The World is Our Campus Volume 56, Issue 6
February 2008
Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA
College Admissions Anxiety
In this issue:
Photo by KATHLEEN KAO
ENTERTAINMENT pg.8 Coffee House: Advanced Drama Department’s new production showing this week Graphic by KYLE JACOBSEN & HANAN KAMAL
HONK HONK The mail truck is soon on its way to deliver the much anticipated college admission decisions. By TRACY LEE & ERICA WIN
Photo Courtesy of ANGELA HU
CENTER SPREAD pg. 12-13 Constitution Team at State: Congratulations, but who exactly are these talented thinkers and speakers?
Photo by GREGORY ZAJAC
SPORTS pg. 19 Girls Soccer: A summary of their successful season
T
Staff Writers
hink seniors have it easy? Senior year is actually the worst, a year when the formidable task of completing college applications, which has always loomed in the distance, becomes a reality. The burdens of researching, applying, and waiting to be accepted to colleges weigh down heavily upon your shoulders, bursting the happy, carefree mindset of “Senioritis here I come!” But alas, it’s time to get down to business. Before the paperwork starts, it’s incredibly important to find colleges that fit—and that takes research. When asked how she decided which colleges to apply to, senior Emily Lin said, “I visited colleges so I could have firsthand experience of a school’s vibe. It’s important to thoroughly research the schools you want to apply to, even if you can’t visit them.” When researching, it helps to keep in mind that there are different kinds of schools: the safety school, the match school, the dream school, and the fantasy school. The safety is your fall-back as there is virtually guaranteed acceptance; the match is something within your SAT and GPA range; the dream is the top goal; the fantasy is the school where even sell-
ing your soul can’t get you in. Concerning his acceptance to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, senior Sunil Pedapudi said, “Applying to safety schools is good not only because you’ll have somewhere to go if all goes awry, but it’s also really nice knowing someone somewhere wants you.” To determine which school is a good fit, you can look to college-released statistics (SAT and ACT scores) of their more “average” students, those who fall between 25th and 75th percentiles. After establishing which schools to apply to, it is time to plow through the paperwork. Senior Jessica Lee said, “Before junior year ends, it is best to start informing your teachers that you want recommendations.” She also points out the benefits of getting a head start by finishing the first draft of the essays before summer ends “because you need peers and adults to proofread them.” She warns going overboard with the proofreading because too many opinions will mess with your head rather than help. But once the applications are all mailed, the anxiety sets in. As a very wise man once said, the downtime between applying and hearing back is like “asking out the 10 best-looking people you know, and then having them say, ‘I’ll get back to you in 6 months.’” That’s when the secondthoughts sink in: “What if I had gotten an A in that one class?” or “If I had scored higher on the SAT…” For the early bird, there is that one month
until the early action or early decision finally comes back with word on that one school—the dream school. But for most, those long months until March and early April, when decisions come out, all you can do is sit and wait. Thin envelope or thick envelope, only trembling hands can grasp what waits in the mailbox. Then again, the waiting process is not necessarily all bad. Senior Jimmy Nguyen commented that on first sending out his applications, he was “relieved, but once people started getting responses back, [he] got nervous.” So it doesn’t have to be six months of terror. Even in the face of potential rejection, it’s still possible to remain zen. Acceptance or rejection? That is the question, but by March, regular decisions begin to arrive in the fourth and final step of the applyingto-colleges process. Already, the Cal States have released their letters and the UCs and USC have delivered their scholarship verdicts. Several Arcadians have received the prestigious merit-based Regents Scholarship to one or more UCs. From research to application to waiting to decision, these will be the longest days of our young lives. To the seniors still awaiting their letters, good luck. The juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are all supportive of you and want you to succeed. And remember, your adult life does not depend on these letters. You will be fine even if you do not get into your first choice.
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NEWS
theapachepowwow.com
February 2008
NEWS BRIEFS
Monrovia Gang Violence Takes a Turn
3/1 SAT Test only
By JOANNA CHUANG, JENNY LIN, & CHRISTINE XU
2/26-3/1 Winter Drama Production
3/3 Grad Night meeting - 7:00 p.m. -Cafeteria 3/3 Junior parent meeting -N. Gym 3/4 Sophomore parent meeting -N. Gym 3/5 Freshman parent meeting -N. Gym 3/6 Professional Development Day Period 1 begins at 9:20 a.m. School ends at 3:00 p.m. 3/10 Mandatory Gov. Team meeting at the Arcadia City Council Chambers at 7:30 p.m. Contact Mr. Fox in D-10 for any questions or problems before the meeting. 3/15 Sadie Hawkins Dance - 8 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. -N. gym 3/18 Senior parent meeting -Library 3/21 Annual Show Choir Invitational - 6:00 p.m. at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Compiled by the PTSA
in the local area, Monrovia Unified School trust that he’s safe at school. But it’s after District hosted a meeting to address parents’ school that I worry about.” Larry Williams, a Monrovia resiconcerns about the Staff Writers dent and neighbor safety of their chilof victim Brandon dren; Monrovia parLee, said, “We’re Up until recently, Monrovia has been ents express their no longer going to known as a small, quiet town. However, a surge concerns over their be living here now safety. in violence between African-Americans and children’s because of all the Latino gangs has caused Monrovia police of- Many parents claim violence and evficers to call on local law enforcement officers to have tightened erything. It’s just their children’s to crack down on the rising violent behavior. too close to home. Three victims of the gang violence were freedom after learnI have kids and a 19-year-old Brandon Lee, 16-year-old Sa- ing about the gang wife and stuff…it’s mantha Salas, and 64-year-old Sanders “Pete” violence that hapsad because I actuRollins. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Brandon Lee was pened in Monrovia. Photo by JAMES HERNANDEZ ally grew up here.” shot and killed on the 500 block of Almond Rubi Perez, who is So far, seven Avenue near South California Avenue around a mother of a sixth MONROVIA Gang violence has increased 8 p.m. Two Latino men are suspected for the grader and has been dramatically in our neighboring city. suspects have been arrested from this killing. Lee’s murder may be gang-related, as living in Monroit has been rumored that he had ties with the via for the past 24 years, does not allow her incident and have been taken into custody. Du Roc Crips, an African-American gang. Sa- daughter to walk to her friends’ houses, even mantha Salas, a Latina girl, was shot on Sat- when they live half a block away. She believes urday, Feb. 9, and was rushed to the Arcadia that the security in Monrovia is gradually de- JENNIFER OKU Methodist Hospital where she later died. On creasing, due to the rising actions of the gangs. & DEBBIE YOUNG Sunday, Jan. 13, Sanders Rollins was killed in “My daughter is scared. I have to drive her eva drive-by shooting while getting out of his car erywhere,” she said. By JACKIE CHAN Another Monrovia resident, Adrianna right in front of his house. Salas and Rollins Staff Writer had no gang affiliations; their murders have Hall, doesn’t allow her son to play basketball at the local courts or go out on the weekends. been suspected to be due to their races. In order to receive the title “Staff of the Month,” a staff member must nominate With the murder of three innocent people She said, “I trust him and his friends, and I another staff member before he or she is given consideration for the title. This award serves as an opportunity for faculty exclusively at AHS to receive recognition for their hard work and commitment to the students. variety of Japanese cuisine, derived its twotrite-free “haute dogs.” Counselor Jennifer Oku and ROP coordinapart name from the intent of offering a casual, However, if cooked sausage does not seem tor Debbie Young outdoor setting like the ideal have recently where guests been chosen to be meal, the raw February’s “Staff can relax and seafood dishes of the Month.” enjoy the food that Tokyo Table Ms. Oku in casual to serves recently considered besemi-formal atat the Santa Anicoming a teacher, nurse, psycholotire. Prices range ta Mall might be gist, interior defrom $2 for apanother delecPhoto by HANNAH GALLAHER signer, and fashpetizers and side table selection. ion buyer before dishes to $24 Along with sevbecoming interested in school counseling. for main course After volunteering at public schools and eral new restauworking at a tutoring clinic, Ms. Oku realmeals such as a rants and stores ized that she really liked to work with stuten ounce Prime that have sprung Photo by JENNY LIN dents, which led her to pursue counseling. up in Arcadia RECENTLY OPENED Jody Maroni’s is one of Angus Rib-Eye While acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree, MasSteak. With over over the past ter’s Degree, and a credential to be a school the newest additions to the Arcadian restaurants. counselor, she interned at AHS and “loved 50 restaurants in few months, Toit!” Ms. Oku said that “without a doubt” the kyo Table hosted its grand opening on Dec 15, 10 years, Tokyo Table adopted a general guidebest part of being a counselor is “mak[ing] 2007. Conveniently located next to the Cheese- line to “develop good people.” Tokyo Table lays a connection with the students, especially cake Factory at the Santa Anita Mall, Tokyo Ta- its foundation upon its triangle theory, which [when] it has made a positive difference in their lives.” ble attracts crowds both old and young, families stresses a dynamic relationship between cusMrs. Young, like Ms. Oku, did not aland friends alike. Tokyo Table, which serves a tomers, employees, and the company. ways envision herself as a ROP coordinator. She initially worked in an Audit Department, an International Banking, a Foreign Exens] the store experience.” Though people change and Money Market Trading, jobs that deem the breakfast sandwiches as a means to she was really fond of. However, due to her first had when Starbucks was started in Seattle, compete with the McDonald’s Corporation, child and her expectancy of another, she deWashington, by three friends—two teachers and which also sells coffee, Schultz disagrees cided to resign from her job in order to raise her children. After three years at home, Mrs. a writer. Schultz, however, still plans to continue and believes that “for 35 years, we have ethiYoung started to miss working and searched expanding the company internationally. Unlike cally sourced and roasted high-quality coffee for employment opportunities at AUSD. She past years, there will be more new stores devel- by passionate people, and we should not do was hired as a ROP coordinator and couldn’t oped internationally specifically in China, Hun- anything in the stores that is in conflict with believe that it that.” gary, and Poland. “would work out to be such a great Though Starbucks is changing to accomAs for the breakfast sandwiches, which ‘fit’ for [her].” bring in approximately $100 million in annual modate the declining economy and the wishes When asked about revenue, Schultz, influenced by the opinions of of a new CEO, the multinational coffee chain her life achievebaristas, does not believe that the breakfast foods will always provide its customers with coffee ments, Mrs. fit in with what Starbucks is really about- the whenever needed. Despite the fact that StarYoung replied that she is “very coffee. According to Seattle Post-Intelligencer, bucks is cutting down the building of eight competitive and Photo by JAMES HERNANDEZ “Starbucks employees [have] long complained new stores everyday to five stores, there will once [she] meets [that] the smell of egg-and-cheese sandwiches still be more than 15,000 stores left, much to a goal, she makes a new one. All of which overpowers the aroma of coffee and [cheap- the relief of coffee lovers everywhere. keeps life exciting and interesting!”
New Delicious Restaurants Opened in Arcadia
By VICTORIA BIAN & JENNIFER CHANG
Staff Writers
While several restaurants have been closing down due to stagnant business or bankruptcy, the window of opportunity for new restaurants has been opening up, particularly for several distinguished chain restaurants that have been recently settling in to serve customers in Arcadia. With branches at Universal CityWalk, The Block at Orange and LAX, Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kindgom opened a new restaurant in Arcadia on Feb. 18, where Cherry Lips once resided. Jody Maroni’s offers a variety of over fourteen different types of grilled sausage sandwiches such as their traditional hot Italian, bratwurst, Italian, and andouille sausages, to fanciful inventions like the Mexican jalapeño sausage, Toulouse garlic, Bombay curried lamb, all-chicken apple, orangegarlic-cumin, and chicken tequila. The sausages are known to please healthy consumers with their all-natural, low fat, preservative-free, MSG/ni-
Don’t Fret! There are 15,000 Left By JACKIE CHAN
Staff Writer
Starbucks, one of the most well-known coffee shops in the world, plans to close down 100 of its stores in the U.S. The company is also limiting the number of domestic store openings and stopping the selling of breakfast sandwiches everywhere. Though the newly appointed CEO, Howard Schultz, does admit that the reason for shutting down stores is because of the decline of the economy, Schultz ultimately says that he wants to halt the “watering down” of the company. He wishes to bring back the intimate, cozy feeling that the coffee houses
STAFF OF THE MONTH
February 2008
NEWS
theapachepowwow.com
ROTARY OF THE MONTH MADELINE ANTILLA & GEORGETTE TUTTLE By JENNIFER CHANG Staff Writer
The Arcadia Rotary Club has recognized Ms. Madeline Antilla and Ms. Georgette Tuttle as the Rotary Teachers of the Month for February. Each month, the Rotary Club recognizes outstanding teachers from the elementary schools, middle schools, or the high school and awards their excellence by announcing the recepians at the Rotary luncheon meetings and honoring them with plaques in their school offices. Ms. Madeline Antilla was also chosen as February’s Rotary of the Month and has dediPhoto by JAMES HERNANDEZ cated herself to the AUSD for 34 years. An experienced teacher, she has taught from grades 5th to 12th along with two Fulbright-Hayes Summer Seminars. She has won the German Marshall Plan Exchange Teacher Award, the National Humanities Reader Award, and the Williamsburg Primary Resources Project Award in addition to the AUSD teacher of the year in 2003. Despite all of these prestigious awards, Ms. Antilla believes that there are “many [other] wonderful teachers at Arcadia High who do so many great things.” Ms. Georgette Tuttle was recognized for her 23 years of teaching in the district, frequent community involvement, and numerous activities outside of the classroom. This award is one of many that highlighted Ms. Tuttle’s excellent teaching career as she has also been honored with the Staff Recognition Award from 1988-1989, the Perkin’s Grant for Technology Improvement, and an AEF grant for 1997-1998. However, Ms. Tuttle believes that “the greatest reward in Photo by ELIZABETH HARTSWORN teaching is watching [her] students grow in their artistic knowledge and skills and also, mature into young, productive adults.”
Streaming: Violent Teens
By KATHLEEN KAO
Staff Writer
As if there isn’t already enough anti-Myspace sentiment that arose from the Meiers incident, two ninth grade girls from Newport High have been arrested in connection with assaulting an eight grade girl from Ensign Intermediate School. Their violent conduct was publicly displayed on a Myspace and Youtube page. Police from the Newport Beach Police Department are still looking for two more girls, one who recorded the beating and another one who stood by watching. They are suspects of the investigation and can possibly be arrested as well for suspicion of conspiracy to commit battery.
“I think it’s an atrocity that such violent behavior has been spreading throughout the nation. And I also think that it was stupid that the two girls recorded the beating and put it on such a widely viewed site,” said senior Christine Pao. In previous stories, the girl was reported to be developmentally disabled, but further investigation reveals that she is a normal girl who was a victim of a brutal attack, in which incentives are still unknown. The relationship between the assaulters and the assaulted is unclear at the moment, though police have been informed that the high schoolers “know” of the girl whom they beat up. The girl is not in critical condition, but did suffer some bruises, abrasions, and a cut lip.
