knew each other when we were kids. When we entered high school, water polo was related to swimming, so we all just went for it. We didn’t know that it would begin our path to being champs.” After an extensive and seemingly discouraging history, he believes that the team was, and will continue to remain, capable of beating the very people who doubted them. “As freshman, the seniors always said that we didn’t know what we were doing- but now as seniors, we’ve done what 40 years worth of hard work couldn’t even do”, he said, “I’m just really happy that we’ve not only bonded as a team, but we’ve also become close friends.”

10

Sports

Varsity Football Makes Its Final Punt

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Boys Cross Country Pushes the Pace

By MINDA WANG

By GREGORY ZAJAC

Staff Writer Staff Writer

Coming off two consecutive losses, Apache football turned their slump around in their last league game against Crescenta Valley High School, which “gave them some momentum going into the playoffs,” said Arcadia head football coach Jon Dimalante.

The Apaches had a slow start against the Crescenta Valley Falcons, falling behind 17-14 at the half. The score began to even out in the third and fourth quarters, and an 11-yard touchdown by Casey Picard put Arcadia in the lead, 31-24, with only 1:35 minutes remaining.

Photo by GREGORY ZAJAC

Football The AHS Apaches exemplify their powerful offense.

Three long Falcon passes moved the ball from the Crescenta Valley 20 yard line to the Arcadia 25. The Falcons had four plays to make it in the end zone and tie, and the Apaches had to keep them out. Coach Dimalante said of the stressful, drawn out ending, “I’m getting too old for these nail bitters. I knew I was alive, that’s for sure.”

Quarterback Forest Reed, subbing in for an injured Kevan Walker, was confident his teammates were going to win. He said, “I knew our defense was going to get us the ball back, so I just cheered them on. We got the ball back, got back to work, and we smashed on them.” The ball turned over and the Arcadia offense ran out the one second remaining on the clock.

With key players Kevan Walker and Troy Amhaz on the sidelines during much of the game due to injuries, the rest of the team had to fill in the gaps and play on. Said coach Jon Dimalante: “You know, we talk about when guys go down and somebody else’s got to pick up the flag, so we had a lot of guys in there picking up the flag and running with it.”

Arcadia, which held an unchallenged position as number one in the Pacific League for their first seven games, “had a little drop off” said Forest Reed. Coach Dimalante said that his team found the mental strength to turn their losing streak around in their last league game, and “that shows a lot about their character.”

Coming second out of league, Arcadia was paired against Rancho Verde for their first CIF game. The Arcadia offense had a hard time getting the ball moving, completing only 23 of 44 passes for 258 yards and 21 rushes for 88 yards, an average of 4.2 yards per run. Arcadia’s football season ended with a 53-28 loss in their first CIF game.

Arcadia finished the season as the second place team in the Pacific League. Looking back, coach Dimalante said, “It’s been an exciting season, (we were) 7-0, faced some adversity, lost a couple games, could have packed it in, but the kids didn’t. But they continued to fight, and that shows a lot about their character. I’m really proud of them.”

November/December 2007

Disappointment. All seven of our runners were sprawled on the grassy knoll above the Mt. SAC Track after coming through the finishers chute after the race. They had just raced their guts out in the most competitive cross country meet in California, Division 1 CIF Finals. However, instead of mass celebrations this year, the team knew the imminent demise of a dynasty in the making. They knew that they did not qualify for the State Finals, after having done so each of the last two years.

As Coach O’Brien went to each and every one of his athletes, his tone was positive but somber, as he simply asked each boy if they had given their best effort. As each one replied affirmatively, he shook their hand and said “that’s all I ever ask of you.” Meanwhile, the rest of the team started to march over to the track to run a few laps; what we have grown accustomed to being our victory lap.

The depressed team followed behind as the feeling of agony ran through their exhausted bodies. The lap of sorrow ensued instead of the traditional wild victory celebration.

The team had a tradition to uphold, something that was passed down from the 2005 and 2006 teams.

Feeling lost and let down, we continued on marching like a battered, rag-tag team. Our painted bodies and the flags we carried all over the hilly 3 mile course in support of our teammates were of no use now; nothing, it seemed could possibly save us and advance us on to State. We had covered our bodies and faces with paint, looking like real hardcore football fans from the Midwest that you see on TV in the dead of winter with their shirts off. We had banners waving in the air and our ferocious screams were scaring people to death. It seemed that our intense efforts were all in vain.

