2011 march

Volume 60, Issue 7

March 2012

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

College Decisions and the Road Beyond

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of READINGEAGLE.COM

NEWS pg. 3 Iran’s Nuclear Program: Tensions escalate as Iran draws closer to developing nuclear weapons.

Graphic by ALWYNA LAU

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER ONE OPENS No matter what the admission letters say, it is important to look to the future and remember that there is life beyond college decisions.

By KAITLYN JEONG & RHIANNON YEE Editors-in-Chief Photo courtesy of EMSUNLIMITED.COM

STUDENT LIFE pg. 8 CPR Training: Want to learn how to save a life? Find out more information here!

Graphic courtesy of HOMESTEAD.COM

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 23 Oklahoma: A look behind the scenes of ADD’s newest musical, Oklahoma!

Have a question, comment, or concern about the Pow Wow? E-mail the Editors-in-Chief at editorsinchief@apachepowwow.com or find us online at apachepowwow.com.

For the seniors of AHS, “March Madness” has taken on a different meaning. Known for its fluctuating cycles of high anxiety, prolonged apathy, and immense relaxation, second semester of senior year is, for many students, focused on the arrival of good fortune in the form of an admissions letter to the college of their dreams.

The emotional roller coaster that the seniors have been riding has had a variety of different outcomes: for some, this period of time has kept them on edge, a feeling that will only be conquered once the last decision has been received.

For others, waiting for decisions has fostered independence, personal growth, and realizations that students will take with them as they look to college and beyond.

In the eyes of senior Amy Wang, the college application process as a whole was one of the most valuable experiences she had during her senior year. Even with all of the late nights spent slaving away over applications and the grueling wait for an email with “Congratulations” as the subject line, Amy managed to find her silver lining. “Not only do you learn so much about yourself when completing the apps, but you also gain so much insight and maturity about the grand scheme of things when decisions roll back

around,” she stated. Senior Leila Chee likes to think positively as well, sharing her mentality that it is far better to relax during this tumultuous time, and simply “wait for [decisions] as they come,” advising the incoming seniors to “just go with the flow of things.

It’s not worth all the stress!”

The seniors who have already gotten accepted to their dream schools can attest to this philosophy of not overemphasizing the impact that a college acceptance or rejection may have. Senior Tony Zhao, who applied early decision to Rice University, recounted the moments before his good news arrived, saying that “before checking [my decision], my hands trembled, my heart was pounding, and I was sweating.”

Once Tony learned that he had been accepted, however, “everything just seemed so peaceful and relaxing.” Senior Raphael Yang echoed Tony’s sentiment when he said, “Opening decision letters from colleges has been more of a nerve-wracking experience than a stressful one...early in the year, I was admitted to one of my top choices. In general, opening acceptance letters makes me feel accomplished because it reminds me that the past three years of hard work in high school have finally paid off!”

In recent weeks, other students have not been as lucky with their acceptances, but as senior Michael Bluestone shared, “getting a rejection letter from a college or university doesn’t make you a failure.”

Not all students, however, agree with Michael. He continued, explaining that “unfortunately, some high school seniors see themselves in a less-than-positive light when they read the bad news from a highly de-

sired institution. Dealing with rejection is difficult.

Most high schoolers tend to take being turned down by a college or university on a personal level. They seem to think that the letter from the admissions office is really saying something like, ‘You are deficient and we don’t want to have anything to do with you.’”

Younger students, like junior Marian Eskander, can attest to this, noting that “seniors are a lot less energetic in class after they’ve been rejected. I’ve seen them keep to themselves more, even reading books alone in the corner of class because they did not get accepted into their dream school.” Thankfully, not all seniors have allowed rejection letters to keep their spirits down. Junior Cassie Chu expressed how some seniors’ dealings with rejection have been inspirational to her, elaborating that, “a lot of seniors have stayed positive, and it’s good to see people reacting well to the pressure. They’ve told me to not give up on my dreams, even if I don’t end up getting accepted to my top choice university.”

Regardless of what effect college decisions may have, there is no doubt that the future of all graduates of AHS is bright. Senior Anisa Chu articulated the mixed feelings and excitement toward what may lie ahead best when she said, “Nobody wants to be rejected from college, but it’s important to remember that you can’t be perfect for every school, just like how every school can’t be perfect for you. It’s so cheesy, but it’s true! In the end, it’s nice to be able to sit back and realize that you’re finally growing up.” editorsinchief@apachepowwow.com

NEWS

2 Over a Year Later, BP Pays Up Putin Wins Election, Loses Country

By DANIEL JENN Staff Writer

A settlement that BP is resolving with the victims of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill provides a system for watching the concerns of people whose illnesses are found to be related to the disaster. Government and university doctors studying the locals’ health have not found significant evidence that the spill resulted in their illnesses, but the gradual effects still remain a question to be answered. Residents living near the spill say that their complaints are getting a serious look as they are facing symptoms such as rashes and shortness of breath, thought to be caused by the oil or the chemicals used to break it up.

BP’s settlement was estimated at $7.8 billion, including claims of property damage, lost wages, and destroyed businesses to 120,000 private plaintiffs. In the settlement, $2.3 billion was reserved solely to help the seafood industry recover. While there was already a fund that has been paying out the economic loss claims, it has not paid any claims over illness due to the exposure of the spill. As a part of the settlement, BP will reimburse people and businesses including medical claims. BP also plans to launch a 21-year medical program for victims of the spill and to clean up the Gulf Coast. The settlement money will come from a $20 billion trust fund BP established in June 2010 to compensate for the victims. The fund has only paid $6.5 million so far.

Nicole Maurer, a member of a nearby fishing community, said she feels hopeful about getting medical bills

NASABudget Cuts

By SHREYA MAHARANA Staff Writer

2012. An exciting year with an endless number of exciting opportunities. But as the New Year kicked off with celebrations, fireworks, and a promise of a new space-age, NASA’s budget was forced to cut its planetary programs, forcing the international space agency to withdraw altogether from an upcoming effort to send two new missions to Mars.

While exactly how much money is allocated to NASA is unknown, insiders expect a significant reduction in the portion slotted for robotic exploration of Mars and other solar system bodies. President Barack Obama has requested that NASA make a drastic budget cut from $1.5 billion to $1.2 billion in the program.

The 20% cut would make it tougher for the space agency to tackle ambitious exploration projects.

As the federal government tries to cut costs across the board during these tough economic times, it’s easy to imagine many NASA planetary employees trying to ward off disappointment by lowering their expectations. “The Mars program is one of the crown jewels of NASA,” said Ed Weiler, chief of NASA’s space missions. “It’s a shame that it might end.” smaharana@apachepowwow.com

apachepowwow.com

March 2012

that the election results were skewed in favor paid under the court. But, she blames the spill By JING WANG of Putin. for a number of her family’s health problems.

Staff Writer The League of Voters, a group born out “Bright and early, I’m getting my kids on the On Feb. 26, thousands of civilians linked of disputes over a parliamentary vote on Dec. school bus and calling my lawyer tomorrow, hands along a ten-mile stretch of road in Mos- 4, 2011, felt that “civil society in Russia was and see what’s going on,” she said. “I’m being cow to protest against Prime Minister Vladimir insulted” by the results. The League of Voters very hopeful and that it all works out in our faPutin, who was running for president. The peace- said that 33 polling stations in St. Petersburg, vor.” To be eligible for compensation, Maurer ful protest was joined by passersby in vehicles. Russia’s second most populated city, were falsiand others like her will have to show that they These demonstrators came out to “win [their] fied to give Putin an extra 15% of votes. got sick from the spill. Claimants will then Putin slammed these comments and, fight for a better Russia”. be examined by a court-approved health care stated that The oppractitioner. A claims administrator under the “those who position was supervision of a federal judge will determine lose never led by Garry who will be paid. BP stated that the settlement like their deK a s p a r o v, would have “no net impact to either the income feat.” Othwho held or cash flow statements,” but continued that ers believed hands with “the actual cost could be higher or lower than these demonothers in front this estimate depending on the outcomes of the strators gave of the forcourt-supervised claims process.”

Putin exeign ministry “This settlement reflects our commitactly what he building. He ment not only to the gulf region, but also to the needed. “Not claimed that United States as a whole,” BP Chief Executive for a sechis “moveRobert Dudley said. ond was this ment is not The plaintiffs’ attorneys distributed a movement letting up statement outlining the basics of the plan. It a political steam...but is stated that the company was now “obligated to movement. It just getting fully satisfy all eligible claims under the terms was a show, more popuof the court-supervised settlement, irrespective lar and more THE TIDES OF REVOLUTION Putin struggles to hold a PR action, of the funds previously set aside.” State and locreative by the on to his country and his claim to power while the infuriated a flash mob, cal governments are also keeping a keen eye different day”. masses gather at his doorstep. to see if their expenses related to the oil spill people mixDemonare being reimbursed by BP. But as residents, strators claimed that Russia’s elections last year ing together,” said Leonid Radzikhovsky, a pobusiness, and wildlife recovers, many people were marked by fraud, and that this year, Putin litical observer. still wonder, is it enough?

In response, the U.S. and the European will prevail no matter what. Russia’s problem lies not with Putin personally, but with the fact Union have called for an investigation of the that he and “his campaign managers are break- possibility of fraud. They have highlighted the ing the country in two, pitting one part of the need for cooperation with Russia as well. Mass djenn@apachepowwow.com society—Moscow and big cities, middle class— protests are expected to continue even after PuGraphic courtesy of against the other. This may...lead to a civil war tin’s victory. No matter what happens during CONSTALLATIONRG.ORG provoked and inspired by the authorities.”

Putin’s next term, it is up to the Russian people On Mar. 4, Putin, who previously served to help “Russia [reformat] itself as a modern as president from 2000 to 2008 before stepping state adhering to European values”. down due to term limits, was reelected as president. With 64% of the votes, Putin is to serve anjwang@apachepowwow.com other six-year term. Opponents labeled this vicPhoto courtesy of CONSTALLATIONRG.ORG tory as an insult to the Russian people, claiming

Tragedy in Ohio: Chardon School Shooting

By LAUREN TRAJANO Staff Writer

All was quiet until 17-year-old T.J. Lane was escorted into the Ohio juvenile courthouse by heavy security. Lane, who is charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder, and one count of felonious assault, showed no emotion as he took his seat in front of the judge.

According to reports, Chardon High School students were gathered in the school’s cafeteria on Feb. 27 when, all of a sudden, an armed gunman—later identified by a witness to be Lane—opened fire, managing to kill three students and severely injure two others before fleeing the scene on foot.

Lane later confessed to taking a .22-caliber pistol and a knife to school and firing ten shots at a group of teens. The event shook the community of Chardon, Ohio, especially the family of 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor, one of the students killed in the shooting. “It’s just horrible to think that you send your kid off to school and then you don’t see him again,’’ said Lou Keim, a relative of Parmertor. “We have to protect every school child by having metal detectors in the schools so we’re safe.”

Police reports and court records reveal that Lane had a troubled childhood. At the

age of 15, he was charged with juvenile assault for punching his uncle in the face and putting him in a chokehold. Both his parents have been charged with domestic violence against each

A CAUSE FOR GRIEF After firing upon several of his classmates, T.J. Lane is escorted out of the courtroom. other, and his father served prison time for assaulting a police officer and a woman.

“I think there’re a lot of kids that go through things like that. That doesn’t give them the right to kill other people,” stated Bob Parmertor, Parmertor’s grandfather. “No one has the right to shoot other people because they’ve had a rough life.”

Indeed, the state of Ohio is taking the matter very seriously, insisting on charging Lane as an adult. However, the decision has not yet been made, as Juvenile Judge Tim Grendell postponed the hearing on the adult-court matter from Mar. 19 to Apr. 3 because of the addition of two attorneys on the defense team.

Unlike many Chardon parents, prosecutor David Joyce dismisses the possibility that Lane’s actions were a result of him being bullied or involved in a drug scandal. Instead, he concluded that the case is “not about bullying,” but “someone who’s not well”.

If convicted as an adult, Lane would face the maximum life-sentence compared to the five year sentence if convicted as a juvenile.

Besides the proposed adult charges, the Lane case’s confidentiality will be violated, since Judge Grendell agreed to the requests of the victims’ parents to make the case available to the press, something that is not usually allowed for juvenile cases.

With Apr. 3 slowly approaching, the city of Chardon is forced into a period of anxiety as it awaits Lane’s fate and whether or not his victims will receive justice. ltrajano@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of SHUTTERSHOCK.COM

March 2012

news@apachepowwow.com

Iran’s Attempts to Build the Bomb Continue

By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO Staff Writer

President Barack Obama has taken a firm stance on Iran’s nuclear program, telling The Atlantic magazine that the U.S. is prepared to use military force in light of a nuclear weapon.

“As a president of the United States, I don’t bluff,” President Obama stated. He hopes the situation will not become violent, adding that it “is in everyone’s interests to see if this can be resolved in a peaceful fashion.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready to fight Iran and claims to have President Obama’s support.

In a magazine interview released Friday, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the U.S. “has Israel’s back.” However, he met with President Obama on Mar. 5 to discuss the situation. After the meeting, President Obama told reporters, “We understand the costs of any military action.”

Iran, on the other hand, does not approve of the western nations’ actions.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that atomic weaponry is “national pride” and Iran must withstand “bullying” from the West. Iran has refused to

stop uranium enrichment, stating that the technology will be used for nothing more than energy and medical research.

U.S. officials fear that Iran will instead use their technology to develop nuclear weaponry. The International

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been conducting a probe on Iran’s nuclear technology and believes the nation is not disclosing everything. IAEA chief Yukiya Amano told CNN in an interview that “we are asking Iran to engage with us proactively, and Iran has a case to answer.”

The U.S. will continue to talk to fel-

low nations in the United Nations (UN) about the situation at hand. The U.S., along with Britain, France, and Germany, plan to release a joint statement to the UN Security Council regarding Iran’s lack of compliance to both an IAEA probe and a resolution that Iran stop uranium enrichment.

On Mar. 15, at least 30 Iranian banks were cut off from international trading. Society of Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication CEO Lazaro Campos stated the move “is a direct result of international and multilateral action to intensify sanctions against Iran.”

He did not add how long the trade would be blocked, but it will likely last the length of the negotiations.

President Obama is against using military force because it is only a “temporary solution”. As he pointed out, Iran is capable of rebuilding their nuclear program. He hopes Iran reaches an agreement to stop nuclear development like Libya and South Africa have in the past. jmatsumoto@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of ECONOMIST.COM

Syrian Protests Prompt International Pleas for Peace

By ALISON FU

tanks, hoping to subdue the primary rebel group known as the Free Syrian Army. On one particular day, over 80 people were killed due to the attacks, including two Western journalists—a photographer from France, and a writer from the U.S. Homes and businesses

The White House has also, urged for an end to the fighting. “The regime’s reStaff Writer fusal to allow humanitarian workers to March marks the one year anniverhelp feed the hungry, tend to the injured, sary of Syria’s freedom movement, an [and] bury the dead marks a new low,” uprising that has gained some, but not commented U.S. Secretary of State quite enough, momentum since its incepHillary Clinton. “The regime must, as tion in the midst of the Arab it promised last November, Spring. Despite plentiful withdraw its forces, release protests and demonstrapolitical prisoners, permit tions by the Syrian people, peaceful protests, and allow Syrian President Bashar alinternational journalists to Assad is still in power, regdo their jobs, which is to tell ularly using brute military the truth.” The White House force to suppress protesters has also made it clear, howand their families. Attacks ever, that the U.S. will not by the military have only provide any military aid to escalated over the past few the Syrian rebels. months, with casualties and Despite warnings and deaths steadily increasing, appeals from the United provoking countries around Nations and the European the world to pressure the Union (EU), President Syrian government for an PROTEST TURNED MASSACRE As demonstrations Assad has not shown signs end to the violence. of backing down. Analysts, grew in number and strength, the government responded by In Homs, a city consid- using military strength against its own people, such as in the however, believe that Presiered to be the center of the city of Homs. dent Assad will eventually rebel opposition in Syria, be forced to submit, as Syrthousands have already been killed over were destroyed, and much of Homs is ia’s economy is suffering due to sancthe course of the past year. A recent three now completely in ruins. tions placed on the country by the EU. Around the world, countries have As expressed by White House Chief of week assault by the Syrian military, led

by President Assad’s brother, Maher condemned President Assad’s massa- Staff Jacob Lew, “There is no question al-Assad, resulted in the capture of the cres, urging for an end to the violence. that this regime will come to an end. The once rebel-filled Homs district of Baba “That’s enough now,” declared French only question is when.”