Arcadians Go “Into the Blue”
meet so many new people from Key Club and just to have a great time with Staff Writer friends for such an amazing cause,” said senior Jasper Lynn, one of the two On Feb. 22, Key Club hosted the coordinators for this event. “Into the Blue” dance in the Arcadia The sixCommunity Center hour dance from 6 p.m. to 12 featured three a.m. The dance was styles of munot only a source of sic: hip-hop, entertainment, but trance, and top also maintained the 40. The songs valued purpose of revolved around helping those who the theme of beare in need. The ing a survivor charitable dance and overcoming donated 40% of difficult times. its profits to Tide’s Along with the “Loads of Hope,” Photo by JENNIFER HANG dance, there a program that supports victims of the DANCE Juniors (left) Amanda were other acsouthern California Wang, Agnes Xie, Jessica Peng, and tivities such as wildfires and Hurri- Tiffany Chan pose for the camera. a full Italian dinner, a photo cane Katrina by proservice, a game room with a pool taviding them with free laundry services. ble, and a donation area, from which The idea for this dance originated 100% of the proceeds will be donated as a method to fulfill Key Club’s “Disasto “Loads of Hope.” “I’m looking forter: Aware and Prepared” district project, ward for Key Club to have fun and which is a project that Key Clubs from all to be able to give back at the same over California, Nevada, and Hawaii are time,”said senior Jessica Tien, another working to accomplish. “I [couldn’t] wait one of the coordinators. until it happens, because of the chance to
By JOANNA CHUANG
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By RACHEL CHEONG & KRISTEN MURAKAMI
Staff Writers
The Arcadia Public Library, in conjunction with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), offers free English Conversational Skills lessons every Monday from 10a.m.-12p.m. in the library’s Cay Mortenson Auditorium. Led by Betty Harris, a member of AAUW, the class consists of 27 volunteer instructors and about 60 to 65 students. Students are required to be able to read some English in order to attend the course. The instructors help students learn English by reading dialogues aloud, discussing key vocabulary terms and practicing oral conversations with each other. Kathy Zhou, a 43-year-old Arcadia resident who emigrated from Hangzhou, China in the 1990s, said, “At home with
Kyle Jacobsen and Hanan Kamal Lisa Chang, Jenny Lin 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 Mitalee Khilnani Daphne Tan Elaine Chang Michael Chen and Ivy Yang Celeste Cheung, Grace Kwong, and Christine Xu Roya Falatoonzadeh and Jennifer Hang Minda Wang Hannah Mathews-Ward Christine Howard
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English Classes Held at the Library
the American culture.” Zhou “was so thrilled to see the library and AAUW do this to my husband and with friends, we help new immigrants.” She and speak Chinese to each other. I have over 60 students take part in this class, which is currently in its ninth year. Originally established by library board member, John Fung, the English class is now operated by the AAUW and has been led by this organization Photo by JACKIE FAUST-MORENO for the past nine TEACHING ENGLISH The library offers months. As an active volunteer language lessons for non-English speakers. leader, Betty little chance to speak English.” Zhou, Harris, hopes to recruit more stua student of the weekly English Con- dents and tutors to help “spread the versational Class, wants to “avoid mis- word” about this class to the comunderstandings and learn more about munity.
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Victoria Bian, Jackie Chan, Jennifer Chang, Celeste Cheung, Akhila Rao, Christine Xu Eleana Chiang, Tiffany Chang, Iris Chen, Arthur Huang, Kathleen Kao, Yan Man, Kayla Pang, Elaine Tsui Brianna Beckman, Andrés Delgado, Erica Liu, Poonam Mantha, Hannah Mathews-Ward, Gabi Omidsalar, Kristen Shields Michael Chen, Iris Chen, Joanna Chuang, Amber Kakish, Parvin Shakib, Angela Shen Rachel Cheong, Kristen Murakami, Nancy Lam, Christine Pao, Kristie Tom, Linda Wang, Erica Win, Sharon Yik Aisha Elmasri, Christine Howard, Mitalee Khilnani, Kristie Tom, Hannah Mathews-Ward, Minda Wang Kevin Kim, Grace Kwong, Scott Lyou, Tracy Lee Victoria Bian, Christine Wong Sarah Lin Matthew De Lellis, Rose Fisher, Chris Liang, David Sun, Kristie Tom, Christine Wong, Eileen Yoon, Melanie Yuen Rachel Cheong, Andrés Delgado, Cindy Huynh, Tracy Lee, Scott Lyou, Eileen Yoon Mitalee Khilnani Brianna Beckman, Aisha Elmasri, James Hernandez, Christine Howard, Ashley Johnson, Amber Kakish Hannah Gallaher, Elizabeth Hartsworn, James Hernandez, Ashley Johnson
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
February 2008
Loving Mindlessly Enough Is Never Enough
By ARTHUR HUANG Staff Writer
“Why do birds… suddenly appear?… every time you are near… Why do stars… fall down from the sky? … every time you walk by...” Why am I… singing this song… so beautifully… Ah. It must be Valentine’s Day. The day ofahem, excuse me- of love. The day of XOXO’s and red floating hearts and ooo’s and ahh’s and chocolates and fancy flowers. Again, the day of reckoning has come and gone. I speak of Valentine’s Day, only the BEST (sorry excuse for a) HOLIDAY ever! Like, oh my gosh. But seriously now- best ever. I have discovered the secret of Valentine’s Day and its unnerving effect on people. There is no doubt that this one day garners a wide spectrum of reception. It’s a special day for everyone, and we either anticipate it with warmth and excitement or shun it with bitterness and apathy. Either way, there’s no denying this obvious awkwardness and lack of sincerity that comes once every 365 days. It is a dangerous day. It is the day the great mind takes a backseat, the one day when emotions reign unchecked over reason and logic. It is a day when the heart takes control. Reason— man’s best weapon— substituted by emotion, the motive power of beasts and savages. They tell us to love, love, and love: the ultimate emotion. They want us to buy diamonds and give chocolates and profess our love, to reach the apex of the romantic. And they say that to love means never having to explain why; to love completely, to shop absolutely, and to never let reason stand in the way. But such a dichotomy, the pitting of love versus reason, is drowned in its own fallacy; love, without ample reason, is nothing more than mere lust and physical attraction. Real love represents the deepest values in a man or a woman’s character, and to fall in love is to find the soulmate that shares these highest of values. Real love is the celebration of the self, the expression of self-esteem; it is to know the self, and to stand true and firm for one’s own values. In the words of Ayn Rand, “To say ‘I love you,’ one must know first how to say ‘I.’” Love is the ultimate product of thought. It is the reward of reason. There can be no heart
without the mind, there can be no soul without thought, and there is no love without contemplation and judgment and understanding. So to say that love needs no reason is to blatantly slaughter the sacred meaning behind the words “I love you.” It is to plaster the phrase onto cheap candy and pass them out mindlessly to peers, friends, even strangers, without the slightest thought of the sanctified meaning love once held. It is to invent a holiday for the “expression of love,” as though people need to be told when and how to love, as though the other 364 days of the year are not apt for such a celebration of both the heart and the mind. It is to take advantage of and commercialize “love” for profit, to advertise bouquets of roses and heart-shaped balloons and heart-shaped chocolates and big teddy bears that say “I love you.” Weird. They all say “I love you.” As though love could be so easily purchased at the bargain price of $3.99 at the nearest Wal-Mart. Feel awkward and fake doing special things for your loved ones on this special day? Still feeling empty on the inside after engulfing that huge box of “romantic” chocolates that you expected would fill the dark, lonely hole inside you? Forget it. This version of Saint Valentine’s Saintly Love has tainted the traditional, the orthodox, the real values of love- of love and of the thought that goes into it. So that is the magic of Valentine’s Daymindlessly loving and mindlessly razing what it once meant to love. I lied. It is not my favorite holiday. It’s a terrible holiday. A true celebration of heartfelt love would warrant a day off from school.
By TIFFANY CHANG Staff Writer
Even if I happened to be in a relationship, I wouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing special, or magical, or romantic about designating just one day out of the year to express love for your significant other. Besides, it’s expected, down to every red rose, every heart-shaped chocolate box, every “I Love You” stuffed animal, every Hallmark card— obligation, obligation, and what? Oh, yeah, more obligation. It’s not whimsical enough. It lacks thought. Profundity. Sincerity. The makes-your-heart-really-smile kind. The problem with Valentine’s Day is that it’s an overplayed, overrated, over-everything holiday. If it’s supposed to be a celebration of love, petty just won’t do, because love is something very, very special— something too special for words. Surprises are inherently special, but remember- the best thing about surprises is exactly that: the surprise. The receivers don’t ask for it or hint at it; it’s not marked on the calendar. To think of the surprise, you’ll have to think of the other person, and not because you have to, but because you want to— because what they mean to you transcends all bounds of that single day in February. You want to let them know that you think of them every day, that you live for them, that you devote yourself to their very existence every nanosecond. A surprise, or three hundred, will do exactly that. So to any would-be lovers: surprise me. Surprise me with acts of random affection
Graphic by GRETL LAM
The True Meaning of Love More gifts, more chocolates,
more flowers, more diamonds... the instant formula for romance.
every second, for 24 hours. Breakfast in bed one minute and a frozen yogurt adventure the next; walks on the beach and strolls in the park just because; sunsets and stargazing; unexpected text messages and burned mixed CDs. Actually, come to think of it, that’s not really enough, with all that Valentine’s Day has come to symbolize. There’s way too much hype for such simplistic, though thoughtful, actions. If you really wish to confess your undying affection for me, there’s got to be more than that. I want baked goods with secret messages inside, like fortune cookies, but better. I want hiking paths laden with rose petals, leading to a picnic by the waterfall; I want not just a message in a bottle, but 525,600 of them, for every minute of the year that you think of me. I mean, you do think of me that often, right? What’d be really awesome is some stardust caught in a jar. Throw in some rainbow and sunshine while you’re at it. Oh, and maybe you could deliver it on a gallant white stallion, and dress yourself in a suit of armor, so that we could, you know, ride off into the sunset together. But make sure these are all surprises— that’s essential. Otherwise it won’t mean a thing. What I’d really appreciate is being pampered. So pamper me. Think about it- a room full of exotic butterflies, one of them bearing a pair of diamond earrings; personalized M&M’s, categorized alphabetically, with the letters ‘U’ and ‘I’ rearranged next to each other; a puppy dressed in a bear outfit with a “Hello, my name is Teddy and I love you” name tag— all these subtle details make a world’s difference. It’s simple: the more it costs, the better it is, the happier I’ll be, the longer I’ll love you. It’s imperative, really, if you want this to last for more than a day. The fourteenth is just one gigantic, 24-hour exam. So you’d better hush hush: skip the hand -holding and start handing over the presents. It’s not that I’m trying to discredit your effort. It’s just that nowadays, it’s hard to show someone how much you really care, with all this hype for something grand, something extravagant. What you really want to create is an out-of-this-world experience— one so wonderful that white doves will suddenly appear and serenade us in song. A simple “I love you” with a heartwarming embrace? Who needs words? Like they mean a thing in the world we live in today. I just want the shinier armor and bigger horse.
Oh Please... Just Put Me Out of My Misery By KATHLEEN KAO Staff Writer
Waiting for college acceptance or, god forbid, rejection letters, isn’t quite like waiting in line for crispitos as you debate, “Sprite or Coke?” Sure, there exists the same frustration that festers in all types of waiting games, but anticipating college letters is an entirely different matter. It involves a certain element of fear, because the possibility of rejection is a clear and present danger. For most of us, our lives depend on these acceptances. The Asian parent stereotype is, for the most part, true— when students fumble with the envelope, fingers trembling with dread, you can bet their parents are in the background, lurking in the
TCID:
shadows, their eyes glinting with homicidal malice as they tap a whipping cane against their palms. I kid. There may be such parents out there, but usually, fear of rejection doesn’t stem from fear of punishment. We just fear the sinking feeling of dismay and disappointment that follows after. Essentially, the fear of validated inadequacy is what makes the wait for these letters torturous. Facing our own disappointment is bad enough, but receiving disappointment from our parents is a million times worse. The implied question that our parents will harbor in their crestfallen gazes if we receive a rejection letter reads, “We’ve raised you, clothed you, housed you, loved you for eighteen years. How can you fail us like this?” Awaiting college acceptance letters is
more than a simple waiting game. The fact that parents take their own child’s rejection personally completely worsens the situation. That most parents think their children are the smartest, most athletic, most gifted people in the world makes this an unbearable wait. It’s like being trapped in a pit filled with poisonous snakes, waiting for Indiana Jones (or whomever you prefer your savior to be) to lower the rope so you can get the hell out... except the rope is being lowered at an excruciatingly slow pace, and all you can think about is whether you can secure your lifeline before thousands of fangs sink into your body. Yup. That kind of wait. The kind that makes your heart lurch up your throat, the kind that makes you wring your hands together. We want to know now. We want to know
whether the all-nighters and days spent poring over carpets of homework have amounted to anything, whether colleges will acknowledge our moments of suffering, our carpal tunnel syndromes. Think about it- the worth of our entire four, torturous years in high school is gauged by the type of envelopes we get. And it’s the question we ask ourselves when we finally feel the envelope from the mailbox: thick or thin? The wait for these acceptance letters is painful. So much rides on whether we get into our colleges or not. Knowing that the letter will either make me ecstatic or earn me disappointed, questioning gazes is enough to make my heart flutter. I can no longer endure the wait. Whether I’m accepted or rejected, just send me the letters now.
February 2008
6 Things Collegeboard Won’t Tell You
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When compiling your college list, forget the atmosphere, room and board, food, teachers, classes, programs, education, etc. Base your list on the things that really matter: prestige and guy/girl ratio. What you want isn’t a school that will give you the best education. No, you want the school that elicits ooo’s and ahhh’s when you brag about your alma mater. And then there’s the girl to guy ratio. Just remember that you will be spending the next four years of your life in this place. Enough said. -Yan Man
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Family deaths will earn you major brownie points— as will minority status and alumni relations. So feed Rover some mystery meat loaf and claim he died of terminal illness; find some Aboriginal blood in your genealogy from ten generations back and call yourself a minority; photoshop a picture of you with the Hiltons and call yourself an heiress. And voilà. Hello Harvard. -Tiffany Chang
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Never talk to any of your teachers outside of class– they might start hating you. Come senior year, simply hand each teacher your list of fifteen private colleges and presto, you’re done. After all, they live to write your letters. And worry not: teachers have psychic powers, enabling them to write heartfelt letters about taciturn strangers– like that kid from last year’s class whose name they forgot because, yes, you made that much of an impression. -Gretl Lam
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Giving teachers gifts in exchange for college recommendation letters isn’t bribing. Frankly, “bribing” is such an ugly term, and considering that everyone gives presents in some way, shape, or form, it’s practically necessary. Remember- what you’re doing is just “tasteful encouragement.” -Kathleen Kao
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If you possess an extraordinary writing pizzazz as befits a writer of the J. R. R. Tolkien caliber, then here is my advice. On your personal statement, write about the trials you went through trying to write a college application essay. You can’t go wrong with this topic. Universities will marvel at your skill and wit, grovelling at your feet, in awe of your genius. Colleges love intelligence and sarcasm and fun; you’ll be accepted for sure if you pull it off. Such logic defies the laws of gravity. -Arthur Huang
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Opinion
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Using the word “collaborated” when describing your extracurriculars transforms any activity, no matter how commonplace, into the sort of endeavor pursued by those freakishly impressive college applicants you’ve heard about. Sat at the front desk of a hospital the entire summer, filling out paperwork while never quite catching sight of the doctor? No, no, no. You collaborated with a practicing doctor, managing highly sensitive medical records while gaining firsthand experience. Obviously. -Iris Jong
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Three Personal Statement Essays
The Essays We Wish We Sent to Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, etc. 2 Why do you want to attend our university? Dearest Current Non-Seniors, Now that the glorious days of completing college applications have passed, we have decided to bestow our newly-acquired wisdom upon all of you wonderful freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Here we have compiled a trio of essays from our senior staff. We are confident that they are superior to anything you’d find in books by Kaplan, Barrons, or, god forbid, Princeton Review. Enjoy! -Your charitable opinion editors
1 What qualities set
you apart from other applicants? By TIFFANY CHANG Staff Writer
Better than 4.0’s, 2400’s, and 5’s. Better than hot chocolate on a winter’s day and lemonade on a summer’s; Chipotle and Lawry’s; Taco Lita’s hot sauce or Souplantation’s Asian Chicken Salad. Better than animal-style fries, warm cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, hot Krispy Kreme donuts, Goldstein’s bagels, and Trident gum. Better than flying. Better than mind-reading. Better than Abe Lincoln and his tall top hat, Washington and his cherry tree, Kennedy and his charismatic smile. Better than Beethoven’s symphony and Mozart’s concerto. Better than the internet, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Harry Potter series. Better than MLK’s I Have A Dream speech, Gandhi’s Salt March, Rosa Parks, women’s suffrage, the Declaration of Independence, freedom of speech, press, and religion. Better than sleeping and eating and laughing and breathing. Better than love. Better than life. Cooler than George Clooney and Gregory House. Cooler than YouTube, Google, and Wikipedia combined. Cooler than warm socks right out of the dryer, postponed tests, substitute teachers, Michael Phelps, a high score in Tetris, sunshine, and Bluetooth. Cooler than the Ten Commandments, the Star of David, and reincarnation; Post Secrets and Sudoku. Cooler than hitting all green lights, movie-hopping, ditching school, river rafting, sky diving, and scuba diving too. Cooler than Daylight Savings, three-day weekends, and Staff Development days; Halo, Starcraft, and Sims; snow in southern California; rain in the desert; free Pizookie; and Jason Mraz. Cooler than random text messages, Starbucks, discount sales, free music, best friends, nature’s phenomena, hand-written letters, deep-fried chicken, one-hit wonders. Cooler than the word cool itself. Tastier than Pinkberry’s; swifter than Mulan; fresher than Febreze; cuter than Brangelina; smarter than Einstein; funnier than the Colbert Report; sweeter than double fudge brownies; friendlier than Mother Teresa; rarer than four-leaf clovers. More impressive than the Nobel Peace prize; more desirable than an Oscar; more generous than Oprah Winfrey; more inventive than Da Vinci and Edison; more talented than Monet; more productive than Steven Spielberg; more inspiring than Obama; more entertaining than Britney Spears; more resilient than rubber bands; more determined than salmon swimming against the current; more caring than new mothers; more giving than the Giving Tree; more precious than Precious Moments; more G than G-unit. Better than anything. Cooler than everything. Tiffany Chang.
