Volume 57, Issue 4
Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA
December 2008
Home Is Where the Heart Is
In this issue:
Graphic by REGINA FANG
FEATURES pg.7 Holiday Playlist: Need some holiday cheer? Here are some suggested holiday tunes.
JACK LAIDLAW Mr. Laidlaw is touched by the holiday spirit as his family, friends, and the AHS staff offer emotional and financial support as he treads through a tough patch after losing his home to the Sayre Fire.
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Photo Courtesy of LLOYD FUJIWARA Graphic by REGINA FANG
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Photo Courtesy of PHOTODIGEST.COM
CENTER SPREAD pgs.8-9 Our Holiday Wish: Inside are blurbs on what your peers are wishing for this season.
Photo by YENTL IP
CAMPUS FOCUS pg.16 Shake It Up: Find out what the performing arts groups are doing this holiday season.
By LISA CHANG & LAURA KELLY Editors-in-Chief
During the holiday season, people give presents, money, and holiday cheer, but do they really lend a helping hand? During the current economic crisis, people have been losing their jobs, their cars, and even their homes, making it even more important to give. One AHS teacher, Mr. Jack Laidlaw, endured the 11,000-acre Sayre Fire which destroyed his house and virtually everything he owned. But with the love and support of his friends, family, and colleagues, Mr. Laidlaw was able to get back on his feet. Mr. Laidlaw has taught in the Arcadia Unified School District for 38 years and created the courses Classic Film 1 & 2 in 1994. His passion for film has spread to his students through these elective courses, inspiring and guiding them. As fellow AHS teacher Ms. Janet Baker says, “He has a wonderful knack. The kids just really love him.” One student, senior Casey Wong, said, “Mr. Laidlaw is a dedicated individual of his craft, which is teaching. He [seeks] to emphasize the importance of film history, rather
than just showing a black and white film for face value. I was influenced by the Universal Horror films growing up, and for a teacher like Jack Laidlaw to show those films with an appreciation, was truly an amazing experience. The impact that Mr. Laidlaw had on me was that he was a historian who truly loved the films of the ‘20s & ‘30s as much as I did.” In late November, Mr. Laidlaw lost his home, $10,000 worth of lobby cards, and roughly 500 DVDs, among other valuables due to the Sayre Fire which destroyed 480 other homes at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park. Awakened in the middle of the night and forced to evacuate, Mr. Laidlaw was only able to salvage his most treasured possessions: a book of star autographs, three cats, and a few lobby cards. He and his daughter left the house to stay with a friend, only to find out later that their home had been destroyed, along with a lifetime’s worth of possessions. But even so, he is among the luckier victims of the fire. Hundreds of other civilians who live at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park were unable to salvage any personal possessions–causing more reason to give this holiday season. Through this challenging time, Mr. Laidlaw has remained strong with the help of friends and
family. Mr. Laidlaw has been staying with Ms. Baker since the fire and has received much support from his friends inside and out of AHS. Mr. Laidlaw said, “There are no words to adequately thank [everyone] for all the support [they] have given me both emotionally and financially.” As we look for people and organizations to help, it is important to remember those who are around us. The city’s support of Mr. Laidlaw is extremely admirable and yet, there is still so much more to give. Mr. Laidlaw is only one among many people in Arcadia who are facing immense obstacles. During this holiday season, it is vital to reach out to others. Giving is not limited to money or mere material possessions, but is also found in emotional support and heartfelt kindness. A little can go a long way. You have the opportunity this holiday season and all the seasons hereafter, to affect someone in a positive way. As Mr. Laidlaw said, “Clarence the angel in the classic It’s a Wonderful Life told George Bailey that if you have friends your life won’t be empty. My life has never been empty, but now is fuller than ever…because of all of you.” lchang@theapachepowwow.com lkelly@theapachepowwow.com