The race itself went out like a powerful lightning bolt as the gun went off, with the leaders coming through the 1 mile mark in 4:38. All of the Arcadia

runners went through the mile point within 1 second of their planned arrival. However, as the race progressed it started to look grim. Normally we move smoothly through the field as the race progresses. This time, every other team we needed to beat was running as well or better than us. With 400 meters remaining before the finish line, Coach O’Brien calculated the team score and we were down and out, no better than 10th place. State qualifying is top 7 and it seemed as if our team had failed to qualify. Apparently, we were the team who was going to break our tradition.

Lino Almeida, one of our former stars, brought the news to our camp. Holding up 7 fingers as he walked toward us, the word spread like a wild fire. Esmond Wei sprinted to the team to relay the impossible miracle, screaming “We got 7th! We got 7th! We’re going to state!” Initially, our whole team thought he was joking and brushed it off, but when Assistant Coach Alex Fan came over and started jumping and screaming, “We got 7th,” then the whole team erupted into a jubilant running dance around the track. Arcadia athletes, coaches, and fans contributed to a sea of cardinal and gold. Flags, horns, painted bodies jumping up and down, yelling and screaming as we heard from the sidelines, “There goes Arcadia again.” Words cannot adequately describe what had just happened at that moment in time, but it was something magical, and special. There were sixty painted guys running around hollering at the top of their lungs while all the sorrow escaped our bodies and passionate joy took hold. That was the emotion our team felt as we made it to the State Championship meet for the third year in a row. It took a “team time” school record of 78:16 to accomplish this feat, breaking the previous record from our 2006 team by 26 seconds. During the last 400 meters our team stole the race by closing faster than we ever had before, picking up 65 places over that short final distance.

So, next time you see our Cross Country team on campus, go up and congratulate them. The slick junior Renaud Poizat leading the pack with his stellar 15:12. The savvy senior Ryan Ernst running 15:22,

Photo by GREGORY ZAJAC

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Freshman Amar Moussa and Senior Daniel Yamane sprint to the finish line at the Apache Invitational.

3rd fastest in AHS history. The beast, senior Kris Romero at 15:33, 4th best all-time AHS. Awesome senior Will MacNeil blasting a personal best by over 30 seconds in 15:54. Talented and precocious freshman Ammar Moussa rolling in at 16:13. Sensational senior Nick Shar blazing a trail in 16:29, his personal best. And, rounding out the scoring is lovable senior Daniel Yamane at 16:44. Once again, we kept the tradition alive, we succeeded.

Girls Volleyball Finishes With a Strong Set

By CHRISTINE HOWARD Staff Writer

Amid raucous cheers from their teammates, the Lady Apache Volleyball team solidified their defeat of the Yucaipa Thunderbirds, pushing past the first round of CIF. But when it came to the second round against the Martin Luther King Wolves, the Apaches fell apart.

The Lady Apaches came out of league play with a great record, 12 wins to only 2 losses, and managed to come in second, just behind the Burroughs Indians. League play ended and CIF immediately began, with the Apaches first game against the Yucaipa Thunderbirds only five days after their last league match against the Crescenta Valley Falcons.

The Lady Apaches went into the first round CIF game fired up and ready. The game was held at home and the bleachers were filled with Arcadia supporters. Although it seemed sure that the Thunderbirds were going to take the first game, after some stellar performances by senior outside hitter Karen Han, senior outside hitter Stephanie Stillman, senior setter Jennifer Tucker, and junior middle blocker Cara Mang, Arcadia gained the lead.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the final point was scored with a dynamic kill from Mang.

After winning the first game, the Apaches moved onto the second, dominating the Thunderbirds with a score of 25-16.

The third game began with an Apache lead, but the Thunderbirds were still fighting hard. The teams became tied mid-game but after some strong performances from the Yucaipa offense, the Apaches began dragging behind. Finally, the Apaches started heating up with some performances from senior middle blockers Suzie Clinton and Han, and after

a long rally, including several great digs by senior defensive specialist Erin Diefenbach, the Yucaipa lead was cut to 22-24. It seemed that the Apaches were going to have another come from behind win, but with a Yucaipa ace those hopes were dashed and the Thunderbirds won, 22-25.

the underdogs. But after a nearly three-hour bus ride out to Martin Luther King High in Riverside, the Apaches were not fired up enough to defeat the MLK Wolves, who are ranked fifth in the division.