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By IRIS JONG Opinion Editor
Though I plan to apply to fifteen other colleges, I am entirely certain that your university is the perfect fit for me- and vice versa, of course. This is a daring assertion for a fickle young teenager to make, but I am absolutely sure it is true. And how do I know? When I first set my foot on your campus (it was the first of five visits, just to let you know), I knew I had found my home for the next four years. The quaint architecture, the iconic ivy-covered brick walls… the crisp air, the gloriously bright sun, the ridiculously attractive male students strolling to class... it was the quintessential Kodak moment of college campus photography. I just know that if you were to admit me, I’d have the most wonderful time at your school. After all, ivy happens to be my favorite plant, and attractive male students happen to be my company of choice. Not that I wouldn’t benefit academically, of course. What with your university’s impressive ranking on the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list, your faculty must be amazingly dedicated, your students completely satisfied, and your curriculum unpar-
alleled. U.S. News doesn’t exactly take these things into consideration, but, well, how could a Top Ten school not be perfect? I’m sure they have some sort of system that translates “selectivity” and “alumni giving rate” into quality of education. Besides, my parents, friends, and AP/SAT prep school teachers have all told me that your school is an excellent one, and though none of them have attended, I completely trust their judgment. Socially, your school simply couldn’t be more fantastic. According to Princeton Review, your school is a “Party School” with “Lots of Beer.” Wow! I’m sure you would agree that college is all about trying new things, and it sounds to me like I would be able to try many new things at your school. And the fact that the social scene is so vibrant? It makes me wish I could attend right now! (You need to admit me first, though!) So you see, your school is perfect for me. I’m perfect for your school, too- not to be repetitive or redundant, but if you flip to the front of my file, you’ll be able to see my perfect transcript and SAT scores again. I did notice that your college dropped one ranking level last year, but don’t worry. Once I become a student of your school, you can be sure that your ranking will shoot right up!
3 Tell us about an ethical dilemma you have faced, and describe its effect on you.
By ARTHUR HUANG Staff Writer
Yeah, okay. Good prompt. Thanks for asking so nicely. I’ll tell you all about it. It’s something that’s been on my mind lately, this “ethical dilemma.” Sometimes I can’t even sleep, man; it burns me. I toss and turn in my bed; I’ve even cried myself to sleep a couple times. Maybe talking about it will help me get it off my chest. You know, like one of those psychiatrist sessions? With the long couches and the doctor and all. Except without the ridiculous fees. Anyway, it’s nice to have found someone that’s willing to listen. God bless you, sir. Or ma’am. Or… hmm. You know, it’s kind of weird to be telling this to an invisible audience. And this is such a personal topic too! Usually, I only have such long, sentimental, insightful, essential, and philosophical talks with my confidants. My confidants have to be my friends before they become my confidants. My friends have to be my accomplices before they become my friends. And my accomplices have to be my associates before they become my accomplices. Well, I guess before that, they used to be strangers. Ha! Just like you! Well, I’ll say! This is certainly a first: sharing my problems- sorry, my “ethical dilemma”- with a stranger. Thanks for listening, sir…or ma’am. Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. I digress. I apologize. Back to my dilemma- the catch-22 of my life, as I like to put it. Well, here’s what happened. So a few days ago, I was just sitting here, typing happily away (singing along to the Backstreet Boys) and filling out my college applications (man, I love those), when this one university suddenly hit me with an impossible prompt. It was something like: Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your
dreams and aspirations. And then another school demanded an equally ridiculous essay, challenging me to write a response to this prompt: Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. Come on! Preposterous, right? Just look at those prompts! I sure did. I stared at them in disbelief for at least six weeks, and by the time I had finally recovered slightly from my shock, the deadlines for these essays were less than a few days away. And my parents and teachers had the audacity to insinuate that I had procrastinated! Ridiculous! They don’t know what I’m going through. No one does! These prompts were practically urging me to lie on my college application essays! First, I’ve lived a fairly normal and boring life, and have been so busy with school and homework and eating and sleeping and other such essential tasks that I’ve never had any time to even think about my “dreams and aspirations,” much less consider what these universities want me to label as my “dreams and aspirations.” Also, diversity isn’t important to me at all! In truth, I’m quite indifferent to the ethnic makeup of an area, as long as it provides good variety in food and restaurants and fun. I really wish these colleges would just tell me what they want to hear so I wouldn’t have to rack my brain and pour my time into playing the game of “What Will the Admissions Officer Think?” Yeah, I guess that’s it. My “ethical dilemma” was whether to be completely honest on my essays or to stretch the truth. And “its effect on me” is this spectacular essay. Peace Out. P.S. Thanks for listening. P.S.S. Looks like I went over the 400 word count limit by a couple hundred words. P.S.S.S. Sorry about that.
Opinion
6 Rocks (More than You Think) to be a Freshie By CELESTE CHEUNG & CHRISTINE XU
Staff Writers
Sure, freshmen don’t always have it easy. No one really takes us seriously: we don’t get the best pick for lunch areas, get booed the most during assemblies, and are relentlessly patronized in the halls. But aside from all that, there are perks to being freshmen. Maybe there aren’t as many ups as there are downs, but being a freshman is fun. Really. For example, freshmen don’t have to take any AP classes or standardized tests. We can kick back and relax while juniors freak out over the SATs and stay up late to finish their physics and American history homework. Seniors have to deal with college applications, spending weekends frantically finishing their personal statements, while the freshmen take one day to do their homework and then just hang out for the rest of the weekend. In your face, upperclassmen! You guys stay up until five and go to school looking like zombies, while we spend our time going to the mall to catch a movie. The only reason we aren’t always fresh faced and ready for school by Monday is that we stay up late on the computer IMing our friends, updating our Facebook profiles, or gluing our faces to our computer screens, playing World of Warcraft. We get to meet new people, too. High
school is a new beginning for us, and we freshmen get the fun of waving hello to all of our new friends every single day, even if we don’t really talk to them. You sophomores, juniors, and seniors face the same monotony every year, with the added bonus of more work as each year passes. That means you have to cram for all those endless tests, complete mountains of homework, and face the same boring people every day. For us, the new feeling of secondary education hasn’t worn off yet, so we still get the excitement of greeting every other freshman at AHS. Yay for salutations to about a thousand people every day. While upperclassmen constantly have the thought of college looming in their minds, freshmen have it easier. Some colleges, such as UC and CalState schools, don’t count freshmen grades towards the grade point average that determines a student’s eligibility for a school. We aren’t in the pressure cooker that upperclassmen seem to live in. That makes life much easier for us because we have time to focus on things other than schoolwork and college applications. So you see, the life of a freshman isn’t that bad. Sure, the perks may not completely cancel out the negatives, but the fact that we don’t lack social lives does. We can hear you upperclassmen seething in jealousy as we go to the mall to get frozen yogurt and new clothes. Almost makes you want to be a freshman again, doesn’t it?
You Have Been Charged with Friend Abuse By KAYLA PANG
hibited word with a bout of guilt-tripping and that “be a good friend” nonsense. Even worse, while we take precautions to avoid offending random students in the hallways, we attempt to We take them for granted every day. We trip our friends and slap them across the back, grab their food without their permission, since just generally abusing them physically all the they’re bound to say yes if we ask anyway– time. It’s ironic, our simultaneous display of might as well save them the trouble. We let the excessive politeness to strangers and inordicriticism fly because it’s so harmlessly amusnate rudeness to our friends, the ones who acing, despite the slight possibility that they tually care about us. might end up offended. Instead of looking out We are ruthless when for the people who making fun of them, bewatch our backs, we cause the more frequent treat them as though the insults, the more we they are dispensable. laugh. Of course, we’ve Our form of already tacitly agreed gratitude, that curt upthat these jokes are just wards motion of the jokes– they don’t mean head, barely passes a thing. On top of that, as a thank you. A trite we always assume that “thanks” every time they’ll gladly oblige to isn’t up to par either, our every request, bebecause the only reacause “good friends” son we say it is that wouldn’t reject their it’s become a habit. companions. We tear Kindergarten teachthem down like this, ers taught us manners because, well, they’re Graphic by IRIS JONG so that we would be our friends. They’re our buddies. They know we You’RE under arrest able to use them sinmean no harm. Back-slapping and verbal assault- cerely– so use your manners. Remember But do they? Do displays of friendship? Not so much. how to show a friend they really? I mean, disappreciation again. Thank them by going out respect, name-calling, and lunch-stealing are of your way to do something for them once in all notorious traits of a stereotypical bully. Afa while, just to let them know that their deeds ter years of compliance to our every whim and don’t go completely unrecognized. It’s time to demand, we’ve become accustomed to only demonstrate to our friends that we don’t comone answer to our requests– “yes.” We take ofpletely hate them. fense at any form of “no,” countering the proStaff Writer
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February 2008
A Citizen’s Guide to Burns Everything You Need to Know About Friendly Insults
Graphic by DANIEL YAMANE
MMMMM..TOASTY Careful! You don’t want to burn your friends to a
crisp, but you don’t want to abstain from sharing your witty insults, either. By YAN MAN Staff Writer
Having muddled through the aftermath of a recent social fiasco, I have decided to write a guide to burns- a sort of manifesto detailing the rules and regulations of the sport- that will, once and for all, define guidelines for individuals who do not know how far to go. I have realized that my calling – nay, my destiny – is to be the catcher in the rye, protecting kids from crossing the line between hilariously snide comments and horribly awkward insults that would result in a scarred friendship. Burns, those incredibly thoughtful and cleverly amusing insults that are meant to sting someone to the core, are a vital aspect of life. Contrary to popular belief, devising burns is not a sport exclusive to the dumb and immature; no, the crafting of a perfect burn is for anyone and everyone willing to take on the challenge. It ventures into an art form, sophisticated and subtle. Burns between friends are part of a healthy relationship. Without them, daily discussions resemble nothing more than meaninglessly bland conversations between mere acquaintances who are afraid to step on each other’s toes. But with them, the fun never stops – until, of course, someone goes too far. That is why I have written a general guide to the limits of insult-making – so you will never be in that precarious position of being on the brink of compromising your friendship.
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Don’t overburn your friends because burned bridges are hard to mend.
You see, friends are like toast. They are very fun to be around when they are nice and crunchy; golden brown, if you will. But this only happens when they are burned to the right intensity and frequency, akin to peppering your friends with the correct touch of insults, keeping the discourse light and hilariously fun. Too much burning will result in a stale and dry toast; too many
insults will result in a strained, awkward relationship. Charred toast is tolerable, but you finish eating it and leave feeling very unsatisfied. It might not have been disgusting, but it could have been ten times better. Same goes for friends: you don’t want to feel like your relationship isn’t living up to its full potential. Over-burn your toast, and you have a charred piece of bread on your hands. Blackened on both sides, it tastes so horrible that you don’t know what to do with it. Nobody wants to deal with scorched toast. Like toast, friends become bitter and difficult to deal with when over-burned. Sometimes you wonder whether you should just start over. It’s a tough decision, whether to throw away your toast or not. You don’t want to be faced with this dilemma when it comes to your friends. So don’t char them.
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Some things you just can’t touch/Talking about family is a little too much.
To correctly burn a friend, you must realize that some things are off limits. Completely and utterly off limits. There are things that you cannot and should not make fun of, ever. These things include, but are not limited to: family issues, financial problems, deaths, and, most importantly, sisters. Burning is an art form; don’t foul it up by mentioning these things. We can all have a great laugh about the trivial things in our lives, like someone’s unnatural head size, lamentable fashion sense, excessive nerdiness, poutiness, resemblance to an animal, or inability to say things that make sense- the things we all acknowledge. They are surface level burns. Venture any deeper, and you’ve just become unnecessarily cruel. And that’s it. Two rules to burning. The rest is fair game. Just remember: you can make fun of someone’s ridiculously large head all you want, but the moment you start venturing into the territory of family and finances and such, you are treading on thin ice. I wish you the best of luck in your insults.
February 2008
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Get a Cup of Coffee with Advanced Drama By ANDRES DELGADO Staff Writer
Photo by ANDRES DELGADO
add The drama cast on stage during their production of You
Can’t Take It with You. From left to right: junior Derek Tran, junior Matthew De Lellis, senior Matt Burstyn, senior Kassandra Zamanis, junior Trent Vasconcellos, sophomore Isabella Urrea.
From Feb. 27-29, AHS’s Advanced Drama Department (ADD) will be performing Actor’s Coffeehouse in the Little Theatre. The show is expected to run from 7 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. each night. An informal affair composed of small theatrical scenes and music, the show seeks to emulate the intimate atmosphere of an old-time coffeehouse. Audience members are invited to pull up a chair directly beside a smaller, more personal stage. Food and refreshments will be provided. The audience is invited to enjoy the fare as they watch the show. Audiences can expect to see a variety of scenes ranging from dramatic to comedic, as the students showcase the scenes they have been perfecting since the close of the last play. These scenes have been rehearsed and polished in contrast to the improvisation-oriented Friday Night Live performances put on by ADD biannually. In addition, there will be musical compositions presented by aspiring musicians within ADD. Such musical presentations will serve to heighten the coffeehouse feel of the show and diversify the modes of entertainment offered for the audience’s enjoyment. “I’m excited. I like the intimacy between the audience and the actors,” said ADD instruc-
tor Steven Volpe. Many of the members of ADD expressed similar views on the small nature of the production. “It’s very simple, it’s just acting and coffee,” said senior Matt Burstyn. “It’s acting in its truest form.” Mr. Volpe hopes that this production will prepare ADD for important competitions coming up later in the year, such as the Fullerton Theater Festival and the Shakespeare Festival. “Smaller venues work better for dramatic scenes. A lot of scenes we present will be used at the Fullerton competition, and [the show] gives us a chance for feedback,” Mr. Volpe said. His goal is to prepare the class for the stiff competition they will face at the upcoming contests, and he believes that Actor’s Coffeehouse will help him achieve this goal. The Drama Department will be competing at the Fullerton competition on March 7-8, and will travel to the Shakespeare Festival on April 26. Regardless of the upcoming tournaments, the goal of Actor’s Coffeehouse is still entertainment, as the actors of ADD make clear. Senior Tovah Goodman asked, “Acting and music, what could be better?” And senior Brian Poladian leaves us with a powerful statement and a searing question: “Well, your favorite Armenian is in it, what more do you want?”