Amr. Homs and its surrounding towns President Nicolas Sarkozy. “This regime were attacked and bombed, with the Syr- must go and there is no reason that Syrafu@apachepowwow.com ian military using full force, employing ians don’t have the right to live their Photo courtesy of rockets, artillery, and Soviet-built T-72 lives and choose their destiny freely.”

FIRSTPOST.COM

NEWS

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s t a f f Editors Editors-in-Chief Kaitlyn Jeong and Rhiannon Yee Managing Editor Nancy Xiao News Editors Evan Delgado and Utthara Rameshbabu Opinion Editors Victoria Tran and Valerie Yu Performing Arts Editors Yejean Kim and Christine Sun Student Life Editors Edward Chao and Ashley Chi Features Editors Eileen Chow and Grace Song Sports Editors Stacey Ng and Andy Qin Academics Editors Regina Liu and Melissa Song Center Spread Editor Alwyna Lau Calendar Editor Michelle Zhang Campus Focus Editor Katherine Bay Advertisement Editors Becca Lu, Laureen Ma, and Brandon Pang Photography Editor Elliott Lee Executive Copy Editors Ariana Arzani and Christopher Cho Webmaster Emily Zheng Fundraising Chairs Belle Chuang, Lena Kalemkiarian, and Anna Naran

Writers News Staff

Opinion Staff

Performing Arts Staff

Student Life Staff

Features Staff

Sports Staff Academics Staff

Center Spread Staff Calendar Staff Campus Focus Staff Advertisement Staff

Photo Staff Copy Editing Staff

Adviser

Ariana Arzani, Josh Bay, Christopher Cho, Alison Fu, Daniel Jenn, Shreya Maharana, Jonathan Matsumoto, Stanley Shaw, Lauren Trajano, Jing Wang Rena Chen, Helen Chou, Allan Gao, Mya Ho, Jeanne Kuang, Helen Lee, Shreya Maharana, Sophia Tang, Vanessa Yu Kelly Ching, Albert Hu, Amanda Huynh, Phoebe Shen, Emilie Wang, Vanessa Yu Niki Chi, Kelly Ching, Allan Gao, Courtney Hang, Daniel Jenn, Helen Lee, Jonathan Matsumoto, Stanley Shaw, Kristie Sun, Emilie Wang Josh Bay, Courtney Hang, Daniel Jenn, Jeanne Kuang, Jonathan Matsumoto, Victoria Nakaganeku, Sarah Quon, Sophia Tang, Emily Wang, Rita Wang, Belle Zheng Ariana Arzani, Josh Bay, Karina Laigo, Alice Lin, Brendan Tran Ariana Arzani, Vivian Chan, Ashley Cheou, Amanda Huynh, Leo Jiang, Belle Zheng Phoebe Shen Josh Bay, Katrina Chao , Rena Chen, Niki Chi, Alison Fu, Jing Wang Courtney Hang Stephen Chu, Hazel Chuang, Albert Hu, Victoria Nakaganeku, Anna Naran, Kenneth Vuong, Rita Wang, Gordon Yao Vivian Chan, Leo Jiang, Tommy Liao Courtney Hang, Helen Chou, Katrina Chao, Kelly Ching, Lauren Trajano Rena Chen, Stanley Shaw, Victoria Nakaganeku Mr. Johnny Lee

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. A student’s work does not represent the views of Arcadia High School or the Arcadia Unified School District. Address letters to the editor to: The Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, email ads.powwow@gmail.com. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $250 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

Graphic courtesy of PHOTOBUCKET.COM

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NEWS

Southern Tornadoes

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China Military Spending Shoots Through the Roof

“Anti-Access/Area Denial” policy, has led to calls from the Pentagon for weapon systems Executive Copy Editor to overcome China naval influence in the reAmidst escalating tensions, China released gion. In response, China has directed attention an official statement on Mar. 4 reporting that the to President Barack Obama’s declaration that nation had increased its military spending by American military interests in the Asia-Pacific 11.2%. The statement, however, would remain immune from budget provided few concrete details, cuts, an act that was concluded in unnerving many of China’s Beijing to be a response to China’s neighbors and consequently increasing power. Sophomore Brian sparking international tension.

Wada believes that “this increase is Amid heated political rivalries, a testament of China’s tremendous Washington has pressed China growth,” but is worried of “the into be more forthcoming of its creased political head butting that military intentions, pointing out will inevitably be caused by it.” that a degree of openness is cruThe apprehensive stances takcial for maintaining peace in a en by China’s Asian neighbors inregion entangled by numerous cluding Japan, South Korea, India, alliances and treaties. and Southeast Asian nations have With the 11.2% increase, only been reinforced by China’s latChina’s defense budget for est double digit increase. Vice Pres2012 will increase to $106 bilident Xi Jinping, during a visit to lion from $95.6 billion last year.

Washington during February 2012, Yet the budget, as the spokesseemed to acknowledge American man of the National People’s concerns, stating that he looked forCongress Li Zhaoxing publiEXPANDING INFLUENCE China’s rapid military growth mirrors ward to an exchange on the “overcized, paled in comparison to its economic expansion and newfound status as a world power. The all relationship, but especially our the Obama administration’s world watches and worries. mil-to-mil relationship.” In an efproposed $525.4 billion defort to seek compromise, the U.S. fense budget for 2013. Li further argued that, the possibility of U.S. intervention in the westhas held formal talks known as strategic secugiven China’s dramatic economic growth over ern Pacific. rity dialogue with China since 2011. Although recent years, the 11.2% increase was a natural, the conferences did not produce results as sigChina has displayed that the basis for its if not low, percentage. Stating that the world increase in military spending is notably rooted nificant as hoped, additional talks have been had nothing to fear, Li highlighted that China’s in its desire for greater control over sea lanes scheduled by the Obama administration and “outlays on defense are quite low compared in the South China Sea. Authority over these may hopefully lead to effective negotiation. to other major countries” and that its budget trade routes, which transit nearly one-third “constitutes no threat to other countries.” How- of the world’s shipping, would shift the balever, both Western and Chinese analysts have ance of power in the region in China’s benefit. ccho@apachepowow.com agreed that China’s expenditures represent an This strategy, regarded in Washington as the Photo courtesy of MODERNMARINE.COM

By CHRISTOPHER CHO

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

Powerful tornadoes swept across a wide swath of the Midwest and the South on Mar. 2, killing at least 28 people in 4 states and bringing the death toll to at least 41 from a week of deadly late-winter storms. “We are no match for Mother Nature at her worst,” Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said, adding that he would visit the stricken southeast corner of the state on Saturday.

An Indiana official confirmed 13 deaths from the tornadoes on Friday, in four southeastern counties. A spokesman for Kentucky’s Department of Public Health reported a statewide death toll of 12, while Ohio officials said there were two deaths in a single county.

Storm warnings were issued throughout the day from the Midwest to the Southeast, and schools and businesses were closed ahead of the storms after a series of tornadoes earlier in the week killed 13 people in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee.

This week’s violent storms raised fears that 2012 would be another deadly year after 550 deaths in the United States were attributed to twisters last year. With this level of destruction and despair, the reconstruction efforts are all the more important. Although these powerful winds have devastated vast tracts of land, the enduring resolve of the people who rebuild their homes and their lives serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit. jbay@apachepowow.com

March 2012

undercounting due to weapon development, cyberwarfare, space capabilities, foreign procurements, and personnel costs being excluded from the budget. Experts have further speculated that the opaqueness of China’s actions is a consequence of the nation’s aim to prevent

Drastic Shift in North Korean Policy Affirmative Action Takes Center Stage

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

It has only been three months since North Korea shocked the world with the sudden announcement of Kim Jong Il’s death, and North Korea is at it again by agreeing to suspend its nuclear programs in exchange for food. This agreement, which was close to being finalized in December 2011 and consequently delayed by Kim Jong Il’s death, was confirmed by North Korea on Feb. 29.

The agreement that both American and North Korean diplomats have reached boils down to two items. The United States has promised 240,000 metric tons of nutritional assistance to North Korea, a mountainous country where chronic food shortages exist. North Korea’s end of the bargain will force the hermit nation to suspend its long-range missile and uranium-enrichment tests in addition to the infamous nuclear program.

Nonetheless, the North Koreans are also granting inspectors belonging to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations organization that oversees these matters, access into North Korea to supervise the

weapon assessment hiatus.

Bonnie Glaswer of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington summarized their fears by saying, “There are doubters who will say ‘we’ve already bought this horse twice and failed, why buy it for a third time? My understanding is that the administration hopes that this could at least [hinder] North Korea’s nuclear development, which is better than nothing, even if hopes of [them] actually denuclearizing have now all but evaporated.”

The fact is that their nuclear weapons are little more than gambling pieces used to secure a supply of food and are the keys to their survival as a whole. Consequently, the U.S. is more cautious of the nation due to similar instances during the Bush administration when the North Koreans made concessions for their weapons program, only to return to their nuclear commitments later. sshaw@apachepowow.com Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

By ARIANA ARZANI

Executive Copy Editor

Affirmative action in colleges and universities is garnering national attention once more, as the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal from a white student at the University of Texas who is advocating for an end to “racial preferences” in college admissions. The appeal will decide whether the university’s race-conscious admissions violate the rights of white applicants.

It has been over three decades since the Supreme Court first approved affirmative action in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. In this 1978 case, the Supreme Court held that it was unconstitutional to base college admissions purely on race, but that race could be one of many factors for college admissions. The Bakke case gained recognition after it was uncovered that UC Davis had set a specific quota of 16 out of 100 seats in its Medical School for African American students. The original purpose stated by UC Davis Medical School was to ensure admission among traditionally discriminated-against minorities.

Since then, the Supreme Court has heard two other cases on affirmative action with the court ruling in favor of it both times. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Supreme Court Justices will not be able to rule on this case challenging the University of Texas’ affirmative action program until October 2012, amidst the presidential campaigning season. President Barack Obama may have to explicitly express his views on affirmative action for the

campaign, although he seemed to have mixed views on the topic when he first ran for president in 2008.

While President Obama believed that there was a continued need for affirmative action to make up for the U.S.’ long history of discrimination, he thought the assistance should only be limited to those who need and deserve it. He presented his own daughters, whom he believes are both “pretty advantaged,” as examples, but he also added, “I think we should take into account white kids who have been disadvantaged and have grown up in poverty and shown themselves to have what it takes to succeed.”

Many others share President Obama’s view that socioeconomic factors should play a role and give an advantage to college-bound students rather than race or ethnic heritage.

Economically disadvantaged students are gaining more attention as many are proposing to change the very idea which once defined affirmative action.

Ideas such as his have ignited a “top-ten policy,” in which universities admit the top 10% of high school seniors from their schools.

The goal is to continue upholding a racial and ethnic diversity without taking race into account at all. Students from lower-income neighborhoods, including white students, benefit from the policy.

Throughout its over three-decade-long run, affirmative action has sparked controversy at every turn and many wonder if the Supreme Court will be able to finally settle the matter later this year. aarzani@apachepowow.com

March 2012

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STUDENT LIFE

How You Can Save a Life

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

Sophomore Allie Hisey was 13-years-old and was away at a fundraiser when it happened. It was a calm, uneventful day at a baseball game that Allie’s brother was partaking in.

Their mother was spectating from the bleachers. “Everything seemed fine,” recounted Allie, until “my mother collapsed out of the blue due to a cardiac arrest, or stopping of the heart. She stopped breathing and the paramedics were called. However, it took [four minutes] for the paramedics to reach the scene.” Luckily, a student from La Salle High School who was scorekeeping at the game began performing CPR on her. The student “had learned CPR the weekend before for a lifeguard training. With that skill he had [just] learned, he saved my mother’s life.”

Later, the doctors informed Allie’s family that “8% of people who suffered cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive, and only 2% live without significant brain damage. She was that 2% because of him.”

The dilemma that Allie was forced into was a frightening one. But her mother’s cardiac arrest isn’t an isolated case; the American Heart Association has reported that cases like these occur almost 383,000 times annually, and 80% of the cardiac arrests occur at home. As such, a person always has to consider the probability of an event like this occurring and should take measures to stop it should it ever take place. Of course, how to perform CPR has always eluded

us...until now.

On Mar. 31, AHS Apaches can attend a free CPR training seminar in the North Gym at AHS that will provide students with the tools and opportunity to learn CPR. Allie has advocated for the seminar in hopes of returning the favor by teaching others how to perform CPR, and she’s conducting the lesson with the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. She said, “We wanted to make the training fun and easy. We’re offering two times you can come: 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. Students can sign up [on] www.arcadiacpr. eventbrite.com, our Facebook page, or the ASB website.”

The event, which is sponsored by a host of neighborhood businesses as well as the Methodist Hospital, will also provide free food.

There will also be an opportunity to win autographed Katy Perry and Adam Lambert items.

For those s hesitant about still the seminar, Allie offered a glimpse of the day’s schedule.

“The line up for the training right now will most likely consist of an introduction, a short video, the training, the raffle of the signed items and gift certificates, and then the distribution of pizza, ice cream, cookies, drinks, and much more.”

Learning CPR “may seem like such a distant idea, but in reality, so many high school students have suffered though cardiac arrests that it’s kind of scary how many people don’t know CPR.” So go out on Saturday, win some prizes, and learn how to give a breath of life!

apachepowwow.com

March 2012

Websites that “Cache” Your Attention

By DANIEL JENN Staff Writer

Next to pastimes like taking SAT Prep classes and learning how to become a Pokémon master, surfing the Web seems to be the average AHS student’s favorite activity to do after a long day at school. To most students, Facebook is a flaming, double-edged sword—preventing homework from getting done as well as reminding people of upcoming tests. Likewise, watching pandas sneeze and Rebecca Black singing “Friday” over and over again seem to consume hours on end. Ironically, the super-highway of information can actually help people by offering convincing information. Though many students regret spending so much time on the Web, it does not affect the frequent access of these popular sites.

Facebook, primarily, is the most popular among students for its convenient accessibility to friends and family. With just a click of a button, you can chat with friends you maybekind-of remember from the third grade, find out the day’s homework from the student who you barely know, or even nonchalantly stalk the person you just met. Freshman Aubrey Subodya said, “Well, Facebook would definitely be my favorite website. I can keep in touch with friends that are close and far away.”

YouTube is another favored website among students. They find comfort in being able to watch practically anything from cute kittens using a treadmill to scientists putting a Mentos mint into a two liter bottle of Diet Coke. For sophomore Jonathan Perliss, he uses YouTube only when he is “really bored”, which happens a lot.

Reddit is a great website – if you don’t mind being unproductive. Reddit is a user-submission-based website, allowing people to post and repost threads that they find interesting.

Freshman Jared Chen said “My favorite website is Reddit because it lets you learn about random things that are funny and interesting.”

Memebase is another trending website in the Internet industry. Students often look to the website in hopes of a cheap laugh or even a silent giggle as a way break the tensions of homework. Freshman Joy Lee said, “I feel like most of my laughing now comes from Internet memes. I usually go Meme-hunting in between homework.”

Tumblr is another trending website among students. Offering features like customizable themes, friendly users, and limitless blogging, it appeals to many students. Freshman Madeline Lee, a blogging fanatic, said, “I like using Tumblr because you’re able to hear about current events faster from people spreading the word than from other websites. Unlike Facebook and sites similar to it, subscribing to people whom you don’t actually know is okay, and you are able to make friends around the world.”

While searching for legendary Pokémon is still popular with most students at AHS, many still prefer surfing the web. If it is not Facebook distracting you from homework, YouTube tempting you with hours of amusing animals, or Tumblr enticing you with its interesting blogs, then it is definitely another website toying with your mind. Nevertheless, these are some of the most popular websites among students. djenn@apahcepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of NBCONLINE.COM and HOWTOGEEK.COM

sshaw@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of CPRORG.COM

Celebrate Whatever You Want, Literally: A Day to Make Your Own Holiday

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

March is a treasure-trove of bizarre holidays ranging from National Pig Day to National Pi Day to St. Patrick’s Day. However, out of all these holidays, “Make Your Own Holiday Day”, a new and obscure holiday created by an equally obscure Wellness Permission League, is surely at the top of the list. Although the tell-tale name of the holiday, which is celebrated on Mar. 26, reveals what it’s about, there is a catch to what kind of day a person can make. This month, some peers are describing what kind of holiday that they would want to experience.

Confro n Your F t ears Day

“Having a National Confront Your Fears Day would allow people to figure out ways to enjoy life more. Since fears are sometimes crippling, having a day during which people can focus on alleviating anxieties would be beneficial. If you have a fear of water, you could spend the day learning how to swim and could then in the future have a few more things to do for fun. For me, I would spend the day at the zoo, trying not to be intimidated by snakes.”

–Jody He, 12

“A holiday I would like to see created would be one honoring the quality of drinking water in our society. People would come to parties dressed up as giant water bottles and drink water.