The first game went well, with a lot of strong performances from the Apache players. Arcadia started out the game with a small lead, but the Wolves began dominating with several kills and aces, despite the hard work of the Apache defense. After some strong blocks from Clinton and an ace by Tucker the score was 22-24, but unfortunately the Wolves scored the game winning point.

The Apaches opened up the second game well, with some more good performances from all of the players. But the Wolves were completely fired up and were making few mistakes. The Apaches kept the gap small, the Wolves winning 24-20, but it was apparent that they were shutting down. The third game started with a Photo by DAYNA LEE thud, and the Apaches got themselves into an 8-0 hole. Although there were a few Girls Varsity volleyball Senior kills from Mang and Stillman and a few Susie Clinton goes up for a spike against Pasadena blocks by Clinton, it was apparent that High School with her teammates backing her up. the Apaches confidence had faded. The The fourth game began slowly, with both teams Wolves finished off the game strong, winning 25making mistakes, tired from the intense games. 13, and destroying Arcadia’s hopes of moving on Slowly, the Apache offense woke up with some in CIF. “The first game went really well, and if we had spikes from Clinton, Stillman, Han, and McPherson and after several rallies, Stillman earned the game kept playing that way we would have had a chance point with a line drive kill, securing the Apaches of winning. But we let something go after that. I guess everything just went to our heads. Volleyball victory and their chance to move on in CIF. “We played like a real team, and it was the is such a mind game,” said Diefenbach.

The bus ride home was full of emotions, but a first time everyone was really on the same page.

We wanted it more than the other team did,” said trip to Albertsons for some comfort food lightened the mood. The Apaches cheered each other up a bit Diefenbach.

The Apaches hopes were high going into the and the seniors were able to enjoy their last bus ride second round of CIF, despite the fact that they were home.

November/December 2007 theapachepowwow.com

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12

STUDENT LIFE

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November/December 2007

Photo by ASHLEY JOHNSON

THE APACHE MARCHING BAND Drum Major Dean Lee leads the Marching Band, 410 strong, down Baldwin Ave at the Arcadia Festival of Bands.

Arcadia Festival of Bands Day of the Dead Celebration

By JENNY LIN

Staff Writer

The 54th annual Arcadia Festival of Bands hosted by AHS was held on Nov. 17. In the morning, schools near and far gathered in Arcadia to showcase what they had got at the parade. At night, a highly anticipated field show was performed by AHS and other schools at Citrus College Stadium in Azusa. For every school except AHS because they host it, the Festival of Bands was an opportunity to compete against other top ranking high school bands.

Hundreds of parents and children gathered on Baldwin Ave at 8:00 a.m. to watch the parade and support the bands performing. “I’m here to see the wonderful bands play and to support the AHS Band and their pep squad,” said Dr. Thomas, a spectator and father of two AHS students.

The Festival started out with the first group, JV Percussion, beating its drums and crashing their cymbals followed by the Pep Squad cheering and raising the school spirit. Then, the second group of JV Percussion showed off its rhythmic cadence and vintage cars cruised down with our school district Superintendent, Mimi Hennessy, and Mr. Vannasdall.

PROFILE MIRAI NAGUSU

By ANGELA SHEN Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of DAPHNE BACKMAN

Finally, the moment everybody was waiting for: it was AHS’s turn to shine. Cameras were taken out and everybody turned their full attention to the army of teenagers holding shiny instruments. Marching down Baldwin with their perfectly synchronized march, rhythmic music, and bright red uniforms. AHS’s gigantic band of 410 members is the star of its festival. We have the largest band in all of southern California.

The audience was awed by the band’s stunning performance. “I liked Dean’s drum major routine and the Varsity Percussion the most,” said sophomore Pauline Lyou.

Afterwards, at the Awards Ceremony held at Arcadia High, the Drum Major and Colorguard Leaders from the other schools saluted to the Apache Drum Major, Colorguard leader, and the band officers.

In the evening, AHS hosted the highly anticipated and respected field show at Citrus College. The audience consisted of over a thousand people coming from all over southern California.

The bands performed took the field one at a time and moved into spectacular formations while Colorguard danced to the music and Percussion played to the beat of the music. The AHS band ended the field show leaving the audience in amazement at their size, skills, and confidence.