Grammys Hit the High Note A Chat with Michael Ellis, she came up short when it came to “Album of the Year,” which was instead awarded to HerStaff Writer bie Hancock, another equally deserving artist. As the Grammys celebrated its 50th birth- Winehouse did not actually attend the ceremoday, everyone from Rihanna to Carrie Under- ny, but rather, she decided to remain in England, wood attended to help celebrate this memorable performing her famous tracks “Rehab” and evening. Alicia Keys joined the beloved Frank “You Know I’m No Good,” while graciously Sinatra in a duet, one of the few performances accepting her awards via satellite. during which household legends were accompaHighly revered artist Kanye West came up nied by famous artists of today’s generation. As short with his album “Graduation”; however the evening progressed, he did walk away with singer Beyoncé sang a the award for “Best duet with Tina Turner, Rap and Solo Perforwhich showed that mance.” Winning a musicians from the Grammy was unquespast are an inspiration tionably a celebratory for the artists of today. event for the rapper. One of the most unforWhile performing his gettable bands of all songs “Hey Mama” time, The Beatles, was and “Stronger,” he awarded the “Lifetime made sure to pay Achievement” award tribute to his mother, to illustrate that its whose much publimusic will remain an cized death hit him encouragement to all. the hardest. Above all With the likes of Amy else, shaving “mama” Winehouse and Feist on the back of his head joining Jay-Z and was the most evident, Kanye West, the night yet humble, tribute. proved to be one of the The 50th Grammost diverse yet united Photo Courtesy of boston.com my Awards was defievents to ever occur in nitely an unforgettable AMY WINEHOUSE This superstar night, despite the fact the music industry. While a large part rocked the house at the Grammys. that even with the exof the ceremony was dedicated to commemo- cessive hype and anticipation for this event, rating and honoring musicians from the past many viewers failed to tune in. Last year, there to the present, new artists were definitely the were an estimated 20 million viewers, whereas ones viewers were watching for. One of those this year there were only approximately 17.3 remarkable new artists was Amy Winehouse, million viewers, deeming it the third-least whose incessant publicity in the tabloids has watched Grammys in history. Even with lower overshadowed her distinctive sound and charac- ratings than last year, the Grammys proved to ter. That sound earned her six nominations and be remarkable with performances and awards five awards, including “Record of the Year” and alike—we’ll just simply have to wait and see “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” Sadly, what’s in store for next year!
By ERICA LIU
Accomplished Screenwriter By VERONICA LIM Entertainment Editor
Very few people can truthfully say that they knew their life dream at the tender age of six. Even fewer can say that they’ve accomplished that dream. Michael Ellis, screenwriter of the popular romantic comedy The Wedding Planner, can say both. Inspired by the Charlie Chaplin movie City Nights as a child, Ellis went on to the American Film Institute, one of the premier graduate film institutes in the country. He and his partner co-wrote The Wedding Planner, which debuted in 2001. On Feb. 19, he spoke at AHS to the Creative Writing class about his career as a screenwriter in a speech that was part lecture, part moral lesson, and all around good fun. Screenwriting is a difficult industry to break into. In fact, only 10-15% of screenwriters have had their scripts used in movies. Most screenwriters make a living rewriting scripts or selling pitches, which are movie concepts. After a pitch is sold, writers write out the full script of a movie, and even then there is only a small chance that their movie will be made. If it is made, there is the chance that the original writers will be fired, and a new team of writers will be hired to tweak and rewrite the script. Ellis admitted that it’s frustrating to have a movie turn out differently from his vision, but it’s all the part of the precarious business of being a screenwriter. Moving past the technical difficulties, Ellis stated that being a screenwriter
takes “resolve, vision, and unbelievable belief (sic) in one’s self.” The ability to try and try again, even after rejections and critical comments is as necessary in the entertainment industry as the ability to write movies that sell. He finds inspiration from everywhere, and said that the original idea for The Wedding Planner came from an ad for a class on wedding planning. He recommended that creative writers think about interesting settings and occupations on which they can write, and used one of his older works about a football player who attends charm school as an example. For Ellis, writing from the heart while still appealing to a mass audience produces the best results. It sounds corny, but to hear Ellis say it with such conviction is enough to make anyone believe it. He unabashedly said, “The fact that I make a living making things up is amazing.” Despite all of its dangers and faults, Ellis seems truly happy as a screenwriter, even going so far as to ask, “What are you supposed to do when your life has surpassed your dream?”
Photo Courtesy of yahoo.com
MICHAEL ELLIS J. Lo in
Ellis’ The Wedding Planner.
February 2008
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The Idealism of the Junoverse By POONAM MANTHA Staff Writer
If you haven’t heard of it, you’ve been living under a rock, and if you haven’t seen it, you have no idea what you’re missing. The movie Juno, starring Ellen Page and Michael Cera, has proven to be one of the most talked about and watched movies of the year. Amateur writer, Diablo Cody, can’t help but find humor in the normally taboo topic of teen pregnancy, and neither can the main character, Juno MacGuff. Juno’s sardonic wit and lovable personality allow the movie to move past the typical weepy cautionary tale, and the result is an incredibly unique and entertaining experience. Here is the plotline in brief: Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) has sex with her best friend, Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera), and becomes pregnant. She decides to give the baby up for adoption and chooses the perfect suburban couple, Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), to be the new parents of her baby. She strikes up a friendship with Mark, only to find out that he is leaving Vanessa in search of a more fulfilling career…as a rock star. Chaos ensues. But of course, there is a happy ending; Juno and Paulie get together and perform one of the best song-in-a-movie moments. The end. It’s almost genius in its simplicity. The movie is great, thanks to Ellen Page, who is frighteningly good as Juno. She has the amazing ability to effortlessly make you both laugh and cry. However, her brilliance lies solely in the hands of Diablo Cody, who created a fantastic script and a brilliant character who
would have jumped off the pages regardless of any actress’ talent. Michael Cera is, as always, pure fun to watch. He conveys so much without ever having to say anything at all. He is the perfect geek fantasy. What’s frightening is the way in which Juno has so completely consumed our lives. People have embedded “Juno-isms” into their vocabularies. But it’s not all fun and games. The movie is so much more than an enjoyable comedy with a witty script. When Juno tells her father that she’s pregnant, he said, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say when.” His words reveal the complex responsiblities that women have, responsibilites that a man can’t even imagine. Juno walks around her high school campus with the evidence of all her indiscretions completely visible from under her shirt, yet Paulie is able to entirely avoid all forms of responsibility. The obsession with Juno is somewhat dangerous. First of all, it presents grossly inaccurate information on abortion. Sorry guys, her fetus does not, in fact, have fingernails. Her stepmother comments on Juno’s strength in keeping her baby when, in reality, it takes an equal amount of strength to choose a different path. The movie almost glorifies teen pregnancy and unprotected sex, making teenagers across the country believe that Juno’s situation was simple and easy. While the movie does address the gravity of the situation, Juno is in tears when she has to give her baby to Vanessa; the majority of Juno’s experiences during her pregnancy are incredibly unrealistic as well as idealistic. But it is a beautiful form of idealism. Juno and
Paulie return to their carefree adolescence. Their baby, in the hands of another couple, is almost forgotten. Picture this: One month after 16-year-old Juno gives birth, she can be found riding her bike, strumming her guitar, and kissing her adorable track star boyfriend, happy as can be. We should all be that lucky.
Staff Writer
After several seemingly never-ending months of relentless picketing, discrepancy, and disarray, the infamous writers strike has finally come to a close. As of Wednesday, Feb. 13, monotonous reruns and no-shows will no longer pose as an economically destructive holdup. Representing an estimated 12,000 writers for films and television shows, the governing boards of writers of the West and East divisions of the Writers Guild of America collectively approved of a three-year pact with production companies on Sunday, Feb. 10. Two days later, the writers cast their votes on whether or not to ratify the formal indenture. Finally on Wednesday, Feb. 13, negotiations proved to be entirely effective. The strike centered around a demand on the writers’ behalf for a significant increase in wages for films and television shows released on DVD and those delivered over the Internet.
Among the thousands of Writers Guild’s members are television writers and producers who make 5 million dollars annually, as well as lower-end writers who make a mere five hundred thousand dollars or less each year. All factions of the entertainment industry took a hard hit as a direct result of the strike. Talk shows such as “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” which depend exclusively on the latest news and gossip to provide material for their monologues and other forms of entertainment, were the first to be negatively affected. Of course, other television shows, film companies, and even businesses such as limousine services took an equally painful hit due to the lack of celebrity events. Having gone underway on Nov. 5 of last year, the strike was deemed the very first industry-wide strike since writers walked out two decades ago in 1988. That strike alone endured for a 5-month duration and cost the entertainment industry an estimated 500 million dollars. After an approximated 48% chunk of West Coast Guild members remained jobless and unwaged throughout the extent of the strike, they will
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“Superstar” -Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos “Only You” -Josh Kelley Want to share your favorite songs? Email them to: powwow.ent@gmail.com
Lost Songs, Rarities By KRISTIN SHIELDS Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of firstshowing.net
JUNO Juno and Paulie deal with the drama of having a baby.
Writers Finally Put Down Their Signs By BRIANNA BECKMAN
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continue to return to work, meanwhile Hollywood finds itself in an estimated 2 billion-dollar hole. The new concord forces the entertainment industry to make some significant dispensations to the writers unions; however, the compromise is nowhere near as satisfying to the writers. For all television shows downloaded over the Internet, studios will forfeit a minuscule 0.7% of their gross revenues and nearly double what they’re currently paying directors—a gauge that is nowhere near the 2.5% that was originally demanded by writers. Also, film directors will receive a 0.65% pension, under the condition that 50,000 copies are sold. A similar stipulation applies to TV show directors, who will only receive a 0.7% residual once 100,000 copies are sold. Many officials are claiming that the agreement was intentionally premeditated to ensure that the Oscars Awards ceremony ran smoothly. Needless to say, all of Hollywood is currently breathing an enormous sigh of relief as writers return to work.
Photo Courtesy of latimes.com
WRITER’S STRIKE The notorious writer’s strike finally came to a close on Wednesday, Feb. 13 after many months of endless demonstrations. These ubiquitous striking signs will no longer be around.
Although many bands are all too focused on aesthetics and sacrifice their musical integrity for a chance at fame, Anberlin has remained true to itself, consistently making music of substance. Formed in 2002 by vocalist Stephen Christian and bassist Deon Rexroat, Anberlin has grown both in size (it now includes three other members) and prominence in the last six years and, unlike many successful bands, its music has never become pretentious. Over the years, Anberlin has remained a band intent on creating solid albums with flawless vocals and catchy melodies. Over the past six years, Anberlin has released four major albums: Blueprints for the Black Market, Never Take Friendship Personal, Cities, and most recently, Lost Songs. With each successive release, the band’s music has grown and matured while still remaining unique, setting it apart from other bands. Anberlin’s maturing is apparent in their newest CD, Lost Songs, a compilation of the band’s early demos, unreleased songs, acoustic performances, and covers of bands ranging from Bob Dylan to Depeche Mode. The demos of “Ready Fuels,” “Driving (Autobahn),” and “Everywhere in Between” are rough but beautifully produced. They provide insight into the band’s musical progression—from the raw versions found on Lost Songs to the fan favorites on Blueprints for the Black Market. Even in its early stages, “Driving (Autobahn)” is one of the highlights of Lost Songs with its infectious hooks and feel-good melodies. Anberlin’s take on Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence,” Radiohead’s “Creep,” and When in Rome’s “The Promise,” among other covers on Lost Songs, are also beautifully crafted and stay true to the originals, while still retaining Anberlin’s distinct sound. Stephen Christian’s angelic voice transforms even Bob Dylan’s gritty classic, “Like a Rolling Stone,” into something soothing and catchy. While acoustic performances are infamous for highlighting a band’s imperfections, the acoustic songs on Anberlin’s Lost Songs are seemingly flawless. If anything, the stripped-down sound of the acoustic songs, with simple guitar riffs and raw vocals, only enhances Anberlin’s appeal. The band’s songs are perfect for acoustic performances, and the acoustic versions of “Dismantle. Repair.,” “Inevitable,” and “The Unwinding Cable Car” are among Anberlin’s best works from any of their albums. Overall, Lost Songs is a solid and thoroughly enjoyable record. True fans will appreciate hearing demos of old favorites, acoustic performances, and Anberlin’s take on classic songs. New listeners will also be impressed by Anberlin’s versatility and musical beauty. Lost Songs has something for any true rock fanatic, and it is definitely worth discovering.
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Features
The Day That Leaps Once Every Four Years
theapachepowwow.com
February 2008
Blushing Flushing Moments
By NANCY LAM Staff Writer
“Marry me! Come on, it won’t be too bad…” Starting around the 13th century, desperate women were allowed one day every four years to propose to their reluctant boyfriends. Origins of this legend come from St. Bridget and St. Patrick. St. Patrick promised St. Bridget that for one day out of every four years, women who were exasperated by men too wimpy to tie the knot could instead propose to their men of desired choice. This day is known as Ladies’ Privilege Day and falls on Feb. 29, also known as Leap Year Day. In 45 B.C., leap year was introduced by the infamous Julius Caesar, a year that brings an additional day to the month of February, because it actually takes the Earth a little more than 365 days to revolve around the sun, .25 more days to be exact. So instead of Feb. 28 being the last day of the second month, the 29th falls on every year that is evenly divisible by 4, like 2004, 2008, 2012, and so on. People born on leap days usually celebrate their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1 on the “normal” years. So technically, a 52-year-old would really be 13 (talk about being unlucky!) and an 18-year-old would be only four-and-ahalf! Some four-and-a-half-year-olds won’t be getting their drivers’ licenses this year.
Red Envelopes Have Arrived
By CHRISTINE PAO
Staff Writer
The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays is Chinese New Year, consisting of 15 days of celebrations and festivities. On the eve of the first day of the first lunar month, families eat dinner together, a meal that typically includes symbolic foods to usher in a prosperous new year. Meals on Chinese New Year’s Eve traditionally include fish as a symbol of surplus for the upcoming year and dumplings as a representation of wealth. The annual Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner is possibly the most important custom out of the 15 days of celebrations. Another widespread tradition, practiced not only in east Asian countries but also in the United States, is the giving and receiving of red envelopes. It is common practice during Chinese New Year for adults to give red envelopes to children. While red envelopes always contain money, ranging from a few dollars to several hundred, amounts with odd numbers in the first digit are generally not given. Odd amounts are not given during Chinese New Year since they are usually associated with money given during funerals. Additionally, many choose to celebrate Chinese New Year with various parties and performances. AHS’s Chinese Parents Booster Club even hosted its very own Chinese New Year Party on Feb. 10 at the Arcadia Community Center. Festivities of the night included dinner, karaoke, dancing, and a talent show.
By KEVIN MA
Photo by LILY WONG Guest Writer
Picture this in December: a Senior Men and Women Christmas party at Luiza’s with a trampoline. The night was young and the SMW members were all lounging together. Some were viciously playing ping pong, while others were casually catching up with the latest gossip on the lawn. I, however, decked out in my newest, fashionable Loyola Marymount college sweater, decided to take full advantage of the majestic, humongous trampoline before my eyes. “Holy wow!” I thought to myself. But then it happened. About 20 jumps in, the trampoline decided to toss me into the air, and I wasn’t going straight down. No, no. Gravity had played its tricks on me. Soon enough, I was launched into the air, where I stayed for what seemed like minutes. My arms were flailing and my legs were kicking, yet it seemed like I’d never come down. The world was watching me and finally-almost as if God had gently grabbed me by the collar--I strangely landed softly into the cold, muddy ground. My fellow SMW members stopped with shock, worried that I had broken an arm, but that was the least of my concerns. The first thing I shrieked was, “MY SWEATER!” Rating:
Photo by LILY WONG
By BABETTE HOMER
Staff Writers
In mid-January 2008, Apple introduced its newest “Thinnovation,” known as the MacBook Air, to its line of popular electronics. At only three pounds, the MacBook Air features a sleek and contemporary design unlike any other. Composed of anodized aluminum, MacBook Air is a mere .76 of an inch when closed and .16 of an inch when opened. In other words, it’s about as wide as an index finger, making it the world’s thinnest laptop. Besides its extraordinary size, the MacBook Air is loaded with many new features. Starting at $1,799, the MacBook Air has the fastest available next-generation 802.11 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1. It can access the web wirelessly for five full hours with its new wireless drive. The MacBook Air, which is built for the wireless world, dismisses the usual optical drive that plays DVDs. Instead of loading a DVD into the drive, one can rent movies wirelessly from the iTunes Store and back up files wirelessly using the Apple Time Capsule.