Trick-or-treating would also occur, but instead of giving out candy, people would give out water bottles. Water is one of the most important aspects of our world, and good quality water needs a day of recognition.”

–Ryan Liu, 11

Water n o i t a i c e r App Day

“Social Networking Abstinence Day is a day where people across the world will try to make their best effort to not unnecessarily go on social networking sites. So many people waste time on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr daily; some feel the need to share to the world what they do every second while others need to be updated on the lives of the former every few minutes.

People should have a day where they can stop and reflect upon just how unproductive their social networking is.”

–Hanning Xing, 12

al Soci ing ork w t e e N tenc i s b A Day

Although this holiday might tempt some students to make a “I’m King/Queen for the Day” holiday, one must keep in mind that the overarching goal of this holiday is to remember something that has escaped society’s focus. In other words, “Make Your Own Holiday” day is a subtle way for you to be grateful and appreciate the people and things that surround you. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of NBCEDU.NET and CLIPARTSOURCE.COM Photos courtesy of ALLWILDLIFE-PICTURES.COM and WATER-BOTTLE.NET

studentlife@apachepowwow.com

March 2012

STUDENT LIFE

A Letter to Our Favorite Irish Saint Dear St. Patrick,

—Kelly Ching kching@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of DEVIANTART.COM and KARENSWHIMSY.COM

2012 FBLA Benefit Concert: Helping the Hungry Staff Writer

Do you need a little music in your life but just can’t seem to find the perfect song? Do you want to help out the community by donating money? Do you want to sit down, relax, and watch a concert? If you answered “yes” to all of these, hopefully you were able to go to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) 5th Annual Benefit Concert.

On Mar. 9, FBLA teamed up with singers such as Michael Alvarado and Cassie Rae along with student performers at the Arcadia Presbyterian Church for the FBLA 5th Annual Benefit Concert. At this concert, AHS students and YouTube stars gathered to use their musical,

A Craving for the Hunger Games

By EMILIE WANG

If you do not already know, your success in bringing Christianity to Ireland has started an exciting festivity on Mar. 17 named after you. Since St. Patrick’s Day, or St. Patty’s Day, has been established, green decor, tiny shamrocks, and parades have been a few symbols of your day. As junior Kalina Huynh reminded us, “Considering that very few significant holidays are held in March, St. Patrick’s Day is really the only wacky celebration we have for that 31 days.” But, do you ever wonder how people around the globe celebrate your holiday? Additionally, do you remember the general story of how your holiday came to be?

Let us remind you of your remarkable journey. Born into a rich Romano-British family in 387 AD, you were only 16 when you were captured as a slave and taken to Ireland. As the Christian story tells its readers, you were led in a dream by God to find your way back home. When you returned, you immediately began your involvement with the Church and soon became a priest. As Irish history tells it, although your establishment of Christianity in Ireland was not the most successful, you are recognized as the saint that began it all.

Although the holiday was first observed by the Catholic Church and sprung from the development of Christianity in Ireland, this holiday has now spread internationally to celebrate Irish culture in general. Even centuries after your death, your holiday is publicly recognized in the Republic of Ireland and is widely celebrated in other large countries to this day.

In what different ways do countries celebrate St. Patty’s Day? Overall, the color mainly associated with your day is green. Although you haven’t been alive to see it, since the 17th century, green clothing, such as uniforms for soldiers, and green decorations have been used to commemorate you. Also, shamrocks have always been a symbol of this holiday since you first used the three-leaf plant to explain Christianity in Ireland.

The U.S. is not too different from other countries in the ways it celebrates St. Patty’s Day. “Going to church and having a party with the people there every Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day is always a tradition for me,” said sophomore Stephanie Kwon. Feasting and numerous parades filled with people displayed in green clothing can also be seen on your holiday. As an example, freshman Ruoyu Chen celebrated your day by “re-wearing the same green shirt [he’s] worn for the past four St. Patrick’s Days.”

We thank you for giving us one day that we can wear an unnecessary amount of green clothing, flaunt shamrocks, and hold various parades. Thanks for being the reason we have St. Patrick’s Day every Mar. 17!

By HELEN LEE

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magical, and dancing talents to raise money for the hungry in our community. Community Service Director sophomore Isabel Jin explained that “all donations [they] make from the concert will proceed to the Arcadia Community Center for the cause ‘Hunger’”, which will use that money to support the homeless.

The church was packed as they watched the different performances of the night. Contrary to last year, the concert did not have as many YouTube stars as last year, yet the spirit during the concert was still overwhelming.

A dance performance from seniors David Le, Steven Liem, Raphael Yang, and Tony Zhao wowed the crowd as they put on a show of bboying, popping, and tutting. Junior Tricia Xu described the dance as “very clean and in sync.

They were definitely a crowd pleaser!”

And she wasn’t the only o one impressed as freshman Emeline Beltran eltran said, “Ther “There were so many talented and undiscover undiscovered ered er ed d voices hhere at our school!”

But it wasn’tt only thee aud audience dienc ncee w nc who enjoyed the talented d voices att tthe he conce concert; ert rt; instead, the performers als also so ha hhad d an a amazing ng ttime. Senior Shawn Halim im m eexplained xplained xp ed d tthat h t “e ha “ev “even though [he] was really sick concert… ck at the co onc ncerrt… iit was definitely an awesome experience.” e” The concert was not only a time when students showed off their talents, but also a time when students remembered that right now, even in our community, people are fighting hunger and that their donations have the power to change that.

GOOD MUSIC, GOOD INTENTIONS (left to right) Senior Shawn Halim serenades the crowd, Youtube stars Michael Alvarado and Carissa Rae perform a duet, and magician Edsel Chiu wows the audience with his tricks.

hlee@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of ZAY NAING Graphics courtesy of ALLCLIPART.COM

Staff Writer

Sitting in front of the computer, watching and re-watching the trailers. Dog-earing your favorite pages of that book so many times it would make your librarian cry.

Crossing out the days of your calendar with the thickest black marker you can find until the world premiere of the movie. Any of that sound familiar? It should because that is how we prepared for the Twilight Saga movies, and now, The Hunger Games. The competition between Team Jacob and Team Edward has been replicated in the Hunger Games, with fans proclaiming their love for either Peeta or Gale. That is only one of the many similarities between the two stories— not even mentioning how they both have lead female parts who have to choose who their true love is between two insanely hot guys.

With everything so similar, which is better? Team Peeta/Gale/Katniss or Team Edward/Jacob/Bella? For freshman Vivian Liu, the Hunger Games is so much better than the Twilight series. “I really like the Hunger Games because [the plot] is so exciting due to the many twists that happen.

That never really happens in Twilight; Hunger Games is much more than a love story.”

However Twi-Hard fan sophomore Chloe Yin disagreed, “Twilight is so much better because it has vampires, werewolves, supernatural powers, and a sparkling Edward Cullen. Hunger Games looks intense and sad, and it’s basically a little competition [that they are trying] to win.” Others, like junior Jenna Lau, say that, “Twilight is about werewolves and vampires. Hunger Games is about people killing other people. Why would you compare two things that aren’t even that similar?”

But everyone agrees that both stories are tough competition for each other, not only with the hottest celebrities in the lead roles, but with the sweet plots of unconditional love woven in the storyline. No matter which twisted fairytale story you have fallen in love with, “happily ever after” makes the perfect conclusion of both stories. And remember, it’s not a crime to love both stories; after all, you are cordially invited to the 74th annual Hunger Games. ewang@apachepowwow.com

HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY (top to bottom) The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

Photo courtesy of WORDPRESS.COM Graphics courtesy of EMPIREONLINE.COM

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ACADEMICS

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AcaDeca Goes to State

By LEO JIANG Staff Writer

Academic Decathlon (AcaDeca) finished 4th out of 50 teams at the L.A. County Qualifying Tournament in February, and qualified to compete at the AcaDeca State Championships for the first time in over two decades. The state competition was held on Mar. 16 and 17 in Sacramento. The two-day competition tested members on the main theme, Imperialism, in ten subjects. AcaDeca members had just over a month from Regionals to State to prepare for their competition. On day one of the State Championships, the members delivered a speech, wrote an essay on Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and were interviewed by the AcaDeca judges. Day two consisted of tests on the following subjects: math, science, economics, literature, art, music, and history. At the end of these rigorous two days, the team members took home nine individual medals in five different events. Arcadia’s team consists of nine students: seniors Matthew Shum, Shirley Zhou, Candice Yip, Jason Wang, and Courtney Nguyen, junior Sue Wang, and sophomore Steven Xia, along with Team Co-Captains seniors Emily Liu and Lynn Huang. In addition to winning the medal for being the team’s top performer, Lynn won three others, including a gold medal for her essay, a silver medal in science, and a silver medal in math.

Also, Emily won a bronze medal in music, Candice a bronze medal in music, Jason a gold medal in science, Matthew a bronze medal in speech, and Sue a silver medal in science.

“Although Arcadia teams have been successful in the past, this team qualified for State because each member made a significant contribution.

[At Regionals], each member of the team won at least one medal, and even when a student did not [earn a] medal, he or she may have finished in the top 15 and earned significant points for the team,” said adviser Mr. Albert Sylvia.

“This was one of the closest tournaments in history, with very few points separating the 3rd place team from the 9th place team.” Even so, AcaDeca came out 4th and qualified for state, something that hasn’t happened for over 20 years. “I really can’t say how happy and proud I am of our team for getting the chance to go to State,” said Candice. “Nobody was certain what

the process would be like, so it was definitely nerve-wracking. At Regionals, the returning members could offer advice; at State, we all sought helpful tips,” said Emily. “We ultimately placed 29 out of 65 or so California schools.

Though we were a Division I school in our region (L.A. County), we were Division II in the entire state, so the competition wasn’t as cutthroat, but still very intense.”

“The experience of presenting a speech or carrying a conversation with strangers is useful beyond competitions,” said Courtney.

“AcaDeca pushes its decathletes to expand their perspective of the world and get out of their comfort zone. Rather than specializing in one area, a decathlete ought to be consistent and well-rounded.” This year, Acadeca members have been at their top game, taking 4th at Regionals and performing incredibly

well at State; everyone on the team had been working hard and it has truly shown.

With State behind them, AcaDeca is now preparing to recruit new members for next year’s team. After this year, seven of the members will be graduating and they are in need of new, bright minds. “The whole team is like my family. Through the hours and agony of studying we share, we become closer,” said Candice. So if you are interested in joining AcaDeca next year, don’t be afraid to try out. Given this year’s amazing results, future teams will have a lot to live up to! ljiang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CAS-CADNACFARM.COM and FRIENDSOFTHEPROGRAM.NET Photos courtesy of LYNN HUANG

ACADECA The team’s hard work and preparation paid

off at the California State Championship as the members took home a total of nine individual awards ward r s in five differrd ent subjects.

AcaDeca California State Championship Results Essay: Lynn Huang – Gold Math: Lynn Huang – Silver Music: Emily Liu – Bronze Candice Yip – Bronze

Science: Jason Wang – Gold Lynn Huang – Silver Sue Wang – Silver Speech: Matthew Shum – Bronze

March 2012

S&D State Quals

By ARIANA ARZANI Executive Copy Editor

It was the weekend they had all been waiting for. Finally, their chance to advance to State had arrived. For many, the opportunity proved to be worth the challenge as 12 Speech and Debate (S&D) members broke to the state level competition at State Quals which was held from Mar. 2 to 4. The state competition will be held in San Francisco this year. Adviser Ms. Ashley Novak is “delightfully delighted to have such a great group of competitors who will be heading to the state level to face the best of the best in the entire state!”

After months of dedicated hard work, these individuals were able to see their accomplishments truly pay off. Some left empty-handed, but with their memories full of experiences that they will treasure for years to come. As Senior Officer Amit Akula put it, “The experience you gain and the friendships you develop are worth much more than the medals that come with State.”

For the 12 members who qualified for State, the preparations have already begun for the competition, which Ms. Novak described as being “indescribably more difficult than the regional competitions.” Sophomore Abel DeCastro, who finished 1st with his Original Oratory on setting goals, is preparing for the competition “by improving on all the small details and perfecting [his] speech.” Similarly, junior Mary Guyer, who won the 2nd place title with her Original Advocacy (OA) on taxes, is “preparing by keeping [her] memory refreshed on [her] topic and by practicing more.” As a second time competitor at State, Mary understands that the competition is very different and for that reason, she is going to continue refining and improving her speech.

Surprising everyone, including herself, freshman Amelia Jin took home the 2nd place title in Thematic Interpretation (TI).

TI speeches generally consist of three mini speeches which center on a certain theme, which in Amelia’s case, was the “Obstacles of Love”. She hopes to make her speech “more spontaneous because after watching countless rounds of TI, [she] believes that creative touches really add to the performance.” For many, learning for your competition and observing the skills of the successful can help you improve upon your own presentation.

After taking home the 1st place trophy for OA on world hunger, sophomore Albert Gi Gianatan hopes that people keep in mind that alt although “speaking is very important, we mu must remember that in the end we need to tak take real action and evoke real change in the wo world.” And for many, having the courage to de deliver a speech to a handful of friends or a ccrowded auditorium is enough to evoke a sim simple change in themselves or others. With a ddozen students advancing to State, we hope tha that their success and determination will insp spire not only themselves, but others to find the their passion and put their heart into everythi thing they love. aarzani@apachepowwow.com

March 2012

academics@apachepowwow.com

ACADEMICS

11

DI Kicks Off Their Season at Regionals

By BELLE ZHENG Staff Writer

Destination Imagination (DI) is one of many competitive academic teams on campus.

Its system is very different from other teams.

“DI itself is split up into ten different teams within the main Arcadia team,” DI member junior Anna Wang explained. “These ten teams compete in five different challenges, A-E.” The teams that make 1st and 2nd place in regional competitions are able to move onto the state competition.

The different challenges this year are “Assembly Required”, “The Solar Stage”, “Coming Attractions”, “News to Me”, and “Hold It”. “DI is an academic team that merges critical thinking skills with creativity,” explains DI member junior Eric Gao. “All [the] events have an acting part to them.” Each of the challenges is different and requires a large amount of problem solving skills and patience. “Each team participates in a Main Challenge and an Instant Challenge. You know the main challenge ahead of time and can practice for it,” stated Treasurer junior Tiffany Yue. “The Instant Challenge is given the day of competition,

so it’s kind of random.”

Challenges “Assembly Required”, “The Solar Stage”, and “Hold It” all require skills to overcome a task by building a model or a prototype to solve the problem.

In “Assembly Required”, teams must design and build equipment that can retrieve and deliver objects. Because the team knows the competition requirements beforehand, they are able to prepare for the competition by planning out their product.

They then must present their new product and tell a story to go along with it.

In “The Solar Stage”, teams are presented

with a specific problem: capturing sunlight.

Teams must also plan and create a product that can capture solar energy. Afterwards, they too must present their new product, but they need to use theatrical effects and special lighting to dramatize their performance.

Lastly, “Hold It” is a competition that requires architectural knowledge. Here, teams must create a structure out of wood and glue, which they bring to the competition themselves, to hold golf balls. They must also build a delivery system for the golf balls to travel through. Furthermore, they must present their product by telling a story about their product. This difficult challenge requires a lot

bzheng@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of ANDREW WU Photos by JOSH BAY and RITA WANG Graphics courtesy of NOREIMERREASON.COM

Science Olympiad Regionals

By AMANDA HUYNH

of hard work and effort. “We spent months and many weekends preparing,” Eric elaborated.

“We split our group to have some working on the structure and others preparing for the skit.”

“Coming Attractions” is another challenge teams can compete in. As a team, members must direct and film a movie trailer for a hypothetical movie. They also need to design a cinematic special effect and show it in their movie trailer. Lastly, they must create their own original soundtrack to accompany the movie trailer. ”News To Me” is a unique competition.

Although they do not need to build any structures, their task is more daunting. They must make two different news stories and make them relate with each other. Then, they plan a short five minute skit connecting the two stories together in a cause-and-effect relationship. During the skit, they need to use improvisational human scenery and last minute props to enhance the story.

When the members of DI came back from their competition on Mar. 3, they were proud to announce that nine of ten teams qualified for the state competition.