She may seem like the typical freshman, but outside of school, she is an aspiring figure skater, skating her way to the top with recent successes in snatching the 2007 World Junior silver medalist and the 2007 U.S. Junior National Champion titles. Her name is Mirai Nagasu, who has been ice-skating since the age of 5. According to Mirai, she first became interested when her mom took her ice-skating on a rainy day, and she found out that she really liked it. “My parents said it was either golf and Japanese, or ice-skating- I was five, so I just said, ‘ice skating!’ It was kind of a life-changing decision,” said Mirai. One of her proudest moments was, “at Nationals last year; I began looking at ice skating in a different way” she said, “I didn’t expect to win, I just wanted to skate my best.” Among her national and world titles, she has also competed in the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix USA, winning first place in the ladies singles division. Although figure skating is her main passion in life, Mirai also enjoys drawing, reading, and “eating all the different foods when I go to international competitions!” she said. She is planning to continue figure skating for her future, but also said, “I definitely want to go to college- school gives me a chance to have friends outside of skating.”

Her next competition is in December, the Grand Prix in Poland, where she will again be skating at the Junior level. For Mirai Nagasu, skating has not only helped her to become more disciplined, but has taught her the lesson, “if you believe in yourself and put your mind to it, you can do it.”

By SCOTT LYOU & PARVIN SHAKIB Staff Writers

On Friday, Nov. 2, AHS celebrated El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the cafeteria. Contrary to what the morbid name may suggest, the Day of the Dead is actually a celebration of the continuation of life that honors deceased loved ones.

Magnificent parades and jubilant festivals are common on Day of the Dead, when people can decorate the graves of their loved ones and offer food or drink as homage. Flowers and other trinkets are also used to adorn the graves, as demonstrated by the festive altars that were displayed in the celebration.

Like most celebrations, food was a large component of Day of the Dead. A variety of traditional food was presented, such as pan dulce (sweet bread), mole, pan de muerto (Bread of

the Dead), and sugar skulls.

One group that participated in the celebration was the Associated Latin-American Students (ALAS). When asked what Day of the Dead meant to her, President Mireya Perez, senior, said “El Dia de Los Muertos is about commemorating loved ones that have passed.”

Mireya and her fellow students honored their dead ancestors by placing mementos and pictures of family members that had passed away on the altars.

Photo Courtesy of MS ORTIZ

AN ALTAR This is made in honor of ancestors who passed away.

Orchesis Dances Its Way

By JOANNA CHUANG Staff Writer

Orchesis has been diligently practicing an average of 10-15 hours a week since the beginning of the year (this being when it is “light week”) for its two upcoming performances— the Santa Ana Festival and the Charity Show.

Both the show and festival are “great ways to showcase the various dancing styles Orchesis embraces and performs,” said Orchesis President, senior Jasmine Chao.

Both performances consist of the dance performed at the Homecoming assembly, as well as dances choreographed by the members of Orchesis. More specifically, the Charity Show

will consist of dances by Orchesis that demonstrate a sad love story, a tale concerning monsters, an account of losing a close friend, and then end with a feel-good dance “that captures the essence of our performance. Each dance has a story behind it that represents a different side of Orchesis. Homecoming shows how Orchesis has a funky side, while Holiday will reveal our more modern dancing abilities,” said Jasmine.

The Santa Ana Festival will take place on Nov. 30, while the Charity Show will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the North Gym on Dec. 20. The money earned from the Charity Show will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Jasmine encourages, “Don’t miss the show! You will miss out on the best show of the holidays if you do.”

Photo Courtesy of JUSTIN HSIN

ORCHESIS These students prepare for their upcoming performances.

November/December 2007

ACADEMICS

theapachepowwow.com

These Happy Golden Years... ad y third year abro or, and I spent m aj d m de ci ns de io I at , ic at un ce. After th “I was a Comm was a family in Fran e ith ur w nt g ve in ad l liv ra d studying an This intercultu a second major. e; it taught me to add French as rience in my lif pe ex l ta miliar vo pi t, an away from the fa the most signific learning to live opin an s d ill fin sk d be an ld eryone shou independence ev at th k in eye th is I it home. untry— comforts of my in a different co dy stu to ge lle g co portunity durin .” ly life changing opening and tru

Compiled by MELISSA CHEN & JACQUELINE YUE

3

Academics Editors

han g u a V a n i t Chris ’89 UCSD

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Chris Villalobos CSU Fullerton ’99

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“Life in Ann Arbor is really only experienc on Saturday’s ed in the fall. You wake up at ab 10 a.m. and st out art your trek to the same pl 110,000 other ace like a herd of people are m cattle: the Big igrating towar House. On the at Blimpy Bur ds w ay ger, to the game, st op off rant names than Spot’s, Zingermann’s....I re m em professors—ki ber more restau nd of scary....G O BLUE!” “College was a great experience, espe cially in a school with 25,000 students. It was hard to feel a sense of belonging in such a large population, but running the university movie theater really helped in making a name for myself. Cal State Fullerton was a very diverse school which gave me an opportunity to mee t and work with talented individuals who still influence me today.”