Photo by LILY WONG
Guest Writer
Guest Writer
Every year the band takes a trip to the mountains in the summer to a place known as band camp. Last summer was my second time up there and I was somewhat excited. We stayed at the camp for a week learning music and perfecting our marching skills. Near the end of the week, parents were allowed to come up and see how we were doing. That day, staff at band camp served the students and parents a nice meal of burgers, chips, and drinks. As I was getting my food, I heard someone say, “Well, how are you, Babette?” I looked up and shouted, “Hi! How are you, Mr. Perkins?” Mr. Perkins is my best friend’s dad. The man looked at me and looked at his nametag and I became very puzzled. This man LOOKED like Mr. Perkins, but his nametag read, “Hi, my name is Mr. Meyers.” I came to the conclusion that this man was not Mr. Perkins. “How do you know my name?” I asked him. “I read your nametag...” All my friends started to laugh at me and even a few of the parents chuckled under their breath. As my friends and I walked to find seats, Krystal, my best friend, said, “Well that’s another Babette moment.” Rating:
I was in Canada at the time when the incident happened. I tripped down the stairs in front of my entire family. We were in Canada for summer vacation and we stopped at famous tour sites to take pictures for memories. After the hundreds of pictures we had taken before this particular stop, I no longer wanted to take anymore. For me, there was a limit to taking picutres and if I was forced to take just one more, I would have pulled my eyeballs out, but with my parents’ constant nagging, I eventually gave in. With my slumped shoulders and unsatisfied expression, I pulled myself together to snap one more shot. As soon as I heard the click from the camera, I immediately ran down the set of stairs. Boy, was that a mistake. My excitement took over me and made me careless about where I stepped. Unfortunately, I tripped down the stairs, snapping my sandals in half and leaving myself with scratches. I looked up with embarrassment and tried to giggle at myself. But from that point on, I learned that one more picture wouldn’t hurt and to not let too much excitement blind your vision. Rating:
Apple Advances Into Thin Air By RACHEL CHEONG & KRISTEN MURAKAMI
By JANET DUONG
The MacBook Air can also borrow the optical drive of a Mac or PC, a new feature known as the Remote Disc. In this manner, the MacBook Air doesn’t lose anything (except some excess weight), making it ultra compact and ultra light. One of the most prominent features of the
Photo Courtesy of google.com
THINNOVATION New Apple technology has once again revolutionized the world with an all-in-one laptop.
innovative MacBook Air is the multi-touch track pad, which takes the best features from both the iPod and the iPhone. With the best of both worlds, the newly designed trackpad allows one to control the computer with the simple movements of the fingers. Instead of pressing buttons, one can zoom in and out by using two fingers to “pinch” the screen. One can also move left and right by using three fingers to “swipe” across the screen. The multi-touch track pad even makes rotating images easier by allowing the user to use two fingers and rotate them as desired. The MacBook Air also includes a fullsize keyboard, which automatically lights up in the dark. This backlit key illumination is useful on airplanes and in conference halls. The revolutionary laptop also features a built-in ambient light sensor, which automatically adjusts display brightness to deliver a clear picture using less power. The mercury and arsenic-free display conserves energy and allows for longer battery life. MacBook Air exemplifies Apple’s continuing environmental progress as it consumes the least amount of power of any Mac. With these new innovations, the MacBook Air sets a new standard for technology in the 21st century.
Features
theapachepowwow.com
February 2008
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Anything Else Besides St. Patrick’s Day? Sunday
Monday
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Thursday
Friday
Saturday Pig Day
2 Namesake Day
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5 Learn What Your Name Means Day
10 11 Napping Day Dream 2008 Day
12 Girl Scout Day
13 National Open An Umbrella Indoors Day
18 Forgive Mom and Dad Day
19 Act Happy Day
20 Snowman Burning Day
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26 Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
27 Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs? Day
9 Get Over It Day
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16 Lips Appreciation Day
17 St. Patrick’s Day
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24 National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
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31 Bunsen Burner Day
OK Day
Doctor Day
National Grammar Day
Pecan Day
Nametag Day
In a Land Far Away... By LINDA WANG & ERICA WIN Staff Writers
Sadie Hawkins is one of the most beloved dances in high schools and colleges. Girls have to ask guys to the dance, contrary to the usual tradition of guys asking girls to dances such as Prom and Homecoming. The Sadie Hawkins Dance is named after a comic character called Sadie Hawkins. When she turned 35, she was still unmarried and her father was desperate to find her a husband. Sadie’s father called together all the eligible bachelors and made a proclamation: they would play a game with Sadie that would result in one of them marrying her. The rules were that when he first fired his gun, the bachelors must run, and when he fired again, Sadie would start running and whomever she caught was to be her husband. Sadie Hawkins Day was first celebrated in 1938 and has become a well-known dance across the nation. This year’s Sadie Hawkins Dance at AHS will be held on March 15, with the theme of “Far, Far Away.” The gym will be decorated to accommodate the theme and students will have to dress up for the dance. Ticket sales start on March 5 for ASB cardholders and March 6 until March 12 for regular sales. Tickets costs $15 with an ASB card and $25 without. According to Junior President Charlie Tsouvalas, “Sadies 2008 will continue and improve upon the trend set last year to emphasize decorations in order to turn the North Gym into something breathtaking. And to promote ticket sales, everyone who purchases a ticket will be entered into a raffle to win a free Nin-
tendo DS. The winner will be announced at the dance, so be sure to go to Sadies!” Girls, need any suggestions on how to ask a guy to the dance? We have some helpful advice for you. It’s not as terrifying as it seems, and now we have the power to choose whoever we want to have fun with at the dance. First, get a head start before they are all out of stock by following these suggestions to acquire your Prince Charming that just can’t say no to you. To avoid being rejected, ask him in a memorable way that shows you’ve put effort into asking him, which of course rules out asking on impersonal AIM. You have to be creative so that he can’t help saying yes. In choosing the right guy to party away with at Sadies, use your logic. Make sure you
Seeing Green By SHARON YIK Staff Writer
Have you ever woken up on that one day of the year and forgotten to wear green? Forgetting to don this color leads to a painful day of countless aches and sores from seemingly endless pinching. St. Patrick’s Day is a widely commemorated holiday that celebrates the banishment of pagan beliefs, which allowed the spread of Christianity. On this day, if you are one of those unlucky few who forget to wear green, you may curse and wonder, “Why green?!?” Well, green may be the one and only color associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but it also has many other meanings and relations. 1. Life – Out of the white blanket of death that winter presents, spring rolls in with promise of life as little green survivors spread their
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15 Maple Syrup Day
Middle Name Pride Day
Pi Day
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21 22 National As Young As You Common Feel Day Courtesy Day 28
29 National Mom and Pop Business Owner Day
Graphic by CORA ORMSETH
By CORA ORMSETH & LILY WONG Features Editors
At first glance, March does not appear to offer anything other than leprechauns, clovers, and an excuse to physically abuse the sorry individuals who so unfortunately forget to deck themselves out in vibrant green attire on the 17th. Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, March plays host to a number of other random, farfetched holidays as well. For all you grammar police out there, National Grammar Day on March 4 is your day to patrol. Hung up on a breakup? A B+? Stop wallowing in misery and get over it on Get Over It Day on March 9. Celebrate the mathematician in you on Pi Day on March 14—to be exact, March 14 at 1:59 p.m. And the obvious, most well-known holiday of the month, St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17. Once again, don’t forget to wear some shade of green or else you’ll be bruised from pinches all day. Mind your manners on March 21, National Common Courtesy Day. Two days later, be carefree because it happens to be OK Day where everything in life is celebrated to be AOkay. Love all these bizarre holidays? Create one of your own on Make Up Your Own Holiday Day on March 26.
clarify your intentions if you are just asking someone who is your close friend. Don’t immediately rule out asking your crush, as well, since you never know what can ensue from your bold courage. Even if the worst does happen and a rejection flies in your direction, don’t take it too personally. After all, it’s just a dance. No one ever said you can’t go out with your girlfriends inPhoto by LILY WONG stead, and who knows? FAIRYTALE As last year’s Sadies attendence broke reIt might even be more cords, can this year’s “Far, Far Away” do the same? fun without a date. leaves. 2. Nature – Nature is green. From trees to grass to undergrowth, the different shades of green comprise life. 3. Homosexuality – In the United States during the 1960s, high schools held a belief that if an individual wore green on Thursdays, it meant they were homosexual. 4. “Going Green” – Celebrities everywhere are using the term “going green” in order to show their support for the environment and actions made to preserve it. 5. Green Party – Political groups have taken the color green as a symbol of environmental protection, emphasizing ecology, nonviolence, grassroots democracy, and social justice. 6. Wood and Earth – In ancient China, green is one of the five main colors. It symbolizes wood and Earth. 7. Pan-Africanism – Green is one of the three colors of Pan-Africanism, representing
the natural richness of Africa. On the flag, red is for bloodshed, black is for the black people, and green is for the land they are fighting to protect. 8. Jealousy – Ever heard of the term “green-eyed monster?” Green is often used to describe the jealousy within a person. 9. Desires – Stories in the medieval period portrayed green as a representation of love and man’s natural desires. 10. Money – Being the color of money, the term green is often used as slang for money, as in “Hey, show me the greens.” 11. Sickness – Often when getting off a rollercoaster, you say that you’re “green around the gills.” The greenish pallor of your face is commonly associated with being sick and unwell. 12. Inexperience – When you’re still new at an occupation or you’re young, you may be called “green.” This term originates from the vibrant green color of newborn grass.
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Constitution Team
theapachepowwow.com
February 2008
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
GOV LOV 07-08 By CRYSTAL TSOI Guest Writer
“It’s in the top five most rewarding experieces of my life.” -Steven Stark-
“It’s exhilarting and indescribable to be around that kind of energy.” -Julie Mendel-
I remember when the list was posted at the end of last year on a hot sweltering Friday afternoon, how an array emotions ran loose around campus. Feelings of despair and denial, of bitter resentment and anger, of ecstatic joy and anticipation for the journey that was to come in the following year. Luckily for me, my response fell in the third group of emotions listed above. However, such emotions were not free from fears of failure and the tumultuous journey ahead. Immediately following the postings, scornful comments like, “This year’s Gov Team is the stupidest Gov Team in the history of Gov Team” began to surface. Such comments left doubts in all 24 of us. Despite constant reassurance from Mr. Fox, many of us could not help but to imagine the unspeakable possibility should we be the first team to break a 19 year tradition of making the state competition final round. But as the year progressed and we learned more and more about the U.S. Constitution, worshipping it like the Bible, we found confidence within ourselves and more importantly in each other. Never, in my wildest dream would I picture myself to appreciate the words of a 221 year old document so much. From the first chambers to our very last, the experience in and of itself is impossible to convey in words. Having endless meetings with our units, typing up responses to district and state questions, and meeting with our unit coaches became regular routines for us. Without Gov Team, all we knew would be the endless void that enveloped our need to learn more and to discover more. As a team, we’ve had our disagreements about countless issues. But through it all, we found a common purpose and a common passion: our love of studying the Constitution in all its obscurities and ambiguities. Call us insane but we cannot think of a better way to squander our weekends than probing the philosophical foundations of the Constitution, reliving the Constitutional Convention and delving into the minds of the Founding Fathers, examining the Supreme Court and the application of judicial review, discussing the expansion of the bill of rights through incorporation, studying the concepts of habeas corpus, and evaluating the role of the citizen in modern society. A Monday night could not be better spent than at the Arcadia City
“I am so proud of my team, because each unit did their best in each round of the competititon.” -Bonnie Cao-
Council Chambers, cross-examined by top notch lawyers on questions regarding the Constitution. And, three days in February could not be better spent than in Sacramento with 23 other amazingly talented individuals who shared the same love that I have for government and its intricacies. The arrival of judgment day on Thursday morning was the one chance that we got to show the judges the extent of our knowledge and the degree of our intellectual applications to issues very real to America in the first two rounds of competition. Of course, no moment in my life could have been more excruciating than when the top four finalists were announced at the dinner on Thursday night. In possibly one of the slowest five minutes in our lives, the whole team jumped up in utter euphoria when Arcadia was finally announced as one of the finalists. That night, instead of going to the dance, we all rigorously reviewed our last question to be presented at the State Capitol Friday morning. That Friday morning as each unit presented, I felt, as I am sure every other member felt, a sense of accomplishment and utter disbelief at the amount of growth each individual displayed to those judges. Each unit did superbly with every one of our efforts acknowledged in the praises offered by the judges. We came out of that room with no regrets. I had never been more proud of our team. It was at that moment that we all truly realized the meaning of “Gov Love.” The relationships that we have with each other will last a lifetime. In the end, it wasn’t about how big the trophy was or whether we were able to advance to Nationals (although it would have been ideal). It’s about looking back upon yourself and the team, self-reflecting on the whole experience and realizing that you’ve fulfilled your potential. Through this priceless experience, I’ve gained a whole family. We were no longer just 24 strangers serendipitously grouped together but a team, an assembly of Constitutional scholars. I would like to end with the words of a very wise philosopher, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.” Peace. Love. Gov.
“I was sitting there with this smile on my face, completely unable to speak because I had so much fun.” -Chole Crabtree-
February 2008
Constitution Team
theapachepowwow.com
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I am very proud of this year’s team for stepping up under extreme pressure and doing a fantastic job at State competition. The overall competition in California keeps getting better every year and knowing they had a big tradition to uphold they felt the pressure from day one. I guess it only gets a little harder - can next year’s team be the 21st consecutive team to make the finals - and are they the ones to take us to nationals?! -Mr. Fox, Constitution Team Advisor-
Photos Courtesy of BONNIE CAO, JESSICA CHING, CHLOE CRABTREE, ANGELA HU, JULIE MENDEL, AND CONNIE PETERSON
CONSTITUTION TEAM from left to right: Top Row-Philip Hanson, Bryant Leung, Steven Stark, Connie
Peterson, Jasmine Pae, Bonnie Cao, Jennifer Lam, Jessica Ching, Erik Cheung, Christina Ratto, Crystal Tsoi, Middle Row-Chris Liang, Chloe Crabtree, Angela Hu, Laure Flapan, Rahwa Gebre, Angela Tan, Matthew Chang, Bottom Row-Katie Nyman, Jennifer Lin, Danica Shei, Aaron Cheney, Eric Yu, Julie Mendel
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ADVertisements
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February 2008
February 2008
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STUDENT LIFE
PROFILE KENDRICK MOONEY
Fencing, a relatively uncommon sport, involves two opponents sword-fighting in white suits, both skillfully wielding their swords in an attempt to make contact with the other player. The sport rePhoto by ASHLEY quires agility, speed, JOHNSON and quick footwork. For junior Kendrick Mooney, a former AHS athlete in softball and soccer, fencing is an activity she is very familiar with, as she practices four times a week at a club in Pasadena called “Fortune Fencing.” Kendrick became interested in fencing through an acting course. “We had to act in a scene and there was stage combat. I got the idea that for some reason, I liked fencing,” she said, “It’s also a good way to relieve stress.” She has been fencing for three years, competing in events all over the country, including the North American Cups A 2007 (11th place), North American Cups B 2007 (16th place), and Summer Nationals 2007 (24th under age 20 and 13th under age 17). In preparation for the competitions and for the Junior Olympics coming up this summer, Kendrick cross-trains to build up stamina by running and swimming. However, what she likes most about fencing is “not the sport itself, but the people around it. They’re like a second family,” she said.