Unfortunately, only eight of these teams will be able to attend the competition, but nevertheless, it was a job well done.

event. “We were supposed to study but ended up just eating and opening Secret Santa presStaff Writer ents,” shared SO member sophomore Irene Liu. While SO is filled with many of these fun and interactive events any aspiring scientist This month, Science Olympiad (SO) would love, it’s not always fun and games. “The marched its way to the LA County’s 26th Annustudents break off into differal Science Olympiad Competition, ent groups and assign different where students from teams around tasks, [including] how to study the area test their knowledge on all or build everything,” said Mr. things science. The winning team Kim. Members spend two hours will advance to the Southern Calion Thursdays after school and fornia level competition and, hopetwo hours on Saturday mornfully, move on to Nationals. This ings building things that may year, our very own SO team, overcome up in the competition. In flowing with many talented young addition to these weekly four scientists, placed 2nd at Regionals. hours, an extra two hours of inThe team consists of around dependent study is suggested in 20 testing members, 15 of whom order for students to stay on top participate in regional and state of their work. Some passionate competitions held between March students may even put in a few and April. There is also a separate extra hours studying in order to team of builders who help contribbe even more successful during ute to the entire team’s success at Photo by LEO JIANG SO’s various competitions. said competitions. “The team is all With so much practice and about community and working to- SCIENCE OLYMPIAD After months of hard work and prepagether to achieve new intellectual ration, the team attended the LA County’s 26th Annual Science so many group events, it goes without saying that SO has beheights in sciences,” said SO Co- Olympiad Competition. come one, tight-knit family that Historian senior Jenny Wei. 23 events in both testing and building been an enjoyable one. “These students and relies on the dedication of each individual to make up the competition, forcing competitors captains are very organized and mature,” Mr. make the group stronger as a whole. “I have to not only know techniques and theories but Kim said. “It appears that they go out of their loved every moment I’ve been in Science also apply them. Students are also expected to way to be nice to me, which is great. It makes Olympiad.,” said Jenny. “We learn so much know how to construct various objects such as me feel like there’s more I could be doing for about quirky topics with people that are also equally passionate about these things. It feels “robot arms, small scale towers to withstand them.” weight, a controlled vehicle, [and helicopters] SO is a student-run organization where great to have that sense of community to take that sustain flight.” The objects must be able to members set up their meetings and study ses- on that journey with you.” complete the task specified. They are also pre- sions. Students also arrange multiple bonding ahuynh@apachepowwow.com sented with situations that test their problem- events such as the annual Christmas bonding solving skills and questions that require a cumulative knowledge of various science topics such as astronomy, chemistry, physics, forensics, ecology, and more.

This year is Mr. Marcelo Kim’s first year as adviser for SO, and so far the experience has

Scheduling Tips

By VIVIAN CHAN Staff Writer

For us seniors, there are only three more months until graduation! But for all you underclassmen, you still have a year or three ahead of you. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you find yourself suffocating under AP courses, clubs, sports, and/or volunteering.

Consider the difficulty of the courses; try to balance out your schedule! Instead of five hours of non-stop learning, why don’t you take that ROP class and give yourself a break? I’m sure stacking on five APs will push you into the early hours of the morning, and you’ll wake up feeling like you’re barely alive. However, be sure to take into account how much time you have to set aside for extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular activities include clubs, sports, and volunteering. Sports take up a major chunk of our daily schedules. Aside from daily practices, some sports require early morning practices as well, and scrimmages or games that could last from two to four hours, weekly. Many clubs also require time commitments outside of the weekly regular meetings. Just remember, if you want to rack up some volunteer hours, make sure to give yourself enough time to get your homework done as well.

Time management is the key to planning a successful academic schedule. Organize your schedule so that it will challenge, but not completely exhaust, you—find the one that won’t suck up the remaining wee hours of sleep, but will further assist you in pursuing your academic interests. vchan@apachepowwow.com

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March 2012

March 2012

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FEATURES

14 Highly Anticipated Feature Film: The Hunger Games

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

Anyone in tune with recent popular culture must be aware of the release of The Hunger Games, the much-anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s young adult dystopian novel of the same name. Hailed as the latest book series for young adults and growing in popularity since its publication in 2008, The Hunger Games takes place in the future postapocalyptical North American nation Panem.

Divided into 12 Districts, Panem is ruled by a tyrannical Capitol that demands two adolescent tributes per District to participate in The Hunth that is ger Games, an annual fight-to-the-death n. broadcast nationwide on live television.

At the heart of the story is resilient ent herofer Lawine Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer rence), District 12’s female tribute. Lawrence minent won the coveted role out of 30 prominent young actresses who read the script. Upon being cast, she trained for six weeks to be -heavyy in top physical condition for the stunt-heavy role. Lawrence learned such skills as combat, rock climbing, and archery, to use Katniss’s weapon of choice, a bow and arrow.

Despite the brutal and harrowing experina, ence of tributes in the Hunger Games arena arena,

director Gary Ross insists that the film will not focus on violence. nce. “You don’t need to be gratuitous in order to... capture the intensity off the book,” Ross told Entertainment ment Weekly.

“I’m not interested erested in violence for violence’s iolence’s sake. This is a character’s story; it’s about Katniss’s niss’s journey.”

Even so, the $90 million budget udget had to go to some cinematic effects, fects, lm’s and the film m s tra ttrailer ailer such revealed su uch largegems m as larg ge-

J.K. Rowling’s New Novel

By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO

case, Rowling does benefit from the universalStaff Writer ity of her Harry Potter books—they have been read by youth and adults alike.

J.K. Rowling is most known for her Harry The only detail she has disclosed is that the Potter series, which have sold over 450 million book is “adult fiction”. New York publishing copies and been translated into 67 different lan- company Little, Brown and Company has anguages, becoming one of the most successful nounced that they will be publishing Rowling’s series of all time. Five years after publishing the newest work. In her statement, Rowling elabofinal book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hal- rated that “the freedom to explore new territory lows, Rowling has decided is a gift that Harry [Potthat she will now move on A NEW START Goodbye ter’s] success has brought from her wizard universe Harry Potter, hello new novel! me.” to a new adult novel.

While the topic has The book will be yet to be disclosed, felpublished with help from The Blair low professional writers Partnership. A visit to their webare curious. Her neighsite shows a photo of a plain yelbor and fellow author low book titled The New Book.

Ian Rankin tweeted, The photo is accompanied by “Wouldn’t it be funny a handwritten note from Rowlif J.K. Rowling’s first ing, stating “Although I’ve novel turns out to be enjoyed writing it so much, set in Edinburgh?” my next novel will be very Another possible idea different from the Harry arry is a political fairy tale.

Potter series.” T h e In a 2009 interview with website also ABC, Rowling did menstates that tion a “political fairy tale” for further de“slightly younger children”. While tails will be she has since decided to focus on adult litannounced erature, sources close to her believe the later in the ideas may have been tweaked for a year. audien new audience.

Given en the sucA more details about As cess off her previous he new book are reher ’s book is an work, Rowling’s vealed, Potter fans will almost guaranteed bestt seller. become acquainted However, former youth writers iters with a very different have traditionally had trouble writside of Rowling. Whating to adult audiences. Daniel Hanever it is though, it’s sure dler, who wrote The Series of Unfortunate to be a great read!

Events series under the penname of “Lemony jmatsumoto@apachepowwow.com j Snicket” and Ann Brashares, the author of The Photos courtesy of FANTASYFICTION.COM Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants have both lost and PAIDCONTENTS.ORG popularity since turning to adult novels. In this

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scale sets for the Reaping p g scene,, during which the tributes are selected, and elaborate costumes (Elizabeth Banks), for Effie Trinket (Elizabet Capitol worker. a pampered Capit Most arena scenes took place iin a forest

March 2012

reserve in Asheville, North Carolina. Filming there lasted for three months and often involved camera shots through the trees, 80 feet above the ground.

With an already established loyal fanbase and extensive pre-release attention, producers were certainly under pressure to crea create a worthy adaptation. On Collins’s end, tthe author has expressed satisfaction sa with the final pproduct. “I feel like the bo book and the individual yet film are indiv complementary pieces that enhance one ano another,” she wrote to her fans. Of co course, certain aspects of the boo book, such as th he character of Madge and extensive the scenes with wit Katniss’s stylists, did not make the final cut. Nevertheless, fans seemed eager to watch, w with advanced ticket sales outstripping those oof the Twilight saga. If the film is successful cessful, The Hunger Games may very well be the newest major film franchise.

Th The Hunger Games opened Mar. 23, and may the odds be ever in its favor. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of POPSTARONLINE. Gra COM and WORDPRESS.COM

The Evolution of Dubstep

By DANIEL JENN Staff Writer

Everyone has heard and loved the autotuned vocals and wobbly bass of dubstep songs by now. If you don’t recognize the genre, it can best be described as dirty tracks containing tightly-coiled tempos, overpowering bass lines, syncopated drum patterns, familiar-sounding samples, and occasional feminine-like vocals.

Gaining noticeable popularity since late 2010, the origins of the dubstep can be traced back to late 1990s, when UK garage producers independently produced tracks to be played in underground British pubs and clubs. But with the recent popularity of dubstep, people who stayed true to its original ingenuity call modern tracks “brostep”, for containing elements of electro-house as well as a catchy tune.

Dubstep’s roots weree purely experimental, ranging from the most basic drum and bass component to instrumental grime, creating a dark aesthetic that many people found pleasurable to awkwardly head-bang to. Distinctive features, like the use of vocal sampling and inaudible sub-bass, allowed dubstep to exhibit its ingenuity during the time period. More specifically, drum patterns were syncopated with a catchy offbeat and a section of the track was dedicated to only the manipulation of bass. As the manipulation of bass and sub-bass became a commonality within tracks of the same nature, it soon became known as the beat-down section. Along with snare and kick, high-hats and cymbals, and synths, the beat-

down section is vital in creating a dubstep track.

Fragments of dubstep originated from producers like EI-B, Steve Gurley, Oris Jay, and Zed Bias in 1999. Ammunition Promotions, who ran Club Forward in southern London, was the first to publicly play dubstep-like music. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that dubstep really evolved from its once obscure state. DJ Hatcha revolutionized the minimal industry for electronic music by mixing reggae-styled dubplates—straight from the new London producers Benga and Skream.

By the summer of 2005, Club Forward began hiring grime DJs, hoping to build on the success of Skream’s grimy anthem “Midnight Request Line”. Noticing the success of dubstep, Radio 1 DJ Mary Anne Hobbs gathered top tracks for a show entitled “Dubstep Warz”.

The show created a global appreciation for dubstep, after years of just being UK underground cultu ture.

From that point on, Baltimore DJ Joe Nice helped ki kickstart its spread to Am America. Dubstep club nig nights began appearing in m major cities like New Yor York, San Francisco, Seattle, Montreal, Housto Houston, and Denver.

Today, dubstep has pprogressed to a point where it is just another genre, no longer retaining its uniqueness among audiophiles. From a simple search on the Web, dubstep remixes and mash-ups can be found on every link. While many may think that hearing the same repetitive drop over and over again gets boring after a while, others still enjoy artists like Skrillex and Deadmau5. djenn@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of IMAGES.WIKIA.COM and PLAYTECHNO.COM

March 2012

FEATURES

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15

Five Crazy Fashion Trends

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

By SARAH QUON Staff Writer

If you think the NBA Finals are huge, then you should also know about March Madness! March Madness is the equivalent of NBA Finals, except it is composed of college basketball teams. It has become one of the most prominent tournaments in the United States, as the games make it on to television on popular channels such as CBS, TBS, and TNT. The competition starts when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) organizes and picks which teams will be able to compete that year. About half of the slots are taken up by teams that were the top teams during their basketball season. The other half of the teams that can compete are handpicked by the Selection Committee, who are appointed by the NCAA based on how they have performed and other criteria. After they have picked the teams, the NCAA then organizes who competes against whom. There are four regions—South, East, West, and Midwest— that each contains 16 teams that compete against each other.

At the end of the first round of games, each 16 team bracket is cut in half into eight teams remaining, and after the second round, the number of teams is cut in half again to four. Since there are only 16 teams remaining, this round is called “Sweet Sixteen.” But as the tournament continues, the number of teams that qualify for the finals is reduced to the “Elite Eight,” and those teams determine which team will go from their region to the semi finals where the “Final Four” compete, and thus, one team rises above all and wins the tournament, with more than 60 teams heading home.

So why watch this basketball tournament? Because of the careful selection of the teams, you will see the most skilled teams competing, and with each game, it becomes more intense and mind blowing.

Not to mention, you will see the potential new NBA stars in action.

As of Mar. 18, the tournament has progressed all the way to the “Sweet Sixteen,” and by Mar. 23, the “Elite Eight” will be finalized. But if you are looking for the A-team to cheer on, the North Carolina Tar Heels is by far one of the most popular teams this year. Other teams that seem to stand out are Michigan State Spartans for head coach Tom Izzo’s performance on the court, Marquette University’s Golden Eagles for their intense defense, Ohio State Buckeyes’ dominating basketball player— Jared Sullinger, and Kentucky University’s Wildcats for its six players who average over nine points a game!

So this month, don’t dunk your chance of missing out on this action packed tournament. Give it a shot, and get your head in the game! squon@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of COSTARIANEWS.COM

Deciding what to wear can be a hard decision, especially when it comes to preparing for an important event or that special date with the cutie from class. If the world of fashion was incorporated into everyone’s lives, would this make it easier or difficult to figure out what to wear? On one hand, everyone would stand out; ld all look on the other, we would quite outrageous! Below are five strange fashion trends that have caught on.

One of the mostt d dreadful fashion trend re since fanny packs are amond, grillz: gold, silver, diamond, orn over one’s or platinum caps worn teeth, either on the top, bottom, or both. With the exception of Paul Wall, a white rapper, this fashion trend is usually worn by African American rappers and have wildly spread to adults, teenagers, and youths across the world. I personally believe that the only purpose of grillz is to show off how much money you have to waste. Newsflash: gold and diamonds belong on the outside of the body, not in your mouth.

What big eyes you have, dear. Circle lenses, also known as big eye contact lenses, are cosmetic contact lenses that make the iris of your eye appear larger. Although they can be quite attractive, this fashion trend can be risky.

If you don’t take care of your circle lenses properly, they can lead to infections and possibly

women (and men!) a chance to spice up their hair when. But if you’re going to go with chicken feathers, go with natural colors, not neon pink and green.

Should we really have a fashion trend that consists of wearing ripped clothing?

Ripped jeans are basically what they’re called; they’re jeans that have been purposely ripped. In spite of common sense, this fashion trend is popular amongst teenagers and young adults. Ripped jeans are often bought for ou outrageous prices close to mall clothing stores such $100 at popular m aas Abercrombie & Fitch.

Why people would pay more for ripped jeans than regular, intact denim jeans is beyo yond me.

After reading “P “Punched Out 3D Glassees”, you may be wondering what they STRANGE FAS FASHION SHION are. And I have to (clockwise from top) Feather Adding tell you, whenever I see people wearvarying pieces extensions, grillz, ripped of decoration ing them, I just jeans, 3D glasses, and circle to your hair lenses can all be seen as crazy want to grab them has recently off. This rapidtrends. become one of growing fashion the mainstream trend involves takfashion trends.

Introduc- ing the 3D glasses from movie theaters, punching feat ather extensions: ing out the lenses, and wearing them like a cute feather an inexp xpensive, but ec- nerdy kid kid. Why? Well, your guess is as good inexpensive, centri ic way to change up as mine. centric your hairstyle.

These pieces are actual chicken feathers, which are attached to jbay@apachepowwow.com the hair with small crimp beads. Available in a Photos courtesy of ETSYSTATIC.COM variety of colors, sizes, and patterns, they give and GILDEMAGAZINE.COM blindness. They can cause eye infections because the lenses are thicker than regular contact lenses, and it reduces oxygen in the eye.

Silly Rabbit, Lucky Charms Are For Everyone

By RITA WANG Staff Writer

March, one of the longest, most dreadful months of the year, has a “little” special holiday that makes it the luckiest month of all—St. Patrick’s Day. Though the day has long passed, the luck of the Irish has not. People around the world constantly vie for any talisman that can somehow trigger a lucky button that bring upon them heaps of abounding fortune. The generic “pot o’ gold” at the end of a rainbow alongside a dandy leprechaun is often what people imagine when clinging to the precious stereotypes of this holiday; however, luck finds itself in wackier forms than this. So while March may remind us that AP season is inching its way here, to many outside our little realm of AHS, March represents the hope for a more auspicious fu-ture as seen in these unique superstitions.

Animals Strangely enough, dolphins aree at the top of the list for one ne of the luckiest animals in historical culture. Seen as just another cute sea animal to us, the dolphin olphin has been a symbol prosperbol of ous times in many ancient societies such as Greece, Gree Egypt, and Rome and also in Native American n culture for years. In the olden times, seeing a dolphin is especially lucky for sailors who are headed home after a long

voyage because spotting these sea creatures swimming around the boat physically confirms sailors that land and home was near. Thus the dolphin is not only a symbol of luck, but also a symbol of safety and protection stemming from the old tradition. n. Ac A According cording to ancient lso considered good folktales, ladybugs are al also luck charms. For thosee who are ill, a ladybug landing on their hand will soon cure

their sickne ess s. sickness.