Photos Courtesy of Christina Vaughan, Brian Zurla, & Chris Villalobos

Ten Words You Won’t See on the SAT

By TRACY LEE

Staff Writer

1. Dandruff (DAN-druhf) n. A person who always ditches or “flakes” out on commitments, often for frivolous reasons.

“Man, that Dan is some serious dandruff; he could use a bottle of Head & Shoulders.”

2. Defenestrate (dee-FEN-ih-strate) v. To throw out of a window.

“Let’s be like those crazy Caltech-ers and defenestrate a flaming monitor from a four-story building!”

3. Gravy train (GREY-vee TREYN) n. A job that gets paid, and yet requires little to no work.

“Every time I walk past Carol’s cubicle, it seems like she’s riding the gravy train. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her work, but she gets paid more than I do.”

4. Stentorian (sten-TOR-ee-uhn) adj. Extremely loud.

“The panda gave a stentorian yawp across the bamboo fields forever.”

5. Peasantvision (PEZ-uhnt VIZH-uhn n) n.

Channels still available without a cable or satellite subscription. “‘How do you do all your homework on time? Don’t you get distracted by the tube?’

‘No way; my peasantvision prevents me from watching anything but the news.’ ” 6. Flâneur (FLAH-nair) n. Someone who slacks off; a loafer.

“They are willing to work with Jack, the laziest flâneur, because he’s brilliant beyond all reason...and really good looking.”

7. Selling popcorn (SEL-ing POP-kawrn) v. Standing around and doing nothing to affect an event, but attracting attention to the event any-

way.

“Stan and Kyle were selling popcorn when Kenny died: they complained but didn’t do anything about it.”

8. Tchotchke (HAHCH-kuh) n. A trinket.

“Annabel Lee is such a show-off; she’s always flaunting every new tchotchke of hers in my face.”

9. Remasculate (ri-MAS-kyuh-leyt) v. When a guy partakes in a macho act after having done something extremely effeminate.

“Joseph Andrews learned to arrange flowers today with his girlfriend. He promptly watched a game of football afterwards to remasculate.”

10. Exiguous (ig-ZIG-yoo-us) adj. Extremely scant, meager.

“The exiguous amount of pie was only enough to properly feed five of the 60 hungry students, leading to a Lord of the Flies-esque revolt.”

13

College Profile:

Emory University

By GRACE KWONG Staff Writer

Emory University, a private school located in Atlanta, Georgia, is known by some as a “Southern Ivy.” U.S. News and World Report 2008 ranks it as the 17th best national university, tied with Rice University in Texas; for perspective, University of California—Berkeley is ranked 20th and Johns Hopkins University is 14th.

Founded by the Methodist Church in 1836 and named after John Emory, a popular bishop, the university is currently led by President James W. Wagner. The campus sports the main Robert W. Woodruff Library, as well as various other libraries for business, rare books, and theology. There are separate libraries for each of the individual colleges and schools, which include Emory College, Oxford College, Candler School of Theology, and Roberto C. Goizueta Business School (emory.edu).

University publications include the Academic Exchange, an online “published forum for ongoing intellectual discourse among faculty colleagues” and The Wheel, the student-run newspaper (emory.edu).

Publications like the International Emory foster interest in global affairs.

Emory is particularly well known for its business and law schools. Business Week ranked Emory’s Goizueta Business School 20th and its undergraduate program fourth in the nation. The university’s law school has also been ranked as one of the best in the nation. Famous Emory alumni include former Vice President Alben Barkley, Pulitzer Prize winner Dumas Malone, and General Hospital actress Natalia Livingston.

Although Emory does not have a football team, its athletic program is ranked among the best in the University Athletic Association (UAA). Emory’s tennis, swimming, and diving programs are particularly successful, consistently placing first in competitions. The school also offers a wide variety of club sports such as frisbee and lacrosse, both of which are also successful.