By IRIS CHEN Staff Writer
“Arcadia High School, you may take the floor in competition.” The overly enthusiastic announcer’s voice signaled the beginning of the 9-minute performance, anxiously anticipated by the performers during the countless hours of rehearsal. Since this school year, the percussion family has grown even larger, proudly adding an Open division to the previous two groups. Now Arcadia’s percussion program competes in all three levels – World, Open, and A. All three groups participated in Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) competitions. With marching band season over, Varsity Percussion began its indoor show season with its SCPA Competition at Chino Hills High School on Saturday, Feb. 9 and placed fourth. Performance-wise, however, World keyboards section leader, senior Kristy Huang, said, “It’s the best it’s ever been [and] it can only get better as the season goes on because the players will have more experience being in World [division].” Composed by percussion director Kevin Sherrill and Tony Nunez, the division’s music corresponds to the theme, which is about, as junior Derek Ouyang said, “the certain inevitable choices we make, such as image, religion, and politics, that significantly change our lives.” The music also experiments with different electronic sounds, further embellishing its already intricate music. On Saturday, Feb. 2, Open division also began its beat in its first SCPA Competition at Aliso Niguel High School. As the line placed fifth in competition, Open battery section leader,
Choir Groups Sing their Way to Success By SHAYLYN RICHCREEK Guest Writer
With competition fever as a driving force, Chanteurs and New Spirit prepare for the next wave of competitions where they can showcase what they have been working so dutifully on this year. In groups where a masterful balance of singing ability and dancing skills are required, it is no wonder that Chanteurs and New Spirit each rehearse for an average of 10 hours outside of class each week. During these rehearsals, they perfect their competition sets, which include pop hits as well as powerful ballads. These rehearsals have definitely helped in the scoring department of the competition experience, as seen from the stellar results coming from both groups. In Chanteurs’ last two competitions, the Diamond Bar Competition and the Brea Classic Festival, they received third and second place, respectively, with the Outstanding Musicianship award. New Spirit has been dominating at their competitions this year, winning third place and the Outstanding Mu-
February 2008
Percussion Begins its Beat
By ANGELA SHEN Staff Writer
theapachepowwow.com
sicianship Award at the Brea Ladies on Stage competition and a marvelous first place and Musicianship Award at the Diamond Bar Girls’ Night competition. Even though these many rehearsals can be overwhelming and put a strain on academics, senior Chanteurs member Angel Hu still enjoys being in Chanteurs as “it’s nothing like other ordinary singing classes; it is an interactive experience that allows us to devote to the same passion--singing and singing well.” Chanteurs’ set this year includes the playful medley “Oh, Pretty Woman/ You Got It” and the up-beat “Shake, Rattle, and Let the Good Times Roll,” along with their beautiful ballad “Moon River.” New Spirit enjoys performing the hit songs “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Let’s Hear It For the Boy,” as well as their ballad “Today.” Junior New Spirit member Juliann Garza enjoys these competitions, commenting that the best thing about competing “is being around people who are so nice and who are as great as you.” With these high standings so far, Chanteurs and New Spirit hope to experience much success in their next competition, the Los Alamitos Xtravaganza, on March 8.
“[Chanteurs] allows us to devote to the same passion– singing and singing well.” -Senior Angel Hu
Photos Courtesy of SCOTT FAIRBANKS
VARSITY PERCUSSION Percussionists perform their indoor show.
junior Kevin Ho, said, “Even though our placement in our first competition wasn’t good and we still have a long way to being where we want to be as a line; we’ve only been through one competition and the season has just started.” Their theme, “The Path of Least Resistance,” describes the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least resistance to forward mo-
tion by a given object or entity among a set of alternative paths. With Open line as the added division, Open battery section leader, junior Maricela Valdivieso, said, “It is our first year moving up to open division…we have three lines and they have all been working really hard this year.” On Saturday, Feb. 2, also at Aliso Niguel High School, A line drummed its way to the top, placing first out of twelve competing groups in its first SCPA Competition. Although the group received first place, A keyboards section leader, freshman Jane Fung, said, “We’re still going to work harder and try our very best until the last competition. The best is yet to come!” Their theme, Exit Strategy, centers on different methods of escaping: parachute, Dorothy’s red shoes, and a rainbow. Their goal is, as A battery section leader, sophomore Patrick Chang, said, “to grow as individual players and grow as an ensemble as the season goes on.” Most recently, on Saturday Feb. 16, Open division placed first and A division placed fifth in an SCPA competition at Claremont High School. On Saturday Feb. 23, at an SCPA competition at Roosevelt High School, World division placed second. All three groups will continue to compete until April. And as the last note is played, the audience erupts in full applause.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder Photo Contest Winner: Judith Chuang My dad said, “What’s so special about that? It’s just a box with incense. You’ll see them everywhere along the streets here in Lukang.” But under the bright sun of that hot day in my father’s hometown, what I saw was not a box of incense, but a bright pink flower in full bloom. Second Place: Raimie Conrad Third Place: Ashley Johnson Find this month’s top three winners’ color photographs and more details at www.theapachepowwow.com. The next month’s theme is “Sometimes, I feel so lucky.” E-mail submissions to powwowphotos@gmail.com by March 14.
Funds Raised on Valentine’s Day By RACHEL CHEONG & KRISTEN MURAKAMI Staff Writers
Valentine’s Day at AHS was “lovelier” this year with the help of some matchmaking and fresh carnations. Organizations such as Speech and Debate and Junior Council Prom Committee had fundraisers to help students celebrate their love for each other in a special way. On Feb. 12-14, Speech and Debate held a Matchmaker fundraiser to raise funds to pay for Speech and Debate tournament entrance fees. The matchmaking forms, which were $4 each, consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions that ranged from topics such as personality traits to personal preferences. The matchmaking process, which was all done by computer, paired up compatible students in the same grade and in other grades as well. The selection process
not only revealed those with the same interests, but also those with the opposite taste. Junior Christina Meng said, “The results were kind of surprising because most of the people on my list were either people I didn’t know or people I wouldn’t have expected to be on my list.” Junior Council Prom Committee also had a Valentine’s Day fundraiser to raise money for Prom 2008. Valentine’s Day carnation grams were sold by Junior Council members and Prom Committee members, as well as in the rally court from Feb. 6-8 for $1 each. The Valentine gram included a pink, red, or white-colored carnation and a message for the recipient. The Valentine’s Day Carnation Grams were distributed on Feb. 14 during fourth and fifth period. Junior Council member Jennifer Chu said, “It’s a tradition for council to sell carnation-grams and thanks to the support of everybody, they are a success every year. It’s a fun way to promote the Valentine spirit with or without a significant other.”
February 2008
theapachepowwow.com
STUDENT LIFE 17 Is Valentine’s Day a Valid Holiday? Compiled By JOANNA CHUANG & ANGELA SHEN Staff Writers
Photo Courtesy of ANAMI ONISHI
Valentine’s Day often has dual meanings: for singles, it is also known as S.A.D. (Singles’ Awareness Day), while for couples, it is a day to profess their love and spend time together. What did students of AHS think? Here are the results taken from 100 students of varying grade levels.
WORLD GUARD With this season’s theme, “death and horror in a silent
No
movie,” the 21 members of World Guard pose with their first place plaque.
World Guard Kicks Off its Season
By AMBER KAKISH
Staff Writer
With black rings around their eyes and ghostly white paint on their faces, Color Guard’s World Guard team performed at a debut show at South Hills High School in West Covina on Saturday, Feb. 9. World Guard’s amazing performance and creative look led them to a first place victory. Senior Amy Chiang said, “Since it was our first competition of the season, we weren’t expecting any good scores, just a fun performance.” The World Guard team’s exotic new theme, “death and horror in a silent movie,” played a role in its performance. Junior Kritika Jinagouda said this theme gives her “a chance to be scary and release frustrations from this year.” The girls from World Guard use a new face painting idea this year to supplement their theme. As sophomore Bonnie Tam said, the face painting “allows us to really be into character.” This year’s ideas for World Guard are much different from last year’s since, as senior Marissa McNutt said, “this year it is more intense and fierce.”
ALUMNA USC By AILSA YEW Guest Writer
U$C. University of Spoiled Children. University of Second Choice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. My school has a reputation. I am sure you have heard of it. We Trojans have been known as constant partiers, more brawn
Photo Courtesy of CAROLYN NG
But what was it that made the team succeed? The girls not only worked hard, but surpassed normal practice times. Over winter break, they not only rehearsed for the Rose Parade, but for this show well. Arcadia’s World Guard has a lot more to be proud about than just their victory. As Sophomore Coco Ching said, “I’m really proud of everyone working together and putting away their differences to get to our goal and perform our hearts out.” Senior Jessica Mao, head leader of Color Guard, said, “Once the season started, I could tell that all 21 of us had an incredible amount of drive and determination, regardless of age or experience.” With the rest of the season to go, the girls on the team are inspired to keep giving it their all. Senior Anami Onishi said that her motive “is not letting anyone down on the team and keeping our record from last year.” The World Guard team has most recently attended the Orange County Invitational on Feb. 23, along with A Guard and B Guard. All levels of Color Guard will also be participating in the San Bernardino Invitational on Saturday, March 8. than brains jocks, and stuck-up brats with trust funds. Well, sorry to disappoint. If you come over to USC, you’ll discover that the fraternity row houses just as many closet nerds as hard-core, Thursday night revelers (they are, in fact, often the same). The water polo team and basketball team players sitting next to you in Linguistics actually do make meaningful contributions to class discussion. Those crazy, bio-chemical -physical-somethingical-astro-engineering majors seem to cause campus security an inordinate amount of stress during their nights of merrymaking. And that movie star’s daughter? She’s really down-to-earth. And best friends with a student on full scholarship from the projects. People say we are a university of spoiled children, and that is true in the sense that the USC takes care of its own. Freshman year, as part of the Global Leadership Program in the Marshall School of Business, I went to Shanghai
Yes
“Because it’s really lovely. It’s a time to express love to people you like.” -Freshman William Miyoshi “It should be a holiday because it would recognize one’s expression of love for someone and recognize love in general.” -Sophomore Kenneth Liu “I would call it Singles’ Awareness Day but I think it’s nice when guys treat girls extra special even though they’re not boyfriend and girlfriend.” -Junior Tiffany Chang
No 37% Yes 63%
“Valentine’s Day is just a day that single people are more aware of how lonely they are, making people feel bad when they don’t have someone to share it with.” -Sophomore Bethanie Li “Valentine’s Day is the day to cherish your loved ones, but aren’t you supposed to do that everyday? And plus, it makes the singles miserable. Ban it!” -Junior Rena Wang “Because it is the marketing industries’ way of making millions of dollars. Research it!” -Senior Kevin Ma
SMW’s Blood Drive Nears ble near the Trading Post this week of Feb. 25 where prospective donors can pick up the apStaff Writer propriate paperwork. All donors must be at least 16 years-old. Everyone who donates blood on March 13 There is now open-heart surgery, organ will receive a $10 gift certifitransplant, and limb reat“You never know cate to Mimi’s Café as well tachment. But never enough blood. According to the when you might end as be entered in a drawing to win a Disneyland Annual American Red Cross, “barely up in the hospital Pass from the Red Cross. a fraction of those who can SMW member, senior give, do.” Senior Men and and need a blood Jennifer Lin, said, “It’s good Women (SMW), in conjunctransfusion.” to donate blood because you tion with the Red Cross, will be holding the annual Blood -Senior Jennifer Lin never know when you might end up in the hospital and Drive on Thursday, March 13 need a blood transfusion.” So now is the chance from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of SMW will be manning a ta- to repay the favor in advance.
By CHRIS LIANG
for spring break. Through USC’s connections, we visited companies like Parker Hannifen and General Motors, stayed at one of best hotels in the city located right on the most famous street in all China, and got to see some more unique features of the city, like the Shanghai film studios (where Kung Fu Hustle was shot!). All of this, from housing to transportation, was subsidized so that we only had to pay a fraction of the full cost. The point is, this is just one of the big perks of my university. Everyone has a chance to participate and try out for programs like these. Even on a daily level, there are great opportunities to enrich yourself. Last Friday, I watched Avenue Q for free with a bunch of my fellow Trojans; tonight, it’ll be an indie band at the campus coffeehouse; next week, it’ll be John Williams. There are plenty of chances for high involvement. You go to college to get an education; however, our philosophy at USC is
that it doesn’t mean you should only learn about your major. There are tons of clubs and events on campus, from your professional business organizations that help you network to fun groups like the Ping Pong Posse. So, next time you look up the University of Southern California, look past the fact that we have the largest number of international students, that our band was at the Grammys, and that if USC were its own nation in the Olympics, it would be tied for 11th in the number of total gold medals (wait…don’t look past that, it makes us look cool). Look past the derisive comments made about us by other jealous schools in Los Angeles and the second and third-hand knowledge you are so constantly bombarded with. You guys are smarter than that, you don’t need someone to decide your opinion for you. Find out the answers first hand so you can go make it yourself. Come visit.
18
SPORTS
theapachepowwow.com
February 2008
Boys Soccer Finishes Short of CIF Boys Basketball Dribbles to an End By KRISTIE TOM
the players. Staff Writer The boys stepped up their next game “Burbank. Yeah, most definitely Buragainst archrival Crescenta Valley High bank,” Coach Jason Franz said when asked School and won with a score of 4-1. Beautihis opinion of the best game of the season. ful goals were sent into the back of the net Due to the intensity of the close game and the by sophomore Dillon Short, senior Eric Guo, high expectations of success, the Boys Varand senior Julian Valenzuela. CV barely sity soccer team worked even harder to earn managed to get a goal into the net, and AHS its 2-1 win. They had previously won against once again demonstrated its superiority over Burbank High School with a score of 2-0, its rival school. but Burbank proved to be a better competitor The Boys Varsity team finished in fifth the second time around. Coach Franz named place in its league, and unfortunately, this senior Eric Guo and sophomore Dillon Short is where the season ends. The team has unas the key players of that game because they questionably had its fair share of ups and downs. Captain Eric Guo attained an arguable red card that made him unable to play in the following game, which angered even Athletics Director Mike Gordon. Freshman Daniel Ortiz gave everyone, a reason to laugh when he tripped over himself while on a breakaway to score. The team worked together well, and had learned to appreciate each other’s weaknesses and strengths. Photo Courtesy of THE ARCADIAN Their stands were not BOYS SOCCER Sophomore Ben Chinoy skillfully always full when it came to cheering fans, but the fights off a defender during a tournament game. whole team still strived led the team on the field and kept the team’s to achieve the level of greatness that Coach morale high. However, Coach Franz said, “It Franz expected. The departing seniors have was really a team effort, everyone contribmost certainly left their mark this year on all uted their best to this game.” the members of the team, and Coach Franz Continuing its season, AHS played Bur“would like to thank all you [seniors] for roughs High School and ended with an adyour hard work and dedication. It was great verse effect on their spirit, with a close loss of working with some of you for four years. 1-2. Next on the schedule was Burbank High Good luck.” School, whose match up had been postponed The boys finished their season off with twice already due to the rain. The boys, anxa league record of 6-6-2. They worked hard, ious to play, pulled off a spectacular win with held practices for almost three hours each a score of 2-1. Immediately following this weekday, and ran drill after drill until each game, Hoover High School defeated Arcawas perfected. It’s not a fairy tale ending, dia in a battle that closed 0-1. Glendale High but this year’s team is satisfied. And on this School proved to be a challenge to AHS, and note, Dillon Short, the center midfielder of the boys lost 1-2. The game, which knocked the team, said, “It was an honor playing for Arcadia out of the running for CIF playoffs, the team this year and my only regret is not was disappointing to both the coaches and making it to CIF playoffs.”