In alternate versions, if a ladybug lands on your hand, the number of spots on the ladybug indicates the number of future great months ahead to come. Also simply wearing a ladybug necklace in day-to-day life helps brighten someone’s day and free him or her fro from daily distresses.

Wish Makers M Despite the grand gesture of making a wish on o Nov. 11, 2011 at 11:11, there is a much more attainable and common feat that can be achieved to fulfill one’s desires. Pestilent weeds to some homeowners, dandelions are blown for many mythical and wacky reasons. They are as simple as it gets, simply blowing off the seeds

to make a wish. Appealing the romantic side in all of us, puffing off the seeds is similar to peeling off rose petals to the phrase of “He loves me, he loves me not” (all seeds fall in one blow, he loves me; all seeds fall in multiple blows, he loves me not). Dandelions are prevalent in wedding bouquets, often sent as good luck to the newlywed couple.

When exposed in dreams, they symbolize amicable unions, happy memories of childhood, and hope.

Objects As the winner for the wackiest talisman char charm, alligator teeth sure take the bait! Rampant in Africa, alligator teeth are said to bring luck to gamblers of all types. The teeth suppos posedly carry great fortune to winning at card games, slots, racetracks, lottery, and even bingo. But if you just can’t get your hands on these highly-prized teeth, coins will certainly do the trick. As the Western culture knows, picking up a coin face-up is good luck and conversely a coin face-down is bad luck. However, superstitions have gone farther than that; it is said that keeping a jar of coins mixed with basil, almond, rice, cinnamon, and special stones of your choosing in the kitchen is a harbinger for good health and future riches. Additionally some people believe that carrying coins produced in their birth year is also good luck. rwang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM, BLOGSPOT.COM, and MACSCITECH.ORG

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March 2012

March 2012

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Memes Through the Interweb: An Exhibit

By PHOEBE SHEN Staff Writer

A meme, according to Dictionary.com, is “a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.” Similarly, an Internet meme is an idea that spreads through the Internet via brightly colored squares of pixels. The ubiquitous Internet memee is able to make an ordinary situation a humorous story in a way many things cannot. Microsoft Paint pictures and captions are able to convey more about life and school than all the complicated blogs in the world.

Memes are a powerful bonding tool, able to draw people together through the power of laughter.

For instance, memes based off certain groups are able to unite the group thanks to the jokes derived from common experiences the group members share.

Not only can memes unite those with similar interests by highlighting commonalities, they can show a new side to whatever is being made into the meme. These memes based off different AHS groups offer a fresh perspective to each of their respective programs. Did you ever realize that even some of the most outspoken people at school were “Forever Alone” in some way? Or that those who perform in Orchestra with white socks were considered awkward? Memes are a great way to introduce new parts of school life that may not have been visible from the surface.

Many of us may be in groups so unrelated it may be difficult to find similarities at first glance.

However, the power of the Internet meme can give you a close enough look at school life to find that, you all DO have something in common! pshen@apachepowwow.com m Photos to courtesy tos court co ourtesy urttesy sy off LEXY L XY LE XY PANG, PAN AN A NG, ARTGALLERYFRAMES.COM RAMES AMES.COM AME S.COM O an and nd n d MEMEGENERATOR.NET MEMEG ME ME EGENE EGENE ENERAT R OR. RAT OR..N NET NE N ET and graphics ET ap phics hics by

by ALWYNA ALW LWY WYNA A LAU LAU A KAT ATHERI ATH ERI ER E RIIINE R NE E BAY an and d memes m m by PHOEBE SHEN, mem SHE SH S HEN, ANDY AND A AN DY QIN, QIN, N an a d ARIANA A AR RIA R IA ANA NA ARZANI ARZ AR A RZANI AN and KATHERINE and

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18

OPINION

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March 2012

Hallmark Doesn’t Sell Remembrance

By MYA HO Staff Writer

Has it really been another year since I’ve sat in this booth—since I’ve watched through the dim lighting as our waitress lays down a slab of bread on a knife alongside the butter?

It feels like just yesterday that I opened this menu to the all-too-familiar selection of steaks and ribs, posed in all their succulent glory in the pictures. A salad is run to the table in front of us, and a top sirloin steak to the table behind us. Together, my mom, brother, and I sit in remembrance of my grandfather, who favored Outback Steakhouse above all other restaurants. When asked if we are ready to order, we tell the teenage girl with her pen and pad that we want a big plate of prime ribs, of course, because that was Grandpa’s favorite.

Every year on Feb. 28, since the day cancer took Grandpa away, this small act—ordering ribs in a restaurant we would not usually eat at—helps us remember the man who had meant everything to us. By this, he will never truly be lost.

Naturally, upon the passing of a loved one, a striking fear of the possibility of forgetting leads us to do everything in our power to remember. I know that I will not ever, even without annually eating a plate of ribs, forget the time spent with Grandpa bird-watching

atop the roof of his house in the countryside, but the fear still lingers. Somehow in some way, doing things because of him and for him effectively makes me, along with my mother and brother, feel as though he is right here with us because the memories are so strong.

An almost tangible feeling of nostalgia takes over as I sit in the booth of Outback Steakhouse, gnawing on a rib for or the man I’d spent my childhood days with. It seems silly all at once. Should I be ashamed to feel so strongly because that meant I had not felt this way all year long, or should I be ashamed to think that in doing this menial act, it might restore something—anything?

We have saved all the receipts from every year we go— why? We order the same meal every time, and recite the same old stories and memories that we remember all too well—why? If we go through this same ritual every year, does it really aid us in not forgetting, or does it instead just make us feel as though he is watching and it would make him happy to know? No matter the answers, the only answer we need is that it feels right. Remembrance of someone you love is simply that simple, and though we may

Majoring in Indecision

By HELEN CHOU Staff Writer

Children are often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Coming from five-year-olds, the responses tend to be along the lines of “astronaut”, “cowboy”, or maybe “Superman”, which is probably why adults, at least at that age, ask only for the mere hilarity of the replies. Now, over a decade later, the responses are a bit more serious, and so is the asking.

Parents, teachers, coaches—even complete strangers—want to know what you plan on doing for the rest of your life, and expect a legitimate, thoughtful answer. While I understand that this is a crucial turning point for seniors who have just gone through the college admission process and have spent countless hours deciding on majors and careers, I can’t help but wonder if perhaps those decisions have been made too much in haste. After all, we are still in our teens; how can we be expected to know what we want to do for the rest of our lives?

No doubt there are exceptions: there are certainly people who know for sure what they want to do with their lives and have a road map planned out in excruciating detail to achieve that goal. But if you’re anything like me, I have my doubts. I may be sure that I want to pursue medicine, but that is my 18-year-old self speaking with limited experience. I haven’t seen or experienced enough to make an educated decision. Yet marking “undecided” as a major on those applications seems to be looked down upon by many adults. Most of us are undecided, but we’re just too afraid to admit it. How can we be fully certain of the path we’re heading down? Isn’t that what college is for anyway—to figure out where we want to be? What’s the point of deciding now?

Even colleges seem to be aware of this. Schools like Princeton ask their students to pick a major at the end of sophomore year, so essentially every incoming freshman comes in undecided. I have often wondered why more schools don’t do this; doing so allows students to have at least gained some college experience in a variety of courses which will help them make a more informed decision. Waiting a while to pick a major is more convenient than coming in with one and changing it along the way. The threat of not being able to graduate on time is not an issue with the former case. Regardless, at least every school allows their students to change their majors, which indicates that they understand if interests change. People change as well; what we enjoy now may be different from four, five, ten years from now.

The moral of the story is that if you are one of those undecided people, do not panic. You are not alone; I am willing to bet that most people don’t know either but just don’t have the guts to proclaim it on paper. And for those who are unable to escape the pressure from parents, remember that they are simply keeping your best interests in mind. Often, keeping a middle ground when it comes to these situations is the best way to go—respect their wishes, but don’t sell yourself short either. In the end, it’s okay to enjoy the present and keep your mind open to options. After all, we are still young; who knows, perhaps being undecided may be a blessing in disguise. hchou@apachepowwow.com

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act in ways that we think help us to remember them more, it is impossible to forget.

At the age of 75, an old man hobbles through the brightly lit, pink and red Hallmark aisle in CVS. He spends an hour fingering t and putting it back into each card, reading it, its place.

H He goes through all of the ones la-

CHERISHED MEMORIES Loved ones may be lost, but they’ll always live on in our hearts. beled “To My Wife”, and unsatisfied until he finds the perfect card, rereads them all again.

As he finally settles on one, he goes to buy her favorite flowers—yellow daisies—and lets the florist keep the change. It’s Valentine’s Day, and he can’t wait to give these gifts to his love-

ly wife. He drives through the big metal gates, slows his speed down to five mph, and respectfully winds his way through the cemetery until he reaches the familiar place. Upon her tombstone he lays the card and the flowers, and tells her that he loves her. The old man has done this every year since the day his wife passed away. However, even when the day comes tha that the old man is too fra frail to get out of bed to deliver his annual ppresents to his wife, it is not as if he is destined to forget her. She will never be a lost loved one to him, only a loved one.

In the same way that this man lays flowers on his wife’s grave, my family eats at Grandpa’s favorite restaurant. It makes no difference though as to what we do or if we do anything at all, because one cannot simply erase memories so engraved in our hearts. Death leaves a wound that may never heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can ever steal. mho@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of TRAVELDK.COM and SIMONBALDWIN.COM

Beyond the Headlines

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

“Sunday Times Journalist Killed in Homs”—it’s a bleak and brutal headline, but to most of us, that’s all it is. It’s a headline, a piece of news, just another thing that happened in the world.

But Ms. Marie Colvin Colvin’ss death was not st another occurrence. Her articles were not just st news stories.

She was stationed just in Syria to cover the resistance movement ovement there, living with ith refugees and writg about their brutal living ing g conditions. She wrote harrowing arrowing accounts of their struggles ruggles so that they could bee broadcast to the outside world. orld. She died in a bombing g of the city of Homs, along ong with French photojournalist urnalist Mr. Remi Ochlik and nd countless Syrian civilians.

I’ve always thought of foreign gn correspondents as having dangerous erous and noble jobs, but the deaths off Ms. Colvin and Mr. Ochlik, as well ell as Ms. Colvin’s final report, opened pened my eyes to their selflessness and nd our own ignorance and naivete.

We all the W ll say we wantt tto change h th world, but are we all willing to put our lives on the line to tell another person’s story? Are we all even aware of what needs to be changed? In our safe little bubbles, it’s so easy to dismiss every day’s news as just things that happen in the world.

Just look at recent happenings on the Internet. We all linked each other to websites that were blacked out during the SOPA protest, but how many of us actually called our

Congressional representatives or knew the details of the bill? Everyone on Facebook was eager to click “share” and spread the Kony 2012 video, but do we really know the complexity of the situation? Many of us can’t even find Uganda on a map. Sure, spreading the word is important. Awareness is important.

But beyond awareness is understanding, and beyond that, action. that it’s not What Ms. Colvin taught me is th enough to scan the headlines and gath gather information from there. It’s not enough tto share a video on Facebook and expect to sto stop crimes our age, we against humanity. I know that at ou seem powerless. But there is more we can do than read headlines. We don’t have to travel to the war zone, but we can at least read tthe entire news article. We can educate ourselves beyond minimaleffort attempts to understand. un We can adopt the work ethic and dedication of Ms. Col Colvin, who persisted in reporting far from home, in shell-shocked ccities and dismal conditions in purs pursuit of the real story, the real injustice injustice.

I only read one article by Ms. article, and it Colvin. It was her final artic spoke volumes beyond its headline.

It was more than a “Final dispatch ffrom H Homs”; ” it was a window i d into a torn-apart nation, and a portrait of Ms. Colvin’s own life—a life spent seeing things worth changing, and doing the utmost in hopes of creating that change. It was yet another reminder of the world outside this safe comfort zone, and this time, I won’t forget.

Thank you, Ms. Colvin, and Godspeed. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of BLOGS.TRIBUNE.COM

March 2012

OPINION 19

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I Hate You, But I’ll Keep Reading

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

Every once in a while, since reading Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights in Sophomore English, I have a mildly heated debate with a classmate over which book is better.

Regardless of the stance taken (for the record: Wuthering Heights all the way), I noticed a common argument against both books—the characters.

Jane, as I’ve noted numerous times, is annoyingly good and self-pitying. My classmates have countered again and again with the fact that (and I acknowledge this) nearly every character in Wuthering Heights can reasonably be considered a horrible person.

Characters are integral to any good story, so naturally, they are one of the first things we look at when

we evaluate a book. All the other complaints I’ve heard about literature also revolve around some intense dislike of a character. Othello’s Iago is plain evil. Romeo and Juliet’s titular teenagers are naive and melodramatic. The Catcher in the Rye’s Holden Caulfield is pretentious and whiny.

But I reject the notion that a book’s characters need to be likable people for the book to be good or enjoyable. Sure, we can have the unquestionably good and pure like Harry Potter, or the charming and witty like Elizabeth Bennet, and characters like these that certainly make a story worthwhile. But sometimes, the quality of literature takes more than an agreeable personality. Sometimes in literature, we need the personalities that we would rather not meet in real re life, the characters we criticize and question. After all, we’ve been learning that authors don’t write books just for fo the sake of telling a story. Like any an other part of the story, characters aren’t created to be liked on a charac a ters aren shallow level. They’re created to reflect some sort of truth—and if you look

A DOSE OF REALITY Umbridge may be hard to love, but she’s worth a try. around, you’ll find that Shakespeare and Salinger go got it right. What teenager lo doesn’t lament lovesickness the way Romeo does? And though Holden is e endlessly dissatisfied and th thinks he knows what he’s ttalking about, we can all iidentify some part of oursselves in him. That’s why

The Catcher in the Rye is so beloved. People read it, were duly irked by Holden, and understood something about youth because of it.

Sometimes what makes good characters likable is, in fact, their unlikable parts.

These are the characteristics that make them feel real, human, to us, and it’s their realness that brings a compelling story to life. I’m sure we’re all familiar with someone as blatantly condescending as Dolores Umbridge, that Harry Potter professor who is as pernicious as she is sickeningly sweet. Despite how infuriating she is, she is also infuriatingly wellwritten—it takes a great deal of storytelling quality to anger a reader. Umbridge is the prime example of a character so unlikable that she keeps readers going.

Of course there are badly written characters—unrealistic ones, uninteresting ones, or perhaps characters that serve no purpose.

But merely not liking a character shouldn’t be enough to destroy a reading experience.

Books do much more than please. They inform and enlighten—and sometimes, it’s not pleasant. But we need to encounter these unpleasant characters to truly understand the idea that fiction reflects reality. And reality is far from pleasant.

So though I remain loyally and firmly devoted to the horrible people of Wuthering Heights, I will admit that, whiny Jane aside, Jane Eyre is equal in quality and literary merit. I’ll never like Jane (and I won’t expect anyone to like Catherine or Heathcliff) but I can recognize her importance, and if that’s enough to tell a story, that’s enough for me. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of HPEARTH.COM

Ready to Make Way For Furlough Days

By VANESSA YU Staff Writer

Without a doubt, this school year wins the award for the most furlough days and three-day weekends, all thanks to the recent budget cuts. Not surprisingly, we students welcome this change with eager arms as each new mini vacation invites more nights spent playing Angry Birds or watching reruns of The Voice. And as always, homework is left neglected until the last few hours. However, as we lie on our couches, snacking ing on our oily chips and surfing on our laptops, something big is fading from our lives, something important that’s getting snatched away by those long weekends— right under our watch.

It’s our work habits, the set of rules inside us all that keep us motivated and focused. The consequences grow larger with these new ew breaks as they take a toll on our work ork habits. Already in the beginning of the second semester, I feel lost in the whir whirlwind wh hir irlw l ind lw of assignments that just add to a growing pile. The constant breaks have left ft me feeling unfocused and too ‘free’, just getting by in school until the next long weekend. nd. I mean, why wait to finish that English project on Saturday if you can still do it Monday, day, right?

These weekends have a negative effect ffect on us and it’s only going to get worse as time goes

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on. Rather than give us more time to do work, they give us more time to not do it and to procrastinate until the last minute. These breaks come with good intentions, but the only thing they accomplish is giving more opportunities for our bad habits to grow.

It’s not even about the length of the breaks and whether three-day weekends hurt more than four-day weekends. It’s about how many breaks we have—in one month. And if you add them all up, they become a pretty impressive number. Just that number can wreck our hopes because if we let up our attitude and internal self-discipline, it’ll seem like a threemile run to catch up to our goals.

It’s inevitable and unavoidable to feel a little lazy.