Some admissions statistics: SAT Scores: Critical Reading: 640-730 Math: 660-740 Writing: 640-740 ACT Composite: 29-33 Out-of-state tuition and fees when living on campus: $34,336 Percent of applicants admitted: 32% Total number of undergraduates: 5,207

Photo Courtesy of slamcoll.com

BELLE OF THE SOUTH Emory’s theology school effects a quaint air.

14

CALENDAR

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November/December 2007

The Fruit of the Loom Crew’s Shopping Excursion

By CHRISTINE PAO

Sudoku: Think see theapachepowwow.com for answers

Confessions of a Teenage Glutton

By VERONICA LIM Staff Writer

D e s p i t e my distaste for fried chicken and my general fear of artery-clogging foods, the odd combination of chicken and waffles offered Photo by D. TAN at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles has won over my heart. Roscoe’s does exactly what it claims and nothing more: It provides you with quality chicken and waffles, and as crazy as it sounds, it’s a combination that works well together.

The greasy fried chicken and the fluffy, buttery waffles are a recipe for instant heartattack, but the taste is definitely worth it. The chicken’s greasy flavor combined with the sweetness of the waffles creates a taste like no other, and while it may not be for everyone, it’s quite the experience. The chicken is great, and while the waffles tend to be slightly on the raw, soggy side, the sweetness is just enough that you could eat them plain or with a condiment of your choice.

Roscoe’s does offer a limited selection of foods other than chicken and waffles on its menu, but unless you’re close by, I wouldn’t recommend going there unless you want chicken or waffles. After all, it’s their specialty and they do it well, so why bother

with anything else?

Even if you’re not much of a chicken fan, like myself, or a waffle fan, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is an experience that everyone should try at least one in their lifetime. Be warned though: Roscoe’s is a favorite of many and can rack up quite the crowd on a Friday night or busy weekend, and while the line tends to move fast, be prepared for a wait. In addition, Roscoe’s noisy atmosphere and sparse interior don’t make for a very romantic or quiet atmosphere, though the noisy, raucous nature of the restaurant does carry its own sort of charm. Overall, this place is a fun place for friends, but not so much for couples, and the food lives up well to its title.

Rating: 4/5 stars Service: 4/5 stars Quality: 4/5 stars Price: 5/5 stars

Courtesy of fresnobeehive.com

R OS C OE ’ s The hous e of t he famous dish of chicken and waffles.

November/December 2007 theapachepowwow.com

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CAMPUS FOCUS

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November/December 2007

Survivor’s Guide to the 2007-2008 Adminstration

No picture avaliable

Also oversees: Discipline, security personnel, Attendance, Saturday school, and work detail

IN CHARGE OF: English, ELD, Foreign Language.

Also oversees: AP Testing, Master schedule and new teacher induction

No picture avaliable

IN CHARGE OF: Special Education, Instructional Aides.

Also oversees: Discipline, attendance, Saturday school, and work detail

JOHN FINN: Assistant Principal

Also oversees: CAHSEE / STAR Testing, master schedule, and WASC

IN CHARGE OF: Visual Arts.

LINDA MACKESSY: Dean of Students

Also oversees: Building/ Facilities, student activities, budget, and categorical programs

IN CHARGE OF: Math, ROP, Library, Counselors.

CATHERINE MEREL: Assistant Principal

IN CHARGE OF: Performing Arts, PE, Science.

DAVID VANNASDALL: Principal

KEITH KERNEY: Dean of Students

The administrative hierarchy at Arcadia High School may be difficult to navigate without the proper information. The differences among the roles of the administration are highlighted in the side chart so that students can better understand who to contact if the need arises. Although there are times when students may need to speak with administrative members, faculty and staff members are who they should seek out first. Faculty members serve as instructional leaders for their assigned departments and programs. They focus on curriculum development and attend regular department meetings in order to ensure the continued progress of students. Should a situation surface in which a teacher will be unable to help the student, however, there are other members of the administrative team who will be able to help, as indicated in the following chart.

JENNIFER LASHIER: Assistant Principal

Staff Writer

CRAIG WIBLEMO: Assistant Principal

Photos by HANNAH GALLAHER. Graphics COURTESY of GOOGLE.COM

By SARAH LIN

IN CHARGE OF: Careers and Technology, Social Science, ALT. Also oversees: Registrar, health office, attendance, permits, and campus safety/security