PROFILE ASHLEY FRANSDEN By MITALEE KHILNANI Staff Writer
Photo by HANNAH GALLAHER
For the last six years, Coach Ashley Frandsen has poured her heart and soul into improving both the JV and Varsity Arcadia Girls Soccer teams. Coach Frandsen’s hard work, dedication and experience have earned her the position of a finalist for the Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double-Goal Coach Award. Positive Coaching Alliance is a nonprofit organization, which trains youth and high school sports coaches to focus on both winning and teaching life lessons through sports. This organization ultimately teaches coaches lessons in leadership, handling adversity, teamwork, persistence as well as compassion. Coach Frandsen’s initial plans included working towards a degree in Child Development at Cal State Los Angeles; however, she fell in love with the physical education department. At the age of 21, Coach Frandsen
By CHRISTINE HOWARD
Koneru is in fifth place for scoring, with about 8.5 points per game, and in league standings, senior Norman Phan is in fifth with about 8.9 The seniors on the Boys Varsity Baspoints per game. Burbank dominated the standketball team walked through a large cardinal ings in all categories including scoring, three and gold balloon arch in the North Gym on point shots, blocks, rebounds, etc. Feb. 8 accompanied by their families as they The Apaches’ final game of the season celebrated their last high school game against was against the Crescenta Valley Falcons at Crescenta Valley High School. Arcadia. The The boys had bleachers a tough season, were packed coming in seventh and the fans in league and overwere ramall, above Muir bunctious. High School. Their Cheerleadrecord overall was ers from 7-19 and their reboth schools cord in league was battled it out 2-11. The team and tried to was recently taken out-cheer the over by new head rival school. coach Jake Ryan, Watching the in his first year as game was head coach. He secondary previously coached to the vocal Boys Frosh/Soph Photo Courtesy of THE ARCADIAN battle goand was the assistant Varsity Coach. BOYS BASKETBALL Senior Kevin Chen dribbles ing on in the stands. AlCoach Ryan said, past his competitor in a game against Burroughs. though some “It was an interestsupporters didn’t realize it, the game was still ing season, and a great learning experience. It going on. The Apaches kept the game tight in was a tough season, but we did well overall the first quarter with its good defense and shots and the kids were great.” from senior Aaron Chin, senior Justin Youngs, Although the season didn’t go as well it and senior Kevin Chen. The score at the end could have, Coach Ryan is looking forward to of the first quarter was 7-9, CV barely in the next year and is going to have his team “work lead. After the first quarter, the boys’ defense a lot on fundamentals” to be ready for next began breaking down a bit, and, despite good season. shots from senior Norman Phan, junior Drew The team participated in three tournaMatsuda, and Justin Youngs, CV led Arcadia ments prior to the start of its league season: 20-35 at the half. The game began falling away the Rose City Classic, the Glendora/Rowland from Arcadia after the half, and after an excitTournament, and the La Salle/Temple City ing, extremely raucous game, the Apaches lost Tournament. They won a total of five games to the Falcons, final score 52-75. “We played and it seemed like they would start their seareally hard,” said Chin, “The game was crazy. son strong. There was such a high intensity in the gym.” The Varsity boys defeated Muir twice, Coach Ryan summed up the season: “It once at Arcadia and once at Muir. Despite was a really good experience. The team got Muir’s past victories in Boys Basketball, their along really well and all have great attitudes. team was lacking its usual competitive edge, We began bonding the team to the school which which allowed Arcadia to dominate. The first we’ve never done before, and we really started time the Apaches played Muir, they destroyed seeing a great turnout to our games. I don’t them 56-43. The second time, they narrowly think the upcoming season can be anything but beat them, 45-42. positive.” In overall standings, freshman Kiran Staff Writer
feared that she lacked the patience it required to manage an entire team, so she reluctantly agreed to coach the Temple City Girls JV soccer team. Luckily, she loved it and decided to continue her career in coaching. As a dedicated soccer player for the last 25 years Coach Frandsen said, “I enjoy playing soccer because I love to run and work together with my team. I enjoy the challenge of working together to connect passes in order to score goals.” With this experience, Coach Frandsen has been able to help guide her team through challenging practices and games. For Coach Frandsen, coaching is rewarding because “It’s inspiring to watch the girls develop through the season. When they come together and play as a team, it is a great feeling!” In order to maintain a successful team, Coach Frandsen forces her girls to condition on a daily basis and organizes team dinners before big games
to motivate everyone and build companionship between the girls. Ultimately, Coach Frandsen’s passion and fervor for coaching and soccer has made a lasting impact on many of girls. Senior goalie Jaclyn Weinstein said, “Coach Fransden’s positive outlook has inspired my playing. She always tells us to stay positive, to never put our teammates down and to never give up, which has helped us come back in many games. She has most definitely pushed me to my limits.” Coach Frandsen was nominated by the Athletic Booster Club President, Paul Kalemkiarian, and is now a finalist for the Positive Coaching Alliance. Coach Frandsen is determined to bring her upbeat attitude to the field in hopes of encouraging her girls to cooperate with each other to win more games, build confidence, and create memories.
February 2008
SPORTS 19
theapachepowwow.com
Girls Soccer Ends Strong in Second Round of CIF PROFILE By KRISTIE TOM
Staff Writer
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find that it is easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power that they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” And that’s just what the Girls Varsity soccer team proved this season, ending as co-champions with Pasadena High School. They proved themselves victorious in the eyes of fans, who were always present at the home games, with a league record of 11-2-1. The girls and the coaches have achieved their season goals of finishing first in league and advancing to CIF playoffs, but they’re still hungry for more. The seniors on the team are fighting in their last battles, and the freshmen on the team are proving that they have just as much right to be on varsity as everyone else. Rigorous training sessions fill up the girls’ schedules, two and a half hours every weekday and Saturday morning conditionings. From push-ups to sit-ups to running relentlessly, the girls prove their dedication to soccer and their commitment to the team. Coach Ashley Frandsen had these words to say to the leaving seniors: “You’re definitely going to be missed; you’re all great kids who worked hard. Thank you for your dedication to the program for all four years.” To the rest of the team, she said, “This was a really good season, you all worked hard. But remember, it’s not over yet, take each game seriously. No matter where we end in CIF, just know that I’m proud.” Beginning the season, AHS had an easy win over John Muir High School, ending with a score
of 9-0, the girls’ highest winning score of the gratulatory group of hugs enveloped the promisseason. Next was Burbank High School, which ing freshman as the team celebrated, and a few suffered a 2-0 loss to Arcadia. Burroughs High moments after the kick off, the final whistle blew. School, the team predicted to win league this Coach Frandsen, who was literally jumping for year, was next up. Arcadia proved those predic- joy, was all smiles as her team sprinted in. Arcations wrong, securing a win early on with a con- dia had made a comeback. Van den Bosch, capcluding score of 5-1. Arcadia then turned around tain of the team, said, “We didn’t give up and in and won against Hoover High School at Hoover, the end, we scored. All the hard work paid off.” 2-0. The next game against Glendale High School Similarly, Torres said “It was such a tough game, proved to be merely a competition to see which but I had faith in my team that we would pull team could rack up the most goals, and with a through.” After calming down, Coach Frandsen score of 7-3, AHS was victorious. said, “Our games against CV have always proven They finished the season with a match that to be a challenge. I’m proud of our girls’ persekept everyone on the edge of their seats: the Cres- verance and ability to come back.” centa Valley game. CV proved themselves to be The girls were able to pass the first round of worthy opponents, keeping the score 0-0 in the CIF against Highland High School with a score first half. It was a stalemate that one team was of 6-2. During the second round, however, they bound to break, and that team was CV, which lost in overtime to Canyon High School with a scored in the middle of the second half. Despite final score of 1-2. numerous attempts and breakaways, Arcadia was unable to score. Junior Kim Marone, senior Emily van den Bosch, and freshman Natalie Zeeni kept the CV Falcons away from the goal, along with amazing saves by the keeper, Senior Jacklyn Weinstein. Junior Emily Rueter suffered an injury to the knee during the game, but this only intensified Arcadia’s determination to win. In the final two minutes, desperate to score, Arcadia came off with a corner kick. Senior Donna Photo Courtesy of GREGORY ZAJAC Bennett made a kick that sailed right across the goal, where it GIRLS SOCCER Freshman Chloe Torres maneuvers met Freshman Chloe Torres’ through defenders during the second round of CIF against head, six feet in the air. A con- Canyon High School.
Girls Varsity Basketball Shoots Through Another Season By CHRISTINE HOWARD Staff Writer
On Feb. 8, the Lady Apaches took the court to face Arcadia’s rival school, Crescenta Valley and all five seniors started their last game as high school basketball players. The Girls Varsity Basketball team had a rough season, with an overall record of 4-21 and a league record of 1-13. Arcadia ended up eighth in both league and overall standings. “The season was tough. The girls did not have the opportunity to play summer league and our fall league was cancelled,” said Varsity Coach Don Young. The first time the Lady Apaches went up against the Glendale High Dynamiters, they did well, beating them with a score of 33-28. The second time they played, the girls kept the game tight the entire time, but, unfortunately, they failed to come out with a win. They lost the game by only two points, with a final score of 41-43. The Crescenta Valley game was intense. It was the seniors’ final night playing high school basketball with their teammates and they just wanted to enjoy it, win or lose. Dayna thought that her team “had good defense against CV” and that the game was “cool.” She adds, “We were fired up and wanted to end the season with a bang. It was a good game, and we were intense, fierce, and we fought like animals.” The team went through some significant changes this season, including a new head coach and two new assistant coaches, meaning
Photo Courtesy of THE ARCADIAN
GIRLS BASKETBALL Senior
Brittany Chew blocks her opponent during a game against Crescenta Valley. they had to adapt to a completely new coaching style. Coach Young explains, “…it took the girls some time to adjust to the new coaches and the style of basketball we wanted them to play.” The biggest problem with the way the Lady Apaches played was their inability to play consistently; as senior Ellen Lu said, “It was unfortunate that there was so much inconsistency. We tried to
pull through with what we had, but it was rough.” Senior Dayna Lee said, “We had good halves but we’d slip up in the third quarter.” Coach Young said, “As the season progressed, the girls started to play better but we dropped a lot of games because we could not play four quarters of quality basketball. When nine of the 11 teams you play in the preseason are playoff bound teams, you can’t afford to make a lot of mistakes and we had a tendency to do that.” The team had great chemistry, and, although they had a losing season, they stuck together through losses as well as wins. “I really liked all of my teammates. We were a family even though we weren’t very successful win-wise,” said Dayna. Coach Young adds, “I am proud of the girls though because they never gave up, and off the court they got along really well. They spent a lot of time off the court together doing team bonding and that is going to help the program out in the long run.” Although Ellen and Dayna are both seniors and are done playing high school basketball, they have high hopes for the team next year. “I think there are very good prospects for next year. With all the training the girls are going to put in during the off season, they will probably do well. It will be a different team than we’ve had in previous years. All the players are definitely capable,” said Ellen. “I agree with Ellen. If the players work really hard and focus, I think next year can be the first time Arcadia has gone to CIF in a long time. The team is definitely CIF bound,” Dayna said. And on that note, Arcadia will look forward to next season for the Lady Apaches to see if the team lives up to the seniors’ expectations.
TODD GOLPER
By AISHA ELMASRI Staff Writer
Standing at 6’1” and 225 pounds, its not hard to imagine that junior Todd Golper is one to be feared on the football field. His outstanding performance this year proved he was Photo by A. JOHNSON capable of playing at higher levels, and he was named the Pacific League co-Defensive Player of the Year and was placed on the first defensive team. Todd said, “The awards show both individual performance and team success.” Although Todd gives a great deal of credit to his teammates, there’s no way to ignore his other achievements. Just this past season, Todd was named first Team AllState Underclass by Goldenstatepreps.com. “I’m so happy,” he said with a smile, “it’s such a relief to know that all my hard work paid off.” He was also selected as Pasadena Star News’s All-Area-First Team Defense as well as Mid Valley News’s First Team Linebacker and the Los Angeles Times’s All-San Gabriel Valley First Team. To sum up, Todd has an incredible amount of talent and it has been recognized. “It has helped me gain confidence and prestige on the recruiting level,” Todd said. Although football season is over for most, Todd said, “I have to train year round.” Todd must strengthen his muscles constantly by lifting weights and challenging himself. His performance, as a result of his intense training, can be summarized in one word: outstanding. He finished this season off with 122 tackles, 11 sacks, nine tackles for loss, nine QB hurries, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions, both of which he returned for scores. Offensively, he had 30 receptions for 528 yards and six touchdowns. One might wonder where Todd’s motivation originates from by looking at his accomplishments thus far. It was simply sibling rivalry. Todd said, “I was constantly being compared to my older brother Brian who got a scholarship to Georgetown. He always challenged me to do better.” Well, Todd has certainly lived up to everyone’s expectations. He currently has offers from UCLA and Stanford, as well as many other universities. However, Todd takes little credit, believing that “without my teammates none of this would have been possible. Football is a sport where you have to want to play for the person next to you. This year I love the team because we have such great chemistry.” Outside of football, Todd enjoys playing the guitar and basketball. He used to be a drum major back in middle school, but his major focus is now football. Todd, very religious, emphasized how much his family matters and said, “I’m a big family guy, I love being around them.” He strives to be successful in every aspect of his life and said, “One doesn’t get offered by Stanford, even for football, unless they put the work in the classroom and that is what I have done. As a friend, everyone is constantly under pressure with certain situations and I just try to be the best person I can.”
20
ACADEMICS
10 Words from the Devil’s Dictionary
By TRACY LEE
Staff Writer
Here lie 10 words from Ambrose Bierce’s The Devil’s Dictionary and how they might be used under that context. Beware, they hold not their conventional definitions! 1. Aborigines (ab-uh-rij-uh-neez) n. Persons of little worth found cumbering the soil of a newly discovered country. They soon cease to cumber; they fertilize. “She’s fouling up the air like an aborigine.” 2. Bore (bohr) n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen. “I was trying to get Cathy to listen to my problems, but she kept chatting about some cute guy. What a bore!” 3. Dictionary (dik-shuh-ner-ee) n. A malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This dictionary, however, is a most useful work. “That dictionary! It says that my usage of ‘condone’ cannot substitute for ‘condemn.’” 4. Education (ej-oo-key-shuhn) n. That which discloses to the wise, and disguises from the foolish, their lack of understanding. “Sue was not blooming intellectually under the education of Ms. Jay but was becoming desensitized from her own ignorance.” 5. Friendship (frend-ship) n. A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul. “Charlotte and Miranda had always gotten along well until one inherited a fortune. So much for their friendship.” 6. Hers (hurz) n. His. “She’s so proud to have something of hers, something of her own, but the one who really purchased it was her husband.” 7. Love (luhv) n. A temporary insanity curable by marriage. “I do believe our dear friend Ethan has fallen in love, but never fear! Should he wed Mattie, I’m sure he’ll come out of his sickness.” 8. Marriage (mar-ij) n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two. “They were in love until they awoke to find themselves under the bondage of marriage.” 9. Witch (wich) n. 1: an ugly and repulsive old woman in a wicked league with the Devil; 2: a beautiful and attractive young woman in wickedness a league beyond the Devil. 1. “I hear Tituba, that witch, took Bill dancing with the devil.” 2. “As a witch, Lilith lures her men to her with the power of seduction.” 10. Zeal (zeel) n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. “It will all be okay once you age and lose that youthful affliction, zeal, which blinds you from the truth.”
theapachepowwow.com
January 2008
Bowling Past Their Competitors
By KEVIN KIM Staff Writer
On Saturday, Feb. 9, Arcadia’s Science Bowl (SB) competed in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) regional competition in Pasadena. Since only one team was allowed per school, Arcadia took its Team A to compete against 24 other schools’, including rivals Santa Monica’s and Troy High School’s. Unfortunately, Arcadia fell short behind Santa Monica, which placed first, and Troy High School, which placed second. Nevertheless, Arcadia still pulled off an amazing third-place finish. “I am content with our performance, but I cannot deny that I felt that we could’ve and should’ve done a little better. Not to detract from Troy’s and Santa Monica’s performances, but I believe we squandered several opportunities which would have no doubt pointed the results much in our favor,” said Captain Neiman Tan. Arcadia did not qualify for Nationals because only the first-place team is allowed to attend the competition at Washington D.C. later this year against all the other schools that placed first in their respective regional tournaments. This regional competition consisted of two 8-minute halves, each round beginning with a tossup question. Questions ranged from chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, mathematics, astronomy, and general science, and like all other bowl teams, answering a question involved the use of buzzers. At the end of each round, the team with the most points moved on through the main bracket while the losing
Photo Courtesy of SUNIL PEDAPUDI
SCIENCE BOWL TEAM A Gathered around their captain and adviser, SB’s Team A will later perform the age-old ritual of signing their name tag.
team dropped down into the losers’ bracket. The competition itself was a double elimination match, so losses against two schools, one loss from the main bracket and another loss in the losers’ bracket, would result in elimination from the tournament. The SB team that went to compete consisted of seniors Sunil Pedapudi, Neiman Tan, Solomon Wang; and juniors Sean Maroongroge and Karen Tsai. A maximum of five members were allowed to attend, in which only four were
able to compete in a given round. Karen was content with the overall results and said, “Being the first competition for the team, I think we had a stellar performance since we had good teamwork.” Although SB was not able to place first and qualify for nationals, the team will have another shot next year. Tryouts will be held later this school year for anyone interested in joining next year to help the team reach nationals for the first time in five years.