You could say that we’re just not teenagers without that trait. It’s like that famous quote from the movie Spider-Man—“With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Every single little break that

we get supplies us with power. Power to just sit in front of the TV the whole day. Power to go out and shop with your friends. Power to deflate your grades. It’s our responsibility to keep up our grades and we need to learn to balance the two sides of our lives: breaks, associated with fun, and school, associated with our academic grades. We are the ones with the power to do what we want with those breaks, whether to exploit them for good or bad. And there’s never a better time than to start now. It doesn’t matter what grade you’re presently in because next year, the stakes will be higher.

The seniors will be going to college, juniors to seniors, and so on. Every year, the classes become more challenging. But we can change that; we have the power to.

The breaks may seem to have their perks, but don’t be misled; there are harmful side effects that won’t hesitate to take action if we start to let down our guard down. Procrastination and laziness are built over time and can leave a sizable dent in our grades, and really, everything we do. We already made it through first semester; don’t lose focus and determination when we’re so close to finishing the school year! vanyu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of MOXIEFABWORLD.COM

DAYS OFF Though breaks are a breath of fresh air, let’s stay grounded.

It’s All About Linning

By HELEN LEE Staff Writer

“He grabs the ball, he takes a jump, he takes a shot, and the ball goes in the hoop once again. Oh no. This can’t be happening. This is his 28th point for this game. He is just an amazing player. I don’t know where he was all this time,” hollered the sports commentator with awe on his face. Every time I hear these words praising Jeremy Lin, my heart beats faster and faster and I just can’t help feeling proud to be an Asian American.

Within a couple of weeks, Lin has been in the spotlight for his phenomenal basketball scores…or at least that is what I thought at first. ESPN had its “chink in the armor” pun, and Greg Kelly, a FOX anchor, asked, “What about his eyes?” Sure the idiom “chink in armor” means that the person has a few weak points, but the pun was intended to point out his “chinky” eyes. As I heard these comments, I realized that the NBA was not only shocked about his skills, but also about his race.

There is the common stereotype of Asians: good at math and bad at sports. At first, no team owners wanted Lin on their teams because, except for Yao Ming, there had not been any Asian basketball players that had stood out before. People assumed that the stereotype was true. Therefore, not many people expected an Asian player to score so many points. Yet when Lin showed up, the stereotype was proven wrong. But even when he scored one of the highest number of points in NBA history, viewers were only interested in his background.

Even before Lin was drafted into the NBA, there were Asian celebrities who also didn’t get the credit they deserved because of Asian stereotypes. Celebrities like actress Sandra Oh from Grey’s Anatomy and designer Vera Wang, were given the spotlight for breaking the stereotype that all Asian Americans speak with an accent or that they do not have a good sense of style. They were the ones who broke these stereotypes and that is exactly what Lin has done with basketball stereotypes.

For many, his phenomenal rise to stardom as an Asian American is still an amusement, but now, people should accept the fact that he is Asian and focus more on his skills instead.

It is quite natural for us to be surprised when someone is better than what we expected, and oftentimes, it is normal to be a little shocked that an Asian American scored so many points in basketball.

The problem comes in when people keep mentioning the fact that he is Asian American, and the scores become hidden under his race. Oftentimes, because our standards are too low, or stereotypes are too ingrained in our natures, we begin to focus not on people’s skills but on their race, gender, appearance. Let’s let Linsanity Linspire us all as Americans. hlee@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of WORLDPRESS.COM

20

OPINION

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March 2012

“Being Nice”: No Longer the Policy

By RENA CHEN Staff Writer

Wandering around Berkeley, Pasadena, and the freeway in general, I was always met with the same problem: what should I do about those hitch-hikers and people in obvious need of donations? When they look over to the car I’m in or directly at me when I walk past, there’s an incredible urge to empty my wallet (on the rare occasion I have change) into their cans. As for hitchhikers, I am fortunate to have not gotten a driver’s license, or else every time I pass by an outstretched thumb, my mind would linger on that encounter and cause the vehicle to land somewhere beneath a bridge.

Much guilt has accumulated over the years. I think of the people I have ignored, what happens to them, what they think of us, the middle class that passes by in our Toyotas, leaving behind only banana peels and plastic bags.

Even under that pressure, though, we’ve managed to ignore the needy. Is the world really declining in kindness? It seems that way; however, there are reasons for our tendency to ignore (other than simply not wanting to bother) that make our kindness seem like the perfect self-destruct button.

One of the reasons for this, according to my mom, is that the people on the streets have already “thrown away their life.” Crippled or elderly people have more reason to be supported, but people that are able to work should work, not beg—reasoning I wasn’t able to come up with due to my susceptibility to pathos. My

mom especially emphasized their ability to for road repairs, though there have been reports speak fluent English, her inability to do so, and of him not actually following through with the how pathetic they are for having this advan- promise. Likewise, we don’t know what kind tage and yet failing while she thrived. Again, I of people are asking for our money. Are they didn’t consider this, being too caught in a world pretending? It’s possible they could be wellwhere people rage off, and, moneyat not hearing driven, found “bless you” after ways to finagle us a sneeze. That’s out of our money. probably what Even more makes us so gulldeceptive are ible; still in the those who kidnap shelter of high children, maim school, we have them, and then basked mostly in leave them on the the kindness and streets to collect safety of our peers money, which the and worried more captors later take about education away. It happens than the harsher in China (yes, I side of survival. somehow tend to Other reabe more acquaintsons, as told by ed with news from my relatives, that country) and are that beggars THE DEMISE OF KINDNESS As ala little in India, might be only ways, finding middle ground when it comes to though it’s likely putting on an these things hapcharity is most prudent. image or using pen worldwide. I criminal methods to gain money. An example saw a report of an eight-year-old girl taken to of this are the farmers in Henan, China, who “learn acrobatics”, but was instead forced to pretend to be beggars after their work is done in beg on the streets, returning home after three order to gain free food. I don’t know the details years with clumps of hair missing, scars, and of those tactics, but I did see on the news an in- emotional trauma. Under these circumstances, cident where the head of the village committee it’s almost ludicrous to donate since it’s in no in Henan went on the streets to beg for money way benefiting the child, but promoting the

abuser. But identifying the real from the fake is difficult, and after hearing about this, I’ve resolved to harden myself against these beggars.

It seems cold-hearted, doesn’t it? And it’s improbable such a crime would happen so close to us; but we have to consider America’s crime rate and the many reports of family members killing each other, psychopaths shooting bystanders, and thieves stealing jarfuls of pennies (which has happened to my relatives). We realize we aren’t as safe as we believed ourselves to be, and our initial kindness in wanting to help the street-dwellers is, in fact, a weakness.

It’s a pity we have to grow out of our naivety of wanting to help the suspicious, needy people holding their cans out to us. We may be helping the wrong people, letting our hardearned money slip away, and making ourselves fatally vulnerable, and we wouldn’t even know it. It’s an important survival skill, ignoring them, and even if we had the heart to help them, it’s impossible to help every stranger we meet. Now that we can’t openly express kindness on the streets, we’re left to work behind an organization or donate behind a computer screen. And yet at moments I still think, well, those strangers with those tin cans might not be murderers or kidnappers. Should I help them?

Should I not? Kindness is seeping away, unfortunately. Extending charity once or twice should be okay, but it’s not a habit we should adopt. rchen@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of SHESAWAKE.COM

It was the 5th period programming assembly, a scene that consisted of the counselors attempting to motivate us, lethargic and inattentive students, of graduation requirements and prerequisites. Then suddenly out of the middle of “Rising C Average” and CSF applications, a new PowerPoint slide, one emblazoned in highlighter yellow, popped onto the screen. “Colleges will be checking your Facebook for admissions!” it blared.

And suddenly, everyone’s minds in the Lecture Hall started racing with thoughts of our last statuses, comments, and likes. Did I upload any profanity-filled videos? Did I use an innuendo in that comment I wrote under so-and-so’s status? What kind of pictures am I tagged in? We’re suddenly reminded that we have an online footprint of ourselves that govern our personalities. And that, with Facebook, Google, and YouTube attempting to squeeze more information out of their users for more accurate advertising nowadays, we might have to be more wary of where we step.

Logging online and just writing a couple of comments can be like leaving a trail of footprints for colleges or any stalkers. It can reveal your regular online times, interests, sleeping habits, procrastination tendencies, and everything in between. Have you noticed how pop-ups sometimes inform you of an “Arcadian” (or wherever you live) mom making $450 per day online? Or of a new “restaurant opening” somewhere in—oh how coincidental—your own city? IP addresses are used to advertise to consumers, and they can also be used to track down people’s locations.

Hackers can even watch through others’ webcams as well. Last year’s Tyler Clementi webcam incident captured the cruel intrusion of privacy into people’s lives. He was caught in an intimate moment with another man, which outed him as a homosexual. When you think colleges coming across your planking photos was embarrassing, try having someone else declare your deepest secrets to the world.

Of course, this may drive some teens to just log off and erase any trace of their existence from the Internet. Less Facebook and Twitter time has always improved productivity. There would also be less embarrassing photos, three-hour long IM chats, and awkward online situations. Colleges and other people would see a very clean-cut, well-behaved student profile. However, the other side of this is that there’s no means of selfexpression and exploration of interests. Socializing with friends online can help interaction with them at school or work. Colleges might actually just see a very boring student with no social life and outside passions. Then how can someone balance the levels between appropriateness and social appeal? There must be another way…

If the trails of footprints that we leave online are clean, then perhaps we should just keep walking at our normal paces. Think of the Internet as a home (of a couple billion, judgmental people) where you must wipe your muddy feet outside before you can come in. Some have found the adage “Don’t say anything you won’t want your grandma to see” has helped them keep it PG on Facebook. Perhaps the constant reminder that a college administrator will be judging your timeline or profile picture may keep people in line online. Their looming presence could be a reminder for you to keep your tracks clean.

Goodbye secret haven that we once could vent out our frustrations on. The Internet is known for connecting people’s lives, yet people don’t realize how much of their life is actually revealed when they fill out the little “About Me” page or simply, log in. Yet then again, some people are just so paranoid that their “online self” doesn’t exist at all. They may erase their search history, never sign up on websites, which makes them very secure, but also oblivious to the world. There’s always the possibility of someone finding our half-delirious tweets, secret crush on Justin Bieber, or tabloid articles we’ve read. The only excuse we can use to defend our embarrassment, is that—hey, we’re all human. And that’s even when we’re online. stang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of DIGITALPOINT.COM

21

PERFORMING ARTS

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March 2012

Dancing Queens: Shining a Light on Orchesis Dance Company

By VANESSA YU Staff Writer

Dance. To most students at AHS, the word holds no special meaning. But to members of Orchesis Dance Company (ODC), it evokes a powerful mixture of emotions that touches the heart: happiness, pride, and passion. Throughout the school year, this elite group of dancers has performed at the highest standard at various school assemblies, and has even hosted its own annual Charity Dance Show last December.

Senior Esther Chuang described how “every time Orchesis has a show, we always try our best. Having a show is very time-consuming, but in the end, it’s very rewarding [to see] the audience’s reactions.” And ODC certainly did leave a lasting impression on its viewers at the Charity Dance Show, where the objective was to raise money for a good cause. This year, the charity Child Haven was selected as the receivers of the donation which was half of the proceeds. During the show, various professional dance companies from all around, presented diverse performances that shone in its own unique way, ranging from ballet to hip hop and from contemporary jazz to Bollywood, enabling audiences to see all forms of dance performed at its best. Vice President senior Veronica Yu described how the “charity show was the same show everyone was excited for. Being able to see professional companies perform something different every year is an inspiration!” Junior Lauren Kime elaborated on how the show had “sold out and was really exciting! We all worked really hard to make the show spectacular, and it paid off. It gave us new members a small taste of what our big spring show in April will be like.”

Speaking of the upcoming performance, ODC members have been anticipating their new show, Obsession, from the beginning of the year as the choreography is more intricate and difficult than previous shows, allowing the members to showcase their astounding talent and dancing abilities. For some members, Obsession will be the end of their first thrilling year in ODC; but for others, it may signify the closing curtain of their dancing career. Veronica described how it is her “last show before [she] graduates and it’s the perfect one to show everybody [her] passion for dancing. There were struggles, but we had to overcome them, and all our hard work is about to be paid off. We’re only going to get better from here on out.”

And through the hardships and struggles members endured and conquered together, through all the shows and constant rehearsals that physically and emotionally tired—they have only brought the members of ODC closer to each other than before, strengthening old bonds and making new friendships that will last far longer than their time in high school. President senior Bella Muljana explained how “Orchesis has come so far this year. When we first performed at Homecoming, you could see there was a huge gap between the newcomers and returners in level of dance. [However], it’s paid off now because we finally look and perform like a team.” Lauren commented on lly hard together,, which how she “definitely [feels] Orchesis is more of a family than a class. We work really helps us bond—that’s what makes us become more than just a company or class.”

vanyu@apachepowwow.com Graphics Gra aphi ph h cs courtesy of MEDIABISTRO.COM and AMERICASWILDLIFE.ORG Photos courtesy of ODC

Nowhere to Go but Up: Orchestra’s Vertical Concert

By ALBERT HU Staff Writer

As the new Performing Arts (PA) Center nears completion, it’s time for many PA groups at AHS to say goodbye to a familiar place: the Pasadena High School (PHS) auditorium.

For as long as anyone can remember, both Band and Orchestra have held their concerts yearly at this venue, but they’re eagerly looking forward to moving out and coming home.

However, there’s still work to be done at PHS before we can truly part ways. Band’s Vertical Concert was Mar. 1, and it was a finale to make AHS proud.

As senior drum major Joel Chen put it, “we’ve had a good run at PHS, but it’s time to move on and start a new era.”

Though many PA members have become attached to the musty walls and creaky chairs of the PHS auditorium, others are excited for the future at the brand new PA Center to be located on our very own campus.

Senior Kaitlyn Forell gushed about the chance to perform “in front of our own wn crowd, on our own turf,” and said d

she’ll hardly miss the old auditorium of PHS. Band’s last performance at PHS, just like many others, is one to be remembered.

But Orchestra still wasn’t done. Its Vertical Concert was Mar. 28, and members practiced hard to prepare for their last performance at PHS. Some, like senior

Ivana Ro, have performed in the PHS auditorium since their middle school orchestra days.

As Ivana put it, “I’ll miss the old auditorium of PHS, it’s like an old friend. But we’re all excited to see the brand new PA Center, and I can’t wait to come back and see a performance.”

The directors had a special set planned for this concert, which ended with Haydn’s famous “Symphony 45”, also known as the farewell symphony. In its original performance, the musicians would all stand up and leave as soon as their parts ended, eventually leaving the crowd with just a duet on stage.

Though the size of AHS’ full symphony Orchestra made this impossible, the sentiment is still there; it’s a true farewell to Pasadena, and a welcome hello to coming home. ahu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of ARTHURSCLIPART.ORG, and MUSINIQUE.COM

March 2012

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PERFORMING ARTS

22

Lady Luck, Meet Lady PA

By KELLY CHING Staff Writer

Everyone has their own unusual ritual or routine to follow for the day or before an important event.

Actor Hugh Jackman lifts weights mieres to rebefore attending movie premieres lieve his stress for the huge event.

Right before a concert or performance, singer/ songwriter Taylor Swift draws her lucky number, 13,, on her hand to symy bolize luck for her band as she huddles and chants with them.

Just like these celebri-ties, Performing Arts (PA A) (PA) groups at AHS have th their heir very own good luck ch harms charms beffore it’s and rituals to carry out before time to perform or compete. te.

For the past two years, Colorguard member sopho-

more Nicole Wei has experienced many rituals for the two different competitive seasons.

During the fall field show season, Colorguard participates in chants in a huddled group right before performances. As the team transitioned from the fall to Winterguard season, “rituals that used to include the entire team became more intimate rituals with close friends,” she said. “For me, I love making up handshakes with certain members and getting to m do them right before we go on at a show.”

Advanced Drama Department (ADD) member sophomore Liam Swan described ADD’s ritual as a “great way to get rid of ne nerves right before a perform formance.” The PA group’s routine involves “a huge circle m made up of all 40 or so cast members, with each person giving a short speech about their hopes for the night and what their past experiences have helped them progress toward.”

Bow Chicka Pow Wow

By EMILIE WANG Staff Writer

There are three minutes until the curtains go up, and it’s complete chaos backstage. All of Chanteur’s hard practice in the last few months boils down to this moment on stage. “When the curtains come up, you can barely see the audience or [even] hear yourself sing; it sounds like you’re the only person singing,” said junior Jocelyn Liu. On Mar. 16 at the San Gabriel Playhouse, Chanteurs and New Spirit performed their annual Pow Wow Invitational. New Spirit and Chanteurs both had separate themes for the show. New Spirit’s theme was Alice in Wonderland, while Chanteurs was moon themed.