A Noble Prize Fit for a Xuan By TRACY LEE
It has been a busy month for the famous and fabulous of AHS, with so many of AHS’s Staff Writer students being recognized for their accomplishments outside of school. First senior Dusty Gibbs won the Rose Queen title and freshman Mirai Nagasu won the US Championships in Ladies’ figure skating. Now senior Xuanji Wang recently was named one of 300 semifinalists in the prestigious 67th Intel Science Talent Search, earning both herself and AHS sums of $1,000 in prize money. Among scienceoriented competitions aimed at high school students, the Intel Science Talent Search is top of the top, earning the rather fitting nickname of “Junior Nobel Prize.” The search, which is directed towards high school seniors across the nation, requires applicants to have completed Photo by SARAH REINGEWIRTZ individual research and A NOBLE PRIZE INDEED Senior Xuanji Wang’s research written up their findings in 20-page papers. As at UC Davis won her a prestigious science prize.
in any other application, a series of essays is required on the side, including those concerning just why and how the applicant is so interested in pursuing the sciences. Xuanji, who learned of the search when she was in middle school and a participant of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, conducted her research this last summer at UC Davis as part of the Young Scholars Program (YSP), which is a six-week research institute for high school students. At YSP, students form teams and conduct research on a matter of subjects, ranging from grapevine to heart disease and strokes. Working with Dr. Angelique Louie in biomedical engineering, Xuanji said, “I wanted to do something applicable to medicine, so I talked with the professor and she agreed to have me try for something in the biological/chemistry field.” Xuanji’s topic is formally called “The Synthesis of Silicon Nanoparticles for Macrophage Cellular Imaging in Atherosclerosis.” Sounds complicated, right? Xuanji further explained the process, though. “Basically I chemically made nanoparticles, particles so small that they are 500 times smaller than the diameter of hair, and then incubated them with macrophages, white blood cells, and developed an imaging technique so that doctors can see plaques in patients suffering from heart attacks and strokes.” With the research she conducted at YSP handy, Xuanji hopes to go into pre-med in college, and maybe this amazing work will lead her to reakthrough medicsal discoveries in the future.
January 2008
ACADEMICS
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Old, Ivy-Covered Traditions
Harvard University
At the end of both reading periods (a time for students to cram for semester finals), Harvard students collectively let loose their anxiety and tension with an interesting practice: Wearing top hats, tails, or nothing at all, students race a lap or more through the Old Yard. Although the event originated as simply an opportunity for students to open their windows and holler for 10 minutes into the frosty night air, it is generally believed that Charles Adams, brother of President John Quincy Adams, set a precedent by becoming drunk and running stark naked through campus with some friends. Regardless of its origins, Primal Scream has now evolved into a wild streaking event for both participants and spectators.
Dartmouth College
Winter Carnival at Dartmouth originated when the Dartmouth Outing Club organized an athletic event in 1910, that centered on skiing and outdoor snow sports. Years afterward saw the addition of social events, women spectators and participants, and fraternity dances; and modern Dartmouth students celebrate every February with polar bear swims, concerts, human dogsled races, screenings of a namesake movie, and collective building of a large snow sculpture on the College Green. Famous sculptures include the 1987 figure declared the “tallest snowman” by Guinness records and the 2004 Cat in the Hat to commemorate the 100th birthday of an old Dartmouth alumni, Dr. Seuss.
Princeton University
The Bonfire stands as one of the most memorable traditions at Princeton. A way to celebrate from victory celebrations for baseball and football games against rivals Harvard and Yale, the Bonfire is built partially by members of each class and the Undergraduate Student Government who gather wood with the help surrounding townspeople and constructing workers. After a large pyre is set in the center of Cannon Green behind Nassau Hall, students pile on items ranging from an outhouse and effigies of John Harvard and Old Dan, the Yale bulldog. A 12-year losing streak was finally broken in 2006 when Princeton finally secured the two victories needed to celebrate.
Columbia University
Dubbed “Orgo Night” (and no, it has little to do with what it sounds like), the first midnight before the Organic Chemistry exam sees studying students harassed by the Columbia University Marching Band (CUMB) in Butler Library. Blasting its program, the band then continues to the main lawn and other locations along Morningside Heights, where it is attacked by showers of notes, course packets, and water balloons from sleepy or studying students in their dorms. At the characteristically diligent and anti-social Furnald Hall, CUMB concludes its performance with a vulgar and entertaining musical salute to Columbia before disbanding for the night.
By JACQUELINE YUE Academics Editor
You’ve heard about them—the eight schools that annually dominate the charts for “best national universities.” The Ancient Eight whom all students want to go to, where so many leading figures emerge from. But outside of studying, apart from exploring the campus libraries and museums, what do Ivy League students do in their spare time? In this article, your Academics Editor hopes to put the spotlight on some unique student traditions at each campus and show you how, from streaking through campus at night to pulling dogsleds through the snow, students at these colleges have fun.
Cornell University
An odd practice at Cornell involves placing items atop the McGraw clocktower. The best-known instance involved a pumpkin in 1997 to celebrate Halloween; within a week, a second pumpkin nicknamed “Mortimer” appeared at The Knoll. The two gourds survived poor weather (wind, rain, and mounds of snow, anyone?) and decay for months, and the McGraw pumpkin was eventually honored as an ice cream flavor and partially preserved in the Wilder Brain Collection. Three years ago, a daring student performed a similar feat by scaling the clocktower’s wall to suspend a disco ball that had to be removed by cranes for security purposes.
University of Pennsylvania
During football games, Penn students traditionally belt out the spirited “Drink a Highball,” finishing with a “toast to dear old Penn” and a quaff of the namesake drink for the Quaker football team’s good fortune. But after Prohibition, a period when alcohol consumption was banned, students determined to continue the practice by literally “toasting” Penn, chucking anything ranging from fresh loaves of French baguettes to chocolate doughnuts from the sidelines, often to the bewilderment of the opposing team. To clean up, students modified their turf cleaner to gather larger trash pieces and renamed it the “Toast Zamboni,” now a familiar sight at football games.
Brown University
At the stroke of midnight on Halloween, eager Brownies crowd Sayles Hall to listen to the University Organist perform a series of frightening, death-themed compositions on the largest remaining Hutchings-Votey organ, finished up with a rendition of Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” Last year, pallbearers bore Organist Mark Steinbach—dressed as Count Dracula—in a coffin into the Hall, where Steinbach climbed out, ascended to the organ loft, and proceeded with the 45-minute program which included pieces such as Leon Boellmann’s “Suite Gothique” and Arvo Part’s “Pari Intervallo.”
Yale University
In the course of their four-year education, Yalies alike must participate in a traditional game of Frisbee, which is believed to have originated in their university. One version of the story involves Bridgeport’s Frisbie Pie Company, which from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s sold pies to college students who noticed that the empty tins could serve as chakram-like missiles. Similar to the practice of shouting “fore!” in golf, Yalies would yell, “frisbie!” as a warning before launching their pie tins. An alternative story claims that Elihu Frisbie, an undergraduate at Yale, threw a collection tray out of a chapel and thus inspired his namesake game. Photos Courtesy of google.com
You’re Al-ways a Speech A-way By GRACE KWONG Staff Writer
On Feb. 2, Speech and Debate participated in Spring Varsity, a tournament which all members could attend. The competition was held at AHS and lasted from about 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Though Arcadia placed second overall, this is still considered quite a distinction because, as senior Jasper Lynn puts it, Arcadia “always had a good shot for third, but for us to have a chance to beat San Marino, who usually takes the second-place trophy, is amazing and shows the progress of our team as we went from third at Fall Varsity to second at Spring Varsity.” Spring Varsity also presented an opportunity for students to relax and enjoy themselves. Sophomore Mabel Lee said, “It [Spring Varsity] was really intense but fun at the same time.” Here’s a quick guide to two events that Arcadia did particularly well in during Spring
lot about the problems of today’s society just by Varsity: A persuasive speech, Original Advocacy watching the rounds.” Oratorical Interpretation (OI) is not writ(OA) deals with corporeal problems within society that can actually be remedied. After de- ten by the speaker; in other words, OI speeches scribing a problem, the speaker usually proceeds should come from either a published work or with a solution on how to fix the problem. OA the Internet. Traditional speeches in OI range from Malcolm X’s “The Baltopics don’t deal with abstract ideas “I like doing OI because you get lot or the Bullet” to Marsuch as jealousy or to be whoever you want to be.... tin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream.” Actual topics often apathy; rather, OA I like portraying people who explore controversial subjects deals with topics such as medical were influential in their time and such as gay rights, feminism, malpractice or hate weren’t scared to voice their be- and AIDS. Though OI can be dull at times, due to its serious crimes. As OA is liefs, even if [they] went against and repetitive nature, sophoessentially a perwhat society accepted.” more June Ko said, “I like suasive speech, it doing OI because you get to draws heavily on -Sophomore June Ko be whoever you want to be: a research and facts lawyer, a mother, a victim, and to supplement the more. I like portraying people who were influspeech. Sophomore Derek Ha, who does OA, said, ential in their time and weren’t scared to voice “Though OA can be painfully boring at times, it their beliefs, even if [they] went against what can also be very rewarding because you learn a society accepted.”
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College Profile: Tufts University By GRACE KWONG Staff Writer
Tufts University is located in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. It’s well-known for its rigorous academic programs, successful athletic teams, and—oddly enough—eccentric traditions. According to U.S. News and World Report, Tufts is ranked as the 28th-best national university, placed just behind the University of Southern California (USC). Unlike many other colleges, Tufts tries to integrate public service and internationalism in its students’ everyday lives. Tufts also offers a wide variety of majors; popular majors include the social sciences, engineering, and visual and performing arts. Famous alumni include Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, and Tracy Chapman, a singer-songwriter who wrote “Fast Car” and “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution.” Though Tufts does not offer athletic scholarships, its athletic programs have still been successful. Teams that have done particularly well include lacrosse, sailing, squash, and tennis. Traditions at Tufts are interesting though somewhat odd. On the night before Halloween, students partake in “pumkining” the school: They basically place pumpkins in absurd locations such as the roofs of buildings or atop statues. Another tradition includes the Naked Quad Run, an event that takes place right before finals in the Rez Quad. Spring Fling, a concert held before finals, takes place on the President’s Lawn; it has featured prominent artists such as The Roots, Guster, and Less Than Jake. Details on Admission: -Middle 50% of first-year students: SAT Critical Reading: 670-750 SAT Math: 670-740 SAT Writing: 670-740 ACT Composite: 29-32 -Undergraduate enrollment: 5,035 -Out-of-state tuition and fees for those living on campus: $36,700 Quick Facts: -Tufts is coeducational. -Tufts’s mascot is Jumbo, which was an elephant of the famous circus owner P.T. Barnum. -According to Princeton Review’s 2006 Best 361 Colleges, Tufts was ranked seventh for happiest students and 17th for best college food.
Photo Courtesy of google.com
TUFTS UNIVERSITY Students stroll before majestic Ionic columns.
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CALENDAR
Sudoku: Use your brain
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February 2008
Can You Master the Pow Wow?
In order to fill in this crossword, read the articles in the Pow Wow. Across 2 The Pow Wow Contest theme is “_____ is in the eyes of the beholder.” 4 Sport that Kendrick Mooney is featured in 6 Where was Spring Varsity held? 7 The Chinese New Year festivities last _____ days 9 Who is the only female member of Science Bowl? 14 She participated in the Intel Talent Search and was a semi-finalist 15 Macbook _____ is the world’s thinnest laptop 16 Who won Album of the Year at the Grammy’s? 17 They went to South Hills High School on Feb. 9, 2008
By CHRISTINE WONG
Staff Writer
When hunger strikes these days, a Snickers doesn’t quite do the trick anymore. Honestly, having frequently experienced the hustle and bustle of Panda Express and Taisho, I wasn’t in a patient mood to wait in another long line. With this, I came upon an unexpected find in the food court adjacent to the 99 Ranch Supermarket. With a bright neon sign screaming “Kung Pao House”, the restaurant is quite hard to miss. Though this may seem like an unlikely place to “hang out” due to the large amount of moms that congregate there after a round of grocery shopping, I have come to find the atmosphere relaxing; there isn’t that crowded feeling that urges you to eat fast and leave. Open seven days a week, Kung Pao House is an authentic fast food Chinese restaurant; note the word authentic. Though this is a place where Chinese food tastes like Chinese food, it also accommodates those American-influenced dishes like orange chicken. With a large selection amounting to about eighty different items listed on its take-out menu, Kung Pao House serves Szechuan, Beijing, Taiwanese, and Cantonese-inspired dishes. With such a wide menu, it is quite hard to decide upon what to get, especially when every dish looks equally appetizing. No fear! The owner and server, Susan Wang, is there to hospitably make your choice easier. Her friendly attitude easily puts her restaurant leagues above the other takeout joints that each come with their own version of the monotonous I-hate-my-job server. And one last thing: for those who go to Sinbala for their cold chicken noodles, it is a must that you try it here. With larger portions at a more reasonable price, I couldn’t find a thing wrong with the food except for the fact that I felt tricked for not eating here sooner. Kung Pao House 1220 Golden West Ave. #G Arcadia, CA 91007
ConFESSIONS Kung Pao House: where you find food for value, food for taste.
Answers Across: 2 Beauty; 4 Fencing; 6 Arcadia; 7 Fifteen; 9 Karen Tsai; 14 Xuanji Wang; 15 Air; 16 Herbie Hancock; 17 Colorguard; Down: 1 Sausage; 2 Blue; 3 Pedapudi; 5 Ninety; 7 Thursday; 8 Far Far Away; 10 ASB office; 11 Science Bowl; 12 Four; 13 Beatles
Confessions of a Teenage Glutton
Down 1 One of the new restaurants opening on Feb. 18: _____ Kingdom 2 Key Club hosted the “Into the _____” Dance 3 Last name of the captain of Ocean Sciences Bowl (OSB) 5 The price of an AP test is _____ dollars 7 Shortened days are now on _____ (day) 8 The 2008 Sadie’s Theme 10 Location where you can purchase an AP test 11 Competed in the Los Angeles Surf Bowl at USC 12 Leap years occur every ___ years 13 This group was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement” award at the Grammy’s
Who Does America Love Most in 2008?
By VICTORIA BIAN
February 2008
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24 By SARAH LIN
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February 2008
Clubs on Campus Create Crafts Staff Writer
Although AHS is home to two art-related clubs, Art Club and Jewelry Design Club focus on very different forms of personal expression. Art Club members create various forms of art from a variety of media, while Jewelry Design Club members create a specific form of art from certain materials. Art Club is the only club on campus dedicated solely to all forms of art. Headed by senior Emily Lin and sophomore Juliana Ouyang and advised by Mrs. Georgette Tuttle, the club holds its weekly meetings on Wednesdays in F-2. The Art Club is always on the move and holding several projects or contests; members of the Art Club have created everything from T-shirt designs to piggy banks out of recycled plastic bottles and they are currently lending a hand in making decorations for the Sadie Hawkins Dance. The Art Club’s most ambitious project is a mural design contest open to the entire school, regardless of grade level. The mural design competition is an opportunity for students outside of Art Honors to leave their mark at AHS. Although the medium used for the mural must be acrylic paint, the artist is given the freedom to decide on the subject of the design. One significant aspect which differentiates this mural from those of Art Honors’ is the time span for the mural to be painted. The mural must be completed within a week, from March 3 to March 7. Despite the time constraint, Lin says that “Art Club will also offer any help necessary” for the winning muralist to finish on time. Over the first semester, Jewelry Design Club, like Art Club, has worked on numerous projects. The club holds its meetings every Monday in F-8, and it is led by senior Kristen Murakami and advised by Ms. Christine Ma. Throughout the year, members of the club learn the several different techniques used to create a variety of jewelry, such as bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Jewelry- making allows members to create jewelry that are unique and best reflect themselves. The process of making jewelry can be quite costly and bead prices range anywhere from three to five dollars for a pack of forty beads, to more than five dollars for ten Swarovski crystals. Compounded with the price of the required tools, wires and hooks, jewelry designing is more expensive than it appears. Murakami notes that although making jewelry “can be quite expensive and very time consuming,” it also offers students a chance to express themselves and to “choose the colors, shapes, and types of beads that suit your style.” Despite the difference in their club’s prerogatives, Art Club and Jewelry Design Club both require originality and patience. Their projects help students to explore their creativity, as well as to express their individuality.
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Art Club Memb ers Photos by ELIZABETH HARTSHORN. Graphics Courtesy of GOOGLE.COM