New Spirit members were dressed up as Alice in Wonderland characters for the first three songs of the show. The characters included Alice, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, the Red Queen, Cheshire Cat, the bunny, the White Queen, servants, and flowers. Before the fourth song, there was a costume change where everyone changed from their costumes into Alice dresses. Everyone wore a different colored dress except for the original Alice who stayed in the blue dress. With the girls wearing black dresses and the guys wearing leather jackets, black T-shirts, studded bracelets, and shiny dance shoes, Chanteurs members looked extremely confident on the stage. Throughout the show, they performed the songs “Bad Moon Rising”, “Moon Dance”, “Sister Moon”, “Not While I’m Around”, and “You and the Night”.

Halfway through the show, there was a costume change. The girls changed into red dresses with black tulle and the guys changed into yellow/ red dress shirts. They blew away the crowd with their perfect notes and bold voices, made perfect by the many, many hours spent rehearsing. “We got a lot of stuff done [during rehearsals]! We cleaned up our choreography and just performed our show over and over again. They bring us closer because we spend so much time together,” said President senior Cathy Lee.

Chanteurs members were so dedicated to putting on a good performance that they once practiced their choreography at a tennis court because the choir room was locked. “Practices are very intense, but we always try our best.

[We] try to practice [as if we were] on stage.

Rehearsals can be very fun and sometimes we aren’t very concentrated but it is okay because all of our hard work pays off at the end!”said sophomore Christina Kitamikado.

The 2012 Pow Wow Invatational was the last for the class of 2012. For these seniors, the annual Pow Wow holds many great memories and experiences for them. “My favorite [thing] about Pow Wow is getting to perform without the stress of a score-sheet. Because Chanteurs and New Spirit hosted Pow Wow, we didn’t compete. We were able to just have fun on the stage!” said senior Raphael Yang, “sometimes competitions get in the way of what performing is all about, so I’m glad we have this unique opportunity every year.” “My favorite memory about Pow Wow was when I was given the opportunity to present some trophies to the winning schools. Ever since freshman year, I’ve watched past presidents and vice presidents present the awards to different groups, and this year I did it, and it was one of the best parts of the night,” Vice President senior Janise Qin revealed. She added, “The past and current members of New Spirit have definitely inspired me to be a better person and a better singer. The girls are like a second family to me.” For senior Luther Chen, his most memorable time was “being a host, and getting to know Hart High School’s amazing show choir that grabbed first place and getting to know co-host Jazmin Chan! Also, while singing our ballad in the warm-up room and I finally felt a sense of possession that the ballad was “ours” after we sung it since we sung it [so] well and passionately.” ewang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of ONCOURSESYSTEMS.COM

These rituals are held as a perevery time ADD has ally last formance and usually about 40 minutes, with the ght’s last performance night’s ritual lasting aboutt 90 minutes.

Huddling and circles are common among pre-per-formance rituals, as mNew Chanteurs memang ber junior Christy Tang oup’s described her PA group’s ng the rouspecial habit. Keeping d traditiontine short, sweet, and me before a al, she said, “every time show, we circle up and hold hands.

Then, we send a squeeze of the hand around until it has passed through everyone.”

As a Pep Squad member since freshman year, Pep Flags Captain senior Darlene Diep is prepared for the many performances in front of her AHS audience. With the team, she said that they “always write ‘no drops’ on [their] inner wrist or arm with the hopes that none of [them] drop during the performance!” Just to make sure that the ritual is for the Flag

team’s knowledgee only, the “writingg is hidden under rneath the longunderneath slee eved outfits,” she sleeved commented.

Although PA members vary in talents, sskills, and qualities ti ies they exemplify as th they hey perform, one thing re remains emains the same: every oone ne of them has some me ethod of handling method the jitters before a show.

Hand-shaking Hand-shaking, chanting, huddling, and hugging aare just a few of the many methods PA members use as they prepare for whatever stage they are to perform on next. kching@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of ABCTEACH.COM, CLKER.COM, and WORDANS.COM

Injuries in the PA Arts

By AMANDA HUYNH Staff Writer

We’ve all had our share of painful paper cuts or embarrassing trips on banana peels, but when you’re in a Performing Arts (PA) group, the word “injury” is taken to a whole different level.

Spraining an ankle during a rigorous ng a finger dance routine or breaking while practicing flag tossess can quickore than just ly turn into something more a simple injury; it can be the difference between a gold orr silver trophy.

Here are some PA members who have taken their share of damage during practice. dnesday “It was a Wednesday night rehearsal, and it was reflee up in ally windy. I tossed a rifl wards so I stepped the air and it went backwards back. Behind me was Brian, who was tossing too, and his rifle dropped right top of my head.

I got five staples, [but] it was all good after that. There was actually a parade d that the day after I got injured rm m I really wanted to perform y in so I checked with my doctor and he said I wass okay to do anything nott or too intense. I wasn’t out fo for k ks too long; it took two weeks ff ff, for the staples to come off, o but I could still do a lot of things.” g, –Catherine Huang, 10, Colorguard o om“The day before a comoiice be bepetition I had lost my voice cause I was sick and I had also overworked my voice during practice. I thought that I would be in trouble because I had a solo

to perform, but somehow it ended up being okay.”

–Eugene Hui, 12, Chanteurs “I dislocated my kneecap during dance auditions because someone stepped on the back of my leg during the dance [which] made my leg crooked and my knee popped out of its socket. I had to go to the ER. [It] wasn’t the first time I’ve dislocated my knee, sso I [kind of] knew what tto expect I guess. I wore a huge brace around school for two months.”

–Cassie Nickles, 11, A Advanced Drama Departme ment “I was a gymnast up till my middle school ye years, so my back has been pretty worn. I had a really demanding show during the field sseason; my back problems started up right after A AFOB. I was told to take a month off of Colorgua Colorguard, but with [the] season starting up, I tried to go back after two weeks.

Because my muscles were not ready to function properly yet, my back gave out [and was] worse than ever. ever Thatt time around, I had to miss some days of school [and compet t petitions] to recover, [and] I m made trips to the acupunctu u turist as well as the physical th h therapist.”

–Anna Miyajima, 11, Colorg g Colorguard These injuries are just m minor setbacks to performeers, inspiring them to work eeven harder after they’ve rrecovered. ahuynh@apachepowwow.com h Graphics courtesy of KIDCLIPART.COM MY-FREE-VECTOR-ART.COM

23

PERFORMING ARTS

apachepowwow.com

March 2012

The Great Arcadian Musical: ADD’s Rendition of Oklahoma!

By PHOEBE SHEN Staff Writer

The Leads of Oklahoma!

el Rousset Jr Gabriel Jr. (GR) plays Curly M McLain in Advanced Drama Department’s (ADD) production of Oklahoma!, while Ariana Raygoza (AR) plays Laurey Williams.

What’s it like being the lead in a legendary play like Oklahoma!?

GR: At the end of the day you need to step back and say “All these other people have done it this way, but how is Gabriel Rousset Jr. going to do it? What is your interpretation? What do you see? In this script, how are you going to make your character?” It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m going to make it my own.

AR: There is definitely some pressure in doing the “Great American Musical.” Since it’s such a well known musical, we are really looking to doing the show justice, even to those audience members who will be singing along! But we still want to put our own little ADD twist in it.

What’s your favorite part of the musical?

GR: If you go watch the musical, the first twenty minutes are very fun because it’s all me (laughs). I like the beginning. My favorite part of the musical is that there are a lot of themes in it; it’s not just a simple story. So my favorite part would be the beginning because it’s very fun to perform.

AR: This is hard cause I really do like a lot of this show, but my favorite part would probably have to be when the whole ensemble sings “Oklahoma!”. We all come together when we sing this song and it shows the audience that we really are one big family and we love what we do! I always enjoy the unexpected moments that really take the plot in various directions.

How’s the musical special for you because you are a senior, and because it is going to be the last performance in the Little Theater?

GR: It’s bittersweet. It’s sweet because we’re the last people who are going to rock the Little Theater, but it’s bitter because if it was only a year later we would’ve been in the big theater. Having the lead in such a famous musical and being able to grow as an artist, there’s no way it could have been better. I’m just so happy that I’m able to work with all these people and really just knock out the last year this Little Theater’s got. So I’m honored by that and I want to do it justice.

AR: This play is very special to us, especially since the cast has become so close, I couldn’t ask for an any better cast to perform Oklahoma! with. A lot of the cast consists of seniors, and we are honored to be the last ones finishing off the Little Theater’s run. This production means so much to us, and we’re going to put out everything we have ever worked for on that stage for the last time.

The Advanced Drama Department’s (ADD) performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Oklahoma!, which took 1st place at the Musical Theater Competition of America in Feb., proved to be a blast. Filled with wonderful acting, singing, and dancing, the ADD members did the legendary musical justice.

Running from Mar. 22 to 24 and Mar. 29 to 31, Oklahoma! is going to be ADD’s last performance in the Little Theater before the opening of the new performing arts complex in August. ADD member junior Somner Zetter stated that “we all took into consideration the fact that this is going to be [ADD’s] last performance in the Little Theater, so we’re going to make sure it goes on with a bang!”

The musical follows the romance between cowboy Curly McLain, played by Gabriel Rousset Jr. and farm girl Laurey Williams, played by Ariana Raygoza. Jud Fry, played by senior Paul Nestor is the play’s antagonist. The plot centers around the events leading up to the Box Social, a large dance and party. Jud likes Laurey and asks her to the box social before Curly does, creating tension between the two. The rest of the musical is filled with “tons of dancing and singing,” as junior Kristina Price put it. The dance numbers were choreographed by Orchesis Dance Company (ODC) directors Ms. Liza Tedford and Ms. Jia Huang. ODC will also be featured in one number.

Both Somner and Jasmine considered group numbers such as “Kansas City” and “Oklahoma!” to be their favorite parts of the musical. Jasmine felt that the songs “are not only really fun to sing along to” but also “give the department a sense of unity.” ADD put their positive chemistry and flawless acting to work throughout the whole play. Kristina felt that her favorite part of the musical was “being on stage, performing, and having the time of [her] life with [her] best friends!”

The musical proved to be very entertaining and fun, and, as Somner simply put it, “a great time and a great way to hang out with friends.”

After this production is finished, ADD isn’t resting, as it is going to compete in the Shakespeare Drama Teachers Association of Southern California competition. But with their performance season soon drawing to a close, Oklahoma! represents not only a conclusion to a highly successful competition season, but also, as Jasmine put it, “a goodbye to each other” for the seniors and “a goodbye to the Little Theater.”

The Long and Hard Road to Oklahoma!

To prepare for the musical, ADD members put in numerous hours of rehearsal, ranging from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on an average day and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends or furlough days.

Somner admitted that “the hours of rehearsal can be trying, but [they] all know that it is to put on the best play possible.”

The cast members worked to get into the “Oklahoma! mindset, which consisted of researching the character so [they] could fully become them” and “mak[ing] sure our characters [we]re believable,” as ADD Historian senior Jasmine Falatoonzadeh added. According to Jasmine, ADD also polished the performance by making “transitions faster between scenes” and even coordinating the lights to make sure the colors “would mix well with the mood of the scene.” pshen@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of ADD Graphics courtesy of CUSTOMWALLGRAPHICS.COM, ETSY.COM, GRAPHICSFAIRY.BLOGSPOT.COM, PRINTABLECOLOURINGPAGES.CO.UK, VECTORFORALL.COM, YUKONFORGE.COM, and ZAZZLE.COM

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The Reel Deal: Book to Movie

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

By: Rena Chen

‘Tis the season when Hollywood gets literate. Since a bookish pedigree is a sure way to get a movie-goer’s attention, studios like to turn to acclaimed novels. However, if you ask peooth read the book and seen the ple who have both movie, they will ll most likely prefer the book.

Hopefully, this month’s upcoming novel-based ase any movie-hobmovies will please byist whether they’ve hey’ve read the book or not.

The Lorax 4/5 mily, Genre: Family, Comedy Rating: PG ate: Release Date: Mar. 2

Tip Top Quality Sandwiches

By GLUTTON GIRL Staff Writer

Tip Top’s Sandwiches is a popular Vietnamese restaurant that can cater to the needs of even the pickiest customers. Located at 8522 Valley Boulevard in Rosemead, it is tucked away in its own plaza near a Chinese seafood restaurant.

I ordered a barbecue beef sandwich (not listed on the menu!), a box of three shrimp rolls, and a 24-ounce container of sugarcane juice. All this food came for less than $10.

What’s not to like about this place?

The barbecue beef sandwich came on a golden, warm, and buttery French baguette.

The beef was rolled into meatballs and dipped in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. In short, the baguette was stuffed with meat. Slivers of chopped carrots and cilantro and the occasional jalapeno completed the sandwich.

The entire sandwich was amazing, especially the baguette. It was crispy on the outside, not too crunchy or tough, and soft on the inside.

It was, simply stated, toasted to perfection.

The shrimp rolls were also delicious. They were spring rolls filled with lots of fresh vegetable leaves, noodles, shrimp, and slices of meat.

They came with a slightly spicy, sweet and sour dipping sauce.

I was amazed by the amount of flavor in the spring roll. It could have done without the sauce, but the sauce definitely added to the flavor. The rolls were also packed with some sort of light, minty vegetable. It was a refreshing mix of flavors since the sandwich was so heavy.

My drink, the sugarcane juice, was also oddly refreshing. I had expected pure sugar, but the chefs at Tip Top’s had added ground-up oranges into it. It had a tinge of a lemon-y, citrusy flavoring, and it was fantastic. I had never tasted anything like it!

The only less-than-fantastic thing about Tip Top’s Sandwiches was the efficiency of the service. Although other Vietnamese fast food places usually have food ready in ten minutes or less, Tip Top’s took quite a while to prepare my order. It was completely worth it, however, to wait that long for such delicious (and cheap) food.

Tip Top’s Sandwiches is an amazing Vietnamese restaurant, and it deserves an 8/10. I would go back anytime and so should you! And who am I? That’s a secret I’ll never tell.

Dr. Suess’ The rossed Lorax has grossed 0 milmore than $70 ffice relion in box offi ceipts and is temporarillions ily charming millions th its of children with candy-colored vision of the future. Anyone that is familiar with the 1971 children’s book knows the protagonist hhappens tto li live iin an industrialist, treeless wasteland. In the n), movie the protagonist, Ted (Zac Efron), aylor meets the girl of his dreams, Audrey (Taylor n gain Swift), and realizes the only way he can ir barher affection is by finding a tree in their ver the ren community. To find it, he must discover harmLorax (Danny DeVito), a grumpy yet charmorests ing creature who fights to protect the forests amily in his world. The Lorax is a wonderful family film that discusses a very relevant topic. With so much construction and modern technology, we need to remember the importance of nature.

The film is entertaining, but also educational without being preachy. However, is it similar to the book? Not quite, but not in a bad way.

The original children’s book is pretty simple and poignant. If you see the movie, you can tell

that many new characters and events are added to the plot. Either way, it’s still a movie worth seeing. I definitely recommend it!

The Hunger Games 5/5 Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Rating: PG-13 Release Date: Mar. 23 Move over, Twiligh Twilight, ‘cause there’s a new novel-based movie in town, and its name is The Hunger Ga Games. Set in a dystopian future, tthe movie follows fierce 16-yea 16-year-old huntress Katniss Everde Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) rence), who takes her younger sister sister’s place in the Hunger Gam Games—an annual televise vised battle-to-the-death con contest against 23 other teen competitors (think Surv Survivor, with killing). As Katn niss an Katniss and her classmate, Peeta Mell Mellark (Josh Hutcher rson), train to become erson), Distric D District 12’s winning “tribu “tributes”, it’s obvious that their deepenin ening relationship ccould complicate the games. The Hunger Games sseries is just marvelou velous and the writing is exqui exquisite. The movie has some differences compared to the books, but I find both th the book and movie version to be extraordinary! Ho However, be aware that ther there is a lot of violence, as kids are killing other kids. Despite the violence, The Hunger Games butchered Harry Potter and the Twilight saga the minute the movie started. jbay@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BANGORDAILY NEWS.COM and FRONTROWREVIEWS.COM

Test Your Cloverness

XOXO, Glutton Girl gluttongirl@apachepowwow.com Photo by GLUTTON GIRL

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Need advice??

Send your questions to o trinasadvicecolumn@apachepow trinasadvicecolumn@apachepowwow.com wwow.com

By: Niki Chi Q: My friend and I have started ed drifting apart for a number of reasons. I’vee recently noticed that we have very different rent opinions, and we disagree on even the smallest mallest of things. I used to not care, but now it’s getting to me. I’ve also begun to think that she is very immature, and I never thought that before. Should I let us drift apart or try to bring us back together?

A: You should just let the drifting happen. Chances are that if you try to get close to your friend again, you’ll end up having more disagreements. If you’ve never realized she had these bad points before, it’s probably because you’ve matured over the course of the school year. Your friend may have been childish from the start, and you didn’t notice because you were on the same level as her. But if you really want to keep your friendship intact, talk to her once in a while. That way you can keep the drifting to a minimum without getting into too many arguments. Just know that if you choose to do that, you’ll have to watch what you say around her and you’ll also need to let her get away with saying some things.

By: Rena Chen

Q: I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy, and I’ve never loved wearing things like skirts or dresses. My mom is always asking me to wear dresses that she picks out, ings and I put them on so her feelaren’t hurt. Even though I don’t ress once in a mind wearing a dress while, being used like a Barbie doll is too much for me. How y mom withdo I tell that to my out disappointing her?

A: Talk to your mom.

Trust me on this; if you don’t bably won’t tell her, she probably he might even stop on her own. She n for enthusitake your hesitation u more dresses asm and give you to wear. I’m sure you don’t want that, right? Don’t worry about dishe can take appointing her—she a small letdown. She loves o a mayou, and she is also hould ture adult so you should icate probably communicate your feelings to her.

If she knows you diss, she like girly clothes, pect your will probably respect choices. And since you’re okay ses once in a with wearing dresses while, maybe you could humor her sometimes and put one on just to make her happy. As long as you n your mom for aren’t too harsh on treating you like a dress-up doll, oo depressed. she shouldn’t be too But remember thatt you can tell y stop giving her to completely you dresses. That may be a lot harder on your mom than you’d like it to be, but if you decide she’s put you in enough dresses for a lifetime it’s certainly something to consider saying.

Q: I’m good friends with my best friend’s boyfriend, but they broke up about a week ago. There aren’t any hard feelings between the two of them, but his birthday is coming up soon. Is it okay for me to give him a birthday present, or should I put it off until next year?

A: Of course it’s okay! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving him a birthday present. In fact, you could even give him a friendly hug and get away with it scot-free. Just because he and your friend broke up doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to be nice to him anymore.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is most likely a nosy gossip or someone who is bitter about his or her own love life. If you’re worried about being talked about behind your back (which is totally ridiculous; I repeat: nothing will happen!), maybe you should give him the present outside of school or when nobody is around. You could ask someone else to give it to him for you, but that may attract gossip more than just giving it to him directly. Either way, everything should be fine. Your friend will most likely be okay with you giving him a present, and everybody else probably won’t care. Besides, if you don’t give him a present, his feelings will probably be hurt (he won’t show it, but the hurt is there), and you wouldn’t be a very good friend then.

Q: Sometimes w when I’m tired, which is a lot lately, I jjust crave junk food. It’s become so addicting that I can’t stop myself, myself and lately I’ve started gaining we weight. What should I do to stop myself my before it’s too late (and possib possibly still keep the occasional fried chicken in my diet)?

A: The first thing you should do is relax. Go to sleep early if you aren’t doing so already, and don’t get stressed oout over life. Less stress means less exh exhaustion, so your cravings won’t be as stron strong. Next, you need to start eating healthy. To do that, get rid of most of the junk fo food in your house. Give them away, toss ‘em in the trash, do whatever works. If your parents compl complain, tell them the whole fam family is going to start shedding some pounds and it’s for everyone’s own good.

Then ggo and get some healthy food from the local grocery store (dried fruit, nnuts, cheese, etc.) to satisfy any cravin cravings you might get. Once your kitchen is stocked, start exercising.

You’d be amaze amazed at what 30 minutes of exercise a day ca can do for you, and at the end of a workou workout, you’re left feeling accomplished. If you’ve kept to your diet of healthy fo foods and exercised regularly, the poun pounds should start dropping like flies. You can give yourself four or five chances a week to indulge in some junk food, but as long as you keep up your healthy lifestyle, you’ll be able to keep your figure slim and fit.

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SPORTS

Gavin Carpenter

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March 2012

The Luck of the Athlete

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

Achieving excellence has been the utmost goal among our AHS athletes. How are they able to achieve excellence? Through hard work, dedication, and wishing on their good luck charms! Below are a few AHS athletes who’ve used their good luck charms for their own benefit.

By BRENDAN TRAN Staff Writer

Most of us are told to exercise 60 minutes a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To fulfill those 60 minutes, many of us play several sports. As we get to high school, the competition gets tougher and we tend to focus more on one sport to succeed in. That is not the case for senior Gavin Carpenter. He has played three sports, football, soccer, and track, for the past four years and has held important roles in each one. He was a kicker and wide receiver in football, and played every position in soccer but goalie. Currently, he is running for AHS’ Track and Field team. He competes in the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints.

Gavin expects the Track and Field team to be one of the top teams in the league this year. He is leading by example after he won 1st place in the 100m with 11.22 seconds, and 2nd in the 200m event with 22.93 seconds at the recent Arcadia, La Salle, Temple City Triangular Track meet. He also placed 1st in the 100m with 11.69 seconds, and 2nd in the 200m with 22.70 seconds at the Irvine Track and Field Invitational.

Gavin’s favorite sport of the three is track because of his success in the sport. After running in high school, Gavin plans to continue his success at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) while majoring in business administration. He has talked to a few coaches there and is convinced that UCSB is the best school for him. His dream of running in college started when he “was young and was always active, running around, or playing sports.” As an athlete, Gavin truly represents an ideal AHS student, balancing academics with sports and other extracurricular activities. His love for playing sports is leading him to success, showing that if you follow your passion, it will definitely pay off.

“I wear a bracelet that my friend gave me as a good luck charm. He used to be on the swim team and I thought that he was really fast; so wearing it makes me feel like I would be as well.”

—Katherine Lai, 12, Girls Varsity Swim member

“I turn my swag on. Just kidding! I actually just make sure I have enough pink tees in my bag.”

—Michelle Cheung, 9, Girls Varsity Golf member

“Before a race, for good luck, I like to talk with friends and eat some power bars. Nothing too serious because the more relaxed I am, the better I swim.”

—Laura Meiling Chun, 9, Girls Varsity Swim member

“Before a competition, I don’t really do much except rub my dad’s belly for good luck. Seriously, I do.”

—William Oetojo, 9, Boys Varsity Golf member jbay@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of DREAMSTIME.COM Photos by JOSH BAY and LEO JIANG

btran@apachepowwow.com Photo by VIVIAN CHAN

SPRING SPORTS AHS Boys Varsity Baseball: Despite losing to San Dimas High School (3-2), Boys Varsity Baseball has started off its season strong, dominating Beverly Hills High School, Polytechnic High School, La Salle High School, and San Gorgonio High School with scores of 7-1, 5-1, 1-0, and 3-0 respectively.

Photo courtesy of INSIDESOCAL.COM

AHS Boys Varsity Volleyball: The Boys Varsity Volleyball team opened the season with a shaky start, losing its season opener to South Pasadena High School, Palos Verdes High School, and El Segundo High School with scores of 1-3, 0-2, and 0-2 respectively. However, the boys took down Hoover High School and Burbank High School, winning 3-0 and 3-1, respectively.

Photo by VIVIAN CHAN

SPORTS

29 Track and Field Crosses the Line with a Blistering Time

March 2012

sports@apachepowwow.com

By ALICE LIN Staff Writer

talent, dedication, and of course, the practice each member puts in. On a daily basis, the Track team runs, practices, and hurdles from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. At times, practices can even extend to 5:00 p.m.! During this time, the members focus on either conditioning or strength training. In certain skill-specific events such as sprints, high jumps, and long jumps, members spend extra time perfecting their technique. Coach Schultz stated

As one of the largest sports teams at AHS, our Track team features some of the fastest runners, highest and farthest jumpers, and just about some of the strongest kids you will ever meet, mentally and physically. Consistently placing as one of the top teams in competitive meets such as the Pacific League Championships, Mt. Carmel Invitational, and our very own Arcadia Invitational for the past three years, the Track team is at the peak of its achievements, dominating all the events with the strongest team it has ever had.

Despite some tough competition SIZZLING EXCHANGE Junior Preston Wu against Glendale, and senior Sergio Gonzalez both complete a Burroughs, and Crescenta Valley, legal baton exchange during a relay. our Track team is currently undefeated with a record of 5-0 over- that the “kids give 100%” at all and 1-0 in the Pacific League. Winning every every meet and practice and meet it has participated in since the beginning that “they’re pretty intense at of the season, the team is hoping for a “fourth running and trying their best.” consecutive win at Pacific League for all four One such example is junior Daniel divisions” of Southern California, Coach Chris- Ting, who is “hoping to do [his] topher Schultz noted. Coach Schultz also added personal best this season” and to that he is “very optimistic that [the team] can get as far as he can. Many others do well in both league and CIF.” This year, he such as juniors Josh Kusmulyana expects at least 15 people to make it to CIF pre- and Glindyll Mancia are also tryliminaries and around eight to ten individuals to ing their best “to stay in shape” make it to CIF finals. and are proud that “everyone has Most of the team’s success comes from been improving and has been set-

ting their minds on their goals.”

A second factor to the team’s success is the camaraderie the teammates share. Glindyll noted that “one of [the team’s] weaknesses is that some of [them] get really nervous” before the races, and as the start of the race nears, these runners begin to scare themselves. To ease everyone’s fears, Glindyll revealed the team’s cheer, made by alumna Krystal Thai, called “Glindyll’s Butt.”

Just by its name, it is evident that this cheer can bring “the team together,” get them to “loosen up,” and remind them “to have fun and just try [their] best.” Besides doing the cheer before a meet, the team also bonds at practice. Coach Schultz declared that the “seniors are crucial” in not only the ranks they attain at

races but also through the lessons they teach to younger members based on their experiences.

A final factor to the team’s success comes from the coaching. As the head coach of Track, Coach Schultz has been coaching track for 29 seasons and has been coaching at Arcadia for more than 10 years. Some of the newer coaches like Coach Christopher Lau help the track team train with weights at the weight room, by providing much in-depth detail about the best way to strengthen the muscles needed for a lean mean track machine.

Track’s recent win against Glendale on Mar. 15 exemplified the team’s depth. On the girls’ side, senior Fiona Chu blew past the competition in the 100m dash, winning with a time of 13.19. Glindyll and senior Irma Nugroho finished 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the 400m. The two have been a consistent duo in this event, finishing first and second for almost every meet since the season began. The boys of Track also managed to run some fast laps. Senior Alex McElwee won the 200m by more than a second, with a time of 22.53, and also took the 100m, with a time 11.23. On the distance side, senior Francis Lee pulled a 10:23.86, winning the 3200m race, or eight laps around the track.

Overall, AHS’ Track and Field team so farhas dominated and has been victorious in the Pacific League and is soon to be triumphant at CIF Finals. alin@apachepowwow.com Photo by TOMMY LIAO

Girls Varsity Soccer in Review

By ARIANA ARZANI Executive Copy Editor

After scoring countless goals and reaching even more, the Girls Varsity Soccer team has made AHS proud with its 2nd place finish in League and making it to the second round of CIF, proving its relentless commitment to the sport the girls are all so passionate about. The team is headed by four co-captains: seniors Sarah Rock, Mollie McGuire, Nailah Elmasri, and Hayley Greep. Its coach, Mr. Ryen Piszyk, believes that he “has the best team in its league,” pinning the success on “a good group of very skilled players with a very good sense of team which definitely contributes to [its] success on the field.”

The girls wrapped up the season with a record of 14-6-3 overall and an impressive League record of 111-2. Many girls enjoy being on the team due to the powerful team spirit that bonds the girls. For sophomore Vienna Rousset, although the “workouts are very intense and the hours are long, the benefits of being on Girls Varsity Soccer are countless.” Others also share this spirit, thus enabling the girls to work harder as a team and inspire one another.

Others on the team agree that in addition to the success of the team, the relationships that

develop are enough to foster motivation on the field and off. Although their season was successful, the girls are continuing to practice after school and further develop their skills. Sophomore Rebecca Bobadilla believes that the girls are like “a crazy family and the love and support [they] have for one another makes all the time [they] spend together worthwhile and the experiences are really great.”

Through the persistent workouts, tough times, and victories the girls have spent together, they have developed a strong bond that has only continued to grow. For Sarah and Mollie, the team’s affectionately chanted motto of “Win. Fight.

Kill.” is motivational on and off the field. The girls work hard together and inspire each other to do their best. Not only are the girls teammates but, more importantly, they are friends who share a passion and a bond over the sport. With the season now over, they will have more than the trophies and medals to look back on. The relationships that have blossomed will remain for a lifetime.

By KARINA LAIGO Staff Writer

The ritual—it’s an integral part of any athlete’s means by which he or she can enter his or her “zone”. Once in “the zone”, the athlete’s mind is impenetrable to any distractions, or any forms of intimidation. The star athletes at AHS are no different, as they disclose exactly the various behaviors and rituals they undertake before attacking the playing field.

“I have this pre-race playlist I listen to on my iPod and I put on Bengay...and if it’s near a holiday I coordinate my socks with it.”

—Tansica Sunkamaneevongse, 11, Girls Varsity Track and Field member “I didn’t cut my hair or beard when we were on a winning streak. I [am] always weary about playing my iPod on the locker room speakers before a game because as far as I can recall, the three times I did it were the three times we lost.”

—James Gardner, 12, Boys Varsity Football member “I know some of the relay teams have rituals together and sing some random chant or song. Some of them pray before every meet, which I used to do too.”

—Michel Souisa, 11, Girls Varsity Track and Field member “I find it to be really useful to warm up independently for ten minutes, and then ten minutes with the team. Of course the nerves get to me, so I try to maintain a calm heart beat. When we are about ready to race, I try to get into the zone: block out the crowd and the screaming and pay attention to the game. Something that works for me...I say while I’m playing and remind myself over and over, ‘I’m the biggest and toughest person here! Play with the heart.’ Alumna Nancy Pulciano told me something I remember to this very day, ‘If you’re not dying by the end of the game, you didn’t try your hardest.’”

—Kimberly Torres, 11, Girls Varsity Waterpolo member

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“I bbelieve “I elie el ieve ie evee tthat hat my ha my rreason easso ea son fo for or la laz laziness azine ziness neess ss is is simply sim impl ply bbe because ecau caus use I re rreally eal ally ly yw want an nt tto o gget e oout et ut ooff ut high high gh sschool c oool al ch already. lre reaady. y. I tthink hink hi nk II'm 'm m oover-hyping verve r--hyyping piing ng tthe he he "freedom" "freeed dom m" off college. col o leege ge S Se Senior eni nio ioorr yyear earr is ea is nnot ot tthe ot he ""easiest he eaasiiest est chill year"; it's actually similar to junior year, just without the drive to do something. That mentality is inherited from the previous generation's thoughts on senior year.

Also, the amount of time I sit in front of the computer probably has something to do with my laziness.”

- Daniel Han, 12

March 2012 Mar

“II ddidn’t iid dn’ n t thin tthink th hin ink I co ccould ouulld ge gget et an aany ny lazier laziierr tthan la han th ha han tthis, hhis iss, bu bbut ut that th haatt oobvibvi-bvibv ously ouusl sly ha hass be bbeen eeenn pproven roove ven w wr wrong. roonngg.. II’ve ’ve ’v actually actu ac ttuual ual ally ly y ggotten otte ot ten soo llazy aazzy to o tthe he ppoint ooiinntt where wher wh wher ere wa walk walking lk lkin kin ing to om my y bbe bedroom edr droooom is is eeven vveen tiring tiiri r ngg ffor or m me.” e.” e.

- Yejean Kim, Yeje Ye jean eaan nK im m, 122 “Laziness “L Laz azin ines in esss is iin es n my my ggenes. en nes e . I’ II’ve ’ve ’ve ve been lazy my bbeeeen n tthis h s la hi azy zy m y en eentire nttiiirrree llife. ifee I if probably should have been diagnosed with senioritis since I was born. I don’t even know what real pants feel like.”

- Florence Chung, 12

“I feel like I've been in school for a while and we've all experienced the education system at its best and the education system at its worst. Sometimes you can work your hardest and still fail a class while other times you can do the bare minimum and still somehow get a B. During my free time I enjoy reading, playing games, and watching Flight of the Conchords.”

- Jonah Chou, 12

By COURTNEY HANG

As the end of the year gets closer, senioritis kicks in, getting worse and worse as time goes on. The "disease" causes seniors to become lazStaff Writer ier and lazier as graduation approaches, urging unsuspecting seniors to lose their will to work. Sometimes, however, senioritis cannot be

blamed for a student's laziness because it's simply just their personality. What makes you so lazy? What do you do (or not do) in your free time? Whether it’s senioritis or just plain laziness, this “disease” affects many. Though it is completely understandable to be affected by this, make sure not to let it get out of hand—the results could be dire!

Photos by ELLIOTT LEE and Graphics by KATHERINE BAY